Chapter 13: Kouga's Race
"You could have brought a more suitable kimono." Kagome complained from the arms of Sesshoumaru. The clothes he provided her with made it nearly impossible to walk around. Sesshoumaru smiled secretly since she couldn't see his face.
"Are you always so ungrateful?" Sesshoumaru decided to counter as he tightened his grip on his human charge and began to make an assent towards the sky. "Besides, it will be difficult for you to walk while we are in the air."
Kagome automatically tightened her arms around the inu-youkai's neck in response. It was the response Sesshoumaru had planned upon for he knew of her irrational fear of heights.
"I suppose it's fine for now." Kagome agreed. A few minutes of silence passed between the two. It was not an uncomfortable silence. If anything, it was more comfortable for Sesshoumaru to enjoy silence rather than useless banter.
Kagome had begun to relax and the first signs of sleep were claiming her as the moon rose in the night sky. Suddenly she jerked rather harshly out of her early stages of slumber. "Jewel shards, I sense quite a few in that direction." Sesshoumaru began his descent in the direction of her pointing fingers.
"Where exactly?" Sesshoumaru asked as his feet touched the ground and he peered into the darkness of the forest.
"Directly in front of us and they are coming at us!" Kagome told him suddenly nervous because of the immense amount of youkai strength she was feeling.
Sesshoumaru's emotionless mask was in place as he set Kagome on her feet and stood in front of her. He handed her the bow and quiver he was transporting for her. He looked her in the eyes to explain whom they were about to face. "Our foes are not so formidable against myself, but they are quite respectable. The Thunder Brothers work well as a team are you able to use your bow in that kimono?"
Kagome tried to test her bow by pulling back the string. The confines of her sleeves were too tight and she shook her head helplessly at her much stronger friend. Sesshoumaru seemed to be examining her sleeves and was running his fingers along her upper arms. Abruptly he extended his claws and sliced off the sleeves at the top hem.
Kagome watched the beautiful sleeves fall to the ground but then focused and tried her bow once more. She gave Sesshoumaru a satisfied nod and he once again directed his attention to the approaching threat.
"Hiten! Look at their hair! I must have it for my hair tonic." The ugly, bald Manten told his attractive older brother with the long and luxurious hair.
"Very well. If that is what you desire my brother, then you shall have it." Hiten agreed with a wicken grin, however the grin faded from his face once he realized whom he was up against. "Lord Sesshoumaru, what are you doing here?"
Sesshoumaru merely stared at him for a moment before deciding to grace the insolent fool with an answer. "I see it as no concern of yours."
"This is our territory." Hiten told him sternly.
"Then I suggest you hand over your jewel fragments and then my companion and I will allow you to live." Kagome answered.
Hiten glared at the young woman standing fearlessly behind Sesshoumaru. "Tell you what Sesshoumaru, you let us have the girl and we'll allow you hassle free passage."
"It's Lord Sesshoumaru to you." Kagome interrupted. Hiten bristled at her retort.
"You will do as she requested or I will be forced to kill you. It is almost regrettable for your father was a great warrior and my father spoke well of him." Sesshoumaru answered in his cold, intimidating voice.
Hiten seemed to back down a bit after the reference to his father and plucked the jewel shards from his possession and prepared to hand them over. However, Manten took them from his grasp and inserted them into his forehead. "I will have her hair!" He declared.
Sesshoumaru nonchalantly released his energy whip and sliced the bald brother into two equal halves.
"The shards will heal him." Kagome whispered as she aimed her arrow to release and purify the youkai scum. Hiten had leapt over towards his brother and removed the shards thinking he was dead and inserted them into himself.
"I shall avenge your fall, brother." Hiten declared as he gripped his lightening staff tight. Little did he understand that by removing the shards that in actuality he was the one to kill his brother. Kagome released her arrow and the remains of Manten disintegrated.
Sesshoumaru removed his sword from his belt and released a single attack upon Hiten that annhilated him. His shards fell the dirt and Kagome rushed over to purify them. Afterwards she stared back at her companion.
"When did you get that sword?" Kagome inquired.
Sesshoumaru sheathed his blade and walked towards Kagome to pick her up to continue their trek to his palace. "While I was gone I met another of Naraku's henchmen. I destroyed him of course, but I used one of his fangs to create this sword. It is called Toukijin."
