Disclaimer: I do not own 'Inuyasha' or any of its characters.

A/N: The first part of this chapter contains events that happened contemporaneously as Inuyasha and Katsuro's walk through the training halls.

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Lady of the Court

After Inuyasha had left, Kagome was approached by Asuka who had helped her chose a proper attire for their morning tea with the other demonesses and shortly after they headed towards the lady parlour along with Sesshomaru's mother.

Kimi didn't waste time and started explaining to Kagome what she should expect from the next couple of hours. "Since you're new here, Kagome, a lot of ladies will probably come to the parlour this morning. For a woman like you, who is grown up in a different environment, the use of this room could seem trivial. Time there is spent simply drinking tea and talking of meaningless things, for the most, however it can also be helpful to get to know other demonesses or exchanging information. In this case, they will want to know more about you, try to gain your favour since you're basically the Lady here now. But be aware Kagome, dear. Do not tell them too much and especially don't trust anyone. Your and Inuyasha's position is not stable yet," Kimi explained.

"Of course, I already understand the kind of environment." Not like something like this didn't happen in the future too. "Do you think we will meet Lady Keiko or Lady Tsubasa?" she asked.

"Tsubasa would never come, however it is probable that she sent someone to keep an eye on you and get useful information. Luckily for you, I am already acquainted with her and her circle and I can recognize everyone she sent. Lady Keiko will be there for sure, didn't she already tried to approach you yesterday? She knows that today you cannot refuse her. Furthermore, you will be there with me. Right now we are the best possibilities she has to get in my son's good graces, she will want to use it."

"Her father insulted my mate and me yesterday, why would I want to talk with her?" Kagome asked her aghast.

"I am sure Sesshomaru already told you how the minds of that family work. They think they are always in the right. Besides, Lady Keiko is really confident my son will choose her. I do not understand how that is even possible," Kimi remarked.

"Indeed, my Lady. It is clear to everyone in this keep that Sesshomaru does not wish to mate her," Asuka added.

"Maybe it's because Sesshomaru acts like that with every female he had contacts with, so no one has the basis for comparison?" Kagome tried. "Unless you know him well, of course. But I highly doubt someone in this court understand how his mind works."

"That could also be true. I, myself, have problems understand him sometimes," his mother complied.

"What kind of questions should I expect?" Kagome inquired again.

"They will ask about your relationship with your mate, reveal only the essential. Do not tell them where you live right now, do not tell too much about your travelling with Inuyasha. Even if the story is well known, tales do not say everything, keep it vague. More importantly, they will ask you about Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, they will want to know how they reconnected and why. Make it look like they had already solved their problems after Naraku's death and they decided later to make Inuyasha the heir together. Their relationship must appear perfect," Kimi warned her.

Kagome nodded; she was sure she wasn't going to like the next couple of hours. Kimi had basically told her that ladies went there to gossip, something she didn't like to do and certainly, she didn't like being in the spotlight.

"You don't have to worry, Kagome-sama. We are already experienced with this kind of meeting, we will help you as much as possible," Asuka reassured her, sensing her distress. She had nothing to worry about, especially if she was with the Lady Mother, no one would attempt something with her there.

"We have arrived, ladies," Kichiro informed them. Inuyasha had asked them to be particularly careful about the Lady today and keep away anyone who could be considered suspicious.

They hadn't been there for five minutes that the first pair of demonesses entered the parlour. Upon looking closely at the people that were in the room, one of them had a sparkle of recognization in her brown eyes. The one that was with her seemed to be a rabbit youkai, while she was another dog demon. Both of them had relaxed smiles on their faces.

"Let's hope they are not fake smiles," Kagome thought.

"My Ladies," she bowed low, "My name is Masako, and my friend here is Fumie. We would gladly keep your company this morning."

"Lady Masako, Lady Fumie, you are welcome here," Kagome greeted them. When she realized that Masako was eyeing her guards she added, "Do not mind my guards, Kichiro and Osamu are usually very quiet."

"Oh, I am sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, Kagome-sama. I just recognized Osamu was one of your guards. We already know each other," she explained.

"Lady Masako is currently in courtship with the First Commander, my Lady," Osamu offered.

"Really?" Kagome suddenly seemed more interested. If Inuyasha was trying to get to know him better right now, maybe she could get acquainted with his 'girlfriend'. At first sight, Masako could almost be considered plain. Medium height, medium built, brown hair. However, if she was to look at her closely, she could notice an ever-present sparkle in her eyes, two tiny brown stripes that emphasized the chocolate of her eyes and a gentle smile that lighted up her oval-shaped face. "My mate is with him at this moment. Sesshomaru asked him to give Inuyasha a tour of the training halls. We got to meet him yesterday evening too, I presume you were there too."

"Yes, Kagome-sama. Katsuro has always been the curious type. When tales about your journey started spreading within the lands he was surprised to know a half-demon was travelling with a priestess and a monk. After all, demons don't feel at ease around spiritualists, let alone have them as companions. But when he discovered that the half-demon was actually Toga-sama's second son he said that it didn't surprise him anymore because the late Inu-no-Taisho had always been extravagant. If there was someone who could have the courage to befriend holy men, then it would be him or one of his sons."

"Ah, yes. I guess he is right. Toga could be eccentric, sometimes," Kimi interjected. "While my son takes after me for the most, I see more of Toga in Inuyasha. It is unconventional. Even if we must add that since we do not know much about the kind of life half-demons lead, we can not be sure."

"Diversity has never been a problem within our group. Not that we could be called normal in any way, we also raised curiosity, after all, it's not every day that you see demons, half-demons, spiritualist and slayers travel together. Besides, a bond that is formed while fighting together for a common purpose is usually stronger than others. We all travelled together for a year, seen things that no other could imagine. In the end, you were not a demon, priestess or human anymore, you were just you," Kagome elaborated.

"Indeed. You must trust each other to rely on someone else when in battle," Fumie spoke for the first time. The rabbit demon was a delicate little thing, she also had brown hair but hers were shorter and thicker than Masako. Her skin was very pale and it made her look almost fragile, her eyes were an unusual shade of pink that matched the colour of her facial marks.

"You do, Fumie. Otherwise, your companion will never trust you with his or her life. We never doubted each other," Kagome explained.

"That is the first thing in both love and friendship, my dear," Kimi remarked, slightly patting her hand. "I can see why you're so good for your mate."

Masako had just opened her mouth to ask about it when she was interrupted by someone else entering the room. It was Lady Keiko, the dog demoness that was with her yesterday and an older water demoness. And just like the previous day, their posture indicated too much self-confidence. They entered the room as if they thought they owned the place and Kagome was currently stealing their spot.

"Oh, Kimi-sama, what a pleasure to meet you here," Keiko exclaimed upon entering the room. Ignoring Fumie that was currently next to Kimi, she was about to make herself space between the two when Osamu appeared in front of her. "Excuse me, Lady," he really hadn't liked the way she had tried to overstep both Kichiro and him yesterday, "but this place is already occupied by the Lady Fumie, maybe you did not have time to notice it, so I took the liberty to point it out to you." He tilted his head the minimum necessary and went back to his place behind Kagome.

Keiko tried to keep her facade composed, but on the inside, she was raging. This lowly guard had denied her twice in a day and now she was also forced to sit afar from the Lady Mother. As if the whole situation wasn't already bad with the arrival of the half-breed ruining her plans. Somehow, she had to take advantage of the situation, even if having contact with humans or mixed breeds wasn't her ideal plan.

When all three of them were seated on some cushions a little far from Masako and Fumie, Kimi spoke, "Lady Keiko, did you and your friend come to grace us with your presence? I am afraid we did not catch their names. We are in the parlour today to better introduce Kagome-sama to the ladies of the court." This demoness was nothing like a real Lady should be, she was just a spoiled child who has been promised something she could never have. Certainly, she wasn't helping her cause by ignoring Kagome and the other ladies in the room.

"Oh, how incredibly rude of me. Kimi-sama, Kagome-sama, these are my dear friends Aiko and Satsuka," she said waving her hand towards both of them. "We did not have the opportunity before but we warmly welcome you to the Western Lands, Kagome-sama," she added moments later. Her voice held clear falsehood and she didn't even try to bow to her. Her friends were still silent; apparently, they weren't used to speak without Keiko's consent. "I am sure we will become fast friends. We will teach you everything you need to know about life in the palace."

"Lady Keiko, I appreciate your offer. Luckily, Asuka-chan already offered me her assistance and not to mention, Kimi-sama is treating me as her own daughter," Kagome answered. She might have exaggerated with the last statement, but if the reaction on Keiko's face was a sign, Kagome had obtained her desired result. Keiko was clearly jealous and angered at the fact that Kagome currently held the position she longed for.

"Oh, Asuka-chan, how kind of you to help the Lady here. Maybe if you two get to spend some time together, it will help you to open yourself a little more. You have always been the shy type, being more under the spotlight with Kagome-sama could benefit you," Keiko told her.

Masako, who had been observing Kagome trying to taunt Keiko amused, answered in Asuka's place. "I have always found Asuka-chan quite talkative, instead, Lady Keiko. Maybe you have not spent enough time with her. In my opinion, Asuka-chan does not need to open herself more."

Asuka nodded her thanks to Masako and then proceed to answer herself, "It was the only right thing to do, Lady Keiko. After all, Kagome-sama and I have already acquainted ourselves when she arrived here at the palace and I find her really amiable."

Before Keiko could continue with her useless efforts to make some of them appear in a bad light, Kagome spoke again, ignoring the three demonesses. "You were about to tell us something, before we were interrupted, Masako."

"Oh, sure," she complied. "I wanted to ask you about your mate, Kagome-sama. You seem very much in love and you have also a beautiful pup." The way they moved together yesterday night spoke for them and they seemed to be very in tune. Masako imagined that that came from being team-mates before lifemates. "There has not been a silver demon here besides Sesshomaru-sama and Kimi-sama since Toga-sama's death. Maybe things are going to change now." She smiled at her genuinely.

Maybe, if Inuyasha found Katsuro trustworthy, she and Masako could become friends; she seemed fine so far. "Thank you, Masako. When I found out I was pregnant, the first thing I thought was that I wanted my child to have Inuyasha's hair and eyes. I got my wish, luckily; it's a pity he didn't inherit his ears too, I've always loved them," she coed, while she ran a hand through Muteki's hair.

"They are a sight, Kagome dear," Kimi remarked. "Does he let him touch them?"

The other giggled and Kagome's face became suddenly red, thinking about one precise moment he let her do it with pleasure. "Oh, well, I've always done it, even when we had just met and he didn't like it. I didn't let his complaints discourage me," she admitted. "Now he is the one who asked me to pet them," she giggled.

"Your son seems quite interesting, Kagome-sama" Keiko spoke again, "but I am sure there could be more silver demons at the palace if Sesshomaru was to take a mate. You could also finally have a grandpup, Kimi-sama."

"Oh, Keiko, weren't you at Inuyasha's accession yesterday evening?" Kimi inquired.

"Of course, my Lady."

"Well, then you must have missed the moment my son said he had not found a suitable mate yet. No demoness here at the palace suits him. He was speaking with your own father if I remember well." If Keiko didn't want to see things like they were, she had no qualms about pointing her out that her son will never be her mate. "Besides, I already have a pup to cuddle, for the moment, I don't need another one," she added while taking Muteki from his mother's hands, tickling him on his belly; she had discovered he liked that. Behind her, Kichiro and Osamu were trying to hide their chuckling with poor results.

Keiko was finding it very hard to keep her facade cool, Kimi was treating that mixed-breed as if he was her own grandpup and his mother as her own daughter. She had never been so angry.

"Wouldn't you give him a little cousin, Kimi-sama?" one of Keiko's friends suddenly spoke. Kagome was surprised, she really had thought they never spoke if not allowed. "I am sure that if he tried to get to know better some of the dog demonesses within the keep, he could find a good mate."

