InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Feud: A Marriage Made In Heaven ❯ Joining The Meeting ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: S. O .S. (Same ole' Shit)

Author Response: Thank you all who reviewed I really appreciate it! I didn't think so many people would like this! I'm truly honored.

The Feud: Book I: A Marriage Made In Heaven.

Chapter 4: Joining The Meeting!!

Toutousai thought about his two closest friends and the woman, Tsunami, who'd started this war; long dead now. The two Lords of the past had been in love with the beauty and she... she'd loved them both as well. Her father had pledged her hand to one Lord, like father's were want to do in those days, while she in turn had promised her hand to the other Lord in private. At the same time the land in question had belonged to the woman, given to her by a late grandmother or other (if he remembered correctly), and it was meant to go to the man she married. When the first Lord had shown up to claim his bride, the second Lord had not been far behind. It didn't help matters that the two Taiyoukais had been friends since before they could walk. In the end no marriage had taken place, the woman had died, and a war had begun... a war that would last 400 years.

He'd never imagined he'd live to see the end of the war, after all the woman who'd in a sense caused the war had been his cousin. He'd always imagined he'd die in battle or under sneaky circumstances like so many before him had. It had been very difficult staying neutral in the battle between the two great families... and very sad. These two families had been friends for many years and many believed they would stay friends for many more. No one had ever imagined something could break the bond between these two families.

`There is a thin line between love and hate,' thought the old man wearily. He was tired of all the fighting. He wanted to rest and for once he had a feeling that the Emperor's decree, scary though it was, was probably his way of getting it. Provided the children in question didn't kill each other in the process. Toutousai wasn't stupid though, he knew that these marriages was the one way to push them right back into battle as well. At this point, it could go either way. The only problem now is that he knew the Emperor's own army would join the fighting this time... which meant that there would be much more blood shed. It was possible that every family member could die in the battle and if the Emperor so chose he could try to strip both families of their lands and title. And everyone knew that Tao was not a patient man, if this idea didn't show progress and that it had a hope of working there was no telling what the Emperor would do.

What really worried the old black smith was the fact that there was obviously someone else playing in the game... and whoever that person was, they were out to destroy both families.

Toutousai sighed heavily. Whoever the hidden enemy was, he wondered if he knew that if either Lord ever got evidence to prove their existence that he would be the resounding reason to bring these two families back together; a common enemy... that wasn't each other. He'd have to wait and see how things went and if things didn't seem to be going the right way, why then he'd just help it along a bit. `There's still some match making powers in these old bones of mine.'

Toutousai sensed the girls were just up ahead of him outside of their father's billiards room. And they were all together, he was happy to note. He'd hate to have to track each one down in the large castle. When he spotted them he floated over to them. He couldn't get over how beautiful they all were standing there in their fine gowns.

He smiled his gaped tooth smile when they saw him floating their way.

"Toutousai-san," smiled Sango. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, fine."

Kagome stepped forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Good to hear that Toutousai-san."

Kikyou smiled and gave him a hug. He was the one person who she always showed genuine affection for. He was the first person to help her understand her power.

"Hello Toutousai-san," she whispered into his ear before stepping back.

"So, Papa send you for us?" asked Sango with a glint in her chocolate eyes.

"Hai, they are ready for you and the young men."

The girls exchanged a look before turning back to the man who was like an ojiisan to them. They smiled at him and nodded their heads in understanding.

"Alright, Toutousai-san. Tell father we are on our way, onegai."

Toutousai looked from one girl to the next, and the next. He could tell from the look in their eyes that they were up to something.

"What are you three planning?" he asked suspiciously.

"Nothing ojiisan," smiled Kagome sweetly. "We would not dare to embarrass Papa in such a way."

`Okay now I know they're up to something,' he thought with a huff and tried his hardest to smother his laughter. He couldn't help appreciating a good prank. He knew they only called him `ojiisan' when they wanted him to shut up and be happy.

