Lady of the West, Daughter of the East

By Angel Dust

It's a SesshomaruxOC, InuyashaxKagome, KougaxSango fic!

You have been warned!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha or any of the other characters or the original story line. I DO own my characters, they're as obvious as the nose on your face.

A few months after the Compass Ball, Lord Nishi of the Western Lands has called in the other lords for help fixing his rebellion issues. This will pull Lord Higashi and all five of his sons from the palace, leaving Lady Mai in charge of both kingdom and their daughter. Nikki has yet to show interest in any males, to her mother's great displeasure at the ball, though is secretly writing Sesshomaru as he is fighting by his father's side. Mai is anxious and willing to do anything to get Nikki to mate, and now that her only barrier (Higashi) is out of the picture temporarily there is nothing to stop her from having her way. Can Nikki survive her father's absence, or will there be one less member of the family at the dinner table from now on?

Chapter 13

A few days later, several lectures on how to act put behind them, and it was time for the groups to start leaving the Eastern Kingdom to return to their own lands and their own subjects. First to leave was Kita and his wolf pack. But Kouga made it quite obvious he would be seeing Sango and her people very soon as it was very obvious their separation was not going to be enjoyed by either Sango or Kouga. Nikki and Kagome just smirked as they all watched the wolf pack leave and Sango's people leave shortly thereafter.

Minami and his family were packed into their carriage as well and then off not too much longer. Higashi was seeing to quickly how empty his castle was becoming. In reality it was quite nice having it full of friends like it has been for so long because of all that had happened. He figured after this he'd have to start moving on himself. So far he has had the luxury of claiming he had to protect his daughter and prepare his sons, but everyone was so far better off than he was.

"Well, my friend, it looks like we are last," Nishi said to Higashi as Nikki's belongings were put on the carriage with his family's stuff.

"Of course," Higashi said with a smirk, "we always were the inseparable ones." Nishi chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Keep an eye on her, old friend."

"A jewel of one kingdom is a more valuable jewel in another," Nishi said as Higashi nodded in agreement. "You should take this winter to relax and maybe start moving on yourself."

"I know," Higashi bemoaned.

"Izayoi simply wanted me to let you know that she knows a few females that are single, beautiful, and in need of strong mates." Nishi said with a smirk. "I want to let you know, they aren't all that beautiful, and quite honestly, don't do it." Higashi laughed a little with his friend. "But I didn't say that."

"You two laugh together more than anyone else at that table sometimes," Izayoi said as she watched them walk up to the carriage. All of Nikki's brothers had just finished saying their goodbyes to their sister.

"That's a good sign," Higashi said as Nishi nodded in agreement.

"How so?" she asked him as he stopped and the two look at each other.

"Just think," Higashi said with a shrug, "if we were to ever go to war, we probably wouldn't attack each other because we'd be too busy laughing at the other." At this both lords chuckled amused before Izayoi hugged Higashi goodbye and getting in the carriage. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha both bowed and shook hands with him before getting in or waiting by the carriage as well.

"Be good kitten," her father said softly as she stood before him. He hated seeing her like this, as an adult.

"Papa," she said softly. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. "You be good, and don't make me come back here to put you all through your paces." He chuckled as he thought about it. Like him, she'd do it if she thought he and the boys weren't training hard enough. "And you write me every day."

"And you do the same, and if you need anything you say it," Higashi told her. "We anticipate the end of winter already." Nikki nodded as they let go and she turned to the carriage. Higashi watched as Sesshomaru assisted her into the carriage. "Sesshomaru, she is more valuable than any jewel in any kingdom. Treat her as such."

"You undervalue her," Sesshomaru said in response. "She is worth more than any life, including the one possessed by this Sesshomaru, that I'd take if anything or anyone harmed her." Higashi nodded to him before he climbed into the carriage. That was precisely the response he wanted from the younger lord.

"We will send a runner when we arrive at the palace," Nishi told him. "If you or the boys need anything, send us word and it is yours, old friend."

"To wake up from the nightmare," Higashi said softly in hopes no one around them has heard him. "But otherwise, there is nothing but the safety of my daughter, that I can think of." Nishi nodded and they hugged once before he turned towards his carriage to get in and prepare for his trip.

Higashi remained in the courtyard with his five sons watching the carriage as it disappeared around a bend. He looked at the five of them and sighed as they all turned to head into the castle. It was going to be weird only having males in the castle, though the maids knew what they were to do.

"Think Nikki is going to resume her training there?" Seiji asked as the six of them chuckled at the idea.

"Think Sesshomaru will try to stop her again?" Jiro replied as he thought about it.

"I don't think Lord Nishi knows quite what he took home," Rinji said softly.

"Not even close," Higashi said with a chuckle. The boys looked at him curiously. "But your sister will return to us come the end of winter, to keep her and Sesshomaru from falling into the spell of Spring. We'll just have to work hard to show her that we are just as capable of keeping up without her as we are with her." The five nodded in agreement as they headed into the castle anticipating the winter that was coming and Nikki's return with the Spring.

I know, not much of a "chapter". Really it was just a lead in for the next story in the trilogy. Granted, the third story is only going to be one, two chapters max.

I hope you enjoyed it!