Though I am loathe to do so, I leave Kagome and her former pack after the pups are put to bed, and lead my mother to my study. As soon as the door closes, she erects a barrier.

"Call Kioshi and Akiro." she commands, before letting the barrier fall again. I lift a brow at her, as I uncoil my aura and flare it in a pattern to alert the two requested.

Not even a minute later, Akiro enters the study, and a shift in the shadows to my left tells me the spymaster has arrived as well. Kimiko erects her barrier again, before settling imperiously in my seat behind my desk.

"My Lord, Lady." Akiro says with a bow. Kioshi bows silently as he reforms his body.

"Your spies have not been able to discern who attacked your miko." the Lady Mother comments lazily, as she inspects her claws.

Scowling, I lift my eyes to the ceiling, praying for patience with my scheming mother. "Correct. There was not enough evidence left to give us a lead."

"Hm." Looking up at me first, she then flicks her gaze to the other two in the room. "It is a plot against the miko. I know not the mastermind yet, however, I know that the incident at the spring banquet and the most recent are connected."

I snarl, hands clenching tightly. "And what do you propose we do." I inquire tightly.

"What you have been. Train her. Guard her. Guard the pups. And..." she pauses dramatically, "Utilise my network."

My body stills, as I stare at her, stunned. "You... are offering your services... to protect her." I clarify slowly, disbelieving.

"Of course. You are my son. This little female makes you happy. She is powerful, if untrained currently, but that is being remedied. She brightens the entire Shiro with her presence. Her confidence is a little lacking, but that will come with time and practice- she is still young." Kimiko remarks, her voice laced with a barely noticeable warmth. "I would also like to train her with her reiki manipulation using youkai techniques, but first she must master control. And I do not think her miko teacher would appreciate me meddling with the foundational instruction just yet." she adds, smirking wickedly.

I continue to stare at her, still not fully sure if I am dreaming or not. My mother is well known for her machinations, and my mind races, trying to discern what possible motive the female could have with meddling to help me and my Miko.

"I would like to observe her weapons training tomorrow to start with." Kimiko continues, head tilting in thought. "She's learning with Naoko?"

I nod slowly, still very unsure what is happening. "Indeed. Naoko is handling her sword training. Her kitsune guard is covering her hand to hand, small blades and archery training. The miko lessons begin tomorrow afternoon." I respond evenly.

"She has been doing well in all aspects, Lady Mother." Akiro speaks up for the first time. "She's a natural, it seems."

"Really, oh that is good to hear." Kimiko's lilting laugh fills the room, before she turns to the shadow youkai. "I will confer with you tomorrow to coordinate our networks." At Kioshi's nod, she turns back to me. "That will do for now. Let us return you to your little bird." she says with a wide, fanged grin, and then drops her barrier.

4/8/21 A/n: the plot thickens! Sessmom getting down to business!