Disclaimer: I was recently made God, and so I took InuYasha for my own. But then people claimed I was abusing my power, and they kicked me out. So Rumiko Takahashi still owns InuYasha. Don't own harry potter either, or twilight.

Warning: Spoiler for InuYasha episode 143

Thanks to Gothic Lust for pointing out my mistakes.

I AM HAPPY WHEN YOU ARE

Kagome stared up at the mansion in front of her in awe. This is where Ao and Kin lived? Was there some kind of mistake? She looked down at the invitation that had found its way to her house, arriving, coincidentally enough, the very day she had returned to the future after that incident with the infant. Traveling with Sesshoumaru had been. . . exhausting. Especially when she had tried to get away so she could get home without letting Sesshoumaru know that she was from the future. So when the invitation from Ao and Kin had arrived for a tea party with Kin's business associates, she had jumped at the chance for some fun.

But she had no idea that they lived in such a place! In the front was a traditional wall of bamboo, with a large decorated gate in the front. Beyond the gate she could see an Edo period castle, made up of several one or two story buildings connected by bridges and porches, each with the traditional sloping rooftops. At the gate were two towers, presumably watch towers. Leading up to the castle was a bridge that was very similar to a European drawbridge that stretched across what had once been a moat. The entire complex could literally be brought back into the Sengoku Jidai without anyone batting an eyelash.

Kagome stared down at the invitation in her hand, suddenly unsure if she was in the right place.

To Ms. Higurashi Kagome, of the Sunset Shrine:

You are cordially invited to a small get together to celebrate another season of financial good health and the friendships among us. It would be an honor to have you in our home and among our friends as we welcome the new season and new opportunities.

Hoping for your presence:

Nishinoshu Kin and Ao

1 Oyaku Street, Tokyo

(998) 467-1234

P.S. Kagome, this is an important get together for Kin. However, that does not mean I am going to enjoy this. Please come and distract me from the evil bitches who are going to want to eat me!! I will never forgive you if you abandon me!! ~Ao.

P.S.S. Ignore Ao's nonsensical ramblings. We would both enjoy your company, but do not feel as though you have no choice. ~Kin.

P.S.S. COME OR DIE!!!!!!!!!!! ~Ao.

Yes she was definitely in the right place. Hesitantly, Kagome pressed the button on the intercom next to the gate that stood in the middle of the two sentry towers. "Hello?"

Immediately, the intercom crackled to life. "May I ask who is calling?"

"Higurashi Kagome." Kagome answered. When the person on the other end didn't answer, Kagome quickly continued. "Nishinoshu Ao invited me here for tea. I have the invitation with me, if you'd like to see it."

There was silent for a moment longer before the gates swung open on their own. Kagome grinned and stepped forward, only to be accosted by two men in black suits. Trying not to think about the men in black, Kagome patiently waited for the two guards to check her over with a metal detector before one of them left. The other brought her to a modified golf cart and strapped her in before taking the driver's seat. Going no faster than ten miles an hour, the guard drove them through the complex, cutting a fifteen minute walk to the center down to five. Kagome thanked him profusely before exiting the golf cart and heading to the front steps.

This was the only building that had more than two floors, and it was obviously the main one. Everything about the center building screamed that it was different, from the four floors, versus the others which had at most two, to the ornate decorations that were lacking on the others buildings. Kagome walked up the three stairs to the front door and hesitated, unsure of whether or not she was to enter. Luckily, this decision was taken from her when the door opened. A young woman, dressed in an elegant kimono made for a princess opened the door. She had a disapproving frown on her face as she looked Kagome over. "And you are?"

"I'm Higurashi Kagome." Kagome said, bowing to the older woman who stood in front of her. "I am here to see Nishinoshu Ao. Is she here?"

"I'm afraid that's impossible." The woman answered coldly. "There is a private gathering going on, and you would only be interrupting it."

