Chapter Thirty-Seven – Lady of the Western Land

"Did you hear about Lord Sesshomaru's chosen mate? They say she is a human, but still more beautiful and alluring than a demoness!"

Bewilderment and curiosity filled those who heard the news. For centuries, not even the rumored beauties were able to stir the heart of their deadly Lord. Just who was this woman?

"I heard she has a heart of gold! The 'Shin' rank told me that they spotted our Hime crying in front of the place Kura died."

"-Wait, isn't Kura the witch that tried to kill our Hime?"

Village to village, amongst humans and demons, the talk of the new Hime stirred up a commotion.

"Buhahahahaha," a roar of laughter burst out. The surrounding soldiers inched closer to hear the story. Slamming the sake onto the table, the tipsy soldier telling the story barked, "And then, Lady Kagome just glared at the Southern Lord. I heard that the Lord flinched! With just her glare alone, she stopped the threat of war! I have to say, I always thought every single human was weak…but this one is a fighter!"

Whether the rumors were true or false, the respect for their new Lady was evident in the way they talked about her.

"She is a human like us, and yet she's still alive in the hands of the Demon Lord! She must be an angel."

Within days, there were none that did not know the name 'Kagome'.

"I want to be Lady Kagome! You can play the Demon Lord!"

"No way! I wanted to be Lady Kagome! That's not fair!"

"Well, I'm the only one wearing pink and Lady Kagome is a Hime! You can pretend to be a rank leader!"

The Land of the West hummed to life, with nature drifting the echoes of their Hime across the lands.

But not all were pleased with the rumors.

Not all were pleased with the happiness the Western Land was receiving.

A clawed hand tightened its grip around a steaming hot teacup. Tremors visibly shook along the hand and sent ripples across the murky tea. An angered growl tore past his clenched jaw. Needing to vent, he raised the only object in his grasp and threw it at the cause of his rage.

Shatter.

The remains of the teacup lay scattered across the marble floor. Burn marks formed across Ryou's forehead as blood trailed down. He did not bother avoiding the object thrown at him for it would ease his Uncle's temper.

"My chances of going against the West are gone because of your stupid plead. Take responsibility, Ryou," a dark voice said.

Ryou bowed and replied, "Yes, Milord."

His anger subsided by the obedient response of his heir. The Eastern Lord ran a finger along his beard and narrowed his eyes. "Rumors roam the land of this new Hime."

Ryou tensed. He did not wish for his Uncle to harm her in any way.

"I hear she will soon be mated to Sesshomaru," hatred clearly heard in his tone. Sly eyes peered towards his heir and observed the tension on the boy's face. An evil smirk crawled onto his lips for he knew Ryou accepted the position of Eastern Heir to protect this Hime. But, he would show him that such pure intentions could never exist.

He would break the boy.

Make his heir see what he truly wanted; the Hime for himself.

Then, the downfall of the West would follow.

A mad laughter rang.

"We must congratulate the two for their reunion! Go, Ryou, and tell this Hime that she has my blessings." Hysterical eyes widened with amusement.

'Make as many precious memories, Hime...while it lasts.'

Shocked by his Uncle's order, Ryou stiffly bowed in obedience and left. Suspicion and concern clouded his eyes as he speculated what on earth his Uncle was planning.

Unease.

-The Western Castle-

"Lady Kagome!" a hyper voice screamed. Kagome smiled and stretched her arms open to receive hugs from Rin and Shippo. Spotting her pregnant friend and husband, Kagome said, "I missed you, Sango and Miroku!"

"You should hear all the rumors we heard about you. I thought you and Sesshomaru was a lie too! You know how devastating it is to hear that your friend is mating someone from a stranger!?" Sango vented.

Kagome had to take a step back, but noticed Miroku holding up his hand in apology and then pointing towards Sango's pregnant belly. Revealing an apologetic smile, she embraced Sango.

"I'm sorry! I'll visit more often! I promise!"

"Humph," Sango huffed, but then tightened the embrace.

Kagome felt a tug on her haori. Rin, with her big brown eyes, asked innocently, "Is it true that the Southern Lord threatened to wage war because he wanted you as his mate?"

"Huh?" a clueless expression crossed her face.

"NO! EW! The village soldiers told me that the wimpy old Lord was just jealous cause Kagome is much prettier than his daughter!" Shippo argued.

At a loss for words, Kagome's mouth was left hanging open.

"I told you the rumors were crazy," Sango muttered.

"But everyone who speaks of you only praise you," Miroku added in desperately.

"Lady Kagome –" Emiko cried urgently. Hooking her arms around Kagome's, the maid dragged her away, "You need to quickly change! The gathering is beginning soon!"

'The gathering,' her heart softened at the thought. Though it was only a tradition amongst humans to hold a wedding, Sesshomaru had invited a small gathering of her close friends to celebrate their mating.

The full length mirror in front of her reflected the pure white fabric elegantly wrapped around her. Extravagant ornaments, with the Western Land colors, positioned above her styled hair. Shimmering strings of gold dangled from the ornaments and swayed to the motion of her head. Red tinted her lips and the light powder brought a natural glow to her face.

The sound of familiar voices drifted in from the gardens.

Her heart beat pounded loudly against her ears, meanwhile she drew nearer and nearer.

At the end of the hallway she saw a faint figure.

Sesshomaru stood straight with his eyes focused on her.

Her footsteps paused, both caught in a trance.

Slowly, he moved to close the distance. With such a warm look, he gently reached to tuck a strand of ebony hair behind her ear. Even though his fingers lightly skimmed her ears, she blushed at the tingling sensation.

"Beautiful," he said in a tone she had never heard him use. His hand searched for hers and entwined his fingers around hers. With a soft tug, he led her towards the gardens.

Warm rays of sunlight illuminated the clearing and brought out the true colors of each flower and plant. Spread wide across were long tables dressed in silk cloths. Chairs were filled with all those who held a precious spot in her heart. Their eyes all turned towards her with awe and joy; a silent wish for her happiness.

Seated at the center, what felt like a wedding reception…began.

Laughter.

"She told me that if I pulled out the Tetsusaiga, that alone would hurt Sesshomaru's ego! Of course, Sesshomaru tried to melt her with his poison…but with her nine lives, she wasn't affected at all. I still remember Sesshomaru's lost expression as he asked, 'what are you?'" Inuyasha said, struggling to hold in his own laughter.

Tears.

Though Sango's voice trembled, she continued, "You deserve the utmost happiness, Kagome."

Gratefulness.

"You've allowed me to freely love," Chika glanced at her mate. With a smile, she stared at Kagome and said, "You've taught me a world without corruption. I don't think I will ever forget what you did for the 'Tsu' rank, Lady Kagome. I will be forever grateful for your kindness and friendship."

Love.

Glancing at Sesshomaru, her gaze softened. She felt so loved. Surely this was all a dream for such joy must be impossible.

Speechless.

At the garden entrance, Ryou stood immobilized with shock. His eyes transfixed upon the center of attention, Lady Kagome. She captivated the entire scenery with her untainted kimono and blissful smile.

"Ryou!" Blue eyes brightened with surprise at his appearance.

Released from her spell, Ryou bowed formally before the new Lady of the Western Land. He could not lose focus. Cautious to conceal the relief and pleasure of seeing her again, he steeled his expression. It was dangerous for his Uncle to hear word that he was friendly with Lady Kagome.

"The Lord of the Eastern Land sends his blessings for your mating." Ryou stiffly shifted his gaze to Lord Sesshomaru and silently warned him of his Uncle's malicious intent. Noting his curt nod, Ryou closed his eyes and lowered his bow.

She will be safe by Lord Sesshomaru's side.

She will be happy.

Finding it dangerous to linger any longer, Ryou sharply turned and left.

Her smile faltered, watching her friend leave like that. But the laughter and chatter continued as if no one realized how different Ryou appeared to be.

The reception continued on.

Concerned, she felt tempted to follow after Ryou.

"Kagome," Inukimi called out, causing her steps to falter. A thin smile, seemingly strained, appeared on Inukimi's lips as she said, "Your guests are waiting."

Inukimi cautiously observed the worry for the Eastern Heir fade from Kagome's blue eyes. She let out a silent sigh in relief. But just as quickly as relief came, suspicion followed. Narrowed eyes glanced at the path the Eastern Heir left from. The trailing scent of his blood told all that the Eastern Lord was not pleased.

'Will you let your grudge against me affect the future?' Gazing towards the east, Inukimi hoped she suspected wrong.

Memories of the past flickered through her mind.

Darkness.

After speeches and spending quality time, the evening had finally arrived. Waving her hand, Kagome watched her friends leave through the Western Gates. Noting someones absence from her side, her heart called in search, 'Sesshomaru.'

The night veiled the colors of nature, leaving her surrounded by shadows. Her feet followed the pulse of his aura. The long ends of her kimono shuffled against the grass.

'Tonight, a mark will be bestowed upon our new Lady,' the whispers of the wind echoed.

Down an unknown hallway, she drew closer to his presence. There, looming high above her stood a wooden door. Engravings of ancient tongue carved into the wood. Her fingers traced the foreign words in curiosity. Pushing down the nervousness, she opened the door that led to his most personal sanctuary.

Transparent fabric hung from the balcony entrance and swayed to the drifting wind.

