The next morning, Sesshomaru and Kagome were up early. They did their normal morning routines: bathe, dress, eat breakfast, and so on. The ball yesterday was overall a success. There were a lot of things that the couple needed to do. They were unable to do, because of the grief period that Kagome done, the mysterious disappearance of Tetsusaiga, the preparation of the Annual Ball, the mysterious 'illness' that made Inuhime lost consciousness, the resurrection of InuTaisho, Inuyasha, and Kikyo, and then there was the ball itself and its festivities. Yes, things were chaotic for awhile. However, there was this mysterious foe, who had kill Inuyasha in his first life. There was so little known about this foe like: Who was he? Why was he after them in the first place? Where does he live at? and many many more where those questions came from.

Everyone, who attended the ball, except for Kouga and Ayame, left before morning. Sesshomaru commanded that all the servants, the court, close friends and family to go to the throne room, because he would acknowledge to everyone that Kagome was officially his mate and the Lady of the West.

Sesshomaru would give his household a chance to protest, ask their unanswered questions, or simply accept it and move forward. He hoped for the later option, but the Western Court just had to make things difficult, don't they?

One member yelled, "Having a HUMAN as a MATE and as the LADY OF THE WEST is disastrous. Are you trying to make the West fall?"

Another member yelled, "You are just like your father. He only cares for his HUMAN mate much less the people."

Other members were shouting a lot of obscenities against Kagome and InuTaisho's human mate. None of the court members never realized that the 'late' lord was behind them. InuTaisho was very angry because it was one thing to speak against him, but if one speaks against Izayoi was a different story. Sesshomaru also very angry because they dare to speak against his mate.

Both father and son roared in unison, "SILENCE!"

The members of the court fell dead silent. They were shaking. The scent of fear was rolling off of them in waves. Both Inus gave a dark fanged smile. Oh, yes, they were please to bring fear to those beneath them in status.

InuTaisho growled, "You stop this at once! What happened in the past should stay in the past!"

Sesshomaru added, "You're fools to believe that my mate is weak. Have you forgotten what happened yesterday? Are you that dense? My mate can and will protect what is hers...ours. I know she won't let us down. I have faith in her. You should do the same."

"I believe that Kagome will make a fine Lady of the West. I mean, she's loving, caring, compassionate, loyal, protective, trustworthy, and the list goes on and on," added Inukimi.

Kouga added, "I know from experience that Lady Kagome is loyal to those she finds worthy to have as friends. I, for one, am proud to be a friend and ally of Lady Kagome and her lord-mate. Hell, my two best wolves accepted her as if she was their own."

Ayame also added, "She'll make a great mother for her lord-mate's pups. She has a maternal instinct. I know she'll protect the heir with her life. She even adopted a kitsune pup and treats him like he were her own. And then there's Rin, she treats her as her own daughter. I even seen my pack's pups immediately go to her when she has graced us with her presence. They loved her as much as she loves them. I am also proud to call her as my sister and friend."

Shippo said, "Yeah, you know what she's the best mother that I ever had. I'll always love my birth mother, but Kagome adopted me without hesitation. She welcomed me in open arms. How many humans and mikos would do that? Before I met her, humans would shoo me away as if I was an insect. Most demons that I met especially my own kind wouldn't had taken me in as their son. If it wasn't for her and Inuyasha, I wouldn't to able to avenge my father's death on the Thunder Brothers. I am grateful to have her as my mother. I thank Kami, every day since that day."

Rin added as she gave her best sweet smile and offered it to Kagome, "Rin loves her Lady Kagome. She'd always protected this Rin when her lord couldn't. She, too, welcomed this Rin with open arms. Rin would love to have her as this Rin's mother."

Inuyasha added with a smirk, "Keh, she was my first friend who accepted me as who I was; not what I was. She'd never gave up on me. I am very grateful to have her as my best friend and now as my sister."

Sango said with a smile, "Kagome has always been there for me, especially, when I lost my family and friend due to that vile Naraku. She comforted and gave emotional support. I am proud to call her as my sister and friend. Also an aunt to my children.

Miroku added with a chuckled, "Lady Kagome accepted me with my lecherous ways. She gave me hope when I felt that all was lost. I am, too, proud to call her as my sister and friend."

