A/N: Thanks, everyone, for your patience this past month and for all of your support. The wedding went very well, as did the honeymoon. Jon and I are still in a state of flux though – law schools aren't being the most amiable of creatures at the moment. I still plan to finish this story before the summer ends, but keep that patient attitude around – you may need it! Thanks again and here's your chapter.

Thousandfurs

Chapter 15: Unravel

Kagome sat for a long time, waiting for Kagura to return. She had promised the wind witch to stay, and stay she would. She had helped the other servants clean up the post-feast mess, and now that that was done with, they all hung around in the kitchen. On feast days, Naraku's permission was required before anyone could leave.

The tyrannical chef hadn't returned either, but Kagome was certain that was still enjoying his moments with the Nakao spy, telling him about Kagome's movements with relish. She wondered if they would laugh when Naraku told the spy about her hopes of being with Inuyasha. That would be highly amusing to anyone from her kingdom, after all.

Or perhaps, Naraku had given his report to the spy and then went to tell the king and queen. Then they wouldn't be able to stop the spy from dragging her home, by her hair if need be. Kagome wondered if he was allowed to kill her on the spot.

The other youkai in the room whispered, theorizing about why the human girl with the fur cloak didn't run, even if her jailers were absent. They would have, they all agreed. And although Kagome appeared calm and collected, the sharper-sensed ones among the staff could tell that she was nervous, depressed and, above all, afraid. They could see how her fingers were shaking and smell the sheen of sweat on the back of her neck.

But she sat quietly, for what seemed like days but was really only an hour. She was drifting into a sort of waking unconsciousness when a voice spoke at her elbow. "My princess."

Kagome turned to see Myoga beside her, standing on the table with his hands clasped and his eyes down-turned. "Oh, Myoga!" she cried softly. "I've missed you terribly. Where have you been?"

"Around," he replied evasively. He finally looked up at her. "I've heard what has been happening in my absence. Including this night's events."

The princess's face fell. "I'm so sorry, Myoga. I went to the ball again. I meant to say goodbye to Inuyasha and I did, but Naraku knew everything somehow. The spies will take me soon. And I promised Kagura to remain here, so that she would not be punished if I ran."

"Yes, I've heard all of that," said the flea, nodding slowly. "I'm sorry."

Kagome shrugged and looked away. "I suppose I was just delaying the inevitable. Father never would have stopped looking, after all."

He hopped up onto her knee. "I meant that I was sorry that you had to say goodbye to the prince." He shook his aged head. "It took true bravery to turn away from the male you love, in order to save a kingdom. Not many in your place would have done that. They would have revealed all and begged for asylum."

"So, you forgive me?"

"My dear girl, I never should have been angry in the first place." Myoga smiled sadly at her. "I was forgetting my position. You will always be a princess, whether you are dressed in rags or the finest kimonos. And I will always be your humble servant and, I hope, your friend."

Kagome grinned and put her hands over her chest. "Oh, how I wish I could hug you without crushing you, Myoga!"

He gave a wheezy laugh. "It wouldn't be advisable, Kagome."

"No, I suppose it wouldn't be," she agreed. She gave a forlorn little sigh and looked at him. "I have missed you so much. I'm sure that by the end of this night, everyone will know who I really am, but I can't help but think that you're the only creature that truly knows."

"And the prince," he replied, raising his eyebrows.

Kagome's shoulders slumped. "Perhaps. But I admit that my decision to leave him, to reject his marriage proposal, wasn't entirely altruistic. I just couldn't bear the thought of him marrying his 'mystery princess'. He doesn't really know me, after all, does he? Not the true girl beneath the beautiful kimonos."

"I disagree. He has met you as Thousandfurs. You act as yourself in this guise."

"And he hates me," replied the girl. "I don't believe he's said a kind word to me while I've been under this cloak."

"He brought you to the infirmary when he thought you were sick, didn't he?" asked Myoga. "That's what I heard."

Kagome nodded. "Only because he thought it would endear me to his purpose and that I would help him find his dancing partner!" she argued softly.

