Chapter X

Inuhime found Inuyasha up in a tree. He had his arms in his red sleeves. He looked as if he was pouting or sulking. Inuhime sighed and said, "Inuyasha, please come down from there!"

Inuyasha 'keh'-ed. "Don't make me come up there and drag your ass down!"

"Keh, why you even bother with me?"

"Huh?"

"You heard me! Why you bother with me?"

Inuhime's shoulders slumped. "Listen Inuyasha! I know that I hadn't been there for you. I am sorry for that! I had to obey my alpha! You know how that is!" There was silence for a moment or two. The longer the silence continued; the impatient Inuhime gets. So she leaped up in the tree and grabbed the collar of Inuyasha's haori. "Listen here pup! I apologized. It's time to get over it. We will bond as siblings should, whether you like it or not!"

Inuyasha was shocked to see Inuhime in his face being unladylike. "Fine," he said stubbornly. To hear what Inuyasha said made Inuhime smiled.

"Good. Now come with me and show me what you got."

"Huh?"

Inuhime rolled her eyes and said, "Come and spar with me."

"Alright! Just because you're a female, it doesn't mean that I would go easy on you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, little brother. Oh, I almost forgot. Here's your Tessaiga."She gave the youkai sword back to Inuyasha.

"Feh, I can't believe that I left it behind like that. I usually wouldn't done that, especially, after all the times the ice bastard has tried to take it from me."

Inuhime chuckled at her twin's nickname. "Perhaps, on some level, you trust me."

Inuyasha looked at her and then shrugged. "I guess. So, are you going to mate with that bastard that was here?"

"Inuyasha! That 'bastard' has a name."

"Keh, whatever!"

Inuhime sighed and answered his question, "I want to."

"Why couldn't you? I mean, he seems strong and all that shit! So why not?!"

"Because we aren't in the same class."

"So? Who gives a fuck what those snobs say! It's your life. You should be able to mate whomever you want!"

Inuhime smiled at Inuyasha. "You know, you're right." She looked toward her brother's study balcony and frowned.

Inuyasha followed her line of vision and said, "And who cares what the ice bastard would say!" That brought a smile to Inuhime's beautiful face.

"Thanks, Inuyasha."

"Keh." He leaped down from the tree and waited for Inuhime. "Well? Are you coming?"

Inuhime laughed and leaped down. "I want to talk to Sesshomaru, first, before we spar. Is that alright with you?"

"Keh, I don't care."T

he more Inuyasha spend time with Inuhime; the more he accepted her as his eldest sibling.

Meanwhile in the study, Sesshomaru returned to his seat. He actually asked Kagome if she wanted some tea. She nodded, then Sesshomaru called for Jaken to serve tea for them. He waited after Jaken left to speak once again.

"Kagome, this Sesshomaru finds himself curious."

"About what, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"How do you perceive this Sesshomaru?"

"The first time I saw you or now?"

"Both."

Kagome took a sip a tea and said, "When I first saw you, I thought you were the most handsome man... male that I'd ever seen. Of course, the actions that you did turned me away from your appearance. I just took what Inuyasha had said about you and what I'd had experience and seen for myself that you were a hateful, egotistical being. Then you appeared with Rin, at first I thought that was strange. I couldn't understand why you have a little girl with you, a HUMAN girl at that. I couldn't wrap my head around it. I believe it confused Inuyasha, too. I believe that he was a little jealous of Rin."

She shrugged one of her shoulders. "When you'd saved me a few times afterwards, which I am grateful for,I knew you probably done it because of Rin. When you and your pack was around, I observed you with Rin. I tried to figure out why; to figure you out. Now, I see you in a different light. However, I know there's more than meets the eye."

Sesshomaru grateful for her honesty; not even hesitating to answer truthfully. He had always admired that about Kagome; that and her loyalty, compassion, and fearless nature. There are many more, though, that he admired about her. He wasn't surprised about what she said when they'd first met. He also knew that Rin changed something in him, but not certain what it was. All he knew is that he regarded her as a daughter. The desire to protect ran furiously through his veins. Kagome said something that he almost didn't catch. Almost.

She said in a low, shy voice, "I wish to know you, Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru made no notion that he heard what she'd said to him. She seemed to be in relief. He thought it was because she would fear what he would say about it.

Suddenly the study's shoji door slid open and Inuhime barged in with Inuyasha following her. Jaken was about to reprimand Inuhime for disturbing his lord. Before he could say anything, Inuhime gave him a look that clearly said, 'I dare you to,' with a cold glared. Sesshomaru's bow quirked.

