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They walked through the woods at night, the white moon dappling the forest around them. They avoided the main roads, alert for any signs of danger from bandits and warlords.
Sesshomaru ignored the children's chatter. He walked alongside Kagome and Shippo who talked about past adventures, and Kagome found herself optimistic, because if they could have defeated someone as sinister and cruel as Naraku, then it was believable that they could win this war.
There were moments when Sesshomaru felt saddened by the fate that the kamis had entrusted to him, the way in which Kagome was trying to keep her emotions in check when the truth of the matter was that she was caving in on the inside.
Bokusenõ's warnings had unsettled her, and just looking at her now, the way in which she smiled as carefree as a child as she remembered her adolescent adventures, he admired her even more.
He wondered again as to what he would do in a future time to hurt and subsequently drive her away from his arms and life, and yet again that answer eluded him. Because no matter what he thought on the subject, nothing his mind could conjure up would make him cause her pain. That feat was an impossibility for him; because the woman was his heart and his life.
They made camp on the banks of the Sumida River that night; in the morning an hour's walk would take them into the town of Okutama, there they would make their first bid in the hopes of changing not only the mind-set of children, but adults, the town leaders and even the holy ones in their fight for co-existence, rather than an all-out war that would cause insurmountable grief and losses on both sides.
Kagome slept with the children, Sesshomaru and Shippo kept watch. He couldn't help but to be pleased by the fox demon's maturity and sense of self-worth in a time when their very existence was in question, as their race was faced with impending annihilation if they failed to make a dent in the outcome.
Kagome had done a good job raising him, and the added compassion and air of likability about him would do wonders in their cause. Lord Shun had relayed to him through Shippo that he would provide them with extra security in the form of special youkai guards, who would move silently within the shadows unseen.
He had sensed their presence from around mid-afternoon, the pulse of youki he'd sent out previously in warning was returned in friendship and he had been satisfied.
At dawn they headed inland from the banks of the river to the medium sized town of Okutama. The children were silent except for Yuki who had become irritable because once again she was placed into the carriage; she wanted to walk with the older children.
Kagome tried to calm her down by walking beside the wagon so that she could see her, it worked, and Yuki crawled to the entrance and grabbed unto her mother's hand and quieted.
The palace of the caretaker of the town who was appointed by the current daimyo, who were themselves subordinates to the shogun, was a large compound consisting of his home, guards and guardhouses set away from the villager's humble abode.
It was excess in a time of little resources. Kagome, Shippo and Sesshomaru prepared themselves to converse with the lord of the house. The children stayed behind in the forest on the outskirts of the town under the watchful protection of twelve unseen youkai body guards, and the very cunning nurse.
As the group approached the entrance Sesshomaru turned to Kagome and addressed her.
"Wait here."
She nodded her reply of yes to him and then he looked away turning his attentions on his other companion.
He nodded to Shippo and then the two of them proceeded around opposite sides of the high walled compound.
"Where are you going?" Kagome asked after he'd made it to the first bend of the walled building.
Sesshomaru stopped, turned around and gave her a dry look.
"We won't be long," he answered and continued in the direction going around the right side of the building.
"Mmmph," she sighed and waited, because what else could she do at the moment, she would just have to trust him?
Both demons levitated when they were out of sight peering down into the courtyard, guards were placed along the perimeter of the fence for security reasons, so using stealth was out of the question, and barging in unannounced would give the impression of hostility and they did not desire such an outcome.
The group re-joined Kagome nearest to the entrance of the building. She looked at them knowingly and asked.
"I take it that you are both ready to ask for permission to speak with the steward?" She said and arched her brows.
Shippo lips curled in amusement. "Yes," he answered momentarily, while Sesshomaru remained silent as he contemplated on the possible outcomes of the impending meeting. His mate watched him quietly as she too considered on some things.
Kagome had seen into the depths of her mate's soul long before now. The way in which he'd swallowed his pride as a high born youkai lord to save his species; and as he stood silent with his beautiful visage and quiet dignity she knew that this was not going to be easy for him, but on the other hand she was contended because she knew that he would keep his word to try.
