Sesshomaru and His Love

by ladytari

Kagome is now a widow. Sesshomaru vowed to Inuyasha that if something would happen to him that he would take care of Kagome, since she is his sister-in-law. He would had an obligation to her anyway. Will love bloom? Or will they stay apart? Also there's also an unexpected surprise for Sesshomaru. There'll be a new foe to contend with. Who is it? *WARNING: THERE WILL BE LEMONS!

39. The Challenge

In Inuhime's bedchambers, Miroku was hesitant to approach Inuhime. Simply because InuTaisho was near. InuTaisho could sense the hesitation from the monk. With good reason, too. His fatherly instincts was then in overdrive. Only family could get near Inuhime, unless he and his beast knew that the monk had no ill intent towards his daughter.

He sighed and decided to put the monk's nerves at ease.

"Monk, I know you don't have any ill intent against my daughter. You have my permission to go near."

Miroku let out a deep breathe that he wasn't even aware that one had been withholding. That was just what a daiyoukai could do until you are 100% certain that he would know that there were no prejudice and anything that could bring death in one's wake. Yes, Miroku, then, knew that he knew that he won't do any harm to his pup; adult she may be, but she was his pup nevertheless.

"Thank you, my lord."

InuTaisho gave a slight nod. Inuyasha just rolled his eyes because he knew that his father was toying with Miroku, but in some ways, he didn't blame Miroku for his hesitation. His father's appearance just screams respect and fear.

Miroku then walked up to Inuhime's bed. He noticed something odd. He knew that she was a coma, but he couldn't sense her soul at all. He only sense...could it be?

"I don't feel or sense her presence."

InuTaisho and Inuyasha quirked their left brow. Miroku knew that he had to explain something rather complicated because even he had no idea, but he heard of such things.

"In my studies as a Buddhist monk, I had come across some unbelievable claims what a person could do...spiritually. I had read that some people could remove themselves from their bodily vessels. Its like a could sense only a very little of her essence. It faint, but it's there. May I?"

"May you what, monk?

Miroku gulped.

"May I examine her body? I want to see if there's any spiritual abnormalities."

InuTaisho starred at him hard like he was searching for something, but Inuyasha decided to help his lecherous friend. He knew that the monk won't do anything inappropriate. I mean he had done anything like that to any woman, excluding Sango.

"Dad, he's not going to do anything bad. Besides if he does I will kick his lecherous ass."

His father chuckled at that and he nodded his head to answer his question. Miroku first examine her face. He pulled the silken sheet off of her and used his aura to sense any dark imprints as he closed his eyes while concentrating. Then after several minutes he found what he was found what he looking for as he snapped his eyes open.

Now the problem is that his desire to look at whatever he felt was on the side of her stomach. He looked up at InuTaisho, then to Inuyasha.

For his impatience, Inuyasha yelled, "Well?! Did you find whatever you are looking for?!"

"Yes, I did, my friend," Miroku said in a calm tone.

"Feh! What's the problem then?"

"The problem is, Inuyasha, that I have to take off her kimono to see it."

"So what?!"

Miroku rolled his eyes as InuTaisho spoke up. "I believe our monk-friend is saying that whatever he found and what he wanted to see is underneath her kimono, therefore, he would have to disrobe her. I can understand his predicament because he is a mated male. To undress a female, who I might add, isn't his mate. Obviously, he has honor; not just for himself, but to his mate. Thus it would be inappropriate. On top of that you and I are here."

"Keh! That didn't stop him before!"

"Inuyasha, back then, I was unmarried with no children. NOW, I AM MARRIED WITH CHILDREN."

"And?"

"Which means, my son, that a mated male would be disgraced if he did the deed. Especially if that male was got caught by his female."

