{Chapter Six}

~Sesshomaru's Point of View~

I sighed looking over the update of the situation in the North trying to keep my mind from wondering to the newest ally of the west. The woman had been on my mind constantly since I first saw her in battle. My fascination only grew when I learn of her actions to save my daughter, General, and the kit. When approached after the battle requesting to place up the barrier, I was shocked that she wouldn't just receive anything without providing something in return. She was respectable on top of being a warrior.

I had provided her the Kimonos at Rin's request and I chose to do the rest because I wished to do so, nothing more. I couldn't deny that she was attractive, even compared to demoness standards. Something that my brother had notice as I took a breath to steady myself when she walked into the dining chamber looking like an angel that dropped down from the heavens. I couldn't deny that the attraction that I felt towards her or the respect that she had managed to earn in the short period of time. I listened to the stories that Kagome told of her with fascination, the more I learned the more I needed to know.

"Come in" I commanded hearing a soft knock on the door and fought to hide surprise seeing Elessandria come through the study door

"Is it still okay for me to read?" She questioned softly, and I nodded in confirmation causing her to smile

I was taken back at how easy she was to please for the thousandth time and fought the urge to chuckle as she skipped over to the book shelve. It was hard to believe this woman was the same one I felt power from that rivaled my own. As a demon, it would be impossible to deny how strong she was and to find out she still hadn't reached her potential was hard to believe. It was an easy choice to want her as an ally to the West.

I watched as she made her selection moving to sit on the cushions near me. I breathed in the scent of honeysuckle and lilac, a beautiful scent by all accounts and one that affected me in ways I did not comprehend. The gifts had been nothing compared to what most would expect from a lord, yet she showed so much joy over small things that most would scoff at. It was a pleasant to see every emotion show on her face as she saw the gear that was provided to her upon accepting being an ally to the west. I took joy from providing for her, though I did not understand why.

"I could help if you want" She stated drawing my attention back to her seeing her motion to the papers "Sort them to matter of importance if you wish"

"You have been trained to do such?" I questioned in surprise, I have a feeling that she will continue to surprise me

"Sort of, my dad was a General and I helped him all the time with the paperwork aspect" She explained, and I nodded in understanding

"Very well" I said honestly relieved that she may assist

"Thank you" She said offering another smile that caused my lips to twitch to return one

I nodded as she took the papers from the desk and I was once again fascinated at how happy the simplest of things made her happy. I blinked in confusion as she began reading through the papers quicker then I have seen anyone ever read sorting them into three piles. She paused looking at me suddenly and tilted her head to the side in question.

"Forgive this Sesshomaru, you are capable of reading that quickly?" I questioned curiously, and she nodded with a blush "Hm"

I turned back to the status report thinking over that information. It was truly remarkable the knowledge she appeared to have, she was truly an asset to the West. I continued going through the reports that she had placed on my desk surprised to find that indeed they were important and more urgent. It made it easier to ensure these tasks were completed quickly and resolutions were made in a timely matter. Juntao was just as surprised as I had been when he learned of the system that she was coming up with.

"Milord" A kitchen maid said bowing bringing forth lunch pausing seeing Elessandria "Forgive me Lord Sesshomaru, I was unaware you had company"

"Lady Elessandria is assisting this Sesshomaru and shall require a meal as well" I commanded seriously

"I could join the others Lord Sesshomaru" Elessandria said softly with a blush

"It is no problem; the meal will be brought here" I said honestly not wishing to be departed of her company yet "There is still much for you to finish"

"Okay, thank you Lord Sesshomaru" She said happily before returning to the papers in her hand

I motioned to the shock maid in the study to hurry to retrieve her meal for lunch and she bowed before leaving quickly. She returned a few moments later and Elessandria was delighted much to the surprise of the maid. I watched for a moment as she ate focusing on the papers without any trouble and I was taken back at how natural she was at handling the duties of paperwork for the West. She had commented and assisted while leading her ear while we discussed the high priorities. She was quite helpful and had known quite a lot of what to expect or what was needed. It was an interesting aspect because I had never known any female able to handle such responsibilities.

I had long since accepted that not all humans are the same and some were quite respectable. The demon slayer and the monk had been a member of the western pack for decades and were honest humans. Rin had caused the biggest change, she was first my ward and has long since been my daughter. I took joy in watching her grow and remain the same child that once followed me through the lands. There were quite a lot of similarities between the woman and my daughter, yet I did not think of this woman as my daughter. I did not know what to think of her or what to make of it, all I knew was I was comforted from her presence.

I nodded in thanks as she placed the second pile of papers on my desk and listened as she explained that they were priority but not High priority. These could wait a few days if needed and that it would be helpful to make a schedule for tasks like these and the low priorities that were meant to come next. I was amazed at her knowledge and relieved slightly that this had indeed meant that it was more organized then just attempting to get everything done at once. Most people wouldn't just offer their services without expecting anything in return and most woman preferred to be in the shadows, yet she didn't even appear to realize she was the center of it.

Since her arrival in battle her name had spread quite quickly through his palace and he didn't doubt that it would soon spread throughout his lands. Most were rather accepting hearing of how she assisted in battle without even being aware of whom she was assisting, the warrior Miko that had allied with the West. The few that would be against the human being allied with the west were aware of how he responded to such actions as to threaten someone he protected. She was of course unaware that the actions and naming her as his ally, meant that she was his to protect as well and she answered to only him.

Most of the palace were already beginning to be made aware of how polite and pleasant the woman was. The skills in battle she possessed were known from her appearance and the males had quickly taken notice as he had of her almost unrivaled beauty that only paled to the brightness she seemed to surround herself with. She held nothing but a bright smile and a happy demeanor with everything she had encountered. He had not doubt that she would take the palace by storm and he understood should he push her that there was going to be chaos. He could see that in her eyes when she explained that she would not bend or turn away from her values should he ever request her to do so.

