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A Mate for Sesshoumaru	By : ArchNemesis Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male > InuYasha/Sessh?maru > InuYasha/Sessh?maru Views: 64087 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine; they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 26
- 27
- 28
A Mate for Sesshoumaru
Pairings: Sesshoumaru/Inuyasha
Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine; they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
WARNING: This is about male pregnancy (possibly) and male/male relationships which includes INCEST. I�m letting you know now what the relationships WILL contain. So, if you are AGAINST such pairings, please find something else more to your liking, you have been WARNED.

Flames will be ignored.

Special thanks to: Megan D Meyrin, Shantesa Jones , Ominous07, Koopca14, cyhap, Guest 1, Yuri Keiba Yaoi Freak, BeloveGintama, Valentina Alexandrea Sparrow, ankwhat, arifacandlelight, Naomi, TigerDemonOwnz, SerpensPrincess, yaoiangelbaby, inulovegirl713, Guest 2, your-baby-girl1098, Nala1220, Whynonna17, arlena.ferrell, PearlesantlRose, Insanity-Chi, lembab27, MunksAngelQueen2010, Nikkie23534, clio1111, Guest 3, internet-spazinternet-spaz, MADStar529, dawn chase, Deathangel67, InuAngelBaby, MissLittleNeko, itachisgurl93, PurpleFairy11, Inuhime1, Nychell21, Sesshopuppy, and to those who have read and didn�t review. I hope you enjoyed my story thus far.

Notes: I apologize for not updating in quite a while. Unfortunately, I lost my flash drive (again) that held all of my fics including future chapters that was ready for posting. I�m not sure how this chapter will turn out owing to the fact that I have to start from scratch. If anyone has any suggestions, I am open to them in order to get my groove back.

If anyone is waiting for Give Me One More Chance, Worlds Apart, & Family to be updated, please be a little more patient as I have stated previously, I�ve lost all future chapters to these stories. Again I apologize for the inconvenience.

Also, my beta-reader Kobanya is working on her finals and is unable to make me look good; so� any and all mistakes are mine. I will re-post once she�s finished with school.

ArchNemesis

Enjoy!

oOoOoOo

Chapter 26: What Comes Around, Goes Around, part 1

The time finally arrived for Naraku to accept his fate to become the new Lord of the South. There waiting for him at the broken, charred entry gate was his father and former First Lady, Emi. Most repairs haven�t even begun since Toga, Gaiki, and Sesshoumaru�s departure almost two weeks ago. Naraku stood at the very threshold of the gate, crimson eyes taking in all of what remained of the once glorious palace. He was a little saddened by the recent events and ashamed that he was not able to help save what he considered to be his home, alas nothing can change what has transpired.

Naraku hope that with time, this wound that Gorai left would heal in order for them to move forward. Sighing in resignation, Naraku steeled his resolve to begin his first steps toward his destiny.

Taking in Emi�s appearance, Naraku noted that she looked tired and worn, barely having the energy to stand. She looked as if she was about to give birth at any given moment, which he prayed was not the case. He wasn�t ready to go through another birthing process any time soon. He thought that she would drop at a dead faint from the slightest breeze. Bowing respectfully to her, Naraku gave a wan smile as he didn�t know how to proceed�not when their roles were currently reversed.

The awkward silence stretched until Naraku�s nerves couldn�t handle it any longer.

�My lady.�

�I am no longer your lady, my lord.�

If he had tear ducts, Naraku would have shed a tear, instead Emi cried at what he said next, �You will always be my lady.�

Taking her by the hand, Naraku led Emi in through the entry-way into the depths of the half ruined Southern palace.

oOoOoOo

Stalking down the halls of the Western palace, Takehiko bypassed everyone who was waiting to hear any word on Inuyasha�s whereabouts. Everyone moved out of his way as they saw fire in the normally bright golden eyes.

He knew that he should at least inform Izayoi that Sesshoumaru found Inuyasha without incident, but this came first. Then he would see his human daughter and let her know that her only child was safe and sound.

Walking swiftly into the dungeons, Takehiko walked up to the only occupied cell. Inside of the stone warded room, laying on the narrow cot was Kaori.

�Get up,� he growled through the evenly spaced bars as he motioned for the guard to open the cell. Upon entering, Takehiko noted the faint smell of vomit and other bodily fluids.

Eyeing Kaori with some distain, Takehiko guessed that her incapacitated state was Sesshoumaru�s doing. Scoffing, he was surprised that Sesshoumaru just didn�t kill her on the spot�but knowing his son, Taisho probably forbid Sesshoumaru from maiming his cousin in any shape, form, or fashion.

How magnanimous of his honorable son. If it was left up to Takehiko, he would had ran her through and be done with the bitch. But at least this way, he could watch how his grand-heir would react to the consequences of her ill made plans to sell off Inuyasha.

Motioning to the guard again, the young inu hurried to do the lord�s will in getting Kaori to her feet.

After a spell, Moriyaku stepped inside the cell that has been Kaori�s home for nearly the past week or so.

�Report, please, Moriyaku. I need to know if she�s fit to travel,� Takehiko asked.

�She is well enough to travel the distance, my lord, but she will need assistance getting about and her daily needs tended too. However, it will be another week, possible two before she is fully coherent and mobile to do for herself. Lord Sesshoumaru�s poison did a superb job crippling her without killing her,� Moriyaku answered, standing from her examination.

Pondering this over, Takehiko then asked, �Will she be able to conceive again?�

�Yes, although considering her last gestation with Lord Naraku, I would not advise another birth any time soon. Maybe next season they can try again,� she said.

Finally, lifting her head, Kaori trembled with fear at seeing her grandfather, eyes watering from straining to see clearly.

�She will not bear another heir for Lord Naraku,� Takehiko said with finality. Moriyaku merely bowed her head in acquiesce.

Turning out the door, he looked back at Kaori, �You will come with me and not say a word. If you do, I will kill you without a second thought. Do you understand?�

Kaori nodded her head as best as she could�dread filling her with each word that her grandfather spoke.

�Moriyaku, please make sure that she�s eats and gets properly cleaned. Pack whatever belongings that she has here, those will follow at a later time.�

�Yes, my lord.�

And with that, Kaori was led upstairs to the guess room that she and Naraku had been sharing since after their bonding.

She was heading toward an unknown future at the behest of her grandfather and she wasn�t quite sure was more frightening, being here with Takehiko or the prospect of seeing Sesshoumaru now that her plan failed.

oOoOoOo

Sitting in the privacy of Gorai�s study, which was now Naraku�s, Emi, Naraku and Miso got down to business.

Naraku mainly paced back and forth in front of the cold unlit hearth. He was livid and he couldn�t imagine how Emi was feeling about the situation. He could only hazard a guess.

��What I want to know is why did you and Lord Gorai keep my birth a secret? I and Lady Emi had every right to know! Not when my sire dies, father. Should I even still call you that?�

�Naraku, please calm down. If you are upset, your daughter will be able to sense it from you,� Emi pleaded.

Finally coming to sit in the chair next to her, Naraku exhaled in defeat. There was no use in rehashing old wounds and buried secrets. He just wanted to understand.

�I�m sorry, Lady Emi,� Naraku apologized for the wrongness of been caught in the middle of his dirty little secret.

�Don�t be. I�ve had a little more time to accept this than you. What�s been done has been done and we cannot change the outcome of it,� Emi replied sagely. Remembering how hurt and betrayed she felt when Gorai told her that Naraku was his son right before he died protecting her and their unborn pup.

�Gorai and I felt at the time not to tell you, either of you until absolutely necessary. He knew at some point that Naraku would bond to Kaori and claim his title as the next ruler of the South through Kaori. He just didn�t know that he would die� Gorai placed a spell upon Naraku when he had been born, and when Gorai died the seal broke unleashing his power,� Miso explained.

�What on earth were you two thinking?� Naraku said. �I don�t know the first thing about inu magic! I could have accidently killed Kagura with that type of power!�

�I�m sorry.�

�Is that all you can say, that you�re sorry? Please leave, father. I need time to think,� Naraku said exasperated.

Miso stared at his only son for a moment before leaving the study. Once it was just to two of them, Naraku kneeled in front of Emi.

�I don�t even know where to start,� Naraku began and for the first time in his life he was at a total loss for words.

Taking his much larger hands into hers; Emi caressed Naraku�s cheek with a free hand. �I must apologize for treating you poorly thus far and now you�ve been thrown into a world that you have no idea about. I will help you understand and guide you to the best of my abilities, Naraku, and in return, I only ask for your forgiveness and to get to know my grand-heir.�

�Lady Emi, there is nothing to forgive. Kagura is your blood, you need not ask for permission to see her. I need help with her as I�ve not a clue how to raise an infant. Children were never part of my future and now that I have one, I wouldn�t change a thing,� Naraku admitted a light blush tinting his cheeks.

Emi smiled as the skin under her hand warmed just a tad, but said nothing.

�And that brings me to my next question, where is Kaori? She was supposed to have accompanied you.�

Looking Emi in the eyes, Naraku knew that that he had to tell her the truth about her daughter. �There was an incident at the Western palace, my lady, and I�m afraid that Kaori might have started a war,� Naraku replied.

Gasping slightly, Emi could only imagine what her stupid daughter has done. �What has happened?�

�All I know is that Takehiko has requested my presences in the Valley of the Dragons by end of the week. I know of nothing else,� Naraku answered.

Thinking, Emi knew that if Takehiko was involved it must be serious. He was one inu not to be disobeyed and believed one could get away with it unscathed. No, Takehiko was not to be taken lightly on any matter. He was well known as Kinslayer for a reason.

�There will be a full moon in ten days. You must prepare for a cleansing. Whatever Takehiko has planned it will occur when the moon is at its zenith. Come,� Emi instructed as she struggled to get to her feet.

Naraku obediently followed Emi to the enclosed hot springs of his new chambers. All of his meager belongings had been moved to this room. When he first arrived, Naraku told Emi that he didn�t want the master suites; it was hers and hers alone. Instead he asked for the finest guest room that the Southern palace offered.

�I will have one of the servants bring you a meal and then you may visit with your daughter before she is put down for the night,� Emi said.

�Thank you, my lady,� Naraku replied.

Without any further words, Emi departed leaving Naraku to his thoughts on everything that has happened to him since learning about Lord Gorai�s death.

It was strange to be suddenly thrust into the unknown. Even stranger that he was at the helm of one the ruling families.

With his bath drawn, Naraku removed his armor and battle fatigues, letting everything drop to the floor with a loud clatter. He had much to think on but for now, he was going to scrub the dirt and grit from his body then tend to his youngling, it was nearing Kagura�s meal time.

oOoOoOo

The next time Inuyasha woke, it was to his father sitting next to the bed he was currently resting on. Searching around the room, Inuyasha found Sesshoumaru on the far side of the chamber, hiding in the shadows watching everything.

�Otousan��

�Rest, my son, you�ve been through quite an ordeal,� Toga said running a careful eye over Inuyasha.

�I�m tired of laying about in bed�I need to bathe,� Inyuasha replied, a light pinkish hue colored his fine cheeks as he remembered his early morning romp with his mate.

Clearing his throat, Inuyasha asked, �When can we go home? And where�s Shippou? I need to make sure that he�s okay and not scared after everything he�s been through.�

�The kit is fine, Inuyasha. He�s been asking about you. One of Ryu�s den mothers is keeping watch over him just until you are capable of doing so yourself. And as far as when we are going home� it won�t be until after the next full moon. I have some unfinished business with Ryu.�

�Wha- why the hell are we staying here?� Inuyasha nearly shouted.

Now glaring at his father, Sesshoumaru nearly growled at hearing that they were to stay far longer than what he deemed necessary.

�Now, calm down, Inuyasha. You getting upset is not good for the pup,� Toga replied.

�Why, otousan, do we need to remain in this accursed place for that length of time?� Sesshoumaru inquired none too politely either.

