Chapter 25:

Mavis stared at the sprawl of buildings below them. "That's a castle?"

Kirsten shrugged. "To Sesshomaru, it is. We always think of a castle as a great pile of rock in the European style. This ain't Europe, dear."

They landed in the courtyard where it took only seconds for them to be surrounded by staff and guards.

"My lord! We did not expect you back so soon!" The Captain of the Guard came forward and bowed stiffly in his armour. He straightened and surveyed the two women and Inuyasha. "Or with…guests?"

"Really, Akihiko, I am surprised that you do not recognize my brother."

The Captain sucked in his breath. "My lord! The hanyou… here?"

"Listen closely, all of you!" Sesshomaru raised his voice so that it carried to all corners of the enormous courtyard. "My brother and I are reconciled. He is to be treated as an honoured son of our Father with all attendant rights and privileges. If I hear of him being treated otherwise, it will not go well with any of you."

There were murmurs of assent throughout the gathered people.

Akihiko bowed most properly towards Inuyasha. "I bid you welcome, Lord Inuyasha. May your stay with us be pleasant."

"Thank you, Captain," Inuyasha said, inclining his head in turn.

"Akihiko, I am here only to attend to certain pieces of business," Sesshomaru said. "And then I will be off once more. These ladies are my honoured guests. Have the appropriate staff see to the comfort of Lady Mavis and Lady Kirsten."

"Of course, my lord."

A very official-looking elderly demon came puffing up at this point, bowing low before Sesshomaru.

"Many apologies, my lord! I just now heard of your arrival! Forgive my tardiness in attending you."

Sesshomaru smiled fondly on the grey head. "Toshihiro. Just the person I need to see."

"My lord?" The elder's shoulders quaked at seeing the stoic demon lord smile. "How may I serve you?"

"You can serve me by seeing that my guests are properly housed, and then attending me in my study."

The older demon straightened and surveyed his master's guests. He flung his hands up in the air when he spied Inuyasha. "Ghosts of our ancestors! That's never… Inuyasha?"

"It is indeed," Sesshomaru said. "My brother and I are reconciled at last, Toshihiro, and it is this reconciliation that brings me home. I will be handing over the Dawn Mist estate to Inuyasha."

A surprised murmur ran through the crowd, spreading from person to person like wildfire.

Sesshomaru lifted an elegant eyebrow. "Don't you all have work to do?" He clapped his hands sharply, causing another murmur as the people near him realized that he now sported a left arm.

Mavis and Kirsten were borne off in a crowd of twittering females and shown private rooms, each with its own bath and attendants.

Mavis sighed gustily. "A hot bath – and a nap – in that order, I think. I'm just so glad to be off Ah-Un!"

"A nap sounds good," Kirsten admitted. "I didn't sleep too well last night."

"Listening for things that go bump in the night?" Mavis grinned at her.

"Naw… that damn dragon-thing snores."

OoOoOo

Sesshomaru drummed his fingers on the tabletop as he waited for Toshihiro to bring the appropriate paperwork to sign over his brother's inheritance.

Inuyasha sat quietly beside him, very calmly drinking the tea that had been brought.

Finally, the elderly demon scuttled in with several scrolls in hand. He fussed for a moment, laying them in some kind of order, then handed the first to Sesshomaru.

"I thought these would also be appropriate," the secretary said. "This one outlines your father's wishes as to disposition of his estate and possessions."

Sesshomaru opened the scroll and glanced down. He did not need to read it – he had memorized it long years ago. But it would be beneficial for Inuyasha to see first hand.

"Inuyasha?"

"Thank you." The hanyou picked up the scroll and read it thoroughly, stumbling over a word here and there, then rolled it up again. "He really did want me to have that estate. And Tetsusaiga."

Sesshomaru snapped his fingers for the next scroll. This one he did read through together with his brother. It was the deed for the Dawn Mist estate, but did not detail what the estate produced. He smiled to himself, imagining the surprise on Inuyasha's face when he finally saw what belonged to him.

It took another hour to finish the task of officially signing over the estate to Inuyasha. By the end of it all, both brothers were more than ready for the dinner that another of the servants announced would be served shortly.

"I'd like to have a very quick bath beforehand, wouldn't you, little brother?"

Inuyasha yawned and stretched. "Sounds good. Geez, Sesshomaru, how can you sit so patiently through all this sh… uh, stuff?"

Sesshomaru gave his younger brother a tight smile. "Years of training. As master, you will have to learn to deal with many different issues. Would you like to visit Dawn Mist tomorrow?"

Inuyasha's ears perked up. "Yes! Is it far from here?"

Sesshomaru shrugged. "About twenty miles. We should plan on staying overnight at least. Toshihiro – see that a message is sent to Dawn Mist, telling them to expect us tomorrow. Inuyasha would like to inspect his inheritance."

The elderly secretary bowed low. "Yes, my lord."

"And which room have you put my brother in?"

"The Peony room, sir. Beside Lady Kirsten. That is acceptable, I trust?"

Sesshomaru nodded. "Yes. My brother should like to be near his sensei, I think. And Lady Mavis?"

