I am a day late from submitting! But...its here!

Important Note: Many of you...have brought up Kaguya's pregnancy and how Sesshomaru would smell it if she was. I want to clear up this detail because this is just a basic assumption from general "Inuyasha fanfiction lore" that is carried over in many stories on this site.

My story is not using this knowledge at all so, throw that out of the window.

In this story, a demon's pregnancy works just like a human's except for gestation time length which will be expanded on IF that happens. It's way too early right now to tell if Kaguya is pregnant or not. In this story, Sesshomaru (or any demon) can't tell if a woman is pregnant by scent so early in her first trimester. Demons have to wait until females begin producing the pheromones that suggest she is pregnant just like how a modern pregnancy tests work. (Even the first response ones that claim they can tell 6 days before a missed cycle) I want this story to be as realistic as possible so I'm using real knowledge and science here. But don't worry this information will be in the story...somewhere...anywhere...or maybe nowhere...

muahahahaha!

But no seriously, I just wanted to clear this up.

xoxoxo

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Thank you Chapter 33 Reviewers

ObsessiveCompulsiveReading –I agree. My whole story is just a microscope on various relationships and their many forms as well as development. Despite Shipp and Shiori having a great and fast start, they still have much to learn about each other and overcome. And as to Shippo…I make no promises….muahaha

LoL I couldn't just give him a petty walk in entrance now could I? Thank you!

gurl620 – Thank you o much love!

Tai – Thank you love! I mean I couldn't just leave him out like that. Oooh I have big plans for Shippo and Shiori's arc. Lol as or the relationship recommendations…we will see. Lol

Guest 1 – Thank you love! Glad you enjoyed that little plot twist!

Alexis Knight – Hahaha thank you! I put on twist on their relationship. It won't disappoint.

P.S. lol this story has been semi-prewritten….

P.S.S. Um…ok…..

kagomeLove2 – Lol he can't get a prostitute. To risky. And everyone thought that which means I did good! And you will see who's side Naraku is on…hehehe. And I'm super excited that my story introduced you to the possible concept of the two being "friends". I feel warm and fuzzy!

NarukoSon – Ohhh my best wishes to you. My best friend used to work in retail during the holiday season and she was def not feeling the holiday cheer at times especially if she had to work in the shoe department. And thank you so much for the compliment! We are def going to see how Shippo and Shiori continue to interact.

Nyght elf – I couldn't leave him out of the story completely! I mean its Naraku! And it's far too early (in this story) to tell if someone is pregnant. In this story there is not an instant knowing for a demon that someone is pregnant. Thanks for mentioning that though! I need to address this because it's come up a lot. And you're in for quite the chapter!

As for your fanfic…just keep going and finish it. I'll be waiting and tapping my laptop with impatience!

Danielle596 – Well in Sesshomaru's defense he didn't bring him in…it's too early for the wedding…Naraku just shows up just like in the anime.

KEdakumi –Naraku could be on anyone's side! Bum, Bum, BUM! Thank you love for your review!

roguekittiekat – lol that he will….but who's side is he on?

Youkai55 – I know….poor Shippo. We will see how their relationship pans out. I have so many plans for Kaguya and Naraku! It's going to be juicy!

birdy22 – Thank you so much for your review! We're going to be diving in on these relationships. Time to give them more depth! I think I feel another twist coming. Hmm….

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Chapter 34: Reservation for Three

An ominous silence settled for moment among the small wedding party inside of the great hall of the old amphitheater. Mrs. Utomi looked to Kaguya who nodded confirming the name given by the stranger. Already the wheels in her head could be seen turning as she regarded the young demon. Sesshomaru never spoke about a best man or that he even had someone in his life that he would consider a best friend. They assumed Inuyasha would take that position but that was proven unlikely seeing as Sesshomaru did not counter his bold claims. It was like Sesshomaru was revealing an admission of sorts regarding who he kept around him and the relationships he built. Both men stood close yet did not greet each other in a warm hug or manly pat on the back that one would assume even from Japanese customs. Respect was there between them with only a single thread of danger that laced in between their words and cynicism as they disregarded the women all together.

Kaguya knew who Naraku was by ear but not by personal contact. He stood before them looking as if he was going to an award show of some kind. His wavy hair was pulled back behind him and his black suit shined under the afternoon sunlight pouring in through the stained glass windows of the Great Hall. Red eyes gleamed brightly looking about the room as if he was having some inner revelation. His attractive features upon his pale face told the tale of a young male that climbed his way into aristocracy by veiled details that she knew nothing about except that he appeared only when he wanted something or to spectate an event. If Kaguya was religious, she would even compare him to that of the likeness of Satan from the Christian beliefs. The devil was said to be beautiful having once been an angel himself but had fallen because of his own treachery. Now he spends his time swaying the wicked into performing actions of his benefit as well as for his own amusement while preparing for his moment to fight against the almighty.

