Ichiko hated Akira. Just because she was mated to the late 'so-called' Lord of the Southern Lands, she believed herself to be important and that the world revolves around her. She planned Akira's revenge, but Akira had the nerve to say it wasn't good enough. Apparently, she has something more sinister in mind. She was starting to have pity on Sesshomaru and this Kagome. She knew if Sesshomaru had known he had someone to feel some sort of pity for him. He would surely kill him, in this case, her. She really doesn't have anything against Sesshomaru and/or this Kagome like Akira does. She was contemplating whether or not she should give them a heads up about Akira. She thought, "I'll give the bitch one last chance. If she doesn't treat me with more respect, then I will turn the tables on her."

Akira, on the other hand, was feeding her son, Yamiko. She fell in love with her pup and has great expectations for him. Oh, yes, great expectations, indeed. She was planning her revenge on Sesshomaru and Kagome, especially Sesshomaru than Kagome. Simply because he had broken her little dark heart too many times. She often thought about how Yamiko could had been Sesshomaru's heir, however, that wasn't meant to be. What did he saw in that human miko was beyond her. She thought herself to be powerful and beautiful; no other was a rival to her for many years until the miko bitch came into the picture. She also knew that the Council would support her claim to Sesshomaru.

If only that bitch, wasn't there. If only she would kill her before Sesshomaru's interest in Kagome had taken place. The problem was she had no idea how and/or when did they'd had met or when his attraction to Kagome started and how to go about it. Sesshomaru wasn't a person to write anything down or he doesn't seemed that way. If only there was a way to change that, then maybe; just maybe she would be in Kagome's place instead? She knew she was so close. So very close to her goal; not only her goal, but her father's goals as well. Her father, Lord Kenryokuyoku or Kenryo, the Minor Lord of the Southern District of the West. When she heard that her father was killed, she was devastated.

She doesn't know the whereabouts of or the fate of her mother. Quite frankly, she couldn't careless. She was always against her father. Should a mate support her mate no matter what? In Akira's eyes, one should support his/her mate no matter what. She thought of her mother being a betrayer to her father. An enemy. So, she ignored her mother and paid a lot more attention to her father. To say that she was a daddy's girl would had been an understatement. She was through in through a daddy's girl. Her father could had slaughter many children, youkai and human alike, she would still see her father being a great lord. Also would have been a great Western Lord, if he was still alive.

Akira's eyes widen as a thought came to her mind just then. Sesshomaru and Kagome weren't the only ones she was seeking revenge on. It was those who betrayed her and her father. Also the one, who had killed him. In her eyes, his murderer was more than deserving to die. She would need answers to questions that has been floating around inside of her mind for many months now. She would find who did it and she would kill him or her, along with Kagome and Sesshomaru. She would make sure that the West would fall.

She said to her son, who was still sucking on her breast, "Your grandfather's murderer will be brought to justice. Sesshomaru and his precious Kagome will loose their lives to me, after having them grovelling on their knees and pleading for their lives, of course. Oh, yes, my little one, for your grandfather and our ancestors, we will stand on the throne of the West. Sesshomaru will fall. The West will fall along with him." For a second there, Yamiko, stopped suckling and looked at his mother with Naraku's blood red eyes. Then he, once again, feasted on his mother's milk, which, in turn made Akira chuckled darkly, but softly. It seemed as though Yamiko understood his mother's words, when he stopped suckling, yet he had no understanding what that would mean.

Thank the Kami that Yamiko was a deep sleeper because after she put him down for a nap, she yelled for Ichiko.

"You rang, your highness," Ichiko said with a sarcastic tone of voice.

"Don't you use that tone with me, Ichiko."

"What do you want," she asked icily.

"I want to know when and where did Sesshomaru took interest in that miko bitch?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean 'I don't know'? You are a seer, aren't you?"

"Yes, but I can't see into people's pasts; only their futures. Why?"

"It's no concern of yours. Your dismiss."

Ichiko narrowed her eyes at her before she left. She thought while leaving, "That bitch has a lot of nerve. Now she's not telling me her plans."

Inuhime and Inuyasha began their journey earlier that day. Inuhime was the first to awake that morning. She barged in her little brother's room.

"It's time to wake up, little brother." Inuyasha for the first time in a long time had a great night's sleep. He grumbled and sunk farther into his sheets. "Come on, Inuyasha. Zoku's cabin is at least a day and a half's walk from here. So, get your ass up so we could go." Inuyasha grumbles incoherently and then covers his head with the sheet. Inuhime was trying to be patient with him. She, at first, didn't want to wake him up because he looked so damn peaceful and adorable sleeping there. "That's it!" She took his covers away from him. He was fully awake now and trying to fight his elder sibling to get his covers back.

"What the fuck, bitch! I was sleeping!"

