After their rendezvous in his chambers, Kagome expected Sesshomaru to be hostile or, at the very least, curt with her. There was no edge to his tone. He didn't grab her arm or snatch her by the wrist. He simply stood there with his palm overturned, waiting for her answer.

When Kagome placed her hand in his, there was something. It wasn't a zap, per se, but she felt energy spark between them. She couldn't tell if Sesshomaru experienced the same. The daiyokai didn't utter a single word.

A head nudged Kagome's shoulder, reminding her that they weren't alone. She turned to the dragon. "I have to go now, but I'll come and visit you soon, alright?"

He stared, all four eyes focused on her.

"What's his name?" she asked Sesshomaru.

"He requires none."

Kagome gasped. "How can he not have a name?"

"What need does he have for a name?"

"So you can call him," she replied.

Sesshomaru frowned. "A dragon is not a pet."

"You keep him in the stables like a horse. Aren't horses pets?"

"Horses are domesticated for our use. They aid us in traveling and by pulling our supply wagons. Dragons are wild beasts. They do not answer to anyone."

"Well, I still think he needs a name."

Sesshomaru didn't respond.

Kagome studied the two-headed dragon. He hadn't moved from under the oak tree. His black hair was tousled from carding her fingers through it but he didn't appear wild. He was quite gentle. She thought he belonged to Touga or another member of the clan. But if he wasn't someone's pet, what was he doing here?

She tapped her chin. "Hmmm, I think I'll call you A-Un."

The right head snorted while the one on the left lightly head-butted her. Kagome laughed. She enjoyed seeing the dragon's reaction. He was more active than her cat.

Buyo was the only pet she'd ever known. His primary interest was food, which wasn't a surprise, considering how much he weighed. Regardless, Kagome still missed him. She missed everyone in her family.

"The longer we linger, the cooler your water becomes. We should leave," Sesshomaru said.

"Alright. Bye, A-Un. See you later." Kagome gave him a wave.

"I doubt that creature understands you. Dragons do not communicate verbally as we do."

She shrugged. "Maybe not but I bet he understands body language and the differences in my tone."

Sesshomaru didn't offer up a response. He remained quiet as they stepped inside.

"How long has A-Un lived here?" she asked.

"I came across him near Mount Tanigawa. He was without siblings or a mate. It is unlikely he would have survived on his own so I brought him here," Sesshomaru explained.

His answer shocked her. Of all the members of the Taisho clan, Sesshomaru was the last one she expected to take responsibility for A-Un. She wanted to question him about his motives. Had been brought the dragon here to participate in fights the way he intended her to do? Or did he plan to leverage A-Un as an intimidation factor?

Kagome had seen no evidence of the dragon being in battle. His skin wasn't marred by scars. He didn't show any signs of having sustained fractures or broken bones. His scales were full of luster. His hair was sleek and shiny. Even his claws were well-maintained. A-Un appeared healthy and content. She had no reason to suspect Sesshomaru.

No reason other than the fact that he'd tried to blackmail her.

She glanced over at him. Once again, he wore that impassive expression that gave nothing away. Kagome hated not knowing what he was thinking. His actions were confusing. One minute, Sesshomaru was holding a secret over her and the next he was escorting her to her room. Learning about A-Un only muddied the waters more. It didn't make sense. He didn't make sense.

"This is your suite."

Kagome looked at the room they had stopped in front of. The door was open, giving her a view of the interior. It wasn't as large as the main room in Sesshomaru's private chambers, but it was still bigger than her bedroom at home. She noted the windows opening out to the guest courtyard and the dark wood furnishings. At the center of the room was a table set with a reed mat to keep the porcelain teapot from marking the wood.

Mama always said that a good cup of tea could fix anything. Kagome hoped that silly superstition was true. She desperately wanted a cure-all. And some tea did sound nice.

Kagome started to head inside, only remembering her escort when he dropped her hand. She looked over her shoulder at Sesshomaru. "Thank you."

