A/N: Look, I did it! Yay me! I won't be returning to this AU, at least not for a long while.

New Work. Sequel Pt 2

Kagome ran down the corridor. It was not lady-like to run, but she didn't care.

"Taisho!" she called out as she ran into the security room. The hanyou was looking out of the window.

"They're far away still, we have a few minutes before their birds catch up to us," he growled. Kagome walked closer to him to look at a distant group of huge birds that had flew out of a cave in a mountainside while Ah-Un had been passing by the mountain range.

"I escorted Lady Rin to the lord's side," she reported and went to fetch her bow. She felt her belly tighten in anticipation and anxiety, that was going to be her first battle.

"You don't leave the gondola," Inuyasha reminded her. She turned around to see him looking straight at her with his golden eyes, frowning, but not scowling. "And aim for the birds. The wolves can't fly and they're too small to get a sure hit from a big distance. And we don't want them get too close."

"I know," Kagome swallowed. Both the birds and the wolves who made up the bandit group, were sentient beings, but she knew that it was her job to defend the airship. She wasn't going to kill innocent beings, but ruthless people who wouldn't hesitate to harm her. Still, she wasn't heartless and the knowledge she'd be sending people to fall from the sky didn't sit well with her. She knew it was her job, but she didn't enjoy killing.

She gasped when a hand covered her fingers gripping her bow. When she looked up from a calloused, clawed hand she saw his yellow eyes soften for a moment before looking at her sternly.

"You mikos are always so soft-heated," he muttered. "Believe me, those wolves, who choose to assault travelers, are not worth your concern," she opened her mouth to say something, but he shook his head. "I know, they're living beings. But believe me, if they catch you or any other girl that is on Ah-Un, you will not die soon. Rin's young age wouldn't stop them, nor would your robes of a holy maiden. They chose this life and by doing so they forfeit their right to be treated like normal citizens, because they no longer are. Keep that in mind."

His hand squeezed hers for a moment before leaving. She felt cold when his grip on her loosened. Still, it helped her to deal with her anxiety and concerns, so she took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes.

"I am here to protect the passengers of Ah-Un against any and all who attack us," she stated. "I will pray for those who will pass to the underworld today, but I won't hesitate to do my duty."

A small smirk curled the corners of his mouth upwards.

"Good," he gave a nod and turned to go to his post. But before he could leave the room Kagome grabbed his hand. Surprised he looked back at her.

"I... Just be safe, Taisho," she managed a small smile. His eyes widened for a second before he scoffed.

"Keh! No low-life wolf can hurt me."

Ten minutes later the attack started. Kagome was shooting arrow after arrow, not having time to look after the bandits falling to meet the ground and flailing their limbs in their descent, screaming. Blasts of her reiki infused arrows were taking the flying creatures out of the sky in balls of brilliant pink light.

But it was hard to aim for most of the time, since the whole airship was shaking from the force of the battle on the other side, where Inuyasha was handling his own part of the gang.

That was the reason why she couldn't hit the bird that was much more agile than the rest. It was annoying, since it was bigger than them too. And after a while it was the last one, coming dangerously close to the airship. And it was enraged by the destruction of its flock, readying its talons to tear open the balloon holding Ah-Un suspended in the sky. It didn't care for the wolves, as it shook its riders long ago while dodging one of Kagome's arrows. And the miko had only a few projectiles left...

She bit her bottom lip, desperately trying to predict the bird's movements to send another arrow. It was gaining attitude and she realized it wanted to hide from her behind the bulk of the balloon.

"No!" she yelled and shot her arrow at the spot just above it, managing to purify one of it's wings.

At the same time a yellow burst of youki flew from somewhere above her and decimated the creature before it could do more than shriek.

Kagome gasped and reached for an arrow when a second later a man appeared in the window, not even a foot away from her.

"Good job, Kagome," Inuyasha said as he entered the room via the window and sheathed his huge katana. "Don't screw it up by killing me now."

"Inu... Inuyasha!" Kagome felt her legs go limp and she quickly found a chair to sit on. A wave of relief washed over her and she tried to calm down, letting go of her bow and just looking at her superior.. His hair was even more messy than usual, but he looked unharmed. He probably noticed her assessing him, because he crossed his arms and scowled.

"I told you, no pesky wolf can hurt me. Now, you catch some breath and I'll go report to the lord and bring some coffee," he offered, seeing how pale the girl was. But before he left he gave her another of his rare smiles.

"I hope Miroku gets along with Sango, because I'm keeping you," he announced before going out of the room.

And for some reason Kagome felt a flock of butterflies when she saw him give her a real smile and say those words.