The next afternoon found the group at Sesshoumaru's domain. Kagome's mouth dropped open at the sight before her. The castle was a smooth, charcoal color and stood about 14 feet in the air. It was surrounded by wrought iron gates that were about half the height of the castle itself. As she looked around her, she realized that all she could see were trees upon trees. No villages in sight, which she thought to be strange. Didn't lords normally rule over villages within their range. Maybe they were hidden?

"Miko, are you going to continue gawking at this Sesshoumaru's castle or are you coming?" She looked back towards the group when she realized they were already past the gates. She blushed and ran to catch up with them.

Inside, the floors were a white marble with flecks of gold here and there and the walls were also white. Here and there, she could see vases of brightly colored flowers. No doubt, the cause of Rin. They passed by the front halls and into the main part, where there was a bustling of activity as maids and servants scramble around doing whatever it was that they were doing. From the mist of the activity, a woman appeared in front of them. She had navy blue hair that went to her waist and red-violet eyes. It was apparent she was youkai by the Kitsune ears and tail that was flicking back and forth.

"Welcome, Lord Sesshoumaru." She bowed in respect.

"Kitai." He acknowledged. Once he did, she straightened up and that's when she caught sight of Kagome. Her eyes widened and then she smirked.

"Who is this?" She asked.

"That is not for you to know." He said in reply.

"Fine."

"Is the room prepared?"

"Hai. It is prepared." She bowed once again. Sesshoumaru swept by her without another word. Kagome smiled at the maid before hurrying after Sesshoumaru.

They walked up a spiraling staircase that led to the second floor. They walked down the seemingly never endless hallway before stopping at a door that was somewhere towards the end.

"This shall be room for the time you are here." Sesshoumaru said as he stepped to the side. Kagome took a step forwards and opened the Western-styled door to a beautiful room. The walls were beige in color with wood trimming. The carpet was so soft that her feet sank into it and it was a shade darker than the walls. The bed was queen sized and surrounded by four bed posts. The comforter was a Venetian Red with gold rope lining. that ran down the length of it vertically. Next to the bed were French Doors that were currently covered with draping the came color that were closed. There was a wardrobe on the other side of the bed, against the far wall and then there was another Western-style door.

"Arigatou, Sesshoumaru-sama." If he was surprised that she said his name the correct way, he didn't show it. Instead, he just nodded his head in her direction.

"Rin's room is two doors down and across the hall." He then left to tend to his business. The three girls stared at each other, not knowing what to say or do now that they weren't traveling. Not that MikaZuki said much anyway.

"Wanna see the garden?" Rin asked cheerfully.

"Sure, why not?" Kagome grabbed MikaZuki's hand and they both followed Rin to the gardens.

The gardens were the most beautiful she'd ever seen. The grass was a lush green and the flowers were all bright, colorful. There was a pond that had a small waterfall and was covered in lily pads. The trees that were like a background to everything were so tall that they seemed to touch the skin and the leaves were broad and a vibrant-green.

"Wow." Kagome breathed.

"Lord Sesshoumaru let me build it. I had help from Sakura-chan. She's a plant youkai." As if called, a youkai stepped from the cover of the trees. She had brown hair that was chin-length and was wavy at the ends. Her eyes were a deep green and she was on the short side and she wore a simple white yukata.

"O-Ohayou. Young Rin." She said in a soft voice.

"Ohayou, Sakura-chan! These are my friends, Kagome and……." She pauses when she realized she did not know her other friend's name.

"MikaZuki." She was partly hid behind Kagome's leg.

"And MikaZuki." She finished cheerfully.

"N-Nice to meet y-you." She bowed and then left quickly.

"Don't worry, Sakura-chan will warm up to you."

"Okay."

"Let's play hide-and-seek. Please?"

"Sure." Kagome said, chuckling a little.

"Yay. Kagome, you're it!" Rin then ran away and MikaZuki did a second later.

They all collapsed on the ground, worn out from their activities. The sun was shining down on them and they were becoming hot. Kagome let out a breath and forced herself to sit up. She looked at the two girls who were about ready to fall asleep.

"Come on, I think it's time for a nap." The two girls climbed into her arms and she carried them to their rooms.

Once she had tucked in MikaZuki into her bed, she quietly left the room, shutting the door behind her. Kagome stretched for a second and then leaned against the wall.

'What am I going to do now?' She thought to herself. She sighed for the third time that day and though real hard.

"I think I shall find the library." She said to herself, with a small smile. It'd been a while since she had been able to just read a good book. She was beginning to get more excited the more she though about it.

Okay, it was official, she was lost in a maze. Not a castle, a maze.

"Damn castle, damn Sesshoumaru, damn InuTaishou for building this."

"Such vulgar language."

"Kitai?"

"Hai. The one and only." She bowed dramatically. "So why are you using such vulgar language."

"I can't find the stupid library."

"It's right there." Kitai said, pointing behind her. Kagome turned around and saw two huge double doors that said 'LIBRARY'.

"I hate this castle." She mumbled again.

"You'll get used to it." Kagome snorted in an un-lady like fashion.

"Yea right. But thanks anyway." Kagome bowed and walked into the library.

