Chapter 4: Traveling and the Palace

I do not own Inuyasha

Kagome rose early and prepared a quick breakfast for the children and herself. Over the last week they had fallen into a relatively normal routine. They would awaken, eat, and then begin their trek again. The group would walk uneventfully for the most part, because most demons didn't dare to cross paths with the western lord, and Kagome so far had not sensed anymore jewel shards. The kids would chase each other and play tag or other games and sometimes Kagome would join them. When the two young ones would tire out they would stop for lunch and then continue on their way. Sometimes the kids would climb up on Ah-Un to rest and when that happened Kagome would attempt to drawl the quiet alpha into conversation. She needed to know his views on the war and peace without actually asking. Kagome knew that since she had found her protector that slowly she was running out of time before her human Miko disguise no longer worked. So far she had barely learned anything that would help her at all. Sesshoumaru was a very private demon and he didn't seem willing to change that for her. So after three days of trying to talk to him she finally gave up.

It was now the sixth day of travel and Kagome had just finished putting breakfast away when she was startled by the demon lord's voice. "Today we will arrive at my home Miko." Kagome nodded her head at him in acknowledgement and the kids cheered excitedly. Once she was done they all began the last leg of this journey.

Sesshoumaru had noticed that Kagome was unusually quiet the last few days and that she seemed lost in thought. He didn't know what to make of it but was glad that she had finally stopped hammering him with questions about war and peace. He didn't plan on a answering any questions from the strange Miko until he had asked some of his own. He noticed unwillingly that a very small part of him missed her vibrant chatter. She had a voice that always seemed to sooth his beast as much as he hated it. Another thing he had noticed about his newest follower was that she had very strange bathing habits for a human. Most only bathed once every other week and always made his sensitive nose hurt, but this one bathed every night that they had called near a water source. Which he didn't mind at all because she always smelled of flowers. One particular time a few nights back she had sung the children to sleep after dinner and then headed off to bath. When she came back Sesshoumaru watched her from his tree as she pulled out a few things and curled into her strange bedroll. He watched fascinated as she opened a book and then a foreign object in her hand lit up like a lantern with no fire. Curiosity finally got the best of him and he jumped down from his perch and snatched the object from the Mikos hand.

Kagome was getting to a good part in her book when suddenly the flashlight was pulled away from her. She was startled and had to hold in her squeal of surprise. "Sesshoumaru what's…hey don't.." She didn't warn him fast enough and she shook her head and picked up the flashlight from where the now angry demon lord had dropped it when he accidentally blinded him self.

"What is that damned thing miko?" Sesshoumaru asked as soon as he could see again. He was glaring at her flashlight like it was going to attack him at any moment. Kagome couldn't help herself and she started to laugh. She soon wished that she hadn't because his cold expression was sent her way. She gulped and hurried to explain to him what it was.

" It is a flashlight. It is used to help see in the dark. It is something only used in my … um village." Kagome picked up the flashlight and returned it to her bag. She had made a mistake. Sesshoumaru did not know that she was from the future and now she would have to explain it to him real soon. While she had been putting the flashlight up Sesshoumaru had picked up her book knowing that he would not get more of an answer out of the miko about the flash light thing. He was surprised to know that she could read because only royal males were allowed to be taught to read and write. Kagome waited patiently as Sesshoumaru examined her things. When he finally looked back up at her she was taken aback. She could read in his eyes that he held respect for her. She figured that it probably had something to do with her knowing how to read. He handed her the book and then said so low that she had not had demonic hearing she would not have noticed it. "Impressive." He then jumped back into his tree and closed his eyes. He listened to the sounds as she put her book away and crawled into her sleeping bag and quickly fell asleep. Sesshoumaru looked down at her as soon as he heard her heart beat and breathing slow and even out. He stared at her for a while still trying to figure her out before he closed his eyes again and rested his body.

