Author's Notes: Happy Independence Day! I'm happy to be able to bring you this chapter today. Sorry it was posted so late, but I had to binge Stranger Things S3. Anyway, I'm really trying to bring Inuyasha back to OC self, at least as much as I can given his circumstances. Just know that he will not totally get there in this story, but hopefully enough to be satisfactory. As always, happy reading and thank you! If you can, please leave a little review to let me know your thoughts. They are appreciated and thanks to those of you who have taken the time to do so already.

Song inspiration: This chapter's song inspiration is in sections. Look for the characters to distinguish which parts.

*** Rime - A New Friend (looped)

- Emotions Series - Anger | Most Epic Angry Dark Music Mix coupled with Heavy Thunderstorm Sounds.

Chapter Ten: Thunderstruck

Rated - M (for suggestive adult themes, references to some violence, and coarse language)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Kagome wasn't sure why she felt so nervous. Perhaps it was because the Taijiya, Sango, was so intimidating standing there with a weapon larger and heavier than Kagome herself. She refrained from the urge to shift from foot to foot. "The Sacred Jewel has been entrusted into my care," she said with forced authority.

Sango sized her up. "It is the responsibility of my clan to guard the Jewel. It was placed into the Lady Kikyo's care to purify and guard it. After her death, the Jewel left the mortal plane. Now that it has returned, my clan will guard it until we declare someone whose spiritual powers are worthy to cleanse it yet again."

Kagome glowered, attempting to keep her face passive unsuccessfully. Kaede could feel the tension, "Sango-sama, perhaps you are aware that Kikyo was my late sister?"

Sango turned her attention to the older miko. "Yes, we are aware."

"Then you must also be aware that as her sister - and a miko in my own right - my decision to entrust the Jewel to Kagome's care is sound," Kaede said with authority.

Sango gave Kaede a level stare. "The priestess in training is too young and her skill is…" she paused, searching for the right word, "speculative at best. It was a unanimous decision to bring the Sacred Jewel back into our care until a suitable replacement can be found."

"Suitable replacement?" Kagome repeated incredulously. More of the replacement crap. She'd heard enough of that from Kaede to make the idea irksome.

"It's also been made plain that a troublesome yokai has become interested in the Jewel. With the young priestess being untried, it is best that the Jewel is returned."

Inside, Kagome rippled with anger. 'Young?! This woman couldn't be much older than her, and she had the audacity to speak down to her like some child wearing her mother's shoes!'

Sango's attention then turned to Miroku and Inuyasha, who stood silently to the side, perhaps a bit taken aback by the woman's brash accusations. "Lord Monk," Sango called. "Is this the hanyou that you spoke of?" she nodded towards Inuyasha.

Inuyasha gave Miroku a side look and crossed his arms, looking rather menacing.

Miroku caught the glance. "Yes, Lady, it is."

"And it is safe for him to be here? So close to the Jewel's temptation?" she asked.

Inuyasha's eyes widened at the implication and his lip lifted in a sneer. He opened his mouth to issue a snide remark before Miroku elbowed him.

Miroku cleared his throat, "Ah, yes. It is perfectly safe. Inuyasha here is particularly talented at offering up his own form of protection."

Sango sniffed and turned her attention back to Kagome. "As it is, thank you for your dedication to keeping the Jewel safe, please hand it over so I may take my leave."

Clearly, this was not what Miroku had in mind when he had spoken to the people of the Taijiya clan, but Kagome couldn't help but feel a bit contemptuous towards him. He could have at least painted her in a better light. "No," Kagome said adamantly. "I brought the Shikon no Tama to the world and I've sworn to protect it at great cost to myself. I appreciate that you've come to 'relieve' me of it, but that will not be necessary." The mention of taking the responsibility off her hands was intriguing. She could leave and return home to her family and her life. Of course, that would have been before the Jewel was cracked. Even had it been whole, she couldn't fathom leaving now.

Sango narrowed her eyes at Kagome. "I apologize if my speech has been misleading for it was not a request, it was a demand."

"Boy is she gonna be pissed when she finds out," Shippo blurted out. He was all too entertained by the scene, a wide grin plastered on his face.

Sango's attention turned to the kitsune. "What is the yokai-child saying? He said something before, too."

Kagome gave a nervous laugh and scratched at her head. "Well, you see...the demon you mentioned earlier...he's already been here."

