His new ward

Chapter 4

After ensuring that the trio had departed, he went to the East wing study.

"These girls are more trouble than they are worth. I should have just killed them." He thought, but now he was honor bound to protect them.

Where had his mind been at the time?

Obviously not with him.

He sat in his chair and waited for the girls to arrive. It didn't take long. As they entered the study he motioned for them to sit down.

"We have much to discuss." He waited for them to be seated and their handmaid to leave the room before he started. He was surprised that they were smart enough to hold their tongues in his presense.

"Sesshomaru, you need to release us. We have a quest to complete, and can't afford to stay here." Kagome glared at the demon lord in front of her.

"Wench while you are in my care you will at least act like you have some manners. You will address me as My Lord, or Lord Sesshomaru, or Sesshomaru-sama do I make my self clear?" He stood up and leaned over the desk to stare at the Miko. "You might be here for a month or you might be out of here next week. It all depends on me so if I were you I would try my best not to anger the one in control of your life at the moment. As we speak notices are being sent out to the other towns and kingdoms announcing that I am seeking husbands and mates for you. I will recieve all suitors in one week. You will only see them after they meet my approval. If you continue to anger me I might just choose the worse applicant for you. Do you both understand?"

Kagome started to stand but fell back onto the cushion. Her foot had gotten caught in her kimono.

"Now I remember why I never wear these blasted things." She thought; she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over to Sango.

Sango leaned over and whispered in Kagome's ear, "He is the Lord of these lands and as such has the power to do as he wishes."

At least the slayer had a bit of sense to her.

"But you should not worry, Miko, I have recieved a petition from the Northern Lords son to take you as mate. If he proves his petition of first claim in one week, you will be mated. I don't think the Northern prince will fail in his claim, so be prepared to be mated in one week." He could see the look of surprise and confusion on the Miko's face.

Surely she knew who he was talking about. If not he would not spoil the wolf's plan.

Surely he wasn't serious, Kagome thought scaredly. Kagome jumped up faced off with Sesshoumaru once again. "No one has a claim on me."

Why did the girl feel it necesary to argue all the time? "Think Miko, in your travels has no one claimed you as their mate?"

Sango couldn't stop herself from answering for her, "There was Kouga, not to mention that pig demon that tried to make you his wife, then that guy with the band of seven-- but Lord Sesshoumaru killed him so I am sure he's not the one."

"Kouga just said that to get on Inuyasha's nerves. Besides, he told Ayame that he would take her as his mate. Not to mention the pig demon was sent back to the Main Land. Now that we are discussing past involvements how about that human prince that wanted to marry you?"

Sango decided that now would be a good time to change the subject. "My Lord, I had a Neko traveling with me and Kagome had a kitsune pup. What happened to them?"

"The Neko and the kitsune are being fitted with collars that will not allow them to change while in this castle. This is being done to ensure that you will not escape." Sesshomaru watched as each girl got angry at his answer.

He smiled to himself this is starting to get fun.

"Lord Sesshomaru, has Inuyasha or Koga came to see us yet?" Kagome watched Sesshomaru and saw a spark of anger cross his eyes before he blocked it out. So he guessed that was a yes.

"My half brother sought to petition me for you also. Would it be acceptable to you to become his second mate?" Sesshomaru watched the turmoil in the girls eyes. "You would be at the mercy of the first wife. You would be expected to do everything she tells you to, and it would be in her best intrest if you never slept with him after the first mating. To put it simply you would be her slave and his concubine when it so pleased him. You would not be allowed any privleges. Is this the life you want?" He saw the tears pouring from the girls eyes as she shook her head no.

"In the matter of your quest, until you are mated and can continue your quest. I will send a few of my soldiers out to search for the jewel shards. They will be turned over to you when they are found. He also informed me that there was other things that I needed to know about you. Would you like to inform this Sesshomaru what that information is?"

Kagome wiped the tears from her face and glared up at him. "No, my Lord"

"Very well then-- my decision remains. Return to your rooms-- your servants will guide you. You have the run of the East Wing but do not try to leave it." Sesshomaru watched the girls leave.

What was the Miko hiding?

Oh well it was not his problem. His problems just walked out the door.