Several hours later, Sesshomaru found himself sitting back in the carriage with his brother's pup next to him, pressed firmly against his side, her small head resting on his stomach as he gently ran his fingertips through her long silken hair while her two pack mates sat across from them, both staring a hole through his skull.

The monk's stare was particularly malicious. So much so that it made where he had been punched in the face by said male, throb in a phantom like ache.

He knew that the two were upset and angry with how things had turned out.

He himself was pretty pissed about the situation that his brother's pup had suddenly been thrust into as well. But then it was a somewhat awkward situation for all of them. Himself included.

He had thought that he would be able to take the pup into his home without much issue and raise her as a hime of his bloodline deserved. He hadn't wanted this for her. To be reduced to that of his personal pleasure slave. Even one as a somewhat equal standing to his own in status. It was just a bit too much to take in for the pup.

As it was, he had tried to talk her into letting him set her and her pack mates up at one of his vacation homes. Far away form his palace and the malicious rumors spreading there.

He had made it clear that it may be safer for her to reside elsewhere where only he and her pack mates (should they decide not to go with her right away) could get to her. At least he had been trying to do so until...the slayer had asked him if it would truly be safe without him personally overseeing the staff and soldiers that resided there. And upon carefully thinking things through for a moment or so, he had merely sighed and shook his head.

Dammit all.

Unwilling to lie and say that it would indeed be totally safe when it was very possible that some of the staff and soldiers just might make it their personal mission in life to destroy the pup. Sesshomaru had simply let the subject drop and continued speaking.

He had laid every thought about the situation and every counter measure that he had come up with, out for the three so that the pup could see for herself just what measures he was willing to take to protect her.

He had mentioned marking her as pack. But it would have to be someplace where only he or they could see the mark. No one else must ever look upon it or they may figure out why he was more than reluctant to hand her over to others to be used.

But that was only part of taking the status of his favorite concubine.

Another part would be the blending of their scents, which he didn't bother lying about- doing so was a somewhat intimate gesture. However he had already promised that since she was still very young, he could not simply take her to his bed to get it done.

Which made blending their scents somewhat bothersome and awkward for the lord since it meant that he would have to place her somewhere and loosen her kimono so that her stomach, inner thighs and legs were bare and use his hand to spill himself on her flesh and rub his warm seed into her stomach and inner thighs.

He had of course, blushed at explaining this to the pup who had merely stared at him with wide almost frightened eyes as he had continued to tell the three his plans.

He assured them that if Kagome were to take up the position of his favored concubine, none but himself and immediate pack could touch her. Any who did- would die. Slowly.

His eyes had started to bleed red a little bit as he said this. Meaning that the mere thought of another touching Kagome in an intimate manner was almost enough to send him into a rage.

He also told them that she would remain intact for as long as simply blending their scents would allow. He would not take her to his bed at the urging of others, nor would he do so to sate himself. He would not touch her in such a way unless she, herself instigated the act.

And then he had made her promise to at least wait another hundred years or so before doing so. Kagome readily agreed there since she wasn't ready to be bedded by anyone. She had always wanted to save herself for the one that she loved and married.

The inu lord then went on to say that if by a certain age she wished to marry or mate- he would search out only the most honorable of males to court her. He would even provide her with a dowry fit for a Queen, among which would be a palace that he would design and build since the only stipulation that he would have for her mate/husband aside from treating her well and never laying his hands on her in violence and forcing himself on her in a fit of rage to teach her her place, would be that he could never take her too far away from Sesshomaru's side.

Her palace would be smaller, and cozier, but it would also be built within his lands. and he would provide half of the soldiers, servants and of course, thirty well trained and loyal assassins (without her mate's knowledge). So that they could keep an eye on her for him and report to him about any funny business and threats to her wellbeing.

He mentioned that while at the palace, he would spend time with her each morning and each evening. He would even let her do whatever she wished to do. Shopping for new things to use in her crafts, or simply spending his money on gifts for her friends- he had more than enough to allow her to get a little bit carried away. Not that he actually expected her to spend every coin that he had.

Though it would be somewhat impressive to the inu lord if she did.

He also planned to help her establish a nice way to sell as much as her crafts as possible in the local villages and towns. Including the fact that he planned to bully people seeking alliances with his household, ruthlessly and shamelessly into purchasing a thousand items per person in their house hold.

Sure he would be robbing them blind of their wealth, but if it helped his Kagome then he'd damn well do whatever it took. Even if he had to resort to fucking blackmail.

He mentioned that while in his house hold, he would attend to her every need in person. Regardless of what he was currently busy with.

Nothing would be put before his Kagome. He would see to it himself.

And in the end, when Sesshomaru had finally finished speaking, the monk had slugged him a good one for dragging the pup into this situation in the first place while the pup had simply sighed and gotten up from her seat to go grab her bags. Saying something along the lines of; She would take the position, but the second anyone stepped out of line- she expected heads to roll.

Oh and Sango and Miroku were coming too.

Sesshomaru had merely agreed quietly and then glared at the monk for hitting him. Though he knew that as much as he wanted to tear him to pieces at that moment, he wouldn't. The male and female were protective of the pup and for that reason alone he couldn't be angry with them for defending her honor.

Even if it was against him.

However it didn't stop him from abusing the male a little bit by using him to load the wagon that he'd brought for the goods that he was purchasing from his Kagome.

The monk had whined like his late brother, making the inu lord's normally placid and blank expression falter a bit as he had watched from the sidelines as the male had loaded the wagon down with Kagome's handmade items. Once that was finished and the pup and the slayer had come out of the hut to rejoin them- Sesshomaru had quickly ushered the pup into the carriage, making sure to help her up so that there wouldn't be any accidents.

He more than anyone knew how clumsy some hanyou pups could be. Especially those of the inu variety.

Long ago, he could vaguely recall taking care of his brother, and having Inuyasha trailing after him while he was out of the palace patrolling his lands. He also vaguely recalled the many, many times that his brother had been totting after him as a pup, only to suddenly loose his balance, or something and go rolling down some very interesting, and somewhat questionably steep hills, ravines- hell the pup had even toppled off of a cliff a time or two!

And each time he had, Sesshomaru had slowly turned to spy where he had vanished and felt his eye twitch in irritation since he knew that he'd have to go and fetch the blasted brat before he started screaming oaths so foul that it made the inu's ears begin to bleed.

Once the wagon and the carriage were both full to capacity with everything that the pup and her pack wished to bring with them, Sesshomaru had climbed into the carriage last and the moment that he had sat down on the plush white cushion, Kagome had leaned against his side and he'd let her wrap herself around him so that he could take care of soothing her frazzled nerves.

He wasn't sure what awaited them back at his palace, but he knew one thing for certain- he would protect the pup until his dying breath. He at least owed her, and her late parents that much.