…...

Two

Naraku sighed as he leaned against the wall while the party seemed to have really started there were plenty of whispers about Kagome she mostly nodded at people before Toran gave her a plate and pointed at him. In a moment with a smile from her she moved to walk toward him, he eyed her as came forward for one kept in the dark she carried herself well. He cocked his head as she stopped in front of him.

"I suppose I should apologize for speaking with Lord Sesshomaru first instead of talking to you both at the same time." she offered only because Toran begged her.

He shook his head as she offered him something from the plate she carried there were many little traditions she didn't know about. Her mother often said it was best to learn a few basic things as it was one thing to accept being corrected on. She didn't want to offend anyone but aside from some basic customs like keeping away from a married demon, something that warranted death to most possessive demon females, it wasn't always clear what was alright and what wasn't. This was not a woman providing for a man but backing down to let him eat first, a more respectful option. Not that demons in this day an age kept to sexism, there were some old fashioned demons that did, but it would be same if he did anything that could insult her.

Just another thing to keep in mind he shook his head.

"No it's fine I'm not offended."

"Toran said from her papers that you were much more chill but your father isn't..I don't want any bad blood between our families. Though I think some things are ridiculous I understand there are just different things that stand out to demons."

He paused for a moment they already had a sly audience, no one gathering just watching her from the side. She was right about thatTakemaru was very particular if any one of these idiots met him and said he denied her apology she'd have an unnessecary issue. He opened his mouth, she blinked there was a time she might have blushed but it was just business. Sliding a buttered shrimp, of the demon world it was a healthy size but small enough to be eaten in a bite, the blue meat had a nice smell he tapped his chin.

"I've had a lot of food here growing up..what is it about you feeding me that makes it all the better?"

Now she blushed but it was brief and she shook her head.

"Flirting will get you nowhere."

"I'm a demon it's all I've got in this situation."

"Is that a fact?" she asked nibbling on a bit of steak she wasn't really that hungry, well she was but she was feeling a little distracted.

She had been kept sheltered in many ways after all she was used to handsome men, just not the ones she might have been pushed toward. She frowned, no still wasn't looking for a husband but she guessed she could chat a little.

"Absolutely, how about a dance? I'll tell you about it?"

She glanced over at some of the filler demons angry brutes fighting over food barely able to contain themselves, grabbing for one another. Then there were the demons bred a little differently next to those more like Sesshomaru and Naraku it was like two different worlds shoved together. Her gaze narrowed, that's exactly what it was yes but it didn't seem as obvious until now, there were some dancing even still using their human forms she glanced at him as she moved to set her plate down looking up only as Toran appeared to take it.

"Sure, why not...?"

He offered his arm as they moved to the dance floor from the balcony Sesshomaru stood looking in he didn't even bother to acknowledge Jaken as he found him. He did frown, small as it was it was there, watching Naraku put his arm around her. Though it was tradition something his father pushed for him to accept this was how things were in nuetral territory. He looked over them at the demons his father would call barbarians, barely fit for the modern half of the world that belonged to demons. He wanted to be better than that, while he didn't want to step on his son and will him to lose his alpha ways he did want him to keep a more civilized way to handle it. Besides he wasn't claiming Kagome, she was just the first to really get his attention.

Not because of the cigarette, it was knowing so easily without saying a word to him that his demon was acting up. That was more than a special skill as she called it, her aura pulsed there was a lot to her he simply sensed he didn't want Naraku to mess with that.

Granted they had been put against one another many times, in 'friendly' sparring matches since they were children there was definitely some silent respect there. Not so much a 'If I lose you to him I'll accept it' sort of way but more of a 'unlike these other bastards you have equal footing here' kind of way. It was a rare relationship even now, though if they cared to be honest Inutaisho and Kai might say they have that sort of relationship along with loving to hate one another. He did look up as Sango came into view.

"Mi'lord your brother is looking for you.."

"Is there some reason he can't find me himself?"

"Well...he got into the sake that was meant for the, demons left behind." yes the semi-monsters that were becoming more and more for entertainment than equals.

He sighed, one of the lighter differences they needed a much stronger spirit to feel the effects, so for a halfbreed it was even more consuming. That idiot was going to make him look bad. He pushed away from the railing to follow her to find his brother.

Kagome thought she might feel out of place eventually she was sometimes confident it wasn't a complete front but that didn't mean she never lost her composure. She felt as sure as she did when she walked in, she didn't have a use for a stuffy demon.

