Stranger Happenings

Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha; I own only my character that I created.

I purred deeply and snuggled closer to the handsome taiyoukai that I had found myself mated to. We had just finished those "after" activities that my mate had referred to on the way to our room. I just had to pull myself away from sleep long enough to talk to Sesshoumaru about what I needed to talk to him about.

He must have sensed my restlessness because he lifted an eyebrow at me. "What did you need to ask me?" I swallowed and silently sent up a prayer. "Well Kagome needs to go home for a few days and resupply and I could use a few things myself. She wants to take Inuyasha with her but she thinks he will not leave the group undefended."

"So what is it that you want?" I sighed heavily. "I want to bring the others with us since you wanted a chance to check on Rin and Shippo since they should have already made it to the Western palace."

He grew silent for a moment. "I do not see the harm in it. If the half-breed needs to accompany the young Miko home then we will see to the pack." I smiled happily and snuggled closer to him in contentment. "Thank you my love." He made an indistinct noise that I took to be 'you're welcome'.

"Let us get some sleep my mate because we will depart early for the Western lands." I nodded and closed my eyes, drifting into peaceful slumber.

Morning came entirely too early and I growled loudly at the person nudging me awake. I immediately came awake when there was an answering growl and a lash of reprisal vibrating through the bond. I rolled over and gave Sesshoumaru my sweetest smile and sat up on the edge of the bed before stretching to work out the kinks.

I noticed my clothing setting in a chair close by and moved to get dressed. I was extremely pleased and aware that Sesshoumaru was watching me as I deliberately took my time dressing. I heard the low growl again, "Alright, alright I am dressed let's get the others and head out."

We made our way outside and I watched my mate getting irritated with the speed of which his half-brother took getting moving this morning. I stamped down my own irritation and finally Kagome shoved the arguing Inuyasha out of the doors. "I sorry Stormy and Lord Sesshoumaru. We are ready to go. Bye guys." I watched the girl climb onto Inuyasha's back and she continued to wave until they were out of sight. Sango sighed heavily before looking at us expectantly. "Are you ready Stormy?"

"Yes Sango, I and Sesshoumaru are ready. You and Miroku can ride Kirara and keep up with us. The trip should take the better part of the day if we do not stop." She nodded and the small demon neko hopped from her arms and transformed with a roar. Sango and Miroku climbed onto her back. I stepped over to her and placed a hand on her forehead. "Can you carry them that long girl?" The cat rumbled deep in her chest and pressed against me. I gave her one last pat before returning to my mate's side.

He placed an arm around my waist and formed his cloud. We rose into the air and zoomed out towards the west. My breathe caught in my throat as I watched the landscape unfold. "It is so beautiful." He raised an eyebrow silently. "It is if you have never seen it like this before." I nodded and leaned further into his side.

"There is something I must speak to you about before we get to the Western palace." We had been traveling for hours in silence, one of us only breaking the silence to point something out to the other. I nodded and waited for him to begin.

"There are going to be jealous rivals at the palace. Daughters to the lords and ladies that had hoped to secure me as a mate. Are you prepared to deal with them?" I gave it a few moments of thought before answering. I also had to tamp down the sudden surge of jealousy and the smug happiness that radiated from him.

"I can handle them Sesshoumaru and I will conduct myself in the manner that the Lady of the West would be expected to. Although I gather a wardrobe change is in order." He nodded in answer to the implied question. "There are plenty of kimonos available that will be fitting for your status and some that were designed specifically for the one to claim that title."

It wasn't long after that conversation that I almost gasped aloud at the sight, beauty, and sheer size of the place I was to call home. It glittered in the late afternoon sun like a white crystal in the sun. Before we even descended all the way the courtyard had filled with demons, including the little toad. I didn't see the children but I could sense them playing peacefully within the castle.

We were met with many curious or confused looks but nothing I was expecting. Once we got just inside the door of the castle I felt Sesshoumaru become tense as a new aura approached. Suddenly a demoness threw herself at Sesshoumaru. I held myself back from snarling, no one had yet noticed my mating mark, mainly because my long blonde hair covered it at the moment. I needed to remedy that soon.

Suddenly the young demoness turned to our group; I noticed her hard appraising glare. I returned it without flinching. I made sure to keep my tail tipped upward and my ears pointed forward, I was not the underling here. I also noticed the disgusted look she shot Sango, Miroku, and the drowsy Kirara sitting in Sango's arms.

I took that time to study the petite demoness, noting her deep midnight black hair and golden eyes. "My name is Lady Mizumi, welcome to our home. We are not accustomed to such odd guest, especially half-breeds and humans. We will do our best."

I noticed Sesshoumaru about to reprimand the girl and shot him a wink. I will handle the girl at dinner my lord. At the moment I would prefer to shock her when you assign me the quarters adjoined to yours.

I take it you have been speaking with the demon slayer on the customs of demon nobility.

I smirked softly, Of course my lord. I felt his amusement through the bond and he visibly relaxed, apparently to enjoy the games now afoot. "Mizumi, you will show the taiji and monk to rooms in the guest wing. The Lady Storm, will be in the room adjoining mine."

At that statement the small toad demon promptly fainted and I suppressed the urge to ask if demons could suffer strokes. The girl's reaction was priceless. "My lord that room is reserved for the next Lady of the West. In your absence I have taken that room."

"Mizumi you will remove your things immediately and move back to the guest quarters before Jaken returns after settling the humans into their rooms. Am I understood?" The deflated girl bowed low and shot me a dirty look from under her lashes, "I understand my lord." I was relieved when the young demoness was gone.

"Demon slayer and monk, dinner will be served in an hour. Your personal servant will see to your refreshment and clothing." With that he left them in the care of his retainer Jaken, who had seemed to have recovered and motioned for me to follow him.

We strolled through the gardens, giving the young noble demoness time to remove her things. "Will the children be at dinner this evening?" He nodded and continued to walk through the peaceful gardens. "I have assigned you a lady's maid that I believe will be a good fit for you." It was my turn to nod in understanding.

I was not long before another young demoness with the loveliest shade of aqua green hair and arresting ocean blue eyes appeared silently. "My lord, Mizumi has removed herself and her belongings from the room adjoining yours."

"Very good Lai. Lady Storm, this is your maid, Lai. I will leave you in her care to dress for dinner." I smiled at the young woman and motioned for her to lead the way.

It seemed like we walked forever through hallways until we reached a larger area of the castle. "Lai, is this Sesshoumaru's personal wing?"

"Yes my lady. These rooms here on the right are his and yours. The first door is to his quarters and the second is to yours. The door down and to the left is the one that leads to the hot springs." I nodded and filed that away for later.

She held the door open for me as I stepped into room that was rich and beautifully appointed. It was done is the most interesting shades of green. I loved it at first sight. The young woman motioned for me to sit in a low backed chair in front of a vanity. Once I was seated she grabbed a brush and began to pull it through my hair. "Lai, I hate to be so forward but what kind of demon are you?"

"It is no offense my lady. I am a water dragon demon." I nodded thoughtfully, "Well Lai, I am half wolf demon." She showed no signs of being shocked and I allowed her to twist and pull on my hair for several minutes, although I was waiting for her to notice the mating mark sitting proudly at the junction between my neck and shoulder.