Chapter 4

Kagome sniffed. "I just don't get it, you know? I mean, I know he has a tough job. There are probably like a million things that happens there that he can't tell me but I just feel…I just feel like it's not that he can't tell me but he doesn't want to tell me….maybe he feels like the girls and I are in his way. I mean, he leads the demon community, I'm sure somewhere deep down inside, he's embarrassed…maybe he regrets…"she stopped and fell into a sob. "Maybe he regrets being with me and having the girls."

Koga stared for a long while with a cigarette in his mouth, contemplating. She didn't want to talk about Sesshomaru and here they were talking about him. All he said was that the coffee was good here and she started talking about Sesshomaru. He looked around the sidewalk café as Kagome sipped her fifth Irish coffee. Everyone stared at them, perplexed, glaring at him as if he were the boyfriend breaking her heart at the table. Haji stood by the corner with his head down, occasionally looking up debating if he should take Kagome home. At one moment, he made the gesture of doing so but Koga shook his head.

"The only reason he doesn't want to get a divorce is because he doesn't want to look bad." She gritted. "It's not because he wants us to work it out and be together."

"That's not true."

"Stop defending him, you don't know that!"

"Okay." He said, but he did know that. He'd see Sesshomaru at least twice a week; both times he'd question him to death about Kagome. 'What did she say?', 'Who has she been with?', 'Is there someone else?' Finally, he had enough and questioned Sesshomaru about what was going on but he remained as secretive with him as he was with her. 'It is complicated but I do not want her to know.' That's what he told him. He sighed, so now he was left with an overemotional sobbing Kagome and an interrogating cold bastard. "You're going to his birthday, aren't you?"

"I have to." Kagome steadied herself and sat up straight as she wiped her eyes. "The girls are expecting me and it's Christmas Eve. He said he couldn't come to the house so we had to go over there. I'm just going to stay the night there and leave Christmas afternoon. I can't really control my feelings around him and I don't want us arguing in front of the girls."

"When are you telling them?"

"I didn't want to ruin their holiday so perhaps a few days before they return to school."

Koga put out his cigarette and leaned forward in his chair. "You sure about this? This is a big decision…once you tell kids this, you can't just go 'Hey, we worked it out and changed our mind.' Kids are unstable with that stuff."

"I know…."she said, her voice unsure. "but…what is worse? Divorced parents or parents who are 'together' but don't speak to each other, argue all the time and live separately?"

Koga rubbed the back of his neck and nodded. Time for a change of subject, he thought. "Hey, so how did the doctor's go, you still a freak of nature?" he shot a playful grin.

"Don't tell anyone." She sighed. "He said I'm not a human anymore."

"What?" Koga frowned. "But…you smell like a human." He stopped and sniffed. "You know, now that I think of it, kinda different….I don't know, maybe I am used to it because I'm always around you."

"Yeah well, I don't want to think about it really. Being able to hear conversations across the street as if they were near me, smelling strange scents and having to recognize them, having strength that scares even the guards isn't exactly the type of life I want to lead."

"Hey, it's not so bad." Koga spat defensively. "You just don't know how to use it, it's harder for someone who wasn't born with it."

"I don't know how you guys do it. I cried when my canine teeth were growing for the first time, it felt like my gums were being torn apart." She shook her head at the memory. She had her fangs filed down so no one would question her and had to make sure she had it done every other month. Fangs, unlike other teeth, actually grew back. Retraction was an option but she didn't want to take the risk of it protracting when she lashed out at someone.

"So…you're a half-breed now?"

"No, I don't think so…"she shrugged. "The doctor was unsure. He said my blood was like that of a half breed but still different. He wants to run more tests."

"Be careful with that." Koga said. "You never know what kind of weirdoes are out there to pay for this kind of thing. What humans would do to age slower and what demons would do to stop humans from having that? I think you should tell Sesshomaru."

"He doesn't need to know." She scoffed.

"Kagome, this is something that needs to be watched over. If anyone finds out…"

"You're the only person who knows…"she said. "…and Haji."

Koga scoffed. "Anyone else you forgot?"

"That's it."

"What about the doctor?"

"No, there's that patient/doctor confidentiality thing. I don't think he would do that, not unless he wants a major lawsuit and lose his medical practice."

"This is so bizarre." Koga leaned back into his chair. "I wonder how this happened."

"Something to do with the twins." She finished her coffee. "So, how's Ayame?"

" Good. We took a little break because she got casted for some major role in a movie. She's moving up, no more yeast infection commercials or infomercials about the wonder mop."

"such a supportive boyfriend, Koga." She muttered satirically. "Why couldn't you and I have dated?"

"I love you, Kagome…but you would drive me insane. See, Ayame? She knows her place. She'll get smacked if she ever pulled the crap you did."

"You are such a liar." She laughed.

They sat at the café a little longer, joking around and talking about the past. It was a good thing she had a friend like Koga around. She didn't know how she was going to go through with everything if she hadn't.

"Hey, what's the deal with Samara?"

"What do you mean?"

"She used to love hanging with me and Inuyasha and Kimmy. We used to jam all the time and now she acts like she is too good for us…she acts like…"he stopped. He didn't want to bring him up again.

"I don't know." Kagome said. "I think she is starting to realize she is different from her sister, perhaps. She hates me now too. She doesn't call me 'mommy' anymore. She says 'mother'. Something is going on at school. It happens mainly when she comes home from school. Maybe the other kids are saying something."

Koga scoffed. "Kids. I swear, if we could only beat some sense into them without having to get in trouble. Maybe it's a cry for attention?"

"Well, I can't speak for Sesshomaru but I am always home. I am there before they get out of school so I can help them with their homework. I play dress up with them. We bake cookies! I don't think Samara is lashing out because of my absence."

"Well, she is lashing out for a reason." Koga added. "Maybe Sesshomaru's mother had something to do with it?"

"No, I don't think so. She may be cold hearted but despite Kimora being a half breed, she gives her the same treatment she does to Samara."

"Well, kids will be kids. I'm sure she'll get over it.

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Samara rummaged through her closet and pulled out a few dresses for tonight's party. It was Christmas Eve and the cousins would be coming with the rest of the clan to celebrate her father's birthday. Kimora looked up from her drawing book and brushed her white bangs out of her eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I am looking for a dress which you should be doing also."

Kimora looked at her own outfit; a lilac floral dress over a pair of white Capri pants and purple converse sneakers. "I'll just wear what I'm wearing now."

"Are you insane?" Samara bristled over her shoulder. "You can't possibly wear that. It's father's birthday, you must look your best."

"Dad hates birthday parties, he was hiding in the library last year, remember? Mom was searching all over the manor for him."

"Whatever, Kimora. Wear what you want then! Don't expect me to defend you when the cousins remark on your clothing."

"They are not our cousins! Aunt Rin and Uncle Sota and Inuyasha don't even have kids."

"You know what I mean, the clan members. Tomorrow night is the sleepover; Denali Sambe is coming over with her sister. It's going to be great."

"Mom said you can't have the sleepover, remember? We're punished."

"We are in father's house and he said I can."

"He's so in trouble." Kimora mumbled under her breath as she went back to drawing. "Mom is going to find out and they are going to start arguing again."

"The only reason why they even argue is because they have a half-breed for a daughter." She glowered and pulled a few more dresses out of the closet. "Denali Sambe is so lucky to have a sister that is a demon just like her!" she spat as she stormed out of the room.

Kimora's lips twitched as she tried to ignore the comment but it was too late, it got to her. She turned to a new page in her drawing book and started drawing Samara. "like I wanted an evil demon sister like you anyway." She drew a quick stick figure of Samara with horns on her head and ripped it out of her book. She heard the sound of heels in hallway and gasped. It was her grandmother. She looked around the room and dashed under the bed.

"Samara?" her grandmother called out as she entered the room. "Kimora?" She scanned the empty room and crossed her arms in the doorway. "Kimora, I know you are in here, I can smell you."

Kimora frowned underneath the bed. Why couldn't she have a normal grandmother? The kind that couldn't walk up the stairs and wasn't able to smell you under the bed. She came from underneath the bed and stood up shamefully averting her grandmother's cold stare. She finally met her ice blue eyes.

"Why were you hiding?"

Kimora couldn't think of a good enough reason and shrugged. When all else fails, she thought. Her grandmother was tall and didn't look like those frail grandmothers that baked cookies and had a bad hip. No, her grandmother stood strong in the doorway, looking like she was in her forties and could outrun a track runner if she had to. Her long white hair tied back into a low bun. Her diamond earrings glistened from the sunlight shone through the window. "Kimora, a lady must never drop to her knees and hide. It isn't ladylike."

Kimora rolled her eyes. If she had a nickel for every time she said that. 'Kimora, a lady must never wear sneakers.', 'A lady must never run around the house, 'A lady must never talk showing her teeth.'

"Where's your sister?" she asked.

"I dunno."

