I want to take the time out to just say...how much I genuinely appreciate everyone who has written, reviewed, followed, faved, etc. I have lost friends recently due to gun violence and random tragic events. Life is so short. Do what you love and don't let anyone make you feel ashamed or shameful for trying something or liking something/someone. I know this is FanfFction on the internet, but this is truly a community. I'm not sure how I can help you or even if I can but I want to say that I'm here, nonjudgemental, and I support good people regardless of race, color, gender, beliefs, culture, sexual preferences, etc. So if you're having a bad day, write to me. Reach out...I don't care.

Do you! Love often. Laugh much.

xoxoxo

NOW Here you go another chapter loves! I swear I should be a writer for soap operas. Like why did I not go to school for writing! Ugh!

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Chapter 14: Al Dente

"My humble apologies for the reschedule I called. I wanted to really sit down with you and have a proper moment without so many interruptions at the office." Izayoi said while setting down a tray of coffee and biscotti. She added the crème and sugar while happily chatting away bringing the joy she was most noted for back into Kikyo's life.

France was an excellent choice.

Kikyo was grateful she took the extra care to detail in putting together her appearance. Her solid dark blue frame dress clung to her blossoming hips that were no longer as bony as they use to be. Black dark tresses hung neatly behind her shining healthy under the sunlight filtering in through the grand windows. And she put on her best pair of white pearl pumps to walk the legendary halls of Izayoi's family castle. This was officially her first step into higher society and she needed to make a good impression to get Izayoi's help. She made sure not a single hair was out of perfection and her makeup was flawless using the skills that only a true artist could wield with a brush.

Kikyo smiled accepting the tea bone china tea cup from her graciously looking around at the grandeur that was the French royal's smallest receiving room. Beautifully white columned carved entry ways, thick crown molding, and high ceilings welcomed her into the massive castle. Izayoi roamed the room grabbing things before opening a hidden bar housing a crystal decanter holding cool brown liquor that swirled mockingly next to chilled empty glasses. Kikyo sipped from her tea cup nervously hoping that she didn't offer anything special to go inside of her glass. She watched the liquor move before looking at her dress finding imaginary lint here and there. Izayoi wasn't a cruel woman by any means but Kikyo wasn't entirely ready to have her faith tested so early. She watched Izayoi grabbed a few white napkins while speaking about the details of the change in schedule. Kikyo released a sigh of relief watching her close the compartment and walk over to their small seating arrangement. They now sat in hand crafted white tufted chairs surrounding a coffee table in her small floral receiving room catching up on missed time.

"It's nothing really." Kikyo responded blowing gently over the rim of her cup to cool it. "I'm very thankful that you answered and was so willing to speak with me about this."

Izayoi looked offended and waved her words away. "Of course dear! You should always know that if you are in need of anything, you can come here." She stated while reaching for her own saucer and white cup. "Now what is this venture you are proposing?"

Kikyo smiled and placed her cup down gently on the glass coffee table. She looked to her side to see the laminated portfolio she had brought with her to give Izayoi a glimpse of her recent works. "I would like to have you plan an event for my galleria. I am ready to create consistently again." Kikyo handed over the booklet to Izayoi who quickly opened it with haste. Izayoi placed her cup too on the table quickly to excited to drink her coffee. Kikyo touched her index finger along her thin pink bottom lip and rubbed harshly as anxiety grew inside her. Izayoi knew everybody and anybody. One nod from Izayoi and one's career would take off. But things had changed and years had passed since she had been in the social arena. Her work had changed…she had changed. There was always going to be question as to if the new change would be not just accepted but profitable as well.

"Wow." Izayoi breathlessly responded flipping the pages faster now looking over each colorful picture. "Kikyo…this is…incredible." She applauded before her French became so thick and heavy that it was unrecognizable.

