Chapter 5

Entering the room, Kagome expanded her aura, scanning the room for any youkai intruders. The last tournament her team had been attacked in her rooms, not an experience she wished to revisit.

"Keep your eyes open," Kagome said throwing her bag into one of the five rooms while pocketing her enchanted weapon: Kin-zoku. In its current form it looked like two separate polished metal pipes that fit perfectly into the palm of her hand, but when activated by a spark of her miko-ki they became whatever she desired as a weapon. They would be useless in anyone else's hands, as they were made from her blood, teeth, and power.

"Why?"

She turned, a tired glare pointed at the tall boy. "We're human; any demon would be happy to have our heads,"

"That sounds like you've experienced your fair share of attacks,"

Nodding she looked to Kurama. "I am one of the strongest human monks', my head, and liver, have quite the bounty on them," she half lied. There, of course, were those that wanted her dead, but those who knew her legacy didn't dare approach the idea, if not for fear of her power; then from fear of Sesshomaru. It was well-known, in demon culture at least, that she was his adored human and pack beta, and female alpha, as time passed it seemed her gender was always the one thing in question. Mainly because there were those that refused to think such a strong being could, and was, female, too many males were unwilling to accept that a woman could be stronger.

"Liver?!" Kuwabara questioned confusedly, a tinge of fear layering his voice with a quiver.

Kurama answered this one. "Yes, there are still some demons who believe that eating the livers of other strong demons, or humans, will make them stronger in turn,"

"That's gross,"

"And complete shit," Kagome grumbled remembering the countless situations she'd faced, and sadly witnessed. "There is no evidence, but some demons still wish to believe in stories of false power instead of hard work and training," her mind going to the once-shattered Shikon jewel and the countless demons that attempted to use its power.

"Your evening tea," the butler announced, pulling everyone to the seating area.

Kagome was on her feet, the buzz of foreign youki stretching across the room. Her eyes found them as they made themselves visible, her hand twirling Kin until it extended into a spear, and without missing a beat, she had the blade against the thin white neck of one of the two trespassing demons. Behind her, a cup shattered bringing the attention of her team to the demon she had pinned. These two were strong, having used youki to go unnoticed when they entered behind the butler.

The one unpinned by her was kid-like in appearance, dressed in a mismatch of bright colors, and happily sipping at a cup he'd stolen from the table.

"What are you two doing here?" Her miko-ki rose to gather on her skin crackling against his own. "If I remember correctly attacking other teams out of the arena is forbidden,"

"Oh, so you do know the rules!" The boy giggled. "I just wanted to see who the tournament guests were, they've been talkin' about how special you all are!"

"Who are you?" Kuwabara asked, his voice giving way to his distress.

"Oh, my names Rinku and that's Zeru! I'm on Team Rokuyukai which you'll be fighting tomorrow! You guys are so lucky! I wish we were guests, we've been here all week learning about the rules and prizes and stuff!" He rambled much like a child, going so far as to play with his now empty coffee cup. "Then again, it's not like you guys need to learn all that stuff when you'll be dead soon,"

"Rinku, that's enough," the older demon insisted with narrowing eyes that switch back to Kagome who hadn't moved, in fact, she pressed the blade further into his flesh, without cutting it. "Seems not all of you humans are useless," the fire apparition teased. His glowing eyes glaring down at her.

A growl toppled from her lips before shoving him towards the door with the blunt end of her sear.

"Enjoy your last night of living," the fire apparition taunted mirthfully. Flashing a glare to the room all of the cups broke in half before shattering upon the table with its contents spilled, a small demonstration of the demon's power.

"Leave before I report you to the council, I'd hate to win because of technicality," Kagome warned before slamming the door in his face.

"How did you know they were here?" Kuwabara started, his eyes wide as they watched her weapon shrink down into a pipe that she put back into the pocket of her jacket.

"I was watching the room, there's plenty of demons' that can mask their aura, but far fewer who can conceal their bodies," Kagome explained simply before taking a seat next to the boy.

Kurama eyed Kagome with suspicion. The way he had spoken made it seem like he'd been here before, that he'd experienced the veracity of the tournaments.