"It's I don't know. A lady must speak properly and annunciate every her words. Now come, let's have tea and get your hair done."

"I don't like tea." Kimora whined. "Tea is for old people."

Her grandmother scowled. "Tea is a delicacy. You will learn to love it!" She pulled her out the door and ignored the screaming that usually came after when someone made Kimora do something she didn't want to.

Sesshomaru sat in his study going through his files and looked up hearing Kimora throwing a tantrum in the hallway.

"I don't want to drink tea, DADDY! DADDY!"

Sesshomaru heard Kimora from his study and sighed. He couldn't save her all the time. His Bluetooth blinked in his ear as he sorted through papers. Bishop Giovanni had called him for the millionth time to remind him about the situation at the Vatican. He pressed his Bluetooth and a voice emerged into his ear.

"Che cosa dovremmo fare, signor...? Gli uomini sono pronti. " (What should we do, sir?)

Sesshomaru replied in a harsh Italian and gave orders to the man on the other end. He hung up the call and looked through his mail.

He tried not to sigh when another call came through. He glanced at his watch. He told himself only thirty minutes in the study while the girls prepared for tonight but so far he'd been occupied for more than two hours. Luckily the girls were occupied with their own thing. He saw the German number and answered it.

Sesshomaru rubbed his forehead. "Die Zeit drängt. Hat der Kongress sein Veto zum Vertrag eingelegt?
Wenn dem nicht so ist kann ich meine Männer nicht losschicken." (Did congress veto the treaty? I cannot send my men if they haven't.)

A tall dark skinned man walked into the room holding an envelope, his eyes black as night with white markings on his face. "Sir, another one came in."

Sesshomaru raised a finger as he spoke a few more words and hung up the phone. He stood up and reached out his hand.

"Did this go through proper protocol?" he asked as the guard handed him the envelope.

"Yes, sir. It hasn't been tampered. No chemical residue or any hint of explosives."

"Did anyone see how it got here?"

"Nothing suspicious, sir. It was sent through the mail as usual with no return address."

Sesshomaru studied the envelope and nodded. "Thank you, Mudama. You may go now."

Mudama walked out and closed the door behind him as Sesshomaru walked back to his desk. He opened the envelope and inside was a DVD. He popped it into his laptop and played it, wondering what he was going to see now. His computer ran its usual virus scans as the file opened up. There was a white screen with black smudge, as if the camera were out of focus. When it came into focus, the letters started appearing.

'Traitor' was the first word. 'Murderer' was the second. 'Hypocrite' was the third. Then different pictures of people flickered through the screen. At first he didn't know who they were but it dawned on him suddenly that they were pictures of people he had sent to prison, had executed or exiled. There was no sound, just words popping on the screen.

'You took them from us.' Popped up on the screen then it faded and went out of focus. It focused back and then he frowned. 'Now we will take them from you.'

The screen went black and now it was just audio. It was the sound of a man screaming in agony. He wasn't pleading or crying for help, just screaming.

"I know that voice…" Sesshomaru said to himself but the screen was still black. The man continued to scream and then visual showed on the screen. A naked man sat on a chair, a black sack over his head with puncture wounds all over his body. Blood dripped down his chest as two masked figures stood at each side. They removed the sack off of the victim and Sesshomaru's eyes widened. It was Naraku. He felt his claws digging into his palm as he looked closer. Naraku looked into the camera; one eye opened the other punched in shut. He hadn't seen Naraku in years but spoken to him on occasion. The last time Naraku had been in Barcelona with a girl he met at a beach and wanted Sesshomaru to join him.

Then, after a drawn out silence, someone from behind the camera grabbed it and zoomed in on Naraku. The voice finally spoke behind the camera but they used a digital device to mask the vocal tone and pattern, his computer couldn't pick it up.

"Hope this will bring you sweet dreams." The voice said and in a quick and unexpected instant, two bullets pierced Naraku's head and the screen went black.

"What are you watching, father?" Samara gasped and Sesshomaru flinched in surprise. He had been so focused on the video, he hadn't heard anyone come in. He shut the screen and stood up, feeling his breaths become shallow. How much of that did she see, he thought.

"What are you doing in here?" Sesshomaru said, his voice escalating.

Samara stepped back, peering at him and the laptop confused. "You've been gone a while. I wanted to see what you were up to and I wanted to give you your present early."

"You know better than to come in the study. This is my place of work and not suited for the eyes of children!" he shouted and she dropped a bag she'd been holding in her hand. She took a few steps back and her eyes filled up with tears.

"You're not supposed to be working anyway!" she cried and ran out of the room.

