DISCLAIMER
XII
The following morning the gang, along with Naoshi, traveled a few hours away from the fortress before Sesshomaru stopped dead in his tracks, looking to the sky. Naoshi and Kagome walked up to him.
"What's the matter?" Kagome asked, looking around them and readying her bow. Sesshomaru looked down to her, proud she was always prepared for a fight.
"Yesterday we swam, Kagome. Today, we fly." he smiled at her, "Sango, Miroku. Fly on the fire cat. Jaken, ready Ah Uhn for the children and yourself."
The others did as told, making sure the saddle bags on the two headed dragon were properly strapped, before climbing on and taking off into the sky, following Sesshomaru and Naoshi. Kagome clung to Sesshomaru's side, his arm around her waist.
"Where are we going?" Kagome asked, glad to not have to yell over the wind.
"To see someone very important. And powerful. I must ask her of something before we continue our journey." he answered, looking back to the sky.
"Are we going to see her, then?" Naoshi asked, flying close. Sesshomaru looked to him and nodded. Naoshi merely smiled, and began looping through the sky. Kagome and the children giggled at his antics, until a giant castle came into view. Kagome stared at it in shock.
"Is that a- a floating...castle!?" Kagome gasped.
"It is my mothers home." Sesshomaru told her, pulling her closer before giving the signal to fly faster. Kagome stared at him in shock, but couldn't say anything for the wind.
When they landed, Kagome stared in awe. She was so busy studying the castle style and calculating the amount of power it'd take to make it hover like this, she hardly even noticed the large blast of youki or the doors opening. She looked towards the door, shocked to see an almost exact version of Sesshomaru, in female form.
"Sesshomaru, my son." the woman purred, sashaying up to the group. Said demon instantly tensed.
"Greetings, Mother. How are you?" he said, tilting his head to her. She tilted hers in return, before looking over the ragtag group with a heavy eye. She looked back to Sesshomaru, about to say something, until she noticed Kagome, still tucked into his side. Kagome took a half step to the side, bowing from the waist to the demoness in front of her. Shiori opened her fan and hid her smile with it, sneaking a glance at Sesshomaru's amused grin.
"Hey! Kagome, how come she gets a low bow?" Naoshi whined, walking up to the human girl. Kagome chuckled at him.
"Because the Lady Mother is much more powerful than you are, Naoshi. And quite frankly, more threatening." she stated, as if it was obvious. Naoshi slumped in defeat, looking to Shiori.
"You win this round, my Lady." he groaned.
"I win every round, pup." she quipped, folding her fan. "You, girl. Who are you?"
"I am Higurashi Kagome, my Lady. Guardian of the Shikon No Tama." she said, smiling at the great demoness.
"I see. So it was you who shattered the Jewel 5 years ago?" she asked, looking at the girl with a veiled expression. "That little Jewel has caused quite a commotion."
"Eh...unfortunately, yes. That was me. We've been working to gather the Jewel, together." Kagome answered, gesturing to her friends. "And to defeat the half demon that seeks its power."
"You humans expect to kill that creature?" the demoness laughed.
"We are more powerful than you think, my Lady. I mean no disrespect, but you should not judge all humans based on one pampered hime." Kagome stated, looking the powerful demoness in the eye.
"You dare speak against me? You do not seem powerful." Shiori said, looking Kagome up and down. The girl scoffed in return.
"There's always more than meets the eye." she said simply.
"Insolence!" Shiori yelled, before releasing her whip and swinging it at Kagome. As fast as it took Sesshomaru to run in front of her, Kagome threw a barrier up around them both without blinking or breaking eye contact with the demoness.
"Mother that is enough. We came here because I wish to speak with you." Sesshomaru growled. Shiori withdrew her whip, and looked at her son.
"Very well. Naoshi, take this group to the dining hall. I'm sure the young ones are hungry." she said, looking to the children warmly. "Hello again, Rin."
"Hello, Lady Mother!" Rin said, skipping up and hugging the demoness's leg before running off towards the dining hall. The demoness chuckled, and motioned her son to follow.
