Chapter 13

Yet again he felt like an outsider looking in, like a voyeur watching something he shouldn't be. It was such an intimate scene...it made him squirm in his chair, his demon form fading back to that of his human one.

He felt a spark of anger and jealousy flare to life in his chest, wasn't she supposed to be his finance? Sure he knew nothing about her, and vice versa, but here she was being comforted by his best friend...a man that wasn't him.

It put a foul taste in his mouth yet he shoved it down, wanting to get things back on track. Things had already spiraled so far out of control he was embarrassed to admit they had not only dropped the ball but kicked it over the fence into Cerberus's yard.

"Look, we're all on edge and confused so let's focus on what we do know." He paused for everyone to turn to him, a small strained smile on his face. "You, Ms. Kagome, seem to have been tricked into signing this marriage contract while in the celestial realm. That being said, since it was signed in their jurisdiction we down here have no say on its validity, just that it exists, you'd have to appeal to them if you wish to void it." He paused to let it sink in.

"My own father was the one who signed mine, therefore I am bound by it. You have been accepted as a part of RAD and thus will be expected to finish out the year here in Devildom." Kagome moved to open her mouth to protest but a gentle squeeze on her shoulder from Lucifer made her snap her mouth shut in order to let Diavolo continue.

"If you wish that is, I won't force you to do something you don't want to but I would like to implore you to stay if not because of our...engagement, but in order to deepen the ties between our realms. With your help, given your ties to the human realm and the celestial realm we could make some major headway. We could also use this time to get to know each other, while I am not opposed to the engagement I understand you feel tricked into it but I would like to be given the chance to get to know you for yourself not just as my finance. We wouldn't even have to announce it until we're sure if you want to give it a try or try to appeal it."

He paused to let his words sink in, he knew it was a lot to lay on her when she was so obviously such an emotional mess. Yet he wanted to get all their cards on the table and go from there, no use dragging it out more than it had been. Reaching over he gently clasped her shaking hands in his, frowning as she flinched away yet still allowed the contact. "Whatever you choose I will do my best to make it so."

Kagome was hard pressed to not demand to go home, yet the more she listened to his words the more he made sense. Even if they glossed over the engagement it made far more sense for her to stay...she could do a lot more good here then at home and while she longed to just go back home and be with her family she knew they would not agree.

She could make a huge difference here, help reunite realms and bring together people. Wasn't that why she began her wandering all those years ago? To help others? Add in the fact that it seemed those heavenly bastards had kept not only her engagement from her but the fact that Lucifer had survived the war...what else had they kept from her?

Was there a possibility the others were still alive?

Her heart lurched at the possibility.

Sliding her eyes shut she tried to close out all the outside noise, to delve deep inside herself and find her answer free of imploring looks and political sweet talk...

It was a few tense minutes later that she snapped her eyes open, her mind made up. "I'll stay." The laugh that spilled from Diavolo's lips was genuine as he gave her fingers a small squeeze in thanks before letting them go to lean back in his chair, a small tired smile on his face.

"Good, now. I don't know about you all but I find myself worn out from the day's activities. You are more than welcome to rest here in the castle and tomorrow we can figure out where to place you. Barbatos, if you would show her to a guest room." Barbatos nodded, his smile tight as he moved to mention for Kagome to stand and follow him.

She did so, tossing a longing look back at Lucifer which didn't go unnoticed by the others in the room. Diavolo grit his teeth but kept his smile on his lips as he met Lucifer's gaze, a silent command in the gold tinted orbs.

'Stay.'