Chapter 14

Home Sweet Home

This…was awkward. Painfully so, in fact.

Kagome expected tension when her village finally met Koga but she just thought her reassurance would be enough to comfort whatever misgivings they would possibly have about the group of yokai. But, if the wary glances the few men in Hojo's group were any indication, there was more to worry about than she thought.

How was she going to put an entire village at ease?

On top of that, Koga wasn't exactly helping his cause through the next couple of days of travel. He'd gone quiet, only acknowledging the new additions to their group whenever they stopped for a meal or make camp. First, the stubborn Alpha would disappear to hunt and come back with a fresh kill. After he'd dress and prepare it to cook, he'd then sit himself in front of the fire and just glare at the humans across from him.

It was intimidating, and predatory and frickin' frustrating!

And, Ginta or Hakkaku weren't that much better. Ginta would answer the men's questions if he had to but Hakkaku had completely refused to speak to them at all. It was making the men nervous and Hojo was getting concerned, even though he hadn't mentioned anything yet. But, Kagome knew it was just a matter of time.

Mercifully, Miroku and Sango were willing to pick up the slack in conversation, putting all their effort to keeping the men calm and focused on the journey more than the group.

"So, what happened once you purified the mansion of the evil spirit?" asked Joben, one of the younger farmers who was eager to prove himself.

Kagome sighed. She knew what Miroku's answer would be. The hoshi was shameless in offering his "talents" to those that needed them, especially those that lifted in the best houses in the village. Still, she could only imagine how the tale would end.

"Well, as you can imagine, the master of the household was so grateful for my services, he offered to let me remain in his home for a month," Miroku informed with a pleased grin. "Of course, I couldn't do that to the poor soul. It wouldn't be fair to remain so long in one place and neglect the others who could need my services."

Kagome would just bet he would….

"I only remained for the week," he finished flippantly.

"That was very generous of you," Hojo replied, eyes wide with appreciation of the hoshi.

He sounded so genuine in his admiration, Kagome didn't have the heart to tell him it was most-likely the hoshi had tried to stay a month but the master of the household had to kick him out after a week.

There was an innocence to Hojo that was so real, Kagome didn't know whether to give him a hug or pat his head. He really saw things so simply.

Kagome used to find it endearing; all the girls in the village did. But, now, she only felt worry for his well-being. The village would depend on his judgement one day.

How would he fair against a yokai's treachery? Even something as innocent as Shipo's little tricks would confound him. That…was a problem.

Another thing to worry about in her growing list was Shipo. Kagome hadn't forgotten the little kitsune had refused to show himself since the men from the village joined them. Apparently, he was cautious, as well.

He wasn't gone. Kagome could sense him always close-by. But, he just remained hidden from view. She supposed she couldn't blame him. He was nervous and probably didn't want to set the men off. She'd just have to wait for him to decide to come out on his own.

In the mean-time…. Something had to be done soon. They were reaching the village today!

A sudden but gentle hand on her shoulder causing Kagome to startle out of her thoughts, wide eyes snapping to Hojo's surprised expression.

"I didn't mean to scare you," he replied, slightly sheepish.

Kagome felt her face warm slightly in embarrassment. She'd been on alert for so long, had she gotten to the point even a friend could make her jump?

Giving a bright smile, Kagome just shook her head. "Don't worry about it," she reassured. "I was just….lost in thought."

"Worried?" Hojo asked, face looking more concerned than she ever saw him before.

Kagome didn't have the heart to lie. "I just….don't know how everyone will react," she admitted. "We've already dealt with so much."

Suddenly, Hojo cleared his throat and stopped, mid-step, causing Kagome to stop as well.

"Kagome," he replied guardedly. "Could I speak to you for a moment?"

Kagome blinked in surprise as she worked her jaw to speak. Unfortunately, she was so stunned by the change in Hojo's demeanor, she could only bring herself to nod.

With an answering nod, Hojo turned on his sandaled heel and made for a grouping of nearby trees, out of sight. Kagome wasn't sure if she liked the abruptness of the departure but followed calmly behind him.

Hopefully, they could make this quick and catch up with the others.

When Hojo didn't automatically go into conversation, Kagome felt a suspicion flare up in her.

"Hojo?" she asked, cautiously.

"Kagome, how much do you trust your….companions?" Hojo asked before turning back towards her.

Kagome shook her head, trying to believe the question came from Hojo's mouth.

"Of course," she answered. "With my life."

"All of them?"

"Hojo, what's going on?" Kagome asked, crossing her arms in a no-nonsense gesture Hojo would quickly recognize. "You act like there's a problem."

"Kagome," Hojo sighed, obviously uncomfortable with whatever he was trying to say.

The hesitation only raised the priestess' irritation.

"Hojo, either spit it out or forget it," she scolded. "My abilities don't include reading your thoughts."

"The men are concerned," Hojo blurted out, causing Kagome to cock her head in confusion. "They….don't know if it's wise to lead the yokai back to our village or not."

"What?"

"They're wolves, Kagome," Hojo pressed. "Surely, you see that."

"They wouldn't hurt anyone," Kagome informed.

