In The Blood

By: Ryu Katanna

Beta:

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Seven

It had been about four months now since Yusuke had proposed the Demon World Tournament and the dismantling of the three regimes had been ordered. Kagome had been kept busy since her return to Tourin. The first thing she'd had to do was to send missives to the four Lords who maintained control of the land under the King, and find a burial site for Raizen.

Once Raizen had been buried then she had been busy with the upheaval over her brothers decision. The soldiers had been released to return home or wherever they wished, but many had refused and chosen to remain as guards to the stronghold out of loyalty. Kagome had not fought with them over their choice. It had worked to her benefit over the course of time as they helped keep the peace while Tourin was being swept along in the changes.

Fighting had broken out with the Lords, and she thanked Sesshomaru every day for answering her questions back then. She had never thought those talks would be so beneficial to any situation in her own life. Her talks with Raizen had also helped play a bit of a part in how she handled things. She found that they helped in this so she knew how to calm the Lords within his domain. She had to try to restructure the governmental system that, while there had barely be one there before, Yusuke had shot completely to hell.

After the exchange of many missives with both Yomi and Mukuro it had been decided that the Lords would still be left to control their lands as it had been for centuries. They would answer to the former Kings who would now act as High Lords from their strongholds in the central lands of the territories of Tourin, Gandara, and Alaric. The High Lords would then answer to the King; whoever it may be. The King would pass whatever edicts which would then pass to the High Lords, and down the chain to make sure the edict was carried out and enforced throughout the lands. This would balance the flow of power and make it easier on the new King to rule.

If one of the High Lords or the Lords of the separate territories became King then they were to pass the responsibilities of their station onto their second for the duration of their rule. Through this system that Kagome had worked out with the aid of Mukuro and Yomi the precarious balance of power would be restored and improved upon. It would provide the beginnings of the King's Council, and grant the King with some assistance in maintaining the vast lands of the demonic world. Something there was no way one person could do without assistance.

It had taken all this time for things to settle down, and she had still refused to speak with Yusuke. He had tried to get her alone to talk to her, but she was still irritated with him, and honestly didn't have the time to deal with it. The word had been spread far and wide of the Makai Tournament, and she had left Yusuke to deal with the planning on that. He had made his bed and now he could lay in it as far as she was concerned.

Now here Kagome sat with her brother after she had explained everything she had been working on the last few months. It was great fun for her as she could see from the mulish expression on his face and the fire in his eyes that he absolutely hated it. Yusuke was too rash. It was something that she knew very well. He didn't think, and that had left her to clean up this mess.

"No, Kagome! I did not propose this tournament just to take up a similar position! It's not me. I'm not qualified to do this, and you know what I was planning to do after things are settled here." Yusuke was furious as a low growl left his lips.

He had been busy setting up and planning for the tournament, and now she had gone behind his back to keep him tied here. Now he was finding out that she had done so with Hokushin and Seitei's full knowledge as well as the help and cooperation of both Yomi and Mukuro. He understood that some kind of order had to be maintained, but he had wanted no part of it. He would fight in the tournament, but he already believed he wouldn't win. There were stronger demons than him out there. Mostly he thought it would be fun.

"Whether you like it or not it still stands, Yusuke. The mess you made has taken me months to sort out. This is the best way we have of having some kind of balance. Otherwise the new King would be so busy dealing with infighting between the different territories Lords that nothing would be accomplished. You can't just tear down a system that has been in place and working for centuries in one night!" Her voice held both finality and reason, and Yusuke sat back down then to really listen as she continued.

"You want to go back to the human world. I get it. You love Keiko, and have people waiting for you there. I really do understand, but my home is here now, Yusuke. I have been exchanging missives with Mukuro and Yomi extensively. I will maintain things here in your stead as the High Lady for this territory until you decide that you are ready to return and take over what is rightfully yours. Until then I will be assisting any new Kings so that everything does not fall into chaos." Kagome argued her point before going silent to hear what he had to say.

"You have people waiting for you too, Kagome. What about Mom, Aunt Miyako, Souta or Grandpa? I did this partly so you wouldn't be tied down here in my stead you know." His voice softened as he looked at her, and she knew he meant it.

"I have not considered her my mother in a very long time. I doubt Atsuko even remembers she has a daughter. As for Grandpa, Souta, and Mom I want you to tell them everything for me." At his look of disbelief she continued with a reassuring smile.