"Is it as strong as Tetsusaiga?" Kagome asked.
"I would say it is stronger, but it can only be welded by a true youkai. You might as well sleep again, we will not arrive for another hour." Sesshoumaru told her to encourage her to fall asleep in his arms once more. He had a feeling that once Kouga and Inuyasha decided to show up he would not have such opportunities with the miko.
###################
"How far away does he live?" Kouga asked Inuyasha after the group had traveled for four hours in the direction of Sesshoumaru's palace.
"I haven't been there in a while. I don't think it is much further." Inuyasha answered feeling a little tired.
"I am sure that if we rested a little we would be able to travel quicker." Miroku told the pair as he and Sango continued to ride Kirara. Soon the fire cat would need to rest. Most of the group was still exhausted from burial detail earlier that evening.
"We may rest once we reach the palace." Kouga stubbornly answered. "When the fire cat needs to rest, then Inuyasha and I can carry you."
"Excuse me, as much as I hate to admit this, and normally I wouldn't, but I'm tired myself. We spent the whole evening cleaning up the battle field." Inuyasha stopped moving and sat upon the ground. Kirara landed beside him and her passengers hopped off.
Kouga stared at them in disbelief. "But Kagome is alone at Sesshoumaru's palace!" He cried in frustration also dropping onto the ground in defeat seeing as he had lost the argument.
"She's not alone. She's with Sesshoumaru." Sango corrected the wolf prince.
"That's even worst." Kouga mumbled.
##################
Sesshoumaru landed smoothly upon the grounds of his palace. Gently he shook Kagome awake. She opened her eyes and they widened dramatically at the sight before her. "This is where you live?" She asked in awe.
Sesshoumaru wanted to laugh, he truly did. However, only the ghost of a smile graced his lips. He continued to carry Kagome towards his ancestral home. The gardens were in full bloom. The actual structure of the palace would make the greatest of Rome's architects weep in joy. The white stone had intricate carvings and beautiful arches. It was not the kind of palace one would expect to see in Japan, it was more of something from a fantasy land.
Jaken opened the door in greetings of his master. He did well to hide his revulsion for the great Sesshoumaru to be holding a human tight against his form. Sesshoumaru ignored his servant and walked up the stairs towards the guest room he had prepared for Kagome. He door opened before him, enchanted to obey the wills of the master of the house.
Kagome looked around with eyes so wide they looked to want to pop out of her head. Sesshoumaru set her upon her bed and willed the doors of the wardrobe to open. "I am confident you will find something more suitable for movement amongst the selection. There are also night clothes available."
He began to leave the room. "Wait!" Kagome stopped him at the door with a single command.
Sesshoumaru turned to regard her. "I can't possibly go to sleep now! You have to show me around! I'll just get changed first." Sesshoumaru nodded in acceptance of the request. He waited outside her door for her to finish.
He thought to himself, that perhaps if Kouga remained foolish long enough that Kagome would consider staying with him in his palace. She certainly was an enigma for him and one he wanted to solve. Yes, he hoped that the wolf-prince played the part of a fool. Looking back, perhaps it would have been better if he had created a bond with the miko instead of the wolf. Yes, that definitely would have helped.
His thoughts were interrupted when Kagome opened the door and smiled at him. She was wearing an elegant blue and gold robe that was perfect for touring the palace grounds. Sesshoumaru offered his arm and she took it excitedly.
Sesshoumaru then proceeded to give a detailed tour of his home. The gardens and library were a personal favorite for his guest. However, the dojo was the room that seemed to spark both of their interests.
Sesshoumaru had an idea of a way to get rid of all the excess energy he was having from being around Kagome for so long. "Would you care to spar? Or are you too tired now?"
Kagome was looking a bit tired, but the latter question had adrenaline kick in rebellion. "I'd love to, weapons or just our natural powers?"
"I was thinking hand-to-hand combat." Sesshoumaru replied.
"Very well. Prepare to eat dirt the old fashion way, since I don't have that necklace anymore." Kagome told him.
Sesshoumaru merely smirked and the reminder of his humiliation due to that little necklace inspired his first move. In a matter of milliseconds he had Kagome pegged beneath his body. She tried to squirm out but realized the effort was fruitless once she saw the confident look in her capturer's eyes. Another approach was to be sought.
She closed her eyes and soon found a great weight lifted off of her. She opened her eyes to reveal a stunned Sesshoumaru sitting upon the other end of the dojo.
"You are learning to control your powers." He remarked after brushing himself off. "Let us see if you possess more endurance as well."
"I'm game." Kagome answered with a strong voice full of her determined spirit.
####################
Finally they had reached the palace. It was a beautiful place, but right now Kouga didn't care. He had awoken his companions rudely that morning at the first rays of light. Only one thought was on his mind. He had to apologize to Kagome. She needed to know how much she meant to his life. How he felt empty after she had left and he realized she might be lost to him forever.
"We're here. Obviously." Inuyasha remarked dryly. He didn't like the idea of Sesshoumaru running off with Kagome any more than Kouga did, but he was still annoyed that the wolf wouldn't even let him finish his breakfast of Ramen. He was going to ask Kagome to make him some as soon as they found her.
The gates opened before Inuyasha, recognizing his blood. The others entered behind him and the gates closed behind them. Sango and Miroku were in awe of the beauty of the palace, while the two demon blooded individuals had other things on their minds.
Jaken opened the door for the visitors with a scowl upon his face. Lord Sesshoumaru had informed him that those four would soon be coming to the palace and that he was to escort them to him once they arrived. Of course, the lord probably didn't realize he would be in the middle of breakfast. Perhaps, this lowly Jaken could lock them outside for a while.
"Take us to my brother." Inuyasha demanded with no room for insubordination. Jaken swallowed thickly and then led the anxious group to the dining hall where laughter could be heard. Jaken almost fell down himself in shock. Along with the sounds of tinkling bells that was Kagome's laughter there was a rich, melodic tenor that by process of elimination could only be Sesshoumaru's.
Jaken slowly opened the door. And Kagome and Sesshoumaru were obviously enjoying a private joke when they looked towards the door with their laughter dieing slowly. Kouga rushed in and embraced Kagome in a near backbreaking hug. Inuyasha stalked towards Sesshoumaru with the intention of punching him originally.
However, after hearing him laugh he could only sit beside him and offer a smile before stealing the plate from in front of his older brother and devouring the contents. Sango and Miroku also took up seats at the table and Jaken motioned for the servants to bring food to them.
"I'm so sorry Kagome." Kouga mumbled while burying his face into her raven hair and falling into the vanilla and cherry blossom scent that was his Kagome. "Forgive me."
Kagome lightly patted his back. "I understand Kouga, worry not I hold no ill will towards you." Kouga pulled away to peer deep into her eyes and see the forgiveness that was granted him. Kagome gestured to the chair beside her. "Join us for breakfast."
Miroku greatly enjoyed the feast however, he felt it imperative to bring up the situation of Naraku. A quick glance at the large air void in his palm added to his need. "I believe we must discuss our plans to destroy Naraku. Did you two happen to find any more shards?"
"Actually we did. So I don't think there are many pieces left other than what we already possess and what Naraku must have." Kagome answered while lifting the jewel from her around her neck to show to her friends. It was nearly complete. Naraku must have had the remaining quarter.
"He will find us, but I would prefer the inevitable battle to not take place in my lands." Sesshoumaru replied.
"You don't have to fight you know." Inuyasha told his half-brother.
"I chose to fight." Sesshoumaru answered him coolly.
###################
An hour after breakfast the group was leaving Sesshoumaru's palace and walking in the northern direction. That was the direction Kagura had took flight, so it made sense that Naraku would be that way.
"It doesn't seem right." Sango told the group while leading as scout upon Kirara several hours later that day.
Inuyasha shook his head. "I agree. It smells wrong."
"You mean, the fact that there are no smells?" Kouga asked with a glance to Sesshoumaru who nodded that he too could smell nothing.
Kagome suddenly laughed drawing confused looks from her friends. Kouga wrapped an arm around her shoulder and asked if she was okay. He thought perhaps she was hallucinating or something. Kagome shook her head.
"I'm fine really. I was just remembering a line from a movie once. 'It's quiet, a little too quiet.' And then a monster jumps out and all hell breaks loose." Kagome explained.
