Hope you guys are having a pleasant week. Oh yeah if you had not notice what day Christmas fell on let me clarify in the most annoying but loving way. HUUUMPP DDDAAAAAYYYYYYYYY! xD please don't hate me. It's a thing me and my roommate ended up doing every Wednesday because we're weird. Anyway this is my holiday gift to you all and to make it extra special it's going to be long. But enough chatter onto Chapter 20!

Disclaimer: I wish I owned it but I don't and frankly I am getting tired of saying it

Chapter 20: Arrival

Kikyo stepped further into the cave, her arrow at the ready. "I sense the shards up ahead," she whispered to the hanyou behind her. "I can lure him out-"

"No need." Inuyasha said moving next to her. "He already knows we're here." Ahead of them the sound of movement and a low rumbled growl was heard. The first thing they saw was the front legs of the demon followed by its massive head. It was a large deformed bear youkai whose entire left side was pierced by arrows. It's fur was matted and patches of skin and muscle could be seen on the spine of its back.

"Well no wonder you were hiding. I'd hide too if my face looked like that."

The youkai growled menacingly as it reached out to swipe at the intruders. Inuyasha grabbed Kikyo and dodged the attack, setting down just a few feet away from where the large paw landed. It growled again and snapped its jaw towards them. Inuyasha quickly slashed at it with the Tetsusaiga only to see the beast's wound heal.

"Kikyo were are its shards?" He called out jumping away from another attack.

Kikyo looked closer at the youkai and followed the source of the jewel. "One on its back and the other two are in his chest." She notched an arrow and aimed for the spot on its back, though its massive size kept her from getting a perfect aim, it was enough to do some major damage. When the youkai stopped to prepare for another attack on Inuyasha she let the arrow fly. It screeched in pain as the arrow dug into its flesh and started to rot away from the purification.

It turned towards the dead miko and reared up to pounce on her, giving Inuyasha the chance to strike at its chest. He dug his sword into the beast and slashed upwards, removing the two hidden shards. Kikyo caught them and swiftly pulled another arrow and shot the bear youkai into its now injured chest. It fell back and withered on the ground pitifully as its body started to die. Locating the last shard, with Kikyo's direction, Inuyasha dug it out, cutting off the youkai's last chance to live. Inuyasha handed Kikyo the shards as they headed out the cave.

They walked in silence until nightfall and camped under a large canopy of trees. Not one said a word to each other as they stared out at the stars. After quite some time Kikyo spoke. "Is something bothering you Inuyasha?"

"No, why do you ask?" He responded without looking in her direction.

"You haven't said much to me since I agreed to travel with you. Do you regret asking me?"

Inuyasha sighed and turned to her. "No. That's not it."

"Won't you tell me what' wrong?"

"I'm just worried about my friends," he said turning back towards the sky.

"Are their tasks that difficult?" Kikyo asked curiously.

"No. Well yes... I don't know maybe." Inuyasha let out a frustrated sigh. He did not want to have explain the situation to her. He especially didn't want to tell her that he was more worried about Kagome than anyone else. Through the whole day different scenarios went through his head, all involving her either being kidnapped or killed. It was driving him mad.

"Well if you're so worried about them why not check in on them?"

Inuyasha whipped his head to the side and stared at the miko. "What?"

"It shouldn't take long to find them. If you know where they are of course."

Inuyasha just looked at her for a while before slowly nodding his head. "Alright. We will leave first thing in the morning."

Kikyo agreed silently. She didn't fully care about his friends but she was curious about their whereabouts. No matter what they were doing the group was always together. Each had their own problems and circumstances to deal with but they always stuck together and aided one another. Something else was happening and she wasn't please that Inuyasha was keeping it a secret. It made her feel bitter and slightly jealous. He used to tell her anything, so what had changed?

"Why did I have to get up so early?" Kagome whined for about the sixth time that morning. Tsume had woken her up before the sun had begun to rise. In fact everyone was awake, including the children, but unlike Kagome they were wide awake and bouncing with energy. They were all in her room as Tsume helped them pick the appropriate clothes for when the lords arrived that day.

Tsume smiled at the girl as she picked out the perfect kimono. "Because we must be prepared in case one of the other lords decide to show up early."

"I know." Kagome sighed shaking her head. "But it doesn't mean I have to like it."

The demoness just laughed as she handed her the kimono to wear. It was midnight blue with a white floral pattern crawling up the right side. On the left sleeve of the kimono was a pattern of stars and a crescent moon set on the shoulder. It was elegant and beautiful, and practically touched the floor when Kagome put it on. When she was dressed Tsume dealt with her hair. She placed it into a bun but left a few strands of hair to fall on the sides. To top it all off she added just a bit of lip paint on her lips, as Kagome was naturally beautiful.

