Sesshomaru and the Forgiving Soul

Chapter 26:

Kagome opened her eyes to the dawn and smiled. Today was the first step to her future here in the feudal era. Years ago she never would have thought that it would be with Sesshomaru but she was happy. She stretched and sat up, thinking of Mika. A few moments latter she heard a knock on the door and Mika walked in.

"Good morning Lady Kagome. I see your up early. Lord Sesshomaru bids that you attend breakfast with him this morning in the gardens. Shall I pull a kimono out for you?" Kagome nodded and Mika disappeared into the closet. A moment latter she reappeared with a beautiful white kimono. It reminded Kagome of the summer dresses she she had back home. She got out of bed and let Mika dress her. To the outfit Kagome added the sapphire necklace and pulled her hair into a simple ponytail. Mika smiled warmly at her mistress.

"You are going to be busy today, m'Lady. Sango and Miroku would like to talk to you sometime today before the ball. The children would like you to join them for lunch. The Prince would also like to speak to you and your mother said that you are to attend tea with her this afternoon. Your not to great any guests today but you will need to approve the final look of each of your friends before they are introduced to the ball tonight." Kagome nodded and spread her senses throughout the palace. Mostly everyone was still sleeping so Kagome made her way to the gardens to have an early breakfast with Sesshomaru.

The gardens were beautiful in the early morning light. The light danced off the blooms and through the bushes. Sesshomaru had a low table set up near the koi pond. He was already seated wearing his usual garb. Before going to the table Kagome turned and saw both the general and Mika smiling at her. Kagome blushed slightly from the attention.

"Mika please go and get me some paper and something to write with." Mika bowed and scurried off. Kagome went to the low table and smiled warmly at Sesshomaru. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to sit next to hm. Kagome felt the general leave and they were left alone in the gardens.

"Good morning, Maru." Sesshomaru's eyebrow raised and there was a smile in his eyes.

"So you are calling me 'perfection' now?" Kagome blushed a little.

"Only when we are alone. I will continue to call you Sesshomaru around other people." He nodded and Kagome thought she saw a proud look enter his eyes. He reached out and removed the covers on the dished revealing all of her favorite breakfast foods. Kagome reached out and grabbed a small ham chunk and held it up for him. He smiled at her before eating the bite she held for him. His face went neutral and she knew Mika was back from her errand. Kagome schooled her features as well as she appeared from the palace.

"My Lord, Lady." Mika carefully set the requested items on the table and left again. Kagome relaxed and reached for the paper.

"What is that for?" Sesshomaru picked some food and filled both his and her plate.

"A schedule. I am very busy today, so I need to make a schedule so that I can get everything done before the ball." Kagome drew a chart and started labeling times on the left of the paper. Kagome looked up and judged the suns position. Writing breakfast next to 7am. She went down the list and wrote different events in. Lunch with children at 12pm, Tea with mother at 2pm, and Getting ready for the ball at 5pm. Kagome thought for a moment before putting everything aside. Kagome turned and found Sesshomaru watching her intently.

"You are very organized. I will have a second desk brought into the study that you can make use of." Kagome smiled and nodded. Kagome reached for the chopsticks and started feeding Sesshomaru small bits of his food. Sesshomaru grabbed a piece of ham from her plate and held it up for her to eat. Kagome blushed but willingly opened her mouth and pulled the piece of ham into it.

"I think i see what your fascination with this is now." Sesshomaru grabbed her around the waist and set her on his lap. "This will make it easier for both of us." Kagome blushed wildly but nodded. Breakfast continued like this and before she knew it both plates were empty. Kagome wiggled out of Sesshomaru's lap to finish her scheduler. Once she was done she sighed. She was booked solid all day. Her only free time was sitting here with Sesshomaru. Kagome felt when Inuyasha woke and sighed.

"Maru?" Sesshomaru locked his gaze on her and waited. "Breakfast was divine. Thank you, but I have tons of things to do today so I have to go. Why don't you come and have lunch with me and the children latter. If you are free around noon then we will have lunch in the blue sitting room." Sesshomaru thought and nodded.

"I will have a small amount of time at noon. I will come by." Kagome leaned up and kissed his cheek.Sesshomaru stilled her head as she began to retreat. Kagome looked into his eyes and saw heat. Searing heat that enveloped her entire being. Sesshomaru lowered his head and gently brushed his lips across hers. Kagome sighed against his mouth and decided that she wanted a better taste of him. Kagome leaned closer and sealed her lips on his. The kiss was gentle and Kagome softly explored his mouth. When she needed to breathe she pulled back. Sesshomaru's eyes were slightly glazed and half-lidded. Kagome kissed him gently once more before pulling away completely. Kagome ran her fingers through his hair before standing with her list.