Kimiko was the last to speak against the Western Court as she chuckled, "I knew that one day, my grandson will mate. I believe in all my heart and soul that Kagome will be a great mother, mate, and the Lady of the West. I deemed her worthy of said title. I have no qualms of her being a human and a miko. You judged her based on what she was; not who she was. I believe from now on, we, as the court, won't ever interfere with our lordship's choice of mate. By the way, what InuTaisho did was legitimate. He could had killed my granddaughter for neglecting and endangering his daughter, but since she didn't refused Sesshomaru, he couldn't find it in himself to do so. So by all rights in Inu law, he was allowed to stray away from Inukimi. She knew this as well. Also, as of now, Princess Inuhime, is now pardoned of what she did or should I say didn't do. You deemed her as a traitor, but in reality she wasn't. Her punishment as such is now to be lifted. We shall release the seal and restore her powers to her. This is final. It won't be reversed."

The other members of the court murmured and grumbled this and that until all, but one agreed. Then the court was dismissed.

When Kagome heard all of those sentiments from them. Her heart fluttered with joy. She was touched to what everyone, but the court had said. It was endearing.

Kagome just Rin's shoulder. Rin looked up to her mother figured. She smiled and blushed in embarrassment.

"Rin, I would be proud to call you, my daughter. Now stop that, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I never thought that you felt that way about me and my place in your lives. I meant a lot of me. So, thank you. You all mean a lot to me, too."

-

Sesshomaru, family, and friends, Kouga and Ayame, were in the study discussing some topics that need to be addressed, such as since InuTaisho was resurrected, would he become the alpha of the pack?

Inuyasha asked his father, "I know that Sesshomaru is lord and all, but are you going to regain the title? Also, who's the alpha of the pack?"

Inuyasha asked two very important questions that needed to be answer as soon as possible.

InuTaisho answered, "Those are very good questions that I will answer for the both of us. Before the ball, Sesshomaru and I discussed this and we came to an agreement that Sesshomaru would remain lord of this land. I would be the alpha of the pack as he would be the beta.

Sesshomaru added with a smirk, "It was simple to come to this solution. Father didn't want to be lord because he said that his days as lord were over when he died the first time. Also that he was proud of how I rule the lands. However, out of respect I suggested that he should be alpha. It was no contest really because I know he's still stronger than me even though I did surpass him in power."

Kagome said, "Well, that's good. I hate it when family fights with one another, unless it's just plain old sibling rivalry."

Inuyasha added, "If you call brothers trying to kill one another sibling rivalry. I know from experience that he tried to kill me. Not to mention you, too."

Sesshomaru replied, "If I wanted to kill you, little brother, I would have. All those times, we fought I just wanted to make you stronger."

"Feh, what about the time we were in pop's tomb trying to get Tetsusaiga, huh? You tried to kill me and Kagome. You even sprayed your poison on her. You could have killed her."

"Hm. I won't deny that I did. What I still don't understand how she survived? How she pulled out Tetsusaiga, when I and even you couldn't have pull it out."

Kagome rolled her eyes and said, "Inuyasha, don't play all innocent because when we first met, you tried to kill me for that stupid jewel. On the top of that you thought that I was Kikyo. Even when I told you that I wasn't her, you still called me, Kikyo...*she sighed*...It doesn't matter anymore anyway. Past is the past and it should stay in the past."

Inuyasha's puppy ear flatten when she said that.

InuTaisho said, "Yes, it should. It's not good to open up old wounds. We must move forward."

Inukimi said, "Yes, we should move forward and forgive those who wronged us."

Sesshomaru changed the subject, "Speaking of moving forward, we should move on to other topics. Kagome, the lord and lady had always have a personal assistant. Jaken became mine when I first met him. Now it's time for you to pick a female servant. Fortunately, you don't have to because she proclaimed herself when you first arrived her as my intended. Our assistants are always near us in case we are in a need of something, they would do what you wanted them to do. I know that you are independent, that one of the things I love about you, but there will be a time where you will be busy and sometimes chaotic like the preparation of the ball."

"Oh, who is my personal assistant?"

Sesshomaru lifted his left eye brow. "She has always been there to serve you, omae."

"You mean Nanami is my assistant...*he nodded*...then why she didn't say anything?"

"It wasn't official, yet."

"Oh."

Afterwards, Inuyasha and Kikyo were to pick a male and female servant to be their personal assistant, even though they weren't too comfortable about it. InuTaisho told them that as Prince of the Western Lands and Kikyo being his future mate had to have a personal assistant. Inuyasha just had to make it difficult, does he?

