Kagome could have fainted again. The word castle had conjured up thoughts of grandeur and knights in armor and flawless cream colored stone that stabbed at the sky valiantly. The structure that loomed before her wasn't grand all right but it was in no way valiant or flawless. Kagome shuddered. No. She wouldn't focus on the bad. She'd just examine the castle from top to bottom and find something nice about it. It was...big. Yes. It was very large and secure. That was good wasn't it? Kagome's gaze slid over the castle and she nearly fainted with relief when she saw the windows. It wasn't a tomb after all!

"It's very large." Kagome squeezed out by way of compliment and shifted nervously were she was pressed against Sesshomaru's chest. Rin and Jaken were curled up on the back of the huge two headed beast, Rin slumbering and Jaken grumbling irritably. "It's very big."

Sesshomaru made no reply so she went on. "And it's very protected isn't it?" She choked back tears. She could plant flowers. No. No measure of flower could ever make this place lovely. "And very grand."

"Kagome." She looked up at him and met his iced gold eyes. "It'll be alright."

Kagome nodded mutely and looked down as the beast dropped to land in the huge courtyard below. The yard as well as the castle was flanked on all sides by glossy black walls. All side except for the back because the castle seemed carved into the mountain it was set upon, the peak of the highest tower piercing the moon as if the silver orb were Sesshomaru's own personally banner. Kagome looked down and let out a muffled gasp as the courtyard suddenly became swarmed.

No swarm was the wrong word because there was a rather organized way the people seemed to suddenly group. Demons. Kagome cling to the beast as Sesshomaru slid of the beast easily and turned as a young demon came up to him and bowed.

"Lord Sesshomaru you have returned!"

"Indeed Goh."

"Where you successful then?"

Sesshomaru didn't reply but turned to look at her finally and held out a hand. "Kagome." Kagome stared at the hand for a moment then finally reached out to take it, sliding down of the beast's back to stand beside Sesshomaru. "Kagome this is Goh."

Kagome nodded and Goh bowed. "My lady." Kagome studied him. The demon looked human, like Sesshomaru, all save for the man's abnormally long pointed ears, slightly covered in dark brown fur. His eyes were piercing blue and her had a smooth honey nut complexion. Goh looked at Sesshomaru again. "And where is the little miss?"

Sesshomaru turned. "Rin." His voice softly reprimanding. "We're home."

Rin sat up and yawned, scrubbing her eyes then blinked and let out a cheer, bounding of the beast's back and dashed over to the pointy-eared demon. "Goh!" She hugged him cheerfully. "Lord Sesshomaru is married! We get Lady Kagome."

"I see that." Goh said with a smile.

Kagome glanced around at the demons milling about, both ones that appeared human and ones that appeared full monster. She edged closer to Sesshomaru, her thigh bumping his and he looked down at her. She schooled her discomfort and met his gaze with a warm smile. He stared at her a moment longer then turned her attention back to Goh and Rin.

"Rin go wash up for dinner."

Rin nodded. "Yes my lord!" She turned and dashed into the castle.

"Your nervous." Sesshomaru said as Goh turned to trail after Rin at a slower pace.

"Of course I'm nervous! I'm surrounded by demons." She hadn't meant to sound angry but that's the way it came out. Tears burned her eyes but she wouldn't release them. What was wrong with her? She kept flip flopping between being miserable and ecstatic that she was married to Sesshomaru.

"Once you give me a son you may go home." Sesshomaru's tone was cold as he released the hand he had kept hold of even after helping her of the beast.

Kagome's mouth opened and her face burned. Give him a son? What...what did he mean? Oh god! And how did he expect her to just leave her own child behind even if she did have one? Did he really think she could do that? She didn't have time to shout at him because he was already walking away briskly. She seethed with anger and hung back, wrapping the reigns of the huge beast around her hands.

"Excuse me my lady." Kagome turned to look at a demon that hovered near, one that looked human for the most part save his extra eyes. "Shall I take The Beast from you?"

Kagome blinked at him then looked up at the green creature and shook her head. "No I'll take him. Could you show me where you keep him?"

The demon nodded. "Of course mistress." And led her away from the courtyard. She'd be damned if she was going to be afraid. Of Sesshomaru, of this place, of the people here. She'd get along with everyone. She'd show him if she died trying!


Surrounded by demons. Well what had she expected? Why in the world would he have humans in his own home? Other then Rin of course. And now her. That damn girl. Sesshomaru managed to reach the carved stone stairs before her realized he'd misplaced his wife. He suppressed a growl and turned.

"Ayano."

A girl appeared, from the hall that led into the seating room and curtsied. "My lord?"

"Go into the courtyard and bring my wife to me?" Wife, he mused as the girl nodded and hurried to do hid bidding. A pointless thing. How was he to be expected to keep up with something as insignificant as a wife? He'd linger here long enough to wait for his fool brother to come looking for his wench then go and leave the girl her to do as she pleased. After all that's what humans wanted wasn't it? To just be left to their own devices.

He looked up when Ayano walked back into the room and shook her head. "My lord. She's not there."

Sesshomaru checked the urge to growl. "What do you mean she's not there?"

"She's not in the courtyard my lord." Sesshomaru turned and walked down the hall back out into the courtyard. Indeed Kagome wasn't there. His hand curled into a fist and he turned to look at a demon that was slinking across the yard.

"Where is you mistress?"

The demon looked up. "The Lady Kagome? She's in the stables with your Beast milord."

Sesshomaru turned and walked towards the stables that flanked the east side of the castle briskly. That damn girl. He found her there and damn if he wasn't shocked. The woman was smiling. Not just smiling, laughing. And she was surrounded by a virtual harem of female demons a number of which tugged at the girl's skirt or hair or her shirt then giggled.

"And what is this my Lady?" A demon girl asked reaching lifting up a long shimmering tube.

"That? Oh that's toothpaste. It's used to...to clean your teeth with."

"Your land has many strange things my lady." Another woman chimed.

Kagome nodded. "I...suppose. Oh!" She had noticed him and she straightened stepping forward as the demon women looked up at him then moved back but not away, only shifted around to flank their mistress like an honor guard. Kagome settled her hands on her hips. "You forgot me didn't you?"

He had. But he wasn't going to tell this arrogant human female that. "You were supposed to follow me. Come. Dinner is being prepared."

She crossed her arms. "I'm not going anywhere until you admit you forgot me." There was a collective fall of silence from the females as Kagome challenged him.

Sesshomaru checked his anger as he walked forward to take a firm grip on her arm. It was time she learned to obey and fear him. Far past time. "You will not question me."

She blinked. "Do you mean to say I can't voice my opinions?"

"Not unless I ask for them."

"Uhum." She looked more thoughtful then scared. What was wrong with her? Did he not intimidate her at all? She turned around to look at the group of women that still hovered behind her. "Excuse me then. I have to attend to my husband." She looked up at him. "Alright. I'm ready."

Presumptuous... He kept his grip on her arm and turned away walking towards the castle again with her silently. She really did try his patience. "You did forget me though." She added once they had gone some distance.

And damn if he couldn't stop to smile that broke through his firm resolve.