Whew, this one took awhile. I'm am SO SORRY it took me so long, but i'm
currently working on two other stories (neither are posted but will be
soon, or atleast one will be) and I had writers block. So i read some more
fan fics and got in the mood(the mood to write, not the other *mood*lol)
and typed more then half of this. Anyways, enough of me talking, i hope
this was worth the wait! ^^
(disclaimer:I've only put this in a couple of times, but, as you should
know, I do not own Inuyasha. I own Sesshy...well, he owns me, same
difference ^^)
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Trey and Hiraku practiced in the dojo, waiting as Gaurdian Reshki commanded. His Lord was late. To say he was surprised was an understatment. And by the look Reshki had when he had told them to wait, Trey knew that this was an unaccostomed behavior.
Trey angeled his sword, slapping Hiraku in the leg with the flat of his blade. Hirake also scored a hit, slapping the flat of his blade on Trey's upper arm, hard enough to cause a bruise. Trey flipped back out of range, striking Hiraku's sword with his own.
"Your mind is not on battle, Trey." Hiraku stated, lowering his sword and signaling that he wished to stop.
Trey ignored his statement and pushed his sword into the ground so it stood by itself. He looked at his friend, then asked him a question. "Do you want to be a Gaurdian?"
Hiraku looked at his friend in surprise. "That would be the greatest honor, to be picked by Lord Sesshomaru. Why?" Hiraku replied, sticking his sword in the ground as well.
Trey shrugged, then crossed his arms. "We'd be protecting a female." Trey answered, looking to the door to make sure he would not be caught talking about his Lord's mate.
Hiraku chuckled. "The Lady of the Western Lands."
"Is a human." Trey added quietly.
Hiraku's laughter died with that statement, and he grew nervous. " If Lord Sesshomaru..."
"Hears, we'll be dead." Trey interrupted, then shrugged. "Forget I said anything, Hiraku. That female has just been plaguing my mind. There's something different about her."
"Trey, of course there is something different about her. There would have to be for Lord Sesshomaru to choose her." Hiraku stated, not understanding what his friend was talking about.
"True, Hiraku." Trey mumbled, glancing out of the door. His sharp eyes caught five figures heading in their direction. From the distance, Trey knew they had not heard.
"Seems they are here now." Trey stated. After a moment, his Lord and his mate walked in, followed by Gaurdian Reshki, a hawk demoness and a tiger demon. Trey and Hiraku dropped to their knees, looking respectfully at the ground.
"Rise." Reshki stated, standing to the right of Lord Sesshomaru. Kari stood behind Kagome while Roku stood beside Kagome.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting." Sesshomaru stated, keeping his gaze fixed on Trey and Hiroku. He felt Kagome's eyes on him and he kept the smile from his face.
"Now. Today I will choose. So let us begin." Sesshomaru stated. Roku and Reshki tossed Trey and Hiraku swords. Kari and Kagome moved off to the side, allowing Sesshomaru, Reshki, and Roku to have the floor.
Kagome leaned against the wall and yawned. After what her and Sesshomaru had done, she had only gotten an hour of sleep, before Sesshomaru had awoken her, apologizing. So she had woken up and threw her clothes on and they had walked down here after finding his other Gaurdians.
"Did you not get enough sleep last night?" Kari asked, not looking in Kagome's direction.
Kagome blinked a couple of times and rubbed her eyes. "I got enough sleep. I'm just tired for some reason." Kagome tried to keep her voice straight so Kari wouldn't think she was lying.
"You look worn out." Kari commented, glancing in Kagome's direction.
"I wonder why." Kagome mumbled, before shrugging. Kari caught her statement and smiled. Kari turned back to the fight before her. Roku fought Hiraku, growling out pointers and tips on how to fight better given his slower speed. Kari then glanced to her mate training the handsome wolf known as Trey. Instead of the heavy blows Roku and Hiraku exchanged, both moved quickly on their feet, their movements almost too fast for Kari to follow.
"You and Reshki...you're mates, arn't you?" Kagome asked, seeing Kari watching Reshki.
"Yes. He is my mate." Kari replied, ruffling her wings and looking at Kagome.
"I knew something had happened after that night I left you on the balcony." Kagome smiled dispite the yawn that threatened to take her. Kari returned her smile.
"I suppose something did." Kari chuckled, her eyes going to the place Kagome's mark would be under her kimono.
"I'm happy for you, Kari. I never got a chance to say it before now, but congratulations." Kagome stated, stretching slightly and hearing her back crack. Kari heard Kagome grumble something about walls.
"Thanks, Kagome. And I suppose a congratulations are in order for you as well." Kari replied, flicking her gaze to her Lord, who watched Trey and Hiraku closely. Kagome followed her gaze to look at Sesshomaru as well.
He looked deep in thought to her, but she suspected that to everyone else he looked emotionless. Kagome realized she had actually learned to read him. She was happy with her acheivement and continued to watch him. His golden eyes easily watched Trey's quick movements, though Kagome knew she wouldn't be able to.
Sesshomaru felt Kagome's gaze on him and glanced her way. She smiled softly in his direction. He allowed a faint smile to cross his lips breifly, showing her that he had caught her smile. He looked back to Trey, listening to the instruction Reshki gave the wolf, before studying Hiraku and Roku.
Trey would be much like Reshki. Quick and agile. And Sesshomaru could tell Trey was a quick thinker on his feet. Hiraku could do some heavy damage, that is, if he could hit them. And while he was a good fighter, he wasn't exactly...smart.
Knowing who it was he would choose, Sesshomaru walked over to join Kari and his mate. Kari straightened at the approach of her Lord, while Kagome remained leaning against the wall and fighting to stay awake.
Sesshomaru's golden eyes looked at Kari. "Who do you think?" he asked, standing close to Kagome, who rubbed her eyes once more.
Kari looked back to both of the wolves. "Trey." she stated, seeing him flip in the air over Reshki's head, swinging his sword.
Reshki spun on his heel and met the attack, mumbling, "Good, but you'll have to be faster."
Sesshomaru glanced down at Kagome, who was attempting to watch Trey's quick movements. "And you? Your thoughts?" he asked, resisting the urge to smile at her weariness. For her second time, and only getting an hour of sleep, he was impressed.
Kagome's eyes opened slightly wider hearing someone talk to her. She looked at Hiraku, then Trey. "Well, I would say Trey. He's quick." She shrugged, looking up at him. He held her gaze a moment before looking back at his two Gaurdians and the two commanders.
Trey was the choice he had been thinking as well. "That is enough." he stated, all four freezing and facing him. "Reshki, Roku, come here." Sesshomaru stated indifferently, almost looking bored.
Both Reshki and Roku sheathed their swords and approached him. Reshki stood closer to Kari while Roku stood emotionless, just like Sesshomaru. "Your thoughts?" Sesshomaru asked, glancing to see both wolfs mumbling quietly to each other.
"Trey, definatly. He's a quick learner and a quick mover." Reshki stated, running a hand through his hair before crossing his arms. Sesshomaru turned his gaze to Roku.
"I would say Trey." he stated, shocking his brother and Kari. Reshki was almost sure he would say Hiraku. "Hiraku is a good fighter, and could be better with training. But the wolf is not smart." Roku said bluntly.
"Well, that's a nice way to put it." Kagome mumbled, then yawned.
"Trey was what I thought. Reshki, fill Trey in on what it 'means' to be a Gaurdian. I want him ready in a week. Do you understand?" Sesshomaru ordered.
Reshki bowed then walked over to the two wolf Youkai. Sesshomaru inhaled breifly before growling and looking at the door way. Inuyasha stood there. His sharp hearing picked up his brother's growl, but Inuyasha didn't care.
Instead, Inuyasha looked as though he had seen a ghost. His amber eyes were wide and he remotely thought Sesshomaru would not believe him. "Sesshomaru, you're not going to believe it....." Inuyasha breathed, "But Dads home."
That whispered statement caused everyone in the dojo to look his way. 'How? Father died many years ago!' Sesshomaru's mind screamed. Sesshomaru had seen his father die! He had been there!
"What?" Sesshomaru asked, his emotionless mask slipping. The surprise and confusion clearly played across his face. Reshki's sword clattered to the ground at Inuyasha's statement.
"How?" Reshki breathed. Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome, torn between wanting her to stay here and knowing he had to take her with him. Kagome saw the surprise and confusion on everyone's face. She was surprised as well.
'I thought their father was dead.' Kagome dimly thought, her sleepiness forgotten.
Sesshomaru was the first one to recover. "Come. We shall see the demon that claims to be my father." He stated evenly, while what he really wanted to do was grab Kagome and hide her. He had a feeling this was not going to end well.
Reshki quickly dismissed Trey and Hiraku, telling them to go out the back way. The rest of them walked out of the dojo and through the palace to the front gates. As they approached, Kagome saw all the other Lords and Ladys out as well. She spotted Derenti and Ventai and would've smiled, except there was a nervous tension hanging around everyone.
Sesshomaru left Kagome, Reshki, Kari, and Roku standing with the Dragons and walked past the crowd of nobles with his brother. Once he was through, his gaze went to the demon that had captured all the other demons gaze.
He was tall, every inch as tall as Sesshomaru, with silver hair that ran down to his mid back. His eyes were different, black now, but other then that, Sesshomaru could not deny that the demon standing before him was his father. But the black eyes told him something was not right. Could his father be possessed?
Inuyasha and Sesshomaru stood tensly, side by side. Inutaishou recognized both of them. Inuyasha looked more shocked while Sesshomaru looked suspicious. 'Always the cautious one.' Inutaishou thought. 'And he should be.'
"What, no 'hi father'?" Inutaishou asked, blinking his eyes so they turned to their normal dark gold color.
"You will forgive our rudeness at your sudden appearance. You are supposed to be dead." Sesshomaru stated emotionlessly. Inutaishou saw that Sesshomaru would attack him should he move in any threatening manner.
Inutaishou glanced down his body then back to his son. "It appears I am quite alive." He replied.
"How...how can you be alive?" Inuyasha breathed, his mind not working properly.
"Good question. One I can't answer. I awoke not to long ago and 'poof' here I am. And such a warm welcome, might I add." Inutaishou cocked an eye brow, taking in all the major Lords in the area. Each stiffened when his gaze met theirs, all but one that is. Inutaishou looked at the Miko standing beside Lady Ventai.
She did not blink nor tense, simply stared back. He studied her closer, going to the faint marks to the place where her shoulder met her neck. Focusing his senses on her, he noticed Sesshomaru's scent mixed in with hers.
'What?! No! That can't be!' Inutaishou thought, surprise flashing in his eyes. 'Sesshomaru took her as a mate?! X'ith didn't tell me about that!'
Sesshomaru watched his father, who was much like an open book. He read surprise on his features and Sesshomaru held no doubt that he was looking at Kagome.
"Much has happened since I have been gone." he stated simply, tearing his stunned gaze from the Miko to look at his two sons. Kagome breathed a silent sigh of relief when he looked else where. The whole time he had been looking at her, Kagome had pictured X'ith, rising with his demon army.
'That is not Sesshomaru's real father. There's no way!' Kagome thought, her eyes going to her mate.
"You are correct." Sesshomaru stated.
"Lord Inutaishou, with your return, does that not mean you are Lord of the Western Lands?" the snake TaiYoukai Rashka hissed, taking a step foreward.
Sesshomaru glared at Rashka, a glare that promised death while Inutaishou looked like he had been saved. Rashka's moment of courage wilted at Sesshomaru's glare and he took a step back.
"Why yes, it does mean that." Inutaishou stated, looking at his eldest son. He had not fought his son in a long time, and when Inutaishou had last 'died' he had been stronger. But he wasn't so sure now. Sesshomaru had two swords at his hips, Toukijin, a sword Sesshomaru had gotten by himself, and Tensaiga, the sword he had left him. While Inutaishou had the soul stealing sword, he had to be able to cut his son before it would take affect.
Inutaishou would have to stay on Sesshomaru's remotely good side to get close to his mate. That just complicated things. Ventaru should have killed her when he had the chance.
"You rise up out of no where and expect the throne to the Western Lands? I think not, Inutaishou." Everyone was surprised at the Dragon's words. The Northern Dragons had always been on the Westerns side and everyone thought they would welcome back Inutaishou with open arms. How ever, Derenti knew about Ventaru and had seen the black in Inutaishou's eyes. He was not the demon Lord he had respected all those years in the past.
"And who are you, Derenti, to refuse a Western Lord his right to his lands?" Inutaishou growled, getting irritated that the dragon actually refused the throne to him.
"He might not be able to refuse you, but I can." Sesshomaru stated, shocking everyone as had Derenti's statement.
"You can. Are you saying you are?" Inutaishou scowled at his son.
Sesshomaru quickly thought about the pro's and con's of losing his position. He knew the Southern and Eastern Lands would side with his father, leaving only Derenti as his support. As much as he didn't want to back down, now would not be a good time to start an all our war between the Lords. Sesshomaru wasn't sure of his father's intent, but he would not throw Derenti in a war alone.
Sesshomaru surprised everyone, even his own father, by bowing and taking a step back. "Welcome back, Lord Inutaishou." Sesshomaru stated, retreating into the crowd.
Inuyasha stood there, not sure whether he was more shocked about his father, who was supposed to be dead, returning or his elder brother backing off. Inuyasha like wise bowed then reteated. He was in no position to challange his father and he didn't want to. He wanted to know why Sesshomaru hadn't though.
Sesshomaru walked to stand beside Kagome, but wouldn't look down at her. He didn't need her questioning eyes right now, not when he could not answer her. Kagome sensed that he could not speak now, so she remained quiet, but wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Now that things are settle, perhaps we should all go inside and we shall speak of all that I have missed in one hours time." Inutaishou stated. The Lesser Lords and Ladys waited until the higher up ones left, before they to began to file back inside, hushed words spoken about recent developements.
Sesshomaru followed Derenti in, Kagome, Reshki, Kari, and Roku in tow. Once inside, they went straight to Derenti's family rooms. Reshki, Kari, and Roku joined Derenti's Gaurdians on watch while Kagome and Sesshomaru went inside.
"You should not have backed down, Sesshomaru." Derenti rumbled in his deep voice, sitting down and rubbing his temples.
"I could not challange him. The North would side with him, to do anything to rid me of power, as would the South. They do not like me and the power I held. That would leave you and yours against three lands. I could not willingly do that." Sesshomaru explained, standing beside Kagome and drawing some support from her. She didn't exactly agree with his reasons but she supported him.
"You handed him the Western Lands on a silver platter." Derenti stated flatly, looking at the floor.
"By which, are his right. He might not be my father, but as far as the other Lords are concerned, he is. Causing a war will not solve all the problums. Just lead to more. This way, we can stay close to him and watch him." Sesshomaru explained, a head ach beginning to form. While Derenti and Ventai could not see that he had a head ach, Kagome could.
"As long as we keep a low profile, Inutaishou will not percieve us a threat to his title at the moment. It is best to lie low." Kagome stated. Both Sesshomaru and Derenti shared a glance. Sesshomaru suspected his father was either a fake or possessed. That would mean his father had come back to kill Kagome. No matter how low of a profile they kept, his father would be sure to watch them, especially his mate. By the look Derenti shot Sesshomaru, he saw the dragon suspected the same as he.
"We have a meeting in one hour." Ventai reminded her mate and Sesshomaru.
"You do. I am no longer a Lord." Sesshomaru almost choked out the words. He couldn't believe it. He was not the Lord of the Western Lands, but merely a Prince, as he was when he was younger. Derenti looked over at Sesshomaru, attempting to read his expression.
Sesshomaru might be labled a prince, but Derenti wondered how long Sesshomaru would play that role. He had changed a lot since his fathers supposed death. He wasn't sure how Sesshomaru would handle 'recieving' orders.
"I am going to take my leave of you." Sesshomaru stated, bowing his head slightly and turning to leave.
"Come and speak with us after the meeting." Ventai stated, seeing him nod slightly before walking out with Kagome.
Sesshomaru didn't want to return to his old room, not now, and he didn't want to return to the room he would stay in now his father was back. He wasn't sure where he wanted to go, but he didn't want to run into any Lords at this moment. He might not be able to control himself, especially if they tried to order him around.
"Sessho, let's go see Sango and Shippo." Kagome stated, clasping his hand. She could see that this recent event had affected him more then he would lead on. She wanted to keep him away from other demons who might taunt him. Who better to see then Sango and Shippo? As soon as Kagome had said that, she thought he might refuse. Instead he simply allowed her to lead him there.
Kagome knocked on Sango's door, hearing movement within. Sango yanked the door opened and saw Kagome and Sesshomaru standing there. Sango wasn't sure how she knew, but she had a feeling Sesshomaru wasn't in a good mood.
Kagome, however, smiled in greeting. "Hi Sango!" Kagome greeted. Sango moved so they could come in. When Kagome walked in, she saw Shippo talking to Miroku, who was sitting on the bed, and Inuyasha, who was sitting on the window sil.
Shippo turned towards the door at the sound of someone opening it. His eyes lit up at the sight of Kagome. "Kagome!" he cried excitedly, jumping from beside Miroku into Kagome's arms.
"Hi, Shippo. Have you been behaving?" Kagome asked, hugging the small kitsune. Sesshomaru glanced down at Kagome before walking over to look out the window just as his brother was.
Kagome glanced Sesshomaru's way and hoped Inuyasha wouldn't start a fight. "I have been good, haven't I, Sango?" Shippo stated, looking over at a smiling demon exterminator.
"He's been pretty good." Sango replied, seeing the pout on Shippo's face.
"How have you been, Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked, walking to stand beside Sango.
"Sorry I haven't seen you guys for awhile. Some...things have come up." Kagome apologized, feeling slightly bad.
Sango waved the apology away. "I understand, especially since...you two have gotten together." Sango replied, winking in Kagome's direction. Kagome blushed and looked down at Shippo.
"Eh?" Shippo asked, looking from Sango to Kagome. Miroku laughed at the blush on Kagome.
"So, um, what have you guys been up to?" Kagome asked, changing the subject.
"Nothing much. We've been in the gardens and basically entertaining Shippo." Sango answered, hiding her chuckle. Miroku nodded his agreement, slowly inching closer to Sango. Kagome knew what was coming and smiled.
After a moment, a resounded SMACK caught Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's attention. They both looked over to see Sango glaring at the Monk, who had a bright red hand print on his face.
"You should know better by now." Kagome laughed, seeing the pouting look he threw her.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes then looked at his brother, who's attention was now on Kagome. "Well, now what?" Inuyasha asked quietly, making sure that Kagome, Miroku, and Sango didn't hear him.
"What do you mean?" Sesshomaru asked, glancing at Inuyasha.
Inuyasha slightly scowled at his brother. "In case you didn't notice, our father had come back from the dead, you backed down when he 'claimed' the throne, and whats more, you can't keep you eyes on anything except Kagome." Inuyasha growled quietly, holding Sesshomaru's gaze.
Inuyasha lost his scowl when he heard his brother chuckle softly. "Ah, that is what you mean. Our father has returned. What more is there to say? And, brother, if you can't use your nose, that is not my fault." Sesshomaru replied, smirking slightly before looking out the window.
"My nose? What does my nose have do to do with anything...eh?" Inuyasha stated, then took a deep breath. He smelt Sesshomaru, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kagome. But something was different in Kagome's scent. Taking another breath while watching his brother, he finally figured it out.
"Wha? When? HOW?!" Inuyasha stuttered, almost falling out of the window as his golden eyes opened in surprise.
"Must you draw attention to us? Hush." Sesshomaru stated, glancing at his shocked brother. The look on his face was priceless.
Inuyasha stared at his brother, then looked back at Kagome. "Eh?" his asked, his mind drawing a blank.
"When? Almost four days ago. How? Well, I will explain that if you truly wish to hear." Sesshomaru answered, seeing the scowl Inuyasha threw him at the last statement. "You asked." Sesshomaru almost shrugged, looking back outside over the land he use to own.
"But that means...." Inuyasha shuddered at the thought. Well, Kagome was officially his sister. Inuyasha was slightly surprised he wasn't outragiously jealous. Heck, he actually didn't mind. 'Man, something's wrong with me.' Inuyasha thought, still looking at his brother.
A knock at the door haulted Kagome's conversation with her friends."Who could that be?" she muttered, then turned to open the door. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru didn't move from thier spots, but they were tense incase they needed to quickly.
"Suki?" Kagome asked, seeing the dragon child standing there with her arms behind her back.
"Kagome?" Suki asked, her eyes going wide. 'Crap. How do I explain this?' Suki thought. She had come to find Inuyasha, not Kagome.
Kagome smiled and pulled Suki in the room. "What are you doing here?" Kagome asked, slightly happy she had shown up. Sango and Miroku looked at her with curiousity while Sesshomaru got slightly annoyed.
Inuyasha groaned and looked away, mumbling to himself. "I take it, you know her." Sesshomaru stated, glancing at him.
"No, I don't. But she seems to know me." Inuyasha replied, looking frantically for a place to hide. Seeing the only direction to go was out the window, Inuyasha slowly made a move to hop out.
"Suki, this is Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha. You already know Sesshomaru." Kagome introduced.
