Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho.

Genre

: Romance/Angst/Hurt/Action

Pairing

: Harem/Kagome

Summary

: The Youkai Ball is the event of the decade and Kagome is attendance with the three that mean the most her but what are her reasons for being there when she has three mates already? It all has to do with a prophecy and a miko.

Youkai Ball
Chapter One: Farewell [Prelude]

x . . . . x

Screaming, screaming, screaming. The blood that littered the ground was a thick coating of wetness, as though someone had gathered hundreds of crimson paint buckets and dumped them on the ground. There were the clash of blades and battle cries. This wasn't the final battle, in fact it wasn't even close. The final battle had been fought and had been won. This battle was the battle of betrayal, fighting for what one believed was right. They were fighting because the one they held dearest to them had not shared all her secrets and in a world where honor meant everything, her friends could not let this betrayal slide. So they fought, long and hard.

Yet the girl, the traitor, as they called her, could not understand why they couldn't see a she had seen. Why couldn't they understand her plight? Was this bloodshed really over a small and insignificant jewel? Were her dearest companions really fighting her because they thought her corrupt and dark? She wouldn't have believed it a week ago had anyone told her this but now, now- she faced the truth of it all, the reality of it all.

All because of a curse and a prophecy.

She was to be a 'youkai's whore' and there was nothing she could do about it.

They were honestly fighting her because of her lack of purity.

She was dealing a killing blow to the woman that had started all of this, she was about to exact a sort of vengeance on the woman that had taken everything away from her and then he got in the way of everything.

She screamed.

"Inuyasha!"

She awoke sweating, breathing heavily, pressed between two very warm bodies. She reached over one of the bodies and found the third breathing deeply. Cerulean orbs glowed softly in the light of the moon, pale skin seeming almost translucent. Ebony hair seemed even darker and ruby lips looked blood stained. Kagome put her head in her dainty hands and breathed deeply, shakily, her heart rate slowing down from the terror of her usual nightmare. A large, calloused, clawed hand touched her cheek softly and Kagome looked into the glowing golden orbs of the male on the right. A tear slipped down her cheek as she brought a shaking hand to trail the magenta markings along his cheek bones.

Silver hair was like spun moonlight and she was drowning in it as the male brought her into his arms. She breathed in the scent of the sky on him, the scent of the wind, and she cried. Silent tears coursed down her cheeks in a never ending flow, falling onto his nude, well muscled chest. Her silent sobs had her small form shaking and the demon that held her in his arms allowed no emotion to flow onto his face but a heated anger filled his eyes before disappearing all together. He was controlled in his emotions even when it came to the woman in his arms.

The Killing Perfection had nothing to kill to make her pain stop and it frustrated him to no end. Sesshoumaru could only pat her back reassuringly and offer her silent strength because that is what she needed. She needed strength and he would gladly lend her his. There was a stirring on the other side of Kagome and dark, bleary eyes opened. Where Sesshoumaru was light, this man was dark. Black eyes, empty, pitiless, long dark hair, straight rather than Kagome's waves, slid down his back and to his waist. His skin was pale, paler than even Kagome's, practically bloodless. He, like Sesshoumaru was topless and his body well toned.

He looked down at the woman help in Sesshoumaru's arms and his eyes were soft and pained. He knew she still dreamed of the night everything had changed. Normally though, she had her dreams when she was terribly stressed and so he knew that her tears were caused by stress and her tendency to dream. The youkai, Zuru, shook his head and woke the final member in the bed. A soft groan filled the evening and the final male was awake and ready to go as he too sat up. Short auburn hair was styled expertly in a normal male fashion and turquoise eyes were narrowed in contemplation. An auburn, creme tipped tail was twitching in agitation as he stared at the duo that was currently hugging.

Shippo was beyond pissed. He was tired of Inuyasha haunting her even after all of these years. Centuries passed and he still had such a profound affect on the miko. It angered him to no end he ran a hand through his short locks. Furry ears atop his head twitched in anger, a soft keening, whine fell from his throat. He hated seeing her in so much pain. It didn't take anything more than a few scattered moments for Kagome to be enveloped in two other pairs of arms. She sat in the circles of their arms and she prayed - oh how she prayed - that everything would soon be alright, just this once. Her heart ached and ached and ached.

She was incomplete in so many ways. Her heart was lacking three important puzzle pieces and year after year she waited to see if she would find those pieces. When the year passed, her heart only grew heavier and heavier. Slowly, she had been dying and the three that were holding her, knew it. How long until the awaited final three would show up? No one knew, they could only hope. The shrill ringing of a phone pulled the four from their thoughts and Sesshoumaru leaned over to his side of the bed, picking up the cell phone that was ringing. His smooth baritone flowed over the phone as he glanced at the caller ID and answered it.

