Playing Catch up

By: TrueLoverKagome

~With Sesshoumaru and Lord Taikan~

Walking with the Northern Lord, Sesshoumaru was watched by the Lord closely, he could see that Sesshoumaru still held that pride that had gotten his daughter hurt just week before. He couldn't just let things keep going as they were though, not with how things were sure to come to light he knew that things needed to be spoken of.

"Sesshoumaru I must tell you I still hold judgment on if you should stand next to my daughter for I fear you do not truly understand her." he spoke while coming the very garden he had been thinking of before. "Do you remember that day? By the lake?" Taikan would ask only to receive a nod for the answer. "Good, then I shall tell you who we met and why things changed so quickly after."

Sesshoumaru hadn't really seen all of this coming, listening to the Northern lord speak of how Kagome was a Goddess born into Demon form and the greater threat of Naraku being out there after her was a shock to say the least. The judgment part he understood even more so after hearing such things, the notion that Kagome's power came from such things was a wonder in itself. Yet when things started to turn to the subject of what Taikan and his father had done with the information of this was shocking, he had been arranged to Kagome not for means of joining the lands together or more power but for Sesshoumaru to protect Kagome. It was the reason his father always asked if he had someone to protect. Suddenly he felt like he truly had overlooked many things, Taikan and his father both knew that Kagome would be sought after even with the threat gone of this banished god. So her needing comfort and protection for all her life was a must, the two had been close and with him being from a pure line it made sense.

"I fear I misjudged many things in my youth" Sesshoumaru admitted looking to the lord with a bit of understanding he hadn't before the conversation.

"I will not be one to give her to you just yet though, you still have much to prove" Taikan said as a warning that even if Sesshoumaru saw the error of his ways and thinking it didn't mean his actions were just yet forgiven by him.

The two Lords would find themselves being interrupted when a maid came into the garden, she'd quickly tell the lords of Kagome waking and asking for them. A look between the was seen before they started in the building, they moved fast before reaching the doors and stepping into the room finding the group sitting around Kagome while she seemed to be shifting a little nervously.

Taikan would give a soft smile moving towards his daughter giving a soft purr to calm her while she lean into his arms while he moved to hold her a little more. He could tell Kagome had been told, how he didn't know but something within her shifted with how she was nervous.

"Speak child, nothing will change unless you wish it" he assured her causing many to give him a look of confusion yet Kagome was thankful for it.

"I wouldn't change anything" she said before giving a sigh and starting in with the tale of her dream and meeting Midoriko, the notion that she was a fallen goddess had her friends in shock yet it seemed to fit. Many times they thought it so strange with how she was so forgiving and held so much compassion, then add on the way Kanna's mirror wasn't able to steal her soul like the mirror had with so many it made sense. Kagome was no human or demon but something well beyond them, yet she spoke of training making everyone blink a little more. Only when she started to speak of the fallen god that was after her and the true cause of Naraku to draw her out wasn't good so they did seem to agree that training would be needed.

"We could all train with you Kagome, you don't have to do anything alone" Sango would speak up trying to give the woman she saw as a sister figure more support. Miroku's hand coming to her shoulder giving a squeeze before nodding to Kagome agreeing with Sango's notion.

It was then that Noriko spoke up with a soft smile looking over the group. "Yes, that sounds perfect, even Prince Inuyasha will be training, since it such a gray area I believe we should try and train in all styles for Lady Kagome. Surely the monk can help with the Priestess training and even the slayer would have things to teach we do not" she spoke trying to give Kagome many branches to lean on during this struggle while telling Inuyasha how he was to grow to his power.

Wasn't long before the group was talking among themselves to figure out just what they would be focusing the most on, it was brought up that Kagome hadn't finished her training with Sesshoumaru so that would continue along with more from Noriko and her father added in. Tokija even decided that he would help with some of the lessons given to both Kagome and Inuyasha actually, though it had been made very clear that Sesshoumaru was the teach his brother the things he hadn't while Inuyasha had been needing it before. Once a game plan was rather laid out for everyone it was growing close to dinner making Kagome look to Sango and Shippo with a soft smile.

"Sango, do you think we could go have a bath like old times?" Kagome would ask making many of the males take the hint and start out of the room. When Shippo was about to leave Kagome's lap she'd tighten her hold on him. "All of us" she said looking down to her son making them smile.

"I would love to, Lady Noriko would you like to join us?" Sango would ask knowing that it was Lady Noriko that was taking charge of Kagome's chaperon, the fact Sango asked had her smiling to the two girls, she could easily see how the two were like sisters at heart.

"I think something relaxing is very much warranted" Noriko agreed causing a nod and smile between the group.

