The Gathering

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

Stressed Words

It was one hour until the most powerful houses would be in the middle of this city. Nothing was going to keep worry from her mind when she thought about this. Kagura had been spending her day up on the roof preparing the way the food should be set. She had a dome placed around the roof to block the wind but allow a nice comfortable atmosphere. She walked up to the roof and saw her favorite wind youkai running around the roof in hurry. Kagome lightly chuckled and Kagura turned and frowned at Kagome.

"What are you doing up here?" Kagura suspiciously asked.

"I could feel your annoyance spreading all over," Kagome said with a smile.

"These tables aren't where I want them," Kagura growled. Kagome noticed the wind picking up and giggled before she could stop herself.

"Why don't I help you move them?" Kagome suggested before the wind youkai could explode.

"Mine as well fire the help," Kagura mumbled before she prepared to move the tables.

Suiichi fruitlessly searched his closet in dire need of an outfit to wear to the company party. It had been a last minute invitation on the basis that they had just been hired. He pulled outfits from his closet and tossed them to his bed knowing that he couldn't appear in just plain clothes. Shippo, the driver had explained that the party was dress and tux event. Suiichi growled again as Yoko complained about their current appearance. He finally opened one of his older trunks that his mom had placed in the closet. He knew that his mother loved to shop and so he decided to see what she had brought.

"I think I just found my tux," Kurama said with a grin.

"Keiko, hurry up else will miss the limo," Yusuke yelled throw her door.

"Just one more minute!" Keiko sang out.

"You'll be the one explaining why we're late," Yusuke warned as he pulled at his tux sleeves.

"Finished," Keiko said as she opened her door.

Yusuke took in that she was wearing black dress that showed her stomach through a fishnet material. There were no sleeves and slits on the sides going from her feet to her mid thigh. He held his arm out to her and she took it in an instant. They walk outside to the and when they climbed in they smirked at their friends. Kurama and Hiei where sitting on opposite sides. Yusuke noticed Hiei's scowl and chuckled since this was the first suit he was wearing. The Limo door softly shut and they were off to pick up Kuwabara and Yukina.

When the limo had finally pulled up to Genkai's shrine, Kurama had expected Hiei to at least rush in there and lock up his sister. Hiei froze instantly when Kuwabara came to the limo and helped Yukina inside. She was giggling and blushing furiously as Kuwabara remarked on her beauty. She wore an ice pink dress that fanned out at the waist and glided with each step. Hiei finally unfroze and moved to the back of the limo with a soft 'hn'. Kuwabara led her to the side and helped her sit down. Keiko commented on the dress and Yukina blushed profusely.

"You look very beautiful tonight," Kurama complimented.

"Thank you," Yukina whispered.

"Where's your date?" Kuwabara asked.

"I came without," Kurama answered.

"I can't wait to see the youkai lords," Keiko excitedly said.

Kagome stood in her room and silently watched as limos and very expensive cars came around towards the building. She couldn't believe that everyone was attending this time. The last gathering was held in the northern lands at Kouga's mansion. That was a hundred years ago, yet she could still see the wolf king laughing at the accident. The gathering was ruined because Shippo had posed as Inuyasha and punched Miroku. Miroku had then tossed wasabi at Inuyasha, which ended up hitting Sesshoumaru. The gathering was ruined and Miroku ended having to be beaten by his wife.

Kagome laughed before she went towards the full-length mirror and stared at her reflection. She was surprised that she had chosen this dress. This gathering was special and marked not only her financial success, but also the day her love had died. She ran her hands down the soft silk of her dress and slightly smiled. Her dress was a one piece that came down to her ankles. It formed every curve she had with its silver beauty. The v-neck had diamonds surrounding it leaving no need for a necklace. The dress wasn't just silver, but silver that sparkled like glitter.

"Are you ready?" A sure voice called from the partially cracked door.

"Yes, Sango, I believe I am," Kagome answered.

"You look absolutely stunning," Sango commented.

