Maria stood tense, waiting, watching, listening. Part of her was even wishing that Sesshomaru would sense her distress, she had her pup and her young student's lives possibly at risk. She didn't feel this nervous, since ran head first into battle not even thinking she could be caught in the crossfire.

The engines were coming closer, who in their right mind would come to an island in the middle of the ocean. Unless Sesshomaru hired a cleaning crew without telling her. If that were the case, she was going to have some very choice words with her mate.

The engines shut off, Maria could hear that someone was walking up the deck, so stealth was out of the question, this person was making enough to noise to alarm the whole Demonic Empire.

"Mistress Maria!" a voice called out as he came within a few feet of the Lady.

Maria's eyes narrowed as she recognized the demon before her, it was one of the agents placed in this part of the world "Hiromasa, what are you doing on here?" Maria was marginally relaxed, the demon was a close friend of the family going back centuries. He was a grandson of Rin, if the rumor was to be held.

"Lord Sesshomaru has waylaid me and told me to inform you, you and he are needed back at the Palace. There are fractions that are about to declare war!" the demon answers "I was sent to guard you and the young ones."

"Prove to me, you are who you say you are. Name one thing that only the real Hiromasa knows about me." Maria demanded

"You made a doll, and a pillow from the very first kimono that Sesshomaru gave you, that you slept with each night he was away." Hiromasa answers "Would you like to hear more or because I know a ton of embarrassing stories about our gracious Lady of the Demonic Empire."

"I believe you." Maria replies "But keep in mind, if you tortured the real one, I will end your very existence."

Hiromasa bowed low.

Maria walked backwards into the house and went and retrieved Hermione and Keiko.

"We have to return to the Demonic Empire, you have two options, Hermione, I can detail someone to take you home, or you may return to the palace?" Maria replies

"Palace. If I just return home, then I have no doubt I will have an angry Heir on my hands." Hermione replies

"Very well." Maria agrees

The three left the clothes, seeing as they would have enough to last at the estate. Maria watched the demon, each hour proved to her, he was who he said he was.

Once they were back in the Demonic empire, Maria assumed her authority as the Lady of the Realm and issued orders, Sara and Noriko to be recalled and any other Slayer wishing to come with them. She posted guards outside of the nursery and Hermione's room, she took two with her as well. Just for show, the one main rule here was that crowned heads do not defend themselves unless the need arises. She called an emergency Council session.

Hermione was blown away but the efficiency of Maria's conduct with her demons. As she issued the orders, each guard ran at breakneck speed to carry out her orders. A few hours later, Sesshomaru arrived with Yasha, Harry, and Alison.

Alison took Keiko from Hermione's arms, as the girl was plainly out of her element.

"Alison, I hate to ask this of you, but my place is at Council with mother and father, would you..." Yasha states, looking at Hermione and Harry. He was torn between his duty to his siblings, and the girl, he now knew was claimed as his intended, he still hasn't figured that part out.

"Go, I can take care of our younger siblings and their friends. If you need me, send a servant." Alison replies, as Yasha turned on his heel and raced to the council chamber.

Alison having been trained since she could toddle, took Harry, Keiko, Hermione to her room. She set Keiko in the room, where some of her toys were kept. She turned to the other two.

"What's happening!?" Harry demanded

"Mom, Dad and Yasha are trying to prevent an all-out war between the Demonic Realm and the other demons." Alison replies, "while you were in school, there have council meetings every day. Yasha's been heading the Council of Heirs, which was his idea. But there has been activity in the region that isn't magical or human. That leaves demonic, and it's not good."

"What are we going to do?" Harry questions

"You are not doing anything. If anything. Mom will figure out a way to at least smuggle you out. Even if she has to resort to Order of Four Souls." Alison answers

At even the mention of the Order, Harry's eyes widen in alarm.

"If you're thinking that Kikyo will be in danger, she is prepared to do her own duty." Alison replied gravely.

"Why are you informing us about this?" Hermione questions

"If there is a slim chance of fighting, if things go badly, Yasha will be the new Ruler and he's only half-trained to Rule." Alison replies.