InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Breeder's World ❯ Chapters 62-71 ( Chapter 25 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

9-8-05

~~~Inuyasha's P.O.V.~~~

Morning came all to soon and it also came with a very annoying side effect. Kagome's pleasurable scent had shifted and the reason for such a nearly sleepless night became very apparent. It seemed it had unconsciously affected Sesshoumaru too since he was still here. I groaned and tried to move only to find something holding me down. Finally opening my eyes I saw Fluffy's tail wound around me and I realized that it was also under my neck. Curious as to how this worked I scooted over a little in order to lay on my back.

His tail went from behind him around me and under my neck to allow the tip to be clasped in Kagome's hands as she snuggled her face right in to it. `How does she breathe?' I chuckled at the picture we all made and tried to get out only to have Fluffy growl at me.

:Stay. Rest. Sleep.: Annoyed At Sesshoumaru I growled back.

:Time to get up. Work to do.:

:Sleep.:

:No.: and with that his tail seized me and forced me down all without waking Kagome. Giving a frustrated groan I tried to pry off his tail but it only tightened like a boa constrictor.

:Let GO!:

:Sleep.: It was around this time I realized I wasn't talking to Sesshoumaru but his beast.

:Why?:

:Breeder sleeps:

:So?:

:Your leaving will waken her.:

:She is a deep sleeper. She won't wake.:

:Foolish pup. She is soothed by our presence and heat. You leave, it gone, she wake.:

:oh.:

:Yes. Sleep.:

:But we have to get up! We have work to do.:

:It barely dawn. Let her sleep.:

:What does Fluffy say about that?:

:He is not an issue at the moment.:

:Really? Why not?:

:He is enjoying a special dream. Would hate to have to wake him.: I could hear the sarcasm in the growl. `So even Fluffy's beast side thinks he's to stiff? haha.'

:What kind of dream?:

:The most pleasant kind.: He gave an erotic growl afterwards and I could feel the heat creeping into my cheeks. `Did not need that much information. My brother is having a sex dream? Ick.'

:Too much information, thanks.:

:Hmm? Do you not fantasize about it then?:

:Well...yeah but I didn't need to know that he did.:

:He doesn't.:

:Huh?:

:He refuses to meet my demands.:

:What has that got to do with it?:

:He refused so I send him dreams. As spicy or spicier then even I would like to get back at him.:

:So you're saying that you send him sex dreams to punish him? How is that punishment?:

:I get control while he plays along in my fantasy.:

:Mr. Control can't control you anymore?:

:Precisely. Or at least not as much as before.:

:Why not?:

:Simple he finally chose a female. Once he chose a certain amount of his control moved to try to dominate the bitch leaving him unable to control both. So now I am free for the first time in nearly a millennium.:

:heh. So what can you do to him?:

:I can send dreams so I can control the body for a while. I can do many things but unless you swear not to tell my other half I will not tell you.:

:Perhaps you shouldn't if I slip up he might pound it out of me. I can't tell that I don't know.:

:Smart pup. It's past dawn now. She should be stirring.:

:Yeah.:

I laid there thinking about what Fluffy's beast said and smirked at the thought of him losing some control. It had pushed my buttons over the years that he had better control then me since I was a hanyou but now it was almost funny to think that though I couldn't control my other half it also couldn't send me erotic dreams.

After having a good chuckle at his expense I started to plan what free time I had today. Sesshoumaru said that there was most likely going to be training after supper tonight but maybe we should take her to the concert hall instead. It would allow her to get the feel of the place first before having to go there tomorrow night for the presentation. The place was huge and she could also she the arena down below where she will be fighting next year.

:Yo. Sessy's other half:

:What pup?:

:I ain't no pup.:

:You are compared to me.:

:You're only about a century older then me!:

:Yes so you are a pup.: `Kami even his beast side pushes my buttons.' grrr...

:Shut up. Do you realize the problem we have?:

“Problem?:

:Yeah neither of us could sleep until we got in here. Kagome went into heat this morning.:

:Ah. So this is a human female's scent of heat?:

:Well its Kagome's yeah.:

:Delightful. Perhaps she will be pregnant then before next spring.:

:NO!:

:Hmm?:

:She can't be allowed to become pregnant until after the ball! She had to much training to do to learn how to keep her place. It would be suicide to allow her to become pregnant.:

:Challenges are delayed if the breeder is breeding.:

:Only until she gives birth and recovers. With today's medicine that is usually less then a week. She wouldn't be able to master weapons in a week. She only has this year to learn and then she can practice to learn more but this year is the hardest and she can't be hindered.:

:grrr. Fine. After the ball we shall see who gets her pregnant first pup.:

:Fine by me. Anyway about today's schedule. I want your help.:

:For what?:

:Well instead of more training tonight I had another idea.:

:oh? What might this be:

:Tomorrow night is the presentation and I want to take Kagome to the concert hall to get a feel for the place. She might need to know where things are if there is any trouble. Also this way she can see the arena and not have hundreds of feet in the way.:

:hmm. Yes. Always knowing the lay of the land is helpful, so to speak.:

:So you'll convince him? He is such a stickler for tradition and having the breeder's usually unknowing of the place. Supposedly allowing her to wander around to find her place is a kind of challenge.:

:Not every breeder is unknowledgeable?:

:Some are females from house families being recognized formally. They would have attended the presentations and balls for their entire lives. They have an advantage knowing which houses to avoid and which to flatter to keep their house standing.:

:Interesting. Yes I think I can turn that around to convince him.:

:Good.:

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

I awoke to being unnaturally warm but not so hot that I was sweating. I rubbed my face into my pillow only to find that it seemed to have grown hair. `Hair?' Blinking I sat up and opened my eyes only to find the brothers on either side of me.

“huh?” was my ever so intelligent question.

“Kagome you do remember us coming in last night right?” asked Inuyasha. I stared at him not truly awake yet. Squinting I tried to remember. Slowly memories of him saying he couldn't sleep and asked if he could stay filtered slowly in my mind. Sesshoumaru though I had no true recollection.

“I remember you but when did Sesshoumaru come in?”

“A little after I did. Last night neither of us could sleep until we came in here. It wasn't till this morning I realized why we hadn't been able to.” `well okay, whatever.'

“Well if you both are done sleeping I need a shower to wake up. Shoo. Scat. You both have things to do and so do I.” I waved my arms in a move it a long motion and they slowly got up and walked out. Once Sesshoumaru closed the door I threw back the covers and got up. Hoping that neither of them noticed I had only slept in a shirt and underwear but even if they did it was to late now. Slipping on some shorts I grabbed a new set of training clothes and walked to the bathroom.

The shower did the trick and woke me up. I felt much better though a little achy. Taking the vitamins, combing my hair, and brushing my teeth I was finished. Inuyasha's words came back to me and I was curious as to what had brought them to me. Shrugging I headed to breakfast where I could ask them about Toshiro and their insomnia.

When I got to the kitchen only Inuyasha was there with his hair still wet.

“Good morning Inuyasha.” He smiled and nodded to me since his mouth was full of cereal. I poured myself a bowl and was getting the milk when Sesshoumaru walked in.

“Morning Sesshoumaru!” `Kami even to me my voice sounded chipper.' His head turned towards me and I could see his face was a little flush whether he had blushed or maybe he was sick I wasn't sure. He just sat down without a word and held his face in his hands.

“Sesshoumaru?” I asked worried but he gave no response. I walked over to him and was about to pull on his shoulder when Inuyasha grabbed me. Looking at him in silent question he just shook his head.

“He's fine Kagome. Just let it go. eat.” huffing I jerked my hand away and went back to pour my milk. Finished making my bowl I put the milk back and sat down. Silence reigned as I ate and shifted uncomfortably.

“Inuyasha?” He quickly swallowed and looked at me.

“Yeah.”

“You said you figured out why you two couldn't sleep last night correct?” he smiled weakly. “So what was it?” he squirmed in his chair and I got the feeling that he truly didn't want to answer. Minutes passed and I patiently waited until Sesshoumaru growled angrily.

“Kagome you went into heat this morning. Our noses only picked up faint traces and we couldn't distinguish the smell but it was enough that it kept us awake.”

“Oh. Well is this a good thing or bad thing?”

“Mostly bad since you most likely will hit your full scent within the because 24-36 hours and it will be enough to drive unmated youkai crazy. You either suppress it or we get Dr. Weaver to give you a potion or medicine.”

Taken aback at the direct comment I sat there for a moment trying to collect my thoughts. `Well that explains my sore muscles at least. So he is saying that the pheromones that my body produces was strong enough to keep them both from sleep last night and that once I hit full heat then I will be attracting a lot of unwanted attention unless I suppress the scent or take something for it? Kami just what I don't need right now.'

Groaning I put my head in my hands and rubbed my eyes. Suddenly the idea of crawling back into bed seemed so very appealing. Lifting my head up I could see Inuyasha looking at Sesshoumaru snickering. Cocking of head to the side I asked, “What is so funny Inuyasha?” he quickly wiped the look from his face and shrugged.

“Now, now no secrets.” I tsked and shook my pointer finger. “Shame on you. Leaving me out of the loop. Now tell me or I will S-i-t you.”

“Gawd Kagome can't we talk about this later? It's nothing for you to worry about. Please?” he gave me his puppy face and twitched his ears. I hated that look, it reminded me of a beaten puppy and the ears that I loved were twitching inviting me to rub them, grr I hated him!

“Fine” I said but I leaned over quickly and pulled on his ear earning a sharp yip. “That is what you get for trying to pull that move on me again Inuyasha.” he crossed his arms and pouted. I heard Sesshoumaru give a small chuckle and smiled at him.

“Let us be going Kagome. I am sure your dress should be arriving soon for final fittings.” Instantly my face brightened and I shoved the cereal into my mouth as quickly as I could chew. Finishing in record time I rinsed the bowl and pulled Sesshoumaru from his chair nearly skipping to the elevator.

End of Chapter 62

9-13-05

Author's Note: I am going to take a few liberties with the third movie. I can't for my own good conscious leave out the wonderful ideas the movie gave me. Just remember in my story Inuyasha did know his father, he as just to young to remember where in the movie he died saving Inuyasha and his mother. To tell the truth the movie played very closely to my story line and I will draw on certain parts of the movie but please remember that this is my work and ideas with only `borrowed' words and scenes. Thanks and Enjoy!

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

I fell into a deep sleep and before long images of Kagome began to appear. at first it was glimpses of things I had already seen like her walking nude to her room, her so called thank you that was a make out session, and others. Finally they all rolled into one and the erotic dream that I had had before and the day dream my beast sent me were nothing to this.

I was back in my torture chamber but everything had been softened to allow for pleasure instead of torture. Instead of me being in charge it had been kagome demonstrating her new skills with the whip and crop. kami it hurt but then she choose several very pleasurable ways to soothe the pain that had me actually begging for more.

My hands itched to touch her but I was on my stretching rack and cuffed in both hands and feet. The truly torturing part about it was her clothing or lack there of. She had on body paint done to make her look similar to an amazon with a slight covering of ivy circling around her limbs up to her face. Her eyes were smokey and she had the paint made into a noh mask perfect in its imitation of me, only feminine.

She wore a dark drown leather top that tied around the neck and draped down in a half shirt leaving her back nearly bare. She also wore a tiny pair of leather shorts that had a tie of fabric in the front that I later found out could be undone to leave the shorts crotch less much to my delight.

Various themes of the same followed leaving me to awaken aroused and unable to do anything about the damn dreams since I was in the shower and I supposed that kagome was getting her own shower or breakfast. Growling to myself I had to please myself again in order to rid myself of the unwanted erection that I knew my beast had given me. it luckily didn't take long since I still had the strong images from the dreams. Afterwards I cleaned up thoroughly.

Getting out I could smell Kagome's scent on my clothes and realized why I hadn't been able to sleep the night before. Kagome had gone into heat and though she is human and the smell isn't as strong as a female youkai's the smell was still pleasant and definitely arousing. She needed to get to Dr. Weaver soon to get something to surprises it. Her scent would drive all unmated youkai to fight and we do not need that at the presentation. I choose my clothes with care today and decided on ones similar to my white ones only in a dark blue.

I pondered on the feelings I had for the miko. For the first time in too long I felt the need to please someone other then myself. I wanted her happy and to remain so carefree just like Rin had been. While my brother and i had reconciled our differences we weren't close. In almost every meeting we talked business and avoided personal matters. However, since the reappearance of the miko we had talked more to each other then we had in centuries.

It was because of this that I realized during our talks that he was no longer the impertinent and hot tempered hanyou of the past. He had truly grown into his role of the eastern lord and was respectable when he needed to be. I could remember after joining their group in the past the miko sitting him at least five times a day for his indiscretions but I had yet to see her truly give him one since her return. Which meant that he had learned to think before he spoke and that in its self was the true miracle. I had on several recent occasions teased him and he hadn't resorted to drawing his fang in defense which had always been his answer in the past.

Now that i thought about it he reminded me allot of father and how he used to get under my skin for treating everyone the same regardless whether they were human or youkai. I had chosen the road of power and conquest and father asked before he left the final time if I had something or someone to protect. I had answered no and he left to save his mates honor in the challenge against Ryuukotsusei. Inuyasha was so much like him and yet he had been to young to truly get an impression of him. It seemed not to matter though ironic that the son that had known him choose only power while the one who didn't was almost an identical copy.

Inuyasha also seemed to have a richer life then I had and it had nothing to do with power or money. I had followed my dream of conquest and ruled the western lands with an iron fist as I took out every family that had questioned my father on his choice of a mate and yet once I was done it turned out to be a hollow victory. I had had everything I had ever wanted except Tetsusaiga but that had been of no real consequence. Court life bored me after I had completed my mission and though the houses never lost their fear of me they also never approached me in any way unless they had something they wanted.

That is where Inuyasha and I differed the most. He had friends that came to call on him when ever they felt like it and they would go out and do who knows what while I had nothing after Rin died. No one kept me company and I hadn't wanted any as I continued to work and build up my wealth and influence. Now that was changing for I felt the need to be around others and kagome was the strongest I felt the emotion towards. She seemed to understand that and gave me the companionship I seemed to need without prying into why I needed it.

Though the moments were few so far they were remembered and appreciated. They were all the more special since she did it without conscious thought. Her impulses to help and take care of everyone around her was simply astonishing. Perhaps father was right and only when you had someone or something to protect could you truly be happy. For your goal wasn't to take but to give and to help build others up instead of yourself. Anyone can try to build up money and go on a conquest but those who were protectors seemed to live a more fulfilling life. Inuyasha seemed so content while I longed for something I couldn't explain. Father had needed to protect Inuyasha's mother and gave his life for her to live just as I would give mine for Kagome's, I think. Kagome was such a walking enigma with her innocence when it comes to anything sexual or the truth of how evil the world can be then on the other hand she understands another's pain as if she could feel it herself and offer wisdom or words of comfort that they needed to hear. I could vaguely remember her giving the demon slayer advice on an occasion or two about her brother and to just mate the perverted housi already. The demon slayer's reaction to the latter conversation was funny.

Heading to the kitchen I saw Inuyasha had already got his shower and was eating a rather large bowl of cereal. Sitting down I held my head trying still to rid myself of the headache of to much thinking and the images that refused to fade of Kagome and I in very perocative positions. Kagome walked in soon after and to tell the truth I wasn't really ready for her scent to remind me so strongly of the dreams. i growled sub vocally in frustration and I could feel Inuyasha look at me but I didn't respond.

When she voiced her concern and started towards me I was lucky that Inuyasha intervened and stopped her. I had almost shot out of my chair to avoid her touching me while I was this confused for her heat scent was slowly getting to my more primal side. Taking deep breaths and blowing through my nose to dislodge the scent was helping. She needed to get to Dr. Weaver soon.

Thankfully she returned to making and eating her breakfast. Her question as to why we had trouble sleeping last night caught me off guard but I smirked a little as I watched my brother squirm trying to avoid answering. Once a few minutes had passed and he still hadn't answered irritated I told her why. Her reaction was amusing as she blushed but she quickly dropped the subject and looked at her food. Inuyasha looked at me and smirked and I realized he had not answered because he wanted me to. Not sure as to the reason why I told Kagome that we should head out ot see if her dress had arrived.

Her eagerness to get going once I mentioned her dress was surprising but I was pleased that she was happy. She nearly pulled me out of my chair and was nearly hopping in anticipation and I had to smile at Kagome as she pulled me into the elevator. She looked like a pup that just was just given candy for the first time. Every day that passed I grew to like her more and more. Her reactions to nearly everything reminded me of the wonders of the world instead of the dreariness.

“Sesshoumaru?”

“hm.” I answered distracted still by my thoughts.

“Why didn't you just put in stairs?”

“Takes longer and more room.” I said off handily.

“Could you just add stairs between the home floor and your office? I mean it would be so much easier then having to go to or through the elevator.”

“Would that please you?” curiosity about why she wanted them struck me.

“Hmm. Yes very much. I hate having to stand still so much. This way I could come down when I wanted and not worry about taking what seems the only working elevator from the others in the building.” she was grinning but her eyes held some mysterious meaning that I wasn't sure of, however, I answered anyway.

“It is not the only elevator but we shall see. I might be able to have a small winding staircase put in.”

“Truly?” Her look changed to appreciation and awe.

“Yes.” She reached up with her hand and wrapped it around my neck and pulled me down to kiss me. It was short but full of her gratitude. It felt nice to have some one actually truly thankful for what I had done. I gave her a small smile as the doors opened. I had headed directly to Dr. Weaver's office.

knock...knock..

“Oh Mr. Takahashi! How may I help you?” Dr. Weaver said but she looked so disheveled.

“Is now not a good time?” she just motioned for us to come inside as she opened the door wide. Stepping through I pulled Kagome after me.

“Sesshoumaru!” came the hissing voice of kagome. I glanced at her to see her glaring up at me.

“What Kagome?” I said in a bored tone.

“You said we were going to get my dress!” `oh so that is why she was upset.'

“We are but other things are a little more pressing.” she humped and crossed her arms as she sat down while I gracefully sat down also. Dr. Weaver looked at us strangely but like a good employee she held her tongue.

“What can I do for you Mr. Takahashi?”

“Kagome needs her heat scent suppressed. It seems it came on in the night.” Out of the corner of my eye I could see Kagome flush at my direct words. Dr. Weaver let out a chuckle and nodded as she headed to her cabinet behind her desk. I watched her pull a rather large needle out of her drawer and suddenly I could smell fear. I knew it wasn't coming from the doctor so I looked at kagome to see her face was white and she was breathing quickly. Concerned I placed my hand on her shoulder and she looked into my eyes and they held such fear that I couldn't understand.

“Kagome what is wrong?” she shook her head and refused to answer. “Kagome tell me.”

“I forgot she is afraid of needles. You probably should have taken her into the other room as I got this ready Mr. Takahashi.”

“Why is she afraid of needles?” she shrugged. “Kagome is this true?” I asked in near disbelief that the woman that stood up to me in the past with no fear held such a phobia over something so small.

“Yes.” her voice was small and strained as she held her eyes closed and shook slightly.

“There is no reason to be afraid.”

“That is a rather large needle. I can't help it.”

“kagome I will numb it like I have done with the others.” her eyes opened.

“Can that stuff numb that deep down?” her voice held hope. Though I knew Kagome couldn't smell it I knew that the numbing agent wouldn't work that deep and the doctor was hesitating in telling kagome that. An evil plan formed in my mind.

“Kagome how about I take your mind off of it?” she turned hopeful eyes towards me.

“How?” her voice was curious.

“Let the doctor apply the numbing agent and once your ready I will make sure you can't feel it.”

“Promise?”

“Hai.”

“Okay.” She was lead to the examining table in the next room and told to lie down. Dr. Weaver lifted her shirt and applied cleaned the area above her lower stomach. I could feel Kagome slowly tensing up and I took her hand. She gave a squeeze and I looked her in the eyes trying to keep her mind on me.

“I'm ready when you two are.” came the doctor's voice. Without warning I leaned down and captured Kagome's lips in mine. She gave a small jump but slowly settled down and relaxed into the kiss. Her lips were so soft and I nearly cursed myself as I felt the primal side rear its head again. In trying to help her with her fear I forgot that the reason she was here was to suppress her scent and I just went and gave my primal side an unfair advantage. before I could reign it in I licked her lips and she opened up with out thought and the kiss deepened. I gave a satisfied growl and dominated the kiss nearly ravaging her mouth in my need to taste her. Luckily The good doctor gave a cough and I was able to remember where we were and slowly ended the kiss, though reluctantly.

“Well I must say I wish I was kissed like that. I didn't know you had it in you Mr. Takahashi.” came her playful voice. I just growled a warning and helped Kagome up. Her face was so red I almost worried for her health. I didn't say anything as I lead Kagome back to the elevator.

Once we reached it and the doors closed she spoke. “Well that was embarrassing.” she mumbled.

“Not really.”

“Yes it was!”

“hn. She was only jealous do not let her words get to you.” she uttered a soft `oh' and was silent. “Your dress should be here now.”

“For real this time?”

“Hai.”

“Good. I really want to see if it turned out how I had hoped.”

I remained quiet but once the doors opened true to my prediction Mrs. Dunne was there and held a box in her lap awaiting our arrival. She stood up and came to us.

“Mr. Takahashi and Ms. Higurashi. I have the dress you requested and I hope it meets your approval.”

“Can I see it?” asked Kagome.

“Well you will most certainty have to in order for me to make any last adjustments.” she chuckled as they both left to the bathroom near the other end of the room and I went to my desk to work. I called for my secretary to bring up any important papers and logged into the computer. Yumiko arrived promptly and handed me a fairly large stack.

“Has everything been finally sorted out with the mess Aiko created?”

“Almost sir. There are only three left to juggle but they don't seem in a big hurry so maybe they are willing to wait for a higher level breeder to open up.”

“Very good. So how are the newest breeders handling their training?”

“One or two are causing problems thinking they know everything already but they are being dealt with by Satu. She seems to have found her nitch in the staff as being a teacher to the soon to be mothers.”

“Indeed? I shall check on her later but keep a close eye on her. I do not need her causing any breeder problems since she is being punished.”

“Very good Mr. Takahashi. Is there anything else?”

“No. You are dismissed.”

I looked through the stack as she left and I could hear feminine giggles coming from the partially open bathroom door. Ignoring them I typed in dates and payment arrangements for the newest clients for the breeders. Working steadily I was nearly done with the first small pile when I caught her scent. Looking up I saw her dressed as she was and found myself slightly disappointed that I hadn't seen her in her dress. I knew the concept she asked Mrs. Dunne to create but I had not seen her in it. I hoped she looked amazing.

“Thanks again Mrs. Dunne. I look forward to wearing it tomorrow.” kagome said as she gave a bow and Mrs. Dunne returned it as she stepped towards the elevator.

“Good day you two. I have to be going now.” I nodded and she pressed the button to go down.

“Kagome you might want to go change into your work out outfit and train. I will send yumi and Etsu to help you in a minute.”

“Do I have to?” she gave me a pouty lip and puppy dog eyes but I held firm.

“Hai. Get moving.” I motioned her towards the elevator.

“This is where I want stairs!” she growled and I had to laugh. She turned towards me and gave me a look I had only seen directed towards Inuyasha. “Heel!” I was pushed from my chair and made to sit like a dog. I couldn't see her face since the desk was to high but I could hear her laugh and the elevator doors open and close before the spell released. `She is going to pay for that.' I thought as I straightened my clothes.

End of Chapter 63

Insert House list here for Chapter 64

9-14-05

~~~Inuyasha's P.O.V.~~~

I was almost sure Sesshoumaru was going to kill me for making him explain to kagome the reason as to why we couldn't sleep the night before but instead took her off to finish the fittings for the dress and most likely a quick trip to Dr. Weaver. Grateful for the reprieve I got ready for the day of training kagome. I noticed Sesshoumaru had stuck to his plan and was dressed in dual work clothes that once you take off the outer shirt turned into a sparring outfit.

