Chapter 30

Dawn broke over the western lands, the gentle rays of light filling the sky with warmth on what had been a long, cold night for most of of the DaiYokai's kingdom. The brisk chill that bit with the wind spoke of the winter that lay not so far ahead. Hanako would fit in beautifully amongst the barren, ice covered branches and perfect, soft whiteness of the snow. Her icy complexion seemed liken to that of an ethereal winter spirit, or a goddess of some sort. With her impossibly fair hair flowing down to partially cover her alabaster curves, and her pale lavender eyes framed with thick eyelashes that looked almost like they could be dusted with snow themselves.

Sesshomaru had not slept, his instincts screaming for him to stay alert and protect his female, who dozed contentedly on his chest, her naked body curled against him. Every inch of her was still warm and rosy to the touch and she shifted slightly in her reverie every now and then, drawing herself as close as possible, though she was completely flush to his own nakedness.

After mating Hanako he had taken her again, this time slowly, lavishing attention on every part of her body, showing her just how beautiful she was without words. Their initial mating had been fueled by their mutual, insatiable desire. It had been primal and animalistic, a joining of not only their bodies but their spirits as well in an ancient ritual that was as explicit as it was sacred. He had wanted to show her that it was not only passion that fueled him, but also deep emotion that had called to him from the depths of her pure soul. She was so unlike the other Inu females he had encountered in his lifetime. So genuine and soft, not hardened by the Yokai ways that were ingrained in them all. She was different, her lovely eyes sparkling with tenderness that shocked him. It was not often that anyone would look upon this Sesshomaru with such feeling, like she could see into the depths of his crooked soul and she loved it, accepted every part of him though he hid behind a mask of cold disinterest. Despite his darkness, she wasn't scared of him. She didn't cower away from his gaze, didn't turn away like so many others had before her. Instead, she readily showered him with her light. She was the sun.

And she seemed so peaceful there in his arms, white-tipped eyelashes fluttering against her pale cheek as she dreamt, her breath ghosting over his skin with a warm sweetness. The DaiYokai laid there beneath her comforting weight with one strong, muscular arm propped behind his head, the other wrapped around her body with his eyes trained on the wooden panels of the ceiling, lost deeply in his thoughts.

He was enjoying this brief moment of respite before the real work began. Along with launching his now full demon brother into his rightful place at court, he would now have to inform them of his choice to mate the snowy Inu who now slept soundly beside him, and he wasn't sure if Hanako herself had really considered the gravity of the situation they were now in.

She would be under intense scrutiny, as the nobles of this land had often questioned his desire to rule alone and pressured him to take a mate and produce an heir, often offering up their sisters and daughters up like prized cattle in hopes that he would show favor on one of them. But to him they were all the same, and though their physical beauty may have been great they inspired nothing within him save for disgust. And in their eyes, Hanako was little more than a servant, just the lady in waiting to his ward, they would not understand the choice he had made and she would suffer for it. No one would dare to question him directly, of course, but gossip would run rampant as it often did. Rumors could be cruel here in this castle.

It mattered very little now though. It was done. She already bore his mark. A small, curved half moon, colored like a dark, blushing rose at the base of her graceful neck. She was unmistakably his. And they were now bound together for eternity, never to choose another.

However, he felt no regret.

How could he with this magnificent creature naked and slumbering against him? She was a true marvel in her beauty alone, not to mention her kind spirit. She would make a fine mate and bear him powerful pups, he was sure. The thought sent a rumble of pleasure echoing through his chest. To see her heavy with his child would bring him great satisfaction indeed.

Then there was the matter of her parents as well. If he recalled correctly, her father was a merchant, and her mother a skilled seamstress, hailing from a clan of snow Inu's high in the mountains of the north. They were a dour, serious breed from what he could remember. All with similar coloring of his new counterpart, though he doubted they shared the same gentle, fawn-like quality that Hanako herself possessed. There were few other of her people in his court, they were lower in ranking but still a respectable clan that produced fine warriors as they were used to living a hard life surrounded by the unforgiving snow.

When dealing with matters such as this, it was important that he followed protocol as much as possible, and he would need to send for her parents immediately so they could bear witness to the official ceremony that would take place in front of the entirety of his domain, as was tradition. She would become his rightful wife, the Lady of the West, forever to rule over this land by his side.

Upon returning to the palace, he had no intention of mating her so soon, but he had been unable to resist her. Her sweet perfume had drawn him in. She was the only being on the face of this earth that Sesshomaru would ever give in to. Even now he trailed his hand along her skin where it rested on her waist, marveling at its softness beneath his claw-tipped fingers, content with the feel of the rise and fall of her chest as she slept and he knew that there was no point in chastising himself now. This was always meant to happen, she was always supposed to be his and he could not muster up even a single shred of remorse at that fact. He could only be grateful.

He basked in the warmth of her presence for a few moments longer before he knew it was time for him to take his leave. He was at loathe to wake her, but there was much to do and it could not be helped.

