{Chapter Nine}

~Sesshomaru's Point of View~

I had walked through centuries with few turning points in my life, being immortal time seems meaningless for most of it. My father dying had been one of them, it taught me that love was a weakness. It was that moment I turned from emotion and focused of being Lord of the West. The only emotional connection I held was that towards my brother, the rage of emotions that I couldn't understand and wouldn't for decades. The next one was Inuyasha being sealed to a tree, also enforcing that love was a weakness. My half brother had fallen in love and ended up curse, falling victim just as our father had.

My arm being cut off and Rin coming into my life was a turning point that I could not predict. The longer she followed the more my perception of time had change and with it many of my views. I learned that humans were not the same and there were rare ones worth my time. I learned in time what I cared for Rin was the love of a father. I searched for a way to keep her among my world, knowing that compared to a demon that the life of a human was short. Rin taught me that I was not just the Lord of the West. The only thing I thought worthy of emotion, was her.

Then watched Inuyasha pin for the Miko while she disappeared. I couldn't understand the emotion that he showed. My brother returning to the palace and accepting his place had been another turning point, I understood what it was like to have a brother. With the new perception of time, I observed him more clearly. I learned to understand the drive that love had provided in his life. That type of love had strengthened him and in turned me clarified what my father had spoken of, he had something to protect. It was like the reason my strength grew protecting Rin, but the love Inuyasha held was different.

I learned to observe it in the Monk and Slayer. I learned to see it in their actions and their eyes. I saw it developing between my daughter and the fox, much to my dismay. I saw it shine in the reunion of the Miko and Inuyasha since her returning. It was her returned that caused the next turning point, it brought Elessandria. The woman had taken me by surprise at every turn. The attraction was there from the beginning and had not waned, yet something I did not expect had developed. I could not name the affection, all I knew is that it was there and was deepening quickly. Every moment I spent with her only made me wish for more, she was special to me and I could not imagine the palace without her presence.

I had overheard her comments to the Miko when I went to check on her to ensure her wellbeing. When she stated she would not be here after the war, I knew that I could not let that occur. I could not imagine the palace without the presence that was a light and drew me towards her. Although she seemed to think otherwise, I was not against the idea of her attraction towards me. In fact, I returned it towards her. She was not unworthy as much as she seemed to think she was. She held the qualities to be the Lady of the West and she was important to me in many ways. I cared not what others would think, I would handle all that attempted to get the way of my wish, I knew that I wanted her. I didn't however know how to go about gaining it, I held no experience at such things.

I watched as Inuyasha came into the office looking relaxed and I rose an eyebrow in question. He blushed and shook his head causing me to fight to urge to chuckle. The smell of honeysuckle filled my nose as the object of my affection came through the door giving me a huge smile.

"Morning Lord Sesshomaru" She said brightly causing me to relax, I had been worried about her for the task I had requested of her

"Inuyasha" She sang turning to him causing my brother to shiver "I wanted to talk to you"

"About?" He mumbled with a blush shifting in his seat causing me to smirk

"Are you ever planning of asking Kagome?" She questioned seriously to my surprise "I know that you both love each other and that you want to, so what is the problem?"

"Um" Inuyasha mumbled looking at her seriously causing me to feel bad for him, he was scared of her "You"

"Wait, what?" She said in shock "Me? What do I have to do with this?"

"He has to gain you permission first" I said putting him out of his misery causing her to look at me confused "You are her alpha, she declared you as her protector"

She blinked in shock looking at Inuyasha "Why didn't you just ask me then?" She wondered out loud causing him to shiver again "I would have given it to you without a problem, I wouldn't stand in the way of both of your happiness"

"You permit me then?" He mumbled in relief and she nodded causing him to hug her taking both of them by surprise "Thank you so much"

"It's not a problem" She said with a laugh "Now go plan something amazing to ask her"

"Will do" He said brightly before bolting out of the study to both of our amusement

"I didn't know that he needed permission to marry her" She mumbled softly looking at me

"Mate her" I said honestly causing her to become confused "Demons mate not marry after completing the courting process, it creates a bond between the two"

"Oh" She said in surprise "I never heard of that, what does that mean?"

"There are books I can provide to you to read to clarify what courting and mating entails" I explained knowing that her understanding it would assist me in my own goals as well

"I would like that" She said with a smile before sighing "She will still get a ceremony, right? Kagome has always wanted that"

"I have no doubt that Inuyasha will do so to keep her happy. A mating ceremony for Royals is quite similar as it is" I said honestly before looking at her "Is that something you would wish for as well?"

"Kagome dreamed of weddings since she was a little girl" She said softly before shaking her head "I never did, I would if I had to, but I know that Kagome needs one"

"Then she shall have one" I said seriously, and she smiled at the statement

"Just like that?" She said in amusement and I nodded causing her to laugh

I stood allowing a small smile away from view as I retrieved the books and turned to hand them to her "These should assist you with understanding demon courting and mating customs" I explained as she took them gratefully

"Thank you" She said softly before going to sit and begin reading

I smiled at how comfortable she was in my study as she looked so peaceful sitting them reading. I knew that she would need to understand this information to understand what my long-term goals were. I had made my decisions and would soon request her permission to court her. She was my equal and the only one I would ever feel for, I was not my father. I would not mate for advantage to produce an heir as my father had, it led him to later cause shame by having a mistress that he loved and a mate he did not. I knew that should I ever make the decision to mate, I would never put her through what my mother had.

