The cold fall wind blew through his short locks sending a light chill to run through his body. Pulling his youki closer to himself, he began to feel it heat up his skin. His breath came out with a vapor as the cold froze the small moisture droplets. The smell of old wood, rotting leaves, and dirt overwhelmed the lands. Fall was well on the way, he was currently helping a few humans fix the roofs of their small huts. His Half-Brother a few homes down doing the same. He gave a small small to himself as he continued to fix the man belows roof. He never would have ever thought of doing such work before. Oh the mighty do fall.

"Sesshomaru!" Called his mate. Her dark tresses whipping about her face in the wind, her vibrant blues sparkling up to him from the ground below. Silently he jumped from the roof to his mate. His nose nudging hers gently as he greets her.

"Kagome." His voice was breathless. As his warm breath caused the women's skin to tingle.

"Shinabu has returned. His family is with him, Shippo should also be back soon." Her head tilted up so she could catch his heated gaze. A tender brush from the back of his fingers gave way to temptation as the two brushed lips chastly. Then he was gone.

Sesshomaru crested the hill to his now shared home of Kagomes. The space had begun to feel more cramped with the Western soldiers. Shinabu and the others would have to add another room to his Miko's home. His nostrils flared as he picked up the scents of the several Kitsunes. His gaze caught Shinobu's.

"Milord, this is my mate, Suki. My two kits, Eiji and Hana." He watched as the female Kitsune bowed while holding her youngest Hana. The young kit stand bowed, shaking a little as he cowered before him. Slowly he brought his hand down upon the boy's head, he heard a fearful intake of breath from the female though he ignored it. Ruffling the shaggy hair he watched as the boy's eyes finally met his own. The bright innocent eyes of the child sparkled up to him. With a light chuckle he ushered the group into the home.

"Due to the lack of space to sleep, Shinobu, we will sleep outside until more accommodations can be made. The females and children will take the warm hut." Suki bowed once more in thanks, a thing Sesshomaru was used to but still inwardly caused him much turmoil. He was no longer a Lord. Bowing was a sign of respect and manners yet he felt undeserving. It was his fault they were in this predicament. Giving her a nod of his head he smiled, catching the scent of his mate.

The flap of the hut opened to show his mate and Shippo. She was smiling giving him hope the Wolf was on his side.

"Shippo, welcome back. I hope to hear good news from you." Shippo took a seat beside him, looking to the Kitsunes across the room, sitting quietly watching him. Kagome too smiled at the demons before quickly making tea for the group. She would need to go to the market for more cups it would seem. She only hoped the money she had saved would be enough.

"Before we begin, Shippo this is Shinobu, the Kitsune who has offered to teach you." Shinobu bowed slightly, Shippo doing the same in greeting. "Beside him is his mate Suki, holding his daughter Hana. The young kit is Eiji." He watched Shippo eye the young kit, possibly thinking back the thirteen years when he was once so small.

"Welcome, I thank you for fighting alongside Sesshomaru." The others visibly flinched when the honorific was left out of Sesshomaru's name. Though none knew that Shippo was tech the Alpha of the pack, Sesshomaru would not strip the kit of that title. "Sesshomaru, Kagome. I have talked with Lord Koga, he is willing to allow a small amount of soldiers to stay here. If you are willing to provide a treaty when you once again rule the West, he will also become an ally, offering his own men to fight beside us. Including himself."

His sensitive ears heard the surprised intake of breath from Kagome. Her gaze slightly confused, causing himself to wonder what she was thinking. He agreed it seemed to go to be true.

"What would the wolf want with this treaty?" He heard the hesitation from the kit. All eyes focused on Shippo as he stared at the burning fire. Flinching slightly as the tea began to whistle. All eyes on the hands that moved to prepare the tea.

"He wished to reserve courting rights to any daughters you may have. He assured me though, that should Kagome herself not like the idea she could go talk with him to negotiate. Thankfully the cups were already before everyone when they heard the tea pot shatter. Sapphire blues alight with anger.

"Oh I will negotiate alright. Greedy bastard couldn't have me so he wishes to force my daughters. Like HELL!" She all but yelled. Shippo cowering a bit before her. Sesshomaru's small grin appeared as she stormed out mumbling something about castrating the old wolf.

"It would seem, my mate and I will be visiting the wolf. Shippo I trust Miyuki in your care, Shinobu Let Takashi and Kai know whereI am heading. I expect to see another room added to this hut by my return in a few days time. Then you can start teaching the kit. Until then focus on preparations to have some more troops staying in this clearing."

It did not take him long to catch up to his Miko. She was currently walking out the village, her bow in hand towards the wolves den. The fall wind whipped her hair about her, adding to the beauty of her angered form. Her Miko garb billowing with the wind, her aura holding more viscous intent then it naturally should.

Taking in a deep breath he enjoyed the spice her scent took on with her madness. Striding up to her side he leant down to look her in her eyes. His amber clashed with angry blues. He gave a light chuckle before giving her a light nudge, this caused her to lose balance though she caught herself before she could fall. She watched as he pranced ahead a few steps, turning to walk backwards as he chuckled at her. Her anger dissipating lightly she took chase. The two laughing as he dodged her attempts at grasping him. He played with her for a while, everytime she came close to him, her fingers brushing his clothing before he would quickly evade her.