Gently, he pried her slack, sleeping form off of him and stood to dress himself, picking up the robes he had so carelessly tossed away in the heat of the moment. He could instinctively feel the instant she came into awareness, her eyes lazily opening and landing on him. And she smiled, sleepy but warm, looking at him almost as if they were caught in some beautiful dream. Sunlight from the open windows shimmered along the curves of her naked skin, illuminating her mussed white hair with an ethereal glow as dust motes danced in the air around her like petals.

"Is this real?" Her voice was delicate and drowsy, the sound almost musical to his ears.

He could not help but to lean down and claim her mouth in a tender kiss that stole her breath.

"Very." He spoke softly against her sensuous lips, cradling her face in his palm for a moment before pulling away.

"Ah," She sighed happily. "I thought perhaps I had imagined you here. It would not have been the first time, Sesshomaru-sama. But this is much, much better." She said shyly, looking up at him through her lashes with a blush blooming across her cheeks, very aware of her nakedness but making no move to hide her delicious curves from his hungry gaze.

"Just Sesshomaru." He reminded her, his voice lacking its normal frigidity.

"Yes, of course. I suppose the time for formality between us is gone now." She chuckled sweetly. She looked upon him tenderly, lavender eyes raking up and down his form with unhidden appreciation as he tied his hakama around his waist. "Will you not come back to bed?" her voice had gone heady with lust, her full lip caught between her teeth and he could smell the pheromones of her hunger for him hanging in the air.

Though Hanako had been claimed, her heat was not yet over, and she would be especially ravenous for his touch for a few more days at least, her need great and ferocious.

Inwardly he groaned, wanting more than he was willing to admit to take her again and again until she was nothing more than a limp puddle of sensation. But there were many things that required his attention this day, things that could not be put off just because he hadn't had the good sense to wait just a little longer to make her his mate.

"I will return to you in a matter of hours, I swear it. I would not leave you now if I could avoid it, Hanako."

Her face fell in disappointment, her body language shifting slightly so that her pert breasts were no longer on display.

"I understand." She nodded sagely, her full lip caught between her teeth as she gnawed it with uncertainty.

"Ready yourself for the day, Rin will wake soon and she will still require your care. I will send Jaken to help you gather your things." He pulled his kimono over his muscled shoulders, fastening the ties with practiced speed.

Her arched brow quirked in confusion. "Gather my things?"

"Yes." his eyes did not leave her as he pulled his sword back around his waist. "You will be moving to my quarters immediately, and Rin will have her own rooms within my wing as well." Her smile was radiant, it filled the room with it brightness. He leaned down to give her another slow, tender kiss. "I do not think I could suffer a single night without you now, my mate."

It was a show of affection that was rare coming from him, and he found that his voice did not hold its usual icy pallor. But the look on her face was reward enough. He thought perhaps he would set the world on fire just to see her smiling up at him like that.

"Yes, Sesshomaru." her desire for him was still evident in the narrowed, heady expression she wore but there was also love shining there. Pure and unabashed, like staring into the sun itself.

As he left her to stride back out into the open hallway he schooled his expression back into a perfect mask of indifference, his eyes passing over the InuYokai guards that were stationed there to watch over both Hanako and Rin with an easy coldness. Though he knew that they had heard the voracious sounds of their lovemaking with their demonic ears, but they said nothing, giving only a respectful bow as he passed.

The castle was bright and bustling with life even at this early hour, and all who crossed his path greeted him with reverence, but he paid them no mind, his gaze trained coldly ahead. He found his vassal in his very own study, the large windows thrown open so as to let the cool breeze pass through, warm sunlight pouring in to stream across the floor. At his entrance, the small toad demon startled from where he had been busying himself sorting through documents, his obscenely large yellow eyes going even wider.

"Lord Sesshomaru! You have returned!" The Yokai squeaked, instantly dropping to his knees in a deep bow, his forehead touching the wooden floor.

"You are very observant, Jaken." The DaiYokai said dryly, not even a hint of emotion flitting over his face.

The toad clambered to his feet ungracefully, his grubby little hands stuffing themselves inside of the draping black sleeves of his simple kimono as he awaited Sesshomaru's orders.

"Call the upon the council so that I may address them, and send Atsunobu to see me at once. InuYasha has returned to claim his place here in the palace, and you will see to it that he is attended to until I have a spare moment to see him myself. You will also aid Lady Hanako in relocating to my quarters, and place Rin in one of the empty rooms there."

The Yokai was sputtering at the sudden intake of information, unsure of how to respond. "My lord-"

"Is there a reason you are still standing there, Jaken? there is no time for you to waste. Go. Now."

He looked on him with an icy sternness that made the little imps blood run cold.

"Yes my Lord! At once!" he screeched, already scurrying out of the room before Sesshomaru could turn those impossibly frigid golden eyes on him again. The DaiYokai felt no remorse at his callous treatment of him, after all he had begged to be in this position, had groveled at his feet for just the chance to serve him.

