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The Wrong Ending: "Point of Contention"
Link to original entry
Link to MM.org
Link to FF.net
Pairing: Sesshoumaru + Kagome
Rating: T
Based upon:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
inuyashaquotes May 2009, Week 1
Inspiration: The Wrong Ending; “Bron-Yr-Aur” © 1970 Led Zeppelin
Talk about a storyverse springing up around you without you realizing it - that's pretty much exactly what's happened with this one, LOL!!
When![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
psyco_chick32 first sent me the list of quotes for this month, so I could start making banners, I have to admit - this was the last one I thought I'd be writing for, LOL. In a way, matching it with the banner picture is what ultimately changed my mind. It's a quote that fits Sesshoumaru to a 'T', as they say...and I thought, what fun is it to make banners for a challenge community if I don't attempt to collect them myself? :)
Hence, this story was born. It was actually originally just supposed to be a descriptive piece, encompassing what turned out to be the last few paragraphs of the story. I wanted to do a style experiment, describing one of the characters as s/he slept, from another character's point of view (preferably in a sensual manner). It took the muses a while to decide who would be who, and once they latched onto this idea of vulnerable Sesshoumaru, they started digging around this put-off-to-the-side-cause-it-threatens-to-loom-epic, The Wrong Ending.
You may remember my first post on the subject - HALP! Before the muses eat my brain!!; or maybe the controversial last one, which was sadly overshadowed by community politicking and arbitrary rules changes. Either way, I have to say that this is a story that I've not been actively working on; for this scene to pop into my head and fit so well into it caught me by surprise. So much so, that I'm wondering if I should just serialize the drabbles (and, er, this oneshot) instead of trying to write a true epic-quest story...
Either way, that's not the point. This piece rather got away from me, mostly because I was trying to fit in the backstory so it would make sense as a standalone piece. Hopefully it does. The inspiration from the quote may not be too obvious either, but I thought less of "backing it up" as a show of power than as a matter of argument. Sesshoumaru's argument in this piece is that "youkai don't need sleep", which can be interpreted on many different levels - the literal one, plus on a few planes higher into abstract thought, as a way to point out differences between the species and, ultimately, the superiority of youkai to humans. They are more advanced creatures because they can sustain themselves without frequent rest breaks, etc. (Of course Sesshoumaru is going to think himself better than everyone else - that's kinda his thing, LOL.)
The way Kagome brings him down is an interesting one, bringing up his weakness, namely that of Rin, the tiny human child that found him and then followed him for a good 400 chapters of the manga, putting herself and him in danger several times. Ultimately, here, Sesshoumaru acknowledges the strength of her argument, by coming back after their little quarrel in the courtyard of the inn. He doesn't apologize, but he capitulates, all while keeping his pride in tact.
The inspiration song, “Bron-Yr-Aur,” is a beautiful little instrumental from Physical Graffiti that really sets the tone for the final scene, when Kagome is watching Sesshoumaru sleep. That scene may also bring this piece of fanart to mind - which would not be surprising, as its my desktop wallpaper at the moment, and thus, what I see everytime I sit down to the computer :)
As for where this story falls on the timeline - I'm not quite sure; its definitely in the near-beginning of the piece, I'd say, given the references to "the first night" and a relatively short time travelling together. So, roughly, this is the correct 'order' to read these in:
"The Wrong Ending"
"Point of Contention"
"Indulgence"
"Searching for Answers"
Link to MM.org
Link to FF.net
Pairing: Sesshoumaru + Kagome
Rating: T
Based upon:
inuyashaquotes May 2009, Week 1Inspiration: The Wrong Ending; “Bron-Yr-Aur” © 1970 Led Zeppelin
Talk about a storyverse springing up around you without you realizing it - that's pretty much exactly what's happened with this one, LOL!!
When
psyco_chick32 first sent me the list of quotes for this month, so I could start making banners, I have to admit - this was the last one I thought I'd be writing for, LOL. In a way, matching it with the banner picture is what ultimately changed my mind. It's a quote that fits Sesshoumaru to a 'T', as they say...and I thought, what fun is it to make banners for a challenge community if I don't attempt to collect them myself? :)Hence, this story was born. It was actually originally just supposed to be a descriptive piece, encompassing what turned out to be the last few paragraphs of the story. I wanted to do a style experiment, describing one of the characters as s/he slept, from another character's point of view (preferably in a sensual manner). It took the muses a while to decide who would be who, and once they latched onto this idea of vulnerable Sesshoumaru, they started digging around this put-off-to-the-side-cause-it-threatens-to-loom-epic, The Wrong Ending.
You may remember my first post on the subject - HALP! Before the muses eat my brain!!; or maybe the controversial last one, which was sadly overshadowed by community politicking and arbitrary rules changes. Either way, I have to say that this is a story that I've not been actively working on; for this scene to pop into my head and fit so well into it caught me by surprise. So much so, that I'm wondering if I should just serialize the drabbles (and, er, this oneshot) instead of trying to write a true epic-quest story...
Either way, that's not the point. This piece rather got away from me, mostly because I was trying to fit in the backstory so it would make sense as a standalone piece. Hopefully it does. The inspiration from the quote may not be too obvious either, but I thought less of "backing it up" as a show of power than as a matter of argument. Sesshoumaru's argument in this piece is that "youkai don't need sleep", which can be interpreted on many different levels - the literal one, plus on a few planes higher into abstract thought, as a way to point out differences between the species and, ultimately, the superiority of youkai to humans. They are more advanced creatures because they can sustain themselves without frequent rest breaks, etc. (Of course Sesshoumaru is going to think himself better than everyone else - that's kinda his thing, LOL.)
The way Kagome brings him down is an interesting one, bringing up his weakness, namely that of Rin, the tiny human child that found him and then followed him for a good 400 chapters of the manga, putting herself and him in danger several times. Ultimately, here, Sesshoumaru acknowledges the strength of her argument, by coming back after their little quarrel in the courtyard of the inn. He doesn't apologize, but he capitulates, all while keeping his pride in tact.
The inspiration song, “Bron-Yr-Aur,” is a beautiful little instrumental from Physical Graffiti that really sets the tone for the final scene, when Kagome is watching Sesshoumaru sleep. That scene may also bring this piece of fanart to mind - which would not be surprising, as its my desktop wallpaper at the moment, and thus, what I see everytime I sit down to the computer :)
As for where this story falls on the timeline - I'm not quite sure; its definitely in the near-beginning of the piece, I'd say, given the references to "the first night" and a relatively short time travelling together. So, roughly, this is the correct 'order' to read these in:
"The Wrong Ending"
"Point of Contention"
"Indulgence"
"Searching for Answers"
no subject
I knew I could prod your muses from hiding!!
The way Kagome brings him down is an interesting one, bringing up his weakness, namely that of Rin
That was such a total "Zing/Burn" moment, I actually cheered... and then cringed -_-;;
no subject
LOL! They certainly gave me more than I had bargained for. I really, really, really just wanted to do the descriptive part at the end, but those muses are manipulative bitches. LOL I swear, I've never written a story by not really paying attention to it before :P
This might prove most interesting.
That was such a total "Zing/Burn" moment, I actually cheered... and then cringed -_-;;
It's something that isn't really well explained in the piece, I guess, especially since the violence at the village isn't really expounded upon, but to call that jibe "hitting a nerve" would be a serious understatement. I mean, you know its bad if he won't even acknowledge it happened. So, hopefully, by Kagome losing her temper, you can also understand just how on edge she is by the whole thing - coming back to a situation completely unexpected, being forced to team up with someone with the personality of a block of ice because he's basically the last person you even know, and on a quest to find something you also expect to have the worst ending possible. I don't think I'd be too cheery, either, truth be told :P
But, it seems more and more like I need to get the first chapter of this thing written and posted somewhere so it actually makes sense to read the rest of it out of order, LOL. Just goes to show the importance of a setup, I guess :P
no subject
*nods* that was about where I started cringing. When he was pissed (and Kagome was like "hoshit I'm gonna die") I was kinda cheering for her (I love seeing her actually stand up for herself, since so many people make her the OMG!Damsel-who-can't-walk-a-straight-line... then he withdrew and I'm all "Oooohhh not good."