"I can see that, Inuyasha. If this was any other day, I would let you rest, but it's not. So get dress and meet me at the front entrance."

"And if I don't," he growled obviously displeased that he had to leave his warm, comfortable futon. Inuhime narrowed her eyes at him.

She said with an icy tone that would made Sesshomaru proud, "Don't test me, Inuyasha. I am in no mood for it. Now. Get. Dress." The way her voice sounded made Inuyasha 'feh' and got up from the futon. "Inuyasha, if you aren't there in the next five minutes, I won't hesitate coming back here and drag your ass out."

"Feh, whatever," he said as she left to go to the front entrance. He sounded incredulous.

Kagome and Sesshomaru awoke from their peaceful sleep to a fresh and new day. They just laid there enjoying holding each other and being in each other presence. Silence... sort of, because off of the distance Sesshomaru could heard Inuyasha's brash talking from farther down the hall. He smirked because it could only mean that Inuhime was up and want to leave as soon as possible. She really has no patience on waiting. Of course, Inuyasha hadn't know that... well until now, that is.

Inuyasha's voice was getting louder so that Kagome could hear. She sighed. "What do you think he's shouting about now? Any louder, he'll wake up Natsume."

"Hn." Sesshomaru unwrapped himself from Kagome's body which Kagome instantly pouted and whined by the lost of the source of his warmth. Sesshomaru chuckled. "We have to get up some time. Besides, I need to see what the commotion is about." He stood and put a robe on, then headed towards the door.

"Wait!" Kagome quickly put on Sesshomaru's haori and made her way to Sesshomaru. He waited until she was by him to open the door. When they walked outside of their bedchambers and into the hallway, just about everyone, that slept in those rooms, were also outside. They saw Inuhime pulling on one of Inuyasha's adorable puppy ears as they walked down the hall.

Inuyasha shouted, "Ouch! You could let go now!"

"Why should I, little brother? This is your punishment for not coming when I told you to come."

"Feh, you didn't let me have time to dress." Inuhime abruptly stopped walking. She turned to him.

"You didn't have time, Inuyasha? I gave you five minutes to dress and come to the front entrance. But, nooooo! I also told you that I will return to get you if you were late! If you..." She tighten her grip on Inuyasha's ear, which he made him whimpered. "...just do what I told you to, your ear wouldn't be abused right now."

They were unaware that their other sibling was watching from behind Inuhime's back. Sesshomaru cleared his throat. "Pray tell, what's going on here?"

Inuhime turned to face her brother and said, "I was trying to get our little brother ready so we could leave. He's too lazy to move. So I am making him."

"Keh, you didn't give me time, wench!"

"Wench?! I am your elder sibling. You will respect me as such."

"Keh, I don't respect the ice bastard. What makes you think I will respect you?!"

"Oh, you will respect me. I guaranteed by the time we return. You will respect me."

"Oh, really! We'll see about that!"

Sesshomaru was getting annoyed by their bickering. "Enough! If Natsume wakes up because of your bickering, you will wish that you hadn't waken her."

Inuhime turned to her twin and apologized. Inuyasha being Inuyasha said, "I am not saying sorry to that ice bastard."

Inuhime growled and twisted his ears. "Apologize to your alpha!"

Sesshomaru watched on with mirth clearly showing in his eyes, which Kagome didn't missed. Kagome said, "Just apologize, already, Inuyasha!"

"No, I won't apologize to him, ever, for anything."

"Inuyasha, you baka! I promise you. I will punish you more and more harshly than Inuki and Sesshomaru combined, if you don't apologized right now." Inuyasha knew that tone that Kagome had spoken. He knew there would be dire consequences if he didn't do what they asked of him. So, Inuyasha swallowed his pride and said the dreaded words to say to his half-brother.

"Fine! I am sorry, okay!" Inuhime let go of his ear fully. "Are you happy now?"

Inuhime and Kagome smiled and said in unison, "Yes!"
-
InuTaisho and Inukimi were awaken by their pups bickering outside of their rooms. Inukimi smirked and said, "Just like the old times. Are you sure you want more pups?"

InuTaisho chuckled at those memories. Yeah, Inukimi, then, wasn't really a mother to Inuhime, however, despite her dislike for the pup, she couldn't keep Sesshomaru apart of her, much to her displeasure. InuTaisho had, also, made it clear to his mate that she would die by his claws if she brought any harm to Inuhime and/or Sesshomaru. He loved his pups with a passion, yet his love for his mate was slowing waning from his heart. InuTaisho shook the bad memories away and remembered the good. He remembered Sesshomaru and Inuhime would play 'tug-a-war' with one of their retainers. He would have to save the retainer before they would split them apart, literally.

He smiled at his mate, "Yes, I am certain. I want more pups." They overheard everything. "Perhaps, I should get them moving along. So that, we could have the palace to ourselves."

"Why should we stay? We have my Sky Palace."

