Chapter Two

The sun had barely risen when Inuyasha returned to camp the next morning. The first thing he noted was Kagome's absence. The second thing he realized was how much that relieved him.

"Inuyasha, we were getting worried." Miroku stood from his bedroll to acknowledge the wayward hanyou. "Hungry?"

"Did Kagome return home?"

"Yes, last night I sent her off with Kirara," Sango answered him, studying his face for a reaction and found only acknowledgement.

"Change of plans," Inuyasha finally announced after a moment of silence. "I have something to do in the West. I um, I have to meet with Sesshoumaru."

Miroku and Sango exchanged rather confused glances. "Sesshoumaru?"

"He's dying, and apparently he expects me to take over his place as Lord of the Western Lands." The nonchalance with which Inuyasha spoke these words belied his internal turmoil. He had no idea what to make of the situation.

"Huh." Miroku bit his lip in thought. "You know, I never really thought about it before, but I guess you are heir to a kingdom, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I guess I am." The hanyou shuffled his feet, his discomfort growing more intense. "Anyway, I would go alone but Myouga seems to think it would make a bad impression."

Sango raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You don't actually plan to take on the title, Inuyasha?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I'd rather search for the Shikon-no-Tama but there was a time when I envied my brother's position; and then there's the fact that it was my father's wish that I take his place when I came of age. I'm not sure I have much of a choice."

"When do we leave?" Miroku asked as he began to bundle his few possessions into his sleeping bag.

"Right away, except I don't know what to do about Kagome…"

"I'll stay behind with Kirara," Sango quickly offered, "and you go ahead with Miroku. I know where to find the Western Kingdom on my own. We'll join you when she arrives."

Miroku smiled suddenly. "Yes, perfect, that will give us time for a man-to-man talk, my friend."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at the houshi. "Man-to-man talk?"

"Not in front of the lady," Miroku loudly whispered. "I'm ready to go, shall we?"

Sighing, Inuyasha nodded. "Fine, but I'm not carrying you on my back."

"Fair enough! Good day, Lady Sango, and please be careful." Miroku grabbed his staff from a nearby tree and raced to follow the hanyou.

"I could say the same to you, Houshi-sama," Sango replied ruefully. "Man-to-man talk indeed."

* * * * *

Kagome smiled as she entered homeroom to find the predictable pile of gaudy valentines piled on her desk. The smaller ones she regarded quickly before stuffing them into her backpack. At the bottom of the pile she located a small, white, plushie dog with a cherry lollipop attached. Her heart stopped momentarily as she considered the possibility that Inuyasha had found his way to her time.

"Of course not, I'm an idiot," she berated herself when she recognized the handwriting of one Hojou-kun.

"Of course not what?" Eri came up behind Kagome, followed by Ayumi and Yuka.

"Nothing," Kagome answered quickly, a blush forming on her cheeks. She added Hojou's gift to the small stack in her backpack before turning to properly acknowledge her friends.

"I'll bet Kagome was hoping to get something from her secret boyfriend," Yuka teased.

"Oh, did he?" Ayumi was practically bouncing in excitement. "What did he give you?"

"Nothing, they don't celebrate Valentine's Day where he comes from." Kagome caught her mistake too late.

"Where DOES he come from, then?" Eri cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"What I mean is, he doesn't believe in celebrating Valentine's Day." The miko was spared further embarrassment by the ringing of the first bell. "You guys are going to be late, I'll see you at lunch!"

Kagome blushed a deeper pink as her friends walked off, Eri mumbling "at least she didn't deny having a secret boyfriend this time…"

The day was otherwise uneventful. Kagome rushed home after the last bell to avoid further questioning from her well-meaning entourage. Entering the kitchen she sought out her mother's first aid kit and sat down to change the bandage on her left arm.

"Oh, hello honey," Mrs. Higurashi relieved herself of a bag of groceries and came to the table to sit beside her daughter. "Let me help you with that. I still don't quite understand how you got such a deep gash on your arm from a twig…"

"I was just being clumsy," the girl lied.

"Well you should be more careful, dear. This one is definitely going to leave a scar, even with the first aid cream we used."

Kagome idly wondered if that hadn't been the point. But why?

"Are you going back today?"

"Yes, mama. I just need to gather up some supplies."

The older woman smiled. "Already ahead of you." She pointed to the bag she'd abandoned. "Ten packages of ramen and two bars of chocolate for your little fox friend." She taped up the gauze on her daughter's arm and sat back.

"You're the best, mama. I'm just going to run upstairs to change into something warmer. February is too cold to be running around in this school uniform." With a quick hug for her mother, Kagome bounded up the stairs. Fifteen minutes later, she was in feudal Japan.

* * * * *

"Sango-chan!" Kagome pulled herself out of the well and was surprised to see the older girl waiting for her. "What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

"Not exactly. We have to hurry to catch up with the boys." She pulled Kagome by the arm gently and smiled. "Inuyasha was called to his father's kingdom to speak with Sesshoumaru."

"WHAT?!"

Sango laughed. "Yes, that was our reaction as well, though perhaps not as loud." She led the girl to Kirara and indicated Kagome should hop upon the cat demon. "Sesshoumaru was poisoned by Naraku. He hates Inuyasha but among demons, sibling rivalry must take second to protecting the family honor. If he dies without a proper succession of power, then any demon with eyes for the Western Kingdom can, and will, set out to take it over."

Kagome's eyes widened at the influx of information she was getting. "So what you're saying is… is what?"

"Sesshoumaru wants to groom Inuyasha to become the leader of the Western Kingdom; and it seems Inuyasha is going along with it."

"How far behind are we?"

Sango looked up into the sky and noted the position of the sun. "They left early morning yesterday, but they were walking. With Kirara I believe we will overtake them in half a day. That is, unless we camp for the night. How do you feel, Kagome-chan?"

"I think I'll be okay," she answered. "I got a lot of sleep last night."

"All right then, we'll try to hurry."

Kirara gracefully took to the air, the afternoon sun beckoning the trio.