InuTaisho voice sounded sadden and full of regret. Yes, he did that disgraceful act. Yes, he loved Izayoi. Yes, he loved and cared about Inukimi, but that wasn't the point. To Inuyoukai, once you mated with a female you stayed by that female. Inuyoukai were notoriously monogamists. It was unheard of to be unfaithful to your mate, no matter how or why they mated. One must never stray, but then why he strayed. It was because of what happened to Inuhime. The way his mate treated their daughter was unacceptable, but that was only an excuse or was it? In inuyoukai society, if ever a female refused to take care of said alpha's pup or pups, then the male has every right to stray or kill the female especially if the female wanted to kill them. Yes, he was in an unique and dire predicament because being a lord was such a pain-in-the-ass sometimes because of the politics, if he were a commoner there wouldn't be any good or bad consequences whatsoever. Then there was his son and heir, one reason he couldn't just killed the bitch and another logical reason was the act of trying to kill their other pup was a complete turn-off. Yes, what an unique, unusual, but dire predicament, that he was situated then.

Inuyasha knew why his voice sounded sad and full of regret. He knew how his father felt because at one time; he was in a similar situation. The only difference was that he wasn't mated, yet. Also that he was in love with two very different women, Kikyo and Kagome. Although, Kagome might had been Kikyo's reincarnation.

Inuyasha thought, "Maybe that's why I loved Kagome, then, because she was Kikyo's reincarnation. Damn! I was such an ass, then. Before I died, I was going to mate her. Despite the fact that I loved...no love her like a sister. I guess it was out of obligation."

Miroku said, "Even if I wasn't caught and ALONE, as innocent as it may be, my heart will be heavy and I will have a guilty conscience."

"Feh, just get to the point already!"

"My point is that I don't feel comfortable disrobing her. The only woman I had seen in the nude is Sango, ever since we got married and I want it to stay that way."

"Oh. I guess I understand."

"Think about this way, my son, you wouldn't want another male see what is yours, now would you?"

"HELL NO! NO MALE WILL NEVER SEE WHAT IS MINE, EVER!"

"That's great to hear, but what if YOU were the one who was disrobing a female other than the female you'd chosen to be your mate."

"Oh, but I won't do that to Kikyo ever. Now I understand your point of view, Miroku. I don't blame you either."

"This is very delicate situation. You must investigate whatever you found, yet the only way to do so is to have another like yourself or a miko. Perhaps, Kikyo could assist you, hmm," said InuTaisho.

"I'd never thought about that. Where's Kikyo anyways?"

Kikyo said as the trio looked shocked, "I am still here, monk. I'd never have left. All three of you were so focus on Inuhime that you hadn't even notice me."

"Keh, why you never spoken up before now?"

"I am sorry, but I hate to interrupt a conversation. Also, Inuyasha, it's really good to know that you are still loyal to me, despite of everything that happened between us in our last life as ourselves."

"Keh, I'd learn my lesson on that. Never again will I get involve with two women."

All of them laughed at that. Kikyo said, "Well, monk, let's finish your investigation."

Kikyo went to the other side of the bed and sat down. She used to same method that Miroku used and then she found what Miroku was searching for.

"Is this the spot, monk," asked Kikyo while she was touching the spot.

"Yes, that's the spot."

"Alright then, all three of you turn around."

They turned around before Kikyo partially disrobe Inuhime. She saw the spot on the side of her stomach.

"That's odd," Kikyo said as she covered Inuhime's chest with her night kimono and her waist with the silken sheet.

All three in unison said as they turned back around, "What's odd?"

"Youkai don't receive scars after healing from an injury, correct?"

Father and son nodded. "Then why does she have one on her stomach?"

-
Meanwhile, at the ball, Kagome and Sango made their way to Sesshomaru and his mother.

"Kagome, I don't think I should go..."

"Sango, they won't bite. Besides I want to introduce you to his mom. You are my sister and I want you to be here for support and among other things."

"Ok."

They finally reach Sesshomaru and his mother.

"Lady Mother, I want to introduce you to my sister, Sango."

Inukimi looked at Sango and took in her scent.

"Kagome, how can she be your sister if you don't have a similar scent?"

"Well, even though, she isn't related by blood, but we treat each other like we are sisters. We'd been through a lot together. So I guess we adopted each other to be sisters."

Inukimi nodded and thought, "Her scent is awfully familiar, though. Hmm, it's similar to that boy, who traveled with my son for a while. I wonder."

"Sango, do you happen to have a brother?"

"Yes, Lady Mother, I do."

Sesshomaru knew where this conversation was heading. So, he spoke up, "Mother, she's Kohaku's older sister."

He turned to his mate and asked, "Did you found out why the monk wanted to see Inuhime for?"

"Oh, he wanted to know what kind of blood curse, that Inuhime's currently suffering from. I know that we already know that it's fatal and there's no way to reverse it on our part. Miroku knows a lot of curses since he once suffered from one called Kazaana. He's also has wisdom on many things, even though he's young."

"I agree, mate. Despite of his age, he does have wisdom for a human."

"Now, my son, we must move on to THE EVENT?"

"What event?"

"Well, the first event is that all the Great Lords share anything of great importance. It's mostly for the Royal Counsel. To see if they would approve of whatever it may be. Of course, they could grip all they want to, but in reality, they couldn't do a thing about it. The second one is basically your mate's, if he weren't mated, would sit on the throne while women flaunt themselves to get his attention. Now, since that won't be the case, we would go to dinner. Oh I almost forgot. The females would fight to get his attention, after they flaunt themselves like idiots, until the last female left standing. Of course, if he were already betroth or mated to someone, then the strongest female will challenge his fiancee for the right to mate. The challenge will come after dinner. Sometimes, one of the Great Lords would have it before or during dinner. I, for one, don't like violence during dinner or whenever I eat."

Sango spoke up, "Oh, Kagome! Why you never told me that?"

Kagome laughed nervously, "Well, Sango, I forgot."

"How in seven hells have you forgotten about that? Geez, Kagome...*she sighed*...Kagome, I don't want to lose you. I mean, after we'd been through, you still..."

Kagome interrupted her. "Sango, don't worry about me."

"How can I not? Other than Miroku, my children, and my brother..."

"Sango, I must do this or they will think that I will make Sesshomaru weak. You once told me that in order to survive in the demon society, one must be strong or they will devour you. It's their instinct to find the strongest mate to mate with."

"But, Kagome..."

"No buts, Sango. Do you believe in me?"

Sango sighed. "Yes, I believe in you, Kagome. I just afraid that I will lose you."

"Well, don't be because I will win. Nobody and I mean, nobody will take my mate away from me," Kagome said with a ferocious tone that made chills go down Sango, Sesshomaru and his mother's spine.

"Well, you sound very determine, Kagome. You know that Miroku and I will support you and cheer you on."

"I know and thank you."

Sesshomaru spoke up, "You know, my lady-mate, she won't be the only one."

"You mean you will support me...*Sesshomaru quirked his eye brow*...duh, of course you will. Man, I feel like a baka."

"Mate, if I wanted to mate with one of those bitches, I would had done it a long time ago. NO, YOU ARE NO BAKA, EITHER."

"Kagome, I, too, will support you. I, honestly, don't like those power hungry, gold-digging bitches."

All Kagome could do was giving her best big smiles, that Sesshomaru loved so much. He gave her a passionate-filled kiss that made all of females, especially Akira, glared at Kagome. Of course, Kagome, felt this, but she doesn't care. She has confidence in herself then she did before she return to her birth era after the fall of Naraku.

Akuokaesu was sitting at his table. He was so bored. He really wished he could just killed Sesshomaru and all of their other enemies, but if one wanted superior power; one must to be patient until the right time to strike. Now wasn't one of those times. He turned to his father, who was looking like he was bored as hell.

"Father, don't you think it's time to find mother?"

Akunokeshin smirked and said, "It's not time, yet, but it's very close. By the way, son, are you going to announce that you are searching for a mate?"

Akuokaesu rolled his eyes. "No, why?"

"Because even you must have a strong demoness on your arm. I have your mother. She's very strong."

"The only person who I want as a mate is Kagome. She's very strong. She was strong enough to kill you with the Jewel, that, Father, is enough for me."

"Son, don't you realized that you must challenge Sesshomaru for his mate?"

"Father, I know that. I am not a baka."

"Son, I must warn you that Sesshomaru is a strong warrior. He won't just laid down and die. I should know I was there. Furthermore, why don't you just kidnap and rape her?"

