Kagome's hand tightened around Entei's mane, the horse bowing his head. She wanted to scan him, to see the limits of his powers, but she was still hiding the fact that she had any from him, so doing so would give away her secret.

"What's wrong with the child?" she hedged.

Hakudoushi leaned against his spear. "He didn't take the transition well, and I'm worried he won't survive."

Kagome's eyes narrowed. "So talk to the king. He's the one in charge of that stuff."

"Do you think you were my first choice?" he sneered. "I'd rather have the kit play nursemaid than you."

"And yet, here you are."

She watched his fingers tighten around his spear, knuckles turning as white as his hair before he finally sighed. "Pride is only second to our survival," he said. "I don't want to see another perish because you chose to be stubborn."

She wasn't choosing to be anything; she was on guard. Hakudoushi had given her nothing but bad vibes since she'd shown up, and the incident in Sesshoumaru's room still had her on edge. She didn't want to be alone with him. "Where are they?"

"In the eastern garden," he replied smoothly. "I can take you there now."

'I bet you could,' she thought icily, still holding onto Entei. "The king will know if I'm gone too long."

"You will be returned before dinner," he assured her. "The child is in distress from the transformation because he's too young to understand what's happening. He needs a mother's touch to calm him down." He gave 'stealing babies' a whole new name but seemed sincere. And if it was outside, in plain view of everyone, then he wouldn't be able to try anything.

"Fine. But I'm bringing Entei with me."

"You're more than welcome to," he said, turning his back on her before leading her around the castle grounds. Kagome was honestly surprised at the move. He didn't seem like the type to trust anyone, let alone her. Maybe she'd misread him.

She shook her head. No, she hadn't mistaken the malice in his gaze when he'd thrown her in the dungeon—or when he'd tried to corner her in the king's quarters. He might be genuinely concerned about the well-being of Meikyuu's residents, but he definitely had a hidden agenda.

She just hadn't decided if it involved her yet.

Murmuring to the horse, she followed him in silence, watching for any sudden movements. His sister was still nowhere to be seen, and based on Kagome's single interaction with her, she could be the more deadly of the two. Hakudoushi was more open with his emotions, but there'd been more to the girl's power than just her mirror. Something about her eyes put Kagome on edge, and she was suddenly glad she'd only ever come across her once.

She was the type to suck your soul out in the middle of a nightmare.

Shuddering, Kagome leaned closer to Entei, using the flames from his mane to warm her skin. They rounded another corner, and a sharp cry caught her attention. A basket lay amongst the flowerbeds, and whatever was inside was struggling to free itself. She increased her pace, kneeling next to the bundle and pulling the blanket away from its face. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight, stopping her from automatically picking him up.

He looked identical to Hakudoushi.

A chill ran down her spine, hands hesitating over his still fussing body. Hakudoushi knelt beside her, trying to catch one of his flailing hands. "He's a distant relative," he said, a frown knitting his brow. "I'd hoped Kanna and I would be the only ones in our family to see this place."

"But you're fae," she argued.

"Like I said, he's a distant relative." He gave her a sideways look. "Not all of us choose to stay here."

She found that very hard to believe. Other than herself, she'd never seen anyone mistreated, and even the most defiant served the king without complaint. "Why?" she asked, not bothering to explain her question further.

Another sigh escaped his lips. "Immortality has its drawbacks. Some of us enjoy the possibility of change." There was more to it than that, but the infant let out another wail, and she clicked her tongue, wriggling her fingers to distract him. The baby blinked up at her, trying to catch a finger, but when he missed a second time, the wailing began anew. "Maybe if you picked him up?" Hakudoushi suggested.

She still didn't trust him, but Entei hadn't shown any cause for alarm, and the baby showed no signs of quieting. Adjusting her position, Kagome reached into the basket, keeping him encased in his blanket to seal in his warmth. She nestled him into one arm, rocking slowly as she cooed at him. "There now, was that so hard? You're just fine."

The infant sniffled a few times, leaning into her touch, eyes fluttering shut as she continued to rock him. She couldn't sense which animal he'd been paired with, even this close, but that was probably because it had happened so recently. "What was he suffering from?" she asked, remembering Jinenji's harrowing tale about his previous life.

"A lack of ambition."

Kagome frowned, turning in Hakudoushi's direction, but the infant grasped her finger, her body freezing as his eyes shot back open. Something sinister invaded her mind, slithering along her skin, and she tried to block it out, but her body refused to obey.

She caught Hakudoushi's smirk as he moved closer, adjusting the blanket to reveal an indigo orb. Power swirled within, and there was an echoing chuckle, but it hadn't come from Hakudoushi. She forced the sensation away long enough to tilt her head, the child in her arms grinning up at her.

"We have been looking for you, Ka-go-me."

Hakudoushi sat cross-legged in front of her, hand still clasped around his weapon. She was completely immobilized, but he wasn't taking any chances. "You don't have to use that name," he said.

The infant laughed, small arms now wrapped around her waist. "Why not? It's what she'd called."

