Chapter 17:

Everyone was silent as we sat in the waiting room. Sango had been admitted into the operating room for 2 hours now. Flashes of what had happened raced through my mind over and over. Sango pushing Miroku out of the way, the crooked weapon embedding itself into flesh, dark red blood seeping through the deep gash. If it hadn't been for Rin to stop the bleeding she would have.. Tears started to fall; thinking about Sango dying always brought them on. I felt Inuyasha's arm wrap around my shoulders.

"It'll be alright baby." he soothed my nerves a little. "Sango's gonna be ok." I sniffed some before turning my head so that it rested in the crook of his neck.

"Our parents are on their way." Kohaku announced distantly. I could tell he was more worried about Sango then I was, if that was even possible. What am I going to do?

"Your highness?" out of habit, I suppose, I rose my head to be greeted by a familar face.

"Claudia." I'd never expected to see her again. Souta's and my former nanny. She had been with us until I had turned 18, then she retired. I smiled tearfully; she was in a simple navy blue dress that covered her willow frame. Her blond hair, now turned completely white, was pulled back in a simple bun. Her face lined with age. Yes, time had aged her but she still looked the same to me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked not realizing how hoarse my voice had become.

"My granddaughter just had my first great-grandson." She said smiling with proudness in her eyes. I was upset some when that shine died from them as she looked at me with concern.

"And might I ask you the same question?" I sighed, she was always worried about others before herself.

"Well..." I stopped myself. I didn't want her to worry about Sango; not after she has a great grandchild to worry about. "It's Sango. She's having surgery and we're all waiting for her." I couldn't lie to her.

"Is it serious?" I shook my head.

"No, minor. She'll come through 100 percent." I only hoped. Claudia smiled softly.

"She lucky to have friends like you." She bent down to kissed my forhead. I watched her turned to Souta who forced a smile as well as I did. It was nice to see her again truly but our minds were on unhappier things. Claudia kissed Souta's forehead as she did mine before turning back to me.

"It was lovely seeing you both."

"Same here." She stepped back and did a gracious curtsey.

"Goodbye Your Highness." and she was gone.

"Your Highness?" I turned to look at Inuyasha's puzzled face.

"Huh?" Inuyasha continued to stare. He knew he'd heard Kagome's name before and recongized her face; he just couldn't place it. Why didn't he get it before.Kagome de Dragon, Princess of the Dragon Kingdom and heiress to the throne. How could he have been so stupid? She even showed him her true form when they made love for the first time.

"She called you 'Your Highness'." he repeated. " When were you going to tell me?"

I blushed slightly and looked down at my feet. "Yes...well..." I really didn't have any intentions on telling him; at least not now anyways. Through out my life, I've been pretty much distant from the media. I stayed out of the limelight as much as possible so when I wanted to, I could go out and be known as only Kagome, not Your Highness or Princess Kagome. However, most people did know who I was and what I looked like but there were others that didn't. I guess Inuyasha was in that category.

"When were you going to tell me?" I looked into his eyes, emotions flashed in them, none of which I could decipher at the moment.

"I don't know." I admitted. Evading my eyes from his, I looked at the white wall on the other side of the room. Inuyasha removed his arm away from me; turning his body in his seat so he was slightly facing me.

"You don't know?" he repeated angrily. I rubbed my temples, feeling a hard headache coming one.

"That's what I said." I said exhaustingly.

"Well, what do you know?" I felt my patience snap.

"I know that you're working on my nerves. I also know that we have only been together for a couple of days so you don't need to know everything about me yet. And I know that my best friend could die and I don't need your attitude so either be supportive or get out." I watched Inuyasha open his mouth, ready to challenge me. He didn't get the chance when our atention turned to the elevator doors.

"Mom." I quickly jumped out of my seat as I flew into her open arms and again, I began to cry.

"Hush, everything will be fine." she stroked my hair as she comforted me with her words. Kohaku rushed over to his mother who was leaning against his father. She always fell apart when one of them got hurt. It didn't matter if it was a scrap on the knee, she just didn't handle things like this well. Kohaku eased his mother into a chair and held her hand as she silently cried on his shoulder. I turned from out of my mother's arms and into my father's.

"I don't think Sango would like it if she knew you were crying over her." he pointed out. I nodded as I wiped my tears. When I turned I saw Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Bankotsu, Kouga, and Miroku were all standing staring at my parents.

"Noblemen? What are you all doing here?" my mother asked. Noblemen? I've heard of them, They're sort of like protectors of the Four Kingdoms, however, strangely, Father doesn't talk about them. Bankotsu spoke up.

"We're friends of your children, Lady Kaori." he said in a respectful manner.

"Your a Noblemen?" I looked at Inuyasha, I felt my cheeks burning, " When were you going to tell me this?" Still standing, Inuyasha looked at me,

"Don't turn my words back on me Kagome." he warned, his eyes glowing a dark gold.

"You will show my daughter respect." my father's voice was low but held power.

"How dare you get mad at me for not telling you I was a Princess when you didn't even tell me your secret either."

"We've only been together a couple of days so you don't have to know everything about me." My heart ached at how icy his words were.

"Kagome, do you ..." my father was cut off when the doors to the operating room opened, Rin and another doctor stepped out.

"I'm Dr. Brooks. We were able to remove the blade from Ms. Hana's back without damaging anything. However, she's in a comatose state. No telling how long she'll be in it."

"But she'll make a full recovery?" Mr. Hana asked. The doctor nodded his head.

"Can we see her?" Mrs. Hana asked eagerly.

"Not all at once and only for a short time." Dr. Brooks answered before walking away. Of course the Hanas were first to visit. I was just gratful that Sango would be ok.

"I'm outa here." I turned to see Inuyasha walk away torwards the elevator.

"Inuyasha." I called out, running over to him when he stopped to wait. "Inuyasha I'm..."

"Don't say you're sorry cause you're not.." he snapped. I gasped and stepped back; His tone was so cold, his amber eyes were hard. "I really don't give a damn what you have to say, just don't say it to me." My chest locked as I tried to hold back tears.

"I see your true colors are showing.."(A/n: I don't know what color she sees, I just felt like typing it.) he stepped into the elevator.

"Same goes." the doors closed but I still stood there, taking calm breaths. I would not shed a tear for him. I closed my eyes as I heard familar words echoing in the mind: I'll make your whole world crumble right in front of you." My stomach dulled and my heart ached. "Sango...Inuyasha."

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Kouga sat silently as he watched his best friend argue with Kagome; knowing Inuyasha, he wasn't surprised by his outburst and he probably wouldn't aplologize until she did first. He shook his head; he didn't have time to worry about their lover's quarrel right now. He placed his elbows in his lap, folding his hands under his chin; Fun time was over. The Hunters were on the move again and letting their guard down had almost cost his friend's life. He sighed heavily, the girl at the front desk wasn't any help either, saying that she had gone to the bathroom and didn't see anyone but reassured them that the doors were looked after they had arrived. How the hell did the know they were there? How could they have planned it? And it they knew our location, why did they wait until we were finished to strike? Why not attack us when we were scattered in the woods? Unless, they didn't want to hit their own partner? His brown eyes darted to Jakotsu, who was resting his head on Bankotsu shoulder. It wasn't uncommon for a demon to work with Hunters; name the right price and the demon would befriend their target, giving them an advantage. He could be the reason why we were getting attacked left and right so easily. His thoughts were broken when he heard footsteps. He turned his attention to Miroku and the Royal Family, all of them looked devastated.

"There's nothing that can be done," Kagome stated sadly, "All we can do is wait until she wakes up." She placed a hand on Miroku's upper arm, giving it a light supportive squeeze. He nodded and smiled briefly but still casted his eyes down to the tiled floors.

"Kagome we gota go." Souta tugged her arm gently; she turned . looking back at the hallway. "Don't worry. Her family's with her so she won't be alone when she wakes up." Nodding she looked at the others

"See you guys later." she waved at everyone before stepping into the elevator with her family. Miroku sighed sorrowfully when the doors closed. He felt like his body had done a complete system crash. (A/n: computer geek. lol) Never before had he felt this way, even when his friends were in worst condition. His throat started to burn, his chest swelling with emotions.

Shit, I think I gonna cry. He scrubbed his face with both hands to snap himself out of it. She's gonna be alright. "Thanks for waiting up." his voice was soft and shallow. Rin got up, wrapping her arms around his waist and held him.

"You looked like you needed it." she said after releasing him. He looked down at her, forcing a smile but didn't say anything.

"I have to go." Ayame suddenly said, looking at her watch, "I have work in the morning. Sorry I can't stay longer." she looked at Kouga.

"It's ok." he said understandably. She smiled graciously, kissing him on the cheek lightly before getting out the chair.

"I'll ride with you." Jakotsu noted, getting up as well, "My house is towards your way anyhow." he explained. Ayame nodded walking away. He bented down to kiss Bankotsu fully on the mouth.

"Later sexy." Satisfied that he blushed, Jakotsu followed Ayame. Kouga waited until the elevator doors closed behind them before speaking.

"How well do you know him?" Bankotsu blinked a few times before realizing that the question was for him.

"What?"

"Did you know that he's a demon?" Bankotsu gave him a puzzled look.

"No, I've only know him a couple of days. I haven't gotten around to asking him." Everyone that was left stared as Kouga continued to interrogate him.

"Isn't it funny how we keep getting attacked. First Miroku, them me and Rin and Miroku again if Sango hadn't stepped in. As if someone was telling them exactly where we were." Fire grew in Bankotsu eyes.

"Tell me were you're going with this so I can meet you there cause I'm tired of following you." he said in a low tone.

"I'm saying that Jakotsu could be working for the Hunters." Bankotsu tried to breathe evenly; he wasn't going to get mad.

"And the same thing applies to Ayame." he said and watched as a shocked expression grew on Kouga's face. "Everything that you just said goes for her too. Do you know she's a demon?" Kouga adverted his eyes.

"No"

"She could be working for the Hunters." Kouga shot up, burning gazes clashed with each other.

"But she's not." Bankotsu got up as well.

"How the fuck do you know? Because she has an excuse for everything?"

"I just know. It's a gut feeling."

"A gut feeling?" he threw his arm in the air. "Our enemy may very well be under our noses, trying to kill us but your gut is telling you that it's definitely not her." He dragged his hair through his hair. He was too tired to argue anymore. He turned on his heels and began to walk away.

"Bank..."

Save it." he cut him off abruptly. "My gut is telling me that you're wrong and that Jakotsu isn't the enemy." he pressed the elevator button."So mind your own goddamn business."

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Bankotsu drove home irritated. He didn't care that Kouga could be right. It was the fact that he was practically putting the blame on him, that his friends were getting hurt because he was unknowingly dating the enemy so it was his fault. When it could very well be Kouga's. Bankotsu growled in disgust. Why were they friends? He turned on his street, passing rows of houses that were separated by fences and well- groomed lawns, He slowed down at the second to last house on the street, pulling up in the driveway. It wasn't as bis as Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's house but it was home to him. He got out the car, looking over as his neighbor's house across the street. Festive with the holidays, jack o' lanterns, ghosts, scarcrows, witches on brooms, black cats, and orange and green lights decorated their house and lawn. He shook his head and frowned, just wait until December, when they pull out their SWAT lights they call "Christmas lights", blinding him every night. He sighed heavily as he crossed through the lawn, heading for the front door. He was greeted with lights, semi-loud music and lots and lots of noise.

"Oh no." thinking that he would have a quiet evening to himself was over when he stumbled upon a sleepover. He walked down the hallway and into the livingroom. Pillows and cushions from the couches were everywhere on the floor; Cups and plates stacked on the coffee table. Looking up at the staircase, blankets were thrown over the banister while a mattress laid at the bottom of the stairs.

"Wild party." he murmured as he opened the door to the kitchen, which seemed to be the only room that was clean. Not feeling hungry he walked back out.

