"I didn't think that I would see the day when my son would be the lord of
the eastern lands," Hirotada said, smiling as they sat around the dinner
table that day. Sakura smiled.
"That was such a gracious gift," she said. Tashiro and Nanami smiled.
"We've been wanting to step down for a while now," she said.
"Now that Kagome is mated, we saw it the tame that we step down, and just enjoy the rest of the time of the earth to our selves," Tashiro agreed.
"We'll miss you as being the lord and lady of the house," Sakura said smiling, though sadness seeped in her voice. "But we can't wait to see Sesshoumaru as a lord. He thinks highly of him self all ready, being lord at such an age, will just go right to his head!" Hirotada chuckled.
"I think he'll do a good job. I'm proud of him. I don't think that he'll ever disappoint me, unlike my other son," he said stiffly. The table got tense but Tashiro changed the subject.
"So," he said. "Me and Nanami where thinking about traveling around Japan, searching out this fellow called Onigumo, or something,"
"Why?" Hirotada said.
"Because of the prophecy!" Tashiro said. "We need to kill this guy! Kagome as seen him in the future! He becomes a really nasty fellow called Naraku," he said. "He some how turns him self-half demon," Hirotada and Sakura stared at them. "But what's worse though, this guy is bad to the core. If we kill him off now, we will be able to stop him becoming the hanyou, before it's too late. He hurts and kills many, and in the future was trying to kill Kagome!"
"We really do need to find his guy don't we?" Hirotada said, winking at him. Tashiro smiled as he realized that Hirotada had just told him in his own way, that he was going to help with the search.
Suddenly a screech came from somewhere out side, followed by booms that left the palace shacking. Pictures fell from the wall, easily as battle cries soon filled the air.
"My lords and Ladies!" a solder called out. "Where under attack!"
~~
Kagome was currently sitting behind Sesshoumaru, as she had just gone to go get a drink of water. After dinner, Sesshoumaru and Kagome had agreed to go open the rest of the presents.
She crept up behind him, with a brush in one hand, and a ribbon in the other. She started to brush his silver hair. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked. Kagome laughed.
"Brushing your hair, my lord," Sesshoumaru turned his head slightly.
"Why?"
"'Cause I want too," she said. Sesshoumaru chuckled, but let her any way. Half way through he started to purr, making Kagome smile. Sesshoumaru didn't say another word, till he felt her braiding his hair.
"No! That's where I draw the line!" he said. Kagome pouted.
"But, I think you would look handsome in a braid!" she cried. Sesshoumaru arched an eyebrow at her.
"You may braid my hair," Kagome smiled. "When there is a winter snow-storm in hell," Kagome smile turned into a frown as she glared at him. "Go on and glare, pout, and whine," Sesshoumaru said, turned fully, and stood a good foot over her. "It's not going to make a difference," Kagome took her brush, and jabbed him in the side with it. Sesshoumaru laughed, which just made Kagome even angrier, which in the end, made Sesshoumaru laugh harder.
"Fine," she said. "Laugh all you want! But I am sleeping in my room tonight,"
"You mean OUR room,"
"No, I meant what I said. MY room,"
"You will not,"
"Are you going to make me?"
"Yes,"
"Just because I'm your mate does not mean that you have complete control over me!" Kagome was about to ramble on, but Sesshoumaru kissed her. Kagome melted into the kiss.
"There," he said. "Now your quiet,"
"You . . .You . . ." Kagome stuttered as she struggled against his arms. Sesshoumaru didn't let go, but chuckled.
"Me, what, Kagome?" he asked smirked.
"You big jerk!" she screamed as she fought against him.
"Do you realize that where fighting over braiding someone's hair?" Sesshoumaru asked, smirking after a few minutes of Kagome struggling. Kagome slowly stopped struggling, a small smile creeping up on her face. Sesshoumaru smirked as a hand shot up to cover it. Drawing her hand away, he kissed her deeply.
"Please, let me braid your hair," Kagome begged. Sesshoumaru sighed, as he turned around, smirking when Kagome cried in delight in a high pitch. It didn't take Kagome long to finish braiding his hair, tying it with the white ribbon. "There!" Sesshoumaru turned around. "I was right! You do look great!" she said smiling. Sesshoumaru smiled as he kissed her cheek, then tracing her jaw line, before kissing her.
Someone coughed from the entranceway, Sesshoumaru and Kagome stepped back. "Ohiazo!" Sesshoumaru said surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"My lord," he said stiffly. "I have terrible news from your father to bring to you," he said quietly. Sesshoumaru stiffened, as Kagome placed a hand on her mouth, in shock.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Your step-mother, along with your mother-in-law have been kidnapped, along with InuYasha," Kagome cried out, and her legs collapsed. In a flash, Sesshoumaru caught her with ease.
"I'll be there as soon as I can!" Sesshoumaru said, his face blank of any emotion. The solder bowed deeply before walking from the room.
~~
Tashiro raised his sword to block an attack from a youkai. With ease, he beheaded the youkai. Hirotada fought near by him. The once boyish, gentle, and caring of Tashiro's face, was now gone, and replaced with one of absolute anger, and danger. "They've taken Sakura, Nanami, and InuYasha!" a solder said from beside him, as they fought. Hirotada roared with anger as youkai slashed his arm, but not fatal. He could still use his arm with great strength.
"They won't get away with this!" Tashiro yelled to Hirotada. "To tell you the truth! I think this is the taiyoukai of the south's doing!"
"The bastard tied this once, he won't do it again!" Hirotada's sword sliced right through an offending youkai stomach. Tashiro jumped into the air, over an advancing youkai, and landed gracefully behind it, Raising his sword, with a powerful strike, he sliced through the youkai's right shoulder, and coming out of the left hip. The two parts of the youkai, slowly slid from each other, squirting blood every, and a deep puddle formed on the dinning hall floor. "But why does he keep going after your mate?!" Hirotada yelled as trust his clawed hand forward, and bringing out the youkai's heart.
"He's in love with Lady Nanami," a hissing female voice said. Instantly all the offending youkai and their solders disappeared, leaving a female snake youkai before them. Tashiro and Hirotada let down their swords a little bit, but held their battle stance.
"Who are you?" growled Tashiro.
"I am Hoshi," she mockingly bowed. "I'm the daughter of Hisashi, the great taiyoukai of the southern lands!" she said proudly. Hirotada and Tashiro smirked evilly.
"Your father has never mentioned that he has a daughter. He must be shameful of you somehow," Hirotada said smirked. Hoshi frowned, her green eyes leaking red. "All so, Lord Hisashi, is very pour. Sense of his evil heart, every human, and demon alike has left the land. Leaving it barren. It seems to me, that he isn't to powerful,"
"Come to think of it," Tashiro joined. "He has even lost favor in the youkai counsel. His causes are running dim. Their has even been suggestions that we should just kick him out all together, and ship him of this land, to somewhere were he can sit around . . . And starve to death!" Hoshi's eyes where blood red by the time that Tashiro was done speaking.
"You will die today!" she shouted as she drew out her sword, and charged toward them. Tashiro and Hirotada stood side by side, ready for the attack.
~~
InuYasha stood before the snake taiyoukai. He growled. "Isn't that sweet," the snake whispered, tauntingly. "The little half breed, protecting the females," he whispered. "Lock them up," he hissed to guards standing near. They moved forward slightly, all most like they didn't want too. "I SAID LOCK THEM UP!" he yelled. The guards walked more quickly, and fought with InuYasha.
"Listen!" a female voice whispered from behind the mask of the solder. "We are hear to help you,"
"Just do as we say and we'll help you get out of here!" another female voice whispered. InuYasha looked at them oddly, before letting them get tied up. Sakura and Nanami, where all so tied up.
"Every thing is going to be okay," said the third guard, this one also a female.
"You'll be fine," the fourth and final one said. Hisashi looked approvingly at the guards.
"Good," he said. "I'm going to go eat, watch over them," he demanded as he walked from the dungeons.
"Who are you girls?" Sakura asked when it was save. The four guards took off their helmets, revealing four beautiful snake youkai's. All with black hair, with green emerald eyes.
"We are the four daughters of Hisashi," the first one spoke said. "We have long disagreed with our father,"
The second one spoke, "When we heard of his plan to kidnap you three, we killed the four guards, and took their armor. We weren't about to let him win this foolish plan,"
"Why are you doing this?" InuYasha asked, as a guard untied the chains.
"We want the best for our lands," the third one said sadly. "Father never was like this before. But after mother died, he changed. He became power hungry, as you see now,"
"It's come to the fact that he is selling us to the guards for . . . their pleasure," the fourth shivered. "We have killed all that has tried to lay hands on us,"
"But we will talk about this later!" The first one spoke up again. "For now, we must get you three out of here!"
They untied Nanami and Sakura, and ran behind them. There they skillfully started to take away the stones, to reveal a passageway. They pulled out the fallen guards, and placed on their armor once again, making it seem like a battle had happened.
"Come on!" the third one said. "Let's go!" they all rushed down the passage.
It seemed to take forever, but finally the stopped running. A sound of water could be heard over head. "All right," the first one spoke. "Over head, is the latch to where we leave from, yet there is a river over head of us also. "You all do know how to swim don't you?" Nanami, Sakura, and InuYasha nodded. "You might want to hold on to your mother, InuYasha. The rivers strong, and can easily drown a human," InuYasha nodded, squatting slightly, allowing his mother to climb on his back.
The fourth one hurriedly pulled down a ladder, and pulled down the hidden doorway. Instantly water thundered in, soaking them in an instant. One by one they took a deep breath and climbed the ladder, swimming to the service of the deep river, and swimming desperately to the shore. Seven horses awaited them.
"Come on!" the first one said again. She seemed to be the leader of the four sisters. "Grab a horse, and follow us! We know the way back to your castle," she said.
"Wait! Hoshi is there!" the third one said. The first one went quite.
"Who's Hoshi?" Nanami asked.
"Our fifth and youngest sister," the first spoke sadly. "She's so young and wishes badly to please father, that she is blind to see how horrible he really is," she turned to her sisters. "With the two lords there, and all of us, it will be no match against her," she said. They all thundered off on their horses, in the direction of the western lands.
~~
Kagome clung to Sesshoumaru as they flew over head of all the trees. Sesshoumaru didn't want Kagome to come, as for the babies safety, but Kagome refused, threatened him, and even went as far as to smack across the face, when finally Sesshoumaru agreed to let her come. Things zoomed bye so fast, that Kagome couldn't even tell one tree apart from the next.
Both Kagome and Sesshoumaru didn't say a word as the rushed forward, and landed in the courtyard, of the western lord's castle. They ran forward, and barged into the main doors. Sword clashes could be heard coming from the dinning hall.
Kagome had only been here once before, but she knew her away around for the most part, and had no trouble running after Sesshoumaru as he led the way.
As they ran into the dinning hall, they saw Tashiro and Hirotada fighting a giant transformed snake youkai. Both had blood all over them, from all their other kills, along from their injuries. And blood was all over the walls and floor.
