Chapter 3:
Political Backing
"Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible."
― Frank Herbert
Prompt: My Transition by Amarathne
"He is holding a summit?" Masura, the Lord of the Northern Isles, as the man bowing before him.
"Yes, m'Lord. It is rumored the Miko of the Shikon no Tama will also be in attendance," Ryotori responded.
A slender blonde eye brow rose to disappear into Masura's bangs. "The Shikon Miko? Interesting..." he said thoughtfully. "When is this summit to take place?"
"Three days from now, Lord Masura."
Masura smiled a smile that made Ryotori's eyes widen and he shuddered with fear. That smile never meant good things.
Kagome had spent the rest of the day trying to learn her way around Ryura's home, and what a giant home – no mansion – it was. Overall it was a gorgeous place Kagome was quickly finding herself attached to. It was styled as a traditional Japanese shiro with long walkways surrounding the outer edges of the house. Nature was overly abundant with at least four gardens along with the natural foliage that surrounded the shiro itself.
The Miko was now in the room given to her and preparing to sleep, her mind swimming with everything she learned and was trying to retain. There were so many people she had met today and after Inuyasha's rant about having to fix part of the shiro he destroyed, Kagome had become extremely busy.
Preparations for the arrival of Sesshoumaru, Kouga, and Lord Kazuhiro were underway with everyone scrambling around. Servants rushed back and forth, doing as they were bid by Tsuyoshi, who Kagome had accompanied for most of the day. Kagome watched as flowers were replaced with freshly cut ones. Rooms were prepared for the guests the two Cardinal Lords were bringing with them, along with rooms for the Lords themselves. There were also servants running around with Inuyasha barking orders at them, telling them what supplies he was going to need, and to "hurry the hell up," and that he wasn't "getting any younger."
Even with as late as it was, Kagome knew there were still people shuffling around the shiro. It would be three days before the Lords arrived, but apparently there was much to do. This was a formal visit, instead of informal like Sesshoumaru would normally make. The Inu Daiyoukai was apparently known to just randomly show up when he felt like it.
Kagome had helped with what she could, but in the end, there wasn't a lot she was actually allowed to help with. She was even outright ignored a few times. All day she had felt glares of youkai burning her back, but never could Kagome pick out just who was glaring at her. It wasn't entirely unexpected, so Kagome pushed on as nothing was happening at all. She had stared the Shikon no Tama in the face and won, she could do this.
Climbing into her bed, which she knew had been custom made to her tastes at the behest of Ryura far before she returned, Kagome let out a loud yawn and curled under the covers. Her new bed was a larger version of the one she had used in the modern era. Ryura had to have had it made for when he found her again.
Or so Kagome thought.
Behind her Kagome heard the screen to her room slide open and she froze, not able to feel who it was. Their youki and aura were both hidden, if it was even youkai at all. Frowning, Kagome waited as whoever just entered her room came closer as she heard shuffling along with metal scraping against metal, and just as she was about to lash out with a whip, she felt a small trickle of Ryura's youki.
Kagome felt the bed shift under Ryura's weight and she rolled over to face him with a large smile, knowing her could see her despite how dark it was. She could only make a faint outline of his shadowed figure as he moved to lay down beside her.
"I wasn't expecting you," Kagome murmured.
She felt more than heard Ryura chuckle. "You are in my bedroom, Kagome."
"What!?" Kagome exclaimed. "B-but Hikaru said it was my room to do with what I pleased, she didn't say anything about it being your room!"
"She was not mistaken. It is your room to do with as you please, I will have no objections. Did you think after being three years without you, I was going to let you far from my sight if I could help it?" Ryura asked as he slid closer to Kagome and pulled her against him.
Kagome didn't have an argument for that, so instead she buried her face in his bare chest and smiled against him. "I was wondering why the color scheme seemed to scream it was meant for a man."
And indeed the room was designed to suit a male's tastes. It was an extremely large room, with the bed directly in the center against the farthest wall from the door. Tansu of various sizes made from dark red wood, matching the wood of the floor, were set up in tasteful places around the room, meant to hold clothing and other such items. The walls of the room were draped with black and red drapes that went from ceiling to floor, which matched the color schemes of the coverings of the bed Ryura and Kagome were laying in.
Ryura wrapped his arms around Kagome's smaller form and nuzzled his nose into her hair, inhaling as much of her natural scent as he could.