Kagome and the others looked at each other in confusion and slight shock, but followed Naoshi.
Sesshomaru followed his mother through many halls, until reaching her favorite library. It was modeled to look exactly like the one at the Western fortress, books and all, so she could reminisce in peace. She sat in a western style chair, big poofy and comfy. Sesshomaru sat on the matching love seat across from her.
"What is it you wanted to speak with me about, Maru?" she asked him, as a servant brought tea.
"It is about the human, Kagome." he said, slowly.
"Hmm? The feisty one?" she asked, eyebrow raised. He nodded in return.
"My beast has claimed her. But she is mortal." he said, somewhat morosely. Shiori clicked her tongue.
"My son, throughout your life I have not been very warm with you. That changes, now. Come, sit next to your mother." she said, scooting in her seat for him. Slowly, Sesshomaru stood and made his way to her, sitting in the seat as requested.
Her arm went around his shoulders, and she pulled him into her. He resisted a little, until she gave a soothing rumble, then he leaned in, accepting the motherly embrace.
"My dear boy, what will I ever do with you? First you refuse a mate, then you want a human one. So much like your father." she whispered, a little sadly.
"You know the council will not be happy, Sesshomaru. But I will do all I can to help you. Does she return your feelings?" she asked, stroking his hair. He shrugged.
"I do not know. She has accepted me as a friend, but she has been hurt by Inuyasha. I do not think she would accept such advances from me." he answered. Shiori clicked her tongue.
"I think she would be foolish not to accept you." she said. Sesshomaru chuckled a little.
"You are biased, mother." he told her, glancing up to her face. She smiled in return and nodded.
"Perhaps I am, but you are incredible in many ways, Sesshomaru. My question is, what about her mortality?"
"I have no answer for that, either. I would not wish to watch her fade away from me, but I know not if the blood bond would work. She could die." he said shaking his head. Shiori nodded again.
"That is troublesome, indeed. I will consult with Bokuseno, the great tree. Meanwhile, your friends may stay and rest. Prepare yourselves for the coming battle. For Naraku is almost upon you." she told him, patting his shoulder. He nodded and they both stood, making their way to the dining hall to join the others.
When they arrived, the group was talking and enjoying tea with some of the youkai that work in the kitchen. They both stopped, watching the scene. The first to notice, of course, were the servants.
"Oh! My Lady! We're so sorry, Lady Kagome asked us about recipes..." the servants said, bowing repeatedly. Shiori waved them off.
"No need for apologies, you two. It's perfectly acceptable. Your cooking is tremendous, and I blame no one for wanting your recipes." she said kindly, walking to the servants and gently patting their shoulders.
She gave them a smile, and told them to go make something for themselves, and to take a break. They thanked her and left, smiles on their faces. Kagome smiled at Shiori, who smiled back.
"Lady Kagome, might we have a little spar later? I would love to see what you can do." she said, taking her seat at the head of the table, Sesshomaru sitting next to her. Kagome looked at her in shock for a second before breaking into a mega watt smile.
"Of course, my Lady. It would be a great honor." she answered, bowing her head. Shiori chuckled and poured herself and Sesshomaru some tea.
"I look forward to it, little Miko. I do have an errand of utmost importance I must see to before hand, though." she told Kagome, who nodded.
"Very well, let me know when you've returned then?" Kagome returned.
"I will. Might we have introductions?" she asked, smiling mischievously at Kagome who blushed.
"Oh! I apologize my Lady, of course. This is Sango, Miroku, and Shippo!" she exclaimed happily, gesturing to her friends in turn. They bowed their heads, and Shiori bowed hers.
"It is lovely to meet you all. Even if Sango is a demon slayer." she said, eyeing Sango.
"I slay only those who put others in unnecessary danger, my Lady." Sango said, demurely. Shiori chuckled in reply, nodding.
"Well said, indeed." she said.
Yeah, Moms nicer than usual. Sue me.