"They know about my time in the past so they will understand. Tell them I am looking for some of the friends I travelled with. Tell them I really have found where I feel I belong and that I am happy. Father told me that as Mazoku we have very long lives ahead of us. He was well over a thousand, and the longer we live the more our bodies will change from when we were human. It's only a matter of time before our bodies start changing to more closely resemble our demonic father because of our demonic energy. Go live out the decades of precious time you have left with the people you care about, Yusuke. I will be waiting here for you when you get back."

"And if I decide I still don't want it; what then? What if I never want it?" Yusuke asked stubbornly.

"This is your inheritance, Yusuke. Our inheritance. I will not shirk my responsibilities, and dishonor myself. If, after your time in the human world, you still do not want your birthright then we will deal with it then."

Yusuke could see her resolve and that she had made her decision long before this talk with him. She really felt the way she said that she did. How could he ask her to abandon her duty here when he knew she held to old fashioned ideals about honor? How could he argue with her when she had found where she felt she belonged? He just couldn't. That had been something he had been grasping with himself little over a year ago. Giving a heavy sigh of defeat he looked over at her.

"Why is it I can never win with you on the big stuff?" He asked with a small chuckle.

"Because I am seven minutes older than you, better looking, and so much smarter." She teased him lightly.

It was something they had said to each other a lot when they were younger.

"At least I'm stronger." He continued on and then waited for her to finish.

"Debateable." She replied with a feigned look of thought as they both started laughing.

"Wanna spar and find out?" He asked after he stood.

"Let's do it!"

123

It was two weeks later that Kagome finally had some time to herself. The sun still hadn't risen when she left her room in the tower and headed outside. Taking off to the east at a quick run she kept her pace until she reached a grassy field where flowers grew. She allowed the calm trickling of the stream to calm her as she searched out what she was looking for.

'There they are.' She thought as she she leaned down and started gathering the black lillies before moving on to pick some black orchids as well.

They had become some of her favorite flowers here in Makai, and she was happy to have found some today. Gathering enough for a small bouquet she turned back toward home. It was still early enough that the sun had just started to show itself when she came to a stop again. Her eyes misted as she looked upon the polished black stone that was imbued with Raizen's name.

"Hello father." She said softly as she knelt in front of the stone and placed the flowers gently into the holder in the middle.

It looked like she hadn't been the only one here recently as the other two held many different colored flowers, and a few bouquets were resting against the stone. It comforted her a bit that she wasn't the only one to come by here.

"I'm sorry I've stayed away until now. You probably already know about the mess Yusuke caused, and he went and did it all the same day you left us." She gave a small giggle as she knew what he probably would have said.

"I've finally gotten it all cleaned up now, and with the help of Yomi and Mukuro too! The first Demon World Tournament will be held in two months. I think you would have been proud of him for how he's handled things. Don't tell him, but I'm really not angry anymore. I think that with this new system things could get better for those who live in Tourin." Sighing she settled before looking up at the clear purple-red sky.

"Everything's changing so quickly, and I feel like I've been scrambling to keep up. I'll be taking over as the High Lady for Tourin once Yusuke leaves and be serving under a King who I am unsure that I will agree with. Talking with you has helped me know how the work with the Lords of the North, East, South and West. They have agreed to meet with me after the tournament." Her smile was relaxed before she heard as another voice came from behind her.

"You must be the little lady. Your brother told us about you." The voice was masculine and unfamiliar, his footsteps heavy as she felt them reverberate through the ground, and so she turned to look at who had spoken.

Behind her stood a large man with red skin and horns on his head dressed in a white tank and grey pants. His hair was short and he had a bright and carefree smile. Next to him stood a woman with long light green hair dressed in a spandex leotard carrying a bottle that looked like alcohol at her side.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met." Kagome replied as she stood to speak with them.

"Oh, my names Enki, and this is my wife Kokou. We're old friends of Raizen. We met your brother a while back." Enki introduced them as they came to stand in front of her.

"We've stopped by a few times since then, but haven't seen you around." Kokou said in an aggressive off-handed manner.

"You are Raizen's daughter, right? You look a lot like Yusuke." Enki inquired just to be sure.

"Yes, I apologize. I have been rather busy as of late, and have not had much time outside of territory matters and negotiations. My name is Kagome." She replied as she gave a small bow of greeting.

"So we've heard." Kokou replied before stepping to Kagome's side to sit in front of the grave.

"No need to be formal with us. We've heard a lot about you, little lady, from Yusuke already." Enki said as he also sat, and so Kagome followed suite.

