A/N: Ok, since the asteriks aren't showing up for the "mind" conversations, anything in bold italics from now on are those conversations. Sorry for all of the confusion.

Chapter 3

That wasn't the cat?

Kagome yawned deeply as she awoke, stretching lazily on the bed. She rolled, smiling as she snuggled into the warmth that was Inuyasha.

"Humph,"

"Oh come on, Inuyasha," She giggled, smiling up at his sulking expression. "You can't still be sore at me because of last night,"

"Can so," His ears twitched adorably, his nose turned upward in a show of annoyance.

"Well, you did deserve it,"

"Me? Feh! Sesshoumaru started it!"

"Maybe so, but you took the bait, Inuyasha."

"Humph!"

"Ok, ok, I promise not to do it today under the condition that you be civil to your brother and if that's too hard, just ignore him completely as if he isn't even there at all. I'm sure neither of you would mind that." Kagome sat up, stretching again. "Besides, we have a lot to do today. Jaenelle says we're going to the Keep to ask someone that might know about our situation for information that might help us out. Don't you want to get back to the feudal era and find the rest of the Sacred Jewel Shards?"

"Of course I do, Kagome, I just don't want to do this with Sesshoumaru around," Inuyasha muttered. "Besides, there's something weird going on with him lately,"

"Like what?" Kagome asked, moving to sort through the clothes Jaenelle had lent to her. She moaned in excitement at the sight of the trousers and the T-shirt. "Finally, clothes I'll feel like myself in,"

"He's just acting really weird," Inuyasha continued, ignoring Kagome's simple bliss. "Someone's coming," His ears twitched, falling back against his head as Kagome admired herself in the mirror. "Jaenelle and I are almost the exact same size,"

There was a knock on the door and Kagome quickly answered it. "Morning," Daemon yawned, looking a bit rumpled. Kagome giggled knowingly. "Good morning, Daemon."

"Jaenelle sent me to retrieve everyone for breakfast. If we don't eat before we leave, Mrs. Beale will put a dent in us when she sees us,"

"We'll be down in a moment," Kagome smiled, closing the door quietly. "Are you going to eat, Inuyasha?"

"Of course I am," Inuyasha muttered restlessly, slipping into his robes, his feet, as always, remaining bare. He followed Kagome towards the kitchen where most of the others were gathered, save for Morghann and Khary who had gone home shortly after dinner the night before.

"Oh my god, those are pancakes!" Kagome bounced in place for a moment, loving the sight of the modern day food set on the table.

"They're wonderful!" Rin said through a mouthful.

"They smell so,"

"They'd be good if you ate them," Tersa pointed out, baffled. "They'll get cold if you don't,"

Kagome immediately sat down, covered the fluffy pancakes in syrup and attacked them, watching as Inuyasha followed suit. "Oh heaven! I'm in heaven!"

"These are good..." Inuyasha admitted, swallowing his second bite with satisfaction. Even Sesshoumaru was munching on some, though mainly because Rin had refused to eat unless he did. Inuyasha fought the urge to comment on how hypocritic his brother was for allowing himself to be controlled by a human girl. But it did put him in a sour mood.

"There are a few last minute things I have to do before we head to the Keep," Jaenelle said a little while into the meal. "But they won't take long and Daemon, I'm sure, can entertain you until I get back. Once we get to the Keep we'll try and figure some things out. After that it's to the Hall."

"Hm, whatever," Inuyasha muttered, sulking in his chair after finishing off his meal. Rin looked up as Kaelas came into the room with a bouncing Ladvarian, her face falling in confusion.

"Lady Rin?" Daemon studied her, a brow raised in question. "Is everything all right?"

"Oh, yeah, it's just that...well...I could have sworn that cat was a lot bigger than that last night, but I guess it was just because it was so dark outside last night without the moon,"

Jaenelle paused, confused as well. "Sweetie, Kaelas didn't go outside last night, at least, not until after dinner."

"No, this was before when I was with Morghann in the garden, just before Sesshoumaru found me. I heard a rustling and looked and saw a huge something covered in white fur and--" She jumped at the sound of breaking glass as Inuyasha dove for the door, Sesshoumaru hot in his heels.

"Mother night," Daemon muttered, quickly following. "What is going on?" He paused, biting his tongue. Sesshoumaru looked wild and Inuyasha was on all fours, sniffing the ground with intensity. He could sense the tension, the anxiety, the nervousness of the women as they stepped outside.

"You don't think it could be..." Kagome couldn't finish the question. The way Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru both looked told her other wise. "Naraku,"

"Damnit! He's covering his scent, it's too faint for me to catch!"

"I smell blood," Sesshoumaru hissed. "Naraku's blood..."

"Foul stench that it is, can you get a lock on it?"

"No, he's hiding it fairly well,"

"He's injured, we know that much," Kagome murmured, trying to reassure herself that Naraku wouldn't get stupid all of a sudden and attack them. She didn't know how Daemon would react, but she felt a strange coldness pouring from him, as if his entire being had gone cold.

"Sadi," Jaenelle's voice was commanding but gentle and Kagome felt Daemon shift his weight. "Reign it in, Daemon. This Naraku character isn't anywhere near here,"

"What?" Sesshoumaru faced her, looking a little frustrated.

"How the hell do you know that?" Inuyasha demanded, glaring, his ears twitching at her.

"I don't sense him," Jaenelle insisted. "Daemon, look into the abyss, can you sense him?" Daemon closed his eyes, fighting for control again, diving deep into the abyss that was his power, flying through the black web until he could see the different jeweled powers around him. Naraku's presence was not amongst them. But Morghann and Khardeen were approaching from the direction Rin had claimed to have seen the mound of white fur.

"No," Daemon finally breathed, his golden eyes opening. "No, he's not here, but I'll have Kaelas and Ladvarian make a few rounds to make sure," He turned towards Kagome who looked a bit frightened towards him and just smiled. "You have nothing to worry about, Darling, that cold fury wasn't aimed at you,"

"Let's hope it never is," Inuyasha said threateningly, watching as Daemon turned a bored, sleepy look towards the Hanyou. Inuyasha tensed, recognizing the look from Sesshoumaru a number of times and bared his fangs in an arrogant grin that seemed to startle Daemon greatly. Triumphantly, Inuyasha turned back towards the woods.

Daemon studied him for a long moment and then studied Sesshoumaru and realized something very amusing. Oh Prick, you're going to love this...

Surreal grumbled something inaudible as she prowled around the fountain in the garden just behind the house SaDiablo had built for her. She had refused to live there at first, but the promise of less unwanted male attention from the boyos of the court was too tempting to give up. So she'd moved in without hesitation and had since enjoyed herself. And so long as Lucivar and Daemon kept their visits light, she could handle it. Those two were a trip when they were together, especially when they were drunk.

But that wasn't her reason for prowling around in the garden. Her moon time had hit her hard and Graysfang, her own wolf protector, had gotten on her nerves with his fussing and insisting that she lie down for a while. "So much for no unwanted male attention. Papa SaDiablo obviously failed to recognize Graysfang with that one." She huffed, sitting down on the stone base of the fountain, fuming about how much of an annoyance this day was going to turn out to be.

A whining caught her attention and she growled, glaring at the wolf. "I told you to stay inside and leave me alone for a while, you stubborn male!"

Someone's here,

"What?" Surreal tensed, having realized that being only in the second day of her moon time she couldn't use craft without the risk of hurting herself, which meant her jeweled strength was nearly untouchable to her. Great, this is just what I need, some jerk to come ruin my day further. Shit...

She tensed as the bushes to her left rustled, parted, and gave way to a mound of white fur. Graysfang sniffed the air, growling in distaste at the smell of blood and slid down as if to pounce, his hackles rising.

"Please..."

Surreal rose, her eyes narrowed as she watched the white fur fall away from the form of a very handsome, very much injured, male. "Males today," She grumbled, watching him warily.

"Please," Naraku repeated, his vision blurring. "Help me..."

"Hell's fire," She groaned, stomping her foot in irritation. "Why me?" She walked towards the male, grabbing him and wrapping his right arm over her shoulder.

"Thank you..."

"Why do I have a bad feeling I'm going to regret this?" Graysfang was still wary, still watching, but he moved aside to let Surreal back through the garden and into the house, but he quickly followed, his eyes glued to the strange male's form.

Should I tell someone?

"No, Graysfang," Surreal sighed, shaking her head. "No, it's all right. I'll handle it,"

But,

She threw him a glare over her shoulder that made him shut up and follow her inside. She really didn't want to hear how much of a bad idea and how much of a risk it was to bring such a stranger into the house.

"Ok, so, explain how this works again?" Kagome asked, fidgeting nervously as Daemon helped her into the coach.

"You'll go in there and sit down with the rest of us, I'll shield this entire thing with a black shield and we'll ride the black winds to the Keep in Ebon Askavi and do the same on the way to the Hall,"

"Oh," Kagome murmured, still not completely understanding, but she climbed into the coach and took a seat anyway. Inuyasha sat next to her, steering clear of his brother for a moment, refusing to acknowledge the fact the two had actually gotten along together long enough to figure out if Naraku was near or not. Naraku being injured was definitely a good thing...hopefully...

The trip to the Keep didn't take more than an hour and soon they were stepping from the coach onto a gravel pathway. Kagome stumbled slightly as she stared at the sight of the black mountain over head.

"The black mountain of Askavi," Jaenelle said as she approached, sighing deeply as if she were in bliss. "Nearly home, come on," Kagome followed the woman up the marble staircase to the large double doors where Jaenelle knocked enthusiastically.

The Keep looked huge on the outside and Kagome could only imagine what it was like on the inside. Grand and bright or just the opposite? Inuyasha came up behind her, providing a protective wall for her to lean back on if she needed it. It was comforting to her.

The doors opened and Jaenelle happily stepped inside, leading the group down the long entrance hall towards a set of stairs. "Papa must be in the Study,"

"I'll go warn him that we're coming," Daemon volunteered, vanishing quickly down yet another hall as they reached the top of the stairs. Kagome was in awe of the place, admiring the decor of it, the lively feeling of it. Sesshoumaru and Rin, however, didn't seem too impressed, but then Sesshoumaru's castle in the Western Lands was a bit more eccentric, she was sure.

"You'll have to excuse Papa, he might get a bit grouchy about having so many visitors in one day," Jaenelle reached the door to the study, giggling because she obviously could tell that something was going on inside that no one else could hear. When she knocked, it was more enthusiastic then it was at the main door. Daemon opened the door, smirking, and showed them inside.

"Do I even want to know, Witch Child, what you've brought down on me this time?" Saetan turned from the bookcase, his half moon glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, his golden eyes coming to rest on the strangers. "Well, I guess you were right, Namesake, it is going to be a pleasant day,"

"Don't say I didn't warn you," Daemon said, smiling at his father. Kagome looked between them, noticing how remarkably alike they looked, knowing without a doubt that this was Daemon's father. She sensed in the father what she sensed in the son, even if Daemon's aura was a little darker.

"Well," Jaenelle grinned, wrapping her arms around Saetan's form. "I suppose I should get to explaining things?"

"It might help," Saetan said through his teeth, looking down at his daughter-in-law with narrowed eyes. "How about we start with how they got here,"

"Actually, we were kinda hoping Lorn might be able to answer that one," Jaenelle smiled. "But I can tell you who they are,"

Saetan waited patiently, knowing full well he was going to have a headache after this little introduction and explanation was complete.

"I can't believe he chose Sesshoumaru over me to see this Lorn character!"

"I can," Daemon said blandly as he lead the rest of the group into the family room. "The rest of the coven should be arriving shortly, which means we're basically going to be repeating everything we've already said,"

"Figures," Inuyasha grumbled, scratching the back of his neck like an actual dog after sitting down. Daemon shook his head. "I swear those wolves have fleas," Inuyasha commented, pausing. "Mioga?"

