it's a slightly warm autumn day. the courtyard is bright, with fallen colorful leaves all around. the smell of sweet rot, incense, and roasting nuts and mochi is on the air. the entire palace and it's several houses have been cleaned top to bottom and prepared thoroughly. the outside be-speckled in newly died and brightly colored flags, garlands, and kites.

Lord Sesshomaru stands in the middle of it all as his servants and allies wait alongside him with bated breath. Each one quietly listening for the sound of wooden wheels creaking over the path...

A koi jumps somewhere in his gardens, there is a splash, the wind stirs the leaves at his feet, but no carriage... yet

the years have past and his looks have changed slightly. he has gone without his armor for today, wearing a dark blue silk kimono with his hair in a high ponytail, reminiscent of how his father used to wear it. he readjusted his collar for probably the 100th time that day, fluffing his momo with slight nerves...