Koga could hardly believe that Kagome would soon be his. He had wanted this for years. It was all he could do not to stand up and yell. "Thank you Lord Sesshomaru for accepting my claim."
Sesshomaru just looked at the pup before him. Better that the miko goes to him than to my brother. My brother has brought enough shame on my house. "I ask that the miko be mated this evening and for it to happen at the Northern Palace. I only ask that it be done by this evening because my brother is acting quite strange lately. It is for her safely that I request you take her to the Northern Palace. You are aware of the pup that travels with her. You will be required to take him also for I fear the miko will not leave him behind. He is considered her pup so I guess that makes Koga his father now. I will go inform the miko of my decision now." Sesshomaru turned and left the room.
"Well son not only do you get a mate but a son also." Koona turned and saw that his son was quite pale. "Are you ok Koga?"
Koga nods his head yes. He had to mate Kagome tonight. He knew she would object but he would see his end of the bargain with Sesshomaru through. "I am fine father. I just thought that he would put up more of an argument about it."
"Well if I were you I would not complain about him not doing so. Now lets go wait for your new pup and soon to be mate." Koona walked out of the study and to the foyer to await his daughter-in-law. He sent a guard after a carriage that he could borrow to return to his palace in so that it would be ready when it was time to depart.
Kagome returned to her chamber and sat down on the bed. So what would Sesshomaru decide. I hope I don't have to wait to long before I find out. I don't like being held in suspense. Especially when it was something that concerns my future. She jumped when a knock sounded on the door. "Come in"
Sesshomaru entered the miko's room and found her sitting on her bed. "I have chosen your mate miko. You will travel to his family home to be mated this evening. If you do not go through with the mating this evening I will return you back here tomorrow. Do you understand?" He saw the shock on her face as she nodded her head. "You and the kitsune are to depart immediately."
Kagome got off the bed and grabbed her pack and headed for the door to retrieve Shippo but was met by a servant holding him. "My lord my his collar come off now?"
Sesshomaru shook his head no. "I will give the key to Prince Koga. He may unlock it when he sees fit."
"May I say good-bye to Sango my Lord?" Kagome really didn't want to leave without saying good-bye to her sister.
"You have no time for that now. I am sure you will see her again." Sesshomaru escorted her out of the east wing and to the foyer. He stopped before Koga and took Kagome's hand and put it in Koga's. "She is yours now unless you fail to do as I requested. Then I will retrieve her tomorrow." With that warning Sesshomaru showed the wolves, miko and kitsune outside to the carriage. As they departed out of the gates he entered his castle. Now only one more to go. Plus he had to deal with his brother.
Koga watched Kagome pet the kitsune on her lap as the carriage started moving. What I wouldn't do to change places with the kitsune. "Kagome may I introduce my father Lord Koona."
"Hello My Lord. My name is Kagome and this is Shippo. He is my pup." Kagome petted Shippo some more. It calmed her when she did that.
"Kagome you are with friends now you can relax. Hello again Shippo. I am glad that Sesshomaru let you come with Kagome." Koga smiled at the fox demon.
Shippo stared at Koga in shock. "You are?"
"Of course I am. Kagome has gone through enough without having to loose you too." Koga smiled at him again.
"Are you sure your not just saying that so you can give me a false sense of security before you eat me?" Shippo frowned at Koga.
"I would never eat you Shippo. When Kagome becomes my mate that makes you my son. And us wolves don't eat our pups." Koga laughed when he saw the kitsune sigh in relief.
Shippo jumped off Kagome's lap and onto Koga's shoulder. "Does that mean I get to call you dad?" He saw Koga shake his head yes. "You are not going to hit me on the head all the time are you?"
"That is not one of the ways we wolves punish our pups Shippo." Koga patted the kitsune on the head.
"So how do you punish wolf pups?" Shippo asked Koga.
"Well it all depends on the crime they commit. Sometimes pups just get growled at and other times they are shaken by our mouths or bit on the nape of the neck. Other times it may be going to bed without food or being restricted to the cave for the day or denying pups something they like. Do you think you could live with those punishments?" Koga lifted Shippo off his shoulder and held him out in front of him so he could look into his face.
"That's a lot better than getting knocked over the head. Well most of it is any ways. Yes I can live with it." Shippo smiles at Koga as he placed him back on Kagome's lap. He took out the key Sesshomaru gave him and unlocked the collar from around Shippo's neck. Then he took a small vial out of his armor and handed it to Kagome. "Sesshomaru said this would return your powers to you."
Kagome took the vial and drank it. At least the cure tasted better than the other stuff did. She couldn't believe the way Koga was acting toward Shippo. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes she would not have believed it. Maybe being with Koga was going to be a good thing. She yawned as the carriage rocked her to sleep.
Koona couldn't believe how his son talked to the kitsune. He watched the girls face to judge her reaction to Koga's words. She appeared to be in shock. Well she would have a lot to get use to in a short time. He hoped she was strong enough to do it.
Koga waited till Kagome fell asleep then he leaned her up against his chest and ran his fingers through her hair. He had never thought he would live to see this day. This was the happiest day of his life.