"Oh, I was wanting to ask..." Kagome trailed off.
"Hm?" Ryura hummed out with his nose still in her hair.
"What was that thing you and Tsuyoshi did when we first came here?" the Miko asked.
Ryura blinked quickly, realizing he hadn't had the chance to explain it until now. Oops. He chuckled, rumbling Kagome at the same time. "It was a bonding ritual which can only be done at the very heart of the Eastern Territories – where we are now, else we would have done it before."
Kagome shifted around until she was looking up at Ryura's face. The moonlight had begun to pour through the thin shoji screens, clouds moving to allow it, and she could easily make out the features of his face now. "What's it for?"
"It bonds those who are members of the House of Storms together in a very minor way. Can you feel mine and Tsuyoshi's youki?" Ryura asked, and Kagome nodded once. "It is just as we can feel bits of your reiki within us. It makes us immune to the other's energy entirely, while at the same time it allows others to know we are members of my House, regardless of what we wear."
"Do the others have the same thing? Akira and the rest," Kagome asked.
Ryura faintly shook his head. "No. They are in service to me as the Lord of the East, not as members of my House. The two are very different," he explained. "To this day there are only four within the House. Shippou will be bonded with us when he visits next. He wanted to wait until we found you again."
Kagome smiled softly at that. "Good, I'm glad. He needs a family."
"He has a family. You and Akira," Ryura rumbled.
"True!" Kagome chirped. She smiled again and buried her face in his chest once more, only for him to tilt her head up towards him with two clawed fingers under her chin.
Ryura's eyes roamed Kagome's face for a long moment, then he stared into her eyes, looking for something. When he found it, he gave the Miko a dazzling smile that sucked the air right out of Kagome's lungs, and the next thing she new Ryura had rolled her over until she was resting on her back. The Dragon Daiyoukai was poised above her, his long hair spilling around them like a curtain and his strong arms resting on either side of her shoulders.
The last thing Kagome could coherently remember after that was Ryura kissing her with a blazing passion that she had never felt before. It had turned her to goo and the rational side of Kagome's mind promptly shut down as both she and Ryura gave into their more base instincts and desires.
"I heard it," Yuichi said with a smirk.
Akira nodded, a small smirk settled on his face as well. "As did I," he said then took a sip of tea.
"I smelt it. You two better feel fuckin' lucky you don't have my nose," Inuyasha said with a grump. "I'm staying in your guys' wing from now on, not in that one."
"Please, shut up!" Kagome squeaked out. Her face was cherry red and her eyes were closed.
"I think the entire shiro heard it," Tsuyoshi grinned as he spoke, ignoring Kagome's command. "Honestly, who could have missed that? I was bounced right out of my futon."
"It wasn't that loud," Ryura grumbled.
Hikaru nodded sage-like, her short sage green hair bobbing around her face as she moved. "It was that loud, Lord Ryura."
"Not you too, Hikaru-chan!" Kagome moaned. Her response with a playful grin from Hikaru.
"Lady Kagome, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Lord Ryura was simply letting the entire world know he had found and taken his mate. He would not have been able to control it if he wanted to, instincts drove him to do it," Tsuyoshi said next, still grinning like a fool over his tea cup.
"I think that's the shortest courtship I've ever seen," Yuichi quipped, laughing. "It skipped from courting to mates like that!" he snapped his fingers, "You guys bypassed nearly two stages!"
Kagome groaned and leaned forward, thunking her forehead on the table. She was never going to hear the end of this, she knew it!
"My nose still hurts," Inuyasha muttered.
"Sit!"
Wham! Inuyasha's head bounced off the table, causing every dish settled on it to clattering, then he fell backwards, unconscious. Yuichi laughed and snorted at the same time due to the sudden violence, then coughed and sputtered as tea flew from his nose. Hikaru laughed at that, and soon after the entire room was in an uproar of loud laughter, even the still embarrassed Kagome.
When they calmed down, the group finished their breakfasts with quiet conversation now. Ryura was sitting next to Kagome, all but attached to her hip with how close he was to her. Hikaru sat to Kagome's left with Inuyasha beside her. Tsuyoshi sat opposite of Kagome and Ryura and Yuichi was seated to the water Dragon's left and Akira finishing the circle beside Yuichi and to Ryura's right.
"Lord Ryura," Hikaru asked and the Dragon looked from Kagome to her with a raised brow. "I will be needing to borrow Lady Kagome today."