Kikyo shifted in her seat and swallowed knowing that what was there on canvas was her bare soul. Everything was a view of her struggles and perceptions of life and death. All the anger, pain, sadness, in addition to her substance abuse was reflected on canvas and marked in oil and acrylic paints. Izayoi looked up to see the woman sitting cold and almost aloof staring back at her. She could see this Kikyo had grown and had unfortunately suffered deeply. She had heard rumors about her life and the press ate her up at one point until she literally vanished entirely.

Kikyo nodded her head and dug into her purse pulling out a contract and a pen. "Of course, any deals and proceeds will go to you as payment for-."

"No thank you." Izayoi cut off placing the portfolio open faced on the coffee table. "I won't take a dime." Izayoi picked her cup up again and took a sip feeling the liquid warm her insides. "Kikyo, let me say first, I'm so very proud of you. There were rumors regarding your illness and then when you and your sister vanished sort of speak…" Izayoi shook her head not wanting to soil the woman's great strides for positive growth. She had known Kikyo from the social circles they ran back in Japan but they weren't particularly close. Kikyo's art was famed and part of the lifestyle. Everyone who's anyone bought her exclusive limited artwork pieces at top dollar and had them in their homes to boast of their cultured appearances. To the more nostalgic ones specifically, Kikyo's style reminded those that lived beyond that of human years of a lifetime that was different, darker, and yet free in ways weren't anymore. Before technology came and ruined profound relationships. The more she looked at her art, the more she was reminded of Kikyo's expressionism art talent and why she was so celebrated in the artist world. Her work was so much more profound now which was sad and proved true of they saying…Great artists suffer for the people. Her fingers traced shapes and lines she found feeling heartbreak for the Higurashi family. Izayoi's smile grew staring down at her work with contemplative brown eyes. "I'm sure Kagome is very happy as well. She must be ecstatic to have you nearby. Having family and pack is everything."

Kikyo tilted her chin up a bit and smiled softly. "Actually she doesn't know."

Izayoi's head snapped towards her and she blinked not fully sure if she understood her. Kikyo nodded and smiled. "I would like my Gala to also be a surprise for my sister as well. I want it to be a complete enjoyable surprise to everyone."

Izayoi nearly bounced in her seat elated to be in on such grand project. She loved Kagome and little Rin. Both had become little additions to their pack especially with everyone teaching Rin how to use her demon abilities. "I love this! Oh we must plan right away!" Izayoi's mind was reeling with thoughts and décor styles. Her mind went towards the guest list and she stilled in her chair. Izayoi reached across the table and placed her hands on Kikyo's with warmth and love that Kikyo was sure only Izayoi could exuberate. "I will warn you, they may be cruel and bring up your…absence and news in the press. Are you sure…you can handle this?" She asked with concern.

Kikyo knew what she was hinting at. Of course, people knew about her tragic fall into substance abuse and desolation. She knew the people that call themselves, "upper class", "elite", and the "ton" could possibly be the most villainous people ready to carve their dinner forks and knives into her life like a succulent tender filet mignon and be as cruel to pour her the most intoxicated beverage in her glass to see her break. But, she would prove to them all…even to her sister, that she was stronger and better now. Above all, she was ready to take back her life. Kikyo turned her palms upwards and squeezed Izayoi's hand. "I wouldn't have come if I wasn't." She responded.

"Wonderful!" Izayoi congratulated squeezing tightly and pulling back. "It's been awhile since I threw a proper party. Why not make it an art extravaganza!"

"An art party?"

The ladies turned to see Kaguya stalk her way into the sitting room scoffing at the notion. Her dark purple jump suit had a sheen to it as she walked under the natural light shining into the room from the large windows. Kikyo turned to see Izayoi frown at the demoness strolling in on their once private meeting. "This is my oldest son's fiancé Kaguya Utomi." She introduced. "Lady Utomi this is my beloved friend Kikyo Higurashi, famed artist." She proudly stated looking down at her work again in awe. She realized she slipped and gave her last name. She cringed making a mental note to not say her last name from now on or to make something up.

