A.N. I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. Read, enjoy, and please review.
"Mukuro, I still say this is a bad idea."
"I promised him this chance years ago, Hiei. Do you suggest I break my word?"
Kuwabara tapped his youkai family on their shoulder's with an awkward smile as the carriage continued to bring them closer to the woman he still longed to marry. "I know you think this is a waste of time, but I want to do this. I know it's been forever but I still love her."
"Hn. There are other women. Many who would have gladly married or even mated you," Hiei responded coldly.
Mukuro let out a soft sigh as she watched the two she thought of as siblings stare at one another intensely. You can't understand love unless you have it... And all of Hiei's love has been ripped away by life.
The ningen man shook his head at the smaller youkai. "You don't understand love Hiei, and you never will until you let someone into that heart of yours."
He snorted derisively at that. "Hn. And what do you suppose I do? Stay celibate until I meet 'the one.' You're a fool."
A slight smile formed on the female Lord's face as the two continued to banter.
Kagome winced slightly as she hurriedly changed into a new kimono, choosing a plain ivory colored one with pale blue trim. Damn. I better get to the study. With that she rushed to where Sesshomaru had ordered her to be.
Cool golden orbs flickered up from the inu taiyoukai's scroll as he heard his ningen woman enter his study. He arched an eyebrow at her change in attire. "Kagome, why did you change? Especially into such a plain kimono."
"I stained the other one on accident Sesshomaru. I like this kimono."
His nose twitched as he scented the air, eyes narrowing at the trace of blood he detected. "Come to me Kagome."
She flinched at his tone but walked forward.
Sesshomaru's strong claw tipped hands pulled the tie of the kimono loose. Red seeped into his eyes when he saw to claw marks on her delicate shoulders. "Who?"
"It's not important my Lord. May I put my kimono back on now?" she inquired, clearly trying to change the subject.
The inu growled low but knew that she would not budge. "No." His lips descended on the wounds, dragging his lips across them lightly.
Her eyes went wide and began to water as she tried to push him away. "Sesshomaru, stop!"
Lust flashed in his eyes at the taste of her blood and how close he was to her. He held her more tightly and caressed the torn flesh with his tongue before he stilled, breathing in her scent, tinged slightly with her unwilling arousal, one more time. "Do not order me Kagome. I will not hurt you."
Twin pools of sapphire locked with golden orbs in slight fear. "M-may I get dressed now?"
He nodded but tugged her into his embrace. "There are spare kimonos kept in the closet here. Pick one more befitting of your status this time."
"Hai my Lord."
Amusement glowed in his irises as she blushed and walked away from him to change. I've seen all you have to offer Kagome-chan.
Knock, knock!
His eyes darted around to insure that Kagome was out of sight. "You may enter."
"My Lord, the Lords of the East and their servant have arrived. Shall I show them to your study?" The female neko youkai's nose wrinkled at the smell of fear, blood, and arousal.
"Indeed. Bring them here." He smirked as he watched the neko give a trembling bow and retreat.
"Right this way," the servant told them as she turned to lead them to the study.
Crimson eyes darted around as he caught an unusual scent. Sakura, roses, tea... Ningen, delicate yet tinged with an overpowering scent of taiyoukai. The miko.
Mukuro's eyes snapped to the hybrid in surprise as she caught a shift in his aura. "So, are the rumors true?"
A look of panic flashed in the servant's eyes as she jumped. "R-rumors, Lord Mukuro?"
"You know what I'm talking about. The rumors regarding the Lord of the West and his miko."
Kuwabara leaned forward slightly to hear the answers.
Hiei could not help but find himself listening in as well.
"Well, I-I-"
The Eastern Lord dropped a bag of gold into the neko's hand calmly. "Perhaps this will loosen your tongue. Now speak."
Soft lime green eyes peered at the female Lord before putting the gold away. "Lord Sesshomaru-sama intends to take her as mate."
"And Kagome-chan?" Kuwabara blurted out in question.
Mukuro and Hiei stiffened at the familiarity their companion used about the other Lord's intended.
"She doesn't love him. I'm Yukiko by the way," she replied with a hint of warmth. So this is one of the men who will take Lady Kagome away. I'll do my best to help make her happy Izayoi-sama.
"Kuwabara Kazuma."
Yukiko offered him a slight smile before continuing to lead the three down the hall.
"Hn. The former Lady knows something. Apparently she knows that the miko has a suitor-Two in fact."
"Kazuma is clearly one of them, but who is the other?"
"Hn. She doesn't know."
Knock, knock!
Sesshomaru looked up at the door, catching Kagome's near soundless entrance out of the corner of his eye. "You may enter."
"Introducing Lords Mukuro and Hiei and Lord Mukuro's bound servant Kuwabara Kazuma."