He loved her and his children far too much to let an ignoble gesture as to seek council with a human warlord deter him. Taking his hand she gave it a gentle caress and spoke.
"Let me seek council with the lord of the house. These are superstitious and terrible times, and I am sure that he won't object seeing as I am a priestess."
The decision was hers to appear as a priestess dressed in traditional miko garbs of white top and red hakamas. Priests and priestesses were revered and well respected in this time period. So that choice was taken so as to open doors that might have stayed closed otherwise.
Kagome was very beautiful like Kikyo, but unlike her in so many ways, while Kikyo's hair was straight, hers was thick and wavy. It had grown longer down to her waist and even then it was still lustrous and full. She had the front pinned in a loose bun on top, and the back unbound and shimmered in natural waves down her spine.
The only make up that she wore was the coal eyeliner on her lids; it made the blues stand out more prominently in her eyes. And while her counterpart was reserved, Kagome was not, she was free and giving of her time and compassion to all that would need it.
The knock on the wide gate was loud as the heavy brass handles were utilized to show that someone was requesting an audience. It wasn't long before rustling was heard on the inside and someone most likely a guard shouted.
"Go away our lord has no more time to listen to your petty squabbles."
His voice died down after that but they could still hear as he laughed among his men and chided.
"Those villagers are always at each other's throat, fighting and sniping at one another and then expect the master to solve all their petty foolishness."
Kagome mouth opened and formed an 'OH' in sudden understanding, and then quickly she responded.
"Sir I am not from the village, I am a priestess and I am requesting an audience with the lord of the house along with my companions."
A long silence followed after that, so that Kagome had started to think that she was being ignored, however, the creaking of the heavy and wide gate opening nullified those negative thoughts. She took deep breaths as the gate opened while her companions were like statues; they knew that the reaction she would receive would be the total opposite of theirs.
The creaking stopped and the guard looked at her thoughtfully, Sesshomaru and Shippo remained on either sides but far enough that they were not seen by the guard who had opened the gate.
As the seconds ticked off in her mind the guard was joined by several others who gazed at her silently, wondering what such a beautiful woman and a priestess to their dismay was doing out here all alone?
The first guard was young maybe in his early twenties spoke again with a gruff tone.
"The lord will see you; he has a matter that requires your skills as well."
Kagome bowed and replied. "Thank you," and then flicked her gaze to the left and right of her. Sesshomaru and Shippo moved closer and came into the line of sight of the soldiers.
"DEMONS!"
The soldiers roared raising an alarm and becoming battle ready as they prepared for an attack.
"NO!" Kagome shouted as the courtyard burst with adrenalin filled soldiers.
"Please listen," she begged, "We are not here for violence, he is my husband and this is my son, he is not of my flesh but I raised him from he was a child."
Sesshomaru did not draw swords but his jaw clenched with rage, although it served another purpose and calmed him. He couldn't bear to hear the pleading in his mate's voice as she tried assuaging the violence of the human soldiers against them. But he thought in resigned acceptance that he had decided a long time ago, to see this through until the very end peacefully.
The human lord looked down stairs from an upper chamber and gave a hand gesture, the noise quieted and he spoke.
"Priestess how dare you bring demons among our midst?"
Kagome and the others could hear the scorn in his voice, something that he wasn't trying to hide.
Softly and with a sigh she responded. "My lord we mean you and your house no harm. We are only here to discuss something very important…And I would appreciate it very much if you would consider."
He did not reply immediately, but he whispered something to one of his generals who left the balcony immediately, the next time he was seen was when he made his way towards them.
The general spoke petulantly as they came face to face; he was short in stature with thick red lips and a scar which ran from his left eye to the corner of his mouth. They were of equal height and as he spoke Kagome saw that he had tobacco stained teeth.
"The lord will see you if your companions remove their weapons and placed them in the care of my men."
Kagome turned to Sesshomaru who by his cold glare would suggest that he wasn't keen on the idea. She sighed and pleaded with him silently. And in due time he removed Bakusaiga and Tensaiga from his hips and handed them to the general.
He took them and marvelled at their weight, and the cold chill that ran up his spine by touching the first one astounded him. The other sword had a pure energy emanating from it.
