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One

Kagome sighed as she washed her hands, she was introduced to a few before Toran shoved her closer to those that her mother would approve of. Naraku eyed her, really he was amused by her relaxed air he wasn't sure if after a look at her body if he would have liked it better had she dressed up. Kouga definitely approved, even Ayame did despite her possessive grip on his arm. That was more a wolf's wear anyways it was best to dress loosely only good to be stuffy a few times a year at various parties.

She watched Sara move closer to Sesshomaru she couldn't read that expression but she felt he was sizing her up with her hands on her hips she only smirked. He might have been surprised she didn't step back but he didn't show it.

Good for her.

It was stiff to say the least she didn't know what to think of them this wasn't really her crowd she shook her head. Yes it was she just didn't like it, that was the way though one didn't come into this world like this she remained silent allowing them to take a look at her. She wasn't afraid no, it didn't make her nervous being surrounded byt demons she didn't know or trust. By all accounts she'd have an alpha position and she wore it well. When Inuyasha stepped out of the way she went past making her way to the bathroom. In the past it wouldn't have been like that she would have been in a room with a one way mirror one she was protected by yes but she'd be unsure who was watching her. Strange yes but again it was by all means informal just a look, if a demon thought or felt anything...well so long as they were a pureblood then that was it.

That would have been if the family's decided what would be the next step in the 'relationship'.

Inuyasha wasn't sure if he felt he liked her or hated her, there was something...and it was small but it was there. This something made him think she was more like his brother. He couldn't place it but it was the same thing that made him the way he was. At least he would put it like that unwilling to take responsibility for himself. He always had to compete with his brother sure on one hand both of them really did have a decent inheritance from their father, something to claim. Though they were demons, it wasn't just fair is fair and all is well.

He was still the second son and he'd always be only half of what his brother was.

He didn't bring his complaints to his father but he was made well known of that fact he would say something but then it was another thing. His brother never complained when people, humans that were in the dark, or demons that knew everything got bold. They would say the same thing, what a shame it is for him to share his position with a half-breed. They would call him weak for not killing him but he never said a fucking thing it drove him crazy. He could back down and get shunned for it but Sesshomaru, anyone would say any little thing they thought would get to him, when he picked his battles it was mature.

He wondered what his secret was, he wondered what would make it so he could out do the other.

Kagome decided to go to the bathroom she wasn't sure yet what people thought, on one hand she didn't care, on another she still didn't care but she'd never hear the end of it from her mother if she wasn't perfect she'd like to know what she'd be tuning out. She wasn't sure how long she kept to the bathroom, she was just following her semi-rehearsal as far as this went. She looked up as Sango walked in closing the door behind her.

"I know what you're thinking and it's really as simple as not wanting to be treated weird when I'm trying to relax." she said.

Sango cocked her head Kikyo was pretty to her but there was something genuinely special about Kagome.

"I think I understand...I'm not angry anyhow I was just surprised."

"That I wanted to be comfortable instead of getting all dressed up for a whole day of standing playing fake?"

She chuckled.

"Well yes, but when you put it like that this suits you."

"So what's the damage? Everyone impossible because I didn't come all dolled up?"

"Well these are demons, did you see that stringy napkin Lady Tsubaki was wearing? Not my thing but considering who you are meant to stand out for you nailed it."

Kagome grinned as she moved to sit on the counter.

"Oh damn and here I was trying to blend into the background...next time you'll be able to warn me so I know to dress the opposite."

Sango smiled her until she frowned.

"People keeping watch over me, it's strange I was just Kagome for a long while now I'm here expected to act some way to make nobles I don't give a shit about a show they won't give two hoots about either. It's idiotic."

Sango leaned against the counter.

"Lord Inuyasha thought the same thing but you know Lady Kagome if you just stick through it you can get it over with in a moment."

"Doesn't seem like it."

Toran did most of the talking which she was grateful for she couldn't be bothered in the least and she wasn't going to be kissing the ass of any of them. After all she was supposed to be an equal Toran stood outside waiting for her to come back she was just glad that there wasn't a window in there for her to escape out of. She didn't really have an issues with showing up when she needed to, but for the first time she is really meeting others aside from secret meetings at her mother and father's home she knew that she was growing tired of this. Once her mother wanted her to enter the world of their family as the wife of someone else with Kagome's constant rejection she settled on this instead.

Men just didn't want to bother coming all the way to their home just to be sent packing.

"You'll get used to it."

"Have you ever known one of the women here right when they started?"

"Well not really no."

"Then how can you be sure? I'm not even looking to get married...my family isn't in some debt that needs a marriage to help it. I don't need help elsewhere it's finally time to be out and about my own kind that's the only reason I'm here and not the entertainment some secret party. She tried to groom me to be just like her, it failed over and over this isn't my thing."

"Perhaps cheating at pool with the next round of sake on the loser would be better?" she teased.

Kagome smirked as she gave her a look.

