A/N: From here on out, quotation marks ' ' and italicized words are Kirara and Izayoi talking to each other inside their minds.

Chapter 28 From Death Comes Happiness

Izayoi's nose wrinkled as she stepped carefully down stone steps behind her husband; it was darker down here than it was in the shiro above, the cells gloomy and depressing – though much better lit than most other places of this type were.

"It is because this part of the dungeon is for political prisoners and those who might still gain their freedom at some point. Those condemned to death are held in a different – and darker - area," Touga answered in response to his wife's question with a quick glance back at her.

"Oh," she said, glad that she wasn't heading for those particular areas. But she was definitely interested in meeting this other daughter of the dragon that her husband so hated and opposed – her newest Lady-in-waiting being his youngest daughter, Mine. Not that anyone else knew that – or would be allowed to find out.

They'd only met just this morning, and already she liked the young female. She had a pleasing personality, polite and just a little shy, and it was hard to imagine her being related to the evil male that she was beginning to hear more than she wanted to about. I think we will be great friends, and I hope we can give her a happier life here than she apparently had in that dark place she called home... though for some time to come, it will certainly be busier than that life probably was for her.

Already this morning had been busy, she sighed inwardly as she thought back over the few hours she'd been awake. After facing breakfast, Touga had led her off to spend her first bit of time with the head of the servants, so she could begin to learn some of what her duties would eventually be – once the war was over. Right now, the head of the servants, a female inuyoukai named Chiharu* was fulfilling most of those duties so that she herself could concentrate on the coming war. Still, at least this way she was getting the chance to learn her new duties slowly, rather than simply having them thrust on her suddenly. With a place this large, that was a very good thing.

After that, Kenichi and his wife had appeared, and acting as though he'd never met the male's wife and as though Izayoi had never met either of them, Touga had welcomed him back to the city and accepted his pledge to join in the war to come - and his wife's pledge to him as her new Lord. He'd then made a show of asking Mine if she wished to take up her rightful place as a Lady-in-waiting to his own bride, and she'd accepted the honor with a bow and a shy smile. Touga had immediately sent his assistant for a citizen's pass that he had then spelled to her blood, making it clear that she was a citizen of the Western Lands, protected by Touga – and loyal to him. The poor girl had barely kept from crying, and Izayoi could sympathize with her, she really could. After everything she'd heard so far of Ryukotsussei, she felt sorry for anyone forced to live with - or in close proximity - to him.

Kenji and Nami had simply sat through the morning quietly, both keeping their ears open as many people drifted in and out of the sitting room that they had adjourned to in order to meet with the head of the servants. All sorts of informal matters could and would be brought before them as they relaxed there in that spacious and open room, but because of its open status to any and all that chose to enter, the need to be watchful was high.

Kenji had been quite pleased to have Kirara as an ally in protecting his charge, as she was female and able to accompany Izayoi places that he could not – and was also able to be much closer than even his sister could be on a constant basis. He had the feeling that the firecat was going to be their most valuable asset in their Lady's protection – and he could not help but see how much her presence had lifted a weight from Izayoi's shoulders already – a weight that none of them had even realized she was carrying around. Kirara, it was clear, would be the one thing to heal the part of her that had been damaged and lost when Kagome'd been stripped of her body and sent back further in time to become someone else. Truly, her very soul had been slowly dying for a lack of recognition by anyone that she had known and loved in that lifetime. Kirara, simply by remembering who Kagome was and continuing to love her, different body or not, was saving Kagome's soul from much pain and grief. She'd lost her mother, brother, and grandfather in the future, and all her friends in Sengoku Jidai – but not Kirara. It was probably a relief to Kirara, too – Kagome being the only other person that remembered the people and events of that other life for her, as well. They needed each other... and as the years passed, he was absolutely certain that the two would only become closer – completely inseparable.

Kenji walked behind Izayoi alone, this time, as Nami had been assigned the task of helping Mine and Kenichi get settled back in here in the palace so that Mine could all the faster take up position with her new Lady. It had been decided by Touga and Kenichi earlier that it would not be wise for Takako to find out that her sister was here in the Western citadel – what she didn't know couldn't be forced from her. It wasn't hard to come to the conclusion that if Ryukotsussei was planning to kill all his children, then he undoubtedly had someone here in the palace of the West that could act as an assassin and would probably attempt to kill the imprisoned and pretty much helpless female. If she didn't know about Mine, then she couldn't let anything slip to anyone else. Not that Touga had any intention of letting Takako be killed; as much as the female was a boor, even she didn't deserve what her sire had planned for her, and Touga had become a little more sympathetic to her plight as Mine and Kenichi had spoken of Ryukotsussei and his use of his children. She had been forced to do the things she'd done, and the Western Lord wouldn't hold it against her. If she could be saved, then he'd certainly do so.

To that effect, only those Touga most trusted were to be allowed down in the dungeon at all, as guards or otherwise, and Kenji was certain that he would be adding his own very potent protective spells to surround the cell the female was held in so that an assassin would not find it an easy task to get in. On top of that, her food would be screened for poison at every meal, as well as her drinks. Yes... anyone trying to kill her would find it a much more difficult prospect than they were probably thinking it would be.

Smiling softly as they moved down yet another set of steep stairs, Izayoi couldn't keep from running soothing fingers through the little firecat's fur as she purred happily from her spot in who she stubbornly insisted on calling Kagome's arms. She'd also demanded that Touga pass on to her new mistress that she could learn to hear her mindspeech with a simple spell, then proceeded to look up at Kagome with wide kitten eyes and mew at her. Kagome had let out a joyous squeal – of course she'd love to know how to hear Kirara for herself – and be able to actually talk to her! And so it was set that after this visit to the dungeons they would be visiting a neko healer here in the palace that would be able to perform said spell. She could hardly wait.

A peculiar odor hit Izayoi's nose, then, and she wrinkled it, not enjoying the typical scent of dungeon. It was a cold, almost moldy smell, and it only got stronger as they reached a large area at the bottom of the last flight of stairs. She looked around as they moved further into the cavernous room; on one side there was a bunch of cushions and low tables for the guards to use while on duty down here, and on the opposite side several cells with solid-looking bars leaving whoever was in them in full view at all times – save for a small partition where a chamber pot stood in each cell. All but one of the cells were empty, and as the group came to a stop, she caught her first sight of Mine's sister and Ryukotsussei's other daughter – Takako.

