Chapter 7: Broken Treaty

Sesshomaru approached the elder Hiro. It had been almost a month since he last lay with Kagome. He knew she would never become his mate and he had given his word to not look for a mate, but that would not stop the elders from finding one for him, which was why he was approaching the elder Hiro now. He was speaking with the other elders about the meeting that would be taking place in the morning with the other lords and ladies.

"Hiro, I wish for you to find me a mate," he said coldly.

"I cannot do that," he remarked. "None of us can do that. You are to never take a mate."

"Never take a mate?" He scowled. "Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?"

"We say this for the good of the west," the woman elder said.

"You sacrifice my possible happiness for the good of the west? Years ago you were pressuring me to take a mate and produce an heir."

"You have an heir. There is no need for you to take a mate. You can continue to sleep with anyone you desire." This came from another elder.

"I desire a mate to give me more pups. Kagome refuses to give me more pups." He was glaring at them.

"Another can give you pups, but you are not to take a mate, ever." They turned away from him.

Sesshomaru turned and stormed from the room. How dare they deny him the right to take a mate. He stormed through the castle and to his chambers, holding his anger in. He would show them.

Kagome sat in her garden, watching the twins play with Rin. They were so carefree, like any child should be. She was not so care free. She could feel Sesshomaru's anger through their connection, and knew he was desperate. She blocked it from her mind and looked to the paperwork the servant took from Sesshomaru's study. She was looking through land disputes and threats for revolts. It wasn't anything major, really, so she saw to those first and continued on past night, knowing Sesshomaru was not seeing to the work again.

She knew something was off when the bond she shared with Sesshomaru snapped. She gasped, but said nothing. Instead she rose to her feet and prepared a traveling pack for her and the twins. She sent a letter to Sesshomaru's mother explaining everything that was going on and requesting a place for her, the twins, and Rin to stay. She knew things would get bad tomorrow and so had a servant retrieve the elders. They were in her chambers in minutes and she erected a barrier around them for privacy.

"Why have you called for us at such a late hour?" Hiro asked as they all sat on cushions around a cricular table.

"Sesshomaru has taken a mate. Tomorrow things will become difficult for us all." She sighed sadly.

"How do you know?" The female asked.

"The bond that tied me to him has snapped. He has marked another as his mate. I have made preparations to depart from here once the other lords and ladies get here. I know a portion of the army and servants will follow when I leave, as well as the remaining incarnations that have been freed of Naraku, that is except for Kagura." They nodded.

"We shall depart the same time you do," Hiro said. "We will return to the families we have left and return once Hibikimaru takes the throne." Kagome nodded.

"I wish you all the best."

"We wish you the best as well." They all bowed and left her room. Kagome climbed into bed and blew out the lantern next to her bed. Her sleep will be troubled tonight.

The lords and ladies of the other lands came to the west. They saw Kagome standing with the elders. They were all wearing traveling kimonos. The twins were not in sight and the grounds were quiet. Kagome bowed to them and they did the same.

"There is something off," Lord Hiro pointed out.

"There is," Kagome admitted quietly. She did not want to say it but they all knew something was different.

"You do not smell of Sesshomaru," Yoko pointed out as he came closer to her. "Has he finally died?"

She shook her head and made to explain when a woman with silver hair and amber eyes approached. Her coloring matched Sesshomaru. She bowed to the woman respectfully. "It is nice to finally meet you, Inukimi," Kagome said.

"You are the woman that bore my grandchildren." She looked for the twins. "Where are they so that I may meet them?"

"Kiyomi is getting them prepared." Inukimi nodded. "Please come in. There is much to discuss." She led them into the western castle, but not to the wing she had been staying in. Instead it was a room off to the side. "I would offer a better space for us to talk in, but since recent events, it would be inappropriate."

"You are right about that," Sesshomaru's cold voice stated from the door. They looked at him to see Kagura standing next to him. "You no longer hold power here."

Inukimi looked at her son, then the woman behind him, noticing the recent mating mark on her neck. She scowled and glared at her son. "You really are just like your father," she spat.

"What does she mean?" Lord Jyoga asked Kagome.

"This is my mate, Kagura," Sesshomaru stated. "She is the lady of the castle now."

"You bastard!" Toran snarled. She stood. "You have broken the peace agreement. From this day forward the north and west are at war." She turned to Kagome. "Leave these lands so no harm shall come to you or your young."

Arguments errupted through the castle the lords and ladies leaving, having received word to leave their young at home. Kagome stood, the twins taking a hand each after she pulled the traveling pack to her back. The elders left the room and headed towards the exit. Kanna, Hakudoushi, Byakuya, and Entei followed after her and the children. A portion of the army left, as well as a majority of the servants.

"I disown you, Sesshomaru. Do not come looking for Kagome or the pups. You do not deserve them." She left his castle and led the large group away and to the castle in the sky; her home.