"Kagome!" he said. "You stay here! I didn't want to bring you in the first place, for your safety and our pups, but I did, but I won't allow you to fight!" by the look on Sesshoumaru's face, Kagome didn't even dare to argue like the first time. She nodded, and stayed put, while Sesshoumaru joined his father and father-in-law in fighting the snake.
"Sesshoumaru!" Hirotada gasped. "What are you doing here?" he smirked.
"A solder sent for me," he said, drawing his own battle sword. The snake hissed and attacked Sesshoumaru, but in a second he was gone from sight, along with Hirotada, and Tashiro. The snake looked for him confused. Kagome caught her eye, and she hissed as she lurched forward attacking. Sesshoumaru, Tashiro, and Hirotada jumped up, at the same time, landed on the beast's head, and thrust the swords in the beast's head, effortlessly. Blood squirted from the rip's, as snake roared, and hissed, slithered a few feet closer to Kagome, but collapsed dead to the floor . . . It's mouth lay inches from Kagome.
Sesshoumaru slid down from the snake's head and ran up to Kagome. Grabbing her arms, he looks to make sure there where no injuries. Tashiro and Hirotada also slid off the head. Suddenly lights flashes, and wind blew, as the youkai turned back to her human form. Her one once beautiful face, and body smothered in her own blood, her face smashed in, as two swords hilts where sticking down his head, the swords sticking out of her neck. And on hilt sticking oddly down her back. Kagome buried her face in Sesshoumaru's haori, feeling like she was going to loose her dinner.
"So young," Tashiro said, making a clicking noise with his tongue. "I think she was younger then you Kagome,"
Sesshoumaru led Kagome from the room, closing his own eyes from the gruesome view. "Are you all right?" he whispered. Kagome nodded.
"I'm fine," Sesshoumaru laid a hand on her cheek, and kissed her forehead. Hirotada and Tashiro walked from the room, closing the door.
Horse clops could be heard from the gates. But suddenly lights came from around the castle, and their solders returned, looking around bewildered, as it seemed that time had just frozen for them. Tashiro, Hirotada, Sesshoumaru, and Kagome ran to see who it was in the courtyard.
"Nanami!" Tashiro yelled, as he descended the steps. Nanami jumped from her horse, crying when she saw her mate, and ran to meet him. Tashiro caught her in his arms, and started instantly to kiss all over her face, not caring who saw.
"Hirotada," Sakura called out from the crowd of solders rushing to see if they where okay. Hirotada pushed his way through his solders.
"Sakura!" he too, drew her to his arms, kissing her hurriedly. Sesshoumaru had an arm around Kagome's waist, holding her close, as they watched their parents smiling.
Tashiro looked up from his mate, and looked toward the four youkai girls that where still was sitting on their horses. Once the realized that a lord was looking at them, they all jumped down and bowed in respect.
"Lord Tashiro," the first girl said, as she straitened up again. "I must apologize for the harm to the eastern and western lands that my father has caused," she said. "But I hope that you will understand, that we where in any way, not part of it," she said. She looked like she was about to cry. "We are here to serve the eastern and western lands any way possible,"
Tashiro smiled at the young female youkai. "I think you are talking to the wrong man," he said. "For there is a new lord to the eastern lands," he said. "Sesshoumaru," he called looking over his shoulder. He still hadn't let go on his mate, and does about to any time soon. "I believe you will take care of these young woman," he said. Sesshoumaru took Kagome's hand on walked toward the girls. The four youkai looked dumfounded.
"Lord Sesshoumaru!" the first one said, still looking shocked. "Forgive me! I didn't know- I thought that -" Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Never mind," he said. "So you are the four girls daughters of Lord Hisashi? He never mentioned you before," he said. He started to walk, the woman followed, Kagome noticed that he started to take in deep breaths, and realized that he was probably trying to sniff something out.
"He used us, to say the least, as secret weapons, when he wanted someone killed . . . He sent us," The first girl spoke, while her shoulders tensed. Sesshoumaru knew that there was more to tell but she didn't want to tell him, something more of a personal matter. He didn't question it.
"Tell me," he said. "Why did this attack happen?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"When he learned of his plan to try to take over eastern and western lands, we went to solders that we knew we could trust and asked them about it. He knew about the up coming ceremony, between you and Lady Kagome. From spies he learned that Lord Tashiro, Lady Nanami, Lord Hirotada, and Lady Sakura would be staying here. He made a plan, to attack the palace. Kidnap Lady Nanami, and kill the rest,"
"But plans went wrong," the second girl said. "His solders had let InuYasha go, thinking that he would help with the down fall, as he was in the dungeon, and there had to be a reason why. But InuYasha had fought against them in powerful strength, trying to help Lady Sakura, and Lady Nanami find safety. When Hisashi's guards tried to kidnap Lady Nanami, they didn't know which lady was which, as Nanami pulled a spell, to make her self and smell human. InuYasha saw them being taken off and followed,"
"We learned from our own spies that Hisashi's eye had fallen on Lady Nanami, and wanted her for his own. He also saw her as a bargaining chip," the third spoke up taking up where her sister left off. "When he had his hands on Lady Nanami, he would bargain her for the lands, with Lord Tashiro, knowing that he would do anything for his mate's safety. Then once he had the land, and the solders and such, he once again would go in search for Lady Nanami, kidnap her once again, and have her for his own," Kagome was tense once they mentioned that Hisashi was in love with her mother. {Hisashi is like the Naraku from the other time,} Kagome thought. {I wonder if they ever met each other,} Kagome thought half-heartedly kidding with her self.
