"My lord has been in a rather foul mood as of late," Kazu commented.

Kagome slid her eyes over to him. Overhead the stars twinkled brightly in the blue velvet sky, the nearly full moon a giant circle surrounded by the sparkling diamonds. She and Kazu were in the garden they'd agreed to meet in every few nights, sitting on the stone bench. The air was chilly as Fall came to an end, Winter just around the corner. Even still, Kagome simply wore her sleeping yukata with the over robe.

"Is he not always in a foul mood?" She asked quietly. Earlier today when she was with Rin before her lessons, she'd thought she'd sensed Sesshomaru nearby, but hadn't seen him. At dinner he'd seemed even angrier than before, yet Kagome could only imagine why. Perhaps he'd gotten some bad or complicated news from the other lands, or maybe it was just another mood swing coming from his reaction. With a blush, Kagome wondered if maybe he'd been angry with what had happened to them earlier today. Did he feel disgusted to have touched her, a mere lowlife in his almighty eyes? Whichever the case was, his angry aura had made dinner disturbingly quiet, making everyone else even more on edge than the upcoming heat.

After dinner she'd laid Rin down to sleep, telling the girl the same story she'd declared was her new favorite. She had expected to see Sesshomaru, and to her slight disappointment, she hadn't. He'd gone to his own bedroom and stayed.

"Hai, he is, but not like he was today," Kazu responded thoughtfully. "I wonder what could have happened to cause such."

"Hmm," was all Kagome said. In the time she'd been here, she'd grown quite an attachment to Kazu. He was kind, and charming, and open about everything. He often teased her and made her laugh, which was surprising considering all she'd been through. And though Kagome wasn't very fond of compliments, she rather liked some of the things he said to her. And -she reluctantly admitted- while he didn't exactly arouse her as much as Sesshomaru did, there were moments more often than not when she'd considered taking him to bed.

But she knew those thoughts were simply based on the sexual tensions she and every other animal youkai had been feeling the past few days. At least, she hoped that was why. She didn't want to come off as a wanton shofu, even if constant matings were the nature of inus.

"What do you think of all this commotion?" He asked.

Kagome blinked in confusion. "Commotion?"

"You know, going into heat?"

"Oh." Another thing Kagome liked about Kazu was how easily she could talk to him. When just a week earlier she hadn't wanted anything to do with anyone, save for little Rin, she now found herself almost as open with Kazu as he was with her. They'd talked about nearly everything every chance they got.

More women had come into the Western Palace, making themselves scarce in the southern wing, where the monthly brothel was held. Many roamed about, flirting with the soldier's when they were on break or off duty. Some had even given a few of them a taste of what was to come this upcoming week. Kagome had wondered if they were that wanton before going into heat, what would they be like during it?

'Like a bunch of wild animals, no doubt,' her beast murmured inside her head.

Kagome mentally rolled her eyes. 'They are animals.'

She'd thought over what Sesshomaru said, about after him having the first pick, the rest were left to fend for themselves. Kagome rather hoped she and Kazu would end up together during at least the first night, since she trusted him above all others. Not that she told him she wanted to be with him.

"I suppose I should get use to it," she murmured, looking down at the koi fish swimming around. She irrelevantly wondered if they went into heat. How did they even have sex? "Though honestly I am ready for it to be over with. This...tension leaves an ache I cannot wait to have fulfilled. I have always rather detested going into heat, but for once I anticipate it. Do no ask me why, for I do not know the answer."

From the corner of her eyes, she could see him give a nod. She knew he was smiling simply because he almost always was. He didn't ask why she'd always hated going into heat, either. Though he didn't know as much as Sesshomaru, he still knew she'd been held captive for a long time.

"Trust me, milady. After our week of heat is over, you will be left in a sate of satisfaction so great you will not wish to leave bed."

Kagome laughed at that. "Is that so?" She looked over at him. "What if the male who chooses me is not a great lover then? In fact, what if he is so poor a lover that I will wish to join the ningen nun hood?"

Kazu gave a surprised laugh. "If that were the case, then I suppose that male should probably go kill himself. However, I've never ever been known to be a poor lover. Especially when in heat."

Kagome's gaze snapped up to his in surprise. "You are assuming you will be the male to choose me?" She asked in disbelief.

Kazu grinned. "That is, if my lord does not choose you first."

Kagome frowned deeply at that. "Sesshomaru would not choose me even if his life depended on it."

He gave her a thoughtful look. "You seem disappointed by that," he said quietly. But before Kagome could give her outraged protest, he continued. "You can never be too sure, milady. As I've said before, I know my lord very well. Even if he chooses to ignore it, he has some interest in you. Nearly every unmated male in this castle does. I, of course, am no exception."

Kagome only raised a dubious brow, but said nothing more. Truthfully, on some level in her mind, she'd been hoping that maybe Sesshomaru would have chosen her. Despite his being an arrogant, annoying jerk, there was something about him Kagome felt drawn to, though she could say what. It wasn't just his cold beauty, and it sure as hell wasn't his personality, but something deeper than that.

She knew she shouldn't feel anything towards him. Well, maybe a little grateful since he was helping her discover who she truly was. And even then he'd said it wasn't out of the kindness of his heart, but rather he expected something in return! But under that, she knew it would not suit her to grow an attachment to him. Even if she were politically one of the most powerful bodies in Japan, that meant nothing without her memories.

Truly, who was Kagome Higarashi? It's been three centuries since anyone who would have recognized her have seen her. Everyone probably thought she'd died long ago. The current ruler of the north, even if they were family, was probably an heir born from generations ago. She couldn't just go there and demand her position back, whether she wanted it or not. In all honesty she'd gladly allow them to continue on with their rulings. All she wanted was to seek revenge on the hanyou and regain her memories. Afterwards, she supposed it wouldn't be too complicated to find a youkai village and settle in for the rest of her life. Perhaps if she were lucky she'd even find a mate to settle down with.

Sesshomaru's face popped inside her head, and she roughly forced it away. No. He was too dedicated to his role as western ruler, and she... Well she was pretty much a nobody at this point. Even if by some tiny chance the northern house would accept her with open arms and place her on the throne, that would still mean nothing. Maybe she would gain Sesshomaru's respect and admiration, but she didn't want that. Not if it only came from her position. She wanted a male who would actually love her, not just want her for her status.

Something quite random occurred to her then. She hopped to her feet, startling Kazu.

"What-"

"Gomen nasai, Kazu-san," she said breathlessly. She'd already begun to turn her back on him even as he started to rise. "I must ask Sesshomaru something." With that, she darted off towards the main palace, leaving a confused Kazu behind.

She didn't care at the moment. Just now, reflecting on who she was or who she would be, she'd come across something. Sesshomaru had been alive when she'd been taken. He had said so himself. He'd no doubt been alive long before then.

'The hanyou is wanted in the north, south, and west. He has destroyed our lands more than a few times, and has slaughtered our people in the worst ways possible. Even more than the dragons he is our most hated enemy. We have been looking for him for centuries, long before you said to have been taken,' was what he'd said. If that were the case, he had to have known who she was before that.

Annoyed at herself, Kagome mentally slapped herself. Why hadn't she thought about that days ago? Kamis, that should have been one of the first things to ask him! But then again, he'd sent a missive to the southern lord requesting for Kouga. Kouga, who would hopefully help her remember. Surely if he'd known something he would have told her?

That gave her a brief pause, but she continued into the palace at a speed most probably could not match. But then again, Sesshomaru wasn't really known for his willingness to give information, was he. Either way, Kagome was determined to seek the truth and would not be deterred.