"During times of war, hatred becomes quite respectable, even though it has to masquerade often under the guise of patriotism."

-Howard Thurman

Chapter Thirty-Five: Budding Hatred

Kagome found herself preoccupied with just how difficult it was to read the demons around her whenever they were around someone else. A part of her wondering if he was smug about his ability to fluster the hell out of her…she was even more confused by his statement. He was saying he hoped Sesshomaru appreciated her like she was with the demon lord in some sort of intimate way but then he acted like he wanted to be with her…

"I really am starting to hate how much I blush."

Her cheeks were red again, a result of just how uncertain she was of what she wanted. Did Rimida's actions and words mean both the men she was interested in were actually interested back? Did they both really care about her in a way more than simple friends? If so, was Rimida letting her know he planned to step aside? Did she want the chaos demon to step aside? They'd both done so much for her and she cared about them both but maybe Rimida was right…Sesshomaru had brought her back to life after all…how could she possibly keep thinking about Rimida after that?

She had gotten herself completely frustrated and confused just in the short walk to Sesshomaru's office, not really paying much mind to the other people inside as she followed Rimida through the door. She heard the squawking of Jaken and the deep baritone of Sesshomaru along with the drawing timbre of Rimida discussing things that had been happening.

"What of the letter?" Rimida finally asked. "The offer that the cat demons are giving? The lady they're sending should be here sometime soon."

"I can't afford to simply dismiss them at this time." Sesshomaru answered, though he didn't seem happy about it. "I'll have to see her and at least appear to be considering the offer."

"You have no intention of going through with the nonsense do you milord?" Jaken spoke up, he was irritated at anyone thinking they'd order his lord around. "The cats are just trying to trick you…someone will have to keep an eye on her."

"I can do that if you'd like." Rimida offered. "that way no one could say you didn't offer a good bodyguard for her."

"And have whoever it is spend the days with Kagome?" Sesshomaru shook his head. "I can't imagine a lady from the cats reacting well. Besides, if I were to keep an eye on her while my apparent 'betrothed' was elsewhere there would only be more of the unwanted rumors."

"You are suppose to marry someone?" Kagome finally spoke up. That news just made her situation more confusing - why would people act like she should be with the demon lord if he and another were promised to each other?

"It's not that simple." Sesshomaru offered the explanation. "Arranged mating rituals are common between ranking members of demon houses. Often they aren't taken any further than to produce a few offspring but if a clan as strong as the cats are offering me someone I can't directly refuse. Rimida…I want you to keep your job as Kagome's guard, feel free to return to your other duties as she's well enough to accompany you. It might do to have you out and about."

"I don't trust him." Jaken announced, he'd never liked the chaos demon so this wasn't a surprise. "I think he's still out to take things from you…it was all just an act before cause the vulture woman got dumb and was too open about her recruiting."

"Jaken. Silence." Sesshomaru didn't need to say anything else to the imp to get him to comply. "Rimida, do you have issues with this assignment?"

He wanted to say yes, to get someone else to watch over the priestess.

"No, I will keep her safe." He replied. "I will have efforts re-doubled to find whoever is behind all of this."

"Good, you are dismissed." He returned his eyes to his desk then, looking over the clues of what had happened so far, trying to put together for himself who was behind the attacks on his house.

Kagome followed Rimida back out, frowning a little, demonic society was pretty horrible…she wanted to go home again to where people were normal. By the time they'd returned to her room she was in a bad mood despite herself.

"It seems the optimist has retreated." Rimida observed, he was better at reading her than anyone in the estate really.

"I'm okay…I understand but I don't understand why things are the way they are…" She replied, sitting on the edge of her bed. "Are all demons blind to love?"

"I do not believe all demons are blind to love lady Kagome." he answered, remaining in the post near the door he'd grown accustomed to during the priestess' first visit. Not trusting himself to move into the room further. "What makes you say that?"

"How could people just…breed…without ever knowing the other person? Or even despising them? That doesn't make any sense…why would you want to make a child of any kind without loving the person you are creating it with?" Kagome said a little sadly. "It seems so lonely and heartless."

"We are demons lady Kagome." Rimida said, adopting the softer tone he tended to use. "I imagine we weren't named such for our kind actions and feelings. We all feel emotion but most of us do not let any of the ones that are positive mean things to us."

"Why though?"

"I cannot say." He shook his head and held his hands up fairly helplessly. "Why does it bother you so deeply? Certainly in your years here you had to have realized that it is not in our nature."

"Yeah…I guess I should have." Kagome said softly. "I'm tired, I'm gonna get some rest if you don't mind."

"Of course not." He replied with a small bow. "Do try to rest well lady Kagome."

He left her then to brood on her thoughts while he stood in the hallway with the inability to act on his own uncertain feelings and prove her thoughts of his kind wrong.

Scene Switch

"The lady Nillian Olsia." Jaken announced the leopard demon that was sent as Sesshomaru's betrothed. She was very pretty to her own credit, long deep green hair that fell along her hourglass figure and curled around her hips at it's ends. She had a silver colored dress on that was long fitting enough and with high enough slits that it left little to be wondered about. Her body was tall, thin, but curvy and attractive enough that most men would find it desirable. She had a small smile set on her lips and she curtseyed after stepping around the imp.

"Lord Sesshomaru of the West. The stories speak greatly of your power and ability but so little of your handsome countenance, I believe that they do not do you credit." her voice was almost a natural kind of purr, something that drew attention but in a less demanding way than most demons.

"Lady Olsia." He replied without standing from his desk. "I'm afraid I've heard nothing of you until a few days ago. Jaken, leave us, close the door."

