…..

Sixteen

After a few minutes she watched hm, they lit a candle at least things were silent they had opened the door and a harmless squirrel roamed in.

"Just admit you're worried about him."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I don't worry Kagome, I know how he is if anything it makes it easy to consider what will happen next. See that...if something was wrong it would have ran for it's life he just needs to calm himself."

She looked at the fluffy four eyed creature it was kind of cute, she moved to scoop it up touching the purple fur. It made a noise a wave of it's tail showing things were calm enough she remembered there were lessons she had about some of the harmless animals that weren't even enough for food in most cases. Granted most moved fast enough to avoid the fate of dinner, still she wondered how used to them the creatures closest to the castle were.

"When I first met you I would have assumed you weren't close what is it about this realm that makes things different for you?"

He sighed and she shifted.

"You're not trying to hide from my beast and he seemed confident in your friendship."

He closed his eyes.

"Kagome we have an image to keep to."

"Because of his father and his followers?"

He nodded slowly.

"I remember the first time I was ever afraid of Takemaru."

"You saw him after he attacked Naraku didn't you?"

"And he begged me not to say anything when were much younger it made sense there was enough in the war, it made sense not to add bad blood between them. Though they hardly got along they still ignored one another in favor of setting the best example. Not to mention Inuyasha had been born recently and before then the last time they fought father overpowered him easily and gave him a choice, stay out of the way or get himself together and be a proper leader.

I know father liked him before he said he could use his name because he was equal with me in training he thought that was something valuable to be equal with those you kept by your side. He said he was just going to get something but a few hours passed and nothing, I went looking and saw him just as he finised, he was a bloody mess. What scared me was seeing how far he'd go to get his way and the fact that I couldn't smell anything. He wouldn't have come after me there was no threat to sense really...but if there had been I wouldn't have known. Naraku could have been killed Takemaru wasn't as hidden as he thought he was. He left in smoke I thought of all the times I just let him go thinking he was safe with his father, he was a crazy sure but surely he would care about his son."

He trailed off a little irriation from the memory showing in his gaze though Kagome saw it clearly enough. She understood how that scared him, being faced with something that you can't do anything about.

"This is normal for us he knows I mostly tolerate my brother and he gives him shit for it. Though I get it, you're concerned but I have no need for dicussing my feelings on the matter, there was a time when I would have preferred he were my brother that should say enough." he went quiet and she nodded moving to sit next to him she patted his shoulder.

Yeah even more was said with just that phrase she thought about what she felt just from him as a child.

…..

Just when they were about leave Naraku returned he was tired and confused he snapped out of it after a while. They stood outside he rubbed his temples as he moved to sit infront of the door, Sesshomaru eyed him as Kagome sat next to him.

"Are you alright?"

"Nothing to worry about, you shouldn't have seen that."

"I hardly saw anything, it was all a feeling, out of nowhere it's strange to think with our agreement that you needed me specifically but your demon was calling."

Naraku sighed rubbing his temples.

"It's not so strange I guess, your aura...soothes those..thoughts I didn't think I'd relax enough for them to come back just ignore it."

She noticed he was ashamed and while she didn't want him to be she felt like his demon was pacing like he could snap if she pushed too much. She nodded slowly, he let out a slow sigh of relief before staring down he glanced out of the corner of his eye as they watched him he really hated being bothered by his dreams the weakness his father hated. He shook his head remembering it wasn't about his father.

Sesshomaru turned away when he sensed he had calmed enough though he remained leaning against the wall. Even when the sun began to rise and they realized how long they had been sitting there no one moved, though it was fine.

At least peace returned, he moved without thinking laying back his head in her lap on his demon's word she stroked his hair. An odd moment? Well no not so much compared to anything else.

…..

Naraku hoped after one fit she wasn't going to treat him differently, he was suddenly glad her senses were as strong as they were his shame ruled him for a bit but he relaxed. He didn't have to talk and get anything off his chest because she knew what he felt. He didn't want her to leave and he didn't want to leave himself. Rather than have breakfast with everyone they were brought their meal, Karan told one of the servants to simply let Kagome know that she did as she was expected. She knew she would and was glad that Shizu was taking care of herself, she sensed the fire was dead inside of her but that poor health with the strain of loss had left a mark.

She raised her head realizing Sesshomaru was watching her.

"I'll tell you later."

He cocked his head, not really surprised she sensed his confusing just wondering what she had going on here already, he let it go for now. He turned to the servant seeing she hadn't left yet.

"Something else?"

She reached in her sleeve to pull out a letter and gave it to him before bowing and turning to leave, he sighed.

"What happened?" she knew in ettiquette that if there was an issue they would alert Inutaisho who would come himself, though a letter just for him could be anything.

"It seems that Kaguya is coming."

"You close to her too?" she wasn't sure why that made her feel a little jealous but it did.

"No I can't stand her, she probably already went behind my back and asked father if she could stay here."

She wondered why, the castle was pretty well hidden they would still have to travel for parties.

"Which means Sara and Tsubaki are probably coming too."

"Perhaps Inuyasha will entertain them father will let them all stay to show that we have this agreement but don't discuss that with them."

"Now why would I have done that?"

Sesshomaru gave her a look that said he meant Naraku she glanced at him as he picked at his rice.

"I wasn't going to say anything."

"You would have you always start doubting yourself after one of your episodes, as if it means you can do nothing for yourself."

He shook his head absently.

"So?"

"So don't do that."

"Fuck you."

"Go to hell."

Kagome smiled slightly, she wondered if part of him realized Naraku was as good as his brother as he could bed, there was no hostility in the air after all.

…..

Tsubaki was in another of her tight outfits she could even cut a kimono down to stand out, Kouga showed up as well. While he was no where near as close Inutaisho still saw him as one of his son's friends. Kaguya wasn't far behind with Ayame, Sara and last Tsubaki behind him. Ginta and Hakkaku were putting his things away in the room he had used in the past. Kanna watched her lady before tugging on her sleeve to point out that Kikyo had arrived as well. Kagura didn't see the point in all of them coming it was obvious they were some part Sesshomaru's fan club excluding Kikyo that is, though none of them could will him into more.

Naraku chased women off quickly even after a night of passion or two sometimes he was too busy to care about a few easy ladies.

"What are you here for wolf?" Inuyasha snapped.

"I'm here for the next party."

"Obviously, but why here?"

"Sesshomaru is my friend after all."

"Hardly, he was fine with Naraku but you didn't get a cut of pussy." he cursed as Izayoi gave him a 'loving' hit to the back of the head.

"Don't be vulgar Inu, especially when speaking of your sister-in-law." her words

He frowned hard at her as he rubbed his head, it was really the only time she had much need for punishing him not like he could disrespect his mother.

"Sorry mother..."

Inutaisho smirked as he told Jaken to show all their guests to a free room. Knowing Ayame would go to Kouga's whether he wanted her to or not he ignored it as she showed herself to his. Kouga chuckled.

"Mi'lady." she nodded at him before he left.

The last arrival was just a servant from the spider clan that made quick work of the demon's clothing orders. They were technically servants of Naraku's family but they clearly had others.

….

Kagome sighed as she looked through the package only looking up as Sesshomaru came out dressed.

"Did I order things you don't like?"

She shook her head glancing at the mix of silks.

"No they're beautiful but when you offered I didn't think you'd spend so much."

He smirked.

"Price is of no issue..."

"It is for clothes, I'll pay you back from my personal account."

"You'll do no such thing you are here as my guest for marriage this is how dogs are, you are meant to be properly presented, consider it a grooming it you like. It's the same quality as what you arrived in."

She huffed.

"Yeah but I paid for it."

"Don't get hung up on that I knew you were coming but didn't consider how long you'd be here if I had checked you would have packed more so I'm fixing that."

"It's no big deal."

"I can say the same, the party isn't until a bit later but we do have take a ride there so this back and forth can't last long."

She sighed.

"Fine but this isn't over."

"Hn.."

"And Sesshomaru."

"What is it?"

"Thank you but you don't have to waste money on me."

"You're welcome and I'll ignore that last part."

He moved to close the door behind him until Shunran appeared and called Kagome.

"She's getting dressed." he let her go back while he left with Naraku to greet the others..call it a little proper even if he didn't see the point they weren't even supposed to be here.

"Find something already?"

"We didn't get close, but yes he has a barrier around him the others stayed to weaken it and it should break once he's recovered."

"From?" mostly wondering if they knew what it was.

"He's showing signs of an old sickness he'll need some foreign blood to fight it. We can get in the barrier but..." it was a strange sickness but one of the few that could effect demons. One that everyone who had schooling was taught about.

She brought a pouch it appeared to be a little cloth bag for coins but in fact it was layered with demon flesh making it easy to carry any liquid without leaving a scent behind on what was in it. Though some learned the hard way that alcohol shouldn't be kept, it wasn't drinkable after.

"I understand you need mine."

"Well alpha is not just a title your blood would be stronger, he's pretty far gone we can't wait much longer I'm surprised he could stand it as long as he did."

"You're going to have to cut me."

"I couldn't." her siblings, could control themselves well enough knowing how much force to put in a attack...but she struggled with it being the weakest of the group.

"I know what he has even if you take mine he needs a lot, come now I'm not a half demon or human I will heal fine but if you only take a little it will do nothing. Don't make me order you, help your friend fufill her promise."

She sniffed, she really didn't want to hurt her.

She bared her side she brought a lotion that her mother once gave her it hid scent and she would make sure no one noticed. No reason to make a big deal out of it.

She raised her hand.

"Sorry."

With one sweep she cut her side and moved to collect it, to her credit Kagome stayed still though she winced one last ability that was not her own but was most alpha's final power. She sucked on her fingers to wet them and wipe along her side it didn't completely heal it just closed it enough that a bandage was plenty to hide whatever wound was in the way. It needed time to heal properly cleaning up she shooed Shunran away.

"But..."

"You said we couldn't wait long go, and be quick about it."

She huffed and rushed off, Kagome was quick to get dressed, hearing Shizu call for her she asked her to come in.

"I was asked to come assist you ...but Karan had to leave did something happen?"

"I just need a little help with my hair and make up...something good has happened."

Shizu was quiet before her expression shifted.

"But...already?"

She tapped her lips reminding her to keep quiet, Shizu could jump for joy but she rushed to help her get ready instead Kagome winced as she tied the obi tightly. It would be fine she was sure, she stood as soon as her make up was finished.

"They are leaving from the hot spring side...ready to go?"

"Yes let's get this over with." she said grabbing her sword hoping her wound was properly healed before long, Shunran saw it as a weakness but her claws made for a deadly tool to have at her side.

She would have to assure her that it was one of her best qualities.

…..