Chapter 7

Kagome jumped up into the air and landed behind them. So far she had managed to bog every attack they had. Now she was going to see if they could do the same. She tripped them both before landing in front of them with her two fans open.

"I thought you said you could take me." Kagome teased as she put her weapons away to help them up.

"Wow, who thought you knew how to fight like that?" Sango asked as she got up

"No one, I learn while I defended my mother against demons." Kagome answered

"If I may say…you really must try and fight against Inuyasha. I'm sure you would have a good work out." Miroku stated as he too got up.

"She we go again?" Kagome asked

"I need a break." Sango said

"How about we train?" a voice called out to the tree of them.

Sango, Miroku and Kagome all turned around to see Inuyasha and Kikiyo standing in front of them. Sango turned to look at Kagome but her face was unreadable. "Sure…but I have no bow or arrows." Kagome sad calmly.

"That's alright…I have my weapons." Kikiyo

"Kikiyo?" Inuyasha said

"Don't worry…we're just going to train." Kikiyo said warmly as she moved over to ht field.

"Are you sure…you are an archer." Kagome said ass he drew her weapon back out.

"I'm sure." Kikiyo replied.

"Very well then…Sango count it off." Kagome ordered.

"O.K. one…two…three!" she yelled.

Kagome and Kikiyo stood still and watched each of their moments. Kikiyo was the first to move. She went at Kagome and opened one fan. She tried to stab her but missed. Kagome jumped back and opened both her weapons. Then she jumped up in the air and threw one at Kikiyo. 'Fine, we'll play it your way.' She thought bitterly.

Kikiyo forced the weapon back and move away. Kikiyo landed at her new spot just as Kagome did. Kagome ran at her and closed one fan while reaching for the other. Just as Kagome pulled back Kikiyo managed to cut Kagome on the arm.

"Nice try…keep your guard up." Kikiyo mocked.

"Don't worry…I will." Kagome said as she healed her self before going at Kikiyo

Kagome threw her weapon but missed her mark. Kikiyo stood there and laughed at her cousins' aim. But just as she was bout to attack she felt the sharp edge of the fan hit her back. Noticing that this caught her off guard Kagome grabbed her other weapon knocked her down and pined her all in one moment.

"Nice try." Kagome said as she pulled back to allow her to get up.

"Thank you…I shall train harder." Kikiyo sad as she lay still on the ground.

"Kikiyo!" Inuyasha yelled as he ran to her side, "You bitch, this is training you don't attack for real." He yelled at Kagome.

"Calm down if you hadn't panicked you would have noticed that she isn't bleeding." Kagome hissed as she walked away.

"Inuyasha…I'm fine." Kikiyo said as she looked into his golden eyes.

"Kagome let's go and wash up." Sango stated

"Coming…use your energy to locate the weapon next time." Kagome told Kikiyo before leaving with Sango and Miroku.

Once thy were gone Inuyasha looked down and looked Kikiyo over. Kikiyo sighed but allowed him to make sure she was fine. After checking that she was alright he asked, "Why didn't you tell me you had those." while pointing at her weapons.

"I did not think you needed to know." Kikiyo answered.

"Any thing else your hiding from me?" he asked in a hurt voice

"Inuyasha I'm sorry…I love you." Kikiyo said hoping that he would calm down.

"Feh…let's just go and get you cleaned up. My brother wants to talk to all of us in the throne room." He said as she held her hand.

"Do you know what it's going to be about?" Kikiyo asked as she allowed him to lead her to her room.

"No, but every one is to report before sunset." Inuyasha answered

"O.K…. later do you think we can watch the sunrise." Kikiyo requested

"Anything for you love." He said.

"Thank you Inuyasha!" Kikiyo yelled, 'Damn it, Kagura you better be doing your fucking job. I have to tell Naraku of my lands weak state.' she thought.

After waiting on Kikiyo, Inuyasha and his son to be mate walked into the throne room. There in front of them sat Sango, Miroku, Kagome, The Lord Marshal, Sesshoumaru, and Rin waiting for them. They both bowed before taking a seat. Kikiyo looked at Kagome and stared at her before turning to Inuyasha. Just as she turned back to face every one Sesshoumaru said, "Glad you two could make it, now Rin and I have deiced to throw a ball to introduce Kagome to our lands."

