Allegiance | 5: Oath

[luxken27]

(click on banner to read original entry - 400 words)

Title: Oath - Expanded
Universe: Canon
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Word Count: 733
Summary: Sesshoumaru fights conflicting feelings after swearing a blood oath to Kagome.

Disclaimer: The Inuyasha concept, story, and characters are copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media.

~*~
Sesshoumaru led Kagome to a small clearing just beyond the walls of his castle. As they walked, he took a moment, allowing his gaze to wander over the landscape, retracing the old, familiar edges. This place was his secret, a childhood refuge where he’d fled when seeking comfort or solace. There was something about this place – the air, the sweet smell of the wildflowers blooming among the grass – that always set him immediately at ease, no matter what the cause of his troubles or unhappiness.

He’d never allowed another soul to discover this place, not even his beloved Rin.

They were silent as they stepped into the tiny meadow, so out of place among the dense forest surrounding his home. He approached the lone tree in the middle of the glen, touching its bark with soft reminiscence before turning to face her. The morning mist was still heavy in the air, cloaking them in silence, in secrecy. It was almost enough to hide the ugly bruises and wounds that covered her skin.

Almost.

“You’re sure about this?” he murmured, eyeing her critically.

“Yes.” Her gaze met his directly. He couldn’t help but wonder if she truly understood the consequences of her dangerous proposal – to strengthen their alliance into a union. It was a shocking notion, one he would have dismissed outright not so long ago.

Not even Rin, who’d taught him how to love, had been able to move his heart so far.

But this was not a matter of love…

“Hold out your wrist,” he directed.

She complied, the sleeve of her kimono falling back, revealing still-healing scars. She didn’t flinch as he swiped a claw across the marred flesh – and, perhaps more impressively, she held her purifying powers at bay.

He sliced his opposite wrist, quickly pressing the open wounds together, twining their hands to hold the seal in place.

He gazed at her as their blood mingled. Beyond her determination and resolve, there lurked something more… His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the unrepentant sadness twinkling in her eyes.

She didn’t want this.

She didn’t want him for a mate.

Even as her hand held firm in his, her fingers tracing the markings at his wrist, he realized: her heart still yearned for his long-dead brother.

The disappointment he felt was such that not even this nostalgic place could wash it away.

“It’s done,” he muttered a moment later, pulling away from her grasp. He brought her wrist to his lips to seal the wound, but she resisted.

“No,” she said, attempting to pull away. “Leave it be.” Let it stand, an open declaration to the others.

“Unnecessary,” he replied, tending to his own cut. “The others will know by the mark of my scent.”

She gazed down at her wrist, the wound already beginning to disappear. He sensed the overwhelming feeling that washed through her, the uncertainty and fear ebbing just beneath her surface.

He drew her into an embrace, the royal silk of his sleeves engulfing her. He felt her startled gasp, a whisper of breath against his chest, and squeezed his eyes shut. Now that her blood flowed through his veins, he felt what she felt – an emotional connection, as much as it was physical or mental.

He could almost feel the icy barriers around his heart thawing.

After a moment’s hesitation, she relaxed against him, resisting the innate call of her purifying powers – a move decidedly in his best interests, as he wore no armor or weapons.

“So a blood oath marks a youkai union?” she murmured, her head resting lightly on his shoulder, her eyes still drawn to her upturned wrist.

He nodded silently, resisting the urge to draw her even closer as a surge of protectiveness flooded through him. Everything he was now experiencing was so new and acute, primal, a combination of her intense human emotions, and the primitive reaction of his youki to her.

His mate.

Not for love – for business. For protection.

To preserve an alliance that would ultimately serve to increase his power, his wealth, the reach of his empire.

That would have to be enough…

His breath hitched when he felt the gentle pressure of her lips on his, her hands warm on his neck. “And that?” he breathed, blinking rapidly, momentarily confused as she pulled away.

“…is how humans seal a marriage,” she answered, smiling softly.