Sesshomaru introduced him to her but never did Naraku spend more than five minutes in their combined presence. Naraku would come over, announce his greetings, whisper in her fiancé's ear, and then vanish for periods of time. She heard about him through the grapevine and of course had seen glimpses of him at specific events. She didn't even know what exactly he did as a career except that his world was tightly entangled in the Tashio's business. But Naraku never put forward any effort as far as she knew into developing a relationship with anyone in Sesshomaru's life. Kaguya leveled him with a gaze that had the effect of having many scurrying in her wake. However, the demon did not budge or seem afflicted by her hostile gaze. In fact he seemed emboldened by it as if he was accepting a challenge.

Mrs. Utomi sat down slowly in the soft chair provided keeping her eyes on the new demon untrustingly. Her poor event coordinator was shakily slightly still on edge while putting her glorious spread back together for the ladies to continue their wedding planning session. Not being able to bare the tense situation, the professional bowed and went off to pick up a few coffees and teas for the women. Mrs. Utomi smiled graciously to the woman to keep up appearances but the mortification she felt from the actions of her future son-in- law and the estrange demon was infuriating. They could have just possibly scared off the famous event planner to the youkai elite with their actions or the demoness could be on the phone gossiping about the horrendous moment to their peers. Mrs. Utomi turned her attentions to the demon and spoke up to take control of the room. "Mr. Onigumo, we are so pleased you could make it to France. " She watched as Naraku shifted his posture towards her before she continued. "Tell me, where are you from? I have not seen you before and the Lord has never mentioned your name until we saw it on the wedding invitation list."

Naraku smirked flickering his gaze from Sesshomaru to the demoness before him. He could feel the disdain despite Sesshomaru's great infamous control simmering beneath his skin. Naraku knew him well because once in his lifetime, he had been on the receiving end of that anger and malice. He relished in it before when they warred over power. The relationship he had in the past with Sesshomaru resembled the sadistic rapport between the Joker and Batman. Yet a common foe and friend brought them together and they found themselves working as one on more instances than originally planned. Naraku stepped forward to invade the space of the two women before speaking. His eyes shined like the planet Mars in the night sky. "Where I'm from is irrelevant Mrs. Utomi but just know that I thoroughly understand who exactly you are." He spoke pointing his index finger to his temple with a single tap of his claw against his skin. "Now I take my anonymity by Sesshomaru's doing as an honoring compliment as I do try very hard not to be seen or heard." He said responding to her question without answering directly.

Sesshomaru stood and watched rather humorously as Naraku baited the Utomi's into his verbal word play. Naraku was never one to follow the rules and on many occasions have broken them for his own gain and pleasure without fear of consequences. After all, how they met was under similar circumstances with both demons being after power. He and Naraku became forever fated to interfere in each other's lives from the very first day they stood on the battlefield and clashed swords. He looked at the demon who had come to greet him which wasn't a coincidence. The spider was lurking and had come all the way to France for a reason. A reason he wanted to get to the bottom of.

"He works for Lord Inutashio." Kaguya gritted through sharp fangs answering her mother's question while continuing to look suspiciously at Naraku. She crossed her arms over her ample bosom defensively and moved to stand at Sesshomaru's side.

Naraku's eyes immediately flashed to hers. A slow sneer worked its way on his lips. The coldness there between them was more deafening then loud shouts of the declarations of war could ever be. He laughed lightly at the phony display of unity Kaguya tried to create by standing so close to Sesshomaru.

Did she really think that he could be so easily fooled…that he cared?

Did she fear his judgement or possible power or influence over her beloved Sesshomaru?

If anyone she should be afraid of, it should be Sesshomaru. He just needed a little push to his limit and he couldn't wait to do the honors of giving him a firm shove. "That's where you're wrong Lady Kaguya. I work with the Lord on very specific projects that require my specific skillset. I work under and for no one." Rubies locked upon her sending an icy chill up her spine at the silent threat he made wondering if they caught it all.

Kaguya didn't trust the spider at all. She said nothing to his comment catching his word. He said this but he knew not of the power of the Utomi family. She knew her mother was fuming and would call her father as well as the Youkai Council ready to plot revenge on the demon. Big Mistake.

Naraku dismissed the women all together having seemingly had his fun and saw what he came to see for himself. He turned to Sesshomaru and pulled out his phone to check the time. "Come good friend. We have business to discuss in private and I made reservations at quite the establishment that you cannot pass up."

"As I said Mr. Onigumo, I enjoy having you present-" Mrs. Utomi spoke from her seat defiantly. "-but I'm afraid Lord Sesshomaru is needed here with us today. We are after all making plans for his wedding date." She emphasized looking onto Sesshomaru with smiling deceitful black eyes. "It is required of him to be present unless he wishes to tell us something regarding his engagement to my daughter that makes him so relaxed in his role."

Sesshomaru walked around Naraku towards the door when the sound of Mrs. Utomi bore on his ears before stopping. He could feel his sharp claws pressing against the inline fabric of his pant pockets slowing tearing through the luxury silk material because of his growing ire. He kept his face stoic as he turned to the older demoness that dared to continue to attempt to manipulate and entrap him. However a blessing was given to him with the Utomi's presence being around him and his father as of late. They revealed the hand they were playing. He knew now that this was not of Kaguya's doing but her family and that the guileless demoness was just a pawn that her parents saw as easily disposable. She and her parents would get theirs and soon if Naraku was here entering the ring.

Kaguya glanced between her fiancé and her mother with sharp eyes. The tension and the hostility were thick despite the large space the hall provided. A small ounce of panic had buoyed in her chest. This was not what she wanted to happen. This was not how she saw her wedding to be but here she was. She looked away from her mother towards Sesshomaru and reached out to grip his arm but he stepped away paying her no attention. The annoyance he felt was clear as he walked away from her.

Sesshomaru's jaw was tight yet he stood his ground. He would not be controlled under any circumstances by anyone. He was not so weak that he feared or allowed such things to happen. He would play their game but that didn't mean he couldn't play under his own rules. "I will call you, later Kaguya." He stated before turning sharply and exiting the hall. His footsteps echoed as he left leaving Naraku to stand watching with barely contained hilarity.

Naraku put his fists in his pants pockets and smirked at the women that gaped with shock and rage. "Oh and Mrs. Utomi." He spoke watching his friend walk out silently patting him on the back for not bowing to such meager attempt at manipulation. "You have mistaken my intentions. I did not come to ask for permission. You see I simply take what I need regardless of whatever sham of pretentious importance is going on before me." Naraku responded daringly looking onto her like prey as she gaped at him with open distaste at being called out. Naraku cared not what she thought or for her feelings. He hoped she called the Youkai Council to wail about his actions. She was going to be in for quite a rude awakening. He motioned towards their decorative table with a claw. "Oh and one more thing…I normally hear the expression of bells ringing when couples get together for the singular idea of matrimony yet…I don't hear anything at all. You might want to fix that." He finished looking around the grand hall as if he held expectations that were dashed before walking out without so much as a proper bow or goodbye.

Mrs. Utomi hit the table hard causing it to crack under her strength. "Who is that demon!" She hissed with barely contained rage. Her expression turned to Kaguya who stood still watching the men leave with abated breath. Mrs. Utomi's anger increased and she went to Kaguya as quickly as her feet could carry her. Before the young demoness knew what happened, her mother struck her across the face with her sharp claws grazing her flesh. Her nails broke her soft flesh and the young woman's head snapped to the side because of the force applied. Mrs. Utomi watched her daughter stumble in her black pumps to the side barely able to catch herself. "Look at what you've done!" She accused. "I told you to handle this and it seems you can't even do that! Your father has spoiled you for too long and it has made you weak!" Mrs. Utomi pointed a bloody finger to the exit. "Why didn't you speak up and stop him? Are you trying to ruin us!"

Kaguya shook with her hand pressed against her cheek. Warm liquid began to wet her fingers and hands. She peeled her hand back in shock to see her blood coat her fingers and palm. Her dark eyes slowly raked her mother who stood over her unrecognizable to her gaze. Kaguya stood up slowly to gather her bearings unable to speak because of her own inner torment and surprise. To anyone else she would have lashed out and gutted them but this was her own mother. A mother who was once loving to her when she was a child. A mother that taught her many things and held her hand when she started her first day of school. A mother who doted on her and cared for her up to her adulthood. Who was this woman? What did she do so wrong to have gained this treatment? Kaguya's shock began to shift into anger as she fed off the destructive energy in the room. "I did everything!" She yelled up towards her mother. Her voice bounced off the walls with barely expressed rage. "This was my relationship! He is mine!" She lashed out unsure of what to do or what to say. Her cheeks throbbed and she was afraid to see what she looked like in a mirror. How could her mother be so cruel? Kaguya touched her belly with the other hand growing even more angry at the situation. "Why are you doing this!" She whimpered.

Mrs. Utomi stepped forward and reached for Kaguya's chin, snatching her forward. Her bloody fingers and claws smeared Kaguya's blood along her chin. Red eyes reflected from mother to daughter as they held each other's gaze. The circle of hate grew fiery and bright between them by the second. "You knew better. Did you really think we would not interfere in your courtship to one of the most prominent youkai families of our era? And seeing how you are with relationships, I'm glad we did. We could not leave this into your own hands." She hissed."Our family has been destined for greatness that your stupidity is ruining by the day. No real woman allows her man to just get away." She let go with a shove and stepped back towards the table. She dug into her purse carefully pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her hands before tossing it to Kaguya watching it land on the floor. "Now clean yourself up. We still have a wedding to plan."

"So glad to see at least your balls aren't cut off." Naraku pointed out as they sat down at the nice prepared crisp table. He watched his friend sit stiffly in front of the window at his right side leaving a vacant chair to his left. "I sleep for just a few months to gather myself and all hell breaks loose literally without me." He said before thanking the young hostess that looked as if she was ready to bolt.

