The village was an inferno of drama and chaos, there was already a group pf men herding people out of the flames. But a few people refused to be moved, one woman in particular, when she saw Kagome and lord Sesshomaru she ran over and bowed low before stumbling over her words. Kagome was off of the horse, as soon as Sesshomaru stopped. She recognized the woman running towards her as a vender at the town market, her usually shrewd and hawk-eyed stare was replaced by panic and anguish.

" Kagome! Thank kami word got to you in time, you have to come quickly, we have the burned ones gathering at the outskirts of the south entrance, there are several injured." she grabbed a hold of Kagomes arms and nearly shook her in panic.

" yes I will go there." Kagome asked. " is your son safe?"she realized that the woman had a young son who was training ot work at his mothers shop. The woman sobbed a little and shook her head.

" I haven't been able to find him. I need to keep looking." she was just about to run off.

" no" Sesshomaru stated. " go to the group of wounded, and help to evacuate people until my men arrive." she looked up at him, not believing that Lord Sesshomaru had just addressed her personally.

" yes my lord." she bowed and retreated toward the south entrance. Kagome searched the crowd for Songo knowing, that she might have a clue about how this all started.

She turned to see fifty mounted solders breaking into teams and sectioning off the disaster areas. Sesshomaru dismounted and walked beside her through the crowd. People only had to glance at him, in order to make way. They parted around her like the red sea, not wanting to anger the demon lord.

Kagome spotted Songo, and shouted her name trying to get her attention. Songo was trying to reign in a horse who was caught on a burning stand. The beast reared up and struck forward. Songo jumped out of its range, and danced out of the way. Kagome got her attention and ran up to her. Sesshomaru drew his sword and cut the reigns in one swipe, being free, it took off out of the village to the safety of the forest.

" Kagome, Your here. I've been worried about you every day. Things are bad here, suddenly the birds bagan to catch fire, and started launching themselves at the buildings like they were deranged. This is a disaster, we can barely contain the flames." Song briefed her.

" I have someone on the way with my medicines. Lets get people out." Kagome said, Songo nodded and they both set off assuring that people were getting out of the burning buildings. The solders worked steadily battling the flames and trying to get enough water from the irrigation to extinguish the flames. They got to the west side of the village where some of the dwellings were and Kagome felt her heart seize in her chest.

She saw Shippo's house in the distance, bright with consuming flames. " Shippo." she said to herself. She ran to the gate and thrust it open. Sesshomaru had to grab her back form running into the burning building.

" there is no one in that building. Lets go to the south entrance." he said making it a command. She tore her eyes away from her friends burning home and felt he heart lurch in her chest.

Songo walked with Kagome infront of Sesshomaru he guarded them watching the surroundings alert in case of any attack. He felt on edge. There was something going on that was more then just a fire. How had birds suddenly caught flame and set the town ablaze. More so, it was so soon after he had uncovered valuable information. The monster was here, and he was not going to allow Kagome to die. He did not care about the other woman, she seemed to be a friend of Kagome, so he appreciated her for that much, but he himself could find no desire within himself to seek the company of others.

There were solders everywhere, he approached the south entrance to find Inuyasha and the old woman already there. When Kagome saw them, she took off running toward them. She was met with angry stared from some of the villagers, but she did not seem to notice or care. Kagome got right to work, tending to the burns; that ranged from severe to superficial. Sesshoamru felt useless there watching her wrap bandages and apply ointments to the hurting villagers. She was not welcomed when she approached them. He found it strange but most of the people that she was in contact with flinched away from her, rather then accept her aide. He found their behavior vulgar and was close to making an example out of one or two of them.

Kagome was having trouble tending the villager,s there was talk that it was her fault that the town burned down. The old farmers of the village were head long into the curse superstition and one had slapped her hand away when she tried to touch them.

" Ginta, this will help the blisters, your hands should heal in a few days." she wrapped his hands gingerly trying to cause him as little pain as possible.

He nodded not meeting her eyes and left hurriedly.

" Kagome!" she heard a small voice and turned to see Shippo running toward her. He stopped just in front of her, and she could see pain twisted on his little face. "I cant find my mother. She went to take care of my sisters and she never came back. I'm so scared." he looked up at her.

