Happy 2020 to all my fans! Thanks for sticking around another year!

Chapter Eleven: Lightning Strikes

Kagome watched in the vanity through watery half-lidded eyes as her fingers sifted through the tangle strand of hair.

Since the portal had dropped her into the Western Lands, Kagome couldn't shake the sense of nostalgia the palace lent. As if she'd been here once.

"More than once, Kagome."

Kagome met the gaze that had haunted her dreams since she first arrived in the Western Lands. "Mitsue… M-Mitsue-san?"

The kitsune woman waved off Kagome's surprise with a smile. "No need for to look so shocked. Neguri Nectar and it's effects are only temporary in demons." Then her brows knit into a serious expression that made Kagome tense. "Where's Shippo?"

Nodding at the next room next to theirs, Kagome said, "Next door, he's fast asleep."

Today had been exhausting for the young kitsune. He hated watching her in tears and she didn't like breaking down in front of him. Kirara and she were all that remained of the family Shippo once knew. Kagome needed to be strong, for him.

Mitsue nodded. "Sesshomaru, no matter how unfair it may seem, is right. I will explain everything in time, but for now all I can tell you is be careful around Yoko Kurama. There is more at stake than you can imagine should either of us fall for his charm."

"But… aren't you two engaged?" Kagome's fingers tightened in her lap. "Don't you love him?"

Mitsue closed her eyes and turned away. "Yoko and I…" She sighed. "No. We're fated mates, but fate doesn't always mean love, Kagome."

Kagome looked down. She didn't feel any malice from the red-haired avatar or his demon, but her track record with demon men was far from anything she should trust. On the other hand, the demoness before her radiated anger, contempt and another emotion with which Kagome was all too familiar: disappointment.

Mitsue's energy emitted frigid waves, like–like the bottom of the ocean floor. Part of Kagome wanted delve deeper into Mitsue's past. Maybe it was the kitsune in her that wanted to know so bad while her human half resisted the urge to pry.

Kagome opened her mouth, her resolve firmed to ask, when a sharp shrill sound entered her mind.

"Answer me, onna."

Massaging her temples, Kagome looked at Mitsue to see her features twisted in pain.

Mitsue growled, "Who goes there?"

"Listen well, onna," he said. The voice was unfamiliar, yet she allowed him to continue. "It's harder communicating with you than with the fox. Hn, whatever. 'Come to Spirit world with the detective Kurama. This is a direct order from the Prince of Spirit World'."

"And if we refuse?" Mitsue shot back.

"Hn. Do as you please."

It was his dismissive tone that made Kagome ask with caution, "Why are you giving in so easily?" If this was who she thought, he had little reason not to negotiate. Unless…

Nonchalance dripped from his voice as he spoke. "The amount of interest in you or the female demon that possesses you is smaller than an aphid's wing, but I owe the demigod."

Kagome felt her eye twitch at his prolonged sigh. He clearly found this tedious so why bother them with a mental version of a Skype.

"If you want your kit and the nekomatta returned safely I'd do as the demigod says."

Kagome hopped to her feet and jabbed a finger at the ceiling. "What have you done to Shippo and Kirara?"

She could practically hear the shrug in his voice. "For now, the kitsune child and nekomatta live, but…"

"Return Kirara and Shippo you—"

Communication dropped midsentence and a deep rumble exploded from Kagome's chest. When she turned back to Mitsue, red had seeped into dark glow of her eye. One look and Kagome knew they shared the same traitorous thought. One smirk and she knew…someone would pay for kidnapping their family. Starting with a certain male kitsune.

Kurama rested on his heels with a sigh as he watched The Great Lord Sesshomaru stare back, amber gaze intense and more glazed over than homemade dango. When the dog lord had invited him to drink in the castle's private dining area, Kurama had had his suspicions. Namely when he caught a whiff of the sake mixture the maid prepared. A strong blend of rice wine and imported liquor, the combination was crudely called Demon Killer.

Far from naïve to Sesshomaru's intentions, Kurama swallowed the liquid sparingly as the maid would allow without Sesshomaru noticing.

According to his demon half, Sesshomaru was far from a weak drinker, but as with all demons his limit had been hit.

Two hours ago.

Kurama shook his head. He wouldn't give over the information that easily.

"Kurama!"

The voice although welcome sent a shiver down his spine. Kurama reasoned it was the drop in temperature more than who the voice belonged to that made him tremble.

He raised a burgundy brow as the sliding doors slammed open and Kagome stomped into the room. Without so much as a kiss 'hello'—Damn! Yoko was rubbing off—she hoisted him by the collar and growled, "You better have a damn good explanation why your boss kidnapped my kit!"

Kurama glanced to Sesshomaru barely holding his head above the table and then back to Kagome. Inwardly, he groaned as Yoko cursed in the back of his head. If he didn't transform soon Mitsue would freeze him, if Kagome didn't purify them first.

Damn, that onna and her emotions! She managed to kill the line before the conversation finished.

Hiei rubbed at the burning sensation in his Jagan eye. Her power alone had zapped the communication closed. Even if it was unwilling, at least he had carried out his part of Koenma's plan. He hated using a hostage to achieve a goal. No matter how strong the opponent, however, it seemed as though the Baby Prince was desperate. No matter. If all went well, soon he would have a worthy fight on his hands.

He glanced to where the kitsune child and his kitten had been holed up in the next room. He wondered how long the cat could survive with those injuries.

Hang in there, Kirara. Shippo prayed as he stroked Kirara's blood soaked fur. Please, Kagome. Hurry!

Hello there my wonderful readers and readette! Welcome to the awesomeness of 2020 where I'm making it my New Year's resolution to finish this story! I look forward to hearing what you think of Chapter Eleven: Lightning Strikes. Read. Comment. Vote!

'Til next time!