"True, however, remember last night that Sesshomaru wanted to spend time with Kagome and his pups. So, we are staying here to look after Sesshomaru's and Kagome's affairs."

Inukimi nodded. "Sesshomaru's lucky that he has parents like us or this wouldn't be happening." InuTaisho nodded in agreement.

InuTaisho walked just outside of his room, just in time, to watch Inuhime twisting Inuyasha's ear and making him apologized to Sesshomaru. When he finally did, InuTaisho cleared his throat, which in turn, earned him a surprised gasp from his daughter. Apparently, she'd forgotten her surroundings. Usually, pups would avoid waking up their alphas and fathers or mothers for unwanted confrontations.

"Father?! Did we wake you and mother up?"

"No, we were already awake," he lied in a sarcastic tone. Inuhime downcast her eyes from her alpha and father in shame. InuTaisho's eyes soften. "Hey, there's no harm done, Inuki. If there was, I guaranteed you that you would know."

"I apologized, father. I just wanted..." InuTaisho interrupted, "I know. Don't worry about it." He paused to look at his eldest son and Kagome. "Your mother and I thought you should use the Sky Palace to get away. No one there would bother you. Plus, the servants there would stay out of your way, unless, of course, you want something from them. Other than that, you and yours have your desired quality time together."

"Hn." He bowed respectfully to his father. "This Sesshomaru thanks you. We will leave as soon as Jaken prepares the pups." InuTaisho inwardly sighed at his son's third person speech. He doesn't understand why he speaks so informally in front of him and/or his mother. "Jaken," Sesshomaru called out.

"Y-yes, milord."

"Get Rin and Shippo up, bathe, dressed, and then break their fast. Also, get Ah-Un ready for travel."

"Yes, milord! Right away, milord!" Jaken was about to leave, but he continued, "May I inquire on where his lord and lady are going?" Sesshomaru gave him the death glare. "Forgive this Jaken, milord!"

"Hn." Sesshomaru and Kagome returned to their rooms. Jaken did what he was told before his lord kills him for his audacity.

Inuhime scoffed as Inuyasha said, "Feh, what a kiss ass."

Inuhime nodded. "Yeah, he's that and annoying. At least, he's loyal and good for therapy."

"Huh?"

Inuhime giggled at Inuyasha's confused face. "He's good for therapy because one could throw rocks at him, kick him, step on him, and etc..., he's still loyal. He reminds me of a mortal dog. One could treat it badly and it would still be loyal to its master."

InuTaisho cleared his throat to gain his pups' attention. Once he got it, he asked Inuhime, "Is your mate going with you?"

"Uh... um, no."

"Inuki, you hadn't told him, yet. He'll be furious with you, if you left here without him."

"Father, I am a big girl. I don't need anyone to protect me."

"That's not the point. And you know it, too. You are mated now. You must talk to him."

"Father, there's no time. This sort of came out of nowhere."

"What do you mean? Where are you going, anyways?"

Inuhime looked at Inuyasha as though she was asking him permission to tell him. It was his situation to tell, after all. Inuyasha nodded at her. "Father, Inuyasha is in a situation that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. We were going to see Zoku to come along with us."

"What situation," InuTaisho asked Inuyasha. Inuhime was going to answer, but InuTaisho held his hand up to silence her. "I want to hear this from Inuyasha. Now tell me, what situation are you in?"

Inuyasha answered his question rather quickly. He hated to repeat himself. Now he understood why Sesshomaru doesn't like to repeat anything to anyone. InuTaisho sighed. "Son, I knew this would happen."

Inuyasha looked at his father. "What do you mean by that, old man?"

InuTaisho answered, "It was before you, Kikyo, and I was resurrected. Amaterasu said to me that Kikyo wouldn't want to be your mate. She also said that she would find excuses to prevent it, even if it would break your heart. However, she reassured me that you would find yourself a more suitable woman and that she's right under your nose; yet not."

"But, I love Kikyo. She..."

Inuhime interrupted him because she knew what he would had said. He would said that Kikyo accepted him. "No, Inuyasha. Yes, she accepted that you are hanyou, however, she wanted you to change yourself for what you are by using the Shikon no Tama. She wanted to turn you into a full human by wishing upon the jewel. That, my little brother, isn't true acceptance."

Inuyasha's puppy ears pulled back to his head. He sighed. He knew that she was right about that. "I know."

InuTaisho hummed and said to his daughter, "Inuhime, you must tell your mate where you are going."

"But father..." InuTaisho put his hand up to silence her. "No, Inuhime. I know you could take care of yourself, however, it isn't just you anymore. You have a mate now. He'll be devastated that you didn't even bother telling him where you are going. No, he'll have no problem locating you, but that's not the point. Mates share things, even if it's a terrible topic to talk about. Plus, I am not letting you go until you go and tell Hikaru where you are going and when will you be returning. I'll wait here with Inuyasha until you return."

