Miroku had been to his share of dinners, but this was by far the most delicious spread he had ever encountered. Even when he thought had met the ultimate in culinary fare at the Taisho's restaurant in Tokyo had paled in comparison. It seemed that when the Inu clan got together, their chef pulled out all the stops.

While the previous night had been a full five course, well-appointed Japanese dinner, this was a smattering of plates exquisitely prepared and cautiously planned. It seemed everyone's favourite dish was on the table. Miso glazed black cod, alongside decadent Kobe steak and the lightest tempura ever were in the centre of the table, each its own study in mouth-watering perfection. Rin at his side was chomping on Taisho tonkatsu, presumably made for her, while Izayoi on his other side busied herself with a waldorf salad. Which reminded him, she had mentioned a few minutes before under her breath that it was delicious, he had to work up the courage to reach out and grab some at an opportune moment.

For while the meal itself was exquisite, the conversation was decidedly bitter.

He and his fellow captives were initially in a fine mood upon reaching the dinner table, but the dreary mood of some of their fellow diners had quickly darkened the spirited atmosphere leaving the table in relative silence.

Across the table from him were Inutaisho, Kagome and Hideo. Kagome tried to muster cheer periodically, but gave up soon after sitting down, now looking as if she would rather pout and push peas about her plate like she used to when her grandfather said she couldn't fight. Meanwhile her grandfather to her right refused to speak to her as, he she HAD gone against his wishes and fought anyways and Mr. Nara occasionally mustered the courage to try new topics on the trapped populace.

Poor guy.

Mr. Nara clearly had little idea of how complicated a group he had stumbled into for dinner and was still trying to ring in the cheer.

All the while, Inuyasha and Inutaisho kept stony silence, each in their own worlds as they went over the ramifications of the day.

At the head of the table, Sesshomaru brooded.

So, Miroku invested his time in the meal before him. That way he figured there would be one pay-off this evening.

"Kagome-san, would you like some more rice?" Mr Nara offered, jolting her out of her temporary rage stare at the centre of the table.

"Oh, please." She accepted.

Mr. Nara really was a nice guy. Despite having been the recipient of Sesshomaru's less than hospitable behaviour and having lost his match, he was still in a positively jovial mood.

Why couldn't she work for someone like that? As the cheerful Nara started up a conversation with Izayoi about the upcoming exhibit in the National Museum, she briefly fantasized about what it would be like to work for Mr. Nara. She imagined stress free days, a kind, understanding boss, a stable work environment and only on the rarest of occasions would she be required to calm him down. Once, maybe twice a year tops …

"-formidable fighter." She caught as she tried to get back into the conversation Mr Nara was engaged in while her boss merely hnn'd noncommittally. At least the topic seemed promising.

"I hope to continue to square off against your miko in the local gym. Hopefully I'll be able to generate a decent defense strategy before then though!" Mr. Nara quipped.

Seeing her opportunity, she piped up. "Perhaps we could have a rematch after dinner. Miroku didn't-"

"No." Sesshomaru uttered with finality.

Jumping in to save the situation Miroku spoke out "I don't need to have a go, cousin, I'm just enjoying the ambiance…" He finished lamely.

In the silence that followed, majority of the table remembered those few moments after the final match that bred such discontent now.

Once the red had cleared from Sesshomaru's eyes, his protective embrace of Kagome slackened, his spine straightened and he callously pushed Kagome aside. With a shriek, she stumbled into the ready arms of Inuyasha who had approached as his brother regained control.

Outrage at being shoved brimmed in the miko, but her violent train of thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Nara.

"Sesshomaru-sama, I'm glad to see you are back with us!" quipped the hanyou from the field as he came back to the sidelines. "I wonder what set you off!"

Sesshomaru looked disdainfully down at his miko, his beast howling mournfully inside, begging him not to. "I was disappointed in the caliber of my miko. I had expected better given all the chatter about her abilities, but find her lacking."

Mr. Nara jumped to the agog miko's defence, "But Sesshomaru-sama, she bested me, and I certainly…"

"…Were holding back on my orders. I appreciate your efforts to save me from a temporary replacement for a few days, Mr. Nara." The Demon lord quipped. Putting on a kinder tone, she briefly heard him invite Nara to stay for supper before she was out of earshot, having stormed off to the manor.

All afternoon Miroku and Inuyasha had tried to include her in their video games, hopeful they would manage to take her mind off things, but after a few minutes of spoiling the mood, she opted to go to her room for a shower and a sulk.

That match had not gone as she wanted, but she still won and for Sesshomaru to imply once again that she was weak… She wanted to PUNCH something.

"Then I challenge you to an unbound fight this evening after dinner, Sesshomaru sama," she declared, levelling the demon at the head of the table with her steadiest glare.

"Kagome," her grandfather turned to her now, "you know my stance on unbound fights. Not to mention how unseemly it would be for you to fight against your pact partner. I cannot allow you to go through with this." He uttered, in his firmest tone.

But Kagome was not interested. She had been stewing all day and was determined to set things right the only way she knew how. She needed to prove herself a strong opponent against the winner of the tournament.

"For the last time, no, miko." Sesshomaru replied, in his own deep tone.

"You have to accept a direct challenge, Sesshomaru sama," she said aghast.

"I have to do no such thing. I am host and I've decided not to combat."

Looking around the table in search of allies, she found none and, though Mr. Nara, Miroku, and Inuyasha seemed to be in her corner, there were none there that would speak for her.

Fed up, Kagome removed her napkin from her lap, threw it down on her plate and stormed out of the dining room, silence in her wake.

Though Izayoi and Inutaisho tried their level best to resume the conversation after that, not ten minutes of scattered conversation had passed when the miko was heard by the demons of the table descending the stairs, bags in tow and asking Jaken for a cab company.

Inuyasha spoke then, "Should I-?"

"No, let her leave." Sesshomaru answered, hearing a ghostly echo in his ears.