Toutousai sighed and took his leave of his favorite girls. He knew he could say nothing to change their minds, besides he was kind of hoping to get a good show. He laughed at the thought as he floated away.

The girls watched as the old man left laughing to himself. They shook their heads affectionately at his retreating form.

"Well, as I was saying the one I met was beautiful and rude! I have a feeling he's the one that we've heard about. Trust me, if there's one thing he is, its beautiful," said Kagome with a twist of her lips. `Not to mention an asshole of the first kind!'

"I used my powers in front of him."

"WHAT?!?"

Sango and Kagome turned to their sister with identical startled looks on their faces. They couldn't believe what they just heard. Kikyou never made mistakes like that

"I don't know what happened. I could sense all these mixed emotions running through him. He was handsome and torn. I was curious... and the next thing I knew he was asking me about the glow," she explained simply.

They stared at her passive face in shock. They wondered about this son that could make their very practical sister forget her ways. They knew she was worried though, even though they couldn't see it. They knew her too well to not be able to understand her.

"What was his reaction?" asked Kagome quietly.

"I gave him some lame line and confused him, but I know he is not going to forget what he saw...or rather what he thinks he saw. I think it will be a problem later."

"What do you mean?" asked Sango. She didn't like the sound of her sister's voice.

"I mean that it will be a problem. I don't think he is going to like knowing someone can sense everything he feels. I feel it will be even worse if I turn out to be his bride."

"Hmm," they sighed in unison.

"Yes, hmm."

"What about you Sango? Did you meet one too?"

"Yes, I met the one I'm to marry."

"How do you know?" asked Kagome.

Kikyou already had a good idea how Sango knew.

"He had black hair. Papa said he was the only one who had that color remember. The other two have hair of a silver-whitish shade."

Kikyou and Kagome exchanged looks; one worried, the other calm. They knew what that meant.

"Well, since we've decided to make them wait... lets go see if we can find Dygee, Kirara and Mala," Kagome suggested as a way to pass the time.

They all agreed and headed in the opposite direction that Toutousai had gone in.

"I must return to the library for my shoes, before we join Papa and the rest."

Sango and Kagome looked down at Kikyou's feet clad only in her stockings and immediately busted out laughing. The last time they'd ever seen their sister walk around without shoes she was eight years old.

"Wow, that guy must have really done a number on you Ki!" said Sango in amazement. Using the nickname for her sister that only her and Kagome could get away with.

Kikyou arched an eyebrow at her sisters as she walked beside them; never once cracking a smile.

**Lord Onigumo's Office**

Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha and Mirouku entered the open office in a line. They took up their spots once more behind the chair their father was lounging in.

Onigumo watched the boys return and wished his own daughters would be so prompt. He stared at the oldest boy as he took in his attire. He was wearing an all white, pristine suit, double breasted with pleated pants. The jacket fit his wide shoulders perfectly as it tapered down to his waist and just pass. Onigumo had to admit the younger man looked good in white. Not many men could wear that much white and not look pale, but he carried it off well. Actually, all of the boys looked nice. The middle son wore a similar suit in a dark red color, like rust, and the last son wore a deep purple a couple of shades darker then his eyes. They all had a strong build and were thin. They made an impressive picture. `Almost as impressive as his girls did...or would when they decided to show up!' he thought in disgust. He knew his daughters were deliberately being late.

Onigumo leaned his head back and stared up at his ceiling and prayed to Kami for patience... patience to keep from killing his daughters when they arrived.

"Higurashi."

Onigumo lowered his eyes to the Taiyoukai and arched a brow in question.

"Are they coming? Any time today?"

"Of course they are," he sighed as he leaned back again and returned his gaze to the ceiling. "The question is when today are they coming?"

"Can you not call to them?"

"I have done that already Masaharu," he said annoyedly. Like he didn't think of that already. "They are blocking me."

"They can do this?" asked InuTaisho in astonishment.

