In The Blood

By: Ryu Katanna

Beta:

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Six

Kagome took up a light run as she headed for where she had seen her father and brother land. Soon she could hear their voices, and so she slowed until coming to a stop several feet from her brother. She could see Raizen's strength was flagging, and so she remained silent as they spoke even as she move tokneel at Raizen's side and take his hand. Yusuke needed to know the reality of what was happening now, and it was not her place to tell him.

"There's more that you need to know about the situation here in Makai that I haven't told you yet. The relationships are complex. In the past, I fought with Mukuro and Yomi merely for the sake of fighting, but things have changed. You could get along with Mukuro. He's a traditionalist, an isolationist who likes demon world just as it is. Divided. Mukuro won't bother with the human or spirit worlds but beware of Yomi. He speaks of unification, but it's a front for moving his army. He'll take over both Ningenkai and Rekai. Side with Mukuro." Raizen's voice held his warning as the two listened, and Kagome knew this was his last effort to prepare them for what was coming.

Yusuke crossed his arms as he took this all in. His eyes never looked away from Raizen. Kagome doubted he even knew she was there. She could see that his attention was fully focused on the words being spoken.

"I don't get it. Why are you telling me all this now?" His voice held a slight growl.

"Because this is your inheritance and your duty. Yours and Kagome's." Raizen closed his eyes as Kagome could see his body slacken and his breathing slow and her eyes misted at the loss she knew was coming quickly now.

"Shut up!" Yusuke yelled as he stood and Kagome refused to look away as she griped her father's clawed hand tighter in her own.

"You can't die now! This isn't your time to go!" He continued to yell as Kagome's eyes held back the tears when Raizen grunted.

"Lead them well, my son."

Kagome only let a few tears fall as their father spoke these last words before his chest stilled of breath. Looking over as the lightning struck she would never forget the look on Yusuke's face. The weight of Raizen's words had settled on him, and she could see the moment he realized what that meant. It was something Kagome had known after she had met their father. She had felt the pressure of the responsibility for a while now, but Yusuke, as the male heir would be the one expected to carry most of it.

As King, Raizen had been responsible for the residents of the Tourin territory. He had been the strongest and expected to be the one to lead the people and defend the territory. Others had looked up to or feared him, and now as his heirs, Kagome and Yusuke would be looked to in order to take his place. This was the reality Kagome had known since Raizen had sent for her to be brought to Makai. She had learned from watching Sesshomaru in the past, but Yusuke had not known that this is the way things were in the demonic hierarchy. Power and the strength to lead were what they would need now, and if they faltered it could very well mean Yusuke's death. For Kagome, who could not die, it would mean losing her brother as well as her father. It was both their duty and their burden, but this was the life they were reborn to. This was where their paths had led them.

"You knew all this time, didn't you? How?" His voice was almost hollow as he turned to her with a gaze so sharp she felt like it may cut her.

"I did. You have to remember, Yusuke. I spent a lot of time in an era where demons and humans where not separated by a barrier. Some of that was spent traveling with one of the Lords. He taught me what it meant to be an heir to a powerful line by his own example, and when father sent for me, I knew then what it meant. I'm not just Kagome here. I'm the daughter of Raizen; one of the Three Kings. Just as you are his son." Kagome told him as she dried her tears and straightened herself; letting go of Raizen's hand.

"This whole time, huh." His voice held his disbelief.

"It was not my place to tell you."

"Then what is your place? You are my sister, and according to Hokushin also an heir of the old man's!" He growled in his aggravation and she knew he wanted to lash out, but he would never want to really hurt her.

"To support you. To help you. To lead in your place, if you are absent, and to make sure everything is here when you return. To watch over and lead the people of our father's lands. Do not think this is a duty you carry alone!" She snarled as she looked up at him, and he could see it then.

Kagome had known all this time. She had known and had carried the weight of this responsibility without a word of complaint. He was not prepared for this, and she knew it. She knew he planned to return to Keiko and had said nothing. Just silently accepting his selfishness while she was ready and accepting of the burden that he would leave her with. She had always been the responsible one out of the two of them, and now she was prepared to take this all on by herself while allowing him to leave and live his life how he wanted.