Standing to his feet, Toga knew that he had to placate his surely pup.

�Kaori needs to be dealt with and I will not leave her as loose end to come back try another attempt on Inuyasha.�

�If you allowed me to kill her, as it is my right, Inuyasha and I wouldn�t have to worry about her attempting anything else against my mate!� Sesshoumaru yelled.

�Do not think that killing will always solve the problem, Sesshoumaru. She must learn humility to gain to wisdom that will be needed when there is no one left to pick-up the pieces or to fix the messes that she created. You above all should know this. I will not always be around and the West should be able to continue to flourish without the need to spill blood.

�People regardless, if they are human or youkai, will always turn to us for guidance and we as Taiyoukai should be able to assist them and not go to war because it�s the only solution. War should be a last resort if no other solution presents itself,� Toga wisely explained to his sons.

Properly chastised, Sesshoumaru turned back around to look out the window without another word. He knew what his father said was right. He shouldn�t always resort to killing but it made him feel a whole lot better shedding blood.

�Now, I will leave you two alone. I expect to see the both of you at dinner,� Toga said as his parting words.

oOoOoOo

�Come sit down, Izayoi. All this fritting will give you grey hair,� Tsukiko prompted while holding her grand-heir. He was so adorable. Currently, he was asleep in her embrace with naught a care in the world.

Turning, Izayoi did as she was asked. Izumi followed Izayoi with an unblinking stare thinking about it if was one of pups that was taken. She knew that Sesshoumaru was more than capable of handling himself but what if he was in Inuyasha�s state? She would probably be just as worried as Izayoi was now.

A gentle knocking broke the oppressive air about the room.

�Enter,� Izumi called out. �Father!�

�Lord Takehiko,� Izayoi said his name with her unvoiced question, doe like eyes swimming with unleased tears. She was preparing herself to hear the worse.

Tsukiko remained quiet; she knew that her mate would come to her after speaking with Izayoi.

Takehiko walked directly to Izayoi, he considered her as his daughter and treated as such. She gave Taisho what Izumi couldn�t. Although Takehiko knew deep down that Izumi cared for Taisho, she was not in love with him any longer.

She wanted Taisho�s heart and she was the keeper of it for many, many years but over time she despised him for his love of humans. He shook his head not knowing where she developed a sense of hatred toward humans, maybe one day he will sit down and ask her.

Wrapping his arms around Izayoi, she was swallowed up by his massive frame.

�Inuyasha is fine. Sesshoumaru has found him, my dear,� Takehiko said.

Loud sobbing filled the chamber. Izayoi was relieved of hearing that her baby was all right.

�Sit, everything is fine now, Izayoi, shed no tears,� Takehiko said.

�Father, what happened?�

�The boat carrying Inu had sunk right off the coast, it never made it to port and Inu was the only survivor. Apparently, at some point he realized where he was shipped wreck and attempted to make his way back home. Unfortunately, he was caught unawares by a band of unsavory youkai that Ryukotsusei was having trouble getting rid of. Anyway, needless to say, Sesshoumaru found him and that�s all that matters,� Takehiko explained. He didn�t want to go into any further detail of what the Thunder Brothers had in mind for his grand-heir.

�I will be leaving at first light with Kaori,� he added.

�Why? Hasn�t she caused enough damage to this family?� Tsukiko said rocking the infant in arms to make sure that he stayed asleep.

�Our son has made a deal with Ryukotsusei�s son because Kaori accepted dragon�s gold for Inu,� Takehiko replied.

All three ladies gasped in surprised. Each knew what that meant. Whatever the terms were, Kaori was part of the deal.

�Now, I would like to hold my newest grand-heir,� Takehiko announced as his mate shifted her precious bundle to strong but gentle arms as Izayoi bid them goodnight. �Have you and Taisho named him yet?�

�No, Otousan. With everything that has been going-on he has not done so,� Izumi answered.

�I know things between you and Taisho has been difficult but you-�

�I don�t want or need your advise, Otousan,� Izumi cut him off.

