Chapter 7
When she have to claim her place...
Kagome looked at Lords with wonder, the question if they were really trustworthy or maybe if it was mistake all along attacked her mind, but then again even if they were to break the rules it would be after Naraku death – if they realize how powerful he is, they will put him as a priority. Master of the East Lord Unagi, Lord of the South Kazemari-sama and Shironnaki of the North... she had names memorized before they came.
"The rest of our guests arrived just now." Kagome said softly "May they enter Sesshomaru?"
"This Sesshomaru has nothing against it, it was you who called them." he said
After hearing that Kagome linked her eyes with the servant by the doors and nodded softly, Inu-demon opened the door and announced "Inuyasha of the Moon House and his familiars." Kagome moved closer to Sesshomaru who put his hand on her shoulder with gentle whisper "Don't worry, you are ready to do it, we have no other choice."
"I know." her hand rose up to link with one that Sesshomaru laid on her "I changed." but the spite of this her heart was squeezed painfully at the moment 'I have no time for feeling like this, I'm not plain Kagome at the moment.' she observed like they entered, Inuyasha with his hand on the sword as if he expected an ambush, Sango who seamed a bit uneasy – nothing strange here since she was killing youkai since she could walk and this place was full of them and Miroku who came to the front and first stopped before Kagome and Sesshomaru.
"Lady Kagome I'm happy to see you in good health." his staff was now on the ground and he was kneeling with his hand on it, his head lowered. When Sango went after his example and Inuyasaha stood closer (with his hand still on his weapon) he continued "It's an honour to be of service to you again. How can we serve you, Lady Kagome?" before Kagome had a chance to speak Lord Unagi voiced what everyone were thinking.
"What is going on here? This half-bread and those lowly humans were summoned as well?!" he was obviously angry at the fact, Inuyasha growled and slowly started to pull his sword out...
"Yes, that exactly the case." Kagome said calmly "Inuyasha you will not split any blood in this place." her voice was cold and emotionless, upon hearing that half-inu ears dropped and he looked away. 'Kagome hates me now, what should I do. Sesshomaru is going to claim her, what will I do then?' he asked himself.
"Lord Unagi I would prefer if you stopped using such a words toward them." Sesshomaru stated coldly "Those were summoned by our future mate and we agreed to it."
"Forgive me Lord Sesshomaru but I thought that you cast away this..." Unagi stopped not knowing what to say, since Sesshomaru face was showing anger."
"This Sesshomaru is not very fond of his half-brother, but he happens to be related to Naraku case more then any demon in those Lands. And..." Sesshomaru eyes were like those of ice "He is still of the Moon House, in this palace he is of Lord brother rank – don't forget this."
"I assure you I won't." said Unagi, but his eyes were full of discontent "What about those humans if I may ask?"
"Those humans are my guards, along with Inuyasha they used to protect me for a long time." Kagome said "Miroku, Sango you may stand up." she looked upon them "I had summoned you to plan our next move against Naraku. He recently moved a lot, didn't he?"
"Yes, he is probably trying to seize more space to prepare an ambush." Miroku said "On You my Lady, Kouga and Kohaku."
"Probably at Kikyo as well." Sango suggested "She is his target too, after all she knows about Jewel and has power over it."
"I know. She is waiting by the borders – you should join with her tomorrow and look after Kohaku, I don't worry about him so much since with her he should be safe." Kagome said and turned to Lords "Its about time for you to know who Naraku is and what he wants to do – I believe that you will see then that its important matter to all of us. Let me show you... what he can do." her hand rested to Shikon Shard and she called upon her powers to show the images take from her mind. "Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha think of what Naraku did to you so I could show them." more images went by their minds.
"This power..."
"Miasma... with so extreme darkness."
"Dark Jewel..."
Lords eyes were full of shock and maybe a bit of envy toward that power resting in the hands of half-demon. Kagome smirked at that "I won't let you take this power for your personal gain, but I can assure you that if we take him down your Lands will be safe." she said "As he is now, with so many demons at services and so many incarnations, he is too much for one Lord alone."Kagome assured "Sesshomaru, my future mate is strong – but with Naraku lies and traps he still didn't managed to kill him. Naraku is not a true demon – he was created from human being so he is not fighting openly like you do. His personality is that of human and humans can be more of a demons than you."
"You are saying strange thing for a human miko." Shironnaki said
"I saw demons who protected humans and humans who tried to kill half-demons only 'cos of who they are. I can see that humans aren't as pure as they think they are and that all demons are not as evil as humans believe." Kagome stood up and went toward the Lords "That's why I called you here, this is a demon problem, but caused by a human who turned into demon, out of his own malice and greed. I intend to end this, so we could all return to our lives – for humans as a Miko and for demons as a Lady of those Lands." she spoke with pride knowing that it would be taken well.
"I see, Sesshomaru you have taken a good mate for yourself." Shironnaki said while smiling and extending his hand toward Kagome "Lands of the North will aid you in this, Lady of the West."
