Shades of Black

by Kotei-Heika

How will Shin Makoku react when they learn that their Maou has a twin sister? And what will happen when they find out that the Maou's twin sister can kill them with a touch? What will happen when she gets involved in the future of Shin Makoku...? Gwen/Kag

21. Chapter 21

AN:

Sorry for the looong wait; decided I shouldn't post the story and gave me a site error thingamathing. It made feel so guilty so in order to avoid any more tears (and death threats ^_^;) I tried posting new chapter under a continuation title but that was no good either. THANKFULLY a person called WEST from Yahoo answers jumped out of heaven and saved me; here's the link: http:/ answers ./ question /index?qid =20110320103530AAaXycP. He spread the word that someone figured out a solution and I managed to update (WHOOPPEEEEE!). Special kudos to my brother (smartass that he is) muggleborn_lp who thought about typing the error into the search engine to get into the forums. No matter how I hate it, I owe him now (damn it!). Please, sorry and enjoy, everyone. Also I got depressed since I lost my job and all so it's hard to be cheerful and inspired. If only I could do this thing for a living (sigh). Maybe you guys can suggest any good online jobs? (T_T).

Also I would like to express my heartfelt sympathies to anyone of my readers who have loved ones in Japan. I am sincerely praying, knowing that they would be able to make it through this tragedy.

That said I hope all of you are doing well and again please forgive me for not updating sooner; believe me I have been guilt tripped by my friends about them whenever they come over to cheer me up out of my funk.

To Everyone Waiting For This Chapter: I'm sorry for the ridiculously long wait.

ANN: *Imari- one of the countries described by Yozak and Gwendal back in Chapter 8.

Please enjoy! ^_^v

Chapter 21

Sesshoumaru's face was expressionless as he watched his half brother approach him. The way he walked looked as though he were there to do battle but reading him all this time made the demon lord catch onto the uncertain gleam in his amber eyes even as the scent of his nervousness tingled in his nose. He stopped in mid air on his way back to the West with Rin when he caught the hanyou's infernal scent and the surprising fact that he was following them. So he decided to let Rin and Ah-Un go on ahead of him with strict instructions to the dragon demon to protect Rin with its life before landing on the edge of a discreet clearing beside a forest.

He was indeed quietly surprised when, not even a few moments after landing, the hanyou appeared. How the hanyou was able to find time away from his undead miko he had no idea but the urgency and resignation on his half brother's face made the demon lord's innate curiosity rear its wide eyed head. So he waited.

"Oi, bastard." The hanyou called.

Sesshoumaru allowed a silver brow to rise at the greeting before replying. "I beg to differ."

He watched in mild amusement as his half brother struggled with his temper for a whole minute before he managed to calm down and keep a civil face. His half brother's expressions would never cease to amuse him.

"I've got a favor to ask." Inuyasha continued.

Sesshoumaru eyed him blankly before gracefully nodding his head, allowing him to continue graciously. For the sake of his curiosity he was willing to indulge the hanyou this one time.

He watched as Inuyasha reached into his fire rat haori and withdrew a sealed scroll made of flattened bamboo sticks and strung together with twine. Without preamble, the scroll was tossed over to him and the demon lord easily caught it with his right hand.

"I am surprised you even found the time to write this despite your dead miko dogging over every step you take." He commented after he smelled the telling scents of ink and the fragrant wood within the bundle.

"I'm not really in the mood for any of your bullshit today, Sesshoumaru just…" and here the uncertainty overcame his anger again along with a healthy dose of guilt. "Just give it to Kagome… if you ever see her again."

The demon lord regarded his half brother from above his aristocratic nose in disdain. "And what will this contain? Another apology? Another letter assuring her you feel something for her despite your attachment to your corpse?"

"Enough out of you already, you don't understand anything!" Inuyasha finally snapped at him before realizing what he was doing and reined in his temper again. "Look, just show it to her… As soon as she reads it she'll understand."

Sesshoumaru then frowned at this; he could smell the resignation in the pup's scent. "What are you up to, little brother?"

"It's none of your business," Inuyasha told him before turning his back on his older brother and walking away. "Just do it, Sesshoumaru…" and then, as an afterthought he added, "Please."

Now this was truly beginning to worry him now. He and his brother had a standing alliance but Inuyasha had never pleaded with him for anything.

Narrowing his eyes at his younger brother's retreating back he finally spoke. "How very human of you; what are you planning? Why do you do this? Why act contrary to what you want for a ghost who will never come back to life? Why choose a memory over a solid future?"

Inuyasha stopped but did not turn back towards him. It was a while before he spoke again and his words took Sesshoumaru by surprise. "Do you have… someone you want to protect…?"

It was as though he were hit with déjà vu. For did his own father not ask him these exact same words right before he died?

When he didn't answer Inuyasha kept on walking away until he was gone and he could no longer see him. Clenching his claws around the missive now in his hand, he accidentally broke the seal on the scroll and it now lay open in his palm. Frowning, and acting on his natural curiosity he began reading the letter.

His first thought was… Inuyasha could take lessons from Rin in the art of hiragana, he had the skills of a 5 year old in calligraphy. The second was the confirmation of his original opinion of his half sibling.

"Inuyasha," he spoke to the wind as he frowned at the letter in his hand. "You truly are a fool."

He then took his new burden and rolled it up neatly before summoning his cloud to return to the West and pondered.

Just when was his brother started to become capable of complex thinking? And why did he want to make him stop?

/*****/

"You. Are. Wrong."

"No. I'm. Right."

"No you aren't."

"Yeah I am."

"Are not."

"Are too."

"Are not."

"Are too!"

Yuuri glared at the pair of bright ebony eyes that stared back at him with equal intensity. It was obviously clear that neither of them was going to step down. It had become a contest of wills; a fight between right versus wrong.

And they both knew that the truth hung on its balance…

"Oh what possible evidence could you possibly have to prove that?" he finally asked in exasperation.

"Ha! My belief will never be swayed by your incorrect logic!" Kagome answered with her nose up in the air in mock hauteur.

The Maou rolled his eyes at her. "Come on, Kagome, give it up. Ernie in Sesame Street was totally gay."

"And I'm telling you that he's not!" she was practically yelling at him at this point. "How could you even think that of him?"

Yuuri sighed. "Please, how many guys live with the same guy for nigh on 41 years and makes it a habit to get under poor Bert's skin?"

"That makes Bert gay; come on, don't tell me you've never noticed how much he enjoys the attention," she retorted smugly back at him. "Ernie is not gay, I tell you!"

"Oh?"

"The fact that he has a fetish for elastic bath toy animals does not make him gay," she started to lecture him. "It just makes him… objectophilic. With a touch of zoophilia."

Ken— sitting on the other side of the carriage— winced. "That's just wrong."

"Oh come on, he even has a song about it!"

"Come to think of it," Ken raised a brow thoughtfully. "If I remember it right, the song went like 'Rubber ducky you're the one~'… Oh my God I think you have a point."

"See?" Kagome gloated at her twin.

Yuuri looked green. "You're both sick!"

"Father? What's objectophilic…?"

All three froze and then the two young men looked down nervously at Greta who they have completely forgotten in the middle of their heated debate. Kagome looked around to see their companions and nearest escorts listening in on their conversation with confused but avid interest. Since nobody in the group (with perhaps the exception of Conrad, her brother and Ken) could have any idea of what they were talking about, she took it all in stride.

"It's just something you call a person who likes objects more than people, Greta." She tried to explain to the child as innocently as she could.

Yuuri and Ken started to breathe again at her save.

"What about zoo… zoophilly?"

Again the two young men froze.

Kagome kept calm. "Zoophilia, sweetie. It's a case where a person… likes animals more than people."

"Ohhh… I like animals too, does that mean I'm zoophilia?"

Ken coughed.

"I think it'd be easier if you just called yourself an animal lover, honey." The female soukoku chuckled.

"Oh. Okay." Greta nodded in seeming finality.

Kagome twitched and she barely managed to hold back a smile when she turned her attention to her brother and friend. "How did we get into this discussion again?"

Yuuri rubbed a palm over his face as he searched for answers but Ken beat him to it. "I think it started out as an innocent debate on whether Dora or Sesame Street would be able to coach Elu better in the art of letters if he were on Earth."

"Oh… now I remember." she laughed softly, a fact that made Yuuri smile, glad that he had accomplished his goal.

All Yuuri could do was stare at her at that moment, drinking in her still pale but rosy features and his heart soared with relief as he made sure that she was well and safe and sound. "I'm so glad you're okay."

