"Kagome-sama, you have been summoned before the council to determine your suitability as regent for the western house."
Seiryuu's voice was level and carefully controlled. He watched as the petite lady of the west stood immeasurably still for the space of several heartbeats before raising her verdant eyes to meet his own opalescent ones. The strength within them was no surprise to the ancient dragon; he recalled the difficult ordeals this hanshin had endured.
He had only been privy to her most recent challenges and she had surprised him by raising his opinion of ningen in general, Her mixed blood gave her prestige and power of the kami but it was well known she had been raised by ningen for the beginning of her life and had in fact thought herself one of them until her fulfillment of the second prophecy. She had been instrumental in saving the youkai from extinction and Seiryuu found her most endearing traits, her stubbornness, compassion and sharp wit to be the product of her ningen upbringing.
Though he had been one of the taiyoukai presented as a potential suitor, the azure dragon felt nothing but vague paternal warmth toward the woman who could have become his consort. Suzaku held a great resentment for her, he knew she had wounded the vain bird's pride and he would not forgive her that. The volatile taiyoukai of the south had done everything in his power for the last century and a half to make life difficult for Sesshomaru and Kagome, save for open war.
Seiryuu was fairly certain the childish southern lord had brought these charges to bear in order to seize power in Lord Sesshomaru's absence. This likelihood cast a questionable light on the timing of Sesshomaru's disappearance and the swift gathering of the council but one of the things that gifted Seiryuu with such a long life was his ability to remain neutral in the squabbling for position that consumed so many of his fellow youkai nobles.
There were only two ways the phoenix could successfully seize power, he could attempt to become her new mate and rule by proxy or, in the likely event she were to spurn his affections again, he could have her declared unfit to rule and assume the position of regent for the only remaining child of the missing white inu. The latter option was more likely, thus they sat in this gilded hall amid the youkai lords and ladies of consequence waiting to pass judgment on this hanshin.
"I stand Seiryuu-sama, ask me what you will." Her voice was clear and steady; the only thing betraying any stress was a slight tightness around her eyes.
Seiryuu waved a hand at the shadow youkai who served as crier; the servant nodded and stepped forward, unfurling a scroll as he did so.
"The question shall be posed, what training has the pup received?"
"He has been trained in combat and stealth as have his siblings; his lessons have included history, economics, and cultural broadening and will now include a focus on statecraft and strategy."
The unspoken reason for the upcoming change in Akira's training made Shippo's heart go out to Kagome, the news of Haruko and Sesshomaru's disappearance was a heavy burden to bear. It had scarcely been a month since the messenger appeared bearing the swords held by Inuyasha and Haruko. Shippo had watched helplessly with the rest of the household as a dark cloud had settled over Kagome and everything she and Sesshomaru had worked for.
The Kitsune and his partner Satoshi had stationed themselves as her bodyguards and never left her side unless it was to stand outside her door in the night while she slept. They flanked her, two silent pillars of support as she petitioned her father, Bishamonten, the kami of justice for the release of her daughter. Apparently Maeko had violated the laws of heaven and divulged the contents of a vision to her twin brother Haruko just before he left for the continent with their father and ultimately disappeared.
Shippo had not been present but had learned from Tatsuki that shortly after the departure of the diplomatic party, Bishamon had appeared and taken Maeko to the heavenly court to be tried for the crime of breaking the Seer's Creed.
The latest hardship foisted on her slight shoulders was this inquiry, just a nice way of saying she was unfit to raise her half youkai child properly. Shippo had to admit, his foster mother was handling herself well; since her loss of composure in the study, she had held her emotions in check.
That in itself worried Shippo, Kagome had always been an emotional creature even after the last century and a half. Granted, her impetuous nature had mellowed significantly but at her core she was still the same.
Kagome without a heart was not Kagome at all.
"When the pup is educated in history, what history is focused on?" the oily voice pulled Shippo from his inner musings. He glared for a moment at the fire-bird. Kagome stiffened slightly in response to his condescending tone.
"I am unclear as to what you mean Suzaku-sama."
"Put simply, do you teach him youkai history or ningen?"
