Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Kouga stepped in front of his front door, folded his arms across his chest and bared a fang at Miroku as the monk attempted to slide past him.

"Where the hell are you going?"

"I need to go," Miroku murmured, appearing very distracted.

Kouga let out a little snarl of frustration. Since Kagome had gone missing, the monk had camped out in his house and now, all of a sudden, he needed to go? Something was incredibly fishy.

"Why?"

Miroku looked up at Kouga as if he'd only just realised that the wolf was even in the room. "I need to talk to... a higher power."

"What?" Kouga barked as the slippery monk quickly ducked out of the apartment. "Where the hell are you going? Miroku!"

"Stay here," Miroku called back, marching down the street without once glancing back at the werewolf. "I'll be back soon."

Miroku ignored the wolf as he continued to cuss at him, instead concentrating on making his way through the busy streets as quickly as was possible. Slaloming through crowds, he soon found himself at the bakery that Kagome had once worked at and let himself in through the side entrance. The kitchen smelt fantastic but Miroku was more concerned by his quest.

Aiko glanced up at him, up to her elbows in flour. "Miroku-san?"

"Where is he?"

Hojo stuck his head around the corner curiously. "Miroku-san?"

Miroku sketched a small respectful bow. "Kami-sama."

Hojo waved a dismissive hand at the monk, causing a small plume of flour to drift into the air. "We're in the bakery, not the temple. Here you must call me Hojo."

Miroku nodded. "Hojo-san, it's about Kagome; she's... regained her powers."

"Then she can come home," Hojo nodded, "if she needs to, of course."

"We just need to provide her with a door," Aiko said distantly, her gaze flat as she stared at something that Miroku couldn't see.

Hojo gazed off into the distance thoughtfully. "The shrine would be a good place."

"You aren't going to drag her back?" Miroku asked curiously.

"No," Hojo shook his head and smiled, his human facade fell away for a moment and Miroku dropped his gaze to the floor, unable to stare directly into the Land God's eyes. Miroku was very comfortable with his status as a monk of considerable strength but, sharing a room with a god and his Komainu, he felt very small.

"There is always a choice." Hojo continued, his voice hollow, "She chose to follow Sesshoumaru-san and now, with a little of my help, she can choose to come back."

Staring resolutely out into Nami's gardens, Kagura attempted to ignore the hostile stare that she could feel boring through the back of her head. Nami had taken Sesshoumaru at his word and had assigned Bankotsu to watch over her. But, ever since the assassin had heard of her deceit, he'd stewed in his anger and simply watched her. Kagura half wished he'd rant and threaten and scream; it would be a refreshing change from all the angry staring.

Finally, the wind-witch snapped and rounded on the assassin, hands on her hips. "What? If you have something to say then just say it!"

Bankotsu arched one eyebrow, his arms folded over his broad chest. "I have nothing to say to you," he said calmly.

Throwing her hands into the air, Kagura turned back to the tranquil gardens and sighed. She'd not been prepared for this. Not at all. When she'd set out to kill Kagome she'd never really expected to be able to do it; she'd known she would try, for her sister, but she'd known it was a suicide mission. Even if she had managed to kill her friend, Sesshoumaru would have killed her in retaliation in a heartbeat.

She hadn't planned to be hated like this.

The door to Kagura's new prison slid open to reveal Aine, smiling serenely. "Traitor-chan, Nami-sama requests your presence in the pavilion," she said.

"Don't call me that!" Kagura snapped tersely.

Aine smiled benevolently. "Nami-sama ordered all of the staff to call you by your new name, Traitor-chan. The matter is out of my hands."

Kagura threw her hands up into the air. "Of course she did," she grouched.

"How unfortunate," Naraku murmured as he gazed into the mirror. "Your sister failed me and got captured..." he glanced down at Kanna's flat expression, "You just can't coerce good help these days."

"Then she's mine," the purple haired woman snarled. "Your girl's incompetence suits me just fine."

Naraku glanced at his newest 'ally'. Her anger was, he supposed, perfectly understandable; her brother had died at Sesshoumaru's hands. Using her would be his pleasure, but her rage made her a little unpredictable. She could end up throwing a spanner in the works.

"You understand that her power has increased?" Naraku cautioned, "You will need to be very vigilant."

"Yes, yes," she waved a dismissive hand at him, pacing agitatedly, "But Ryuukotsusei has no idea... maybe she'll do us both a favour and kill him."

Naraku smirked. "Such loyalty to your master."

"He got my brother killed!" she snarled, "As far as I'm concerned Asuka's death rests just as much at his feet as it does Sesshoumaru's."

Naraku shook his head and wandered away, bypassing Kanna as he made his way to his newest creation. He held the dagger in his hand for a moment, weighing it in his palm before he gave it to his guest.

"A dagger?" Her lip curled in disgust.

"Not just any dagger," Naraku shook his finger at her, "a dagger designed for the express purpose of killing a miko."

"Perfect."

Kagome looked up as Kagura entered the pavilion; her hair escaping from its usually coiffed topknot and Bankotsu followed her closely like a bad tempered shadow. Sesshoumaru couldn't restrain the sadistic smirk at Kagura's expense; she'd nearly succeeded in taking away his most precious thing and he felt vindicated in enjoying her misfortune.

"Ah, Traitor-chan," Nami crowed, clapping her hands together, "I trust my Bankotsu kept you from becoming lonely."

"Nothing like being followed by a guard dog that hates your guts," Kagura retorted, flinging herself into a grumpy seiza.

"Nami!" Kagome said, tapping a finger on the table, "will you stop calling Kagura-chan names?"

"Nope," Nami announced gleefully, pressing a painted talon to her chest, she proclaimed, "I'm still the Lady of the West and until you are, little human, I get to call the traitor a traitor."

Kagome threw her hands up into the air impotently. As much as she wanted to make Nami back off, it was like tearing a dog away from a bone. Shaking off the giggle bubbling in her belly at that thought, Kagome turned to the wind witch. "We need to know everything that you know about Naraku."

Kagura sighed and shrugged a little hopelessly. "He was very elusive, Kagome, I don't really know much about him."

"Is he in cahoots with Ryuukotsusei?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Kagura shook her head, sending her earrings jangling. "No, he knows of him and he is aware of your... history, but he had yet to offer an alliance with the dragon." She frowned and pursed her lips. "But now that I am useless, he may offer his aid to Ryuukotsusei... to further his own ends."

"Do you know why Naraku is targeting Sesshoumaru?" Kagome leant forwards anxiously.

Bankotsu interjected seriously. "This is a demonic dispute, Kagome. Despite the facade of respectability, in the end we are primal creatures and most often, demons kill because they can."

Nami bared her fangs in a sinister parody of a grin. "And we're very proficient at it," she laughed, "besides, what else is there to do for entertainment except mock and murder?"

Rolling her eyes at Nami's antics, Kagome turned to Bankotsu. "Humans are primal too, Bankotsu... but maybe you've forgotten. Even if demons are prepossessed to kill at the drop of a hat, this isn't a simple assassination. Naraku sent Kanna in to bind Sesshoumaru's power; why not just kill him?"

"An excellent question," Nami purred, flicking a glance at Kagura, "Any thoughts, Traitor-chan?"

"And," Kagome half-shouted, cutting off whatever scathing remark Kagura had been about to make, "Why then did he aid and abet Abi-hime? She wasn't intending to kill Sesshoumaru, just me. And Kagura's mission to kill me was obviously a suicide mission..."

"Naraku wishes for me to suffer," Sesshoumaru surmised. "He wants me powerless and unable to protect my mate."

"Psychological torture," Bankotsu deduced.

"So they really hate you," Kagura muttered, frowning at Sesshoumaru.

"Or they really love him," Nami said with an elegant shrug, "you'd be surprised the lengths people would go to for their misguided love."

Kagome arched an eyebrow. "Would I?"

Nami tittered. "Well, from one attempt at psychological torture to the next..."

Startled, Kagome's eyes grew wide. "What? What now?"

"The mark has been placed, tradition must be fulfilled," Nami said, "so much has transpired since my son marked you, daughter, that I must spring this upon you."

"You enjoy doing this to me, don't you?" Kagome snarled as Nami's smirk simply grew more shark-like. "What are you talking about?"

