Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters and setting (oh, and a few of my own creations…)

Authors Beginning Note: Okay Now…lets move on.

Shout it outs!

Tanwen-Whitefire: Hmm, Minnesota generally has winter at this time of year, winter has sno, snogenerally means its cold out,you missed what connection? LOL. Yes, slurpies can be messy, and seam to mutate too.

Sorry about the wrong tenses, but I'm glad you like everything else.

Inumaru17: I updated!

AngelnoDarkness: I've given more!

Rayame325: Yes, Touran is in a fickel, but even though she is the Panther Tribes leader, when I watched the ep w/ her in it, she was confused about some lessons in life.

At least Kagome has some friends to help her out through the tough times, ne?

Valeese: Well, it would have been unfair for her to declare her love in front of a room of strangers and not to Inuyasha first.

Thank you all of my wonderful reviewers!

Chapter 61

Work and Partings

The gang sat around their bowls of liquid soup and dried meat. It really wasn't all that bad, once topped off with a few pieces of chocolate, compliments of Kagome.

"This bites, we're just sitting ducks here." Shippo whined, his mouth now free from all food.

Inuyasha thumped him on the head.

"Inuyasha, be nice." He mumbled to himself. Kagome let out a long sigh.

"Why are we just sitting here?" Sango asked. She stood up with her Hiraikotsu. Kirara mewed and jumped on her shoulder.

"What do you propose?" Miroku looked up thoughtfully to her.

"Well, we can't just sit here like this until Naraku attacks us. This is pitiful. Stuck in the middle of a barren forest, our only cover being a few thorny bushes. If he attacks, we will go down too easily."

"Yah, so?"

"What if we cut down trees from the area."

"I know! We could build trenches!" Kagome stood up, suddenly glad for the new change, a possible challenge.

"Trenches? What for?" Shippo hopped on her shoulder.

"Oh yah, I forgot, there aren't guns here, are there." She scratched her cheek sheepishly. Miroku sat in thoughtful contemplation for a moment.

"Actually, I think that would be a wonderful idea Kagome. I'm surprised someone hasn't started on it earlier."

"It is?"

"What are you thinking Miroku?"

"What if we did make trenches, only not for people, for giant spikes. We'll use the cut trees and saw points."

"What, you expect us to stand all day and saw a couple twigs?"

"Actually, I was thinking that a few Yukai from our side would be quite helpful. Otherwise it would take a very long time."

"And we don't have time." Miroku nodded at Inuyasha.

"Oo! And then we'll cover the trenches so the enemy doesn't know what they're getting themselves into until its too late!" Shippo jumped and hit himself proudly in the chest.

"Exactly. An old war trick, but quite useful."

"But should we limit ourselves to just that?" Sango asked.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help over hearing. I was wondering, do you think we could help ya any?" A dirty guy who looked more like a fat but hardworking farmer than a warrior indicated to himself and a small group.

"We could use all the help we can get. After all, its not just us who're fighting.But, first thing's first, we need these trees to go, and without hurting anyone."

"We'll have to clear the way first."

"Do you think this wise to go ahead with such a rash course of action without the Council's knowledge?" Said a timid looking farmer. He was so thin and delicate looking that it was amazing that he thought he could fight in the war.

"Feh. Do you want to sit around and do nothing all day?" He seemed to shrink back and disappear all together.

"Then how do we go about cutting the trees?"

"That's easy enough to solve." hissed a snakelike demon. He looked human from the torso on up, but where his legs should have been, a long tail with green and yellow scales coiled around on the ground. His eyes were a sickly yellow and his skin was a green. His ears were more prominently pointed than most Yukai and on his arms were four large poisonous spikes.

"Let me take a wack at it." A young and arrogant guy, no older than 17, stood out, carrying a large metal weapon. It looked like Sango's Hiraikotsu, only with another one laid on top to make a 4 point star. It looked sharp, heavy, and deadly. How he carried it so easily was beyond most peoples comprehension, even with his strong build.

"Hey, you can't have all of the fun." Soon enough a large handful of both demons, Yukai, and Hanyou's had volunteered to cut down the trees. But that wasn't enough, so Miroku, as well as a few woodsmen, experience civil war veterans, strong warriors, engineers, and other peoples whose occupations were questionable but ideas were brilliant, set about planning the course of actions that should be taken.

"Right then. Now all we have to do is round everyone else a safe distance away."

"But what about the counsel? Won't they hear?"

"Let them hear." A few others nodded or grunted in agreement. Kagome noticed a slight movement out of the corner of her eye and saw Keio talking with a strange Yukai boy who looked no older than twelve. He looked up and winked.

"You know, some how I don't think the Counsel is going to be a problem."

"Why's that Kagome?" Inuyasha looked to where Kagome had been looking at. She smiled up at him.

"Oh, its just a feeling I have. Lets go spread the word."

That was more easily said than done, since the camp consisted of nearly every warrior that had come to fight. The frontline, however was still missing, presumed dead since non had sent word of progress or other wise.