The flea cocked his head and sighed. "I remember a time when you were naïve to the ways of the world, when you could not believe anyone had intentions other than what they showed you." He clicked his tongue. "I remember thinking that you needed to lose that naivete, but now I think I want it back. It disturbs me to hear you say such things about the prince, when you so obviously love him."

"Just because I love him, doesn't mean that I'm blind to his faults."

"Ah, another way in which you have grown up!" he observed.

The princess closed her eyes. "I am much changed, I think. I don't know if I'll ever be royalty again." She laughed and remembered her situation. "Of course I won't be! I'll be on the executioner's block before I've passed an hour in the Nakao kingdom."

"Don't say it like that," said the flea.

She turned to him. "You don't have to come with me, Myoga," she replied softly. "Please, you should hide yourself. I'll tell them that you died in the winter months."

"Better to say that I had ran away. They might believe that," he said. He stared up at her. "But not this time, Kagome! I will go back with you. Perhaps I can convince the king that it was me that took you here, to his enemies' den. Perhaps he'll spare your life."

"And then take it again by taking me to his bed!" she argued. "No, I would rather die."

Myoga sighed heavily again and hung his head. "I will not let my princess die alone then. I will be with her."

"Then I will be with my dearest friend," she replied with a smile. "Please, don't be sad about this Myoga! The kami punish me in life so that I may have peace in death. I believe this and so should you."

The flea nodded his agreement, for how could anyone as good as this princess go without reward after all she had been through? "I smell your nervousness and despair," he murmured, "as do the other youkai in this room, I'm sure. But you aren't nervous about death, so what has you so tightly wound up?"

"Inuyasha will know my true identity," she replied without hesitation. "He may know it now. He may have treated me poorly as Thousandfurs and grandly as his mystery princess, but I have no idea how he will treat me as Kagome."

"He will love you still, I think," said the flea. "Even if he doesn't realize it."

"I gave him the Shikon no Tama," she said softly, "so that he will not have to love me."

The tiny diplomat shuddered. "If your father finds out…"

"What? He'll kill me even faster?" she laughed scornfully. "I don't care. Inuyasha once searched for my half of that jewel and now he has it entirely. He can choose a life with Kikyo, if he wants. Or he can choose to be a full demon and escape the shame of his hanyou life."

Myoga bowed his head in thought. "Perhaps," he whispered. "But I think that even the famously hasty prince would think twice about those propositions."

"The point is that he has a choice," she said.

The door opened and Kagura came in. Her skin was paler than usual, pale enough to rival her sister's, but her eyes were fierce and glittering. "You are all dismissed," she said loudly to the staff. She pointed to Kagome. "Except you. You must come with me."

Kagome and Myoga looked at one another. "The king wants you, I wager," said the flea.

"Then the king will have me," replied the princess, getting to her feet. "Are you sure you don't want to leave? You may be saving your life if you leave now."

Myoga shook his head. "If I leave my princess now, I will die of the shame. I told you, this time I'm not running away."

"Words to live by." Kagome looked up at Kagura, whose red eyes were lit with fear and determination. She had a feeling that she would be thanking the wind witch later. If Kagura had told the prince anything, surely the prince would be here in her place. It was up to Kagome for the when and where of her secret being divulged. "Shall we?" she asked, walking up to the red-eyed female.

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Inuyasha watched the old demon as he studied the jewel carefully, bending over so far that his nose was almost to the floor. "Have you tried putting the two pieces together?" he asked, prodding one half with the back of his claw.

"No, I don't know what will happen. That's why I'm here, you moron," said the prince.

The old man sat back on his heels and gave the hanyou prince a piercing glare with his bugged eyes. "Well, it seems it's the genuine article," he announced, wrapping the two halves into separate pieces of black velvet and handing them over to Inuyasha. "But you know, this is a human made object, and I'm not really an expert on that sort of thing."

"You're the best we have at the moment," scoffed the prince. "Which isn't saying much."

"Hmph!" The demon rose to his feet and went to one of the shelves that were overflowing with scrolls. "These damn things," he muttered as he rooted through them. "So disorganized and so flammable… Ah! Here it is!"

Inuyasha took the scroll from him and unfurled it, scrunching up his nose when he saw the words. "I can't read this. It's in none of the languages that I know."

