…..

Nineteen

Kagome sighed as her mother seemed unmoving on the issue but she didn't care she knew it wasn't intentional and planned to go get her. She could send her siblings but she wanted to see more of what was around them she couldn't just sit and wait for another party.

She would go get her personally and Karan knew to follow her orders Shizu would be fine beside her. Though Toran was going as a guard which mean Jaken was coming Kagome didn't like the idea of Kagura coming she knew from looking at her this time that she had touched Naraku before. Her demon was ready to rip her apart and show who the better female was. No she wasn't angry with Naraku over what happened before they even knew one another existed but she was dying to show why it didn't need to happen again.

He felt her mood for a moment and it did bring him some peace, knowing she was jealous he only brought her because he knew if he left her she might go get his father.

Kagome knew well enough but her demon wasn't settling.

Fair enough for her alpha ways Kagura almost sat next to Naraku who only got in first as their mate was meant to sit between them but Kagome shook her head.

"Not a chance you sit with Toran and Jaken."

"I don't need to be instructed, and I'm fine right here."

"Okay how about move or I'll break your fucking face." she hissed grabbing her by the neck to shove her in the seat, Naraku resisted the urge to laugh as Toran covered her mouth grinning. It wasn't solely a pride thing Kagome wasn't an omega bitch after all.

She sat down and Sesshomaru dropped next to her as Naraku absently patted her thigh, Inutaisho watched them as they waved them off.

"There is something else there right?" Izayoi asked.

"Definitely."

Abi smirked, it didn't matter what was different her daughter was back to normal showing she wasn't go be looked down on. It was almost a good thing she had gotten sick, though Abi couldn't bring herself to just soften up and say she'd been worried and was happy to see her girl okay. She had a feeling she didn't need to, Kagome knew she convinced herself.

To many her senses weren't as strong as they were with them...her mates so she didn't always know but Abi let her usual ways slip just enough that it was clear.

That would do.

…..

Kagome sighed the few demons willing to attack were easily cut down things were peaceful which left her time to think. Looking between them things just felt normal one adjusted and without the fear of blood bourne illnesses or other worries the only thought was how things would get to be eventually.

She guessed...well she knew now of course it was more than the just the chance she could walk away that made it easy to agree to the original terms. Things were already like they were mated and there was more to the life long commitment than sex. You didn't get to divorce from a mate, though there were pairs before it started to fade that didn't like eachother that were mated...and for them the sex was just better.

She crossed her legs listening to the demon they hired to lead the massive purple demon horse... hum, Toran watched them with an odd expression on her face. When Kagome noticed it she smirked, she stuck her tongue out they weren't bothering to announce anything just yet it was something for them to get used to but she had a feeling her friend was very well aware of what had changed.

Especially as Naraku left his hand where it was, not that she minded she thought about it...what her mother warned without even knowing what was between them. She knew she should sleep with him, even the score though they couldn't see his arm Sesshomaru had it around her back.

He couldn't say he didn't understand why he felt the need to. She agreed it was fine basically it would work as they got to know one another surely he should be able to touch her casually too. He was right though the idea of two mates could be hard to handle with some demons but Naraku was his friend. His real friend not just an ally and in truth he simply didn't feel threatened by him.

He was jealous but he didn't have a rush to correct it part of him, deep down, was glad for that no demon wanted to live paranoid for the rest of their days.

He closed his eyes absently he said he'd take her around he didn't think it would come like this but it would do. He was almost glad it was so peaceful, Jaken eyed him curiously after so many years of service while he wasn't as much of an expert as he thought he was he had been on the receiving end of so many heated looks or false calms that he could tell this was different. He wasn't sure how to feel about that, obviously it was going to be remembered how easily she could have died before displaying her power even sick surely she was suitable for his Lord still there was the fact that Naraku wasn't going anywhere.

Sesshomaru easily tied him up or just plain avoided him when sneaking off to play growing up he hadn't truly seen how close they were. He realized he respected the other but he never thought it was as much as this it was definitely respect that kept things quiet.

It was even kind of nice to the moody imp.

Kagura grit her teeth but was at least smart enough to stay silent she looked at Naraku she didn't understand why someone he was just marrying was important.

"I don't get it why use this time to get this woman she could have killed you."

Kagome frowned as Toran gave the other a heated glare.

"It was an accident and she's my friend she has a place beside me, I was meant to look around anyways."

"Let's not let this happen again." Sesshomaru said lowly.

"It won't, don't worry."

"As I said I don't worry."

"Sure whatever you say."

Jaken was amazed to see the light smirk from his Lord she really was suitable anyone else he would have snapped at for arguing.

As the horse stopped Kagome looked over her shoulder.

"Why have we stopped?" Naraku called, the demon jumped.

"I'm sorry mi'lord this horse is unwell...usually we take them and get herbs on the way, Jinenji has a garden near by and he knows where to go. Just a moment."

"It's okay we can go better make him... it'll be no if he collapses on the way there because it was ignored." Kagome said.

The horse snorted, the demon bowed his head leading them down the way, there was a lot of open space they could easily see the tall demon making his way outside. He noticed them easily enough he moved as his mother pushed by to look over.

She sighed.

"Again with this horse, why don't you take better care of your horses?" she snapped at the demon.

"We share horses with a distant ally...he was fine before."

"That doesn't explain why he's always brought here."

"It's alright mother, at least he's doing better than he was last time, just a minute I'll get the mix for you." Jinenji said.

Kagome watched them as she patted his back as he turned she cocked her head.

"You girl..."

"Hey watch how you address my Lady woman!" Toran hissed.

She sighed and shook her head sensing Sesshomaru and Naraku were much more on her side.

"It's fine relax it was enough that we didn't get out of the carriage...what is it ma'am?"

Toran huffed but crossed her arms, she grinned, though she wasn't actually offended they kept free space just for these quick pick ups. It wasn't always safe to stop too long they got right to work and it kept them well taken care of.

"Nice to know you rich types have some that show a little respect to your elders, I was just thinking you look familiar, like this boy I know, the eyes are similar."

Sesshomaru frowned at the thought, his demon did not approve of comparing their beautiful mate to a boy but Kagome smiled.

"Souta has been here?"

She nodded.

"That's the one, I knew my eyesight hadn't gone yet, he brought some herbs for us to cross with what we had made the medicine more effective." she turned as Kagome's smile widen that was just like him he'd always been bright for his age.

"Son this is little Souta's sister."

He came out to feed the horse the dark mix before returning to the side, it might have seemed strange they didn't acknowledge the others but then his mother didn't care for it. They treated all their customers to say.

"I thought you looked familiar, nice to meet you, if you have time to come back I can prepare a larger dose for later."

She smiled as she nodded her head.

"You too, and thanks."

He nodded as they started to move with another customer coming they were pulled away she hoped she'd get to see him.

…

Naraku sighed as they had to settle for the night there were a few demons to take care of but the enemies had really been pushed further than it appeared. It was a good time be here for a more casual stay. He looked over at Kagome as she spoke to Toran turning as Kagura leaned next to the tree beside him.

"What?"

"Why are we here like this sir?"

"If you were paying attention you'd know."

She sighed.

"Why are you acting so strange, you wouldn't have cared about this before and remember she killed my friend and doesn't even care."

"Did you expect she would be broken up about a woman she didn't know that wanted her dead. You've spent too much time among humans if you don't understand that."

"...Is that why you like her? Her status and what she thinks is best?"

"Why? Jealous?"

"I'm your right hand of course I am."

"And here I thought you completely favored Sesshomaru." she frowned as he crossed his arms.

"Get over yourself Kagura nobody wants you and it's obvious why someone like me would want someone like her, we fit but she doesn't need me to be at the top." he moved to her side, Kagome smiled at him slightly Kagura's frown deepened jumping only when she glared at her just slightly.

She'd better keep her distance.

….