Happy Halloween...if you celebrate it of course. If Not Happy Friday and it's finally the end of the month! Thanks for the reviews.

Disclaimer: I... yeah, still don't own anything.

Chapter 32: Reunited

As predicted, the inutaichi arrived at the palace around noon. They stopped at the gates and waited a short time before Hayate came to greet them. "Lord Sesshomaru was not expecting you to arrive so soon." He said before leading them inside.

"We were worried about Kagome." Inuyasha said indifferently. "How is she?"

"You can ask her yourself." The tori responded gesturing toward the door that led to Sesshomaru's study. He knocked on the door before opening it. "Lord Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and his companions have arrived."

"Let them in."

The youkai stepped to the side and allowed the group to enter the room. Once they were in he closed the door and went back to his daily patrol.

"You guys are here fast." Kagome said to her friends getting up from her seat. "What did you do rush over here?"

"Kind of," Sango responded giving her friend a hug. She felt the young girl flinch and pulled away. "Are you okay?"

"That's a bit of a story."

"What happened?" Inuyasha asked this time, more to Sesshomaru than to Kagome.

"Before that can I ask why Miroku is up and about?" Kagome asked the hanyou folding her arms.

The hanyou's ears flattened. He knew she was going to do that. "I didn't force him if that's what you're suggesting. He decided to come all on his own."

Kagome turned to the monk and approached him.

"I know what you're going to say but I am fine." Miroku said taking a step back from the girl. She raised her hand a lightly press the spot on his chest, earning a pained groan from the monk.

"Fine my ass," she said in a frustrated tone. She took his hand and led him to sit down. She peeled back part of his top and sighed. "Miroku this is a serious injury. Why didn't you stay put? You would heal better if you had rested more."

"Funny. When I tell you to stay put and rest your argument is that you would be bored staying in one place." Sesshomaru commented.

Kagome shot him a look. "My injuries stopped bleeding a few days ago. These," she gestured to Miroku's chest. "Are still fresh."

"So hey back to that. What happened?" Inuyasha asked again.

"I may have picked a fight with the eastern lord." She responded with a small laugh.

"May have? Why would you get in a fight with a youkai lord?" He face Sesshomaru. "Why would you let her get into a fight with a youkai lord?! What the hell?"

"Inuyasha calm down." Kagome said tugging the hanyou to sit next to her. "First things first. I'm guessing you guys have new information for me?" She motioned for Kikyou to come to her.

The other miko stayed quiet as she walked to her. When she was directly next to her, she pulled a small pouch from her haori and handed it to Kagome. "We managed to collect four shards."

"Thanks," Kagome replied taking the pouch and patted the spot next to her for the priestess to sit.

"There is something else," Kikyou said once she sat down. "Inuyasha and I rejoined with your friends only a few moments after they had sent you a message."

"Yeah the one about the seal. Did something happened afterwards?"

"We learned Kikyou is a descendant of one of the dead monks." Inuyasha said.

"What?" She stared at the dead priestess in near disbelief.

"It's true." Kikyou commented not blaming the girl for not trusting her. "You can ask Kaede if you want to be sure."

"No," she replied shaking her head. "It's fine. So I'm assuming the seal will be our plan B."

"If we can get the proper items I told you about then yes." Miroku replied.

Kagome almost sighed but held it in. Most of the items they can get with little problem, but others would be more difficult. One way or the other they would eventually have to get everything before Naraku and Katsurou gained an upper hand.

"If we are to collect these ingredients, it will have to be done quickly and carefully." Sesshomaru said. "The last thing we need is for Katsurou to know what we're planning."

"How is he gonna find out?" Inuyasha asked.

"Meichiko has been busy. I believe after your encounter with her, she followed you here. Only recently did we find out she has been observing us."

"What? When was this?"

"Two nights ago when she tried to kidnap me and Mizuki." Kagome answered preparing herself for the onslaught of questions.

