A/N: An update! A fast one! Yay! Oh, and here's something I found out a while ago but forgot about it till now ^-^ Inuyasha's father is in the third movie!! Sorry just had to say that ^^;;; I couldn't help but put a couple of my original characters in this part. But don't worry! They won't show up that often. Enjoy ^-^

Disclaimer: ……………………..

Chapter VIII

Aftermath

*~^~*

"SHE WHAT!"

The voice thundered across the village and into the nearby hills, causing peasants to stop in their everyday activities to turn and glance at the castle, sitting majestically on the hill, it's flags blowing in the harsh wind. Inside that beautiful castle was a guard and his king; who, for once, was not smiling like a madman. But, the guard wished with all his soul that he was.

"I-I'm very sorry my lord. But we could not catch her! We had half of the guards nearby look for them, but she was not to be found my lord!" He told him, cringing beneath the kings' angry gaze.

"Who is responsible for her capture?!" He snarled, gripping the wood of his throne tightly.

"Um, we found from the guards patrolling the gates that a monk and two demon kids had distracted them while a woman and a man, along with the princess, rode away on a flying tiger. We managed to wound one of the demon kids but they still got away." The guard bowed low, closing his eyes and hoping that the king was not going to send him to the dungeon.

It was not his fault they had gotten away! He was inside the castle at the time, watching over the young prince Souta. Or rather, playing wooden soldiers with the boy… He couldn't help it! The little child had come out of his room and wouldn't stop bothering him until he agreed to play with him. When he had asked that he go to his sister to play the young prince shook his head saying she was too tired to play with him. What a sweet little brother…

He shook his head to rid that thought. After a while of no reply, the guard dared a glance at the kings' face. The man seemed to be deep in thought, looking at the far wall, which held the painted mascot. Suddenly his face took on an ugly look of anger, and the guard willed himself not to shy away.

"Sango…" The king snarled. He'd stopped listening after 'flying tiger', knowing exactly who it was that kidnapped the princess. The guard looked at him confusedly.

"My lord…?" He muttered.

"Send out riders to the wolf kingdom. Tell them that princess Kagome has been kidnapped," He smirked, unnerving the poor guard to no end. "I'm sure prince Kouga will help us out."

His evil laughter could be heard from the plains, where the grazing horses stopped to stare at the huge palace.

*~^~*

Kagome was rudely awakened by one of her fated enemies, the one thing she had always hated to be woken up by; and hadn't been for the past five years: A bucket of ice-cold river water.

She spluttered, jerking into a sitting position and rubbing her eyes free of the evil substance. She slowly turned her head, an icy glare sent to the grinning Hanyou before her, back in his original form, gold eyes and silver-white hair in all.

"Must you always wake me up in the most horrible way possible?" She growled, relieved that she wasn't wearing a white kimono.

"Yup!" He replied, putting the bucket down beside the extinguished fire. She stood up and stretched, noticing that the others were still asleep. Then she noticed the sun had barely risen. She glared at the back of his head as he used more flint on the fire.

"Oh what an honor," She said dryly. "You woke me up first, and before the sun came up." She growled. He shrugged.

"No pain, no gain." He said, dusting his hands off as the fire crackled to life once more. "Sango told me about this training you were getting." He said crossing his arms over his chest. As he did so she noticed she still wore his haori. Blushing a bit she took it off (She had somehow ended up wearing it during the night) and handed it back to him, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Uh, thanks." She muttered as he took it from her, putting it back on over his white shirt. "And yes. I have been training. The king saw it necessary that I learn to use a bow and arrow well so I wouldn't get killed. That was after that hulking beast attacked Sango's family…" She glared down at the ground. She still felt it was her fault for their deaths. If she had gotten the creature sooner Sango would still have her family, and Kohaku would be uninjured.

Why did it have to happen to Sango of all people? Sango was kind, reassuring, and helpful. All she ever did was defeat demons that entered the village, and protect the people that needed aid. Sango didn't deserve to have her family and kin ripped away from her. She was another story entirely though…

Inuyasha recognized the look of guilt on his friends face. It was the same as it always had been. Whenever she blamed herself for something she would look at the ground, refusing to meet other peoples gaze. Just like the time he had stolen some bread because he was hungry, and was caught by the guards. She thought it was her fault because her father would not allow her to bring the boy food. He tried to tell her it was his fault for stealing the darn thing, but her stubbornness outweighed his own. He walked over and patted her shoulder softly.

"It's not you're fault Kagome. It's the fault of the monster that attacked her family. Don't go blaming yourself for every bad thing that happens to us." He told her firmly. She looked up and opened her mouth to protest, but cut it off when he shoved a sword into her hands. She looked at the sword confusedly, then back up to him. Once again she opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off again.

"That's Sango's sword. It should be you're length. Come over here so we don't wake them up." He instructed. Kagome pouted, but followed him to where he had indicated. He looked around, clearing the place of branches that could be tripped over, and sharp rocks. Kagome just stood there, sword in hand, trying to figure what it was he was doing. Throwing one last rock into a pile by a tree he turned to her, dusting off his hands and crossing his arms. Kagome just blinked. He growled and walked over to her, expression contorted in annoyance.

"I'm gonna show you how to use a sword you idiot." He told her. Her eyes widened and she looked at him suspiciously.

"You're different than you were five years ago…" She pointed out. He glared at her.

"Of course I'm different! No one can stay the same if they were locked up in a slave mine for five years!" He growled. Kagome sighed and looked at the ground.

"I guess you're right." She muttered. His eyes narrowed speculatively, and was surprised when she looked up at him suddenly, a smile on her face. "Now, you said something about a sword?" She asked. He raised an eyebrow but took the sword from her grasp.

"I'm going to show you how to use a sword so you have more than one way to defend yourself if we get separated." He explained himself, drawing the sword from its sheath. He put the sheath by a dead tree, and turned around to face her, the sword grasped tightly in his hands. "If I had my real sword I'd be able to teach you a lot easier. But that's back in the West, so I'll have to settle with Sango's sword for now." He told her, swishing the short sword around a bit. It was the perfect place to train. Somehow Kirara had chosen one of the large fields the East was famous for. The East was also very famous for their horse breeding. The lands were huge so they could accumulate the many herds of horses bred in the region. Kagome herself loved to watch the horses from her window at the castle, though they never did much because they were the ones too young to ride. But every once in a while, something nearby would spook them, and cause them all to go running, and that was beautiful.

"The West?" She asked, watching in awe as he spun the sword between his thumb and index finger so fast it was a blur.

"Didn't I tell you? I used to live in the West." He said, flipping the sword and catching it by the blade, not even scratching himself. "My brothers' the lord of the Western Lands. Sesshoumaru." He told her, grabbing the hilt and thrusting it in her direction. "Are you gonna stop yapping and let me show you?" He asked, grabbing the blade near the hilt and handing it to her. She huffed and grabbed it from his hands, holding it a little awkwardly. He sighed and shook his head.

"We have a lot of work to do. You're not even holding it right." He said, walking up behind her and putting his arms lightly on top of hers, grabbing her hands and putting them in the correct position. "You hold it like this, so you can put more strength behind it." She blushed lightly, but followed his instruction.

"Um…ok."

"There that's better. Now when you swing, use fluid movements, not choppy. Well, that's what you're supposed to do, but I just go at everything in my way. Even though I haven't touched a sword in a while I still remember some things." He chuckled.

Soon Kagome forgot about her embarrassment and followed his movements as he moved along with her. She was so deep in concentration that she didn't notice Sango watching as she and Inuyasha practiced.

She found that the Hanyou was a very good teacher. When she did something wrong though, he wouldn't hesitate to point it out and scold her for it, but she soon got used to it. He would be a good teacher, an evil one but good nonetheless. Soon they were nearly done with the first part, much to Kagome's immense relief.

"There. You're a quick learner." He said, for once being nice. He let go of her arms and she turned around and grinned up at him, pulling the sword close to her chest, careful that it was the blunt edge.

"Thanks!" She giggled. He just shrugged.

"Don't want some bandit out there killing you. Then when the king finds out you're dead he'll come after us and behead us." He said casually. Kagome shivered. She couldn't imagine any of her friends getting killed. Even Miroku.

"Ah, and I see you didn't ask permission to use my sword." Said a voice from one of the large rocks near their camp. Kagome jumped in surprise and spun around, nearly dropping the sword and cutting her toes off. When she saw Sango's smug look she blushed and held the sword out to her.

"Ah, sorry. Just practicing." She laughed nervously. Sango chuckled.

"You two look good together." She muttered to no one in particular, taking her sword from Kagome. Inuyasha blushed.

"I was just teaching her to use a sword!" He defended himself, crossing his arms and pouting like a child. Kagome laughed nervously once more.

"So…um… Inuyasha, where are heading to?" She asked, trying to change the subject.

"Were going to the West. We'll be able to stay there for a while, as long as my brother allows us. Which I highly doubt." He grumbled. Kagome cocked her head.

"Why wouldn't he let his own brother into the West?" She asked, and Sango listened in from behind, also curious.

"My brother and I aren't on the best terms." He growled. "He hates me because I was the heir to my fathers throne. But he was first born, so that meant he should have been the heir. After my mother died, he allowed me to stay a couple of years, but then ran me out. I never did want the stupid throne anyway, and was all ready to give it to him, but he had to run me out of the kingdom! I'm hoping that when I return he'll allow me to stay for at least a week or two and see what the Eastern king will do about you're kidnapping." He explained to them, an angry glint in his eyes. Kagome blinked.

"Wow. You're a lot brighter than I thought…" She said thoughtfully. He flinched and turned towards her slowly.

"What?!" He asked; his glare could have melted rock at that point. Kagome swallowed nervously.

"Never mind!" She said quickly, grabbing Sango's hand and dragging her back over to the camp.

Later the group cleaned up, and packed everything they needed. Sango made a small carrier for Shippo out of the extra blanket she had, tying it to Kirara securely with rope. The small kit was still out cold, and probably would be for a while. Hitori had insisted that he ride near his friend, so she let him sit in front of her. She had wanted to leave the monk behind, but after he made a big show of promising not to do anything inappropriate she allowed him to ride with her.

Inuyasha offered to carry Kagome, which wasn't a problem at all. Except when Kagome had declined, saying that it would be embarrassing. Sooner or later they managed to get her to agree, and were finally off to the nearest village to heal Shippo and stock up on supplies. They were going across the plains, which was no easy task. There were small demons out there that feasted on the horses, but thankfully nothing big.

After they trekked across the plains, they'd have to climb across the mountain range that protected the Western territory. And that would be the most dangerous part of this journey. Sango would be their guide, considering she had entered the Western Lands before to exterminate some pesky crop eating demons. After the mountain they would have to cross the Western Lands and get to the castle, where lord Sesshoumaru dwelled.

…Not very much fun…

Surprisingly the nearest village was only a half a mile away, and it didn't take the group long to land and enter, buy a room at the nearest Inn, and settle Shippo into one of the beds.

"I hope he's healing okay…" Kagome muttered, patting the boys auburn hair gently. He was still asleep, and according to Hitori he hadn't woken since he was shot. She turned as the door opened, and Miroku and Sango entered. Inuyasha and Hitori had already settled themselves into the place. Inuyasha sat in the wooden chair that went with the desk in the corner and Hitori was fast asleep on the bed nearest Shippo. The poor boy was really worried about his friend.

"Okay, we have the room for three days. We don't have much money and that was all we could afford." Sango sighed and sat down on the bed she had claimed as hers. There were four beds in the room altogether, along with a desk and chair, which Inuyasha was currently occupying, and a small widow. The room was underground, so the walls were made with reinforced wood, and the window showed the ground at the villager's feet.

The village was small and quaint itself. There was a small pasture where horses were fenced in, a village store, a weapon shop, a smithy, and even a small library. And of course, as all villages had, there was a tavern, where most of the women and girls worked.

"Well, let's just hope he wakes up by then." Kagome muttered, standing up and walking towards the door.

"Oi, where are you going?" Inuyasha's voice stopped her. She turned around and glared at him, her hands on her hips.

"I'm going to check out the village, princess." She growled, whipping around and stalking through the door. Inuyasha blinked in surprise. She'd never snapped like that before… wait…

"PINCESS?!"

Sango glanced at the angry Hanyou, and the grinning monk. She stood up as well, not wanting to stay in a room full of boys.

"I agree with Kagome. See you guys later!" And with that, the girls were gone.

"Come on Sango, let's visit the tavern." Kagome prompted her friend as they walked through the streets of Kalm, as the village was called. Sango nodded and followed her.

"But remember we can't spend too much money. We didn't take any when we got you out of there so we're really short." She reminded her. Kagome turned to her once they entered the building and smiled.

"Don't worry Sango. I just wanted to smell the bread since I haven't been able to smell anything other than the castle for five years." She assured her friend. Sango nodded.

"Okay, just as long as we have enough for supplies." She said, walking over to a wooden table. "Why don't we get the supplies while were out?" She suggested. Kagome sat down at the table, her friend sitting across from her.

"Sure! Then we can be ready way ahead of time, and maybe even have time to rest and have a bit of fun!" She grinned and Sango smiled. Taking out a piece of parchment and a small pen with ink she always brought with her, she began to write down what they needed. After awhile a maid came over, one who looked no older than Kagome, and gave them a smile.

"Hello, I'm Kieri. Would you like anything to eat or drink?" She asked politely. Kagome looked up at the name, then gave a confused glance at Sango.

"You're name sounds familiar…" She muttered, shrugging it off. She was about to politely say she wasn't hungry when the wonderful smells of the fresh cooked bread invaded her senses. Then she realized she was starving…

"Uh, yeah. How about two slices of you're bread. It smells really nice." She smiled at the maid, who nodded and wrote the order down on a piece of parchment with some charcoal. The women of this village had learned to write somehow, which was surprising. The women in most villages couldn't even read, but the one's here could read and write.

Sango looked up and gave her friend a knowing look, which she returned with a hopeless look.

"You and fresh bread." She muttered, shaking her head and going back to her list.

"Anything else?" Kieri asked. Kagome shook her head and the maid went off to get their bread. For once it was a good thing that no one really knew what she looked like. If they did, she would have been found and brought back to the castle. Kagome's eyes glazed over as she went into a thoughtful position.

What was the king going to do? She'd been kidnapped after he had announced a marriage proposal. To the lord of the North of all people. And what was worse she'd even considered it for a while, thinking she'd see Inuyasha again. But with his sudden appearance, she threw it down the waterfall and went with him to where he was going. She was even a little excited about going to the West with him and all her friends. But before they could do any heavy traveling Shippo had to get better first. She was already fond of the little kitsune, even if she hadn't really met him yet. He was a baby and needed protecting, and that was all she needed to know.

Inuyasha had changed from what she used to know. When he was young he was innocent and loved to play tricks on everything that made him laugh. Her mother and father loved him, and treated him as if he was their own son. Souta also loved the young Hanyou, and always wanted to play with him. She had to admit that she was worried about leaving her little brother with that evil king, but she would see him again soon enough. Or so she hoped.

But now, Inuyasha was older, and maybe even a bit harsh. Yes he did use profanity, one thing he didn't do much when he was young, but now he spoke it freely. She didn't really mind that. But, he had also seemed to close himself off to everyone. He didn't speak as freely with her as he used to, nor did he joke as much.

Her face took on a determined look as Sango finished up her list, and their bred was laid before them. She grabbed her piece with a quick thank you to their maid and went back to her thoughts. Well, if he was closed off to the world, then she'd just have to open him up once again! She smiled at her decision and looked over to Sango, who ate the last bit of her bread and stood up, list in hand.

"Ready to go Kagome? We'd better get the supplies before sundown. We have quite a bit to get." Sango informed her, stretching her muscles. Kagome stuffed the last bit of bred in her mouth and stood up; her cheeks puffed out like a hamsters.

"Yupfh." She said, mouth full of bred. Sango nodded and left a tip for Kieri, then walked out of the tavern with her friend trailing behind.

*~^~3 Hours Later~^~*

"Ok, we've got rope."

"Check." Kagome muttered, putting the rope aside. They'd been out half the day looking for everything Sango had written on the list. When they got back to the Inn, everyone but Inuyasha had fallen asleep. Well, the only people who were awake when they left was Miroku and Inuyasha, so it didn't surprise them too much. Inuyasha now sat on the floor, looking extremely bored, and helping them check off what they had just for the heck of it.

"Water canteens?"

"Check." Came the monotone reply.

"Food?"

"Yup…"

"And last but not least, the blankets"

"Check." Inuyasha and Kagome said in union. Sango sighed and put down the parchment; walking over to one of the packs they had bought to carry the supplies and began to pack.

"Why don't you guys get some rest?" She asked as she thrust a blanket into the pack that was going to carry said item. "Don't want to be tired when Inuyasha shows you more on the sword." She smirked at their blushes.

"Keh." The Hanyou muttered standing to go lay down on his bed, though he wasn't going to sleep at all. "You guys can sleep. I don't need to." He told them arrogantly. Kagome stood up and stretched, falling face first onto her bed. On the right was Hitori and Shippo's bed, and to the left was Inuyasha's, though it wouldn't be used all that much. Kagome had insisted on sleeping near the kids, making sure they were okay during the night. Sango had protested about sleeping near the monk, but once she saw that there was a least five feet between their beds (due to some moving around) she was happy to sleep there. Just as long as she made sure there was a dagger, ready for use under her pillow if he should try anything.

Soon, the demon exterminator and the young princess were fast asleep, enjoying their pleasant dreams. Inuyasha rolled over on his bed about an hour after they had fallen into dreamland. He was bored as heck, but didn't want to wake anyone up. He knew humans needed sleep, and if they didn't they would go insane, or so he'd heard. He couldn't help but notice that Kagome was turned his way, her face peaceful with sleep.

She hadn't changed much; she still had her smile, her long hair, and even her stubbornness. Though, she wasn't as happy and giddy as she was before. That would be the fault of staying trapped in a castle for such a long time. She had been training with a bow when she was younger, but the new king must have forbidden it when he came to power.

He sighed and turned on his back to stare at the ceiling. The kingdom hadn't changed much either. Except for half of the villagers starving. The king didn't even perform the rights when the Taijiya were destroyed. He still couldn't believe that all of them were stuck in that huge building when the monster attacked. When he heard of the monster, he was afraid Kagome had been hurt. But once he saw her safe, he could rest easy.

He turned back to face Kagome again, not comfortable in this bed. He watched as her chest would raise and fall under her blanket. As he watched her face, he became tired himself, which surprised him to no end. Well…it is just a little past noon…I'll just rest a bit He yawned widely, turning over to his stomach on the bed, and falling slowly into a light slumber.