AN: I was asked a very good question…

Q: Honestly, there are too many enemies surrounding Kagome how are you planning to balance this act?

A: Easy… Kagome isn't alone. She has many that would rally to her side… besides all is not as it seems… I think it's funny… sorry, but I know what is going to happen…

Sesshomaru will not call Akemi by her name, not even in his thoughts…

I was going to start posting a story I have been working on, but I have changed my mind. I am starting work on another story instead.

Chapter 36

Before anymore courtesies could be said, the door opened to admit Akemi.

Oh My Kamiwhere the thoughts of many at the table.

Akemi sass-shaded into the dining hall in what had to be the shortest kimono ever made. It reminded Sesshomaru, Kagome and Shippo of the short skirt that Kagome used to wear and all the comments that she had received, but this was even worse as the front of the kimono was open and an over abundance of Akemi's breasts could be seen. She was leaving nothing to the imagination. On top of all of that she apparently bathed in what she thought was a lovely scent.

Kagome looked towards Sesshomaru to see him scrunch his nose, then she looked towards InuKimi and between the look of disgust, she too was scrunching her nose, further down the table she heard Shippo and Takara sneeze and the wrinkling of Touga's nose. Apparently Akemi didn't have good taste in scents, if she thought that what she wore would entice a male of Sesshomaru's caliber.

Kagome knew right then that Akemi didn't stand a snowballs chance in Hell with Sesshomaru. She knew that Sesshomaru preferred the natural scent of a female, as he had expressed those very thoughts on more than one occasion.

Looking back at Akemi, Kagome took a closer look at the female and wanted to laugh. To Kagome, Akemi looked like a common prostitute. It was obvious that she didn't know Sesshomaru very well. Akemi had put on the white face paint, red lip paint, and charcoal on her eyelids, by the looks of it she was trying to go for seductress with smokey bedroom eyes, as her eyes never left Sesshomaru's form, her undone hair swaying with her movements. She then looked at Akemi's feet and noticed she was wearing four inch geta sandals, as the sound of the wooden footwear clomped against the wood of the flooring. Kagome had to cover her mouth to prevent the laugh that seriously wanted to escape. She needed to school herself in proper behavior and forced her face to blank.

Again it was obvious that she didn't recognize one of the only facial expressions Sesshomaru showed to the world. Pure and utter disgust, with slightly red tinged eyes. It surprised Kagome that Akemi didn't seem to know her own breed, but then again she was female. Kagome knew males loved the chase, but females, she didn't know much about, but she knew mortal female dogs like to entice a male when they were in heat. Kagome's eyes widened at the thought that Akemi may be in heat. She wasn't worried, considering the look on Sesshomaru's face and what she could feel through their bond.

Kagome could tell he was pissed, so she gently placed her hand on his thigh, sending comforting waves her reiki into him. He in turn, looked at his little miko as she gently smirked at him, not hiding her amusement at the show Akemi was putting on, she conveyed to him that she found this all amusing and that she had complete trust in him.

Akemi was pissed, that the miko bitch drew her soon to be mates eyes away from her. Well she would show the bitch, whom was the alpha bitch. As she approached the low table, she stood behind the bitch, she so wanted to grab her by the hair and forcibly remove her from her spot.

She felt empowered dressed the way she was. She had the servants dress her in the most provocative kimono that could be made. She had even had them bathe in bath oils, that the merchant had promised to entice any male. She had them do up her face and brushed her hair until it shined, then she had them slip on her high geta sandals, to enhance her shapely legs. On her way here, she smelled the arousal of all the males, servant and guards. She knew she was desirable and just the thought of bedding the infamous Lord and forcing him to mate her, had her aroused.

"Move. You are in my seat." Akemi snapped at Kagome, a sneer on painted on her painted lips.

"Apologies." Kagome replied with a small smirk, giving Akemi a tiny bow of her head, as she moved past Sesshomaru, she allowed her fingers to glide across his shoulders, dragging his hair along her fingers. Kagome knew he was fighting the shivers that she sent through him, as not only her fingers, but a small tingle of her powers danced down his spine in a tease.

She wanted to giggle at his widened eyes, but she held it back as she moved down the table to sit with Takara and Shippo. She placed Takara on her lap and squeezed Shippo's hand, in reassurance, that she trusted Sesshomaru and waited for the meal to begin. A smug smirk plastered on her face. She trusted Sesshomaru not to hurt her. He was an honorable youkai. When he gave his word, he meant it.

Akemi stood there waiting for her soon to be mate to assist her in sitting at the low table. She knew her kimono would rise higher, as she sat and she was planning on using that to her advantage.

"Sesshomaru, are you not going to assist your intended in sitting?" His mother questioned. InuKimi was more than furious with the girl. She was not expecting her to show up at a meal, wearing something that should only be worn in the bed chambers, not in public, not even a harlot, would dress the way she was. Akemi should know how to dress, while in the company of a Lord, considering she comes from a minor lords house.

"No." Was the lords only response, as he was fighting his arousal at what Kagome had done to him. That little tinge went right to his groin, along with the one she sent up his thigh and now he was sporting a very hard and twitching erection. Damn minx. Luckily for him the stench coming from the wench, covered the scent of his arousal. To distract his thoughts, he forced them towards the female, now beside him and wondered if she had bought the foul bath oils from a sukanku youkai.

Sesshomaru heard the huff from the female and promptly ignored it. He wanted nothing to do with the wench, he had already chosen and nothing was going to change that, he had waited so long for her. It was amusing that no one as of yet, had noticed the necklace adorning his soon to be mates neck. The images of him taking her ran through his mind, with it the thought of him sinking his fangs into that slender neck of hers. They already had a bond that was growing stronger, with each passing day. He could feel Kagome's amusement and disgust, there was no anger or rage at being ousted from her seat. Those feelings pleased him, more than words could convey.

Now that they were seated, Sesshomaru nodded his head and the servants brought their food out. He had no intentions of conversing with the female at his side, that is until midway through their meal, he felt a hand on his thigh. He growled softly in displeasure, but the female didn't acknowledge his growl, nor did she remove her hand from him.

"You like that? Well I have plenty more to give." Akemi whispered hotly into his pointed ear, as she rubbed her overly exposed breasts against his arm, not paying attention to the rising anger in Sesshomaru. She got excited, when she felt his hand over the top of hers. Thinking that he was going to direct her to his member and hoping that he would reciprocate the gesture and place his hand on her bare thigh. She was wrong, as she felt him grip her wrist in a tight hold, squeezing painfully tight.

"Stop! You're hurting me!" Akemi cried out, but Sesshomaru didn't stop, until he heard the satisfying snap of her wrist and heard the wench's scream of pain. No one moved to stop Sesshomaru from what he was doing. Though his mother tried.

"Sesshomaru!" His mother yelled, when she took in the sight of her son harming his intended. She was not expecting her son to utterly ignore her.

"You do not have leave to touch, this One." Sesshomaru said in his coldest and deadliest tones, not even raising his voice, though everyone could hear the disgust, he was conveying at the unwanted attentions of the female.

"I am your mate to be! It is expected for us touch and much more! How dare you harm me. My father will hear about this!" Akemi screeched, cradling her now broken wrist, as she stood. She didn't care that her kimono rose a bit higher, her mate had injured her. She would make him and that wench pay for this.

Sesshomaru knew that she would heal by morning, but still he got some small pleasure of instilling into the wench, about not touching him. The only one that was allowed to touch him in any intimate way, was his Kagome, any others would be dealt with. Harshly and without regret.

He knew he couldn't kill the bitch, until after the challenge, unless Kagome did so during the challenge. He knew Kagome would win. He knew, that she had been holding back while fighting. She was most impressive, as it was. His little miko has so many new talents and skills. He looked forward to learning them all.

He watched the wench leaving the dining hall, highly amused when she tripped in those ridiculous geta, causing her to fall to the floor, only able to catch her descent with one hand. Now on the floor on all fours or three, she showed the room at large, that she was not wearing undergarments. He heard Kagome and Rin gasp, when he looked over at Kagome, he noticed that she had covered both Takara and Shippo's eyes, from the sight of the wench showing off what she had to offer. He had also caught a glimpse of his father's amused and disgusted look. Looking towards Rin, seeing both her and Kohaku covering the eyes of their children, in disgust and mortification.