Kaguya's dark blue eyes visibly narrowed at Kikyo's slender form sitting dollishly in front of her future mother in law so familairly. She sneered at her thin body and waved her clawed painted nails in the air. "So unfortunate to meet you under such bleak circumstances. How is your sister's restaurant doing?" She asked with a tone filled with mirth.

Izayoi watched Kikyo's eyes become like steel and her posture went rigid. Kikyo had changed a lot since she could remember. Before her eyes she watched Kikyo's gaze become lethal glaring openly at the demoness. She didn't like Kaguya much either but she wanted to be supportive of her adoptive son's mating choice. His real mother Lady Inu-Kimi hated the woman and was bolder in her approach than Izayoi was at declaring her dislike for the impudent demoness every time she saw her son. She wished the demoness was here now as she had found ways of avoiding the demoness as often as she could. How could Sesshomaru be so callous to put power over having an authentic relationship with a mate, went beyond her understanding. Her eyes trailed to Kikyo then who neither reacted nor showed any signs of distress from Kaguya's jibe.

Kikyo shrugged her shoulders. "Better than ever. At least that's what the French paper says especially after having the royal family dine in and show their support." Kikyo smiled ushering to Izayoi with a smile. "But that's right! You weren't there." She clapped back reminding her of the night she wasn't invited. Kagome told her about the incident awhile back on the phone after she brought it up. Kikyo had spent many nights looking at the picture as a motivation to do whatever it takes to be clean so she could help rebuild what little was left of her relationship with her family. She memorized every face in the photo and colored over Sesshomaru's face out of spite on her phone using an app she downloaded. Childish, but it did give a little bout of happiness. She swore she would get him back for trying to ruin her sister's reputation and what better opportunity than the one presenting itself right here.

Kaguya fumed walking around her with an icy stare. She sat down across from her, next to Izayoi who smiled as brightly as she could to combat the negative energy she was feeling in her small sitting room. Nervously, Izayoi quickly stood up needing to make a quick call. Izayoi casually rubbed her mate mark to catch his attention hoping to communicate with him the situation regarding Kaguya's rude behavior. "Hold on you two, let me get my contacts so we can begin working on your project today." Izayoi beamed grabbing Kikyo's portfolio and rushing to go find a phone.

"So glad to see you are sober these days, Kikyo." Kaguya threw haughtily knowing very well who the weak human was.

Kikyo rolled her eyes forming her plan carefully. "Thank you although I may have to have a drink to stomach this impromptu meeting. " She scanned her over carefully mindful of alerting her to the use of her powers. She looked onto her neck and arms noting nothing of a courting mark or mating mark for that matter. Only on her hand sat a pretty engagement ring that held very little weight to demons. Smirking she sipped her coffee and reached for a cookie.

Kaguya hated the woman and growing infuriated that she would sit there and act as if she was better than her. She stood abruptly and went over to the secret compartment where Inu Tashio kept his scotch for guests. "Well let's get you one." She smirked and poured herself a glass carefully while also pouring another for the human.

Kikyo watched her judiciously not trusting the demoness one bit but schooling her facial expressions to show zero fear and concern knowing there would be many more meetings with people like this in the future with others. Kaguya turned so she could see her liquor offerings with a cruel smile. Loudly, she placed the decanter back on the silver tray. She picked up both glasses and didn't bother to close it behind her taking liberties that didn't exactly stand well with Kikyo. "Maybe this will help you swallow what I'm about to tell you." She stopped in front of her and handed her the drink to take.

Kikyo stared at the drink in her hand and reached to take it with firm a hand. She smiled and placed it on the coffee table gently before sitting back to hear whatever the demoness had to throw at her. Kaguya sneered and took a sip of her drink making sure Kikyo watched her drink every drop. Dramatically, she pulled the glass from her lips and moaned with satisfaction. "Refreshing."

Kikyo simply smiled and waved her finger ushering her to hurry and get to the point of things. Before, she used to have the patience of a saint. However, sitting before Kaguya was putting even that trait to the test. "You never was one for intelligent conversation, get to the point." Kikyo cut in now crossing her arms defensively.

Kaguya growled warningly with her eyes turning a shade pink. Kikyo's aura rose in response to her aggressive nature but made no move to defend herself. "You and that disgusting sister of yours need to stay away from this family." She growled out. "That restaurant ordeal is just a warning. You really don't want to cross me."

Kikyo leaned forward reading between the lines of her threat. "So you did all of that bashing?" She asked smirking. "Let me tell you something now, Kaguya." She spoke clearly folding her hands in her lap. "If you come anywhere near my family in a malicious manner, I will give you a reason to call that dog of yours to save your ass." Kikyo threatened her eyes flashing pink. Her reiki rose dangerously. "But I suppose he won't come, now will he?" She pointed towards her neck and her body.

"You know nothing, you disgusting mortal swine." Kaguya growled with eyes turning darker.

"Let's face it Kaguya. I'm a miko…I don't sense any demon or Inu residue on you meaning you two haven't been together in a very long time." Kikyo fired with her eyes going back to normal. Calm, cool, and collected she leaned back casually in her seat crossing her long legs and inwardly applauding herself at her own finesse. She grinned watching Kaguya fume knowing very well that she was treading on thin ice that could erupt into a fight that she wouldn't back down from. Kikyo picked up her tea cup again and sipped the last bit of coffee that was left. Carefully, she set it back on the table gently. "I may be an alcoholic but at least I don't go around lying to myself." Kikyo grabbed her purse off the floor and stood. She dug around looking for a cigarette. Finding one, she quickly shoved it in her mouth and walked towards the exit needing to smoke. She paused at the entry and looked back over her shoulder. "I wonder where he is right now?" She took out her lighter and smirked at Kaguya. "Because clearly, he's not with you. Maybe I should find him." And with that she was out the door.

Kaguya's chest was rising rapidly. She reached for her phone in her pocket and looked for Sesshomaru's number. Her fingers smashed against the touch screen and her claws tapped it in her haste. She called him hearing the dial tone until she was met with his answering machine. She clutched her phone in one hand and angrily she grabbed her empty glass off the coffee table. Standing up she threw it at the door that Kikyo exited. "Bitch!"

Kikyo walked forward with a smile down the hallway holding her cigarette to her lips. Kaguya's shouts echoed in the bottom corridor, sounding like music to her ears. It had been a long time since she verbally fought someone...sober. Before she remembered she didn't even have to say anything. Her icy glare would do the talking and immediately the room would go cold and whoever she had an altercation with would back down. Kikyo laughed tossing her head back a bit feeling some more weight lift from her shoulders. It felt good to get back at the demoness but it did bring up a few questions. Did Sesshomaru know about Kaguya's plan to ruin her sister's restaurant? Did Kagome know?

She shook her head and rushed to the front of the door where a butler opened it wide and allowed her to leave. "I'll be right back. Just going for a walk." Kikyo stated looking behind her for Izayoi hoping she would get her message. She stepped outside into the high noon sun and lit her death stick. Her feet slowly descended down the white steps not wanting to be seen smoking on the royal family's front porch. As she reached the bottom step, a bright red sports car pulled up in the long winding driveway. It stopped right before her and she slowed her pace. Triangular pointed snowcapped ears and fluffy silver hair was the first to greet her. Instant recognition came to her mind and she looked him over with the protective eyes of an older sister ready to cast judgement on the boy her little sister was dating. Jeans and a black shirt covered him as he jogged around the car towards her. She wrapped her scent tightly to hide it from him hoping that his nose as an Inu wasn't as strong as they say it was. Golden eyes stared into her own searching for something.

Inuyasha looked at her in shock before walking up to her. He looked her over noting how different she looked from the time he helped her in the middle of that shit storm she was going through. Her hair was long and rained down her back. Bangs framed her face making her look regal in that moment. Her skin was pale like porcelain as if she had just stepped outside for the first time in ages. Deep brown eyes gazed at him slowly lightening with each step forward he took. He looked up the steps and wondered if he really was seeing things. Who was this woman that she was found in his mother's home? Izayoi was not one to invite anybody in her home. Clearly, this woman meant something. She reminded him a bit of Kagome and he felt the two could pass as sisters. He sniffed not catching her scent and this slightly bothered him. He wondered what kind of demon she was to be able to do such a thing.

"Kikyo" He breathed watching her inhale deeply and exhaling the toxic fumes into the air. The nicotine felt good releasing her of her stress. She wished she had a glass of water because being offered a drink like so was very tempting. She would be a liar if she said she didn't want a sip. But out of pride and spite she didn't take it.

"Inuyasha." She responded blowing the smoke away from him courteously. She waved her hands to dispel the cloud hoping it wouldn't irritate him too much. She continued walking to find a secluded spot to smoke in peace.

"Mom is ok?" He asked stopping in front of her to block her way. His nose wrinkled a bit.

"Yea, why wouldn't she be?" Kikyo asked looking back at the house wondering if Kaguya had done something. "Kaguya's inside. Should Izayoi not be alone with her or something?" Kikyo asked growing concerned. She dragged from her stick heavily now before she felt it vanish from between her lips. Kikyo looked down to see Inuyasha's clawed fingers toss it to his feet and he stepped on it to put it out. His ears swiveled towards the house. She exhaled the smoke in annoyance.

"Cut that out would ya! It will kill ya!" He growled marching up the steps and dragging her along with him. "My mom's looking for ya!"

Kikyo sputtered angrily. "You're lucky I have a carton of them!" She pulled her arm back rushing back up the stairs with him. The door opened for them and they both entered rushing back up the corridor. The sound of a vacuum was heard and Inuyasha slowed down pushing his ears towards his skull to fight against the loud noise. Kikyo stumbled a bit feeling Inuyasha flex his powerful aura out in the house catching her off guard. Izayoi immediately came rushing from another room and relief washed over her face. Immediately, she hurried up to Kikyo and grabbed her by the shoulders. She embraced her tightly and rubbed her back soothingly making Kikyo feel awkward.

Inuyasha looked between the two curiously. "What the hell happened!"

Izayoi glared at him for his choice of words before looking to Kikyo. "I'm so sorry for what she did. I saw the glass everywhere and I just thought the worst." She said clutching her pearls over her heart. "I called Kimi and my mate."

"Yeah, I came soon as I got old man's message. Where is she?" He yelled sniffing for Kaguya's scent. "Kaguya!"

"Mom!"

Kikyo turned to see a young lady with snowy hair and eyes like Inuyasha run into the house and drop ten bags by the door. Her peach fit and flare dress brushed along her thighs as she ran towards them. Her eyes were pink showing she was already prepared for a fight. "Are you ok!" She rushed to her mom and hugged her tightly. Pulling back she looked around for the demoness.

"I'm fine Shiori. I just asked for your father and Kimi is all. Nothing to be worried about." She stated blushing feeling embarrassed at the scene she may have caused. "Kaguya was a little upset and I didn't know what to think. She started breaking glass and then she just stormed off somewhere towards the garage in the back." She waved towards the opposite direction.

"I'm so sorry for leaving you with her." Kikyo apologized genuinely upset now knowing that things may have gotten out of hand when she walked away to have a smoke. "I just went to take a walk." She blushed pointing towards the front entrance.

"No, no, no, dear. I shouldn't have left the room with you alone with her. I knew she could be cruel but that was disgraceful. Someone needs to talk to Sesshomaru about that girl!" Izayoi stomped her foot. "Where is my son anyway?"

