Inuyasha

Love's War

Chapter 3

Return Home

July 22, 2018

Shippou spent his week spending all his meals with Sachi alone without the rest of the family and the two younger girls were under strict orders from their father to stay away from the two. They took long walks in the forest around the castle much to the Northern Lords dislike who finally relented when Shippou suggested a guard detail for the Princess and the Lady of the North he could look after himself easily enough. They spent time soaking their feet in a stream, stargazing, talking, watching a storm blow through from under the pavilion in the garden and enjoying good food.

Every day the first two hours of the morning was spent in training after Shippou determined the perimeter was safe and secure. After his training was complete, when Shippou wasn't with Sachi he was with the young boy Sora learning the layout of the Northern Castle even the servant corridors and levels of the castle. Needless to say, Shippou gained himself a new friend spending a lot of time with him while Sachi did her own training with her mother.

But now it's time for Shippou to return to the West. "Are you sure Shippou you don't want a couple of fathers guards to join you on your journey West?" Sachi asked as they stood there by the front gate. The whole family had come to see him off.

"No Sachi I shall move faster on my own thank you for your concern." Shippou said with a soft smile on his lips as he just stared at her. This last week had started off ruff but had turned into an amazing visit with her he had learned a lot about her next month she would get to see him in action at home.

"Here Shippou is the letter I wrote to Lady Kagome." Hoshi said holding out the letter sealed with the Northern Lady's wax seal.

"I shall take care of this and deliver it to her as soon as I am home. Thank you, Lady Hoshi, for your time and hospitality. I'm sure my stay deterred you from your normal routine." Shippou said taking the letter putting it inside his shirt then took her hand then bent down and kissed it lightly.

"We will be glad to have you again in two months' time dear Shippou." Hoshi said with a huge smile on her face this was the politest boy she had ever met then she chastised herself mentally this wasn't a boy anymore this was a man. She could see her daughter doing magnificently with him and the Northern Lands would be in good hands as far as she was concerned.

"Good bye big brother Shippou." Katsumi said as she tugged on his pant legs lightly.

"Good bye little one. Good bye to you to Ryoko." Shippou said brightly as he ruffled Katsumi's hair then looked over at the middle child who seemed to only be there by order not to actually see him off. But she managed a smile and a small nod for him. "See you next month Sachi. Don't forget Sora." Shippou said looking over to her again with a slight pink tint on his cheeks.

"I look forward to it, and I'll bring him along I promise." Sachi said with a sweet smile as she reached over and gave him a quick hug earning herself a small warning sound from her father.

Shippou laughed lightly as he backed away. "See ya." he said with a quick wave then he was gone up into the tree's moving West fast. Making it back to the Western boarder in just a couple of hours he decided to do a border check and turned heading South he took note of any new tracks from the last border patrol a week ago.

It was early afternoon by the time he made it to the Western/Southern border. Lady Tatsu had kept a tight hold on her people since the death of her mate a little over ten years ago and most of the hostility had died away over the years. But he just couldn't bring himself to completely drop his guard around the Southern boarder there had been a lot of hate back then and some still hold that same old grudge. Not to mention as a kit he had been held hostage in the Southern Dungeon for over ten months, finally breaking out when Hotaru had taken Kagome hostage.

Every time he stopped to look at a new track he looked out over the boarder watching for movement, the South had always been the most aggressive of the four lands, so it was natural to stay on his guard always paying attention to the wind direction, never staying up wind for very long another part of Sesshomaru's training. He noticed that he was upwind from a small camp just the other side of the boarder, which was a rather loud, drunken, and obnoxious kind of camp. So, he hopped up into the tree's and made his way closer to hear what was being said being sure not to cross the border.

"I hear...Hiccup...Lord Hotaru...hiccup... is due to return later... this month..." a young black inu demon said in the royal guard uniform.

"He's not Lord yet Natsu, he's got to mate first." an older black inu demon said as he threw down his empty plate and cup from his lunch.

