Manners

"Mother."

Lady Manako's gaze shifted from the startled miko to her son, who had appeared to her right. A slow smile spread across her face. Her whole face softened minutely, as she took in the form of her son.

"Ah, Sesshoumaru. How nice of you to join us." His mother drawled.

Sesshoumaru looked between his mother and Kagome, and knew he had gotten there too late. Despite her calm demeanor, Kagome looked as if she had been manhandled. Her neck revealed bright red marks, and the beginnings of bruises. Her carefully put together kimono was rumpled, and pulled out from her obi in many areas. There was no doubt that his mother had just tried to strangle Kagome, but how she remained alive was a mystery. There was no doubt that Kagome was very powerful to have angered his mother and lived. His gold eyes moved from Kagome to his mother.

Kagome watched with curiosity as they did not greet each other with an embrace or physical contact, as a human would, instead their energies reached out with familiarity. Sesshoumaru's soft red energy flowed from him to mix with his mother's purple energy. The act was nonthreatening, and anyone who could sense their energies would know that they were equals. There was no power play involved. If she squinted and tilted her head slightly, it would almost seem...loving. Or perhaps his mother had done more damage to her than she thought.

Why couldn't Sesshoumaru treat her like that? They would have already been able to instruct Katsurou if he had acted like this toward her.

Lady Manako looked around Sesshoumaru and Kagome, in an exaggerated manner.

"Where is the heir?"

Sesshoumaru frowned. "He's..."

The doors to the throne room swung open with the help of a servant.

"He's here!" Rin announced as she lead Katsurou towards the adults.

Katsurou walked in with his head held high, but confusion colored his face. His eyes darted around the room until they alighted on his mother.

A big toothy grin broke out across his face. "Mama!"

The small boy ran to his mother and threw his arms around her mid-section. Kagome smiled and patted his head. Rin trailed after Katsurou and approached the group.

"Gobodo-sama." Rin said, while bowing deeply.

Lady Manako lifted a delicate white eyebrow. "Ah, finally someone with manners. I am glad to see you well, young one." Her gaze shifted from Rin to the child in red.

Sesshoumaru watched his mother's reaction with rapt attention. Her sharp eyes widened and her mouth hung open with a slight intake of breath.

"You did not tell me."

Her son remained silent on the matter. He knew that she had to see for herself. She had to see to remove any doubt of Katsurou's lineage.

"Katsurou, this is Sesshoumaru-sama's mother, Lady Manako." Kagome introduced.

The small boy stepped forward and bowed respectfully. He stood upright and looked at Lady Manako. His small black tuff of ears twitched. His uncle's mother smelled like him, and he found it strangely comforting. He knew that she was pack.

"Come closer, let me know you." She commanded.

Kagome froze. Her maternal instincts screamed that her son should not go anywhere near the powerful youkai. What would she do to her son?

A strong hand settled on her shoulder. She turned her head slightly to her right to see Sesshoumaru at her side. Was he telling her it was okay? Would he protect Katsurou from his own mother?

Katsurou stepped out of Kagome's reach and went to his family's matriarch.

With a faint whisper of silk, Lady Manako knelt down to his level.

Her clawed hand reached out and grasped his chin gently.

"You resemble him so much."

"I am often told I look like my father."

Lady Manako smiled sadly. "Dear child, you look so much like your grandfather, that it hurts my heart."

Katsurou felt her heartache. He threw his arms around her neck and hugged her fiercely. His mother gasped and covered her mouth in shock at his boldness. Rin put her hand in Kagome's and squeezed. The miko looked to her young friend, who smiled reassuringly.

Manako chuckled, and wrapped her arms around the child pulling him closer. She gathered him into her arms and stood.

Kagome could not believe her eyes. Her son looked so content in her arms. Katsurou laid his head down on her shoulder and relaxed. She couldn't help but feel a little betrayed.

Lady Manako looked down at the child in her arms. He looked so human with his mother's dark hair. Yet the small adorable puppy ears on his head gave his heritage away. His eyes were so striking, as if they did not belong on a human. When she looked at him, she saw Touga looking back at her. She combed her fingers through his wild hair, brushing against his soft hanyou ears. She did not realize until that moment, how much she missed having Sesshoumaru as a small child.

She leaned her head down and nuzzled the top of his head with her cheek. Her youki spread out and blanketed him. He smelled like Sesshoumaru did when he was a small child: of sweat, dirt, and mischief.

"I shall spend the afternoon getting to know my grandchild." She motioned to Rin. "You too, girl." Lady Manako said walking towards the large oak doors. Rin squeezed her friend's hand once more before letting go to follow Katsurou.

Kagome startled forward. "W…Wait!"

Lady Manako turned back to look at Sesshoumaru. "Tomorrow, I will begin lessons with the miko."

Kagome looked to Sesshoumaru for help, but he simply nodded in agreement with his mother.

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Thank you everyone for the reviews. Updates should be a bit more regular now.