Part 21: Preparations

A/N: Hello dear readers, we are taking one more step closer to the end of the story. Things will be moving fast from this point on. Thanks so much for reviewing:

Little25victor

AmorPorSiempre

Maria-Reynne

Hairul the Nightrage Beast

Nowriting

Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish for it, I unfortunately own nothing except my plot, and a few OC's here and there.

Ever since we had gotten mom out of the clutches of Naraku a week before, I had not been able to see her in person. Sesshoumaru had asked me to be patient and contend myself with talking to her on the phone, and video chatting. If I were followed when going to see her, then Naraku would know where she was hiding. I understood the need for discretion, but it did not mean I liked it one bit. For the longest time, when I had thought about mom being free and us reunited, it had meant sharing one roof. Due to my current involvement with Sesshoumaru, I knew this was of course not possible… for now. In fact, as soon as we got rid of the spider hanyou, I intended full well to make my wish a reality.

Sesshoumaru had surprised me with a visit to mom this morning. It would be our first meeting since she had been freed. My lover had insisted on coming along, for protection reasons. I did not mind though. I wanted he and mom to get along. They were the two most important people in my life after all.

After exchanging tight hugs, and many greetings, mom, Sesshoumaru and I sat around the coffee table in the opulent living room, drinking tea. If Sakura Tashio had been the one to decorate the Sakura house, then the woman had quite good taste. As I had expected, the safe house was luxurious and comfortable. Quite a step up from the nasty clinic where mom had been locked up. More importantly, Sesshoumaru had placed two armed guards at the entrance of the house to keep mom safe. This was so reassuring.

"What are your intentions towards my daughter?"

Mom's sudden question took me by surprise. An interrogation of Sesshoumaru was not the reason why we had come in this morning.

"Mom! Be nice. It's thanks to him that we're reunited. Besides what kind of old-fashioned question is that? Why don't you ask me what are my intentions towards him?" I huffed in annoyance.

The tiny twitch at the corner of my lover's lips let me know he found the situation amusing. Good. The last thing I wanted was for him to feel pressured.

"I just want to make sure that his intentions are honorable. You are my only child. I want to make sure you are cherished and well looked after." Mom defended herself before taking a sip of her tea.

I rolled my eyes so much I might have popped the orbs out of their sockets. This earned me a chiding look from mom.

"Men in his line of work…"

"Mom, don't even finish that sentence!" I cut her off. Okay, enough was enough. "Sesshoumaru is an honorable man who cares for his family and his loved ones. You could not ask better for a son in-law…"

"Son in-law?" She perked up. Damn, what a slip of the tongue.

"I saw that ring on your finger, but I did not want to assume…" Mom trailed off, clearly hoping for a positive answer. Just as I was about to tell her to stuff away her expectations, Sesshoumaru interrupted me.

"As soon as this Sesshoumaru has dealt with Naraku, I fully intend to make Kagura my wife in truth."

His words made my heartbeat pick up and a warm fuzz feeling spread throughout my insides. I could not wait to be his wife, for real this time.

I was not the only one pleased by the news. Despite her earlier hesitancy, mom looked quite pleased. Her face split in a bright smile. The wear and tear and fine lines caused by her imprisonment lifted away; making her look like the beautiful woman I remembered from my youth.

"Good. She told me you have an adoptive daughter. Step-children do not always get along with their step-parents…" Mom probed further.

"You don't have to worry about that mom. I adore Rin." I told her. The teenager had managed to burrow deep into my heart. I was so happy I got to share my passion for fashion design and sewing with her. I could not wait for us to get to know each other even better. Maybe sometime soon I would give her some younger siblings. I saw the way she interacted with Shippou and Izayoi. Rin would make a great older sister.

"And she adores you too." Sesshoumaru added, making me beam.

This was a most perfect moment. I could not remember the last time I had felt so at ease. If only the threat of Naraku was not looming over us, I would have said I felt truly happy.

"Come on old man! Show me what you got!"

This was the only warning Sesshoumaru got before his brother sent a devastating attack towards him.