"I could say the same about you," Kagome said with a smile. Sango blushed as she looked down at her blood red dress.

"I see silver is your choice," Sango said with a knowing smile.

"It's the least I could do," Kagome sadly whispered.

"You've done more than your share. I think it's time for you to have fun tonight," Sango deviously said.

Kagome gave a grin before she closed the door and walked to the elevator so they could go to the gathering. Sango and Kagome patiently waited at the elevator for Miroku to show up. Sango looked down the left hall and laughed when she saw Miroku running for his life. Inuyasha was screaming about bets and cheaters while Miroku dived into the elevator. Kagome lightly zapped Inuyasha and made him calm down before she got into the elevator. When the elevator door slid shut a loud reassuring slap was heard. Inuyasha rolled his amber eyes and smirked knowing this was the one place he could show his true form tonight.

When the elevator doors opened over two hundred youkai and humans were revealed. Kagome paused on her silver carpet and let the announcer declare her presence. Every youkai and human bowed deeply to her. She let her eyes wander over the crowd and mentally smirked when she saw her emerald-eyed friend by the drink table. She made her way towards the owner of the eyes and was stopped by none other than the sheep lord of New Zealand. His white cottony hair tickled against her bare shoulders. She embraced him back and they both nodded their heads.

"Miko Kagome, how have you've fared?" He asked as his green eyes met her brown ones.

"Lord Gabriel, I've fared well, and you?" Kagome asked with a smile.

"The lands and my people are well. We haven't had much youkai since we made our announcement of sending them back," Gabriel proudly boasted.

"That is excellent for our lands," Kagome said as she growled in her mind about his petty boast.

"Lord Gabriel, are you trying to seduce the high Miko?" Lady Isobel playfully accused.

"Never…since my first attempt failed," Gabriel admitted with a hearty laugh.

"How have you been Lady Isobel?" Kagome sincerely asked.

"Tired, the youkai and humans of my land lost many families since the attack," Isobel said as her eyes watered.

"You know I will be by your side," Kagome firmly assured.

"What about lord Sesshoumaru?" Isobel asked.

"I'll talk to him about helping the families," Kagome tried to assure.

"I haven't seen him yet, is he here?" Gabriel asked with a hint of accusation.

"He is here, I sense his youki," Kagome said.

"May I steal this beautiful woman from you?" Kurama asked as he cut in the conversation.

"Be my guest," Gabriel announced.

Kurama led Kagome away from the two Lords and onto the dance floor. He confidently placed his right hand on her hip and his left hand in her own. Kagome slightly frowned at his bold move, but allowed it. She couldn't help but feel like days of old when Yoko was around. She let her other hand wander to his shoulder. She leaned her head on his shoulder and smirked.

"I like your tux," she whispered.

"I like the silver dress you chose to wear," Kurama said as he thought of his outfit.

"The navy in your tux brings out your eyes," Kagome softly said.

"The silver brings out your hair," Kurama complimented.

"So, why did you pull me away from the tiny meeting?" Kagome suspiciously inquired.

"You looked bored," Suiichi answered.

"I was," Kagome said as she looked off.

'She stills smells the same,' Yoko whispered.

'You sound like a stalker,' Suiichi commented.

"I think the song ended," Suiichi whispered. Kagome nodded and they both walked over to a table that overlooked Tokyo and sat down. Suiichi as Kagome's eyes glassed over and she appeared far away.

"Whom are you thinking about?" Suiichi asked.

"What? A…someone special," Kagome whispered as she glanced into his emerald eyes.

"Did he happen to steal your heart?" Suiichi tried to joke.

"Yes, he stole my heart."

'He acts like he knows…'

"Someone managed to purify my heart," Suiichi whispered.

"Why the strange words?" Kagome truly asked in confusion.

"I think your reading to much into my words," Suiichi said with a smile.

"I don't think so," Kagome suspiciously said.

"Describe your dream someone that has the honor to occupy your thoughts," Kurama suggested in a demanding voice.