"Samara…"he followed out the door but she was gone. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed as he walked back into his study. He stopped in front of the bag on the floor and picked it up. He walked over to the recliner by the window and dropped himself on it. They killed him, they killed Naraku. He shut his eyes and pondered. Think, damn it, think, who is doing this? Who could it be? He felt himself become frustrated and stood up again. He didn't even know where to start. He opened the bag and pulled out a thin velvet box and opened it, rested neatly was a black silk tie and two platinum crescent cufflinks with diamonds encrusted in it. The box shook in his hand and he set it on his desk. He walked over to the window, his hand still shaking. The video of Naraku's assassination replayed in his mind as if it were on loop, each time a different person sat in the chair. Images of bullets piercing his father's head, Inuyasha, his mother, Koga, Kagome, his daughters. This time the shaking spread to the rest of his body as he gripped the window panel, his teeth grinding against each other. A growl droned in his chest and moved its way up to his throat. He released the growl as he punched the window pane over and over and swung at the window causing it to shatter. Within seconds men ran into the room drawing their gun. They checked out the room and saw Sesshomaru standing by the broken window with a bloody hand.

One of them withdrew his gun and stepped forward. "Sir, is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine, false alarm." He answered, everyone withdrew their guns. He slipped his bloody hand under his shirt and headed to the bathroom discreetly, avoiding any confrontation with his daughters. He had to collect himself. He would find him, whoever it was behind it and when he did, this person would learn a whole new meaning to torture.

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Kagome searched through her closet for something to wear groaning each time she looked at herself in the mirror trying them on. Even with a walk in closet full of dresses and shoes from all the top designers, she couldn't find anything to wear. Isabella sat on her bed reading a magazine.

"So is this a date?" Isabella asked.

"No, we're just getting coffee." Kagome retorted, pulling out an ivory knee length dress that clung to her curves perfectly. She smiled and raised it in the air victoriously. "This one is perfect."

"Perfect?" Isabella repeated. "and you say this is not a date?"

"It isn't." Kagome said, now searching for shoes.

"but this is your ex boyfriend from high school? Kagome, you know you are still married, right?"

"It isn't a date! Seriously, I would never go back out with Sasuke again…not after what he did."

"So, why are you going?"

"I just…"Kagome stopped and looked at Isabella. "I guess I just want a chance to show off what he missed, you know? I know this sounds immature but I've been dreaming of the moment where he can see how better off I am."

"That does sound immature." Isabella shook her head disapprovingly.

"You don't understand." Kagome glowered. "Anyway, it gives me something to do since someone doesn't have the time to hang out."

"I'm sorry, principessa but not all of us are rich. I have work this afternoon." Isabella sat up and walked over to the walk in closet.

"Hey, I work too." Kagome pouted defensively.

"You don't have to, you just want to." Isabella looked through the dresses and pulled one out. "You'll have to let me borrow this one day."

" Keep it. I don't even wear it. It's not that I want to work but can you honestly see me at home doing nothing but spending money and hanging with the wives of the clan?" she scoffed. "You have never seen hate until you've seen these women."

"A lot of women believe that is the dream."

"Well, I wasn't working for a while when the girls were born. I was bored! Sitting at home, watching reruns and soap operas, sleeping, eating, and waiting for Sesshomaru to come home."

"Sounds terrible." Isabella feigned a sympathetic look.

Kagome scowled playfully. "Whatever, you don't understand."

"So, you don't think this guy, Sasuke, thinks this could be a date?"

"No, why should he?"

"Is your bodyguard going to go with you?"

"Haji goes with me everywhere." Kagome sighed.

"You don't think he will tell Sesshomaru?"

"No. Haji is not supposed to keep me in check or anything. He's there so I don't get kidnapped or whatever."

"Hm, I don't know, Kagome. I have this bad feeling."

Kagome ignored her and put on the dress and shoes. She grabbed a diamond necklace with matching earrings from her jewelry box and looked at her hair. "I loved what you've done to my hair. You haven't lost your touch." She smiled as she swung her elbow length golden brown hair with honey toned highlights. She fixed her makeup and donned her beige wool trench coat. "How do I look?"

"Like a rich snob." Isabella walked away.

Kagome grinned. "Great, that's the look I was going for."

Isabella refrained from making any further remarks and left with Kagome. They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways as Kagome got into the limo. A half an hour later, she arrived at a French café on the Upper East Side. Sasuke waited inside, checking his phone and pacing back and forth.