"Sankon Tessou!" The hanyou summoned some sort of impressive youki claw shaped attack.

Sesshoumaru was ready for it though, and he raised his arm to parry the attack. He called forth his whip and slashed the onslaught coming his way in small pieces. The clash caused a strong gust of youki laced wind to sweep throughout the room. Good thing we were in the bare training room. The vibrations of such an attack would have broken quite a few nice things in the main house.

"I believed you were supposed to train this Sesshoumaru so I could get ready for my fight against Naraku. If his is the best you can do, then I have no need of your help." My lover threw at his brother before retracting his whip.

This insult infuriated Inuyasha. He unsheathed his sword, and launched a much more devastating attack.

"Kaze no Kizu!" The hanyou yelled even as a wave of youki left his sword to barrel towards Sesshoumaru. I was shocked at the strength of Inuyasha's attack. I never could have imagined a hanyou would be able to produce such massive offense. Most would not. Naraku was strong for a hanyou as he was some sort of evil manufactured freak, and not a natural DNA mix between a human and a hanyou.

Even though I was at a respectable safe distance from the attack, I felt the youki from Inuyasha's offense rush towards me. I flicked my fan opened, and summoned a protective tornado to envelop me. It pushed back against the wind of Inuyasha's Wind Scar, and prevented me from being hurt. I felt Touga's ring warm around my finger, a silent reminder that even if my winds failed in keeping me safe, I had added protection. Thankfully my fan was strong, and me and the wind had become good friends, so I was kept nicely protected in my cocoon while Inuyasha's attack raged around the room, leaving cracks on the walls and destroying the tatami mats. The most fearsome part of the attack was heading straight for the man I loved, and my heart skipped a beat.

Thankfully he had things handled. This time around, Sesshoumaru had to quickly take out his sword to block the attack. The impact was so strong that it pushed him back two steps. My eyes bulged out in surprise. He was the strongest youkai I knew, and clearly his younger half brother was the strongest hanyou ever. Sesshoumaru did quickly regain his footing, hiding he had suffered any effect from his brother's attack.

"This was better. We shall stop here for now. This Sesshoumaru has a meeting soon." He sheathed his sword. I noticed straight away that he was moving his right arm stiffly. He would properly never admit it, but blocking Inuyasha's attack had surely hurt him. I could not help but worry. Before he left, I made a mental note to check on his injury.

"I apologize for interrupting you, but I have news!" Miroku threw opened the doors of the training room, and burst in. He had been working on getting the approval of the two other Lords so that Sesshoumaru may challenge Naraku to a duel. Without their go-ahead the challenge would never happen. He had not given us any updates out of late, so we were all curious to find out what he had managed to do so far.

"Wow. You two are really going at it!" The young human whistled; clearly shocked at seeing the severe damages the Tashio brothers had caused to the training room.

Good thing that the place was sturdy, a lesser building would have collapsed by now.

"Were you able to finalize things with the mangy wolf?" Inuyasha ignored his friend's comment. By his tone of voice, the hanyou had shown his distaste for Lord Kouga. He probably hated the thought that we so needed the support of the men he disliked so much.

"Yes. Lord Kouga has agreed to support Sesshoumaru-sama's challenge. It sure helped that his wife was there when we met this time around." For the past week, Miroku had been trying to get a definitive agreement from the Ookami Lord. Kouga had formulated some concerns. He may be an ally of the West, but he feared the power vacuum the death of Naraku may leave behind. H had therefore asked for some time while he thought things over.

"Once Lady Ayame pointed out that she found Naraku 'creepy', and that he had been disrespectful to her too, then it was game over. Kouga told me he would back your challenge 100%." Miroku informed us happily.

Sesshoumaru nodded clearly pleased. While I relished the thought of him finally killing Naraku, I was still nervous about the fight. I did not doubt Sesshoumaru would win, but I feared the toll such a fight would have on his body.

"What about Menoumaru?"

Miroku made a grimace before answering his Lord's question.

