Day 10:

A scent.

It was faint, but it was there.

Kagome.

The group's spirit was reinvigorated and they had spent the day searching with the utmost intensity. She had been through these parts, they were heading in the correct direction. It was a welcome relief from the exhaustion and flagging hope of yesterday.

They had even managed a system so as to stay energized. The monk and taijiya took turns resting upon the fire-neko. Thankfully being a demon that cat needed little rest so she had no qualms being in her fiercer form. The children adopted the same routine, holding one another and they took turns sleeping atop Ah-Un. Jaken had actually come up with the idea so they two little ones wouldn't fall off the dragon.

Rin and Shippo were reluctant to sleep. How could they when they felt so close to finding the woman who was a mother to them? Sango managed to coax them into the idea, along with Sesshoumaru demanding their compliance.

It helped that Sesshoumaru did not tell them how he had found Kagome's scent. If they found out that it was her blood, he knew they would have likely fallen into a state of worry or despair. Such a condition was unacceptable and while Sesshoumaru disdained dishonesty in any form it was a necessity for the wellbeing of the pack. Besides, if they were in a state of depression they would be no help in rescuing the miko.

Yet, the day dragged on. A minute stretched on into an hour. An hour stretched into two. Two into four. With each passing hour everyone's spirits began to sink again and dark, unwelcome thoughts slithered into their minds.

Where was she?

What if she wasn't alright?

What if she was hurt?

What if they found Naraku and she wasn't there?

What if she was there and they couldn't save her?

What if she was dea-

No. They could not bear to even finish that final thought, though that didn't mean it was gone. Oh no, it just lurked, waiting for the right moment to strike and rid them of any hope they had left.

The thoughts grew more imaginative, more vivid. The adults had all seen their share of pain and death; even the children were not completely spared from such ugly knowledge. These images that had been imprinted into their minds were slowly transferred to Kagome, each worse than the last until the smiling, hopeful faces had turned grim even as they clung to the hope of that Kagome would be all right.

She had to be.

She was Kagome after all.

They had to rest again and sustain themselves, it seemed all too soon but it was inevitable. The sun was ready to set, already it began to burn brighter and more vivid. A beautiful sight if any of them had had the heart to appreciate it.

Sesshoumaru's hunt was swift and as Miroku and Inuyasha began to cook some of the meat, Shippo and the demon lord prepared the rest of it. The ladies of the group took a quick rest.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru looked blankly into bright, forest green eyes, and waited.

The kitsune swallowed nervously, though it didn't deter him from asking, "Can you still smell Mama's scent?"

Sesshoumaru inclined his head, for though it was still faint it was there. It had even grown a touch stronger throughout the day. It made him restless knowing that he could find her but had to wait.

"Why don't you just go ahead of us and save her then?" he asked, a plea and accusation mixed in his voice as if he could not decide to beg or blame.

Sesshoumaru looked deeply at the young fox kit. "You would be unprotected."

Shippo's lower lip trembled, even though he tried to hide it when he bowed his head. Sesshoumaru could smell his distress and knew the miko would have just the words to say, to comfort the small demon had she but been here. But she wasn't. Sesshoumaru gave a small sigh. It fell to him as an alpha to protect the pack. So it was his duty to try and take Kagome's place, just this once.

"We will find her."

Shippo looked up slowly not wanting the great lord to see his watery eyes yet unable to resist. "Really?"

Sesshoumaru nodded, and he resumed preparing the meat. They still had to eat after all.

"How do you know for sure?"

Sesshoumaru looked back over at the kitsune's expectant face, brimming with hope and shadowed with worry.

"She is strong."

Shippo's brow furrowed. "But what if she isn't strong enough? What if Naraku really hurts her and we can't save her in time?"

" 'What if's' will not do the miko any good." Sesshoumaru reprimanded, though not unkindly. He could not have the kit thinking in such a manner, it would only keep him in a constant state of worry. Well, an even worse constant state of worry.

Shippo merely waited for an answer.

"She has much to live for, she would not succumb to death so easily. You must have faith in her."

Green eyes grew wide. He didn't want anyone to think he didn't have faith in Mama! He was just worried, and lost, and sad...he just wanted his mama back.

Sesshoumaru reached out and placed a hand on the Shippo's head. His eyes were gentle, well gentle for Sesshoumaru, though his words had a fierce tinge to them, a hunter's determination. "We will find her."

Shippo gave a firm nod of his head and quickly wiped beneath his eyes. "Of course we'll find her!" He chimed, his little voice gruff with unshed tears. "Mama's strong!"

Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement. Much better. The two youkai set back to work, quickly preparing the rest of the meat for consumption.

By bolstering the kitsune's spirits he unwittingly bolstered his own. For of course they would find the miko. She was strong and had much to live for.

Yes. They would find her.