This female looked nothing like her sister at all. Much taller than Mine, Takako had hair that, at least on the surface, looked like Touga's and Sesshoumaru's – silver. But unlike both those males, her hair was many different shades of silver, from a lighter, truer silver at the roots, to a darker silver at the ends. Her eyes were crimson, flashing like rubies, and her face quite beautiful and exotic looking – seductive without even trying. Mine, on the other hand, looked innocent, sweet and shy, like a young wood elf, and though she was just as beautiful as her sister in a different way, it was becoming clear to Izayoi just what their sick father found attractive in females. Mine was, indeed, fortunate that she wasn't 'up to his standards' so to speak.

The female watched them all quietly, a fine, bitter edge to her expression that no one could miss as she looked the group over, her gaze coming to rest on Izayoi last. She studied her, meeting Izayoi's gaze head on and with no sign of deception.

"So you are who Touga-sama chose, eh? I can see why... you are quite beautiful. Be thankful that my insane father, the bastard, never caught sight of you, for he, also, would have been attracted - human or no, no female he finds attractive is safe from his predations," she said, ignoring Touga's outraged snarl at even the thought of such a thing. Izayoi simply shivered, a sick feeling in her stomach at what the female was hinting at. "And a priestess to boot... Ryukotsussei will never know what hit him," she chuckled, the sound full of irony. She continued to exchange looks with Izayoi for several moments more, then turned her gaze on Touga. "Congratulations on your rather... advantageous marriage, Touga-sama. You must have been planning this for some time. I almost wish I could be there to see my father's face when he realizes just how much further ahead in this game you are than he is." She sighed. "But alas, I will probably long be dead by the time you defeat him in battle. So... when may I look for the executioner to visit me? I'd like to have time to make my peace with myself and kami as well," she said, her voice suddenly tired and her demeanor resigned.

Silence fell in the room as Touga studied her; it was easy to see for anyone with any senses whatsoever that Takako was not being deceptive in her manner or bearing – she truly thought she was soon to die. Perhaps the most disturbing thing – and the one that convinced the inuyoukai that what he had heard from Mine of how Ryukotsussei treated his children was nothing but cold, hard truth – was that not only was she resigned to her own death... but that she was almost welcoming of it.

"You ask that so calmly – as though you actually wish to die?" Touga responded quizzically.

Another chuckle, dry this time. "Does that surprise you? Be glad that Ryukotsussei was not your father, that you were not forced to live with him. I am resigned to my death, and can only pray that my next life is less... painful – and terrifying. And demeaning." She looked away at that last bit, unable to meet anyone's eyes.

Izayoi couldn't help the rush of sympathy she felt at the older female's weary, resigned voice. And she didn't even know the worst of it, yet.

"You will not die at my hands, nor at the hands of anyone in the West, Takako-" he was cut off by the female's sudden panicked begging.

"Please, Touga-sama, do not send me back to my father! I would beg instead for you to kill me now, right no-" It was her turn to be cut off by a loud growl; to Izayoi's surprise, the female threw herself to her knees and bared her neck, submitting immediately to her husband's obvious demand. But she noted that Touga's youki wasn't threatening, in fact, it was soothing, and Takako couldn't help but respond to that, her posture loosening as she slumped to the floor in her cell, near tears.

"I have no intentions of turning you over to that bastard, Takako," he said when she calmed enough to once more listen. "I am not that heartless. I have learned of a plot by your father – he plans to kill all of his wives, children, and concubines, and then sire two sons on two female dragon sorceresses – Koume and Kotake. For now, for your own protection," he continued, despite her terrified – yet tellingly - not very surprised expression, "you will be kept here, and I will strengthen the protective spells around this cell. Only those I trust will be allowed near you. I will leave you with a small stone. It is spelled so that if you prick your finger and let your blood touch it, it will notify me of your need. If someone makes it down here and attempts to attack you, use it."

Takako pulled her hand from before her mouth and asked, totally bewildered, "Why are you protecting me? I am your enemy's daughter, I spied on you, and conspired with my father to take your lands from you. I don't understand..."

Touga studied her for a moment. "Tell me... did you wish to do those things?"

She shook her head immediately. "No. With Ryukotsussei there is never a choice. You do as he says, or you die. Most of the time, you do as he says, only to die anyway." Her laugh this time was totally bitter. "I had figured long ago that I would die during all of this, either at your hand or at his for failing in his wishes. Or..." she hesitated for a long second, then blurted, "at my own hand to avoid being tortured by my father."

Glancing at his wife and then Kenji, Touga nodded as what Mine had said about her older sister was now confirmed. "That is why I am extending my protection to you. Because you were not given a choice. I am certain that your father has those here in my palace that he could use as assassins to try and reach you, thinking you helpless in this cell. For that reason, on top of the protections I am leaving you with, I will also have that collar released, so that if all else fails, you may at least try to protect yourself."

"You... you would trust me not to run? Not to attack those around me to escape?" she narrowed her eyes at him disbelievingly as she slowly pulled herself up from her prone position on the floor.

At that, Touga chuckled. "No, Takako, trust is not what I would call it. Instead, let us say that I don't think you are a fool, and it is quite easy to see that your only chance for survival is under my protection. If you were to run, to try to hide, your father's assassins would only keep coming until they found you. I trust you to act in your own best interests – which at this time lie in you staying in that cell, with several protective spells surrounding you, a way to reach me in your hand, and your own youki at the ready, as well. Once this war is over, you may go your own way and choose your own destiny."

"Y-you'd just let me... go?" she asked, stunned yet again.

He nodded.

"What about poison in the food or drinks I receive? I'm sure that will be one of the first things any assassin tries," she said after a moment of studying the Western Lord in return – and finding him to be much, much different as a protector – however tentative – than an enemy.