"Me and Kikyo won't need an assistant because we'll return to Edo. I don't see the point in it if we aren't going to live here."

"Inuyasha, you are still a prince, no matter where you live. My father didn't let me leave with my mate until she and I picked a servant each to be our personal assistants. At first, my mate and I lived in the Sky Palace, before I became lord. Also they would be grateful to serve you."

"Feh, I doubt that."

"Son, they will be grateful to you and your mate because it gives them a job to do. A better job than to just clean, cook, and whatnot. They would be able to help you with anything that you need."

"But, dad, everyone of them hates me because I am a hanyou. They won't want to have anything to do with me or Kikyo. So why bother?"

"There was a secret that was between Inuhime and myself. Before she done it, she had to have my permission to perform a certain spell..."

"Dad, what does a spell have anything to do with personal assistants and hanyous?"

"If you let me finish, Inuyasha, you will find your answer. She told me the reason such a spell for that situation."

Sesshomaru knew of a secret between his father and sister, but he couldn't get it out from neither of them. He doesn't hate hanyous anymore because he finally got over the betrayal from what his father did, which was when he mated with a human, who bore him a hanyou son.

Humans, however, was a different story. Yes, he has a human girl as his ward. Yes, he mated with a human woman. Also had only a few humans as allies, but humans in general were the problem; the way they think that could cut down trees whenever they wanted to; the way they kill their prey without being grateful to their catch. He saw them cut down healthy trees and butchered many animals like some they kill for just the fur or the meat. They disrespect the very source of their food and shelter, even what they thirst for. He thought that they were barbaric. He even witnessed human males mistreat their wives as if they were property. An object for only pleasure, to birth their children, and to wait hand and foot on him like she was a slave or a servant. He witnessed many of human wars. He saw them rape and kill women and children without any mercy. Yes, he does killed without mercy, but he doesn't kill females or their young. Unless said female attacked him, but that was in self-defense. Hell, he had never attack humans first. They were always the ones to start it. He'd seen human mated males cheated on their pregnant wives. He even witnessed both human males or females abused their offspring like they were nothing. He saw human females defile their bodies for property and the list goes on. Needless to say, Sesshomaru only saw the dark side of humanity until he met Kagome and Rin. Then every thing he believed in went upside down and left him confused and curious as hell.

"Father, what reason and what situation," Sesshomaru asked.

InuTaisho growled in annoyance, "If you stop interrupting, I could tell you. Now no more interrupting me. As I was saying, Inuhime came to me with a problem. Now this problem was really unexpected on my part..."

Flashback Begins...

InuTaisho was in his study when Inuhime walked in there without knocking before entering. She was just like her mother in that aspect. She waited for him to acknowledge her presence. He put his pen quill down on his desk and then he sat back on his chair.

"Now that you got my full attention, what can I do for you, Inuki?"

"Before I say what I need, can you put a barrier up? I wish not for others to hear of what I speak."

"Very well." The Lord put up a very strong sound proof barrier. "The barrier is up, so now you may speak."

"Thank you, father. We have a problem, but I know of a solution, but I need your permission before I could do it."

"Very well, then, what's the problem and what's your solution?"

"The problem isn't that easy to tell you, father, but I know if I don't many people will be killed."

InuTaisho was now really curious. He could tell that it was bothering her and...

"She's afraid to tell me. Why? Does she know that I won't hurt her," he thought.

His beast said, "It's not that she's afraid of you, but she's afraid to tell you. She knows that whatever the problem is or the solution is, you WILL NOT like it."

"Inuki, you know you can tell me, anything, even if I don't like what you will say. I won't get angry with you. Please, daughter, tell me the problem and whatever solution that you came up with, that you need my permission for."

"Father, the problem is that we have some employees who want to mate..."

"Who they mate with isn't our business."

"It's not who, but what they want to mate with."

"What do they want to mate with, Inuki?"

"Humans."

"What?! Are they crazy? Do they know this could start a war with other youkai if this comes out?"

"I know and they know, but they don't want to start a war. They just want to be with those who they love. Is that so WRONG?

"No, it's not wrong, but it's taboo for a youkai and a human to mate, especially if they don't have any powers of their own like a miko or a monk. Only way that they could mate if that said intended mate has a very strong and big soul or they couldn't handle the strength of a youkai."

