Woot!

I am happy to announce that the half-year hiatus of this fic is officially over.

And to thank for this, we have my wonderful reviewer and the bestest person in the whole wide world: KaidaSama! Not only does she rock hard-core, but I was also the one who gave her that name.

Plus, she rocks hard core!

So, three cheers for KaidaSama, who did the friend thing, told me to get my head out of my butt, and just go for it.

See folks, in my writing lately, both with this fic and Hanyou.EXE, which has been my more recent work, I've been feeling something missing that I haven't really felt since I finished Two Weeks. But thanks to this more than wonderful person, I remembered what that thing was.

In Two Weeks, I just ignored my own suckiness at writing, and just went for it, trying to get a story that came out half decent. And sure enough, it wasn't the best thing ever. There were plenty of flaws, plenty of things that could have been better, but over all I really think that what came through most in that fic was just my joy at writing, and I think I've sort of rediscovered that.

This chapter (almost ten pages long) was the work of a single day, something I haven't done in almost a full year. I just sat down this morning, started to write, and just loved every minute of it. So, not only does this mark my first chapter in months to go up within a week of another, but it's also one of my greatest accomplishments as a writer.

So, the hiatus of this fic is over, and I'm still continuing Hanyou.EXE as well. Expect updates (hopefully frequent) for both of those to come.

Thanks to all the recent reviewers in this that made me feel better about this fic, and thanks to all of you for wading through all the half formed Ideas that are in here. Now that I'm a little more grown up and experience, hopefully I can redeem the slow start of this fic, and really get it going.

One last time, Three cheers for my wonderful Kaida-Chan (I mean… uh… Sama. Kaida-Sama. Aw, damn, she's gonna kill me now), and on with the never ending fanfic!

Luv ya Kaida!

Kagome awoke feeling much better than she had in a long, long time. She was warm, first off, and warm was something she very much enjoyed. She was also well rested, which hadn't happened in a while.

And then there was also last night… Something had happened last night, but she couldn't really remember what. It had something to do with InuYasha. It was something she was happy about, anyway. That she knew for sure.

What could it be?

She attempted to roll over, but only succeeded in getting entangles in her blankets.

Wait… hold it… blankets? She only had a sleeping bag. Through the fog of sleep, she looked down at what was keeping her warm. Dimply she recognized the course, red material as the fire-rat Haori that eternally adorned InuYasha's shoulders. But, if she was wrapped in InuYasha's haori, then that must mean…

He had let her borrow it the night before, to shield her from the cold. That was nice… that was probably what had happened that made her so happy. For a second she felt really stupid. It would take a love-sick girl like her to get so giddy about something so mundane.

She slowly readjusted herself so that she was lying on her belly, and tried to return to the wonderful land of not. But something odd happened… her forehead was pressing against something…

She opened her eyes, and found herself staring directly into InuYasha's serene face. Their noses were touching. Their lips, his slightly open from sleep, hers from shock, were only inches from each other.

Woah…

Kagome blinked, and swallowed.

Holy…

She took a deep breath.

Shit!

With a sudden shriek, she leaned strait up, overbalancing in the process. Arms wind-milling wildly, she toppled backwards, off of the branch they were inexplicably resting on, and too the forest floor ten feet below. Kagome didn't notice the hands that caught her as she fell, and set her gently to the ground. Her wind was to busy whirling in tiny hyperactive circles.

Dammit, she was not used to waking up next to InuYasha. Well, yeah, it had happened before, but she could always remember the things that had led up to it the next morning. But this morning she had no idea what was going on…

Okay, okay, quick status report:

Shirt still on… check.

Shorts… check.

Undergarments all in place… check.

She stole a quick glance up to InuYasha, and thank god his clothes were still in place, save the outer red Haori that was wrapped around her. Okay, so they hadn't done anything… weird, that was known at least.

Now Kagome jut had to decide if that was a good or a bad thing. Oh, god, she had slept with InuYasha… Not just slept near him out of necessity, like she had done in the past, but slept with him. She could still feel strong arms encircling her shoulders and the feel of his chin hooked over her shoulder and into her collarbone.

How was she going to be able to face him when he woke up?

And as if on Queue, InuYasha awoke, yawning broadly and glancing down at her. "Oi, wench, you okay down there?"

She instantly looked away from him, blushing madly. A few ghosts from last night came floating back to her. Something about a confession he had made, and a long conversation about Kikyo…

She slowly looked back up at his face, and, trying to keep the pink from her cheeks, asked: "InuYasha, what happened last night."

Kagome had no choice but to let out a little squeak of fear when a face superimposed itself in her vision, smiling and violet-eyes. "I would like to know the same question as well."

Another face joined it, looking at her from the other direction. "Me as well," a female voice added.

Kagome, brain starting to malfunction very badly, blinked. Then blinked again, and slowly sat up, looking left, then right. The people surrounding her looked very familiar, but there was no way they could be who she thought they were.

"Miroku?" she drawled, attempting to limit her confusion by only looking out of one eyes. "Sango?"

Both people smiled at her, grinning happily. InuYasha, grumpy as ever, dropped out of the tree like a sack of potatoes, and landed right next to them. "The hell are you people doing here?" he slurred roughly.

Miroku raised his right hand calmingly, and Kagome couldn't help but notice the appendage was terribly mangled. "There will be time for discussion later friends, but first I am interested in hearing your story…" One of Kagome's eyebrows shot up. Their story?

Miroku smiled at them peaceably. "So tell me, friends, when is your child due?"

After Sango finished applying some poultice from Kagome's medical kit to Miroku's face, she sat down near the fire across from InuYasha and Kagome, and took a deep, deep breath.

Kagome was amazed at the change in their friends. She had never seen them so beat up before. What had happened to them? But something else was bothering her as well. "Sango, where are the others?"

The woman smiled understandingly, nodding towards the woods. "We figured that having Shippo around when the two of you woke up" –Kagome mentally filled in the blank there, Woke up in each others arms- "might have been a little two much, so he and Kirara are standing guard for a little while."

Kagome nodded gratefully. Having the two of them there had been more than enough for her, thank you. "So, what happened to you?" she asked. "No offense, but you two look like you've been through hell."

Sango looked up directly at Kagome, and raised an eyebrow. "I have been. Houshi was a little luckier." With a chill, Kagome noticed for the first time that her friend's eyes had been stained a dark, lusterless, black. There was no white to be seen, and they didn't reflect light. They were like to empty holes, staring into nothing-ness.

Miroku leaned forward. "Perhaps I had best begin the tale." He murmured. "As the two of you left to work your way through the demon city, the four of us began to make good on our plan to circle around and meet up with you on the other side. Things, however, did not go as planned, and an unexpected visitor showed up for us."

InuYasha opened one eye. "You were attacked?"

Miroku shook his head. "Against all reasoning, it was Kohaku who appeared before us, and before we could even speak to him he took Shippo and ran."

Kohaku? "But I thought Kohaku was being held by Naraku!" Kagome half exclaimed.

Sango merely shrugged in response. "As near as any of us can tell, the dragons freed him," she smiled, and genuine smile. It looked creepy with those dead eyes of hers. "He's waiting out of the camp, with Shippo and Kirara. He doesn't even have a jewel shard in his back, anymore."

Kagome leaned forward automatically. "He's regained his memory?"

Sango shrugged, and shook her head. "They said that to keep him from killing himself, they had to wipe him clean." Her smile turned slightly bitter. "He doesn't remember anything. We even told him everything about his past, and that didn't work either."

Kagome bit her lip, and mentally slapped herself. Way to go, Kag. Insert foot into mouth…

"That aside, though, we gave chase," Miroku continued, "and…" he paused, and rolled his eyes. "This is a truly long story," he commented. "And it occurs to me that we are running short on time. I'll give you the short version, and we can fill in the details later."

Kagome shook her head. Running low on time? Why? "Okay?"

Miroku nodded, and took a deep breath. "We defeated two dragons, met up with Atma, got some answers, Sango got sucked into the wind tunnel, thus leading to her current condition, Sango smashed my hand, leading to my current condition, took a short trip, met Vadise, returned to Shinjuku, got even more answers, and then hitched a ride back here." He smiled sweetly, and turned to Sango. "Is that it?"