`Kagome could,' he thought sourly, but did not say it aloud. He figured he might as well let him believe all his daughters could, since the other two were ignoring him completely.

"Yes."

Just then Onigumo became aware of an incessant taping and turned in the direction of the infernal noise. His eyes fell on the magistrate's fingers... they were taping against the edge of his desk. Onigumo felt a tick start in the back of his right eye so he shut his eyes and counted to ten before he made the mistake of separating the magistrate's hand from its arm.

"Juno."

"Yes, my lord."

"Stop that taping. Please."

"Ah," the magistrate looked down at his hand and removed it from the beautiful mahogany desk nervously. He had no idea he was taping, but he saw the look in Higurashi's eyes and decided not to press his luck. "My apologies, my lord."

Onigumo nodded and leaned his head back once more. He concentrated on controlling his temper.

The magistrate had returned to wait for the brides and grooms to make their appearance so they could sign the necessary papers and then he could go home. The men had shown up over an hour ago.... it was the brides he was waiting on. He was starting to wonder if they were even going to show up.

He noticed that the `husbands had long since given up their spots behind their father and were now leaned against the far wall as they waited. The oldest son had his hands shoved in his pockets and his right leg bent at the knee with the foot resting against the wall he was leaning on. His chin was resting on his chest with the long tail of his hair pulled over his shoulder. His eyes were closed. The second son was beside him, but he was sitting on the floor with his back to the wall; arms and legs folded separately in Indian fashion. His hair was flowing free down his back. His eyes were closed as well, but Juno did not think he was sleeping either... just merely waiting like the rest of them. Beside him was the youngest lord, who looked exactly like his father, was also leaned against the wall his arms folded across his chest with his feet crossed at the ankles. His head was also bowed and his eyes were closed.

Juno couldn't help noticing the family resemblance in their stance and bearing. He had a feeling the sons had more in common then they thought. He leaned back in his seat and folded his hands in his lap this time as he waited. He fought another sigh of impatience.

They all felt a moment of hope when Toutousai entered the room, but it deflated quickly when they realized that he was, indeed, alone.

Toutousai moved to sit mid-air beside Lord InuTaisho. He figured that was the best spot in the room where he would miss none of the fireworks.

**Another hour later**

When they arrived at their father's office the girls came to a screeching halt just inside the doorway. All three pair of eyes fell on the youkai dressed all in white leaning against the wall with one leg bent at the knee and the foot resting on the wall behind him.

When the youkai in question lifted his head at their arrival they all sucked in their breaths audibly... for different reasons.

`Oh wow! He's hot!'

`Argh!!'

`Oh, thank Kami!'

They all had a different thought at once. Sango couldn't believe how beautiful the oldest son was as her eyes widened in surprise. Kagome counted to ten and took a deep breath to control her anger. Kikyou was just happy to see that Inuyasha was NOT the one rumored about. `NOW, the rumors make sense. This one is beautiful.'

Kagome made the link between her and her sisters for the second time that day. "So, is that all of them?"

"Yes."

"Yep!"

"Hn. Which one am I marrying Sango?"

Sango grew uneasy.

"Ah..."

Kagome couldn't believe her sister still wasn't telling her!. "I know Papa mad his decision already!"

"He did." Kikyou's voice chimed in. Though you couldn't tell by looking at her; she was getting a kick out of the growing argument going on in her head.

Sango gave her sister a good glare for butting in. `Shimatta! If all she was going to do was state the obvious, she could've shut up!'

"I heard that."

"Good." Actually Sango had forgot for a moment about the link, but she patted herself on the back for covering it up with a quick come back... then she remembered exactly what her sister's power was. `The bitch probably sensed my surprise.'

"I did."

"Argh! Dammit! Kagome!!"

"Serves you right for not telling me!"

"Kagome..."

"Sango."

Kagome glared at her sister. All she wanted was to be sure she wasn't marrying him. Was that too much to ask for?!

"Sango if you don't tell me, I swear on your grave I'-"

"I don't have a grave," she cut in.

Kagome's eyes narrowed as her irritation grew. "Not yet."

*~~*

Duchess: "Walked right into that one didn't she?!" ::giggles::

Fang: "DUCHESS!!"

Duchess: "Alright, sheesh!"

*~~*

"Threaten my life all you like little sister, but--"

"Sango... please?" she interrupted with a plea.

Sango sighed. She knew Kagome wasn't going to like her answer. That's why she didn't want to be the one to tell her. She thought their father should be the one to deal with Kagome's anger.

"Alright..." Sango sighed and turned her gaze to the youkai leaning against the wall once more. "Is he the one you met in the garden?" She knew he was.

"Yes." Kagome frowned at the reminder.

Sango turned back to look at her sisters, first Kagome, then Kikyou, then back to Kagome.

"Well then... it seems we have each met our future husbands."

"You mean... that we each...separately... met our intendeds? Inadvertently?!?"

"So, we've each had a conversation with the one father chose for us," said Kikyou quietly, then she noticed the sour look on Kagome's face. "Well two of us had a conversation."

Kagome turned to look at Sesshoumaru and since he was in the process of watching her; there eyes met and locked. She saw his eyes flash with an emotion she couldn't identify and felt a shiver go down her spine. She had no idea what the shiver was about, but she knew it wasn't the fingers of fear traveling her spine... it was something she never felt before.

"Oh, hell no!" she whispered aloud; cutting the connection between her and her sisters in the process. Kagome searched the room for her father until she found him sitting behind his desk. She started walking in his direction; intent on one thing.

Kikyou and Sango exchanged knowing looks as they watched their younger sister bear down on their father.

Everyone watched the young beauty stalk, gracefully over to her father.

Kagome stopped and gave a small nod and a curtsy in greeting to the Taiyoukai sitting in the chair opposite her father's desk before she stalked passed him. Her manners were too deeply engrained for her to be disrespectful to the unknown Taiyoukai.

"PAPA!" she yelled as she stopped at his desk and slammed her hands down on its surface. "I AM NOT MARRYING HIM!"

Onigumo was taken aback by his daughter's unexpected outburst. He sat silently for a moment as he processed what she said. `Him?'

"Him?"

"Yes, him!" she emphasized as she lifted her left arm out at her side and pointed at Sesshoumaru. "Choose another!!"

`How the hell did she know already?' he wondered to himself. When Kagome shifted her weight and brought he arm down to reast her fist on the curve of her hip, Onigumo caught sight of his oldest daughter. "Ahh, my Sango...' He should have guessed. Which meant they all knew. He knew Sango couldn't see her own future, but knowing who her other two sisters were marrying left nothing to doubt. It was just a matter of deduction; who was left. He looked back at the young woman glaring down on him and gracefully stood up. It was an intimidation method.

Kagome's head tilted back to follow her father's movement.

"I have made my decision Kagome."

"Then pick again," she suggested through gritted teeth.

"No."

"Yes."

"NO!"

"YES!"

Onigumo's eyes opened wide in disbelief at his daughter's audacity before narrowing as his annoyance changed to anger. "You dare defy me? In front of guest as well?"

Kikyou and Sango had watched the interaction between Kagome and their father and began to worry. They'd never seen that look in his eyes... at least not directed at one of them.

Kagome saw the red glow in her father's eyes and immediately recognized her mistake. She could see how her father had earned the name "Naraku" in battle.

"No Papa," she said in a dejected voice as she bowed her head in apology. "Forgive me."

Onigumo nodded his head; his pride and anger appeased. "Now why are you so upset?"

`Upset? He called this upset?' she thought sarcastically as she lifted her head up. You could still see her anger in her eyes.

"Did you have to choose him for me, Papa?"

Kagome threw her hand back up and pointed her finger once more at Sesshoumaru; who was still leaning in the same spot. In her anger, Kagome's powers had risen to the surface, so when she stuck her finger out a bright pink beam of pure power shot out; straight in his direction.

