Chapter 9
Morning light reveals an awakening group of travellers. Inuyasha yawns; he had actually fallen asleep during the night, and looks around him, counting the people around him. Four humans, one kitsune, one toad, one nekomata, one inu and, one ryuu. Wait a minute. He counts them again, getting nine.
He turns to look at Inu no taisho. "Father, have you seen Sesshoumaru and Aurora?"
The older taiyoukai smirks at his hanyou son. "They are still in the forest."
Inuyasha growls. "They know we should be getting off to look for the rest of the shards."
"Stop barking, little brother. We can leave shortly." Everyone turn to look at the two young taiyoukai as they walk to the camp. Miroku's first thought of what they might've been doing in there was quickly disposed when he saw no dishevelled clothing or any other… err… signs to confirm his thoughts.
Aurora walks to Ah-Un and begins to talk with the two-headed dragon in their own language. Sesshoumaru looks at the dragons with an unreadable expression on his face.
Kagome, Sango, and Rin start to make some breakfast for the group. Very soon Kagome's voice interrupts several small discussions by telling them that the food is ready.
Humans, Inuyasha, Jaken, Kirara, and Shippou gather around the remnants of their fire to eat stew the three human girls made from berries, dried meat, and some herbs Kagome found near their campsite.
Ah-Un finds some juicy grass to eat and the three taiyoukai simply observe the others and their surroundings. None of the three have to eat, albeit their bodies can deal with food consumed.
Those who eat discuss about their future plans. The taiyoukai join the discussion after hearing the others mention Aurora's name. Miroku is the one to bring it up.
"Look, I think we should do what Aurora told us. Get the shards from Kohaku and Kouga, before allowing Naraku to find the rest. And then she can pick up the shard she hid, and we can force Naraku to face us in the place and time of our choice."
Aurora shakes her head. "Houshi, you know Naraku is not a fool. How do you plan to force him to do something?"
"That was your plan."
"True enough. However, after fighting him, or rather his puppet, I realize that I have underestimated him. If I would not have carried Moonflower at his castle, who knows what had happened? Most likely I would have destroyed the puppet, the castle, and most of you in order to break free from that mist. He-"
Inu no taisho cuts her off. "Aurora, what if we play his game, but with our rules?"
Aurora looks at the older taiyoukai, and a quick glance around her tells that everyone else is doing the same thing. "What are you planning?"
"We do mostly as you planned. We go and pick up the shards from the human boy and the wolf. After this we take your shard, and go after him."
"What?"
"Aurora, you were never a tactician." He smirks at her growl, but continues. "Yes, we will take the last shard to him. We just will not give it to him. According to what I have heard of this Naraku, from you all, it is obvious that this is what he is expecting us to do. By now he probably knows that there are now three taiyoukai after him. This gives him two choices. His first one is to confront us with everything he has. He can either lure us to him, or come to us. Latter I suspect, though. He seems to be smart enough. The alternative is to face us with as many youkai and tricks he dares to use, but keeping some out for future confrontations. However, as long as we are in a same group, there is no way that a smaller group can defeat us, and he knows it. This might give him yet another choice."
Sesshoumaru sees a shadow crossing his father's face and he realises what he must be thinking. "Chichi-ue, do you mean that he tries to separate us?"
"Yes. He might try to separate us before the confrontation or during it. Of course we can not forget that he might also plan something we are not thinking of."
Aurora frowns. "What do we do then? 'Playing his game with our rules.' What did you mean by that?"
"We do face him in time and place he chooses. But, we will be prepared. This is where Moonflower can be used."
"How?"
"Let it guide you. Like Tenseiga, Tokijin, or Tessaiga, it does have a mind of its own. Use this to your advantage. As soon as you have shard, hide it near Moonflower."
"I will not need power of a trinket to defeat one hanyou."
"You did pretty well last time, ne?"
"Oh, right."
"You are only hiding the shard, and keeping it out of his reach. That is all. Will you do this?"
"Yes. Now, how do you suggest we prepare ourselves?"
"We think that after we have the shards we want. Now, let us depart."
"To where?"
"To meet this Kouga."
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A mirror shows an image of the group as they leave their camp site. "So, little Miss taiyoukai is back. And who's this older youkai? Those eyes, that hair. The late father of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru? If so, I will have three taiyoukai against me. Kanna?"
"Yes, master Naraku?"
"Keep observing the group. Inform me, if you see anything interesting."
"Yes, master Naraku."
He waves her off from his vicinity. As soon as she's closed the shoji screen behind her, he falls to his own musings. This might become more difficult than I expected. Dragon is back, from where-ever she was. Not to mention that a dead man, youkai, is back. Luckily I still have my little pet. Oh, yes. Kagome.
Naraku chuckles. "You will be the key, Kagome. Key to your friends' demise."
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"Inuyasha, can't we stop? My feet are hurting." Kagome complains from her current place next to Inuyasha.
He snorts at her. "We just had a break an hour ago."
"I know, but it doesn't change the fact that my feet are killing me!"
Inuyasha is about to deny her request once more when a little girl's voice brings his attention to her.
Rin is asking Sesshoumaru if they could stop, she's tired. He simply lifts her on Ah-Un's back. Then he looks at Kagome. "Ah-Un can carry two, if you wish to ride him."
Kagome nods and smiles at Sesshoumaru, as Inuyasha helps her to get on the dragon's back behind Rin.
Inu no Taisho stops the group and sniffs the air and catches scent of wolfs not too far. "Demon exterminator, houshi. We will be increasing our speed for a while. Wolfs are near and I don't wish to spend anymore time in here that I must. You two should ride the nekomata. Kitsune, little youkai, we will go airborne, so I suggest that you go either on nekomata or on dragon."
Inuyasha realises that he can't really fly, in any form. "I can follow you from the ground."
"I suggest you ride with your friends or on the dragon. Landscape might not be the most suitable for simply jumping."
As soon as Sango, Miroku, and Shippou are on Kirara's back, and Jaken and Inuyasha joined Rin an Kagome on Ah-Un, Inu no Taisho takes off on a cloud of sparkling dust he creates. The two other taiyoukai create similar clouds and take off after him. Followed by Kirara and Ah-Un with their passengers.
Kagome enjoys the feeling of flying through the air, and when she looks at the girl who's riding in front of her, she can see that the little girl is enjoying herself as well. Then she looks at the three taiyoukai, noticing how similar, yet different they look. Their clothes look similar, but even from behind she can see how they carry themselves differently.
Neither of the younger ones even tries to move in front of the older taiyoukai. Instead, they are flying side by side casting glances back at their comrades every now and then. She's not sure why, but this makes her giggle, causing Rin to turn and look up to her face curiously, and Inuyasha's arms around her tighten slightly.
Kagome smiles at the little girl while snuggling closer to Inuyasha. "It's okay, Rin."
"Why nee-chan laughed?"
"I'm not sure." Kagome smirks at the girl. "I just felt like it."
She hears Inuyasha's silent 'keh' from behind her, and she smiles. Right now she decides to enjoy this moment of peace, before they would have to battle Naraku.
