His new ward

Chapter 16

Kaede awoke and was soon on her way to Sesshomaru's palace. By mid day she saw it in the valley below her. She rode toward it with much feelings of dread. Something be wrong I can feel it. She made it to the castle gates and requested an audience with Lord Sesshomaru. It didn't take the Lord long to come to the gates and see her. She bowed to him "Lord Sesshomaru thank ye for seeing an old women."

"What do you want miko?" Sesshomaru actually glared at the old lady before him. He was tired of having humans at his palace. Well except for Rin.

"I have came after my grandchildren My Lord." Kaede hoped that this worked.
"And what grandchildren would that be miko?" Sesshomaru couldn't think who the miko thought her grandchildren were.

"The sisters Lady Sango and Lady Kagome my Lord." Keade held her face emotionless as the lord stared at her.

"I was under the impression that they had no one to care for them." Sesshomaru wondered what the old lady was up to. He could tell by her scent that she was no blood relation to the humans he had in his castle. But since he was slightly bored he would hear the old miko out.

"My lord I am old and they seem to take more care of me than I do them. That is probably why they denied they had anyone to watch over them. How soon they forget about those that care for them." Kaede lowered her head as if shamed by the girls behavior.
"So you are their guardian. The miko informed me that she had a grandfather that was responsible for her." How far was this miko willing to take her charade.

Kaeda shook her head and lowered it before glancing back at the demon lord in front of her. "It is sad news that I bear for my granddaughter my lord. Her grandfather died not two days ago. He was from her fathers side. I am from her mothers side and since I am a miko that allows me to take over Kagome's and Sango's care."

The old women was obviously good at telling stories but did she honestly expect a demon to fall for her tale. He just stared at her and ran his options through his head. 1. He could let her get away with her tale and get rid of the taijiya and not have to put up with all the humans that were likely to flock to his lands to get his approval for her in marriage. 2. He could call her on her lies and then be stuck with Kami knows how many humans in his castle until the taijiya was mated. Clearly he had only one option.
"Unless you can guarantee that the taijiya will be married in the next week I will not release her to your care. And it will not be to my brother." Sesshomaru glared at the woman again. If she would follow his rules he could be rid of the last human in his castle besides Rin. And then maybe his life could return to normal after he dealt with his brother.

"I will so declare it my Lord. And what of my grandaughter Kagome My Lord?"
Kaede raised her head and stared at Sesshomaru.

"I can be of no help to you there old lady. She is to mated this night to someone that I have chosen for her. This will allow for her safety and because of such I will not reveal her location to you at this time. I will allow the taijiya to return with you as long as you swear not to reveal to my brother that Kagome is no longer here." Sesshomaru watched the shock on the old lady wear off and saw her nod. "Very well I will send the taijiya out to you if she also swears herself to secrecy." He turned and entered his castle. Well he got rid of them both on the same day. Things were looking up. He found the taijiya in the garden. She seemed to be looking for something. "Taijiya your grandmother has came to claim you. I regret that Kagome will not be joining you. But one condition of your release to her is that you will not tell my brother where Kagome is. Do you agree?"

Sango tried to cover her shock as Sesshomaru spoke. Grandmother? Who was he talking about. If it got her out of this castle she would go with who ever was helping her get out of it. Then she could return to the village and find Miroku and Inuyasha then to Kagome. Although she wasn't sure that Kagome would want to leave Kouga. "I swear not to let your brother know Kagome's where abouts." She bowed to Sesshomaru and gasped in shock as he handed her a key. Then she knelt down and unlocked the collar from Kirara. And then started laughing as she jumped in glee and rolled around the garden. Well she must be happy to have that thing off. She picked her up and followed Sesshomaru out of the castle. She was shocked when she saw Kaede at the gates waiting on her. Then she remembered what Sesshomaru had said about her being her grandmother. She ran up and hugged the miko. "Grandmother I don't believe you made the trip to save us."

Kaede smiled at Sango. "I could do no less for my grandchildren. At least I managed to save one of you."

"That's OK grandmother I am sure that Kagome is happy with her mate. And if I know her she will find a way to come and see you." Sango turned to Sesshomaru and bowed "Thank you My Lord for taking care of me until my grandmother showed up."
Sesshomaru watched the two act out their scene and let them think they were getting away with it. He was just so glad to finally get the smelly ningens out of his palace that he was feeling a little lenient. He nodded to the girl and watched as they both left for their home.

Sango waited till they were out of Sesshomaru's hearing before she turned to Kaede and hugged her. "Oh thank you Kaede for rescuing me. I don't know what I would have done if I had to actually marry someone."

"Don't get ye hopes up too much Sango. I promised Lord Sesshomaru that you would be wed by the end of the week and I intend to go through with that promise." Kaede smiled as Sango stopped in the middle of the road with a look of dread on her face. "Do not worry child, ye will approve of your new husband. I picked him out myself."

"Who is it Kaede?" Sango ran to catch up with her.

"I will let ye stew on it for a little while before I tell ye who it is." Keade mounted her horse and rode ahead of the slayer.