Yoichi masculine first-born son

Shoji shining second-born son

Chapter 20

Nothing else happened for several days after the intruders. They had found little to help them with their current problems so they gave up. Sesshomaru was patrolling his lands and sometimes his Father did it for him. Inuyasha sometimes joined one of them and a small bond had started to form between all of them. Kagome had woken up the following morning unaware of what took place until Inuyasha filled her in.

She had started training with Sango, both getting back in shape so they can be ready for anything. They became quite the sight to watch and Miroku expectedly didn't like the looks his wife was getting but he hadn't been the only one there. Inuyasha was sometimes there picking fights with the demons for ogling at Kagome but they were all surprised when Touga's anger became known. Kagome has remained oblivious to his attention and the real reason why the soldiers scurried away once Touga came in range.

Kagome was currently out in the village with a couple of the lieutenants that came along to escort her. She had begun to believe Sesshomaru had given her personal guards to protect her outside of the palace when neither of the inu's was around. No one had said such but it seemed like wherever she went outside she would gain escorts until one of them appeared. She enjoyed the company but it was hard to get some peace and quiet with the constant attention. She wasn't about to do anything foolish but she was thinking about confronting Sesshomaru once she could catch him.

The two demons with her gained their own attention from the swooning ladies and she of course received envious looks along with them. They flanked her on both sides and chatted with her as she went about the market looking around at an easy pace. Yoichi and Shoji were both good company and usually the ones with her at the market if it wasn't one of the generals.

Both still bachelors and proud of the positions they held. They had a little animosity but that was most likely due to them being good friends with healthy competition for each other. Today they were laidback and talking idly as she went about. She stopped pestering them about talking to the other ladies that continue to ogle them.

She hoped as the days go by she could maybe gain some more confidence from others and with herself as she practiced with Sango and learned the basics of a few weapons. She hated the hand-to-hand combat but she always seems to end up without any weapons so everyone agreed with Sango that she needed to learn and master the basics if not more. She was still getting comfortable with it and finally broke a few bad habits but she has only been at it a couple weeks. It has almost been a month since they had come here and been a little over a month since this whole thing started.

As usual, she felt Touga coming and he landed before the other two could take their leave. They bowed to him and then to her and took their leave as always. She could really feel all the animosity aimed towards her from other demons but learned to ignore it. She didn't catch the glare Touga used on the other two or at the demons with all the negative vibes aimed towards her. She remained oblivious to it all and just fell in step with the powerful demon she grew to call a good friend.

"You don't seem to be at the market buying anything today," he remarked as he noted her empty hands and carefree smile as she looked around.

"No, not really, I just wanted to window shop," her futuristic term being familiar to him after hearing it a few times. "I was actually hoping to go somewhere new or on patrol with you guys but I'm sure my chances are slim to none."

His eyes studied her as they always did before going back to scanning their environment for trouble though their never had been any, just vibes directed at her and not all of them hostile. "Correct as always. Until things get better then it is best everyone stays inside the barrier. Sesshomaru is on patrol right now keeping an eye out for any priestess or monks to help with your spiritual powers and that of the monk's. "

She huffed and blew a rebellious strand off her face. "I swear that dog is just avoiding me."

"Now why would you assume Sesshomaru is avoiding you? I was unaware you needed him or something from him," he replied, keeping his anger in check. He was having a hard time not growling at any unattached males that came anywhere near her.

He knew these feelings were beyond just being her new self-proclaimed protector but more like that of a male keeping other males from sniffing around his chosen female. He accepted it mostly by now but she remained oblivious to what he was doing. It definitely was frustrating at times but sometimes things were easier if she knew the real reasons behind things.

"Well it's become apparent that I am to be escorted once I set foot outside the palace. Even inside I seem to always have someone with me. It's nice but I do like being alone some times. That arrogant dog is going to learn the hard way that I am not defenseless!" Her ranting felt good but really, she wanted the dog himself here to prove she doesn't need bodyguards.

Touga had to chuckle at her assumptions but he knew it must look that way. He didn't want to give it all away but he also didn't want face her wrath later should he lie or say nothing at all. "As far as I know dear priestess, he has not given such orders; I am here because I merely wish to be so. No pup of mine is going to demand me around. I suppose it would be best that you just take this up with him once you catch him."

He loved the blush that always donned her cheeks now that he was being more forward. She never replied or did anything other than blush, leaving him to start any further conversation at his leisure if she didn't do so after a moment or more. He truly enjoyed his time with her and always made room to seek her out once he is free. Today he planned for them to read over some old poetry he had come across. He picked out a beautiful spot under a willow tree for some privacy and peace.

Things continued just as he planned and he was currently lying under the tree with a knee propped up as he listened to her voice flow over the surroundings making the place more tranquil than it already was. This is how he pictured his life, quiet with his little mate, spending time in the shade enjoying the company of one another. Unfortunately, things were not usually so quiet and she wasn't his little mate, yet. He had not smelled much attraction from her towards the other males, mainly towards him so he felt reassured that with time he will be able to woo her into becoming his.

Unknowingly he had set up a barrier to keep the outside world from discovering him so he was able to spend the afternoon with her in peace until her stomach protested. He wished he made it a picnic as well but that thought had eluded him earlier. She had fallen asleep but he could feel and sense the telltale signs that she was beginning to wake, most likely due to her stomach.

He gazed down at her a while longer, waiting for her eyes to flutter open. Her thick black lashes fluttered and her small hands rubbed them tiredly as she woke from her nap. Her stomach protested loudly and she blushed when she remembered Touga was with her and watched him stand up and stretch before lending a hand.

Their peaceful afternoon may have been over but Touga was already planning ahead for a picnic the next time he could find time for this. He had told Sesshomaru that he would do the next patrol so he figured it would have to wait until he got back. He wanted to woo her more and let his feelings be known.

For now he will keep the pace slow but once he made his advances clear to the oblivious little priestess, he will turn up the heat and make her desire him all the more. Soon all the males will be forced to back off and he will be triumphant in his conquest.