The demon slayer nodded back. "That sounds right to me."

Kagome blinked, and gaped, then blinked again. Questions came so fast that they had a sudden traffic jam in her mind, until finally one managed to get ahead of the others. "You were sucked into the wind tunnel?" she blurted at Sango, looking back and forth between her two friends crazily. "But… but… your alive, and… uh…" She sat back, confused as hell.

The slayer nodded graciously, hands folded. "Atma, for one reason or another, decided to save me."

This time InuYasha was the one to sputter. "You really met Atma?" he growled. "You killed the bitch, right?"

Miroku shook his head. "I believe you misunderstood, InuYasha. She saved Sango, from almost certain death." He smiled. "We have gotten to know her, InuYasha, and out conclusion is that she is not as much of a bitch as one would think."

Sango nodded. "InuYasha, this entire ordeal for the past month was all a setup…"

The Hanyou cut her off with a growl. "I know. They just wanted the damn jewel."

"Indeed…" Miroku agreed. "It seems that you know almost as much as we do, but neither of you have asked the truly important question, yet."

Kagome narrowed her eyes. The important question? Which was that?

"How did we get here?" Sango volunteered, shrugging.

Kagome blinked. Miroku said that had hitched a ride, but… "Who did you come back with?"

Miroku smiled. "That would be the prudent question." Miroku agreed. "It seems that we somehow managed to hitch a ride back with one Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands."

There was a longish pause, then finally:

"Ahh," InuYasha mused, slowly getting to his feet. "No chance that he's coming for a touching family reunion?"

"He wishes for your sword," Miroku responded, also getting up. "He is not far away, so one would suggest that we run."

InuYasha spat. "Keh, I could take him out."

"I would prefer not, InuYasha," Miroku responded, reaching down to help Sango to her feet as well. "While you may be up to the challenge, me and Sango are rather weaponless, and both very tired, and we would like to reach a village as soon as possible."

InuYasha's eyes narrowed, and he let out a low growl. Kagome could tell that he didn't like the idea of running from his brother, no matter the cause. "InuYasha, look at them," she reprimanded.

The Hanyou's growl lessened as he looked at his companions. Kagome was very obviously right. They were in no condition to fight, and if the carnage spilled over onto them they'd be defenseless. "Alright, let's find the others, and move."

Miroku nodded, and put his good hand to his mouth. Taking a deep breath, the monk let out a piercing whistle, then turned to Kagome. "I would brace yourself."

"Why?" Kagome blinked in confusion, but then froze as she heard something echoing through the woods.

"Kagomeeeee!"

She would recognize Shippo's voice anywhere. She also recognized the sounds of impending doom-y collision. As fun as having the ball of fur wrap around her would be, she decided to skip it, and ducked at just the right moment.

Shippo, diving full speed, sailed smoothly over Kagome's head, and barreled into InuYasha with enough force to knock him temporarily off balance.

He peeled the little kit off his face with a growl, and handed him by the tail to Kagome.

Tenderly, the girl took the squirming kit, and gave him a warm hug and kiss to the forehead as he started babbling high-speed about dragons and adventures and pirates and who-knows-what-else. She listened patiently, occasionally adding in a word of encouragement or surprise as the rest of the group made quick work of the campsite and prepared to head out.

Finally, as the last of things were packed, Kagome set Shippo down, and headed over to InuYasha. "Are we ready?" she posed, inching closer to him. She was still having a little trouble looking him in the eyes. Memories of last night were still a little fuzzy, but now one thing he had said was sticking out plain a clear.

'Gods, it's like I can't love two people or something.'

InuYasha loved Kikyo, but he lover her too. He had admitted it, even if he didn't mean to, and that made her smile. And blush, whenever she met his eyes.

Miroku turned towards InuYasha, and handed him Kagome's hulking backpack. "You two go on ahead, we'll rendezvous with Kirara, and join you."

