Josh watched Kagome's retreating figure. Her hair was flowing softly down her back, the sun glinting off the blue-black hue. The soft clicking of her heels across the floor carrying throughout the open space of the hallway. He was so focused on her that he hadn't realized Koji was speaking to him.

"Hey! Snap out of it lover boy," Koji spat at Josh, annoyed that he was ignoring his presence.

"Lover boy?" Josh asked.

"You were staring."

"Yeah, because I'm protective of her. And we're in a stranger's home, that's all there is to it," he let his tongue cluck against the roof of his mouth. He was irritated that he had been separated from Kagome but knew she could handle herself. He'd had the pleasure of seeing her in action with some pretty demanding clients.

"Yeah, yeah. Follow me this way," Koji insisted. He led them to a small sitting area off the main entryway, where he could dive into the conversation that was biting at his instincts to be had.

Josh followed Koji simply, letting his eyes wander over the large, detailed wooden staircase they passed on their venture to where Koji was leading them. Josh wasn't new to being around folks that had a lot of money, but he was new to being in the vicinity of people who actually had taste. He was enamored with the décor of the Takahashi estate.

"Your family has great taste."

Koji was taken aback by the American's comment. 'What does this dimwit know about taste?'

Settling into the sitting room, Koji motioned for Josh to take a seat near the window while he went to pour himself a glass of water from the bar to the right of the room, "Thank you, Josh. My grandfather is… a sort of curator you could say." Koji internally chuckled at his comment, 'if only he knew.'

Josh gave Koji a nod at his response, looking out the window to get a glimpse of the greenery of the estate. He was hoping they could get a peek at the rose gardens Koji had mentioned upon his and Kagome's arrival. The woman really did have an affliction for flowers.

"So, what brought you to Tokyo?"

Josh internally rolled his eyes at Koji's comment. 'Why does he think I'm here? It is obvious.'

"I think you know the answer to that," he smiled slightly, eyes sparkling for a challenge. He may not be adept at the mannerisms of this family, but he knew when to notice that someone was goading him.

"Ah, but I do not. You see, I'm quite curious," Koji spoke, making his way over to the chair Josh was sitting in. He set his tumbler of water down on a coaster sat atop the wooden side table to Josh's right. He stood close, waiting for that connection he had felt at the airport to reappear from Josh. And yet, that slight shimmer across his aura wasn't arriving.

Koji then inched even closer to Josh, keeping his own aura close to his chest but letting his knee bump slightly against Josh's. At that moment, they both went rigid.

There it was. That something. But this time it was when their knees touched. A current.

It felt electric. Consuming.

And all too soon it was over.

Josh was up and on his feet within seconds of feeling that electrifying current run up from where his knee had touched Koji's. His blood was rushing, he could hear it swishing in his ears. Feel his cheeks become flushed. He took a deep inhale. 'Oh, fuck.'

Koji was speechless as he allowed Josh to gain back some distance between them. He had wished he would feel that brush of aura again and annoy the American into revealing his identity. He hadn't expected this.

He had spent his whole life learning about these types of currents. These emotive auras that would overtake one's body. He had yet to feel this type of connection before, figuring he wouldn't until he had some 500 years on his lifespan.

"Does she know?" Koji took a step back from his current position, locking his eyes on Josh. His heart was beating rapidly, mirroring the rhythm of the man across from him. Two hearts beating in flight. Disbelieving.

At Koji's comment, Josh's own instincts decided to kick in. He took to twisting the band of metal settled on his right ring finger.

Josh had spent his whole life concealing his identity. He came from a small, isolated town in northern California. Even though demon nature was now more widely accepted throughout the states, his family had taught him to always keep his cards close to his chest. Concealment was meant to never come off. No one, not even other demons, was worthy of knowing his truth; knowing their truth. Every 50 years he'd alter the looks of his concealment charm to allow him the luxury of being able to stay in northern California—close to the mountains and his family. He had never told a soul the truth of his blood.

Scrambling around in his mind, Josh's fight or flight reactions were warring with one another. The sweat on his hands was slick. The little band of metal continued to be twisted on his finger. He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath.

Fight it was. The ring came off.

Sesshomaru was waiting patiently as he listened to Jaken and Kagome make their way to him. He sat straight, hands folded on the desk in front of him, eyes glued to his office door. His office had rows of bookcases, encasing years and years of collectors' books. He had a knack for history.

He had sent Rin within the hideaway of his office, a place he had built for when he wanted a second's peace within the large expanse of home. It was soundproofed as well as decorated with a handful of comfortable lounge chairs, blankets, and pillows. Basically, it was his and Rin's little love nest. One that no one else was welcome to.

He felt calmer with her close, knowing the conversation that was to be had would be a touchy one.

He had a strong feeling Kagome was going to recognize him on sight, his appearance although altered, still chillingly similar to his true look. Yes, his markings were concealed, and his eye and hair color altered, but the way in which he conducted himself was the same as it had been 510 years ago. He knew Kagome was smart. She always had been, even during their encounters in the past. He honestly had come to admire the girl through her actions during their interactions as well through the stories Inuyasha had shared with him of her. His brother was quite the storyteller.

In truth, Sesshomaru knew Kagome would either think he was a reincarnation of himself or come quickly to the realization that it was truly him in the flesh. He was betting on the latter.

He was preparing to stand from his black leather desk chair, hearing Kagome's approach, when he felt a powerful aura wash over him.

An aura he was not familiar with.

Immediately, he removed his concealment and let his power loose. Easing Kagome in slowly to the idea that her loved ones from the past were indeed part of her present was quickly thrown to the wind.

No being of demon blood dares challenge a Takahashi on their own lands. Not under Sesshomaru's rule.

Across the estate, within the Takahashi's upstairs library, a screaming match ensued. Inuyasha was demanding to be let out of the library, Shippo begging him to settle down. The two were at a standstill, but then they felt a rush of an unfamiliar demonic aura.

"What the—" Shippo started.

At the feeling of the stranger's aura being unleashed within the estate and the addition of his own brother's aura being flared, Inuyasha wouldn't risk his mate's safety. Not ever. He let his demon blood further out and removed his concealment charm.

Grabbing Shippo by the collar of his dress shirt before he could finish his sentence, he lifted him and swung him into a wall of books. Upon impact, dust that had been sleeping softly between the pages of the old relics was unleashed, causing a large sneeze to escape from the irate hanyo.

He shook his head at Shippo who was sprawled out unconscious. He'd apologize later. Inuyasha grabbed the handle to the library door, slamming it open, taking it half off its hinges. Kagome. His heartbeat quickened. Kagome, Kagome, Kagome it thrummed.

Upon his quick exit from his office, Sesshomaru was met with a very worried, unconcealed Yuto.

"Father?" Yuto questioned, pacing behind Sesshomaru as they turned the corner, almost running over a very puzzled Kagome and Jaken.

They didn't stop, especially after feeling Inuyasha's aura flare—the power was almost suffocating.

This was bad. Very bad.

Koji shook his head at Josh, taking off his own concealment, a silver and black braided metal bracelet that lived on his right wrist, "You shouldn't have done that."

As his demonic features righted themselves, he let his aura be cast out. Immediately, it reacted to Josh's. His golden eyes widened. The blue hue of his aura seemed to twirl around the yellow hue of Josh's. Koji took a step towards the closest wall to him, needing to right himself.

Upon Josh's transformation to his full demon appearance and the unleashing of his aura, he quickly realized his mistake when he felt the other auras in the vicinity. They were old, ancient. And oh, so very angry. 'Oh, fuck.'

Kagome was at a loss for words. She felt an overwhelming sense of disbelief. She hadn't felt that tingle within her soul in so long. The pressure of another's aura sliding across her senses. The baring down of a powerful demon making their strength known to all present. The thrill of knowing there were others around you who understood the struggle to conceal the churning energy within one's soul. The buzz of her own power speaking to her.

She was thrumming with adrenaline but glued to the marble floor. She closed her eyes to let her aura stretch out, assessing the others around her. The colors, powers, and feelings surrounding her were overwhelming. She felt like her spiritual energy was exploding out of her at a rate she hadn't felt before but not in a reaction to danger —no— her energy seemed… excited. A part of her soul had been awoken and it was ecstatic.

Kagome was so locked in on her inner musings that she barely noticed the approaching, cold as ice aura as it brushed against her and pummeled itself toward the other auras within the estate.

No, Kagome was too tuned into the bright red caress of one being of demonic blood. A being whom she had longed to see and had believed to be locked back in the past with the rest of her feudal family. 'Inuyasha.'

Snapping back to the present at the loud roar that shook the estate, Kagome finally unfroze and scrambled forward toward the noise.

Rin was humming to herself when she felt the anger from Sesshomaru through their mate bond. She knew he had asked her to wait until he came to retrieve her from within the hiding space, but she wouldn't let her husband berate Kagome. She knew how his temper worked, especially toward strong, independent women, and wasn't in the mood to let the power play ensue.

Upon exiting through the secret door within his bookcase, she quickly realized she was alone with Sesshomaru's office. No one was in sight. But then she heard the yelling. 'Gods dammit.'

"What is going on?" she spoke aloud to herself, quickly going to run towards the noise.

Inuyasha leapt off the top floor of the estate, landing softly on the marble floor, surprising even himself. Although he had let more of his demon blood take over, he still felt in control of his actions. 'Hmm, maybe because Kagome is here?'

He turned to the left of the staircase, feeling the aura of his nephew as well as the one unwarranted aura that had washed across the estate.

Entering the room, his eyes locked on the stranger. Josh. This American, who to his knowledge everyone had assumed was human.

That was the one downside to concealment charms, especially the most up to date kinds. They did a sure-fire job at concealing every demonic feature and aura. Even for those with demonic blood as old as his brother's, they still held strong at doing their jobs. Demon secrecy was essential.

His eyes swept over to his nephew, who was leaning against the far wall, arms crossed, eyes locked on him, and nostrils flared. Inuyasha nodded his head at him quickly and then he stalked forward, his own nostrils flaring to take in the scents around him.

'Koji seems flabbergasted. Also, a tad bit annoyed. This Josh guy seems fearful. Good.'

"Are you afraid?" Inuyasha asked Josh, flaring his aura more in the direction of the American—this outsider, a fellow dog demon. It seemed that Josh was from a pack of blonde inuyoukai with dark green markings of three triangles, engraved in a line on his cheek bones. Inuyasha had never seen such markings before, not in his entire lifetime.

"Little brother," Sesshomaru spoke, coming to place his hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Let me manage this." His tone was one of command.

Yuto came into the room following Sesshomaru, following him was Jaken, back in his imp form, grumbling about intruding dog demons.

Koji motioned to his father to come to him, his eyes pleading. Yuto obliged, coming to his son's side and taking the same stance against the wall. They both turned their attention to Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Josh.

Josh stood still, the feeling of being berated by multiple strong, old auras sending him into a somewhat catatonic state. He truly had never felt power like this before. He had grossly miscalculated this risk. Sweat began to pool beneath his hairline on the back of his neck.

"Who the hell is he?!" Inuyasha roared, his instincts angry that an unknown demon had come into his family home, with his mate and had the audacity to flash his aura around like it was no big deal. His golden eyes flashed a deep crimson, his aura exploding outwardly.

"I'm Josh," he spat. Inuyasha glared darker at the demon.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru flared his own aura, the iciness sliding down Inuyasha's spine. He took a deep breath. And then, his eyebrows shot up underneath his bangs.

He felt the calming caress of an aura he hadn't felt in 510 years. An aura that melded so peacefully with his own. One that called to him, danced with his own power in the most beautiful ways.

