…...

Eight

With a light heatwave coming through in April it almost seemed that Summer had come early, though with the connection between the realm the weather was sometimes slightly off or completely off. Some still talked about the sudden blizzard that left many places closed last March. Most demons expected it was the product of some of the demons fighting priests that lived in their realm. Though things were normal for the most part, it was late in the evening but the nightlife was decent enough with the string of businesses put up to keep more demons busy. Kagome was walking from the parking lot with Karan while she wore a suit Kagome put on a dress this time following her mother's advice. Things really hadn't changed though she wasn't talking to Sesshomaru much she brushed it off since they only needed to use one another. She hoped he really didn't care about it.

Kouga flirted a lot more with work but she really couldn't be bothered, with him anyways, Naraku always seemed to have a little something on his mind. It wasn't like they were intending on meeting often as it was. Thinking of him though, she wasn't sure if it was jealousy or if her senses were off.

Fair enough he had no reason to be jealous, though if he was she would keep the peace, she jumped in Sesshomaru's bed what was another one. She stopped to fix her stockings, the tight green dress she wore ended at her dress it was lowcut and had slim lace sleeves she curled her hair and put on light enough make up. She wasn't heading for a date but to meet Inutaisho.

Abi was convinced he was going to talk to her about her intentions with his son, alpha or not it was a different matter an older matter. If they got married there was a matter of land and such and Abi had many more relatives that were currently his allies in battle.

Kagome didn't know what to think of it she did make an effort not to complain about every pointless little thing but some of the things that bothered her seemed small with other leaders fighting. Abi told her it was nothing, that demons raised there lived for the trill and the crazed and those just against how they lived were good to keep their blades sharp. As she put it, she sighed.

"What's that matter ma'am?"

"Nothing just thinking...mom said that I should go when I was called to show respect because the next time they may be too busy. Comparing blood shed to paperwork seems so off."

Karan smiled.

"Oh please we all have different roles ma'am besides you heard her but I've seen it."

"You grew up mostly with humans."

"Yeah but we still visited guards always need extra training sometimes you get that desire to feed the blood lust, no one questions your place because your mother handles what you shouldn't."

"Shouldn't, or can't?"

"You bested Lord Sesshomaru and his father pushed for much more training, you could have that place but then your mother has known this life all of hers. Her blood lust could go unfufilled, she could snap that wouldn't be good for anyone. Though if no one was here to speak for your family if both your parents have the same role while you're with them we've lost one of our main leaders. What the madam can't help with your father finishes, and it works out just like this."

She sighed again as they paused at the door, the plain restaurant was overflowing with the scent of various demons. They wouldn't crowd around Inutaisho, it wasn't worth the risk, though it seemed at least two tried. They were lucky, she guessed Sesshomaru was a lot more approachable than his father was. It made her nervous for a moment.

"Ma'am,relax it's normal to be nervous when meeting them they are the only sort an alpha is second to." Karan said.

She nodded slowly.

"So...what do I address him as?"

"Mi'lord will do, Master Inutaisho is usually after he decides if he likes you or not."

"How would I even know that?"

"He'll tell you."

They turned as Naraku leaned against the doorway the main door was open letting the smell float out he wore another suit in black though his shirt was a deep purple. He looked her up and down before she smirked at him.

"See something you like or something Naraku?"

"I did when I first saw you this works well too."

She shook her head.

"Inutaisho is pretty laid back but my father joined him thought I'd come by to help you."

"Who helps for nothing?"

"I need a date to a demon banquet, but I did choose to come of my own free will so we'll talk about that later."

She rolled her eyes as he rested his arm around her waist leading her by the small of her back to the table. Inutaisho and Takemaru were at the table with Kagura and Menomaru he was Take's right hand as he called him they stood as she stepped over bowing respectfully. Takemaru watched his son, though he didn't always see eye to eye with Inutaisho they did have an example to set the few times they did see one another he kept it simple. Still he dreamt about taking Izayoi, seeing the way Naraku glanced at her while he touched her casually...especially after the gossip reached him about her time with Sesshomaru he frowned wondering if history was going to repeat itself in that way..though it would their sons fighting.

They settled and he hoped it was all in his head, granted he wasn't like Inutaisho when it came to being a father he really didn't want to watch it blow up in his face. Inutaisho warned him he was going to be there and told him right out what Sesshomaru said he thought he was crazy but Naraku seemed to move absently there were other demon males, singles that were eating tonight but he moved like he didn't want anyone else to notice her..chance getting too close.

He wondered if it was all in his head, he glanced at his rival, thinking he said something only to warn him that his son could lose too. He grit his teeth in irritation.

Bastard, as he thought.

…...

Kagome relaxed a little bit but Takemaru and his right hand were different...that is different from Sesshomaru. When he was quiet he seemed peaceful enough that was just normal but they felt and looked like they were plotting like they couldn't be trusted. She wondered if Naraku was used to that. Inutaisho said Sesshomaru was taking care of some 'meetings' along the border between this realm and the next that he was a little worked up she looked at him. He had an easy going smile he spoke genuinely she thought of what Karan said.

"Mi'lord..."

"Inutaisho is fine Kagome."

She nodded slowly seeing a smirk and the slightest nod to reassure her from Naraku out of the corner of her eye.

"I just, my mother insisted on a lot of lessons and sometimes I never thought it would be done but now that I have to apply it there are things I still don't know or understand."

"That's to be expected you have to consider some of...our kind in their hundreds that look like they are in their twenties act like they are five and still haven't absorbed history there is a lot but that's normal. Even if you were only human there would be things you don't know a hundred percent."

"I suppose."

"Something I can help you with..at least I assume since you mentioned it to me."

"Well sure, bloodlust, I've seen it but there are some that should be older that don't have it and then those you would think had it that are completely relaxed. How does that work?"

"Ah now there's a good question...it's a blood thing, literally where you come from, now your mother's family members and ancestors are birds of paradise and they are currently split some are on my side some are against everyone even one another and all of them are crazed vicious bastards. They could probably never mellow out enough to live here but they are happy with that, where as with dogs some of us adapt more quickly than others, Sesshomaru very rarely has to feed those desires but he's shared with me that he can ignore it. Then you have Naraku a mix of blood is useful but you have more control to work on he's always been my favorite of my boy's friends."

Naraku smirked completely avoiding his father's gaze he knew he'd probably snap it was true enough he showed he plenty of control his father lost it easily with just the slightest push. Though he was rarely here.

Kagome nodded remembering how excited her mother could get talking about her family's powers when it came to ripping into their enemies. There was a time they were separate but they feared Abi and would follow her freely...for now. They were more like her cousins compared to some of the demons on her side.

"Haven't felt it yet?"

"No according to my mother...that's normal since I was kept here isn't it?"

"Of course it is but you keep up with your fighting and you'll be just like them."

She hoped not she smiled though, Kagura watched her only looking away when she noticed the glare from Naraku warning her. He knew she was interested in Sesshomaru but then he didn't give a damn about her so there was no reason for her to get worked up. He looked at Kagome as she listened to Inutaisho's tales. Sesshomaru told him the right bit of effort could block her senses a bit he hoped she couldn't tell he was a little jealous after all he was just as desirable he would have to get her alone while he could.

To be fair, she hadn't made a choice yet after all.

He purposely rested his hand on her thigh under the table, she might have smirked but she didn't take the chance to knock him off. It was a start.

…..

(I remember from the anime and I think that the two, Abi and the birds of paradise may have been in two different seasons but I think they would have followed her...I mean I did say AU but I couldn't be sure if it was like that or not. Stay tuned.)