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What If?
A white hand reached over and shut the door before Inuyasha could get out a single word. Kagome felt two hands touch her shoulders and turn her around. "Go" she heard Yumeto say as the hands removed themselves from Kagome's person. As Kagome took off Yumeto's eyes narrowed. He turned on his heels so that he was once more facing the door. Slowly he opened it again but this time he took a step in.
An evil gleam entered the dream demon's eyes as he began to speak. "For some, seemingly unknown, reason my new mistress seems to have taken a disliking to this scene so I am warning you now" he began coldly "If I find that any of you are hindering the progress of my Lady or the Lord of this castle I will not hesitate to end your existence". With a sweet smile the demon said "I will be seeing all of you very soon" before he turned and left, not allowing anyone to say anything.
All was quiet in the room after the menacing demon left. Slowly all the eyes in the room turned to Inuyasha and Kikyou. Sango quietly said "I think I know what he was talking about."
For those who did not know that the Shikon miko had returned they did now. "What the heck is she doing here" Kagome mumbled under her breath as she stormed down the grand staircase and into the welcoming room. "I know I was gone for a month but that gives her no ri...UF" Kagome continued as she ran into something. She stepped back a bowed slightly apologizing.
"I am very sorry" she said straightening herself. Looking forward once more she was greeted with the sight of Sesshomaru and a hooded man looking down on her. "Miko I see you have returned from you journey" Sesshomaru said coldly and without interest. "Yes I have" Kagome replied just as coldly, but seething beneath the surface.
"Who is this beauty Sesshomaru? All you Nobles are so rude, hiding all the good ones away for yourself" the cloaked man said as he pulled down his hood. Kagome was greeted with the sight of pitch black hair and deep grey eyes that screamed mischief. Kagome shook off her shock and scowled at the man, processing what he had just said.
"For you information I don't belong to anyone especially not Sesshomaru. Given the circumstances Sesshomaru has allowed me and my friends to stay here until we are on our way." Kagome finished brushing past the two men and continued out the door.
"Got yourself a feisty one there doesn't you Sesshomaru" the man said, grinning slightly. "As the girl stated she is not mine Haru. You should learn to listen" Sesshomaru replied as he turned to continue his walk into the palace. The newly named Haru simply chuckled and said "That's what you think now" under his breath.
Kagome was in the smallest dojo just sitting in the middle of the floor. She didn't feel like doing anything but just sitting there. She didn't realize that she was crying or that anyone was in the room until she felt a hand wipe away one of the stray tears that were rolling down her cheeks. Kagome looked up and saw Mori looking down at her with confusion in his eyes.
"What's the matter Kagome" he question, concern filled his voice. The tiger crouched down in front of Kagome and lifted up her chin gently. "Kagome I'm your friend you can tell me whatever you need to. I will help you through it. After all what are pack mates for right?" Mori questioned. Suddenly Kagome was crying even harder as all of her insecurities came pouring out.
"Why am I not good enough Mori? I'm strong enough to defend myself and I can sense the shards. What more does that stupid Hanyou want from me? I can't make myself prettier. It's not my fault. It's not like I love him or anything but it hurts when I am replace so often. I'm such a failure" Kagome sobbed out. Kagome felt arms wrap themselves around her and she leaned into the embrace.
Slowly her tears stopped falling and Mori pulled back holding her at arm's length. "Kagome you are a beautiful person with a kind soul. I am proud to call you my friend". He was silent for a moment before he said "You remind me of my sister when she was your age".
Kagome sniffed and asked "Where is she now". Mori smiled and whispered "She is mated with several little tigers of her own".
A small giggle escaped Kagome as she and Mori stood up. Silently the door to dojo opened and Yumeto stepped in. "Kagome are you alright" the quiet demon questioned. Kagome nodded slowly and said "Yup just me being a teenager". Yumeto nodded and opened door, holding it so Kagome and Mori could step out before him.
The trio stood outside of the door for a second before Kagome clasped her hands together and said "Let's do something normal." Yumeto raised an eyebrow as mori asked "Like what?"
Kagome looked around and paused when she saw smoke rising from the castle's kitchen area. "Can I make dinner" she questioned, turning her gaze back to the youki in front of her. Mori looked at her hesitantly before slowly nodding.
After convincing the kitchen staff to leave Kagome set to work. "How much time do we have before the royals come down for dinner?" she questioned, as she moved around getting things ready. Looking outside Mori saw that night had already fallen.
"You have about an hour and a half" Mori stated. Kagome tied her hair back, rolled up her sleeves and said "Right then. Let's get to work."
