Kagome's POV:

Inuyasha squeezed my hand as he led me to the back patio.

I could not help but take in my surroundings. "Wow…" I gasped as Inuyasha chuckled.

There were tables and chairs everywhere my eyes could see, with floor extensions that went past the concrete patio. White linens draped the tables and chairs, while each table had a different arrangement of local blue flowers held in a wooden box. String hanging lights went in a zig-zag formation above us. I turned my head to see people dancing on water only to realize a clear top above the pool that gave that illusion.

"Your mother went all out, didn't she?"

Inuyasha huffed, "Her and Kaede both."

I looked at him in surprise.

"Come on, Kags, it is time to introduce you to a bunch of people."

He led me through the crowd to each clan leader, each of them a demon of some sort. Most of them had a mate and children though every time he introduced me to an unmated demon, I swear his grip around my waist tightened, and I could not help but roll my eyes at him. The possessiveness of my demon boyfriend will be something I will need to get used to.

I never imagined a world with demons in it, sure I was one of those girls who loved some supernatural books and movies just like the next girl, but it was supposed to be fake. This world of demons, Mikos, and living Kamis was too surreal. One minute I am lost in my horrible life, and then the next, I am standing next to my mate while he introduces me to beings I only read about. I still feel as if this is all a strange, wonderful dream, and at any moment, I will wake up to my nightmarish life. I must have been in deep thought because Inuyasha pulled me closer, "Are you OK?" he whispered in my ear.

I looked into his eyes, "Yeah, just still shell shocked, I guess."

"It is understandable; it is a lot to take in and get used to."

"A few weeks ago, I was caged in from the rest of the world, beaten, broken, and alone. Now," I gestured around me, "I never knew that the world was so vibrant and colorful."

Inuyasha threw his head back and laughed, "Only you, Kagome, would see a place full of demons and call vibrant and colorful."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."

He lifted his hand to grasp my chin to make eye contact with me gently, "You are the only beauty I see in this world."

My cheeks, I can only assume, were cherry red as a result of his confession.

"And do not let anyone tell you otherwise." Then he placed a kiss on my forehead and tugged me back into his side to continue introducing me to clan leaders.

"Oh, this is going to be fun," Inuyasha chuckled.

I looked at him suspiciously, "Why is that?"

He shook his head and laughed, "Oh, you will see. We are meeting the wolf clan next."

"Wolf Clan? OK, what is funny about that?"

"Just wait for it Kags, I cannot wait to see his reaction to all this." Then he nodded his head at me to get me to focus in front of us.

I soon as I turned my head, my eyes landed on a familiar pair of eyes.

"Koga?"

He looked annoyed, "Hey Kagome," he turned to Inuyasha, "Mutt-face."

"Koga, you are a demon?"

He looked back at me, "Yeah, Kagome, sorry I did not tell you. It is not something we demons advertise about ourselves."

I shook my head, "No, it's OK. It just makes so much sense now."

"What does?" He asked curiously.

"Why you and Inuyasha are always fighting. He is a dog demon, and you are a wolf demon. The same yet different."

"He is just a mutt."

"Yeah, well, you're a wolf cub!"

"OK, boys, calm down."

Koga rolled his eyes, "Let me formally introduce myself," he walked up to me, grabbed my hand, and gently kissed my knuckles as Inuyasha growled, "I am Koga, leader of the Yoro Clan."

My eyes opened in shock, "Leader?"

His eyes filled with sadness, "Yes, Naraku did not just affect your life; he killed my father along with a lot of pack members."

I hugged him, ignoring another growl from Inuyasha, "I am so sorry."

He pulled away, "It is not your fault Kagome, and that bastard will get what is coming to him."

"We agree on something," Inuyasha finally spoke up.

Koga nodded then turned to me. "Well, even though you quite smote me, Kagome, you are officially off-limits."

"You never stood a chance, wolf." Inuyasha pulled me closer.

Then Koga eyed me up and down, "I think you are wrong, mutt-face. We had a connection, at least for a moment."

I pulled away from Inuyasha, then gently kissed Koga on the cheek, "We did for a brief moment," I turned to Inuyasha, "so remember this, Inuyasha, before you make another mistake like last time. Now, if you excuse me, I need a drink, Koga. It was wonderful to see you here."

I turned and walked away to hear Koga laughing and Inuyasha cussing at him.

I walked up to the refreshment table and grabbed water.

"The only time you could probably get away with drinking alcohol and you get water?" An all too familiar voice came from behind me.

I turned to face my best friend, "Sango?"

She shrugged, "Surprise?"

I was surprised, and she was wearing a tight red and black long sleeve one-piece outfit with a black skirt that looked like it could be ripped off quickly, "What are you doing here?"

