Dawn had not yet broke when Sesshoumaru rose to start his day. He hadn't slept that night; simply lay beside his miko, lending her warmth and comfort as she got her rest. Humans needed so much of it; they seemed to sleep away a good third of their lives. Their weaker frames required constant recharging, which seemed ironic as they didn't expel even a fraction of the power and energy of that of a demon.
If you would have told him even weeks ago that he would be sharing his bed, his home, with the tiny miko currently at his side, he would have called you a fool; after severing your head for even the suggestion. But not only had he allowed the intrusion; he'd damn near begged for it.
She had been somewhat resistant at first, but just like any other female, had in the end been susceptible to his charms. He wondered if it had not been for the wolf's unfortunate actions the previous night, if she would have been so quick to realize her true desire to be his alone. Perhaps he should thank the whelp... Well, he had decided not to gut the audacious prince, so he had been more than generous already.
He slid from the covers, removing himself from her hold cautiously as to not to wake the girl, and dressed. He would like nothing more than to remain with her a while longer, but he had a long day ahead of him, and the sooner it commenced, the sooner he could return to her side. It seemed time was not a thing they would be allotted for now, and that was a shame. Things were so new, and he was eager to keep her to himself. He had so much to show her, but he had important matters to take care of.
Inuyasha's wedding would be in a matter of hours, and none of the demons in his employ had any experience with the matter. He himself had only been witness to one, and that made him the authority on the issue. He would need the humans to take charge of the details; he would simply provide them with the resources to see it through. His demon guests needed only to attend; and none had better cause a disturbance at the event, or they would pay dearly for the offense.
He also had another meeting with the council this morning. The last had ended prematurely due to Tanaka's unfortunate comments, and there will still negotiations to iron out with the Northern Lord. He hoped to convince him to take more charge of the dealings on his own, since Touran's requests were unreasonable. He would never take the panther demon as his now, and he would be making that very clear to them today.
Before the meeting, however, he had one more matter to deal with. Giving Kagome one last lingering glance to tide him over through his morning without her, he gently leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. She smiled in her sleep, and sighed pleasantly at the contact. He couldn't help but wonder what she was dreaming of, and couldn't resist hoping it had something to do with him, as he made his exit.
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Kai had not slept either that night. He was furious at his general for throwing him under the ox cart, so he decided to take out his pent-up rage on invisible opponents in the warrior's dojo. He figured if he could do nothing about his current situation, it would be best to put his anger to use and train.
Sword in hand, he was picturing Jiro in front of him, and playing out fantasies of what he would do to him if only he were stronger. But the General was the General for a reason. Only Sesshoumaru could best him in spars, and until Inuyasha had been named heir, the black-haired dog demon would have likely been his successor.
So caught up in his swordplay, he hadn't noticed the demon lord standing at the entrance watching him move. Sesshoumaru had demoted the demon to a level 1 for his insolence, which amounted to him being little more than a servant with a license to kill. Instead of taking orders from the General, he now had to report to Jaken, and the toad demon had no sympathy for those who displeased his lord.
But Sesshoumaru knew the value of having those who have wronged him in his debt. The boy would be eager to please, and unlikely to be inclined to enrage him further. Watching the measured, if not somewhat clumsy moves of his soldier, Sesshoumaru noted the black eye and slightly fattened lip on his face. Jiro had said he basically had to beat the information out of him, and with the rapid healing abilities of his kind, he must have thrashed him pretty good.
The flaring of his youki got the attention of the soldier, and fear flittered across his tattered features before dropping to a knee and lowering his head respectfully. Sesshoumaru had been displeased with him enough to demote him several ranks, he assumed he was more than displeased enough to want to take him to task now physically. That must be what he is doing in the dojo.
"My Lord, I cannot apologize enough for-"
"That will do, soldier. Rise." He was relieved he didn't sound too upset, but he was still wary. His lord's calm demeanor could often prove deceptive.
"How are you taking to your new duties?"
"I am honored to serve The Western Lands in whatever manner My Lord sees fit."
"Then you do not wish to return to your post?"
"I am most eager to return to my position, as soon as you deem me worthy of it."
"Consider it done. One with your swordsmanship abilities is a waste to This One in the role of a servant. I have other tasks suited to your skills."
He was beside himself with gratitude for the demon's forgiveness, but unsettled by the ease with which it was granted.
"My Lord is too generous-"
"I am not finished yet." The sudden hard edge in his tone and his eyes promised trouble for the young guard.