Kagome quickly realized she could not run across the marble in her heels. Pausing a moment, she slipped her hand underneath first her right foot and then her left to dispose of the barriers to her speed. The heels clattered against the marble. With one more deep breath, she took off again towards the flaring auras.

'Ow, fuck.'

Shippo awoke with an ache in his shoulder, "Fucking, Inuyasha."

Grumbling to himself as he stood up, he quickly realized he was once again alone in the library. He also came to feel the many wrestling auras within the walls of the estate.

Quickly, he made his way to the stairs leading down to the main floor, on the way lifting the ear cuff that concealed his own aura and demonic features. Shippo could sense the tension within the walls, his own anger rising as he got further down the spiraling staircase. As he was coming to the bottom though, he caught sight of Kagome and felt the brush of her aura against his own.

He heard her gasp and pause to look up at him, eyes wide and mouth wide open.

"Hey there, Kagome," he spoke, failing at hiding the worry he held.

Rin was puzzled at the heels she passed on her way towards the loud voices she heard, but continued, determined not to miss the mess that was most definitely ensuing.

Coming around the corner to the hallway leading to the front of the estate, her eyes widened. There standing at the base of the stairwell was Kagome.

There also stood Shippo, an unconcealed, full demon, Shippo. She shook her head and continued forward, humming to herself. 'Gods this is so messy.'

Her aura was consistently spreading out, attempting to caress others as well as tap into those she thought she remembered. There were a few she thought she knew and a handful she was unsure of. None felt dangerous.

Reaching the front entrance, she felt the tingle of an aura she had long buried. A tinkling, bright green aura that brought a warmth to her inner child.

Looking up to the stairs, she gasped. There was the man from before, the one she had bumped into. Except now, this beautiful man had soft, auburn ears as well as fluffy feet. His eyes were the same joyful green she remembered from all those years ago. Her eyes began to water.

"Hey there, Kagome," the demon spoke in a deep voice. A voice she wasn't expecting. A mature voice, one that held a deep timbre.

She felt her knees give out at that moment, fully expecting to fall and crumble to the cold marble floor, but the impact never came.

A strong arm had caught her before she tumbled, and a soft hold on her hips held her upright.

"Whoa there, you're okay," a singsong voice cooed from behind. Kagome widened her eyes at the demon she was almost positive was Shippo, the one who had grabbed ahold of her arm.

She then turned her neck to view the being that held such an angelic voice and was holding her upright. The tears that had been gathering in her eyes, slid down her rosy cheeks as her eyes connected with the warm brown of the woman standing behind her.

"R-Rin?" she questioned, shaking her head.

"Yeah, that's little Rin for ya," Shippo smiled, knowing that Kagome was most likely on the verge of going into shock. He wanted to soothe her. Bring some kind of sense of normalcy to the situation but was at a loss.

The three of them were stuck in a moment of silence, none too sure of how to proceed when they heard the tell-tale angry yell of Inuyasha.

"Who the hell is he?!" Kagome's eyes once again widened as she took in the anger and depth of the voice. She also felt the roar of Inuyasha's aura building in intensity.

"Oh, fuck. Josh!" She shuffled out of Shippo's grasp and sent out a wave of her aura. A bright pink caress to a very distressed dark red aura.

'Poor, human Josh was most likely surrounded by demons, and he had no idea what they were. Oh, gods. He's going to think he's crazy, seeing things. Shit maybe we are crazy. I thought all these people were dead. Inuyasha. Why didn't you come for me?'

Stumbling past the entry to the sitting room, caught in her thoughts, Kagome stopped dead in her tracks as her eyes locked on the soft, silver locks of the hanyo she had loved so deeply. There Inuyasha was, fuzzy, silky ears and all standing next to his brother. She locked her eyes on his, the deep golden gaze softening as it took her in. Her aura brushed his then, and she felt the soft return of his enveloping hers. It filled her with a warmth she hadn't felt in years.

The words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat, a knot tying in on itself. The tears were flowing freely now, a constant course of confusion pouring itself down on her.