That didn't even sound right, now she'd wear whatever she wanted.

That thought in mind as the music played kept her mind on the steps, she could crack a bit under her mother's stare when she was younger but as time passed she learned to ignore it and keep up with her lessons.

"I'm impressed, most women I've been introduced to can't seem to hold themselves together, and it's not even out of fawning. They get scared...say my gaze is unnerving."

There was something there in his red eyes..but it didn't frighten her she smirked.

"In case my outfit of choice wasn't enough to say, I'm different."

"I'd say...about demons...these may not give demons the best first impression to one who was kept away from the spotlight but they are harmless. There was a time when the portal was a little fragile..as though it needed some more balance we couldn't all be here even if we could all get along. That's how they got here. Although many of them haven't been enchanted by the technology or touch of wealth pride means nothing to them."

"Should it?"

"Of course it should, my pride won't allow me to act like that when my father groomed me to make the family look good. He never wanted to fall under Inutaisho."

"Why?" she asked as he twirled her and nodded toward Sesshomaru as he very unwillingly supported his drunk brother.

"...Because of that one's mother, he always told my mother until she reached her deathbed that he wanted Lady Izayoi we're not nearly as well off as they are but obviously it's no real deal with us being at the same level. My father's pride is different always has been he even says he still loves her she only had eyes for Inutaisho though. He once told me I didn't have to address him as Lord though he was older so one day I dropped it but I kept addressing her by her title if father ever heard me address her as anything else he seemed to lose himself it wasn't normal. I was grateful she didn't pick him."

She looked at him.

"Even if he suffered..?"

"Of course, a demon...a real leader shouldn't carry shame for showing his mate affection displaying to the world...in reason how he feels. Though crazed, unable to lead, losing your home that's not even healthy by demon standards, demons that know better. Demons like us, I wanted to think he settled but your assistant is right he would lose it over something minor while I refuse to be like that."

He chuckled as he dipped her before stepping back to let go.

"Forgive me for chatting your ear off mi'lady, that aura of yours...I can't place it but it'll get you in trouble if you aren't careful. Thank you for listening."

Before she could comment he left her disappearing into the crowd she looked over as Toran grabbed her arm.

"Well done ma'am you two were in perfect sync even in your flipflops."

She smiled slightly though it faded.

"Well he didn't complain that I stepped on him so I hoped but he said something strange."

"Like what? Did he not accept your show of respect?"

"Oh he did...but he said my aura would get me into trouble..what did I do?"

Toran's grin widened.

"It's something that was kept out of your lessons so we could see how it was naturally, basically it's how you attract certain demon males."

"Meaning?"

"See how men don't flock to you when they haven't spoken to you...that's your stand as alpha, but you approached Lord Sesshomaru and Lord Naraku breaking the ice. That triggers the aura, it's how the inner demons connect and prepare for mating, see I prefer men so it wouldn't work on me. Though a demon that was equal to you could feel something if given a chance...see there was a time when it became harder to sense and that was part of the reason why they stopped putting the chosen female in a room that she could be studied in. It doesn't mean they are going to fight to death over you or that you even have to pick either of them, it just means you gave off what was attractive on a spiritual level."

Kagome shook her head.

"Really...? Is that why he wanted to just talk..freely we'll say so I don't go spreading information he wouldn't want." he spoke in whispers it was a skill taught to some yes demons have much better hearing than humans but there were ways to chat in a crowd and keep secrets they just didn't get figured out by everyone.

Toran nodded with a grin.

"It didn't bother you or anything to talk to him did it?"

"No...but I guess..I'm glad you made me come."

She winked at her.

"I'm happy to ma'am, it's almost time for the meeting to end and since Lord Sesshomaru is tending to his drunken brother you could freely take a raincheck on a fair dance with him."

"Don't I have to talk to Kouga?"

"Not tonight, from what I know Lady Ayame really wants him and he hasn't had any issue entertaining her so even if he did want to talk he wouldn't approach you with her on his arm."

"In that case I'm looking forward to going home...I could use a roast chicken."

"A dinner?"

"Of course a full course meal."

"You are hopeless."

"And you have to feed me so what?" she said sticking her tongue out at her.

"Lady Kagome?"

She turned as Sango joined them.

"I'll have to take a raincheck on that drink...we really have to monitor Lord Inuyasha when he drinks, you don't worry about crying or such but them losing their control when they drink too much."