"Your food will be prepared by the same cook that prepares Touga-sama's and Izayoi-sama's," Kenji spoke up after his Lord turned to him and motioned him over; his own attention was suddenly taken by his wife, who looked confused, then a bit pale of a sudden. Kenji frowned as he glanced over at his Lord and Lady and wondered at her sudden-seeming malaise, then back to the still bewildered, but definitely thankful female in the cell. "And both food and drink will be carefully scented and examined by a healer – one who is particularly talented in the art of detecting poisons and potions."

Takako nodded after a moment and then sat down on the futon, everything that had been said in the last few minutes finally hitting her. She shook her head, her eyes falling closed as she accepted the truth of what was about to happen to her siblings, and even her own mother.

No, she wasn't close to her mother. Like all of Ryukotsussei's wives, she was too taken up with trying to avoid the male's attentions – and death – to pay much attention to her offspring. As for most of her siblings... they were just as bad as their father in many ways, though even they didn't deserve what was about to befall them. But there was one...

"Poor little Mine," she sighed, feeling badly for her youngest sister. Mine was the only decent one out of them all, and though she'd picked on her littlest sister some growing up, she'd often also defended the girl against some of the older bastards who'd thought it funny to torment the tiny girl. While they weren't close by any means, she still couldn't help wishing that Mine had also gotten away. "I hope her death is quick, at least, and that she doesn't suffer."

So... she does care for more than just her own hide, Touga thought as he looked over at her from Izayoi's side. Perhaps she isn't as much a boor as everyone thought. Still, it isn't safe to tell her yet. Turning his attention back to his wife, he looked at her questioningly as she attempted to calm herself.

"What is wrong, Kagome?" he asked in a low voice not meant to be heard by the others in the room.

Her gaze flickered at hearing her true name coming from her husband, then her eyes fluttered closed as she tried to process the horror of what she'd... well, seen, for lack of a better word, in the female dragon's mind. She put a hand to her head, wishing she could wipe the disgusting visions away – and not sure why she'd even had them. Was this some new facet of her reiki breaking through and manifesting? Or was it something that Takako was doing?

"The things in her mind, Touga," she whispered in answer finally, also not wanting the others to hear. "This Ryukotsussei – he is a monster such as even you do not know. He must be utterly destroyed," she breathed vehemently, her eyes flashing open just then and pinning him with the look in them. "What she has been forced to live through – what she has seen him do to others, atop what he has done to her... it would actually be a kindness to wipe her memory," she finished darkly, despite her thoughts on her own loss of memory and her struggle to remember all of her life as Kagome. "Some things... are just too terrible to be remembered."

"What are you saying?" he asked sharply, though still quietly, looking at her with concern and paying not one bit of attention to the murmur of conversation between Kenji and Takako as Kirara purred soothingly at her companion.

"For several seconds – though it felt as though it were hours – I saw... some of her memories." She shuddered in horror, wishing she could scrub her own mind of what she'd seen. "The things she's been through... No. I cannot say. I will not name such terrors, for that only gives them more power – and they are her memories. I would not speak of such things, for it should be her choice whether she wants others to know or not."

After a few seconds of looking down at his paler than normal wife he nodded reluctantly, knowing she was right. It would not be honorable to speak of someone elses memories without their permission, so he wouldn't pry. He could only hope that she was able to forget them, for he did not want her suffering any more nightmares than she already did some nights.

"I will respect your reasons for not naming what you saw. Are you alright?" he asked instead.

Hesitating, she met his gaze and then sighed deeply and nodded, squaring her shoulders. "I will be."

"Good." Taking one last, piercing look at her, he nodded in return, then turned back to Takako, who stopped mid-sentence in her discussion with Kenji to await his next words. He moved over to her cell and took a small stone from his obi, whispering some words over it. He motioned for her to come closer.

"Prick your finger, and then allow the blood to drop on this stone," he instructed, watching closely as she did as bid. Once the stone had absorbed the blood and flashed a cool teal color, he handed it to her. "Tuck this away in your obi, and keep it out of sight until it's needed. And if possible, if you do need to activate it, keep whoever is down here from seeing it so they won't know I've been summoned. That way I might catch them in the act."

She nodded obediently. "Hai."

"Good. From what my spies told me, you have until the day after tomorrow – after that, an attack could come at any time, so rest now and be vigilant later. I have no doubt that an attack will come, sooner or later." He flashed her an ironic look. "If you put on as good a show for the assassin as you did for me and all the others here in the palace, of a boring, arrogant bitch with nothing else in her head but seducing every male around then you should do just fine, and I will take care of your father's hired killers." He grinned ferally at the notion. "And then I will take great care in sending them back – in pieces – to your father to inform him of his failure."

She shook her head. "I never thought I'd see the day where I would be able to say that I actually like a dog." She glanced at Izayoi with a small, ironic smile. "And congratulations on your wedding, Kagome-sama-" her brow furrowed at Kagome's surprise at her naming of her and she paused for a moment, then finished, "-is that not the name I heard your husband call you?"

"Yes," Kagome chuckled after a moment, "he did. It is a... nickname, you might say. My name, given by my father, is Izayoi. Izayoi of Setsuna."

"Ah. Apologies, then. Izayoi-sama. May kami bless your marriage."

Kagome tilted her head, somewhat surprised. "You are not offended by my humanity?" she asked in clear tones that Takako actually found soothing and attractive.

"No. You are what you are born to be. Just as I could not help being born that bastard's daughter," she said, that fine edge of bitterness back in her voice, "you also cannot help being what you were born to be. If nothing else, being Takako of the North has taught me that."

Nothing to say to that, Kagome merely nodded and then excused herself politely as Touga gripped her elbow and pulled her back towards the stairs.

Takako watched them all go with a bittersweet feeling of hope - and misery.

I never thought I'd be stuck in a dungeon for my own safety's sake – let alone that it would be the dog I so hated that would be defending me from my own sire.

Never thought anyone would defend me from him...

Except death, of course. Because once dead, I would finally be out of his reach.

I almost don't know how to feel now that there's a chance of being safe from him, without being dead.

She couldn't help the guilt that flooded her at thoughts of her little sister, though. She might be a boor, an arrogant, gossipy female that had bedded far too many males – though mostly on her sire's orders and not because of her own desire - but she wasn't all bad.

Maybe now she'd have the chance to prove that to everyone.