"Father, I am not like you. I rather do things the right way. I really don't like the idea of forcing a woman to bed, but I won't rule that idea out."

Akunokeshin knew exactly where his mate is. He could feel her aura, but it's faint. He doesn't understand why because the curse that was cast upon her was only to weaken her to the extent that she wouldn't be able to fight him. He really hates fighting a woman, especially if said woman is stronger than him. The curse was only half way finished. He must finish it before dawn because it would be reversed, if it wasn't finish in time. He also notice that there were two familiar auras, but that's impossible. Then he felt another aura that was unfamiliar. It was similar to his mate's aura. As soon as those auras disappear it would be time to gather his mate and leave. His son would leave until the end of the ball.

-

Meanwhile on the other side of the ballroom, Inukimi was talking to one the counsel members, who was called Kimiko.

"Kimiko, I need to ask a favor."

"What the great Inukimi need a favor from me?" Inukimi looked at her as if she was saying, 'don't get smart with me.'
"Ok. OK, what do you need?"

"I need you to overturn Inuhime's sentence."

"What? Are you crazy?"

"Please, Kimiko, you are the one who's second to me."

"What's the sudden change of heart, Inukimi?"

"It wasn't a 'sudden' change of heart. It was a century ago after InuTaisho died."

"Wow, why you never say anything before now? It may be too late."

"I tried, but the counsel members hadn't forgiven her for betrayal. They still believe that she was the reason why InuTaisho fell."

"And you think I would do any better. Inukimi...*she saw the pleading sorrow in her eyes* *she sighed*..."I do what I can, but I make no promises."

Inukimi instantly hugged her, what made her stiffened a little and then relax as she embrace her in return.

"Thank you! Thank you, Kimiko."

"Like I said before I'll do my best, but it may be too late to reverse the sentence. I will have to do some research and find the transcript that should be in the archives."

"I know."

Inukimi smiled a real smile, which Kimiko hadn't seen in a very long, I mean very long time.

"Inukimi, is it time to make THE announcements?"

"Oh my, yes, it is. I must go then. Thank you, Lady Grandmother."

Kimiko chuckled. "Anything for you, Lady Granddaughter. Now go. The Royal Counsel and the other guests are waiting."

With that said, Inukimi went straight to the platform. The music stopped once she got on. Everyone instantly knew that it was time for the announcements and many other things as well.

Inukimi, patiently, waited for everyone to sit down and get comfortable.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention? On the behalf of the House of the Crescent Moon, I bid you welcome. Please welcome, my son, Lord Sesshomaru to the platform."

Inukimi and the guests clapped their hands as Sesshomaru went towards the platform with Kagome in tow. They went behind a satin curtain, where the others were waiting.

"About damn time you and bastard showed up. I was getting bored out of my mind."

InuTaisho slapped on the back of his head.

Inuyasha yelled, "What was that for, dad?!"

InuTaisho yelled quietly, "Silence, Inuyasha!"

"Thank you, Inupapa," Kagome said sweetly.

"My pleasure, my daughter. Sesshomaru, knock them dead."

Inuyasha mumbled, "He might just do that; knowing the bastard."

Now it was Kagome that slapped him on the back of his head.

"Ow! What for that for, wench?!"

"Inuyasha, shut up!"

"Why should I? Just because..."

Inuyasha went silent after someone hit him on the top of his head. Perhaps, third time's a charm.

"Ow... what was... fine I'll be quiet."

Sesshomaru 'hm' and said to them, "Don't come out until I call for you."

They nodded as he went on the platform. Once the audience saw him, it instantly became dead silent; not even a cricket chirp.

Sesshomaru looked at the audience and said, "Thank you for coming. Thank you, mother."

Inukimi spoke to him as if he were a pup. "You are very welcome, my pup."

Sesshomaru glared at his mother as she chuckled and walked off the platform. Kagome snickered behind her hand.

Kagome thought, "Who would had thought that youkai mothers like to embarrass their pups as human mothers like to embarrass their children. Youkai and humans are more alike than they thought they were, of course, they would never admit it, though."