"What are your names?" Kagome asked.
"My name is Sachi, I'm the oldest of the sisters," the first one said.
"My name is Satomi," the second spoke.
"And I'm Setsuko," the third one said, smiling softly.
"I'm Sumiko," the fourth said.
"All right," Sesshoumaru said, looking them all in the eye. "Lady Sachi, Lady Satomi, Lady Setsuko, and Lady Sumiko, I wish to speak with you later. But for now, I think you would like a rest, I will see you tomorrow. For now, you if are up to it, you may travel to the eastern lands. Tell the servants that Lord Sesshoumaru welcomed you," he said. The four ladies bowed before walking to their horses. Tashiro and Hirotada walked up to them, thanking them for the rescue of their mates and InuYasha.
Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru. He was staring at her. "What? Is something wrong?" she asked him. Sesshoumaru crossed his arms, hiding his arms, in his large white silken sleeves.
"What do you think of them?" he asked. Kagome shrugged.
"I think they're telling the truth, if that's what you mean," Sesshoumaru nodded.
"So do I," he agreed. "I didn't smell any deceit on them," Kagome nodded.
"But it seems weird that they are betraying their father like that. He must have done something terrible to them,"
"My father said that Lord Hisashi was good at one time. He had a pure heart. But his mate died, and his world collapsed. Slowly, year by year he turned dark. No one knows why his mate died, as the last time a servant saw her, she was perfectly healthy," Sesshoumaru watched the four girls take their horses, and canter from the court yard till the eastern place.
"That is something that we will have to find out now, won't it?" Kagome asked. Sesshoumaru nodded. His arms dropped his side.
"There is also something odd about them, something I sensed, that wasn't quite right. I don't think that they are telling me the whole tale," he said.
"Well like you said. You will talk to them tomorrow," Kagome said. She placed a hand on his arm. "Let's go home, Sesshoumaru," she whispered. "We all need a rest, we've all had a fright," Sesshoumaru agreed. He walked up to Tashiro and Hirotada.
"What did you find out?" Tashiro asked.
"He was planning to use Lady Nanami as bargaining chip, for your lands, then steal her back, for his own use," Tashiro's eyes turned red.
"That would have been fruitless," Hirotada said smirking. "As my son is now the lord of the eastern lands," Sesshoumaru nodded, as he looked toward Kagome, watching her every move. It didn't go unnoticed by Tashiro and Hirotada.
"Do you think that he will try and kidnap Kagome?" Tashiro asked, as blood slowly drained from his eyes.
"I don't know," Hirotada said slowly. "If he does he's got to have a good plan. From when me and Hisashi and you where friends, as I recall in times of war, he was smarter then he appeared. Deadly smart, unfortunately," Tashiro nodded.
"Not much in the battle field, but great planner," Sesshoumaru was still staring at Kagome.
"For Kami's sake, she ain't going to go and run into something! She's not stupid!" Tashiro said. Hirotada covered his mouth with his hand, to hide his smile. Sesshoumaru glared at him.
"I'm not looking for her to walk into something. I'm making sure no one runs into her," he growled. Hirotada looked at him confused, along with Tashiro. Sesshoumaru looked at the ground, not daring to look Tashiro and Hirotada in the eye. "She's . . . With child," Tashiro and Hirotada grinned.
"You wasted no time in knocking her up," Hirotada muttered. Tashiro and Sesshoumaru looked at him. Tashiro smacked him upside the head.
"That's my daughter your talking about!" he said. Hirotada grinned sheepishly at him. Sesshoumaru glared.
"Should Kagome and me stay at the eastern castle, or tell the servants to collect our things and send them here? As our first intention was to have Kagome move here after the 2 weeks where over," Sesshoumaru asked.
"No! You still have 2 weeks left, my friend!" Tashiro leaned in. "Enjoy her while she's still skinny, and has no mood swings. If she's anything like her mother, she will have major temper swings," Hirotada, and Tashiro laughed as they walked off, going back to their mates. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, as he walked back to Kagome.
Holding her close, he once again formed the cloud under his feet, shooting to the sky. Tashiro and Hirotada watched him go. "What side of the family did he get that cloud thing from?" Tashiro asked. "I've never seen anyone ever do that before," Hirotada shrugged.
"I have no clue. He was eight years old, and he started to do that, out of the blue! Gave Sakura and me a big fright, when he flew into the house, for the first time," he smiled remembering the day. Tashiro laughed.
"Would give any parent a heart attack," the four youkai laughed softly, as they walked into the house. "Umm! Let's go finish our meal in the gardens!" Tashiro said, as Sakura and Nanami started to walk toward the dinning hall.
"What's wrong with the dinning hall?" Sakura asked.
"Trust me! You just don't want to see what's in there," Hirotada said.
~~
Sesshoumaru and Kagome where half way back to the palace, when Kagome said, "Sesshoumaru . . . What about the baby?" she whispered. Sesshoumaru looked down at her.
"What about it?" he asked.
"These are dangerous times to have a baby, Sesshou," Kagome whispered. "What if I was kidnapped by Lord Hisashi? With mistreatment, it would be easy to loose it, before it's even born! And then, with the prophecy, something could happen to it, born or not," Sesshoumaru smelt the fear from Kagome for their unborn child.
"You and the child, will be fine," he said.
"But Sesshou!"
"No," he pulled her closer. "I will not allow you go any where by your self," he said. "You will be fine . . . You and our child," Kagome snuggled against him.
{I hope your right, Sesshoumaru. I would die if anything happened to our first child together!} Kagome thought, closing her eyes and breathing in deeply, breathing in his sent.