"Ah?" Ryura and Kagome asked at the the same time, making Hikaru giggle like a school-girl.
"It will be for her new attire," Hikaru said as she eyed the new markings on Kagome's cheeks.
Kagome absently raised her hand, brushing her fingers over where she knew the markings were. They mimicked Ryura's right down to the place where they were on her body. She had the same stripes on her shoulders, ribs, hips, and ankles, in the exact same locations as Ryura's. Kagome even carried the same thin, oblong diamond that Ryura had on his forehead.
They showed Kagome was now the new Lady of the East and Matriarch of the House of Storms. She was no longer just the Miko of the House, but the Lord's mate. It also spoke volumes of their relationship with the other. If two souls were not compatible such a bond would not have been possible, and what's more is that Ryura was shocked her reiki didn't automatically reject that same bond. Not that he was complaining, far from it.
"Do not keep her away for long, Hikaru. If Sesshoumaru and the rest weren't coming as soon as they are, I wouldn't allow it to begin with," Ryura rumbled out in warning.
Hikaru's head bowed and she smiled. "Of course. I will have her back to you as soon as I can, Lord Ryura."
Kagome looked between the two, confused. Tsuyoshi eyed her carefully then pinned his Lord with a glare. "Lord Ryura..." his voice was low and dangerous. "Exactly how much have you told Lady Kagome what it means to be newly mated to a Dragon?"
"Considering we had Inuyasha at the crack of dawn making a ruckus and throwing a fit, I haven't been able to properly sit down and talk about it," Ryura said as he shot a glare of his own over at the still unconscious hanyou. Kagome really did a number on him.
Yuichi, Hikaru, and Akira wisely decided to stay quiet and continued eating their breakfast while Kagome's brows furrowed.
"If I may then, Lord Ryura?" Tsuyoshi asked and Ryura nodded as he took a bite of his food. "Lady Kagome, to know where I can begin, how familiar are you with Dragons and how they look to what they consider to be treasures?"
"Obsessive compulsive?" Kagome asked. "Take a piece of my treasure and I'll eat you alive, or I might roast you for dinner?"
"...pretty much," Yuichi coughed as he muttered.
"In a sense, yes. Dragons are notorious for hoarding treasures, and what type of treasure depends on the type of Dragon. Water Dragons, like myself, prefer pearls and fine works of art. Air Dragons like Lord Ryura care more for jewels, gold, statuary..."
"Don't forget to mention you guys sometimes eat those pearls and jewels," Yuichi said with a grin.
"What!?" Kagome asked as she swung her gaze to look at Ryura, who was holding his chopsticks half way to his open mouth, his eyes wide and looking at Kagome. "You eat rubies and diamonds, stuff like that?"
"...I've been known to. Tsuyoshi eats pearls," Ryura said, then quickly stuffed the food in his mouth.
Tsuyoshi cleared his throat. "Yes, I do. Either way, Lady Kagome, the most precious treasure to any Dragon is their mate. Now take what you have told me, and mix it together with how a Dragon may feel if its new mate was to disappear from its side?"
"Chaos and destruction?"
"Exactly," Tsuyoshi nodded at Kagome's answer.
Swallowing, Ryura shook his head quickly before speaking, "More like it will rain fire and death." He was being serious.
"Hahahah..." Kagome laughed nervously.
"I will control myself for now, Kagome," Ryura said with a soft chuckle as he raised his free hand to run it through Kagome's still unbound hair. "This needs to be done."
"As I said, I will hurry back with Lady Kagome as quickly as possible," Hikaru smiled to the couple then slightly bowed her head.
"Well, I'm finished if you want to go ahead and get it over with?" Kagome suggested with a grin in Hikaru's direction.
Akira's head tilted. "I will come along as well to be sure."
"Let us go, then!" Hikaru exclaimed excitedly as she hopped up from her seat. The woman could move extremely easily in multilayer kimonos, for some reason.
A flurry of silk surrounded Kagome as the seamstress began to work, taking minor measurements at the same time as she tested which color looked best against Kagome's natural colorings. Kagome stood stock still, too afraid to move as the elder youkai woman, Kou, moved with an unnatural speed with pins flying every where.
