Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine; they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. The following story is for entertainment and not profit.

Chapter 23: The Players

Kagome woke to the crush of strong arms around her and the caress of warm breath on the back of her neck. As the dense fog of sleep began to clear, the events of the previous night shone through. "So it wasn't a dream." She whispered, hoping not to shatter the precious moment.

A contented growl emanated from the waking hanyou pressed against her back, "Mine!" The statement was accompanied by a constricting of the arms that held her, and reminded her of a child with a favourite toy. Kagome let out a playful giggle as she felt him nuzzle into her neck, snorting little kisses of hot air as he went.

"So are you up now?" She asked, leaning her head back to touch his shoulder. She felt him smirk as he shifted his body against her. Kagome's cheeks reddened as she felt his answer. 'Okay, bad choice of words,' she thought.

Jakken had been greatly honoured that his Lord had entrusted him with such an important mission. Sent out with Ah-Un, Lord Sesshomaru had given him until the new moon to find Naraku and return with his report.

"What news do you bring me, Jakken?"

"Mm-Mm-Mn-My Lord," his tongue stumbled over the words as his feet stumbled over themselves, throwing the toad flat on his face before the youkia lord.

In a rush to compose himself, Jakken jumped up leaving his head bowed. "I followed the dead woman's soul collector as you instructed. It led me to a humble shack on a hill. Is My Lord sure that the priestess means not to deceive you?"

Ignoring the irrelevant question, Sesshomaru turned to leave. "Prepare yourself. We leave at dawn."

Kikyo watched them assemble at the edge of the cliff, silently marking her prey. Sesshomaru was the last to land in the grassy field accompanied by his loyal retainer and the strange hanyou female Naraku was so interested in. 'What makes you so important that Naraku would seek to possess you, and Inu Yasha would team up with his brother to protect you?' No sooner had she thought it than she spotted what had to be the reason, a jewel shard. Sitting low in her torso was one of the tiny slivers, the light it emitted unmistakable to anyone who could see it.

'But if that's the only reason,' she thought as she watched them disappear over the trees, heading northward, 'then why does he insist that you be taken alive?'

"Kanna, show me again."

Quickly his reflection faded from the circular mirror and was replaced by an external view of the hut he rested in. As Naraku watched the scene for the third time, a devious glint came into his eye.

Into the mirror stepped a small rode clad youkia with green skin and a staff baring two sleeping heads. He was followed closely by a larger twin headed dragon that seemed uninterested in the toad. It was neither of these two characters that caused the not-so-subtle smirk to crawl across Naraku's face. It was the wisp-like creature that descended and approached his invisible barrier, which intrigued him. A soul collector for the undead woman he had cast aside.

"Is it me you wish to betray miko, or is it those you lead to me that shall taste your deceit?"

She felt small and alone as she stood in the hall looking in at the boy who had been left to protect her. "Kohaku?" She whispered, not wishing to wake him if he was asleep.

"Yes, Rin?" He answered as he rolled over to face the direction of her voice.

"I…can't…sleep." She took a tentative step as she paused after each word, slowly creeping closer to his bed.

He didn't want to admit it, especially not to this child that was looking to him for reassurance, but he was worried about his sister and what Naraku might do to her if he wasn't defeated. "Come here, Rin."

Quickening her pace, she almost ran to his bed side and fell to her knees. "I'm scared for Sesshomaru-sama." She blurted out, tiny tears escaping the corners of the eyes. "I'm afraid he won't come back for me this time." Her voice cracked as the lump in her throat threatened to choke her.

Kohaku sat up to embrace the shivering girl, not sure what he would do if she really began to cry. "There's no reason to worry, Rin, so long as Inu Yasha and Lord Sesshomaru are working together Naraku doesn't stand a chance."

He forced a smile as her hopeful eyes turned towards him. "Thank you, Kohaku." She said, copying his expression. "I feel a bit better now …but I would feel much better if I could stay here with you?"

Kohaku felt his smile become a little more sincere as he lifted the blanket and motioned for her to get in. With a nod of thanks, she crawled under the heavy sheet.

As he lied back down, Rin cuddled into his chest. "I just don't want to be all alone again."

Placing his arm across her small frame, Kohaku tucked his head in beside hers'. 'I'll always be here for you,' he thought as her slow, steady breaths lulled his into a peaceful sleep.