Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Where I Belong	By : Royal_Kitsune Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female Views: 3097 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or ideas from Inuyasha, manga nor anime. I also do not make a profit from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
~Don’t Say That~
It had been three days since Lord Toro and General Tai had arrived.
The tension in the castle was so high it was almost suffocating. Hatred for the east radiated off of me, Katina, Ryo, Sesshomaru and the guardians. I was more than sure that Toro knew this, and he seemed to be thriving off of it.
It was clear from the looks he had as well as the confidence he exuded, that he had something up his sleeve for the meeting.
As for me and Sesshomaru… we’ve basically been avoiding each other since that night. I still couldn’t figure out what to say, and I was pretty sure Sesshomaru was in the same boat. He would seem to want to talk, and then he would stop and leave. I’d finally sorted my mind to the best of my ability and planned on talking to him tonight.
The guardians had settled into the woods just outside of the castle walls and made a makeshift camp. I was surprised at all they were able to accomplish, even making crude huts to keep the elements from them during the night.
They had been going to the old village to repair it in shifts; though they never had less than ten that stayed at our side. I didn’t blame them. Toro was definitely not one to be trusted.
Ryo, Katina, Shippo and I had continued our training, and today would be the last session until after the meeting.
The council was due to start arriving. Koru had already said that the southern lord would be arriving sometime today.
I currently sat watching Shippo spar with Ryo. We had been able to find the kit a pair of daggers, which he was using as duel swords.
Ryo was going easy on the kit, but he still kept the pace up enough so that Shippo was pushed just past his limits.
The kit was a fast learner and had managed to use his speed more efficiently than he had before. His art of fox magic also worked to his advantage, and he was currently working on making clones of himself. Unlike illusions, his clones could attack and physically wound an opponent. At the moment he could hold one clone while he fought.
“Match.” Ryo said as he slashed through the clone and held his swords to Shippo’s neck.
The kit looked defiant but admitted defeat.
“You’re getting better.” Ryo said helping the kit up.
“You really think so?” Shippo asked looking from Ryo to me.
“Yea, you’ve really improved. Keep up the work and you’ll be an elite warrior in no time.” I said jumping down from the branch I had been observing from.
‘The kit has a lot of potential. Where’d you find him? He smells northern.’ One of the guardians, named Dagger, commented. He was Masaru’s second in command, and if Masaru wasn’t around, he stayed by our sides.
“Long story, I’ll tell you one day though.” I said with a shrug.
“Oh you have a cut!” Katina said a little too excitedly. She had been working hard on learning the healing skills of a mage. Lucky for her, ten of the guardians had been mage assistants and they had been helping her. “Let me heal it.” She said bounding over to Shippo and pulling out one of her scrolls.
Shippo gave the rest of us a helpless look and we shrugged. Katina’s previous healing attempts hadn’t exactly gone well.
‘Remember you can’t put too much power into it. Put just enough energy to heal the wound.’ One of the mage assistants, named Leaf, said as she stood beside Katina.
‘It’s nothing personal Katina, but we’re going to step back a bit.’ A guardian named Blade said as he stepped back a few steps. Everyone else followed suit and watched Katina work.
“I can do it this time.” Katina said confidently before putting the scroll over a cut to Shippo’s shoulder. She closed her eyes and focused.
We watched as the scroll began to glow a dull blue before the color faded away. Once the scroll returned to normal, Katina removed it to reveal a completely repaired shoulder.
‘She did it.’ Leaf said with a bark of pride.
“See, I told you.” Katina said proudly.
“Congrats.” Ryo said offering her a hug. Katina blushed but embraced him still.
‘Should we head back? I’m getting pretty hungry.’ Sage, leader of the mage assistants, stated. Despite being the same age as the rest of the guardians, something about him seemed older and wiser. His name helped.
“You guys can go ahead back to the castle.” Ryo said as he looked towards me and Katina. “I’ll take Shippo, Blade, Fang, and Boar out hunting.”