�You listen to me, daughter, and listen carefully, Taisho loves you even after all this chaos you created with Kaori, he loves you and if you continue you to shut him out by keeping him at a distance you will lose that love and he will hate you. Is that what you want?� Takehiko asked.

�Izumi-�

�Mother, I�� Izumi clamed up.

�Tell me, something is bothering you and it�s been eating at you for a while now,� Tsukiko said encouraging her oldest daughter to talk.

�It happened not long after Sesshoumaru was born and I still hadn�t recovered from given birth��

Izumi proceeded to tell her parents why she was acting so disrespectful toward her mate.

oOoOoOo

When Inuyasha woke for the third time, the moon was hidden behind a patch of clouds, it seemed like it was late into the night but he knew that it wasn�t. Inuyasha sensed that it was barely after five in the evening. He didn�t know what time dinner was being served but it dragons were anything like inus, dinner was at six.

He slid out of bed padding over to the window. Pulling back the shade, Inuyasha saw a stretch of trees and beyond, a thin layer of fog was rolling in from the coast. Rain was coming soon. His room was a bit colder but Inuyasha was too stubborn to admit that he needed some warmth. He glanced at the unlit fireplace�not even a piece of wood to make a fire even if he wanted to. The storage box was empty as well.

�Whatever,� he mumbled to himself.

He continued to stare out the window rubbing his now visible bump. He would need new clothes soon as his Robe of the Fire Rat won�t expand in size to accommodate his widening middle. He smiled a little in wonderment at how big he would become.

Knock, knock

�My lord?�

�Yeah, what do you want?� Inuyasha snapped. He was not in the mood for visitors of any kind.

�I am Shidori, my lord. I�ve been charged with tending to your needs, sire.�

Sheesh. �Inuyasha bemoaned to himself before calling out, �Alright, come-in.�

�My lord, your mate informs me that you are in need of a bath. I will draw water for you. Is there anything else that you require, my lord? Dinner will be served soon,� Shidori said as she went about the room picking-up discarded clothes and re-dressing the bed with fresh sheets and fluffing the pillows.

�Yeah, could you or someone get a fire going? It�s a little cold in here,� Inuyasha said turning back to look out the window as his cheek bloomed a nice lovely shade of scarlet.

�Cold, my lord?� Shidori unconsciously blurted out.

Gritting his teeth in an attempt to control his temper, Inuyasha replied, �Yes, a fire. If ya can�t do it, I�ll get my mate and you can deal with him.�

At the prospect of seeing the tall regel youkai, Shidori�s eyes popped beyond they sockets and quivered. She immediately called out to another servant and instructed him to get the necessary items to start a fire. She didn�t wanted to have to explain to the imposing lord why his mate�s needs were not been met as they should.

Without another word from his attendant, Inuyasha went about gathering what he would need for his bath. Please to note that no matter where they were, Sesshoumaru�s name invoke fear, which suited him just fine. As long as it got him a fire, Inuyasha didn�t care who he threaten.

Shidori finally left him to his thoughts. Inuyasha was about to disrobe when the object of his current musings appeared.

�You know� he�s planning something,� Inuyasha uttered after a spell, referring back to their conversation with their father.

Snorting in amusement, Sesshoumaru replied, �Of course he is. When is he not, brother?�

Smiling in return, Inuyasha added, �You�re right, but I can�t imagine what hair-brain scheme he�s got cooking now.�

�Try not to think too much about it as long as it doesn�t involve us, I do not care who gets tangled in his web of manipulations. At any rate, you requested bath, did you not?�

�Hai.�

�Then come, my mate,� Sesshoumaru offered his hand having bolted the door.

Without saying another word, Sesshoumaru led Inuyasha into the adjoining bathing chamber. The tub was filled with luxurious hot water. Steam vapors rose filling the air with warmth. Sesshoumaru added lavender oil in order to help his mate relax. He also added eucalyptus and other mineral oils and salts to soothe any of Inuyasha�s aches and pains.

