A.N.: Thank you for the wonderful reviews! You guys are awesome! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters, however I do own Kaguya and Lord Hikai as well as the newly introduced Hisuire and Lady Kiriya

Chapter Four – The Secret Only a Lord Knows

The sun was set as they made their camp for the night. Lord Hikai watched with amusement and curiosity as the bustled around getting set up.

Kagome finished with her tasks wandered over to where he stood.

"I have never seen humans 'set up camp' as you called it."

"I see, so instead of helping us, you stand to the side?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral.

He looked sharply at her. "No, why should I? I would not know what to do. Besides I am not sleeping here."

"Where will you be then?"

"Keeping watch. I have many enemies. Word must have spread that I am no longer at my home."

"Oh. Will you need to sleep? We can take shifts for keeping watch."

The smile on his face was replaced with a tired, hollowed eye look. "None of you would know my enemy. None of you could stop them. Taiyoukai need not sleep anyways. I will keep watch."

Kagome gave the Taiyoukai a troubled look. She worried about these enemies he spoke of. Or was it enemy? She wondered about the strange phasing he had used.

"Who is this enemy?" She asked, her voice low as she noticed the camp was finished and not wanting to have them overhear their conversation.

He smiled again. "It is nothing I can speak of, but the are my own. For now at least." His eyes held hers and she saw apprehension in the depths of his. She also saw a spark of something like horror, then both were gone.

It worried her farther. She signed, of course he had to be cryptic about this too. She decided to change the topic. "What of the favor you want to ask?"

"Oh, my little inquisitive miko, I do believe I have already told you and your companions, I will tell once we reach my home. We have a long journey and I do not wish for someone to overhear my favor to you and tell my family, until I tell you." His words held a finality to them.

She huffed and turned from the smirking lord to see Inuyasha and Shippo return with their dinner.

Lord Sesshoumaru hardly ever found anything calming besides a good kill, or Rin's contented humming as she played.

But the sound of the miko's voice as she spoke was just that, soothing. He found himself enthralled in her story and the melodious quality of her voice. As she relived her memories, he could hear her emotions turn as she spoke about each different memory.

He wasn't sure he liked this new development.

She stopped as she took a sip of her tea, realizing it was cold, made a face. Lord Sesshoumaru smirked. One thing he found amusing was her expressiveness.

"I believe it is about dinner time, shall we pick up after we dine?" She sat the tea cup back as she spoke, giving the offending tea a look of vexation.

"I do not require food." He replied.

"That is well and dandy for you, but I shall." She stated as she stood. He followed suit and they left to find the dinning hall.

When they reached it, several dragon youkai were seated as well as her companions. He recognized some of the youkai, the were the former lord's family. Others he guessed were high ranking officials and her generals.

"Milady." the group greeted as she sat at the head of the long table. He found that the seat to her right was left empty for him. It was a honored guest seat, and he found himself pleased by this.

As soon as he had sat the servants began to bring out the first course of their dinner.

"Milady, I have had reports brought back, there is no sign of threat along our border. Excepting the armies of honored Lord Sesshoumaru." A youkai to her right said as the servants set the plates on the table.

His bright teal eyes were trained on Lord Sesshoumaru. His long sea blue hair fell past his torso, emerald markings on his face and exposed wrist identified him as a relative of Lord Hikai's, possibly his son. The youkai was younger then he in age and power, though he was old enough to begin searching for a mate.

Sesshoumaru knew immediately that this lordling did not like him, his scent telling of the young man's dislike. He returned the sentiment. His gold eyes narrowed but he said nothing.

Kagome looked between Sesshoumaru and Hisuire. Both had their eyes narrowed and both seemed perfectly ready to fight.

"Good work, Hisuire, I will expect another report first thing in the morning." She said trying to diffuse the situation, wondering what had started it.

Hisuire turned from Sesshoumaru to look at her, his facial expression changing to one of delight.

"Thank you Lady Kagome. Shall I bring them personally?" He asked, his eyes not leaving hers. She shifted in her seat before she realized what she was doing then held herself stiff.

Sesshoumaru scented the air around the two of them. Kagome's scent spoke of uneasiness and irritation, while Hisuire's spoke of his desire for the female before him.

Sesshoumaru nearly growled, she wasn't his, nor would she ever be, but her uneasiness toward the pup made him want to defend her from him. "I believe I will need Lady Kagome's presence in the morning."

Hisuire threw another glare at him and Kagome looked gratefully to Sesshoumaru for a moment before schooling her features to blankness.

"He is my guest, Hisuire, I will need to continue my conference with him."

"Milord Hisuire, would your time not be better spent showing off your prowess in the field?" Sango asked, her smile gentle. Kagome smiled at her best friend,before turning to her food.

"If it would please Lady Kagome." His teal eyes turned to Kagome again.

"Yes, it would." Kagome said after she chewed the bite of food she had just stuck in her mouth.

Dinner continued for three more courses as Sesshoumaru listened to the chatter around him with growing disbelief. The youkai at the table seemed respectful of Kagome, but more than that they liked her. Her general's spoke with confidence of her, one of them was even giving her lessons in swordsmanship and hand to hand combat.

