"Why don't we split up?" Miroku suggested.
"They way these people are looking at us we might be better staying together."
"Kagome maybe right. We should be on alert as we ask around." Sango said before they made their way through the village.
"Excuse us, but could we speak with you?"
"Be quick about it." The man said.
"My friends and I were seeking a cave that its inner walls are like mirrors. Is there such a cave around?"
"There is not such a cave around." The man started to leave.
"One last question. Has there been a well dressed man with long ink black hair or a woman with long black hair wearing miko clothes been seen around here asking about rumors of jewel shards?"
"Not one of those that were described been seen here." While they were speaking an elder woman came up to Kagome.
"Can it really be the warrior priestess Midoriko?" The old woman reached out to Kagome but another woman stopped her.
"I am sorry Miss. She thinks you are someone that has died long ago. Even though you do look like her."
"That is alright. I've been mistaken as lady Midoriko a few times. My name is Kagome and though not fully trained I am a miko as well." The small group asked the two women the same questions and got the same answers the man gave.
After the two women left Inuyasha insisted that they ask more people about the cave Kikyou told him about. To make him happy they searched the village for any other people who would talk to them seeing as Inuyasha and Shippou were with them. Those they came into contact with that would talk told them that there was no cave in that area that had mirror like walls.
"We must not be far enough North." Inuyasha said as they exited the village.
"There is the possibility that Kikyou could have lied to him as well." Shippou said from Kagome's shoulder.
"She would not lie about Naraku and the Jewel. We both want Naraku dead."
"Come on Inuyasha let's head east. I have a really good feeling we will find something there. We've followed my gut feelings before and they have right. Have they not?"
"We will continue heading North. It just means we have not reached the right place yet."
"So what did the people of the village say?" Kouga asked as he walked over to them.
"They said there is no cave that fits the details of the cave Inuyasha is looking for and he believes that we just have not gone far enough North yet. So we will be heading even farther North and not East."
"We will not find a cave as such in the North. It is a waste of time heading North looking for something that is not there." Kouga spoke as they began following Inuyasha.
"You know this and so do the rest of us, but getting Inuyasha to believe and understand this is something all together something different." Kouga stopped and knelt down. Kagome watched as Kouga talked to one of the wolves then stood back up as the wolf took off.
"I sent him to bring Ayame and 'the golden one's' to my old cave grounds."
"What are the golden ones" Kagome looked at him.
"The golden ones are those of honor. Maybe in your knowledge would be called elders. Your grandfather would be a golden one of your era."
"How many days away are we from the water fall that hides your cave?"
"At the current pace it will take three maybe four days. That will give time for Ayame to be close to the den."
"It could be a bit faster if I tell Inuyasha that I can feel jewel shards coming from the direction of the den and keep heading that way till we get there."
"That would cloud his understanding and he would not listen to what needs to be rooted in his thinking."
"He will think you set him up."
"One of those 'Golden One's' is Ayame's grandfather and the one the wolf youkai call 'The Grandfather."
At the western domain Sesshoumaru sat at his low table going over the reports that was handed to him. While he was sitting there the door quickly slid open and a green frog like imp came rushing in and quickly slid the door closed.
"Were you permitted to enter Jaken?" Sesshoumaru did not even look up from the reports.
"No master, but that blasted child."
"Leave this room and hide not from Rin." When Jaken left Sesshoumaru summoned one of the guards.
"You summoned me sir?"
"Information is needed to be gathered."
"What kind of information?"
"Information on where the vile hanyou Naraku is rumored to be hiding as well as the information where the hanyou Inuyasha and his group are currently located. You're dismissed." The warrior left as Sesshoumaru went back to the report.
As the group continued on and the day grew dark the sounds of rumbling stomachs could be heard periodically. Those who were hungry stopped and made a stand saying that they needed to stop to eat. Shippou and Miroku were sent out to get wood.
"Kagome when are you going to tell Inuyasha that there is no cave up North other then Kouga's den or Ayame's and that we are going the wrong why. That the reason that we need to head East is because Kagura out of the blue stopped by and told us that Naraku is somewhere in the East."
"I have been telling him that we need to go East, but he will not listen. In a few days he will be spoken to by others."
"Who will be speaking to him?"
"I dare not say while Inuyasha might be around listening in."
"Tell me by nodding. Is it someone we know?"
"Yes and no." Kagome was about to say more but the sound of rumbling was heard. "That's all I can say."
"Have you talked to Kouga about that little thing about the jewel and about what might happen when it is completed?"
"No I have not told or tried to talk to Kouga about that. I know that I should, but I don't feel that it is the right time to tell him that yet."
"Tell me what?" Kouga came back carrying some rabbits. Sango looked at Kagome then moved away from Kagome to check her boomerang to see if it needed any repairs.
"Well actually it is two things. The first thing is that I have wondered what you would look like without your brown headband on and without your hair being in a pony tail. The second thing would have to be is how come on the first time we met and you brought me back to your den, why there were no women and children within the den?"