He turned his gaze to look out over at what had once been his fathers kingdom, his ancestral lands that had belonged to his family for eons and would be passed down to his children, and their children in turn. It was pleasantly cool, the sky streaked with white clouds that reflected the bright rays of the sun. The air seemed to hold a lightness to it, the urgency of the past two nights having given way to a new dawn of hope. If he had been anyone else, his lips would have turned up in a smile at the thought. But instead his face remained completely impassive, showing no hint at the turn his mind had taken.

Strangely, he was oddly relieved that his brother had lived. It felt that for once, he had done something right, something that would benefit him none, something that his pure-hearted mate would be proud of. Though in the end, it would most likely be more troublesome than he had accounted for, he knew that his father would have wanted it this way. The kami had said so himself. The great Inu no Taisho had always intended for InuYasha to take his place here in his palace, and Sesshomaru had set it right once and for all. Perhaps his fathers ghost was now looking down on him with pride from wherever his soul now rested, finally.

A sudden knock came at the door, interrupting his thoughts. He turned with a flourish of fur and fabric, his voice even when he spoke. "Enter."

Atsunobu entered, greeting him with a low bow before meeting his eyes. "My Lord. You sent for me?" The russet Inu stood with his his frame set strongly, his long copper hair falling around him, the sides braided to keep it from falling into his face. He wore a simple black haori with matching hakama, his plain armor over his chest and shoulders as was custom for a warrior.

"Atsunobu." Sesshomaru addressed him, giving a curt nod. "My brother has returned as a full Yokai, and as such he will take his place in this realm as my second. I would have you assign your firstborn as his personal aid. He will tend to whatever InuYasha desires, and help to teach him of our ways."

The Inu's expression turned dubious. "Harusuke? He is only a young pup, my lord, only three hundred years of age. And a bit cocky and strong-willed, if I may be frank. But if you are certain, I will send for him immediately." He had worded his response carefully so as not to directly question his alpha's command, but Sesshomaru could tell that he was surprised by what he had asked of him and could not completely hide his uncertainty at the curious request.

"Yes, I am familiar with his temperament." He said wryly, recalling the many times Atsunobu had been forced to drag the young Inu out of various council meetings for his crass tongue that seemed to take some measure of pleasure in stirring the court. "I think they perhaps would be a good match. InuYasha will need someone he can learn to trust here, he will be quite cautious, I am sure."

"As you wish, Sesshomaru-sama." He bowed in response, seeming satisfied with the DaiYokai's mild explanation.

"There is another matter I would bring to your attention before I address the council."

The other Inu's copper eyes glinted with curiosity, silently urging him to continue.

"As of last night I have taken Lady Hanako as my mate. You will aid Jaken in preparing a ceremony for our formal binding that will take place later in the week, as well as notifying her kin."

Outright bewilderment glinted in Atsunobu's eyes, a smile dancing along his lips that stretched across his tanned face, revealing two sharps fangs that were rarely seen as the Yokai was not one for brazen shows of emotion.

"Ah, congratulations my Lord. I had sensed the girls affection for you, but I was not certain that you returned it. Your father would be quite proud at your selection, she is a fine female and with the Kami's blessing I am sure she will bear you many strong heirs." His voice held absolute sincerity, not a hint of deception in his tone.

Sesshomaru inclined his head slightly, his show of thanks.

"Indeed. Now carry out your orders swiftly. There is much to be done."

At his dismissal the russet Inu bowed once more, taking his leave silently. The DaiYokai was glad to have the bulk of his duties taken care of, now there was only the matter of the council and InuYasha himself to deal with, and then he could return to Hanako and ravage her as many times as her body could handle. The thought sent a rush of pure heat surging through his blood, his mind flashing with memories of her soft, pale skin, her provocative scent curling through the air around their intertwined bodies like expensive perfume.

Yes, he would take her as many times as she would let him, making her quiver and yelp with pleasure until they were both utterly spent.

InuYasha had slept fitfully, tossing and turning much of the night, unable to feel safe here though he sensed no ill will here in these halls. He couldn't help but to be on edge. The abrupt change in his physical form as well as the sudden turn that Sesshomaru's demeanor had taken made him uneasy. His brother had never shown him a single shred of kindness in his entire life, until yesterday. He had inexplicably pulled him from the cold jaws of death, even going so far as to catapult him into this new identity that he had long sought after. It was completely unlike him. The Sesshomaru that he had known had been a cold, murderous son of a bitch who never looked out for anyone but himself. So what had changed?

Why was he suddenly going out of his way to help his pathetic Hanyou of a brother that he had spent every day of his life despising? Had his icy heart begun to thaw? Or was it all just some sort of convoluted plot to finally end him once and for all? The latter seemed very unlikely. If Sesshomaru had wanted him dead he could have just left him to the Band of Seven, he was only moments from crossing the barrier into the next plane before the DaiYokai had stepped in.

