"Tell me, girl. Why are you among your enemies by nature?" Kagura asked Kagome as they faced off in the aerial arena.

It was the final day of the Demon Rite, and both dragon demoness and miko had made it to the final round. The battles leading up to this point had been increasingly drawn out and bloody. Many times, Kagome was saved from a mortal injury by her inherent barrier. The contestants were strong, and now only the strongest was left. Kagome faced Kagura with what she hoped was the same cool confidence and composure.

"I see no reason to shun innocents, regardless of their species. My nature is to heal and protect," Kagome steadily answered.

"Hmph. You will not win against me if your intent is not to kill. Surrender and I will spare your life," Kagura confidently proclaimed.

"No. I will fight for a place by my most important person." Kagome's eyes flicked to Sesshomaru.

"Then you are a fool." Kagura swung her hand, throwing several wind blades at Kagome. They broke harmlessly across her reiki barrier. Yet Kagura continued the useless assault. Suddenly, she summoned a piercing wind column, launching the surprised miko into the air. Kagura frowned. She had known the early wind blades would be useless, but had hoped they would divert attention so the under belly of the barrier not under constant attack would be weaker and susceptible to a surprise attack. However, the barrier stayed strong. It wasn't a complete failure though, for now she knew how to throw her into the air.

Kagome was caught unprepared for the column of air pushing her upwards, but quickly recovered, forcing reiki underneath her to purify the youki wind. She then fired bursts of reiki to slow her descent and land safely back onto the arena floor. The dragon princess was good. None of her previous opponents had been able to throw her, or force so much reiki expenditure with one attack. Kagome immediately countered, launching several reiki orbs that she honed to the demoness.

Kagura was forced to run from the orbs. She quickly became a blurr, erratically circling around Kagome before cutting across, placing Kagome directly in the path of her own reiki orb. However, the orb just passed harmlessly through the miko and continued to follow her. "Che!" Kagura grunted in frustration. She lept straight up, flying to the ceiling of the arena and turning sharply left. Two of the orbs exploded harmlessly on the ceiling. She repeated the move a few more times around the walls of the arena, effectively destroying all the orbs.

However, before Kagura could recover, Kagome spread a net of reiki, halting the faster demoness. The ropes of reiki burned her, drawing first blood. Kagura snarled, flexing her youki to break free. She then summoned several tornadoes, flinging the miko into the fray. These youki winds were a lot more powerful, easily cutting through the miko's weakened defenses while she had executed her offensive net.

Kagome quickly refocused and encapsulated herself in a tight barrier. The kimono of Sesshomaru's fur had protected her from severe injury, but her cheek and ankle were bleeding. The wind had cut through her leather boots like butter. Kagome once again used reiki bursts to soften her landing.

Both females paused to glare at the other. Their hair was loose, their chests were heaving, and blood was trickling to the ground. Kagome swiftly healed her ankle to a more usable state, but left the shallow cheek injury. She had to conserve her reiki against such a formidable opponent.

And then they were off again. Blows were exchanged at a vicious pace. Blades of wind and reiki clashed. Kagome used her reiki enhanced body to keep up with the demoness. She landed several shots that forced the dragon to expend youki to neutralize the purity before it ate her body. Kagura continued to exploit the second of vulnerability when the miko switched from defensive to offensive, raining blood onto the arena floor.

At close range, Kagome suddenly engulfed Kagura in a reiki barrier, and retreated far back. She quickly sealed any vessels that were cut. Any more blood loss and Kagome would lose before her reiki ran out. She wasn't experienced enough for close range combat with such a powerful demoness. It was only because of Sesshomaru's lessons, which Inuyasha had beat into her, that saved her from any fatal injury. However, she knew her luck wouldn't last. The fight had to be kept at long range.

"Are you fighting me so hard as a female, or as the northern princess?" Kagome called out.

Kagura laughed darkly within the barrier. "For love? For the North?" she ridiculed. "What duty I felt was swept away the moment you drew my blood. I fight for myself!" Her youki started to swell dangerously with her bloodlust. The barrier continued to hold.

Kagura's eyes were completely red now. "Your head is mine," she rumbled thickly. And then the barrier exploded, leaving a fully transformed black dragon in its place. She towered over Kagome at half the size of Sesshomaru's true form. Kagura let out an unearthly battle shriek.

Kagome immediately switched to complete defensive mode, making one of her densest reiki barriers. The youki winds from large webbed wings and the electric balls from a razor mouth all crackled uselessly on the barrier. Kagome trembled against the relentless beating on her barrier.

