Part VII – Beauty

As always, my eternal gratitude to my wicked (totally awesome) friend Erinn who hates me (very true) because she needs to read this before it gets to you. It's really terrible the first several times around, and she rereads it every time. I love her for it.

A/N – Hello everyone, I'm not dead. Here's another installment. Please read, enjoy, and if you like/hate/feel indifferent, review. Life… what can I say, it sucks me in, and writing gets placed on the back burner.

Also, I am looking for an experienced Beta who would like to take some time to edit my future work. If you can, please send me a message.


They gave Kagome the topic of the next challenge. She didn't like it, which was why she was chewing on her nails, the very same ones she took extreme pride in attempting to grow. The advisors had droned on and on about how the future Lady of the West, Mother of his children, would not be seen as a whore, or how his future daughters would not be allowed to cohort with the 'common wenches.' And yes, the advisors were again looking directly at her.

She found the entire proceeding to be a little on the pretentious side. What was the actual challenge? Was Kagome supposed to dress up as a lady? It would be a smart plan. Kagome wasn't a beauty like half the challengers. She would need to work twice as hard to have half of the beauty a demoness possessed. The only thing she had was technology.

Kagome had fabric dyed in multiple colors stashed in Kaede's hut. Kagome had stockpiled over the years many bolts of fabric. Many different colors and textures, most of her fabrics weren't found or conceived in the feudal era.

It also helped that she got the fabric super cheap from the discount bin. Orange polyester? That was her riches! A fluorescent pink knit jersey material? It was worth more than the crowned family jewels. Of course, the local 100 yen store couldn't be left out, the amount of makeup not made from beetles intestines or ground shells was well worth the supply stock also located in Kaede's hut.

Foundations and mascaras would eventually dry out, but powders would last forever. Colors in rich blues, deep greens, vibrant purples, and several different shades of red provided the shrine with a new roof and several other repairs. Kaede helped repackage some of the makeup and helped Kagome sell it while she was busy fighting demons and collecting shards.

The priestess from the future had long returned to her little hut at the back of the compound and waited for the specific challenge. Kikyo had provided the tea, and Shippo provided much-needed encouragement. Both Kikyo and Shippo were reminding Kagome of every tool she had to play, every trick Shippo had seen Kagome produce from her bags. Their reassurances made the wait slightly more tolerable.

There was a soft knock on the door, snapping Shippo out of his thoughts, Kikyo continued to silently sip her tea, and Kagome stopped pacing in the small space to see who was there.

Kagome gasped. Before a word was said, a note was held out in front of her face. The writing was elegant and undeniably masculine. Was it Sesshomaru's or an advisor?

Transform her.

The note was so vague and open that Kagome was stumped where even to start as she gazed at the demon who delivered it. Standing before her was a battle-hardened warrior. She wasn't a delicate flower.

This was more than just a simple task of creating a kimono for herself or putting on some perfumes and makeup. This level of transformation would be a whole undertaking.

There would be much work to do.

Kagome took a deep breath while allowing all her teenage judgments come out to play. Kagome took note of all her first impressions: the thick, bushy unibrow; the dull black hair pulled back into a tight ponytail; the cold, dead, lifeless eyes; the clogged pores.

Kagome's eyes continued to look over the demon in front of her. She took note of the haggard hands, the scars across her neck and falling to her chest bone but couldn't be certain as her armor covered it. The demon's clothes were ill-fitting, they were meant for the frame of a man, not a woman. The demon continued to stare at Kagome, and she watched as the demon's fingers twitched constantly wanting to pull her sword, the silence heavy and awkward. Her gaze of judgment continued to the heavy stance, the shifting gaze, the small breasts, the full hips, the curl of the lips…

"Shippo, I need a pen and paper please," Kagome requested, there was so much to remember.

The fox child was quick to retrieve them. "Here you are Kagome. What are you gonna do?" He asked in wonderment.

