A/N: Yeah, Inuyasha had accepted to be Sesshomaru's heir, but just for Rin's sake, because they know she will need them in the future not so far. This doesn't mean that Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's relationship will be a piece of cake, they'll have to work together and Sesshomaru will need to let go of his old beliefs, this means he needs a character alteration. I intend to keep his cold character and posture because I can't see him in any other way, but he needs to start seeing his brother in a different light. In the following chapters sometimes you will feel that it comes easy to him, but in reality, the process is still quite long. Let's just say that both of them will be good at hiding old grudges to keep up appearances and put up a united front otherwise the whole purpose of the trip west would be in vain.
Chapter Nineteen: Welcome to the West
"You are going to West then?" Shippo asked when they gave the news to their friends that evening. Miroku and Sango had reached them shortly after Jaken's arrival. The imp was currently sulking outside next to Ah-Un. Rin had stayed with him until Kagome had called her in because it was time to eat. Apparently, Sesshomaru had ordered him to stay in the village until Inuyasha and Kagome were ready to leave for the West, and since they needed Ah-Un to travel, Jaken couldn't leave.
"Yes, Shippo. Tomorrow morning we are going to the shrine to warn my family they won't be seeing us in the following days. I don't know how long we will be gone, but I don't want my mother to be worried. I hope I'll be in time for the beginning of the school year. Otherwise, my grandfather will have to make up some other excuse, hmph."
"Why do you worry? You'll make his day that way. The old geezer seems to find it funny to create new illnesses just for you," Inuyasha laughed. "Anyway, I really hope we don't have to stay for two whole weeks at the palace. How long could an introduction to court last?" he asked rhetorically.
"Don't say it, Inuyasha; you can never really know the surprise that could wait for you three there," Miroku replied wisely as a small smirk appeared on his lips.
"Why can't I come too?" Shippo pleaded.
"I'm sorry, Shippo, but this time is just for us. Maybe next time we will be required to go, we can ask Sesshomaru. There shouldn't be problems; you are a demon after all," Kagome explained. "Meanwhile, you can stay with Miroku and Sango or Kaede. Maybe you could accompany Rin when she has to water the garden and air out the house. What do you think, Rin-chan?" The girl nodded enthusiastically. "But I don't want you to stay there at night alone. Is that clear? If you need something from your room, you can take it before we leave or ask Miroku or Sango to come with you," Kagome told him sternly.
"Hmph, you speak as if I was a baby, 'Gome. I can take care of myself, ya know," he pouted more.
"Yeah, and you can also put our house on fire if you're left unattended, and I'm not taking that risk," Inuyasha snorted, pretending to thump him on his head.
"Oi! That happened once, and I hastily extinguished it! I didn't do any damage."
"She said no, and that's it; don't make me thump you for real," Inuyasha threatened.
"Come on, boys, don't fight now," Kagome told them, "If you wake Muteki up, I'm gonna let you sleep outside with Jaken tonight!" They nodded contritely and went back to their dinner without uttering another word.
"You have two well-trained dogs, Kagome," Miroku teased. Inuyasha gave him the hairy eyeball, cracking his knuckles.
"Miroku, I wouldn't laugh so much if I were you. I could use the same threat on you too. Or I could force you to change the girls' diapers alone for a whole week," Sango interjected. Miroku paled, Shippo and Inuyasha laughed; they already changed Muteki's diaper when Kagome was otherwise occupied, so she couldn't threaten them with that.
The following morning, as soon as the light touched their house, Kagome and Inuyasha were off to the other side of the well to bid her family goodbye.
"Inu-no-niichan, Nee-chan, you're back!" Sota welcomed them. He was currently playing football on the shrine grounds with some friends. Inuyasha hastily put the hat Kagome passed him to cover his ears from prying eyes. They waved them good morning and entered the house.
"Mom? Gramps? We're back," Kagome greeted. His grandfather appeared in front of them and promptly stole Muteki from Inuyasha's arms.
"And how is my favourite great-grandchild? Did you miss me?" he cooed, tickling his baby belly, not even acknowledging his granddaughter and her husband.
"Ya know, sometimes it creeps me the way the old man speaks to Muteki," Inuyasha whispered to Kagome; she shrugged. It was kind of endearing.
"I guess he's too happy he finally found someone who is not going to shut him up as soon as he starts talking about old stuff. Sota and I could never stand it, don't know my father. Grampa! We're here too, you know?"
