Chapter 4
Sesshomaru nodded. He looked back at Kagome. Smirking, he rose abruptly and left the room.
Kagome looked at the strange female who said, " My son will be back." She looked at the female in surprise. "You are Sesshomaru's mother?"
"Yes. I am Inukimi, Lady of the Western lands. You, my dear, will be my son's mate."
Kagome was shocked. She could think of nothing to say to this unexpected turn of events.
Not so with Inukimi. She said, "You have much to learn. First, I would like to know why you are so weak."
"I too would like that answer, miko," said Sesshomaru as he reentered the room. He sat down at her side as his mother took Narako's chair. The deer youkai was also eager to hear this. She came to the foot of the bed. The three saw Kagome swallow hard.
Kagome was not ready to tell this story. "I. . I will just say that I have parted ways with Inuyasha and the others. Please. . do not press for more."
"Shall I go ask Inuyasha then?" asked Sesshomaru. "NO," cried out Kagome. Sesshomaru stilled. He saw the fear in the miko's eyes. He heard it in her voice. He knew then that something had drastically changed between her and the hanyo.
Inukimi reached out to lay a gentle hand on the miko's hands.
Kagome flinched. She was not scared of those in the room with her; she was just scared.
Sesshomaru looked at his mother for help.
Inukimi shrugged.
It was then that Narako asked, "Kagome-sama, would you like some more tea? "
Kagome nodded and then looked at Sesshomaru who smiled gently at her. She calmed after several more minutes. Then she said, "I apologize, Lord Sesshomaru. I know you are not Inuyasha. What now?"
"You will rest. Tomorrow you can get up and start preparing for our mating," said Sesshomaru. He stood to leave when Kagome asked, "When?" Understanding what the miko was asking, Sesshomaru turned to ask her, "When?" He saw she had not been expecting this. She sat thinking about it a minute before asking, "Can we do it the night before we go get Sayuri?" He nodded. Inukimi silently agreed with that choice. She smiled at the miko and then left to let her rest. She had several things to prepare for the next day. She was pleased with the prospect of her eldest son mating the Shikon miko despite the fact that she was currently very weak. With this in mind, the current Lady of the Western lands first summoned her healer to her. She spoke to the tree demon at some length.
Iku listened to her lady and nodded. She would gladly see to the future lady the next day.
Inukimi then summoned her seamstress to her. She put in an order for a new kimono for herself as well as telling the spider demoness that the next day she would be fitting the future Lady of the West who was not just a miko, but the Shikon miko. She then went to her own estate and ordered it made ready for her, alerting her personal servants that her son had found his destined mate.
Meanwhile Kagome went back to sleep. Her lady-in-waiting sat contentedly at her side. Narako saw her mistress was a gentle soul. She could not understand why anyone would wish her ill. She was also eager to meet this one's soul twin. She wondered if maybe her sister could serve the soul twin.
Sesshomaru went back to his study where he pulled out the scroll containing the prophecy. He reread it and as he did, his beast spoke to him. His beast reminded him of how many times he had faced this onna before. He also reminded him that this onna alone had interested him. Sesshomaru could not deny what his beast told him. He then told him that they had to be extra careful as the hanyo had hurt the miko deeply. To this, the beast within growled angrily. 'Stupid hanyo. Hurt mate, we hurt him'.
A voice at the door said, "No, son. I will deal with Inuyasha. You tend your future mate and your twin will tend his. This is why I was brought back, after all."
Sesshomaru looked up and said, "Sire." He could not believe his eyes, but his nose and beast assured him that it was indeed his father who spoke to him. "How? ," was all he could ask.
"The miko's twin. I was sent back to help her. She will need a father's care. Your miko will also need all the family around her that she can gather," said Inutaisho. He smiled as his eldest pup came closer. Sesshomaru came close, but then pulled back to summon a servant. "Fetch my mother. Quickly. I have a guest she will want to see. " He looked at his father again. "You have a lot of explaining to do. Mother was badly hurt when you died. I know you loved the human princess and I think I know your question's answer."
Inutaisho arched a brow, but then turned as he felt Inukimi's youkai brush against his. He watched her slow to a stanstill. "Inukimi, " he said. His voice was a gentle whisper, but to her it was a mighty thunder clap. He was amazed when she launched herself at his chest.
Inukimi buried her nose in her only love's fur. She had never forgotten his masculine scent of pine, storm and blood. It was one reason she stayed so close to their eldest who had inherited the pine part of his sire' scent. She wondered what the miko would think.
"Where is your miko? I would like to meet her," said Inutaisho. He saw his eldest shake his head.
"Tomorrow, Father. Whatever that hanyo has done is severe enough that she is bedridden for today. Tomorrow, I think, is the best time for you to meet her. Even then, . . Mother, please make sure Kagome spends some of the day resting," said Sesshomaru to Inukimi.
Inukimi nodded. Looking at his father, she said, "This is best, Touga. The little miko's strength feels very thin. Tomorrow my healer will see to her. We will hopefully have her strong enough to eat the evening meal with us."
Touga nodded. His mind took this in, but his beast wanted to remind his pup who was alpha. To divert himself, he said, "Inumaru will be here tomorrow night." He was glad when Inukimi smiled at seeing her other pup again. He also knew that his pups would probably want to spar before claiming the other future mate.
Outside the border of the Western lands, an Inuyoukai sat with his back against the tree. He was eager to see his twin and their mother again. He was also sad to know his sire would not be. Or so he thought.
