Chapter XIV

Meanwhile, Inuhime was with the ryu-youkai family, except for Yuki. They hurried to get out of the Western Lands as quickly as they can. They knew that the Inu no kazoku* would be after them for taking their princess. As soon as they crossed the northern border of the Western Lands, they made camp. Their father, the Lord of the North, Arashi was looking southward towards the Western Lands. His children sat down around the fire.

"We made it," Setsuna said exhaustingly. Yeah they had time magic, but the further the better. They wouldn't want to fight with the Inu no kazoku right then and there.

"Yeah, just in time, too," said Ryutaro. "We just use the last of the time magic charms."

"Yes, we don't need them any longer. We got what... or should I say who we came there for," their father said as he looked at Inuhime with those leery eyes. Inuhime was cuffed onto a chain that was tied to the tree trunk. Arashi saw that she was struggling to get out, but then suddenly stopped. He laughed because he knew what she was about to do. "Sorry, my dear, you can't use either of your powers to get free. If you don't believe me, then feel free to try."

Inuhime didn't need to try to escape. She hated to admit it, but those dragons could be clever. "I don't understand, Arashi. Why now? Why not then whenever we were at war?"

"My father forbid it. He didn't want our blood mixing with dogs. He preferred killing them, then mating with them. He felt the same about humans. When he heard that your father mated with a human and impregnated her, he was beyond pissed. Not that he cared about your mother's feelings or anything. He just didn't like youkai mating with humans was all."

"You mean your father was..."

"Yes, Inuhime, this Arashi was one of his sons. Does that make you afraid of me, hmm?"

"Tck, this Inuhime does not fear you or your spawn. Just wait, Arashi, my mother and brother will come to rescue me. When that happens, you will wish that you would never born."

He laughed darkly, "I had always admired your spirit, my dear. It will be fun to break it. Now lets rest before we head out at dawn."

"Father, what about the youngest dog?"

"Youngest dog? You mean that abomination, Inuyasha?"

"Yes, father."

"Oh, yes. We will have something special for him. Now get to sleep!"

Meanwhile with Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo, Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Un...

Inuyasha finally told them to make camp an hour ago. Kagome, Shippo, and Rin went to get wood for the fire as Inuyasha stood guard. Jaken went fishing to get their dinner. At first, he didn't want to serve them, especially, those humans and the hanyou, but he remembered the threat what his lord said to him. "If this Sesshomaru heard from either Rin or Ah-Un that you didn't obey Kagome then he will skin you alive." He shuttered. At least, he didn't have to listen to that hanyou. That was the only thing good about it. Whenever he returned to camp, he saw that the fire was going strong as they gathered around it trying to get warm. Once he got there, he gutted and filleted the fish and put it on Kagome's iron pan. Kagome asked him to filleted it, instead of just putting a stick through the fish. She seasoned them. The end result was very delicious. He was surprised. He looked around and noticed that Shippo and Inuyasha wasn't as surprised as he was. He assumed that she always done the cooking for them, but that was her station. A woman's station.

Afterwards, Kagome put Rin and Shippo to bed, but not before she told them a story. He'd never heard such a story, but she called them 'fairy tales'. He, himself, was getting sleepy. So, he, too, retired for the evening. Now it was just Inuyasha and Kagome.

There was only silence surrounding them, it made Kagome a little nervous. She said softly, "It's quiet."

"Yeah, it is. Too quiet, if you ask me."

"Inuyasha?"

"What?"

"Are... are you mad at me?"

"Huh? Why would I be?"

She shrugged. "Because I want to be with Sesshomaru."

He smirked. "Sesshomaru will be a great provider for you. I'd rather you be with him than with that mangy wolf."

She giggled. "Oh, I believe, we wouldn't have to worry about him making me 'his woman' anytime soon."

"Eh? Why's that?"

"Because Inuhime made him change his mind. I guess, she threatened him or something."

Inuyasha smirked and shook his head. "Maybe? She is scary."

"I'll say. You think they will find her?"

"Kagome, this is Sesshomaru we're talking about? Of course, he'll find her."

She shook her head. "I am scared, Inuyasha. I mean really scared. There was something awful about those dragons. Something..." She trailed off trying to think of a specific word to describe it, but it never came to mind.

"You have a bad feeling about them, huh?" She nodded. "Yeah, me, too."

"Why don't they let us help them?"

"Because they, especially, Sesshomaru doesn't want you to get injured."

"Yeah, but why don't they asked you?"

"Because I am an hanyou. They believe that I am weak. I mean, why else that ice prick would send that ugly imp and Ah-Un with us?"

"So, I am a miko. I purified youkai. I am not weak like I used to be. And you aren't either! Just because you are half-youkai doesn't mean you are weak! That just pisses me off!"

"Be quiet, Kagome or..."

"Or what?!"

"Or you'll wake them!" He pointed at the kit and Rin. She looked to where he was pointing at.

"Oh, right." There were a few moments of silence until she spoke again. "Inuyasha, I made up my mind."

"On what?" He has an awful feeling about what she was about to say.

"I am going back."

"What?!"

"Shhhhh, quiet!"

"Like hell you are! You are coming back with me where it's safe. Besides, Sesshomaru said that..."

"I don't care what he says, Inuyasha!"

Suddenly, a snort coming from Ah-Un made them look at them. It looked like they were saying, 'be quiet!'

"Keh, maybe you should go to bed and think about it."

She huffed. "I think I will. Goodnight, Inuyasha." She walked to her sleeping bag and slid in. He, in turn, leaped up into a tree that was above him.

At dawn, Kagome woke and did her morning routine. She woke up, Jaken to gather up some wood for the fire. Much to her surprise, he obeyed her without saying a word. She then woke up Shippo and Rin to get them ready. She found Inuyasha asleep in a tree above her. She was surprised that he was asleep.

She murmured, "He must be tired." She sighed as she went to the nearby river to refill her water bottles. She brought the water bottle to her face. She saw that it was dirty. "I guess I have to boil the water before we leave." When she turned around...

AN: Inu no kazoku* means dog family

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi
Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari