I would like to apologise for the delay – I had to type up all my notes from my two week training course in three days, and trust me there was a LOT!! and I passed ALL my exams and there were 17 in total in 10days at 100!! WOO HOO!!

Enough of my excuses – Extra long chapter here to make up for it!!

I OWN NOTHING, but my own characters !!

Chapter nine – Last of the wilds

Female time

Two long agonising years had passed in the lands of the South-west, The daughter of the house of blood was currently studying under her sire, a sticky sheen of sweat covering her flushed skin as she launched herself once again, sword in hand at her father. Kagome had battled long and hard without her other self there to offer support and assistance. She had tired easily in the beginning, in the sparring sessions with Taro, not having the extra strength that one would possess if they were complete. It was a difficult task, but to train in strength and stamina without her inner self guiding her, correcting her and aiding her when she was injured and tired, made Kagome work all the more harder – trying desperately to prove that she was strong alone. It had been the most difficult and slow passing two years Kagome had ever experienced.

The long morning of training had begun long before the sunrise as it did every morning, it was now past midday, Taro and Kagome were each sporting long gashes, torn training clothing and growling stomachs in protest for nourishment. Kagome stepped back from her tutor and sire, bowing lowly in breaking the training.

"My daughter, you have done well this morning. Your stamina is greatly improving, and your reflexes with sword are unmatched. You make your tutor, your sire proud of you" Taro breathed as he too bowed to his student.

"Arigato father, I am pleased to make you proud." Kagome replied, she had long dropped the childish tremor in her voice, she was a lady of the house of Blood, the heiress of the lands. There weren't many visitors to the lands of the South-west, Only lord Tashio, Lady Kiyoye, Lord Andrei and his family, and young Shippo were frequent visitors. Lord Zanziheva had remained within his lands of the North, implementing new orders and rules to the young, instilling order among the ranks and packs, although he did show himself once every five or so months.

Kagome herself had requested that she no longer attend the summer hunts, instead, upon such occasions the females of the lands ventured to the lands of the South-west, to spend the entire celebrations talking amongst women, sewing and passing stories of the past year. The latest addition to the pack of various females within the castle, was Izaiyoi. Heavy set with child she stepped heavy around the palace of Blood, with only Kagome and Kiyoye watching out for her. The other females had long shunned the mortal princess aside, knowing that she was carrying a Hanyou, a child that would never be accepted in either society. Many of the females and servants, were always curious as to how Kiyoye could tolerate the other woman in Tashio's bed. Kiyoye always met those comments with a smile, though in her eyes Kagome could always see the despair.

The summer hunts had come around again, another year had passed. It was the South-west's turn to host the celebrations. This summer Izaiyoi was not present at the females party, only Kiyoye, Kagome and Sioney sat together under the warmth of the summer sun. Kagome had her needlework in her hands, she had been making a new set of Haori, delicately embellishing it with her own wondrous details of chrysanthemums and cherry blossoms. Kiyoye was sat beside the young blood Inu, placing her own detailing upon the Hakama of one of Sesshoumaru's favourite sets. They sat there is silence marvelling at the beauty of the gardens and the peace that came with it.

With the males

Sesshoumaru, Kouga, and Daniv all stood on the edge of the forest of blood. The summer hunts had come around again, and this year it was held in the South-western lands. As usual Kagome was not present. She had requested by will of her father, that she no longer attend such duties. Sesshoumaru missed her terribly. He had become more and more moody, snapping and growling at others when they made reference to anything involving his person.

Just the other day Sesshoumaru had beaten a servant into a bloody pulp because of the way said servant spoke. It sounded all too familiar, like Kagome's beautiful voice. It had irked him to no end that the true owner of one such voice refused to speak with him, but a servant with a similar voice would address him so. Sesshoumaru had schooled his emotions into a solid rock one that could be beaten by the elements yet not falter in its wake. Kiyoye – his mother had seen the changes in him and had out rightly questioned his colder demeanour, Sesshoumaru remembered exactly what he had said to his mother.

"You will not speak to this Sesshoumaru in such a manner. You are the bitch of my father, not mine own person. To this Sesshoumaru you will keep all manners of opinion to oneself. Is this Sesshoumaru perfectly understood?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, he had snapped at his own mother, and had yet to apologise for his actions. His mother's hurt eyes haunting his mind every opportunity.

Over the course of the hunts, the prey had changed - since the death of Merida, and the startling truth of Kagome was told to all. The prey nowadays was a deer, a fabric drape placed upon the animal and released into the woodlands. Sesshoumaru could not understand why the south-west continued in participating when no challenger was there to eradicate the prey.

With Kagome

Kagome was humming a tune quietly as she worked, though she could not ignore the sadness that radiated from Kiyoye. Kiyoye was almost like a mother to Kagome, as she had been there constantly alongside her when she was slowly accepting her new incomplete self. She had found out that her mother and Kiyoye were best friends and had vowed that should something happen to one of them, the other would always take care of the pup.

"Lady Kiyoye, what ails you?" Kagome questioned as she looped another threat of cinnamon coloured thread into her masterpiece.

"I am growing more concerned of my son" Kiyoye replied. Sioney hummed away quietly listening although she would not speak unless she were addressed. Which was common practise among the alpha females and those below her station.

"Sesshoumaru? In what manner?" Kagome asked, getting bolder. Though she had not been in contact with the young Inu prince, and had wanted to see him again. Her heart was just too wounded to allow that, so she did what she thought was the best option. She distanced herself from him.

Kiyoye heard the concern in her voice. This was the only way to reunite the two Inu's together, the only to way to get them to resolve the differences between them. In a way, Kiyoye was glad that Sesshoumaru had a way of falling into their conversations in a manner.

"He had become increasingly distant as of late, he snaps at servants, disobeys his sire frequently and even tell this female her station in his life. I fear that my son, is slowly slipping away from me. I cannot seem to get a word in edgeways, and I fear that he will continue to spiral out of control of his emotions, becoming nothing but void of them" Kiyoye stated as she placed her needlework upon her knees, allowing the warmth of the summer sun to wash over her.

Kagome was deathly silent, Kiyoye could scent the resentment flowing from her small form, and realised that she may have made things worse between them, instead of fixing the problem. Trying to find an escape route she turned to the only other female in their needlework group, one that had son's, knowing all too well what they were like.

"Tell me Sioney, did you ever experience these events with your son's?" Kiyoye questioned, Sioney looked up from her needlework, was about to answer when she read the longing look in Lady Kiyoye's eyes that told her to please twist and bend the truth.

"To tell the honest truth, Yes. Merida was a free spirit, he wanted nothing more than disobey his sire in the relation to attending the annual summer hunts. He would constantly come to blows his sire, in the end he got his wish" Sioney replied.

The three Youkai females continued with their sewing and needlepoint once again in silence, their minds drifting to various places, and various Youkai males, and other females. Kagome continued to think about the Youkai prince Sesshoumaru, she had not had a conversation with him in a little over two years and though she wanted to, she berated herself constantly over such a thought. After all why would the heir of the western Lands wish to associate himself with an incomplete female?

Kiyoye's mind wandered to the female in the palace of the moon, one that was round with child, a child that she herself could not carry, Sesshoumaru was her first and last born of her womb. It had pained her to no end that she could pup no more, and pained her more that her mate could never sire another besides Sesshoumaru. It was Kiyoye's influences that led Inu Tashio beyond their chambers to take a concubine, however she did not expect he would take a human princess.

Sioney was lost in thoughts of her departed son, Merida. She would constantly submerge herself in memories of times they had spent together, about how they were to arrange a mating between him and a Lady in the Northern territories. How she had to pass on the beautiful mate that she had chosen, that her next in line was too young to contemplate any ideas of such an arrangement. Merida's death had changed much in the last two years of his absence.

With the males in the forest of Blood

Sesshoumaru had already killed his and Kagome's deer in his hunt, and was carrying both carcasses to his father and the other cardinal Lords of Japan. They would feast tonight upon the flesh of those that were slaughtered, the meat sweeter than it would usually had been, as the juices of the hunts made them so. Tonight the females that were within the gardens of the palace of Blood would venture out to reward the hunters for providing for them. He just hoped that Kagome would be there too.

As usual Sesshoumaru was the first to arrive, placing both the deer upon the grassy verge he bowed to his father and the other Lords present.

"I bring the sweetened meats of the West and south-west. Tonight we shall dine"

Tashio and Taro looked at one another questionably, it was not customary to return with the prize of another holding, yet Sesshoumaru thought it upon himself to return the unclaimed prize of the south-west, just as he did last year.

"Sesshoumaru, there was no hunter for the South-west, why did you catch its trophy, again?" Taro questioned the young one, looking upon the blackened crows feather that was neatly embroidered above his heart upon his Haori, a symbol of his passing the mountain of challenges.

"I have insulted you and your lands haven't I? Forgive this Sesshoumaru, it was under the intention that there would be more of the deer's meat for all that would attend tonight" Sesshoumaru admitted, well that was a small admission, the rest was so that he could prove to the South-western Lord, that he would provide for his daughter if they were to permit it.

"I know of the other intention young one, I do not understand my daughter on most occasions, she was like her mother, and as such holds many secrets to her heart. I believe that in due time she will allow you to see those again" Taro replied, as he watched the young prince shift under his gaze.

"Forgive my bluntness, but it has been two years and seven moons of the spring, and yet she will not approach me. She has not spoken a word to me, and I feel that she will continue this for a long period of time. I should just give up." Sesshoumaru responded, feeling lowly and rejected. Taro placed a reassuring hand upon his shoulder.

"It could be sooner than you think, young one" Taro smiled, he had spoken to Kagome many times over the training sessions to know that in her heart, she wanted to prove to everyone that she was strong despite not being complete. He had heard her whimpers for Sesshoumaru in the night, how she yearned for her old companion like they used to be. Although she was hurt in more ways than one, he had a feeling within his youki that maybe Kagome would speak to the one that haunted her dreams and gave her the incentive to continue.

With the females

Kagome was almost finished with the Haori she was embellishing, the deep red chrysanthemums and cornflour blue violas were intricately designed upon a fresh ivory white Haori, the same design was already upon the Hakama. A powerful dragon in full form and flight embellished upon the golden and blue sash in a variety of reds and greens. Every detail was there, every scale placed perfectly, every petal spaced apart in the same distance. Kagome picked up the black thread and moved to the place where the heart of one would reside, and carefully began to thread a black crow's feather. Her own was threaded upon her own training Haori and Hakama, and another on her Kimono, as well as the actual feather being intertwined with her long raven hair. Snipping the thread with her long sharp claws, Kagome marvelled at her work, the piece was finished, it had taken her a full year to complete, to add her designs and make it unique, now that it was finished, she would give it to the one that she made it for.

"That's truly magnificent Kagome" Kiyoye remarked looking at the beautifully sculpted Haori and Hakama, Sash and scabbard ties. For a young Youkai that she was, and despite the fact that her other half was temporarily locked away, Kagome was talented.

"Arigato Lady Kiyoye. Come we must prepare ourselves for the summer feasts" Kagome replied, as she gathered her needlework, and garments she had crafted, rising to her feet and slowly walking back towards the stronghold of the south-west.

With the males

Daniv and Kouga had both returned together, their catches over their shoulders they placed the two deer carcasses besides Sesshoumaru's when they noticed Kagome's catch. Kouga beamed looking everywhere for the Inu Youkai female.

"Wolf what are you searching for?" Sesshoumaru snapped

"Kagome, who else?" Kouga replied. 'really that Sesshoumaru is dense'

"Why do you search for her?" Sesshoumaru added, getting more irritated with the wolf cub.