The fire in her eyes when she stated that caused him to shiver as it burned into his mind and caused an unexpected reaction. If it wasn't for his sense of smell he would swear they were two different individuals, both of which were pleasantly surprising and worthy to know. From the conversations with Kagome, he understood Elessandria held a fire should she be tested that according to her best friend rivaled the strongest of storms. I didn't doubt for one moment that it would be delightful to cause such a reaction.

"Lord Sesshomaru" She whispered looking up from the history of the western lands that she had taken up reading

"Hm" I acknowledged showing that I was listening

"How did they know that you were away from the palace?" She questioned, and my head snapped up to hers "I know it isn't my place, but it has bothered me. They knew you and the rest of your pack was gone"

"This Sesshomaru's forces were engaged in battle at the border and were on the way back" I explained as she frowned "You have more concerns?"

"Forgive me, I am sure it is nothing" She whispered before attempting to return to the book, I respected her instincts

"Explain it to this Sesshomaru" I said seriously, and she sighed looking at me

"It's just how did they know when and even where to attack?" She mumbled in her thoughts "It's like they knew that was the weaker part of the wall. They didn't search for Rin, there were plenty of people in the palace and yet they went straight for her. Only a few actually entered the palace while the rest were like a distraction"

I was stunned in realization that she was correct in her thoughts, they couldn't have located Rin unless someone had told them her patterns or the weaker part of the wall. I looked at her seriously and nodded in confirmation that I understand her concerns.

"I hate to say this Lord Sesshomaru, but I believe you have a spy in your palace" She explained softly not wishing to offend me "I placed the barrier with the intend of keeping anyway out that intended to harm the west but didn't think that there may already be someone within the barrier with those intentions"

I looked at her in amazement at the information "The barrier keeps out anyone that wishes to harm the West?" I questioned wondering how that was possible

"Yeah, I came up with it when I was protecting Villages that needed something to help. It came in handy" She explained, and I stared at her in amazement

"This Sesshomaru will have everyone exit the barrier" I explained causing her to frown "Do you doubt this Sesshomaru?"

"Not at all but it would tip them off, is there a way to maybe task people to do things that would require them to leave? Maybe send the soldiers to perform patrols and come back? Send maids to the village for something? We don't want them to catch on and attempt to escape" She explained, and I relaxed seeing the knowledge behind her statement

"This Sesshomaru believes that is a wise plan" I confirmed with a nod "General Juntao will be made aware of this as well to task patrols for those that had not left the palace in the past week"

"Good, then once the spy is located then I will change the barrier just in case the enemy is already aware, or the anchors have been tampered with. I can tweak my aura through it as well to allow them entry but inform you of who they are just in case there are more then one until we screen everyone" She explained, and I almost smiled at how thorough she was at thinking through every single detail.

"Very well" I said looking at the sky darken showing that it was approaching the evening "Go and prepare for dinner"

"Thank you" She said brightly before bowing "I will see you at dinner Lord Sesshomaru, thank you for letting me assist you today"

I nodded as she walked out of the study and I immediately summoned my General. Juntao was shocked went the information was provided to him and took finding the spy seriously. There would be no room for error and no exception to catching them alive. There was no telling the information that was provided to the enemy and that would need to be known before they perished. He was just amazed as I was, she had discovered it so easily while the rest of us overlooked that information.

"She really is one of a kind" Juntao said with a smirk "Quite something"

"Juntao" I growled out at him knowing that he was implicating something that would only serve to anger me

"She is strong, beautiful, and unlike anything I have ever known" He said softly looking at me "I would ask to court her…"

I grabbed him by the throat my hand glowing green in anger at the statement. Juntao's eyes widened in shock "Lord Sesshomaru" He gasped out as I released him "It is unlike you to lose control so quickly. I do not wish to court her, I am aware of what you have yet to acknowledge"

"She is under my protection" I said seriously as he raised an eyebrow at me "Nothing more"

"Very well, if that is what you wish to believe Lord Sesshomaru" He said in amusement causing me to growl "But know this that she is very attractive and holds many qualities that many have noticed that would make her an acceptable mate, myself included"

I frowned at the information knowing it was the truth without my sense of smell. I didn't know why it bothered me so. She was my ally and therefore mine to protect but nothing had happened that should cause such a reaction. There was no reason for me to rage so from a meaningless statement.

"I shall return to the training fields to begin sending them out of patrols beginning tomorrow" Juntao explained before departing leaving me to my thoughts

I sighed running a hand through my hair in frustration. I knew that I was attracted to Elessandria and that she was attracted to me, though she hid it better than most, but I had smelled it briefly. I was centuries old and had experience, long before I become Lord of the Western Lands. Since I didn't dally in such actions as the demonesses expected and sought out to become the new Lady of the West. Still I couldn't deny that she was the most attractive female I had seen, demon or human.

I stood going to ready for the evening meal knowing that those thoughts would lead me nowhere. She didn't appear to be someone that would dally in such actions and I would not demean the newest ally of the west, not when she had proven her worth. She was too valuable and needed to beat this enemy to risk losing her as an ally. Still as she walked through the door in a dark red Kimono and caught my eye, I growled lowly at the pleasing sight she made.

Later that night, I allowed the fantasies of the woman throwing her head back moaning loudly. The images were so vividly constructed I could almost feel her body against mine. I could almost taste her on my lips and feel her warmth surround me. I longed to see how she would react, to see how it would be if she would submit to my desires.