Light of the Sohmas'

Chapter 14 – Sesshoumaru's Introduction

As he continued to pack his belongings for his trip, he stopped short at his dresser. It was another picture of him and Kagome at the last autumn festival they were together. Her mother forced her in a beautiful deep blue yukata covered in an assortment of pink flowers decorated at the ends of the yukata. Her hair was done in a simple ponytail and she wore the silver butterfly comb he bought her at the festival. He was sitting on the bench with her leaning against him and pointing at the fireworks. It was a stolen shot, but a beautiful one.

"Come on Sesshoumaru-senpai! Hurry up!" Kagome waved as she weaved around the crowd. Her hair was flopping up and down as she tried to get through the crowd. For someone who was trying to best him at everything, she was incredibly childish.

He shook his head in amusement and tucked his hand in his yukata's sleeves. Just before he was about to follow after his best friend, a mask was shoved in his face by a street salesman.

It was a happy, expression like face where the mouth was animatedly stretched at the corner of the lips. "Would you like to buy a mask sir? It's perfect for the autumn's festival! Everyone's wearing it!" He exclaimed as his pitch was as high as any annoying salesman.

He stared at the mask in annoyance. Just before he can decline, Kagome had quickly strapped it on his face.

She gave him a cheeky grin as she wiggled her eyebrows in mischief. "Aw! I love that look on you Sesshoumaru-senpai," she said. There was a mocking gleam in her eyes.

Sesshoumaru tensed nervously as the word "love" came up.

'Should I tell her…?'

Before his nervousness can show, he quickly grabbed the nearest object to him which happened to be a comb with a huge platinum silver butterfly as the ornament. He quickly placed it against the ribbon that held her ponytail.

"I'll wear the mask if you wear that," he said as he dropped a couple of yens' on the eager merchant's hands.

Her eyes widened in surprise just before she crossed her arms and pouted, "But it makes me look even worse!"

"You mean even more girly?" He asked raising an eyebrow in amusement behind his mask.

She sputtered and he saw her face turning red quickly in embarrassment. He fully smiled against the mask as he watch her attempt to refute. He tilted his head and continued to make her suffer. "You look even more beautiful with that Kagome…chan."

Her face was ripe as a tomato.

Before she can sputter some more, he grabbed her left hand and lead them to their spot. "Come on. Let's hurry. The firework show is about to start."

It was a spot just near a deserted dry fountain, outside of the festival and away from people. It was a spot that he and Kagome found a long time ago as children. It was their fifth autumn festival together when they found the area that had the perfect view. She was five and he was eight at the time when they wandered away from their parents to find this place.

Just as he stopped with Kagome, the fireworks blew up in the air shining the night sky. His hand was still tucked in Kagomes' as he watched her through his mask. Her face lighted up with the sky, her expression in awe. The spot was at the edge of a cliff, just behind a huge fountain that blocked their view from everyone. The trees covered the area well from any disturbance and interruption. It overlooked the city and when it was dark enough, fireflies would light up the area.

It was their spot…their very own special spot that belonged only to them.

Sesshoumaru smiled and clenched his hand against Kagomes' and turned to stare at the fireworks with her.

When the show went on for a while, he finally took a seat on the patch of grass and relaxed as Kagome followed suit.

"No matter how much I see this, I'm still amazed," Kagome said breathlessly.

Sesshoumaru relaxed and nodded in reply. It was only amazing when he had her by his side, but he wasn't going to tell her that…yet.

Kagome was on her knees behind him as she leaned against him and pointed at the firework that looked like irises. He slowly took off his mask and stared up at Kagome's face. He wasn't going to tell her yet. What they have now was fine. Besides…She was only thirteen. He had a lot of time to tell her.

He grabbed it and put it in his duffel bag, smiling just slightly at the fond memory.

"Sesshoumaru, are you sure you don't want to rest for a while longer? You just woke up son."

He turned to his father with a frown. "I was asleep for two years otousan. I think I've had enough rest," he said as he turned to his father, "Besides, how can I just stand around doing nothing after finding out Kagome got engaged...without her consent?" He asked.