"In Morningstar, on the other side of Lady Kirsten. Excuse me, my lord? Sensei?" Toshihiro looked confused. "Despite her appearance, is not Lady Kirsten merely human?"

Sesshomaru grinned. "No mere human, Toshihiro. Lady Kirsten is my brother's sensei and has spent the last few months teaching him the art of battle. And since I've seen her skills, I strongly suggest that no one annoys her. As for Lady Mavis, she is a mage and should also be respected. Do try to make sure that the less-twittery females attend them, will you, Toshihiro? They have very little patience for that sort of thing."

"It will be done." The secretary bowed low again and scuttled from the room, clutching the scrolls he had brought in.

Sesshomaru got to his feet and motioned his brother to follow. "Let me show you your room, Inuyasha. There's an attached bath, so you won't have to use the main baths unless you want to."

OoOoOo

Dinner seemed interminable. Even Sesshomaru's phenomenal patience was strained to the limit by the end of the meal. He had become so used to solitary meals or meals taken surrounded by the warmth and friendly banter at the Newcastle kitchen table, that he found the formality of the Court here stifling and nearly intolerable.

Inuyasha, surprisingly, was doing his best to show the others that he was not the vulgar bumpkin that many thought him. He displayed his best manners, and was exceedingly polite to all those who addressed him. He refused to rise to any baiting remarks and even thanked one courtier who offered a pleasant memory of Inuyasha's mother.

Sesshomaru was thankful when he was able to dismiss everyone. Kirsten announced her intention to retire immediately, and Inuyasha offered to walk her back. Before Mavis could follow, Sesshomaru laid a hand on her arm.

"Would you walk with me a bit? I'd like to show you the gardens before the sun fades entirely."

"Alright."

Sesshomaru surveyed the mage with some delight. She was wearing a long mauve caftan in lieu of a kimono, and the silky material swirled about her as she moved. The colour suited her admirably and he murmured a compliment on her appearance as she took his arm.

"Thank you."

"I am sorry I had to make you postpone your vacation. But I felt that this trip was too important."

Mavis shrugged. "Jim was a little upset. By the way, he wanted to know who was going to look after my dog. I told him you were."

Sesshomaru laughed at this. "The dog should give him a visit next time he comes over. I still owe you one for the soup bone."

Mavis giggled. "That was a good one, wasn't it?"

"You have a positively wicked sense of humour at times, Lady Mage. Here we are. These are the main gardens through here."

The sun was low on the horizon as they wandered through the main gardens. Mavis was delighted with everything she saw. Sesshomaru watched her, thinking of how she looked as if she belonged there and how at home she had seemed at dinner, even in an environment he knew was unfamiliar to her. She had completely won over several of his most trusted staff, including the old secretary.

Sesshomaru smiled to himself. Toshihiro might be old, but he certainly was not blind, and the elderly demon had noticed the frequency with which the demon lord's gaze had rested on Mavis. Catching his master's eye at one point, the secretary had made a point of inclining his head at Mavis and cocking an eyebrow skyward. The small shrug Sesshomaru had made in reply had been barely noticeable, but the secretary had grinned at him briefly.

Well, he could do far worse than Mavis. Sesshomaru shuddered as he reviewed his options. There were not many women who would even consider a liaison with him, given his reputation for bad temper and the stories that circulated about him. Some of which were true, much to his shame. He could only think of one other who would happily be with him… he shuddered again. It was not to be thought of!

But Mavis, now… She was not the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but she pleased his eyes. She had grace and poise and was brave enough to face him down at his worst. The mage genuinely cared for Rin, tolerated Jaken, and Sesshomaru hoped that she cared a little for him as well. It had been very pleasant waking up that one morning to find her across the bed from him, even if Rin had been between them. It would be wonderful to wake up that way every day… well, maybe without Rin between them…

"Sesshomaru?"

"Hmmm?" He looked up.

Mavis was grinning at him. "You were a million miles away, my lord. A penny for your thoughts?"

"Pardon?"

"Just wondering what you were thinking about."

"Oh." He smiled. "I'm not sure you would like to know."

She took his flesh arm and squeezed it gently. "Of course I'd like to know."

He gazed down at her dark eyes and remembered Milan's words to him about letting this woman know how he felt. But here was not the proper place, where anyone else might come upon them. However, there was one place where he was sure they would not be disturbed, since no one ever went there except for himself and the gardeners.

"I was thinking that I would like you to see my mother's garden," Sesshomaru said. "It was her favourite place. I thought that Father might order it destroyed after he sent her away, but he left it alone. Sometimes… I would find him walking there." He began to lead her towards the proper path.

"Did he love her?"

"He did. I believe he never stopped, even after her betrayal. It hurt him to his very core, I think."

"Why, Sesshomaru? If he loved her that much, why would she betray him with another man?"

He shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps she never truly loved him back. It was an arranged marriage, after all."

"Your marriage was arranged."

"Yes. And unarranged just as quickly. Moreso, even."

