Even as she said those words, something in her mind was giving off warning bells of some kind, but she didn't know what. Her brain might as well had been put in a blender with the way it felt. Not only did healing her brother take a lot out of her, but it put something in her. Instead of purifying the darkness in him, it felt like a piece of it had transferred to her, but she was going to do her best to act normal for InuYasha's sake.

"I'm hungry, Inu."

Chuckling, he helped her out of bed and made their way to the dining hall for some late breakfast.

Sesshomaru came in not long after and ate his food in silence, but something was gnawing at InuYasha.

"Hey, Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, InuYasha."

"Why did you come back now?"

"This just proves how unfit you are to rule, and the forgetfulness was not inherited by our father."

Another jab at his human side, but InuYasha wasn't going to take the bait.

"Just tell me."

Wiping his mouth, the demon gazed at his brother coldly, "the Tochi Saishu is soon and you haven't made any preparations for it."

"Tochi Saishu, what's that?"

"The Land Gathering you dimwit! It is the time in each decade when the leaders of the land come to together to discuss mutual situations."

InuYasha shrugged his shoulders, "I wouldn't know the first thing about that."

"Of course not. The last time it happened, all you cared about was sulking in your room."

"Yeah, well it's not like to wanted me involved anyway."

The brothers stayed silent for a few minutes, challenging each other to say something else, so Kagome rolled her eyes and addressed Sesshomaru.

"What things need to be done for it?"

Glancing at her, he had a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, "I have already spoken with Kagura about making the different territories banners for the entrance, InuYasha needs to meet with Myoga, the advisor, so he knows what subjects will be discussed, the chef must study on each demon coming so he can have the right foods for them, and we must have many human slaves to serve and entertain them."

The last part was said as a dig on her as his eyes flashed for a second, "I think most can be arranged, but I won't permit the use of human slaves for entertainment purposes. If they want that, then they had better bring their own."

A muscle worked in his jaw, "you won't permit? Just who do you think you are, Ms. Higurashi?"

InuYasha put his arm around her, "she is my Intended and future Lady of the Western Lands, so if she says no then you have your answer."

Standing up, Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at them, "your pride and arrogance may be the pivotal element that starts a war between the territories. If you won't do what needs to be done to ensure peace, then I will."

With that, he stormed out and Kagome lowered her head, worried that she may have just destroyed whatever chance the brothers could have had at getting along…and possibly the other demon territories. InuYasha kissed the top of her head, "don't worry, he's just being the normal cold bastard he's always been. He was the one demon that didn't get along with my mom, because she shook things up around here too."

That made her feel a bit better, but she soon found herself getting tired again. Never had using her powers drained her so much before, and it truly scared her.

"InuYasha, I think something might be wrong."

He watched her immediately turn pale, "Kagome?"

Falling into his arms, she passed out and InuYasha felt powerless, "guards! Get Kagura in here, now!"

A few minutes later, the wind demoness rushed in, "what's wrong with her, my lord?"

"I'm not sure, but I need you to find a priestess or monk maybe. I don't know! All I know is something's happening to her and I can't do a damn thing!"

Kagura placed a hand on her forehead, "a fever has set in, could this be someone attacking her? A curse maybe?"

Lifting her up, he walked them to his room, Kagura in toe, and laid her on the bed, "please, Kagura, help her."

Never had she heard such a defeated tone in her lord's voice before, "I may be able to do something, at least to find out if we need a spiritual healer."

"I'll do anything."

Holding Kagome's delicate hand, she gulped, "my sister of the void can look into people's hearts and minds with her mirror. I warn you though, she's a rather strange girl and it would be best if the human servants stay in their quarters when she comes."

He looked over at her, "why?"

"She has a bad habit of accidentally sucking souls out of humans. It just precautionary."

Kissing Kagome hand, he nodded his head, "send for her, but if she 'accidentally' sucks out Kagome's soul…I'll kill her."

"Understood, my lord."

Kagura left to send word to her sister's village and InuYasha climbed in next to his love, praying for someone as powerful as her, to take away whatever was happening.

(a place not far from the castle)

He chuckled low in his throat, "so it's begun."

Taking his human slave, he sat her down in his lap, "this is an exciting moment and I want some company."

The girl was use to his ways and even enjoyed his touch, for she harbored a forbidden love, "I am yours to command, my lord."

He took her mouth with an animalistic passion, but he could never bring himself to be rough with her, for she would give just as much as he took. Gently, he laid her down and trailed his hot hands all over her body, moving her garments aside. She reveled in his love making and lived for the moments he held her.

"Soon, my love, we will have it all. I will be ruler of all the lands, and you will be my queen."

Tears fell freely from her eyes as he loved her body and filled her completely, "nothing would make me happier, my lord, than to be your wife and queen."

No one knew the truth about him, or how he came to become what he was, no one but this beautiful woman he'd loved for so many years. He thrusted deep and felt her release coming, along with his own.

Spent and satisfied, he caressed the tops of her arms as she laid on his chest, "remember when we were little?"

"Yes, you use to follow me around the village like a lost puppy."

"I didn't want you to own me, I wanted to own you. I told you then that I was in love with you, and you laughed at me."

Trailing her fingertips over his chest she sighed, "I was a foolish little girl."

"And I was a lovesick boy."

Looking down at her, he traced the lines of her sweet face, "if I could wish for anything, it would be for me to be the way I was before, find a place away from everyone, and marry you."

She gazed at his demonic red eyes, pale face, and sharp fangs, smiling sadly "I would be with you no matter what you are."

It was sad that they had to ruin other people's lives for happiness, but she would go to Hell itself for him, and he would do the same.