Chapter Seven – To the West

Kagome nibbled on her bottom lip as she stood outside of Kaede's hut, where the kitsune that Myoga had brought to the village was waiting along with the rest of the group. Behind her, Sesshomaru was still speaking in low tones with the flea, confirming his story one last time before she went in.

"His blood does not taste of deceit?"

"No, my lord, not at all. He carries no spell on his person either; I would have tasted it."

For a moment, Sesshomaru was silent. "Very well."

Kagome looked back, and the inu lord was loosening the tight grip he'd had on the flea's tiny body. His golden eyes landed on her, and he flicked Myoga over his shoulder as he approached. "This Sesshomaru shall accompany you."

Knowing better than to argue with him, Kagome nodded, and then plastered a smile onto her face as she ducked into the hut. Immediately, the kitsune seated within bowed, touching his forehead to his clawed hands, and Kagome felt her face flush. She crossed to him as Sesshomaru settled himself onto the floor, and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, smiling as he raised his head to look at her.

"Thank you for your respect," she said, "but you don't have to bow to me."

He cleared his throat as she moved to sit at Sesshomaru's right hand side, the rest of the group seated in various positions around the hut. "If it is all the same to you, my lady, I will do so."

Kagome hummed as she observed him. He wore all black, and his eyes were a bright, vibrant violet, flecks of silver making the color stand out that much more against his pale, almost paper white skin. His face bore no markings, and only the heat of his youki and pointed ears gave away the fact that he wasn't human. His hair was the color of pale straw, held back away from his face and tied near the end with a wide, black band of leather; his tails—four of them swished lazily in the air behind him—were also pale blonde, the fur at the ends only slightly darker than the rest.

"You have yet to introduce yourself, kitsune," Sesshomaru said, snapping Kagome out of her perusal. The kit bowed once more.

"Forgive me my lord, my lady. I am Zenzo."

"Zenzo," Kagome repeated, committing the name to memory. She poured tea, passing it carefully around the hut and smiling to erase some of the grim expressions she saw. Zenzo was the last to receive his cup, and the kitsune took it with a light bow, prompting her to smile at him as he rose. For a moment, only light sipping could be heard, and Kagome was the one to break the tentative silence. "So how did you know that I was here?" Almost immediately, the kit's eyes filled with pain and Kagome opened her mouth, intending to state that he didn't have to tell her anything if he wasn't ready, but he shook his head.

"No, my lady, please. It will be good for me to tell my story." Kagome pursed her lips, but nodded anyway, earning herself a saddened smile. He took a deep breath before beginning.

"I was born in the South, two years before yourself. My mother was a lady of the court, and my father was Lord Shinosamu's advisor. When Takuma usurped your father, my mother and I escaped in the chaos that followed. We traveled North with a guard, and my mother appealed to Lord Kenta. He gave his protection and sent word to the Eastern lord, assuring us that we would not be given up to Takuma in the event that he looked for us." He paused and sipped his tea before continuing.

"And he did look. I remember, when I was an adolescent, a time when my mother came rushing back from the village we resided near with news of Southern soldiers asking about us. She told me to run into the mountains and hide myself; I fought with her, told her that I would not let her face them alone, but she made me leave and swore that she would send for me when it was safe." He shook his head. "I still don't know how she managed to deter them."

"But I suppose it doesn't matter," he resumed after another swallow of the hot liquid. "No matter how she did it, she did, and the incident did nothing to damper her vigor; just as she had when I was a child, she told me the story of your father, stressing the fact that I would be the one to find you when you returned. I didn't know until recently why she believed that fact so adamantly; it turns out that before we left the South, she was visited in a dream by the Seers that reside in the Nusaki Mountains. They told her that I would one day be able to avenge my father, and that they would inform her of your return—they came to her again a fortnight ago, and she told me of this village with her last breath."

For a moment, Kagome was silent, and then she inclined her head. "I'm sorry for your loss."