It was then that an idea occurred to him, and like all times he didn't think it over much.

"So you'll support me? Whatever I decide?" He asked as his gaze softened on her.

"Yes, and I'll be there to pull you back if needed." She confirmed with a nod and a smile.

"Heh. Then let's go."

123

This had not been what she was expecting at all, and she had been left to wonder what exactly her brother was trying to do. Here they were on a cliff edge overlooking King Yomi's stronghold in the territory of Gandara. She stood next to Yusuke with Hokushin on the other side of him and Seitei on her other side. Yusuke had gotten cleaned up and dressed in an informal fighting gi. Kagome had chosen a more formal kimono with few layers, and her armor under the folds of fabric. She had known as soon as he told them where they were going that this could end badly for them.

She had taken the time to listen to him tell her of the friends he had made while living in Ningenkai. Two of them were here in Makai now and had taken places in the opposing territories. She hoped Yusuke really could really trust his friends as much as he seemed to believe he could. She had seen betrayal end in bloodshed far too often and had no desire to watch as it happened to him.

Going from what he had told her since they had been together again, his friend Kurama was here in Gandara, and his friend Hiei more than likely on his way with King Mukuro and his forces from Alaric. Yusuke had told her a bit about his old team, and she had no doubt that if Hiei held the Jagan then he would know by now that they had also left Tourin for Gandara. She had little doubt that their actions were being observed and reported back to King Mukuro right now.

"Fine. You can come, but let me talk, okay. We wanna be as diplomatic as we can on this." Yusuke was speaking to Hokushin as he held a large bag in his hand.

Kagome had to hold in the snort of laughter and disbelief. What did Yusuke know about diplomacy? Not much other than what was taught in school, she would bet.

'If he even attended enough to learn about it, but I can't say much. I didn't go to school much because of my travels. Most of what I know is from watching Sesshomaru or listening to Father.'

The next thing she knew, her brother was yelling after they had been told a bit more about King Yomi, and him being blind. The loss of his sight meant his other senses would be far more enhanced. They would have to be for him to have established his dominance over the territory here.

"Yomi, you son of a bitch!" Kagome gaped slightly in surprise before covering her face with her hands and letting out a soft groan.

"You hear me? I'm comin' so boil up a kettle of tea!" Yusuke smirked slightly as he stood back from where he had been yelling out over the cliff.

"Yusuke, you idiot." She mumbled as she heard him ask them.

"You think he heard that?"

"Quite diplomatic, sir." Hokushin replied, and Kagome could tell he didn't approve, but wouldn't speak out against their new King.

No, she was the one to do that. She would not pander to her brother as one below him. She was the only one who could speak out against him as an equal.

"If that's as diplomatic as you get then we're in trouble. Surprisingly enough, for you, it seems about right." She growled at him only to have him grin back as he smoothed a hand over his short hair.

As many times as he had asked her to cut it, she was surprised he didn't just leave it rather than learning to control it. Both of them looked human without their Mark right now, but Yusuke and Kagome had chosen to appear as non-threatening as they could for this meeting, and so did not push their youki. She heard Hokushin ask about the bag Yusuke had brought with them from Tourin, and just shook her head. Whatever her brother had planned she was sure Hokushin would have an aneurysm by the end of the night.

"Nevermind that. Ready Kagome? Let's go!" Yusuke said before jumping down the cliff.

123

They had no trouble at the entering once they'd arrived, and Kagome hid a little amusement as the demon scanning their power signatures gasped. They were no weaklings to be underestimated. This was the new King and the Princess of the Tourin territory. Did King Yomi take them for fools? Kagome was unknown to them, but Kurama knew enough about Yusuke to have warned him of his power and his temperament. Yusuke was highly unpredictable, and that worked to his benefit most times.

'Well, Yusuke did say that he was an avatar of a fox. Shippo had a sly and mischievous nature even as a kit.' She thought as they were seated in a formal looking room to wait on King Yomi's arrival.

Yusuke, Hokushin, and Seitei were quiet as they waited and so Kagome focused on spreading her Miko senses outward. It would seem they had company in the next room and observers outside at a distance. Folding her hands into the sleeves of her kimono, Kagome righted her posture to move at a seconds notice while still looking completely relaxed.

'If Yomi thinks to pull something I will purify him and the ones he has waiting to ambush us.'

Yusuke had been served his tea once Yomi entered, and then the talking started. Kagome had no idea what her brother had in mind, but she was determined to both support and defend him if needed. Suddenly she could feel Yomi gathering his power when Yusuke made a comment about ripping him off his throne.

"I would not do that, King Yomi. King Yusuke has come here peacefully for this chat. Not to start a war." Kagome's voice was soft in her warning as she looked at the yokai just across from her, and felt the energies in the next room grow agitated.

"And who are you to speak here? A concubine? Know your place, girl." Yomi's voice became harsh from his annoyance at her interruption.

"She's Kagome, the daughter of Raizen, and my twin sister. She speaks all she wants." Yusuke growled in warning.

Yomi did not let his surprise at this new information show, but Kagome could feel it from him as well as the other youkai watching. None of them had known of her, and Kagome felt pleasure at catching them off guard. Her existence had been kept a well-guarded secret to anyone outside of Raizen's stronghold. He had done so in an effort to shield her as the Shikon No Tama's Guardian. At least, that was the excuse he had told her at the time, but Kagome knew better. She had known it was more than that. He had cared for her and sought to protect her in a way that he was able until she could be strong enough to protect herself.

"A daughter of Raizen? I was unaware." Yomi's tone spoke of boredom, but it was a sad front to hide what he really felt.

Demonic politics were all a game, and Kagome had paid close attention to those who had taught her.

"Of course you were. She was daddy's little princess. I doubt anyone outside the stronghold knew until today." Yusuke said cockily and Kagome held back her sigh of annoyance.

"Yusuke. You are going off course." She scolded him with a look and a flat tone of voice that had him straightening.

This did not go unnoticed by the others around them. The woman's soft voice was enough to get Yusuke back on track. Kurama had never seen his old comrade act like that before. Even Keiko had always had to use more force for him to listen. He had claimed that she was his sister, his twin even, but for all the time he had known Yusuke he had never even mentioned her. Whoever this demoness was; Yusuke either respected, cared for, or feared her enough to listen to her. From watching them Kurama would guess it was most likely a combination of all three.

"Right then. First I got somethin' for ya. We'll call it a gift." Yusuke said with a small smirk as he set the bag on the table; it contents rattling as he pushed it forward.

"How thoughtful of you. Would you mind unwrapping it too? I'm afraid I can't see things as well as I used to." Yomi said with a smile that was more mocking than it was genuine, and Kagome's eyes sharpened as she watched Yusuke open the bag as he spoke.

"Sure. Now they might scatter a bit so I hope you don't mind."

The next thing they knew there were clinking noises that filled the room as the contents of the bag spilled out across the table. Hundreds of different colored rumari stones rolled around; some falling and rolling across the floor. Kagome's eyes widened a bit as Hokushin rushed forward and exclaimed in disbelief.

"But that's our entire national treasure! All our rumari stones! Do you have any idea how rare and valuable those are?" Hokushin asked him as he hunched over the table looking at the mess.

Kagome sighed internally. She had expected something outlandish, but this? Just what was Yusuke thinking? King Yomi would never accept a bribe. Yusuke knew this as well, so what was this really about? Even so, Kagome had decided to support him as the new King of the Tourin territory, and so she looked at her brother's advisor as Seitei gaped behind her. To show an outward reaction now would be to show doubt in her brother's plan. This was something she would not do. It could lead to dissension among the people in the Tourin territory at some point, and that was something she would not allow. A united front was all too important right now.

Luckily enough, the stones before them weren't really all there had been. What Hokushin thought was their entire national treasure was in fact only a portion of what remained at the stronghold. Kagome had spoken to Raizen every day, and during that time they had discussed Yusuke's sometimes unpredictable personality. Kagome had moved most of the treasury discreetly to a more protected location under her father's approval. It was a good thing now as Yusuke would have led them to financial ruin with this stunt. There would have been no way to even feed the people who lived within the stronghold if that had been all of it.