She stopped laughing and rolled her eyes at him along with a light cuff on his shoulder. "It's been a month, Yuu-chan; I told you I'll be fine. Did you think Gisela doesn't know how to do her job?"

"You know what I mean…" he responded in a hushed voice.

Yes the both of them knew what he meant. She did get impaled in a rather grotesque way, after all and she was sorry he had to witness that.

"For the millionth time, Yuuri, I'm fine!"

Kagome barely repressed an exasperated sigh as Yuuri turned on his seat to check on her again for what would have been the umpteenth time since they departed for Blood Pledge Castle. They were almost at the end of their journey and still Yuuri wouldn't stop checking on her and she was ready to blow her top.

"I'm really sorry, Kagome," he said again for what had to be the umpteenth time as well. "It's just that the Round Table Conference can only be held at Blood Pledge Castle and—"

"I know."

"I would have refused but—"

"It's fine."

"Just tell me if your wound hurts and I will get them to stop the horses—"

"It's okay, Yuu-chan, I swear it is."

"But—"

She cut him off by reaching out a free hand and holding onto it from across the carriage seats.

It was specially ordered from Blood Pledge Castle complete with extra padding to make her as comfortable as possible. To fit everyone, Yuuri had it designed similarly to the coach trains that passed as public transportation in the American Wild West in the past so more people could be in it and so there would be more room to lie down on. Ken reinforced this idea by drawing up the design.

It has been two months since she woke up when Gwendal came into her room in all his glorious intensity glaring at the Maou who was with her at the time and telling them they were to leave for Blood Pledge castle in a week's time. Yuuri wasn't happy since he was spending most of his time by her side along with the children than anything else then but she insisted she was going to be alright and persuaded him to go. Making a fuss in her brother's court was the last thing she wanted to do at this point especially since she wanted to remain obscure in anything political until she could decide what to do with the person who held powers that could possibly remake a new Shikon no Tama.

She consented to travelling without a problem even though Yuuri would have put his foot down against it had she even breathed one sigh of protest against leaving. Lately he had been more attentive and considered her opinions more and she had a suspicion Ken had something to do with it but his fear for her safety made him a little… paranoid. He had always been good at keeping his promises to her but although he never said anything, she knew he was worried he might not be able to keep all of them. He must be feeling some of her anxiety even though she was trying doubly hard to hide it from him. She couldn't help it; he was just that powerful and it was only understandable that his power would push through their bond and nose in on her feelings. She wasn't sure how long she would be able to hide from him until she could deal with it quietly.

"It's fine," she reassured her twin again, infusing their bond with her present situation as much as she could so she could prove to him that she was fine. It was something they could both do for each other for as long as she could remember but was never really conscious of it until she came into her powers. "My wounds have almost entirely closed up I promise it'll get better. I can move now, see?"

"You shouldn't have to move around until after it's completely closed," Yuuri muttered sullenly, mollified despite himself. "I'd better not hear any crap from anyone about us being late, though."

"Relax, the Shikon no Tama will do the rest as soon as it clots down. See? Wounds like these usually take weeks to close but Gisela did a wonderful job stitching me up and the Shikon is helping. I feel awesome."

In the back of the carriage, the medical officer blushed brightly in pleasure.

"I still wish you'd had let me put a bed in here so you could lie down." The Maou grumbled.

"Absolutely not," Kagome's face soured. "I told you it'd look like a Hersch! And I'd rather arrive at the castle normally than looking like an outpatient from KooKooville Mental Hospital!"

Yuuri looked at the much more spacious but unusual carriage and had to agree with a sweat drop. He gave Kagome a wry smile. "Trust you to save me from myself."

"Don't be silly," she smiled out of the train towards Conrad who merely sent her a smile back as well as Rolf and Wolfram who all decided to ride horseback to the castle on his side of the carriage. "You have plenty of that here to do that for you."

"Stop pestering her, wimp," Wolfram scolded Yuuri, making him wince and turn back to the blond Mazoku riding on his white horse outside his window. "She's tougher than you."

"What did you say? And stop calling me a wimp!" Yuuri raged against the von Bielefeld prince.

"Shut up, wimp." Wolfram merely smirked at him tauntingly.

"Grrr!"

"Wolfram, you know better than to provoke him." Conrad jumped in, patiently scolding his younger brother as he rode right behind him.

"You always take his side!" the blond pouted.

Kagome had to laugh at the exchange. It was unusual not to feel anyone's glares aimed at her since they began the journey; it was as though the ill intent and distrust everyone here had for her dissipated with the way she rescued Elu and Greta. The realization softened her heart towards them.

Yuuri was right, she thought. They're all good people…

She caught Conrad's eyes and, for a moment, they shared another smile. It was too quick and brief for anyone to have noticed… Anyone, that is except to a pair of sparkling emerald eyes that belonged to none other than Cecille von Spitzberg. Regrettably, Kagome didn't notice this. She suspected that Conrad must have heard everything she told Koritsu at the dungeon but she was grateful he was not trying to open it up. His silence wouldn't last forever but Kagome was content to leave things as they are for now. It would be better this way and she'd deal with the complications as they came. At least until she can figure out a better way to solve the problem herself and keep Yuuri from this impending threat.

Koritsu.

She was worried about her discovery of this power emerging in this world and wanted to discuss the situation with Murata but he had been constantly busy as well and whenever he had time they would be surrounded by everybody else. She knew that if anyone would listen to her, he would.

As per Gwendal's orders, she heard Koritsu was transported to Blood Pledge Castle a few days ahead before they departed from Brischela Castle. She later on found out from Dorcas that the dark skinned man asked to have an audience with her but Gwendal brutally refused. Kagome was touched by his protectiveness even though he never visited her once while she was confined in the Brischela's guest rooms. Shippou told her he was always working and travelling outside the castle.

"I, for one, am glad you're feeling better, my dear," Lady Cherie smoothly joined the conversation as though they were merely having a tea party. "You really worried us back there."

Since she arrived in the castle, Kagome had noticed that the beautiful blond lady had dropped all formalities and reservations with her. It was both pleasant and alarming how the older Mazoku woman could change moods so often. Kagome was pretty sure that if this woman and her biological mother were to meet they would surely become the best of friends. She would also bet her foster mother would probably be dragged along. The young miko could practically see them on a shopping spree right now trying to get her into one of those overly lacy concoctions her mother used to make Yuuri wear when he was little. She shuddered mentally at the thought.

"Really, what were those men thinking, summoning His Majesty over to Blood Pledge Castle while Kagome is recovering?" Cheri continued, oblivious to Kagome's thoughts. "Thoughtless creatures."

"For neutrality is my best guess," Ken answered as he relaxed beside Yuuri. "Which means that whatever it is they want to discuss with Yuuri must be really important and would require him to meet them on level ground and not push his decisions in favor of a particular House; in this case, Lord von Voltaire's family."

Everyone looked towards the head of the caravan to see Gwendal sitting up straight on his horse, Kirara sitting on his broad shoulder while Shippou sat in front of him. Far enough to afford him some privacy but near enough to defend them if need be. The dark haired lord held Yukishiro's reins steadily since the horse absolutely refused to let anyone mount him. It took a veritable amount of smooth talking from Kagome before the stallion allowed the Mazoku lord to take its reins.

Everyone could see how pissed off Gwendal was about it even though he handled the recalcitrant horse and the young kitsune with care even now. Kagome had noticed that they have been keeping each other company a lot since she got bed ridden and wondered, not for the first time what the two did to spend time with one another. She could have asked but it seemed Gwendal was never around when she was.

Kagome frowned, worried. Since Yuuri found out she had woken up and she was allowed to move about on her own again, she noticed Gwendal never really looked her in the eye anymore. It was almost as though he were avoiding her. What was his problem? It was, as though he was doing everything he could to avoid her.

"I don't get it," Kagome commented thoughtfully instead, disturbed at the thought that she had done something to displease the tall Mazoku in a way. "How would the Voltaire family gain an upper hand on this kind of discussion? It's not the first time you guys had to handle problems involving other countries, right?"

"An excellent question, as expected from my lady!" Gunter sang and Kagome had to turn to look outside her window at the lilac haired man riding astride his horse with Yozak who winked back at her cheerfully. "Well this would be a great excuse for another history lesson! Allow me to—"

"Actually," Rolf started in a rather semi bored tone just behind the two. "The ten nobles had made it a tradition to keep talks about all matters that involve Shin Makoku's outside relations kept within the privacy of the Round Table room since the incident with the 15th Maou when they held those kinds of discussions on von Bielefeld lands because the lord von Bielefeld's son at the time was sick and he did not want to leave him. However, because the Lord von Bielefeld at that time didn't like the majority's decision concerning that issue, he kicked the other nine nobles out of his house and manipulated the Maou until he went with his plans."

"Wow, Rolf, you're so smart." Kagome raised her brows at him, genuinely impressed.

"W-well…!" the Mazoku lord turned as red as his hair.

Gunter glared at the younger Mazoku for robbing his thunder but he was ignored. Everyone else hid their relieved sighs since they knew Rolf had just saved them from an hour's long lecture on the history of Shin Makoku.

Kagome smiled, glad that Rolf stayed with them all this time. Though he made frequent trips for Gwendal from time to time to communicate some defense strategies to Karbelnikoff lands whose borders were nearest Suberera's, he spent almost as much time with her as Yuuri did. She suspected this was more because he felt honor bound to do so and his boyish gruffness made it easy for her to grow even fonder of the young Mazoku lord. There were times she reminded him of the way Wolfram would act when he was being gruff but she later on confirmed his bookwormish ways when he joined in on a discussion between her, Yuuri and Ken about their school work.

"So from what you said does that mean we were in Voltaire lands back there?" Kagome asked and caught Gunter's attention again, pulling out of his dark thunder cloud that was aimed at Rolf.

"Yes, the Brischela are among the many vassals of the Voltaire family and so all their holdings and their titles belong to Gwendal as Lord von Voltaire." Gunter happily explained to her. "And since they are under von Voltaire protection, it's only natural that they are located within Gwendal's lands."

"Whoa…" Yuuri binked. "I knew Gwendal's palace was nearby but I didn't know that."

"Idiot! Then what in the world were you and Gunter doing holed up alone during your tutoring sessions?" Wolfram cried out in fury.

"What in the world does that mean?" Yuuri yelled back at the blond.

"Wow," Kagome raised her brows at Gunter, ignoring her brother and fiancé. "He's that important, huh?"

"My son is one of the most powerful and influential lords on the Round Table; the others, like Lord von Gyllenhaal may be influential because of the family they were born into but none of them have Gwendal's influence and power." Cheri declared proudly. "He's not really being aggressive since he wants to keep the peace but he can even be more powerful than my brother in law if he wanted to."

"Brother in law?"

"She means Waltorana." Yuuri supplied.

Kagome had to blink a few times before remembering the tall, slender man with dirty blond hair and large earrings from the last time she had tea with the lords. "Oh, I remember now! Didn't you mention a while back that he really didn't want you to be Maou?"

Yuuri laughed at her sheepishly. "Well he accepted me along with all of them in the end. Gwendal took care of everything."

"It must be really difficult," Kagome thought out loud without even thinking. "Gwendal watches over a vast amount of land, tames Yuuri's paperwork and handles the Maou's affairs when Yuuri's away, handles the soldiers and the country's defenses and takes care of Greta in his spare time. When does he ever have any time for himself?"

"Oh it's fine," Cheri waved her comment off while her smug smile declared how proud she was. "Gwendal is resilient. He has done all this since he was younger than Wolfram and more. He is doing exactly what is expected of the head of the von Voltaire family. Taking care of Greta is just a bonus since he likes children. Our Gwendal can do anything!"

Kagome thought that was a little exaggerated; they all looked at Gwendal like he was invincible. Like nothing could ever hurt him. As though he were some sort of pillar they all leaned on. But she knew differently of course. She could still remember that night at Cabalcade when he had forgotten what it was to be in control…

Her breathing hitched and her cheeks heated at the memory. She had done all she could to forget about that night as best as she could and the past events that made them possible made it easy for her to do so. But now that she had allowed her mind to go idle in the most inappropriate of times she couldn't help but be mesmerized by the memory of the heat in his sharp blue eyes that seemed to have glowed a shade brighter than it usually was. How comforting the hardness of his body was against hers at that time and at the way a single touch from him sent her senses skittering off to oblivion for the first time in her life.

"Are you alright, Aunt Kagome?" Greta's innocent question dragged her out of her sinful musings all of a sudden. "You're turning red… and you're breathing hard."

Kagome smiled down at her nervously and mortified out of her mind. "I-I'm fine, Greta; just a bit… warm." Wow, talk about the understatement of the century. "Sorry, are you sleepy?"

Greta rubbed her eyes groggily and nodded. "Are we home yet?"

"We're almost there." Yuuri smiled at his daughter fondly.

"Okay." Greta smiled back but tightened her hold on Kagome's arm.

Kagome had to smile at that. Ever since she was allowed out of bed the little girl stuck to her like a tick. She, Elu and Shippou acted like she was going to burst into froth the moment one of them let go. Back at the Brischella castle, it was all they could do to keep Elu from hopping into the carriage with them to escort them back to the palace. Only the fact that Shippou promised to 'protect' her kept the little boy from weeping in his mother's arms. Ken kept joking that she just acquired herself another 'knight'.

She kicked him in the shin and told him it wasn't funny.

"I still think it would have been better if you stayed with your family instead of escorting us back to Blood Pledge Castle, Hube," Kagome turned to the one eyed spy who rode just a bit to the front of the carriage near her window. "Nikola must miss you so much."

Hube looked back at her and slowed down his horse to be able to peer into the carriage himself. "It is an honor to be serving you like this, Lady Kagome. If anything, Nikola insisted that I help keep you safe. It is my whole family's desire."

"But—"

"My lady, the Maou's family have been kind to mine," he cut her off gently; with a smile so heartbreaking it made her stare at him. "We owe a great debt to His Majesty, Lord Shouri and now you, Lady Kagome. All three of you have saved my family at some point or another so please allow us to return the favor and serve you faithfully."

Kagome sighed. She knew it would be hopeless for her to protest now. "Fine but you'd better spend some time with Nikola and Elu when I go back to Earth, Hube. She would never say but I bet she misses you."

Hube nodded at her deferentially. "Of course, my lady."

She felt guilty; really guilty for taking Hube away from is family although she knew he insisted even after she practically begged him to stay and spend some time with Nikola and Elu. Apparently the Brischella family had a stubborn streak a mile wide. And judging from whatever was eating Gwendal, she suspected it all ran in the family.

/*****/

"Gwendal? Are you mad at my Mama?"

Gwendal looked down at the little kitsune on his lap, surprised at the question. Wide, forest green eyes returned his look with complete candor that had always been hard for him to resist. He tried to stay composed, though. "What makes you say that, Shippou?"

The little kit frowned and thoughtfully looked at the road beneath them before speaking again. "You haven't even looked at her since she woke up. She's not saying anything but she's starting to get worried she did something to make you mad I know she is."

Gwendal tried to keep the scowl off his face if only for the sake of the young boy who seemed to have taken a liking to him. "I have been busy."

"Mama said friends should be warm to each other even when they're busy; and Mama said you're her good friend."

Gwendal couldn't help it. His fists tightened on his reins making his horse whinny and complain and for Yukishiro to shoot him a murderous glare. He tried thinking of a logical way to get out of this brand of questioning. Trust a child to come right out and say what they were feeling without the fear of reprisal. If anybody else saw his odd actions they were all too afraid of him to come out right and take him to task about it. The only reason his family hadn't talked to him about it yet was probably because they haven't noticed anything, something for which he was thankful for. But Shippou… he had always known, since the first time he saw the little kitsune that he was bright for his age. He should have known there was a reason the boy had asked to ride with him instead of in the carriage and cling to his mother like a leech like he usually did.

"I've just been very busy." He answered lamely.

He hated lying to children so what he said was no lie; he did keep himself busy but not because he couldn't help it. It was because it gave him a reason not to talk to her. Every time he thought about looking at her crushed something inside him he never realized was there; every time he thought of her speaking with him again that annoying pain in his chest would come out and taunt him and repeat her words over and over again…

I love you… so much…

Don't… leave… me…

Stay with me… Inuyasha…

Her soft whispers made him grit his teeth as he forced himself to calm down. He thought he had forgotten them already… but one look at her as she entered the carriage and even the faint sound of her voice as they traveled was enough to make him grow weak. She was not healthy if she made him this weak with nothing but a lingering memory of her drugged hallucinations while she slept at that time. He had heard Gisela saying she had given Kagome a drug that numbed the pain but had the side effect of causing hallucinations for the patient for a little while. He wished he had known about it earlier then perhaps he would have stayed away from her that night. It hurt to look at her from the eyes of a man. And he hated her for it. He tried to console himself that this attraction he was feeling was purely physical brought about by his own mistake of neglecting his physical needs.