Kagome nodded with a smile understanding.

"He is going to be alright isn't he?"

"Sure after a nice nights rest, I'll call you."

She nodded as she waved.

"You think something set him off?" Kagome asked.

"Probably, my files on him say he's very moody can snap easily, if it got to him he must have had too much to drink I wouldn't worry about him either."

"Right...actually...I see they haven't devoured the chocolates yet, buffet table."

"Right this way ma'am."

…..

"Just what the hell were you thinking?!"

Kagome yawned as her mother drowned on, they stood in her mansion a modern work of art with a decent amount of land fixed on a hill. With an impressive pool and staff to tend to the twenty rooms she had her mother could have a field day. Though there was always something missing, there wasn't always enough land, not enough art to grace the walls, the kitchen was big enough, her private room just for make up wasn't enough. Abi stood in front of her in a floor length white gown glaring at her, she was lounging on the large white couch settle in the living room in torn skinny jeans and a oversized teeshirt.

After they got home they couldn't even prepare dinner Abi sent for them, she was still a little tired but she could go without sleep that was just another benefit.

"I've never been so embarassed in my life, my daughter beautiful and strong unable to handle a simple evening dress. I'm beginning to think you don't want to get married at all, you dress up when you are in front of male company. Hello? I'm speaking to you."

Kagome sat up slowly.

"Sorry mother I was picturing you with a mustache."

She huffed as Kagome smirked, Toran held back a smile though Shunran couldn't resist a giggle as Karan elbowed her. Abi gave them a dirty look and they settled, an orange suit for Karan a pale green one for her other sister the guards were almost complete. She was close to them too.

"Kagome I just don't get it." Abi said sitting on the couch in a huff.

"Get what? You might look nice a little handlebar mustache."

"Kagome Higurashi."

She stopped though smirked earning an eye roll from her mother.

"You could have anyone and you keep up with this...silliness."

"Oh please I was to meet them, what's the point of pretending to be something you're not with a demon that would know?"

Abi gave her a look but even she didn't have a comment for that, she did have a point she sighed.

"But you've dressed up before."

"Sure but you said go I said I would and you said have fun because you knew my word was good...I had fun because I was comfortable. Besides you've been yelling at me for the outfit for hours and you didn't even ask me what happened."

"Fine...I suppose I've calmed down, what happened...?"

"Lady Kagome, Madam Abi."

They turned as Shuran returned with Sesshomaru beside him, she was up in a second as if bit in the ass.

"Well if it isn't the young Lord of the West."

He nodded, today he'd settled on a neat shirt and slacks...casual enough for him.

"Madam forgive me for the intrusion but I came to make a more formal request to see your daughter."

Abi smiled then, a wide plotting smile as Kagome stood up beside her.

"Well isn't this a surprise...she didn't even tell me she spoke to you."

"That's what I was going to tell you Lord Sesshomaru didn't care what I wore we barely got to talk."

"And I came to change that...just Sesshomaru will do we are in the same position here."

"Right..Sesshomaru." his beast growled a bit he did like how his name sounded from her it was strange to think that way now when he'd met other women but it was something he was thinking he could get used to.

"Well I suppose that changes a few things, by all means take her."

"Mother..."

"It's just a date after a meeting with the civilized instead of a blood bath you present yourself as an alpha should and whatever happens happens." she said patting her back.

She rolled her eyes until a servant came behind him with Naraku, Abi smiled then, yes Naraku's family was below theirs but his success as a proper demon gave him a lot more backing. Though it was true enough they were still very equal when it came to money there was always someone to point out their differences.

"And welcome to you as well...you wanted to speak to my daughter as well Naraku?"

He nodded his head giving Sesshomaru a side glance.

"Ma'am there is another, Lord Kouga as well he is just hoping she'll join him out front." a servant called coming from behind Naraku.

Abi sighed as she looked at Kagome and nodded toward them.

Was it really customary to join all of them...she wasn't entirely sure they didn't really have to shove the romantic lessons her mother deemed too mature for her down her throat. She glanced over her shoulder and Toran gave her a thumbs up silently saying that was indeed normal. She shrugged, what the hell what was the worst that could happen.

She hoped she wasn't about to find out.

…..

(Yeah don't know ideas are here not sure where I'm headed but we'll see...Kouga don't know how long he'll last.)