InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bloodlust ❯ Sweet Solemnity ( Chapter 11 )

Kagome looked down between her body and Sesshomaru's through the mist pooled at her feet, and looked up at her mate's face, exhilarated. Shippou clung to her, eyes squeezed tight shut until he felt Kagome's feet touch the ground. In the two days that they had stayed with Kaede, Shippou had healed enough so Kagome felt safe letting him walk around on his own, and Sesshomaru's wounds were almost completely gone. She had been surprised when he hadn't healed immediately, as he had after their first battle with InuYasha, but she suspected that the renewed trauma to the old wounds had caused more damage than he was willing to admit.

She was surprised too at how well Shippou had taken to Sesshomaru. He seemed to have the same faith in her ability to keep Sesshomaru from hurting him that he had had in her control over InuYasha with the prayer beads, and the fact remained that Sesshomaru was a much more imposing father figure than the childish hanyou had been. She knew too that his own instincts would lead him to trust his mother's mate, and she had seen the word on the tip of his tongue more than once. She looked back at Sango and Miroku, getting down from Kirara's back just behind her, and watched them stare open mouthed at the castle in front of them. Even Kagome, who had wandered its halls and gardens for a week was impressed by the view.

The castle towered over them, forbidding and stone, positioned behind high walls. The gates were some sturdy, solid wood, emblazoned with a great white inu-youkai, which Kagome assumed was Sesshomaru's family crest. He placed one hand on the gates, and they opened to his touch. Kagome followed him through, motioning to the others. They were barely two feet into the castle grounds when Rin ran up and threw her arms around Sesshomaru's legs.

"Lord Sesshomaru came back! Rin was afraid Lord Sesshomaru and `Kaasan were gone forever!"

Shippou peeked out at the babbling girl from behind Sesshomaru's lets, having narrowly avoided Rin's flailing arms. Sesshomaru looked amused.

"Kagome, I will leave you to acquaint these two, and I will bring the Lady Sango and - "

Miroku bowed slightly.

"Miroku, Lord Sesshomaru. A humble Buddhist monk."

Sesshomaru nodded.

"The Lady Sango and Houshi-Miroku to their chambers. You will meet us for a meal when they are refreshed?"

Kagome nodded and brushed her lips across his gently.

"Thank you, Sess-chan, for letting them come visit with us."

He raised an eyebrow.

"It is your home too, my mate."

Miroku watched the exchange with interest, surprised by the changes in the normally cold youkai Lord…but he had to admit that Kagome could probably work those changes in anyone. Sesshomaru gestured to them, and they followed him inside the castle proper. Sango stared around her in complete awe. The castle was beautiful on the inside, smooth and polished stone walls and floors. Vibrant tapestries hung on most of the walls, and she touched one gently on her way up a flight of stairs, marveling at the softness. Sesshomaru stopped in the middle of the long hallway that led to his chambers, opposite two doors that faced each other across the hall.

"For the Lady Sango, these rooms on the right. Houshi-Miroku, the chambers on the left."

Miroku nodded cordially, and entered his rooms. Sesshomaru turned to Sango, and opened the door to her rooms.

"Kagome has told me you enjoy hot springs. The castle was built around several, and if you desire I will send Jaken to guide you there before we dine. Also you will find kimono and other such things in the wardrobe in the main room."

"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru…I would very much appreciate a hot bath."

He nodded, and signaled to Jaken, giving him instructions to take Sango to the hot springs, ignoring the short toad youkai's muttering. He went into the library and sat, pen in hand, wondering how he could introduce the new Lady of the West to the other Lords and their mates, as tradition required. He had never been one for social engagements, except for those things which were necessary to maintain alliances with a degree of cordiality. He struck upon the idea of a formal dinner, something that would allow him to keep his sanity, and immediately set about making plans.

Kagome took Shippou and Rin each by the hand, and walked with them towards Rin's favorite garden. Rin stared interestedly at Shippou's bushy tail.