"Brother, we must speak." Sesshomaru motioned her to continue. "I know that you saw what happened in the gardens." He nodded. "I want to mate with Hikaru. I won't let you or mother stop me from finding happiness."

"Hn, have you spoken to mother, yet?"

Inuhime involuntarily swallowed. "No, but I will."

"Then this Sesshomaru gives you his blessing."Inuhime smiled in thanks and then turned. As she was walking, she grabbed Inuyasha by his haori and his undershirt to drag him out of the study, before he could complain about Kagome being near Sesshomaru again.

Sesshomaru was grateful that Inuhime finally realized what she wanted before their mother would had chosen for her, which made Sesshomaru shuttered at the thought. It was about time for him and Inuhime to find a mate, usually, they would be introduced to their intended when they reached adolescence. However, Inukimi and InuTaisho decided not to make an arrange mating. They felt that it was the right thing to do and hadn't regretted their decision of the aspect. Yet, the court lords and ladies raised hell about it, but none had persuaded them to change their minds. He was also grateful that Inuhime dragged Inuyasha away from them. He ready doesn't need him to interfere. Kagome watched them walk away until Jaken quickly slid the shoji door close from the outside. He knew that his lord would like to be alone with Kagome.

Sesshomaru was lost in his thoughts, when Kagome asked why does Inuhime need permission to mate with another. Sesshomaru explained that it was usually the father would arrange a mating for his pups. The mother, of course, would agree with it before it became a finality. Now since their father passed on, their mother would choose a mate for them. Unless they had chosen already. They would need to ask for their mother's blessing to become final or the said male would need to ask for her or their alpha blessing before asking their future intendeds. It would show that the male has courage. He also told her that Hikaru had already asked for his blessing years ago and it still holds.

"But why did he waited for so long?"

"It was the war with Ryuukotsusei; our father died before he could ask him; and then it was probably due to arguing with his beast."

"Why would he argued with his beast? Does his beast would want her as well?"

"I imagined that his beast also wants my sister, but there was a social obstacle in the way."

"I see." Kagome understood. It really never changes. It was rare for a working person would meet and fall in love with the said wealth person. I mean really love that person; no matter what or who they are. She hoped that Inuhime or Hikaru succeeds in getting that blessing from Inukimi.

"So if your mother chooses one of those women then you have to mate them, unless you have someone in mind." Sesshomaru nodded. "So is this what the gathering is for. For you to choose one or your mother will?" Sesshomaru nodded. "But she and Inuhime said that you don't have to choose one."

Sesshomaru shrugged and said, "My mother likes to play games... mind games. She likes to play give and/or take away unless she likes you."

"Wha...," Kagome's voice got squeaky and she cleared her voice. "Sorry. What will she do if she likes them?"

Sesshomaru could smell nervousness from her. He thought, "She's nervous. Why is she nervous?"

His beast spoke, "Isn't it obvious? She's also interested in us as we are her. Hurry her nervousness is an unpleasant scent! Make it go away!"

He answered her question, "My mother would talk to you... politely or fairly politely. I guess it depends on the persons' part."

Kagome made an 'O' shaped with her mouth.

Meanwhile in the dojo, Inuhime and Inuyasha has been sparring for a little while.

Inuhime taunted as she twirled her fan around, "Is that all you got, little brother?"

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Meanwhile in the dojo, Inuhime and Inuyasha has been sparring for a little while.

Inuhime taunted as she twirled her fan around, "Is that all you got, little brother?"

"Keh, just watch," Inuyasha said arrogantly.

Suddenly a couple of Inuhime's suitors came into the dojo. They must got word that she was in the dojo because of how they were dressed. No shirt; just their hakamas on.

One of them named Arashi* said, "Well, well, well, look what do we have here, Ryu*." He was looking at Inuyasha. "So, Inuhime, who's this little bastard?" Now he's looking at Inuhime. Inuyasha was going to say something but Inuhime had spoken first.

"That's Lady Inuhime to you, Lord Arashi." She'd said 'lord' with some venom. She turned Inuyasha around and walked towards the exit. "Inuyasha, go get Sesshomaru." Inuyasha was going to protest, but she continued, "No, Inuyasha. Go. Get. Sesshomaru... please." She said the last word in a pleading tone. All he could do was nod and left her behind.

Inuhime turned back around to face them. She forced a smile. "What can I do for you, gentlemen?"

Ryu said, "Lady Inuhime, you didn't answer my father's question."

