Kagome put on the last bit of makeup

"Kagome?" Emiko called, "Sansa is here to help with your hair."

Kagome walked out of her own bathroom into her room. It felt like forever since she had dressed in that room. Sansa was already wearing her full outfit for the ball as was Emiko. Sansa had on a purple dress that highlighted her every curve and feature. Emiko had on a black dress that made her look like she would sooner kill you than speak.

"Try to look a little more stand off-ish Emiko." Kagome said with a snort, sitting down at her vanity as Sansa began pulling pieces of her hair.

"I hate these balls—'peace summits' whatever diplomatic mumbo jumbo you want to call them."

"No one loves them. Especially with the East."

"The ones with Cyrene are actually quite fun." Sansa said.

"That's just because they bring so many men here to sleep with." Emiko said with a role of her eyes.

"Well, that would be fun." Kagome said with a smile, making both women laugh, "What kind of dress am I wearing, Sansa?"

"Well I had your measurements so I had one made up. Not many could pull it off, but I am sure you will be able to."

"That is supposed to make me feel good?" Kagome asked, "What if it doesn't fit?"

"Um, it's not about it fitting—more like it looking good on you. I have a backup dress if not."

"You have definitely peaked my interest." Emiko said.

"My lord said to have you look stunning tonight." Sansa said. The hair must have been simple because it was already done. Kagome saw she had a French twist. If her hair was this simple, she was worried about the dress, "Sit there, I'll get the dress."

Sansa came back with a garment bag and handed it to Kagome. Sansa looked uncomfortable like she was nervous about what Kagome would think of the dress, so Kagome was encouraged to go change.

As soon as Kagome unzipped the bag in her closet, she let out expletives. She could hear Emiko and Sansa laughing.

"This is ridiculous!" Kagome said. The dress barely had any cloth. The dress was a deep red, like the color of blood and the fabric was glossy.

She took off her button down before slipping into the dress. The dress was a one strap, sleeveless top that hung from the left shoulder down in a diagonal. Right below the right breast was an oval cut out that ended just above her hip bone and exposed the right side of Kagome's abdominal just before her belly button. The oval cut out lead all the way towards back with a small horizontal strap that aided in holding up the part of the dress that covered Kagome's breast, which exposed most of her back. Just as Kagome thought it couldn't get any worse, it didn't stop there. The dress was floor length, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was the huge slit that started three inches below the oval cut out all the way down the length of the dress. Not only was the length of the slit absolutely ridiculous, the slit was almost aligned with where her nipple would be located which meant that the slit didn't just show her leg, it showed her hip bone, her bikini tan line if it existed, and most importantly it was way too close to her lady parts for comfort. With the addition of her red-bottomed black stilettos, Kagome was ready to walk out of the closet. She really wished there was a mirror in her closet before she walked out, but there was not.

Kagome took a deep breath before walking out.

"Holy fuck." Emiko said eloquently.

"I knew you could pull it off." Sansa said.

"You can nearly see my vagina in this!" Kagome cried out.

"Don't you dare take that dress off" Emiko said seriously, "I—fuck—you look fantastic. I don't think I have ever been aroused by a woman, but damn, Kagome. Look at yourself."

Kagome walked over to the mirror, "You can nearly see the top of my hip bone." Kagome said.

"I can see why Sesshomaru-sama cannot get enough of you." Emiko appraised, making Sansa look embarrassed.

"Emiko, you don't win points for diplomacy."

"Sorry, Sansa. I forgot." Sansa nodded awkwardly.

"So I am wearing this dress?" Kagome asked.

"Someone has to warn Sesshomaru, but yes. You are definitely wearing that dress."

"I'm dancing, are you sure my vagina isn't going to show?" Kagome asked.

Sansa laughed, "No, I promise you will be fine.

"You are wearing underwear." Emiko said.

"Yes, but still."

"True, how long will it last before Sesshomaru ravishes you." Emiko said,

"Emiko!" Kagome growled.

"Sorry, Sansa. I am not good with remembering who slept with who." Emiko apologized

Sansa smiled, "It is quite alright. I suppose I have to get used to it."

"Not suppose, you will have to get used to it."

"Emiko!" Kagome cried out again.

"Touchy, touchy."

"I am allowed to be a bitch in this dress." Kagome said indignantly, "How will I eat in this thing?"

"Eat small bits slowly, reduces bloating," Sansa assured her.

