{Chapter Seven}

~Elessandria's point of view~

"Lady Elessandria" Tsao said brightly coming to stand beside me "Would you care to walk in the gardens with me?"

"Sorry I am going to spend time with Kagome" I said softly, and he frowned but nodded in understanding

"Very well, perhaps next time" He said kissing my hand quickly before I had a chance to stop him

I blinked at his action before heading off to find Kagome. In the month since I had been in the Palace, everyone had been relatively nice to me and enjoyable to know. Tsao was a commander in the Western Army and had been nice, but there was something about him that made me not want to be away from him. It was like he was searching for information when he was around me, attempting a little too hard to know me.

I paused slightly wondering if he had been tested yet, they had already identified two spies. One had been for another lands, nothing major just the Northern Lord ensuring that the west wasn't withholding information. The second one was a maid that didn't know enough to assist the enemy enough to plan an attack but told plenty information on Rin personal likes and dislikes. Most of the palace have been screened and pasted.

"Lady Elessandria" Juntao said suddenly causing me to smile brightly "What has you so distressed?"

"I am searching for the pack" I said looking at him conveying I needed everyone

"Very well, I believe they are meeting Lord Sesshomaru in his study" Juntao said and I relaxed knowing that he understood

I walked towards the study while Juntao went off to find the others. Sesshomaru looked up at me softly being tense sensing my mood.

"The others are on their way here" I explained feeling much safer here waiting for the others to arrive

"Okay, what is going on?" Inuyasha questioned me in confusion as the others looked at me

"I think Tsao is the spy we are looking for" I whispered shivering at the name as Sesshomaru growled at the statement

"Explain" Sesshomaru explained harshly causing me to flinch

"It's just a feeling" I said honestly "He keeps seeking me out and asking me all these personal questions, like he is gathering information"

"Lady Elessandria, you are quite attractive. He is hardly a spy for wishing to know you" Juntao said seriously looking at me causing Lord Sesshomaru aura to become enraged

"He is right Ellie; how can you be so sure?" Kagome whispered softly, and the others agreed with the question

"I know that, but this is different. He is actively trying to gain information on me and quite forcefully. I trust my instincts and they are screaming danger when he is near me" I said seriously looking at Sesshomaru "Has he been tested yet?"

"He has not" Sesshomaru said frowning as I am pleading with him with my eyes to understand my concerns "Very well, Juntao have him tested immediately"

"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru" I said relieved seriously at the statement turning to Juntao "For what it is worth, I hope I am wrong"

Sesshomaru nodded at the statement as Juntao and him continued to discuss tasking Tsao wit a patrol the following day. I was surprised when Sesshomaru placed his hand on my shoulder causing my anxiety to melt away. I sighed in relief looking at him grateful surprised to find worry there. It was amazing to me how different he turned out compared to what I was expecting.

"You mind me staying with you Lord Sesshomaru, I feel safer with you around" I whispered looking into the pools of gold that widened slightly at the statement before disappearing behind the mask

"Of course, Lady Elessandria" He confirmed causing me to smile brightly relaxing completely catching the amused look on Juntao's face "This Sesshomaru will not allow any harm to come to you"

"I know" I said honestly having complete faith in his ability to keep me safe from Tsao

I watched his eyes show bright with happiness for a moment before it disappeared. I walked over to the cushions picking up the book, there were so many tell the details of the History of the Western Lands. Many had been through the lord's point of view and someone were stories, it fascinated me learning their personalities. It was no where near as fascinating as learning about the new people around me, especially learning about Lord Sesshomaru.

In the weeks since I arrived in the palace, most of my time was consumed by him. I spent time in the study reading, assisting with paperwork, and taking part of discussions about the strategies against the enemy. I was amazed at how willing he was to accept my help and used my knowledge to help identify many of potential threats to his lands. I took enjoyment learning from him as well, he was a seasoned warrior that had been through things that I could only imagine. It showed in the training sessions that I had with him when he was available instead of Juntao.

It was the discussions that I took the most joy from. I spoke with him about many things that I was reading about and gained first hang knowledge from someone that had been there when it had happened. I was most surprised when he would read the stories to me that appeared in Inu when I was frustrating. Most of them were stories, some fantasy and some showing the personal more romantic natural of his ancestors. The more time I spent with him, the more I learned to read the emotions that appeared in his eyes without any problems.

While my fascination and attraction towards the Lord grew much to my own annoyance, I couldn't help wanting to learn so much more about him. He was the most respectable person I had ever met and held an air of command about him that I had never seen before. I guess that is why it was so easy to learn from him. I wanted to be the best version of myself possible for the Western Lands and my powers grew at a frightening rate. I didn't mind learning to perfect my skills with a bow and sword, but the rate at which my powers grew did nothing expect make me want to run from them. I like my powers the way they were before.

Kagome was the only one I had to talk to about my concerns, I didn't wish the others to know of who I was modeled after. I housed the soul of the woman that created the jewel that destroyed their lives. Kagome was still the same person, despite the fact we hadn't been around each other the entire time she was still there when I needed her, and I was always there for her. It was interesting watching her heal from the pain she once felt in the future. She had grown rather quickly close to Inuyasha again, although much to her annoyance neither had made a move to further their relationship.

Shippo was a jokester in every way possible, he had even managed to trick her a few times. The pranks he played on Inuyasha were always a relief after a stressful day and were quite amusing. Of course, I saw the boy Kagome fell in love with in those moments as he chased around the fox. It was interesting seeing how much they had changed from the people she had traveled with, but it was a huge relief seeing the similarities as well. They were like family and I was happy to see them together.

