Sesshoumaru had just finished recounting what he knew of the situation when they felt Kimi's approach. Her own youki probing to see if she was welcome to enter, though the agitated edge to it made it clear she intended to come in either way. With a sigh Sesshoumaru called for her to enter, loath as he was to have their solitude interrupted, he knew she wouldn't have returned without information.

Stepping into the room, Kimi was immediately relieved to see the improvement in Kagome's state. Crossing the room she nuzzled her daughter-in-law's forehead in a rare show of affection before launching into her explanation of what she had learned.

"The fox told me what happened after I left. Before I divulge all the details, I suggest you mask your aura as much as possible Miko. My son's reaction when the illusion broke has helped to lull your enemies into a delusion of success. We don't want to lose that advantage."

The warning was an apt one, because while the news that Jaken was so deeply involved wasn't exactly a surprise, it still served to cause both Youkai and Miko boil over with rage. His voice rising over hers as she struggled to speak through her anger.

"The imp dared to plot against This One and his mate?"

The return to his usual formal manner of speech pleased Kimi. The raw and broken emotion he had been showing since finding his mate in the rain had torn at her heart. Though of course she kept her own reactions carefully controlled as usual.

"Oh yes, it was all rather tawdry really." She said, careful to hide the relief she felt. "I was so looking forward to a bit of courtly intrigue. Following whispers in the hallways, and carefully crafting double meanings into every conversation. It would have been so amusing.

I expected the Toad to simply have heard the early rumors, and give me a lead. Not throw himself at my feet in confession. So very disappointing."

"THAT SLIMY LITTLE MAGGOT! I'LL MELT HIM MYSELF!" The Miko had found her voice, and was halfway off the bed before Sesshoumaru drew her back, an amused laugh escaping as he did so. The return of her fiery temper was a welcome change after so many days of her sadness and misery.

"As much as it delights This One to see so much of your spirit returned to you, sadly you must stay here a little while longer. We can't let your power be felt yet."

Her snarl was rather impressive for a human woman and he couldn't help but smile as he soothed her with another kiss before whispering in her ear; "I promise the wretch will not escape retribution."

His tone was as controlled as ever, but his grip around her tightened and she knew his rage was still burning beneath the surface. That his instincts were screaming at him to protect and avenge her. He needed this even more than she did.

With a sigh she clamped down on her own emotions, and stilled her reiki, before nuzzling her head under Sesshoumaru's chin. An act that signified seeking his care and protection, and earned her an affectionate rumble from her inuyokai.

Her next words however, brought a feral gleam to his eyes as she told him "Don't hold back on my account. I never want to see that nasty little beast again." As shocking as the cold edge in her voice was, he couldn't deny the thrill it gave him to hear the aggression from his normally forgiving mate.

"I would never inflict such a dire affront on you my dearest mate." He said, smirking as she huffed at his teasing tone. "But, this news means I must act now to handle this. The longer we wait the more time we give them to prepare and I will not risk further harm to you. I will send your companions to stay here with you for the time being so that you're not unguarded, and I will return as swiftly as possible."

When Inuyasha and the others returned the slayer and the fox immediately rushed to Kagome's side wrapping her in their arms and gushing words of comfort, and elation at her improved state.

Inuyasha hung back near the door, watching as his brother removed his pelt to wrap the Miko in it so she would still have some connection to him while he was gone. It had taken him a good while to come to terms with their mating, but even he couldn't deny that the yokai loved her deeply.

When Sesshoumaru turned to leave after one final goodbye, the hanyou stopped him before he stepped out the door. "I know that dealing with this is your right as her mate and I don't want to get in the way of instincts and rules, and all that, but if there's anything I can do for her...or you, just say the word."

The demon lord let out a heavy sigh, before locking eyes with his younger brother. "This One's instincts are screaming to stay by her side and slaughter anyone who comes near her. But that will not undo what has been done to her, nor is it the best course of action to ensure her safety." Here Sesshoumaru paused, gathering himself before making the heaviest request of his long life.

"That is why I ask that you stay by her side until I return. There is no other I can trust to guard her in my stead."

"Keh, of course I'll protect her." His usual gruff tone attempting to mask his emotions at being offered this place of honor. "As long as you don't expect me to pay for cleaning their guts outta the carpets. Though I gotta say, I pity the poor bastards if they attack after you've broken that seal on her mark. 'Gome's gonna be PISSED."

"Hn." The demon's usual stoic response was undermined by the amused tilt at the corner of his lips. "Indeed. That is why I intend to break the curse FIRST." His brother's laughter followed him as he made his way to the dungeons

Staring at the abused toad, he was surprised to learn that Jaken could, indeed look even worse than he normally did. The imp was covered in burns from his mother's poison, and was barely conscious when Sesshoumaru entered the cell. Only rousing when he heard his lordship speaking.

"Jaken, you will explain yourself."

"Oh, it's you my lord. Forgive me for not bowing but it seems that my body no longer responds to my commands." His sounded weak and tired, all traces of his usual strident adoration absent from his voice.

"I did not come to hear your sycophantic sniveling."

"No, of course you did not, my lord." He heaved a sigh. "I have no defense to make for myself. In my arrogance I sought to free you from the tainted influence of the human miko. I allowed my prejudice to blind me to the reality of who she is and in so doing have cost you your mate.

I thought that because you were strong enough to survive it, there would be no fault in freeing you from the shackles of her humanity. I was wrong, and I can make no excuse for what I did. I submit myself to your judgement my lord."

Sesshoumaru had entered the dungeon with every intention of making Jaken suffer for what he had done. It was clear that while his mother had not balked at using whatever means necessary to get the info, she had left plenty of potential pain for him to cause.

But as he raised his claws, he thought of Kagome, of the woman this imp had helped try to kill. Of her words before he left her. And, most of all, of the immense compassion that was the core of her being. Even if she were here and intended to make good her threat to end the toad herself, she would still be merciful and do it quickly.

And if she could be merciful after all that had been done to her, then perhaps, so could he. Because, in the end, wasn't this all about her anyway?

Drawing his sword, he told the imp, "She would have asked me not to make you suffer. Be grateful that she was such a one." before ending the toad in one swift stroke.

He walked out of the cell without a backward glance.

Summoning his mother he informed her of his plans and said "This One expects all to be ready when I return."

Kimi smiled with a predator's glee and said "My dear son, this is what I do best. Rest assured all will be in place long before your arrival."

With a smirk Sesshoumaru rose up and vanished on a cloud of youki, intent on finding and destroying the focus of Kagome's curse as soon as possible.