"You were one of my Father's sparring buddies, weren't you? He told me a bit about some of the people he knew. Your names are familiar." Kagome asked as she started to relax a bit.

So it was that she met Raizen's old friends Enki and Kokou. She learned a few stories about Raizen from when he was young that he had not told her, and found that she rather enjoyed their company. They discussed everything from her situation dealing with the four Lords as well as the upcoming tournament. She also told them of how she had been working to create a governmental system to support whoever became King. It grew into the afternoon by the time they parted ways and she headed back to the tower.

'At least I'll know two more people who are entering. It'll be nice to see some of Father's old sparring buddies compete.'

123

Two months had passed quickly and it was now time for the tournament to start. Kagome and Yusuke had been in demon world for just under two years now, and they had little over a year until they turned eighteen. Kagome moved through the crowds of people as she looked around and tried to reach the top of the stairs. The spiritual presence of two of the people standing at the top was different from others in the crowd, and she wanted to find out why.

She had opted out of competing as she felt she had enough on her plate already. Yusuke had been disappointed, but when she told him she wanted to keep a few tricks up her sleeve then he understood. The system may have changed, but the demons of Makai would always follow those with more power than themselves.

It would be nice if she could find at least one of her old friends here. There were thousands of demons at this event, and she felt she had a good chance. If Inuyasha were still around then there would be no way he would miss this. Sesshomaru was a Lord and so he may be here as well. With the massive amount of demons in attendance it would still be hard to find her friends.

Once she reached the top of the stairs she followed the energies to the people who even here in demon world looked suspicious. Not only was their energy different from that of any demon she had encountered, but their scent was off. The blue ogre in what looked to be red spandex looked ridiculous as he simpered toward the young looking teenage boy with a pacifier in his mouth. Next to them was a girl with long blue hair held up in a ponytail,and the strangest glasses she had ever seen.

Kagome felt her ears perk a bit at Yusuke's name and the word Rekai as they were speaking. Well now she had an idea who they were. Seeing other demons in the area starting to take notice of the commotion they were causing, she decided these three should really not be here before someone else decided to take notice, and they were recognized. Walking up behind them she noticed that they really weren't paying attention the their surroundings as they watched Yusuke talking to Kurama and who she thought must be Hiei.

"You know you really shouldn't be here Botan, and that goes double for you Koenma." Kagome spoke lowly as not to attract any unwanted attention, but couldn't hold back the small smile as the three of them jumped and turned to face her.

"H-How?" Botan squeaked as they looked at her.

"Come with me if you want to watch. It's really not safe here for you. The last thing we need is a riot." Kagome said as she waited for them to follow and led them to her and Yusuke's private viewing room.

It had been arranged for each of the Lords and their Ladies to have their own private viewing rooms away from all the activity of the public. Closing the door behind them Kagome flipped on the screen so she could see what was going on before turning back to them.

"You can take off your disguises here. This is my private room. There are only a few others who know about it, and you don't have to worry about them." Kagome told them as she moved to take her seat and waited for them to do so as well.

"I'm sorry, but how did you know who we were?" Botan asked once everyone was seated.

The spirit world group looked uncertain and so Kagome decided to ease their fear a bit.

"I'll give you a hint. I bear an uncanny resemblance to my brother who you all know."

It only took a moment before Koenma's breath caught as he got it.

"No… you too? Spirit world was never notified!"

"What do you mean Koenma?" Botan asked curiously.

"Yusuke had a sister in his file who was raised by another member of their family. A twin sister."

Kagome watched as they all looked surprised before she glanced at the screen. It was taking quite a while for them to draw lots. There were over six thousand applicants after all, but luckily they were nearing the end. It was a time consuming process, but it would help her to see if any of the demons competing today were any of her old companions.

"Your Kagome, aren't you?" Koenma asked as he spoke again.

"It's nice to meet Yusuke's old boss. I've heard a few stories."

"How did you get into demon world?" Botan asked looking a little flustered.

"Father sent for me after my blood woke. Just like he did for Yusuke. He knew that he had to act fast before Rekai took notice. Father knew all too well what King Enma would do if I was discovered in the human's world." Kagome crossed her legs elegantly as she relaxed into her chair.

"How is this even possible? There has never been a Mazoku who was female. I've only ever heard of males." Koenma's attention was riveted as he watched Kagome's movements with a look of mixed awe and trepidation.

"I honestly don't know. Father had said much the same once. I'll tell you right now, Koenma. You don't have to worry about me. I'm perfectly happy here in demon world and don't intend to go back to the human world. You won't have the deal with the same issues as you did with Yusuke." Kagome told him as she tried to ease a bit of the tension that was thick through the room so that she could focus on watching as contestants drew their lot.