Not expecting the attack and not sensing the power coming at him, Sesshoumaru jumped out of the way just in time. He turned his head swiftly to look at the spot where he just stood. Sesshoumaru saw a tiny smoking hole in the wall directly where his back had just been and frowned. `That would have been painful. Interesting.' Not deadly for he noticed the hole was not near his heart; yet memorable. `She is powerful. She could be useful,' he thought as he turned his gaze to the woman who nearly caused him injury and glared at her. The woman he was to marry. He stiffened when he sensed the power within her. He could sense her youkai blood now...but there was more. `She's a miko.'

InuTaisho watched the show of power with hidden approval. He liked the girl's fire. Then his eyes began to glow as his body stiffened when he recognized the aura coming from the girl. His eyes widened as he focused on the girl's father. `He would dare try to trick me?!'

"KAGOME!!"

"HIGURASHI!!"

Both Taiyoukais yelled in unison. Onigumo's eyes snapped up and away from his daughter to look at Masaharu.

"I'm sorry Papa. I did not mean to do that." Kagome said, but she fell quiet when she realized her words were falling on deaf ears.

Actually another person who'd move to stand behind her had heard Kagome loud and clear.

"What Masaharu?"

"You would dare bring a miko into my family?"

Onigumo's eyebrows arched at that. He could not believe the Taiyoukai was worried about his Kagome. His daughter would not purify without reason. She was also a youkai.

"What are you worried about Masaharu? My daughter will not purify your son. Not without sufficient cause!"

"And what is considered sufficient cause? Him making her angry? Or perhaps, ignoring her?"

Kagome couldn't believe he would accuse her of being so petty. Granted he didn't know her, but that gave him no reason to insult her intelligence. She opened her mouth to speak only to be cut off by her father's yell.

"MY DAUGHTER IS NOT SO WEAK AS TO FIND YOUR SON NOT GIVING HER ANY ATTENTION A PROBLEM!"

"Oh, really?" InuTaisho knew that what the other man said was true; he could see it in the girl's eyes. All of theirs; for he saw each daughter's eyes had lit with the light of battle.

"OBVIOUSLY! Did you not hear a word she screamed? She apparently has had a taste of your son and doesn't find him to her liking." Onigumo went still when he finished that retort aloud. `Why, was his daughter so against her marrying that son?'

Onigumo was finally starting to see a problem he'd missed. His daughter wasn't protesting against marrying, she was protesting marrying him. Why?

"Kagome?" he looked down on his daughter as confusion took the place of his anger. "Why are you so against marrying this man and not the rest? Do you know him?"

Kagome turned to look at the son her father had indicated and was momentarily shocked speechless. He was standing directly behind her... she'd never seen him move.

Sesshoumaru had instinctively moved to stand closer to the woman who was dead set against marrying him. Even though his pride was hurt at her actions, he did not like her standing directly between the two powerful Lords. Not that he imagined her father would hurt her. He just had a need to protect her just in case, he couldn't explain it... and he didn't like it. He frowned down at her startled look.

Kagome's mind started working again the moment she saw his frown and turned back to her father.

"Because he's an arrogant asshole and is emotionally constipated! Not to mention he irritates the hell out of me!"

"Kagome!!"

Kagome stiffened at the sound of her name. She knew that voice...oh, too well.

Everyone turned at the sound of the new voice that came from the open doorway.

Kikyou and Sango immediately moved out of their mother's way to let her pass.

InuTaisho watched the red headed beauty as she came closer. She was wearing a dark green gown made of velvet with a straight bodice, beautiful designs stitched with gold threads across it and down the sleeves that were tapered to her arms. The skirt of the dress was full and fell to her feet where she wore a pair of velvet shoes in the same color of the dress. She looked stunning. Her stomach was still too flat to show the child she was carrying.