The large room held simple furniture with a bed that tripled the size of a King.

Kagome stared at the lone figure that stood in the moonlight. How empty the room appeared, yet she felt this had been the only place that allowed him to breathe and bare his true self.

Silently, his clawed hand extended towards her. Kagome automatically moved towards him in yearning and accepted his outstretched hand. She was told that a mating mark was painful, but those worries died the moment she sensed Sesshomaru worry for her. She, who never told others her problems in fear of their discomfort, now found someone who understood her without words.

Her lips curled into a soft smile.

Countless times she exposed her weaknesses, her doubts and her worries to him. But, he remained the same.

She remembered the time she confessed of tricking everyone because she was from the future.

"You're wrong."

His words at that time sounded as if he was calling her a fool. That she did not have to fear for he would never think of her any less. He saw her as she was and still loved her.

Reminiscing the past, the feelings at that time began to clog her throat.

Tilting her head to the side, she bared her neck.

At her actions, golden eyes instantly coated in crimson. A wild glint flickered as Sesshomaru watched her innocently slide the kimono down to expose her shoulder. Desire fogged his mind while his lips brushed the spot he would mark. The pent up greed to finally make her his, surged forth in an aching heat. Running his tongue along the spot, he lost all restraints. Baring in fangs, the sharp tip sank into her skin.

Trails of blood poured down her neck and stained against white. Her hands clenched his arm to hold in the pain.

Pulling away, he bit his tongue to extract his blood. Crimson darkened as he muttered a vow in ancient tongue before running his blood over her wound. With moon as their witness, the blood exchange was completed. Slowly, magenta shaded the crescent moon near her collarbone. The blood that trailed down her skin halted and suddenly reversed upwards to be sucked in by the mark.

Heat slowly spread through her body, numbing her in the process. Sesshomaru quickly caught her paralyzed body and carried her towards the bed. She saw his eyes return gold and look away with an expression she had never seen; vulnerable.

Unable to move a muscle or speak a word, she simply gazed at him.

Positioning her carefully onto his lap, he wrapped his arms around her preciously. He laid her head against his chest and ran a hand through her hair. She wouldn't be able to move for a few minutes, so he did the only thing he could do. A soothing growl rumbled past his throat, hoping to be of comfort to her.

He had not intended to lose control.

This made it the second time.

And every time he acted upon his desires, it made him face the weight of his feelings for her; the weight of her importance.

He would not know how to live without her.

Chaos.

She would forever be the one to send his emotions into chaos.

He shifted his hand to gently wrap around his slim wrist. The steady pulse assured him that she adjusted fine. He moved to faintly trace her crescent moon mark. Though nothing would change, she would live as long as him.

Letting out a soft moan, she caught his immediate attention. Concern filled his voice as he asked, "How do you feel?"

"I can't feel my legs, but I'm okay," she answered. Kagome reached to touch the mark Sesshomaru had just traced. The mark said much more than words or a wedding ring. The crescent moon revealed to all who she had chosen to be with. Always reminding her that she was loved, and a silent promise; he would never leave her.

She wanted to promise the same.

Kagome tugged his haori, causing him to lean forward in concern. She held his gaze and softly vowed, "I, Kagome, take you Sesshomaru, to be my mate, to have and to hold from this day forward…"

Golden eyes widened in silent awe.

"…for better or for worse,"

His eyes softened.

"…for richer, for poorer,"

She would love him no matter his title or status.

"… in sickness and in health,"

Her direct gaze filled him with warmth.

"…to love and to cherish;"

Truly, he prayed he never experience a world without her.

"…from this day forward until death do us part." Then, she sealed her promise with a kiss near his neck. Blue eyes glowed with affection. A satisfied smile appeared while she said, "There, I've marked you as mine, too. Though the mark is not visible, it is still permanent."

Once again, she managed to stir his emotions into a whirlwind. Bending down, he caught her off guard as his lips caressed her mark.

My beloved.

Her eyes blissfully closed, drowning in the touch of his warm lips.

A meaning beyond love.

He drew away, tenderly unveiling the affect she had on him.

Her breath hitched at the sight while her heart stilled for a moment. Mesmerized, her finger unconsciously drifted to touch his unrecognizable expression.

Golden eyes pooled into a daze from her soft and curious touch. He basked in her attention and affection.

For him, this was his happiness.

-The End-

Author's Note: Each and every review has either motivated me or assisted in tweaking the path of this story. Precious readers, I thank you for every minute of your time spent on reading this story. I do not know when the sequel (yes, there will be a sequel for sure) to this story will be posted, but you can check my profile page for update information. For now, feel free to read my current story I am working on, "His Milestones".

*Bows*

Thank you for reading,

Your reviews are cherished.