The miko had acclimated quite well to her role in the shiro, spending most days in a freshly-built wing to accommodate a group of children she referred to as her students. Sesshoumaru had had many teachers in his youth, but it had only ever been him in the room.
His parents had wanted the best for him from a young age, often arguing about where his time was better spent. As a high-ranking general, his father tried to mould him into a warrior, while his mother preferred a more intellectual and subtle approach through the council.
Sesshoumaru had gone along with both, assuming it was just how children were supposed to act, but each time he'd set foot inside the miko's 'classroom', he was accosted with the scent of paint, flora, and laughter.
He'd questioned her on this to the point where she'd finally rolled her eyes and told him there were more effective ways to learn than having facts and battle tactics beaten into them. He'd scoffed but couldn't deny her teachings when the class effectively defended themselves against one of the newly recruited soldiers, all while speaking in rhyme. Her chest had puffed out, and he'd had to stifle his reaction to the way her eyes glittered with pride.
She was the most breath-taking while the weight of responsibility and insecurity wasn't pushing down on her shoulders.
A soft chuckle brought him out of his musings, and he looked up to find his mother smirking at him. "Do enlighten us as to what or who you were thinking of just now, my son. You had such an amusing expression on your face." Scowling, he lifted his cup to his lips, ignoring the question.
"The fact that he had an expression tells us how important the person was," Kagura taunted, leaning over the table. The wind witch was still living in his mother's castle, having chosen to accept the bond forced on her in order to bring her back to corporal form.
Inukimi was no stranger to manipulation, but then again, neither was Kagura, so although the miko had been worried initially, he knew she would be pleased with the current outcome.
They were seated around a table in his mother's private garden—not even the servants were allowed to set foot on this particular patch of lush flora—and though he was chagrined at having been summoned so forcefully, Sesshoumaru had accepted so as to inquire on Kagura's well-being on the miko's behalf.
Her name echoed through his mind, the harsh edge of her voice reminding him that he'd agreed to refer to her as such, and the edge of his mouth quirked.
His mother chuckled again. "You have become so more entertaining since our little outing. It is a shame your companion could not join us."
"She is not mine," he said automatically, though neither female looked convinced. "She had work to finish with the children, as well as a meeting with Shima and Taiki."
"They're not still giving her a hard time, are they?" Kagura asked, genuinely concerned.
He shook his head once. "They were never the issue. Once she proved herself well-versed in the surrounding villages and the human dynamic therein, they have had no complaints."
"As they should." Inukimi flipped her hair over her shoulder. "She is more than capable of handling those boys without anyone else's help."
"I am aware." The females shared a look, Kagura's hand finding her mate's, their fingers intertwining. Sesshoumaru pretended to ignore it. He could feel the strength of their bond flowing between them and knew they had solidified it since he'd last seen them, but if they weren't going to comment on it, neither was he.
It would only prolong his stay.
There were various reasons as to why he needed to return to the shiro, but none were pressing save one, and he refused to give either of them more fodder to needle him with. Whom he preferred to share his time with was none of their business.
"You will have to bring her next time," his mother continued, squeezing Kagura's hand before taking a sip of her own tea. "I do enjoy her company. She is so expressive with her emotions."
Kagura shook her head, but the smile remained. "You're not allowed to bug her too much. She'll never come back otherwise."
Inukimi waved her off. "I never push boundaries any further than they should be." This time, Kagura and Sesshoumaru shared a look, the witch rolling her eyes knowingly.
"You are more than welcome to send her an invitation," Sesshoumaru said. "The dragon will be more than willing to bring her."
His mother sighed dramatically. "But I wish for both of you to be here. It is far less fun otherwise." He pursed his lips. It seemed his mother had taken more than just a passing fancy to the miko and the relationship he had with her, if he could even call it that.
The fact that he couldn't be sure what to call it had the muscles along his jaw clenching. His mother enjoyed interpreting things for her own amusement, but he refused to allow her to paint his bond with Kagome as anything but what it was.
Even if what it was left much to be desired.
Having had enough of the conversation, innuendos included, he replaced his cup. "It will likely have to wait until Azamuku is dealt with. Yakeru is convinced they are not a threat, but neither he nor Kagome have been able to come up with concrete proof as to their plans with supplies, should they be given—"
His explanation was interrupted by a desperate squawk, Jaken landing in a tangled heap in a nearby bush. One of the smaller dragons from the shiro circled overhead, snorting as it tried to decide whether it was safe to land.