Atsuki walked over to her youngest daughter and stared at her quietly.

"Hello Mama."

Sesshoumaru stared at the beauty in front of his intended and sighed. Now he knew where Kagome got her temper... and her eyes he thought as he watched the older women's eyes glow slightly with a bright white light.

"Hmm. Kagome you will apologize to this young man for what you have said... and I don't want to hear you speak to your father in such away again."

"But, Mama..."

"No `buts' young lady. You do not disrespect your father. He is only doing what he believes is right." She looked up to catch her husband's eyes and continued, "If it comes back to bite him in the ass that's his problem." She looked back at her daughter, "As for the young man behind you; that was just plain rude."

"It's not like it wasn't true," Kagome complained.

"And what makes what you think true?" she narrowed her eyes at her daughter.

Kagome huffed as she knew her mother was right. She still didn't want to marry him though. She turned to look up at Sesshoumaru then.

"I apologize for what I said."

Sesshoumaru arched a brow. He was surprised to see her give in to her mother so quickly. He wondered if the older woman had a worse temper then his mother.

"See, Mama! I told you!"

Atsuki hid her grin from her daughter as she turned to look at her other two. She had a feeling that perhaps her husband had choose right where it came to Kagome. Maybe her daughter would break the ice around the young man's heart. If anyone could do it, her Kagome could. She wondered if her husband recognized this.

"Kikyou trade with me!" Kagome called out from behind her mother's back.

Kikyou heard her sister's plea and looked at the beautiful man standing behind Kagome. She could feel his anger as well as his annoyance. She could also feel another underlying feeling that was feeding the other two. She thought it might be hurt, but she wasn't sure because she couldn't use her powers fully while everyone was around. Kikyou had already decided she wasn't going to switch with her sister when she saw her mother's disapproving look. `Like I need her to give me that look. There's no way I'm marrying him. I don't care how cute he is.'

"No, Kagome."

Kagome looked to Sango, but she was already shaking her head at her.

"Kagome you act like they're a piece of clothing...they're not. Papa has decided...not to mention Mama's giving me that look."

"You're right Sango," she smiled sarcastically. "They're not clothing. We actually have a say in that.

Kagome jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder then she almost sighed when she heard his silky voice near her ear. She shivered instead.

Sesshoumaru had leaned down close to the young woman's ear as he placed his hand on her shoulder. He felt her slight tremble and hid his smile. `So, she is not as immune as she pretends.'

"What's done is done Higurashi."

"My name is Kagome. KA-GO-ME! Got it!?"

He frowned at her tone of voice. No one gave him orders, but he refrained from correcting her right then. There would be plenty of time for that when he married her.

Atsuki walked over to her husband, but stopped on the way to greet the other Taiyoukai in the room. Much like her daughter had done before her.

"Lord InuTaisho," she nodded and gave a small curtsy, "interesting circumstances that bring you here, hm?"

"Lady Atsuki," InuTaisho inclined his head. "Interesting? That is one way of putting it."

She smiled knowingly before moving to stand by her husband's side behind the desk.

"Now, shall we get this over with gentlemen?" she asked though everyone understood it was not a question.

"Sango, Kikyou and Kagome come here." When the three girls were standing in front of the desk she continued, "I assume you three have guessed which son you will be marrying."

They all nodded in agreement. Not that it was necessary.

"Fine. Then lets finish this. It is getting late." She picked up the three papers lying on the desk in front of her husband and glanced over them. She read all that it said about the dowries as well as the clause about the title to the Southern Lands. She did not like it, but she would not show her disapproval in front of guest. She'd lie into her husband when they were alone. She nodded slightly then faced her daughters once more. She gave them a reassuring smile before turning her gaze to the three younger males in the room.

"Which one of you is Mirouku?" She watched the man with black hair and purple eyes push away from the wall and come forward.

"That is I, my lady."

She indicated with a nod of her head for him to stand beside Sango.