"Both of course." Her prompt reply set loose a wave of murmuring throughout the chamber.
"Both?" the word was drawn out slowly, "What use could the heir of the West have in knowing the affairs of ningen?" he said the last word with a sneer as though he were speaking of something dirty.
"There's no reason-"Kagome began, only to be cut off by a dismissive wave of Suzaku's tapered fingers.
"It was rhetorical my dear." He smirked before folding his arms into the sleeves of his gilded haori.
Shippo bristled at the familiar address the phoenix used toward Kagome, he watched as she bit her lips and said nothing, refusing to allow him to bait her.
The crier cleared his throat and asked the next question. "How long have you lived in youkai society?"
"One and One half century." No answering murmur accompanied this response but there was the subtle sound of silk shifting over skin as the youkai nobles moved in their places.
Shippo glanced at Satoshi taking in his grim expression, he could feel it too, the youkai nobility had come into this with doubts about Kagome and the direction and tone of the questions were not moving in her favor. She may have been highly desired as a Hanshin mate but on her own she represented a liability to the sovereignty of the great youkai houses. She also stood as a weak link, an opening for lesser youkai to seize the reins of power which was something the standing taiyoukai did not take kindly to. This was treacherous ground they walked upon and Kagome was well aware of it.
"How old is the remaining child of Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Seventy six years." Kagome had to restrain herself from elaborating with any information that was not asked for; Kouga had been very clear on that point in their talks. She was so glad he was here supporting her, his advice was proving valuable as she would have reacted very differently had she not known what was expected of her.
Initially she had called upon her father to come and lend his experience as well as petitioned Seiryuu to honor the alliance they shared. Both bids for support had met with failure, her father sent a missive to her explaining his duty as Kami of justice required he stay in the realm of heaven.
His reply sparked a bitter response from her reminding him of his duty as father and grandfather, and should he forsake that duty he should not expect a warm welcome in her home. If Kagome was being honest with herself she never really expected Bishamon to come to her rescue but a little moral support would have been nice.
It was Seiryuu's refusal that cut her to the bone.
The great eastern dragon had held an alliance with Sesshomaru and his father the Great Dog General for centuries but in his reply to her plea, he cited forced neutrality as his reason for the refusal. As the most ancient of clans, he explained it was his responsibility to preside over any court proceeding such as this. As such he could not afford to tarnish his clan's reputation by taking sides.
This fierce sense of solitude that Kagome found herself plunged into was somewhat mitigated by Kouga's immediate and unsolicited support. Since his mating to Ayame the wolf prince seemed to have calmed down somewhat and matured though he still retained that roguish air about him. He had come to her side as soon as his party had arrived at the manor, she remembered the look on his face when he saw her for the first time since she had been human, his amazement had been almost comical.
Kouga watched Kagome very closely as the trial proceeded; she had changed immensely from the impetuous, emotional girl he had known. Her skin shimmered and there was a wisdom that shone from her eyes that had not been there before. Her eyes had captivated him when he chased her throughout Japan trying to spirit her away from dog-turd; such a warm cinnamon color, they had drawn him in with their warmth and compassion. Now the clear brilliant green captivated him and he found himself in awe of the clarity and fierceness within, had he not been mated already he would have probably lapsed to his old tactics and tried to claim her in Sesshomaru's absence.
What struck him most clearly was the deep sadness and edge of desperation in those eyes, she was cut adrift and frightened for her child but being the lady of the house could not show it. Kouga saw this trial for what it was, an attempt to wrest power from the silver Inu who had long held the western lands. He knew Kagome needed help and from the look in her eyes he could tell she had not been fortunate in garnering support as yet.
"They've already decided you're a volatile unstable half ningen female." He remembered how her eyes widened in anger and she opened her mouth to protest but was halted by his finger in front of her nose. "And if you voice whatever that is, you will only prove them right." Her mouth had closed with a snap and he began to explain to her that most of the youkai who would be attending already thought she should not be regent simply because she was not youkai. She would be battling to overturn prejudice and keep control of not only the western lands but of her youngest child's upbringing.
