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They'd driven close to the capital and saw firsthand the aftermath of war, the ruined buildings, smoke that rose high in the air casting a dark curtain over the city whenever a heavy breeze passed over. Dead, mangled bodies were gathered as soldiers and men worked side by side to restore what was lost. They also took preventative measures by burning the corpses in the hope of eliminating any threat of an outbreak of disease.

The smell of burning flesh caused her to sneeze at the heady and offensive odor that burned her nose and throat. "Faster," she shouted to the driver of the carriage as she stuck her head through the side window.

The need to get away quickly from the disturbing sight and rising vapors were pressing. She could only imagine what the others were enduring with their sensitive noses if the stench was so troubling to her; although Akiyoshi merely turned his head as he rested it on her lap.

The air had cooled by the time they'd left the city and was fast approaching the lord's residence. The scenic route with the rolling hills was calming on the nerves just as much as the apple and cherry trees stretched ahead of her as far as the eyes could see. Instantly she thought of springtime and the overwhelming scent of cherry blossoms.

It would have been magnificent if Yuki could have seen this, she thought, as the four carriages came to a halt at the end of the long driveway to the palace where they would disembark. The unpolluted air was filled with the fragrance of pine, apple and cherry blossoms, the pretty white and pink blossoms. The freshly green leaves and pine needles would have been a marvelous sight. She sighed with the thought feeling hurt and angry that her daughter would never again experience such wondrous images.

Even with the gloom that surrounded the west, and the loss of her daughter Kagome couldn't help but to be mindful of the naturally beautiful surroundings. The sun was high in the sky shadowed by thick billowy clouds, and a mild breeze that was cooling to the touch.

She thought of her family's shrine then, the lazy summer days that she and her mother would pick apples and make applesauce, the tartness of the cherry and strawberry pies that they would make and eat would oftentimes make her cringe. So much had changed since then; she was not a carefree school girl anymore.

The imperial guards dressed in red hakamas, royal blue yukata with cream colored tunics dappled with the west insignia of a red and white flower escorted them to the palace doors. To the left and right of them were majestic green manicured lawns, littered with oak, banyan, cherry and pine trees, various flowering plants and other trees giving the place a feel of paradise.

There were also intricately designed water fountains of small heavenly beings pouring water, attracting small birds that flitted and played enjoying a drink or a bath. A large man made pond did not escape her curiosity as she could hear splashing, it made her pause wanting to take a look, but the figure standing in the doorway just ahead stilled her movements.

As Sesshomaru took a step then another quietly approaching, Kagome took in what he was wearing. She had never seen him dressed like that before but it suited him, he looked like a king. He was wearing matching colors of brownish-red hakamas and yukata, a beige robe over it with openings in the sides for ease of movement, and to finish it off a golden sash tied around his waist.

Dressed this way he was even more beautiful and impressive, the outfit snug showed off his strong shoulders, lean upper torso and powerful legs to good effect. She also noticed that his hair was braided in one long ponytail down his back and secured at the end with a ribbon.

They all stopped and stared while the soldiers bowed lowly to their lord. Inuyasha inclined his head slightly then left. In time the royal guards also left for their own quarters. Kagome did not know how to approach her mate now; they had parted on such bad terms, and the fact that he looked so changed, so aloof dressed as ruler of this region only added to the distress.

The clean fresh pine scent of his natural perfume drifted to her when he stepped close enough and rested an arm on her shoulder as he addressed her. "Kagome are you well?" he asked, not really expecting an answer, because he knew as well and could see that she was barely holding it together. She was trying to be brave in spite of the tragic circumstances.

Momentarily, she nodded to him, remembering that she'd promised Yuki not to blame him for her death. Stiffening her spine and pretending that she was alright she stepped away from her mate and gestured to the children with a flick of the wrist to go to him.

He greeted his children as he normally did with a hug even though they were not small children anymore, the girls held on to him for much longer and cried. However, the youngest of the brood Aiko did not want to let go, he understood the emotions she displayed as she cried for her sister. He too was distraught and hurting for their loss, and when Aiko closed her hand around his neck and sobbed harder he held her tighter while closing his eyes.

Kagome looked away from the tear jerking sight and sighed deeply, mindful of the fact that they all had to get through the death, saying goodbye and burying Yuki. Could she hang on to her resolve until then? she asked herself knowing that it would be the toughest obstacle to date in her life that she would have to overcome.

Thinking of her daughter and the way Inuyasha explained how she came to such a miserable end left her feeling empty, and only the thought of revenge, getting even and killing that wicked and disgusting bitch brought her any solace.

Her emotions of revenge against lady Harumi drew her into unfathomable danger, she was a priestess and her purity could be shadowed by darkness if left unchecked. Already Sesshomaru was disengaging from his daughter and looking at Kagome, as he could feel the darkness slipping in with her spirituality. It was the second time in two days that he'd felt such sensations coming from her, and he knew of only one thing that could cause such an occurrence.

Tears were streaming down her face as he took her hand and led her inside; she was pliant and did not object as he tugged her along and the children followed after them. Sesshomaru took Kagome to a room on the first floor of the two story palace, there Yuki laid on a bed in a white chemise and a daisy flower crown around her head. Kagome gasped aloud remembering her dream; Yuki had come to see her as she was right now.

The family gathered around the body, and in time each one of them said something in remembrance of her while touching her cheek. They still cried, and now it was Kagome's turn, she knelt by her daughter's bedside and kissed her cheek.