Deciding to follow his example I choose a red outfit made out of fire rat but less baggy and sharper lines like ones on a suit. I hated shoes but believe it or not my brother made some truly comfortable boots. They were like the ones of the past done in tan leather rather then black. I tried to ask him once why he knew how he refused to answer but once we reconciled he made shoes for me whenever I needed them. I decided to get used to wearing shoes again so added them to the training outfit.

I even had a pair of boots he made for the presentation that had been left in my room the night before. Since he was wearing his old traditional clothes he had made a new black pair and had made me red ones matching the orange/red robes of the east. He had mentioned that Kagome's dress would be a little western in style but the colors and the designs would be pure japanese.

Tomorrow hung in the air like a forbidding presence and yet there was also a feeling of anticipation. I was looking forward to after the presentation when we could get to the more interesting part about having a breeder. Miroku had told me of several things he and Sango had liked and though at the time I was embarrassed now they might come in handy.

I made a few phone calls to check up with business and found everything had gone back on track and running smoothly. Thankful for that I headed down to the training room to set up for today's training. I set our the targets and selected a few different types of arrows to see how well she could adapt. I also altered the running course to hills to see if her stamina had improved. While I waited I did my own shadow dances and a small workout.

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

I left Sesshoumaru's office laughing though I was still mad. There was a very good reason for those stairs and it would all work out to my advantage later. Unable to contain my glee I giggled all the way up and into my room. The boys though themselves clever with their punishments but I would be the victor in teasing. With an open stair well I could get a fan to allow my aroused scent to drift into the room. With careful planning I could get him aroused as I pleased and if he didn't come up to help me then I could please myself in my room but the sounds would most likely be able to be picked up by his hearing. Heck if I learned to control my power well enough I could cast a direct hearing spell so that no matter what I said the magic would allow my words to reach him. A very tantalizing thought.

Even better would be convincing Inuyasha to move his office here and then I could have my choice of lover for the day or I could see if they would be willing for more. To be truthful I am not sure I would want them both at the same time but it is an exciting thought none the less.

Pulling out the nearest training outfit I slipped it on. I was excited about tomorrow night and the fact that I finally found a place I belonged. before the completion of the jewel my time had felt stranger and stranger to me after the cleanliness and simplicity of the past. With as much time as I had spent there I felt it more my home then my real time. Now that the wish brought me here it gave me the best of both worlds. I still had Inuyasha by my side and the cleanness that I loved as well as the modern connivences that I wanted. Hot tubs and springs can not be denied!

Getting back to the elevator I headed down to the training room. I was always surprised with how quiet the ride was versus the slight hum of electricity before or the muffled sound of gears and pulleys. Not that I was complaining the ride also was smoother with less of a jolt when starting and stopping a definite good thing with my stomach.

Stepping out I noticed right away the change in the track and while it looked more difficult I was happy for the change in pace. Looking around I noticed the targets up already and then I heard the soft pat stomp of feet from the semi divided off room. Heading over I saw Inuyasha holding the transformed Tetsusaiga as he moved in training. While not as impressive as Sesshoumaru's faster pace it was still engrossing.

He finally finished and seemed almost startled that I was there. “Hey.”

“Hey Inuyasha. You ready?”

“Yup. Lets head to the track.” I nodded and we headed out. He set up the monitor as I stretched. Once everything was ready he shouted `go!' and off I went. Running always soothed me like when I was angry or upset. I could remember plenty of times in the past running to relieve the heartache I felt when Inuyasha would go to Kikiyo. Inuyasha had changed so much I didn't have to sit him anymore for his language or for saying something mean but then again we hadn't been around many people. It was a nice change and a very welcome one to know that he most likely wouldn't hurt me again with insensitive words.

I looked at the time after the first lap and was pleased to see the changing of the track only cause me to add less then a minute onto my time. I kept running pacing myself trying not to speed up now because I would need the energy later. It was harder then it looked.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

After Kagome left and the spell lifted I made the call to get Yumi and Etsu ready to join her. I also wanted to check up on Satu. Yumiko said that she had found something that she was good at and I wanted to make sure she was helping and not hindering. I had her paged to come to my office and I continued to work on the latest batch of paper work.

It took nearly an hour for her to show up and by that time I was more then a little angry. She presented herself in the standard maid uniform which was a warm gray skirt and an off white blouse. Her hair was done up in a ponytail and no make-up. Sending her a glare I motioned for her to sit down.

“Satu Yumiko said that you have finally found a place to serve part of your punishment.” her eyes narrowed.

“Hai Sesshoumaru. Having helped my mother and my sisters I am knowledgeable about the stages of pregnancy.”

“Hn. What of during and after birth?”

“With the newer drugs most deliveries are quick though still painful. After birth women are closely monitored for any problems or depression.” She did know what she was talking about, good.

“Very well. Are you willing to serve out this as part of your punishment for the next three years?”

“If I must.”

“Do you have something else in mind?” I could feel an eyebrow raising.

“Yes. Nothing at all. I am being unjustly punished.” I smirked.

“Would you care to tell your father that?” I watched her face pale. She had always been her daddy's little girl and now she was a brat that I had no trouble exposing. She squared her shoulders and suddenly took on a new confidence.

“Yes actually. I wish to tell him.” I couldn't help but wonder where she was going with this but I was willing to play along.

“Very well you shall be present at the meeting between him and I tomorrow afternoon.” her body trembled with what would have been almost invisible if I hadn't been paying attention as she gave a nod. “You are dismissed Satu be presentably dressed for the presentation around 2 p.m. we will be dinning here.”

“Until then Sesshoumaru.” she gave a mocking bow and left. I could feel the growl in the back of my throat at her insolence. She was going to be getting a beating soon if she didn't straighten up. I forced myself to relax getting angry right now would not help matters. I would have to call and arrange it with Uncle Kane to make sure there was nothing wrong with this arrangement. picking up the phone I dialed the number and hoped he was home.

Ring..ring..rinn

“Hello Takahashi residence.”

“Is Kane there?”

“Yeah he is may I ask who is calling?”

“His nephew.” I kept it vague in order to make sure I spoke with him.

“Hang on a minute please.”

“Sure.” It was longer then a minute before my uncle got on the phone but I couldn't be angry since I hadn't stated my name or that it was important.

“Hello Kane speaking.”

“Hello again uncle. It seems I have to change our plans for tomorrow.”

“Sesshoumaru?”

“Yes it's me uncle. It seems your daughter believe herself to being unjustly punished. She wishes to speak to you.”

“Ah. So you believe that my dear little girl is planning something correct?”

“Hai. When I first mentioned it she turned pale but she seemed to think of something that gave her enough confidence that she wants to meet with us tomorrow.”

“Interesting. Any ideas?”

“Not at this time.”

“Very well. I shall prepare myself for her whining and begging. Thank you for the warning my dear boy.” I wanted to growl at him I wasn't a `boy'. “Could you bring your miko as well? I would like to be able to talk to her before the hounds are let loose on her.” For a moment I was afraid but I pushed it aside.

“Why uncle?”

“It just seems a little sudden that you would finally choose a breeder after years of turning even some gorgeous females away.”

“You have been keeping track?” I couldn't contain my surprise. I could hear him chuckle.

“I had to my boy. Your father would have killed me if I let you fall into some money grubbing wenches hands. You have to remember that your other uncle was poisoned by his breeder. I was just trying to make sure you didn't get into trouble.”

“After all the opposing you did to my rule and even Inuyasha's you were keeping track of this?”

“I might not have liked your methods Sesshoumaru but like I have said I can't fault the results. While I could oppose you politically on your ruling I couldn't in your choice of either taking a mate or breeder. I wanted to make sure that if you chose a breeder that she didn't have ulterior motives.”

“So you are saying that if I had chosen a breeder who did have other motives you would have what killed her? Had you mate challenge her? I don't think you want Kimi bearing my pups.” I could hear him choke at the thought.

“No no. Kimi would kill me if I made her challenge your breeder. No I was thinking more along the lines of getting someone I knew was loyal and having her challenge your breeder. I had one or two females that might have been up to the challenge.”

“Well lay your worries to rest about this one Uncle. She would never harm Inuyasha or I.” For almost a full minute he didn't speak.

“You said your brother's name first.”

“So?”

“How are you so sure?”

“Simple she loves Inuyasha and I have her affections as well.”

“She has only known you a week she can't possibly be in love.” `damnit I forgot he didn't know the history.'

“Remember when I made the claim that she is stronger then Midoriko?”

“Hai.” his voice hesitated.

“Well lets just say that she has known Inuyasha and I longer then a week.”

“Care to explain?”

“Tomorrow uncle if you take the blood oath I will tell you all or perhaps I shall let Kagome do it.”

“So sure are you my boy?”

“Hai.”

“Then I look forward to it. If you see my daughter before the meeting tomorrow tell her that I will not be listening to her. She has brought this upon herself. I have checked up on her through other sources to find that you are correct and she needs to be humbled. It does not do a unmated female proud or honor to have such a rotten attitude.”

“I will be sure to tell her if I see her uncle. However, do not expect her to believe me.”

“I fully understand. Good-bye Sesshoumaru.”

“Good-bye uncle.” I hung up the phone feeling proud that I had shocked the turned the tables on the manipulative old man.

~~~Kane's P.O.V.~~~

As I hung up the phone I had to wonder if by chance Sesshoumaru was trying to pull over a fast one on me but as I sat there I could not recall a time that he had done or said something that was not true or that he did not follow through on. He truly believed that this human miko was someone that knew them and could take on the entire breeder society. He signed the poor girls deaths warrant and put himself in a position where if she looses I will not be able to get rid of the winning money hungry bitch. Rubbing my temples I tried to stave off the monstrosity of a headache that was forming.

“Kane what is wrong?” asked my mate as she began to rub my shoulders.

“Sesshoumaru.”

“Why? What has happened?”

“He has chosen a human miko for his house's breeder.” she gasped.

“You mean she is going to bear the pups for the brothers?”

“Yes.”

“Is there any way to change his mind?”

“Mate she is already marked. That is why Satu is serving punishment. She used the wrong ink and nearly killed all three.”

“Why didn't you tell me this sooner?”

“No one is supposed to know who the breeder is until the presentation so that the female can't be put in danger. He told me more then he should have the first time.”

“So you don't believe she is strong enough to beat the top ranked breeder?”

“Its that and something else.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah he says this Kagome girl loves Inuyasha and he has her affections as well.”

“But they have only know each other for a week!”

“I used the same argument. However, he said that if I take a blood oath he will tell me how this miko who supposedly is stronger then Midoriko knows them.”

“Are you going to?”

“I don't think I have a choice. I promised myself that I would look after my brother's sons once I finally forgave him for taking a human mate.”

“So I guess that means we should get some sleep huh? We are going to have a big day tomorrow.”

“But its barely 1 in the afternoon.”

“True but who said we couldn't do other relaxing activities before sleeping” her voice was innocent but the look she gave me wasn't.

“True. True mate. Let us retire then since all our grandchildren are at their own homes today.” I quickly picked her up bridal style and leaped up the stairs. It had been to long since our last mating.

End of Chapter 65

9-19-05

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

I finally completed the five mile track and for the first time in a long time my legs really hurt. My legs had grown too accustomed to the flat track and to add to that this body had only run on flat surfaces. I groaned as I slipped against the wall rubbing my legs, trying to rid them of the aches and pains.

“Need Help Kagome?” I looked up to see Inuyasha smirking at me. Giving him a glare I finished sitting down and spread my legs.

“You do that one.” I pointed to my right leg. “And I'll do this one.” he squatted down and stretched out his hands but he hesitated. I was vigorously rubbing my left leg when I noticed his position I had to poke fun at him. “What is the big bad Eastern Lord afraid of rubbing his breeder's leg?” I purred and made it perocative on purpose. I watched his face and was satisfied when he blushed.

“N-n-no.” he stammered. `How cute!'

“I'm not going to S-i-t you Inuyasha. Come on my leg hurts!” He blushed darker and smirking I went back to giving my self a rub as he worked the other. I was proud of him though also a little disappointed that he kept everything professional and left no lingering caresses. I had to admit my legs felt much better. He offered me a hand up which I took as I dusted myself off.

“Well what's next coach?” he grinned at me.

“I was thinking about giving you different arrows to try out and then maybe a little sword practice. Then you need to practice the moves Sess taught you with your blunt sais.” I groaned again. The work load just never let up!

“Alright. Where's the arrows?” He handed me a quiver and lined me up at the first target. The first arrow he had me try was a barbed one. The thing looked wicked and I shuttered at the thought of this being inside me. He explained its uses on how it helped lay up or kill an enemy. The arrow couldn't be removed easily and add a little cloth, oil, and fire and there you go an instant person shishkebab.

He had me shoot the final arrow with miko powers and destintigrated the target along with the other arrows. An unexpected turn of events since I hadn't been able to purify metal into dust before, deciding to inquire later we moved on. The next was an arrow that had the head horizontal which allowed for the point to hit between human and humanoid youkai's ribs. A little scary to be shooting with these but I practiced on, trying several different arrows until all the targets were destroyed.

My arms were tired from all the practice but Inuyasha didn't let me recover before placing my practice sword in my hand. He showed me several new moves and how to practice them. Once he was done he stepped back and motioned for me to begin. I went slow at first and he stopped me several times to correct my stance and position of the blade. It took nearly 15 times before I started to get the hang of it but thins started to go more smoothly.

Almost an hour later we stopped and took a small break. Inuyasha gave me an arm rub to loosen my shoulders back up for practice with my sais. Getting one last drink of water I stood up and moved to the center of the floor. I centered myself and began to regulate my breathing. It took a lot of concentration but slowly I began to move in measured movements to build up what Sesshoumaru called muscle memory. He told me that once I practiced enough my muscles would start to retain the basic movements I needed to fight. So I practiced and in my spare time just followed the foot work to help build it up faster.

I was about half way through when I realized that I didn't have to correct myself so much and that the movements were truly getting easier. So I redoubled my efforts to hopefully make Sesshoumaru proud once he came down.

I was so into my little world that I didn't hear anyone come in. It wasn't until I finished and voices came rushing back into my ears that I realized that Etsu and Yumi were here. Wiping the sweat from my brow I turned to look at them.

“Not now Etsu. Kagome is still working with her sais.”

“She seems to be finished now Mr. Takahashi.” with that Inuyasha turned a little to look at me to see that I was indeed done.

“feh! Fine. Make sure you cover the true sight spell with her. Sesshoumaru wanted her to learn that for tomorrow.”

“Yes. I remember. Now if you will excuse us we will move to the other room to practice.” Inuyasha growled but stepped back.' I wonder how long she is going to be here. I don't think I can stand to be polite much longer if she continues to brush off Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru like that.'

Etsu and Yumi made there was to the side room and motioned for me to follow. Reluctantly I did and was made to kneel on a cushion.

“We will begin with the breathing exercises and then we we move on once we see how much power you have.” Closing my eyes I counted in my head like Miroku taught me and relaxed my body. “Begin to gather the power you can control and build it into a ball.” following her guidance I did as instructed. I could feel the power surrounding me and was glad that this time I was grounded so the any energy would not rebound to me if I lost control.

~~~Etsu's P.O.V.~~~

The past couple of days have not gone as I had wanted. My sister had warned me that these two youkai were stronger then the ones that we dealt with but the power I felt from these two was almost beyond belief. I had been ill humored when I arrived and felt the brush of their youkai against my powers. I could not believe that a miko of any real power could be comfortable around youkai and to see this `Kagome' so at ease made me make a snap judgment about her power. Now I was being proved wrong yet again as I felt her power continue to rise well and above even my limits and it still was building.

If I had not been so angry at the youkai I would have felt honored to train such a power but it was against all my beliefs and morals to train a woman and then give such power over to the wrong side. She would have to be trained to distrust all youkai and to trust humans more like all good mikos I had trained. I had never failed in my teachings before and I would not start with this brat. She seemed to soak up the attention the two youkai gave her and I knew that they were manipulating her. They wanted to blend in her powers with their children to make them more resistant to purification. Many in the city had somewhere along the line made sure to breed a miko into theirs. It made them harder to control if they got out of hand and harder to purify. Lower level mikos didn't have any leverage anymore like they did in the past and it was just one more reason not to trust them.

Finally the girl reached what I believed her limit to be. Her ball was almost larger then the room and I had to instruct her on how to divide up that energy and swallow back down her reserves. This part was tricky and not many succeeded on the first try but if she failed this much energy could cause serious damage to any youkai in the building. Not that that would truly be a hardship but I would be blamed for poor teaching and that was not the case. I would teach her to handle her abilities to the best of her control and beyond, she would be my master piece. She would distrust these youkai and help me slowly win back our control of them by wiping out the ones that had resistant breeding. With no more blended lines the lower powered mikos would have their advantage back and we could slowly take back the world that was ours. It was only a matter of time.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

I finished up the last of my paper work and headed down to the training room. Kagome needed more training with her blunt sais and I also had a miko to discipline. The trip down was uneventful and once I entered the training room I looked up to see Kagome's lap time. hmm seems the hill track did little to slow her down so perhaps in a few more days an obstacle course would be more wise.

I could see numerous targets destroyed almost littering the ground in strips where her power exploded. Carelessly I walked across the room not heading the mess that the servants would have to clean up. There was chanting in the next room and a great concentration of cloaked power.

Stepping into the room I could see Inuyasha sitting by the door way and he gave me a nod as he continued to watch the women practice. Chanting myself I turned on my own aura vision to watch as Kagome raised her power and formed it into a shield and defense weapons.

It was actually quite wondrous to see. The amount of power Kagome had was startling but none the less appreciated since she was going to need it at the ball. Hopefully with training most battles would be quick and only requiring weapons so that she could maintain her strength for stronger opponents.

I sat down beside Inuyasha as I waited for them to finish. “How long have they been practicing?”

“Nearly two hours.”

“They should be finishing soon correct?”

“Hai.”

“Good.”

“Why?”

“I have to give more training to Kagome on her sais and give Etsu her punishment for yesterday.”

“hn. I see. Well if that is the case shouldn't we eat lunch first?”

“You may brother but I plan on full contact today. She most likely would lose anything in her stomach if she did eat.”

“Are you sure that is wise? She only has a week of formal training and one lesson with her sais.” panic hit me when he said that she only had had my one lesson with the sais.

“I thought you had been helping her.” I growled.

“On hand to hand, yes. On knife throwing, yes. On running, stamina, and shooting, yes. On sais, no. You never asked if I knew how to use sais Sess. I don't know so if you want to teach her then you are going to have to do it.” I growled at him but I knew he was right I hadn't asked and had assumed that he would make her do the shadow dance and practice with her the moves. I would have to give her another crash course and hope it stick with her.

While the presentation was more or less a neutral zone not everyone agreed. It was safer to know how to defend yourself then to be caught off guard. I began to run a list of moves and options for Kagome as she finished up. It was impressive how much she had already learned and how much she could do with intuition alone. Her powers receded back into her body and a spell was cast to allow her to have her aura less noticed.

They turned towards us once they had risen and Kagome leapt into my arms giving my a tight hug and kiss on the cheek before hoping back down and dashing out of the room. I turned towards Inuyasha and merely raised a brow to which he shrugged and I headed back out of the room.

Before the mikos left I lead them to a small room that was hidden away. Once I had Etsu inside I told her to take off her shirt and turn around. She glared at me but did as she was told. I grabbed my best whip and proceeded to give her her ten lashes. She muffled her cries against her arm and once finished I placed her shirt over her bleeding back and called for Yumi to attend her. I felt no guilt for putting the bitch in her place but I was glad that Kagome didn't see or hear it. The two mikos made their way to the elevator and left and Kagome was pushing a broom to clear away the dust and remains of the targets. I had forgotten that we would need a clear floor to practice on and almost called up the cleaning crew but watching Kagome hum and sway her hips as she pushed the broom across the floor made me rethink the option.

After clearing the main training square she tossed the broom to Inuyasha and retrieved her sais. Seeing that she was now ready I got a spare practice sword and we each took our places. Leaving it to Inuyasha to announce when to start I prepared myself for attack. Out of the corner of me eye I watched his hand fall and a quiet `go' was all I needed to begin. Going slow over the basic pattern I taught her I was surprised to see how well she moved.

We went over everything from the most basic block to the more complex patterns that I had decided to teach her. Going so slow was more tiring for me then going fast because I could not use the inertia of my movements to help fuel the next attack. We steadily worked until almost dinner and I knew she had some bruises from the full contact lessons I was teaching her but she remained standing. Giving her a bow we retired from the field. I watched as Inuyasha handed us a new towel and a bottle of special water. The humans had made a study of the human body to see what they used and knew that after something like this plain water wasn't what was needed but something to replace the energy lost. I hadn't ever really paid attention to the details but I was glad that Inuyasha had.

