What's this? Another Chapter?! Yeah told you guys this was happening. So that's three in a day. Wait it's November 1st... well whatever it's a little past midnight. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to break for a week.

Disclaimer: See chapter 1-32. Nothing

Chapter 33: Distance

It had been half an hour since Sesshomaru left the room and the group. Since he left, Kagome hadn't said a word. Inuyasha was expecting her to yell at him or at least sat him. Instead the young girl sat back down. She was in a bit of a shock. She didn't know what to say to anyone at the moment. She felt how angry the daiyoukai was when she touched him. Did what Inuyasha said truly upset him? And was he sincere when he apologized? 'Of course he was,' Kagome thought. 'Sesshomaru is the type to never acknowledge his mistakes. So if he apologized, he must of meant it.'

"Kagome?" Sango called out to her. "Um, are you okay?"

Kagome looked at her and the rest of her companions. They were all looking at her worriedly save Kikyou who looked more curious than worried. "Yeah I'm fine." She lied. She sighed deeply before staring at Inuyasha. "You shouldn't have said those things to him."

"He deserved it."

"No he didn't!" She almost yelled at the hanyou. "Yes they were his soldiers. But they were planning to kill me from the beginning. They hated the fact that I, a human, was in the care of their lord. No doubt they thought it made him weak... the same way others did with your father." Kagome sighed again. She really didn't know why she was saying all of this. Long ago if anyone had ask her to describe the inu lord, she would have told them he was cold and ruthless. Now, well he was still ruthless but he wasn't as cold as he seemed and there were times he could be caring. "If Sesshomaru hadn't gotten to me on time, I would have been dead."

"That still doesn't change the fact that he let you get hurt." Inuyasha replied after some time. "Ignoring what happen with the witch and the guards for now, could you explain why you fought with a lord?"

"Ah that?" Kagome thought of the best way to describe the incident. "It was a battle of honor and pride."

"Whose honor?" Miroku asked.

"He fought for his wounded pride, and I for my own honor."

"Could we have a detailed explanation?"

"Lord Isamu of the east kept insulting me for being human, despite Sesshomaru warning him not to upset me. He also insulted you guys, so I basically told him he had less honor and integrity than many of the humans and hanyou's I've met. That pissed him off and he challenged me. Sesshomaru didn't want him to fight me but because of youkai law he couldn't do much about it except declare our battle was not to the death."

"Where is he now?" Inuyasha asked as calmly as he could.

"Back in his own lands I guess. I know for sure he is more angry at me than anything else. During our battle I managed to hit him with a sealing arrow, right after he did his to me." She removed part of her kimono, exposing the large scar that was left on her shoulder.

"Oh my god," Sango went up to her and touched the scar lightly. "Does it hurt?"

"Only slightly." She responded pulling the kimono sleeve back in place. "It stopped bleeding after a day. Only recently my shoulder started to swell because I fell on it. I think the demon blood in me helped with most of the healing. Well one good thing came out of it."

"And what's that?" Inuyasha asked skeptically.

"The other lords not only recognize me as a true ally of Lord Sesshomaru but they also agreed on helping us with Naraku and Katsurou. The northern lord is on the look out for Naraku while the southern lord has increased patrols around the mountain."

"This gives us a bit of a upper hand," Kikyo commented. "If we can monitor Naraku's movements we will be able to know his next plan."

"That's the idea." She responded. Silence soon fell on them again. Time tick by slowly before Kagome decided to get up. "Let's talk more later, okay?"

"If that's what you want." Sango responded.

Kagome gave her friend a smile before leading them out of the room. "Miroku, do you want to let the healer look at your wounds?"

"You're going to take me there even if I say no right?" The monk answered softly.

"Most definitely. Glad you agree." The young girl led them to the healer's room and greeted the demoness. "Shio-san, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What can I do for you, Lady Kagome?" The youkai asked bowing.

"My friend here was injured. Can you look at his wounds for me?"

"Of course," she answered taking the monk and seating him down. She undid the bandages and examined the wound. "It will heal better if it is sewed shut. At least then the bleeding will stop. I will also have o put you on a specific diet to reclaim the loss of blood and strength."

"Thank you so much Shio-san." Kagome said smiling. " I will leave you to work then."

"If it's alright, Kagome, may I stay with him?" Sango asked a small blush set on her cheeks.