~oOo~

Touga could feel Izayoi's upset humming along their bond, and wishing to help wipe her mind of the visions she'd apparently seen, he chose to bring up a more lighthearted matter. "We go now to visit little Aki," he said as they ascended from the lower levels of the palace back into sunshine and light. "He has been dying to see you again, and I've no doubt he's driven his teachers crazy with his excitement." He looked down into his wife's arms at the demanding mew that came, then, only to see narrowing kitten eyes. "Do not fret, Kirara," he chuckled, "we will meet him at the healers, I've already sent for him. Aki will have his visit with Izayoi, and then Koneko* will perform the spell, and you can talk to your mistress all you want."

Another mew, accompanied by a little, almost belligerent hiss had Touga laughing outright. "Yes, I know you refuse to call her Izayoi. You may do as you please. For myself..." he trailed off and looked at his wife affectionately, "she will always be Izayoi, as that is how I have always known her, though I promised to use her true name sometimes, as well. But though we are using different names, we are speaking of the same person, and she knows it as well as we do. That is all that counts."

It was clear that he was speaking more to Izayoi with that last part than Kirara, and she met his eyes with her own solemn gaze, his words easing her heart a little of the division she'd been striving to reconcile within it. She smiled after a moment.

"Thank you, Touga," she murmured as he searched her eyes. He nodded after a few seconds, returning her soft smile.

The small group emerged onto a different floor of the palace than Izayoi had so far been on, and she looked around with big eyes, taking in everything as they walked. There didn't seem to be as much activity here – it was quieter and there was a calm aura that seemed to overlay the entire area. Touga watched surreptitiously as Izayoi's tense posture eased; smiling inwardly, he filed that bit of information away rather carefully for future use.

Koneko's aura had that effect on quite a few people and Izayoi seemed to be no different, which made things easier for him – if there came a time that she was too wound up to rest or her nightmares got out of hand, he could bring her here to the healer's section of the palace and let her bask in Koneko's presence for a while. That was the biggest reason the little neko made such a great healer – her aura. She was excellent with even the worst patients, as they couldn't seem to manage their usual contretemps when she was around, her aura soothing their tempers and calming them which in turn allowed their bodies to actually rest and heal.

"Is it odd for a youkai parent to name their child 'kitten'?" Izayoi asked after a few minutes as she followed her husband through a seemingly complicated maze.

"Usually, I'd say yes. It would be like me naming Sesshoumaru koinu," he chuckled, glancing back over his shoulder at the so-far silent Kenji, who was trying to choke back his own laughter. The very idea of naming Sesshoumaru 'puppy'... "But once you meet her, I think you will understand... she is greatly like a kitten even in her humanoid form. I don't think anyone, even a human, could mistake her for any other type of youkai."

"Oh," she murmured, her curiosity rising. "So is this the healer's room?" she asked as they finally began to slow as they approached an area that did not actually have doors, being open to the corridors and halls.

"This whole section that we've walked through since reaching this floor is technically the healer's domain, my love," he responded easily, "this is just what you could call her main sick room. Most of the rest of the floor doesn't get used unless there are a great many injured – like in times of war. Koneko is readying everything for what is coming, I've no doubt. And there are whole rooms that are used to help those who are recovering from severe, terrible injuries – so that they can begin walking again, or retraining whatever part was injured for use. Small dojo, I suppose you could say, for those that are not ready to return to one of the main training dojo here in the palace."

His wife's eyes lit up. "Oh! Like a physical therapy area!"

"Eh?" he asked, his brow furrowed as he took in the odd sounding words.

She blushed a little even as they entered the large room. "It's from the future. Those say who've been in a terrible accident, and they've lost the use of their body while healing for extended periods of time – or damaged parts of their body that then need to be... restrengthened. They need to retrain themselves, to regain the use of their body, so they are given physical therapy."

"Hn," he replied, "I suppose that is the same thing – or at least, it sounds so." He ushered her to the front of the large room, presided over by a huge shoji which was open and overlooking a sizable garden terrace. It allowed for a great deal of natural light and pleasant air, redolent with the scent of pine and other greenery, to enter the room. Soft, earthen tones were prominent throughout in pretty, delicate paintings of different areas of Japan, and were echoed in the sheets and blankets covering the comfortable-looking pallets that were, at this moment in time, thankfully empty. All in all, it was a restful, peaceful sort of room, which was perfect for a healer's area.

She took all that in with one glance around as Touga led her to the front of the area towards a small group of people standing speaking just outside on the steps into the garden. As she looked ahead to take in those she was about to meet, she was taken aback at the shout that came from somewhere in the garden, but before she could even so much as blink in surprise, an orange canonball came flying from somewhere and landed right in front of her, silencing everyone there as Aki practically lunged at Izayoi, scrambling up her clothing to her shoulder and flushing a startled Kirara from her perch, where he proceeded to hug the living daylights out of a surprised young woman.

Izayoi was almost overwhelmed, then, with memories of a little Shippo doing the same thing so many times and tears immediately flooded her eyes as she tried valiantly to hold them back, not wanting to answer a lot of questions right then. As Kirara landed on her other shoulder after settling her ruffled fur back down, it was clear to Izayoi just from her mew that she was remembering the same thing. It actually helped to have her there – she, for once, when seeing someone that reminded her of that future that would never come again, didn't feel like she was so out of place and alone. It truly eased her sorrow, it was a comfort she couldn't ever express clearly enough verbally, and she raised a hand to pet the kitten with sincere gratitude just for her presence.

Once she had herself under control again, she smiled and reached up to pluck the kitsune from her shoulder. "Come here, you little scamp," she said, affection rife in her voice as she held the kit out and looked him over. "You look like you're doing well, Aki-kun," she laughed as he nodded rapidly.

"I am, Izayoi-sama!" he squeaked, his voice almost breaking in his excitement. "But I'm so glad to see you! When I found out that you were gonna marry Touga-sama and come live here I could hardly wait, and it's seemed like to take forever for you to get here!" he chirped out, ignoring the laughter from the assembled adults.

She hugged the little boy, then set him down once more and asked, "So what do you do here, Aki-kun? Why don't you tell me about it?"

