Whew…that took forever. I often find that I don't write chronologically, so sometimes the interval between updates will be weird. I have the next chapter close to completed, but it took me forever to figure out what I wanted to do with this one. This chapter feels a little rambly to me, but it couldn't really be helped. Hopefully the next few chapters will be more interesting. This isn't really an action-oriented story, I suppose…but if you are all getting bored, please drop me a review and I will try to push the pace a little. Anyway, thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far! I've had many nice compliments! I appreciate the interest everyone has showed.

~Penwarrior

***

The sun woke Inuyasha, streaming warmth and light through the window at his side. He yawned and looked around him. His companions were still stretched out in a dead sleep.

They really must be tired, he thought, looking at Miroku. The monk was, next to Inuyasha, the lightest sleeper of the group, and he hadn't stirred at all, in spite of the fact that the light from the window was shining directly on his face. Inuyasha stood and stretched. No one looked up at his movement. I guess it might be a good idea to stay here after all, for a few days. It looks like they weren't kidding about needing rest. Kagome stirred slightly, snuggling deeper into her blanket, and going still again. She at least won't be in any shape to travel today, stupid girl. Staying awake half the night.

Well, that settled it, he supposed, it was either put up with the delay or put up with Kagome's complaining all day. Somehow, his days always wound up being more painful when she was grouchy. Inuyasha fingered the rosary around his neck.

The door started to slide open, and without thinking Inuyasha cleared the space from the wall to the door in a silent leap. He slapped his hand over the mouth of the servant girl who was kneeling outside

"Mm!" Her eyes widened, frightened, and she tried to pull back.

"Sh!" Inuyasha held her still, and spoke in a low voice near her ear. "I'm not going to hurt you, just don't make any noise." The young girl stopped struggling, but the eyes that stared at him were still afraid. "I'm not going to hurt you," he repeated. "I just don't want you to wake the others. I'm going to let you go, now – will you stay quiet?"

She nodded beneath his hand, and he let go of her, moving back slightly. She still looked wary, but not quite afraid anymore. "M-My lady sent me to see if you were ready for breakfast," she whispered. "I am to wait on you as long as you stay with us. My name is Mia."

"Oh…" Inuyasha blinked, and then looked back at his friends. "Well, just let them sleep for now. When they wake up on their own you can ask them about breakfast."

"I understand," Mia bowed her head slightly. "What about you, Inuyasha-sama? I can bring some food outside if you're hungry."

Inuyasha's ears twitched a little at the 'sama' but he let it pass. He thought for a moment, looking back into the room. "That'll be fine," he told her. "I'll be outside, over there." He nodded towards the window.

Mia nodded. "I will have your breakfast in just a moment."

Inuyasha stood, sliding the door quietly closed behind him, and made his way around the corner, throwing himself down against the wall near the window. He lifted his head and tested air. His ears twitched, and his eyes half-closed as his concentration shifted to his sharper senses. The house was awake and moving. He could hear orders being barked somewhere in the distances, accompanied by the sounds of drilling soldiers. The smell of food was strongest in the air, but he ignored his complaining stomach and tried to sort out the rest of the scents. The house was obviously well kept, the air was fresh and clean – no garbage, and while Inuyasha could smell the stables, the scent was light enough that it would probably not be noticed by his human companions. He smelled fresh water nearby, too. The place smelled the way a well-run human house should, or at least, so he supposed. The sounds that reached his ears were largely pleasant, too, the people seemed mostly happy.

Hmmph. Inuyasha wasn't going to buy this appearance of perfection right away, that was for sure. For one thing, the house wall was well fortified and the house itself as defensible as it could be made. There were a lot of feet and voices in that crowd of soldiers he could hear. There was more to this happy tranquility than what met the eye.

Mia brought the food to him then, and he lost interest in all else. She had approached him cautiously, not fearfully, at first, but when he eagerly began to dive into his food, she backed away quickly and excused herself as quickly as she politely could.

Inuyasha didn't really care.

When the food was gone, he leaned back contentedly against the wall, comfortably full. He could hear the others starting to stir inside the room, but he wasn't really ready for company. Inuyasha stood up and began to walk aimlessly across the courtyard, senses alert.

"My lady, please, listen to reason!"

Inuyasha stopped, ears twitching. He stood still and listened, searching for the source of the faint sound. He walked towards the house as the obviously agitated man continued.

"You must send them away today. My Lady, I am responsible for your safety until my Lord returns –"

"That's enough, Captain." Yoko's cool voice reached his ears clearly, and Inuyasha stopped where he was. They were inside the house, and he could hear just fine where he was.

"My Lady, I will not tolerate it!"

"Tolerate?" Yoko's voice took on a steel that made Inuyasha tense, frowning. "I do not require your tolerance, captain. You are sworn to obedience, is that not correct? Did my Lord charge you with the running of his home while he is away, and fail to tell me?"

"No, Lady," the man replied, quietly, as someone who knows he is already defeated.

"To whom did he give this responsibility?"

"To you, Lady."

"I am taking a risk, Captain," Yoko continued, without the hard edge but still firm, unyeilding. "I understand this. This is a family matter, and I don't expect you to understand. I don't care if you agree. I am not required to explain myself to you, but I will do so this once. I have no family left outside these walls, Captain, and I will not betray the only ties of kinship that remain to me. Inuyasha-sama will stay a guest in my house, and his friends as well, until he wishes to leave. My family failed him once, and I will not repeat the mistake and double the dishonor."

"Yes, Lady."

"I do not question your ability to defend this home against threats from the outside, but within the walls, I must ask you to yield to me. Thank you for your concern, Captain. I'm sure you have other duties to attend to."

Inuyasha frowned, and backed away, walking back towards the room where had left the others with more to digest than his breakfast.