For the Good of Things

thehotty: Hey there everybody!

All: Hey there Dr. Nick!

thehotty: Wrong show people.

Kagome: Oh. Tonight was the 400th episode airing of The Simpsons. We kind of got stuck watching it because of Inu Yasha.

thehotty: I missed it because of my sister. I HATE YOU FOR THAT BRITTNEY!! *uhrm* Yeah...

Sango: What were you doing?

thehotty: She made me go to the chambers with her and everyone was being gay and pissing us off, so we went to the river to hang out and sang all the old songs we listened to and even did the dance we made up to the song Abracadabra by someone or other.... I can't remember at the moment... Oh! Sugar Ray!

Sesshoumaru: Wowness....

Miroku: Right?

Kagome: I know, it's really scary.

thehotty: Oh, shut up! It was fun.

Shippo: You made up a dance?

thehotty: Yeah, but I'm not showing you guys. It's a sister thing.

Naraku: Can we please just get on with the story? I want to know the suprise.

thehotty: No, because I'm mad.

Inu Yasha: Why? You posted three chapters in two days, that's really good.

thehotty: Because I didn't get to see my friend get his ass kicked by my other friends. So instead, Everyone gets to kick Kouga's ass.

Kagome: o.O

Sango: ...

Miroku: I guess we can't complain. She's not pointing a finger at anyone else and taking her fustrations out on us.

Sesshoumaru: Indeed. I've been meaning to kill Kouga anyway.