She hugged me then pulled away, "What if I say I come from a long line of demon slayers?"

I laughed, "well, I would say that you came to the wrong party." I gestured around us.

She laughed, "Yeah, I see your point. But I am here for you."

"Sango, what is going on?"

"I have been given the position of your protector."

"I thought you said you are a demon slayer?"

"I am, but I am also one of the best fighters in my clan, we are besties and go to the same school, so I was the obvious choice for your protection detail."

"Does Toga and Inuyasha know this?"

"Uh Toga, yes, he is the one that set it up. However, Inuyasha probably has not been told yet."

"I guess it makes sense. I do not know how to fight."

"I'll teach you some things."

"I cannot believe this is happening."

She eyed me up and down, "I cannot believe my best friend is such a knock-out! You look gorgeous!"

I laughed, then felt a hand around my waist, "She sure does," Inuyasha nuzzled my neck.

"Hey, Sango," he finally acknowledged her.

"So, your father told you."

He nodded, "Yeah, and I am relieved that someone can watch over her when I cannot be next to her."

"Do worry, and I got her back; you just need to take care of a certain bitch." She folded her arms across her chest, giving him a stern look. I was trying my best not to giggle.

"Again, I will take care of her."

"You better. I have to run Kagome. I will see you tomorrow." She waved and left us.

I made our way through the demon clan leaders to where the humans with Toga were allies. Finally, we came up to a group of monks, and only we could not see their faces. They all wore dark purple robes with a hoodie that hung so low over their faces that you could not see their eyes. The head monk lifted his hoodie to greet us, "Lord Inuyasha, Lady Kagome, I am Miyatsu. It is a pleasure to witness such a rare pairing."

I looked at him, "Rare pairing?"

Inuyasha gently squeezed my hand as the monk started to speak, "Yes, a demon, even if half-demon, paired with someone who poses a tremendous amount of spiritual powers which were once used to kill his kind. It is indeed rare."

Kagome looked at him while accessing his response, "Maybe our pairing is not rare as it is necessary."

The monk looked at her, "Enlighten me, Lady Miko."

She nodded at him, then stood up straighter and looked him dead in the eyes, "Two completely different species, who once were enemies, are about to come together to fight against a greater evil that threatens our very lives as we know it. Maybe our pairing is meant to strengthen the connection between demons and those who have spiritual powers to defeat a greater enemy. I know first-hand how Naraku works. His manipulation skills and tactical strategies would have everyone against each other while he works through his plan. But, wouldn't you think one common enemy is better than having two enemies?"

The monk eyed her, then chuckled, "My son was right; you have a fire inside of you, young lady."

All of a sudden, a monk standing next to him went into a coughing fit, and then Inuyasha inhaled, then stilled in shock, "Mi..Mi...Miroku?"

I eyed Inuyasha then back at the monk, still trying to capture air in his lungs.

The elder monk slapped the back of the coughing monk, "You OK, son?"

The monk did not say anything, just shook his head.

The elder monk looked at Inuyasha, "Do not be mad at him for hiding his secret. It is a part of the brotherhood to hide our identities. It was against the rules for him to tell you the truth. I will also say we did not require him to become friends with you. He did that on his own accord against our recommendations. He said you were different, and I can tell his assessment was correct." Then he turned to his son, "Son, you may reveal yourself."

We eyed the monk as he slowly lifted his hoodie to expose his face. Sure enough, there in front of us stood Miroku wearing a monk's robe.

"I am sorry, Inuyasha, but please understand I never lied to you."

Inuyasha tensed up, "But you never told me the truth, which is the same thing."

"Inuyasha, I was not allowed to before today; if I had, there would have been serious punishments against me."

"So, was our friendship all just a lie? You knew what I was this entire time, but I was clueless as to who you are?"

I looked at Miroku and could see how much this pained him.

"Inuyasha, I knew what you were, I admit that. I watched you from afar for a while and began to realize you are far from what I was taught about. You act all tough, but you care deeply about anyone close to you. You would do anything for them but not only that, and you were kind to everyone else. I befriended you out of curiosity about who you were as a person, not because you were a half-demon. I am thankful for you giving me the opportunity of being your best friend." He bowed his head.

I turned to Inuyasha, who had an emotionless expression on his face.

"Inuyasha, maybe you and Miroku should go talk," he turned to look at me, "he is still your best friend, so hear him out and keep an open mind, please."

I could tell he was hurting, but so was Miroku; I think keeping this secret from Inuyasha placed a burden on him. I put a hand on his cheek, gently stroking it, then grabbed his hand and marched him to Miroku while holding his hand as well. I looked at both boys, "Go find a place to talk; remember that each of you is currently hurting in his own way, one with the betrayal and one with the burden. I have never seen a friendship like the one you both have, and I know you can get past this." I pulled, with all my strength might I add, into a group hung. "Remember the love you have for one another."

