Chapter Eleven

It has been several weeks since his Miko and the Kit found him by the river. They were now well into winter, with the food of the village being rationed. Takashi had managed to bring back several large bags of rice from neighboring villages in exchange for a few large stags.

Though he himself was now legs deep in freezing water as he caught fish for his ever growing army. The cold water licking his skin with a bitter after bite he struck his arm in to grab another large fish, tossing it to the bank where Takashi proceeded to add it to a bucket. The feline laughed as the dog before him shook from the cold temperature.

"You know cat, this would go faster if you jumped in." Sesshomaru bit out bitterly.

"Ah I could, you are right Milord, but you know how us felines feel about water." He said with a smirk. Something he knew he would never have gotten away with in the past. Before Sesshomaru would have tossed him in,life forfeit if no fish would be caught.

"Ah of course, how could I ever think to have your fur sullied." The splash of his arm striking the water once more breaking up the sound of their voices. The cracking of more ice breaking away as another stepped onto the icy surface.

"I can help." The splashing of Kai entering the stream beside him. The scent of wood reached his senses as he smiled at his cousin. The cold air sent a shiver down his spine in accompaniment to the freezing water at his hips.

With the help of Kai the several buckets filled much more quickly, both Inu focused on their task. The crunching of snow, the light huffing of air as they traipsed back to the village, handing each family a few fish as they went. It would help the village make stew and save the food supply more. Sesshomaru was growing to enjoy the feeling of giving. He never experienced it really, many thought he brought Rin back out of compassion for a girl who tried to heal him. Though he only was testing his father's fang. Yet the young child grew on him, he did after the twelve years having her grew to love her as his own. She had finally hit maturity when she was murdered in cold blood, she had wanted to visit Shippo soon. He knew his ward had a liking to the young kitsune, now she would never experience what could have been.

Biting his tongue to stop the depressing thoughts enter his mind he dropped his buckets to the ground by the well. There were several fires about the clearing, they had about twenty soldiers staying with them now, all of which brought their families to shelter from the West. Thankfully they all brought clothing, and food with them. A few brought trinkets for trade knowing the supply was not high. The village to him came first, they were showing as much compassion as the Miko herself showed to strangers. It was an incredible sight to behold, somewhat of a rarity in this age.

Watching as a few men came to gather the buckets, Sesshomaru took one with him to the Mikos hut. He was bombarded with the smells of all the children, females and Demonesses. Kagome's home was filled to the brim, even with the large addition his comrades added to her home. Many slept on the hardwood floors with just a blanket. The older women and young kids being the few who had bedding. Eyes always strayed to him whenever he entered. Though he was used to such an occurrence. His hair had grown in the several weeks since his mate cut it, it was now a shaggy mess upon his head, though he planned to have it cut soon. Finding his mate in the back he nuzzled behind her neck.

Pleased with her turning into him to give him a proper kiss, though he was more pleased when she nipped his jaw. Giving her a low rumble from his chest to show his appreciation for her actions. The back room held most of the children, they did not have much room to run around and play but they kept themselves busy with a few books, balls and spinners.

His mate followed him back to the main room where she was pleasantly surprised by the bucket of fish. The other women had already begun bowling a large pot of water over the small fire. All thanking him in kind for the food.

"Thank you Sesshomaru, I imagine this is why you are so cold to the touch." She gave a worried smile.

"Of course, though Kai did help catch many. Takashi of course, did not wish to get his fur wet." The whole house filled with laughter, as did the camp about the home, Takashi turning a bit red from embarrassment outside. Though Most of the humans inside wouldn't know this, him with his demonic hearing.

Leaning to give his mate another kiss, his hair fell into her face causing her to giggle. He gave her a smile in return before exiting the hut to tend to his soldiers. He could feel her contents through the bond. His mate really thrived in these situations, he knew when he took back his throne she would be a force within his castle.

(In the castle of the west) \o/ (Mother Lemon)

"Ahh, more!" The slapping of sweating skin and a females moaning echoed through the halls. Hashi slammed himself harder into the Lady of the West, his deep growling from behind her causing her walls to tighten around his flesh.