Inuhime knew that her father was right. She was a mated woman now. She didn't want to hurt him. Besides, that's no way to start being a mated pair. She nodded to her father; then turned around; and left Inuyasha and her father behind.

Meanwhile in Kagome and Sesshomaru's rooms, Kagome was packing a few items for their little vacation. Sesshomaru watched his little mate walking to one point of the room to another.

"Omae, what are you packing?"

Kagome stopped what she was doing. She then turned to look at her mate. "Oh, my toiletries and several kimonos. Why aren't you packing anything?"

He chuckled. "Omae, have you forgotten that you mated a Cardinal Lord?"

Kagome blushed from embarrassment. She didn't think about that. "No, I know who I am mated to. I guess... I don't know. I guess I am used to packing my things that I'd never have gave it much thought."

"Hn. We should bathe before heading to the dining room to break our fast. I sent Jaken to wake, bathe, and break their fast."

"Oh, but Sesshomaru, why didn't..."

He chuckled again. "I was enjoying the way your body moves. Your hips are very seductive to this Sesshomaru." He moved toward her to close the gap between them. He put his large clawed hands on her hips and then pulled her against him. "Omae, don't you know how you affect this one?" She shook her headed. "You affect this one's mind, body, soul, and especially my ice cold heart."

Sesshomaru leaned down to kiss her, but just as their lips brushed against one and another. They heard a whimper and then a cry so loud that could wake the whole palace. He groaned. She chuckled at his groan. She put a hand to his cheek. He leaned into her hand and grabbed it with his own. She said, "Our daughter's awake. I need to tend to her." She tiptoed to reach up to his face to give a kiss on the cheek. "I think we should bring Nanami along. She will be helpful tending to Natsume, if she doesn't need to be feed, that is."

"Hn. That sounds like a great idea, omae. I will summon a servant to fetch her."

As their luck have it, a maidservant knocked and then entered inside after hearing her lord said 'enter.' She walked in with two other maidservants that have a couple of wooden chests. They bowed to them lowly. "We are here to prepare you for your trip."

"Hn. You will fetch Nanami."

The one who spoke stood up and said, "Yes, milord." Then she left. The other two maids went to work to pack their lord and lady's things for the trip. One of them noticed that some kimonos were already out. That one asked her lady if they were the ones she was planning on taking. Kagome answered her in a positive manner as she was feeding Natsume. Sesshomaru had an urge to block Kagome from their view while they were packing their luggage.

A few minutes later, the maid who left returned with Nanami to tow. The maid immediately went to work as Nanami bowed.

"Yes, milord?"

"You will come with us to help tend to Natsume whenever Kagome's not needing to and when not available at the moment. So go and pack. Meet us at the main entrance for departure."

Nanami bowed again. She was about to leave when Kagome called to her. "Yes, milady?"

"I just finish feeding Natsume. If you don't mind, would you take her and bathe her, while your lord and I bathe ourselves?"

Nanami looked from Kagome to Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru nodded his head.

"Yes, milady. I would love to tend to her highness." She went to Kagome. She putted her arms out for Kagome to hand her the pup. Kagome rather reluctantly gave Natsume to Nanami. It wasn't because she didn't trust Nanami. She did. It was just that it was her first time to not be tending to Natsume.

Sesshomaru then said, "One of you, three, will go to Nanami's quarters to pack her things while she tends to Natsume."

They nodded in unison. Once they finished packing their lord and lady's luggage. They carried out the chests. Nanami, with Natsume within her arms, left along with them, but not before Sesshomaru said, "Nanami, your life will be forfeited if any harm comes to our daughter."

Nanami nodded and said in return, "She'll be in good hands, milord." Then she walked out.

Kagome sighed. Sesshomaru came to her and instantly pick her up in bridle style, which made Kagome squealed in surprise.

"Sesshomaru, you jerk! You could have give me a heart attack," she shouted as she slapped her hand on his chest.

"Forgive this Sesshomaru, but this one intends on ravishing you in our private baths." He walked to the bathing room with wide strides.

Once inside, he set Kagome on her feet. He started to disrobe her very slowly. Kagome couldn't help, but to blush at the intense stare of her mate. Once she was disrobed, he motioned to her to go in the water. Kagome didn't go very far into the bath when Sesshomaru called to her to turn around. She watched her mate slowly and sinfully disrobing himself. She couldn't help, but to be aroused by the sight of her handsome mate. She watched him walking towards her until he was in front of her. He nuzzled into her neck and inhaled her intoxicating scent. She did the same to him. He smelled manly. He began to lick her, where his mark was on the junction between her neck and shoulder. She moaned. He, then, began to suck on and kissing her neck. The sensation felt so damn good.

She moaned his name breathlessly, "Oh, Sesshomaru."

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari