I have decided to promote myself as an author. I'm not really sure if anything will come of it, but I am currently writing a book on top of writing my fanfictions. I have a Facebook page set up right now. If you follow this page, you will be able to receive previews for next week's chapters, and then every chapter after that. I will also have a question-and-answer post occasionally. As long as it does not contain a spoiler, I will personally answer any questions you have. I would also hold polls on which story idea I work with next and the pairing. Basically, it would be a way to get everyone more involved. With that being said, if you wish to go and check out my Facebook page, go to PatriciaCMathena and look it up. Right now there is nothing there, but once I start getting followers, I will become more active. I hope you all enjoy this update.

Chapter 39

Sesshomaru scowled, looking at the palace that was coming into view. The Southern empire. The South was run drastically different from the West. While Sesshomaru ensured his people were safe and had the means to obtain all that they needed, the Southern lord could care less about his people.

With a high tax rate, most were left in poverty, unable to afford the bare essentials for living. The lord only catered to the needs of the demons on his lands. He cared not for humans or their lives. He wished them all gone, though he didn't think they were worth the effort of eliminating them. He believed they would kill themselves off.

Sesshomaru didn't like the idea of Kagome being anywhere near the southern lord. He had no worry that harm would come to her physically. However, should his mouth go too far, Sesshomaru would not hesitate to go to war with the male that would dare to insult his mate.

A small hand laced through his, causing him to look down. Kagome was smiling up to him, reassuring him. He had already explained that the southern lord did not like humans. The group was still willing to walk right up to the lord and ask him to fight alongside everyone.

They were either foolish or brave.

Unsurprisingly, once they had been noticed, the Southern lord sent out a portion of his army to escort Sesshomaru and the others to him. Yamato was a paranoid fool, one who always assumed the worst of everyone. It didn't matter who they are.

That was why they were being escorted to the main gates. When they arrived at the front doors, they were each searched thoroughly. When a guard's hand went over Kagome's stomach, he froze in shock for a moment. Outside of a few, not very many knew of Kagome's pregnancy.

When Sesshomaru growled the guard moved on, looking up to the Western Lord who narrowed his eyes at him. The guard turned, hurrying off. It was probably that he was going to tell his lord exactly what he just discovered.

"No weapons past this point." The small was surrounding the group, and the message was clear. If they tried to enter without handing over their weapons, they would be attacked. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, contemplating turning around and leaving.

"You, InuYasha, Lyra, Kirara don't need weapons to be strong." Kagome was looking up to her lord, giving him another smile that calmed his annoyance. She turned back to the guards, removing her bow and quiver from her back. "We are still strong without our weapons."

The guards looked between each other, then back at Kagome. She had sent her own message back to the army. Sesshomaru rumbled deep in his chest, pleased with Kagome's actions. She was once again proving to be a wonderful Lady.

Drawing his sword, Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as the males. They shifted nervously, and then he handed it over. He would get his sword back no matter what. The others passed over their weapons, though they were hesitant.

"That one too." A male pointed to Tenseiga, and once more Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.

"It does not cut the flesh of the living." Drawing the sword, he cut through the guard before anyone realized what he was going to do. The others raised their own weapons, but the guard that had been cut held up a hand, showing that he was unharmed.

"What is the point in that useless thing?" The guard poked the sword, pushing it back towards Sesshomaru.

Sheathing it once more, Sesshomaru didn't say anything at first. He glanced at Kagome, and then her belly. Without Tenseiga, he would have lost so much. He didn't bother to answer the fool, however. Tenseiga was a strength that he preferred to keep secret. Too many people would try to use its power, and only he would be its master.

Instead, he looked to the guard, raising an eyebrow. "One wonders if Yamato intends to see us, or if he is just wasting our time." He was more than ready to get this meeting over with. He didn't want it to take any longer than necessary, and starting it as soon as possible is best.

They were once more surrounded, the guards getting the hint. Escorting them through the castle, no one said anything as they moved through the halls. They all were curious about how this was going to go. Unfortunately, they needed the south to fight against the council and their army. Somehow, they needed to come to some sort of agreement.

When they arrived at the throne room, Yamato was waiting, sitting in his throne as if he was bored. His head was perched on a bent arm, and he let out an exaggerated yawn. Waiting until Sesshomaru stood before him, he finally sat up, looking the Western lord over. "When I heard if the pregnant human, I suspected it wasn't really you. However, you still reek of dog."

"Human or not, you will respect my mate." Sesshomaru was glaring at the feline, watching as Yamato stood lazily. "We have come to speak to you on matters of great importance. So perhaps you would be willing to discuss them."

"I don't know." Yamato walked around Kagome, his tail cupping her face as he looked her over. "You did interrupt my afternoon nap." Cocking his head to the side, his face spoke of his disgust. "Perhaps you can tell me what you see in this… pet. Really, Sesshomaru, isn't it such a hassle to keep a thing around all the time?"