But the idea that Sesshomaru had developed a conscience was even more insane.

Either way, InuYasha couldn't trust him.

He was only here because he had often longed for a connection to his late father, other than the fang that had been passed on to him in the form of the mighty sword Tessaiga. And he knew that he would never be able to stop thinking of what could have been if he had chosen to walk away. It would have been easier, he was sure, but much less satisfying. And his gut had told him that this was where he was supposed to be. For the time being, at least.

But Kagome was always in the forefront of his mind. He wished he had told Sango and Miroku about his foolish endeavor before he had impulsively sprung into action against the band of seven. Perhaps then Kagome would somehow be able to figure out what had happened, so she didn't assume the worst. He could only hope Tsukuyomi would fill her in the next time they spoke. For now, he was the only viable link between them.

His heart ached for her.

With every breath he longed for her touch, for the comforting reassurance that her presence provided. He felt like half of him was missing when they were apart like this, with so much distance between them. Not only physical distance, but nearly five hundred years of time separated them now as well. She was impossibly far, and he had only the memory of her warm brown eyes to keep close to his heart.

A heavy sigh passed his lips as he rose from the regal futon that had given him no relief throughout the night. He much preferred to rest high up in a tree surrounded by the sounds of the forest to lull him to sleep. This setting was much too foreign and made him deeply uncomfortable.

He stretched languidly, shaking the stiffness out of his muscles. He was sick of looking at this room, he decided. He needed fresh air, needed to lay eyes on the kingdom he had so longed to see while it was not cast in the dark shadow of the night. No one had told him explicitly that he was confined here, and now that he was no longer a Hanyou he figured he could defend himself well enough, though he may get a bit lost in the vastness of these halls.

He was still dressed in the light sleeping outfit he'd been given by the Kitsune twins last night, and he found himself reaching for the red robe of the fire rat without thinking, but he paused, remembering that they had said they would place the kimono Karitei had given him in his chambers before morning.

True to their word, he found them folded neatly on the low table of the sitting room, a small fire stoked in the hearth there. They had slipped in and out without him noticing, which was unsurprising given the nature of their breed though it still annoyed him.

His face was schooled in a characteristic scowl as he dressed, pulling the Tessaiga about his waist with a huff. "Damn foxes. could've at least knocked." he grumbled.

He made for the door, but stopped short of opening it, sensing an unfamiliar presence rapidly approaching.

He automatically bristled with aggression, his lips drawn back over his sharp fangs in a viscous snarl. He had already been on edge because he was in this foreign realm, deep in the belly of his brother's palace, and with this new unbidden energy prickling along his own flow of Yokai he was set off. He threw open the heavy wooden door, expecting anything other than what he found.

Leaned causally against the wall opposite him was a tall, slender, dark-skinned InuYokai looking very much bored and unimpressed. His copper colored hair was fashioned in many long braids woven through with cords of leather, with a good bit of it hanging free in wavy ribbons down his back. His eyes were the color of rust, and he picked at his teeth with his sharp claws, his expression mild and disinterested as he met InuYasha's gaze without hesitation.

"Well good morning to you too." The unknown Inu said with dry sarcasm, his voice deep but still boyish, giving away his youth.

InuYasha faltered a bit, his anger at being ambushed dying down to be replaced with annoyance as he saw the man was obviously no threat. If it came to blows InuYasha instinctively knew that he was stronger and could very easily subdue him.

"What do you want?" He barked gruffly, hand twitching unconsciously for the hilt of his sword.

The other Inu rolled his eyes as he folded his arms across his chest nonchalantly, the dark black of his haori only serving to make his eyes seem brighter and more fiery. "Are you always this cheerful?" He snorted, a cocky smirk pulling at his lips that only irritated InuYasha even more.

"Shut up. I asked you a question." He all but growled in response, his jaw clenched and his shoulders set in a rigid line. "What. Do. You. Want."

"Yeah you seem like a bucket of fun." He shook his head as he chuckled, bouncing off the wall casually to stand straight before giving a trenchant bow. "The name is Harusuke, my lord." his voice was arrogant, tinged with derisive humor that grated on InuYasha's nerves. "Sesshomaru-sama has ordered me to show you the ropes here."

"Why you?" His eyes narrowed in distrust, giving the Inu a once over, finding that he was altogether very childish in his demeanor.

"Probably his idea of punishing me." Harusuke shrugged, "The man is known for his sick sense of humor."

He couldn't agree more.

"Well beat it, kid. I don't want your help." His words held a surly bite as he pushed past the young Inu to stalk down the hallway with purpose, though truthfully he had no idea where he was going.

"See, that's gonna be a problem then." He jogged a bit to catch up, falling in stride beside him. "Cause these are my orders, and I can't exactly tell Sesshomaru-sama no, can I? Trust me, I don't like this any more than you do."

"Tough shit. I said get lost."

"Yeah that's not gonna really work for me." The russet Inu bounded in front of him to stop him in his tracks. If looks could kill, he surely would have been a pile of bloody mush on the perfectly polished floor with the way InuYasha was shooting daggers at him through his narrowed golden eyes. "Listen, you're new here, I get that, but there's a certain way things go around this place."

"Oh yeah?" InuYasha spat, his tone sharp enough to cut glass. "And which way is that?"

"You either follow Lord Sesshomaru's orders or you die. Its pretty simple actually, and I don't particularly feel like dying today."

The silver haired Inu was seething now. "I wouldn't give a fuck if you dropped dead right here. What I want is for you to get the hell out of my way and leave me be before I beat Sesshomaru to the punch and take your head from those weak ass shoulders of yours."

Despite his threating aura that flared around them both, a slow smile worked its way across Harusake's lips.

"Well its a good thing you're bluffing. There's no way you'd be dumb enough to kill one of Lord Sesshomaru's subjects, especially because this is the first time you've been allowed to step foot here, seeing as how you were a Hanyou up until two days ago. Wouldn't be a very good first impression, would it?"

InuYasha scowled deeply, his thick brows drawing into an expression of Inu was right. But that didn't mean he was any less annoyed. And he hated the smirk on his face and the wicked flash of triumph that shone in his hooded copper eyes. There was a challenge there, one that said no matter InuYasha's newfound status that Harusuke wasn't afraid of him, and he wouldn't back down even if he thought he might lose.

Part of him respected that. He would've liked a groveling beta even less.

"Keh. Whatever. Just stay out of my way." He groused finally, flashing his fangs again in an irritated way before he stalked off down the long hallway. The walls around him shone a dark, polished wood, lined with thick red pillars place intermittently. There were a few other shoji doors but there was no scent of life to them, just stale, dusty rooms that had probably laid dormant for many years.

InuYasha tried to ignore the Inu behind him, who he could hear following at an apathetic pace, keeping a few feet distance between them. But it was impossible. Every smack of his feet against the elaborately paneled floor grated on his already volatile nerves.

He just grit his teeth and kept on, determined to explore these new surroundings regardless of the extremely aggravating Inu at his back. Despite his arrogant attitude, Harusuke's aura seemed harmless enough. He could sense no malicious energy, and his flow of Yokai was surprisingly mild as it invisibly whipped at the air around him where he lagged behind. He was no threat. But still bothersome nonetheless.

He came upon the set of heavy wooden doors that he had passed through last night and he paused, sniffing the air in a very dog-like fashion. On the other side, he could scent many different breeds of demons, their scents overlapping and mixing so many times that he couldn't pick them apart specifically to identify each of them.

"You gonna open it or are you just gonna keep standing there?" The russet Inu behind him chuckled, his arms crossed with his head cocked to the side as if InuYasha was being foolish.

"Keh. Shut up." He grumbled, centering himself before finally pushing the doors open.

It was like everything around him suddenly froze in place.

Court ladies in all their silk and finery, eyes wide and their perfectly painted lips hanging open in surprise. Servants of all breeds, carrying various trays and escorting the upper class stopped dead in their tracks to gawk.

He let his arms fall to his sides, holding his head up high despite the feeling inside of him that made him want to crumble beneath the heavy judgement of their collective gaze. The Hanyou that he had been not so long ago would have faltered then. But Instead he drew himself up and schooled a hard, unforgiving look onto his face, meeting every pair of eyes that dared to make contact. He stepped forward, followed by Harusuke, challenging the room without uttering a word. He was no longer the scared little boy who ran and hid, no longer the outcast who would not be accepted by his own kin. He was InuYasha, son of the great Inu no Taisho. And he would not be made to feel small ever again.

"My Lord InuYasha." A small voice squeaked to his left.

He looked down to see a small servant girl on her knees bowing at his feet, having set down the box of linens she had been carrying. She bowed so low that her forehead nearly touched the floor, her mousy brown hair hanging down to cover her face.

"Get up." He mumbled, trying, but failing, to keep the embarrassment he felt from leaking into his voice.

"I was just on my way to ask you where you would like to take your breakfast, my Lord. I did not know you would wake so early." She finally looked up but did not rise, her eyes were also brown. Large and wide-set, they were framed by long sparse lashes, and he could practically feel her nervousness.

The whole room was watching. No one spoke or moved an inch, waiting to see if he was as cold as his brother, no doubt.

"Get up, girl." InuYasha said again, more firmly this time. She hastily followed his command, the simple woven kimono she wore rustling as she stood. "I want to see the grounds. I'll find my own breakfast later."

The girl wrung her hands together as she nodded, bowing at her waist before picking up the basket she had been carrying.

"Hai, my Lord. Would you like me to escort you?"

"That's alright Tsuya. I'll be showing him around for now. Don't let us hold you up anymore, I'm sure you have plenty to do." Harusuke stepped forward with a cocky grin stretching across his face as he stared down at the little Yokai with an amused glint in his copper eyes. A blush almost immediately blossomed on her fair, freckled cheeks and she shifted her gaze away skittishly.

