"Use her for what?" Sango asked.
"Motherhood by HIM!" Kouga answered.
"Your duty to protect the jewel would be in danger if you went and gave yourself to him."
"Kagome listen. I know that you don't have any reason to trust me right now, but let me do some looking around into this. I know there are risks, but if there is a way to pull the information from... well Kikyou, then I will try in hopes to get Souta back for you." Inuyasha touched her on the upper arm then walked out of the hut.
"Kagome return with the western lord and when there is something we will let you know."
"I will be returning in the next few days anyway so I can return to my time for five days." Kagome gave members of the group hugs before Sango handed Tobikuma back to Kagome.
"Don't worry to much. Nothing will happen." Kouga gave her a hug and looked at Sesshoumaru and made eye contact with him before stepping back. "See you soon Kagome." Sesshoumaru rose to the sky and all three were gone.
"Hello Kagome. Rin stayed in your room waiting." Rin smiled up to Kagome. Rin frowned when Kagome didn't say anything but walked by with a blank look on her face.
"Did Rin speak wrong Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"No. She has much on her mind."
Both Rin and Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome walked over to the area that held the hall leading to the bed chambers. Reaching her room she walked in and over to her futon and laid her son down. When time for the last meal of the day arrived Kagome turned down going to eat. She told the woman to inform Sesshoumaru that she wished not to eat and went to bed early.
For the next few days she stayed pretty much in her room or training herself. On one of those days she was taken to the village to have Kouga walk her to the well. Seven days later she slipped back into the well. She had to struggle to keep from telling her mother the truth about Souta but ended up only saying that her brother was with her friends and was safe.
Before she climbed out of the well she strapped a baby harness on that her mother had bought her. Instead of having it where the harness was on her back she put it so her son could be strapped to her chest while her backpack was on her back. Once all situated she climbed out of the well. As she was heading towards the village she had the feeling that someone was following her, so she started walking faster and when she neared the village she held her son to her chest tighter and ran the rest of the way to Kaede's hut. Once at the hut she took no time moving the mat away and entered the hut. Inside the hut she slightly leaned forward as she breathed hard and fast.
"Kagome is there something the matter?" Sango stood up.
"While I was walking to the hut there was a feeling that I was being followed so I ran. So where's everyone?"
"Kaede and Miroku are at a different hut. Kouga and his men went to visit Ayame, and Inuyasha has not been back since he left that day you went to Sesshoumaru's before you went home for your time of the month. Shippou is out playing somewhere. So how was your visit?"
"Stressing for me because I kept wanting to tell my family the truth about my brother. I do know that I won't be able to keep using the same thing before my mom and grandfather starts to ask questions. So I must get my brother back soon. Other then that the trip home was good. Mom just loved seeing her grandchild for the first time and my grandfather just cried when he saw my son."
"So are you going to remain here at the village for a while or are you needing to return to Sesshoumaru's right away?"
"Since I came through the well late, I will stay here tonight and possibly tomorrow before I head back to Sesshoumaru's."
"How have you been truly taking it being at Sesshoumaru's?"
"It is a great place, but..." She looked down at her son.
"But it is not here or your time right?"
"That is one of the things yes, but I have been doing some thinking every since Kouga came to talk to me and I had done more talking in my era on a choice that I need to make. I'm thinking on leaving my son with his father since he will soon be old enough not to nurse by a breast because his fangs are showing. Leave him with his father and come back here and begin my duty once more."
"Are you sure? Have you spoke to Sesshoumaru about this?"
"I have not decided fully yet and no I have not really talked to him. I've talked to Kouga and he told me to really think hard on it and whatever I choose to do he will stand behind me."
"Your choices do need to be weighed. You should speak these choices to Sesshoumaru as well."
"Ah Kagome what a sight to see among these walls."
Hello Miroku. It is good to see you as well." Miroku came over and sat down.
In the forest close to the village a demon walked back into the shadows as he headed to a woman leaning against a tree tapping her fan on her chin. When the branches of the bushes moved she stood up.
"The miko came back to the village."
"Very well." She moved her eyes and caught one of the poison insects that Naraku sent with her. "Damn you Naraku." She voiced to herself. "We will keep a watch on her and when it gets darker we will move closer to the village, but also position ourselves towards the western end of the village."
"When do we take her down? Her flesh would taste mighty good. Peel the skin from her bones piece by piece and eating it while the screams of pain came from her lips as she slowly dies."
"Your being here is to keep them from being comfortable at thinking Naraku is not seeking the miko, but she is not to be harmed."
Kagura and the demon watched the village and villagers as the day wore on and turned night with the villagers extinguishing the lights in their huts to sleep. Kagura motioned for the demon to move in and head for the village. Those in Kaede's hut woke to the sounds of screaming and the smell of smoke.
"What's going on?" Shippou jumped to his feet looking around. He ran to the entrance.
"There's something attacking the village." The others went to the entrance to see what he was talking about.
"We have got to stop that thing. Kagome stay here. Come on Miroku."
"You're going to need help since Inuyasha is not here neither is Kouga, Ginta or Hakkaku."
"We will do our best." Kagome watched as Sango, Miroku and Kaede went out to fight. As the fighting carried on she watched as Kaede got knocked to the ground and was unable to get up.
"Shippou, I need your help. Stay here and protect my son please." She strapped her sword to her waist and grabbed her bow and quiver of arrows then ran out of the hut and over to where Kaede was on the ground.
"I'm here lady Kaede."
"Kagome, you should not be out here." Kaede looked at Kagome as she knelt down.
"You need help. How bad are you hurt?" Kagome carefully looked Kaede over.
"I don't see anything serious. Let's get you back on your feet."
"WATCH OUT KAGOME!" Was heard as she found herself being lifted off the ground.
"Ah the delectable little miko." The demon said as he turned Kagome to face him. "Your flesh smells even more delicious this close." The demon raised it's clawed finger and placed it on the skin of her right collarbone with a slight bit of pressure and slid his claw down diagonally stopping above the valley between her breasts. This caused her to cry out in pain and a few minutes later white blades were seen slicing through the arm that held Kagome.
"You were informed that the miko was not to be seriously injured."
"The capture you should have done then..." The demon went silent as a poisonous insect lowered it's self close to Kagura then she nodded before it and the others left. She pulled a feather from her hair and throw it on the ground and stepped on when it grew.
"Kagura please tell me where my brother is." Kagome asked as she slowly got off the ground in pain. "Please help me." Kagura could tell one of the insects were still close by.
"Naraku holds him." She quickly left and when she did the insects followed behind her. While behind her on the ground Miroku used his wind tunnel to suck up the demon.
"Come lady Kaede. We will get you to the hut." Sango took one side as Kagome took the other side then they slowly helped Kaede to her feet.
"This old woman will be fine. We must offer peace to those who have lost their homes and loved ones. Whereas ye must not remain here this night now that Naraku knows that the village is only protected by a old miko, a monk and one demon exterminator. There be not much hope of defending village if he seeks you among the village."
"Lady Kaede is right Kagome. With so many of the group gone, we could not fight Naraku off if he or a puppet shows up looking for you." Miroku spoke. They talked a bit more before Kagome reluctantly agreed then went to the hut to get her bag and son then came back out without changing and stepped up to Kirara.
"Kagome we will let Kouga know you are back and safe when he arrives." Sango rubbed Kirara's head as Miroku got on behind Kagome and Kirara lifted to the sky as Sango followed Kaede.
As Kirara flew Miroku began to see in Kagome's body as she held her son that she was becoming increasingly tired as she began tilting forward. To Keep her from falling forward he leaned her against him. An hour later Miroku felt Kirara descend and land.
"Who dares to come upon the gate of the western lord?"
"I am a simple monk. I realize it is late, but time was of the essence to reach this domain with the miko Kagome and her son." A guard walked over with a torch and saw the state that Kagome clothes were in. He turned quickly to another guard.
"Alert lord Sesshoumaru that the lady miko looks to be wounded." The warrior said and the other guard quickly headed to the main building. "Here I'll help you." The guard took Tobikuma into his arms as Miroku slid off Kirara with the sleeping Kagome then followed the guard towards the building. As they reached the main door it opened to revealed Sesshoumaru and the other guard standing behind him on the right. Sesshoumaru looked at the guard who held his son then looked at Miroku holding Kagome.
"Bring them." He turned and walked back inside. When they reached the room Miroku placed Kagome on the futon and stepped away.
"She is not unconscious, but is just sleeping lord Sesshoumaru." Miroku spoke up. As a servant made her way to the futon one could see the blood covered and ruined top that was diagonally cut on her.
"Explain what happened."
"Those of us who were at the elder miko's hut were woke up by screams and the smell of smoke. Going outside we saw a demon attacking the village. Myself, Sango and lady Kaede went out to defend the village while we had Kagome stay in the hut with her son and Shippou." Miroku continued to explain what happened.
"Were you not aware of a impending attack?"
"Kagome mentioned that when she was walking to the village upon returning from her era she felt that she was being followed. So she ran the rest of the way to the hut."
"Where was the wolf and the half breed?"
"Kouga and his men headed north to visit his intended when Kagome went home and he has not returned yet. Inuyasha, we have not seen since he left to gather information."
"Lord Sesshoumaru, the miko's wound are not life threatening and healing rather nice for one such as she."
"I must return to help console those who have lost loved ones and homes." Sesshoumaru nodded for the guard to see Miroku to the gate as he took his son within his arms while the servant finished what she was doing then he laid his son down next to Kagome then headed back to his own room.
Across the miles within a dark castle a red eyed woman clutched her chest and went to her knees in front of a black haired man leaning against the wall looking into a glowing mirror.
"The events at the village displeases me, Kagura."
"Was not my doing. That one you sent had a desire to taste the flesh of the sister to the boy you hold. You know now that the miko is aware you hold her brother."
"Indeed. Kanna show me the dead priestess and her dog hanyou." The mirror flashed and the scene of a nude dead priestess and her dog hanyou laid in each other's arms asleep. Naraku watched intently at the pair and pictured his next taking and use Kikyou's body as he waited to be able to take Kagome in the same way.