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Jaken wanted to protest and beg his master to allow him to go along but he had not. Lord Sesshōmaru had given him an important duty and Jaken would not argue with an assignment of such magnitude. The little imp well knew of his lord's fondness for the little human girl and this seemed an obvious and inevitable step to take. Rin had spent several years amongst the humans but seemed to integrate right back into the group as if no time had passed. Her place was by Lord Sesshōmaru. Every great Lord surrounded himself with many and varied retainers. So, it was understandable for Lord Sesshōmaru to have Rin as one.

Tōran watched the little imp bite back his natural urge to follow his liege and resigned himself to the education of a puny little human girl. She had expected to see the little human in tears, surrounded by demons but she was smiling and looked comfortable with the prospect of being alone with demons. The Panther demoness made a mental note to find out more about the human. Sesshōmaru had adopted her and clearly prized her for some reason. Even his mother seemed to dote on her. And she was fearless around demons. As Tōran wondered what made Rin special, she noticed the human girl looking at her as if trying to decide on something.

"You have a question?" Tōran asked, bending down as she spoke. She saw Sesshōmaru in the corner of her vision, watching their conversation despite having a conversation with his mother. In fact, she realized that both dog demons were watching her. Tōran was amused by how much they cared for a simple human. Humans were insignificant when compared to the power of a daiyōkai.

Tōran's question seemed to settle the matter in Rin's hesitation and her face set into a resolute expression. "If Sesshōmaru-sama is my new father and you are his new consort, does that make you my new mother?"

Tōran's mind went blank as she was stunned into silence by the question. She had not considered that relationship. She was not even sure how she stood in such a relation to the human girl.

"I … I don't know," she replied, willing herself not to look towards Sesshōmaru for his reaction. That wasn't an answer and if she was like demon children, she would continue pressing for one. What could she say? What should she say? "Do you want me to be?"

Now it was Rin's turn to ponder. "I don't know either … But it would be nice." She spoke slowly, as if speaking the thoughts as they formed. The little imp, Jaken, opened his mouth as if to stutter something but no sound came out. Tōran surmised that Sesshōmaru had silenced him with a harsh glare, given that Jaken could see Sesshōmaru while she could not. She looked more closely at Rin and was surprised that there was no pleading look. Just innocent curiosity. "Sesshōmaru-sama, what do you think?" she asked, turning to her adoptive father.

"She is a demoness whose specialty is extreme cold," was his only reply to her.

Tōran did not rise to the bait. "There's no need to make a decision now. We can settle this when we return." Rin did not say anything, knowing that there was nothing else to be said.

"Sesshōmaru," the Inu no Kimi cut in loudly. Everyone turned to face her. "Why do you try my infinite patience! Oh, I don't know what's worse! Having a human girl as my first grandchild, my son sleeping with a Panther girl, or seeing my dear beloved's legacy soiled by his bastard!" She lamented her woes dramatically, holding her hand to her head as if feeling faint.

Then she leaned in hissed, "There is more than one path to conquest. Force and strength will not be enough." He looked her in the eye and didn't speak. More riddles. Why couldn't his parents just tell him outright? Then again, his father had been more explicit and he had treated those words as nonsense. So maybe there was a point in the cryptic messages.

"I will keep that in mind."

When they were finally away, Tōran, unsurprisingly, spoke first. "You have such a charming family." Sesshōmaru simply raised an eyebrow to make her get to the point. When she didn't speak, he supposed Tōran was waiting for him to make some retort.

"I look forward to seeing if yours has improved. How many times have I beaten them now?" Sesshōmaru did not smile as he made the rejoinder but noted that he was becoming quicker to spar verbally with Tōran. They had bound themselves to each other, however loosely, but it irked him how quickly he was relaxing around her now.

"We're going to have so much fun. Shunran's cooking has improved so be nice to her about it," Tōran said now smiling. "You should learn to smile. A ruler needs to smile sometimes."

"You're sure her food is real and not an illusion?" Sesshōmaru asked, ignoring the comment about smiling. Tōran let out a bark of laughter.

"Of course. Now smile." Sesshōmaru thought how odd it was that she was sincerely amused and entertained by his verbal jabs.

"That's Rin's job," he replied sourly, setting his lips stiffly parallel.