Kagome started to write furiously on the page. She would look up, ask the demon to spin, and continue to write. She stopped a few moments later satisfied with what was on the page. "This is a good starting point." Kagome waved the page. All her judgments turned into things to transform.

Shippo was curious and took the paper from her hands starting to read it aloud, "Hair – dull, needs a cut and a shine booster?" Shippo asked confused. He was used to Kagome's weird things from the future and took them in stride, but this was something he had never heard before. "Eyebrows – pluck, trim, shape. What's wrong with her eyebrows?" Shippo's voice was thick with confusion. "They look like eyebrows. It's not like anyone notices that."

Kagome laughed and took the paper away from the fox-child.

"Live long enough, and you will have an idea that my list is nothing compared to what you can see."

Shippo nodded in understanding. The future was vastly different than his current reality. He had seen pictures, and one afternoon, he had seen what Kagome called a "video camera" and watched the moving pictures of her home with fascination. But that was their secret.

"Hi, I'm Kagome." Kagome bowed to the guest.

"Sasori." The demon half snarled, clearly not happy to be here. Kagome took the tone with a grain of salt. Why would a fighter want to be transformed? It was more likely ordered from someone at the top. Sesshomaru or one of the advisors? Her money was on Sesshomaru. She could see Sasori killing an advisor before she listened to them

"Scorpion?" Shippo's tail flicked, and his voice rose in a question.

"That's a masculine name for a female," Kagome added without thinking.

Sasori stared deadpan at her before responding without warmth, "My father wanted a son."

Kagome nodded, "Understood. My job is to make you into a goddess?" When Sasori didn't respond, Kagome plowed ahead, trusting her judgment, "It will be tedious and painful. Are you up for the challenge?"

"My Lord personally assigned me to you. For him, I will endure anything." Her resolve was solid, and it confirmed Kagome's unasked question. So Sesshomaru presented Kagome with the best of the worst.

Kagome appreciated a challenge, but this was a monumental undertaking.

"You have until sunset to present me. I shall be compliant, but I am not willing. I will not help you succeed." Sasori's cold eyes burned into Kagome's. The statement was clear, 'I'm doing this under duress, please have mercy on me.'

Kagome and Shippo shared a look while Kikyo sat quietly as a wallflower and enjoyed her tea. The first thing Kagome tackled was Sasori's skin. It was dry, weathered, and blistered. Sasori wasn't a servant or a demon of standing. She was scarred and rough where the skin was supposed to be supple and soft.

Soon, the little hut was filled with homemade scrubs, pastes, and smells. Shippo was off to play with other children, his keen little nose not being able to tolerate the concentrated smells. Although he wanted to help, when it came to girl stuff, he was still out of his league. Shippo suspected Miroku would be on the same page, probably even Sango!

As soon as the fox demon left, Kagome asked Sasori to undress so all of her skin could be exposed to the treatment. The demon didn't speak, but she removed the breastplate followed by the layers of cloth. When she was done folding her clothing, she rested her weapons on top for easy access. Then the demon sat on the elevated piece of wood naked except for the bindings wound tightly covering her breasts.

Kagome kept an eye out for the tail which would curl and uncurl with every breath. It wasn't a huge tail, but being a scorpion meant you couldn't take it lightly. They could be dangerous if provoked. And here Kagome was poking it, literally.

"Kikyo, there is a lot of work to be done. Can I get you to rub her entire body with the apricot and walnut scrub?" The priestess was busy pulling out tools of the trade she never thought she'd have to use outside the hot spring.

"May I ask why? Isn't she going to be garmented anyway?" The question was valid, and even the scorpion demon was waiting for an answer.

Kagome laughed. "Two reasons, the first is so when she wears her new clothes, they won't snag on any rough patches of skin, and the second reason is just because dad wanted a boy, doesn't mean you have to pretend to be or feel like one."

The demon remained silent while Kikyo smiled softly. "You know you can still quit at any time and none of your pack would think any less of you."