Kouga: On with the story! *Quickly runs away*

~~~~~~~~~~~

Weeks passed and soon Kagome received and invitation to her sisters wedding. She sighed and looked up from the letter to the mirror above her vanity. The fresh bruise from last nights encounter stood out brightly on her quickly paling skin. She hadn’t been outside her room since she’d been there besides to bathe after Naraku left her on her bed, blooded and crying.

He came to her at least three times a day and beat her until she couldn’t even lift a hand to block the blows. Yura had tried to talk the healers into helping the Lady, but was told she was ordered to do nothing for her. When Yura promised money, the healer shook her head, saying she held her life over some new poor Lady that would probably die in a few years from either a beating or the Lady’s own hand.

Both Yura and Kagome had been horrified at this news. That same night she had prayed for any hope out of this life the Kami-sama had bestowed upon her. None came.

Yura cried for her when the Lady was too weak to do it herself.
“Why has father placed me in this life?” she questioned the image in the mirror for how many times? She couldn’t even count anymore.

Right at that moment, her door opened and Naraku glared at Yura, who quickly ran out of the room.

She had learned her lesson the first day when she hadn’t left the room fast enough. He had beaten her and threw her out of the room in a bloody, unconscious heap, right outside the door.

“My sister has sent an invitation to her wedding for us, my Lord.” Kagome held the letter out for him.

Naraku snatched it out of her hand and unrolled the scroll so he could scan it. “We will go. Be sure to cover the bruises. If anyone sees them, you had fallen down the stairs,” he scowled and threw the letter on the ground.

“Yes, my Lord.” She let her gaze follow the scroll and some hope sprang forward.

She’d be out of his reach during the day. That was enough for her. Even if it meant that once the moon rose, and everyone had settled to sleep, that she’d be crying into the darkness, that hope was all she needed to get through this. She’d be able to speak to Inu Yasha or even Inu-no-Tashio about Sesshoumaru (Whoever the guy was) and when he was to come and save her.

While she was in the midst of this thought, a tentacle had wrapped itself around her waist and thrown her against the wall. She cried out and soon her mind was retreating to her fathers beautiful gardens, where, in her mind, she went through her daily Miko training, knowing that when she was saved, she’d need those powers to help anyway she could.


Kagome woke with a start, startling Yura out of the daze she had gone into.

“We’ve stopped. Why have we stopped?” Kagome asked frantically while reaching out to Yura, not even bothering to look out the window. The dream she’d just had still rattled her mind.

Naraku had been beating her again when a man who looked surprisingly a lot like Inu-no-Tashio had came in, easily killing the husband she had feared. He glared at her, green ooze dripping off posed claws, hitting the floor as smoke curled up, smelling of death and acid.

She took a moment to recall his looks and memorized them.

It was her dream man.

Ever since she’d began thinking that boys were worth looking at, she’d been dreaming about this guy. He always looked the same, no matter what pose.

He had long silver hair, resting just above his knees, and she envied it. He stood taller than she did by and head or more. Perfect pale skin stretched over toned muscles. Two maroon stripes adorned high cheeks while a royal blue waning crescent moon sat in the center of his forehead. His eyes betrayed no emotions in their sunset golden depths with maroon shades. His whole face was a mask of indifference, but it seemed that she could see something more than what little emotions he’d show (not including the dreams she’d best leave alone for the wanton desires they caused) of boredom and annoyance, or that angered glare.
“We are at your fathers’ castle,” Yuras’ voice filtered through her hazed mind.

“Fathers castle?” Her face befuddled and questioning. “Oh, hia. Kikyou’s wedding. I had forgotten.”

The door to the carriage finally opened and a hand was held out for her to use while climbing out. She used it and smiled upon seeing the doors to her safe haven staring back at her.

“I’m home again,” she sighed as Yura slid besides her.

“Hia. It feels good to be back. I trust you will be spending much time in the gardens with Lady Keadea training?” she asked.

“Of course. That room was much too small to do anything besides meditate, and that task was hard to accomplish,” she scoffed as the heavy doors swung open to reveal Inu-no-Tashio and Kibito smiling at her.

She quickly dropped any formality in her and ran up the stairs into the waiting arms of her father and father-figure.

“Oh, how I’ve missed you both so much. I was so excited when I was told we were coming for the wedding. With the way Kikyou kept going on about how grand it would be in all those letters, I just had to come. How have things been? Is Izayoi here? Can I see her? Where’s my sister? And Inu Yasha? What about Keadea? How have you two been?” The questions spewed from her mouth without pause while peaking over their shoulders. Naraku walked up behind her.