"Oh, I'm glad to hear you've learnt to delegate responsibility but don't change the subject. You will smile for me."

"Perhaps when I feel you've earned it," Sesshōmaru said haughtily.

Tōran clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Such a tease, Sesshōmaru. How about telling me what you were discussing with the human boy before we left?"

Sesshōmaru had to consider his response. He had made no secret of the brief moment that he had spoken to Kohaku alone. It had, however, been discreet enough to prevent Tōran's excellent hearing from understanding what was being said. There was nothing truly significant about his instructions but Sesshōmaru felt reluctant to share it with his mate.

The problem was the information he felt Tōran needed to know differed from what Sesshōmaru felt needed to be shared. His tendency was to provide only as much information was needed but he was also smart enough to know that such a relationship was not the one of total equality that he and Tōran had agreed on. He felt an instant warning from his primal instincts and recognized its meaning. Whatever he decided here would be reciprocated by Tōran.

"I told him that his job was to find the leaders of the invasion and give that information to the scouts. They will perform any assassinations. He will be needed for the main invasion's leaders. He waived his usual fees after I reminded him of what he owes me. Nonetheless, he will be rewarded for his work."

Tōran scoffed at the idea of a human demanding payment from a demon lord. "You've really gone soft. He should be thanking you for such an honor. But don't worry. I'll remind you what it means to be a demon lord." Sesshōmaru stayed silent but noticed Tōran smiling.

The rest of the day passed in similar fashion with short bouts of verbal sparring that ended inconclusively. Tōran and Sesshōmaru landed at dusk and found a cave to spend the night. They would cross into the Panther Tribe's land the next day. They did not light a fire but sat close to each other.

"Does the cold bother you, Sesshōmaru?" Tōran asked him, in a voice that held none of the arrogance or condescension which both demons used on each other. In an instant, Sesshōmaru was on guard for a trap. Her tone and failure to follow up with a sarcastic remark made him all the warier of his new mate. Theirs was a relationship of convenience and greed, built upon a mutual sense of distrust and desire to avoid mutual destruction.

"I feel the cold but it would take more than that alone to hurt me," he replied cautiously.

"I don't know why but I don't feel it. I can feel the changes in temperature, I know what cold feels like. But I don't ever feel cold. Is that how it is with poison for you?" she asked him.

Sesshōmaru looked at Tōran again. He hadn't thought about that. In the past, he had never given a thought to how his powers affected him. It was natural and had always been part of him, given that it was inherited from his mother. But he had never discussed the ways of using his power with her or his father, who had exhibited none of the poisonous skills which he, Sesshōmaru, and his mother wielded. It would explain why his bastard brother, Inuyasha, had a different attack with his claws. Father had been a martial figure, unconnected to any element. As to Tōran's question, he had to think for a moment. Sesshōmaru had never discussed such things with anyone, let alone a daiyōkai who was on par with him.

"I have always been unaffected by even the strongest poisons. It is an immunity that is helpful. I can taste and smell them but it is as if the toxins were just as harmless as the air we breathe," he told her after his consideration.

She let out a bark of laughter. "So that plan to overwhelm your senses with foul-smelling smoke probably wouldn't have worked anyway. I thought so but Karan felt that if it worked on your brother, it would work on you. Are you hungry? I can probably catch something for us. Don't trust dogs to hunt at night and you won't have to worry about being poisoned."

"I can wait until morning. I'd rather have you where I can see you," he replied, again on guard. She was offering to get food for both of them. Why?

Tōran scooted closer to him and Sesshōmaru sat still, watching her without turning his head to her. Then she licked him on the cheek. "You're mine, Sesshōmaru. All mine. Don't be so paranoid. I'm not going to hurt what's mine."

The couple set off the next morning after dressing. Tōran took particular care to make sure her clothes and hair were presentable, making Sesshōmaru wait for a time. Any comment about her need to improve her natural good looks would doubtless cause more delay. On the other hand, it would satisfy his required daily compliment. He held off until she was done. "What use is there in wasting time on that? Your presentation is already impeccable." As he expected, Tōran smiled smugly at the compliment.

