….

Nine

After dinner Takemaru was quick to leave with Menomaru telling Naraku to come along, Inutaisho stretched looking forward to going home to see Izayoi. He bowed this time making her jump to follow him he grinned he could see at least on the typical side why his son liked her. She wanted to learn more but in her own right had a mind with thoughts worth listening to and he knew that since Inukimi's one failure stood out...she couldn't make their son completely ignore his emotions, that Sesshomaru wasn't going to mate just for the family he wanted someone he could actually have keep him company. Not just a pretty face that had a room in his home until they had to try for children.

He was glad for that at least.

"It was nice to meet you maybe next time it'll be at a more reasonable time."

She shook her head.

"Oh don't worry about it, I've gotten used to different times of business this was a good time nice and calm."

He nodded.

"You have that right, Naraku it was good to see you again."

He nodded as he waved before making his way to his car to head home, Takemaru had the driver honk though Naraku shook his head turning to take her hand to kiss her knuckles. Not so much a flirt at least with demons but at the same time not a goodbye she'd get with a demon that was taken; or simply not an equal with her.

"And about that banquet." she said as he released her.

"Will you be joining me?"

She shrugged.

"Sure mother used to handle going to those I kind of want to see if they are any fun."

"For demons they are, it is next weekend though if that's not enough warning..." he trailed off as she laughed.

"Not enough warning for my mother but for me...it's plenty of time."

"Great then I'll send you the details and we'll decide how we'll go, for this one I'd say pants and bring your sword."

She grinned.

"Sounds good."

He turned to leave with a nod to Karan as she came out from the bathroom, they waved as Takemaru had the driver speed away.

"You knew I was waiting why did you take so long?"

"It wasn't like I had been out for hours...you did say to be respectful particularly when there are many demon eyes watching that would gossip. We were planning for the banquet."

He sighed, he couldn't really go off on his son like he wanted to...he was obeying him after all.

"I thought you didn't want to go."

He looked out the window thinking of her.

"I didn't but I was going to suck it up anyways, now I have someone to escort there."

He shook his head.

"In case you've forgotten she's been with your friend and they aren't deciding to just marry she could pick him in the end."

He sighed.

"Father we're not planning a future together, I would see her anyways she has the same station in life why shouldn't I keep things civil."

"It's more than civil I saw how you watched her during dinner, just keep in mind our family gets the short end of the stick where it stands out. So if there really is nothing for me to have a second thought on keep it that way, I won't help you pick up the pieces if you don't." he said firmly.

Naraku sighed, no point in arguing when he was like this, worked up over nothing.

"Yes father, I'm aware."

He only scoffed going silent, just what Naraku needed.

…..

As the weekend came Kagome stood in front of the mirror she didn't care much for the jeans she wore or the top but she wasn't checking her appearance Toran said she looked pale. She did look a little tired but she didn't think it was anything important she adjusted her makeup and ponytail before Toran called that Naraku had arrived. He had given up straightening his hair, he would just sweat anyways, she looked at him usually he was a in a suit with neat hair but wild locks, jeans and a muscle shirt clinging to his torso...well it more than suited him she thought before shaking her head.

"Hey."

He smirked and looked around.

"We should get there early if we leave now but if you have to do something I'll wait.." he glanced at her she tended to make anything she wore look good.

"I'm ready...have trouble finding the place?"

"No you're scent is everywhere, just looked for fruit salad."

"Fruit salad?" she asked following him out with Toran locking up behind her.

"Apple shampoo one day, coconut body oil the next, mixed berry or banana wash another, then there is that strawberry kiwi conditioner...fruit salad."

She laughed.

"I didn't think the soap I liked was so strong."

"Well it's not strong, that is it's not unpleasant but it's easy to get used to." he spoke lowly as they moved to get in the car he let them slide in before him.

The driver started as she tugged at a strand of her hair.

"Well you'll have to get used to something else then."

He shifted closer to her not really needed but then his demon seemed to like it, sure the inner demon was more of the other side of one that they couldn't hide that was as much the voice of reason as anything else. Still it could be pushed back a little which was the largest difference between simple demons and their leaders, he glanced at her.

"I don't know...some people might like honey in a fruit salad, what's next whip cream lotion?"

She tapped her chin.

"You know..that wouldn't be a bad idea."

For a moment he couldn't help but picture her covered in whip cream he would keep that thought to himself, he let go of her hair, the more she talked to them the more her own demon seemed to get restless sensing more. She blushed sure in her position she had many demons to talk to but it was only Naraku and Sesshomaru she seemed to think of. Toran wasn't entirely sure what that was from her end but told her that if she didn't feel uncomfortable by it then there was no issue. Though that was how it was for most demons. While there were humans that could sometimes just tell something was off it was a natural skill for the average demon.

They arrived a mostly crowded building...like showing up for an award show but the fans want to fight you..and that's a good thing. Naraku explained this was for charity not one specific just a few different causes, just how some demons preferred you paid to fight.

Kagome cracked her knuckles thinking she may not want to use her sword.

…..

It was nearly four in the morning when the fighting was finally called to an end and the food came out it had been like a mosh pit for fighting. It was genuinely fun though some of the hits she suffered hardly felt like anything it was still all in good fun. Some remarked they never thought they would give to charity in that way but then that was the idea, who just wanted to dress up and eat if it wasn't a contest where you kept the fame.

Naraku rolled his neck a bit, he was as he thought he would be sweaty the minor aches he was sure she didn't have got to him just a bit considering his family was mostly a mix of demons. When humans were mutts from having family all over the world that was interesting, worth a story, but with demons one never knew which little weaknesses they inherited. He didn't want to go and make a fool of himself but it seemed no one had been expecting him, that is no one who wanted to just beat him down freely showed up what he felt would fade.

Some of the enemies came from those that didn't believe he should be one of their heirs while Inuyasha even had more respect in some areas. He never could stand him, he looked up from his place on the broken balcony as Kagome walked over to give him a plate, her jeans had been grabbed at and, while not quite torn to shreds they did give a nice view of her smooth legs. At some point water was released from the ceiling to cool some of them off it wasn't until she was jumping from the cold that she realized how warm it was.

To be expected yes but then she'd never been surrounded by demons in that way before, her top was a little torn too of course his clothes barely survived. He smirked as he took the offer though he wasn't sure he was hungry she had gone for him just because he hadn't expected it. She sat next to him on the broken piece of the roof. They were settled in the country side of the demon world. There were some demon animals roaming through the fields probably sensing all the demons near by, not interested in them.

"I'm surprised you lost Toran."

"She'll be okay she had her eye on a guy that would fight but groped her instead."

He smirked, it was just another one of those things that wasn't taboo with demons, he ripped the chicken a lot of the demons that participated preferred the human way of cooking to raw meat. Something that some complained about, but after a fight just for the hell of it why not tear into some gourmet food.

"Well, did you have a good time too then?"

"Yeah, strange to get used to I guess."

"Before you know it it will be a normal desire."

She crossed her legs.

"Maybe...so after that what usually happens?"

"Sometimes a few weaklings get killed...you know when it's not a charity event."

"Really? Huh I'd go to that."

He eyed her.

"I'll let you know if I hear of something." with her back against him he might be interested in more than just training.

They ate in silence before setting their plates out of the way as he shifted she glanced at him looking down at his shirt. It appeared as though someone had grabbed his shirt and ripped part of it it.

"Oh..."

"What?"

"You're bruised." she grabbed the remains of his shirt and lifted to see the mark where he'd met a headbutt that admittedly left him a little breathless.

"It's no big deal, it'll be gone tomorrow."

"Doesn't it hurt though?" it did take quite a bit of force to bruise even a demon like him, it wasn't just a small mark it was a large angry blotch.

It was a little strange to have her concern normally if he was left alone at the end of one of these it would be just that. People ignoring him which after a few beatings was preferred...not that this was bad either.

"Not anymore." he grabbed her hand absently and she released his shirt.

She looked up at him, he glanced at her lips for a second there was a different mood to fighting he really thought it had something to do with her aura. He frowned as she shifted away.

"We should go before they start another round." she stood up and he went after her to grab her arm, she turned and he kissed her then pulling her closer.

He didn't even grope her he released her and looked down, a glow to his gaze.

"What did I say about that aura of yours...you may have to work on control if you're interested in me." he said firmly.

She watched him head toward the door wondering if she really did need to practice that wasn't like she ever had to think of that around anyone else she was introduced to.

Watching his retreating form she felt a little guilty.

….