"I will see you at dinner."

"Okay."

He took a step forward and leaned in. "We will finish our conversation later."

Kagome felt her face burn. She wanted to blame her reaction on agitation but this close to him, it was impossible to deny how attractive he was. The sharp, angular contours of his face were highlighted by his markings. His skin was smooth and pale like the moon on his forehead. The metallic color of his eyes was hypnotizing. For a split second, Kagome forgot how angry she was. Her head had become clouded by his proximity.

"Lady Kagome, Lord Sesshomaru."

Kagome jolted, startled from her thoughts by the handmaiden's entrance. She hadn't known anyone else was in the suite. She hoped the attendant hadn't noticed her blush.

"My lady, I have prepared your bath with fresh yuzu to help you decompress from your journey. This way please."

Kagome nodded, grateful for an excuse to escape those golden eyes that were fixed upon her face. "Bye," she muttered to Sesshomaru. She quickly shuffled past the handmaiden into the adjoining room.

There was a large wooden tub waiting for her. Steam rolled along the water, gliding over the yellow fruits that dotted the surface. The windows had all been shut. The only light was provided from clusters of candles that had been arranged around the tub. They painted the room in a warm glow.

"You did all this for me?" she asked as the handmaiden circled around to lay a towel out.

"Of course, my lady. My sister, Izumi, and I are at your disposal. Please let us know whatever you may require."

"What's your name?"

"Yukana, my lady."

"You don't have to address me so formally. I'm fine with being called Kagome."

"That would be improper, my lady."

Right, Kagome thought with a dejected sigh. Convincing Touga and the other clan members had been simple because they were considered to be family. The palace attendants would not be so easily swayed.

"Yukana, if you don't mind, I would like to be left alone while I bathe," Kagome told her.

"But my lady, who will scrub your back and wash your hair?"

"I'm capable of washing myself. Please don't worry about me," Kagome affirmed.

Yukana looked uncomfortable. Kagome didn't want to upset the handmaiden, but if she was going to live here, she needed to set some boundaries— starting with her need for privacy.

"I'm sure you could use the time elsewhere. Maybe even take a break?" Kagome suggested kindly.

"A break? But my lady, I've barely begun preparing you for this evening."

"And you've done great! The bath smells wonderful. I just would appreciate some time alone to collect my thoughts. Would that be alright?" Kagome jutted out her lower lip and attempted to make her eyes appear bigger.

Yukana considered it for a moment before nodding. "Very well, my lady. I will adjourn to your bedroom to prepare your evening clothes. When you are finished, you can meet me there. Izumi and I will assist you in dressing."

"Thank you, Yukana."

Kagome waited for the door to slide firmly closed before removing her attire. She would ask Yukana where the uniform could be washed so she could return it to Kujaku. The female guard had been kind enough to loan her the spare for the remainder of their trip. Kagome didn't want to inconvenience her by keeping it.

She dipped her fingers into the tub. The water was still warm, which made her wonder how scalding hot it had been when Yukana had filled the tub. Kagome felt rather guilty having them wait on her.

Then she lowered herself into the tub.

The heat seeped into her skin, soothing the tension in her muscles. She exhaled and watched her breath create tiny tornadoes of steam. It was a relief to finally have a place to rest— somewhere without the weight of others' expectations.

Ever since she arrived, people had been telling her how to act, what to wear, and how to speak. Kagome was tired of it. People didn't have the right to force their expectations on her. Just because she had the power of the Shikon Jewel didn't automatically make her a miko. She'd grown up at her family's shrine and had never once considered pursuing such a life. Her spiritual abilities hadn't changed that.

She sunk lower. Kagome bent her legs so she could wrap her arms around them. The tips of her knees poked out of the water but she didn't mind. Her head was filled with too many thoughts to worry about the temperature.

Happy Birthday to me, Kagome thought wistfully. Had it really only been a day since she arrived here? So much had happened.

