hey hey. here's chapter 4 ^^

Disclaimer: do not own inuyasha. that privilege belongs to its creator Rumiko Takahashi

Chapter 4: Rules and Regulations

Kagome awoke to the sound of Mizuki's crying. Groaning slightly, she turned over to reach for the baby, only to find her not there. Panicked, she quickly sat up, growing more worried when she noticed she was in a strange room. The sound of a door opening brought her attention to the side of the room. Coming out of the adjacent room was a female youkai, holding the inu pup.

"Oh! You are awake." The youkai stated walking over to Kagome. "I apologize if I cause you to worry. The pup was crying so I thought a soothing bath and a change of clothes would ease her discomfort."

Kagome blinked a couple times before she could find her voice to speak. " It's okay, thanks. I can take her now, she's probably hungry." She took Mizuki from the youkai and began to feed her. "What is your name?"

"My name is Tsume, Lady Kagome."

"You know my name?"

"Everyone here at the palace knows your name Lady Kagome"

"Palace? Then I am at..."

"The Western Lands palace, that is correct"

Kagome let out a sigh and hung her head. "How did I get here? All I remember is being attacked by some demons"

"From what I heard, Hayate-san is the one who saved you and brought you here."

Kagome simply nodded and smiled up at Tsume. The youkai was short, probably no taller than she was. She had dark fiery red hair and striking green eyes, almost the same as Shippo's. Suddenly her smile turned to a frown. "Shippo!" Kagome gasped realizing the kitsune wasn't with them. "Where's Shippo? He was with me when we were attacked."

Tsume chuckled lightly. "Do not fret. Your kitsune-son is at breakfast, which you need to be getting to."

Kagome sighed in relief. After Mizuki was fed, Kagome allowed Tsume to help change her bandages and put her in a simple yet beautiful Kimono. The youkai then led Kagome out the room and through many corridors.
"If you don't mind me asking... what type of youkai are you?" Kagome asked as they continue walking down the hall.

"I am a kawauso. (A/N: it means otter in Japanese) May I ask you a question Lady Kagome?"

"Please, just call me Kagome"

"Okay, Kagome. How is it that a miko has come to care for two youkai children?"

Kagome smiled. "Well, you could say I'm not a normal miko. I don't believe a life should be taken just because of its species, unless of course it's evil. I love these kids and everything else whether it human, youkai, or hanyou."

"I see. Here we are," Tsume stopped before two giant doors. "Your son should be inside eating with young Rin and Lord Sesshomaru" Tsume then opened the doors and led Kagome inside. She bowed her head in respect to Sesshomaru before leaving the miko inside.

"Okaa-san!" Shippo jumped from his spot at the table and hugged Kagome. "I'm so happy you are okay."

"Thank you Shippo" Kagome hugged him back. She looked up and also greeted Rin who in turned went to hug her."

"Kagome looks so pretty." Rin said leading her to the table. The young girl seated her between herself and Sesshomaru.

"Thank you Rin." Kagome turned to the daiyoukai and gave him a small bow. "Good morning."

Sesshomaru gave her a slight nod. "Miko. I see you are well."

"Yes I am fine, thank you" she replied as she began eating the food brought out for her. "I suppose this was your doing."

"Depends on what you mean."

"Hayate saving me then bringing me back here."

"I did say I will not permit the pup to be in danger. I made sure Hayate followed you to ensure both your safety and the pup's. Was it wrong for me to do that?"

"Well no. I suppose not. But my friends will be worried and come looking for us."

"Hn. When you have finished eating you will come to my study." Sesshomaru then got up and left the room. Kagome ate silently while Shippo and Rin chatted. When she finished, Tsume led her to the demon lord's study.

"Rin would like me to show you to the gardens after you have done speaking with Lord Sesshomaru." Tsume said then looked down at the bundle in Kagome's arm. "If you wish I can take her for a while."

"No it's okay. I think being around her creates a better bond" Kagome replied. Tsume nodded before going on her way, a pleasant smile on her face. After she left Kagome took a deep breath and knocked.

"Enter" Sesshomaru called from inside. The door was a little more difficult to move than she realize, but Kagome manage to get it open and stepped in. She closed the door behind her and walked up to the daiyoukai, offering a little bow. "Sit down"

"Okay." She took a seat near the desk. "So what did you need to speak to me about."

"You will remain here for a while"

"Define a while. Like two weeks, a month, a year?"

"There are two choices. you stay until Naraku is found and the final battle commences."

"Oh. So you'll let me fight?" Kagome asked with a little sarcasm.

"It is my understanding that you are the only one to purify the tainted shards he posses, unless I was mistaken."

Kagome was about to make a snide comment but decided against it. "No I am. What else?"

"If Naraku is not found, you remain here until the pup begins to eat solid food."

"How long is that?" Kagome asked looking down at Mizuki, who was currently playing with her hair.