The server greeted them both next and told them about the menu as well as her recommendations on the menu. Naraku's eyes bounced between Sesshomaru and the server with humor. How he wished he was present for the tango Sesshomaru had with the owner. The waitress spoke of the extra guest invited on her notes and Naraku smiled politely explaining that their guest would be arriving shortly. Sesshomaru looked upon the demon with annoyance wondering who else was invited to this soiree of a concoction. The server smiled and walked away taking their drink requests and promising to return shortly.

"Who knew something as trivial as fine print could be so dangerous? I must say…I'm a little disappointed she's still alive. I was hoping her blood would be coloring the Seine River by now." Naraku said as water was poured into their glasses. Their menus were handed to them gently and once again the waitress dashed away most likely to report to the kitchen of the patrons dining at their joint. Naraku picked his menu up to order but Sesshomaru declined desiring to get to the core of this impromptu conversation.

Sesshomaru sat looking upon his friend who had changed much during his hibernation. His dark hair was wavier and had grown longer reaching down his back from its previous neck length. Naraku had gone through a different kind of Apexing that resulted in the demon cocooning himself away from the world in a bloody crystalized shell. There was a subtle hint of acquired strength and a calm that disturbed Sesshomaru a bit. "I assume you know everything." He said looking to Naraku who sat back and took in the minimalistic decor.

"I know what I need to know." Naraku shrugged his shoulders and loosened his tie. "I couldn't just leave one of the very few adversaries I have in the trenches. Especially, on account of something as simple as paperwork. I thought you would at least be taken out in some gloriously bloody tale. Yet all I've seen today is the power of arrogance and estrogen in the wrong hands. In the old days you would have decapitated anyone daring to cross your path or even for doing something less than that."

Sesshomaru flexed his claws remembering well how bloody he could be. It was a battle to quiet those instincts raging inside of him to take a life. He never killed unnecessarily. Regardless, those days were far in the dust. Admittedly, he was fortunate enough to have found reprieve in this new age of technology that gave him the lifestyle of a recluse if he wanted with room to forever explore the world for infinity. Food had given him this outlet but it still could not quench his basic impulses that boiled inside of him. "Indeed."

Naraku grinned placing his menu down upon the table. "I could take care of the old bat…I mean I wouldn't be going out of my way or anything."

Sesshomaru sighed at Naraku's offer fighting the need to reach for the bridge of his nose to ward away a headache. The waitress came back with a selection of various fresh hot breads and an array of homemade spreads. She walked away and then came back with their wine choices of burgundy and merlot. Once completed, she asked for their orders and pulled out her pad ready to write it all down. Sesshomaru waited until Naraku's choices were taken and declined his desire to have anything. In typical Naraku fashion, he ordered Sesshomaru something random from the menu along with another entrée for their tardy guest. The waitress smiled asking them if they were interested in an appetizer but Naraku declined. The young human woman took back the menus politely and left them alone to place their orders. "You cannot kill her." Sesshomaru corrected.

"Awe….come on. No one will ever know." Naraku responded looking rather put out. He reached for his wine glass taking in the color of his merlot. "You know I have a ninety-nine percent success rate. I'll even throw in a confidentiality clause on the house." He swirled the liquid and inhaled its aroma with interest before taking a sip.

Sesshomaru smirked at this. "I do not doubt your skills in dealing with disappearances but in this matter I must deal with this myself."

Naraku shook his head. "And that's where you're wrong, Sesshomaru." He responded setting his glass down. The rich dark grape of his wine settled on his tongue and left his tongue a little loose. "These people have not just affected you."

"Elaborate." Sesshomaru asked cutting to the point and disregarding his own drink on the table.

Naraku's smirk began to fade a bit as his eyes turned hard. Memories and thoughts ran through him as he pinpointed the many reasons why the Utomi's were a threat that needed to be done away with. He reached for the bread basket and slowly with his steak knife began buttering up the fresh rye. He moved it about with subtle meaning making sure to slice into the soft texture of the bread, watching as it easily split apart like he wished someone's liver did. "The Utomi's have been very busy these days and my network has informed me quite a bit about their dealings. Now I love a good plot myself but-"

"You have some nerve, Naraku!"

Sesshomaru and Naraku turned their heads at the sound of an angry low voice approaching their table. Sesshomaru looked with interest as Naraku's Cheshire grin began to appear once again as he looked to see the tall skinny woman with onyx black hair and cold dark brown eyes look upon the spider youkai with annoyance. Her pace was beating her host who was supposed to escort her to their table. He was intrigued now as to why of all people, Naraku would call Kikyo to meet with them. He wasn't surprised Naraku had ties to Kikyo. The spider's web ran far and deep. He nodded his head in greeting to Kikyo who nodded hers as well. She was oddly perturbed and her aura was already frazzled.

Naraku set his knife and bread down. Out of politeness, both men stood up as she approached the table. Sesshomaru watched his once old retainer come to the table and pull out her chair looking everywhere but at Sesshomaru. He wondered how Naraku was able to pull this off and now he knew why. Myoga scurried away from the table along with the female server speaking to her lowly as if to offer some advice as to the time intervals she should take to visit their table. "Hm." He said before his attentions went to the miko seated across the table from him with Naraku in the center. The waitress took a step closer asking for Kikyo's desires while pouring her a glass of water but Naraku cut in.