Kagome was starting to get annoyed now, but she was determined not to show it. "Then may I see Ao to confirm-"

"How dare you say the name of Nishinoshu-sama so disrespectfully!" The woman snapped. "You rude little girl! Leave now, before I call security."

Kagome glared. "Look, Ao and Kin invited me, and I won't leave until I see her!"

"You dare-"

"Chihomi?" A sudden call from inside stopped the woman in her tracks. Kagome relaxed as she recognized Ao's voice. "Chihomi, who's at the door?"

Before Chihomi could answer, Kagome called inside. "Ao! Is that you?"

Kagome heard a squeal, and Chihomi was roughly shoved out of the way as Ao rushed forward to tackle Kagome. "Oh thank kami you're here. I'm just about going insane in there!" She released Kagome and smiled. "Well, come in, come in."

Kagome glared at her. "You could have told me it was so formal!" She looked down at her skirt and shirt and made a face. "I am completely underdressed."

Ao rolled her eyes. "Oh, relax. I have a special kimono for you inside. Now hurry up, before Kin notices that I'm missing." She dragged Kagome into the house, ignoring the sputtering of Chihomi, who looked horribly offended. Kagome couldn't feel guilty though, considering the treatment she'd received at the woman's hands. Although she did think it was strange that Ao was being so rude.

Ao led her through a series of hallways before shoving Kagome into one of the rooms and shutting the door. "The kimono is on the bed." She called through the door. "Let me know if you need help."

Kagome stuck out her tongue. "I'm not a complete incompetent!" She hastily dressed, not wanting to keep Ao longer than she had to. She had a little trouble with tying her obi, but it only took a few moments before she was out in the hall again.

Ao took one look at her and smiled. "You look gorgeous, Kagome."

Kagome blushed and shook her head. "Thank you. So do you."

Ao laughed. "Oh, aren't we arrogant." She muttered. Seeing Kagome's confused look, she shook her head. "Never mind that." She grinned maniacally. "Race you to the end of the hall!"

Kagome grinned. "You're on!"

"On the count of three." Ao announced. "Zero. One. THREE!" Ao took off, and a half second later, so did Kagome. They ran, though Kagome had the advantage because she was younger and more agile, which was evened out by Ao's early start. They ended up making it to the end at the same time, and they burst through the doors laughing.

Of course, Kagome's laughter ceased when she realized that there were about forty pairs of eyes staring at them. Her face turned crimson as she realized that Ao had just convinced her to rush into the middle of the party. But before she could get too angry, she saw Kin walk up to them. "Kagome, lovely to see you." He leaned over and placed a grandfatherly kiss on her forehead. "I'd like to thank you for keeping my wife entertained. She's so easily bored."

Kagome's flush lightened as she saw the amusement on Kin's face. She bowed slightly. "It is my pleasure, Kin. After all, we all know the insane can't sit still for five minutes."

Ao scowled at the two of them, but refrained from sticking out her tongue. "Everyone, I would like to introduce you to a very dear friend of ours. Higurashi Kagome. Her family owns the Sunset Shrine." She looped her arm through Kagome's. "Come on, Kagome. We've got some excellent sushi over here! I'm sure you'll adore it just as much as I do."

Kagome followed along, watching Ao suspiciously as she guided her through the crowd. Each time Kagome was introduced, she'd see the wives of the businessmen look condescendingly at Ao or the businessmen themselves watch her patronizingly. In addition, Ao was making a complete spectacle of herself. She giggled like mad, said the most random things, and acted childishly, to the point that she stuck her tongue out at one of the business wives. It didn't fit with the woman she had come to know. Sure Ao was prone to childishness, but she was also very wise and intelligent. Why was she acting like an imbecile?

She got her answer when Ao, pouting, towed her back into the house to order the servants to bring out the snacks. As soon as they were inside, Ao's dopey smile was replaced by an uncharacteristic scowl. "Kami, I hate these things." She muttered.

Kagome shook her head. "Maybe you would like them more if the people around you didn't think you were a complete incompetent."

