Chapter Nine

Smoke fogged the air as huts burned to ash. The crackling of the fires unheard over the screaming of innocent humans. Women holding children ran barefoot through the snow, as men tried to ward off the Western troops. The sickening sound of a blade as it ripped through flesh, the splattering of blood as it covered the thin layer of snow pierced his sensitive earring, golden eyes turned towards the sound, the scent of heavy smoking angering him. Looking to the demon beside him he took off towards the direction of the screaming.

Women and children ran as a demon blade swung above them, the mother shoving the children out of the way, the blade slicing her back with a sickening crunch of her backbone breaking. The kids fell to the snow covered ground, screaming as their mother died before them. The young boy quickly grabbed his toddler sister, trying to drag her away as fast as he could. Not looking back as the manic laughing of the demon behind him closed in. His sister tripping to the ground slowed them as the boy looked on in horror. Closing his eyes he awaited his fate, his eyes opening when all that was met was a quick brushing of air and the loud clang of blades clashing on impact. Before him stood another Demon, a long black tail swishing before him and his sister.

"Run!" Yelled the demon standing above him. Not needing to be told twice he quickly grabbed his sister, dragging her to the shelter of the forest. He was met within by another demon with deep golden eyes. He looked threatening but the other mothers and children that were behind him reached out for the two children.

"Kenta, quickly lets go." he ran to the women behind the fearful demon. They began to run in a direction he had never gone before, the demon barking out directions to a village. He didn't know what was happening but he heard an incredible growling noise, before the screaming began behind him once more. The earth shaking under their feet as they ran.

Hidden within the smoke, the fallen prince devoured the troops attempting to flee, Takashi searched the fallen debris for supplies and survivors. Blood saturated any building left standing, which was not many. As it became eerily quiet he felt the presence of his Lord behind him.

"Have you found survivors? I sense none within the village." Takashi agreed, he had found none, all to escape were those they had already sent off into the woods. Both dug about the village, Sesshomaru managed to find four bags of rice that had not burned, Takashi found a barn saved, filled with hay and one young horse. Both surprised when they found a young human girl hiding in a water trough, she had abruptly surfaced to get more air when her eyes landed upon the two. She screamed and tried to run away only causing her to trip spraining her small ankle. Sesshomaru belt beside the girl, his claw tipped hand resting atop her head.

"You are now safe, young one." The girl's tear stained face looked up in fear. He didn't blame the girl, her fear was rational. They made a makeshift sled out of the broken wood and rope. Tied it about the horse before loading up the hay and rice, the young girl sitting upon the back of the horse. Takashi gave the young girl his outer kimono for warmth.

"Let's hurry to the others." Takashi spoke as he led the horse from the village. Nightfall would be soon, Sesshomaru decided it would be best for one of them to run ahead to the other villagers. With nightfall came more demons. Takashi had been pleasantly surprised when he found out his Lord wished to protect and save others when he could. His Lord was so different from the aloof cold harder demon he once was.

Takashi stayed behind with the young girl as Sesshomaru took off ahead. The girl seemed less fearful but still on edge as he led her to Edo. It would take him a day's time to get there if he was able to keep the beast going. Looking into the night sky he hoped the others were okay.

Sesshomaru led the freezing group of humans to a clearing, all extremely cold and tired. When he found a decently sized clearing he halted the group, they looked worried but many of the women thanked him repeatedly. Breaking a few snow covered logs he quickly stoked a large fire. The human women and children quickly huddle around it. He wished he had something for some of their feet, as a few were barefoot. Though the other women were allowing the barefooted rest their feet along their legs. The fire hopefully warms the soles to prevent frostbite. If Takashi continued forward he would meet up with him before morning. Then he could run ahead to get the others. If they grabbed one of the carts he could pull them.

Amber met Lavender as Takashi pulled up to them with the small child, she was now in his arms sleeping soundly. One of the few women who had looked up started bawling as she rushed to her child.

"Oh thank you, thank you so much." she wailed as she clung the young girl to her chest. The others looked on with a sad happiness.

Kagome was shocked when Sesshomaru came into the village with a group of women. Many of the villagers rushed to them, the women ushering many into different homes. Sango came running to her side as both women rushed to the two demons.

"What happened?" She questioned. She watched as crying children clung to the women, the horse being taken to the stables, some men quickly grabbing the rice bags to add to the town's food storages. If only the four bags would be enough, though the demons and half-demons all silently thought the same thing, they would hunt for their food, along with hunting meat for the village.

"Takashi and I went further out to hunt, we do not wish to scare off all the prey around the village. Our senses picked up the smell of smoke before we heard the screaming. A village closer to the Eastern border was being pillaged by Western Soldiers." Both Sango and Kagome gasped at such a horrible thing. They would need to send a messenger to Koga right away.

"Koga will not be happy that the West is pillaging Eastern villages." Sango's voice held much of her anger. She looked to Kagome before running to Miroku's side, he was leading a few orphans into their home.

"Sango is right, we should send someone to Koga." Kagome watched as the village disappeared into their home, each family taking in a woman or some children, some both. She loved how well her village has grown in ten years, they took care of eachother, not just themselves.

"I will send Takashi once he has rested. He can leave in his panther form tonight, he will be unseen in the dark." As he laced his fingers in hers he looked over towards the hill to see Miyuki running down the hill smiling.

"Papa, Mama!" She shouted out to them, Shippo running behind her laughing as he tried to catch her. The elemental, completely within her element causing a pile of snow to magically fall upon him.

"Miyuki!" They could hear the snow covered Kitsune yelling. The demoness snickered as she hid behind her adoptive parents.

"Papa, I saw you come back with more orphans. Are you adopting them as well. Her vibrant blues looked up to his question, the cold air left Kagome's cheeks flushed yet Miyukis were just fine as she stood in just a simple Kimono in the snow.

"Not this time Miyuki. Most of these Orphans have homes, and those who do not will likely stay with other village women they know." Looking from his daughter to the grumbling fox behind her he smiled. The two seemed to be getting along well. This pleased him.

Thank you for all your support! I love hearing feedback from everyone. And for those who like to complain how Shippo is too strong or Sesshomaru is out of character I would like to state, yes indeed sess is ooc, why because I wrote him so. I never stated this was a great in char story. Shippo is too strong yes I made him so its awesome for my storyline, if it bothers you STOP reading it :)