Author's Notes:

Note 1 - I should totally make Kagome gay shocking the hell out of everybody. Then no one will win! (Insert obnoxious evil laughter here)I do love the back and forth arguments presented by both TeamSess and TeamInu. You guys are great.

But I received one of the best compliments today! I made quite a few of you switch sides! So hilariously funny! But don't get too comfortable…things are going to shake up again real soon….

Note 2 - As promised…here is the update for you before I take my two week break! Don't worry I'm coming back. In the meantime, my cousin's published book has just been released called JILL by N. L. Greene! Please check out my profile page by clicking my name to learn more as well as see to her other books! Many of them can be downloaded for free on Amazon! If you do decide to read them please leave a review and let her know I sent you. (Mariah - TheReddQueen)

SOMEBODY HELP: Also, does anyone know of a good and protected site where I could post my original stories without fear of them being plagiarized by others? I really would like three people to read the first few chapters of two books I'm working on that will be sent to my Editor for cleanup of grammar and the thorough ripping apart of plot and whatnot.

Anyway….

Chapter 24 has been brought to you by...

Thank you Chapter 23 Reviewers!

tenko12 – Lol! I'm glad you did love! The world is so small especially when you start traveling. It gets even smaller. Also, I love the idea that everyone is connected in some way or another. As for pairings…we will see…..

Lala – Thank you so much! And wow so many Sess and Kags! And thank you for the best wishes my love!

Danielle596 – right! Either pairing could work. Really that's what all relationships are…constant work and best effort. I honestly don't care who ends up with whom. Everyone brings a Virtue and a Vice to the table. But thanks for taking the time out to review and get some rest sugar!

CrazyGryl – Thank you so much! I'm loving that you reviewed for me! xoxoxo

Raven's Serenity - *curtsies and tilts parasol* It's a pleasure to write this and I'm thrilled you love this story so. I think the next chapter is going to be right up your ally to answer the questions she just asked.

angeleyes20876 – Ooooo look at you being detective. I got to watch you and your reviews more closely. I think you will enjoy this next chapter much. And the next one after this as it fills in the information to two of the statements you made. Happy Readings!

questions – Lmao! The "Sesshy Camp" is strong but so is the "Canon Fam". Who knows what could happen. We got a ways to go…

kagomeLove2 – Thank you! Right something dark happened between Sesshomaru and Hoshi. You're on the right track. As for Kagome reaching out, it was a kind gesture for her to consider her sister even in her own moment of grief in a sense. And that's hilarious! You switched sides! Best compliment to this date! I'm going to make a PSA about that too! And don't worry. You're going to bounce between pairings before I pick one!

Youkai55 – Thank you love and so much warm goodness happened in that last chapter. What could possibly go wrong after that? Happy Readings!

samiradolly – Thank you so much for your kind review and the follow! *bestows many kisses upon your cheek.*

Thank you Chapter 23 Followers

Heather Boicourt

Philosophy Blue

Raven's Serenity

Thank you Chapter 23 Favs

Feline Predator

Heather Boicourt

Raven's Serenity

Check my profile for scheduled story update times, my book info, and additional information.

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Chapter 24: Stomach Aches

She finally had time to think. Everything was happening so fast she couldn't process it all when she had Kimi and Shiori there along with all those people so close in her space around her. Kikyo walked out of a small store with a coffee cup that she managed to find among the bars and the hole in the wall eateries filled with humans and demons unwinding from their day. She pulled her black leather jacket closer together around the grey sweater dress she wore. Her black ankle boots beat against the sidewalk as she searched her pockets for a cigarette. The bright lamp posts shined golden light down upon her as she weaved between the night crowds to make her way to the nearest park. She hoped it was free from people. The dark sky above cloaked her like a warm blanket allowing her to feel ambiguous to others. She was always a night owl. Ever since she was a little girl, she found comfort in the night. Her siblings would shout out of fear of what lay in the shadows and she would come running, embracing it.

The taste of alcohol still sat heavily on her tongue. She wasn't a fool. According to her program, they said it took thirty days to develop a habit. Fifteen if you have had the unfortunate quality of an addictive personality. After she had that one drink, it took everything inside of her not to ask for another. She longed for the buzz…the relief. Kagura the bar owner, gave her an extra shot this time on the house. Amongst the grime and the low lighting, they both found common ground and themes in the little details they shared over her one usual glass that she managed to stick to.