"When the Mating Mark is placed, there is traditionally a celebration," Sesshoumaru explained, "Because I am the air to the West, there is slightly more pomp involved; dignitaries from clans in the North, South and East will come to pay their respect."

"Including Ryuukotsusei?" Kagome asked, glancing at Sesshoumaru and then Nami.

"Unfortunately," Nami said, glancing upwards as the door slid open, and Aine bowed as she slipped into the room. Nami arched a brow and Aine presented her with a scroll before quietly leaving the room. Unrolling the missive, she quickly scanned the contents and frowned a little. "But that doesn't matter right now."

Kagome glowered, folding her arms. "I'm going to have to sit through more tense tea ceremonies where people are plotting to kill me, aren't I?"

Sesshoumaru's hand came to rest on her knee, possibly to stop her from launching herself across the table at his mother. Kagome calmed down a little and laid her hand atop Sesshoumaru's. "Why doesn't it matter right now?"

"Because you aren't the only couple in the makai who have recently announced their mating," Nami said, tapping a finger against the missive curled up on the table before her. "Ryuuka of the Northern clan has announced her mating to Raijin, a nomad from the Eastern Provinces."

"From the North?"

Sesshoumaru inclined his head towards Kagome. "She is Ryuukotsusei's cousin."

"So it's a trap," Kagome proclaimed.

"Ryuukotsusei seeks the home advantage," Bankotsu acknowledged.

"And your presence was specifically requested," Nami said, with a little smirk. "Looks like Ryuu-chan regained his backbone."

"I don't suppose there's an opt-out clause?" Kagome asked, running a hand through her hair, "We already have enough on our plate without getting into it with Ryuukotsusei again."

"But, if Naraku has offered his help to Ryuukotsusei already, then you'll be killing two birds with one stone," Kagura spoke up.

Kagome sighed, dropping her head back so that she was looking at the ceiling. She sighed again and faced Sesshoumaru, a wan smile on her face. "Do you remember when our life was simple?"

He arched a brow at her statement. She chuckled.

"Yeah, me neither."

Kgome glanced down at the wooden sword in her hand and then back at Sesshoumaru, who was swinging his own bokuto like it was an extension of his own arm. No wonder Bankotsu had wished her luck when Sesshoumaru had dragged her into the practise rooms.

"I'm beginning to think that this might be a bad idea," Kagome commented, biting her lips as she watched Sesshoumaru play with his new toy. She was wearing a pair of his hakama, rolled up so that they didn't dwarf her petite frame and a haori similarly altered for her body. Her bare toes curled against the tatami matting.

"You need to learn to use your tanto," Sesshoumaru informed her casually, "Ryuukotsusei knows that you have a tanto and so there will be no element of surprise on our side if you are forced to use it again."

"But I have my new bow," Kagome pointed out, "and I'm a super-miko now, remember?"

"Super-miko?" he arched a brow at her.

"Shut up," she muttered.

"In the event that you are separated from your bow," Sesshoumaru continued, "I would feel more comfortable if you could wield your tanto with a certain level of skill."

Kagome smiled softly. "It's cute that you're worried about me."

The tips of his pointed ears turned red and he turned away. She watched as he rolled his shoulders back and then pivoted on his heel, a slow dangerous smirk stretching across his face.

"Be ready miko," he purred dangerously.

Startled at his sudden change in demeanour, Kagome took a step back. "Sesshoumaru?"

"You shouldn't retreat yet, Kagome, the fight has yet to begin," he whispered, eyes alight with something that made Kagome shiver. This side of Sesshoumaru sent a naughty thrill racing down her spine.

She blinked and Sesshoumaru had vanished from his previous spot in front of her. "Oh crap," she muttered.

He breathed into her ear, "Sword up, Kagome."

With a little moue of distress, she brought her sword up and spun towards his voice, unsurprised to find him gone once again. "Using demon speed isn't fair," she complained.

"Then face me, Kagome."

Kagome spun around once more and faced Sesshoumaru, just in time to block his attack with her own bokuto. With a shout, she was thrown a few steps backwards. She stared at him, shocked, "Coming on a bit strong, don't you think?" she panted, rolling her shoulders.