The kit smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, my lady." He drank the rest of his tea, and sat calmly for a while, obviously lost in his own thoughts. Kagome discreetly glanced to her left, and Sesshomaru's piercing gaze met hers; although she couldn't tell what he was thinking, he seemed unperturbed by the kitsune—a good sign if there ever was one.

When she returned her attention back to Zenzo, he seemed to be just coming out of his thoughts; his eyes gained a bit of light, and he looked at her resolutely. "My lady, if I may speak freely?"

"Of course," Kagome murmured, trying not to frown.

Zenzo lightly cleared his throat. "I am…unsure of my purpose in your destiny," he said, shifting nervously for the first time. "But I do not wish to shy away from my part, lest the kami think me a coward." He swallowed, and although Kagome could sense where he was going, a light flare of Sesshomaru's aura kept her quiet. Zenzo frowned, fingers tightening on his knees. He sat still for a moment, and then bowed, forehead touching his hands.

"If it would please my lady, my life is hers. I give her my loyalty, and swear on my honor that I shall protect and serve the House of the Southern Star until the kami call my soul from my body."

Kagome felt something in her balk and shy away from what Zenzo was saying. She didn't want him to live his life for her—how could he just give up his freedom? She opened her mouth to deny his words, but suddenly, something that Sesshomaru had told her leapt to the forefront of her mind, and she nearly winced as the words refuted every argument she could think to pose.

"To a youkai, pledging life and loyalty is not only a test to their sense of honor, but a test of the one they pledge to. It is not an easy thing to give away one's freedom, but harder still is realizing that the freedom is going to someone much more powerful than oneself."

With an internal sigh, Kagome looked to her left. Sesshomaru's gaze was blank, and she could plainly see that he was leaving the decision up to her; the tilt of his mouth, however, alerted her to the fact that he knew she had remembered his lesson, and she just barely refrained from rolling her eyes.

Miroku's gaze was curious, though encouraging, and Sango shrugged when she looked to her, brown eyes giving away nothing of her true thoughts. Inuyasha, similarly, seemed to have nothing to contribute, and she sighed lightly before turning back to the still bowed kitsune.

"It would please me," she responded, smiling at the relief that shone in his eyes as he straightened. He lifted his right arm, and laid it across his chest, but his smile softened the harsh salute, and Kagome served more tea as the group fell into comfortable chatter.

It wasn't until much later in the evening that everyone remembered Myoga; of course, the fact that Kagome was glaring at the flat, flea-shaped speck on her palm indicated that she might've been reminded in an unsavory manner.

"Forgive me, Lady Kagome," the flea murmured as he regained himself, bowing to her before smacking his lips. "But I could not resist the call any longer; your blood is exquisite, just like your father's was."

In an instant, any annoyance that the onna felt was swept away, and Sesshomaru watched curiosity spark to life in her eyes. "You knew my father too?"

The old flea nodded, clasping his hands behind his back. "I did indeed. He was a very noble youkai, and you should be proud to share his blood." Kagome opened her mouth, but Myoga made a sound and leapt from her palm to the floor, jumping up and down in front of Sesshomaru. "My lord! I have just remembered the reason for coming here! There is a matter of utmost importance that requires immediate attention!"

Annoyed with the flea's movement and unable to stand it any longer, Sesshomaru deftly snatched the creature mid-jump, holding him at eye level. "You will cease your unruly behavior and tell this Sesshomaru what it is you speak of."

"Y-yes of course my lord! My apologies!"

Releasing the flea, Sesshomaru watched as he straightened his clothing and cleared his throat. "My lord, my sources in the South have sent word that there are couriers en route to every ruling lord, bearing a missive from Takuma."

Beside him, Kagome stiffened.

"What does this missive contain?"

Myoga shook his head, a frown on his face. "No one is aware, my lord. The only thing that is known is that Takuma wrote it yesterday morning and sent the couriers in the afternoon."

"Hn."