it seems more and more like I need to get the first chapter of this thing written and posted somewhere so it actually makes sense to read the rest of it out of order
*prodprod*
YES PLZKTHNX
no subject
:D I've conditioned you well, then! He's a subtle creature, but very easy to read once you get a bead on him. (Writing him, on the other hand...yeah, that's what turned this into such a long piece. I had to justify to myself a reason for him to 1) make the argument in the first place, and then 2) not wake up at the end when she actually touches his markings, which in fanon at least are super-duper sensitive. Always with the justifications, this one! :P)
I don't know why so many people forget Kagome lets her mouth run away on her sometimes (unless its because they've read the entire manga and actually see the moment when her spine is ripped out near the end, LOL). She's feisty when she wants to be; besides, let's face it - we all say shit we regret when we're on the edge of stress and emotion. She's human, that's just the way we're built, LOL. To put up with him long enough to survive this quest, she's going to have to stand up for herself. He won't treat her like a child because he knows what she's been through and what she's capable of handling. He may not understand her drive for this journey (in finding Inuyasha safe and sound), but he knows she's no wimp.
*prodprod*
YES PLZKTHNX
LOL you just want the company of someone else in the middle of 4 separate yet active WIPs, don't you? :P
I make no promises, but the muses seem heartily attached to this one. We'll see. (Of course they start this again when I've got more RL stuff to deal with than you can shake a stick at *eyeroll*)
no subject
*grins* She can be taught!!
when she actually touches his markings, which in fanon at least are super-duper sensitive.
Yeah... I really don't get that. I mean, I guess InuYasha's ears make sense (since some people have kinda strange erogenous zones and most puppies like a good ear rub) but his markings... that confuzzles me. Then again, the whole biting-to-mark thing gets me, too...
GAH let's not get me started on fanon we'll be up all night...
I don't know why so many people forget Kagome lets her mouth run away on her sometimes
I have no clue. That's half the fun of writing her, because I, myself, am a major sufferer of "foot-in-mouth" disease. The 'Hoshit did I just say that?' attitude is one I can relate with.
On the other hand, I hate it when people make her out to be completely vicious (don't get me started on the rosary, because I actually think it levels their relationship rather than making her a high-and-mighty-mistress) because she doesn't go out of her way to hurt people (other than the Naraku taunting near the end... which actually made me laugh).
LOL you just want the company of someone else in the middle of 4 separate yet active WIPs, don't you? :P
*grins* You know what they say! Misery loves company! :P
no subject
I must be doing something right if I was nominated for characterization for both of them, LOL :P That srsly made my freaking day, even if some of the other nominees made me go o.O
Yeah... I really don't get that. I mean, I guess InuYasha's ears make sense (since some people have kinda strange erogenous zones and most puppies like a good ear rub) but his markings... that confuzzles me. Then again, the whole biting-to-mark thing gets me, too...
GAH let's not get me started on fanon we'll be up all night...
Honestly, I've never really given the whole super-sensitive markings thing a lot of thought. I guess maybe its a way to show even Sesshoumaru is vulnerable in some way? (Or that he has special e-zones during the sexxorz, more likely.) Because if you do think about it, it doesn't make any sense. He has those marks on his wrists as well, which would be a huge weakness during battle, or so you'd think.
And LOL yeah, fanon discussion is enough to keep anybody awake at night :P
I have no clue. That's half the fun of writing her, because I, myself, am a major sufferer of "foot-in-mouth" disease. The 'Hoshit did I just say that?' attitude is one I can relate with.
Yeah, I agree - its one of her more endearing traits. Considering she's practically made a saint, especially in the anime, its nice to see her have some flaws.
On the other hand, I hate it when people make her out to be completely vicious (don't get me started on the rosary, because I actually think it levels their relationship rather than making her a high-and-mighty-mistress)
Also agreed! But I think this is a trope from the anime, where she 'sits' Inuyasha a lot more than is strictly necessary. She doesn't do it to be mean (most of the time - and when she does, its because he's done something to piss her off, LOL) or to lord over him. It starts as a way to control him, but I think it ends up as a tangible connection between them. Though, I admit, I would've liked for her to have taken it off him in the last chapter of the manga...