Kagura whipped her thickly armored tail out to slam against the barrier. Kagome flared her reiki just in time to reinforce the barrier from impact. Scales and reiki met, and for a moment, neither budged. But with another flick of brute strength, Kagome was thrown back with jarring force into the arena wall. The barrier protected Kagome from shattering all her bones, but she was prone on the ground, desperately sucking in air.

Kagura palmed the barrier encapsulated miko in her large claws, attempting to crush the weakened barrier. A cracking, crumpling sound alerted Kagura to impending success, and she redoubled her efforts.

Meanwhile, the crack sounded deafening in Sesshomaru's ears. He had been watching the whole bloody affair with an exterior calm that only centuries of training and hardship could have bred. But the crack of Kagome's barrier could very well have been the sound of his own mask crumbling to dust. His grip had long since melted the chair handles, and now he was on his feet, eyes flashing red.

Seri sunk her talons into Sesshomaru's arm before he lost it. The pain seemed to cut through the red haze in his mind and he stiffly forced himself back into the ruined chair. Thankfully no one noticed as everyone's attention was on the epic battle between the two powerful females.

Just when the barrier crumpled into nothing, a dome of light shot out, purifying Kagura's claw. The dragon roared in pain and quickly flew back. She flared her youki to prevent the searing reiki from continuing up her arm and eating her alive. The two opposing energies fought for ground – purple clashing with white. Slowly, Kagome's blinding white reiki started gaining.

'Impossible!' Kagura thought. This small miko had more energy than herself! Yet she could not deny the white light dissipating her purple youki. Kagura roared one more time, forcing out almost all of her youki at once. The clash of energy was too much and exploded between the two, sending shock waves rippling through the audience below. Everyone was stunned into silence.

Kagura was kneeling on the ground, reverted back into her humanoid form minus her right hand. Kagome slowly stood up on shaking legs, trying to resorb what little reiki still hung in the air after the explosion.

"It is my turn to ask. Why do you fight so hard? Do you honestly think you can gain his favor?" Kagura quietly asked.

Kagome held her eyes as they silently appraised each other. "If the one you loved offered his heart to you, wouldn't you stop at nothing to reach him and receive it?" Kagome replied solemnly.

Kagura gaped at her. "The Ice Prince? Lord Sesshomaru, known across ALL Japan as the Killing Perfection?" Kagome simply stared into her eyes in absolute seriousness. The wind dragon's eyes widened in sudden understanding. "You…you are the one. His pack. You had hidden much of your scent…I did not realize…oh gods…" While the idea that Sesshomaru loved the girl was still too inconceivable, Kagura knew now that this rite was definitely for this girl's sake.

"I love him. Please surrender," Kagome finally offered.

Kagura's eyes hardened. "I have my pride. I don't care what your, or his, motives are. This fight is not over until I am unable to move," she strongly declared. "If nothing else, I want to prove myself," Kagura added softly.

"I understand," Kagome relented, and fell back into a defensive stance.

Kagura lurched forward and again vaulted the miko into the air with the last of her youki winds. While the barrier held, Kagome was too weak to hold her ground. Kagura continued to run forward, closing the distance. Within a second, she had untied her obi and whipped it around Kagome's ankle.

Kagome stared at her captured ankle, stunned for a moment. The obi had gotten through her barrier because it had no youki, no demonic aura. This demoness was truly cunning to have figured out such a weakness in this empty arena.

Kagura pulled sharply, dragging the miko down. No reiki burst would be able to cushion the forced plunge. The miko slammed into the arena floor with a resounding smack. Had the arena been dirt, a crater would surely have formed.

Dead silence remained in the aftermath of the impact. Slowly, Kagura walked forward, hand still tightly gripping the obi. Excruciating electricity suddenly shot through the wind dragon's body.

"AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" the ear piercing wail echoed through the arena.

Slowly, the battered body of the miko sat up and then stood up. Blood was dripping out of Kagome's slightly parted mouth. Her arms dangled limply at her side. But what caught everyone's eyes were the tendrils of reiki snaking through the obi and coiling into Kagura. The screams abruptly stopped, signifying either the dragon's death or loss of consciousness. Kagome pulled back the whisps of energy.

"You forgot. A miko can channel her reiki into just about anything. The obi was clever, but ultimately a double edged sword," she commented to the still body. Kagome then knelt on the ground and brushed her broken hands against Kagura's face. Immediately, pure energies began pouring back into the miko. When every last white aura left, she erected a barrier around the prone demoness. The fight was over, but no one moved toward the arena.

Kagome began healing her own wounds, focusing mainly on her broken limbs. She winced as the bones mended. When Kagura had slammed her into the ground, Kagome had focused all of her reiki into her body to reinforce it for impact. Thankfully, it had worked, but her arms were the sacrifice, having broken the fall first.

