It was after the morning meal when Lord Ryushi arrived at the House of the Moon, and immediately demanded his son be presented to him. Touga, who had met him in the Great Hall, glared at the hard headed wolf and, with a wave of his hand, took him to the room he placed Kouga in the night before, where he was still sleeping.

Standing just inside the door, Ryushi looked at his son, his brow drawn at the paleness to the cub's skin. "Is he well?"

Touga rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "No. I warned you this would happened when we took our leave. I told you not to keep them separated for long, or there would be a price to pay, and it would be the pups that paid it. Kagome has the stress and anxiety affecting her, but it is Kouga that is taking the brunt of the effects. Her emotional instability physically affects him. Neither pup has reached the age of maturity, and this separation causes horrible implications for fully aged demons. What the hell did you think would happen with them so young? This is a process, Ryushi; not something you can simply throw them into and hope for the fucking best."

Looking at Touga with narrowed eyes, Ryushi sneered. "What makes you so well versed in the ways of mates? You have never been mated before. I have."

Face turning challenging, Touga quipped back. "Name me one time you and your mate were separated before her death last year?" When Ryushi pressed his lips together, Touga nodded. "Thought so. I told you, I have seen this happen before, and neither were as young as our pups. Whatever adversaion you have to this mating, I suggest for your son's sake, you move past it. It is hurting Kagome, yes; but it is killing Kouga."

Looking back at his son, Ryushi stayed silent as those last five words settled into his mind. Finally, after several minutes, he returned his eyes to the Western Lord. "What do you suggest then, hmm? He is my heir, and has responsibilities at home. His staying here is not possible. Are you willing to send your daughter to live with man at the age of sixty-five?"

Touga's face never faltered, nor did his voice. "If it comes to that, yes. Her wellbeing far supersedes my discomfort of that particular scenario. I also have enough confidence in the young lord to not take advantage of said scenario. For curiosity sake, how old is Kouga?"

Ryushi crossed his arms. "This is his eighty-ninth year. What has that to do with anything?"

Touga shrugged. "Nothing. I said for curiosity sake. However, his age is enough to tell me he knows better than to try and take advantage of an onna as young as his mate happens to be."

A brow slid up Ryushi's forehead. "You realize that Eastern Laws reign, and there are no such age restrictions? So long as the younger is at least fifty-five summers, there is no law stopping anything like there is here. She's sixty-five, making her well within the age of allowance."

Matching his face to Ryushi's, Touga clicked his tongue. "You allow fully mature adults to rut with adolescents, but you somehow take exception to a mating when they are both within the same age range? Is it simply because he's your son? Or is it because my daughter saved his life? What is the problem you have with this that you allow children to suffer?"

Ryushi shook his head. "I do not care for their suffering, Touga. I do not care for this situation at all. For having seen this happen, you never said how severe the effects would be."

Nodding, Touga leaned against the wall. "Nor do I, but what can we do? Keeping them apart in the hopes it goes away is not only impossible, it's cruel. Look at your son, Ryushi, and tell me continued separation is the course we are to take. As for your other point, neither were as young as these two. There was no way to know just how severe this would be. It is all guesswork and assumption, which I did give you before we left."

Ryushi kept his eyes on Touga. "You wouldn't have me come if you didn't have a course to suggest. What is it you came up with?"

He did, too. "It's simple, really. Kouga remains here until they are both back to proper health under the care of my healers, then they take turns residing in the lands of the other. Kagome must learn life at the Eastern Mountain, and I would think it would do Kouga some good to learn where his mate comes from. As this arrangement progresses, less of their time will be spent here and more time within the Eastern Lands, until such time all their time is spent there. I am quite positive these two can making this work until their actual mating takes place, but they cannot do it on their own. We must be willing to help them, Ryushi, even if we do not care for the situation."

