Kagome stood watching where the Western Lord had walked off lost in thought. Hearing her friends begin to stir she shook her head clearing her mind and started getting everything prepared for the day, starting with rebuilding a fire so she could cook breakfast. Shippo was the first to rise and rub his eyes. She stifled a laugh as she noticed his flaming hair had formed a rats nest during the night.
Shippo stood and started walking towards his adopted mother still blurry eyed. He plopped into her lap and yawned showing his tiny pointed fangs before he looked up at her emerald eyes still clouded with sleep. "'gome, where's Sesshomaru." Sleep muddled his words and Kagome chuckled as she wiped some sleep seeds out of his eyes.
"He's taking care of some business and then he'll be back." She filled a small bowl with some oatmeal she had brought with her and handed it to the kitsune. "Why don't you eat your breakfast as I brush your hair?" She reached into her bag and pulled out a brush as Shippo nodded sleepily taking a bite of the food. She untied his bow and started humming softly while gently brushing out the knots.
It didn't take long until the rest of the group woke up and started eating. "Ya know Kagome. If you keep spoiling the runt he'll never learn to take care of himself." Inuyasha swallowed his mouthful of food while gesturing with his bowl at the both of them. "He'll always be a wimp and never be able to protect anyone." He reached into the pot hanging by the fire and filled his bowl for the third time.
"I will grow strong! And then I'll beat you and you'll be sorry!" Shippo yelled from his spot on his mother's lap with a pout. Kagome giggled as she tied his bow and tweaked it so it was straight.
"There you go. And I'm sure you'll be very strong Shippo. Inuyasha he's just a kid give him a break already. Jeez it's almost like you're jealous it's kinda creepy."
"I am not!" Oatmeal flecks went flying at the half demon's protest.
"Inuyasha, please learn how to not spit food on people. I don't like having to pick food out of my hair." Sango grimaced as she wiped the gooey substance off of her hair. Kagome giggled softly watching her friends banter. Her head snapped to the side suddenly.
"There are two jewel shards approaching." Inuyasha jumped up pulling out Tetsaiga.
"First that bastard Sesshomaru, and now that mangy wolf. At least I'll be able to fight Kouga." Inuyasha snarled. Kougas' whirlwind was able to be seen through the trees and suddenly it stopped right in front of Kagome, disappearing to show Kouga holding the miko's hands in his.
Kouga brought her hands to his lips and kissed them gently. "Kagome." He breathed out softly. "How have you been?" Kouga grinned as he saw the priestess blush prettily. The wolf prince inhaled deeply a puzzled expression gracing his features. "Why do I smell the mutts' brother?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sesshomaru and his ward Rin showed up last night. Rin was injured and I was taking care of her." She stated simply a soft whimper coming from behind her. She turned quickly to see Rin trying to sit up. "Rin, you should have told me you had woken."
"Kagome." The girl said brightly as her friend made her way over, the wolf demon following. "Hello Prince Kouga." Her voice shook slightly in fear. It had been six months since she had seen him last and even though he had saved her life she still couldn't forget what his wolves had done to her.
"Kouga!" Ginta and Hakkaku's shouts echoed through the tress as they burst into the campsite. The two jogged up to their prince bending over resting their hands on their bent knees panting heavily. "Why do you keep running off?" Ginta asked sadly.
"You know we can't keep up with you." Hakkaku added.
"There you two are." Kouga said laughing with his hands on his hips, his back bent as his face looked up to the sky. He looked back down to his closest friends. "I smelled my woman and came to visit." The two wolf demons looked up with smiles on their faces.
"Sister!" They both tackled her to the ground hugging her as she laughed happily.
"You mangy wolf! What are ya doing here?" Inuyasha yelled stepping forward looking eager for a fight.
"Why hello Kouga. Long time no see." Miroku said smoothly walking towards the demon. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" Kouga helped Kagome up from under his right and left hand men, resting his arm over her shoulders grinning at her small blush.
"We were on border patrol. Suddenly, a gust of wind brought my Kagomes' scent to me, and I decided to say hi." He smiled wolfishly at the young miko as his comrades behind him looked at each other rolling their eyes.
"She's not your Kagome!" Inuyasha growled out flexing his claws.
"Oh, and you suppose she's yours? You reek of death and graveyard soil." Kagome looked down sadly kneeling next to Rin pulling her med-kit over.
"Rin, I must check your wounds." Kagome pulled up the shirt she let the girl borrow to expose her wrapped stomach as Shippo ran to the half demon hitting him on his head, hard.
"Ow! What was that for you little runt? And why do people keep hitting me?" He cried out glaring daggers at the boy.
"You hurt momma you butt head! And people keep hitting you because you're an idiot I suggest growing up!"
Said miko sighed from where she sat focusing on the chatty girl in front of her. "Inuyasha." She growled out dangerously. "You hurt my son and I will hurt you in every way possible." Her tone was deadly and she turned her head to gaze at Inuyasha. He noticeably gulped as his ears hid under his hair. Smiling down at her young pup her voice was back to its' cheery counter-part. "Now Shippo come over here and leave Inuyasha alone. If you keep pestering him I might not stop what he would do to you." She teased smiling at the fox kit.
'It's so scary when Kagome is mad.' All the men in the clearing thought. Shippo looked at her innocently with his hands behind her back before he went into Kagomes' bag and pulled out some of his pictures to show the young dark haired girl.
"I'm sorry Kouga, but I think it's best if you leave for now." She sent the wolf prince an apologetic smile and Inuyasha grinned smugly thinking Kagome was on his side.
"Anything for you, mate." He kissed her on the cheek slightly smiling down at her as a blush lit up her face. "If anything happens to her mutt, I'll flay you alive." He told the stunned hanyou. He turned back to Kagome who opened her mouth to say something. "Until next time. You know where to find us if you ever want to get away." He ran off before Kagome could say a word, with Ginta and Hakkaku struggling to keep him in sight.
"Kouga slow down!" Hakkaku cried out as Ginta turned, jogging backwards to wave goodbye.
"Bye sister Kagome!" She waved them goodbye before finishing changing Rins' bandages.
A cold wind blew through the forest making its way to a clearing where a tall silver haired demon stood looking at the remnants of what used to be his camp. The wind danced around him playing with his silver tresses as he stood at the edge of the woods trying to piece together what had happened. Ah-Un was barely breathing, a spear piercing his lung making it difficult to take in any air. Jaken was scattered around the campsite, a hand here and a foot there, blood staining the dark grass crimson.
He took a step into the sticky clearing making his way to the two headed dragon and Ah-Un raised their heads to watch his approach, wheezing with every breath they managed to grasp. Kneeling in the growing pool of blood, Sesshomaru placed his hand on their heads as they pressed their cheeks into his palm. Their heads suddenly dropped to the ground lifeless, and Sesshomaru stood reaching for Tensaiga.
He held the sword hovered over the dragons' body, his eyes narrowing once he could see the servants of the underworld. He sliced through them quickly before removing the spear in Ah-Uns' chest allowing the wound to heal. Ah-Un stood shakily, tilting their heads in confusion before looking around. Sesshomaru looked at the confetti known as Jaken with a scowl. He had been his most faithful servant, annoying yes, but he had been extremely loyal. He picked up the staff of two heads. He had already used Tensaiga on him once, because of that he would not be able to do so again.
"Come Ah-Un, Rin would be happy to see you are well." Sesshomaru walked back the way he came headed to the odd pack where his brother resided with the dragon lumbering behind him.
Rewritten; 7/26/12