"I met with his envoys Ruri and Hari." The pervert took the time to smile briefly at the thought of the two beautiful female moth youkai who accompanied and represented their Lord. If only Sango were here to give him a well placed kick to the head. "Long story short, Menomaru is being difficult. He says that he has no mate, and therefore could care less about Naraku's insults to Lady Kagura. In fact, he asked for something in return for his support…"

"Keh! I never liked the bastard!" Inuyasha spit. "So tell us, what does he want?"

Miroku sighed before answering. "His demands are outrageous… he wants 50% of our shipment proceeds for the next three months."

"Son of a bitch!" The hanyou exclaimed.

While I did not know exactly how Sesshoumaru's operation worked, nor how much money he made on a monthly basis, considering his lavish lifestyle, he was sure to rack in quite a lot of money. I doubted most of his money came from his art gallery or his casino, which I had guessed to be simple money laundering fronts, so what Menoumaru was after was clearly the arms dealing.

"Pay him, but only 25% for a month. He will have to contend himself with that. Remind him that we will all benefit from Naraku's territory when I will rid us of that damned spider."

"Keh! That's still too much!" Inuyasha was clearly unhappy that his brother was giving in so easily.

"I am Lord, my word goes." My lover replied dryly. He sent a look to his younger brother, daring him to protest. A silent conversation went on between them, and Inuyasha finally shrugged his shoulders. Sesshoumaru then landed his harsh golden gaze straight on his human lawyer.

"My Lord, are you certain?" Miroku held his master's gaze, not even flinching. He might be human, and he might be a lecher, but the man had guts in order to dare face his employer thus. Maybe I had judged him too hastily. Well there had to be something in him to admire for Sango to have fallen for him…

"I said pay him."

"As you wish milord. I will go set a meeting with Ruri and Hari straight away. I shall inform you as soon as we have come to agreeable terms." With a bow towards his employer, Miroku left.

"We will train again tomorrow. Same time." Without acknowledging his brother beyond that point, Sesshoumaru walked away. I followed closely behind him. I needed to make sure he was okay. I had to check on his arm. He surely would deny being hurt, but I knew better. We left the training room, and walked through the gardens to reach the main house.

As soon as we got into our room, he sat on our bed to remove his boots. He then loosened his kosode enough to slip it off his shoulders, and undid the ties of his hakama. Both of the Tashio brothers had shown up in traditional gear for their training session. While I had seen Sesshoumaru wearing his white hakama and kosode when we trained, I was surprised to see Inuyasha sporting a bright red robe woven from the fur of some sort of youkai. It was a stark difference from his usual garments.

As soon as my lover undressed, I zeroed in on his sword arm, and sure enough a large purple bruise had appeared on his fair skin. I cursed under my breath. I knew that if I pointed out the obvious injury he would clam up. The man was so stubborn when it came to him admitting being hurt.

"Naraku won't know what hit him. That was quite an impressive display." I sat next to him on the bed.

"Did you doubt my abilities?"

"No, of course not." I looked at his arm, and traced his sinewy bicep. He clenched his teeth, but did not let me know in how much pain he was. My Sesshoumaru was so brave. "I just can't wait for you to rid us all of Naraku for good."

He grunted in response. I knew he would never let me nurse him to health, but maybe I could come up with a way to make him forget about his pain. I rolled to the side, and raised myself up to seat on his lap, straddling his hips, and locking my legs around his waist. There would be no getting rid of me. I leaned forward to press a kiss to his neck. I tasted the saltiness of his skin courtesy of his training session with Inuyasha. Delicious.

"If we start this, I will be late." He groaned. Despite the obstruction of our clothes, I could feel him swelling against my inner thigh, so I knew that despite his protests, he was not going anywhere either.

"Is your meeting so important that you can't go in a few minutes late?"