Touga just shook his head, amused, as the kitsune took his wife's hand and led her off towards one of the artfully placed benches overlooking the garden... and the rest of the citadel, as well, as this particular garden terrace was of a height to see most of the rest of the palace and city. It was breathtaking, and Izayoi knew she'd be coming here just to sit and enjoy the view many times over the coming years, but for now, beyond a single, awed glance, she set it aside and concentrated on the little kit she hadn't realized she'd missed so much – though she was sure some of that came from missing another kitsune, as well. It was difficult to separate the two out – now that she had remembered little Shippo, it was almost impossible to miss that Aki looked almost exactly like her other kit save for their clothes - it was heartbreaking. They could almost be twins...

She tuned back in to his hundred-mile-an-hour chatter to hear him talking about a little girl kitsune he'd met that was taking lessons at the same time he was. She chuckled as he blushed.

"Oh, it sounds like someone has a crush," she singsonged teasingly, loving the blush that hit the little boy's cheeks as she said that.

"Shhh, Izayoi-sama," he hissed frantically, looking around with a fearful glance, "I don't want anyone to hear that and tell her!"

She clapped her hand to her mouth and nodded. "Oh, forgive me, Aki-kun, then – I wouldn't want to give it away. So... what's her name?"

"Her name's *Aika," he almost whispered, his eyes solemn. "She's really pretty, and her voice is so beautiful. I'm gonna marry her when we grow up."

Trying very hard to keep herself from laughing, as the whole thing was just way too cute, she said, "She sounds lovely. I'd like to meet her. But what do you think her family will say? I mean, you are awfully young to be talking about marriage," she teased a little more, unable to help herself.

At that, Aki looked down, his little tail twitching sadly, and Izayoi's smile faded. "She doesn't have a family. She's like me – an orphan. Her family was all killed by a terrible oni, and she almost died, too. Touga-sama's guards were after the oni to kill it, and when they found her they brought her here to Koneko to help her get better. So now Aika helps Koneko and gets lessons like I do."

"I see," she replied. "I'm sorry to hear about her family, but I'm glad that she was saved. I bet you two are really good friends, having so much in common as you do. So where do you sleep?" she asked, wanting to draw his attention back to happier matters.

It worked. "Oh, we both have our own rooms here in the healer's section. They're pretty big, too. I'll have to show you some time," he said, his eyes flickering over to see Touga stepping down into the garden. "But I think you have to go now," he said sadly as his tail fluffed and twitched. "Touga-sama's coming after you, and I know you have a lot to do and are really busy." He leaned forward and hugged her again before hopping down from the bench and bowing with proper manners. "I hope I can see you again soon, Izayoi-sama, and that you are happy here!"

He scampered off as Touga told him that his sensei was asking after him, and Izayoi waved at the energetic boy as he disappeared back inside with a rueful laugh. "I wish I had half his energy."

Kirara mewed in agreement, and Izayoi stood up once more as her husband beckoned her back inside the healer's room. "Come, my dear, it is time for you to meet Koneko so we can get this spell done. We have much more to attend to and the mid-day meal will be soon," he said as she sighed.

"I really wish I had even half his energy. I have the feeling I'm going to need it."

Curious now to meet this Koneko, she turned her gaze on the people her husband was leading her towards, and as they got closer and Kenji shifted position she was gifted with her first look at the female healer. She found that Touga was right – you couldn't possibly miss what type of youkai she was.

Chestnut hair with black and white patches hung down her back, restrained at her nape, and out of that lot of hair rose tiny cute kitten ears that reminded her of Inuyasha's little white puppy ears. She wanted to pounce on the little female and rub them, but she restrained that impulse, knowing that it wouldn't be appreciated. The female was tiny, barely higher than mid-chest on her, but she had an aura of authority that couldn't be denied – though it was a warm aura, sending out peaceful and restorative pulses to all around her, and she knew she was going to like this female. She couldn't help the smile that washed across her face as she came to a stop next to her husband.

Koneko wasn't shy despite her small stature; she was also examining her new lady with curiosity, and appeared to like what she was seeing, because a wide, feline smile echoed the one on Izayoi's face as she bowed to her. "Izayoi-sama. It is a pleasure to meet you," she said, then looked at the deceptively small cat curled on her shoulder and mewed. Kirara mewed back, and they spoke for a few moments back and forth, before Koneko nodded, obviously in approval.

"Kirara is demanding that we set this spell so that she may communicate with you," Koneko purred, her form of laughter, "and I have explained that it isn't so much a spell as a merging of auras. Is that something you are comfortable with?" she asked.

Izayoi nodded, grinning down at her little companion. "Yes. Do whatever it takes. I'm more than ready!"

Kirara purred and bumped her little wet nose against Izayoi's cheek affectionately at her answer, and Koneko's smile widened.

"Very well, then, Izayoi-sama, come, sit here on one of the futons. You might get a little dizzy for a moment, but it will pass quickly." She took Izayoi by the hand and escorted her to the closest bed as the others all watched on curiously. Once she was settled she nodded her acquiescence, and Koneko inclined her head in return. "Okay. Izayoi-sama, hold tightly to my hand," she instructed, before holding out one hand to Izayoi, which looked much like elongated cat paws, and then her other to Kirara, who placed her paw almost imperiously on Koneko's, and then said, "I will be using my aura to facilitate your own aura's merger, so simply close your eyes and relax, and I will do the rest."

Once both sets of eyes were closed, Koneko nodded with satisfaction and then closed her own eyes. To those in the room with them, it seemed as though nothing were happening for several long seconds – and then they felt it. Slowly, little by little, that healing, restful aura that was always discernible as Koneko's was rising, but as it did it pulled Kirara's and Izayoi's with it. The two, with Koneko's in between began to become visible, and as the group watched on, fascinated, the swirling auras belonging to Kirara and Izayoi began reaching for each other, tendrils moving swiftly towards each other and beginning to entwine much more rapidly than anyone had expected – including Koneko.

Within moments she'd relaxed and withdrawn her aura; opening her eyes, she looked in curiosity at the two. She studied them for a few seconds, and then said, "Well, that went easier than I had thought it would. I've never seen two aura's so eager to bond in this manner before."