InuYasha nodded, and pulled Kagome's backpack on shoulder along with Kagome on the other. That was one thing InuYasha did have to admit about Kagome's 'summer clothes' as she called them. With the 'shorts' on, not only did her legs look even prettier, but he didn't have to be so careful with how he picked her up. He was always worried about the pervert monk taking a peek up that damn short skirt of hers. He hoped he would make her change in attire permanent.

"You okay, Kagome?" he demanded over a shoulder.

Kagome wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and snuggled a bit closer. "Anytime…" she murmured against him.

InuYasha felt a little wriggle go up his spine. Was she gonna be all cuddly like this from now on? She had gone all blush-y on him ever since this morning. Did she really think last night had been such a big deal?

On second thought, last night had been a big deal. He still felt kind of stupid for letting his feeling slip. It was something that he had heavily trained himself not to do. It was definitely something he didn't like do. Though, InuYasha reflect as he launched into the air and Kagome hugged even tighter, slips like that did have their benefits. And…

He was glad she knew. It was something that had been bothering him for a while, and now he didn't really have to worry about it anymore. Of course, there were still things to take care of. What exactly he would do with all the loose ends—the Shikon Jewel, Naraku, Kikyo… and Kagome—would come later. But now, the matters at hand.

He came back down into the trees, and began sprinting. Breaking through the trees near him came their companions, riding the large fire-cat. InuYasha looked over unconsciously, eyes drawing to the nearest member of their group.

Kohaku looked almost exactly as he had the last time they had fought, but InuYasha might have been expecting that. It was hard for him to look at the boy without feeling a sharp queasy feeling in his stomach. The boy had been their enemy for a long time, and a simple dismissal of his guilt by Sango didn't necessarily convince InuYasha. But then again, the jewel shard, the thing that Naraku had been using to control the boy, was gone, so how could the bastard still have a hold on him.

InuYasha would trust the boy, tentatively of course, until he showed the slightest sign of betrayal. But if that happened… someone would have some explaining to do.

Carefully darting through the trees, he approached where Kirara was running, and began to pace along beside her. "Hey, Miroku!" he shouted. "Was there something special Sesshoumaru was wanting? Seems awful sudden for him to just leave his precious city and come after me like this."

"There's definitely something afoot," Miroku shouted back. "From what I can tell, he wants the Tetsusaiga for a reason more specific than his normal jealousy."

The hell did that mean? "What have you found out so far?"

"When we passed though Shinjuku, things were tense beyond belief. Even Sesshoumaru was acting strange, and there were dragons all over the place. It seemed to me and Sango as if they were preparing for a conflict of some sort."

InuYasha almost laughed. Sesshoumaru? Worried about a fight? That didn't sound in character at all. "Did you find out who's attacking?"

Miroku shook his head. "I'm not positive but there were a great many names getting thrown around." He got a goofy little grin on his face. "I'm afraid that I cannot remember any of them."

"Me neither…" Sango called out as well.

Then Kohaku whispered something, and InuYasha's ears flicked. The Hanyou sped up suddenly, and threw himself in front of the fire-cat, bringing them up short.

"What did you say?" he growled dangerously to the younger of the slayers.

Kohaku paled visibly, leaning back against his sister. "I'm sorry?" he asked tremulously.

"What was that name you just said?" he growled, sidling Kagome off of his shoulder and crossing his arms.

The boy looked down at the fire-cat's fur, and began kneading it unconsciously. "It was a name I heard from the dragons, and I heard Sesshoumaru and the others talking about it later too," he looked up. "I kept on hearing the name 'Menomaru,' over and over again."

InuYasha stiffened, and a low, rumbling growl began in his chest, and started rolling out into his throat.

"InuYasha does that name mean something to you?" Miroku asked. "You recognize it from somewhere?"

The hanyou didn't answer, but the stormy look on his face told them as much.

"InuYasha?" Kagome murmured, taking a step towards him. "Are you okay?"

With a harsh oath, InuYasha slung her back pack off his shoulder, and tossed it callously to her. "Miroku, Sango, take Kagome and get out of the way. I'll wait here."

Kagome almost choked. "But, InuYasha, if Sesshoumaru catches you…"

InuYasha spat. "Won't be near as bad as what happens if I catch him first."

The school-girl paled. She hadn't ever heard InuYasha talk about his brother like this before. "InuYasha…"

"Get out of here, Kagome," he muttered, crossing his arms. "I've gotta talk to Sesshoumaru, and I don't want you here for it."

"But-" she interjected, but was cut off by Sango wrapping an arm around her, and pulling her up onto Kirara's heavily laden back. The fire-cat gave them an eye-roll, and bucked up under the extra weight.

"Come on, Kagome," the slayer said. "We can't help him, and I'm pretty sure he needs to do this."

InuYasha nodded, and waved a hand for them to go.

Menomaru…

There was a name that he hadn't thought about in a while. Brought back other memories, too.

Hyoga, the bastard's father. And Ryuukotsutsei. There was a name that he didn't like at all.

And… InuTaisho.

InuYasha hadn't really thought about his father in a long, long time.

But Menomaru… there weren't many names that pissed him off as much as that one. Even Naraku wasn't as annoying to him as Menomaru.

If there was something about him in this, Sesshoumaru had better be ready to talk…

"Hey, Morgan, what does this do?"

"That, milady Rin, is a bull-whip. You use it to whip bulls." He thought for a moment, then added with a chuckle, "Or occasionally people."

"What about this?" Rin pulled another implement of destruction from the pile which Morgan had brought from his ship.

"That would be a crossbow," Morgan grinned, taking it from the girl. "It's sort of like a normal bow, only more convenient."

"And this?" The girl was holding a small knife.

"That's my dirk, milady. A sailor's knife."

"What about this?"

"That, milady, would be my belt. It hold's me britches up." Morgan had each of his fingers through a belt loop, and wasn't letting go. Flashing Sesshoumaru's charge would be a sure-fire way to get himself castrated then killed.

"Okay, then, what's this thing?" She pulled something out of the belt. It looked like a short, stumpy metal tube with some wood and a handle on it. "It looks stupid."

Morgan's eyes widened, and all at once, he snatched it (and his belt) from the girl's hands. "That's nothing, girl. Pay it no mind."

"Okay?" Rin said without a second thought, and went back to studying the pile of weapons.

Sesshoumaru, who had been watching the entire exchange silently, finally took a step towards the pile, and inspected the contents. There were tiny little instruments in there without number. Gracefully, Sesshoumaru reached down and picked a blade up, testing its balance in his hand. It was certainly broader than a traditional sword, but Sesshoumaru, who had managed to wield the Tetsusaiga once in his life, found that un-inhibiting. "I will take this," he said, not allowing the pirate any choice.

"Certainly, Milord," Morgan said anyway. If someone was going to take something whether you liked it or not, they might as well have your permission. "And while you go hunt down this InuWhatever character, I'll stay here and guard the lady Rin?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, and stepped towards the woods. "My brother is near," he said authoritatively. "You will come with me." Then he turned to Rin. "Shadow us in the woods, and do not come out until it is wise to do so."

Rin gave her lordship a winning smile, and bowed. As soon as that was done, she was gone, flapping her arms frantically as she ran, still trying to learn to fly.

Sesshoumaru nodded to Morgan, and began striding into the woods.

Morgan winced, and looked back to his weapon pile, hating so to leave them behind. Perhaps he could…

"Come, Morgan," Sesshoumaru commanded from the trees.

Grumbling, Morgan re-belted himself, and grabbed a few of the choicer of the things Rin and pointed out. With those firmly fastened, Morgan started out after his newfound and unwanted liege.

It was a good amount of trekking through the forest before the pirate even caught up to the youkai lord, and further still before Sesshoumaru thought they were nearing the spot where InuYasha was.

"Hold, pirate," Sesshoumaru commanded, holding up one hand. "InuYasha is beyond here, and I think this is an encounter that would best be served for me to go in by myself." He fixed Morgan with a cool glare. "Do not interfere unless you are needed."

Morgan was fine with that. He wasn't about to fight this guy's fights for him.

InuYasha knew that Sesshoumaru was near before he could even see the bastard. The place where he sat, sword held loosely in his hand, stank of him before he was even in sight.

"Get out here, Sesshoumaru," InuYasha growled. "I know you're there…"

Emerging through the trees like some Mayan statue Sesshoumaru came, eyes narrowing and a sword in his hand also.

"InuYasha…" the tai-youkai murmured. "Why are you so calm?"

InuYasha slowly rose to his feet. His leg still hurt from the slash Ayame had given him, but certainly it wasn't as bad as it had been. Kagome fixing it up for him had helped a lot. "Sesshoumaru, what's all this about?"

Sesshoumaru took a step towards him. "I need the Tetsusaiga, InuYasha," he stated bluntly.

The Hanyou rolled his eyes. "What else is new?" he demanded, voice hard and steely. "What's this shit I've been hearing about Menomaru, huh?"

Sesshoumaru turned his head to the side. "The place where he was sealed was struck with a jewel shard when the girl you take with you shattered it." His eyes traced back up to meet InuYasha's. "Menomaru is unsealed, InuYasha, and he is after the Tetsusaiga."

InuYasha's face contorted in anger. "I don't care what he's after, Sesshoumaru. Why the fuck is he unsealed, and why the fuck isn't he dead yet?"

The tai-youkai lifted his claws, and flexed them. "If I had my choice, I would have killed him myself, but the dragons are being far too careful in this matter."

"What do those damn lizards have to do with anything?" The Hanyou demanded. "This is our problem, not theirs."

Sesshoumaru slowly began to circle his brother. "You were too young at the time of the war, InuYasha, to know the circumstances of it. But rest assured, the dragons play a greater roll in this than you could imagine."

InuYasha snorted. "So you're not going to take him out?"

Sesshoumaru gave him an almost imperceptible smile. "You forget, InuYasha, that the one person in this would I would rather kill than you is the bastard son of the demon Hyoga." His claw began glowing. "I will kill him when the time is right, but not before then."

InuYasha spat. "Tell me where he is, and I'll do it for you," he grinned. "You're forgetting I hate him just as much as you."

"I doubt that," Sesshoumaru reprimanded, still circling. "Menomaru's head is mine." He stopped, and cracked his knuckles. "But before that, I need your sword."

InuYasha spat, and drew the Tetsusaiga into his hand, not transforming it yet, though. "Try to take it..." the Hanyou threatened.

Sesshoumaru smirked, and drew his blade. "As you wish…"

There was something very, very wrong with all this. It wouldn't stop bothering Kagome's brain. Some little detail she was overlooking, she knew, but couldn't think of what it might be.

"Kagome," Sango asked from behind her shoulder. "Do you know what that name means to InuYasha?"

Kagome shook her head. She had never seen InuYasha react so strongly. Even when he had first discovered Naraku he hadn't been this mad. Who could this person be, that made InuYasha so angry?

And what's more, why was InuYasha willing to talk to his brother over it. InuYasha hated Sesshoumaru. What would piss the hanyou off to the point where he would actually talk to him?

Especially when it would probably end in blows.

Then in clicked. Blows. Fighting.

She bit her lip, and resisted the urge to use some language that would make InuYasha blush.

Almost instantly Sango noticed something was wrong with Kagome. "What is it?" she demanded, trying to ready herself as best as possible.

Kagome slid off the moving fire-cat, and urged it on. "I just remembered," she seethed, cursing herself for her own stupidity. "InuYasha was hurt. He could barely walk last night."

Sango gasped, and instantly tried swinging herself off as well. "We have to-"

"You stay," Kagome commanded, cutting her off. "I'll go."

"But what can you do?"

Kagome ran a thumb along the bot at her shoulder, and then looked down at her own hands. "I'm not as helpless as all that," she murmured, and turned. "Take care of yourselves. We'll come find you after the fight's over."

Sango pursed her lips, but nodded.

As the fire-cat got further out of sight, Kagome turned, and began running the way InuYasha had come. If she didn't get there in time… she wasn't sure what she'd do…

She hoped it wouldn't come to that.