Ao looked horrified. "Now that would just take all the fun out of it, dear." She led the way to the kitchens. "Fooling those idiots out there into thinking that I'm Kin's trophy wife is the only thing that gets me through these blasted things. Kin lets me get away with it because of what I can find out." She chuckled darkly, and an evil smirk crossed her face. "You'd be surprised what people say around you when they think you have no idea what's going on around you."

Kagome thought about it, then nodded. "So, can I ask why you were particularly hostile to Chihomi?"

Ao glared at her and grit her teeth. "I have nothing to say about that. . . that harlot!" Kagome jumped at the sudden venomous tone in Ao's voice. Seeing that she had startled the younger woman, Ao sighed. "I apologize, Kagome. It's just that Chihomi absolutely infuriates me. My eldest son dated her for a time when he was in high school. When it looked like he was going to break up with her, she deliberately got herself pregnant and blackmailed him into eloping with her." She slammed the next door that she opened. "I just thank the kamis they gave my son more brains than the ones that lie between his legs, or otherwise he'd be mated to the filth as well."

"Is she really that terrible?" Kagome asked. It felt like a stupid question once it was out of her mouth, but she had to know.

"She is rude and disrespectful. She deliberately manipulated my son, and now acts as if she has the right to lord her station over the others in our family." Ao's face was dark and humorless, but then softened suddenly. "But she did give me my first grandchild. My son named him Miroku, after the houshi in the legend of the Shikon no Tama. He was always his favorite character in the legend."

Kagome jumped at that, before a smirk crossed her face. She wondered what Miroku's reaction would be when he found out that in the future, children were named after him. He'd probably be thrilled, or take it completely wrong and start populating the earth. She giggled before following Ao into the kitchen. She found Ao there already dictating what came out when, and to whom it went. She noted that those who had been particularly rude were being served last, not that there was much difference, considering that everyone was rude.

By the time they returned to the party, most everyone had already been served. Ao led Kagome over to a seat beside Kin and placed herself on her other side. Kagome smiled, grateful that she wasn't going to be next to someone she didn't know and have to make awkward conversation. She'd rather watch the airhead act Ao was putting on any day.

The dinner had was much like the rest of the dinner: dull, boring, and highly amusing. But things changed when Kagome turned for some food. Out of the corner of her eye, something glittered, almost like a gold Shikon shard. She jerked her head back, but whatever it was had already disappeared. Frowning, she turned back to the food, and the glitter reappeared. She jerked again, and it was gone.

"Kagome?" Ao asked. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, it's fine." Kagome answered quickly. She didn't want to admit to seeing things.

All throughout the meal, she kept catching a small glitter affect out of the corner of her eye. But whenever she tried to look directly at it, the glitter would disappear. Just as she was about to go crazy from frustration, one of the more outspoken wives marched up to Ao. "Excuse me, Ao." She said sweetly, her voice edged with razors. "I'm terribly sorry to bother you, but there's a group of us who haven't yet been served."

Ao gasped, and almost sounded convincing. "I am so sorry, Aya. I'll take care of it immediately. Please don't be angry." Little pinpricks in the corners of Ao's eyes suggested she was about to cry. "I'm really sorry!"

The woman's gaze softened to veiled sneer. "That's quite alright dear. I know it's difficult for you to keep track of things like this." She reached over and patted Ao on the head like a dog. "Just tell the servants to bring out the food."

"Okay!" Ao brightened immediately and scurried back into the house.

Kagome sighed and stood. "I'm going to go after her."

The woman nodded. "Yes, you should. She's a bit prone to forgetfulness. She needs a firm hand to guide her."

Kagome bristled at the implication that Ao was not in full command of her facilities, but forced herself to smile and bow. She raced to the house and made her way to the kitchens, where she found a scowling Ao chugging down a small bottle of sake. "Kami, I hate these thrice damned things." She muttered to herself. She looked over and saw Kagome standing in the doorway. "Did you hear me? They're disgusting!"