He refused to think about it anymore. It was none of his business!

"Shippou," he suddenly found himself saying before he could stop himself. "Why does Kagome love that… half demon?"

"Oh you mean Inuyasha?" Gwendal's jaw twitched at the name. How he despised that name ever so much. The boy hadn't noticed, though and merely thought for a moment before answering his question. "I'd like to say I'd been wondering about that myself but then again, to be fair, Inuyasha isn't really that bad of a guy."

"He defended the woman who had tried to kill Kagome even though he knew she loved him," Gwendal commented, incredulous at Shippou's words. "I think that would have readily classified him as a 'bad guy'."

Shippou sighed the exasperation of a child talking to a particularly dense adult. "You don't understand my Mama at all, do you? Uncle doesn't, come to think of it. Seriously, do you really think my mother would be the kind of person who would fall in love with someone who was not worthy?"

Gwendal had no answer to that. He didn't even know how to answer it now that he thought about it.

"My mama is beautiful so she has a lot of suitors," Shippou half bragged, half explained. "In our time she was courted by lords and princes from both human and youkai origins. It only got worse as time went by and the only reason they haven't kidnapped her outright and forced her to marry them was because of Inuyasha. Inuyasha who's only an illegitimate second son of a youkai lord. An outcast by all means from both sides because he's hanyou but because of his positive traits, my Mama fell in love with him despite all that when he showed her that he cared about her."

At this, Gwendal's brows rose up.

Shippou nodded solemnly and not for the first time was Gwendal fascinated by the wealth of wisdom in one so young even for a Mazoku. "Our friend, a monk, told me once that Mama is special because of the way she loves the people in her life."

"What does that mean?" Monk? Was that the other friend His Majesty was talking about that they found guarding Kagome when he saved her?

"In the place where we came from, the discrimination between humans and demons were as wide as the biggest seas. It's like heaven and hell back there and for good reason. Demons hated humans and humans hated demons, much like the situation here, only worse. Miko are highly revered because of that," Shippou bounced and faced the Mazoku general. "Mama is the exception to that rule. She has friends in both demon and human lineages. Whenever you're with her, it didn't matter what you are. As long as she knows you love her, she will love you in return. You probably know what I mean considering who you're Maou is."

Gwendal returned Shippou's sly smirk with a twitch of his own mouth, knowing exactly what he meant.

"Miroku says it's because Mama is the kind of person who loves 'despite' and not 'because'," the little kit scrunched his face trying to remember what exactly Miroku said that day. "I can't exactly remember what Miroku said word for word, it's probably something perverted anyway; but I understood what he meant by example. One example is that each and every one of our friends has tried to kill or trick my Mama before we became friends with her."

At this, Gwendal couldn't stop his brows from climbing up his hairline but he remained silent.

"Sango tried to kill us since she was tricked by Naraku; she was told that we killed her family so she went after us; Miroku tried to suck her into the black void in his hand; I stole the shards of the Shikon no Tama from her and almost got her killed and with Inuyasha …" here, Gwendal noticed the twitch in the kitsune's shoulders. "From what I heard he tried to kill her because she looked so much like Kikyou the first time he saw her."

"…Kikyou. The woman who tried to kill Kagome?"

"Yeah, that one," Shippou grimaced but shook his head as though trying to get his thoughts straight again before launching into the tale of Inuyasha and Kikyou's tragic love story. Gwendal listened avidly; hearing the general story from Yuuri and the details from someone who had actually been there when this all happened was vastly different. It didn't hurt that Shippou was quite a talented story teller as well; he should speak to Lord von Gyllenhaal about teaching him more about the arts. "Mama understood Inuyasha's love for Kikyou and his need to be loyal to her even to the grave. So she made a promise to always stay by his side. I know for a fact that Inuyasha cares about Kagome too but it hurts all of us when he goes away to follow Kikyou and leave Kagome behind trying to hide the fact that she was hurt because it was a harsh reminder that she would only be second best to the memory of a dead woman. Once, he even left her to look for Kikyou and Naraku almost got Kagome's soul. It was a good thing Mama's soul was so pure and she was able to fight back."

"Someone tried to get her soul there too?" Gwendal shook his head. What was it about the woman and her soul that seemed so irresistible to the wicked?

"Like you wouldn't believe," Shippou shook his head. "Anyway, where was I— oh yeah! So you see she knew just what kind of hardship Inuyasha had gone through all throughout his childhood being hanyou and finding love but the woman he loved only wanted the part of him that was human. Inuyasha's a bit screwed up with emotions because of his upbringing but he protected us, saved us and cared about us. So Mama saw all his good qualities instead of the bad and loved him despite how he is and what he is and the fact that he loved someone else. She was willing to wait for him for as long as he allowed her beside him. It's just the kind of person Mama was."

Gwendal felt the tight fist of envy fist over his heart. "So she loves him… because she pities him?"

"No! She loves him because she understands him; she accepts him. It's the reason why she can love people despite; because she accepts them, failings and all because she knew they loved her back," Shippou corrected him. "And she does that for everyone she meets. Now imagine if she decides she's in love with someone; do you think it would matter to her whether or not he does not return the favor as long as he cares about her like Inuyasha did?"

Gwendal didn't answer; he couldn't even if he tried because of the growing lump in his throat as the answer became all too plain. Whoever caught Kagome's heart would be loved with no question, no holding back and it would be forever. And that hanyou had the nerve to throw it all back in her face. His hate for the absent Inuyasha tripled and increased the bitterness in his heart.

"We're here!"

The shout from a nameless escort that made up their entourage alerted them all and, as one, everyone looked to the front of the carriage and saw the towering peaks of the towers that held waving flags identifying the building ahead as Blood Pledge Castle.

"Wow, we made good time," Yuuri was impressed as he peered over at the horizon. "I wasn't expecting us to arrive in at least another day."

"Well we didn't have to stop as much as we thought we should," Yozak smirked proudly at Kagome. "If jouchan took you up on half the offers you gave her to stop we would have reached the castle in about a month from now."

"Hey, I was worried!"

"I told you, I'm fine," Kagome sighed in exasperation. "Seriously, it's been two months already; you're being such a worrywart."

"Well I'm sorry if I don't see you getting run through every day." Yuuri grumbled.

Gwendal could hear them clearly, if not a bit faint. He tried to ignore this though as he urged his horse into the castle courtyard. However, as soon as he entered the courtyard, everyone looking towards the front of the entourage saw how visibly his shoulders stiffened all of a sudden. Something was wrong. Very wrong. He could feel it in the air as sharp as the memory of the many battlefields he had the displeasure of gracing.

Conrad rode up until he was well beside his brother's mount. "What's going on, Gwendal?"

Dorcas got off the carriage and immediately grabbed one of the soldiers busily looking around who have yet to notice them by the shoulder and forced him to stop. "Hey, you! What is going on here?"

"A-a prisoner has escaped! It was the human who tried to assassinate Lady Greta! He escaped this morning after hearing one of the guards say His Majesty will be coming back today! We are currently searching for him right now!" the shaking soldier confessed, paling when he saw just who was behind Dorcas at that moment. "Y-Your Excellency Gwendal!"

Cold fury raged inside him at the news. The soldier in front of him looked ready to piss himself in fear of him but Gwendal didn't care as he looked down at the guard from his mount. "How did he escape?"

He didn't have to yell. His soft question only made the soldier paler. "A-apparently the prisoner had faked illness in his cell so when his guards went inside to check on him and offer him medical aid, he grabbed a weapon from them and beat them leaving them inside his cell; and then he escaped, sir! We are currently searching for him even as we speak!"

The Mazoku general looked about ready to flay someone. He had his horse enter the courtyard fully before he issued a command that boomed throughout the entire castle. "ATTENTION!"

And just like toy soldiers all the palace guards stiffened and froze before animating themselves long enough to run into lines and rows facing their high commander. Gwendal glared at all of them before he turned towards Conrad and a grim looking Yozak. "Take His Majesty and everyone into the castle; don't leave them alone for a second until the bastard has been captured or without further notice from me. I am going to lead a search party to find Koritsu."

"I understand." Conrad nodded to him once before turning his mount around back to the carriage with Yozak and Dorcas.