Rin had been quiet during the meal, she really wanted to talk with Kagome, but it seemed that her attentions were constantly being drawn away. So she sat quietly chatting with her family, until that female, whom she didn't know or understand came in, forcing Kagome to move and stating that she was her father's intended, wearing those horrifying clothes and face paints. Her eyes had widened, but the touch of Kohaku told her not to worry.

It was apparent that no one was impressed with the female, that Sesshomaru's mother had brought to be his mate. They were both fools to even think, that he would fall for something like that. Yes he knew his mother had a hand in this.

When he turned back to look at the spot that Kagome once occupied and the wench took, he wanted to gag. He was about to ask Kagome to rejoin him, but now seeing the cushion that the wench used. He turned away looking at a servant, before beckoning them over. Once there, the servant leaned down to hear her lords wishes. The servants eyes widened and she quickly removed the cushion to be destroyed.

He also watched as his mother stood, storming after the wench. He knew his mother was pissed, he had felt her anger rise all during the meal and show. Hopefully this would teach them both, but he highly doubted it, until the challenge. He was so looking forward to it. He hoped that Kagome was prepared for what would happen after the fight. His instincts would take over.

"Sesshomaru." He heard his father call to him, rousing him from his thoughts.

"Hn." Sesshomaru indicated that he was listening.

"You are aware, that your mother can also challenge Kagome?" Touga stated. He had forgot to mention that little detail earlier.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened. He forgot that his mother being the Lady of the West in more ways than one could rightfully challenge any female, not only for being his mate, but for her position as Lady of her clan. If that happens and his mother lost, Kagome would gain everything his mother owned. His father wasn't born into nobility, he mated into it. He was just a general, but by growing in strength and power, his mother's family wanted it, so they arranged the mating.

"She would not. She would have much to lose." He needed to know. If she did, then he would have to see exactly what Kagome was capable of, because if she lost, InuKimi would not only have her executed, but force him to mate whom she wanted.

"What?" Kagome asked, coming out of her shock, at seeing things, that she wished, she could burn from her memory.

"If InuKimi challenges you. You have no choice, but to fight." Touga explained, to a stunned Kagome.

"Why?"

"Kagome, if she challenges you and you do not accept, it will be an automatic defeat to you and Sesshomaru." Touga said, watching Kagome's eyes. "If InuKimi wins the challenge, she will most likely have you executed and force Sesshomaru into mating whom ever she picks." Touga raised and eyebrow. "With her challenging you, she is also putting her own lands and title on the line. If you win you will become the Lady of not only of the West, but of her clan. The highest position there is in the West." Kagome's face turned white. "If she fights you, she will fight to the death."

"Why is it, that my life is always so complicated." Kagome groused, she was not happy about any of this. "Would she wait until I won the challenge with Akemi or will she issue it prior?" Kagome had to ask. She needed to know what she was getting into.

"Knowing Kimi, she will wait until after, when she believes you are too exhausted to win. She will be over confident and arrogant. She has never lost a fight."

"Great! Just great! What next… Naraku coming back from the dead. Ah damn it!… I should not have said that. I should learn to keep my mouth shut." Kagome grumbled to herself. Don't I have enough on my plate to worry about. Why was it always her. Naraku, InuYasha, Kikyou, that damn Jewel and now Akemi, Asuna and InuKimi and all of Hell. I don't need anymore enemies. Hell, I am only sixty six years old, technically I'm still younger than Shippo. She hadn't realized, that she had spoken most of where her thoughts had traveled, out loud for those with youkai hearing to hear.

"Momma?" Shippo asked, worried at hearing her grumbling words. He was scared for his mother. He didn't want to lose her. Not again. Not ever.

"I'm fine, baby." Kagome said collecting herself and patting Shippo's hand and hugging Takara tighter to herself. She needed this. She needed to feel loved.