'Too late.' Inuyasha thought, freezing and looking at Kagome and Suki. Inuyasha was almost out the window, but the glare Kagome threw him caused him to take his seat.
Suki bowed her head to the demon exterminator and the Monk before her gaze fell on the Hanyou. He looked like a kid caught sneaking a cookie. Suki ignored him and looked to Sesshomaru. "Hello, Lord Sesshomaru." Suki stated, then winced as she realized he wasn't a lord anymore. "Sorry." she mumbled, looking at the floor.
"Be sure it does not happen again." Sesshomaru stated, turning away from her.
"What he means was, 'apology accepted'." Kagome stated, scowling slighty at the back of Sesshomaru.
"Ah..." Suki stated, chuckling slightly at the scowl Kagome threw him. Shippo jumped from Kagome's arms and ran over to Suki.
"Do you think me, you, Kagome, Tsume, and the twins could play some day, just like we did before?" Shippo asked. Everyone in the room shot a glance at Sesshomaru at the mention of Tsume. Kagome had told Sango about the dragon that had taken interest in her and Sango had told the others. Inuyasha was the only one close enough to hear the soft, deadly growl that Sesshomaru produced.
"Maybe me, you, the twins, and Kagome. I don't think my brother will join." Suki stated more for Sesshomaru then Shippo. Kagome mouthed a 'thank you' at Suki.
"Aww. I liked Tsume." Shippo pouted, missing the glare Sesshomaru threw at him.
"Well...Um..." Kagome mumbled before simply shrugging. She glanced at the others then walked over to Sesshomaru, standing beside him. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at Kagome but smiled slightly, taking away from the effect.
'She must have some kind of hold on my brother if the kitsune is still alive.' Inuyasha chuckled, walking away from the window to give them some privacy. As soon as he faced the others, he regretted his dicision.
Suki refused to look at him and instead scooped Shippo up in her arms. "Maybe you could get Inuyasha to join, eh?" Suki chuckled. Sango and Miroku shared looks.
"I think not, Wench." Inuyasha grumbled. Suki glared up at him before looking down at Shippo.
"If you ask me, Inuyasha could use the play time. Kami knows he'll die with a scowl on his face." Suki told Shippo, causing him to laugh and agree.
Sango heard Inuyasha growl softly and decided she'd rescue the Hanyou this once. "I think it would be nice to get out, don't you Miroku?" Sango asked, looking at Miroku with pleading eyes.
"Why yes, Lady Sango. Would you like to take a walk in the gardens?" Miroku asked, secretly hoping the others would stay and he would get a chance to be with Sango...alone.
"I wanna go!" Shippo stated, bashing Miroku's hopes into the ground. Suki looked at Inuyasha, who held her gaze, daring her to stay with him.
Sango looked between the two and saw neither would admit defeat and back down. "Stubborn." Sango muttered, taking Shippo from Suki and walking out, followed by Miroku. Miroku had a thoughtful look on his face as he tried to think of ways to get rid of Shippo.
Kagome looked out of the window with Sesshomaru, millions of things plagueing her mind. From simple things like what she was going to do later on to complex like how were they going to deal with InuTaishou.
"You will not 'play' with the dragon." Sesshomaru stated, breaking the silence.
Kagome looked up at him as he said this, irritation playing across her features. He was talking about Tsume. "I didn't plan on it." she replied. She didn't know why he still felt possessive of her. She was his mate, it wasn't like she was going to go flirt with anyone.
"Good." Sesshomaru stated, still not looking down at her.
Kagome rolled her eyes and grumbled to herself, "Thanks for the choice." This time he did look at her and narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You wanted to?" he growled, his hands fisting.
Kagome caught the mistake of her words and looked at him with wide eyes. "No, that's not what I meant." She saw him continue to glare at her and she shook her head, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck."Sessho, I love you." Kagome stated, seeing his glare melt and his posture slacken. Those words soothed his jealousy, even though it was uncalled for. He placed his arms around his mate and nuzzled her neck.
"I love you, my Kagome." He whispered softly, purring so soft he knew only Kagome heard it.
.
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Aww, isn't that little moment sweet? lol. So, did you like it? Was it worth the wait? Sorry if there were any mistakes. I wanted to post this as soon as i was done and i said 'to hell with errors' lol. Ok, i reread it like five times...but still....Anyways, let me know what you think!
And thanks to ALL my reviewers who are prolly boiling mad that it took me so long ^^'.I've already started chap 19 so maybe it'll be up soon ^^. Well, Thanks a million and i hope you liked it!
AbsentAngel (lol, kagome is definatly taken ^^), Akitsu (happy belated b- day!!!! ^^, mine is in july so i got awhile), Terenity Rose (sorry it took me so long -_-'), dark-angel-destiny (you should send me some of your stuff, i'd love to read it ^^), Crystal jade2 (i wish it coulda been sooner, sry), Orchidaceae (I loved killin kikyou!!!!!! mwa ha ha!), angelkitty77 (I dont like her either....and well, i think suki and inu should get together too, lol), Silver_Dragon (lol....bloodshed eh?), cutiepie99 (sorry, but i had to put Trey in ^^'), Shaekaku (lol, they're gonna have lots of sex, lmao, j/k...i dunno...lol), Inuko (thanks ^^), Fluffyscatdemon (i wouldn't stop here, i might take a couple weeks break, but i'll finish this ^^, i want to), Crystalmarine87 (YAY ^^), cathrine (lol, i thought about that, but for their second time...that's a lil too wild ya know..lmao), Kikyo101 (psht, sesshy belongs to me, always will!....well, i belong to him....same difference ^^), foxstar2k2, Kitsune- minkchan (lol, i almost feel sorry for Roku...but i trust you'll "treat" him well ^^), Tsuki Yume, Angel Areana (thanks ^^), Zing (sorry i didn't hurry), holy psychic vulpix (smashing good work eh? thanks ^^), peaches dani (i had to make him a bad guy, couldn't help it ^^), Shikon Miko (lmao, i wanted to have her tortured...but Ventaru doesn't seem like the type...so i just slit her throat, lmao), thatsmsdiva2u (lmao, so true!), luna (yet you read mine and liked it? yay), demonwicca1 (sorry it took so long ^^'), Rabid Inu gurl (sorry i dont.....^^'), mx2mnm (i think the first one was better too cuz i put way more detail and feelings into it...but i still liked the second one *drools*), karla ( lol), pyromistress (sorry it took me so long...i feel bad now...-_-), dark paine, megan consoer (lol, more chapters are coming), Goddess-pheonix/vixinia, ennovymoon, Moon-n-universe- goddess, aqua girl (i like trey, he sounds kinda cute ^^), sesshys hime (*ponders for a moment* claim sessho? Well, i wouldn't put it that way, its the other way around...i would not beable to claim someone such as he....), Nashea (thank ya!), anime girl 06 (hi! *waves* me new chapter is up! you like? you should post yours soon!), bloodbunny, Cymarel (i just love your replies! You always point out the parts i liked as well! Sesshy is cute anytime tho! i was going to make inu the bad guy, after all i very much dislike the hanyou, but then i thought 'i'm gonna make him more of a friend, shed some positive light on him instead'...so glad it's working out like this ^^. *looks at Tsume* my poor tsume *not really mine of course, but ya know what i meant* I hope you are learning quickly...*looks at cymarel* he might be misbehavin just cuz he likes your punishments lmao)
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Trey and Hiraku practiced in the dojo, waiting as Gaurdian Reshki commanded. His Lord was late. To say he was surprised was an understatment. And by the look Reshki had when he had told them to wait, Trey knew that this was an unaccostomed behavior.