Immediately, Hojo brightened as he stepped closer to her. "So, your control over them is that strong?"

Kagome felt her head spin as she sputtered flabbergasted.

"I don't control them, Hojo," she corrected, eye flaring indignantly. "They're my friends. I know them."

"How well do you know them?" Hojo asked, head hanging slightly in guilt.

Kagome almost wanted to feel sorry for him if she wasn't already teed off.

"Enough to know Koga wouldn't hurt anyone," she answered between gritted teeth. "Wolf or not, they are here to help. You go back and tell the men, they have nothing to worry about. That I personally give my word they will not harm anyone, unless they feel the need to defend themselves."

Kagome shook her head in dismay as she watched Hojo's expression drop.

"You should know better," she scolded, nose flaring with her temper. "And, by the way, if they were so worried, they should have said something sooner. Like, before we were a hillside or so away from the village."

With an indignant huff, Kagome turned on her heel and marched back towards the road, leaving Hojo where he stood.

SSS

The human, Hojo, took a little longer to leave but Shipo released the breath he was holding when he realized his hiding spot hadn't been discovered, after all.

Apparently, he had been right to stay hidden around the new humans.

When Koga had noticed Shipo had remained out of sight, he'd actually told him to stay that way. Shipo would be his eyes and ears around the humans in case there was anything worth his notice. And, this was definitely worth noticing.

The humans didn't trust them; that was obvious. But, now, they may be planning something if Kagome couldn't keep them reassured.

The yokai would need to be on their guard. But, would Kagome need to be too?

That was Koga's main concern. The ookami were tough enough to handle a village. But, Kagome could possibly be at risk.

Shipo didn't want to admit it but, even he had seen what happened when humans found out one of their own was getting too close to yokai. Koga was claiming Kagome was his mate but she hadn't even acknowledged it in front of her fellow villagers.

It was hard to tell if she was embarrassed or if she was just trying to protect herself until they had a chance to prove they meant no harm. She was willing to defend them but, there was no way to tell whether that was for their benefit or hers. Either way, Koga wasn't about to put her at risk and had ordered Shipo to do the same.

He just hoped Koga knew what to do with the news the kit had to deliver.

SSS

By the time Kagome returned to her spot near the front of the procession, she found her inner fury hadn't subsided at all.

She couldn't believe Hojo had said that to her!

Yokai usually made trouble for humans but Koga and the others hadn't done anything to make the villagers think them a threat. Were they all going to treat the ookami that way?

The thought had some of her indignation shift to worry.

Kagome had lived for years around yokai, seeing their daily life, living through the struggles they suffered. She'd seen what they were capable of: both good and bad. And, she couldn't help but wonder, did that mean she wasn't the same person anymore?

She'd been raised and trained to be a miko. For so long, her life consisted of protecting the village and the people who lived in it. That was her responsibility, her duty. That was why Hojo was bringing the men's troubles to her.

But, then why did the idea still infuriate her?

"You alright?"

Koga's question snapped the priestess from her thoughts. When did he get there?

Not wanting to risk Koga catching on to her troubles, Kagome quickly flashed her overly bright smile.

"Never better," she chirped. "Why do you ask?"

She knew she was lying through her teeth, and she had no doubt Koga could tell as well. But, she just couldn't the ookami and the humans both being ready to swing at each-other. That would only make things worse for both. So, she'd smile and act like nothing was wrong. And, pray it would all work out.

Instead of the narrowed-eyed challenge from Koga over the fib, he turned those bright eyes towards the front as he came to a stop.

"Look," he said, gesturing ahead.

Kagome turned to see what he was looking at and her breath hitched at the emotion tightening her throat. At the base of the hill they were standing on, Kagome saw the small cluster of thatched roofs that she hadn't seen in years but would never forget.

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as Kagome pressed her lips firmly together. The village hadn't changed at all. It was exactly as she remembered it.

"Welcome home," Koga replied, placing a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder.

Kagome decided not to argue. The familiarity of it all was too much. For the first time in too long, she was where she belonged.

The priestess had barely had the nerve to take a step towards their destination when an arrow suddenly whistled through the air, landing right in front of Kagome's feet before Koga had snatched her back towards him.

"Be gone!" a voice called through the trees moments before the tips of several bows grew visible through the surrounding trees.

Kagome stared wide-eyed as the ring of men crept towards them, bows raised and at the ready. They were all staring with open hatred at Koga, who was keeping a firm grip around her as a warning growl rumbled through his chest.

The sight was intimidating but that wasn't what Kagome's eyes were frantically searching for in the group.

"I warn thee, yokai," a thin but firm voice called from the trees. "We need nothing more from yer kind. Leave us, now, and no-harm will come to ye."

Kagome felt her lower lip wobble as realization roared through her. Pushing herself to her feet and out of Koga's arms, she staggered forward a few steps to stare at the stout, slightly bent-over figure of the one person she never thought she would ever see again.

Even glaring through her one eye and aiming an arrow directly at her, Kagome was over-joyed to see her old mentor again.

"It's good to see you again, Kaede," she called with a tearful smile.