This was a horrible idea.

Kagome sat, hair up, showing off her mark and well, her other mark. A blush graced her face, a little because she was embarrassed and a little more because she was mad at him. She was beginning to think he was having fun at her expense, but that's what she gets for opening her big mouth.

"Well, well, little Miko, looks like our lord took a bite,"

Her eyes darted away. "Yeah, well, he didn't fair any better,"

His mother laughed. "Indeed, you should see the marks she left on him,"

Oh, they had, and it was their turn to blush, not that they did so often or quite like she did. Their markings got dark at best, and not all had them where you could see. Suddenly, images of his marking peeking out of the water flashed across her mind, and she groaned because she knew all these women could smell her. But that's what he and his mother wanted. She was just glad he wasn't here.

Meanwhile, Sesshomaru was sitting among the other males, arms back, chest proudly out and showing. One would think it was a sign of weakness, but he allowed her to do it, wanted her to, and not just for show, not just to trick them, but because he wanted to feel it; it stirred something in him. But it wasn't a sign of weakness; no, it was a sign of great strength. None of these other fools would be so bold as to allow her to try that. No one of them could control her, her power. She would kill them. These fools were not brave enough.

He was.

But it also meant he had control.

He knew it was making them all nervous.

"Does it hurt?" One asked,

"It burns only slightly,"

"One slip and you could be dead, you play with fire,"

"I will not die so easy, and while her power can rival my own, I control her,"

He could tell, ever so slight as it was, that they were beginning to believe the lie. But as he sat there, he realized it wasn't a lie.

Sesshomaru was impressed; she was holding her on. She was fulfilling her duty nicely so far, but it was only going to get more difficult from here. But he was starting to have faith in her.

Meanwhile, Sango joined the party.

The demoness were not happy about it.

"You keep a demon slayer at your side?"

"Yes?"

"Lord Sesshomaru allows such a thing?"

"What does he have to fear?" His mother cut in, her eyes sharp on Kagome. A light bulb went off.

"I mean, Sango is strong, but she is here because he does allow it," Kagome added. "She is not a threat to him,"

"The same can not be said for you," Sango added,

"Is that a threat!" One demoness stood,

"It is a promise," Sango added,

"Enough, there will be time for that later," His mother picked up her cup of tea and sipped.

Miroku finally entered the den of men. He took was shirtless; of course, he had no marks to show, but not from the lack of trying with his dear Sango.

All the men looked at him.

"You are a curious human indeed," One demon male said,

Miroku raised an eyebrow,

"Do not underestimate him," Sesshomaru spoke,

"What is with the beads?" Another demon asked,

"Ah, just a seal, that is all,"

They were confused,

"He has a cursed hand," Sesshomaru stated simply, "It tends to find the rear of any woman near him,"

They all looked at each other and laughed. Sesshomaru spared them a glance; it wasn't meant to be funny.

They relaxed, a mistake, of course,

"It also holds the power to suck you all into an eternal void," Sesshomaru added on.

They all went silent, some wondering if it was true, others knowing it was because Sesshomaru never lied, right?

"Sit, Monk," Sesshomaru stated,

Most of the demons moved away,

Miroku leaned. "Sango joined Kagome,"

He wasn't sure if that was a good move or a bad one.

"So what is the point of this?" Miroku asked,

"It is merely for show and to keep us apart,"

Miroku raised an eyebrow,

"Tonight will be a test," He told him,

"Of?" Miroku asked,

"Will, power, loyalty," He looked at Miroku. "The tea they drink hides a secret,"

Someone handed Miroku sake, and he looked at it suspiciously. "And this?"

Sesshomaru smirked. "Is also drugged, but drink you will thank me later," Not that he needed thanks; watching the fool would be thanks enough,

"Um, does Kagome know about this?"

Sesshomaru looked away. "No,"