I'm sorry everyone for the bad editing on my part. I have actually redone all of the previous chapters but it is essentially the same so no worries I was a bit stuck on what to write for chapter 34, bit of a snail pace going but I hope you love it all the same.

Jay, I'm sorry to say but I can't see your e-mail, FF blocks them and any sort of link. I would suggest just creating a profile even if it is just for reading, it will story alerts to your followed stories and story alerts from your favorite authors. It will even send you an e-mail if you prefer that route as well.

Time for more InuKimi! Oh my goodness….. The last chapter really is short! I will have to make up for that and double it at least. Time to make some magic.

Chapter 34

From the polished marble courtyard to the shimmering, grand, glass doors were all on show with their intricate detail and high quality craftsmanship. Pools of glimmering water lined the paths while a large flame danced upon its wick high up above, the reflections of it danced upon the surface of the cool liquid.

Every nook and cranny screamed high class from the white gleaming gates to the sparkles on each decorative piece. The tall blue towers and vast footage, you would have never thought something so grand would be so invisible up in the sky. The place is an ornately decorated fortress meant to awe its visitors and defend from attackers but after they went in awe.

Sesshoumaru though could not be moved by it and just kept his eyes straight ahead while appearing bored, a smidgen of distaste in his eyes. Small feet padded right along behind him, inconsistent and scattered as they were clearly enthralled by it all, a complete opposite to the mighty Lord of the West. As he approached the door an almost shrill voice called out in surprise at him. They squeaked in fright when his eyes narrowed fractionally on them, causing them to stutter before regaining their bearings.

The deep Mediterranean green skin gained back its color after being so pale. "Lord Sesshoumaru, you must be looking for your Lady Mother. She is in the very back sitting upon her outdoor throne so she may take a rest and gaze at the night sky." She looked eagerly behind him for something or someone that was clearly not with him this time.

As usual he gave no response but changed his direction. After a quick scoop he had gathered Rin up and jumped up into the air, riding his red cloud to go over the palace and reach his destination much faster. After landing and letting Rin down he looked upon the face of his equally bored, and looking sour, Mother. He could easily tell she had no company to speak of nearby so with only an arched brow in inquisition, she merely cocked one right back before perking up at having company.

"Sesshoumaru, I see you have taken me up on my offer to bring Rin here. It has been quite a while, though not as long as the time before, since you have visited me by your own wishes. One would think you are a Bastard child and I am simply barren or childfree." The dry look he cast her way only served to amuse her more.

"Where is she?" He inquired, a bit surprised that she definitely has a visitor but they are not in sight.

"Where is who?" The annoyed look that passed through his eyes had fueled more mirth from the originally bored lady.

"Do not think to play games with me Mother," not quite threatening but showing his usual lack of playfulness almost served to spoil her newly uplifted mood.

"She is neither here or there, but she is somewhere," the cryptic reply was only meant to anger him further to draw out more entertainment for her. "Clearly you can figure that much out, can you not my son."

Her lips that had been twitching up into a grin were now on proud display as she watched her son clam up to keep her from seeing how he truly felt while his ward was hiding her grin behind her small hands. InuKimi covered her own shortly after with her fan, only her eyes gave her away. "Well your Father couldn't want her back already so I don't see why I need to keep tabs on her."

"Stop with the games Mother. Father wants a report on her health and requested that I see her myself," he took a few sniffs of the air and with all his icy glory he proceeded to walk up and past her throne while leaving Rin to her own devices.

With a glance at Rin she began to leisurely get up. "He certainly doesn't feel like being in the mood for playing today. Not that he ever is. Well Rin, how about you join me to see how she is fairing and then we can get you settled in. Those cookies you like have already been made."

"Oh yes!" She cheered in excitement. Rin took InuKimi's hand and walked side by side with her, an extra bounce in her step as they proceeded into the palace. A small smile stretched across the lady's face with the little girl in her company.

When they caught up to Sesshoumaru a while later, Rin had hushed and took notice to Kagome sleeping peacefully on a nice fluffy bed. Not wanting to disturb her they all left, only leaving the door cracked a tiny bit before going down the hall a ways to the next door where Rin noticed it was her usual rooms with a new but very pretty setup with the sheets, rugs, and drapes. She squealed at seeing the sparkly canopy that matched her drapes perfectly. It was completely girly-girl, complete with enchanted flowers decorating various parts of her bedroom.

With a warm hug as a thank you she quickly ran in to look it all over. They didn't disturb her for a couple minutes until InuKimi decided it was time for her to snack on the cookies. With a few quick hidden passageways she had them sitting in a small enchanted garden sitting by a small fountain. "So Mother," he started, "what have your healers said about her?"

"Let's see, they basically said Kagome will increasingly need more rest and a continued healthy diet for the several months to come. No battles if it can be prevented, nothing too laborious, and certainly no more kidnapping. Minus the wounds that are healing nicely, she should be fine, just no using her power either so she is now basically a defenseless human with a rocky road ahead of her at this rate."

"You are hiding something Mother, it best not be important," he warned her.

"I am your Mother Sesshoumaru, you may be Lord but what could you possibly do to me even if I am hiding something?" He ignored the taunt but she continued on, "Nothing, that is what. She is in much more capable hands here, that much is clear."

He attempted to ignore her insults and let the matter drop for the time being. Getting into wordplay with his Mother is never a good idea for anyone. A servant brought tea out for them at that time and she sipped from her steaming cup, hiding her grin in the process.

"Sesshoumaru, when will your Father be here? I hope he doesn't think I will let him take her away with that disaster down below." He didn't know she had taken the priestess without his permission quite yet.