"Of course, Harusuke." She hurriedly gathered herself and rushed away gracefully, disappearing down one of the many halls that branched off from this central room. Slowly, as the interaction with Tsuya had wore on, the quiet that had fallen over the on lookers around them had ebbed away, their voices rising in hushed whispers as they continued to look him up and down, probably analyzing everything he did down to the very way he carried himself.

"Come on, lets get out of here." Harusuke scoffed, looking unimpressed with the way everyone gaped at the newly named Prince. "This way."

He led him past the whispering crowd, through what seemed like a maze of splendor before they finally exited through one of the many doors out into open air.

The sun shone down, oblivious to the heavy weight that seemed to have settled there on InuYasha's shoulders even as his breath rushed out in an arduous sigh.

He hated high society. Everything here just reminded him of his childhood. The whispering, the staring, it all drug up memories of when he and his mother had lived in her family's palace and the abuse they had both suffered there.

Izayoi

It was not often that he thought about his mother. Every time the memory of her danced through his mind he was met with the sharp sting of long-harbored pain. It had been over two hundred years since she had passed on, but he could still remember her scent as if she was standing next to him now.

Orange blossoms and the salt from her tears that never quite seemed to have the time to dry.

He wondered what she would say if she could see him now. Sometimes it felt like he would give anything to hear her soft voice again, to be small and run into her arms because she was the only one who had ever tried to keep him safe when he was young. He missed her.

"So, this is the central courtyard. It's the heart of the palace. You can pretty much get to anywhere you want from here, except for Lord Sesshomaru's quarters." Harusuke broke his reverie, the Inu walking over to lean on one of the dark wooden columns.

He looked around, his keen golden eyes absorbing every detail down to the last pebble that decorated the ground.

The stood on a covered porch of sorts, in front of a set of low stairs that led down into the garden. The paths there were lined with vibrant looking plants that seemed to almost glimmer in the bright sunlight, their elegant leaves rustling with the slight breeze. It was all too manicured and perfect. No birds or wildlife populated the area, only the occasional servant Yokai bustling along without taking notice of them. Nothing was out of place. Not a branch, pebble, or even a speck of dirt. It was like they'd stepped into a painting.

Nonetheless it was underwhelming to say the least. Even in its perfection it was almost identical to every other garden he had seen in his life, nothing special about it.

"Keh. Boring." He muttered to himself mostly, crossing his arms. He didn't know what he'd expected, exactly. Maybe some cool Yokai relics or ancient something but it was all very regular.

"Unimpressed, are we?" Harusuke wore a devilish smile, a sly glint in his rust colored eyes that prickled at InuYasha's nerves. "Well, I could show you the training arena, if you'd like. Might be a bit more your speed, my Lord."

He hated the way he said that. Lord. Like he was mocking him.

"Stop fucking calling me that. I have a name." InuYasha spat in response, already growing tired of the Inu's attitude even after only being in his presence for a total of ten minutes. "Take me there, then. And do me a favor, stop talking."

The cocky Yokai seemed to smile even wider, exposing both of his sharps fangs that gleamed wickedly in the low light.

"As you wish, InuYasha."

Miroku sat poised at the edge of the gentle river that flowed just past Edo, his small black book in hand as he scribbled in it here in there. One of his best kept secrets was that he wrote poetry. It wasn't very good, at least he didn't think so, but he felt it was a good way to pass the time on slow days like this.

It had been around two weeks since the sudden disappearance of Kagome. He had only seen InuYasha very briefly since then and that had been over a week ago now. There was no telling what he was up to. Probably off sulking somewhere since it had been so long since Kagome had left. Or at least that's what he hoped. He didn't know what had happened, exactly. Sango seemed to be in the loop but she had been very tight-lipped about the whole thing, especially around Shippo. All he could get out of her was that the priestess was okay, she just needed to go back to her own time to recoup from the trauma she'd suffered. But Miroku had a feeling that something truly awful had happened, even worse than just being held hostage by a truly evil group of individuals, as bad as that was.

But he didn't press the issue. If Sango felt he needed to know, then she would tell him. Otherwise, it was really none of his business. He couldn't deny the fact that he was itching to get traveling again, though. A break was nice, but at the same time it was hard for him to truly rest these days. He could sense Naraku's malevolent presence on the air, growing exponentially as time wore on. It prickled uncomfortably at his skin in the dead of night, pulled on his spirit even now as the sun shone down on the land that lay peaceful and still.

The feeling made him want to grind his teeth down to nothing. Made him want to pull his hair out by the fistful and scream.

They needed to get back to the shard hunt soon, but he had no way to even begin looking for InuYasha, much less Kagome. But at this rate they were running out of time for lollygagging. It was time to get back to work.

"Houshi. What are you doing looking so pensive?"

