they walked down the corridors Rin in Kagome's arms Shippo in Sesshoumaru's with his other wrapped around Kagome's waist a few feet short of the top of the staircase stood Shinju with a very winded Jaken Shinju said "Lord Sesshoumaru Lady Kagome the staff is gathered and waiting as she motioned them to the bottom of the stairs.
As they walked down the stairs Kagome could hear murmurs from the staff about how beautiful she was but she also heard murmurs on the line of wasn't she human a few days ago and what happened to Rin . at the base of the stars Sesshoumaru cleared his throat and everyone fell silent and looked at him expectantly once he was certain that he had everyone's attention he said "This is my Mate Kagome and my adopted children you all know Rin but this is Shippo "he said holding Shippo up for all to see "you will all be expected to know my mates and children's scent and I will not tolerate disobedience towards them "after a pause to make his last words sunk in he said "Now I am sure most of you knew that Kagome was human and all of you know that Rin was human but there human no more they are pure Inu youkai as am I , now I will not tolerate gossip or speculation on this there Inu youkai and that is that. now you all may come forward one at a time to meet your new Mistress and young master" to which the servants formed a line to meet Kagome and Shippo.
Sesshoumaru watched her as she greeted each one warmly and was pleased to see that most greeted her just as warmly in return. he was brought from his thoughts by one of his palace guards a middle age Kitsune named Keiji . as he bowed and said "Master Sesshoumaru you wished to see me?" Sesshoumaru took him by the arm and led him aside and said " you are well schooled in Fox magic are you not" Keiji looked at him warily and said "yes Master Sesshoumaru I am" Sesshoumaru nodded his head and said "good you will move from the barracks and become young Shippos teacher you will teach him to use and control his Fox magic" Keiji looked shocked and said "master Sesshoumaru you wish ME to teach the young master fox magic? but I am sure that a far superior instructor could be found" Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the adult Kitsune and said "you would doubt me" Keiji blanched white and said "never master Sesshoumaru it would be my honor to teach the young master" Sesshoumaru then said "you will also be his body guard your room next to his has already been readied so as soon as you meet him you will gather your things Shinju will be your direct superior than Lady Kagome then I ;do you understand?" Keiji bowed and said "yes Master Sesshoumaru" then took his place a few feet behind Sesshoumaru to await meeting his new young master thinking great now I get to baby-sit some spoiled little brat who most likely will treat me like dirt under his feet.
Once all the servants had met Kagome and Shippo Sesshoumaru turned to them and said "Shippo" as he held his arms out to him Shippo quickly jumped into his arms and looked at him expectantly. he then turned to face Keiji and said " Shippo this is your new teacher Keiji you will do as your told ,you will act as a young prince should " Shippo jumped down from Sesshoumaru's arms and with a bow said "Hello sensei Keiji it's a pleasure to meet you" then he blurted out "are you gonna teach me fox magic I can show you what I know ,I know some really I do will you make me strong I wanna be strong like my mother father and uncle as well as momma's friends" Shippo stopped his rambling when Sesshoumaru growled out "stop your incessant rambling Shippo this instant" Shippo covered his mouth with both hands and looked up at Sesshoumaru with a pouty look. Sesshoumaru looked down at the kit and said "Keiji needs to gather his things. your lessons will start as soon as you reading and writing lessons are finished in the morning" with a nod of Sesshoumaru's head Keiji bowed and left. wile he was walking away he heard Shippo brightly say "Momma I have a fox sensei momma he is gonna teach me more fox magic so I can be strong "he didn't hear any more as he cleared the door leading to the barracks thinking ok maybe this Kit wont be so bad.
Kagome as relieved once she had met the castle staff most were pleasant indeed and she hoped that she would not be a disappointment to them. she was startled from her thoughts by Sesshoumaru calling Shippo to him she turned to see for the first time an adult Kitsune he was standing there silently and didn't look very happy but his face took on a neutral expression when Sesshoumaru turned with Shippo in his arms and introduced him she could see that the adult was surprised and then amused as Shippo said hello like a good little kit then went off on one of his excited ramblings. poor little Shippo looked crestfallen when he was cut off but once the adult Kitsune started to walk away he jumped in her arms to tell her even though she had been standing right there. she hugged him and said "Isn't that wonderful Shippo now you can perfect you fox magic ; but you also have to work hard on your other studies as well you know "he gave her his pouty look but said in a subdued voice" I know momma" just then Rin jumped on her back and said "Momma when are we going to eat Rin is hungry" with a sigh Sesshoumaru peeled Rin from Kagome and placed her on the ground and motioned Kagome to place Shippo on the ground and said "we will go now Rin "then he held his arm out to kagome who promptly took it and with the children scrambling ahead he said" welcome to your new home Kagome" she said nothing but snuggled into his arm a bit more he just let the smallest of smiles play at his mouth.
Dinner was noisy as Shippo and Rin bantered back and forth. Sesshoumaru and Kagome managed some conversation between chatting with the children but not much after dinner was through Sesshoumaru retired to his study to get some work done and Kagome took the children into the garden .
he was working when he heard a splash fallowed by Jakens cries for help and had to smile as he heard Kagome saying that its not nice to throw annoying servants into the Koi pond. he stood and walked to look at the garden below to see Kagome pulling Jaken from the Koi pond saying "Jaken you really shouldn't upset Rin like that ;especially when you can not swim and are standing so close to the pond" she finished giggling then roared with laughter when she looked over the half drowned Jaken, his little robe dripping with water his hat on the side of his head and an indignant look on his face she was trying to stifle her laughter saying "sorry really I am but you look like a half drowned toad" Jaken sputtered and stormed away much to he children's and kagome's merriment.
he was still standing there when watching when he heard Kagome said "ok guys its time for a bath then bed "and watched as she opened her arms to both as they ran and jumped up into her arms. she carried them into the castle as they chatted happily Sesshoumaru stood there a wile longer thinking about his little family then turned back to his work he had wanted to get as much as possibly done as Kagome's and the children's training was going to be taking up much of his time.
The next morning broke cool and pleasant Sesshoumaru woke to find Kagome in his arms he pulled her tighter to him she just let out a sigh of contentment but did not awaken he lied there watching her as she slept thinking mine my precious angel
