Miroku was feeling fairly suspicious. Things had been going just a bit too good for him to be comfortable lately. It was when everything was bad that you knew you were alright. When everything was bad, all the cards were on the table. It was when things were good that they started getting risky. Someone was always out to get you when things were going well.

The monk looked around the bar, noting some of the rustic features. He wouldn't have expected a place like this in a city of such noble youkai. In fact, he wouldn't have expected just about anything he had seen today in a city of noble youkai. There was just something wrong about powerful werewolves going to the bazaar and buying some fish. But the bar was undoubtedly the coop de grace. While the exterior was, like the rest of the city, all marble and white stone, the inside was modeled to resemble a standard seaside tavern. Everything was hardwood, including the booth at which he and his new and old acquaintances sat. The food was very plain, but very tasty, and there was even a large fish mounted on the wall. Miroku could feel very at home here. Now if only the serving girls would hurry back…

His new 'friends' confused him. This pirate Morgan was just a bit too friendly for Miroku's taste. He was pleasant enough, certainly. In the past hour that Miroku had actually known him; he had smiled most of it, and was almost always ready with some sort of witty comment. He did seem to be a very likeable person. But he was a pirate, and not a very trustworthy one at that. He had insisted on taking them to a bar before they left on the voyage, and paid in the self same types of jewels that he had seen Youkai all over the city wearing. Undoubtedly, they were stolen.

And Sesshoumaru himself had been unusually tolerant of them. Not altogether friendly, but certainly not attempting to kill them, which in any case was improvement. However, things were indeed suspicious. Sesshoumaru had always professed to hate humans, but he seemed fairly tolerant now. He and the pirate were speaking of plans in calm voices across from one another, and there was a little girl trailing after him constantly. Occasionally the monk would catch snippets of their conversation, and hear things like 'trajectory,' 'training,' and 'amassing forces.' Perhaps there was some sort of conflict arising.

The only one he didn't suspect suspicious motives from was the dragon, Kiriln. She seemed to be like most of the other dragons. Very easygoing, and largely oblivious to any hardship around her until it came down on her head. And besides, she was very attractive. Surely nobody who would be willing to bear his children would have ill motives. Speaking of that, he would have to make a point to ask her after a little while. Most surely, she would agree, but it never hurt to check. Unless Sango was around. Then it did hurt.

As it was, his group, largely consisting of Sango, Shippo, Kohaku, and himself sat on one end of the table, while the others all sat at the other end. Kirara was curled up on the hearth in front of the fireplace, purring loudly. There was a sort of separation of conversation at the table. Most people were silent, save Sesshoumaru and Morgan, who talked in hushed tones. In fact, the entire bar was extremely quiet; although that was reasonable considering that the leader of the city was visiting.

Like a timid mouse, one of the serving girls poked her head out of kitchen, and stared at them for just a moment. Once it seemed she had summoned up her courage, she headed out, carrying a laden tray. Carefully, she headed directly for Sesshoumaru, and placed the tray on a table near him.

Sesshoumaru stopped his conversation for just a second, and turned to stare at her. The poor girl froze under his gaze, fear etched across her features. Miroku couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen himself. Had the girl insulted him in some way? Sesshoumaru, however, did absolutely nothing, save gaze at the girl.

As quickly as she could muster, the poor thing snatched a plate off of her tray, and placed it in front of the Tai Youkai with trembling hands. "The Lady Rin's dish, milord." She stuttered.

Miroku blinked. Lady Rin? Who was Lady Rin?

Sesshoumaru nodded once at her, sniffed at the food, nodded again, and then slid the tray just to his right, where the little human girl stared at it happily. Miroku almost choked. The human girl had been served before the lord himself? And Sesshoumaru even seemed nonchalant about this. What was going on here?

