thehotty : YAY! I'M PUTTING UP NEW CHAPTERS!!!
Sesshoumaru : About damn time too.
Kagome : Oh, he's just jelous of you.
thehotty : Fuck yeah he is. He can't write as well as I can.
Sesshoumaru : I bet you I could!
thehotty : What ever! You suck major ass!
Sesshoumaru : Fine! I'll prove it! By the next chapter, I'll have a little story for you!
thehotty : Fine!
Kouga : Alrighty... Read on, Inu Lovers, Read on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kagome sighed and stared at the ceiling. Her friend Sango had decided to drop by. She had of course dragged Miroku over, as well.
“You know what will happen Kagome. It always happens for some strange reason. You’re going to let yourself feel something because he shows some sort of feeling and right when your ready to commit, he’ll be gone. They always are. I don’t know what it is, but when they hear love or marriage, they don’t want anything to do with you anymore. Don’t torture yourself anymore!” her friend cried out.
“Sango, shut up for once. I already had feelings for this guy. Shit, he’s Kyo’s and Kanade’s fucking father! How much more feelings can you have? And I already know he’s not interested in me. The only reason he’s around is to get to know his pups. It’s hard, you know? He’s staying under my roof. But not in the room I want him to be in. He’s probably got some girlfriend or mate somewhere out there,” Kagome flung her hand to the window to emphasize the comment.
She felt Sango sit on the couch next to her. “Listen, you’ll find someone some day. Who cares about ‘the-worlds-not-good-enough-for-me’ Sesshoumaru. At least he’s taking an interest in the kids, right?” she asked, trying to cheer her friend up.
Kagome glanced at her before looking back up at the ceiling. “Yeah. Who can go wrong with a heartless father?”
The both laughed before standing up and heading to the dojo for their Yoga session. They found Miroku flat on his stomach with Inu Yasha and Kyo standing over him yelling at each other while Sesshoumaru watched from the wall.
“Well, if you’d keep your door locked while you’re not here,” Inu Yasha yelled.
“I shouldn’t have to! I live here and you don’t! Go do that in your own place! I’m your nephew, for crying out fucking loud! That’s just disgusting for you to be doing that in my room, on my bed!” Kyo yelled back.
“If I want to screw…”
“THAT’S ENOUGH!” Kagome screamed, startling the two and causing everyone to wince. “I don’t want to hear about you fucking Kikyou anywhere but in your own bed, and not even then! As for you!” she turned on her son. “You got a new mattress, so shut up! They didn’t even get to finish anything before I found them. And everyone get out! It’s Friday and it’s four O’clock! The dojo’s mine and Sango’s for the rest of the night. If anyone wants to do yoga with us today, you’re more then welcome to stay.”
The group grumbled as Miroku sat up. “Nice to see you again Kagome-sama. You are looking exceptionally beautiful today. Would you mind bearing my children?” he asked with an award winning smile.
“Oh! ‘Roku! You’re finally proposing? Should I set the wedding date? Or we can just mate instead. That way I know you’ll be faithful,” Kagome cried, sarcasm dripping off her every word.
Sango snickered at Miroku’s crestfallen face.
“You know, you’ve lost all your old charm. What ever happened to beating me into a bloody pulp? Or throwing daggers at my head? How about that one time you threw my over the boat and attempted to drown me?”
Kyo watched his mom carefully. “You never actually did any of that, did you mom?”
Inu Yasha laughed dryly. “He’s kidding, right?” he asked Kagome.
“He’s the oblivious one. Don’t know anything that happens around here,” Sango answered.
“But when? MOM! You’re supposed to be cool and laid back. Not murderous and dangerous!” he cried.
Everyone laughed. “You don’t know women at all, do you?” Miroku patted Kyo on the back.
“Women are all of that. They’re normally mild tempered and easy going until they get pissed, my boy. How about us men clue you in while your mom and Aunt Sango do their yoga?” Inu Yasha asked while leading Kyo out of the room. Miroku followed behind them, a wise and all –knowing smile on his face.