"I never received any notice that another of Mazoku descent had woken." Koenma said as he watched her, and Kagome felt herself sigh in exasperation.

"You wouldn't have. I was Father's well kept secret until he died. No one outside of the stronghold knew about me. Not even my human relatives know anything. Now just relax. I promise you I won't do anything. Just watch. I brought you here so you didn't have to worry about being gutted if someone else recognized you."

For several hours they sat mostly in silence as they watched. The group from the spirit world seemed to grow more comfortable with her as the time passed. Yusuke's first match was up next when there was a knock at the door. After bidding them to enter Kagome looked over to see Seitei.

"Ah. Good effort, Seitei. It was just your luck to be pitted against Hokushin so quickly. Maybe next time it'll be different."

"Thank you, my lady. I see you have guests." Seitei looked over the others in the room after closing the door.

"They are not here for me, but for

Yusuke. I hate to ask as I know you must be tired, but could you go get that idiot for me? His match shouldn't take him long from what I've seen of his competition." Kagome asked before glancing back at the screen.

"Of course." Was her only answer as he slipped back out the door.

Koenma clearing his throat brought her attention back to them.

"Lady?" Kagome shrugged and nodded but didn't answer with anything but to say.

"He's my advisor."

Looking back at the screen she sighed as Yusuke beat them all quickly as she had predicted, but with the added theatrics he had made it all into a joke.

"He hasn't changed." She heard Botan murmur.

"He's grown stronger, but that's about it." Kagome agreed as she waited.

Soon enough the door burst open as Yusuke entered followed by Seitei who closed the door behind him. Yusuke paused when he seen that she wasn't alone.

"Koenma? Botan? What the heck are you guys doing in demon world?! You know they would kill you if anyone saw you here." He said as he came to stand next to Kagome's chair.

"So your sister has told us. She figured us out not long after we walked in. Spirit world is also interested in the state of affairs in demon world, and who will be the one in charge." Koenma said as he shot Yusuke a meaningful look to which Yusuke ignored and looked at Kagome in silent question.

"Their energy was different so I got curious." She mumbled as she watched Yomi's match with his son Shura.

"So what did you think of my first match?"

"You ended it more slowly than I thought you would. You just wanted to show off. No one will take you seriously if you just play around." She replied as the group from spirit world watched them.

"Gotta give them a bit of a show. You know how much most everyone here thinks about us, right?" Yusuke asked with a small scowl.

"I'm fine with it. I'm not weak. What do I care if they think I am? Being boastful will do nothing. I will settle the matter if I am challenged." She gave him a bit of a bored look.

The preliminaries were not interesting at all, and she did not recognize any of her friends from either the match-ups or the drawing of lots. Feeling a bit disappointed she turned her attention more fully to Yusuke and his friends.

"Maybe because you're the High Lady of Tourin now, and if your thought to be weak it could cause problems." Yusuke argued back before huffing at her bored look.

"You let me worry about that. I know what I'm doing. Sometimes the best thing you can do is not let them have the first clue what you are capable of. You should have learned that from Father. He always was just trying to teach you. Just like Yomi's doing for his own son right now." She said with a sigh as she watched the last match.

It was rather obvious that little Shura was out matched. It would take some years before he would really be ready. From what she could see, Yomi was intent on teaching his son some hard lessons.

"Yeah. Yeah. You understood him better than I ever did." Yusuke tried to brush her off as he took his own seat.

"Ask and I'll tell you, Yusuke. All you have to do is ask." Kagome murmured.

She watched on as Yusuke visited with his friends, only commenting here and there. She would keep the extent of her own power hidden while she could. Once the others of demon world discovered about her Miko powers then she would be declared dangerous just for that. Her brother didn't know the true extent of what that power could really do, but Seitei and Hakushin did. That was why, other than being Raizen's daughter, they would continue to follow her.

Kagome had really no intention to do anything with her status as High Lady other than to watch over the people her father had led. She would do so until Yusuke returned to take over what was his by right. She would rather lead as diplomatically as possible then by show of strength. They would find out what she could do when it was time, but until then she wanted them to underestimate her.

She wanted them to question.

123456

Well that's it for this chapter. Sorry it's so late, but my husband and I were on vacation while we celebrated our first anniversary. So much has been going on that I haven't had time to really write. Well, let me know what you think. More of the tournament in the next chapter.

~Ryu