"Sess, where's the castle? I thought you said it was right here. It is." Inuyasha looked around in front of him. "All I see for miles is grass."

"You have still yet to learn that not everything is as it seems. You are an inuyoukai, Inuyasha, a son of the Great Dog Demon Lord, InuTaisho. Do you feel the pull on your blood?"

Inuyasha shrugged, his ears twitching as he heard his blood rocking back and forth in waves inside his veins. "Yeah."

Sesshomaru nodded curtly. "Stick your hand out, palm out, and say your name, and title."

He reached out to do as told, before snatching his hand back and eyeing Sesshomaru suspiciously. "Is this thing gonna kill me because of my human blood?"

"Hn."

"Gee. That helps." Inuyasha snorted, but he held his hand out nonetheless, pressing his palm against what felt like a barrier. "Inuyasha, son of InuTaisho, Prince of the West."

Shippo blinked. "Inuyasha's a prince?"

Inuyasha was about to retort when Sesshomaru spoke, "Remain calm. If the barrier senses your ange or unease, it will deem you a liar and burn you alive."

Nodding obediently, he remained calm, taking a few deep breaths. He was stunned to see the barrier lowering, and a gigantic palace coming into view. when the barrier fading completely, he gasped with the others. "Jeez, father lived good."

"He was a lord, Inuyasha. What did you expect?" Sesshomaru countered as he strode forth, amusement sparkling in his eyes at Inuyasha's dumbstruck look.

Inuyasha's mouth fell open when his brother called him by his name. "He just said my name," he muttered to himself, "without disgust in his tone. Who kidnapped and replaced my brother?"

"I assure you, I am the same Sesshomaru. Now come, halfling."

Kagome laughed at the annoyed look on Inuyasha's face. "Don't worry, Inuyasha. I think you're growing on him, and vice versa." She left him to step back with Kohaku when Kikyo came to Inuyasha's side.

Kikyo smiled at her hanyou love. "Yes. I think the same. You two may never act like loving brothers, but eventually, you'll come to accept one another."

"Keh, like I'd ever accept tha asshole. He'd never accept me either." But no one could miss the twinkle of hope in his eyes. He wanted so desperately to earn his brother's respect. Why, he may never know. He and Kikyo followed after the others as they reached the castle.

Two guards stood at the gate. The first, and taller of the two, was a dragonfly demon, a Kagerouyoukai. His hair was green, his bangs and the ends tipped in blue, coming too the back of his knees. His eyes were narrow and cerulean. The second, and shortest of the pair, was a moth demon, a Gayoukai. His hair was a dull tan, shoulder length. His eyes were slightly more narrow than Inuyasha, and a bit cold, wheat in color. "Lord Sesshomaru," they bowed.

"Garo," He greeted the Kayoukai, then the Kagerouyoukai, "Sachio. These are guests of the West. You will be introduced to them each soon."

"Yes, milord." Their deep voices molded together as the others passed.

Sachio suddenly got a large grin on his face. He allowed Kohaku to pass, before standing in Kagome's way. "My my my, aren't you a gorgeous thing."

Kagome glared at him. "I'm deadly."

"Mm mm mm. I'm sure you are. With looks like that, you have to be able to kill."

"You really should work on your pick-up lines."

"These are original, baby. Just like you."

"Ugh," Kagome grunted in disgust,"that was wrong on so many levels."

Sachip cupped her cheek in his hand. "If it's wrong, I don't want to be right."

She rolled her eyes. 'Now I know the origin of that lame line.'

"Come, now. You can't truly be considering skipping such a rare offer."

"Sachio, tone your hormones. Lord Sesshomaru will not be happy with you flirting with his guest."

"That he won't." Sesshomaru stoic tone interrupted as he approached, fire in his eyes. "Sachio."

Instantly, the demon's hand flew to his side as he bowed. "Milord."

Narrowing his eyes further, the Daiyoukai grabbed Kagome by the wrist and dragged her on.

Kagome sighed. "Thanks. I guess I should've taken Kakudan back from Sango."

"Miko, you should watch yourself."

"I know." She remained close to him as they entered the castle, though she looked around, observing everything curiously. The walls were painted purely white, golden painted walls carved into the bottom. Paintings, tapestries, and momentos hung every. It felt surprisingly homey to be the domain of the Ice Prince."Wow."

For some reason, Sesshomaru's heart fluttered when she said that. Why he cared so much that she liked his home, he didn' t know. That only served to frustrate him. He'd sent Jaken ahead with Rin and Shippo to inform the mades and guards, save Sachio and Garo, to gather in the dining room for the welcoming feast. So that was where he lead them, Garo and Sachio following just behind.

He stood before his mass of servants, guards, chefs, and live-in advisors. His eyes narrowed as he noticed that someone was missing. "Jaken, did you inform Setsuki?"

"Y-yes, milord. She said she'll be down as soon as she's dressed properly.

Kami how he hated waiting. He took a seat at the head of the huge table in the room and gestured for the Inutachi to follow him. The room was silent for a few minutes, before it was broken by Kakudan's wail.

Needless to say, Kagome jumped up at her son's cry. She knew precisely why he was crying. It was the aura that was coming. The aura reeked of coldness, hate, annoyance, and anger. It was too strong for the young pup, making him anxious.

"Can I try to calm him first?" Sango pleaded.

Kagome nodded reluctantly, standing off to the side. Everyone noticed from the way her aura vibrated that she was greatly disturbed by something, not only her child's crying, but something else.

His fussing grew louder, and Miroku offered to take him, only for his wailing to grow louder. Next Kikyo offered, then Kohaku, who managed to lower the tone ever so slightly. Sesshomaru's best nurse took the child next, trying all that she knew to calm him, but failed.

Kagome couldn't take it anymore. Eagerly, she held out her hands for her baby, smiling and cooing at him once he was in her arms.

"Shh, little one. Come now. No need to fuss." She bounced him a bit, effectively getting a giggle from him. He was instantly quieted, and turned, burying himself in his mother's bosom. The people around the table watched her admiringly. She'd calmed the child in a mere second, what a mother.

Sesshomaru was unable to take his eyes off the miko. She was such a good mother. He could only imagine how she'd handle the pups that were to come. 'Pups?'

'Yes. Our pups.'

'Our pups will be with a purebred Inuyoukai demoness, not some human turned demon through Naraku's disgusting blood.'

'But, she perfect. Strong.'

'Yes.'

'Motherly.'

'Yes.'

'Sexy. Get hard thinking of miko.'

'Ye-, You are disgusting. She was human.'

'Not now. Hell, she pretty when human.'

His thoughts were disturbed when the doors flew open, showing a disgruntled Setsuki.

"Sesshomaru! What was the meaning of sending those children here?! There babbling drove me insane! And that damned brat crying!" She pointed at Kakudan, not caring how rude she appeared.

The baby looked at her, before screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Calm down! You aura is hurting him!" Kagome hissed furiouslt, rocking her baby.

"You!" She stormed toward Kagome. "You don't even know who you're talking to, you pitiful excuse for a demoness!"

"Look," Kagome started calmly, "my son is sensitive to auras. What you feel affects him, so I'm asking politely, would you mind toning it down?"

Setsuki hissed, "You child is none of my concern, wench."

Her eye ticked. "Wench?! I'll give you your wen-"

"Mama!" Kakudan cried, cuddling against her. He needed his mother to calm down. Her aura had expanded drastically, and he knew she was getting angry.

"Hm?" She cooled, then nodded at him, taking a step back from Setsuki and bowing. "Forgive me. It is obvious by your markings that you are above my status." Her eyes turned cold. "But know this, if you ever speak ill of my son, or do anything to hurt or upset him, I will not hesitate to challenge and defeat you." With that, she stolled to her seat and sat down, beaming as she playing with her son.

Setsuki stared at the girl in shock, and was about to storm over her when Sesshomaru called her name. She smirked, "Now, my Sesshou, is that anyway to address your mother?"

Kagome coughed. "Mother?! I just yelled at your mother? Why didn't you tell me?"

He decided to ignore her. "We've been waiting...mother."

"Better. And I'm here now, so let us eat." She sat down at the other end of the large table, preparing to dig in.

"Before we feast, my...companions will introduce themselves. You will address them all with respect." He nodded toward Kagome, who was to his immediate right, then sat down as she stood.

"Higurashi Kagome." She bowed. "Shikon Miko youkai." There was an uproar of questions.

"Miko youkai?!"

"How is that possible?!"

"Will you purify us?!"

Kagome sighed. "The situation of how this cam eot be is rather personla and complicated. All is possible. And no, I will not purify you...unless you give me reason to." With that, she sat.

Sango rose next, bowing. "Sango. Demon exterminator, and no, I have no plans to kill any of you."

Miroku rose next, "Miroku. Monk."

Inuyasha, who was to Sesshomaru's immediate left, stood, "Inuyasha..." He really wasn't sure of what else to say, so he sat when Sesshomaru stood.

"Inuyasha, prince of the West."

"Prince?!" Setsuki screeched, standing. "That thing has no right being near the castle, let alone inside, trying to claim a title."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "I am the Lord of this Domain. I give him the title. He is of Inutaisho's blood."

"He's a halfbreed!"

"And I have no doubt he's far stronger than you." Kagome quipped boredly, refusing to look up from her yawning child as he struggled to stay awake.

"What did you say?"

"I'm sure you heard. Besides that, his heart is much larger and warmer than yours. There are things he can do, that you can not, because of his human blood. I suppose if you weren't so damn ignorant, you'd see that he's better than you in many ways."

Setsuki's face turned beet red. "Sesshomaru, do something!"

And he did do something. He smiled, much to the surprise of his servants, and sat down.

Inuyasha shot a smile at Kagome, how had glanced up at him.

Kikyo rose next, bowing at her waist, "Kikyo. Past Shikon Miko."

Kohaku stood, bowed, and whispered a shy, "Kohaku. Demon exterminator." He looked up when Rin cleared her throat, nodding towards Shippo. "Ah, and the kit is Shippo, son of the late Kitsune Lord of the East."

When Sesshomaru's eyebrow lifted, his way of asking if there were any questions, a servant stood and bent over at the waist. "M-milady Kagome?"

Why did that sound so good to Sesshomaru's ears? Lady Kagome...

"Yes?" Kagome asked lowly.

"Your child, may I ask who his father is? Is he a strong Lord?" She was young, seemingly 13.

Kagome smiled at the eagerness in the child's eyes. "His father isn't a Lord, however he is strong...in his own way." 'With the help of the jewel.'

The girl's eyes twinkled more in curiousity, and Kagome could've sworn she was looking into a mirror. The girl reminded her so much of her younger self. "But what's his name, milady?" She then squeaked a bit, "I mean, if I may ask."

"Tell you what, if you promise to be my friend during my stay here, I'll eventually tell you."

"A friend? What does that entitle, milady?"

"Talking to me, playing with me. Those types of things. I'm sure you have friends."

"Yes, milady. I'd be more than happy."

Kagome grinned broadly, then turned to Sesshomaru, "Lord Sesshomaru," she only added the 'lord' because she was before his people, "would you mind if I took a room near..."

The girl chirped, "Akane."

"Yes, Akane." She stared at Sesshomaru pleadingly.

"No."

Her eyes widened, and she was going to retort whn he held up his hand.

"You two may stay in the small cottage in the garden."

The servants had to bite back their gasps as to not upset their lord. He hadn't let anyone even enter it since Inumimi had died.

Setsuki simply shrugged, for she had no idea what had happened. She was simply glad that the little wench and her child would be far away from her.

Sesshomaru frowned to himself. He couldn't let her stay there without a guard. Kohaku would probably very much like to be near his sister, and Inuyasha near his mate. Perhaps Sachio...after he was trained.

"Well, since that's over, I am eating." Setsuki announced, digging in.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, but ate as well, and the others followed after him.

Naraku tossed and turned as he dreamt of his Kagome, of the way he'd treated her. He hadn't bothered to ask if what he'd seen was true, or how it came to be. He'd only acted. In his dream, she was dying, before his very eyes, bleeding out as she whispered her love for him. And there, in that dream, he only beat her harder. He shot up in bed when she gave out one final scream.

His hand clasped over his chart. He was sweating terribly, his sheets drench, his lithe, nude body covered in a sheen of sweat. He took a deep breath. So long, it had been so long, but her scent was still and the room, and though that made him furious, it also comforted him. It almost made him feel like she was there.

He ran his hand over her side of the bed, which was cold. "But she isn't here." Sighing, he buried his face in his hands. Was she even alive? Had she made it? Was his child alright?

Of course he'd known that the child was his, but he'd been too furious with her then, at that moment. He had to know if she was alright.

A smile crossed his face. And if she was, he'd find a way to get her back. Yes, he'd do all that he had to to regain his mate. First, though, he had to find her. Getting dressed for the day, he stepped out of his room for the first time and headed down to the kitchen, where he knew his children were.

"Naraku." Kagura was the first to notice him. A smirk spread on her red lips. "Finally done moping over your miko? Hakudoshi, you owe me. I won the bet."