Ignoring the rest of the group for the time being, Sesshomaru assured himself that Myoga's concern was unfounded. After all, the cardinal lords regularly exchanged letters in order to keep information flowing between all of them, for political reasons. It would not do to have one ruling lord not speaking to another; the rift it would create could incite war, and they were all keen on avoiding that particular aspect.

"My lord, that is not all," Myoga said tentatively, as though loathe to break Sesshomaru's concentration. Focusing once more on the now nervous youkai, Sesshomaru waited patiently, lifting a brow when the silence stretched on for too long. "I also have information regarding Lady Kagome," Myoga went on, swallowing harshly. "It appears that Takuma has somehow found out about her." His statement was met with a thick silence, and he continued quietly. "One of the servants overheard him speaking with his advisor about finally getting rid of—excuse me, Lady Kagome—his 'simpering elder brother's brat', as he put it."

Miroku was the first one to break the stunned silence that ensued. "Well, Myoga, what can we do?"

The flea shrugged. "Nothing."

Kagome, who had been listening with a grim expression on her face, frowned. "What do you mean 'nothing'?" Her voice was edged with anxiety, and the flea seemed eager to appease her.

"Lady Kagome, you must understand that my sources are naught but spies. If anyone were to take action against Takuma, they would have nothing to go by but the word of a flea, who swears by word of a servant that Takuma plans to take violent action against you. It is not credible enough."

"Alright, then what do we have to do to make it credible?"

The slayer's question was met with a momentary silence. Myoga, who seemed to know the answer but was hesitant to say it, shifted from one foot to the other before clearing his throat. Sesshomaru could smell the tang of his nervousness, and he instantly knew what the old flea was going to say.

"Right now, the best option would be to move the Council meeting to a sooner date. Lady Kagome must be announced as heir to the South, and her position as Lord Sesshomaru's betrothed must be made known."

For a long, pregnant moment there was deafening silence, and then everyone began talking at once. The monk was insisting that there must be some other way, the slayer agreeing emphatically while adding her own solution of hiding Kagome away for a while. Inuyasha gruffly suggested going straight for Takuma and getting the whole thing over with, and even Zenzo shook his head and murmured of finding a different resolution.

"Guys," Kagome said quietly, staring at the floorboards. When the noise didn't cease, she growled loudly, snapping her gaze to every member of the group, which was now silent. "I can't even hear myself think," she ground out, frustration evident on her face. Her eyes fell back to the wood in front of her, and she tapped her clawed fingers against her knee. Sesshomaru could hear the rhythmic tattoo despite the cloth she drummed against, and he carefully watched her face, observing the twist of her lips and the frown on her brow. Suddenly, she looked at him. "Am I ready, Sesshomaru?"

He mentally calculated her progress; over the few days that she had been youkai, she'd learned a considerable amount. He knew that she could be a lady as he knew them—genteel and submissive—but she could also be the ruler that she was born to be. She was no longer the clumsy, indecisive female who had followed his half-brother around for the better part of her youth, and although she may not have been entirely comfortable with whom she had changed into, he knew that she could be presented.

He nodded, and her frown deepened. She shook her head, as though negating her thoughts, and then the expression cleared and she took a deep breath, slowly releasing it. The tension flowed out of her body, and she nodded to herself.

"That settles it, then. How far up should the meeting be moved, Myoga?"

"A week at the least, my lady."

Sesshomaru held her gaze as she looked to him again. "My lord?"

Physically keeping the pleased rumble in his chest proved to be a harder feat than he thought it would be, and he turned from her, silently willing his beast to calm down. "Myoga, go to the West. Inform Jaken that he is to notify the Council of the change."

"And the location, my lord?" Myoga asked.

"This Sesshomaru shall play host," he answered, not willing to be in unfamiliar surroundings.

Myoga nodded, and then was gone. Kagome stood, brushed herself off, and then vaguely motioned toward the direction of the door. "I'm going to take a walk," she murmured, pausing at the door. "Shippo, do you want to come?"

Sesshomaru watched as the kit carefully moved away from Rin's sleeping form, moving to stand by Kagome's side. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, and then glanced at Sesshomaru. He inclined his head, and she ducked through the mat.

Kagome had always loved looking at the stars in the Feudal Era, and now, lounging in a clearing with Shippo beside her, she could tell that her habit of staring up at the sky had rubbed off on her adopted kit. His head on her shoulder, he pointed out different stars, relaying back what she had told him about their colors and what they meant.

"Okaa-san, what will happen to—to me when you become a lady?" Shippo asked quietly when their conversation lulled into silence.

For a moment, Kagome remained silent. "You'll stay with me," she answered, feeling a little relief seep into the anxiety that layered his youki.

"What if—" He sat up, staring down into her face with worry written on his features. "What if they try to take me away or tell me that I need to be with my own kind?"

Kagome pushed herself into a sitting position, reaching out to brush his bangs to one side. "No one can take you away from me," she reassured quietly. "And even though it is true that you need to be with your own kind—no don't interrupt, Shippo. Let me finish. Even though it's true, you've been just fine with me and if you really need to be trained, then we can have Zenzo teach you. You like him, right?"

The kit shifted nervously, clawed fingers tugging at his haori. "I don't know…I guess he's alright."

Kagome nodded, laying her fingers against his arm. "Well there you go. See? Everything's going to be just fine."

Reassured, Shippo nodded and climbed into her lap. Hugging his small body close to her, Kagome buried her nose in his hair, inhaling his scent and nearly rumbling in contentment as he burrowed into her embrace. They sat in silence, and by the time the kit had fallen asleep, Sesshomaru was coming through the trees, youki somewhat lucid. His coloring made him almost ethereal in the moonlight, and his eyes shone like jewels, pinning her with their intensity.

Realizing that she was staring, she cleared her throat and looked down, trying to figure out how she was going to get up with Shippo laying on her shoulder. "Is everyone asleep?"

Sesshomaru strode across the space and reached down, grasping her upper arm and helping her to her feet. She felt her cheeks heat up as his grip lingered just a moment longer than necessary, and then shifted Shippo into a more comfortable position, meeting the piercing gaze that she could feel boring into her face.

"All but the hanyou and the kitsune."

Kagome hummed and began the walk back to the village. For a while, neither of them spoke and Kagome fell into a light daze, seeing but not noticing the forest in front of them. Sesshomaru's youki was lightly brushing against her, and as Shippo murmured in his sleep, the silver inu's aura rose briefly. Shippo settled, and it was this that pulled Kagome out of her slight stupor. She glanced up to find Sesshomaru staring straight ahead, indifferent mask firmly in place.

"You will be a good mother," Sesshomaru murmured suddenly, glancing at her. She blushed, and Sesshomaru reached forward to brush a low hanging branch aside for her. She glanced at him again, opened her mouth to ask a question, and then closed it, trying to fight back the flush she could feel creeping up her neck. "There is something you wish to ask this Sesshomaru," the inu stated a moment later. She nodded, but didn't look to him. "Ask it."

She took a deep breath. "What do—I mean, how will—" Unable to finish, she shut her mouth and bit the inside of her cheek. Gah! Stupid Kagome! It's just a question!

"You wish to know about the betrothal," Sesshomaru said, baritone voice breaking through her thoughts.

Kagome nodded, shifting Shippo once more. "How will it work, exactly?" She avoided looking at him, although she could feel his gaze against the side of her head.

By the time he answered, she had begun to believe that he wasn't going to respond; she just about jumped out of her skin when his voice broke the silence. "Once the betrothal is announced, there will be a courting period, which will last as long as we deem it. During that time, you may renounce the betrothal but if you are satisfied, then the mating will progress at our leisure."

Mating? She'd heard the word before, knew that youkai used it to refer to the lifetime commitment of 'marriage', as humans called it. However, something in Sesshomaru's tone alluded to a different definition, and she found herself stuttering out her confusion even though she was almost positive that she didn't want to know what he meant. "M-mating…?"