He's nervous, she mused. She walked in and they greeted each other awkwardly by the entrance. Haji looked around as they walked to a booth and sat down. He stood guard a few feet away.

"Your hair looks…wonderful." He said as she removed her coat.

"Thanks." She said and rubbed her arm as the waiter came and took their order.

"I'm very glad that you agreed to meet with me." He said. "It's been so long and I really wanted to know what you've been up to. Our last encounter was interrupted so soon…"

"Koga…"she laughed. "He's like a big brother in a way."

"He seemed more like a boyfriend." He teased.

"He gets overprotective. He's good friends with Sesshomaru."

"Your husband, that's right." Sasuke raised his brows briefly and shook his head. "It's still difficult to get used to." When Kagome squinted at him, he waved his hands. "Not like that, you know…I just mean, everyone was so shocked when he wedded a human, we are all still shocked. It was a bold move and people had least expected it to be done by one of the purest bloods, they were the ones who had enforced the law against courting humans to begin with."

"I see." She said.

"So, you're a lawyer," he said, quickly noting her expression and changed the subject.

"Yeah," she nodded. The waiter came back with their cappuccinos. "I was offered a judiciary position."

"At your age?"

"I know!" she said excitedly. She hadn't told anyone yet and had hoped Sesshomaru would be the first to know. "I'm excited but I'm not sure that's the route I want to take. I don't really like seeing both sides of the spectrum. I like choosing my cases wisely and fighting against the opposition."

Sasuke smiled. "You're still the same. Remember debate class?"

"Oh…yeah…" she blushed as she sipped her coffee.

"Mr. Tanaka hated you."

"only because he sucked as a debate teacher. I'm telling you, I could have run that class better."

"You did." Sasuke added and they both laughed. "Tell me about your daughters."

"They're nine, soon to be ten. Samara is serious like her father but sometimes I think Kimora is more like him. They both don't like to socialize and constantly hide with each other during social gatherings. Samara plays the violin very well and Kimora loves to draw. She's really good." She stopped and remembered some of the disturbing pictures she had seen shown by the headmaster. "How about your son?"

"Arahim is eleven. He started his training. He plays the piano and loves to paint. He's a little quiet, not really great with people he doesn't know. After the divorce, he became a little distant but kids will get over it, right?"

Kagome forced a grin. "Right…"

"I can't imagine what your marriage must be like. You're married to one of the busiest men in the world. Don't you ever get lonely?"

"Uh…"

"I am prying, so sorry. Sometimes I do forget we are no longer teenagers and can't ask whatever question pops into our minds."

"It's ok…"she said. "Sesshomaru's job is important."

"No doubt it is." Sasuke added. "But to have two wonderful daughters and a beautiful wife, he must weigh his time and make sure he doesn't lose that either."

Kagome wanted to cry right there but she didn't. Why didn't he do that? All it seemed he cared about was work. She shifted in her seat and took a few more sips of her coffee. "So what do you do? Did you end up leading your clan?"

Sasuke clenched his jaw then chuckled. "Not for long. There were disagreements between my father and I in the way that I wanted to lead so he…forced me to step down. I work as an interpreter for the D.D.C branch in China and transferred here after the divorce was final."

"I'm sorry to hear about your divorce." Kagome said with sincerity. "Was it the right decision though, could you have not made it work?"

Sasuke smirked. "No, I…couldn't. I think we both wanted something the other couldn't offer so…"

They were quiet for a while and sipped their coffees. She looked around the room feeling his gaze on her. The silence ended with his chuckle. She looked at him questionably as she set her cup down.

"I am sorry to laugh but I was just thinking about how this was probably a mistake."

"What was?"

"For us to meet." He said, bluntly.

"Why?"

"Kagome, I'll just be honest. I knew this from the start but I'm still attracted to you." He said. "I also believe that maybe you were looking for something here, with me."

"But I'm married, why would you-"

"happily? I don't think so. If you were, you wouldn't have come."

"I…"she paused. She didn't know what to say. Was that what she was doing? Was she tricking herself to believe this was an innocent meeting? She was lonely and she was seeking comfort and deep down inside, she knew Sasuke could give it to her. He was there, right now, for her. "I should probably go now."

"I didn't mean to be upfront and scare you, Kagome." He inched closer and placed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I just wanted us to start over again under honest conditions, not like the past."

"The thing is…you're right." She said, feeling uncomfortable with his hand stroking her hair. "I'm looking for something. I am missing something that I am not getting but…"she grabbed his hand. "It isn't with you, Sasuke."

