Chapter 8-The Vassals

Me? Own Inuyasha or related characters? Nope. I do not.

Recap: Shippo escaped Kouga-with help from a now deposed Tohan. The fox and panther now travel together. The Wolf Tribe seeks to arrange a meeting with Sesshomaru, neither aware of the change in rulers of the cats. Karyuudo had to cut a deal with his Tribal elders. What happens now? Read on!

When they got home, Kagome had Watarimono assigned quarters, and asked the servants quietly to get him something nicer to wear and show him around the place. Sesshomaru didn't tolerate unkempt or scruffy-it reflected poorly on him. After that, she assumed he'd be incorporated into the Keep's staff somehow. That was the plan.

The staff weren't sure where he fit though-anymore than Watarimono himself. Jaken had duties here, and old Myouga just sort of hopped about as he pleased...but Lady Kagome's personal vassal was at loose ends. Her official vassal. A matter of much note. One member of the staff in particular was furious when this common creature was installed in the Keep in such circumstances.

Guard Captain Onjou.

Onjou, pacing and brooding in his office later-was indeed jealous. Furious as well, actually. Until this, he'd been harboring such great hopes for himself. Ever since she, the Lead Female of Sesshomaru-actually remembered his name when she brought her new mate home with her.

Lady Kagome. He was an admirer of hers, had been since the Dokueki attacked his small pack-and she and the tajiya had fought it off. His formidable kinswoman, Lady Atae, had given her one of their great treasures, the robe of Mountain Troll hair. She had earned their respect and the Lady's personal friendship that day. A remarkable maiden. He had volunteered for service with the Keep Guard not least because of her brave actions. Onjou had a strong sense of personal honor, and a desire to be the best. That meant service with the best of the Clan-and coming to the Keep.

He'd only served here a short while when Lord Inuyasha came courting her. Onjou could not blame him for trying. Even as a hanyou, he would privately admit he found her very appealing, not knowing he was yet another who fell under her innocent spell. Then Inuyasha had won his Lady, and Onjou had quite reasonably thought nothing of it since he'd been well aware he'd no chance with her. The Inu had just been pleased to see her happy at last. If Lord Inuyasha made her so, then he had Onjou's respect and loyalty.

But she had not forgotten him. Lady Kagome had offered him her trust, given him the chance to perform important, dangerous tasks in rescuing her Lord and Lord Sesshomaru, and rewarded him handsomely for it. In return, he had done his best to live up to the expectations that trust placed on him, and gloried in it. In the recognition of his value, in serving her, and what it could mean to him and his pack.

His pack was small, yes-but her favor had aided them in regaining their lost prestige.

Lady Atae had been Lord Inutaisho's favorite concubine, and it had once meant they were much more important. His son's respect for her and her age had allowed her-if not so much their pack-to retain an honored, lesser position when that had ended. It had been a reasonable hope that Kagome would choose him, Onjou, as a personal vassal at some point and they would again hold the greater influence they had once enjoyed. Everyone had assumed she would have one someday, after all. Why not him?

Instead, a common as muck half-outcast from the Broadstream had his place! A few of the Guard from that Pack had been willing to tell him all about Watarimono. A low born creature, one of little note or ability. He'd simply left his pack! Wandered off as his name implied, and not worth the trouble of bringing back, they said! Lord Aki had little interest in an Inu who did not fit into his view of how a packmate should be. Well, now that collection of upstarts would no doubt take belated note of him.

A clawed fist slammed into the wood of his office. Onjou didn't understand. He'd done all the right things, been the finest servant he could be-and still he was denied. How else could he have proved his worth? Why did Lady Kagome only offer so much and no more? Why would she not choose him? Onjou had heard of the story that this Watarimono had just stumbled into the position. He simply didn't believe it.

No one was that lucky!

Kagome retired to their rooms and changed into some of the lingerie she bought in Tokyo. She would face whatever happened with the wolves willingly, but she wasn't wasting time they could have together now. Sesshomaru snorted at Inuyasha's thrilled expression and how flushed he was when his head came back out the door after he went inside to fetch her in to eat...and had supper sent in, slamming the door shut. He spent the evening with Rin, enjoying his daughter's company.

Kagome thought things were at least settled here at the Keep-until she got up the next morning to discover Watarimono sitting in front of their door when she opened it. He wore a new, but somehow already scruffy looking simple black silk kimono. A shirt the same color as his gray facial stripes was beneath it.

"Good morning, my Lady!" he said pleasantly, and she smiled.

"Good morning, Watarimono. You were waiting for me?" she asked. A nod and a bow. He didn't know what else to do, really.

Later, she sighed as she walked into the gardens until she got to a small arched bridge over a stream. Yep. He was padding behind her. All day, he'd hovered. When she'd had her morning workout with Musha, when she'd worked on the paperwork that always seemed to be lurking, when she settled some minor problems with the staff. Watarimono was there every time she turned around. Although he had gotten someone to fetch tea and collected some scrolls she'd dropped-it was getting on her nerves.

That and the cries of the lesser Inu in the distance. She wanted to flatten her ears in annoyance at the yipping. Instead, she sighed and leaned on the railing. Absently, the Inu settled to sit beside her feet in his human like form.

"You've been very busy and seem unhappy. Is there nothing I can do to help, Lady?" he asked as she glanced at him.

"No. Thanks, though." For a moment, they just stayed like that, and she sighed.

"Can I not fetch your Lord? Or perhaps-"

"You don't have to keep trying so hard, you know," she said as she glanced over with a twitch of her ears, tapping her claws on the rail lightly.

"I, well. I'm not sure what to do as your vassal, my Lady," he admitted.

"That makes two of us confused. I've never had a vassal, Watarimono. You don't seem like Jaken or Myouga, they're the only vassals I've been around, you know, and Sesshomaru and Inuyasha have had them a long time and know what to do with them. Those two haven't been much help either. They think it's funny, and all my fault you and I are in this mess. Sesshomaru told me you were my responsibility, so I get to work it out. Typical," Kagome answered with an embarrassed grin. One that made him smile back.

"I see. We just need to figure out how to go on our own, then. That I'm used to-figuring things out as I go, my Lady," Watarimono shuffled a bit, and looked nervously around. The hanyou could guess why.

"Little intimidating, isn't it?" she asked, and he nodded.

It was. After really understanding who he'd gone and sworn himself to, that is. Watarimono had been a low member of a large pack. The maids and gardeners were like him, yes, but most of the Inu here were of greater position at home-certainly the ones in regular contact with the Lords were. Everyone eyed him, the new personal vassal to the much respected Lady Kagome, the Keep's mistress.

There'd been comments, sneers. He was unworthy to be in such a position of importance and he knew it. Angering her had seemed like a really, really bad idea with so many looking on in disapproval. He worried, and kept close to her protection...since it was too late now and he had made his choice. But she was speaking.

"Me too sometimes. Look, I'm not that great a Lady. Why don't we start by having you call me Kagome or something?" she offered.

"I can't call you by name. It's not right, even I know that, Lady Kagome," Watarimono said firmly. At that, Kagome nodded with a sigh.

"Alright. Well...we're going to have to-I don't know, get used to things, ok? But the following's got to stop, it's kinda creepy."

"Don't like it? I understand. I was...afraid of doing things wrong, Lady, and angering you. So it seemed smartest to stay close and be on hand if you wanted something done."

"Makes sense." Another glance over as the sounds of the lesser cousins rose and fell.

"Thank you, for understanding, Lady."

"Sheesh, they're noisy today," Kagome commented. He cocked his head and listened.

"Who wouldn't be? One of the bitches has whelped from the baying," Watarimono commented, and her eyes lit.

"You understand them?" Kagome asked excitedly.

"No...I just know their pack calls, my former pack had them run with us. They don't mind me since my other form's close to theirs, but lesser cousins can't really talk," Watarimono said honestly.

"True. I could wish we could talk to them sometimes instead of having to puzzle things out from body language and calls. Sesshomaru finds them really annoying sometimes, they adore him and I think it gets on his nerves. They like me a lot, but they all practically worship him-maybe because he can change into a giant Inu," Kagome mused out loud.

"Well, he is the supreme pack leader. You can't change form? I assumed with your ears-but you're hanyou," Watarimono paled. He looked like he was afraid he'd insulted her as soon as the words left his mouth. He wasn't sure he hadn't. But she smiled.

"It doesn't bother me. I am what I am. Does it bother you, Watarimono?"

"No," a shrug, "I've never met any female so powerful, Lady, half-blooded or not. Plus, you're very kind, even to them," Watarimono admitted.

"Thank you. I like the ears, Inuyasha gave them to me," she said, but he looked confused.