"Speak." was the only thing he said. His brows furrowed as muffled talking was heard on the other side. Sesshoumaru made a few non-committal sounds before he hung up the phone and looked to his bed companions. "It seems that we have a slight problem." Shippo was the first speak and the voice that slipped passed his lips was no longer childish but deep, masculine, a seductive purring.

"What sort of problem?" he inquired, single brow arched in question.

"The sort of problem that requires us to visit the brat tomorrow." Zuru made a sound low in hiss throat and fell back against the pillows. A grown fell passed his lips and he murmured something about 'large inconveniences that came in small packages'. Kagome pressed her dream to the back of her mind and couldn't help but laugh as she looked down at the male currently having a slight hissy fit at seeing the demi-ruler that caused all sorts of problems for the small family.

"I swear that toddler hates us sometimes." Zuru grumbled as he buried his head underneath the mound of pillows the bed had been decorated with. Kagome only rolled her eyes and stared down at the male. She poked his side and he grunted.

"Come now, love." she murmured softly, her voice a gentle, husky natural purr. "We only have to visit him though I do wonder why we have to head off to the Rekai." she looked to Sesshoumaru and gave him 'the look'. Sesshoumaru merely sniffed and gave her a cool look from his golden eyes. True, he was nothing more than a tame tiger when it came to Kagome but he was still a predator and he had very large, poisonous claws. He grasped Kagome's hand in his and pressed a kiss to her temple. It was moments like the small ones they shared now that had made Kagome more than joyful that he always showed his soft side to her and the other two males in her bed.

"The place and date of the ball have changed." was all he stated before leaning back in bed and giving a soft yawn.

"Oh?" Shippo asked. "Where? When?"

"A week from now and in the Makai palace." was all Sesshoumaru said before curling up underneath the covers, intent on getting some sleep. He hated having his sleep time interrupted by anyone other than Kagome and now that she had been consoled he just wanted to return to his covers and cuddle down but answering questions kept him from doing so.

"Our Makai palace?" was the simultaneous question from all three people.

"Mhm." the only reply coming from Sesshoumaru and the three looked at one another, unsure of what to say.

Sesshoumaru smirked in victory. Silence was perfection.

x . . . . x

Koenma, Prince of the Rekai, was sitting impatiently at his desk. He looked to the hour people in front of him, unsure of how he would break the news of their next mission. He already knew that the his violent head detective would start yelling almost immediately. The demi-ruler only suckled the pacifier in his mouth quicker as he looked up at his Grim Reaper. She would be quite angry as well now that he thought about it. Decked in his usual robes and keeping his toddler form, Koenma leaned against his overly large chair and sighed.

"Well, don't keep us waiting, twerp! Why are we here?" Yusuke, head detective, Heir to the Central Lands, called out impatiently. He appeared to have been dragged from his morning ritual considering the state of disarray his hair was in. Normally slicked back with gel, it was now falling gentle into his large chocolate brown eyes and Koenma couldn't help note that he seemed a little more innocent looking like that, a little younger. He was dressed in his usual attire, white shirt, faded tight jeans, white sneakers, and his ever loved black jacket. Koenma internally rolled his eyes; Yusuke Urameshi was such a delinquent.

"Yes, even I have to inquire as to why we are here at this hour." came a smooth, slightly tinted with anger, but none the less seductive tone. He turned to the owner of the voice and met with calculating emerald eyes. The kitsune avatar of course looked absolutely perfect even at six o'clock in the morning. Crimson colored hair was it's usual, messy but ever attractive untamed mane and his pale skin seemed to be even paler against the gray turtle-neck he currently wore under a black jacket. His black slacks were tailored to fit his long, lean frame and his shoes were polished to perfection. Shuichi Minamino, also known as to Kurama to his friends due to the fact he was also the Legendary Kitsune Bandit Youko Kurama, looked impeccable.

The final member of the group simple glared at the demi-ruler and promised him a very painful death with his crimson colored eyes. Koenma merely shuddered. The smallest member of the group, but no child by any means was currently decked out in his usual black on black clothing. A jacket that buttoned at the sides adorned his torso and reached mid-thigh, and black, slightly baggy pants were tucked into black boots. His ebony hair with a white star burst in the center was as usual defying gravity and the white bandanna was covering his third eye on his forehead. Hiei, one of the only Forbidden Children to reach adulthood, stood and continued to glare.

Koenma cleared his throat, "Yes, well..." he began, his voice slightly squeaking in is fear. "... I have another mission for you three. We are currently missing our final member to your team because he is unfortunately attending school and even I won't risk his sister's wrath if he weren't to make it into a good college because he couldn't study. This mission is to last several months and takes place in the Makai-"

"No way in hell!" Yusuke yelled at Koenma, eyes narrowed in anger. "We have fucking lives Koenma! I know I can't leave Keiko again! She would kill me!"