Kagome's breath caught as her sapphire orbs met warm brown briefly. Kazuma... Kazuma-kun... It took everything in her to lower her gaze and stand to bow. "It is an honor to be in your presence."
Kuwabara froze as he stared at her, the girl he knew replaced by the beautiful woman he saw before him. He bowed hurriedly, returning the words automatically. Kagome, my Kagome.
Hiei felt a rising hate as he stared at the miko. He hated the beauty that called on him to betray one of the two people he trusted. He hated her alluring scent that made his inner youkai cry out... And most of all he hated the crescent moon covered blue, white, and red kimono that told of her alliance to the Lord of the West.
Mukuro's eyes betrayed none of the worry that sparked within her at the changes she felt in her companion. "Shall we discuss the matters at hand?"
Sesshomaru's cold golden eyes bore into the ningen man suspiciously before flickering back to Mukuro's. "Indeed. Please sit down. Yukiko, lunch."
Kagome sat at Sesshomaru's side as she knew she was supposed to and felt a bubble of excitement when Kuwabara sat next to her. Her expression remained even as she felt the orange haired man link their fingers beneath the table.
"Hn. Naraku is getting out of control."
"You do not waste time," Sesshomaru commented as they were served their meal and tea.
Mukuro nodded in agreement. "Hiei is a direct man. I do not enjoy pointless small talk either. There needs to be an alliance between East, West, North, and South. Naraku's activities are a threat to all."
Kuwabara ran his thumb over her knuckles lovingly as they listened to the three speak. His large calloused hand seemed to envelope her small delicate feeling one. But those seemingly delicate hands are quite dangerous as I recall.
Kagome's heart fluttered in her chest but she made no sound. She squeezed his hand gently to convey what could not be said.
"Agreed. We shall breach the subject with the others after the gathering. Until then, you may stay."
"Arigatou Sesshomaru-san."
Hiei nodded his approval. "Hn."
Gold irises stared intently at his miko suspiciously as she ate, a look of content in her eyes as she sat next to the large man. This ningen... Could he be the one who tries to take her from me? "Kagome, show Hiei-san and Mukuro-san to their rooms. Yukiko, find one for him."
Regret flashed in the miko's eyes as she let go of her old friend's hand to stand. "Hai my Lord. Right this way please."
A sigh nearly escaped the orange haired man's lips as he followed the neko out once again. Kagome-chan.
The two Eastern Lords locked eyes for a moment before following the miko.
"She still cares for him. I see it in her eyes."
"Hn." Ruby colored eyes bore into the miko's back, anger and lust glimmering within. "Miko," he grunted at her.
Mukuro arched an eyebrow in surprise at her partner.
Surprise flitted briefly across her features as she turned to face them. "Hai, Lord Hiei-sama?"
His eyes narrowed in response to her polite tone. "Hn. Do not play dumb with me Onna. What are your intentions towards the Kuwabara?"
Kagome had to reign in her shock, schooling her features into a more neutral expression. "I do not know what you are speaking of Hiei-sama. Lord Mukuro, is this room to your liking?"
Humor colored the youkai woman's expression as she watched the two. "It will be fine Miko-san. I would appreciate it if you could find out where Kazuma is staying."
"Hai. I will find out. Hiei-sama?" she added as she turned to continue down the hall.
Hiei glared at her back as she led him to his quarters.
"Is this room to your liking, Lord Hiei-sama?" Her eyes flickered to meet his and she froze. His eyes were filled with lust, anger, guilt, and need. "H-hiei-sama?"
One sword calloused hand came up to stroke her cheek gently. Twin pools of shocking blue remained the target of crimson scrutiny.
Light pink began to form on the miko's cheeks, surprise showing when his hand snapped back suddenly. "I-"
"Kagome-sama? Lord Sesshomaru requests your presence," Yukiko sang in amusement. And there is the second one.
Kagome flinched and turned to face her. "Hai. Lord Mukuro wanted to know-"
Delicate looking claws waved her off. "In the servants quarters, north wing. I'll tell her."
"Hiei-sama," the miko murmured and bowed to him before walking away.
Sesshomaru could not help but glare at the wall of his study. A ningen and an equal... It could not be the hybrid though. He feels no love for anyone. The Kuwabara could definitely be a threat. I'll have to look at the records to see if they have a connection.
"Sesshomaru?"
Gold orbs snapped to hers calmly. "Come."
The miko walked forward cautiously, her eyes falling to the floor. Don't let him kiss me again... Why doesn't he understand?
His clawed fingers gripped her chin tenderly, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Kagome, I don't want you to be near the orange haired ningen alone. Be courteous, but don't speak with him more than needed."
"Hai m'Lord I under-" she began quietly, her voice sounding just a little weak.
A smirk formed on his lips as he brushed them across hers. "Remember your promise Kagome. Aishiteru."
Her body remained stiff as he embraced her.