So, she took him for a walk, and they talked. The first of several such chats. Onjou, though-when he arrived to tell her supplies were spotted on the way to the Keep, glared at the Inu beside her when she couldn't see it. The cold look made him shiver. Myouga, however...did see it from where he was perched on a bench.

"No! My Lord's rooms were dusted improperly! See to it being redone immediately!" Jaken yelled, gesturing with his staff. The maid nodded unhappily, and left. The imp swore to himself as he scuttled to the next thing on his list. So much to do as always. But the servant suddenly yelped and slapped her neck.

"Oh, must you deny a poor flea a small meal?" Myouga wailed.

"Stop bothering my servants," Jaken snapped, annoyed.

"Hmp. They aren't your servants, you proud Imp! You grow too high in your place! I came to see you, not a maid anyway," the flea shot back.

"Me? I've no time! Much needs looking after for my Lord," he grumbled.

"This is for my master and yours. Privately," Myouga told him.

"Very well, but do not waste my time!" Jaken warned as the flea hopped into his hand. The imp walked quickly down the hall into a set of almost completely empty rooms. His.

"Now talk!" Jaken ordered, sitting on a mat and frowning.

"We have to do something about this Watarimono," Myouga told him.

"Do? What is there to do? Kagome took that creature in. It's her responsibility to see about him," Jaken answered pompously.

"It will make our masters unhappy should there be trouble over him. A good vassal-like myself," Myouga preened, "is very capable of spotting and helping with such things. He's in over his head, and you know it."

"Trouble? With whom? Who would dare interfere in-"

"Oh, do stop puffing! Why is Onjou so angry with him? I know you, you likely know everything that happens here. I used to...but it has been so long since I served here I do not hear all that happens." Sesshomaru had all but purged the staff when he took over.

The non Inu, he'd expected. Inutaisho's son had never liked them-saw them as being more loyal to his father than himself. Which, the flea gladly admitted, was true. But even the Inu servants had been almost entirely changed over, undoubtedly because he was desperate to make his own mark on the old place. Few remained from his time here serving Inutaisho.

"Well, I do keep track of things. You're right to note it. Onjou? Oh...I know why," Jaken looked smug as he leaned over. "It's said he had hopes of serving her personally as a vassal when she chose him as emissary and rewarded him by promoting him to the Captaincy. He's not the only one who thought that either."

"What? Why did you not say sooner? You know how Inu view such posts." From Jaken's expression-he didn't. To be fair, there were no other personal vassals here besides himself to an Inutaisho blood for many, many years. Now Myouga saw Jaken clearly was not in his master's close confidences, as he had been to both Inutaisho and Inuyasha.

"I do not see why this Onjou is less than pleased, given his rapid rise. He should be grateful!" Jaken scowled. Myouga stared at him in shock. How much of an idiot was he?

Myouga winced. He knew Kagome. She likely hadn't considered the matter when he'd flung himself at her feet and pleaded to serve her. His dear Master was still innocent in the ways of Clan politics-but Sesshomaru. He had no excuse!

The flea sighed. Sesshomaru hadn't changed a bit from childhood. The Broadstream were a steady, stable pack from all accounts, he likely saw the matter as a grand joke on both old Lord Aki and young Kagome. A weakling with no real ties to his birthpack as her vassal! If she had to have an Inu follower, he could ask for no better.

So, Myouga explained.

Non Inu like himself and Jaken were servants, and accepted as such. For Inu, though, it was a matter of great prestige and honor. Inu who held personal vassalage to the premier pack were highly sought after as mates and held in high regard. Kagome had Sesshomaru's and Inuyasha's ears, so the one who had hers was of course someone in a powerful position. One their packs-normally-would take great advantage of. If they allowed this to become a mess, then it would only bring shame on the House they served.

The Imp considered, and looked troubled.

"Then we shall take him in hand! It will please my Lord to do so!" Jaken declaimed.

"Good. Their father would expect no less. Sesshomaru still pulling the same things! Boy still hasn't learned a thing." The imp peered at the flea in outrage.

"Do not ever speak so of my terrible Lord!"

"Hmp. I knew your 'terrible lord' when he was a puppy. I was go-between at his parent's mating! I'm an old flea and I'll say as I please!" Myouga said firmly. Gone were the days he would pretend age had dulled his memories out of love for his young master. He saw no kindness in telling the angry young hanyou he served what he would forever be lacking. About his father, the Keep he should have been reared in, or details of the Clan and family that had rejected him.