~~
Thanks you all for the reviews! Well I hope you liked this chapter! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!!!
"That was such a gracious gift," she said. Tashiro and Nanami smiled.
"We've been wanting to step down for a while now," she said.
"Now that Kagome is mated, we saw it the tame that we step down, and just enjoy the rest of the time of the earth to our selves," Tashiro agreed.
"We'll miss you as being the lord and lady of the house," Sakura said smiling, though sadness seeped in her voice. "But we can't wait to see Sesshoumaru as a lord. He thinks highly of him self all ready, being lord at such an age, will just go right to his head!" Hirotada chuckled.
"I think he'll do a good job. I'm proud of him. I don't think that he'll ever disappoint me, unlike my other son," he said stiffly. The table got tense but Tashiro changed the subject.
"So," he said. "Me and Nanami where thinking about traveling around Japan, searching out this fellow called Onigumo, or something,"
"Why?" Hirotada said.
"Because of the prophecy!" Tashiro said. "We need to kill this guy! Kagome as seen him in the future! He becomes a really nasty fellow called Naraku," he said. "He some how turns him self-half demon," Hirotada and Sakura stared at them. "But what's worse though, this guy is bad to the core. If we kill him off now, we will be able to stop him becoming the hanyou, before it's too late. He hurts and kills many, and in the future was trying to kill Kagome!"
"We really do need to find his guy don't we?" Hirotada said, winking at him. Tashiro smiled as he realized that Hirotada had just told him in his own way, that he was going to help with the search.
Suddenly a screech came from somewhere out side, followed by booms that left the palace shacking. Pictures fell from the wall, easily as battle cries soon filled the air.
"My lords and Ladies!" a solder called out. "Where under attack!"
~~
Kagome was currently sitting behind Sesshoumaru, as she had just gone to go get a drink of water. After dinner, Sesshoumaru and Kagome had agreed to go open the rest of the presents.
She crept up behind him, with a brush in one hand, and a ribbon in the other. She started to brush his silver hair. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked. Kagome laughed.
"Brushing your hair, my lord," Sesshoumaru turned his head slightly.
"Why?"
"'Cause I want too," she said. Sesshoumaru chuckled, but let her any way. Half way through he started to purr, making Kagome smile. Sesshoumaru didn't say another word, till he felt her braiding his hair.
"No! That's where I draw the line!" he said. Kagome pouted.
"But, I think you would look handsome in a braid!" she cried. Sesshoumaru arched an eyebrow at her.
"You may braid my hair," Kagome smiled. "When there is a winter snow-storm in hell," Kagome smile turned into a frown as she glared at him. "Go on and glare, pout, and whine," Sesshoumaru said, turned fully, and stood a good foot over her. "It's not going to make a difference," Kagome took her brush, and jabbed him in the side with it. Sesshoumaru laughed, which just made Kagome even angrier, which in the end, made Sesshoumaru laugh harder.
"Fine," she said. "Laugh all you want! But I am sleeping in my room tonight,"
"You mean OUR room,"
"No, I meant what I said. MY room,"
"You will not,"
"Are you going to make me?"
"Yes,"
"Just because I'm your mate does not mean that you have complete control over me!" Kagome was about to ramble on, but Sesshoumaru kissed her. Kagome melted into the kiss.
"There," he said. "Now your quiet,"
"You . . .You . . ." Kagome stuttered as she struggled against his arms. Sesshoumaru didn't let go, but chuckled.
"Me, what, Kagome?" he asked smirked.
"You big jerk!" she screamed as she fought against him.
"Do you realize that where fighting over braiding someone's hair?" Sesshoumaru asked, smirking after a few minutes of Kagome struggling. Kagome slowly stopped struggling, a small smile creeping up on her face. Sesshoumaru smirked as a hand shot up to cover it. Drawing her hand away, he kissed her deeply.
"Please, let me braid your hair," Kagome begged. Sesshoumaru sighed, as he turned around, smirking when Kagome cried in delight in a high pitch. It didn't take Kagome long to finish braiding his hair, tying it with the white ribbon. "There!" Sesshoumaru turned around. "I was right! You do look great!" she said smiling. Sesshoumaru smiled as he kissed her cheek, then tracing her jaw line, before kissing her.
Someone coughed from the entranceway, Sesshoumaru and Kagome stepped back. "Ohiazo!" Sesshoumaru said surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"My lord," he said stiffly. "I have terrible news from your father to bring to you," he said quietly. Sesshoumaru stiffened, as Kagome placed a hand on her mouth, in shock.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Your step-mother, along with your mother-in-law have been kidnapped, along with InuYasha," Kagome cried out, and her legs collapsed. In a flash, Sesshoumaru caught her with ease.
"I'll be there as soon as I can!" Sesshoumaru said, his face blank of any emotion. The solder bowed deeply before walking from the room.
~~
Tashiro raised his sword to block an attack from a youkai. With ease, he beheaded the youkai. Hirotada fought near by him. The once boyish, gentle, and caring of Tashiro's face, was now gone, and replaced with one of absolute anger, and danger. "They've taken Sakura, Nanami, and InuYasha!" a solder said from beside him, as they fought. Hirotada roared with anger as youkai slashed his arm, but not fatal. He could still use his arm with great strength.
"They won't get away with this!" Tashiro yelled to Hirotada. "To tell you the truth! I think this is the taiyoukai of the south's doing!"