"What?!"
"How did she get to you?"
"Are you okay?"

"Guys, guys. One at a time please."

"How were you kidnapped?" Inuyasha asked. He was right to be worried before. How could they have not notice this?

"She disguised herself as Lord Sesshomaru while he was out dealing with a problem with some youkai."

"A trap set up by the witch."

"How do you figure that?" Sango questioned this time.

"Another one of Katsurou's rotting followers was found in the same area. It was at that point I realized the miko was in danger."

"By that time Meichiko had already taken me outside the palace wall and I realized who she was. She basically told me she wanted Mizuki and that's when..."

"That's when what?" Inuyasha gave her a questioning glance. "Kagome what happened next?"

Kagome peered at Sesshomaru, as if silently asking if she should continue knowing how angry Inuyasha will get. The daiyoukai seemed to understand and gave her a short nod of approval. No matter how mad Inuyasha would get, he could handle it just fine, just as long as he didn't spout off insulting slurs.
Kagome sighed before continuing. "That's when two guards from the east wing approached us. Turns out Meichiko had a little help while she roamed around here."

"How," Inuyasha let out a growl and stared right at Sesshomaru. "Could you let this happen?!"

"I do not account for treacherous youkai." Was the cold reply.

"Oh cut the bullshit excuse!" The hanyou yelled getting up. "I shouldn't have left her here! Especially with you!"

"Inuyasha!" Kagome tried to get him to stop but judging by the sound of Sesshomaru's growl, she was too late.

"You think she would fare better in your care?" The daiyoukai growled.

"She would." Inuyasha answered standing in front of the inu.

"If she was still with you the enemy would already have her."

"She's safer with people who care about her," Inuyasha said angrily. "Instead of someone like you, who could care less whether or not she was dead!"

Sesshomaru snarled and reached out to grab the hanyou but was stopped when Kagome wedged herself between them. "Stop it!" She yelled one hand on each of them, pushing until they took a step back from each other. "Both of you apologize to each other, right now!"

"The hell I will!" Inuyasha said glaring at the daiyoukai.

"I won't apologize for what I said." Sesshomaru responded taking his eyes from his half-brother to the girl in front of him. "Not to him but to you, I will apologize for not noticing the dangers before they happened." He gently removed her hand from him and stepped past her.

"Sesshomaru-" Kagome called out to him realizing once again she had forgotten to use his title.

The inu stopped but didn't turn to face her. "You're friends are now here. It's safe to leave you alone for now, don't you agree." He left the room, every inch of him was burning with fury. He needed to cool off else he felt he would do something regretful. Last thing he needed was an outright brawl with Inuyasha.

"Shall I dispose of them my lord?" Meichiko asked as she observe the youkais roam the area below the mountain. The guards from the southern lands had increased their patrol around the mountain since the meeting at the west. No doubt they were on the look out for Naraku.

"No. Let them be for now. In the end their efforts will be fruitless."

"Yes. All but one of the youkai lords are taking cautionary actions."

"Who is the one?"

"The eastern lord," the witch answered. "It seems to me, he thinks of you as no threat. Shall I teach him a lesson?"

"You can have your fun later," Katsurou laughed. "The eastern lord will die of my own hands. I want to drain every bit of life from him, and watch him wither to dust."

"Of course my lord. Oh there is something else you should know."

"Yes?"

"Kagura has told me that Naraku has been constantly traveling between the northern and southern lands. She says it's unusual as he often stays in one place before moving on."

"I see. Keep an eye on him. And if it seems like that Kagura is withholding any important information... well, you can dispose of her any way you like."

Meichiko smiled viciously. "As you wish."

I think I made Sesshomaru a little too angry but I find it perfect in this situation. Also, second one in a day? Don't expect it to happen again. This is like once in a blue moon kind of thing. Like an eclipse, it'll only happen once in your lifetime. :) j/k but seriously this was difficult. Thanks again for reviewing. The next chapter maybe up sooner than you think.