Even as I asked the question, I did not expect him to answer. Sesshoumaru kept his home life and business life separate. I had never pried as I already had a vague idea of what he did for a living, and knew that he kept me in the dark to protect me. In our world, wives were not involved in the daily activities of their men. I highly doubted Inuyasha told Kagome about all the people whom he routinely killed while doing his brother's bidding. Their relationship was surely the better for it. I had a hard time believing the kind hearted human would be okay with knowing about her husband's deeds. Good thing I was not the fragile openhearted kind. I had grown up in that world, and been confronted head on by Naraku's violence. I knew what needed to be done for survival and to keep one loved one's safe and taken care of. Eventually I fully intended to become Sesshoumaru's partner in all regards, and that meant helping him to the best of my abilities to take care of his business. Once we were well rid of Naraku, and started our lives together, I would be able to find out all about the functioning of Sesshoumaru's organization, and how best to be helpful to him. For now seduction was on my mind. I pressed more kisses to the side of his neck.

"I am meeting my main supplier. He claims to have a sword of interest to me. The old senile fool Totosai won't mind if I am a bit late." As if to emphasize his point, he suddenly pushed the straps of my wrap dress down my arms, unveiling me to him.

I leaned back to look at him in surprise. I was shocked that he had so easily told me so much information on his business. I had come across the name of Totosai before. He was some ancient demon who manufactured youkai weapons. Sesshoumaru ignored my reaction. He was more interested in my naked body. He groaned when he saw I was not wearing a bra. He seemed to like it as he suddenly took a hold of my left breast and played with it. The way he teased the tip drove me wild. As he knew it would.

Well, two could play that game. I scooted a bit backwards on his lap, and lowered my hands to his lap to stroke his rod. Good thing he had started to get the job done by undoing the ties of his pants earlier. It gave me easy access to exactly what I was looking for. I was pleasantly surprised to see he was already fully aroused. Way to stroke my ego! I heard him grunt when I squeezed him in appreciation. Frankly, he was not the only one feeling randy right now. I had no need of foreplay either. I could not wait to have him inside me.

"It seems witnessing my fight with Inuyasha has aroused you; an usual occurrence where you are concerned." Sesshoumaru teased me. I knew he was referring to the fact that our own training sessions almost always ended up with us entwined and making love on the tatami mats; most of the time at my own instigation.

"Shut up and kiss me." I retorted. He smirked, and instead of taking my readily offered lips, he lowered his mouth to my breast he still held in his palm. He alternated between kisses and nibbles. Damn that man was infuriating, but knew exactly how to get me going.

I was no slouch either. I may have first come to him a virgin, but since then I had learned a few tricks. I let go of Sesshoumaru long enough to brace myself and rise above him. In a few movements, I had raised the hem of my dress, pushed my underwear aside, and lowered myself on my lover's shaft. We exchanged groans when I was fully seated. For a while none of us moved. We simply savored the feel of our joining while staring straight into each other's eyes. I could not help but blush under the scrutiny of his gaze. He looked at me as if I were the only woman in the world. What a thrill.

I buried my reddened face in the crook of his neck, locked my legs tight around his waist, wrapped my arms around his chest, and held on for the ride. He tilted his hips forward, reaching deep into me and hitting dead-on my inner sweet spot. It felt glorious.

Now that there were no secrets between us, that we were on the same page, and actively working together, I felt closer to Sesshoumaru than ever, and it showed in the way we made love. We set up a perfectly synched leisurely pace as we gently rocked and swayed together. I raised my head up to take a hold of his lips. This time around he did not evade me, and we shared a deep kiss.

Soon my lover grew impatient, and took a hold of my hips to raise me up and slam me down harder on his length. We then began to move faster. Seemingly still non-content with the intensity of our lovemaking, Sesshoumaru scooted closer to the edge of the bed, and planted his feet on the floor to give himself more leverage to slam up into me. Our gentle rocking turned to a full on tornado. His hard thrusts felt amazing. It felt too good, I did not want things to end too soon, so I did my best to hold back. He must have noticed I was, as he lowered his hand to where we were joined in search for my hidden jewel. He reached under my dress, which was pooling around my waist, trailed his fingers past my underwear, and went straight for my pleasure button. Game over. With a few well-practiced flicks of his fingers, I was a goner.

"Damn." I cursed as pleasure exploded throughout me. I threw my head back, and moaned low and long as wave after wave of intense pleasure spread through me.

