The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Punishment

Chapter 134 - The Punishment *Noblesse Oblige* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Dinner was an awkward affair with the Lady Mother glaring across the table at her son and the woman he intended to mate. None of Kagome's companions felt comfortable chatting, and so everyone ate in a heavy, oppressive silence. That continued on until Kagome noticed Shippo and Rin begin to squirm.

"Do you guys want to go play?" she asked. It was cruel to expect them to sit there quietly while the adults finished, and when they both answered positively, she gave them a nod and a smile. "Go on then. Rin, why don't you show Shippo your favorite parts of the palace?"

The two young ones popped up like springs and bolted. Sesshoumaru turned his attention to Jaken before tilting his head towards the door. The little kappa youkai knew that look and quickly rose to chase after them. His short little legs made catching up difficult, and everyone could hear as he bellowed down the hall for the children to slow down.

Kagome laughed at Jaken's rather desperate tone, the happy sound seemingly breaking the spell over the dining hall. Soon, Sango and Kagome were admiring the wall hangings in the room and comparing their bedchambers. Miroku and Inuyasha joked with each other, and Sesshoumaru was happy to merely watch. His mother, however, did not approve of the interlopers’ new level of comfort in her palace, and she set out to make them aware of it.

"Spread your legs for my son again, I see," she said darkly. "And yet he hasn't marked you. If he truly intended to make you his mate, surely he would have done so by now. How stupid you must be to believe he cares for you."

"Mother," Sesshoumaru snapped. "You will watch your tone while addressing the future Lady of the West." He had kept his mouth shut earlier and allowed Kagome to defend herself in the hopes of not making her appear weaker than his mother already assumed her to be. His angel held her own against the bitch, but now he was tired of hearing it.

"I will do no such thing," she hissed. "This little whore will not take my title. I will not allow you to follow in your father's footsteps and disgrace our family line further. The world has no need of any more filthy hanyou. The one currently fouling our air is more than sufficient."

"Bitch, you should watch your tongue before I rip it out and slap you in the face with it," Inuyasha hollered, rising to his feet. He refused to listen to her insult Kagome again with no consequences. Why Sesshoumaru hadn't already kicked the old bitch out was beyond him.

"You wouldn't last a second against me, boy," the Western Lady replied, rising to her feet as well.

 “Inuyasha, please sit down" Kagome requested softly.

"So, the girl sees that her little puppy dog would fall at my claws. Good, protect him, little slut. Save your hanyou from certain death."

Sesshoumaru rose to his feet, finally having enough. "Speaking of dogs, Mother," he started. She saw the wicked glint in his eyes and felt a shiver of foreboding shoot down her spine. "I believe there is a better punishment for your treachery against this Sesshoumaru than casting you out. You will be allowed to remain in the palace."

"I am glad you came to your senses, pup."

"Though you may not find it nearly as comfortable as you used to."

She narrowed her eyes at the taiyoukai, trying to interpret his threat. She didn't have long to think on it, however, before Sesshoumaru began chanting very familiar words.

"You wouldn't dare," she snarled.

Sesshoumaru did not respond, only continued on with the spell, and everyone watched in amusement as the bitch dropped to her knees. She began pleading for mercy, though her words quickly changed into growls and yips as she transformed into a dog very similar in appearance to 'Prince'. When the spell was completed, the taiyoukai walked over to the newly changed dog and chuckled at the sight of her.

"It is quite unpleasant to lose your powers and be reduced to nothing but a mortal dog, isn’t it Mother? At least you will have the benefit of regular meals and shelter, where as I nearly starved and was on the verge of freezing to death before my angel rescued me." When she barked angrily at him, he ignored her. "Get used to it, Mother. You will be in this form for a very long time."