NINE

"A language spell Kurenai?" Sango asked as she laid the clothes on one of the couches.

"Yeah. It's better if you can speak and understand the language of this country." Kurenai set her right foot on the floor, "Inuyasha, can you help me get to that chair?" she pointed to the black reclining chair in front of her.

The hanyou carefully scooped her up and brought her to the chair.

"Geez, I was thinking I could walk?" she smiled at him.

"But you can't walk Miss-I-Can-Do-It-All." he answered sarcastically as he settled her down, she smiled at him in thanks.

The miko instructed them to form a circle starting with her and once she's satisfied with their position, she turned to her furry sons, "Okay you guys, behave and stay put." she took a deep breath and began chanting the spell from the book.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha immediately sensed her powers rising, it got stronger as each moment passed and the others started feeling it. Kurenai raised her gaze from the book and they saw her blood red eyes fade into a golden glow. Not quite like the eyes of the dog demons, hers are decadent liquid gold pools that looked exquisite on her pale skin and jet black hair. She closed her eyes, still chanting as if the spell has been engraved in her mind and the golden glow from her eyes coiled around her body. The weight of her powers nudged against them and it's astonishing, she's improved substantially without them even noticing.

"Speak as I speak, understand as I understand." as the words spilled from her lips, the light surrounding her snaked towards them and they felt the warm tingle of her powers fuse with their blood, it felt soothing before slowly fading.

Kurenai finally opened her eyes and smiled at them, "So? How is it?"

Their eyes grew wide, she spoke in the language of this country and they can actually understand it!

"C'mon, you know how to answer the same way. Let me hear it." she encouraged when her companions seemingly lost their tongues.

"It worked mama! I can understand you perfectly!" Shippo hopped in celebration but smacked his hand on his mouth when he realized he just spoke in the same foreign language.

"Wow..." Sango spoke finally, "I can't believe it."

"This is something else Lady Kurenai." Miroku added.

"What now Inuyasha? My spell didn't work on your stubborn brain?" the miko smirked at Inuyasha.

"What's that wench?!" he snarled but stopped abruptly after realizing what he just did and Kurenai chuckled.

"Well, will you look at that, good job sis!" Ren praised as he walked towards them, "At least they would have an easier time while they're here. Here are the clothes for the guys," he placed another pile on the L-shaped couch, "And here are the bracelets sis, I also looked through the storage and found the sword stands that I randomly bought way back, they're in your office." he dropped the bracelets on her open palm; one with black beads, one braided brown leather and one silver chain bracelet.

"Well what do you know, your eccentric tastes is actually helpful." she taunted and he rolled his eyes at her, "Kidding! Thanks brother. But geez, it doesn't feel good to have you do everything." she whined.

"You'll heal soon sis, and you'll be back to being busy in no time." he winked at her before waltzing back to the kitchen.

They watched Kurenai flip through the pages and when she stopped, she clasped the jewelry in her hands and started chanting once more. Her eyes glowed once again before closing them, "Hide the things that should not be seen." upon that chant, the golden glow crawled through her arms into her clasped hands. Her aura slowly faded and she opened her eyes.

"Inuyasha, Shippo, Sesshoumaru, come here please." the three walked up to her, "Give me your hands." she asked and they did. She secured the bracelets on their wrists; Inuyasha got the black leather, Shippo got the brown, and Sesshoumaru got the silver and right before their eyes, their demon features vanished; Inuyasha's dog ears turned into that of a human but kept his silver hair and his claws disappeared as well. Shippo and Sesshoumaru's ears are not pointed anymore. Shippo's tail disappeared and his paws turned into human feet while Sesshoumaru's markings and moko-moko disappeared.

"As long as you have those on, your demonic features will be hidden. When you remove the bracelet, they will reappear and you can get comfortable but for now, don't remove it yet because we have a guest coming." The demons stood astounded as they take inventory of the changes in their body.

Kurenai watched the daiyoukai through her tired, heavy eyes as she stewed on a thought.

"Sesshoumaru, I would like to ask for your permission to perform another spell on you. Though it may be painful for a moment, it will be to your advantage." she looked straight into the powerful demon's eyes.

Sesshoumaru put the miko under his intense icy stare as he weighed on her words, looking for the truth in them and whether or not she has any ill intention and found nothing but sincerity, assurance, and tenacity.

"You have no intention of telling this Sesshoumaru regarding your objective?" he inquired firmly only to be caught off guard when she smiled, bright and kind.

"It's a surprise. I assure you I mean you no harm."

He studies her for a bit more and came to a conclusion that the woman is incapable of deceit, "Very well. Just know that if you do anything untoward, the consequence will be dire." he warned.

"Yes, yes. Now, can you bend down a bit?" he was displeased by the casual request, the Lord of the Western Lands does not kneel in front of anybody especially a mere human but as he looked at the woman with an injured foot and probably made weak by the magic she used—he's actually surprised that she hasn't collapsed yet—right then, he grudgingly complied.

Kurenai scooted closer and extended her arms, one hand landing on Sesshoumaru's shoulder and one on the end of his severed appendage and the daiyoukai's amber orbs grew wide in realization of what she planned to do.