Kagome shook her head and took away the bottle. "If you hate it so much, then why don't you ask Kin to stop having you throw the parties?"

Ao sighed and leaned against the counter. "Because it makes him happy." She answered softly.

Kagome blinked. "But you obviously abhor this. And doesn't he always give you what you want?"

"Exactly." Ao answered, a sigh on her lips. "He always gives in to me, and if I told him that I didn't want to host his stupid parties anymore, he'd stop having them. But he really enjoys it. He loves proving to everyone that he is indeed superior to them, and he loves facing off against business rivals and just messing with them." She shook her head, and small smirk on her face. "Not to mention it gives me a chance to act like a little kid. They all think that Kin married me so that he wouldn't have to worry about a scheming wife. After all, I don't have the mental facilities for it."

Kagome shook her head. "And Kin never got upset about this?"

Ao laughed. "Oh, he did the first time. But then he saw for himself how people don't feel the need to be cautious around me. He saw the usefulness of it." Her grin grew. "Besides, I look cute when I'm acting silly."

Kagome laughed. "If you say so."

Ao turned to Kagome. "Kagome, what's wrong? You've been jumpy all day."

Kagome blushed. "It's nothing, really."

Ao glared, scrutinizing the girl carefully. "Tell me what's wrong, or I'll leave you to flounder among these high society vampires."

Kagome glared, but saw the genuine concern in Ao's eyes. With a sigh, she spoke. "There's been some weird glitter thing going on all day. It's always there in the corner of my eye, but whenever I look at it, it suddenly disappears." When Ao opened her mouth, Kagome quickly spoke up. "And I'm not seeing things. It's definitely there."

Ao shut her mouth with a smirk, which Kagome responded to with another glare. Ao chuckled, then thought for a moment. Then she smiled. "Kagome, where did you see this glitter?"

Kagome thought, then shrugged. "Pretty much everywhere. But I only saw the gold around you and Kin."

Ao's smile grew. "Kagome, I do believe we have found the side affect of that Sesshoumaru boy's blood."

Kagome blinked. "It's making me see things?"

Ao laughed. "No. It's showing you bonds." Seeing Kagome's look of confusion, Ao explained. "Mikos have the innate ability to sense auras. It's how you are able to sense youkai and holy power. Demons also have this ability. I believe that the combination of youkai and miko blood is allowing you to physically see people's auras, and the bonds between them."

Kagome blinked. "You got all that from 'glittery stuff?'"

Ao laughed. "Believe it or not, I know someone who got that same gift." She pulled Kagome over to the counter as Aya's plate was brought in. "When you saw this glitter between me and Kin, you said it was gold?"

Kagome nodded slowly. "And it was silver between the other couples."

Ao nodded. "The person I know of says that gold means that the two auras belong to people who are mated. Silver means that they are married."

Kagome nodded slowly. "So each color represents something different."

Ao grinned. "You're catching on. White means friendship, while black is mortal enemies. The shades of grey in between show how far they are from each extreme. Then there is gold and silver for mating and marriage. Blue is for family bonds. Midnight blue, that kind that's almost black, means parent and child, and the lighter the blue, the more distantly they are related. Green is for the master/servant relationship, or in this day and age, employer and employee. Once again, the darker the color, the closer the bond." Ao looked over at a very confused Kagome, then smiled. "I'll write it down for you. Make sure I give it to you before you leave."

Kagome shook her head. "Are you sure?"

Ao saw the terror on her face, and she softened. Using all her training as a grandmother, Ao wrapped Kagome in a hug. "If you want to see the bond, then just relax. Let your eyes lose focus, and you'll see what I mean. It's very easy to learn." She pressed a kiss to Kagome's forehead. "Just relax."

Kagome melted into Ao's arms. "I'll do my best."

"Take care, now." Kagome called.

"You too, Ao dear. Try to stay out of trouble!"

