As Death Gives Life

Chapter 31 – The More We Change

A/N: Ooops! Correction: Last update...Rise and Fall of a False God and Accidental Seduction, are by Darkraven Haven, not Darkhaven Rave. My bad. A moment of dyslexia.

I have had 2 people turn in links to fanart for As Death Gives Life, Sintar and Bloody=Kisses, and a couple people mentioned that they will be creating some more in the future. If you are interesting in creating a fanart piece for any of my stories please make sure to email me and let me know when it’s finished because I really would love to see it! Please put ‘Picture’ in the subject line so that I can go back and find it easy. I wouldn’t want to forget to thank you properly!

Also, thanks to everyone who has read rated and reviewed As Death! I get such a kick out of your reviews. It makes it all worth while.

~~~***~~~

It was lunchtime and her stomach was protesting something terrible. It started growling at least thirty minutes earlier and Kagome was beginning to fume that Sesshomaru was pretending not to notice. There just wasn’t any way possible that he didn’t hear it. No way could he hear her heart beating and not hear those loud obnoxious noises being omitted from her empty stomach.

She shifted her feet and kicked at a pebble sending it darting just past Sesshomaru’s left foot. He still made no acknowledgement that she was even walking behind him. Jerk.

So what if he was still mad at her? It wasn’t her fault. Just what did he think she was going to say? ’Oh Sesseshomaru, Thank you so much for deciding that I would be your mate for all eternity?’HA. As if. The least he could have done was ask her if she wanted to be tied to him for all eternity! Arrogant Jerk.

It’s not that she didn’t want to spend her life with Sesshomaru. No, that wasn’t what made her mad. It was the fact that he took the decision out of her hands completely. It was like getting married without popping the question. He skipped a whole, very important, step. The part where you say ‘yes’. Men can be such arrogant jerks. No wonder there is so many lesbians in the world.

Kagome sighed and glanced up from her feet to glare at Sesshomaru’s back. Maybe he could feel her anger if she glared hard enough?

::Glare::

Dang. It didn’t work.

Or if it did, he was still ignoring her. Jerk. How much longer was he going to make her wait to eat?

Maybe she shouldn’t have made such a fuss over the mating thing? Humph. He deserved it. All she did was yell a few minutes, while he tied her to him for life. All he had to do was ask. During the state she was in at that particular moment, she would have agreed to anything anyway. He could have asked her to jump off of mount Fuji and she would have happily agreed. But at least it would have been her decision.

Kagome shook her head, and kicked another pebble. Well, there really is no use in crying over spilt milk. What’s done is done and can’t be undone or re-done, so what’s the use in holding a grudge? Her lips curled just a little with the hint of a smile. It was kind of nice to know that he wanted her by his side forever. In truth, she was totally blown away by the thought of it. She was now the Lady of the Western Lands. Kagome giggled. She never even dreamed of being a royal figure before. Just wait until Sango hears about this.

“Why do you laugh, wench?” Sesshomaru asked without even turning his head in the least.

“Nothing. I was just thinking something silly,” Kagome replied.

“Of that I had no doubt,” Sesshomaru curtly added. He was still furious with her for the way she treated him earlier that morning. It was simply uncalled for. After all, it was a great honor to be the Lady of the Western Lands, and as a human she should be throwing herself at his feet in gratitude. How dare she scream at him in such a manner?

Sesshomaru noticed another pebble dash passed his foot. He was beginning to wonder if she were aiming them at him and simply missing. He knew very well that she was hungry and wished to stop to devour her noon day meal. Her rumbling stomach had made that all to clear, but he refused to stop until she asked him to. After all, it was she who insisted that it was a tremendous travesty for assuming that she wanted to be mated to him. Surly it would also be a travesty to assume that she wished to eat? In light of this, he refused to stop until she asked him to.

Kagome was beginning to feel a little lightheaded. She had been so angry earlier that morning that she couldn’t even think about food, so she hadn’t eaten a thing. Now she was starving! There really wasn’t anything left to eat in her pack except a ball of sweet rice, and that would be a little hard to eat while walking. Man what she would do for a steak. Or maybe some venison. Rabbit would be okay too. Oh yes, a nice rare steak would be just so awesome.

Rare?

Since when do I like my steak rare?

This was a little un-nerving. Just the thought of a big juicy rare steak was sending her mouth into drool mode, and she had always liked her beef cooked medium well. Normally she didn’t even like a little pink in her meat.

Another thing that bothered her was the fact that she didn’t really want to eat her rice ball. She wanted meat. She wanted something to chew, something to stick to her ribs, something hearty. She wanted something like a rare steak.

Kami what in the hell is up with me? Is this some kind of pregnancy craving? Probably. It was a strange craving though. Her mother had craved Dill Pickles, frozen Cokes and Rocky Road ice cream. She couldn’t recall once when her mom asked for undercooked meat.

Could this be some inu thing? Something related to the marking? She would have to ask, but right now she just wanted to chow down. The more she thought about it, the more she craved a meaty entrée’. Sesshomaru was the one who decided to be her mate. It was his job to go hunt her something to eat.

“Sesshomaru?”

He fought the urge to smirk and instead made his reply as smug and indifferent as possible. “Speak.”

Kagome rolled her eyes at his tone. He was obviously still mad at her. She should probably apologize for screaming at him. She should.... , but she wouldn’t. He deserved it.

She cleared her throat and ignored his quipped tone. “I’m starving. Please go hunt me up something to eat.”

Now this was new. Suddenly she decides that she wanted him to hunt for her? After the temper tantrum that she threw? He sighed inwardly. It was his job as her mate to provide her sustenance, and in her condition it was doubly important that she was well fed. No matter how angry he was at her it would be prudent to fetch her something to eat.

Without a word Sesshomaru veered off of the main road and faded into the forest. Kagome watched and gritted her teeth to keep from calling him a jerk for not answering her. It was obvious that he was going to hunt for some food, but he didn’t have to be so rude about it. Kagome followed him a short way and stopped when she hit a small spot that was clear of underbrush. She would build a little fire right here. With an angry huff she set out to gather some firewood.

Sesshomaru took to the trees. He glided from one to the other with the grace of a jungle feline searching for prey. He sniffed the air in search of a potential meal, listening with acute hearing for the sounds of a red-blooded animal. Soon he caught a scent and was on the trail.

Just ahead he spotted a small young doe. The deer was crouched down in the rambling underbrush, hiding from predators during the bright noon day sun. He stalked soundlessly closer. Waiting until just the right moment. The doe flicked her ears, searching for danger. Her body began to tense, as if she sensed her impending doom, then he struck.

Sesshomaru tossed the carcass over his shoulder and headed back to Kagome.

She had just finished building the fire and cleaning off a piece of green bamboo she found for a spic. It would do perfectly for roasting her food over the fire. She dug around in her bag and pulled out the rice ball and prepared to munch on it while Sesshomaru was gone. She held it up to take a bite, but it just looked so unappealing. Her stomach seemed to lurch at the mere thought of eating it.

Just when she was about to try a bite anyway, hoping to quell the rumbling growls her stomach was making, Sesshomaru stepped out of the forest line carrying a cleaned deer carcass in his hand. Her mouth watered just thinking about all that delicious meat waiting for her to eat it. Kagome smiled up at him, but he made no move to return the kindness. She decided to just keep her mouth shut, just in case he decided to drop her food on the forest floor. At this point she would probably eat it anyway, and dirt had never been her favorite seasoning.

With the flick of his claws he separated the small hams from the carcass and handed them to his mate so that she could string them onto the spic she held in her hand. Then he turned to go finish off his portion of the deer. Sesshomaru wasn’t fond of eating cooked meat so he would consume his meal in the privacy of the forest. It was doubtful that Kagome, as a human, would be able to stomach watching him eat raw meat.

Just as he stepped into the forest edge he glanced back to the human female that he had taken as his mate the previous evening. He expected to see her impaling the deer hams with her bamboo stake, but what she was actually doing stopped him cold in his tracks.

Sesshomaru turned around completely, and curiously, amazed at what his mate was doing. What in the world compelled her to act in such a manner? “Kagome?” At the sound of his voice Kagome looked up from devouring the raw deer ham and met his gaze with swirling silver eyes. She barely spared him a glance before returning to her meal.

Upon witnessing this intriguing change in his little mate, Sesshomaru decided that it would be prudent to monitor her behavior during this uncharacteristic moment. Instead of seeking solitude in the forest he took a seat beneath a tree at the edge of the forest and watched her while he ate his fill.

She was beautiful, and her own power seemed to be surging around her as she ate. It wasn’t offensive to him in the least. In actuality it was... arousing. She ripped into the thick flesh of the deer with her tiny fangs, making short work of one ham and then starting on the other. Occasionally she omitted little growls as she tore strips away from the bone. What had caused this change? He had not witnessed such odd behavior in her before their mating. Could it be that his blood had altered her to this extent? Nothing like this had ever happened to his dead father’s human mate, Izayoi, even during her pregnancy with Inuyasha.

Then what could be the cause of this? The silver in her eyes reminded him very much of the angry eyes of the InuGod, Anubis. Just the thought of that arrogant beast sent his blood boiling. Anubis was the first to taste her sweetness, and that knowledge was very disturbing to the great dog demon. She even carried the pup of that Egyptian God in her belly, making it all the more painful to accept.

The pup. It was both a great gift and a curse. It was most powerful, that was for certain, and would prove to be an unbeatable force when its full potential was reached. He had grown to accept that the pup would be born of Kagome, and he was determined to treat it as he would his own offspring, but it would forever remind him of the dog that had taken his mate to bed before him. Never though, would he allow his pitiable jealousies to be known. He was above such ridiculous things.

Sesshomaru tossed the remainder of the unwanted carcass to the forest floor for the scavengers, and stood. He walked over to his feasting mate and squatted down next her cautiously all the while her growling increased in strength. She eyed him like a predatory female expecting him to move in on her meal. Her eyes were shimmering metal, narrowed in suspicion. He made no move toward her in any way and eventually her hunger won out against her wariness. She continued to eat.

Seeing Kagome like this reminded him of their previous night’s encounter. Her heated body craving his own. Her sexual desires swimming in those silver eyes. Her small fangs piercing his flesh and consuming his life’s blood in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

He began to grow heavy with desire.

His mate stopped her meal and looked up, lightly sniffing the air around her. She turned to him, dropping the remainder of her meal and raising up on her haunches to lean closer to him. Again she delicately sniffed the air before leaning even closer. He watched curiously, interested to see what it was that she scented, but suspecting he already knew that answer.

It was a delicious smell. It called to her, smelling even better than the meat. It was coming from her mate. She was sure of it. Her big powerful male was emitting this wonderful aroma. She thrummed a feral vibration from her chest as she sought the source. The scent was overpowering all other thoughts. It was heady and thick, buttery and mouth-watering. She leaned into the male trying to get closer, trying to bathe herself in the glorious smell.

Sesshomaru felt his heart quicken as Kagome began to sniff his crotch. She obviously smelled his arousal and it was enough to send his blood pooling to his loins. Her body moved so sensuously, so erotically as she seemed to bask in his musk.

When she turned her metallic silver eyes up to him with those thick black lashes cast half mast Sesshomaru was completely lost. He had to have her now. He had to bury himself deep within her moist warmth.

****WARNING LEMON (aka sex) STARTS HERE - please skip it if you are shy or underage

Armor, swords and clothing fell to the ground as the demon lord sought to press his burning flesh against the nakedness of his mate. He had to feel her flesh. He had to lick her skin and taste her flesh. He had to sheath his throbbing flesh inside her writhing core. He had to.

Golden eyes swam with red as the taiyoukai pressed his curvy little bitch against the trunk of a nearby tree. She grunted from the impact and bared her neck in an erotic display. He lowered his mouth to her heated flesh and licked his mark, earning him a husky feminine groan. She pushed her pelvis against his muscular thigh and he moved to place his leg even closer to her hot core.

Her breasts fit perfectly in his big hands and he pinched her nipples, twisting the caramel tips between his long fingers. Her panting breaths brushed against his sensitive ear and he growled his approval. He licked and nipped his way over the slender column of her neck with fierce hunger. Kagome moaned, and growled, and purred, as she humped her aching body against his hard thigh.

Sesshomaru slid his hands over her body, tracing her soft curves, committing them to memory in a hot rush. Her tiny patch of curls tickled his fingertips and he moved to caress her feminine flower. He groaned and panted as his fingers slipped easily between her moist lips. Sesshomaru took her mouth with his own, kissing her full pink lips, forcing them apart in order to enter her moist cavern. Her tongue fought against his invasion and he enjoyed the battle as he lifted her from the ground to straddle him.

