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I don't own Inu Yasha.

This chapter is dedicated to several wonderful people FirePetals, Silver Kitten420, Daneille, and Flip-0v3r if it weren't for your kind words this chapter have been possible.

What I want

"You entertain me… and I usually find myself so bored, but you something about you… she was just a little girl how was it that she had made it so far? "I thank you for that but its about time we get down to business."

Kagome looked at the women with a skeptical eye, this was the wind witch? This was one of the most feared women in all the kingdom and here she was just having a conversation with her like it was something that she did everyday. She was even thanking her for the entertainment?. Could the night get anymore odd she had been saved twice once by the man laying in her arms and also by Kagura. As if the red eyed woman could read her mind she was speaking.

"You know that what I've done for you tonight is going to come at a high price right?" she expected the girl to argue with her but she did nothing but stare at her as if she had already accepted this in her mind.

Yasha listened to their conversation in silence. What did this woman want? Why was she helping them in the first place? His nerves were on edge and he had so many questions but he knew that right now was not the time to voice them in the state he was in he wasn't so sure what he could do if the situation got out of hand.

"I'll pay it."

"Will you now? How far are you willing to go? How far can I push you?"

Kagura's words sent chills up Kagome's spine, she only hoped that how she was feeling wasn't visible on her face. She couldn't let her know that she was getting to her, their lives depended on it.

"its simple what I want really."

"Don't toy with me just tell me what you want."

"You."

"And you'll leave my friends alone?"

"Yes."

"That includes you and anyone else that you may know, they will come to no harm because of information that you have given out?"

Kagome what are you doing? His insides felt like they were on fire this little fool was just going to trade herself away. And for what? What did this woman really do for them? He already knew the answer she hadn't killed them. Just from her presence alone he knew that she was a force to be reconded with and he wondered what Kagome had , had to do to land them in the situation.

Kagura was just staring at her swolling hard she took in shaky breath before she continued "That includes me too,"

Narrowing her eyes Kagura took in there seriousness that had enveloped the girl. She had to give her some credit she wasn't as clueless as she seemed.

"What did you say?"

"That includes me, you can't use me to hurt them." She had been expecting a snide come back but what she hand been expecting was for the woman to start laughing at her.

"I don't think that you grasp the situation that you're in right now?"

Huh what didn't she get? What trick did the wind witch have up her sleeve?

~*~*~* Kien Naruku's Palace

The dark haired man stood facing the large windows that spanned one entire side of the room from floor to ceiling rivulets of water poured down the clear pains as they were illuminated by the display of lightening from the out side.

"How can they hide so much from me?"

Shifting his eyes away from the window he looked at the young girl that was standing next to him she was staring calmly out the widow.

"what do my eyes see?"

Not answering the girl continued to stare out the window. It annoyed him that she didn't answer though he wasn't about to show her this. As of late he felt like he didn't have enough control. This was a dangerous his position depended upon control and if he didn't have it then everything would soon fall apart.

"Time and places shift as always slipping from my view."

"Has the mirror lost its sight?" His voice was calm and calculated it held a restrained threat that he knew the younger girl would pick up on.

Shifting her eyes she looked at her emperor his face and voice betrayed no emotion yet she could not help be unnerved by the crispness of his tone.

"Or should I be asking have you lost your use?"

"The mirror may not have its full sight but it still steals and reflects." She was worried, like she said the mirror did not have its full sight though she could still use it to view for some reason she was no longer able to view anything that related to her Emperor.

"That's good to hear, I will keep nothing around that is of no use to me, not even you."

"My Lord my allegiance and my service is to you and only you."

"Of that I have no doubt, now go and make yourself useful."

With only a nod the girl turned her back on the windows and started to make her way across the large room. He didn't understand how this was happening people were hiding things from of that he was sure. It was only a matter of time though till he got down to the root of the problem and when he did people would die.

*~*~*~ Jinenjis house

Kira sat in the corner with her legs pulled up to her chest. It appeared that all the adults had forgotten that she was even in the room. They talked about many things, things she knew they would normally ask her to leave the room before discussing.