The younger son of the former Maou knew better than to disobey his older brother when he was in this state of mind. He had witnessed just how beaten up Koritsu was after Gwendal 'interrogated' him and it wasn't pretty.

Gwendal, in the meantime, if anyone cared to ask him, was in truth more afraid than he was angry. He kept himself in front of the carriage as much as possible, scared that Koritsu might pop up from a corner and hurt his precious people inside the transport. He allowed Yukishiro's reins go to free his hand for his sword as he wrapped his left arm around Shippou's waist, securing him against himself. He was grateful that Shippou seemed to know how to act accordingly since the boy clung to him and held himself still making him wonder if this happened to him on a regular basis back in his old home.

He heard Yozak try to lighten the atmosphere by joking around. "One lady coming down!"

And then he heard her laugh and it almost made him want to turn around from his horse and look back at her just to see her smile.

"Quit that! Who are you calling a lady?"

"Why you, of course!" the orange haired spy declared with a mock pout. "You're royalty, aren't you?"

"Please, you dress up more like a lady than I ever do." She snorted lightly at his comment; grateful how he was trying to lighten up the atmosphere for her and the children but then she sobered up slowly. "Yozak… is it true? What's happening?"

So she noticed. Her sense for danger seemed as keen as Shippou's and remembered how she seemed to personally take stock of their locations while they were traveling together as though trying to decide whether or not their location was a safety hazard.

"No time for that; we need to get you inside the castle along with His Majesty." Yozak told her.

Gwendal was getting off his horse so he was treated to a glance of Kagome being flanked by Rolf, the Great Sage and the Maou as Hube and Yozak surrounded them to escort them inside, Conrad bringing the rear, Greta secured tight in her arms. The tension coiled around him until Gwendal was sure he would break from the strain.

"Shippou," he turned his attention from the woman at last. "Take Kirara and go to your mother."

"But I want to help you catch that jerk!" the little fox pouted, clearly wanting revenge from the man who had hurt his mother and tried to hurt his cousin. "I'll get him back for hurting my mama!"

Fortunately, he had had a lot of experience with insubordinate whelps. Namely his brothers. "No, you must keep her safe; that should always be your first priority."

For a moment the boy hesitated, bit his lip and opened his mouth as though he was about to speak. But then he promptly shut up and nodded, before running towards his mother. Kagome broke away from her brother and his guards to meet the boy half way leaving her vulnerable. At that moment she looked up and their eyes met and Gwendal forgot, for that small second, the world around him. His heart felt like it was floating and sinking at the same time and all he wanted… all he wanted was to drown in her…

And it was during this unfortunate second of self indulgence that the enemy struck.

"Now you DIE, Witch!"

As if in slow motion, Gwendal watched as a soldier from the ranks forming around them detached himself from the troops, sword drawn and running. Of course, since she was the target of the last attack his brothers, the guards, Yozak, Hube and the others immediately positioned themselves around the Maou and Greta, ready to give their lives to protect them… However, Koritsu seemed to have other plans. And Gwendal watched in horror as he ran straight for none other than Kagome.

"YOU WILL NEVER TOUCH MY MASTER, BITCH!"

"KAGOME!"

Gwendal barely had time to think before he started running, drawing his sword as he did so. He watched as Kagome, instead of protecting herself, picked up Shippou and shielded him with her body even though her eyes shone with fear and surprise. That fear made Gwendal's blood run so cold it was a wonder he wasn't frozen in place. Instead he ran faster, pushed his body harder; hoping against all hope that he would get there in time so he could save her… He didn't think he would be able to bear it if she got hurt again.

"MAMA!"

And then, as though hearing the Mazoku lord's internal cry, Kirara who was all but forgotten on his shoulder jumped off and transformed into her larger form, sleekly gliding in between the disguised Koritsu and Kagome making the crazed man stop in wide eyed surprise and horror at the large fangs snapping at him all of a sudden.

"What in the—"

"JUDGMENT!"

Gwendal paled with a different kind of horror when he recognized the yell followed by some sort of explosion and then a glittering ball of fire that hit Koritsu with a blast of rather… colorful flame?— that lit the sky with sparks making everyone flinch for their lives.

"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!" Everyone looked up and saw a beautiful red head walking down the stairs that led to the front entrance of the castle with a large bazooka like weapon at her side still smoking at the tip. "My new invention, Light-Up-the-Sky-With-Your-Love-kun may not have produced the firecrackers show I wanted to celebrate Your Majesty's return with but it did manage to find itself useful in other departments, after all! I truly am a genius!"

Koritsu was now on his rear on the ground with his stolen uniform burned and tattered and his hair and brows singed beyond recognition.

"Lady Annisina!" Greta's maple eyes lit up with undisguised adoration for her idol from within Yuuri's arms.

Gwendal struggled and won his composure back as he growled at the other soldiers around them who seemed as though they could do nothing but gape at the eccentric woman. "What are you waiting for? Bind him and put him back in his cell! Make sure that when attending him no one carries a weapon and is with four other people guarding outside his cell if he does make a similar complaint! Stop being so careless or I will punish you myself!"

"SIR, YES, SIR!"

He watched with freezing eyes as they dragged the still shell shocked human away.

"Oh my, Gwendal, you sound angry."

"Stop it, Annisina, I am not in the mood." He practically snarled at her as his eyes sought Kagome again, wanting to make sure she wasn't hurt, his heart still beating a mile a minute. For the first time in a long time he was unbothered by his deep fear of the woman because of his overwhelming need to make sure Kagome was safe.

He found her surrounded by Yuuri, Yozak, Hube and the others.

"Are you okay, Kagome?" Yuuri asked in alarm as he ran to her side with Ken following close behind.

"Kagome!" the bespectacled soukoku immediately latched onto her hands while Yuuri gripped her shoulders. The uncharacteristic look of concern on the Great Sage's face made more than one person on the courtyard blink. "Kagome, are you hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine," She breathed out, obviously trying not to worry anyone even more than she already had but it was obvious that she was more than visibly shaken. "I'm fine."

"Mama!" Shippou called from her arms and a detransformed Kirara leapt onto her shoulder and started nuzzling her cheek comfortingly.

Relief flooded through him when he saw she was safe and it was all he could do not to sag against the nearest wall to support himself. Hot and fast on the heels of that feeling, however, was a raw unadulterated rage for her carelessness. And rage at himself for being so selfish. For allowing himself the small pleasure of looking at her and drowning in her when he knew they were in the middle of danger.

"Lady Annisina, you're back!" Greta practically jumped at the red haired Mazoku lady in her excitement.

The Karbelnikoff lady looked down at the adoring eyes of the little girl with a proud smirk. "Ah, Greta. I heard about the incident at Elu's birthday party. Did you manage to defeat your foes like the Great Poison Woman Annisina?"

The little girl bowed her head in shame. "I'm sorry, Lady Annisina, I was so scared I just cried."

The red head put a hand on her head gently. "It is fine; someday you will be strong enough."

Greta brightened. "But Aunt Kagome saved me and Elu, Lady Annisina! She was hurt really bad but she saved us all by herself!"

At that, Annisina raised her brows and looked up to find the aforementioned 'Aunt' Greta was talking about. It wasn't a hard chore since there were only three known soukoku in the immediate area and all three were huddled closely with each other. "It just goes to show that women are far more superior than men, if that is the case."

"Now, now, Annisina…" Yuuri sweat dropped at the comment. "Oh by the way, this is my sister, Kagome."

Kagome gave her a polite nod. "It's very nice to finally meet you. Greta tells me a lot of things about you."

"Oho so this is the heroine who saved my darling Greta and Elu-chan!" Annisina eyed her with respect and a short bow. "You, my dear, uphold the pride of women in this country! For that you have my eternal friendship!"

Wolfram grimaced. "Come on, Annissina, stop trying to corrupt her!"

"Lady Kagome, how are your wounds?" Gunter began fussing over her. "Gisela, come! Look after my lady!"

"Yes, Father!" the medical officer called out, her medical bag already in her hand.

"Your Majesty!" Cheri called out as she strode over to them from the direction of the carriage as fast as her three inch heels would take her. "Is she alright?"

"She's alright, mother," Conrad called over to the blond woman. "Just a little shaken."

"I'll take you to your room," Yuuri told her, his arms still wrapped around his sister as he steered her towards the castle. "You can rest easier there."

"Um, Your Majesty?"

"What is going on here?"

Everyone stopped and looked around only to see Waltorana leading the other Six Nobles of the Shin Makoku nobility coming out of the castle just behind Annisina; all of them sporting shocked looks on their faces. Evidently they have managed to witness the earlier chaos.

