Re-uploaded: A breeder's world.

~~ Kagome’s P.O.V. ~~
It was a faux pas of massive proportions on my part, and while no one would ever really believe that I was the one nine hundred years ago to free him, it would make for some uncomfortable questions later. So while the murmurs about what happened circulate, I watched my son hide from them all.

After the narrow escape with Enti and Shippo stepping in things went smoother. Shippo’s family was the next one to pass us and the knowing looks in their eyes was enough to make me smile and wave to each of them. I was unsure of all their names as of yet and all but four had their mates on their arms. Following them was Kin’s children and mate who also smiled at me. It was nice to know that their were friendly faces in the crowd. At the end Kin and my mom would come as Inuyasha went back to his seat on the other side of the building.

The loyal houses of the West were next and they all bowed and spoke approvingly. It was easy to see that while they looked upon me with some suspicion but the fact the their were going to be finally heirs to the east and west eased their minds. Then the not so loyal houses slowly approached.

Being that the friendliest faces I was going to see for a while had passed the butterflies that had settled down stirred again in my stomach. I was half expecting some kind of attack, which had yet to happen and while not everyone was exactly welcoming none were trying to actively harm me tonight either. Which was all to the good in my book. I enjoyed sitting with the brothers and felt somewhat complete in knowing that my adopted son had raised a loving family and had not suffered unduly form me having to leave. While I had yet to meet them all I was happy to note that they all seemed eager to meet me. Shippo had had his hands tied in trying to keep them away tonight so that their enthusiasm wouldn’t reveal my secrets.

Afterwards Lord Kanjinbo and his mate nodded as they passed and then my family came to sit at our table. As they sat down the music continued to play and it was a moment of respite from the crowds that would soon be flowing through. Smiling at my mom I knew that she was proud of me.

“What was that all about dear?” asked Odori. I was embarrassed beyond mortification when my mother asked me that. She had no idea about the true past and that was how I wanted it to stay but since this was my doing I had to try and not lie to me mother.

“We met before mom.” Like over nine hundred years ago. “I remind him of the woman that set him free from his self imposed prison of serving the strongest demon of all. Do you remember the story of Naraku mom?”

“That was an evil tale my dear I told you not to read that book!”

“But have you read it?”

“Of course I have it is a popular piece of history since the house you have now joined helped bring it down. I read the book when I was attending school but it seems more and more like a fairy tale as the years go by because demons have become much less blood thirsty and power hungry. The powers that both hanyous possessed seemed a little bit exaggerated.”

“What part mom? Surely you believe the power of the wind scar and the power to create from cast off flesh?”

“While I can not say what dark mikos and evil hearted demons can and can’t do with their powers, the wind scar just seems to be bigger then life you know.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Slaying a hundred lesser demons at a time seems so wasteful of life and who could get them all together in attacks such as that in the past? We have ways to corral them now for food for stronger demons that need their food with energy but when they were all wild? No, unbelievable. Besides an attack that large would surely change the landscape if it was used a frequently as history says. And while there are places that have strange features it doesn’t look like anything but what earth quakes and ice bergs could do.”

I giggled at her reasoning and shook my head side to side. “Mom you do realize that it wasn’t the house of Takahashi that brought Naraku down but it was these two. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were there when Naraku was defeated. The wind scar’s power could be directed into the air which it was mostly because that is where the most of the demons came from. That and Naraku had an ego complex that make him float or fly everywhere he went. If anything the story wasn’t written from a human’s point of view because it glossed over the injuries and the length of time it took.”

My mom who knew I mentioned the age of them before seemed to finally grasp that they were the ones who fought and that what might seem so impossible was very possible then. Questions built inside her eyes and I knew we would have to have this discussion another time because of the ears trying to listen in. I waved her way and pointedly looked to the sides and she quickly snapped to attention and realized what I did. She nodded once and we went back to regular conversation as to who was who that was coming up next and whether they were loyal to the brothers or not.

Everything was going well or at least until those girls came giggling up the isle. Something told me that they would be trouble and I did not doubt them as they sent glares my way. The girl in front was of average modern height which was around five foot nine. Her hair was a very unique blend of black and purple. She had a clover on her cheek and most distracting green line on her chin that looked for all the world like a mini goatee. She was pretty in that high school popular girl way but not a knock out.

She and her companions glared even more strongly at me as then came almost even with our table. I knew that I won a lot of hate today for supposedly ‘bagging’ the two biggest bachelors in Japan. Unless the women were gay or happily mated/married then all the single girls and probably a few men were mad at me. Which was unusual, since usually I made people love me. However, I was not going to let them get to me and these chicks were going down if they said one word.