As he spoke, more bite entered Touga's voice, until it was nearly a snarl. He understood the wolf's position, but damn it, he would not stand back and allow the two pups continue to suffer just because the situation was not ideal. If he had to take the hard headed bastard outback and beat it into his skull, he would. For a week he had watched the health of his daughter decline, and when he was presented with the fact the wolf prince was in no better shape, his blood boiled in his veins. There was little he could do as the father of the female, but Ryushi, as the father of the male, should have called this bullshit separation off and either sent his son to his mate or requested the presence of said mate. He was being childish and the actual children were the ones to pay the consequences of it.

For a long moment, Ryushi considered Touga's proposal. Though it wouldn't be without its own problems, it was likely the best solution for many of the more pressing ones. Kouga had been nearly insufferable the last few days, and little was able to be done to calm him down. He wasn't sleeping, barely eating, and at the throat of anyone that looked his direction for more than a moment. Ryushi knew he hadn't handled the situation properly, and he also knew he was aware of it at the time. He had actually listened to Touga before he and his puppy had taken their leave, and understood perfectly what he was told. He had just been of the hope Touga was either wrong or exaggerating. Seeing his son now, taking in the color of his skin, the beads of sweat peppered across his face and neck, Ryushi also knew he had been very, very wrong.

With a hard sigh, Ryushi nodded and returned his eyes to the Western Lord. "Alright, alright. We shall do this your way, Touga. They must get to know one another as it is, yes?"

Though he nodded, when Touga went to open his mouth, he was halted by a quiet voice and the call of 'daddy.' Turning to look at Kagome, he tilted his head to the side. "Yes, Pup?"

Kagome looked first to the two adults before peering around them and setting her sights on Kouga. "Is he doing any better?"

The two lords glanced at each other, and Touga took a moment to formulate his words as to not worry her, and in turn, agitate the sleeping cub. Once he figured out what to say, he returned his attention to his daughter. "He's getting there. The best thing for him is for you to stay as calm as you can. He will react to the way you're feeling, and if you get too upset, it won't do him any favors."

Ryushi watched as the western heiress scratched the back of her head, and then pull the strands of her hair from her fingers afterwards. He hadn't known she was stressed to the point she was losing her hair, and it shored up the fact in his mind Touga's course was the best for both cubs.

Clearing her throat, Kagome swallowed hard as she nodded. "I will try, but I'm... scared for him. He's been sleeping for so long."

Pursing his lips, Touga held out a hand to his daughter, looking back at Ryushi and after telling him they would be next door if needed, steered Kagome to her own room. Once she took a seat on the edge of her futon, he crouched in front of her so they were eye to eye. Setting his hands on hers, Touga spoke to her like he normally spoke to Sesshoumaru, like she was older than she was, hoping to impart to her the importance of the situation.

"Listen well, Kagome. Kouga is not affected in the same way you are when you two are apart. The emotions you felt when separated are the normal emotions a mated female feels when away from their male. He felt that, and it physically affected him. Your stress and your anxiety from being away from him had their effects on you, but they have a much harder one on him. Everything you feel, he does as well, on top of his own emotions, which is emotionally draining. He is still overcoming the blood loss, on top of his own stress from the separation, and the bombardment of yours. Also, when you cannot sleep, neither can he, so he's physically exhausted. He will sleep, and he will be fine. You just need to stay settled, and he will be fine."

Licking her lips, she looked at her father through her lashes, her eyes wet. "What happens when he leaves? Is this just going to keep happening whenever we're apart? Does it get easier? Better? Are we to forever hurt the other when we cannot be in the same place at the same time? I meant to save him, Daddy, not destroy him."

Reaching up to cup her cheek, Touga smiled slightly. "You haven't destroyed anyone, Kagome. What happened was an accident and, while there are consequences for it, it was no less an accident. All choices have consequences, Pup; you know that. This will get better. It will take time, but it will. And, as long as you remain calm and settled, Kouga will as well. He needs you to do this, Kagome. He feels everything you do, and that in itself takes time to get used to. And, he's not leaving. Not yet, anyway. He will remain here until you both are back to your full strengths, and I cannot guess as to how long that is going to take, either."

The first tear broke her eye, though she tried hard to keep it at bay. "And when that happens? What then? How long will it take next time to reach this point?"

Eyes slanting to the wall that separated them from the cub, Touga looked back to Kagome and wiped the tear away. "Settle down, Pup. There is no need to be worked up as you are. Lord Ryushi and I are working on exactly that answer. For Kouga's sake, Kagome, you must calm down." Humming in his throat, he then turned his head and called out for Daiki, one of the sentinel guards, and had him find Sesshoumaru. Returning his attention to Kagome, he smiled. "Prepare for the Dojo, Pup. You need a distraction, and that always seems to help."

When she nodded and went to stand, Touga moved out of her way and left her room, allowing her to change from her Kimono in to hakama and haori. Stopping at Kouga's door, he frowned deep. All he could do was hope this would work. When his son appeared at his side, he didn't remove his attention from the wolf prince as he spoke. "Take Kagome to the gardens and give her a workout. Keep it light, but wear her down. Do not, if at all possible, put her on the defensive. Am I understood?"

Changing a glance himself at the incapacitated wolf, Sesshoumaru nodded. "Perfectly, Father."

Nodding and dismissing his son, Touga sighed. This would end in one of two ways, and all the Western Lord could do was hope it went in the more favorable direction.

*X*

The sun was high in the sky when a tired but bright eyed and bushy tailed Kagome came bounding into the palace, a smirking Sesshoumaru not far behind. It was time for the midday meal, and when the heiress hopped into the dining hall, she smiled brightly at her father and Lord Ryushi, who were seated waiting for the two pups to join them.

With a grin, Touga glanced to first his son before he looked at his daughter. "I see you've enjoyed your time with Sesshoumaru, Kagome."

Nodding vigorously, she took her place and giggled. "Did you see it, Daddy? I kicked Sesshoumaru's tail."

Sesshoumaru snorted quietly as he ruffled his sister's hair before taking his own seat. "She did quite well, Father. If I am honest, she may be ready for offensive weapons training, instead of merely defensive."

Brows shooting his bangs, Touga's eyes snapped to Sesshoumaru. "Truly?"

Picking up his glass, Sesshoumaru nodded. "Yes. I would also suggest finding someone versed in the way of Shadows. That was the only issue we ran into. It takes her far too long to regain her bearings when she regains her form."

Tapping his claw on the table, Touga considered his son's words for a moment before he nodded in response.

While she ate, Kagome's eyes kept moving to the empty place setting next to her. It was only because she was chewing there wasn't a frown on her face. All three males watched her, waiting for the expected downshift to her mood. To their surprise, however, she just finished eating before standing, grabbing Kouga's plate and glass, and leaving without a word. Though that got a raised brow from her father, he said nothing to her about it.

Making her way through the halls, she was stopped many times by one staff member or another, offering to take her burden for her. She would simply shake her head and nod them out her way. She wanted to see how he was doing herself, and no one was going to stop her.

When she got to his door, she crouched, setting the glass in her hand down and sliding the door open. Standing again, she moved quietly into the room, depositing the food and drink on the table before going back and closing the door again. Looking to the bed, there was a slight frown on her face when she discovered Kouga was still sleeping, but at least now he looked like he was actually getting rest. She debated with herself for a moment before she knelt next to the bed and lightly set her hand on Kouga arm.

The reaction was instant, and not what she expected.

Kouga, startled at the touch, shot bolt upright in his borrowed bed, a snarl ripping from his lips, sending Kagome jerking back and away, eyes wide.

Pressing herself against the wall, she licked her lips, her voice soft and holding a slight tremble. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

The unexpected shot of terror felt like a kick to his gut. Hearing the fear filled voice, Kouga blinked, looking to where it came from. Running his hands down his face, he shook his head and dropped back onto the bed and closing his eyes. "No, I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting it."

Forcing herself to calm down, Kagome crawled back to the bedside, this time keeping her hands to herself. "You've missed two meals. I thought you might be hungry."

Cracking an eye open, he slanted it towards his mate. "Two?"

Kagome nodded. "Yes. You slept through both supper last night and the morning meal today. It's midday, Kouga."

