Long Time Engagement

by sweepea009

Sesshomaru has lost his fiance, but in the end he finds out that she's alive? and right under his nose? AND there's a war on his heels! Cross over avatar:last airbender.

2. Chapter 2

Title: A Long Engagement

Pairing: Sesshomaru & Kagome

Warning: Gore, pain, violence

Genre: Romance & Fantasy

Rating: PG-13 - T

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA.

Four decades had passed and it was now Kagome's turn to choose. She entered the room and was presented with the same question as Kikyo when she was Kagome's age.

She walked up to each master and eyed them, her orange silk kimono trailed behind her, held by a brown obie. She was never one to overdress, but held a single comb in her hair with a large orange paw print carved into the hair accessory, a gift from her father when she turned 5. She ran a clawed hand through her raven and orange hair and thought for a while. She walked up to the white clothed master. "I choose you, Air."

"And why did you choose Air, musume?" She stared at him and smiled. "I have seen you defend yourself in training many times father, using all elements, but air has captured my heart the most. It is all around us, it is in everything, we need it to survive, yet, it can destroy cities in mere seconds. Why is this so? I watch you, in the garden with mother, and you use it to mingle with her hair, and the smile on her face was one of smile of deep content and love." She looked to her mother who now stood by her father's side with a humble smile on her face, "Simply put father, to protect our people, be with them always, and to tussle my mate's hair every once in a while." She said the last part with a childish giggle. His eyebrow raised, "And what would you know of mates?" She giggled again, "I can read father." He smiled and turned the Air master, "You may proceed."

The master nodded and walked up to Kagome, placed his fingers above her fang, and soon she felt light headed and a swirl, the mark of an air elemental, appeared above her royal mark.

The master took her arm and led her to the dojo where Kikyo was training. Kagome lazily entered the room to see Kikyo temporarily ceased her training to wander over to her. She took note of the swirl above Kagome's fang and put her hands on her hips. "Air huh? I expected you to choose something weak. Water and Air are the weakest elements." Her sensei, Master Kyuushin walked behind her, arms crossed, "All elements deserve equal respect, Kikyo." The flame in his forehead was large and black, symbolizing an ultimate mastery of the element. His face could not be seen, only his forehead as he was wearing his red velvet coat with a hood, and a mask over his mouth and nose. She jumped a little, and face her master. "Forgive me, let us continue." She said as she bowed. She gave a small smirk at Kagome and returned to her side of the dojo.

Over time, they trained and trained. Kagome became very skilled using her element. She concentrated and meditated whenever she could. She was often taken to a mountain high above the clouds to train with her master. She enjoyed her element, and what she could do with it. Her master taught her to manipulate the wind so she could fly, make whirlwinds for attacks, he shared secrets like if she formed a whirlwind in a lake, she could make a hurricane. She was truly intrigued by the powers of Air. She was also trained in martial arts, and how to use the Air in her attacks. (Aang much? :P)

Kikyo trained as well in martial arts and fire. She trained in the dungeon of her master, his home filled with pots of fire, candles, and a river of lava running through it. She was a much better fighter than Kagome and had much better control than her as well. The fire symbol on her forehead had even gotten a shade or two darker.

One day Kagome was practising with a animal skin ballon her sensei had given her. She concentrated and manipulated the air in the balloon. She controlled it, contorted the ballon and made it move all over the place by displacing the air within it. Kikyo walked into the dojo, saw Kagome concentrating hard and smirked. She sent a fireball, causing the balloon to melt. Kagome gasped, and heard laughing in the corner of the dojo. Her eyes shifted and caught Kikyo with a big smile on her face. "I told you your element was weak, Ka-go-me."

She had no idea what had gotten into her, she could've fought back but instead she burst into tears running to the throne room. Upon seeing Kagome run, Kikyo couldn't help but laugh harder. She ran up to her father, passing advisors and jumped into his arms, sobbing. "Father...father!" He rubbed her back, looked to his advisors and dismissed them. "What's wrong Kagome?" Naraku whispered soothingly. "Kikyo... *sniff* Kikyo melted my training balloon!" He rubbed her back and put her down on his throne. "Summon Kikyo." He said to the guard.