Besides discovering she had fallen over five hundred and fifty years into the past, Kagome had gotten on Tsubaki's bad side, unlocked her powers, and was masquerading as the real Shikon Miko, a woman by the name of Kikyo.

She'd been scared of meeting Inuyasha, but it turned out that he wasn't the only clan member who knew the priestess. Sesshomaru was aware that they had switched places. What was even more troubling was that he wanted to use that information to persuade her into helping him with his…whatever it was that he wanted. Kagome still didn't understand what exactly that was.

Getting a read on Sesshomaru was impossible. He chose his words carefully and spoke sparingly. His facial expressions did not indicate his mood. Sesshomaru was restrained to the point that it looked more like a mask than his true face. Kagome wondered if he'd always been that way or if the war had changed him.

Leading his troops into battle had to have had an impact on him. Regardless of how skilled he was, Sesshomaru wasn't capable of protecting his entire unit. No one was that all-powerful. Initially, Kagome didn't think he cared about others but after hearing about A-Un, she decided she was wrong. Sesshomaru did care. He just didn't want anyone to know.

Being at war probably had a lot to do with his mentality. Kagome couldn't imagine the horrors he had seen. She'd studied relevant sieges in school. Kagome had memorized dates, names of noteworthy generals, and the final outcome. Artist renderings couldn't compare to real life. What was printed in her textbooks was only a fraction of the destruction the war had caused.

There were hundreds of families like Hina and Jinenji who had lost a loved one. They might not all be mixed mates, but their fate was ultimately the same. They had all buried husbands, fathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, and friends. War didn't discriminate between yokai and humans.

She dropped her chin to her knees. Though she didn't agree with being forced to marry his eldest son, Kagome understood why Touga proposed their union. She witnessed the damage— both physical and emotional —that the divide was causing. Jinenji and Hina had suffered losses on both accounts. First with the loss of Takuma and then the violent acts against Jinenji. Marrying Sesshomaru might not eliminate the prejudice that existed but it was a step in the right direction. At least the battles had stopped.

Once the date of their wedding ceremony had been confirmed, the daimyo had issued a cease-fire order. He recalled his army and announced there was to be no more fighting. Touga had done the same. A tentative peace had settled over the land. How long it lasted would depend on her.

And Sesshomaru.

Kagome slipped beneath the water's surface until she was completely submerged. She let out a scream of frustration.

She didn't know what to do.

There wasn't anyone here she could talk to. Of the two people who knew the truth, one was a child, who was a couple of hundred kilometers away and the other was a surly demon lord who she was expected to marry. With those limited choices, Kagome preferred Kaede. The girl was annoying but Kagome understood her point of view. Sesshomaru's motivations were incomprehensible.

Kagome couldn't tell if he believed becoming omnipotent would solve the country's issues or if he sought power for selfish gain. She didn't know how long he had been fighting at the front lines. Considering his reputation, she guessed it had been several years. His chambers had been rather bare. Maybe he didn't know how to act away from the battlefield. It was possible that he had forgotten what life was like without the threat of war.

The revelation struck her and Kagome broke the surface, gasping for air.

She blinked a few times to clear the water from her eyelashes. The back of her hand brushed the rest of her face clear so she could find the towel Yukana had laid out. She stood and wrapped the cotton around herself. When she stepped out of the tub, it was with a new resolve.

Sesshomaru had made his proposal. Now, it was time to make hers.

BREAK

He was not the first of his clan to arrive for dinner. As Sesshomaru approached the chamber, he heard several voices in deep conversation. His parents, Izayoi, and the Egawas had already taken their seats at the table.

There were only two places set at the end. Sesshomaru took this to mean that Inuyasha would not be joining them. He had not expected his brother to make an appearance but having it confirmed quelled his apprehension.