"The bastard tied this once, he won't do it again!" Hirotada's sword sliced right through an offending youkai stomach. Tashiro jumped into the air, over an advancing youkai, and landed gracefully behind it, Raising his sword, with a powerful strike, he sliced through the youkai's right shoulder, and coming out of the left hip. The two parts of the youkai, slowly slid from each other, squirting blood every, and a deep puddle formed on the dinning hall floor. "But why does he keep going after your mate?!" Hirotada yelled as trust his clawed hand forward, and bringing out the youkai's heart.
"He's in love with Lady Nanami," a hissing female voice said. Instantly all the offending youkai and their solders disappeared, leaving a female snake youkai before them. Tashiro and Hirotada let down their swords a little bit, but held their battle stance.
"Who are you?" growled Tashiro.
"I am Hoshi," she mockingly bowed. "I'm the daughter of Hisashi, the great taiyoukai of the southern lands!" she said proudly. Hirotada and Tashiro smirked evilly.
"Your father has never mentioned that he has a daughter. He must be shameful of you somehow," Hirotada said smirked. Hoshi frowned, her green eyes leaking red. "All so, Lord Hisashi, is very pour. Sense of his evil heart, every human, and demon alike has left the land. Leaving it barren. It seems to me, that he isn't to powerful,"
"Come to think of it," Tashiro joined. "He has even lost favor in the youkai counsel. His causes are running dim. Their has even been suggestions that we should just kick him out all together, and ship him of this land, to somewhere were he can sit around . . . And starve to death!" Hoshi's eyes where blood red by the time that Tashiro was done speaking.
"You will die today!" she shouted as she drew out her sword, and charged toward them. Tashiro and Hirotada stood side by side, ready for the attack.
~~
InuYasha stood before the snake taiyoukai. He growled. "Isn't that sweet," the snake whispered, tauntingly. "The little half breed, protecting the females," he whispered. "Lock them up," he hissed to guards standing near. They moved forward slightly, all most like they didn't want too. "I SAID LOCK THEM UP!" he yelled. The guards walked more quickly, and fought with InuYasha.
"Listen!" a female voice whispered from behind the mask of the solder. "We are hear to help you,"
"Just do as we say and we'll help you get out of here!" another female voice whispered. InuYasha looked at them oddly, before letting them get tied up. Sakura and Nanami, where all so tied up.
"Every thing is going to be okay," said the third guard, this one also a female.
"You'll be fine," the fourth and final one said. Hisashi looked approvingly at the guards.
"Good," he said. "I'm going to go eat, watch over them," he demanded as he walked from the dungeons.
"Who are you girls?" Sakura asked when it was save. The four guards took off their helmets, revealing four beautiful snake youkai's. All with black hair, with green emerald eyes.
"We are the four daughters of Hisashi," the first one spoke said. "We have long disagreed with our father,"
The second one spoke, "When we heard of his plan to kidnap you three, we killed the four guards, and took their armor. We weren't about to let him win this foolish plan,"
"Why are you doing this?" InuYasha asked, as a guard untied the chains.
"We want the best for our lands," the third one said sadly. "Father never was like this before. But after mother died, he changed. He became power hungry, as you see now,"
"It's come to the fact that he is selling us to the guards for . . . their pleasure," the fourth shivered. "We have killed all that has tried to lay hands on us,"
"But we will talk about this later!" The first one spoke up again. "For now, we must get you three out of here!"
They untied Nanami and Sakura, and ran behind them. There they skillfully started to take away the stones, to reveal a passageway. They pulled out the fallen guards, and placed on their armor once again, making it seem like a battle had happened.
"Come on!" the third one said. "Let's go!" they all rushed down the passage.
It seemed to take forever, but finally the stopped running. A sound of water could be heard over head. "All right," the first one spoke. "Over head, is the latch to where we leave from, yet there is a river over head of us also. "You all do know how to swim don't you?" Nanami, Sakura, and InuYasha nodded. "You might want to hold on to your mother, InuYasha. The rivers strong, and can easily drown a human," InuYasha nodded, squatting slightly, allowing his mother to climb on his back.
The fourth one hurriedly pulled down a ladder, and pulled down the hidden doorway. Instantly water thundered in, soaking them in an instant. One by one they took a deep breath and climbed the ladder, swimming to the service of the deep river, and swimming desperately to the shore. Seven horses awaited them.
"Come on!" the first one said again. She seemed to be the leader of the four sisters. "Grab a horse, and follow us! We know the way back to your castle," she said.
"Wait! Hoshi is there!" the third one said. The first one went quite.
"Who's Hoshi?" Nanami asked.
"Our fifth and youngest sister," the first spoke sadly. "She's so young and wishes badly to please father, that she is blind to see how horrible he really is," she turned to her sisters. "With the two lords there, and all of us, it will be no match against her," she said. They all thundered off on their horses, in the direction of the western lands.
~~
Kagome clung to Sesshoumaru as they flew over head of all the trees. Sesshoumaru didn't want Kagome to come, as for the babies safety, but Kagome refused, threatened him, and even went as far as to smack across the face, when finally Sesshoumaru agreed to let her come. Things zoomed bye so fast, that Kagome couldn't even tell one tree apart from the next.
Both Kagome and Sesshoumaru didn't say a word as the rushed forward, and landed in the courtyard, of the western lord's castle. They ran forward, and barged into the main doors. Sword clashes could be heard coming from the dinning hall.
Kagome had only been here once before, but she knew her away around for the most part, and had no trouble running after Sesshoumaru as he led the way.
As they ran into the dinning hall, they saw Tashiro and Hirotada fighting a giant transformed snake youkai. Both had blood all over them, from all their other kills, along from their injuries. And blood was all over the walls and floor.
