Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations I put them all in, poor bastards. Anyways that's the way it's going to be unless you buy me the copyrights for Inu Yasha...which you could..muhahahaha. Well thanks for reading regardless and please, please review!

If You Loved Me

As soon as they arrived at the huge demon lord's estate the women were separated from the men, ushered off in different directions by servants who cheerfully told them that they were going to freshen up before a late meal that had been prepared for their arrival. Neither gender had been pleased at the idea of being split up but they couldn't exactly argue with their hostess, especially since they'd come to ask their host a favor. Luckily the men knew that the women were more than capable of looking after themselves and so they allowed themselves to be herded off, all relieved when Satsuki went with neither group, claiming she was going to check on the food preparation for her human and half demon guests.

Arriving in a large room the women and little girl's eyes went wide at the sight of eight beautiful kimonos laid out on a table for them with accessories included, their names written on pieces of paper that lay on top of the stunning finery.

"What's going on?" Kagome wondered outloud, brushing her fingers over the silky material. "And for that matter, how could anyone here possibly know our names?"

"Our Master foresaw your arrival and wished to thank you for your visit. Please accept these gifts as his apology for being unable to greet you until tomorrow." The servant in charge informed them, biting back her amusement at the sight of eight jaws dropping open in shock. To see a female demoness who looked like Lord Sesshoumaru in such a state was quite priceless indeed.

"It's so pretty." Rin gushed, holding up her kimono which was a midnight blue with beautifully stitched white butterflies all over it. "Is it really mine, Sango?" She asked, her eyes brimming over with hope as she looked up at the slayer who she was beginning to see as more of a mother figure. She was going to marry her Lord Sesshoumaru after all.

"I guess so." Was her weak reply, not sure what to say. The jewelry looked like real gold with gemstones in it, the kimonos of the highest quality she'd ever seen. Why would the lord of this place bestow these kinds of gifts on them? Especially when some of them were completely human without a drop of demon blood in them.

Checking out her own gifts Mina was pleased as well as calculating as she mentally figured out just how much money this demon guy was spending on them. A pretty penny without question, that was for sure. "The man has taste." She noted approvingly.

"Do any of you require help getting ready?" The servant asked, looking at them questioningly. "There are basins of warm water over there to freshen up with and the meal is scheduled for a half an hour from now. Will that time suffice?"

"Yes, thank you." Sora answered regally, used to Lord Ayame's habit of spoiling everyone in his household rotten. The servants practically lived like guests here and she knew that that was probably the only reason they put up with Lady Satsuki. They stayed for his sake and she didn't blame them, he really was a wonderful man. Once the servants left Sora assured everyone that this was just how Lord Ayame was and soon the women were hurrying to get ready, the girls ganging up on Sango since they all wanted her to put Satsuki to shame in front of Sesshoumaru. Ignoring her protests they descended upon her like ravenous wolves and employed every female trick in the book to make her picture perfect for the dinner ahead.

Sitting around, waiting for the women, the men were uneasy, watching their hostess through weary eyes as she flirted with an unresponsive Sesshoumaru between pumping them for information about who they were and what exactly they were doing in these parts. Not surprising she ignored Kyou, Miroku and Aiden, their blood making them beneath her notice, not that they were complaining. Sonya, the only other female there, had decided to plop herself down on the floor, deliberately choosing a spot that put her between Satsuki and Sesshoumaru. Also, Dare and Kohaku had already interfered with her attempt to sit near him, having sat down on either side of their father as soon as they'd arrived. They were all dressed in fine robes that were the most ornate and expensive clothing they'd ever worn, an uncomfortable change in particular for Ren and Kouga who weren't used to silk period. Though Lord Sesshoumaru's wealth and power far exceeded Lord Ayame's he'd never seen the point in wasting money on clothing and had always dressed simply, his children doing the same. This sort of thing was for special occasions and the way Satsuki had seemed to be mentally undressing all of them when they walked in had freaked the hell out of all of them collectively.

"I wonder what's taking the women so long. Do you think they're okay?" Kyou whispered to Aiden, looking towards the main entrance where they'd come in worriedly. He was pretty sure that if Satsuki had tried to do them any harm there would have been at least a couple explosions thanks to his sister but still...

"They're probably just primping. I always have to wait for my sisters." Was his whispered reply.

"Yeah but your sisters are girlie girls. They like to primp. Mika's idea of primping is brushing her hair!"

"She isn't that bad, Kyou. Besides, she doesn't need to primp to be beautiful." Aiden defended loyally, glad Mika wasn't around to hear Kyou make a comment like that. He'd had enough bloodshed for the time being if it was all the same to the fates.