Now it was Sango's turn to look surprised. "Speak plainly."

Kagome reached into her hanjuban to retrieve the shard, pulling out the small piece and displayed for Sango to see. "He was nearly successful at taking the Jewel. I was left with but a piece. So, now it's my duty to retrieve the Jewel and make it whole."

Sango gasped, "You-you broke the Jewel of Four Souls?" she uttered in a near whisper. "Kami save us!"

Kagome rolled her eyes. "As I said, I will find the Jewel."

"You will do no such thing. You've done enough!" Sango accused. She turned and pulled her boomerang up. Without a word, she began to walk back the way she had come.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" Kagome called. "Where are you going?"

Sango stopped and looked over her shoulder, "I must take this news back to my people. You've no idea the evil you've unleashed."

"I thought you were supposed to help us!" Kagome accused. She made sure to give Miroku her another glowering look to which he responded by raising his hands up.

"I came to take the Jewel. The complete Jewel. That was your help. Now, I must go."

"Maybe we can help each other," Kagome pleaded. Something told her she would need all the help she could get and having the animosity of an entire clan of people wasn't a step in the right direction.

Sango turned and scoffed, "I mean no offense, but how can you help me?"

Kagome riled at the comment. She certainly did mean to offend. "I can sense the Jewel."

That piqued Sango's interest. Kaede quickly added, "Tis true. Kagome has spiritual powers rivaling that of my sister's. She can find the Jewel, purify it and then erase the Shikon's existence from the world."

Kagome felt a small swell of pride. Kaede said that her powers rivaled Kikyo's. Usually, when Kaede compared her against Kikyo, it resulted in Kagome feeling inadequate. She hoped that Kaede truly meant this and was not just saying it to enlist Sango's help.

"I see," Sango said. She pondered for a moment and then bowed her head. "Then I will remain to assist in any way I can."

Miroku walked up and took Sango's free hand, bowing his head to her. "Our thanks to you, gracious lady."

Sango seemed inclined to snatch her hand away but refrained. "If you wouldn't mind escorting me to a place where I might rest, I would be obliged, Lord Monk."

"Of course," Miroku said, and motioned for Kaede to assist.

Kaede led Sango off to her house, leaving Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Shippo alone as the quiet crowd that had gathered dissipated.

Miroku watched the woman Taijiya leave and then excused himself as well, claiming his need to attend to holy matters.

"That's strange," Shippo remarked.

"What's that?" Kagome asked.

"That's the first time I've ever seen him not ask a pretty lady to 'bear his children'," Shippo explained.

Inuyasha nodded, "Yeah. He did that here, too, until that one girl…"

"Maybe he respects the Taijiya enough not to ask such a lude question?" Kagome speculated.

Shippo began to laugh hysterically. "Hahahahah! Yeah right!"

Kagome and Inuyasha chuckled as well, knowing that there was likely an alternate reason.

Later that evening the group convened at Kaede's house, invited by Kaede herself. "Lady Sango requests that we speak of the matter at hand. I've explained to her the events from days ago and she wishes to know more."

Once everyone was settled in an almost cramped circle around Kaede's hearth, they began to talk. Sango had changed from her exterminator's outfit into a more relaxed kimono tied with a maekake giving her a more typical look for a woman in the era. Kagome noted the large boomerang propped up against the wall behind Sango, showcasing that while the Taijiya was not dressed the part she was still capable of exterminating yokai at a moment's notice.

Sango was flanked by Miroku and Shippo and the latter seemed to really enjoy her company. He questioned her incessantly and she responded without any hint if annoyance. In fact, she seemed to enjoy his casual, youthful banter. She even went so far as to tell Shippo that she had a younger brother close to Shippo's age and was used to the behavior; missed it even. Shippo gave a grin at that revelation.

"So, this Naraku," she said, testing the name and bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand, "is responsible for splitting the Jewel."

"Yes," Miroku answered. "He is capable of shifting his shape and can appear as anyone. Perhaps anything."

"And you have experience with this demon?" she questioned.

Miroku grimaced at the inquiry. He had not told her of his curse. He seemed reluctant to do so, for some reason. "Not directly," he answered. "He has plagued my family for generations, and I've sworn to take vengeance." Even Shippo, knowing of Miroku's curse, did not divulge the secret.

Sango considered his words thoughtfully, "I see." She thought for a moment more. "Tell me of your encounter with him," she said to Inuyasha and Kagome. The pair sat near each other and looked to one another before Kagome began to answer.

"He appeared in a baboon-skin cloak. It covered his face and his body."

"Were you able to see his face at any point?"

"Once," Kagome answered quickly.

"And? How did he appear?"

"As an old man. He was shorter than me and balding. His face seemed almost kindly."

"Did his appearance hold any significance to you? Miroku has said that he uses the appearance that gives him the best ability at taking advantage of his prey."

"No," she answered quickly, again, looking over to Inuyasha, who had his arms crossed and appeared uninterested in the conversation.

Miroku saw the glance but said nothing of it, "Perhaps Naraku thought that the appearance of a defenseless old man would cause hesitation. He is very cunning and a master manipulator."

"Yes, that has to be what it was. I did not recognize him," Kagome told them.

"It still astounds me that a defenseless looking old man was able to get past you and Inuyasha's defenses. Even if he was a yokai in disguise, I find it troubling that neither of you was able to resist. Especially seeing where the Jewel is kept," Sango looked to Kagome's chest. She was not having the explanation as unlikely as it was.

Kagome hardened her eyes, "I'm not opposed to assisting the less fortunate, even if they are strange, little old men. When I went close to help, he grabbed the Jewel. It was Inuyasha who distracted him after that happened so that I could attempt to retrieve the Shikon. It was my own fault, my own powers, that led to the Jewel being split. At least we can be glad that it is only in two pieces rather than hundreds or thousands."

That seemed to satisfy Sango and, thankfully, she did not press any further on the matter. "You say that you can sense the Jewel. How can we use that? Can you sense it now?"

Kagome shook her head. "No, it doesn't work like that. I can sense it, yes, but it has to be close."

"How close?" Sango inquired.

Kagome had never really tested this theory. She'd never been apart from the Jewel except when the larger piece of it had been taken. "About a kilometer, give or take," she guessed.

Inuyasha's eyes had closed, making it look as though he were bored, but they snapped open. "We need to go in search of the Jewel," he said suddenly, joining the conversation.

Everyone in the room looked at him. "Is it as simple as that, Inuyasha?" Kaede asked.

"Why not? You lot seem to over complicate things. Let's pack up and go."

"Oh? And what do you suggest we do once we find Naraku and the Jewel?" Sango asked, unconvinced of the simplicity.

Inuyasha brought up a clawed hand and looked at his sharp claws, insinuating their use in the situation, "Cut him down."

The rest of the evening was spent debating minor things and the end resulted in everyone parting ways to prepare for the morning where they would travel until they either found Naraku and the Jewel or the former found them.

After the men had left, Kagome excused herself from Kaede and Sango's company.

She felt the need to clear her mind, and a brisk walk could aid with that.

There was no light in the sky save for the stars and moon, but Kagome held no fear. As she walked in silent contemplation she felt, rather than heard, Inuyasha join her. He had not taken up any residence preferring to slumber in large branches of the Goshinboku tree, so he accompanied her on the path in that direction. Kagome had been unable to convince him to sleep in a house or upon a bed. He'd mentioned that he'd never had a bed of his own before and did not feel comfortable sleeping on the floor when his enemies could walk in and kill him. He'd told her, in a rare moment, that he'd done this for his masters all too often; kill people in their sleep that is. When they were most vulnerable.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome called.

"I'm here," he responded.

She continued walking but gave a small, unseen smile. "Is there something you needed?"

"I…" he paused and stopped, grabbing her arm so that she stopped, too.

It was dark, but she could still make him out in the moonlight. His silver hair billowing in the wind. It continued to grow from the short mop it had been upon their first meeting. It looked wild and untamed, yet soft as she recalled her ride on his back. She urged herself to quit looking at him like that.

He continued, "I want you to know that when we find the Jewel and complete it, I am going to use it to become a full yokai."

His words flabbergasted her. "What?" she uttered.

"I was...I was unable to protect you back then. When Naraku appeared. I let my weakness get the best of me. I will not let that happen again. Once I am a full demon I cannot be controlled," he explained.

She was taken aback by his explanation. "Inuyasha, it's not your fault." Had he thought this the entire time?

"Yes, it was. If you had not been there. If someone else had the Jewel…it would be in his hands now…and so would I." His eyes looked so tormented that it pained Kagome.