His eyes widened, and he searched the woman's face. "I thought she was another apparition."

"It seems you let the real thing slip through your defences," the baby mused, frowning in concentration. "You're lucky she didn't ruin everything."

"That never would've happened," Hakudoushi argued. "We've come too far—"

"Don't underestimate His Majesty," the child said. "Even we don't know the extent of his power." Hakudoushi bit his tongue, letting his brother get back to his work. If what he said was true, it was imperative that they kept the two of them apart.

Everything had been going according to plan up until her arrival. The king had been entranced, conquering Kagome daily, and each night added to their arsenal. "He may be powerful, but he's ignorant of the grand order of things," he said, keeping an eye out so they wouldn't be interrupted. "He never once fought back."

"Until he had a reason to." The baby glared at him. "When was the last time he dreamed of her? The land has been rebuilding itself, and even the most inept creatures can feel it. You're lucky I'm here to help."

Hakudoushi scowled at his sibling. "We were doing just fine."

The infant gave him a deadpan look. "You managed to repeat events seventeen times, yet he's only searched for her twice since this one arrived." He turned his focus back to Kagome. "She was meant to be disposed of."

"I tried—"

"Not hard enough."

Hakudoushi's fingers twitched around his spear. "Awfully convenient that the one who's done the least amount of work is the one complaining the most," he replied. "We have been at this for years—"

"I knew it." The brothers jerked, staring up at the woman. She hadn't moved, but her mouth had flattened into a determined line. "I knew you were behind what was wrong with him," she said.

The tip of his spear was thrust in her face. "You're supposed to be controlling her."

"I am," the infant argued. "Your incompetence is distracting me." He squeezed her tighter, but defiance swirled within her brown eyes. "There has to be something."

"I don't know what you're looking for, but I won't let you hurt him," she said.

"You hurt him by existing," Hakudoushi scoffed. "We wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for you."

"Liar," she hissed. "Nothing's changed since I've been here."

"Everything has changed," the infant said. "Which is all the more reason to get rid of you."

Her eyes shifted between brown and blue, and Hakudoushi flinched at the spark of power he felt within. They'd all looked the same, so he'd never dreamed the real thing would appear. No wonder the king had been so distracted. "You probably bedded him the moment our backs were turned," he said.

Her head twitched. "I didn't do anything he didn't want me to," she replied. "And it's none of your business what we do together."

"Ah, but there is where you're wrong," the infant interjected. "The king's business is our business, and though you may hold a little power over him in your current form, it won't last long." He smirked, gripping her sides. "It never does."

She twitched again, but it wasn't enough to dislodge him, and Hakudoushi breathed a sigh of relief, though he didn't let himself show it. "Anything yet?"

"She is surprisingly pure," the infant said.

Hakudoushi scowled. No one was immune to his brother's powers, not even her. There had to be something in her heart they could use. Kanna hadn't sensed much during her initial interrogation, but then again, they'd assumed she was another of the king's clones. She'd thought something was wrong with her mirror, as the woman was human but held power. They hadn't been able to figure out what kind of power, though, and by the time they'd sensed something was wrong, she'd already wormed her way into the king's bed.

Kanna had offered to dispose of the wench herself, but Hakudoushi had held her back. She wasn't on anyone's radar, as she was the less threatening of the two, so he'd tried to get a better reading himself, slipping into the king's chambers when he thought she'd be sleeping—or at least unconscious.

The fall from the dungeon had offered the perfect coverup, but they'd miscalculated when it came to the king's compassion. He'd never shown any interest in outsiders before her, but his reaction had quickly been controlled through the apparitions. They'd kept him busy, away from the castle and all its prying eyes.

What was it about this woman that distracted him so?

There was a pop around the baby's head, and he sneered up at her. "You are only remotely less powerful than the king," he said. "I'd advise you not to prolong your torment."

"He's more powerful than both of you combined," she snapped.

"At full power, perhaps. But he hasn't been that way for a while." He shifted, digging deeper. "You're the reason the castle is falling apart."

"I'm not fae," she argued. "My power doesn't do anything here."

"Are you so sure?" the baby asked. "You seem quite persistent about breaking our spell. How long have you been searching for answers?" There was another spark, but it was quickly extinguished. "You are one person and a mere human at that. What makes you think anything you do will make a difference?"

"Humans can be just as powerful as fae."

"But not you," he pressed. "You claim to be comparable to His Majesty—to be special. Yet he didn't even recognize you when you first arrived. Threw you in the dungeon, if I recall correctly."

"That was because of your spell." She sounded less sure than before, and Hakudoushi gave his brother a hopeful look.

"Our spell existed only in his dreams. He chose to forget you. You brought him too much pain and ruin. It is your fault the castle is falling apart," he repeated. "And the king knew it. That is why he dismissed you. You are nothing to him."

A shadow crossed over her face, and the baby's expression turned feral, power flaring. The woman withered, shoulders hunching as her eyes went blank.

"There it is."