Kagome would stand starting to make her way to the door to make her way back to her room, she was very aware that she had woken in Sesshoumaru's new room and while she had flushed at the notion they told her why and understood it. Moving through the castle she'd quickly make it to her room stepping through to her personal hot springs smiling at Sango hearing her gasp at the way it looked. Even the smell of the springs relaxed the senses before the group started to undress and enter the waters. Shippo was happy to spend time with his mother along with how he got to meet a little more of Noriko since she was a Kitsune like him, he had so many questions he wanted to ask and yet she seemed to give a knowing smile to the kit.

"This feels great" Sango would exclaim while sinking deeper into the heated waters, the feeling of it relaxing her while she turned to Kagome. "So why did you want to bath?" she asked though after all she knew Kagome usually asked for these baths when she wanted to talk.

"Its...just so much, first I'm not human, then I'm trying to get use to being demon only to find out I'm a goddess born a demon" Kagome sighed at the notion that she was always trying to catch up with things for once she wanted to be ahead.

"Well I suppose it is a lot to take in more so all the changes within just a few weeks but do you feel it really changes who you are?" it was Noriko that asked this question, Sango was a little confused by it but Shippo almost seemed to be right in line with her. Turning to look to Kagome with almost a fear that she felt she wasn't the same person?

"No...I mean it changes my thoughts on why things happened but that I'm different?" Kagome would think of it a little before she saw Shippo and the look of fear made her heart clench a little before she moved to hold her kit. A soft purr would come from her calming the child while he started to nuzzle into her neck. "No I'm still Kagome no matter my parents, my race and nothing will change how I feel towards others" she said with a soft smile nuzzling down on her son's hair. "I'll always be your mother" she whispered to him though Noriko heard it loud and clear.

The rest of the bath was just talks of things that they all thought should be done with training, Sango confirmed that she could teach Kagome the ways of the slayers and Noriko even offered to train Shippo a little during it all. Kagome was grateful for the talks while it helped her sort out her own feelings on the new information that she was given.

When they finished the bath they would quickly dress and make for the dining hall to meet with everyone, the meal was rather nice and while Sesshoumaru was allowed his title back it was yet to be decided if he would be allowed to court Kagome so he wasn't sitting next to her as before. Now Shippo sat next to her as her father even accepted the kit into the family, he would be given a room by Kagome's and boy she was happy to hear her father so readily accept Shippo. Things had been so rushed and pushed on that she really never got to talk with him about it yet it seemed he had already taken care of it.

Dinner went off with very little problems most were from Inuyasha though, seemed his manners were sorely lacking and Tokija made it very clear to the newly made prince how he was in the wrong. The sight was to behold though, with the elder dragon quick to correct Inuyasha everyone could see the strain that was put on him. The moment that he got it correct though Sesshoumaru seemed to even glow with a bit of pride only to be knocked out of it when it was brought to his attention how Inuyasha's manners reflected poorly on his lack of care as a child. Yes, Inuyasha had been a half demon before but he was still born of noble blood, allowing him to be raised merely in the wilds was a dishonor to their father, yet no one was able to convince the young and stubborn lord of his folly. Still Sesshoumaru found himself looking to his brother, wasn't long though he realized he wouldn't keep making such mistakes.

Finishing with the meal many decided to retire for the night while Kouga had wanted to demand time with Kagome to make up for things that occurred the week before he hadn't been allowed, instead he watched Kagome leave out into the garden with Lady Noriko and Shippo.

Once in the garden that black dog from before made his presence known with a bark before bounding up towards the trio, he seemed to grow excited at the sight of his mistress, while Kagome gave a soft smile and laugh. Petting the Inu she gave a soft smile moving to set Shippo on his back at which the Inu seemed to know what she wanted and started to give the kit a ride through the gardens yet sticking close for Kagome to watch.

"He's a strong kit" Noriko would speak to Kagome making her nod. "He adores you" she stated making Kagome chuckle a little.

"I do him" she replied making Noriko smile before nodding her head.

"Tomorrow while your training with the males I'll be training Shippo, there is much he can learn at this age, within a year or so he'll be growing to his preteen form" she said with a smile making Kagome look to her. "He's still in his child form though don't be fooled he is a good forty years old, he won't becoming into his teen form until he's well into his hundreds" she said figuring the information would sooth her a little. Sure Shippo would grow and change but she wouldn't lose him anytime soon to him becoming an adult.

Kagome's attention turned back to Hoshi when he started to trot back to her with a very sleepy kit giggling on his back. She was thankful for the pet that Sesshoumaru gave her, giving another pet she turned to pick the kit up and start heading in, Hoshi would follow after his mistress after all protecting her was one thing that he was picked for and even he knew it.

A/N: Well guys I got it out pretty fast and while I don't remember exactly the plans I had before I do have plans. Alright got a good fourth of the next chapter written for everyone and I'm so sorry for not picking this back up. Felt like a huge mountain when it really was just a mole hill. I'm sorry again for that and hope you enjoy the chapter!