Previously:

"And what souvenir did you bring me?" Sesshoumaru's mother asked.

Katsumi froze. She had completely forgotten to get anything for her mother-in-law or her own mother. Nothing had been promised, but she usually did bring them back presents under similar circumstances, so it seemed it had been expected that this time would be no different.

"Please tell me what it is you'd like, and I'll get it for you on my next visit," Katsumi said, bowing to her mother-in-law, hoping she would let it slide.

"I see. It was so fun that you forgot my gift. Perhaps I should have gone, too?" Sesshoumaru's mother said.

Jaken, who was shaking with laughter over Katsumi's blunder, said, "Oh, no, my lady! You wouldn't want to go that noisy, crowded place full of strange smells and uncouth people."

A small vein throbbed on Katsumi's head at the way he was putting it down, despite having mostly enjoyed himself.

"I think I want to go even more now," Sesshoumaru's mother said, to Jaken's dismay, hiding a smile behind her sleeve. "Did you have fun, Sesshoumaru?"

"..." Sesshoumaru stared at her.

"I see. We'll all have to go together next time," his mother said, looking satisfied.

Fearghal's Crisis

Katsumi smiled, stretching her arms as she walked around in the sunshine, enjoying a stroll through the woods with her half-brother. It had been two months since she won the gold medal at the faerie version of the Olympic Games, and things had been fairly peaceful, until that moment, when a glowing ring of energy formed on the ground before them, and Fearghal appeared in it.

Katsumi was startled to see that her normally confident and easy-going cousin looked pale and was sweating nervously.

[[You have to hide me!]] Fearghal said anxiously, grabbing her hands.

"Who are you!?" Seigestu asked, putting his hand on his sword.

"Ah, that's right. You two have never actually met before. This is Fearghal, one of my faerie cousins," Katsumi said. [[What's wrong?]] she asked Fearghal. [[Are you in danger?]]

[[Yes! A Scottish faerie is after me!]] Fearghal said. [[My life is over if she finds me!]]

[[And Tadhg can't help you?]] Katsumi asked, wondering where his bother was.

[[Don't talk to me about that traitor!]] Fearghal said darkly. [[Will you help me or not!?]]

[[Okay! Tell me more about this person,]] Katsumi said. [[Why is she after you?]]

[[Not here,]] Fearghal said, looking around. [[We have to keep moving. Your monk friend can put up a barrier, right?]]

[[Yes, but it won't keep her out—]]

[[It'll prevent her from sensing where I am, so she won't be able to find me,]] Fearghal said.

[[Okay, then we'll go see if Miroku can help us,]] Katsumi said before turning to her brother. "Sorry, but I have to take care of this."

"Hold on, if this person, is dangerous, I'm going too!" Seigetsu said. "And you should call Sesshoumaru."

[[No, not him. The person in question is the daughter of a Scottish king in the Seelie Court. If she's killed, even by accident, it'll turn into a huge incident!]] Fearghal said.

[[But it's okay for her to kill you?]] Katsumi said, raising an eyebrow. "Well, whatever. Let's find Miroku." She kneeled down and placed her hand on the ground. She closed her eyes and felt through the network of ley lines for his energy signature until he pinged on her radar. "Got him. Stand between us," she told her brother. Seigetsu stood in the middle while Katsumi and Fearghal held hands, trapping him a very close circle as they teleported themselves to Miroku's location.

—∞—

In a human village, a centipede youkai was tearing up the fields.

"Stop it, pleeeaaase!!" the village headman cried as Inuyasha chased after it with Tessaiga.

"Kaze no—" Inuyasha said, preparing to unleash an attack.

"Inuyasha, no!" Miroku said, stopping him. "You'll destroy the fields!"

"Keh! And that thing isn't?" Inuyasha said, but he refrained from using the Wind Scar.

"Hiraikotsu!" Sango shouted, throwing her giant boomerang. It hit the beast right on the mark, shredding it in half. The bottom half of the centipede fell down dead, but the top half was still alive and scurried away, picking up speed despite its terrible wounds.

A glowing circle formed directly in its path, and Katsumi, Fearghal, and Seigetsu appeared.

"Katsumi!?" Inuyasha said.

"Katsumi-san! Destroy its head!" Sango shouted.

Katsumi immediately drew her sword, sliced the giant centipede's head clean off, and then stabbed the decapitated head with her blade and injected it with a burst of her youki, destroying it. The centipede's dead head disintegrated.

"Nice one," Seigetsu said.

[[You sure do have some dangerous things running around this country,]] Fearghal said, looking at all the damage the centipede youkai had caused. Half of the village's fields were ruined.

"What brings you here, Katsumi-san?" Miroku asked. "I'm guessing your appearance wasn't a coincidence."

"No, it wasn't. Sorry, but we need your help. Fearghal has someone dangerous after him, and he needs you to put up a barrier to hide him," Katsumi said.

"Why don't you just have Sesshoumaru take care of this dangerous someone?" Inuyasha asked.

"We can't kill her. It'll cause an international incident," Katsumi said.

"I see, in that case—" Miroku started to say, when another glowing circle formed and a young faerie woman with auburn hair and hazel eyes appeared. She was dressed in a black and white Tudor-style gown with gold embroidery and wearing a gabled hood and pearl jewelry.

[[Too late!]] Fearghal said, paling. A glowing circle appeared around him as he tried to escape, but despite her cumbersome clothing, the faerie woman flew over and had him in grasp before he could disappear, clapping a sliver cuff on his wrist that locked with a loud clicking sound. The glow of the faerie circle died, and Fearghal was trapped. It seemed the silver cuff was a device that prevented him from using his powers.

[[Just what do you think you're doing, darling?]] the faerie woman asked with her face cast in shadow, looking at him with fierce eyes and a sharp smile. [[You weren't thinking of jilting me, were you? Do you have any idea how humiliating that would be for me? You and I are getting married—it's decided!]]

[[Huh? Just now… did you say 'married'?]] Katsumi asked her, eyes slightly wide with surprise.

[[That's right. I'm Princess Muireall, daughter of King Malcom,]] the faerie woman said, still looking at Fearghal. [[This coward's betrothed.]]

[[Fearghal… it seems you've left out some important details,]] Katsumi said, crossing her arms.

—∞—

Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango received payment for their efforts to exterminate the centipede youkai, and then they, Katsumi, Seigetsu, Fearghal, and Muireall relocated to a clearing in the woods for a little more privacy while they straightened things out.

[[There was a recent incident between the Scottish and Irish faeries. It was serious enough that we had to renew the peace treaty between our peoples. In order to seal the deal, Fearghal and I are supposed to marry. For him to runaway is a major insult,]] Muireall explained, looking rather annoyed.

[[Although I can understand not wanting to be trapped in an arranged marriage, you shouldn't have run away,]] Katsumi told Fearghal. [[Doesn't this mean you've caused a lot of trouble for Grandpa?]]

[[It's his fault for making the agreement without consulting me,]] Fearghal said, crossing his arms, also looking annoyed.

[[Isn't there something else you can do to seal the treaty?]] Katsumi asked. [[Like exchanging gifts or something?]]

[[A pact sealed with flesh and blood is stronger,]] Muireall said. [[I don't know what your problem is. I'm the one who's marrying beneath me. You're not even real royalty, after all,]] she said, looking at Fearghal. [[The only good thing you have going for you is your above average looks. Well, at least our children will be attractive, I suppose.]]

[[See? You don't really want to go through with it either,]] Fearghal said.

[[But I will. Unlike you, I take my duties seriously,]] Muireall said, frowning at him. [[Why can't you take this like a man? It's only for a hundred years. Just shut up and marry me already. Or are you trying to break our alliance?]]

"Um, although I sympathize with Fearghal-san, I think it would be best not to cause a political upheaval," Miroku said.

"Isn't your country's stability more important than your personal issues?" Sango said.

"Either way, you shouldn't have runaway," Inuyasha said. "Pathetic."

[[You people stay out of this!]] Fearghal snapped at them. He sighed heavily and took out a drinking flask. He paused before drinking from it and said, [[Oh, do you want some? You must be thirsty after chasing me all the way here. I left quite a long trail.]]

[[Yes, I would. At least you have some manners,]] Muireall said, taking the flask when he held it out to her. She took a deep drink and moved to hand it back to him.

To everyone's surprise, Fearghal suddenly pulled Seigetsu over so that he was blocking her view of him.

The moment Muireall laid her eyes on Seigetsu, they dilated, and her cheeks flushed. She leaned closer to him and gazed into his amber eyes with an enamored expression.

Fearghal smirked and let go of Seigetsu as she pounced, throwing herself at the inu youkai.

