Kaugra was not surprised but Kio was.
They were sitting with her father when Sesshomaru told them of the news.
Kagome kept quiet and didn't look his way.
"Well, my Lord, I know you are not here to just visit,"
"Your sons are required in the West per our terms,"
Kios's father cleared his throat. "Might I bargain with you?"
"You are not in a position to do so, but by all means,"
"Might my daughter stay with us a while,"
"No,"
"But you are not fond of her,"
"Yet my human wife is quite fond of her, they have bonded and thus make my life quieter,"
Kagome stood,
"Kagome," Kagura pulled on her,
"No, My Lord if it is all the same to you, I would not mind her staying,"
"I did not ask you, sit down,"
"Please,"
He turned fully to her. "Are you asking," he said slowly,
She closed her eyes. "Yes,"
That was suspicious,
"Why?"
"Kagome, don't," Kio whispered,
"Someone loves her,"
"Why should I care?"
"Thats just it, you don't."
Sesshoamru looked back. "I will return her when I return your men, not before. However you are now free of your bonds to me with honor,"
Kio smiled and Sesshomaru left the room.
"What just happened?" Kagome asked confused.
"You freed her," Kagura said slightly shocked.
Kio and Kagome smiled and hugged.
"Don't be too happy his mood is bound to worsen at your act of heroism and bluntness, this should have been in private,"
"His punishment won't be any worse than the punishment he has already imposed on me," Nothing could be worse than never having your own children, not when you have nine lives.
That night they threw a party in Sesshomaru's honor. Red paint took up the skin of both male and female bodies. Just like Mal's tribe the men took to fur to hide their bottom half while women did the same. Only red paint, mud, and clay covered their breast.
"Kagome join me!" Kio begged with a ring of flowers around her head,
"No, no," Kagome backed up and right unto Kagura,
"Go, dance," Kagura told her.
"I'm not wearing that!" She ducked away from Kagura only to run into him.
"This is your reward, why not take it," He told her.
"I'm not getting naked,"
"I don't believe I asked you,"
"Sesshomaru I'm a virgin, no one has seen me before,"
"No one here cares Miko, nor do you have anything to offer that is not already on the table,"
"Sesshomaru,"
"She doesn't have to My Lord," Kio said no longer laughing,
"Indeed, she does,"
"What?" Kagome gasped.
Men brought forth bowls of mud and red clay and Sesshomaru grabbed her shirt and ripped it apart as tears started to fill her eyes.
He turned her away but dipped his hands in the mud and clay. Under her arms, his hands went, and he rubbed the clay over her stomach and then higher to her ribs. Dipping his hands again this time they moved up to cup her breast.
They were warm to the touch and soft. Kagome kept her eyes closed as her heart raced. He felt them, they seemed to fit just perfectly in his hands. No overly large, not small. Her nipples harden to the cold clay and paint as his hands slowly in their message. His palm ran over her hardened nipple, and it made him close his eyes. Without even realizing he pitched her nipples and she groaned, and his eyes snapped open. Slowly he let his hands fall, then he backed away, turned, and disappeared.
Kio quickly covered Kagome up. "I'm sorry,"
Kagome sniffled. "It's not your fault,"
"I should have said anything!"
Kagura meanwhile went to look for Sesshomaru.
"Was that her punishment or yours?"
"Do not question me, witch,"
"She will need new clothes,"
He tossed a sack of coins at her. "Do not come back with holy clothes Kagura,"
"Hai My Lord,"
Kagura set off but not before she noticed the slight pink in his eyes. "Interesting,"