Kagome could barely contain herself. She had missed him so much it hurt, but to find her little shippo in so much pain cut her to the bone. She knelt down to his level and opened her arms to him, he flung himself into them and sobbed. Keade saw this and took over for Kagome wrapping bandages. She buried her face in his red hair and let him cry on her shoulder. He cried until he passed out and slept in her arms. Sesshomaru was close by watching the interaction. Kagome held Shippo, like he was her child. It was so natural that Sesshomaru wondered about the child's parentage and wondered if they could be kin. They did not look alike, but as sure as Rin belonged to him, that child was apart of Kagome.

Songo came over and asked about Shippo. She patted the little guy on his back and her heart broke as well. The entire village was drenched in depression. Work, generations in the making, was ruined and reduced to ash right before their eyes. The solders accumulated a pile of dead dragged out of the unfortunate ruins of family dwellings and businesses. The death toll was 25 tota,l and each of the citizens felt the loss with every moment.

Sesshoamru stood tall, he commanded attention. " my citizens, take care. I will not allow those here to feel the lasting affects of this tragedy. I will rebuild this village and I will not rest until you are all given the relief that is needed. My men will be setting up pavillion tents for the night, make use of them and in the morning, every able man will report to this place, and we will begin restoration. Do not loose faith, I will not allow my own to live in tragedy together we will take back our lives and rebuild homes." he announced the people were silent around him, shocked that there was such immediate reaction.

The night was filled with the sounds of terror, and wailing elders. Some among the farmers just stared into the fire glow, lost and unable to cope with the reality in front of them. So far into the season, the crops were ruined, and the harvest would be insufficient. But they didn't weep, they were passed weeping, in a state of shock as they watched what was left of their lives being swallowed by the blazing inferno. By morning the flames had been extinguished but the moral of the people had not improved.

Men and women showed up at the village square early the next morning. Sesshomaru looked over the prospect and called over Hyate. Naraku, had not turned up. But he could not wait on him, and again stored this information in his mind. Hyate ran over and bowed respectfully.

" we will need supplies enough to rebuild this village." he stated Hyate nodded agreeing

" I will write to the village south of here and have the vassal aide us."

" Tell him what you must, but give him incentive enough not to disobey me. There will be repercussions for not following through. Today we must start clearing the rubble. Are all the fires out." he looked around.

" yes, my lord. I made sure that all of the fires were out personally. Yuka will be informed of your will, with the utmost incentive."

" good. You are dismissed. I will be leading the cleanup crew. I will have the villagers work on this. Take a company of men out to the forest and begin logging for lumber when you can. Leave me six men under my command, I don't care who, as long as they wont get in my way." he was clear in his orders and left no room for conversation. Hyate nodded understanding fully, and began dispatching his lords will.

They all watched with a kind of wonder as Sesshomaru worked tirelessly beside his subjects. Everyone helped. And by the end of the first day, they had buried all the dead, and cleared a huge section of rubble. Kagome had successfully seen to the majority of the wounded and had begun working on cleaning up the merchants quarters, with Songo. Miroku had spend the day with them. They acted more like siblings, Kagome mused, seeing them argue and tease each other constantly. Kohaku seemed to like him too, treating him with only mild suspicion with a little respect.

Shippo's mother still had not turned up, and Kagome was afraid to leave him alone. It was the second day of working, and he stayed by her side, refusing to let her out of his reach. Right then, he worked beside her, he was picking up a burned beam and dragging it on to their growing pile. She stretched her back and stood ready to take a second to rest.

" Kagome," she turned to see Shippo struggling to throw the beam on to the pile. She rushed over an helped him. He wiped his brow and exhaled tiredly. They were nearly half way done moving burnt up debris into the burn pile.

" hey lets all take a break together." Miroku came over with Songo and Kohaku trailing behind him. She nodded happily. They sat together talking and trying to make the situation a little easier to deal with. Miroku and Kohaku joked around laughing and mock fighting, but none of the girls or Shippo were interested in playing.

Kagome looked over to where Sesshoamru was beginning to start the pyre to destroy the remaining rubble. Inuyasha was adding stuff to his pile, regardless of necessity and sabotaging his fire effort to burn, though the wood was dry. She saw how much Sesshomaru wanted to punch his brother but he remained unfettered, dealing calmly with his kin. She stood and excused herself, knowing that if she didnt distract some one there was going to be a brawl. " I need to save sombodys life." she explained and strode over to Inuyasha. Shippo trailed behind her curiously, he felt emboldened by her presence.

