Gifts
Tortuga watched his Lord pace back and forth across the library. "My Lord, may I be of some assistance?"
A low growl filled the room, giving voice to his irritation. "Kagome-dono has done a great deal of work to put the kingdom's affairs into order."
Tortuga pulled at his long beard. "Hmmm, yes she has."
"How does this one normally reward a servant for good work?"
The old turtle youkai raised an eyebrow. "I did not realize that she was a servant, and to think all this time I assumed that she was a powerful ally and part of the royal family."
Sesshoumaru snarled and dark red flashed across his vision. All playful banter drained from his adviser. The threat of violence filled the room. "She is not a servant."
"Then, my Lord, what is she?"
Confusion broke through the anger. Sesshoumaru blinked a few times. She had many titles, and the senile old turtle was well aware of them. Why did he keep him around anyway?
Tortuga watched as Sesshoumaru took a few strides to cross the room to a low table. Like an impatient child, he threw himself on the floor. Tortuga trailed behind him, and with leisure settled at the table across from his lord. Sesshoumaru snatched the slender sake bottle that a servant had brought up earlier and poured himself a drink. He tossed the sake back, allowing the sharp bitterness of demonic sake to slide down his throat. The old turtle furrowed his brows to the point that his bushy eyebrows obstructed his view. Pulling the bottle closer, Sesshoumaru went to pour himself more.
Tortuga deftly plucked the bottle from his grasp. "Sesshoumaru, you must learn to be more careful with your words. If she would have heard you say that, she would have been very upset."
Sesshoumaru lifted his lip, showing fangs.
"Stop being so childish, answer my question. If she is not a servant, then what is she?"
A silver eyebrow rose in question. "An ally."
Tortuga let out a huff of air that lifted his long thin beard. "That's it? An ally? Why bother with a gift anyway. We haven't given any of our other allies gifts of gratitude either."
"Cease being obtuse. She has many titles that you are aware of. What is the point of this question?" Sesshoumaru growled, exasperated.
Tortuga only chuckled. "My boy, are you not trying to think of a way to thank Kagome-sama for helping you?" His lord only scowled. Tortuga continued on. "She must mean more to you than simply an ally. Treat her as such. Give her something meaningful."
Sesshoumaru tapped his empty cup on the table. "Are you suggesting that I court her?"
"My lord, I-" Tortuga paused as Sesshoumaru snatched the sake bottle back, only to take a swig directly from the bottle.
"Very well. What does one typically give as a gift?"
Tortuga's gray eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Women enjoy all kinds of things: flowers, sweets, jewels, money, and clothing. Take your pick." He suggested.
"And which of those would you choose to give her?" Sesshoumaru asked, staring into the sake bottle.
"None of those things."
"There lies the issue. She is no ordinary woman."
Tortuga smiled with a glint in his eye. "I am glad that you realize that. Now -" He stopped. Coldness swept through him. The rise of power could be felt in the room, heavy and thick.
A snarl ripped through the otherwise quiet library.
"Did you know that she was coming?" Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at his meddling adviser.
Tortuga held up his hands. "No, my lord, she did not send word. This is unexpected."
Sesshoumaru slammed the bottle on the table, and stood up.
"Have Kagome-dono and Katsurou sent to the throne room."
"Yes, my lord."
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Author's note: Okay so I had to take down the original chapter I posted because FF uploader wouldn't keep the formatting for beans. It smushed everything together. Thank you everyone who commented and let me know. It didn't look that way when I uploaded it, and was shocked when I looked at it later!