Hikaru was off to the side, helping as best as she could by sorting out rolls of silk after rolls of silk. Some were to be used, others were not. Some rolls were meant for kimonos while others were meant for Kagome's Miko attire. Training garbs, sleeping yukatas, anything and everything one could think of a woman owning in Feudal Japan was being planned out. Akira waited just at the door with his back to the group of females.
Kou was speaking quickly, talking aloud to herself as she made notes.
"You are lucky that Lord Ryura's markings match your eyes so well, m'lady, and that they are not red like Lord Sesshoumaru's. Who knows what color we would dress you up in then!" Kou said directly to Kagome, a light laugh filtering through her words.
"You don't oppose then?" Kagome asked softly.
Her question made Kou's hands come to a halt and she looked up to Kagome from where she was kneeling on the ground. "Lady Kagome, I do not oppose at all. This may have not been mentioned, but I was the Lady Kasumi's, Lord Ryura's mother, seamstress, as well."
Kagome felt her breath leave her. It was the first time she had heard anyone but Ryura or Tsuyoshi speak of Ryura's parents.
"And Lady Kasumi would have loved you, Lady Kagome," Kou said with a soft smile. "I am old, far older than any one who current resides in this shiro, and I have seen many things. You and Lord Ryura resonate in a way that I have not seen in such a long, long time. It matters not if you are human, or a Miko. You fit Lord Ryura better than anyone else living or yet to be born ever could."
Hikaru smiled softly, having thought the same thing that Kou was now telling Kagome. She would have to tell Ryura of this. Perhaps there was yet another one to stand at Kagome's side against those who were going to oppose the mating between a Miko and a Daiyoukai.
Kou quickly went back to her work. She was determined to have at least six kimonos made along with three sets of Miko attire with the House of Storm's crest on the proper shoulder before the other Lords arrived in two days.
Ryura's claws dug into the wood of his desk. The sound of his teeth grinding together echoed through the room, making Yuichi flinch. It had been three hours since Kagome, Hikaru, and Akira left and Yuichi wasn't for sure how much longer Ryura was going to last. How long he did wait, however, spoke volumes of his control. Most wouldn't have made it more than an hour.
Well, Yuichi thought, Ryura wasn't a Daiyoukai without reason. Daiyoukai were known for their patience and control.
A loud crack and the sounds of wood splintering startled Yuichi out of his daze and his amber eyes darted to look at Ryura. He had broken his desk in half!
"L-Lord Ryura!" Yuichi said. "I am sure they will return soon!"
A low, reverberating growl escaped Ryura and his head snapped up, eyes swinging wildly to land on Yuichi. The markings on his face were slowly becoming twisted, stretching to the corners of his mouth and his eyes were slowly bleeding red.
Yuichi was up on his feet in a matter of moments, rushing from the room as fast as he could. "This isn't good! Shit!"
Running 'til he hit the edge of the walkway, Yuichi leaped into the air as his wings appeared behind him and spread out in one fluid motion. He twisted in the air and with a desperation not a lot had seen from the Tengu before he skyrocketed over the compound towards where Kagome was still with the seamstress. Yuichi needed to move quickly else the Lord of the East was going to lose his mind and destroy another half of his shiro, and possibly kill more than a dozen or so servants in the process. Considering the political meetings that were to happen soon, that was the worst possible scenario.
Kagome had the same thought in mind, along with worry for her new mate. Her body had suddenly began to burn with fury, but it wasn't her fury, and at the same time she felt Ryura's youki flare to life as if he had been standing right beside her. Tsuyoshi's earlier warning rang in her mind as she experienced the sensation and without a word to Kou, Akira, or Hikaru, Kagome had pulled on her hakama and white tank top she would normally wear under her haori. She ran out of the room barefooted and now her heavy footfalls were alerting anyone in her way she was coming. The shiro was filled with youkai and there was no way they couldn't hear her.
She ran by a few servants who plastered themselves against the wall, just barely avoiding the sprinting Miko. Kagome flew down the walkways, pumping her reiki into her legs to make her move as fast as Inuyasha could run – she had to do something with it, else it was going to be provoked out by Ryura's youki and even in her haste she didn't want to accidentally hurt anyone as she ran.
"Lady Kagome!" Yuichi called out to her as he spotted her.
"Oh thank the Kami! Yuichi!" Kagome yelled as she made a sharp left and jumped towards the Tengu who caught her by her outstretched arm. "Take me to Ryura, please!"
