A/N: Is at the bottom.

Chapter 18

A scream tore through the manor and Kagome jerked awake, "What the?" She blinked her groggy blue eyes and sighed while turning over and curling back up, "Whatever." She supposed she should be more worried but Sebastian was most likely already at the scene, so she would just leave it to him. Before she could fully fall back into the land of dreams, three consecutive knocks rang out. The priestess sighed again but got back up and pulled a shawl over her shoulders. She padded over to the door and cracked it open. An exuberant prince stood on the other side and Kagome promptly shut the door in his face.

"Ehhh, Kagome! Hurry, open the door, breakfast is ready!" Soma cried from the other side.

Kagome was sorely tempted to just leave him there and wait until he went away, but she wasn't that mean. She made a face and reopened the door. "Soma- !"

The prince grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder as he marched away from the door. Kagome stared wide eyed at her retreating bedroom. Her brain was still working to catch up. When she realized she was still in her pajamas she wiggled around in his grasp.

"Soma, put me down!" She cried, kicking her legs.

"Ah! Stop Kagome, I'm taking us to breakfast."

"Yeah, well I'm still in my night gown! Come on So- !" Her eyes widened as they passed the windows overlooking the courtyard. Soma looked at her and grinned even though he couldn't see her face, he knew it was probably one of awe.

"You like? Agni did it. Is he not amazing? My butler is the best!" He said smugly. A moment passed and Soma pouted. "Kagome?"

The miko truly was amazed. The way one human was able to totally transform an English courtyard into a replica of the bumbling streets of India was incredible. It couldn't have been possible, but it was. Instead of expressing her amazement though, Kagome wondered, "How the heck did he get elephants here?"

Soma almost tripped over his own two feet, but he smiled anyway, taking pride in his butler's abilities. "I told you, Agni is the best. None, no one… can do what Agni does."

Kagome could think of one person but then again, he wasn't human, and she was struck by the utter conviction in Soma's belief in Agni. It was a shining light, beautiful in its purity and untainted by hardship. He truly believed Agni could do anything and he trusted him to always be there. In a pang of nostalgia, she wished she could have that again. It had been so long since she had someone to trust and someone to trust her back. Yes, there was Sesshomaru, but he was so far away. There was Ciel and possibly even Sebastian but she couldn't trust them completely, and she knew they didn't trust her completely.

She was suddenly put down and she stumbled, not fully realizing she was standing. Soma caught her and gave her an odd look but she smiled and rubbed the back of her head. Kagome was unsurprised to see Ciel in Agni's arms and the servants begging Agni to give them a scrap? What had they walked in on? Soma left her side and went to join the others in whatever they were doing, but mostly he was going to pester Ciel. Sebastian was immediately beside her, looking her up and down. The raven-haired girl blushed as she became hyper aware of being indecently dressed.

"Ahaha, don't look at me like that, Soma didn't give me enough time to dress." She pulled the shawl closer to her and looked away from him, "What, got nothing to say?"

A gleam entered his eyes when she looked back at him. "I am merely a butler. I have no sway over what you do, Kagome, or wear for that matter."

Her eyes narrowed and she recognized that glint in his eyes. It was the same glint Miroku always had before he tried to touch Sango's or her butt. Kagome pulled the shawl even tighter around herself and glared at him. Damn perverted demon. She always got stuck with the weird ones, and of course her ankles had to be showing.

She raised an annoyed brow and muttered, "Gonna complement my perfect child-bearing hips now hm?" The miko jumped as she felt fingers ghost over her hips and she colored fifty different reds, "Wha- ! Don't touch me!" She hissed in embarrassment.

"As a matter of fact, you do indeed have perfect child-bearing hips. Any male would be happy to give you children." He said it so casually she felt almost inclined not to hit him, but almost doesn't count. She was too slow though, and he was already across the room, smirking that infuriating smirk. She really wished she had more beads of subjugation, if just to see the look on his face when she used them.

"Miss Kagome," Agni called and the miko's fingers curled around the bauble in her hands as she turned her attention to the Indian man, "What are you doing in this little parlor by yourself? Everyone else is in the salon."

Kagome smiled and slipped the jewel into her back pocket. "Oh err, I just wanted some alone time you know? It's so lively nowadays, but I love it. It… brings back memories."

