A.N. This story has a sort of prequal to it called "How it all Began." You could read this without it I suppose, but it provides a lot more information that you wouldn't get otherwise. I don't own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. Read, enjoy, and please review.
Cold golden orbs bore down at the former Lady of the West with slight contempt and a tinge of pity. "What have you dragged me out of bed for Okaa-san? This had better be important."
Haruko glared at her son heatedly, her jade eyes flashing in challenge. "Do not stare at me with those contempt filled, pitying eyes Sesshomaru! I am first mate to the late Lord Inutaisho and you will treat me with respect!"
"This Sesshomaru may speak as this Sesshomaru wishes. Now, what do you want?"
The inu youkai deflated considerably at that. "I have seen something. Something terrible."
His eyes sharpened suddenly, caution becoming prominent in his expression. "What did you see Okaa-san? What was it about?"
A smile tugged at her lips, satisfaction at being addressed more properly showing in her eyes. "You must mate the miko. Quickly. If you do not take action very soon then not only will she be out of your grasp, but you could lose your life."
"What are you talking about?"
She let out a soft sigh. "Kagome is a beautiful, loving, and loyal woman. Mate her and she will remain by your side. Wait and there will be two men who seek her. One ningen, from her past that holds an old claim to her heart. The other will be an equal to you. He will resist yet be unable to stay away from her. They will fight amongst each other on some level, but YOU will be considered the primary threat. They could kill you Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at her dangerously. "Is that all?"
"All? Sesshomaru don't you understand the risks here?"
He turned to leave calmly. "I am not that baka otouto of mine. Of course I know the risks. But no one will take my miko from me, nor will I force myself on her. Besides there is only one bond that could sever the one we have and that is the mating bond. The ningen will be unable to do such things and if another youkai tries to get her into his bed I will kill him."
Crystal blue irises flickered to the door as the inu taiyoukai entered. "Is Lady Haruko alright? She hasn't been in another fight with Lady Izayoi, I hope."
"She had a vision." His eyes locked with hers calmly.
Kagome fidgeted under his heavy gaze, tugging at her braid out of habit as she stared at the floor. "Well, have you consulted Lady Izayoi yet? Her visions often clarify your okaa-san's."
His claw tipped fingers touched her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Not yet. Have you thought more on what we have discussed?"
She bit her lip nervously as he continued to gaze into her eyes. 'I can barely breathe... I can barely think. Why are you doing this to me Sesshomaru?' Her hand came up to brush him away as she put some distance between them "Sesshomaru... I have no doubt that you would make a good mate. You're strong, loyal, handsome, and kind in a way. But I don't love you. Please understand-I just don't feel that way about you. I've tried so hard but-"
He yanked her forward suddenly lips crashing onto hers, demanding her submission. His claws ran through her hair lovingly, his arms holding her tightly against his chest. "I'll give you more time. You will make the right decision eventually."
"Sesshomaru, I don't love you!"
Twin pools of icy gold stared into her eyes. "You will make the right choice. Never forget that you are bound to me. Now, go back to bed Miko."
Tears of frustration shined from her sapphire orbs as she walked through the door to her bedroom, which adjoined his. 'Why won't he just let me go? Doesn't he understand?'
Izayoi's soft violet eyes met her son's amber ones calmly. "Inuyasha? May I ask you about something?"
The hanyou gave his okaa-san a slight smile as he sipped his morning tea. "Sure. What do want to ask me?"
"Inuyasha... I have had another vision. Lady Haruko has had it as well though she treats things differently. There will be a time in which Lord Sesshomaru and Kagome-chan will be in danger. Kagome will need to get away from him and move on with someone else. However, I fear that your onii-san will not surrender her easily. I must know Inuyasha," here she paused. Her gaze became more intense. "Will you help Kagome-chan escape or will you assist him in keeping her?"
He let out a quiet snort at that. "What do you think? I'll help Nee-chan. Sesshomaru never deserved her in the first place and I promised that I'd protect her."
Her lips pulled into a gentle smile. "I should have known. Kagome has been the kindest to you. But I believe it is time for us to join the table."
His fangs showed as he thought of seeing his onii-san. "I don't know why we have to eat at the table with him. Why can't we just stay up here and eat? It's not like Sesshomaru gives a damn if we are there or not. As long as no one important is here, the only one he wants around is Kagome."
"Inuyasha, you know why we must. It is only proper for the Lord of the West to expect his family's presence."
"Feh."
"Ohayo Lord Inuyasha, Lady Izayoi," Kagome murmured as they entered the dining hall from her position at Sesshomaru's right.
"Feh. Kags you know better than to call me "Lord" anything." The hanyou plopped down next to her informally, a smirk flashing in his onii-san's direction.
Izayoi bowed respectfully in Sesshomaru's direction before sitting next to her son. "My Lord."
Sesshomaru nodded with a certain gentleness entering his features. "Izayoi."