“I am going to get cleaned up. I will call and have supper prepared for 45 minutes from now. Do be on time.” and with that I left toweling my heated face once the elevator door had closed. I was truly getting out of shape and probably needed to join the two soon in practice especially since Inuyasha couldn't teach Kagome about her sais. There ust never seemed like enough time in the day.

~~~Inuyasha's P.O.V.~~~

I could hear the lashes Sesshoumaru gave Etsu and was glad that it wasn't me. After they left and the two were ready to fight I left for a while to get some work done as the two practiced. I had had security patch the video camera and audio to my computer so that I could watch while doing work. Since Kagome could not be by my side I was wanted to at least be able to see her. It was almost funny watching as she almost out maneuvered my brother while going so slow. Some things she seemed a natural at while others she just didn't get. Watching her made me realize just how much she had paid attention to how Sango, Miroku, and I fought. It was almost eerie to see your old self mirrored so closely in a friend. Kagome had learned allot today and was still going strong though I wasn't sure how much longer it would last since she was going to go to the Concert Hall with us to get a feel for the place and then would have to stay up and make sure she knew at least the loyal houses of the West and the major lords. She seemed to have picked up the loyal houses alright and at least the leaders of the unloyal. My houses were mostly loyal and they would be attending but they had less power and influence then the ones in the West.

It had bothered me for a long time that I could not get my houses level with his but now it made navigating the presentation so much easier. If they had been the same level there would be twice as many houses to worry about then there was now.

Luckily my assistants had picked up the slack from me having to train Kagome and the work went smoothly and quickly. I finished with enough time to get back down to the practice room with fresh towels and water. Dr. Weaver had warned me about letting her vitamins and electrolytes getting low from all the training so she had special ordered some water and other energy food to help keep away any lingering effects of the harsh training.

My brother actually seemed about ready to sweat from the meager workout but I held my tongue and helped Kagome as he announced the dinner time. Kagome gave me a grateful smile as she downed the water and the energy bars in quick order. Giving her a damp cloth she pressed her face into it and sat for a moment on a near by bench.

“Inuyasha?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it going to be like this every day once the presentation is over?”

“Pretty much until we are sure you can defeat anyone including us. You will have to be the best Kagome and while I think you already are you are going to have to prove that to the others. I hate that you have to do this and I would have rathered just take you as my mate but I couldn't have shared you with others. I wouldn't have been able to watch you give birth to other's pups.”

“I know Inuyasha. That's why I chose this.” I was floored. `She knew? how? when?'

“You did?” she lowered the cloth and nodded.

“If this had been the past we could have just mated. Here when Sesshoumaru offered the place of your house breeder over being a regular breeder I realized that this was the better option. I know you Inuyasha. You might have finally grown up after the centuries but you are still jealous. You would have hated every minute I spent carrying another's child and I wouldn't be able to blame you. It might have even caused us to split up and I don't want that. here I get to raise our children, be apart of your family, and not have to worry about being pregnant all year round and being careful not to cause a miscarriage. I don't know how my mother did it but since I have the memories of my previous life I wouldn't be able to.” I sat down and gave her a hug. her voice had turned so bleak near the end that I knew that her choice had been hard but her love for me made her decision final and though I knew she hurt all I could feel was proud of her choice.

“Well wench you won't hear me complaining then. Cheer up at least here you also get to have shippo as a technical son since I am thinking about finally officially adopting him.” her head snapped up and grinned at me before pulling me close for a hot and searing kiss. If I had had any doubts about adopting him before I had none now as I felt her happiness and love through her kiss. She rarely was a dominate one but this kiss set my nerves on fire and caused my loins to tighten. When her tongue slipped into my mouth I couldn't hold back the growl of appreciation as she swept through and ran her tongue along my canines.

I shivered in pleasure as her hands started to stroke my ears and I could feel myself start to harden. kami how I wanted to just take her upstairs and see how many ways I could make her scream. Before I could implement this plan however she slowly broke away leaving me panting. She leaned her forehead against mine and whispered, “One more day Inuyasha. Or maybe two but soon we won't have to stop. Kami I don't want to now.”

The words held such longing that my heart skipped a beat. Suddenly it seemed like forever because I knew how long the presentation would take. I almost groaned but she was correct in that soon, soon we wouldn't have to stop and my fingers itched like mad to finally be able to touch her. I had to concentrate to pull myself back together. When I succeeded I took her hand and lead her to the elevator for no more words were needed. We knew that we had to get cleaned up and to supper so that we could get the rest of the night over with. Glancing out of the corner of my eye I could still see the flush on her face and thought it so endearing that she could still look so innocent.

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

After training Inuyasha and I talked a little and I knew that he was surprised that I knew he would have rathered had taken me as his mate but it wouldn't have let me out of the human law that stated if I passed the exams I had to be a breeder for a time. It disgusted me that I had no other option but now it seemed to have worked out for the best. I still got to have him and raise children with him and I also got his brother.

In the past I couldn't help but think him beautiful but he was so cold and hateful towards humans and Inuyasha that I had put that thought to the back of my mind. Now, however, he had changed and I could see the heart that I had hoped he had. I was almost giddy and more then a little nervous about after the presentation. I knew that after having to bathe them I most likely wouldn't be a virgin anymore. Kami it made me hot and bothered to think about it.

If only they could read my thoughts they'd know what i had in store for them. They might think that they will be in charge and maybe for the first few times they might but I had plans and I wanted to see them fulfilled. I could remember talking to Sango one night after I learned to finally erect a barrier about what we would do once we finished the quest with our men. Sango seemed more then a little interested in the stamina of half demons and she wondered aloud if they had any where close to that of real demons. I had asked her what she meant and she went on with a tale from her training days before becoming a demon slayer . She mentioned that one day she had stumbled upon a youkai spring mating. She said that they never really paid her any attention but went about their business and continued to mate right before her eyes. She said that she had stayed for nearly half the day and they still didn't seem tired but she was more then embarrassed and finally couldn't stand it anymore and left.

I had laughed but she said it wasn't funny and began to hint that if a full demon could go half a day or more without stopping imagine what a half demon could do. I thought I would never get rid of the blush that stole across my face. Even when I got back to camp and Inuyasha had made a rude comment about my red face for which I sat him could I get rid of it. Almost immediately after sitting him it got worse as I realized just what else I had slammed of his into the ground. Mortified I quickly had gotten into my sleeping bag and pulled the covers over my head and prayed for morning.

It seemed funny now but I was embarrassed for days and every time I rode Inuyasha I couldn't help but think about it and would turn red again. It didn't help that if I looked at Sango while i was on his back she would make a gesture imitating mating and I would glare at her while she laughed.

The kiss we shared before coming upstairs was long and promising for the days to come. Getting out a black knee length skirt and a baby blue blouse and underclothes I went to the shower. Getting clean took longer then I thought it would since I had technically been working out for almost eight hours. Once I was sure I was clean I stepped out and wrung out my hair. Using the towel to dry most of it I used another on my body and then quickly dressed. Brushing my hair out I added some vanilla spray conditioner and braided it. Deciding against make up I headed out. Inuyasha wasn't around as far as I could see so I headed to the elevator.

Once the doors opened on Sesshoumaru's office I could see Etsu, Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru. Luckily the food hadn't arrived yet so I took my place at the table. As I sat there I looked over at the silent Etsu and couldn't help but notice that every time she took a sip of water her face would wince slightly. Worried I asked, “Are you okay Etsu?” She looked at me for a moment and then glanced to Sesshoumaru before looking back at me and giving an eerie smile.

“I am fine it just my back.” she trailed off and I knew she wanted me to ask the next question as to what was wrong but since her smile made me wary I nodded instead.

“That's good to hear I would hate for you to be permanently hurt. Finding a new teacher would be hard to do.” I could feel the pride the brother's had at my answer. It almost made me dizzy with the strength of the feelings. I was able to keep my eyes on Etsu though and her frown told me that I had not done as she wanted me to. We sat in silence for a few minutes before the elevator beeped and food arrived.

Once everyone was served Etsu went on again correcting my table manners as we ate. Tonight I didn't make as many mistakes and I was able to eat all my food still warm. Other then her occasional comment the silence set heavily in the air and I didn't like it but I felt that it was necessary for some reason. We finished quickly and Etsu was dismissed.

“Kagome I wish to speak with you.” Sesshoumaru said. I nodded and he went back to his desk and I sat down across from him and Inuyasha to my right. “I am afraid that Etsu doesn't like Inuyasha and myself Kagome. I believe she is trying to cause trouble and you side stepped it very nicely.”

“Why what could she have said that would cause trouble?”

“Yesterday we had a duel about her behavior. Yumi was witness to it. She lost and tried to purify me. If it had not been for the house mark that allowed me to absorb her powers I might have been badly injured. She did not like losing and when she released her energy at me I released the power I had stored and sent it back at her. For her attempt to hurt or kill me she was to receive 10 lashes.” I sat quietly for a moment absorbing what he said and knew that he might have truly been hurt or possible killed and that wrenched my heart.

“When is her punishment?”

“She had already received her punishment when you were cleaning the floor. She was wincing at supper because of the wounds. I believe because I didn't mention it to you she was going to try and use it to make you doubt us or try and turn you against us. She acted dishonorably by attacking when the duel was over and my back turned. She deserved to be punished.” I couldn't argue the reasoning. He was right and if she did attack with out provocation then it was deserved. I nodded my understanding.

“Thank you for telling me Sesshoumaru. I can see now why she gave that eerie smile. She thought that because you hadn't told me that you would be in trouble with me for not mentioning it. However, she must not have realized that I do not expect an accounting for your actions. You are both far older then me and you have your way of doing things. I might not like them but I understand that things such as this must be done in order to keep the peace. Now if the business is done how about we move on to the next?” I received curious looks but nods from them both.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

My heart was warmed by her last words. She knew that I wasn't going to go into detail on who I punished because that punishments were meant to be a reminder of who ruled and kept quiet to allow the offender to keep some honor. My beast had convinced me to go to the Concert Hall to show her around tonight since she had trained all day and had made wonderful progress. For not having a sparring partner she had done well.

We all stood and headed to the elevator. Kagome linked her arms in ours and stood between us but rested her head on my shoulder. I smiled as she nuzzled into it a little and sighed. We headed out the main doors and I believe kagome got a glare from the secretary at the door but she only smiled and twittled her fingers at her. shrugging at female's antics we called for a chair to take us to the biggest building in the City.

End of Chapter 66

9-25-05

IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE PLEASE READ SO THAT YOU ARE NOT CONFUSED!

Note: I know most people will think this weird but when I say graphite poles you may wonder why. Most people believe that graphite only comes in two types lead and diamonds. However, there is a third and that is when the molecules join in a cylinder and is just as strong as steal and much lighter. Much of the city is built with graphite poles because since the weight is so much lighter it allows the city to be taller and hold more people. Another part that will be coming into play is the algae from swamps. The solar panels provide much of the energy needed in the city, along with wind, and so does lightening but it isn't enough to run factories and everything else so special containers are on the bay by Tokyo that allow the smelly algae to grow to separate the Hydrogen from the water so it can later be recombined to generate clean water and electricity that doesn't pollute the air. Some Cities have water generators that use the tide to generate electricity.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

My thoughts turned back to when the city was constructed. I could remember the chaos and the problems we had faced in the building of the city. It had to be special since Tokyo was the capital when the city was built everyone decided to make a rather large landmark. The Concert Hall was the pinnacle piece of construction and the largest secondary structure inside any city. The Dragon Clan had made it in their Volcano and the outside was a solid piece of Obsidian mixed with chemicals that helped keep it solid and from chipping. The walls were almost five feet thick with graphite constructed poles as inner support. The building would shine in the sunlight casting reflections in the surrounding park and its ponds. Special niches that had been made in the cast allowed for real oil to circulate the building in rings and at night could be lit to give the building a castle like look at night. The dome that surrounded the city was even modified to allow runners that opened the ceiling to the sky. The interior was even more astounding. Each level had four openings for each cardinal direction.

It was located in the exact center of the City so that no Lord could claim that it was entirely on their land. While the country of Japan was divided up into fourths so was every city that way each lord had an opportunity to make the same money and investments the others did. It almost seemed a shame though that even with the equal status in each City the West was still the richest followed by the East, then the North and then the South. The Concert Hall had been funded partially by each lord and the building was divided into fourths by colors that way each Lord and his houses had a place. To avoid fighting about someone getting more room the place was divided like threads on a screw only with four stair cases winding from the top to the bottom.

The West was done in mostly white -and silver, the East in reds, golds, and a little orange, the North in blues and greys, and the south in Greens and browns.

We were entering from my side to show her where we were going to be sitting since Inuyasha would have to sit on his side. The landings and seats followed the stairs so the houses and guests could be seated in descending order. Each of the ruling house's colors also followed down making the entire circular building into a swirl of color.

The main floor was made of special made glass that was imbedded with a complex matrix of machinery. The floor could rise up and down but also could rotate in such a way as to drop the center of the floor down to make a cage that surrounded the dueling circle that was on the first floor. The dueling circle was where the challenges took place during that balls. The cage was over ten stories high and made of nearly impenetrable glass. If a contestant broke a panel they were automatically the loser since they were so hard to make and replace. The reason for it being so high was that was found to be the average height of a youkai jumping and if they went higher then that there were sensors that were activated and if you crossed even a toe over it a warning bell sounded the the contestant lost. There were quite a few females that lost by not being careful or thrown from the ring.

Upon the glass floor on a separate outer rotating ring was a stage that could be connected to any Cardinal Lord's Seat. (Basically he had a seat similar to a throne) The stage was used as the presenting platform at the presentations but also if there was a concert it is what a singer or orchestra would perform on. For the first time it would be connected to the West's seat.

Inuyasha and I had debated on this and it was decided that for the presentation the stage would be on my side and for the ball it would be on his. I was not happy with the arrangement but then I claimed the stage for when the first heir was born. Even if he did manage to impregnate Kagome first it matter little since it would be the first heir to either throne. Inuyasha didn't seem to mind my demand and though I only got two days while he was getting more I at least had the most important. Well it would be as long as kagome didn't lose during the ball. It would not do well to dwell on the possibilities if she lost, she would be trained to the best that I could teach her to be, and that was that.

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

As we approached the building I was in awe. I had been taught about the building and why it was important but I had never been inside before. Concerts were held here all the time but the tickets are so expensive that my mom refused to but one for me and since I didn't have a job till now I hadn't been able to save any money for one either.

We walked along the side for a while before we came to the western doorway. I marveled at the torches in the walls that had just been lit as we passed by. The Obsidian was beautiful and I was reminded of the past and the starry sky on the night of a new moon. As we walked through the doorway I saw a circle made of moons in each of the phases. The tile was white and almost everything else was Silver. The chairs were almost like a theather's but they surrounded tables and could be moved into lines or scooted up to the table. They were magnetized to the floor and while they could be moved they didn't really come up.

The tables were covered in a very pale shade of blue table cloths with a center piece of waterlillies floating in bowls. If they added a few candles it might be very romantic. I was lead down the side stairs a few levels before we came to what I believed was his seat. For here were ornate wooden chairs that weren't magnetized to the floor. Instead of the side wall that acted as the edge for concerts had been removed to allow a stage to be butted against the floor of the landing. I was surprised to see his original old robes that I had seen him in during the past framed and hanging behind the main chair. A pedestal for swords was also there but it was made for three swords instead of his two. Where or what was the other one? Shaking me head I was brought from my thoughts by Sesshoumaru.

“Look around Kagome. Once we announce and present you you will be walking down the side stairs to the left while I take the right. Inuyasha will approach from his side and join us in the center of the floor to greet everyone. You must not use any cloaking spell or scent for they will have to be able to tell what you truly smell like at all times. The only thing I suggest is maybe dampening your powers so that those that can see auras aren't blinded.”

“Blinded?”

“Yes. Your aura is so strong that it blinded Yumi and even myself at first till I toned it down.”

“Wow. really?” a murmured `hn' was all I received. Was my aura truly that bright since I was now combined with Midoriko? He lead me down the stairs and onto the floor. My one inch heels made a `clicky-click' sound as I walked.

“Look down Kagome.”

I looked down and my breath was taken away. I was really really high up on the glass floor. I could see almost the dueling ring on the bottom floor. The building was truly a marvel for I could remember that the glass floor could touch bottom which allowed it to open up and workman could connect cables to the glass floor and raise it up. The cables once stretched would lift up partial floors for more room during the concerts. The building was over 25 stories tall and wide enough that with glass floor could raise to the top it lifted out all 24 other rows. Poles would be secured to make sure the floating floors didn't move and was a wonder to see. Once all set up the floors looked like a cone going down to the bottom floor where they would raise the second stage for the performances. What was truly cool was that once the glass floor became the ceiling it could still open its circle and with a slight readjustment with the laser sensors turned to focus on the glass column, it turned the walls of the dueling ground into a giant shinning chandelier.

“Well this place looks better in person then in pictures, that's for sure.” Sesshoumaru gave a light chuckle. “Now that I am going to be making money I can finally attend concerts here.”

“You could attend concerts without having money now Kagome.”

“Huh?” I heard him sigh.

“The Cardinal lords always have their seats open for when they wish to attend. Since we all paid for part of it we can come and see any performance that we want free of charge. WIth you now being part of both households you could come whenever you wishes, or at least after you daily training.” I stopped walking and just stood their opened mouthed at him. It took several seconds to regain function of my mouth.

“You mean that I don't have to pay to see the concerts ever?”

“That is what I said.”

“Can I bring anyone with me?”

“Bring someone?”

“Yeah like my friends or my family?”

“As long as there are enough chairs and room on my platform you can bring as many as you like.”

“How will I get in without a ticket?”

“Once you are presented all you have to do is make sure that your mark can be seen. Any youkai will be able to tell that it is a true mark and will let you in.”

“Awesome! I can't wait! Mom refused to but tickets because they were so expensive but now I can get her to come if its free! Hooray!” I was practically jumping up and down with excitement.

~~~Inuyasha's P.O.V.~~~

I had stayed silent through the conversation just holding onto her arm. For her to be so happy made my heart speed up a little. Something that we had taken for granted made her deliriously happy. Sometimes being a lord had its benefits. While they chatted on I thought back to the other battles we had witnessed. Some females were more blood thirsty then my brother back in the past. Breeders had been known to be killed in the duels and it made my gut clench at the thought. To have Kagome back made me remember why I had waited for so long, no other woman would do. I'd rather die heir less then to have to find another now.

I had had to make myself forget a lot of things about kagome for a long time to deal with her departure. Sesshoumaru had made sure his servants fed me for almost a year before I came out of my depression. Once I had recovered and finally realized that she would be back just sometime in the future I had Sesshoumaru start my real training. At first he had only raised a brow and asked why he should spend the gold in getting me teachers when I had done nothing for him. I had to promise to go through all the training a prince received and swear a bold oath to support him if he ever needed it. Rin was the one that finally made the table manners stick along with my reading lessons. Once I became better read and learned some of what kagome had tried to cram down my throat I realized just why her schooling had been so important.

I had corrected several healers on the medicine they were using that I remembered from Kagome and her constant nursing of my wounds. While I had been stubborn about having her clean them I didn't totally ignore her mumbling about what needed to be down and why. I remember her helping Keade in a birthing or two and her telling the miko about cleaning her hands and several other things.

The village was much healthier then most and it took me traveling around aimlessly patrolling the western lands to realize just how much better life was in Endo. I began teaching what I knew for sure to some villages like making sure to clean out the storage bins that held the rice to make sure mold didn't take most of it during the winter and how to make sure other meats and things stayed cold so they didn't spoil either. Just a few things that got people thinking and life improved almost 20% in just a few short years.

With the rise in health and armed with the knowledge of how disease truly spread humans began developing machines and ideas in rapid fire succession that changed the entirety of Japan in a little over 250 years. My brother realizing the problem in forgetting our roots made contests for dances and duels. It allowed the sword to be practiced long enough to become the art I remember Kagome mentioning and it kept the geisha and tea ceremonies alive. People now took great pride in their traditions and were even happier to win the prize money and the recognition of their devotion to their way of life.

With no wars or at least no major ones the Tai youkai remained in power till this day. Humans had their own courts but they gave them up to just be under our rule with the stipulation that some houses remained in power and that a counsel was put together to make sure any of our rulings didn't adversely affect them. Some how they were now treated better then youkai were but I could probably put that down to the fact that humans out number us almost ten to one. That the city was still clean smelling and not clogged with the humans scent spoke of wonders that they had created with the air system. Sometimes humans could continue to amaze you.

Once we had crossed the entire floor and pointed out the restrooms and where the food was going to be we went back to Sesshoumaru's landing. We all sat as he continued what I had begun with teaching her the houses. My mind and eyes wandered around and I noticed the camera crews setting up for tomorrow. I tensed as I realized that anyone of them could have a camera and get a picture of Kagome before tomorrow.

“Sesshoumaru!” I interrupted his quizzing kagome. He shot me a glare and raised his brow and I knew that he was annoyed at me for the interruption since he didn't speak. “Haven't you noticed that the camera crews are here setting up? They might get a picture of Kagome before tomorrow!” I watched as he scanned around and then he to noticed the few men and women off to the sides going about their business. He stood up and motioned for me to take Kagome away.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

I was angry, very angry. They knew that they were not supposed to be here. Problems had arisen from the press hiding cameras and getting footage that almost cause several wars. It was a national law that they were only to be allowed in only a few hours before everyone else so that security could keep an eye on them.

I could feel my power building as I approached the interlopers. I had a hard time not just killing them for they knew what they were doing was wrong even if they kept the cameras in approved places. Mentally I closed down to my more ruthless side and locked away emotions for they would interfere with my thinking. I could feel the change come over my face and I knew that if I looked in a mirror right now I would look more like an enraged statue then myself.

“What is going on here?” my tone was frosty and hard. It had made even my fellow lords shiver in their shoes. The three men and women all jumped to attention at the sound of my voice. It angered me even more that they were trying to break a law and yet they we're so lax in their defense. Finally one man spoke.

“W-w-we a-ar-are setting up for tomorrow Sir.” `Sir? Didn't they know who I was?'

“Do you have any idea who I am or even that you are breaking the law?” I snarled and I could feel a sneer creep onto my face exposing one of my canines.

“N-no Sirr. Ou-our man-a-ager told us to set up today.” I growled at him but could sense no lie.

“I am Mr. Takahashi of the West. You are violating the Law and you will remove your presence and EVERY camera or you shall be escorted out and all your equipment will be broken.”

“Bu-but Mr. Takahashi! There is no law that says we can't set up for a public event!” spoke one of the women and I turned towards her and I could feel my power pressing in on her. I was some what satisfied when she gasped.

“Female you will not tell me I am wrong. Tomorrow is not a public event but a presentation. My presentation as a matter of fact. I will not tolerate incompetent humans on these premises.” I watched them as their fear finally got to them. It had been a long time since I had smelled a group that reeked of such complete and utter fear. It called to my baser self to give chase to prey but I had a long time in learning how to curb it. “You have twenty minutes to vacate.” I sent one last glare and turned to walk away. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone. It was time to set up my guards already if someone was already tying to sneak in. Pressing the speed dial for my head of security I waited for him to pick up.

“hello Mr. Takahashi. How my I help you?”

“Get yourself and your team down to the Concert Hall. It seems we have people trying to set up already. Make sure to bring the scanners to check for any hidden devices.”

“Yes Sir. Who should stay here?”

“Have Sanzo take charge of the building I need you here. Make sure to make a phone call to the Northern and Southern Lord for their guards also. I want this place swept and cleared of any cameras or listening devices that don't arrive with the new crews tomorrow.”

“Very well Sir. I will be there in less then 15 minutes.”

“Good because these people only have eighteen to remove themselves before you need to. Take care of this matter Nishioka.”

“On our way Sir. Good-bye.” I hung up. I did not need to say farewell to someone that I employed. I turned back around to watch the news crew pack up but one female seemed to be talking on her phone to someone. My ears perked up a little and I focused in on her.

“Sir Mr. Takahashi is still here so no we can't set up any cameras.” I couldn't here the other voice since she had a headset on. “Sir he said we were breaking the law since it is a presentation tomorrow not a public event.” a pause. “No Sir I will not be going to jail just so you can have your story.” I could see her getting angry. “Fine Fire me! You know I am the best camera person you have! I alone know how to set up and operate the new equipment the station got! SO shove your ego and attitude where the sun doesn't shine Mr. Minoru!” `Were my ears deceiving me? Mr. Minoru as in Jinichiro Minoru the supposedly the most honest reporter in the City? This is interesting. No one has ever accused the `good' reporter of bad journalism but now his supposed insight to the problems of others took on a whole new meaning.'

“If you want to take on Mr. Takahashi of the West go right ahead. I sure as hell don't want on the bad side of the most powerful youkai In Japan.” another pause. “We only have another 9 minutes to get everything out of here before his guards break all our expensive equipment and then you will have to explain to the president of channel 5 why their investment of over 2 million yen is now down the drain.” `Was camera equipment really that expensive?' “No. I told you I won't go to jail for your story. I don't care if it IS the opportunity of a lifetime. I am quite happy where I am thank you.” `a woman cameraman with integrity? Who would have thought it?'

“Good-bye Mr. Minoru. Yes I can hang up on you. You see you are not my boss.” I watched as she placed he hand over the phone and I assumed she hung up as she took off the headset. I strolled over and once she finished packing her back she looked up to see me standing over her.