" hey Inuyasha." she smiled. The tall white haired boy stopped and regarded her with little interest.

" oh, hey Kagome. What do you want." he said and threw another piece of wood on to a smoking ember of Sesshomarus creation. Sesshomaru clenched his fist and bared his teeth in rage. " here, there's a few more pieces over here." Inuyasha said over his shoulder continuing to work just within in his brothers way. Kagome sighed.

" Inuyasha, go work somewhere else." Keade came up and whacked him on the back of the head with the push broom in her hands. Sesshomaru looked back at the old woman and nodded at her approvingly.

" hey old bat, you aint the lord here." he snapped looking about as threatening as a chastised puppy.

Keade didn't even flinch. She stood as tall as she could and put her hands on her hips. " what are ye planning on doing to this old woman?" she asked challenging him and showing everyone where kagome got her attitude. Inuyasha blanched and stood speechless. Kagome giggled at him.

" your stupid. No one gets to disobey Keade, not even Kagome." Shippo stepped forward and laughed at Inuyasha's face.

" hey brat. Who do you think you are." Inuyasha sized the little man up and dismissed him. Shippo stood tall and clenched his small fist in front of his face angrily.

" my name is Shippo, and I think you are immature, and you don't know how to work right." Shippo stood his ground. Kagome looked down at her little Shippo and then to Inuyashas dumbstruck expression she could not help but laugh at his expense.

" hey, I was going to be nice to you, but your really starting to piss me off." Inuyasha came to his senses enough to be annoyed by the brat.

" don't think too hard about what I said, you'll strain that tiny speck you call a brain." Shippo remarked snickering at the man restraining himself visibly.

" Inuyasha, this is Shippo." kagome smiled noticing that it was the first time since she had found Shippo, that he had found entertainment out of anything. Though in the circumstances she didn't take joy in much herself. " he is one of my closest friends." Shippo puffed up with a little pride. Sesshomaru glanced at the boy over his shoulder but took little interest in him.

" yeah, yeah hes a brat, and hes asking for a bruise on that cheeky little head of his." Inuyasha was sufficiently distracted enough for Sesshomaru to get a real fire going. Feeding it efficiently he began disposing of the burned remains.

The fire burned long and hot all day, and the rubble still had to be moved and replied on to the fire. There was a group of women working on the rice paper walls by the dozens, and men and solders busily stripped and cut wood into planks for building. The villagers worked to the evening light, and all sat by the fire in fellowship and hope for the next days work. There was an air of unity throughout the village. Inuyasha and Shippo continued to fight, much to Kagome's amusement, but he seemed to get along with both Songo and Miroku. But, he only interacted with base comments and poor manners. They weathered his attitude fairly, realizing within their own minds that this spoiled brat was the lord of the lands' younger brother. She looked across the fire to where Sesshomaru was discussing tomorrows work with Hyate. Naraku had shown up during the cores of the day, and after copious apologies to Seshhomaru, began working as hard as any one else in the village.

She noticed that he had caught her looking at him, and smiled warmly to him. Naraku nodded his respects and turned his attention back to Sesshomaru. The night was beginning to become colder and she moved closer to the fire. All around her, people were beginning to retire to the bedrolls and tents that the solders had acquired from their supplies from the neighboring village. The mayor there had been speedy in his response, and had sent one and a half times the supplies that Sesshomaru had requested. This spread out among the villagers and the solders made it so that everyone had a place to sleep out of the night air. Shippo was still unwilling to leave her side. Kagome had no idea what to do she knew that she could not leave him without someone to take care of him.

While she was thinking about Shippo, Kagome caught Sesshoamrus eye. They had barley interacted since she had been pushed from the window two days prior. The next day was supposed to be the eve of their wedding and she was not sure if a wedding in the ashes of the village would raise moral, or cause a riot.

" Kagome." Shippo said quietly. She looked at him and saw his nervous stare.

