Wow, took me a while to stick up this chapter, thats for sure -.^! I'm sorry, i had-- and still do -- have many assignments to do :( This is why i hate school! Assignments are totally pointless, and students should be marked for their class work, not their stupid assigments! Test i can deal with, but 8 assignments at the same damn time is ridiculous! Hell, this is only 10th year, i shudder at the thought of 11 and 12...

Thanks to the awesome reviewers ^.^ And i'm glad you like my version of your story IcePhinox!! ^.^

Enjoy! xx

Well, I can't remember if Sango and Miroku are together already, so I'm just going to grasp straws here and say they are.

Back at the castle, Lyon was still exploring the palace with Aria trailing her; they'd just moved outside to explore the gardens. InuYasha was in his room with Kikyo, doing what nobody wants to be involved in. Sango and Miroku were training outside while discussing the fact they'd be living at a palace now. They wanted to have children now that Miroku's hand was all better, although at times a strange pang of pain would strike it.

Shippo was picking flowers with Rin, while Jaken ran around the palace like a mad man, searching for Sesshomaru. Ah-un was munching grass peacefully near Rin and Shippo, ensuring Rin's safety. (does he even eat grass?)

No one was sure where Kagome may have been, but they weren't worried. She could most certainly take care of herself now. The only problem was that she'd been gone for a day now, and the visitors staying at the palace wanted to test her so they could return home to their own lands. Although, most of them had already decided she was worthy, and planned to pass her weather she passed or not. They simply wanted to see her results.

Takeo was sitting crossed legged on top of the palace gates with his eyes closed, concentrating on the distance. He and a few others had come to the conclusion that since Sesshomaru was also missing; it was likely they were missing together.

Tasuki was watching Lyon and Aria from the rooftops, finding amusement in the uneasy feelings pulsing out of Aria. Lyon, on the other hand, did not find her situation amusing. She was rather irritated, but calm at the same time.

Kouga's men had all returned back to the tribe, except for his two friends Ginta and Hakkaku. They were running around the palace walls, bored out of their minds. Kouga was eager to see Kagome again, but still found it hard to believe that she'd turned into a demon.

"Would you look at that," Takeo said, causing Kouga – who was just passing to gate- to stop and glance up. "It appears Lady Kagome has transformed. With the help of Lord Sesshomaru, nevertheless."

Kouga jumped up beside him, the two on them catching Tasuki's attention whiel their thoughts drew Aria. Lyon followed Aria to the gates, and the forming crowd attracted Rin, Shippo, Sango and Miroku to the gates also. Jaken was still running around in circles trying to find his master, though.

Takeo remained seated in the middle of the gates with his arms on his knees, but his eyes were open and shining. Aria, alongside every other one of Kagome's friends, was grinning widely at the quick approaching beasts. She'd been sure Kagome didn't know how to transform.

They came to a halt at the castle gates, and in their eyes was amusement. Sesshomaru changed back first, and Kagome looked awfully confused. She let out a distressed meowing growl sort of sound that no one understood. Aria still found her thoughts clear, though.

"She doesn't know how to change back." She said with a laugh, earning a glare from Kagome. "Of course I don't know how you change back. I don't have a beast, I'm and elf, remember?" she answered, reading Kagome's thoughts again. "Sesshomaru, she would like you to explain the process."

He nodded curtly, his impassive and emotionless side quickly snapping back into place from his previous amusement. He'd deny it to anyone who dared to ask, but he had enjoyed racing around the country side with another demon. It wasn't often that he was able to act like that.

"You remember how you change into beast form, do you not?" he said, earning a nod of Kagome's head. "Do the opposite." He stated simply, causing her to frown.

Aria chuckled. "I'll clean up her sentence a little. She says that you make it sound too easy." She grinned at Kagome. "No, I will not use your words. You are a lady, act like one." To that Kagome growled, her upper lip twitching upwards to reveal her fangs. "So violent." She said, sighing.

After a short moment, a look of extreme concentration took over her features, and the group had to stifle a laugh as her eyebrow started twitching. She looked hilarious when she tried to concentrate. Everyone knew she was laid back, but could be serious when needed.

After a few minutes that felt like hours, she turned back into her human self, and to her relief, she was not naked. Kagome didn't have a clue of exactly how she would have handled the embarrassment if her clothing had of been shredded. She suspected that everyone that saw her would have to run for their dear lives.

"Well, that was easier then I assumed." She said, stretching her arms and legs. "It feels weird being in my human form again. That was pretty awesome." She turned to Sesshomaru and bowed slightly, smiling. "Thanks."

He simply nodded and headed back into the palace. "So, Kagome." Miroku said, his perverted side sneaking forward. "What did you and Sessh-"he was cut off before he could finish with a crack to the head by Sango.

"You know Kagome," she said, glaring at Miroku. "You are a demon ruler now. You're supposed to be treated with respect; I think he should be punished."

Kagome smirked, nodding at her friend's suggestion. "Sure," she said, turning to Miroku, he was currently rubbing a humongous lump on his head. "For your disrespect you will be punished. Aria, Lyon, have him taken to the dungeons."

Lyon seemed a little confused, but Aria knew that Kagome was just trying to scare Miroku, and did as she was told. "As you wish, Lady." She said, grabbing Miroku's arm. "Come along, prisoner. Your cell awaits."

"Kagome! Nooooo!" he said as Aria and Lyon dragged him away. When he was out of sight, the laughter began.

"How long do you think I should leave him in there?" she asked Sango, who was wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

"I don't know, a day or two maybe. Not long enough to go insane, but long enough to scare him into thinking he'll go insane." She said, still laughing her head off. No one had seen Sango laugh that hard in two years, when they were all still together.

Kouga stepped forth, making his presence known. "Kagome." He said, catching her attention. They stared at each other for a moment, and Kagome smirked at the look of deep concentration in his eye.

"You still don't believe that a demon like me could be Kagome, the woman you once loved." She stated simply, causing him to snap out of his daze.

"I can't mate a cat demon." He said, frowning. *Picture everyone with an anime sweat drop, Kagome with Frustration marks!*

"Good!" she growled, walking up to him and jabbing a clawed finger at his chest. "I wouldn't have mated you anyway, Kouga! It was you that stalked me! I never wanted to mate you!" she snapped, her temper flaring. That was one of the many flaws that came with being a demon. They all had tempers.

She stormed off into the castle, only to be stopped by her two pink haired servants, Chizu and Chi. "Milady, you must begin your testing now that you have returned."Chi stated, grabbing Kagome's arm. "Come on, you're already late."

"Aww crap…" Kagome muttered, trying to think of a few of the tests. "How many do I have to do?" she asked, sighing in defeat. She'd expected to be able to get some sort of rest, but that obviously was not an option.

"Only two," Chizu said, grinning. "You've already passed the other Lords and Lady's standards. You're loyal, strong, and so far a fair ruler."

"How would they know any of those things?" Kagome asked, happy to have passed but confused of as to how she had passed.

"They know you're loyal because of the way you put your people and friends on top of most things. For example, the test the Elves put you through. You stopped everything and went to help the children, because they were your people. They know you are strong, because they've been watching you fight with Takeo and Tasuki, obviously. And they know you're a fair ruler because you don't act like everyone must bow down to you, they like your carefree behaviour." Chizu said, listing each quality with a finger.

"I see…" she said, thinking about her words. "But if I'm carefree, how do they know if I'll get all of the paper work and treaties done? How do they know that I will not just slack off and waste time having fun?"

"They don't," Chi said, stopping in front of the training area, where a few of the leaders were gathered and chatting. "But Sesshomaru plans to remain her for a week once everyone leaves, to see how you handle treaties and paperwork. Of course Milady, if you found a mate it would be his job to do the paperwork."

"You think I should find a suitable mate then, do you?" Kagome asked, thinking through her options. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to do all of the paperwork, so finding an easy way out might be a good thing. Although, finding a mate immediately wasn't something she was too fond of.