He was once a priest with limited holy prowess, but he had enough that he could feel and sense auras. The pale demon was strong and powerful, and by the markings on his face he was of noble birth and possibly a prince or a lord. They had to be careful he thought as he moved away to tell the lord of his findings.
Shippo had only a slender looking blade that paled in comparison to Sesshomaru's own; regardless he took it from his waist and passed it to the soldier. It seems as if the soldiers were more comfortable after the weapons were retrieved, because they were gestures for them to enter the compound after that.
Stone steps led to an interior lobby where Sesshomaru and Shippo were asked to wait; however, Kagome was instructed to follow the general with obvious disapproval from her mate as he had a deep frown on his face. Kagome ignored it and followed the general upstairs.
The room she entered was one of a dozen set in a row along the grey, bare upstairs corridor. The general unlocked the door and ushered her in. The room was small and drab, it reminded her of an office with wooden floors a battered desk and two chairs, the lord sat behind the desk and perused her form, his eyes were of a hazel tone and they were warm. Kagome looked around the room bored while she waited on the lord to say something.
In the large, dark lobby downstairs Sesshomaru and Shippo were surrounded by armed soldiers looking at them suspiciously. None of the human soldiers tried to make conversation, and the pair remained still patiently waiting on Kagome.
The lord sat there looking at her while the general remained standing in the far corner of the room. Kagome gulped as the quietness and stares were unnerving. She forced a smile and was ready to say something when the lord spoke.
"Why have you brought demons to my house?"
She turned away and looked around the room once more, buying some time before she answered. The wrong answer could destroy everything.
"My lord forgive me," she began quietly. "But I meant no disrespect. I am a woman who is tied to the fair demon downstairs as a female is bound to her husband, and the other is one that I have raised from he was a small child. We are my family and I travel with them as any other family would."
The lord continued to gaze at her as he listened to her kind voice and considered her words, he was a man that had learned to judge people's characters on the spot, it was a trait that had served its purposes and had protected him from traitors. He found no lies or deception in the woman, and she had a certain innocent charm about her that was appealing in a non-sexual kind of way.
"Say I believe you, what is your request?" he asked guardedly.
In the dim light of the room she saw as he ran his hand along his beard while his gaze never left her face. He was a handsome man with intelligent eyes and a little bulk around the middle, and Kagome couldn't help but to like him.
"My lord it is mine and my family's wish to stay in this town for an extended time, to show people what we have to offer. It is my hope to see what happened here today when your soldiers saw my companions never to occur again. We have children and I desire like any other parent to see them happy without fear and discrimination."
Kagome told him what was on her mind without letting him know anything about the future. It was for the best she decided.
He thought about her expressed wishes and couldn't see anything wrong with the desires in her heart; and although what she was requesting did not affect him personally, he thought that she was a little naïve, demons and humans could not live together in peace, there were too many unknowns, and fear and hatred were prevalent among them.
Regardless, he responded. "My second wife is ill, if you can heal her then you and your family can stay in this town as long as you like with my protection."
The smile that lit her face and her heart felt like heaven, Kagome stood up eagerly and answered.
"Thank you, where is your wife?"
Later in the night when the ordeal was done and over, and they were settled in a large three bedroom home just outside the main village courtesy of the kind lord, Kagome reflected on the day.
The young wife of the lord who was fifteen and pregnant, loved eating oranges and had severe heartburns from the acidic nature of the fruit and stress from the pregnancy. That was her initial diagnosis and she had been right.
With vast knowledge on teas and herbal remedies Kagome procured from the kitchen staff some pine nut oil. In less than an hour after the pine oil was ingested the lady was free of the severe heartburn and fell asleep. Kagome stayed with her until she awoke and spoke to her about taking better care of herself while pregnant.
A door had open for them and they would make it count. Setting up a school would be easy enough, healing and helping the sick a joy because it was in her nature. Shippo and the children would perform their magical acts for the town to see, demonstrating that while they were different they could still enjoy the same things.
And in time some of the inter species families could take up residence in the towns and cities that they had visited, and were successful in imparting tolerance and a different mind-set without fear. The love and devotion shared between her and Sesshomaru would surely cause people from either side to see that love can transcend all boundaries.