" Shippo what is it?" she asked him

" Is he a demon, Kagome?" Shippo asked once more she saw his big green eyes boring into the lord across from them. Sesshomaru saw the boy looking at him and Shippo looked away quickly. " he is really scarey."

" Yeah, he is, but he also has a better side that is really loyal. I am still not sure of anything, but I'm not afraid of him hurting me." she explained to her friend. Shippo glanced back at him and looked skeptical.

" I don't like it, at all. You don't deserve to be stuck with a man some claime to be a heartless demon. If I was older, I would marry you so I could protect you from him." Shippo said confidently.

" I dare say, you could not stop me, even then." Sesshomaru appeared beside her answering the child's boast. Shippo shrunk behind Kagome, and muttered his apologies. Kagome found this amusing but put a protective arm around him, just in case she misjudged Sesshomaru's patience.

" hello Sesshomaru, this is my friend Shippo." she introduced him but, Shippo refused to come out from behind her. Sesshomaru did not seem interested in meeting him, he had something else on his mind.

" Kagome I wish to speak with you." he informed her eying the child. She nodded and stood intending to go with him. Shippo stood ready to accompany them but Sesshomaru stopped him. " child, Shippo. You will stay and wait until Kagome returns, that is an order." he left no room to get around his will, and the cold stare he sent to reaffirm the child's incentive to listen to him, caused the loud little boy to close his mouth and nod respectfully.

Kagome was nervous to talk to him for some reason, she had lived with them for nearly a week now and she was beginning to get used to them. But this was something else, not fear but nervous excitement. She was grateful for all of the energy spent restoring the villages, but then again that is why he was the most influential lord. He got things done when they needed to be. Sesshoamru was not lazy and he expected things to be done accordingly.

He stopped when they had given them selves space between them and the village. " Kagome I wish to discuss our wedding arrangements." he started, she blushed slightly and tried not to look away from him as he poke. " the fire has caused some setbacks, so the date will have to be pushed back."

" I agree." she answered relieved slightly. She didn't want to be the one to approach this subject, but she didn't see any way around it. Also it seemed like who ever was targeting her was going to kill her weather they were officially married or not. There was something else though that she saw on his mind. He was struggling with himself." the village is more important at this moment, is that all you wished to discuss?"

" there is something else I have suspected, that I would like to discuss with you." he said getting her attention fully. He reached a hand to her and pulled her closer to him. She kept his hand and he leaned close to speak to her.

" what is it?" she asked curious.

" Is there any one in your family, that claimes to have priestess powers?" he asked.

" I wouldn't know much about my mother and aunt, but you could ask Keade. She moved here with her mother and sister when she was a child. She could tell you the most about my family." Kagome answered honestly. She hadn't spent much time thinking about it but she was aware of rumors that she had inherited her powers from her mother. But Kagome was young when her parents were killed and never knew any one other guardian then her great aunt. Keade had always discouraged her powers unless she truly needed it. She would never tell her why and it came to where Kagome just didn't care beyond the fact that she had them and they helped her to heal the sick and wounded.

" I believe that you are a priestess." he said without flinching. " I was unsure at first but I am now convinced that it is true."

" that's a big accusation. What is a priestess and why do you think that I am one?" she asked raising her eye brow as though questioning his sanity.

" they are a shaman capable of astral projection and communication with spirits of the dead. They are also a tool of the kami gifted with the ability to draw on their power to heal and to exorcise evil spirits. They are the enemy to demons and can purify them and send them into the underworld." Sesshomaru said theses things, determined that she listen carefully. She listened, still not fully convinced, willing to hear him.

" You think... that I can do that." she said sceptically. He nodded.

" yes, you have already done all of those things already. When I first met you you knew without seeing that I had been stabbed by a poisoned blade. The next time I encountered you. You had in your possession the bracelet only gifted from one of our blood to the person of our choosing, yet without me giving it to you, it was in your possession."

" you gave it to me." she interrupted defensively.

" how, we hadn't met in person until that moment." he asked trying to make his point. She looked like she was really trying to figure it out in her mind.

She knew, she had lived these experiences and yet, there was so much that still did not make sense " I had a dream. I cant remember all of it but you gave it to me. I'm sure." she recalled trying to fight through the fog of her memory.