"Kagome!" he said. "You stay here! I didn't want to bring you in the first place, for your safety and our pups, but I did, but I won't allow you to fight!" by the look on Sesshoumaru's face, Kagome didn't even dare to argue like the first time. She nodded, and stayed put, while Sesshoumaru joined his father and father-in-law in fighting the snake.
"Sesshoumaru!" Hirotada gasped. "What are you doing here?" he smirked.
"A solder sent for me," he said, drawing his own battle sword. The snake hissed and attacked Sesshoumaru, but in a second he was gone from sight, along with Hirotada, and Tashiro. The snake looked for him confused. Kagome caught her eye, and she hissed as she lurched forward attacking. Sesshoumaru, Tashiro, and Hirotada jumped up, at the same time, landed on the beast's head, and thrust the swords in the beast's head, effortlessly. Blood squirted from the rip's, as snake roared, and hissed, slithered a few feet closer to Kagome, but collapsed dead to the floor . . . It's mouth lay inches from Kagome.
Sesshoumaru slid down from the snake's head and ran up to Kagome. Grabbing her arms, he looks to make sure there where no injuries. Tashiro and Hirotada also slid off the head. Suddenly lights flashes, and wind blew, as the youkai turned back to her human form. Her one once beautiful face, and body smothered in her own blood, her face smashed in, as two swords hilts where sticking down his head, the swords sticking out of her neck. And on hilt sticking oddly down her back. Kagome buried her face in Sesshoumaru's haori, feeling like she was going to loose her dinner.
"So young," Tashiro said, making a clicking noise with his tongue. "I think she was younger then you Kagome,"
Sesshoumaru led Kagome from the room, closing his own eyes from the gruesome view. "Are you all right?" he whispered. Kagome nodded.
"I'm fine," Sesshoumaru laid a hand on her cheek, and kissed her forehead. Hirotada and Tashiro walked from the room, closing the door.
Horse clops could be heard from the gates. But suddenly lights came from around the castle, and their solders returned, looking around bewildered, as it seemed that time had just frozen for them. Tashiro, Hirotada, Sesshoumaru, and Kagome ran to see who it was in the courtyard.
"Nanami!" Tashiro yelled, as he descended the steps. Nanami jumped from her horse, crying when she saw her mate, and ran to meet him. Tashiro caught her in his arms, and started instantly to kiss all over her face, not caring who saw.
"Hirotada," Sakura called out from the crowd of solders rushing to see if they where okay. Hirotada pushed his way through his solders.
"Sakura!" he too, drew her to his arms, kissing her hurriedly. Sesshoumaru had an arm around Kagome's waist, holding her close, as they watched their parents smiling.
Tashiro looked up from his mate, and looked toward the four youkai girls that where still was sitting on their horses. Once the realized that a lord was looking at them, they all jumped down and bowed in respect.
"Lord Tashiro," the first girl said, as she straitened up again. "I must apologize for the harm to the eastern and western lands that my father has caused," she said. "But I hope that you will understand, that we where in any way, not part of it," she said. She looked like she was about to cry. "We are here to serve the eastern and western lands any way possible,"
Tashiro smiled at the young female youkai. "I think you are talking to the wrong man," he said. "For there is a new lord to the eastern lands," he said. "Sesshoumaru," he called looking over his shoulder. He still hadn't let go on his mate, and does about to any time soon. "I believe you will take care of these young woman," he said. Sesshoumaru took Kagome's hand on walked toward the girls. The four youkai looked dumfounded.
"Lord Sesshoumaru!" the first one said, still looking shocked. "Forgive me! I didn't know- I thought that -" Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Never mind," he said. "So you are the four girls daughters of Lord Hisashi? He never mentioned you before," he said. He started to walk, the woman followed, Kagome noticed that he started to take in deep breaths, and realized that he was probably trying to sniff something out.
"He used us, to say the least, as secret weapons, when he wanted someone killed . . . He sent us," The first girl spoke, while her shoulders tensed. Sesshoumaru knew that there was more to tell but she didn't want to tell him, something more of a personal matter. He didn't question it.
"Tell me," he said. "Why did this attack happen?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"When he learned of his plan to try to take over eastern and western lands, we went to solders that we knew we could trust and asked them about it. He knew about the up coming ceremony, between you and Lady Kagome. From spies he learned that Lord Tashiro, Lady Nanami, Lord Hirotada, and Lady Sakura would be staying here. He made a plan, to attack the palace. Kidnap Lady Nanami, and kill the rest,"
"But plans went wrong," the second girl said. "His solders had let InuYasha go, thinking that he would help with the down fall, as he was in the dungeon, and there had to be a reason why. But InuYasha had fought against them in powerful strength, trying to help Lady Sakura, and Lady Nanami find safety. When Hisashi's guards tried to kidnap Lady Nanami, they didn't know which lady was which, as Nanami pulled a spell, to make her self and smell human. InuYasha saw them being taken off and followed,"
"We learned from our own spies that Hisashi's eye had fallen on Lady Nanami, and wanted her for his own. He also saw her as a bargaining chip," the third spoke up taking up where her sister left off. "When he had his hands on Lady Nanami, he would bargain her for the lands, with Lord Tashiro, knowing that he would do anything for his mate's safety. Then once he had the land, and the solders and such, he once again would go in search for Lady Nanami, kidnap her once again, and have her for his own," Kagome was tense once they mentioned that Hisashi was in love with her mother. {Hisashi is like the Naraku from the other time,} Kagome thought. {I wonder if they ever met each other,} Kagome thought half-heartedly kidding with her self.
"What are your names?" Kagome asked.
"My name is Sachi, I'm the oldest of the sisters," the first one said.