The imp jumped to comply to the order and was out with the door slamming just a little a second or two later.

"Are you in such a rush to be alone with me?" She asked with a sly smirk. "Right here on your desk? If we must but certainly I'd think you could wait a little longer."

"What is it the cat tribe wants now?" Sesshomaru asked without a hint of politeness but not openly rude - well in tone at least.

"Leopard." She corrected, slightly irritated at the reply to her advances. "I was sent here by my clan to mate you. Regardless of plans they might have I won't allow my name to be ruined because you decide to keep your bed cold to the world."

"So you tell me there is no other plan here, that you didn't expect me to refuse you like I have every other demoness various clans have sent me?" Sesshomaru asked more seriously. "Are you witless yet beautiful?"

"I am not witless." She hissed at him. "I had no choice but to come. I am not a member high in my house and I have to do as I'm ordered. I might lose some honor being their pawns and being refused by you but I'd lose more refusing to do my duty. I don't care if you sleep with me as long as you at least give the image of acceptance."

"Why?" he considered the demoness distrustfully. "Is it not the plan to have the insult of you being refused a reason to start a war?"

"I would think it is." She agreed and grew a little less angry. "But I hate my family likely even more than I think I'll hate you. If I am here then I am free of them, even if it's only for a little while. If you give the appearance of breeding with me and then return me for being unable to be with child then I will be free of any further ridicule…people will pass me over to concern themselves with larger threats."

"If you can't produce young then as an already distant member of the line you aren't worth worrying about." Sesshomaru observed. "I can't believe you that this isn't some sort of trick. What's to say you wouldn't return and tell them I am the one unable to bear children?"

"Even if I did that how would it harm you? You seem content without such pursuits." She shrugged a little, frustrated at the situation she already found herself in, she had hoped perhaps he might want her a little.

"Someday it is my duty to produce an heir." he shrugged lightly. "Current troubles won't let me take my eyes off the fact that I will be ruling here for years to come. I can't simply allow you to pass on my name such, even if it starts trouble I would be better off returning you to your clan and counting my losses now as opposed to later."

"You are already facing war." She hissed back, easily angered. "Otherwise I wouldn't have been sent here in the first place. One of my ladies in waiting has already gone missing while I've been in your lands…do you really think you can afford a battle on another front?"

"Missing?" Sesshomaru considered curiously. "What did she look like?"

"What does that have to…"

"Describe her." He interrupted. He wasn't about to be treated any differently by this woman than anyone else in his household.

She frowned more at him but composed herself as much as she could to comply, the confusion as to why a servant was important disrupting her anger. "She has bluish hair and is pale, she is a half-demon with some mastery over water magic's…why?"

Sesshomaru nodded a little, the woman that had attacked Kagome at the hot springs. "So someone who is able to see areas far away from here…that explains some. Only Saiya has access to such an item…though if she's been sick as was reported then someone here that knew of her having it is behind this."

"What does my lady in waiting have to do with this?" Olsia repeated, getting a tad impatient.

"Your lady in waiting attacked a ward of mine." Sesshomaru replied coldly. "I would think that such an act would be unappreciated by many of the surrounding lands as a sad attempt to start a war along with your arrival. I think during your stay here you should tread very carefully."

"What? That doesn't make any sense at all? Who could she attack that wouldn't simply overpower her? You have all demons in your employ." Olsia stepped toward him, her fists were balled. "I will not simply sit by and let you think I am so foolish."

"It was a mortal girl in my protection." he stood from his desk as an answer to her threatening advance. "However, I don't wish to argue with you. I have a different offer to make you…assuming you'll sit down and listen to it."

She paused and let a slow smile return to her face. "I have to apologize then for that behavior, I am on edge with my fate being so uncertain. What is it you wish to offer me then?"

"If you will do something to prove your loyalty to me, then I will allow you to stay here as a spy and diplomat under my banner. You say that you hate your family, then having my protection even if you face some measure of dishonor from them shouldn't be an issue."

"You are more clever than the stories claim." She observed, it was a compliment in it's own right. "I certainly believe that this beautiful palace would be much more a home than I've ever been offered. Let us discuss then what it is then that you want me to do to prove my loyalty?"

Sesshomaru nodded seriously, this was certainly a far better alternative than open war…speaking to her quietly as they sat in his office for some time…

End Chapter

This chapter celebrates me having over 40,000 hits, a first for any story for me. And I'm already well on my way to 50,000! I'm excited. The next chapter I have planned will be a little short but I just gotta find the time to write it out and I'll try to get it up soon for you guys.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Callie-Yue - It is a lot easier to just write that. Heh, I've had how the battle is gonna take place sense I first mentioned the vision from Rimida's sister. Hope that I keep you on your toes a little longer at least. Sometime soon things should start to come together.

Demonic-Dragon-Eyed-Chick - Heh, well that's good. Things should be coming together fairly soon as far as main questions go…I've got quite a bit left to explain though.

Sesshy-kaglover29 - I did try using astricks but the site kept removing them. That's what I believed was in my first 30 some chapters before I realized there was nothing separating scenes.

This kagome - Thanks for the awesome review. I did try to make Trion the Naraku of the story being that was who he was imitating and all. You are suppose to dislike him though. And LOL, your mortal made me crack up laughing. I might add Kagome thinking about that sometime when she's pondering a bath.

Kuro Fuyu Mitsukai - Thanks.

Zoey Tamagachi - I'm not sure how many chapters total I will have but there should be some more fluff, though there is plot stuffs for the next couple chapters before that will happen. I have some action planned for 37 when I get to it.