He pulled away and held her gaze as he impaled her on to his throbbing cock. “Mmmmm... Ahhh...” She felt so good, so tight and wet, so ready for his thick presence. Her muscles gripped him, caressing his length with molten heat.

He was panting, drawing in air through fast, gasping breaths even as he stilled himself to momentarily revel in her magnificent quivering heat. So tight... so fucking tight... “Kagome...”

Delicious friction. It was exquisite, divine, vintage perfection. Hot, wet, softness tightly gripped his member while tiny nails scratched at his chest sending little rivulets of blood trailing down to the hard plain of his abdomen. “By the Gods...” He thrust hard back in, eager to feel the complete depth of her channel, then pulled back out, eager to feel the soul gripping friction.

She broke her melody of moans and whimpers to call out, “Harder! Faster! Sesshomaru, faster, pleeeaaaasssseee!”

She called his name. She was not completely overtaken by the change. He smirked with this knowledge before meeting her demands, pummeling, slamming his rock hard cock deep into her flesh with speed matched by no mortal. He stroked her hard and fast just like she begged until she again screamed his name during her body-wracking climax. Her sheath tightened to almost impossible dimensions and he fought to hold back the seed in his body.

He wanted more.

Moist slapping flesh sounded in his ears as he beat her core with his thick length. The claws of his right hand dug into her breast, gripping her tightly, drawing thin trails of crimson blood. He dipped in to suckle the sweet nectar never breaking his passionate rhythm. Her body shook and her head tossed about in a frenzy as her taiyoukai growled and grunted while basting his engorged erection in her dripping depths.

He was so very close and could hold back no more when she screamed his name in yet another convulsing fit of ecstasy. Her channel clamped down milking him of his hot cream. With a roar and one last hard grunt he tossed his head back in a flurry of long white tresses. He clenched his teeth as his seed shot into her passage in time to the pounding beat of his heart.

Sesshomaru fell forward, collapsing his torso against her moist body, burying his face in the crook of her neck, and sinking his fangs in to taste her sweet essence. He lapped her flowing blood, completely lost in the sensual act, until a sharp pain high on his chest drew his attention. He carefully licked and closed the wound he created, while feeling her hot blood begin to spread its magic through his body.

Her tongue moved over the bite on his chest like an erotic dream. Sesshomaru groaned and tightened his grip on her as her body began to spasm with the orgasmic blood exchange. It left her breathless and weak, so he lifted her in his arms and carried her to a clean soft patch of grass where he lowered her gently to the ground. She curled up with a smile on her full, passion swollen lips.

He scanned the area for danger before taking his place by her side to rest and regain his great strength. Sesshomaru nibbled her neck and licked once more at his mark there. It mattered not that she was angered by his decision to make her his mate. It was out of his hands. She was his because he wanted her more than anything else, and he would never let her go.

***LEMON ENDS HERE

The remainder of the journey was not at all unpleasant. All anger had been released during their fierce passion, leaving Kagome a bit giddy with happiness. She wasn’t sure what happened up to the point where Sesshomaru entered her. It was a little scary that she seemed to have blacked out for a little while, but when she questioned Sesshomaru he told her that he would explain it to her when he understood it better himself.

He could be so secretive and mysterious at times like that. It made her wonder what was going on in that taiyoukai mind of his. Kagome knew from past experience that bugging him further wouldn’t get her anywhere, so she pushed it out of her mind for now. Apparently something really odd happened to her, because she didn’t even remember eating, even though she was full. She supposed he would tell her what happened when he was ready.

Kagome walked close to him, brushing her hips teasingly against his body and he glanced down with a bit of amusement. She blushed and looked away to the ground at her feet. They walked like that in comfortable silence until he suddenly stopped in his tracks, simultaneously reaching out and grasping her arm.

“Stay here,” Sesshomaru ordered as he leapt into the air in a graceful arc while drawing Tokijin from its sheath. Ahead Kagome watched as he slashed through dozens of trees revealing a huge crouching tiger youkai. Its piercing crimson eyes immediately met hers before looking toward the descending threat of Sesshomaru.

Gracefully he landed before the big cat prepared to slay the beast if it made one wrong move. “Why do you spy on this Sesshomaru?” He demanded with penetrating golden eyes.