"That's... not... what I hear...hiccup... I hear he...intends on taking his thrown..." the young demon named Natsu said slurring drunkenly.

"Nonsense. Now clean up we've got our border patrol to complete, I'd like to get home some time tonight this has already taken longer than expected because of your drunken ass lets go." the older demon said annoyed at his younger constant drunk companion. "How you stay in the royal guard I'll never know." he said with a huff as he stood up and dusted himself off picking up his cup and plate to repack them.

"Don't be like that my friend...it'll all be clear to you soon..." the younger one said then the conversation was covered up by the two cleaning up camp so Shippou backed away then watched them head South.

Shippou decided it was a good thing they were heading the same direction as he was cause he wanted to hear more about Hotaru's return. He followed them South until they broke away heading North East towards their own castle. He sighed the conversations never turned back to Hotaru before they headed for home, so he turned North West and headed home himself. But now he was late it was nearly dinner time he was supposed to be back by lunch.

Himeko watched as Shippou landed nimbly in front of the gate then walked through. "Lord Sesshomaru wants to see you ASAP." she said as she leaned over the top wall to look down at him, her eyes chastising him silently.

Shippou looked up with a smile on his face. "I figured he would I'm late." He said with a wave then turned and continued up to the castle. He knew where Sesshomaru was it was easy to find his aura even if it was suppressed so he walked down the hallway and knocked on his study door.

"Come in Shippou." Sesshomaru said from behind his desk reading, as always, a scroll.

"You wanted to see me Sesshomaru-Sama?" Shippou asked curiously as he stopped a few feet in front of Sesshomaru's desk with his hands behind his back.

"What took you so long you were supposed to be home by lunch it's after dinner?" Sesshomaru asked curiously putting the scroll down, it was unimportant at the moment it was only a standard request for supplies in one of his garrison houses farther south.

"I was ahead of schedule, so I decided to do a border check. As I reached the Southern boarder there was some Southern royal guards camped close, so I observed them as they cleaned up and traveled South apparently checking the boarder. One was highly inebriated but was very certain that Hotaru was due back soon and would be taking his thrown." Shippou said in explanation of his tardiness.

"I've gotten reports that Hotaru is on his way home but as to taking the thrown he's still unmated." Sesshomaru said dismissively pulling out another scroll to review.

"That's similar to what the older guard said." Shippou said then held back a smirk when Sesshomaru's attention shot back to him. "The younger one was adamant that Hotaru planned to take his thrown and all would be made clear soon." he said as he moved closer to Sesshomaru's desk.

"But you say he was inebriated correct?" Sesshomaru asked curiously as he leaned back in his seat.

"Yes but apparently the older one was surprised the younger one was allowed to stay in the royal guard with as drunk as he stayed. But even if we can't take this conversation as proof of turmoil to come Hotaru is still a dangerous person we have no idea what he's done over the past ten years. For all we know he's held a grudge this whole time and it's festered driving him nuts." Shippou said standing up close to Sesshomaru's desk.

"I agree I don't trust the boy, never have he's always been a thorn in my side since the day he could walk and talk." Sesshomaru said with a frown then stood up and walked over to the window overlooking the training field. He watched outside for several long silent minutes, of which Shippou just stood there patiently he had grown accustomed to Sesshomaru's silent contemplation's over the years. "We will up our border patrols between you, me, Inuyasha and Himeko there shouldn't be a problem. Also training Hikaru needs to take precedence if Hotaru starts anything I'm sure he will go after Kagome or Hikaru which means extra duties for you." he said as he turned around to look at Shippou.

"I agree to err on the side of caution would be best." Shippou said as he watched Sesshomaru return to his chair behind his desk.

"Any problems in the North?" Sesshomaru asked curiously as he sat back down and looked up at Shippou.

"Only real problem I had was on my second day there, Lord Kuro was trying to change the agreement with me instead of you." Shippou said with a smirk on his face.