He did not waste time following after me. His arms crushed me to him in a tight hug, and I felt him twitch before releasing his seed deep inside me. To my surprise, once he was done with his release, he fell back on the bed, taking me with him. The sudden action made me chuckle. I lowered my face against the sweaty crook of his neck, burying my nose in his hair to take in his scent. I was no inu youkai with a superior sense of smell, but I simply loved the smell and feel of him. I would never tire of this man.

We stayed frozen in place for a long time. I was still straddling his lap with his length buried deep inside me, and our naked chests mashed together. He was lying on his back on our bed, staring silently at the ceiling, breathing deeply, trying to catch his breath. Glad to see I had pushed the great Dog Demon Lord to greater exertion than a fight with Inuyasha did. Go Kagura!

Reluctantly I broke our connection when I felt him soften inside me. I rolled to the side and lay back on the bed next to him. Lethargy was settling in, so I did not even bother trying to fix my dress. It was still bunched around my hips, revealing my naked legs, and the collar was gaping open, which left my breasts on full display. Sesshoumaru averted his gaze from the ceiling, and gave my half naked form an interested look. I knew he was debating having me again versus being even later to his meeting. Personally I voted for option one.

He came back to his senses, stood up and pulled up his pants. He did not bother putting his top back on.

"I will go take a bath." He stated while heading to our connecting bathroom.

"If you need help to scrub your back, I volunteer." I breathed out. I was still flying high from my amazing orgasm, but when it came to Sesshoumaru I could never get enough.

He paused upon hearing my suggestion. He turned around. A smirk graced his face when he saw my inviting extended hand towards him. Time for round two. I chuckled when he lifted me in his arms and took me to the bathroom. I had a few ideas as to what we could be doing in the bathtub. Hot water and a massage would be just the thing to relax the muscles in his injured arm. Water games would be the perfect excuse for me to tend to him.

In the end, we fooled around so long in the bathtub that he ended up being late to his meeting. Not that he cared overmuch.

Inuyasha, Kagome and their kids were having dinner at the shrine with the Higurashi family. From what I had gathered, Miroku had managed to convince Sango to go out on a date with him. Other than the ever-present solicitous staff, and the annoying kappa Jaken, the mansion was empty. This was a rare treat. Sesshoumaru, Rin and I were at home alone watching TV. Well at least the teenager and I were half watching some murder mystery on TV as we made small cloth leaves, the finishing touches to Shippou's school play costume. The young kitsune was playing some sort of plant monster in his class's upcoming play, and considering his mother was hopeless in that type of manual labor, some help was needed. Normally his grandmother made these for him, but this time around his older cousin Rin had volunteered to do it. I was helping and supervising her work. If a few months ago, someone had told me that I would be making a kid a costume for his play, I would have thought them crazy. Funny to see how much my life had changed since I became involved with Sesshoumaru.

Talking about the Lord of the West, he was reading a book, sitting next to us on the couch, Rin and I had settled on the ground to have a larger working space. He may not have spoken much, nor help us cut out and sew leaves, but he was there, and it was enough. This was what I had always imagined a family to be and act like. Parents and kids having dinner together, then sharing quality time together in the living room in front of the TV. It may sound like a basic evening for most people, but I had never had that before. Growing up, evenings at the Onigumo household consisted of mom and I doing our best to stay away from Naraku and his fists. Never had I experienced a domestic family scene like this. I loved it. I idly wondered if Miroku breaking the news yesterday that both Kouga and Menoumaru had approved the challenge had given the idea to Inuyasha and Kagome to let Sesshoumaru and I have a quiet evening at home with Rin. Even though I had full confidence in his abilities, something could still happen to Sesshoumaru. After all, Naraku did not fight fair. I knew being right here with Rin and him would be a treasured memory for me always; whatever the outcome of the duel might be. I dispelled such negative thoughts from my mind.

"Alright, this is the last one." I finished stitching on the last of the leaves on the brown hose that made up the base of Shippou's costume.

"What do you think Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin asked. In her excitement she had brandished up the costume we had just finished up.