Sesshomaru knew that Kagome was laughing at him. He smirked and thought, "She will pay for that after the ball, but right now..."

"This Sesshomaru have an announcement to make. He'd, finally, found his mate. To this Sesshomaru, she's the most beautiful woman that he'd ever seen."

Sesshomaru smirked and looked at Kagome. He saw that she was blushing. He chuckled inwardly.

"Furthermore, his beast and himself believes that she's our equal in every way; from our power to our intelligence, we are one. Please welcome, my mate, Kagome."

She gulped. She took a deep breathe before she walked out there.

There were a few people giving applause. The other three Great Lords and their mates or whomever was with them; her friends; and to his displeasure, many males were whistling, but the females were glaring at her, which was to be expected.

Sesshomaru was proud of her because she'd never faltered or showed any discomfort, which to him, it means that she has confidence in herself. And that was a good thing, too.

One of the members of the court shouted, "That girl is weak. Are trying to me like your father?"

Another member shouted, "Inukimi, why, in seven hells, that you let your son mate with...with that?"

Inuyasha, Kikyo, InuTaisho, Sango, and Miroku were listening as the members of the court shouted profinities about Izayoi and Kagome. The more they listened; the more angrier they got. Sango and Inukimi looked at Sesshomaru and Kagome. Inukimi knew it was unfair for the counsel to judge Kagome before she could demonstrate her formible power. Sango was worried about Kagome because she knew that her heart could only take so much. Inuyasha and Kikyo were also thinking along those same lines.

Akuokaesu was listening to the chaos that was happening around him. He looked to where his father was sitting, but the chair was empty. He grinned knowing that his father was going to get his mother. He chuckled inwardly.

Sesshomaru was beyond angry. His eyes were turning blood red, that a sign that he was going to transform in any given moment. Kagome's friends: Inuyasha, Kikyo, Miroku, Sango, Kouga, and Ayame were furious. InuTaisho and Inukimi had a need to protect Kagome from them. Even the Lord and Lady of the North were also getting angry at the members of the court.

Kagome, however, was frozen in shock. The movements of her body ceased to move. All except her eyes. Her eyes were looking at the crowd. She noticed that only one of the members wasn't shouting against her. She looked remorseful. The sound seemed like it was on mute. Kagome looked and she saw Inuhime's spirit looking at her. Then suddenly time seemed to stop. It was only her and Inuhime that could walk, talk, or whatever. Kagome found that she could move again. Inuhime walked to her.

"My sister, don't be intimidated by the counsel. For they have no say who my brother could mate or not. Of course, they picked that bitch over there."

Inuhime pointed to Akira, who was grinning.

"Because she'd won the challenge to be Sesshomaru's mate for the past ten years. Yes, she's strong and beautiful, but you are more than that, Kagome."

"But how do you know who Sesshomaru wants in a mate?"

Inuhime laughed until tears started to come.

"Ha ha ha! That was so funny that I forgot to laugh."

"I am...I am so sorry, Kagome, but...I know Sesshomaru. He's an open book to me. Have forgotten that we're twins?"

"Hm"

Inuhime laughed again and said, "You have been with my brother far too long. He's starting to rub off on you, which isn't really a bad thing. Anyways I know how much he loves you. Yes, I said, 'love'. You're the only one whomever really caught his eye. His interests. Of course, in the past, he would humor them, but in the end though, he would get extremely bored of them. You, however, will keep him up on his toes. I don't have that much time. So I am going to tell you to kick that bitch, Akira's ass. Also I want to give you something. Consider it a mating gift from me."

Kagome nodded and closed her eyes. Inuhime put her hand on her mind's eye, which is between her eyes. Kagome felt power coming into her until it stopped. She opened her eyes.

"Inuhime, are you ever going to wake up?"

"Yes, but it won't be here. Kagome the gift that I'd just given to you is the power of empathy. You can in your mind's eye see through them like their thoughts, feelings, and etc... Also the power of mihatsu-mizen*. It's the opposite of deja vu*. That power will be useful in battle."

Inuhime was fading from Kagome's sight.

