Chapter 31

Sesshomaru opened the door to his father's study, not bothering to knock. Touga looked up as he entered, then smiled in greeting. His father was always happy to see him, a sharp contrast to the way it had been before. Sesshomaru really had been pushing everyone away.

"Sesshomaru. How are you?" Touga asked, taking a letter from Izayoi and tucking it beneath other papers. He smiled and nodded at Izayoi, who kissed his cheek. Looking at his mate, Touga grabbed her hand. "Will you come back later so we can finish discussing that letter?"

"Of course." Izayoi squeezed his hand and then let him go. Walking past Sesshomaru, she patted his shoulder, then made to leave the room. Sesshomaru watched her go, sitting once she was gone. He wouldn't have minded Izayoi staying, but he wanted to keep this conversation on the down low. The less people that knew, the better.

"Father. There is something I wished to discuss with you." Sesshomaru looked out the window, thinking about why he was there. "Kagome has been taking lessons from Izayoi. However, it is easy to see Kagome does not want to be a lady. I will mate Kagome when the time comes, however, I wonder if there is a way that I can mate her without her taking a title."

"No. When you take a mate, she becomes your other half. Because you are the heir to the west, she will be expected to stand at your side. Your mother, and then Izayoi followed the same rules." Touga rubbed his chin, thinking. "At most, you could take over her part of the duties, however, you will be busy with your own, and the people won't see her as a strong leader. I don't recommend it."

Sesshomaru was worried that would be his father's answer. Being a lord and heir, there were many rules that had to be followed, rules and traditions that were normally not broken by any means. Kagome would be expected to rule at his side. She would need to build a relationship with the people in the West. They would look up to her, trust her with their wellbeing.

Standing, Sesshomaru walked over to the window, looking out of it. Below he had a perfect view of the stables. Kagome was there with InuYasha. They were checking on Hana, making sure she was growing and healthy. The little filly was running around them, jumping up high with excitement while InuYasha tried to wrangle her in and failed.

The stable hands were watching, laughing at the scene. They were taking a break from their normal duties. Most of the time, the horses were allowed to roam free, but during bad weather, or if they grew tired, they had a clean place to sleep. Hana was the only one not allowed to leave, and that was just because of how young she was. Nakoa and Alastar were with her, grazing not too far off while Kagome and InuYasha kept Hana tamed.

The stable hands are what caught Sesshomaru's interest. The truth was, Kagome was already popular among the people. They knew exactly who she was, knew they could go to her for anything. The duties that were expected of her came naturally to her. Sesshomaru knew that she would make a beautiful lady. However, she didn't want that title.

She hated being the shikon miko. It had brought nothing but devastation to her. Her parents were killed because of her power. She was kidnapped and used. That was all she had told him about her life. It had been a year since he started following her, and he hadn't even scratched the surface of all the things being the shikon miko had caused. Her title hadn't been a blessing, but a curse. It was understandable that she didn't want another.

Closing his eyes, Sesshomaru thought of the only option. The biggest question was, could he do it? Could he give it all up for the woman he loved? It was an easy answer. Yes. Yes, he could. She meant the world to him, and he would give it all up if it meant keeping her happy and by his side. "Take away my title and give it to InuYasha."

Touga's eyes widened in surprise. He stood stiffly, walking over to Sesshomaru as he processed what Sesshomaru had just asked. "Son, are you sure? This is not something that can be taken back. If you give this up, it will be for good."

"Look at her father." Opening his eyes once more, Sesshomaru looked at Kagome. "I am in love with that woman. She is kind and generous. There is not a single spot of darkness in her heart. She deserves everything I can give. A title is not what she wants. Not after everything she had been through because of the title she already has. This is the only way."

"Will you resent her? Will you grow to regret what you're giving up? She would never ask this of you, Sesshomaru. She would rise to the challenge of being a lady, and eventually she will grow to accept it." Touga looked down at Kagome as well, the girl that somehow quickly became his daughter.

