"Higurashi, what are you wearing?"

Time paused.

Kagome dropped her dish– this is the first time he's started the conversation, she thought dazedly– and her fingers ran over the stitching of one of the golden birds, its wings stretched wide to catch imaginary wind.

"A kimono, Sesshomaru-sama," she answered, confusion evident in her pale eyes. He tilted his head, silver hair falling over his shoulder as he leveled with her gaze.

"I meant on your face."

Kagome blushed, thankful that at least the awful white powder could conceal her embarrassment. "Surely you know what this is?" she asked, heart pounding as she gestured to her face.

"Why?"

"I… I wanted to look normal?" Kagome offered, her voice wavering as her eyes searched his own for understanding.

Silence. The prince looked away from her.

Kagome flattened her palms on the soft fabric of her kimono, all too aware of the awkward strain filling the room, and said, "I'm sorry if I have offended in some way, Sesshomaru-sama. I'll go." She looked down, brimming with shame and cheeks burning. Crumbled birds filled her hands as she shifted to stand.

"Stay."

"I'm sorry?" She asked, puzzled. Her hands released her kimono, and the birds were free once more. She looked at him, his eyes still turned away from her and his. "I thought that, as I have displeased you that I would not burden you with my presence any more this morning." Her words came out slowly, like she had to think and pronounce each one precisely right to convey her meaning without angering Sesshomaru.

"You did not strike me as a woman like the others my Father has brought to the palace. Was I wrong?"

"I don't understand, what do you mean?" Kagome asked, turning and leaning forward slightly, her anger kindling deep within her at his insinuation. Of course I know I'm not as beautiful and polished as these other girls! He doesn't have to rub it in!

"You did not care to hide beneath the powders and paints until this morning– why?" He asked, his eyes sliding back to hers.

"I… ," Kagome floundered, unsure why she had decided to dress and act like her father had expected now of all times, after she had become so set in her ways at the palace, after she had created tentative relationships with Sango, Inuyasha, Koga, and Haruto, after she had no chance of creating or improving the impression others had of her. She sat back, clenching her eyes shut as her father's words rushed into her head, serve the family, represent us well; he had spoken them with such trust in her capability to act as the perfect daughter and woman for one of the princes to marry. I'm sorry I have failed you, father. Finding the words she needed, Kagome lifted her face to Sesshomaru's and said, "I made a promise to my father that I would represent my family with honor. I could not return and honestly say I did so without attempting to maintain an appearance befitting a member of the Emperor's household."

She sat before Sesshomaru, but her eyes only saw her father, gently but sternly telling her she had been summoned to arrive before the Emperor, and that she must make this journey for their family and not for herself. The arrival of her things from home had been a sharp slap that awoke her to her real responsibilities, principal among them the need to ensure that the Emperor and nation could find no reason to fault or ridicule her family. Kagome looked down, following the golden threads as she waited for Sesshomaru to pass judgement.

"Hn." Instead of bored or disdainful, his small acknowledgement felt like an approval. He lifted his chopsticks once more, resuming his meal. Kagome sat still for a moment, waiting for any further commentary on her new appearance. When none appeared forthcoming, she lifted her own dish and began eating, her mind fluttering as though a typhoon had ripped across her mind and she now had to pick up the pieces. They passed the rest of the meal in silence.

As Kagome rose to leave, her dishes empty and her belly full, she caught Sesshomaru's face turning towards her out of the corner of her eye. Shifting to face him, she met his eye and cocked her head, much like a young pup questioning the actions of its owner. His eyes shone like the threads in her dress, matching their unique brilliance. He lifted his hand, catching the hanging sleeve and examining it, taking in the flight of the golden thread as it glinted in the light.

"It is a beautiful kimono. You represent your family well in it," he said, dropping the sleeve. His eyes met hers, and she bowed, grateful for his compliments. She walked to the doorway, halting only long enough to glance back at where the prince sat, watching her progress out of the dining hall.


Kagome left the palace, heading for the dojos where she figured Sango would be. Today I will be content with just watching, she promised herself as she shuffled through the gardens, her kimono hampering her stride. When she finally arrived at the dojos, many of the men stared at her in outright shock, her white-powdered face an uncommon sight in the sweaty building. Kagome flushed and hurried, stumbling through the dojo to the small practice room she and Sango used when the samurai had time to teach Kagome.