The brother’s growl got louder as they approached and while flattered I wanted to take them down. I wanted to prove that I was a top bitch and not some wench that saved herself to become a house breeder. While I was comfortable with the brothers I needed to show the people here tonight that I was an equal and not a wilting flower. So I placed a hand on their arms and whispered to let me handle it. They did not disappoint me for as soon as the front chick got close enough she covered her mouth but was still loud enough to hear.

“Look at the wench; she thinks she’s all mighty because she has her two guard dogs.”

This whining bitch thought she had the right to complain about me? Now that just plain pissed me off. I may still be learning the ins and outs of youkai court life but one thing I did understand was insults.

“Well look it’s a wench who doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut. She thinks she’s all mighty because she’s daddy’s little girl.” I was unsure how it got so quiet so quick but the concert hall was silent and I looked around to make sure it wasn’t a dream. Because, somehow, whoever controlled the microphone was able to turn it up loud like during the Enti situation and presentation for now everyone knew there was a fight going on.

“Are you looking for a lesson girl?”

“No but I believe that you are.”

“Oh why is that?”

“You’re either brave, over confidant, or just plain stupid. I sit here beside two of the most power youkai in this place and you think to say they are just guard dogs. Now if I had the lack of intelligence to insult a ruling lord I would have at least made sure not to say it to their faces.” I paused for a moment before continuing. “Do you believe that you are a better choice?” She stared at me as if to say of course she was a better choice since she was a pure youkai bitch. Not some fancy smancy miko.

“As least I come from a respectable youkai family miko. It was by luck of birth you are here. Your kind is to be used by us and by that luck you are useful to youkai. Do not let it go to your head.”

“Hmm. I suppose you are right. I was born a Miko and it was by chance that the brothers choose me. And not some else long ago but the question you have to ask yourself is, if you come from said respectable family and you weren’t chosen, does it means either you are weak or you didn’t wait.” Again I paused for effect. “So which is it? Hmm? I, however, not only waited but am powerful to boot. Wish to try me?” she growled at me and bared her pretty little white teeth at me. Not having long dangerous canine teeth or even shark teeth make the expression stupid on a human body.

“You are a mortal entering a Youkai ruled world you know nothing! Are you ready to face the violence of instincts and ready to submit to those you have signed your body over too? Do you believe that you will be happy surviving such things?”

Confused though I was, the anxiety that I felt through the bond didn’t help matters, but I kept the raising panic in check and looked confidently at the bitch. My emotions weren’t so easily manipulated any more thanks to Naraku. It was obvious that the brothers had yet to discuss this so called lack of control but I trusted them and not her so I called her bluff as I sent a wave of reassurance towards the brothers.

“It seems other human women have survived and still serve other houses. I am sure any thing I do with the brothers will not leave me permanently scared. You are trying to shake a foundation of trust that we have in each other. I am sure any over sights will be taken care of in the privacy of our own rooms tonight. To bad you will never find out.”

Her spine straightened with a crisp sound and her head went higher as she looked down on me and marched off. Sound slowly came back as houses again whispered among themselves. I realized then that I was standing and took a seat. The rest of the houses seemed to fly by and whether that was by youkai increasing speed or that my min wandered I didn’t know for sure. Supper was served as soon as the last house was introduced. I hoped that I wasn’t required to remember all of these faces the next time I saw them. Lessons had only gotten so far.

~~ Sesshoumaru’s P.O.V. ~~.

After Kagome returned to her seat, I announced for supper to be served. I listened closely to the audience for any that would offer challenge early as I watched Kagome talk to my brother and her family. Idle chit chat that calmed my blood. As I watched though Kagome only moved her food around her plate and not really eating it. Opening the link through her mark I asked, ‘Why are you not eating?’

‘This food is not safe for my consumption.’

‘What is wrong with it?’ I was getting angry that someone would dare to harm my breeder at my own table.

‘Poison I believe. What kind I am not sure but I am willing to bet nothing good.’

‘Are you hungry? Do you wish me to get you a fresh plate?’

‘If is was not to much trouble. You wore me out today and lunch was not as much as I would have eaten.’

‘My apologies for not noticing earlier Kagome. It is my job to make sure you are fed and taken care of. I will send my guard for a fresh plate and to take that one to the lab for testing. If might give us a clue who did it depending on the poison.’

‘Very well Sesshoumaru.’