"Sure. It'll be fine." The young girl left the room, Inuyasha and Kikyo following behind. They headed for the garden, where upon entering the hanyou was tackled by and excited kit.

"Inuyasha!" Shippo shouted happily clinging to the hanyou's haori.

"Good to see you again Shippo. How are you?" Inuyasha asked ruffling the kitsune's hair.

"Great! I've been training with Hayate."

"Well that's a surprise. Good for you."

Shippo smiled before running off toward Rin. Kagome smiled at his energy and suggested for them to sit. A few minutes later Shippo was talking to Inuyasha about his training while Rin was sorting flowers with a slightly shocked Kikyou and Kagome. When Kagome asked if Rin knew who Kikyou was, the girl explained that she remembered when the priestess had saved her from one of the Band of Seven. Kagome wondered if that was a reason Sesshomaru didn't say anything against the dead miko being there.

"Hey Rin, you didn't happen to see Lord Sesshomaru come by here have you?"

The little girl shook her head. "No I haven't."

"I did."
Kagome looked up to see Tsume walking with Mizuki in hand. "Just a little while ago."

"Did he look mad?" Kagome asked taking the pup from her hands.

"Well no. Not exactly." The demoness replied truthfully. He didn't look angry, although it sure felt like it. His expression was more on confusion and frustration. But she couldn't let Kagome know that, since it seemed she might be worrying about him. That and she doubt Sesshomaru would appreciate the fact she saw him in such a state.

"Do you know where he went." Kagome asked again. If she could get to him she might be able to apologize.

"To his own room I believe." Tsume answered. "But I don't think it would be best to disturb him."

"Yes, your right." Kagome sat back down with the others. She listened to Rin and Shippo talk but her mind was else where. Why was she worrying over Sesshomaru? Maybe it was because after all the things that had happened, she thought they were close to being friends. The inu had claim her as an ally, which was more than she could have asked for. Did he still think that way now? Would he ask her to leave with her friends? Kagome didn't think she could if he did. She was used to being at the palace... used to being around him. Somehow, deep down, she didn't want that to change.

Naraku walked slowly through the woods, practically undetectable in the shadows. He kept moving until he found the presence he was searching for.

"What are you doing here?" The voice called out from behind him.

"You kept me waiting, so I thought I would come to you directly." Naraku answered calmly.

"It's sickening to be in your presence."

"Have I done something to upset you?" The vile hanyou turned around with a grin. "Or was it someone else that put you in a sour mood, Lord Isamu."

The eastern lord growled. "You lied to me when you said that girl was powerless."

"She was when I last encountered her. Mistakes can be made."

"And what about our other deal?"

"I lived up to it." Naraku said narrowing his eyes.

"You have not. An inu survived, a pup to be more exact. And at this moment the miko is caring for it in the western palace."

"What?" Naraku was stunned. That witch must have known about that, which only meant she lied to him. "I was not aware of that."

"Well now you are," Isamu replied approaching him. "If you want to continue using my land as a passage between the northern and southern lands then you will find a way to get rid of that inu pup."

"What makes you think I need your approval?" The hanyou smirked when the youkai growled. "Keep it up and I won't warn you."

"Warn me about what?"

"When a certain being begins to scourge the lands."

"You're talking about Katsurou aren't you?" Isamu answered. "I know what your doing."

"Do you? I simply wish to release a powerful being to take his power as my own." Naraku said with a shrug. "Of course I will wait until he kills my enemies for me, which includes the miko, the western lord, his half breed brother and their human companions."

"You're telling me this like it interests me."

"Well once they are gone... the other lords will fall as well. And once I absorbed Katsurou, you will be the only ruler in the land."

"Hmm. I trust you less than snake."

"Great. So do I. I never said you have to trust me... think of it as using each other for our goals."

"I will be keeping an eye on you. At the first sign of treachery, you will die." The eastern lord stated before leaving the area. Naraku only smiled as he continued his path back to the south.

When all was quiet, and the danger was gone, a single soul collector flew away. It had gather what it needed. It's only goal now was to return to its master and relay the information.

You guys confused yet? Good, take it and enjoy because you will be waiting a week or two for the next one. Before you freak out, I want to try and work on my other fic that's why. It's on hiatus right now and I don't want it to be. Now I know what you're thinking... 30 chapters in and I only now named the healer. Well, she barely appears in the story so I didn't find it important. Anyway please review. And have a great weekend.