She walked in, wearing her orange training kimono, black obi and a black fang embroidered into the back. "You summoned me father?" She said as she bowed deeply.

"Why did you melt Kagome's training balloon?" Kikyo put on a face of pure surprise, "We were playing a game father, it was an accident, I assure you." He turned and face Kagome, another tear leaving her eyes, she shook her head 'no'. He turned back to face Kikyo, "You're sister surely denies this game of yours." She casted a hated look at Kagome, "She lies father! She just wants attention!" At this moment Kagome jumped up on the chair and pointed at Kikyo, "You're the liar! I was just practising my air manipulation, and you just came out of nowhere and melted my balloon! You called my element weak!" Naraku stared at Kagome, wide-eyed, then back to Kikyo, with a stern look on his face. He slowly sniffed the air, and he could smell the stench of 'lie' eminating from his eldest, and that Kagome told the truth. "No element is weak, each one has its advantages and disadvantages, you should know this Kikyo, this is what you've been taught." Kikyo turned head away from her father and mumbled obscenities under her breath.

"Furthermore, I can smell that you are lying. Apologise to Kagome." He said, his arms crossed over his chest. She gritted her teeth, "Sorry, Ka-go-me." Kagome looked at her and nodded, rubbing her eyes,"Okay." She looked to her father, "May I go and continue my training father?" Naraku nodded and smiled at her. As she left the room, she spared a glance at Kikyo, who had balled her fists so tight, his tiny claws had begun to pierce the flesh of her palm.

When Kagome left the room, he sent a stern look at Kikyo, who took a step back in fear. "You are the eldest, I expected you to teach your siblings, not drive fear into them. I am 're dismissed." He said and walked to the window to the left of the throne. She bowed and left the room all the while grumbling back to the dojo.

His mate came into the room, "What seems to be troubling you dear?" She place her head on his shoulder from behind him, her light orange hair cascading down her back in light waves. "*Sigh* I had to solve a dispute between our daughters." Her head rose till she was merely inches away from his ear, he felt her breath as she spoke, "A dispute? Elaborate." She moved to his side and slipped her hand in his, "Apparently, Kikyo melted Kagome's training balloon, and lied about ever doing so. She accused Kagome of lying instead. I made her apologise to Kagome, she seemed angry about it." Sakura squeezed his hand, "I will go talk to her." He nodded and she left to find her eldest.

She entered the dojo to see Kikyo in the corner. A servant was throwing objects in the air and Kikyo was trying to aim and shoot them down with her fireballs. The servant saw his Lady approaching, ceased firing and bowed low to her, "Lady Sakura," he said. She nodded, "Leave us." He nodded and left the dojo. Kikyo stood aside, not facing her mother, toying with a flame she had conjured. "You're father told me what happened." Kikyo turned to face her, "Have you come to reprimand me as well, mother?" Her mother smiled mildly, "I just want to know why you were mean to her sister. You are the eldest and should act accordingly."

Kikyo sighed and went behind a screen to remove her training kimono, to slip into a white cotton kimono used for bathing, her childish body creating a silhouette. She came out, letting her hair down. "I hear all the time, around the servants, even the lords who visit, 'Kagome is such a sweet child', 'what a pretty girl', well I have a wonderful heart as well y'know! I'm pretty too! I am the eldest!" She turned away from her mother, her hands crossed across her chest. Sakura walked over to her daughter and kissed the fang on her forehead, "Oh my musume. You do have a wonderful heart, and you are just as beautiful as Kagome. But picking on your sister will not make a difference in what people say. It should not matter what people think, but what you think about yourself." Kikyo sighed, 'Typical motherly advice,' she thought. "Thank you mother." She said as she forced a smile, bowed and left for the hotsprings in her chambers. Sakura smiled and returned to her husband.

She saw him staring at the rolling hills of the Eastern Kingdom, "I have spoken to her." He turned to face her now, "And?" She placed her hands in the large sleeves of her kimono, "She is jealous of Kagome." He sighed and placed his hand in his black haori, "Why? What has caused this sudden jealousy?" She turned, motioning him to follow, and led him to their large bed chambers.