"Six months." Sesshomaru watched the miko as her aura suddenly switched to sad and depressed. "Is that too long for you miko"

"No. If Naraku is found before then, can I continue to care for Mizuki?"

"Hn. Only time will tell. While you are here however, there are rules that must be followed. I will not repeat myself so I suggest you listen well." When Kagome nodded he continued. "You will not go anywhere beyond the palace grounds unless Hayate or myself is present."

"Okay."

"You reside in the west part of the palace, all other places are prohibited."

"Why?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes slightly. "That doesn't concern you. What I say goes. No questions asked."

"Okay, okay." Kagome said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "What about the gardens?"

"There you can go. Tsume will be your personal servant. She will take care of your needs and the pup's."

"I really don't need a personal servant" She said looking up at him. He just a shot her a look that clearly said, if you interrupt me one more time I will kill you. "Never mind."

"During your stay, you will address me as Lord Sesshomaru, is that understood?"

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru. Is that it or is there more?"

Sesshomaru just wave her off, a clear a sign of dismissal. Not wanting to stay any longer, Kagome got up and left the room. She was walking away from the door when she spotted Tsume.
"Tsume!" Kagome called out waving the demoness over.

"Kagome, are you through with speaking to Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Yeah. He just wanted to give me rules."

"Well, I'm sure his rules are exceptional." Tsume said as she led the young miko down the halls.

"Sure, sure but it makes me feel like I'm on house arrest. For instance why can't I be anywhere but the west wing, other than the gardens?"

"Hmm, I guess it has to deal with the other servants and guards."

"How so?"

"All of Lord Sesshomaru's trusted guards and servants are in the west side of the palace, the others to the east. As far as I know, the ones to the east dislike humans.. miko's even more."

"So he's protecting me?" Kagome asked disbelieving that it could be possible.

"I suppose. Ah, here we are. This is the garden." Tsume led Kagome through ivory doors, leading outside. The garden was spectacular. It had a variety of flowers, some that weren't even indigenous to the area. From wild flowers to tulips to roses and lilies, the entire area was covered. There were even some trees there for shade more likely.

"Wow, it's amazing." Kagome said in awe as she walked among the flowers.

"Kagome!" Rin was running toward her with an arm full of flowers, Shippo following close behind. The two stopped in front the miko, bearing their gifts. "Look at all the pretty flowers! Shippo and Rin picked them for you"

"Aww thank you." Kagome hugged the little girl and kitsune. "These are very beautiful flowers. Come set them by this tree." She said walking over to the nearest tree and sitting down.

"Can Kagome and the baby play with us?"

"Mizuki isn't really old enough to play but I will. Then afterwards you can hold her. Would you like that?"

The little girl nodded her head giving a big smile. "Yes! Rin would like that very much."

"Okay then." Kagome signal Tsume to come over and asked her to hold Mizuki. The youkai happily agreed and sat beneath the shady tree. Kagome then turn her attention back to the other two children. "So what should we play?"

"Hide and Seek!" Both shouted out.
"Okaa-san can be it." Shippo said.

"Alright I'll be it" Kagome turned away and began counting while they ran and hid. They spent nearly two hours playing hide and seek, then tag, until they found themselves in a tickle fight.
"Okay, I suggest we take a break." Kagome said after catching her breath. The two mischievous children had teamed up against her, tickling her till her face turned red. Luckily both kids were tired as well and followed Kagome back to where Tsume and Mizuki was. "Do you still want to hold her?" Kagome asked Rin, who nodded yes. She directed the little girl to sit, then carefully placed the inu-pup in her arms.

"She's so pretty." Rin said gently rocking the pup. "Is Kagome, Shippo and Mizuki going to stay here?"

"That's right Rin"

"Are you going to stay forever?"

Kagome looked at her for a moment, not knowing exactly what to say. "Well, we are going to stay for a while. I'll tell you what... for as long as we stay here we will play together and I'll even tell you a story at night."

The answer seemed to please Rin because she immediately smiled. "Rin would love a story. Can you tell one now?"

"Yeah, can you?" Shippo piped in.

"Okay okay. I'll tell you a story." Kagome sat between Rin and Shippo, then took Mizuki in her arms. "This is a story I loved as a kid. It's called Peter Pan" Kagome began telling the story the way she remembered it and soon after all three children were sound asleep. Tsume, who was watching and listening the whole time gathered Rin in her arms, allowing Kagome to carry Shippo and Mizuki. On her request all three were settled in her bed.
"Tsume, if it's not too much bother can you come and wake us when lunch is ready"

"Of course Kagome. It's no trouble at all." Tsume then left as Kagome laid next to Shippo and Rin, her arms wrapped securely around the pup. As Kagome's eyes drifted to sleep she realized she hadn't felt so relaxed in months.

well this was a little late. wanted to post it before Christmas major fail. anyway new chapter will be up soon... maybe in four days give or take two . till next time