"I'll see you latter. K, Maru?" Sesshomaru's eyes had cleared again and he nodded. Kagome walked back into the palace, zeroing in on where the younger inu was. Kagome walked lazily through the halls until she found him in the inner courtyard sitting high in a tree. Kagome walked over to the tree he was sitting in.

"Inuyasha. I was told that you wanted to speak with me about something?" Kagome leaned against the trunk of the tree he was sitting in.

"Yeah," Inuyasha hesitated before continuing. "This ball tonight is not going to turn out good. With Sesshomaru making so many announcements to the court at once it's going to cause some problems. Sesshomaru is going to introduce me first as the current heir to the lands and that all by itself will make problems. The court is still full of all the people who hated me when I was a kid. There are going to be more people like Jino then Van." Kagome nodded her understanding.

"Hey, Inuyasha? Can I tell you something that I don't want getting out to the general public yet?" Inuyasha landed softly beside her wearing the fire-rat kimono. Inuyasha slung his arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. "When Sesshomaru and I mate, I'm going to change. Not with my personality or mentally, but physically I'm going to change." Inuyasha frowned but shrugged.

"If it doesn't got you worried then it can't be bad right? All humans who mate demons change at least a little bit." Kagome smiled.

"I'm going to become a demon." Inuyasha drew in a quick breath of air and stared at Kagome.

"Are you certain?" Kagome nodded.

"There is record of only one miko with a Mark to mate a demon. After her Mark appeared she turned into a demon." Inuyasha whistled.

"Well, that's definitely something. Well, why doesn't Maru just tell the council. They'll accept you without any problem." Kagome shook her head.

"I want them to accept me not- Wait. Did you just call Sesshomaru, Maru?" Inuyasha blushed and looked down at his feet. His ears went flat against his head.

"When I was little I used to idolize Sesshomaru. And then I learned how cold he was. I called him Maru when I was little because to me that's what he was. Perfection. Something I could strive to become." Kagome hugged Inuyasha tightly.

"It sounds like you still do." Inuyasha sighed and stroked her hair.

"Yeah, I guess I do. All those times he came to fight me he was just making me stronger not actually trying to kill me. And now, he's got you. If I could be half of the demon Sesshomaru is, I'd be happy." Kagome giggled.

"But, Inuyasha, you are half the demon he is. Exactly half the demon he is." Inuyasha threw back his head and laughed until tears started to leak from his eyes.

"Yeah, I guess I am. Thanks Kagome." Kagome squeezed him once more before letting go.

"No problem. I feel Miroku and Sango are finishing up breakfast and I need to go talk to them. I'll see you latter." Inuyasha waved at her as she left the courtyard. Kagome went to the study first sensing Sesshomaru was still outside. Kagome sat at his desk and created a list of herbs and materials she would need to make the ballroom a violence free zone.

(Sesshomaru. I want to put up wards and spells around the ballroom so that in case things go bad this evening we have the upper hand from the word go.)

(I think that it won't be necessary to ward the ballroom. I will protect you)

Kagome sighed as she continued to write her list.

(I'm not worried about me. I know that you'll protect me Maru. I'm worried about Inuyasha. We spoke a few minutes ago and he had a good point. There are going to be more demons who share the view of Jino than there are going to share the view of Van. It would also protect against assassination attempts as well.)

Kagome could feel him thinking it over as she finished her list. She waited for the go ahead before handing the list over to Mika.

(I see your point. Very well, but you will enlist the assistance of the monk. It would not be good if you were significantly weakened by doing this.)

(Thanks Maru.) Kagome sent him a kiss and a hug and heard him purr in response. Kagome thought of Mika and when she opened the door she was standing there. Kagome handed the list to Mika.

"I require everything on this list to be brought to the ballroom after two this afternoon. Also tell my mother that I will meet her in the tea house at one. The children and I will be having lunch in the sitting room at noon." Mika bowed and went to do her tasks. Kagome walked to the dojo and saw Kilala sitting outside the slightly opened door. Kagome peeked in and blushed. Sango and Miroku were sitting in the dojo of all places making out. Kagome needed to talk to them soon. Her schedule would not allow for any altercations. Kagome groaned at her luck and decided to give them a few more minuted alone. Kagome settled down next to Kilala and stared at the clouds.