"Oh, Satsuka, if I know my son, I think it will be some time before Sesshomaru gives a cousin to Muteki. I think it's more probable he will have a sister or brother first. Is not right, Kagome?" Kimi asked. Keiko looked like she had just swallowed a lemon, by now, and made a rude gesture to Satsuka. It seemed her friend's attempts had only made things worse for her.

"You don't know half of it, Kimi. Try 400 years and more," Kagome thought. "We are not ready yet for another baby, Kimi, Muteki will be at the centre of the attention for some time if I am to decide," she answered truthfully.

"And take away our possibility to cuddle such beautiful children, dear?" an older woman suddenly appeared at the entrance of the parlour. "That would be really mean." When she came closer Kagome had the opportunity to look at her better. She was a fox demon with five tails, just like Kichiro, but even if she appeared to be still a beauty, Kagome could recognize some traits that made her older than any other lady in the parlour, except for Kimi. This one reminded her more of Shippo, with her brilliant green eyes and auburn long hair. Just like the kit, she lacked any facial marks.

"Etsuho, what a surprise to see you here," Kimi greeted her. She was slighter older than her and was one of the first demonesses she had met back then when she had just moved to the palace with his brother. "Kagome, dear, this is Etsuho, we have been knowing since I came here at the palace," she told the miko.

The fox demoness bowed low and then waved her hand towards some of the women behind her, "I brought you some company. I heard our young and beautiful priestess was having some fun here and I thought it could be good to join you." She turned to said girl and added, "It's a pleasure to meet you and your son, Kagome-sama. I'm sure you will find life in the castle just fine if you surround yourself with the right people." She eyed Keiko and her friends and then winked to Kagome. "So... I heard that between your comrades there is also a fox kit, care to tell me more?"

The rest of the morning went smoothly, to Kagome's relief, even if she discovered that one of the demonesses that were with Etsuho was the mate of the guard who had tried to deny her access the first day. When it was already past midday, Inuyasha finally came to her rescue. Katsuro and he had separated as soon as the morning training had ceased and he had hurried to find the parlour; he had had some difficulties but luckily he had met Jaken halfway and forced him to come along.

People around her were talking about really boring things that she wondered how in the seven hells Kichiro and Osamu had survived this long, when she saw her mate at the door, looking straight at her and smirking.

"Ladies," he said as a greeting. Everyone turned to him and Kagome saw Keiko's frown deepening. "I hope you all had a good morning, but I came here to steal my mate and son."

"Oh, Inuyasha, we were having so much fun," Kimi exclaimed theatrically.

"It means you will have to meet another day, then. I think it's time I can have my family for myself," Inuyasha continued.

"Well, Ladies, it seems I don't have a chance," Kagome tried to appear contrite, but she really was happy she could finally leave. That was definitely not something she liked to do. She got up and greeted her mate with a passionate kiss under the scrutinizing eyes of everyone.

"Oh young love, how beautiful," Etsuho said following Kimi example; maybe they had learnt together to be so melodramatic.

Kagome giggled and then retrieved Muteki from Kimi's arms, passing him to Inuyasha who immediately kissed him in the crook of his neck, inhaling his baby scent and finding comfort in it. The pup greeted him with some baby gibberish and waving his chubby hands trying to grab his father's silver locks. They both hoped he would start speaking soon, especially Inuyasha who had started repeating often 'dad' or 'papa' in front of him.

They were really a sight, and everyone could see how much they were happy together. This kind of affection could really bring something new and good to the West if nothing went wrong. Etsuho sighed, eyeing them and remembering the first years with her mate. She really hoped everything would turn out fine for them.

A/N: I know this chapter wasn't eventful but I needed to introduce some female characters, even if between them all I will also love Kimi and Asuka more. I promise some action in the next chapter.

Keiko has several meanings, depending on the combination of Kanjis. Among them we find Lucky/Blessed Child. I thought it could be perfect considering that since she had been raised to be Sesshomaru's future mate and her family considered her the one who could finally help them raise in the demon society.

Etsuho is composed by the Kanji for delight/ joy and guarantee.

Masako: elegant/graceful child.