“Can I help you Mr. Takahashi?”

“Are you truly Happy where you are woman?” she suddenly paled and I could see her shock as where as sense her slight fear.

“Truthfully?” she said nervously. `hmm so she knows I could tell if she lied. Smart woman.'

“That would be good.”

“No. I am truly under paid for my knowledge and experience but since my contract isn't up I can do nothing about it unless they fire me which they won't because they need me.”

“So how did they get you in the contract in the first place?”

“A claus. I was told that after awhile I could earn the a raise and my pay would double in 15 years if I met the standards. However, once I got the standards they kept raising them. They said that my raise was put on hold since I went back to school to meet their standards and would have to start over renewing the contract from the beginning. Now I have been working for them 16 years and still making the same as I did when I started which isn't enough for my family.”

I listened and was angry that no one had said any thing. Problems such as this were my brother's problem but it seems that she isn't fighting this in court so my brother would have had no way of knowing. however she said that she was an expert with the new cameras. I might have a use for her since the security system was being totally renewed and replaced in the Western office.

“You say that you know are good with the new cameras?” she seemed puzzled at the change in topic.

“Yes. I went back again to school just before they renewed the contract to learn all about the new cameras. I even took a few electives for security cameras since we we're having trouble with ours.”

“If you are willing to bring the injustice of your contract to the attention of the courts I will make sure my brother can break it.”

“Why would I want to do that? I wouldn't have a job then.”

“Not necessarily true.” she just titled her head to the side and gave a `why not?' look and I gave a silent sigh. “There was a breach in the western office. Someone destroyed my entire security system and it is being replaced. I need someone who has the knowledge to teach my staff how to run it. I prefer that that someone be able to work for me and be on call should anything come up then having to call the techs from the security provider.” she thought about it for a minute.

“Are you saying that if I challenge the contract and break it that you will offer me a job working for you?”

“yes.” she really looked at me for a moment before she asked her next question.

“Why?” I smirked a little.

“It seems I found the only cameraman that had integrity. If you are truly as law abiding as you seem then you would be as good a candidate as any.”

“I would be honored.” she said with a bow.

“Now it seems that if you want a job woman you need to tell me your name.” I watched as she turned red.

“Kato, Nanami.”

“Very well Nanami. Call the western office once you have broken your contract. I will make sure my brother knows to speed up your trial.” I was about to continue when my guards arrived. I nodded to them to escort the others out as Nishioka came to stand at my side. “We shall see how you handle being around Youkai Ms. Kato. So I extend to you my personal invitation to the presentation. Nishioka my head of Security will see that you are put on the list. By the way Ms. Kato I want any footage you got before I came to be given over. I have to attend to my breeder now.”

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

I was angry at Inuyasha with how he removed me from the building. Instead of just simply walking me outside he tossed me onto his back and told me to hide in his hair while he jumped around and out the door to the sidewalk. Then he put me on the bench and wrapped his arms around me turning my face to his shoulder. If anyone walked by he growled at them or shouted at them. I was getting angrier by the minute.

“Knock it off Inuyasha. If you let me go people wouldn't think it so strange and leave us alone.”

“Feh!” was all he said as he tightened his hold on me. Pretty soon I wouldn't be able to breathe.

“Loosen up Inuyasha I am having trouble breathing! Jerk!” He growled and this time thanks to the bond I heard his meaning.

:Shut up bitch.:

“I will once you loosen up!”

:You are playing a dangerous came Bitch. Any more insubordination and you will be punished.:

“I am not being insubordinate! You are trying to choke me!” Finally he loosened his hold. Taking a few deep breaths I tried to calm down. I knew it was important that I wasn't seen until tomorrow but I think he was taking it a bit far but since he wasn't going to let go I snuggled up to him instead.

“You know if you acted nicer I might not get so mad.”

“Feh! It's for your own good wench.”

“I know you are old Inuyasha but you don't need to be so cave man about it and drag me away on your back or by my hair saying `Feh' its almost as bad as ug!”

“I ain't no cave man.”

“Then quit acting like one.”

“I ain't!”

“Are too.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“AM NOT!”

“Are too.”

“Quite both of you.” I turned to see Sesshoumaru standing behind us. I pulled out of Inuyasha's arms with some difficulty but I managed. I nearly jumped into his arms.

“Save me!” I said jokingly. “This caveman drug me out by placing me on his back. He only says Feh!” I heard Sesshoumaru chuckle while Inuyasha sputtered.

“I do not!”

“Sure Inuyasha. Whatever you say.”

“Feh!” I burst out laughing and I watched him as he realized he proved my point and he turned red. Sesshoumaru laughed softly.

“I see you are correct. I shall take you back home.” Sess said once he pulled himself back together.

“My Hero! Hurry take me away!” He picked my up bridal style and started off running. I could fell Inuyasha's annoyance but I also felt his humor. He wasn't mad and knew I was joking.

I rested my head on Sesshoumaru's shoulder and breathed in his scent. It was calming and soon I could feel my eyes drift shut and I fell asleep to the beating of his heart.

End Of Chapter

~~~Inuyasha's P.O.V.~~~

I watched sesshoumaru pick up Kagome and take off with her. I knew that she didn't mean it but I couldn't help but feel annoyed with how she ended the argument. To say that I was surprised that Sesshoumaru would run back when he usually insisted on not drawing attention would be a vast understatement. In the feudal era he reigned by being widely known and feared but then dropped back once he revived Rin. He had been a quiet threat in the back round for centuries and now it seemed that he wanted to be noticed again or maybe he was having fun? I wasn't sure. Since he already had drawn a lot of attention I didn't feel the least bit guilty when I jumped along after him.

It felt good just jumping the spaces between the sidewalks and running to feel the wind in my hair. When I had run here when he mentioned that kagome was back I didn't pay attention to the landscape or the freedom running gave me. Now I simply ran not at my fullest but just to run. I arrived back at the western office in under 25 minutes and took the elevator up. When I reached the home floor I could smell Sesshoumaru's and Kagome's scent. Following it down the hall I stopped in front of Kagome's room. Opening the door I saw Kagome under the covers and Sesshoumaru sitting beside her.

“Hey Sess. Is she asleep?”

“She fell asleep soon after I started running. I was about to leave her here but she latched onto my tail. She seems to refuse to let it go.” Now that he mentioned it I noticed that it wasn't on his shoulder. Following his arm down I saw Kagome cuddle to it like she used to do with Shippo. I smiled at seeing her so relaxed.

“So tomorrow is the big day. Nervous Sess?” I stole a glance at him while I spoke to see him turn serious.

“Truthfully yes though not about the presentation of her but of what the others will do.”

“I know what you mean. So much could go wrong. we have so many enemies who are going to ask difficult questions. Kagome knows how to dodge most questions but I know if left with some to long she will get angry and defensive.”

“Exactly. Even with the both of us keeping her away from the unloyal houses and their minions will be difficult.”

“I can tell you that I am not looking forward to the unattached females throwing themselves at us in her presence.” I shuttered and I knew so did Sesshoumaru. Some of those women just smelled horrible and that their seduction techniques all needed work.

“Kagome will help turn some of those away. Unfortunately until after the ball she won't be able to challenge them and literally beat them back. While it is considered an insult for us to slap or hurt them once she earns her place she can teach them a lesson without insulting anyone. Kami there are some I wish I could throw into my torture chamber.” he said.

“Yeah. Some I have wanted to shred and others I think even being killed at my hands is to much of an honor.”

“Speaking of honor is Kagome ever going to let go of my tail?”

“Probably not unless she rouse her a little. She is used to sleeping with shippo and she always held him tight through the night.” I heard him give a frustrated growl. Deciding to help him out this once I moved over to the other side and began to tickle her side. Within a minute she tried to slap my hand away but loosened her hold long enough for Sesshoumaru to free his tail. I stopped and she seemed to search for the missing warmth and she whimpered when she couldn't. I grabbed a pillow and tucked it into her hands. She quieted down and curled into a ball. Smiling I turned back to Sesshoumaru to watch him fluff his tail. It seems Kagome had drooled on it and he shook his head seemingly disgusted that he would have to shower tonight.

“Thanks little brother. Get some sleep like you said tomorrow is a big day.”

“Sure fluffy. Goodnight” I wiggled my fingers in a mock farewell and he growled at me for the fluffy comment.

I walked into my room and suddenly felt a little weary. The week had been one of the longest I have ever had. I was truly looking forward to her punishment. After tomorrow no one would care what we did, unless they wished to try and embarrass us, which was a very good thing since I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep my hands to myself. I might become a true caveman for awhile and drag her into my room for some good `ole cave romping. laughing at my own joke I stripped before I crawled into bed and hoped to kamis that nothing came up tomorrow.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

I had been annoyed that she had drooled on my tail but I let it go. After taking a shower and blow drying my hair I wrapped a towel around my waist and went back into my room. I was almost to my wardrobe when my cell phone rang, picking it up I saw that it was my head of security.

“Hello.”

“Mr. Takahashi?”

“Yes.”

“We have now completed the sweep. It seems that the camera crew was not the only ones that had been here. There was a total of over a hundred cameras and almost a hundred and fifty listening devices. Some we almost didn't catch because they had been sown into the fabric of you throne and the chairs at your table.” I growled, angry again that more then one news reporter broke the law.

“Can you trace to which news groups the devices belong to?”

“Most yes. Some have no identifying marks or signals.”

“Trace those that you can and draw up a list. Penalties will be imposed on the news groups. I am sure that we can make it painful since they will have two lords demanding satisfaction instead of just one.”

“Yes Sir. The other guards have also arrived. We are doing a second search at the moment with the extra help so we can make sure your landing and The eastern lord's is clear.”

“Good Nishioka. Call me in the morning with the completed report.”

“It shall be done Sir. Have a good night sleep.”

“I will.” I hung up and tossed the phone onto the side table. Deciding against clothes I crawled into bed. Tomorrow was going to be another long day.

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

After I was sure that the brother's had left I dwelled upon their conversation. they truly did believe in me. From Inuyasha it was and wasn't surprising. I mean he spent a considerable amount of time protecting me in the past but he knew that this week was a first for formal training. Sure Sango taught me a few defense moves so that I could wiggle away, hopefully, if attacked by a human or something. It was just surprising that Sesshoumaru had so much confidence. He had hated all humans in the past and while I knew he had changed I was deeply honored at what he was putting at risk for me.

Realizing that I couldn't sleep yet I turned on the side table lamp and opened the top drawer to pull out Toshiro's journal. Flipping through the pages I came upon the next entry.

Dear Journal,

I have been promoted to corporal. My mother was so proud and she embarrassed me in front of everyone by bursting with a shout `that's my boy!' and sobbing at the end of the ceremony. My peers snickered for quite a while with that one. However, I was able to shut them up since I now had the power to give them punishment detail. Other then that today was pretty normal.

The feeling in the air is tense. No one laughs freely anymore. The attacks on the princesses have increased and I am sure that soon I will be assigned to them being the strongest of the younger guard. The odds of me defeating the numbers coming after them set me to thinking again. I had a healing sword but no attacking sword other then the standard issue one I received when I joined the guards.

I have talked it over with Totosai and he agreed to make a twin sword to the one we already made. He figures that it will be able to kill around a hundred lower level youkai in one swing. I had to give up a piece of my fang in my true form in order for him to make it. Unless my tooth is pulled out completely, which I doubt I will do because of the pain, I now have a mismatched fangs in my true form. Princess Kanai (Heaven's love) noticed one day during my training and she asked about it. I couldn't lie but asked her to keep quiet about it, she agreed.

I feel strange around her. She intrigues me and keeps me on my toes with her pranks on the court and the guards. So far I am the only one not to have fallen for one of them and hopefully never will. Most of the guard thinks the princesses to be empty headed or lacking anything other then their princess skills and defense training. Kanai has watched and practiced some more offensive moves though I have not told her I caught her practicing. I have tried to be subtle about helping her and I am not sure she notices but the moves I saw her trying I decided to practice while she was out picking flowers. I think I saw her watching me. I made sure to be in an open area so that she could see my feet and learn the correct way to land after her kicks and jumps.

I really like her. She is funny and the only one that seems to try and lift everyone's spirits. I can not believe the differences between her and her sister sometimes. They are identical twins but their personalities are opposites. I mean they are so much alike that even their base scent is the same. If it weren't for the different soaps I think they would even smell identical. Her sister is also weak. Not in power but health. The healers are baffled on why she catches sickness almost like a human. She has been to pampered by her father. While she is not a brat she also isn't as nice as her sister. She takes things to seriously and is constantly aware of how she looks. I have never seen a female primp as much as she does.

To tell the truth I am not sure I even know her name. I have not even spent time with her though I see her everyday. she just is too strict and Kanai is so much more fun. I wonder if this is what my mom calls an infatuation? I know that she will never be my mate for I am a guardsman while she is a princess. Though I'll be damn if I admit it to anyone else, I think, I wouldn't mind her being my mate. The only problem is that I wouldn't want to rule. I suppose that isn't really a problem since she still is the princess and besides she has two brothers before either of them are considered.

On the other hand, however, wars have already claimed three other brother's including the lord's heir. She might yet be the lady of the western lands at this rate. Kamis please let her brothers live until one of them takes a mate and creates and heir for Kanai hates to be confined. So mote it be.

I placed the journal down and thought about what he had said. I had noticed the missing part of his tooth in his skeleton in the world in-between. Now I know where it went. Tetsusaiga was the enlarged fang of his father's real tooth or it was until Inuyasha broke it.

So he also had a crush on one of the princesses? Interesting. I know that he eventually became the Lord of the western lands if he truly is Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha's father. I guess that means the princes all died and that was saddening. I wonder if he mated Kanai? It would almost be a fairy tale if he did. I giggled and I set the book back into the drawer and closed it. The past seemed so much closer when you read someone's journal. I probably should write in mine again soon. There was so much to tell but it would have to be done later..much later..maybe when I wake. (Yawn).

___________Early the Next Morning_________

I knew that the vents had been opened and the air system turned on the next morning when I felt the drop in temperature. It was almost as good as being outside to feel the real dawn. Blinking tiredly I tried to get my brain to function. Turning onto my back I stared at my ceiling watching the shadows play upon the green paint. If only the sun was to peak through the green instead of my window I might have almost believed that I was back in the past and that the past nine days had been but a dream.

Throwing the covers to the side I sat up and stretched my muscles. Today was the first part in becoming part of the brother's lives for the rest of my life. Nearly nothing could stop me, not the jewel for it couldn't send me home since I already am, and I was not going to let another breeder take my place. I was going to train my heart out and this new enemy would have to deal with my wrath once we figured out who it was. If I had any children I wanted them safe and this menace who killed Sesshoumaru's guards and causing atrocities across the city needed to be stopped.

I had to wonder about my fate when ever since my 15 birthday I had some enemy to oppose or destroy. Little peace loving me. Little girl who wants good grades and a future me. Funny how fate decided that little ole me was the savior of the world. At least last time had its rewards like the earth not slowly being destroyed by humans and the youkai not dying out. I wasn't sure what the rewards would be this time. Now there is a new enemy that didn't seem to be offering any rewards for its defeat. Damn it I want to have a peaceful life to raise a family!

After grabbing my clothes I practically stomped into the bathroom to get ready. I set the temperature for a sauna bath. Hot spring look a like here I come.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

I suddenly heard the shower downstairs turn on and almost immediately my mind was fully awake. One thing my old warrior training was good for was being able to go from sleep to awareness in seconds. Helpful if attacked at night.

Tossing the covers to the side I stood nude enjoying the slight breeze through my window. I wandered over to my wardrobe to pull out my training attire. Today I would be training Kagome till noon then Etsu would give last minute instructions for dinner. After that was an early afternoon meeting with Kane and then getting ready for the presentation and then the dinner. So little time.

After getting dressed I didn't feel like making breakfast so I picked up the cell phone and quickly placed an order with house keeping. Heading downstairs I saw steam rising out the bottom of the bathroom door. I only raised an eyebrow. If she wanted to be cooked alive then she should probably wait until the presentation it would be easier then scalding the skin off her back but I just shrugged my shoulders since it wasn't my concern as I continued down the hall to the kitchen. I did something that I didn't do often and wondered when it was that I became so domestic and started a tea kettle. tea woke me up better then the english coffee. Coffee was to bitter to my tastes though I drank it on occasion.

Getting my lap top out of my brief case I started it up and planned to get some work done before taking the morning off to train Kagome. When I started up my e-mail I noticed an unusual amount of mail. Clicking it opened I saw a bunch of congratulation e-cards. Growling I deleted them without opening them. Idiots.

Moving on I saw a few things that were important but could wait. My work was never done though I was looking forward to Inuyasha's and my next battle to see who would be doing this for the next fifty years. I truly hoped that my power would hit its peak this time since I was truly tired of losing to a half breed. I refuse to think that Inuyasha is more powerful then I.

Bringing up the Breeders list I added a few more contracts to the lower ranking ones. Pretty soon we would have to start taking secondary breeders. I hated doing that since there was a chance of defects but it seemed everyone in the country had finally made enough money to pay for a child. The economy was booming and Inuyasha and I had our hands full making sure it lasted and didn't drain the country's resources and cash flow in to other countries. Inuyasha showed up as I was putting the finishing touches on the contracts.

“Yo. Is Kagome trying to scald herself to death?”

“Not to my knowledge.” I said as I finished the last line.

“Then should we rescue her from the sauna of death?”

“That won't be necessary guys.” Kagome said as she walked into the room. She was wearing a white training outfit with only roses embroidered in the collar. Even with her sitting across from me I could feel the artificial heat from the water.

“Why were you using water that hot Kagome?” asked inuyasha. Kagome sighed.

“I was mad so I was trying to relax.”

“About what?”

“This morning I was happy about making it official that I was going to be in your lives. Then I remembered what I used to be in comparison to the way I am now.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I used to be a 15 year old school girl. My biggest concerns were grades, friends, and boys.” I growled at this and so did Inuyasha. She held up her hand so that she could continue. “I was pulled into the dry well on the shrine property by Madam Centipede and found out that I was the reincarnation of Kikiyo, after that I was attacked again only to find out that I awoke Inuyasha who thought I was Kikiyo, during the ensuing argument had the jewel torn out of me by the centipede, later I accidentally broke it, battled Youkai that I was raised to believe were myths, tried to continue school, and tried to save the past from Naraku. To top it off my wish changed everything and cast me here, not that this is a bad place to be but it isn't what I imagined when I was a little girl.”

“After I turned 15 I was cast out of everything I knew. I was placed in a position to know what really happened and what was truly in the past. I had to give up most of my life to devote it to the shards and the mission. Living two identities was hard and Inuyasha for a long time made it harder. He refused to understand the importance of my education and now after my wish my struggles were in vain! Now I have two lifetime's worth of memories but only one really matters. I was given what I had sacrificed but at the cost of everything I was familiar with and knew. I can no longer go to the time I called home. I can no longer talk to my mother about my adventures and no longer does my little brother look up to Inuyasha. My family has no memory of their past life while I recall it in vivid detail.”

“Do you know how hard this is? Do you know that my wish as a little girl was to find someone who loved my as much as my father had loved mom and raise a family? I would have stayed at the shrine like my mother taking care of it too and I might have had a second job just to help pay for things. It would have been a simple life but I never asked for anything more. My life is so screwed up that sometimes I think I am sleeping and hopefully will wake up soon. I don't know how much more upheaval I can take before I crack.”

I listened to her rant about her life and realized that a weaker person would have already broken down and gave up. She was right in that she never asked for this and maybe didn't want it. However, she has accepted that she can't change it and is doing her best to make the most of it. While I had training that took me out of everything I knew and was comfortable with to learn survival skills once I had I was allowed to go home. I was allowed to talk to my father about it. Kagome can only talk to us and Shippo for no one else really knows her but that can't replace a mother's touch or words of advice. Her aura fluctuated with her rant peaking and then receding.

“Kagome calm down.” I ordered her and she stopped mid sentence. “You are getting yourself worked up over nothing. You can't change the past just continue on as you have been doing.” silence reigned and for a moment I thought it was a good thing until I felt the backlash of kagome's power knocking me out of my chair and into the wall.

“Worked UP?!” she said quietly. “Worked up?” she said louder. “I'll show you worked up.” her tone changed to deadly calm.

“Uh oh, Sess you did it this time. Nice knowing you.” mumbled Inuyasha as he backed out of the room.

A burst of energy and the next thing I knew I was thrown to the floor. I raised my youki in defense but it was immediately purified and done so quickly I felt slightly singed.

“Let me tell you a few things Sesshoumaru. I have every right to be worked up! I am nervous as hell and you are not doing anything to help that! I have played fate's play thing for so long that I do not know who or exactly what I am any more. I had to give up my home, my life, my family all for the sake of that damn jewel. I made one mistake. ONE! Out of all the humans in the world and the five hundred years that had passed why did I have to be the reincarnation? Why did I have the damn jewel? Why do I now have to become a breeder instead of a wife!” Kagome screamed. I was beginning to recover and again raised my youki to stop her assault on my person.

I finally built up enough youki to block out the onslaught but it was draining me fast. I was beginning to get a little worried over the shear power she was demonstrating. She still had me pinned to the floor and I while I had blocked her onslaught I still didn't have enough room to sit up let alone stand.

“I will tell you why. I was given a responsibility to something I never wanted. I was the one that made the wish and changed everything. The youkai in the jewel decided to take me literally and for their small revenge erased my family's memory and made sure to institute a program that would deny my childhood dream. I did everything I was supposed to! EVERYTHING!” and with that the purifying energy stopped and Kagome colasped crying.

I gingerly sat up and Inuyasha came in quickly to kneel down by Kagome. I watched wearily as he scooped her up and took her into the living room. Ignoring them for a moment I checked myself over and was surprised that I had no injuries other then my pride. Getting to my feet I walked into the living room in time to hear Inuyasha ask why she had lashed out.

“...Damn...period...” she mumbled. It took my a moment to realize that period was the current era's name for a woman's monthly bleeding. I remembered Shippo saying that Kagome had always sat Inuyasha more when she was in heat. We could not afford her to lose her temper at the presentation. Quickly following the level headed side of my thinking I realized just what exactly she had done.

She had thrown me and pinned me with powers that she had only been training with for a little over a week. Awe quickly followed by slight fear swept through my soul. She was so strong without control how strong would she be with full control? She had Inuyasha's and my youki under her control with the necklaces and we could not remove them. A tiny mortal girl was strong then my brother and I combined. She could have easily killed me, no one had ever gotten that close.

I stood watching her sob into Inuyasha's chest and knew that she would never believe me even if I told her. She truly believed herself only to be slightly better then the average miko. How wrong she was. She had purified my energy at such a rate it was startling but controlled enough not to harm me. The concentration that took with her being as enraged as she was was close to a youkai's concentration needed to control our beasts.

Taking a deep breath I moved to sit beside Inuyasha. She was curled up against his chest with her legs to one side so I pulled them into my lap and gently began to rub. Her sobs quieted and soon became sniffles. While Inuyasha and I tried to calm her breakfast arrived and I was thankful that the maid had not bee here to see my defeat. I motioned her to set up the table while we waited.

“I am sorry.” Kagome mumbled.

“Do not fret Kagome. It means we will have to step up your training is all.” I chuckled a little at her when she turned wide eyes to me. Her mouth opened and close for a while like a landed fish. “We will talk later. Food is ready.” Moving her legs out of my lap I stood and offered her a hand up. She gave Inuyasha a kiss on the cheek and took it.

Breakfast was silent and relaxed now that Kagome was calm again. I shut down my lap top that had miraculously survived and put it back in my brief case. Inuyasha ate quickly and said farewell to get his own work done. Kagome finished and together we made our way down to the training room.

