Being farther north the air bit harder into the skin. Kagome wrapped the fur cloak around her more tightly she had been given along with the million other outfits it seemed that the Lady Kurenai supplied her.
With her hair pulled back into a ponytail she enjoyed the feeling of the wind whipping it about. She stood on one of the highest parts of the rampart and stared at the ocean.
It seemed endless, gray due to the overcast sky that was long overdue with snow.
"Lady Kagome."
"Lord Akinari."
"Do you mind if I join you?"
"Of course not my lord, it's your castle." She offered smiling.
"Ah, no. Lady Kurenai is the one who runs it. She simply allows me to live here." He said with a smile showing off his impressive fangs. Kagome couldn't help but give a small laugh.
The couple were so different from Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. They were good natured, playful at times.
Kagome wondered who the odd ones out were but decided to keep it to herself.
"I understand Lady Kagome that this is quite a shock." Lord Akinari stated pulling her from her thoughts. "I do apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you."
"Please, Lord Akinari, just call me Kagome."
"Very well then Kagome, call me Nari." He replied.
"I don't want to be disrespectful..."
"We're pack. No need for formalities when there's no one around to impress." Nari smirked.
"Thanks." Kagome breathed out. "Sesshomaru told me about your concerns and I want you to know that I appreciate it, all of this. Except that party or whatever it was."
"Sesshomaru didn't want you to know. He insisted that you wouldn't come if you knew."
"Oh yeah, I totally would have bolted." She replied with a laugh.
"That 'party' was yours Kagome." Nari said. Kagome glanced over at him.
"For me?"
"To let others know that you are apart of this household, that you are Sesshomarus mate, and that you are protected."
"Why here though? Why not in the west where Sesshomaru lives?"
"Lord Toga, Sesshomarus father, did once have a great many estates, lands, palaces...when he died Sesshomaru forsake it choosing to chase after the Tessaiga." Nari explained. "It has only been in recent years that he had taken on the responsibility and title once that was passed down to him. However, the households are gone...dissolved."
"Oh. I didn't know." Kagome said. "Sesshomaru never told me."
"Sesshomaru is...different from the rest of us. He was raised differently than I was, in the celestial palace of his mother."
"Aren't you two related though? Weren't your mothers sisters?"
"Yes, they were. My mother was the second daughter, Sesshomarus the first. As such she was the one who had to mate well, my mother did but it was of a lesser concern." Nari took a deep breath narrowing his eyes. "His mother was indifferent to him. Cold, distant; she settled for nothing less than perfection."
"That makes a lot of sense." Kagome thought out loud thinking back on the years she had known him.
While he may have been somewhat humbled since they had first met his ego could still get the best of him at times, however she knew he had the power to back it up.
"Everyone expected so much from Sesshomaru all of his life; first in what he would become then what he would do for them." Nari turned his attention away from the ocean and to Kagome. "That's why Kurenai and I were both so glad when he told us about you. That he had found someone who cares for him for who he is and not whom he is."
"I love him." Kagome replied with a shrug. "It just sort of happened when I wasn't paying attention."
She gasped as Nari pulled her to him in a strong hug. It was near crushing at first but held so much conviction behind it that Kagome didn't want him to let go.
It reminded her of what it was like to be hugged by her grandfather; tender, loving, and gave her a warm sense of security.
"Thank you Kagome." He said finally breaking the embrace. He held her out at arms length. "Thank you for accepting Sesshomaru as your mate."
Kagome blushed and smiled nervously shrugging her shoulders again. Extending his hand out to hers Nari led her inside as the snow began to fall around her.