Authors Notes: Happy Turkey Holocaust Day. My life has gone to the crapper, but that's okay, because when that happens I write….A lot. So you will have no shortage of material any time soon. So guys, here it is. Another chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 17

Kagome brushed away the hand that shook her insistently. Her mind was foggy from lack of sleep.

"Kagome, wake up! You'll be late for Inu Yasha's judgment at this rate!" Sango's voice practically shouted in her ear. Kagome jolted upright.

"Oh Kami how long before breakfast is over?" Kagome shouted as she ran over to the chest that held her kimono.

"It's okay Kagome, one's been set out for you especially for this. And you're not running late, well, not too late anyways. Breakfast is going to officially start in about fifteen minutes. If we hurry, I can get you dressed in about twenty," Sango chuckled as she saw the look on Kagome's face.

"Don't ever do that again Sango, that was mean!" Kagome whined as Sango helped her change from the sleeping robe and into the under robe of the kimono, and then into the kimono itself. Kimono sighed. The kimono was…Well, classy. But it was so…Black. If she had her way she would have worn something more to her liking, but she supposed the sober black affair was appropriate. The crescent moon on the back made her smile slightly as she blushed.

The night before had been…Amazing, to say the least. She gazed at her hand and blushed an even deeper red. So her friends had been right about guessing that it would please a guy. Where they right about the other things too? Kagome felt her entire face burn so hotly that she thought she could fry an egg on it.

"Kagome, what are you blushing about?" Sango asked, a sly smile on the woman's face. Kagome looked at her friend, even more embarrassed. Sango had slimmed down greatly since she had given birth, but she was still plump. Of course, the ex-taijiya didn't look bad. Kagome even envied her.

"Thinking about a certain youkai?" Sango asked slyly as she checked to make sure the obi had been tied right.

"How did you find out about that?" Kagome asked, startled.

"About what?" Sango asked, feigning innocence.

"Don't make me say it Sango," Kagome whined.

"It's just a rumor I heard," Sango said.

"What kind of rumor?" Kagome asked, holding her breath.

"That you and Sesshoumaru were seen walking in the garden the other night. Late at night," Sango emphasized.

Kagome let out the breath she had been holding. So it seemed no one knew what had happened last night.

"All done, let's go get some breakfast," Sango urged with a chuckle. Kagome thanked Kami her friend wasn't urging her for any more details.

Sango felt a little bad for lying to Kagome. Okibi had talked to her and Miroku about seeing Kagome and Sesshoumaru kissing one night and how the pair needed to mate. The phoenix had been almost…Mischievous. And very, very blunt. Sango had even blushed at the bold suggestions the woman had made!

Kagome and Sango walked in silence to breakfast. Anei followed Kagome, as always. When they arrived, everyone was already there. No one seemed to have a problem eating, so Kagome forced herself to eat the miso soup and fish. The time seemed to drag by. Kagome glanced towards Sesshoumaru every now and again. He caught her glance once and she blushed deeply at his slight smile. That was so weird, why was he smiling like that?

Okibi however, seemed put out.

"So your tail split all the way? That was quicker than I thought it would be. It took your father three or four days before his fully split," The woman said as she sipped some bancha tea.

"Odd," Sesshoumaru commented. He wasn't about to reveal anything to the woman. One slip of the tongue and implications could be made that he didn't want even thought about.

"Hmph, just as closemouthed as ever I see. Well, at least we don't have to endure you acting like some sort of kicked dog for the few days like I had to endure with you father, if you'll pardon my expression," Okibi said.

"Huh?" Kagome asked, confused.

"It's an expression. Kicked dogs are in pain and tend to lash out at whoever's around, including people trying to help them," Okibi commented as she finished her tea.

Kagome blushed when she thought about how Sesshoumaru had tried to force her out of the bathhouse the night before. And what had happened because he had failed.

"I see," Kagome mumbled.

"Come now girl, cheer up. There will be no sadness right now. And I better not see you cry today," Okibi said. Kagome nodded.