~~~Unknown P.O.V.~~~

Well this was very interesting. A miko that can knock down the mighty Sesshoumaru. I wish my control would allow for hearing as well as sight but it matters little. The Takahashi brother's seem fond of this miko. Perhaps I finally have the leverage I need to take back the western lands. It was their father's fault that my mother was raped and I left to the twisted monsters of my supposed father and his family. Soon the will all feel my wrath just a few more years and I will have more money then any cardinal lord. I will bring Japan to it knees.

End of Chapter 68

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

I had been shocked when Sesshoumaru said that he was going to step up my training. I believed that it was intense enough as it was but when we got done with breakfast and down into the training room he attacked with out warning and made me dodge and counter for an hour before letting me catch my breath. Presently I was collapsed onto the floor panting for breath.

“That is enough rest time kagome get up.”

“I can not stand yet Sesshoumaru.”

“I am sure if you try you will find that you can.” I groaned but tried to get up. Propped up on my elbows I stared up at him however, my legs refused to move.

“I can not move my legs!” I nearly shouted out in disbelief. Sesshoumaru came over and prodded my leg to see if what I had said was true. The moment my leg moved I screamed in pain.

“You JERK! That really hurt!”

“Hn.” was all he said as he called his cloud into being around my body. The cloud was really soft and I had never had the chance to be on it before. I was floated into the elevator and taken back up to the home floor and then brought to the bathroom. He left for a moment and I could hear the water turn on. Minutes later he returned and took me into the bathroom.

“Can you move enough to remove your clothes or will I have to do it for you?” Blushing I tried, really really tried to move but I still couldn't move my legs so that meant i couldn't remove my pants.

“I guess you will have to do it.” I mumbled. Before I had time to even shriek I was disrobed and being lowered into the water in his arms. I nearly covered myself but he had practically seen everything before and soon he would see it all anyway so I just hung onto his neck as the hot water slowly relaxed my exhausted muscles.

“Hang onto the rim Kagome.” Curious I looked at him but his face gave me nothing so I lowered my arms to hang onto the side. he moved away to open a cupboard that I hadn't opened yet to see vials and miscellaneous jars inside. He would pick one up and open it, take a whiff, and place it back. After nearly 15 tries he seemed to find what he was looking for in a bottle like container with some orange colored liquid inside.

He set the jar on the edge of the tub and I picked it up to look at it. I couldn't open it one handed so I set it back on the edge to look up. I gasped and quickly looked back down. My heart rate sped up to a hard pounding in my chest. Sesshoumaru entered the water and I tried to shrink back against the side, mortified by what he had done.

So busy was I that I did not notice him as he picked my up and set me in the corner. Blushing I quickly looked left and then up before turning towards him to avoid seeing him below the waist.

“Wha- What are you doing?” He didn't answer and he gently picked up my leg and set it in his lap as he had done this morning. He had turned off the water leaving the hot tub only half filled. Picking up the jar he poured a small amount into his hands and began to rub my legs. I nearly yelled again at the pain but the water had done wonders already in loosening the tense muscles. After only ten minutes he stopped and allowed my leg to dry before replacing it in the water and moving to the other side. Pulling me over he lifted my other leg and began the same process.

he fingers felt like magic though I could tell it took a lot of concentration on his part for his robotic arm was not as feeling and sensitive as his real one. My heart went out to him and I knew that he never let anyone see him as any less then a fully functional male but the loss of his arm still to this day must be annoying at the very least. I wonder if they could duplicate his bone with cloning?

“Sesshoumaru?”

“Yes.”

“Has anyone tried to clone a bone?”

“Not to my knowledge.”

“Could it be done?”

“I do not know. Why do you ask?”

“Well I was just thinking that if they could clone a full being why not a bone?”

“That does not explain why you ask.”

“Well youkai can not regenerate a limb without the bone. If they could clone a bone and attach it could you not regain your arm?” He looked at me and for a moment I felt extreme anger through the link before it cooled.

“I have no need for pity miko. you would do well to remember that.” He stood and again I blushed seeing him stand there nude the fine hairs of his lower body now curly and wet.

“It was not pity.” I mumbled as the hurt from his harsh words set in. He said nothing as he dried off and redressed.

“Return to the training room once you have redressed. You have 15 minutes.” With that he walked out.

“It was not PITY!” I screamed. I knew he heard me but he seemed not to care. Angerly I got out half surprised that my legs worked again. I was going to show that over sensitive youkai a thing or two when I got back down there. Drying off and quickly redressing I stretched my muscles this time and then headed down. It was time to show Sesshoumaru just how much I had learned.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

After an hour I stopped and when i said she could take a break life seemed to flow out of her and she collapsed onto the ground. Laying on her back she had panted much like a common dog. After a ten minute break I told her to get up. Watching her struggle I nearly went to help her when her shocked cry resounded through out the room. Her face showed her disbelief and I could see the sweat reform quickly on her brow as she seemed to attempt to move her legs.

walking over I prodded her leg only to hear her scream. I growled in anger but I quickly stopped when I looked down to see the obvious pain and tears in her eyes. Ignoring any further comments I focused on my cloud and formed it around her and took her upstairs to the hot tub. It seemed that i would have to massage her legs to get feeling back in them.

I started the water and waited until it was hot before plugging the bottom. Going back I brought Kagome into the room and asked her to remove her clothes. She found that after removing her shirt and bra she could not remover her pants. I helped her and quickly placed her in the water before I could truly look at her. If I had I might not have been able to hold back in mating her there in the bathroom. Though her scent was suppressed the mark allowed me to feel it anyway. It aroused my inner demon but it didn't try and make things worse like normal. Thanking the kami for some small miracle I went to the cupboard to get the right oil to help Kagome.

I inwardly grumbled after the tenth try to find the oil I was looking for. I really should get the oils labeled but I rather liked the fact of testing my knowledge each time I looked for a particular one. My father had taught me early in my training to make them to help ease the pain of learning sword play and hand to hand. Like how he taught my how to make my own shoes and boots so that I always knew that they would fit and be strong if I had to fight. Some leather workers couldn't be trusted to make shoes for they would allow stitching to be loose in a particular area to make the owner stumble if ever in a fight. Loosing your footing usually cost you your life in a real battle so if you didn't pay more then the one who wanted you dead your shoes were made with a fatal flaw.

I tried to teach Inuyasha once he became the eastern lord but he had no patience and while in the past I might have allowed to to die he was now my closest allay and the only close family I had left. If I died after Inuyasha I would be sure to hear my father's rantings until the end of time how I helped allow him to get killed. Damn the softening of my heart.

Finally finding the correct bottle I turned towards the tub again and set it on the side. Out of the corner of my eye I watched Kagome pick it up to look at as I hurriedly removed my clothes. To hear her gasp as she noticed my nude form was worth it. Her face flamed red in embarrassment. She didn't seem to mind earlier when I held her nude but it seemed she was still embarrassed around me. Well that would change soon.

Getting in the tub I shut the water off and sat in the waist deep water and was amused as she tried to press herself into the corner I had placed her in. Though stiff she offered no resistance to my picking up her leg or rubbing the oil in. Her breath was labored and for her sake I kept from scorching her body with my gaze.

It was when she spoke when I started her second leg that surprised me. Why would she want to know about bone cloning? It wasn't until she said that if they could clone bone then I could recover my arm. Did she truly see me as less then a fully functional make? Anger rose in me like a flash of lightening. Holding myself in check and shutting the link I told her.

“I have no need for pity miko. you would do well to remember that.”

“It was not pity.” she mumbled. I did not care and got out and dressed.

“Return to the training room once you have redressed. You have 15 minutes.”

“It was not PITY!” Her scream and power forced the link open and I could feel her hurt and anger. I had to lean against the wall as I felt her vague thoughts of how it must have annoyed me to still have a loss of an arm. What truly surprised my was her lack of any pity. I was about to turn around to apologize when I heard her mental voice shout out that she was going to try and show me a thing or two. Smirking I closed the link again now that the power faded and headed down to the training room. It seems my little breeder thought she could duplicate this morning.

~~~Inuyasha's P.O.V.~~~

After breakfast I went down to Sesshoumaru's office and called my secretaries and booted up his computer to log into my accounts. It seems that the railroad was having a problem with vandals pulling out rail ties to try and derail his trains. Luckily the idiots had pulled the ties that were just past a stopping point so no one was hurt and with a little work from a transformed youkai the train was set back on the tracks and the ties replaced and the train continued. The problem was the delay and the cost of replacing the ties and paying the workers.

Rubbing his forehead he tried to help the headache that was forming dissipate. The feudal era was so much easier. He only had to hunt and cook for himself. Only had to protect himself and his companions once they came along. Now he had entire companies and families depending on him. Most days he could avoid the reminders that there were faces and feelings behind the numbers that were in front of him but people he knew were the ones experiencing the problems. It made the job so much harder knowing that he had to cut into their earnings to help pay for costs and such. He knew that they would understand but it didn't alleviate the guilt.

Steve had been a large help in organizing a search for the missing ties. At all but three locations the ties had been retrieved and replaced into the ground. The man also helped speed things up so that the delays were as minimal as possible. I had offered protection since the mix up and since then his work had improved which if you had asked him before would have been near impossible.

Looking things over he could see that with careful manipulation of the tracks you could slow down and speed up the trains that were suppose to go nearly 700 mph to and from each destination. Seeing it now showed that near the middle of each trip the trains had been slowed down to nearly 400 mph before speeding back up before breaking again at the slow down point before coasting into the railroad stations. It had been cleverly done and done regularly to make it seem that the slowed down times were the true travel times.

After learning all this I at first was mad that Steve hadn't asked for help earlier but I could understand his hesitation. At least until recently he made sure all deliveries were to the correct place for that would have eventually ruined him with overage costs. Now that the trains were running at optimal speeds his companies were beginning to grow. What would have taken weeks was happening in days with his 24 hour crews and the faster trains. It was like the rails had just been invented again.

Through all this it did not make things any easier cutting into people pay even if only for tiny amounts any easier. If this continued then eventually his workers would get angry. So placing all the extra help on the rails he could to watch for any more vandals and stepping up the sweeps to make sure all the lines were in running order there wasn't much he could do. Some of the tracks went thru open fields and there was no one around for miles. Sighing he pushed away the papers and moved onto the complaints he had been receiving. It was going to be a long morning. Setting his alarm to make sure he made it out for lunch with his uncle he set to work.

End of Chapter 69

I give full credit to syrinxsong and her story Enchanted orbs for this following idea in the fight scene. If none of you Sess/kag fans have read it you are missing out. Check it out on fanfiction.net.

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

I finished dressing and hurried to my bedroom. I was going to show that arrogant youkai a thing or two. I tore in to my jewelry box and pulled a pouch out that I hadn't really touched since I was a kid.

I jogged down the hallway and to the elevator. Reaching into the pouch I pulled two small spheres out and placed them in my pocket. The others I tucked into my obi. Once I reached the training floor I looked around and couldn't see Sesshoumaru. I had a funny feeling that he wasn't going to let me walk to my weapons that were waiting on the table in the middle of the room.

I walked to the back of the elevator and braced myself like a runner. Taking a deep breath I leapt into the air and ran. I had a split second to duck before I felt Sesshoumaru's whip whiz by my hair. I did a quick forward roll and landed next to the table. Reaching up I grabbed the first Sai and charged it with my power to block the next slash of the whip.

Glancing up I saw that Sesshoumaru was a little off balance so I jerked the Sai that had the whip around it to pull him more off guard while I grabbed the other Sai off the table. Twisting my Sai I released the whip and backed up. We studied each other for a moment before the whip disappeared and he grabbed his sword again. I had been waiting for him to do that. We clashed and I used what strength I had to throw him back and danced a few steps back as I reached into my pocket to pull the two spheres out.

He seemed curious as to what I was doing and slowed his next attack. A mistake on his part as I tossed one Sai into the air regrabbed it and threw it. He had to dodge and I quickly focused my power to join the two spheres with a rope of power and twirling the newly formed weapon like a baton I then threw it at Sesshoumaru. Mentally I loosened the stiffness of the rope so that once it made contact it would wind around him.

The spheres were placed so that they followed the edges of his power right to him. Before he could redirect his energy it wrapped around his legs locking him in place. Chanting quickly it was turned into a mini subjugation spell. Only this one didn't ware off till I let the energy go.

I slowly stood up as I realized it had worked. Grinning ear to ear I watched as he was stuck with his arm raised and body on one foot. I was sure if it wasn't for the spell he would have toppled over.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V.~~~

Mentally I was snarling at letting her have the time she needed to do the spell. I could tell that she had never tried this before so it required thought and concentration but I had no idea the little minx had this up her sleeve. I was humiliated again but this time it was my own fault for going easy on her thinking that she was only going to show her Sai skills.

As proud as I was of her I also realized that this could be a finishing move if she flared her power. She could easily slice my legs off with this weapon and I would bleed to death before I could receive help. The burning sensation was already becoming painful as the power dug into my skin and muscles.

“Kagome release the spell.” She walked slowly towards me but she didn't release it. “Kagome!” I growled.

“Nut-uh Say I win first.” I was getting angry that she was blistering my legs for this but I growled in Inu

:You win:

She smiled and waved her hand and the spheres dropped. I winced as I set my other leg down and she noticed.

“Are you okay Sesshoumaru?”

“I will be fine.” I tried to move my legs and got a burning sensation and I could feel the start of blood running down my legs. Trying to move to the elevator to go up to my home floor to take care of the burns I nearly collapsed in three steps.

“Sesshoumaru! You are not alright! You pants are beginning to stain with blood. What happened? Did my attack do this?”

She came to my side and lifted my arm over her shoulder. With the help of my cloud and her maneuvering I was quickly taken back to the bathroom. I stripped out of the pants and left my shirt on to hang over my underwear. Glancing at Kagome I could see her cherry cheeks but she continued to examine the wounds.

“I can't believe my attack did this. I was sure it wouldn't be harmful.”\

“To a human it may be Kagome. However, I am not human. Any purifying energy is potentially dangerous to a demon. I did not spell my training outfits like I had in the past and you were trying to restrain me. If I had not tried to move perhaps it might not have hurt me. There is one thing about that move that strikes me as very useful.”

Her confusion as she looked into my eyes was heart warming in a way that she never wanted to hurt me but it was also very disappointing that she did not see the potential in the attack.

“Kagome if you would have flared your power and turned the rope into a disk you could have sliced my legs off. It could be a very messy but not the less effective finishing move.”

She gasped and raised her hand to her mouth in shock. Tears formed in her eyes and she lowered her head. I could feel the sadness radiate from her. I was not sure if she was sad that she could have killed me or if it was the other use of her attack but I used my hand to raise her eyes to mine again.

“Kagome?” I asked in question but she just brought her hands to her face and wiped away the tears.

“I am being silly Sesshoumaru. You are trying to help me see the advantage of this attack but I can't help the sadness that is in my heart at the thought of taking a life. I hated it in the past and I hate it now. However, it might be necessary at the ball and I know that, it just hurts.” I could see that it truly troubled her. She had hid it well in the past if she truly did hate killing for there was never any sign in her scent that she didn't want to hurt me or Naraku.

“As I have said Kagome it is possible but that does not mean it ever has to be used that way. You are strong and this could make as good as a threat as a way to kill. A loss of a limb even temporarily will hold off many females.”

Her smile was slowly returning. “Thank you Sesshoumaru. Now let me heal that which I caused my Sensei.” Her hands moved over the red welts on my legs and her powers turned blue with healing energy. The pain slowly faded as did the burns. Within 20 minutes my legs were healed and nothing remained but the dried blood.

“Thank you Kagome.” Her eyes opened and she smiled. Her fingers traced over where the burns had been as she looked at me. I couldn't help the small shiver of delight that tingled I my spine at her innocent touch. My inner Inu whined from its corner wanting to take things further but I had to remind myself that I couldn't touch her until tomorrow.

“I think you need to change and get ready for lunch Kagome. Unless of course you wish to join me in a bath?” Her cheeks flared red and she removed her chin from my fingers as she turned her head.

“That's okay. I am sure you won't need my help.” Her words were soft but strained. I couldn't help the chuckle that rose in my chest. She stood and moved away. “I think you guys just like embarrassing me!” Her voice was noticeable annoyed but held no real anger.

“Now, now Kagome. You are most becoming when you blush.” She snorted and left the room shutting the door firmly behind her. I chuckled again and stripped out of the rest of my clothes. I opted for a shower instead of a bath since it was getting late and I still had a few arrangements to make.

~~~Kagome's P.O.V.~~~

As horrified as I was about what my attack could do I was more annoyed at said demon. I was just about to enter my room when the elevator beeped. Detouring to the living room I watched Inuyasha get out.

“Inuyasha!” I called and he quickly turned to catch me as I ran into his arms. I hugged him tight as I was happy to see him.

“Is anything wrong Kagome?”

“No. Why would anything be wrong?” He hugged me tighter but said nothing. I realized then that he must have thought that something was wrong in order to hug him like I needed comfort but I was just glad to see him. I hadn't been able to do this in the past and I had a lot of built up need for touch. So I decided to tell him what was up instead of having him worry.

“Inuyasha.” I pulled back a little and smiled. He seemed to stare at me for a moment as if judging my smile to see if it was genuine and once he was he smiled back. “There is nothing wrong other then your brother being a pain. I just have wanted to be able to do that for a long time. In the past I wanted to just hold your hand or give you a hug but you always shied away from me so I didn't. Now that I can I am going to take full advantage of it.” I said the last part heatedly as I pressed a kiss to his lips. He took a moment to respond but when he did it was with gusto.

I was not sure how long we stood there but it must have been a while because what seemed all too soon was someone clearing their throat behind me. Breaking the kisses I rested my head on Inuyasha's chest. My mind was not in any shape to talk to anyone.

~~~Inuyasha's P.O.V.~~~

Kissing Kagome like this was mind numbing. I wanted to take her to her room and make love to her finally but I knew that would have to wait for tonight or tomorrow. Just a little bit longer I told myself over and over. Since I could not take her I made love to her mouth with all the intensity that could. When I heard someone clear their throat I felt Kagome break away. Sighing internally I took a quick sniff and Kagome's arousal almost over powered anything else but I caught Sesshoumaru's scent. Pulling away I had to blink a few times to get the lust from my vision. Sesshoumaru stood still slightly damp from bathing but dressed in his formal attire for the evening.

I caught his expression of wistfulness as he looked at us and I knew what he wanted. While Kagome cared for both of us he and I both knew she loved me. She was much more expressive with her affections towards me. I tried to give him a comforting look as I asked, “I take it Kagome should have been getting ready?” Sesshoumaru nodded once firmly as he turned with towel still in hand drying his hair as he made his way back to the bathroom.

Glancing down I pulled Kagome closer for a moment longer resting my chin on her head before I released her. “We need to get ready Kagome. Sesshoumaru and I have to prepare for uncle's arrival and there are a few things you need to know.” She sighed but nodded her head. It was so hard to ignore my instincts to take her. Especially since her arousal still was in the air but we needed to get ready. Together we went to our own rooms and got changed.

I dressed in an outfit similar to my old fire-rat except this one was done with both red and orange with trimming in gold thread and my crest done in silver over my heart. I decided to wear my hair up and placed it in a high pony tail that was set back a little behind my ears. Giving myself one last look I left the room and went in search of Sesshoumaru.

I found him in his smaller study on the phone. I tuned out the conversation as I looked around. It had been awhile since I had last been in here. Standing near the family history I smelled Kagome's scent lingering faintly on the shelves. I wondered If Sesshoumaru realized that she had been looking over here. I looked from top to bottom to see an empty space near the bottom. It wasn't that large but I could tell that something had been moved since everywhere else the books were packed tight. As I was about to bend down to look my brother called out to me.

“Inuyasha.” I turned and sat down in a chair facing his desk. “Is Kagome nearly ready?”

“I think so. She entered her room before I did. She should be down soon.” We talked about the food for the night and for lunch with my uncle. My brother thought a small tea service first for discussing the news about Kagome would be appropriate and I agreed. As we were about to move on as to how much we wanted to reveal Kagome knocked on the door.

“Come in Kagome.” She opened the door and I caught a glimpse of a blue sleeve. I turned back to Sesshoumaru and watched with interest as I noticed his face go slack. Curious as to why I turned back. She had on a modified fighting Kimono with leggings done in a dashing shade of blue. Her hair was up in a high ponytail with flowers woven through. On her chest was a hole cut out to display the house mark with silver edging. The kimono had silver leaves down through out and she had matching blue boots. The sleeves had a finger tie to hold the sleeve down. My breath caught in my lungs for Kagome looked simply stunning.

“I take it from your expressions that I will make an impression?” She goggled and it echoed in my ears. How I missed her laugh and the nights around the campfire with our old friends. It was nostalgia and it was comforting.

“Yes Kagome it is very impressive. Is that what you are wearing to the presentation?” asked Sesshoumaru.

“No.” She shook her head gently. “Mrs. Dunn had her daughter make this for get togethers like this one. She gave me these wire flowers and showed me how to weave them in my hair. I thought the effect was stunning myself. I guess that Mrs. Dunn's daughter exceeded your expectations?” I felt myself nod and I was sure Sesshoumaru did too as she giggled again and sat next to me. I couldn't help but stare but when she cleared her throat I finally was able to pull myself away.

“Very well then Kagome. Now then I wanted your opinion on hiding your scent and power when we first enter my office. Kin should be making himself at home at the moment since I just got off the phone a little while ago with the movers.”

“The movers? What did he bring?” I asked Sesshoumaru.

“He says he has a peace offering, something that once belonged to father. I do not know what it is but it is considerable in size.”

“Well lets just hope he doesn't have a sense of humor like Miroku's descendants do. DO you remember their gag gift to you a couple decades ago? What was it? A negligee?” I laughed as he growled and I could hear a giggle coming for Kagome.

“We will not get into this.” He turned towards Kagome. “You need to keep your scent and power covered until we are sure my uncle is willing to take the oath. If he doesn't I do not want him to see you until the presentation. I am only going to tell him if he agrees.”

“That would be a good idea. I will even stay back in the elevator until you can signal for me to come out that way I am out of sight and if the doors close it just seems as if someone needed the elevator.”

“Very good. Now how much do we want to tell him? We do not have all day to try and explain everything.” Said Sesshoumaru.

“I do not think we should tell him about the jewel. Perhaps that I once guarded it but if we said I still did he would want it destroyed immediately and I can't do that until I get further in my training.”

“Agreed. However, if we tell him that you once guarded it then we have to explain how that is possible since he knew that it was wished upon 900 years ago.” I said.

“Well I think we should tell him a little about that. I mean explain that I was from the future and that my wish changed everything. I mean he can hardly be upset that my wish allowed youkai to survive right?”

“I do not know, Sesshoumaru?” My brother seemed to think for minute.

“I believe that once the oath is done we should tell him simply that her soul changed everything. She is the reincarnation of Kikiyo correct? It started with her.”

“No it started with Midoriko.” Said Kagome.

“Midoriko? Oh you mean the priestess that is in the jewel?”

“How bout we start at that? Ask him if he knows the history and if not explain how the jewel came to be. Simplify it to say that my incarnation burned it with her body after pinning Inuyasha. I don't think Inuyasha wants his old flame brought into this.” I nodded and Sesshoumaru merely said `hn.' “We'll say that I was from the future and knew that things were going badly so I made a wish that changed everything. Now that I am back you both choose me and here I am. It might take a little explaining as to why you choose me and such but we can keep the questions to a minimum this way. There is very little left to ask about without being rude.”

“How long have you been thinking about this Kagome?” I asked.

“Well, truthfully, since I came back. I knew that there would have to be some people who would have to know some of our history in order to remain allies and friends. It would seem too suspicious to anyone that knew of you to suddenly take a breeder like you did. I mean yeah everyone knew you were looking but for Sesshoumaru to sallow his pride and accept a human for a breeder is sure to cause a stir.” Kagome was pointing out some very good points and I mulled them over in my head.

I knew she was smart and though I inherited the east I was still learning even after all this time to anticipate the others reactions to my ruling. It was hard though to over come my act first think later attitude. It worked when I was the only one that needed anything. I had curbed it a little when I had my friends searching for Naraku but it had changed a lot when I started to rule. However, there were still times like this that I am glad Kagome or Sesshoumaru can predict these things. Confrontation I was good at, thinking not so much.

“They are stirring and I agree Kagome that there are a few who will find it suspicious but you forget times have changed and the stigmatism of humans has defused much. Though you are human you are also a miko and can bare full blooded heirs to both myself and Inuyasha if you so choose. There is little reason to belittle you.”

“Ah but you also forget that most miko's are common blood. Most of the youkai I am going to be presented to tonight still think as a noble and not a modern person. You have had to change because you deal with humans almost every day running the breeder program which I think had softened you more then you think but I will with hold judgment until after tonight. I can't be considered arrogant tonight can I?”

“You most certainty can not.” My brother smiled.