"You should smile more often" She whispered drawing me from my thoughts "But I am glad that I get to be the one to see it"

Warmth blossomed in my chest at the statement and I wished to tell her that I smiled because of her. She was aware of the side of me that was so carefully hidden from the rest, it was a side that would be hers alone. I saw her carefully reading much slower then normal as if to ensure she absorbed every single bit of information. I turned away from her to return to paperwork taking comfort in the smell of her surrounding me and the steady sound of her heartbeat. After finishing the last paper, I looked up surprised to find she had fallen asleep. Debating what to do but seeing that it was already nearing dark deciding to escort the sleeping woman back to her room.

I careful lifted her into my arms surprised by how light she was for holding so much power. I breathed in her scent as she shifted her head to my shoulder, she fit perfectly in my arms. I felt my tail cover her on instinct almost dropping her when her small fingers grabbed ahold of the fur and sigh in her sleep. I slowly moved to down the corridor taking my time to her room relishing the feeling of holding her close to her.

"Sesshomaru" She whispered voice thick with sleep barely opening her eyes

"Rest" I commanded softly as she smiled breathing in deeply and I paused in shock when she nuzzled my neck

"You smell good" She mumbled causing me to smile and she relaxed back to sleep

I pushed open her door and as gently as I could set her on the bed. I debate for a moment seeing her hands grabbing my tail tightly and decided to leave it with her. I detached the tail watching as it entwined her, and I could still feel her warmth through the attachment. I smiled at the sleeping form touching her cheek before leaving the room with my mask firmly in place. I met with General Juntao outside of the dungeon filling the same rage I did the moment she had said it, Tsao has provided information to take her from me and end Rin's life.

I walked in the room that was thick with the smell of his own blood. The look of panic in his eyes made me wonder what she had done to him. He started screaming out knowing that I was here to end his life. I found it amusing as he pleaded for his life as if I would grant it, he targeted those under my protection. Although he had been through enough torture to drive him insane, I would relish in making him suffer knowing that killing him would have to wait now. Still the next few hours of hearing him scream had done little to get rid of my rage, I would find Seiko and end his life painfully for thinking his hands were good enough were worthy of touching her.

The rage remained long after I left the dungeons, so much so that I went to hunt to sate myself in blood knowing that I couldn't cover my hands in the blood of the one I wished to kill more than any other before. The only thing that pulled me away from blood lust was the feel of her hands running through the fur that surrounded her showing she had awoken. I could feel her soothing aura showing she was relaxed. I transform back and headed towards the palace feeling more controlled then before.

"You were gone awhile" Inuyasha said appearing in front of me with Kagome who was smiling brightly

"Indeed, I was on a hunt" I explained with a nod glancing at the necklace around her neck "You accepted my brother's proposal"

"Yeah" She said blushing slightly touching the necklace that Todasi had made at my brother request

"There is no one better suited" I said honestly knowing that she had completed my brother

"Thank you" Kagome said happily with wide eyes knowing that I did not compliment often

"When were you expecting the ceremony to occur?" I questioned my brother

"As soon as possible" He replied looking at Kagome in question who nodded in confirmation

"The next crescent moon is a month; will that be soon enough?" I questioned as Inuyasha looked surprised "It is costume for those our house to strengthen their bond in accordance to the crescent moon"

"Yeah, I know. I just didn't know that applied to me" He whispered sadly

"You are of the West" I said seriously "This Sesshomaru shall prepare for the ceremony a month from now"

"Okay" Inuyasha said with a smile before I looked at Kagome recalling the conversation from yesterday

"Elessandria has informed me that you may wish for a wedding" I stated, and she nodded seriously "Tell her everything that you wish to occur and this Sesshomaru will ensure it is done"

"Thank you so much" Kagome said with a smile "It means a lot to me"

"You are pack" I said seriously before looking at Inuyasha "You are worthy of it"

"Sesshomaru" Kagome said drawing my attention "You care for her don't you"

I nodded in confirmation "This Sesshomaru cares for her deeply" I admitted softly unable to deny it

"She cares for you too" Kagome said softly before sighing "She will kill me, but I want her to be happy. If you are serious about it and want to be with her then I will help you"

I looked at him in interest and nodded in confirmation "You know about her already, but she isn't overly romantic, she thinks it is trying too hard. Show her who you are, who you really are without the mask. She loves the stars, more than anything else and loves walking at night. She has a thing for rare sights like waterfalls and such. Do not lie to her, she will be able to tell and if you lose her trust you will not gain it back" Kagome explained seriously

"I have no reason to lie" I said seriously before sighing at Inuyasha's glare "You have my thanks Kagome"

"When do you plan on asking her to court her?" Inuyasha questioned with a smile

"Soon" I said seriously had already come up with a plan to do so

"Good" Inuyasha said with a nod before wrapping an arm around Kagome "Let's go check on the others"

I watched them walked away knowing that they were going to share their news with the others. I knew there were many preparations to be made for the ceremony. I would turn it to my advantage working with Elessandria to learn of what she preferred as she seem to not place much thought into such things, before she arrived neither have I. Soon, I will ask permission to court her and hoped that she was receptive to the notion. I would show her what she had come to mean to me and that her place was among the West, forever.