She smiled cooly, "This Inuhime doesn't have answer to you or Lord Arashi. What are you doing here?"

"Why you little bitch. When I become your mate, I will show you, who's your alpha," Ryu said as he forced her against the wall. Each other faces was nose to nose.

"Get away from me, Ryu."

"Or what Inuhime?"

Inuyasha ran as fast as he could. He doesn't understand why Inuhime didn't let him say anything other than to get Sesshomaru. Once he arrived at the study's door, Jaken was guarding the entrance.

Jaken yelled, "Hanyou, you are not allow here! Now leave!"

Inuyasha thought, "Yeah, like that little ugly bastard could stop me." He glared at Jaken; a Sesshomaru-like glare. "Move it or loose it, ugly."

"Why you..." Inuyasha knocked him out and quickly open the shoji door.

Sesshomaru and Kagome was having a pleasant conversation when Inuyasha barged in. Sesshomaru looked at Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, have you ever heard of knocking," Kagome said in aggravation.

"Feh, Sesshomaru, Inuki needs you in the dojo."

Sesshomaru stared at Inuyasha; looked at Kagome; and then looked at Inuyasha.

"Why?"

"Well, some bastards came in the dojo while we were sparring."

"Well, maybe they wanted to spar, Inuyasha," said Kagome.

"They were wearing only their hakamas."

Sesshomaru got up after he said that and walked towards the dojo. He was followed by Kagome and his half-breed, half-brother.

"What's the deal Sesshomaru," Kagome asked by running up to him.

Sesshomaru answered, "Males are not supposed to be alone with a female unless they were accompanied by a male relative or a male bodyguard. Unless they're intending to be mates or a mated couple. Being that males are stronger than females, depending on the species of youkai. For instance, a male dragon may be stronger than a female inu. They're also improperly dressed."

Once they arrived, Sesshomaru saw Inuhime up against the wall. Inuhime knew when to pick her battles. She knew better to pick a fight with a male dragon. Kagome observed the male who had Inuhime against the wall. The said male was tall and muscular. He had green hair. It was as long as Sesshomaru's silverish white hair. He was wearing a pair of black hakamas.

He had Inuhime blocked by both of his arms. Sesshomaru heard Ryu said, "Or what Inuhime?"

Sesshomaru and his beast was inwardly growling. Inuyaaha couldn't help, but to open his mouth. "Or get your scaly ass away from my sister!"

Ryu turned around and was going to protest, but stopped as soon as he saw Sesshomaru standing right behind him. He involuntarily gulped as he observed the Lord of the West's appearance. Sesshomaru's shoulders were tensed. His fists were making a hard fist as his claws was making his inner palms bleed.

"Lor... Lord Sesshomaru! Its... It isn't what it looks like!"

"Hn, then pray tell this Sesshomaru what you think this looks like, then."

Arashi had spoken up. "Lord Sesshomaru, we were having a conversation. That's all."

Sesshomaru glared at Arashi coldly that even made Inuhime's spine shivered. "Having this one's sister up against the wall is having a conversation? You think this one's a fool!"

"No, Lord Sesshomaru."

As Sesshomaru was trying not to melt them with his poisonous claws, Inuhime made Kagome and Inuyasha following her just outside the dojo. They could hear all sorts of excuses they made to Sesshomaru. They even tried to flatter Sesshomaru, which didn't work.

They heard him roared. "That's enough of your pathetic excuses! You, too, had always been after this one's twin, since our puphood! From this day forth, you will no longer come near my Lady Sister again. If this Sesshomaru hears that you deliberately disobey me, this one will kill you." He said the last few words in a hard, cold, and deep baritone that there was no argument on the matter.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I must protest. You see I am the new Lord of the North. I imagined that your Lady Mother wouldn't want us be in a war... again. Now, would she? I also imagine that Inuhime doesn't want to loose her little brother like you, two, had lost your father. Would you, Lady Inuhime?"

"Is that a threat?"

"No, Lord Sesshomaru. I was just saying that we don't need to be in conflict, especially over a woman."Arashi said as he looked at Inuhime leeringly, which made Inuhime shuttered. Sesshomaru gave Ryu and Arashi a cold, deadly glare that clearly said, 'cross me, I'll kill you.' Sesshomaru said in his usual bored and stoic tone, "Come, sister... Kagome... Brother." Sesshomaru turned and walked pass them expecting them to follow. Inuyasha wasn't going to because he had a bone to pick with them, however, both Inuhime and Kagome linked their arms with him and made him walk. He sighed thinking that he will have his day with them, someday.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi
Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari