Chapter 8

Kyoni's POV

The woman that stood before me was a shock. She had grown into a beautiful flower. I couldn't help, but smile at her greeting. "Hello, my daughter." I replied. The fox kit had such a look of shock on his face that it almost me laugh.

"WHAT!!!" the boy screeched. I don't think the ringing will go away for a couple of days. "Am I the only one that is missing something?"

"Come on, Shippou! Easy with the screaming!" Kagome complained.

"Well, I'm sorry, but can you explain all this to me" Shippou ask impatiently.

"That's right you haven't seen my true form have you?" Her reply was a slight tilt of the head.

Kagome let him down to stand next to me which seemed to make him a little nervous. "Try not to scream will ya?" she said smiling gently. She closed her eyes in concentration and in the time it takes to blink, the disguise was gone.

Shippou choked on the air that whooshed through his mouth in a gasp. Kagome patted his back while coughed. "Is that really you, Kagome?" Shippou asked, rasping.

"Of course it's me, silly! And this," She said, standing up to face me, "Is my father, your grandfather."

Now it was my turn to be shocked. "He…is your son?"

"Yes. Well, my adopted son." She giggled when I released the breath I was holding.

"Well, now that introductions are over, we must celebrate!" I turned and looked at everyone that was gathered by the gate. "The Southern Princess has returned!" Everyone cheered and began to prepare for tonight's sudden and somewhat planned event.

:That Night, Normal POV:

Kagome sat still as her personal maid bushed her hair. Though she was unused to this luxury, she knew that it was her job.

"Does Milady wish to put her hair up, or keep it down?" the maid, Jade asked.

"You can keep it down, Jade, thank you," Kagome replied. Jade bowed in response. "It amazing how my father can plan a party so quickly. I'm also surprise that the other Lords that were invited said yes."

Jade smiled. "The other Lords are used to this. Your father has a knack for throwing very sudden parties." Jade had been the Southern palace for many years, and knew Kagome's grandfather, hence the reason why she spoke so freely. And she doesn't look a day over forty. Kagome stood and turned to the mirror, and gasped at what she saw.

Kagome never thought herself ugly, but what she normally looked like paled in comparison to Jade's magic. She was wearing a pure white kimono, with silver lining and flowers all over that matched the highlights of her hair and a gold obi.

"You made me beautiful, Jade," Kagome whispered in awe.

"No, Lady Kagome. Your beauty made the make-up useful. Make-up is only used to accentuate the natural beauty of someone," Jade replied as she stared at Kagome, impress with herself.

Kagome smiled lightly. "You're the sweetest thing, Jade. You're a good friend."

Jade was happy that Kagome thought of her as a friend and showed it by smiling brightly.

"Thank you, Milady. The guests will be arriving shortly. Instead of greeting them at the gate, you will be announced to the ballroom. The other Lords were not told that you were here."

Kagome nodded and said, "Alright then. I do hope that Inuyasha didn't follow me. He'd probably demand where I was and pick a fight with the guards if he did."

...

With Inuyasha and the gang

...

They've been traveling for a while. At first they were alarmed when they didn't catch up to Kagome within the first five minutes of them going after her. But Inuyasha had said that he couldn't smell and scent or feel and auras other than Kagome and Shippou's. Now they knew that something was up. There was no was a human Kagome could have travelled this far in the short amount of time she'd been gone. It seemed as if she was five times faster than Inuyasha was! They were also curious as to what their companion had been doing in her time away.

I was now approaching night time, and rest was suggested.

"No! I can tell we're close. Their scents are fresher."

Nobody said anything, but silently agreed to keep going. Well except Kikyo, but who cares about her? Slowly, the southern citadel came looming into view.

"What in the hell..." Inuyasha said in confusion.

The faces of the others mirrored Inuyasha's words. What would their Kagome be doing here, with all these demons gathering?

"Does she turn anywhere here, Inuyasha?" Sango called.

"No, she headed straight for the castle."

They stopped in front of the gates. Some of the demons that were entering gave them questioning looks, other just glared. A guard with a silver dog on his chest plate marched up to them.

"What business does your group have here, half-breed," the inquired with a commanding voice. Inuyasha growled slightly and Miroku thought it was best if he did the talking.

"We were wondering if you've seen a human woman and a fox kit came by here," he said in a diplomatic voice.

"No humans have come by here. Now be on your way." The guard turned to leave before being stopped by Inuyasha's growl.

"Watch who you're talkin' to!"

"Or you'll what?"

The glaring contest had begun.

"What is the meaning of this? You're annoying my guests," said a voice.

The others turned to see Kyoni striding towards them. The guard straightened up and saluted him.

"My Lord. The half-breed and his companions came inquiring of a human and a fox kit had come near here. I had already told them "no" and tried to dismiss them, but the hanyou tried to pick a fight."

"Did not!" Inuyasha retorted.

Very mature...

Kyoni seemed to be in deep thought before asking, "What are the names of the human and fox kit?"

"Kagome and Shippou," Sango answered.

The guard gawked and Kyoni beamed.

'This must be her travel companions,' Kyoni thought. "Well, well ,well! It seems as though we have special guests here! Please, I welcome you into my home. All will be revealed soon and you will see your friend shortly.

"How do we know we can trust you?" Inuyasha asked.

"Do you sense a lie in my aura?"

Inuyasha grumbled and said a small "no."

"Then come in, and you will see the truth in my words."

Chapter done, and I'm happy about that, haha. Thank you to all my reviewers, you are the most awesome people in the world; I thought I should tell you that. Much love to all of you and keep reviewing please!

-Devil'z Angel