This is a part 2/companion piece to The Offer.

Plot: Wherein which we met Sesshoumaru's new wife.

The servant slid open the intricately decorated shoji screen allowing her lady to enter the large room, her silken multi-layer kimono trailing behind her in a sort of elegant train. She sat at a low table directly behind and to the left of the pair of thrones that were the focal point.

Nodding in greeting to the lady already seated beside her, she glanced around the throne room at all the members of the Western Court. This was her first time sitting on this side of the throne, this space saved for family and high-ranking members. Her new position as Most Favoured Concubine bolstered her position and merited her change of location.

Accepting the tea prepared and poured by her handmaiden, Kagome met eyes with her table partner, the Lady Mother. It had taken years for them to be this comfortable with each other. Lady InuKimi despised her presence initially and Kagome couldn't blame her one bit. But she was determined to find common ground with the Honoured Mother, even if it was just mutual respect.

Over the years and seeing how her presence positively affected the Lord, InuKimi befriended the former Geisha and essentially took her under her wing. It was InuKimi who taught her the finer arts of Court and InuKimi who told her kindly but in no uncertain terms that she could never be the Lady of the West. When Kagome admitted to not wanting the position, InuKimi had given her a long look of disbelief.

It was clear as crystal that the human woman was in love with the Lord and dare anyone admit out loud that he was also in love with her. Everyone expected for her to push for a wedding or a mating, but she had thrown them all off kilter with her seeming nonchalance.

"As a Geisha, I saw many unhappy men. Many married men seeking to be away from their wives and households. I do not have a very pleasant view of marriage. I know my feelings for the Lord, and I know his own for me. He makes time for me and we enjoy each other's company, I do not need a title. I never had one before, I do not see why it should change now." she had said then and InuKimi's respect for the younger woman grew then.

It was the Lady Mother that suggested concubinage to her son.

InuKimi watched the woman beside her, her ever present fan obscuring the lower part of her face. The human woman drank her tea languidly, seemingly uncaring about the attention she was getting.

"Do you think she will be agreeable or difficult?" Kagome murmured behind her cup, her voice low and only for InuKimi's ears.

"It is difficult to tell, the father is very arrogant, it would not be far-fetched that the offspring be so as well." InuKimi replied behind her fan. "You are looking for assurances." She stated rather than asked.

"In a sense, I would prefer a harmonious household." Kagome replied quietly and InuKimi did not respond. She knew what her station meant and would assume it chafed the new wife. She hoped this new woman wouldn't bring contention with jealousy over her loss of assumed power.

The Lady of the West was still one of the most powerful females in the West, but Kagome's word held the most weight. Should Kagome ever become pregnant, her children outranked any sired on the new Lady. If Kagome disliked the new wife for any reason, she could make her life a living hell. It was a lot of power, too much. But she was honoured that Sesshoumaru and InuKimi trusted her with such power. They knew she would not abuse it.

The doors to the right of the throne opened, and a hush fell over the gathered crowd. Sesshoumaru walked regally through the open doors, stopping momentarily to nod in greeting to the two females before taking his seat in front of his Court. Everyone bowed deeply to him before murmuring amongst themselves once more.

The youkai who would become the Lady of the West was to be presented today, and the wedding would be in three days. It had been top gossip when it was announced that Kagome would be named the Lord's concubine, and everyone noted the timing when the grand announcement and ceremony were scheduled and completed before the new lady's arrival. This spoke volumes to the Courts. The Lord did not intend to give up his human Lady, and he wanted to ensure his new wife was aware of how important the woman was and would continue to be.

If the new Lady had any issues about the human woman, it would be proper for her to keep her complaints within the circle of her handmaidens, for nowhere else in the Western Stronghold would it be listened to. The loyalty in the Western Court was to the Lord and his family, the courtier's loyalty was also to the Lady Kagome. They knew her, she was one of them, having been a member of Court for years.

The doors at the end of the room opened slowly and a richly dressed male entered, his light coloured hair was pulled into a high topknot, red eyes took in the assembly. He strode forward before bowing low to the Western Lord who watched the proceedings in bored fashion.

"My Lord, this Naraku thanks you for the great honour you bestow upon his house. I present my eldest daughter, Kagura." He announced, raising his head long enough to glance behind him and motion to the maid seated by the door to reopen it. The door opened slowly, revealing a pile of colourful silk artfully folded in a low bow. The silk moved, unveiling a beautiful red eyed female. She sauntered forward demurely, her kimono clad form shuffling forward as etiquette demanded. Her black hair was up in an intricate bun, held together with feather shaped combs and pins. The female stopped just behind and to the left of her father, folding herself for another perfect bow.

Sesshoumaru's impassive eyes studied the pair, he said nothing for a moment before;

"Hn."

The toad like imp, Jakken, waddled forward importantly, welcoming the pair and their entourage to the Western Court

Kagura raised her head slightly, trying to be unseen. She glanced past the beautiful Lord that was to be her husband to the ladies being attended to behind him. She had heard the news of his human concubine and it had angered her. When the prospect of marriage was announced to her, she hadn't been told that she would be competing for his attention.

The woman in question had only been a courtesan before, that she could deal with. Kagura could accept dalliances with whomever, as long as it was known that she was the most important. Now that he had elevated her to Most Favoured…. well, Kagura wasn't certain what that meant for her. She knew this marriage was for political reasons, her Honoured Father was receiving a hefty benefit from marrying her off, but she had hoped for the security that this auspicious marriage would give her.

She was to be the Lady of the West, the most important woman in the province. Most important youkai female. The most important woman was the raven-haired human that was speaking quietly with Lord Sesshoumaru's Honoured Mother. They seemed very comfortable with each other. It was then that Kagura knew she would have to impress not one but two women to secure any sort of peace in her new home.

As soon as she thought that, a pair of cerulean eyes locked onto hers. Kagura expected many things in this moment but mostly; a haughty sneer of the woman who was aware that she outranked the new wife in many ways, or a curious but ultimately indifferent glance. The serene curiosity within those vivid depths made her own ruby orbs widen fractionally, the Most Favoured Concubine of the Lord of the West nodded imperceptibly before looking away, accepting her refilled cup of tea from the attendant.

'Maybe this will not be as difficult a situation as I thought.' Kagura thought, tuning in once more to the ceremony welcoming her to her new home.

.:o0o:.

Had a bit of writer's block last week, plots popped up into my head, but I had no want to write. Hopefully this is a step out of that. Don't worry, I wrote down all my prompts, lets see if any of them get written.

I hope you liked!

Much love!
-sora