A quick survey of the empty room and Kagome was out again, stumbling out of the dojo towards the practice fields and stables, hoping to find her friend. Before she had gone to far from the dojo, Koga appeared at her side, sweat slicking his hair. He took in her painted face with wide eyes, leaning away from her in surprise.

"Kagome, is that you?" Koga asked, sniffing the air for her scent to confirm it before she could respond.

"Kouga-kun, I didn't see you!" Kagome said, blushing under the powder.

"I almost didn't see you either under all that stuff," he joked, offering her his arm. She swatted it away playfully before tucking her hand to his elbow.

"I look a little foolish today, huh?" Kagome asked, looking at Koga's face as they walked, innocent eyes connecting with his own darker spheres.

"No- not at all," he said, "you look exquisite, Kagome-chan." His lips pulled back into a dazzling smile which Kagome happily returned.

"Arigato-gozaimasu, Koga-kun," she said, turning her eyes back to their path. They left the immaculate gardens behind, entering the realm where horses and men trained on freely growing grass. Horses thundered past, their hooves striking and rising and striking the ground in a uniform pattern, soldiers leading their mounts around the practice fields.

The pair entered the stables, catching sight of Sango amid the drab rough walls and stalls. She stood tall in her dark uniform, rose-colored shoulder guards and red obi contrasting with the dark fabric underneath, her hair pulled high out of her face. A younger boy stood in front of her, his outfit a match for hers in all ways save the color. His own shoulder and knee guards were a sickly green-brown, mint green sashes securing them in place. Next to him stood a giant neko youkai, her feet covered in flames and her fire-red eyes focused on the young samurai's face. They spoke in hushed tones, and the boy looked over Sango's shoulder at them as Kagome and Koga approached. With a quick jerk of his chin, Sango turned around, taking in Kagome's polished look and the captain of the guard without a blink of surprise.

"Koga-senpai, Kagome-chan, good morning," she said as she dipped her head, her words quiet in the hustle of the stables. "Allow me to introduce my otouto, Kohaku, and Kirara," she added, gesturing first to the boy and then to the cat, each nodding their head to Kagome and Koga in their turn.

"News from home, Himura?" Koga asked, flicking his gaze towards Kohaku. The boy's eyes were like Sango's, a soft brown that would break hearts one day, but for now they stared defiantly at the captain of the guard.

"Hai, Kohaku and Kirara just arrived from my village. There have been attacks across the countryside, and my father is requesting my return. I must ask to speak to the Emperor," Sango said, her frame taut and her brows drawn together, a frown marring her face. Kagome watched her friend's face, her concern rising.

"Is your village ok?" Kagome asked, calling attention to herself, feeling far more uncomfortable now than she had even during breakfast with Sesshomaru. I've never felt more ridiculous, she thought in desperation, her hands subconsciously wiping at her face. White powder fell on her fingertips, and she pulled her hands back tightly to her sides, hoping she hadn't messed up her face too much.

"Our village is fine," Kohaku said, his terse tone distinctly mature for his young voice. He eyed Kagome with vaguely concealed disdain and spark of curiosity as to why a noblewoman would be speaking with his sister at all.

"You need to speak to Inu no Taisho-sama then?" Koga clarified, looking between Sango and Kohaku. "I can escort you, if you'd like."

"Yes, please, senpai," Sango breathed out, her easy smile taking claim over her features for the first time that morning. "Kagome, I'm sorry – I don't think I'll be here for at least the next few days, if not longer," Sango said, turning her tawny eyes to the young woman. Kagome quickly nodded in understanding.

"Will you leave right away?" Kagome asked, taking her place by Sango's side as they headed back to the palace.

"If Inu no Taisho-sama allows it, I will," Sango smiled sadly. "I'm sorry to leave you here with all those crazy women, but my family needs me. Maybe I can help them figure out who is causing all the destruction in the south and eliminate the threat." Her voice was clear and strong and hopeful as she watched Kagome's face for her reaction. Kagome had no doubt that Sango would succeed in her task, even though she herself would be alone for some time, trapped with the other women vying for the princes' hearts.

"It's okay, I've kept myself busy for sixteen years, I think I'll survive a few days without you," Kagome joked, her white mask broken by her small smile. They entered the palace, Koga leading their odd group with Kagome and Sango close behind, Kohaku and Kirara closing their ranks. They walked quietly and carefully through the palace, avoiding the bustling main hallways and corridors until they entered and unfamiliar wing of the palace, climbing up to the second level. The shoji screens here were beautifully painted with giant white dogs summitting mountains, climbing to the clouds, their fangs and eyes glowing. Koga stopped before a screen painted with a dog standing proud atop a cloud, glaring at all who stood before it. He rapped sharply on the wooden beam by the shoji screen, which slid open seconds later to reveal the Emperor. He looked over their group, eyes narrowing imperceptibly on Kagome's form before speaking.

