Archive of Our Own ^beta

"Why are you still here?" The question came after a long bout of silence, one that the pair was content to let happen, as the miko gathered herbs at the edge of a clearing. "Not that I'm complaining of course, but you don't normally stick around after visiting Rin."

She spoke the truth. Once his ward dismissed him, he never delayed his return to the Western Lands. His visits were brief and purposeful, usually with gifts for the young girl or so the elderly miko could report on the progress of her training. However, lately he found himself straying from the path back to his home, using any and all excuses to spend more time away from the stronghold. "There are visitors that I am currently…avoiding."

A light breeze stole the laughter that burst from her mouth, whisking it away through the trees. "And who might the prestigious Lord of the Western Lands be avoiding? Doesn't everyone just cower when you walk by?"

"It is usually customary. However, this particular guest sees fit to interrupt my daily routine with frivolous gossip and the talk of duties that I have no interest in."

"Sounds like a tyrant." She sat back on her heels, a knowing smirk on her face. "Someone related to you perhaps?"

"Hnn." His mother seemed to enjoy finding the most inopportune times to speak with him, often going out of her way to track him down when he was in the dojo. However, this subject was one he could not put off forever and she relished in the fact that he was aware of this. "The demon court has decided that it is time I took a mate. My mother has taken the task on herself and proceeds to parade females around my home in the hopes that one of them will catch my attention."

The woman brushed her hands off on her hakama, leaving dusty streaks behind on the red fabric. "Surrounded by beautiful youkai vying for your affections? Heaven forbid."

Golden eyes narrowed at her, his pupils constricting in the sunlight. "They are more interested in raising their station than my affections, miko. And the position is not restricted to purebloods, Mother has witnessed the ramifications of political alliances based solely on their blood status. Her opinion on humans has changed as of late as well."

"She likes Rin, doesn't she?"

"Indeed. Though she will never admit it aloud."

The miko laughed again, then sat down beside him, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear before plucking dead and dried leaves off the herbs she'd collected. "Sounds like someone else I know." Sesshoumaru didn't dignify her with an answer. "Are you opposed to finding a mate?"

He let out an uncharacteristic sigh, lifting his gaze skywards. "I am opposed to someone else forcing my hand."

"So there could be someone in your mother's 'parade' that you could end up choosing."

"It is possible," he conceded, running his claws through his hair. "Though unlikely."

She turned to him then, giving him the full brunt of her sapphire scrutiny. "Have you tried getting to know any of them?" He pursed his lips. "I didn't think so. Give them a chance, you might be missing out on a potentially good match because you're focusing on one aspect instead of them as a whole person."

"You seem to be well-versed on this subject, miko."

A shoulder lifted in a casual shrug before she went back to her basket. "I know what it's like to be branded simply because it's a part of me. But it's only one part of me, one piece of the puzzle that makes up who I am. And it's really hard to make people see that when they're stuck on that particular piece."

The lingering scent of sorrow and regret bloomed from the centre of her aura, and Sesshoumaru cursed both his brother and spider hanyou for the seeds of self-doubt they had planted within her. "Then they are blind."

She gave him a grateful smile, then nudged his arm. "Go talk to them. Get to know them. You never know what you might find."

"Hnn."

"You were mistaken." Her words had followed him back to the Western Lands and had continued to prod his subconscious a week later. Sighing in defeat, he'd allowed his mother to round up her current cluster of tittering females for a semi-formal introduction. Inukimi had been ecstatic at his sudden compliance and turned it into a social gathering, complete with a feast and dancing.

He'd barely escaped unscathed.

The miko adjusted the quiver of arrows that was slung over her shoulders, nocking another against the bow in her hands. Raising to her arms, she pulled the string taut, letting out a partial breath before the arrow flew from her fingers and embedded itself in the centre of her target.

"Hello to you, too." The smile on her face contradicted the sarcasm in her tone. He scowled at her, not wanting to dally on her pleasantries. "What I was wrong about?" She let another arrow fly, landing it beside its predecessor. "I know you prefer to talk in sentences that use less than five words, but I need a little more to go off of than that."

"The suitresses. They seek nothing more than to be a trophy, wrapped in jewels and finery and content to observe the kingdom's affairs from their gilded cage."

Her snort turned into a snicker, and she lowered her bow, unable to keep her grip steady. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised, but at least you know for sure now." His lips pulled back in a sneer, revealing ivory fangs. The woman waved a hand at him, then went to fetch her spent arrows. "Don't growl at me, I'm not afraid of you." She inspected her work, comparing each one to see which one was embedded the deepest in the tree bark. "You never know, you could've found another warrior amongst them."