The sound of her voice was just a little melancholy and he was sure he wasn't supposed to hear that last part. He took the time to study her a little. She sat on the cushioned chair with her back resting against an arm and her legs hanging over the other with her hands lying relaxed in her lap. Her profile revealed a young face hidden by a cascade of raven hair and long, thick eyelashes that fanned out over the bluest eyes he'd ever seen. She was pretty and petite, but like the depths of the ocean, those eyes of hers hid secrets beyond his imagining and experiences only the wise could have. Agni could sense an age about her, yet he couldn't quite place it. The feeling felt almost like Sebastian and at the same time it didn't.

She interrupted his perusal of her, asking a question. "What do you think of Soma, Agni?"

He startled, "Ah well, He is my Prince. Prince Soma saved me from my crimes and led me to a path with light. His forgiveness and mercy is what gave me a second chance…" Agni smiled softly and his eyes grew a hazy far off look as he said in an even gentler voice, "I will worship him until my last breath."

The heartfelt love and trust and unwavering conviction, the same display of emotions Soma so strongly exuded, he returned it tenfold and it was simply marvelous to see, it made her want to cry. Kagome stood then, Agni looked up in surprise, "Miss Kagome?" He stood with her.

"Agni you… you're a beautiful person you know that?"

Her eyes were piercing and he couldn't help but look away as a light blush colored his cheeks. It wasn't often people complimented him and he didn't know what to do with it. She saved him with a little laugh and pat on the back. "Come on Agni, let's go to the others."

He grinned and nodded. "Yes."

The two of them arrived to see Soma hugging the daylights out of Ciel and said boy trying his damnedest to get out of the bone-crushing hug. Kagome laughed as she and Agni walked up to them. Soma was saying something along the lines of, "Hang out with me!" and Ciel was responding with an, "I am busy damn it!" She stopped in front of them and placed her hands on her hips, smiling with humor.

"Still trying to fend him off?"

"Aren't you going to offer some help?" The earl asked in exasperation. His attention shifted and he pushed his palm into Soma's face, "Stop it! Get off of me!"

"Nope, I think you're doing just fine, you know, like how you did yesterday."

His eye twitched and he growled, "It is no fault of mine that Sebastian fell to a draw with Agni."

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Uh huh, and it wasn't you playing unfair when you goaded Soma into fencing with you." She sighed and helped him anyway, standing between the two now, "It also wasn't you being a sore loser when Soma rejected to play cards with you last night, am I right?"

Ciel's cheeks tinted lightly and he scoffed but didn't say anything. Kagome chuckled and ruffled his hair gaining a half hearted glare. Their moment was interrupted when Soma threw an arm around Kagome's shoulders and grinned as he pulled her close.

"She's right Ciel, but come, it is time we search for Mina!" The prince wrapped his other arm around the boy and started dragging them out with him until Ciel forcefully pulled himself away.

"Tch, as if I have time for that." He sidestepped them and walked out of the room and down the hall to his study.

Kagome frowned and Soma had a crestfallen look, but he wiped it away and his cheeriness came back full swing. "Ahahaha, I guess he didn't want to come with us…"

The miko still had a furrow between her brow, "Soma, what Ciel said, he didn't mean…" she trailed off when she looked up at him, just now realizing how close they really were. The side of her body was pressed against his and their faces were inches apart and Soma wasn't a little thirteen years old boy like Ciel. He was very much her age. She blushed and quickly shuffled away from him.

"Kagome?"

"Huh? Um, ahahahaha… uhh, what I meant to say was, he didn't mean it." She looked him in the eyes, "Really, he's just stressed out that's all."

Soma was suddenly in her face, golden eyes tearing. "Really Kagome? Ciel's not mad at me?"

She laughed a little, softly, "Yeah, he's not mad at you."

He wiped his gigantic crocodile tears away and exclaimed, "Oh thank goodness, Kagome!" He flashed her a grin and then waltzed out of the room. Guess all was right with the world again. Kagome followed behind, an amused simper on her lips. Sure, Soma wasn't a little thirteen years old boy, but he acted like one.

A/N: There is no excuse, so hate me as much as you all want... ahahahaha... um, if people are still reading this, this is again only a filler. I know, I know, get to it already, but it just doesn't want to come out! I don't think it's appropriate to tell you guys too much of my personal life but just know, my teenage angst has just gotten a lot worse now that it's nearing the end of the school year. Please, forgive my tardiness with this update.

Izno: Heh, I like being evil?

Guest 1: Um... here is the new update?

Guest 2: Read the above answer.

Split Fate: Here is your more.

Fluffymuffy: Oh, thank you! I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

Zeeblue23: You make me cry and I don't think I deserve such a praise! Thank you, I think I needed to hear that.

And to everyone else, THANK YOU! I love you and thanks for sticking with me! I'm sorry for taking forever to update and reply to reviews.