"Mother, what are you doing here?"

Sesshoumaru's voice was edged with fatigue and irritation. The negotiations with the dragon lord continue to be grueling and fruitless. The once sharp and competent dragon now appeared increasingly disoriented, his mind addled and comprehension faltering. This only served to confirm the reports from the spy-turned-turncoat about his daughter poisoning him.

If the Southern Shiro wasn't currently full of women and their children, Sesshoumaru would gladly slain the mad dragon and his treacherous daughter during their next meeting. But the delicate situation required restraint. Killing them outright could lead to the slaughter of innocents, and the Western Lord almost longed for the days when such considerations didn't weigh so heavily on his mind. War had been simpler then.

After once again turning down Lady Dokugiri's persistent offer for a mating contract, all Sesshoumaru wanted was to rest and hope for a letter from Kagome. Instead, he was greeted by his mother.

"I am appalled, Sesshoumaru. This place smells like the den of an adolescent pup going through puberty." Lady Inukimi made a dramatic show of covering her nose with her delicate hand, her golden eyes scanning his quarters with disdain.

Sesshoumaru began to remove his armor, each piece hitting the ground with a clang. He was not in the mood for her theatrics. "I was not expecting visitors. I will ask again, why are you here?"

Inukimi's expression shifted from exaggerated distaste to concern, though it was subtly veiled. "There are troubling whispers reaching even the Sky Palace. I came to see for myself the state of affairs."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. He knew his mother's concern was rarely without ulterior motives. "I am managing the situation, as always. Your presence is unnecessary."

Inukimi's gaze softened slightly. "Managing, perhaps, but at what cost? You seem... weary, my son. Even a powerful demon such as yourself cannot bear the entire weight of someone else's war."

"Your input has been noted. I wish to have some peace and quiet, so you should—" Sesshoumaru's words halted abruptly as Kagome's familiar floral scent reached his nose.

Lady Inukimi stood across the room, a sly smile on her lips as she waved what appeared to be a letter. The scent of his priestess clung to the parchment. Now that she had her son's full attention, she continued with a mocking lilt in her voice. "Poor dear Kagome. I am almost ashamed to have a son who cannot properly court a female. When she learned of your claim, she was so shocked."

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes narrowed, his attention riveted on the letter. Lady Inukimi took a seat at the low table in the center of the tent and peered up at her speechless son. "How you managed to inform everyone but her is beyond me. Oh, and that business with the dragon female! Such a shame. I pity the little priestess for having to put up with your inability to communicate. Your father would have—"

"Enough!" Sesshoumaru's roar filled the tent, a raw and visceral sound that reverberated through the space. His claws twitched with barely restrained fury. "What have you done?"

Inukimi's amusement changed to anger as she threw the letter at him. "What you should have done, pup," she snapped. The letter hit the floor at his feet, and she continued. "Are the females in your life that insignificant to you? Choosing not to divulge your future plans to those it involves was a poor decision on your part. I have done your job for you and ensured that your priestess is aware of her rights."

His mind raced, dread coiling in his stomach. Her rights? She couldn't mean… "Mother," he growled, the word forced through clenched fangs. "Tell me exactly what you said to her."

Lifting her nose in the air, Inukimi turned her head away with a dismissive flick. "I suggest you read that letter, my son."

Sesshoumaru's patience snapped. With a snarl, he snatched up the parchment and took a seat across from her. What he had assumed was a letter turned out to be a small note, folded neatly in half. His golden eyes flicked one last glare at his mother before he unfolded it.

Sesshoumaru,

I had the pleasure of meeting your mother. She was kind enough to inform me of a claim you made. Is this how you intend for me to find out? From someone I had never met before? For all I know, it was all for show to chase off Kouga. Do you understand how this makes me feel? Like some toy being fought over by two children.

You also neglected to tell me Shippo was there! What if something had happened to him? Would you have even told me then?

At this point, I don't even know if I can trust you, Sesshoumaru. You write pretty words, make vague promises. But I am not some kept court demoness. I need the truth. I need to be asked what it is I want. I will not make the same mistake by assuming what is expected of me. It did not work with Inuyasha, and it will not work now.

Your mother told me of my rights should I accept or decline your claim. I need to know your thoughts and whether or not you truly see a future for us, or if I'm just a pawn in a greater game.

Choose your next move wisely. I know that I will.

Kagome.

The words hit him like a physical blow, each line a dagger of truth that pierced his ego. Sesshoumaru read the note again, each sentence echoing in his mind with increasing intensity. The rare pang of regret gnawed at him, a feeling he was unaccustomed to. How had he allowed things to reach this point?

Inukimi watched her son with an inscrutable expression. "This is what happens when you fail, Sesshoumaru. The bonds you neglect will wither and die."

Sesshoumaru clenched his jaw, the muscles tensing as he crumpled the note slightly in his fist. "You overstepped your bounds, Mother," he said, his voice dangerously quiet. "This was not your place."

"Perhaps," Inukimi conceded, her tone softening marginally. "But you forced my hand. Kagome deserves the truth, and you needed a push to see it."

"Why do you care? She is human. I thought that alone would have you sending hordes of females my way in order to forfeit my claim."

"Oh, I wouldn't do anything quite that dramatic!" Inukimi's eyes sparkled, though the look on her son's face suggested he believed otherwise. "When I arrived at the Shiro, my plan was to simply eat the creature."

Sesshoumaru ran a clawed hand down his face, letting out a heavy sigh. "Yet you did not."

"She is quite fascinating, your little human. I've taken a liking to her, so I agreed to be the messenger. I do hope you two work things out. Pups with your good looks and her power would be darling."

Inukimi stood gracefully, brushing off invisible dirt from her kimono, and made her way to the door flap. She paused and turned back to her son, her tone sincere. "I hope you take her words seriously, Sesshoumaru. Should she deny your claim, you will not find another female like her."

With that, she left the tent, leaving Sesshoumaru alone to sort through the mess he had created and to figure out a way to keep Kagome.

Sesshoumaru sat in the dim light of the tent, the crumpled note still in his hand. Kagome's words and his mother's admonishments repeated over and over in his mind. He had always prided himself on his strength and clarity, yet here he was, entangled in a web of his own making.

Lady Inukimi decided to walk to her next destination, her elegant form gliding through the bustling camp. She passed by Western soldiers who straightened their postures as she approached. The bear's concubines whispered among themselves, their gazes darting nervously as they caught sight of her. General Katsu was running drills, his voice barking commands with precision. He paused for a moment, his stern face softening into a brief nod of acknowledgment as she passed by.

The camp's sounds gradually faded behind her as she entered the nearby forest. The Southern lands were eerily quiet, even the usual chorus of wildlife seemed subdued. The air was thick with an unnatural stillness, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the scurry of mice.

After nearly three hours of a steady, unyielding pace, a cave came into view, partially hidden by the thick undergrowth. Its entrance was shrouded in shadows, a faint pink barrier shimmering in the dim light. The protective magic was strong, meant to keep out intruders, but Inukimi passed through it effortlessly,

When she found the figure she had been seeking, The Lady Mother smiled. "Shall we give him a day to reflect on his actions?"