Trey angeled his sword, slapping Hiraku in the leg with the flat of his blade. Hirake also scored a hit, slapping the flat of his blade on Trey's upper arm, hard enough to cause a bruise. Trey flipped back out of range, striking Hiraku's sword with his own.
"Your mind is not on battle, Trey." Hiraku stated, lowering his sword and signaling that he wished to stop.
Trey ignored his statement and pushed his sword into the ground so it stood by itself. He looked at his friend, then asked him a question. "Do you want to be a Gaurdian?"
Hiraku looked at his friend in surprise. "That would be the greatest honor, to be picked by Lord Sesshomaru. Why?" Hiraku replied, sticking his sword in the ground as well.
Trey shrugged, then crossed his arms. "We'd be protecting a female." Trey answered, looking to the door to make sure he would not be caught talking about his Lord's mate.
Hiraku chuckled. "The Lady of the Western Lands."
"Is a human." Trey added quietly.
Hiraku's laughter died with that statement, and he grew nervous. " If Lord Sesshomaru..."
"Hears, we'll be dead." Trey interrupted, then shrugged. "Forget I said anything, Hiraku. That female has just been plaguing my mind. There's something different about her."
"Trey, of course there is something different about her. There would have to be for Lord Sesshomaru to choose her." Hiraku stated, not understanding what his friend was talking about.
"True, Hiraku." Trey mumbled, glancing out of the door. His sharp eyes caught five figures heading in their direction. From the distance, Trey knew they had not heard.
"Seems they are here now." Trey stated. After a moment, his Lord and his mate walked in, followed by Gaurdian Reshki, a hawk demoness and a tiger demon. Trey and Hiraku dropped to their knees, looking respectfully at the ground.
"Rise." Reshki stated, standing to the right of Lord Sesshomaru. Kari stood behind Kagome while Roku stood beside Kagome.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting." Sesshomaru stated, keeping his gaze fixed on Trey and Hiroku. He felt Kagome's eyes on him and he kept the smile from his face.
"Now. Today I will choose. So let us begin." Sesshomaru stated. Roku and Reshki tossed Trey and Hiraku swords. Kari and Kagome moved off to the side, allowing Sesshomaru, Reshki, and Roku to have the floor.
Kagome leaned against the wall and yawned. After what her and Sesshomaru had done, she had only gotten an hour of sleep, before Sesshomaru had awoken her, apologizing. So she had woken up and threw her clothes on and they had walked down here after finding his other Gaurdians.
"Did you not get enough sleep last night?" Kari asked, not looking in Kagome's direction.
Kagome blinked a couple of times and rubbed her eyes. "I got enough sleep. I'm just tired for some reason." Kagome tried to keep her voice straight so Kari wouldn't think she was lying.
"You look worn out." Kari commented, glancing in Kagome's direction.
"I wonder why." Kagome mumbled, before shrugging. Kari caught her statement and smiled. Kari turned back to the fight before her. Roku fought Hiraku, growling out pointers and tips on how to fight better given his slower speed. Kari then glanced to her mate training the handsome wolf known as Trey. Instead of the heavy blows Roku and Hiraku exchanged, both moved quickly on their feet, their movements almost too fast for Kari to follow.
"You and Reshki...you're mates, arn't you?" Kagome asked, seeing Kari watching Reshki.
"Yes. He is my mate." Kari replied, ruffling her wings and looking at Kagome.
"I knew something had happened after that night I left you on the balcony." Kagome smiled dispite the yawn that threatened to take her. Kari returned her smile.
"I suppose something did." Kari chuckled, her eyes going to the place Kagome's mark would be under her kimono.
"I'm happy for you, Kari. I never got a chance to say it before now, but congratulations." Kagome stated, stretching slightly and hearing her back crack. Kari heard Kagome grumble something about walls.
"Thanks, Kagome. And I suppose a congratulations are in order for you as well." Kari replied, flicking her gaze to her Lord, who watched Trey and Hiraku closely. Kagome followed her gaze to look at Sesshomaru as well.
He looked deep in thought to her, but she suspected that to everyone else he looked emotionless. Kagome realized she had actually learned to read him. She was happy with her acheivement and continued to watch him. His golden eyes easily watched Trey's quick movements, though Kagome knew she wouldn't be able to.
Sesshomaru felt Kagome's gaze on him and glanced her way. She smiled softly in his direction. He allowed a faint smile to cross his lips breifly, showing her that he had caught her smile. He looked back to Trey, listening to the instruction Reshki gave the wolf, before studying Hiraku and Roku.
Trey would be much like Reshki. Quick and agile. And Sesshomaru could tell Trey was a quick thinker on his feet. Hiraku could do some heavy damage, that is, if he could hit them. And while he was a good fighter, he wasn't exactly...smart.
Knowing who it was he would choose, Sesshomaru walked over to join Kari and his mate. Kari straightened at the approach of her Lord, while Kagome remained leaning against the wall and fighting to stay awake.
Sesshomaru's golden eyes looked at Kari. "Who do you think?" he asked, standing close to Kagome, who rubbed her eyes once more.
Kari looked back to both of the wolves. "Trey." she stated, seeing him flip in the air over Reshki's head, swinging his sword.
Reshki spun on his heel and met the attack, mumbling, "Good, but you'll have to be faster."
Sesshomaru glanced down at Kagome, who was attempting to watch Trey's quick movements. "And you? Your thoughts?" he asked, resisting the urge to smile at her weariness. For her second time, and only getting an hour of sleep, he was impressed.
Kagome's eyes opened slightly wider hearing someone talk to her. She looked at Hiraku, then Trey. "Well, I would say Trey. He's quick." She shrugged, looking up at him. He held her gaze a moment before looking back at his two Gaurdians and the two commanders.
Trey was the choice he had been thinking as well. "That is enough." he stated, all four freezing and facing him. "Reshki, Roku, come here." Sesshomaru stated indifferently, almost looking bored.
Both Reshki and Roku sheathed their swords and approached him. Reshki stood closer to Kari while Roku stood emotionless, just like Sesshomaru. "Your thoughts?" Sesshomaru asked, glancing to see both wolfs mumbling quietly to each other.
"Trey, definatly. He's a quick learner and a quick mover." Reshki stated, running a hand through his hair before crossing his arms. Sesshomaru turned his gaze to Roku.
"I would say Trey." he stated, shocking his brother and Kari. Reshki was almost sure he would say Hiraku. "Hiraku is a good fighter, and could be better with training. But the wolf is not smart." Roku said bluntly.
"Well, that's a nice way to put it." Kagome mumbled, then yawned.
"Trey was what I thought. Reshki, fill Trey in on what it 'means' to be a Gaurdian. I want him ready in a week. Do you understand?" Sesshomaru ordered.
