Chapter Two- Arrival of the Royals

"InuYaizou, it's been a while," Seibunishi stated, sitting at his desk.

"Indeed it has, Seibunishi," InuYaizou replied, sitting across from him.

"Tell me, why is it that you, after all these years, decided to come to the castle?" Seibunishi asked, leaning foreword.

"Is there such a problem with an old friend wishing to get away from his worries?" InuYaizou questioned.

"I know you InuYaizou. What did you come for?" He demanded seriously.

InuYaizou gave a long, tired sigh.

"Kanna and I have been talking, and we've decided that we want to dismiss the betrothal between Sesshomaru and Jasmine," He stated.

Seibunishi was silent for a moment.

"Allow me to speak with Nishiria about it first," Seibunishi said quietly, slightly shocked.

"Alright, thank you," InuYaizou thanked.

Seibunishi stood and looked out the window behind his desk.

"May I inquire as to why you wish for this?" Seibunishi asked.

"We don't see it appropriate with what has happened to Sesshomaru," InuYaizou replied.

"And what if we refuse to honor your wishes?" Seibunishi inquired.

"We can meet later and plan on what to do," InuYaizou answered. "Perhaps we can come to an agreement that will please everyone."

Seibunishi nodded.

"I'll talk to Nishiria about it, and see what Ayako thinks as well," he replied. "She doesn't yet know about the betrothal."

"Alright. I'll go talk to Kanna," InuYaizou told him, standing.

"Send the guard in when you leave," Seibunishi told him.

InuYaizou nodded, turned, and left. Seibunishi watched him relay his message to one of the guards standing outside the study door.

"My Lord?" The guard asked, bowing on one knee.

"Retrieve Nishiria and Ayako," He stated, not looking at the guard.

"As you wish, My Lord," The guard said; standing and going to do as he had been commanded.

Seibunishi sat back down at his desk and pulled out some papers. He dipped his quill in the inkpot, and got to work.

Jasmine sat, staring into the fire. Sesshomaru's head was on her chest, his arms around her small form. Jasmine had one arm around his shoulders, and was stroking his hair with the other. He had told her everything. About being captured. About being molested. About being raped. About wanting to die, just to get away form them. About the spells and potions they forced on him. About everything.

She had kept her promise. She listened to him and didn't criticize him for how he felt.

'I wouldn't have done any better,' Jasmine had sadly thought.

"Sieso?" She asked.

"Hm?"

"How long ago were you brought back to the castle?'

"Two months ago," He answered.

"Have you told anyone about it before?" She asked.

"Just you," Sesshomaru replied. "Why?"

"You just seemed really eager to tell me everything, that's all," Jasmine answered quietly.

It was silent for a moment.

"Jasmine, why do you want to help me?" Sesshomaru asked; looking up at her.

"Because I want to be you friend, and friends help each other," She answered.

"Why do you want to be my friend?" He asked.

"Is there something wrong with wanting to befriend you?" She asked him.

"No, it just seems like everyone who wants to befriend me wants it because of my title, or for gold," Sesshomaru explained.

"Papa only makes friends with good people, and he's known your father for years," Jasmine said, "and so I'd hoped you would be like him."

"And what if I was the complete opposite of that?" He asked.

"Then I would be disappointed. I'd gotten my hopes up," Jasmine answered truthfully.

He fell silent for a moment, laying his head back down on her chest.

"Sesshomaru, I hope you get better soon," Jasmine whispered in his ear.

He snuggled closer to her chest.

"I hope so too, Jasmine," He whispered quietly into her breasts.

"Oh! I remembered something!" Jasmine exclaimed, sitting up.

"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked.

Jasmine pulled a string from around her neck. On the end of it was a small, black velvet bag.

"This is for you," She told him, holding the bag out to him.

Sesshomaru took the bag. He loosened the string and dumped the contents out in his hand.

"What are they?" He asked, looking down at the tiny red spheres.

"Blood stone chakras," She answered. "They're said to heal physical, emotional, and mental wounds."

"Thanks," He said, putting the spheres back in the pouch.

"You're welcome," She said. "I wasn't sure what you'd like, but I had a bunch extra of those."

"You collect these?" He asked, holding up the bag.

"Yeah," Jasmine answered. "I'd show you the others, but I haven't been shown to my room yet."

"You haven't?" Sesshomaru asked, suddenly excited.