As always, he remained calm. When he found out, he was furious of course, but being angry didn't solve anything. He knew he had to do something, even if he didn't know yet. Sesshoumaru realized that the only thing he can do right now was to confront her about it. If he finds out that those Sohmas' are forcing her to marry this Aki...Aki-something, he wasn't going to let it stand.

Inu Taisho sighed and shook his head as Sesshoumaru walked passed him through the door. "There's no way to talk you out of this?" Inu Taisho asked, his tone just as calm as Sesshoumarus'.

Sesshoumaru looked over his shoulder to Inu Taisho. That look was all it took as Inu Taisho did a simple nod for his approval.

"What are you doing Kyo?" Shigure asked with a sigh.

"I'm going after Kagome!" He replied hotly as he continued to pack his clothes.

"But you just came back from training. Do you really think Kazuma would let you disturb with Kagome-chans'?" Shigure asked.

When he received no reply as Kyo continued to hastily shove clothes in his small duffel bag, Shigure sighed, his shoulders slagging a bit.

"You know she needs this Kyo..." Shigure started, trying for another approach.

Kyo paused for a moment and turned his head slightly, indicating he was listening. Finally. He was getting through the idiot.

"She promised to cure this curse upon our family. Kazuma only took her for the purpose of training her."

"But she doesn't know the intense training Kazuma will put her through," Kyo said turning fully to face Shigure, "And you know how bad it can be too! Why are you trying to stop me you stup-"

He was cut off when Shigure threw a mysterious wooden plank into his face. "Yes. I'm well aware of how much hell Kazuma can put a person through, but it's always been effective. Kagome will come back a trained spiritual miko and by the time you know it, the Sohma's curse will be broken." Shigure's face turned into a serious frown before he continued, "Even yours' Kyo."

"Hell if I'm going to sit here a-"

There was a soft interrupted cough from outside his door as Shigure and Kyo turned to Tohru who had a soft blush on her cheeks. She laughed nervously. "Gomen nasai. Anou...Shigure-san, there's someone at the door looking for Kagome-chan." She looked away blushing.

"Eh? Is there something wrong Tohru-san?" Shigure asked his eyebrow rising up in surprise. Was it him or was she flustered.

"It's just..well, our guest is very..." she trailed off, her face completely red. She wasn't able to finish what she was saying before she hastily excused herself to make some tea.

Shigure and Kyo both had a very bewildered expression.

...And it was obvious as to why Tohru had been the way she was. Their guest was particularly...attractive. Beyond attractive than any man or even human should be. Shigure felt his face heating up just slightly. Kyo, being the prideful person he was, didn't care much but couldn't admit that their guest was ugly.

There was an air of nobility, elegance, and arrogance around him as he drank his tea calmly.

"I believe introductions are in order..." Shigure started, actually gulping down his nervousness. There was something about this person that was intimidating and very familiar.

The guest placed his tea down and started, "My name is Sesshoumaru Taisho... and I'm here in regards to Kagome Higurashi." His eyes never strayed from Shigure's eyes. Those piercing golden eyes and stock white...silver hair were indeed passed down from the great Inu Taisho. Yet instead of a natural friendly and charismatic air around Inu Taisho, this one was more arrogant and cold. He bred one hell of a son, Shigure had to admit.

Before Shigure can introduce himself and tell him about Kagome's whereabouts, Kyo beat him to it. "She isn't here right now and won't be coming around in a couple of months," he said in an unfriendly tone.

He turned back to their guest only to find Sesshoumaru and Kyo was having a staring contest. There was an air of disdain in the room. Hate...at first sight perhaps?

"Where is she?" Sesshoumaru asked in a clipped and curt tone.

Shigure was about to answer, but once again, Kyo replied for both of them.

"None of your damn business."

Shigure soon felt the tenseness within the air.

So this was the Sesshoumaru that Kagome had been talking about. Kyo glared ominously at the guy glaring back. She never mentioned that he was such a prick though.

"Sesshoumaru-senpai this, Sesshoumaru-senpai that, oh Sesshoumaru-senpai was the greatest! The best in the whole damn universe!"