"My lord!" Jaken squawked again, pulling himself upright, leaves and broken branches sticking out from his robes. "The shiro requires your immediate attention!"
His mother's power flared at being disturbed, and the toad was flattened against the ground. "You are aware this place is off limits to peons like you," she spat.
Jaken struggled against her hold. "I wouldn't have come if it weren't of the utmost importance!"
Sesshoumaru let out an uncharacteristic sigh. "The miko is more than capable of seeing to the shiro's well-being while I am gone."
"She is the reason I have come, my lord!"
The three youkai stiffened, eyes blazing as Inukimi released him. "Is she hurt?" Kagura asked.
Jaken glared at her, only addressing the daiyoukai. "She has lost her mind! She wishes to create a coup in your absence and is currently fighting with Yakeru-sama!"
"They have argued before—"
Jaken shook his head. "He saw her actions for what they were, my lord, and brought the soldiers with him. The entire courtyard was ablaze when I left. She refuses to see reason!" Sesshoumaru knew Kagome could handle herself, had trained her himself to do so, but the tension between her and his general had not ebbed since their first encounter, and for once, he was fearful she'd bitten off more than she could chew.
Growling softly, he transformed, not bothering to bid farewell to his mother as he leapt into the sky. The dragon screeched in displeasure as youki sent it rolling, Jaken's indignant yelps drowned out by Kagura's interrogation.
Whether his vassal made it back to the shiro in one piece was irrelevant, but Sesshoumaru knew the females were more concerned about getting information out of him regarding Kagome than actually causing him harm—for now.
He sped along the updrafts, the scent of burnt grass assaulting his nostrils as he made it within the Western Lands. He could see a circle of soldiers in the courtyard, the area barred off from the villagers, allowing him to focus on the two combatants instead of worrying about the children.
Kagome's power was focused but enraged, a flurry of reiki-charged movements sending Yakeru to the ground. The phoenix snarled, yelling profanities about her breeding and humanity before she wrapped a hand around his throat. Reiki coated her entire arm, sharpening into a blade, and she didn't hesitate as she brought it down, intent on slicing him open.
Sesshoumaru grabbed her wrist mid-transformation, claws biting into her flesh as he yanked her away. She struggled but didn't turn her attack on him, her eyes solely focused on Yakeru. "Let me go! He deserves it!"
Yakeru got to his feet, waving off help from his most loyal soldiers, the plumes on his head singed. "You are the one who instigated an unprovoked attack. I was merely defending myself."
"Unprovoked my ass!" Sesshoumaru's grip on her wrist tightened as she moved to close the distance between them. "You're a traitor to the West!"
Ah-Un snapped at the phoenix's heels, placing themselves between him and Kagome, and Yakeru's eyes narrowed before he met Sesshouamru's gaze. "Sesshoumaru-sama, you have entrusted me with protecting the shiro and all those within it. This human is a danger to its inhabitants. Her temper alone—"
A blast of reiki hit his right shoulder, sending him to his knees before Sesshoumaru grabbed her other wrist. "Desist."
"He's lying," she hissed. Both smelled of soot and deceit, and it pained him that he couldn't automatically come to her defence. Too many factors were involved, and neither seemed willing to delve into the details of what had caused the fight.
Perhaps the blame lay with him for thinking they would be able to put their differences aside long enough to reach an agreement.
"You are both confined to your quarters until this matter has been sorted out," he said softly, and he watched as Kagome's shoulders slumped. She still hadn't looked at him, refusing to do so even as he leaned close. "Do not make the situation worse," he advised, willing her to keep a tight lid on her power.
"I'm not the one you need to be worried about," she bit out as some of the soldiers led her away, Ah-Un remaining close, heads bobbing in agitation.
Yakeru got to his feet again. "A wise decision. We can interrogate her—"
Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed. "I stated that confinement pertained to you both."
The phoenix's feathers quivered in shock, and he opened his mouth to argue but swallowed the retort, bowing softly before he too was led away. "As you wish." Head held high, Yakeru followed the soldiers without protest, and Sesshoumaru barked orders for the remaining to start cleaning up the courtyard.
As the smoke settled, the smell of deceit was still strong, but the bitter taste of Kagome's betrayal burned the back of his throat as she disappeared through the shiro's doors.