Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and my new created figures


A/N: Thank you all for the great feedback! I was overwhelmed to see such great support. Thank you, thank you! This time I have two new chapters for you. Here comes the first one.

A/N: Again this is done with my brilliant beta Firehauke, thank you so much!

A/N: This chapter contains possible triggering content for those who had to experience abuse. I don´t want you to suffer because of it, so if you don´t want to read such things, please skip the italic parts of this chapter. There will be another warning at the beginning of those parts.


In the middle of the Western Lands was a small, yet dangerous mountain range. It had deep, sharp cliffs, impassible canyons and unreachable valleys. In one of those deep valleys was a large garden. Here hidden in the middle of a thick forest, snuggled against a huge cliff sat a large, yet modest two-story palace.

There was no need for extra protection for no one could find it let alone reach it unless the master of the house personally invited them with special words, different for every visitor. Nonetheless, guards stood all around, keeping a close eye on the belongings of their Lord.

The palace was very traditional, but unusual in its size and form. It was built in a compact rectangle, aligned on the four directions, surrounding a wonderful patio with another garden. In the very center of this garden stood an ancient, giant cherry-tree. It symbolized a yorishiro, a connection to the kami.

Slightly to the left of that was a small koi pond bordered with stones and water lilies. A dark, wooden bridge stretched over the surface, a small, carved bench stood at the bank. Small cobbled ways led from it to the four wings of the palace. Some giant stone lanterns, mossy inu statues and a bamboo water game were strategically placed.

The wooden structure was made of dark cherry wood and masterfully carved with different figures from Japanese history. The beams that held up the roof with its upturned corners were especially magnificent. The large roof overhangs covered the access balconies that went along the whole inner side. At the outside was only one entrance, with heavy carved doors and a traditional arch.

Shoji, made of unusually strong washi paper, separated the rooms from the access balconies and the halls. Inside, the different rooms were separated by opaque fusuma. The tatami which covered the floors were of high quality reed and the bands that kept them bordered, the heri, were made of black silk.

The palace was separated into different areas. The southern wing, in which the entrance was located, also held the public rooms. A huge dining room, a wonderful audience hall, where the court was held, a ballroom, that went over both stories for any festive that may take place and the studies of the master and his representative. The most important room was the two story library.

The eastern wing held the practical rooms: the kitchen, a large dojo, an armory and hospital ward and servants´ quarter. The latter was the whole second story of the wing. The whole palace had a basement level; that was mostly storage rooms and some secret hideaways and passages. Outside at the edge of the kitchen gardens was a big stable for various mounts.

The northern wing housed guest rooms; complete with small studies and a full, indoor bathroom for every two bedrooms. Indoor plumbing was a nearly unheard thing in this era.

But that wasn´t the only unusual thing within this keep. The kitchen and each bathroom had fresh, hot and cold water running water that was piped in from a pair of natural springs. To fill a basin or tube, one pulled a cork out of a pipe end that protruded from a wall near said bowl. It had been an idea of the first lord of the castle, who had a great need for cleanliness.

Another oddity of these pipes what that the warm water also served to heat the floor, cutting down on the cost of the heating fuel. The pipes snaked all over each level, under the tatami and an insulating layer of fibers. The servants never feared that a fire would start within the house with this design.

The western wing was the family living quarters. It was separated from the rest of the palace by heavy ornately carved wooden doors and had a separate private entrance door in the same manner. It held the master chambers, nursery, small secondary bedrooms and a large open play room. There was also a private sitting room that acted as a minor audience chamber for more personal business, and a smaller private library/office for the use of the lord and the lady.

Futons lay on platforms installed in the middle of each bedroom. As in most traditional homes, the only real decorations were placed in alcoves that lined the lower portion of the walls. The upper parts contained clothes.

Wonderful paintings were hung every now and then on the walls. The inner shojis were painted with motifs that matched the individual use of the rooms. Most visitors were surprised to find some strategically placed and fair altars, honoring different Kami. Near the outer shojis of each private bedroom hung artful wind chimes made of silver.

The moon stood high in the velvety night sky, twinkling stars surrounding it. Most inhabitants of the palace were already asleep. A small female servant went through the halls, a tray with a steaming mug on it in her hands. Silently she knelt in front of the shoji that let into a cozy, stuffed study, softly lit by some oil lamps on the ground floor of the family wing.

She knocked at the frame, pushed the shoji open and placed her hands in front of her in a deep bow. The lone male inside the room gave a small sign, allowing the girl to rise and carry the tray in. She knelt again next to a low desk and exchanged the fresh mug for the empty already on the desktop. The female bowed again, then rose to leave the room, moving backwards in the proper fashion.

The male didn´t react much to the female other than with a short flash of a grateful smile. On the table were piles of parchment scrolls, some quills and a huge, open bottle with ink. Shifting from agura to seiza, he reached for the hot mug and blew on the steaming contents. Inhaling of the deep aroma of herbs and honey, he sipped a mouthful of the brew.

The mug still in his hand, he rose from seiza and went to the slightly open shoji in the back of the room. Deeply inhaling the rich spring air he pushed the door open further and stepped outside on the access balcony. Putting the mug on the banister he took his fill of the peaceful surroundings. The moon and the lamps from inside illuminated his appearance.

Flaxen hair hung braided down his back till it reached the sash that held his simple, silken grey haori close. Grey hakamas hung deep on his narrow hips, covering long legs and part of his bare, slender feet. He ran an equally slender hand through the angular bangs, that covered a Prussian blue color crescent moon on his forehead.

On both of his high cheekbones was a smooth, deep purple stripe; his eyelids covered in the same color. His bone structure was delicate, yet was he undeniably strong and well muscled without being overly packed, reaching a height of five foot and nine inches. For a moment he squared his broad shoulders, stretched his lithe figure and closed his chartreuse eyes.

His mouth opened to a yawn, showing deadly fangs and a unusually long tongue that rolled up in a very canine way. Using the claws on the tips of his fingers he scratched the back of his neck. The eyes opened again and his head turned slightly to the softly reopened inner shoji. Elfin ears twitched, while he waited for the young female to speak.

"Haru-sama," the small female whispered. "The pup, he isn´t sleeping again."

"Hn," A short nod signaled her that he understood. After the door had closed he jumped with the grace of his kind over the banister into the garden and from there, up to the second floor. Turning sideways, he made his way down to another slightly open shoji in the middle of the hall. His long flaxen tail twitched as he looked down at a small bundle of fur.

"Pup," the male spoke in a deep, slightly rough drawl. "I don´t believe your mother would approve your lack of sleep."

"Hm?" Said pup lifted his head and looked up at the tall male hovering over him.

He had shoulder-length, rusty red hair with unruly bangs, held in a plait on the back of his head. The small, round face was dominated by huge emerald green eyes, which by now were glistening with unshed tears instead of his usual mischief. Small fangs poked over his lower lip as he sniffed with his little nose.

Elfin ears seemed to be lowered, much like his cream-colored tail that was curled around his small body. His whole little figure seemed to be slumped; it was more than obvious how exhausted he was. The small paw-like feet, covered with cream-colored fur, were tucked under him and his claw-tipped hands played with a strange string around his neck.

With a closer look, it was revealed that the string was thin strand of black hair that was braided in a way that had no beginning or end; a tiny talisman hung on it. The talisman emitted a soft, soothing aura and was normally tucked under the boy´s top. But since he´d arrived at the castle, he was constantly playing with it, or simply holding it.

"You need to sleep, Shippo," said the elder demon with a soft sigh and as he lowered himself down to pick the kitsune up. "Your mother would not want you to get ill because of exhaustion."

"I know, Haru-sama," came the whispered reply. "But I´m too worried, I can´t sleep."

"Hn," the tall male sat down, placing the pup in his lap. "She is in the care of our Lord now, boy. After what you have told me over the last few nights, his instincts are already reacting to her so he can´t endanger her anymore; even if he would want to."

"I know that," Shippo nodded. "Part of it is because of my own canine heritage, and part of it is because of what I saw in the short time they were together. But I´m still worried, for he is far away. As we are, and yet the hanyō is so close."

"My Lord will feel if she truly needs him," the adult looked at the silent garden while his hand began to absently groom the pup in his lap, something his instincts demanded. "And mission or not, he has to do everything he can to reach her. It is what we inus do."

"But..." the boy tried once more.

"Tell me more of what happened when you met the rest of your group." Haru patted the small head and began to run his claws through the soft fur of the boy´s tail, wrapping his own around the both of them.

~~~ Warning! Possibly triggering content! ~~~

"There they are!" shouted Sango and began to run to her friend. "Kagome-chan!" She threw her arms around her friend and held her as tightly as possible. The slayer noticed the young woman flinch within her grasp and heard the tall inu growl she immediately let go. "I´m so sorry! Are you in pain? How are you?"

"It´s ok, I´m already healing." Kagome forced herself to smile.

"Kagome-chan," careful of her injuries and his wandering hands, Miroku pulled his surrogate sister in his arms. "I´m sorry for all you have endured, but I´m grateful you were found and taken into such good protection." A soft growl beside told him that he had held her too long. "Sesshomaru-sama, thank you for what you have done." A deep bow showed his high respect for the demon lord.

"Hn," the Western Lord looked at the beings before him. The kit was already seated on Ah-Un´s back with Rin, Jaken held the reins of the beast. Tanshin sat beside his mistress´feet, wagging his tails in joy at seeing the fire-cat again. The humans stood close by each other, the slayer had one arm around his female´s waist, the monk held her hand lightly. "Why did you not interfere?"

"We didn´t know," said the monk quietly. Shame clouded the scents of the two human friends and both exchanged a sad look. "There were signs, but every time we tried to figure out what was wrong, Inuyasha somehow managed to stop us or change the topic. He told us that Kagome didn´t wish for such close contact anymore and that she was disappointed because she thought Inuyasha was the only one who truly cared for her."

"At first we didn´t really believe him," Sango took over the story, "But then, Kagome turned away every time we approached her and she stopped bathing with me. Nearly quit talking all together."

"Because he punished me every time I tried," whispered Kagome, silent tears flowing over her face.

"Oh, Kagome-chan!" Sango hugged her once more.

"What we don´t understand is," the monk exchanged another look with the slayer. "Why didn´t you subdue him?"

Sesshomaru said nothing, but quirked his brow at her. Kagome knew what he was silently asking.

"Haven´t you noticed?" Kagome´s face expressed complete surprise at this question. "It doesn´t work anymore! I can´t even use my purification powers against him. It is as if they are absorbed by something whenever I try to use them against him."

The others expressed astonishment over this news. This explained everything! She hadn´t been able to use her abilities against her tormentor. Whatever the reason, it had left her vulnerable and in constant danger, especially since the half breed had also managed to separate her from her friends.

"Miko?" Sesshomaru realized something else about Inuyasha´s pattern. "Is it possible that the bastard is also the reason why you were not trained, and were dressed so indecently?"

"Hai, Sesshomaru-sama," she blushed, looking down at her hands that were still entwined with Sango´s. "At first I didn´t want to wear the clothing from this era, because I would look even more like Kikyo. Then I began to notice the looks and heard the comments. I talked with Inuyasha about it. He said that he loved the way I dressed and coaxed me not to change."

"Of course he did," snorted Miroku to everybody's surprise. "Not long after I started traveling with you I asked him why you were dressed that way and he told me you loved the attention and he admitted that he didn´t mind because this way he always got an eye full. He convinced me that it was a topic you didn´t wish to discuss and even faked that he regretted it, but accepted."

"That... that asshole!" bit Sango out, gripping Kagome´s hands even harder not noticing the slight pained wince of the other woman. "He told me nearly the same, only that he left out the part about his own pleasure at the sight. The way he told it to me it seemed as if it was your wish alone."

"No," Kagome paled, her eyes wide. "He assured me that you too had told him that you thought I should keep my clothes. What did he tell you about my lack of training?"

"I offered to train your powers, as you know," said Miroku softly. "Inuyasha took me aside at this and told me that you didn´t wish for any training and that I would hurt your feelings by offering because I made you feel weak."

"That´t not true." The miko was now openly crying. "I was overjoyed about your offer, but when I wanted to take you upon it, you never mentioned it again. Inuyasha said you had taken it back, because you didn´t think that I would succeed."

"I remember that," piped Shippo from his place. "I remember how sad you were and I was so disappointed that Miroku thought so little of about you."

"Am I right to assume that a equal, seemingly unwanted, offer was made for your combat training?" asked the inu quietly. By now, he was having great difficulty in reigning in his own anger. The next time he met the halfling, he was as good as dead.

"Hai," It was Sango by this time who nodded.

"So he kept you weak and dependent." growled the yokai-lord, eyes tinting red. The boy would suffer for his disgrace.


A/N: Next part ready, please read and review. Feedback is my fuel to write and helps me to get better for you. Thank you!

Translations: seiza and agura look at wikipedia, searching for seiza.