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Twenty-one

While Kai lived in many places like this rather than a castle he had a fairly basic home just because he often kept to a large cave. Inutaisho cared more to have the luxury for his family when he could get away from war he just wanted things a certain way. Especially when his precious Izayoi was alone save for her guards. It was a short way up they didn't even bother to stop for the night, as soon as they broke through the barrier a massive man was running out, he was handsome, though as wide and tall as Jinenji he had pulled his dark hair back and was currently dressed in damaged armor though he was all muscle he tried to make sure his troops had better first.

He yanked them off the carriage in greeting...always the more cuddly of their parents.

Sesshomaru was surprised by the show of affection as he set them down.

"Ah my dear children together again."

Kagome smiled at him as Souta grinned.

"Hello father...I see things have been hard.."

"What...oh this? Please I could fight naked if I had to you know that." he said not bothered by the damages.

"If you say so."

He looked up and frowned as Sesshomaru and Naraku came forward he cracked his knuckles.

"So you are the bastards corrupting my princess."

Kagome pushed at his chest as he hissed.

"Father stop it, and be nice."

"I don't feel like it, Sesshomaru, Naraku what are you intentions with my daughter?" he demanded pushing past her to to look down at them. They glanced at one another but didn't back down or lower their heads.

He let out a laugh, the hearty sound seemed to echo a bit disturbing birds and attracting the guards that were meant to be resting.

"Well good that Inutaisho and Takemaru didn't raise a pair of bitches...I'll give my blessing for now and look to see if you really earn it. Come along Kagome Souta we have to catch up while we have this time."

Sesshomaru stomped on Jaken before he said anything, as he nodded respectfully with Naraku before he led his children down to his chosen place instructing a guard to show them which hut they could use. One of the cats came over to take them, it may not have been obvious but he looked at Shunran to her his gaze was terrifying. Just like Abi could write Souta she wrote her husband and while he let Kagome choose how to deal with her personal guards his threat was silent.

She wouldn't see him coming if she fucked up again.

Toran looked at her as she shivered, Souta's guards were mostly demons more suited to this area granted he gave them the slip when he wanted to. He liked what freedom he could get before he would have to lead, he knew his father wanted to retire on one front even with the different plans from here to the world they shared with humans there were other duties than just fighting here. Just like Izayoi assisted Inutaisho with those one day it would on Souta to meet with the other leaders.

His father taught him to relax the best way to handle things, cracking under the pressure simply wasn't going to work.

He was still going to be here if Souta needed anything but he could do it his father trusted that.

…..

Much later before dawn Kagura left the hut after tossing and turning most of the night she couldn't really settle. She looked for them but was mostly alone she stepped on Jaken on her way out he groaned but used to the abuse he didn't respond too much or maybe he did she really didn't care. She saw Sesshomaru sitting near the steps while Naraku was resting against the railing.

"Did something happen?"

"No, so you might as well go to bed." Sesshomaru said.

She huffed.

"But mi'lord."

"Kagura you have no place with us there are no demons roaming around we have to kill so make the most of it." Naraku said firmly.

That is beyond the barrier there were a few, some cocky little bastards hissing as if their thin forms could threaten anyone.

"I don't understand...if you just explain something to me I'll leave."

"I don't have to honor your request."

"Why Kagome? For either of you?"

She flinched stepping back instinctively as they turned to look at her.

"That's Lady to you and you won't forget it again." Sesshomaru snapped.

"I just mean, you could be with anyone."

"I get that you don't like her because her worth is so beyond yours but the answer is clear we wanted the same thing and it could be shared. So no reason not to go for it, if you wish to quit now feel free to leave but there is nothing else to talk about."

She grit her teeth though currently she was quiet, Naraku rolled his eyes he figured her father didn't want her sleeping with them while they were here but it didn't put him at ease. He looked down mood following his demon wanted to find their mate. Sesshomaru was having as much of an issue, though it didn't frustrate him he should feel that way if it was anything worth holding onto. He knew some demons that weren't as civilized didn't have such a strong pull to a mate...at least in the past they could stand being in the same town and living without them.

This pull would be alien to many, he wondered how he was going to put up with this when they went back and he couldn't just join her whenever he wanted. He frowned then no he couldn't see any reason he wouldn't see her he sighed maybe if they met here without the connection things would be simpler, he shook his head as he stood.

"I'm going for a walk."

"Right.." Naraku started as he went past him even if she was fine on her own one of them should stay.

He watched him walk out disappearing between the trees, Kagura looked down before untying her kimono.

"Mi'lord?"

"What now?"

He only glanced over and frowned.

"You don't want to talk, fine I'll please you then."

"Why because Sesshomaru doesn't want you?"

She grit her teeth as he straightened.

"Kagome."

She shoved Kagura out of the way he could tell something changed about her immediately it wasn't a bad thing though...just that the season had come early. She looked over her shoulder at Kagura.

"You're a little too flat to try tempting away what's mine." she smirked pushing him inside.

He supposed he could thank Kagura for that no doubt her demon sensed something was up and came to deal with the issue. She was just fine for a quick slide through the sheets but she didn't have anything worth holding on to. He didn't have to have Kagome to know that but it was so much more obvious next to her.

Just what he needed it to be.

Closed behind the door she leaned up to kiss him and that was it, kind of hard to be mindful that her father was in walking distance of the futon.

…..