His romp with the miko seemed to do the trick. The gold in his eyes would alert any that his beast was back at bay, and the blood covering the floor beside him alerted Sesshoumaru that his general had likely been relocated to the infirmary. If he was still alive, that is.

It wasn't regret he felt at his actions. Jiro had it coming. He no doubt would be thinking twice before disrespecting his lord with such confidence again.

Still, it is possible that he had overreacted.

The miko didn't seem beside herself with upset at her punishment, however. Despite not having any bottoms remaining that were suitable for cover, she wore a satisfied grin as he righted his own clothing; wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a kiss.

What was going on with her lately?

He attributed her odd behavior to the unfortunate, yet profitable, threesome they had shared with Touran. He had been walking on eggshells around her since that point, and that was likely why he had not been as harsh with her as perhaps was warranted. He had hoped whatever had gotten into his miko would run its course. But if it did not soon, he would have to take action. What that would be, he was not certain.

"You were wonderful, My Lord," she informed him after breaking their kiss.

"You as well," he deigned back, wrapping his hands around her slim waist.

"No... I mean yeah," she answered his brief confusion by continuing her thought.

"I was talking about your spar. You really gave it to him," he was miffed at her acceptance.

Kagome wasn't one to condone violence unless absolutely necessary. In fact, the threesome they'd had was to prevent a war. She had once accused him of using sex as a means to get into a fight. It appeared he now had used sex to avoid one.

And though he himself had very much deemed Jiro's punishment necessary, he had not expected her to agree.

"You were so sexy out there," she pressed herself closer to him as she rocked her hips tantalizingly into his.

"So big, and strong..." she stretched her neck to be closer to his face, and he found himself leaning into her silent request.

"My big, powerful male," she kissed him hungerly, but his response was on autopilot.

Was she mocking him? She doesn't usually talk like that. So, she must be mocking him, right? Playing with him, by adopting the speech of his kind...

But there was no playfulness in it. The sarcasm usually present when she addressed him so was absent. He couldn't put his finger on it...

The biting of his lip drew him from his musings, and caused him to slightly recoil. Not in pain, just...shock.

"Why did you not mate me, My Lord?" Why was she so eager all of a sudden? She had been the one who wanted to wait.

"I hope you have not reconsidered."

"Of course not..." he assured her. She was still smiling up at him sexily.

"Miko...are you well?"

"Better than well. And you, My Lord?"

"Why address me as such?"

"Because you are. Are you not?"

"I am. But..." She lifted her face to meet his again, and licked the blood she had drawn from her bite.

The action had his cock twitching, instinct clamoring to regain its spot at the forefront of his being, but he kept it in check.

It was almost like...she was behaving as if she were a demon bitch. That was it. This was the way in which a proper bitch would act in his presence. Though one would not be so bold as to clash with him on his politics, or in front of his peers.

But the bloodlust, and resulting sexual lust...her desire to be taken as a bitch and subsequently mated...her reaction to the violence, and his ability to serve it so. This is what one such as he should want in a mate. What he once did.

She had said that she admired his strength and power, but that it was not what was important to her. She enjoyed his physical form and all it could accomplish, but she had preferred his kindness...his heart. Lately, it had seemed that she preferred he forgo his compassion in lieu of world domination, as a demon would.

Was it because of the threesome? Was she trying to appease his demon side, to keep him? Fit herself into a demon mold so that he would not take one in her place? It was unnecessary.

"Miko. You are aware that it is you whom This One desires?" She took that as an invitation to repeat their earlier actions, but that was not his intention. He was happy to proceed, but needed to be sure she understood.

"If This Sesshoumaru had desired a demon bitch for a mate, he would have taken one." His words halted her attentions, as she seemed confused by his statement that had appeared to come out of nowhere.

"Then why do you hesitate?" It was a good question. One he could not answer. And until he could, he could not take her. He needed answers first.

"It has been rumored that a mating could see to extending one's lifespan. Seeing as you are mortal, and I do not wish to lose you prematurely," she allowed him to pull her close as he pandered, "I should like to wait until I have the information I require." Not a lie, but perhaps not the entire truth.

"Well, where do we get that information?" She was impatient, but seemed to understand.

"I must visit an old friend. If anyone were to have such information, it would be he."

"Let's go then. Right now."

"I cannot. I have a meeting with the council-" he could kick himself. For now she-

"Oh, good! I have some proposals to run by them. Remember the ones I had mentioned?"

He winced internally. He had remembered. She had wanted to segregate many of the humans in his lands in encampments. She claimed to protect demon kind from possible uprising. It was the wrong direction, however, for his carefully constructed plans of cohabitation.

"I have told you. It will not come to pass."

"Sesshoumaru-"

"Miko!" He didn't want to be harsh with her, but she was forcing his hand. He would not allow this to continue. A task made harder seeing as the council agreed with much of what she had proposed. She was making him appear as if he valued human comfort over demon well-being. And with the freedom he had allowed her as of late, perhaps they were correct. In any case...

"You call me your lord, yet you do not heed my word. It is my council, not yours. It is my word they hear."

"You told me I could dictate my own destiny. I could do anything I wanted. This is what I want. Are you a liar then?"

"I had not anticipated this. You can do anything you wish. Except rule in my stead."

"Don't be a fool, Sesshoumaru." Anger flared at the suggestion.

"You have no idea what is coming. I have lived among these humans. I know what they are capable of. I know you're trying to be a nice guy, but these humans will only see it as weakness. Don't make them right, Sesshoumaru. You must protect your people first. You must do right by The Western Lands."

"You know nothing of what you speak!" he shouted back.

"You think to come in, and after a matter of days, to tell me my business? I live, eat and breathe The Western Lands. You are a tourist! Apparently on vacation from sanity as of late. You are not a welcome presence in my meeting. Know your place!"

Now he did flinch. He knew how that sounded. How she would take it.

For her part, she remained cool and collected. Her rage was palpable, though she saw fit not to express it outwardly. He was certain to pay for this, however.

"I guess I was wrong. You are not as strong as I thought." He knew she was upset. He would wait until his visit with Bokusenou before he dug himself in deeper with her.

"As you wish, My Lord. I believe I will stay in The Western Lady's room tonight. See that I am not disturbed."

He knew she would make him pay, as only females can. Perhaps it was for the best. He needed time to think.

A/N: I just wanna say that I have the best readers ever! Thanks so much for your support, and all the kind reviews :):) Love you guys, and thanks for reading!