"It seems my time is up, Kagome. Before I completely fade away, there's a secret department in my room. It contains the essense of my son. If Sesshomaru or anyone else who has a great sense of smell. It will help to identify my son. Also when you can, calm Sesshomaru down because he's about transform into his true form. I swear, he needs to lighten up a little."

She disappeared as she finished her last sentence. Then the shouting of people arguing returned to her senses and found that she could move again. She was so relieved. She looked up at Sesshomaru. Indeed, he was on his way to transform. She immediately close the gap between them, then she touched his arm to calm him. He looked at her as his eyes went from blood red to golden-yellow. Kagome also felt that her friends were upset and furious of what was happening. They were also upset because of what the counsel said about her. Kagome's aura spread out to her friends in a warm and welcoming way. They instantly calmed down when they looked at her. She gave them a warm and reassuring smile that told them, 'it's alright. I will handle this.'"

She cleared her throat to get their attention, but they were so loud. Sesshomaru roared, "Silence! My mate wants to say something and if you know what's good for you, you best listen!"

Everyone stopped at once and looked at the couple.

Kagome smiled at Sesshomaru. "Thank you, anata."

"Anything for you, omae." He kissed her forehead.

Kagome cleared her throat once again.

After Sesshomaru roared to tell the opposing guests into silence, Kagome cleared her throat.

"I have news for all of you, I am, no way, shape, or form, weak."

Akira from the background appeared in front of the counsel and yelled, "You have no power coming from your aura. That, in itself means, you are weak, stupid bitch!"

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru. He wanted to kill the bitch in front of him, but Kagome shook her head and mouthed 'let me take care of her.' He snarled not at Kagome, but to what she said. He knew that Kagome's strong, but still that doesn't give that bitch the right to talk down to her like she was above her. Kagome knew that Sesshomaru was having a hard time to keep himself and his beast under control.

Akira continued on her rant, "I'd been Sesshomaru's number one choice for ten long years."

Sesshomaru scoffed at that. Kagome said, "Are you finished, yet? Your ranting is becoming tiresome."

"You may be his mate now, but I assure you that I will win!"

Kagome rolled her eyes "Are you done, now?"

Akira gritted her teeth, stomp her way up to the plateform, and then jump on it. She and Kagome were face to face. Sesshomaru called to his guards to remove the bitch, but Kagome put her arm in front of the guard. She looked into his eyes. What the guard saw in his mistress's eyes was fire and death. He gulped and called his men back.

"What are you? Stupid, human! Why not have your guards here to protect you? You will need all of them, after all."

Kagome looked at her in a face of indifference; a face that only Sesshomaru would be proud of. She rubbed the hem of her kimono's sleeves with her petite fingers.

"Are you even listening you stupid little human bitch?"

"Are you done, yet, Akira?"

"Bitch how you know my name? I didn't recall introducing myself to you."

"You're right. You didn't."

"Then, how you know my name?"

"A little bird told me." Akira narrowed her eyes at Kagome.

All of the sudden, someone from the cogunsel spoken up, "That's enough of this foolishness!" When Sesshomaru saw who spoke up, he smirked. He knew that he could always count on her.

The said counsel member walked up onto the platform and got between the females. "Lady Akira, would you please shut up and return to your father?! I don't know who you think you are but just because the court, excluding myself, had made you their choice as Sesshomaru's so-called choice. That doesn't mean that you have a right to come near His lordship or his mate. Now leave the plateform or I'll make you leave."

"And who are you, old hag?"

Everyone, except for the humans and Inuyasha, gasped. Kagome and Akira looked around when they heard the other guest gasped. Apparently, Akira doesn't know who she was speaking to. Kagome wisely didn't say anything. The youki aura coming from this woman was huge. It was bigger than Sesshomaru's, InuTaisho's, Inuhime's, or Inukimi's powers.

The said counsel member gave a feral grin to Akira that made Kagome's and Akira's spines shiver.

"Well, this 'old hag' as you, Akira, put it, is the matriarch of this house. Therefore it makes me the HEAD of this counsel. Also the great-grandmother of His Lordship. Everyone in this house calls me: Lady Grandmother, formally. Only those I deemed worthy that I'll give them my name."