Kagome had listened closely to Kouga's advice even entering into some role playing of scenarios to test her ability to keep her cool. The two main things she must maintain above all else were simple and direct answers, she should not add any information that was not asked for in the query, and she must strive to keep her cool. No doubt some of the youkai nobles would say things deliberately to get a rise out of her and she must demonstrate that she was capable of holding her temper.
"The question will be posed, how have the youkai traits of this mixed blood child been encouraged?"
Kagome gritted her teeth to keep the quick retort from leaving her mouth. It was well known that she was a champion for all races, not just youkai but this was not the time or the place to fight that particular battle.
"He has been trained in the use of his animal senses since the day they manifested themselves and has just recently demonstrated that he inherited his father's poison claws. His training in that is to begin upon the return of my mate." There was a smattering of whispers around the chamber and Suzaku again took this moment to comment.
"Your loyalty is admirable hanshin but it is with a heavy heart this court mourns the passing of Sesshomaru-sama."
"He is not dead." Her voice rang out crystal clear and steady. An undercurrent of shock rippled through the assembled youkai followed almost immediately by an impression of pity and amusement.
"The lions of the continent told you he was dead did they not?"
"They told me it was likely, yes." she admitted
"And they brought you the only remaining evidence of the diplomatic party's existence yes?"
"Hai."
"What was this evidence?"
"They presented me with two blades; Tetsusaiga wielded by my brother in law Lord Inuyasha and Arashi Megumi, the blade that was once mine which has chosen my son Haruko to wield it." Shippo wanted nothing more at that moment to stop this farce of a trial and whisk Kagome and Akira away somewhere far from this pain.
"You must think poorly of your mate then." Suzaku stated this languidly, looking at Kagome from the corner of his eye.
"How so Suzaku-sama?" Using any type of honorific with this foul bird made her want to vomit but she had to play this game or all was lost.
"You believe him to be alive yet he allowed something to happen not only to his brother but to his own heir. Surely this is not typical behavior for your mate?"
"No it is not." Kagome felt a sinking feeling begin to gnaw at her insides.
"Then do tell my dear, what makes you so certain he still lives?" the bird grinned, he knew his words were getting under her fair skin but her facade was beginning to crack. "What proof have you of his continued life?"
The court around them grew silent; they too wished to know if there was any chance of the great Lord Sesshomaru returning to reclaim his seat. The hanshin trembled slightly and seemed to marshal herself, raising her head she looked Suzaku square in the eye and said,
"I feel him through our mating mark, he is there." A burst of talking overtook the gathering, the bird and elemental youkai scoffing on the one hand while the canines, felines and dragons moved one step closer to Kagome's cause.
The bond of mating was different for each species of youkai, the birds and elemental youkai did not have the difficulty of producing children, they multiplied quickly and it was almost unheard of for a clan of their kind to die out due to not producing enough children. It was usually tribal war and massacres that were responsible for that and as a result over the many aeons these youkai had developed the ability to switch mates easily without undue pain. The concept of communicating through a mating mark was absurd.
The wolves, cats and dragons on the other hand were quite receptive to Kagome's last comment. The bond they forged with their mates linked not only their minds and hearts but their very lives together. They could speak to one another over vast distances if the need was dire and could always tell if their mate was well through this same connection. This allowed mates to come to each other's aid if they were needed and in some rare cases even track one another. The severance of this bond was acutely painful and most often resulted in the death of one or both partners.
"Oh come now dear, you can't seriously expect this court to accept your feeling as proof?" sneered the fire-bird.
"I accept it as proof." Kouga's voice rose over the rustling of the crowd. "I can tell you right now that my mate is well," he paused, "If not a little exasperated with one of our brood." a small grin lit the face of the wolf prince. "Any wolf can attest to the strength of the mating mark, Inu mating is the same."
Kagome felt lighter than air for a moment as she watched her friend come to her defense. She saw the heads of other cats and wolves nodding around the dais, for the first time she felt a ghost of compassion from the assembled youkai as though they felt her pain and uncertainty for just a moment.
