I am so sorry for that technical issue that made this chapter hard to read before! Not to sure what happened... Thank you to those who let me know!

I'm Back! Weeeeeeeee! Not sure why I sound like a hyper kid but whatever...

I promise next chapter things will actually happen other than odd bits of Sesshomaru being awkward! Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Anywho I don't own InuYasha

Kagome POV

I sit down under the large tree, soon surrounded by my pack, and Sesshomaru's. I put up a barrier to keep in sound and sigh contentedly as I drop the last vestiges of formality. My kids curl up around me with Kanna in my lap, and Shippo and Rin snuggled into either side and my arms around them. Slowly I look around at the odd family I have in Feudal Japan and smile at them all. "So let's do a quick debrief and planning session so on one is caught off guard by questions from the masses." Everyone nods their assent, "Right well I think we can start looking at those lands when we get moving again, head towards them and hope there is a shard nearby. There is one on the way to Edo in fact so let's do that one first."

"Do you need to go home for a bit Mama?"

I look down to Shippo and nod, "It's been a while my Mama will be worried even if Mom gives her updates. (Mom is the Goddess, Mama is Mrs. Higurashi) and I need to restock some things and so a little research."

"Research Kagome?" Sango is looking at me curiously; I haven't mentioned this yet after all.

"Yes, for Kagura and Kohaku's prison break of course! Mom came to me the other night and gave me a few hints. Naraku should be rather worried, he has no clue who he is dealing with." I grinned a bit wickedly and felt Kanna Shudder as Shippo laughed and smirked while Rin giggled mischievously. "I'll meditate some other time and talk to everyone properly, but for now let's put my schemes for the spider aside. We need to talk about the militia. I think we should either send them to train with Sazuki and Totosai, the old man in charge, or with Sango's Slayers and whomever she chooses as the trainer take charge of them as well. A militia is great but I do not want amateurs hurt due to lack of training. I would rather have basic training available for those who wish it and when we settle have more formal military training done."

I look to Sango and Sesshomaru on this, "I am happy to have them stay here and train, I'll be leaving my Aunt in charge alongside Isamu. He was one of our best warriors and could almost beat me. We grew up training together and he is trustworthy."

Sesshomaru only nods at the plan, I give him a glare to which he merely raises an eyebrow while I huff at his unhelpfulness.

"Right, well we already have a plan for the finances but Miroku, if it comes up feel free to set up a meeting for before we leave about it. Let me know when and where and I'll be there. I leave most of this to your better judgement if it's alright?"

The Letcher grins deviously and gives a flourishing, elaborate bow to me while teasingly saying "As you command Lady Kagome." I pout while the others laugh and Sesshomaru smirks at my upset.

I shake my head and drop the barrier, outside it are several old friends, and a few newer ones behind them. Sazuki walks up and bows to us with a grin. "Mi'Lady, err Kagome rather. It is most wonderful to see you again, and I see the children are well."

"Yes, they are, the whole group is thankfully. How have you been, is training progressing okay?"

He puffs up proudly, tail swaying a bit, "Indeed, it is. Totosai-Sensei has… interesting shall we call it training methods- "

"Heh, yeah 'interesting' the damn coot tries ta kill ya or sends ya on some crazy false trail or ten before ya figure anything out!"

The dragon hanyo looks at InuYasha with a gleam of mirth and appreciation in his eyes, "Ahh so you too have experienced the hell training." Inu nods and the two grin at each other, I think this may spark a friendship!

"Kikyo, are you good here? I think I wanna have a spar with my junior in hell training."

She looks at us with a soft smile before kidding her mate on the cheek and sending him off, "Of course, I'm with our pack after all."

She of course is glomped by two happy children and Sango at her statement and walks to sit by me, taking Kanna from me as well while Inu and Sazuki head off to find a place to fight and chat.

Totosai and Myoga who had been standing with him watch them go. Myoga hops off to land on Sakura who has been resting with Kirara in the shade this whole time while Totosai scratches his head. "Hell training, ungrateful brats." I stifle my giggle and stand to hug him.

"Hi Totosai, thanks for taking care of Sasuki!"

He blushes and nods, patting my back before I step back. Kanna looks at him curiously, "Is this the man who helped form the charm that saved me Kagome?" I nod to her and step farther from Totosai so she could get to him. The little girl, now in colorful clothes with wildflowers in her hair from Rin walks up to him and stops just before him. After a few moments she hugs him the best she can, saying "Thank you."

He smiles down at her and pats her head, "Well like I was gonna tell Kagome there, I can't very well say no to a beautiful and kind lady now can I? Now where did those idiots go, I'll give them hell training…" the rest was quiet intelligible mumbling. It seems his time of lucidity has passed, as soon as Kanna lets go he hops on his bull and flies away in the wrong direction.

I look at those left behind and see Jinenjii with Kiyoshi, Isamu, and the two youkai from earlier. The Dragon Demon is in humanoid form, she has ears like Sesshomaru's and a single pale green stripe on each cheek. She looks mid-twenties, is a bit taller than Sango and hasn't many curves. Her Emerald green hair is piled half into a bun held by a simple comb that has a dragon emblazoned on it, with the rest running down her back and right shoulder. She is a dark tan hand her skin seems to have a barely there glimmery green undertone which contrasts beautifully with her magenta eyes. Behind her was a little girl that looked familiar, she was the spitting image of the elder dragoness but her coloring was in blues with the same eyes. The Bear Hanyo, a man looking to be in his late thirties has ebony hair cut short. He is a bit heavy set but not unhealthily so. He is stout, shorter than InuYasha by at least a foot. His eyes look kind as they gleam a fiery shade of orange to the world. Finally, there is Kiyoshi and the lord who had once vied for Sango's hand, Lord Kuronuske Takeda.

They all bow and come closer. "Oh don't bother with bowing and whatnot. Courts over, time for fun!" I declare, causing a few of them to falter in their steps while others laugh and nod. I think most could guess who did what. The Lord made a beeline for my sister making many of my pack mates grin and Miroku scowl while Isamu curiously went to ask his childhood friend about our reactions and chase off the suitor if need be. Kiyoshi, Jinenjii, and the other two come to me.

"Hello Lady-" the dragoness starts but looks down as her kimono is tugged on.

"Just call Mama, Kagome. We are really informal outside of court, she's the same as when you met her before."

Looking at me after giving a nod she smiles shyly, "Hi- Kagome. As it so happens you saved my little sister from being killed by an Oni and a monk once."

The girl comes from behind her sister and smiles toothily at me, "Hello Miss Kagome! Thank you for saving me!"

I smile at her and crouch down, "Hello little one, it is good to see you so well! What might your name be?"

"I'm Zura! Well Azure actually but I like Zura better, OH! My sister is Amaryllis by the way."

I nod, "Thanks Zura." I look to Kiyoshi, "I think you've something to say to this girl Kiyoshi."

"So it is her then?"

"Hey that's that monk!" Amaryllis immediately tenses but I ignore it.

"Hello miss Zura. I find I must apologize to you, for both leading the Oni to you and for questioning the idea of saving you." He smiles sadly to the child and bows to her, "My apologies."

She looks at me and her sister, both of us nodding and smiles, patting his head. "It's okay mister monk! Miss Kagome, can I go play with the dragonlings from your group?"

"Its fine with me if your sister and the children approve." Said parties nod or shout yes in some cases and the kids shoot off to play. Once they're gone with Kirara, Ah Uhn, and Sakura following I quickly explain the plans we made to Kiyoshi, Amaryllis, Sho as I learned the bear's name is.

Once finished and it is decided that Amaryllis and Sho would draw up papers and a map of pertinent information for my group they left. Sango and her group of men came over. "Kagome, Lord Kuranosuke has asked to come survey the lands with us. It would seem he wants to travel a bit but would do so without a convoy from his palace."

I look at them with a knowing grin and shrug, "I don't have an issue with it, Sesshomaru?"

"Hnnn."

I feel my eye twitch at his answer before grinning at the human lord, "Well there ya have it since the Ic- ahem, since Lord Sesshomaru will not respond properly I get final say. You are Welcome to come Lord Takeda."

"I thank you Lady Kagome, I am honored to be in the company of both you and the lovely Sango. I look forward to catching up with the two of you." He looks to Sango with determined eyes, "Perhaps I will be of some use in you quest."

She blushes a bit and nods, "Perhaps. My Lord."

He smiles softy, "Kuranosuke, please do not call me so formally." He looks at me and the rest of the group, "Since you are an informal group please feel free to just call me by my surname, Takeda." We all nod.

Looking between the glaring males around Sango, her bewildered childhood friend Isumau, and the kids wreaking havoc playing I decide to go find some different company. "Jinenjii my old friend, why don't we go find Kaede?"

He nods and offers his arm and I walk away with the gentle giant, tossing a 'see ya later' over my shoulder. "It's nice to see you again Kagome. I brought some medicine and supplies for you. Mother is about somewhere with them."

I smile at him, "Thanks Jinenjii! That is very kind you. I would also enjoy seeing your Mother again." Despite her disposition I like the woman, she is strong in a way many wouldn't see and truly loves her son no matter what.

"I think she would like to see you too." He replied softly, leading me towards the topic of our conversation.

I ended up talking to her for a few minutes and receiving the medical supplies but was soon after whisked away by a familiar whirlwind. Laughing as he sets me down and grabs my hands gently I greet my exuberant suitor. "Hi Koga!"

"Hello Kagome, has dog breath been taking care of you properly?"

I shake my head at his question but nod nonetheless. "InuYasha isn't supposed to take care of me, he isn't my mate or even a suitor, honestly Koga he is mated to Kikyo and I can very well take care of myself! I am well though, so thank you for asking even if it was roundabout." I look about quickly, "Ah Ginta, Hakaku, Ayame!" I shake off Koga to hug the boys quickly, then give Ayame a nice long one, whispering in her ear as I do 'Get your man off me would ya."

She looks shocked as we break the hug and I giggle. I need to explain properly that I've no interest in her crush, in fact I KNOW they're soulmates and intend to meddle a bit.

"Hi sister!" Ginta and Hakaku chime cheerily.

"Hi guys, how are you. Keeping up okay with that one?" I ask pointing to their alpha.

They give me wry grins. "Better than before but still not even sis." Ginta replies.

"Do you wanna mate Koga yet or are you still looking for someone?" Hakaku asks.

I smile, "Nope, not giving in. Like my daughter said he isn't my soulmate. He is SOMEONES though and that someone is here at this gathering. My missing half is who knows where though!" I glance at Ayame, as do the boys while Koga balks and argues with the air that he will to be my mate one day. I move to grab Ayame for a girls' chat, Koga still complaining and his right hand men snickering at his expense when a polite and mildly frightened voice calls to me.

"Lady Kagome?"

I turn to see its owner and give a strained smile, "Ah Lord Hojo."

"Lady Kagome it is wonderful to see you. Have you been faring well since last we met?"

"Yes, and you? No more magical items or getting lost in the forest?" the boy really needed a navigator and a guard to travel with him, he is more of a trouble magnet than I am with poor navigational skills to boot!

"Ahhaha, no luckily no more misadventures have occurred. I remembered to procure a convoy for the trip here and home. I wanted to ask you though, if you might reconsider a courtship.. with… me…?"

I look at him curiously, why on Earth did he fade out like that? I mean he has asked me before. Noticing that he was looking behind me I immediately turn around. With an eyebrow raised, I address the man behind me. "Hello Sesshomaru, need something?"

He gives no answer, but glances away from Hojo, eyes a bit less icy and focused when lighting on me. When seeing that I wasn't backing down from my query he simply asks in his normal monotone, "Who is this human."

I cock my hip and place a hand on it, "Though I'm not sure why you care to know this is Akitoki Hojo, a young lord in a prominent clan. My pack has helped him and vice versa a few times in the past.

"Hnn." He turns his gaze back to the Feudal Hojo and looks to be sizing him up. Whats with this odd behavior!? Looking back to me he raises a brow himself, "This human would die in moments traveling with a troublesome being such as you Miko. He is clearly unsuited, This One would suggest you keep it away from his pack lest the lordling irritate this one. With one last icy and clearly meant to terrify and threaten glare at Akitoki and a smirk at me he walks away to do whatever the hell he does when not complicating my life. Really what WAS that, him trying to scare off a suitor? If so why, saving me from this boring but sweet idiot or to amuse himself? Ugh those damn dogs are so frustrating! I shake out of my thoughts to see Hojo shaking like a leaf and staring dazedly past me.

"Hojo, Hojo, AKITOKI HOJO!" I start at a gentle tone but end up shouting to snap him to reality. His eyes clear and he looks at me, "Relax, he isn't going to hurt you unless you annoy him or do something to his pack. Or mine I suppose, we are allied at the moment. Anyway you were saying."

"I- My apologies Lady Kagome, that was most unsettling. I had asked if you had reconsidered my offer?"

I sigh, having hoped he's have dropped it after that incident with Sesshomaru, I mean he is STILL shaking! "I must once again decline. I think I need to clarify more this time though. You may want to take a seat as you are still shaken." Once he is sitting I sit too, pulling Ayame with me and shooing the boys away. "I am sorry but I am not even the slightest bit interested in you romantically or as a suitor. You are sweet, kind, doting, rich, and good looking, but you are simply not suited to me. Sesshomaru was not wrong, you would be crushed in my life style, I adapted to it well, you have tried to and ended up hurt. Now maybe you would improve and be a good fighter or strategist or something, but the final battle and many other important fights are nearing. Beyond that I love adventuring, living with demons, trying to bridge the races, and the fighting and excitement. I also have many responsibilities in many places. Logistically being with you wouldn't work." I finish and keep his gaze as it clouds with sadness, then hope and excitement.

"My dearest Lady, these are but temporary issues! Perhaps after your quest when everything settles you would be more amiable to my suit? You could come live at my family's castle, of course I would be sure you'd have transport as you wished to see those of your group. I believe one of the plots of land found for your people is quite near my home. It would be simple to rule both from the palace."

He grins happily, looking proud he had figured it out. Why are all my suitors so dense and stubborn!?Ayame is trying to hide her snickering, which is at my expense I'm sure. I shoot her a glare and elbow her, only succeeding in increasing her laughter.

"H-hojo, was it?" She asks through her mirth, calming slightly as he gives a positive response, "Okay, Hojo, let me put it this way. Kagome is not a normal human much less a normal woman. She is a warrior, and an Alpha, among other things I'm sure. The thrill of danger, of the hunt and a fight, she enjoys it. It is hard to live without when one has instincts like hers and mine. She is a leader and not some silly lady bound for marriage to be an ornament and heir carrier. You on the other hand need some mild mannered flower to bear you little human heirs. You would have her give up the hunt, give up fighting and travel, worst of all you suggest she leave her PACK for YOU!? Have you no clue what pack is? You attempt to court an alpha female with no knowledge of her culture, responsibility, or needs!? You are unworthy of my rival. The male I wish to mate wants her, and you dare think YOU are worthy look around you human lordling, all here are here for her, all here yield some power over themselves to her, and yet you think you could match her?"

No I am trying not to laugh, as well as to not cry. While Hojo attempts to stutter a response to her I launch myself at my reluctant ally and friend. "AYAME!"

"Omph, Ka-kagome what are you doing?!"

I pull from the hug and smile at her, "I think you are absolutely amazing, strong, beautiful, and wonderful Ayame, thank you for your kind words." I pause for a beat, "Oh and for the last time I am NOT your rival!" I turn to Hojo, "Well she was rather harsh, more so than the Icicle Lor- I mean Sesshomaru." Ayame stares in shock at me over my slip, "At any rate they are both correct. I in no way and at no time do or will ever want to become your wife. You are not my other half; I pray you find yours but I am not it."

He nods sullenly, "As you wish My Lady, I wish you well and still pledge my house as your ally, and myself as a friend at least."

I smile and pat his hand, standing up with Ayame, "Thank you, my friend."

I pull Ayame away to a quite area near the water. "Now then onto you. Ayame, you and Koga are soulmates, it is rather obvious to those who know how to look. Now the question is how to get you two together…" I grin at her bewildered face

"What?"

I chuckle a bit, "I have a penchant for meddling in the love lives of my friends, ask Inu and Kikyo." I giggle again, "now let's figure out how to get your dense as anything soulmate to open his eyes properly eh?"

A slow spreading grin to match my mischievous one came to her face and so our plotting began.