"Cheat? Why whatever do you mean?"

"Oh come off it, you know exactly what I'm talking about."

"Nope I'm innocent in every meaning of the word."

Sango laughed.

"Bull, come on let's stick it out and I'll get you a drink later."

"After midnight?"

"Sure, time for you to see things when the demons are in charge, it'll be even more fun with Miroku paying."

"Miroku? Isn't that the manwhore you told me about?"

"Hey be nice I said manslut."

With a wider grin she followed her out, Toran was on the phone as they stepped out she shook her head as she tried to pass it off to her. She already knew who it was the demons didn't waste a second when it came to what was news to them. Here comes the future heiress and this is her taste in denim...yep she made just the impression she was hoping to make.

…..

Midnight came around the blinds were closed, doors locked and the portal was opened the mix of blonds, brunettes, redheads...turned into a rainbow of mostly skin. Though that was speaking of the filler guests had Sesshomaru chosen to be free with his form many of them would have been crushed. He moved while Jaken was deflating his 'human form' ignoring his cries as he made it to the balcony. The busy streets were replaced with a thick forest while the demon world had been brought somewhat up to speed in time after a tear from a certain half-breed's sword things changed.

Sesshomaru frowned, Inuyasha had only been a child it was a mistake but he was a fool, he couldn't handle the now lost sword it's power over powered even him and he cut the small tear that only a few demons could get through. Soon the leaders had to find a better way to live there were still wars mostly 'small' by some standards which was where the heir's parents came in but Inutaisho was the most influencial voice. They had to protect the humans that weren't made for this world that's why they came. Why there was an elder council now to keep things running as close to smoothly as possible. Many demons liked the luxury.

Though when one considered how fast demon children grew especially without limits they had to consider the amount that were pissed just with the limitations. You couldn't just be a modern business man or woman anymore. Sesshomaru could come back whenever he chose but he often handled the mix of companies his father put him in charge of, companies that technically would have been his from the land they were on. The elders were mostly simple demons that kept the peace between the other leaders their limited powers of course included making it easier for demons to mix with humans, with disguises after all not all demons even had access to a human form.

He might have thrown a tantrum when he was younger had this happened and his father's decision won, but now he understood. To rule over his section in the Western lands was one thing but to rise to the top among the humans now was another. His following always seemed to be growing but when they were here and he took his demon form he was the same vicious killer he'd always been...even Sesshomaru could respect that. Inutaisho had limited rules but as he could always best his son in a fight he did follow the few rules he had and one of them was to keep their place steady where it was in the eyes of the modern human he'd always have demons on his side for an uprising but there were some that loyal just for a bit of gold.

Then of course there was the other obvious benefit...it was fun.

Inutaisho could be threatening to so many but privately he could admit enjoying some of the peace that came from keeping the world with both sides coexisting though the barrier was torn it could close. It wasn't a threat now but along with being prepared for war he only thought that it should be enjoyed, time away from war..if they were seperated and could no longer see one another at least he knew he had a son that was well rounded enough to make it work without him he had skills for both worlds after all.

He sighed as he reached in his jacket pocket checking the other as the music got louder and food they were more accustomed to was brought out of the kitchen.

Pinching the bridge of his nose he pretended he wasn't as irritated as he was, he'd forgotten one thing that made him get through these parties. He supposed it was true that they should learn to coexist no matter what realm they were in they were so much alike. While too much tobacco...too much of anything could quickly become a problem for a human demons didn't have problems they couldn't adapt to. Caffiene and tobacco were the only vices that really stuck with him and without a cappuchino he'd probably kill someone without a smoke.

He sometimes hated the blend of tradition for the humans that had some equal standing with them and the demons that just liked to toy with them.

"Missing something?"

He looked up, she'd really managed to sneak up on him , with the lost forms she really wasn't the only one a little more loosely dressed. He looked down as she offered her pack he shook his head taking one.

"Is it that obvious?" he asked...ironically enough he did remember his lighter.

Kagome smirked.

"Not really, you're kind of stone facedt hough I could tell your demon is a little jumpy."

Taking a slow drag he eyed her.

"You can sense my demon's mood?"

"Call it a special skill."

Toran pushed through a small crowd and sighed seeing Jaken crying about being abandoned looking around she spotted Kagome and smiled wondering if she was willingly taking it seriously now. Truth be told their fathers hated one another but they did have the largest chunks of land compared to what was split between some of the other leaders. Kai liked to spread his power too though they couldn't stand one another but they would handle keeping up appearances for meetings.

She wondered how that would go, and only because they made an effort to keep things peaceful when they had more important problems to take care of.

Sesshomaru could tell which family she was from of course, but it was a matter of if he cared or not, after all the scent was obvious they were equals and that was exactly what he was looking for. He wasn't one to beat around the bush either, he knew he wasn't the only one taking an interest after all, a virgin with strong demon blood pulsing as they neared mating season..well that was almost as addictive as his chosen vices were.

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