"Dumb pup!" The demon snatched it back from him. "It's just an old story about that jewel you have there. It talks about how it was made from the soul of a priestess who was battling many demons in a cave far from here. It talks about the battle that still rages within it and how its power can be pure or the essence of foul."

"So?" prompted Inuyasha, once his companion had fallen silent.

"So it continues to say that someone much older and wiser than you broke it into two pieces and flung the two parts to opposite sides of the world. I don't know how the power disappeared from it, because the text doesn't say, but it's a good guess that if the parts are put back together, the power will return in full force. It will be sought after by many cruel and unclean creatures." The bug-eyed demon looked at the prince. "It would be best, I think, if you threw the pieces to opposite sides of the world once again."

"Why would I do that?" snapped the hanyou. "I know what you're not telling me. It'll grant a wish if it's put together again. Then there won't be any threat anyway!"

"Only if it's an unselfish wish," said the demon with a sigh. "It will become tainted with a selfish wish, just as it will if an impure creature touches it."

Inuyasha frowned and looked at the two bundles of velvet in his hands. Every wish of his life had a selfish element, he knew that. But every wish in the world could be selfish in some way! Those who wished for peace wanted to be revered as peacemakers. Those who wished away another's affliction wanted to be a savior. Humans and demons were too selfish innately to have a wish that was not. Was there a line to cross? At what point did the jewel become tainted?

As he was musing over these questions, others came through the door behind him. "Totosai," said the familiar voice, "is it actually the Shikon no Tama?"

Inuyasha turned to see his father, standing with his mother and elder brother at his sides. The old demon sword-smith answered behind him. "Yes, Your Majesty. I believe it is."

The king frowned deeply and looked down at his younger son. "Inuyasha, bring the jewel and come with me. The guests are still in the ballroom. On the way there, you can tell me how you came across this treasure."

The prince stood and took his leave of Totosai with a nod. Out in the hallway, he joined his father as Izayoi and Sesshoumaru trailed a little behind. "It was in the soup that Kagura brought to me. Half of it anyway. You knew I had the other half already." His cheeks burned as he remembered the row that had started when he had announced to his father that he was looking for the jewel with the intention to become human.

The king's eyes darkened as he remembered as well. "Have you questioned Kagura?"

"Yes, but she just brought it to me. She wouldn't say anything else. She's going to the kitchen now to fetch the girl who made it for me."

"Kagome?" guessed the monarch.

Inuyasha nodded. "I don't expect much from her, Father. For the past two feasts, she has made my bread soup and I have found treasures at the bottom both times. The first time was a gold arrowhead. The second was the hilt of Tetsusaiga." He said this last part very softly, but his father still had his hearing.

"Tetsusaiga?" The king looked at him sharply and from behind them, Sesshoumaru sucked in a quick breath. "Why didn't you tell me? That sword has been broken in two for a long time, Inuyasha. I lost the hilt when I battled for your mother."

"I know," said the sullen prince. "I wasn't sure it was real, but now that this is… well, what would be the point of carrying a true Shikon fragment and not the true hilt of the Fang?"

"When this night is over, you will take both pieces of the sword to Totosai, so that it can be fixed. It never worked properly when he affixed a different hilt." The king sighed and shook his head before returning to the matter at hand. "So, you will question Kagome. I would like to be there this time."

Inuyasha shot his father a look, but then his ears fell back against his head. He had hit Thousandfurs the last time he had found something in his soup. "Fine."

"I want it done in front of the guests as well," said the king, again gaining a surprised glance from his son.

"Do you think that's wise, my dear?" asked Izayoi from behind them.

The king stopped and turned to his mate. "No, probably not. The girl will almost certainly feel persecuted. But I must see this for myself and I cannot leave the guests for any longer. And I will not feed the rumor mill any longer with this ridiculous affair. This was supposed to be a mating feast, after all, and this girl obviously has the information of where Inuyasha's intended is."

Izayoi lowered her eyes. "She turned him down though."

Inuyasha watched as a tear escaped his mother's eye and then looked at his brother. Sesshoumaru was surprisingly silent. Normally, he would never give up the chance to infuriate his little sibling, but now, the younger king appeared thoughtful. Their father seemed to notice it too, as he went to comfort his mate. "What is on your mind, Sesshoumaru?" he asked.

The younger dog demon frowned slightly. "You believe this young girl from the kitchens has information on this phantom that Inuyasha so ardently pursues?" he asked. "How do you know this, aside from the trinkets in your soup?"

"A feeling," said Inuyasha, shrugging. "Also, I catch the girl's scent when I speak to Thousandfurs sometimes. Like they've been in contact for a few minutes earlier in the day."

Sesshoumaru nodded slowly. "Then question her in front of the court and the guests. This Sesshoumaru has his own theories, but if they prove to be false, there may be consequences." He arched his brow. "If they are true, there may still be consequences."

"Why do you care?" snapped Inuyasha, suddenly annoyed at his brother's vague statements.

The younger king glared at his brother. "Because I still share blood with this family, although the idea frequently repulses me, and I do not wish to see any of my blood humiliated. Not even you, you insolent pup."

"Enough," said the king, watching as his two sons stared at one another. "There is time for fighting later. Now, we must prepare for our interrogation of the girl. She will undoubtedly be afraid and will perhaps grow increasingly silent."

"Or increasingly belligerent," muttered Inuyasha. "I know what to ask her."

"Because you have been so successful in the past?" questioned Sesshoumaru.

"Shut up!" snapped the hanyou. He calmed down in a moment and looked at his father. "What if she doesn't say anything though?"

The king sighed and squeezed his mate's hand. "If she says nothing, but I sense that she is lying, I will have to send her to the dungeon," he said, frowning as Izayoi pulled away in horror. "It may be for her own protection. If she cannot answer to a king, she is hiding dangerous secrets."

Inuyasha was as uneasy with this idea as his father obviously was, but he nodded. "There's one more thing. I don't think anyone else should know, especially not Thousandfurs when we question her. I put a subjugation necklace on the girl."

Izayoi's eyes widened. "You did what? You would subdue the girl you say you love?"

"It's not like that!" he replied. "It's… I mean, I asked Kaede to make it without an actual spell on it. It's not like she'll answer when I call or anything, although I was thinking of that. I just had it made so that the girl can't take it off."

"Never?" asked the king.

Inuyasha shook his head. "Only I can take it off. No one else. Not even the strongest magic."

"If the girl wears a disguise to somehow evade our detection, this necklace would give her away," observed Sesshoumaru. "Every person in the ballroom must be inspected."

"After we question Kagome," said the king, shaking his head. "I will not subject my guests to that unless I must. As it is, I feel uncomfortable with the whole idea. We're looking for a girl that dances with my son, not a spy."

"Perhaps both," said his eldest child.

A guard suddenly appeared at the end of the hallway and advanced upon them. The king sighed, stepping forward to meet the youkai. "What is it now?"

"We have found a human in the gardens a short time ago, Your Majesty," replied the guard, bowing deeply. "We questioned him without harming him, since we thought he may be one of the human nobles' servants, but in his possession we found several documents that indicated he may be a spy. We also took Naraku into custody."

"Naraku? What the devil did you want my chef for?"

"The spy had one slip of paper with the chef's writing on it, intimating the disclosure of a great secret, one that even you were not aware of, Your Majesty."

Inuyasha scoffed. "That's the most moronic spy ever then, to keep his documents on his person."

"He was quite ruffled, Your Highness. It seems he was called by Naraku on very short notice," the guard said. He lowered his voice. "We could… question him more intensely, Your Majesty."

The king spared a glance for his mate, who wore an expression of deep disgust. She had never had the stomach for torture that most youkai had, given her human origins. "Save that for awhile yet," he said. "Bring Naraku to meet with us in the throne room, however. Do not bind him, but put the best of the guards with him, to prevent any possible escape. When Kagura returns with the scullery maid, make sure they go to the throne room as well and keep an eye on the wind witch. She and Naraku have a history together, or so I hear."

"Yes, Your Majesty," said the guard, bowing deeply before being dismissed.

They continued their walk towards the throne room. "A secret that even I do not know? It sounds like Naraku might know who the girl is before even you, Inuyasha," said the king.