He was probably over exaggerating a bit, but he couldn't help it. When she talked about him, it was in admiration. Kyo couldn't help but feel a little envious of this person. He was hoping, just a little, that the guy was hideous.

"I will ask again...Where is she?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Like I sai-"

Kyo was suddenly cut off when Yuki came around the corner and grabbed on his mouth, promptly shutting him up. There was a friendly smile on the rat boy's lips that Kyo didn't like. What the hell?

"Before we tell you, can we ask how you know Kagome-san?" Yuki asked politely to his guest.

The tensed aura dissipated once Yuki's charm entered the room. Kyo struggled against Yuki's hold, but to no avail.

"Kagome and are childhood friends. I heard she moved here recently so I just came to pay a visit," Sesshoumaru replied coldly.

Yuki nodded in understanding as he forcefully dragged Kyo with him. "Well, I'm sure Shigure can help you out with that Sesshoumaru-san. I'm sorry that this idiot was rude earlier," Yuki said with a smile as he kneed Kyo under the needs to make him fall against his will and proceeded to drag him away as he continued his struggle.

Kyo glared and threw curses against Yuki's hand.

"Shut up stupid cat," Yuki voice echoed in the hall as Shigure promptly slid the shoji door close.

Shigure laughed nervously and pointed at the teapot. The Taishos' are very influential people around the world and their connections with the Sohmas' have been dated back since the emperor. Hell, the Taishos' were descendants of the emperor. If Sesshoumaru wants it, he could wipe anyone's existence out.

"Uhh...yea, where were we?"

"Kagome's whereabouts. Where is she?" Sesshoumaru asked, getting right to the point.

Shigure scratched his head nervously. "Well, you see, it's...complicated..." He trailed off, appearing to be reluctant about this.

"I'm listening," Sesshoumaru replied, apparently oblivious to Shigure's discomfort.

Shigure sighed. "Well, she was ...err...recruited by a...relative of mine," he quickly added, "A distant relative mind you!"

Sesshoumaru quirked an eyebrow, feeling a bit confused at Shigure's awkward wordings.

"She's been recruited to train within the mountains to umm...hone her spiritual abilities," he finished.

Sesshoumaru simply nodded, understanding the situation.

"Well, where is she training?" He asked.

"Well," Shigure started as he laughed nervously, "I'm not sure..."

Sesshoumaru's eyes became sharp and dangerous once more. Shigure quickly waved his hands up defensively, "But! But! I do know she's located somewhere in Kyushu.

That seems to relieve the tension within the room as Sesshoumaru's features smoothed out... some more. "Ah, I see," with that, the aristocrat stood up and nodded his head in a gesture of thanks.

"Wait... You're not going after her are you?"

"I am."

"Eh? Uh...just for a visit?"

Sesshoumaru looked at Shigure and nodded slowly.

"Oh...Um alright then! Have a safe trip!"

"Nani!" The shoji door bust open with Kyo as he looked at Shigure with anger. "You're letting him go and not me? What's with this bullshit that she needed to train alone huh you stupid dog?"

Sesshoumaru was already gone before Kyo can yell at him.

She felt the breath knocked out of her as she panted against the tree. She shook her head, trying to get the vision back within her conscious. Her eyes widen as she felt the blast coming for her. She quickly jumped on the branch as she felt the vibration of the force.

Before she can get a breath in, a fist collided against her stomach forcing her off the tree. She quickly jumped away before Kazuma can land a solid axel kick on her head. She twisted around and power-kicked him. He grabbed her foot and pulled her towards him until they were face to face.

Her eyes widen as he shot a blast in her face. She quickly tried to shield herself with her arms just as the blast can hit her face. She was thrust back and just as she stopped, Kagome fell to her knees. Even then, she wasn't able to hold herself up anymore as she fell flat against the grass, her cheek against the dirt.

So...tired.

"That's enough Kagome-san," Kazuma said as he tossed her a white cloth, "After you can feel your legs, I want you to meditate under the Moon Waterfall for three hours."

When his back was turned, Kagome looked up and gave him a dirty look as she mouthed out a colorful word.

To be continued...