end only to begin again

'…'Thoughts
"…" Speaking
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Italics and bold – Writings
Italics - flashbacks
0oooo0 - Scene Change or POV Change
:: BEAST mind Speak ::


Chapter 28
Aftermath

Jaken scurried out of his master's chambers with all due haste not wanting to anger his lord. He had a ladies kimono to find and he knew exactly which one to get. He knew his master of centuries and with such experience he was able to tell things others could not. Such as his Lords obvious interests to the kijo currently in his bed 'the fact she was in his bed was proof enough that his lord wanted to keep her.' And because of this he was going to retrieve a special kimono. This kimono would have the crest of the west on it and it would also alert everyone that the wearer belonged to his lord.

As he retrieved the kimono Jaken had but one thought 'I wish I am not to be the nanny of anymore children!'

It did not take long for Jaken to return to his lord's chambers with the Kimono. He was going to knock when the sounds within had him rethink interrupting them now. Knowing what would happen to him should he interrupt them Jaken did the only thing he could and fled while speaking to himself "I will return in a few hours with the kimono."

Her body ached like nothing she had ever felt before but she knew why it felt that way, she had never been more embarrassed in her life. She could not believe she acted the way she had like a wanton woman when in reality she was still a virgin. What made it all the worst was it was Sesshomaru she gave her virginity to. The experience was not a bad one, actually it was great sex. It was more along the line of who it was how would she tell Inuyasha that she had sex with his hated half brother? This led her to her current predicament.

Kagome was currently lying on a western style futon with her eyes closed dreading opening them because she knew whom she would see. She could feel the heat of his chest upon hers and his arm around her waist holding her close. 'I never figured him for the cuddling type' she thought amused while she peeked through her lashes to see if he was still asleep.

His eyes were still closed though she doubted he was actually asleep. He looked so beautiful lying there, and it made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Kagome knew that feeling well and she knew she had to leave before the warm and fuzzy turned into hot and steamy though she loathed moving, but she knew she had to. "I have to go." Kagome whispered into his chest as he tightened his arms in response to her words.


"You don't have to, not yet at least." His deep baritone voice sounded in her ear as his breath made a shiver travel down her spine.


"I must. There are things that need to be done at the palace and I need to be there to make sure it is done. I have already been away far too long." Kagome explained as she made her move to get up.


"How you became the Lady of the Eastern Lands is still a surprise to me." Sesshomaru mused as he removed his arm from around her. "Or the fact that you are now youkai"


Kagome gasped in surprise "How did you?" she asked unable to continue as she wrapped her mind around the idea that he knew who she was and still they… she could not even finish the statement without blushing a pretty pink.


"I heard your confession to the hanyou. I also know that it was my sire that made you into what you are. I should have realized this once I saw your fighting moves, they are a mirror of his." Sesshomaru said as he sat up from his position on the futon and turned his head to watch her stand.

Her naked body was revealed as the blanket fell down from her movement. She was really beautiful and she was everything he wanted from a mate. She would challenge him both physically and intellectually and this was something that had never happened to him before which was why when he looked at her he did not see a kijo who was once ningen, no when he looked at her he saw his future. Sesshomaru knew he had to have her as his mate.


Kagome stood realizing that her clothes were no good. 'Oh god Jaken probably came back with the kimono and heard us!' Kagome thought in embarrassment at the thought of someone hearing something so private. With a sigh Kagome sat back down of the futon and lifted the blanket to cover herself.


Sesshomaru stood off the bed and walked towards his closet only to emerge a few moments later dressed in his normal garb holding one of his haori for her to wear until Jaken returned with the kimono he had asked for. "Here" he said while holding the haori out for her and she took it with a smile and a "thank you"


Kagome was just tying the kimono closed when a knock at the door caught her attention.


"Enter" Sesshomaru said as he scented a nervous Jaken on the other side.

Jaken took a deep breath and opened the door kimono in hand "Milord, the kimono you asked for." Jaken said holding it out for Sesshomaru.


Sesshomaru accepted the kimono "That will be all Jaken." he said as he looked at the lady's kimono with his house crest. 'So it would seem that even Jaken thinks that Kagome should be mine.' He thought with approval while turning to Kagome and handing it to her "I hope this will do".


"Kagome looked at the kimono then to Sesshomaru with a smile "It is wonderful thanks." Kagome said as she took it carefully from his out stretched hand. "Its beautiful." she said as she laid it out on the bed. The kimono looked to be made of the finest silk; it was white with the same red flowers as Sesshomaru's outfit. "We match" Kagome said with a chuckle as she took off the haori Sesshomaru gave her earlier.


Once she was finished dressing Sesshomaru stood behind her to help her tie her obi. Once he was finished he walked around her in a circle "You look delectable in the colors of this Sesshomaru."


Kagome blushed prettily and sent a meek "Thank you." while Sesshomaru chuckled.


"Still so modest after all we have done." He whispered in her ear with a smirk as she shivered in response.


Wanting out of the situation quickly Kagome did the only things she could "Yes well I must be going and I do hope to see you at the festivities." Kagome said as she looked up into Sesshomaru's eyes.


"You can count on it." he replied as he walked her out of the bedroom and through his castle.


"This place is huge." Kagome said as they approached the gate. It took them several minutes to get outside never mind to the front gates.


"Yes it is one of the larger castles of the four lords." Sesshomaru answered stoically. Now that he was outside of the privacy of his bedroom he was back in character.


Kagome understood why he was back to the icy lord of the west and was not offended by the change. She knew he had to stay in character or someone would think he was weak. Kagome smiled to him as they reached the now opened gate "I will be seeing you soon Lord Sesshomaru." Kagome finished with a bow before walking out of the gate and into the forest.