"I know. But it's no longer about me. It's still about winning and telling Sesshomaru no. That end game hasn't changed. It's now for people like Sasori here." The demoness raised her eyebrow and tilted her horned head in confusion. "Just because you're born a female doesn't make you any less than one of them. Just because I'm human doesn't make me any less because of my species." She spoke with passion and conviction. Her eyes sparkled and her smile lit up the room. Kikyo was hopeless to say anything. Part of the reason Kagome was Alpha; she made a lot of sense.

Kagome tackled the eyebrows, while Kikyo rubbed the scrubs onto Sasori's skin exfoliating it. The morning ended with a quick break to stretch muscles, gather up their supplies and to move to the bathhouse.

There Kagome tackled the lifeless hair, armed with oils and masks and a pair of sharp scissors. The once one length hair was cut to promote growth, and the bangs framed her face, softening the look. The hair was far from perfect. She could see the different lengths and the mess she had created. But it looked better. Hair grew fast for a demon, right? She couldn't be too sure. Shippo continually refused, and Inuyasha had destroyed three pairs of scissors.

Sasori was starting to look like a female demon. Her sun-kissed hardened skin looked softer, and the demon's face softened under the shaped eyebrows. There was still lots to do; then Kagome noticed that her fire-colored eyes deepened. It was weird because she could swear that they were a solid, lifeless hue when they first met a few hours ago. Kagome found herself drowning in the depths as they changed. They were swirling pools of fire, amber, and ice, and the demon's gaze was suddenly terrifying and hauntingly beautiful.

"Wow. I've never noticed how hypnotizing your eyes are."

Kikyo stood and pulled Kagome away. Kikyo drew a sutra from her pocket and prepared for battle.

"What's going on?" Kagome asked utterly confused. She blinked rapidly waiting for her brain to process but failed. Instead, she looked between the two waiting for the diplomatic setting to fail and for all hell to break loose.

"She is the heir to the clan. Only those destined to rule have those eyes. They say that if you look into them, then you will forever be under its spell." Kikyo refused to stare anywhere near her face. Thankful her job of applying the facial mask was done.

"I need to see this myself," Sasori demanded. "I am no heir. Father said so." She made her way to the water's edge and gasped. "This isn't possible!" The scorpion demon grabbed Kagome and eyeballed her, "What did you do to me?"

Kagome shrugged her shoulders and replied, "Wasn't me. Whatever you are going through is all your own doing. My job is to transform you. I am." Kagome continued to stare at the demoness, "From a warrior to a something that will win this challenge. Not from a soldier to whatever you're becoming."

"Kagome!" Kikyo barked in alarm, warning her sharply, "Stop staring into her eyes. They will enchant you forever!"

Kagome blinked and looked at Kikyo and laughed. "I'm not. Nothing to worry about." Sasori let go of Kagome like she was burned. "Now, let's get back to work. I have much more on the list." Kagome told the pair and continued trimming the dead ends. She hoped this would at least end the tension emitting from the other priestess.

Kikyo stole a look at the flabbergasted demon, silently agreeing. Kagome was too sweet for her own good. Everyone was out to get you; was the motto Kagome needed to adopt if she wanted to survive. This was another mystery attached to her reincarnation. Kagome wasn't drawn into the strong magnetic pull of the demon's powerful gaze.

The pretend hairdresser continued to chat away, while she trimmed the hair, mindful of the large horns protruding out the side of her head. When Kagome was finished, she applied a strongly perfumed mask to the demon's hair and washed her hands to clean them of the clay.

As the mask was doing its job, Kagome moved onto the nails with a wince. Sasori's hands were in dire need of a manicure. Kagome retrieved her kit from her bag and started to clean up the cuticles and dry skin around the nail bed. Kagome would have killed for a modern salon with power tools. But when in Feudal Japan, the best she could do was the slow process of clipping away all the folds and rips of dry skin carefully.

She couldn't do anything about the hardened callouses, but she would intensely moisturize them and bathe them in a lemon balm after the demon was bathed and dry.

Kikyo left to retrieve a pitcher for the bath water. Sasori used this time to try again, flexing her manifesting powers, "Look at me, human. Listen to what I have to say and obey."

"Yes, lord and master. I will do whatever you ask," Kagome's tone was deadpan, she always did a horrible impression of a robot. She couldn't keep the façade up for long before she giggled lightly, "Keep trying Sasori; I'm sure you'll brainwash me one of these times."

"Why won't you fall under my hypnotism?"

Kagome shrugged her shoulders and clicked her tongue. "A lot of things don't affect me. I wouldn't be too concerned about it."

"What are you?" She asked with wonderment her icy tone chipping. "Your friend is right; I am dangerous. You should be my slave right now."

"I have more important things to do?" Kagome posed her answer as a question. She was unsure of it too, but with the challenge looming, she would rather spend her time winning rather in introspect. Maybe it was because she was from the future? She had spent many nights wondering the same question, and this situation would be added to the pile.

"Like win this pathetic game and get back to the life I'm missing," Kagome continued. "You are not on my list of things to kill, and I would like to keep it that way." Kagome finished the one hand and started on the other.

"You know I could have killed you a thousand times over by now."

Sasori inspected the work done to her hand. It was like she was looking at a hand not her own. They were hands that belonged to a lady of the court and not a warrior on the battlefield.

"And I could have killed you too," Kagome looked up. "But this," She waved her hand in front of Sasori, "What we are doing here and now is about trust. I trust you to be cooperative and let me do what I need to do. And you trust me not to kill you where you sit. Or at least that's what Sesshomaru hopes for if he sent you."

"The one who left is the priestess. I feel her powers. You feel human. At most a priestess in training, someone who will forever stare into the priestess' shadow and wish you had what she did."

Kagome sighed and pulled away. For a split second she felt the loss and longing knowing she will never be Kikyo, then anger that she was once again compared to Kikyo, then acceptance that they are two separate people and people will forever be simple minded. Their relationship was complicated.

Sadly, Kagome would have to demonstrate to Sasori that Kagome was trying to keep a very tight reign on her powers and what she was projecting. Slowing her breathing, Kagome concentrated and felt a tendril of power break through the confines of where she kept her power. It took immense concentration to not release the floodgates. This wasn't a battle.

Kagome didn't drop the curtain, just pulled it back. Her powers were something that scared all demons, and while here, she didn't want to draw a target to herself. This contest was a bullseye enough for her. The feel of power was like a slight flash of skin. Like a lover teasing its partner in a brief glimpse of flesh.

She watched as Sasori's eyes widened in fear. It was never a good sign. Kagome was quick to pull back the power, but the damage was done.

Shippo tore into the room, his fur standing up on end. "I'm here Kagome." His voice wavered. He was scared but persevered through it to help his friend. Shippo was highly tuned to Kagome, and the kit needed her. She needed to live for him to live. That was the basic foundation of their relationship.

Kagome was quick to scoop him up and soothe his fears. She nuzzled his head as he fit under her chin. Softly, Kagome explained what was going on. Soon, the fox child relaxed in her hold and grew bolder. Shippo, naturally, went to look into her eyes and was mesmerized.

Sasori picked up the child and looked deep into his eyes. "Child." She addressed him.

Shippo was instantly entranced. "Yes, Mistress."

Kagome cleared her throat, prepared to kill the demon if she stepped out of line. She clenched the tool and prepared to launch an all-out attack. No one harmed her friends. If they did, they didn't live to tell the story.

"I want you to go play with your friends and know that your friend is safe and protected with me." She patted his head and set him down on the ground.

"Yes, Mistress." Shippo scampered off with a wave and a 'bye, Kagome.' gleefully leaving the pair to resume his gameplay.

"This is interesting," Sasori looked at the girl clutching her tool/makeshift weapon. "Would you fight me to save the demon child?"