She had come back to that bar finding it to be one of her new favorite spots to unwind thanks to Kagura always being there to test her insult rolodex. But besides all that, she and Kagura had gotten a little bit closer these days. Kagura was a female that she could relate to. From what she could read between the sarcasm and insults, Kagura had let slip detail by detail that her little wings were no longer fit for flying. She was stuck in a paradox of waiting for something that may or may never happen all because of the hope that resurfaced upon the sporadic opening of her bar door. Hope kept her a prisoner when she just longed for freedom now. Kikyo understood that deeply. Hope was a good thing to have but it could be very dangerous. It was the tagline to her life's story. She hoped at one time…but then it costed her greatly. That next shot helped her wash this all down and she took comfort in her old friend's warmth that filled her once again.

It always felt so good when she started but like always it wasn't to last. The familiar warming of her body had started and left her bones feeling like warm milk chocolate. Her cell phone had buzzed and she checked it out of curiosity. Barely anyone texted her much these days let alone texted her so late in the night. When she read the text, her hand had nearly cracked her glass. Her system almost went into a shock and she couldn't put out her cigarette fast enough. She had to reread the sentence twice to make sure she wasn't exaggerating. As if burned, she looked to the counter in front of her and saw that one drink had turned into three. Old memories surfaced giving her a bad taste in her mouth.

Suddenly, a guy with a fur pelt on his shoulder came in the door that changed the atmosphere around her. She watched curiously as Kagura's arms braced the bar. Her muscles tensed and her eyes seemed to sharpen. Kikyo could see the battle brewing inside Kagura as her red eyes strayed to the man approaching at her side. Kagura went into a fit of seeing to her bar and other patrons. Kagura quickly dived into performing duties that didn't seem so important when she was laughing with her just a few moments ago. The wolf demon sauntered up to the counter with nervousness about him despite the confident visage he projected. She recognized him when he came closer to the bar as a ruling entity in the United States from the mountains. From what her mind could remember, he was soon to be wed to some wolf princess through an arrangement. Kikyo fell easily into her old routine of observation and gathering intel. The nonverbal communication was there as he leaned over simply watching Kagura move. The shift in the muscles of his face and the way his eyes began to light watching her move about spoke volumes. Her dad use to watch her mom like that when her mother was moving about the kitchen with flare and passion. But her dad didn't have that hesitation and remorse shadowing his heated gaze. Kagura tucked her hair behind her ear keeping distance between them yet her eyes said it all.

This was Kagura's addiction.

Kikyo could only sigh and lift up her glass to suck on a piece of ice and capture a wedged sour lime. This whole scene struck a nerve inside of her. She understood Kagura's addiction but didn't know too many of the details. However, it wasn't hard to put one and one together to get two. But it wasn't her business to get involved in Kagura's affairs. Kikyo took this page from her own book and simply sat back allowing the tragic Shakespearean moment to play out. She nearly jumped in her seat as her phone vibrated again reminding her of her own reality. The warmth in her body was still present and the glasses standing before her shouted loudly of the mistake she just made. She requested a glass of water from another bartender which she chugged down impressively hoping it would wash away her proverbial sins. Rapidly, she had given her adieus and tipped the bar in cash before making a quick exit out to find caffeine hoping it would help. The easy smooth transition of the Wolf Prince sliding into her abandoned seat didn't go unnoticed as she made her way to the exit. She knew if she lingered, her attitude and the alcohol would have an opinion to voice. And if it's one thing addicts didn't want and hated to the core of their soul to receive, it was other's unwarranted opinions.

She was grateful to be outside. The fresh night air woke her up and clarity came back to her despite the nice hum she had in the tissues of her flesh. Kikyo walked forward to cut across the street towards the park she had planned to enjoy. She patted her black bomber jacket pockets and found her lone cigarette and lighter. She winced, feeling a cramp in her lower abdomen which made her pace slow to a crawling drag. She inhaled concentrating on pulling her miko powers inward to heal whatever was going on within her body. She had been meaning to go to the doctor's to follow up after her…ordeal, but time had got away from her with all the new chaotic things blossoming in her life. Then also this was going to be another bill added to the list of everything.

She walked steadily gathering her bearings and taking deep breaths. The pain subsided after a few beats and she went forward along the sidewalk; uncaring of the people around her laughing and having a good time. Somehow she managed to maneuver her cup to the side and lite her joy stick. The tip burned a fiery red in the darkness of the night and the ashes began to burn and fly away. She took a long drag before pocketing the lighter back into her jacket where she found it. Her hands brushed the outline of her cellphone as she thought about her sister's words. Surely, she must be going through something to have texted her of all people out of the blue. First she was dodging her phone calls, now she is asking her to call in. 'Maybe she is in trouble.' Kikyo thought. That didn't sit well with her.

Kikyo never broke stride as she walked straight forcing the people to walk around her or get out of her way on the sidewalks of Paris. It was fun to be so invisible among the people. No one knew who the hell she was and she wanted to keep it like that for as long as she could. In Paris, no one cared about a little too skinny Japanese woman dressed in black and hitting up a few bars. Nobody from the press was around to catch her and brag about it on the news. She now had a full time job that paid extremely well without the lime light and she had time on the side to paint. Yes, Paris was a great choice!

Kikyo felt good afterwards when she managed the large payments on the shrine and paid a few months in advance so no one had to worry about that for a while. She grimaced at what her mom did to pay for her father and grandfather's medical bills and burial costs when they were younger. She took out a second mortgage on the shrine and couldn't make the principal payments on the bills even after he was cremated. Their mom was a kitchen cook turned housewife. She didn't have to work a day in her life when she married because when their father was healthy and alive, everything was good and the money was kosher. But when he passed, that all seemed to change. Her mom was a beautiful intelligent loving woman that did everything to continue to protect and support her family. Their mother and father had a strong tendency to keep secrets to protect others. They didn't know it until after their mother and grandfather passed from the natural disaster that the shrine was in so much danger of being taken away from their family. They had so much to deal with from the cremation of their loved ones, medical costs, college debts, bills, court costs for the lawyers and months spent battling for custody of Rin, dealing with grief, the press, their businesses, etc. It all just piled up on them all until one by one they broke in their own way from the strain.

Her mind went into contemplation of where she stood with her sister Kagome now that some kind of normalcy was coming their way. She loved her sister. She truly loved both her siblings to her core. But, she still was angry at Kagome and so was Souta who refused to make any contact with their middle sister. That was wrong and she told Souta about doing that but he was young and now officially a man. He could feel and do as he pleased. (A statement he professed whenever the conversation came about.) She also knew her sister harbored some hurt inside of her as well and was ready to lash out at them for the part they played in all of this family mess. There was a big explosion ready to burst between all of them. It was only a matter of time before they met face to face and the gauntlet would be thrown. But she would be damned if anyone else outside of family attacked her brother and sister. No one messed with her family unless they wanted to go missing without a trace. She stood strongly on that principal. She always had and despite the current rift in their family, she would always protect Kagome and Souta from the danger and assholes in the world.

Admittedly, she royally fucked up. Everyone praised her as the strong one in the past. Her powers and her strength were legendary. From a young age she had shown promise and everyone clung to that. The elderly mikos predicted great things from her when she was younger and she saw the joy it brought to her father's eyes to see her doing something so divinely favored. She was a daddy's girl after all. He would attend her miko training lessons proud that she followed tradition of his family's heritage. She would push to excel at everything to make him happy. He was her first born…his world. Ryura Higurashi was a man of many talents and her idol. He always played adventure games and read books of poetry to her. He himself was an artist that spent many nights in his makeshift studio sketching away into the night covered in paint and chalk. She would always go get her little notebook and doodle next to him making ghastly scribbled lines that he called beautiful art. He would hang her drawings up everywhere in the shrine for all to see that came by.

Of course not everything she did was gold. He laughed hysterically when he tried to get her into playing soccer which was a total fail but he never stopped trying. Even Souta as young as he was, latched onto their father showing his amazing soccer skills which bothered her. She didn't exactly want to share all of her father's attention but it happened. Kagome experimented in the kitchen using them all as test dummies which sent her father to the bathroom countless of times but he never complained. Everyone had a gift from father in them. Then her dad found out that she had his gift for artistry. Her skills had grown exponentially as she got older. Kikyo didn't know where the money came from but he got her all the oils, paints, best brushes, and a university tutor to help her further her creativity when she was still an adolescent.

They shared a bond that was unbreakable. Everywhere he went she would follow closely behind him. This use to irk her mother until Kagome came along and then Souta snuck about shocking both of her parents. Then one night after proving her memorization of an English poem called Life's Scars by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, he entrusted her with her biggest duty. Literally, on the eve of his dawning illness he had her make a promise. He gave her the responsibility to look after the family. When he passed, it nearly crippled her. She thought all she had to hold on to that connected her with her father was her priestess powers and art.

She chose to train her miko abilities and take it to the max using her art as an outlet to speak about things she couldn't. Even in this age, the life of a miko was harsh and dutiful. No one told her it would eat away her heart each day that passed as she got older and saw the harsh world for what it was. Her talents were rewarded and she had become head priestess in all of the Eastern Hemisphere. Before she even took her high school exit exams, her hands were soaked to her wrists in the blood of others. While her friends were deciding what universities to apply for, she was making hard decisions of life and death with those on trial for crimes against humanity. Little by little it ate away but she saved a few for her family to have. One day she found she had no heart to have because the bleeding shreds of it that remained, belonged to those she needed to protect. Kagome tried to share in her burden and attended the academy but Kikyo quickly steered her to follow her dreams. Her father asked her to protect her family, and she did starting with Kagome's heart. She didn't want her to turn into the monster that she was slowly becoming. But she did teach her a few tricks and tips so she could handle herself.

Kikyo always thought maybe her foe would come to her as a powerful raging demon or vile malicious human. That she would be bested like the legendary mikos, priestesses, spiritual healers, witches, etc. of the past. She prepared always for the worst in man. She stood confident next to demons and others on battlefields unknown by man and never to be written about in the school textbooks. Who knew one day she would meet her match that camouflaged itself in something so seemingly innocent? It came in the form of a liquid elixir packed in a glass bottle that always promised her relief from her fears and pain. Clever tactician it was. What better way to kill someone than to cause them to self-destruct from the inside with just a little aid of alcohol.

Kikyo walked towards an empty bench near the pathway and sat down heavily upon it. She looked out at the moonless night to think about everything and what she would do next. Her eyes could see the small glowing river at a distance reflecting the lights of the city on its surface. Right now she felt like that river with several pair of bright golden eyes watching her especially in the office that she now spent most of her time. Shiori was such a doll. Shiori, despite her Alpha's thoughts didn't need supervision. The young demoness was strong and would learn from experience how to handle herself with time. The press could and would no doubt be very much vicious and her peers will try to use her. But, she had faith Shiori could do her job and do it the way she wanted to. She would just take a step back and let her do her own thing. Only if she saw extreme trouble up ahead would she intervene thus keeping Kimi off their backs. But the girl had to stand on her own two feet if she was going to get far with her dignity and self-respect intact. So for now, she would let Shiori be and just continue to observe at a distance.

Kikyo exhaled the smoke from her lungs and sipped her hot coffee lightly not really tasting the flavor. Next was Lady Kimi. She felt something wasn't right with Kimi's approach. She knew from her experience with dealing with her that if Kimi wanted to get involved, she would. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty either. So it was suspicious that Kimi would think to use her to manipulate Shiori and gather intel regarding Sesshomaru's affairs. She played the 'mother and savior card' strong. Too strong. The woman was up to something and seeking to manipulate her further somehow. Kikyo was nobody's puppet. She needed to some extra digging so that she could possibly use whatever schemes Kimi had as leverage against her later. Kimi served on the demon council actively so it would be good to have her voice when and if she should need it. Kikyo placed her cup down and reached for her phone in her pocket. She opened her notes and wrote a few things to do before she laid her head down that night for bed.

Then there was Kaguya and Sesshomaru. Kikyo knew Kaguya wasn't going to keep prowling around. She was serious when she said she didn't want her family getting hurt or caught as collateral damage. Kaguya would do something to get a leg up. Instinctively, she knew Kaguya would go for the jugular. Demons despite the rapidly change in technology and culture, still stayed true to their basic instincts. This she knew very well having hunted and dealt with powerful demons nearly her whole life. Kaguya would get rid of her perceived threats. She was sure Kaguya had Sesshomaru somehow by the balls. Knowing Sesshomaru, he had already thought about killing her. But that would bring the whole council upon him and he would be on trial for murder. He also could just separate from her but he was holding back. She could already tell he was waiting for something. Sesshomaru wasn't a very patient demon or forgiving. She always knew him to be cold and ruthless. Everyone knew him now as this stoic culinary genius, but she knew the real Sesshomaru. For him to allow this sham of a relationship to happen as long as it was going on, he was up for something excitingly big. She already knew what he would get if he mated Kaguya. But she knew he hated her and wanted out. He just wasn't leaving her yet.

She needed to call the council records office and investigate as well as evaluate what Sesshomaru would get out of the bond if he was to split from Kaguya under various circumstances. Quite frankly, she didn't like them together. Their combined power could be potentially a threat later down the line. Humanity did not need one family controlling so much of global trade and wealth. Also Kaguya and her family in general were destructive and disliked humans. With the Tashio's influence who knew what chaos from the pits of hell they would unleash on those they deemed beneath them.