So they went to discuss the matter with Watarimono.

To find...he was indeed aware of the problem. After he let them into his rooms, he clearly did understand when they explained their concerns.

"You understand, we cannot discuss this with our lieges? But we must know where your loyalty lies. Make a place for you-and quickly," Myouga said carefully.

"My loyalty is with Lady Kagome. I chose to serve her alone. She chose to accept me," Watarimono looked grim as he answered. These two knew this place, and he had only thought he was worried before.

"That is best. Should you demonstrate that, I feel we can avoid much trouble here. Now...we just need to find you something to do." Myouga suggested.

"Indeed! My Lord will expect peace in his Keep. Shuji sees to Lord Inuyasha now-perhaps you can assist the Lady in a similar way?" Jaken suggested.

"I...don't know anything about-"

"Hm. Well. We will find something, and we'll make it clear your pack does not profit from this boon!" Jaken warned with a shake of his staff.

"Fair enough," Watarimono agreed.

But word came that he was to go with the Lady to meet the Wolves. Onjou as well-and Watarimono grabbed a chance to speak to the Guard Captain before they left.

"Er-Captain Onjou? May I speak with you?" he asked carefully as the short Inu sat in one of the courtyard gardens, resting after overseeing the dispositions for the journey.

"Lady Kagome has sent you?" he asked coldly.

"No. I...just wanted to say I was sorry," Watarimono admitted, and Onjou frowned.

"Why is this?"

"Because, well. I was told you had hoped-"

"It was not to be," Onjou answered. Damned gossip vine. The Inu frowned warningly, adding, "do not think I will fail to watch you, peasant. Your pack will gain no special foothold for this."

"I serve her. Not them, I could care less about them. Don't think otherwise. If you wanted to be near her to advance, then you-well, you didn't deserve it," Watarimono said firmly. Enraged, Onjou's eyes hardened.

"Really? I didn't? Until you came I was near to a permanent place at her side! A great Lady deserves more than a useless little tagalong who stole a way into this Keep! Her pity for you is all that allows you to stay, peasant. Don't think it will always protect you," Onjou's expression said it all-and his scent. Kagome's vassal's eyes widened.

"You didn't want to just be her vassal, did you? You're in love with-" he was cut off by a growl.

"Shut up! You know nothing!" Onjou's hand lashed out-and it was dodged easily.

"Don't push me," Watarimono growled back, hackles rising.

"I could say the same," the Captain returned.

"Really? What was your plan, Onjou? Win a place as her vassal-and offer yourself to her? Worm your way into her affections for a little mounting on the side? I heard what my Lady does to unwelcome suitors-and a Lady such as her will never stray."

"No. My feelings for the Lady are above such trivia...and not your concern. Bring it up again-even suggest it-and I'll rip your throat out!" Onjou snarled.

"You can try. You're just lucky that hanyou she chose doesn't know. Keep your nose away from her and stay off my back, or he won't have to deal with you," Watarimono's hand drifted to his knife hilt. Onjou was armed, but he was a damned good shot with a thrown blade. Watarimono had heard the Captain could turn into a Shibi. A lapdog, really. His form was much stronger, his jaws could crush him. Both held themselves carefully, postures stiff, and they eased apart.

"Lord Sesshomaru does not permit petty quarrels in his Keep. But I think we understand each other, vassal of the Lady Kagome." They did. It wasn't two friends who parted in the courtyard-but enemies. Watarimono winced. In trying to settle matters...he'd made them much worse.

Oh, it had been simpler as a watchdog.

Author's notes- Ok! Yes, things get complicated again. Onjou has sort of lurked for the last several chapters in the background, and yes, he volunteered for taking the infamous letter in 'AO' and she was the one who chose him as Captain of the Guard. He is one of Kagome's favorite Inu-why wouldn't he fall for her, like so many other characters in cannon Inuyasha? She always has such terrible luck with that sort of thing.

That said, I have exciting news! I am proud to announce that my story "The Sweetwater Trail" has been nominated for a IYFG Award for Best AU! It's my first IYFG nomination, and I'm thrilled. If you are an IYFG member and like the story, please feel free to second it when the time comes. Also, my story "Honor's Loss" won second place at the FA for Best Drama! Thanks to everyone who voted for it and for Sweetwater tying for fourth in their Best AU category! Thanks very, very much, and thanks for reading!-Namiyo