A/N: I really wanted to do this challenge, and I hope you readers check it out for yourselves! Hope you enjoy, and tell me what you think :)
Kyudo Challenge
Word Count: 1877
With great trepidation, the young woman stepped up to the mark. The jeers and hoots from the watching crowd did little to distract her and her intelligent eyes narrowed in concentration as she gazed down the shaft of the arrow. The target was set a considerable distance away- around 60 metres or so- and in her sights. She would not miss.
Inhaling slowly, she sent a quiet whisper to the feathered projectile.
"Fly true."
The arrow leapt from the bow, like an animal released from a cage, zipping through the air at an incredible speed only to come to a violent and sudden stop in the center of the target. A perfect bullseye.
Silence was the only reaction for many long seconds before astonished whispers started circulating around the crowd. Who was she? Who did she think she was to come here? Would he kill her?
Kagome turned from the shooting post and raised her azure gaze to the watching nobles. Picking out the one she had come for, their eyes clashed. Even from this distance she could see a glimmer of interest light his eyes. Without breaking eye-contact, the miko bowed and made way for the next archer.
His eyes never left her, impatiently waiting for her next shot; to see if she could repeat the feat.
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Sesshoumaru silently heaved a long-suffering sigh. It was the coming-of-age ceremony for young demonesses again, and he was tired of seeing the pathetic displays and the effort of sustaining a charade of interest for this event.
Once every decade, the Western Lord was expected to hold a competition of sorts to root the eligible female youkai of noble birth from the worthless. Many attended, and their goal? To have him, Sesshoumaru, mate them. The females squabbled amongst themselves over which one of them was the best and competed viciously, but in the end, none were ever worth considering. Various other males found their mates here, but for the daiyoukai, a century of these challenges had never provided anyone.
This time, Jaken had been in complete control of the planning; coming up with the unoriginal idea of having an archery competition. Sesshoumaru had no doubts that the end result would be the same as all its predecessor's, but it at least promised to be entertaining- not many demoness's were proficient with a bow and arrow (being masters of katana or hidden blades), and the youkai looked forward to the humiliation many self-conceited ladies would suffer.
Leaving the splendour of his rooms behind him, the lord sedately walked through the palace, lengthening the waiting time for the hundreds of spectators and participants in the main courtyard. Some would complain afterwards that that was in bad taste... not that he cared- they couldn't do anything and they knew it.
Emerging from the entryway, a sea of backs were presented to him as all bowed to him, the sunlight reflecting off of the competitors weapons. He inclined his head in return and as he took his seat beside his mother, Jaken loudly announcing his presence, the ceremony began.
As expected, the contestants weren't amazing, although there were a couple who showed promise. No-one was satisfactory and he could feel his patience waning. The demon was just about to call an end to it when there was a small disturbance in the area of demonesses and Jaken came waddling up to his feet before prostrating and begging for forgiveness.
"Jaken, what seems to be the problem?"
"My lord, a human female wants to compete! Of course, she will be ejected immediately and-"
The Western Lord had caught a glimpse of the woman in the throng- a petite frame, a shock of raven hair and intense blue eyes met his look. Sesshoumaru quickly cut off the imp before he could say anything more.
"No. Let her compete. We will see how she compares to youkai."
Sniggers accompanied his words and the demonesses spat insults at the ningen and the spectators quickly joined in with the abuse, eager to embarrass the human.
Sesshoumaru watched her closely, wondering why she seemed so familiar. He had seen that vibrant face before...
She calmly took her stance, green kimono flowing in the slight breeze, and the inuyoukai could feel the intensity of her concentration before catching her quiet words.
Their eyes had all seen it happen, yet it had been so swift and fluid that it felt instantaneous. His gaze flickered between the arrow quivering in the wooden target and the woman who had just fired it, slightly surprised to find her eyes fixed on him. Suddenly, those large orbs with their impertinent gaze clicked inside his mind- she was Inuyasha's wench. The miko, Kagome. He had not crossed paths with the rag-tag group for many months since the defeat of Naraku and had forgotten about her. Truly, he noted, her archery had improved- but there was no hint of her immense spiritual power, which is why he had not immediately recognised her. How was she containing it?
Kagome stepped down from the platform for a female youkai to shoot, but Sesshoumaru kept his gaze firmly on the human. She was good at surprises, and he was determined to not be caught unawares.
The miko once again stepped up to the mark and the onlookers were quiet, waiting with bated breath to see if she could repeat the miracle. Her right arm drew the bow string taught and her other was straight, index finger pointing in the desired direction. Her first arrow had been left in the target; to see how far the other would stray from it.