"That's not the problem. They all told me that their intended mates are very strong-willed. They just don't want to see them to get hurt or kill for that matter."

"So, they want to protect them from other youkai."

"Would you?"

"Hm. You said that you found a solution to this problem. What is it?"

"The spell is a concealment spell, which depending of the situation, would conceal their true identity from other youkai."

"But will it conceal their scent?"

"Yes."

"Hum...very well, then. You may perform the spell. Do you have all that you need?"

"Yes."

"Go, then, but I want the names of the youkai/human couple. So that they know that I know of their unique situation. Is there anything else, Inuki?"

"No, that's all I need. Thank you, father." She went to give him a hug and a kiss on his cheek.

He chuckled. "You're very welcome, my lovely daughter."

Flashback ends...

"Afterwards, she left to perform the concealment spell. It would make their appearances look like their mate's youkai race. The benefit other than their scent would change a little, but they would also get youkai strength and speed. She had Totosai made a ring to put on their human mate's finger before they did the mating because during that time their auras, blood, and scent would combine together. It was a perfect and only time that they could do it. When a youkai's mate was pregnant, the pup would be full youkai; not a hanyou, which was another benefit of the concealment spell. However, once the ring was remove, the spell would be broken. The couple would still be mate, but their pups would become a hanyou, what was their true identity."

After InuTaisho finished speaking, the study became eerily silent.

Sesshomaru broke the silence. "Why you or Inuhime hadn't told me this before?"

"Isn't it obvious? You hated humans, then. You hated everything about them. Besides...like I said before it was the past. What's done is done."

Sesshomaru sighed. He knew that his father was right, but his ideals of humanity had change. Despite the fact that human are destructive, there are some things about them are good...like their kindness, loyalty, trustworthiness, love, selflessness. Sesshomaru thank the Kami every day for Rin and Kagome. They both taught him about the bright side of humanity. If you thought about it, they were not much different from them other than the obvious like strength, speed, mortality.

"How many of our servants mated with humans, father?"

"Two dozen. Believe it or not."

Inuyasha said, "Wow, that many. I thought it would be a couple."

"Do you know how much a dozen is, little brother?"

"Keh, I am not as dumb as you think, ice prick."

"Well, answer the question, then, half breed."

InuTaisho and Kagome sighed in unison.

"Well, little brother, answer the question."

"I don't have to answer your dumbass question!"

"Well, that tells me that you don't know the answer, now do you?"

"Well, if you are so smart, you answer the damn question, then!"

Kagome was getting tired of all the arguing so...

"A dozen is 12, therefore, there were 24 youkai mated with a concealed human. Now stop! This is getting ridiculous."

"Kagome! He started it!" Inuyasha pointed at his brother.

"It doesn't matter who started it Inuyasha. We have more important things we need to talk about, like our new foe and Inuhime's condition."

"Kagome has a point, Inuyasha. Instead of arguing about trivial matters, we should discuss more on our current situation," Sesshomaru said.

"But, your the one...grrrr...keh, whatever."

InuTaisho said, "We need to know, if any, other out of the ordinary. Well, other than me, Inuyasha, and the miko coming back to life."

"Well, before I died. We encountered some strange youkai."

"I don't understand."

"Those youkai wasn't your everyday lower level youkai. It's really hard to explain, but I knew, at that time, there was something amiss."

"Well, Inuyasha, you weren't the only one who encounter those youkai. You're right though. They weren't your normal small fries that for sure. We had encountered some of them, too. They were making havoc across my lands," Kouga said sternly.

Sesshomaru added, "Inuhime said she had seen two points of view regarding Inuyasha's death. She had been having visions about the foe before she went into her coma. Before that she seemed fine, then, after she had this visions, she became ill."

Kagome added, "Yes, she also..."

Kagome stopped before she could say anymore.

Sesshomaru said, "Kagome."

Silence.

"Kagome."

Silence.

"Kagome!"

"Yes?"

"She also what, omae?"

"Oh, I am sorry. I sort of wander there. I forgot what I was going to say," Kagome said as she told a half lied.

Sesshomaru knew that she was hiding something, but he let it go, for now.

-

Meanwhile, Naomi and Gina went to check on Inuhime. They wanted to see if she condition got better or worst. When, they walked in her bedchambers...

"Oh my...," said Naomi with a surprised expression on her face.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari