A low growl left his lips as he twisted the reins in his hand, his nose going into overtime as he did so. He'd found nothing except two bodies that were no longer recognizable due to being reduced to charred bodies. He'd sniffed them before moving on, avoiding them. They still cackled with the familiar energy, though from the lack of scent, she'd been gone well over a day. Probably more than just gone.

Sabe pranced impatiently beneath him, muscles bunching before relaxing. "I'm working on it, I'm working on it," Inuyasha muttered, laying a quieting palm on the white stallion's neck. Sabe nickered uneasily, ears pricking before flattening. Noting the demon horse's tension, Inuyasha pricked his ears forward, growling lowly. His voice was met by a low chuckle as a demon slunk into view, a man from the Ryuu, by the looks of their clothes, he decided. And the Ryuu man was followed by a few more of his own alongside some of the Kumo.

"Look who we've found," the Ryuu man sneered. "A lost dog..."

Inuyasha let a hand land lightly on Tetsusaiga. Sabe snorted, side-stepping, and the Silver Prince ignored the stallion's whicker as he said lowly, "Leave and I'll let you live. I don't want to fight. I'm looking for someone."

"How strange," the Ryuu man retorted, rolling his eyes. "As are we...what have you done with Naraku-sama? Where is he? Answer us now and we'll let you walk away unharmed..."

Inuyasha flattened his ears. "Who the hell knows? Where's the miko?" He unsheathed his Tetsusaiga, shouldering the massive sword. He felt the need to fight, though he knew he shouldn't. The demons before him couldn't possibly be very strong, but he was outnumbered greatly.

"You think demons such as we would be able to hold onto a miko of that strength?" The Ryuu shuddered, crossing his arms. "Only Naraku-sama dares to even attempt such things. Where is he. Tell us." The demons around us held up their weapons in a threatening motion. "Now."

"I told you," Inuyasha growled, pointing the Tetsusaiga towards them in a threatening motion. "Now back off before you piss me off more than I already am."

"I don't think so," the Ryuu growled back, unsheathing his own sword. Inuyasha arched an eyebrow at them, a low growl building in his throat, a threatening tone that warned the Ryuu man to back off if he didn't want to die. But the Ryuu didn't move, instead darting forward to attack, the others behind him joining in. Sabe screamed, rearing up in surprise, managing to catch someone in the head with his hooves as he lashed out. Inuyasha then wheeled the horse demon around, lightly kicking him forward. Sabe plunged forwards, racing towards the trees before suddenly twirling around on one back leg, screaming again as Inuyasha raised his sword and let it fall, powerful strikes of pure energy flying from the blade and turning his attackers to dust.

Inuyasha shouldered Tetsusaiga, growled. "Bastards," he spat out, ears swiveling back when he heard something. He whipped his head around, fangs bared in his annoyance in time to see the familiar sight of Shinrai. "Huh. Shinrai. The hell you doing out here?"

Shinrai chuckled. "Searching for you, Inuyasha-sama. I was sent to retrieve you and bring you home, and then told to grab Keisot on our way back. He's not in very good shape and Toga-sama wants to thank him for showing me where Kagome-sama went."

"Thought you were with Keisot," Inuyasha muttered, twitching an ear. Sabe stretched out his muzzle to gently sniff at Shinrai's shoulder. Shinrai playfully ruffled the stallion's forelock. "Did you find her?" he said suddenly, "Kagome, I mean. Did you find her."

Shinrai contemplated what to do. Surprise the Silver Prince and risk slaughter by his claws or simply explain what had happened.

He chose the latter. "Kagome-sama," he said slowly, thinking over what he was saying with caution, not wanting to upset the half-demon prince. Inuyasha watched him with sharp and piercing golden eyes. "Was found. Alive, Inuyasha-sama. I got her back to the camp, safe and sound. She's a bit shaken up, of course. She killed Naraku, but was very nearly unsuccessful, it appears. She's got some cuts and bruises, purified Keisot a bit, and made it so that I had to chase her for a bit, but she's alright and safe with the Inu no Taisho, Inuyasha-sama."

Inuyasha stared at the tiger for a few seconds, then grinned, baring his fangs in a happy look that actually nearly frightened him. Shinrai shuddered. Kagome-sama's going to be in some deep trouble when Inuyasha-sama gets back! "Good. Thanks, Shinrai. Should be able to end the war pretty quickly now."

Shinrai nodded his agreement and gave Sabe a final pat on the neck as he pranced, eager to get back. "Why don't you head on back, Inuyasha-sama?" he suggested. "I'll go after Keisot and head back. Kagome-sama might need saving from Sango-chan and Toga-sama. They're not exactly gentle when it comes to a lecture...though I doubt you are either. Miroku-kun may be the only one who won't shout at her... I warned you before and I'll warn you again, Inuyasha-sama. She's very shaken up at the moment. Please don't frighten her too badly."

Inuyasha snorted, rolling his eyes. "I'm gonna yell at her, not threaten to murder her. Huge difference there," he pointed out, twisting Sabe's reins so that the horse faced the right way. "See ya later, Shinrai."

Without another word, Inuyasha dug his heels into the demon's sides, urging him forward at the highest speed he could.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

"Thanks," Kagome said gratefully, accepting the roll Sango offered her. The miko was settled beside Miroku at a campfire, her gaze watching the flames and returning to them as she began to nibble on her food. "Are we running low on provisions...?"

"Yes," Sango admitted with a sigh. "The Inu no Taisho is considering sending a group back to the Silver Castle for news on how it's going back home and for more food and drink. We started to run low two nights ago, I noticed." She started on her own bread, sighing as she sat down beside Miroku. He grinned at her, then fell silent. The three of them sat there like that for a few minutes, enjoying each other's company until a purring Kirara appeared and curled up in Kagome's lap. "It'll be over soon," Sango said suddenly, thoughtful. "The war, I mean. We'll be able to go home really soon with Naraku dead."

Kagome paused to study her hands, which had been flecked with dried blood not too long ago. "...yeah," she said softly, biting the inside of her cheek and setting her bread aside. Kirara snatched it up, devouring it quickly with a happy purr. Kagome smiled at her, stroking her fingers through her fur. A soft sigh left her lips. "Yay."

"Don't sound too excited," Miroku commented, raising an eyebrow.

Kagome shook her head, forcing a smile to her face as she said reassuringly, "I'm fine. I'm happy we don't have to look over our shoulders anymore, Miroku-san. Think about it; nobody will have to worry about anything bad like that. And from the looks of it, Ryuukotsusei-sama is dead, too, right?"

"From what I've heard, yes," the other servant confirmed thoughtfully. "But what I want to know is how the situation will fix itself. Two countries are no longer owned. Three, actually. I'm positive Koga will want to reclaim the Ookami Kingdom...but who will the other two go to?"

"Who knows?" Sango said with a shrug, flopping backwards to look up at the stars. "Anyways, where do you think Shinrai-san is with Inuyasha and Keisot? They should be here soon, right?"

"Should be," Miroku agreed. He tilted his head back to look up at the stars, which gleamed brightly in the darkness of the evening. "Especially with Inuyasha on Sabe. But you have to think. Who knows how far he went before Shinrai found him."

"That's true," Sango admitted. She glanced over when Kagome moaned and threw herself backwards. "What are you doing, Kagome?"

"Moping. This is my last surviving night without a half-demon making sure I'm there at all times," Kagome sighed, closing her eye with an exasperated look on her face. She didn't plan on going anywhere again in such a matter, but... "Seriously. I'm not kidding," she snapped when Sango and Miroku laughed. "I'm screwed. I'll never be allowed to see the light of day again!"
"Damn right you won't be."

Kagome's eye snapped open as she gave a gasp, staring up at the fairly angry looking Silver Prince that stood above her. Sabe nickered his own greeting from where he was standing close beside him, ears pricked forward. Inuyasha's own ears were flat against his head. "Hello, Inuyasha-sama," Kagome greeted faintly, hurrying to sit up.

He gave her a sharp look with his piercing golden gaze, though she saw the hint of relief in them. "Inuyasha," Miroku mused, "Nice to see that you finally showed up. What took you and Shinrai so long to get back?"

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose. "Ran into a bit of trouble on the way back. The other side is looking for Naraku, who I've been told we don't have to worry about...you nail him?"

Kagome looked away, lightly touching Kirara's ears. "Yes," she said quietly, "I killed Naraku." She fell quiet now, refusing to look up when Inuyasha growled at her softly to try and get her to do so. Sabe whickered as he shoved Inuyasha out of the way to lightly lip at the miko's hair with an affectionate look in his dark eyes. Kagome distantly reached up to lightly rub his muzzle but did nothing more.

"Leave her be, Inuyasha," Sango said quietly, waving at him so that would join them. He flopped down beside Kagome with another growl in his throat, scowling at the ex-slayer as she said thoughtfully, "We were just saying, Inuyasha. The war should be over soon, right?"

"Should be," Inuyasha grunted, his ears twitching this way and that. "As soon as the other side knows their leader is dead anyways." His golden eyes darted to Kagome, who refused to look up, instead continuing to stroke Sabe's muzzle, speaking so quietly to the stallion that not even the half-demon beside her could hear what she said. "Damn it, woman," he snapped, "look at me." A wary gray eye lifted to meet his, and he glowered fiercely at her, though there was no anger in them. Instead, he let her see the absolute relief he felt that the miko was alright. Bruised with a few scrapes, yes, but alive. And in response, he received just the barest hints of a warm smile from her as she hesitantly reached out to take his clawed hand. Sango and Miroku pretended they didn't notice, instead turning to speak to each other under their breath.

Silence fell over the small group as evening turned into night. Gradually moving, Kagome ended up sitting side-by-side with Inuyasha, leaning slightly into his shoulder as she explained what she'd done in every detail she could remember, speaking softly so that she didn't wake the now dozing Sango and snoring Miroku. Every now and then, the Silver Prince would let his claws touch her lightly, whether it be her cheek, her neck, or even just a simple skimming of them over the young woman's arm and hand.

Their time was interrupted, however, when Shinrai suddenly appeared, face grim. "Inuyasha-sama, Kagome-sama," he said faintly, bowing respectfully to both of them. Inuyasha gave him a dirty look, irritated with the tiger for ruining the peace. Shinrai's eyes held no hint of happiness now as he said quietly, "A matter has been brought to the Inu no Taisho's attention and Toga-sama requires both of your presences to determine it."

"Got it," Inuyasha grunted, standing swiftly. He helped his miko to her feet, then gently nudged her in front of him, refusing to take his eyes off of her for even a second. Shinrai kept close behind them as they picked their way around sleeping demons and humans alike. When they'd finally reached the tent that Toga used to plan, Inuyasha sniffed the air lightly and then frowned. "What's Keisot doing in there?" he muttered.

"Toga-sama thinks he can help," Shinrai said truthfully.

"Inuyasha, Kagome," Toga greeted gruffly, looking exhausted as they stepped into the tent. Inuyasha growled softly, keeping a sharp eye on the miko for a moment, until she was comfortably standing beside him. Then he turned his gaze on his father. "What's so important in the middle of the night? Can't it wait til morning?"

"No," Toga said grimly, holding out a piece of parchment. Inuyasha accepted it, offering it to Kagome with a roll of his eyes. Giggling softly at his refusal to read, Kagome cleared her throat and read it aloud.

"Toga-sama,

A desperate situation has arisen in the Market. The people are beginning to riot, to claim that the war was started for no good reason, to merely cover up the fact that Kikyo-sama wishes to take over the country. The lack of Silver Queen is concerning the people, sir...at this rate, the Ryuu, Ookami, and Kumo will not the be the only kingdoms torn down. I spoke with Sesshomaru-sama...he agrees. If Kagome-sama can be sent back...we believe it best that at least she returns to take over the role as Silver Queen until this war is over. We haven't received recent news of the progress of the war, so we are uncertain as to whether or not she is even alive at this moment, but...we recommend that you send Inuyasha-sama and Kagome-sama back to preform the ceremony immediately. The residents of the Market have begun to gather at the gates of the Silver Castle...and to top it all off, the Sellers and the slave owners are threatening to rise up and tear the castle apart brick by brick.

Please, Toga-sama. Sesshomaru-sama is concerned for Rin-chan's safety...for Sota-kun's and Kohaku-kuns and all of the other children here. They should be able to return to the war if needed after, I believe. But this isn't a matter that can simply be ignored.

~Kagura"

"She's right," Kagome said softly as she handed the letter back to Toga. Her gaze was anxious as she glanced between him, Keisot, Shinrai, and Inuyasha. She raised her chin with a hint of pride. "If the people of the Silver Kingdom think that, then there's going to be even more trouble then what they're getting through just riots."

"I agree," Shinrai said with a sigh. "If it's not one thing, it's another...What do you suggest we do, Toga-sama? Should Kagome-sama and Inuyasha-sama do as Kagura-chan requests? Should we send them back to preform the ceremony?"

Inuyasha's ears flattened. "That ceremony can only be preformed-"

"When your demon blood is at its most powerful," Keisot finished, his gaze darkening. "A half-demon has not been made Inu no Taisho before, but it's the truth. Your demon blood is the most important part of the ceremony. Without a demon's blood, the ceremony is not possible."

"What do we do then?" Inuyasha demanded, growling in annoyance. He glanced at the nervous Kagome, who looked more ready to panic then actually go through with the ceremony that was required.

Toga pinched the bridge of his nose, heaving a massive sigh. "I'll send you two back to do as Kagura suggests. The Silver Queen is important to our people, Inuyasha. An Inu no Taisho will never be as important. You two will return, along with a few dozen of my men, who will return with supplies. Will that be sufficient, do you think, Shinrai?"

"It should do," Shinrai agreed, crossing his arms. "Would you like me to accompany them?"

"No, I need you here." The Inu no Taisho thoughtfully cocked his head to one side, studying Kagome out of the corner of his eye. "After the ceremony has been completed, you will return, too, Inuyasha. Your Tetsusaiga is valuable. It could end this war in a day rather then the several it may take for us to win without it. Kagome, you will remain at the Silver Castle. Sesshomaru will assist you in making sure you know what your duties will require."

"Understood," Kagome said softly, though her gaze dropped nervously. Inuyasha shifted his weight, his ears still flat against his head.

This certainly wasn't what they'd expected to come with Naraku's death.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagura pinched the bridge of her nose, frustrated. How long did it take for them to send a message back?! Yes, they were in the middle of the war, but there had to be someone hanging around that could answer! Not too far away from the wind demon, Rin played under the strict supervision of her protector, her face lit up in a smile as she played some kind of game with Shippo, a game with wooden pieces that had to be moved to certain places before the game could truly start...

Suddenly, Paru ducked into the room, her mate close behind her. "Kagura-san, here," she called. "That pigeon came back. Kohaku-kun and Sota-kun are taking it back to its cage..." She planted the letter back in Kagura's hands. Kagura gave her a grateful smile before tearing it open and reading aloud so that Sesshomaru heard it as well.

"Kagura,

Your demands have been discussed with Shinrai, my son, the miko, and a trusted demon. It has been decided that Inuyasha and Kagome will return as quickly as possible and preform the ceremony. Then, Inuyasha will return to finish up the war. Kagome will remain, where I expect Sesshomaru to assist her in learning what the Silver Queen needs to do.

Naraku is dead.

Toga,

Inu no Taisho

of the

Silver Kingdom"

Kikyo, who'd walked in just in time to hear the letter, peered over Kagura's shoulder at it. "Naraku's dead?" she breathed, a smile spreading across her face in relief. "That means the war will be over soon, right?"

"Not necessarily," Sesshomaru growled, eyes never leaving Rin. The young girl still had bandages wrapped around her head, her leg carefully splinted so that she wouldn't destroy it's chances of healing. She sat on the ground, moving a wooden piece with a triumphant cry. "There is still cleaning up to do. And another war will more than likely start back up. The Kumo Kingdom has fallen, meaning that a new leader will need to arise before people begin to fight for the position."

"Do they not have a second-in-command?" Paru said with a frown.

"No, they do," Kagura muttered, "But Naraku had such control over the Kumo Kingdom, they won't know what to think... If I know the Takahashis like I think I do, then you will send assistance to fix the situations in the different kingdoms, right?"

"I am not certain." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "That decision will be up to the miko, as she will be Silver Queen before the war is over. Inuyasha may influence her decision, but in the end, it is what she chooses that we must obey."

Kagura snickered. "You'll be following Inuyasha's orders, Sesshomaru. Aren't you excited?" She received a nasty look from the dog demon. "Anyways, we can start getting ready for the ceremony. Kaede won't be here to preform it...Jinenji's gone home...and I have no idea how it works. Sesshomaru, are you aware of how to do the ceremony?"

"I was present for my father's and Izayoi's," Sesshomaru grumbled, "I will preform it for the half-breed and his mate."

"Good," Kikyo said thoughtfully. "Let's hope they hurry back then, because those people in the Market are getting crazy..." She huffed. "Honestly! I'm not a murderer!"

"Nobody said you were, Kikyo-sama," Paru soothed, crossing her arms. "I'll send Aka to alert them of Kagome-sama and Inuyasha-sama's return...if that is alright with you, of course, Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru finally glanced away from Rin, growling his irritation. "Fine. Send Aka. He is not needed at the moment. I want six sets of guards set at the gates, you might as well see to that while you're out. I do not feel like angry subjects storming the Silver Castle because the miko is not yet the Silver Queen. Is that clear?"

Paru stuck her tongue out, not seeming the least bit bothered that she was doing such things to a demon that could easily sentence her to death with a simple glance. "Of course, Sesshomaru-sama. I'll see to such matters immediately." She smirked, bowing respectfully, then left quickly, her eyes sharp with amusement. Shippo paused to glance after his mother with a frown, then shrugged and moved a wooden piece along the board. "Ha!" he cried suddenly, smirking. "I win, Rin-chan!"

Rin pouted, though she had to fight the smile off of her face. "You're good at this, Shippo-kun...let's do another round! Maybe I'll beat you this time!"

"Sure," Shippo agreed eagerly, setting to work on moving the pieces around to their beginning places again. "You can start this time."

Kagura sighed, she and Kikyo exchanging a longing look after glancing at the children. "How nice it must to be a child in times like this," Kagura said wistfully, shaking her head. "You don't have to have a single care in the world for such important matters...come on, Kikyo-sama, we must go prepare the ceremonial garments that Kagome-sama and Inuyasha-sama will be wearing...they must be fitted perfectly to their person."

"Because we can tell how long the sleeves must be," Kikyo muttered sarcastically, sighing softly as she wound her arm through the wind demon's. They made their way out of the room, leaving Sesshomaru to watch over the children.

"We can," Kagura replied with a grin. "We just have to go peek in their rooms..."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Cringing, the young woman flinched away from the bullwhip in the man's hand, her eyes filled with a fear that very few were capable of creating. Multiple lashes already decorated her once smooth skin, her face puffy and bruised from crying and beatings. Naturally, of course, nobody stopped to help her. She was just a slave, not one someone cared for. She was property.

"Hey!"

The pounding of horse's hooves filled the air and she glanced up anxiously as a massive white horse pulled to a stop just inches from her face. A woman sat upon the horse, dressed in men's clothing and armor, a bow thrown over her shoulder alongside a quiver. One arm had been covered, the other a sharp stormy gray that made her cringe. The man that had been beating her glared up at the woman with annoyance in his eyes. "Who the hell do you think you are, lady? Get out of here, before you join her."

A single dark eyebrow rose as he received a look. "Are you threatening me? Because I can tell you right now. Inuyasha doesn't exactly approve of threats that are directed at me." She rose her chin proudly. "I'm Kagome Higurashi, soon to be Silver Queen. Are you sure you want me to join her?"

The man's jaw dropped and he rushed to bow respectfully to Kagome, who rolled her good eye and waved for the beaten slave to stand. She staggered to her feet, barely able to remain there as she gave Kagome a grateful look. Kagome smiled gently. "What's your name?"

"M-Mazuka," the slave stammered, looking startled. "The name my parents gave me was Mazuka."

"You're half-demon, correct?" Kagome's gaze swept across Mazuka and she gave a curt nod to confirm it herself. Suddenly, the sound of more hooves filled the air, and a horse came to a halt beside hers. Kagome sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, but-"

"Seriously, wench?" a growl replied. Inuyasha glared at her angrily. "You just got back from purifying someone to Hell and back and you run off without waiting?"

"Yeah," Kagome retorted, waving at the stunned looking Mazuka. "Trying to help future subjects." Her words were sharp though they held no anger. She turned her attention back on the lost looking slave, giving her a brilliant smile. "Here." She dug in her breastplate, then tossed a small leather pouch to her. Mazuka caught it, lips parting in surprise at the familiar sound of jingling coins. "Take that, you're free. Hear that?" she added snippily to her owner. The man flushed, nodding. "I just have one thing I want you to do."

"Anything, Kagome-sama," Mazuka said eagerly. She tugged at the collar around her neck. It wasn't tight enough to cause damage, but the idea of getting it off excited her. Her claws, kept in check by her owner, were useless. "Anything you ask of me will be done."

Kagome waved her closer and then told Inuyasha, rolling her eye, "Get the collar off for her, would you? Make yourself useful...please?" she added as an afterthought when he gave her a look that warned her of later arguing if she didn't stop ordering him around.

"C'mere," Inuyasha muttered, reaching over his own mare's shoulder to use his claws. He sliced through the leather with ease, then pulled back immediately, as if not wanting to be anywhere near the freed half-demon. Mazuka bowed respectfully to him, and then turned her gaze back onto Kagome.

"I want you," Kagome told her, ignoring the people that were gathering around, some glaring while others cheering at the sight of them, looking more than a little excited by the sight of their Silver Prince and the woman he was engaged to. "To go around, anywhere you can, and spread the news." Her voice rose, loud and clear over the murmurs. "Naraku is dead. The war is nearly over. And soon there will be a new Silver Queen."

There was a split second of silence, and then explosive cheering and cries of happiness, applause and screams of victory filling the air. Inuyasha grimaced, ears flattening against his silver scalp as the guards that accompanied them began to file into view, looking annoyed by their leaders' disappearances. His golden eyes swept over the group anyhow, amused. "You're not supposed to make speeches yet. That part comes after, woman."

She shrugged. "They looked depressed. And he was pissing me off." She waved at the man that was looking away, a furious look upon his face. "I'm going to end this stupid slavery thing, Inuyasha. It's ridiculous, people too lazy to do their own work!" She paused. "Well, you know. If they're not getting paid. If they're getting paid and asked for the job, that's different."

Inuyasha sighed, shaking his head as he urged his horse forward, ignoring the people that gathered around them to thank them or even just touch them or their mounts. Sabe stuck close, his ears flicked backwards in his discomfort at the amount of people around them. Reassuringly, Kagome patted his neck. "You can't start announcing that thought of yours until it's gone through Totosai and Myoga and they've confirmed it as something that needs to be done. Me, too, wench, things have to go through me to be confirmed."

"Of course," Kagome muttered, rolling her eye. His ears twitched as he growled softly, glaring at people until they moved out of his path. Kagome simply filed in beside him, using this to her advantage.

Quite suddenly, things went wrong. Something wrapped around her ankle and Kagome shrieked in surprise as she was suddenly dragged from Sabe's back. The stallion screamed, rearing up and lashing out in surprise and fear with his hooves. People scattered, screaming in fear, and Inuyasha swore, reaching for Tetsusaiga as he leaped from his own horse's back. Guards came rushing, shoving people aside without care.

Kagome grimaced as she was dragged a cross the hard ground, scraping her hands harshly as she scrabbled to free herself. Giving up on getting free, she reached for her bow, only for her hand to be slammed harshly enough against the ground that it gave a sharp crack.

The demon that had owned Mazuka snarled into her face. "How dare you free my slave," he rasped, looking furious as his hand darted out to wrap around her throat. "You deserve nothing but the death you gave Naraku, you bitch." Kagome's gaze darkened as she struggled to shove his hand away, but a blade came to rest just beside her good eye, and she froze, not moving. "How about I scar that other eye of yours? You can be blind."

"Get the hell off of her," Inuyasha snarled, eyes ablaze with rage as he glared at the demon.

"I think not," the demon retorted.

Kagome swallowed thickly, wincing at the pressure on her windpipe, then hesitantly let her hands snap with power, warning him to get away. When he didn't, however, she prepared to purify him.

But, it appeared, there was no need for that. Within seconds, people were diving to help her, dragging the demon off with harshly inflicted wounds. Shouting filled the air, and the demon vanished into the angry hands of the crowd. Inuyasha tugged Kagome to her feet, sniffing lightly to make sure she was alright. Noticing his look, she grimaced and touched her hand. "I'm alright, just a bit bruised. Though I don't think he's going to get out of there with just bruises..."

"Good," Inuyasha muttered, hurriedly nudging her back towards Sabe. Kagome didn't protest, letting him do as he wished. He inspected the scrapes along her hands, growling softly at the blood there. "I should tear him apart."

"Not a good thing to do to the people who live under your command," Kagome commented, touching his arm reassuringly. "I'm okay, trust me. Come on, let's hurry back. Kagura-san and Kikyo-chan are probably wondering what's taking us so long...we should have gotten there around mid-day and it's nearly evening. People will freak out and we'll have to send messengers everywhere to tell them we're alright."

Inuyasha merely nodded, lifting her up onto her horse before climbing onto his own and urging the horse in the direction of the Silver Castle.