Inuyasha pulled back and huffed, so I smacked him in the arm, "You can huff all you want to Inuyasha, but the truth of the matter is you see Miroku as a brother more than a friend, so go talk to him and work things out. Do not let your pride get in the way!" I crossed my arms across my chest and raised an eyebrow at him to let him know I am serious. Inuyasha did not move, and Miroku sulked.

"I can call forth your demon; he would do anything I ask."

Inuyasha finally uncrossed his arms and planted one on his hip while the other pointed straight at me, "You wouldn't!"

"Bet!" I glared at him.

He huffed, then looked at Miroku, "Let's go to my room before my demon as a conversation with you that I won't remember." Then, he stomped away from us.

Miroku pulled me into another hug, "Thanks, Kagome."

I shook my head, "Do not mention it. I know your secret from him was more of a burden, and I understand why. However, this is your chance to make it right and make him understand that both he and your legacy are important to you."

He nodded then walked in the direction Inuyasha left.

The elder monk walked up to me, "Impressive."

I turned to him, "What is?"

He laughed, "The control you have over that boy and his demon," he smiled and chuckled, "you have them both wrapped around your little finger. You hold a tremendous amount of power on your own but also hold the same amount of power through someone else."

"I realize this but make no mistake that I hold this kind of power because of his love for me, and I would never abuse that."

"You are a remarkable young lady. I am truly sorry for what you went through and sorry we could not find you in time."

This time I was shocked, "What are you talking about?"

"Maybe we should sit down and talk." I nodded while he took my arm in his and guided me to a table on the far end.

"Lady Kagome, how much do you know of your father, your real father?"

I looked at him, giving him my full attention now, "I honestly do not know anything about him. Heck, I just found out that Naraku wasn't my father."

"He was a wonderful man. Honest, humble, and always put others before himself, he also had that same fire I see inside of you."

I stilled, knowing tears were threatening to emerge, "You knew my father?"

He shook his head, "He is one of us; he is a part of our brotherhood."

I sat there not knowing what to say; in a matter of weeks, my whole world turned upside down. What I thought I knew was completely and utterly wrong.

"What can you tell me about him?"

"That he loves you and your mother so much and would do anything for you. He tried; he knew something was up with Naraku, but because of his kind heart, he did not want to believe his best friend could be planning something so sinister."

His face fell, "I tried to warn him, and I think because we pushed him so hard to face the facts, he must have confronted Naraku, and something must have happened because we never saw him again after that. Then shortly after that, Naraku and your pregnant mother disappeared."

I sat there, absorbing everything he was saying. So, my father was betrayed in the worst way by his best friend. Then something pulled me from my thoughts; the may Miyatsu was speaking about my father.

I eyed him, "Why is it that you are speaking in the present tense about my father? You said he loves us, not that he loved us and that he is a part of your brotherhood, not was a part of?"

He stared at me, "Lady Kagome, I am not sure how to say this, but your father is alive."

There was no stopping the flood gates now; I can only imagine how I looked with the tears washing away my makeup.

"The brotherhood has a special connection to everyone in it. We know when someone is born into it, accepted into it, and leaves it either by choice or death. Only a few know this, but we never felt a severed connection with your father, meaning he is still out there."

I could not feel my body at this point. I had so many questions going through my brain at once. Why? Where was he now? Where has he been? Why did he not help me? Why did he not save mom? Why? Why? Why? I couldn't see Miyatsu any longer; my eyes blurred my tears. I could feel my chest heaving from the restricken of air I now realized I lacked. I was having a panic attack.

Miyatsu looked at me worriedly, and before I knew it, everyone was around me, but not the person I needed at the moment.

"Kagome, you need to breathe." Toga looked at me with concern while noticing the atmosphere was changing, charging with reiki energy, which resulted in demons rising their own reiki fighting against the spiritual charge. He knew if he could not calm me down, he might lose some friends…literally.

I shook my head violently, letting him know I couldn't, that I could not control the changes around me.

Before I realized what had happened, I was sitting in a lap, my head leaning on a chest with one hand playing with my hair and the other rubbing small soothing circles on my back.

"I am here, my love, I got you, but you need to breathe and calm down before you unwilling hurt someone, which I know you would feel guilty about." He said calmly.

I turned my head further into his chest, inhaling his scent, fresh rain, and forest, one breathe after another, taking in the way he smelt.

"That's my girl, there you go."

Slowly my panic erased as well as my reiki flowing back into my body.