"Kagome, Inuyasha, good to see you. You can go and do all you want; I can perfectly fine watching the baby for you." His eyes were gleaming with utter joy as he looked at the baby in his arms, who did not show any signs of discomfort or annoyance. Muteki had very quickly become accustomed to his great-grandfather's presence.
"No, Gramps, I'm sorry to break it off to you, but we're staying for a late breakfast and then leaving again. Come, we need to speak to both you and mom," she explained, heading towards the kitchen with her mate and leaving behind a desperate Grampa.
"So you're going to Sesshomaru's place and don't know how much it will take?" her mother summed up. They nodded, Inuyasha currently stuffing his mouth with a bowl of ramen. "Is it dangerous?"
"It shouldn't be, don't worry, mama," Kagome patted her hand. "If you want some insights, you could always call this Sesshomaru's version; he can tell you, and if it can settle your nerves... why not."
"I would gladly use that piece of information right now," Inuyasha scoffed. "But of course not. 'You could ruin the flow of time, Inuyasha!'" he mimicked his mate; she smacked his arm, and he chuckled. "Oi! I was kidding."
"Are you leaving Muteki with us, Kagome?" her grandfather asked, not caring about her previous words.
"What? No way, old man! He needs to come with us," Inuyasha answered rather angrily. "You can have him all for yourself when we come back, ok?" he hastily replied as soon as Kagome glared at him for the way he spoke to her grampa, whose eyes were welling up with tears.
"What about the school, Kagome? Are you coming back in time?" Kaori inquired.
"I don't know, mama. If we don't come back for the first day of school, you can make up an excuse. Try to find a plausible one, Gramps!" she warned him. "I don't wanna my friends asking me how my gout is!"
That afternoon, just after lunch, they had been saying goodbye to everyone and were about to leave. Kagome was currently controlling that they had everything they needed. She had replaced her usual backpack with two plain satchels, the kind that would go unnoticed. She had filled them with snacks and water for the journey, reusable diapers, some blankets if Muteki got cold while up in the air and all they needed to settle for the night. Since they were planning to have several breaks, they wouldn't arrive by the end of the day. Jaken had complained; he had pointed out that, if they travelled during the night too, they could arrive before sunrise tomorrow. Inuyasha had stolen his staff and thumped him with it.
"Now you listen to me, you toad. My mate is human, and my pup is not even a year old, so they need to rest and can't travel for hours on a dragon. We're gonna make all the breaks we decided to, is that clear?" he asked. Jaken muttered something unclear to her, but as Inuyasha made a sign to thump him again, he hastily nodded. "Sesshomaru gave us two days, so we have plenty of time to get there. And while you're at it... stop with your shrieking, not even Ah-Un can stand it," he exclaimed. When Muteki giggled at the sound of his father's voice, Inuyasha added, "You see? Even my son agrees."
When night came, they had taken just two breaks and weren't even too tired. Muteki had been quiet most of the time, he had fussed a little when it was time to get changed and eat, but he was enjoying his experience on Ah-Un. The pack dragon had even given him the consent to pet him, and he giggled merrily every time one of the heads flared its nostrils. He was just six months old, but he had already started moving a lot more than what was expected from him. Her mother thought he could start crawling in a month or at least two, but Kagome hoped it would be long before he started moving more.
"Oi! Jaken, go find some firewood while I go catch some rabbits," Inuyasha ordered.
"What? Why would I?" he shrieked.
"What I told you about the shrieking? Now go before I decide to let you fall from Ah-Un tomorrow morning," he said before leaving for hunting. When he came back with three fat, already skinned, rabbits, they had already lit up the fire, and Kagome was preparing the rice to go with the meat.
"How much longer before we arrive at the palace, Jaken?" Kagome asked while she prepared the meat, and Inuyasha put Muteki on Ah-Un after the pup had started crying. Maybe they could ask Sesshomaru for one of its kind if they were able to shut him up so fast.
"If we leave at sunrise and don't stop so many times, we could arrive for lunchtime."
"We will still need to stop every time Muteki needs to be changed and fed; I can't do it while up in the air. Obviously, you never cared for a baby, or you wouldn't complain so much."
"And I won't ever! Who wants to be around crying and dirty babies, anyway!" the demon screeched.
"This crying and dirty baby will have the power to order you around when he'll grow up, so starts showing some respect already," Inuyasha mocked him.
"And what will you do when Sesshomaru will have his own children?" Kagome teased. "Will you still say you don't want to be around crying babies? Mmm, I wonder what Sesshomaru will do..." she pretended to think about it while stroking her chin.
"He would probably order you to be in the same room as them just for fun," Inuyasha sneered. "Try and stay in the same room as a newborn, toad; let's see how fun it is. In the meantime, Kagome and I could eat this third succulent rabbit I caught. After all, we need the energy to look after a fussing baby, you... on the contrary..." he trailed off.
"Ok, ok, ok, I won't make any more nasty comments on you and your son," Jaken hastily said at the prospect of waiting for another day without food. Besides, the meat seemed really succulent.
"It seemed Sesshomaru trained you very good, toad," Inuyasha commented before throwing the meat at him and earning a glare.
Just as Jaken had predicted, they didn't arrive at lunchtime. Muteki had been complaining more, and it seemed he didn't like to travel for more than one day, which had required more breaks and especially more headaches. Now they were ready to leave again after the lunch break; Muteki was sleeping soundlessly in his baby sling, and Kagome found herself longing for the comfort of a bed instead of a rough scaled surface to travel on for still some hours. She thought her ass would change shape by the time they reached the palace. Besides, now that they were close, her nerves refused to settle. She realized by night they would be in a new territory, surrounded by unfamiliar demons.
"Kagome, are you ok? You didn't even eat so much. You kept moving the morsels back and forth. I saw you," her mate told her. He hugged her from behind and kept whispering in her ear. "Hey! Nothing is gonna happen; we're gonna arrive late and go directly to Sesshomaru; no one is gonna disturb us." He started leaving kisses and love bites on her neck, trying to soothe her. "And when we'll finally be settled, Muteki peacefully sleeping, I'm gonna have my fun with his sexy mom," he decided, caressing her breasts from above her white haori. "I'm going to reclaim these luscious mounds just for me. I'm tired of sharing them with him; when are you going to wean him?"
"mmm... Yeah," she nodded with her eyes closed. He chuckled and shook her out of her daze. "What?"
"Have you even heard my question?"
"Uh... Sorry?" she smiled mischievously.
"I said I want to fest on your tits right now, but since we're not alone, I'll have to wait for this evening. And that I don't want to share with Muteki anymore," he pouted.
"Oh, come on, you really are greedy. Don't worry, I'll reserve you some for your night snack," she laughed and then winked.
Later that day, when the sun had already set and the guards were changing, Ah-Un was spotted coming back to the palace after two days.
They had arrived at the border of the Western lands considerably later than they had been expecting, and Inuyasha was about to kick Jaken off the dragon because the imp had started screeching again when Kagome caught sight of the castle and gasped. They were still slightly away from its perimeters and couldn't see it clearly, but from her perspective upon a flying dragon's back, she found it extremely stunning. She kept looking at it in awe and couldn't imagine how Sesshomaru would want to live anywhere else when he could claim that that was his home. The valley was beautiful. and she couldn't see any problems in living there when the time would come.
Some minutes later, Ah-Un started his descent and stopped in front of a huge stone gate guarded by four demons. They stiffened as soon as they noticed someone else was riding the dragon other than Jaken. The whole valley was surrounded by a defensive wall whose ends Kagome couldn't see from her position. However, she could imagine that the one that stood in front of them was not the only front gate. She could discern watching towers, arrowslits and other defensive mechanisms that brought her back to the history lessons. But she wasn't sure how much demons could use these stationings if under attacks. She had always figured they usually destroyed everything on their path when fighting, so maybe an open field could have been a better option.
"Master Jaken, welcome back." One of the guards approached them and bowed to him. Their armour constituted of black large hakama pooling at the edge of their black ankle-high combat boots, a green kimono with simple straight black patterns and a matching green obi. It also included spiked pauldrons. Their style reminded Kagome of the armour Sesshomaru had always worn, even if they lacked the crests embroidered on Sesshomaru's collar and sleeves, which showed his royal birth. "Have these strangers travelling with you permission to enter the valley?" Taro inquired suspiciously; Inuyasha snorted at his tone.
Jaken was never seen travelling with someone else other than Sesshomaru himself, and these people were obviously not demons. The woman wore the garments of a priestess and had a child in her arms; the man while smelling of human blood too, was clearly of demonic origins. Both the man and the pup had silver hairs, like everyone born of the royal line, which made him wonder if they were somehow connected to the dai-youkai itself. But Taro dismissed that thought.