"My lord, there is a disturbance in the camp. I believe they are retreating." Said a shaky demon. His eyes constantly blinked and every so often a snakelike tongue would come up and wet them. His hair was greasy, limp, and sparse. His clothes were likewise.

"Let them run. It seems they are too cowardly to face me."

"But my lord…"

"There is no place they can run. I will send out a force in a few days time."

"Y-yes my lord."

"You can go." Naraku swept his long fingers in the air in dismissal.

Kikyo stood looking out at the huge bowl shaped valley filled with nothing but ugliness. A wispy creature swept through the air to her, but unlike its sisters, this one did not carry the soul of a woman for Kikyo to feed on.

"So, Naraku really thinks they will retreat?"

That fool…they will not retreat…not after that measly attack…especially not that girl Kagome…or Inuyasha…no…they must be planning something…preparations for an attack…stupid…they ask for death…its like they long for it…but I see no point in this wishful thinking…I am dead…and I find deaths immortality no better than life's short span…

She looked dourly more at the stupid thinking of man kind than the images in front of her. She looked the image of a strict queen, whose beauty was frozen for all to see and cower before.

"Shunraun! Where do you think you are going? I demand that you stop!" The flower panther didn't slow down, and it wasn't long before she was tackled to the ground by her eldest sister, who was followed by Kauran and Shurran. They had run a long ways from their group who was currently resting for a few more moments. After their last encampment, things between the four panther siblings had not in any way been bettered.

Touran held little Shunraun by the coller, not letting her go.

"Where do you think you are going?"

"I am leaving."

"To where?" Kauran asked surprised.

"I don't see why you should care." Touran slapped her. Shunraun however was being to prideful to let the water form her eyes actually fall.

"I suggest you grow up young lady." Shunraun scratched Touran, causing her to be dropped to her feet and to glare up at her surprised Sister, who clutched her cheek as blood droplets seemed to trickle out from the racked marks.

"Shunraun!" Shurran looked at Kauran but she was just as shocked as he. Never had any of them broken the code to strike another sibling and draw blood. That is, until now.

"I am leaving! You can't stop me!" Touran seemed to let the sad words sink in. It was true, there was nothing any of them could do to stop her.

What have I done…we are completely breaking up…how…did this happen…how could I have let this happen…why didn't I see it earlier…but…I can't help what I felt…maybe I should have paid more attention to her…and the others…but…

"Very well. If you wish to go on your own, than so shall it be." She swallowed a large lump in her throat. Shunraun looked surprised, her body not knowing how to react. A fight she was prepared for, but this, this was completely unexpected. She stood up straight and without a glance back trudged in a branched direction from her previous companies. A large thunder clap rolled across the sky as the rain seemed to beat a little harder.

"Shunraun…"

"No, you can't…"

"Stop! The both of you."

"But Touran."

"This was her decision. Maybe someday she will choose to come back, but until then, she never was." Touran walked back to camp as if nothing had occurred.

"What are we going to do?" Shurran looked down at Kauran.

"I don't know, but we can't leave Shunraun alone like that."

"And we can't leave Touran completely either." They looked at each other sadly.

"Than we'll have to leave each other, won't we."

"One of us going with Touran."

"And the other with Shunraun." They were silent.

"We've never been apart like this. I hate it!" Kauran sobbed out loud, uncharacteristic for the arrogant feisty, and not to mention chipper panther she was.

"Hey! Its not like its forever, right? I mean, we'll see each other again someday." Kauran smiled through her tears and looked up at him.

"Yah, I guess your right."

"Till then?"

"Till then." Kauran answered cheerfully. Soon enough the group was completely split in half. Touran rasied and eye brow at Kauran's lonely return, but said nothing. Shunraun looked up gratefully at Shurran's decision to stay with her. Both grateful for a companion. All saddened by their divide.

By the time the encampment had been moved sufficiently to a safer area, it was late. If it weren't for the few Yukai, holy people, and sheltered lights, continuing through their progress would have been impossible. Rain poured down upon all of them. Instead of having just one tent per person, Each tent was raised into the trees, and formed a canopy of water protection. A drainage system was even set up, so many could walk without the worry of getting wet. Those who were over 7 feet how ever, either had to have a special system set, or had a hard time walking while stooped. Work hands were plentiful and made the required tasks light.

"Well, should we continue?" Said a man who had involuntarily been volunteered to be in charge of the wood cutting, but he didn't seem to bothered.

"This could get tricky. With all of this rain, the trenches could get filled up quickly, and that might make things harder."

"But we still need to clear the area." Kagome sighed.

This almost seems like too much to do…we'll have to clear out almost the whole forest…and that could take days…but do we have that long…and this rain…but…we have too…this is our survival we're talking about…big or not…I think every one knows what we're up against…and as long as everyone is willing to give it a fair shot…we might stand more than a decent chance…

"Even if they do, we have to do something with the logs." Inuyasha crossed his arms. His hair was wet, matted, and dripping in his face, but his clothes managed to stay less than soaked. Even with the water-free set up, the luxury was only expressed to those who stayed under it. Many were working outside of it. Inuyasha especially, to make sure none were left behind.

"I guess than, we should go a head and do it." Sango said with one hand resting casually on her hip.

"That a yes than?"

"Heave away, but don't over do yourselves too badly. No one wants to get sick at this point." The man whistled. Instantly, in a distance, trees were being felled by the second. Many forms of craft, weaponry, and anatomy were flung into the trees and caused them to topple. The trick was cutting them low enough to the ground so that no stump remained to trip any, but the roots were still in place under the ground to keep away too much immediate erosion. Shifts were exchanged every three hours. The night was filled with creaks, moans, and booms of falling trees. Kagome shivered by the fire, Shippo snuggled more deeply into her stomach. Miroku and Sango soundly slept across from her, with Kirara snuggled under Sango's arm. Inuyasha's ears kept swiveling and laying back.

"Are you all right Inuyasha?"

"Its all the damn noise."

"It hurts your ears?" He wouldn't reply. He hated admitting to being weak. Especially in front of Kagome. She silently stood up behind him and cupped her hands over his fluffy triangles.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to help." He felt her voice ripple against his body.

"Like that will do anything." He mumbled. Kagome shook her head. After a while she slowly fell asleep against his back, but her hands stayed firmly over his ears.

Well…maybe it does help…just a little…

By morning, the rain had let up to a suttle drizzle. The forest that had been was now depleated to a large extent. The ground was torn up from all of the work and dead trees were laid in misshapen piles variously placed. Many were coming back for a warm cup of tea, maybe some jerky and sleep, while others went out on their shift to cut more trees.

"I figure we can start on those trenches come next mornin'" said a tipsy-with-exhaustion woman who curled up by a tree and instantly fell into deep slumber. All day Inuyasha was restless.

"You know Inuyasha, this won't help anything. You should get some rest for the next few days. You'll have plenty of work to do then." Inuyasha tried not to cringe as another tree was brought to its doom in the distance.

"Feh." Many holy people were preparing to make a large barrier. Others of their powers were making affective attacks or sharpening their skills. The younger fighters were kept busy by keeping the fires constantly lit, and rationing the meals. Water was abundant, and so was soup. Meat however was much more rare, as no game flocked this forest. Night fell yet once again and morning came. Acres and Acres of land lay barren. Their camp was littered with exhausted tree-conquerers.

"Well, I suppose we should go ahead and head out then." Kagome watched as Inuyasha; with a little certain Neko-Kitten on his shoulder; and many others crossed the field. She felt a little melancholy.

"What's the matter Kagome?"

"It's just, I don't know what I can do. I can't cook soup very well except for ramen, I can't lift heavy things, I can only heal basic wounds, I can't chop any wood, and I'm so clumsy that I can't carry the wood too far without tripping first." Shippo who was craceful in his own way had been given the task of carrying wood, every now and then stopping to show off to Kagome, Miroku, or Sango. Sango being strong, especially among the females had had no trouble finding herself plenty to keep her busy. She smiled in understanding.

"Why don't you go talk to Miroku. I'm sure he'll be able to find something you can do."

"All right." Sango patted her on the shoulder before going off to help a few people carrying buckets of water.

Kagome found Miroku sitting by a tree by himself, looking almost to be asleep. He opened his eyes and smiled charmingly.

"Hello Kagome."

"Miroku, do you know of anything I can do? I'm feeling kind of useless right now."

"I know the exact thing."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Miroku! I was being serious."

"And so am I. You see Kagome, if you have nothing to do, the best thing to do is nothing, other wise you'll achieve only the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish."

"Is that what you were doing?"

"Well, I wouldn't call what I was doing nothing, exactly. Meditation is a very important thing to do."

"Looked like you were sleeping to me." Kagome said lamely. Miroku scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I was merely gathering my energies so that I could asend into a proper meditative frame of mind." Kagome rolled her eyes and sat across from him on the ground.

"Well then, Mr. Energy gatherer, do you think you have enough to 'asend a proper meditative frame of mind?"

"Maybe I should just sleep a bit more, just to make sure…"

"Miroku!"

"All right, all right! But its not my fault if I can't concentrate because I didn't get anough sleep."

"What ever."

Sango looked fondly at the two.

"Aren't you and he together?" An older woman asked. She looked old, but she was not to be in any way underestimated.

"You mean Me and Miroku? Yes, we're engaged." Sango smiled pleasantly.

"Than who's she. A bit young aint she?"

"Kagome is like a younger sister to the both of us."

"Ah. That is quite sweet. I wish I'd had and older sibling. You make sure you both take good care of her, you hear." Sango looked at the scene just in time to see Kagome hit Miroku with a mysterious appearance of a wooden paddle. Not that he'd tried any antics, those he'd given up on as soon as Sango had become his fiancée)for the most part),but it was frustrating to try to meditate when all Miroku wanted to do was jest about not getting any sleep or about a mysterious pain he'd recently developed.

"Sometimes, I think its her who's taking care of us." She smiled fondly at Kagome, remembering the many time that she'd helped her, before returning to her previous tasks.