"You would find it funny for us to be assaulted by a monster Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked confused.
"No. It's just---"
"It's about time you arrived. I was afraid you were still crying about yesterday." An unwelcomed voice greeted from the shadows.
"Show yourself Kagura, so that I can pay you back." Kouga answered removing his arm from Kagome's shoulders.
"You're not the only one who is going to make her pay." Inuyasha declared.
"Do not worry, I brought plenty of friends for all of you." Kagura answered as she appeared before them and then flicked her wrist to remove the shadows that hindered the vision of what was behind her.
Revealed before the companions was an entire army of youkai. There had to be at least five hundred standing behind Kagura in formation and floating above them all was one particularly menacing demon. He glided upon the very air towards the shocked friends and pulled back the hood of his white baboon cloak to reveal a handsome man with long dark hair and crimson eyes like Kagura's.
"Well met miko. I see you have managed to retain the friendship of these four." He gestured to the humans, Sesshoumaru, and Kouga. "It would figure you would include him." He inclined his head towards Inuyasha.
"I suggest you give us the jewel shards you posses and we will let you and your army go upon your way." Kagome bartered to the bewildered look of her friends who had suffered because of this Naraku.
"Why don't you join me and we combine our pieces and rule the world? You can be my queen." Naraku replied. A look of disgust was apparent across Kagura's face, but it could not compare with the one on Kagome's.
Kagome smiled sweetly. "I was hoping you'd say something like that. I guess I just have to kill you now." She pulled her bow out quickly and set loose a well-aimed arrow that shot through the brute's heart. However, all that appeared was a wooden doll.
Kagura smiled. "That was the wrong answer." She sent a command towards her legions to begin the slaughter, but Kagome released another arrow towards her that pinned her to a tree Inuyasha-style before she could fly away.
"She's all yours." Kagome told Kouga as she and the others prepared to face the legion of demons rushing towards them.
Inuyasha transformed his fang and prepared to release the cutting wind attack. Sesshoumaru unsheathed Toukijin. Sango prepared her bone boomerang and Miroku began to unwind his prayer beads.
"Don't hold back." Kagome told her friends as she sent an arrow into the masses of youkai.
"You could have brought a more suitable kimono." Kagome complained from the arms of Sesshoumaru. The clothes he provided her with made it nearly impossible to walk around. Sesshoumaru smiled secretly since she couldn't see his face.
"Are you always so ungrateful?" Sesshoumaru decided to counter as he tightened his grip on his human charge and began to make an assent towards the sky. "Besides, it will be difficult for you to walk while we are in the air."
Kagome automatically tightened her arms around the inu-youkai's neck in response. It was the response Sesshoumaru had planned upon for he knew of her irrational fear of heights.
"I suppose it's fine for now." Kagome agreed. A few minutes of silence passed between the two. It was not an uncomfortable silence. If anything, it was more comfortable for Sesshoumaru to enjoy silence rather than useless banter.
Kagome had begun to relax and the first signs of sleep were claiming her as the moon rose in the night sky. Suddenly she jerked rather harshly out of her early stages of slumber. "Jewel shards, I sense quite a few in that direction." Sesshoumaru began his descent in the direction of her pointing fingers.
"Where exactly?" Sesshoumaru asked as his feet touched the ground and he peered into the darkness of the forest.
"Directly in front of us and they are coming at us!" Kagome told him suddenly nervous because of the immense amount of youkai strength she was feeling.
Sesshoumaru's emotionless mask was in place as he set Kagome on her feet and stood in front of her. He handed her the bow and quiver he was transporting for her. He looked her in the eyes to explain whom they were about to face. "Our foes are not so formidable against myself, but they are quite respectable. The Thunder Brothers work well as a team are you able to use your bow in that kimono?"
Kagome tried to test her bow by pulling back the string. The confines of her sleeves were too tight and she shook her head helplessly at her much stronger friend. Sesshoumaru seemed to be examining her sleeves and was running his fingers along her upper arms. Abruptly he extended his claws and sliced off the sleeves at the top hem.
Kagome watched the beautiful sleeves fall to the ground but then focused and tried her bow once more. She gave Sesshoumaru a satisfied nod and he once again directed his attention to the approaching threat.