"And Milord's dish." She said, handing the second dish over to Sesshoumaru. It was some sort of fried fish, quite like the girl was having. Sesshoumaru nodded again, this time with the very slightest air of gratitude and dismissal, and the girl very quickly scuttled away into the kitchen again. Miroku could here the whispers echoing out as she told her fellow waitresses what had transpired.

Apparently bolstered, others were quickly out with laden trays, and the others at the table were served just as quickly, and a saucer of milk was placed on the hearth for Kirara.

Miroku looked down at his plate, and noted happily enough that the food seemed to be genuine fish. Not that he doubted the cooks, but youkai did eat some strange things. Like people.

Slowly, he began eating, munching first on the succulent fish, then on to some of the greenish vegetables on the side. The others took his example, and also began to enjoy the meal.

Morgan himself was the only one with out fish in front of him. Instead, he pulled out what seemed to be a hunk of bread from his pocket, and began to gnaw on it. It looked very stale.

Kiriln herself was eating much like he was, with slow, careful bites, and savoring every flavor.

Rin was acting much more like Shippo, scoffing down the food as fast as she could. Twice already, she had choked, but managed to get it down with a little of the Tangy dink they had been served with the meal.

Sesshoumaru had taken only a single bit of the fish, and that was all. He sat placidly, waiting as the others ate.

Finally, Morgan looked up from his bread, and inspected them. More particularly, he inspected Sango, adding them as an afterthought. "So, my lovely lady." He finally said to her. "You said something about hitching a ride on my ship, so what's this all about then?"

Sango nodded, and put down her chopsticks. "We need a ride into mainland Japan, and we were assured that you would be able to give one to us, captain." She kept her voice respecting, trying not to insult him.

"Oh, please, milady. Morgan will do nicely." Sango blushed just a little at being called milady. Miroku narrowed his eyes just a little. Was he trying to be charming? Well, if he had picked Sango out to charm, then Miroku had to admit, he had good taste in women. "However, Milady, it seems I don't know your name, and 'twould be a shame to not know the name of such a vision of beauty." Miroku's eyes narrowed just a bit more. Maybe his taste was a little too good.

Sango, blushing even more now, smiled ever so slightly. "My name is Sango." She said softly, "and theses are my companions, Miroku, Shippo, Kohaku, and Kirara." Each she gestured at as she called the name.

"A pleasure to meet you all." He said pleasantly. "I'll shall be happy to such a lovely lady and her guardians aboard my fine vessel." He paused for just a moment, stroking his beard. "We… ah… do have a certain amount of work that will need to be done mid voyage, you understand."

Sango smiled ever so slightly at him. "That's not a problem." She assured.

Morgan nodded gratefully. "Wonderful." He said. "Now, I have just a few more words to say to my client, and then I'll be ready to leave…" He eyes Sango just a moment. "I don't suppose you'd let me buy you a drink while we wait?"

Miroku's eyes widened. Little red warning lights were running around madly in his mind… buy her a drink? Wasn't that some sort of proposition?

"I don't drink." Sango said smoothly, with just a little icy twinge to her voice.

Morgan raised an eyebrow, and looked just a little put out. After resting his eyes on the girl for a moment longer, her turned back to Sesshoumaru and the dragon. "Well, then, Milord." He addressed Sesshoumaru. "We should probably be leaving soon, so that we can be well on our way by twilight."

Sesshoumaru nodded, and rose slowly from his seat, his fish mostly untouched. "Very well…" he said softly. He slowly directed his gaze towards the young girl at his side, who seemed to be devoted to finishing her fish before they left. "Rin." He commanded. "Find Aaron for me, and tell him to see me before the ship leaves."

Rin nodded sharply. "Yes, milord." She got up and dashed out the door, taking the fish and the expensive looking plate it was on with her. Miroku could see out of the corner of his eyes one of the kitchen girls almost fainting.

Sesshoumaru himself also began heading towards the door. "I shall meet you at the harbor at the time of departure…"

Morgan nodded sullenly, at him, and the Tai-Youkai strode regally out of the tavern himself, leaving an air of distinct control behind him. As he strode out the door, the pirate gave a sigh of relief, and quickly whipped back to the dragon. "You had better pay me in spades for this." He warned her.

