A Mirror's Reflection

Lady Nefertiti

Last time: "Hmmm.. you probably don't want to be in the same room." Sango said. "And why not?" Miroku said looking hurt.

"Cause I might swear and curse and calling you bad names…etc…" Sango said offhandedly.

'…..'


Chapter 11: Reflections part 1

-Sesshomaru and the rest- (on their way east)

Everyone traveled silently and it was irritating to Kimiko. Seriously why were demons so quiet and serious? Someone say something! Anything would be fine. The silence just made the inevitable worse. Sesshomaru….well she didn't put it past him….he never said anything unless it was important. Just one word. 'Die.' She rolled her eyes. How was he going to win Kagome's affections like that?

Kimiko looked at Hiko worriedly. She knew she wouldn't be able to do anything. "Hiko I…" He shook his head at her. He'd appreciate it if she didn't say anything at all right now. This wasn't easy on him or his beast. Damn his brother. The heartless bastard. It would kill her if she ever found out what he had been planning. How could he be so cruel anyway? He'd thought their family was above that. They were the royal family and were supposed to be an example to others and his brother went corrupt because he wanted his woman? And his lands? Like he'd give up his mate for anything. She was more important to him than his lands and his beast affirmed that with a nod.

Inuyasha looked bored as he followed his brother. Well at least he'd get to kick ass and then he was going to leave. He thought he'd done enough. He sighed as the group entered the borders of the lands. No doubt that Hitoshi had followers loyal to him in the castle. Damn that made his job harder. It would be difficult to track down the ones not loyal to the eastern lands.

-Kagome-

She had to hurry and get to the village. Sango could give birth any day now and Sango had specifically wanted Kagome to be there and she, Kagome wanted to be there for her friend. This kimono even though it was supposed to be light for traveling made it hard for her to move, she was used to her green uniform and Sesshomaru had burned that one saying it wasn't appropriate for a lady. Especially if she was going to be in his palace.

He would no doubt, be upset with her for leaving but this was for a noble cause. Of course Sango could have her baby without Kagome by her side but there was just Kaede there in the village with the healer and Kagome was the one with modern world experience in case anything bad happened. Miroku would probably faint and vow that he'd never make Sango pregnant again. Yeah right….She grinned inwardly at the thought. She gave the guard that was accompanying her a side look. At least he was with her so nothing bad was going to happen. They were almost at the village gates.

Kagome made her way to the hut that Sango was in as fast as possible and saw her friend. "Lady Kagome!" Miroku said getting up, happy to see her. "How did you? When did you? GASP! Did you run away from Sesshomaru?!" Kagome just blinked and rolled her eyes at him. Run away from Sesshomaru? Was that even possible? And why would she even do that in the first place? He was her R x R…and she blushed at the thought. Miroku raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Hmmm…Had Lady Kagome had done naughty and dirty things with Sesshomaru?

"I came as fast as I heard." Kagome said, a little out of breath as they made their way to the hut. Her guard that had followed her were outside, wanting to give her privacy that she needed while she was with Sango who, to Kagome it looked like she came just in time.

"Kaa—gome!" Sango said panting. Kagome turned her head from Miroku and looked down at Sango. Looked like it was time and Kagome prepared while Miroku was turning a shade of white, thinking Sango was dying. He moved to a corner of the room and sat down as he watched the healer rush in while he heard Kagome give Sango instructions and then everything became fuzzy.

-Sesshomaru and the rest-

Kimiko wondered one thing. How and why were the palace guards and generals following Hitoshi's rules (while he called himself lord and sat on Hiko's chair). Why didn't they argue or revolt or something along those lines? Or come and find Hiko? They knew where he went after all…Right? Hitoshi was going to get his ass kicked and Kimiko wouldn't be able to stop him. They entered the gates of the palace and some guards looked like they gave a sigh of relief. Kimiko felt faint and Hiko told Sesshomaru and Inuyasha he'd meet them in the study while he put Kimiko somewhere safe and walked off, mate in arms.

Inuyasha's eye twitched as he looked from Hiko to Sesshomaru. "Remind me that should I say otherwise, I never want a mate. You will knock me out. They drive a demon mad! I might even kill myself! I hope you know you're way around the castle Sesshomaru." Inuyasha finished as he followed him into the castle. No one in the palace bothered to stop them.

"Hn." Was all Sesshomaru said. Well at least it looked like Inuyasha wasn't going to hurt Kagome's feelings anymore, but one could never tell. Speaking of which, oddly he did hope that she wouldn't be too angry that he'd locked her up in his room. It had been for her own safety but knowing her, she'd probably find a way out and hunt him down to 'purify his ass' as she called it for thinking she was weak.

-Hiko and Kimiko-

"Promise me you will at least talk to Hitoshi before you kill him?" Kimiko said to Hiko as he placed her on their bed. He nodded that he'd honor her promise, his soft-hearted mate. He also knew that unlike Kagome-sama she'd stay put wherever Hiko put her unless danger found her here in their room, in this case. He walked out and shut the door, placing a barrier around the room, an old incantation his father had taught him to protect one's mate.

With that he walked out towards to his study where no doubt Sesshomaru and Inuyasha already were. He hoped, knowing Sesshomaru, wouldn't have Hitoshi slammed against the wall, held by the neck, threatening him with death…..that was Hiko's job. 'Sorry Kimiko beloved…but sometimes there are times when one must break a promise.' He thought.

-Somewhere in the palace-

"I'm telling you that now is the time to get out! Hiko is back and when he finds out that you were an accomplice to help Hitoshi rise to power he will kill you. And to top it all off Sesshomaru and Inuyasha are here!" the voice hissed at another guard.

"I'm surprised he didn't bring his miko mate, Kagome." Another said.