She sat on the edge and patted the area beside her. He sat beside her and faced her. "We hear it all the time, 'Kagome is so pretty', 'Souta is adorable!' But has anyone ever complimented Kikyo?" Naraku placed a hand on his chin, now that she mentioned it, visitors and royalty rarely mentioned Kikyo. "I agree. Why is she jealous though?" Sakura sighed at how dense her husband was, "If I said, 'Oh Naraku, your brother, Onigumo, is so handsome!' How would you feel?" His hand fell in realization, "Jealous?" She sighed and fell on her bed, her hair sprawled behind her. "Did you talk to her?" he asked. She rose and looked at him, "I did, I don't know if it worked." He smiled and cupped her cheek, "We will keep a watchful eye on her." She nodded. Just as his lips were close to touching hers, a knock came at the door. "Your majesties, dinner is being served." Naraku sighed and touched his mate gently on her lips, "To be continued." She nodded in agreement and they rose from the bed and left for the dining hall.

The children were there, Kikyo sat on the left, the chair to her right was empty for her mother who sat to the left of her father.

Kagome had made a oragami crane for Souta that she had flying around his head. He giggled and reached for the flying paper. They sat on the left of the table, her seat close to her father's, Souta beside her. As soon as her mother and father entered, she gently grabbed the crane, open Souta's hand, placed it in his palm, smiled and rubbed his head.

As the Lord and Lady of the lands sat, dinner was served. A hardy dinner of steak, very rare, was served, along with boiled potatoes, carrots, turnips and beans. They all sniffed their food suspiciously and then began to eat. (It was a feline thing, and they were trying to smell poison, never can be too careful.) They ate, the children had berry pulp and the adults had sake. Kagome spoke of the crane she had made Souta, and how long it took her to figure out oragami, but when she did she couldn't stop making cranes. The family laughed, except Kikyo, she just scowled at Kagome.

The next morning word came from the Western Palace. He opened the scroll and read, and sighed. His old friend Inu Taisho was rambling on about wanting to meet the heirs of all lands. He placed the scroll on the table and walked over to the window in his study and stared at his kingdom for a long time. He nodded and called for his servants, "Get the whole family ready to depart for the Western Lands." The servants nodded, each running all over the palace.

Sakura walked pass all the excitement and knocked on the door to her husband's study. "Enter." He said sternly. "Where are we going, Naraku?" He looked up from his scroll and stared at her,"The Western Palace. Inu Taisho wishes to meet our heir." She was dreading this day, "And who have you chosen?" He put his hand on his chin, "All will be revealed. It seems the Lords and Ladies of the South and North will be there as well." She smiled, "Alright. I trust you." She turned and left his study heading to their bedroom to assist with the preparations.

Soon they were on the journey to the Western Lands, Kagome and Souta glared out the coach window, pointing and squealing at every new thing they saw. "Mother, mother! What kind of bird is that?" Kagome squealed, "How long before we get there?" Souta asked. Sakura and Naraku's eyes met and they sighed, this was going to be a long and annoying trip. Kikyo simply sat on her side of the coach, her eyes intently looking out the window.

When they arrived they were announced to the whole Western Kingdom. They were the last to arrive, as they were greeted by all the Lords and ladies.

Lord Asano and Lady Esmee, Lord and Lady of the Northern Lands greeted them first. They were Eagle demons, their hair was long and brown with white streaks, their eyes were dark brown, with brown markings on their cheeks. Their children, Princes Hitau and Hitoshiji were twins, around twelve in demon years looked exactly like their parents, only with no markings and shorter hair. The family all had two tiny brown wings between their eyebrows, it was their royal mark. Lord Asano had markings of the elements he mastered on his forehead, air being his primary element. He did not master fire. Lady Esmee had a swirl above her mark, and a water drop below it. Their sons had a swirl above their mark, Air being both of the boys primary element. They also bowed to Naraku and his family. "Where's little Kanna?" Naraku asked, "We left her at the castle with her maids and her personal protector. She is far too young to be travelling like this." Naraku and Sakura nodded and left their presence.