Kagome finally shut the door as the last pair of guests left the mansion. She leaned back against the door and slid down to the floor. "Finally." She muttered, rubbing her temples with vengeance in an attempt to dispel her headache. "Kami, I hate those bitches." She sat for a moment longer before she pulled herself back up, wincing as her back began to ache. She quickly shook it off and headed for the kitchen, where she had a good feeling Sesshoumaru would be waiting. Her hunch was proved correct when she entered and saw Sesshoumaru at the counter, pouring himself another beer. "Haven't you had enough of those?" She asked him.

Sesshoumaru smirked and handed her a pre-poured cup of tea. "Not all of us are so intolerant of alcohol, Kagome."

She sighed and drank her tea, smiling as her headache lessened. He must have used the blessed herbal tea that was specifically spelled to remove minor pains. It worked better than Advil. "Did everything go as planned?" She asked.

"Yes." Sesshoumaru answered, his usual superior smirk on his face. "I'll be controlling them all by this time next year."

As Sesshoumaru went into a rather detailed explanation about how he was going to take over each company, the same temptation that Kagome always felt after one of these parties crept up on her. It would be so easy to just tell him how much she hated those women, their arrogant attitudes, their traitorous mouths and their silent maneuverings. All it would take was a few words, and she'd never have to deal with the minions of evil again.

". . . and then the plan will be complete." Sesshoumaru finished. By this point, Kagome could tell he was excited, and her eyes softened. For someone who was raised being taught that his battle skills were what made him important, the loss of that field of expertise had been especially difficult. It had taken about a hundred years for Sesshoumaru to finally find something that he liked. It was only in the last hundred years that he had gotten his old superiority complex back. How could she take that away from him?

"Kagome?"

Kagome shook herself. "Yes?"

Sesshoumaru moved to sit beside her before he pulled her up into his lap. "Are you alright? I don't think you heard a word I said."

Kagome laughed and gave him a soft kiss. "Just thinking. Keep going. I like listening to your voice."

Sesshoumaru placed a kiss on her forehead and went on with his plans.

The tension among the Shard Hunting Group was almost palpable. InuYasha was trying to be good, as was Sesshoumaru, but one could not forget a lifetime's worth of hatred in just a few weeks. Even if they did have two common goals in mind.

The others were tentative about the new arrangement. Sango was in a constant state of wariness, Miroku was doing everything in his power to keep the peace, and poor Shippou was terrified out of his wits. He was literally doing everything in his power to stay at the opposite end of the group from Sesshoumaru. Just one look from the daiyoukai was enough to cow Shippou into hiding in Kagome's arms.

But days like today, Kagome really wished she had the courage and the ability to sit Sesshoumaru like she could to InuYasha. She felt completely helpless as they stared down at the young osoyoukai* cub they had found carrying the head of his dead father. Hakudoshi, the older half of the infant who had taken Kagome hostage, had beheaded the boy's father for reasons yet unknown. The osoyoukai's body had been forced to wander around, looking for the head that had fallen into the stream and headed for parts unknown. The young osoyoukai cub had searched for his father's body for weeks, and they had just found it now. But the body had already died.

Sesshoumaru had been silent in his disdain of the entire situation, though Kagome could tell he thought the boy's father had been weak to fall so easily to Hakudoshi. She didn't know how she knew, just that she did. The young otter sat beside his father, sobbing his eyes out. Beside him, Shippou sat, looking as if someone had just kicked his puppy. Kagome looked again, and her heart nearly broke as she recognized the look on his face. It was the one he wore when he woke from nightmares of his own father's death. He and the otter had both lost everything.

Well, there was a difference. Konta's father had the chance of coming back to life.

Sesshoumaru could feel Kagome's glare boring into him, but he ignored it. He had no time to spare over feeling sympathy for every demon that fell before him. He wouldn't change just because one annoying demon fell dead in his path. He turned and began to walk away, when Kagome finally lost it.

"Sesshoumaru, wait." When Sesshoumaru didn't slow, she called again. "Please, Sesshoumaru!"