"well if she participated then I want to see her, I've not seen her in two years" Kouga added.

"Kagome did not participate Kouga" Taro added

"Then how did her prey get there" Kouga questioned pointing to Kagome's black and Navy caped deer upon the ground besides Sesshoumaru's.

"This Sesshoumaru brought it back" Sesshoumaru pinched the bridge of his nose, a tender headache was beginning to gnaw at his senses.

"Why would you do that? Everyone knows that you only do that when... ... ..." Kouga snapped his mouth shut with the cold glare Sesshoumaru was sending his way. 'A shut it now cub or you can join it', glare. Scary.

The moonlit gardens of the South-west

Servants within the palace of blood began to light the paper lanterns that would provide the light for the evening's festivities, the gardens of the palace were alight with reds, golds, blue and white lanterns, each glowing radiantly. A huge dinner table was set up across the grassy lawn, soft silken pillows placed along the lengths of the low table in sombre colours making the gardens seem more lovely than before.

Andrei led Sioney upon his arm towards the table, his son Daniv following just behind him on the right. Andrei placed Sioney upon her pillow gently with a tender kiss to her hand, Sioney smiled and blushed at her mate, as he too took his place at her side. They were dressed in their colours of the East, browns and maroons. Sioney's kimono intricately designed with golden leaves. The same golden leaf motif that was embroidered on Andrei's sleeve. Zanziheva was the next to arrive along with Kouga. The two gruff males approached the table, bowed respectfully to the others that had already arrived and took their places. They too were dressed in their traditional style attire of wolf furs and pelts, not the flowing traditional dress of the other reigning Lords.

Tashio and Kiyoye were walking the path towards the table next, Kiyoye a vision in white silk with a red sakura blossom design on her kimono, shone happily as though she knew a deep secret that no one else did. Tashio, also smiling led her towards the others silently attempting to pry information out of his alpha female – but to no avail. Sesshoumaru walking behind and slightly to the left his eyes wandering silently. Roaming the area for the one he truly wished to see. Tashio placed his mate on a silken cushion, with a soft kiss to her cheek. Kiyoye beamed as though she were the only female in Tashio's world at that given moment, in a way she was. Tashio and Sesshoumaru took their places, waiting for the host and his daughter to arrive.

It didn't take long, Taro approached the table with a female upon his arm, she was shorter than he, her midnight raven tresses neatly pulled away from her face pulled into a stylish and intricate weaving, where two sapphire crystallised stix held everything in place, the feather of passage hanging loosely from the side of her face. She wore the traditional kimono of the heir of the south-west. A royal blue kimono, with black silk ribbons and lace intricately sewn into the garment, the symbol of a black crows feather sewn above her heart. Her sapphire eyes lit with fire, her royal blue markings on her face bringing out the colour of her eyes. Taro smiled, he heard the sharp intake of breath from all three males currently at the table, Kouga, Daniv and Sesshoumaru.

Placing his daughter upon her station, a pale blue silk pillow beside Sesshoumaru, he bowed his head touching it to Kagome's hand. In loving devotion to his daughter, his heir. Then took his place beside her. Kagome settled herself upon her pillow a deep blush creeping across her face as she realised just how close she sat to Sesshoumaru.

Taro raised his crystal goblet to the moon above, a rich wine laced within.

"I propose a toast, to the beginning of another year, may it be prosperous and filled with love...honour and friendships"

All those gathered lifted their goblets and saluted the toast, taking a sip. The meal began with the meats brought out. The venison was beautifully prepared, each one glazed with a different sauce, one sweet, one savoury, one lightly spicy the other non glazed. Everyone reached for what they wanted, placing the meats and food upon their plates chatting small talk, and enjoying one another's company.

Kagome reached out to take a piece of the sweetened meat, when another hand brushed against her own. Kagome looked at the hand, its porcelain ivory skin with maroon markings was all to familiar. Following the hand to the owner, a blush crept along her cheeks, Sesshoumaru smiled lightly. Kagome retracted her hand swiftly placing it upon her lap. Averting her gaze from everyone whilst willing the blush to disappear.

