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 26: Unfinished Business

He watched as she began practicing the kauta he had taught her again. Before departing to face Naraku, the Lord of the Western Lands had informed Kohaku of the terms of their arrangement. In exchange for excusing the reluctant boy from the journey, Lord Sesshomaru had made him vow to provide all that the young girl in his care may need and to train her in the basics of the self-defense. When he had told Rin of his promise she had insisted on starting right away.

Kohaku found that she was a quick learner, only having to be shown the moves two or three times before committing them to memory. This ability impressed him. In just a few short days she had learned what had taken him almost six months. When not practicing she would muse about how proud her Lord would be when she showed him all she had learned. Kohaku would find himself forcing an enthusiastic smile, not wishing to upset her with what he knew to be the most reasonable explanation the powerful youkia Lord had made the insistence.

It took them the better part of a day to correct their course, being forced to walk so that Jakken could avoid getting them lost a second time. They had walked along in relative silence with the exception of Inu Yasha, who felt the need to relieve his irritation with his brother's retainer by mumbling about all the things he would do to the annoying toad if he could.

As they lost the light of the sun at the end of another day, the majority voted to camp for the night. Inu Yasha protested the loss of more time until Kagome gently reminded him of the pleasant perks of a good night's sleep.

"Quite a pathetic little band, aren't they?" Naraku smirked as they watched the weary travelers settle down for the evening. "And they believe that they can defeat me?" The small room filled with evil laughter as the image in Kanna's mirror faded.

Naosu waited for him to calm himself before she continued. "The kitsune is weak, but if you kill him first the miko's power will increase greatly in her grief. Likewise, if you destroy the hanyou. The biggest threat to your victory is the female exterminator and the cursed monk."

"If she contains such potential, it would be best to eliminate the other woman first." Naraku could sense no deception in his guest's words, however, he was not one to take orders, especially from a girl.

"That would not be a wise move." She retorted. "Without the miko there is nothing to hold back the hanyou's full demon blood. In fact, with her loss it would take very little to transform him into a single minded killing machine aimed at whoever took from him what he cherishes most."

Naraku fell silent, contemplating the information she had given him. "And then there is the great Lord Sesshomaru." He mused, once again wishing he had been successful at absorbing the powerful youkia.

"He is tempting, isn't he?" Naosu smiled, recognizing a similar expression of her own in Naraku's eyes. "He will not ally with his brother when the time comes. His hatred for the hanyou will win out."

"And after the battle he will be mine!"

"And the world will bend to your will." A shiver slipped up her spine at the solemn words that had escaped her own lips.

Sango pulled Miroku along by the arm, insisting he needed a bath because he was 'a very dirty boy.' Miroku playfully resisted stating that he 'would be good,' but failing to disguise his lecherous smile. Kagome couldn't help but giggle at their antics.

Sesshomaru sat apart from the rest of the group, irritated at their constant stopping for food and rest. Had he been travelling alone, he told himself, he would have reached his destination in only a couple days and not the week it was currently taking. The young kitsune sat at his feet watching him with large eyes and reminding him of the human child he had left behind.

"What do you want, child?"

"I want to be able to protect Kagome." His little fists clenched at his sides began to shake as he forced himself to hold his ground before the imposing youkia lord. "My father died before he could teach me how to use my demon powers properly and Inu Yasha is a lousy teacher and he's only a half demon, and you're the most powerful demon I know, and –"

"Silence." The kitsune's mouth snapped shut at the command. "Good, you know how to follow orders. Now let us see how you are at following non-verbal commands."

Shippo was unsure of what he meant, but understood that he was to follow as Sesshomaru rose and began walking farther away from camp.

She had been shadowing the group's every move for almost five days, waiting for the right time to make her move. Kikyo looked on from her hiding place as the others left one by one until only Kagome and Inu Yasha remained in her line of sight. "I am not jealous!" She whispered to herself as she watched the disgusting display of the lovers before her.

Kagome giggled as Inu Yasha buried his nose in her neck, "I thought they would never leave." He growled gently, pleased at the excited shiver his warm breath had caused in the little miko.

Feeling mischievous Kagome wriggled her way out of her lover's strong arms. "Just who do you think I am, Inu Yasha?" She scoffed, her hands planted firmly on her hips, a playful smile plastered across her lips.

Inu Yasha pulled his feet tight under his body, making ready to pounce at the teasing wench. "My bitch!" He growled affectionately as he sprung to recapture his prey.

Still giggling, she side-stepped his attack, "Sit boy."

No sooner had the command escaped her lips than Inu Yasha found himself pinned to the ground. "What the hell-"

Kagome continued to giggle, pleased that her little trick had worked. Ignoring his questions and protests, she carefully stepped over him to get the surprise she had stashed away for just such an occasion. As she reached to touch the yellow fabric, her laughter fell silent and her muscles tensed. Inu Yasha sensed the change in the air and tried to turn his head toward Kagome, struggling against the magical force that held him in place.

"Kagome?" He could smell her fear but not what she was afraid of. All he could smell was grass and dirt. 'Wait, that isn't ordinary soil' he realized. It was…

"Kikyo."