Disclaimer: None of the characters here are mine, but the ones I create. They all belong to Rumiko Takahashi. :3

~*~*~O~*~*~

There were so many auras flaring, some closer than others to the Western Estate. The Daiyokai looked out over the lands and studied each one, noticing that most belonged to the mountain Inus that had recently been multiplying in his domain. It was odd, really. Why were they all coming here, and what had happened to them to make them smell like death, but be alive? It was a mystery to him, and he hated that. He was supposed to know everything that went on in his domain, and he had puzzled over this for a while now, ever since meeting that young Shikigami user…and yet he'd been unable to figure it out. Perhaps they were being controlled..? But then who was controlling them, and for what purpose..?

Touga shook his head. He couldn't figure it out just from their sporadic actions, or even from their numbers. There were many ideas, but nothing solid and concrete that he could act upon…and this irked him. The very fact that he, the Western Lord, was unsure of the state of his own lands…His yokai growled at that, proving that he was indeed irritated by this fact.

However, something caught his attention then. The Daiyokai removed himself from the window he had been standing at to make his way to the front gates. Several emotions flitted through his mind, but none made their way to his face. As he passed by the guards eyed him curiously, but he simply waved them off as the gates were opened and he stepped outside. He didn't venture too far before he halted his steps, and his eyes narrowed.

Before him was his son, the scent of blood still on him, and an unconscious Kaname in his arms. The Western Lord quickly stepped toward the duo then, a frown evident on his face. When a couple guards came up behind him, he immediately dismissed them to get the healer.

Sesshoumaru, his golden eyes dull from over-use of his powers in a weakened state, watched as his father came to him and dismiss a few guards. He kept his face clear of all emotion or sign of weakness as he spoke firmly. "Chichi-ue, the girl is fine, simply tired from over-exerting herself.."

Touga raised a hand to silence his son. "I'm aware of this. What happened?"

As Sesshoumaru explained to his father about the run-in with the Mountain Inus, he watched his father's expression grow darker with every passing detail. However, at the mention of Kaname not only discovering her powers, but also being able to form a guardian at her early stage, curiosity made its way to the older Inu's face. "She formed a guardian, you say..? Not even Shikigami masters before her could do this, at least not so early or so easily…"

Realizing that the healer was almost to them now, Inutaisho silenced any further discussion. "We shall talk about this later on. For now, get some rest. The healer will take care of the girl." Inutaisho had noticed that his son had taken the mark he'd given Kaname, but would ask him why at a later time. No matter how good Sesshoumaru was at hiding how he really felt, it didn't take a genius to figure out that he was exhausted…

Watching his son glare slightly at the healer as they took Kaname from him, the Western Daiyokai walked with his son, wondering why he was acting so differently then usual with humans…

~*~*~O~*~*~

It was midmorning the next day when Kaname showed signs of waking up. Her eyelids flickered slightly, before she managed to blink them open slowly. She squinted though, and lifted a hand to her face to block out the bright sunlight that was pouring in through the window beside her bed.

'Wait…bed?'

Still a bit sore, she slowly sat up and glanced around the room she occupied curiously, but wearily. She suddenly picked up on all of the demonic auras around her then, and realized that by the amount and the area they took up, she must be in the Western castle..!

Pulling back the covers of her bed, she noticed that, with a blush, she was wearing a soft, white silk kimono, and that her clothes were beside her bed, washed and folded neatly. Glancing around the vacant room sheepishly, she quickly changed out of the borrowed kimono and into her normal rust-colored kimono and grey hakama. Satisfied with her attire, she proceeded to rummage around the room to find a small mirror, as well as a simple comb and basin filled with water, so that she could wash her face. Aside from the basin, she realized that these items were hers that she had kept with her in her bag…

'I suppose that was thoughtful of them, to set this up for me…' After grooming herself to look decent enough to go out in public, she was almost at the shoji door when it slid open abruptly, startling her, to say the least.

The young yokai maid, a black dog demon by the looks of it, smiled kindly at Kaname as she nodded in greeting. "Greetings, Lady Kururugi. My name is Sara, and I've brought you your breakfast on the Lord's command. I hope it is to your liking."

After recomposing herself, Kaname smiled and accepted the food graciously, "Thank you very much! Speaking of which, when should I be seeing him..?"

Sara, after going past her and setting her tray of food and tea at a small table, waved a hand simply, "Oh, do not worry about that just yet. M'lord has some business to attend to, but he will summon for you very soon, I assure you. For now, just eat and make yourself comfortable while you wait." And with that she exited the room, bowed once more, and closed the shoji door carefully.

Kaname sat there with a blank look on her face for a while, before reality finally sank in. She had come all this way to meet the Inu Lord for who knows what reason, and she has to wait.

Well, he was the Western Lord. Probably had a lot of other duties to take care of, so of course she wouldn't be the top priority. Sighing softly, her features softened as she turned to eat what was given to her.

~*~*~O~*~*~

I am SO sorry for neglecting this story. T_T
I would have posted something sooner, but I had lost the free time I had during first semester last year, so I never had time to type up anything. And then a very bad thing happened…I lost my love for fanfic DX

However, I finally got back on fanfic yesterday. I reread all of my chapters, and finally was able to put this together. Once again, I'm very sorry for not updating for so long. I hope that I didn't upset any of you. v.v

Anyway, you all know the routine. Read & Review, and you'll make me a happy child.