Sesshoumaru continued pulling a piece of the sweetened venison away from the carcass when a topic of conversation caught both of their attention. Surprisingly it came from Sioney.

"Why are there four venison carcasses, when only three males competed? Who brought the fourth deer?"

Kagome and Kiyoye were also curious as to this fact, seeing as Kagome the only one with the rights to compete for her lands and title did not. The answer did not come from the one the Youkai at the table were expecting. Sesshoumaru placed the torn piece of meat on Kagome's plate and answered the question.

"I did"

Kagome stilled as she looked at Sesshoumaru.

"I apologise if it insulted you Lady Kagome. I understand that it was your right, I hope you do not mind" Tashio commented as he noticed the stain growing more and more red upon her cheeks.

"No that's fine" she replied, a smile crept across Sesshoumaru's lips. He had half expected her to be angry with him, but instead she had said it was fine. Maybe the old dog was right about his daughter. Maybe this was Kagome's first step in talking to him once again.

Forgive the intrusion

The evening's festivities ended as the food ran out, along with the fine wine. The Lords, their mates and heirs were given rooms for the remainder of the evening until the next day when they would return to their own holdings in their respective lands. Sesshoumaru sat upon his futon staring out of the huge bay window, thinking about the vision that was the kuroi Inu Kagome. She had on more than one occasion smiled at him, and even answered a question of his, she was slowly opening up to him. The thought made him happy, a smile across his face.

There was a gentle tapping upon the door of his temporary chambers, turning over from his back onto his front, Sesshoumaru bid whoever it was to enter. The door opened slightly, and in stepped the one female his mind was always occupied with. Kagome stood there in the shadows of her candle, her long knee length black hair hanging loosely, her eyes shining behind the flame.

Sesshoumaru uncomfortably shifted suddenly from laying on his front to be knelt on the futon. His silvery hair fanning around him, like moving water.

"Kagome" Sesshoumaru said still somewhat in shock.

"Forgive the intrusion, but I wanted to talk to you, in private" Kagome replied entering the chamber and sitting lightly upon his futon.

Sesshoumaru gulped audibly, the one female that had wanted all his young life was now sitting upon his futon, in nothing more than her yukata.

"what do you wish to converse about?" Sesshoumaru asked looking over her petite body happily.

"I wanted to ask you exactly...I mean...(sigh) did you intentionally catch my prey in the forest?" Kagome was uncomfortable with talking to Sesshoumaru event though she had wanted to do this for over a year.

"Hai, I did. I wanted to ask for your forgiveness, for my inappropriate behaviour two years prior. I had been a fool, I was wrong, and I wholly admit and take all responsibility" Sesshoumaru admitted.

Kagome smiled sincerely. "I forgive you, as long as you can forgive me, for the trials I put you through, the pain and the anger."

Sesshoumaru looked confused for a moment. Kagome reached out placing a hand upon the embroidered feather of passage. "I was the one who was foolish, I was the one who put not only my life in jeopardy but yours as well. It was karma and fate that I had to lose Kaya as a result. I understand my own foolish behaviour, and I could only ask that you forgive this incomplete female. This lowly female, for everything that she has done to you."

"Kagome, never in my eyes are you lower than I. Complete with your other self or not. You are always my friend, and the one that I want, more than anything. Yes I know that in so hunting your prey, I have asked for permission to court you as the lands decree. Would you accept my courtship?" Sesshoumaru questioned. Kagome smiled softly.

"I am still trying to figure out, what it is, in my screwed up life, that I want. And I want you, like I want almost nothing else." Sesshoumaru smiled once again, his heart leaping with gratitude.

"But," Sesshoumaru's smile disappeared as he looked at Kagome with a deep sadness, she was rejecting him.

