The maid had just exited her room. Kagome looked at herself in the mirror, satisfied with the beautiful yet simple ice blue kimono she was wearing, which only intensified her eyes. She heard a knock on her door, 'must be my guide, gosh this place is a labyrinth.' She opened the door to see a very handsome demon before her, if she had to guess she would say he was a jaguar.

"Miss, I am here to escort you to the dining hall." He said

"Thank you." Kagome replied, "…What is your name? Who are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"My name is Jin." He replied, "I am the third general under Lord Sesshoumaru, I believe you have already met Akihiro and Hayate."

"I'm Kagome. This seems a little beneath someone of your title to be showing me around...I'm not in trouble, am I?" Kagome lightly said. Jin smiled at her humor, "No my lady, not all demons will take kindly to a human. I am here to ensure your safety."

"Everyone keeps telling me that." Kagome whispered to herself

Jin smiled, "Shall we go?"

"Yes, thank you." Kagome replied as they started walking to the dining hall, "So tell me about this place. Lord Sesshoumaru seems scary."

Jin laughed lightly, "My Lord is the most powerful Taiyoukai in this world. He is an honorable and powerful demon; it's an honor to serve him. You fell through a portal from Nigenkai correct?"

Kagome sighed, "I guess, I'm not really sure what happened or how. This is all a lot to take in and get accustomed to. Demons are just a myth is Nigenkai." 'That's not a lie at least.'

Jin smiled again; he was taking a liking to this little human. Not only was she stunning, she had a pure, yet playful way about her and was very easy to talk to; he could definitely tell why his fellow generals were quick to offer her refuge. "Yes, I am sure this is a lot to get used to." He said, "Here we are, we can continue our conversation at a later time Kagome, I would like to hear about your world."

He led her into a grand dining hall. Like everything else here, it was beautiful and pristine. Kagome could smell something delicious, 'Man, I didn't realize how hungry I was.'

Kagome saw Sesshoumaru at the head of the table, looking just gorgeous and intimidating as she remembered. She saw an empty seat to his left. 'Please don't…' her thought was interrupted by Jin, "you will take the seat next to my Lord." 'Greattttt' she thought, 'At least I am sitting next to Akihiro too.'

As she sat, Sesshoumaru eyed her briefly before nodding to everyone that it was okay to start eating. Sesshoumaru started conversing with his generals. Kagome was content to stay quiet, listen and eat. As she was eating, she was getting distracted by Inuyasha, who was sitting across from her, with a giant scowl on his face. He would let out a huff every few minutes. The last huff let out was the most dramatic yet and his 'puppy dog' ears flattened against his head. Everyone around him was happy to ignore him, but Kagome couldn't help it. She started to laugh, which caught the attention of everyone at the table, included several people she had yet to meet.

When Kagome caught her breath she looked up to see Lord Sesshoumaru intently staring at her, included everyone else at the table too. "Is something amusing?" Sesshoumaru asked

Kagome shivered at his baritone voice, "Well umm…Lord Sesshoumaru, it's just Inuyasha..." Inuyasha's scowl only got worse, which made her giggle before she could continue her thought.

"What wench?" Inuyasha barked

"You have been scowling and huffing like a child who just got in trouble by his mother. It's rather comical that you are acting so juvenile, whatever the reason may be. And my name isn't Wench. Its KA-GO-ME!" Kagome snapped back before she could realize the words coming out of her mouth.

There was a long silence in the room before Hayate started to laugh; he stopped immediately when Sesshoumaru started to speak. "Inuyasha may be an imbecile, but he is still the Prince of this land. That title alone garners respect, especially from a human."

Kagome nodded dumbly, "Yes Lord Sesshoumaru….I apologize, I didn't mean disrespect. I speak before I think sometimes…" 'I'm sure I saw him smirk at my outburst though.'

"Hn." He replied.

Kagome kept her head down for the rest of her meal. She was determined to not draw any more negative attention to herself. As the meal ended she sought out Jin, hoping he would bring her back to her room. Maybe Sesshoumaru forgot about wanting to talk to her after dinner? She made eye contact but he just gently shook his head no. Sesshoumaru noticed their exchange, "Jin, escort the human to my study."

"Yes my Lord." Jin said, with that Sesshoumaru got up and left, everyone else following shortly after him. Akihiro and Hayate stayed though.

"So Jin, what do you think of our little doe here?" Hayate said with a huge grin.

Jin smiled lightly and looked at Kagome, "I never gave humans a second thought, but I think Kagome is an exception, she is a pleasant addition to the palace."

"So Kagome, you have survived your first meal in the western lands. You find your accommodations comfortable?" Akihiro asked

"This place is beautiful." Kagome replied, "But I think I barely survived dinner. I got yelled at…"

Akihiro chuckled, "I have a feeling Lord Sesshoumaru was amused, but didn't show it. Regardless of Sesshoumaru's feelings about Inuyasha, an insult to Inuyasha is an insult to the Western Lands, which in turn in an insult to him."

Kagome sighed, "I know, you are right. I have to think before I speak."

"Don't be too hard on yourself Kagome." Hayate offered

"Akihiro, Hayate, I believe I should be getting Kagome to Sesshoumaru's study now." Jin announced

With that Jin led Kagome to Sesshoumaru's study. The whole time she was stressing about what she was going to tell Sesshoumaru "discuss the day's events…" 'Okay, okay, keep calm Kagome; keep your power in check. Remember half-truths and conviction…you can do it!"

Jin glanced back to the little woman who trailed a few steps behind him. He could tell she was nervous, he assumed it was just the fact that Lord Sesshoumaru was intimating and imposing in general and she was a simple human.

"You will be fine Kagome." Jin said as he paused so she was now walking beside him

"You promise?" Kagome laughed softly

"I can promise you Lord Sesshoumaru is honorable." Jin offered. I will return shortly to escort you back to your room. He knocked softly on the door. Before she opened the door Kagome looked at Jin pathetically, "Here I go…" Jin smiled, reassuring her, "I will be back."

Kagome slowly opened the door. Lord Sesshoumaru was nowhere in sight, but she could feel his aura. He was masking himself very well. He wanted to observe her when she thought no one was watching. Kagome didn't know what he expected her to do. 'I should do something I guess.' Kagome looked around the study. "Lord Sesshoumaru?" Kagome whispered. She stood there awkwardly for a moment and fidgeted with herself. Then she started to take in her surroundings. Books and scrolls were everywhere. She started to peruse what was around; she found a book of ancient poems and started to flip through it. She got so engrossed in the book that she didn't notice Sesshoumaru unmask himself.

When she finally looked up she said Sesshoumaru staring intently at her.

It was the first time Sesshoumaru had really taking in her appearance. He would never admit it a loud but she was beautiful. More beautiful than any demoness he had seen, she looked ethereal. She had the most piecing blue eyes that held a youth and playfulness, but behind that he could see wisdom in those eyes. It was a paradox indeed. Her hair was full and soft looking, it was black, but one could swear is shined blue at times. Her figure was appealing to say the least, she looked healthy and fit, but with curves any demoness would envy, and not one blemish on her person. Her lips looked so soft and plump. Sesshoumaru cleared his thoughts, 'no matter how pretty the face, she is still human.'

"So you can read." Sesshoumaru said, more so to himself

Kagome nearly jumped out of her skin, "Lord Sesshoumaru! Oh my, you scared me."

"Take a seat." Sesshoumaru commanded. "We have things to discuss…"