"You said a year."

"And you said a few weeks. I was technically closer."

"You weren't, you fool."

Naraku's eyebrow twitched. As much as he wasnted to punish them, he wasn't in the mood."Silence." He commanded.

The two shut up, turning to face him as Kanna and Kiyoshiyuki were doing.

"Where is Inuyasha?"

"We lost him, but he was headed Northwest." Kagura answered.

He nodded. "Sesshomaru is still with him, correct?"

Kanna nodded in her silent response.

"Locate Kohaku, immediately. Kagome must be found."

"You actually think she's alive? You beather to a bloody pulp. She leaked blood."

Naraku's eyes snapped to Kagura, the crimson orbs flashing with something unrecognizable. "Did you follow her trail? I'm sure her blood stained the snow."

Hakudoshi shrugged. "Actually, there were a few drops, then nothing. I don't know what to think of it."

The look in his eyes faded. He turned his back to them. "My mate must be found and returned to me. And if my son survived, the same goes for him." He stalked out of the room.

"Your mate?" Kiyoshiyuki asked. "But, she isn't your mate."

Naraku paused, then glanced over his shoulder. "Soon, she will be." He stared ahead of him as he walked down the corridor. There were plans to be made. Their room had to be redecorated for her liking. He had gifts to steal for her. He had much to do. 'Son she will be. My Kagome.'

Kagome smiled a bit as she noticed that Kakudan, Shippo, Rin, and Akane were already asleep. Placing a kiss to her children's foreheads, she glanced over at Akane, before leaving the cottage and throwing a barrier around it.

She walked through Sesshomaru's garden, waving through the bushes of flowers until she came to a bridge over a small pond. Leaning against the rail, she sighed and closed her eyes.

Akane was truly a beautiful little hanyou. She had the cutest little kitten ear on the top of her head. According to her, the other was bitten off by a snake demon that Sesshomaru saved her from. Her hair was very short, wavy, and red. Kagome decided she'd call her strawberry.

Strawberry had the most beautiful peridot eyes she'd ever seen. 'The girl is so precious. She-'

She stiffened when she felt a hand on her shoulder, her eyes snapping open. She looked down to the hand, sighing softly when she saw the magenta stripes wrapping around his wrist. "Hello, Sesshomaru."

"Have you accomodated well to your room?" He handed her a cup of tea, taking the other one that was wrapped in his mokomoko-sama and pulling it to his lips.

"Yes. It's fine." Kagome heaved another miserable sigh, sipping her tea gently.

He noticed, much to his displeasure, that she was deep in thought. "You are thinking of Naraku."

She blushed prettily, looking up at him. "Y-yeah."

"Why?" He forced the anger his beast felt out of his tone.

"B-because..." She sighed. "Sesshomaru, I think I can trust you, because you don't talk much. So if I tell you a secret, you won't tell, right?"

"Hn."

Kagome accepted that as a yes. "In my own way, and believe me I hate this, I think that I fell in love with Naraku as Ashi."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes bit, then shook his head lightly. "You and Ashi, despite what you claim, are the same. She is simply another side of you. What she feels, you feel. So when she fell in love, you fell in love."

"But I hate him, Sesshomaru, with a bloody passion."

"Hate is merely another form of...love."

Kagome frowned at that. "But for the slightest second, I hated you. When we first met." She took another sip.

Sesshomaru's lips twitched at that. 'We are alone.' With that thought, he smiled at her. "Does that mean you loved this Sesshomaru?"

She sputtered, her tea running down her face and dropping into the water below her. "D-did you just make a joke, Sesshomaru?"

"Did I? I was merely asking a question." He pulled a hankerchief from his kimono and handed it to her.

"Thanks." Her face red, she wiped her face. "And next time you decide to make a joke, warn me so I won't choke to death.

His right shoulder rose a bit, his way of shrugging. "Hn."

Kagome yawned, stretching her arms above her head. "I'm going to hit the sack." When he arched a brow, she corrected, "I'm going to sleep. In a few days, we'll talk about the future. You next lesson will be about..."

"Those strange things you call computers." He finished.

"Right, and I'll have a little surprise for you." She bowed, then grabbed his hand, squeezing lightly. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru, for talking to me. Oyasuminasai." With that, she walked back to her cottage.

Sesshomaru looked into the water, and found a dimunitive smile on his face. "Oyasumisasai, little miko."