~~~Sesshoumaru's P.O.V. ~~~

My brother and I had picked well for she was quickly picking up on what she needed to do and think in order to make it in youkai society. She made several valid points that I myself had worried over but it seems it was for naught. Somehow Kagome knew what people were going to think and I guess that is how she managed my brother all those years ago when he still had his attitude.

“Well I believe that the movers and my uncle have had enough time to settle in. Eyrein is also coming for I believe his help in transferring memories will aid us in making this a quick telling and explanation.”

“Okay.” We all stood and headed towards the elevator. I wondered what my uncle would have to say about my brother's and my little spitfire. I was looking forward to tomorrow and being able to ignore the rules for a few days in order to get to memorize my new breeder. (Hentai thoughts everyone!)

~~~Kin's P.O.V.(this back tracks a little) ~~~

I was up and ready by 10 a.m. I gathered up the grand pups and sent them home so that they could be with their parents till the presentation. My mate had breakfast ready and on the table by the time I was done.

“Aren't you excited Kin? I can't believe the boys are finally settling down, for the past few decades I almost began to believe that they would be bachelors forever. Even Toshiro didn't wait this long.”

“Well my dear I am happy for them. Sesshoumaru and I have begun to settle our differences but I still need to work things through with him and Inuyasha.”

“Oh. That will be difficult since even Inuyasha forgave Sesshoumaru faster then you. I still don't understand how that worked out. I mean it seemed like for over 200 years he hated him and then after Inuyasha was revived it changed. I mean you never had Sesshoumaru trying to kill you and you didn't loose and arm to Inuyasha so how did they settle their differences faster then you?”

“A mystery that I will hopefully solve soon now that Sesshoumaru and I are on speaking terms.”

“I suppose that I will not be there for your meeting?”

“I do not know. Sesshoumaru never said I couldn't bring anyone. If you want to go I am sure that he won't mind. Explaining it to the two of us shouldn't make that much of a difference. I also want to know where he found this breeder.” Kimi smiled at him and nodded her head. Food was finished and I left her to gather up a few things that I thought to bring with me as a gesture to show that I truly wanted things to change.

In my library was a display case that held the armor of Sesshoumaru's father. Or at least the back up one that he had made if the one he wore was damaged. Being the guardian of Sesshoumaru for a few decades, I had it moved to my estate at first so when we got my brother's body he could be buried with it. However, once it was found out that there was no body it remained here in my study. Sesshoumaru either hadn't known about the second set or didn't care. Before I had thought it was because he didn't care now I was betting on the later since after his death he became so closed off.

And now that I have seen what Inuyasha can do I felt the guilt weigh heavy on my heart for not looking after him and his mother when they were sent from the castle. Even though I was angry that my brother had dared to mark a human I should have upheld the family honor. To think that now he would have been considered ahead of his time now that demons and humans interacted now on a daily basis. It shamed me to realize I had been so closed minded to what Toshiro was trying to tell me.

The problems Toshiro had with Sesshoumaru started at the mating of his mother. It was such a shame about the mix up of Toshiro's mating. I wish Lady Kanai hadn't disappeared as she had. Toshiro tried to explain to the girl's father about the mix up but he would have none of it. He cared little that Kanai and Toshiro had fallen in love and it was his idea that the chase be given. Toshiro's mate was so sickly and once pregnant she was so ill! The girl didn't have any sense of humor and Toshiro nearly became a shell once his son started to go more and more off on his own. Sesshoumaru wouldn't listen to his father and it was her fault that he didn't. Always telling the boy that his father didn't want him and that his training was harder then it should have been because of it.

It was her that wasn't wanted! Sesshoumaru was the pride and joy Toshiro always wanted. When it became evident that the female could no longer bare children Toshiro nearly went mad in the need for relief. I understood the need for the concubines. I truly did. My brother should never have had that life. He was better then that. I watched as his dreams for a large and loving family crumble and the light go out of his eyes.

It wasn't until Izayoi came into the house that the light began to return. I should have seen it coming. I didn't find out about the pregnancy until it was too late to kill the child. My brother lost his life defending his second son. While I held no blame for the child I did blame Izayoi. It was because of her that I didn't take them in. It took nearly 15 years after they were cast out to find out that she died only a few years away and her son thrown to the curb and left to die.

I ravaged the house and the family that lived there, killing them all. It was one of the few times I lost control. My brother may have made a mistake in marking a human but he had paid for it and gave his life for his son and that these humans would throw out royal blood like a cur from a bitches litter infuriated me. The boy was not at fault.

I looked for him but the trail was too old to follow and no one had seen him. I felt as if I failed my brother. He had only wanted a son to love him and only wanted a loving mate and family. He had had no use for the western lands for he only protected it because it was his duty. He had been the apple of my mother's eye. Her shinning light during the wars with his constant inquires and help around the castle. Toshiro had been what kept alive her hope for he was always asking questions and willing to learn anything.

I had been jealous that he received so much of her attention until one day he had come and sat beside me. He mentioned off hand if I had ever thought about tomorrow or did I assume it would always be there? I said that I did think of tomorrow when I had something to do but other wise no. He asked why not, did I not want to be a warrior or perhaps a scribe? I had been amazed that he had even known what I liked to do but I said that was for some day when I was grown up. Why think about it now? I laugh now at the naiveté I had shown but my brother had smiled and asked if that was what I wanted then should I not think about what I needed to know now so that when I was grown up I could do what I wanted. I had not thought of that.

We talked all day about this and that and I finally felt a connection to him that I hadn't before. Just before I went to bed I finally asked the one question I had been eager to now.

~~Flashback ~~

“Brother why do you ask mom about everything? I mean she is constantly asking everyone questions about what they do and why it was done that way. She mumbles the answers to herself over and over until you talk to her.” Toshiro's eyes soften and he clears his throat to speak.

“Kin one day soon the wars will most likely reach the castle. The battles are growing more and more intense. Do you know what will happen if it does?”

“Not really. I hear the maids whispering and the guards speculating about it, most of the time they are afraid and say that we all will be killed. Or something like that. A few said that they hoped the women could slit the children's throats quickly and then themselves to same them from being used by the enemy. I do not understand what do they mean by used?” Toshiro sighed and he knew then that while I was angry I did still kept an ear out for things.

“I do not know how to say this gently so I will say it straight out. If the castle falls women like mom will be taken by soldiers. She will be forced to mate them and most likely killed after they had their `fun'.” My hands covered my mouth to muffle my scream of outrage. I was shaking a little. I was horrified that could happen to my mother. He continued on as I pondered this new information. “They also wish for the mothers to kill the children quickly or they may suffer the same fate or be forced to be slaves. If they become slaves they will be beaten and used until they die.”

“So why should I let mother worry about the approaching danger when I can take her mind off it by sending her off to learn the answers to my questions?” He paused for a moment and I was slowly beginning to understand. “She is learning and so am I everyday, things that we didn't know before. It makes life seem precious again and it allows her to laugh. It allows her to be almost a child again learning the world. Our mother has lost every child but us two. You have not been here for long but I remember my older brothers and sisters. The boys went to the army and into the field and the girls were the defenders for the princesses. All of them lost to these on going wars. It is a burden in her heart that I try to lighten by allowing her to make new friends that share that grief. Have you not noticed that her scent of despair has almost vanished? The castle itself is growing closer by everyone asking others questions about their lives and jobs. For some it is healing the wounds of loneliness that they have felt since their loved ones have died. Do not be jealous of me brother for though she pays me a lot of attention she still loves us the same. Perhaps you should ask her your own questions? Then she will be twice as busy and it would allow her mind and heart to rest.”

For almost a week I had pondered on his words and paid closer attention to those around me. I watched the laundry maids talk to the patrols about the day and people they knew. The gardeners talking to the cooks about which might be a better herb or spice to add to the traditional dishes. The seamstresses to the shoemakers about the new fashions. Every one seemed happier then I could remember. Everyone talked about life and not their loved ones that passed away. Greetings were always followed with questions about the other's family health and accomplishments. My world was no longer fear and whispers of attacks and deaths. I was not sure when the change happened for I long ago learned to tune out the whispers. I had to when they were all about the doom of the castle and such. So in order to play I missed the beginning of the change. My brother's questions had restored the castle to almost normal. Though I could see that everyone was still very much aware of the wars it was less threatening now that they had others to talk to. Once I came to that conclusion pride grew in my heart that it was my brother's doing.

~~End of flashback~~

After that day I strove to be like him. Mom was happier then ever once I too started asking questions and she believed that the smarter we were the less likely she would lose us too. Though heartbreaking in a way it seemed her beliefs were justified. For Toshiro became the lord of the western lands and I became a general. I had the job of making sure the supplies reached where they were needed and those questions I had asked in my youth helped me to know how food and clothes needed to be sent in order to reach destinations. Talking to traders and such allowed me an insight in how things should be done and it had all started with a simple question of how cloth was made. It led us on a merry adventure of discovery of the silk worms to the mulberry trees upon which they ate. This led to the harvesters that gathered up the cocoons, killed the worms, and boiled them to get the silk free. To the weavers who spun, dyed, and wove the silk. The seamstresses that then made the clothes and finally the traders that brought the bolts of silk and clothes to be bought. Everything followed a similar trail and I applied it to the wagons and carts that moved supplies. It was one of my fondest memories.

Now here I was the youngest and last of mother's children. I stood next to the display case running my hand over the glass and wished once more that I had gone with him to try and defeat the dragon. I would gladly have paid the price for disobeying orders if it meant that I would still have had him here. But he had seemed so sure that he could beat him and though he succeeded in stopping him, it was the humans that killed him. He should have never gone to the estate to rescue her. Slamming my fist on the desk I let the anger go. It has been too long to hold a grudge against someone long dead. Still pondering the foolishness of my brother I barely heard the soft knock at the door.

“Yes?”

“Honey the men are here to get the display case so that they can take it to the meeting. Are you ready?” Startled I looked at the clock and realized it was almost noon. I had been thinking to long again.

“Yes. Send them up.” I sat down at my desk and the men came in. The secured the armor inside and the lock so nothing came out and easily lifted it and carried it to a special lift chair. Once they left I went to my room and dawned my old clothes that had my family crest. My mate had done the same and together we went down and called our own chair. The ride was short and peaceful. As we approached the western office I could feel a change in the air. Sesshoumaru's power must have grown recently for the air to change so quickly. Not sensing any hostility I shrugged it off.

~~Sometime later~~

The delivery men had put the box in Sesshoumaru's office and then covered it with a cloth so that he could unveil it at a later time. He stood in the office waiting for his nephews to arrive with their Breeder. His mate sat upon the couch and we waited in silence.

The elevator door opened up to reveal Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha but no breeder, his eyebrow rose in silent question but before he could ask Sesshoumaru spoke up.

“What is your mate doing here uncle?”

“She was bored and since we are trying to start a new in our relations I thought it might be nice for us both to come.” The brothers exchanged a glance and seemed to share a few thoughts before Sesshoumaru answered.

“While at any other time this might have been a good idea, right now I do not believe is a good time.”

“Why?” I asked trying not to lose my temper. “My mate will be meeting her at he presentation anyway.” The brothers scowled.

“It is not that we do not want to her to meet our breeder it's just that what we have to say is confidential uncle.” said Inuyasha. “We were going to have you take a blood oath so that this information doesn't get around.”

I stood there with my hand upon the glass display case and thought about that. `A blood oath is the most serious way of controlling information from mind readers. If their breeder truly is so unique this some how doesn't surprise me, so do I take the blood oath and keep the new found peace or do I reject it and try some other way? It seemed I had no real choice, I needed to patch things up with my nephews.'

“Very well prepare the potion. I will say this now that I do not like this but in order to keep the new peace I am willing to allow it.” The boys raised their eyebrows and again exchanged a look but nodded. Before I knew it they stepped apart and some how I had missed that their breeder was indeed behind them.

Before I even got a good look her scent made itself known and it made me close my eyes. Orchids had always been my favorite flower. Opening my eyes I swore I saw a vision of the beauty before me. She had on a modified kimono with leggings done in a dashing shade of blue. Her hair was up in a high ponytail with flowers woven through. On her chest was a hole cut out to display the house mark. She was small, much shorter then I expected but she held herself with pride and she looked me in the eyes. I could see her fire and I knew instantly that she was indeed a miko, a powerful one.

The boys hands came into view and each offered her their arm in perfect timed precision. The miko stepped forward and interlocked her hands resting her hands on top of theirs.

“This is Miko Higurashi Kagome. We will explain all once the oath is taken.” Sesshoumaru said.

The moved as one to the desk and Sesshoumaru reached for the goblet and set it in front of them. Releasing each other the boys cut first and then Inuyasha cut Kagome's. The dripped an adequate amount and Inuyasha licked his hand and Kagome's clean. Sesshoumaru tending his own. Sesshoumaru picked up the goblet and handed it to me first. My mate came to stand by my side and we each quickly swallowed our half and recited the oath that said that anything we learned today would be kept secret. Once done the trio relaxed.

“You can leave us now shadow. I will not be needing you and send the maids up with lunch.” I shadow appeared on the wall and floated towards the elevator. I was never sure how their mist form could push anything but they could and the elevator opened and closed with the shadow inside.

“Come sit uncle.” said Inuyasha. We all took our seats and I waited for them to begin.

“How much do you know of Inuyasha's life uncle?” I thought for a moment and came up with very little.

“Not as much as I would like. After you banished him and his mother from the castle I was still to angry with my brother to offer any assistance. Fifteen years later I finally came to my senses only to find that Izayoi had died only a few short years after leaving the castle and Inuyasha could not be located. I looked but no one knew him and I was so angry at them for tossing Inuyasha out like that I killed the house.” A gasp came from the miko but she said nothing.

“I see.” The elevator beeped and Eyrein came in with tea. As he was setting a cup before everyone Sesshoumaru continued. “For about a hundred and fifty years he was hunted like the humans hunt a deer. I myself did not even spare him. For fifty years he was pinned to the god tree by a miko who had believed he betrayed her. Her reincarnate freed him and had the sacred jewel born into her body since her incarnation had it burned with her body. However, her reincarnate had no training as a miko and a centipede had ripped the jewel from her side. After Inuyasha was released he killed the youkai and tried to kill the girl. The first miko's sister collared Inuyasha with prayer beads and the new miko was the one that held the power over them.” I felt my anger flare but I held it in.

“So what does this have to do with your breeder?”

“I am getting to that. Now then.” I could tell I was beginning to annoy Sesshoumaru and though I was older then him I could feel his power and knew that it wouldn't be in my best interest to push him farther. “With the jewel freed from the miko's side any low life demon wanted it for its power. Inuyasha was stuck to the new miko hoping that she would just give it to him since she didn't want to protect it but instead a few days later a crow demon was able to catch her and swallowed the jewel. Giving chase she fired a sacred arrow at the damn thing and though she hit her mark it also shattered the jewel. The pieces were spread through out Japan and the elderly miko made it Inuyasha's and the new miko's duty to collect the shards.” Now this was getting interesting. I slowly sipped my tea as he continued.

“The miko was very foolish and a few days after they joined together as a team this Sesshoumaru and my retainer Jaken had made a plan to get Tetsusaiga. I had finally figured out what father had done and forced the jewel from Inuyasha's eye to father's grave. However, neither Inuyasha nor I could pull the sword out of the pedestal.”

“then how did you get the sword?”

“The miko.”

“The miko? You mean she pulled the sword out? How?”

“I do not know. All I know is during the battle she somehow got near the pedestal and accidentally got knocked into it pulling the sword out. I was very angry and after studying her for a moment I covered her in my poison. I thought she was dead and gone when Inuyasha attacked me again much faster then before. It seems even after the betrayal of the first miko he then held feeling for her reincarnate and so I taunted him. After he finally started to land some blows imagine our surprise when the miko stood up covered in my poison now looking like green mud then anything deadly and began yelling at me for trying to kill her.” I chuckled along with everyone else at the table.

“She gave Inuyasha the sword though the baka couldn't transform it at first.”

“Give me a break Sesshoumaru. I didn't even know of the sword till you came looking for it. How was I supposed to know how to change the damn thing?”

“Very true. Needless to say he won and I lost and arm. The two continued to travel and I continued to look for answers as to why the sword would burn me for touching it. Inuyasha's group grew adding a kitsune baby fox, and lecherous monk, and the last of the demon slayers.”

“That would be a very interesting group.”

“You have no idea. Anyway each in the group had reasons for hunting down another half-demon. You should remember him his Name was Naraku?” I felt my temper flare again at the thought of that treacherous demon.

“I remember. He killed nearly half of my household looking for a way in to the western palace.”

“The very same. However, did you know that the demon was once human?” asked Inuyasha.

“No I did not.” (Okay everyone Inuyasha takes over the narration from here.)

“After a hundred and fifty years of being hunted I finally found someone who was as lonely as me. Her name was Kikiyo and she was at the time the present guardian of the jewel. Together we decided that I would use the jewel to become human so that we could live ordinary lives together.”

“WHAT! You would give up your noble heritage for a FEMALE?!” I yelled.

“What was so great about it at the time?!” Inuyasha yelled back. “Once my mother died I was hunted EVERY DAY! I barely slept, barely ate, and had no friends, no life! I lived from moment to moment wondering if I was going to be strong enough to survive the next attack! I was alone and angry. She offered a way out and I was going to take it!” Inuyasha was standing panting as he finished and I had to turn away from the pain that was in his eyes. It was partially my fault that he lived that life and there was nothing I could do now to change it.

“Inuyasha.” Said Kagome as she came over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. I smelled a faint hint of salt water and knew that she was crying for him. Though it pained me to know I failed I could see that Kagome was slowly mending his heart already. I was unsure what this all had to do with her still but if it made the pain go away I was all for it.

“Kikiyo was to kind hearted though she was as lonely as I. The jewel kept her from being able to be close to anyone including her little sister. One day a thief was found in the river not long after we first met. He was burned all over his body like someone had tried to roast him and then threw him in the water. She cared for the thief who was paralyzed in a cave near the village. I do not know exactly how he found out but he learned of our plan for the jewel and sold his soul to demons. He became a half-demon and took on the new name of Naraku.” I could start to see the strands of the story come together. A lot of things began to make sense but where Kagome fit was still a mystery.

“He convinced Kikiyo that I tried to kill her by taking on my form and wounded her. He made me think that she betrayed me by taking hers and firing arrows at me. To make a long story short I lost and was pinned to the tree and she died from blood loss. As Sesshoumaru already explained how the jewel became shattered and we set out to find the pieces to get them back together. Naraku also collected them and once we had over half the jewel Kikyo was revived by a witch from clay and her bones. She stole part of her reincarnates soul to stay animated and hated me with a passion. She took our half of the jewel and gave it to Naraku thinking that only she would be able to purify the jewel once it was complete again.”

“She was foolish in that belief for without her whole soul she didn't have the power and she was killed again in the final battle which allowed her reincarnate to regain her soul and purify the jewel which in turn killed Naraku. Following the battle at the celebration dinner we talked about possible wishes. The miko finally came up with one that could help set everything to rights. When she made her wish she disappeared.”

“That is all very well and good but where did she go?”

“Well the one part I left out was that she was no ordinary reincarnate.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that though I was on the tree for fifty years it took much longer for her to reincarnate.”

“How is that possible?”

“She came from the future.”

“Impossible.”

“No. It is very much the truth. She came from over five hundred years in the future.” I leaned back in my chair and looked to my mate. I wondered how it was possible.

“How?”

“The centipede I mentioned?”

“Yes what about it.”

“Well it was originally dead and in the bottom of Bone Eaters Well. When the miko got to close to it looking for her cat it rejuvenated it and it pulled her into the well and five hundred years into the past. With the help of the jewel shards she could travel back and forth between that time and hers.”

“Okay I understand that supposedly a miko from the future went to the past and broke the jewel and reassembled it. I get that she made a wish and disappeared but what does that have to do with your breeder?”

“Our breeder is the miko that traveled in the past. She made the wish and changed time which allowed youkai to survive.” I was so surprised that I looked at the girl and started to add everything up and once I did…I fainted.

End of Chapter 70

~~~ Kin's P.O.V. ~~~

Images and voices floated in my mind. The story I was just told slowly formed in my mind. I was but a spectator in my own mind as I watched the very early memories of Inuyasha.

~~Flash ~~

A boy in a red Haori and Hakama chased a ball across a bridge as taunts followed him. He could feel the young boy's confusion as they called him half-breed.

"Momma? What's a half-breed?" He saw the young face of Izayoi as she cried and held her son to her chest.

~~ Flash ~~

He saw an older Inuyasha fighting a seeming endless amount of demons as his blood boiled. He could feel the burn of the wounds and knew that if it didn't end soon he would die. A miracle came as a sacred arrow appeared from no where and killed most of the remaining demons.

~~ Flash ~~

He watched the same miko pin Inuyasha to a tree. "Quit coming for the jewel I have no wish to waste more arrows." He felt Inuyasha's confusion as to why the priestess didn't kill him.

~~ Flash ~~

He saw the miko and Inuyasha sitting together on a hill side talking about the jewel and the possibility of him becoming human. He could feel the desperate longing to belong in Inuyasha as he agreed to the miko's idea.

~~ Flash ~~

Arrows came flying from no where and tried to pin him to a tree. A female's voice yelling traitor. The miko appeared and he felt the hurt and betrayal as he raced into the village. He could see the Shikon jewel sitting innocently on the stand and as Inuyasha grabbed it and ducked more arrows which knocked over the torches.