"What?! But you don't have to!" Kagome snapped

"Who would lead her out? She has no one." Kagura said

"I will escort my brothers' daughter and she shall look for a mate to rule with." The lord Marshal said

"Don't jump to conclusions, what if she wants to lead her self out?" Rin replied

"Rin, Kagome wouldn't want that, I thought she'll want to same desperate." Kagura added

"What if I lead her out…I mean I am her cousin, Inuyasha can lead us both out." Kikiyo implied.

Inuyasha turned and saw the look on the poor girls face. She was enraged and beyond mad with a hint of depression. Just as he was going to say something Sango deiced to say something.

"I could come out with her…I'd want to be with a friend then a stupid perverted monk."

"No, she is my brothers' daughter and my blood she will do what I say." The Lord Marshal bit out

"That's enough!" Kagome snapped, "I will show up alone regardless of what others think! I will wear the colors I want so quiet trying to control my every damn decision!" Kagome yelled out before running out of the room.

"I don't think she'll be joining us at dinner tonight." Inuyasha stated calmly.

"I'll go look for her." Kikiyo said as she got up

"NO, I will…I can talk to her." Sango replied as she too got up.

"That's enough! I will look for my nice and no one lese!" The Lord Marshal yelled before storming out.

The Lord Marshal left the room before anything else could be said. After awhile of looking and searching the near by woods Kagome was not found. Sango told every one that she probably went to relax at the how spring and not to worry. After dinner Kikiyo stated that she was tried and whished tog o to bed. After walking her to her room Inuyasha went back to his room.

Inuyasha entered his room and was able to hear and smell the tears of Kagome. He looked around thinking that she was probably hiding somewhere in his room until it hit him that she could be on the roof. He walked over to the balcony and looked up to find Kagome sitting with her chin on her keens crying. Inuyasha jumped up and sat next to her. Before he could say anything Kagome turned and looked at him before saying, "What do you want? Please just leave me alone." sadly before staring off to nothingness.

"Look you know they all mean well…just calm down. Tell them what you want." Inuyasha said

"I want my parents! I want to be around people who actually give a damn and know me!" she snapped before crying harder.

"Uh…just stop crying! Look how about we get to know each other and I won't tell you what to do." Inuyasha offered hoping that that would get her to stop crying.

"Ha, Kikiyo has you working for her. The moment I trust you is the moment I die by that bitch's hand!" Kagome hissed out.

"Look I don't know what the fuck you're talking about wench but how about I tell you shit about my past and you ask questions. Then I'll ask you a question. Is that fine with you?" Inuyasha bit out harshly.

"You swear that you'll keep it between us and you won't go telling Kikiyo?" Kagome asked as she calmed down a bit.

"You have my word now will you please calm down." He stated

"I'm already calm…um are your parents' dead?" Kagome asked the first question to begin the game.

"You don't beat around the bush to you?" he replied

"Nope…now answer my question." She said

"No, they died long ago…so why do you hate Kikiyo?" Inuyasha stated

"Please…I really don't want to talk about that." Kagome answered.

"Fine…how'd you learn to fight?" Inuyasha changed his question

"I learned by fighting. Sometimes I'd come close to death but my mother would help me heal. I only hope I can make her proud." She answered.

And so it began. Meanwhile Kikiyo claimed out of bed and walked over to her balcony and looked around. She jumped down and entered the darkest part of the forest. Just as she came to a clearing where the moon light hit perfectly a vice was heard say, "You're late. What took you?"

"The voice was then given a body when a tall figure I a baboon sauté stepped out and showed him self. His voice was deep and cold with no sign of emotion other that hate. Kikiyo bowed and said, "The lands are weak…now is the time, as for my cousin…I shall have her ready for you by the ball."