The girls turned their attention to the remaining demon.
“Yoga?” Sango asked him.
He nodded slightly. He watched as they laid down their mats and began to stretch. He knew what yoga was, but had never done any himself. He didn’t know what had possessed him to join the women either. He was interested to know his pups’ mother’s lifestyle as much as he was to know his pups’ lifestyles. He couldn’t figure this out either.
He watched as they began, taking residence behind them while following their moves. It almost seemed as if the were flexible enough to touch their elbows behind their backs. The thought of Kagome doing this excited him in ways no other demoness or woman could. He quickly stopped that train of thought and moved on with the session.
He found himself facing off against Kagome. She stood before him in a sports bra and some cut off jean shorts holding a dagger and a sword. He wasn’t allowed any due to him being demon. Sango stood off to the side keeping score, of what, he didn’t know.
“Alright! Begin!” Sango called out, sliding behind a special glass cage made for dojo watchers.
Kagome charged him and swung out with the dagger. He moved swiftly to the other side to avoid being hit. At the same time he moved, Kagome swung her sword out, catching his thigh wit the blunt object. He jumped backward, realizing that she wouldn’t be able to hurt him physically.
Sango called out a one as Kagome fell back slightly to keep her gaze on him and tried to read his next move.
“Where are you going for that search?” Sango called out as Sesshoumaru dashed forward to attack her. As she moved the sword in front of her to block, she threw the dagger behind herself to attack as Sesshoumaru disappeared before her eyes.
“I don’t know. Where do all the single men go to hang out? I mean, I’d prefer demon, but what demon would mate me knowing I have demon children? They’ll get all crazy psycho,” Kagome answered at the same time.
She whipped around to find Sesshoumaru watching her closely as he dropped her dagger to the ground.
He rushed forward, pinning her to the wall from her neck.
“Two, two!” Sango cried out while writing on a pad of paper.
Kagome raised her left arm, twisting her body slightly, she brought it down onto Sesshoumaru’s wrist causing him to loosen his grip on her neck. She ducked and pulled away, sending a kick at his legs.
“Two!” Sango called back. “You know, not many humans like the idea of demon children either.”
Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru moved back, avoiding her low kick. He rushed her again, causing her to retreat.
“Are you saying I’ll be single for life unless I find a hanyou or something?” she asked while dodging a high kick.
“Pretty much. One! And even then, most hanyou’s won’t accept it. You’re completely screwed up the ass,” Sango answered.
Kagome plopped down onto the floor and sighed, giving up on the fight at hand. “I should just give up, huh?” she asked facing Sango.
Sango frowned at her friend. “No. You’ll find someone accepting someday. Don’t get your hopes down.”
“But your telling me at the same time not to get them up either. So what the hell should I do?”
“I don’t know,” Sango admitted. “Do what you want to. All I can really do is support you.”
Sesshoumaru listened to the conversation. His heart cried out to him to comfort her. Turning around he decided he would contact that doctor sooner then he thought before.
“So who won?” Kagome asked, standing back up.
Sango looked down at the pad of paper in her hand. “You by two. And for some reason I though he’d win by at least twenty. Do you want to go?”
“I guess,” Kagome shrugged her shoulders.
“No holding back either. That was sloppy and weak Kagome!” she scolded.
Kagome shrugged again. “It’s been a while. I didn’t know how rusty he was. Doesn’t matter now. Get up,” she commanded.
Sango stood up and moved in front of Kagome, taking up her stance. Sesshoumaru moved to the side of the dojo and sat down to watch.
He watched as they began, Kagome moving faster then before, sending Sango flying. Sango kept up with her though, making hits on Kagome that made her stumble and flutter several times. He was impressed by their strength and agility for being so small and delicate looking.
After an hour of fighting each other, they fell to the ground in two separate heaps.
“You suck on your blockings,” Kagome commented.
“Well, at least I’m not fumbling with my dagger! Straighten up,” she growled.
“At least I know where to fucking stab. You were miles off,” she countered.
“I got 247, you?” Sango asked.
“268, not counting the three stumbles I caused. I win once again,” Kagome raised a hand in the air.
“You know, Sesshoumaru must think we’re slow and clumsy,” Sango chuckled.
“We should get dinner ready. The boys are probably hungry and raiding my kitchen,” Kagome said sitting up.
“Shepherds Pie tonight, right?” Sango asked.
Kagome nodded before getting up and helped Sango up to her feet.
“Coming?” Sango asked, looking at the demon.
He nodded and followed behind them. They all headed into the kitchen to find Miroku, Inu Yasha, Kyo, Kouga and Hojo sitting around the island fighting over who had to find the hidden stash of chocolate.
“How about you all forget about the chocolate in this house and get out of my kitchen?” Kagome said, making the group jump.
“MOM! There you are! They’re trying to get me to raid your room!” Kyo shouted.
“Whatever! You told us she has it in there, stupid! Plus you were trying to get Hojo to do it!” Inu Yasha growled.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. You don’t know it’s even in the house. Plus dinner will be ready soon, so scram,” she said while pushing Kouga off his stool.
“Hey! Woman! Don’t do that!” Kouga cried.
“My house, my rules. OUT!” Kagome cried again, pointing to the door.
Miroku quickly left the kitchen dragging Inu Yasha behind him. Hojo quickly followed after the two men.
“So, what have you been up to?” Kouga asked, leaning up against the counter.
Kyo rolled his eyes. “Hey, dip-shit. Leave my mom alone. She isn’t interested in you. Keep it up and I might just shove my foot up your ass,” he warned.
“Shut it, mutt face! She’s my woman,” Kouga growled.
“Excuse me? Don’t you dare call my son mutt face! You better watch yourself Kouga. I’ll kick your ass personally,” Kagome threatened.
Kouga glared at Kyo before taking off to find Inu Yasha, Miroku and Hojo. Kyo watched him leave before turning back to face Kagome.
“I don’t see why you allow him to hang around here. All he does is try to hit on you and get you mate him. Besides yelling at Inu Yasha and scowling at me. I’m almost tempted to just not let him in one day.”
Kagome sighed as she sat down, Sango following her lead. Sesshoumaru leaned up against the counter. “Yeah, I know, but he’s a friend. That’s just how he’s been forever. You just get used to it.”
“Whatever. I’m going to find the guys and see what they’re doing. Call me when suppers done.” Kyo stood up and left the kitchen, following the loud yells of his Uncle and friends.
“Why Kagome? Why do you let that wolf in here and destroy shit?” Sango asked.
Kagome rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t destroy anything. He just yells and claims things he had no right over. So what? He’s been around for what seems like ever. We’re used to it. Even Kyo, despite his blunt dislike toward Kouga.”
“KAGOME! KYO’S TRYING TO KILL INU YASHA!” Miroku screamed.
“He’s your son and relative,” Sango glared.
“Yeah, but that’s your boyfriend. Plus, it’s your turn anyway. I don’t want to deal with them again,” she whined.
Sango sighed before heading out the door and down the path the men had taken, leaving Kagome alone for the first time with Sesshoumaru.
She glanced at him before pulling out the things for Shepherds Pie. “So, what do you think of them so far?”
“They are still young,” was his only answer.
Kagome snorted. “Yeah right. You try living with them for more then a day. They’re not young. They’re strange. I talk to other demon mothers and they say that their pups aren’t anything like mine. They think they’re oddities. Then when I try to get them to act normal, Kyo pretends he’s an utter retard while Kanade parades around half naked bashing everyone. Like that’s any more normal!” she scoffed while almost slamming a bowl onto the counter. “They hardly have any respect for the people outside this house and they don’t care about ranking or class. I try to tell them how important it is they pay attention to that kind of stuff. They blow it off like it’s nothing. At least they understand the values of family. That’s the only thing I know they’ll remember in the long run.”
