…..

Eleven

Naraku sighed as he finished his sixth drink, it took Abi one hour, just one to announce the plans for the future in a couple days the news was spreading like wild fire. Very literally as Sesshomaru had been an eligible demon bachelor for so long hardly sparing time for any female and now he'd have a bride, one he hardly knew. She was accepting Sesshomaru as her son in law, he didn't think they had anything their time was limited after all. However this had come out of nowhere and his inner demon pulsed in annoyance he didn't get a chance to properly be with the woman and already they wanted to pair her off with another. He frowned as Kouga sat next to him, it had only been announced to demons as of yet.

"So drinking your sorrows already?"

"What sorrow would I have to drink away?"

"I like Kagome, she's got a body to rival some of the best, I know that, you know that many know that. You also know I couldn't care about rules and enjoy my freedom but in the end I accepted we were meant to be friends. Still you got bent out of shape when I'd flirt with her."

Naraku glared at him.

"I never got any such way, I don't care who flirts with her."

"Unless you see someone having an easier time getting to know her than you."

He rolled his eyes.

"My demon is just frustrated and it's rubbing off on me."

"But a demon is just another part of us, you two wasted so much time working..when you could have learned to balance things evenly. Now you finally give into a few desires and don't know what to do with yourselves. Glad I'm here to watch it's really funny."

"Fuck you wolf."

He smirked, Naraku thought that was ridiculous while some relationships..especially with demons could start off with one good evening he really hadn't thought about much except for wanting a little attention. Yet he felt a little slighted though it wasn't coming from Kagome but her mother, she chose to start this but again he wasn't considered worth much.

He sighed thinking that even if Sesshomaru went with the option there probably wasn't anything between them.

He could change how things were going he only thought of his father had he taken the same steps he could only wonder what would have happened. No he wasn't just going to accept this and let himself go crazy. It was to be expected thanks to the blood they carried things were often irrational when it came to ways of thinking.

He grit his teeth, ugh already trying to rationalize things he stretched.

"Kouga I could use your help with something."

"What would that be?"

"You need to be a witness." he said standing up he dropped some money on the bar, Kouga wasn't sure but moved to follow him wondering what he was witnessing.

…...

The next morning Kagome sighed as she went through her emails, well wishes from some of his human supporters or advice from demon allies that simply lived among humans. She still hadn't spoken to Sesshomaru he was letting her handle what she wanted. She was sort of glad, she wasn't feeling as guilty for doing what her mother thought she should. She wasn't sure of what would be the best though they were often civil it didn't change the fact that Inutaisho and her father fueded for so long. Abi told her that her father still warned her about trusting him completely.

It was why she wanted something that was a little more solid they didn't really have prenups however they did have other things to settle. Kagome didn't want anything except to be treated properly it was unspoken that in times of war...which was here and now that the husband's family would help. While she had some that helped him they did have their own lands to keep to now the troops would be spread out evenly.

Supplies would be rationed reasonably.

It was for the best of them still she wasn't completely guilt free she was just living on the thought that Sesshomaru may like her but in a 'more than tolerate' phase. This would be good for their families it would set a good example truly putting an end to a fued there was just another part of the benefit. She sighed rubbing her temples before the door was opened she smiled slightly as the siblings let themselves in. She smiled as they savoured the freedom to sit down and relax with her.

"So it's really official isn't it?" Shuran asked.

"Yeah it is..it's basically business at this point, I'm thinking of what I could at least do to make it up to him in the end."

"For him it would probably be good just to be set free in the end, don't worry about it for now." Toran said.

"I guess...hey where's Karan?"

"Your mother asked her to pick up some things for the wedding."

"Already?"

"Your mother is probably just enjoying the idea of planning a wedding on their dime."

"Their dime? Inutaisho is paying for the wedding?"

"It's tradition if they weren't on the same side they would be higher up from wealth and family history they have behind them. So it would be up to them to pay the way." Shunran said.

"Ugh.."

She glanced down as her phone began to ring, she picked it up as Shuran looked at his sisters they did want their lady to be happy. While they understood she was doing it for the best of all of their people those that fought and those that lived in the area closest to battle.

Still she could have more, they just remained quiet for now.

"Hello..?...Karan calm down what are you so excited about?"

She waved at them to turn the television on muttering channel eleven, it was news for the demons the pretty brunette reporter had a picture of Naraku and Kouga behind her it appeared it was being replayed from the earlier showing.

"Earlier today a claim was put out not long after the announcement that Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome would be married. Lord Naraku believes that things could be changed in the long run and while really either would be a good option for our Lady as of yet no one is entirely sure which one truly holds her affections. It could be a temporary test of commitment or just a trial period. Either way everyone is eager to see how things will go good luck to the men and may the one that wants her for good..win."

Kagome's mouth fell as she told Karan she'd call her back she hung up just waiting for her mother to call.

"W..wait..he's trying to claim me?"

"It's an old law when war wasn't so easy to get a handle on...though it's hard to believe it's that way sometimes..some would rush to marriage for treaties. When there was a chance to breathe it was how another could make a fair claim to one they actually loved. It worked for demons, as it was needed less..of course as some got to migrate here it wasn't needed. Though it was kept just in case..you're not the first just to plan for assistance this way it's not as underhanded as it sounds it works for both sides in the end."

"But how would that even...maybe it's obvious to Naraku that we don't really have anything but he didn't...I'm really out of touch aren't I? No I won't accept that he just wants to compete with Sesshomaru. That's it right?"

"I don't know ma'am I guess it's possible." Toran said.

"But he could also have genuine interest in you and just wants a chance to show it before it's too late." Shunran offered, much preferring that was the case.

She wondered, there was the guilt again, she was sure her mother didn't think Naraku would be good enough and she hadn't considered he would care at all. Though this is a matter of demons didn't mean they were preparing for a future and children already just deciding what step..if any..to take during the dating phase.

No harm in giving him a chance as her mother called she considered ignoring her but she grabbed it.

"Mother I didn't know he was interested, don't bother having a fit."

"For your information if I wanted to scream at you I'd be there, this could be useful they have money too when you travel to the demon realm properly maybe we'll find he's the better option. Good for you I wasn't sure you'd have the same appeal I do. See you later."

She stared at her phone as she hung up...it surprised her more and more what would please her mother and what wouldn't.

At least things were interesting that could be a good side..at least she was thinking.

She paused and looked at them.

"Mother doesn't care..but I'm supposed to travel there, for what?"

Toran shrugged.

"Probably to show your face around their supporters there...guess we should go shopping the demons there still prefer the comforts from the past it won't do to show up without a few proper kimonos."

….