XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Safety Not Guaranteed

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Inuyasha was one of those individuals who never showed any type of fear in the face of the unknown. Not once had he cried – so Rin had told her Lord so many years ago – despite being separated from his intended mate. In the face of danger, he never hesitated and muscled through even the most egregious injuries. Thus, imagine Sesshomaru's surprise when Inuyasha burst into his office – his amber eyes dilated to the point where only a thin line of gold could be seen and breaking out in a cold sweat.

"I can't do it," Inuyasha breathed anxiously – the words tumbling out of his mouth in a rush, "Last time I tried to use an attack in this era, it…it didn't work."

Arching a single brow in reply, Sesshomaru was silent for a moment before asking quietly, "Tell me, where did you attempt such a feat?"

"At Kagome's house," Inuyasha continued as he ran his fingers through his short mane, "I had broken her bike and needed cash to buy her another. I tried using adamant barrage and…and…"

"The answer is simple then," Sesshomaru replied casually with an uncharacteristic shrug, "When the shrine was first built, I ordered protective wards be placed within their walls to neutralize potential attacks."

"Oh bullshit," Inuyasha spat back angrily, "Bitch got attacked by a fucking demonic mask that ate human flesh and started at that shrine. Shit, Sounga was able to…"

"The mask was not demonic in origin," Sesshomaru pointed out with a soft, exasperated sigh, "It was imputed with dark spiritual power."

"How the fuck do you know that?" Inuyasha barked out angrily, "There's no…."

"When the shrine first opened, I often traveled there as their most generous benefactor. Each object they possessed I inspected myself," Sesshomaru responded casually with a slight shrug as Inuyasha snorted skeptically.

"How the hell did you even know it was her shrine?" Inuyasha clipped acidly as he narrowed his eyes, "Wasn't like you were particular close to her."

"You forget that when you left that you had horded anything she left behind. One such item happened to be a pamphlet concerning tourism at the Higurashi Shrine," Sesshomaru replied giving a knowing smirk oozing with thinly veiled amusement, "I never realized she traveled with quite so many articles of clothing. Quite a few of them confused me greatly but which Rin and your female companion were rather excited you retained."

Blushing furiously, Inuyasha squirmed uneasily. Okay, so maybe – just maybe – he, uh, kept certain things for, uh, scent purposes. Yeah, "scent" purposes.

"So, uh, you put up wards then?" Inuyasha began weakly – the blush growing deeper at how pathetic that sounded, "But what about Sounga?"

"No amount of spiritual power would ever have been able to overcome such a weapon," Sesshomaru replied as though it was the most obvious thing in the world before sighing, "If you are concerned, This Sesshomaru will take you to the training arena where you may practice until you feel confident enough to perform."

"I've never used it outside of a fight before," Inuyasha replied meekly as he rubbed his arm – the whole situation felt rather surreal, confessing such a thing to the man who tried to kill him so often, "What if I can't?"

"I believe you used the Wind Scar once in an attempt to kill a cockroach," Sesshomaru replied in a bemused tone, "They required a substantial donation to repair the damage you inflicted to their residence."

"Woops?" Inuyasha replied with a chagrinned smile before snorting once and shaking his head, "I'd forgotten that."

"Shall we move locations so that you may prepare for the exhibition?" Sesshomaru replied in a warmer tone than Inuyasha had ever heard coming from the daiyoukai's mouth, "I do believe a few of the generals plan to challenge you as well. I'll explain the rules of a duel as we walk."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kagome was fast discovering how great an impact she'd made in the few years she'd been in the feudal era. It was odd but immediately upon entering through the glass doors, two middle aged demons rushed over grinning ear to ear.

"Lady Kagome?" the larger one whispered timidly as a blush stained its tan cheeks, "Is it really you?"

For a moment, Kagome stared up at the mammoth figure before a grin grew over her face, "Jineji. I'm so glad you're here!"

Blushing furiously, the demon was unable to say more in reply so the other, a grey haired woman with brilliant violent eyes stepped forward, "Lady Kagome, do you remember me as well?"

"Shiori?" Kagome laughed as she gave the fully grown woman a once over, "You've grown so much!"

"Four hundred years will do that," the woman replied warmly as she smiled softly, "I was saddened back then when I heard you had died and the rumor was that he had died of a broken heart. It makes me glad to know neither was true."

"I agree," Jineji managed to stutter as he nodded appreciatively, "You were the first person outside of my mother to treat me with any kindness."

"And you both saved my life," Shiori added with a happy sigh before the impulse to embrace her savior became too much and she rushed forward to wrap her arms around the miko, "I'm so glad you're alright."

"There are quite a few others here as well that you impacted," Soten enthused as she began pointing out various figures in the crowd, "Do you remember Ai? You both saved her and her siblings from a cursed island. And, uh, there's Koga. He named one of his daughters after you. And…hmm…there's Shippo but I imagine you've already reconnected with him. And…"

"How is it you know all this?" Kagome whispered quietly as she glance at the young woman, "None of you ever interacted."

"Surviving demons came together about a hundred years after you left and banded together," Soten explained simply, "Eventually it came to light that many of us had been saved by your group at one point or another."

"Huh," was the only reply Kagome could come up with as she looked around warmly, "I'm so glad so many of you survived."

"Oh yeah, that's just who's here," Soten snorted, "There's many, many more. We have our whole network around the globe. Brought together by fond memories. That's how I found out you both were supposedly alive."

"Who sounded the alarm?" Kagome asked nervously as she furrowed her brow to which Soten rolled her eyes, "Well Koga's son told Koga and Koga told us he was coming back to verify your story. Most of us were too impatient for him to tell us whether it was true so we called Sesshomaru and….yeah that's pretty much it."

"I am looking forward to seeing his attacks again," Shiori replied with a happy sigh, "I had never seen anything quite like it before or since."

"I think he's a little nervous, honestly," Kagome replied honestly to which Shiori laughed, "Well if he needs a target for anything, I've perfected my barrier over the years. Stronger than the original if I may say so myself. So long as he doesn't use the very skill I am able to wield I should be able to withstand his attacks."

"That's very generous of you," Kagome replied with a kind smile, "But hopefully he won't need that."

"Just a thought," Shiori replied with a laugh before glancing over her shoulder, "Come. Come. There are many waiting to see you again."