Sesshoumaru smirked slightly. “They obviously take after you.”
Kagome shot a glare at him. “I thought it was you,” she remarked.
“MOM!” a shout sounded from the living room.
“Kanade’s home early.” With that, Kagome left the kitchen, Sesshoumaru trailing behind her. She entered the living room to find Kanade talking to a man with dark eyes to the point of looking black and deep red hair.
“Mom, there you are. I wanted you to meet my friend, Kyo. Weird, huh? He’s got Kyo’s name,” Kanade laughed.
Kagome sighed. “Really now! Is there a sign over my house screaming ‘here’s Kagome!’” she asked.
Kanade stared at her mother, taken back by her rudeness. “Mom! Be nice! He’s my guest!”
“Oh, please Kanade. You’re his ward. He’s your damn protector. And if he’s here, then neither you or your brother are leaving. Go find him.” Kagome commanded.
Sesshoumaru finally entered the room to get a better look at the man on the couch. The man was slightly shorter then himself and looked quite muscular. He watched as Kagome sighed and plopped onto the couch across from the man.
“Drop it Kyo. I absolutely hate it.”
The air around Kyo began to shimmer as if in a heat wave, changing the mans appearance. Dark red hair that had once been shoulder length was cut shorter, almost ear length and tousled. Almost black eyes turned completely black with silver slits for pupils. Claws grew where blunt nails once laid.
“My Lady. I see you have finally mated?” he asked, bowing his head in respect.
“Ha ha! Yeah right. What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I have bad news, my Lady. You are lucky you don’t have that sign hanging over your house,” he replied.
Kagome leaned back into the couch and crossed her arms. “Does this have anything to do with that 300 year old disappearing act you pulled?” she asked.
“I’m sorry about that, my Lady. It was for your safety and the pups. If I would have stayed near you, they would surely not be as abnormal as they are. In fact, they would be nothing more then fertilizer,” he answered.
Kagome glared at the demon. “You got into trouble, hence getting us into trouble, again. Didn’t you? And don’t lie to me Kyo. I know you better then that,” she warned.
He nodded once. “But my Lady. It was not on purpose. They were after it. They wanted it more then anything. I accidentally let your beautiful name slip between my lips and they were all over it. I’m so sorry. It is still safe though.”
Kanade entered with the guys and Sango who all stared at the demon.
“DAMN IT KAGOME! WE’RE IN TROUBLE AGAIN!!!” Inu Yasha yelled.
“It is good to see you as well, Lord Inu Yasha. It has been a while,” Kyo nodded in the hanyou’s direction.
Inu Yasha scowled at the demon. “What the hell did you do this time? Kill some Lord and looking for refuge? Killed a village? Raped a chick? What?”
“INU YASHA! You will treat my servant with respect or you will hold your damn tongue. He’s just as careless as you,” Kagome yelled.
“Mom. What the hell is going on?” Kyo asked.
“Yeah. You don’t know Kyo,” Kanade cut in.
Sesshoumaru stepped forward, glaring at the demon on the couch. “An explanation is in order.”
Kagome stood up and moved in front of Sesshoumaru. “He’s my servant. You leave him alone. He doesn’t answer to anyone but me. You hear me?”
He glared at her. “Indeed.”
“Mom, what the fucks going on?” Kyo asked.
Kagome sat back down and stared at the demon on the couch. “It’s safe then? For sure?” she asked him, ignoring everyone else.
“Of course, my Lady. It’s still in the realm,” was his answer.
“Alright. So, sit down and I’ll explain everything that I can explain. Everything else you’ll need not know,” she said.
“Oh, no you don’t mom! You’re holding to many fucking secrets. You’re telling us all of it,” Kanade threatened.