Reshki bowed then walked over to the two wolf Youkai. Sesshomaru inhaled breifly before growling and looking at the door way. Inuyasha stood there. His sharp hearing picked up his brother's growl, but Inuyasha didn't care.
Instead, Inuyasha looked as though he had seen a ghost. His amber eyes were wide and he remotely thought Sesshomaru would not believe him. "Sesshomaru, you're not going to believe it....." Inuyasha breathed, "But Dads home."
That whispered statement caused everyone in the dojo to look his way. 'How? Father died many years ago!' Sesshomaru's mind screamed. Sesshomaru had seen his father die! He had been there!
"What?" Sesshomaru asked, his emotionless mask slipping. The surprise and confusion clearly played across his face. Reshki's sword clattered to the ground at Inuyasha's statement.
"How?" Reshki breathed. Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome, torn between wanting her to stay here and knowing he had to take her with him. Kagome saw the surprise and confusion on everyone's face. She was surprised as well.
'I thought their father was dead.' Kagome dimly thought, her sleepiness forgotten.
Sesshomaru was the first one to recover. "Come. We shall see the demon that claims to be my father." He stated evenly, while what he really wanted to do was grab Kagome and hide her. He had a feeling this was not going to end well.
Reshki quickly dismissed Trey and Hiraku, telling them to go out the back way. The rest of them walked out of the dojo and through the palace to the front gates. As they approached, Kagome saw all the other Lords and Ladys out as well. She spotted Derenti and Ventai and would've smiled, except there was a nervous tension hanging around everyone.
Sesshomaru left Kagome, Reshki, Kari, and Roku standing with the Dragons and walked past the crowd of nobles with his brother. Once he was through, his gaze went to the demon that had captured all the other demons gaze.
He was tall, every inch as tall as Sesshomaru, with silver hair that ran down to his mid back. His eyes were different, black now, but other then that, Sesshomaru could not deny that the demon standing before him was his father. But the black eyes told him something was not right. Could his father be possessed?
Inuyasha and Sesshomaru stood tensly, side by side. Inutaishou recognized both of them. Inuyasha looked more shocked while Sesshomaru looked suspicious. 'Always the cautious one.' Inutaishou thought. 'And he should be.'
"What, no 'hi father'?" Inutaishou asked, blinking his eyes so they turned to their normal dark gold color.
"You will forgive our rudeness at your sudden appearance. You are supposed to be dead." Sesshomaru stated emotionlessly. Inutaishou saw that Sesshomaru would attack him should he move in any threatening manner.
Inutaishou glanced down his body then back to his son. "It appears I am quite alive." He replied.
"How...how can you be alive?" Inuyasha breathed, his mind not working properly.
"Good question. One I can't answer. I awoke not to long ago and 'poof' here I am. And such a warm welcome, might I add." Inutaishou cocked an eye brow, taking in all the major Lords in the area. Each stiffened when his gaze met theirs, all but one that is. Inutaishou looked at the Miko standing beside Lady Ventai.
She did not blink nor tense, simply stared back. He studied her closer, going to the faint marks to the place where her shoulder met her neck. Focusing his senses on her, he noticed Sesshomaru's scent mixed in with hers.
'What?! No! That can't be!' Inutaishou thought, surprise flashing in his eyes. 'Sesshomaru took her as a mate?! X'ith didn't tell me about that!'
Sesshomaru watched his father, who was much like an open book. He read surprise on his features and Sesshomaru held no doubt that he was looking at Kagome.
"Much has happened since I have been gone." he stated simply, tearing his stunned gaze from the Miko to look at his two sons. Kagome breathed a silent sigh of relief when he looked else where. The whole time he had been looking at her, Kagome had pictured X'ith, rising with his demon army.
'That is not Sesshomaru's real father. There's no way!' Kagome thought, her eyes going to her mate.
"You are correct." Sesshomaru stated.
"Lord Inutaishou, with your return, does that not mean you are Lord of the Western Lands?" the snake TaiYoukai Rashka hissed, taking a step foreward.
Sesshomaru glared at Rashka, a glare that promised death while Inutaishou looked like he had been saved. Rashka's moment of courage wilted at Sesshomaru's glare and he took a step back.
"Why yes, it does mean that." Inutaishou stated, looking at his eldest son. He had not fought his son in a long time, and when Inutaishou had last 'died' he had been stronger. But he wasn't so sure now. Sesshomaru had two swords at his hips, Toukijin, a sword Sesshomaru had gotten by himself, and Tensaiga, the sword he had left him. While Inutaishou had the soul stealing sword, he had to be able to cut his son before it would take affect.
Inutaishou would have to stay on Sesshomaru's remotely good side to get close to his mate. That just complicated things. Ventaru should have killed her when he had the chance.
"You rise up out of no where and expect the throne to the Western Lands? I think not, Inutaishou." Everyone was surprised at the Dragon's words. The Northern Dragons had always been on the Westerns side and everyone thought they would welcome back Inutaishou with open arms. How ever, Derenti knew about Ventaru and had seen the black in Inutaishou's eyes. He was not the demon Lord he had respected all those years in the past.
"And who are you, Derenti, to refuse a Western Lord his right to his lands?" Inutaishou growled, getting irritated that the dragon actually refused the throne to him.
"He might not be able to refuse you, but I can." Sesshomaru stated, shocking everyone as had Derenti's statement.
"You can. Are you saying you are?" Inutaishou scowled at his son.
Sesshomaru quickly thought about the pro's and con's of losing his position. He knew the Southern and Eastern Lands would side with his father, leaving only Derenti as his support. As much as he didn't want to back down, now would not be a good time to start an all our war between the Lords. Sesshomaru wasn't sure of his father's intent, but he would not throw Derenti in a war alone.
Sesshomaru surprised everyone, even his own father, by bowing and taking a step back. "Welcome back, Lord Inutaishou." Sesshomaru stated, retreating into the crowd.
Inuyasha stood there, not sure whether he was more shocked about his father, who was supposed to be dead, returning or his elder brother backing off. Inuyasha like wise bowed then reteated. He was in no position to challange his father and he didn't want to. He wanted to know why Sesshomaru hadn't though.
Sesshomaru walked to stand beside Kagome, but wouldn't look down at her. He didn't need her questioning eyes right now, not when he could not answer her. Kagome sensed that he could not speak now, so she remained quiet, but wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Now that things are settle, perhaps we should all go inside and we shall speak of all that I have missed in one hours time." Inutaishou stated. The Lesser Lords and Ladys waited until the higher up ones left, before they to began to file back inside, hushed words spoken about recent developements.
Sesshomaru followed Derenti in, Kagome, Reshki, Kari, and Roku in tow. Once inside, they went straight to Derenti's family rooms. Reshki, Kari, and Roku joined Derenti's Gaurdians on watch while Kagome and Sesshomaru went inside.
"You should not have backed down, Sesshomaru." Derenti rumbled in his deep voice, sitting down and rubbing his temples.
"I could not challange him. The North would side with him, to do anything to rid me of power, as would the South. They do not like me and the power I held. That would leave you and yours against three lands. I could not willingly do that." Sesshomaru explained, standing beside Kagome and drawing some support from her. She didn't exactly agree with his reasons but she supported him.
"You handed him the Western Lands on a silver platter." Derenti stated flatly, looking at the floor.
"By which, are his right. He might not be my father, but as far as the other Lords are concerned, he is. Causing a war will not solve all the problums. Just lead to more. This way, we can stay close to him and watch him." Sesshomaru explained, a head ach beginning to form. While Derenti and Ventai could not see that he had a head ach, Kagome could.
"As long as we keep a low profile, Inutaishou will not percieve us a threat to his title at the moment. It is best to lie low." Kagome stated. Both Sesshomaru and Derenti shared a glance. Sesshomaru suspected his father was either a fake or possessed. That would mean his father had come back to kill Kagome. No matter how low of a profile they kept, his father would be sure to watch them, especially his mate. By the look Derenti shot Sesshomaru, he saw the dragon suspected the same as he.
"We have a meeting in one hour." Ventai reminded her mate and Sesshomaru.
"You do. I am no longer a Lord." Sesshomaru almost choked out the words. He couldn't believe it. He was not the Lord of the Western Lands, but merely a Prince, as he was when he was younger. Derenti looked over at Sesshomaru, attempting to read his expression.
Sesshomaru might be labled a prince, but Derenti wondered how long Sesshomaru would play that role. He had changed a lot since his fathers supposed death. He wasn't sure how Sesshomaru would handle 'recieving' orders.
"I am going to take my leave of you." Sesshomaru stated, bowing his head slightly and turning to leave.
"Come and speak with us after the meeting." Ventai stated, seeing him nod slightly before walking out with Kagome.
Sesshomaru didn't want to return to his old room, not now, and he didn't want to return to the room he would stay in now his father was back. He wasn't sure where he wanted to go, but he didn't want to run into any Lords at this moment. He might not be able to control himself, especially if they tried to order him around.
"Sessho, let's go see Sango and Shippo." Kagome stated, clasping his hand. She could see that this recent event had affected him more then he would lead on. She wanted to keep him away from other demons who might taunt him. Who better to see then Sango and Shippo? As soon as Kagome had said that, she thought he might refuse. Instead he simply allowed her to lead him there.
Kagome knocked on Sango's door, hearing movement within. Sango yanked the door opened and saw Kagome and Sesshomaru standing there. Sango wasn't sure how she knew, but she had a feeling Sesshomaru wasn't in a good mood.
Kagome, however, smiled in greeting. "Hi Sango!" Kagome greeted. Sango moved so they could come in. When Kagome walked in, she saw Shippo talking to Miroku, who was sitting on the bed, and Inuyasha, who was sitting on the window sil.
Shippo turned towards the door at the sound of someone opening it. His eyes lit up at the sight of Kagome. "Kagome!" he cried excitedly, jumping from beside Miroku into Kagome's arms.
"Hi, Shippo. Have you been behaving?" Kagome asked, hugging the small kitsune. Sesshomaru glanced down at Kagome before walking over to look out the window just as his brother was.
Kagome glanced Sesshomaru's way and hoped Inuyasha wouldn't start a fight. "I have been good, haven't I, Sango?" Shippo stated, looking over at a smiling demon exterminator.
"He's been pretty good." Sango replied, seeing the pout on Shippo's face.
"How have you been, Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked, walking to stand beside Sango.
"Sorry I haven't seen you guys for awhile. Some...things have come up." Kagome apologized, feeling slightly bad.
Sango waved the apology away. "I understand, especially since...you two have gotten together." Sango replied, winking in Kagome's direction. Kagome blushed and looked down at Shippo.
"Eh?" Shippo asked, looking from Sango to Kagome. Miroku laughed at the blush on Kagome.
"So, um, what have you guys been up to?" Kagome asked, changing the subject.
"Nothing much. We've been in the gardens and basically entertaining Shippo." Sango answered, hiding her chuckle. Miroku nodded his agreement, slowly inching closer to Sango. Kagome knew what was coming and smiled.
After a moment, a resounded SMACK caught Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's attention. They both looked over to see Sango glaring at the Monk, who had a bright red hand print on his face.
"You should know better by now." Kagome laughed, seeing the pouting look he threw her.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes then looked at his brother, who's attention was now on Kagome. "Well, now what?" Inuyasha asked quietly, making sure that Kagome, Miroku, and Sango didn't hear him.
"What do you mean?" Sesshomaru asked, glancing at Inuyasha.
Inuyasha slightly scowled at his brother. "In case you didn't notice, our father had come back from the dead, you backed down when he 'claimed' the throne, and whats more, you can't keep you eyes on anything except Kagome." Inuyasha growled quietly, holding Sesshomaru's gaze.
Inuyasha lost his scowl when he heard his brother chuckle softly. "Ah, that is what you mean. Our father has returned. What more is there to say? And, brother, if you can't use your nose, that is not my fault." Sesshomaru replied, smirking slightly before looking out the window.
"My nose? What does my nose have do to do with anything...eh?" Inuyasha stated, then took a deep breath. He smelt Sesshomaru, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kagome. But something was different in Kagome's scent. Taking another breath while watching his brother, he finally figured it out.
"Wha? When? HOW?!" Inuyasha stuttered, almost falling out of the window as his golden eyes opened in surprise.
"Must you draw attention to us? Hush." Sesshomaru stated, glancing at his shocked brother. The look on his face was priceless.
Inuyasha stared at his brother, then looked back at Kagome. "Eh?" his asked, his mind drawing a blank.
"When? Almost four days ago. How? Well, I will explain that if you truly wish to hear." Sesshomaru answered, seeing the scowl Inuyasha threw him at the last statement. "You asked." Sesshomaru almost shrugged, looking back outside over the land he use to own.
"But that means...." Inuyasha shuddered at the thought. Well, Kagome was officially his sister. Inuyasha was slightly surprised he wasn't outragiously jealous. Heck, he actually didn't mind. 'Man, something's wrong with me.' Inuyasha thought, still looking at his brother.
A knock at the door haulted Kagome's conversation with her friends."Who could that be?" she muttered, then turned to open the door. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru didn't move from thier spots, but they were tense incase they needed to quickly.
"Suki?" Kagome asked, seeing the dragon child standing there with her arms behind her back.
"Kagome?" Suki asked, her eyes going wide. 'Crap. How do I explain this?' Suki thought. She had come to find Inuyasha, not Kagome.
Kagome smiled and pulled Suki in the room. "What are you doing here?" Kagome asked, slightly happy she had shown up. Sango and Miroku looked at her with curiousity while Sesshomaru got slightly annoyed.
Inuyasha groaned and looked away, mumbling to himself. "I take it, you know her." Sesshomaru stated, glancing at him.
"No, I don't. But she seems to know me." Inuyasha replied, looking frantically for a place to hide. Seeing the only direction to go was out the window, Inuyasha slowly made a move to hop out.
"Suki, this is Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha. You already know Sesshomaru." Kagome introduced.
'Too late.' Inuyasha thought, freezing and looking at Kagome and Suki. Inuyasha was almost out the window, but the glare Kagome threw him caused him to take his seat.