"Koga, Himura, what brings you here?" Kagome could barely see over Inu no Taisho's shoulder, but what surprised her was the large map of the empire on the wall and a large, high table in the middle of the room. Sesshomaru stood in the far corner, examining the map while pinching a brush between his clawed fingertips.

"Inu no Taisho-sama, we bring news from the south," Sango replied, bowing.

The Emperor look past Sango to Kohaku and Kirara and said, "Come in."

Sango entered, Kohaku and Kirara stepping around Kagome to flank her. Koga stepped in as well, but when Kagome moved forward to enter the room, her path was blocked by a broad chest and dark, spiky armor. She slowly lifted her eyes to the Emperor's and stepped back into the corridor.

"Higurashi," Inu no Taisho said, voice neutral, eyes taking in the . Sesshomaru's eyes left the map to peer at where his father had stopped the young woman from entering the room, his soft golden flames curious at her presence. Inu no Taisho's eyes, however, were colder than metal from deep in the earth as he said, "This meeting does not concern you. Go, enjoy the gardens or do whatever it is you women take fancy in." The dismissal stung as the door snapped shut, blocking her out from her friends. She went back down the stairs, her mind fumbling for what to do with her now free morning.


"How fares the South, Himura?" Inu no Taisho asked, stepping away from the shoji door.

The samurai looked at the door for just a second longer before answering, "My father sent my otouto with Kirara to bring the news as quickly as possible. There were many attacks in the recent weeks, farms and homes and shrines have been burned to the ground, and many villagers have died."

"Burned, you say? Did anyone see the assailant?" Sesshomaru questioned, absent-mindedly tapping the end of the brush against his chin.

"One of the survivors remembers a stranger passing through the village not long before it burned, but he was gone before the attack," Kohaku answered, standing upright, his head held high.

"How often have the attacks occurred? Can you locate the villages affected?" Inu no Taisho questioned, holding another brush out to the boy. Kohaku took it and inspected the map, marking the affected villages and areas with small crosses. When he was done he stepped away from the map, relinquishing the brush to Inu no Taisho. The attacked villages were spread out through the Empire, some far at the reach of the southern border, others on the western coast, and a few near the eastern mountains.

"Where were you when you saw the attack, Sesshomaru?" Inu no Taisho asked, looked expectantly at his heir. Sesshomaru lifted his brush and marked a spot not three days ride from the palace.

"The attacks seem random, but I do not believe our enemy is as disorganized as he appears," Sesshomaru said, his voice low. Everyone in the room stared at the marks on the map, trying to make sense of the assailant's moves; the marks formed a rough ring, some further out than would make a perfect circle, others closer together.

"It doesn't look random," Koga added, gesturing to the map. "Look at this one, how it's further to the south, then follow his path this way," he said, a single claw drawing a path connecting the attacks. "He's spiraling in, it's like he's looking for something."

Sango whispered, "What's in the middle of all those places?"

"Just another village– we flew past it our way here," Kohaku said, Kirara nodding in agreement. "It was fine when we passed it."

"How long would it take one of our regiments to get to that village?" Inu no Taisho asked, turning to face Koga.

"Youkai? They would make it in three days at a run, but they would not be ready to fight when they arrive," Koga answered.

"Send them now."

"Hai!" Koga bowed, and turned, heading for the door, his tail twitching in excitement.

"Kitayama," Inu no Taisho said and Koga paused before opening the door, "Once you've sent your best youkai, go to your clan and see if the winds have whispered anything to them about an enemy to the Empire."

"Hai, Inu no Taisho-sama," Koga said, slipping through the doorway, sliding it shut behind him.

Turning to Sango and Kohaku, Inu no Taisho continued, "Himura, return to your village and patrol the burned areas– perhaps our assailant left something behind. Come back if you find something."

"Hai," Sango answered, bowing. She, Kohaku, and Kirara left the war room, closing the door behind them. Sesshomaru turned to his father once more, his normally blank features shifting into an unsettled look.

"Do you recognize this demon's work, Father?"

"Ie," Inu no Taisho said, his gaze firmly fixed on the markings scattered across the map, "and that is what concerns me."


Kagome wandered the halls alone, looking in disinterest at the shoji panels depicting the countryside, little birds flying above false clouds, imagined cities brimming with people, nothing as exquisite as the white dogs from the other wing. Her fingers drifted over the paintings as she paced through the familiar parts of the palace, ending up outside by the western gardens. She ambled through them, occasionally stopping to bend and smell a flower or pluck a bloom to twiddle between her fingers. She passed the afternoon in silence, alone among the flowers; she had not seen Sango nor Koga since that morning, not that she expected them to come find her in the gardens. She was sitting on a bench with her eyes closed to the sun when Inuyasha made his presence known.

"So, whatcha doin' out here? And what's with the get-up?" Inuyasha said, his fiery haori assaulting her eyes.

"Have you never seen a kimono before, Inuyasha?" Kagome teased, a smile stealing her lips.

"Keh, whatever. I figured you'd be with Sango right now," he said, looking at his feet. For all the barefoot walking he did, they were in surprisingly good shape.

"I haven't seen her nor Koga since this morning. Do you want to go riding?" Kagome asked, hoping to do something with the rest of her day.

"My old man's got me doing something," Inuyasha said, gruffly apologetic as he scratched his head sheepishly. His eyes met Kagome's and he offered a half smile, one small fang peeking from under his lip. "I'll take you back to the palace," he added, holding his arm out stiffly.

Kagome stifled a laugh and rose, accepting his arm with quiet mirth. Her golden threads of her kimono glinted in the light. The two meandered through the gardens, their progressed watched by more than one scrutinizing pair of eyes.


Kagome drifted through the halls on her way to the formal dining hall. Inuyasha had accompanied her longer than he had intended, and most of the afternoon had passed before a palace guard found them and Inuyasha had to leave. They had walked for what felt like hours, their conversation littered with light-hearted insults and offensive endearments. Inuyasha talked of growing up in the palace, growing up with a brother who hated him, of the false respect many courtiers gave him. He talked of his hopes for his life and his disdain for the selection process his father created and how he just wanted to travel the countryside without the ceremony royalty imposed, like the demons who came before him, and Kagome listened to the young prince who freely shared. Her mind replayed the events of that afternoon, each time bringing a warm feeling to her heart and confusing her head.

Women milled in the hallway, and the moment Kagome turned towards the dining hall, she knew she had made a mistake. Something in the air was telling her to go back to her room, to run, to flee and-

"What's this? Are you actually trying to make a good impression?" Natsumi's voice cut through the hall like a knife and Kagome found herself surrounded by a wall of white faces, red lips curving with a wicked gleam.

"It's a bit late for that, don't you think?" Another girl asked, her dark eyes glinting. Kagome stepped back involuntarily and was shoved forward, falling into the wall of women.

"You're delusion if you think the Emperor would allow one of his sons to take you," one of them said, her white nose held high in contempt.

The murmurs and mutters assaulted Kagome's ears, and she spun around, asking shrilly, "Why are you doing this?" Her voice was lost in the throng and once more she was shoved, stumbling to a stop in front of Natsumi.

"It's a shame you came to dinner in a such a ratty kimono," Natsumi remarked, lifting the edge of Kagome's sleeve between two pinched fingers. The golden threads flickered as Natsumi crushed the silk in her hand and pulled sharply, throwing Kagome off balance. As she fell to the floor, her weight dragged on the delicate fabric and a loud rip rent the hall. Kagome fell on the floor, looking up in shock at Natsumi's delicate features, twisted with malicious pride.

"With how unsuitable you act and dress, I'm surprised that you weren't dismissed upon your arrival," came a remark from behind her as dainty hands pulled and ripped at her kimono. The golden strands that had formed birds flying proudly across the fabric's panels now unraveled, nothing more than shiny thread, and a sob tore from Kagome's throat. The white powder on her face dripped onto the floor, onto her hands, onto the remnants of the last gift from her parents as her tears tracked down her cheeks. Kagome shoved and skidded across the floor, pushing away the hands that had destroyed her kimono.

"Why? Why!" Kagome cried, backed up against a shoji screen, her face striped with tear tracks and her kimono trailing gold.

"Because you don't deserve them!"

"You have no shame!"

"You make everyone fall in love with you, but we see the true disaster you could bring to this Empire."

"We've watched you, we know."

"Sesshomaru-sama, Inuyasha-sama, the guards and the servants – they're all sucked in by your little spell!"