*grins* You know what they say! Misery loves company! :P
DON'T ENCOURAGE THE MUSES *claps hands on head in utterly vain defense*
no subject
I'm so glad for you on that - it's such a fabulous honor... especially as the two of them are very different from one another! I'm crossing my fingers for you - you totally deserve those!
He has those marks on his wrists as well, which would be a huge weakness during battle, or so you'd think.
HOMG *claps hand over mouth* That's one of the greatest crack ideas EVAR...
*mentally recites "I won't write it, Sess will come alive and kill me" over and over and over again*
I think this is a trope from the anime, where she 'sits' Inuyasha a lot more than is strictly necessary. She doesn't do it to be mean (most of the time - and when she does, its because he's done something to piss her off, LOL) or to lord over him. It starts as a way to control him, but I think it ends up as a tangible connection between them. Though, I admit, I would've liked for her to have taken it off him in the last chapter of the manga...
From what I've heard, it was heightened in the anime because Japanese really enjoy that kind of violent humor. I hate the people who think it's her way of "keepin' the man down" though... I always want to point out the teeth, the claws, the super strength and speed...
I mean, really? If InuYasha wanted it off, he could easily kidnap Shippou and threaten his life. Or just cover her damn mouth and refuse to do anything until she removed it.
Hell, I bet Kikyou could remove it (same souls and all)... damnit, that just poked a plot bunny...
GAH.
Although I actually love that she didn't remove it - he had it all that time, it's like his visible reminder of who she is to him.
DON'T ENCOURAGE THE MUSES *claps hands on head in utterly vain defense*
*ships you a crate of plot-bunnies* (guaranteed to work!)...
*laces them with MiracleGro*
*cackles evilly*
no subject
Winning an award for characterization was one of my goals for this year. I was very surprised that I was nominated for Kagome for that fic, considering its totally from Sesshoumaru's point of view.
I have my fingers crossed as well because I have some very popular competition...
HOMG *claps hand over mouth* That's one of the greatest crack ideas EVAR...
*mentally recites "I won't write it, Sess will come alive and kill me" over and over and over again*
*backs away slowly*
I had no part in this.
*clings to Sesshoumaru muse*
I hate the people who think it's her way of "keepin' the man down" though... I always want to point out the teeth, the claws, the super strength and speed...
SRSLY. That thing made her his equal, not his superior.
Although I actually love that she didn't remove it - he had it all that time, it's like his visible reminder of who she is to him.
At the same time, though - she's back with him, so he kinda doesn't need it? I don't know. I guess either way you look at it can be rather nice :) I think I need a nice fluffy piece where she removes it, like a symbol that their love has come full circle or whatever. (I think it doesn't help that for most of the third movie he was without it and then she put it back on him at the end - that scene never sat well with me.)
*ships you a crate of plot-bunnies* (guaranteed to work!)...
*laces them with MiracleGro*
*cackles evilly*
Ya know, the muses are very sensitive. If you overload them, they will shut down (and then apparently come back with a long-ago buried idea in response *facepalm*). Right now I'm eyeing a way to bring back Allegiance, though I also recognize it's been nearly a month since the last Nihon Idol update. Those chapters are freaking massive, though, so I don't feel as bad letting it slide.
But you know, I'd honestly have it no other way :) If it was my job to sit around and write or be creative all day, I could be happy :) It's the whole "trying to earn a living" thing that's bringing me down :-/
no subject
I had no part in this.
*clings to Sesshoumaru muse*
ROFL You totally had a part in it... BUT I generally don't wander into the realm of crack.
However, that and your "Sesshoumaru is in Arabian" crack might come to play later in Ride On! just for the hell of it *snicker*
That thing made her his equal, not his superior.
THANK YOU! *glomps* Srsly, so many people are like "OMG WTF IT'S SO WRONG" and I'm like "Hey, remember the time when he was all youkai-ish and turned to her and she was like, frightened and stuff?" A lot of people use that moment to insist that he wouldn't kill her, etc. etc... but I have to say if my buddy suddenly went all demon-like, I'd be doing what i could to get the fuck outta dodge...