"Of course, they are, Taro! Do you think I would ever bring someone who is not allowed within the palace's walls?" Jaken shrieked, outraged. Even if he didn't like the half-demon and his family, that didn't mean that these guards could go against his Lord's word. "Now open the gate, Sesshomaru-sama is waiting for us, and we're already late. Don't make him wait longer!" He went on, wielding his staff as if it was a club.
Jaken had been seen leaving the valley two days ago, seemingly on an errand, but they would never have thought this was the reason behind his task. Bringing mixed-breeds and a priestess within the valley? Why should Sesshomaru-sama order something like this?
"I'm sorry, master Jaken, but I cannot accept your explanation without written proof. Strangers are usually severely searched, and I cannot allow the woman to bring in her bow," Taro replied. He couldn't risk their safety, and an armed miko was not someone he was willing to let pass without written consent.
"These are not strangers, you fool!" Jaken shrieked again. This useless guard was making him lose precious time, and he had other matters at hand. He didn't want to deal with Sesshomaru-sama's anger as soon as he returned to the castle.
Another guard approached them; he was taller and broader than the first and wore a less suspicious look on his face. "Taro, maybe it's better if we heed Master Jaken. He would never do anything that has not been requested by Sesshomaru-sama. If he is really waiting for them, we risk angering him."
"She's a miko, Hideki," Taro shouted, pointing rudely at Kagome. "Are you telling me Sesshomaru would willingly allow one of her kind inside the keep's wall?"
Inuyasha was now highly angered, and Jaken stiffened at the feeling of his aura raising; he knew the hanyou was quicker to anger than his brother. "Yes, if she is his brother's mate, he would," he replied coldly, giving the first guard a death glare that could have easily melted his insides. His mate and son were tired of riding Ah-Un, and this obnoxious demon was making them waste time. "Now, do as Jaken says, or I will make sure the next place you are guarding is the latrine!" he commanded.
The four guards raised their heads and tensed at the rage within Inuyasha's eyes. Had he really said brother? Could he be the hanyou Inuyasha? Taro was about to speak again when Hideki nudged him in the ribs and shut him up. He then bowed low, "Forgive him, my Lord. He does not know better." If he was the late Inu-no-Taisho's second son, and Sesshomaru-sama was allowing him to enter the valley, it meant he would eventually take his place at court. They would have to start showing him and his mate due respect. He stepped aside, and the others followed his lead, Taro with reticence.
As soon as they dismounted Ah-Un and went beyond the stone gate Kagome fought with her instincts; it would not look good if she stood there gaping. It was a magnificent sight, even more now that she could look at it closely. "Shall we?" Inuyasha asked, grinning, taking her arm gently. "We shall," nodded Kagome eagerly and started heading towards the castle's wall.
The valley, with its lush green patches, the several courses of waters and the winding pass that led directly to the majestic castle, would have astounded everyone who would have been allowed to put a foot beyond the walls. The structure was the highest Kagome had ever seen and stretched for miles and miles, making it difficult to imagine its end. It probably housed an exponential number of courtiers, high ranked guards and what else demons deemed noble. Kagome wondered if she would ever learn to find her way within it without an escort.
Since it was already too late, when they finally reached the palace they've got a message from Sesshomaru to go directly to the bed chambers. A servant had already prepared theirs in the royal wing, and he would have met them there, where less prying ears could be found.
While Jaken led them, they noticed demons looking at them strangely, as if they hadn't the slightest clue on why a half-demon and a human had been brought to the palace. Apparently, Sesshomaru still hadn't warned his court, and Inuyasha wondered if that was wise. Sure, he said he had gotten the approval of that council of elders. But even if people living in the keep couldn't oppose their being there, wasn't it a better choice to inform them about the new guests?
On their way to the chambers, Jaken explained to them that the royal wing was the biggest of the castle and since the previous Inu-no-Taisho's death had been occupied only by Sesshomaru. His lady mother had left the palace once his parents had broken off their mating on a mutual accord and only returned at alternate times. Shortly after that, Toga-Sama had met that human princess - Inuyasha whacked him on the head at that, "show some respect, toad!" he said. Then, his father had started preparations to bring her to the castle, Jaken started again, the eastern part of the royal wing had been redecorated, but they never had the chance to live together there. Jaken didn't know the details and wasn't interested either.
The point is, even if it was one of the biggest parts of the castle, it had been empty for most of the last two centuries. Even when Sesshomaru occupied the chambers, it was still empty and lonely for the most, not that his master cared about that; he preferred the quiet and the silence. They had better heed his warning and make sure that pup of theirs remained silent during the night or he w- WHACK! Inuyasha thumped him again.
Previously rulers had always preferred to keep separate bed chambers; the western side was for the Inu-no-Taisho, the eastern for his mate. The other rooms were reserved for their children and, while young, for the nursemaid. However, Toga-sama had wanted to change that with the arrival of his bonded. Word was that even if the princess was to have her personal space on the eastern side, her official chambers were to be the same as his. He wouldn't live under the same roof and still be separated from his beloved.
Under Sesshomaru's order, they were now headed towards these very chambers, the one who had been previously reserved to Izayoi-hime. According to Jaken, they had remained untouched since Sesshomaru had never mated.
When they reached the hall that leads to said chambers, they were welcomed by a minute female Tanuki, the maid that would serve them in the West. At least it seemed she had been warned if the low bow she reserved them was any clue. Jaken gladly left them in the hands of the little demon, saying Sesshomaru would have met them shortly after.
The tanuki had been silently leading them when Kagome decided to speak. "May I have your name, young one?" or at least Kagome presumed she was young; she was probably much older than her in human terms.
"Chie, my lady." She bowed again. Inuyasha rolled his eyes; he was going to have trouble getting used to all that formal crap. But he knew there was no other way a servant would have behaved in front of the ruler.
Kagome nodded in response, "Chie then, could you also show us where the bathing chambers are, please? We have been travelling for more than one da,y and we could really use a bath. Plus, my son needs one too."
"I could prepare one for you, my lady, if you want?" she suggested.
"That would be perfect, thank you."
After that, they fell into silence again.
"Tell me, Chie," Inuyasha started, "Are all of these chambers usually reserved only to one person?"
The halls were huge, and Inuyasha couldn't phantom what one person could do with all these rooms and empty spaces.
"Yes, my Lord," the tanuki nodded. "As the private chambers of the female ruler, they had to guarantee enough room so the lady can be able to do what most pleases her. Within each room, you will find means to every of your need. If not, you can request it to me, and I will make you sure you have what you lack as soon as possible." She pointed then to a slightly narrower hallway and said, "This leads to the lady's private garden, and it can be accessed only from here or by flying. However, guards will soon be posted along the perimeter; this way you don't have to fear unwanted guests. While you're staying here, access to this part of the castle will be denied to everyone who does not have received consent from you or Sesshomaru-sama himself," she explained as she started leading them towards the bed chambers again. They apparently were situated at the end of the hall. "When the Lady Mother used to live here, the halls were almost bare; she didn't like so many ornaments. However, she preferred more colour than this," she went on. The walls were now painted in a pale blue that instilled in Kagome calm; it didn't clash with the scattered paintings. "Before Toga-sama decided to redecorate this wing, everything was painted in light purple and pink, but the master didn't deem it right for your Lordship and your Lady Mother," she concluded. Inuyasha acknowledged her with a slight tilt of his head.
"Here we are," Chie said, stopping in front of two high doors made of mahogany. "I will start preparing the water for the bath, and I will ask the kitchen staff to prepare something for you to eat." She bowed again and left them after they had started settling inside.
"Wow," Kagome said, in awe again. It seems everything inside these walls could astound her. It was like she had been thrown into one of those sitcoms set in the old times. The only difference was that everything was real, that would become part of her life soon too.
"Yeah," Inuyasha agreed. "Mother's castle was similar, even if here they seem to want to do everything in style. There everything was more contained... if one can say it. And Mother and I were usually bound to a certain part of the castle and gardens. Anyway, it doesn't surprise me; Sesshomaru is a pompous ass after all," he grinned. He took Muteki from her arms and asked him, "Do you want to have some fun with your old man while mom is taking a long bath, pup?"
When they were all bathed and full they heard a light knock on the door. Inuyasha went to open the door and found Jaken waiting for them. "Sesshomaru-sama is now ready to receive you," he said all high and mighty, "follow me."
Inuyasha snorted, "Wasn't he supposed to reach us in our chambers, toad?"