"I'm really sorry about that, Sess. I've watched you with Rin, and I think your heart pines for a real family of your own."

"Do you think so?"

Mavis smiled and touched his cheek. "I do. I think you would have been a very different person if all of that hadn't happened."

He snorted softly.

"No, really. I think your marriage would have been a very happy one."

Sesshomaru sighed. "It does not make sense to wish for things that you cannot have."

"What makes you think that you can't marry and have a family now? From what I can see, you're a very eligible bachelor. They should be lining up at your door…" She frowned. "Why are you laughing?"

"You do not know my reputation here. Maidens would weep and threaten jisatsu if they thought they were to be given to me in marriage."

It took Mavis a moment to understand what he had said. Halting their progress, she sighed and took up his real hand, pressing it between hers.

"You've changed a great deal from the stuck-up, cold bastard that came through that Well the first time. If you let a woman see this side of you, they'd change their minds, I'm sure."

"It is too late, I fear."

"It is not too late, Sesshomaru. Surely, there must be someone…"

Sesshomaru shuddered. "Kagura, perhaps."

"Who's that?"

"An … incarnation of Naraku. She's beautiful enough, but deadly. I'd sooner have a viper in my bed. And she stinks of Naraku's foul scent." He shuddered again. "I cannot imagine her with children. But somehow, she's convinced herself that she's a fit mate for me."

"Oh – I get it. Unrequited love, huh?"

"I doubt that the creature is capable of the emotion."

"I used to doubt that you were."

He chuckled a little. "Come. I wish to show you my mother's treasure."

"Alright. But shouldn't a garden be better viewed during the day?"

"Ordinarily, yes. However, what I want to show you can only be seen after sunset. This way."

He took Mavis by the hand and led the way down twisting paths until she was so thoroughly lost, she knew she would never find her way back without him. They left behind the lanterns that illuminated the paths closer to the main building, and Mavis clutched Sesshomaru's hand more tightly. She had forgotten how dark it could be, even with a moon in a cloudless sky. The demon lord was sure-footed in the dark, making sure that there was nothing Mavis could stumble over. Quite suddenly, he stopped.

"Here," he said. "My mother's treasure."

Mavis looked about, her eyes straining in the dark. And then she saw them. Hundreds upon hundreds of pale yellow blooms, glowing in the dark, with more appearing every minute.

"Oh Sess! They're beautiful! What are they called?"

"Moonflowers. You like them?"

"Oh yes! I've never seen the like. No wonder your mother called them her treasure."

His own eyes glowed in the dark only a little more brightly than the moonflowers, and Mavis could just make out the small smile that played on his lips.

"We should get Kirsty. She'd love them," Mavis said.

"No."

"Why not?"

He did not answer in words, but took her hands in his. Mavis stared up at him as she felt her hands enclosed – the warmth of flesh on one hand, the coolness of steel alloy on the other. There was strength there, but also gentleness.

Gold eyes stared at her for a moment, and then he bent his head towards hers.

Oh God! He's going to… Mavis tilted her face up, closing her eyes in expectation.

But nothing happened.

Mavis opened her eyes to see Sesshomaru staring at her from only inches away. He seemed frozen in place, and she could feel his hand of flesh tremble on hers.

"Well?" she whispered. "Are you going to kiss me or not?"

He made a small noise suspiciously like a whimper. "May I try?"

"Of course, you big dummy."

Mavis waited expectantly, while Sesshomaru considered what he should do. He made a tentative move – no, that didn't seem right. No to that too. And that was definitely out of the question. Finally, he shrugged in defeat.

"I think I've forgotten how."

"Well – if you've forgotten how, let's see if I can help you remember."

If Sesshomaru had forgotten how to kiss, Mavis hadn't. He arched his eyebrows upwards in surprise at how wonderful it felt to have her lips pressed against his.

"Is that all there is to it?" he asked when Mavis drew away. "Inuyasha and Kagome…"

Mavis laughed. "You want one of those kind of kisses?"

"Well…" He shrugged. "They look as if they enjoy them. Will you… teach me?"

"You are a big goof."

"A what?"

"Just shut up and c'mere."

Mavis kissed him again, but it was very different this time. She teased his mouth open with her tongue and thrust it into his warm mouth. He would have reared back from the shock of the contact, but she had her arms about his neck to keep him close.

Everything felt so good that he did not want it to stop. Sesshomaru was not sure what to do with his hands, but leaving them at his sides seemed rather … silly, especially with a female body pressed up against his in such an inviting manner. Instinct took over, since he seemed incapable of coherent thought at this point, and his hands gripped the delicious curves of the woman's hips and pulled her a fraction closer. He closed his eyes and paid attention to the sensations arising in him as she teased his tongue with her own. After several minutes of bliss, he moaned as she pulled away from him.

"I don't think I have ever been kissed like that," he whispered. "That – I think I'd remember."

She smiled and tried to back away, but he slid his arms about her.

"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded softly. "Don't I have to demonstrate to my teacher that I've learned the lesson?"

"Demonstrate away, big guy." She grinned up at him.

"Hai, sensei. Gladly."