He was lasting as long as he was strictly because he felt disgusted having to do such things to the Lady of the West. Lord Toga was a friend of his, they had grown together and here he was treating his Last mate like a whore.

"Hashi, I can't anymore." The female squealed below him, his claws raked against her flesh as he thought of his own mate. Keeping his eyes closed he bit down hard along the side of Kimi's shoulder. It was not amateing mark, but an instinctual habit when a male cums. He knotted inside of, something he hated doing. According to the Lady she believed her womb to have been healed, though everyone knew it was just her insanity talking.

He continued to think of his mate as he heard the female below gasping for air, her voice releasing a low moan once in a while as she shifted her hips to feel him grind behind her. His true mate understood why he needed to do this, he felt nauseous himself, Inu was loyal. It was rare that they sought other company, something everyone was shocked Lord toga did. Then again with this crazy mate maybe he would have as well.

He knew he would never forgive himself, no matter how often his mate reassured him that he indeed needed to bed the women to find out details to help bring the castle back to its former glory.

Feeling his knott release he slid out of the Lady. She sighed out as he laid beside her, she turned into the warmth of his embrace. He felt her nibble his jaw affectionately.

(END OF LESS DETAILED LEMON)

"Ah Hashi, you are incredible." She whispered to him.

"You as well dear." He growled into her ear, playing the part of an affectionate lover.

As he whispered sweet words into her ear, he began to ask simple questions. Such as what to do with the young prince's remains? What will they name their future heir? Basic questions to get the female against him talking. He knew he was nowhere near close enough to the women to be given actual good information. So until he had more of her trust he would continue with small victories.

Once the Lady was asleep he slid out from under her, keeping his ears intune to her breathing and heart rate he began to snoop about the ladies rooms. He had done this several times yet has always come up short. This time though, he found a scroll detailing an arrangement with the northern Lord He would be given half the Wests Lands should he send her an heir for the West to raise. Placing the scroll back on the Lady's desk, just the way she had it. He crawled back beside her. He would send a runner to the East. The wolves would intercept from there, bringing the information to his Lord.

Sighing, he looked up to the ceiling above, when his life had been ruined. Couldn't he have died that die instead. Least then he would have died in honor. Now his life was an honorless one. He had hoped when he saw his Lord run, that faking Loyalty to the Lady would help serve his Lord in the future. It had but to what cost on his soul.

When the night came he drifted to sleep, his mate alone in their bed weighing heavy on his mind. Another being though stayed awake keeping watch that night. Sesshoaru sat on a fallen log by one of the many fires in the opening clearing near the well and his mates home.

His mate was safely wrapped in his arms, his body heat keeping her warm with the fire to his back. His senses picking up a demonic aura not far off, it felt non threatening, but he released his much larger aura in warning. His release of power awoke some of the men, all gripping their chosen weapon.

He was mildly surprised when a blood covered demon hobbled into the clearing, and dragging in his blood soaked arm was Sesshomaru's Mokomoko. Setting Kagome to her feet he walked to the bloody demon. Just as he was about to reach out the demon collapsed to the ground. He was not surprised when Kagome was there beside him, already barking orders for medical supplies. A bed made of branches and one blanket held the dyeing demon. According to his scent he was a weasel. Though Sesshomaru knew no weasel demons, and had never held any in his armies, he wondered how the man had his Mokomoko.

"I managed to stop the bleeding, he will need raw meat quickly to regain his strength and given water." He watched a few of his men nod before one left to hunt immediately. Takashi had grabbed his pelt and looked to be heading to the river bank to clean it of blood.

His emotions swirled through the bond, his mate brushing his arm gently in comfort as he tried to make sense of the situation. He wouldn't have any answers till the weasel was awake. Releasing a breath he hadn't known he was holding he picked Kagome back up into his arms to go rest once more. They did not go far from the injured demon though, his mate would hate to lose a life she was in charge of healing.

Thank you for reading!