Chapter Twenty- Three

The Western Lands

After everyone had a good night's rest and Koga was finally convinced that Kagome had never had any feelings for him, besides friendship, the group saw the wolf demon off at dawn.

"Alright Kagome." Koga said as he took her hands in his like he always did. "I'm off but if you ever need me I'll be there. You and your children will always be members of my clan."

Kagome smiled up at him. She was just relieved that the Ookami had taken their explanation so well. She had been worried about hurting her friend and loosing him but, even though he was still slightly hurt, he was able to shake it off and be the friend she always knew he was.

"Thanks Koga that means a lot." Kagome said. Koga glanced to InuYasha and when the half demon gave a glare and a curt nod the wolf gently pulled Kagome into a friendly hug.

"Just remember if that mutt doesn't treat you right you'll always have a place at our den!" then he was gone in a dust cloud just like came heading toward the West.

InuYasha glared at the tornado disappearing beyond the trees and grumbled.

"Stupid wolf talking crazy."

"My mate don't need to be anywhere near your den you stupid jack ass!" he yelled as he shook his fist toward the wolf that had long since disappeared.

Kagome smiled as she put reassuring hands on the half demon's arms.

"Calm down InuYasha." She said as her mate continued to grumble and complain about overconfident wolves flirting with unavailable women.

Raiden looked to his younger sister and leaned in.

"Should we tell them that Koga will be at the Western Palace?" he asked.

Megumi looked to her nephew who was currently pouting like a boy who had to share his favorite toy.

Megumi leaned in and raised her green kimono sleeve to whisper to Raiden.

"That might not be a good idea. But where is the fun in that?" Raiden agreed and walked over to the grumbling half demon.

"Aw come on boy cheer up." He said. "You've got the girl so you've got nothing to worry about."

"Feh," InuYasha said as turned away to hide the blush forming on his cheeks.

It was then that Dai chose to come from the woods a self-satisfied smile on his face.

"Where have you been Dai?" Aiko asked as she eyed her brother suspiciously. "You were gone all night." Dai chuckled as he walked past his sister.

"I am a grown dog demon Aiko I can take care of myself, besides I didn't feel like inhaling the scent of humans and half breeds all night."

Aiko raised one of her delicate silver eyebrows at her brother's almost cheerful demeanor. It was strange compared to the attitude he had had since they had learned that Izayoi would be the heir to the West.

"Oi! Are we ready to go or what?" InuYasha called, as the group got ready to leave.

It was nightfall before the group finally made it to the West. Kagome was being carried by InuYasha and sleeping soundly.

The castle was surrounded a wall protecting it from intruders and at the gates were two Dog demon men with weapons guarding the entrance.

When the group came into view lead by the hanyo carrying his pregnant mate the two men bared their spears to block the group's entry.

"Halt!" one said as he pointed his spear at InuYasha and Kagome. "State your name and business!"

"Stand down Haru!" Raiden ordered as he moved to stand beside his nephew before he could do something that both would regret.

The once called Haru quickly put his spear down. "Inu no Sekando!" Raiden crossed his arms and glared at the solider before he placed a hand on InuYasha's shoulder.

"This is the second born son of the Inu no Taisho and younger brother to Lord Sesshomaru and the female he carries his mate and mother of the heir to the West."

Haru and his partner quickly bowed before the group.

"Our apologies Lord Raiden and Lord InuYasha." They said at the same time. Then the opened the gates and allowed the group into the main wall of the West.

As InuYasha carried Kagome into the palace grounds Miroku and Sango walked on either side of him with Shippo and Kirara on their shoulders. Miroku carried Kagome's bag and Aiko and Dai walked behind them while Megumi and Raiden lead the way into the palace and Sesshomaru's audience hall.

Once inside InuYasha lowered Kagome gently to her feet and woke her up.

"Come on Kagome, we're here." He said as he kissed her temple causing the miko sleepily look around. "Wow this is beautiful," she said as she looked around.

"Here Kagome," Megumi said as she brought a cushion over. "Sit child."

Kagome smiled as she gratefully lowered her pregnant body onto the soft cushion.

"Thank you." She said as she settled herself.

"Well its about time you got here little brother." Sesshomaru said as he walked into the room as stoic as always with his mother by his side.

"Oh Kagome dear!" Kimi said as she made her way to the young human girl.

"How are you and the baby?" she asked as she placed a hand on the swell of her tummy. Izayoi stretched her aura out to test the feel of the newcomer. Kimi felt the same warm spiritually charged demonic aura coming from the baby just as InuYasha, Raiden, and Sesshomaru did when the same happened to them and she smiled.

"The princess has gotten stronger has she?"
Kagome smiled. "Yes our little Izayoi is going to be very special."

Sesshomaru stiffened and turned hard eyes to InuYasha.

"You are naming the pup for a human?" he asked coldly causing InuYasha to bristle at the slight disapproval of his daughter's name.

"That human was my mother and yes I am naming her after her. She may be your heir but I am her father and I have a damn say in what is said and done for my pup!"

Sesshomaru gave out a dog like huff and sat on his throne. "As my mother informed me of the compromise she made with you I know you are correct so I will say nothing more on the name but do not think I will let any further foolishness slide little brother. I already have my wok cut out for me convincing the council of a hanyo Inu no Taisho it'll be twice as hard to convince them of a female. So if you can control yourself hanyo try not to make this any harder for myself or your daughter."

InuYasha glared at his elder brother but only sat down next to Kagome.

"Fine! But you just remember that I am her father!"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and then noticed his sister-in-law falling asleep on her mate's shoulder.

"Mother show InuYasha and his pack to their living quarters."

"Of course." Kimi said as she went to help Kagome up. "Follow me dears."

Then the noble woman led the group from the audience hall and into the corridor. Once the doors shut Raiden turned to his eldest nephew and bowed.

"How was the journey uncle?" Sesshomaru asked.

"We were attacked by the woman known as Kagura. She got away and we fear that Naraku now knows of princess Izayoi's existence. " Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as he thought of what this could mean. "Also your brother went to see a dead woman, from the way he acted when he returned it did not go well."

Sesshomaru scoffed as he stood. "The dead woman is the one who sealed InuYasha to the tree of ages for fifty years."

Raiden snarled. "If I had known that I would have killed the bitch myself."

Sesshomaru looked out his window. "The hanyo would not have allowed that. You would have had to fight him to get to her."

The demon lord then turned to face his second in command. "It does not matter. Anything else you wish to mention?"

Raiden sighed. "Yes Dai has been increasingly hostile. He has berated both Lady Kagome and the unborn princess. I fear he will have to be watched closely."

Sesshomaru nodded. "I see. Tomorrow Gobodō-sama wants to meet with InuYasha. She feels it's time she met the youngest son of Ryoichi."

Raiden laughed. "Can you blame her?" he asked. "She predicted the boys birth and everything."

Sesshomaru gave a barely there smile that would have scared anyone else.

"And the fact that he's her grandson doesn't have anything to do with it."

"Actually that has everything to do with it I think."

A/N: And they are finally in the West and the next chapter will be of the group meeting Gobodō-sama.

Gobodō- Sama is what Sesshomaru's mother is called in the manga but I am using it for the matriarch of InuYasha and Sesshomaru's family. It means Lady Mother.

Please review and let me know what you all think.

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha!