A Mirror's Reflection

Lady Nefertiti

Last time: 'She hugged me in relief knowing and hoping she is in safe arms.' Kimiko smiled from behind Haru as he spoke to them. It was nice to know that he would always be there for her. 'Thanks Haru….thank you for not loving me…..'

Lady Nefertiti: So sorry for the 'H' male name mix-up/confusion for people who had to go back and clarify who was who.

Hiko: Kimiko's mate.

Hitoshi: Hiko's little brother that wants to kill Hiko for his lands as well as wants Kimiko for a mate.

Haru: old family friend that Hiko isn't too fond of and you will find out why! Expect a twist that you probably weren't expecting at all in this chapter! LOL…..

Chapter 14: Shatter part 2

-Kagome and Sesshomaru- (clearing)

So he had been worried for her safety and well being, not that he'd ever admit it to her. How…sweet. Not that she'd ever tell him he was acting 'sweet' and Kagome sweatdropped. "So we should go back to the others now? Don't you think?" Kagome said to Sesshomaru. He nodded as the both walked together in silence.

"So umm…what happened with Kimiko and that entire situation?" Kagome said trying to strike up a conversation with him.

"She is safe at home with her mate, Hiko who is taking care of his little brother Hitoshi as we speak." Sesshomaru said.

"Oh that's good." Kagome said. She had been worried that something ill had befallen Kimiko. "Umm…so what do we do once we get back to camp?" Kagome asked him.

"We shall return west." Sesshomaru said as if this was a no-brainer question. Little did he know that Inuyasha was plotting something in Miroku and Sango's hut, very loudly in fact.

-Kikyo, Kimiko and Haru-

"I shall return to Inuyasha's forest now." Kikyo said in an emotionless tone. Kikyo knew that Inuyasha would no doubt be there….stirring up trouble out loud. It was her duty to put him in his place. Haru nodded at her but Kimiko didn't really want to be left with Haru all by herself. She didn't respond and didn't want to say, 'I don't want to be left alone with Haru. His presence makes me nervous.' It would be just plain rude.

Haru and Kimiko walked slowly towards his palace as they saw Kikyo heading towards Inuyasha's forest. Haru was a little tense as they walked and Kimiko didn't know why….or perhaps she didn't want to discuss that matter. Still he was silent and then he'd speak once they got to the palace? She hoped that Hiko was alright though, no doubt worried sick about her and she hoped that he caught her scent and was coming to find her right this minute.

Not that she was in any danger from being with Haru….

-Inuyasha and the rest of the tachi-

"I can't believe the both of ya let Kagome walk off with that bastard! Just like that! They aren't mates or lovers or even courting like that!" Inuyasha said, throwing his arms up in frustration.

"I thought you were with Kikyo?" Sango said calmly as she shifted her son she and Miroku decided to name Senjou. Inuyasha looked at her like she was stupid but didn't dare approach her as his gaze shifted to Miroku who looked about ready to hit him with the holy powers, sutra's he had or the blasted staff, whichever came first.

"NO! I love Kagome! I thought this was already settled! And we are mating, living happily ever after and having pups! Kikyo is….she's gone." Inuyasha said. Miroku sighed. His friend was so stupid. Even if there was a slight chance (like zero percent) the both, Kagome and Inuyasha got together Sesshomaru would kill him for even implying that Kagome was his and not Sesshomaru's. Besides Inuyasha only saw Kagome as a Kikyo, not to mention he'd destroyed his chances more when he'd yelled to Kagome that she was 'the mere shadow of the real one' the 'copy' the Mirror's reflection. Poor Inuyasha. He was going to have to find himself another woman….another Miko maybe?

-Back to Kagome and Sesshomaru-

"Hey I wanted to ask…." Kagome started but hesitated. What would he say? Would she be angry with him if he refused her? And would she tell him that she'd rather mate someone since he was being a selfish demon and was someone who didn't care for her wants and needs?

Sesshomaru looked amused at her insecure face. What was she thinking over there in that head of hers? She was biting her lip so it must be important. "Ask." He said in a calm and cool voice.

"I wanted to know…if…could Sango and Miroku and maybe Inuyasha…(at this Sesshomaru inwardly frowned) could they come stay with us in the palace? I mean they'd be safe and seeing that Sango just had a baby I'd be near her to help and we could spend time together but of course you don't have to, it was just a suggestion." Kagome finished and snuck a peek at Sesshomaru's face which was of course, blank but he had caught it.

"This Sesshomaru is not fond of humans or hanyou's…." Sesshomaru started.

'I knew it….' Kagome thought sadly but didn't say anything.

'but will you leave him?' her conscious asked her.

'…..'

"However, this Sesshomaru shall allow it if they behave, especially that hanyou." Sesshomaru said. He just didn't add that he was allowing it because he wanted to keep his beloved mate-to-be happy. He was rewarded with a brilliant smile from her and she took him by the hand as they walked together hand-in-hand.

"Thanks so much….Sesshomaru." Kagome said softly. Not caring that the villagers saw her with her Sesshomaru right now. The villagers were now thinking that their holy Miko had tainted herself by being with a vile demon, holding hands with him and she had probably been in his bed too! They knew that sadly they needed to rid themselves of, first the Miko and then the demon.

-Back to Kimiko and Haru-

She wasn't sure how she felt right now as she walked the palace gates with Haru. The entire palace knew that Haru had feelings for Lady Kimiko and for them to be walking into the palace, just him and her it seemed like they were acting like mates and Kimiko tried not to look at anyone, rather ahead of her so she could just go into Haru's study and disappear so no one would see her. And to think he wanted to hold her hand! Damn him! It wasn't even funny. What if perhaps she ran off and told Hiko that Haru was hitting on her and touching her? One dead demon! that's what Haru would be!

No doubt that the castle would be buzzing with rumors as to why she was here? Where was her mate Hiko? Did she run away from him? Did he hurt her and did Haru save her life? She grimaced. It wasn't so great to be the center of attention sometimes.

Dammit would Hiko never come?! She'd rather be here with Hiko and not alone with Haru. Well as long as they stayed public in the eyes of others and didn't go anywhere private, like a secluded library or a deserted wing of the castle or a bedroom (she blushed in embarrassment at that thought) she'd be fine.

They arrived in his study as Haru went over to his desk and sat down. Kimiko looked over at him and then turned to stare at the fireplace. No one spoke and the minutes went by. It was driving her crazy and she was about to say something when Haru spoke up for her and she turned to face him.

"As your best friend I am upset to know that you hadn't confided in me that Hiko abuses you and hits you Kimiko. Such a bastard to cause you harm. Why did you hide it from me? Why didn't you tell me!?" Haru walked over to her and looked down at her. A shiver ran down her spine.

"You are lying! Hiko has never hurt me! Stop putting things in my head! You always hated him Haru. You would say anything to pull the both of us apart. How desperate are you? As desperate as Hitoshi?

"Why then did you have a fresh bruise on your back when you were bathing?" a quiet voice said from behind her.

"HITOSHI?!" Kimiko said whipping around. This was bad. They knew each other?

"Kimiko WHY did you have a bruise on your body?" Hitoshi pressed her. He was upsetting her but he had to know. Did his bastard of a brother hurt her? Why would she cover it up? Did she truly love him?

"I….I…" Kimiko stuttered.

"I fell when I was training in the dojo." She said.

"You are lying." Haru said.

"I am not lying!" Kimiko said. They were driving her nuts! She then turned to glare at Hitoshi evilly. "and you! You pervert! You were peeping on me when I was bathing?!"

"I was passing by!" Hitoshi said in a defensive voice.

"Hiko beats you and you never told us?" Haru said.

"Not this again! Hiko does not HIT me!" Kimiko yelled at the both. Then she slumped on the couch out of breath. Oh where was Hiko?

"We cannot allow you to return to that bastard. He will end up killing you and you will be okay with that?" Haru said.

"That's correct." Hitoshi said. Kimiko looked miserable as she stared into the fireplace. Damn this pair of morons! When Hiko came she'd be glad to be rid of the both! Stupid peeping toms! How dare he stare at her while bathing! Sure she had bruises but they weren't for anyone to see!

She looked up from where she was sitting and suddenly said, "What do you mean you cannot ALLOW me? You are not my keeper nor my parents to tell me what to do!"

"Tell me has Hiko ever punished you for being a bad?" Hitoshi said calmly. He did not wish to upset her but he had to know.

"I….umm…." Kimiko said. She couldn't tell them that he had or how! It would be wrong!

Haru and Hitoshi looked at each other and nodded, affirming that they had been right all along.

-Hiko-

Now if he were Kimiko which way would he go if he were in danger? Hn….to Haru. He growled. It was time to end this Haru problem….along with Hitoshi. He didn't know if she had been hurt while she ran away from those guards. He had caught her scent along with a human with holy powers. A Miko or a Monk's. Things were not looking up as he made his way to Haru's palace. True Haru hadn't done anything and saved Kimiko so perhaps Hiko would be merciful, it wasn't right or 'legal' so to speak, to kill a demon lord without good cause. Perhaps he'd just punish Haru to remind him of keeping his hands off Kimiko and bring her back home rather than escort her back to his own palace to keep like she was his.

Punishing Kimiko would be fun, it always was and he knew she would've agreed but never would've voiced it to tell him. The first time he said he was going to 'punish' her she looked like a scared rabbit and ran away calling him evil. He quickened his pace towards the castle to go retrieve his mate.

-Kagome and Sesshomaru-

Kagome knew that Sesshomaru felt something was wrong as they made their way back to Sango and Miroku's hut. She turned around to see some humans discreetly making thier way and following them, men holding pitchforks but none looking like they were going to attack.

They walked into the hut to see an angry Inuyasha, more angry now since he saw Kagome holding Sesshomaru's hand and looked at him sternly like she wasn't going to let go, apologize that it was a mistake she was holding his hand. 'Sit' Inuyasha if he called her a cheater. She was holding Sesshomaru's hand like she wanted to, like it was supposed to be there all along and there was nothing wrong with it! "Sesshomaru." Inuyasha said and was about to pull out his sword, not angrily but in jealousy and Miroku stopped him.

"There will be no violence in my home. You boys will take this outside and out of the village if you've got problems with each other." Miroku said in a stern voice.

"Chikishou" Sango muttered as Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Kagome left the hut. She did not want them to fight. And she couldn't help them either! She was holding a baby and Miroku would never approve but that didn't mean she could just watch and yell at the both. She got up and followed, Miroku trailing her with baby in his arms, sighing. This would not end pretty.

-Study-

"Come on Kimiko lets find you a room so you can rest." Hitoshi said pulling her up to stand beside him.

"Ittai nani o?!" Kimiko said rudely in anger. "Get your hands off me!" and pulled away from him. How dare he touch her!

"Kimiko dearest….I know I did not just hear you swear….and do get your filthy hands off my mate little brother." Hiko said walking into the study.

Lady Nefertiti: Ooohhh…a twist in the fic. Hiko abuses Kimiko and punishes her…WTF? Inuyasha's still after Kagome? The villagers are on the rampage to kill Kagome and Sesshomaru (good luck with that). Don't forget to review!

Word Bank:

Chikishou-Dammit, shit.

"Ittai nani o?!"- 'What the heck?' Or spoken ruder with anger in your voice (Like Kimiko just did) "What the F***?"