"Those within the den were only warriors. The men dedicated themselves to fighting and not mating. Though there was many of our clan who went out and had their fun with females. That and the birds-of-paradise would have been a major threat to a thriving clan within the den. You seen how they were. Now, would you care to see me with these removed?"
"Ah did we return to the camp at a wrong time?" Miroku asked with a pale face.
"It's not what it sounds like you pervert. I just told Kouga that I wondered what he would look like without his headband on and without his hair being in a pony tail. I was about to tell him I would like to see what he looks like." Kagome answered.
"Then feel free to remove them from me then if you wish to see me without them." Kouga remained standing.
"What do you think you are doing?" Came a voice as Kagome stepped over to Kouga and raised her hands up to his headband.
"This does not concern you Inuyasha. Proceed Kagome or would you wish me to remove them for you?" Kagome did not make a move to do anything so Kouga brushed her hand away and took a hold of the headband and removed it then the tie that held his hair in a pony tail was removed and his hair cascaded down around his shoulders. As his hair did so all Kagome could do was stare. Much to Miroku's discomfort Sango caught herself doing the same. "What do you think Kagome?"
"It appears that she is speechless." Ginta looked from Kagome over to Kouga.
"Kagome?" Kouga took her hand into his.
"Has Ayame ever seen you with your hair down like this?"
"No. You have been the only one that has ever seen me like this. Why do you ask?" Kouga looked at her.
"Because if you did she would not want to leave your side for a while if you two were alone somewhere. If you get what I'm saying."
"Is that what you think she would be like?" Kouga got a wicked smirk on his face.
"Why not? You really look great. What girl wouldn't get excited then, the are a dead corps." Kagome answered. When she realized what she had said she turned such a deep shade of red that Inuyasha's haori and hakama's would be jealous of the color. "I don't believe that I really said that out loud."
"So that is what you really think of me?" Kouga asked and Kagome blushed even more then quickly moved away from him.
"I should check the cooking rabbits." She walked over to the fire.
That evening while they were eating Kagome sat there looking up at the stars wondering how the meeting with Ayame and her grandfather was going to turn out. While she was thinking about it Shippou came over and sat on her lap. She started yawning early that afternoon as well as getting tired.
"Well guys I'm going to sleep." She stood up after setting Shippou on the ground and headed to her place to sleep.
"Are you feeling alright? It is a bit early then you normally go to bed."
"I'm feeling fine. I am just really tired tonight that is all." Kagome sat down and removed her shoes then laid down and closed her eyes.
Come morning Inuyasha began waking the members of the group up except Kouga, Ginta and Hakkaku. Kagome yawned and slowly sat up and grabbed her bag to get something to change into and noticed that she needed to wash her clothes before she completely ran out of clothes. Getting what she desired to wear she stood up.
"Ow." Kagome moaned slightly and placed her hand by her waistband of her sleeping shorts.
"Is there something wrong?" Sango asked which caught the attention of those in the group.
"I might need to cut this journey short."
"Is it that time?" Sango asked.
"Getting close."
"You already had that. We are not turning back for the village yet." Inuyasha voiced.
"Yes I had this last month. It's not like I can reach and turn off that time of the month. If I could I would, but I can't."
"We are not heading back and you have traveled during that time before so you can do it again. After all you learned a new weapon to protect yourself and all."
"You know what Inuyasha you can be such a..." She took a deep breath then took her things and left.
"Inuyasha, you know when she does not finish what she is saying it mean one of two things for you. One is there is a enemy around and if there was she would have told us by now. Second would be, she is really mad and you know to walk carefully by her all day until she is no longer mad at you." Miroku said.
"I'm not afraid."
"Oh is that why you hide behind things or one of us at times when you know she is really mad at you."
"Shut up Shippou."
"Truth hurts don't it."
"Like I said. I am not afraid of her." As he was speaking Kagome came back from changing.
"Are you ready to go sis?" At hearing what was said Inuyasha stood straight with beads of sweat on his forehead.
"Yes let's get this over with so I may go home for a while." Kagome stuffed her things in her bag then put her armor, weapons, and backpack on and began walking North leaving everyone behind.
Knocking
"Enter."
"The information that you seek M'lord." A warrior came in and slid the door closed.
"What information did you gather?" Sesshoumaru looked at the warrior.
"The hanyou Naraku or his whereabouts are uncertain. The one known as Inuyasha and his group are inside the boarder of the Northern lands not more than a few days walk by a human to reach the male wolf's den."
"You are dismissed unless there is other to speak about."
"Yes M'lord." The warrior bowed then left the room.
"The miko should be put to the test with her new skills." He stood and went to the door and summoned for Jaken then shut the door once more. Awaiting the imp's arrival Sesshoumaru headed over and stood by his low table.
"Yes M'lord?" Jaken bowed.
"Have Ah-Un readied and gather Rin. We head out."
"Head where?"
"North." Sesshoumaru answered as he left the room. Jaken hurried to have those things done as Sesshoumaru spoke and waited outside in the courtyard for his master.
"Everything is as you wished." Jaken spoke before Sesshoumaru rose to the sky followed by Ah-Un, Rin, and Jaken.