Inuyasha looked between the two women wishing someone would fill him in on what happened. He walked away from them and made his way towards the infuriatingly loud vacuum noise. He looked inside to see glass getting cleaned up on the carpet. A tray of cookies was on the floor and a single glass of liquor rested on the table. Did the two fight or something? He looked back at Kikyo and he didn't see any injuries or claw marks on her dress. He could feel some sort of barrier around her making it difficult to get her scent as if she was hiding something. "Is anyone gonna tell us what the hell happened?"

Izayoi ignored him and instead grabbed her daughter's hand and Kikyo's pulling them towards her sun room. Shiori held her mother's hand tight muttering about how ready she was to claw the demoness's eyes out. "She's lost her mind and thinks she owns everything! You probably told her 'no' to something or told her something she didn't like." Shiori guessed. They walked into a white room with sliding doors that gave a beautiful view of a manicured green garden. The sun shined through the glass lighting it up. White sofas and chairs were everywhere with colorful pillows thrown everywhere. Maids were running around laying out tea and more snacks for them to munch on. Izayoi seated herself and everyone else followed getting comfortable.

"Kikyo, this is my daughter Shiori and my son Inuyasha. Everyone, this is Kikyo H-." She dragged quickly dropping her last name remembering Kikyo's desire to keep everything a secret. "Kikyo is a famous artist and a good friend of mine. She was looking to get back into selling her artwork and we were working on a fun project until this whole thing happened with Kaguya and her rudeness." She stated not wanting to put Kikyo's business out there. "I apologize for her behavior Kikyo. I swear this is not how I wanted our meeting to go in my home." Izayoi stated truly embarrassed.

Shiori looked at Kikyo hoping that nothing bad would happen. Her mother seemed pretty upset and she didn't like to see her or Kimi that way. It riled her up and got her blood pumping when she received a text from Inuyasha about the drama unfolding in their home. The longer that Kaguya stayed with them, the worst things had gotten. No one liked being home when she was there or going out with her. She was so impolite to others and to those less fortunate than she was. She always walked around ready to condemn humans and half demons for any service they provided her finding it subpar to those of full demon blood. Kaguya wasn't great at hiding her feelings from her or Inuyasha. She put up with them for the sake of her status as fiancé to their brother. She loved to be in the public's eye with them pushing pictures and status's out of all her social media networks. But this was a wake-up call. What if her mom was actually in danger and no one was there to save her? It would be too late. She had to go. She had to find a way to get rid of her.

Shiori mulled over this until she looked at Kikyo tilting her head to the side. Kikyo had great taste in clothes and shoes. The woman was gorgeous quite frankly. She was thin in some areas that were questionable to the lifestyle she led, but beautiful none the less. She was tall, stunning, and apparently a great artist. Her older brother would be so into this if she worked it right. All he needed was a distraction. Maybe Kikyo could be that for Sesshomaru long enough to at least dump Kaguya. It was also a bonus that their mother seemed to be very close to her which would be a bonus. Kikyo would be perfect. She could get Kikyo invited to house dinners and functions all the time until she slowly pushed that bitch Kaguya out of the picture for good.

A Grinch like smile formed on her mouth as a light went on in her head. She batted her eyes and finger combed her long silver hair looking at Kikyo angelically. "Thank you so much for being here for my mom!" She laid it on thick. "Really, if you weren't here…"

Kikyo shook her head. "Oh no. Kaguya's anger was towards me not your mom." Kikyo pointed out trying to control this as much as possible. "We went tit for tat about somethings. I said something to make her angry and walked off. I didn't know she exploded behind my back like that." She stated looking back towards the doors leading to the hallway.

"Either way…you're awesome!" Shiori praised. "I know! Why don't we treat you to dinner? I know the perfect place." She smiled forming a plan so diabolical that no one would see it coming. Kaguya's days were officially numbered.

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