"You are Shippou! Is Lady Kagome Shippou's okaasan too? Lady Kagome is Rin's okaasan, because Rin's okaasan was taken away by mean wolves, and then Lady Kagome mated Lord Sesshomaru. Rin does not know `mated' but Lord Sesshomaru says Rin should not know until she is older."

Kagome smiled.

"Yes, I am Shippou's okaasan too, Rin. But you must promise to be careful while you're playing, because Shippou got hurt a little while ago. That is why we left, Rin. Lord Sesshomaru and I went to save Shippou, and we had to leave very fast, so we didn't tell you."

The girl looked relieved, and her eyes did their best saucer impression as she looked at Shippou with a new, childish respect.

"Were you fighting, Shippou? Rin wants to learn to fight, and Lady Kagome said she would teach Rin when Rin was older!"

Rin was silent for a moment, and then she looked up at Kagome with excited eyes.

"'Kaasan, Rin is older now than when she asked before! Does Rin get to learn fighting soon?"

Kagome laughed.

"I will talk to Lord Sesshomaru, and we will do what he says, okay Rin?"

The girl nodded, and ran off into the flowers in the garden, calling happily for Shippou to follow her. Kagome smiled, and went into the smaller, more private garden that held the fountain at its center, the garden that had become her own private sanctuary, the garden where Sesshomaru had first kissed her. Her lips tingled in memory, and she dragged her fingertips lazily through the cool water of the fountain. It dripped down her fingers and off her claws like pearls from a string, and the sunlight dappled her hair with the patterns of the leaves above her. A heavy, slow drowse crept into her thoughts, and she walked with tranced footsteps to where Shippou and Rin were playing. She lay on the warm grass, and closed her eyes, soaking the sun into her skin, feeling a softer, deeper warmth than the suns bright shining heat.

Sesshomaru set aside his guest list, and looked out over the balcony that was connected to the library. He stared out over his lands, heard the distant laughter of the children, and jumped gracefully down, sniffing around for Kagome's scent. He found her, lying half asleep among the flowers, and thought she looked more beautiful in that moment than he had ever seen her, dressed in a green kimono with the long halo of her hair spread around her, she seemed to him a vision of a forest goddess. She turned her head slightly and smiled at him.

"Hello my mate…have you come to collect us?"

He laughed softly and sat beside her, drawing her up until her head lay comfortably across his lap.

"I came to be with my mate, and to speak to you of something that is of slight importance. We must introduce you to the Lords of the other lands, and I thought perhaps a formal dinner would be best."

He frowned slightly.

"I am…not socially inclined."

She giggled.

"Whatever you think is best, Sess-chan. How…do the other Lords feel about humans?"

He blinked thoughtfully.

"As far as I am aware, I do not believe any of them have any significant feelings one way or the other. They most certainly do not hold them as equals with youkai…but that is a trait of all youkai. But you don't need to worry koi, you are not human."

She shook her head.

"I was more worried about Sango and Miroku. I would love for them to stay, but perhaps it would be best for them to leave before this dinner."

Sesshomaru heard the note of sadness in her voice, and traced the curve of her arm thoughtfully.

"They will respect any who stay under my protection, at risk of insulting my honor, and more so because Houshi-Miroku and the Lady Sango are well able to protect themselves. The tale of the miko and her companions that defeated Naraku is well known in youkai circles…and they would honor them because you are beautiful and powerful, and they are your friends."

Kagome smiled, and sat up slowly, shaking the sleep out of her head.

"I will ask them if they wish to stay."

She sighed.

"I just wish they could stay forever."

She stood and called for the children, and Shippou jumped awkwardly into her arms, careful of his injured ribs. She took Rin by the hand, and looked up at Sesshomaru, catching him looking at the kit and the girl with a glimmering tenderness.

"Affection again, Sess-chan?"

He put his arm around her waist, and the four of them walked towards the dining hall.

"Only for you, my Kagome."

Her eyes smiled softly.

A shorter chapter than the last one, and a little fluffy I know, but fluff is required because Sess-chan is just so beautiful! Many many thanks to Orb for her kind reviews…I'm glad my story made your day better! Please review, it makes me happy and it makes me write faster!