"Damn sneaky old fox..." Sesshomaru said softly to himself as he leaned back into his seat then a stunned look came over his face he had just said that out loud to his fox surrogate son.

Shippou laughed. "Yep. He wanted me to spend one hour a day with him personally to learn how they do things in the Northern Lands." he said with a shrug.

"And how did you handle that?" Sesshomaru asked curiously he had warned Shippou that Kuro may try something, and he was to direct Lord Kuro to him.

"I told him that if he wanted to change the arrangement between his daughter and myself he had to do that through you as per custom or I would return home and await his arrival." Shippou said with a wide smile on his face showing his fangs with a mischievous glint in his eyes thinking back on that encounter.

"Good boy." Sesshomaru said with a small laugh.

"How's everything here?" Shippou asked curiously he hadn't seen Inuyasha, Kagome, Hikaru or Rin yet so he was wondering if anything interesting happened while he was gone.

"Ah the good news, Kagome is with pup." Sesshomaru said as he stood up again, walked around his desk then motioned for Shippou to follow him. They walked out of the study and up to the West wing where they walked all the way down to the master quarters. "Kagome, Shippou has returned." he said as he spotted Kagome sitting on the balcony reading a book.

"Great, your late young man." Kagome said with a small grin on her face as she stood up and walked into the living area where she sat down on the chair closest to the balcony with a slight huff. She seemed extremely weak with dark circles under her eyes.

"You look different are you alright Kagome?" Shippou asked worried as he made his way over to her quickly then went down to one knee in front of her putting his hand on one of her' hands on the arm rest.

"Yes, I'm fine, just tired." Kagome said with a sweet smile as she patted his hand with her other hand lightly. She could tell that wasn't going to satisfy him since he looked back at Sesshomaru worried wanting confirmation or an explanation.

"She is weak Shippou because she carries twins. They affected her even before her sent changed fainting in my study on your second day gone. She will be fine with lots of rest my mother will be arriving here within the next few weeks to help run the castle staff until then Himeko shall take over most of the duties Kagome now manages." Sesshomaru assured Shippou understanding his worry for his surrogate mother.

"Twins...wow... Is it safe for her to have demon twins?" Shippou asked worried for Kagome's wellbeing.

"We have Dr. Tadashi checking on me several times a day Shippou, I'll be fine I promise." Kagome said sweetly as she patted his cheek dragging his attention back to her.

"If you say so, I'm so happy for you though." he said as he leaned up and kissed her on the cheek then stood up. "Any word on Inuyasha and Himeko?" he asked with a sly smile on his lips as he glanced between the two of them.

"Nothing yet." Kagome said with a huff as she slouched back into her seat. "He's so chicken." she said with a huff.

Shippou laughed as he looked over at Kagome. "Who would have thought I would make a move to get a mate before Inuyasha?" he said laughing again as the door opened to the room.

"Certainly not me. Himeko said you had finally returned. Where have you been?" Inuyasha said as he walked in dressed in his armor with Tessaiga on his side obviously just coming in from looking for Shippou.

"Ah Inuyasha you've returned." Sesshomaru said as he turned to look at his younger brother. They had grown quite close over the past ten years learning to rely on one another. The latest was sending Inuyasha out to look for Shippou along the Northern border, if Shippou hadn't returned by tomorrow Sesshomaru himself was going to go the Northern Castle.

"I did a border check before returning home Inuyasha." Shippou said standing up and turning to face his friend with a look in his eye that said they needed to talk later. "Where's Rin is her Wedding date set yet?" he asked changing subjects quickly.

"Again, with the wedding date..." Sesshomaru huffed as he rolled his eyes, between Kagome, Inuyasha, Rin herself, and now Shippou they were going to drive him crazy.

"You know if you would just tell them their date was alright then everyone would leave you alone my love." Kagome said with a light laugh as she covered her lips trying to hide her smile when he looked over at her.

"We'll see." Sesshomaru said as he turned to the door as it opened again to see Himeko walking in.