"How do you know for sure if you don't give it a chance?" he leaned closer and she could see he was about to kiss her. She inched away from him.

"Because I don't want to give it a chance…"she grabbed her bag and slid out of the booth. "I am so sorry, Sasuke, really. I really shouldn't have misled you." She said and walked away. She looked at Haji desperately. "Take me out of here, Haji."

Haji never questioned her and led her out the door and to the limo immediately, glancing over his shoulder at Sasuke. They got in and drove right away. She rubbed her skin, still feeling his touch on her skin. It revolted her. The touch of another man other than Sesshomaru, it wasn't right.

"Where to now, my lady?" Haji asked.

"Where do you want to go, Haji?"

"My lady?" he said, staring at her with his red eyes. "I don't understand."

"I want to go where you want to go." She said.

Haji hesitated, never having been asked that question. He didn't so much as have a day off since Kagome was pregnant. He never minded, that was his job, he knew no other lifestyle.

"I've seen you look through those magazines about fishes and aquatic animals. Want to go to an aquarium?"

Haji's eyes widened. "If that is your wish, my lady."

"Don't look so surprised, Haji. I'm not as self absorbed as you think I am. First let's go back home, I need to change into something comfortable."

Haji shot a half grin but it faded quickly yet Kagome caught it. It was the first time she'd seen him smile in a while. Last time he smiled, Kimora was showing him a trick and he couldn't figure it out. When she finally revealed it, he smiled at how trivial it was and not having figured it out sooner.

"Yes, my lady."

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Kimora, Samara and Sesshomaru stood by the door and greeted everyone as they came in, after going through careful security protocols. Kimora jumped up and down when her grandfather walked in holding presents wearing a red Santa clause hat. Saya walked over to them and stood by them as everyone came in. She and Inutaisho's eyes met.

"Saya." He greeted forcefully. "Pleasure seeing you here."

"Hmph, you never knew how to lie well, did you."

"I consider that a compliment." He looked at the girls as they jumped on him with hugs.

"Is mommy with you?" Kimora asked.

"No, she isn't here yet?" Inutaisho frowned and looked at Sesshomaru.

"I sent a car to pick her up but she refused."

"She isn't coming?" Saya butted in. "How come? It's Christmas and her husband's birthday!"

"Not now, Saya." Inutaisho scolded.

"She will be coming later in the night when guests begin to leave.

"Oh, that anti-social woman!" Saya scoffed. "What is it with you both and people? It's starting to rub off on Kimora, you know."

Inutaisho led the girls away where Koga and Inuyasha joined them. Saya observed Sesshomaru and patted his blazer. "You look dazzling, as usual. What happened to your hand?"

"I cut myself."

"That isn't like you." She interrogated. "How did something like that happen?"

People entered through the door and Saya put on her fake smile act and greeted them. She completely forgot her question and went to mingle with the elders. A few kids walked in, a girl the age of his daughters with pale blonde hair walked up to him.

"Happy birthday, my lord, and happy holidays as well." She handed him a gift bag. "I am Denali Sambe with the Nekochiba tribe and this is my sister Lahira." She pointed to a smaller girl just as blonde. They smiled at him with their crystal green eyes "We were invited by Samara to sleepover tomorrow night. We are much obliged."

He nodded and they walked off. More people piled at the door, people he didn't recognize. He walked over to his mother and scowled. "Who are these people?"

"I viewed your guest list, it was small. What kind of party has fewer than ten people? I took the liberty of inviting the clan and people from the D.D.C."

"There are precautions, mother."

"Don't worry. Security is doing their job. It will be fine. Don't you go disappearing with Kimora now, this is your party!" she went back to preening with the elders. Koga and Inuyasha walked over to Sesshomaru.

"You certainly know how to throw a party." Koga snored. "What's with the classical music? I'm about to fall asleep while standing up."

Inuyasha nodded. "Seriously, let's ditch the old people and meet in the game room with the fun people. Kimmy's down for it. We didn't tell Samara though, she'd just rat us out to Satan, "Koga nudged him. "I mean Saya."

People accommodated themselves as they handed their coats to the butlers and helped themselves to the buffet table filled with expensive cheese and caviar, roasted duck, seafood pasta and an entire smorgasbord of other delectable treats. Koga helped himself to a glass of water.

"How long has it been since you had a drink, Koga?" Inuyasha grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter holding a tray.

"Six years next week."

"I don't know how you do it, man."

"Me neither but when you wake up in a farm country somewhere in Europe, not knowing how you got there, broke, without pants trying to find a fuckin' phone but you don't speak a word of their language…I draw the line there."

