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Allegiance | 9: Bargain
MASTER SERIES INDEX IS HERE.
Click here to read original entry (200 words)
Title: Bargain - Expanded
Universe: Canon
Rating: T
Warnings: Angst, sadness
Word Count: 886
Summary: Sesshoumaru weighs the consequences of Kagome’s bargain.
Author’s Note: Ahahaha, I thought this one wasn't going to get much of an expansion, and look at how it ended up: longest piece of the series yet.
This is a direct sequel to Repentance (they can be read as one long, expanded scene as far as I'm concerned.) Also, for the curious who have read the original drabble already - yes, we get to see just how Sesshoumaru reacts to being called “darling” by Kagome.
Disclaimer: The Inuyasha concept, story, and characters are copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media.
“Tell me what happened to Rin.”
Sesshoumaru’s eyes shot open, his gaze locking onto the woman kneeling by his bedside. Oh, the irony. Of course she would poke her nose where it didn’t belong, wondering just how it was she came to be at his side instead of the little human girl who had long accompanied him.
It was only a matter of time, really.
He shouldn’t have been so shocked.
Kagome gazed back at him steadily, her fingers warm and pliant as they kneaded his back with comforting strokes, waiting for the answer to her query.
“That’s none of your concern,” he ground out, bracing himself for the onslaught of righteous indignation that he was certain would be her response. God, how he loathed being at the mercy of her volatile emotions – !
He was pleasantly surprised when she reacted in no such way. He watched her carefully, striving to stay on his guard despite the heavy temptation of sleep that hovered over him.
She was silent for a long moment, her eyes slipping down to her lap, yet she continued to stroke his back softly. He could sense it slightly, the war she waged within herself – even as his youki slowly reasserted its control of their mutual bond, shielding him from the quick, stabbing flashes that accompanied her waves of ever-changing sentiment.
Finally, she found her words. “Isn’t it?” she replied, her tone calm but determined as she addressed him. “We’ve pledged an alliance to one another, and made a blood oath…and right now you’re the one suffering for it.”
Her voice broke, tears threatening behind her eyes, her fingers curling into the skin of his back. She took a deep breath, collecting her wits, allowing her calm, rational side to persevere over the waves of anguish and fear.
He furrowed deeper into the warm circle of his mokomoko, observing her closely as she gathered her courage.
“You know my past, Sesshoumaru,” she continued, leaning closer, letting her gaze meet his. “You know my secrets, my memories, my regrets. All I’m asking is that you grant me the same courtesy.”
He marveled at the degree of control she held over herself, as if she finally realized just how integrally connected they were now – and just how much her unpredictable emotional state affected him. He found it admirable that she was allowing herself to be so vulnerable in front of him, as if in repayment for being the cause of his current condition.
The serene sense of tranquility that fell over him simultaneously soothed him, and made him even more suspicious.
The light stroking of his back fell away as she traced the contours of his face, her fingers drifting along his temple and over the pointed shape of his ear. He shuddered under her delicate touch as a soft wave of concern and compassion rolled over him.
“Let me know you, understand you,” she urged.
Maybe…he had kept this firmly buried, for so very long, but if there was one person who knew what it was like to have loved and lost…
“My darling Sesshoumaru,” she whispered, clasping his hand. “Trust me. Help me. Let me help you.”
He hardly heard the words of her bargain; instead his mind began to spiral uneasily at the dusty old term of endearment. Darling. No one since his mother had called him that, except –
– once –
“Don’t patronize me,” he mumbled, unable to draw up the necessary indignation under the heavy slumber that pervaded the room.
She bristled, drawing back slightly. “What?”
“I am not your ‘darling,’” he replied, his youki roaring at the very idea. “You hold no love for me in your heart, not as long as you mourn that disgusting hanyou.”
“W-what does that have to do – ” she stumbled, flustered, her careful control slowly crumbling as his youki blossomed forth once again.
“How can you presume to ‘help me’ move past the mistakes and regrets of my past, when you still cling to yours?” he mused, his voice low and guttural.
Some small, irrational part of him found perverse pleasure in watching her fumble for an answer. Push her away – protect yourself – she has no right – !
“So you admit it was a mistake, whatever happened,” she pointed out, reigning in her irritation and attempting to move back to the subject at hand.
“Woman,” he warned, narrowing his eyes. “I advise you not to continue this line of reasoning, so long as my claws are in such close proximity to your neck.”
She squeezed the hand she held between hers, fighting to keep her emotions under control, aware that his youki was quite awake and ready for battle. “Why do you threaten me?” she asked softly, gently. “I only wish to help you.” We’re in this together; work with me, please.
“You wish to help me?” he murmured, disguising his uneasiness with cool anger. “Then leave me be.” He withdrew from her grasp, rolling across the mattress, putting as much space between them as possible.
No. She would not.
He would not allow her.
Darling...
It was over, done, buried in the past. There was no use dragging it up now. He couldn’t change what had happened.
He couldn’t bring a dead girl back. Not again.
And no bargain was worth reliving that grief.
no subject
Ah, well, in France we say 'A têtu, têtu et demi' (it's too late to attempt a translation... -yawn-) Kagome is just the person that old stubborn dog needed, and she's strong enough to let the past go... but is he? -smirk-
Anyway, going to bed -mumbles under her breath about dogs and barking at ungodly hours-
See you XD
PS: by the way, I'm far from inspired by the current prompts... I think I may write a little bit for 'whispers' while waiting for a prompt worthy of my notice -haughty snort-
no subject
Ah, well, in France we say 'A têtu, têtu et demi' (it's too late to attempt a translation... -yawn-) Kagome is just the person that old stubborn dog needed, and she's strong enough to let the past go... but is he? -smirk-
I have a feeling it will very much be on his terms (or so he thinks! *ducks from the growling muse*)...but considering the ending, maybe it won't be so simple.
by the way, I'm far from inspired by the current prompts... I think I may write a little bit for 'whispers' while waiting for a prompt worthy of my notice -haughty snort-
*perks up* Oh really? Love that story, OMGOMG!!
I know what you mean about feeling uninspired...that's the way I am with the