Seigetsu's eyes widened in shock when Muireall grabbed his face and pressed her lips to his.

"Ehhh!?" everyone but Fearghal exclaimed.

[[What have you done!?]] Katsumi asked her cousin, grabbing him by the front of his robes. She had a really bad feeling about this.

[[Just a little match-making. Your brother seems pleased with it,]] Fearghal said, making Katsumi look at him again.

Katsumi's jaw dropped when she saw that Seigetsu was kissing the Scottish faerie princess back. In fact, they were really going at it.

[[Seriously, what have you done!?]] Katsumi asked Fearghal more urgently.

[[I just slipped her a little love potion. And by the look of things, she's already enthralled him,]] Fearghal said carelessly, startling Katsumi. [[Isn't this good? Now she can marry someone who wants her.]]

[[It's not good at all!!]] Katsumi snapped, whacking him on the head. [[They're both in a drugged state—we can't possibly let them get married like this! What happens when the love potion wears off!? She's going to dump Seigetsu like a sack of rotten potatoes, and he's going to be in excruciating pain from the withdrawal if we don't separate them soon!]] Realizing that, Katsumi quickly let go Fearghal so she could try to pry her brother and Muireall apart. "Inuyasha, help me! But don't touch the princess! She's secreting a substance that'll make anyone who touches her dangerously infatuated with her!"

"What the heck? You get involved in the weirdest things..." Inuyasha said, pulling on Seigetsu while Katsumi handled Muireall. They managed to pull the two love-drugged victims apart, but they were struggling to get back together, and it was difficult for Katsumi and Inuyasha to hold them back.

[[Just how long is this love potion supposed to last!?]] Katsumi asked.

[[Who knows? The person who sold it to me wasn't specific,]] Fearghal said.

[[You drugged the princess of another nation with a shady love potion? What is wrong with you!? There's no way they won't be offended by this! And why did you have to use my brother!?]] Katsumi yelled at him.

[[He happened to be closest,]] Fearghal said, shrugging.

'In other words, it could just as easily have been us...' Inuyasha and Miroku thought, sweat-dropping. What a narrow escape.

[[For now, let's go to the Faerie World and explain things to Grandpa,]] Katsumi said, hoping he would at least be able to cure the princess. [[Maybe one of the other kings has a son who wouldn't mind getting married in your place? Would that be acceptable?]]

As she spoke, two glowing faerie rings formed, and the High King of Ireland and Tadhg appeared.

[[Uh-oh,]] Fearghal said, finally showing some regret.

[[Grandpa! Good timing!]] Katsumi said. [[You won't believe what this idiot's done!]]

[[Idiot? That's a bit harsh,]] Fearghal said.

[[What's wrong with the princess? That behavior… You didn't?]] Gean said, looking at his eldest grandson with a horrified expression on his face. [[This is bad! If her father finds out, we're done for! Please tell me you still have some of the potion left?]]

[[It's in that flask he's holding,]] Katsumi said.

Gean snatched the flask away from Fearghal and handed it to Tadhg as he said, [[Tadhg, go back and have the court potion-brewer analyze this and create an antidote! Hurry!]]

Tadhg took the flask and disappeared back to the Faerie World.

Gean whacked Fearghal on the head just as Katsumi had done.

[[Idiot!!]] he yelled, looking absolutely furious with multiple veins throbbing on his head. [[Are you trying to destroy our people!? All so you can stay a bachelor!? I thought you were better than this!!]]

[[Katsumi came up with a great idea—why don't you see if there's a real prince who will marry that princess? That should make her happy. She was complaining about having to marry beneath her,]] Fearghal said.

[[Obviously I can't ask her to marry someone who's treated her so badly, but don't you dare think you're getting out of this unscathed! When we get home, I'm going to give you the punishment of a lifetime!!]] Gean scolded him.

Tadhg reappeared in a glowing circle with the antidote.

[[Good! Give it to her, quickly!]] Gean said.

Tadhg held Muireall's mouth open while he poured the antidote down her throat. Once that was done, he stepped back, and they all waited for it to take effect.

After a few minutes, Muireall slowly began to stop fighting against Katsumi.

[[Huh? … What happened?]] Muireall asked in a daze, looking as if she had just woken up. Then she seemed to remember as she watched Seigetsu, who was still fighting to be with her, because her cheeks turned red and she held her face in her hands. [[I am so sorry…]] she apologized. [[What have I done?]]