"Warriors do not lower themselves with scantily clad outfits for the sole purpose of enticing a mate."

"Oh I don't know about that, it's fun to get dressed up once in a while. It makes us feel better about ourselves."

"You do not seem to indulge in it."

Her hand faltered as she gripped her arrows, finally pulling them free of the tree trunk. A pretty blush spilled onto her cheeks as she stuffed them back into her quiver and Sesshoumaru cocked his head to the side, curious as to the reason. "That doesn't mean I haven't thought about it." She clapped her cheeks in a thoroughly human motion before facing him. "Sometimes it's nice to be noticed."

"It is unnecessary."

She rolled her eyes, then prepared herself again, standing further away from the tree this time. "Most of us don't walk around wearing expensive silks, and the face of a god like you do."

He preened at the compliment, it not sounding hollow and contrived like those he'd received from the hoard back home. "I meant it is unnecessary for you."

Her grip wavered enough for her next arrow to be sent sailing up into the tree branches, leaves fluttering to the forest floor as a few birds squawked indignantly. The blush returned to her cheeks, and she worried her bottom lip between her teeth.

Not wasting any time, Sesshoumaru jumped into the tree, intent on fetching her lost arrow.

"What are you looking for?" she called up to him. He found the wooden projectile halfway through a branch, impressed at the strength even though her aim had been off. Landing gracefully on the ground, he held it out to her, confusion marring his features. "In a mate I mean. What kind of traits would make you interested in a female?"

Confusion gave way to curiosity as he contemplated her question. Perhaps he'd gone about this all wrong. He should've had a preference in mind before allowing the circus to begin. "Intelligence. Bravery. An active involvement in political affairs for the sake of the stronghold—"

"A partner."

"—beauty and protective instincts for future pups as well."

"So, a beautiful warrior who helps you run your kingdom but is willing to scrap with anyone who goes after your babies."

"Indeed."

Taking the arrow, she nocked it against her bow, controlling her breathing before it sunk into the tree bark once more, her previous error rectified. "I don't think you're asking for much, really. From what I've read about high-class females, historically speaking, you might be looking for a while though. Like you said, they tend to sit on the sidelines. Which sounds super boring, by the way."

Sesshoumaru watched her repeat the process with the rest of her quiver, each one hitting its target. "Perhaps they lack experience. Opportunity." Her eyebrow rose in question. "You travelled with the kit. As well as the younger slayer and Rin. There was never any hesitation in your actions, you sought to protect them at the cost of your own life." The corners of her mouth pulled back into a smile, the happiness in her aura reaching her eyes. She was proud of this fact.

"I see what you mean. They might have done the same thing if put in the same circumstances. Guess you'll just have to get to know them some more and find out." The flare of his youki did nothing to deter her laughter, and she waved him off again. "You know I'm right! Besides, now you have something to look for! Give them a test or something. Make them prove themselves. At least you'll know if they're serious or not."

He inclined his head before his youki surrounded his feet as he launched himself skywards, hope and disappointment whirling around him as the miko faded from view.

Metal clashed as battle cries echoed around the room, a myriad of weapons ricocheting off one another as the suitresses battled it out in front of him, each hoping to gain his favour.

Some of the females were talented in their chosen area, their limbs easily striking or parrying that of their opponent's. However, their movements lacked a certain passion, the fire behind their eyes barely more than a smoulder as they pranced around the room in practiced steps.

Sesshoumaru stifled a yawn.

An amused chuckle sounded behind a fan, violet silks shifting as Inukimi leaned closer to him. "Are you not entertained, my dear son?"

"Jaken is better company."

The inuyoukai clicked her tongue. "You wound me so! I spent several days planning this event for you."

"You are misled in your assumptions that this would bring me pleasure."

Snapping her fan shut, the stripes on her cheeks darkened as she continued to watch the competition in front of them. "Must you always suck the fun out of everything?"

"I do not wish to be here."

"You are the lord of your lands, lavished with luxury, while gorgeous women fawn over you and hang on your every word. Where else would you rather be?"

The scent of medicinal herbs teased his nose as images of raven hair, cerulean eyes, and a sultry smile flashed through his mind.

I would rather be with her.

His eyes widened as the realization settled onto his shoulders and into his heart. He stared at the combatting females, unseeing, as the room tilted on its axis.

Why hadn't he noticed it before? His last visits to the village had been specifically to see her; he hadn't even looked for Rin. And he enjoyed her company; she was intelligent enough to keep up with him and never shirked at putting him in his place, to the point of shooting him with an arrow. But could he convince her she was suited for the role of his mate?

The memory of their recent interaction and the blush that had spilled onto her cheeks came to mind.

Perhaps she'd already convinced herself.

His lips pulled back in a predatory smile, and he felt his mother stir beside him. Noticing the expression on his face, she opened her fan, covering her mouth and her words.

"Did you see something you like, my boy? Do tell."

Sesshoumaru rose from his chair, turning away from the spectacle in a flurry of white silks. His mother's youki followed him, nipping at his heels to lure him back without yelling across the room. He ignored it, escaping the citadel through the nearest doorway before taking to the sky. His form shifted, shrinking into a small orb as he was encased in white light. His impatience to confirm his suspicions was only outweighed by his sudden urge to see her again.

The orb zipped through the air, rustling the treetops as he made his way back to the village. Anticipation hummed through his veins, spurring him on. He wanted to hunt. To claim. He knew Inuyasha had given up his own courtship, undoubtedly at the behest of the miko herself, considering how often their arguments disturbed the other villagers. Rin had repeatedly told him how much happier her mentor had been since then.

At the thought of someone else laying claim to the woman, his eyes bled crimson, and he cursed his own lack of insight into the shift in their relationship. She would steal away into the woods to train or gather ingredients, needing a break from her other companions, but she'd never turned him away.

He hoped that would still ring true now.

He transformed back into his inhuman form before he touched down, his feet hitting the dirt a little harder than usual. Remembering his manners—and station—he knocked quietly on her door instead of simply throwing it open.

She answered it promptly, the recognition in her face causing her eyes to light up and her lips to break out into a smile. "Sesshoumaru! I wasn't expecting you back so soon." She stepped back, allowing him inside before shutting the door behind him. "I was just about to make some tea. Would you like some?"

He inclined his head, keeping his mask in place as he clamped down on his youki, still buzzing from the return trip. She motioned for him to sit while she prepared the beverage, adding a few dried flowers and spices to the teapot before putting it on the stove.

"So, how did it go? Did you give them a test?"

"I have found a candidate."

A cup fell to the floor, shattering on impact. She mumbled an apology as she grabbed a broom, sweeping away the evidence of her surprise. Grabbing another set, she placed them on the table next to him, sitting down across from him. "What's she like?"

Sesshoumaru noticed how her hands were clenched in her lap and relaxed a little. "Powerful. An expert in her field."

The miko pursed her lips, leaning back on her heels as her arms folded over her chest. "How boring."

"You would not say that if you had seen her fight. She moves like a goddess, passion blazing around her as she protects those she cares about."

The scent of melancholy dulled her aura, and she broke their gaze, focusing on the cups sitting on the table. Sesshoumaru inspected his claws, giving off an air of nonchalance. "She is intelligent in ways even I cannot comprehend. Though her main focus is interspecies relations. She sees the good in all creatures and wishes for humans and youkai to unite and live in peace without the fear of persecution."

Her startled gaze returned to his, her shock obvious. "And you're…okay with that?"

"Indeed. It will keep the other lords from becoming passive in their duties. Her unpredictability will be an asset in the youkai court."

Giving him a curt nod, she rose to her feet, heading back to the kitchen, steam rising from the pot's spout. "She must be really pretty, to have caught your attention so thoroughly."

"Her beauty is unmatched."

Slender shoulders slumped as she returned with the tea, fragrant lavender wafting around them as she filled their cups. Sesshoumaru wondered if the flavour was intentional, cursing his blindness once more as he realized that she'd always served him this blend.

Silent devotion.

"Then why are you here? Shouldn't you be wooing or courting or whatever youkai do with potential mates?"

"I am unsure if she will accept my intentions."

"Are you kidding? You're, well, you. Who wouldn't want you?"

He reached out and grabbed her hand. "Would you?"

She seemed to stop breathing, her eyes wide and vulnerable as she stared at him. Her aura was turbulent, swirling around them as reiki simmered between their fingers, mingling with his youki and dancing across their skin. He leaned in, their noses almost touching as gold bore into sapphire, his grip on her hand tightening.

"Would you?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

A blush stained her cheeks as her lips pulled back into a radiant smile. "Yes."