Said man looked up from his book to critically look at his daughter's handiwork.

"Shippou will look like a most… distinguished tree."

The teenager giggled at her father's statement while I chuckled heartily and a smirk developed at the corner of Sesshoumaru's lips. To mask his lack of composure, he went back to reading his book.

Our sweet family time was interrupted by the door of the living room being thrown open. In walked in none other than Sakura Tashio. The last person I would have expected to see.

"Mother, what a surprise." Sesshoumaru said dryly, not even looking up from his book.

Undeterred, Sakura glided over Rin and I then strolled to the armchair opposite from the one her son was occupying. "What is this I hear about you using my house?"

"Rin go to your room." Sesshoumaru finally put down his book.

"Okay. Good evening Sakura-sama." The young human bowed low before doing as told and hightailing out of there, taking along our project and sewing materials. Damn, I wish I could tag along with her.

"I still don't know why your keep this human pet around…" At least Sakura had the decency to wait until Rin was out of earshot before spewing her bullshit.

"Rin is not a pet, but his child." The old witch decided to ignore my correction.

"Let us not drag this longer than necessary." Sesshoumaru turned his gaze on his mother. Gone was the warmth and amusement present before. He was back to being the Icy Lord of the West. "Yes, we are using your house to keep someone safe."

"The family owns property all over town. Of all places, why my house?"

In truth I was curious to find out the answer as well since I had wondered the same thing.

"This person is of capital importance. I needed her close in case Naraku tries to harm her even more than he has already. This arrangement is temporary. My people are actively looking for a more permanent solution."

I was glad that Sesshoumaru had not told his mother the person he was protecting was my mom. Considering how much the old dog demoness hated me, I would not put it past her to go by the Sakura house and throw mom out.

"I should have known Naraku was somehow involved…" The old hag growled. "What is this I hear about you challenging him? Over him insulting Kagura?!" She spit out my name as if it let a bad taste in her mouth.

"I fully aim to make him pay for the pain and suffering he has caused Kagura, and I do intend to finally get my revenge on the insufferable spider."

"Revenge for what?" His mother cut him off. "Stealing a few shipments here and there? If you surrounded yourself with more capable youkai employees, this would not happen."

I was shocked. I realized then and there that Sakura did not know the root of Sesshoumaru's grudge against Naraku. She did not know that he was responsible for the death of her ex-husband. On top of that, the woman clearly did not approve of the way Sesshoumaru ran his business. He was the only Lord I knew to use hanyou and humans in his inner circle. From what I have seen this was far from being a weakness. Before I would have thoughts aligned with the ones of Sakura, but no more. The bonds of mutual trust my lover shared with his team was admirable.

"It goes deeper than that. Much deeper." Sesshoumaru struggled to let the words out. He had buried that information for so long that sharing it was difficult; I could tell. I remember how upset her had been after telling Inuyasha and Miroku. I stood up from my spot on the floor to sit next to him. It was a tight fit, so I was almost on his lap. Not that he seemed to mind. I slipped my hand in his, landing him my strength.

"Naraku murdered father…"

"Preposterous!" His mother cut in. "How could a pathetic hanyou kill Touga. Do not be ridiculous son."

"I found father's body. He was lying in a pool of blood in the middle of his study. The room reeked of Naraku and his youki. Father had been run through from the back with his own sword."

Sakura clearly was in shock. All of a sudden she grew pale, wrinkles showing on her face where there had been none before. It was as if she had aged decades in only a matter of seconds.

"Naraku took the scabbard of Touga's sword as a souvenir, and had it displayed in his son's penthouse as a trophy for years…" I added in case she still doubted her own son's words.

That last bit of information shattered her. The older woman turned even paler. If she had not been standing so straight, I would have thought she had fainted. I was surprised by the intensity of her reaction. She must have loved Touga very much despite the fact that he had abandoned her for another woman.

"Son, do whatever it takes, but kill the miserable excuse of a hanyou."

"This Sesshoumaru fully intends to."