"I would never allow the Empire to fall with such disgrace," Natsumi said, her words a final slap that had Kagome fleeing the hall, bumping into screens and posts as she flew through the corridors. She passed Atsuko in a blur, the young girl looking after her as her mouth dropped in shock. As she burst from the palace into the gardens, she looked wildly, trying to find an escape. She tore down the steps into the gardens, her trailing kimono caught underneath her feet and she fell dirt and stones ripping into the soft skin of her hands. The stinging went unnoticed as Kagome rose and stumbled onward, golden birds trailing in her wake.

Her eyes filled with tears, her throat sore, Kagome's flight was stopped suddenly as she barreled into Sesshomaru's chest. His arms came up, gripping her shoulders and steadying her as she looked up at his face. His eyes were larger than normal, golden irises lit like honey in sunlight, and his eyebrows cocked curiously at her disheveled state.

"Higurashi, who did this to you?" Sesshomaru asked, his deep voice gentle on her ears. She looked at him, her eyes not focusing, her breath catching, her arms shaking in the grip of his strong hands. She shook her head, unable to speak, a single sob bursting out as she collapsed against him.

"Oi, Ice prick, what'd you do to her?" Inuyasha's harsh yell had her turning weakly to him, still leaning on Sesshomaru for support.

"I have done nothing to her, half-breed."

"Then what's she crying for? And what'd you do to her clothes?" Inuyasha asked, scandalized by Kagome's state.

"If you could use your ears to listen, you would know I have done nothing," Sesshomaru said again, his voice sharper than his claws as he fixed a scorching glare on the hanyou.

"You're lying!"

"This Sesshomaru does not lie."

"Keh, you only hurt women then," Inuyasha said, jumping down from the palace steps and advancing towards them.

"You are wrong Inuyasha. Now go," Sesshomaru ordered, his chest puffing up as he stood tall, lifting Kagome slightly in the process.

"Not until you stop manhandling Kagome," Inuyasha respond, his hands tensed and claws drawn, ready to attack.

"No," Kagome said, the broken word falling from her lips. Her eyes watered again as she looked between Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. She pushed off from Sesshomaru's chest and staggered deeper into the garden, leaving both youkai and hanyou stunned in her wake.


He found her not long after, his nose easily catching her fresh spicy scent and the tang of her tears leading him to the heart of the gardens. He stood back, watching as she lay on the edge of the lotus pond, her kimono hanging off her frame like a fisherman's net. She didn't notice him, too lost in her reflection to see him. He trod softly, his feet not making a sound against the garden's soft grass as he slipped behind a tree to keep watch over her. She splashed angrily at the water and turned, curling into a tight ball on the bank. The stars floating overhead looked on, silent witnesses to the scene playing out in the secluded garden. Her breath caught, little hiccups loud amid the soft buzz of insects in the night. Eventually her breathing deepened, and still he waited. When he was certain she would not wake, he stepped out from his position and ghosted to her side, looking her sleeping form. She shivered, the night air poking at her skin through the torn kimono. He looked down, his golden eyes softening at her fragile body. Gently he removed his haori and draped it over her, a small twinge of satisfaction running through him as she began to breathe more easily, curling up into the haori's added warmth. He walked back and sat under the tree, settling in to keep watch over her that night.

While he watched over her, other eyes – gold eyes, red eyes– watched over him and watched the heavens.


Inu no Taisho looked out over his lands, feeling the unease and fear that started to seep into the air and into the people. He looked to his allies for strength, to the skies for guidance, and to the dragons for direction, but each proved more confusing than the last.


AN: There have been a few reviews about the pairing- the short answer is it will be more evident in the next chapters (including this one) who the pairing is! I've just been playing around with scenes in my head that I think help the story flow, and then I get really excited and jump the gun to post the chapter before I had planned, which is why it's the chapters are long and the main inciting incidents haven't really happened yet- I have so many ideas and it's really been a fun journey for me writing for the first time! Thanks for reading and for your reviews, they make me so excited to post chapters! (and post them too quickly, but that's also my own lack of self-restraint!)

Also, I haven't updated in a while, but I do have the start of the next chapter done. It's been a while since I've thought about this story, and in reading through it I realized there are a lot of grammar errors and spelling mistakes and even some sentences that have been left out. I'm going to be editing and re-updating the first chapters hopefully soon, after I post the next chapter.

Thank you! - homestyler