Then they were greeted by Lord Byakonto and his wife, Lady illuna, who were dragon demons. Lord Byakonto's hair was long and red, his eyes were slits with bright blue pupils, his wife had long silky blue hair, her eyes were slits with green pupils. They both had blue and red stripes on their faces, and had one son. Prince Marumo appeared from behind them, his short spikey blue hair with red streaks, his eyes a shade of red with blue flecks. He appeared to be fifteen, and stood with his hands in his red haori, his eyes never meeting theirs, like a spoiled brat. Upon on their forheads was a symbol of a star. The Lord also had mastered elements, fire being his main element but he did not master water, nor did he care to. His wife, who only mastered one element, had a flame above her star. Marumo also had a flame above his royal mark. Kagome was afraid of them, she thought they looked evil.

Lastly came Lord Inu Taisho, and his wife, Lady Izayoi, their hair was white, Inu Taisho's eyes were golden, while Izayoi's eyes were hazel and they had blue and magenta stripes on their faces. They were Dog Demons. Lady Izayoi looked almost like a porcelin doll, she moved with grace and fragility and reminded Kagome of her mother. Lord Inu Taisho, looked strong in his armour as he bowed. Behind him was his son InuYasha. He looked exactly like his father, but wore a fire rat haori and hakama. InuYasha was eight in demon years. He bowed and his eyes met Kikyo. Their royal symbol was a crescent moon, Inu Taisho like Naraku, had mastered all elements, his main element being Earth. His wife mastered water, obvious as there was a water drop above her crescent moon. InuYasha had a flame above his crescent taisho apologised for his older son's no-show, it seemed he was caught up with work in the study.

Soon the families were left to mingle and talk, and the children were left in the garden, along with guards to watch over them, to play amongst themselves. Kagome started picking flowers and soon found it irritating that there was so much screaming and shouting in a garden. She decided to slip away, red roses in hand, and began to explore the palace.

She looked at paintings of great dog demons, the royal crest all over the kingdom. She opened some doors, explored the rooms and left. She opened a door and saw a man, that looked like Lord Inu taisho behind a desk, his nose deep within a scroll, he hadn't noticed when she came in. "Y'know," she said, her voice squeaky, "...anyone can sneak up on you." He looked from his scroll to the young girl before him. "And who are you?" He noticed the fang above her forehead, and the swirl above. 'An air elemental, what a strange choice. Does she know how weak that element is?' The fang looked familiar, but he was too entranced with his scroll to even recognize it. He watched her as she bowed low, "Kagome."

'Kagome, huh? Well then.' He turned back to his scroll and continued reading. "Here." He looked at the door and saw she wasnt there, but beside him. 'How did she get here so fast?' he said to himself. She had a small smile on her face as she held a red rose in her palm to him. He took it and stared at her, "What's this for?" She shook her head and smiled at him again, "Does one have to have a reason to give someone a gift?" His eyebrow raised and he nodded. He placed the rose in his haori and continued reading his scroll. 'No ones ever given me a gift, without a reason. Not even my parents.' he thought to himself.

She stared at his face intensely, she noticed to rock above his crescent moon, along with all the other elements. "You've mastered all four elements." He looked at her and nodded, then went back to his scroll. "Your hair is very pretty." She said, her hands clasped behind her back. He looked at her, "You like talking don't you?" She grinned, "It's how I make friends. What's your name?" He looked back at his scroll and mumbled, "Sesshomaru." She smiled, "Killing perfection huh? Sounds scary." He looked at her up and down this time, "How old are you?" He murmured, if she wasn't a demon, she wouldn't have heard at all. "Five in demon years." He said "hn" and went back to reading, 'Smart child for one so young.' She tugged his haori, "And how old are you, Sesshomaru-sama?" He didn't bother looking at her he just replied while reading, "Three centuries." Her eyes widened, "So you're fifteen in demon years huh? Did you know that when we turn twenty-one, we practically stop aging? It's true! I read it in the library at the palace!" He nodded and continued, 'Smart indeed,' he thought.