"I love you," she said. "We already said our goodbyes, and I swear to you that I will avenge you."

She kissed her cheeks one last time, turned and left, leaving everyone stunned by the violent display of her emotions.

Later in the evening after the children were settled, Sesshomaru found Kagome out in the gardens sitting on the side of the fish pond, running a hand idly through the water making it ripple. He watched her for awhile without disturbing her.

The sound of quiet footsteps ended his stare and now his eyes were focused on Inuyasha, who had just returned from a cursory circle of the area. He was in a better mood as he smiled fleetingly at his brother. Sesshomaru nodded to him and then he walked away.

Once again his mind was centered on his mate. He knew what she was thinking as he quietly came to sit beside her. Despite her aversion to violence ke knew that she was caught up in thoughts of vengeance. She didn't look at him as he sat; only continuing to drag her hand slowly through the water keeping the fishes at a distance.

"Mate, maybe it is best if I were to be the one to punish my dam," he got her attentions now as big blue eyes landed on him and flashed angrily.

He was taken aback by the fierce scrutiny of her gaze, his eyes widened at the impending storm of her rigid form. She looked from his face and back to the water multiple times, trying and failing to keep her cool before getting up and responding. She was barely a head taller than him as she stood and he remained sitting.

She dipped her head, now he could see that her eyes were red at the edges from all the crying that she'd done earlier, he felt his jaw tightened but said nothing as he waited. Kagome studied him intently for a few more moments then began.

"Your mother has done everything in her power to destroy me, to destroy us…And she almost succeeded when she killed our child."

Kagome paused at this point as the tears could not be contained once again.

Sesshomaru stood quickly and held her as she wept bitterly into his robes soaking it, her small frame shaking as he molded his body with hers and kissed her head. He wanted to take the pain away, but unfortunately only time would be able to do so. He felt miserable and helpless as Kagome cried, and his errant thoughts recollected a time when she had lost their first child and had pushed him aside.

The memory was still bitter enough even though so many years had gone by; it left a sour taste in his mouth which had him clenching his jaw in anger. He was struck by the onslaught of emotions that overcame him just now and his hands shook a little causing him to hold her more firmly.

After sometime had elapsed she glanced up at him with a wandering smile, almost as if she had already forgotten that she'd been crying only moments ago. Her eyes were too placid, too sorrowful and dark all at the same time. He was sad to see this, but he of all people could feel the turmoil in her heart and understood it clearly.

He wasn't angry at her, although the situation was a little bit frightening, because it meant that Kagome could lose herself to the dark desires in her heart wanting revenge. She was a pure soul, one that had lived through many hardships and had been the victim of his mother's hatred, and he fears that those injustices could culminate in an unsightly change in his mate.

He took another careful look at Kagome to see if the unwanted emotions had cleared from her eyes and demeanor, but to his dismay there they remained. As he continued to look at his mate she turned her head away and wriggled free from his arms. Saying what she wanted would be easiest if she did not have to look at him.

With her back turned to him she told him what was on her mind as she could not face him seeing the disappointment in his eyes as he gazed at her.

"Do not try to sway me; I will pay your mother back for all that she has done to my family as soon as we bury Yuki."

Her tone and words were so cold, contrasting harshly to her usual warm personality.

As she finished speaking she turned around and lifted her eyes to his. For a long moment they remained unmoving as he could hardly believe the change in her, and she looked upon him warily waiting for his displeasure although she couldn't care less at the moment.

"Kagome," he said, still staring at her. "I believe you have a right to avenge our daughter as well as yourself, and I will not stop you anymore…But is it worth sacrificing your soul...mate?"

He tapped long fingers on the cold concrete of the pond as he sat once more watching quietly as Kagome contemplated her decision.

Her first impulse to lash out at him subsided as she remembered the promise to her daughter. She took deep calming breaths then answered.

"I will have my day Sesshomaru, and I can assure you that I will take pleasure in it this once. The bitch deserves to die a slow painful death."

Her words cut like a knife through his heart with its sharpness.

She ran her eyes over his form fleetingly as he stood again, he was she noticed behaving quite anxious, and she knew just what to say to put his mind at ease.

"I am quite aware of what you felt through our bond, and it scares me as well, but I can safely tell you this, I will not lose myself to evil because of that wretched woman."

Sesshomaru's eyes glittered in the evening atmosphere as the sun had already set and only the last rays of daylight left hanging in the sky. He was not entirely pleased but most of his fears had simmered. In any event he would be there when Kagome fought his mother, and if anything went wrong he would thwart it.

"Come, let's go inside," he said and waited for her to move. "Tomorrow we will say our final farewell to Yuki…And you can punish my dam any way you wish."

A smile tugged at her lips. "Thank you for believing in me."

He studied her face for several moments; gone was the insane want for revenge, and only the need for justice was about her features.

Kagome hastened to his side and looped her arm through his, smiling genuinely as she could feel that they would all be alright. Sesshomaru glanced down at her briefly and saw her smiling face which brought a shy smile that lifted the corners of his mouth.

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Many miles north of the Demon's lord territory a small group gathered.

"General Tadao at your service honored emperor of Japan." The middle aged slightly built man said as he bowed lowly to his king.

"Rise general and state your purpose old friend," emperor Masayoshi responded in a gentle tone.

The general rose and spoke. "Your highness, there is much to report on the demon kingdom of the west."

Masayoshi – Flourishing goodness

Tadao – Loyal man

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