"I have to prove not only to myself, but to the lands I will one day reign over, that I have fought with all of my heart, my incomplete soul and my being as an incomplete female, to win back, my other self. I need Kaya, as much as I want to accept you. I need her to accept you too, it would not be wise, for I alone to accept you and when Kaya returns, we together will make our decision. I just hope with all my heart, that you can wait that long."

"I would wait for eternity for you, for all of you. There is nothing I want more than your happiness. But will you grant me access to your heart. So I can get to know what it is that you have done over the last two years. Would you allow me to write you, when I am in the palace, visit you when I am nearby – for two years I have been denied, and it has almost killed me inside"

"Hai, that can be arranged. Now you must sleep, you have a short journey ahead of you tomorrow, and no doubt when you return home, Izaiyoi's newborn will be breaking all the peace and silence your home has to offer. Speaking of which, you really need to apologise to your mother, she needs you more than you know. He heart is aching over your fathers beta female, she doesn't need you yelling at her too" Kagome added softly as she made for the door, to return to her chambers.

"my father said something very important to me that I've never forgotten and I believe you will do the right thing." Kagome added as she slid the door open and walked through it.

"what did he say kagome?"

"He said 'Never take life too seriously, or you'll never come out of it alive' I firmly believe that. You will find that everything will work out eventually. Be there for your mother, take care of her. She's a wonderful woman. You're so lucky."

"Oyasumi-nasai Kagome"

"Oyasumi-nasai Sesshoumaru" Kagome replied as she slid the door closed with a soft click and gently padded her way to her own room once again.

Apologies

Time came all too quickly for the western party to leave, word had come from the palace of the moon, that Izaiyoi had gone into labour within the early hours and was calling out for her mate, Kagome was still tucked up in bed as Sesshoumaru peered into her chambers, wanting to say farewell before he left, but she looked so peaceful sleeping there, couldn't stand waking her. Instead he closed the door and walked down the marbled hallways to his mother and father who were no-doubt waiting for him.

Sesshoumaru approached his parents along with Taro, bowing respectfully to the Lord of the south-west he approached his mother.

"Mother, I humbly ask for your forgiveness, I was rude and ill tempered, and it should not have been released upon your person. Please forgive your son"

Kiyoye smiled, passing the knowing smile to Taro, she had seen it in his step, by the way he was contented within his stride, his inner self was purring with satisfaction and happiness. Kagome had broken the ice that was surrounding her son's heart.

"Of course my son, of course."

The pack of Inu's silently left the palace of blood and headed towards the palace of the moon where, Izaiyoi was birthing her Hanyou son.

Inuyasha makes his appearance in the next chapter!!

Thank-you's go to

JammyDodger217 – well you've got part of the idea, but not all of it! Keep guessing!!

saya522 – Yup you got it, Blood, my other favourite anime, I thought that song had a nice meaning behind it.

Juusan'ya – always a pleasure to update!

Ponies1998 – No Kagome's not in anyway human, she's temporarily lost Kaya, having been locked up in the recesses of her mind, caged if you will. Inuyasha makes his appearance in the next chapter, he will be a newborn infant. After the next chapter the story will JUMP into the future a little, then Rumiko Takashi's Inuyasha will begin to seep through into this story, but you'll have to find out how exactly!

Just-let-me-go – Yup Kagome's mum was awesome, she really showed them all how wrong they all were, someone needed to do it and divine intervention was appropriate.

Inuyasha1818 – Well Kaya may return in the next chapter - it is already written on paper, and I will type it up in the week as I have to work tomorrow and Wednesday. But at least he's forgiven for now!

Lunarmoon12 – Thank you, I'm pleased you like this story so far!

Kaiyou-samma – Another wonderful review – thank you so much and did you find your quote?! thank you it was wonderful!

Irishhoshi07 – Hey welcome new reviewer, thank you for taking the time to read and review my story. I hope you continue enjoy my manipulation of the characters.

SuagrOo – I like to keep everyone on their toes! Yet another twist, and another will come in the next chapter, will you figure it out before I type it...only time will tell!

Until the update

GOTHIC PAIN!