Kagome nodded, "Alright, should I go down now?"

"No, wait five minutes. I honestly want to warn Sesshomaru." Emiko said with a wicked grin before getting up.

Sesshomaru was dressed in all of his regalia in the cocktail waiting lounge. As people gathered before dinner, they drank and ate as they waited. He was getting restless because his Ma—significant other—had not shown up yet.

"Sesshomaru-sama." He turned to Emiko at her call. She had people from the East stepping back eight steps in a bubble around her out of fear.

"Play nice, General."

"It's my job to look like I would rather bite heads off. And that's not why I am here. Kagome is on her way. You are going to need to keep a hand on the reigns." She said with a grin.

"Why?"

"Because I have never enjoyed the sexual company of women, and now I am seriously considering vying for Kagome's attention."

He growled.

"I'm kidding, Sesshomaru-sama. But there are men in here who will not be." He decided not to respond, and he looked to the entrance where he could sense Kagome coming.

Kami, she was beautiful.

His beast was purring.

He managed to keep his features under control as he walked across the room to take her arm.

"Sesshomaru-sama." She greeted with a curtsy.

"Lady Princess."

Kagome knew him too well. No matter how strait his face remained, she could nearly feel the tension in his body. She was glad he loved her body that much.

"Princess Kagome." His voice was deep. He could make no move to show his favor, but a light touch to the pack mark on the inside of her wrist made Kagome smile brightly.

"Sesshomaru-sama, have your guests arrived?" She asked. She could see how tense he was in how he was holding himself. He needed to relax; it was almost obvious to the casual on looker. Kagome took it upon herself to help him relax.

"Yes, but I believe he is waiting to make his entrance." He said, handing her a glass of wine.

"Perfect." Kagome said, "I believe he will wait to make his entrance at dinner, so I am not expecting him until then."

"You are sure?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Hn." Kagome replied, and the tension in Sesshomaru lessened at her response, amused that she sounded like him. It wasn't enough though, he was stiff as a board.

She hoped that by sitting with some of the generals would help, so she had Sesshomaru sit down with them. Jackson was the center of entertainment, telling some ridiculous story. Kagome had her hand on Sesshomaru's thigh as they both sat behind the table; her thumb ran along his leg. His hand grabbed hers and placed it on his cock.

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Excuse me for a moment, gentleman. I need help with something, Sesshomaru-sama?" She called to him. He was following her and she could tell he was tense again. She knew by the furrow of his brow that he was upset with himself. And she hoped that by posing it as something she needed, he would follow her. Walking around a corner, she pulled him toward a small linen closet.

"Kagome, I should not have—I apologize for—" He was trying to find words, but Kagome just pushed him in the closet as a female servant walked up.

"Do you need anything in here?" Kagome asked.

"No, nor will anyone else for about twenty minutes." She answered, and Kagome knew the servant understood what was going on. Kagome nodded before closing herself in the closet.

She reached above her head and turned on the light.

"Why are you so tense?" She asked.

"I was told King Richard brought me a gift." He hedged slightly.

"What?" Kagome could tell by his posture that he really didn't want to tell her, so she crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow for dramatic effect.

"A female human prostitute." He let out with a growl, "apparently my favor for female humans is well known."

Kagome bit back a growl of her own, "I am glad you told me. I would have flipped."

"I can refuse the gift, it is a grave insult but considering our circumstances—

"Accept her. She has done nothing to deserve his vile treatment and here we can at least offer her a better life." She saw his body visibly relax, "Sessh, I would not have gotten angry with you."

"I know, I just knew it is an insult."

"It is because in some way he fears me, and he fears us together." Kagome bit her lip, he still had the expression on his face like he needed something but was not going to say it. Her big, strong Daiyokai didn't like to admit that he wanted help from anyone, "My lord, what do you need?" She asked

"I—It is—

"What?" Kagome asked again, trying to shove him into answering.

"I want your hand on my cock, woman." He growled, pulling her hand to him. She could feel his half erect cock pulsing in her grip.

Kagome smirked before running her fingers down him through his pants. Her other hand zipped open his fly.

"And will my mouth please you, my lord?" She asked

"Yes." He hissed as she touched his erect cock without hindrance.

"Normally I would allow you to pull on my hair, but considering the circumstances," She carefully ran her thumb around his tip before running her hand down his length, "Keep your hands to yourself, agreed?"