She was about to open her mouth to speak again, when a knock sounded at the door. "Enter." Sesshomaru and Kagome said in unison. He looked at her, perplexed as to why she would answer. Lord Inu Taisho entered, with Lady Izayoi by his side. "Son, please come down and meet the nob-" he paused as he saw Kagome by Sesshomaru's side, "Lady Kagome, how did you get here?" She bowed low to the Lord and smiled, "I was exploring. It is so annoying when a garden is full of noise! It should be quiet, to enjoy all the smells and colors of the flowers." He laughed and nodded, "Well you two both need to come downstairs, the children are being gathered, dinner will be served soon." Sesshomaru and Kagome nodded and all four left the study to the dining hall.

"Kagome! Where have you been young lady?" Lady Sakura's eyes narrowed at Kagome, "I was exploring mother! The gardens were too crowded..." She said as she hid her face in the sleeve of her kimono. Sesshomaru walked behind her and bowed low, "Lord Naraku, Lady Sakura, welcome." They smiled and bowed lightly. He saw the fang on their foreheads and quickly deduced that Kagome was their daughter. He was so enthralled with his scroll that he didn't recognize that Kagome was a lady of the Eastern Lands, he made mental note of it this time. He greeted the other Lords and Ladies, he also greeted each child. He went to the table when his fatherwho was at the head of the table sat to his left.

"Good night everyone. I am pleased to have you all in my home, enjoy the food, the company and the hospitality. After dinner, the Lords will meet in my study for a meeting." As Inu Taisho spoke, they were all served meals that were prepared especially for them signifying their heritage. The Eagles were served gopher, the Dragons were served Yellow Fin Tuna, the Inus were served quail, and the Tigers were served wild boar, their ultimate delicacy.

As everyone ate, there was small talk and idle chatter. Sesshomaru ate quietly, to himself and never laid eyes anywhere else but the plate in front of him. "Sesshomaru-sama?" He heard his name and looked up to see Kagome smile at him, "Are you alright?" He nodded and continued eating. She nodded and went back to eating as well.

Lord Inu Taisho and lady Izayoi took note of this.

After dinner, Inu Taisho pulled Sesshomaru aside and whispered a question in his ear. Sesshomaru violently replied 'no', shaking his head madly from side to side and whispered his reason in his father's ear. His father agreed and went back to the large group.

All the children were sent to bed, while all the Lords escaped to the study to discuss important matters. The Ladies of the household sat in the lounge, sipped on sake and fruit and talked about trivial things, like kimonos and hair, and their children.

"Why the rush to see who is to inherit the Kingdoms, Inu Taisho?" Naraku spoke, a pipe burning with tobacco in his mouth. Inu Taisho sat on his pillow and lounged, "Three days ago, a witch appeared in my study. She spoke of an evil rising in one of the four kingdoms. It could be one of us, one of our children, a servant turned enemy. I do not know. But to secure the children, I need to know the heirs."

The Lords stared at him in surprise. "What if she lies?" Byakonto asked. "Then it is a lie. But what if it is not? We must take precautions to protect the children, especially the heirs to the thrones." Inu Taisho repeated. They nodded. Although some hadn't fully agreed, they knew it was better to be prepared for nothing, that to be unprepared for something.

First Inu Taisho spoke, "I have chosen Sesshomaru as my heir. He knows the ins and outs of the kingdom, he will surpass me in power as well. He is passionate, but hides it too well. Inuyasha is too reckless, he will make brash decisions." All the other Lords nodded in agreement.

"I have chosen Hitoshiji as my heir." All eyes were on him as Inu Taisho spoke, "Both your sons have chosen the same element AND they are twins. How did you choose?" Lord Asano shook his head, "Hitoshiji chose Air for a great reason, Hitau only chose Air because his brother had chosen it. The kingdom needs a leader, not a follower." All the lords nodded.

"Well I only have one child, so I have no choice." Lord Byakonto hissed. All the lords stared at him, then to Naraku.