"Ah," Annisina gave the king a sheepish smile. "I came here with my brother waiting for you; sorry, the excitement made me forget."

Lord Delchias was already rushing down the steps heading straight for Kagome, concern riddled on his face. "Lady Kagome, are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you," she told him with a small curtsy. "We're sorry you had to witness that."

The silver haired lord nodded at her. "We've all just arrived ourselves an hour or two ago and were confined inside the palace by the guards for safety. We weren't expecting for the criminal to appear in such a fashion."

"It's alright," Kagome looked towards the direction where Koritsu was dragged. "I can understand his motivation."

"We apologize, Your Majesty," Lord von Radford bowed to Yuuri. "We were unable to neutralize the problem before you arrived."

"Aha ha ha, it's alright," Yuuri called back, waving an arm. "As long as no one was hurt."

"Lady Kagome," Kagome looked up and saw Lord Delchias already beside her with a kind smile on his face. As soon as he came near her he took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "It's been a while, how are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling great, Lord von Wincott, the Brischella family was very hospitable and Gisela was very skilled. Recovering was no chore." She replied, blushing at the attention even as she executed a brief curtsey. "I hope you and little Lord Rinji have been well; I'm sorry I wasn't better company the last time we met."

"My son is as mischievous as ever but he is a good child," the bright haired man chuckled as he kept her hand in his. "He was very worried about you all the way home to the point that even my father wants to see you now. About enjoying your company well then… I'm sure I would be able to indulge in that while we are here."

"Oh," her blush deepened. "I don't want to be any trouble."

"Not at all," he smiled at her charmingly. "I think my father has turned into quite the busy body in his old age so I think he's just going to take a peek of you out of sheer curiosity. He does have a standing invitation to visit the palace anytime he wanted."

Kagome laughed and something twisted inside Gwendal again. Something uncomfortable and unfamiliar that made his stomach flip over and knot at the same time and he couldn't stop himself from glaring at Delchias in resentment because of it. How did Julia's brother do that?

"I would very much like to meet him." She responded with a warm smile.

"Delchias." Gwendal snapped before he could stop himself. "The meeting is about to start; stop wasting time."

The light haired lord blinked at the harshness in the dark lord's voice, not really sure what to think of this bad mood. Usually Gwendal merely looked like he was in a bad mood but he would be normally mellow. Today, though, there was an edge of… Dare he say bitterness, entrenched in his eyes?

"Ah, forgive me," the von Wincott lord bowed politely towards the young lady as well as gave her a charming smile. "It is easy to get distracted by a lovely woman. Let us go and start the meeting; I am sure Her Ladyship is in need of rest from the trip after that ordeal. There is no need to trouble her with such bothersome political issues."

Delchias bowed to her and followed the rest into the castle and Kagome was left there standing with the women and children, a little bit hurt at Gwendal's treatment of her. Why was he being so… distant?

"Actually," now everyone stopped and stared at Waltorana. "I think it would be better if Her Ladyship came with us."

Kagome looked up at him along with everyone else and saw he was staring directly at her. Gwendal felt dread crawl up his spine slowly all of a sudden.

Stoffel scowled at this. "What is this, Waltorana? She is an outsider, even the Maou's family is not allowed within the confines of the Round Table room during a meeting! No, I will not allow it."

"I didn't call for a Round Table," Waltorana remained even but never looked away from her eyes. "But since I will need all of you to be informed as well as the Maou I called all of you here. I apologize for the misunderstanding."

"What is the meaning of this Waltorana?" Gwendal started suspiciously, knowing for a fact that Waltorana was not the kind of person who misspoke himself. Whatever he was anxious to discuss must have been bothering the man quite a bit if the look he was giving Kagome was anything to go by.

"You will find out as soon as we are inside."

The sandy blond nobleman turned away and began his walk inside the palace. The other nobles looked at each other in confusion before following him in. It was obvious that this was not at all what they have planned.

"Since this is not a Round Table meeting then let me join you," the Great Sage suddenly intoned, his intentions hidden behind glazed glasses as he stood in front of Kagome in a protective manner while Yuuri continued to hold onto her. "It would be interesting to hear what the nobles have to say."

Waltorana frowned back at the soukoku ruler but then bowed and allowed the three soukoku to precede him. They all knew that, although the Maou was naïve and had a generous heart, the Great Sage was a different matter entirely and they would do well to tread lightly around him. Gwendal knew this from the time he had started taking orders from the reincarnation of the great king regarding matters left to him by the Maou.

"Mama?"

"I'll be fine, Shippou," she reassured the little fox kit. "Go on ahead with Sangria and Greta, they'll give you some cookies while you play."

"Promise you'll be back and play with us, Aunt Kagome?" Greta asked her with too wide eyes.

"Of course, sweetie." she gave the little girl a grin.

"Don't worry, I'll watch over them for you, Kagome, dear." Lady Cherie smiled at her as she placed perfectly manicured hands on the shoulders of both children, Kirara mewing her reassurances to her as well.

"Thank you very much." She smiled at the blond woman before allowing Yuuri to usher her inside.

Gwendal watched from beneath his lashes as Yuuri escorted Kagome into the castle with Murata on her other side. He could see a trace of anxiety in her ebony eyes even as she tried to remain calm. That anxiety made him want to punch another wall. She was surprised by Koritsu's attack; she wasn't expecting any of it. But the first thought in her mind was to protect her child. His brothers and everyone else's first instinctive thought was to protect the Maou and it was painfully obvious to him now… she wasn't counting on anyone to save her because she knew no one would come for her. The Maou would always take priority whether or not Yuuri had a say in it. And all he could was stand there all that time and stare at her like a hungry fool!

He felt horrible for it but he pushed it aside mercilessly. She wasn't counting on anyone to save her because no one mattered to her. All her eyes, ears and mind would ever be able to process would be Inuyasha; it was evident now after Shippou's explanation. Besides she was only his responsibility as far as the Maou ordered them; when worst came to worst then the Maou's safety must always be placed above anyone else's, even his own sister's. His brothers knew that although it would seem that they were feeling as ashamed as he was for ignoring her safety and not considering that she might have been the target all along. The question was why did Koritsu think it was now better to kill Kagome than Greta or the Maou? What had changed?

She was led inside the castle, into a room with a long table and a chair at the head. Another chair was situated on one end of the table right across from her brother's chair that allowed her to see everyone on the large table which was an odd setting. People outside the Maou and the Ten Nobles were not usually invited to join them on the meeting table and was usually situated against a wall behind the Maou indicating they were under his patronage in their presence.

His brothers and their two spies stayed outside the room to wait but the Great Sage came in with Yuuri, her and the Ten Nobles and the bespectacled soukoku stood beside the Maou's chair. Everyone waited for her to take a seat before they looked at the Maou who followed suit before everyone seated themselves as well.

"We hereby begin this meeting of the Ten Nobles." Waltorana started.

All business and making it a point not to look at the young woman now seated rather gracefully almost practically beside him, Gwendal turned his narrowed blue eyes at Waltorana. "This meeting is acknowledged. Let it begin."

"First of all," Gwendal found that the look on Waltorana's eyes as he stared at Kagome was a bit unnerving. He had one of those faces that always seemed to tell you you've done something wrong and was waiting for you to break and admit it before he lay it on the table for everyone to see. "I would like to express my relief for your recovery; we have all heard from Lord von Wincott about the incident you were involved in at the Brischella castle."

Delchias nodded and sent her a sweet smile.

Gwendal scowled.

Kagome managed a small smile despite her wariness. "Thank you, Lord von Bielefeld. I owe it all to Hube and his family for taking good care of me during my convalescence."

Waltorana nodded, pleased and if she squinted at him a bit she would probably see a dash of approval on his face as well. "That is good. You are all probably wondering why I called on this meeting and asked the Lady Kagome to be here. I will not waste your time further so please take one of these letters and pass them around as you see fit."

The blond nobleman passed around a considerable sheaf of papers first to Gwendal, who then exchanged papers with Gunter and then Rolf and even Yuuri and Ken until all the papers were read by each and every one of them. What Gwendal read between the lines made his blood freeze all over again.

They were letters. From Small Shimaron. Detailing the event where a large pink pillar of light rushed up to the sky in a terrible display of power on a night when everything was supposed to be quiet in the direction of the forbidden city of Ichri. It also narrated his knowledge about the source of this light being sighted on Shin Makoku territory not long after said light show happened and hints that Small Shimaron is suspecting that the Maou was now harboring a dangerous weapon he is secretly planning to use against the humans floated under the ink and the foreign king wants to personally see it.

