Sesshou walked alongside Kagome and Shippou up the shrine steps, his concealment in place. He had dressed smartly for the occasion with navy colored slacks, a button up shirt and tie, and sleek brown loafers. Shippou, on the other hand, had dressed down. He wore simple denims and a dark green sweater and sneakers. Kagome had been delighted at the man bun atop his head, so he decided to forgo making the kit change.
On the car ride over, Kagome had many questions about Shippou's concealment spells and pestered Sesshou over his hair when Shippou could clearly hide all seven tails of his.
Sesshou remembered exactly what had transgressed so many years ago when demons began to go into hiding. Shippou had lied about the success of his concealment spells, and convinced him to chop his hair to allow the spell to take effect. It was an unfortunate loss on his part, but it allowed him to take on a new identity as he became head of YANA, as CEO and owner, Taishou Sesshou.
It was a cheap trick of a fox, but even now Sesshou didn't seem to mind the loss of hair. It was easier to manage, he reasoned. It also gave him a sense of then and now. The long hair represented his freedom to roam the earth as the deadliest demon alive and lord of Western territory, whereas the short hair represented his control, and his humanity. He was king of them all, and he was responsible for all. It was a lot of pressure, he knew, but he welcomed it. Now that demonkind had successfully merged with mortals, the project of situating Kagome came next. After? He wasn't so sure, but if his many years had taught him anything, it was this: nothing goes as planned, and life would take him where he was meant to be.
Coming to the top, Kagome continued to lead the way into her home. Both Shippou and Sesshou had come here from time to time to see the shrine, so they were used to it's wide expanse and the presence of the sacred tree. It was familiar, and welcoming. Kagome, for once, felt at peace seeing the tree, no longer tormented by her curiosity and imaginative what ifs.
They entered the family home and all proceeded to remove their shoes, Kagome slipping on house slippers meant for her. Both demons began to identify scents within Kagome's home. They recognized her orange citrus scent, as well as her mother's lemon and honey scent, her brother's, grandfather's, and even Buyo's feline and fish scent.
"Kagome? Is that you?" Her mother called from the kitchen. Kagome smiled nervously, and nodded for the boys to follow her.
"Yes, Mama," Kagome called back, entering the kitchen. "And I brought some friends you should meet." Sesshou and Shippou framed her in the doorway, the former with a respectful bow, and the latter with excitement in his eyes.
"Mrs. Higurashi," Sesshou stepped forward, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Taishou Sesshou, formerly known as," He was interrupted.
"Lord Sesshomaru of the Western lands." Kagome's mother smiled cheekily. "I know who you are."
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Sesshou nodded, figuring Kagome had mentioned him at some point or another. Whether or not that was good was another question entirely. "Kagome is lucky to have a mother as understanding as you are."
"She is lucky to be alive," Her mother sighed. "And I believe you have something to do with that." Sesshou watched as Kagome's mother pulled her daughter to her side, hugging the young woman. "Thank you, for protecting her." She had saved her mother the gorey details, he presumed.
"Mama is pretty great at protecting herself, too." Shippou chimed in.
"Mama," Kagome reached a hand to her fox kit, pulling him closer. "This is Kozima Shippou, a seven tailed fox demon," She was beaming, so thrilled that her two separate lives were finally colliding. "And my sort of, adopted son?" Even she winced at her phrasing. Her mother blanched.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Higurashi," Shippou scratched the back of his head nervously, "I was much smaller and cuter when Kagome mothered me. She took such great care of me, I figured she learned by example."
"Shippou," Kagome's mother's coloring returned, and she smiled warmly once again. "It's so very nice to meet you. Kagome talked a lot about you."
"And we have much more to talk about, Mama." Kagome anxiously began to pull her mother to the kitchen table.
"Kagome," Mrs. Higurashi paused, "If you don't mind," She addressed the Western prince, "Might I speak with Sesshou privately first?" Sesshou was surprised, but nodded, whereas Kagome stood dumbfounded.
"Sure, Mama," Kagome agreed, "I'll show Shippou around." She grabbed the kit's arm and led him into the living room. "Come on, Shippou, I'll give you a tour."