Sesshoumaru was pulled from his thoughts of the event when Kagome gently cleared her throat next to his elbow. He nodded his head by way of letting her know he was listening. " Um I am just going to feed the children a lunch they can sit on Ah-Un and eat that way we can make it to you home sooner. Ok?" Kagome waited for a few for him to answer her and just as she sighed dejectedly assuming that he once again would not talk to her she turned to walk away from him. She was just so excited to see his home she knew the palace of the moon had to be as beautiful and elegant as it's lord.

"Are you sure you do not wish to take the time to rest as usual?" Kagome was surprised by his question but quickly shrugged it off. "I will be fine Sesshoumaru thank you for asking. And thanks for actually listening to a suggestion that I make. Inuyasha never did that." She did not notice the smug smile that Sesshoumaru had for but a split second. She dug through her bag to find the chips and sandwiches that she had made earlier. The children quickly eat them as they continued walking. Kagome in much higher spirits than she had been in days. He had finally talked to her and not only that he listened to how she felt. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. A few hours later the group crested a hill and Kagome and Shippou paused in awe. Sesshoumaru noticed their stillness and stopped walking as well. Taking pride in their reactions to his home.

"Wow this is amazing. Your home is beautiful Sesshoumaru." Kagome was awestruck. She had never seen anything like it in the past. She loved seeing the way the palace looked in the past because in the future it was designed like modern day castles. She had always wondered what it would look like in the past when it was still fairly new. Shippou nodded in agreement. Rin giggled remembering that she had acted pretty much the exact same way the first time Sesshoumaru had brought her here two years go only a few months after he had saved her the first time. Sesshoumaru gave them only a moment more to gawk at the sight before he continued walking. Kagome and the rest quickly followed. She saw as a barrier was opened for them and the guards moved to open the gates for them to enter. Au-Un was led off by Jaken to the stables as the others followed Sesshoumaru into his main hall where four youkai were waiting.

"Kagome, Keira will be your personal attendant. Show her to her room and help her get ready for dinner tonight." Sesshoumaru firmly stated to a beautiful panther demon. She had long black hair that came to her mid calf, and bright green cat eyes. She bowed to Sesshoumaru and then turned to Kagome and bowed. She approached Kagome once she was acknowledged by the Miko and took her bags from her.

"Lady Kagome if you would please follow me I will show you to your room." Kagome smiled warmly at her and turned to take Shippous hand. She was stopped by Sesshoumaru.

"Shippou will have a servant of his own to take him to his room." Kagome stopped and waited as a younger panther demon stepped forward. He too had black hair and green eyes and the family resemblance to Keira could not be denied. "This is Keira's younger brother. He will be assigned to the kitsune." The panther bowed and stepped forward to take Shippous things."Tetsuki you are now the kitsune's personal servant your job is to make sure that he is settled in to his room and bathed and presentable for dinner tonight. Now go." As Sesshoumaru had been talking a third youkia had stepped forward a beautiful inuyoukia hanyou who clasped little Rin's hand and was ushering her off. Kagome assumed she was Rin's caretaker when they were in the castle. When Sesshoumaru finished introducing and assigning the servants he headed down a hall followed silently by the fourth demon servant in the hall. When Kagome turned from watching him leave she noticed that Shippou and Run were both already out of site and that Keira was waiting patiently for her to follow her. Kagome smiled and nodded that she was ready.

"Your room m'lady will be next to Lord Sesshoumaru's and across the hall from Lady Rins and Lord Shippous. I hope that is to your liking." Keira chatted as they headed to the west wing of the palace. Kagome smiled and caught up to walk next to Keira.

"Thank you Keira and please just call me Kagome. I am so uncomfortable with the whole Lady thing. Besides I would rather you be my friend then my servant." Keira was shocked by the kindness in the miko. Keira knew that she was a miko but she also did not completely smell like one. She didn't know whether she was human, youkia, or hanyou. Keira led Kagome to an extravagant room decorated in reds and blues. Kagome followed her to a set of doors in the room and what she saw took her breath away.

"Oh Kami! I am in heaven I can't believe that there are hot springs inside the palace. This is amazing." Kagome quickly took off her clothes and began to wash in the springs. While she was enjoying her soak another servant had arrived with many beautiful kimonos that Sesshoumaru had ordered made when he first knew that the miko would be coming to stay at his home. Keira picked out one and then hung the rest in the closet that was through another set of doors.

