Realization

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

Stressed

Kagome softly groaned as she rolled over and felt a something cool press against her cheek. Her eyes snapped opened and she pushed herself up. Relief flooded her when she realized it was the only dew on the grass. Her eyes narrowed as she looked for her kidnapper. Disbelief and surprise went through her mind as she realized she was alone and without weapon. Her hand went down to her waist and she smirked when she felt the beads in their pouch. She pushed herself into a crouched position. Checking her surroundings, she failed to recognize anything familiar. There was nothing familiar about foliage.

'Times like these make me wish I was a youkai or hanyou,' Kagome thought.

Movement caught her eye as she watched the bushes shake. Preparing for the worse, she readied herself to attack. She wasn't surprised to see the man that kidnapped her. His long brown hair was pulled back into ponytail that reached his lower back. His eyes were a pure black that seemed to have no pupil. His tanned skin had a reddish tint to it. Kagome frowned when she noticed his sickles hanging by the furred sash. His outfit looked like Kouga's save for the fact he had no shirt on. The fur of his skirt was a brownish-red.

"What do you want?" Kagome asked as she stood to her height.

"I am the leader of the Kamaitachi clan of the East, you may call me Tachi," he introduced. His voice was smooth came out evenly.

"I'm Kagome the Miko of Edo. Now what do you want?" Kagome quickly asked.

"The Kamaitachi are viewed as mindless beings and are considered low level youkai," Tachi began to explain, "I want to change our status."

"Why come to me? I'm not a youkai lord," Kagome questioned with suspicion.

"If a Miko spoke for us in the council then we would be recognized," Tachi admitted.

"Mikos are despised among youkai, what makes you think my word would be accepted." Kagome wanted to find motives before she agreed to anything.

"Mikos are despised, that is true but they are feared and regarded with respect because of their power," Tachi truthfully said.

"I won't threaten anyone for you," Kagome stated with a bit of accusation.

"I just need you to say that we are worthy of higher status," Tachi calmly said.

"Did you think that kidnapping me and attacking me would get you what you want?" Kagome growled. "One of your subjects killed a villager!"

"I sent them to search for you not to kill any, he will be dealt with," Tachi assured. "And I will take you back regardless of your decision."

'Why do my emotions compel me to do the right things all the time?' Kagome questioned.

"We could offer you an alliance if you agreed to help us," Tachi tried to bribe.

"I believe in honesty. I would have to watch your people before I made my decision to speak for you," Kagome sighed with tired resolve.

"So you would give us a chance?" Tachi asked as he contained his excitement.

"Yes, but I would need to speak to my village and another friend," Kagome answered.

"Thank you, this means so much to my people and I," Tachi expressed.

"I have to get back to my village," Kagome said as she looked around.

"This way," Tachi said and walked past Kagome and into the foliage.

Kagome sighed and followed him into the forest. Fifteen minutes of walking and they were at the edge of the village. Kagome watched as a red blur landed a few feet away from her. His cheeks were red and his eyes gleamed with anger. Kagome figured that Inuyasha would not like her decision, but what did she care. He sniffed the air and glared at the Kamaitachi in disdain.

"Where the hell were you?" Inuyasha growled, his anger lacing each word.

"Tachi kidnapped me to talk and I was making a deal with him," Kagome edited the conversation.

"What type of agreement?" Inuyasha suspiciously asked.

"I will speak of the matter when Sango and Miroku arrive," Kagome huffed as she directed Tachi into the village. Inuyasha grabbed her arm and swung her behind him as he pushed Tachi out of the village.

"I'm not letting some weasel into this village," Inuyasha stated.

"This is not your decision," Kagome coldly said.

"The safety of this village is my concern, and he is a threat," Inuyasha roughly said as he put his hand on Tetsusaiga.

"You help protect the village, but this is my choice. I am the village Miko…not you!" Kagome dangerously said.

"This is like that time you defended that wimpy wolf!" Inuyasha accused.

"This has nothing to do with Kouga," Kagome growled.

"Then stop protecting stray youkai!" Inuyasha growled.

Kagome growled and she watched as Sango and Miroku landed behind Inuyasha. Confusion radiated off them in waives. They jumped off Kirara and she retransformed into her smaller version. They both stepped up beside Inuyasha and stared at Tachi. Sango glared at him more then stared, she recognized him as the kidnapper.

"What is going on here, Kagome?" Miroku asked.

"I am trying to make a deal with a youkai and Inuyasha doesn't trust my judgment," Kagome explained.

"Isn't he the Kamaitachi that kidnapped you?" Sango questioned.

"Finally! Someone with common sense," Inuyasha exclaimed with relief.

"I would explain the situation if Inuyasha would allow Tachi into the village," Kagome said as she glared at Inuyasha.

"He is a danger and I won't allow him into the village," Inuyasha announced.

"Inuyasha," Kagome coldly said. "You are a friend and that's it. You are not the Houshi, village leader, or Miko. You are nothing but a friend that is welcomed to give an opinion and live here."

Sango and Miroku tensed as they waited for Inuyasha to exploded. He looked away and turned back to Kagome to glare at her. His expression held nothing, but his eyes were pained.

"Fine. Make your choices and don't respect my decisions," Inuyasha softly said.

"I respect your decisions, but I don't respect the fact that you try and make my decisions for me," Kagome explained.

"Whatever," Inuyasha growled as he vanished.

"What have I done?" Kagome whispered to herself. She motioned Tachi to follow her to her hut.

The hut was silent as they sat around the fire pit and watched the flames flicker. Kagome tossed another log into the fire and sighed. She felt as if she did something wrong. Yet, she was the Miko and sort of village leader. She needed Inuyasha to understand that she could make decisions. His advice and skills were valued and his friendship was deeply treasured. Kagome knew that he would never doubt Kikyo's decision in any matter.

"What is the matter?" Miroku asked Kagome.

"Tachi is the leader of East Kamaitachi clan. As you know the Kamaitachi are looked down upon as low-level youkai. Even humans view them as mindless beings. Tachi wants to me to speak for the Kamaitachi in a youkai council. He believes if I speak for them that the youkai will change their status," Kagome explained. Kagome glanced around and noticed that Miroku was deep in thought with his eyes closed. Sango just appeared like she had already come to a decision.

"What about the villager his people killed?" Sango questioned.

"I gave my people strict orders to only search the village, but some of them seemed to challenge my authority," Tachi spoke in his defense.

"That doesn't change the fact the villager is dead," Sango coldly said.

"The villager is dead and nothing can be done about that, but in every race there is always defiance. Should we deny him help because one being screwed up?" Kagome questioned her.

'That would be like denying Kohaku help because he was being controlled,' Sango thought.

"Your point is well taken, but what would your word be considered in a youkai council?" Miroku questioned.

"Mikos are feared and respected, her word would count for something," Tachi quickly said.

"What would we get if we helped you?" Miroku asked. Kagome and Sango both rolled their eyes; Miroku was always looking for some type of payment.

"My clan could offer an alliance," Tachi offered.

"What do you plan to do?" Sango asked Kagome.

"I plan to live with his people for awhile so I can make a judgment in deciding to help them," Kagome answered.

"You may be able to trust him, but you can't trust the people," Sango warned.

"I know, that's why I plan to speak to Kouga," Kagome happily said.

"When will you leave?" Miroku asked.

"Dawn," Kagome answered.

"But you haven't gotten any rest," Sango protested.

"I'll rest when we reach Kouga's den," Kagome answered.

"And you trust him?" Sango asked.

"Yep," Kagome answered.

"You should pack and rest," Miroku advised.

"I also want to take Shippo with me," Kagome said.

"Will it be safe for him?" Sango questioned.

"If I doubted his safety I wouldn't bring him," Kagome honestly said.

"Very well," Miroku sighed.

Kagome stood and asked Tachi to wait in the room while she packed. Sango and Miroku left her to her own devices until it came time for her to leave. She swiftly walked into her room and pulled a camouflaged colored backpack from the closet. This backpack didn't stand out against the forest when she traveled. She packed three more sets of her Chihaya. She also tossed in more pairs of bras and underwear. Kagome packed different herbs that might be needed before she placed her journal in there. She zipped up the bag and then proceeded to fill up two quivers with arrows.

Kagome attached one quiver to her backpack and she figured she could carry the other one. She walked across the hall and entered Shippo's room. Kagome pulled out his backpack and began to pack him various clothing and items. When she was down, she placed both bags in the hallway. Kagome the picked up her Hami-Yumi and placed it over her shoulder. A soft smile crossed her face as she stared down at Shippo's sleeping form. She softly nudged him awake and greeted him with a smile. His emerald eyes were still hazy with sleep.

"We're going to be traveling today," Kagome whispered.

"Just us?" Shippo asked with a yawn.

"Yep, we'll be leaving soon." Kagome informed.

"I'll be out in a minute," Shippo said with another yawn.

Kagome left him to change and carried the bags to the living room. Tachi stood and walked outside where he could wait. Shippo soon ran out with his hair in a messy ponytail and his clothes slightly wrinkled. Kagome softly chuckled and fixed him up before she picked him up and carried him outside. Sango and Miroku were waiting by Tachi. Miroku was calm and Sango openly showed her worry. Tachi nodded before he transformed. They all stepped away as a glowing light incased him and then vanished. He was a brownish-red weasel that looked like a giant ferret in Kagome's opinion.

Tachi motioned with his head for her to get on his back. Kagome panicked that she might be to heavy for his lithe body. He rolled his black eyes and Kagome straddled him with Shippo tucked in one arm. Sango hugged the girl and smiled.

"I'll send Kirara to check up on you," Sango promised.

"Good luck and be safe," Miroku softly said as he patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, we'll be safe," Kagome assured.

Kagome then faced the front and buried her hand in his fur in order to get a good grip. Kagome said she was ready and then took off into the east. Kagome leaned forehead as she held Shippo tight. She noticed that his feet weren't even touching the ground as he ran. A small giggle escaped her and they continued to travel. She told Tachi where to go and he nodded his head in understanding. Her eyes strayed to his front paws and she realized why his front paws didn't touch the ground. He was carrying a sickle in both paws. She sighed and closed her eyes as the wind rushed through her hair.

Author's Note:

The next chapter will have Bankotsu in it. I just wanted to get Kagome certain area for now. Thanks to the reviewers! I write for you all!
Skitzoflame- I do use the same beads in Mono no Aware...but there is a difference between them. I orignally made them for this story, they're not that big of a part in the other story.