"Hiten! Look at their hair! I must have it for my hair tonic." The ugly, bald Manten told his attractive older brother with the long and luxurious hair.
"Very well. If that is what you desire my brother, then you shall have it." Hiten agreed with a wicken grin, however the grin faded from his face once he realized whom he was up against. "Lord Sesshoumaru, what are you doing here?"
Sesshoumaru merely stared at him for a moment before deciding to grace the insolent fool with an answer. "I see it as no concern of yours."
"This is our territory." Hiten told him sternly.
"Then I suggest you hand over your jewel fragments and then my companion and I will allow you to live." Kagome answered.
Hiten glared at the young woman standing fearlessly behind Sesshoumaru. "Tell you what Sesshoumaru, you let us have the girl and we'll allow you hassle free passage."
"It's Lord Sesshoumaru to you." Kagome interrupted. Hiten bristled at her retort.
"You will do as she requested or I will be forced to kill you. It is almost regrettable for your father was a great warrior and my father spoke well of him." Sesshoumaru answered in his cold, intimidating voice.
Hiten seemed to back down a bit after the reference to his father and plucked the jewel shards from his possession and prepared to hand them over. However, Manten took them from his grasp and inserted them into his forehead. "I will have her hair!" He declared.
Sesshoumaru nonchalantly released his energy whip and sliced the bald brother into two equal halves.
"The shards will heal him." Kagome whispered as she aimed her arrow to release and purify the youkai scum. Hiten had leapt over towards his brother and removed the shards thinking he was dead and inserted them into himself.
"I shall avenge your fall, brother." Hiten declared as he gripped his lightening staff tight. Little did he understand that by removing the shards that in actuality he was the one to kill his brother. Kagome released her arrow and the remains of Manten disintegrated.
Sesshoumaru removed his sword from his belt and released a single attack upon Hiten that annhilated him. His shards fell the dirt and Kagome rushed over to purify them. Afterwards she stared back at her companion.
"When did you get that sword?" Kagome inquired.
Sesshoumaru sheathed his blade and walked towards Kagome to pick her up to continue their trek to his palace. "While I was gone I met another of Naraku's henchmen. I destroyed him of course, but I used one of his fangs to create this sword. It is called Toukijin."
"Is it as strong as Tetsusaiga?" Kagome asked.
"I would say it is stronger, but it can only be welded by a true youkai. You might as well sleep again, we will not arrive for another hour." Sesshoumaru told her to encourage her to fall asleep in his arms once more. He had a feeling that once Kouga and Inuyasha decided to show up he would not have such opportunities with the miko.
###################
"How far away does he live?" Kouga asked Inuyasha after the group had traveled for four hours in the direction of Sesshoumaru's palace.
"I haven't been there in a while. I don't think it is much further." Inuyasha answered feeling a little tired.
"I am sure that if we rested a little we would be able to travel quicker." Miroku told the pair as he and Sango continued to ride Kirara. Soon the fire cat would need to rest. Most of the group was still exhausted from burial detail earlier that evening.
"We may rest once we reach the palace." Kouga stubbornly answered. "When the fire cat needs to rest, then Inuyasha and I can carry you."
"Excuse me, as much as I hate to admit this, and normally I wouldn't, but I'm tired myself. We spent the whole evening cleaning up the battle field." Inuyasha stopped moving and sat upon the ground. Kirara landed beside him and her passengers hopped off.
Kouga stared at them in disbelief. "But Kagome is alone at Sesshoumaru's palace!" He cried in frustration also dropping onto the ground in defeat seeing as he had lost the argument.
"She's not alone. She's with Sesshoumaru." Sango corrected the wolf prince.
"That's even worst." Kouga mumbled.
##################
Sesshoumaru landed smoothly upon the grounds of his palace. Gently he shook Kagome awake. She opened her eyes and they widened dramatically at the sight before her. "This is where you live?" She asked in awe.
Sesshoumaru wanted to laugh, he truly did. However, only the ghost of a smile graced his lips. He continued to carry Kagome towards his ancestral home. The gardens were in full bloom. The actual structure of the palace would make the greatest of Rome's architects weep in joy. The white stone had intricate carvings and beautiful arches. It was not the kind of palace one would expect to see in Japan, it was more of something from a fantasy land.