Miroku smirked to himself inwardly. Mayhap there was something more going on here than he thought.

Kiriln shrugged her shoulders, and began playing idly with one of the long silken streamers of her clothing. "Don't worry, Morgan. I'll make sure you get something cool…"

Morgan snorted. "You'd better. I can't believe I got dragged into this… Pirates aren't supposed to get drafted."

Miroku perked an eyebrow. "Drafted?" He asked.

"Sesshoumaru decided that my ship was a useful asset, and so now he's using it how he sees fit."

"And Morgan is stuck as the pilot…" Kiriln said, as if she found it amusing.

The pirate sighed, and shook his head. "And I can't bloody well run, on account of the bastard has those beastie thingies patrolling the seas too." He faced towards Kiriln just a little. "Unless, perhaps you'd like to make some cover for me? You know, tsunamis, lightning bolts, monsoons? That sort o thing?"

Kiriln smiled. "Well, first off, no, because I would like to keep my relations with Sesshoumaru good. And second off, do you know how many tons of water I would have to move to make any of those happen? Do you know how wide of an area I'd have to affect? I'd be asleep for a week, and but helpless as a kitten afterwards…" She stuck out her tongue. "The mere thought of it makes me pooped."

Morgan cursed. "Alright, alright, so for the time being I'm stuck here. Any idea when he'll let me off?"

Kiriln shrugged. "Probably when all this is over." She muttered. "Heaven knows if any of us'll be alive then."

Sango spoke up, and voiced Miroku's thoughts. "What exactly is going on right now?"

Kiriln raised an eyebrow at her. "Why don't you ask Sesshoumaru?" She asked.

"Because the last few times we've seen him, he's tried to kill us." She responded politely. "Just call us prejudice…"

Kiriln almost chuckled. "Well, that could make for some friction on the voyage…" She muttered.

Sango paused just a moment, to take that in. "Excuse me?" She asked.

Kiriln laughed, a light airy laugh. "Didn't you know? Sesshoumaru is going with you."

Damn, damn, and double damn…

Koga was running… he always ran when he wanted to think. It helped clear his mind. The wind whipping through his hair, pulling at his body, trying desperately to slow him, and failing miserably. It was sheer exhilaration, knowing that nothing could stop him, ever… The ground gave way before his flying feet, kicking up great whirlwinds of dust behind him, and the clawed at him like so many dragons… and nothing in the world could slow him down…

But what about the pack?

For almost a year, now, he had been the alpha male. In that year alone, they had lost twenty of their number… out of which six where females. And it was all thanks to the damn birds. Of coarse, nobody blamed him. How could they? Things had been even worse before he had become leader, and they hadn't even had to deal with the birds before then. But twenty lives lost was to damn much in his book. Any life cost was too much in his book. But how the hell was he supposed to protect everybody.

He could protect himself easily enough. With the shards of the sacred jewel, not much could mess with him. But what use was it when he couldn't even protect the pack. There wasn't anything he could do… how the hell could he fend off an attack of hundreds of birds at a time. It wasn't possible. But now… when the birds were weak… maybe if they could strike, he wouldn't have to protect them anymore.

But not without planning… no, that was ludicrous. The old days of relying on pure instinct was over. He had to plan out everything to the dot. And that required surveillance, didn't it? He stopped suddenly, the backlash of the wind he had created hitting him firmly in the back. He was at the edge of the forests now. The edge of the wolf's territory... he slowly rose his eyes up to the looming mountain range in front of him. This was the bird's turf… but hey, he could outrun anything he needed to in here, so there were no worries… He had to ascertain their numbers, after all.

He was about to start up when a faint smell twitched into his nostrils. That was one of the problems with running so fast. You couldn't smell the roses until you were well past them…

But this was no rose he smelled. This was a wolf. A bleeding wolf. He cast a sullen glance at the mountains, and turned around. The birds would still be recovering for a few more days, and he had no idea how long this wolf would last. Only one obvious choice. He quickly turned around, and ran off in the direction of the scent, this time moving slowly enough to catch the scent. It was faint, but Koga didn't recognize it at all. And Koga made a point to know every wolf in his territory. This was an outsider.

It wasn't too terribly long before he found the source of the smell.

Damn, damn, damn… Just Koga's luck. Well, he could forget about checking out the birds today. He kneeled down low over the body, sniffing at it. He couldn't even tell if the poor thing was alive. She lay completely still, broken against the chattered bulk of the tree. Her nose was broken, and blood had caked on her face. What little skin he could see was ashen, and clammy. Was he too late? She was wearing wolf's furs, much like he was, and her hair was reddish brown and tied up in a pony tail. What the hell had down this? It didn't look like the bird's work. If it had been, there wouldn't have been enough of her left to be worth looking for. No, this was something else…

He looked around the area, poking through trees and looking around. There had been some sort of struggle here… He found a wicked looking hooked knife lying in the ground. Whoever the bastard was who used that had to be pretty sick. He could pick up some faint smells… There was the smell of a dog youkai here, but weak. Maybe a hanyou? Not unheard of, although rare. And if it was a dog, that would explain the beaten wolf. Everyone knew that a dog would sooner kill a wolf than look at one. And trust a dog to use a dagger like that…

He looked back to the broken body, and shook his head. She wasn't mart of his pack, but he couldn't help but feel a little resentment. The dog couldn't have gotten too far off. Koga could probably track him down and rip him up, just to justify the death of this wolf.

He looked down at the body, and kneeled down again. Before he did that, he had better clean her off just a bit. Give her a decent resting ground. Carefully, he began to rub the dried blood off her face, and clean off some of the dirt. She woulda been pretty, to, if not for the dent in her nose. She must have been at least a few years younger than he was. It was such a pity, to see one so young lying dead.

Quickly and efficiently, he braced his arms into the earth, and began kicking at the ground, quickly excavating a sizable pit. It was demeaning, he knew, but he really couldn't give a crap. He always did this with the dead members of his own pack. If he didn't get there fast enough to help them in life, he would at least make sure they had an honorable death. When the hole was big enough, he stopped, and walked slowly over to the girl. Offering a silent prayer to the Mother Moon, he slowly picked up the girl. There was a slight coughing noise, and bit of new, fresh blood emerged from the girl's lips. Koga gaped in chock, and instantly put her down again. There was no way this girl was alive, was there? She was a youkai, of coarse, but even youkai couldn't withstand injuries like this and live… could they? He quickly drew a short, hunting knife, and put it to her lips. Very occasionally, and only a small amount, the blade fogged. She was breathing, but just barely. How the hell could she be alive.

With a few quick curses, Koga pushed the dirt back into the hole he had made, then turned back to the girl. He had to be careful in carrying her, or else she wouldn't make it. Slowly, he picked her up again, holding her head carefully to the side, so she wouldn't suffocate if she bleed from the mouth anymore. Then he set out again, not running, but walking slowly. Even as he started, it strung him how far he was from the den. He always took distance for granted when he was running… He sighed. This was going to take forever.

Aaron's visage appeared, as par usual, out of nowhere. "You called my lord?" He asked, smiling.

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but notice that his smile was just a little different now. For one, it was upside down. The man was hanging by one foot from an overhanging clothesline. Sesshoumaru couldn't possibly understand how the man could always sneak up on him like that. He had just glanced at the clothes line a few moments before, and there had been nothing there. He hadn't smelled Aaron approach, nor heard anything. It was a mystery…

However, besides it being upside down, it was also considerably less of the idiot smile that he normally had. His normal smile was completely unbridled, full out, all cards on the table, happy. This smile was a much more concealing, self satisfied.

However, Sesshoumaru didn't let any of this touch his face. He merely looked on at the human, then sidestepped him. "I am leaving for a few days." He said slowly. "I can only hope to assume that you will have some sort of force in the middle of training by that point."

Aaron expertly changed the foot he was hanging with. "You haven't actually given me any troops to train yet, milord…" He pointed out in a dry voice. "That would be a useful start."

Sesshoumaru stared at him just a moment. "I shall leave recruiting up to you." He said. "You know warfare very well, if I remember correctly."

Aaron nodded. "I've been on a great many battlefields." He commented.

"Good." Sesshoumaru dismissed. "If you can get no one to volunteer, then you have my permission to institute a draft."
Aaron's smile very quickly changed to his idiot grin. "Do I, milord?" He asked.

"Choose the troops responsibly." Sesshoumaru warned. "In addition, you should have some more forces arriving from the mainland. They should bring a scroll bearing my seal. If you do not trust them, do not let them in the city."

Aaron's eyes narrowed in pleasure. "So you're pretty much leaving me in charge?" He asked.

Sesshoumaru merely shrugged. "If I left anyone else, you would simply bully them into agreeing to anything you wanted…" He said softly. "And I trust you will not make a royal mess of things."

Aaron nodded. "Probably not in the time span that you're gone, anyway…"

"Then you are dismissed."

"I'm already gone."

The Tai Youkai turned around, and sure enough, the human spoke the truth. How did he do that? Placidly, Sesshoumaru turned around, and continued down towards the harbor. The group he was to be traveling with would be leaving soon, and he had better be there when they left. He found it just slightly ironic that he was traveling with InuYasha's companions, when he was in fact on his way to steal InuYasha's own sword. But then again, Vadise promised them a safe trip to Japan, and it would be unpolitical to break Vadise's promise for her…

He arrived at the harbor just in time to see the demon slayer slap at the monk. They seemed to resort to this tactic quite a lot, yet Sesshoumaru still failed to see what it accomplished.

"I was merely asking out of curiosity!" Miroku insisted vehemently, rubbing his face. "I speak the truth."

"Save it." Sango said primly, crossing her arms and turning away form him. The young Kitsune and the Sango's brother were both trying to keep from laughing. Morgan, however, had no such grace. He was laughing so hard that he was choking.

Kiriln herself, who was apparently the victim of the infamous question, was blushing lightly, but keeping a strait face.

Sesshoumaru cleared his throat, and walking into the group. Instantly, Morgan sprang to attention, and reluctantly Kiriln did the same. The other's had the good grace to give him their attention. "All my matters are taken care of." He announced. "We seem to be ready to leave."

"The ship is ready, milord." Morgan assured, and gestured towards the relatively small vessel. "It'll be a tight squeeze, but I'm sure that we'll be able to fit." He cast a sly glance towards the hull. "Assuming your little secretary doesn't eat all the supplies first."

Like a gofer, Rin's head popped up from the die of the boat, and apple stuck in her mouth.

Sesshoumaru blinked, and had to override the temptation to shake his head at the sheer display of caprice. He directed his gaze towards Kiriln. "And you are staying behind?" He asked.

Kiriln nodded. "You need someone to help with the preparations, don't you?"

"That would indeed by useful." Sesshoumaru said. "You will also make sure Aaron does not destroy my city?"

Kiriln raised an eyebrow. "Was that a joke, milord?" She laughed just a little. "I'll keep him in line." She cast a glance at Rin, who was busy eating her apple. "I think she might be rubbing off on you." She said as she brushed by him.

Sesshoumaru didn't respond, but instead began making his way to the ship. "Then let us be off." He said firmly.

Morgan saluted, and quickly hopped over the side of the ship, not bothering to climb up the gang plank. "Alright, ye lubbers!" He called out to Miroku and Kohaku. "Let's get this bird underway!"