Haruko scowled at Izayoi from across the table, her eyes flashing angrily. "So... I suppose your inner eye has grown weak, Izayoi-san. You have not had a worth while vision in months. Only to be expected considering your birth."
The gentle lady merely took another delicate bite of food. "Every vision is a worth while one Haruko-san. Otherwise, we would not have them. My Lord, I have something to discuss with you after breakfast if that is alright."
"Hai. That will be fine Izayoi."
'He gives that woman more respect than he gives me!'
Kagome suppressed a giggle as Inuyasha continued to whisper a joke in her ear, poking her in the ribs here and there. "Inuyasha," she half laughed half whined.
Inuyasha grinned at her. "Lighten up Nee-chan."
Sesshomaru let a slight frown take possession of his lips but said nothing about the interaction between his otouto and his Kagome. After a few moments he stood, gesturing for Kagome to as well. "I have finished with my meal. Do you wish to accompany me now or later Izayoi?"
Izayoi stood gracefully before locking eyes with Sesshomaru. "It would be better to speak alone I believe. With your permission of course."
He gestured for Kagome to sit once more before offering his arm to Izayoi. "You will finish your food and then go to my study. We will be meeting with Lord Mukuro and Lord Hiei of the East this afternoon."
A delicate hand rested on the young Lord's arm before they began to walk away.
For several minutes comfortable silence reigned. The two had made their way out into the gardens and to a bench where they sat.
"What did you wish to discuss with me Izayoi?"
Her lips pulled upwards into a slight smile as the sun hit her pale skin. "I have always cared for you as a son my Lord. I met you when you were still a little bitter over your otou-san's taking of a second mate but I always loved you. I have always wanted the best for you, wanted you to be happy. But I'm afraid I must ask you to sacrifice some of your happiness now."
His eyes narrowed at her in suspicion. "What are you saying Izayoi?"
She let a soft sigh pass through her lips as she turned away from the sun's rays to gaze into his eyes. "You will have to let her go. If you hold too tight she will break. Kagome is a loving woman but she cannot be forced to fall in love. If you love her, when the time comes, you must let her go."
The young inu taiyoukai stood angrily as he faced his otou-san's second mate. "Kagome is mine Izayoi, and I will never let anyone take her away from me."
"It will only hurt the both of you if you don't. You have bound her life to yours as a servant. You have not treated her disrespectfully but she still does not love you. There are three things in life that no one can force. Three things that can only be given; respect, friendship, and LOVE. She can not love you the way you want her to."
"Quiet Izayoi. Do not challenge this Sesshomaru."
Violet irises fell to the grass in temporary defeat. "Gomen nasai my Lord. I only meant to warn you."
He touched her shoulder gently. "Izayoi... I understand why you have said what you have said but I will not back down. She is mine."
Kagome allowed herself to giggle as Inuyasha began to imitate Sesshomaru. "Stop it Inuyasha! He'd be so upset if he saw you."
"And I care, why?"
Haruko glared at Inuyasha. "Show proper respect to your Lord. Kagome, may I have a word?"
Her lips slipped from their former smile as she nodded. "Of course Lady Haruko. Shall we go or are you finished yet?"
Inuyasha growled before giving Kagome a gentle hug. "See you around Nee-chan. Be careful with the old bitch."
She suppressed another giggle at his choice of words before following the frowning former Lady of the West. "May I ask what you wish to speak with me about?"
The female inu youkai led her to her room before speaking. "Look in the mirror Kagome."
She nodded as she walked towards the full length mirror, her eyes locking with her reflection's. "Why am I looking in the mirror my Lady?"
Haruko let out a soft sigh, her hands resting on the smaller woman's shoulders. "Do you know what you mean to my son, Kagome-chan?"
Kagome stiffened at the question. "I suppose so."
A smile tugged at the older woman's lips. "Think what other, lesser beings would have done with you. So beautiful... They would have made you into a whore. They would have raped you as soon as you began to grow into a woman. But what has Sesshomaru done? Where other men would have forced you to their beds he has gifted you with a bedroom adjoining his. Close enough to protect you and honor your place in his heart, yet just far away enough to respect you."
Her eyes fell to the floor. "My Lady I-I just don't love him. Not like that."
Rage bubbled to the surface in the inu female as she turned the miko to face her. "Look at the kimono you wear Kagome! Your kimono bears the symbols of the West! No other servant or slave wears such things yet you have worn them for most of your stay here. Since you both were children he has claimed you. Would you reject such love and devotion?"
Tears began to prickle in her eyes as the former Lady's claws dug into her shoulders.
Gentleness suddenly washed over her features, her hands falling to wrap the miko in a warm embrace. "Gomen nasai Kagome-chan. But you must love him. You must be with him. Can't you imagine? Standing by his side? He would give you the world and I would be proud to call you my daughter."
The miko neither flinched or returned the embrace.
"Well now, why don't you go get cleaned up? That meeting will be rather soon."