“Alright, see you later.” I said leading Katina, Leaf, Sage, Dagger, Blossom, Kara, Bone and Spike back towards the castle. I noticed that Ryo had settled well into a leader role, which was good considering I barely had any idea of what I was doing.
As we arrived at the castle, a group of guardians was also returning from working at the village. They took breaks in shifts of five. I recognized the five as Oak, Slash, Breeze, Swift, and Mace.
‘Hey guys, you on break?’ Blossom asked going over to greet the others.
‘Yea, Masaru is really pushing hard. He wants the village done by the time we leave for the north.’ Oak said as he shook himself.
‘I could have worked for a few more hours.’ Swift complained and I rolled my eyes.
“Well since you’re not tired and you are the fastest, I need you to do something.” I said petting the yellow furred, green scaled and blue eyed guardian.
‘What is it?’ He asked excitedly.
“We haven’t had time to celebrate you guys, or us for that matter.” I started. “Tell Masaru that we’re going to have a feast. Ryo’s already taken a hunting party and I’m going to lead another. Ask him to send back Storm, Shadow and Kiara.” I said and watched as Swift took off back towards the village. “Dagger, would you mind joining me?”
‘Of course I don’t, I haven’t been on a good hunt in over a decade.’ Dagger said.
“That’ll leave Katina here with Oak, Slash, Breeze, Mace, Sage, Leaf, Blossom, Bone, Kara and Spike. That makes ten, so we’re good to go.” I said, counting the guardians on my fingers as I spoke.
We waited with small talk until we could hear what almost sounded like a stampede. As I looked up I could see Swift leading the guardians I requested.
‘Swift told us about the hunt.’ Kiara said as she smiled a toothy, canine grin.
‘This will be great. It till be like the old days.’ Storm said approvingly.
‘Will we be participating in the traditional feast hunt?’ Shadow asked.
“The what?” I still had so much to learn about the traditions of the clan.
‘When there is a feast, you have a feast hunt. It’s when two hunting parties go out and they see which party can catch the most. It’s not a vicious challenge, just something for fun and bragging rights.’ Dagger explained.
“Sounds fun. Hey Swift, do you think you could make one more run?” I asked looking towards the fastest guardian.
‘I could fun for decades.’ He boasted.
“Then go find Ryo and tell him we’re doing a feast hunt.” I said and watched him lead. “Well we should get going if we’re going to catch up. Who knows how much they may have caught by now.” I added to the hunting party and turned into my smaller true form.
‘Happy hunting.’ Sage barked before leading Katina, Oak, Slash, Breeze, Mace, Leaf, Blossom, Bone, Kara and Spike back to the camp.
‘Ryo’s group went east, so we’ll let them have that area.’ Dagger said.
‘Then let’s head north.’ I said looking around for their answers.
‘Let’s go.’ Shadow said and we took off north. Off in the distance we could hear Ryo’s group give playful challenge howl and we returned it.
~Sesshomaru~
My castle grounds had been overrun with the Ryu-Inu guardians, but I had to admit they didn’t provide any major problems. The only real problem was their constant howling, such as the ones I could hear now, and their collective stink from having not bathed in over a decade.
I had to admit, although grudgingly, they provided an extra measure of protection for Kazuko.
Plus my attention was more focused on the eastern council members currently residing in my castle. Toro had made it clear that he had something planned for the council meeting that concerned the Ryu-Inus in a way that I was sure I would not like.
“Lord Sesshomaru.” I looked up from some scrolls to see the one called Katina entering my study with one of the guardians beside her; it had white fur, silver scales and golden eyes.
“We came to inform you of a feast we’re having at the Ryu-Inu village.” She said hesitantly.
“The destroyed village?” I questioned with a raised eyebrow.
‘We’ve been rebuilding it Lord Sesshomaru.’ The guardian said.
That explained where they kept disappearing to.
‘It’s for the Ryu-Inu, but as Lady Kazuko’s mate, we thought you might like to attend.’ The guardian continued.
“He’s Kazuko’s what?” Katina asked looking at the guardian in surprise and a small growl came from my chest.