Sesshoumaru arched a brow. "Do you imagine Ryuukotsusei will be gentle?"

Frowning, she straightened her spine. "Good point."

"Correct your stance," Sesshoumaru ordered, "mimic me."

Kagome did as instructed and Sesshoumaru smirked.

"Relax, Kagome."

"You expect me to relax? You're swinging a sword at me!"

"A wooden sword," he corrected.

"Semantics!" she barked.

"Again," Sesshoumaru said.

Kagome blocked the strike and Sesshoumaru smiled down at her as he applied more pressure. "Now, you attack."

Kagome grinned up at him. "Now you're talking." She gave a quick shove against his sword and then struck out, grumbling when Sesshoumaru intercepted her counter strike with his weapon.

"Well done," Sesshoumaru praised. "Again."

Two hours later, Kagome was panting, aching and dripping sweat. Dark tendrils of her hair clung to her forehead and neck where they'd escaped her functional ponytail, and her arms shook from overexertion when she tried to hold up her bokuto. Sesshoumaru still looked as elegant and unperturbed as ever, his smug smile only fuelling her anger and frustration.

"You are doing very well," he complimented as they circled each other.

"You're making it very easy to want to kick your ass," she praised sardonically.

He gave a throaty chuckle. "You are magnificent when you're angry."

"Stop trying to butter me up, buddy," she warned, "I'm really not in the mood."

"Shall we call it a day?" Sesshoumaru asked, tilting his head to one side.

Kagome let out a very impressive growl. "Not until I drop you onto your perfect butt," she said.

Sesshoumaru continued to smirk. "Then we may be here for some time."

"Oh yeah?"

Kagome lunged forwards and Sesshoumaru blocked her attack, their swords meeting with a clank. Kagome pushed his sword away and once again lunged forwards but this time Sesshoumaru was the one blindsided as her haori hit him in the face. Blinded, he could only feel her sweep his feet out from under him and he grinned.

As he fell, he dropped his sword and grabbed hold of Kagome, pulling her down on top of him. Kagome laughed as she found herself straddling Sesshoumaru who was flat on his back on the mat. She pushed the haori off of his face and beamed down at him. "I win."

"So it would seem," Sesshoumaru purred, quite content to lay back and let her straddle him, her bare breasts exposed to his hungry gaze. It was the best distraction he'd ever been subjected to.

"My eyes are up here, mister," Kagome mock scolded.

"I'm simply admiring your innovative distraction technique," he murmured, taking hold of her ponytail and drawing her closer. Kagome laughingly obliged, leaning down until their lips met in an angry passionate kiss. Sesshoumaru was a little surprised to find Kagome dominating the kiss, but also pleased that he'd brought this out in her. He stroked his hand down her bare back and she pulled back from the kiss with a grin.

"Bath time?" she suggested.

"Perfect."

Nami glanced out into the gardens, watching as her son escaped back to his own shiro, a giggling miko slung over his shoulder. She smirked softly and turned back to the scroll laid out on her table.

Ryuukotsusei had specifically requested her presence in the missive and she couldn't help but admire his tenacity. It wasn't every day that she severed someone's tendons and they remained besotted with her. It also wasn't everyday that she severed someone's tendons and they lived to talk about it.

She sighed heavily; this entire predicament had the potential to be either completely entertaining or very messy. If Ryuukotsusei persisted in attempting to kill her son she was going to have to deal with him... or at least repay him for taking her pup's arm.

She sighed again. "So troublesome."

Aine paused, the brush in her hands stilling as her lady spoke. "M'lady?"

"Nothing, Aine, keep brushing," Nami commanded, relaxing a little as her handmaid continued her brushing.

Aine hummed a little. "Surely, m'lady, if you are so troubled... you could simply devour the problem."

Nami laughed a little. "Sometimes my facade of opulent relaxation does make me forget my true form."

"I doubt that you could ever forget you have fangs, m'lady," Aine murmured.

Nami's smile widened dangerously. "They'd have to be very foolish to forget that."

A/N: In case you don't remember Hojo and Aiko, I'll refer you to Chapter 9: Sleeping Beauty. Things are getting tense, aren't they? I hope you enjoyed this chapter enough to leave a review!