Hahaha I realize this story is going to take a long while. Between character development/relations and plot...I see this reaching beyond 40 chapters. Way longer than my first fic as you can see. I just hope I don't disappoint you all. But anyway time for another update.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. No one. This is fiction

Chapter 25: Depart

Kagome woke up the next morning earlier than usual. She used her left arm to push herself off the bed to avoid hurting her right shoulder any further. A small yip brought her attention to her little pup, who was just waking up beside her. "Good morning." She said softly, picking up Mizuki and giving her a small kiss on the forehead. "Let's see if we can get a bath." Cradling the child in her uninjured arm, Kagome slid out of bed. She walked to the door and opened it.

"Up early I see." Sesshomaru greeted her from his position outside on the floor.

"Oh, Lord Sesshomaru. Good morning," the young girl replied walking out of the room. "Um, were you here all night?"

"Would it be a problem if I was?"

"Uh no. No forget it." Kagome said trying not to roll her eyes.

"Is there a reason you are up and out your room?" The daiyoukai asked getting up.

"Yes. I thought Hayate was out here so I can ask him to retrieve Tsume for me. I want to bathe with Mizuki."

"Wait in your room and I will retrieve her for you."

"Okay." she answered watching him walk away. With a sigh she closed the door and sat back on the bed, Mizuki laying in her lap. The time seemed tick by before there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

The door opened and Tsume walked in. "Good Morning Kagome."

"Good morning Tsume."

"You wished for me to accompany you?"

"Yes," Kagome nodded getting up. "Lord Sesshomaru doesn't want me wandering around."

"Can you blame him?" The young demoness responded gathering a change of clothes for both miko and pup.

"I guess not. Sorry for the trouble."

"Not at all. It is my duty and pleasure to serve you." Tsume said with a smile leading her out of the room. Once they got to the spring, she took Mizuki to allow Kagome to undress and step into the water.

She let out a sigh as she suck into the warm water. "This feels great. I needed this."

Tsume giggled as she handed her back the pup. "Well you have been through a lot. Shall I help you wash your hair?"

"Yes," Kagome answered taking the nearby soap to wash the pup. Mizuki made small giggles as Kagome rubbed the soap in her hair.

"So what do you plan on doing for the day?" Tsume asked, combing the young priestess now soapy hair.

"I don't know. Guess I'll just rest like Sesshomaru wants."

"If you like, I can convince him to let you rest outside in the gardens instead of being cooped up in your room."

"That would be better, thank you." After rinsing the soap out of Mizuki's hair, Kagome gave her to Tsume, to rinse her own hair out. She rubbed her left shoulder trying not to press on her wound too much. Once she was done washing, she got out and had Tsume help dress her. The demoness rubbed a herb mixture on her shoulder and back before wrapping a bandage around them. Then she handed the miko a sky-blue kimono along with a black obi to put on. Mizuki was dressed in a similar blue and black haori and hakama set. They left the room and started back down the hall.

"Would you like me to bring you anything specific for breakfast?" Tsume asked as they stopped before Kagome's room.

"No. Anything is just fine for me," she replied walking inside. She sat down on the bed and began feeding the pup. Time seemed to past by slowly as she sat there with Mizuki, humming softly. Tsume returned just as she finished feeding the little inu.

"Here you go," the demoness placed a tray of food next to her.

"Thank you," Kagome said with a smile. "Do you know if Shippo and Rin are awake yet?"

"Yes they are having their meal at the moment. I have convinced Lord Sesshomaru to let you sit in the garden for the day."

"How did you manage that?" the young miko asked, taking a bite of her food.

"I basically told him that being outside is healthier for you than staying indoors. That and Rin begged him to."

Kagome laughed. "Thank you Tsume."

"You are most welcome."

"What do you want now witch?" the eastern guard spoke bitterly as Meichiko appeared from the shadows.

"We will be acting soon. Once the lords leave, my plan to take the miko and pup will come into place." the old witch said ignoring the youkai's tone.

"Oh? And what will you have me and my companion do?"

"Simple. Create an escape route beyond the palace grounds."

"And what then. If I recall, our deal meant that we dealt with the girl ourselves."

Meichiko smirked. "Yes. Once out, I'll hand over the girl. After that you won't hear from me ever again. And your pathetic life can go back to how you want it."

"Fine by me," the youkai replied. "I will inform my companion of you plan."

"This time wait for my signal before you act." The witch turned away and retreated back into the shadows, making her way out of the palace. She was beyond the sight of the palace when she was approached by her companion.

"Did you learn anything new?" Kagura asked.

"Depends. How much will you relay to that filth you follow?"

"I'll withhold any information you don't want him to know."

Meichiko laughed at this. "You are willing to betray him?"

"I always have been. My only desire is freedom and if allying with you and your master will grant me that, then of course I will."

"Hm. I see. Well to answer your question I did learn something interesting."

"What?"

It seems the young miko had a conflict with the eastern lord. She is injured, which makes her much more easier to capture."

"And how are you planning on doing that when she is being watch constantly?"

"You just leave that to me. Just tell Naraku about the eastern lord. Let him deal with that as he will."

"Shippo! Rin! Don't run around the pound, you don't want to fall in again." Kagome called out as she watched the two play their game of tag. She rested under the shade of trees with Mizuki and Tsume. The kids were excited that Kagome could be with them even though she was still too injured to play.

Oi woman!" Jaken walked over to her, a pile of books and scrolls in his arms. "Here is what you requested."

"Thank you but really Jaken. I have been here for over a month. Could you stop calling me woman human and wench?!"

"There is no reason why I should." the green youkai huffed.

"Master Jaken shouldn't be mean to Kagome-nee-san!" Rin shouted as ran over and tugged on the imp. "Apologize."

"I will do no such thing!" he replied pulling away from the girl.

"Well I guess that means we'll have to make you." Shippo said smiling as flames lit up his hands. Jaken's eyes widen as he was chased around the garden. Rin laughed as the kitsune tossed his small foxfires at the youkai.

"Should I stop him?" Kagome asked Tsume, watching the children chase the imp around.

"Hmm, no. Think of it as target practice," she replied with a smile. "So what's with the books?"

"Oh I just thought I'd read to the children out here."

"Miko, is there a reason why the children are tormenting my retainer?" a certain voice asked.

Both females turned to see Sesshomaru and the other two lords walking towards them.

"Target practice," was the reply as they heard Jaken yelp.

"I see. Lord Daichi and Lord Arata will be departing today."

"Oh," Kagome was going to get up but was stopped.

"There is no need Lady Kagome." Daichi spoke and gave a slight bow. "It was a pleasure meeting you."

The young miko smiled at him. "Like wise Lord Daichi. I wish you a safe travel. As well as you Lord Arata."

"Thank you Lady Kagome. I hope you recover well." Arata responded also with a bow. "And do not fret. I will let me soldiers on the look out for Naraku."

"And I will strengthen the patrols around the mountain."

"That is much appreciated. Thank you both." Kagome said bowing her head from where she sat. With a few final words Sesshomaru led the two lords out. And it was the exact moment, when she could no longer see the three, that Kagome felt a familiar cold shiver run through her.

Yea way more than 5 days. Way way more. Well it's August. You know what that means. Summer is almost over. Okay this was just a little bit of a pain. I've been having so much writer's block, I'm surprised this was written. It was so slow because most of the action sort of happened in the beginning and now things are 'quiet' at the moment. So it's kind of frustrating. Anyway hope you enjoyed it (think I've said that countless times by now but oh well). Please review. :) Chapter 26 will be up as soon as possible. Like within the next week. I will try to post a chapter every week or 3-4 a month.