"And are you certain I will be invited to this ball." He asked

"Yes, my lord…your name has been added to the list. Kagura has taken control of the lord marshal so this shall grantee you a dance with her." Kikiyo replied

"Good…but know Kikiyo…should you fail me I shall kill you and let you die a painful death." The voice said.

"Yes my lord… I shall tell Kagura that we have spoken. When do you want her to kill the lord marshal?" Kikiyo replied

"Later." And with that said he was gone.

Kikiyo simply bowed and walked away. 'I shall talk to Kagura tomorrow. For now I shall rest.' she thought. Kikiyo entered her room and settled down. It took her some minutes before she fell asleep knowing that soon she would rule and be the strongest in her clan.

The next morning Kikiyo found Kagura waiting for her to get up. Kikiyo sat up and faced Kagura. Kikiyo rubbed her eyes and stretched while she waited. After growing tried Kagura finally said, "Well…when can I kill him. I'm growing tried of him and fast."

"Our lord said to wait; he left without even answering that question. But he did say for you to convince the lord Marshal for her to dance with him." Kikiyo ordered.

"Whatever…well come on before we're late to breakfast." Kagura said

"Oh and for now just get her to wear the purple gown that has the lords blood that will control her." Kikiyo hissed as she exited the room.

"You don't have to tell me twice." Kagura stated calmly

"She doesn't have to tell you twice what?" the Lord Marshal voice was heard.

Kikiyo and Kagura stopped in their tracks and tuned around to see the lord marshal staring at them. Both girl looked at one another before Kagura walked over to her mate and wrapped her arms around him and said, "That Kagome will be taking my place in the mating ceremony."

"I see...well if Kagome has agreed then I see no harm. Well shall we go to breakfast? I'm sure Inuyasha is waiting." The Lord Marshal said

"Yes, let us eat dear." Kagura said sweetly, 'I can wait to rip him apart.' She thought evilly.

"I believe he is still sleeping. Usually he is the one to weak me." Kikiyo said 'He better be asleep. Whether or not I'm using him he said at least better be loyal.' she thought angrily.

Once they arrived they saw Inuyasha eating quietly along side his brother and his mate. Kikiyo let out a breath she didn't know she held. She sat next to him and Kagura. She was glad he was not with her. Sesshoumaru and the Lord Marshal on the other hand threw him death glares for the scent that was mixed with he's did not sit well with them.

'Shit…their thinking the wrong thing. They must also smell her tears.' Inuyasha thought as he kept his head down. 'What the hell am I going to do if Kikiyo believes their assumption?' He continued to think. He was brought back when he heard his brother ask, "Did you sleep well brother." In such a cold voice that it go his mates attention.

"I slept fine, Kikiyo how did you sleep?" Inuyasha asked hoping to avoid his brothers' question

"I slept fine; oh do you know where my cousin is. I was hoping that she would take Kagura's place at the ceremony since she is family." Kikiyo answered.

'God damn it! Is the world out to get me?' he thought before saying, "I think she's still sleeping. I woke up and I heard her sound asleep in her room."

"Oh, well I'll ask her later. "Kikiyo replied.

"Inuyasha…I would like to speak with you after you're done. You'll find me in fathers' old study." Sesshoumaru said before excusing him from the table.

Rin, being worried about her mate left the table along side him to try and calm him. After they walked out Sango, Miroku and Kagome all walked in. to the Lord Marshal surprised his nice seemed more relax and happy while Miroku looked as guilty as ever. Kagome sat down next to Sango and her uncle. Before she could say good morning Kikiyo asked, "Kagome...may you do me an honor by being at my side for Inuyashas' and mine mating ceremony?"

"What happened to Kagura?" Sango asked before Kagome could answer

"She feels that Kagome as my blood relative should be at my side and not her, so she will be fine if Kagome says yes. "Kikiyo explained.

"I suppose so, oh Inuyasha Sesshoumaru told me to tell you not to meet him but my uncle." Kagome replied before she began to eat.

"Well if you all will excuse me. Kikiyo I'll see you later." He said before walking out.

The rest of the meal was quiet while Kagome talked with Sango. They were gaining the bond that they had lost now that they were able to talk. Every thing seemed to be going well…for now.