Kagome stared at her for a moment, eventually looking at Sesshoumaru and her mother, waiting for the punchline. Emiko looked on with a sombre expression, Sesshoumaru's a little more contrite, guilt leaking into his aura.

"Wait, it's true?" she screeched, eyes widening in shock. Inukimi was the queen. The queen. Which made Sesshoumaru—

"As I said, I apologize for his manners. It is not due to his upbringing, I assure you. He has had many instructors, though I am sure some would claim him to be unteachable."

"Mother," he warned.

Inukimi clicked her tongue, waving him off with her fan. "It is not my fault that you felt the need to leave that part of your heritage out."

"Kimi." This time it was Emiko who cut in, placing her hand over the daiyoukai's. "It has been a long day. For everyone. Why don't we save everything else for tomorrow?" The queen pursed her lips but relented, allowing Sesshoumaru to grab Kagome's hand and pull her away from the table.

Grass crunched under her feet as they made their way to the edge of her barrier, Sesshoumaru staying just within the pearlesque bubble, avoiding her gaze once he came to a stop.

"You're a prince," Kagome whispered, as if saying it aloud increased its validity.

Sesshoumaru inclined his head.

"The prince."

"Hnn."

"So when Naraku said 'your highness', he was being serious." His claws were still wrapped around her wrist, and though he was still facing away from her, he appeared to have no intention of releasing her.

"He enjoyed twisting the knife whenever possible," he replied.