"I was coming to see if Lady Kagome needed anything, or if Master Shippou required some food before turning in for the night." Himeko said as she stopped by the door looking around at everyone in the room.

"I'm fine Himeko thank you. Shippou dear go eat since you missed lunch and dinner." Kagome said with a sweet smile on her lips as she shooed him out of the room.

"Very well Himeko get Jaken to inform the kitchen staff I'd like to see you as soon as you're done." Sesshomaru said as he started ushering everyone out of the room.

"Something wrong my love?" Kagome asked curiously wondering if they were all hiding something from her, she was expecting to stay for a few minutes like usual.

"No just a standard supply order from the southern border guards." Sesshomaru said as he looked back at his mate with his old indifferent look on his face.

"If it's just standard it can wait until morning." Kagome said looking at him with knowing eyes, he rarely ever used that look on her and it was usually when he was trying to keep information from her.

"It'll take just a moment I shall return shortly my mate." Sesshomaru said then ducked out of the room to follow the others down the hall to the stairs. He hated keeping things from her but in her condition carrying twin pups was going to be hard and he didn't want to add any stress to her.

After several minutes in Sesshomaru's study Inuyasha and Himeko walked in curious about what had caused Shippou to be so late. "So, what really happened?" Inuyasha asked as they stopped in front of Sesshomaru's desk.

"Shippou did a border check and found two Southern Royal Guards camped out doing a border check of their own. He watched then and overheard some interesting information. Hotaru is due back soon." Sesshomaru said as he sat back in his chair looking at them curiously.

"So, we already knew that information. What's the big secret?" Inuyasha said with a frown on his face and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Not sure how accurate the information is, but apparently Hotaru plans on taking his thrown without a mate." Sesshomaru said as he laced his fingers together with a slight frown on his lips.

"Shippou's proved himself as more than reliable and always accurate in his reports My Lord." Himeko said slightly shocked at Sesshomaru's assumption.

"Shippou is not the issue the information comes from a drunk, but apparently always drunk, Southern Guard." Sesshomaru explained as he leaned up and put his arms on his desk. "Never the less I believe we need to step up out border patrols and increase the pace of Hikaru's training. Also, I don't want Kagome to be informed of this until we know more while carrying the twins it's putting a lot of strain on her body she doesn't need the added stress." He said watching them to see their reactions.

"Kagome's not going to like being kept in the dark, you know that." Inuyasha said with a slight frown, Kagome was smart, and he figured she already suspected something was going on with the way Sesshomaru had left behind them.

"I will deal with my mate, you just concentrate on the extra border patrols and training of Hikaru. Shippou has the same information." Sesshomaru said as he stood up ready to head back up to his room with Kagome for the night.

"Yes, My Lord." Himeko said as she bowed her head to him when he walked past.

"Inuyasha walk with me for a moment." Sesshomaru said from the door before walking out into the hall way. "You really should make it official Inuyasha." He said once Inuyasha walked up beside him.

"Make what official?" Inuyasha asked playing stupid as he looked away from Sesshomaru.

"Inuyasha you remember Hotaru and how he has always had it in for the West just like his father. Stop wasting time with Himeko if you have no intention of mating with her then let her know that, because she is obviously waiting for you." Sesshomaru said with a slight huff. "Normally I wouldn't get involved but you seem to need a push in one direction or the other. Kagome wished me to talk with you about it months ago I was hoping you would do something on your own without my interference." He said glancing over at Inuyasha.

"I just don't know how to bring it up…" Inuyasha said truthfully with a pink tint on his cheeks, this was totally humiliating walking up the stairs talking about this.

"Just ask her. That's what I did with Kagome." Sesshomaru said with a slight shrug as they topped the stairs and turned towards the West Wing.

"Maybe after we figure out what's going to happen with Hotaru." Inuyasha said with a shrug as he stopped at his bedroom door.

"Stop putting it off Inuyasha, that is my advice for you." Sesshomaru said as he looked at his brother then turned and continued down the hall towards his room with Kagome.