~2 Hours Later~
The royals and the shard hunting group had been at dinner for about half an hour and the dining table was abuzz with conversation.
"This is excellent" the Prince of the South said.
"Yes who made this? It is delectable" the Lady of the East gushed.
"Lady Kagome made it Milady" Yumeto said as he walked in. "My apologies for my tardiness, I had personal matters to attend to" he said smoothly as he sat down to the right of Kagome. Said Miko furrowed her brow as she felt Haru tense up on her left. The demons on either side of Kagome exchanged tense words.
"Haru" Yumeto said emotionlessly.
"Yumeto, as cold and late as usual I see" Haru ground out. Kagome just sighed and continued her meal. There was a short moment of silence before the Prince of the South spoke up once more.
"Lady Kagome you made this" he questioned as he slipped some more food in his mouth.
"Yes my mother taught me how to cook and I wished to share the recipe with you" Kagome stated softly. Once more there was a short pause before the Prince's father spoke up.
"She is beautiful and she can cook" he boasted, glancing at his son, "I would look out Lord Sesshomaru or someone might steak her from you."
To Sesshomaru's left Shira began to growl but she was cut off by Sesshomaru's hand. "As I have told our guest Haru the Miko is none of my business. I have no claim on her therefor what she does, does not concern me. However I have another matter I wish to discuss. I politely ask that you make your departure by the end of the week seeing as I have maters to attend to on my lands" Sesshomaru said coldly.
Both the visiting Lords dipped their heads in acceptance and Shira spoke up. "Might I come with you my Lord" she asked loudly as she pushed up her bosom. Sesshomaru inclined his head in acceptance. Kagome held in a sigh as she thought about how hard I was going to be to hold back with that witch around.
In the days leading up to the departure of the nobles everything was, for lack of better word, chaotic. The weather got colder and colder signaling the coming of winter. Yumeto refused to speak, not that he normally did, but when he did it was when he and Haru were arguing. Kagome thought back to when she found out that Haru and Yumeto were brothers
"What are you doing here Yu" Haru questioned coldly.
"I could ask you the same" Yumeto shot back.
"Just visiting an old friend" Haru stated.
Kagome sighed as she heard the beginning to what she was sure would be yet another argument between the two demons. She leaned against the wall, prepared to step in if needed.
"Come now Haru we both know the real reason you're here and I'm telling you it's not the right time yet and you know it. The cherry blossoms are not even in bloom yet" Yumeto growled out.
"Always so aggressive has it ever occurred to you that you and I belong on the same side" Haru questioned the frustrated demon.
"Oddly enough no" Yumeto said, sarcasm dripping off his words.
"We have more in common than you like to believe. This petty feud between us is simply childish, people will suffer- and you know how it always upset mummy" Haru stated in a condescending tone.
"I upset her" Yumeto ground out, "Me? It wasn't me who upset her Haruka" Yumeto all but spat. A confused look crossed Kagome's face as she pushed herself off the wall.
"No n- wait who's mummy" Kagome questioned stepping in between them.
"Mother. Our mother. This is my brother Haru" Yumeto stated turning towards Kagome. She nodded slowly as she absorbed the information. "Okay" she said as she stepped back allowing the boys to finish their argument in peace
Not only were Haru and Yumeto arguing back and forth but Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were also constantly at each other's throats. Inuyasha would yell at his brother who would retaliate with a cutting response. Sango and Kagome would stand in the background waiting to see if intervention was necessary.
"They just need some air….we all do" Sango stated as the brothers stopped their quarrel. Sesshomaru turned and strode down the corridor and Inuyasha….jumped out the window. Kagome and Sango both sighed as they turned from the now empty hallway.
"I am going to go finish packing up my stuff. I will see you at supper" Kagome told Sango as the opened the door to her room. Sango nodded and gave a small wave as she continued down the stairs just down the hall. Kagome shut the door to her room and strode over to her desk where she took out all the necessary school books and put them in her bag.
She sighed as she finished packing up the books and sat down on her bed. It was level with the ground like a traditional futon that was used in the Feudal Era. As far as she could tell all the rooms had the same type of bed. "I think I might like this better than my bed at home" she mumbled to herself "It feels more natural." Kagome lowered herself so she was laying and ever so slowly she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Kagome opened her eyes to a familiar meadow filled with a soft golden light. She sat up and looked over at her companion in the dream world, Midoriko. Standing Kagome looked over at the ancient miko and said "So what will we be working on today" with a smile.
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The Band of Thieves