"It'll be alright Lady Kagome!" Ferimaru chirped. Kagome nodded, and though she smiled, it didn't quite reach her eyes. She was as confused as ever. Starting today she had a month to find a new husband. Despite her affair with Sesshoumaru(could it be called that if they hadn't made love?) she didn't think he would pursue mating to her. Why should he? So they were in lust with each other. That wasn't a good enough reason for them to mate.

Shaking those thoughts away, Kagome quickly finished her breakfast and sipped tea as the others finished.

"Let's go. I suppose the Chamber is ready by now," Okibi muttered.

'Chamber? What is she talking about?' Kagome wondered as she stood and followed the woman. Once again she regretted not taking a tour of the castle. Everyone walked in single file, like school children. The entire thing seemed so surreal, like a scene out of a movie. Kagome gulped as they stopped in front of a set of huge doors. Yotogi and Shisou stood there, already waiting. The exotic youkai opened the doors and everyone filed in. The doors closed behind them. The four council members sat on elevated mats in the front. Kagome was confused about where to sit when Okibi gestured to a place on the floor about fifteen feet in front of the council. Kagome and her two friends all sat in a straight line. Kagome looked straight ahead. Oddly, it was Sesshoumaru in the line of her vision. Somehow it seemed that no matter what she couldn't escape his presence.

"Lead the prisoner in," Okibi called. Once more the doors opened and Anei walked in, leading a snarling Inu Yasha. His eyes held a feral glint.

"Inu Yasha, calm yourself," Okibi said.

Kagome stared in wonder at the usually easy going woman. She seemed so…Commanding and filled with authority suddenly. Like some sort of goddess. The doors closed once again, with Yotogi and Shisou standing inside the doors, one of either side, their hands on their weapons.

"Inu Yasha, you stand before the Great Council accused of treason," Okibi began.

Inu Yasha was quiet, but his eyes still held a feral gleam.

"Due to special circumstances, you can not be killed without my approval. However, for this crime, most who do not succeed are killed. I believe this punishment is too light for your many crimes. It has been decided by this council that you will be punished though," Okibi said.

"We have decided that should you be allowed to keep your current powers and your current knowledge, you will try once again to commit such crimes. So it is the decision of the council that your memory be erased and your strength and powers as a hanyou be sealed," Jinchi supplied.

"And from this point on you are stripped of your title and all of it's privileges. After your memory has been erased, you will be placed in a village of our choosing and live the rest of your life as a human," Ferimaru supplied. Sesshoumaru stayed silent through all of this. What could be going through his mind? His face was a stoic mask, showing nothing of his thoughts or feelings.

"Just one question," Inu Yasha snarled.

"And that is?" Okibi asked, looking amused.

"What will happen to my wife?"

"As of today, she is no longer your wife. The mating mark will be removed. From what I've seen of her it wasn't done correctly anyway," Okibi remarked offhandedly.

"What the hell? What makes you think you can do all of this anyway?" Inu Yasha suddenly began to rage. He pulled against the seals on him. Anei held onto the shackles on his hands and wrists, but the chains strained dangerously, looking ready to snap.

"We are the council. Be happy you're brother didn't outright kill you, I wouldn't have taken away his inheritance if he had," Okibi snapped. Her voice was sharp and cold.

"Might as well," Inu Yasha snarled.

"No, Inu Yasha. You will be haunted by dreams of your past for the rest of your life," Okibi said. Kagome flinched at the sudden coldness of her voice, how it seemed almost as if she was taunting the hanyou.

"Lady Kagome, as Guardian of the Shikon Jewel, you have to produce an heir that can carry on your duty after your death. Because human's lives are so uncertain, we have given you one month to find a new husband. If you have not found a suitable husband by then, the council will pick a husband for you," Ferimaru stated. The crane youkai's words may have been delivered in a serious tone, but her slight smirk took away from that. Kagome had a feeling several people knew about her 'late night walk' with Sesshoumaru.