"You, detective, are merely pussy-whipped, as they say." Hiei spoke, his voice cold with a hint of cynicism and humor. Said detective glared at the other youkai and growled warningly before turning back to Koenma.

"You'd have to go anyway!" Koenma yelled right back, little face turning red with anger. "You're a Makai ruler! I know you have your advisers taking care of everything but this is something all Makai rulers have to attend. Mukuro, Yomi, yourself, and the Kings and Queen!"

"Going where?" Kurama spoke up softly, curious as to what could have all the Makai royalty gathered in one place.

"The Youkai Ball!" Koenma snapped angrily.

"The what?" Yusuke asked deadpanned as he glared at Koenma.

"Really, Yusuke. You spent three years in the Makai and have no idea what the Youkai Ball is?" the nearly silent grim reaper asked, her teal hair swishing about as she glided on her oar toward the the trio. Her bubble gum pink eyes were alight with excitement and she was currently clapping her hands together. She was in her usual, pink kimono that matched her eyes perfectly, and completely and utterly content flying on her oar.

"Obviously or I wouldn't be asking the question!" Yusuke huffed and crossed his leather clad arms over his chest, starring angrily at everyone in the room.

"The Youkai Ball, Yusuke..." Kurama began soothingly. "... is held every ten to fifteen years or so. It is more or less a mating ball. The demons of royal lines from all over the world gather in the Makai and create alliances with another and mating bonds or contracts to gain land, power, wealth, or simply for love. It lasts a few months or so and you normally can leave once whatever business you are there for is concluded. Most stay until the end of the ball though. It's held in the summer of the ningenkai so that it's easier to get away to. The location changes every year and is held in one of the homes of a the Makai Lords. Personally, I have never gone. I've been invited due to my previous status but I never liked seducing women that wanted to be seduced."

"Thank you, Kurama. Yusuke already has to attend but I would also like you and Hiei to go as well." Koenma shrunk back at the glare received from Hiei.

"For what purpose do we have to attend?" Hiei asked, voice filled with beginnings of anger.

"I need my own guards. I have to go as well as a Leader of the Rekai." Koenma sighed. "I haven't gone in years but Father is forcing the issue. There have been some small uprisings in few of the villages and I have to go as a show of support and strength to make sure that the lesser youkai know that the Rekai has the backs of the Lords and Kings and Queen. If father is forcing it then I don't have a choice and neither do you." was all he said as he continued stamping his long over due paper work.

"Is that it?" Yusuke asked incredulously. "You tell us that we're being torn from our homes for a few months and go on stamping some damn papers?"

"What do you want me to say?" Koenma asked tiredly. "Look, Yusuke. I know that you and Keiko are having some problems but I can't help the fact that this something you have to do. Regardless of where you take residence, you are the Ruler of the Central Lands. You need to own up to it. I understand with the Makai Tournament you undid the very foundation the Makai runs under but Enki, your winner of the Tournament is more of a political messenger. Yomi, Mukuro, the Lord of the West, the Lord of the North, the Kings, the Queen, all rule still but this time in peace. You still are the Central Lands leader and you need to be there or it'll say that you don't care about Makai affairs and your lands will be attacked your people turned into slaves. Do you understand me?"

"I thought with the tournament, there was only ruler." Yusuke said softly.

"No, there are still rulers, Enki, as I said is just the link between Rekai and Makai. He is the go-to guy between the lands. Do you see now, Yusuke?" Koenma asked as he rubbed his eyes tiredly."If you don't go, the Kings will tear your lands to pieces and they will enjoy it and the Queen will watch and let it happen because you obviously don't care for your people."

"Mukuro and Yomi wouldn't do that!" Yusuke growled and Kurama looked to Koenma.

"You're not talking about them, are you?" Kurama asked.

"No, no I'm not." Koenma responded. "The Kings and Queen are an ancient power. There are three Kings and one Queen. They are unrivaled in power and do not get into trivial Makai squabbles such as the Makai Tournament. They are equivalent to my father in standing and are each very, very dangerous. If they wanted the Makai in upheaval, they would and could do it. It was they that created the barriers between the worlds and they that maintain it."

"I thought you did that here in the Rekai." Kurama murmured and Hiei, though quiet was quite intent on the current conversation.

"No, we hadn't established it, we just have the power to fix it and try and keep it from falling. In reality, it's maintained by one being and she is the creator, guardian, and keeper of the barrier." Koenma finished and Boton snorted, an angry flush to her cheeks.