"Kagome, have you been here before?" The vessel asked.

Kagome sighed heavily, she'd been waiting for the question. "Yes," it was simple, she had been in the tournament, they'd won but at a price. Her eyes slide to the disguised Genkai. The woman had lost the man she loved and the future they'd once pursued together. That day changed Genkai, hardening her heart and mind, blocking out the possibility of loving another ever again. "It was a long time ago,"

"Reading over the rulebook though it seems the council changed some of the rules. You can now actively switch out a player with your designated backup, or even chose to use all six fighters," Kagome hummed. "It will help in cases where our team will fight back to back,"

"Or if one of us is too scared," Hiei smirked, mirthful crimson eyes pinned on Kuwabara.

"Hey! I'm not scared!" He yelled, though his knees buckled.

Kagome did her best to muffle a laugh but lost as did Kurama who joined her with his own gentle laughter.

~o.O~O.o~

Shippo pouted as he walked behind Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. He'd much rather be with Kagome then these old dogs, it had been nearly a century since he'd last spent time with his mother. She was always busy with Reikai, working a case or something, but whenever he asked why she avoided it like the plague.

What had her so cold, even to him, her son?

"Shippo, did you see mother?" A shy voice asked.

Looking up he spotted three demons seated within the living room of the lavish hotel suite. The first one was the girl who'd ask. Lavender blue hair fell straight to her backside complimenting the deep olive coloring her skin and shining violet eyes currently misted over with unshed tears. On her short but curved form, she wore a white lace bell sleeved shirt and black high-waist slacks.

"Yeah, I saw her Shiori," he sighed going over to hug the bat-hanyou.

"Did she say anything? Ask about us?" Another woman asked, anger entering her voice.

Looking up he spotted his other sister; Soten. The tall demoness stood, her crimson eyes glared heatedly at the floor, her hands forming trembling fists at her side. Shaking her head her auburn braided hair swayed to flop onto her shoulder. Clothing her athletic figure was a pair of dark jeans and a light blue unbuttoned shirt showing the white of her undershirt. Outside flashes of lightning colored the sky and thunder roared, no doubt caused by the infamous Thunder Demon.

Trying to console his mate was Shippo's brother-in-law: Koryu. The tall dragon demon stood almost as tall as Sesshomaru at 6'8, with deep ebony skin with red undertones. Koryu dwarfed his mate in height and size, his lanky build cover in thick, powerful muscles. His burgundy hair falling to his silver eyes that looked caringly down at his mate who turned in his embrace to grip his black tank top.

"Ever since she started working for Reikai, she's changed," Inuyasha turning gold eyes to his brother. "You seem to be the only one not angry about this Sesshomaru,"

Red flashed within his deep amber gaze. "You are mistaken," he growled lowly. "I wish very much for her to be free of those vermin,"

"Free? Is there something you haven't told us?" Koryu asked worriedly.

"Of course you knew," Inuyasha hissed, his shoulders tensed.

He nodded slowly. "The miko is what keeps Makai free of Reikai's complete rule, she was the bargaining piece set within the treaty of the barrier,"

"What?" Everyone questioned in unison before sharing a growl that filled the room.

"We either agreed, or they would have taken her by force in the hope of retrieving the Shikon from her body,"

"But she is the Shikon," Inuyasha roared, anger flaring in his chest.

"The miko is the one who agreed to their terms, not I. Nothing would deter her from going to work for them, Kagome didn't want to risk becoming a prisoner and Makai being destroyed," Sesshomaru explained while taking a seat, his masking falling to show a scowl and flaming eyes. "Rekai will pay for the injustice done upon our pack, all we need do it wait,"

They all growled, their bloodlust present calling for war knowing that a pack member was being held prisoner.

wolfYLady: Well hope I didn't keep ya'll waiting too long. Anywho I saw that several people were wondering who Kagome's other children were, so I hope you're happy to see that Kagome adopted Shiori, Soten, and Koryu in turn.

Also a nice look at her family and powers leading up into the first round of fights!

Please review!