" your right, only I could have placed that item on you. And yet, you had it before I could do so. I have thought about this seriously and there is no other explanation. I believe that it is why whoever is behind this has tried so hard to kill you. They know as I know that it is you that will help us end this all."

" so I am a priestess? I have no training in anything except medicine, I rarely even go to the shrines. How can you count on something that, until you brought to my attention, I had no idea of." she was trying to come to terms with it herself. He took her shoulders in his hands.

" you have the power." he believed what he was saying, she could see it and could do nothing but nod, trying to accept it. He drew his arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. Kagomer was hoping that he would, and melted content. She had missed him the past few days, she didnt know why he had kept his distance, but she was glad that he still wanted her.

" I have to tell you some thing," she looked up at his face and started trying to explain about the item she had sensed.

There was a sound to the right of them, and He reached for his sword reflexively though he was not alarmed by danger.

" Come out." he demanded.

" Okay, okay, don't kill me. I was just worried about Kagome." Shippo scurried out of the bushes with his hands raised.

" Hear this child, I am the Lord, and will not be questioned by the likes of you. Do not assume you are immune to my wrath, for Kagome's distress." he insured that the little boy was completely aware of the real danger of spying on him.

" yes, Lord, Sesshomaru." he bowed and looked up daring to glance at Kagome. She could see that he wanted to come to her and he was nervously looking at the arm that was still wrapped around her unmoving. Sesshoamru still had no feeling for the boy, but he too could see how attached he was to her, from this bond, he discovered the reason she longed to return. He would have to deal with this. He would not allow her loyalties to be divided.

" answer me child. What is Kagome to you." he demanded testing him to see his intent.

" she is my dear friend, and the closest thing I have left of family. I beg of you please allow me to be with her. I don't know where my father or mother is, and I need her." Kagomes heart ached for Shippo.

" will allow you this. But understand, that you answer to me. I am the ruler of your life as well as everyones' in this village if you betray me, I will kill you." he did not spare the child as he would not spare any other. Why should he. Shippo nodded enthusiastically.

Sesshoamru made clear in no uncertain terms that he wanted him to leave them alone foe a few more moments. When he was sure that Shippo was gone he turned back to Kagome, and tipped her chin back with the tip of his finger and kissed her.

Shippo ran back to the village. He knew it would be risky to follow them but he just didn't want Kagome to get in any trouble with that scarey lord. He could barely see in the dark but he kept walking. There was a noise in the background and he flinched scared, thinking that lord Sesshomaru was coming back. He had threatened to kill him if he disobeyed. He decided to hide and jumped into a bush nearby.

There was a man coming down the pathway. Shippo squinted and tried to make out his face but could not in the star light. As the man passes he was overwhelmed with an enormous fear and held his breath. The mans footsteps echoed in his heart and he begged the Kamis that he would go unseen.

Watching for a reaction, Shippo didn't see any indication that he had been caught and his curiosity got the better of him and he could not resist following.

The man traveled down the path in much the same way that lord Sesshomaru and Kagome had gone, but he turned to the left suddenly and went off the pathway. Shippo waited for an opportune time to cross with the shadow and stopped meters away from him, behind an old tree twice his width. He stilled waiting for something to happen.

" My servant, have you finished the job." a woman's elegant voice appeared seemingly out of no where. Shippo jumped, surprised and he tried to peek around the tree. He could barely see the mans profile but he noticed long black hair. But, there was no woman around, he seemed to be speaking into a black jewel that floated in front of him.

" She has been more difficult then the last women to kill." the man admitted bowing.

" Unacceptable, I need the power you must kill her this one I feel is more powerful then the last woman. They are undermining my plans." she chewed him out, causing the man to flinch back as though burned.

" My precious Mistress, I assure you, that they have no awareness of our workings. They will be a willing pool of energy all for your taking."

" Don't make me regret making you my instrument." she paused enough to chuckle at her own private joke. " remember our deal. I will not hesitate to take from you everything that has been given."

" You will not regret putting me in charge of this prestigious mission." he assented " Mistress, I wish to kill the youngest lord of the region. He is troublesome, and his senses are too keen to allow him to exist."

" You cannot. I need his power as well, though soon it shall all be enough." she said dreamily. " we have a spy, my minion. Not far from here in the trees, kill it." she said making Shippo's heart stop.