About 15 minutes later, Kagome stood back up and faced all the spectators. "The Wind Dragon Princess of the North has been defeated. I spare her life, but this Demon Rite is over. This Kagome, high priestess, claims victory!"

"Does anyone dare dispute the victory?" Inuyasha asked per protocol. However, his beaming face belied the sheer joy he felt.

Silence met the question. None had seen a demon rite finale of such scale.

"Unseal the arena! Convoy, retrieve the contestants," Inuyasha finished.

By the time everyone was back in the courtyard, Kagura had regained consciousness. She knew she had been defeated, but couldn't understand why she was still among the living. Her question shone clearly in her eyes.

Kagome knelt next to the defeated demoness. "I have spared lesser opponents. Why would I not offer the same courtesy to a true rival worthy of my respect? You are strong and cunning. If you allow, I would like to meet as a friend next time," she formally told Kagura.

Kagura's eyes glistened. "I would like that as well," she murmured, head bowed.

"How dare you disgrace the Northern family by losing? And then to shame yourself further? A dragon bows to no one! The dragon clan does not need such shame," Ryura scathingly reproached Kagura. He fired a blazing fireball at his daughter, intent on extinguishing her life. Kagome did not have the strength left to stop a fireball of such magnitude. Kagura clenched her eyes shut, knowing this was the end.

BOOM!

Kagura's eyes flew open and she twisted around to see what had happened. Standing where the path of the fireball had once been was a hanyou in red wielding a still smoking tetseiga. Inuyasha had saved Kagura.

"If you can throw her away so easily, then I will claim her. She's mine," Inuyasha proclaimed. Kagura gaped, while Kagome beamed.

"You dare interfere, you filthy dog?" Ryura boomed.

"Look, you didn't want your daughter anyway. If you give her to me, you'll be forming an alliance with the West, without giving a dowry or anything else. Take your royal jewels and whatever maps. I'll take her just as she is," Inuyasha gruffly tried to negotiate.

"But a hany- "

"As This Sesshomaru's beta and second son of Inu no Taisho, the west will honor the alliance," Sesshomaru cut off Ryura.

Ryura's lips curled in a sneer, but said no more.

"Then it's settled. Will you be okay getting to the infirmary?" Kagome asked Kagura in concern. "I took out all the pure energies, but your hands…" They were both purified, leaving only stubs.

Inuyasha stepped in and lifted Kagura off the ground. "I'll take her. Don't worry Kagome. You got a prize to claim," he said, winking at her.

When the pair was well out of earshot, Kagura turned to Inuyasha. "What are you thinking?" she hissed at him. "I have nothing to offer. Lord Ryura won't lift a finger for such a union. The alliance would be empty – my presence won't stop a war if that is what he so chooses."

Inuyasha glanced down at the dragon demoness and then quickly looked away. "Stop talking like that prick Sesshomaru. I don't give a shit what your bastard father does. You didn't deserve to die like that. You were…" 'beautiful,' his mind provided. Inuyasha blushed. "Keh! Whatever. You don't gotta mate me if you don't wanna. It was just the easiest way to get you outta there. But you really can stay here. Kagome likes you, so you're okay by my book," Inuyasha babbled.

Kagura was stunned. "You would save me, and ask for nothing in return?" she asked incredulously.

"Keh! I don't care," Inuyasha brusquely said. He missed the faint smile that graced her lips, the first true smile she's had for as long as she could remember.

"This Sesshomaru, Lord of the West, accepts this Miko Kagome's suit," Sesshomaru pronounced to the assembly. He had to get Kagome to his private chambers before he lost what little ettiqute and control he had left. Her battle had been glorious, and he couldn't have been more pleased with the attire she wore. Her skin was still flushed from the adrenaline, and her touseled hair made him want to sink his claws into it. Bloodied and beautiful. Fierce yet gentle. She had fought to the bitter end and proved her mighty strength. Even now, she had reiki to heal herself. Her power was comparable to his own. No one would question her right to be by his side, and she had done it all by herself. Sesshomaru's chest swelled with pride. 'My mate.'

Sesshomaru slowly walked forward to receive her. It was tormenting to keep such a tedious pace when his blood was thrumming with months worth of eagerness, exacerbated by the battle high from observing his Kagome. Still, he kept himself tightly leashed. He would wait until the elders of Demon Council blessed the union.

A black dog demon stepped forward. Tatsuya was Inu no Taisho's friend, and well over 3 millenia old. It was fitting for him to sanction this strange mating.

"Sesshomaru, my boy, you must tell me how you came to know such an enchanting creature," Tatsuya whispered just loud enough for Sesshomaru to hear. He knew there was no way this miko participated in a Demon Rite merely by chance.