Touga approached with a frown beginning to draw his brows down. "Why are they still like that?" he asked, obviously concerned.

"They are talking, I imagine. They seemed almost frantic to become bonded, and their auras-" she eyed the fading remnants with interest, "-are bonded tighter than I've ever seen before. The only tighter bond is her bond with you. It was almost like they felt incomplete without each other and now they are clutching at each other as though they were drowning and only now that they are together can they breathe."

Not surprised at all Touga watched the two for some minutes, staying quiet until he caught the scent of Izayoi's tears – and then he was there, wiping her tears and rumbling a soothing cadence in his chest. He looked at Koneko with concern when Izayoi didn't respond other than to slump against him and continue to cry, Kirara still curled around her neck where she'd almost crawled during the binding.

"Look at Kirara," Koneko murmured. "She is in the same state. I must say, I'm glad that you brought them here to do this – I think they need each other. They each heal something that was... broken... in the other. Just give them a few more moments," she encouraged as he nodded and continued to hold his wife and soothe her tears.

Izayoi could hear them talking vaguely, though she wasn't paying any real attention – she was too busy wrapping herself in the comforting presence that was suddenly there in her mind – and offering that same comfort that it was suddenly easy to see that Kirara needed, as well. 'I'm so glad I can hear you now, Kirara,' she almost sobbed, having already taken in the firecat's own explanations of what had happened to her after Kagome's disappearance into the Meidou, and the confusion and loneliness she'd lived with all the years that she'd waited to see her again after the kami had spoken to her and then delivered her here, two hundred years earlier than the time she'd started in. And Izayoi understood that confusion and loneliness, because she'd felt the same way since her memories had begun to return. She couldn't miss the fact, however, that Kirara had lived with this for much longer than she had.

'My Kagome,' Kirara purred. 'It has been a long wait but that is over, and we will never be parted again.'

Kagome burst out into guilty tears as she looked at her feline companions form in her mind's eye. 'I'm so sorry I failed you all before... it must have been terrible, missing Sango and Kohaku and knowing that you'd been thrown into a time far before they were even born. I'm so, so sorry. So sorry you were all alone.'

'What the kami have asked of you is a great and terrible task, a burden that no living being should have been given. I don't blame you for what happened,' she soothed, purring louder and rubbing against Kagome's cheek. 'I am just glad to see you, and know that I'm not alone any longer. Please, do not cry any more, my Kagome. Touga-sama is getting most upset at your tears, you know,' she pointed out with a smile evident in her mind-voice, and Kagome reluctantly giggled, sniffling and trying to calm her guilt – and her tears.

'We wouldn't want that, now would we?' she replied ruefully, thinking back to the thorn she'd gotten in her foot the day after her wedding – and Touga's completely out-of-control reaction to her 'injury'. Kirara purred in answering amusement at that mental vision and with that, both opened their eyes and focused on the outside world once again.

Taking her own weight back onto her feet Izayoi looked up at her husband and smiled weakly in answer to his questioning look. "I'm fine, Touga. It was just..." her voice faded, unable to really put into words what this meant to her.

She was pleased when her husband placed a finger over her lips and said, "You do not need to explain. Your aura feels so much happier – stronger, as though a part of you was missing and has now been found. I am more pleased than I can say that you both have been restored to each other."

She held his gaze for a moment and then nodded before stepping back and looking over at Koneko, who had moved back and was watching she and Kirara with an appraising look in sharp eyes. "Thank you, Koneko-san, for what you've done. I can never thank you enough that you've allowed me to hear Kirara and understand her."

"There are no thanks necessary, Izayoi-sama," she returned with a bow. "But I think it is time for you to go – the bell for the mid-day meal will ring at any moment," she said, flashing a glance at Touga as she did, who nodded.

"Hai, that is so. You have my thanks also, Koneko-san." He looked over at Kenji, who'd watched everything avidly though he'd remained silent, and motioned for him to follow. "Come. I am hungry, and after the meal there is yet more to be done."

'Typical dog. Always in a rush. It would have been a lot nicer around here if you were a cat,' Kirara said, languidly blinking as she settled back into Izayoi's arms and began purring to herself, her eyes closing as she decided a nice snooze while they walked to the dining rooms was in order. She ignored Touga's sputter and Kagome's muffled giggle with the sort of grand indifference that only a cat could truly pull off.

Oh, yes, I'm so glad to be with you, Kirara. I finally feel like I can breathe again...

I finally feel like myself again.

Like Kagome.

~oOo~

Izayoi hadn't realized how much she had been drooping until after the meal – when the food managed to give her a boost. She felt much better afterward, but couldn't figure out why she had been so drained. After all, she hadn't been that busy that morning – she'd had busier days. But then as she thought about it she realized that it was probably due to the fact that walking anywhere in the citadel took forever.

Sure, she was used to marches and could go on for some time – but that was not normally an everyday thing, and here, she'd had two very long days already on top of all the walking around. Physically, emotionally, and mentally much had happened in these last two days since she'd arrived in her new home, and she hadn't really had that much rest last night.

Setting her chopsticks aside, finally feeling replete, she sat back and glanced at her husband, once more ignoring the glaring of Sesshoumaru, though she wondered at the feeling of almost... excitement... that was swirling in his agitated aura. He's up to something, she thought, looking down at the table so as not to give away her knowledge to him. Or he knows something that he thinks I will not like. But what?

She was pulled from her thoughts by his voice speaking coolly to his father.

"... received notice that mother is coming to stay for the duration of the war. She will be arriving momentarily."

Oh. She scowled inwardly at the acid look the male sent her way. Wonderful. His mother. Who will probably hate me on sight, just like he did. I wonder if she's where he got his hatred of humans from? And... a surge of jealousy caught her by surprise... it had never occurred to her before, either in this life, or as Kagome, to wonder about Sesshoumaru's mother – and what she looked like. Most of the time, Izayoi just didn't care about such things. But as she'd come to find out, jealousy was a very powerful emotion and the fact that she was about to meet a female that Touga had at one time bedded was enough to trigger that dark feeling in her. With all her might she pushed it aside and managed to look up at her husband as he addressed her... without green eyes.

"Yes?"

