From then, it was all about preparation, Inuyasha went to fetch his friends, while Sesshoumaru began to warm up his youkai war-horses. He owned and raised a very large number of the demon horses, which he treated with as much care and affection as he could muster; that wasn't much.

He also warned his army to ready themselves and sent messengers to all the villagers, be they human or demon.

The message was actually more of an order than an invitation to find refuge, particularly in his castle. All would be safer there.

In the meantime, Inuyasha had just reached his friends, who had been worried sick about him for the two weeks he was gone.

"Inuyasha, SIT!" Kagome snarled.

THUMP!

"Nice greeting to someone who died!" the hanyou retorted, ungluing his face from the grounds.

"You were dead! Oh my God, Inuyasha! I'm so sorry!"

Instantly, the seventeen year old miko threw her arms around him.

"Uh…Kagome…what I have to say is important. Sesshoumaru brought me back for a reason…"

"Wait a moment!" Miroku said. "You mean to say that he revived you! With Tenseiga?"

"Yeah. So? Anyways, we have to talk."

"What is it, Inuyasha?" Sango asked urgently.

"The West is going to war with the East," he replied somberly. We have to help Sesshoumaru win…"

"But Inuyasha," Shippo interrupted. "I thought you hated your brother."

"Well…maybe I do, but I won't harbor any debt to him. A life for a life at least. And he needs our help. Remember what he told us that final time we saw him?"

"The part about him maybe helping us against Naraku?" Shippo offered.

"Yeah. Well, before I left, he told me what really began this war…

"Inuyasha, you know, of course, the real reason for this war?"

"You're a human sympathizer?"

"IT is not only that. You know there are four main Lords, and I am one. And you know that I never wanted to make mistakes like Chichi-ue…but I did. And I now see that not all of his actions were mistakes. Foolishly, you see, I solicited the help of the human and taiyoukai lords…but they did not respond in kind. Although they did not appreciate Naraku's tricks and affects on their lands, they would rather segregate themselves…

He paused.

"Now I see why Chichi-ue tolerated ningen and made friends of them.

"Segregation is a weakness…"

"Inuyasha, did he really say that?"

"Yeah, Kagome, he did. All this warfare is starting because of a promise he made to help us. We have to repay what's due," the hanyou said seriously.

"Wow, that was noble of him," Shippo said suddenly. "Normally, he's not so nice."

"You know what?" Inuyasha added. "Sesshoumaru may be a demon, and a horrifying tactician, but he's like otou-san. He's not a warmonger, just good at it. Their demon blood would give them pleasure from the kill and the fight, but they wouldn't like to see their lands at war."

"You're right, Inuyasha," Sango said. "I can see it in his eyes…sorta…because it's hard to see anything in Sesshoumaru's face…"

"So, guys. I know you never thought to hear this from me, but will you help me and Sesshoumaru fight this war?"

"You can count me in!" Sango affirmed.

"Definitely!" Miroku added.

I'm all for it, especially if it's for peace! Kirara mewed.

"Kagome…" Inuyasha began.

"I know what you're gonna say. 'Go home where it's safe until the war's done.' But I'm with you 100, Inuyasha," Kagome said. "I have been since I met you and since you said you loved me…"

It was true, Inuyasha was going to say that, but he now knew that it was futile. And since he had proclaimed his love for Kagome, she had taken responsibility of being with him as much as she possibly could without totally giving up the other side of her life.

"I know. And I'll protect you," he said finally, taking Kagome into a passionate kiss.

You're growing up, Inuyasha, Kirara thought, I'm glad…

"Well, I don't want to be different, so Sango, let's get cracking," Miroku said, puckering up his lips.

SMACK!

"Hentai!" Sango snarled.

Then again, someone still needs to grow up…

"Rin, come here."

The young girl came to her lord's side.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked.

"…Rin, I am to command an army to war. I want you to stay here in the shiro with Jaken. You can help the others who shall come by taking them to the Underground Chambers of the shiro for hiding. There are enough supplies for a year. If you run out…you may leave to the North and stay with Kouga and his wolf tribe for a while."

"But my lord, I want to join you…"

"No, Rin! War is much too dangerous. I can hardly insure my own safety, so how am I to insure yours? No, you must stay here. Show me…show me that you are a big girl, Rin," Sesshoumaru said, gulping slightly. He didn't know if what he was doing was right, but he knew that what he was doing was safe.

"I will, my lord! You can trust me!" Rin said, saluting.

"Come here," Sesshoumaru beckoned. He pulled the center of his sash and undid the knot. His armor sagged a little, but he paid it no heed. Instead, he gingerly held his obi out to Rin.

"This obi was my mother's. It is the only one of its kind, and only I use it. Therefore, the youkai who come to hide will trust you. It is not only covered in my scent, but hers as well. Do not lose it, Rin. I will be back to claim it. Wait for me."

"I will…and I hope you come soon, my Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin said, tears streaming down her cheeks. She tied the obi around her waist, winding it a great many times, for it was infinitely long.

"Rin, I may frequent the castle, but if I ignore you do not take offense. My burden is a great one, due to war."

"It's okay! Do your best, Lord Sesshoumaru!"

In only three days, Sesshoumaru and the Inu-gumi had gathered all their forces. Versus Eros' 450,000 troops, Sesshoumaru's army came in at 500,000.

Kagome was now able to shoot arrows on horseback and fight with a naginata as an amateur. It was more than to be expected in three days, but the war drew dangerously near.

"Do you like your horse, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked on the third day.

"Yeah…I mean, youkai war-horses are huge, but Maya's such a sweetie…"

Kagome was correct. All of the war-horses were larger than a present-day Clydesdale. Maya was pure black. Inuyasha's steed, Talon, was pure white and Sesshoumaru's favorite. Miroku's horse was a roan one named Tenebrus, and Sango's was a steely gray-coated stallion named Koto.

Sesshoumaru himself would have picked Talon as his steed, but he was much more suited to Ah-Un.

Nearly all the soldiers in the army were well trained, but Sesshoumaru was still apprehensive. His opponent was too cunning…

Sesshoumaru had already ascertained the make of the army and it's platoons; He would lead the first platoon forward, the only full Inu-Youkai platoon. Inuyasha and Miroku would lead the second with a mixture of Inu-Youkai and samurai. Sango would lead the third platoon consisting of assorted youkai. Kagome would lead the fourth platoon of samurai, and Tauron would lead the fifth platoon with her panther youkai.

"We depart at dawn," Sesshoumaru announced. "Rest well, while you can. We shall prepare to leave at midnight."

The commanders nodded. Just as Kagome was about to leave…

"Miko."

She turned to Sesshoumaru.

"Er…yeah?"

"You are new to battle such as this, are you not…Kagome was it?"

"Yeah, I've never fought in a war, if that's what you mean. And yeah, my name is Kagome. But Sesshoumaru, I won't give in, so you won't have to worry about me."

"And that is why I gave you a platoon. Based on your skills, I shall determine whether to merge your platoon with Tauron's."

Kagome nodded. She would prove herself.