"She will have a glass of your best wine." Naraku ordered as Kikyo glared heatedly at him. He looked at her with a shrug of his shoulders uncaring of her sobriety. "What?" He asked feigning ignorance of the knowledge he knew about the fallen miko. "I remembered you loved wine and even would indulge in a good whiskey at times. Anyway, glad you could get here, Kikyo."

"That was a long time ago, Naraku." Kikyo placed her purse to the side of her and crossed her legs underneath the table. She stared daggers into the spider demon while leaning back in her seat to seem relaxed. She was far from the sensation of comfort due to the manipulative Naraku had just taken to get her here. Then there was also the deadly Sesshomaru seated across from her. Her guard was up and her body was at the ready to respond to any threats of endangerment. She looked to Sesshomaru already getting a feeling of what this little get together was about. "You come into my office with your bullshit and threaten me-" She spat turning to Naraku ready to burn his face off when he interrupted her.

"Oh calm down. I mean you no harm, Kikyo." Naraku started picking up his knife and bread again as if nothing was happening. "Now Sesshomaru…he is another story." He responded layering the spread inside the cut he made previously with his knife. He looked out the window at the view provided for them with interest. The wheels of his mind turned as he disregarded the shift in energy at the table that was growing lethal by the second.

Sesshomaru tensed and looked at Kikyo with eyes turning into golden slits as Kikyo braced herself in her chair. "Why are we here!" She growled staring at Sesshomaru and reading his body language that shifted slightly. Her eyes flickered around the room at the other happy patrons that had come to eat their lunch and enjoy the sensational entrees and ambience that was renowned around the world. "We could have done this someplace else. Why my sister's place?" Kikyo moved her fingers and a small sound barrier was placed around their table to block their conversation from all ears. The last thing she needed was for any of this to be brought to her sister's attention.

Naraku bit into his bread and nodded his head at the taste. "Ah!" He said chewing quickly and using his pristine linen napkin to wipe the butter and crumbs from his fingers and dab the corners of his lips. "I thought this place was quite poetic for the subject we are speaking on today. What a better backdrop then the place that is owned by your sister who is also adoptive mother to the child of our mutual late friend Hoshi Yomi." He explained pointing his knife carelessly at Kikyo before flipping to point to Sesshomaru. "Very Shakespearean if I do say so myself."

The waitress came back with a glass and a wine bottle leaping into an explanation of the name, fragrance, history, and recommendations of the selection while pouring Kikyo her glass. Naraku was the only one paying the poor nervous girl any attention. Kikyo and Sesshomaru locked in silent gazes that were growing more vicious by the second. Sesshomaru didn't like waiting or playing games. He could see Kikyo desired to speak but seemed to be conflicted. Naraku reached for his glass of wine and took a sip with elation enjoying himself and the service. He also was relishing in the darkening auras of his company seated at the table that had his bones buzzing with energy. "Now, now you two…let's get everything out in the open so that we can get to the point under which I have lured you all here for lunch this afternoon."

"Speak Kikyo." Sesshomaru barked out with eyes narrowed upon her.

Kikyo braced herself and sat forward in her seat looking at Naraku for a second. "I don't think you want this information to be said in front of others."

"Others? We're all friends here, Kikyo." Naraku smirked muttering every syllable of her name wickedly. "I'm sure whatever it is you have to say…I already know. The groom is the only one that is left out of the loop regarding the betrayal of his fiancé and mother."

"Miko…" Sesshomaru growled out lowly uncaring of whatever it is. Naraku was many things but he never was a liar. If he came all this way to tell him something that could have been done over the phone, it had to be something detrimental as well as of some great deal to the spider demon. If his mother was involved, the situation was something major as she had interfered in his life in the past without care of consequences or for his approval or not. Then she hid it from him which only added to his growing suspicion and fury. Now Kikyo seemed to be in on whatever it was and he would pull it from her throat if he had to.

Kikyo sighed glaring at Naraku before adjusting herself in her seat. She was no coward by any means but she would be lair if she said death was a companion she desired. She also was very uneasy about the information she had not knowing how this would affect the parties involved. She pushed her glass to the side just in case not wanting for it to be spilt on her white tank top and black jeans. Without a stutter in her voice or an ounce of fear in her scent she went for it. "Fine. If you say so. I have proof Kaguya has been going to a fertility clinic and getting artificially inseminated." His lips pulled back in a snarl and his eyes flashed as he gripped the table but Kikyo kept talking. "Also, your mother has found out about your Promise Contract and has moved a petition onto the Youkai Court behind your back to counter and appeal it publicly in court. She came to me just a few days ago needing my signature to push it further onto immediate trial. She plans on using Kaguya's possible infertility as well as attempted blackmail that she used against the doctor as leverage to dismantle your bond with Kaguya. I have just two weeks to sign it or risk it being thrown out. I wanted to tell you privately but your mother purposely keeps me busy these days." She said sitting back in her seat and waiting for the hand that would attempt to snatch her esophagus from her throat. "But I didn't sign it. I wanted you to know first and for you tell me what you would like to do since this could very well damage your reputation if this gets out. Not to mention your mother got this information from the back door which makes it possibly illegally obtained evidence and could be thrown out in actual court." She finished taking a breather of relief to have decluttered her mind with the mess of information she had.

"Is she pregnant?" He growled out? "Did it take?"

Kikyo inhaled sharply at this. "That I don't know. It's too early to tell if she is. The embryo of the child hasn't even been formed yet especially if the baby is a demon. Also, Kaguya's body will release pheromones to let you know when that time comes and she hasn't gone back to get another check-up."

Sesshomaru sat silently taking this all in. His claws gripped the table tearing holes into the white table cloth. His mind calculated and took in her information while sparing Naraku a glance. The demon sat with a dark expression taking offense obviously to Kaguya's act that was seen as most vile under demon customs. It was acceptable to be barren but to go behind the backs of someone and force a pregnancy especially for the cause of power or monetary gain was disgusting. But he knew already the cards Kaguya would play if he was to go against her in court. She would use her circumstance to garner sympathy for herself using the possibility of her being barren as a crutch. The evidence they supposedly had of this huge offense was possibly contaminated by his dear mother who was using this to her advantage somehow. Once again getting involved in his affairs without his permission and ruining situations. What if Kaguya was pregnant with his child? Even if he was able to counter against her, she would still have an important piece of him. It was in his nature as an Inu to protect his pack and regardless of the manifestation of his child...he would see the pup as his own and seek to with the pup thus putting control in the Utomi's hands. Sesshomaru took his hands off the table and flexed his claws. "You have proof."

"We both do." Naraku responded on behalf of Kikyo who looked to him shockingly. He ran his long fingers through his thick hair before calling upon the details he knew. "My network has found a lot has happened during your absence from Japan and my slumber. Your mother has been making a few trips to the Youkai Court quite often with the family lawyers. A document has been issued to the old crones, seeking the Youkai Court to break your bond with Kaguya. A copy of the full report was placed onto my desk with details that even I was shocked about."

"Whoa!" Kikyo held up her hand to stop him in his tracks. "Your desk? Why would…"Kikyo watched his evil smirk grow and she stopped speaking only to put her face in her hands. "Please tell me this is a nightmare. She wouldn't dare-"

"Oh yes, my inebriated friend." He commented snidely earning him a heated glare. "Lady Inukimi has dared. You see I have been so graciously appointed by Lady Inukimi as her case supervisor which I plan to take very seriously." He looked at his glass with annoyance noticing his wine was draining faster than he expected. He looked to Sesshomaru who sat rigid in his seat with barely contained fury. "I also saw your documents as well Sesshomaru disclaiming your family's fortune which is a smart move to keep it out of the Utomi's clutches just in case...but what will you do about your own wealth that you've acquired?"

"Sesshomaru!" Kikyo gasped looking to the demon as he sat glaring out of the window. "You can't! Your mother and father are going to be furious if they find out you resorted to-"

"But they won't because I have the means to keep all of this under wraps. Everything we do from here on out will be in silence." Naraku cut in before nodding to the server coming with their food. The waitress came along with assistance to present their food to them with the upmost care and respect. Their plates were hot with delicious scents that called for them all to indulge. Naraku gave his thanks as his glass was refilled. His eyes excitedly look to his coq au vin already tasting the sultry infused dark wine sauce, robust mushrooms, sweet onions, salty lardon, simmered chicken, and garlic. He happily picked up his fork and engaged into his meal.

"How do you know about that?" Sesshomaru asked not missing that little detail. That information was reserved between only himself and the courts. "How did you get that report?"

Naraku grinned dangerously continuing to eat his meal. "My spiders are everywhere. Always watching." The two continued to talk as the tension died and Naraku worked through the details of Kaguya's possible counter claims and her family's potential maneuvers if they were to ever catch wind of things happening behind their backs.

Sole meunière that smelled heavenly of an open filet dover sole bathing in a decadent butter sauce was placed before Kikyo. She reached for her complimentary glass of water no able to eat the rich food due to her detox as well as the memory of what such a hearty meal would do to her stomach. Not being able to resist, she lifted her fork and took tentative bites of her sister's recipe. She couldn't believe she was here without her sister breaking bread with a demon that no doubted wanted to rain her body of blood and the devil's advocate. Here they were eating as if they weren't talking about anything apocalyptic.

Sesshomaru didn't bother to look at his meal. His appetite was gone and his phone was burning a hole in his pocket ready to be used. He already compiled a list of things he needed to do immediately in his head. He would allow his mother to continue to pretend like she had the upper hand but he will end that and her meddling in his affairs. He was a little impressed that she would go so far as to hire Naraku to work with her on this which revealed his mother's dislike for the Utomi's. She even set it up to pull Kikyo in her plans, attempting to use her but that backfired. His eyes raked Kikyo over pushing her fate to the side for not coming to him sooner with such important information. He would cut her some slack for disregarding the wishes of his Alpha who could be quite a tyrant. He turned his attention to Naraku and asked the question that was scorching his tongue. "What did the Utomi's do to you, Naraku? This is not like you. If you were so interested in seeing death and blood shed, you would have told me everything yourself and sat back to watch as I killed her."

"Hey!" Kikyo cut in. "I'm no easy win!"

Naraku stilled his fork at his lips. His eyes flashed red with something sinister before returning to their normal dark burgundy hues. He took slow bites of his chicken and savored the savory taste. He placed the fork down into the bowl with care. "Isn't that the question of the hour?" He responded openly admitting that he had ulterior motives. "Let's just say they have crossed me for the first and last time. Now, I wish to take everything they have. It just so happens that I now have the means to destroy them from the inside with you and Kikyo here serving as my proverbial wooden horse, ready to unleash a black plague unlike of which they have never seen before"

Kikyo shivered at his frosty words feeling the dark spikes of his demonic aura brushing against her pale skin. She snatched her arm back as a reflex as if burned. Her miko powers spiked against the offending force growing within her space as his tone took on a dark edge to it. "Why?" She found herself whispering no longer interested in her meal.

"I hope everything is to your liking this evening!" Spoke a young human male that came out wearing an apron with a small ponytail on the side of his head.

"Well…well if it isn't the holy monk!" Naraku greeted as Miroku nearly coughed at the familiar address of his previous profession.

"Nice to see you too, Naraku." He responded with lament before directing his attention to the other two guests. "I hope this spider wasn't giving you too much trouble."

Kikyo sat flabbergasted as the men greeted each other with amity. They spoke fondly to each other with Naraku asking minor questions regarding his role at the restaurant taking special interest in the hours of operation. Did Naraku know everyone? Is he working with Naraku? Did the human not know Naraku was about as trustworthy as an American presidential election? She reached for a glass of water now eyeing her neglected wine glass with desire. She took a sip of her cool water and noticed Sesshomaru moving in his seat. She immediately placed her glass down back onto the table bracing herself.

"Oi!" Yelled a familiar voice now approaching their table by a frustrated and red looking Myoga. The old bald demon sighed and stood resigned to his fate of never being free of the male Tashio line especially the rudest of them all.

"Inuyasha!" Kikyo questioned looking as Inuyasha stood before her and glared at Naraku.

"Kikyo!" Inuyasha responded looking around at the random group that had gathered.

"Where are Kagome and Rin?" Sesshomaru cut in knowing it would not bade well if the onna and the pup was anywhere near Kaguya at the moment. He was sure he would receive backlash in some form or another for leaving her and her mother the way he did earlier. It would make sense that Kaguya would find herself at his pack's estate waiting for him to engage in another pointless discussion. So much was at play here. He did not want to risk Kagome and Rin being caught in any of this.

"She's with pops preparing for the meeting with the doc." He answered before going right into what he wanted to say upon smelling the stench of thick miasma. "Ya bastard!" Inuyasha growled out. "Who did you kill now?"

"Inuyasha." Naraku said with humor. "How's that hole in your gut healing? I assume you have healed by now given your Inu bloodline."

"Listen fucker! Hitting someone from behind is a cheap trick!" Inuyasha snarled baring his claws at the amused spider demon. "And speaking of cheap tricks, what are you up to now!"

"Guys…can you keep it down?" Miroku asked while looking around noticing they were attracting a few onlookers. To anyone observing they looked quite happy and amicable as if all coincidentally meeting in the same space. But he knew otherwise.

"Monk." Sesshomaru greeted knowing him well from Inuyasha's list of friends before standing up and reaching in his pocket to pay for the meal. "I'll tell Kagome you have done well not to burn her establishment to the ground."

"I'm going to take that as a genuine compliment of my abilities to provide you with an amazing culinary experience as well as successfully handling such a heavy responsibility as restaurant management upon my shoulders, despite the heavy sarcasm in your original appraisal of me. Thank you." Miroku responded and dramatically bowed in French fashion. "And may I ask are you the one keeping my dearest sugar plum entertained these days?" His statement was licentious in meaning.

A beeping was heard and everyone looked to see Naraku dig into his pocket and pull out his cell. He grinned and stood up immediately not finishing his meal. "Well I have got to get going. I have a wolf to slaughter for his distasteful treatment of my foolish sister." He excused himself and shook his hand against Sesshomaru's money being placed onto the table. Sesshomaru took back his money and nodded to Naraku understanding that this was more than a lunch but the seal of a deal. "The meal has been exceptional and the conversation was equally as enjoyable." He praised placing a wad of hundred dollar bills onto the table from his wallet. He walked towards Miroku and patted him on the back. "Compliments to the chef."

"Naraku! What do you want from us?" Kikyo asked not believing that he just came here to get them all together for a rousing.

Naraku stopped and looked back waving his hand in the air in a flourish. "Just answer the phone when I call, Kikyo. I'll see you all at the 'wedding'." He spoke using his clawed fingers to make air quotations before walking leisurely towards the exit. He held the door open for an elderly couple coming in basking them in his deceivingly warm smile.

