This is for all of you still taking exams. This is my way of saying good luck and keep up the good work. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Inuyasha. All OC are mine however

Chapter 19: Preparation

Sango scanned the area as Kirara flew up the mountain trail. Miroku had attached a letter to Kirara when she left him three days ago telling Sango to meet him. She had waited at the base since sunrise and something told her to look for him instead. They flew for quite awhile before Kirara sensed something, she growled to her owner.

"What's wrong Kirara?" The fire cat motioned to the ground directly below them. The ground was torn up and trees were littered every where. "Looked like a battled took place. Oh no. Kirara let's land here." Once they touched the ground Sango slipped off and looked around. She took a deep breath to calm her frantic mind and beating heart. She was worried Miroku might have been involved in whatever happened here. Calmly she called out for the monk. "Miroku! Are you here? Miroku!"

She was searching every fallen tree, part of her hoping she found him and another hoping she didn't. She wouldn't be able to cope if she didn't find him alive. So lost in thought and worry she nearly tripped over a log. As she stumbled she heard a groan from below her. Looking down she realized that it was no log but Miroku. She gasp and knelt beside him trying not to hurt him. "Miroku." She said quietly barely audible to her own ears. His clothes were torn apart, his wounds visible and still bleeding. "Miroku." she said her voice breaking slightly.

The monk let out a small chuckle, his voice hoarse. "Hey, I'm not dead yet so please don't cry."

Sango smiled sadly at him before gently sitting him up. She apologized as he let out a hiss in pain. "What happened?"

"Kagura." He responded. He tried not to make any sounds of pain as Sango placed him on Kirara's back.

"I'll take you back to Mushin." With that said and done Kirara took to the skies and headed back to the shrine. All the while, Sango kept an eye on the monk who was trying to stay conscious but failing miserably.

Inuyasha stared out at the small lake he stopped to rest at. His mind wondering to Kagome and whether or not she was safe. What if she was attacked again? Not to mention he still wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of her staying with Sesshomaru. He sighed in frustration. She couldn't leave and he couldn't force her to especially when she had to take care of the pup.

"What's wrong with you?" a voice behind him brought his attention away from his thoughts. He turned around to see Kikyo walking up to him. True to his word he had sought her out and explained most of the situation to her. She didn't need to know about a new enemy...for now at least.

"Nothing," He said shaking his head. "So did you get any information from the village?" They heard news of a demon terrorizing several villages. They have been tracking it down in hopes that it held shards.

"There is a cave not too far from here. Some of the villagers believe it took shelter there." Kikyo responded. It had been a few days since Inuyasha had asked her to join him. She was shocked at first but agreed when he explained why. He told her his group had parted temporarily to complete certain tasks by themselves, but did not go into too much details about it. Although she did believe him, she felt he was hiding something else from her. "If we leave now we can catch up to it."

Inuyasha nodded and knelt to offer her his back. Once she was on, he took of into the direction she pointed to. Soon they arrived at the entrance of the cave. Inuyasha lowered her down and they both walked up to it, drawing their weapons. "I sense two..no wait. Three shards."

"Well let's not wait for it. Come on." He said leading the way inside.

The palace was slightly more busy than usual. Everyone was preparing for the other three lords visit. So with the servants hustling about finishing tasks and chores, Kagome found herself sitting in the library with the children. She was trying to focus on the story she was reading to them but her mind was occupied by a certain daiyoukai who was watching them. Tsume was currently overseeing the work preparations and Hayate was busy with the other guards in securing the perimeters. Which left her in the care of Sesshomaru, the one person she was trying hard to avoid. Granted that was difficult to do especially whenever he addressed her and she was 'force' to answer.

Why was she trying to avoid him you ask? Well you didn't wake up in an awkward situation involving the daiyoukai. Kagome nearly blushed at the memory.

It was three days ago. She had woken up feeling warm and comfortable. First she wondered where she was then remembered the 'nightmare' she had. Just thinking about it brought the fear back into her. No sooner than she started panicking a rumble was felt below her as something wrapped around her. Instantly she calmed before drifting back to sleep. She snuggled into her warm 'bed' and saw nothing but white through her half opened eyes. Was her bed always this warm? Since when were the sheets white? And since when did her bed start breathing?!

Gasping Kagome nearly jumped right off the inu she was sleeping on. "Lord Sesshomaru?!" She yelled looking into the daiyoukai's golden eyes, highly aware of the fact his mokomoko was still around her.

"Quiet miko." He turned his gaze to her side then to his own. "They are still sleeping."

"They?" Kagome questioned before looking over to her side and then to his other side, noticing Shippo and Rin both sleeping. Then right beside her, cuddled in the inu's pelt was Mizuki. "Oh. I remember now." she whispered more to herself. She remembered Sesshomaru taking her away and then falling asleep after she cried so much. A slight blush crept unto her face as she looked back at the daiyoukai beneath her. "Thank you."

"Hn." He pulled her down gently and laid his arm back around her shoulder. "Go back to sleep."

"What about dinner?" She asked her blush increasing just slightly.

"I will have something brought in. We'll eat in here." the inu said. He knew the miko would be more than uncomfortable to be around the other youkai. Why that bother him he had no idea, but he wasn't going to dwell on it.

Kagome came out of her thoughts when the two children ran off to get more books for her to read. With her distractions gone, her mind was focused on the demon lord seated not to far from her. He was sitting on the ground with Mizuki wrapped up in his mokomoko. The inu-pup was squealing in delight as she tugged on his haori sleeve and covered her face with it. She smiled at the pup and shifted her sights to the daiyoukai's face. Blue met gold, and Kagome immediately looked away a heavy blush on her cheeks.

"Miko," his voice was low but she heard it and turned her attention back to him.

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru?"

"When the other lords arrive you are to stay at my side until I say otherwise. Don't speak to them directly unless you are address first."

"I understand. May I ask a question?"

He tilted his head and gave slight nod.

"What do I do if I feel insulted?" She asked, knowing full well youkai, more specifically youkai lords didn't like to associate themselves with humans.

"Depends on how bad the insult." he said nonchalantly.

Kagome just stared at him before pouting and turning away. "Don't expect me to take it with a grain of salt."

"Hn." Sesshomaru didn't say anything else but he continued to watch the miko as she read to the children. He was almost please to see her nervousness around him was diminishing. He would blame that comfort on the fact that he needed her to act calm when the other lords arrive.

Thank you all for waiting patiently. And for the lovely reviews-they make me happy. So the holiday season is upon us and I have to admit I could care less about it. I won't be a complete Scrooge as I plan on putting the next chapter up for Christmas. Anywho plz review and tell me what you think :)