"Sesshomaru was lucky, I can sense a great power in you. Pups you will give him will be powerful and hopefully as beautiful as you, Lady of the West." Kazemari took her hand and kissed her palm softly while Sesshomaru growled ordering him to case such actions "I mean no harm Sesshomaru of the West, I will aid you in this to see the true power of Shikon Miko by my own eyes. That Naraku made a mistake when he attacked one of us, by what I saw he caused a lot of pain to your mate as well. Our Ladies are to be treasured by every demon alive, those who attack them shall burn in our anger." Kazemari made a little bow toward Kagome "He will pay, Lady of the West – be sure of it."
"Thank you." Kagome returned the gesture and smiled which made the two Lords blush on her
"She is indeed a lovely creature, Sesshomaru." Kazemari said "Protect her well, she will be a treasure of your Lands."
"She already is." Sesshomaru assured "How about you Lord Unagi?"
"I will obey the will of our council, this Naraku seam to be dangerous." Lord said while looking at Kagome with empty eyes
"My Lady, my Lord..." maid appeared in great rush "The ambush on the children."
"What!?" Kagome moved toward her in hurry "Are they all right?"
"Yes, Lord Kouga was on the watch as You requested, so they didn't even woke up." inu-maid looked at her Lady "Those were not Naraku minions, his insects were nowhere to be found, nor the scent of the incarnations."
"I see. Summon Kouga to us, I will ask him directly." Sesshomaru responded instead "Double guards around kids rooms and check on the guards."
"Yes, my Lord!" inu-demoness responded and moved away "It will be as you ordered. Anything else I should do?" the question was directed to Kagome
"I wish for one general to be placed in children guards." she said and Sesshomaru nodded with concerned face "It's all."
"Yes." demoness moved to take care of the orders
"Do you think that it may happen again?" Sesshomaru asked
"Yes." Kagome eyes landed on Sango "Would you go to them? I would be calmer if you did."
"Yes." Sango looked around and out of the blue another demon appeared to show her the way
"Thank you." she looked toward Sesshomaru "If it wasn't Naraku, then it was one of the demons related to our Kingdoms. West demons would try to do such a thing, but I would be sad if it turned out to be one of you."
"Are you saying that we would break the pack, you filthy little..." Unagi stopped horrified at what he said out loud "I'm..." he didn't managed to end Sesshomaru was now holding his neck as if older demon was a toy "Sesshomaru..."
"Lord Unagi that was uncalled for, Lady Kagome adopted children were attacked by a demon – its natural that she would consider us to be a cause of this, since as a Lady she must not doubt her own subjects." Kazemari said calmly "but I assure you my Lady we would break a pact, if by any chance one of us did he would be striped of his honour as a Lord, especially if ones attacked were children of other Lord."
"I know, I didn't intended to accuse you. We will know soon enough, when Kouga arrives." Kagome looked at Sesshomaru who waited for her decision about Lord Unagi "Sesshomaru its fine, let him go." Sesshomaru did as she asked and returned to his position, Kagome looked upon Ungai and said "If I wanted to punish you I have my own power to do so – do you ever call me this way again, or as a Lady of the West I will have to fight for my honour... to death." his eyes still didn't shown any emotion, Kagome moved away from him and looked at other Lord who seamed to be shocked.
"You are in deed a proper Lady for the West." Shironnaki looked at her amazed "We look forward to fight by your side, Lady Kagome."
"Yes, you should have been born as a Demoness." Kazemari prised her words and actions
"It's an honour." Kagome replied
"Kagome... - sama." voice from the entrance stopped the conversations
"Kouga, we are grateful for your work today." Kagome said "Were you hurt?"
"No, its all right. I'm sorry – but I think I cannot help you much more – that kind of a demon appears everywhere, so its hard to point from where it was."
"I see." Kagome went toward Kouga and to Lords shock she gently touched his legs "They are fine, so it truly wasn't Naraku."
"It didn't smelled of him at all. Besides..." he helped her up "Naraku would try to kidnap them, not to kill them."
Lords realized the only reason for which she would kneel down next to other male – this young demon was one of her servants and he carried the Shards of Jewel to protect her pups. Even 'thu the truth was a bit different that was what Kagome wanted them to believe – that she was strong and had many demons at her disposal even without Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha inner thoughts
Is she Kagome? My Kagome was different – as she is now, even with her existence as human miko... she is Lady of the West. That fierce fire in her eyes, that scent that makes all gathered here shiver in anticipation – all that will belong to Sesshomaru. How did that happen? Kagome was mine, she was thinking only of me...
Sesshomaru will take her away, I don't want that...
His demon cried inside Take her back to us! The one who wanted us as we are, claim her as ours!
What can I do? If she was to choose, she would pick him now. The Lord of the West, who cloth her in the silk and jewels, has servants to protect and work for her. What I can give to her? I don't even have a hut so she could rest inside.
She is ours! Don't just stand here.
All I did was to make her suffer, if I would break the peace she is in Kagome would hate me even more.
You are wrong, we want her – both you and I!
I just want her to be happy even if it would be with him not me.
Inuyasha looked at her once again, as she spoke with Lords sitting by Sesshomaru side, she was radiant – so much that other Lords could notice that. Ladies observed her with caution but seamed to like her as well, at least there was no malice in their eyes.
That Unagi may try something, I would have sworn that it was he who ordered to attack kids – we must observe him.
That low life will not hurt her, if he attept to try, then...
Yes, if that happens, then we will protect her.