IV

The next morning found the Tachi and Sesshomaru's own small pack very comfortably sitting around the fire, eating breakfast, except Sesshomaru, who was a few yards off, scanning the area with all of his senses, reaching out with his youki.

Every time Sesshomaru pulsed his youki, which was about every 5 minutes, Kagome would subtly glance up at him. She sat strategically, she'd scan where she felt his eyes didn't. But every now and then, after she'd glance at him, she'd feel his eyes on her.

When she finished eating, she took two cups of tea, which Miroku had graciously brewed and sat next to Sesshomaru, on his right, only half a foot away. She silently held the tea out to him, and he silently accepted it.

"We heard rumor of a jewel powered demon causing trouble in the West. Since it is your territory, I would appreciate if you could lead us through. I know you constantly patrol your lands, so no doubt you know every inch of it, ne?" Kagome said after sipping her tea. She looked at Sesshomaru, only to find him staring at her.

"I do know my lands that well. Why do you do this, Miko?" he asked. Kagome looked at him, confused.

"Do what?"

"All of this. Why gather the Jewel?" he asked, an elegant silver brow raised. A bittersweet smile graced Kagomes lips.

"It's my duty. See, I accidentally shattered the Shikon, and so it is my duty to gather them. Just as it is all of our duty to fight and defeat Naraku." She told him. His expression was stoic as ever, but she could see the curiosity burning just behind the ice-cold facade.

"Why take the kit in as your own?" he asked and Kagome smiled knowingly at him. It unnerved him no less than her response.

"Why take Rin in? Because he needed me, he was a child, all alone in a cruel world, in horrific circumstance and I couldn't leave him. I took him in and he clung to me, as a lost child in need of love and protection would." She said, and the way she looked at him, told him she saw much more of him than anyone else has in a very long time. It made his stomach twist.

"And the monk and taijia?" he asked. Kagome chuckled lightly.

"Destiny, I suppose. Miroku found us, and Sango was a trap set by Naraku. But that's their story to tell." She replied, before taking his empty cup from him and walking back toward the fire. Everything was packed, the children were playing, Sango and Miroku were watching them and patiently waiting for their Alphas.

Kagome stopped in her tracks, seeing everything packed and smiled at her companions. She turned to find Sesshomaru just a few steps behind her, studying everything. Kagome hoisted her yellow backpack on her shoulder, smiling at him.

"Ready?" she asked. But to her surprise, he shook his head.

"Put your sack on Ah Uhn. They will carry it." he said. Kagome looked to the two headed dragon then back to the demon in front of her, shaking her head.

"It's cool. I've carried it for five years, I'm used to it. Besides, it's heavy, and they've got enough to carry, it seems." she answered. For just a split second, Kagome thought she saw a smile cross his face, but it was quickly squashed by his usual stoic expression.

"If it would help, you may ask their permission." he said, turning his head towards them again. Kagome nodded and made her way towards the two headed dragon.

She reached her hand out slowly, and they both leaned their heads in to sniff. They pulled back and sniffed at her face, before blinking at each other and briefly bowing their heads to the miko in front of them.

"May I add my pack here to the load you're carrying, please?" she asked, fingers gently rubbing both muzzles. The twin dragons purred in contentment and nodded at her again.

She smiled, ruffling their manes and strapped her pack to his saddle. Before she moved away, she turned to them again. "Is this alright, or should I move it?" she asked. They chuffed and turned away so she took it as acceptance. She patted their side before rejoining the adults and signalling she was ready. The adults nodded and they took off.

With Sesshomaru and Kagome in the lead, Ah Uhn and the children with Jaken a few paces behind them, and Sango and Miroku taking up the back, they headed west keeping an eye out for any and all danger, and any sign of a shard.