Sesshomaru had yet to decide how to handle Inuyasha. Even if the miko became his ally, they would be unable to conceal her identity from his brother. He had considered applying the same tactic Inuyasha had used when confronted about his relationship with the other woman. Lying was unseemly but given the alternative, Sesshomaru would do whatever was necessary to secure victory.

"My beloved son," Arisu greeted him.

"Mother."

She glanced behind him. "And where is your lovely bride?"

Hurried footsteps proceeded a chipper cry. "Here! I'm here." The miko strolled into the room, moving past him without so much as a glance.

Sesshomaru could not decide whether he was impressed or offended. Her boldness was perplexing. It was rare to find someone who he could openly converse with. Many were too intimidated to try and those who weren't were either aggravating or too witless to recognize their efforts were in vain. The miko was neither. While he found her stubbornness troublesome, Sesshomaru could not deny it was also intriguing. He did not know what to make of her.

The handmaidens had dressed her in a white silk kimono with a violet obi. The accent color was repeated within the blossoms that trailed down her left shoulder across her torso to curl around her hip. It did not escape his notice that the shade of purple used was a perfect match for his stripes.

The kimono's printed design was suggestive in a subtle way. Flowers in bloom were often associated with newly mated couples to foster the idea of bringing new life into the pack. Judging by the pleased look on his mother's face, the miko's garment had been selected by her.

"Kagome, you look lovely. Purple suits you," Arisu praised, before turning to him. "Don't you agree, Sesshomaru?"

"Indeed. Quite captivating."

The miko's cheeks reddened. He heard her heart rate spike as her eyes widened. She appeared to be uncomfortable with compliments. "Thank you."

He offered her his hand to help her sit at the table before taking a seat beside her.

"I hope you found the guest chambers to your liking," his father remarked.

"Yes, the main room is larger than my entire bedroom— erm, hut —back home," the miko replied. She smiled across the table at the youngest among them. "How do you like your room, Jinenji?"

The hanyo's gaze flickered to Sesshomaru and then back to the miko before he responded. "It's nice. I have a big window to see the courtyard."

"Me too. It's nice to get some fresh air, isn't it?"

The miko's excitement helped to soothe the pup's wariness. "Lord Touga said I could work with the palace gardeners tomorrow."

"Jinenji probably knows more than they do," Hina commented.

Touga chuckled. "Like father, like son."

"I'd love to see the gardens. Maybe I'll come along and help you."

The hanyo brightened. "Really? You won't be too busy preparing for your wedding?"

Sesshomaru noted the momentarily slip of her smile. "I'm sure most of it is already done," the miko said, though it sounded like she was trying to reassure herself more than the pup.

"I believe my mother has already seen to the majority of the preparations. You should be free to use the time to acclimate to your new home," Sesshomaru stated.

He caught the passing glance his parents shared before his mother corroborated. "Yes, don't trouble yourself. We have everything underway. All you need to do is show up." Arisu winked at the miko, who appeared mildly stunned yet relieved.

"Thank you," she said and Sesshomaru was surprised to find her words directed at him.

It was the second time she had thanked him in as many minutes. Sesshomaru could sense her genuine relief at not having to partake in the cumbersome preparations. Much like him, she appeared more interested in the world outside the palace walls than the luxuries contained within.

"It will give you both time to become acquainted— or reacquainted, as it were," his mother added.

The miko's face flushed anew.

Sesshomaru found he enjoyed seeing the natural color paint her cheeks. It was preferable to the rogue his mother and the other court ladies layered on their cheeks. He would never understand why females choose to cover their skin with such materials. The process seemed laborsome and unnecessary. Sesshomaru saw no value in such pretentious pursuits.

As the rest of the table began consuming their evening meal, the miko angled herself toward him. "Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. Is there somewhere we could go after this?"

It appeared she had reached a decision. Though her answer was inevitable, Sesshomaru had expected her to take longer before agreeing, especially given how vehemently her initial refusal was. This development was a pleasant surprise.