“Darling.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice and spun around so fast, she almost lost her balance.

“Hia, my Lord?” she asked, eyes darting down to her hands, which had been fiddling with the hem of her sleeves.

“I don’t believe they can answer all those questions so fast. Settle down and let’s move inside.”

“Sorry my Lord. Of course, my Lord.” Kagome answered and Kibito glanced at Inu-no, who frowned immensely at this new Kagome.

“Let’s head inside and you two can settle in. Kagome, if you’d meet with us in my study as soon as you’ve finished,” Kibito finished.

“Oh, father, but I’ve already settled in. Yura can place my things away. All I even have to do is look at the front doors to be settled.” She smiled warmly at them. “Plus, I want to spend time with my two favorite fathers!”

“A bit home sick, were you?” Inu-no laughed while Kagome blushed.

“Inu-no! Stop trying to woo young unexpecting girls! I swear… Oh! Kagome! It’s you. That old man’s been flirting with every pretty onna to walk into this castle,” Izayoi huffed. “Come here and hug me, young lady!”

Kagome laughed and hugged the only mother figure left in her life.

“I bet their going to be stiffs and steal you away for a while before letting the public see you?” she asked while straightening imaginary lines out of Kagome’s kimono.

“Now darling! That isn’t fair. I haven’t done anything wrong since I’ve gotten here,” Inu-no called out.

“Hia darling, you haven’t when I’ve had an eye on you. I’ve seen the puppy love eyes some of the younger girls have been giving you. And you winking back,” she growled at him.

“But my dear! I haven’t done anything wrong. All I’ve done was talk to a few Ladies,” he began again.

“And let them think you were interested,” Kagome added, gaining an appreciated smile from Izayoi.

“See? She even knows what you’ve been doing, and she’s only just gotten here!”

“They just gang up on a guy because they have power over him,” Inu Yasha’s gruff tone filtered from behind his father and Kagome smiled. “Make a little more noise out here. I don’t think the back of the garden yet knows Kagome’s home.”

“I’m so happy for you and Kikyou. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” she said.

“Of course not, koi. I wouldn’t have allowed it,” Naraku’s voice sounded from right beside her again, causing her to jump and fumble with her sleeve. He reached out to wrap an arm around her waist and she cringed at the movement, causing Kibito to raise an eyebrow.
“Well, then, Kagome, Inu-no, shall we head to the study? I believe that we want some quality time with our daughter.” Kibito raised his arm for Kagome to take.

“Hia. I have much to discuss with you father.” She quickly slipped out of Naraku’s grasp and placed her hand on his elbow. They left the hall chit-chatting about how nice it’s been and how summer was quickly dwindling away.

Inu Yasha and his mother watched Naraku as the scent of anger hit Inu Yasha’s nose. Izayoi cringed as she received very disturbing thoughts of torture, promised pain and self pleasure form the Lord of the West before her.

She glanced back at her son with a worried face and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “We have things to do mother. Come on.”

Naraku watched them leave out of the corner of his eye and turned to Yura. “What are you waiting for bitch?” he snarled. “Take the stuff to the rooms. Kagome will be staying in hers while I’ll be in a guest room. I will not be sharing a bed with that whore.”

“Hai, my Lord.” With that, she quickly called for more servants to help her with her task.

“You keep flinching Kagome. Stop talking nonsense and just tell us what’s been happening,” Inu-no-Tashio growled.

Kagome lifted her hands to block a blow she thought would be coming. With that tone and tried to make herself as little as possible.

“Oh Kami! Inu-no! He’s been beating her. Can’t we do anything?” Kibito asked, while glancing at the circling demon.

“No! We can’t, and that’s what bothers me. The most we can do is give her a truth syrum and put her in front of the Court, but since their married and he’s a Lord, the most it will do is reduce his honor, which he’ll mot likely retaliate onto her.” He growled in frustration. “Why can’t things go faster?”

“Give me the syrum and bring the Court together,” Kagome said while standing up.

“No! I won’t risk putting you in another situation like that again,” Kibito denied.

“You already have. He rapes me and beats me. He locks me in my room and even the healer won’t help me. I have fresh bruises. He’s making it so I don’t conceive. He wants to be able to kill me after the third year. I’m not his first wife either! He’s had many. They either died by his beatings or by their own hands! I can’t escape it, but I can expose it and ruin his carefully built honor. He loves it more then anything else,” she refuted with a pleading tone, turning puppy dog eyes on Inu-no.

“Don’t look at me that way! Stop!” he frantically cried at her. “Please stop looking at me like that. It breaks my heart for you to plead for something.”

She continued knowing she’d get this in a moment.

“Fine! I’ll do it. It’ll happen the day after the wedding, granted with the wedding and announcement, things may go into chaos. But I guess we’ll have to live.” Kibito finally surrendered.

“You’re hopeless. Can’t even stand up to a simple face,” Inu-no teased.

“What announcement, father?” Kagome asked, not missing that bit.

“Oh, nothing special,” he swatted at the air, clearly trying to dismiss it.

“It wouldn’t be ‘nothing special’ if it didn’t add to the chaos that is to assure.” Kagome sat full attention and glared at her fathers.

“Ohhhh…. How to put this….” Kibito asked the air.

“I’m to become the Lord of the Southern Lands. Well, I actually already am, but we haven’t made it official until the wedding is over,” Inu-no answered while sitting down next to Kagome.

“What about father? Where will he be?” she asked.

“He’ll stay here and help me out, like a joint Lord, but without the title.”

“Are you retiring father?” she smiled coyly at him.

“Humph! Fat chance. It’s just I have no one to take over after I’m gone, and if I can help him learn as much as the books can’t teach him, than I will.”

“Retirement denial,” Inu-no said while jabbing Kagome softly with his elbow.

“Of course. What else can it be?” she joked while her father glared at them.

“Pft! Whatever,” he mumbled, causing both to burst into a pile of giggling fools.

A rap on the door broke them of the spell and Inu-no stiffened.
“Come in!” Kibito called.

Naraku entered the room and Kagome stiffened.

“Ah, I actually wanted to speak with you. Please sit.”

Naraku sat next to Kagome, who scooted closer to Inu-no without him noticing it. Said demon scowled outright at the hanyou because of the Miko’s actions.

“I am calling Court in two days time. I expect you will be there, as all Lords are to be?”

“Of course, but may I ask why?” Naraku asked.

“That will be held secret until everyone is together and we are ready to reveal it. Lady Kagome has already agreed to be there,” Inu-no said while he caught Naraku’s glance at her. “She knows no more then you do, my Lord.”

Naraku nodded. “On to business gentleman,” he tried to change the subject of her so they did not dismiss her from the room. After all, he had to keep an eye on the little slut, didn’t he?

“You’re dismissed darling. Go find your sister or something,” Kibito waved a hand towards her.

She nodded and quickly stood and all but ran out the door.

An image of her dream guy presented first most in her mind, calming her frayed nerves as Izayoi froze a few feet away from her.

Without knowing what was happening, and becoming more afraid by the second, someone had grabbed her and began to drag her down the hall towards the gardens.

When they entered the sunny area, the person spun around to face Kagome, relaxing her to find it only Izayoi who had pulled her away.
“Where have you seen that man?” She asked in hushed quick tones.
“What man?” Kagome asked, lost to what her ‘mother’ was talking about.
“You know what man. The one with silver hair.”

“I’ve never seen him before,” Kagome answered, finally understanding what she was talking about.

A select few knew about Izayoi’s gift to pick up on other people’s thoughts and mental images. Kagome, Kibito, Kikyou, Inu-no (who felt emotions as a wave) and Inu Yasha (who could pick out emotions as a scent) were the only ones who knew about her abilities.

“Then how do you know what that man looks like?”

“I’ve met him in my dreams. He’s the most perfect man in the entire world. Or at least to me he is,” she answered, her eyes glazing over as she pictured the man.

Izayoi’s stared at Kagome in shock. ‘Perfect man? Dream guy? Surely not! Any one but him!’ she screamed in her own mind.

“What? He’s not handsome to you?” Kagome asked, catching sight of her mothers face. “I thought you’d find him attractive at least, because he looks like Inu-no-Tashio.”

“It’s not that little one!” She tried reassuring the girl with out causing a stir. “Not that at all.”

“Then what is it?” Kagome asked her mother, concerned about her.
“That’s Sesshoumaru. Just be careful, he isn’t as you will expect him to be,” Izayoi warned.

“I shall be careful.”

“Sister! I had heard you were here finally and had to find you, my dear. Izayoi, Kagome, I have tea set up for us in the tea room. We can catch up there,” Kikyou said while coming across her sister and mother-to-be in the garden.

They all headed towards the tea room while making small chatter.

The next day everyone sat in the temple and watched as the tea ceremony between Kikyou and Inu Yasha came to an end.

Inu Yasha stood up and kissed Kikyou soundly and turned to everyone present. “You’re all invited to dinner and dancing in the ballroom!”
Children sprinted from the temple while adults walked around and spoke to one another. Inu-no and Kibito hugged while Izayoi fused over Kikyou while Inu Yasha tried to sneak away.

“Where do you think you’re going mister?” Kagome scolded.
He quickly turned around. “Uhm… I wanted to make sure… uhm… we have enough food?” he tried to lie.

“Well, you’re finally family and you’re not running away to hide from the crowd. Kikyou would try to kill you,” she joked.

“Feh. Whatever. Get to the damned party already,” he scoffed.

“Can’t without the rest of the family,” she countered. “I never knew mutants could join my family.”

“I don’t pretend to be a Miko at least.”

“Keadea’s told me about your sacred arrow attempt,” Kagome giggled.
“Hey! Stop you two!” Inu-no-Tashio called out.

“We know even dirtier secrets about you two if you want to go there,” Kibito added.

“Let’s get to the ballroom. I don’t want to miss our party,” Kikyou cut in and the whole group agreed and headed out.

