His new ward

Chapter 9

Ghanna walked to Sesshomaru's study and found her mate and Sesshomaru still conversing. She wasn't surprised. There was much turmoil in the lands due to Naraku's demise. The Lords of the lands met regularly to discuss it all.

*I think we have enough information for now mate. She is acceptable. I think it is time to depart to so we may help our son proclaim his mate to all of Japan.* Ghanna walked to the doors leading outside and summoned a guard to prepare their carriage for thier departure. It arrived as her mate and Sesshomaru exited the castle she bowed to Sesshomaru."Thank you for letting me talk to the girl, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Any time you wish, Lady Ghanna." Sesshomaru nodded his head to her then accepted Lord Koona's nod as they departed.

'Well that was fast. I am sure they are on their way home to tell their son that he can't marry the girl. Oh well that means that I must find her another mate.' He thought, tapping a long claw on his lower lip, mentally adding: 'And soon her stench is seeping into the very bowels of my castle'.

He just hoped that he hadn't read the monk wrong, and he would return monday to claim his mate. Then all he had to worry about was the Miko. One out of two wasn't bad. He turned around and entered the castle again.

Koona waited till the carriage left Sesshomaru's gates before he spoke to his mate. "Would you like to explain to me mate why we left before I got a chance to meet the girl."

She smiled at her mate and took his hand in hers. "After all these years together do you not trust my judgement, Koona?"

He turned a wary eye to his mate. He knew better than to answer that question.

But he also knew he had no other choice. "Of course I do, my dear. Now, tell me about the girl." Hopefully he could distract his mate and he wouldn't end up sleeping with the pack tonight.

"She is young and like he said a human, but I sense something about her. I don't know what it is. I told her what life in a pack was like and she didn't flinch. I believe she will be able to hold her own at Kouga's den. She is smart-- well most of the time. Do you believe that she doesn't know that Kouga is a Prince of the Northern Lands? Of course, I didn't tell her otherwise. I figured it is up to Kouga to do that. She will love our son in time. It is enough that she likes and admires him now." Ghanna took her mates hand in hers. "All I ask is that you trust me on this. Now onto more pressing business. How to get Ayame to mate Khano. That is not going to be easy, and until it happens we have to keep her away from Kouga. That is not going to be easy, either. She is quite stuborn."

His plan seemed to be working. "You will find a way, my dear. And as usual if you need my help you will just tell me what to do." Koona smiled at his wife.

"I do not do that." Ghanna smiled up at her mate.

"Yes you do and your quite good at it too. But since I love you I don't complain to often." Koona leaned down and kissed his wife. "Your just lucky that we are almost home or you would be in big trouble."

"That's ok, you can make it up to me later." Ghanna smiled at her mate again and then snuggled up to him for the rest of the trip.

Kouga went running through his parents garden for the third time that morning. He had to stop and rest soon. Ayame had been chasing him since breakfast. Didn't the girl ever give up. He saw Khona in front of him and slid to a stop. He sniffed the air and then grabbed his brother and ran to his room. "You have to help me. Ayame has been chasing me all morning and if I don't stop running soon I am going to collapse from exhaustion."

Khano laughed at his brothers predicament. "And how am I suppose to help you?" Khano stopped laughing when he saw his brothers face. "What ever your up to Kouga count me out."

"I haven't even told you my plan yet." Koga smiled at his brother and walked around him.

"I don't care what your plan is. I know that look in your eyes. Everytime I see it usually results in father and mother threatening to kill us both or to banish us to the far reaches of who knows where. And I have came to like my life and living in this castle, thank you very much." Khano smirked then turned and started to leave the room.

"Did you forget brother that since we are twins I can read your thoughts. At least most of the time and I seem to recall one yesterday about Ayame." Kouga almost laughed when his brothers face turned red. But then smirked again when he stopped and came back to him. Kouga turned to his closet and took out another suit of his armor and furs then he turned to his brother. "Take off your haori and hakama's and put these on." He handed the items to his brother

Khano took the garments from Kouga and sneered at them. "Why do you insist on wearing these furs when you could be wearing silk?" He shoved the garments back to Kouga.

Kouga laughed and pushed the garments back to Khano. "When you live in a cave these are more sturdy. Silk wouldn't last an hour in my caves. With the pups jumping on me and hunting and breaking up fights and such. Besides our ancestors wore garments like these. Now put them on or I will tie you up and dress you myself. You really need to come and vist my pack Khano you are growing to soft here in the palace."

"I am not growing soft. I just don't see the need to rough it when it is not neccessary." Khano jerked the garments out of Kouga's hands and started changeing.

After he was dressed Kouga turned his brother around then grabbed a comb from the mantel in his room. After he did his brothers hair you almost couldn't tell them apart. Other than his brother had a darker set of eyes than him, and his body wasn't as well muscled. He should be able to keep Ayame busy long enough to let him get some much needed rest. He could smell Ayame coming and shoved his brother out the door where she was sure to catch him, then locked his door and laid down on the futon to get some rest. He laughed when he heard his brother start running from Ayame. Without the jewel shards he didn't stand of chance of not getting caught from the persistant ookami. Oh well at least he could get some rest now. He closed his eyes and shortly fell asleep.