“Fine, but when people come to torture you in unimaginable ways, you better not spill the beans,” Kagome shrugged.
Everyone sat down and glared at Kagome and the demon on the couch called Kyo. As Sesshoumaru settled down next to Kagome, he laid a hand on her knee and squeezed it without realizing what he was doing.
She glanced at him and laid her hand over his, a warm feeling floating inside her. Nobody seemed to notice this brief moment between the two people as they were concentrating on what was going on.
“A long time ago, before you kids were born, I met Kyo here. It was during the last part of my pregnancy, so he helped me out, seeming as I couldn’t do anything. He stayed with me as a faithful servant and protected you two whenever I was busy doing other things.
“As you got older, he started protecting you from afar. I ordered it because you two needed to learn to protect yourselves and all that crap that came with the feudal ages. Then one day, he just disappeared. I don’t know why he did, but I know that it had something to do with a group of demons in the Southern Lands. I left you with Inu Yasha and left to see if I could find him myself. I think you two remember that time. I was gone for a good two years.”
“The worse two years of my life,” Inu Yasha mumbled.
“Oh, please! We weren’t that bad,” Kanade said.
“Oh, shut up,” Kagome cut in. “I heard he had went into hiding because of this group. But why the hell he’d do that is beyond me. He’s got some of my blood in him. He’s part Immortal.”
Kyo straightened up and looked at Kagome. “My Lady, I am sorry for not finding you sooner. I didn’t dare leave hiding or send word to you. The leader of that group is fierce and unforgiving. He’s been looking for it for a while now and he knows that you have something to do with it. I didn’t want to lead him to you or the pups. I was protecting you from afar.”
Kagome nodded. “Ok, but who is this leader? And why are they looking for it?”
Kouga leaned forward. “What is this thing they’re looking for? And why does Kagome and you know about it and nobody else?”
Kyo glared at Kouga while Kagome sighed.
“It was the thing that allowed me to travel back into time. The Mirror of Essence. It’s a mythical mirror to anyone, but it’s legendary and very powerful,” Kagome answered.
“I’ve heard of it in fairytales,” Hojo cut in. “I heard that the holder of the mirror could take over the world if that was their desire.”
Kyo laughed. “It can do more then that. It can wipe villages clean. Leave no trace that it ever existed, if the wielder so choose. It can travel through time and to people and it can lead you to grand victories. But in the wrong hands, it can destroy the world. Not take it over.”
“And mom owns this mirror?” Kyo asked looking up at her.
“Nobody owns it. It owns you. Before I went back in time, I loved myths and legends. Studied them as one would a math equation. I soon came upon many stories of the mirror. Also stories of Immortality,” Kagome said, her eyes glazing over.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Flashback
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Kagome, what are you reading now? Don’t tell me it’s another of those myths,” Eri whined.
“Yeah, you’re obsessed with those things. Can’t you find something better to read?” Yuri complained from across the table at the Library.
Kagome glared at the two girls and continued on. She had stumbled across another Mirror of Essence myth, but it was different then all the other ones. It held a tale of Immortality in it. Never had the two myths ever been combined to her knowledge.
A young woman, that reminded her of herself, had stumbled across the mirror and used it to go back in time. There, she traveled with a demon for a year before finally coming across an old woman who offered her immortality up to the young woman. The young woman excepted it and continued on with life.
“Kagome, this obsession isn’t healthy. I’d say you’re looking for this mirror if anything. Just let it be. You’ll never find it,” Eri cut in once again.
“I’m not looking for the mirror. I just want to know more about it. That’s all,” Kagome reassured. “And if I ever did find the mirror, it’ll probably just be old and normal. Like every other mirror. I think people stretched the truth about the powers of it.”
Yuri rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You’re never going to find a boyfriend with your nose in a book about some ancient mirror anyway. Let’s go get something to eat?”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
End
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“So what? You found a story with where the mirror was?” Kanade asked.