Although Inuyasha hadn�t voiced his discomfort, Sesshoumaru saw the minute twinges and grimaces every time Inuyasha attempted to rub his back or while his was resting in bed.

Glancing at Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha knew that look, having seen it just mere hours before.

�You�re staring, Sesshoumaru.�

�Of course I am. How could I not?�

�You know what I mean, Sesshoumaru!� Inuyasha snapped clearly embarrassed at being the focus of his mate�s attention.

The fire that burn brightly in Sesshoumaru�s amber orbs meant only one thing�they were not going to make it to dinner on time.

oOoOoOo

Landing directly within the throne room, Takehiko deposited Kaori at his feet. She gagged upon righting herself and blushed when she heard, �Well, for an inu, she�s not very graceful.�

�Master Ryu, that�s not very nice, even it�s true,� Midorkiawa said smiling down at Kaori.

Standing on wobbly legs, Kaori bowed as best as she could�her cheeks reddened by each moment she stood there.

Ryu standing to his feet, he slowly descended the dais then circle around Kaori. Once he was finished with his appraisal, he began walking out of the grand hall.

Calling back over his shoulder, �Make sure that everything is prepared, Midori. I believe Lord Naraku and Lady Emi will be here in a few hours.�

Takehiko remind silent watching the scene unfold. He would not interfere unless he absolutely had too.

�Come, my dear, you must be tired from your journey. I will show you to you chambers. I am Midorikawa, I�m Lord Ryukotsusei�s chief advisor.�

Cautious of speaking, Kaori glanced at her grandfather.

�Do not worry about Lord Takehiko. He will not harm you as long as you abide by Master Ryu�s wishes that have been set upon you. You have nothing to fear,� Midorikawa explained with Kaori in tow and Takehiko following like a grim menacing shadow.

�And what wishes are those?� Kaori asked curious now that she�s not dead.

�You have to run of the castle except for the family den until you are given leave to go there. Also� you are to stay away from Lord Sesshoumaru and his consort�ignore that rule and Master Ryu will be greatly displeased.�

�Lord Sesshoumaru is here?� Kaori perked up for a moment until she saw flames brewing within Midorkawa�s quicksilver eyes.

�Let me explain you situation, Kaori, you purposely deceived Master Ryu into thinking that he was getting a female that he would be able to mate with and possible breed with�when in fact you sold him the second heir and son of Inu no Taisho. And you were paid rather handsomely for the illegal transaction. No because of this little misunderstanding, Master Ryu has agreed to, at a great personal expense, to enter into an alliance with the West and by extension the Shiro Inu Clan by getting mated to a fertile female,� Midorikawa blatantly exclaimed.

Blinking a couple of times, Kaori for the life of herself couldn�t think of anyone other than her aunt Shizuka but that was impossible considering that Shizuka swore never to mate.

Seeing the confusion writing all over her face, Midorikawa continued, �You, Lady Kaori, will be mated off to Master Ryu.�

Stopping dead in her tracks, Kaori gasped. �There must be some kind of mistake. I mean� I�m already mated to Naraku.� Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. She knew that they could hear the frantic beating.

�A mating that I was told you did not want. Lord Naraku is coming here to annul your bond.�

�Why do you keep calling him lord! He owns nothing�no land or title!�Naraku is a nobody!� Kaori shrieked.

The shock of every happening to her was suffocating her. She refuse to believe that her father would allow something like this to happen to her.

�That�s where you�re wrong,� Midorikawa cryptically replied before continuing down the corridor then up a set of stairs before stopping at a heavy wooden door.

�Where�s my father? I want to see my father�he cannot be going along with this, this insane idea!�

�You may speak to your mother once she arrives. Dinner is within the hour. Someone will be here to show you to the dining hall. Dress accordingly.�

Midorikawa closed the door and walked passed Takehiko, who started laughing.

�My lord?�

�You handled her quite well, Midorikawa.�

�She�s a spoiled hatchling. Master Ryu is a brat as well but he knows when to act mature, which is not very often. Kaori will learn�Master Ryu has a temper just like his father. He will never lay a hand on her but she will learn what it means to be mated to a fire drake,� Midorikawa said before leaving Takehiko alone on the staircase that led back to the main hallway.

oOoOoOo

It was a half hour before dinner and drama was unfolding inside of Kaori�s chambers. All kinds of insults and threats were being hurled until one of the servants retrieved Midorikawa. He stood on the other side of the door listening to the racket until a thunderous smack was heard.

Yumi exited the chamber with her head bowed. She was one of a small group of human servants employed by the dragon clan. He remembered when she first arrived, starved and scared, a mere child. Her parents died when she was an infant. Ryukotsusei rescued her from slavers. Now fifteen years later, the child was being abused by her future lady.

She stopped when Midorikawa tilted her head up and to the side. Glaring at the red flaming mark, he said, �Go tend to that and I will assign someone else to Kaori. She is no longer your responsibility.�

Nodding in acquiesce, Yumi departed, tears of hurt running down her face.

Walking into Kaori�s bedchamber, Midorikawa was appalled by the state of chaos. Broken vases littered around the door. A platter of food was tossed against a wall with the remnants stick to one of decorative war paintings; and there in the center of it all was Kaori.

She turned an angry look at the advisor�thinking she could make him quiver in the face of her ire.

�Why are you not dressed?� he demanded. �Dinner will begin shortly and it will not due for Master Ryu�s prospective mate to be late.�

�I am not wearing that, that thing!� she hissed pointing to the hated piece of garment.

�That thing is a gift from Master Ryu. He wants you to wear it tonight at the feast.�

�I will wear one of my kimonos,� Kaori insisted as if he didn�t say anything to her.

�You will wear that or nothing at all and believe me, Ryu will have no problem at all parading you around on his arm stark naked like some common whore,� Mirdorikawa said walking up to Kaori, grabbing the offending dress. �Now you will wear this or be humiliated in the worse possible way in front of your family�the choice is yours.�

Midorikawa shoved the dress at Kaori.

�Now, since you made this mess you will clean it. Our servants are not here for to abuse because you cannot get your way. I will be back in ten minutes to escort you to dinner. Be ready,� Midorikawa ordered.

Kaori stomped her feet. She was the Southern heir! She will not clean one single thing, that was not her job. She would not do something that was far beneath her station.

With that thought in mind, Kaori proceeded to dress herself�she be damned if she was going to wear a bit of cloth that showed more skin than what was proper to do so.

oOoOoOo

The small gathering was anything but small. At least two hundred youkai was in attendance including (if the rumors were true, Lord Ryukotsusei himself), was there to see his soon-to-be daughter-in-law. A veriety of demons mingled about.

Off to one side of the hall was Toga and Takehiko. They were silently discussion what had happened when Takehiko left to get Kaori. Not far away from them were Ryuura and Kyoura.

Apparently, Ryuura was ready to take his leave of his brother as Kyoura�s attention was elsewhere. He remembered several nights ago when he bumped into Midorikawa. Their conversation was a little bit of an eye opener for him�

It had been fascinating the first couple of days after finding Lord Sesshoumaru�s mate unharmed. The dragons of this valley were very social creatures. It seemed as if they held a party or some type of celebration almost every night and Master Ryu was in the think of it. He was a wild one�no wonder his fther was trying (in vain) to get him mated off.

Walking down a deserted corridor with no particular destination in mind, Ryuura aimlessly meandered to halls until his bumped into a wall�actually the wall was in the form of the tall white haired advisor, Midorikawa.

�Umph!�

Smirking, Midori outstretched his hand to help Ryuura off the floor.

�My, my� I didn�t think that Elementals were prone to being ungraceful. Hmm, must be from being around inus for so long.�

Ryuura bit his tongue. He didn�t want Lord Toga to be embarrassed any more than necessary, so he had to be a little diplomatic.

�Please, forgive me, Chief Advisor Midorikawa, I should have been paying attention to where I was going,� Ryuura said through gritted teeth.

Light tinkling rang in Ryuura�s ears. He stared at the dragon, totally enthralled by the sound Midori emitted.

�No, it was my fault entirely; and please call me Midori. Actually, I was looking for you.�

�Oh?�

�Yes� you see I wanted inquire about your brother.�

Was Midor�blushing? Ryuura thought as the dragon turned away slightly to hid the reddening hue.

�What is it that you wish to know?� Ryuura said.

�Is your brother by chance mated?� Midori asked bluntly.

Ryuura pulled up short, frowning. Mating was a sensitive subject for him and his brother. Although Ryuura vowed to never mate (only because it was too work) he knew his brother desperately wanted a family. Kyoura�s last relationship ended badly with a broken engagement, which brought shame to their family. Ryuura was on his way to kill the backbiter when Kyoura told him that she was with child by a fellow clansman.

The couple mated shortly thereafter. Later, Kyoura confided in him, saying that he wished that the child was his; but was glad for how things worked out as he didn�t love the water elemental.

Their mother was quite upset and couldn�t understand how Kyoura let a beautiful water youkai slip through his fingers, and flat out told him that, that should have been her grandchild, not someone else�s. Kyoura was seven hundred years old at the time and from that moment onward; Ryuura promised himself that he would look after his brother�s heart.

�No, my brother is not and what are your interests toward him? Kyoura does not part-take in frivolous affairs,� Ryuura stated.

�That will be between your brother and myself,� Midori answered defensively. �I�m not one for overnight lovers either.�

�When it concerns the matter of the heart, especially Kyoura�s, it is my business. Besides, for any one that he would even be attracted to would have to be some type of water youkai�you are a fire drake.�

Again Midori smirked�a look that Ryuura was beginning to hate.

�No, I am not,� Midori freely admitted.

Reading the confused gaze in Ryuura�s azure eyes, Midori smiled showing gleaming white teeth. �I�m an ice dragon.�

Ryuura�s mouth dropped opened. It couldn�t be?

�Ice drakes are myth. They are nothing more than fantasies-�

Before Ryuura could finish his argument, the corridor they were standing within lit with an incandescent blue�there front of him Midori set fire to one of the tapestries until it was nothing more than a smothering burn pile of ash along with a shimmer of ice crystals. The hallway was frosted over�Ryuura felt as if he just submerged in a pool of frozen ice.

Inconceivable! There was no way�ice dragons vanished centuries ago when Moriko and all her clan was slain by Hanshou. You lie!�

�I am all that remains of a small group of survivors. Hanshou wanted my mother and she spurned his advances,� Midori explained but didn�t go into great detail. Ryuura saw the pain and misery within the quicksilver depths.

�After the attack, I and a handful of hatchlings wandered down from the mountain�s polar caps. Lord Ryukotsusei found us a few days later, nearly half starved. Anyway, the young ones were in shock at being separated from their mothers�they were still nursing. Dragons nurture their offspring until five years of age, which give them a higher chance for survival. But alas, one by one they fell into a deep slumber�dying in their sleep. I was already past my infantile stage and could thrive on my own but I still needed my mother�s care.

�Anyway, about serval months after the siege, I received work that my mother had died. Since then, there have been numerous assassination attempts on my life. The last one thought it would be a good idea to try to kill me in my sleep.�

Intrigued by the story that Midorikawa was weaving, mirth clearly evident in his voice, Ryuura asked, �What happened to you would-be assassin?�

�Well, let us just say that attacking a dragon during mating season is not conducive to one�s health,� Midori simply answered.

Deeply moved by Midori�s tale, Ryuura couldn�t help but want to aid the dragon in his plight to win his brother�s heart�

Now as Ryuura thought about it as he spied Midori enter the fire hall with no other than Kaori on his arm, he forgot to ask one important question: Why would anyone wanted to kill a mere advisor?

oOo TBC oOo

A/N: Well, how was that? Any guesses why Midori is a target? Think there is more to his story. And will Kaori find out about Gorai? Don�t know? Well, stay tuned for part two of this chapter.

ArchNemesis

Next: Ryukotsusei confronts Taisho.
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A Mate for Sesshoumaru