Disclaimer: I'm just a poor, innocent, teenager.

Pfft.

Well, even if I'm not that, per se, I AM most definitely not the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi, and thus, must settle for pretending to control her colorful characters. So don't sue me, because it's not cool to sue minors with an alliteration fetish.

~Kamibi

"Halt!" the guard on duty barked. He glared menacingly at the two worn travelers lightly dashing up the steps (all 326 of those thrice-damned marble steps). The two large, very intimidating snow-inu statues to the right and left of him rippled to life, snarling and growling at the intruders.

Strangely, the taller one sighed and waved a hand lazily. "Really, now, Hisoka, I'm insulted that you didn't recognize me at first glance."

The hulking monoliths sniffed, then retreated somewhat reluctantly back to their posts. He couldn't blame them; it had been a while since some random idiot had dared to attack the palace, and all three of them were a bit battle-antsy.

Still, the pair continued, trudging on. Discreetly, Hisoka took a sniff of the air, quickly puzzling apart the finer nuances.

The female smells like regular Inu, but she has an unprecedented power and is faintly charged with miko-energy; mainly vanilla with spiced undertones, also present is Stone and Earth and Forest and Hunt, indicating Silver, and vaguely ozone.

The male is pure Inu, very powerful, smells like moss, so royalty; sunlight with fresh evergreen, race is Stone and Earth and Forest and Hunt, Silver Inu as well. . . . Suddenly, he remembered why the scent was so familiar. It's Shiro!

Guards of the Takahashi clan were trained to identify individual based on scent, define the rank, then pick apart every aroma on the person. Hisoka was the top of his class in that particular area, which he was appropriately proud of. Of course, that meant that he was on guard duty the most, so the skill wasn't as convenient as it might seem.

He bowed deeply to the waist, sounding out a loud, "Welcome Home, Prince Shiro! Welcome, Honored Guest!"

Shiro sighed again and continued on, nodding slightly as acknowledgement. The girl followed him wordlessly, carefully keeping her expression blank, but he could smell her awe.

Straightening, he decided that reunions and explanations with his childhood friend could wait until after they met with Shiro's father, the ruling Lord of the West and Alpha of Silver.

~Bird in the White Cage~

"'Honored Guest'?" Kagome questioned almost inaudibly.

"Not now," Shiro mouthed back to her.

She obeyed, and followed him as gracefully as she could while he easily wove through the crowded corridors, making what seemed like a random path to the large doors at the center of the palace, as she garnered from her new sense of direction.

What was the winding route for? I'm sure we could've just walked straight here, she wondered.

It was to make a non-verbal and somewhat personal declaration to the residents here that he has returned, and that he is still the heir of this castle, Hikarikiyoi replied without missing a beat.

How very political.

Shiro's deceptively quick steps had forced her to concentrate on making it seem like she was gliding along after him, instead of what the castle looked like. She decided that eyeing the palace and asking questions could wait until after Shiro had taken them wherever he was going – presumably, his father's room.

But because she instinctively stared at the ground a lot as a foreign Inu in new territory, she did notice the smooth, pale blue stone floor and the luxurious wide rug that covered the middle of every hallway.

It was a deep red, like many of the royal blood's auras, she had noticed, and depicted many scenes of Inus achieving victory in various battles.

Without Kagome noticing, the pair had reached two very large, very imposing, and very simple polished wooden doors. They shuddered open, each at least a foot thick, and a booming voice that seemed to fit them rang out.

"After many years of traveling, you return with a bitch," it stated. It was strong and rife with authority.

Kagome reminded herself that she was an Inuyoukai, now.

"Honored Father, I have returned with . . . my Soulmate," he bowed and informed, hesitating on the last bit. The court would have to know now or give grief about it later; he regretted not giving Kagome any warning, but it had to be done.

Well, now that that's out in the open. . . . She felt like she'd just been slammed in the gut by a very lovable ball of happiness. And then very, very angry at Shiro for telling these people before talking to her.

Do not pretend that it was not obvious the entire time, Hikarikiyoi chided.

Indeed, the bond is too great to be ignored, Ketsueki chimed in.

Although now is perhaps the time to forget that for the moment.

Shiro's father snarled, commanding the shell-shocked audience to leave with a warbling growl.

In the blink of an eye, they had disappeared, the doors now closed.

"Son. . . . " his tone had changed dramatically; now, he sounded softer, kinder. Most of all, he sounded tired. "I have awaited your return for centuries."

"I have missed you, as well, Father," Shiro replied, relaxing now that the watchful eyes of the court were off of him.

Sato heaved himself off of his throne, and limped his way down twenty steps as if his bones rejected the movement, then crossed the expanse of thick carpet between him and his heir.

Now that he was closer, Kagome noticed that he was more attractive than any human male, his features sharper and more rugged than Shiro's. His son, however, was taller, and lacked the frailty of body that Sato's royal robes skillfully hid. For all of his youthfulness, the Dai's sepia eyes held more depth and spoke of years endured that blended into each other in his memory.