Shifting her eyes to the only door in the room she looked at it wondering what the small kid was doing behind it. Standing ever so quietly she focused on the adults but it appeared that they were too wrapped up in their own situation walking to the door she hesitated ever so slightly before putting it open and slipping in. The small Youki was still on the bed his head pillowed in his arms he hadn't even bothered to look up when she had come in. Looking at the small child she could almost feel sorry for him, the key word being almost. She wasn't completely sure what had happened in Obin. The only thing that she knew for sure was that there had been death, lots of it when she had fled the town the soldiers had been gathering people for the slaughter. Looking at the small child her blood boiled and froze at the same time. She knew that something terrible must have happened to his parents for him to be here. Flexing her small fingers into fists she continued to stare at the boy her nails biting into the flesh of her palms. Tears clouded her vision as her feet moved her toward the child. It would be so easy he was so close if she wanted she could just wrap her hands around his small neck and squeeze. The thought filled her with such turmoil, that wasn't who she was she knew that her mother and father would be so disappointed if they could hear her thoughts right now. With the thought of her parents the tears came more readily falling down her cheeks in torrents. She could live with that shame couldn't she? She wanted her feet to move, but instead they were rooted in place, her knees giving out she sunk slowly to the floor her eyes never leaving the boy in front of her. She could end it all right now couldn't she? She could stop the cycle, all it would take would be to, to.. 'monster' the voice in the back of her head supplied for her. That was it all, she would have to do, become a monster.

Shippo woke to the sound of crying looking over his shoulder he saw a small girl kneeling on the floor. Her tears were silent and her large sorrowful green eyes were fixed on him. She was a familiar face to him, he couldn't remember her name just another slave. The look in her eyes was painful, they reflected the pain he felt.

"Go away." He said turning away from her he was used to people following orders, but he didn't hear her move.

'go away' the words echoed in her ears he had some nerve to tell her that, she wanted to move but still her body would not obey her.

"I hate you…"

The words were soft trailing off at the end none the less they hung in the air of the room. She did, this girl hated him he could feel it rolling off her in waves. Sitting up he turned to face her taking in the full depth of her hate. Her eyes were no longer pained but rather… no that wasn't correct there was still pain there along with the crackling fire of hate.

"And that's supposed to mean what to me slave?"

At that moment she didn't care, let them be disappointed in her. She was going to end this suddenly her body could move and she was on her feet rushing at the red haired child.

The next thing he knew Shippo found himself pressed back against the mattress the girl had hit him in the face once and was now straddling him her hands closed around his neck, her anger giving her strength. Looking up into her face he was surprised to see that she was still crying her warm tears falling onto his face. For a moment he started up at her in absolute shock, though that didn't last long before his instincts started to take over worming his feet out from under her he placed them against her midsection knowing that if he kicked with his full strength there would be no way this puny little human would be able to maintain her hold on him. Putting all his strength behind it he heard a crack and knew that one of her ribs had broken. He breath went out in a woosh of air her eyes widening as the full weight of her fell against him but still her hand held onto his throat if nothing his kick had only fueled her anger more. Bringing his hands up to his neck, he would pry her hands off. If he had to he would break her slender fingers.

Kira barley felt the pain that was coursing through her body it was hard to tell the difference between her pain and anger they both melded into one. She could feel the skin giving away on her forearms as the little kid scratched desperately against her hold. It was then that she felt hands from behind her pulling her back. It was only as they tightened around her mid section squeezing her ribs that she sucked in a deep breath her hands loosening a little. That was all it took as another set of hands pulled her fingers away from the boys neck. It was over now.

Sagging in defeat sobs racked her body.

"I hate you… I hate you.." the words rang empty and she didn't know who it was she hated, maybe it was the boy that she could just hear struggling for breath or maybe it was herself.

Sango looked at the small girl in her arms assessing the damage. From the gasp she had made when she tried to pull her away she guess that at least one of the girls ribs were broken. Covering her arms there was a crisscrossing of scratches. The little youki had dealt her some damage. Lifting her eyes she looked over to Miroku who was holding a heaving little boy in his arms. Everyone else was crowded into the doorway looking at them curious as to what had gone on.

"Hey cant you show some respect don't you know what he's been through?" Miroku ask surprised at the little girls actions. It angered him that she would be acting in such a way. What had they turned into? Babysitters?

"I hate him." The words were ripped from her with such venom that he was taken back his eyes shifting once again from Kira to Sango.

Opening his mouth not knowing what to say Miroku was surprised when Mamoru stepped into the room.

"You better watch what you say." He directed to Miroku.

At first Mamoru had been unsure of who this girl had been but now taking in her angry green eyes he had no doubt. She worked at the main house with her family.

Shippo brought his hands attentively to his neck. It felt tender and he wondered briefly if the girl had squeezed hard enough to cause a bruise. Looking over to her he could see that she was still staring at him with those haunted eyes. He knew that this was far from over if she got the opportunity he knew that she would try to do something like this again. There was only one thing you could do to slaves that acted like her. You broke them.

______ -

Kouga watched the man before him, He was crackling with energy, taking stock of what he knew of Hiten he frowned, this had been a bad idea. 'Kagome' her name kept running though his mind, Its all my fault it was all because of his impatience. He had taken a bad situation and just managed to make it worse.