He turned his head at the sound of Sango's voice, so unusually light and playful, to see her standing a few feet away with a basket of herbs settled on her hip, her full lips lifted in a small half smile.

He couldn't help the grin that broke out across his face at the sight of her. Her rich brown her was tied loosely, a few stands having escaped from the ribbon that secured it at the base of her graceful neck to frame her delicate face. Her eyes, the color of dried tea leaves, shone with an unreadable emotion, framed by thick lashes and decorated with a magenta swipe of makeup on each almond-shaped lid. She was breathtaking, that was undeniable. But there was also hidden strength there. Even out of her traditional Taijiya garb, she seemed so powerful. Just the way she carried herself, the set of her shoulders and the confidence in which she walked, it was apparent that she could kill a man with only her bare hands if she so wished it.

Something about that was very arousing, he had no shame in admitting that. Her body was curved with lean muscle and a supple thickness that very much appealed to him. What he would give to see that brightly colored kimono in tattered shreds on the ground.

"Ah, Lady Sango. I am just appreciating the lovely weather we have today."

He was also appreciating the sudden change in scenery, he thought lewdly as he eyed her curves.

She rolled her eyes, likely guessing the turn his thoughts had taken.

"Mhm. Knowing you, you're up to something lecherous. Probably plotting your next conquest, no doubt." She snorted incredulously, only half joking. With one hand on her hip and the other still balancing a woven basket she looked like she was only barely restraining herself from giving him a very undeserving scolding. He was only innocently writing his hidden poetry on the peaceful river bank after all, and for once, had no ill intentions whatsoever. Even he needed time to himself to clear his mind occasionally. And so he couldn't help but laugh, knowing she wasn't completely serious anyway.

"Sango, we both know there is only one woman that has entirely captured my attention."

His voice dropped an octave, becoming a bit rough and sultry and the sound sent shivers down her spine that she did her best to dismiss. But Sango could feel her heart beating faster inside her chest now as his indigo eyes shimmered with suggestive intent that seemed to draw her in even deeper.

She gulped, her mouth going painfully dry all of the sudden.

She felt her grip tighten on the basket on her waist, her eyes lowering for a moment before flickering back up to meet those infinite pools of dark sapphire that seemed to call to every part of herself that she tried so desperately to keep hidden. A deep blush bloomed across her cheeks as she finally spoke, drawing up every bit of strength that she possessed to keep her voice from quivering.

"And who would that be, monk?"

His full lips quirked in a dangerous half smile that ignited a fire low in her belly and she watched, transfixed as he closed his little black book and stuffed it into the black robe he wore before slowly rising up from the ground, every calculated movement laced with intent. He turned around, his gaze locking onto hers again as he slowly drew closer. With every step he took her heart seemed to thump faster and faster, and she was frozen there, locked in by his narrowed gaze that seemed to pry her open and peek inside at her innermost parts.

He stopped when he was only a hairsbreadth away, towering over her in a way that made her feel feminine and small, something that did not happen often. Most of the time she was the strongest person in the room, save for when InuYasha or another Yokai was around. She was used to beating up men and demons alike, and she was pleasantly surprised to find she liked this feeling. Like she was a dainty damsel at the mercy of this devastatingly handsome man.

She looked up at him through heavy lashes, feigning a confidence that she did not feel.

"Is it not obvious?" His voice was thick, rolling across her skin like a luscious river of silk and she wanted to lean into him then but she resisted. Though inside everything was screaming for her to kiss him. His mouth looked so inviting. Unconsciously her lounge darted out to wet her lips and she shifted almost imperceptibly closer.

No, you should show me.

But she wasn't quite brave enough to say that out loud.

She knew she should put a stop to this before it got out of hand but she couldn't bring herself to break the moment. The air around them seemed to be charged with electricity, and the way he was looking at her, with open hunger, was enough to have heat pooling there were her thighs met.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She said breathily, eyes flashing down to his mouth and back up again.

The look on his face turned sly, and she knew he could see right through her. Without warning his hand drifted up to caress her cheek and she froze. His touch was soft at first, almost feather-light, but after a brief second his hand was sliding through her dark locks to tighten there at the back of her neck, and he was pulling her in for a searing kiss.

The basket she'd been holding tumbled to the ground, completely forgotten as her hands worked their way across his broad chest to circle around his neck, her entire body going up in flames as his mouth worked against her own.

This was the first time they had kissed since that night on the hill. Since then, she had been doing her best to keep herself from falling into Miroku's grasp, but she knew it would only be a matter of time before she gave in, and she had been right. Because at that moment, as he snaked his hand across her waist to caress her backside and pull her flush against his hard body, she could've sworn she was floating. His tongue stroked hotly inside her mouth, eliciting low moans to tear themselves from her throat and every cell in her body seemed to light up with need.

Their first kiss had been clumsy and all together rather innocent. But this, this was pure fire. It was passionate and borderline lewd, fueled by their mutual want that had been denied for far too long.

