A/N: Do not freak... yes I updated again... go me lol. Anywho this isn't really filled with action, it's just the thoughts of a few ppl, and the beginning of my latest plot twist (i'm really beginning to wonder if this story is ever going to end lol) So read to your hearts content and keep in mind that the next chapter is probably one of the many your no doubt waiting for lol. please R+R, they've really been helping! Also if you're anxious for a lil diversion while your waiting for the next update I would kindly ask you to take a look at In These Moments- it's a oneshot i wrote awhile back and i'm ridiculously proud of it ^_^

Chapter Thirty-Four

Sesshomaru repressed a sigh as he read over the missive sent to him from the Shogun. Most of their business had taken place through written correspondence since it was such a hassle for either of them to travel. And the few times they'd met in person had been less than satisfactory.

Granted Sesshomaru had had to deal with the issue of the Tenseiga being stolen, he knew it was no excuse to treat these dealings so poorly. But now that he had his Fang back, it was time to turn his full attention to them to ensure his race continued to exist.

"My Lord you summoned me?" Jaken asked as he entered the room.

"Make preparations, I will be leaving for Edo in the morning." He said as he set the missive aside; the time for letters was done, from this moment on he would be dealing with everything in person.

"As you wish, My Lord." The kappa said as he bowed then left the study.

It had only been a day since Kagome had returned to tell him everything that had transpired in the afterlife; and though he knew her Goddesses plan was not scheduled to take full effect for several more days, there was nothing to be done. The Shogun would not be coming to him this time; therefore, he had no choice but to go to him.

Deciding he'd thought enough on the debacle with the humans, Sesshomaru turned his thoughts away and nearly cursed when they shifted to his time with her. He knew it was foolish; because he knew how he should feel about it, but thanks to that stupid spell he'd felt nothing.

It was singularly the most frustrating thing in the world to be kissed by one you love only to feel nothing of that love for them. And thanks to the spell, no matter how hard he'd tried to recall or even rekindle those feelings, they still remained as absent as ever.

Mulling that over, he couldn't help it when another thought wormed its way to the forefront of his mind and it nearly had him ready to pull his hair out in frustration.

What if Amaterasu had been wrong and the spell would never end? What if he was forever cursed to logically know he loved her but was unable to ever recall what it had felt like? If that was the case he wasn't quite sure what he'd do; he also knew that if that were to happen then Kagome would be heartbroken.

And she has had more than enough heartbreak to last her a million lifetimes. He thought darkly before he frowned. I am Sesshomaru, since when have I ever cared what another being has felt? How did that all come about in the first place?

He shook his head then, knowing it was folly to think such things; yes he was Sesshomaru, and yes he was cold blooded and ruthless, but only when he needed to be. But certainly never towards the people who'd shown him that there was more to life than supreme conquest.

Once upon a time supreme conquest was all he ever cared about; and once upon a time it was enough, but not anymore. Not since he'd resurrected the girl child known as Rin; and most certainly not since he'd come to discover a curious interest in the Miko known as Kagome.

They were so similar in so many ways yet so completely different; and even after gaining knowledge of both child and woman, he was still at a loss as to how either had drawn him in.

In the end though, he decided that he didn't mind it so much. There was plenty of time yet for supreme conquest, and he had more than enough time to realize that goal. Rin would not live forever, already she was entering her middle aged years, and it was only a matter of time before her end came. And as for Kagome… well she'd never even had a chance to begin with, at least not while she was alive the first time.

This spell had better end when her Goddess said it would; if it does not, then not even the Kami will be able to stop me in my vengeance. He vowed as he clenched his fist.

Firming his resolve on the matter he cleaned up his desk then retreated to his chambers; sleep would be long in coming, but the faster the morning came, the better he'd feel.

xXx

Knowing that the Inu Lord of the West was not one for pomp and circumstance, Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu made sure that everything was put together simply. There would be no grand parade, no boisterous feast to honor his guest and their proposed alliance, nothing. As a matter of fact it would hardly deviate from any other day, and he had to admit that he was more than a little put out at that.

What was the point of having wealth and fine things if you couldn't show them off? He sighed then; knowing that even to indulge in the slightest bit would most likely ensure the Inu Lord's dislike, and if that happened then peace might never be reached.

Out of everyone, human or youkai, the Western Inu Lord was the only one that could cause him some real problems should this alliance fail. Especially if the rumors were true that Death itself was on his side.

He scoffed then; there was no way that could be possible, even if the man was a demon. If there was one thing Tokugawa was not, it was an idiot. Let his men think the Inu had the ability to summon Death to his side; he would not be fooled by it, nor would he believe it until he had solid proof.

Of course that didn't mean he was going to be stupid about it either; yes it was true demons no longer really held a place in this world, and yes he'd wanted nothing more than to eradicate them, but for some reason he had not. Nor did he feel particularly inclined to; it was almost as if it was just too much of a hassle.

That didn't mean he could just leave them to roam about freely though; not if he hoped to make anything of Japan. Already they were opening up routes to trade with the mainland, and things were tenuous at best. To end up in a war with the demon populace would only make ruling that much harder.

After a time of mulling it all over, Tokugawa sighed and shook his head as he turned his attention to the many maps spread across his desk. He was so close to completely unifying Japan that he could almost taste it, and it was the one thing he wanted above all else before he gave the leadership over to his son.

It was to be his one great legacy that would be remembered for all time; and who in their right mind would ever let that chance slip by them? Keeping that in mind, he decided he would do whatever it took to ensure an alliance between the humans and demons of Japan.

xXx

Bright blue eyes watched as the servants scurried to and fro to make sure everything was in preparation for their guest's arrival. She couldn't help but smile faintly as she rested her hand over her heart; something she did often, just to revel in the feel of it beating within her chest once more.

So many people take life for granted and never realize just how lucky they are until it's too late. She thought as she turned her gaze to the greenery around her; it had only been a day since she settled in among the palace's occupants, but it was already her favorite place.

And though it had only been a day for her, it had been a lifetime for everyone else. She was as deeply ingrained into their way of life as one who lived it could possibly get; and though she was still getting acquainted with everyone and everything, no one seemed to notice if she made a mistake or two.

So tomorrow he will come and they'll start their peace talks… I can't help but wonder when I'll be brought into it? Amaterasu said it would be at least a week, so I'd best make myself scarce until the time is right. I don't want anything to go wrong.

Bearing that in mind she returned to her task of ensuring the flowers were at their best; knowing that once Sesshomaru arrived, she would most likely have to hole herself up in her room until the time was right.

Please let this week go by quickly, I don't know how long I'll be able to stay away… not when my dreams are so close to becoming a reality.

xXx

Ankoku ground his teeth in frustration as he read over the message his spy had sent him. It infuriated him to know that Sesshomaru was once more in possession of that cursed Fang, and for the life of him he couldn't figure out just how he'd managed to get it back.

After all, if he knew that I was the one behind it's theft he would have already moved to claim retribution. He thought as he crushed the parchment in his fist. Things were not looking well and after reading what else his spy had to say, they were looking even more dismal.

For not only had the western dog managed to regain a hold of his precious fang; but now there was talk of peace between youkai kind and humans. Ankoku wasn't fool enough to not realize that it was the only thing keeping his race from being wiped out since the humans numbered to many nowadays.

And what with the rest of the cardinal lords giving Sesshomaru their blessing to be the one to broker the deal, his hands were all but tied. He hated that more than anything, to have the fate of his lands and subjects left to that arrogant mutt.

There has to be some way to gain power of the situation, or to at least gain the ear of the human leaders. If I could do that then I could easily take over the control of the western lands, and Sesshomaru would meet his end at my claws.

After mulling it over a moment more he nodded once; plan set in mind he set about the task of gaining the ear of the human leader, with him on his side he would soon come to be the leader of the youkai, and then all of Japan.

He was youkai after all, and the Shogun a mere human, it would be nothing to do away with him before instilling fear into the rest of the populace. If he played his hand right, he could be the ruler of all Japan within a year or two.

xXx

Historical Sidenote: So i was in a little bit of a quandry what with how this little plan of mine was going to work. And since I haven't ever stated around what time frame this takes place in, I thought i'd clear that up now. I've placed the beginning of my story at the end of the Sengoku Period, therefor making it feasable that Tokugawa be the emperor, so now it's around the beginning of the 1600's (The Edo Period). Also in doing my research I came to discover that out of all the daimyo and minor lords that Tokugawa dealt with, the Western Daimyo was the one to give him the most difficulties. (it works out perfectly since Sesshomaru is the western lord) Now i know it's not completely accurate, but I did my best. And if you'd like to read up on it here's the link where i got my info. .org/wiki/Edo_period