"Wow. Kagome looks so beautiful." Rin said when she was all finished.

"Thank you Rin. You look very beautiful as well." she replied with a smile making the little girl smile and laugh with delight. Rin was wearing a lovely sky blue kimono with white clouds decorating the bottom and the right sleeve. Her long black hair was thoroughly combed out and pulled into a high ponytail with white and blue ribbons.

"What about me okaa-san?" Shippo asked from his seat on the bed with Mizuki next to him playing with his fury tail. Shippo had on a forest green hakama with a white haori. The haori was patterned with green leaves and tiny swirls on the left. He also wore a white obi with green edges. Mizuki was also wearing a hakama and haori set but hers were sky blue with dark blue and white floral patterns.

"Ah how could I forget my handsome little Shippo," she said giving him a hug. She picked up the little inu and plant kisses on her forehead. "And my precious Mizuki. You all look so wonderful."

"Wait here a little while longer. I will check with the front gate to see when the lords will arrive." Tsume said exiting the room.

"How long do you think we have to wait?" Shippo asked.

"I don't know. How about we pass the time with a game?"

"What type a game"?" Rin asked happily sitting next to the kitsune.

Kagome thought about it before smiling. "How about charades?"

"What's that?"

"It's a game where you have to act out a phrase or word without speaking. Then the other people have to guess what it is."

"Let's play! Let's play!." Rin chanted hopping of the bed.

"Okay I'll start first." The three were so into their game that they momentarily forgot about the lords meeting, that is until there was a knock on the door. Kagome straightened out her kimono and answered the door.

"Kagome," Tsume looked over the slightly ruffled miko then at the giggling children and sighed. "The lords will be arriving soon. You are to greet them alongside Lord Sesshomaru. But first I must fix your hair."

"Sorry." Kagome said still smiling. Tsume just shook her head as she helped fixed their appearance. When she was through, she led them out the room. "Rin. Shippo. You both shall wait in the dining hall." The two children nodded and bounded of toward the hall. The two females walked in peaceful silence as the headed towards the front of the palace. Only the sound of Mizuki's babbling could be heard. As they stepped outside into the soft morning light, Kagome spotted Sesshomaru waiting just a few feet ahead with Hayate by his side.

"Lord Sesshomaru." Tsume called with a small bow. "I have brought Kagome as you requested."

Sesshomaru turned to her and nodded his head, dismissing her to her other tasks. He motioned for Kagome to stand by him. The daiyoukai was wearing a haori and hakama similar to his usual attire except the patterns were midnight blue instead of red. He also wore an all black armor. She greeted him and Hayate with a smile. "Good morning Lord Sesshomaru. Good morning Hayate."

"Good morning Kagome-san. You look lovely." Hayate greeted back with a smile. He wore his usual black and red armor, though Kagome noticed it was polished to a new look. The young girl smiled and gave a small thank you. She looked at the daiyoukai next to her almost expectantly but he wasn't looking at her. Kagome looked away not understanding the sudden disappointment she felt.

"Remember what I told you miko." He spoke suddenly bringing her attention back to him.

"Stay by your side, don't speak until spoken to and try not to loose my temper." Kagome responded shifting Mizuki in her arms. "But as I said before I won't stand for being insulted."

He didn't respond and instead stared at her. She did indeed look beautiful. 'For a human.' His thought as he took in every detail of her form. The stray strands of hair to the side frame her face well emphasizing her round cheeks. And the kimono fit her body perfectly, as they usually do and a part of him was pleased to see she wore the symbol of his house on the kimono's sleeve.

His thoughts were soon interrupted by Hayate's voice. "They are arriving."

They all faced forward as three figures entered through the palace gate. The first one wore a gold and black attire. He had long black hair and was as tall as Sesshomaru. His eyes were dark green and he had the mark of the sun on his forehead. The second one was just as tall but more built. Kagome immediately guessed him to be a wolf youkai, seeing as he wore the same clothing that Koga would usually wear. His hair was dark brown and short and his eyes were blue-green. The third lord was the oldest of them all. He was a little shorter than the rest but his body was more built than theirs. He had medium length dark grey hair and a scar that decorated his left cheek. He had on a dark red hakama and haori with the sleeves pattern with white petals. When Kagome looked into his eyes dark yellow eyes stared into her own.

"Kagome." Sesshomaru spoke softly but firmly. "May I introduce the lords of the lands." He gestured towards each calling their name, starting from the first youkai. "Lord Isamu of the East. Lord Arata of the North and Lord Daichi of the South." Turning to the other lords he gave a bow and gestured toward Kagome. "May I present Lady Kagome, priestess of the Shiko no Tama."