Koona helped his wife from the carriage and then turned to face his palace. The wind blew a scent to his nose. Ayame was here. "You had better come up with something quick to keep Ayame away from Kouga because she is about to meet us at our door."

"Oh dear, I didn't expect her so early. Although I am not surprised since Kouga is here. If I didn't know better I would swear that she was part bat youkai with a Kouga radar built in. Don't worry dear I will think of something." She smiled at her mate then turned to enter the palace.

Koona felt the presence of two others besides Ayames coming toward them. Both running rather quickly. He scooped his wife up into his arms and then jumped back to avoid being knocked off his feet as his two older sons come running out of the castle followed by a angry wolf demoness.

What had they done to anger her so much?

Then he turned to look at his sons and the answer was apparent. They had tried to switch places with the demoness. Had they really thought she was that stupid?

He shook his head as his sons stopped before him and his mate. "Up to your old tricks boys?"

Khano looked from Ayame to his father. He would rather face his father's wrath than that of Ayame. "Kouga made me do it."

Kouga hit his brother on the head then turned to face his father and mother. "I only forced him to do it because Ayame chased me all morning and I needed a rest. How was I suppose to know he would try and kiss her?" He turned and glared at his brother. "If I had known he would do that I would never have dressed him up as me. I didn't want Ayame to get the wrong idea about me and her so I interrupted their embrace and then she started shouting out ways she was going to torture us so that we would never have pups of our own. And since I look forward to having pups with Kagome soon, I thought it was best to run again."

Ayame slid to a stop before the Northern Lord and Lady then bowed to them "Good day My Lord and Lady. Now if you don't mind I have two mutts to kill." She tried to jump around Ghanna and was surprised that the lady was able to grab her and stop her pursuit.

Ghanna looked from Ayame to her pups. When would they ever learn? She should leave them to the mercy of Ayame that would teach them a lesson. She took Ayame's arm and escorted the struggling ookami into the palace. She looked over at her sons as she walked up the steps. "We will discuss this later boys. Now get dressed for dinner." She led Ayame to her private study and sat her in one of the chairs. "Ayame I can't let you harm my pups in that way. I want to be a grandmother soon."

"If Kouga would marry me like he promised I would give you the grandchildren you wish for." Ayame frowned at Ghanna, thinking silently, 'I would have caught Kouga if they hadn't showed up.'

"Ayame, I know it is difficult for you to understand but my son Kouga does not love you like that. I would love to have you for a daughter-in-law but it will not be at Kouga's side. Kouga has a duty to another and he will not forsake this duty for anyone." Ghanna could see the hurt in the girls eyes.

Ayame jumped up and started yelling, "He had a duty to me first, by all rights we should be mated now. I shouldn't have to wait for him to realize that Kagome will never return his feelings. He promised me first and he is not getting out of his promise to me and you can't stop me from claiming him as it is my right."

Ghanna stared at Ayame as if she had grown another head. She stalked up to the obstinant wolfling and slapped her across the face. "You dare tell your Lady what she will and will not do." She grabbed Ayame by the arm and drug her out of the room and down the hall.

She ignored her mate and sons questioning eyes as she drug the struggling girl behind her. She went toward the servants rooms and found the stairwell she was looking for. She nodded to the guard at the top of the stairs so that he would know to follow her. She made it to the bottom and tightened her grip as Ayame started fighting harder to get released. She stopped in front of a locked door and turned to the guard. "Open the door."

Ghanna waited as the guard hurriedly obeyed her and when the door opened she threw Ayame into the room. She shut the door and held it while the guard locked it once again. "You may leave us now. I will call if you are needed."

She turned back to the door and through the bars saw a very angry demoness facing her. "You talk about rights, Ayame. Well you just gave me the right to your death. To challenge the Lady of the Northern Lands is a very serious crime my dear and as such I have to ask are you ready to face me in battle or are you prepared to yield your life to me."

Ayame could feel the sweat collecting on her brow. She was no match to Ghanna and she knew it. Oh why did she let her mouth get the better of her again?

Ghanna knew that the girl had no other chance but to surrender but she also knew how stubborn the girl was. She turned to leave but stopped and spoke before she left. "I am patient my dear. I will come back after dinner for your answer. And Ayame you had better think hard on your answer. I would not hesitate to kill you." With that said Ghanna left the fuming girl behind and headed back to her room.

Once she reached the top of the stairs she was confronted by three pairs of curious eyes. "What?"

"What do you mean what. You imprison Ayame and then act like it was nothing. I didn't even think you knew where the dungeon was, mother." Khano folded his arms across his chest and just stared at his mother in shock.

Walking toward Khano, Ghanna didn't once break eye contact with him, "I know many things son and what I do with that girl is none of your concern. Unless there is something you would like to say to your father and I, stay out of my business, Khano." With that said she took her mates arm and walked with him out of the hall.

She knew that she would have to explain everthing to her mate but she was not about to do so in front of her sons.

By the time they got to their room Koona knew everything that had transpired. "I am surprised that you didn't kill her on the spot, dear. Your restraint is remarkable."

"You need not worry, it is all part of my plan to get Ayame and Khano together. They just need some incentive. Khano will not let Ayame stay in that room for long before he confronts us and Ayame sealed her fate with her words. Her life is mine to do with as I please. I will release her after dinner and we will have a comfy chat." Ghanna finished dressing and took her mates arm again. "Now I need to eat. All that excitement left me starving."

Koona just shook his head and walked his wife to dinner. Life in his palace sure was getting interesting.

Ghanna could feel the stares of her two elder sons all through dinner. As dinner came to a close she excused her children but as Kouga and Khano stood to leave she stopped them. "Khano you will stay." She waited for him to return to their seats before talking again.

"Khano you have had time enough to come to a decision. Now ask your question." Ghanna slowly tapped her fingers on the table before her as she stared her son down.

Koona waited for his son to speak and after a few minutes of silence his patience was at an end. He yelled and took joy when his son almost jumped out of his seat. "Speak already. I have more enjoyable things to do this evening without waiting all night for you to get your courage up, Khano."

Khano stood and bowed before his parents. "Father, Mother I request the priviledge of taking Ayame as my mate."

Koona turned to Ghanna and saw her nod her head. "Then let it be so, Khano. Your mother will inform Ayame in a short while. Why don't you wait for her in the gardens." He watched his son bow to both of them then walked out of the room.

"I am going to my study let me know if you need my assistance mate." He helped his mate stand before leaving her alone.

Ghanna sighed and steeled herself for the confrontation to come. It would not be easy to get Ayame to bow to her wishes no matter what she held over the girls head. She summoned a guard and asked him to bring Ayame to her study. Then she turned and walked away.

It took her a few minutes to reach the study then she sat in her chair behind the desk and waited for the guard and Ayame. It didn't take long before she could hear the curses the girl was throwing at the guard. She was not surprised when the guard entered the room with the girl held in his arms and a hand over the girls mouth.

"Thank you Dokyou. You may leave now." She was surprised when the guard just dropped the girl on the floor and then turned and left.

"Stand, Ayame." Ghanna waited while the girl caught her breath and slowly rose. "Now I ask you again Ayame do you challenge me?"

"No my Lady I do not challenge you. I yield my life to you." Ayame bowed before Ghanna and waited for her response.

"That is the first smart thing you have done today, Ayame. Now about your claim on Kouga. You will drop your claim." Ghanna could see the anger literally radiate off the girl in front of her.

"My Lady, with all due respect, your son is the one who made the promise to me. Why should I let him get away without fullfilling his promise to me?" Ayame stayed bowed before Ghanna and shook a little as she felt her ladies anger grow by the second.

Ghanna stood up and stalked over to the trembling girl she picked her up by the scruff of her neck and placed her in a chair. "You will do so because I have ordered you too. It was not a suggestion but an order and you will obey me in this Ayame."

Ayame glared at her lady and knew she didn't have a choice so she just nodded her head. "I will withdraw my claim. But I request the right to at least challenge Kagome for him." Ayame stood from her chair and tried to walk out of the room.

Ghanna grabbed Ayame by the arm again and sat her forceably back down into her chair. She stood in front of the girl and bent over her chair and looked her straight in the eyes. "You are going to listen to me my child and listen well. You will not harm Kagome, or challenge her in any way. I am your mistress and ruler and you will obey me. Your grandfather left you in my care and since you are in such a hurry to be mated then you will mate my son Khano. You will forget about Kouga, you will only be close to him for family affairs and you are ordered to never lay a hand on him and his mate or any of his offspring. If I find out you have done anything to harm one that I love or is under my protection you will not live long enough to blink. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, CHILD?"

Ayame had never seen the Lady so furious before. Maybe she had over stepped her bounds.

'Wait a second did she just say that I was going to mate Khano?' Ayame's mind whirled.

Well if she couldn't have Koga, Khano was a good choice. Besides he was heir to the Northern Lands. "I swear to you my lady that I will not harm Kouga or Kagome or any of their pups or anyone else. I would not dishonor my self by harming a member of my future mates family." She stood up and bowed before Ghanna.

"Ayame you may be excused. I am sure you know the way to your room. I have taken the liberty of having a Kimono layed out for your use. Khano is awaiting you in the gardens. I suggest that you not keep him waiting long. And while you remain in the palace you will only dress in kimono's unless battle gear is needed." Ghanna turned and walked to her desk then sat down to watch the demoness leave the room. Well that was easier than I expected it to be. Now with that settled maybe life around the palace will settle down some.