"My name is Satomi," the second spoke.
"And I'm Setsuko," the third one said, smiling softly.
"I'm Sumiko," the fourth said.
"All right," Sesshoumaru said, looking them all in the eye. "Lady Sachi, Lady Satomi, Lady Setsuko, and Lady Sumiko, I wish to speak with you later. But for now, I think you would like a rest, I will see you tomorrow. For now, you if are up to it, you may travel to the eastern lands. Tell the servants that Lord Sesshoumaru welcomed you," he said. The four ladies bowed before walking to their horses. Tashiro and Hirotada walked up to them, thanking them for the rescue of their mates and InuYasha.
Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru. He was staring at her. "What? Is something wrong?" she asked him. Sesshoumaru crossed his arms, hiding his arms, in his large white silken sleeves.
"What do you think of them?" he asked. Kagome shrugged.
"I think they're telling the truth, if that's what you mean," Sesshoumaru nodded.
"So do I," he agreed. "I didn't smell any deceit on them," Kagome nodded.
"But it seems weird that they are betraying their father like that. He must have done something terrible to them,"
"My father said that Lord Hisashi was good at one time. He had a pure heart. But his mate died, and his world collapsed. Slowly, year by year he turned dark. No one knows why his mate died, as the last time a servant saw her, she was perfectly healthy," Sesshoumaru watched the four girls take their horses, and canter from the court yard till the eastern place.
"That is something that we will have to find out now, won't it?" Kagome asked. Sesshoumaru nodded. His arms dropped his side.
"There is also something odd about them, something I sensed, that wasn't quite right. I don't think that they are telling me the whole tale," he said.
"Well like you said. You will talk to them tomorrow," Kagome said. She placed a hand on his arm. "Let's go home, Sesshoumaru," she whispered. "We all need a rest, we've all had a fright," Sesshoumaru agreed. He walked up to Tashiro and Hirotada.
"What did you find out?" Tashiro asked.
"He was planning to use Lady Nanami as bargaining chip, for your lands, then steal her back, for his own use," Tashiro's eyes turned red.
"That would have been fruitless," Hirotada said smirking. "As my son is now the lord of the eastern lands," Sesshoumaru nodded, as he looked toward Kagome, watching her every move. It didn't go unnoticed by Tashiro and Hirotada.
"Do you think that he will try and kidnap Kagome?" Tashiro asked, as blood slowly drained from his eyes.
"I don't know," Hirotada said slowly. "If he does he's got to have a good plan. From when me and Hisashi and you where friends, as I recall in times of war, he was smarter then he appeared. Deadly smart, unfortunately," Tashiro nodded.
"Not much in the battle field, but great planner," Sesshoumaru was still staring at Kagome.
"For Kami's sake, she ain't going to go and run into something! She's not stupid!" Tashiro said. Hirotada covered his mouth with his hand, to hide his smile. Sesshoumaru glared at him.
"I'm not looking for her to walk into something. I'm making sure no one runs into her," he growled. Hirotada looked at him confused, along with Tashiro. Sesshoumaru looked at the ground, not daring to look Tashiro and Hirotada in the eye. "She's . . . With child," Tashiro and Hirotada grinned.
"You wasted no time in knocking her up," Hirotada muttered. Tashiro and Sesshoumaru looked at him. Tashiro smacked him upside the head.
"That's my daughter your talking about!" he said. Hirotada grinned sheepishly at him. Sesshoumaru glared.
"Should Kagome and me stay at the eastern castle, or tell the servants to collect our things and send them here? As our first intention was to have Kagome move here after the 2 weeks where over," Sesshoumaru asked.
"No! You still have 2 weeks left, my friend!" Tashiro leaned in. "Enjoy her while she's still skinny, and has no mood swings. If she's anything like her mother, she will have major temper swings," Hirotada, and Tashiro laughed as they walked off, going back to their mates. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, as he walked back to Kagome.
Holding her close, he once again formed the cloud under his feet, shooting to the sky. Tashiro and Hirotada watched him go. "What side of the family did he get that cloud thing from?" Tashiro asked. "I've never seen anyone ever do that before," Hirotada shrugged.
"I have no clue. He was eight years old, and he started to do that, out of the blue! Gave Sakura and me a big fright, when he flew into the house, for the first time," he smiled remembering the day. Tashiro laughed.
"Would give any parent a heart attack," the four youkai laughed softly, as they walked into the house. "Umm! Let's go finish our meal in the gardens!" Tashiro said, as Sakura and Nanami started to walk toward the dinning hall.
"What's wrong with the dinning hall?" Sakura asked.
"Trust me! You just don't want to see what's in there," Hirotada said.
~~
Sesshoumaru and Kagome where half way back to the palace, when Kagome said, "Sesshoumaru . . . What about the baby?" she whispered. Sesshoumaru looked down at her.
"What about it?" he asked.
"These are dangerous times to have a baby, Sesshou," Kagome whispered. "What if I was kidnapped by Lord Hisashi? With mistreatment, it would be easy to loose it, before it's even born! And then, with the prophecy, something could happen to it, born or not," Sesshoumaru smelt the fear from Kagome for their unborn child.
"You and the child, will be fine," he said.
"But Sesshou!"
"No," he pulled her closer. "I will not allow you go any where by your self," he said. "You will be fine . . . You and our child," Kagome snuggled against him.
{I hope your right, Sesshoumaru. I would die if anything happened to our first child together!} Kagome thought, closing her eyes and breathing in deeply, breathing in his sent.
~~
Thanks you all for the reviews! Well I hope you liked this chapter! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!!!