Sesshomaru watched as his future mate seemingly disappeared into the forest and smiled an evil smile "I wonder how Inuyasha will feel once she returns wearing this Sesshomaru's crest and smelling of out activities." He said while walking back into the castle.

0ooo0

When the group returned to Kaede's village the first thing they did was tell Kaede that Kagome had returned and imagine their surprise when she already knew.


"Yes I knew Kagome had returned, but how did you find out? She told me she could not tell anyone." Kaede said as she stirred her pot of soup while looking to each of the occupants of the hut until her gaze landed on Inuyasha. "How do you feel about her return Inuyasha?"


Inuyasha fidgeted slightly as he could feel the eyes of his mate on him, but he answered all the same. It was no secret that Inuyasha loved Kagome and he would not start hiding that fact now. "I was shocked." before Inuyasha could continue he was interrupted by Shippo.


"This is going to be Kikyo all over again isn't it?" Shippo said only to receive a hard bonk on the head. "HEY! You can't hit me I am a prince now!" Shippo said as he puffed his chest up in a prideful manner.


"Ye are a prince now Shippo? How?" Kaede asked not knowing how that happened.


Shippo perked up with the idea of telling a story "Kagome is now the Lady of the Eastern Lands! And I am her adopted son! Just call me Prince Shippo!" Shippo stated while standing and holding a fisted hand to his chest.


Chuckling erupted from the human occupants of the hut. "Can you believe it our little Shippo a PRINCE and our little Kagome a ruler?" Sango said laughing as Miroku joined her.

It was funny if you could remember how Kagome used to be.


Soon night fell and the group went to bed only to wake the next morning and get ready to travel to the Eastern Palace as Kagome had asked.

A week had passed since Kagome left them and they were on there way towards the Eastern Palace. No one spoke as they traveled knowing that a fight would commence once they did. The Eastern palace was now in view and they quickened their pace. Once they reached the gate they were stopped by a youkai guards.


"What business do you have at the Eastern Palace?" the guard asked while holding a spear type weapon at ready as the other held his hand ready on the hilt of his sword.


Miroku held his hands up in a pose meant to tell them he meant no ill will. "We were sent here to meet Lady Kagome. Her vassal Asiko will know of us, I am Miroku the monk."


A voice from one of the towers beside the gate was heard "Allow them entrance. I have received word from the Lady to allow them passage."


"Hai sir!" the guard said moving aside to allow them entrance.


As they entered the castle grounds what looked to be a male dragon youkai stood waiting for them. "Welcome to the castle of the East I am General Riko Lady Kagome's top advisor and Leader in her absence." He said to the group with a small bow of introduction. Normally he would not bow to humans, but his lady made it quite clear what would happen to all those who were disrespectful to her guests.


All but Inuyasha bowed in return as they began to introduce themselves starting with Miroku. "I am the Monk Miroku and this is my wife Sango the Taijiya." Miroku said while placing an arm around his wife.

Shippo stepped up and bowed "I am Shippo Lady Kagome's adopted son. And that is Inuyasha and his mate Suki." Shippo introduced Inuyasha and his mate knowing that Inuyasha would not do so himself.


"Adopted son?" The general gasps in shock. It was not a normal practice for a female to adopt a child demon especially not one of another breed. "Well I guess it makes sense now why she would want your room closest to hers." The general mused before turning to one of the guards beside him. "Tell Asiko the guest have arrived."


"Yes sir." the young guard said before he ran towards the castle to do as asked.


General Riko turned back to the guests "Enjoy your stay here and if you have need of anything just let Asiko know." He finished then excused himself to return to his post.

0ooo0

"This is the hot springs; you can bathe once I have shown you to your rooms." Asiko said as she opened the door for the private springs her lady gave them access to.

Once they left the hot springs area Asiko walked towards the rooms they will be staying in for the duration of their stay. "Shippo, this is your room and the closet is stocked with the clothes your mother wishes you to wear from now on." Asiko said as she opened the door to Shippo's room.


"Wow!" Shippo exclaimed as he looked at the huge lavishly decorated room "This is my room?" he asked in awe.


Asiko smiled and chuckled lightly "Of course young master. You are the heir of the Eastern Lands after all. Actually this is a temporary room, your mother is having her room and yours redecorated and cleaned." Asiko said before she allowed Shippo and the rest of them to look at the room. "Well I will show the rest of you your rooms now and master Shippo if you need anything just let me know."


"Yes lady" Shippo said with a salute.


Closing the door behind her Asiko then walked to the next room "Sango, Miroku, and Kirara this is your room. There are kimono, haori, and hakama in the closet for your use while you are here. A tailor will arrive within the next few days for measurement to make your clothes for the ball and if you need anything just let me know." Asiko said as she moved to allow them entrance into the room.


"It's great. Thank you Asiko-san" Sango said with a bow and a smile. As Miroku agreed "Yes it is quite lovely thank you"


"Oh, no need to thank me you are after all the best friends of the ruler of this castle so it makes sense she would give you some of the best rooms." Asiko said waving off the compliment as she blushed lightly then closed the door and headed towards the last door on this side of the hall.

"This is your room Inuyasha and Suki. There are kimono and haori and hakama in the closet for your stay here" Asiko said to the remaining hanyou before she left with a bow.


~%~


Sorry so long for updates I am having writers block with this story.

stay tuned for the next chapter – Kagome returns to the Eastern Castle – and Inuyasha’s mate is jelous.