~~ Flash ~~

A now bloody priestess stood upon the hill after finally succeeding in pinning him to a tree. The jewel some how fell from Inuyasha's hand as the last arrow struck slowly rendering Inuyasha unconscious.

~~End of Inuyasha's flashbacks ~~

~~ Kagome's Flashbacks ~~

"Souta!"

"Kagome the cat went down by the well again!"

"Then go get him."

"But you're older."

"Don't tell me you're scared."

"NO! I just…"

"Fine you little scaredy cat."

Kagome has just picked up the cat went six arms reached from behind to grab her and pulled her into the well. The beast was clamoring for the jewel and after blasting the centipede away and landing in the bottom of the well Kagome climbed out.

The wonder and fear of being in this new place scared Kagome. Kin watched as she saw the God Tree and made her way to see Inuyasha pinned to the tree. The over whelming curiosity at the man before her made even Kin want to reach up and touch his ears.

The ears were so soft and twitched ever so slightly that he knew Kagome had never noticed. However, Kagome's inspection of Inuyasha was cut short by some one firing arrows.

~~ Flash ~~

“Girl!” the feeling of being crushed almost made it impossible to hear what Inuyasha said.

"Think you could pull this arrow out?" Kagome hesitated but after another strong squeeze by the centipede she yanked the arrow out. The feeling of fear quickly became awe as Inuyasha destroyed the centipede. The sensation of being able to sense the jewel was very unnerving and he could tell that even as Kagome told the older miko where the jewel was that she couldn't believe it.

The sudden attack by Inuyasha was unexpected and truthfully Kagome was more then a little hurt that he had attacked. However, it seemed that the older miko was prepared and Kin watched as Inuyasha was brought down by a resounding "SIT!"

~~ Flash ~~

This memory was started out as a battle commenced with a carrion crow demon and the memory went faster then the rest almost as if someone didn't really want him to see it. The foolish girl had thrown the jewel out the window and the crow escaped the house and swallowed the jewel. Fear filled him as the crow suddenly became larger.

Inuyasha and Kagome were racing after if and the miko fired her bow and arrow though it seemed she had very little skill. He wondered if she was this poor now how did she defeat Naraku? The battle ended quickly once the girl had come up with a cunning plan and tied the crow's foot to her arrow.

However, that plan backfired in the worst way as the arrow was too charged and the jewel cracked and exploded over the country side.

~~ Flash ~~

Again in the middle of battle he watched as the brothers fought and noticed that Sesshoumaru had two arms. He seemed to be in a high place watching the fight but soon he felt himself descend with Kagome as she approached the pedestal. He was unable to see what was going on for Kagome had been focused on the sword but suddenly she was pushed into it and she grabbed the sword to retaliate only to realize that the sword was the one the brother's hadn't been able to get. The next thing he saw was Sesshoumaru in front of Kagome and after looking at her a moment raised his hand and sprayed his acid.

For a moment he forgot it was a memory and almost felt as if he was melting as the memory grayed a little but soon enough Kagome was standing back up and yelling at Sesshoumaru. It was almost comical with the widening of the brother's eyes as they realized that she wasn't dead.

~~ Flash ~~

Obviously the same battle as before except he watched as Inuyasha transformed the blade and cut Sesshoumaru's arm off.

~~ Flash ~~

This memory at first made no sense as he stared at a witch as she attacked the village. He felt an odd connection to this place. The witch destroyed a small personal shrine to someone and took the ashes.

~~ Flash ~~

Immense pain flared through his body as he felt something that he never had before. He wasn't sure what was going on but he heard a voice whisper to not call out her name. What name?' Suddenly the pain that he had felt was nothing to the pain that enveloped him. Suddenly understanding came to him as he heard a voice whisper a woman's name. It was a memory of her soul being ripped out of her. How he knew this he wasn't sure since that had not been in the story but he knew it none the less.

He felt that someone Kagome cared for was in danger and despite the pain she called her soul back to her. It was an amazing feat that he wasn't sure was possible till that moment. 'How could she over come the pain?'

~~ Flash ~~

A woman dressed as a miko stood over Kagome and wrenched the half competed jewel from her neck. Words were said but they were muffled to him.

~~ Flash ~~

Again the miko was there and Kagome was pinned to a tree and forced to watch as the miko opened a gate to hell and tried to pull Inuyasha with her. He heard Kagome yelling for Inuyasha and felt her use her power unknowingly as she used it to wake him up.

~~ Flash ~~

Pain near his heart seemed to nearly cleave it in two as he watched Inuyasha chase after soul carrier demons. Somehow he knew that Inuyasha was going to the dead priestess and that he was hurting Kagome as he did. 'Why?'

~~ Summary ~~

The flashes continued as they met each of their companions and watched slowly as a group of friends formed. Almost every encounter with Naraku was also seen. His heart went out to this rag tag group. He watched the fights between Kagome and Inuyasha slowly grew into something more. Most of the time he couldn't hear the words but he could feel the emotions grow. He knew years had passed at he watched in nearly chronological order as the memories floated in his mind. Till the last and most disturbing battle with Naraku began.

Morning came bright and clear. Inuyasha stood upon a branch not all that far from camp keeping an eye out for any trouble. Taking a deep breath he could smell the fresh dew on the grass and the mixture of trees and flowers that floated upon the wind. Today was the planned day for the final conflict and Naraku knew that they would be coming soon.

Glancing back he could see that everyone was still asleep though not as restful as they might have hoped. Shippo, Rin, and his brother had departed the night before to secure them in the western castle. He left in charge their uncle Kin and his generals. Some forces would be coming back with Sesshoumaru and their numbers would then increase to roughly 300. Naraku had spent the time while they had hidden away to train killing off several major families of youkai.

Youkai numbers in general had decreased greatly due to in fighting and Naraku over the past 50 years. If Naraku was not stopped he could easily see why demons were nothing more then myths in the future. Japan's once teeming numbers of youkai had drastically dwindled and even he himself was less and less persecuted for there were less to insult him. If demons were to survive Naraku had to be stopped.

Kagome was in her slightly more then ragged now pink sleeping bag. Five years of laying it upon the ground had not been kind to the reliable bag. Her once yellow backpack was now almost bleached white from so many washings. Her bow and arrows next to her and he knew that her dagger was strapped to her ankle inside the bag. He took a moment to swell with pride her learning of it from Sango and his brother's captains. She had become quite skilled in defending herself though her offensive training had not been as extensive as he would have liked. It had taken too long to learn to fight hand to hand and to learn how to use her dagger, to learn much else but they had to make sure that she could get away once caught then rely totally on her strength to keep opponents away. She also was the one that had taken care of the children leaving them more time to train. Keade has lost too much of her health to train Kagome and there were no other mikos that they could trust. So they decided to protect Kagome and just allow her to do what came naturally.

Sango and Miroku had finally admitted there love not all that long ago. They shared a bed roll now and he admired the monk in over coming his hand's tendencies so quickly now that he was sure of her feelings. Their camp only occasionally now awoke to a hand meeting a face and the mornings went much smoother. With Sesshoumaru's help they had become a finely tuned fighting duo as well as separately. Kirara had found her own partner in the kennels of the western palace. A fellow fire-cat that was more golden in color was curled tightly around her. As far as he could tell the male fire-cat was going to make Kirara his mate after the battle was over. There had been one higher level cat youkai that his brother could stand that was there as a translator for the fire-cats. They were used as mounts in one of the squadrons as the western palace and he had been the healer for them.

Now though the training had helped and all, it was the relationship that had begun between his brother and himself that was the most amazing. After the battle with the sword from hell Kagome had taken upon herself to send a scroll to Rin and she began a letter relationship with her for almost a year before asking Rin to invite Sesshoumaru to his village. It seemed that Sesshoumaru had been interested in the things that Kagome had placed in her letters and about the future. She had given hints to Rin on what would make tasks easier like dying silk, storing food, and just little things. Finding that they worked her return letters were full of amazement that even Sesshoumaru couldn't complain for it made him money and bettered his armament. So he came to ask how Kagome had this knowledge and with me sitting by her side she explained.

This led to regular visits from Rin and his brother and then civil conversations. Finally three months ago it became an offer for better training and a gathering to finally eliminate Naraku.

To see the palace again after being banished when he was younger was bitter sweet. The entrance hall hadn't really changed from it simplicity of a few side tables and wall hangings. Though where there had been mostly his grandfather and sons it had changed to mostly his father and Sesshoumaru's mother. A few vases filled with flowers decorated the side tables, obviously Rin's added touch. He had forgotten and for the most part forgiven his brother's anger and injustice to himself for past events. Kagome had helped him begin to understand it from Sesshoumaru's point of view and could relate in some ways. Though the peace was tentative at best at least it was better then being at each other's throats.

Shaking his head to rid himself of the memories the sun had just crest the horizon and it was bright enough to see now. Jumping down he glanced once more at his make shift pack and again felt the stirring of pride. Here before him was proof that not all of humanity was weak or stupid. His friends, his comrades, and his family. Kneeling down he gently shook Kagome awake first. He watched her silently marveling again how she had changed his life as she blearily looked at him.

"Morning Yasha."

"Morning wench. Time to get up."

"I don't feel all that rested. I feel so tense.

"That's to be expected. Today we finally end it." He said with a smile but when she looked at him she was frowning slightly which made him lose his smile.

"Yeah, the end." She said quietly. Not sure as to why she was so down he ignored it and went to restart the fire before waking Sango and Miroku. The others got up without complaint as they made ramen for a quick breakfast. Kagome had brought energy bars to eat if anyone needed them before they got to the battle site.

"Are we going to fly or are we going to walk?" asked Inuyasha

"The Wolf clans are waiting right?" said Miroku.

"Yeah they are but they agreed to wait until everyone was there."

"Still I believe it would be better to hurry and then wait if need be then to walk and slow everyone down."

"Yeah I think you're right Miroku, we should hurry Inuyasha." said Sango.

"Kagome?" asked Inuyasha.

"Yeah we'll hurry. We can't afford this battle going into the night. It would be too dangerous for us then." Kagome said with a small smile.

"Well then you better change and we'll back up and hide everything for when we get back." They all nodded and Kagome left to change as Sango went to wash the dishes and Miroku and Inuyasha packed up camp. All too quickly they were all set and Sango and Miroku boarded one Fire-cat while Inuyasha and Kagome bordered Yasu. They sun was just above the horizon giving off gentle rays of sunlight through the might clouds. It just did not seem to be a day that should mark the end of such a vicious enemy.

Within two hours they had arrived at the base camp the wolf demons had set up. Here was the retreat camp site that was filled with healers and a few monks that cast a protective barrier over it. One monk was designated to allow entry and showed them in.

"Hey mutt glad to see you made it. Though I would have defeated that lousy Naraku by myself." Kouga said as he made his way towards the group. "Kagome! How's my woman?" he had taken her hands again bestowing upon them a kiss each while Kagome blushed.

"Back off wolf. She ain't yours! Keep it up and you won't live to see the defeat of Naraku."

"Hmm. Whatever mutt-face. I am just glad to see my woman. The preparations are finished. We are waiting now for Lord Sesshoumaru and his men to arrive and then we will make the final jaunt to Naraku's castle."

"Figures my prissy brother would be late. Must be reapplying his make up." Ground out Inuyasha.

~~~Break ~~~

"Inuyasha! That is not a very nice thing to say about him. Especially since he was the one that made sure you learned how to fight with your sword properly."

"Hush up wench. Just be glad that you have this rosary on me or you would be over my bended knee for a spanking!" Kagome blushed though if she were honest the thought wasn't all that bad since she would be in close proximity of something she really wanted. Shaking off her Hentai thoughts she looked around the camp to the tents and fires the healers had set up. Large caldrons of water were already set to boil and bandages were piled high in baskets for later use. Food was also being prepared. It might take several hours to days to finally defeat Naraku and everyone was digging in for the long haul if that is what it took.

Kagome went to a near by range to practice with a few more arrows while waiting for Sesshoumaru to show. It was almost second nature now to draw back the arrow and let it fly to its target. Kagome found it easier to buy a compound bow from her time and use it then the long bow of the feudal era. With very selective choosing a few others in Sesshoumaru's army had made their own versions. Really only a few wanted one when they could fight claw to claw but a few were intelligent enough to see the potential and were sworn to keep it to themselves on where the idea came from until later in history.

Drawing back another arrow she released it and it landed with a solid 'thunk' into the target. Finishing a set she went and retrieved her arrows and replaced them in the quiver on her back.

"Yo." Called a familiar voice from the edges of the forest. Scanning the tree line she came across Kagura hiding nearby but out of reach of the barrier.

"Kagura. Is everything set?" she nodded giving a small wave of her fan.

"So why are you here?"

"I came to give warning. Supposedly Naraku had a teacher for the black arts. He asked for help in hindering you and Inuyasha. It seems he has something that he didn't before and is keeping it under cover. Not even Kanna knows what it is." It was serious then. Naraku had yet another trick up his sleeve and it wasn't good. But what is this about a teacher? Who could be worse then Naraku?

"Thank you for your warning Kagura I will pass it along. By the way have you seen Kikyo?"

"She is at Naraku's castle. Though she does not seem her usual self."

"What do you mean?"

"I think what ever Naraku has planned involves her for she does not respond as she used to. It is almost as if she is locked in her own mind. For all she does is gaze at the wall perhaps out the window and does not move."

"That is not good. What could Naraku have done to do that? He was never powerful enough before to over come that part of my soul or her powers."

"I do not know. Watch your back miko. I am counting on you to kill him so I can be free."

"I will do my best Kagura. If I can not I promise to kill you before he can. At least I will make it quick."

"Good. See you in a few hours miko."

"You too Kagura."

I was slightly worried about what Naraku had done to Kikyo and I was unsure if I should tell Inuyasha about it for he would probably take off again to try and rescue her but that would be bad if he wasn't with the group. It would also ruin the battle plans. I would have to feel my way through that.

I wandered back into the main camp to the lord's tent. I gave a nod to the guardsmen outside the door and entered. Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Sesshoumaru, Kouga, Shinto, Reizo, and Tanka were already present.

"Kagome where have you been?" asked Sango.

"I was practicing. No one told me Lord Sesshoumaru had arrived."

"Well he did and now we are starting the section assignments now that we have the final numbers." Said Inuyasha.

"Before we get into that I have some news."

"News? About what wench and from where you were only on the firing range."

"Inuyasha…"

"Now Kagome don't do that!"

"Humph. Keep it up dog boy. Anyway as I was saying. Kagura stopped by at the edge of the range and told me that it seems Naraku had a teacher." Gasps came from several throats and murmuring was heard.

"Who?"

"Kagura doesn't know and neither does Kanna. But she was specific on what this teacher helped him with. It seems that he needed some way to 'hinder' Inuyasha and I. As to how I do not know."

"Hmm interesting. We will have to keep an eye out for this. But meanwhile I think we should finish the arrangements."

"Agreed." They all sat upon cushions surrounding the low table with a large map in front of them. Picking and choosing places they set up the best offensive line and back up that they could. Securing a route that would also allow wounded to get back to the main camp. By noon everything was ready.

The march was not all that long but dread fluttered in Kagome's stomach. She knew that whatever Naraku had planned it wasn't going to be good. Stomping down her unease she instead opted to watch Inuyasha in his usually red get up. Smiling slightly at the still arrogant walk. Perhaps not all was lost.

~~~Break ~~~

Shadows of the allies could be spotted on the hills. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had taken the lead and were waiting for the signal to attack. Kagome felt a twinge of fear creeping up her spine, something wasn't right. `Could this be what Kagura warned me about?'

Creeping further through the trees surrounding the castle Kagome got the first look as Naraku's new hiding place. It was a typical castle with the towers and tiled roofs. The only thing that wasn't typical was the amount of youkai on the walls and the visible barrier surrounding the castle.

Spreading out her power she tried to locate the exact location of Naraku but only got a dim answer. “Is he not here then? Is this another puppet? Is that why this feels wrong?'

“Inuyasha!” she hissed. Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder at her. “I do not feel Naraku!”

“What do you mean wench?”

“Just as I said. I do not feel Naraku. Either he has been able to entirely mask himself and the jewel, or he is not here.” Inuyasha frowned and went to tell Sesshoumaru.

~~Break~~

`Just when we are all gathered to beet the asshole he appears to be missing. Just great.' Inuyasha thought as he neared Sesshoumaru.

“Sess. There seems to be a slight problem.”

“What is it?”

“Kagome can not feel Naraku in the barrier. She says that unless he has learned to mask his aura and the jewel he is not here.”

“Is she certain? Could he be misleading her senses?”

“I don't think so. He hasn't been able to before but I would not put it past him to come up with something like this last minute.”

“We shall continue then. Even if he is not here I can see nearly all his incarnations. If nothing else he will have no more support as we hunt him down.” Inuyasha nodded and resumed his place.

~~Break ~~

Inuyasha was talking to Sesshoumaru but neither seemed overly worried. Perhaps it was better to proceed as planned in case Naraku had been able to fool me. Still if it is only his puppets then where is he? Suddenly there was movement on the ramparts and the demons on the wall moved away. Naraku appeared and I still could not feel him, for the first time I was truly beginning to worry.

“Come to die Inuyasha? I see you brought your brother and friends as well.” Naraku loomed above the wall in his new demon body the miasma that usually followed him was slowly spreading outwards.

“Shut up bastard. It will be you that dies!” without further ado Inuyasha unleashed a power backlash wave. It was almost as if everyone had been waiting for a sign to attack and once the wave hit Naraku's barrier it weakened a little.

Sesshoumaru was the next one to unleash his dragon strike. Again because of the size of the barrier it weakened and shrunk a little. Inuyasha decided to try again with his backlash wave. Seeing that it wasn't working as well as they hoped Kagome pulled an arrow from her quiver and aimed straight at Naraku. While he was distracted Kagome charged and released her arrow.

The arrow actually penetrated Naraku's barrier and struck a tentacle causing Naraku to lose his concentration on the barrier which allowed it to fall. Though Naraku had a lot of demons on his side most were mindless and attacked once the barrier fell.

For a short while everything was chaos as everyone tried to clear the field in order to get to Naraku before he escaped. Inuyasha released his wind scar attack again and again to clear paths for the rest. Naraku seemed to regroup after releasing the demons that made up the arm to save himself from purification.

Kagura was only half heartedly attacking as she waited with baited breath for her chance. With the help of Kanna and Kagome they had created a plan that they would wait until he noticed that she wasn't attacking as strongly as she should and once he pulled her heart out to force her Kagome would fire her arrow and purify his hand and release her heart. Kanna would then begin to pull Naraku's soul out of him while Kagura retrieved her heart. Once that was done Kanna and Kagura would disappear from the battle.

The wind scar was for once not being loosed in uncontrolled attacks for Sesshoumaru had been training Inuyasha a little during the truce. Inuyasha's dedication to learning made Kagome and himself proud. Since everyone had spent the last few months training it showed.

As the first wave was dieing down Naraku finally noticed Kagura and her weak attacks. Just as planned he reached for heart. Kagura sent her signal to Kagome on the breeze and Kagome readied her arrow. Once it was clear of Naraku's shirt she fired.

The arrow was very bright in its intensity as Kagome funneled most of her anger and frustration into it. Striking Naraku mid arm and a wave of energy rolled over him making him scream.

“You Filthy BITCH! How dare you use that attack against me TWICE!” Naraku snarled totally forgetting Kagura's power over the wind as she gently but quickly rolled her heart towards her.

Before Naraku could contemplate his next attack Kanna stepped out from behind him and began to pull his soul in. “You betray me now Kanna?” Naraku asked as his tentacle slashed out unexpectedly and knocked her to the side. “I created you! You think that you can take my soul?” He hit her again knocking the child void unconscious. “You will pay for that later Kanna!”

This unexpected turn of events had the Inu-Tachi group at a near stand still. Kanna and Kagura were supposed to be gone in order to weaken him. Though he had made other incarnations they were nearly mindless so that they would obey without question.

Kagome in a desperate attempt to allow Kagura enough time to snatch up Kanna fired another arrow. The arrow was not as powerful and Naraku noticed this turning his full attention on her.

“It seems you grow tired Kagome. Perhaps you are the weaker incarnation of Kikyo after all.” Even though he was half way across the battle field Kagome could still hear him talk as if he were right next to her. “Come to me Kagome and I will kill her for you. No longer will you be second best to a shadow.”

Kagome's anger was on the rise as she could not understand how he was talking to her without being near her. His offer wasn't even tempting for Inuyasha and her had worked out everything weeks ago under the protection of the western palace. Sesshoumaru learned of Kanna's abilities and knew of others so he had fine tuned his barriers to keep her invading mirror out. Naraku was at a loss at to what had happened over the past few months and didn't realize probably due to Kanna's soul stealing attempt that everything he had been seeing was a carefully orchestrated lie.

“Shut up Naraku. Your lies will not allow you to win.”

“Ah but you will.” His evil chuckle slithered down her back raising goose bumps.

Grumbling to herself about conceited bastards she readied another arrow. Waiting for the perfect moment as the others surrounded her in a lose circle for protection. The amount of demons being killed was staggering as the carcasses were thrown off swords and claws into make shift piles of soon to be rotting flesh.

The carnage was nearly overwhelming and just as Kagome was about to release her arrow a dark light lit the field and surrounded her. The clear light began to darken blocking out the battle that still raged. It seemed no one else could see it and for the first time Kagome was alone in her battle directly against Naraku.

“Such a pretty little thing you are. You have held my interests for some time miko. Your purity and selflessness has finally given you to me. You could have cried out and directed attention to you but you refuse to distract the fighters from the battle. Now you are alone with me. You shall become my dark queen my dear. Your shattered heart will be my prize as your friends now die.”

“Where are we?”

“Do you not recognize this place? You have been here several times.”

“It is to dark for me to recognize anything.”

“Ah… I forgot you only have human eyesight, perhaps this will help.” light suddenly was all around her. The view was just simply vast white space with only a hint of darkness at the edges of her vision. Nothing seemed familiar.

“Do you still not know where we are? Should I enlighten you?” Kagome growled at him. “We are in your mind and soul…” he laughed and it was as sinister as she remembered.

“What do you mean? How can we be in my soul?”

“Ah but you do not have all of your soul…I have in my possession the rest of it…Kikyo has been most helpful in slowly tainting your soul for the corruption of the jewel.”

“Impossible. Kikyo would never allow you to taint our soul…wait your heart…oh my Kami.”

“Yes now do you see? I have my heart but it was always my desire to see her tainted with hate and malice just as I was. I had no fight at all once I learned how to imprison Kikyo in her own mind. I allowed her hate and anger to grow I filled her mind with visions of you and Inuyasha that furthered her hate. Now she darkens your soul with these feelings and I now have what I need to control you and the jewel. For you will never escape your own mind.”

With that Naraku left her in the endless space of her own mind, weaponless, defenseless, and lost as to how to get back.

~~Break ~~

Naraku retreated to his study to watch as his puppet continued his battle. He had a few lose ends to tie up. Kikyo was where he left her staring out the window at the battle below. A truly lifeless doll now that he controlled her. It was time for her soul to join the other miko's. He was sure now that Kikyo had given up the fight and became dark that she would have no trouble taking over the miko's body. Giving him a chance for a live miko queen, one that he could torture, main, and rape to his heart's content. Yes it was now so close to being finished. His link to her soul would allow him to monitor the situation. Pulling the doll up he placed his hands on her neck and for a moment had his heart fight not to kill her but he was now in control and silenced it. With a quick and efficient move he snapped her neck and tore it from her body. It released the unused souls and a bigger light rose out of the animated clay body. It was not as dark as he would have liked but it was well on its way and he would have time to darken it further once Kikyo won over the body.