He knew it was too good to be true. Whatever Sesshoumaru had planned for him, it wouldn't be pleasant. He swallowed the lump in his throat, and awaited his orders.
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After his talk with Kai, Sesshoumaru made his way back to the war room, where the rest of the council waited patiently for him to begin part two of their discussions. Inuyasha was there waiting as well, but hoped it wouldn't take too long. He had a wedding to star in soon, and his mind wasn't fully on the meeting of which he was required to now be present.
They rose as Sesshoumaru made his entrance, and waited to sit until he had. The council was now short one dragon, but up the wolf that had been missing the night before. Kouga was doing his best to temper his discomfort at being in the dog demon's presence. He wasn't sure what the demon knew about his tryst with Kagome, but that he was still breathing was as good a sign as he could have hoped that he wasn't inconsolable.
He hadn't been present to argue Inuyasha's induction into their circle, but considering what Sesshoumaru had done to the younger dragon, he figured it was for the best. The mutt-face's presence was actually a comforting one. Though they'd had their tiff's in the past, it was more akin to a sibling rivalry at this point. Kagome was now off the market, and neither had ended up with her heart. It took a lot of the edge off of their relationship.
"Kouga," the mention of his name from the one who had ended up snagging Kagome tore him from his musings. "I see you have seen fit to grace us with your presence. Am I to assume you have reconciled with your mate?" It would be better if he had, if nothing else to distract the whelp from his feelings for the miko. Kouga thought it in his best interests to keep the mood light.
"Yeah, you know females; they act like they can't stand you, but as soon as you're gone, they beg you to come back."
"Indeed..." the wolf prince wasn't sure what Sesshoumaru meant by that, but wasn't about to inquire.
"You missed quite a show," Haki informed his son, "Sesshoumaru introduced Inuyasha to the council, and Tanaka made a scene in rejecting him. You heard how that turned out."
"Yeah, so if you got any problem with me bein' here, I encourage you to speak up, fleabag," Inuyasha smirked at his old rival, daring him to fight his brother.
"What's done is done, mutt-face. Guess that's what I get for being late to the party," though if he had been there, he wouldn't have argued it. He wouldn't admit it, but the half-breed was starting to grow on him.
"I hope there will be no hard feelings from The Southern Lands, will there Kashi?"
"No, My Lord. Tanaka was impudent, and paid the ultimate price for his mistake. I hope you will not hold his unfortunate tongue against his uncle."
"His actions were his own. Though do exercise more caution when naming your next heir. There seems to have been a lot of trouble from your kin as of late."
"Yes, My Lord. As further penance, I would like to offer you a larger lot of land in The South. I know your lands are experiencing some growing pains, and I wish to alleviate some of the stress for you."
"Your offer is appreciated, yet unnecessary. Your lands are insufficient to This One's needs. However, it would please me if you were to justly deal with those on your territory who have exiled themselves from The West on account of the atrocities they have committed. I haven't the time to seek them out myself, yet if you were to take on the task of handing them their punishments, I would consider your debt paid."
"You have my word. Any on my lands who have wronged The West will be seen to by my hand."
"Excellent. Though now on the topic, I would like to reopen negotiations with The North regarding land usage." Touran's ears picked up hopefully at this, but it was not she whom Sesshoumaru was speaking to.
"Yoshi, I know you have handed off talks into your daughter's discretion, but I highly suggest you reconsider. You are still Lord of the North, and you would do well to act like it. What your heir requires is something I cannot give. And if we do not find common ground soon, you will leave me no choice but to go to war."
Yoshi knew his daughter was being difficult with The Western Lord, but he had given his word not to stand in her way. Furthermore, he had been more than eager himself to see the prominent demon mated to his daughter. It had the makings for the most powerful alliance the houses have ever seen, and he had hoped that with time, the dog demon would see this himself.
"I have faith in Touran's abilities My Lord, perhaps if you gave the matter some thought-"
"I have, Yoshi, and that is a fine segue way to my next announcement. I, Sesshoumaru, have recently acquired a female." Touran's heart sank at the news.
"You are taking a mate?" she asked, irritation and jealousy present in her tone.
"Yes, but not for some time yet. She calls herself my girlfriend."
"That is a term I have heard used by humans," Yoshi weighed in.
"Well as she is human, I suppose that makes perfect sense."
