(Sorry folks. This is going to be a short chapter. I'm setting something up. LadySesshoumaru41)
Back to the past...
Sesshoumaru and his lady-wife Katame were enjoying some quiet time in the garden. It had been several weeks since Sango apologized and she seemed to be settled in to her new role very well. She still had the servants afraid of her, which suited her just fine. After all, she was a demon huntress. But she did as she was bid. When Sesshoumaru spoke she didn't blink an eye, she just did as he commanded.
Sesshoumaru was thinking about this. 'Her year shall pass quickly at this rate. Perhaps I have succeeded in teaching her, her place.' Then he thought again. 'Or she could be playing me for the fool. I shall have to watch her.'
Katame was watching her husband. He spent a lot of time deep in thought. She wondered what was troubling him. There had been no trouble at the palace for what seemed like ages.
"Sesshoumaru?"
"Hmmm."
"What's wrong?"
"There is nothing wrong my Katame, I was only thinking of our newest servant. She apparently is settling down, but I wonder when her true nature will again assert itself."
"Give her the benefit of the doubt, Sesshoumaru. She has been through a lot and as a demon hunter it must be very hard for her to serve you."
"Hmmm... Perhaps little one. Still, I know this girl's temperament and I believe we have not seen the last of her stubbornness. I will continue to watch her for now."
"Sesshoumaru, you're not going to try and trap her in something are you? She is behaving isn't she? I mean... you wouldn't do anything to make her..." Katame's voice trailed off. She couldn't find the words to voice her fears. Would her husband go out of his way to make Sango disobey and then reset her year?
Sesshoumaru put his arm around his wife and pulled her onto his lap. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek. "You worry too much my Katame. I wont break my word. She will go free in one year if her maintains her current behavior.
Katame snuggled into her husband's chest. "I'm sorry." She nuzzled into the folds of his clothes. "Do you want something to drink? She tried to hop off his lap to go and get something for them but she quickly found she couldn't move.
"I don't want 'something' but I do want someone." He growled softly into her ear. "Come with me." He rose to his feet and gently guided her into the palace and to their room.
Back to the future... (Movie title? Hmmm.)
Inuyasha and Kagome's mom got back to the temple later that morning. He was carrying a small wrapped package in his hand.
Kagome was in the back of the house watching Sugumi and Souta playing video games.
Inuyasha snuck up behind her and kissed her on the neck. "Miss me?"
She turned to him and smiled.
His handed her the little package. "Here I got this for you. Your mom helped me find it." He was like a little kid. It was hard to tell who was more excited as she opened it.
She took the package and carefully opened the wrapper. She took out the little box and opened it. Kagome gasped. "Oh Inuyasha, it's beautiful! Oh honey I love it."
"Open it up."
Kagome opened the tiny heart shaped locket and smiled. In it was a small picture of her and Inuyasha. They had taken the picture a long time ago back before they got married. She hugged him tightly. "Thank you Inuyasha its lovely and you had our picture put in it. I love it!"
"Put it on." He took the locket from his wife and put it on her. He kissed her again. "You are the world to me. I wanted to get you something special." He held her close to his chest and rubbed her back. "I love you so much."
Later that day Kagome and her mom packed up a big bag of supplies and things that Kagome would need when she got back to the past. When they were ready they said their goodbyes and jumped into the well to return to the ancient village in Inuyasha's time.
Miroku and Hikarame were at the home of the old priestess Ky-aite waiting for Inuyasha and his family to return. He had left instructions to meet them there in two weeks. Miroku was very careful not to annoy his half-demon friend since the incident that nearly cost him his eyes. He knew Inuyasha wouldn't attack him unprovoked but in Miroku's estimation it was better to be safe than sorry. He still carried some scares on his back from the beating he had received from Inuyasha. And they stood as a reminder to him that although they were friends it was the height of stupidity to disregard the words of a demon.
Inuyasha and Kagome entered the home followed by Sugumi. "Good you're here." Inuyasha noted. "We can get going right away."
"Will ye not sit a while, Inuyasha? I have not spoken with ye in quite some time." The old priestess asked.
"Why? What do you want old hag?"
"Inuyasha! Don't be so mean." Kagome scolded. "Of course we'll stay a little while. Is something wrong Ky-aite?
"Ye have not yet gathered all of the shards, have ye?"
"No old woman and we wont if you keep delaying us." Inuyasha's temper was showing.
"Aye, I'll not keep ye long. How much have ye gathered?
Kagome held out the pouch with the shards in them. They had gathered more than three quarters of the jewel.
"Listen, I have heard rumors of a demon of great strength living in the mountains to the south. I'm told that he has suddenly gained a great deal of power. I am certain that this demon has the remainder of the jewel shards. His name is Shamotokai. I'm told he has taken the form of a dragon and has a fortress up there. Go, I beg ye and get the remaining shards before the snow flies. For if ye wait it may be impossible to get to him until spring and by then he may well be too powerful to defeat. The villages in the area have all been devastated and the villagers have all had to flee for their lives."
"Hmmfff... I've fought tuff demons before, this guy will be no different. I'll get him. Why are you so worried? I've done fine so far after all we already have most of the jewel."
"Aye, that you have Inuyasha, but this demon seems different and I worry that you may underestimate him. Since Naraku was destroyed there has been a shift in the power among the demons. Have ye not felt it? Perhaps your brother knows of this and will be able to tell ye more about it. He is the lord of all the west is he not? Surely he will know of the changes."
"I'll go see him if I can, but my brother doesn't have much use for demon court life and I'm not sure when the last time he was there." Inuyasha thought for a moment. He could stop in on his brother but he was specifically told not to, because of Sango. How would his brother react? He will leave the others behind just in case.
"I will trust you to do what is best." Ky-aite said lowering her head. Although it was her duty to protect the village from demon influence. She had come to respect this half-demon. He had done a great deal of good on behalf of humans.
"You four stay here with Ky-aite for a few days. I'll go talk to Sesshoumaru and see what he knows."
"Wait here, why?" Miroku was getting to his feet. "We'll all go. It will save time..."
"No!" Inuyasha's voice was much more harsh than he intended. He softened. "You can't come. Sesshoumaru is dealing with something right now and asked me specifically not to come around until after six months time had passed. I promised and now I will have to break my word. My brother wont be happy about that and I don't want to put any of you in danger. Understand?"
"Very well. But wouldn't it make more sense if we accompanied you most of the way. We could make camp in the valley or stay in one of the nearby villages and wait there." Miroku was trying to be helpful.
"Fine. Let's go." Inuyasha was in a bit of a strange state and wasn't in the mood for an argument.
(Dun dun dun... ooooh I did it again. Song title? Nah! LadySesshoumaru41)