"No, why?" Jasmine asked suspiciously.

"That means that they haven't prepared you room yet," He said standing. "Come on!"

"Wait! Sesshomaru where are we going?" She asked, following him up the ladder.

"You'll see," He said, crawling through the passage.

"What about the torches and the fireplace?" She asked, crawling out of the portrait hole.

"Cala will take care of it," He replied. "Let's go."

"Sesshomaru!" Jasmine shouted, jumping in front of him.

"What?" He asked, stopping so he wouldn't run into her.

"Tell me what's going on. And who's Cala?" She asked him, panting.

"Cala is the servant who showed me where the passage is," Sesshomaru replied, "and where we're going is the head of servant's office."

"Why?" Jasmine asked.

Sesshomaru smirked, picked her up bridal-style, and started off at a run down the hall.

"You'll see."

"Kanna," InuYaizou said, closing the door behind him.

She looked up form her spot on the bed.

"How'd it go?" She asked, setting her book aside.

"He said that he would talk to Nishiria and Ayako about it, and that he'd call us for a meeting when they come to a decision," He explained, sitting next to her.

"Oh…" She said quietly. "Perhaps we should just forget about the whole thing."

"Kanna," InuYaizou said warningly. "We will speak to them later and figure something out to please everyone."

"Okay, I just hope we're doing the right thing," Kanna said, cuddling him.

"We are, trust me," he said, holing her close to his chest.

Kanna nodded, closing her eyes tiredly.

"I have an idea about what we could do," Kanna told him, yawning.

"Tell me when you wake, koi," InuYaizou said to her gently.

'She is still tired from our long journey,' He thought to himself, moving to lay her down on the bed.

"InuYaizou," Kanna whispered. "Be here when I wake up, okay?"

"Of course," He told her. "Now sleep."
She closed her eyes, and not a moment later she was asleep. InuYaizou smiled down at his sleeping mate. He knew she shouldn't still be tired; she had slept most of the way there.

"Gods let it be so," He whispered to himself, sliding down her body until he got to her stomach. He laid the side of his head on her stomach so his ear was pressed against it. He could hear three heartbeats. Kanna was pregnant with twins.

"Seibunishi, what's wrong," Nishiria asked as she walked into the study, Ayako following close behind.

"Sit down," He told them, not looking up form his work.

"Seibunishi, why did you call us here?" Ayako asked, sitting in the chair across from his.

"I spoke with InuYaizou a few moments ago," He informed them, still not looking up.

"What did you talk about?" Nishiria asked.

He sighed; cradling his face in his hands.

"Seibunishi," Nishiria said, touching his arm.

He gently grabbed her hand.

"Ayako," Seibunishi said. "When Sesshomaru was born, we had him betrothed to InuYaizou and Kanna's daughter, Jasmine. Today InuYaizou asked to have that betrothal dismissed."

Everyone was silent for a moment.

"Does Sesshomaru know about this?" Ayako asked quietly.

"Not to our knowledge," Nishiria answered.

"What did you tell him?" Ayako asked.

"I told him that I'd talk to you two, and call him and Kanna here when we were ready for them," He answered, looking over at her, and releasing Nishiria's hand.

"We…we should give ourselves some time to contemplate on what to do. Call them here over dinner," Nishiria suggested, hesitating somewhat.

"Alright," Seibunishi said quietly.

"I don't think we should honor it," Ayako said. "Sesshomaru's been through enough already."

"InuYaizou and Kanna think that too," Seibunishi informed her. "I'm sure we can come to a decision that will please everyone."

"Okay," She whispered, her eyes shining over with tears. "I should go."

"Ayako," Seibunishi called after her retreating for. "Ayako wait."

She didn't listen, and walked into the hall. He stood to go after her, but Nishiria stopped him.

"Give her some time to calm down," She whispered to him.

Seibunishi nodded simply, sitting back down.

"I need to go to Totosi's hut. I will only be gone for a few days, but I need to have the swords made before the boys' birthdays," He told her tiredly.

"Alright," Nishiria replied, moving to stand behind him. "Be careful when you go, I don't want to hear about you getting injured again on one of these trips."

He grunted in response as she started massaging his neck and shoulders.

"You spoil me," He said with a smirk as her slowly lay his head back on her chest.

"I love you," She replied. "I have the right to spoil you."

"Yes you do," Seibunishi agreed with a moan.

