Another funny comic. I actually wanted to superimpose Rick Astley's face somewhere but I'm like nah, I don't have enough panels for that.
This is Part 2. You can find Part 1 here.
Also, this is my first time participating in SessKag Week, despite being in the fandom for donkey years. I would like to thank @chierafied @sesskag-week and the rest of community for still organizing and contributing to the events! ❤️❤️❤️
It was in those quiet pre-morning hours, right as he was getting ready to leave when Sesshoumaru imparted the news that pitched Kagome’s already frail emotions into a tailspin.
His tone of voice was void of all emotion when he told her with little preamble: “My mother wishes to see you.”
Kagome’s heart seized in her chest. “What?” she managed to croak.
“Unfortunately, I cannot deny her,” he told her, seeming a little apologetic. “She is my Elder and the head of our pack.”
"Right," Kagome said absently. Had she known that? Sesshoumaru hasn't exactly been forthcoming about his life, or about his pack.
“May I come in two weeks’ time, at full moon? I can take you to her.”
“Sure, that works. Thanks,” she replied, her mind running a hundred miles a minute as she tried to understand what was going on. There must have been some reason for this, right? His mother wanting to see her must have meant something!
“I will see you then,” Sesshoumaru said, pausing at her door. “Take care, Kagome.”
“You too,” she wished him.
Usually, the goodbyes left her struggling with bittersweet sorrow but this morning she was too preoccupied with this sudden turn and all its potential implications to sink into the sea of her insecurities.
True to his words, Sesshoumaru showed up two weeks later, at noon. For a moment, Kagome was distracted by the feel of his arms around her, of being gently tucked against his tall, solid frame, of the wind in her hair, of how far below the ground seemed to be as they ascended to the skies. But as soon as Kagome relaxed into this new and novel mode of travel, her doubts and speculations returned in a rush of confusion.
Deep in her chest, in spite of herself, there now lived a small seed of hope, spilling golden light inside out. She knew it was dangerous harbouring that hope, but she couldn’t help herself. Sure, she had no clue what was going on but while she’d been busy overanalysing this particular development, she’d come up with some hypotheses.
For one, the only way Kagome could imagine Sesshoumaru’s mother being aware of her existence was if Sesshoumaru had told her about Kagome. And that alone had to mean something, hadn’t it? You didn’t mention a secret casual bedmate in a conversation with your parents! Sesshoumaru certainly wouldn’t, he wasn’t the greatest conversationalist, to begin with.
So however this mystery meeting had come to be, well… It meant there was a chance, however slim.
Kagome wasn’t sure how long they travelled in silence, but eventually, Sesshoumaru told her they were almost there. Kagome looked down, trying to see a village or a city or any kind of cluster of buildings down on the ground but only mountains stood below them. She turned and that’s when she finally saw the castle. Floating in the sky.
Kagome gaped. She didn’t have enough brain power left to process what she was seeing so she gave up and went with it. Floating castles, sure. Where else would a demoness live in?
They landed at the foot of stone stairs. Sesshoumaru started up the staircase and Kagome scrambled after him. His back was stiff as he strode before her and nervousness started to bubble up in the pit of her stomach. She should have asked him a lot of questions because she had no idea what to expect and she wasn’t at all prepared to —
They came to a halt on a platform on top of the stairs. Ahead, there stood a lone, throne-like chair and in that chair, a demoness sat.
Kagome saw the delicately curving markings and the painted lips, the rich layered kimono and the drape of white fur, the assessing golden eyes and the silver-white hair.
There was no question who this was. Kagome’s gaze skittered from Sesshoumaru to his mother, awed at the resemblance.
“Welcome, children,” she greeted. “I am delighted you accepted my invitation.”
“Thank you,” Kagome hurried to reply as Sesshoumaru stood silently scowling beside her. She wasn’t sure how to address his mother so she didn’t, and hoped she wasn’t being too rude. “I’m honoured you wanted to meet me.”
Sesshoumaru’s mother smiled. “How sweet you are.” The demoness' eyes flicked to Sesshoumaru. "You may leave us now."
"Mother—" Sesshoumaru started to protest, his jaw clenching.
"That is all, Sesshoumaru, " she dismissed him with a wave of her hand.
Kagome gaped. Never in a million years could she have imagined Sesshoumaru being bossed around by anyone. His mother was no joke!
She glanced at Sesshoumaru. He looked tense and Kagome could almost see the waves of pure frustration emanating from him. He was staring at her and there was a look in his eyes she'd never seen there before, one that made her stomach flop. Then, he stiffly bowed his head and left.
"Now then," Sesshoumaru’s mother began, her attention snapping on Kagome, "we may talk freely."
She was smiling again, but the smile felt sharp and Kagome had to suppress a shiver. She suddenly felt very alone and more than a little scared.
One moment, Kagome was standing there, steeped in uncertainty. The next, a menacing torrent of youki buffeted her and there were deadly claws coming right at her throat.
Kagome didn’t think. She reacted, her reiki dancing to life. The claws scraped harmlessly against the shield she’d erected. She didn’t have a weapon but her hand had balled into a fist, coated by the wild power of her purity.
Sesshoumaru’s mother laughed and settled down on her chair as if she hadn’t just tried to rip out her throat.
"Very good," she said, sounding pleased. "Excellent reflexes. Come, sit. Would you like some tea?"
And Kagome thought she was confused before! Her head was swirling and she felt like she was at least three steps behind everything that was going on.
“Tea sounds lovely, thanks,” she managed, her voice only a little wobbly.
She dropped her shield and stuffed her reiki back in before walking over to the small chair placed in front of Sesshoumaru’s mother’s. Kagome took the seat, drew in a bolstering breath and met the demoness’ sharp gaze. The fear still lingered but Kagome steeled her spine and held that golden stare. Sesshoumaru’s mother’s lips quirked in a smile and her eyes warmed.
Kagome swallowed down her nerves. She hoped that sometime soon she would understand what she was doing here.