Suzaku scowled, this was not how these proceedings were supposed to go, and he needed to undermine her foundation if he was to demonstrate his fitness to rule here.
"That may be young prince," he said, his reedy voice drifting over the noise, "but your bond with your mate is that of two youkai," He gestured toward Kagome again, "She is merely a Hanshin, who's to say this feeling she has is real or merely a way to keep her in power? He gazed around at the nobles, "After all how can we prove her feeling isn't real? Pretty convenient don't you think?"
Kagome felt all the air leave her in a rush, Suzaku's jibe felt as though he had walked up and physically punched her in the chest. If you followed his logic there was no way she could ever prove that her mate was alive. She could feel her breath coming shorter now as she struggled with her temper, that bastard bird would not make her lose control.
"The question shall be posed, what are the origins of the house of the Moon?"
"In what sense?" was her quick reply, she waited a beat until Suzaku opened his mouth to speak and then swiftly cut him off, "Do you mean the western house often called the moon because of the white Inu who rule here? Or could you mean the royal heritage my mate and children carry thanks to my mother-in-law who not only holds sway over the meidou gateways but who is also responsible for the mark borne upon the brow of all those of her line?"
"What is her name?"
"Kagome blinked, "What?"
"You heard me, what is the illustrious lady's name?" He waited, and when no answer seemed forthcoming, continued "So you do not know the name of your own mate's mother." His smugness pushed her over the edge and though she didn't shout as she wanted to her anger became evident as her aura rose around her.
"I'm sure you are aware Suzaku-sama of the strained if not non-existent relationship my mate has with his mother." Kagome's hair shifted and moved of its own accord her eyes shone brightly as her holy aura swirled and writhed raising the hackles on the youkai who had them.
"No need to get agitated my dear," he smiled, "Half of us don't know it either."
"The question shall be posed, what tactics do you plan to implement in the West to protect youkai from the fanatic ningen?"
Kagome took a breath and appeared to consider something for a moment. "I plan to foster peace and understanding between youkai and the ningen and provide a safe haven for both races."
The youkai assembly erupted in a din of outrage and confusion. Shippo watched, open mouthed as Kagome stood utterly still within the sudden storm, seemingly cocooned in a bubble of her reishi. The Kitsune shared troubled glances with Satoshi and Kouga, even though they all agreed with her approach and saw the wisdom in it, the youkai nobles did not and her chances of prevailing in this hearing had just become all but impossible.
"Silence!" The deep timbre of Seiryuu's shout rang in the sudden quiet. Small sounds began tentatively as the nobles took their seats again. After a few moments only three remained standing. Kagome of course retained her still and defiant posture, Seiryuu glared around the room in a magnificent demonstration of the power of his arbitration and Suzaku stood silently in his place fostering a sly half grin.
"Lord of the East, if I may?" Suzaku spoke with a deceptively gentle tone; Seiryuu gave him a long look before replying.
"You may proceed Lord of the South but I warn you, do not encourage any further disturbance such as this." The phoenix nodded solemnly before stepping forward onto the dais with Kagome.
"My lords and ladies of the assembly, we have been called together to judge this hanshin's worthiness as regent for the Western Heir." He paused for effect, looking Kagome up and down. "She has been found wanting." Kagome's eyes snapped up to meet his own and the firebird was taken by a barely concealed shiver of pleasure, she was so terribly arousing when she was angry.
"As you have all heard, she is woefully unprepared for the running of a youkai kingdom; her mixed blood could be overlooked were she solid in her position but as is painfully apparent, she is not." He paced languidly around Kagome as he spoke.
"She does not share the abilities her son has and is not satisfactorily able to train him in youkai ways having only been part of our world for a mere century and a half." He looked around, "The pup is young and...impressionable, he could not possibly know that his mother's seditious ideas are leading him astray and would cause his kingdom to crumble."
There was a low rumbling sound from Kouga and the western vassals, they did not take kindly to Suzaku's insult of Kagome and had they not been in assembly would have attacked him for such disrespect.