Akira 'hmph' and left to return to her father.

"Now, Lady Kagome, we will wait to see how powerful you really are, but until then, Lord Grandson, resume the annoucements."

With that said, Sesshomaru reintroduced his father, which made the counsel did a lot of ass-kissing, and finally acknowledged Inuyasha as his brother, who was shocked because he'd never expected that from Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru, who never one to explain himself, said that he was going to do that even if he hadn't died. Inuyasha was now a lord. Lord of what; he don't even have a clue. InuTaisho was proud of Sesshomaru. Inukimi even made a public apology to Inuhime knowing that she made a promise to her that she made on the night of the ball. She officially announced that she wanted to reverse the sentence, but that made a fuss. The counsel called her a traitor and among other things that shouldn't be said, which made InuTaisho and Inukimi really angry. When they pulsed their auras, they counsel back down and said that they would discuss it another time. Eventually, the other Cardinal Lords made their announcements; all except for one: Akuokaesu, the Lord of the South. No one seemed to notice that Akuokaesu's father, Akunokeshin, wasn't in sight.

Then, it was time for dinner. The Cardinal Lords with their mates and pups ate at a huge decorated table. It seemed like it was two football fields. The dinner reminded Kagome, when she was in her birth era, because whenever Christmas came around all of her kin would gather together and celebrate. Celebrate what? Well simply being together with those you love and care for all of your life and be thankful for what you have and so forth.

Kagome thought, "Oh Kami, I missed my family on the other side of the well. This reminds me so much of Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, it's around the corner. I wonder if Sesshomaru would like to meet my mom, grandpa, and my little pain-in-the-butt brother." Kagome felt a lone tear falling down. She, instantly, wipe it off before anyone noticed her salty tears, but of course, Sesshomaru noticed. He thought, "Hm. After I punish her for laughing at me earlier, I will ask why she was crying during dinner."

As soon as everything seemed to settle down, two counsel members, including one who the counsel and everyone else called Lady Grandmother, came to announce something to the Cardinal Lords, specifically, to Sesshomaru and Kagome.

Lady Grandmother said, "Pardon me, milords and miladies, we have two announcements to make. One well actually both regards to the challenging the right to mate..."

The other counselor member rolled his eyes and interrupted Lady Grandmother, "Lady Kagome, Lady Akira has issued a challenge for Lord Sesshomaru. Lord Sesshomaru, Lord Akuokaesu has also issued a challenge for Lady Kagome. Both challenges are for the right to mate."

Lady Grandmother interrupted, "Therefore after you eat both of you must prepare in your rooms: be dressed in proper fighting attire and meet your challengers in the dojo, where we will be waiting. You have an hour to dress and prepare yourselves. Good luck, the both of you."

After the mate couple finished eating, they were in their rooms, getting ready for the challenge. Strangely enough, Kagome's fighting attire was already out. Nanami was there waiting for her.

"Nanami what's this," Kagome asked as she was pointing at the outfit.

"It's your fighting attire, milady."

"Nanami, please call me by my name. I am not a lady. I am Kagome. Ka-go-me."

"But my lady, I am not allow to be informal. Also you are a lady because you mated with His lordship. Now, come here and I'll help you put it on."

After she put it on, she looked at her reflection in her mirror.

"Oh my Kami, is this a fighting attire?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Don't you think this is a little provocative?"

Never once in her nineteen years, that she wore something like this. She never wore a bikini for Kami's sake.

"I don't think that my mate will approve of this. He doesn't like it when other males look at me in a proper kimono. Much less, me wearing whatever this is."

Nanami chuckled. "My lady, it matters not, what he thinks, whats, or whatever it may be. Right now, you are fair game for every male in this palace. Yes, you, too, are mated, but the counsel or your challenger doesn't see it that way, for now anyway. That's why, you must show everyone here that you aren't a push-over. They don't respect you or your power. They believe that you are a pathetic little human."

Suddenly Inukimi and Kimiko made an appearance in her rooms.