"I suppose I could talk to Ayako about spoiling you some more tonight," Nishiria whispered in his ear.

"Tell me, mate, what exactly do you plan to do?" He asked, looking up at her beautiful face.

Nishiria leaned down, planting a loving kiss on her soft lips.

"I guess you'll just have to wait and find out," She replied, caressing his cheek with one hand and wrapping the other across his shoulders. "Supposing Ayako agrees."

He kissed her again.

"I can't wait," He whispered back.

Nishiria was about to reply when a knock was heard at the door. Seibunishi sighted, pulling Nishiria's arms from his person.

"Enter," He called out.

A young neko youkai entered the room hesitantly. She bowed, being careful not to drop the white pillow she was carrying.

"Yes?" he asked, trying hard not to moan when Nishiria started massaging his shoulders again.

"Master Seibunishi!" A voice called out.

Seibunishi felt a sharp prick on is nose. Calmly, he brought his right hand to his nose. A small flea demon fell from his nose to the palm of his hand.

"Yes Myoga?" Seibunishi asked.

"It's…nice…to…taste…you…again…master," The flea demon gasped out.

"What do you want Myoga?" He asked again.

Myoga sat cross-legged in Seibunishi's palm, his four arms crossed as well.

"My lord…Lady Nishiria….you're younger sister, Lady Izayoi, has just entered the castle gates," He reported. "She has her family and some other relatives with her."

Seibunishi sight tiredly; not quite wanting to deal with his siblings at the moment.

"Have her showed to her rooms. Inform her that I have some matters to attend to before I can speak with them," He told Myoga.

"Yes Lord Seibunishi," Myoga said, bowing just before turning and jumping back onto the pillow.

"Make sure that they don't speak with Sesshomaru," Nishiria called out just before the door closed.

"Yes Milady," The servant replied politely.

"Now, My Love, you may go after Ayako," Nishiria told Seibunishi as she left the study.

Ayako stood in the gardens; watching her pups play with their newly acquainted friends. She knew that Seibunishi would go looking for her, but she didn't care. Not at that moment, al least. For the time being all she wanted was to be with her children.

'Did they do that to Sakura as well?' Ayako wondered; a tear falling down her cheek.

She felt a warmth behind her, and knew that her husband had come for her.

"Ayako," He muttered into her raven locks from behind, wrapping his arms around her. "Why are you saddened koi?"

Ayako took in a shaky breath.

"Did you have Sakura betrothed?" She asked him quietly.

He tucked some hair behind her ear.

"No, we didn't," He told her.

She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Ayako, what's wrong," He knew why she was upset, but he needed to know the extent of it from her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked, turning to look at him.

"I didn't think it was important," He replied.

"It shouldn't have mattered," Ayako half-shouted at him. "I love him as if he were my own child. You should have told me!" She stepped out of his grasp; tears of anger and of sadness running down her cheeks.

"Ayako, please," Seibunishi begged, not wanting to catch the children's attention.

"No Seibunishi! You should have told me about this!" Ayako shouted. "You should have told me," She whispered, finally giving in and letting out her tears, kneeling down on the ground.

Seibunishi knelt down and embraced her against his chest; running his claws through her black hair.

"It's alright Ayako," Seibunishi cooed in her ear. "I'm sorry. I didn't think anything of the betrothal when we wed. I was a fool for not telling you before now. I'm sorry."

Every once in a while he would glance up to check on the pups, but otherwise worked on consoling his wife.

After a while she fell into a light slumber, and he carried her in his arms to his bed chamber so they would be together with she rested.

Seibunishi deeply wished Nishiria to be there. He detested not knowing what to do about his mates. Nishiria was hardly ever angered, and always seemed to be able to help with other's problems. He needed desperate help. He had never meant to upset Ayako; he had thought it best to not tell her of the betrothal, and that it would be better that way. How he wished that would have been true. For a moment he considered trying to reach her telepathically, but what if Ayako woke and he didn't notice? He would have to be quick, he decided finally.

Seibunishi closed his eyes in concentration; reaching out to his mate. After a few moments he finally reached her.

:Nishiria: He asked her mentally.

:Yes, Seibunishi? What is it that you need: Nishiria replied.

:I need to speak with you, koi: Seibunishi replied.

:What are you:

:In my bed chambers. Move quietly, Ayako is asleep:

:I'll be there in a moment: She replied, breaking the connection.