"Inuyasha, stop." She needed him to stop trying to take responsibility for something beyond his control. She didn't blame him for his past and she didn't blame him for what had happened with Naraku.

"No, once you purify the Jewel I 'm gonna use it. Then you'll be able to return to your own time and not be stuck here anymore."

"I'm not stuck here," Kagome said defensively. Did he think so little of her? That she was in such a hurry to get home and leave them all behind?

"You are. You deserve better. I won't be a pawn as a full demon and the lecher monk won't be cursed. I see this as a win," he seemed resolved and determined.

"So that's all I am to you then?" she asked, her heart filling with mixed emotions. Why was this bothering her so much?

"What?" he seemed confused.

"Someone to find the Jewel for you so that you can become a full demon?" she supplied.

"That's not what I said."

"Clearly I am, Inuyasha, so I can just leave when this is all done and over with."

He growled in frustration, "No, that's not what I'm saying. I failed to protect you. I won't fail again. As a full demon, I will never fail anyone again."

She felt angry and confused, but there was nothing left to be said. "Fine." Perhaps it would be best if she did return home after everything. She did miss her family. What reason did she have to stay in the Feudal Era? Inuyasha did seem sincere in his desire to become a full demon. Maybe his wish would erase the Jewel. He was not doing it for completely selfish reasons. He wanted to protect people and he needed the power to do so. He was being selfless, so why couldn't she?

He opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off. Thunder rumbled and lightning struck in the background, several kilometers from where they stood. The snap of a distant tree resounded like another peal of thunder. Kagome whirled her head to the sound and took the oncoming storm as a sign that the conversation was over, and her walk had ended before it even began.

Inuyasha watched her turn around and head back to Kaede's house, clenching his fists at his side.

Kagome sighed after entering the house. Kaede had retired for the evening and Sango remained seated by the hearth, sharpening a blade. "Oh," Kagome said when she noticed the woman, "good evening."

Sango gave a slight smile, "It sounds like a storm is rolling in," she remarked. "Unusual for this time of year."

Kagome was still thinking about her earlier encounter, "Right. Unusual."

"You seem distracted," Sango noticed verbally.

"A bit I suppose," she revealed. "I have a lot on my mind."

The taijiya nodded her understanding. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I came across too harshly. I recognize that as one of my flaws and I wanted you to know that I am sorry."

Kagome was unsure how to take this apology, but she wanted no bad blood between them, "It's okay. I understand that you don't know us or what we are capable of. But I do want you to know that I will do whatever it is I have to do to protect these innocent people from the Shikon no Tama and the evil it's capable of."

A loud crack was heard closer to the house, followed closely by a blinding flash of light. The noise made Kagome jump. She had a strange sensation wash over her and noted its peculiarity. Sango also seemed to feel it. "The storm is right above us," she said quietly, looking towards the door. Both women walked to risk a look outside. Stepping outside they saw the roiling clouds even in the dark of night. Kagome looked around. "It was just clear a few moments ago."

Another peculiar thing began to happen; some strands of hair on Sango's head began to raise up. Kagome's subconscious knew something was happening. Something she'd learned long ago in primary school that had been filed away under interesting but useless information. Almost too late it registered and Kagome gave Sango a hard shove, pushing her out of the way. A shocked, angry look passed Sango's face until a bolt of lightning struck inches from where they stood, leaving the side of the house and the ground where they had stood black and singed.

"MURDERERS!" an angry voice bellowed, echoing through the night.

The women raised themselves up, looking for the source. Sango turned and ran inside, supposedly to retrieve her weapon and Kagome followed suit. Her bow and quiver lay just inside and they both reemerged ready for whatever awaited them.

Kaede also burst from the house with a bow drawn and ready. Her hair was disheveled as she had been roused from sleep. "What manner of beast assails us now?" she asked them.

Only a moment passed before Miroku and Shippo appeared. "What has happened?" Miroku asked.

"The storm," Kagome said, pointing up to the dark clouds. Lightning forked through the sky in vicious flashes. The crackle of electric discharge could be heard from where they stood. "It's unnatural," she pointed out.

"Where's Inuyasha?" Shippo asked looking around.

Kagome's head swiveled from side-to-side searching for him. "He's...he's…" she stuttered, at a loss for where he was. He had to be near the Goshinboku tree, she figured and began to dash off in that direction. She could hear her friends call out to her, but she ran single-mindedly towards where she knew Inuyasha had to be.

She could hear the sounds of battle as she ran. Lightning peeled through the air in wicked displays lighting up the area with each flash so that she could catch a glimpse of the battle ahead of her. Her sides heaved and her lungs ached by the time she arrived in a clearing. "Inuyasha!" she cried, spotting him. He looked wounded, dark blood staining his side, but his face belied no pain.

She looked over to see the assailant wielding a blood-smeared spear. He was a tall man, wearing his long hair in a single braid down his back. Lightning bolts struck the tip of the weapon in rapid succession, but the wielder did not flinch. Kagome rationed that the assailant was the reason for the storm. Now that she was close she could see his deep red eyes, pointed ears, and feel the demonic aura wafting from him. A yokai!

The yokai's red eyes flashed alongside the lightning bolts being summoned from the sky. He leveled his spear at Inuyasha, who grimaced and returned a level stare. "You shall die hanyou scum!"

"Who are you? Why have you come?" Kagome yelled, hoping to distract the demon.

The demon swiveled to face her. "Pathetic mortal. I am Hiten and I have come to avenge the death of my brother!" he roared.

'Brother?' Kagome mouthed. Certainly, they had not killed anyone resembling the yokai standing before them. Even for a yokai, he wasn't unfortunate looking. Lightning struck again, this time very near to her. "Aiyeah! We did not kill your brother!" she yelled.

"Do not insult me, bitch! Of course, no mere mortal could slay Manten!" he cursed with barely suppressed rage.

It dawned on her that this yokai was the brother of the reptilian yokai that Inuyasha had slain upon their first meeting. Inuyasha smiled, his fangs gleaming with each flash of light. "You look nothing alike," he jeered. "I'm willing to help you with that by rearranging your face. Or perhaps you'd like to reunite in hell, bastard?"

Hiten turned his attention back to Inuyasha and snarled. "Admission! Brave of you, half-breed scum. Now you shall burn!" Hiten twirled his spear around, sparks flying as it appeared to charge for an attack. Hiten lifted up in the air, flying on spinning wheels of flame, and unleashed an attack of lightning upon Inuyasha. There was barely time for Inuyasha to dodge the assault, but he managed, leaping away from the jolts.

Kagome could feel the wind coming from behind her. Fearing a rear attack, she turned, ready to unleash an arrow. She had not been prepared for the sight she saw as a large demon cat flew directly towards her. Flames burned beneath the creature's paws while it sprinted through the air towards her. The demon quickly banked to left and Kagome could see Sango, Miroku, and Shippo seated upon it. She released the tension of her bow string and ran over.

Sango was again wearing her demon slayer outfit, her large weapon at her back. The trio jumped off the back of the large cat yokai who roared loudly. "What is that?!" Kagome called, but was answered by Hiten instead.

"I see you need help to try and take me on half-breed. After I'm done with you I will burn the men into cinders and feast upon those mortal beauties flesh!" Hiten said upon the arrival of the others. "There is nothing that Raigekijin and I can't handle," he said, referring to his spear, lifting it slightly. The flaming wheels spun upon his heels and he rose higher into the sky.

Sango broke in, "This is Kirara, my loyal companion and that," she pointed to Hiten, "is a thunder demon." She continued, "I know this one: Hiten and his brother Manten have been pestering the land for centuries."

"Well, his brother is dead. Inuyasha killed him," Kagome told her.

"That explains it," Sango responded. "The pair are the last of the Thunder Demon Tribe. Rumor has it that they came out in force after the Jewel of Four Souls reappeared in the world."

Miroku gripped his staff tightly, "Do you know his weaknesses then?"

She looked at Hiten in the sky, charging up for another attack, then back down at Miroku. "Dodge the lightning attacks. Go for the heart."

"Simple enough," Shippo said from his spot on the ground. "Go for the heart Inuyasha!" Shippo yelled the advice through cupped hands.

Inuyasha shot the kitsune an incredulous look. "Sure! Why the hell didn't I think of that?" he said mockingly.

Kagome looked up at the thunder demon again. "He's flying."

"We've established that," Miroku said.

"Those wheels!" Kagome pointed out. "If-If I can hit one of the wheels…" she cut off and aimed an arrow at the spinning wheel. She exhaled and loosed the arrow, praying it would hit its target. The wheel on the left of Hiten's foot shattered into splintered pieces.