“No,” Kagome answered. “It came to me. I don’t know how, nor am I going to pretend I do. I just know that one day while I was at home, it showed up on my door step. I knew it was the mirror right away. It fit the description and it even looked like the one drawing of the mirror I owned. So I tested it.”
“How do you test a mirror?” Miroku asked.
“I sent myself back in time. That’s when I realized what it was for sure. And that I was part of a myth forgotten by time. So I moved along and ended up where I am today,” she answered.
Kyo looked at her. “So we’re all just tests?” he asked him mom.
“No. Sending myself back in time was a test. Everything else had already been written out for me. I knew my destiny because of the myths of immortality I had read. I just followed my guide lines and did my part. Though, to be truthful, you two were never mentioned in any of them.”
Kyo and Kanade looked at each other. “Well, would you have done any of it if you knew we were involved?” he asked.
Kagome laughed. “Of course I would have. You’re my children after all. Don’t worry about all that. But what I’m worried about is why are you back here?” she asked, turning her attention once again to the demon across from her.
“They have found and targeted you, my Lady. I have infiltrated their group with a spy. He has been trying to keep them off your tracks and mine own, but I knew it could only last for so long. He warned me that they have found you and are planning an attack. I am here to serve you once again and protect the pups, if you would allow me, my Lady,” he offered, bowing his head to her.
Kagome nodded and sighed. “Alright. And the mirror? It is safe?”
“Of course, my Lady. It is still in the original hiding place. If you wish, I can show it to you for reassurance,” Kyo offered.
She nodded her head and held her breath as Kyo became a mere wisp of smoke before her and materialized once again, holding a mirror in his hands.
“My Lady, here it is,” he said handing it over to her.
Kagome took the mirror and looked it over. The silver shine had dulled somewhat with black spots on the back, like any old mirror. The simple gold frame held the dent she had caused by dropping it when she traveled back in time on a rock out of shock. The small mirrors weight seemed to lighten by her touch and glow slowly around the edge.
“Still as beautiful as always,” she whispered. “You have taken great care of it. It must have been heavy for you to carry like that for so long.”
Kyo nodded his head. “Yes, but I could handle it. It was easier when I slept.”
Kagome looked away from the mirror, trying to keep any thought of what she wanted out of her head. “Take it back. I can’t use it anymore.”
Kyo picked it up and once again dematerialized and materialized again. “It will be safe.”
Kanade stared at Kyo for a minute. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“My form. The way I protect and hide,” Kyo answered.
“He’s a shadow demon. From the continents. Specifically America,” Kagome answered.
“So what? We’re all in danger because of some gang of demons?” Kouga asked.
“Kagome and the pups are in danger. Not you,” Kyo corrected. “I will protect the pups with my life.”
“So you’d let them torture Kagome?” Sango asked, finally deciding she’d jump in this conversation.
“My Lady can take care of herself. I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Kyo answered with a look toward Kagome.
“Ah. The dark times are upon us once again, my dear friend. When do they plan to attack?” she asked.
“Next week. You have been keeping up with your training? And the pups?” Kyo asked.
Kagome nodded. “Do you want proof? I will gladly train with you after supper,” Kagome offered.
“Supper? What weird concoction are you making tonight?” he asked.
“Shepherds Pie,” she smiled.
He nodded and Kagome left the living room to make supper.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kagome : Alright people! I will warn you now!
Sesshoumaru : No need to warn them. They will enjoy it.
Kagome : *eyes him wearily* I don't know about that.
thehotty : Find a bomb shelter and HIDE IN IT!
Sesshoumaru : *growls* I will not fail!
Kagome : The next chapters going to be written by him.
thehotty : Actually, I'm thinking the one after the next. You'll all see.
Sesshoumaru : *smirks evilly* Oh, they will see.
Inu Yasha : PLEASE DON'T BURN MY EYES!
Kouga : Next time : What a party!
All : Ja ne!
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. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.
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