"His mate is a MIKO?! Damn I am so outta here…" the voice said and walked off, preparing to walk out of the palace. Purification wasn't on his 'to do' list.

-Kagome-

"Come on Sango! Almost there!" Kagome said being encouraging her as she wiped sweat off her friends brow with a cool cloth as winced at Sango's colorful words. Damn when had Sango learned those? Not even Inuyasha used those…..

"Where is the monk?" Sango said in a weak voice. Kagome looked over and the Miroku and smiled. It was sweet in a way but Sango would not be so happy. He should be here for her!

"He passed out…sorry. I think he couldn't take it." Kagome said laughing looking at his slumped figure in the corner of the hut. Sango nodded and then a couple of minutes later Kagome announced it was a boy and Sango sighed that it was over and then growled something that made Kagome break out laughing out loud as she sat back.

"If Miroku dares teach him to chase woman, feel their asses, to be a lecher like him….." Sango said.

"Child. Ye must name the baby." Kaede said kindly.

"When Miroku wakes up." Sango said looking at his husband's face as he heard the cry of a child.

"Sango. Are you alright?" he asked her. She handed him the baby as he smiled.

"So…precious…." Miroku started and gave Sango a rare smile, handing the baby to Kagome for a second. And then he just had to add…..

"More! I want more!" Miroku said.

'…..'

And Sango threw the bucket of water at him knocking him out again. Poor monk. Looked like Sango was forever going to knock him out no matter what. Kaede just shook her head.

Kagome looked at the pair silently and thought that she'd stay here for a couple of days and then head back to the palace. Of course Sesshomaru didn't need to know she'd sauntered off somewhere without permission. He had left the palace too! She hadn't sensed his presence anywhere. Who was he to tell her where to go? She nodded her head and said she was heading towards the spring to get cleaned up.

The guard followed her and Kagome thought it was okay, it wasn't like she was going to take a bath and a peeping tom was following her, so to speak. "Kagome!" a voice called. She turned around and winced. Oh hell no…..she thought she'd gotten rid of him. But now she was alone and Sesshomaru wasn't here for backup! Yes backup! She could handle herself, at least that's what she told herself. She took a deep breath as she turned to face Kouga, a nod to the guard that he didn't need to attack unless she gave him the command. Kouga was kind of unpredictable….

"KAGOME!" and he came a stop in front of her only to back away suddenly and gave what she was holding a wary look. Kagome smirked as she held up the pepper spray she still hand with her. Just because she changed clothes didn't mean she didn't keep the pepper spray along with her. There were still lechers and dangerous men in the feudal era after all.

"It's that poison you have." Kouga said backing away while the guard looked tense, he was ordered to kill any male that came near Kagome, or tried to harm or upset her. "Hey I thought you loved me! You tried to kill me!" he said nearing her as if to grab her away from the guard thinking she was in danger from the guard.

"So what is it anyway?" Kouga asked her. He liked to be informed of everything and this little bottle (and him not knowing what is caused big problems) for him.

"That's none of your concern now is it? I am going back to the village and you shall not follow me." Kagome said in a haughty voice, unlike herself. Nosy wolf.

"Did you run away from Sesshomaru? Ha! I knew the bastard was torturing you! Well it's a good thing I'm here to save the day." Kouga said striking a pose. Kagome's eyebrow twitched. Why did everyone think that she ran away from Sesshomaru?! But she couldn't ask because the guard knocked him out before he could get another insulting word about his lord in and insulting Sesshomaru in front of the lady of western lands too! Wait till Sesshomaru heard about this one. This wolf was dead.

"Lady Kagome. Come we must return to the village before this whelp wakes up." He said as Kagome nodded and pocketed the spray again. The guard eyed it and thought it must be very powerful magic for the wolf to be wary of it, since the wolf wasn't exactly a low-class, easy to beat demon. He shook his head and then followed lady Kagome.

-eastern lands-

Hiko walked in to see Sesshomaru and Inuyasha looking at a smirking Hitoshi. "Ah big brother….there you are. Have you succeeded in putting Kimiko somewhere safe for the time being?" Hitoshi knew that it bothered him by saying her name.

"Enjoy playing lord do you now Hitoshi?" Hiko said to calmly. Inuyasha looked at the both. What was wrong with Hiko? He should have already lopped his head off by now!

"Of course." Hitoshi said as he didn't look the least bit afraid that Hiko was about to kill him and he even smiled? WTF? Inuyasha was confused. Perhaps it was a good time to tell Hitoshi to start begging for mercy now?

"So tell me something Hiko…my dearest elder brother…..I wonder if you knew that you're not the only one father taught the age-old incantation about protecting mates and creating barriers…." Hitoshi said slowly waiting for it to sink in.

"Oi! Are you pissing Hiko off just to amuse yourself? He's gonna kill you! You should know him better….he is your brother." Inuyasha said. What a goof-ball. Even he knew Sesshomaru better! And Inuyasha didn't even live with him! Sesshomaru just stood there calmly like all of this didn't apply to him….and well it didn't really. Or maybe it was 'beneath' him…or maybe GAH! he was thinking too much.

Hiko picked his brother up by the collar and glared at him. "What did you do?!" Hitoshi smirked at his brother which made Hiko's blood run cold. It couldn't be.

"I hope Kimiko can run fast….IF I CAN'T HAVE HER THEN NEITHER SHALL YOU." Hitoshi finished as Hiko threw him across the study and hurriedly went back to his rooms.

"You are one dead bastard." Inuyasha said in a cool voice looking at Hitoshi. Sesshomaru shook his head as he sat on the couch...Inuyasha just gaping at him.

"This is Hiko's fight. Not this Sesshomaru's." he said without looking at him.


Lady Nefertiti: please read and review. thanks.