Hoorah! Chapter thirty-eight is here and ready for your inspection! I can't wait until Christmas… ah it's so close! Yayayayayayaya! Squee!!!

Ahem, anyways, the adventure continues.

Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha.

Preparations

It had taken them little over a day to return to the inu Lord's home, despite the fact that it had taken them several to reach the mountains. She found that riding on the taiyoukai's cloud was much easier on her backside than riding Mischief, though she still missed the spunky mare dearly.

However, she could not deny that she had enjoyed the thirty hours of flying while sitting in her inu youkai's lap. His pelt, which she had been somewhat skeptical of at first, had done much to ease her tension. Throughout the entire length of the trip it had trailed up and down her spine, soothing her tense muscles.

Sesshomaru had stressed the importance of their travels being unhindered, and in order to circumvent enemies, the two of them had combined strengths to create a barrier, expunging any trace of their auras, scents or anything else that might attract trouble. During that time, when their energies had melded as one, she couldn't help but love the odd yet comforting sensation that came over her. It felt as though they were one. During that time, there was no Sesshomaru, no Kagome, but one perfect being. A demon and a miko… light and darkness; the balance had never felt stronger.

She wondered idly if that was what mating felt like. She had been intimate with Sesshomaru twice before, yet it had seemed hollow, and dirty in a way. Perhaps it was due to the fact that the demon Lord's intentions had never been pure. Her own intentions, though they had not been impure, had been uncertain… which, to a miko, was just as bad.

Kikyo and Inuyasha had gone through such trials in their earlier years, and she couldn't stop the feeling of dread that seeped into her being at the thought of losing her miko abilities. She could still summon them, though she was no longer a virgin, but she had heard that the union of a demon and miko would strip a priestess of her holy energy. Was it the purity of one's body that determined whether they could keep their power? Or was it the purity of the soul? She honestly didn't know.

Kikyo, in her own opinion, had anything but a pure soul, yet she managed to retain her powers. 'Kikyo was also supposed to remain dead,' she reminded herself. 'Then again, I've heard of dark miko's before too. This is so confusing.'

Shaking her head, she wiped her mind clean of such dreadful thoughts. 'When it occurs,' she inferred, 'I suppose it will be up to the gods to decide my fate. If I am meant to be stripped of my powers, then so be it. I would much rather lose my holy energy than live a life in the dank pits of loneliness.'

"Koi," Sesshomaru beckoned, shaking the young woman lightly. When she blinked a couple of times and looked up at him with her deep azure eyes, he notified, "We have arrived at our home."

"Our home," Kagome repeated, testing the words on her tongue. They seemed foreign, though they were very welcome. The cool, familiar weight of the crescent moon on her necklace dangled between her breasts, and she lifted her hand to press her fingers against it.

Another thought occurred to her. If she were to mate with Sesshomaru, she would have to live in the Feudal Era. She sighed. Her family would be heartbroken, but she just couldn't see herself living a life without the man she loved, and she highly doubted that he would join her in the twenty-first century. She would be able to visit them on occasion she supposed, but it would be difficult leaving them.

She was shaken from her reverie when Sesshomaru jostled her lightly. The familiar sight of the western palace greeted her as she took in her surroundings, feet touching the ground for the first time in hours. At first, she felt somewhat dizzy, and her ears had yet to pop. Dropping from such a high altitude was murder on one's head.

Almost instantly, the screeching call of two young children pierced the air. Smile spreading across her lips, Kagome cast a relieved glance at Shippou and Rin. Curious as to where the third tike was hiding, she cast a quick glance around before asking, "Where's Yumi?"

Eyes widening in realization, Shippou turned and scratched his head. "I don't know… she was here a moment ago." Sucking in a deep breath, he called, "Yumi! Come on, Kagome's back!"

Seconds later, the timid little girl could be seen scurrying out of the palace, coming to a stop behind Shippou before peering around his side at the miko and the demon Lord.

Flopping down on her knees, Kagome outstretched her arms and bid, "Come on, sweetheart, it's alright."

"Mommy?" she whispered in her quiet voice.

Nodding animatedly, Kagome slowly coaxed the shy child forward, wrapping her arms around the hesitant girl once she was in range. "I missed you, baby."

"I missed you too," Yumi murmured softly.

A slight grumbling drew her attention to a fuming toad youkai, who was a comical sight indeed. Drenched from head to toe, yet smoking from the rear, Jaken approached, a sour scowl painting his green face.

Quirking a brow, Kagome cast a quick glance down at the children, humming to her self when she found them giggling. "Is there something you need to tell me?"

Guilty look shining in his wide, emerald eyes, Shippou shook his head vigorously, the action being repeated by the other two members of the guilty party.

Clearing her throat, Kagome scolded, "What did you do, Shippou?"

Huffing, the kit explained, "We were playing, and that mean old toad yelled at us and told us to keep it down. Rin tried to stand up for us, but then the big jerk hit her on the head with his staff. So I…"

Her other, midnight brow lifted to meet its other behind the thin veil of her bangs, and she pressed, "You what, Shippou?"

Sniffing lightly, he mumbled, "I used my foxfire to set his robe on fire."

Kagome tried her hardest to stifle a giggle as she imagined Jaken running in circles, arms flailing as his bottom burned.

"He didn't get hurt!" Yumi added quickly in her quiet voice, "I shot him with my water funnel and put out the fire!"

At that the young miko couldn't help but laugh. After a second of tittering, she regained her composure and sighed, "I suppose he did deserve it, but that doesn't give you the right to play such nasty tricks on him. You're going to be the death of that poor old toad."

Looking to Jaken, who stood obediently beside his Lord, she offered, "My apologies, Jaken, they are only still children."

He groused a little, but nodded in acceptance, a bitter look crossing his features.

Standing, Yumi balanced on one hip, she offered her other hand to Rin and smiled brightly at Shippou. "Shall we?" she inquired jubilantly as she strolled toward the palace. "I'm beat," she admitted, "I could go for a nice, hot meal."

"Me too!" Shippou declared, "I'm starving."

"You just ate, silly," Rin teased while poking at him.

"Yeah," he affirmed, crossing his arms and puffing out his chest, "so what? I'm a growing youkai." During his little tough charade, he failed to see Sesshomaru stop in front of him, and let out a startled 'oomph' when he walked straight into the taiyoukai's legs.

Turning when he felt something small nudge him, Sesshomaru lifted a brow at the young kit that lay sprawled out on the floor behind him. In the child's eyes, though determination and a strong will shone brightly, trace amounts of fear still flickered within those jade depths. Knowing the boy had every right to be wary he allowed a slight smile to grace his features.

The shock was imminent, and he couldn't help but chuckle when the boy scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply. Though it wasn't much, even such an insignificant sign from the western Lord was a deep reassurance.

He also knew that Kagome would be happy that he was being friendly to the children. Though he refused to partake in that foolish 'tag' game Rin was always trying to play with him, he supposed that certain changes around the youths would benefit them all. The less tension between himself and the kit and young demoness, the easier it would be for Kagome to relax.

Accompanying the group to the dining hall, Sesshomaru waited patiently for the children to enter before pulling Kagome aside. "Koi," he began, "I will be in the dojo should you need me. Rest, relax and eat. I know not when Naraku plans on striking, but I want us all to be in perfect condition when he decides to make his move."

She nodded and kissed him gently on the cheek, hugging him quickly before scampering back into the dining hall with the children.

Smiling at her retreating figure, the western Lord picked up on his General's aura and sped off toward him. Meiyo and his men would need to be in tip top shape for the upcoming battle. They had been training since the night of the dinner, but he believed it was high time to check up on them. He only hoped that the other Lords were taking this just as seriously as he was.

Another factor of this war that bothered him was his temporary allegiance with the southern Lord. Would it last, or had it already been broken? With a youkai such as Rika, it was often hard to tell what would ensue.

The tall, blonde male frowned; brow creasing slightly. His determined emerald eyes scanned the long line of soldiers before him. "Excellent," he told them in a firm and praising voice. "However, excellent will not do. You will need to be perfect. As soldiers of the Western Army, nothing less will do."

Abandoning his stance at the foot of the line, he began to stroll stiffly down the row. "When the time comes, we will all need to do our best, and though I am very impressed with our acceleration thus far, we can do better. Let us push ourselves to the next level, gentlemen, for our Lord and our land. For the very future of Japan… nay, the world, no mistakes can be made. Our enemy is a powerful one, and there will be losses. Yet if we train harder, perhaps we can prevent some of said losses. Now back to work!"

"Exceptional work, General Meiyo, you do your Lord proud."

Turning at the sound of his Lord's voice, Meiyo bowed swiftly when he saw the great inu youkai standing motionlessly before him.

Motioning for his comrade to rise, Sesshomaru approached and inquired, "How have the men been progressing?"

Straightening himself, the blonde General answered, "Remarkably, my Lord. They had improved greatly. Do you have an idea as to how long we have?"

Pausing, the inu expanded his senses and sought out the evil aura of the spider hanyou. Finding it rather easily, he replied, "Tomorrow at noon, I estimate."

Features hardening, Meiyo commented, "Though there isn't much time left, I will work them to the best of my abilities, Lord Sesshomaru."

Nodding, the silver haired youkai drew his weapon and ordered, "I too will train with you."

Bowing, the General drew his own sword and remarked, "You honor me, my Lord."

Toukijin clashing noisily against his opponent's blade, the western Lord steeled himself, a single image lingering at the back of his mind. Kagome, he would do this for her… he would win this war for her.

Awe, Sesshomaru's being all sentimental. Yay, he's in love. Seriously, I wish that they had arranged it so that Sesshomaru felt for Kagome in the series. I mean honestly. Anime never seems to have a 'happy ending' and it would be neat seeing the conflict that would arise if Sesshomaru did feel for the miko. He obviously would never act openly on such notions, since he's too prideful, but it would be cool adding that bit of spice to the story. Oh well… that's what fanfiction is for I suppose. It's just so much better with the picture to accompany it.

Review, my wonderful readers, I heart you all so much!