"A demoness always needs to look good for her mate. Likewise, you need to improve yourself. Not much of a regal bearing. Chin up more, look down your nose at everyone else. But not me. You look me in the eyes or I'll do something horrible to you," she told him. "And don't frown or glare so much. You ought to always show you're in control of yourself. Now, be a dear and help me tie the wretched knot at the back. Without groping anything, preferably."

It took another half day of flight to reach a large and strongly built wooden hill fort. Warriors paced back and forth on the ramparts, cloaked in heavy furs. Sesshōmaru felt them pass through an unseen magical barrier meant to alert the occupants. It had immediate effect as he saw figures rushing now around the walls and towers. More figures were emerging from the round stone houses within the fort. At least they were alert.

Sesshōmaru counted at least fifty dwellings and decided that this wasn't the main Panther stronghold. Their army numbered many times over what could be gathered in such a small, single level fortress. It was probably the closest one to his territory and thus served as a good waystation for them. He could see the presence of humans in the surrounding wooded area, in the form of settlements dotted along a distant hill and a human-built dirt road ran through the hills.

Tōran led them to land at the gate rather than the interior. It was generally poor social etiquette to fly into another's residence or one's own home when accompanied by guests. Not that social etiquette was high with most demons. But it paid to take the extra pains at times. The pair were close enough to the ground now for Sesshōmaru to see that the Panthers were all armed and girding themselves for a fight. Did the barrier not identify the intruders or were they reacting the same way his own guards had when Tōran arrived? The cold wind buffeted around them like a slap to the face but neither daiyōkai flinched at the chill.

A pair of shivering guards rushed out to challenge them with a hiss, spears pointed at him. Behind them, the gate swung open and more Panthers came out. Three powerful yōkai led the group, silhouetted by the torches. The wind seemed to die down suddenly and Sesshōmaru wondered if Tōran was manipulating it. "Shunran, I thought I had raised you better than this," Tōran said with evident disappointment. "I had hoped to score a point over Sesshōmaru but it seems I was mistaken." The last word had particular emphasis. Sesshōmaru pondered over that.

They were obviously expected since there was no other reason for the other Panther Devas to be present except to greet their sister and leader. They were led by Shunran, the smallest and daintiest of the three sisters, flanked by Karan and Shuran. Sesshōmaru could see that they were about as unhappy about the union as Tsukiyo. Tōran predicted this would happen the night before. So, he stayed silent as the two sisters worked through their differences and idly wondered if he would see Tōran's vaunted leadership skills in action.

"Welcome back, nee-san, I surmise that, since he is here as well, you were successful?" Shunran ignored her sister's barbed comment, a pointed insult back at Tōran. Sesshōmaru looked to see Tōran's reaction. This was insubordination that bordered on outright rebellion for demon lords. And from family she trusted. Sesshōmaru began to wonder if he was going to start his reign with the annihilation of his mate's siblings. That would go a long way to weaken the Panthers' position in this coalition and decrease his clan's anxieties about them. But it would also weaken the force he would be able to bring to bear on the true enemy once the spring campaign began.

The round demon behind Shunran was the only brother, Shuran. Sesshōmaru judged him to be a physically capable, if intellectually vacant demon. Beside him was the tomboy, Karan. Sesshōmaru fought all of them in the past, individually and altogether, and did not rate any of them highly. Tōran was the only worthy foe of the Panther Devas. It was a grudging admission which Sesshōmaru made when he accepted Tōran as his mate. None of her siblings, however, came close to rivaling her in power, skills, or intellect. A little voice inside him also added that Tōran's attractiveness and political suitability as a mate added to his newly-elevated opinion of her. She was their leader and they did not have a capable replacement. Every fight against the other Panther Devas without Tōran present had been unequivocal victories for him. Sesshōmaru had no doubt about the outcome of any battle now if he and Tōran were required to kill them.

Karan relied on her feline stealth and stalking skills to ambush her enemies. But once those temporary advantages were exhausted, she was a poor frontline fighter. She had some skill at commanding troops and knowledge of technology, but that was not going to be enough by itself. Nonetheless, it made her an ideal leader for a scout force. Sesshōmaru could not recall her skill with weapons and demonic power, simply that fire was her element. If she didn't stand out in his memory, she was clearly not worthy of consideration beyond being a danger to demons weaker than herself.