Dinner was served and was soon finished, quickly followed by dancing. While everyone was still there and sober, Kibito stood and raised his hands above his head.

“Can I get everybody’s attention please?” he called out and the room quickly stood still.

“I have an announcement to make, but first, I would like to thank the Lords and their Ladies for coming out here again so soon after the last wedding for this one. We appreciate it and Kikyou wouldn’t have it any other way.” He smiled down at his daughter.

“Also, I’d like to say a little something to my little girl. Kikyou, I love you as much as anyone I’ve ever loved. I’m the luckiest man alive to have you as my daughter and now Inu Yasha is lucky enough to have you as his wife. I know you’ll make him as happy, if more, as you have me. My only regret is your mother not being here for your wedding, or Kagome’s. I know she would have blessed this wedding as well.

“And now, for my announcement!” he cried out while facing out to the crowd. “I have had long conversations with Inu-no-Tashio and have decided to hand my land over to him, along with my title. I would like you all to greet Lord Inu-no-Tashio and Lady Izayoi Tashio to the Southern Lands.”

Mouths hung open at this and Kagome stood up to applaud them on their success. Soon, more people followed. Naraku glowered at the new Lord and dismissed himself to his room.

Inu-no raised his hands to gain silence once again. As it settled, he smiled warmly. “It took much persuasion, but it’s finally happened. I have two acts of Lord to commence. The first is to inform anyone interested that Court is to be held tomorrow before lunch. I expect all the Lords and Ladies there, as well as the head judge, which this time, shall be Inu Yasha. What Court is being called for will be found out at Court, but I am warning you, it is extremely important and I insist everyone to come. My second act as Lord is to invite you all to party until can’t stand any longer!”

With that, the music struck up and the dancing resumed. Inu Yasha winked at Kikyou who quickly got up. The two disappeared out the door and Kagome took off to the garden to contemplate her life.

“So, trying to get away from something?” Purple eyes peered out at her form the shadows.

“Miroku, good to see you again. How has life been for you?” Kagome asked as a man with short, spiky hair pulled into a low ponytail stepped out of the shadows. His traditional purple monk robes swayed while his staffs’ rings jingled quietly at the movement.

“Life is as expected, Lady Kagome. I only wish you could say the same.”

Kagome glanced at him. It was pointless to try and hide anything from the monk. He always seemed to know the truth, and lying was futile because he saw right past it.

She’d known him since the beginning of her training. Lady Keadea had insisted two spiritual beings could teach more than one could. At that time, Miroku had been a year way from his own end of his training of the ways of Buddha, but that did not stop him form helping the two sisters out and becoming close friends of theirs, even with his ‘cursed’ wandering hand.

“I wish I could say it was treating me nicely, or even kind enough to get by, but I can’t.” Kagome hung her head down. “What have I done in my past life to deserve this?”

“I could not tell you. Kami-sama wants you to suffer, but why, I do not know. But, you may confide in me your troubles dear friend. I am here to listen to you, if you wish it to be.”

“No, but I wish you to be at Court tomorrow. Father and Inu-no said they wanted two spiritual beings present. Lady Keadea will be there, I must be there, for I am a Lady now, along with Kikyou. She is Lady-to-be. That leaves you as the last spiritual being. You will find out what bothers me there.”

“So I will be there then, my Lady.” With a nod of his head, he left.

Kagome retired shortly after that, saying her good nights to the Lord and Ladies.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshoumaru: I feel much better after all that excersice.

Inu Yasha: What a stress reliever!

thehotty: I'm still not happy. Shawn should have gotten his ass kicked. He even treated me like shit and I tried to keep everyone off his back for so lond. I mean, I look at the kid like a fucking brother, but he throws all my kindness back into my face. Then he goes around and starts fucking treating me like dirt? Calling ME a whore? What the hell is his fucking problem?!?

Kagome: Looks like some one can't get over it.

Miroku: She grew up in a town of drama and smack talk.

Sango: Nobody ever carries through with their threats there.

thehotty: All except for my brother and Travis.

Naraku: I'm mad!

Sesshoumaru: Nobody cares what you feel.

Inu Yasha: So you still are pissed off?

Kouga: *groans* someone please help me...

thehotty: Oh, stop whining! It's only a few broken bones!

Kouga: I'm in pain...

thehotty: *kicks Kouga* Shut up or I'll send you to the fucking bears!

Sesshoumaru: Bears?

Kagome: She starves bears in the back yard so when people piss her off, she can feed the people to them.

Inu Yasha: That's were Naraku was for the whole summer.

Naraku: *shudders* Don't remind me.

Shippo: Anyway, next time : Court procedes and plans are made! What will happen?

Rin: Find out when Rin comes back with Sesshoumaru-sama and tells all of you!

All: Ja ne!