Sesshoumaru considered ignoring her. But the pack-bond told him that his alpha female needed him, and unless Sesshoumaru wanted to fail in his duties as an alpha, he had to answer. I must remember to find a new alpha female. Sesshoumaru growled to himself, before he turned to Kagome.

Kagome's face brightened marginally. "Tenseiga can save one hundred lives with a single stroke. Please, use it to resurrect Konta's father."

"Why should I?" Sesshoumaru asked. Just because he was paying attention to his pack sister, did not mean he actually had to do it. "This has nothing to do with me." Then he started walking away again.

Kagome was furious now. But just as she was about to start screaming, Shippou streaked passed her. With tears flowing down his face, Shippou ran in front of Sesshoumaru and stopped a few feet away. "Please, Sesshoumaru-sama." He said. "Please help my friend. If Konta's pa goes to the spirit realm, he'll be all alone."

Sesshoumaru stared down at the kitsune, as if measuring him up. "Step aside." Sesshoumaru finally said.

Normally, the sound of his voice would have had Shippou ducking for cover. Even as he stood there, he began to shake. But he didn't back down. Instead, to the surprise of everyone, he dropped to his knees and placed his forehead to the ground. The sight of the kitsune bowing down to him froze Sesshoumaru in his tracks.

"Please help my friend!" Shippou cried. "I'm begging you."

Kagome couldn't take another second. Ignoring everyone around her, especially the arrogant dog himself, she raced to Shippou. She gathered the kitsune in her arms and began to attempt to soothe him, all the while glaring daggers at Sesshoumaru. The daiyoukai was stunned to see just how much she looked like an inuyoukai bitch protecting her pups.

"He has to!" Shippou shouted.

InuYasha growled. "You're wasting your time asking that bastard for help, Shippou. Sesshoumaru isn't the type to help people when they're in trouble." He smirked. "Besides that, there's the sword itself. Sesshoumaru can't use it."

Miroku caught on to what InuYasha was trying to do. "True enough. I had forgotten about that. Only someone with a caring heart can use the Tenseiga."

Sesshoumaru bristled for a moment, but his logical mind saw through what they were doing. "Precisely." He started to walk passed Kagome and Shippou, intending to move on without them.

Kagome frowned and bit her lip as she thought. Then she quickly placed Shippou down. "Stay here." She ordered. Then she stood and raced after Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru! Wait!"

Once again, pack instinct forced Sesshoumaru to stop. He resisted the urge to simply leave her and turned to her. "Bitch, this Sesshoumaru is not that hanyou. I will not bow to your demands."

"Sesshoumaru, I know you can use Tenseiga." Kagome said quickly.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why do you think this?"

Kagome took a deep breath, then let it out. Using the technique Ao had shown her before she returned, Kagome let her eyes lose focus. A bright yellow light surrounded Tenseiga, and it enveloped Sesshoumaru. Kagome smiled. "Tenseiga and you are bonded. It would not have bothered if you didn't have the ability to use it."

Sesshoumaru stiffened and growled in an octave too low for a human to hear. "How can you see Tenseiga's aura?"

Kagome smiled. "Side affect of your blood." She was about to saw more when Tenseiga's aura flashed. She stumbled back a step, and lost sight of the aura. She looked over at Sesshoumaru fiercely. "I know you can feel that as well as I can. Listen to Tenseiga, if you won't listen to anyone else."

Sesshoumaru gazed down at Tenseiga. Why?

As if in answer, Tenseiga's aura reached out. Sesshoumaru stood in shock as it wrapped itself around Kagome, who stood unaware of the sword's actions. The sword pulsed with Kagome's desperation, and Sesshoumaru realized that Kagome was honestly and truly sad. Her emotions were amplified as both Tenseiga and the pack-bond brought Kagome's emotions to him, and they ripped at him painfully. His instincts were telling him he had failed his job as alpha to keep his pack happy and safe. He turned his gaze to the small kitsune kit who lay crying on the ground where Kagome had placed him. The miko was sad for him and the otter cub. Why?