"Yes." He moaned before she smirked at him and dropped to her knees.

He hadn't known how to ask. It seemed cruel to ask her to service him when so much was going on. But he needed to find some way to relieve the tension and stress. Turned out, his bitch knew all along what he needed and she knew exactly how he liked it. They had used oral pleasure in bed before, but always as foreplay. He had not come in her mouth before, and he was looking forward to it.

Seeing his cock in her hot little mouth was a turn on enough, but her hands on him with her tongue had him on edge. He could barely think outside what her mouth was doing to him. She was doing shallow and light strokes, her hand touching what her mouth could not reach.

"Fuck." He growled when she finally deep throated him. He wanted to put his hand in her hair to dictate pace, but he wasn't allowed. So he dug his claws into the wooden shelf behind him so he couldn't.

When his bitch hummed around his cock, he knew he wouldn't last much longer.

"K—Kagome." He stuttered, trying to warn her. She must have known because she gave a particularly hard suck, which had him releasing into her mouth.

And he would be damned if his bitch did not suck him dry.

He was still heaving when she stood up and wiped her chin and he fixed his pants.

"Do you like my dress?" She asked coyly.

"I look forward to taking it off of you." He said with a smirk.

"Milady?" A gentle call came from outside the door, Kagome recognized the voice of the female servant she had talked to earlier so Kagome opened the door.

"Dinner will be called in a minute, here." She handed her a small cup, "Gargle and spit."

"Do I need to remind you about discretion?" Sesshomaru asked the servant.

"I am just offering Princess Kagome a way to freshen her breath before meeting the King of the East, nerves make for bad breath, Lord King." The servant said as she took the cup back from Kagome who had spit back in it.

"Thank you." Kagome said with a smile, take Sesshomaru by the arm and pulling him toward cocktails.

"Dinner is served."

It was announced as soon as Kagome and Sesshomaru walked in, so they made their way to the dining room as they awaited the arrival of their most esteemed guest.

"Kagome-sama." A soft voice called to her, making her turn.

"Killian, I haven't seen you in so long!" Kagome said.

"Can I talk to you—maybe later?" He asked. He looked pale, like he had not slept in days. His hands were a bit shaky.

"Of course," Kagome said with a bright smile, "Are you alright?" She asked, reaching out to him but he pulled his hand away.

"I mess—" Trumpets started to announce the arrival of the Eastern King, so Kagome squeezed his hand before turning to the king.

Of course King Richard arrived in a show of opulence. Most of the people he had in his party had sashes of gold that glittered with actual gold being woven into the fabric. He was in a green tunic that sparkled with real emeralds, and a massive red ruby hung around his chest. His fingers had every sort of gold piece of jewelry he could fit.

"Lord Sesshomaru, what an honor to be in the west." Lord Richard greeted, his voice like slime over her ears.

"Welcome, Lord Richard." Sesshomaru said back, showing with his hand where Lord Richard should sit.

"Princess Kagome, you look as beautiful as ever." Lord Richard purred,

"Thank you, Lord Richard." She said with a stunning smile, "High Prince Neil and Prince Edward, it is a pleasure to see you again."

"And you." Neil said, and Edward stayed quiet. He was a little shy.

"This must be the son you talked so much about." Lord Richard said, looking to Shippo. It was a horrendous lie, Kagome had not talked about Shippo at all when she was in the east, but she played nice.

"This is my son Shippo." Kagome nodded to her son, who nodded to the King.

"And Prince Kazuhiko." Richard said with a smile to the young prince, who glared as coldly as his father before nodding his head, "I have a gift to start off this peace summit with a show that I mean the well!" He smiled grandly before opening his arms and twisted.

A young girl in golden chains came up to the forefront of the party. Her hair was done prettily, but it did not cover the obvious bruises on her neck or the sadness in her eyes. She had large chocolate brown eyes that looked at the floor as she was shoved forward by two lords of the East.

"I hear you like humans." Lord Richard said silkily. Murmurs went around the courtroom, many people of the west horrified and angry at such a display. Lord Richard waited for a reaction from Sesshomaru and Kagome.

But he would get none from them.

Kagome leveled a haughty look at Lord Richard.

"I accept your gift with thanks, Lord Richard," Sesshomaru said, and Kagome stepped around the table easily and walked up to the young girl.

"Remove her shackles." Kagome demanded with as much arrogance as she could muster. The lords that held the human almost looked disappointed as they began unlocking the golden chains. Now that Kagome was closer, she could look to see how much make up the girl had on.

She couldn't have been older than fifteen.

With the shackles off, a lord pushed the girl into Kagome, who Kagome caught with ease. The girl couldn't have weighed much. Kagome slipped an arm around her waist and carried her around the table. Looking to her son, he made eye contact with her and met her at the other side of the table.

"Take her to Rita." Kagome said softly, and Shippo nodded. Kagome could see the girl relaxed a bit around Shippo, maybe because he was the same age—or at least looked it. Shippo smiled encouragingly as he took the girl from his mom and slowly took her out of the room.

"Shall we eat?" Kagome asked, turning around to Sesshomaru.

"Lets." Sesshomaru said, and Lord Richard took a seat across from them looking disappointed.

Dinner went well considering everything. The topics were light. Mostly about the decorations and Kagome preparing for their arrival. Kagome noticed that Shippo did not come back to the dinner table until they were well into the fifth course. He sat down next to Kazuhiko and the two were murmuring back and forth to each other for the rest of dinner.

After dinner, they went straight to the ballroom. A sly look to Sesshomaru made Kagome smile as she took his arm and began to dance in the middle of the ballroom. They danced, and she regrettably danced with Lord Richard. He was an impeccable dancer, but he also made her want to vomit.

All in all, it was pleasant. Nothing that would ruin her good view of the West and nothing that would blemish the beautiful evening.

After dancing, she went up to Captain Warner's office. Emiko had gone to the ball alone because Captain Warner's job meant he had to work.

"Captain." Kagome greeted.

"Lady Princess, how may I serve?" He asked, looking up. He looked exhausted.

"Make sure you are getting rest." Kagome replied.

"I will rest when they are gone." He retorted,

"Anything unusual?"

"No, which is enough to concern me. He couldn't do anything without making me worry."

"How is the guard doing?"

"Double shifts until the east is gone, but I pulled some of our army back so that we could rotate enough to get rest. I have it covered, Kagome-sama. Go to bed."

"I will rest when the East is gone." She said with a sleepy smile.

"Lady Princess, is it true the East brought a prostitute human female as a gift?"

"I don't think she is a prostitute. That may imply she chose this life." Kagome said softly.

"You think she was taken?"

"Yes, but she is no older than fifteen."

"What is the age of consent for a human?"

"Depends on circumstances, but mostly eighteen. Especially with men Lord Richard's age."

"Why did you accept her?"

"Because she has done nothing wrong accept try to survive under his reign. I would rather have her here, and hope for her to begin to heal from her experience. One more soul here is one less there."

"Whenever I think you cannot get any more kind, you surprise me." Warner said with a smile.

"Oh please, I can be just as princess like as the rest of them." Kagome said with a wave of her hand, leaving for the door, "Goodnight, Captain."

"Goodnight, Lady Princess."

Kagome climbed down from his tower and made her way back to Sesshomaru's room. She could feel her son's aura and Kazuhiko's as she pushed open the door.

Sesshomaru was discussing with them what they should do tomorrow, so Kagome walked into the closet and began to get ready for bed. She was happy to get out of the constricting dress and put on one of Sesshomaru's button downs. Her hair hurt from being up so long, so it felt nice to let it down.

"Shippo?" She called as she walked out, still loosening her hair, "What of the girl?"

"I took her with Rita to one of the servants quarters. I figure we could find a better place once the East leaves, but I didn't want her anywhere before then." Shippo said, one of his fangs peeking out in anger.

"How is she?" Sesshomaru asked, sitting on the bed.

"Malnourished—barely skin and bone. Teddy said to only feed her bland things for a while until her stomach can handle something of more substance. We were scared if we gave her real food she would just get sick."

"Her mannerisms?" Sesshomaru asked.

"She didn't say a word to us the entire time. There are small signs of physical violence, but I think the emotional scars run deeper. I think women make her nervous."

"Mates probably punished her for the deeds of their mates." Sesshomaru said, his voice deep.

"I will go speak to her tomorrow to try to get something more out of her. But I think right now she is expecting to be used. It will take a while before she realizes no one is going to use her for the same reasons Lord Richard did." Shippo said.

"Did you get a name?" Kagome asked.

"Rin."