"We will discuss this after the children are put to bed. It is late." Sesshomaru stated. "Father, tomorrow, I want you to state working with InuYasha. We will be leaving the day after. You will stay here with InuYasha. He has much to learn. Guards are to be with him at all times, Kikyou," he spat the name. "Will remain here as well, she is not to leave her chambers. I will deal with her when we return. Rin and her family will also remain. Have guards posted on the monk and slayer. The kits will be traveling with us, as Kagome nor the kits will allow for the separation, we will also be taking Saito and Ah-Un. Jaken will remain as well."

"Where are going?" Touga asked.

"Kagome has business to attend to."

"It will be done, my Lord." Touga acquiesced, without delving into the reasons they were leaving now. It was within Sesshomaru's rights to only issue orders, not answer questions, unless he desired to do so.

"Kagome after you put your kits to bed, join me in my study, we have much to discuss." Sesshomaru stated, as he stood and left the room. His mind on other things, than the challenges his miko will be faced with.

No one saw the smirk and evil glint in his molten gold orbs, that adorned his handsome face and if they did, they would run in fear. He had a miko to punish for teasing him. As he walked to his study, he allowed his thoughts to drift to what the little minx did to him earlier.

-TBaM-

InuKimi was beyond pissed. How could that girl embarrass her this way, she was well beyond mortified and disgraced. She needed to teach that girl a lesson, she wouldn't soon forget. Then she would have to see to some things. She knew exactly whom to go to, too get what she needed. But first the girl.

She made it to Akemi's room to see the girl crying.

"Why are you crying? A lady never cries." InuKimi ground out. The girl looked pitiful. Dressed as a harlot, cradling her injured wrist, her face paints running down her face.

At hearing the Lady Mother's voice, she dried her tears quickly. "I thought that you were Lord Sesshomaru come to comfort me. Males are moved at a females tears. I was going to use it to get him into my bed." Akemi stated as she stood, going to a wash basin, to wash her face of the tears and paints, before facing the Lady.

What she wasn't expecting, was to be slapped across the face, that sent her flying into the nearest wall or the screams coming from the Lady. "YOU FOOL! HOW DARE YOU, DRESS LIKE A HARLOT! YOU HUMILIATED ME!" Schooling her temper InuKimi continued, in a calmer tone, though her anger was still evident in her voice. "How could you do something like that? I picked you, because you were the best, that could offer my son a proper mate. Instead you embarrassed me, humiliated me, disgraced me. You are lucky that this dinner was not a Court Proceeding. You do realize, that the only that is keeping you alive right now is the challenge. Sesshomaru nor his pet bitch can kill you, until then." InuKimi ranted standing over the girl, sitting on the floor holding her abused cheek.

"But Sess..."

"Lord Sesshomaru, until he gives you leave to be so informal with him. I may be the Lady Mother and Lady of my clan, but he is still the ruling Lord. Sesshomaru can punish you all he likes." InuKimi informed the bitch. "If you attack his pet, she can defend. Did you learn nothing in your studies? Has your mother failed, to teach you proper behavior?" InuKimi growled out. She was so beyond livid. It was taking everything in her, not to kill the girl.

"I thought..." Again InuKimi interrupted the girl, that she had chosen to be her sons mate. She was beginning to regret her decision.

"You thought what? That you could entice him, dressed like a harlot, showing off everything you have to offer, to an entire room. You are more of a fool. When your mother arrives, I will see to it personally that she is punished, for not training you in how to entice a male. For now you are to bathe and dispose of those bath oils, they are retched. Tomorrow you are to dress your status and behave as such. Failure is not an option."

"Yes, Lady Mother." Akemi simpered, baring her neck to the Lady Mother. She was going to make Sesshomaru and that bitch pay for this.

After the Lady Mother left her rooms, she finally stood glaring at the servant that had seen everything. "Bathe me." She ordered and walked away. Thinking of the punishments that she would deal out to the servants that dressed her earlier. They never said a word about her attire.

Until Next Time…

Well, Akemi showed how much of an idiot she really is...

Sesshomaru is going to punish Kagome… I wonder what he will do… ;)

I wonder what InuKimi has planned and whom she was going to see...

AN:

Q: what happened? because we all know sesshomaru will love and worship kagome as she will do to him.

A: you will learn what happened…

sukanku – skunk

geta – wooden sandals with lifts (the ones I am using are 4in or 10cm in height) their version of high heels...