Once again, she inhaled slowly however, she neglected the prayer this time. Although it seemed like she did not need it, for the bolt flew perfectly- so perfectly, that it split the previous arrow into four neat segments, the first head penetrating through the back of the target whilst the second became deeply embedded in the heavy wood.
Every youkai shuddered as she had fired, because the weapon had been imbued with spiritual energy, which even now, left a sparkling trail in the air, and cleansed the yoki from the target board, leaving it shimmering. Kagome had let loose, and her miko ki was at the forefront of her aura- even larger than when Sesshoumaru had last sensed it.
The Western Lord knew, that with the exception of himself and his mother, the small woman in front of them could purify every single youkai here simultaneously. She was humming with power, and his fangs tingled deliciously at the danger she presented. He quickly surveyed the situation; the crowd was stunned now, but within moments they would become a violent horde- and he may not have been fond of any of them, but it would not sit well with their families if they were all obliterated by a miko in his company. Before anyone could move, Sesshoumaru issued commands to continue the tournament, then spirited himself and the miko away.
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"What was that, miko?"
Sesshoumaru paced his personal chambers, his eyes never leaving the seated form of the woman who had just thrown his ceremony into turmoil. She stretched her arms before releasing her silken hair from its restraints and the pleasant scent that assaulted the inu's nose almost made him pause.
Kagome smirked at the agitated demon, and his incredulous expression caused her grin to widen even further.
"I have a confession to make Sesshoumaru-sama."
At his firm nod, she continued, "I've been attracted to you for quite some time now, but I hadn't been able to keep your attention for any period of time except when you were trying to kill me or during the final battle. Thus, I tried to find some reason to approach you, but none were forthcoming... until I heard about this coming-of-age ceremony you hold every decade. It was perfect- I could impress you, win your affections and celebrate my own twentieth year. So, I did."
Sesshoumaru was shell-shocked. The miko lusted after him? Well, that was no surprise- he was the best in every respect, it was only natural that she should- but he had been under the impression that she loved his half-brother... apparently not.
Facing her directly, the youkai studied the nervous woman- her speech had been said bravely, and he was impressed that she had managed that, but her scent reeked of nervousness and fear. She was an attractive human, incredibly powerful and had a strong will. She was the opposite of what he had always thought humans to be... perhaps this was why he felt no revulsion at her words, rather, he was incredibly pleased by them.
He took a step towards her and she visibly shivered, the smirk vanishing from her face. A smirk of his own slowly spread over his lips as he closed the distance between them. Kneeling in front of the fidgeting woman, he grasped her chin with a clawed hand before nipping her lower lip with his sharp fangs.
Kagome remained immobile, unsure of his reaction, but when he pressed his lips to her own, she couldn't help but respond, her arms jumping from her lap to wrap around his neck and thread through his silver hair. They exchanged a passionate kiss, and the young woman could feel heat pooling low in her belly. They separated slowly, ragged breaths the only sound in the silent room.
Mustering up all her courage, Kagome looked the Western Lord in the eyes and tentatively asked, "Can I take this as a sign of your interest?"
The gentle kiss he bestowed on her nose at that shocked her into complete silence. "This Sesshoumaru is most definitely interested, miko. I am curious as to what else you can do."
But he didn't give her a chance to answer, because he whisked them back to the courtyard, the surprised woman firmly ensconced in his arms. Sesshoumaru addressed the masses then, his voice loud and deadly, daring anyone to argue with him if they dared.
"I have chosen the winner of this ceremony; the miko Kagome! The competition is now over, your company and participation was appreciated."
There wasn't a single demon among them foolish enough to challenge Lord Sesshoumaru, but that didn't stop the demonesses from glaring daggers at the human intruder currently hanging off their desired mate. Kagome glared right back, staking her claim by wrapping her arms around the demon. Some of the youkai looked like they were ready to rip the woman limb from limb at that, but the daiyoukai's severe gaze ensured they left without making a fuss.
Once the last stragglers had left the premises, Sesshoumaru brought them back to his private room, intent on finding out all he could about this strange human woman.
They talked for hours, learning things about each other which shook them to the heart of their beings. The fact that she was from the future was astounding! And by five hundred years no less!
By evening, Sesshoumaru was certain that he would never want another as much as he desired the miko Kagome.
And to think, he would have cancelled the ceremony if given half the chance! He would have to personally thank Jaken for deciding on an archery tournament.