English

'thoughts'

'thoughts of Sesshomaru's beast'

Hermione gasped at the sight of it. The castle of the west was truly magnificent and imposing. She could see it was mostly build in the traditional Japanese style, but some Chinese influences could be seen on it as well. They flew closer, and she could see the number of buildings clearer now, noticing the gardens, ponds and after a while also the people living in the fortress.

"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed.

"Hn."

She continued to marvel at the sight of the palace. As they drew nearer Hermione could see the courtyard to which they seemed to be headed to, and she also noticed the people who began to gather there for their arrival. It was the inner courtyard where the main building was.

They landed in the middle of the wide space, being followed by Ah-Un, Jaken and Rin. The people around them bowed as soon as the demon lord touched the earth, and they did not get up. Hermione was looking around astonished by the grandeur of this place and the number of people, not realising that she was still holding on to Lord Sesshomaru.

Rin jumped down from Ah-Un's back and ran to them with a worried expression visible on her face.

"Hermione, are you alright? Was the flying very scary?"

Hermione now realised that she was still so close to the demon lord, so she let go off him slowly and stepped back, blushing slightly.

"I am alright Rin. It was a bit scary at first, but I forgot after a while, talking to Lord Sesshomaru. How was the flight for you?"

"Rin was bored, Jaken did not want to play 'I spy ...'."

Before she could answer Rin, Lord Sesshomaru spoke: "Tomomi, bring Rin to her room and let her rest until dinner is served."

A young woman stepped up to them, bowed before Lord Sesshomaru and then held out her hand to Rin, who took it and went with her, waving at Hermione.

"Nishi, you stay, the rest is dismissed."

The people straightened up and began to go their way, only two of them stayed behind. One was a girl with cat ears and tail. She also had straightened up but was looking at the ground, waiting for instructions. The other person was a young man clad in armour, who was now heading straight for the demon lord.

"Welcome back, Lord Sesshomaru. I hope you had a pleasant journey and found what you had set out for."

"Yes, this Sesshomaru has. General Akio, may this Sesshomaru present you Lady Hermione. She will be translating for our other guests. Hermione, this is General Akio. He is in charge of the guards and troupes."

"It is an honour to meet you, General Akio," Hermione said while she bowed to him in greeting.

"As it is for me, Lady Hermione. I have to say your Japanese is very good."

"Thank you."

"Nishi, bring Lady Hermione to the room next to Rin's," Sesshomaru ordered the servant girl, then addressed Hermione, "Rest until dinner. I will send someone to fetch you."

The general and the servant looked surprised at those words but schooled their faces quickly.

The servant girl Nishi bowed to her lord, bowed to Hermione and then held out an arm to show her the way.

Hermione bowed slightly to Lord Sesshomaru and the general, and then she went with the girl into the palace.

She realised soon that it would not work. The servant was walking behind her, but she did not know where to go, so she stopped and turned to the her.

"Nishi, wasn't it? I don't know the way, so why don't you show it to me by walking in front of me."

The girl or more accurately woman frowned slightly at her and looked at her with big green eyes a bit distrustfully.

"I could not Lady Hermione," she said while looking at the ground.

"Sure you can. I don't know the way, so how can I lead it?"

Nishi hesitated.

"Look, if it puts you at ease, I will require you to walk in front of me and showing me the way only until I know the way myself. But if we continue like this, we will not make it to the room before dinner."

She still hesitated for a moment, but then nodded and lead the way.

Hermione watched her from behind. Nishi looked to be around her age. She was a few centimetres taller than her and had black long hair bound at the nape. She wore a simple light green kimono which had white stripes.

She tried to remember the way they took, but gave up after a while, since there were just too many turns, even for her.

They arrived at a rice paper door, Nishi opening it for her, and they stepped in.

"This will be your room. The one on the right is Lady Rin's room. At then of this floor are the quarters of Lord Sesshomaru. Do you need my assistance with anything?" the half-demon spoke quietly.

"No, thank you for your help, Nishi."

The woman bowed and closed the door behind her.

Hermione looked around. The floor was laid out with matts, and on each side of the door was a small table with a vase and flowers. The vases where jade green and looked expensive. The room was divided by a screen with a futon laid out behind it, and there was also a big chest presumably for clothes or some other things. On this side of the screen was a low table surrounded by four pillows, which seemed to be very comfortable. On the left side of the room there was a little table with a mirror and a few boxes and trinkets. There was also a shelve with books to which Hermione went immediately over. She studied them, then took one and began to read, making herself comfortable on a pillow at the table.

She did not know how much time had passed when she heard a knock outside from her door, and an unknown female voice began to speak: "Lady Hermione, Lord Sesshomaru wishes to inform you that dinner is ready, and you should accompany Lady Rin to his quarters."

"Yes, one moment please."

She stood up, stretched herself and went to the door, leaving the book on the table for later reading. After she opened the door she saw the young woman that had led Rin to her room waiting on the side of her door while kneeling. Rin stood beside her and smiled at Hermione. Taking her hand, Rin led the witch to the chambers of Lord Sesshomaru, the servant following them closely behind.

At the door the young woman kneeled again, knocked on the door and opened it after receiving an answer from inside.

Rin led Hermione inside and there they saw Lord Sesshomaru sitting at a low table bigger than the one in Hermione's room with food laid before him.

"Leave us now."

The servant bowed and closed the door. Lord Sesshomaru motioned to two pillows beside him and they took their places at the table, Rin sitting between Hermione and Lord Sesshomaru.

"I hope you like your room and the books I choose for you", Lord Sesshomaru said while beginning to eat.

"Yes, it is wonderful. I started to read one of the books you put in my room. One about court customs?"

"Very good. The books are for you to read and learn from. Tomorrow morning Lady Misaki will begin tutoring you. You will also be measured, so that the seamstresses can make you new clothing."

"But I have clothes."

"Yes, but they are not suitable for court or formal events."

She sighed, knowing that he was right. She needed the clothes so as not to shame him in front of the guests.

"Okay. So, I will meet Lady Misaki in the morning. What will she be tutoring me in?"

He smirked at her.

"She will teach you the court customs, rules and behaviour of a lady. I hear she is very good. I hope you will learn fast, so you are ready by the time the guests from England arrive."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock.

"Wait, your guests are from England? Why did you not tell me?"

Lord Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow in question.

"Is that a problem? I did tell you, you would be translating from English to Japanese and back."

"Well yes, but you did not tell me they are from England. In my time there are a few countries that speak English. I did not think of England."

"Is that a problem?" he repeated.

"No, no, I am just surprised, that is all, since I am from England."

He looked a bit surprised.

"Do you think you might know them?"

Hermione shook her head and laughed slightly.

"I am from five hundred years in the future, so I doubt it."

He nodded and turned to Rin.

"Rin, you will also be measured tomorrow."

"Does that mean Rin will get new beautiful kimonos?"

He nodded again, and Rin squealed happily.

They continued to eat, and Rin was talking about all the kimonos Lord Sesshomaru had given her and how happy she was to be back at the castle.

After they finished the dinner they all went to bed. Tired from the journey, Hermione fell asleep immediately after having put up her charms and spells.

AN: I am so happy about all your reviews and I am sorry I haven't responded to some of them yet. Thank you all so much for your support. I hope you continue liking the story.

This story is now betaed by Pyo-Kiyo, I am very grateful for her help.

So, who do you think are the guests? Nobody has guessed correctly yet. Let me know what you think, please.

Thanks, and enjoy!