"Of course!" Yuichi said over the sound of wind rushing past him and Kagome.
Yuichi set Kagome down just outside Ryura's study and the Miko flung open the shoji doors, her chest heaving with how much anger she was feeling through her bond with her new mate. Ryura was standing in the middle of the room, which looked like ground zero for a bombing. Nothing in the room was intact. Not a even a single cushion had been spared. The Dragon Daiyoukai was covered in the downy feathers that should have been inside said cushions and not flying about the room as if Ryura had just slaughtered a few chickens.
Ryura spun on his heel and once he saw Kagome he immediately stalked over to her and pulled her into a crushing embrace. Silently Kagome thanked whoever was listening he wasn't wearing his armor, because if he had, she would have been either unconscious or dead after this.
"I'm here, I'm back," Kagome cooed at the angry Daiyoukai. "It's okay now."
Ryura's body shook against her and Kagome suddenly found her head roughly being pulled back by her hair and Ryura's mouth harshly meeting against her own. His fangs scraped along her lip, causing her to bleed and Kagome could taste her blood bloom in her mouth. Ryura leaned back slightly only to greedily lap up the blood that was spilling from her cut lip, and ever so slowly the twisted markings on his face smoothed out and his eyes faded back to their normal ruby-red instead of the angry, fires of hell they had been.
Kagome's face was pressed against Ryura's chest and she could feel it rising and falling in rapid succession as his breath left him in pants. Ryura's chin was resting on the crown of Kagome's head and his arms were shaking as he held her. The Miko could only smile, despite being treated as roughly as she had been. In the past Kagome probably would have freaked out at Ryura's behavior, but now she understood more than she could rightfully explain – there were just no words for it.
With their mating bond, the tied together state of their souls, had come an entirely new understanding of Ryura. His feelings, his thoughts were now her own to a certain degree and vice versa. Extreme and intense emotions could be felt easily through that same bond, allowing for the other mate to know if their other have was hurt or upset. It was cases like these the mating bond came in handy, for only a mate could calm a raging Daiyoukai. Kagome knew Ryura would never hurt her on purpose. It just wasn't in him. Seeing Ryura that desperate and angry over the fact he couldn't see, smell, or touch her was, in a morbid way, was sort of sweet to Kagome, and besides, it's not like Kagome was entirely against it. She didn't want Ryura to bring down the shiro around his ears, but she definitely enjoyed his reaction to seeing her again.
It was the morning of the day Sesshoumaru, Kouga, and Kazuhiro were to arrive. Kagome was dressed in one of her new Miko outfits, exactly the same as her old except the House of Storms' crest was embroidered on the left shoulder instead of the right. Her haori now matched Ryura's shirt. She had been given a new quiver that matched the color of her hakama, black, and carried swirling loops of cloud-like silver etchings throughout it. The quiver was resting over her right shoulder with the Longbow of Mount Azusa. Ryura had her wear her weapon of choice not only to make a statement, but also as a way to protect herself. No one knew what was going to happen, after all.
Kagome struck an imposing figure dressed as she was. The markings of her mate, easily seen on her face and wrists, only made her that much more dangerous. She was the mate, the beloved, of a Daiyoukai as well as the Miko of the Shikon no Tama. If someone dared to harm her, they would die.
Since Inuyasha was around, he stood next to Kagome's side as they waited for Kazuhiro and the rest to arrive. Tessaiga was drawn, the fang-blade resting on his shoulder. Inuyasha stood staunch as a silent protector, daring anyone to look at Kagome the wrong way. Ryura was her mate, yes, but Inuyasha was her best friend, someone who had known her for quite a long time now, and he wasn't about to let anyone lay a hand on her while Ryura might be looking away. Tessaiga gleamed in the morning sun, only furthering the hanyou's point.
Ryura adjusted Raijinga and Fujinga on his back as he too came to stand on Kagome's other side. The swords thrummed happily at being so close to Kagome and the Miko giggled and rested a hand on their hilts, one at a time. Ryura grinned and wrapped an arm loosely around her waist. Tsuyoshi joined the three shortly after, wearing what he had when they battled against Naraku. His armor looked freshly polished, giving the Dragon on his arm a new life to it.
"Look at that..." Yuichi muttered to Akira.
Akira did as Yuichi suggested and looked over to his Lord and Lady. His lavender eyes drifted between Ryura, Kagome, and Inuyasha. Akira almost hoped someone tried to start something today. It'd be worth seeing those three fight.
"Kagoommeeeee, Akiiiraa-niichan!"
Everyone snapped their gazes up to see Shippou flying through the air, his fox-like feet covered in teal-green foxfire keeping him aloft and flying. Behind him was Kirara with Miroku and Kohaku sitting atop her back. Kagome's face lit up with a breath-taking smile as she saw them.
"You guys!" she yelled.
Shippou dropped down to rest in front of Kagome and he quickly threw his arms around her middle in a hug. "I missed you!" he cried against her stomach. Kagome laughed and echoed his feelings.
Kirara landed gently along the ground. Miroku slid off, followed by Kohaku. Kirara stayed in her transformed state as she quickly trotted up and butted her head lightly against Kagome's.
"Hello Kirara! I missed you too!"
"Kagome!" Kohaku exclaimed.
"The fuck..." Inuyasha said as he looked between the new arrivals with confusion. "What're you guys doing'?"
"We came to support Lord Ryura, of course," Miroku said with a grin as he clapped his hand against Inuyasha's shoulder, next to Tessaiga's blade. He flashed a smile at Kagome, who returned it.
"I am grateful, but how did you know?" Ryura asked with brows raised. Tsuyoshi nodded in agreement, wanting to know as well.
"Inuyasha mentioned it," Shippou admitted.
Ryura leveled Inuyasha with a glare and the hanyou coughed, looking away. "I didn't think they'd actually show up!"
"Kohaku?" Kagome asked, eying the man in front of her. "You've grown so much!"
Kohaku blushed and scratched the back of his neck. He had indeed grown, and now stood even with Inuyasha. His shoulders were broad and strong, as was the rest of his body. The large scythe and chain on his back, forged by Totosai, must have had something to do with his obvious strength. It was easy to tell he was Sango's brother, dressed as he was in his black and green tight fitting slayer armor mixed his he shared his sister's good looks and colorings.
"May I ask what is going on?" Akira piped up from behind them.
"We are all allies of Lord Ryura," Miroku said. "When Inuyasha told us of the troubles and that there were various Lords coming to visit to gather resources should a war break out... Well, what better way to show that he is not without support than the ones who defeated Naraku at his side?"
"Yup!" Shippou exclaimed. He waved then to his cousin, Akira, who smiled softly at Shippou in return.
"I came in place of my sister. Sango is still nursing Kenshiro, after all," Kohaku said. "But she sends her love and best wishes."
Ryura laughed then and picked Shippou up to set the young Kitsune on his shoulder opposite of Kagome. "I welcome the support and thank each of you for it. This will truly be a shock with those Kazuhiro is bringing with him."
"We're just missing Sesshoumaru," Kagome said from beside Ryura.
"He's comin', I can smell him," Inuyasha said gruffly.
Sure enough, Sesshoumaru appeared over the tall tree line and landed with no noise. A slender brow rose as he took in the sight of nearly all of Inuyasha's pack being in front of him. Sesshoumaru could only guess why they were there, and his guesses were usually right. Behind him, Jaken hopped off Sesshoumaru's pelt and waddled to stand beside his Lord. He squawked happily at seeing Kagome.
"You truly are back!" Jaken said, which earned him a smile from Kagome.
"Perhaps I should have arrived sooner," he said as he walked forward. "If I had known this was to happen I should have come as myself instead of Lord of the West."
Above Sesshoumaru a bell-like laugh rang through the air, "You still may, my son. I will fill in your position."
"Lady Inukimi!" Ryura said with a grin. "Wonderful to see you, my Lady!"
Inukimi landed next to her son and smiled politely. "As it is you, Ryura."
Sesshoumaru looked down to his mother. "You are sure?" he asked.
"Of course I am, Sesshoumaru, else I would not have said it," Inukimi said with a soft smirk, then watched as Sesshoumaru moved closer to the group.
He came to a stop in front of Kagome, eying her carefully. Sesshoumaru's mask fell for a moment and he smiled warmly at her as he leaned over and placed his forehead against hers with his right hand reaching up to cup her face. Kagome's diamond and Sesshoumaru's crescent moon met.
"Congratulations Kagome, Ryura," he said with his forehead still against Kagome's. "I approve of your mating and will stand at your sides."
Sesshoumaru rose, his mask sliding back into place. Tsuyoshi stepped to the side, making room for Sesshoumaru next to Ryura. With Sesshoumaru's addition and him motioning for Jaken to stand beside Tsuyoshi, the band of hunters who had saved the world were brought together again for the same purpose; to support each other and stand up to whatever it was they would be facing in the future.
"Yeah, now I'm sort of scared," Yuichi murmured.
Akira could only nod in agreement. Together they were truly an imposing sight to behold.
Yuichi, Akira, and Hikaru stood just off to the side, admiring the group standing in front of them, but they didn't have time to admire long.
"Oi, dog-breath!" came the loud voice of Kouga. "What're ya doin' here!"
"To protect Kagome and the runt, why else, shit face!" Inuyasha retorted.
"WHAT!?" Kouga yelled. He was too far away to see exactly who was standing in the group. Beside him, Ayame perked up and was running before even Kouga could react.
"Kagome!" Ayame yelled as she neared the Miko. "I didn't know you were back!"
The she-wolf launched herself at Kagome and the Miko laughed loudly as the two embraced the other tightly. Kouga joined in, wrapping his strong arms around both women.
"Are you crying, Kouga?" Miroku asked with a smirk.
Kouga suddenly sniffed loudly, "I'm not crying. Shut up, monk!"
"He's crying," Inuyasha said.
"Yep, he's crying," Shippou remarked with a nod. Around him laughter and giggles could be heard.
"Shut up!" Kouga yelled.
Ayame's startled gasp had Kouga's attention and he followed her gaze to Kagome's face. "You're mated to the Dragon!?"
"I am!" Kagome said proudly.
"And I would appreciate it if you took your hands off my new mate, Kouga," Ryura bit out tightly. Sesshoumaru was one thing. He had been congratulating Kagome in the way of the Inu. Kouga was just being touchy.
Kouga quickly hopped backwards, dragging Ayame with him.
Inukimi carefully regarded those standing before her as she covered her mouth with her delicate looking, clawed hand. "Now this is what I call political backing," she quietly said to herself. "I dare Masaru to declare war."
Heads slowly turned as some of the group began to feel unfamiliar youki of over a dozen youkai approaching.
"It is Kazuhiro," Ryura said, having recognized a few of the youki signatures immediately, and in response, he began to allow his own youki to be felt.
"My word, does he always need such a large escort?" Inukimi scoffed, unimpressed with the obvious attempt from the Southern Lord to display some sort of dominance.
Down the shadowed path the progression of the Southern Lord could be seen even by the humans. A tall man with bright red hair stood at the front wearing a dark grey haori and hakama. His torso was covered in armor and a katana rested at his hip, kept in place by a long black and gold sash.
Kagome's breath hitched at the increased amount of youki being released from the youkai accompanying Kazuhiro. Her heart began to beat quickly and it was an inward battle from that moment on. Her reiki was begging to be released in self-defense, but Kagome wouldn't allow it. If it weren't for Ryura gently stroking her hip with his clawed fingers, Kagome was sure she would have won that war.
Inuyasha seemed to sense Kagome's inner turmoil and he placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a firm, reassuring squeeze. Kagome glanced at him and saw him staring ahead, his eyes hard and cold. At that exact moment, Kagome knew that Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha could never deny each other as brothers. She watched Inuyasha finger the still drawn Tessaiga's hilt, then she looked away.
Akira placed a hand lightly on the hilt of his katana at his hip, his body stiffening. "There is absolutely no reason for this. One of them must have sensed Kagome and are displaying their arrogance to her, knowing if she attacks one of them then this whole thing is off," he murmured to both Hikaru and Yuichi standing on either side of him.
Yuichi frowned deeply, the grip on his Bisento tightening until his knuckles were white. He didn't say anything, but by his movements Akira and Hikaru could see he agreed.
"I do not believe they know it is Lady Kagome. You both know Lord Kazuhiro carries a fondness for the Miko of the Shikon no Tama," Hikaru said softly. "He looks up to her."
"You are probably correct," Akira said in return. "We will see."
Ryura glanced over his shoulder briefly, having heard the conversation between the three behind him. A scowl settled on his face, one Sesshoumaru did not miss. The Inu Daiyoukai leaned slightly to the side and whispered, "Do not fret, Ryura. We are all here to support you and Kagome. If they truly wish to lose their lives, then we will all personally see to it that they are dead at our feet and Kagome unharmed."
The Dragon gave Sesshoumaru a short nod. Truthfully, he would have normally been offended by Sesshoumaru's statement, but being a newly mated male Daiyoukai, and a Dragon to boot, was rough on one's control. Ryura didn't know what he would do if Kagome was attacked. He might just lose it and not be able to tell friend from foe at the moment.
"Lord Ryura," Kazuhiro said as he neared the shiro. "It has been some time."
"Indeed it has, Lord Kazuhiro. I hope your trip went smoothly?" Ryura asked to be polite.
Kazuhiro smiled a smile that didn't reach his dull, steel-grey eyes. "It went as one would expect."
Ryura nodded then cast his gaze out over the large group of youkai behind Kazuhiro. Kazuhiro was making his own assessments of those standing beside Ryura, his eyes falling on Kagome and staring at her.
"I was unaware you had taken a mate, Lord Ryura," Kazuhiro said. "I would congratulate you, yet I cannot find it in me to give my blessings to a human Miko."
Kagome stiffened beside Ryura and her reiki licked outwards against her will. Youki flared wildly from almost every youkai within the immediate area in response, some in defense of Kagome and some in opposition to her. Inuyasha and Ryura were both growling loudly enough to rattle the poor Miko 'til her vision was blurry, considering they were both touching her.
"Lord Kazuhiro, think carefully," Ryura bit out. "Exactly which Miko have I been waiting for? Which Miko is it that you all but begged me to form an alliance with you, simply because she was in my House? Have I not told you specifically that I would not be taking a mate unless it was that Miko when you tried to pawn one of your daughters off on me?"
Kazuhiro's eyes widened at the realization and he spun on the ball of his foot, "Enough! I will kill you myself if you do not calm yourself this instance! She is the Miko of the Shikon no Tama!"
The Lord turned around and bowed deeply with apology. "Forgive me, Lord Ryura. I do have to ask, however, who are the others? I know Lord Sesshoumaru, Tsuyoshi, and Prince Kouga, but the others are unfamiliar to me."
Ryura smirked wildly and looked down to Kagome. "Why don't you answer him and properly introduce yourself and everyone, my mate?"
Kagome looked nervous for a moment before she steeled herself and with a gentle push from Ryura and Inuyasha both, she took a few steps forward and bowed her head in greetings to Kazuhiro, who was now standing straight and looking at her as if she was the most interesting thing he had ever seen in his long life.
"I am Kagome, Miko of the Shikon no Tama, Lady and Matriarch of the House of Storms, and mate to Ryura the Dragon, Daiyoukai and Patriarch of the House of Storms, Lord of the Eastern Territories," Kagome said formally as she could possibly manage. "With me to show support to my Lord and mate are Inu no Taisho Sesshoumaru, Daiyoukai and Patriarch of the House of the Moon, Lord of the Western Territories," she gestured back to Sesshoumaru who only cocked a brow at Kazuhiro. She then continued, gesturing and introducing all of them one at a time.
"The hanyou Inuyasha, half-brother of Lord Sesshoumaru, their shared parent being the ascended Touga-inukami. Tsuyoshi the water Dragon Daiyoukai, First General of the Eastern Territories and Steward of the House of Storms. The Monk Miroku, husband of the youkai-slayer Sango. Kohaku the youkai-slayer, brother-in-law of Miroku and brother to Sango who is standing for his sister as she is caring for her children. The Kitsune Shippou, my son and cousin of the Second General of the Eastern Territories Akira the Nine-Tails. Master Jaken, retainer of the Lord Sesshoumaru, and last but not least, the nekomata Kirara, companion of the youkai-slayers."
Kazuhiro's eyes grew wider and wider as Kagome introduced her extended family. Each and every one of them had a hand in defeating Naraku, and all of them were standing at Ryura's side. Kagome, on the other hand, felt like she was about to faint from the lack of oxygen. She was overly happy Hikaru had gone over how to introduce people if she had to. Kagome turned to return to Ryura's side and winked over at Hikaru. Hikaru smiled and bowed her head to Kagome.
Ryura kissed Kagome's forehead once she was standing before him, then looked to Kazuhiro. "Any complaints?"
"None. Absolutely none," Kazuhiro replied. This visit just became a lot more interesting.
A.N.: I'm so obsessed with the band Amaranthe. I think their songs might just end up being the inspiration behind this entire story, haha!