"Fuck!" Hiten shouted, stumbling in the air. Inuyasha used the opportunity to strike, launching forward and grabbing the spear, pulling Hiten in close and issuing a hit to the gut.

Hiten groaned at the impact and was propelled into the air before landing with a thud. He rose slowly, generating heat. "You'll pay for that you bastard." Rather than retaliate he jumped up, using his one foot to speed over to where Kagome and the others waited. He spun his spear, Raigekijin, in the air and leveled it in their direction, causing a blast of lightning to issue forth.

Sango pulled her boomerang and whipped it mightily through the air. It spun in a horizontal arc and knocked the weapon from Hiten's unsuspecting grasp. The blast continued to peel through the air towards them. Miroku took the precious few seconds and ran in front of everyone, removing the ward from his right hand to expose his curse-turned weapon. A vortex erupted from his hand and pulled the charged lightning energy into it. Miroku braced himself, holding his right hand up with his left, grunting as he bore the reverberations of the impact.

The boomerang whipped around and returned to Sango who expertly caught the weapon, preparing to throw it out again. After the last of the attack had been sucked up, Miroku covered his hand. The pair stood nearly side by side, ready to defend against any more attacks.

Hiten snarled at them, insulted that they would deter his attack and unarm him. He put forth an open hand, wearing a wicked grin. His weapon was called to him and sprang up from the ground, flashing with flashing zigzags to his waiting grasp. "I won't miss again," he said darkly.

He still wore that wicked grin when Inuyasha came up behind and plunged two clawed hands through his chest, pulling his arms apart, ripping flesh, bone, and visceral material outwards creating two halves of the thunder demon. Inuyasha callously whipped his hands down, ridding himself of the mess still clinging to his arms.

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo looked at Inuyasha, mouths agape. "Impressive," Sango said quietly. Not even Miroku nor Shippo had the opportunity to see Inuyasha in action. "But it's all power, no finesse."

Inuyasha continued to wipe the muck from his hands and sleeves, "Whatdya mean?" he questioned. "It's dead ain't it? And he died just like his miserable brother. Fitting."

"You got lucky with that one. The demons who appear in the form of humans are the deadliest. You may not be so lucky in the future. Especially if this Naraku character is as cunning as Miroku says," Sango advised.

"She's right," Miroku added. "Naraku should not be underestimated."

"Keh," Inuyasha said with a roll of his eyes. "Whatever. I'm getting some shut-eye before we leave in the morning." He looked over to see the large cat demon waiting several feet away, but paid it no heed, turning to walk in the opposite direction of the Goshinboku tree.

Kagome ran to Inuyasha, "You're hurt!" She put her hands toward the area on his side that had darkened with blood.

Inuyasha glanced down to his side, as if noticing it for the first time. "It's nothing," he said.

"Nothing? That is a lot of blood," Kagome worried.

"It's fine. It will be gone by tomorrow," he told her and turned and walked away.

The rest of the group looked to one another. "I guess we will try to get some sleep, too," Kagome replied to his back. It was strange how easily she had grown accustomed to the battles, the gore and all, as long as it was something that deserved to die. However, seeing someone she cared about hurt did bother her. She continued to watch him walk away.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm too 'charged' up to sleep right now," Shippo joked. Miroku lightly knocked the kitsune on the head in rebuff. "Ouch! That was funny."

Sango stepped towards Kirara and scratched behind her ear. "Thank you, my friend," she said to the large cat. A loud rumbling purr sounded from the beast's chest and then it shrank down to the size of a small cat; a cat with two tails and red eyes, but very small and insanely cute. Kagome felt herself gush with joy at seeing the small yokai, forgetting her earlier discomfort. She squealed in delight before running to scoop up the creature.

"She's a nekomata," Sango supplied, smiling at the scene.

Kagome stroked the nekomata's fur and felt the yokai begin to purr again. "She's too cute. So, she serves as your steed? Where was she hiding all this time?"

"She had only recently joined my company before you sprinted off to a battle alone. And yes, she has been fighting alongside my family for generations."

"That's so cool!" Kagome responded. Kirara settled into Kagome's arms, content with the attention and closed her eyes.

"Great! Now it looks like we are walking back to the village," Shippo complained.

"I don't mind," Kagome cooed, still rubbing the small kitten-like creature. She'd needed something to take her mind off things anyway.