Inukimi said, "What Nanami says is correct, Kagome. They don't know who and what you are since you hid your miko aura to make other youkai around comfortable. I know your powerful because of I'd seen of my own foresight before the battle with that vile hanyou, Naraku."

Kimiko added, "Besides my dear, our Lord Sesshomaru wouldn't pick a mate that couldn't defend herself and how ever many pups you two will procreate."

"You are not disapproving of this," Kagome said as she pointed at her fighting outfit.

Inukimi smirked, "My dear daughter, this kimono you are currently wearing only reminds Sesshomaru and his beast what he's fighting for and/or wanting to keep for all time. Not only that, it's also for entertainment such as fighting competitions that the four lords of these lands throw every once and a while."

"Oh. Where's Sesshomaru? I thought he would be here with me."

"He's with his father and Inuyasha. He isn't allowed to see you before the challenge. That's just what the rules say," said Kimiko.

"I bet he doesn't have to wear something as provocative as this one," Kagome grumbled.

The elder woman smirked and said, "Oh, you'll see, my dear. I believe you'll be surprised. I believe it's time to go to the dojo."

Meanwhile, in Sesshomaru's rooms, The Youkai Lord was getting ready for his challenge for his mate.

He growled in rage as he trashed the room.

"Now, now, my boy, don't get annoyed," said InuTaisho.

"I am not annoyed. I am furious. How dare that pathetic lord believes he would take MY MATE from me!"

"Sesshomaru, keep yourself and your beast calm. Stop tearing up your room! Your acting like a pup!"

"Keh, you better listen to pops or you'll lose Kagome for good."

"Stay out of this half-breed! This Sesshomaru is NOT in the mood for your mouth!"

Sesshomaru was pacing up and down in his room. Inuyasha just couldn't keep his big mouth shut.

"Are you afraid? Afraid that you would actually loose to that Lord."

Sesshomaru growled. In a blink of an eye, Sesshomaru had Inuyasha up against the wall.

"This Sesshomaru fears nothing or no one!"

InuTaisho sighed and calmly said, "Son, must you save this deadly energy on the challenger and not on your brother."

"HALF BROTHER," Sesshomaru and Inuyasha yelled in unison.

"Your brothers, nevertheless. Now Sesshomaru put Inuyasha down!"

Sesshomaru obeyed his father as Inuyasha instinctly rubbed his throat. As usual, he won't keep his mouth shut, but this time he didn't say something stupid.

"Are you afraid for Kagome?"

Sesshomaru stared at him as their father gave him a warning growl.

"Yes and no," he confided.

Both father and brother...half-brother were shock to this revelation.

"Explain it to us, my son."

Sesshomaru glared at Inuyasha and said, "This will NOT leave this room or your dead, half breed!"

"Feh, whatever! Just spill will ya!"

Never once in either Inuyasha lives that he would have thought that Sesshomaru would confide in him or their father.

"Go on, son. We give you our word that whatever you'll say won't leave this room."

Sesshomaru sighed in irritation because never in his long life had he ever confided in anyone; not even his mother or Kagome.

"Yes because that bitch is a formidable fighter. No because I believe that Kagome will win this challenge. I know she's strong, but she'd never been through something like this before...alone with no one to help."

Inuyasha nodded in agreement because as long as he'd known Kagome that she'd never fought for herself, which made him a little worried about his best friend and sister-in-law.

"Has Inuhime taught Kagome anything before she went into a coma," asked InuTaisho.

Sesshomaru shook his head and said, "As far as I know, she didn't. Why?"

"Damn!"

"Why, pops?"

"Because your sister's quite a fighter."

Suddenly Jaken knocked before he went into his lord's room until he heard an 'enter'. He walked in and announced that it was time to go to the dojo.

All three inus sighed.

As they left for the dojo, Jaken saw a death in his lord's eyes, which made his spine shiver in fright. Jaken thought, "That Lord of the South will regret challenging my lord for his Lady Kagome." Then he said out loud, "Wait for me, milord!"

INUYASHA (c) RUMIKO TAKAHASHI

FANFICTION & OCs (c) LADYTARI