The demoness’s ruby lips curved upward.

Skimming red-enameled claws through a silky forelock of her hair, she seemed to glide toward Kagome across the wilted, leaf-strewn shore. Against this backdrop of autumn, Sesshoumaru’s mother was the picture of ethereal beauty and grace. It was often said of Kagome that she was a stately lady, but against this Lady of the Western Lands, there was no comparison. Slender, yet arresting, with her golden eyes, alabaster complexion and moon-marked brow, she was like a living sculpture—the artist’s dream of the goddess brought to life.

The only creature Kagome had ever seen who was more strikingly lovely was Hirokin. But Sesshoumaru’s mother seemed somehow more elegant for her remoteness. She was like a statue carved out of stone and snow. All sharp angles and cool contours. And her keen gaze glowed like the hunter’s moon—full of cryptic, deadly portent.

“Yes,” she said at length, “I am who you say.”

Kagome sized her up, as she couldn’t help but do with every worthy demon who crossed her path. She couldn’t help but compare herself against them, to see how she measured up. With this demoness she was more sure of her odds than with Sesshoumaru—but that wasn’t to say that she was anywhere close to ‘sure’.

What his mother lacked in raw power, she no doubt made up for in wisdom and experience. This wasn’t a foe to be trifled with, by any means. Still, Kagome squared her jaw as she went out to meet this uninvited guest.

“Why have you come here?” she asked.

The demoness’s smile turned a shade coy. “You were mated to a son of my own late mate. It seems long past time since we met, does it not?”

Kagome took offense to this suggestion. Hackles rising, she bit out, “Not really. Don’t pretend you ever cared anything for Inuyasha; he spent the bulk of his life being shunned by your kind. And anyway, he’s been dead for years, and I’ve remarried. What sort of bond could possibly exist between us now? The way I see it, the only reason for you coming here is to stir up some kind of trouble, and I don’t appreciate it in the slightest.”

“My,” Sesshoumaru’s mother said after a moment, her golden eyes sheening with surreal light, “but you are singular.”

Kagome crossed her arms at the chest, not sure what to make of this remark, but assuming the worst. “I am the lady of this castle,” she said woodenly. “Whatever else you think of me, that’s all that really matters.”

“Perhaps you forget that this castle lies within my son’s domain,” the demoness said, with a touch of sharpness. “But let us not quibble over such territorial scruples. The fact of the matter is, I’ve heard a great deal about you of late, and wished to see for myself the one they call the Shikon Miko.”

Kagome turned away with a frown. “Sorry to disappoint you, but the Shikon Miko is dead for all practical purposes. What you see here is just another mortal woman, trying to make good use of the little time she has left.”

“Is that so?” Sesshoumaru’s mother said. “Well then, that is a shame.” Kagome glanced back at her, as her smile glinted with a wry hint of fang. “I was unaware one could simply change what they are at will, but after more than three thousand years, it seems I stand corrected.”

Kagome had a feeling she knew where Hirokin had learned to hone his sass. “Why have you come here,” she demanded again, “truly?”

Drawing closer on soundless footsteps, the Lady removed a curious object from the collar of her dress. It looked like a saucer of the purest silver—maybe a very shallow cup? Kagome couldn’t be sure, until Sesshoumaru’s mother tilted it just so toward the evening sky, and it seemed to fill with pure glistening moonlight.

“Share a drink with me, won’t you, my dear?”

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Woohoo, didn’t think I’d get this out today, but here we are! Hope y’all enjoyed <3