"Souta is not old enough to choose yet, I cannot make a decision based on two out of three children." The lords agreed. "But you must choose now, we have no idea how much time we have left before this evil arises." Asano said, almost scared. "Then I choose Kagome." They all looked at him surprised, "We thought you would choose Kikyo, or even Souta, even though he has not chosen his element yet." Inu Taisho said. "Well, Kagome chose air, to protect, serve and honour the East," he looked away, a bit of disappointment etched on his face, "Kikyo chose to manipulate fire for ultimate power." They looked at each other, then back to him.

"Ultimate power isn't such a wretched goal," Byakonto said.

"No." Taisho said. Everyone one turned to face him. "The need for ultimate power brings nothing but greed, hatred and sorrow. Naraku has made a wise choice."

Everyone, except Byakonto, nodded.

"Then it's settled. All the heirs will be under special protection." Inu Taisho said as he stood from his pillow. The lords nodded in agreement.

As they left Inu Taisho pulled Naraku aside for a discussion. "I want Kagome to be betrothed to Sesshomaru.". Naraku was suprised, "Kagome is an heir! Two heirs cannot possibly be betrothed to each other! Kikyo is the eldest, she will be betrothed to Sesshomaru." Inu Taisho shook his head violently 'no'. "He will not take Kikyo, I have already asked him. He does not mind Kagome, but he despises Kikyo." Naraku stepped back, offended. "Are you saying something is wrong with my cub?" Inu Taisho quickly walked up to him, "My friend, I see a darkness within her. Sesshomaru claims to see it as well. I respect you, and your wife, but Kikyo...something is not right about that child." Naraku pondered, he indeed saw this darkness as well, as small as it may be, "But they cannot be betrothed Inu Taisho! What will happen to the kingdoms?" Inu Taisho smiled, matter-of-factly, "They will merge, into one kingdom. Sesshomaru will be the iron fist, Kagome will be the delicate flower to the people. They will be unstoppable."

Naraku thought, "I will think about it. Know this, if I say yes, the other lords will turn to one explanation...conspiracy, I will not have my cubs in danger if a war is to be waged." Inu Taisho nodded in agreement, "This I understand, but before the announcement is made, we will all sit and explain to the other lords." Naraku nodded and turned to leave, "Good night Inu Taisho."

Inu Taisho watched his friend leave before he remembered what the witch had said. 'The evil shall rise from the East and be defeated by the East, with the help from the West." Inu Taisho rose his voice, "THAT MAKES NO SENSE! How can the evil RISE from the East, and be defeated by the East?" She smiled, "Only when the West and the East combine, will the East be defeated." She disappeared. Inu Taisho ran his hand through his hair dozens of times. "Makes no damn sense..." he kept muttering.

When he met Kikyo for the first time, he had his supicions about the prophecy. He sensed a black aura, a dark forboding within her. She was not kind, and her eyes held hatred and contempt, he was a Lord and even he was taken back by her. Then he met sweet Kagome, who seemed to love everything and everyone. Her aura was pure white, like a goddess, like his wife, Izayoi. He sighed and went to his bed chambers, he hoped he was wrong, for the sake of his friend.

Naraku slipped into his bed chambers, Sakura already there, asleep on her side, her back to him. He removed his dark armour, haori and hakama and went under the soft silk sheets beside her. He ran his hand up her hips to her waist, over her markings and pulled her close to him. She felt his chest to her back and turned to face him. "Is everything alright?" she asked in a whisper. He ran his hand through her silky hair, "Tomorrow we shall speak of it." She nodded and closed her eyes to feel his lips plunge onto hers. He crawled on top of her, and place his body between her legs, rubbing her breasts and cupping her bottom. That night, he took her to heaven and back twice, and laid in each others arms until they drifted into sleep.

The next morning they all went downstairs for breakfast. They were different fruit, and cheeses, with fresh pulp and sake. Everyone ate happily, talking about each other's social lives and cultures. Afterwards, the children went to play in the garden, as Sesshomaru sat under a cherry blossom tree, a scroll in his hand. The Lords and Ladies all retreated to the conference room.

