Chapter 9

Kagome awoke a little before dawn, her bladder was calling to her. Her eyes looked at the male holding her with softness. Sesshomaru looked peaceful when he was sleeping. Her body ached a little but she could manage. Slowly, she tried to sit up and move but something caught her arm. Looking at the appendage, she slowly made her way up to the solid build till she reached those golden eyes. Their eyes connected and so began the staring contest. Something flashed in both their eyes but Kagome broke it first.

"Sesshomaru-sama I would like to ask that you release me so I can take care of business." Kagome spoke in a whispered tone.

Sesshomaru held her for a moment more before releasing her. Kagome stood up and walked out the shimmering black barrier and out into the trees.

Sesshomaru watched her go for a moment before he felt eyes on himself. Looking to his right, he noted the way his ward was looking at him. Those red eyes narrowed slightly with a knowing grin on his fox face. Sesshomaru raised a brow at the insinuation from his ward before looking down at his pup. She was still asleep and probably would be all day. He knew for a fact the kit wouldn't mind carrying her all day. Slowly his eyes traveled to the two youkai watching the scene silently. They were her companions. Why she would surround herself with the ones from the spider, he would never know but he didn't mind them. They were extra protection for his pup and ward. Kagome would never let anything happen to either of them. He was curious of what would happen when someone did try to take them from her. In West, the kit was well sought after by many female youkai but he only acknowledged Rin. Many of them wouldn't take to the fact that Kagome was there. It would be something. His biggest problem was the Him. Although He promised to be good, there were always those who would insult Him and that wouldn't do well for blood to stain his walls. Especially with the Four Powers coming to visit in a couple of weeks.

As Kagome finished her business, she headed toward the sound of water. Upon seeing the river, she walked up to the water and looked at her reflection. Slowly, she was losing her sense of humanity. Letting out one of his claws, she slowly carved a deep x into her cheek that already had the scar. Black blood slipped out her wound but she didn't mind. It felt good to feel something. But this wouldn't be a habit. This was her symbol that she was still human, even though she was much more powerful than any human or youkai. She dipped her hands into the water and washed them slowly.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't a little human girl. Do you taste as good as you look?" A deep guttural chuckle sounded a little behind her.

"Hn." She hummed softly before turning and looking at the bear youkai.

"What too good to speak human?" He growled lowly.

Kagome shrugged and turned back to the river. If he attacked, she'd kill him but she wanted to see how bad she could get hurt before, He took over. So when a growl was heard, Kagome got ready. She started counting up to five but only made it to three before she was tackled to the ground. Not a peep was made as she felt his claws dig into her skin. Growling in her face, he picked her up and threw her through the trees. The trees snapped and fell from the force of the throw, still she remained silent. The bear approached growling as he stood over bleeding form. Blood poured from her shoulder and the gash on her head. Tree limbs were stuck in her legs and a spine pierced her shoulder. She looked up at the bear before smiling.

"Hm, human you are most boring. But at least your blood with be worth it. That fact that you haven't died yet is commendable though." He said sniffing his claws with a sly smile. His smile vanished. Brown eyes became wild and scared. "Him? Him is within you?" He asked softly, fear clouded his voice.

"You will die." He said standing and running toward the bear. He had no chance as a punch was delivered to his face so harshly, all the bones in his neck broke. The bear stumbled back into the river and was slowly carried away with the current. Him receded and let Kagome walk back to her camp slowly.

When Kagome entered into the black barrier, everyone was ready to go but their eyes all fell on her.

"Lady Kagome are you alright?" Kagura asked there in an instant.

"I am fine Kagura." She said sitting on the ground slowly.

"What has happened?" Sesshomaru's cold voice asked.

"I got attacked by a bear youkai. But don't worry about it. He's dead." She chuckled.

Shippo appeared beside his mother and slowly began removing the sticks in her legs. Black blood gushed out her legs as the sticks were removed. He held her shoulder with a firm hand as he pulled out a twig. He was amazed she remained quiet during the whole thing. And as he patched her up, he looked into her eyes and asked the question.

"Naraku put me through physical torture for a year. All the nerves are dead. So I no longer feel pain. Nothing hurts anymore." She explained with a shrug. Her mind drifted to all the blood she had lost that year enduring Naraku's treatment. She was glad for it now. Kagura's face turned up at having to clean up all her blood and fallen pieces of skin every day.

"We head to the West." Sesshomaru spoke helping her stand.

As they entered into the Western Palace, many servants looked at the woman with weary eyes. A servant led Ah-Un back to the stables. Shippo still carried a sleeping Rin. Power radiated of the girl as she walked a little behind their lord. The two youkai that walked behind her had their heads down as they followed the human. The human's head was held high and her eyes were on nothing as she walked on. She was of no royal blood, they were sure. Should they be afraid of her? They would wait and see what their lord said about her. Sesshomaru walked to his throne room and sat in his beautiful gold chair. Red velvet cushioning adored the gold rim. Gold veins and leaves wrapped around the head and armrest of the chair. Slowly, he descended down onto the plush red velvet cushion. His eyes on all the servants that had gathered. It was rare that he sat in the chair, it was mostly for show. So as he sat in his chair everyone stood attentive to their Lord.

"This Sesshomaru is most honored to present the Shikon Miko. With the slain of Naraku, she has come here to the West with her followers to live. They are to be treated with the utmost respect. Anything less is punishable by death. The Shikon Miko will be my head advisor and will be respected as you treat this one. That is all." He said standing and heading to a spiral staircase. Kagome followed behind silently.

He led her up the stairs and down some long halls till he stopped at beautiful oak doors. A huge battle with a giant dog and a dragon was craved into doors with excellent craftsmanship. Golden paws were beautiful crafted as he turned it. Opening it without a sound as he stepped into the clean study wordlessly. Kagome walked in behind him and looked at the huge shelves full with scrolls. A large oak table sat near the big window that had little light coming into the room. It was close to the floor and cushions sat around it. Sesshomaru sat on the cushion that looked the most comfy.

Kagome sat to his left with Kagura and Kanna behind her. Shippo sat on his right with Rin his hands. He hadn't given her to the servant nor would he. Moving some of her hair out of her face, he looked up at his mother and with a small smile. She smiled back with fangs poking through. He was coming out slowly at the unfamiliar eyes on Him.

"So, what is my job as your advisor?" She asked, an eye turning black.

"You will advise me in the upcoming meeting with the Four Powers meeting. They will try many things to provoke you and all this one asks is that you not kill any of them. The things that require your advice, I will ask you directly." He said eyeing her black eye pointedly.

The other eye changed. His bones popped out her body. "Now Lord Sesshomaru, killing is such a strong word." He chuckled with a sly smile. "I will not kill any of them. You have my word. But I will not take kindly to threats or insults directed toward my host. Blood will be shed if I feel that insulted." He spoke with all seriousness in his eyes and voice.

"That is acceptable." Sesshomaru nodded.

"Now, I will leave. I will be outside conversing with my host." He said standing and disappearing in an instant.

Sesshomaru looked at his ward with a sigh.

"Your mother is strange."

"But you like her." The kit smiled.

Sesshomaru sighed. Maybe he did.