"She would hand her kingdom over to the ningen to foster this imaginary peace she desires. The very same ningen who have already declared war upon us for our very existance! They exterminate us to protect themselves, make no mistake my friends; the ningen would kill us all given the chance." Suzaku paused to allow his words time to sink in.
"The only course of action here is to appoint a youkai of good standing to oversee the western Kingdom until such time as the pup is able to rule in his own right!" He paused again for effect. "We cannot hand a quarter of our holdings to this hanshin, no matter how well intentioned she is, she would have us be little more than servants to the ningen here, protecting them from our own. There is no call to protect them from their own fanatics but I highly doubt any ningen would lift a finger for youkai blood unless it is to draw it from our dying bodies!"
"I second!"
"And I!"
Shouts of assent rose up around the room as Suzaku finished speaking and let the sounds wash over him. Kagome felt disconnected, as though she had just arisen from a dream and nothing seemed quite real yet, she looked over at Kouga and Shippo with defeated eyes. After a few moments the spontaneous cheers died out and an expectant hush fell over the assembly, Seiryuu stood and spoke crisply.
"As arbiter of these proceedings we shall now put to a vote the Hanshin Kagome's fitness as regent. All those in favor show your seal." Kouga raised his crest on a cloth banner to indicate his support, as did Shuuran the leader of the Panther Tribe who was saved so long ago by Sesshomaru. Kagome sent a grateful look her way and nodded to them. The thunder cat was flanked by her generals, Koura the Ice cat and Shurra the Fire cat, the trio looked fierce and angry as they watched the mate of Sesshomaru belittled and strong armed into giving up her rightful power.
Seiryuu waited until the scribe at his side recorded those in favor. "All those opposed display your seals."
Without the slightest hesitation the remaining youkai Lords and Ladies displayed their banners. The room came alive with the fluttering of cloth and Suzaku took this opportunity to look at Kagome, triumph on his sly face. The phoenix moved back toward his seat and lowered himself into it gracefully, an usher came to Kagome's side and began to lead her back to her position next to Kouga, Shippo came away from the wall and assumed the usher's duty.
Kagome gripped Shippo's arm tightly and allowed herself to be seated without really knowing what had just happened. Satoshi and Shippo took positions behind her displaying strength and support.
"Now to the business of choosing the regent for Akira no Taishou until such time as he is able to rule in his own right." The crier's voice snapped Kagome out of her stupor and she bit her bottom lip with tension. "Those eligible include youkai who are the head of their tribe and any who possess Tai status. Please stand to be considered."
Kouga and Shuuran both rose to their feet fluidly and immediately followed more slowly by Yasuke the King of the Northern Elementals. Kagome felt warmed with the knowledge that her allies, few though they were, were willing to act as regent for her child. She was surprised that Yasuke even stood, he was well known for his policy of isolation in his kingdom and she wondered what made him move, there was certainly no strong bond between their houses.
The elemental king turned his head a moment to look at Kagome and his features twitched into a sad, almost wistful expression, his opalescent black skin and pale eyes were just as striking as they had been when he came forward as her suitor but now he held a quiet strength in them that he had not possessed while in the shadow of his mother.
"Seiryuu-sama," said Yasuke, "I must officially remove my house from consideration as regent to the West." there was a cascade of whispers, "The Northern kingdom has been too long isolated and would not serve the best interests of the western house nor those of youkai society." He looked again at Kagome "I do regret being unable to serve the mate of Sesshomaru-sama." With that said, the King of elementals retook his seat in silence.
"Very well, the two remaining candidates shall make their case."
"I ask the court to appoint me regent." Kouga's voice rang out across the room, in the years that had passed since his pursuit of Kagome he had matured greatly and was no longer brash and obnoxious. He had done away with the furry headband he had sported all those years ago and upgraded his wardrobe significantly. The furs he wore now were fashionable instead of functional though not overly so and he had broadened physically into the image of a man in the prime of life.
"I have long been an ally of the Western house and friend to Kagome-sama as well as Inuyasha-sama, I would hold the best interests of the house at the forefront of my regency." He looked around the room with a steely azure gaze before taking a seat and waiting.