"They're on their way." Triton informed the two, having joined them in taking seats as far away from their hostess as possible. Like them, he'd breath a little easier once the women, especially Rin, was in the room with them where they could see and protect them if necessary. He trusted their host about as much as a smart woman trusted the vows of a lecher.

Moments later his words proved true and the men got to their feet, more than a few jaws dropping at the visions walking towards them. They smelled sorta like their women and they mostly looked like them too but still...wow.

"Why are they looking at us like that?" Mika demanded to know, fighting back the urge to go over and whack a slack jawed Ren upside the head since he was the only one she didn't like in the room other than Satsuki. "We only changed clothes for petes sake."

"Well that and your hair's been properly brushed, braided and styled. Not to mention you're wearing jewelry and a kimono." Her cousin pointed out dryly.

"Oh shut up, Sora. We can't all be girlie girls like you."

"Basic care of appearance doesn't make me a girlie girl. It makes me normal."

"Hush you two." Was Kagome's hissed warning before the two nervous girls could start taking out their nerves on each other. There was just something in the air that warned of danger and the way they were being looked at was damn unnerving. Were the clothes magical or something? It wasn't like the men in this room hadn't been traveling around with them for a while now. They were family for Christ sakes. Taking a deep breath she walked into the room, the others following after her with the best saved for last. Tugging Sango along after her, Rin grinned widely while the slayer's cheeks went pink as she let Rin drag her along after her.

Dressed in a black kimono with delicately rendered pink sakura blossoms around the bottom half Sango looked stunning, the gold trim around the edges going beautifully with the thin gold hoops in her ears, her hair pulled up in a delicate bun instead of her usual ponytail. Kagome had pulled out her handy emergency make up supply and thanks to the miracles of Cover Girl Sango's lashes were longer, darker and framing eyes that had been turned exotic thanks to expertly applied golden eye shadow. Feeling rather like a bride being presented to her groom Sango looked at Sesshoumaru nervously from under her lashes, wishing his face would give something away. Did he think she looked pretty? Given what she'd been put through the last half an hour, he damn well better.

Not at all pleased Satsuki's piercing gaze took in the fact that of all the women the one in the black kimono was the best dressed and most made up of the group. In fact, it was quite obvious that efforts had been made to make her stand out in the group for some reason. All the women in the group were at least mildly attractive but even the two most stunning beauties of the group, the redhead and Sesshoumaru's so called sister, seemed understated in comparison. And just why was that, she wondered, watching the woman in black carefully. Catching the human bitch stealing glances in Sesshoumaru's direction Satsuki's eyes narrowed, her instincts on full alert. This woman, this human piece of filth was attempting to gain Sesshoumaru's attention through flaunting her less then stellar looks. Eyes automatically zooming in on Sesshoumaru's face she could see no reaction which essentially meant nothing. He would show only what he wanted her to see. Damn him.

Well aware of Satsuki's eyes drilling into his head Sesshoumaru ignored her as the women took their seats. Making sure his glance stayed no longer on Sango than it did any of the other women in the group he confirmed that they all seemed to be fine and well.

Even understanding why he was behaving that way none of the women, Rin in particular, was pleased by Sesshoumaru's reaction and let him know it in various ways throughout the meal. Needless to say it was a very strained gathering, especially since the rest of the men had the sense to tell the women they all looked beautiful and found things to compliment for each. Well other than Ren and Kohaku who just weren't the sort of guys who wasted time doing that sort of thing. Kohaku wasn't even in the habit of complimenting his wife unless he was in trouble and knew he needed to suck up big time. Even Shippou had nice things to say which only made things that much worse for Sesshoumaru who wasn't at all used to so much silent female hostility aimed in his direction. Not understanding what was going on under the surface their hostess was just as displeased, especially once she realized that they weren't going to tell her anything about themselves or what they were doing, willing to speak only to her father. The meal cut abruptly short they were soon sent back to their new sleeping quarters with Satsuki practically having steam coming out of her ears when she learned that her father had overridden her orders concerning sleeping arrangements so that not only were the men and women in the same wing of the estate but the men had been doubled up concerning sleeping quarters which meant there would be no visiting Sesshoumaru's tonight. Unless she could get one of the servant girls to seduce that Kohaku, she'd have to see about that. Plotting that she barely made her good byes and good nights before she was heading off, a woman on a mission.

Everyone exhausted and frankly wanting to get away before a fight broke out between the women and Sesshoumaru everyone trooped off to their respective rooms, glad to be away from their hostess with nothing to worry about but getting a good night's sleep. Dare considered camping in with his father and brother to help protect dad from Satsuki but one look at his father's face had Dare gamely returning to the room he'd been assigned to with Kyou.

In the room he was sharing with his father Aiden had a bad feeling as he watched his father pacing around the room. He knew that stubborn, weird gleam in those eyes well and knew that no good could possibly come out of it. "Dad." Aiden said slowly, getting to his feet. "What are you planning to do? If it involves Satsuki I have to tell you, I'm not above calling someone in here to knock you out."

"You go on to bed..there's something I have to do first."

"I'll wait up..and if you aren't back in twenty minutes I'm sending Dare after you." Aiden warned, knowing that he probably shouldn't be letting his father go off, especially when he had a really good idea just where his father intended to go. He'd noticed how his father had been looking at Aunt Sango all evening and he didn't think Uncle Sesshoumaru had missed it either. One could only hope Kohaku kept his father in line..because he was lousy at keeping his own as he watched his father slide out the door without even commenting on his own warning. Oh boy.

Silently making his way down the hallway Miroku stopped in front of the proper door and knocked, the door sliding open to reveal Rin, still dressed up and looking surprised to see him, Sango behind her having moved to open the door herself. "Sango, can I talk to you for a minute?" Miroku asked softly, not looking at Rin. Looking at her meant reminding himself who Rin belonged to and that was the last thing he wanted to think about and the only thing he could.

Surprised Sango gave him a questioning look, his eyes revealing nothing. "Okay." Turning her head she looked down at Rin who was watching them with interest. "You get ready for bed, sweetie and I'll be back in a moment to tuck you in."

Beaming at the idea of being tucked in Rin hurried back into the room to get changed while Sango stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her to give them some privacy. "What is it, Miroku? Is something wrong?"

"You look really beautiful tonight." He told her, rather than answering her question. Her hair was loose now around her shoulders and he preferred it that way, wild and free. Just like her. His beautiful Sango.

"Please don't tell me you drag me out here to hit on me." Was her amused response, shaking her head with a smile on her face at his oh so typical behavior. "We both need our sleep you know."

"I came out here to ask you...why did you look at HIM when you came into the room? Why did you spend that whole meal looking at HIM and picking at your food!" This wasn't what he'd intended to say but it came gushing out anyway, having been stored up and churning in his gut since he learned the fate that was in store for them. That he and Sango would never be and that he'd lose her to Sesshoumaru of all people. "He's a demon, Sango and you're a demon slayer! He's a cold blooded murderer who'd sooner look at a human than be nice to one. How could you pick him over me? You told me when you refused to marry me that I couldn't give you what you wanted but how can he? What can he possibly have that I don't? He's evil, Sango, no matter how he looks or what those children of his say. They're his children after all, it's not like they're going to bad mouth him, especially in front of you, the person they need to be bor-!"

"Stop, Miroku." Raising a hand Sango placed a finger against his lips, cutting him off as effectively as if she'd slapped him. "The answer is I don't know. I don't know why I fell in love with him and I don't know what he did that convinced me that he was the sort of man that I'd want to spend the rest of my life with. I do know though, what he could give me that you couldn't. My self esteem and assurance that I was the one and only. I loved you and I was going to marry you and all I asked was that you quit your cheating on me. Maybe you don't consider flirting and groping women as cheating but I do and it hurt me more than I can say to watch you do it right in front of me. I know you know how I felt about it but you did it anyway. They were more important to you than me. If I married him, I have to be that important to him. And Miroku...he may not be my husband yet...but he will be. Don't ever talk about him like that again in my presence or I'll do what any wife would do to a man who would speak so disrespectfully of a loved one. Do you understand?" She asked firmly, removing her finger as she took a step back, her face set and final. There was nothing more to be said.

Nodding his head slowly he simply looked at her for a moment before turning and silently walking away, Sango watching him go until he turned the corner. Turning back towards the door she'd just lifted her hand to open it when her instincts kicked in, causing her to turn her head to see none other than the demon under discussion casually leaning against the wall a few doors away. Not that that matter with his hearing. She didn't know how long he'd been there but that didn't really matter. If he'd chosen to listen he would have heard every word she'd said. "Did you come to say good night to Rin?" She asked softly, turning her face back towards the door so that she wouldn't have to look at him. Now that Miroku was out of sight her insides were churning up, pain at causing him pain and the soreness of wounds reopened raging through her system. Miroku had been her first real love and nothing could change that. What had just happened had hurt her as much as him and she just wanted to be alone now.

"Come here, Sango."

Eyes widening both at his command and his use of her first name Sango slowly turned her head to look at him. "And if I refused?"

"Then I will simply come over there. The difference is if you come here Rin won't overhear. The choice is yours."

"Not much choice than, is it?" Was her simple reply as she walked over to him, stopping in front of him when there was a couple feet between them, Sesshoumaru straightening up to his full height. "What is it you want?"

"You loved him?"

Surprised and yet not Sango tilted her head back to meet his golden eyes. "What does that matter?"

"It matters."