"I don't not want to give her a life that she accepts. I want to give her a life that she loves." Looking at his father, Sesshomaru felt a calm wash over him. This was what he wanted. He wouldn't be accepting living a simple life with Kagome. He would love his life with her, and that was what he wanted for her as well. "This is what I want."

Touga's eyes met his, taking a moment to observe Sesshomaru, to make sure he was certain. "Okay. I'll start the process. I'll make InuYasha my heir. There will be one condition. Should I perish before InuYasha is grown, you and Kagome will be the lord and lady until InuYasha comes of age."

"I agree." Sesshomaru saw his father hesitate, but finally walked to his desk to start the paperwork. Sesshomaru almost felt… freer. He wouldn't have the responsibilities for the West. It was likely he would continue to help his father if he needed it, but he wouldn't be the sole heir. He and Kagome could live their life peacefully. "There is something else."

"What else could there be?" Touga let out a strained laugh, looking up at his son. He was still trying to process what Sesshomaru had asked of him. Sesshomaru knew that everything would be okay. He could feel it in every fiber of his being.

"I want to build Kagome a home. However, I have never done something like that before. It needs to be perfect." Walking over to his father, Sesshomaru sat down in the chair once more. "I do not want to hire anyone. I want to build it myself. But I am asking that you help."

"I will. Do you have land already? You're not leaving the West, are you?" Sesshomaru could see his father's worry, and quickly abated it.

"No, we are not leaving. There is a meadow a few hours away by flight. Kagome's meadow. I want to build our home there." Sesshomaru knew Kagome would love it. They had gone to the meadow only days before. The seeds he had planted bloomed and spread through the meadow, covering it all in beautiful blue roses. They would stay bloomed all year. The only time they wouldn't be seen was when the snow grew taller than them. She had been in awe and hadn't wanted to leave. It was then that he had the idea to make that their home. She wouldn't have to leave if she didn't want to. She would be surrounded in the place where they had their first kiss, their new beginning.

"Ok. Let me know when you want to start. Are you telling Kagome about any of this?" Touga asked, seeming to calm down from the shock of Sesshomaru's wants.

"No. It will be a surprise for her. She will not know about the house, or the removal of my title." Just saying it had Sesshomaru breathing deeper than ever before. He could be free to do as he pleased with the love of his life.

"Ok. Don't tell Kagome. Build her a house and remove your title. Is there anything else you want, Son?" Touga raised a brow, and Sesshomaru didn't try to stop the smirk that formed. Perhaps he was being a little greedy, but it was all for the woman he wanted to make happy.

"Have you scented Sango today?" Sesshomaru's smirk grew as Touga's own lips pulled into a grin. Yes, his father knew exactly what Sesshomaru was talking about. "Do we tell them?"

"No. Let them figure it out on their own." Touga chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Today has been relatively eventful, hasn't it?"

"For some." Sesshomaru stood, really only wanting to be with one person at that moment. "I will leave you to it, Father. Thank you for your time." He turned to leave, heading to the door. When Touga's voice called out to him, he stopped.

"Son, I am glad you are back. I know before… before Kagome, things between us were… fragile. It is my hope that we can return to what we once were. Before your mother faked her death, we were so close. I want that again, Sesshomaru. I've always wanted it." Touga's voice was soft, as if he was nervous and anxious about admitting what he wanted to Sesshomaru.

"We will be better than what we were before." Sesshomaru looked at his father over his shoulder, nodded, then left the room. He was going straight towards Kagome. He had set his plan in motion, taken the first step to making his life with Kagome. He wanted to be near her to celebrate, even if she didn't know.

Touga looked up as his study door opened, Izayoi stepping in. She smiled at him, and he returned the gesture, but it was strained. After what Sesshomaru had asked today, Touga just wasn't feeling very cheerful. That on top of the letter he received, and he was feeling a little more than stressed.