"My tribe owes our very existence to Sesshomaru-sama, it would be our glad duty to serve as regent for his heir and mate." Shuuran spoke softly but with iron strength in her voice, "Sesshomaru-sama was once my enemy as was his father before him. We wronged Kagome-sama before we knew who and what she was; Sesshomaru-sama restored our lives when he would have been within his rights to vanquish us. My tribe would appreciate this opportunity to redeem ourselves and replay our debt to the Western House."
A moment of quiet descended upon the youkai as they considered both cases. Kagome took this time to look around at the faces of those who would judge her.
They were beautiful.
Beautiful and terrible as only youkai could be. Even after so many years among the inu youkai Kagome still had moments where she saw them as amazingly terrifying creatures, hypnotically beautiful and quietly dangerous. As her gaze swept over them all, none met her eyes, until that is, she got to Suzaku. The phoenix was staring at her the way a wolf sizes up a slab of meat, his flickering eyes burned with a deep hunger the shadows on his face gave it a predatory cast and Kagome realized he was standing up again. Her heart sank.
"May it please the assembly," he began, "I call challenge to both these claims."
"On what grounds?" snapped Kouga
"On the grounds that both of you supported the hanshin's claim to regency and should you be chosen as regent would allow her to rule as she sees fit anyway."
Kouga surged to his feet, as did the rangers and the Panther tribe. "You dare question my integrity?" he snarled at Suzaku.
"Don't be silly!" the phoenix replied, "She is well versed in the art of manipulation and I have no doubt she would eventually call upon your friendship to give her free rein." He looked at Shuuran "and I fully believe you intend to replay your debt to her but it would be very easy for her to evoke your sympathy and lead the Western house astray." A chorus of growls rose up around Kagome and she felt a shiver of anxiety, the tension in the room was so thick she felt as though she were trying to breathe through wet wool.
"I call upon the assembly to appoint a regent who will keep the interests of the youkai in the forefront and rule with a firm hand." He nodded to Seiryuu and began to take his seat again.
"What about you milord?" came a voice from the back in the avian section. Suzaku raised his brows in thinly veiled surprise and remained standing.
"Who speaks?" he replied, "Show yourself."
"I speak milord," in the back a slender figure stood, swathed in fine white linen, her pale skin contrasting strikingly with her brilliant carmine hair and orange eyes. She displayed tribal markings proudly upon her face in deep indigo; the tattoos swirled from her brow down her cheeks and met below her bottom lip before continuing down the front of her throat and into her robes.
"Who are you?" Seiryuu asked sternly.
"My name is Teru milord dragon." She bowed slightly. "I am a delegate of the tengu tribe from the ryukuus."
"What experiences have you that call upon you to speak in favor of Suzaku-sama?" The old dragon's question was blunt; he tired of these proceedings and wished them to conclude so he could return to his home.
"I have come to know the lord of the Southern lands well in my negotiations with him for alliance with my home," her voice was like honey "I believe him to be fair in his dealings and unwavering in his defense of youkai, he would be a firm hand in chaotic times."
One look at Suzaku's face told Shippo all he needed to know. This female was a plant, this had been the phoenix's plan all along, and once the kit saw this small puzzle piece click into place the rest became clear. Suzaku had been directing questions and even went so far as to not volunteer for the position, making sure the suggestion came from another youkai to keep him from looking greedy.
Kagome and Satoshi became aware at the same moment of Shippo's hackles rising; they both looked at him sharply and then looked around for the cause of his distress. The auburn kitsune let out a low snarl as Suzaku spoke again.
"I thank you for the endorsement Teru-san, but I'm afraid I would not be terribly welcome as regent here." He let this statement hang for a moment before turning to Seiryuu and waiting for his reply. In the meantime, Kouga had also become aware of the bristling kit at Kagome's side and had realized the cause once Suzaku spoke again. The wolf prince realized that Shippo was about to fly to the defense of his mistress and this was something that he could not allow to happen, should Kagome allow her vassal to attack a ruling taiyoukai she would not only be responsible for his death, she would also lose any and all credibility she had as a level headed ruler.