The inside was huge, it could fit her home five times over. How many books, exactly, did they need anyway? Kagome's eyes were as huge as saucers as she gazed around her. She then squealed and ran into the many bookshelves. She came back out with a thick book that was titled, Miko Powers. She figured whatever she hadn't learned from Kaede, she could learn from this. So, she settled down into one of the green, couch-things and began to read.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she started by jumping from her seat, the book falling to the floor.

"Whatcha reading?" Kitai asked as she picked up the book and looked at the cover. "Miko Powers? Are you that legendary miko who traveled with that odd group?"

"H-Hai."

"Awesome!! Everyone is like, worshipping you." Kitai gushed.

"Um….." Kagome didn't know how to reply to that.

"Anyway, I came here to tell you that Lord Sesshoumaru said for you and the girls to get ready for dinner."

"OH!" Kagome said in surprise. She had no idea she'd been in the library for that long. She looked around and realized that lights were on. They must be automated or somebody lighted them.

"I'll get Rin and you get the other adorable little girl." Kitai told her and then was gone. Kagome ran up the stairs to her room and found MikaZuki awake already.

"Ohayou. Did you have a nice nap?" MikaZuki nodded her head sleepily.

"Good. It's time to get ready for dinner." Kagome scooped up MikaZuki into her arms and walked to the hot springs.

The hot springs were natural. Instead of tiling or marble the flooring was the natural green grass. The spring itself was hot and steamy and partly surrounded by huge boulders. On the walls surrounding the whole thing, were shelves with different products, towels, and robes. Kagome grabbed four towels , two big and two small, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. Strange they had all this stuff here but then again, this was Sesshoumaru. She sat all this stuff near the spring and began to undress MikaZuki. Once MikaZuki was undressed, she undressed herself and they both went into the springs.

Twenty-five minutes later, clean and fresh-smelling, the two girls were out of the springs and wrapped securely in towels.

"You're getting dressed first." Kagome put her hand on MikaZuki's shoulder and guided her to the room, making sure she wouldn't fall.

"Go ahead and pick a kimono." She told her as she got a brush and comb from the vanity that was in their room. When MikaZuki had chosen her attire, she took a spot in front of Kagome so she could get her hair done.

MikaZuki was dressed in a light green kimono with pink sakura randomly falling about it. Her obi was the same pink as the sakura and reached just above her ankles. Kagome had styled her hair in a high ponytail that was braided. Kagome then got dressed in a dark blue kimono that had silver pinstripes on it. The obi was silver with dark blue pinstripes. Her hair was half up-half down and ended at her waist. There was a knock out her door followed by a yell.

"Get your butt out here! You don't wanna be late!"

"Yea!" Rin said.

"Okay, Okay. Hold your horses!" Kagome shouted back.

"What horses?" Kitai asked quizzically. Kagome just shook her head and opened the door.

"I'm ready."

Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to begin tapping his claws impatiently on the dining room table. They were late and he was not liking it. The moment when he was going to go get them, the door opened.

"Here they are, Lord Sesshoumaru." Kitai smiled and waved before leaving.

"Take a seat." He ordered them, watching to make sure they didn't sit in the wrong spot. MikaZuki sat next to Rin and Kagome sat on Sesshoumaru's right side. As soon as she took a seat, servants came from nowhere, put five silver platters in front of each person and then disappeared again. Once Sesshoumaru took the first bite, the others began to eat.

An hour later, they were finally finished eating their dinner.

"Miko."

"It's Kagome."

"Once you are done putting the young ones to bed, I want you in my study." With that, Sesshoumaru left the room with Kagome glaring daggers at his back.

"Who is he to order me around." Kagome muttered as she finished tucking MikaZuki in.

"That pompous bastard. Why I ought to…" She continued muttering as she wondered the halls. She finally came to a door where she could hear papers rustling around.

Sesshoumaru ignored her as she stood near the door to his study. He was busy signing important papers that had to do with a peace treaty between the West and the East.

"While you remain in my domain, I want you to be a tutor to Rin."

"Only if I get to teach MikaZuki as well."

"The orphan child? Very well."

"When will I start?"

"You will start tomorrow before lunch."

"Fine."

"You may leave now." He waved carelessly towards the door and went back to his paperwork. He could feel the anger rolling off her in waves at being ordered around. But she was a smart girl and decided not to say anything in his presence.

Kagome made it to room, still slightly agitated. Even Inuyasha didn't boss her around like that. Her anger immediately faded at the thought of the hanyou. Her mood went from anger to angst. How could he do that to her? Didn't he love her? She snorted quietly. Yea right, not when he had that stupid clay pot for a girlfriend now. A chocked sob escaped her as she curled into herself on the far side of the bed. Her body shook with the suppressed sobs that threatened to break free. Maybe if she was prettier or smarter or was better in archery maybe he would've chosen her. Maybe they'd be together and she wouldn't be here in this castle. If Kikyou had just stayed dead, they would be mated now. Once the thought flitted across her mind, her eyes widened. She didn't mean it, she would never wish that on anyone. Though, deep inside, in a hidden place in her heart, that was her only wish.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I MADE YOU GUYS WAIT TWO MORE MONTHS FOR ANOTHER CHAPTER. WELL, NOW THAT I HAVE SOME TIME OFF, I CAN UPDATE ALOT MORE!! YAY!!!