"Big Brother!" he looked up just in time to see pink jump from the top of the stairs and landing into his arms.

"Isn't it kind of late to be playing daredevil?" the little girl giggled, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck.

"I've missed you soo much." Yucie repiled happily. He kissed her hair, she was always able to bring him out of his mood when he saw her. He looked at her, her jet black hair was up in 2 ponytail on the side of her head, held together by pink fuzzy scunchies wearing a pink frilly nightgown that ended at her ankles.

"You having a sleepover?" Stupid question She nodded her head vigorously.

"Uh huh. All my friends are here." She jumped out of his arms, tugging him along. "Come on." she leading him up the steps.

"Yuki's having one too? Another stupid question. Yucie and Yuki were twins so their parents made sure that whatever one had they other would too.

"Yeah. Him and his stupid friends are in his room with Daddy and Mommy's in my room."

"Well then I should be going to Yuki's room. I am a guy after all." he commented when he was being dragged to the direction of her room. Yucie spun around, pounting.

"Oh please, please, please!" she pleaded, giving him the puppy dog look. He sighed in defeat.

"Ok, I'll go with you." All she wants to do is play in my hair. He walked into the room with five other squealing 9-year-old girls plus his mom. She was sitting on a pink pillow on the floor, cross legged, painting a girl's toenails who was sitting in front of her while another girl brushed his mother's blond hair.

"All done sweetheart." she said smiling in a motherly tone. The girl wiggled her toes.

"Thank you Mrs. Sparks." she got up to join the others across the room, the hair brusher following her lead. Her smile never wavered when she turned to look at her son.

"Bankotsu, welcome home." he walked over and sat down in front of her crossing his legs as well. He leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"You've got a mess downstairs." she gave him a sober look.

"Thanks, I didn't notice." she said dryly.

"I'm surprised Dad's here."

"That's because I bullied him into doing it. No way was he leaving me here with 12 kids by myself." He laughed, Isabella Sparks was no pushover.

"Oh, oh, Bankotsu can we brush your hair?" I knew it he thought as 4 pair of pleading eyes stared into his.

"Go ahead." Knowing that they would whine if he said no.

"So what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Can't I come home and see my family?" Isabella thought for a moment.

"Not when you look so depressed," she finally said. She watched as the girls started to open his braid.

"I'm not depressed." he said as he felt the girls spread out his loose hair.

"Wow it's so shiny and soft." he heard one say.

"Yeah and long too, just like Rapunzel." he hunched his shoulders

"Now I'm depressed." his mother threw back her head and laughed.

"You should be use to being called a girl. With hair that long." she gestured, pointing to the pool of black around him on the floor, "And such feminine features." she added. Bankotsu narrowed his eyes.

"I do not look like a girl."

"Have you looked in the mirror?" he crossed his arms over his chest, looking around his sister's room; everything was either pink or white.

"I'm not saying you look like a girl," his mother began. "You look like a guy, you just have feminine features like I said." He huffed before looking back at her.

"Glad I don't have self- esteem issues." he mumbled.

"What's the matter?" he dropped his hands into his lap.

"Nothing."

"You had a fight." she stated. He rolled his eyes.

"Why do you ask questions you already know the answer to?" Isabella shrugged.

"To let my kids know that I care enough to ask."

"Kouga and I. We..." She sucked her teeth.

"Is that what's got you down? You two fight every other day." she said a matter of factly. "And in the end you go back as if nothing happened." he toyed with a lock of hair.

"I know, I just need to vent some."

"Is that all?" she got up, dusting of her jeans. She held out her hand to help him up. "Well you can start venting by helping me clean downstairs." he grumbled

"Why can't Dad do it?" he whined, braiding his hair back up.

"Cause he'll just slick-talk his way how he shouldn't clean to the point where I'm ready to choke him." That gave him an idea,

"But what if..."

"Don't you try it either." she caught him before he could start.

"All man." he laughed when Isabella pushed him out of the room. She was right; they would vent, then they would stop fighting and get back to being friends... Eventually.