Kagome gave them a respectable bow. She was going to utter a greeting when she heard a snort. She looked up to see the one lord in gold, Lord Isamu staring at her with narrowed eyes.

"I never thought you as the type to keep a human in your presence. And a priestess no less." He said toward the inu-youkai, never looking away from her.

Kagome avoided his gaze as she straightened up, holding Mizuki tighter. This didn't go unnoticed by them especially the wolf youkai, Arata. The northern lord stepped forward toward Kagome, and she almost stepped back if she hadn't felt Sesshomaru's hand on her back. The youkai sniffed the inu pup then the miko and looked confusingly at the daiyoukai.

"How?" Was all he muttered.

"That shall be explained shortly but first join us inside. We have yet to have eat breakfast." Sesshomaru said turning and leading the way back in.

Kagome followed him inside and couldn't help but listen to the whispers of the other youkai lords.

"Such an unusual creature." Arata said softly.

"She's just a human," Isamu responded.

"Yes but to win the favor of the killing perfection?" This voice was soft and gruff. Kagome assumed it was Daichi who spoke.

"Maybe she's a witch in disguise."

"No she's pure. Her scent is purely miko. Although..." Arata stopped talking as if he was thinking deeply.

"What? Although what?" Isamu asked impatiently.

"Hmm. There is something else mixed in her scent."

"You don't think he mated her do you?" Daichi asked curiously.

"Ugh. Then he really has fallen low," the eastern lord stated bitterly.

"Must you always be so cynical?"

"We are here." Sesshomaru's sharp voice interrupted them. He glanced quickly to the girl now by his side and saw the anger that was beginning to form in her eyes. She kept her head high though as she walked into the room, taking her usual seat next to him. Rin and Shippo was also next to her. The other lords took their seat on the other side of the table, across the miko and children.

"And here we have a human child." Isamu muttered under his breath, knowing Sesshomaru would still hear him.

"Do you have a problem Lord Isamu?" The inu asked his voice cold and hard.

Lord Daichi cleared his throat to draw attention away from the other lord. "Who might these little ones be?" He asked calmly.

Sesshomaru looked toward the older youkai and respectably nodded his head. "The young girl is my ward Rin. And the kitsune is the miko's son, Shippo." Each child gave a bow and greeted the lords kindly.

"Her son?" Daichi stared at the miko, clearly waiting for an explanation.

"I adopted Shippo when his father was killed." Kagome said softly.

"Why?"

"Why?" Kagome repeated confused. "I couldn't leave him all alone. I didn't want him to grow up alone in the world."

"Did you do the same for that pup?" Arata asked this time.

"Yes. Her mother died shortly after giving birth to her and asked me to care for her."

"How long?"

"Almost four weeks." Kagome responded. The time had gone by rather fast especially when her friends were there.

"I have a question." Isamu said glaring at Kagome. "How is it you came into the care of Lord Sesshomaru? How do you, a human miko, acquainted with him?"

"She is a companion of my brother." Sesshomaru answered.

"The half breed? Running from one dog to the next are we?" he said smirking.

Kagome narrowed her eyes at the youkai and had to bit her tongue from spitting out a reply. "I am doing no such thing."

"Oh. Well it's not like the great Sesshomaru will rut with such filth."

"Sorry my filth offends you." She said harshly, her anger now clear in her voice.

"Such disrespect. And here I thought you were trained well."

"I need no training in manners. I show respect to those who deserve it and you deserve none."

"Hold your tongue human."

"You first demon." Kagome growled out never removing her eyes from the eastern lord's.

"Enough." Sesshomaru said. "Kagome," he called her name sternly to draw her away from her current glaring match. She turned toward him and bowed her head, saying a small apology. "Lord Isamu I would appreciate it if you withheld from angering the miko. She is my guest and a respected ally. I suggest you treat her as such."

The lord of the east just hissed in response but agreed nonetheless.

With the problem temporarily settled, Sesshomaru ordered for them all to eat. It was a fairly quiet as they ate. The youkai lords had small bits of conversations, which mostly involved their lands. Shippo and Rin were quiet as they ate and stole glances at the miko. Kagome was still steaming as she picked at her food, her appetite completely gone. She could feel the eastern lord staring a hole through the top of her head but ignored it. They hadn't even discussed the main issue and she already have to deal with the youkai's anger. What's going to happen once the bring out the threat of Katsurou. Would they even listen to her?

I'm sorry this is a day late. For some reason FFN was not cooperating with me. I couldn't get on the website to post this chapter and trust me I tried. I tried the 24th and all day on the 25th and today. Just having some bad luck but look it's here now so I hope you enjoyed it. Please review and Happy Holidays.