On the road

"So what is this selection for again?" Sango smacked herself on the forehead. "Did you not read the proclamation? " Kagome looked at her in confusion "Proclamation?" "Kagome, just curious, why are you even going to the selections?" "Oh, my mom suggested that I go. She said it would be fun" Kagome grinned. "She didn't tell you anything? Kagome, we both know your mom wouldn't do that. So I'm going to guess you weren't paying attention and simply input yes and sure at appropriate intervals." "Hey, she was talking about some weird story that didn't even make sense! Something about the sun facing the moon on the day of peace. We've been at war forever where do these weird stories come from anyway?"

While Kagome was blabbering Sango pulled out a piece of parchment. "Here Kagome, this is the proclamation." Kagome took it from Sango and unfolded it.
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Selection of the Rulers

The time has come for peace! Demon and Humans have finally developed a truce. The Unity Truce requires that the two species be united under eight rulers.

In order to fulfill the content of this truce, there will be a selection for these eight rulers. The selection will be a series of test to decide the qualification of each candidate. To reduce the number of candidates in the beginning of selection, a list of requirements has been included.

•Must be equivalent to the age sixteen to twenty human years of age. Depending on race of Demon this age may vary.

• Have mental competency

• Accept this truce and the decisions of the selection council.

If you pass these requirements please help unite our people and bring us into peace.

The selections will be held in the Center Mountains, on the Spring Equinox

Selection Council
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Kagome handed the proclamation back to Sango and continued to walk in silence. After organizing her thoughts, Kagome finally spoke "Why are they picking young people like us?" Sango shook her head, "Well, the most popular theory is that our generation is hopefully free of hatred and prejudice. I think that's a long shot, there are so many orphans and dead family members, that I think the wars have already gotten to us. Some people also think its probably easier to manipulate a young mind. No one really knows anything." "Ok well what about that sun and moon story my mom was talking about?" Sango tried to remember the story her own mother had told her. "Well my mom told me that story once but I don't remember all of it. I think it happened before and it was some great event or something but I don't really remember."

Kagome nodded her head "Ok. Oh and I don't think all of us have been affect. Maybe all those orphans and remaining family members don't want to lose anymore loved ones. Anyway, why eight?" Sango smiled " That was a little easier to understand. If we only have one ruler, then we won't be truly united, also this is all of the world we're talking about, it's too much for one or two people. Why exactly eight? Well it's a pretty number I guess." Kagome and Sango laughed at that.

"Oh yea Sango, what do they mean by 'mentally competent'? Isn't that kind if opinion based?" "I think they meant something like being able to take care of yourself. Dress yourself, feed yourself and what not." Kagome nodded her head in understanding.

They continued to walk down the path until they heard a feminine scream and very vicious growl. Sango instantly pulled out Hiraikotsu and Kagome took her bow from her shoulders. Everything fell into an eerie silence. Kagome backed up a little, so she could see Sango. "Should we check it out?" whispered Kagome. Hesitantly Sango nodded an affirmative. "I just hope it's not lunch time."

They slowly walked into the woods, to discover what look like the debris of a mini hurricane. Whole trees were uprooted and branches and leaves littered the clearing everywhere. In the center of it all laid five dead lesser demons, a rather scared woman and a half demon with two silver dog-ears on the top of his head.

He held out his had to help the woman up but she recoiled with a hiss. "Don't touch me half-demon." He balled his hand in a fist and withdrew his offer of help. "Fine not like expected anything from a human, a miko no less."

When Kagome heard this she realized who the woman was. "Kikyo? What are you doing here?" Kikyo's head snapped up at the sound of her voice. "You. What are you doing here?" Kagome scoffed at the other miko's tone. "I was headed toward the selection before you screamed as though you were being ripped limb from limb." "Oi, is this your group?" barked out the half demon. "Stupid hanyou, obviously not." sneered Kikyo. "Keh, I guess I'll be leaving then."

The half demon turned to leave but Kagome called out "Hey, wait up!" She turned to Sango. "I'll be right back, take care of her," gesturing towards Kikyo. Kagome ran after Inuyasha. "Hey, I apologize for the way she acted back there. You probably don't care but my name is Kagome. What's yours?" The half demon looked down at her in surprise. "Inuyasha."

"Ok, Inuyasha, thank you for saving her. I know at least somebody would miss her if she died." She grinned and ran back to her group.

Once she got back she saw Sango cleaning out the clearing and gathering branches. "So I guess we're setting up camp here?" Sango turned around to face Kagome. "Yea. I figured if you still had those herbs of yours we could use them to detoxify some of the demon meat and have more than dried jerky for dinner." Kagome agreed.

While Sango and Kagome were setting up camp Kikyo sent them a steady supply of glares. Finally fed up with her supposed rival's behavior Kagome snapped at her "Why don't you get off your ungrateful butt and help us?" Kikyo stared at her with disdain. "I don't remember you helping me it was the filthy half-demon and it's not like I needed help anyway. I had everything under control." Kagomed scoffed, "Then what was that scream?" Kikyo blushed in embarrassment and anger. "I tr-tripped!" she stammered. Kagome rolled her eyes "Sure. Well if you aren't going to help set up for dinner at least set out your own roll to go the bed."

Sango, who had been cutting apart a demon while they were talking, brought over three large steaks for Kagome to season. Kagome grabbed them and brought out some purifying salts and regular seasoning. After she had seasoned the meat she put it on a rock that they had heated on the fire. Kagome pulled out some tealeaves. "Hey Sango I saw a stream not to far off could you get some water?" Sango stood up from where she was cutting off the meat of the other demons. "Yea, which way is the stream?" Kagome pointed to where she had followed Inuyasha. "Twenty or so paces that way."

Kagome continued cooking the meat and making sure the stone was hot enough. "So, how was training 'O Perfect One'?" Kagome sighed, "Can you please drop it? It's not like you even want to be a priestess anyway. I don't see the reason to be so jealous." Kikyo didn't know what to say that would justify her behavior so she didn't respond.

"Hey Kagome I got the water!" Sango handed over the cast iron kettle. "Thanks Sango!" Kagome made tea and finished cooking the steaks. After they ate Kagome and Kikyo chanted together to put up a protective barrier around their camp. Once the camp was adequately protected the three girls laid down on their rolls. "Night Sango, Kikyo." Kagome yawned out. "Good Night Kagome." Sango replied. Kikyo simply went to sleep.

"Well you can lead a horse to water, I guess." muttered Kagome before she fell to sleep.

"but you can't make it drink" giggled Sango before she too fell asleep.