Sesshoumaru sat in the throne room accompanied by his mother. She had been overly curious about the Miko of the Shikon. There were many rumors of the woman. Sesshoumaru had not found her as impressive as she had been described in her tales. The only outstanding qualities she seemed to have were her blue eyes and unpredictable nature. Frankly he did not want to bother with even summoning the girl. But a problem stood in his way or rather beside him.
What Inukimi had found interesting was that she was able to keep Inuyasha in check. Something the woman had tried her hand at herself, but the boy had always been rebellious. Inukimi had felt for Inutaichou's child when he had lost his mother. She had offered him a home and was rejected immediately. There was little she could do but occasionally send Sesshoumaru out to insure his half-brother was surviving. Sesshoumaru watched as his mother lazily played with a flimsy fan.
"It's odd to see you so impatient mother." Inukimi had closed her eyes slightly amused by her son. "Do not confuse me with yourself Maru. The Miko will join us soon. Kazou has entered the city not too long ago." Sesshoumaru had also felt the group of strong individuals enter his city. But he had not been expecting to feel someone from his childhood. Hours passed and they still waited.
A servant entered the room with soundless grace. "General Kazou has arrived." With dark eyes the girl waited for orders. "Allow them entrance." The girls eyes shifted nervously. "It seems that Rin-sama is entertaining them in her wing..." Sesshoumaru dismissed the girl before rubbing his temples slightly annoyed. His mother laughed softly. "That ward of yours is amusing." Inukimi had been happy that ever so slowly her son was losing the resentment of all humans. Afterall some worthy allies and pawns were mortals. It would be a shame to simply waste then.
Moments later another servant opened the door for Rin. The young woman was all smiles as she led a odd group of men into the Throne room. She paused to bow to both Inukimi and Sesshoumaru. Only Kazou followed her lead. Kagome merely met Sesshoumaru' s eyes sharply. It would have been threatening had the man not had a tiger cub on his shoulder and another on top of his head. "Lord Sesshoumaru. I gave brought you Kagome as you have requested." The man that stood at the height 5'10 with raven locks and cobalt eyes stepped forward. "Lord Sesshoumaru. Lady Inukimi." Kagome tipped his head in a bow in the woman's direction.
"I believe I asked for the Miko and not a demon man Kazou." Kagome bit his lip feeling slightly annoyed with this man's haughty tone. Inukimi's golden eyes were locked on the man that stood behind Kagome. "Ah. Mumei it seems that you are still alive my friend." Tenka flashed sharp fangs in a grin. "It seems you are still causing trouble my friend." The inuyokai woman was so tempted to curl her lip in distaste. Kagome turned to Tenka with a questioning look but the familiar just winked. That had caused the Kami to relax a bit. The tension in the room was broken with a light clap of hands. Rin easily commanded the attention of the room. "Lord Sesshoumaru I have the greatest news! Kagome is now a Kami! He has been kind enough to bless my cubs earlier today. Celebrations are in order."
That had caused both the mother and son to exchange meaningful looks. "So the Miko of legend as finally taken her place as a Kami. Tell me Kagome-sama whose favor have you gained?" Inukimi rested her chin on her hand watching the once woman and now man. Kagome's eyes lit up at the challenge in the woman's voice. "Inari-sama had granted me with favor and guidance. Tenka or whom you call Mumei is my familiar." Kagome smiled pleasantly enough. But the aura that backed him dared the two to challenge him. "So it seems that instead of a trial we will be discussing business then." Sesshoumaru had cut his mother off before she had the chance to speak. Finally a trial was off the table. Rin had been very relieved in that moment. Icy golden eyes tore into Sesshoumaru. His mother did not like being interrupted.
"There is still the matter of the son I lost to that mission of yours Kagome-sama." That had made the kami stiffen and their eyes turned to steel. "Yes and you failed him him long before I did. Who was there after 50 years of being sealed to a damn tree? It was me. Who stood by him during battles where his life could have been lost? It was me. Who healed his wounds and guarded him on his human nights? It was me. Who sat with him as he heaved his final breaths? It was me." Kagome's voice was nothing short of thunderous. The rooms sturdy wood seemed to shake. "Do not dare tell me what I owe you when you have done nothing to save that son you are whining about." In that moment Kagome could have shifted into a feral beast. But Tenka reached out towards the raging Kami with a gentle touch. With that a sense of calm had returned and the Kami composed themselves.
Inukimi watched with delight written clearly on her face. "Then shall we make a fair trade then? A life for a life. I know you live off tributes and prayers. If you change Inuyasha's fate then I will give you the life of my other son Sesshoumaru." That statement had stunned everyone in the room. Sesshoumaru looked upon his mother with wide eyes as if she had gone mad. He could not even speak in protest it was that shocking. Kagome let out a shaky breath.
"I accept your deal. However along with Sesshoumaru's life I want a shrine built in my name in this city." Inukimi snapped her fan closed joyfully. "My dear you have a deal." Just then a white fox had appeared. "Hello Kagome-sama I am here to over see the contract in between yourself and Lady Inukimi." In its mouth was a scroll with the binding words of the contract that had just been spoken. "I just require both of you to sign. Kagome-sama in ink and Lady Inukimi in blood." The contract was passed around and signed. After over looking things the fox was gone as if it had never been. Rin had smiled sweetly once everything was settled. "Shall we dine then? I have already requested a grand feast."
Inukimi smiled at the young woman. "Yes that would be best. Please show our honored guests to the dining room. We will join you shortly." With that Rin and her guests had left them. Sesshoumaru's eyes were edged with red. "You have gone too far this time mother." Fine silver brows furrowed. "Have I really Maru? Do you rather be mated to one of these women of the court? Or do you prefer to have Inuyasha returned to life? That boy did not deserve to die as he did." Once again his mother's soft spot for the half breed had shown itself. "The Taisho line has not had the favor of a kami in a long time. Perhaps it will bring us good fortune." Sesshoumaru scoffed loudly. "You trust that foolish miko?" Inukimi fanned herself softly.
"The lightning death is her familiar. He had assisted your father many times. That is enough to receive my trust. It would do you well to respect your betters boy. Kami are above you in the food chain." With a light tap of her fan on Sesshoumaru's cheek Inukimi had gotten up to join her guests. Sesshoumaru had worried for the Miko's fate for nothing. He should have been more concerned with himself. Once again his mother had found a way to make him squirm.