"Damn it, get back here!" She squealed with delight, they were now outside the village so she was trying not to use his name. Though even with his darker clothing and lack of hair, hiding his markings was futile. Anyone close enough will know it's the Prince. This game dragged on for about an hour before he finally allowed himself to be caught, the two falling to the lush grassed ground.

His gaze met hers as he laid above her. His clawed fingers brushing the fading mark along her neck. He looked to her for a moment before his fangs sunk into her neck once more. He could feel the agony she felt upon him marking her. He could smell the tears as he drew back, his tongue dragging across the wound like a wet caress. The tang of her sweet blood being saved as well as the small whimpers she caused. When he was done he gently wiped her tears before helping her to her feet. The gently brushed lips, the burning within him being tightly controlled.

He desperately wanted to throw her back to the cold ground, tear her clothing from her body as he had his way with her. To completely mark her as his mate, unfortunately he was unsure if he would survive reclaiming his title. The pain a mate feels, as their mating mark dies is unbearable. Some do not even survive themselves. His mother can attest to the pain, though now he wished she had died that day.

As they continued their journey to the wolves den sesshomaru stayed on high alert. Anytime another would come close he would vanish, only to reappear when all other eyes were not present. When evening came he took to carrying her through the forests, up the mountain side as she slept on. When morning came they were almost to Kogas den. She could see the guards stationed ahead.

When they reached the two guards Kagome was onced again walking by his side. His gaze hard, posture strong. Kagome on the other hand, she just stomped her way up to the guard demanding they tell Koga that she was there, demanding to see him. Sighing to himself, he walked up behind her, the much colderer air causing his breath to puff out like smoke. His Miko shivering a bit beside him.

One of the guards snickered a bit at her before they rushed to go get permission from Koga. It took several minutes all while the raven haired beauty stood steaming. His smirk is noticeable to all present. To which the one guard was radiating fear upon witnessing it. Yes, many will wonder at how such a major change in him occurred. Though when one loses everything, they tend to see the world as a whole new being. He often pondered during the restless nights how things could have been different, had he only shown his emotions to those he cared for. Would Rin have been thrilled calling him father, papa, or dad? Would her once brilliant smile, deep innocent eyes look to him in such a way. Would Jaken have fainted with disbelief upon hearing him thank him for always staying by his side, no matter what he, Sesshomaru put the imp through.

A warm hand resting upon his forearm brought him from his musings. His mate's worried gaze lingered upon his features before she gave him a closed mouth smile, her cheeks flushed from the cold. The guard returned motioning for them to enter themselves. Directions given shortly after towards the cave which Koga resided.

"Oh Koga! I have a bone to pick with you, pun intended." She scolded the demon. Though she was slightly irritated to have the attention not upon her upon their entry. Shocked gazes across the cave looked to Sesshomaru. The change in his appearance and stature caused many to drop jaws. Ayame included. Kagome huffed her annoyance as she made her way to Koga, the wolf's gaze never leaving Sesshomaru's. He smirked in mild amusement, his demonic hearing picking up many worried gulps.

He could smell the arousal of the female wolves, it was not uncommon for him though it did not irritate him any less. Koga was finally talking to Kagome as she ripped him a new one about the courting of Sesshomaru's daughter. One he had yet to have, mind you.

"How dare you think you can control our future pups!" Kagome was a bit surprised when Koga himself looked shocked on the matter.

"Your pups? Wait, you're mated to Sesshomaru?" Sesshomaru smirked beside his mate as he watched the wolf's nostrils flare, taking in the Mikos scent." He was also amused as the wolf visible took a step back from her.

"First, seriously another dog?" He whined to her. Sesshomaru let out a huff of annoyance as Kagome smiled brightly to the other male.

"Yes, and I am quite happy about it. Now about my future pups." Dainty hands found purchase along her hips. Her raven locks swaying with the movement, the spice of her anger still present causing a low rumble of approval to leave his chest. The miko herself was unable to hear, but all the others in the cave did. Koga, giving the demon a smirk, who was fearful and surprised when he got a tooth filled one back from the demon Lord.

"Kagome, I want to have courting rights to the future female pups of the West. As Ayame and I have only bare sons." he was ushering to the Seven pups beside him and his mate, all close in age, a few clearly twins. The oldest being about nine. Though he looked about five.

"So I have heard. Though I am sure you are well aware I would never force any of my pups through an arranged marriage. I believe in love, my pup will not be a bargaining chip." all demons were a bit perplexed on what a bargaining chip was though all understood the point she was trying to make.

"I never intended for it to be mating. I said courting, should they both wish to mate after then by all means they will. Did that kit of yours misunderstand?" Kagome just opened and closed her mouth a few times. The problem seemed to have never been a problem at all. Koga let out a short laugh at her expense, this caused her face to deepen in a blush before she turned to hide within Sesshomaru's grasp. The sound of his chuckle, along with the feel of it through his chest making her more embarrassed.

"Well, miko. It would seem we made a trip for nothing. Shall we return to Edo once more?" She just nodded her head in his chest. "Wolf, I agree to your terms and look forward to fighting alongside you." Bowing his head slightly, the wolf in return bowed his head.

They left for Edo.

Thank you for reading, please comment and review. I love hearing from you!