Seibunishi gave a long sigh, nuzzling tiredly into Ayako's raven locks. This was going to be a long day.

"Yes, Milord?" The servant asked from his desk.

"I need you to move Jasmine Taiso's room," Sesshomaru said quickly.

"What?" Jasmine asked him. "Why?"

Sesshomaru glanced at her, but only long enough to catch her eyes as if to say 'be quiet' or 'you'll see'. She also noticed the smallest of smirks on his face.

"Where to?" He asked Sesshomaru, pulling a book off the bookshelf behind him.

Sesshomaru flipped through the pages until he found the one he wanted near the back of the book. He pointed to a small square. In it the servant wrote 'Jasmine Taiso'. Upon closer inspection, she saw that the square next to it read 'Sesshomaru Taiyoukai'.

"I'll make sure the room is prepared immediately, Milord," He politely said; inclining his head in Sesshomaru's direction.

Sesshomaru turned, pulling Jasmine along with him as he walked out the door.

"Sesshomaru what are you…" Jasmine started.

"Not now,' Sesshomaru interrupted.

Jasmine sighted. She was getting tired of being told to not talk.

"Where are we going?" She asked after a minuet.

"My room," He answered shortly.

"Why?" She asked.

"Se we can talk over lunch," Sesshomaru replied, opening the door to a stairwell. "Backup."

"Why?" Jasmine asked.

"Just trust me," He told her.

She did as he said to. Sesshomaru's aura suddenly flared, and he transformed into his demon form.

"Climb on," He told her in inu-youkai.

Hesitantly, she climbed onto his back.

"Hold on tight," He commanded.

She did so. When he felt her grip the soft fur on the scruff of his neck, he jumped p to the landing. Turning, he did so again. And again. And again. And again. The process continued until he reached the final landing, and told her to get off his back; once again, in inu-youkai.

She climbed off his back, and backed up some so he could transform back. Once he had done so, they walked through the pearl-white doors and down the black-and-white marble halls.

Jasmine stayed close to imp the entire way. Transforming that much in so little time can easily wear one out, and she wanted to make sure he didn't collapse in the hall.

She opened the door for him when they reached it. After they were both in the room, she closed the door and followed him the bed. They sat next to each other on the bed, until Jasmine noticed Suzie and moved to the furs to pet her.

"She's so cute!" Jasmine exclaimed.

"Her name is Suzie," Sesshomaru informed her. "I have a golden retriever pup too, but he's usually in the gardens."

"Can we go there after lunch?" She asked; looking over at him.

"Alright," He replied.

Jasmine became concerned.

"You're tired," She stated.

"I'll be fine," Sesshomaru replied.

"If you want to take a nap…" She started.

"Jasmine, I'm fine," Sesshomaru said strictly.

She looked as if she was going to argue before nodding and going back to petting Suzie.

"What's the golden retriever's name?" Jasmine asked curiously.

"Simba," He replied.

"When did you get them?" She asked.

"My sisters got them for me when I came back," He replied.

Jasmine smiled.

"That was nice of them," She said, scratching Suzie's velvet ears.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess," Sesshomaru said.

"We brought my dogs with us," Jasmine informed him. "I don't know where they are though."

"We can look for them later," Sesshomaru replied.

Just then a knock was heard at the door.

"Come in,' Sesshomaru called in a demanding tone.

Three servants entered the room. The first one bowed politely, being sure to get out of the way for the other two. The second and third were holding silver trays with food on them. They carefully walked over to the small, round table by the glass door; the first servant following them to take the food from the trays and put it on the table.

"Is there anything else you wish for, Milord?" One of the servants politely asked.

Sesshomaru glanced over at Jasmine. She shook her head.

"No, you are dismissed," He answered.

They all bowed and left silently.

Jasmine released Suzie and stood up. Sesshomaru did the same. He walked over to the table and pulled a chair out for her. She sat in it, and smoothed her dress out before he pushed the chair a small bit closer to the table for her and sat across the table from her.

They ate the broth and bread that had been served to them.

"So who's supposed to come for the meetings?" Jasmine asked curiously; wanting to purr as the warm broth slipped down her throat.

"The Western Lords," Sesshomaru answered.

"That's it?" She asked after sipping the broth.

"Yes. The other Kings come either in mid winter of mid summer," He explained, swallowing a piece of bread.

"Do they always come to the West?" She questioned.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because we're the strongest Kingdom in the world. That also comes as being the busiest," Sesshomaru took another bite from his bread, and sipped some broth.

"What do you mean?" Jasmine asked, dipping a corner of the bread in the brother and eating it.

"People are always trying to beg for help, make treaties, threaten war, that kind of thing," Sesshomaru explained, sipping his broth.

"I'm sure that happens to the other three Kings as well," Jasmine replied.

"I know, but they're no where near as powerful as the West, so it happens here even more that in any of the other Kingdoms," He told her casually. "But even then, the Lords take care of the war threats, so if war did break out then they'd be safer here than in lands."

Jasmine sipped her broth quietly, not sure what to say to that statement. Sesshomaru looked up at her after a moment.

"Jasmine?" He asked.

"Yes?"

"Are you still hungry?"

"No, why?"

"Good," He replied, quickly picking her up and running out to the balcony. When he got close to the edge, he jumped. Because of his demonic blood, he landed safely on the ground.

"Why did you do that?" Jasmine asked as he set her down.

"My aunts are here," Sesshomaru answered. "They have a habit of being too caring."

"Then we'd better get going before they think to look over the balcony," Jasmine replied, walking off through the gardens.

Sesshomaru glanced up at the balcony before following quickly after her.

"Izayoi, please, I'm sure Seibunishi has his reasons for not wanting us to see Sesshomaru just yet," Izayoi's mate, InuNaitou begged.

"I don't care!" She shouted. "He doesn't have any right to do this! He didn't even tell us that Sesshomaru had been found!"

"Izayoi stop this now!" InuNaitou demanded, grabbing her upper left arm.

"No!" She shouted. "I want to see him!"

"I know you do, and so do I, and so do your sisters, but they're doing as Seibunishi told them to none-the-less," He replied, holding his now weeping mate against his chest.

"I've been so worried about him," She bawled into his chest. "It isn't fair!"

InuNaitou gave no reply, but simply held her tighter, supporting her weight against his.

"Father?" A small boy replied.

"What is it, pup?" InuNaitou replied.

"My cousin wasn't in his room," The child replied.

InuNaitou nodded and picked Izayoi up bridal-style.

"Let's go back to our chambers," He told the boy as he started walking down the hall in the direction they had just come from.

The guard walked silently down the hall. The red and yellow clan lords had just arrived at the castle. He had been assigned to inform Lord Seibunishi of their arrivals, and he had to be quick because the red clan lord needed to speak to Lord Seibunishi.

He knocked on the door to Lord Seibunishi's bed chambers and waited for a reply.

"Enter," He heard the lord call out.

The guard opened the door and bowed after entering.

"What is it?" Seibunishi demanded.

"My lord, the royals of the red and yellow clans have arrived. They wish to speak with you," The guard reported.

"Whatever it is they have to say can wait until tomorrow's meetings," He replied. "Now go."

The guard went to Lord Seibunishi's study and told the lords of his answer. They thanked him for telling them and then dismissed him.

Quickly making his way down the several flights of stairs, he went to the guard and servants chamber floors. After a few quiet halls he entered a room.

It wasn't very large, considering the number of people living in it. In the far right corner was a bed with a small side table next to it. There was a small rug in front of the fireplace on the left wall. In the near left corner was an armor stand.

The guard walked over to it. Carefully he removed his armor and weapons and placed them on or next to the stand before walking over to the bed.

"You look tired koi," His mate said as he sat next to her.

"You have no idea," Came his quiet reply. "How has she been?" He asked, stroking the tail of his feeding newborn pup.

"Better," She replied.

"Good," He responded. "And you?"

"Tired," She answered, smiling. "But happy."

"About…?"

"Our pups, looking forward to you and Riu coming home every evening," She told him. "Those kinds of things."

"Where are the others?"

"With some friends, they should be back soon," She replied.

He nodded.

"Cala, I love you," He whispered to her.

"I love you too," She replied, cuddling closer to him. "My Lyon."

"Oka-san!" A small pup exclaimed, running through the now open door.

Cala smiled warmly at the child as he and his three sisters climbed up the bed to their parents.

"Now, where's your brother?" Lyon asked them.

"He had to go train with some guards. We thought you were one of them," One of his daughters replied. "I guess we were wrong."