A/n: Uhhh yeah not much to say since I'm pretty sure you guys want to read this next part
A/n: Uhhh yeah not much to say since I'm pretty sure you guys want to read this next part. But for the reference yes I KNOW Ancient Japan probably didn't have tents, D: But I wanted them in my story so too bad!!
Oh, and I forgot to mention. I edited the first four chapters of this story so it starts out MUCH better! MUCH MUCH better!
This chapter is brought to you by persistence and stiff fingers…
My Pet
Of Recalls and Relationships
In Kagome's world it all happened in slow motion.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Hide screamed before he forever left the earth. Seconds later his army fell, crumbling into black ash without his power to propel them forward.
They had won.
Kagome clamped a hand down on her furiously beating heart as though she could hold it in place. The battlefield was silent for a minute. Smog drifted along the ground as the sun was obscured by dark clouds.
Sesshoumaru stumbled forward, giant clouds flowing around his body, cloaking him. When they departed they revealed him unsteadily standing in his humanoid form. His gold eyes opened and closed as he planted his feet firmly on the ground. The fight had taken a lot of power.
"Kagome," he called, but she was already running to his side.
With a cry she flung herself into his arms, tightly hugging the tall youkai. Sliding her arms over his neck, she whispered into his collarbone. "We won."
The second she uttered those words the field exploded in noise.
"WE WON!" Amarante shouted, bellowing for all the armies to hear.
The sun burst through the clouds, casting rays of sunlight on the soldiers. They shouted, raising victorious arms and weapons into the air, chanting and screaming in unison. Today a person's origins, breed, blood or country didn't matter. They had won.
Amarante smiled, her bronze eyes settling on her cousin who was still embracing Kagome. After allowing the cheering warriors several minutes of glee she reined them back in. "SPREAD OUT," she shouted to all the armies. "FIND ANY OF OUR SURVIVORS AND TAKE THEM TO BE TREATED," she instructed. Her golden eyes instinctively searched out the three other lords, she found them.
Spiro was completely passed out, supported by four of his soldiers. Lila was barely conscious, collected and in her human form. Blood dripped off her pristine white feathers, but she directed her men to the healing tents set safely out of the battle lines. And Ryder, Ryder the second youngest ruler was crying. Unlike Sesshoumaru he had no one to embrace.
The monk and youkai slayer from Kagome's group came up on either side of him. The humans smiled at him. "We did it," Miroku said.
"Everything is going to be okay now. Shippo will be safe, forever," Sango said, resting a hand on the young, bloodied lord.
Ryder looked into their kind faces and drew back his shoulders, returning the smile. "I am proud to have humans like you living in my land," he said.
"We're proud to have a lord like you," Miroku winked.
Amarante smiled and waded through the bodies, looking for her remaining two relatives on the battle field. She had gotten separated from Hachi in the exuberance of the men. But…she hadn't seen Inu Yasha since she saw the hanyou fighting back to back with the wolf.
Amarante jogged through the field, twisting around, looking for silver or white hair. "Inu Yasha?" she called, her eyes scanning over the desecrated field. "Inu Yasha?" Amarante called again, panic starting to beat in her heart.
"I found him," Hachi said appearing at her elbow. "I figured you would want him eventually," he pointed behind Amarante.
Two healers, from Sesshoumaru's castle from the looks of their blue clothes, were manhandling the protesting hanyou, dragging him away from Sesshoumaru and Kagome, who, while had finally stopped hugging, were still standing side by side.
"He's fine. A few minor injuries, nothing a good healer can't take care of," Hachi smiled.
Amarante settled back down before she turned to her other distant cousin. Her eyes searched Hachi. Most of the blood on his armor was not his. He appeared to be fairing generally well, except for a nasty looking gash on his right arm. "Go get that taken care of," Amarante ordered before setting off. She saw Van fall during the battle and intended to make sure that shy, quiet little dragon lived.
Hachi rolled his eyes but followed after his relative, ignoring her orders.
Some distance away Sesshoumaru and Kagome looked over the wreckage. "Where are the twins?" Kagome asked, her hands reaching out to grasp Sesshoumaru's arms.
"They carried Saku off the field sometime ago.
"Saku?" Kagome asked, panic tightening her voice.
"His wounds looked serious, but he will live," Sesshoumaru said.
"How do you know?" Kagome squeaked.
"My castle is unrepaired. The world will come to an end before Saku dies without fixing it."
Kagome looked up at the wry dog demon before she laughed, her arms encircling his waist again. "Thank you," she whispered.
Sesshoumaru quirked an eyebrow and placed his clawed hand on the crown of her head, watching his remaining soldiers.
They had won at a heavy price. There would be many faces missing from his honor guard. That saddened the dog. But they were prepared to die. They knew what they were doing, and they had died in the most worthy way possible. Sesshoumaru would be sure to properly mourn them and honor their families in the times to come.
Sesshoumaru's nose twitched when he smelled salt in the air. Shortly after tears dropped onto his skin once more.
"Why do you cry, Kagome? We won," he said.
Kagome closed her eyes, stealing warmth from the athletic youkai. "We won, but we still lost," she whispered.
Sesshoumaru briefly closed his eyes before looking up at the sky. "Yes," he replied. He remained still like the faithful dog he was as Kagome cried into his clothes. They stood like that for a long time.
Amarante bit her lip as she grinded herbs, the sparks from the fires bouncing around her as the stars shone down on the four armies of Japan.
"Amarante, you need to rest," Hachi said, plopping down at her side. "Yuki is almost here, she will tie you up with a rope if you don't stop."
"I can't stop," Amarante said, tapping the stone bowl with her claws to upset the contents. "There are still soldiers who need medical attention. I'm no healer, but I can at least grind herbs. Besides, Yuki will be too exhausted. She had to walk here with Shippo and Rin and Rin's teacher. She's used to being coddled," Amarante sniffed before handing the bowl out to a healer who walked by. The healer gratefully took the herbs and Amarante plucked a few more dried plants from the pile sitting in front of her, buckling back down to work.
"Amarante," Hachi sighed.
Amarante wordlessly continued grinding, but she glanced over at the silver and black haired fellow snow leopard youkai next to her.
"…You're not going to come back with us, are you?" Hachi asked.
Amarante paused. "Huh?" she intelligently replied.
"After the lords part ways, you won't be coming North with us will you? You'll return to Sesshoumaru's castle," Hachi said, raising a hand to gesture to the encampments sprinkled through the land, tongues of fire lighting up the air.
"That depends," Amarante said before she went back to grinding.
"On what?" Hachi asked.
"Sesshoumaru," Amarante said before turning to the shadows. "Yuki, you can come out. Stay by the fire, it'll be warmer," she said with a fanged smile.
The small, exquisite snow leopard slowly appeared. "Why won't you come back?" Yuki asked, on the verge of tears.
"Yuki," Hachi said, shaking his head as the petite girl slowly crept closer to the fire. He sighed deeply and turned his eyes onto Amarante. "I understand."
Amarante paused, frowning. "You do?" she questioned, stopping her grinding motions.
"I do," Hachi said, looking saddened. "When with the clan, you feel alone. With Sesshoumaru you do not. It's something we'll have to accept. The Snow Leopard Clan will always have to share you with that dog," he said.
Amarante laughed. "No, no my dear cousin you are wrong. My loyalty will always like with the Snow Leopards. And I don't feel alone anymore," she said, leaning over, slinging an arm across Hachi's shoulder while she leaned over so her head rested against his. She held out a hand, motioning for Yuki to join them. The kitten did so, hurrying across the ground. She nestled in between Amarante and Hachi, and the three stared into the fire, looking like a miniature family.
Sango smiled as she passed them, carefully carrying a bucket of water. The liquid sloshed over the sides as she moved to the healing tents, pushing the opening flap aside. "I've got more water, how is everyone doing?" Sango asked.
"The phoenix from Africa has finally been able to keep some water down and the inflammation on his wound is getting better. Let me tell you it was difficult to tell with his freaking flaming hair" Kagome said, surveying her first aid supplies. She was going to run out of supplies within the next hour. "Saku woke up and tried to hobble off, I had to have the Windsor conk him out again. Miroku finished stitching up that kitsune from Ryder's army and sent him on his way. He's working on a cougar now. Inu Yasha and Kouga are still lying down in the back, but from the amount of howling and fighting going on back there I think they'll be able to leave by tomorrow morning."
"And Van?" Sango asked, setting the bucket down.
"Sumiko is bandaging his wounds. He still hasn't woken up," Kagome grimly said, her eyes grew misty as she blankly stared at her first aid kit. After a minute she snapped back to attention. "A unicorn youkai will be stopping by shortly to take another look at him. How's Kirara?"
"She's resting with Shippo and Rin," Sango said.
"Shippo's here?" Kagome stopped, frozen.
"He just arrived. Apparently Amarante's little cousin was throwing a fit about being left behind so her four guards stopped by Sesshoumaru's palace to see if they could catch a ride. They were too late for us so Mai, Rin's tutor, brought Rin and Shippo with and guided them here," Sango said with a half smile. She had enjoyed briefly catching up with the friendly deer youkai.
"Oh, I'll have to go say hello, Sumiko how are those bandages holding up?" Kagome called over her shoulder.
"Just fine. I think I'll have enough," Sumiko said. "My lady, shouldn't you retire? You must be exhausted. You used an incredible amount of power today," she said, even in the middle of a healing tent she still was Kagome's guard.
"I'm fine Sumiko," Kagome said, rolling her eyes. "You and Miroku and Sango are still rushing around, I certainly can too."
"Yes but we did not destroy a multitude of enemy youkai," Sango said, poking her friend in the forehead. "Sumiko's right. You should go sleep."
"Yes Lady Kagome, I think it may be best if you rest for a while," Miroku hollered, ignoring the uncomfortable look the maple colored cougar was giving him as Miroku tried to bandage a wound on the cat's head, messing up his hair.
"I'm fine," Kagome said, her hands shaking as she selected several butterfly stitched band aids. Truthfully, she was beyond exhausted. She was so tired she couldn't even feel her legs anymore. Her mind was growing numb. But there were soldiers who still needed medical attention, and having faired without any real wounds Kagome believed it was her duty to see to them.
This duty was thrown out the window the moment two heavily bandaged cheetah generals stalked into the tent. "There she is," Haruko said, pointing.
Hiroshi unceremoniously walked over to her, lifted her up and threw her on his bandaged shoulder.
"Hiroshi what are you doing? Put me down this instant!" Kagome demanded, pounding her tiny fists on his back.
Hiroshi swung around to bow at the group. Sango smiled and Miroku waved while Sumiko looked relieved. They would force the miko to get the rest she badly needed.
"Excuse us. Lady Kagome will be allowed to return in the morning," Haruko said before leaving the tent, his brother behind him.
"Haruko, Hiroshi, what's going on? Stop this, I said put me down!" Kagome howled as the twins paraded through the camps. "Guys, STOP IT, they need my help!" Kagome said, on the verge of tears as she continued to pound on Hiroshi's back, carefully missing his wounds. She never noticed when they left the chilly night air and stepped inside a large tent. "I promise I'll go to bed soon, just put me down!" Kagome repeated.
She was shocked when seconds later she was carefully set on the ground.
"Lady Kagome, my lord," the twins said in unison, bowing. Kagome spun around to see Sesshoumaru standing, holding onto his armor by a leather strap. (He shed it sometime when he transformed into his dog form.)
"Thank you; you are excused for the evening. You did well today, Haruko, Hiroshi," Sesshoumaru praised.
Smiles glowed in the twins eyes as they bowed further before quietly excusing themselves, leaving Kagome alone with Sesshoumaru.
"So, what did you want?" Kagome asked, planting her arms on her hips.
Sesshoumaru pointed to a mound of blankets on the ground, the ones she had used the previous night actually. "Lay down," he ordered over his shoulder as he placed his armor in the corner of his tent.
"You've got to be kidding," Kagome said.
"I do not kid, Kagome," Sesshoumaru said, rolling his eyes. "Lay down," he repeated.
"Why?" Kagome asked.
"Because you need to sleep," Sesshoumaru sniffed. "It will not look good if you collapse due to exhaustion."
"I should have known," Kagome scoffed. "Somehow it always circles back to you and the 'image' people have of you."
"Kagome, lay down," Sesshoumaru said with great patience in possibly one of the gentlest tones Kagome ever heard him use. She was so startled that she followed his orders.
Her body practically screamed with relief as she sank into the soft surface of the blankets. Her breathing deepened and she suddenly found it very difficult to keep her eyes open. "There, I'm lying down. Can I go now?" Kagome asked around a yawn.
"Just be quiet and sleep," Sesshoumaru said before shedding the top layer of his clothes.
THAT certainly woke her up. She discovered that Sesshoumaru had probably the most spectacular six pack on the face of the planet.
Wriggling a blush off her cheeks, Kagome slyly glanced at the shirtless lord (who was inspecting Tensaiga) and started to stand, intending to sneak off.
"Don't even think about it," Sesshoumaru said, his back to her.
"Think about what?" Kagome asked, beaming as she sat up straight.
He straightened up and tossed his swords aside. "Do I even need to say it?" he asked, standing over her.
"Look," Kagome sighed. "We both know the second I get a chance I'm just going to sneak off, so why don't you save us some time and just let me go?"
Sesshoumaru looked vaguely amused. "You are going to rest."
"Make me," Kagome said, scrunching up her nose in a challenge.
"Very well," Sesshoumaru said. Kagome blinked and in that time he elegantly seated himself next to her. "Good night," he said, curling his arm across her back before he fell down into the mass of blankets, dragging Kagome with.
"Good night? Wait, WHAT?" Kagome yelped as she sank into the blankets.
"Good night," Sesshoumaru slowly repeated. Kagome continued to protest so he sighed and reiterated. "You said to 'make you' go to sleep. So I am," he prompted.
"Uhh, this isn't exactly what I meant," Kagome said, wiggling in the blankets.
"Would you rather have me knock you out? That would work just as well," Sesshoumaru graciously offered.
"No, no. This is fine," Kagome said, nodding.
"Very well, good night," and with that, the great dog demon closed his eyes and to all appearances went to sleep.
Kagome waited ten minutes, making sure his breathing remained steady and even before she tried to slip out from underneath his arm.
"Don't even try," Sesshoumaru said, tightening his grip before hauling her across the blankets, stopping when she was neatly tucked against his bare chest.
"You aren't going to sleep are you?" she asked.
"No, I will," Sesshoumaru said, releasing her momentarily to pile up the blankets around them. "But the second you move I'll wake up."
"Ah," Kagome said, furious with herself for not foreseeing that.
"Just go to sleep," Sesshoumaru said, returning his hand to her back before closing his eyes.
"Sometimes I really hate you," Kagome grumbled, nudging his side.
He didn't reply besides his deep, even breathing.
Kagome glared at his handsome face and wiggled. Sesshoumaru's arm tightened around her and pulled her until she was flush against his chest.
Kagome grumbled for a minute or two until she could hear the steady, rhythmatic pound of Sesshoumaru's heartbeat. She listened with deep fascination and was eventually caught up in the sound which lulled her off to sleep.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes flicked open and he pulled the blankets up higher around them. "Good night Kagome," he breathed before shutting his eyes again, to all appearances, falling asleep.
Kagome woke up the next morning to a feathery soft tickle on the back of her neck. She hunched her shoulders and grumbled. Her mutters turned into giggles as the tickling continued. "Stooooop," she laughed, finally turning around in Sesshoumaru's one armed embrace. She discovered the tickling feeling was a long strand of silver hair that lightly brushed her skin.
Sesshoumaru's eyes raised to barely half mast at Kagome's giggles. After observing that she was fine and meeting her gaze, he lowered his eye lids again.
Kagome happily wriggled deeper into the makeshift nest of blankets, feeling warm and wonderful. She felt Sesshoumaru's claws gently scratch her side before she fell still, looking up at the ceiling of the tent.
"Sesshoumaru," she whispered.
"Hn?"
"Can I go yet? It's morning."
The dog youkai groaned and instead of responding flipped over on top of her.
"Sesshoumaru! You're heavy!" Kagome hissed, pushing against his steely abs.
"Herfm," the Western Lord responded, snorting and upsetting some of his silver hair.
"Jerk!" Kagome whispered. She paused, a wicked grin smearing across her face. "Sesshoumaru, I hear Amarante coming!"
Kagome congratulated herself and in that split second Sesshoumaru somehow went from lying on top of Kagome to calmly slipping on a robe with grace and poise.
"Very funny, human," Sesshoumaru icily mocked.
"Oohhh you know you love it," Kagome grinned, sitting up out of bed.
"Yes, almost as much as I lust over your extreme bedhead hair," Sesshoumaru scoffed.
Kagome laughed and tried to smooth her hair into the right place. "Sorry, we can't all have old man hair."
Sesshoumaru heaved his golden eyes to the heavens. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response."
Kagome fell back into the blankets with a laugh, chuckling louder as Sesshoumaru came to stand by her before he prodded her with a foot.
"Are you not going to get up? It's what you've been fighting and complaining about," he said.
"Yeah, but bed feels so goooood," Kagome smiled.
"I will never understand you humans," Sesshoumaru scoffed as he ambled away.
"Awww, I'm happy to see you too fluffers," Kagome cooed.
"What did you just call me?"
Kagome concluded it was time to go, now. "Okay, yeah, pretty sure they need my help in the healing tent. See ya!" Kagome said, scrambling out of bed, the blankets nearly tripping her as she anxiously sped toward the door. She threw herself out, bedraggled clothes and all, and ran off.
Sesshoumaru allowed himself a smile. Maybe he would keep her around. There was something so priceless about her…
"Good morning-oh," Kagome broke off when she entered the healing tent. Sumiko was crumpled on the floor, sleeping. Miroku and Sango were collapsed together in a corner of the tent, leaning against each other. A white haired female youkai with blue eyes and a miniature horn protruding from her forehead smiled at Kagome.
"Good morning. They fell asleep sometime after the midnight hour. I think it's best if we let them sleep," the unicorn youkai said with a nicker-like laugh.
"How is everyone doing?" Kagome asked in a whisper. "Van briefly woke up, I think he'll make it. Saku will be released later today," she said, motioning to the sleeping steward. "And once the medicine loses effect on Inu Yasha and Kouga they are free to go."
"Medicine?" Kagome asked.
The unicorn rewarded Kagome with a stunning and innocent smile. "They were bothering the rest of the patients so I thought it was in their best interests to sleep for a while."
"Ho-ho-ho you are good," Kagome laughed. "Do you need my help with anything?"
"Not really my lady. Since we did not participate in the battle with the rest of you, the healing unit was able to work through the night. We saved as many lives as we could. Almost everyone made it."
"Good," Kagome said with a sad smile.
The unicorn brightly looked up and seconds later Windsor pushed aside the tent door. "Good morning General Windsor," she greeted.
"Good morning Freya, Lady Kagome," Windsor said, looking a little surprised when his warm brown eyes landed on her.
"Hi," Kagome smiled.
"Saku is doing well. He is sleeping at the moment, but I hope to release him sometime this afternoon. Inu Yasha is doing splendid as well. Almost too much so," the unicorn youkai, Freya apparently, wryly responded to Windsor's unasked questions.
"I see, thank you Freya, Lady Kagome," Windsor said, bowing.
"Hey Windsor, wait up," Kagome hissed, hurrying after the equine general as he exited the tent.
"Yes my lady?" Windsor asked, attentively looking down at the miko in front of him.
"What are you and Sesshoumaru doing today?" she asked.
"Lord Sesshoumaru? Undoubtedly he will be meeting with the other lords for the greater part of today."
"Won't you have to go with him? I thought you were like his head general?" Kagome asked.
"I am, Lady Kagome, but the matters they will be discussing will no longer involve war, and will probably pertain more to reconstruction, which would be Saku's area and not mine. Unfortunately Saku is out of commission at the moment, so it will probably just be the lords," Windsor explained.
"Ah. So what are you going to do?" Kagome asked.
"I was going to make an inspection of the troops," Windsor said.
"Sweet! Can I come too?"
"No," Windsor firmly replied.
"Oh come on. It's not like I haven't seen any blood or injuries before. I mean, HELLO, I was fighting out there with you yesterday," Kagome said.
Windsor looked unimpressed and Kagome was forced to use drastic measures.
"If you don't take me I'll go get Amarante and we'll sing bawdy songs to entertain the injured troops."
"Follow me this way please Lady Kagome," Windsor said, moving off at a brisk pace.
Kagome grinned and followed the golden skinned youkai.
"So Windsor, are you glad?" Kagome asked, walking in stride with the general who shortened his pace for her sake.
"About what my lady?"
"That the war is over. Hide is gone for good. No more evil," Kagome said.
"Yes, I am happy to see the threat of Hide erased," Windsor nodded.
"But?" Kagome asked, able to see the shred of displeasure in the horse's respectful demeanor.
"A part of me is saddened," the horse admitted. "This is probably the only time in history where all four lords combined forces for one sake. This youkai army is probably the greatest one that will ever exist."
Kagome reflected back on her history books and mused on the thought. Windsor was probably right. While the humans of Japan would all unite when Japan became one true country, this was probably the only time youkai all stood together.
"Thinking that almost cheapens the battle, but as a soldier I can't help but appreciate the beauty of this," Windsor shrugged.
"No, I understand," Kagome said, nodding. "I faced a similar experience when we defeated Naraku."
"The hanyou who was after the Shikon no tama?" Windsor inquired.
Kagome nodded. "After we beat Naraku, we just had to gather the last of the shards. We only have a dozen or so left now. And that means my time in this era is nearly over," Kagome sighed.
"This era?" Windsor asked, looking confused.
Kagome smiled up at the horse. "One day, you'll understand," her eyes caught sight of golden hair. "Haruko?" she curiously chirped.
Windsor stopped as Kagome moved to the side to investigate. Sure enough, Hiroshi and Haruko were exiting a tent. As the tent flap closed Kagome could spot Rin's sleeping face. "Hi guys," Kagome greeted, smiling up at the twins.
When she got close enough she jammed her elbow into Hiroshi's gut before turning to Haruko, ignoring the younger twin's violent gasp as air left his lungs.
"Hi Haruko," Kagome said, smiling up at the cheetah.
"Good morning Lady Kagome," Haruko said with a smile. Kagome could see a degree of sadness reflecting in his cat eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing, I pray," the older twin vaguely responded as his little brother finally regained his breath.
"Good morning Hiroshi," Kagome said, a little colder.
"Good morning Lady Kagome," Hiroshi said, rubbing his belly, always the twin to take the physical abuse. "I apologize for yesterday," he said, knowing exactly why Kagome was so 'upset'.
Kagome frowned for a moment before her face transformed into a brilliant smile. "That's okay Hiroshi. You were just following Sesshoumaru's orders. Right?" she asked, suspiciously leaning forward.
"Right," Hiroshi eagerly agreed, carefully placing his arms across his stomach.
"What are you guys up to?" Kagome asked.
"We were going to report to General Windsor," Haruko said, glancing over at his superior.
"Cool, why don't they come inspect the army with us?" Kagome asked, turning to Windsor.
Windsor, who was exchanging looks with Haruko, slowly agreed. "As you wish Lady Kagome," he said before smiling. He knew why Haruko was saddened. This might be one of the last days they ever spent with Kagome.
"Great, let's go," Kagome said with a grin, throwing her hands out, expectantly looking at the twins.
Hiroshi and Haruko each hesitated for a moment. Haruko was the first to move, smoothly stepping out and clasping Kagome's hand. Hiroshi was seconds behind him, and he gently squeezed her, his claws lightly scraping the back of her hand.
Kagome smiled and swung her arms, happily sandwiched between the twins. It felt natural. Like how it was supposed to be.
"So are we just inspecting Sesshoumaru's soldiers?" Kagome asked.
"We'll stop by the Snow Leopard Clan out of political politeness," Windsor said, squinting off into the horizon.
"Don't worry," Hiroshi snorted. "Last I heard Hachi had her in a headlock and forced her to go to sleep some time before sunrise."
Windsor looked distinctly relieved. There was something about Amarante that upset his equilibrium. Probably her big mouth.
The three generals and Kagome plunged into a crowd of tall youkai. "What's going on?" Kagome asked, standing on her tip toes.
"Breakfast," Windsor supplied.
"Really? Food does sound good," Kagome said, craning her neck. "Man, I can't see a thing. WOAH," she squeaked as Hiroshi suddenly released her hand and instead lifted her up into the air, his left hand circling under her thighs, his right arm gliding around her back, holding her against his chest.
"Better?" he asked with a cocky smile.
"Much," Kagome grinned, now heads above the crowd.
She gazed across the hundreds of battered soldiers, her hands gently running through Hiroshi's hair.
Hiroshi carried her around for half an hour before he relinquished her to his older brother as they trekked across the rocky ground. ("It's too dangerous for your tender human feet Lady Kagome," Haruko claimed.) Kagome clung to her one time guards with the trust of a small child.
Around lunch time Saku found her, being given a piggyback ride by Windsor as they searched for an appropriate lunch for the small human.
"Lady Kagome, General Windsor, General Haruko and Hiroshi, what a pleasant surprise," Saku said with a winning smile, his fluffy brown hair mussed.
"Saku, they released you already?" Kagome asked, peering out from behind Windsor's thick cream hair.
"That they did little pet," Saku cheerfully smiled.
Hiroshi's nose twitched. "But Saku it still smells like you're bleeding—,"
"Good to see you too old friend," Saku said, smashing his hand on Hiroshi's back, directly on one of his wounds. The cheetah dropped to the ground like a dead horse as Saku airily laughed. "So what are you doing?"
Kagome's stomach loudly growled. "Finding lunch," Kagome said with a light blush, holding a braided strand of Windsor's hair. (A braid which miraculously formed against the general's knowledge while Kagome rode his back.)
"Oh perfect. That dreadful little dictator of a unicorn actually set up a lunch for the humans over by Amarante's tent," Saku chirped.
"Really?" Kagome asked, straightening up.
"Yep," Saku said with a laugh, reaching out to ruffle Kagome's hair.
"Perfect, to Amarante's tent! Hi-ho silver!" Kagome said, shifting on Windsor's back.
"What are you prattling about now?" Windsor grumbled under his breath before obediently moving off.
"Hahah, I think it's better if you don't know," Kagome said.
Unknown to the cheerful quintet, noble gold eyes watched them, fuming. "Kagome!" Sesshoumaru called, his voice thunderous.
Kagome twisted around from her piggyback position. "Oh, Sesshoumaru! Are you going to join us for lunch?"
"Kagome, leave this place," Sesshoumaru ordered.
Kagome's world froze. "What?"
A/N: DON'T KILL ME! AHHHH (runs for cover) YOU CAN'T BLAME ME!! HE SAID HE WOULD DO THIS ALL ALONG! I WON'T DIE! If I DO die you'll never get the next chapter!! (Which still isn't the epilogue….)