Hey, guys. Sorry I haven't updated this in like forever. I do appreciate your reviews, especially Lady Kagewaki. I'm honored to be reviewed by such a great author, and I'm glad you reviewed all my chapters and found no problems. It makes me feel like this story isn't a waste of time. Thanx for that.

Okay, I'll shut up now and let you read the story.

Inuyasha entered the camp just as Kagome exited Sesshoumaru's tent.

"Inuyasha!"

The young miko ran to him, hugging him tightly.

"How was it, Inuyasha?" Did we win?"

"Yeah. Look, I'm gonna see Ayumi about somethin', okay?" he said tensely.

"What's wrong? And who's Ayumi?"

"She's the healer of Sesshoumaru's castle. Has been as long as I can remember."

"Are you hurt?" Kagome gasped.

"Nah, not really. A few cuts and bruises, but nothing too serious. She's just an old friend, and I need to talk to her. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, sure. Just don't be too long, Inuyasha. I need you help with something later."

Inuyasha turned away with a nod and walked off.

"Hey, Ayumi!"

"Inuyasha-sama!"

A neko youkai turned to him. She was rubbing salve onto a samurai's injured leg. Her almond eyes seemed to lull Inuyasha into security. Such was her nature. That's why she was such a superb healer. She had the power to calm people with all sorts of tricks, eyes included.

"Are you injured my lord?"

"No. It's all superficial, Ayumi. But I do want to talk to ya."

"What about?"

"Well…you've been my friend since I was a whelp, so I know I can talk to you about anything. It's just…I don't think being a commander is good for Kagome. This sort of killing, she shouldn't be seeing it."

"Is this about your lord brother's decisions?"

"It's not just that. She can fight, and I have confidence in her. But she's too soft. Sesshoumaru told me himself he had his doubts about her. He told me that if I decided it, he could order her to stay in the camp…with you…

"I can teach her how to heal with her miko powers. Is that what you want?"

"It'd be a plus, you know. I don't want her to live with this killing in her mind."

Inuyasha's eyes averted from his childhood friend.

"…Does it hurt?"

"Huh?"

"Does it hurt, Inuyasha? Do you feel the pain of war at last?"

"…"

Inuyasha stared at his claws, smelling the blood on them faintly.

"Yeah…I didn't think it would be so bad. Fighting demons for the jewel shards is tame compared to this…anyway I gotta see Kagome. Nice talkin' to you, Ayumi."

"Anytime, milord."

"I'm no lord. That's Sesshoumaru's job."

Inuyasha searched for Kagome and he found her near the stream.

"Hey. Hey, Kagome!"

"Oh! Inuyasha."

Kagome strode to him.

"Kagome, I…I need to talk to you…"

"Is something the matter?"

"Uh…it's just…you fight great and all…but…um…I think it'd be better if you just stay with Ayumi and learn to heal. War changes things, Kagome. It changes people, too. It isn't like normal fighting."

"Well…if you want me to be safe…"

"Thanks, Kagome."

"It's okay, Inuyasha. Now, could you help me with this? It's for Sesshoumaru's wounds."

"I'll still never understand exactly what you see in that guy…"

"Inuyasha. He revived about 15,000 soldiers today. Give him his due credit, he just wants peace."

"Why, though, did he try to revive them? They're just soldiers…"

"Guilt, Inuyasha. Deny it all you want, but Sesshoumaru has a strict code of honor; He does not kill without reason, however trivial it may seem. I admit I don't approve of killing someone if they're in your way. It's stupid and immature, but still, he always has a plausible reason."

"Yeah…I know…"

"Heh. Inuyasha, you're growing up!" Kagome said cheerily.

"Huh? Whaddya mean?"

"Oh, nothing. But you know, Sesshoumaru's pretty young too, isn't he?"

"Er…well, for a taiyoukai, yeah. He's kinda young. So what?"

"Maybe that's why he's so flexible. 'Cause Sesshoumaru's young, his ideals aren't fully set yet. Maybe-just maybe-he'll come around and take to humans a little more…"

"Feh! That pompous windbag? Never!" Inuyasha sneered as he uprooted an herb.

"Okay, this is enough. Thanks, Inuyasha."

Together, they ground the herb into a pasty mass and heated it.

"This'll be perfect for Sesshoumaru's wrenched shoulder!" Kagome said. "Do you have any injuries that need poultices?"

"Ah, no," Inuyasha replied. I'll be fine tomorrow. Just beat tired is all. I'm gonna hit the sack. G'night, Kagome."

"Good night!" she called.

She then entered the tentand found Sesshoumaru conveniently lying on his stomach. Of course, he would have to be roused anyway.

"Hey, Sesshoumaru, wake up."

"Mmm..."

Sesshoumaru turned away more. Kagome tapped his cheek and he moaned again.

"Mmm!"

"Wake up..."

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes.

"Hn?""I have a poultice. Let me tie it on, okay?"

Kagome sighed. He was asleep again.

"Sesshoumaru, sit up! I'm sorry to wake you, but this poultice will help..."

Kagome placed and tied the poultice to his shoulder.

"You can lay down now...Sesshoumaru?"

Kagome shook the taiyoukai's uninjured shoulder.

"Mmm..." he groaned in complaint. "Let me alone...I do not feel well..."

"Wait, what! What do you mean!"

Alas, Sesshoumaru had passed out again. This time, Kagome didn't try to rouse him. She merely felt his head for a fever. It was present.

"You fought so hard, Sesshoumaru..."

Kagome put a damp cloth on his head and refreshed he bandaging on his wounds.

"Just rest now."

Sesshoumaru was up at midnight with full intent of fighting. He woke Inuyasha to help him with his armor. (Being one handed sucks). After he was set, he sat on the battle hill, still feeling feverish.

"So, Inuyasha," he asked in a fatigued sort of tone, "are you now of my opinion concerning warfare?"

"Huh?"

Sesshoumaru sighed.

"Do you think this sucks?"

"Yeah. War sucks. But this isn't your first war..."

"It is my first war. The fight against Tauron and her tribe was a battle; do not forget it."
"Oh."

"Inuyasha, we will run out of food soon. Is the wench accustomed to famine?"

"She ain't a wench!" Inuyasha snarled. He then quieted. "And no, she ain't."

"She's going to be after this war is done, unless she goes home.

"Nice try. She won't go."

"Oh, well."

Sesshoumaru rose up as the soldiers filed into their toons. He stared at them closely.

"4th platoon! You may disperse into the other platoons. Make it even!" he called.

Sesshoumaru was certain there were 150,000 soldiers gone. His grand army was now only 350,000 strong. However, Eros arrived with only 250,000.

"Attack!" Sesshoumaru ordered.

He charged at the head of the army, sword drawn.

"Release the opiates!" A dragon commanded from Eros' army.

R & R pretty please!