Walking through the gardens was taking its toll on her. How much longer would she have to be here with her hostess? She really needed to be where her intended was so that she could make sure he would be ready for when they were mated. She had her plans and they could not be skewed. She hadn't even seen Sesshoumaru today, hadn't even caught a wiff of his scent. This morning Lady Takimi had invited her to breakfast and she had been with her ever since and Shizune was getting tired of it.

"Is there something wrong Shizune?"

Glancing at the Western Lady, who had stopped her inspection of a rose bush to question her, Shizune smiled gently. "Nothing is wrong my Lady I was just thinking of my lord. I wonder how he is faring this day."

Takimi smiled gently and patted her on the arm. "I am sure he is quite well. He is with his father after all."

"Inuyasha, where are we going?" Kagome questioned as he practically drug her toward the front entrance of the palace.

"Kagome! I told you we're . . ."

"Kagome my dear!" Toga greeted as he and Sesshoumaru came through the main entrance.

"Toga!" Kagome said cheer fully and started toward Toga but halted her steps when his voice cut through the air.

"Father, care to introduce your friend?"

Kagome looked at Toga questioningly and he just shrugged. "Sesshoumaru don't you remember? This is Kagome, I believe you helped your mother with her care a few days ago." Toga explained.

Sesshoumaru seemed to look at her more closely. And his close study of her seemed to make her nervous. "You're feeling better, I see." He observed.

"Y-yes, I have been feeling a little better." She said nervously.

He simply nodded.

Inuyasha watched them carefully. He was no doubt waiting for a chance to intervene. It wasnt that he didnt trust his brother, it was that Sesshoumaru just happened to be unstable at the moment.

Touga was aware of his youngest son's worries but had faith in his little one and just knew that if anyone could snap Sesshoumaru out of this it was her.

Noticing Inuyasha edging closer to Kagome, Touga had to jump in.

"Kagome my dear, I am so glad you are feeling better." he greeted her as he stepped forward, effectively shoving Inuyasha aside.

Kagome started at his comment. She looked up at him shyly, she was so nervouse about being around Sesshoumaru that she had almost forgot that he and Inuyasha were there as well.

"Um. . . yes I am feeling better today." She said hesitantly, looking from Touga to Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru cleared his throat. "Don not crowd her father, she clearly has not recovered fully."

Kagome just gaped at him, consequently proving his point.

Touga sighed. "I guess so . . . " he said. "Sesshoumaru," He added turning to look at his elsest.

"Yes father," he answered warily.

"Kagome obviously isn't well enough for a turn around the garden, which is why Inuyasha has so kindly brought her down here. So would you mind walking her back to her room?"

Sesshoumaru nodded, then he took her by the arm and led her down the hall toward the stairs.