Masquerade

Chapter 6

"My lady, all of the preparations are set. The guests should be arriving within the next hour." as the Imp gave Lady Mizuki an update of the preparations.

"Thank you Jaken. Make sure the bathes and clothing are ready since they would all like to freshen up after that long journey." As she looked at her reflection in her vanity mirror while her maid combed her hair.

"Yes mi lady." As the Imp took his leave.

Rin came bouncing in excitedly "my lady! I am ready! How do I look?" she twirled in her orange printed kimono with her hair braided entwined with matching flowers.

"Aren't you adorable Rin!" She praised. "You will remain here until they arrive."

"Yes my lady." As she sat by the window excitedly looking out.

'Well my son. Everything is ready. Won't you be surprised when you arrive!'

"The western palace is beautiful!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Oh look at the blooming wisteria trees! There must be beautiful gardens on the lawn." Sango awed.

Sesshomaru stood proudly looking at his palace as the young females gushed about the surroundings and structures.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha was fuming because they stopped on the hilltop for a break when the girls saw the palace "enough goofing around! Let's go! The ice prince can leave now since we are continuing ahead."

"Inuyasha! Stop it with the name calling and being rude!" Kagome yelled.

"Miko, you and the others are welcomed to stay the night at my palace to rest before continuing on your journey." Sesshomaru offered knowing they have been traveling for a couple days and the females hadn't had a decent bath during that time and it would piss off his brother.

"That's a good idea! Besides, we all can use the rest. Right Inuyasha?" Miroku placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No! It will be a waste of time. Let's keep going!" He yelled.

"Stop with the yelling! I say we vote on it! It's just one night. Besides, I can use a good bath and comfy bed to sleep!" Kagome sighed at the luxury. "All in favor of accepting Sesshomaru's offer, raise your hand."

Kagome, Sango and Miroku put their hands up.

"It's settled! Let's go before it gets dark!" Kagome squealed happily pulling along Sango as she is excited as well.

"Come on. It is one night. Besides we can't deny hospitality from the lord. We can leave in the morning." Miroku tugging Inuyasha forward.

All that was heard was incoherent muttering coming from Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru was happy that Kagome took charge and will be staying the night. He knew his mother had been watching carefully, so all arrangements had been made prior to their arrival.

"They are here!" Rin jumped up and down excitedly.

Giggling and then clearing her voice "calm down Rin. Young ladies do not jump and yell. Let us go welcome them."

"Yes my lady." Rin straightened her kimono and fell in step behind the lady.

"Welcome back mi lord" as the Imp bowed lowly in greeting.

Kagome and the others stayed behind as they watched in awe at the palace up close.

"What are those filth humans doing here!" Squawked Jaken.

"Oh shut it Jaken!" Sesshomaru invited us…I meant Lord Sesshomaru." Kagome corrected herself and blushed as he caught her scolding the Imp.

"Ya got a problem toad!" Inuyasha walked ahead and kicked the poor servant over the wall as he screamed for mercy.

"Welcome back my son. I see you have brought your half-brother, shikon miko, demon slayer and hentai monk. Quite an interesting pack." Making her elegant, stoic appearance.

"Welcome home my lord" as Rin bowed gracefully. "Welcome everyone to the western palace." As she smiled.

"Rin! You're so adorable!" Kagome gushed.

"You are too cute!" Sango added.

Miroku stood stunned as the Lady called him 'hentai monk' so he stood quiet while Inuyasha laughed at him.

Rin looked at the lady for permission to go towards her friends.

Giving a nod to go ahead, Rin left her gracefulness and ran into the familiar miko and slayer arms squealing in delight.

"Mother, have the servants show them to their rooms." Sesshomaru walked inside leaving the excitement and noise behind. He wanted to shower and change so that he could spend time with miko showing her around the palace.

"Everything is ready. This way please." as one of the maids stepped up.

"Thank you for the hospitality" the humans bowed in unison.

Elbowing Inuyasha "what ya do that for!" He yelped. "Ugh! Fine" half bowed "thanks" and followed everyone else inside.

The pack were taken to their rooms. Girls in one room and guys in the other. Outside in the garden were brightly colored lanterns that decorated and illuminated the area. Wisteria trees were in full bloom and the manicured lawn and flower gardens made the atmosphere relaxing and welcoming.

Rin led out Kagome and Sango to the gardens. They were in awe at the elegance that surrounded them. The young women had on regal looking kimonos and their hair was braided in a similar manner like Rin with flowers intertwined.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha and Miroku were walking down the hall towards the garden looking at the paintings and sculptures but the hanyou noticed a portrait of an Inu man with a little boy and young man.

Inuyasha stared at the portrait feeling an overwhelming sense of familiarity. Not feeling Lady Miziki presence approach them "I see you have found your father's last portrait, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha was startled "hey! Don't do that!" He grumbled.

Ignoring his outburst "that is the last portrait painted of the late lord with your mother. That handsome young man is Sesshomaru and that is you, Inuyasha." Pointing at the painting.

"Why is it here? I thought you didn't like my mother?"

"I never hated her…or you. I was hurt and disappointed. It was how my mate handled taking another woman. He was stubborn and always had his way. This painting is here as a reminder to all that my late mate has two sons who will rule the western lands." Looking up at Sesshomaru who found them in the hallway on his way to the garden. "But it is your choice, Inuyasha, if you choose to do so. This palace is your home just as my son's home."

"This isn't my home! My mother and I were thrown out after my father died!" He snarled in anger.

"I never did such a thing. Your mother's father came and took both of you away when my mate died. She chose to leave." She answered unmoved.

"That's not what I was told." Calming down. "I need air. This place is too stuffy." as he walked out followed by Miroku.

"Why did you tell him mother? He would never believe anything you or I say."

"He still has a right to know. Everything is written in your fathers will. I will make sure he reads it himself." Walking towards the garden.

Sesshomaru looked at the portrait and then followed behind his mother.

"Hey. What's wrong with Inuyasha? He hasn't eaten or said anything." Sango whispered to Miroku.

Miroku liked how close she was to him and he took in her scent of wildflowers from the bathe and how pretty she looked in the peach colored kimono with matching flowers in her hair "you are beautiful" he gushed.

Sango's face turned red "thank you. You don't look so bad yourself in that gray yukata. Hey! Are you distracting me? What's wrong with Inuyasha?"

Miroku told her of the conversation between him and the lady.

"Oh wow!" Was all that she was able to say. "I'm sure he doesn't feel comfortable being here. Maybe we should go?"

"I think it is good he finds out about who he is. Maybe this will give both brothers a chance to get along…somewhat."

Kagome was having a polite conversation with Lady Mizuki about her travels and the shikon jewel when she noticed Inuyasha. She excused herself and went to the tree he was perched above on.

"Inuyasha... You haven't eaten. Are you ok?" She asked.

Inuyasha jumped down to meet her. "I'm just tired." As he finally noticed her dress-up. "You look…nice." He blushed.

Kagome smiled at him. "thank you. You look nice in that yukata. Royal blue looks good on you." She giggled.

"Here, drink this" Sesshomaru handed him a wine goblet interrupting the flirting. "It is wine made from the demon fruit grown in the garden. This was father's favorite drink."

Looking upset at his brother for making his appearance he took the goblet hesitantly, he sniffed it and took a drink "not bad". He noticed Kagome watching him. "What? It's just wine. None for you since you can't handle it." He smirked.

Kagome pouted but was glad he didn't start an argument or fight with Sesshomaru.

Rin came up to Inuyasha with a plate of meats "here try this. It's really good!"

Not wanting to be rude, he took said plate and sat below the tree "thanks kid' smiling at her.

Kagome sat next to him as he ate. She felt better knowing he wasn't as tense before.

Sesshomaru stood watching the miko and his brother as he felt a bit jealous that she was giving him attention while his mother caught scent of his changed emotions and smiled to herself.

The evening went on without any arguments or fights. Inuyasha remained quiet as he listened to everyone else in their conversations. Rin took a seat next to him and made a flower crown "here this is for you. Flowers always make me smile, so I hope you can smile too."

"I don't wear flower crowns but just this once I'll make an exception since you made it for me." as Rin placed it on his head and smiled "you look nice!" She stayed next to him and chatted about anything and everything while he sat listening and watching her make flower crowns. She was soothing to him for some reason.

Kagome walked up to Sesshomaru "your home is beautiful and the garden is magnificent. I can spend all day out here!"

"This is not the entire garden. There is more. Would you like to see it?" He asked hoping he could get a bit of alone time with her.

"Sure!" Her face lit up in excitement.

She followed him around the corner towards a koi pond where a bridge was at. They crossed over it and a little ways over was a field of flowers. Since it was night, fireflies were glowing in between giving it an illuminated look. Crickets and other night creatures made soft soothing noises.

Kagome eyes lit up at the beauty. She followed him towards a bench that looked over the field and the pond that was on a small hill, away from prying ears and eyes.

"Now this I can be here for hours, especially in the evening after a warm bath." As she inhaled the flower's fragrance.

Sesshomaru sat silently next to her taking in her scent of wildflowers from the bath she had earlier. Her light blue kimono and hair braided with matching flowers made her look heavenly.

"Miko, you are welcomed here anytime you wish. Including your friends."

"Does it include Inuyasha? He looked rather sad and quiet this evening. I wish I knew what was wrong."

"He saw the last portrait of our father and my mother told him some things that made him that way."

"What? Oh no! Was it bad!" She looked at him with worry.

"Inuyasha always believed my mother sent him and his mother away after father died. That wasn't true. His grandfather took them away and his mother went willingly. Whatever happened after, we don't fully know. All we knew is that he was on his own after his mother died. Many attempts were made to have him brought here but he refused flat out." Drinking from his goblet.

Kagome had tears streaming "why…"

"Miko, there is much you don't know about what took place in the last two hundred years. Inuyasha needs to come to terms when he learns of the truth. No one, not you or your friends can do anything but simply be there for him." handing her his handkerchief.

They sat quietly for some time when he noticed Kagome was dozing off and she leaned on him. Sesshomaru watched her as she closed her eyes and her chest breathed evenly. He lowered to move her bangs out of her face and brushed his lips on her cheek. He smiled at the sight and her scent that had begun to start calming his beast.

"Mi lord! Where are you?" Screamed the noisy Imp starting Kagome awake.

"There you are mi lord. Mi lady is looking for you. She wishes to speak with you and Inuyasha privately." Looking at the sleepy miko that held on to the lord's arm.

"This one will be there shortly. Leave us."

Jaken quickly bowed and left in a blink of an eye.

"It is late. Let me escort you to your room." Standing and taking her hand to help her up but instead of letting it go he intertwined their fingers.

Kagome blushed at the feeling of his soft hand in hers and didn't let go.

They reached her room and bid each other good night.

"Sesshomaru." She coyly called his name.

"Hnn" stopped to look back at her.

Kagome walked up to him and tip-toed, placing a kiss on his cheek. "thank you" was all that she said, gave a bow then she went into her room closing the door softly behind her.

The demon lord stood there stunned at the bold move the miko did. Feeling warmth in his chest, he made his way to the study where his mother and half-brother awaited him.