‘Oh! My apologies, I assumed it was common knowledge.’ The guardian said with a bow and led the girl out with a nudge.
“Sage, what did that mean?” I could hear Katina says as they walked off.
‘It is none of your concern young one.’ Sage responded.
The guardian had brought up something important though. It was expected that I would announce my mate at the council meeting, to prevent my lands being stripped from me. Yet I had yet to talk to Kazuko about it. She had been avoiding me and I had sort of been avoiding her as well.
‘Perhaps I will go to the feast and talk to her there.’
~Kazuko~
‘Our stack is clearly larger.’ Blade was arguing with Storm over which hunting party had brought back the most from the hunt.
‘But you got a head start.’ Storm huffed.
“We’ll call it a tie for now.” Ryo said pushing his way between the two. “This is a time a celebration. It’s not the winner, but the thrill of the hunt.” He said getting nods from others who were watching.
I had been watching from where I was getting cooking pits set up with Blaze, Shadow and Kara, and laughed with the rest as the Storm and Blade grudgingly agreed.
The guardians were just as intelligent as anyone I had met, with a wide range of individual personalities. They had their own systems. Masaru was the leader, Dagger was his second in command and Sage was the leader of the mage assistants. I had also learned that they each had mates, which would explain why there was an even number of them.
‘That’ll do.’ Kara said as she finished the last pit. ‘Boar! Slash! Bring over the kills.’ She said and began to sort through the food as it was brought over. We were able to fit everything in the pits and now just had to wait for it to cook through.
I took this time to sit and look around the pack we had.
Katina was sitting with the mage assistants, listening to Sage lecture about something concerning herbs.
Ryo was talking with Dagger about battle techniques and strategies, while a group of guardians acted out the mock battle positions.
I could just make out Shippo showing a few more of the group his fox magic.
It all seemed so normal and peaceful, something I hadn’t been able to experience recently.
‘You seem troubled.’ Masaru said as he came up beside me.
“They all seem so happy and at peace.” I said absently.
‘And you are not?’ He questioned, laying down and placing his head on my lap. I absently began stroking the fur and scales on his head.
“It’s not that, it’s just so foreign. I can’t think of a time where I’ve ever felt this at peace. Where I came from, I was constantly weighted down with doing well in school and in sports. When I came here, I’ve been weighted down with fulfilling a destiny that my entire clan laid their lives down for, and I’m not even sure I can do it. Plus there’s the thing with Sesshomaru…” I trailed off as I thought about Sesshomaru.
‘The dog lord of the west? Is he not your mate?’
“Well I don’t really know. This whole demon culture is still new and confusing to me. But since everyone keeps saying that, it must mean that we did something to make others think we’re mates.”
‘It’s the marks upon your necks and your change in scent. You pierced the skin and projected some of your aura into him and he did the same to you, thus binding you to each other.’
“How long does that last?”
‘Canines mate for life, though it is not uncommon for males to take more than one mate.’
“Oh…”
‘Do you not wish to be mated to him?’
“It’s not that exactly. I just don’t think he understands me. He wants someone who’s just going to submit to him and play the pampered lady of the west. That’s not me. Even though I may have not been a demoness long, I know I’m a fighter; I was when I thought I was human. I couldn’t stand having to stay cooped up in some castle for the rest of my life; and I certainly couldn’t stand having a mate that didn’t see me as an equal.”
‘You’re just like your mother.’
“What was she like?”
‘Princess Tia was very kind, but she was fierceness. But unlike you, she didn’t have the power to back up how she felt. Thankfully she mated a demon that saw her as his equal. Your father was one of the few males I’ve met, outside of the guardians, who was able to understand that sex didn’t matter when it came to power.’
We fell silent for a while and watched the others. This went on for a few minutes until I broke the silence.
“Do you think I’m doing the right thing? Leading us north to train for a war with the east? Our entire clan couldn’t take on the east, what makes this any better? I could be leading us all to our deaths. I’ve had to be strong, but it’s hard to keep it up. I know I have all of you with me, but sometimes I still feel like I’m going at this alone. I’m afraid that I could be making a mistake.”