“My breeder seems to wish to try the other main course plate. My guard will fetch her a new one and take this one back.” I took her plate and handed it to my head guard. I gave him a look and he nodded knowing what I wanted. It was going to take a little bit. I talked some more until he returned.

~~~Kagome’s P.O.V. ~~~~

After my new plate arrived I tested it again with my power and nose. This one was safe so I began eating my food almost silently I let the brothers control the conversation and tried to keep it away from any questions the bitch might have sparked in my mom and grandfather. Inuyasha was regaling my mother with stories of first hand information of the American Hippie movement. Though it turned to children and then to my most embarrassing moments as a child and no matter what I did my mom continued the story.
Glaring at Inuyasha and promising pain with my eyes if he continued he just smirked and asked.

“So what did you do after you found Kagome filthy after her attempt to bake?”

“Well believe it or not the cookies were good and edible, however, sanitary I can not say. The kitchen looked like a haunted mansion with the baking powder everywhere and making it look like years of dust and then the bare footprints in it. The oven had so much caked on the insides I was surprised it was warm enough to cook the cookies. I almost had to buy a new stove. After making her clean up most of the mess I took her directly upstairs and tried to get this sticky mixture out of her hair. It was almost impossible and found only oil would bond with it and loosen it up enough to get out of her hair. I was scared to let that stuff go down the drain so I filled buckets and took it directly to the water treatment facility. They said it was a very complicated mixture to break down and charged me a heck of a lot to get it done. However, Kagome learned her lesson and never tried to cook alone again.” Laughter was heard round the table and my cheeks heated and I slid down a little in my chair. I hated being the laughingstock of a group.

“I can well imagine the trouble she got into and probably still attracts trouble no?” Inuyasha teased me. My fist punched his shoulder almost as hard as I could and he rubbed it but still grinned at me. My mom’s eye’s widened at our behavior.

“Don’t worry mom he is all bark and no bite.”

Inuyasha chuckled and so did Sesshoumaru which caught me by surprise but it was a pleasant sound. It made me smile to know that he could loosen up once in a while.

“I think your daughter is all bite and no bark Mrs. Higurashi.” Said Sesshoumaru.

Crossing my arms and pouting, I was unprepared for Inuyasha to toss his arm around me and kiss my cheek.

“It’s okay Gome we still love you.”

“I am not all bite and no bark! You two are just impossible. Aren’t they mom? Tell them that a lady is always right when it comes to these things.”

“Well I would be happy to dear but you grew up a tom boy and not the lady I tried to raise you to be.” My mother smiled at me and I knew then that she wasn’t on my side. Another round of laughter at me just what I always wanted. Grr..

After that conversation it moved on to other things and I allowed my mind to drift for a little bit. I took in that amazing sights again and couldn’t believe that all this was because on me. A better history and a better world, I thought, as I giggled to myself.

After supper the cardinal Lords came over and my family left. I hugged my mom and ruffled Souta’s hair. My grandfather gave me a stiff bow and I could see the pride he had for me in his eyes. It was nice to have him still here mentally and not creating crazy excuses like before. It was a good feeling to know that though he forgot what I had done that he was still proud of my choices today.

“My fellow lords you heard the words spoken tonight do you have any objections to our choice in a breeder?” Sesshoumaru asked.

“I have no problems Lord Sesshoumaru. I approve whole heartedly.” Said the northern Lord Enti.

“And you Lord Kanjinbo?”

“While tonight has been different then what we have come to expect I can not say that your breeder has not proven herself thus far. So I will give my approval for you to take Breeder Higuarshi as yours.”

“So mote it be. My gratitude for agreeing with my brother and I. Now we shall mingle with the rest of those present until it is time to leave.” We all bowed to each other and left our table to roam about. As far as I knew we had no set path though we avoided the areas Inuyasha pointed out on my last visit and talked quietly with quite a few people.

The night ended on a better note then the day began and before I knew it, it was time to leave. Yawning quickly behind my hand I nodded at the last group of people as we headed to the sidewalk. Inuyasha called a chair and we sat together going back our new home. I was curled up between the brothers with my head on Inuyasha’s shoulder.

“So did I do well tonight guys?”

“Yeah Gome you did.” Inuyasha said teasingly.

“Good. After all the work you guys put into this and the Work Mrs. Dunn did I am glad it turned out well.”

“Rest Kagome we will carry you up if we have to. Do you want to be awoken once we get home?”

“Hmm. Are we meeting Shippo’s family tomorrow?”

“No the day after that. A few of the last kits had to make a other arrangements to attend. So it was postponed.” said Sesshoumaru.

“Then I would like to be yes.” As I dosed off.