Kagome gasped as the beautiful monstrous feline transformed into a male humanoid form. He stood tall and thickly padded with dense muscles rippling beneath heavy armor. His eyes were a brilliant green and his long red hair settled gently over his back. He glared at Sesshomaru before turning to once more take in the form of Kagome with a longing appraisal. Sesshomaru growled angrily in disbelief that this neko youkai would dare turn away from him to gawk openly at his mate.

Sesshomaru lunged in an unannounced attack, swiping his sword through the air with deadly intent. The tiger moved with lightening speed, dodging his attack and landing just at his back, shoulder to shoulder. Sesshomaru ducked and gracefully rolled his feet in the air as he dodged the long claws swiping at his neck. Once again his feet touched the ground and he stood to his full height with his sword once again at the ready.

Sesshomaru held his stoic facade, never allowing the neko to gauge his inner thoughts. “I do not repeat myself, cat. Speak now, while you still can.”

The neko shifted, moving the balls of his feet in a soft springing motion. He was preparing to dodge another attack. His arms held out in a balancing stance, and his long fingers moved rhythmically in a way that flashed each of its long sharp claws in warning. He then hissed, “I seek the power. It beckons me to take it. She is pretty, your little mate, and reeking of supreme energy. The babe in her womb will grow with the strength to rule this land. I will kill you, and take her for myself.”

Sesshomaru ignored the horrified gasp from Kagome and growled before attacking once more. His sword almost struck home, and would have sliced the neko’s head from his body if the damnable cat had not ducked and rolled with incredible speed easily coming to his feet ready for some more. Sesshomaru moved to a good position to launch another attack. This cat had given away much of his style in those few movements, and it was clear that he was taught under a master from the East. His father insisted that he become familiar with the different master’s battle styles in order to better gauge the enemy. It was an excellent lesson and had always served him well.

The neko youkai hissed and glared at him with those slit pupil eyes. He would enjoy watching this feline perish. “You fool, my mate is not for your taking.”

The neko smirked, keeping his eyes trained on his opponent. “I can understand you wishing to keep her to yourself dog, but make no mistake, it will be my bed she warms this night.”

Kagome heard enough. That stupid jerk. How dare he assume that she would just go with him, even if he could defeat Sesshomaru? And that she knew would never happen. “You baka jerk! I don’t know who you are, but I’ll tell you who I am...” Kagome straightened her posture and held her head high pulling forth confidence that she really didn’t feel. “...I am Kagome, Lady of the Western Lands, mother to the unborn child of a powerful god, and I will not be taken lightly!” Her power flared and her eyes swam silver. She released her raw energy in a pulse of warning.

Sesshomaru was a bit perturbed at her interference, but the reaction of the feline was worth the distraction. His hair actually stood on end as he hissed before crouching down, now looking at her with fearful jade eyes. “Looks as if you have bitten off a little more than you can chew, cat.” Sesshomaru snarled as he jumped toward the enemy in a well-placed attack.

The cat leapt, dodging the first swing and lashing out, barely missing the dog’s exposed abdomen. Sesshomaru expected this however, and stopped in mid turn, reversing his swing with incredible speed. Tokijin cut through his midsection, slicing him completely in two. His youkai blood pooled in the grass below and the green eyes of the feline closed forever.

Lord Sesshomaru wiped the blood from the blade of his sword. He then re-sheathed it in his sash before joining his mate who was once more graced with brilliant blue eyes. They were, unfortunately, shimmering with tears, and he held up his hand to capture one on the tip of his finger. “Why do you cry Kagome? I would have allowed no harm to come to you.”

“It’s stupid really,” Kagome sniffed. “I just hate that he died because of me.”

How curious? Why would she mourn the passing of one such as that vile cat? “He was of no worth, and deserving of his fate,” he stated this as it was... fact.

Kagome shook her head sadly. “I don’t agree, Sesshomaru. I feel that all life has worth, even his. I just hate that this new power in me is such a magnet for youkai like him. I don’t want anyone to die because of me.”

He did not understand her reasoning, and he possibly never would, but it is obviously an upsetting thing to her. He pulled her close and sought to comfort her by caressing her soft ebony hair and down her back.

Kagome sighed, and accepted this unexpected gentle response from her new mate. It was obvious that there was much more to Lord Sesshomaru than she ever suspected.