He gazed at Shiro, staring him straight in the eye, and then pulled him in for a hug. His thin limbs shook with emotion, as he sobbed soundlessly.

"Oh, my son. . . ." he murmured, "You remind me so of your beloved mother. How long I've been deprived of your presence . . ."

Shiro wrapped his arms around his sire, eyebrows knitted together in an expression of sorrow felt in the past. "I am here, now, Father." His golden eyes closed, holding back the tears that begged to be released.

Sato let go of him and stepped back. All traces of his recent lapse in control were gone, and Shiro showed no sign of having experienced it.

Kagome decided that it was a guy thing.

"And you are here with a bitch," he repeated, this time jovially. "Your Soulmate, no less!" His brown eyes – for he had eyes the shade of darkened caramel; Shiro must have inherited his eyes from his mother—crinkled around the edges, and crow's feet were revealed.

Shiro coughed a little, and said, "Father, Kagome was originally human; she is . . . unused to such terminology."

The miko smiled brightly and shook her head. "Oh, no, it's fine. I am indeed a bitch, and proud of it."

Shiro choked. Serves him right. "Daughter, you are more than any bitch. You are my son's Soulmate, or so he claims," Sato laughed.

Sato had that strange way of ancient beings to refer to the younger folk as his children.

"Father, you're embarrassing me. . . ." Shiro muttered as Kagome said, "Ah, yes, I think we've both been thinking it for a while, now."

They stared at each other as the Dai watched amusedly.

"You . . . You've known?" he asked, incredulous.

"Of course I have! How could I not? You have no common sense, sometimes," she claimed haughtily, hiding the fact that she had very recently (as in right after he said it) come to terms with the idea of being Soulmates.

Hey, she had learned over the years that nobody has the time to debate over whether or not they'll accept something to be true when one knows that they will eventually. After all, you could be dead before you told them you loved them, and that was a sad way to die.

"Kagome . . . I need to tell you something." He took a deep breath. "I—"

The doors burst open, and the privacy of the throne room was violated as a female Inuyoukai burst into the chamber shrieking. She had a very strong scent that Kagome was incapable of withstanding, given her recent change. It made her dizzy and nauseous at the same time, and she had trouble remaining upright.

"FATHER! I have been informed by the castle dogs that Prince Shiro has returned. Why was I not told beforehand of his coming arrival?" a shrill voice complained, ringing in all three of the Inus' ears. Kagome winced.

"Lady Kyoei," Sato replied stoically, his intimidating mask back in place. "You are not of my clan, I ask that you cease referring to me so casually." His request was ignored.

Eyes caked with a garish blue shade of make-up landed on Shiro, and she flounced over, daintily lifting the trail of robes that heavily followed her.

"Oh, Shiro, my love—" she simpered, rushing to grasp his arm. Shiro held up a clawed hand threateningly and growled a warning. "Tread carefully."

Kyoei whined in response. "Sorry, forgive me, sorry."

"Lady Kyoei," he bit out, veiling his disgust and agitation expertly (but Kagome could see right through him). "Like my father, I ask that you refer to me with my proper title and keep in mind that this marriage is not of love."

She burst into noisy tears, wailing, "Oh, Shiro, how can you say such things to me?" Thick trails of blue bled down her powder-white cheeks, painted lips quivering.

"Because they're true?" Kagome ventured snidely. Kyoei was not exactly a pleasant character.

Those crying eyes dried instantly and landed on Kagome. "And who is this whore you've brought with you, my love?"

There was silence.

The Inumiko stared at Kyoei with wide eyes and an open mouth.

Kagome, Shin wants me to tell you something.

THAT BITCH IS GOING TO DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS BY MY CLAWS, she roared in her mind

Challenge her to a Blood Ritual.

"I challenge you to a Blood Ritual," Kagome repeated softly without questioning Hikarikiyoi.

A look of amusement came upon Kyoei's doll-like face. "Shiro, say something! She can't challenge me, she's just a simple concubi—"

Her cheek was slapped, and her words were interrupted before she could provoke a seriously politically-damaging homicide.

Sato wiped his hand on a handkerchief hidden in his robes. "The Lady Kagome is an honored guest. She is an Inu priestess of great power, and she is my son's Soulmate. I cannot allow you to insult her in this way without punishment."

Kyoei knelt down and groveled at Sato's feet. "Please forgive me, Father, I didn't know!"

Shiro and Kagome observed that his foot twitched like he wanted to kick the thing kissing his shoes. "Rise."

She scrambled to her feet.

"Leave."

She ran back out, and the doors shut once more.

Sato sagged and crumpled onto one of the nearby chairs.

"I'm sorry, Shiro," he uttered sincerely.

"It is alright, Father. I understand."

He turned to his newly-appointed Soulmate. "Kagome, I'm afraid Kyoei was right on one point. You can't challenge her," he apologized.