"Looks like it," growled the hanyou. "And it looks like there's more to this than just a girl who won't tell me her name. How is that possible, that Naraku should know before me?"

"If we're to believe Miroku's accusations, he is much more than a chef," said Izayoi. "He is a cunning leader in the youkai underworld. Perhaps we should have listened to him more closely."

"Indeed, if he was right, I will have to reward him," replied the king. "I will pay closer attention in the future to his suspicions. I always knew that Naraku was unsavory, but to think that he may be guilty of treason, of keeping secrets that might do harm to my kingdom if they are divulged… that is no longer out of the realm of possibility."

"We must keep this girl safe," said Izayoi. "We can't let her be sacrificed to whoever she fears."

"It depends on who she is," said Sesshoumaru.

The king nodded his agreement. "First, we must determine that," he said. "Then, we will decide what to do. Here we are." He opened a small door that lead to the back of the throne room and walked in, followed by his sons and mate.

The guests were tired, the king could see that immediately. It was the middle of the night, the soporific feast was long over, and yet they could not leave because the king had not yet given his announcement about the prince. They had, of course, seen Inuyasha leave the room much earlier. They had seen the way the girl – the only girl he had danced with – had reacted when he had spoken with her. But they all knew that like any well-prepared royal family, the king would have a back-up plan. This was what they expected to hear now. Then they could, thankfully, collapse into their beds.

The king made his way to the throne and sat down, beckoning to Miroku. "Yes, Your Majesty?" asked the diplomat, as he approached.

"It appears you may have been right about Naraku," said the monarch, looking at his human aide evenly. "He was writing to a man that might be a spy."

"From Nakao?"

The king shrugged. "I do not know yet, but it would be a likely guess. Who else would dare to do such a thing?"

"Against you, Your Majesty?" asked Miroku, his eyes widening. "It would be deadly to entertain the idea. But, as you observed once, the present Nakao king has no idea what destruction a war against the youkai kingdoms could inflict upon the human world. You have the benefit of experience and he does not."

"There is more. I am sure you witnessed Inuyasha's – ahem – failure to secure the young lady's goodwill earlier this evening," he said, earning a nod and grave look from the diplomat. "We believe that she may be entangled in Naraku's plot with this spy, however. If the girl is still in the castle, we will find her this night and help in any way that we can. Kagome is coming here to be questioned, as is Naraku and Kagura. Keep your eyes on them, my friend. Youkai can smell emotion, but you humans have whole ranges of feelings that we cannot detect. Watch for me."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"And Miroku?" The king held out a hand as the diplomat began to turn away. When he looked back again, the monarch nodded at someone past his shoulder and smiled. "You're a very lucky man. She cleans up very nicely."

Miroku turned to see Sango blushing under the king's kind gaze and grinned. "That I am and that she does, Your Majesty," he said, bowing and returning to his beloved's side. "I believe that your worrying for Kagome will either be extinguished or increased in a few moments, Sango. She has been summoned to the presence of the king, here and now. They will finally ask her about what she knows of Inuyasha's phantom girl.

"Oh, dear. I hope that Kagome has the presence of mind to answer truthfully," she said, her brow creasing with concern.

"I'm sure she will do fine," he replied, "but I think we both realize that Kagome has been keeping secrets from us. I'm not injured that she kept it from me, but from you? I am surprised."

Sango nodded. "She would never tell me anything," she said softly, as she smoothed her kimono. Silk felt so heavenly against her skin! She was beginning to wonder how she ever did without it. "Shouldn't Myoga know the truth?"

Miroku frowned for a moment. "Ah! That flea demon that was with her when we first met. Yes, I remember him now." He shrugged. "He said that he was her guide to the Taisho kingdom, in exchange for a bit of blood."

"Hmm, yes. But as you just pointed out, Kagome has been keeping secrets from us."

"Of anyone in this room, you know her the best, Sango. The king has asked me to watch for human lies and deception, and I in turn enlist you. Will you tell me if your friend is being less than truthful?"

Sango bit her lip. "I promised that I would never betray her."

Miroku frowned for a moment. "An admirable promise, my love, but not one that can be sustained here. The king must know her secrets, possibly in order to preserve his kingdom. At the very least, he is trying to save his son from mating with a female he does not love."

"Who?"

"Ayame. She will be Inuyasha's mate if the phantom girl does not return," said the diplomat. "I don't think Inuyasha is too pleased with the idea."

The taijiya sighed heavily. "I hope that Kagome hasn't gotten herself too deeply into trouble," she said. "I will help you, Miroku, but only because I wish to help Kagome in the process. I never thought that her keeping of secrets was a wise idea. And now it seems that she has fallen on the wrong side of more than one powerful demon."

"As it is, we barely know anything. It disturbs me to see ourselves so deeply in the dark." Miroku put his arm around his love's waist and pulled her close to his side. "We'll see what the king has to say. Look, he's ready to speak."

The king was standing, holding his hands to hush the dull hum of voices. "Forgive me for keeping you all awake tonight. I am sure that you are all aware that things haven't gone entirely to plan, but I hope to remedy that, and if I cannot, my son is still prepared to take a mate that his mother and I have chosen for him."

The doors on the other end of the hall opened and Naraku came forward, flanked by the two guards, one of quicksilver speed and the other of bone-crunching strength. The captured youkai's eyes were dark as blood, knowing that one or the other sentry would seize him before he ventured half a step. The crowd parted for them, everyone pulling back in disgust at the sight of what was obviously a suspected criminal, although he was not bound by the hands or the feet.

"Naraku," intoned the monarch, once the youkai had reached the dais. "You have worked in my employ for many years, have you not?"

"I have, Your Majesty," replied the demon.

"So tell me that it is not true, what my guards have said about you. Tell me that you haven't tried to contact someone suspected of spying, that you weren't trying to give him information about my kingdom."

Naraku remained silent, his red eyes fixed on the floor.

"Answer me!" thundered the king suddenly, making everyone jump back. Except Izayoi, who lay a hand on his and calmed her mate.

The chef looked up and the royal family had to quell their desire to flinch at his burning gaze. "Any information I was to give to the spy tonight did not concern you, Your Majesty. It concerned only his employers, a ragged scullery maid and the coin that crossed my palm."

"Enough of the girl. We will return to that subject in a moment's time, when she is here to defend herself," said the king. "Tell me, have you ever spoken to this spy about matters other than the girl though? Have you spoke about my kingdom's affairs?"

Naraku's eyes were hooded and dark. "Yes."

The king drew in a breath, steadying himself against this treason. "What have you discussed?"

"Everything."

Sesshoumaru stepped forward. "You shall be executed."

The chef smiled, his fangs poking out of his vicious, lying mouth. "I don't doubt that you'll try, pup king." He sneered at him. "I thought you had some promise, Sesshoumaru, when I came here. You weren't degenerate like the rest of your family. But you stand with them, even now. And now, you disgust me more than any of the rest."

"That I repulse a criminal and traitor like you is none of my concern," replied the young king. "I am honorable in my actions."

The doors opened again and Kagura came in with Kagome, their arms linked in support of one another. Guards trailed behind them at a distance, but the wind witch appeared keenly aware of their presence and for their purpose. Her shoulders were stiff, her spine straight with agitation as Kagome slumped in fear beside her.

They approached slowly, even pausing when they saw Naraku with his sentries at either side. Kagura furrowed her brow, but largely ignored her boss and sometimes lover as she came towards the dais. Kagome kept her eyes to the floor. She had been brave in the kitchen, but when the guards had told them that the audience with the king would be in front of all the other guests, her confidence had dwindled. She could bear the surprise and outrage of the king alone – she knew he would never actually hurt her for trying to save her life – but the rest of the demons? They had looked at her with contempt even when she was a princess!

When she finally had the courage to look up, she saw that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru stood on either side of their parents' thrones. The sight of the hanyou studying her face was enough to make the necklace around her throat feel like one of granite. On the way from the kitchen to the palace, she and Kagura had once again tried to take it off, the wind witch straining until her arms were sore, but it was no use. The necklace wouldn't budge. Kagome wondered what sort of trick Inuyasha had been playing when he put it upon her, but they finally decided to tuck it beneath her cloak's collar. And so despite the heat in the castle, from the roaring fires and mass of bodies, Kagome was wrapped tightly in her furs. One slip could show the necklace or the kimono of diamonds that she still wore (for the guards had joined them too soon for her to change).

