still don't own 'em.

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The youkai was beautiful. And though Melissa knew she'd never met her before she felt she had seen her somewhere before. Where had she seen her?

She fixed her golden eyes on Sesshomaru, "A little girl, a human boy, and now a woman. Becoming quite the collector, aren't you Sesshomaru? I must say I didn't actually believe you kept a woman until I smelled her with you. You are the last person I ever expected to take a human wife, though I suppose I should have."

"She is not my wife."

She walked past him and he made no move to stop her, though he was visibly alert and tense. Melissa quickly bowed when she realized the woman was approaching her. She was powerful, very powerful, Melissa could sense that. She might even be as powerful as Sesshomaru.

She cupped her hand under Melissa's chin and forced her face up to look at her. "Concubine then, there is not much difference. I would have prefered you taken a youkai woman, but she's very pretty. The children should be attractive."

Melissa's eye grew huge and she pulled her face free, backing away. Concubine? Children? Who the hell was this woman to be making these assumptions?!

"She is not my concubine either. I have never touched her in such a way." Sesshomaru replied forcefully.

"Oh? Then why keep her? What is she if not a lover? Has your fondness for humans become such that you are taking stray humans as pets?" She asked, her voice taking a mocking tone.

Had Melissa been looking at Sesshomaru she'd have seen his eyes harden and his jaw tense at the idea that Melissa was some pet, a mere animal kept for his amusement. But she wasn't looking at him, she was glaring at the woman. How dare she mock her Sesshomaru!

"Well, are you not going to answer my question, Sesshomaru?"

"Sama!"

Both youkai looked at Melissa, her eyes were blazing as she took a step toward the female. 'No! Melissa, no!' Sesshomaru thought, his stomach plummeting.

"SesshomaruSAMA!" She informed her forcefully.

The woman's eyes went wide with shock and Sesshomaru reacted quickly, he dashed forward and pushed Melissa back away then wheeled to fight off his mother. Only she didn't attack, she smiled. Then pressed her hand to her mouth and laughed softly.

"Well, this is interesting. Sesshomaru, do you know how long it's been since anyone was brave or foolish enough to speak like that to your mother?"

Melissa's jaw dropped. Mother? This was his mother?

"Well, she certainly seems to think highly of you. And you obviously are willing to fight me over her. What is she to you?"

Sesshomaru glared at his mother and refused to speak.

"You always were a little brat, my son. Perhaps that is my fault, I really should have spanked you more. Perhaps your pretty little friend will be more cooperative." She turned to Melissa, "Tell me, what are you to my son?"

Melissa looked from her to Sesshomaru in panic. For some reason Sesshomaru refused to tell her what they were. She didn't want to make him mad by saying the wrong thing. But she had a feeling she couldn't get away with refusing to tell his mom. To be honest, she wasn't sure what they were anymore. They were friends, yes, but lately...

She looked back up and saw his mother was watching her closely. She finally spoke and Sesshomaru could have kissed her, her answer was perfect. She offered an apologetic smile and countered with a question. A question neither youkai could understand.

"As you can see mother, her Japanese is limited." Sesshomaru informed his mother.

His mother smiled. This girl understood her perfectly well, but there was no way to prove it. Clever girl. "Sesshomaru, there is a storm approaching from the east. I am sure you don't want your little pet getting wet and chilled. The two of you will join me for dinner and spend the night."

It wasn't an invitation, it was an order. Normally he'd refuse such an order, but it might be dangerous with Melissa here. If his mother decided to fight about it... Melissa could not be caught up in a dog fight. And he had shown his mother that Melissa could be used against him.

"I no longer have possession of Ah Un and she can not fly."

"Then one of us must carry her. If you do not I will." She replied with a sly smile.

He knew exactly how his mother would carry her, like a puppy. She'd transform and carry Melissa in her jaws. She'd likely be careful with Melissa, but it would terrify her.

Sesshomaru glared at his mother, then stepped toward Melissa and picked her up. He saw the way his mother smiled and realized his mistake. An arm around hr rib cage would have sufficed to lift her, he did not need to carry her in his arms like this. Too late now.

He lifted off the ground and Jaken, who had been frozen with fear as he watched, lept forward attempting to grab the mokomoko. He missed and was left behind. "I will make camp and await your return my lord!" He called after them.

"But storm coming." Melissa said softly. Sesshomaru paused and ordered Jaken to find shelter and meet them there once the storm had passed. Jaken's eyes filled with tears as he praised Sesshomaru's goodness.

His mother, already in true form and flying caught every word. The girl could speak Japanese. It was broken, but she spoke it. How well was the question. She already had an idea to force them to either reveal how deep their relationship was or get the girl away from Sesshomaru, alone, where he could not give her any non verbal guidance.