You could hear a pin drop at the news. Questions were roiling in the heads of the demons present, though they were very apprehensive about voicing them. If he were to take the head of an heir for merely insulting his brother, they did not want to find out what he had in store for one who spoke ill of his future mate.
"A human? But My Lord, you yourself have-"
"I know what I have said, Yoshi. And I admit, I was quite narrow on the issue. I was blinded by the contempt I felt of my father for taking a human and skirting his responsibilities. In the time in her presence, however, I have seen the folly of my discrimination. Things are changing, as you are aware, with The West at the forefront. No longer shall human and demon relations be considered unseemly. Were it the case, my brother would not be before you."
"Sesshoumaru," Touran began, trying not to sputter in rage, "You cannot deny the importance of adding powerful demons to our great society. If you simply must consort with this human of yours, I would allow you to take her as a mistress. Mate with me and produce full blooded heirs. You would then hold The North and The West under your rule, as well as have the strongest demon blood in the lands. It is the smartest political move you can make."
She was right. It would be the best tactical move for him to take her up on her offer. But he had no desire to do so. Kagome would not be on board with such an arrangement, and he realized, he would not be pleased with it either.
When did he begin making decisions based on his feelings, and not on prudency? He guessed, when he started feeling at all- when he realized the miko was his.
"It shall never be, Touran. You would do well to accept that. Now, may we continue negotiations rationally, so that we may finally strike a deal?"
She rose to stand, then. "I have made my desires clear. If you will not mate with me, then there are no deals to be had." Her father fixed her with a concerned glance as she left the table.
"I haven't time for this today. Inuyasha has a wedding to prepare for. Speak with your kin, Yoshi. I should hate to see what will come if she does not come to her senses. This meeting is over."
Everyone rose to leave, but Sesshoumaru had one more demand.
"Kouga, a word." Fuck. He was almost in the clear. What would Sesshoumaru do to him?
Once they were alone, Sesshoumaru began.
"How are things with your mate, wolf?" He started off cordial enough, but Kouga's fear made him cagey. He tried to play it cool. "Ayame, was it?"
"Yeah. Uh, never better. I think she just fights with me for the make-up sex." He always joked when he was nervous. Sesshoumaru thought back to his tryst in the gardens, and considered the statement might have some merit. Perhaps he should push his miko's buttons more often...
"I am curious on your opinion. What do you think of my desire to take a human mate? You have some experience with humans, do you not?" He didn't know why he was beating around the bush, but Kouga wouldn't rush the demon into any realizations.
"Uh, only one... And that was ages ago, like a lifetime even!" Except for the other night...
"How did your human end things with you?" There was no use lying to the demon. But he would edge around the details, so long as he wasn't asked outright.
"We had left things open. She didn't want to be with me full time, and I had another girl who was interested. We would see each other every now and then. But that's over now, I swear!" When Sesshoumaru bore into him with his deadly eyes, Kouga decided it was time to grovel.
"Look, Sesshoumaru, I swear, I didn't know-"
"Humans are fickle things," he cut him off. "Demons are much more black and white; you are either theirs, or your aren't. Humans, however, have several stages of a relationship." He went on as he inspected his claws.
"I told her so, yet she insists on being my girlfriend for the time being. We decided as much last night. Now, if any other male touches her, I am within my rights to gut him where he stands." The hair on Kouga's neck stood on end, and his instincts demanded he run. It took all he had to remain somewhat passive in appearance.
"Before last night, however, any indiscretions she may have had are none of This One's concern."
Kouga's eyes went wide with understanding. He was giving him a pass.
"Unfortunately, she would be none too pleased if I were to settle every score from before we had made things official. It is important to have allies in times such as these. Are we allies, wolf?"
He jumped at the opportunity to remain on his good side... Well, at least not on his bad side.
"Yes! I would never dream of going against you. Please know that."
Sesshoumaru held out his hand in a rare display. Kouga looked up at him incredulously, a huge wave of relief washing over him, and eagerly shook it.
"Good. Return to your mate. I hope to see you at the wedding."
With that, Sesshoumaru left Kouga standing alone in the war room. He could only watch him leave, mouth agape.
Whatever Kagome was doing to the demon lord, it was good for him. It was good for all of them.
A/N: Thank you so much for the response! I seriously love hearing everything you guys have to tell me.
P.S. For those of you wondering why the other demons couldn't smell the sex on kagome after the gardens; she used her miko powers to purify herself before she returned to the party XD and Sesshoumaru can use his powerful youki to cover any miko scent. handy, huh? : )