Her brother, Shuran, had physical strength and, ironically, the element of lightning despite not having any of that element's natural speed. Sesshōmaru thought of him as a big, dumb brute. Shuran's physical speed was exceptional but also inconsequential to Sesshōmaru.

Shunran lacked the physical strength of her siblings and relied on the illusion powers granted to her. Wind was her element though it took Sesshōmaru some time to recall that fact. If she had displayed any wind powers, they paled in comparison to what he had seen in recent years from other impertinent and presumptive demonesses. Except maybe the wolf girl. He wasn't sure who was the weaker of the two. Probably the wolf girl but he'd find out one day. Shunran's physical weakness meant she was often in the rear and guarded by regular Panther troops. Sesshōmaru surmised that meant she also had some skill as a commander and could provide battlefield support.

"Are you going to let us in or will we have to keep ourselves warm outside?" Tōran spoke condescendingly, reaching out and running her finger down Sesshōmaru's cheek, as he remained impassive. "We don't mind either way but I did want to show him that I could cook better than anyone in his castle." Her flicked off at the end of his chin, drawing a small cut across it. Immediately, he felt the prickle of power as his body sought to heal the trivial wound. Small swirls of power began to curl around Tōran's fingers but Sesshōmaru kept his hands away from Bakusaiga. All of the other Panthers, including Shunran and Karan, clearly wanted to back down now but their larger brother seemed oblivious and took the lead.

"We can't do that, nee-san, until we know what capacity he is here in."

Tōran made a show of sighing in exaggerated exasperation. She spoke slowly now, as if speaking to a child. "Sesshōmaru is here as my mate and your king. Your hatred and your mistrust for him is to be buried this instant. His clan welcomed me with greater hospitality than this. Who am I, Shuran?" King? Sesshōmaru was intrigued by the title. Tōran hadn't said anything about something so grand. But there was still room for this drama to play out.

Her two sisters positively shrunk back in fear now. Their brother's jaw worked but he did not speak immediately. Tōran repeated her question, emphasizing each word for her brother. Slowly and grudgingly, Shuran replied, "Our queen, nee-san."

That seemed to satisfy Tōran and Sesshōmaru was impressed by her display of authority. She had forced their compliance through fear. He had thought she was going to harp on about compassion like his mother. "As I told you, some disagreements similar to your Tsukiyo. Now, we're going in, I'm going to cook something for my new mate and then we'll discuss things in the morning." The last was directed at her siblings.

"He's not right for you, one-san!" Shuran blurted out with some spirit.

Tōran sighed and said back to him, "Not right? When did I give anyone permission to choose or decide who was right for me? Sesshōmaru has proven himself sincere enough in his commitment to this arrangement. He defended me from a tribe of wolf demons. Physically and verbally, I might add. He stood between their leader and me when he didn't have to. He is the only demon I cannot defeat and the only one who would ever consider joining forces with us without attempting to betray us! Sesshōmaru doesn't have a deceptive bone in his body!"

If that was how she thought of him, Sesshōmaru wondered if he should now consider the idea. He did. And rejected it. There was no benefit. But this was a good opportunity to take the initiative. "Deception is a means for someone without advantage to gain one. When a demon is simply too powerful for his opponent, deception becomes unnecessary. As is the case here."

Now it was his turn to receive Tōran's raised eyebrow. There was an unspoken Oh? from her. "I do not see a need to deceive Tōran when our goals are aligned. Past events have shown that her entrapments are not very effective against me. And knowing her as I do, it would only be satisfying to her if it was a straight fight. So, here's what I propose." Sesshōmaru moved forward quickly, closing the distance and struck Shuran in the gut. The larger demon collapsed, unconscious from the sudden strike. "We allow ourselves in. I am now curious to see Tōran's … homemade meal."

Chapter notes: This is the full version of Chapter 12 (excluding the Mature interlude, uploaded as a separate story). Rather than post a separate document, I have chosen to delete the old version and replace it with the new one. Work has begun on Chapter 13, which will return to our side characters for a comic interlude. Then we get down to business to defeat the Hu ... Trolls. I have found it is better to slow down and add more descriptive passages, which in turn allows me to evaluate whether I am remaining true to the characters or not.

One point of internal contention on my part is whether to make it possible for the two protagonists to actually have a child. I would appreciate any thoughts on that matter, either in your review(s) or private messages.