Right now, it would just be perfect if her sister and Rin stayed away from the Tashio's until everything smoothed out. Kikyo put down her phone into her lap to think on this. Kaguya disturbed her greatly. It was dangerous for Rin and Kagome to be too close and to be seen all the time by the Tashio men. Slowly, the tabloids had picked up on it. She was sure it was going to blow up and the press would spin the story to their liking. She knew from experience how dangerous that could be especially if Kaguya took the press's words to heart and became jealous or allowed her hatred of humans to guide her approach to this situation. But she could see the Tashio men had a thing for Kagome. Well at least Inuyasha. They seemed rather cozy together the times she caught them in public. From the few times she was in Inuyasha's presence, he would leave after to go to Kagome. She could tell he was smitten with her even if he didn't know it. Also, there was Sesshomaru's strange attention as well. At first she thought it was for Rin but now…she doubted it. She knew his past friendship with Hoshi Yomi would force him to take care of Rin but to put Kagome in that category…it was just too strange.

Could he like her too? That would be a complete mess.

Kikyo wondered as she lifted her coffee cup back up and drank the bitter concoction with full sips this time. She grimaced at it regretting not putting enough cream and sugar to it. She shook her head and shivered as the taste registered on her taste buds. She placed the cup down on the bench and tapped her cigarette on metal arm rest allowing the ashes to blow away.

Inuyasha would make a better match.

He could protect her sister better and didn't have the baggage Sesshomaru had. But also he was a bit child-like in behavior. She wasn't sure if her sister could tolerate that sort of thing. On the other end, Sesshomaru could relate to her sister better and was steady on his feet. He was a realist who knew how dark the world was. Plus he had a connection to Rin that was pretty strong and deep. Everyone thought they knew something about Sesshomaru. Even his mother thought she knew so much about her son. But, she didn't know a damn thing. No one knew about Sesshomaru's hang up with little Rin except her. No one knew what went caused the rift between Hoshi and Sesshomaru. But she knew. It was her job to know as Rin's Godmother and co-parent. Kikyo knew because addicts always recognized the addictions of others. One didn't have to have a crippling addiction to a substance to be an addict. Many people were addicts and didn't know it. Addicts could be anyone that abused, surrendered, depended, or devoted themselves habitually to anything where it interferes in their life rather positively or negatively. Or so she heard from her program…

Despite all of this he was a strong, reliable, and steady demon that could make her sister happy in the long run. Sesshomaru was prideful and did have morals that reflected strongly in her family. Also he and Kagome could bond over their culinary experiences which could be quite epic. But he had that big rash of a demoness attached to his side that could potentially harm her family. And because of this she wanted her family as far away from him and the Tashio's as possible.

But…what if they were to get together?

What if Sesshomaru and Kagome got together?

Kagome would be with one of the most powerful demons in the world. She would be protected and worry about nothing for the rest of her life. Rin would have a big family that could help in ways that mikos couldn't. Sesshomaru could possibly make a damn good father with a good pushing and maybe a few threats on her end. She wouldn't mind helping to get rid of Kaguya if it meant keeping her family safe and giving them the best that the world had to offer. Especially, if that offering was Sesshomaru. It would also feed into her earlier thoughts but with additional bonuses. Kaguya could be removed out of the picture with her help thus giving her leverage against Kimi AND Sesshomaru for a rainy day. Even the shrine could be taken under the Tashio name and protected forever. No more payments and fighting the city for their ancestral home needed to be done. Everything would work out perfectly!

But Inuyasha would be crushed.

Kikyo put her cigarette to her lips and drew on it once again deep into her lungs. She released the smoke steadily finding that it stung her lungs a bit. Inuyasha was a paradox. In her effort to keep an eye on her sister and work under Kimi, they had crossed paths several times and chatted many times. She wanted to keep him at bay but he was a…fool. Like a fool he entertained her. Somewhere down the line, he had become something else. He had turned out to be something she hadn't had in several years.

A friend.

An annoying friend.

An annoying friend that ruined her smoke breaks.

"Asshole." She muttered taking another pull out of annoyance. It was the truth. She hadn't had a friend in a long time and vowed that she didn't need them. They got in the way of making the hard decisions she always had to make. They always stuck their noses in things they didn't understand with half-assed logic and opinions. But Inuyasha was cool in a way. He stayed back. He was never hovering. He was that one friend that just came with the wind into her life and left just as easily. Unfortunately, he took her cigarettes with him but she suppose it was a small price to pay. At times, she could see Inuyasha had his own demons and darkness he was dealing with. She knew being half and half was no Macy's day parade. The world use to have a strong hatred for anyone sharing mixed heritage especially when it came down to species, race, and color of the skin. It crossed her mind several times how that must affected him being a Tashio and everything. But that wasn't her business.

Inuyasha was a friend. A friend she didn't want to see get hurt if he liked Kagome. But from what she gathered it's not like they have anything official. He never talked about going on dates, having a girlfriend, or brought up her name. Kikyo looked at her cigarette almost disgusted at herself for what she was thinking. Almost. But that's what she was used to doing. Making hard decisions. And friendships got in the way of making those hard decisions. So did alcohol she supposed. But alcohol didn't talk back or come looking for her if feelings got hurt. It was a nonpartisan entity in everything. Inuyasha no doubt may get a little friction if she pushed Sesshomaru into Kagome. But, he would get over it. He was a big demon and a tough one at that. Inuyasha would just have to suck it up and move on wherever. If she had to help move someone else in his way to capture his attention, then so be it. Right now, Kagome and Rin needed Sesshomaru.

"This could work." She muttered through a smile already making plans to get the two seeing each other more often than they should. She already had Shiori and Kimi to take part in her little dance. She just needed Sesshomaru's number and she would be in business. She felt the heaviness of her phone in her black bomber. The last words that Kagome had written tattooed itself on her brain. Kikyo pulled out her phone to look at the message again with a smile. She placed her cigarette between her lips to hold it while she typed away. "I love you too, Gome. You know that right? I'll call you later, I promise." She voiced out loud as she typed.

"Kikyo!"

Kikyo tuned her head to the side nearly dropping her phone. She inhaled sharply to see Inuyasha cutting across the park obviously dressed to enjoy a night out. He had on a nice black shirt and jeans with clean sneakers. One snowy triangular ear was pierced on forehead and donned a silver hoop. Kikyo sent her message and fumbled to put away her phone back in her jacket pocket. She stood up grabbing her cup and drawing from her cigarette harshly pulling on it harder to savor it. The ashes burned rapidly down the stick causing a bright red glow that she knew would call him like a beacon. Kikyo picked up the bottom of her black boot and quickly put out her cigarette afraid that he would ruin this one like he did any other one he found lit between her fingers or hanging from her mouth. "What are you doing here?" She asked nervously watching him approach and eye her cigarette with disdain.'Oh no.' Before she could tuck it away somewhere he had taken it from her fingers and tossed it on the ground by his shoes.

"Hey!" She exclaimed holding her Styrofoam coffee cup in the air. "That was my last one!"

"Feh! Good!" He responded back shaking his head and wiggling his nose against the smell. His foot smooshed it to the ground and he kicked it off somewhere to the side out of sight. He hated cigarettes. His sensitive nose could pick up everything in them and it was disgusting what was in them. "You don't need those anyway. Don't you know they will kill you!"

"I'm a miko! I can just heal myself!" Kikyo rolled her eyes and turned around to walk away towards the exit where the trains would still be running. Her mood had now turned fowl. It was just a cigarette and she knew she was being unreasonable but… 'Damn, it was my last one.'She thought as she ran her tongue over her gums disliking the taste of tobacco mixed with coffee and alcohol.

Inuyasha ran up to her and stood before her to block her exit. He watched humorously as she tried to walk around him but he just blocked her path. A slow smile came to her lips as she stood still watching him mimic her movements. "What do you want?" She asked giving up.

"Well I was going to meet with some friends when I just ran into you here. But since you're here why don't you hang out with us and tell me about that text you sent about Kimi." He responded crossing his strong arms over his chest.

Kikyo blinked before pointing her coffee cup to her mouth to drink. It had been awhile since she sent that text to him in a panic. Her mind was about protecting the home front and Kimi could be like a category five typhoon if went unchecked. But, she had time to think and marinate on the situation at hand. With everything going on, the last thing she wanted to do now was pull any more people into the mix. Inuyasha was a good person and she didn't want to see him get hurt so it was best to keep him at a distance until everything smoothed out. Maybe even give him a distraction. She looked into his bright golden eyes and she felt a pain in her stomach. It had been a long time since she had any type of companion or friend. Inuyasha was something like that but she knew it couldn't last especially after the plans she just made. This was best for everyone. She just hoped he didn't come out of this too bent out of shape.

Kikyo swallowed the rather lukewarm coffee with disgust marring her delicate features. She didn't know if it was from the coffee or her own mind that made the drink taste even more sordid than before. "It's ok, Inuyasha. Everything is fine and it all worked out." She spoke with confidence looking down at her leather boots thinking quickly on her feet and acting her part. Kikyo used mortification and the basic truth to cover the lie that was about to smoothly roll off her tongue. She looked up into his eyes and shrugged her shoulders feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. "Don't worry. I-I overreacted when Kimi said something to me about riding Shiori's ass at the company. You know it would break Shiori's heart if she found out Kimi distrusted her and was using me to manipulate and protect her from everything. I thought maybe you could watch out for her. She really wants this job and to live up to Kimi's expectations." She sufficed going for an Oscar. "Kimi can be a bit…overwhelming so I'm ashamed to say…I panicked and sent that text to you. But everything is fine. Shiori is handling herself."

"Really?" Inuyasha asked not fully believing what she was saying. He couldn't sense a lie coming from her however so she had to be telling the truth. Before she would hide her scent all the time from him. Now he could smell the soft scent of roses from perfume and an underlying scent of fresh roses underneath it. However, her spiritual barrier was still very much present and just a layer underneath her epidermis blocking his nose from sensing anything else. He looked at Kikyo really hard noticing the deep bags under her eyes and the tiredness in the lines of her face. He could swear she shared the same look with someone else he knew. Someone with similar deep brown tired eyes. And scent that smelt of flowers with hints of the sweetness from roses. His own golden eyes widened knowing exactly who she reminded him of.

Kagome.

Inuyasha listened vaguely to the explanation Kikyo was giving but his mind wondered off. His mind went to the situation that happened earlier that day and shame filled him. Rin wouldn't stop crying all afternoon once he returned home with her to his parents. She was fine after her lunch but then it was like a switch had been cut on and Rin started to cry for her mom like a banshee. Big tears rolled down her large brown eyes and she became hysterical not wanting anyone to touch her. Rin found her way to the roses in his mother's garden and simply lay in them crying her eyes out over the yellow worn sweater that smelt of lavender. Rin stretched her purple aura out as far as she could which wasn't very distant. She pulled tightly to the pink spiritual flare that they could all see hovering around her small body. His mom explained how the strain of the weak bond had gotten to Rin before it affected Kagome since obviously Rin was the weaker of the two. His ears nearly split from the strangled sound that continued to ring that whole evening. There was nothing that anyone could do. Only Kagome could soothe her pup. Her deep depression drove him up the wall because he found he was useless and could not help her. Then to hear Kagome's pained voice on the phone made his ears press so hard to his skull, he thought they would never straighten out. He didn't know why he reacted this way. It wasn't like Rin was his pup or anything. Hell they weren't officially a part of pack and haven't been properly claimed as such. Why did he care so much about what Kagome thought? Why did he care so much for Rin? He was doing her a favor as a friend. Maybe he just needed to fall back. But when he did that his brother came in and inserted himself where he didn't need to. That sort of bugged him and set his instincts off which is why he was going out for a drink with his bud who just so happen to pick Kagura's place…of all the bars he could pick.

Inuyasha looked back up to see Kikyo's lips still moving. The hair shined off of her pale skin which was unlike Kagome's tanned flesh. But the way her eyes stared at him was hauntingly familiar to Kagome's and brought him in closer to really look at her. He shook his head actually seeing the similar resemblances. The silky black- brown hair hanging down her back was long but contrasted against Kagome's voluminous wavy hair. Kikyo's bangs cut perfectly and fringed her face in the way that was reminiscent of Kagome's big bangs. Kikyo stood a tidbit taller that Kagome and their styles were completely different. They both had the beautiful fairy like features in the face from the small nose and lips. Their attitudes and even the way they carried themselves were extremely similar. 'No way.' He had heard somewhere that everyone had a doppelganger but this was weird.

Inuyasha ran his clawed fingers through his hair remembering in his mother's kitchen when it came up that Kagome had a sister. It never donned on him her family was here in Paris or that she had any family at all besides Rin. She never spoke of them. Something fishy was going on there. He also knew his mom and Kimi had been out that day having a private lunch. At those little get-togethers, he knew from experience a plot twist was in the making. Kikyo's words played in his mind again regarding her job with his Alpha.

He knew his Alpha was a very strong and pushy demoness. She always meant well and had treated him like a son born from her own womb. She did a lot of bullshit in the past but it was all water under the bridge. However, most people told him about his Alpha when she had done something underhanded thinking he would react against her. All he and his siblings did was expressed to her openly and directly how wrong she was to hurt someone. This was enough to get her to fix whatever she had done. His Alpha was strong but above all she valued pack. Pack was everything to Inu's. And to see her pups angry with her was not something she enjoyed and as her pups, they banked on that every time to get their way.

