Chapter Twenty-Six

Meeting the Elders and the Council

One Month Later

Sesshomaru stood before the Elders of the Silver Inu Clan. Five females, five males, ten altogether. These were the oldest and wisest of the their pack and they had a hand in many of his own judgments and rulings.

Gobodō-sama herself sat in the middle of the Elders in the place of leadership. On her right were the founding mothers of the Silver pack. They were all wise and just and since they had been chosen by Ryoichi to stand as Elders after sealing his own father they did not judge on anything in a situation other then what was right and what was wrong.

On her left where their male counterparts. Each male had at one time in his life fought under the command of the Inu no Taisho's and had served the clan faithfully all their lives and because of that Sesshomaru felt confident that these great and wise elders would act in not only the best interest of the clan but the West itself.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Elder Yuzuki began. "You are here today to present the mate of your half brother and mother of your heir. Please state your relationship to the mother in question."

Sesshomaru kneeled before the elders as tradition called to do and spoke. "The mother is a miko named Kagome of the Higurashi clan of Musashi. She is a strong a powerful priestess that as never lost her spiritual abilities but instead passed her gifts onto her child. She is the mate of my younger half brother and my Sister-in-law and pack sister."

The female elder raised a delicate eyes brow as she glanced to her fellow elders. Yuzuki, whose name means tender moon, was the same age as Gobodō-sama but like most demons she did not look her age. She was young looking with only laugh lines on her face. She had her silver hair piled on her head in an elaborate hairstyle held up my hair sticks. Dangling from the ends where crescent moons, the symbol of the Silver Inu Clan.

Another elder, an old man named Hajime spoke up next. "If I understand correctly you wish to claim your brother, a hanyo that you have sworn to kill since his birth, and his pack three humans, a Kitsune, and a Neko, into the clan."

"I claimed the half demon's life to protect him from those that would kill him. He is now able to protect himself and so I am confident that he and his pack will flourish here and contribute handsomely to the clan."

Hajime nodded pleased with the pup's answers. The decision to include InuYasha's pack into the clan had already been decided when Sesshomaru had named Izayoi as his heir but this meeting was for politics sake for the clan, especially those like Dai.

"Lady Katsumi," Elder Katsu, Katsumi's twin brother, said while looking to his twin sister. "Have you anything to add?"

"Yes, I have met the miko, Kagome. She is a sweet and honest young woman and she loves children as I have observed by watching her with the kit of their pack as well as the human child Sesshomaru took in a little over a year ago."

"And the pup?" Ichiro asked curiously.

Gobodō-sama smiled in pride. "The child, Izayoi named for her benevolent and kind grandmother, has a strong and powerful aura both spiritually and demonically charged. The girl's life force is strong as well. There is no doubt that the pup will survive to birth and on to adulthood."

"And you believe that Izayoi will be able to lead our pack effectively?" Elder Chiyo asked.

"I believe that InuYasha's daughter will lead this clan as well if not better then her great and terrible grandfather the Inu no Taisho Lord Ryoichi."

"Very well," Hajime nodded. "Lord Sesshomaru please present the miko with her mate and pack."

The lord nodded and then went to the door to call his brother's pack into the elders' chambers.

InuYasha lead the group with Kagome at his side and her hand in his. He saw the elders and eyed each one. No seemed disgusted or angry they hid their thoughts and emotions under the same mask his brother often wore.

The only one that smiled was Gobodō-sama.

"Lord InuYasha," Elder Akemi greeted. "You look like your father." InuYasha nodded as he held to his mate. Shippo was perched on Kagome's shoulder as he looked around the meeting room. The seats the elders sat on here raised so they were at least a head taller then Sesshomaru.

"Lady Kagome please step forward." Kagome took a deep breath and did as she was told leaving her mare and friends behind her.

"How far along are you child?" Elder Katsu asked as he studied the priestess dressed in a princess's kimono that had belonged to InuYasha's mother. The miko took a deep breath. "I am seven months along my lord."

"And you know that you are expecting a woman child?" another elder asked.

Kagome nodded. "Yes the healers of my birth era are able to determine the gender of a child. Sesshomaru had already informed the elders of Kagome's strange roots and so the girl's words did not confuse nor shock.

"Please stay still as the child is examined." Gobodō-sama said as the elders expanded their auras to brush against the unborn child.

Feeling the strange auras made Izayoi uncomfortable and she lashed out with a warning spark giving each elder a slight shock.

"The pup can already purify from within her mother." Elder Daiki commented.

"Has everyone reached a decision?" Gobodō-sama asked.

The elders nodded and then Gobodō-sama continued.

"I, Lady Katsumi of the Western Lands here by claim the Pack of Lord InuYasha as part of the silver Inu Clan. We are adjourned."

With that the elders each came down to meet the new members of the their clan.

Elder Ichiro shook hands with Sango. "Tell me my dear would you be interested in helping Haru train some of the pups? From what I understand you are an exceptional warrior."

Sango blushed and nodded her head. "I'd be happy to my Lord, Thank you."

Meanwhile all of the older women surrounded InuYasha and Kagome gushing over the baby and also over InuYasha himself.

"Oh he looks like Ryoichi does he not?" Elder Natsuko asked as she pinched his cheeks. InuYasha began to feel crowded and so he carefully guided his mate from the clucking hens only to run into Katsu.

"Hello InuYasha. It nice to meet you great nephew." He then smiled at Kagome. "Welcome to the family miko-sama." He then placed a gentle hand on her seven-month belly. "And you too little great -great niece."

It didn't take long for the group to get away from the Elders.

"I wasn't expecting the Elders to be so welcoming." Miroku said as the group sat outside in Lady Izayoi's garden.

"Yeah those women pinched my cheeks until they were red." Shippo said as he rubbed said cheeks. "But they were nice."

InuYasha, also red cheeked. Huffed. "Speak for yourself runt!"

"Oh InuYasha it wasn't that bad." Kagome said as she rubbed her husband's back.

"Whatever." He said. "They didn't scare Izayoi did they?" he asked. "I know she attacked them."

Kagome shrugged. "I don't they scared her too bad, just enough to get a feel for her powers."

InuYasha scoffed. "Feh!"

"Yo Mutt! Long time no see."

The group looked toward the wall that enclosed the garden to see Koga.

A/N: And Koga's back! Up next is the meeting with the Taisho Council. Please review and let me know what you all think.

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha!

The Silver Pack Elders are made of five males and five females. Gobodō-sama is the head for she is the oldest.

Females:

Katsumi: Victorious Beauty (aka Gobodō-sama: Lady Mother)

Yuzuki: Tender Moon

Natsuko: Child of summer

Akemi: Bright and beautiful; red beauty

Chiyo: A thousand sparkles; forever

Males:

Katsu: Victory- Oldest Male Katsumi's Twin Brother.

Hajime: Beginning.

Daiki: Great Glory/ Great Nobility.

Ichiro: First Son

Isamu: Brave; courageous