Making a noise in the back of his throat, he propped himself up on his forearm. "I could eat."

Giving him a smile, Kagome got up and went to collect the plate and glass from the other side of the room, handing over the plate and setting the glass on the floor next to her when she retook her seat. Crossing her arms on the edge, she propped her chin on them. As she watched Kouga eat, she excitedly told him about her spare with her brother, leaving out no detail when it came to when she had the upper hand on the older inu.

Kouga listened with half an ear, far more interested in the food in front of him, but he paid enough attention to be able to respond when it was clear he was supposed to. When he was done, though, he gave over his full attention. Lounged on his side with his head propped in his palm, he would chuckle along with her, and when she was finished telling him about her morning, he grinned at her. "Very good, My Lady. Wish I could've have seen it. I take it you're feeling better, then?"

Her eyes told him she knew Sesshoumaru let her win their spare, but it didn't damper her excitement over it. To his question, she nodded. "I could use a bath and a nap, but compared to yesterday and the days before, I'm better. You look like you could sleep for a week, though."

Falling onto his back, he stretched his arms above his head, a tongue curling yawn cracking his jaw. "I feel like it." Rolling his head to the side, he looked at his mate with bleary eyes and smiled at her. "Come here."

Giving him a look, Kagome glanced to the door, indecision on her face. After a moment, she turned back to the bed, moved the plate from the pallet to the floor, and climbed up next to Kouga.

Pulling his mate into his arms, he waited as she squirmed around to get comfortable. When she settled, her head was on his shoulder. Turning his head, he buried his nose in her hair and closed his eyes again. Shifting ever so slightly to straighten his spine, he slowly ran his claws through her hair. Feeling a tickle against his palm, he opened one eye and held his hand up to where he could see it, a frown forming on his lips. Reaching over her, he pulled the strands of her hair from his claws.

Turning her head, Kagome watched Kouga's face. Returning to her previous position, she too frowned slightly. "It's been coming out like that for days."

Humming in his throat, Kouga flicked his fingers to rid them of the strands. Wrapping his arm around her back, he held her to his side and settled himself back in for another nap. "Stress, Little One, affects us in odd ways." Closing his eyes, he again buried his nose in her hair. "It'll stop soon enough."

Closing her own eyes as a sense of peace washed over her, Kagome nodded slightly, but didn't respond. She had been told that since her hair started falling out, and it had yet to cease. She would believe it only when it actually happened.

*X*

Touga and Ryushi were in Touga's office, working together to figure out the best schedule for Kouga and Kagome to move between the lands when there was a knock on the door. Calling out for whoever it was t o enter, both lords looked toward Chouko, a western wing maid, when she entered. When she said nothing after a moment, Touga leaned back and crossed his arms. "Is there a problem, Onna?"

Not sure how to tell him what she discovered, the rat youkai scratched her temple. "I have just come from the room Kouga-Sama is using, and I discovered Lady Kagome with him."

Cocking a brow when she didn't continue, Touga glanced at Ryushi before looking back. "And?" The Western Lord was in no way surprised to hear such a thing. Kagome hadn't been seen since she left the dining hall hours ago.

Chouko cleared her throat lightly. "They are... in bed together."

Cocking a brow, Touga hummed. "And, are they indecent?"

Quick to shake her head, Chouko elaborated. "Kouga-Sama is topless, but..."

Touga cut her off and returned his attention to Ryushi. "Then leave them alone. The contact will do them both some good."

Chouko made a face. "My Lord..."

Eyes snapping back to onna, Touga narrowed them. "You said yourself, Onna, they are both clothed, sans Kouga's hoari he has not worn a moment since he's been here. Are they awake?" When Chouko shook her head, Touga nodded. "Then leave them alone. Neither one of those pups have slept properly in a week or better. Neither one of those pups are healthy. Let them be, and let them sleep, so they may regain their strength and health. Should something drastically change, inform me, but I truly do not need to know they are taking a nap." Having nothing else to say to the chamber maid, he turned away from her and back to Ryushi, picking up their conversation where they left off.