Hiten's vision was tinted red. How had this happened he knew that his brother was no weakling. There had been nothing special about this girl she was just an average human. Yet looking around there wasn't hardly any signs of a struggle shifting his eyes down he took in the sight of his brothers blood staining his hands. Bringing one of those hands to his chest he tried to understand the constricted feeling pressing down on him. 'Kill kill kill.' The words pounded in his mind pulling at his sanity.

Focusing on the mans face he watched his tongue dart out and lick his lips. Hiten's mouth was ringed by the thick red liquid. It was then that Kouga knew he was in trouble, eyes widening he tried to explain away the sudden feeling of dread 'Hiten wouldn't do that would he?' 'Oh believe it, he would' his mind answered his own question. Hiten and Monten the thunder brothers they were in separable where one went the other would follow and it appeared that even in death Hiten had taken it into his own hands to make sure he always had a part of his brother to carry with him. Hiten had created a blood link.

Hiten took in Kougas expression and he knew the Captain knew exactly what was going on, though his face said that he didn't want to believe it. "That's what family's for." The words came out of his mouth cold and heartless not that it mattered not that anything mattered, just revenge. Raising his pike he rushed at the man feeling the impact of their weapons.

Kouga brought up his sword holding it in front of his face he could feel the foul energy pouring off the man above him. He was at the disadvantage as he was already braced against the ground. This was going to be a fight that he saw through to the end.

"The girls flesh was so nice I'm going to enjoy peeling it off her bones. Don't worry though she'll be alive when I start." He said more just to make the other man mad he wanted his anger. He was itching for a good fight.

Kagome… he could picture her in his mind her raven colored hair falling down around shoulders, her brown eyes glaring at him, the image was soon replaced by another that of her laying lifeless in a pool of blood. 'I can't lat that happen' reaching for his companion sword he brought it up catching Hiten in the arm, the man would have to break the lock or risk another blow to his arm. The pressure was suddenly gone and Kouga wasted no time springing to his feet to face his partner. This time he was not going to wait for the attack to come to him.

"I can't let you do that to her because she's mine."

_____________--

"We're not bargaining over what I did tonight, we're talking about this mans life. I needed information from you and this was the easiest way to get it. I would have as soon as just left him there to die, because he would have if we had left him you know that right?"

"Yes.." There was a hesitation in her voice as she thought briefly that all she may have been able to give him was an extra hour of life. "I know…."

"So if you give me what I want then he lives if you don't he dies." There was no meanis in her voice though there was no doubt in her mind that her words would make the other woman vey uncomfortable maybe even a little rash. She wanted to put her off quilter if she could get her to make a decision without thinking it through then it was more likely to be in her favor.

Kagome could feel the pressure of Kagura's words. She wouldn't be fooled she knew exactly what the woman was doing suddenly her mothers voice was there. 'as someone who will one day have a seat in the royal court you must never submit to pressure' they were words that he mother had often told her. Her mother had engrained the idea into her over and over again. Kimiko Higurashi had been a member of there royal court by birth as was Kagome and being so her name entitled her to enter the palace and sit in the presence of the emperor and so her mother had trained her to be ready withstand the intrigue of the court. Calming herself she put a fake smile on her face. It pained her, this was the expression that her own mother wore most often and to think of her self slipping into the same mask slightly sickened her.

This has not been the reaction that Kagura had been expecting she had thought that all she had to do was to lay things out on the table but it appeared that this girl wasn't going to let anything slide. He features had taken on an aloof demeanor, and her eyes… gone were the soulful brown fiery eyes that had pleaded with her and provoked her. Instead her eyes were calculating they took in the situation. The girl across from her understood perfectly.

"Ah there you are that's the Higurashi I know. I can see him in you now. I knew your father well, you know, though I may not take and active part in the emperors court I know all who frequent there including your mother and I see you can slip into her mask. She had a nasty habit of playing with people like puppets on strings. Is that what you've been doing?" To tell the truth this girls expression set her on edge. Kagura had never doubted her ability to tell if someone was lying before but looking at the petite girl in front of her she wondered if somehow this girl could slip her untruths past her defenses.

Lying so they were back to wear they had started. That was fine with her, she was not about to sit back and be pushed around by this woman.

"No, I don't play with strings I cut them."

"Your expression tells me otherwise little girl or should I call you Lady Higurashi?"

Yasha wanted to push away he wanted to see Kagomes expression. But at the same time he knew that if he gave himself away everything would fall to piece real quick.

It scared him though he hated that name, Higurashi, and he hated how Kagome was connected to it. The cool tone of her voice had changed and from the way her body felt he knew that she was holding herself rigidly.

"You could but that's not my title, now you wanted to talk business so I suggest we talk business."

"Yes curt and to the point you get that from him, between the two of your parents what a piece of work you must be. Deceptive and cunning, I never thought that I would meet someone that was so good they were able to get past my defenses, especially not a human, then again there's something different about you isn't there?"

"I'm just trying to get by like everyone else. Now you wanted to make a deal I'll offer you a deal."

"You're in no position to be offering deals."

Kagome felt Yasha tense next to her and she knew he was awake she didn't know how long he had been awake but she knew he wasn't enjoying the conversation. He was leaning against her and she knew that it probably took every once of his restraint not to push away from her right now after all she was a Higurashi. But he held his position, if for nothing else then to wait for the tactical advantage. One of her arms was already between their bodies moving ever so slightly her hand found his.

Yasha didn't know what was going on. Kagomes hand closed around his her small smooth hands against his rough larger ones he wanted to yank his hand away but knew that such movement would draw the other womans attention to him. She was a servant of Naurku of that he had no doubt not just anyone was allowed to enter the royal courts. Her small hand tightened around his and he was disgusted. Disgusted by the way she made him feel, he had every reason not to trust her right now, yet when he search he found that he did, it surprised him still, much like it had the other day when he had snapped at Miroku. Kagome was always honest with him, she always told him what was on her mind even if she knew it was something that he didn't want to hear. Then there was her trust, Yasha had struggled in giving Kagome his trust in some ways he guessed that he was still leery of her. Not Kagome though he knew that he had her complete trust it shone there in her eyes for the world to see. It was there in the way that she fell against him when she was hurting and in the soft upturn of her face while she listened to him. Kagome had nothing she had given it all away, turned her back on it all. She had only him, and he was not about to let her down. Her small hands were slightly tembleling despite the bravado he heard in her voice. Squeezing her hand just a little he offered her the only comfort her could give. He just had to wait for his chance on way or another he would get them out of this.

"I'll give you what you want all you have to do is make sure that this man makes it to safety."

Though she sounded brave Kagome knew that any minute now the woman across from her would see through the façade. But it didn't matter as long as she could make sure that Yasha was safe then everything would work out. He would come for her wouldn't he? If she went with this woman now could she count on that? More importantly then her safety, he would be alive, and she would give anything to keep it that way.

"What if I told you that I wanted you dead?"

"If that were the case then I would already be dead."

Kagura stared at the woman she would rather be dealing with the impulsive little girl that she had met in the cave then this woman. At first it had appeared that the girl had no grasp of the situation, but looking at her now it appeared that she had been in control of the situation the entire time. No that wasn't entirely true it was only when Kagura had threatened the man that things had become serious.

"I'm not even sure that you're the person that I'm looking for so don't try my patience or I'll be taking it out on your friend here."

Kagomes first instinct was to bite back but she couldn't she had to stay in control. 'Control is the name of the game Kagome and you must make people think that you are in complete control even if you are not.' Once again her mother words ran through her mind. Never before had she thought all those hours of lessons would come to use but right now thy were the only weapon she had. 'Its all about appearances'

"You must be sure enough." She said calling her bluff it was a safe bet. The wind witch would have had no problem killing them both. The fact, they were alive right now even having this conversation spoke volumes. Why does she want me? There wasn't time to think about that right now filling it away she focused on the situation at hand. "You touch him and I'll kill you."

Once again she was taken back by the seriousness of her voice. The girl had no skill with a sword of that she was sure but what did she have hidden that she was so sure of herself? Because her voice left no room for doubt if Kagura wanted to mess with the man then she would find herself having to deal with the Higurashi. Had he father taught her some skills that she was able to keep hidden? He thoughts were interrupted as Kagome started speaking again.

"That's the deal take it or leave it."

It wasn't much of a deal she knew in truth she knew that this was what Kagura had been willing to give her anyway but it coming from her mad it easier to accept. Yasha she was going to leave him, this time of her own accord. The thought of being away from him for some reason made her chest feel tight. She had done nothing but cause trouble for him even the state that he was in right now was because of her. He would be glad to get rid of her, the thought made her eyes burn, but she would not cry not in front of this woman.

Kagura's eyes widened as she took in the woman's expression. The calm mask was still held in place, it was her eyes that had betrayed her the crystalline tears poured down her cheeks silently seaming unknown to the girl.

At first he had been contemplating letting her go and following after dawn when he would regain his strength, but then he had felt it warm splotches that grazed their twined fingers human or not on this night he wasn't about to let her slip away from him.

He would have to act quickly luckily for him Kagome had returned his sword to his side where he always wore it. He knew that he wouldn't be able to reach the other woman from where he was but he no longer take just laying here. Rolling to the side he quickly brought himself to a low crouch drawing his sword at the same instant the tip pointed at the other woman.

This was worse then he thought, but he had made up his mind and he was going to have to live with the consequences. When he had rolled he had, had no choice but to roll away from her. He was still between the woman and her but she was now in his peripheral vision. What he saw only cemented his decision Kagome was crying and this woman was going to pay.

"I'm afraid I can't let you have her she's mine"

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