His ears twitched almost itchy from the words she spoke. He exhaled feeling in his gut that there was more to this story than she was telling. He felt that she was leaving something out. Plus, the seed in his mind regarding her connection to Kagome was planted and watered with each second he took of her scent. Rin smelt like a bouquet of wild flowers growing in the open fields. Kagome's scent was soft like that of jasmine and lavender with hints of roses from the perfume she wore all the time. Kikyo's scent hand the same hint of roses from the perfume Kagome wore.

What are the odds that two Japanese women sharing similar Japanese names and attributes would be in the city of Paris at the same time sharing similar perfume?

And if they were sisters…why hide it? Why not talk about each other? What was there to hide?

Was he the only one seeing this?

Inuyasha didn't know what to think now. Nothing added up anymore. Something didn't smell right about any of this and he would get to the bottom of it. Kikyo was telling the truth but he felt it in his gut something more was happening here. He knew the best person to ask was Kimi and then his mom. They were known for keeping secrets amongst each other. He was sure, they knew something and he would get to the bottom of it as well as check out this whole Shiori business.

"I'll wait when you're ready to tell me the truth, Kikyo." He said calling her out. He wasn't as refined as his brother when it came to playing chess with words and motives. He was blunt and liked to just get right to it.

Kikyo never lost face. "What are you talking about? That was the truth."

"Whatever. It wasn't the whole truth and you know it." He said smirking and showing her a bit of fang as his aura of self-assurance pushed against her. "So when you're ready to stop living in lies, I'll be here."

"Whatever you say." Kikyo responded feeling the slight sting of truth he shot back at her. She didn't like the way the conversation was going or the way he looked at her. She doubted he had the patience and the ingenuity to figure out anything. It was best after telling a lie to get out of dodge while the lie was still hot. "Anyway, look, it's late." She said scrunching her eyes a bit as another wave of pain washed through her. Her hand around her cup tightened from the aching. "You shouldn't be out here. You should be on your way to that bar you mentioned with your friends."

Inuyasha glared at her. "Feh. You shouldn't be out here by yourself also. It's not that safe for a human female or miko to be walking in a dark park in the middle of the night." He pointed to the few lampposts that barely created enough light to illuminate the pathways all about. A few loving couples were walking but they were all at a far distance. "Your brain's busted if you think I'm going to leave you alone unprotected." He said pointing to her skull with his clawed finger.

Kikyo snapped her head at him and gave him the most deadly look she could muster. "Say something like that to me again, and I'll cut your balls off. Trust me when I say I'm no damsel in distress." She responded with a dark tone. Her hand moved and began rubbing her stomach now as the aching began to grow into a throb.

Inuyasha bristled at this. "Still, you don't need to be alone all the time." He sighed heavily not wanting another piece of his life falling into the shit pile. Everything was turning into a shit show by the minute. Kikyo maybe hiding something but ultimately it was her business to hide it. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. Besides, he doubted it would be anything too big that would interfere with their friendship. Kikyo was rough but she understood him. And from where he stood, tonight she didn't need to be by herself. "Look, I won't get in your business. My bad!" He said waving the white flag hoping it would change things around. "But come on. At least have one drink with us. It'll be fun to laugh with my friends."

Kikyo turned away with the intent on getting far away as possible from Inuyasha. Everything was getting out of control now. She rubbed her stomach and her feet began to drag. "I don't need any friends and haven't for a long time. Besides…" She called out watching everything around her get a little fuzzy. Something sharp shot inside of her and she yelped in pain. Her knees buckled and she could feel them hit the cold concrete harshly.

Inuyasha's ears twitched at the sound. He watched her sway on her feet and without blinking he rushed to her side. Soon as his hands made contact with her shoulder, she collapsed in his arms. "Kikyo!"

I was raised by a mother who sings Classical Opera and loves literature. I was at her house and she let me borrow a few of her books. The poem Life's Scars By Ella Wheeler Wilcox mentioned above is one I found on her bookshelf that reflects this chapter nicely. And at first I thought I would leave it in as another Easter Egg to be found by a reader but I didn't know if anyone would know of it or take the time out to read the poem to even point its significance out. But I implore you to read it.

Review, Follow, and Fav for another update when I return in two weeks!

I'll be watching out for them.