"I am not his keeper Mother," he drawled out as if he was already bored of the new turn in conversation.

She gave him a perturbed look, clearly not happy that he wouldn't humor her. "I wonder if his half demon son is more fun to chat with," she remarked while tapping her decorative fan to her chin.

Sesshoumaru wouldn't let her see his annoyance; his Mother was always like this. Figuring he wouldn't be able to find any answers today he set his mind at the tasks waiting for him back at the palace. "Rin, I need to depart now. Be good for my Mother and keep Kagome company. Mother, there is one last thing."

"And what could that be dear?" Her curious look at the possible curve ball her son might be throwing at her.

"Rin's powers have awakened, she needs training. I will be speaking with Kagome when she is better." His Mother didn't look surprised but she did seem to have a degree of distaste in her eyes.

"Do not think to put tasks on her after I had already informed you that she needs much rest. Do you not have another priestess that could help her for the time being?" She pressed, not happy entirely with this curve ball.

"I do Mother, but she is an elderly priestess with an apprentice already and several other tasks. I doubt it would be too much for her to simply help Rin get in control of them," he reasoned.

"I will be the judge of that," she simply replied before clearly dismissing him and turning her attention to Rin who was watching them closely. "Rin dear, how about we do some reading to pass the time. We can even take turns, so let's go pick out something nice." With a small nod they proceeded to leave for the library to retrieve a book to enjoy in her enchanted garden.

Rin suddenly turned and ran back, hugging Sesshoumaru around his leg and relishing feeling his hand settling on her head before she joined his Mother. Before he departed he went back to Kagome's room. He paid close attention to the scents but he could not detect anything. With a final glance he left the floating palace and returned home.

Touga was pacing around, keeping the reconstruction of the palace running smoothly. His thoughts raced around his mate and the cryptic words of InuKimi. He could only hope everything will go well and now that he thought about it. What will Kagome think of InuKimi, a female he had clearly bedded to conceive Sesshoumaru?

When his son touched down looking a slight bit annoyed he could only guess his Mother was up to her usual games. He crossed the stretch of torn up land before coming to a halt a few feet from him. "Mother did not reveal much of anything other than the priestess is as defenseless as a human can be for an unknown amount of time. She was resting peacefully when I left."

A flash of his own irritation shown across his face but figured she must be fine. "I will be departing soon then, I'm sure you can run your own reconstruction of your palace. We must find out how they are passing the barrier, I thought we had fixed that problem a while ago." Sesshoumaru nodded with narrowed eyes, he could still read his son, not many could but he knew that he is thinking on the problem. Letting him be he left the area. It would be some time until it was fixed because it is a palace, not just any palace but a demon one and currently they were with little resources. Taking to the air he looked down with discontent, their barriers were nothing to laugh at but Takeshi would probably be laughing if InuYasha had not struck him with such a strong attack.

Streaking across the sky in his orb he was soon at the floating palace, eyeing it as he noticed a similar barrier around it. He felt concerned that it would too eventually be invaded with Kagome in there. Knowing that Takeshi would still be licking his wounds he felt better but it would not last beyond a few days.

Landing in the polished marble courtyard he could feel where everyone is in the palace. Instead of going to the owner, he went straight to his mate. His mating mark urged him along and he listened to it with fervor. Arriving in her room it appeared she was still sleeping but the crease in her eyebrows spoke something is disturbing her. Appearing next to her side he slipped into her bed and checked her over. Tilting her head to see both marks are an angry red. He slipped his tongue out and caressed the mating mark; her tensed shoulders began to relax slowly as she eased down more on the soft downy bed. Wrapping his arms around her he enjoyed lavishing his attention on it. Slowly, her distress slid from her face as her body relaxed.

Staying like that he nuzzled his mating mark, letting time stretch on with her safe in his arms. Taking his time as his calloused fingers caressed her bare arm in a lazy motion while he rested beside her. He wasn't able to really soak in that he has finally marked her as his. Watching her soft breaths his eyes moved over her features before pulling her closer. Leaning his head against hers he drifted into a light slumber while remembering how she feels being held in his embrace. Dreams of times in the past of her twirling around with the kids and reciting poetry had drugged him into falling deeper, unconsciously nuzzling into her long locks as the memories continued to overlap into a lovely dream.

Hearing a light rap at the door he woke instantly and looked over to see InuKimi standing there. "Forget to shut the door?" She tittered before approaching the bed.

He just shrugged and watched her but her eyes were on his slumbering mate. "You certainly can't keep your hands off her. I can see why you're so attached," her eyes seeing what most cannot. Her line is known for getting into demon sorcery so it didn't surprise him when she could do things like that.

"You must have come here for some reason in particular," he cut straight to the point as usual with her. He apparently was in no mood for chatting.

Crossing her arms and tapping her fan to her chin she regarded him for a moment carefully. "You could say I was just curious." She eyed the mating marks with a critical eye. "I can't quite decide if your mating mark will be what she needs to get rid of his or if it will be the death of her."

The offhanded comment drew a growl from him immediately but it didn't even make her flinch. Giving him a bored gaze she started to shift her body towards the door. "Whatever you did, just keep doing it," she remarked before elegantly walking out the door.

Rubbing his face into the mark he paid it more attention with a few kisses before letting his body relax back into slumber. Remembering the barrier he decided to bring it up later, for now he just wants to hold his little mate and hope she knows that he is here for her. Slumber beckoned him in until it finally dragged him down under as his dreams resumed while he gave a content sigh.