Gwendal flipped the other documents after it.

Cabalcade.

Musanu.

Haraitee.

Saruma.

Yamamonto.

Kusakusa.

Maika.

The list went on…

All of the letters were worded differently and had different seals on them but eventually arriving and raving about one thing. They all wanted to know the source of the blinding power that appeared in Ichri. They wanted to know what was going on.

"What is this?" he heard Yuuri ask from his seat, looking over another letter from probably yet another country. Squinting a little, he made out the seal for the country of *Imari. This made his brows shoot up into his hairline. "What does this have to do with Kagome being here?"

"Your Majesty," Waltorana began. "These countries have witnessed a wild phenomenon uncommon in our world and rumors of this power have already spread these past months while you were on sabbatical. They have seemed to pinpoint the source of this power to Shin Makoku and these letters are requests that, as your allies, you should introduce them to that source of power."

Yuuri looked back at the papers and shook his head repeatedly in a daze. "No… No she can't… We can't!"

"Our allied countries are all curious and withholding this sort of information from them would make them think we are plotting against them," Lord von Bielefeld told the still shocked king. "Normally, it is our right as a country to withhold such information from outsiders however they have witnessed this power on their territory. So unless it is your desire to alienate your allies then I suggest having the Lady Kagome introduced to them would be the best option out there to calm their worries."

"But how did this happen?" Yuuri asked sounding desperate, hands almost crumpling the letters in his fist. "I thought the whole reason you guys kept your little field trip from me was to keep all this a secret?"

"They do not know of the Lady Kagome herself," the noble Mazoku told him with all the calm and arrogance of his noble lineage. "Even King Saralegui does not mention in his letters that he knows you even have a sister; they are merely after the power that you have apparently acquired."

Yuuri closed his eyes and slumped in his seat.

Stoffel was scowling violently. "How dare they demand anything of the Maou?"

"They would have every right to demand," Lord von Gyllenhaal returned thoughtfully, meeting the other blonde's eyes evenly. "Alliances are built on trust. If that trust is breached then everything His Majesty has ever worked for would be for nothing; especially when we are accusing humans of participating in the revival of Sousho."

"But this is going to put her in more danger!" Yuuri protested, looking distressed. "She's been injured just from being an innocent bystander, making her part of the limelight would double her chances of becoming a target! You saw what happened in the courtyard earlier! I refuse to let my sister be the subject of that kind of violence again!"

"Then what do you suggest we do, Your Majesty?" Waltorana asked the Maou. "Do you want to tell the alliance that you refuse to tell them the source of whatever power they were speaking of?"

"I myself have not been able to witness this power," Lord von Karbelnikoff commented, his chin on the back of his hand in a thoughtful pose. "But if it has gotten them all stirred up like this then it must have been well worth their curiosity."

"But Kagome isn't even from this world," Yuuri banged his fist on the table, the sound echoing in the room. "Of course that power would be more than noticeable!"

"She is your twin is she not?" Lord von Gyllenhaal commented, obviously intrigued by the concept of this kind of birth. "Then would it not mean you share a soul? That would make her a part of this country as well."

"That is not accurate, Lord von Gyllehaal," Ken suddenly said, taking all the attention off Yuuri. "The Maou cannot share a soul with anyone; if it were true then Sousho would have needed both of them when he tried to revive himself out of the boxes four years ago.

"The lady Kagome is a different entity all together," he continued as they all gaped at him. "She is a creature whose power is exclusively found only on Earth and even there her kind is very rare. Also she is the keeper of a very powerful artifact that can wish away an entire world. Endangering her is not an option."

"So she is a whole different entity from His Majesty but easily just as powerful…" Lord von Karbelnikoff stated in wonder as he stared at Kagome as though she were a interesting new lab rat. "Fascinating."

"My point is that she doesn't have to do anything by us!" Yuuri cut them all off, angry that they were all missing the point. "This is our problem, not my sister's; let's leave her out of this!"

"It's a little bit too late for that now, Your Majesty," Lady von Roshvall suddenly said, the first words that came out of her mouth the moment they entered the room and started the meeting and everyone looked her way because of it. "Whether she had intended to or not she is now tied into the politics of this country."

"Okay, this is just completely unreasonable!" Yuuri argued. "The last time Shouri was here, he caused a war and I was not obligated to introduce him to everybody."

"Lady Kagome's situation is different," Waltorana pointed out. "Although Lord Shouri also possessed an incredible amount of Maryokou, his powers were not designed to destroy other Mazoku. I think you understand why our allies and other human countries would want to meet her."

"All the more reason why we should hide her away!" Yuuri practically yelled.

"And risk dissolving the alliance?" Lord von Karbelnikoff asked a note of concern on his gentle face. "Your Majesty forgets these allies are human. They will seek an advantage whether you push them away or not. Also, most of them will seek for a deeper alliance with you now that you are the leader of practically one of the most powerful nations in the known world."

"NO! She's already been through enough! I am not letting her suffer on my behalf any longer!" Yuuri started to walk around the table, his eyes blinded with fury and fear as he grabbed Kagome's wrist.

"Yuuri!" she tried to protest but he ignored her. Her first words since the matter was brought up and looking extremely flabbergasted and confused.

"Your Majesty, please!"

Yuuri turned towards them, his eyes still blazing with his anger but his compassion and plea still shone through those dark, dark eyes of his so brightly that they couldn't bring themselves to be angry with him. "I'm going to think of another way so please wait a moment while I think this over; but I am not going to put my sister at risk again for anything. I'm sorry but I just won't be able to stand it."

And with that the Maou stomped out of the room dragging Kagome along with Ken bringing the rear. Outside, Gwendal could hear his brothers and guards expressing their concern, asking what happened. For himself he contemplated on this latest issue. On one hand he could understand why Yuuri was so against the whole idea but if he were honest, he had to agree with Waltorana. He sighed and looked around at the now very silent table; even Gunter had no words to say for the occasion. He remembered the time when Shouri was also brought before the Ten Nobles because of his actions with Alazon and the holy sword. That time, Yuuri had also become very stubborn and adamant.

Sighing, he pinched the bridge of his nose and wondered what it was about the Shibuyas that seemed to inspire international incidents.

/*****/

"Aa-CHOOOO!"

Shouri sniffled as he rubbed the underside of his nose after he flipped his phone closed.

"Shou-chan?" he heard his mother call before the door to his old room opened again. "Are you alright? Are you catching a cold?"

Shouri resisted the urge to roll his eyes over to the ceiling. "I'm fine, Mom."

"It's Mama, Shou-chan!" his mother scolded him, hands on her hips. "Mou, how many times do I have to tell you and your brother? Honestly, boys are no fun at all! Kagome-chan always calls me Mama!"

At the mention of his little sister, Shouri was again reminded by the situation at hand. "Mom, Aunt Aki called a few minutes ago. She said Yuuri came by the house."

"Oh?" Miko blinked her mood dropping all of a sudden as she was reminded by her earlier feeling of dread when Kagome's mug broke. "Isn't he, Ken-chan and Kagome-chan supposed to still be at the school?"

"I know, looks like something happened," there was no point in keeping his mother in the dark about all this. Sooner or later, Yuuri would have to explain himself, anyway. "She said Yuu-chan brought Kagome-chan to Shin Makoku."

"WHAAATTT?" Miko's eyes rounded as she invaded her son's personal space. "Unfair, unfair, I want to go to Shin Makoku too!"

"Mom, I'm sure Yuu-chan has his reasons," Namely to keep you away from that retarded woman Conrad, Gwendal and Wolfram call their mother. He shuddered to think what would happen if Lady Cherie and his mother joined forces. Oh the horror! "Besides I don't think he would take Kagome there if he didn't think he needed to."

Miko stopped short at what her eldest was trying to say and again her mood dropped, something that happened often when someone mentioned Kagome. "You don't think something happened to her; do you, Shou-chan?"

Shouri instantly felt guilty at the worry evident on his mother's face. It was no secret, now that they knew that Kagome was actually their sister, how infinitely accountable his mother felt at giving away her only daughter. The moment the secret was exposed she had done every possible thing to make sure she made up for Kagome's abandonment. Shouri knew that Kagome did not blame their mother; if anything she was just as loving with her as with her Aunt Aki but he knew Shibuya Miko would never truly forgive herself. Not really.

