Sesshomaru and the Forgiving Soul

Chapter 27:



Kagome looked down from the clouds when she felt Sango and Miroku getting more serious. Kagome stood and knocked loudly on the dojo door before entering. Sango and Miroku were straightening their hair. Sango was blushing severely. Kagome smiled.



"Lady Kagome, what can we do for you?" Miroku was much calmer then Sango and Kagome smiled at him too.



"I was informed that you'd like to speak to me before the ball. So, what can I do for you two, other than more time alone?" Miroku laughed and Sango blushed deeper. Miroku grabbed Sango around the waist and pulled her close to him.



"Lady Kagome, we would like your permission to be wed." Kagome looked stunned. She stood there for a few moments before responding.



"Why would you need my permission?" Miroku released Sango and bowed slightly to her.



"You are going to be the Lady of the West. We either need permission from you or Lord Sesshomaru. We live in the Western Lands now and are thus under your protection and ruling." Kagome sighed and rubbed her temples in slow circles. Kagome looked up at her two friends and smiled.



"Of course. I give you my permission, and blessing." Sango threw herself on Kagome and hugged her tightly. Miroku smiled and nodded his head. Kagome wrapped her arms around Sango and squeezed her before they released each other and stepped back.



"Just some questions. When are you going to get married? Are you going back to Edo or are you going to stay here in the palace?" Sango and Miroku smiled at each other.



"We are going to speak to Lord Sesshomaru about having the wedding before the end of the month." Miroku replied. "We would like to have it here in the Western Palace if it suits you." Kagome smiled and nodded.



"I shall speak to Sesshomaru about it after the ball this evening. I'm sure he won't object. Now, Miroku. There are a few things that I'd like to discuss with you. As you know this evening is going to be rather eventful. Sesshomaru plans on introducing Inuyasha as the Western Prince and successor to the lands should he not have any children. Also he is going to be introducing me, a human miko, as his intended. There are mostly going to be demons here, and with our luck more that see things the way Jino does than Van. I want to ward the ball room against possible attacks and assassination attempts. I'm worried about their reaction to Inuyasha and how many with try to harm him. Would you help me?" Miroku thought for a moment and nodded.



"I agree. Although I do worry about your safety, I know that Sesshomaru would not allow anything to happen to you. Inuyasha I am more concerned for. The demons present that will object to naming Inuyasha as Prince will be great. With so many demons and unpredictable reactions I have to agree that warding the rooms being used this evening is a wise idea." Kagome smiled.



"Good. I'm glad that you agree. I have already sent for the supplies that we will need for this. Please meet me in the ball room at two." Kagome glanced outside and saw she still had a little time before lunch with the children. "There is also one more thing that I would like to discuss with you both before tonight." Kagome walked to the doors and closed them. Kagome closed her eyes and placed both hands on the doors. The room was then lit with a soft pink light as all sounds from outside disappeared. Kagome turned and smiled.



"I have no wish for this knowledge to be leaked before necessary. Please sit," Kagome gestured to a low table off to the far side. Once everyone was seated Kagome spoke again. "I have agreed to mating Sesshomaru. We have discussed when the actual mating ceremony will happen and have placed the date as the day before the end of the month. The day before my birthday. This is to ensure that my mother is able to attend before the well seals. There will be some changes with me after the mating and I want you two aware before it happens." Sango's brow drew together in thought.



"Kagome, I know that there will be some physical changes with the mating. You will take on some traits of Sesshomaru gradually over the following few days. What else do we need to prepared for?" Kagome took and deep breath and sighed.



"I am not the first miko with her Mark to mate a demon. There is a book in Sesshomaru's study that tells the tale of a girl who mated a demon. She continued to practice with her powers after the mating and they in turn continued to grow. One day the miko attained her Mark. The following day she became a demon, just like her mate. The day after that she killed herself because she was unable to handle the transformation." Sango and Miroku looked stunned.



"Lady Kagome, are you saying that you will become a demoness after you mate with Lord Sesshomaru?" Kagome nodded.



"From what I can tell, because of the exchange in blood that happens during the ceremony I am going to become an Inu demoness like Sesshomaru." Kagome waited while they digested this information. Sango and Miroku looked at each other in wonder. Sango was the first to speak.



"Are you worried about how you will react to the change?" Kagome shook her head.



"No, actually. I'm not worried at all. Sesshomaru will help me through it." Kagome glanced out the window and sighed. "I'm sorry to leave like this but I have to meet the children for lunch and then I have tea with my mother right after. Miroku, remember, two in the ball room." Miroku nodded. Kagome smoothly stood and with a snap of her fingers the noise of the outside world became apparent once more. Kagome slid open the dojo doors and went back into the palace.



She followed the path through the gardens and into the kitchens. Every servant there stopped what they were doing and bowed to her. Kagome just walked through smiling and nodded at those she recognized. Mika met her half way.



"My Lady. Lunch with be served in the sitting room as you asked. The children are on their way there now." Kagome nodded.



"Mika, I want you to take the rest of the day off. Tend to whatever you want. Tomorrow morning please be ready to accompany me to the training areas as a healer. I have a feeling that they are going to need one." Mika bowed low.



"Thank you, My Lady. You are so kind." Kagome nodded and smiled as she swept out of the kitchen. She stopped just outside and listened to everyone talk about her. Kagome giggled and went on her way.



When Kagome entered the sitting room Sesshomaru was the only one present. Kagome smiled and went to sit at his side. Sesshomaru leaned down and kissed her gently before pulling back. Kagome sat blushing as the children entered. Once they were seated lunch was served to them. They all sat and quietly discussed their day so far. After lunch was over Kagome sent the children to their lessons. Sesshomaru and Kagome sat in silence for a few minutes.



"Maru. My mother wants me to have tea with her. Would you care to join us?" Sesshomaru shook his head.



"Unfortunately I have business to attend before the ball. The next time I will see you is going to be during the introductions." Kagome nodded and gave him a weak smile. Sesshomaru took her hand and brushed his thumb back and forth over her knuckles. "There is no need to be nervous. Everything will be fine." Kagome nodded and wrapped her arms around him laying her head on his shoulder. Sesshomaru held her and gently rubbed her back. They sat like that for several minutes before Kagome finally pulled back. Sesshomaru nodded and helped her stand. They quietly left the study and went their own directions. Kagome quietly made her way out to the tea house where her mother was waiting.



Kagome was a little worried about the ball but tried not to show it as she entered the tea house. Kagome bowed to her mother and took her place at the opposite side of the table as her. Maya began the tea ceremony and Kagome sat tensely waiting for her mother to say something. She only had to wait a moment.



“I hope that you're not going to give up on Sesshomaru just because of me.” Kagome let out the breath she was holding and shook her head.



“I'm going to mate with Sesshomaru before the end of the month. He will announce it at the ball this evening.” Maya nodded and poured the tea.



“I'm glad. I was hoping that you wouldn't give this up to come home. I will miss you Kagome.” Kagome felt the tears start to well up and blinked them back.



“I'm going to miss you too mama.” Maya smiled with tears in her eyes.



“Drink your tea dear. There is still lots to do and not very much time to get it done in.” Kagome smiled and nodded. They sat in silence as they drink their tea, enjoying being near each other. When Kagome finished her tea she smiled at her mother and left. She looked to the sun and saw it was almost two so she made her way to the ball room to meet Miroku.



Miroku was already there and looking through the items laid on the floor. He bowed to her as she neared him.



“So, did I forget anything?” Miroku shook his head.



“No. Everything is here. Shall we get started?” Kagome nodded and started to place the items around the room, hiding them in plants and under tables where they would not be disturbed. Then they sat in the middle of the room and began to meditate. She felt Midoriko with her as she lent power to Miroku for the spell. Once finished she felt at peace.



“Perfect. Thank you for your help Miroku.”



“It was a pleasure, my lady.” They stood when they heard a knock. A young girl walked in and bowed to Kagome.



“My lady. My name is Kiri and if you would please come with me it is time to prepare you for the ball.” The color drained from Kagome's face and she started to tremble.



(Kagome?) Sesshomaru's voice filled her head and calmed her nerves.



(I'm fine. I will see you at the ball.) Kagome felt a warmth spread through her and then Sesshomaru was gone. Kagome nodded toward Kiri and followed her back to her room where two other girls were waiting.



Kagome was quickly disrobed and sent to the springs with a maid to help her bathe. Once finished she was rushed back to her rooms to get dressed. The two girls placed layer after layer of the kimono on her. After the obi was tied she was instructed to sit in front of the mirror. Kiri then did her hair up. It was piled high on her head with small wisps of hair falling down around her face and neck. Then in the bundle of curls a chopstick with white flowers hanging off the end was placed into her hair. The flowers were then paired with a crescent moon pinned into her hair. The kimono was loose around her neck and arranged beautifully. One of the other girls then pulled out jars of make-up. Kagome shook her head gently. The girl bowed and replaced the jar. Kagome stood and stretched. She had been sitting for what felt like hours. One glance outside and she knew she was right. Kagome dismissed the girls. As she stood looking at herself in the mirror Kagome knew that there was no going back after tonight. This was the first step into the rest of her life. She took and deep breath and left the room.