Her courtiers were friendly and even flirty with her human companions, they seemed to accept them as a whole.

He thought maybe they would shun Inuyasha, but he found that not to be so. He was regarded with respect as well.

How had this miko been able to bring harmony to three races? He watched as she spoke animatedly to one of her generals who let out a hearty laugh at the end of her joke.

She startled him when she suddenly turned to him and asked, " Would you like to join me for a stroll in the gardens? We can continue our conversation there." She stood slowly and waited for a reply.

He nodded as he stood as well. She bid goodnight to all and left with him in tow to the lantern lit gardens.

"Thank you for helping me earlier." She said as they entered the gardens. He heard splashing water in the distance, no doubt a fountain.

"It was nothing." He answered. "Tell me through, why is it, if you are uncomfortable with the advances of this Hisuire, you do not reject him?"

Kagome sighed and looked away as they continued in the path, the splashing sounding closer. "He is the son of Lord Hikai, I have taken his place as ruler in these lands, I know it bothers him. Because I am not the rightful heir, I feel bad. I just wish he hadn't chosen me to court. It would make it easier."

Their path brought them to an opening in the hedges, a koi pond with a fountain attached lay in the middle of the path. Lanterns were strung around the opening in the hedges. There were stone benches sitting close to the pond.

"You are not the rightful heir? Explain." Sesshoumaru demanded.

"I was chosen by Lord Hikai to rule next, if you let me continue the story I will explain." She answered as she kicked off her slippers.

She sat on the bench closest to the pond , dipping her toes in the water, careful of her silk robes. The koi swam to her as she produces two rolls from her robe.

"Then please do."

She smiled as she looked up at him. He felt his heart thud loudly in his chest. She was stunning, with the moonlight and lantern light playing off her face as wide expressive chocolate brown eyes contemplated him. His eyes widen and he looked away quickly.

He decided it was best to ignore the constricting of his chest.

He looked back her and was disappointed to she her no longer facing him, but instead she was feeding the fish with the rolls she brought.

She began again when he sat beside her.

Weeks of travel passed by quickly as they moved toward the east. Lord Hikai was a comfortable comrade. He was jovial enough that even Inuyasha warmed up to him a bit. He helped with hunting for food and kept watch at night.

To Kagome through he seemed on edge. Kagome often wondered about this. He never seemed to relax, even while laughing and joking with them.

"We have arrived in the east. My home is a few days from here." he said as they passes a line of trees.

Inuyasha came to stop beside Kagome as they rested for a moment. "I don't know about this, Kagome, I can sense dragon youkai. Besides I still haven't been able to sense what kind of youkai he is." His voice was low.

Kagome's thoughts flashed back to the last dragon youkai they faced she then nodded, replying, "We'll need to keep alert, ne?"

"Yes. I'll warn the other."

"Welcome to my home." He stated grandly as he gestured to the large castle.

They stood in his court yard as the looked up at the four story shiro. As the group passes halls and doors as the followed Lord Hikai they were stared at by the youkai nobility and servants alike.

"This is my study, please make yourselves comfortable. Kaguya will see to you needs, I must check in with my family and tell them you are here.

Kagome nodded and they when through the open door to a plush room filled with elegance. Kagome loathe to touch any of the finery with her travel stain clothes. She hadn't bathed in a week, since the last time they had crossed a river.

After everyone else had setting in, a older youkai walked through the door. "Good evening, I am Kaguya, the steward." He had a tray with a pot of tea and several cups of tea.

"Oi, you're a dragon youkai, aren't you?" Inuyasha said as he jumped up his ears back as he stared at the older youkai.

The youkai smiled. "And you are part dog demon and of the House of The Moon."

"What of it?"Inuyasha demanded.

"Our previous lord was an enemy of your father, whom if I remember the reports correctly, you killed."

Inuyasha looked confused, thinking.

"Ryukotsusei." Miroku said awed.

"Have we been brought here for revenge?" Sango asked cautiously.

"No. Lord Ryukotsusei was quite mad. We do not harbor resentment of those who slayed him." Lord Hikai spoke up from the doorway. Humor lit his eyes. "Besides, I did ask for miko Kagome, not all of you. She did not slay my grandfather."

"I see." Sango answered.

"My mate has told me I've neglected your needs, you must be travel weary and in need of rest, I am sorry. Would you like to bathe before you rest?" The Lord seemed abashed.

"Yes, that would be wonderful!" Kagome answered happily.

A female dragon youkai, elegant woman dressed in silk walked up beside the handsome lord. Lord Hikai smiled down at the lady. Her answering smile was filled with love.

"This beauty is my mate, Lady Kiriya. Kiriya, this is Lady Kagome, the miko I told you about and her companions. This is Sango the taijiya, Kikyou another miko, Shippo Lady Kagome's ward, Kaede, Kikyou's little sister, Miroku, a monk and a cheat-"

"I do not cheat." Miroku spoke up indignantly.

"Then explain how you always win our card games." Lord Hikai's eyed him whilst Miroku smiled blandly.

"The gods favor me?" He answered with an I am not guilty look that did nothing to convince the others.

"And this last young man?" Lady Kiriya asked her husband.

"Ah, that is Inuyasha, love." He answered her as her delicate eyebrow raised.

"A son of Inu no Taisho?"She asked. Inuyasha fidgeted under their looks, temper about to flare.

"Yes."

The two exchange looks before turning their attention back to their guest.

"It is nice to meet you all. Ladies, you come with me, I will show you the female baths." She said. Sango was the first to raise, Kagome, then Kikyou with a trailing Kirara bringing up the rear as they all followed the lady out the door.

"And I will show you the male baths." Lord Hikai stated after the females left.

Kagome sighed as she relaxed into the fragrant hot water. The lady had left them there with an attendant. The attendant had been left with instruction to see to their needs.

"Well its nice to know he has a mate." Sango said as she sank into the steaming water.

Kikyou nodded in agreement but Kagome was confused.

"Why does it matter?" Kagome asked.

Both women looked shocked as she asked. "You can't mean you did not think of it." Kikyou stated.

"Of what?" Kagome was mystified as to what they could possibly be speaking of.

Sango smiled "Even with all you're time with us, you are still naive. I say that with kindness. Both Kikyou and I were sure Lord Hikai's favor meant he wished to take you as mate."

"He did show a lot of interest in you." Kikyou supplied. Kagome gawked at them.

"No, just no." Kagome sputtered.

"He is handsome and rich." Sango pointed out.

"And already mated. And just no." Kagome retorted.

"Miladies I do believe it is time for dinner, milady sent word to have you dressed and led to the dinning room."

"O-okay. Thank you." Kagome answered still red with embarrassment.

After drying off they were not presented with their clothes, instead with silk furisodes and silk obis.

"Where are our clothes?" Kagome asked the attendant as two other servants join her in helping them dress.

"They were sent to be cleaned, Milord sent clothes to wear while they are being cleaned and dried."

"I see."

"Lady Kagome, will you join me in my study?" Lord Hikai was beside her as she stood looking out the balcony in her rooms she had been given for her stay. They were wonderfully stately. She nodded and followed him out.

Their dinner had been good, the food had been made to suit their likes. Kagome had thoroughly enjoyed it. The dinner party consisted of only The Lord and Lady , Kagome's companions and Kagome. It had been relaxing.

After dinner each one had been shown to rooms that had been set aside for them. Kagome's was separated from everyone else, which she thought strange. Her's was on the same floor as Lord Hikai's study.

"Lord Hikai, what do you need to speak to me about?" She asked as she enter the study behind him.

"Lady Kagome, please shut the door." He said. She did so. "You want to know the favor right my dear?"

Kagome brighten. "Are you finally going to tell me?"

"In a manner of speaking. Please stand still for a moment please and do not let your powers rise. I may scare you but do not worry, for I mean you no harm and will not hurt you."

She nodded before asking "Why?"

"Patience, little miko."

His youki suddenly flared and began to whirl around him, flashes of green and teal power dancing around him. Kagome was awed. Normally youki was clear and one could not see it unless they were reiki users.

Kagome could not have moved if she wanted to, because as the lord walked towards her, her feet decided to root them selves to the floor. Her eyes widen as he drew closer and her powers began to rise.

"Control your powers, miko!" He growled. And she gasped, reigning them in. His skin was beginning to glow and then his beautiful eyes did as well. Power radiated from every pore on him.

When he stopped in front of her, she could see his lips moving in a chant but could not hear what he was saying.

He reached for her and she almost shied away, but her courage bucked up and held her in place as she stubborn refused to coward to him.

"Do you miko Kagome accept willing the favor I offer you?" He asked, his voice was strange, as if it was echoing from far away. He placed his youki surrounded hand on her shoulders and peered into her eyes.

"How can I? I don't know what it is." She asked.

"Kagome, you must accept and say you do, I will tell you after, but I can not keep this up, Kiriya can only keep a shield on my powers for only so long." Kagome then knew why the others had come running at the feel of his power flaring. His mate was keeping the others from sensing it.

Kagome looked up into his eyes. Should she trust him? Or not? His eyes were pure light as they glowed .

"I do accept." She answered as the feeling of dread rose to her heart.

"Willingly?" He persisted.

"Yes, I willingly accept." She stated. A smile appeared on his face, but it did not ease her heart.

He dropped a kiss onto her forehead and pain shot through her head. She gasped.

Kagome saw the light and power leaving him. Where was it going? Then the answer flooded her.

Raw youkai filled her, mixing in her powers. Her holy powers brightened as it adsorbed it.

"What?"

"Kagome. Thank you and I am sorry." Before the last of his youki was pulled into her he pulled always losing all contact with her and dropped to his knees. Kagome followed suit, the new power overwhelming.

Sesshoumaru looked down at the miko as she rested against him, having fallen asleep and falling on to his arm. He touched her fore head, brushing the pad of his thumb against the middle when he felt a faint power marking.

She was smiling in her sleep, distracting him. He knew he shouldn't be letting her lean on him like that, but he couldn't find a reason to move her.

The end of chapter four, thank you for reading and please review!