The time to act was now.
Kouga stood and leaned in, whispering something in Satoshi's ear, the blond kit frowned, and then nodded shortly before grabbing hold of his lover's arm and muscling him out of the room. Kagome followed their abrupt departure with worried eyes before looking questioningly at Kouga. The ookami shook his head and reached out to grasp her hand gently and gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze, the look on her face was breaking his heart. She was about to lose all control of her life to a youkai who cared nothing for her or her son and there was nothing he could do about it.
~*~*~*~*~
"Get off me!"
"No dammit!" Satoshi struggled with Shippo, alternately pushing and pulling him down the hall away from the assembly chamber.
"Let me go back in there!" the auburn kit snarled.
"Shipp-kun, listen to me, you have to calm yourself!"
"He's doing this to get back at her!" Shippo's face was twisted in rage as he leaned in nose to nose with his partner, willing him to understand.
"I know but if you rush in there and challenge him he will kill you!" Satoshi stopped walking and slammed Shippo against the corridor wall caging him in with both hands and feet. Shippo looked up at him with anguish in his turquoise eyes.
"I can't just let this happen to her! We were ordered to protect her and keep her safe; he is going to destroy everything."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Satoshi leaned in and touched his brow to Shippo's, exhaling slowly he stared into the other kit's eyes and slid his hand over the curve of Shippo's cheek until it came to rest on the side of his neck.
"Please Koibito, we will help her but there is nothing we can do today. This battle is already lost." Shippo's face morphed from singular rage into a mask of resignation, he leaned his head back against the wall and thumped it once with his skull.
"Kami I hate it when you're right." Without another word, Shippo pushed off from the wall and stalked down the corridor toward the family wing leaving a deflated Satoshi staring after him.
"I thank the assembly for this show of faith in my abilities and will reluctantly assume this post."
As Suzaku bowed gracefully amid muted applause of the gathered youkai, Kagome sat frozen in numb horror. She was peripherally aware of Kouga pulling her from her seat and gently leading her from the room.
He was talking to her but she couldn't make out the words. She allowed herself to be led docilely through the halls of the manor and at some point was aware of Kouga stopping behind a pillar near the family wing and drawing her into a strong embrace. She allowed herself to be held, listened to him speak without comprehending when suddenly it hit her.
'Suzaku now controls my life. He could take my son from me if he wanted to.'
She began to shake, her breath coming in short gasps, Kouga pulled back from her to look at her face and watched it crumble as great gulping sobs shook her small frame. She returned his hug fiercely, burying her face into his chest, he sighed and rested his chin on top of her head and just waited for her to collect herself.
After a time her sobs tapered off into small hiccoughs and she drew a shaky breath. Kouga released her and held her loosely, letting her calm. Looking down at her he was caught up in memories of the fiery little miko who had been the first woman to tell him no. He cupped her face in his hands and planted a fatherly kiss upon her brow where she now bore the mark of the kami.
"Kagome do not despair." He whispered. "We will find a way out of this, I promise you."
She laughed; it was a broken sound full of loss.
"I would prefer you try to find Sesshomaru. I will be fine here." Her spine straightened. "I have Shippo and Satoshi, Amaya and Takeshi, kami, even Kikyo." She laughed a little. "Never thought I would be able to say that."
She looked up at him then, eyes full of fierce pride. "Please Kouga," she said "Send someone to find my mate!" He looked at her a moment and then nodded.
"Where was he traveling?"
"He was visiting the Lions of the continent; they dwell in the western part of those lands. I'm sorry, I don't know any more than that." She shook her head and swallowed, fighting back tears. Kouga reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek.
"I will go but you must promise me you will be careful."
"Don't worry about me, I've got more tricks up my sleeve then that bird could see coming." When he looked at her skeptically she laughed.
"Oh come on, I have two Kitsune at my disposal." He smiled at that and nodded.
"Then promise me something else."
"What?"
"Waste no more tears on that piece of trash, your son will need your strength." Kagome let out her breath in a rush. Her eyes hardened and she nodded firmly.
"You have my word Kouga-kun."