Touga narrowed his gaze on her for just a moment; it was obvious she'd been preoccupied with unpleasant thoughts there for a moment and had not heard his first call. He wondered just what had sent that feeling of uneasiness through their bond.

"We must go," he said softly. "There are protocols; as mother to the Heir to the West Satori commands a certain respect, and her arrival is to be greeted by myself and Sesshoumaru – and you as well, as the Lady of my House."

Inwardly flushing even greener, she just managed by herculean effort not to show anything; Sesshoumaru was watching her closely from the other side of his sire and she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction she knew he was hoping for by some sign of upset from her. She inclined her head with all the regal grace she carried in her Setsuna blood and stood as her husband did – with an inward smirk at the slight growl of irritation that managed to escape Sesshoumaru when she didn't react as he'd hoped. He'd never shown so much emotion when she'd known him as Kagome, though there had been some, but he'd been two hundred years older then and in much better command of his feelings. He was still, after all, a rather young male in this time.

Barely paying attention to the trip to the front entrance of the palace she concentrated instead on tightening her own control, forcing her anger at Sesshoumaru and her extreme jealousy of his mother back down into their cages. She felt badly for feeling so about a female she'd never even met, but it was natural, she knew – she'd learned that lesson the hard way with Kikyou and Inuyasha. As for her anger at Sesshoumaru... that was also natural and she didn't berate herself for it too harshly – after all, while she was angry at him it was justifiably so, and she didn't hate him so there was no true darkness there.

She raised her eyes to the sky as they stepped out the open doors, the light breeze sweeping her ebony locks around her in a beautiful display as her kimono also flared just a bit around her, and that was how the mother to the heir to the West caught her first sight of the new Western Lady – with her tiny, graceful figure being lovingly caressed and perfectly framed by the winds that were normally capricious and disagreeable, forcing a person into disarray at the worst possible time.

Both female's eyes locked on to each other and there was an almost eerie silence, the breeze dying away as Satori came to rest on the ground; no one said a word as the two took each other in, though Izayoi could almost feel a fierce gloating from Sesshoumaru.

Satori was frankly surprised. She hadn't expected... this. She'd known the female Touga had chosen to wed would have power – with Touga, there was no doubt on that score because of the way things were with Ryukotsussei. And she'd known she would have at least some proper bearing, after all, the male had quite demanding tastes and would not put up with an uncouth wife. But she hadn't expected a human female that was as beautiful as any youkai female. It was not an attempt to be prejudiced on her part – it was just a fact: Youkai, male and female both were normally more beautiful in their human forms than humans were. Their beauty was a product of their flawlessness, as inhuman as their power was. But Izayoi was no less beautiful than any youkai Satori had ever seen... and it was clear that she was royalty, priestess or no; her bearing was completely regal, elegant and graceful no less than she, herself, despite her tiny stature. A Hime, she most certainly was.

This was not a woman that would ever be overlooked.

She was... intrigued.

For her part, Izayoi was feeling even greener. Despite the fact that she was always being told she was beautiful, she didn't see it. Like most other humans she was her own worst critic, and she didn't feel as beautiful or as graceful or elegant as the female she was now facing. Frankly, she felt like dirt right about then as she was confronted by the truth of Sesshoumaru's mother.

How could he not have been completely bowled over by her? She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen – at least, in the female gender. She sighed inwardly and slumped – inside, never outwardly where anyone could see – now the jealousy was even worse. But there was nothing for it; jealous or not Izayoi was not who she was in this life for nothing, and bearing was everything. Her father had been a loving, encouraging parent – but he was very conscious of his family's name and honor, and his children were raised with the knowledge of who they were and how they were expected to portray themselves to others. Her comportment was everything it should be in that moment – even her father would have been proud.

Just as she was about to step forward and welcome the female to the Citadel, which was now her duty, a swirl of strong youki surrounded the group on the steps and two beings set down amongst those already there.

It was apparent that the timing was contrived when Izayoi realized who it was that had landed there; Masao, Satori's love, and a female that it was quite obvious was his despised wife. She studied the female with curious eyes and could see what Touga was speaking of – the female looked spoiled and petulant, vicious and miserable in her life; it was clear that petulance and viciousness was so ingrained in her that she was miserable in her very person.

When she caught sight of Satori standing there amongst the others, her eyes narrowed hatefully, but before she could say anything Masao moved to bow to Touga and she, herself, after casting an enigmatic glance at the female he loved yet was unable to have.

"My Lord, my Lady," he said rigidly, bowing respectfully, obviously trying very hard to keep from gutting his own wife; it was clear that he was horribly unhappy with her. Izayoi felt terribly, terribly sorry for him in that moment as the spoiled female he was tied so unwillingly to narrowed her eyes as her gaze drifted to her and she took in what her husband had called she, herself. Lady.

"Masao," Touga replied in recognition, the undercurrents on the steps becoming quite strong as they swirled in the charged air; he narrowed his own eyes on the male's wife as she glared at Izayoi.

"Wench, bow to your betters and then move aside for those of more importance than you," he said coldly, sounding icier than Sesshoumaru ever could in that moment.

"Betters?!" she hissed angrily, hatred oozing from her even in the face of Touga's warning tone. It was clear that she was barely holding herself under control, and Izayoi couldn't help but wonder what had set her off. "You would have me bow to a mere human drudge dressed up in borrowed finery as though that could hide the truth of her disgusting origins and make her seem as though she were of any importance?! Never!" Before Izayoi could even blink, a wave of darkened youki flared out from the female towards her, and without thinking she reacted to the threat even as shouts and snarls and growls broke out around her; she counter-attacked, a wave of purifying energy meeting the youki of the female and overpowering it – leaving nothing behind but a pink shimmer that slowly faded in the clear air.

"Do not do that again," she snapped, beginning to get irritated. As if there wasn't enough going on, she had yet another snooty bitch carrying on about her humanity. This was getting really old. "I am not some defenseless person to be intimidated by the likes of you."

For some reason, the female seemed to be almost out-of-control in that moment as she did not heed her warning, or the rising youki of Touga and the others as she instantly attacked, claws out and eyes reddening in her lust for blood. It was as if she had gone mad. She would not be stopped by anything less than lethal force, and as Izayoi looked to Touga, uncertain what he would have her do in those endless seeming seconds before the attack struck home - what the protocol for something like this was - she quickly realized that he expected her to take care of the problem – permanently. The female was challenging her, and in a place that was dominated by predator youkai and run by instinct, this was her fight. With no choice, angry that this female had put her in a place where she'd be forced to use lethal force she gathered herself and responded to the threat, a wave of reiki bursting forth from her and sweeping over the enraged female with devastating finality.

As the female – she hadn't even learned her name – was engulfed, her red eyes faded as her body was overwhelmed and began to disintegrate, and widened in shocked pain with the realization that she would never be able to survive this blow. Izayoi was stunned to see, in those seconds before the female faded away, that she almost seemed to welcome death in that last moment, her expression becoming peaceful for what Izayoi was almost certain was the first time in her life. Highly upset, her expression set, Izayoi bore witness to the female's death at her hands and cried inside at what she'd been forced to do.

She hated it.

And she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt as she glanced surreptitiously around at the youkai all standing around her with red eyes and heightened auras, that she would be forced into this same situation many, many more times. In that moment, all she wanted to do was find her room and throw herself on the bed and cry.

But she could not and she knew it, and as life came back to the frozen tableau on the steps, she drew the mantle of cool hauteur that she'd spent years learning to wear up around herself, knowing that she could not show any such emotions – it would be considered weakness to all those around her. She turned to Masao, and like nothing had even happened, returned his earlier greeting.

"Masao-san," she replied coolly, inclining her head in acceptance of his greeting.

A sudden chuckle sounded then, and everyone turned to look at Satori. She appeared absolutely thrilled with what had just occurred and with a flash of insight Izayoi realized what she'd just done – she'd freed the two star-crossed lovers to finally be together. Without Satori having to lift a finger and bring down the enmity of the female's family by having gotten rid of her herself, the problem was eliminated, and Izayoi was struck by that knowledge as Masao stepped back into her field of view by moving closer to the female inuyoukai with a wide smile of happiness at so suddenly regaining his freedom. It left her feeling so conflicted – she'd brought happiness to several beings by taking a life. It was a terrible realization to make.

"For so long I have waited, pondered, planned and plotted on the best way to be rid of that heinous bitch without causing a war between clans – and in an instant you have taken care of the problem for me." Satori's eyes were gleaming with pleasure. "I tried for so many years to bait the bitch into attacking me so I would be justified in doing what you just did – but she wouldn't, knowing that she kept Masao and I from happiness by ignoring my slights. I think that you are my new favorite person, Izayoi-sama-" with a sultry glance at Masao, she finished, "-in fact, I think you will be my most favorite person of all time. We will be great friends, you and I."

Blinking in surprise, she didn't miss Sesshoumaru's consternation at his mother's words. It was clear in that moment that he'd been hoping that his mother would be an ally in his campaign against the female he so despised, and now with her throwing her support behind Izayoi, instead, she had effectively yanked the rug from beneath his feet.

Satori picked up on her son's discontent, even as Touga began to relax beside Izayoi in the knowledge that the two would get along.

"What is wrong, my son?" she asked archly, a knowing look on her face. "Does her humanity offend you? Really, Sesshoumaru - I thought you had gotten past that unseemly dislike already."

"How can you stand to submit to a mere human?" he hissed angrily, a confused light in his eyes that no one there could mistake for anything else.

She laughed again, tapping his arm with her fan almost condescendingly. "Come, little koinu – have you not learned yet that no matter how powerful you are, there is always someone stronger – or above you in status - that you will have to submit to, or show respect to? Amaterasu-kami-sama is the only one that doesn't have to submit to anyone, and you are not her. Even as Western Lord - when the time comes - you will still have to submit to fate, the kami, certain circumstances – and death as well, eventually."

Sesshoumaru snarled at his mother as she called him puppy and she snapped her fan against his hand at that, her eyes hardening. "You will also submit to me, Sesshoumaru. I am your mother and still far stronger than you. Do not tempt my anger."

Izayoi almost wanted to laugh at the look in the male's eyes as he turned and left the steps angrily, but something inside wouldn't let her, and for a moment she actually felt sorry for him. He was obviously at a place where he had some hard lessons to learn, and that was never an easy thing. Hopefully he would learn them and become a better being for having done so.

Dismissing him from her mind for the moment she turned her attention back to Satori and inclined her head with a small smile that she hoped no one realized was mostly forced. "Satori-sama. It is a pleasure to meet you. Please, be welcome in the palace," she mouthed the ritual greeting – that had been interrupted earlier - by rote, having practiced these things for so long that she could probably do them in her sleep. The female inuyoukai completed the ritual of welcoming with her acceptance, and the party began to move back into the palace, leaving the entrance once more bare and empty of life.

But Izayoi couldn't help but feel the chill of a life lost in such a random manner – so suddenly and with so little meaning – even though the youkai with her did not seem to care. Kirara, who had jumped down from her shoulder when they had first arrived on the palace portico to sit by her side as was proper purred comfortingly at her friend from her spot in her arms where she had once more alighted, understanding her upset better than any other there, even Touga.

After all, only Kirara knew the true Kagome – the one who abhorred taking life for any reason, though she'd proven she could if she was forced to do so.

But it always cost her something when she did it, and the firecat was the only one left that knew this.

And though it was in some ways cold comfort to Kagome for the life she'd just taken, as was the fact that said death had taken three miserable people and left at least two of them finally able to find happiness, it was the only comfort she could find and so she clung to it, clutching Kirara tighter to her chest as her fingers whitened with tension and upset.

Still, she kept her bearing, and no one really knew just how badly she wanted to cry.

Not even Touga.

~oOo~

A/N: I almost left a cliffie just before Masao and his wife landed, with Satori and Kagome staring at each other, but then I decided... no, I'd be nice. Especially as I'm not able to keep to my schedule anymore. But expect cliffie's, especially in this second part of the three, because there will be a lot of battle action to come, and those kinds of chapters tend to lend themselves to cliffhangers.

Amber

*Chiharu-Thousand springs

*Koneko-kitten.

*Aika-love song

Edited 12/19/13