"Do you always have to read, Sesshomaru-sama?" Kagome said as she sat beside him in the shade. "Do you always have to annoy me?" He murmured. She giggled, and opened his hand and placed a cherry blossom in his palm. "She sits and waits for love, under the shade of a cherry blossom tree..." she whispered. His eyebrow raised, "Orachii mitsumoto?" She smiled up at him, "He's my favourite poet." He cleared his throat, "Mine as well."

It was quiet for a few moments before she spoke again her eyes set on the children, "Do you have any friends, Sesshomaru?" He looked down at her, "I don't need friends." Her arms crossed over her chest, "Of course! Everyone needs friends!" She looked at him, her eyes softened, "I'll be your friend." He looked down at her face and a small smile graced his face. They remained like that for a while, then his eyes returned to his scroll and hers went back to watching the children.

'I've never known someone who wanted to be my friend. All I've ever heard from servants was how cold-hearted and stoic I am. Maybe it is not so bad having a...friend?' he thought as he read.

Inuyasha, Kikyo and Marumo were playing with fire...literally, Hitoshiji and Hitau were playing with their training balloons, racing across the courtyard and Souta, being the youngest, was playing in flowers.

Kikyo stopped playing for a second, to glance at Sesshomaru and Kagome, a look of disgust and jealousy on her face.

Meanwhile, in the lounge, the Lords revealed to their mates their heirs. The Ladies were suprised, all except Lady Illuna, who knew that there was no other choice in the matter, she only had one child after all. "Kagome? are you sure, Naraku?" Sakura said as she touched his shoulder, "You heard Kikyo when she chose her element, she wants ultimate power. Inu Taisho and his son, Sesshomaru, sensed a dark aura from her. I sense no lies coming from them." She lowered her head, then met his eyes. "How is it we have not sensed it?" He took her hands in his and kissed them, "She is our cub, we might've sensed it but dismissed it as immediately as it came. No parent wants to believe that about their cubs." She bowed and sighed. "She will not be happy." He nodded and looked to Inu Taisho who was seen sharing the news with his wife.

All the Ladies came to terms with the choices their husbands made and left the lounge to spend time with the children except Inu Taisho, Izayoi, Naraku and Sakura.

"We want Kagome to be engaged to Sesshomaru." Inu Taisho said again, only this time to Sakura. "Two heirs betrothed? I do not see how this can work. They will need time to mate and mark, as well as pups. How are they to do this while running their own kingdom?" She looked to Naraku, who sighed, "Lord Inu Taisho has suggested a merging of the Kingdoms." Her eyebrow raised, "And why this suggestion? The other Lords will think we are conspiring with each other! This will start a war!" Naraku began to rub his wife's shoulder, she looked like she was about to burst into tears.

Inu Taisho sighed and looked at Izayoi at his side, she nodded, "A witch came to my husband while he was in his study." She placed her hands in Sakura's, "She told him of a great evil that would rise from the East." Sakura's, as well as Naraku's eyes widened, they sniffed the air, and smelled no lies. "She said something else that we cannot comprehend. 'The East will be defeated by the East, with the help of the West.' We still have no idea what she meant." Sakura looked at the leaders of the West, "Maybe someone shall betray us and we will need your help to defeat them?" She whispered with a twinge of hope, looking to her husband who seemed just as shocked. Inu Taisho and Izayoi looked at each other "Maybe. This is why we wish for Sesshomaru and Kagome to be engaged. Sesshomaru is strong minded and somewhat cold hearted, Kagome is soft and kind, she will bring forth the kindness from within him. He will rule the kingdom with strength, she will rule it with compassion. They will be equals." Sakura brought her hands back to her lap, "I don't know."

Sakura rose and went to look through the window of the study and what she saw caused her eyes to widen. "Come and look at this, you three!" With demon speed they were beside her, and their expression followed suit with hers.

There, under the cherry blossom tree sat Sesshomaru listening and nodding while Kagome told him stories of the Eastern Kingdom as she braided his hair, putting cherry blossoms at the ends. With their enhanced hearing, plus the connection to their children, they could hear what she was talking about.

