Katsu instructed his son to stay behind and guard Lord Sesshoumaru's tent. Not because he was worried anyone might hurt Kagome, but to ensure she didn't get into trouble while he tried to talk his lord out of hunting down and potentially murdering his half-brother.
With the camp behind them and the quiet of the woods surrounding them, the general decided now was the time to attempt some damage control. Inuyasha's scent was strong and scattered, leading them on a winding trail through the forest, and Katsu took this as his opening. "My lord," he began cautiously, "I think it may be prudent to take a step back and discuss what occurred with Lady Kagome."
Sesshoumaru paused mid-stride, his back rigid. Slowly, almost menacingly, he turned to face Katsu. For a moment, the general wondered if Sesshoumaru would decide it was worth the effort to kill him, only to revive him later with Tenseiga. But after a breathless silence, Sesshoumaru merely nodded, indicating his reluctant agreement.
Seeing that he wasn't about to be decapitated, Katsu relaxed slightly, leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree, his arms crossing over his chest. "While I understand your desire to put the lady in her place, it would be wise to remember she is human." He spoke plainly.
Sesshoumaru's beast roared within him, snarling in contempt—how dare this lower-ranking male suggest he needed a lesson in handling his mate? The possessive, feral part of Sesshoumaru recoiled at the implication. But then, something clicked into place—an understanding that had been eluding him since touching down in the south. Kagome was not simply a "bitch" for him to tame. She was no submissive demoness that would be cowed by his dominance; she was a human woman with fire and heart. It was what drew him to her, and yet here he was, mishandling the very thing that he craves from her.
With that reluctant acceptance came a moment of introspection, and Sesshoumaru, mimicking Katsu, leaned against a tree opposite the general. He gave a sigh that was more frustration than resignation. "How barbaric were my actions in her presence?" he finally asked.
Katsu couldn't help the faint smirk that tugged at his lips. "Let's just say she had every right to shut you out," he said. Seeing the slightest shift in Sesshoumaru's expression—a hint of regret—he softened his tone. "But... I'm confident that a few well-chosen words, and perhaps an apology, would go a long way towards getting back in her good graces."
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, a growl reverberating deep in his chest. "Are you suggesting I lower myself to groveling?" he bit out, the word laced with distaste. While part of him wanted nothing more than to be close to Kagome again, to hold her, to bury his face in her hair and take in her scent, the idea of begging was an affront to his pride. At least, he hoped it was.
Katsu gave a shrug, the smirk still playing on his lips. "Call it what you will, my lord. I call it wisdom. After all, a happy mate makes for a far more harmonious camp." He paused, looking thoughtful. "Besides, she's human, and her way of understanding you differs from ours. Some gestures speak louder than dominance."
Before Sesshoumaru could retort, the sound of a snapping branch drew both their attention. The half-demon they'd been tracking finally showed himself, stepping out from the shadows. Inuyasha's appearance left much to be desired—his clothing was disheveled, dirt-stained, and his face had a scowl plastered across it. Despite his surly demeanor, Sesshoumaru felt a flicker of satisfaction knowing Kagome had gotten the best of him.
Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head, his gaze averting slightly. "Look, Kagome just wanted to know if Shippo was okay," he grumbled. "I told her the kit's at school, and nothing else." He shifted awkwardly, his foot scuffing at the earth, his scent devoid of deceit but heavy with discomfort.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. If that was the extent of Kagome's desire to speak with Inuyasha, then why hadn't she just told him? The memory of her enraged expression flashed through his mind. He supposed, after the way he had treated her, she hadn't exactly been in a sharing mood.
"She also said she wanted to talk some more," Inuyasha muttered, his eyes flicking up before quickly darting away again, "but I told her only if it was okay with you. I don't need another arm ripped off."
Katsu couldn't suppress the chuckle that escaped him. The scene before him was almost identical to how he had found Masaru outside of the tent—Inuyasha, nervously avoiding his lord's eyes, his entire body screaming unease. An idea began to form in his mind.
"Why not have Inuyasha shadow the lieutenant for a while?" Katsu suggested, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Sesshoumaru's beast immediately lashed out, snarling at the thought of adding another male to Kagome's immediate vicinity. It was bad enough allowing Katsu and Masaru around her without his constant supervision, but now the general wanted to add a third? His jaw clenched, his eyes flashing red for a heartbeat.
Sensing his lord's resistance, Katsu pressed on, his tone almost persuasive. "Think of it as a gesture of trust, my lord. A way to show Lady Kagome that you respect her autonomy. It may also help soften her towards you."
Sesshoumaru growled. It seemed there would be no easy victory here. In order to win back Kagome's favor, he would have to compromise. He hated that word. It tasted like ash in his mouth, but if it would bring Kagome back to his side, perhaps it was worth it.
"Fine," he finally snapped, glaring at Inuyasha. "You will join the lieutenant and do whatever Kagome commands of you."
Inuyasha's eyes widened, his mouth dropping open. "What the hell?! Do I get a say in any of this?"
"No," Sesshoumaru and Katsu said in unison, their voices leaving no room for argument.
Seeing there was no point in arguing, Inuyasha was ready to head back to the camp he had fled from when a thought made him hesitate. "I know you probably don't want to hear it from me, but can I offer some advice?" His voice held a cautious tone, knowing he was treading dangerous ground.
Sesshoumaru regarded him with a frosty glare that clearly said choose your words carefully. Inuyasha swallowed, taking a steadying breath before continuing. "Look, Kagome's always been hot-headed. Maybe she's mellowed out a bit over the years, but when she feels cornered, she lashes out. You can't just double down on her like you do with everyone else—she's not someone you can overpower. Sometimes... you need to step back and see things from her perspective."