They broke through the trees, Edo spread out below them. Sesshomaru paused, and when she looked up, she felt her insides twist at the heat in his gaze. "We will bond," he murmured, eyes sliding along her body, "in more ways than one."

Kagome felt like she would burst into flame if she blushed any harder, and she cleared her throat, turning away and beginning the trek down the hill. She could feel Sesshomaru's gaze on her, and even when they entered the hut to settle Shippo beside Rin, his eyes never left her.

"My lady? May I have a word?"

Zenzo shifted on his feet as the inu he'd spoken to turned to him. She smiled, and her sharp blue eyes lit up with the expression. He stepped aside, holding the mat away and ducking out of the hut after her. "Yes?"

He cleared his throat. "My lady, your kit came to me earlier this morning, and he has asked that I train him. I know that although you have accepted me, I still have to prove myself, and I would like to have the opportunity to help the kit grow into his own. Would that be acceptable?"

The lady made a noise in her throat, and then propped her hands on her hips and looked around. Zenzo had a distinct feeling that she was looking for the kit in question, and he hoped that he hadn't gotten the little guy in trouble. Kagome looked back to him, shrugging lightly. The afternoon sunlight glinted off of her hair, lighting some of it to white brilliance and highlighting the deep blue appearance near the ends, and Zenzo respectfully followed her as she motioned for him.

"Shippo has had a pretty hard life," she murmured to him as they strolled slowly through the village. As she gathered her thoughts, he observed the way the villagers interacted with her, waving and smiling as she passed. She glanced up at him, and he turned his attention back to her. "But he does need to be trained, so as long as you don't hurt him too much, I don't mind."

Not having expected a positive answer—even after only having spent a few days with the group, he knew that the female was highly protective of her kit—Zenzo felt a little shocked but managed to keep the startled expression off of his face. He bowed to her, and when he straightened she was smiling, face alight. Her eyes, however, were not trained on his face, and he turned to see the Western Lord heading their way, his human ward running full speed ahead of him.

Kagome spread her arms and caught the sprinting girl, accepting a flower with a graceful smile and sincere thanks. As she directed the beaming Rin toward where Shippo was, Lord Sesshomaru reached them, and Zenzo bowed, straightening just in time to see the inclination of the lord's silver head.

"Zenzo is going to train Shippo," Kagome said cheerily, seemingly unaffected by the bland expression that was always present on her betrothed's face.

"The child will need it," Lord Sesshomaru responded, eyes fixed on the lady's face.

She smiled and nodded, and then turned and began to walk back toward the hut of the elder miko. They walked in silence, but even Zenzo could see the way his lady's stride seemed to match Lord Sesshomaru's.

Their fingers brushed, and Zenzo smiled.

"Alright, is everyone ready?" Kagome asked, looking around at the rest of the group. Sango and Miroku, standing next to a transformed Kirara, nodded to her. Inuyasha, who still wasn't speaking to her even after nearly a week after their argument, crossed his arms and grumbled, and Shippo and Rin nodded eagerly from their seats atop Ah-Un's back.

"We must depart," Sesshomaru said, looking up at the sky. "There is a storm approaching."

Kagome inhaled deeply, smelling the rain on the wind. She nodded, and then looked around one more time. "Okay let's go. Goodbye Kaede! We'll be back to visit you soon, I promise!"

The elder miko smiled softly, waving a hand. "Of course ye will, child. Be safe."

Stepping up beside Sesshomaru, who held Ah-Un's reins in his hand, she managed not to blush too hard as his pelt wrapped itself securely around her waist. She shyly threaded her fingers into the soft fur, keeping her eyes trained on the rest of the group as Sesshomaru lifted them into the sky. He pointed them toward the West, and Kagome took a deep breath.

She was ready for this. She had to be.

Author's Note: Hey guys! As you can see, I've got my internet back, so here, as promised, is the next chapter! Personally, I'm not exactly happy with it, but this is how it came out and it wouldn't let me fix it, sooooo...

Anyway, I hope you all like it, and don't forget to let me know what you think!

~Aubrey