"Despicable." Kikyo grounded out with irritation at his behavior.

"Kouga is a dead man." Miroku muttered, rubbing his chin wondering if he should text the demon a head's up or leave him to his gruesome fate. Inuyasha nodded in agreement not wanting to be his friend at the moment.

"Inuyasha…come." Sesshomaru said stepping away as well to leave and turning his brother around with a push. He paused next to Kikyo without looking at her. Kikyo sat stiffly in her chair looking to him waiting for the other shoe to drop. "And Kikyo…well done. Sign the papers and send them to Naraku." He declared before walking forward and murmuring to his younger brother who was literally all ears to hear what he had missed.

Kikyo watched as Inuyasha said something earning him a glare from his brother and hit upside the head. She hoped he didn't tell Sesshomaru he knew…everything too. They did not need a civil war breaking out when they were already in the middle of one with their enemies. Everyone had left taking the excitement with them leaving Kikyo sitting alone in silence with a table of barely touched warm food, great wine, and lots of American cash on the table that hadn't even been converted into Euros or Francs. She looked at her food in shock at the play of events. She was fine and managed to not suffer a cut to her throat. Her fingers were warm but nothing that spoke of a powerful reiki response was detected. Instead Sesshomaru just told her to go through with it…just like that. No insults…no threats…no promises of threats….nothing! "What the hell just happened?" Kikyo asked out loud.

"I'm not sure but I'm positive we are all in for quite the ride if we were brought together by Naraku." Miroku sat down across from her and smiled politely looking at all the uneaten food on the table and the almost full bottle of wine that sat going unappreciated. He collected the cash from the table and flagged down the waitress to take to the register. He would convert it, sort it out, and put the excess in the server's pockets as a tip. He left Jak in charge of the kitchen so they would be ok for a few minutes without him. He was pretty sure the twins had already gossiped and told the crew what was happening in the dining room. Miroku smiled at the woman who looked strikingly like her younger sister but held a different air about her. He reached for Sesshomaru's uneaten plate and was pleasantly surprised to see Myoga bring over a fresh glass and fill it with the lovely wine the table sampled.

Kikyo sighed shaking her head. She wanted to believe this was all a coincidence but she knew better. Naraku knew everyone it seemed and they all came together under the roof of the one person she wanted to leave out of this mess. Inuyasha had even come by just as riled up as she was when she received Naraku's 'summons'. She looked to the male sitting across from her. "And who are you? What are you to Naraku?"

Miroku poured himself a small glass and lined his lap with the cloth napkin like a perfect gentleman. "I'm the guy that knows somebody that knows somebody." He responded trying to lighten the mood. He knew it would be dreadful if the sister of his boss had such a horrible first time experience in the manner she just went through. "And you?" He asked picking up the wrapped silverware and waiting patiently for her reply.

Kikyo smirked picking up her fork and cursing to hell the detox. She would just pay for it later. "I'm the somebody you would know." She lifted her hand and reached across the table making an attempt to befriend the staff leader that was so trusted by her sister as well as the guy that gave takeout to his best friends. "I'm Kikyo."

Miroku took her hand and politely shook it with care keeping his lecherous ways to himself. The woman had been through enough so he heard. He would not have this place become a source of torment for her. "I'm Miroku. Pleasure to meet you." They shook and then he let go over her hand. "So you're the one that's been sharing in on my to-go plates. Inuyasha's told me many good things about you."

"Oh really? Me?" Kikyo asked with curiosity feeling the tension leave her. "Do tell."

Naraku got in the back seat of his black car quite cheery. The driver closed his door soundly before going around to his seat. The sound of the engine waking up from its nap roared beneath him ready to go forward. A whistle of a tune came from Naraku's lips as he searched through his phone for his list of contacts. Naraku thought his little business meeting went better than expected. Seeing the number he wanted, he selected the name and waited patiently for the ringer to begin. He wasn't disappointed when his call was picked up on the second ring.

"Hakudoshi, where is Tashio and the woman with the child?"

"…"

Naraku smirked receiving the details he wanted. "Excellent." He said before disconnecting and looking to the open partition where the driver waited patiently for Naraku's destination choice. "Tashio Tower." He commanded before getting comfortable in the fine leather of his seat.

His claws went through his text messages before finding the ones he shared with Kouga. The wolf said many things but how convenient he had managed to keep silent his little tango with his sister. Naraku made a mental note to lay a trap and catch the wolf for his stupidity. Only he could manipulate his sister but no one else. Maybe he would even use this moment as an invitation to get Kagura in on his plans. She had been of no fun lately choosing to run her little bar which just so happen to be in Paris. But he was certain his wind witch of a sister picked up a few rumors and stories that could be of some use to him. Naraku looked out of the dark window to his right watching the little quarter pull away slowly from his view. He adjusted his cufflinks and straightened his silk black tie back to perfection. "But first I believe its high time we meet, Kagome. Can't leave you out of the fun." He voiced with an eerie smirk growing on his face the closer the car moved toward its destination.

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