Suki bowed her head to the demon exterminator and the Monk before her gaze fell on the Hanyou. He looked like a kid caught sneaking a cookie. Suki ignored him and looked to Sesshomaru. "Hello, Lord Sesshomaru." Suki stated, then winced as she realized he wasn't a lord anymore. "Sorry." she mumbled, looking at the floor.
"Be sure it does not happen again." Sesshomaru stated, turning away from her.
"What he means was, 'apology accepted'." Kagome stated, scowling slighty at the back of Sesshomaru.
"Ah..." Suki stated, chuckling slightly at the scowl Kagome threw him. Shippo jumped from Kagome's arms and ran over to Suki.
"Do you think me, you, Kagome, Tsume, and the twins could play some day, just like we did before?" Shippo asked. Everyone in the room shot a glance at Sesshomaru at the mention of Tsume. Kagome had told Sango about the dragon that had taken interest in her and Sango had told the others. Inuyasha was the only one close enough to hear the soft, deadly growl that Sesshomaru produced.
"Maybe me, you, the twins, and Kagome. I don't think my brother will join." Suki stated more for Sesshomaru then Shippo. Kagome mouthed a 'thank you' at Suki.
"Aww. I liked Tsume." Shippo pouted, missing the glare Sesshomaru threw at him.
"Well...Um..." Kagome mumbled before simply shrugging. She glanced at the others then walked over to Sesshomaru, standing beside him. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at Kagome but smiled slightly, taking away from the effect.
'She must have some kind of hold on my brother if the kitsune is still alive.' Inuyasha chuckled, walking away from the window to give them some privacy. As soon as he faced the others, he regretted his dicision.
Suki refused to look at him and instead scooped Shippo up in her arms. "Maybe you could get Inuyasha to join, eh?" Suki chuckled. Sango and Miroku shared looks.
"I think not, Wench." Inuyasha grumbled. Suki glared up at him before looking down at Shippo.
"If you ask me, Inuyasha could use the play time. Kami knows he'll die with a scowl on his face." Suki told Shippo, causing him to laugh and agree.
Sango heard Inuyasha growl softly and decided she'd rescue the Hanyou this once. "I think it would be nice to get out, don't you Miroku?" Sango asked, looking at Miroku with pleading eyes.
"Why yes, Lady Sango. Would you like to take a walk in the gardens?" Miroku asked, secretly hoping the others would stay and he would get a chance to be with Sango...alone.
"I wanna go!" Shippo stated, bashing Miroku's hopes into the ground. Suki looked at Inuyasha, who held her gaze, daring her to stay with him.
Sango looked between the two and saw neither would admit defeat and back down. "Stubborn." Sango muttered, taking Shippo from Suki and walking out, followed by Miroku. Miroku had a thoughtful look on his face as he tried to think of ways to get rid of Shippo.
Kagome looked out of the window with Sesshomaru, millions of things plagueing her mind. From simple things like what she was going to do later on to complex like how were they going to deal with InuTaishou.
"You will not 'play' with the dragon." Sesshomaru stated, breaking the silence.
Kagome looked up at him as he said this, irritation playing across her features. He was talking about Tsume. "I didn't plan on it." she replied. She didn't know why he still felt possessive of her. She was his mate, it wasn't like she was going to go flirt with anyone.
"Good." Sesshomaru stated, still not looking down at her.
Kagome rolled her eyes and grumbled to herself, "Thanks for the choice." This time he did look at her and narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You wanted to?" he growled, his hands fisting.
Kagome caught the mistake of her words and looked at him with wide eyes. "No, that's not what I meant." She saw him continue to glare at her and she shook her head, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck."Sessho, I love you." Kagome stated, seeing his glare melt and his posture slacken. Those words soothed his jealousy, even though it was uncalled for. He placed his arms around his mate and nuzzled her neck.
"I love you, my Kagome." He whispered softly, purring so soft he knew only Kagome heard it.
.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Aww, isn't that little moment sweet? lol. So, did you like it? Was it worth the wait? Sorry if there were any mistakes. I wanted to post this as soon as i was done and i said 'to hell with errors' lol. Ok, i reread it like five times...but still....Anyways, let me know what you think!
And thanks to ALL my reviewers who are prolly boiling mad that it took me so long ^^'.I've already started chap 19 so maybe it'll be up soon ^^. Well, Thanks a million and i hope you liked it!
AbsentAngel (lol, kagome is definatly taken ^^), Akitsu (happy belated b- day!!!! ^^, mine is in july so i got awhile), Terenity Rose (sorry it took me so long -_-'), dark-angel-destiny (you should send me some of your stuff, i'd love to read it ^^), Crystal jade2 (i wish it coulda been sooner, sry), Orchidaceae (I loved killin kikyou!!!!!! mwa ha ha!), angelkitty77 (I dont like her either....and well, i think suki and inu should get together too, lol), Silver_Dragon (lol....bloodshed eh?), cutiepie99 (sorry, but i had to put Trey in ^^'), Shaekaku (lol, they're gonna have lots of sex, lmao, j/k...i dunno...lol), Inuko (thanks ^^), Fluffyscatdemon (i wouldn't stop here, i might take a couple weeks break, but i'll finish this ^^, i want to), Crystalmarine87 (YAY ^^), cathrine (lol, i thought about that, but for their second time...that's a lil too wild ya know..lmao), Kikyo101 (psht, sesshy belongs to me, always will!....well, i belong to him....same difference ^^), foxstar2k2, Kitsune- minkchan (lol, i almost feel sorry for Roku...but i trust you'll "treat" him well ^^), Tsuki Yume, Angel Areana (thanks ^^), Zing (sorry i didn't hurry), holy psychic vulpix (smashing good work eh? thanks ^^), peaches dani (i had to make him a bad guy, couldn't help it ^^), Shikon Miko (lmao, i wanted to have her tortured...but Ventaru doesn't seem like the type...so i just slit her throat, lmao), thatsmsdiva2u (lmao, so true!), luna (yet you read mine and liked it? yay), demonwicca1 (sorry it took so long ^^'), Rabid Inu gurl (sorry i dont.....^^'), mx2mnm (i think the first one was better too cuz i put way more detail and feelings into it...but i still liked the second one *drools*), karla ( lol), pyromistress (sorry it took me so long...i feel bad now...-_-), dark paine, megan consoer (lol, more chapters are coming), Goddess-pheonix/vixinia, ennovymoon, Moon-n-universe- goddess, aqua girl (i like trey, he sounds kinda cute ^^), sesshys hime (*ponders for a moment* claim sessho? Well, i wouldn't put it that way, its the other way around...i would not beable to claim someone such as he....), Nashea (thank ya!), anime girl 06 (hi! *waves* me new chapter is up! you like? you should post yours soon!), bloodbunny, Cymarel (i just love your replies! You always point out the parts i liked as well! Sesshy is cute anytime tho! i was going to make inu the bad guy, after all i very much dislike the hanyou, but then i thought 'i'm gonna make him more of a friend, shed some positive light on him instead'...so glad it's working out like this ^^. *looks at Tsume* my poor tsume *not really mine of course, but ya know what i meant* I hope you are learning quickly...*looks at cymarel* he might be misbehavin just cuz he likes your punishments lmao)