Makai of today way more civilized than five centuries ago. While most liked to hunt for themselves, they did have markets for the buying, selling and trading of goods. Demons would always be demons, but they had made some conveniences for themselves. The royal and noble households were offered tribute in lieu of taxes and such. This was how they paid, fed and clothed their servants and armies. Slave trade was also popular; though Kagome did plan on tackling that problem, at least in their territory, when she had the opportunity.

Hokushin understood what this could do to their people. Yusuke, however, didn't seem to realize what he could have done. Raizen had taught Kagome what she needed to know to take care of the demons in their territory, but had wanted Yusuke to lead them as King. He was the one to lead the army and their people while Kagome took care of the details and politics behind him. While Kagome understood that Hokushin didn't know of the safety measures Raizen and Kagome had put into place; they were currently in hostile territory.

"Hokushin..." Having drawn his attention he seated himself back down with a look from her accompanied by the soft reprimand in her voice.

She watched as Yomi silently picked up one of the stones, rolling and testing it in his fingers before speaking. Kagome felt herself bristle a bit at his tone as he addressed her brother. He made it clear he thought Yusuke was a fool. While she would tend to agree with that notion on some days; her brother could be quite brilliant in his own way when needed.

"I thank you Mr. Urameshi for this most generous of gifts. Ooh. I can tell this rumari stone is real by its touch, but what is your true purpose and offer?" He asked as he rolled the stone between his fingers for a moment before pausing.

"There's something carved in this stone. It says Ichiro, and that one says Kurama, and To-Oh, Hokushin, Hiei... You've engraved names in all of these stones?"

"Yeah, well I would have just painted them on, but I figured this way you could read them yourself."

Hokushin let out a noise of distress when he saw this and only Kagome's warning from before kept him from speaking out. Looking at the stones she had to stop herself from shaking her head in fond exasperation. Yusuke had never done anything by halves. Now seemed to not be any different.

"Look. I'm not a particularly bright guy, and just because I'm Raizen's male heir doesn't mean I'm qualified to replace him. Hell, my sister here is much closer than me to being ideal. So it got me thinking that maybe it's time we found another way of crowning the big cheese around here." Kagome looked at him with a small frown at that statement.

"Each of these has the name of someone from demon world on them. We'll all face off in a big tournament representing not kingdoms, but ourselves, and the one who wins the tournament will be the one to rule us all. For a period of time at least, before the next tournament, when we do it all over again. From what I understand in social studies it's called democracy, and it's all the rage back home. Except we'll cast our votes with fists." Yusuke said with a big grin at his idea.

"What do you say, big guy?"

There was a moment of quiet before Yomi spoke only to have the door burst open to reveal the youkai Kagome had sensed there all this time.

"Do you really think that I or anyone else will go along with this?" Yomi said as another voice spoke over him.

"I say sign me up, so I say!" Exclaimed a yokai with short red hair and a horn on his head.

He shot them a fanged grin as a few others followed him out, and Yusuke gave a happy laugh as he jumped up. Soon he was laughing and greeting them as old friends as Kagome watched on. At least she didn't have to worry about them attacking. She could tell which one was Kurama when he stepped forward by her brother's description. Faintly she could make out his demonic form as if a vague shadow rested along his skin.

"I'm sorry, Yomi, but from now on I represent only Kurama's side. If you don't go along with this I promise you, none of us will hesitate to take his side over yours." The avatar with long red hair and green eyes said as Yusuke joked around with the two he had called Jin and Chu.

"Kurama, not you."

Kagome watched on as Yomi seemed to hear something before giving in and going along with Yusuke's idea. Mukuro must have agreed. She couldn't believe it. Just like that, Yusuke had avoided all-out war, and given them a tournament to look forward too. At the same time, she wasn't too happy with Yusuke. She knew she would have ended up supporting him, but this was much bigger than anything she had thought he would do.

Kagome knew why he did it. He was determined to go back to Ningenkai. To do that he had found a way to do so in a way that would take away any of the burdens he had inherited. He had taken a lot of the responsibilities of being Raizen's heir and tried to completly discard them in one move. He had systematically gotten all three regimes dismantled with the agreement of the other two King's, but at what cost?

If Yomi managed to win the tournament then there would have been no point to Raizen using his last moments to tell them to side with Mukuro and warn them of Yomi and his dangerous plans. Now, if the whole of Makai was to be ruled and enforced by only a single youkai, a whole new governmental system would have to be constructed to make that possible. They would also need a failsafe in case the new King was not fit to lead. What would happen to the demons living within Tourin's borders under the leadership of someone who may not be trusted?

It would be all-out chaos, and something would have to be done quickly to control it.

Standing, she moved in between his friends, before shocking them all as she brought her fist back and punched the side of his head hard enough to drop him to the ground. The rest of the room seemed to freeze as they looked at the petite woman who had just walloped the guy who had said she was his sister. The youkai energies outside who had been about to leave had stilled as well. Their attention returning to the activity within the room. Yusuke let out a groan as he looked up at the irritated female.

"Mistress Kagome, you can't-" Seitei tried to speak before backing down at a look that promised a lot of pain at their next sparring match if he spoke one more word.

"I just did! He is no longer our King. Just my little brother who I would prefer to beat the shit out of right now! Of all the idiotic, irresponsible, and selfish things I have ever seen you do this has got to be the biggest!" Kagome growled as Yusuke didn't speak and only looked at her with a dazed expression.

"Damn sheila. Your punches must be something else if he's still on the ground." Chu said as he watched his friend start to right himself.

"He may also know not to say anything at the moment…"Kurama mumbled as he eyed the fuming female.

His instincts told him that this was one powerful demoness. She was a mystery they had no knowledge of, and so this new player on the board had thrown him a bit. Her presence had not been something he could plan for. Given that she was Yusuke's sister, Kurama found himself a little leery of getting in her way. If she wanted to beat her brother black and blue then Yusuke would be on his own unless his life was truly in danger.

"What was that for, Kagome?" Yusuke finally managed to get on his feet only for his ears to start ringing.

"Don't act like you don't know!"She yelled before sending out a pulse of youki in her anger that had her Mark of the Mazoku appearing.

"Well, I'll be. She is a Mazoku."Jin said as he circled around her in a cheerful manner that had her pausing to look at him.

"I did say that she's my sister, ya know. Of course, she's like me and the old man." Yusuke shot back only to cringe a bit at the look Kagome gave him.

Taking a breath to calm herself, Kagome pulled back her youki before shooting one last venomous look at Yusuke before turning on her heel and walking out the door as she called out.

"Come on, Seitei. I have a mess to clean up back home thanks to this idiot. Jaganshi, I know you're watching. Relay the message to Mukuro that I be in touch with them and Yomi."

Looking between Yusuke and where Kagome had disappeared he chose to look at Hokushin only to receive a nod as he spoke.

"It may be best given her mood to travel back separately for now." Seitei nodded at this before leaving to catch up with her.

"What the hell was her problem?" Yusuke growled to Hokushin as his friends relaxed now that the volatile female had left the room.

"Do you truely not know, sir?" Hokushin asked in disbelief and a little amusement.

"I have no idea!"

"As the female heir to the late King and your sister, she is our princess. She is also the strongest in our territory equal to you. Some there would argue even stronger. That means she is also second in command. With your order to dismantle the current regime it is left to her to handle the poitics." Hokushin explained as he could see understanding dawning on his face, and surprise on his friend's.

"The little miss has always cared both for your father, and the people over which he ruled. I would guess that now she has left to handle the political matters in order to carry out both your wishes as well as to ensure the continued relative peace of the territory's inhabitants. Essentially you have just given her a lot of work to do." His amusement was clear to see as they both knew her temper, while normally happy and tranquil, matched even Yusuke's when she was angry.

"Well, damn…"

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Well here is chapter six. I hope you all enjoyed it. Updates will be posted on the same day as updates for my other fanfic- The Other Hawke. So roughly twice a month or so. All depending on what's going on in my life. Let me know what you thought!

~Ryu

Edited: 06/22/2023