I popped an eye opened. I had been peacefully sleeping, but something had caused me to wake up suddenly. I could not tell why, but an uneasy feeling was spreading through me. I took a peak at the window and saw no sunlight. It was still the middle of the night. I reached to my side, and found an empty side of the bed, but warm sheets. Sesshoumaru had just gotten up. I picked up my phone from the side table, my first instinct was to give him a call and find his position, but I decided against it. He should not be too far away.

I slipped out of bed, threw on my robe, tucked my phone in my pocket, and went in search of my lover. Unsurprisingly I found him in his study, but surprisingly wearing his pajamas. Even if going in search of a glass of water in the middle of the night, Sesshoumaru always made sure to slip on proper clothing. Something was up. Something bad.

"Find her immediately, or suffer the consequences." I heard him growl into his cellphone before throwing the electronic device away. Very unlike him to display such anger. I shivered once I saw hints of red appearing in his eyes. His inner demon was close to the surface. This was bad.

I tentatively walked forward, my thumb trailing the protective ring on my finger. I knew Sesshoumaru would not hurt me, but a part of me still felt uneasy about approaching him when he was in such a mood. He seemed to have sensed my nervousness because he took a deep calming breath.

"Sesshoumaru? Is something the matter?" I grabbed his hand in mine.

"I had a call a few hours ago from my security team. Your Mom was taken from the safe house."

My blood turned cold. "What, how? I thought you had some of your best men protecting her?!"

"They failed in their mission." He growled angrily. "Some lost their lives in the attack because of it."

"Attack?!" I gasped. Bile rose in my throat. I could just imagine mother being hurt, or worse killed.

"Naraku sent mercenaries to do his dirty work. My remaining bodyguards assured me your mother was unharmed when she was taken."

This was reassuring, barely.

Sesshoumaru cradled my face in his hands, and looked straight into my eyes. "We will get her back safely. I promise."

The sound of the doorbell prevented me from asking more. Before I knew it, I had broken apart from Sesshoumaru, and rushed down the corridor towards the front door. It could be someone with information on mom.

I threw the door opened and was disappointed to see only a package on the doorstep. I looked towards the darkness, but was disappointed not to see anyone around. I crouched to pick up whatever had been left behind.

"Don't open it!" I heard Inuyasha yell from somewhere up the staircase.

"Kagura!" Sesshoumaru warned me just as he appeared behind me.

The Tashio brothers were obviously trying to hide something from me, but I was not having it. I opened up the cardboard box and only had time to quickly spy its contents before my lover snatched it away from me. The short glimpse I had seen had told me all I needed to know. The box contained a scrap of blood splattered pink satin. A fabric I knew all too well.

I felt like I was having deja-vu. It was as if my poison induced nightmare was becoming reality. This time around I knew whatever horrors happening were real. There would be no waking up from this nightmare.

Sesshoumaru put the lid firmly on the box without peering inside. I was sure his sense of smell told him all he needed to know.

"Is this what I think this is?" I whispered, feeling sick to my stomach. The piece of fabric was from the gown I had made for mom, and the blood covering it was obviously hers.

Sesshoumaru handed the box to Inuyasha, who had just joined us. The two shared a look of mutual understanding and the hanyou took the package and dashed away.

"It doesn't mean anything. Whoever took your mother is just trying to let us know they have her. There is no reason to panic."

We both knew he was just faking reassurance, and I was not convinced.

"Well my mother has been kidnapped and injured, so excuse me if I am panicking!"

I felt a buzzing, and it took me some time to realize it was my phone. Out of instinct I picked it up and saw I had received a text message. Maybe I would receive information on mom.

'Did you get my present? I warned you not to cross me. There is more to come.'

My heart skipped. The text may have been sent from an unknown number, but I knew full well who sent it. Naraku wanted to let me know he was responsible for this.

I let my device fall from my limp hand, crashing to the ground in pieces.

"Naraku just warned me. He is just getting started."

To be continued…

A/N: Things are moving towards the final showdown. Naraku is hell bent on revenge. Let's see what he will do next. I am sure you are curious to find out what's next, so I will do my best not to have you wait to long! The chapter will be named Frayed.