"Why?" she sneered. "Because I'm just a 'concubine'?"

Why am I being so mean?

It is instinct.

Ketsueki would know.

Shiro looked like he'd just been slapped. "Because you are not of the same rank," he said quietly. Kagome's rage immediately quieted, and she apologized to him without saying anything. He nodded in acceptance, his father observing the silent exchange. "The Lady Kyoei is merely the seventh daughter of a Daiyoukai; you are the Soulmate of the first heir of the Western Lands, and almost as powerful as myself. She is to you what a peasant is to her; a Blood Challenge would not be fair."

Kagome sighed. "I'm sorry for being so snide, I just . . . I wanted to defend my . . . I don't even know. And don't think I missed the 'almost' in there. We're going to have some words about that, later," she glared.

Sato chuckled. "Many females would have leapt upon Kyoei and ripped her throat out in their fury. I am happy to see that my son's Soulmate is not so irrational."

About the Soulmate thing . . .

"About the Soulmate thing . . . Shiro and I haven't really discussed that, yet, " Kagome grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of her neck. "So, if you wouldn't mind . . ."

"Of course, of course! Shiro will lead you to your lodgings – on the opposite side of the castle from Lady Kyoei," Sato winked. "I trust that a single room will suffice as long as you are in my home."

Sato stared meaningfully at Shiro, who now sported a very, very light blush and refused to look directly at Kagome.

"Well, then; shall we take our leave, Lady Kagome?" Shiro bowed deeply and extended his hand with a flourish.

Kagome stifled her laughter and took it, imitating a curtsey. "We shall, Prince Shiro," she declared, with the slightest hint of a giggle.

Sato blinked, and they were gone.

"Ah, young love," he smiled. Shaking his head nostalgically, he returned to his throne to ponder over this new turn of events.

~Bird in the White Cage~

"Wow," Kagome breathed out.

It is quite impressive, Hikarikiyoi agreed.

Indeed, it was. Thick, navy curtains draped from the tops to the bottoms of the twenty-foot-tall windows, pulled to the sides by ropes of similar material. Through the delicate glass, a garden of white flowers and stones and trees sprawled artistically. On the right wall from the two large windows a translucent canopy of silver descended from the ceiling, parted to reveal the equally-disproportional bed, taking up a quarter of the ridiculously large room. The cover was a soft, cool material of navy blue with pillows of white and black. On the opposite wall from the windows, the door to the room was open, permitting access to its new denizens.

Slowly turning to the right and to the door there, Kagome pulled it open and sucked in a breath.

"My father said that this room was adequate, but I had no idea. . . ." Shiro murmured.

"You've never been in here?" Kagome turned.

He shook his head. "This room has always been reserved for my mate and me. The room that I grew up in is closer to the chamber we met my father in."

Kagome nodded absently, then returned to gaping at the washroom. She registered a low chuckle from behind her, but paid it no mind. Flickering orange lights strategically placed on the walls made the steam glow softly. The stone was carved into a room, the center of it being a pool-sized hot spring. A mirror covered one wall, somehow resisting the fog. Spotting her reflection, she gasped.

"Shiro, I have a request," she stated firmly.

He laughed, then turned to leave. "Go ahead, but don't take too long because I want to bathe as well."

Why do you not ask him to join you? Would that not be more efficient? Ketsueki asked curiously.

Ask him to join me? It's improper! Kagome sputtered.

Shin says he would not mind, Hikarikiyoi supplied shyly.

I'M BATHING BY MYSELF, she yelled mentally. Besides, I'm too dirty to do it, even IF I wanted to. . . .

The gentle thud of the door signaled its close, before Kagome slowly pulled her top off, a smile spreading across her face. She tugged the ever-clean haori from her hips and let it pile on the floor. Her chest bindings were unraveled, and she slipped into the perfectly-hot bath. The grime she'd accumulated in the past months floated away and disappeared.

"Ah . . . It feels so good to have a proper bath with soap," she groaned happily. She dumped some aromatic oils she found on the sides into the water and dunked her head, before lathering it with some kind of shampoo. The miko then settled back to think, her golden-flecked eyes lidded and her fanged mouth set in a slight frown.

Now . . . What to do about Kyoei? She thought.

Nothing good, Hikarikiyoi broke in, uncharacteristically sadistic.

Not that she minded.

~Bird in the White Cage~

Author's Note:

I am so, so, SO sorry for taking so long! *kneels to grovel* I've been writing this paragraph-by-paragraph for a couple months, now, even though I had no inspiration. The wonderful readers who favorited me and alerted me kept me going, even though only a couple bothered to review. Not a single flame, either, and I really hated this story for a while. I almost flamed myself.

Guys, I love you.

Also, I started high school. I feel old, now.

Please review! Tell me what you think, and I'll either continue or change things to satisfy you guys. If you spot any mistakes, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I hate leaving those unchecked.

Thanks,

~Kamibi