The silence that followed was heavy, Sesshoumaru's golden eyes narrowed in contemplation. When his brother made no move to attack or respond with some icy retort, Inuyasha allowed himself to relax slightly. He wasn't sure Sesshoumaru would take kindly to anything he said, but there was one more thing that needed to be said, even if it struck a nerve.
"Don't make the same mistake I did," he added quietly. "I pushed her away, and it cost me. Kagome might be patient, but she won't wait forever. She'll only take so much before she leaves for good. Don't be the reason she walks away."
Sesshoumaru remained silent, but the flicker in his gaze was enough for Inuyasha to know his words had reached him—even if just barely. Deciding not to press his luck any further, the half-demon turned, leaping effortlessly into the trees. He disappeared into the forest canopy, darting away from the two demons, his parting words lingering in the crisp evening air.
Over the following days, Sesshoumaru kept himself busy by keeping a vigilant watch over Haruto and his council. They found themselves ensnared in the relentless scrutiny of Sesshoumaru's amber gaze. Though he longed to tear apart the group of scheming bear demons, he took satisfaction in watching them squirm beneath his intense glare. Until Kagome was ready to face him, Sesshoumaru resolved to ensure that homes were built, resources gathered, and the southern lands restored to prosperity.
Meanwhile, Masaru had been the only one permitted entry to Kagome's tent, which she had commandeered for herself. Each day, he would bring her meals, and at night, he would haul in water for the tub he'd managed to set up. By the third day, to Masaru's great relief, Kagome finally allowed Inuyasha to assist as well, and the lieutenant eagerly handed over the less appealing tasks to the half-demon.
It took some coaxing to get Inuyasha to even set foot inside Sesshoumaru's quarters; the memory of his forcibly removed arm still haunted him. But Kagome's calm presence eased his apprehension, and the knowledge that she now belonged to another helped settle the old beastly urges within him—the same ones that had driven him to abandon her long ago.
By the fifth day of Kagome barricading herself in the tent, Inuyasha's patience had worn thin. He was ready to haul her out by force if that was what it took.
"Just forgive him already!" Inuyasha yelled. He reached for the book Kagome had borrowed from Rin—one on dog demon etiquette, flipping through it in frustration. "Look!" He jabbed a clawed finger at the page. "It even says here that alphas are known to engage in public rutting to establish dominance!"
On the other side of the table, Kagome and Masaru sat side by side, quietly sipping their tea as they stared at the half-demon. Masaru, without missing a beat, quipped, "I didn't know you could read."
Kagome burst into laughter, nearly spilling her tea, while Inuyasha shot Masaru a scathing glare. The two males quickly launched into a round of bickering, their voices rising above Kagome's fits of giggles.
In truth, Kagome had been ready to talk things through with Sesshoumaru for days now, but she wanted him to sweat a little longer. And, admittedly, spending time with Inuyasha and Masaru had been refreshing. Though she hadn't had the chance to delve into a serious conversation with her old friend just yet, she knew it could wait until after she and Sesshoumaru had sorted things out.
As Inuyasha continued to argue, vehemently asserting that he was much smarter than he looked, Kagome chuckled again, amused at how easily Masaru pushed his buttons. Midway through Inuyasha's rant, Masaru turned to Kagome, interrupting the tirade. "So, are we bringing you dinner for one again tonight, or two?" It was his not-so-subtle way of asking if she was ready to finally reconcile with the demon lord.
Kagome hummed thoughtfully, tracing the rim of her teacup with her finger, letting the suspense hang in the air. "Hmm... I think we'll skip dinner tonight," she said, her cheeks taking on a faint blush. "But perhaps a large breakfast in the morning would be nice."
"Ugh, gross. I'm out!" Inuyasha barked, immediately getting to his feet and storming out of the tent.
Kagome and Masaru both watched him go, a soft laugh escaping her as she shook her head. "He hasn't changed a bit," she murmured, smiling.
Masaru gave her a knowing look and a warm smile. "Seems like you've made up your mind, then. Breakfast for two?"
She sighed, her gaze softening as she looked down at her tea. "Yeah... I think it's time. He's been waiting long enough."
The lieutenant nodded in agreement. "I'm glad to hear it. Besides, I think everyone is tired of seeing our lord brood around camp like a thundercloud waiting to burst."
Kagome chuckled, picturing Sesshoumaru sulking in that refined, almost dignified way of his. The thought filled her chest with a warmth that melted away any lingering frustration. She turned to Masaru, her blue eyes shimmering with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Masaru. You've been such a wonderful friend—and incredibly patient, considering everything."
Masaru waved off her thanks with a casual flick of his hand. "Ah, don't mention it. By now, Lady Kagome, there's very little I wouldn't do for you." He grinned widely, his long blonde hair falling forward as he bowed low, almost brushing the top of her head.
Kagome watched Masaru leave, sitting quietly for a few moments before letting out a long, exaggerated sigh. She looked around the tent she'd been nesting in, taking in the neat stacks of scrolls, the folded clothes, and the freshly scrubbed surfaces. "So much for my hard work," she muttered with a wry smile, mentally saying goodbye to the effort she had put into organizing Sesshoumaru's chaotic space.
Closing her eyes, Kagome took a deep breath and let her aura stretch outward, like a warm breeze drifting across the camp. Her energy began weaving through the soldiers, brushing over Masaru's steady pulse as he walked away, twirling around Inuyasha where he lounged on a tree branch, ghosting past Katsu while he helped carry sacks of grain, until finally, she found him—Sesshoumaru.