Tenseiga pulsed again, and Sesshoumaru almost sighed. With a reluctance that no one in the group could recognize, Sesshoumaru walked back to the side of the osoyoukai's body, drawing the Tenseiga. "Back away." He ordered the osoyoukai cub. He might be doing something good, but that didn't mean he had to be nice about it.

The cub took one look at the sword before he began wailing. "No! Don't hurt my pa! You can't hurt him! You can't-"

Sesshoumaru was about to forcibly remove the cub, when the kitsune once again surprised everyone. "Konta, it's okay." He went up to his friend, a small smile on his face. "It'll be alright."

Konta sniffed and looked up at Sesshoumaru fearfully. Then he nodded and got out of Sesshoumaru's way. Sesshoumaru glared down at the body and took a deep breath. Show me what you will, Tenseiga.

A moment later, the minions of the underworld appeared around the fallen osoyoukai. They took a look at Sesshoumaru and gaped in horror. Sesshoumaru raised Tenseiga and brought it down, beheading all four of the minions in one stroke. As they fell to the ground, the soul they had been attempting to remove faded back into the osoyoukai's body. Sesshoumaru sheathed Tenseiga, which pulsed once more to show its satisfaction with its master.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then slowly, the osoyoukai opened his eyes. They locked with Konta's, and the cub raced to his father with a shout. The large osoyoukai pushed himself up and wrapped his arms around his son as the cub blubbered into his chest.

Sesshoumaru moved away from the sight, preferring to return to be ignored. As he sensed no demons in the area, he would let the others handle the rest. He had had enough of their incessant altruistic attitude.

Kagome made a mental note to thank him before going to stand behind Shippou, who watched the reunion with a teary smile. "Lucky you, Konta." He whispered. "I'm happy for you."

It was dark again by the time Sesshoumaru returned. As per usual, the group went silent as the daiyoukai arrived. He moved to a nearby tree, away from the main group, but still close enough to help in they were attacked.

As soon as he was settled, he saw Kagome coming over. With the audacity that no one but her could get away with, she sat next to Sesshoumaru. "What is it you want, miko?" Sesshoumaru demanded.

"White mist, large giant bones, and armor." Kagome answered. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, and Kagome expanded. "That's where Konta's father's head was while he was dead. It's the place that Hakudoshi is looking for."

It took a moment for it to click together in Sesshoumaru's head. "The border between this world and the next, where the bones of demons rest."

Kagome nodded. "We're thinking of going to Totosai to see if he has any insights, as well as to see if he knows where Myouga is."

Sesshoumaru nodded. The two elders, while utter incompetent, were rather knowledgeable. Though now that he thought about it, he could also ask Bokuseno for information as well. The tree had never let him down when he inquired for information. He looked at the half breed speculatively, and Kagome saw the look in his eye.

"I've thought of it." Sesshoumaru looked at her in surprise. "I was there you know. I saw how you removed the pearl from InuYasha's eye. And I know you think it would be easier now to just remove the pearl again so we can get to the border between life and death and investigate on our own. But the pearl no longer exists."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "And how do you know this, miko?"

Kagome took a deep breath and shut her eyes, letting the world around her blur. She looked over at the large red blur that signified InuYasha and looked at him closely. There were very few colors that surrounded him. There was the darker blue that connected him to Sesshoumaru, which was tainted with darker streaks of grey, that showed that they were half-brothers and hated one another. Then there was a pure black one that disappeared and split, which Kagome knew had to be connected to Naraku and his incarnations. Finally, there was the white that connected to each of the group, showing their close friendship. But there was no sign of any other presence on him.

Kagome blinked, and the world returned to normal. With a smile, Kagome turned back to Sesshoumaru. "He holds a bond of friendship with all of us, and a family bond with you. Then there is a bond of enemies between InuYasha and what I assume to be Naraku and his minions. But there is no bond between him and the pearl in his eye. Which means that it no longer has any power."