"We all have a drunken story, Koga."

"That's the thing. I got too many of them. So no thank you, I am fine with my glass of water, thank you very much."

Inuyasha patted him on the back. "You're so strong."

"I'll tell ya one thing, it fuckin' sucks being sober like ninety-nine percent of the time. People annoy you more, girls you thought were hot weren't, and week old pizzas don't taste that great."

Kimora thought she was safe in her room away from the crowd but a group of kids along with her sister rushing inside told her different. Some of the kids she had recognize from school, the others were clan members she vaguely remembered. One of the girls, she knew well. Denali Sambe, one of the most popular girls in Inutaisho academy. Samara idolized her and ever since she started hanging out with her, she changed. She was mean to her now, mean to their mother, and hated everything they used to do. Once in a while, Samara forgot about that and was back to her old self but then she'd remind herself not to be that way.

"This room is taken, "Kimora told them. "Find another place."

"This is my room, too." Samara spat. "We want to use the computer; Denali said she found something we should see."

"I'm busy." Kimora said as she drew in her book. She didn't look up but could tell everyone was staring at her.

"Kimora," Denali said in a sweet tone. "I do believe you'd want to see this! Just for a second, come on."

Kimora rolled her eyes. Even though she knew Denali was anything but sweet, when she used that voice, it was hard not to do what she asked. She stood up and walked over to the computer desk where they all surrounded Denali as she searched the web. "I was looking for a dress for the dance and I somehow came across this site. Look familiar?" she said and they all leaned closer.

Samara and Kimora had different features that told them apart but their expression was identical. It was a look of surprise, disgust and embarrassment. There in front of them was a picture of their mother and father posing, practically wearing nothing. Sesshomaru had his arm around Kagome's waist and the other was around her neck, his lips pressed against the nape of her neck.

"Ew." Kimora and Samara uttered in unison.

"Those are your parents?" said one boy. "Holy crap, I wish my parents looked like that. My father has a belly bigger than my mom and she's pregnant!"

"Wow, your father is super cute." Said another girl.

"What does it say?" Samara asked.

"Something about lovers and being the first human and demon celebrity couple to admit a serious relationship. There's an article here about how your grandmother was against it."

"That doesn't surprise me." Kimora mumbled under her breath. She was about to turn back but saw a picture on the screen that struck her curiousity. Denali scrolled down and continued to read when Kimora pointed to the screen.

"Wait, scroll back up. Who is that?"

Denali frowned at being interrupted but scrolled back up. "Who?"

"The girl right there, with the blue hair."

Everyone leaned closer to the screen. "It says here name is Shurran Bok-u-naaska? Wait, "Denali paused. "It says that she is your dad's wife!"

"What?" Samara and Kimora spat.

Denali grinned. "Shurran Bokunaska admitted she and Lord Sesshomaru were married and that he wasn't cheating on Kagome Higurashi with her but cheating on her with Kagome Higurashi."

"I'm lost." Said one girl.

" Oh my god, was your father married before he married your mother? That like never happens! Talk about breaking tradition. First he's married to a demon, then he marries again and a human, might I add. You poor guys, having so much scandal in your family right before you're born."

Kimora frowned. "I don't believe it. Tabloids lie; remember what they wrote about your father, Denali? Unless it's true he used to be your mother."

Denali shot up. "Watch your mouth, half breed! You would never catch up to someone of my stature! I will always be stronger, prettier and faster than you! Remember that while dirty human blood courses through your veins!"

Kimora shot forward with her hands ready to strangle but Samara stopped her. "Kimora!"

Kimora growled."Say that one more time and just you watch!"

"My, what a temper. Had you been a full demon you would know how to better control it. Besides, at least no one thinks my father to be weak and my mother to be a burden. Let's go everyone, I'm bored."

Everyone walked out and Samara stayed behind with Kimora.

"What is wrong with you? Are you trying to humiliate me?"

"What?" Kimora cried. "She is insulting mom and dad, don't you care?"

"What I care is that you and mother are bringing this family down! This family, who once struck fear amongst clans, is nothing but a joke now! I just wish you and mother would just…get out of our lives!" She said, her eyes filling with tears and at the same time she felt guilt for saying that. She stormed out of the room leaving Kimora more hurt than ever.

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Sesshomaru didn't realize he'd been looking at the clock for ten minutes straight, his eyes dry and stinging; had he blinked at all? It was nearly midnight and Kagome still wasn't here. He checked up with Haji two hours ago so he knew she was alright but she was taking long with whatever she was doing. Knowing her well, he knew she was delaying on purpose so that he'd be asleep by the time she got there to avoid any confrontation.