‘Your clan had faith in you before you were even born. I see what you’ve become and I can see why they held such hope. Only you can decide what is best for you and your clan, it is your duty as Lady of the Ryu-Inu.’ The guardian raised his head to look over my shoulder. ‘Just remember that we’ll be with you no matter your choice.’ He said before walking over to where Ryo and Dagger were.
I watched him in confusion until I could feel a presence behind me. I turned to look over my shoulder to see the western lord.
“What are you doing here Sesshomaru?” I asked turning back to watch the others.
~Sesshomaru~
I had no intentions of eavesdropping on her conversation with the one called Masaru. But as I had been walking to repairing village, her words had stopped me. More than anything, two things she said stood out.
“It’s not that. I just don’t think he understands me. He wants someone who’s just going to submit to him and play the pampered lady of the west. That’s just not me. Even though I may not have been a demoness long, I know I’m a fighter; I was when I thought I was human. I couldn’t stand having to stay cooped up in some castle for the rest of life; and I certainly couldn’t stand having a mate that didn’t see me as an equal.”
It was like the priestess had said. Kazuko had no interest in the traditional role of a lady; and to be honest with myself, neither was I. All the women who had previously courted me were pampered and spoiled, and expected to remain as such after a mating.
I hadn’t realized what I wanted in a mate until Kazuko had shown up. Her determination and defiance had made it impossible to ignore her. It was clear to me that I had no interest in a mate that would simply follow me and expect me to provide for everything. I wanted a mate who could handle themself and be a protector for our pups.
“Do you think I’m doing the right thing? Leading us north to train for a war with the east? Our entire clan couldn’t take on the east, what makes this any better? I could be leading us all to our deaths. I’ve had to be strong, but it’s hard to keep it up. I know I have all of you with me, but sometimes I still feel like I’m going at this alone. I’m afraid that I could be making a mistake.”
Under her defiance was fear and it didn’t settle well with me. Like everyone else I had assumed she was doing fine with her role, and to hear that she was having trouble bothered me. I knew that a mate’s responsibility was to soothe and comfort their mate, but it was something that I was unfamiliar with. I knew how to soothe Rin to sleep after having a bad dream, but this was different.
Masaru eventually spotted me and gave me the slightest of nods before walking off.
“What are you doing here Sesshomaru?” Her words sounded hollow.
“I came to talk.” I replied simply.
“Well go ahead.” She said after a sigh.
“The council meeting is coming up and they will expect me to present you as my mate so that I can retain my lands without a fight.” I stated and was surprised as anger radiated off her in a tangible wave.
“So that’s it huh? You don’t care about me. All you care about is your stupid ego and your stupid title! I can’t believe that I thought you were different! Once an ass always and ass!” Her voice rose as she stood and glared at me. I was vaguely aware of the rest of the group staring towards us. “Well you know what Sesshomaru? I don’t want to be your mate!” She said then turned to storm off.
Though I remained indifferent on the outside, hearing her words sent a blast through my body as if an invisible enemy had delivered a punch straight to my chest. The breath left my body and I felt as if the world had just frozen. My veins were iced. My inner demon felt as if it had been run through with the deadliest of blades.
I acted before I could think.
Before she could turn away completely I grasped her wrist to keep her from leaving.
“Let go!” She growled trying to tug herself from my grip.
“Don’t say that.” I said just barely above a whisper.
“Say what? Let go? I want you to let go, so let go!” She growled.
“Don’t say you don’t want to be my mate.” I replied, starting to feel what could be described as close to panic rising in the pit of my stomach, though my outward appearance never changed.
“Look Sesshomaru I am not going to be a part of some stupid scheme to help you keep you lands. Go find someone else; I’m sure there are women literally killing each other to be with you.” She snarled ripping her wrist from my grip and running off. I heard a few of the Ryu-Inu move to follow her, but I gave a feral snarl to ward them off.
I was after her in a flash.
I can’t remember a time that I’ve ever seen her run so fast. Somewhere inside, I knew that if she got away there wasn’t a hope left. The scent of tears only strengthened my determination to keep her from leaving. Summoning my aura, I was able to use my orb of light to outrun her.
I reformed directly in her path so that she ran straight into me. Before she could recover I had my arms tightly around her to prevent escape.
“Leave me alone!” She growled, closing her eyes punching my chest with enough force that I could feel bruises forming.
“I don’t want anyone else.” I said and felt her freeze.
~Kazuko~
“I don’t want anyone else.” His words froze me in mid-swing, which was probably good for him because I had put enough force into this punch to shatter bone.
“What?” I whispered.
“I would not mate any other.” He said hesitantly loosening his grip as if he was unsure if I’d try to run again.
I couldn’t think of anything to say and we stood in silence for a few minutes.
“How do I know you aren’t saying this to keep your lands? How do I know this isn’t a trick?” I finally asked. “Why do want to be my mate?” She added quietly.
“This Sesshomaru has no need for such lowly deceptions.” He stated with a barely concealed snort of distaste. “You are…different. I have not met one who is as determined and defiant as you. You are strange and childish, yet you are a warrior who can fend for yourself and others when called to. I’ve never met a more beautiful demoness. I will do what it takes to not lose you. I am bonded to you.” He said hesitantly as if he was unused to talking so much or expressing how he felt. It was most likely both.
His words echoed in my mind over and over as I tried to make sense of what his words meant. Somewhere in there I think he had made it clear that he cared about me, although he didn’t necessarily say it word for word. He’d called me beautiful and I could feel the slightest of blushes forming on my cheeks. The last of his words hadn’t made sense to me.
“What does that mean? You are bonded?” I asked. It sounded as if he was tied to me against his will and I didn’t want that.
“Humans would say it as…I love you.” He said obviously trying to not be condescending towards using human terms.
‘He loves me.’ I thought as my eyes opened and looked up to his. His golden eyes were narrowed and searching as he watched me, trying to read my response. “Sesshomaru everyone sees you as an arrogant, emotionless ass who doesn’t care about anyone else but yourself and obtaining power.” I stated and felt him tense as if he thought I was going to deny him as a mate. “But I’ve seen what you can be. I’ve seen that you can be caring and gentle when you want to be. I guess I fell in love with you for everything you were; the good and the bad.” I could visibly see him relax as I finished.
“You will not leave then? You will be my mate?” He asked.
“No, I suppose I can stay. I will allow you to introduce me at the council meeting as your mate.” I said.
“Aww, this is probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.” We both turned to see Katina coming out of the tree cover.
“Katina?! What the hell?” I said. Once again I had not sensed her coming. I gave a light sniff and sighed. “The rest of you can come out too.” As I spoke the rest of the guardians, along with Ryo and Shippo, emerged from their hiding. “Seriously?!”
‘We wanted to insure that you did not end up harmed.’ Masaru said with a dip of his head towards Sesshomaru’s direction. ‘It appears we had nothing to worry about. We will head back for the village, the food is ready.’ He added and led the group away.
‘You two hurry up. This feast just became a celebration of your mating as well as a revival of the Ryu-Inu clan.’ Leaf said with a happy bark before following the rest of the group.
“I swear they’re like big, deadly children.” I mumbled watching them leave.
“Hn.” Sesshomaru gave his agreement.
“I suppose we should get back before they come looking for us again.” I said turning, but I was stopped by Sesshomaru who grabbed around my waist and brought me against his chest. Before I could protest his lips had descended on mine. He waited until I returned the kiss before he let me go.
As we walked back, I felt a bit light headed and was suddenly aware that I was still on my heat, something I had managed to block out until now. As it surged and I tried to snap myself out of it, I could have sworn I saw Sesshomaru smirk.
The rest of the feast went by rather quickly as no one trusted Toro to be alone in the western castle unattended for long. Sesshomaru left early, since it wouldn’t look well for any of the council to show up and he is not there to greet them upon arrival. I had thought that what had happened was no big deal to the others, as they hadn’t brought it up; but I immediately saw that I was wrong when the western lord walked off.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were courting Sesshomaru?!” Katina immediately shouted when the western lord was out of sight, but I was sure he wasn’t out of hearing range. “This makes you lady of the west!”
“Because I wasn’t, or I don’t think I was.” I said thinking back to the previous months. I couldn’t recall ever formally courting or even flirting with Sesshomaru, nor he with me.
‘It was mostly likely on a subconscious level.’ Sage said as he looked up from his meal of venison. ‘You’re inner demon was interested in him, right?’
“Yea, sometimes it wouldn’t shut up about him.” I grumbled.
‘Then it’s possible that your inner demon has been “secretly” courting Sesshomaru. It would be hard to tell, mostly just things like a subtle change in scent.’ The lead mage assistant explained.
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” I commented.
“So does this mean you two are officially a couple?” Ryo asked with a snort.
“I guess. I’m still new to this demon thing.” I said with a shrug.
‘The mating marks mean that you’re mates, so yes you are officially a couple.’ Breeze commented. ‘Plus, you may not have noticed but your scents have changed. It’s a signal for other demons to say that you’re taken.’
“See I told you, that you smell different.” Ryo boasted.
“Would you like a cookie?” I drawled sarcastically, getting a few strange looks. “It’s a saying where I come from.” I explained. “So is this all that’s needed for a mating?” I asked sliding the top of my kimono so that the mark showed.
‘Well typically yes. But since you’re mated to a lord, I’m sure there will be a ceremony or introduction of some sort to the other lords and ladies and to the subjects of the western lands. I would assume the council meeting would be the place for introducing you to the rest of the lords and ladies. I would guess a festival of some sort would be done so the subjects of the west can know who you are.’ Masaru explained.
“Speaking of the council meeting, who is allowed to come?” I asked. With Toro going, there was no telling what he could try and pull. I would prefer to have as much backup as possible.
‘Usually it’s made up of the lords and ladies, the leaders of important clans, the generals and one extra, typically an advisor for each leader.’ Masaru said thoughtfully.
“I’ll be going as lady of the west.” I said with a shaky sigh as the realization sunk in. “Ryo I want you there as general of the Ryu-Inu forces.” I said and smiled as he puffed his chest with pride and nodded. “Masaru I want you to come as my advisor.” I added and the guardian leader nodded.
‘Could I make a suggestion?’ Leaf interjected and continued when we nodded in her direction. ‘I know Masaru is the leader and he is personal guardian to the royal family, but perhaps you should take Sage with you. He is by far the wisest and most diplomatic of us all. In a council meeting, we’ll need diplomacy more than strength.’ She said and I had to admit she had a point.
“What do you think?” I asked looking towards Masaru and Sage.
‘I agree with Leaf. Take Sage and I’ll talk to Lord Sesshomaru about a place where Swift, Shadow, Storm and I can be close by just in case.’ Masaru said.
‘I would be honored to attend as your advisor.’ Sage said with a dip of his head.
“Ok then I’ll take Sage with me.” I said then turned to Ryo. “I want you and Dagger to come up with an emergency plan just in case something goes wrong. I just know Toro is up to something.”
“We’re one step ahead of you.” Ryo said with a smirk. “Since Sage and I will be in the meeting with you and Masaru, Storm, Swift and Shadow will be inside the castle that leaves forty-five, including Shippo and Katina. We’ll have everyone in nine groups of five stationed around the wall of the castle, one mage per group.”
“Great plan.” I said though was a bit unsure. “Are you sure Shippo should go?”
“The kit will be fine. From what I’ve seen, he can handle himself, and I’ve put him in Dagger’s group.” Ryo said and I looked to Shippo to see if he was ok with this.
“I’ll be ok Kazuko. I’ve been training really, really hard.” He said holding up his daggers/swords.
“Ok, but if anything goes wrong, I want you out of there immediately.” I commented.
‘I suppose we should get back since the sun is setting.’ Dagger said as they worked to dispose of the uneaten meat.
As we walked back small talk flittered through the group, most of which was on what Toro could be planning. Everyone agreed that the bull king was up to something bad for us, but no one could figure out what. We went through the plan again, since our training sessions would have to be put on hold until after the meeting; and said our goodnights to the guardians.
We arrived at the castle just a pair of foxes, one silver and the other gold, descended in front of the gate. As we got closer I could see that each fox held a little bundle in their jaws, one silver with gold paws and the other gold with silver paws.
When the two foxes landed they transformed, revealing two very well dressed people and children that appeared to be a little older than Shippo. The silver fox turned into a very regal, although a bit heavy, fox demon. His silver hair was unusual for a fox and only served to intensify his green eyes. The golden fox turned into a beautiful fox demoness who was wearing clothes that probably cost more money than I had ever had in my life. The two kits were both female.
Seeing how well they were dressed I immediately assumed they were a lord and lady of some land, and I remembered Koru saying the northern lord was a fox.
“Wow.” Katina whispered. “I suddenly feel like a peasant.” Shippo, Ryo and I gave our agreements as we looked at our own tattered training clothes.
“Oh, hello! It is nice to meet you!” The silver haired fox demon said with a cheerful grin as he noticed us coming up. His voice and build reminded me of Santa.
“Di must you be so forceful. The poor young ones looked weary enough as it us, without some old fox coming at them.” The fox demoness said shaking her head. The two kits giggled as they watched their parents.
“Lily I was simply greeting them, no harm done.” Lord Di said looking towards us.
“It’s no problem. It’s nice to meet you. You’re the lord and lady of the north correct?” I asked with a slight bow.
“Indeed we are. And you’re the survivors of the Ryu-Inu clan.” Lord Di answered.
“How could you tell?” Katina asked.
“That’s a scent we won’t be forgetting. Though they were subjects of the west, the Ryu-Inu clan was known for their kindness and helpfulness to all.” Lady Lily commented with a fondness to her tone. “They once helped us quell a rebellion on our border.”
“Shippo is that you?” Lord Di said leaning in to peer at Shippo who was on Ryo’s shoulder.
“My name is Shippo.” He said hesitantly.
“Well will you look here.” The northern lord said lifting the kit up. “We had though you died years ago. When I received news that Lily’s brother had died, we immediately traveled to find you, since no one had reported a dead kit. But when we arrived there was no trace of you, we assumed you hadn’t made it.”
“You knew my father?” Shippo asked quietly.
“He was my brother. You probably don’t remember me, since last time I saw you would have been when you were barely a year old. I had always asked my brother to move into the castle with us, but he preferred the hills so much.” Lady Lily said sadly. “But we’re so happy to have found you. Now you can come live with us at the northern castle.”
Shippo gave an unsure look in our direction that didn’t go unnoticed by the northern lord.
“Mate, I think he’s grown fond of his adoptive pack.” He commented, putting Shippo back down on Ryo’s shoulder.
“So he has.” She said with a small smile. “Well, you will be traveling with us north after the meeting, so you don’t have to choose now. We should enter the castle, a chill is forming.”
We nodded and followed the northern royal family into the castle. As expected, Sesshomaru and Koru were there to greet the foxes.
“Allow me to show you to your rooms.” Koru said bowing and then leading the foxes away.
“They seem nice.” Katina said when they had left.
“Kind of on the strange side though.” Ryo added.
I noticed that Shippo remained quiet as we entered the castle. With the arrival of his aunt and her wish for him to live in the north, I could see his dilemma. I made up in my mind that I wouldn’t try to persuade him to a choice, it was important that he was able to make a clear decision for himself. That way he would be able to always say he made such a major life decision on his own.
“We’re going to go find something to do, since it’s too early to go to sleep.” Katina said as the three of them walked off.
“Oh so now you’re just going to leave me? You guys are great, really great.” I huffed at them and rolled my eyes.
“It looks like you have something more interesting to do.” Katina said with a wink and made a motion up the stairs to where Sesshomaru was standing.
I was going to question what she meant until I saw the red that rimmed the western lord’s eyes.
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Where I Belong