~~~***~~~

“Oh dear. Jiyuu, you have to get master Jaken down from there before Lord Sesshomaru gets home!” Rin cried.

“I am trying my Lady, but the concoction holding him in place is quite strong. His body is completely pasted to the ceiling,” Jiyuu called out to her with a note of frustration. “How in the name of Kami did the toad end up here in the first place?” He reached out to the unconscious youkai and shook the green vassal of his lord once again, but received no response. He was out cold.

“It was those blasted chicks! I just know it! I heard them whispering and pointing at Jaken earlier this morning. Those rotten little mischief makers.” Rin grumbled as she watched Jiyuu maneuver precariously, high above the castle floor.

Jiyuu hung upside down, his long onyx hair hanging down beneath him as he tried to figure out a way to pry the kappa youkai from the ceiling. He looked down as Rin stomped, angrily fussing about the suspects. “Do you mean the three young lords of the North? Lord Buhito’s chick’s?”

“Hai! Those little monsters! Why, just last evening I found the eyeball of a pig floating in my soup. They swore they didn’t do it, but I knew better. The look in their eyes told me the truth!” Rin was getting really angry. How dare those spoiled little brats come into her home and wreak such havoc?!

Just as she was about to spout a string of angry words directed at those three pranksters, Lord Buhito walked in. He looked at Rin curiously and then looked up to find Jiyuu suspended high above next to an unconscious Jaken. He chuckled before asking, “Young soldier, just what is it that you are doing up there?”

Jiyuu fought the urge to bark back a reply, and answered with calm that he wasn’t feeling at the moment. It was one thing for Lord Buhito’s boys to glue Jaken to the ceiling, hell he would have laughed if Rin wasn’t so upset, but it was a whole different issue to learn that the insolent bird’s had sullied the nourishment of the lovely young lady of the castle. He would like to give them a beating himself for putting a filthy eyeball in his ladies soup bowl. He crushed down the urge to express his feelings on the matter. Instead he answered in a smooth calm voice. “It appears that someone has glued Jaken to the ceiling, and for the life of me I can’t seem to pry him loose.”

Buhito narrowed his eyes as his mind played out the inu’s words. It sounded suspiciously like a similar incident that took place in his own home just a few moons ago. His thoughts, however, came to an abrupt halt when the sound of a familiar smooth baritone voice drew the attention of them all.

“I do believe that someone has some explaining to do.”

Rin whirled around in a billowing cloud of silk. “Lord Sesshomaru!” She ran to him in her excitement. “I am so glad that you are home! I have missed you so.” She turned to Kagome and threw herself into her arms for a hug. “I missed you too, Kagome-chan! Very much!”

Kagome hugged Rin in return. When the teen stepped back Kagome looked up to Jaken, who was clearly stuck to the high ceiling. Next to him was a handsome young soldier of Sesshomaru’s army. Jaken was out cold, and the soldier was performing an act of defiance to the natural laws of gravity while trying to pry him loose. Before she could stop herself she burst out laughing. “Maybe we can leave him up there? He can greet visitors as they walk in!”

Rin giggled, finally feeling the previous tension ease a little. It was too late to keep this from her lord now. It was just as well; those chicks’s deserved to pay for their mischief.

Sesshomaru took in the insanity that greeted him with minor irritation. This was not exactly the ‘welcome home’ that he had expected. He could see that his lieutenant general was trying to free Jaken from the odd containment, and briefly wondered what his soldier was doing within the castle walls during his absence. He glanced to Rin. This was the second time that he found young Jiyuu in the same room as his ward. It would bear some watching. Just in case.

“Lord Sesshomaru, Lord Buhito interrupted, I do believe that I may have the solution to your retainer’s problem.”

Sesshomaru looked to the bird with one raised brow. “Do tell.”

Buhito cleared his throat before explaining. “This Buhito is not certain, but it may take the gum of the Spicebush to release the glue holding the toad in place.”

Jiyuu immediately released his hold on the ceiling and flipped once in mid-air before landing gracefully on his feet. “I know of a Spicebush on the edge of the forest. I will return shortly with the gum you need, my Lord.” He bowed low, before dashing off to retrieve the gum.

Sesshomaru looked over to Buhito, who was busy staring at Kagome. He growled low. Not approving of the lingering appraisal to his mate. “Buhito, perhaps you would like to explain how it is that you know the solution to Jaken’s... problem?”

Buhito sighed deeply. He knew it would soon come to this. He was not sure of his suspicions, however, and was reluctant to speak of them until he was sure. “Well, old friend, if it pleases you, I would prefer not to answer that until your young soldier returns with the gum. I am not at all that certain that it will work.”

Sesshomaru nodded, hiding his irritation well. He had his own suspicions, and he was pretty sure who to blame for this incident. He would, however, hold his tongue on the matter until Jiyuu returned. Speaking of Jiyuu... “Rin, how is it that my lieutenant general is the one chosen for this unusual task?”

Rin looked away from those piercing eyes of her lord and shuffled her feet nervously. She was hoping that he wouldn’t think anything of this. That’s why she was trying to get Jiyuu to hurry and get Jaken down before he returned.

When she found Jaken pasted to the ceiling she panicked, and rushed out to the field looking for Jiyuu. She really didn’t know why she sought out the inu soldier before anyone else. She just did, and he seemed eager to help. At the time she didn’t think about the fact that she was dragging him away from his duty. “Um... well, you see my lord, when I found Jaken I didn’t know what to do, so I...”

“She ran out of the castle in a panic and I just happened to be passing by so I graciously offered my services. Please forgive me, Lord Sesshomaru, if I have stepped out of line in doing so.” Jiyuu appeared at that moment carrying the slimy gum. He had just entered when he heard the nervous explanation from Rin to the taiyoukai. He couldn’t bear the though to her being punished for seeking him out, so he tried to cover for her.

Rin jerked her eyes to Jiyuu, and tried to hide the smile that sprang forth. He was so fast. She never expected him to be back so soon, and then in he comes, ready to rescue her once more. He was just too sweet for words.

Sesshomaru looked to Jiyuu with narrowed suspicious eyes. He could have sworn that he noticed his heart peek for the briefest of moments when he said that. Did lieutenant general Jiyuu, in fact, just lie to him? What reason would he have for lying? He decided to hold this information for better scrutiny at a later time. Perhaps he should keep a closer eye on Rin and tell Jaken to do the same? Yes, it appeared that would be in order since he most definitely smelled something amiss.

All eyes were soon drawn to the rather fussy, excited banter of Lady Chika. The hen was passing by on her way to the springs for a bath when she caught sight of Kagome and Sesshomaru. She hurried over to the young miko with outstretched arms. “Kagome dear! It is so nice to see you again!”

Sesshomaru looked to Kagome with curious amounts of humor glinting in his eyes, however his mate had no time to say a word before the hen had her clamped down in a smothering hug. Her eyes seemed to bulge from the compression just before Lady Chika released her. As an afterthought Chika then turned to him with a brief greeting and a bow. It would seem that Kagome had made quite the impression on the Lady of the North.

Kagome gasped for a much needed breath after having her lungs crushed, then smiled happily at her new friend. “I’ve missed you too Lady Chika! I hope you have been well while we were gone.”

Chika clucked and made an exasperated face. “Oh nothing out of the ordinary. Mostly chasing after my four children.”

Kagome quirked a brow in confusion. “Four?”

Lady Chika nodded with all seriousness before answering, “Yes, Bunka, Bungo, Bunmei and Buhito.”

Kagome laughed as she caught on to the joke and looked to Lord Buhito who was glaring with feigned offense at his mate. Sesshomaru made it all the worse when he ‘harrumphed’ in his usual ‘isn’t that the truth’ way. Jiyuu was in the process of leaping from one wall of the great hall to the other, making his way up to the pinned Jaken. Chika caught the movement from the corner of her eye.

“What in the world is he doing?” Chika wondered aloud, then she spotted Jaken, who was just beginning to regain consciousness. The toad blinked a couple of times before screaming out in fright. He began to frantically wave his arms about while squealing to the top of his lungs. His yellow bulbous eyes looked as if they might pop right out of his head.

“Jaken. Stop that,” Sesshomaru ordered with mild boredom. He had much better things to be doing than this. He looked down to Kagome who had the most intriguing little circular shape formed with her lips. She was looking up to the ceiling with those big sexy blue eyes. That luscious mouth inspired several different scenarios to back up his statement. It looked so soft, and moist and...

“...Don’t you agree, Sesshomaru?” Buhito asked. Sesshomaru jerked himself from his hypnotic state and forcefully focused on the Northern Lord. What was it that he just said? Sesshomaru nodded and added his usual “Hn.” That vocal expression seemed to always serve him well on occasions such as this. He was then pleased to find that it had done so once more.

What ever Buhito said was quickly forgotten when Jaken started a tirade against the one’s responsible for his current predicament.

“Those awful children! They have tortured this Jaken, your most loyal of servants! Lord Sesshomaru, I have done nothing to merit this treatment! Those rotten hellions should have a strap applied to their bottoms!”

“Enough Jaken,” Sesshomaru snapped. He would not have his servant speaking in such disrespect of the Northern Lords chick’s, although he was inclined to agree completely with Jaken. As always, Jaken clipped his tirade off and began a stream of apologies and praise to his master. Sesshomaru ignored him completely and turned to Buhito. “It would appear that your heirs have been up to no good once again.”

Buhito drew in a deep angry breath. Those little pains in his tail-feather’s would be the death of him yet. How dare they do this to Sesshomaru’s retainer? It mattered not that he had often thought of gluing the kappa’s mouth shut with that very same substance. They had stepped over the line this time. He released the held breath in a long slow act of despair. He bowed to Sesshomaru and said, “My deepest apologies, my lord, for this mistreatment of your servant by those of my house. You may rest assured that they will be duly punished.”

Sesshomaru huffed and narrowed his eyes, “I should hope so, Buhito.”

Suddenly Jaken yelled in a terrified manner and the taiyoukai turned to see him falling fast to the smooth floor far below. Rin cried out, “Master Jaken!” Sesshomaru watched unemotionally, wondering how the kappa would take the fall. It was often amusing to count the number of knots on his green shiny head.

Sesshomaru never had a chance to enjoy that particular sport, because as soon as Rin screamed, Jiyuu pushed off of the ceiling into a tight half circle, then gracefully grabbed the falling Jaken before continuing the revolution to land squarely on his boot clad feet.

Such a young show off.

Jiyuu set Jaken down with a little shake and growled, “You owe me one toad.”

Jaken huffed indignantly and straightened his robes, ignoring the runt completely. After all, it was the boy’s job to assist Lord Sesshomaru’s faithful servant.

Rin wanted so badly to hug Jiyuu for his brave rescue, but it would be most improper of a lady to do such a thing, so instead she smiled shyly and complimented his achievement. “You are most agile and strong, Jiyuu-chan.” She blushed a pretty shade of pink as she said this.

Jiyuu was simply enchanted by the young lady of the manor. Her praise sent his armored chest into a swollen puff of pride. The precious pink flush over her smooth cheeks made him wish with all his might that he could just reach out and trace the smooth skin with his fingertips. He was distracted from his thoughts by the sudden, and very curt, dismissal of him by Lord Sesshomaru.

The soldier quickly pulled his eyes away from the budding beauty and gave a bow to his commander. He gave one last look to Rin, who met him with a smile that would warm the coldest night. He grinned happily at her before trotting back to the barracks.

Kagome watched this little exchange with shock and amusement. It was pretty obvious that little Rin had a crush on that youkai soldier, and from what she just saw, it looked like he might just return the feeling. She fought the urge to grab Rin by the arm and drag her upstairs to the privacy of their rooms so that she could bleed her for the details. It was tough. She was fighting an ingrained feminine compulsion after all. It took some effort to keep her excitement at bay, but she managed. Kagome finally turned back to the others.

Sesshomaru sent Jaken scurrying off and Lady Chika said her good-byes, stating that she was heading to the springs to bathe. Kagome told her that she might see her there in a few minutes, since she was in dire need of a bath herself. Hearing this, Sesshomaru decided that he would take the opportunity to speak with Buhito concerning a few affairs of state. He invited the rooster to retire to his study, but before he walked away, he turned to Kagome and pulled her up for a soft kiss. She was a little surprised, and pleased, at this public show of affection from her new mate. She quickly closed her eyes and returned his caress of soft lips. With one last deep look from his sun kissed eyes, Sesshomaru released her turning abruptly, and walked away.

This display caught all those present completely off guard. Buhito, Chika and especially Rin, stood frozen, with mouths open in shock. That was most unlike Lord Sesshomaru. It was obvious that something very interesting happened while they were away.

Rin was dying to know. Chika was dying to know as well. Buhito simply had his mind in the gutter, while thinking of the fun he would now get to have at Sesshomaru’s expense.

Rin broke the silence when she gave in to base instinct by grabbing Kagome’s arm and asking, “What was that all about? I’ve never seen Lord Sesshomaru act like that. Ever!”

Kagome released a hymn of feminine laughter and said, “Well, I am the new Lady of the Western Lands.”

Rin felt faint and had to grasp a hold of her friend before she fell in the floor. She couldn’t believe it. “Really Kagome? You are telling this Rin the truth?” Kagome hugged her. “Hai Rin. He took me as his mate.” Rin and Chika, both released ear-splitting sounds of delight as they grabbed Kagome in happiness. Again Kagome found herself gasping for breath in the arms of friends.

~~~***~~~

A/N: Hello again! For all you Anubis fans out there, I would like to inform you that he has recently made a guest appearance in Chapter 17 of Embracing Ice by Yabou. So, if you haven’t already, please visit her wonderful story on A Single Spark for refreshing little appearance from our sexy InuGod.

Next update we will be skipping ahead in time just a little. Three months to be exact. There we will catch up with our friends and discover what new things are transpiring in their lives.