"Lady Kagome … I mean Kagome I hope you don't mind but I picked out a Kimono for you to wear tonight for dinner. Another servant arrived earlier to drop off the kimonos that Lord Sesshoumaru had made for you." Kagome took one look at the kimono and loved it. She quickly got into it with help from Keira.

"Oh Keira this is beautiful. I can't believe that Sesshoumaru had this made for me. Can I see the other ones please before you fix my hair." Keira was amazed at the way that the miko had addressed the lord. And also that she had asked for permission to see her own kimonos. Keira nodded and watched with a smile as the strange miko 'ohhed' and 'ahhed' over all of the kimonos. Finally Kagome closed the closet and sat down at the vanity that was set up for Keira to fix her hair. When Keira finished Kagome admired her self in the surprisingly nice mirror that was in her room.

"Wow Keira this is amazing. I love it here already. The clothes, the rooms, and the wonderful company. So am I ready to go to dinner with the lord." Kagome smiled and laughed along with Keira. The girls chatted and laughed all the way to the dinning hall and then the guards that were posted at the door opened the heavy doors and Kagome entered the hall to dine. Shippou and Rin were already there. One of the guards walked her to the seat next to Shippou and across from Rin. They sat and talked while waiting for Sesshoumaru to make his appearance. He came in about ten minutes later and sat down at the head of the table next to Kagome. As soon as he was seated servants poured in and set a great variety of food on the table. Sesshoumaru filled his plate and then took a bit of his food. When he was done the other three filled their plates and then also began to eat. Kagome and the children continued to chat while Sesshoumaru just eat and watched them.

"Ok children I think that it is time for you to head to bed. Come on and I will tuck to two of you in. Excuse us Sesshoumaru. Dinner was great and I love the kimonos thank you so much." Without even thinking about what she was doing she leaned down and kissed him on the cheek before whipping around to take the children to their rooms. 'oh kami I can't believe that I just kissed him what was I thinking. He is definitely going to kill me now.' Kagome mentally slapped herself as she was following the three servants to each childs room. She went into Rins room first and the inuhanyou started to get her sleep things out. " Oh that's ok I can help her to bed. You can go ahead and retire for the evening or whatever your duties are after she is sleeping." Kagome smiled sweetly and waved the woman out. Rin giggled happily as Kagome tucked her in and kissed her good night. It was just like when her mother used to do it. "Goodnight sweet Rin I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Kagome-sama. Tomorrow we can play in the gardens." Rin sleepily replied as she finally fell asleep. Kagome left the room and went over to Shippous. Tetsuki had already helped into his sleeping things and Shippou was waiting patiently at the foot of the bed for Kagome to come and tuck him.

"Alright Tetsuki you may go I can take it from here thanks for all your help." Tetsuki smiled, bowed and backed out of the room.

"Yes Lady Kagome, Goodnight to you and Lord Shippou." Kagome smiled as he darted out. She picked up Shippou and put him under the covers at the head of the bed.

"Goodnight honey. Sleep well and I will see you in the morning." She kissed him on the forehead and the stood to leave.

"Goodnight momma and sweet dreams." Shippou turned over and Kagome walked to the door right before she walked out Shippou spoke again. " I like it here momma. I love getting to play with Rin-chan and this place is huge. I hope we stay here." Before Kagome could respond Shippou's breathing had evened out and he was asleep. She left his room and crossed the hall to her own room. Right before she walked into her room she spotted Sesshoumaru turning to corner and heading towards his room.

"Goodnight Sesshoumaru. Sleep well" With that she closed her door behind her and allowed Keira to help her prepare for bed and then dismissed her and climbed into bed and was soon fast asleep. Sesshoumaru was utterly confused by the miko-demoness that was sleeping in the room next to his. She had actually kissed him when she left the dinning hall which had made him feel things that he did not want to analyze and then she had wished him goodnight and then the same feeling had occurred again. He turned over in his bed and finally fell asleep. He dreamt about a certain miko.

And that's another chapter done…I hope you like it…