"It's alright, Mom," Shouri awkwardly reached forward and wrapped a long arm over her shoulder. "She's with Yuu-chan; and you know he'll be with those annoying brothers. She'll be fine with him."

At this, Miko's face brightened and clapped her hands together. "You're right, Shou-chan; my baby Yuu-chan can take care of his sister, I'm sure of it! Besides, she's the daughter of Hamano Jennifer! I know! Send him a text message and tell him to take her here when they're ready to come back, dear! I'll make curry!"

Shouri half smiled as he watched his mother flitter out of his room and down to the kitchen before he started doing what he was told. Hopefully Yuuri remembered to bring his celphone to school today.

He wanted to see his cute little sister today too.

/*****/

A shudder ran through Kagome at that exact same moment.

She hoped that whatever it was the fates have in store for her would at least be kind. In the meantime, she had a lot of thinking to do. The Ten Nobles took her by surprise so she didn't know what to do. It was disconcerting to hear that she would have to rise up in society and although that didn't really matter to her, Waltorana made several very valid points. How could she possibly leave Yuuri like this?

"Don't worry, Kagome," Yuuri said as soon as they entered the garden where Lady Cherie had her plants all over the place after he had explained what happened to Conrad and the others. "I won't let them do what they want. We can just look something else up; anything! You don't have to do anything!"

"I can't believe Uncle would suggest something like that…!" Wolfram was shaking his head in disbelief before his emerald green eyes hardened when he looked back at her. "Don't worry, Kagome, I'll talk to him."

She had to smile at that. Wolfram was so sincere and serious it was cute. "Thank you, Wolfram… Maybe I should think about this a little bit more."

Yuuri whirled back towards her at her words. "I thought you wanted to go home?"

"I still do," she replied firmly. "But I can hardly ignore what happened since it's my fault, anyway."

"Don't worry, Kagome," it was Ken with his too bright smile this time and Kagome's right eye twitched at the sight. He was on the verge of planning something; she just knew it. "Yuuri and I will be meeting in a bit and we'll discuss the best possible solution for this so we can put it in action before we take you back home. In the meantime, why don't you rest? I'm sure you're tired."

"Well I—"

"Lady Kagome, please allow me to escort you to your rooms."

Kagome blinked at the half Mazoku knight incredulously at the offer. "No, you should stay here with Yuuri. He needs you more than I do—"

"It will please His Majesty the Maou to know that Her Ladyship is safe," the shrewd light she saw flicker in Conrad's eyes when he looked at her from under his long cinnamon lashes made Kagome sweat drop. He was warning her to shut up and do as he says despite his cool smile. "I am sure that His Majesty will be able to concentrate more on the meeting with His Highness if he understands nothing will harm Her Ladyship while he is away."

Kagome twitched at his overly polite manner. What the hell is he thinking?

"Oh that's a wonderful idea!" Cheri practically burst out with stars shining in her eyes from out of nowhere all of a sudden, making Yuuri and Wolfram flinch away from her. "I agree, Your Majesty, Conrad can take care of Lady Kagome! After all, you will have Yozak and Hube here to watch over you!"

"Mother!" Wolfram cried out in surprise. "Don't do that! And why are you here, where are the children?"

"Oh they're already napping," the esteemed lady brushed her son's words off, more interested in Kagome for some reason the female soukoku wasn't sure she wanted to know. "And Lady Kagome should rest as well, seeing as she had had a long trip."

"But I'm fi-"

"Nonsense!" Cheri flared eagerly taking her sons aback before breaking into lecture mode. "I'll have you know, Lady Kagome, that I have raised all of my sons as gentlemen! They would never allow a woman who had just been in your situation alone! Right, Hube?"

"…What?" there was a flash of protest in the dark haired spy's single eye but it was just for a moment; and then it turned into resignation and he looked away, knowing his aunt would insist in what she wanted. "Yes, my lady."

Kagome glared at him. "Traitor."

"So go, Conrad," Cheri was practically pushing her second son towards the female soukoku who was trying to hide her alarm. "And don't leave her until she has been properly attended!"

When Kagome looked at Yuuri and saw how doubtful he still looked, she then knew she had no other choice. It was this or he'll kick up a fuss. "Then I will accept your generous offer, Sir Weller."

"The honor is mine, my lady." He answered with a wide smile Kagome was pretty sure was mocking her somehow.

She almost sighed. And then she followed him inside even as Yuuri and Ken made their way into the Great Hall, Yozak and Hube following closely behind the two monarchs.

When they were out of hearing range from others, he then broke the silence between them. "So what are you planning to do now?"

"I don't know," she said, not bothering to look at him anymore. "I'm not sure."

"You can't run away from this." His voice was low and borderline threatening.

Kagome doubted that her twin had ever heard Conrad speak like this. It would have scared her if she hadn't gone through worse. "What do you mean?"

He stopped in the middle of the empty hallway and Kagome looked up, taken aback by the seriousness in Conrad's eyes. It scared her a little but she was actually relieved. Because unlike the other times when they spoke; he now seemed to be talking to her like an equal.

"From how Yuuri has explained it, Waltorana says that because you have released your power in the human lands, the human rulers are now threatened by Shin Makoku's power more than ever; they do not understand that you can only be useful if used by them against us," he started grimly. "Ever since the moment you stepped out of that fountain, you already were a threat to us."

Kagome stopped and stared right back at the hazel eyed man in wide eyed surprise. How could he have possibly known what she needed right now? How did he know she needed to pick someone's brains out? She almost smiled. "So do you think I should just leave then? Leave Yuuri to pick up all the pieces of my mistake?"

"And do you think you'll be able to sleep at night if you do that?"

His rebuttal made Kagome stop and widen her eyes. "What is it exactly that you want to say?"

His stare never wavered from her and she couldn't find the strength to look away. She wondered if this is how he looked like back in his Luttenberg Brigade days. If so then she was not surprised he survived the ordeal. His eyes were cold and unyielding and she almost felt jealous of Yuuri for having someone so devoted to him that he was prepared to do anything— even kill his own soul— just for his sake.

Inuyasha's face flashed in her mind's eye but she shook it away. Soon she will deal with that matter.

"Follow your heart." he finally answered her.

She raised a brow at that. "My heart?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"…Because in the end, it would always lead you towards what's best for Yuuri."

She paused and blinked. And then she slowly smiled, realization dawning on her at last. It was now clear what she was to him and, curiously, it didn't hurt. It was what she was meant for, she guessed; being a means to an end. "You want me to protect the alliance? Get myself out there against his and my wishes to protect the Maou's hold of the top of the world?"

"Yuuri has worked hard to get these countries swayed over to our side," Conrad went on without a trace of remorse in his voice. "And it would hurt him to lose any one of his friends. I will not let him be hurt. Yuuri's dream is to create a world without wars or discrimination; and I will do anything to help him achieve that dream."

"I see…" She walked ahead of him a few steps before she turned back to him with a wide smile. "Geez, Conrad, you should be a politician just like Gwendal. You'll be really good at it, I bet."

"I'd rather not," he was smiling now; a grim version of the smile he would always show around Yuuri. "My place is by Yuuri's side. Besides, everything I know about the subject, I learned from him, so I doubt I'll stand a chance."

She cocked her head to the side at this. "You don't want the wealth, fame and prestige?"

"All that would give me would be stress and unnecessary headaches. Personally," he shrugged. "I want Nunavut (none of it)."

Kagome's eyes widened at his unexpected play on words before her nostrils stretched open in a snort and she laughed until she felt as though her sides would burst.

So Yuuri really wasn't kidding when he told her that Conrad's only fault was his horrible puns.

"Conrad," she gasped when she was finally able to stop laughing, wiping the tears out of her eyes. It felt really good to laugh again. "I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship."

The half Mazoku knight's response was merely a smirk and a mock bow and as Kagome stared she understood that she was now looking at the dark side of Shin Makoku's moon. And it has welcomed her with open arms…

/*****/

"Well, looks like you're up to something new, Your Majesty."

Left behind long after the others have walked off, Annisina turned to the former Maou and did not miss the jovial gleam in her emerald green eyes that mirrored her youngest son's. It produced a smirk on the inventor's blood red lips.

Cherie's laugh tinkled like bells in the middle of the courtyard. "Why, my dear, why would you say that?"

Annisina leaned Light-Up-the-Sky-With-Your-Love-kun against her shoulder as her smirk widened. "Why don't we discuss this over tea then?"

/*****/

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