He understood why Sesshomaru was giving up his title. He even respected Sesshomaru for being able to make that decision. However, ever since Sesshomaru was born, Touga had expected to hand over the West to him. That wasn't going to happen now. InuYasha would be inheriting the West. Touga was happy for either of his sons to take over after him, but it was going to take more than a few minutes for him to process the change that had just been thrown in his lap.

Taking a deep breath, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck. Izayoi sat herself in his lap, curling her arms around his shoulders. She kissed his jaw, running her fingers over the back of his scalp. "What is wrong?"

Touga let out a tired sigh, his head falling back. "Things are changing, Izayoi."

"Change can be good. Many times, it opens new chapters in people's lives. We will get to experience so many new things, create new memories. It's exciting, don't you think?" She smiled down at him, and he lifted his head, looking at her. He should have known she would be able to change his outlook at what was happening. Sesshomaru wouldn't be his heir, but now he had another way to bond with InuYasha. He would be able to teach InuYasha everything he needed to know about being a lord and all it would do was bring them closer.

"You are right. As always." Kissing her temple, he smiled.

"Now. What are we going to do about Naraku?" Izayoi leaned up, moving papers around until she found the letter they had received from Naraku, the one Touga had hidden from Sesshomaru earlier. "He is demanding that you agree to the marriage. He goes out of his way to mention every way that the North has helped us. There are times from when your father was lord. It worries me."

"He is forcing the issue. That means he has an ulterior motive. There is a reason he wants Kagura married to Sesshomaru, and it is not for her happiness. When I reject his wants, he will come." Touga grabbed the letter from Izayoi, furrowing his brows. "If he does not get what he wants, I fear war will soon be upon us. A war with Naraku would be devastating. His miasma will not be easy to defeat."

"There is also Naoshi." Izayoi frowned, thinking of the Southern Lord. "He had refused an alliance with all of us. However, if Naraku were to go to war, that may change. If Naraku and Naoshi join forces, The West could be in trouble."

"The West would lose. We cannot fight against a poisonous spider and a fire elemental. One would poison our lands, the other would burn it to the ground." Touga crumpled up the letter, throwing it in the fire that he kept going at all times just for the sole purpose of burning important documents that needed to be disposed of. "We must pray, Izayoi. We must pray that whatever Naraku is up to, it doesn't bring us down in the process."

...

Do any of ya'll read a book and just get into the zone and forget the world exist around you? I do. All the time. I was reading, and completely forgot it was Monday. You better thank my editor for reminding me. lol. Although I'm surprised I pulled my nose out of the book enough to even notice she messaged me. Now, moving on to the story. Sesshomaru has made a very big decision. I know this may make a few of you angry, but to me, it just shows his level of maturity. He knows Kagome would never ask him to give up his title. She would deal with his title if it meant she was able to be with him. However, he doesn't want he to deal with it. He wants her to be as happy as she can be, and that means he doesn't want her stressing over a title she never wanted. He is perfectly okay with giving up his title for her happiness. If anything, he is happier because of it. He is happy because she is happy. This was a huge decision for him to make, and it just shows how selfless he has become since the beginning of the story. More character growth.

Now we have introduced a new character. Naoshi. I won't say much on him, but he definitely interesting and full of many secrets. Naraku is as always up to no good, and that won't change any time soon.

I gave everyone a separate challenge about guessing what Kagome's powers are. No one actually guessed it, though two or three people got close. I can't give you any more hints without giving it away. You are all welcome to keep guessing though.

For the regular challenge, I'm only going to ask for twenty reviews. I am late posting after all. Ya'll want a teaser? Ha! I know you do. So here it is: The family goes on a beach vacation! Izayoi also has an announcement to make. And maybe, just maybe, Sesshomaru and Kagome get a little naughty. So, send in them reviews for the next chapter!

I hope you all enjoyed!