Jaken opened the door in greetings of his master. He did well to hide his revulsion for the great Sesshoumaru to be holding a human tight against his form. Sesshoumaru ignored his servant and walked up the stairs towards the guest room he had prepared for Kagome. He door opened before him, enchanted to obey the wills of the master of the house.
Kagome looked around with eyes so wide they looked to want to pop out of her head. Sesshoumaru set her upon her bed and willed the doors of the wardrobe to open. "I am confident you will find something more suitable for movement amongst the selection. There are also night clothes available."
He began to leave the room. "Wait!" Kagome stopped him at the door with a single command.
Sesshoumaru turned to regard her. "I can't possibly go to sleep now! You have to show me around! I'll just get changed first." Sesshoumaru nodded in acceptance of the request. He waited outside her door for her to finish.
He thought to himself, that perhaps if Kouga remained foolish long enough that Kagome would consider staying with him in his palace. She certainly was an enigma for him and one he wanted to solve. Yes, he hoped that the wolf-prince played the part of a fool. Looking back, perhaps it would have been better if he had created a bond with the miko instead of the wolf. Yes, that definitely would have helped.
His thoughts were interrupted when Kagome opened the door and smiled at him. She was wearing an elegant blue and gold robe that was perfect for touring the palace grounds. Sesshoumaru offered his arm and she took it excitedly.
Sesshoumaru then proceeded to give a detailed tour of his home. The gardens and library were a personal favorite for his guest. However, the dojo was the room that seemed to spark both of their interests.
Sesshoumaru had an idea of a way to get rid of all the excess energy he was having from being around Kagome for so long. "Would you care to spar? Or are you too tired now?"
Kagome was looking a bit tired, but the latter question had adrenaline kick in rebellion. "I'd love to, weapons or just our natural powers?"
"I was thinking hand-to-hand combat." Sesshoumaru replied.
"Very well. Prepare to eat dirt the old fashion way, since I don't have that necklace anymore." Kagome told him.
Sesshoumaru merely smirked and the reminder of his humiliation due to that little necklace inspired his first move. In a matter of milliseconds he had Kagome pegged beneath his body. She tried to squirm out but realized the effort was fruitless once she saw the confident look in her capturer's eyes. Another approach was to be sought.
She closed her eyes and soon found a great weight lifted off of her. She opened her eyes to reveal a stunned Sesshoumaru sitting upon the other end of the dojo.
"You are learning to control your powers." He remarked after brushing himself off. "Let us see if you possess more endurance as well."
"I'm game." Kagome answered with a strong voice full of her determined spirit.
####################
Finally they had reached the palace. It was a beautiful place, but right now Kouga didn't care. He had awoken his companions rudely that morning at the first rays of light. Only one thought was on his mind. He had to apologize to Kagome. She needed to know how much she meant to his life. How he felt empty after she had left and he realized she might be lost to him forever.
"We're here. Obviously." Inuyasha remarked dryly. He didn't like the idea of Sesshoumaru running off with Kagome any more than Kouga did, but he was still annoyed that the wolf wouldn't even let him finish his breakfast of Ramen. He was going to ask Kagome to make him some as soon as they found her.
The gates opened before Inuyasha, recognizing his blood. The others entered behind him and the gates closed behind them. Sango and Miroku were in awe of the beauty of the palace, while the two demon blooded individuals had other things on their minds.
Jaken opened the door for the visitors with a scowl upon his face. Lord Sesshoumaru had informed him that those four would soon be coming to the palace and that he was to escort them to him once they arrived. Of course, the lord probably didn't realize he would be in the middle of breakfast. Perhaps, this lowly Jaken could lock them outside for a while.
"Take us to my brother." Inuyasha demanded with no room for insubordination. Jaken swallowed thickly and then led the anxious group to the dining hall where laughter could be heard. Jaken almost fell down himself in shock. Along with the sounds of tinkling bells that was Kagome's laughter there was a rich, melodic tenor that by process of elimination could only be Sesshoumaru's.
Jaken slowly opened the door. And Kagome and Sesshoumaru were obviously enjoying a private joke when they looked towards the door with their laughter dieing slowly. Kouga rushed in and embraced Kagome in a near backbreaking hug. Inuyasha stalked towards Sesshoumaru with the intention of punching him originally.