"That women is nothing more than a cold-blooded killer. She brutally murdered the Heir to the Western Lands!" Boton practically screeched. The grim reaper was obviously not a fan.

"She was pardoned for that already, Boton." Koenma sighed as though they had, had this discussion before.

"Pardoned because she is a whore! She probably slept with the whole damn Board of Justice!" Kurama and Yusuke looked at Boton with wide eyes having never seen her this worked up over anything. Hiei merely watched, amusement clear on his features.

"Pardoned because you slept with the Board of Justice? I had no idea." a soft, ice cold, voice laced with amusement flowed from the shadows of the room. Sesshoumaru stepped forth and allowed a cruel smile to turn the corner of his lips upward. He was decked out in white and gray, a very monochromatic color scheme. His shirt was stark white and unbuttoned at the collar, leaving it to frame the hollow of his throat. Over the white button up was a black with gray pin-striped Armani suit, tailored to fit his tall frame, and black shoes just as shiny as Kurama's adorned his feet. He was currently looking at the woman by his side with amusement before turning to face the others in the room, gold eyes pinning each with a stare, the killing intent practically suffocating them where they stood.

Kagome touched his arm with a dainty hand the intent was pulled back abruptly. Surprisingly, the miko wore nothing more than a simple white sundress decorated with small hand sown blue flowers at the hem. The sundress touched her mid thighs and tired with a light blue bow around the center. There was a similar bow in hair, pulling back her raven tresses and laving her bangs to fall gently into her cerulean eyes. She was completely dwarfed by Sesshoumaru who stood at her side, reaching maybe the middle of his chest, even in her white two inch heeled shoes.

"You cheated on us and we didn't even know it!" another voice laced with amusement called and Shippo stood from the shadows. He seemed to be at ease with the current situation but the way his tale twitched belayed his agitation. Turquoise eyes and almost angelic face were set into a mask of indifference and amusement at the whole spectacle. His ears swiveled toward every sound and his expertly styled, short hair was styled to be messy today. He, like Kagome was dressed comfortably but less casual than she. The long sleeved button up shirt was white and unbuttoned and the shirt underneath was a shade of turquoise to match his eyes. The pants were gray slacks and the shoes were black loafers. The white shirt was rolled at the sleeves to his elbows leaving his forearms bare and simple treat in seeing the way his tan skin contrasted against the stark white.

The final member merely chuckled and soon the shadows completely vanished around them. His long, straight black hair flowed about him for a moment before resting upon his shoulders and his ebony eyes screamed complete and utter anger. His lips were turned into a sneer as he stared down the detectives and the reaper. Dressed in black on black he seemed every bit of the vampire he was. The button up was black and the first few buttons were undone to mid chest, and the slacks were black, along with dress shoes. The black scheme gave his already pale skin an even paler glow in the over head lights. Zuru could only snort in anger at the people before him.

Sesshoumaru was the tallest male reaching roughly 6'4" and his build was simply over-bearing by how physically imposing he was. He wasn't large in the sense of a body-builder but his shoulders were broad and his arms long with large hands that could crush the life from a man in a second. He was lean and muscular, and the power that fell off him in waves was more than intimidating. Shippo was only a few inches shorter than he but his build was somewhat leaner, less defined and pronounced but he was still chiseled in the way that said he worked out regularly. Zuru was maybe an inch shorter than Shippo and held a cross between Sesshoumaru's and Shippo's build. In short, they were each intimidating in their own right.

"First, I never slept with the board so wipe that amusement on off your face, Sesshoumaru. Second, if I cheated then you would damn well know it, Shippo. Third, Zuru, stop staring at them like you want to eat them." Kagome spoke with amusement flowing from her very pores as she looked at the three male as she addressed them before turning back to the room. "Fourth, I'm currently, seriously debating on taking your life, Boton." there was still amusement and her eyes crinkled slightly at the corners as she smiled, still gently.

"Who the fuck are you?" Yusuke called, angry as she stepped before Boton.

"Why, I'm Kagome Higurashi, Queen to the Makai and these are my mates, the Kings to the Makai. It's a pleasure to meet you."

It was then Koenma nearly fainted.

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'Gome Yuki:: Alright guys, this will show up as chapter two in your updates but it's chapter one being reconstructed. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it!
Youko:: Yes! Finally some Youko action!
Sasuke:: One of these days, you''ll no longer be welcome as a muse.
Alucard:: Or we could just kill him.
'Gome Yuki:: There will be NO killing thank you very much. Back to updates, I'm happily reconstructing my stories! I'll most likely update 'A Demon Lord's Cry' next or something similar. I might reconstruct 'Shadows of the Night' next. Review and thanks so much for your support guys!