Kagome glared at the lord, shrugging his tail off of her. She wanted to rip him to shreds with a verbal lashing, but she knew she had to keep her cool. They needed him and his army. Luckily, Sesshomaru reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and pulled her to him.

"Leave her alone, Yamato. Cat you may be, but your claws do not touch her, or those I protect." Sesshomaru growled low in warning, and Yamato waved him off with an emphasis on his claws. He turned, making his way back up to his throne and sitting down.

With a stretch, his tail fluffed out and then slumped over the arm of his chair. "Speak almighty puppy. Why have you interrupted my sleep, and brought your filth into my home?"

Sesshomaru growled once more, but when Kagome placed a hand on his back, he calmed. This seemed to amuse Yamato, but Sesshomaru didn't care at that moment. As always, Kagome was able to settle any temper he had.

"The council has gone too far." Sesshomaru watched Yamato raise an eyebrow in curiosity and then continued. "They are threatening what is mine. T-"

"This is my problem how? You are asking me to go to war against the West's council, and for what? Your human woman and the abomination in her belly. That seems like an awful lot of work." Yamato purred, chuckling at the lord who was bristling.

"My baby isn't an abomination." Kagome snapped, unable to keep her temper in check. When the cat looked at her, she decided to use it to her advantage. She had already brought attention to herself anyway. "From my understanding, every lord has their own council. The West's council has already begun to show their true colors, attacking their lord by attacking those around him. What's to say your council won't team up with the West's council, and then turn on you."

"You allow her to speak?" Yamato looked at Sesshomaru, and then back to Kagome. He leaned forward, the tip of his tail flicking. "If I were to even bother with you, your tongue would be the first thing I removed. However," The feline sat back again, curious. "What makes you think they would combine and come after the lords?"

"One of us was previously owned by the council. She is unsure of their plans in their entirety, but she is positive that they are after more power." Sesshomaru didn't turn to look back at Lyra. Yamato didn't care who it was that worked for the council. He wanted cold hard facts and wouldn't accept anything less.

"That does not tell me much. It still seems like too much work for a cause that does not benefit me." Yamato leaned back once more, ears twitching back in thought. "What would I get out of it? After all, if I am to go to war, my army would be at risk of dying. There has to be a very grand motivation."

"Greedy bastard." InuYasha pushed his way forward, ignoring Sesshomaru's growl of warning. "Let's put this in simple terms so you might understand. Right now, you may be a lord, but your decisions have to be approved by some grumpy old bastards. You defeat those fuckers, and you can do whatever the hell you want."

"A crude little mutt, but intriguing." Yamato looked down at InuYasha, smirking. "He understands what it is I was asking. A motivation indeed. To do what I want without the approval of those that I hate." Yamato went silent for a moment, and then looked to Sesshomaru. "Let's say I agree. What would stop me, or any other lord for that matter, from challenging you, Sesshomaru? What if I wanted to be the lord of all?"

Sesshomaru chuckled, the sound dark and threatening. He had a vicious smile on his face, his youki elevating around him. His hair began to float, his body taking on a green glow that mimicked his poison. It was a clear show of power. "You can try."

Yamato's smile fell from his face as he looked at the lord. Sesshomaru may have taken a human mate, but he was still powerful, and going against him would mean Yamato's death. Dying seemed so tiring, and he would rather not. "You don't have to worry, Puppy. I don't want world domination. What other lords have you approached?"

"The East. Kouga has agreed. One I have spoken to the northern lord, I will return to the Western Shiro and prepare my armies. When the time comes, he and any other that agree will march together against the council." Sesshomaru kept his tone even. He had more plans up his sleeve to go against those that threatened him, but he needed to see exactly how many would be joining this war.

Yamato sighed dramatically and then rolled his eyes. "I suppose I could fight alongside you. It wouldn't be the first time. Though perhaps you could refrain from screwing my sister. She's mated now, and I'm sure you ruined her for her mate."

Sesshomaru didn't say anything, but he squirmed slightly when Kagome looked up to him curiously. Yamato smirked, more than curious about the relationship between Kagome and Sesshomaru. However, he didn't have the energy to look into it.

Standing, he walked down from his throne, his tail once more rubbing against Kagome. "I will supply rooms for you for the night. In the morning, your weapons will be returned to you. Keep quiet would you, I have a nap to make up for."

He walked away, not looking back at them.

Kagome grabbed Sesshomaru's sleeve, pulling it down. "What was he talking about, Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru refused to look at her and instead glanced at his brother. In this case, he would ask InuYasha for help. However, the hanyou was already walking away, the rest of the group following behind him. They had abandoned Sesshomaru.

Having no choice, he looked down at Kagome. She blinked innocently up at him, but he could see the fire in her eyes. He had failed to mention the relationship he had with the female feline, and now he was going to pay. The moment he caught up with the others, he was going to kill them for leaving him alone with his volatile mate