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"Where the hell is he?" Kouga shouted, jamming phone back in his pocket, listening to the rhythm of computer keys.

"Didn't you say that Miroku was going to visit that girl Sango?" His sister, his senior by 2 years, Kayla, was sitting across from him, typing her long-term paper.

"Yeah. But I wasn't talking about him Ms. Know- It- All. I meant Bankotsu. He's not answering his cell again." Kayla stopped typing long enough to pull her long brown hair into a ponytail.

"He's probably with his boyfriend. Don't start." she commanded when Kouga started to growl. "Bankotsu is allowed to date whoever he pleases." Kouga rolled his eyes

"Yeah. Just not him." Kayla shook her head as she proofread her paper. It had been weeks since the two of them argued at the hospital and Bankotsu was still dating Jakotsu, refusing to listen to his warning. "I don't like him." he said, watched as she slanted him a look.

"Well there's a shocker. You all never like any of the guys he dates." Kouga rested his head in his open plam. She was right, though he's never say that aloud. Since the 9th grade, when Bankotsu was finally ready to share his sexual preference with the world; A year before he'd told them and his parents. They all kinda knew since puberty, they were just waiting for him to say it. Anyways, they always had good reasons for not liking them. In the 10th, Roy, his first boyfriend, was a talker. He talked and talked and talked until they were ready to rip out his vocal cords; and when they talked to Bank about it he just said 'I know he talks alot but there's other great qualities about him too. Just give him time.' And they did, for a whole month. Then finally, he'll never forget it, they were all sitting at lunch and they were sick of him talking. Inuyasha said, loud as hell, 'Would somebody please put something in his mouth. My zipper's stuck." Everyone laughed and applauded, Roy was embarrassed, Bankotsu dumped him and didn't speak to them for 2 weeks. Let's see, Marth was a two-timer, Max was a thief, Kyo was married with 2 kids and Mario, who they didn't have anything bad to say about him. He was perfect for him until he punched him in the face. They damn neared killed him for that. That was two years ago. He's still at General Hospital eating food from a straw.

A wicked grin spread across his face "Huh?" he snapped back to the present and looked at his sister, wincing when he saw her light brown eyes flicker with annoyance. "You say something?" Cringing when she bared her teeth; If it was one thing about Kayla is was she hated to be ignored. She sucked in some air.

"I said, you don't like him because of the past experience of his exes. so you're just looking for an excuse. There could be nothing wrong with Jakotsu."

"But there is."

"Says you. You should be happy because Bankotsu is." Kouga narrowed his eyes.

"Keep the thearpy shit for your patiences, Doctor." she smiled none the less, liking the way 'doctor' sounded, even if he said it rudely. As soon as she finished her paper she would have her degree. Kouga munched on his now cold french fries.

'"Where's Dad?" he noticed that it was pass time for him to be home.

"He's on a date with Ms. Miaki." she answered as she pressed the key to print.

"Again?" he said thoughtfully. This would be the first time their dad has actually been serious on dating again. It was tough on all of them, the dad the most when he had caught their mom cheating on him with one of his clients four years ago. Since the divorce, he took up his time in either his work or his children. Kouga smiled gently. It was nice to see him with someone again. That got him thinking; If he could be happy for his father the he could... will be happy for his bestfriend.

TBC

--------------------------------Author's Note-------------------------------

Man I don't know what the fuss was about College. It's not so bad. it's like a bigger high school except you walk around more and it's a hell of a lot more expensive, and the books... OMG. one book is like 100 bucks! that's crazy!! I gota get like nine of them and it's just the first semester! Anyways... Since I didn't have a computer I've been writing down my chapters. I didn't realize how long the chapter REALLY is until I started to type it. And I really wanted to talk a little about Bankotsu's and Kouga's family life a little. There's actually about 10 more pages written to this chapter. Oops. Oh well, I'll just have to add more chapters then I expected to. Oh yeah I meant to ask in the last chapter but I was rushin, does anyone know if Sango's dad has a name in the anime? I'm not sure

Ok well...

PLZ REVIEW!!!

SMOOCHES!!