When he finally broke away they were both breathing hard. Her lips were swollen and hot, her skin flushed with lust as she looked at him through heavy lidded eyes.

"Hopefully that clears things up for you, Lady Sango." He said quietly, looking at her deeply for a long moment before slowly turning and walking away, leaving her there gaping after him with her hair mussed and her cheeks burning.

Kagome stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jacket to guard them against the brisk wind that whipped around her as she walked idly down the sidewalk. It was well after midnight, and the sky was painted a deep blue, lit with neon lights as Tokyo came to life under the stars. The city around her was still bustling with nightlife, the few bars she passed had jovial shouts of "kanpai!" spilling out onto the street as the business men and young folk alike drank the night away.

But her own mood was sour. She could feel her body crying out for rest even though her mind raced with thoughts of the journey that lay ahead of her. Her belly heavy with a stone of nervous energy that wouldn't seem to dissipate now matter how exhausted her body was.

But she was restless.

She had spent hours lying awake in her cold, empty room, tossing and turning as her thoughts were polluted with the endless list of unknowns that seemed to outweigh everything else. So fitfully, she had decided to take a walk. Maybe the fresh air would clear her head and settle her spirit a bit. She had class in the morning but she didn't care. She was used to being tired.

The moon that hung only half full in the starry sky felt like it was mocking her with its chilly silence. Despite that, there was one image implanted in her brain that she couldn't shake.

InuYasha, looking at her with a burning intensity flaming in his golden eyes, his silver hair whipping around him in the wind as his lips formed the words I love you.

It was enough to make her heart beat a little faster as it swelled with emotion deep in her chest.

She didn't know where she was going. She just let her feet carry her forward, her eyes trained ahead but not really seeing anything as she was lost in the thought of his tender whispers and the slow caress of his claws against her sensitive skin. There was no denying that her body craved him. It had been around two weeks since she'd seen him last, two weeks since she'd felt him buried inside of her.

Involuntarily her cheeks flushed a dark pink with the memories that came unbidden, flooding her with feelings she didn't know what to do with.

The glowing neon sign of a Seven-Elven came up ahead of her, piercing the night and pulling her away from the lewd thoughts that filled her mind.

She was glad she had thought to grab her wallet before she'd left the house, as she suddenly had a craving for a milk tea. Though, as she felt around in her pockets she realized that she had forgotten her phone. Her brows lowered as she frowned lightly. She was only just barely ten minutes from home but still, she couldn't believe she had forgotten it. That was very unlike her actually. While she was in the present time at least, she usually made sure she always had her cell on her. There wasn't much use for her iPhone in the Edo period, she thought wryly.

The glass door beeped sharply as she entered under the bright artificial lights, The cashier barely looked up from his magazine, greeting her casually while he flipped the pages noisily.

She nodded politely, taking a while to browse and make her drink. Soft music that was mostly pleasant drifted from speakers that hung high on the walls and eventually she stumbled down an isle with toiletries stacked on the cheap metal shelves, her eyes grazing over them idly.

She finally made her way up to the counter and paid for her things, offering up a wan smile as she thanked the empty looking man who rung her up and swiftly left the store. It was nearing one in the morning now, and the city was just barely slowed down. But the part of the street she was on was deserted, the street lamp above her flickering in a way that sent an eerie shiver down her spine.

A sudden tingle spread across the back of her neck as she froze there for a moment. Was there someone there? Kagome looked around anxiously, eyes raking over the closed shops and the dimly lit bars that seemed so far away and saw no one. But there was no mistaking that feeling.

She was being watched.

She quickly hurried back the way she'd come, towards the shrine where she'd stupidly left her phone. She was cursing herself for it now. Something felt off. There was a sort of energy in the air prickling at her skin and settling over her with an unsettling film.

Danger

A little voice in the back of her head was screaming it, a warning.

And yet, she felt no hint of Yokai nearby. Whoever was watching her was a human.

She did her best to maintain a calm façade. but her knuckles were white where they clutched her quickly forgotten drink. Her heart raced in her chest as her feet seemed to slam against the pavement, the sound seeming to echo out into the hollow night, only serving to heighten her panic.

There were people up ahead, she could hear them, voices muffled into a deep hum over the pounding baseline of a song. They weren't quite close enough for her to see clearly, she could just barely make out a few fuzzy silhouettes colored in shadow and blue neon light from the bar they crowded around.

Kagome felt her fear lessen for a moment, because she knew as long as she could make it close to the blanket of safety that a crowd of people offered, she would be okay.

Just as the though crossed her mind cold hands came around her shoulders like a vice grip, seeming to appear out of the shadows like smoke to snatch her into the dark alley she had tried to rush past. Her drink tumbled from her hand, spilling onto the street as the sounds of her muffled screams were swallowed by the inferno of the bustling city.

A/N: Reuploading because I didn't realize how many mistakes I missed, and I felt like this bit with Kagome fit best here. Love you guys! working on the next chapter as we speak :)