Chapter 7

The maid showed Kagome to her room and told her that she will return before dinner to help get her ready.

The room was huge with a four poster bed draped in white curtains. A wardrobe filled with clothing and accessories. A vanity and mirror in the corner and a changing screen painted with inuyokai in their true forms flying in the air. A double door balcony opened up over the garden and a private bathing chamber was adjoined.

"This is beautiful!" as Kagome looked at everything with excitement.

There was a knock on the door and Rin entered with a sad expression.

"What's wrong Rin?"

"Can you be with me when my lord discusses the coming of age ceremony...and the potential suitors?"

"Of course, that's why I'm here." hugging her. "Is there anything I need to know before we have this discussion?"

"Not really. I want to stay in the village. I love it there and I want to continue my medicine studies!" She sniffled. "Besides I have someone I like." Her face turned red.

Kagome had a feeling that was the case and she knew exactly who she liked.

"Is it Kohaku? Does he like you back the same way as you do for him?" Kagome's motherly instincts kicked in.

"Yes we love each other and we promised to wait for each other. He wants to continue his training while I continue my studies."

"I am sure if Sesshomaru knows this, he will allow it. Kohaku was taken in by the lord and he does have a fondness for him." Wiping away her tears

"You think so?"

"I know so."

As the two females hugged. Zuki made his way and nuzzled between the two of them.

"Kagome do you like my lord?"

With her face turning red "I-I do like him as a friend. He's been helpful with Zuki and he's a good father figure to you Rin. The lord has come a long way especially with humans." Starting to feel nostalgic "I can recall just before the final battle, both of the brothers had made amends. Even when I left, I heard Sesshomaru wanted Inuyasha to come back to the palace in his rightful home and bestow his title of 2nd lord but declined so he could wait for me….He should have gone because he would have been alive today" tears running down her face. "Because of me he died...waiting."

Zuki seeing his mama crying wiped away her tears and nuzzled her to comfort her.

"That's not true! It's not your fault! My lord always planned his visits to the village around the time when Inuyasha turns human and would be there to protect him and the village. He couldn't come on that night because he was on the northern end of his land fighting an oni. He-he regrets not protecting his brother." as Rin started to cry.

The little pup moved to Rin to wipe away her tears and nuzzled her as she did to his mama. Rin hugged the little pup tightly to her.

"I didn't know that Rin. Why hasn't he or anyone else told me?"

"My lord didn't want anyone to talk about Inuyasha after he passed. He told everyone if you were to ever return not to talk about it as it would weigh heavy on you. My lord truly cares for you Kagome." blowing her nose.

"Please don't cry anymore Rin. Everything will be ok. I promise I will be with you and support your decisions. I see you as my own child as I do for Shippo and now Mikazuki." rubbing her back. "How about you help me pick something to wear and tell me about some demon customs." Changing the mood.

"Sure." Wiping away her tears and placing the pup on the bed as she started looking thru the clothing. "Oh wow! These are all absolutely beautiful and the accessories too! My lord must have put thought into preparing all this!" Gingerly touching the clothing.

"But I was told to come here when he overheard us talking. How can he prepare all this quickly?"

"Either he sent Jaken ahead to prepare when he overheard us or he had intentions from way before." Rin thought out loud. "I believe it's the latter. There's so much you don't know about him, Kagome."