"He's from my past," Kagome began.

"Really?"

"I only knew him a year, but it was a wonderful year," Kagome whispered as she ran her hands along her sliver dress.

"Was he human?"

"Only half, he was a fox."

"I take it he was a find."

"No, he was part Kitsune," Kagome explained with a blush.

"How long has it been for you?" Suiichi asked in concern.

"Let's just leave it around five hundred years," Kagome whispered as her bangs shadowed her eyes.

'I left her for that long,' Yoko thought.

'I'm surprised she didn't move on,' Suiichi thought.

'Kitsune mate for life,' Yoko proudly stated.

'But she's human,' Suiichi said.

'And she has pure youkai blood in her veins,' Kurama stated.

"What about your special someone?" Kagome asked.

"She's in my past," Suiichi said.

"How long is your past? Twenty years?" Kagome asked.

"Yeah, right," Suiichi said.

"Looks like my friend Sora and the Hiei have clicked," Kagome laughed as she watched them with amusement in her eyes. Suiichi watched Kagome for a moment before he turned to the silent fire apparition and Sora.

"Why are you following me?" Hiei demanded as he stayed in his darkened corner.

"Your just so cute and little!" Sora squealed as she got him in a choked hug. His face turned blue before she set him down.

"Hn."

"What's 'hn'?" Sora asked.

"Hn."

"I get it…its short for Hiei's nuisance," Sora said with a knowing smile.

"Baka," Hiei hissed before jumping to another corner.

"Hey, short fire, it's rude to call people baka when they try and talk to you," Sora growled as she pulled him to a chair. She pushed him down and made him sit in front of her.

"So… why are you here?" Sora asked as she tried to make conversation.

"Koenma made me come," Hiei hesitantly said after ten minutes of silence.

"That boy has always been a nuisance to peoples mental health. He once made me go to the edge of Reikai to find some ghost that owed him some yen," Sora growled.

"That kid always makes me go on missions with that baka orange haired Ningen," Hiei complain.

"Kuwabara? He's the one dating your sister," Sora stated.

"How the hell?"

"I've kept tabs on the futures influence," Sora said as she bit into a peach.

"You must be in a position of power?" Hiei asked.

"I'm one of the Guardians of the Master of the Tama," Sora answered.

"The Shikon no Tama?" Hiei asked as he tried to keep the excitement out of his voice.

"It's dormant, and I would have to kill you if you made an attempt on the master," Sora warned with a menacing edge.

"If a mere human could harm me," Hiei smirked.

"I'm a different type of human," Sora said as a fact.

"Hn."

"It gets lonely doing the job of protecting the Tama's master," Sora whispered as she sipped her champagne. Hiei raised an eyebrow before he continued to listen to her talk. He even spoke a few words back to her.

Kagome's smile turned brighter as she watched the approaching couple come forward. Kagome stood up and Suiichi turned around to see the last youkai he expected alive. Yoko began to growl savagely in Suiichi's head as Kagome stepped up and embraced him. Just then a woman with red hair and green eyes stepped around from the male. Kagome embraced this woman and bowed to both of them before she could let the male stop her.

"Kagome, it has been far too long," the female squealed as she hugged the miko.

"Ayame, let Kagome breathe," the male gruffly stated.

"Sorry, Kouga honey," Ayame apologized with a slight blush.

"It's good to see you Lord Kouga," Kagome stressed with a joking attitude.

"I've been lord for three hundred years and ya' still call me that," Kouga said with a frown.

"I only respect the tradition and let me introduce you to my…friend," Kagome said as Suiichi stood and bowed to the two.

"My name is Suiichi Minamino," Suiichi properly said.

"What's your relationship to Kagome?" Kouga tried to ask instead of demanding.

"He's a…" Kagome began only to be interrupted.

"Hush, I asked him," Kouga growled.

"I am one of the newest teachers and a current suitor," Suiichi announced.