Lights shone through the dark living room and he walked over to the window. A limo pulled up and he saw Haji and Kagome come out of it. The girls were upstairs watching a movie with their guests. He knew Kagome was going to get angry but at this point he didn't care. He rather have had her angry than not talking to him at all. When she entered, he walked over to the door to greet her. She looked surprise and averted her gaze as she unbuttoned her coat. He ignored the pain in his chest, he ached to touch her but by her cold stare he kept his distance.

"Where are the girls?" she asked, removing her coat. She had a lot of bags in hand and clutched them tightly as she walked past him.

"Upstairs." He said, so far he was not lying. He hoped she wouldn't press on and assume that they were sleeping instead of watching a movie upstairs with fifteen other kids.

"Sleeping?" she continued and he tried to ignore her scent. He noticed her hair was different but didn't comment on it.

" Not exactly…"

"It's midnight." She stated, looking upset.

"They're on vacation." He retorted, bitterly. This is where it started; the arguing. He knew it was coming up so he turned to walk away.

"Don't make me out to be the mean one but you know it will become a habit and when school comes they're not going to go to sleep right away. Of course, you don't have to worry about that since you won't be there."

"I don't want to get into this right now. Let me show you to your room."

She bit her lip from saying anything more. There she went again, her mouth opening up before she could think twice about what she was about to say. Showing her to 'her room' felt strange and awkward and she felt like another guest of his. She wanted to cry as she followed behind him quietly. Walking behind him, not seeing his face and not being able to meet his eyes was torture. She imagined his skin on hers and his scent when she'd dig her nose into his sleeve to take his essence in. It hurt her to not be so close. When he looked over his shoulder at her, she cleared her throat and fixed another cold stare at him.

He rolled his eyes and looked away as they turned another corner. They passed his study and she could see piles of paper everywhere, including the floors. When had he turned out so messy? He was always so organized and neat. There was a wide red carpeted staircase ahead of them, a few guards stood serious and statuesque beside both banisters.

"Can I take your bags?" he asked her, but she shook her head.

"No, I'm fine." She replied sharply. Noticing that her tone was not necessary, she added "Thank you."

They started up the steps and didn't say another word until they reached the next floor. Kagome looked around, overwhelmed by how large the place was. The manor she and the girls lived in was bigger than a three family house but it still held a personal feel to it. This place felt like a hotel.

"Since the girls are awake, I thought I'd say goodnight to them."

"I'm sure you can speak to them tomorrow morning." He said, his expression indifferent but he knew she would question him. He really didn't want to get into another argument as soon as she saw all the kids piled up in the media room eating things they shouldn't be eating.

"I know I can speak to them tomorrow morning but I want to say goodnight to them." She stopped and he sighed. "You're not telling me something." She could hear kids giggling down the hallway.

He stopped and turned to her. Her gaze moved from the door at the end of the hallway to his eyes. His muscles tensed and she knew he was preparing for another argument. Inside, she was furious. He had let Samara have her sleepover. Unbelievable! Always wanting to look like the good parent that lets them do what they want. She fumed quietly and looked away from him. It was late and arguing she didn't want to do.

"I guess I will wait until tomorrow." She said. He stared at her for a moment, looking like he wanted to say something but thought twice and turned around. She followed him to her room and he opened the door. She was right behind him when he stopped and turned around and she bumped right into him.

He grabbed her arms and she couldn't breathe. There was electricity running through her body as his soft warm hands touched her arms. He hadn't looked calm himself and she could see his arms shaking slightly. He wanted to take this opportunity to kiss her, to pull her into a tight embrace and never let go but she had released herself from his grasp.

"Will you be needing anything?" he cleared his throat.

"No…"she said. He could hear her voice wavering. "I am fine, thank you. I'm just…r-really tired. Um…happy birthday." She forced out before she started to sob. She immediately closed the door right away and he stood frozen outside of it, with his teeth clenched. He felt himself jerk as he went to grab the doorknob but stopped. He heard a whimper and knew she was crying. He didn't know what to do and walked away before he could do something that would only upset her more.

Kagome covered her mouth as she leaned against the door, sobbing into her hand. Her body shook as she walked over to the bed and dropped herself onto it. She felt cold as she curled into fetal position and grabbed a pillow to cry into it. She wanted him to hold her right now, kiss her and make the pain go away. She didn't know how long she had cried for but she had cried herself to sleep.

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