Kagome sat back down and smiled. "In a heartbeat." Kagome held out her hand so she could resume her manicure.

Sasori said nothing but nodded and gave her hand back to the girl looking thoughtful.

"Do you know why they picked me for you?"

Kagome sighed and thought about it before answering, "I'll take a guess. I'm confident no one wanted to be touched by a human."

Sasori laughed, "That is part of it."

Kagome looked at the scorpion demon and nodded before resuming her work. "But I think more importantly, what do I know about beauty? I know nothing about demon beauty and the perception of it in demon terms. Most humans in this time aren't wealthy enough, aren't educated enough, or have the necessary connections to procure that's needed. As you can clearly tell, I am different. I'm ok with that. The real test of this round is to see which demon is strong enough to put up with me poking them all day and have it not end in bloodshed." She laughed. "This is a test for you too. The fact we managed to," Kagome waved her fingers at her eyes not finding the right words. "You just turned complete badass."

Kikyo returned in time to wash out the hair mask. They did so in peaceful silence. Everyone lost in their thoughts.

Kagome sat back and admired her makeover.

The scars on Sasori's face were covered with concealer. The deeper scars were not covered, but Kikyo used crushed flowers and beetles to design a scorpion over the inflamed tissue running down her neck.

Her ebony hair glistened against the dull black of the horns. Instead of painting her lips with the same color Kikyo used, Kagome used a hydrating lip gloss to plump up the full lips. Kagome intended to go full on with traditional geisha makeup, but Kagome couldn't deny the battle hardened warrior was strikingly beautiful. Instead, Kagome played on those strengths. A light coat of mascara, and black kohl eyeliner on the top lids to draw attention to her eyes.

Sasori glowed. Of course, it was the sparkles; Kagome sprinkled lightly in her hair that made her radiant. She couldn't help it. Luckily no one knew what sparkles were or how evil they truly were.

Kagome retrieved the kimono from her trunk. Inuyasha had been kind enough to run to Kaede's to retrieve it. His reward had been three packages of ramen and didn't have to help with anything.

The kimono was metallic silver with small sakura blossoms popping from the waist down in royal purples, canary yellows, and hints of orange golds. Kagome refused to listen to the protests. It was all wrapped nicely in a white obi.

Sasori looked like a magical princess. Kagome had woven her magic, and now it was up to the rest to say if she had passed. Sasori was given a small mirror, and the transformation before her took her breath away. She was beautiful, a hardened warrior who didn't care about looks, but just once, it was nice to feel how the head of her clan was supposed to be represented. They were just in time for their deadline.

It wasn't long before a transformed Sasori was before Sesshomaru. Kagome and company were soon in pursuit. They followed Sasori to the room to be judged. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru sat bored while the advisors were criticizing every little mistake. It was absurd and tedious. When the room noticed Sasori, everyone within went silent. Soon there was chatter between people over who stepped into the room. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow for a fraction of a second. His micro expression was the tell Kagome was looking for.

"You wished for me to be transformed. I was. I am. May I, please resume my duties?" Sasori suddenly felt very uncomfortable in the room.

"Indeed." Sesshomaru rose and went to inspect his warrior. "Transformed indeed." His tone chilled.

Kagome perked up and smiled. "Guess that's another passing test." She interlocked her arm with Sasori and started to lead her out the room. "Now let's get you into some familiar clothes. I know just the thing to make you feel better." Kagome winked at the scorpion demon.

Sasori's eyes narrowed slightly not liking the tone taken by the girl. Not only had this girl tortured her slowly, but she had also taken great pleasure in the deed.

Kagome didn't wait for the demon to respond, "A weapon." Kagome smiled.

Sasori let out the breath she'd been secretly holding. "And binding for my breasts. I don't know what to do with these things. They just get in the way." Kagome couldn't help but laugh. A new friend and a successful challenge, this was a good day.

Both ignored the stares as they walked gracefully out of the room.