"Really," Kouga laughed. "You don't even deserve to be in here presence."

"Kouga," Kagome whispered.

"I've already earned that and her heart, that must explain why you never won anything but pity from her," Suiichi snarled as he clenched his fist.

"Suiichi…Kouga, I think you should remember that these meetings are neutral territory," Kagome growled.

Sora quickly came to her side along with Kohaku. Sora held her staff as it materialized in her hand and Kohaku had his kusarigama ready. Kouga stiffled any anger he held down and began to laugh. Kagome and Suiichi both looked at each other in confusion before Ayame smacked him upside the head. Kohaku and Sora put their weapons away before anyone bothered to look towards the small display. Kagome thanked her two guardians before they left her.

"I'm sorry for making a scene," Kouga reluctanly mumbled.

"Me too," Suiichi sincerely said as he quieted Yoko.

"I think it would be best talk to the other Lords and Ladys," Kagome said as she took Suiichi's hand and led him away.

"Do you think she knows?" Ayame asked Kouga, making sure to keep her voice down. Kouga smirked before he took his mate's hand and walked off into the crowd.

Inuyasha growled as he watched Suiichi boldly make moves on Kagome. He took another drink of his red wine before he set the empty glass down. He leaned on the edge of the roof and watched his sister dance. He then noticed another girl with blue hair dressed in a red dress kimono looking over the city. He smiled at her when he noticed that it was Botan he was staring at. He walked over to Botan and had her come over to a corner where he and her could talk without yelling over the soft music. She sat down across from Inuyasha on an angle and picked up a glass of champagne and took a drink.

"Drink much?" Inuyasha asked with a smirk. She lightly blushed and set her glass down.

"That's been my first sip in over a hundred years," Botan proudly stated.

"And here my last drink was ten minutes ago," Inuyasha mumbled.

"I see Kagome has made a success of the gathering," Botan stated.

"Yes she has, and now she's flirting with a red head," Inuyasha growled.

"Oh, Kura…Suiichi is a nice man if you give him a chance," Botan defended as she smiled at the leaving couple.

"I've missed you," Inuyasha said with a slight blush.

"Koenma never gives me a day off anymore," Botan sighed.

"Maybe you need another reaper," Inuyasha suggested.

"Maybe, but we already had a hundred plus a waiting room," Botan growled.

"Death is a rate that won't stop soaring," Inuyasha mumbled.

"True," She sighed.

"Would you like to dance?" Inuyasha quickly asked as he slightly blushed.

"Really?" Botan asked.

"Yes," Inuyasha said before he led her to the dance floor.

"So, Kagome carries the Shikon no Tama?" Hiei asked as he held Sora up.

"Yep," Sora chuckled as she through her champagne glass at a nearby couple.

"The jewel is dormant though?" Hiei asked.

"Only when she doesn't go back," Sora laughs before falling off her chair.

"What?" Hiei asks as he tries to push Sora off.

"She 'poofs' and disappears into the jewel!" Sora laughed as she threw her arms in a circle to emphasize her point.

"Can the jewel glow again?" Hiei eagerly asked.

"It glows," Sora said as she passed out and let her head fall into his lap. Shippo began to laugh as he cleared away twenty bottles. Shippo told Hiei the room number of Sora's and left.

Hiei carried her to the elevator and snorted when he saw Keiko slapping Yusuke. He then stepped onto the elevator and pressed her floor number. He had her bridal style and watched her moan and rolled her head toward his chest. He blushed a bit and tensed before the door opened on her level. He walked over to the bedroom and saw that her door had no handle. He pressed her finger to a little pad and the door slid open. His eyes widened at her bedroom's expense. Her bed was covered in black silk with black drapes hanging over them. He then carefully laid her on the bed.

She slightly opened her eyes and mumbled a 'stay with me chibi-chan'. Hiei looked around before he took of his tux jacket and sat next to her. He the wrapped his arm around her and closed his eyes. With one final hope of not to get hell in the morning, he fell to sleep.