Sesshomaru gave a low warning growl in response. Tatsuya smiled. The pup was as unsociable and possessive as ever. "Well then, as per Demon Rite – "

"This is absurd!" a shout interrupted Tatsuya. It was pitched such that no person could be singled out.

"Yes! Such favor to the West!" another voiced.

"The balance of power would be destroyed!" the complaints continued.

"The miko should be shared among all four lan-"

Sesshomaru's bone chilling snarl drowned out the last statement. "You ridiculed her presence, but as soon as you witness her power, you swoop in like vultures. There is only your lack of foresight to blame. Now, you dare suggest This Sesshomaru 'share' his mate?" he rumbled out in a deceivingly calm baritone.

Tetsuya stepped in before Sesshomaru decided to slaughter the whole lot. "It seems Lady Kagome's attentions are well sought after. By demon law, it is fair for any to challenge Lord Sesshomaru for mating rights. Step forth, challengers!" he announced.

"I am not a possession to be passed around! I chose Sessshomaru, and he has accepted. I will mate no other," Kagome retorted.

"Let him fight, young one. In demon society, a male can mate any female he is able to force under submission. A strong female may be able to hold her own, but usually she chooses a champion to protect her chance to select the best of her suitors, instead of ending up with one barely able to beat herself. A father or brother often fulfills this role. But in your case…"

"My champion is Lord Sesshomaru, if he allows," Kagome immediately caught on. Sesshomaru quickly nodded his consent. Fighting a demoness was one thing, but fighting someone of comparable battle prowess to Sesshomaru was another thing entirely. The 'mating' custom seemed rather barbaric in Kagome's eyes. However, it made sense given the value demons placed on strength. Afterall, it was only by this mentality that she was able to win a place by Sesshomaru. Kagome sighed. She was being hypocritical seeing as she had participated in a rite that made Sesshomaru the prize. "I apologize for my outburst. I simply did not want to see lives lost so meaninglessly when my champion will surely win," she covered.

Tetsuya grinned. The little miko was sharp. If she had insisted on such human reasoning, she might have discredited Sesshomaru as a champion and ended up having to defend herself. With a simple prompting, she immediately realized her mistake and corrected it with speed. In fact, judging by how Sesshomaru was practically preening under the indirect praise, she exceeded duty by giving her champion a vow of favor and trust. It was the best thing she could have done for Sesshomaru in front of such a prideful lot.

Sesshomaru wordlessly stepped forward and released all the youki he could without transforming. Several demons hit the ground by the sheer weight of Sesshomaru's aura. In Kagome's weakened state, would have collapsed as well had Tetsuya not strategically braced himself next to her. She flashed a thankful smile to him. This was not a time she could look weak.

"Who will challenge Lord Sesshomaru?" Tetsuya asked again. Some squirmed, but no one dared to face him. It was easy to forget just how much power Sesshomaru truly had when he kept it under such constant control.

When it was apparent no one would fight him, Sesshomaru reigned in his youki and turned his back to the assembly, clearly dismissing them as inconsequential. Many on the Demon Council growled, displeased by the lack of respect Sesshomaru so openly displayed.

"This Sesshomaru is strongest. A powerful mate changes nothing," he said over his shoulder to them. Sesshomaru then took out Kagome's scroll and threw it at Tetsuya. He caught it out of reflex. Immediately on contact, the scroll burst into ash. Everyone stared at the pile of dust in surprised horror. So that's what the miko meant when she said the blood pact would be nullified if someone else touched it. "This Sesshomaru does not need another's power," he arrogantly proclaimed.

Tetsuya sighed. The pup really needed to learn some people skills. If he wasn't going to take advantage of the blood pact, he should have done so earlier. Instead, he had to show everyone up with his strength and then reject the gift that many would kill their own sons for. If that wasn't enough, the damn pup had to do all this while his back was turned to them. Gods, as if Sesshomaru didn't have enough enemies already. Tetsuya wanted to smack his forehead against something. The pup was insufferable.

"Come," Sesshomaru commanded Kagome while holding out his hand to her.

Kagome smiled ruefully and accepted his hand. Sesshomaru swept her into his arms and left without another word.

"By Demon Rite, the Demon Council accepts the union between Lord Sesshomaru of the West and Miko Kagome," Tetsuya rushed out. Gods, what he would give to strangle the pup.

"Looks like we're left with cleanup duty huh, old friend," Seri came up next to Tetsuya.

"As always," Tetsuya sighed resignedly.

"Everyone please retire to the great hall. Festivities will begin there shortly. Your assigned servants will be by your rooms and see to your comfort. Please enjoy," Seri announced.