Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. All rights are reserved for Rumiko Takahashi.
He sighed inwardly, happy to be done with his work for the day. Sitting through war councils bored him to death. He was back with his miko again, getting ready to have lunch. She was off getting dressed in his closet room while he waited quietly on the bed for her to return. He could feel Mana's presence as clear as day while she hid in the corner of the room. "You've been showing up a lot lately."
"Things have been going wrong lately. More often than before." She emerged from the shadows and glanced at the closet room door. "You know we're going to have to call upon the help of the other lords. We have already lost contact with four of our branch castles."
"I am aware." He kept his voice low so as not to disturb Kagome. "I am going to invite them for the warrior's feast."
"What is the warrior's feast?" Kagome asked as she peeked her head out from behind the door. He looked over at Mana and gestured for her to explain.
"The warrior's feast is a special dinner usually held before a big battle. Some of the soldiers never return from battles like this one." Mana's eyes were serious, more so than usual, as she spoke. It was not a light subject. "We are going to invite the other lords in the area this time to ask for alliances."
"Oh. And is this a good thing or a bad thing?" She asked as she went back to dressing.
"Good for us, but maybe not so good for you." He made sure she saw him glaring at her for that comment.
"Why is that?" Kagome went on as if her safety had been no big deal.
"Most of the demon lords dislike humans, but Lord Kananmaru hates them." Mana's voice was low with disapproval.
"So he's kinda like Lord Sesshomaru? Before he met me and Rin?" Kagome asked.
Mana smiled at his annoyance before she answered, "Yes, but he's less impressionable than my lord."
Kagome emerged from the closet room in her school uniform. She had explained to him earlier that she didn't want to give her friends the wrong idea.
"Shall we?" She smiled at him as he appeared next to her and then turned to Mana. "Mana, will you be joining us?"
"I will be there, but it is best if I stay in the shadows. Most of your friends wont even sense my presence," she said, going back to proper tones.
"It's sad that you're always hiding..." Kagome said before they started down the halls.
He looked back and smirked when he saw the strange look Mana was giving Kagome as she walked off. They arrived at the dining hall in time to meet Rin and Kagome's friends entering the room as well.
"Kagome! Where have you been? I've been asking to see you since Inuyasha went suicidal." Sango had been asking for Kagome, but he had told then she would not be seeing anyone for a while. He couldn't help but be amused by the fact that Sango had referred to Inuyasha taking him on as suicidal. Which, technically for him, it was.
"Good afternoon, Lord Sesshomaru," Miroku said politely as he walked to Sango's side. He only nodded in response.
"I was resting that's all," I said to Sango as Shippo jumped into my arms.
"I missed you Kagome!" The fox kit cried as he hugged her. "Why'd you have to go and leave me with mean old Inuyasha?"
"I'm sorry, Shippo. I wont let the big meanie hurt you." I smiled up at the now glaring Inuyasha.
"Hmph." Inuyasha huffed and then turned to take his seat, which was whatever one he wanted, and waited for the rest of us.
After the food was served conversation died down. There wasn't really much to say at the moment. I looked around the table at each one of my friends until my eyes met Sesshomaru's. He'd gone back to his quiet and emotionless self until he looked at her. No one else noticed how his eyes would burn with a more intense flame when he looked at me. Or maybe I was imagining things. I was sitting closest to him at the table, but it looked like none of my friends were quite so anxious to sit by him though, which was fine by me.
When lunch was over I went to the garden with Rin and Shippo to play tag. I giggled as Rin place a palm on my back.
"Tag! You're it!" She laughed and turned to make her escape.
"You are so fast Rin!" I smiled at the retreating girl and started to search for Shippo. I found him hiding behind some orange flowers and sneaked up behind him. "Tag!"
He nearly jumped out of his skin and was still recollecting himself when I ran off laughing. I continued to run until I ran into a very familiar figure.
"Aren't you a little old to be playing children's games?" He asked, clearly amused.
"Maybe so, but have you ever played tag with two people? Let me tell you, it is no fun." I smiled at him.
"Hn. You make a valid point. I have come to inform you that preparations are being made to the warrior's feast."
"So tell me about this feast. What exactly happens at one of these gatherings?" I asked.
"The warriors who are to go to battle soon gather and celebrate their lives like there is no tomorrow." He looked off into the distance again. "Though sometimes it gets out of hand."
"Are women allowed to come to this party?" I watched his face carefully as he looked down at me.
"Of course. Men bring their wives or mistresses to this event. There is usually music and dancing which would be awkward without women present." We smiled at each other before he grasped my wrist and brought my hand to his face. "You are invited as a warrior, but I, personally, would like to extend an invitation to you as a lady. Will you accompany me to this honored feast?"
"Yes, I would love to!" I laughed and hugged him around the neck. When I pulled back it was because I had a startling revelation. "What am I going to wear?"
"Do not worry. I will help you find something to wear." Mana smiled at me as she appeared from her place in the shadows.
"Will you be going too, Mana?" I asked excitedly.
"Lord Sesshomaru has asked me to accompany you as a guardian," she sounded almost happy about that part.
"This is going to be so much fun!" I said as I rushed to Mana's side and grabbed her hand. "Come on there's no time to waste!" She smiled at me and went along with my pulling. It was time for the real preparations to begin.
To be Continued...