Hey hey, look who updated. This story's a bitch to write sometimes, so if there are long pauses...yeah, that's just me having problems again. By the way, I was a little tired and a lot grouchy when I wrote this chapter, so if there are mistakes, whoops.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you think I shouldn't own.

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Chapter 5-"A Sophisticated human can become primitive. What this really means is that the human's way of life changes. Old values change, become linked to the landscape with its plants and animals. This new existence requires a working knowledge of those multiplex and cross-linked events usually referred to as nature. It requires a measure of respect for the inertial power within such natural systems. When a human gains this working knowledge and respect, that is called 'being primitive.' The converse of course, is equally true: the primitive can become sophisticated, but not without accepting dreadful psychological damage."

***

Kagome trembled only slightly in Korba's loose embrace. While her sweet tears soaked the cloth of his shirt front he softly soothed her hair. She had never been one to openly cry, even before she had been surrendered to the Western Lands, Korba could only imagine what had stirred such emotions in the bitter creature, for she refused to tell him.

Presently she withdrew from his arms and sat solemnly before him. Her image was entirely disturbed, hair tumbling everywhere, make-up disheveled and coursing down her cheeks with her tears. She carefully primped her clothing briefly, and then sighed. The sigh was uneven and awry.

"I should die Korba..." She said quietly, looking away from him towards the open doors of her balcony.

Korba struggled with her words, the pain they caused him was supremely immense. More so not because the moral ethics of the proposition were wrong, but because he agreed. Many times since he had discovered the purpose of the Karatherium Korba had turned over the consequences of the operation, and what would come of producing a single child with such radical powers. Even more terrible to him, a weathered veteran of the accursed tortures of the war, a man who had lost his only family to it, was that he had not remembered Kagome's rights as a human being when he imagined the possibilities of the birth. He had only seen the onslaught of bloodshed and the animalistic battle for superiority...He had not acknowledged that the Karatherium would be such a fragile, beautiful, precious thing.

She should die. He should kill her, he should destroy what represented another thousand years of vengeful hate and death.

But he could not do it. His eyes drifted over Kagome's wavering form, and saw someone who desperately craved to turn away from everything. She wanted to die, it wasn't just a question of if she should. Korba had been her last hope for release in the swarm of close protection, and he would betray her as well.

As he continued to look at her, Korba at last found words to speak. Well-worn words that he had tried over and over on Kagome and never once found decent results. "Do not wish for death when you still have something to live for, My Lady."

She turned a little and smiled at him balefully over her shoulder, "You speak of the baby?"

Korba nodded, suddenly remembering his old feeling of being a fool in her presence, and the feeling was true. His words were foolish, and he knew it.

"Do not worry Korba," she said suddenly, "You will not kill me. It's not part of our future." Her smile broadened as she found her footing gracefully and walked towards the open doors of her balcony to chase the shadows that chased the sun.

***

The famous mystery of House Hirohitoh. The mystery of the brothers, Prince Inuyasha and Lord Sesshomaru. In the first twenty-five years following their birth, it had been announced that they were not, as was the popular belief, full brothers, but in fact half brothers of a five year difference. The representatives of the house claimed that the two young lords were born of the same mother, not the same father. It was a dear, costly risk to say such things. First and foremost it suggested that the women of the house were not as royal or eloquent as had been boasted, and that the men were careless enough to allow such ordeals.

But it was something that needed to be done, to conceal the truth. The truth that Hirohitoh had decided was more beneficial as a secret than as an exposed truth.

However, it was strongly suspected that this was a lie. The manner of the brothers was certainly different in almost all aspects, but their physical appearances were entirely too similar to possibly be anything else but direct siblings. Physical appearance that pointed to the silver-haired, golden-eyed father, not the astute mother who claimed none of the said features.

It was a strange thing to regard, a strange thing to dwell on. The mystery of the truth behind it all was a secret entrusted to a very select few, many of which no longer dwelt in the realm of the living for security's sake.

***

Kagome sat before her tall mirror once again, feeling strangely uncomfortable seeing her real reflection instead of the flurry of hand maidens landing over her like a flock of birds. Her pale skin stood out more than ever before; a sickly shade, in Korba's opinion. She hadn't told anyone about her habits, so they would never know just why she appeared so ill. She didn't tell them about how she abandoned half of her robes to sit out on the balcony in recent days. She didn't tell them that she requested to eat in total solitude so that no one would see her throw away the food. She didn't tell them that she had been carefully using her teachings to monitor the little amount of sleep she allowed herself every night. She didn't tell them that she was trying to kill herself.

The Therum had never prepared for this possibility, perhaps the single thing Kagome had ever heard of them over looking. Never had a student been motivated enough to use her techniques against them in such a fashion. The fasting that Kagome did, the sleep deprivation, everything was a result of what she had learned from the Therum. It gave her a certain wicked satisfaction that she hadn't felt for a very long time to know each night that she was finally getting the better of them...and for such a desired cause.

The thought made her inwardly smile, a brief moment of pride before she once again resumed studying her reflection with a conscious effort. Frowning, Kagome touched her cheek lightly. It was so cold... Her fingers gathered in her hair, and she immediately noticed that it was thin and limp. No matter the attention the Therum paid to their lessons, there were always some physical side-effects that could not be eliminated.

Her ever present anxiety–Sesshomaru, entered her thoughts again. Were he to discover her plans he would not be able to punish her in any fashion due to the child within her, but that was not what would trouble her about him finding out anyway. What Kagome had to worry over was to what measures he would go to be sure that she would never be able to try for suicide again.

The idea made Kagome scowl. Her privacy had already been torn at in every way, it would bother her greatly if Sesshomaru doubled his watch over her. And then there were always her dear evenings on the balcony, most certainly he would take those away; which was in itself a punishment, now that she thought about it.

She would have to do something to fix the situation of her appearance soon. Somehow she would have to make up an excuse or disguise her features. There had to be a way to accomplish it, Kagome just had to find out what that was. There were countless demon "spells" in existence, though many were seldom used either due to outlaw or danger.

Demon spells were highly unstable. Most considered them to be purely fictional, as rare as they were now. The spells that remained had remained for years, thrown into existence around that time that demons had been. Due to their creation around such a primitive age, they in turn were considered primitive. But as haphazard as they were, they were extremely potent and powerful. This was what had lead them to banishment, because something that was meant to sting could often end up being something that would kill.

The spells could be used by humans, but they were still based on demon strength. They relied on earthly mysticism that was wild and truly demon, nothing else besides.

The Therum publicly ridiculed the demon spells, but ever aware of the power they promised, they naturally dabbled with them somehow. Kagome's most private lessons had been given to her on the spells. Therefore, though she did not mention it, she was adept in her power to wield them. To her knowledge, not even Sesshomaru knew that she had such power. She treasured her small number of secrets, and so she didn't reveal her talents to him and spite her sisters just this once.

As her mind turned over the possibilities of using the demon spells, she realized a flaw. Were she to use them as a way to disguise her sickly features (and she knew it was possible), she would need to investigate them somehow. The Therum had required her to memorize what texts they had had in their possession on the subject, but Kagome knew that there was nothing she could use for such an occasion that she had in her mind at the moment.

A solution was slowly born in her thoughts; she remembered something from her training. In prominent demon houses, the children were forced at an early age to become familiar with the spells, to the point where they were able to use them with frightening accuracy.

Kagome was not about to ask Sesshomaru herself if there was a way to cover her symptoms, nor was she going to challenge Inuyasha; though more agreeable, he was far more volatile than Sesshomaru, and Kagome also knew that he despised her, because she was a human. Inuyasha despised humans with every fiber of his being.

However, Kagome knew where the knowledge she was seeking could be found. The palace had a set of magnificent libraries. They were guarded, and vast, and the only one that might possibly contain the text she wanted, Sesshomaru's, was blocked off from everyone save a select few. Kagome was not one of the select few. He did not trust her; and he was wise for it.

Another frown arose on her face as she studied yet another problem. But like the last, her predicament was easily solved. For Korba just happened to be allowed into the library. That would require Kagome explaining her thoughts to him, but it was a risk she was willing to take. Her skills told her that he would agree, though reluctantly. In his heart he was not opposed to the idea of Kagome taking her own life.

She hadn't been lying when she had told him that his killing her wouldn't be part of their future as two people. He wouldn't do it, but she would at least try. Kagome did not know, however, if she would be successful. Peculiarly that was not in her sight.

***

Miroku stalked the halls with a menacing grace. The brighter lights had been extinguished hours ago, leaving him in misty darkness. The whites of his eyes glowed when he stepped into the dimmest, lingering light.

He turned a corner and stopped abruptly. There were doors in front of him that he did not want to open. A guard stood on either side, he regarded them both silently. He was not sure if he should take the Hirohitoh crests on their uniforms as good signs or bad signs. They were same two escorts that had come with her when she had arrived from her own house a week ago. Just, transformed.

Miroku explained his name, position, and purpose to them shortly. They showed no signs of having heard him, and he knew it was his signal to enter. Carefully he pulled the double doors back and entered the room.

It was filled with bitterness. He detested everything about the place immediately, and even more so when he spotted Kagura sitting adamantly by a window. She looked grossly absorbed in something which she hated. All her thoughts were directed with utmost malice at whatever was on her mind. She looked dangerously fierce, but Miroku had handled her flaring temper before with as much ease as anything else.

"Say something Miroku," she snapped suddenly.

He walked to her and bowed regally before sitting down near her. Kagura was usually more comfortable when he did ridiculous things like that. Miroku theorized that she needed to know she was above someone else to survive. Having settled himself down before her, he started to speak. "Lady Kagura," he addressed her solemnly, hoping that the statement alone might be enough to quell her anger.

She spun around instantly and fixed her fiery gaze upon him. "Is that all you can say to me?"

Her foul behavior got to Miroku for a second, and he narrowed his eyes coldly without a word, just to spite her.

Realizing after a moment that he wouldn't respond, Kagura exhaled sharply in a hiss and faced the window again, "What are you going to tell me today?"

He smiled and straightened his back, "Perhaps My Lady, you would care to hear of Lord Sesshomaru's concubine?"

"Concubine?" She was interested.

"Yes My Lady, his concubine."

Her body turned to face him again, "Could this be the Therum fool you are speaking of, Miroku?"

He nodded to her, though he was slightly put off by Kagura's calling the young girl a fool. A pawn she may be, but she was no fool. Miroku still valued his ties with the Therum, and past experience told him that Kagura had specifically pointed out the girl's heritage to spark his temper.

Kagura narrowed her gaze and leaned closer to him with her hand on her chin. "I am in the proper mood for amusement," she said coyly, "Tell me about her, Miroku."

He kept his eyes on the ground while he spoke and hoped she wouldn't order him to do otherwise. Looking Kagura in the eye could be very unpleasant at times. "Her name is Kagome," he began. "She is of course a Therum, My Lady, but I doubt that you know her full history."

She snorted. "How could anyone as young as her possibly have a history?" Kagura herself was nearly fifty, though her demon blood would not allow her body to betray it.

"Lady Kagome has a very long history, Lady Kagura. Five hundred years."

No one really bothered to tell Kagura anything, except Miroku, who worked as a type of double-agent for both the officials of House Sajimo and Kagura herself. He admitted that he had taken a liking to the venomous creature in the beginning, but now he could hardly bring himself to look at her. She had brought the subject up to her father once just as his respect for her was waning, and he had made Miroku her private advisor. It was a role he was to fulfill every day by seeing Kagura in whatever quarters she was occupying at a set time.

Her father was a thoughtless man to trust a son of the Therum with informing his fiendish daughter of day-to-day events, even if it was more of a side position than anything else. Obviously the lord of the house had not stopped to consider appointing someone specifically trained in the art of deception and betrayal.

When Miroku did not spend his time collecting information for Kagura, he gathered information for the House officials, the generals, the lords, everyone with a title. He fed his findings to a council on a regular basis, and was brought to important events to use his faint clairvoyant heritage to see possible outcomes. But at the present moment, he was doing none of that, he was speaking to Kagura.

"Five hundred years?" Yes, she was very ignorant. No one found her to be of very much worth, only the daughter of the Lord of the House. The daughter, not the son. Miroku wondered suddenly how she would interact with Kagome, who was her total opposite in nearly every aspect of life. If they ever met.

"Yes My Lady," he answered. "Five hundred years. Lord Sesshomaru chose a human, a Therum, for a reason."

"And what reason is that?"

Miroku closed his eyes completely and prepared to tell her the story of the royal concubine.

***

"You realize what you're asking me." His shoulders heaved in a shuddering sigh. Tears shivered at the corners of his eyes.

Kagome reached out to him confidently, "Or course I do. I'm not the type of person who would do something without considering the consequences."

Her hand touched his own, and he flinched a little at the foreign contact. The room was dark, and it was more than just unnerving to feel her agile presence there while he was so helpless. "Lady Kagome," he took another breath, "please reconsider. There are other options, other ways to do this."

"Other ways to do what?" She asked him gently, "To live or to die?"

He let one slip of water fall from his face, and felt a wave of shame course over him. It was not allowed for him to weep, not in the presence of a lady at the very least.

She continued without mercy for him, "We both want this, and now it is within our grasp. Please understand what we can accomplish here, if you will just help me with this task of mine."

He trembled.

"Korba?"

He had avoided this for a long time. Her one avenue of freedom, closed to her so many times was finally open. Who was he to deny her her freedom? Even if this was what it meant. Death was freedom. The thought had crossed his mind once when he had been at his lowest in the war, shortly after his sister had been torn away from him. But he had managed to push that thought away.

Slowly Korba raised his stare to her, and felt a bolt of compassion strike him. Her eyes were sparkling in the darkness, and she was smiling. Kagome was smiling with as much purity as he had ever seen on her face, and she was filled with hope.

He took her small hand in both of his own and felt his doubt and apprehension of allowing her to take her life disappear. It was no longer a matter of life being right and death being wrong, this was a wonderful solution, for everyone. It would mean freedom, for everyone. The war would end, the event that all had gambled on would vanish. She would no longer be a pawn.

"I swear," Korba said deeply, "That I will do whatever is within my power to set you free, Kagome."

It was her turn now to weep, and she cried tears of joy as she leaned over his hand and kissed it rapturously. "Thank you," she said it many times, and then, "I will live with my child, in the afterlife. Thank you."

***

Hey, there wasn't any Sesshomaru in this chapter. I suppose we'll have to fix that for next time, won't we? As to pairings...you never know what will happen. Depends on my mood, so if you think you'll get a straight answer from me, all I can say is, sorry.