"I know a place," he responded lowly.

A faint pink bloom spread outward from the bridge of her nose. "Okay. After dinner then."

Sesshomaru paid little attention to their dinner. The conversation was dull and nourishment was not something daiyokai required regularly the way humans did. The habit of sitting down for a meal was a tradition his father had fostered to make his second mate feel more comfortable. After Inuyasha had been born, Touga insisted the entire family eat together. Sesshomaru's tolerance for the constant gatherings ended when his half-brother started to speak. It was one of the driving factors in his choice to lead their military forces.

He was much more comfortable leading troops than conversation. Manuvering around an opponent's assault was a simple calculation of speed, strength, and skill. Sesshomaru was apt at identifying weaknesses in others and determining the swiftest route to success. It was a favorable talent on the battlefield. It was not highly regarded in court.

Though Touga had tried to convince him that cutting down an enemy with mere words could be just as satisfying as running them through with a blade, Sesshomaru had yet to understand the appeal. Why waste oxygen on useless banter when he could silence an opponent with a single swipe of his sword?

"Aren't you hungry?"

Sesshomaru glanced over at the miko, who was studying his untouched plate. "I do not have an appetite for cooked meat."

"Oh, then here." Without hesitation, she plucked several pieces of raw fish off her dish and deposited them in front of him.

He stared at the slivers of protein that ranged in color from white to dark pink.

"It's really good. Try some," she encouraged.

Sesshomaru could not remember the last time someone shared a meal with him. Nightly, he was forced to sit down with the clan but no one— not even his parents —had ever given him a portion of their food. He pinched one of the morsels between his chopsticks and lifted it to his mouth.

The miko watched him closely, waiting to observe his reaction.

"It is adequate."

She scoffed. "Adequate? You must have even higher standards than I thought." Despite the way she rolled her eyes, Sesshomaru saw the hint of a smile toying at her lips.

The miko was still fighting off her grin when he escorted her from the dining room. "So where are we going? The library?" she guessed.

"You will see." Sesshomaru led her out to the main corridor in the direction of the stables. He noticed how the pace of her steps quickened as they neared. "We are not visiting the dragon."

Her eagerness dissipated. "Then where are you taking me?"

He came to a halt at the courtyard entrance. "Close your eyes."

She tilted her head and placed her hands on her hips. "Excuse me?"

"Close your eyes, miko. I swear no harm will come you."

"No." There it was— that fiery spirit he had seen this afternoon. The blue color of her eyes made the violent flames behind them appear as dancing shards of ice.

Sesshomaru had known getting her to comply would be impossible. She was too stubborn to give up the last remnants of her control. Had their roles been reversed, he would have done the same. Surrendering, in any form, went against his instincts. It went against hers as well. Their tentative truce had reached its limit.

"Do as you wish," he said. It was his only warning before he scooped her up and sprung into the air.

Hands dug into his chest as she shrieked. "What are you doing? Sesshomaru, put me down! Put me down now!"

"I know humans are not as intelligent as yoki but even a simple-minded fool has more self-preservation than you, miko."

"What's that supposed to mean?' she snapped.

"If I put you down, you will suffer injury. I would suspect several broken bones and possibly a concussion, but if you insist, I will oblige."

"No!" the miko cried, wrapping her arms around his neck and clinging to him as tight as a newborn pup to its mother.

Sesshomaru chuckled. "This is why I suggested you close your eyes."

They soared over the palace walls, climbing high into the night sky. Sesshomaru took them beyond the layer of clouds hanging over the Western Lands. When they breached through to the other side, all that remained were the moon and stars.

The miko gasped. "Wow," she breathed, staring in awe at the sight. "I could barely see the stars in Tokyo."

Sesshomaru frowned. He had never heard a city by that name but there were hundreds of villages in the Western Lands. It was impractical to think he could memorize all of them. "You said there was something you wished to discuss."

"Yeah. About this alliance…"