~~Break ~~

Standing around was accomplishing nothing so I started to explore my so called prison. It always seemed that I could never reach the end of the white space. I sat down trying to think of a way out when suddenly I felt another presence and I shivered at the amount of hate in it.

“You! You will cease to be reincarnation! I shall have this living body and take Inuyasha with me!” Kikyo appeared in astral form her being was nearly entirely blackened with her hate.

“Why?” was all I could think to ask. I mean sure she had tried to kill me once and threatened others but now it seemed she was out for blood or in this case my body.

“You are unfit to have this soul and this body. You have defiled it with your wanton ways and conniving heart! Inuyasha was never to know the secrets of a woman's body until he was human!”

`Okay. She has lost it. Is she accusing me of sleeping with Inuyasha? Why would she think that? Come to think of it how did she get here? Isn't she supposed to have a body of her own? Unless…'

“Wait a minute there Kikyo! Are you accusing me of sleeping with Inuyasha?” I asked as I ducked an energy bolt of dark power.

“Yes you wench! I have seen with my own eyes your treachery. Luring Inuyasha into marking you!” she screamed as her hands rose for another attack.

“But I haven't slept with him! Naraku captured you and filled your head with his visions! I have done nothing but train!”

“Train you say? Then why aren't you fighting back? I would know if they were visions! I have control over my power unlike you!”

“What can I say to convince you of the truth? Naraku wants you to win!”

“Who cares what he wants? I want your death and I shall have it!” suddenly a barrier appeared and surrounded her. Kikyo began a chant and lighting like strips of powers danced along the barrier waiting for direction.

“Kikyo Inuyasha still cares about you! If you don't believe me ask him yourself! I have not done anything with Inuyasha for he has been too focused on training in order to become stronger so that you could rest in peace once he killed Naraku!” I was desperate for I was unsure about my ability to doge lightening attacks of her power. My defense training required real weapons to focus my power. I was so screwed.

“Lies!! All Lies. Inuyasha has forgotten me thanks to the wiles of your body. He has become a devoted love slave!”

`Okay reasoning with a crazy bitch is getting me no where. She seems to no longer care if she lives to see Naraku's death. Whatever the spell was that he placed on her is keeping her from the truth. Perhaps I can break that? It's my only hope.' Concentrating I built up my power. Since I had no real training I tried to infuse it with purpose instead of prayer and chants. Kikyo seemed to be out of it and it gave me a chance to release my attack first.

It streaked across the white space between us like a phoenix in flight. Instead of my usual pink it was actually orange in color with limbs of power stretched out like wings. It hit kikyo's barrier full force and collided with her energy. Like a ball of fire the powers rolled and clashed. Expanding and shrinking so fast it was like the beating of a heart.

Kagome could feel her powers straining and knew it wasn't enough; she had to try something else. `But what?' Thinking fast she gathered her energy again but this time decided to attack the edges of the white space that were still dark to hopefully loosen Naraku's hold on her soul. In what would have been a stunning light show Kagome released her energy and like an erupting volcano Her first attack was over powered by her latest and yet it was also infused breaking the spell Naraku had over Kikyo and the visions disappeared from her memory like a bad dream.

The edges of her vision flared but the darkness was still there. Looking around Kagome tried to find out how her attack went only to see the astral Kikyo on her knees. Slightly worried that she was going to attack again Kagome tried to gather more energy but was exhausted.

“What have you done?” asked Kikyo.

“What do you mean?”

“I remember visions but now they do not seem real as they did before.”

“They weren't real Naraku had help from someone to capture you in your mind. He put those visions there and you allowed him to taint our soul.” I said angerly.

“Taint our soul? No I allowed myself to taint mine for your transgressions against my…”

“You can't say it can you? You want to say your man but he isn't a man at least not entirely. He is a hanyou and he is accepted for the way he is!”

“By who? Who could love a hanyou?” she screamed.

“Well I accept HIM and so do our friends!” I yelled back and for a moment she was quite.

“You mean my pathetic reincarnation, a lecherous monk, a weak demon slayer, and a kit accept him. Why am I not surprised that the useless band together?” that stung.

“We are not useless! You are the one that succumbed to Naraku's tricks! You are the one that allowed him to Win! We might have been blinded for a while but we came to our senses and you have not! If you did you would see that you are supposed to be dead! Our soul was meant to be with Inuyasha with him as he is not as a human. You couldn't accept that so I was born!” she sneered as she stood up again.

“I do not care what you think. I will have your body and I will live again the life that I was meant to! Inuyasha will become human even if I have to purify him to do it!” Worry for my friend and my love suddenly gave me the power boost I needed. `Kikyo thought I was weak did she? Well I'd show that bitch a thing or two.'

Kikyo was to upset to notice my regaining energy. I was just so angry that I felt like a dam had broken and energy came flaring into me. It roared over me and obliterated the white space with the shadows dancing along the edges and Kikyo screamed one last time as her spirit faded away purified and put to rest all in one quick move.

Some how when I opened my eyes I noticed that I was still on the battle field and everyone but me looked worse for wear. Unsure as to how long I was out but I could feel the anger of Naraku's energy teasing my senses. Sesshoumaru and his general s were still battling while surrounding Inuyasha as he rested against the untransformed fang of his father. Worry shot through me.

Gathering my dropped weapons I ran into the fray and the energy that helped me defeat Kikyo was still with me giving me the strength to defeat enough enemies to give everyone some breathing room. The sun had begun to set before I reached Inuyasha only to find him near comatose. Fear replaced the worry and I reached out to him willing it to heal him.

Bright pink flared through out the field and instead of healing just Inuyasha healed everyone of their present wounds. Nearly fainting I fell into Inuyasha arms as he regained movement.

“Kagome?” he whispered.

“Inu…yas..ha..” I replied using my hand to touch his cheek. “You are okay…I am happy..” I was losing ground to the darkness.

“Kagome are you going to be alright?” he asked urgently. My fading vision still allowed me to see his concern and I nodded ever so slightly. “We need to get you back to base camp.”

“Need to finish Naraku.” I whispered.

“You are no help right now Kagome. You used to much energy to heal everyone. We have to get out of here.”

“kay..” My last thought was that I hoped everyone else was okay.

~~~Flash~~~

“She needs help Milord. She tapped into her soul and used her life force to heal everyone. She nearly burned herself up and if it wasn't for the fact that her body refused to channel all of her energy is the most likely only reason that she is still alive.”

“So what can we do? Sesshoumaru and his army are now attacking trying to keep the bastard pinned down till she wakes. We need her to get the jewel away from him.”

“She needs a transfer of a massive amount of energy. She is perilously close to the edge.”

“Who can give it to her? We are both needed on the front.”

“I will. I am a healer though I am youkai and that she gave herself for the cause will not allow my honor to do less.” With that the healer took her hand and Kagome wondered what he meant by giving himself it sounded so final. Kagome did not have long to think about it as the energy again roared into her allowing her to regain her strength and after a while she began to direct it to the parts of herself that needed it the most.

It took precious time to replenish her energy and as she opened her eyes she saw one of the most beautiful faces she had ever seen. His eyes were husky blue so light they were almost like crystal with a small nose pointed nose and full lips. Blond hair so fair it was almost white and pointed ears. Green slash marks crossed his cheeks like Sesshoumaru's and had the whitest to teeth. His hands held her right one and were still glowing.

“You my dear have a much too large of a soul.” He turned to Inuyasha. “Tell my mate that I am sorry it seems that I finally gave too much.”

Right before her eyes he began to turn into dust being purified now that he had given all his energy to restore her. Kagome screamed trying to reverse the flow of energy to save him but it was too late. Tears streamed down her face as Inuyasha moved to her side.

“Why did he do that?! The idiot. No one should have died for me.” She cried.

“If I had known it would take his life Kagome I would have said something. However, he did not have time to send for someone else and we need you back on the front. His sacrifice will not be in vain if you hurry.”

“Why? Why couldn't he have help? Couldn't you have given a little so that my powers wouldn't have killed him? I mean I healed you right? You have had time to recover right?”

“I am a hanyou Kagome.”

“So?”

“I can not transform my energy like full demons can. He changed his life force so that it was similar enough for you to use. He would have died faster if he had to use his energy to change mine and his.”

“Oh.”

“His made peace with what he did Kagome. Honor him and I will pass along his request. His name shall be recorded in history and his family will have a place of honor in court. Sesshoumaru will make sure that his mate and family are taken care of. Now get dressed Kagome we must go.”

~~Flash~~

Inuyasha was leaping through the trees with his usual grace but in a much more hurried manner racing to the front lines in order to find Naraku. Kagome could feel the energy around her and tried to pick out the jewel's in the mass of youki in the area.

Looking around turned out to be a mistake on her part since all she could see was a red haze from the blood spilled into the air and body parts on tree limbs and piles high enough that they seemed to be grotesque trees of flesh.

Pressing her forehead and eyes into Inuyasha's back she again called upon her powers to try and locate the jewel Feeling its pulse of tainted malice some where off to the left she pointed a finger and Inuyasha dashed off at greater speed.

Arriving in a secluded spot far away from the rest they found Naraku holding his chest and in his less impressive form divulging demons that were dead. It seemed that whatever spell he had cast to try and conquer Kagome backfired.

“Now you die Naraku!”

“Ah Inuyasha just the half-breed I need.”

Terror struck Kagome as she quickly realized that Naraku was going to try and merge Inuyasha with himself again. Naraku needed a temporary energy boost just like she had but he had more demons to revive then she had soul.

“Never Naraku! I will not let you take him or anyone else again. Today is your final day I broke your spell on Kikyo and sent her to her rest purified so that her hate no longer follows her. Now it is your turn.” Inuyasha had set Kagome down and they took their fighting stances. Kagome had her arrow trained on Naraku waiting for him to make his move.

His body hummed with movement as more carcasses were dumped from his body and his energy slowly re-growing. Though Kagome knew that he got stronger as each moment passed she couldn't help but feel that something was still off. With her soul restored she knew that this was the real Naraku but it seemed that he always had another trick or plan up his sleeve. It seemed off that he would be here all alone…unless he wasn't!

“Inuyasha call for Sesshoumaru! Naraku is up to his tricks again!” she screamed.

“It seems that your complete soul is much smarter then you were girl. However, it's too late.” From behind Naraku emerged another what they assumed was an incarnate. The body was too mis-shapened to tell whether it was male of female though Kagome assumed male.

“Now it is two against two no? My final incarnation and myself against my two oldest foes. For make no mistake you are the oldest. All others over the past 60 years have fallen to my hand.”

“That doesn't make any sense Naraku for your Onigumo half was bested or how else were you found by Kikyo?” Kagome asked as she fired an arrow hoping to find another weak spot in his barrier.

“Who said I wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time? Caught in a cross attack perhaps?”

“Because Kikyo's memories of the past few years are now mine! She met your old buddy who told you of the jewel and how he hoped that leaving out the she was protected by a hanyou that it would lead to your death! She found an old man and asked her to place his top not on Mt. Hakurei(sp?). He is the one the set the fire to that brothel when you and your men were inside.”

“It matters not for he is dead now no? He asked a dead priestess to travel where he could not. It still has no bearing on the fact that you are the oldest enemies that are about to die.”

“It does have a point you fool! It means that not all fell to yours hands. That old man lost to the hands of time. Just as Inuyasha and I will. You however, will not get that luxury.”

Inuyasha swung his red Tetsusaiga and finally broke the weakened barrier. As Kagome and Naraku talked he issued a pack call that his brother had taught him. It was sub vocalized so Naraku couldn't hear it. Inuyasha soon got the response he was hoping for. Sesshoumaru's army finally stepped in and were cleaning up the previous battle site and it was about to leave Sesshoumaru and his generals free to come help.

~~Flash~~

Sesshoumaru could hear his brother's call but he was no where on the battle field. A slight worry filled him as he realized that Naraku had indeed been getting away as he was forced to battle the majority of under class demons that didn't seem to end. He himself had finally issued the call for reinforcements and they were slowly but surely clearing the field of enemies. Gathering up his fresher generals he made his way deeper into the forest beyond listening for the pack call to lead him to his brother.

It never ceased to amaze him the power in one human female, especially mikos. Back to back they stood protecting each other as they waited for him. He charged the filed and so did his generals sweeping aside the massive tentacles and other appendages.

So quickly were people moving that even with his eyesight he was having trouble keeping up. Suddenly he heard Naraku laugh and something finally strike his back and through to the front of his chest.

“Bring him here. His energy and body will be a perfect fit for me!” Sesshoumaru tried to move but whatever had pierced him also had paralyzed him.

“Inuyasha! Help your brother!” screamed the miko. Loosing consciousness during battle was never a good thing and most likely deadly. However, he was given little choice as he was forced into the darkness with a stern shake.

~~Flash~~

Sesshoumaru my deadly brother was dragged to Naraku's side like a dead dear to the roasting pit. Naraku incarnation it seemed had the power to blur its body so all you saw when it attacked were several fading images, like moving your hand fast across the front of a fire or light. Sesshoumaru couldn't see the incarnations appendages from Naraku's and thus found himself pinned and now paralyzed by one.

After all the battles, the cruel barbed word exchanges, and the misunderstandings they had finally come to work together. He had finally seen just how much pressure Sesshoumaru was under during the time he trained in his castle. He understood why Sesshoumaru had hated him but that was in the past. They had begun to work past it and Naraku was trying to take him away. Kagome's scream awoke him to the danger and attacked with renewed furry.

~~Flash~~

Inuyasha attacked and the generals kept his back protected. I was in a semi circle of my own guards as they had handed me a new quiver full of arrows to use. I was keeping my shots centered near Sesshoumaru to keep Naraku from pulling him into his body. But my powers though renewed by the healer were beginning to wane again. My body was channeling too much energy too quickly for it to recover from my own strength.

Inuyasha had finally reached Sesshoumaru and I had to stop my attacks for fear of hitting Inuyasha. The battle was going well until the incarnation seemed to come alive again and attacked. Inuyasha had seen what to look out for but again it was to fast to stop pinning Inuyasha much like he had Sesshoumaru and I watched in horror as Inuyasha went still. It felt like my heart had stopped beating as everything came to a stop. Naraku replaced his barrier and forgot about us as he began to change and wrap the brother's in his flesh. My feet walked numbly to the edge of the barrier and once the brother's were entirely covered he began to laugh. It was horrible and my worst fears were beginning to be realized.

“Full blooded generals quickly come to me! I have need of your strength!” I cried out. A few wearily came to my side. “Hurry there isn't much time! I learned today that full blooded demons can change their energy right?” a hesitated nod all around. “I can defeat him but my energy is too low both from the battle earlier today and now. If you could loan me the strength and power the day is not yet lost!” I reverently hoped that this would work but it had to as I felt the power begin to drain away from the brothers.

“Join hands with me! Hurry or we will all be killed!” I set my own barrier up and gathered their energy as quickly as I could but this time I ensured that I didn't take too much and kill them. One by one they fell to my feet unconscious from the fast energy drain. Keeping the barrier in place to protect them I could feel their minds with me as I reached up a hand and began to press against the barrier. I reached for Tetsusaiga's power for shield breaking and the attack from within and with out broke the barrier.

“The brothers will never be yours Naraku.” Kagome's voice had taken on the tone of her power the avenging of all the innocent life that had been lost, an angle come to earth to rectify the life Satin's son, and the woman who stood for love. Her body glowed white in her need and her hair blossomed to a blond gold as even her hair held power as it swayed in its own air currents. Her soul called out to the brothers anchoring them away from Naraku's power. Pulling them back into their bodies and away from the mass of writhing flesh before her.

Naraku tried to strike Kagome again and again but her power destroyed his tentacles before they even had the strength to reach her. Slowly striding forward she made Naraku move away. Raising her hand she gathered power much like she had with Kikyo but smaller and once she gathered enough she sent it at the incarnation and it disappeared in the roaring flames of purity.

“Now you are alone Naraku. You have either destroyed your allies or they have been destroyed by us. Do you have any last words?”

“Fuck you bitch!” Naraku tried one last time to steal the brother's strength and attacked with every once of miasma he had. Kagome was forced to her knees under the force of trying to keep up the purifying energy. In a desperate attempt to keep him from winning she brought her hands into a prayer position and begged the gods and the earth for strength to eradicate this menace. At first she thought she hadn't been heard but slowly more power came to her from where she didn't know but it was welcome.

The tied was turned and Naraku knew it but there was nothing he could do. He had committed everything to the attack and now her power anchored him in placed much like his incarnation had to the brothers and could only watch as his 60 years of hard work was slowly turned to ash. He tried to call upon the jewel but it was oddly silent and as he pulled it from his robes to try and force it to help him he saw a small woman in armor in side the sphere grinning at him in impish delight. His final thoughts were now he knew where her power had come from for the miko in the jewel had won and she lended her power to another. His body was soon nothing but ash upon the wind.

The power that Kagome had used disappeared quicker then it had come leaving her to collapse upon the ground breathing hard. She slowly rolled over to see the two brothers safe a few feet away and was then happy to surrender to the blissful sweetness of sleep.

~~Flash~~

Later once she had awakened she found herself on a cot in the base camp tent surrounded by other mikos that Kaede had spoken for praying over her body. Once she had shooed them away the Inuyasha and gang had come to check up on her. They explained that Midoriko had called out to the brothers and had asked them to release some energy to her so that she could win her battle and then help her.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha had not been in any real danger of becoming absorbed unless they had allowed themselves to be. Naraku had reached his limit with loosing as much power as he had. The brothers combined was to much for him to handle and if he let one go he would have allowed the other to awake and attack. The power that Kagome had felt going into him had been diverted to the jewel and then directly to Midoriko who changed the energy and then used it to triumph in the jewel.

Once everything was explained they also mentioned that a few generals had awakened in time to see her kill Naraku and had watched in awe as her glowing body took down the darkness. Once she had collapsed the generals had brought all three back to camp for treatment. It had been two days since the battle before she awoke and the mikos had been lending Kagome energy and purifying the jewel while around so many demons. Though Midoriko had won the taint in the air was enough that it could cause her battle to begin again which no one wanted.

Together they packed everything up into a small wagon and has a couple demon horses who could run nearly as fast as Kirara could fly were given to the Inuyasha group for their journey home with Sesshoumaru, Rin, Ah-Un, and Jaken accompanying.

~~Flash~~

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome made the final arrangements to finally make a wish upon the jewel. The color was so clear that it was almost white. Standing on the temple grounds surrounded by the village it was clear that many were over joyed that the jewel would finally be gone. Miroku had set up a barrier that allowed only those who supported the decision through. It was no surprise that a few did not make it. While it didn't mean they had designs on the jewel it just meant that their heart didn't trust Kagome or they wanted to use the jewel for their own purposes.

Kagome chanted the chant she had learned over the past few days. While she wasn't training she had played with the children of the village along with Shippo and Rin. Everyone could see that she hoped to remain here once the wish was done but the fear of being gone shadowed her eyes and smiles.

However, it did not stop her today. She had cleansed herself both body and spirit to ensure the safety of everyone. No doubts, no worries, No fear. Silently she made her wish and all were blinded by the light. Only the demons present could see a phantom Midoriko rise up and merge with Kagome as the jewel disappeared.

When the light died down and she was still solid a sigh of relief was felt through out the crowd. It was only when Shippo went to jump into her arms that they realized that she was fading away. Sesshoumaru watched as Inuyasha rushed forward to try and hang onto her and both could see her trying to say something but her voice was already gone. The last to go were her eyes that had been filled with tears and one tear had leaked out to splash upon the ground seemingly as loud as a scream in the silence and then she was gone. Inuyasha had crumpled to the ground as if he was a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Slowly his memory of her began to fade and dim as if because she was no longer here it too had to fade. Shrugging it off as the after effects of the wish and the fact that the jewel took her he turned to go. Taking a quick sniff of the air he realized that his brother was crying and he realized that it was the first time he knew of that his brother cried. Looking over his shoulder he saw the life draining out of him.

“Inuyasha there is nothing you can do she is gone. Come we will continue your training and perhaps you will find someone else.”

“There is no one else. I will wait.” And with that cryptic statement he rose and turned to follow him.

“Inuyasha! Take me with you!” screamed the kit.

“Come Shippo.” The kit hopped onto Inuyasha's shoulder and together they left leaving the weeping demon slayer, monk, and miko behind. He never returned to the village though he knew they did on occasion for quite some time.

~~End of final Battle~~

Kin awoke from the memories and looked around to see everyone else opening their eyes. His mate had tears in hers and so did Eyrein but the other three were silent and stoic. His nerves were shot and he felt like he was trembling.

“I did a mind joining, all of us here experienced the same memories and emotions. Though I can not explain how the fading of these memories occurred that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru along with most of those at the battle forgot it. I could sense no evil in the hiding of these memories it is like someone wished to ease the passing so dimmed them.” said Eyrein.

“Perhaps Midoriko?” asked Inuyasha.

“Perhaps. However, there are more things to accomplish right uncle? We need to discuss your participation in the ceremony tonight. I would appreciate you guarding Inuyasha's throne as he passes over to mine in the presentation. I want a united front and people to know that we are now on the same side. It would increase our standing among the courts.” Kin tried to pull himself together and process everything. It seemed like ages ago that he entered the room but a discreet glance at the clock showed only an hour and a half had passed.

“Very well my mate and I will sit at Inuyasha's table and my children at yours. I hope Lord Enti does not cause a scene and try and get you to change your mind to one of his off spring again.”

“We all hope for that Uncle. So what is this gift you brought that is taking up considerable floor space?” said Sesshoumaru.

“This is something I took when I was your regent and I thought that the body of your father would be recovered. When it wasn't and you didn't ask for it I kept it as a reminder of my brother.” He watched as Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed.

He stood and walked over to the glass case and gripped the sheet tightly. Bracing himself he quickly removed and sheet and watched with intense interest the reactions to the brothers and the miko. Only Sesshoumaru wore any resembles of recognition of his face.

“Where did you find that Uncle?” asked Sesshoumaru with a deadly tone in his voice.

“It was where it always was. I planned on having Toshiro buried in the family plot so I took his armor to my manner until his body was retrieved. Once it became obvious that it wasn't and since you never asked for it I assumed that you didn't want it. It wasn't until recently that I thought that the reason you didn't ask for it was because you either didn't know of it or thought it was stolen or lost.”

“Yes I knew of it. I helped father create it when he taught me to repair my armor. I was unsure whether he had had both sets with him when he went to formally challenge the dragon. It never turned up once I had leave to enter his room so I had thought it lost.”

“I am sorry Sesshoumaru. Your strong opinions about your father were well known. For the longest time I believed that you wished to have nothing to remind you of him and therefore didn't ask for the return of the armor. I see I have done you a disservice but I am here to return it to you for my gift to your finally selecting a house breeder.”

“I thank you uncle. It seems you have taken very good care of it. I shall make a place for it after tonight.”

“I am glad to see that you like your gift Sesshoumaru. My mate and I will take our leave now and prepare for tonight. I have some thinking to do and questions to prepare. Until this evening nephew.”

“Till this evening Uncle.” Said the brothers together.

End of chapter 71