(I think it doesn't help that for most of the third movie he was without it and then she put it back on him at the end - that scene never sat well with me.)
I honestly always skip that part of the movie. It's my favorite out of the four, so I refuse to let it ruin the story for me, LOL!
You're right, though - either way, it's fluffy happy ^_^ I started writing a one-shot where she tried to take it off and he said no, but I don't know what ever happened to that particular bunny...
If it was my job to sit around and write or be creative all day, I could be happy :) It's the whole "trying to earn a living" thing that's bringing me down :-/
INORITE? *kicks real life* Real life and bills and money and food and stuff are all really dumb. *pouts*
Not to mention sleep. Do you know how much writing I could do if I didn't have to sleep??
no subject
I'm like "Hey, remember the time when he was all youkai-ish and turned to her and she was like, frightened and stuff?" A lot of people use that moment to insist that he wouldn't kill her, etc. etc...
Um, hello, he hated her guts for the first, what, 10 or so chapters of the story? Half the point was that his character grew to trust, accept, and love her. Talk about missing the point entirely...
I honestly always skip that part of the movie. It's my favorite out of the four, so I refuse to let it ruin the story for me, LOL!
Ditto. That one is my favorite of the four as well, but probably for different reasons. I rewatched it last week in an attempt to lure my muses out of hiding. Along with the battle at the border between the two worlds from the anime *sigh* That was a nice night.
Cuz I have noooooooooooooo life...
Not to mention sleep. Do you know how much writing I could do if I didn't have to sleep??
YES I DO OMG.
But I can't complain - that's when I generally do my best plotting, because I have nothing to distract me.
no subject
It's really sad how often that happens in this fandom...
One of the reviews on The Wrong Beginning told me InuYasha wouldn't have killed her then... because he was in love with her at first sight.
*facepalm a thousand times over*
They didn't respond when I replied with the comment that I took his lines directly from the manga...
Cuz I have noooooooooooooo life...
Lives are totally and completely overrated.
YES I DO OMG... that's when I generally do my best plotting, because I have nothing to distract me.
Okay, I have to agree with this.
But now that I've got most of my plots down, I'd love to skip a few nights and get caught up with said plots...
no subject
*facepalm a thousand times over*
*facepalm* doesn't even begin to cover it. That sounds like someone who only has fanfic to go on and has never bothered with the source material. A big D: to them!
Lives are totally and completely overrated.
LOL, glad I'm not the only one who thinks that way! :P
no subject
Ya know, I never really realized it, but I think you're right. I mean, anybody who has read the manga or even seen the anime knows there there was some definite hatred on their parts in the beginning.
LOL, glad I'm not the only one who thinks that way! :P
*grins* Definitely not! If I could just figure out how to get INTO the internet, I'd go willingly.
no subject
Are they tracking down Inuyasha or Tessaiga to determine if Inuyasha is alive or dead? I guess it was not clear to me why they are pursuing him.
no subject
Well, I should hope so, as they are two very different characters :)
Both SK and IK seem to have a cult of St.Kagome.
LOL, see above conversation. Half the fun with her is that she has a mouth on her for quite a bit of the story. Oh, the possibilities in letting these two clash! *rubs hands together*
Are they tracking down Inuyasha or Tessaiga to determine if Inuyasha is alive or dead? I guess it was not clear to me why they are pursuing him.
The lack of clarity is my fault, I fully admit. It's something that will be a clear objective, if I ever have the chance to really sit down and write out the first chapter of this fic. They are searching for Inuyasha, period, because he is missing and in his absence, Kaede's village was attacked and mercilessly slaughtered (Rin included - but not Miroku/Sango/Kohaku). Kagome wants to find Inuyasha because she's in love with him. To give Sesshoumaru a real reason for actively seeking out his brother, however, I had to be a bit more creative - he's taking this quest under the guise of desiring to make sure Tessaiga doesn't fall out of his family's hands, so to speak. That way, there's also an air of mystery as to whether or not Inuyasha's still alive.
I swear, it all makes plausible sense in my head, LOL; the explanations just sound trite and cliche and predictable. This is my attempt at writing a quest fic.