"Kill him?" Kouga repeated dubiously. "And how're you gonna do that?"
"Uhhh..." Kagome floundered, looking to Sesshoumaru desperately for an answer to Kouga's question.
"The plan is to find Naraku's nest and set a trap for him," Sesshoumaru intoned dryly. He was seated at the entrance to the den, ready to leave. They had found the stray - and he was injured. Sesshoumaru had yet to determine if he would be able to help them kill Naraku, but if he couldn't, then they had no further purpose staying there.
"Yeah, that," Kagome said gratefully, nudging into Sesshoumaru's side and sitting with him. Kouga eyed them doubtfully, their plan hardly fleshed out. And Kouga knew from experience that such meager ideas are rarely successful. And if they failed to take the rat down, he may decide to get further revenge - this time through his pregnant mate.
"How do you plan to do that?" he demanded roughly, causing Sesshoumaru's lip to lift in a sneer. "What happens if Naraku escapes?"
The pup questions this one? He snarled, standing up as if to prowl towards the other, but Kagome quickly intervened, nipping at his ankles. Sesshoumaru immediately snapped at her, a bark rising from his throat, but Kagome didn't back down, glaring up at him.
"Kouga is just worried about his mate," she yowled, back arching at the large threat that was Sesshoumaru. "He's not questioning you, just his mate's safety should we fail."
Slowly, the great white dog calmed, seating himself again at the entrance with a snort. Turning his head away, he studiously ignored the others.
Kagome tittered nervously, sitting a little closer to Sesshoumaru in the hopes of pacifying him. "We don't have much of a plan aside from the outcome we want," she admitted to Kouga and Ayame. "I can find him - I know I can. From there, we want to draw him from his nest, corner him, and kill him. So the more of us who go, the greater our chances."
Kouga was contemplative, idly inspecting his wounds. He wasn't confident in his strength just yet, but if he refused to help them attack Naraku's nest, they would be down one dog - and that could be the difference between Naraku being killed, and Naraku escaping.
"Go," Ayame murmured, lightly licking his cheek. "They need you - and their success will be more likely with you there, guaranteeing our pups' lives."
He turned his head to press his muzzle to her throat, closing his eyes. "I'm not sure how much help I'll be," he admitted for her ears only. "I'm not badly hurt - just my legs and neck - but the smallest weakness could ruin everything."
"These small wounds can't stop you," she answered confidently. "You're just sulking that he managed to trick you yesterday."
Kouga growled at her, nipping her shoulder in warning. "I ain't sulking."
"Then help them."
He sighed, nodding. "All right," he said louder, causing Kagome's ears to perk. "Tell me when, and I'll be there to help."
"Great!" she cheered, bouncing up to her paws. "Come to my yard tomorrow morning - that's when we'll strike."
Kouga nodded, but Sesshoumaru was already up and moving. They had their answer - the was no reason to remain.
"Sorry," Kagome cried out, antsy to keep up with her companion, "see you tomorrow!" Jogging, she quickly caught up with Sesshoumaru, and she grinned up at him.
"This is great! With Kouga's help, the odds of killing Naraku are even better! And Inuyasha should be back today. Kaede said yesterday that Kikyou's business would be done last night. That'll be four of us against Naraku now."
Sesshoumaru grunted, trotting out from the foliage and into the sunlight. He wasn't pleased to be needing so much help, but from what Inuyasha had told him, Kagome had proven herself more than adept at locating the rat. Inuyasha was his half-brother, so his presence was tolerable - but the stray was another matter entirely. That Kouga would not defer to Sesshoumaru's dominance was also obvious.
"Don't worry," Kagome consoled, rubbing up against him as best she could as they walked back to the house. It wasn't easy - Sesshoumaru was clearly eager to get back. "It's only to get Naraku - then, you can go back to being your isolated self. I know Kouga won't be too eager to talk to you again," she giggled.
"And you?" he asked, pausing on the pathway beside Kaede's house.
"What about me?" she asked, pushing through the gate. Sesshoumaru followed sedately, fighting with himself over explaining his question.
"Will you be eager to speak with this one after Naraku is dead?" he finally questioned, curiosity winning out. He could have kicked himself though at the delighted look Kagome sent him.
He...he's worried that I won't talk to him when this is done? Kagome felt her heart beat quicker, and an excited grin split her face. "Of course I will!" she exclaimed, twining herself through his legs and rubbing against him, a deep purr vibrating from her chest. "You're my friend, Sesshoumaru - you're stuck with me for the rest of time!"
Sesshoumaru grunted, but Kagome's words soothed his pride, and he relaxed muscles he hadn't realized were tense. Together they continued into Kaede's yard, and laying down on his side, he allowed Kagome to nuzzle and curl against him to her heart's content.
-oOoOoOo-
"Kagome!"
Hearing her name shouted, Kagome perked up from where she lay against Sesshoumaru, and realized many hours had passed. She stretched languidly, yawning as Sesshoumaru raised his head idly.
"The mixed-breed has returned," he muttered, rolling onto his legs. He began making his way back into his yard, stepping through the gap that he had made the night before.
Kagome blinked, still waking up and not understanding why Sesshoumaru was leaving. "The mixed...? Inuyasha!" she practically screamed, bolting for the fence bordering her yard from her long-time friend.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha barked happily, standing up and pressing against the fence with his forepaws.
"Inuyasha!" With one leap she was atop the fence, and with the other she was colliding with her friend's chest, laughter bubbling up. "I've missed you so much!"
"Me too," he murmured, pressing his face into her side and nuzzling. His body was practically vibrating with his excitement, and with a giggle she bounded off, letting Inuyasha chase her around the yard. He ran after her with an eagerness he hadn't felt the entire time he was gone.
When he finally caught her they collapsed in the grass, their sides heaving for breath.
"This is great," she murmured, closing her eyes. "Sesshoumaru is interesting to talk to, but he isn't much for play."
"So you hung out with my brother a lot, huh?" Inuyasha asked, smirking. Wonder what that must've been like, with the Ice Dog. Kagome was probably bored to tears.
"Oh yeah, every day," she admitted. "Shippo adores him, and Sesshoumaru's very gentle with him. He's very gentle with Rin, too. I love to watch him play. It's nice to be able to just lay and talk with him after a day of entertaining Shippo."
Will you be eager to speak with this one after Naraku is dead?
She smiled suddenly, her eyes soft as they opened to look up at the sky. "I think he likes it too."
"Who?" Inuyasha asked, but he had a funny feeling in his gut.
"Sesshoumaru!" she laughed, rolling over onto her belly and grinning at her friend. "I think he likes talking to me."
Inuyasha frowned, looking down at his paws tucked into his chest. "So you had a good time with Sesshoumaru."
"He's not that hard to get along with, you know," she teased.
"Hah hah, right...I guess I should try talking to him more," he said weakly, trying to swallow his bitterness. He wasn't sure who he was more jealous of - Sesshoumaru for his time with Kagome...or Kagome for her time and fun with Sesshoumaru.
"Well, maybe once Naraku is dead-Naraku!" she shrieked, making Inuyasha jolt up onto his legs.
"What?! Where?!"
"No, no! You don't know, because you were gone, but Naraku attacked us last night," she explained, a little breathless from the rush of remembrance. "And tomorrow, we're going to find him and end this."
"He attacked you?" Inuyasha snarled, eyes feral. He began sniffing around her, trying to find injuries.
"Inuyasha, I'm fine," she assured him, rubbing his cheek with hers. "Sesshoumaru is more injured than I am."
"My brother is hurt?" There was that tightening in his belly again.
"Not terribly," she murmured. "He needed stitches, but today he went with me to find Kouga."
"Find Kouga?!" Inuyasha felt like the world was reeling. What on earth had happened while he was gone?! "Wasn't he here?"
"No, I sent him home - look Inuyasha, the point is, Sesshoumaru, Kouga and I are going to find Naraku tomorrow morning, and we're going to finish this once and for all." Her gaze was dark and intense on him. "You in?"
He sneered, fangs flashing with deadly intent. "Definitely."