"It might be better, Milady. You will need an Heir, so in time you will need a mate. It seems logical to find one now, so that he may help you with your duties." Chizu said, backing her sister up.

"Very well." Kagome said, sighing. "We'll talk about it later; I want to concentrate on passing these tests first." She declared, hopping over the enchanted fence and into the fighting area. It was basically just a big field of dirt with a few little ponds for a water supply, and some small controlled fires that would never burn out as long as Kagome lived.

"Ah, you've returned." Said Lord Kaori, the kitsune that ruled the Eastern lands. His son, taro, stepped out from behind his father. He looked ready to battle. "Our test is simple. I wish to test your strength. Yes, it sounds very unoriginal, but let me explain the rules."

"Go ahead." She said, indicating that he should continue.

"I want you to fight without using any of your powers, and without a weapon. You will fight Taro, my son. He will be allowed a sword and all of his special powers. On top of that, I want you to put this sutra on your stomach. It will lock most of your physical strength away, leaving you just short of a human." He said, smirking at her confused look. He was holding out a sutra, and Kagome walked forward and took it.

"Very well. To summarise, you wish me to fight your son as a human – a fragile one at that, and without weapons?" she clarified, examining the sutra in her hands.

"Yes. None of your demon powers, or elemental powers. And none of that magic that Lady Miaka used to use, either." He said, raising an eyebrow. "Will you accept, or not?" he seemed confident that Kagome would decline, and so it shocked him when she smirked and opened her kimono, sticking the sutra to her stomach.

"I accept. This should be interesting." She thought for a moment, and pursed her lips. She'd have to completely hide the Shikon's powers, which would take up all of her miko powers. They were limited without her demonic abilities, and so she'd be completely defenceless. I'd rather try and fail, then cower away in fear. She snarled at herself mentally, cursing the brief thought of backing down from the challenge. "Once you've exited the area, we will begin." She said, waving a hand towards the gate. "I wouldn't want one of you being injured."

He grinned. "I like your confidence, good luck." Lord Kaori said, bowing his head before exiting with the others.

~.~.~

Sesshomaru strolled down the corridor, his intention being to sleep for an hour before giving Kagome his test. He suppressed a shudder at the foul stench of InuYasha's clay pot. He couldn't fathom how his brother had been so idiotic as to give up a woman like Kagome for a dead women made of clay. Although, most of the things his younger brother did didn't make much sense to him.

Unable to stand the stench, he head for the nearest window, opening it and glancing out to see Kagome standing opposite to a kitsune. He jumped out the window, forming his demon cloud and floating up to the palace roof, the perfect place to watch the battle unfold.

He thought it was stupid for the young kitsune to think he could defeat Kagome, she was most definitely more advanced than him in every way possible for them both. He had to admit that it was surprising to see the young kitsune kick Kagome hard enough to knock her off her feet and in the air. It surprised him even more when she tried to kick him back and barely made him flinch. He grew more and more frustrated with each and every hit she took, right up until the point that she started spitting out blood.

Forming his demon cloud, he floated down and landed beside Lord Kaori, who quickly filled him in on the rules. "Even for a human, her strength is week. The only way she'll beat him is to find his weak spot, and hit him with all her force. But of course, she can't get close enough for long enough." Kaori said, smugness evident in his voice.

Sesshomaru only nodded, turning back to the fight to watch Kagome duck just in time to avoid being smashed in the face, but she got kneed in the kidney instead. It irritated him to see her so weak. It reminded him of when InuYasha had to protect her.

After taking a few more hits, something flashed in Kagome's eyes, and she grinned. A black bubbly substance of some sort started to form over Kagome's head, and by the time it had completely formed its colours were (obviously!) black and gold.

The creature was in the form of a puppy, the breed being something like a husky. Its paws were golden, and its ears and tail were tipped in gold also, and its eyes were in patches of gold also, with a star on its forehead.

The puppy did not look pleased with Taro, not pleased at all.