"Ha!" Kagome grumbled. "I highly doubt he was anywhere near us when we got sent here," The idea of that cowardly little flea being anywhere close by while Inuyasha was battling Sesshoumaru was almost outrageous. No, Mioga wouldn't be here. Kagome sat down on the couch and pulled the Shikon Jewel from her shirt, fingering it absently.

"So, what's the story behind that jewel," Daemon asked, sitting down in one of the overstuffed chairs, a glass of brandy in one hand.

Kagome looked up at him, her eyes focusing on the black jewel around his neck. "What's the story behind yours?"

He raised one finely shaped black brow at her, liking her spunk towards him. "I wear the black, the strongest jewel next to the Ebony. My birthright jewel is the red."

"What's the deal with it?" Inuyasha asked irritably. "What's the point in wearing a jewel if--"

The table in front of Inuyasha lifted, hovered. Daemon lowered it, smiling. "We Blood are gifted with basic craft from birth. When we come of age to have the birthright ceremony we realize our first level of power. Mine was the red and when I was old enough to make the Offering to the Darkness, I gained the black. Besides Saetan, I am the only male to ever have such strength. I am also the only other full blooded natural Black Widow male to walk the realms next to my father."

"What about the Ebony jewel," Kagome murmured, curious. She looked up at Daemon and bit her lip. "Why doesn't Jaenelle wear the Ebony anymore?"

"How..." Daemon's voice trailed off as he studied Kagome intensely, making a decision about the girl. "She used her strength to destroy the taint that had overcome most of the Blood. The backlash of that power nearly destroyed her. Her Ebony jewels shattered and were no longer usable. Now she wears the Twilight's Dusk jewel. Which is a mystery all of its own. Lorn explained that the webs she was wrapped in when she spiraled down from her power make up the jewel. Only a few strands of the black were mixed in, so only a little black strength is mixed in with the Jewel. She doesn't command the power she once had, but she's still just as strong."

"I knew from the start that there was something different about her," Kagome murmured. "Something wonderfully different, especially with the way everyone treats her."

Daemon just watched Kagome for a few minutes before finally admitting, "In order to rule over the Dark Court, the Witch must wear the Black at least. Jaenelle is the strongest Witch to ever walk the realms but because she no longer wears the black, she isn't the queen of the Dark Court. Although, despite that, we still serve her. Her strength may have changed, but she hasn't."

Kagome smiled. "You love her deeply,"

"I was born for her," Daemon said quietly, his eyes glazing over. Kagome realized that it must have taken quite sometime for him to finally be with her.

"How old was she when you met her?"

"I don't really remember," Daemon admitted. "She was very young, just a child, but Witch...Witch was very much real. When she appeared to me she was as she is now, though she was still a child."

Kagome sensed some bit of emotional distress and chose not to ask about it. "How old are you?"

"Exactly?" Daemon smiled when Kagome nodded.

"1734 years old,"

Kagome smiled, Inuyasha rolled his eyes and Rin lit up in awe of him. "You're really that old?"

"Saetan is 50,000 years old, give or take a hundred or so years," Daemon shrugged. "But Saetan is also a Guardian, and no longer alive, but he's not dead either. As long as he keeps up with the Blood Wine he shall live for quite some time yet until he's ready to return to the Darkness."

"I understand," Kagome said, smiling. "And your brother?"

"The same age as myself, we weren't born very far apart. Ah, Lucivar, he's quite a warrior. He's Eyrien, so don't be shocked at the sight of him. Wings are the Eyrien trait."

"Wings?" Rin gasped in delight, grinning. "I want to meet someone with wings who isn't a demon!"

Daemon looked at Inuyasha and smiled. "Lucivar will be quite fond of you, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes slightly. "I don't swing that way,"

"No, I merely meant that the two of you are very similar. You remind me of him, only you have the dog ears over the Eyrien Wings."

"Feh,"

Kagome nudged him slightly.

"Now," Daemon looked back to the Shikon Jewel. "What about that?"

End chapter! I'm so excited about the next several chapters! Paksennarion: Check out Dreams Made Flesh, the stunning conclusion to the trilogy! It's AMAZING! And I'm so glad that you like this fanfic! You've made my day as well!