"And Inuyasha?" Since she knew which one was the heir, she'd already figured out who Inuyasha was. Atsuki watched him get gracefully to his feet and then indicated he stand between Kikyou and Kagome.

"And that would leave you, Sesshoumaru."

Atsuki nodded to the man who'd been standing behind her youngest daughter a few moments ago; silently waiting for him to step forward between Kagome and Sango. He was the only man she'd ever seen come close to the beauty of her husband. As the couples stood next to each other she took a moment to take a good look at them. `They really do look good together.'

"Now, Sango you and Mirouku sign this one." She placed a small pack of papers in front of the couple. "Kagome, you and Sesshoumaru this one," she said as she placed a similar pack of papers in front of them.

"But Mama-"

"Uh-uh, no. Sign," she cut her daughter off before she could go any further. She had a feeling about them two, but she was not going to share that with her daughter... not yet. Right now, her hormones were driving her crazy and she didn't know how much longer she could stand there smiling and pretending to be happy.

"And Kikyou, you and Inuyasha," she set down a third set of papers. "This one."

Onigumo watched on in amazement. In a matter of ten minutes his wife had defused two budding arguments, stopped a rebellion by his baby, and got the three couples to sign their contracts. `I knew there was a reason I married her!'

When they finished signing she immediately gathered up the signed papers and handed them off to the magistrate.

"I want copies of those tomorrow, sir."

"Tomorrow?" he squeaked; the Lady scared him the way she just came in and started taking over. But, there was no way he could have copies by tomorrow! He'd have to stay up all night coping them!

"Tomorrow, " she smiled yet her eyes remained unwavering on his. She wanted him to know she was not having any excuses. She wanted those copies in her hands tomorrow. "Thank you Juno. I appreciate your cooperation."

Atsuki helped the man to his feet and very kindly dismissed him from the room. `No more outsiders.'

Atsuki turned her attention back to the remaining occupants in the room, all soon to be family, and let them see her anger. Her eyes lit up with an intense blue fire.

"Now! Is all the theatrics over with?" she asked in a deceptively quiet voice.

Onigumo wasn't fooled for a moment. His wife was pissed and he knew it.

Kagome, Kikyou and Sango weren't buying the voice either. They'd seen that fire in their mother's eyes before. It wasn't a good sign. Unbeknownst to themselves they each grabbed their respective husband's hand and took a step back from their mother's anger.

Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Mirouku were startled at the unexpected touch, but complied with the unspoken warning and also took a step back away from the angry female in front of them.

Atsuki took in everyone's face and when no one dare speak up she continued. `Good', she was kind of hoping at least one of them would say something. She had a lot of pint up anger just dying to be let lose.

"Well then Masaharu you and your sons will be staying here tonight. You can leave in the morning. Since this little meeting was longer then anticipated," she eyed her daughters. She'd get them later, as well, for the stunt they pulled she thought as she continued, " the sun has gone down and I will not have you traveling at night. And before you decide to disagree with me," she let the fire in her eyes grow to an alarming height, "I'd think really, really hard about that."

She then moved from behind the desk and headed towards the open door to leave. When she reached the door she turned to capture the eyes of her three daughters.

"Girls. Rai is waiting in the hall to let you know which rooms the men will be staying in. Please be good and show them to their rooms."

"Mama, we have servants who do that," said Sango bravely.

"Yes, but I want you three to do it. After all you wouldn't have to if you'd made yourselves available sooner."

With those last words she turned and quit the room.

Sesshoumaru, Mirouku and Inuyasha were hiding their smirks from the girls. They watched the girls sigh as their own plan had come back to haunt them... and their mother was the one doing the haunting. They all just decided that they liked the current Lady of the Southern Lands.

The sisters bade their father a goodnight then went to get the directions from Rai. When that was done they showed the Masaharus to their rooms before they went to find their own beds. For once neither one of them wanted to stop in their garden and relax before going to bed. They gathered their cats and hurried to their beds.