Miroku was so in love with Sango and adored her so much it hurt to watch knowing that it was something so far from my grasp. He was very wise, and, in the time, I had known him I liked his advice more then the others. It was clear that of the group even for all his prevent ways in the past that he was the voice of reason. He seemed to know that I feared my powers and spent mornings before my runs teaching me different techniques of meditation. He was like an older brother or uncle in many ways.

Sango was just like I expected her to be just not as broken, that was expected after how many years had passed since the days they were shard hunting. She was strong and stable, yet one of the most caring mothers I had ever known. It was interesting meeting her children the first time and seeing how much of a mother this warrior could be. It was the most natural thing to her. She was the one I related to the most out of the group, a battle worn life scared warrior. She gave me hope for my own life. We had grown quite close when she was training me on the various weapons that the village used, I had a lot of fun learning to use her primary weapon.

Rin was a joy to be near as she was always smiling and happy. It showed how much that Sesshomaru had cared for the little girl as she grew up. She held an innocence that surprised me since I knew of her background and how she came to be in Sesshomaru's care all those years ago. That wisdom still showed in her eyes and her ability to see things clearly no matter how you tried to hide it. She wanted everyone to live happily ever after and believed that good would always win. She honestly loved the girl.

"You seem deep in thought" Rin said drawing me from my thoughts and I was surprised as I didn't sense her enter my room

"Just thinking over everything that happened since we came here" I said honestly giving her, Sango, and Kagome a smile "Girls night?"

"Girls night" Kagome said with a nod and a laugh causing me to smile "In your room"

"Let's go to the Kitchen and get supplies then" I said happily looking forward to a night of relaxation and girl talk

Kagome laughs in agreement before we all go to the Kitchen and rummage through managing to make hot chocolate along with gathering a few of the treats that the cook had ready, apparently prepared for our sweet tooth this evening. We went back to the room all sitting by the fire enjoying.

"Is labor really painful?" I questioned Sango honestly enjoying the warmth from the hot chocolate

"Worse than anything I have ever felt" Sango said with a chuckle "But after there is nothing like holding your child for the first time. They grew up too fast"

"You are planning on having children one day?" Rin questioned me, and I shrugged

"If I ever find someone I would have love to have at least two kids of my own" I said honestly glancing at Kagome "When are you and Inuyasha going to make things official?"

"I am waiting on him to ask" Kagome said with a blush "I would in a heartbeat if he would just ask"

"He will" Rin said happily "Uncle Inuyasha loves you so much"

"Like Shippo loves you" I said knowingly enjoying the widening of her eyes "I doubt Sesshomaru is aware of the looks between the two of you"

"I do love him" Rin said sadly "I feel like I have loved him forever"

"You sort of have" Kagome said in amusement "You two have always been so cute together"

"They really were" Sango said in amusement "Although that is not the two people I want to hear about"

"Right" Kagome said with a laugh looking at me "What is going on with you and Sesshomaru?"

"nothing" I said quickly causing all them to look like they didn't believe me "What?"

"Come on Ellie, I know you" Kagome said seriously "You like him"

"And Father likes you" Rin said causing my head to snap towards her in shock "I know him better than anyone and I can tell that he feels something for you. I have never known him to react in such a way or watch someone as closely as he does you"

"I agree with her" Sango said seriously shocking me further "There is no denying the attraction between the two of you"

"Well I would be stupid or blind to deny that he is attractive, have you seen him?" I said seriously "But he is the lord of the west and I am a little nobody here. He has a thousand options, I doubt I am one of those"

"You are oblivious as always" Kagome said softly shaking her head in amusement "You really don't see the males around here and the way they watch you. You are not a nobody, you are amazing and your beautiful"

"You just wait" Rin said happily "You will see that he cares for you more than just an ally"

"I am also a friend" I said honestly not knowing where they were going with this

"For what it is worth, you have all of our approval" Rin said with a smile looking at me "I couldn't think of someone more suited for my father. You see him when, so few do and understand what is expected of him, you even help take away some of the responsibility. He is happier now then I have ever known him to be"

"I don't know what to say" I said in shock at that information, it's like I knew the changes since I hadn't known him before

"Just stay open to the idea Ellie, I know that you tend to run when you are scared but just don't run from him if something does happen" Kagome said, and I flinched knowing that it is the truth.

"You run?" Sango questioned in shock "You don't seem like the type that runs"

"I have been through a lot but yeah I tend to run away from the thing that confuses me. It is why it took Kagome so long to find me because I didn't want to be found" I said honestly shrugging

"He wouldn't let her get far" Rin said with a giggle "Father if he ever realizes what is happening would not let you walk away without fighting for you"

I blinked at that statement before laughing picturing Sesshomaru in his true form chasing me through the woods baking at me to get back here. I explained the image in my mind to the others causing them to laugh. I didn't need to worry about this right now, with everything they had said I still highly doubted anything would happen. Afterall, I was human, and he was a Demon Lord. He would choose someone better suited for him, a demoness from the court or a princess.

Still in the back of my mind grew excitement over the thought. The attraction I fought tooth and nail against took over as I imagined what it would be like to feel him touch me, kiss me, surround me so all I could think about was him. I was not like most the woman of my time, but I was not a virgin having come close to a happily ever after once before. I knew that I didn't love Sesshomaru but with as skilled as he was with everything he did I could help but wonder how go he would be. That night my dreams were solely on the Demon Lord that had taken up so much of my thoughts lately.