The Once and Future Taiyoukai By RosieB. (Inuyasha FanFic)

Chapter 10: The Wolves at the Door

ALL RIGHTS TO ROSIE B ON FANFICTION.NET Rosie B [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/38149/RosieB]

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Chapter 10: The Wolves at the Door

A/N: Sorry this has taken so long, ya'll. Although exams are over (for now), I had to write an appellate brief for the first time. It's like torture, only you're graded on how well you scream in agony. Anyway...

A big, big, big, ENORMOUS thanks to all of you that nominated and voted for this story for the 4th quarter IYFG awards. It won 3rd place for best serial and tied for 3rd place for best romance (other). Thank you!

The Once and Future Taiyoukai

Chapter 10: The Wolves at the Door

"My lady, you look beautiful."

Kagome lifted a hand to her hair, which was adorned with a golden comb. She certainly was dressed as befitted a princess. She was amazed what a bath and a fine kimono could do for her image. No one would know that she was crying her eyes out a few hours before. She wondered what Sesshoumaru would say if he saw her. She sighed.

"Is something wrong, my lady?" asked her young attendant.

"No, I'm fine," replied Kagome. She didn't want to do this. She could care less about having dinner with Toga's guests. But she also knew that it would probably lift her spirits to have food and company. "Do you know when dinner will be ready?" There was a noise in the hallway and she turned. Sesshoumaru was supposed to remain in bed. Was he feeling better already? Toga said he wouldn't be at dinner though.

"Soon, my lady."

Kagome turned back. "Hmm?"

The demoness raised an eyebrow. "I was answering your question, my lady. I said that dinner would be ready soon."

"Oh, sorry. I completely lost my concentration there for a moment."

The servant pressed her rosy lips into a thin line. "Yes, my lady. I do not mean any offense, but you have been distracted all evening. Are you all right? Are you sure that you can go to dinner tonight?"

"I'm fine." She was distracted. Dinner was the farthest thing from her mind. What she really wanted to do was go to Sesshoumaru, press kisses to his face and promise him that she would stay, if he would only let her.

Kagome sighed softly. Whenever she fought with Inuyasha, they would fume in silence and then one of them would feel guilty and apologize. Well, she would apologize. Inuyasha's way of making up was to say something gruff and foolish, which usually made her mad again. But fighting with Sesshoumaru... All she felt was this deep ache in the pit of her stomach, despite Toga's words earlier that afternoon, and despite knowing that Sesshoumaru had only said those things to protect her. She still felt like she had masses of unshed tears behind her eyes.

It was much more like the time she had run away from Inuyasha, after finding him in the arms of Kikyo. That was a long time ago, very soon after she had arrived in the Feudal Era, but she remembered the pain. And she remembered the words her mother said under the God Tree.

She had just accepted the situation then. There was a competitor for Inuyasha's attention that Kagome couldn't actually compete with. She understood it. As long as she could be with Inuyasha, she had accepted and understood.

But that wasn't the case here. She would leave soon. She couldn't accept things as they were. With Inuyasha, she had had hope. With Sesshoumaru, she would only have memories.

She wanted to go to him, to forgive and to apologize, but she resisted. It would only result in tears. That could wait at least until after dinner. Still, she should remove temptation.