"He's waiting for you in your office; it is highly improper for him to meet you in your chambers. That is the reason why he sent me to inform you of his arrival," Jaken grunted.
"Yeah, yeah, as you say. Come, Kagome."
When they reached the office, they found Sesshomaru seated in a high-backed chair behind a sturdy desk. "Inuyasha... Kagome," he greeted, using for the first time the miko's given name. "It pleases me that you reached the West unscathed."
"Did you expect someone to ambush us?" Inuyasha snorted, giving him the hairy eyeball.
"Of course not, please, take a seat." He waved his left hand towards two other chairs in front of the desk, completely ignoring his rough attitude.
It was then that Inuyasha noticed the portrait at the left of the desk. It showed a beautiful young woman with waist-length dark hair and pale skin. She wore a wedding kimono, one usually worn by noble ladies and was looking at something out of sight.
"Mother..." Inuyasha murmured. It was just as he remembered and wore her usual gentle smile. For a moment there, he lost himself in thought, and Kagome squeezed his arm in comfort.
"Ah, yes. Father had probably commissioned it after their human wedding. I never entered these chambers after his death; I was not aware of its presence. I presumed you would have appreciated it if I didn't remove it." He dismissed his concern. Inuyasha nodded. "How was your journey?"
"It would have been better without that screeching toad of yours; I don't know how you used to travel with him. Ah-Un is fine; Muteki highly appreciated him," he replied gruffly.
"Hn, Jaken can be... loud," he glared at said imp when he was about to interrupt, "but can be the most loyal of the servants. It was safer this way," he explained. "I hope the chambers are to your liking, Kagome," Sesshomaru then told her.
"They are, thank you, Sesshomaru."
"Alright, bast- I mean, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha started. If they were to stay in the palace for some time, he had to learn to call him with his name, much like he had asked of Kagome. It would require some effort, but he could do it. "Why didn't you inform your court we were going to arrive? People on our way here looked at us as if they didn't have the slightest clue why we're here and who we are. Not to mention the guard at the gate; he didn't want to let us in even after Jaken had told him you were waiting for us, and he surely didn't want to let Kagome pass," he explained, angered again at the thought of the guard.
Sesshomaru raised his eyebrow and gazed at Jaken questioningly. "We were at the southern gates, my Lord. Taro demanded written proof from you even after I explained to him I would never bring someone with me that hadn't been approved previously; he said the miko couldn't be allowed to come within the keep armed," Jaken hastily explained.
"Hn, I would have to explain to him again your role as my personal retainer; you can leave now," he dismissed him. He turned to Inuyasha and his mate when the imp left and spoke again, "I did not inform my court yet because I wanted to give you time to become familiar with the surroundings. Once I will introduce you as my heir, there will no be time anymore. People will want to... get to know you. Sure, by tomorrow morning rumours will already spread, and by evening, many will have recognized you. But they will not approach you until I have properly and formally introduced you. This will happen the day after tomorrow."
"Will we be able to go around the place undisturbed, then?" Kagome asked; in her arms, Muteki was intently gazing at his uncle again.
Sesshomaru nodded. "Hn. I will assign you an escort that will show you around; the place is large, as you may have already realized. Two guards have already been placed outside the halls of this wing; you will find two more outside your bed chambers. These last two will always be your personal guards every time you are here in the West. I find them highly trustworthy, and they had always been loyal to our father. Besides, they have always shown him their undying support, especially when he bonded with your mother. I think you will find them suitable for the task."
"Are you completely sure we can trust them?" Inuyasha asked suspiciously.
"I would have never chosen them otherwise," he replied unfazed. "I am well aware of how deception and malice work within these walls. In time you will too and learn to avoid everything that is touched by this kind of sentiment."
"You'll have to point out to us these fuckers," Inuyasha told his brother, hardening his gaze.
Sesshomaru nodded, "In time, little brother. Now, tomorrow morning you are free to do as you like, but in the afternoon, I require your presence in the council room. The elders want to meet you and be careful; they will also want to test you, Inuyasha, but it may happen when you're not aware; keep your eyes open."
"Fantastic." Inuyasha rolled his eyes ironically. "Kagome, remind me, who made me do it?"
"Do I have permission to continue, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes after his brother interrupted him again. The hanyou waved him his consent.
"As I was saying... you don't know when or who, so be careful. But, even if they approved, you must know how it works. There are seven seats, and every elder expressed his or her vote. Four of them voted for your introduction in court as heir, the other three against. Between these last three, one of them was particularly adamant and he is the worst of all. He had also been biased, but unfortunately, I cannot remove him from his seat yet; his name is Goro. The other two did not express themselves against your presence at court but your place as heir. I will tell you about them more precisely tomorrow before the meeting. I'll give you more insight so you can know what to expect. The other four may want you to prove your strength as well. After all, I had to expose your strong points to show how you could be useful to the West; you and your miko," the dai-yokai explained.
"Wait a minute!" he interrupted again. "When you say you will have to prove yourself, you don't mean both of us, right? Fuck, Sesshomaru! I thought I made that clear; I don't want my mate or son to be in any kind of danger. That means I don't want them to try and test her! I know what she can do it, and if they don't believe me, fuck them, they will have to wait."
"Calm down, little brother; do you want to teach your pup your coarse language?" Said pup was now giggling and looked unfazed by his father outburst.
"Don't change the subject, bastard." Inuyasha huffed, "Besides, he can't talk yet."
"They will not," he said with a certain finality, "But in the worst case, I appointed two guards to you, didn't I?"
Inuyasha glared at him. "This is game for you, isn't it? You think that you can play with our lives and use us as mere objects? Fuck that, Sesshomaru! I came here... I change my life to help you even though you had always treated me like shit. The least you can do is assure me no one will try and hurt my mate!" he bellowed angrily, then lowered his voice and spoke again, "You said the only thing you wanted from her was information, her power may be a bonus, but they don't need to prove her, is that clear? If not, you better talk with them, asshole or I will do it."
"First of all, little brother, do not think you can talk to me, or anybody else for the matter, like that. You are here now, and it is expected you will be able to speak properly. Learn to do it if you are not able yet! Secondly, do not belittle me by saying I would put your family at risk after I asked you to come to West. I promised you would be safe here, and I will do everything in my power to see that it is so," he declared, slightly angry too. "We will move accordingly after meeting them tomorrow."
"Inuyasha, nothing is gonna happen to us; you're gonna prove to them that you're your father's son and the reason why you are the one to wield Tessaiga. There is no reason to take your anger on him; he is warning us of what we will probably face. We should heed him," Kagome interjected. She caressed one of his ears tenderly and kissed him on the cheek. Then she turned to Sesshomaru, who had been there silently observing the exchange. Their affinity may be positive in battle, but on the other side, they made too much clear what was Inuyasha's weakness; it had always been too clear. "What were you saying about the ones who voted for, Sesshomaru?" her hand still touching Inuyasha's ear.
"I will give you more insights on every one of them tomorrow too. For now, I will only tell you about Hayato-sama. He was our father's friend and one of his strongest supporters when he married Inuyasha's mother. He has shown his excitement for your introduction at court without restrain. The only thing you have to worry about him is his... exuberance."
"I can already see a pattern here, Sesshomaru. Am I right in presuming that we can start testing the trustworthiness of someone according to their actions during your father's last years?"
Sesshomaru nodded. "You are quick to catch on, Kagome. This will benefit you, do not doubt that. Who was not against our Father and Izayoi's union are likely not to oppose Inuyasha's legitimate place. But there were a lot who preferred to stay silent when it happened. Father died shortly after, and then there was no need to oppose his human wife or his hanyou son. I had already made perfectly clear what were my thoughts on the matter."
"That is another thing we could use in our favour," the young girl pondered, "you had to have some supporters, after all, someone who backed you up when you spoke ill of your brother and his mother. They will also likely speak against Inuyasha's rising in the West. They could also try to befriend us to get past your defences in some sneaky way. We will have to keep our eyes wide open."
"I bet a lot of fuckers in this place is used to act sly and deceitful. Well, luckily for me, it can be damn difficult to earn my trust." Inuyasha grinned. "Let's see they try and befriend the poor lonely half-breed."
"You really have to work on that, Inuyasha," Kagome commented.
"On what?"
"You give yourself easily away. You have to learn to control your emotions and hide what you think or won't last here for a couple of days. I'm not saying try and be like the ice king here," she explained and pointed to Sesshomaru, "but to control your facade a little more." Sesshomaru glared at her; she winked. She clapped the hand and then spoke again, "Now, it's really late, and this baby here needs to sleep, her mother too, should we go koi? Sesshomaru, we will talk more tomorrow. Good night."