Chapter 7:

Her bearings returned to her immediately and she took stock carefully. Miroku, unless he possessed some of her old enemy's abilities, would only be a liability in this situation, but he did have the added affect of being one of Inuyasha's old companions. Reincarnated.

"I might say the same Inuyasha, seeing that you always did have a penchant for arriving where you're wanted least." He smiled, the slight breeze whispering across the contours of his lips.

"It's good to see you haven't lost your way of turning a phrase, Kagura." He took a seat with out waiting for an invite, seeming to contemplate where to rest his feet before settling them on her desk, over a stack of papers.

Was he trying to get himself killed? The wind witch wondered with rising ire, sightless eyes blindly scanning the walls behind him. "So, tell me Inuyasha, what brings you here?"

His smile spread a few molars and for a moment she wished she hadn't asked. "Can't I stop in on an old friend?"

She arched a brow, "I wasn't aware of that relation."

"Come now, we are the only two who still live, is that not so?" Kagura lifted a shoulder, as if to say, so what?

"Does not Sesshoumaru still rule?" Inuyasha waved a hand to dismiss his brother.

"I think that entitles me to a little, don't you?" Her mouth dropped open in surprise mingled with amusement.

"You want money?"

"Don't be absurd," The smile was gone and in its place a look of intensity that was lost on the woman in front of him.

Kagura leaned back into the chair, steepling her fingers as she regarded the man in front of her. Behind the façade of a quiet disinterest, Kagura's mind was whirring. "Please," She held up a hand, "I think we're both a little too old to be skirting around the issue like this. Speak plainly and I think we'll both be much better pleased."

"I think that in order to preserve both our sanities, we should remind each other of the Feudal Era." Kagura blink, of the many scenarios she had been playing her mind, the different motives and different deviances, this was not one that she'd expected of him.

"I'm a married woman-"

"Kohaku's long gone."

"-and no hime to be bought for a few pretty pennies and a promise of renewed fervor in the bedroom. Don't insult me Inuyasha."

"Don't worry, I've no intention of bedding you, of all people. Really, we're something like kin. Kagome," The name caused him pain as he flung it out, "My mate, was blood-bonded sister to Sango, your husband's sister."

"This means nothing to me." He frowned, then sighed. The muscles in his back seeped tension out of them, and she allowed herself a small trickle of sympathy.

"All I'm asking, really, is a palace to wit out the remaining two decades. I'm losing my mind out there, Kagura, honest, that's all I want."

"It seems you learned something of tact, all that time out there," Kagura admitted grudgingly, pressing her fingers into the bottom of her jaw as she rested it the their tips. "Tell me of your doings since," She paused for a moment, studying the hard contours of his face, "Naraku's demise."

He blinked once and she could hear his sharp rasp of breath as he leveled his gaze on her. Funny that he hadn't said that name either in so long that to hear it said would cause actual pain and funny that she had done the same. Perhaps there was something to be gained here after all.

"There isn't much to tell, and to say anything of these long years would humble them somehow, I think. Let's leave it at that I was very, very bored." He flashed her a smile that displayed a pair of gleaming incisors. Bored indeed.

"But I don't expect you to grand me this without…without something in return, if I may return to the business at hand." Her brows drew together in a light frown; his eyes said that there was a trump card to be played here, something that would have enough worth to her to force her hand either way. He snapped his fingers and one of his elegantly draped men came forward, bowing before presenting a darkly enameled box balanced on his palms.

"Thank you," said Inuyasha, taking the thing from his and placing it deliberately on her desk. "I think you will like what you find here. This is my rent, if you will."

The lines between her eyes deepened. There was something of power in that box…

"Miroku-san? If you would…?" She could hear the rustle of his clothes an the clip of his shoes as he moved to take it from the silver-haired man and then the paa-paa-paa of his return.

"Naraku-san," said Miroku, setting the box in front of her with a slight bow.

She gave a shallow inclination of her head and then focused her attention of the box. It was like a fire that seeped into the room, akin somehow to standing next to a bonfire with only a shoji screen between herself and it. The heat was a palpable thing and she hesitated as she raised her fingers to lightly brush the lid. The latch came undone under her hand, but her fingers trembled as she pushed up the hook.

Three embers glimmered in her vision, pale white shards of light and she turned away from the sunbursts of their power. The lid slammed closed.

"What are they?" Kagura hissed, rubbing her streaming eyes on the back of her hand. "Even I, and I am blind, can see their sheer power…explain yourself!"

"They're shards of the Shikon no Tama, three of those that Kagome entrusted to me. I hope you'll understand if these are the only that I'm willing to part with." Kagura's hand hovered over the box as if holding her hand to warm over a fire.

"I think an arangment can be reached."

Review Response:

Killshea Kavani: winces guiltily Uuummm...blame AP? lol. At any rate, I know it doesn't seem like it soetimes but I skimped on the descriptions so...she's blind in only that she can't see. I kept thinking of the vortex of winds that she keeps around her and how sometimes she knows how/when others are atttacking. Perhaps the winds 'speak' to her? Something like using the winds to tell her where things are and ect. (And don't worry! Sesshoumaru shall appear shortly in all of his drool-ful glory. . I'm SUCH a fan girl...T.T )

jolth: smooch Never. (Define soon... . )

Stacie: Thank you! Hopefully this one will live up to your expectations, lol. .

Hal Demon Girl: Eek, I seem to be getting that a lot. -.- Um, so what part...?

Red Letter: Ooh thank you! I'm really glad you noticed, that's always one of the things I work hardest at with these. There were a couple parts where I was, uh, wincing but I hope I managed to smooth things over later. Miroku-san's the comic relief but sadly he's rather lack-luster in this chapter. PHEAR NOT! He shall make an appearence later...along with Sesshoumaru. .

Meahow: glomps He's so my favorite character at the moment and unfortunately he doesn't play much a of a role. pouts But I liiiiike those dreams and crap. Ummm, good point...sigh Double damn--I'm not very good at sustaining tensions. And anyways, I think more than half a story in most books is open air. If the author were asked to explain them, they'd go 'ha, yeah right but nice try' and look austre. I really think that Kagura is a woman trying to live in someplace other than reality...that really didn't turn out right since EVERY woman is like that but...sigh

small voice But now he's mature? T.T