"Do you accept these terms Lady Kagome?" Sesshoumaru asked solemnly. Inwardly he was delighting over the punishment meted out to the hanyou. It was one thing to be killed. It was quite another to be tormented by dreams of power and strength that would be forever beyond your reach.

"I do," Kagome said. Inwardly, she was confused, mixed up, and feeling bad because now she was free of Inu Yasha! She regretted the fact their marriage had turned into something so twisted and warped, but somehow, those facts didn't seem to hurt as much as she thought they would.

"You traitorous bitch! You're the one that begged me to stay!" Inu Yasha snarled.

"Inu Yasha, if you don't calm down I'll make sure you'll regret it," Sesshoumaru said in a rather apathetic tone. Nonetheless, the threat was very clear.

"And just what can you do?" Inu Yasha snarled.

"Okibi, may I?" Sesshoumaru asked. It was up to her to punish Inu Yasha unfortunately. Why his old man had ever made her the executer of his will, he'd never understand. But she was a better choice than Saya, Myouga, and Totosai. And those three listened to her(though Totosai hadn't done a very good job of delivering the sword Tenseiga).

"You may," Okibi said. What he wanted to do didn't need to be put in words. Okibi knew it just by the sudden glint in the taiyoukai's eyes.

"Everyone, if you'll please follow Shisou, it is time for you all to leave. Lady Kagome, I will meet with you after we are done here to remove the mating mark," Okibi instructed formally. Kagome nodded and the three humans followed Shisou out of the large room.

"What was Sesshoumaru talking about?" Sango mused aloud when they were a safe distance from the room.

"One of the things Inu Yasha will dream of is Kagome, and how he lost her. I don't think he'll stay sane long as a human," Shisou said as if it was inconsequential, like they were talking about the current weather.

"I was thinking about all of that. It won't be easy for him to live as a human. Can the council really wipe his memories and seal his youkai blood?" Miroku asked thoughtfully.

"The council is made up of elite youkai. The strongest in their fields. Lord Sesshoumaru is the strength of this island. Lady Okibi is the fount of magic. Jinchi is the holder of ancient wisdom, and Ferimaru is the embodiment of this lands spirituality and freedom. And while they are merely strongest in those areas, they are all very wise and strong. They are powerful individuals that one would be a fool to go against unless there was an army. But when those four come together, there is very little they can't do," Shisou explained.

"That's amazing," Kagome breathed.

"Yes. Their powers are why they have been able to remain keepers of their lands for so long. While they might rule the lands, they must care for the land and its people," Shisou told her.

"It's hard to believe if you consider how much Sesshoumaru hates humans," Sango sighed.

"He doesn't hate humans per say. At least I don't think so. He and Miroku have talked privately, and he let me take over several duties of this castle, and he even helped when you were giving birth. And think of Rin," Kagome told her friend.

"An astute observation. It's true Sesshoumaru isn't fond of humans, but it's for a very simple reason, one you've all probably heard about by now."

"What do you mean Shisou?" Miroku asked.

"There's a few reasons actually. One is the fact that as an inu youkai, he has a very sensitive nose, more so than youkai. Because youkai by nature have a keen sense of smell, they bath frequently. Sesshoumaru avoids most humans because they don't bathe often. Another reason he avoids them is because of their petty battles. He may be strong and a skilled warrior, but he fights only if he sees good reason to. Most wars fought by humans are over petty things, and thus he finds the wars foolish. But most likely the strongest reason, is because of Inu Yasha's mother," Shisou explained. After that, she said nothing more. After all, if they didn't know by now, they probably didn't need to know.

"Okibi told me that when Izayoi got pregnant, Akari killed herself," Kagome whispered sadly, just as they reached the kitchen.

"Yes, and Sesshoumaru blames the human woman, Izayoi, for that, and ever since then, he's seen humans as lower for some reason. I have never felt quite that way about humans. In my country humans and youkai sometimes interact. It is natural," Shisou said.

But Kagome was very busy musing on the mystery of Sesshoumaru, so she barely noticed the odd looks her friends were giving her, or the triumphant grin on Shisou's face. After all, Okibi had recruited her as well. And Shisou loved a good play, especially if it was romantic. It reminded her of her younger days with her mate, Yotogi.

'Ah, to be young again,' Shisou thought, inwardly laughing with delighted glee.

The hanyou was writhing on the floor in pain, clutching his head in his claws as if to protect it from the four youkai that stood around him in a circle.

"Everyone knows what to do?" Okibi asked. Everyone nodded.

"Then I guess it's time to get to work," She sighed as she knelt. The other three followed her motions. Anei stood in Shisou's place, guarding the doors. Okibi prayed no one suddenly decided to attack. This process would leave herself and the other three council members very vulnerable to outside attack.

With a slight hum, she began to call on her energy, gathering her chakra into her hands. The warmth of it filled her with an inner sense of peace, and she wished she could stay like that forever, as she always did when she called upon her power.

Okibi felt her mind connect with his. Brief flashes of memory surged through it, and she felt like ripping his throat out as she saw various times he had taken Kagome brutally, all the times he had hit her. How he had blamed her for not baring him a child.

But that wouldn't help at all, so she decided to morph her anger into more chakra and worked out from there. It was dangerous, what they were attempting. She hadn't done it in over five hundred years. In a best case scenario, everything could go according to plan and Inu Yasha would serve out his punishment in a village close to her castle so she could watch over him. In a worst case scenario, he wouldn't die, that would be a blessing. No, he would end up without any mind at all, like a sort of doll.

'I have to do this just so,' Okibi mentally muttered. She felt the mind's of the others connect with the hanyou's, and through him, to her. The keen intelligence of Jinchi, the soft touch Ferimaru's, and the solid, cold feel of Sesshoumaru's chakra. She blocked out those energies and began to work her magic, uttering the incantation for the seal mentally in her people's language. An almost dead language.

It was hard work. She knew it would be, even for her. But little by little she made the youkai genes within the hanyou become dormant. If her eyes had been open to the visible world, she would have noticed how he was changing. White hair turning black, ears changing, claws receding, muscle tissue softening. She even took away his ability to regenerate cells, thus closing off his healing ability and his long lifespan.

Then she retreated from him, her duty done. With the last of the incantation done, an odd sort of mark appeared on his neck, then promptly disappeared as if it had never been.

She watched as slowly, the other three youkai pulled back from the hanyou's mind, one by one. Jinchi looked mildly angry, which Okibi knew meant he was inwardly raging. Ferimaru wore her emotions on her face, and currently she was seething. Sesshoumaru looked the least affected of them all, though his eyes held anger and a look of smug satisfaction at the same time. Okibi knew what images he had implanted in the hanyou's brain. The hanyou would dream of a woman, a beautiful woman, who once loved him, but left him. It would be a hard thing to dream about.

"He's a rotten, stupid, moronic bastard," Ferimaru snapped angrily.

"We know that. But what's done is done, we can't change it. We can only punish him," Jinchi told the woman. Okibi sighed. All of them were tired, but she still had to go remove Kagome's mating mark, and that wasn't easy. It would be even harder to do since Inu Yasha had somehow made a mess of it.

"Everyone, it's been an honor to work with you again, but I have something else to do," Okibi muttered as she stood, her knees popping. Damn it all, why did they always have to kneel when doing powerful magics?

"So we don't fall over in the process," Jinchi chuckled. Okibi glared at him before her gaze softened. The old tiger youkai had been a very dear friend for a long time, and somewhere along the way, they had opened their minds to one another and ever since then, no thought was hidden.

"I know. Go get some rest you three. Anei, make sure Inu Yasha is given a good room. He doesn't know he is a prisoner anymore. But make sure the room has a good barrier. It probably won't matter, he won't be up for at least three or four days, but just in case," Okibi told the youkai. Anei nodded silently and she left.

Now to find Kagome. Judging by the waning light outside, the girl should either be in the kitchen or in her room.

"And so the games begin," Okibi chuckled as she walked towards the kitchen.

Okay everyone, so please review, because reveiws make me very happy.