They landed in front of the palace gates and Sesshomaru set her down abruptly. This was a bad idea too as she stumbled and fell against him. He caught her in his arms and pulled her against him to stop her from falling. Seeing his mother watching he quickly released her.

She turned to look at his home and her jaw dropped. It was a palace, a literal palace. He had told her his father was the ruler of the western lands, but it hadn't really dawned on her what he meant. His father had been the king of the western lands. Sesshomaru was a prince! An actual, real life, mother fucking prince!

Sesshomaru and his mother were already walking through the gates as Melissa stood there gaping up at the building Sesshomaru paused and looked over his shoulder at her. "Melissa, come."

Melissa snapped out of her daze and took a few running steps to catch up with the daiyoukai. They crossed a courtyard and entered through another set of doors and were greeted with the site of a tall staircase with a throne situated at the top. Armed guards were stationed here an there on either side of the stair case.

His mother turned away from the staircase and toward a young lady with blue hair standing near the door. "Kumiko, My son has come to visit and as you can see he has brought a guest with him. Have his sleeping chambers made ready. Sesshomaru, will your friend be sleeping in your chambers with you?"

He scowled at his mother. "Of course not." Melissa meanwhile shook her head and turned deep red.

"But I am sure you want to keep her close in a palace full of youkai." She turned back to Kumiko, "Put her across the hall from his chambers, and send someone to alert the kitchens that we will have a human dinner guest."

She turned back to Sesshomaru and Melissa. "I expect you two would like to freshen up before dinner, we will visit the bathhouse first."

"I am unsure if Melissa is accustomed to communal bathing." Sesshomaru said, glancing at her. The look on her face told him she was not. It also told his mother she understood him.

"If she is to live in our country she must learn our customs." She turned to her maid in waiting. "Kumiko, she will need someone to assist her in preparing for the bath and to find appropriate clothing for her to wear while her kimono is laundered."

Kumiko bowed and left quickly. Melissa wouldn't have been surprised if she'd run once she was out of sight to get everything done. Sesshomaru's mother led them at a dignified pace through the castle to the wing that housed the family. She led them through a door and they found themselves in a short hall, on the other end was a door identical to the one they just walked through and to the sides identical Shoji doors faced each other.

Without a word to either women Sesshomaru walked into one and slid the door forcefully behind him. Melissa rather thought he was pouting. He was used to having his way because everyone was afraid of him. Everyone but his mother that is.

"Touga was right, I should not have spoiled him." The youkai said to herself.

"All man act spoiled." Melissa replied, rolling her eyes. "All my brother big brat."

The youkai smiled at her, "Did you forget that you don't speak Japanese?"

Damn, she had forgotten she was playing the dumb foreigner. She was saved by the arrival of Kumiko and a little green haired woman who might have been 4 foot tall if she stood on her toes who was named Kame.

The proud lady stood in the doorway for a moment while Kame bustled about the room like a bumble bee chattering animately as she present Melissa with a basket in which to place her belongings. She turned away to go to her chambers but stopped when Kame asked Melissa why she carried a rock and heard Melissa reply "It is present."

She turned back and saw Melissa smiling as she held a round stone in her hands. It looked like nothing more than a round grey stone, but Melissa was holding it like a priceless treasure. She glided over to the young woman, "May I see that for a moment?"

Melissa reluctantly handed her treasure over. Sesshomaru's mother looked at it for a moment, feeling the weight of it, then handed it back. "Would I be correct in thinking that is a geode?"

"What means 'geode'?" Melissa asked as she gently placed the rock back in the basket.

"A geode is a round hollow stone, the cavity of which is often lined with crystals."

Melissa thought for a moment, "Stone means rock?" The youkai nodded.

She then held the quartz around her neck up "Crystal?" She nodded again. "Yes, is geode, I think."

"Why have you not yet opened it?"

"I not have time. He give it to me today." She replied, looking back at the rock, not thinking about her words.

"He? Do you mean my son?"

"Is just silly thing, it not mean nothing. Just rock. He was going throw at Jaken."

"But then he gave it to you when he realized it likely had gems inside." She smiled at Melissa. Melissa was at a loss for words. She turned and left, they had to get ready for their bath after all.

She and Kumiko Both pressed their finger to their mouths to hold back their laughter once they were out of sight. Once they were alone in her chamber Lady and maid alike laughed. "A rock! Sesshomaru gave her a rock! Oh, I wish his father could be here for this!"

"She seems to truly treasure what seems like such a humble gift, Kimikosama."

"Yes, she does. Mostly likely it is the giver that she treasures, not the gift. They are well matched."