[[It's not your fault,]] Katsumi said, glaring at Fearghal.

[[How embarrassing…]] Muireall said, looking mortified. [[Please don't tell my father about this!]] she asked Gean.

[[I don't see any need for him to know about it,]] Gean said, relieved she didn't want to lodge a complaint against them. [[But let's get you back home. We'll find someone more suitable for you to marry.]] He shot Fearghal a sharp look. [[Sorry for all the trouble, Katsumi. I'll make sure the idiot pays for his sins.]]

[[Any advice for how to deal with an enthralled person going through withdrawal?]] Katsumi asked.

[[Keep an eye on him. Sometimes they try to harm themselves,]] Gean said.

Katsumi shot Fearghal an angry look.

[[Take care, Katsumi,]] Gean said as he, Tadhg, and Muireall formed a circle around Fearghal rather than remove the energy suppressor that Muireall had put on him to prevent him from escaping. Katsumi had a feeling he would be wearing it for quite some time as she watched them disappear back to the Faerie World.

Once they were gone, Inuyasha was finally able to let go of Seigetsu, who rushed forward to the spot where Muireall used to be.

"No! No! No! Where did she go!?" Seigetsu cried in dismay, looking around. "Her scent just vanished!"

"She's somewhere you can't get to," Katsumi said.

"Noooooooooo!" Seigetsu wailed in despair, falling to his knees and beating the ground with his fists. "Whyyyyy!?"

"Seigetsu-onii-sama, what you're feeling right now isn't real… You've been drugged," Katsumi tried to explain gently, kneeling down next to him.

"Liar!! You just want to separate us because you're jealous!! You want me all to yourself!!" Seigetsu yelled.

"What kind of creepy, disgusting things are you saying?" Katsumi asked with a small vein throbbing on her head. "That's not true, and you know it. I'm going to do you a favor and assume it's the drug talking."

"Give me back my loooove!!" Seigetsu cried as he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her violently.

Katsumi thrusted her hand over his nose and mouth and hit him with her knock-out gas to shut him up. She sighed.

"This is going to be a huge pain..." she said, staring at her unconscious brother. She hoisted him onto her back to carry him away and take him somewhere safe. "Thanks for you help," she told Inuyasha and the others.

"I don't think we really did anything. But good luck with that," Inuyasha said, sweat-dropping as he started at Seigetsu's drooling face.

"Thanks. Take care," Katsumi said, and they parted ways.

—∞—

"So he's been unconscious for the last three days?" Sesshoumaru said after Katsumi had explained everything that had happened to him when he came back to see her at his mother's castle. They were getting ready for bed.

Seigetsu was lying in a guest room drooling into his pillow. Katsumi was regularly dosing him with her knock-out gas.

"I thought it would be easier on him if he could wake up cured, but I guess I'll have to let him regain consciousness to see if he'll eat something or at least drink some water..." Katsumi said, worried about her brother.

"Hmph. He's a fool for letting himself fall prey to such a thing so easily," Sesshoumaru said.

"Well, it's not like he knew what would happen," Katsumi said. "And that princess moved fast." Her expression darkened as she thought of the cousin who had been the cause of all the trouble. She closed her eyes as she clenched her fist. "That Fearghal… I hope Grandpa gives him a punishment that fits the crime." She felt Sesshoumaru's hand softly touch the side of her face, and he kissed her. She opened her eyes when he pulled away.

"You can worry about Seigetsu tomorrow," Sesshoumaru said.

"I've missed you," Katsumi said, giving him a small smile. "Sorry I didn't say it sooner." She was still steaming over what Fearghal did to her brother when her husband returned home, and she had forgotten something important.

Sesshoumaru kissed her again as he began to untie her sleeping kimono. He knew she would make it up to him.

—∞—

In the end, Princess Muireall was married to a nice Irish faerie prince who respected her, and the peace between the Irish and Scottish faeries was secured. Katsumi herself received an invitation to their wedding.

No lasting harm was done to Seigetsu, who made a full recovery after two weeks of misery and vowed to shred Fearghal to ribbons if he ever saw him again.

As for Fearghal, he was made to keep wearing the silver cuff that Muireall had put on him, which prevented him from using most of his abilities as a faerie—even flying—and he was forced to do everything the hard way, including his new job, which involved revolting sewage and disgusting garbage. He would continue to slave away at this thankless job for another century.