"Most of the tiger demons at home are jungle tigers. It's rare to find a snow tiger. Some say when a tiger demon has truly awakened, he or she will become a snow tiger. My mother is one of the few snow tigers left." He knew all this already, as he has studied the cultures of each types of demons, but she shone with pride as she told him, so he let her continue. "Hey, I have an idea! I'll show you my beast if you show me yours!" He looked away from her for a moment, 'I haven't mastered my true form yet, but she is my friend...right? and friends impress each other...right? I need to find a scroll about friends...' He thought.

Before the Inu Taisho and Izayoi could protest, Sesshomaru began to transform, his face twisting into a snout and soon he was a large white dog demon, with a bright blue crescent moon on his forehead, his white fur swaying in the wind. With that, they rushed out to the courtyard, Sakura and Naraku closely behind.

Kagome looked up at him and stared in wonder, "Kawaii Sesshomaru-sama!" She hugged his leg, and he felt something he had never felt in this form before, he felt calm. He was perfectly aware of her presence, and that she was his friend,which was a first. Usually when he transformed he couldn't control his lust for blood and dominance and would have to run and leave the Western Kingdom for a few days until he calmed himself or worse, his father would have to discipline him.

Soon she took a couple steps away from him and clasped her hands behind her back, "My turn!' She squealed. Her face began to contort, and she transformed and became an orange striped tiger cub. She looked at him with her big brown eyes and began to purr at him, "Play!" She purred. He understood, but could feel the auras of their parents approaching so he simply transformed back to his humanoid form.

The parents made it to the garden only to see Sesshomaru transforming. Inu Taisho walked over to his son, "I think that may be the first time you ever controlled that beast of yours." Sesshomaru nodded and left, the four parents and Kagome, still in her cub form, watching him disappear into the castle.

"Kagome! You transform back this instant!" The little cub scowered behind the cherry blossom tree and transformed. She left her hiding space and faced her mother. "I'm sorry, mommy. I only wanted to play with Sesshomaru." Sakura's eyes softened, "Musume, you know you cannot completely control your beast, your training is not complete. What if you lost control and hurt Souta?" She said as she pointed to the little boy who shoved roses in this mouth. "I would never hurt Souta mommy!" She sighed, "All I wanted to do was play." She looked down, her oranged streaked brown bangs covering her eyes.

Naraku bent down to her eye level, "All we want for you is to be responsible. You may transform in the dojo, but not here. Even though you still are a cub, your little fangs and claws may still harm Souta and you wouldn't know it. The only reason you submitted is because the Beta of the pack was ordering you to." She nodded. "I will not tranform outside of the dojo until I can control my beast." Naraku rubbed her head as she went to hug Sakura, murmuring in her kimono," Sorry mommy." She looked up at her mother, unshed tears staining her eyes. Her mother smiled and patted her head. "Listen to us. We tell you these things for your own protection. Now, go and play." Kagome smile at her parents, then the adults behind them and returned to Souta.

"Hmph." Inu Taisho said with a wide grin on his face. Izayoi smiled as well, she knew what her husband was thinking. She turned to Sakura, "You see? My son rarely wants us to touch him, and we are his parents! But Kagome, Kagome was allowed to...Indeed, I am a little jealous," she said chuckling, but continued, "But maybe this match isn't so ludicrous."

Inu Taisho stepped forward, "He has never had that kind of control over his beast...EVER. Kagome calms him down, not even I can get the boy to listen to me, I would have to transform and assert myself as Alpha male. Then and only then would he either return to his human form, or leave the Western Kingdom."

Sakura and Naraku turned to face them, then looked at each other, love glazing in their eyes, "Maybe, this is not such a bad idea, Naraku." He nodded at his wife and licked her cheek, "I agree." They looked to the leaders of the West once more, "A match it shall be." The four were all smiles, "We shall announce it when the heirs are being announced, when they all come of age of course."

The lord and lady of the West nodded and all four turned to watch the children playing in the courtyard and heard, "Don't eat so many roses Souta! You'll get sick!" They laughed and looked at each other.

A match.