Pearl-white and roofed in jade, Inukimi’s lofty palace glowed like a jewel in the early evening dark. Cities spiraled around and beneath it, a host of lights both natural and magical winking at Sesshoumaru through the mist as he descended, his boots touching to the moonstone balcony that bordered his mother’s favorite indoor garden. Sliding

That evening, as Sesshoumaru made his way alone and undetected to Kagome’s chambers, he sensed two familiar presences conversing lowly from within. “…Please, Inuyasha-sama, will you not speak with your brother once more? The mating bond is everlasting—it cannot be undone.” “I know that, and I’ve told you already, Hikari, this is it. So stop

Inuyasha’s features contorted in rage. “You…” Sesshoumaru stood stonily by as his brother seized him by the neck of his haori. “After all the hell Kagome’s been through, you’re talking about mating with her?” Snarling, he tightened his hold, the points of his claws biting into Sesshoumaru’s flesh. “Are you fucking insane?” “Easy, now,” Ryouken growled, advancing.

“…So, another ‘dead end’ then,” the Lady of the Western Lands surmised, setting down her teacup with a definitive click. Inuyasha’s ears went as flat as Sesshoumaru’s expression. Across from them, Ryouken shifted at her shoulder, careful to avoid his cousin’s flinty gaze. The phrase ‘dead end’ was a modern one—one which Sesshoumaru’s mother had

Sesshoumaru and his cousin parted ways at the entrance to the castle, Ryouken frowning after him as the demon lord continued alone to Kagome’s room. Through the open door, he glimpsed Sango and Miroku. Both were reclining against Kirara near Kagome’s bedside, the taijiya knitting a small blue cap as the monk read aloud from

The flight back to the Western Palace passed in dismal silence. Once again, another means of restoring Kagome’s body to perfect form had come to nothing. After months of fruitless searching, investigating far-flung rumors and dubious claims, the failures were beginning to weigh on Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha both. Seated cross-legged atop Ah-Un, the hanyou’s shoulders