Sesshoumaru looked at her and mentally sighed. She wouldn't lie, and he would know if she did, which meant that once again, the brat had proved himself useless. It was quickly becoming a recurring theme.

"Sesshoumaru?" Sesshoumaru glared at the miko, annoyed that she had interrupted his train of thought, and this somehow encouraged her to continue. "Why did you do it?" Sesshoumaru looked away, and found himself amazed that the miko continued. "I know that you never do anything unless you have a good reason, and I know that it's a terribly intrusive question. But I'm insanely curious as to why."

Sesshoumaru growled slightly, repeating a phrase his mother had often quoted. "Curiosity killed the cat."

Kagome stared at him, then burst out laughing. "Don't you know? Satisfaction brought it back."

The side of Sesshoumaru's mouth twitched involuntarily. He hadn't heard that before, and the cleverness of it made him want to grin. But seeing as how he had an image to maintain, he forced himself not to react. Instead, he rewarded her quick thinking by answering her question. "It is the duty of an alpha to ensure the general wellbeing and contentment of his pack."

Kagome stared at him for a moment in confusion. The osoyoukai was not a part of Sesshoumaru's pack, so he couldn't be referring to him. But who had been happy about the osoyoukai's resurrection? Konta, that was for sure, and even Shippou. . .

Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru, as if seeing him with new eyes. The osoyoukai's death had upset Konta, who was Shippou's friend. Shippou, in turn, had been sad, as if he had watched his own father die again. Kagome had been sad for Shippou. Kagome was pack.

In other words, he had saved the osoyoukai to make her happy.

Kagome did the only thing she could think of in that situation. She bowed deeply, until her entire back was parallel to her legs. Sesshoumaru gazed at her, as if contemplating something. Then his eyes became hard as he decided. "Miko, we are leaving."

Kagome sputtered and straightened. "But we just got settled in! It's really late, and we humans need to rest at night. You can't expect us to-"

"Then this Sesshoumaru will carry you." Sesshoumaru answered, his voice completely dead. Kagome couldn't believe what he was saying. "You will pack your things, and this Sesshoumaru shall carry you and it as we travel."

"Wait a second." Kagome said slowly. "You mean. . . you and me? Alone?"

"This Sesshoumaru has no need to bring a group of inferiors that will only slow us down." Sesshoumaru answered, finally standing. "I expect you ready when I return."

"But Sesshoumaru-" Her voice was cut off when Sesshoumaru simply turned and walked away. She groaned and leaned back against the tree. What had she gotten herself into?

------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's Rant -------------------------------------------------------------------

Horse Wolves: Update Seven of the Lost Muse Obsessive_Goddess. The fandom has fallen into ruin, and everything is falling apart at the seams. I fear that this will be my last update —

InuYasha: [girlish scream, streaks in] HW! There'th a cweepy man at the door with a thwange thar on hith head! (There's a creepy man at the door with a strange scar on his head.)

Horse Wolves: A strange scar?

Harry Potter: Alohamora! [doors fly open, Harry Potter enters] Hello. Are you HW?

Horse Wolves: Yes, who are. . . OMG! You're Harry Potter!

Harry Potter: Yeah. Sorry for barging in like that. I just needed to get in.

Horse Wolves: That's great! Do you know my friend, OG? I heard she was in your fandom.

Harry Potter: She's actually why I'm here.

Horse Wolves: [sigh] What did she do?

Harry Potter: Nothing, actually. But you need to save her. Lucius, Severus, and Draco got annoyed at her, and they Flooed her into the Twilight fandom!

Horse Wolves: NO! She'll go mad within a day! Those fictions are notoriously horrible!

Harry Potter: I'd help, but I have a date with a muse about a Dark Lord Harry fic.

Horse Wolves: I understand. Have a safe trip.

-------------------------------------------------------------- End of Author's Rant --------------------------------------------------------------

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Osoyoukai: otter demon