(RedDestiny92: Sorry for random delay ran into a site glitch that got some others it would not let me upload, did that before and I only had to wait a few hours since I stayed up so late anyhow.)

…..

Thirteen

Since they arrived together Naraku only went he was proving he wasn't to be treated as a second choice as below Sesshomaru he was of course another option. Only one way to look at that would piss him off. Kagome looked between them only noticing the servants as they stopped what they were doing to respectfully bow to to their leader's son.

"It's strange isn't it? How things ended up."

"Not really, alphas don't tend to remain single long it was to be expected something would be planned." Sesshomaru said.

"Yeah I guess...but what about you two how am I supposed to decide how this week ends?"

"If nothing goes wrong this is how it ends, I didn't accept to be with you just for a temp treaty for my soldiers to use I saw it was a good step and went with it. So I have no need for backing down and since Naraku made the claim he is only expected to step back if he gets on your bad side I assume he'll be on his best behavior." Sesshomaru went on.

Kagome nodded then she moved stop in front of them irritation all over her face.

"What do you mean? I thought it was a competition."

"It used to be a competition unless there was a witness to speak on the other's behalf, prove there was more than a needless fight of pride. So it's not he can have you if he goes through me, it's whether this arrangement is suitable for us at this moment."

Kagome sighed heavily.

"How can you be so calm about this what would I do with two husbands?"

"Whatever you wanted, we already get along beyond that of a simple treaty don't you think we could be a lot more hositle with one another even if it was 'friendly'." Naraku said, obviously having the answer.

She shook her head.

"Yeah but with me..."

"Your father has powerful lands, an army worth respecting and despite his history with my father has become a valuable ally it may not be perfect but it's no fairy tale. Sometimes a former enemy is the best ally..because the one that is truly equal wouldn't live through your fights. If you're worth anything as an oppenent yourself."

Kagome frowned though it made sense, they weren't besting one another her father didn't even make it a habit to bad mouth Inutaisho. He told her straight where enemies came from and only pointed out that he was the only one that he learned to respect. Though it was sometimes hard to believe there were any good feelings between them at all both sides made the best of this, with a marriage that would be even more stabelized. Shesighed.

"So that's the other thing you'd get out of it."

"It's all about proper benefits and such at this point, so tell me if you don't know much about my family as our history is not fair game why would you agree to this even with just one of us." Sesshomaru asked.

Kagome looked down before she met his gaze.

"There was another army, it came out of nowhere, mother told me the basics but father sent me a email with more information. They tore through many of our troops we don't just need supplies to keep up our end but many that didn't end up dead ended up homeless and injured. Once we could have been fine against. This past time would have been the seventh time, a swarm of demons with skin too hard to pierce or burn lost in a rage and hungry, he didn't even want to tell me about it but mother dragged it out of him. She said he warned her to be cautious with him, she didn't trust he would just help so here we are."

Naraku frowned.

"Unfortunately...I may know where they came from."

"Your father is working his way on the wrong side isn't he?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Hardly, the army doesn't even follow him."

"We're fighting against your father...?" Kagome asked lowly.

Naraku shook his head as he shifted to lean against the wall glad for the silence around them.

"When a demon loses themselves, there are many times where the madness is hidden but when they snap it's more than screaming and crying, or attacks which are bad enough alone. The fact that I'm mixed blood matters because it can't be bred out because it's full on it's own. He gets angry and throws things wears himself out eventually, but when he really breakdowns he splits separates into a mishmash of various demons that built up our family his head comes out from it all and one little push in that stage makes his...'body' break off he can't control them or absorb them back into himself, they grow like a parasite and are difficult to really exterimate.

We do have some enemies...faceless beings that sort of attack the same way after the curse from a witch left them mindless and empty but there is always a difference between the two groups. It could have been my father on accident...it could have been the unknown technically on accident as they don't know any better and it could have been something new I haven't returned here in some time so I'd need to check for sure."

As he finished he really didn't want to look at either of them he'd felt enough judgement, Sesshomaru was used to his mood at least there even if he had issues picking out most, and of course his own. Naraku was always torn he wanted to be proud of what good his father had done, they didn't have a close family after all they were all one another really had. Though the bad always outweighed his thoughts. Kagome notice that look in his eyes, a mix of shame and confusion for his father's...she guessed she could call it a sickness.

She had learned about some demons that were made that way, some that were considered artificial that worked hard to be noticed they had a difficult time remaining sane. She always wondered what she would do if she ever met one like that. She patted his shoulder, she had a feeling she could blame his father but couldn't at the same time.

She only wondered if that was Naraku's fate too.

He nodded but didn't look up .

"Never the less we will look into it, as for your father's needs I'm aware of them."

She looked at Sesshomaru surprised.

"You are?"

"He got drunk while resting here, and told my own about it it was just the two of them planning for an attack. This happened months ago the last straw, as a show of good faith father didn't say a word. That is where the respect comes from even with loss your troops adapt quickly recover and fight well it's understandable they would need a strong foe to really cut through them. He said it was fine then but if things have changed and he hid it until now there is probably enough time to fix the problem. Don't worry you'll have the assistance you need. Though I'm surprised you'd give up your chance at happiness for people you don't know...unless of course you have been here before."

She stared at him surprised to hear how much Kai really trusted Inutaisho...a demon just doesn't get drunk and weaken themselves for a night with just anyone. She wondered if her mother was even missing some information.

"I haven't...mother wanted me to keep to the human responsibilities that kept us moving forward around humans. Though if I'm to be alpha I don't have to know someone on my side to help how I can they just have to prove they deserve that treatment by not stabbing me in the back. Besides there is a need for balance to keep things stable from here and there...we couldn't just move every single family that couldn't fight some of these people are well to join the fight at any time and some can take care of the wounded at least. It's well enough that they can wait for extra supplies but I don't want to waste time for each of them I can do this much."

Naraku looked up then as Sesshomaru eyed her their demons pulsing as she spoke calmly, like a true alpha should.

"Glad you're as dedicated as you should be, should there be more than just a partnership we'll get there when we get but for now this will do."

She smiled slightly feeling a little more relaxed they had a goal, there was use she didn't mind a business arrangement granted she felt a prodding from her demon she reached to grab at their shirts to kiss each of them on a cheek. For this situation more solid than a hand shake.

…...

Lunch didn't feel so awkward the air was cleared at least between them and while his mother gave off an icy aura she was no threat. She didn't speak to anyone she seemed to want to know a little bit the the questions that did come were suitable Izayoi looked at them when Kagome caught her gaze she smiled. Before she spoke they heard Inuyasha callling for them.

A place was set for him at the table he usually sat between Sesshomaru and Rin this time though he was beside his mother. It didn't really matter Kagome zoned out again and shook her head there was something odd about this castle she smiled though.

"So Kagome you'll be my sister won't you?" Rin asked suddenly glad that Inuyasha's arrival gave a break to the boring business talk as she called it.

She'd been dying to know and couldn't get a word in however out of respect she knew to wait her turn, Kagome smiled at her.

"I wasn't aware a decision had been made that is what the week is for." Inukimi said firmly.

"For business purposes things are mostly settled mother, an alpha should do what they must for the best of the future and certain requirements must be met since we cannot grant everyone's wish and support ourselves. As you taught me correct?"

Inukimi's gaze narrowed as Sesshomaru spoke to her but she didn't argue, Inutaisho smirked.

"Trust you to get right to it, very well we will still be going on as planned but so long as no one is losing out. Kagome for legal purposes as far as humans are concerned one will be written as a legal husband there while the other is registered here."

"You guys do this sort of thing a lot don't you?" she asked.

"Of course, it's even old fashioned by now, there you go dear you'll get a sister." Izayoi said.

Rin nudged her and grinned she just liked Kagome she had a similar sweet aura that her mother had. Just on the senses of a kid that is, she thought of her brother wondering if she'd get to see him while she was here.

The next issue was...how she was expected to perform if this wasn't also her last visit here.

…...

(Wasn't sure which way I wanted to take this but settled eventually, may change the title I think it fits but at the same time it was a place holder I'll think about it.)