Once they two were out of the room, Mrs. Higurashi gestures for Sesshou to sit. He complied and waited for whatever questions were to come. Kagome's mother sat next to him and gave him a once over, wondering what his true features were. If he were truly Inuyasha's brother, then she imagined he had silver hair and golden eyes.
"Is this a disguise, Sesshou?" She asked, thinking it impolite, but caved to her curiosity anyways.
"Yes," He nodded, "Inuyasha and I share many of our father's traits. However, I have markings." He saw the confusion wash over her face, "Think of them as birthmarks that appear as tattoos."
"May I see your face undisguised?" She asked, knowing she would feel more comfortable knowing how he looked as his true self.
"If you wish." Sesshou removed the wristwatch he wore on his left wrist and allowed the concealment to fade away, revealing his silver hair and golden eyes, the sleek markings returning, crescent moon on his brow and all. She marveled at his pointed ears, claws, and fangs, albeit a little disappointed that he didn't have the same puppy ears as Inuyasha.
"That's much better." Mrs. Higurashi sighed, relieved, "I'm sorry, Sesshou, I just knew I would feel so much better seeing you for who you really are."
"I understand." He agreed.
"Now," She began, "I must ask you," Folding her hands on the table, she appeared pensive. "When all is said and done here, with whatever it is you're trying to accomplish, are you going to disappear from her life?"
"No," Sesshou knew when he took on this project that he would have to commit himself to watching another human die. He would be there for her until she died, or wished him gone. "I have watched all her friends grow old and die. I will do the same for Kagome, so that she will never be without protection," He thought of her tears again, and added, "And she will want for nothing."
"I see," Mrs. Higurashi almost smirked. She thought of her husband. He, and every man to ever be wed would honor those same promises. She wondered if he knew what he was talking about. "So when she marries?"
"I will extend my protection and my company's services to him as well." Sesshou had thought on it in the time between discovering Kagome and now. She would marry, this he was sure of, although he doubted she would take to a human. If she met another demon or half demon through YANA, he thought that more likely.
"You don't believe he would be jealous?" Mrs. Higurashi asked, a knowing look in her eyes.
"If he is threatened by my presence, then he is not the one for Kagome." Sesshou knew this instinctually. He would not allow her to take to anyone weak or petty.
"Sesshou, are you married?" Kagome's mother asked, knowing her daughter never mentioned anyone as the young man's wife.
"I am not, nor am I mated," Sesshou explained, "Which is the demon equivalent to marriage. Demons can marry, but mating is more relevant. It binds the energies of two beings, tying their souls together for this life, and the next."
"How romantic," Mrs. Higurashi admired. She had a feeling that this was a purposeful choice. "So when you do take a wife, or mate, what will happen if they don't like Kagome?"
"My status in demonic society ranks me as a former Lord of a directional region, but as the head of YANA, one might think me Lord of them all. Should I wish it, I could destroy any demon I like." Sesshou explained, "Whomever I take as my mate will have just as much control over my company, so rest assured I will not allow anyone of malevolent nature to have access to such power." He had always thought of this, even before YANA had come to fruition. As a lord, it was something he always had to consider. "Besides, Kagome is what people call 'likeable.'" Kagome's mother chuckled at that.
"I think 'clumsily charming' is a little more accurate." Mrs. Higurashi hid her grin behind her hand, stifling her laughter. "Do you feel she hasn't changed your heart too, Sesshou?"
This caught him off guard. He was well aware that he felt a sort of pity and admiration for the depressed time traveling teenage priestess. She was resilient, blessed with spiritual reiki so strong, he could smell the brightness of purity in her blood whenever she bled in battle. She was a force to be reckoned with, and the most forgiving and accepting creature he had ever come upon. Of course he felt for her in ways he hadn't felt in a long time. She was his ward, much like Rin was, but not. He would not deny himself to feel and lie to her mother's face.
"She has always changed me." He admitted. Right from the start, he could have killed her in his father's tomb, but he didn't. "I just never knew how."