However, after hearing him laugh he could only sit beside him and offer a smile before stealing the plate from in front of his older brother and devouring the contents. Sango and Miroku also took up seats at the table and Jaken motioned for the servants to bring food to them.
"I'm so sorry Kagome." Kouga mumbled while burying his face into her raven hair and falling into the vanilla and cherry blossom scent that was his Kagome. "Forgive me."
Kagome lightly patted his back. "I understand Kouga, worry not I hold no ill will towards you." Kouga pulled away to peer deep into her eyes and see the forgiveness that was granted him. Kagome gestured to the chair beside her. "Join us for breakfast."
Miroku greatly enjoyed the feast however, he felt it imperative to bring up the situation of Naraku. A quick glance at the large air void in his palm added to his need. "I believe we must discuss our plans to destroy Naraku. Did you two happen to find any more shards?"
"Actually we did. So I don't think there are many pieces left other than what we already possess and what Naraku must have." Kagome answered while lifting the jewel from her around her neck to show to her friends. It was nearly complete. Naraku must have had the remaining quarter.
"He will find us, but I would prefer the inevitable battle to not take place in my lands." Sesshoumaru replied.
"You don't have to fight you know." Inuyasha told his half-brother.
"I chose to fight." Sesshoumaru answered him coolly.
###################
An hour after breakfast the group was leaving Sesshoumaru's palace and walking in the northern direction. That was the direction Kagura had took flight, so it made sense that Naraku would be that way.
"It doesn't seem right." Sango told the group while leading as scout upon Kirara several hours later that day.
Inuyasha shook his head. "I agree. It smells wrong."
"You mean, the fact that there are no smells?" Kouga asked with a glance to Sesshoumaru who nodded that he too could smell nothing.
Kagome suddenly laughed drawing confused looks from her friends. Kouga wrapped an arm around her shoulder and asked if she was okay. He thought perhaps she was hallucinating or something. Kagome shook her head.
"I'm fine really. I was just remembering a line from a movie once. 'It's quiet, a little too quiet.' And then a monster jumps out and all hell breaks loose." Kagome explained.
"You would find it funny for us to be assaulted by a monster Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked confused.
"No. It's just---"
"It's about time you arrived. I was afraid you were still crying about yesterday." An unwelcomed voice greeted from the shadows.
"Show yourself Kagura, so that I can pay you back." Kouga answered removing his arm from Kagome's shoulders.
"You're not the only one who is going to make her pay." Inuyasha declared.
"Do not worry, I brought plenty of friends for all of you." Kagura answered as she appeared before them and then flicked her wrist to remove the shadows that hindered the vision of what was behind her.
Revealed before the companions was an entire army of youkai. There had to be at least five hundred standing behind Kagura in formation and floating above them all was one particularly menacing demon. He glided upon the very air towards the shocked friends and pulled back the hood of his white baboon cloak to reveal a handsome man with long dark hair and crimson eyes like Kagura's.
"Well met miko. I see you have managed to retain the friendship of these four." He gestured to the humans, Sesshoumaru, and Kouga. "It would figure you would include him." He inclined his head towards Inuyasha.
"I suggest you give us the jewel shards you posses and we will let you and your army go upon your way." Kagome bartered to the bewildered look of her friends who had suffered because of this Naraku.
"Why don't you join me and we combine our pieces and rule the world? You can be my queen." Naraku replied. A look of disgust was apparent across Kagura's face, but it could not compare with the one on Kagome's.
Kagome smiled sweetly. "I was hoping you'd say something like that. I guess I just have to kill you now." She pulled her bow out quickly and set loose a well-aimed arrow that shot through the brute's heart. However, all that appeared was a wooden doll.
Kagura smiled. "That was the wrong answer." She sent a command towards her legions to begin the slaughter, but Kagome released another arrow towards her that pinned her to a tree Inuyasha-style before she could fly away.
"She's all yours." Kagome told Kouga as she and the others prepared to face the legion of demons rushing towards them.
Inuyasha transformed his fang and prepared to release the cutting wind attack. Sesshoumaru unsheathed Toukijin. Sango prepared her bone boomerang and Miroku began to unwind his prayer beads.
"Don't hold back." Kagome told her friends as she sent an arrow into the masses of youkai.