"Kagura," intoned the king, earning a deep bow from the wind witch. "I have much to ask you. It seems we have a mess of lies and deceit here. May I depend on you to answer my questions in full?"

"Will they concern Naraku, Your Majesty?" she asked.

"Yes, besides a few other matters."

The wind witch was silent for a moment. "I will answer you completely, because I have more loyalty to you than to him, although the entire castle knows that I frequent his bed. But I ask that I may be able to tell my entire story first, before you condemn me for what I can reveal."

"Very well," agreed the king. "Stay for a moment then. My guests came to see if my son would be mating with his dancing partner or Ayame and I will try not to disappoint them, and so I will deal with that matter first. Then you may be assured of privacy when you tell your tale, because I will send the guests to their rooms."

Kagura bowed again. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The king turned to Kagome and she quailed under his gaze. "Why are you afraid?" he asked. "You have spoken with me before and shown only respect, not fear."

"I fear for my life," she answered.

"We will not hurt you," said Izayoi, a frown marring her gentle features.

"I do not fear death or injury from you, Your Majesty," she said. "I fear it from others."

The king frowned, matching his mate. "You are in my kingdom and no one will touch you until I have considered the matter carefully."

Kagome was silent.

"We have but one matter to ask you about, my girl," said the king, worrying still creasing his face. "Do you know the woman who has been dancing with my son for the past three feasts, including tonight's?"

Kagome looked at Kagura who nodded at her. On her shoulder, Myoga – so far unseen – made a soft noise of encouragement. "I do."

"And do you know where she is at this moment?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The king took a deep breath. Five paces away, beside his mother, Inuyasha was fidgeting terribly. This was going too fast, the king decided. This was too easy! The girl, from what his son had reported, had been difficult and stubborn to draw answers from and now she stood here, answering everything! Something had changed. "Why do you so readily answer my questions?" he asked, surprising his mate and sons.

"Because you are the king," she murmured.

"My son is the prince and you did not answer him truthfully. I know that you told him that you knew nothing about the girl with whom he is enamored."

Kagome's eyes fell away. "I did not tell him because at the time, I could not for the sake of my life. Now, my life may be lost anyway, despite your assurances of protection. The fact that he is here," she said, nodding at Naraku, "tells me that the fabric has unraveled. I wish to tell my tale before Naraku has the chance to mar my image, much like Kagura's desire to protect her own reputation. But I do still hesitate. Forgive me, but I do not believe that you will shield me when all is known, Your Majesty."

The king moved to speak again, but Inuyasha was faster. "I've heard that sort of talk before," he muttered, staring carefully at the girl. "Did you want to tell us?"

"I've always wanted to tell you this secret, Your Highness, because it weighs heavily on my shoulders," she said.

"But you couldn't… for the protection of both of us?" he asked slowly.

Kagome looked at him carefully, but saw only intense need in his eyes. "Yes, but I am prepared now, because other events have moved out of my control." She turned her head away, trying to hold back her tears, unaware of her revealing movement.

Inuyasha took several rapid breaths and then sprang forward, landing lightly on the floor before Kagome, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back towards him when she jumped back in fright. Izayoi was on her feet behind him. "Inuyasha! What are you doing?"

"Figuring it all out," he growled, staring at Kagome's chocolate brown eyes, which were wide with realization. "I was so stupid!"

"Please, don't," she whispered. "Not now."

"You've already pled that to me once tonight," he answered. He put his hand to her throat and, in one sharp movement, pulled the necklace from underneath her cloak. The white fangs that he had seen for a split second before shone brightly against her soot-covered skin.

At the sight of it, the king collapsed back into his throne. Sesshoumaru and Izayoi paled. Inuyasha turned back to the girl, still held fast by his hand around her wrist. "It's you," he murmured. "How can it be you?"

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A/N: I know, I'm so cruel. But I'll update much more quickly this time – imagine if I had left you with this ending a month ago! I think you'd lynch me. Anyway, review and I'll be more inclined to finish chapter 16 and update!