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She wasn't looking at him anymore. Her attentions had been caught by the swords strapped at his sides, ornaments that he'd seldom wore at home. She was staring at them as if they'd held some special fascination for her.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes, as soon as Tora and my brother gets here."

Kagome didn't know how she felt about that. She was shocked and confused by the sudden stab of pain that shot through her at the sight of the weapons. Was it the thought of him leaving that brought her such distress, or was it the change in his mood from tolerant to impatient, or the vagueness of the explanation that he'd provided her with on his return?" She couldn't tell and it hurt.

"Will you be gone for long?" She asked softly, hoping that he would respond with little more than 'Hn,' giving her enough information to put her mind at ease.

"I am unsure at this point in time when I will be able to return."

Kagome nodded then inhaled deeply by his answer but did not say anything else. Pushing a hand through his hair he turned and started towards the front door.

"Wait!" Kagome called out to him and took a few steps into his direction.

She knew from the flashing, sideways, wary look he gave her that he was not in the best of moods, she also knew that now was not the most appropriate time to approach him with more questions. He would address her when he was ready. But in spite of the discernment she just couldn't stand by and watch him leave. She cared too much and could not do it.

She walked past him and stopped when they were facing each other almost at the half open front door.

"Don't you think you would be better off with something on your feet?" he asked brusquely, taking her by surprise.

"What?"

Kagome looked up at him then down at her bare feet, pale against the deep wine-red of the carpet.

"Where...?" she began, but Sesshomaru ignored her and cut across her indignant question.

"Inuyasha and Tora wait for me beyond this door. I will see you on my return."

As he'd spoken he let his cool gaze slid from her sad eyes to her half parted lips, lingering deliberately on her lips, and for a moment she thought that he might kiss her goodbye. However, the longing in his gaze was replaced by savage determination as soon as Inuyasha called to him.

This time when he turned and walked away she didn't think to stop him. She frowned. Sesshomaru had told her little of what transpired in Osaka. Shippo was no better as he'd only reinforced her mate's responses; that they had a special assignment, and that they could not delay or fail. He had said too much was at stake and that their very existence depended on this mission.

It was still very early in the morning, with nothing to do Kagome went back to bed but couldn't sleep. The large painting on the wall caught her eye; she had never really taken the time to appreciate it. It had seemed rather dull, insignificant English landscapes by painters Sesshomaru seemed to think that she might like.

The boredom persisted, because for the last thirty years she and Sesshomaru had rarely been apart. The children had their own responsibilities and soon would be off to see them get done. How she wished that she was pregnant again, and soon her arms would be filled with another little bundle of joy? She rubbed her middle slowly in longing.

Propped against the scented pillows she was back in her childhood bed, a twelve year old lying rigid and sleepless, hand holding the bed linen firm, then her mother's voice filled her ears.

"Kagome are you feeling well?" Lost in the world of her memories, soon she fell asleep.

sksksk

Sesshomaru and his companions left the palace grounds followed by Jaken who was leading Ah-Un by the reigns, so that Inuyasha would not be left in a disadvantageous situation as both he and Tora could fly.

The smell of minerals in the air was discernible, but overlaid with the heavier scent of sulphur the closer they flew to Mt. Fuji. The higher they soared the harder it was to breathe, as the mountains towered over three thousand feet above sea level, the atmosphere cold and unforgiving.

Sesshomaru paused as they landed in the bush as if to collect his thoughts. It was unnecessary, because his thoughts were already centered on one thing alone, and that was the destruction of the remaining dragon population.

"We should look for the creatures separately; it would make it easier to find them." Sesshomaru advised.

Inuyasha nodded and so did the others as they went their separate ways. Jaken accompanied Inuyasha along with the two headed beast, because he was too scared to search by himself.

The place was deathly quiet and cold, and not a bird or animal was in sight, something strange was going on. Sesshomaru made his way around the mountain and observed deep depressions in the mountain rock. He listened and scented the air for movements and bloodlines. His senses were sharp but the minerals in the air had dimmed them somewhat. It was a slight disadvantage, but he had his eyes and wits about him that were more than adequate.

Directly up ahead there was an almost unbroken stream of steaming mist being blasted from openings in the stony area around the mountains, the geyser gave the area an alien appearance, the earth rumbled as the volcano reacted violently. Sesshomaru approached more cautiously.

The search continued for many hours but each individual could not find one single dragon. It was a little frustrating as they met up again without anything to report. They sat for a while longer seriously contemplating leaving and returning at another time.

Because their senses were dulled by the minerals emitted from the volcano which was acting up. And all the animals and birds had somehow vanished from this place, and to further compound the problem, it was an uncharted territory that they were vaguely familiar with.

Then suddenly they felt it, a cold and dangerous presence that chilled the blood causing the fine hairs on their skin to stand at attention. The light from the sun was temporarily blocked as the creature flew above their heads. They looked up into gleaming eyes with tiny horns around each lid as they were caught unawares.

The flames discharged from the dragon's jaws in an instant whirled as it flew towards them. They hadn't a moment to lose as they dived for cover between the trees, knowing that such an action would be futile, because the fires the dragon emitted would burn and strip anything it touches into ash.

Tora threw his hands in the air as he sought to escape from the heat and fire, forming a curtain of ice over himself and his comrades. The flames impacted with the ice causing ribbons of rainbows to appear all around them. They had about twelve seconds before the ice melted completely, and they would make the most of it.

While the dragon poured down its fury on them, Tora notched a bow, Sesshomaru gestured to him with a slight incline of the head, the tiger acknowledged him by returning the motion. He inhaled sharply, pumping adrenalin through his veins, then dived from beneath the ice and sprung to his feet with the agility of the cat that he was, and let his magical ice arrow fly.

'Whooosh!' was the sound it made as it sailed through the air. When the large beast realized its mistake it was far too late as the arrow was already protruding from its belly. The others made a hasty retreat from under the ice as Tora called out to them. The dragon's frozen body was on a collision course to the very spot that they sheltered.

The battle with the lone dragon alerted the others, and in time two more joined the clash with thundering wings and screeching cries. Sesshomaru flew at one dodging the flames as it spread and expanded coming towards him. One strike alone from Bakusaiga would be all it would take to dispose of his enemy.

With that single minded purpose he flew more rapidly and viciously at the retreating dragon, who sought to lead him into a trap where three more waited. Sesshomaru scented their presence and wondered why they did not mask their scents. He smiled wryly because he knew about the ambush, though his opponent did not know it yet, the element of surprise was lost.

They were amateurs he thought as he gained momentum and raised his sword. The animal screeched violently as the sharp edge of the sword hacked into its back. Slowly it fell from the sky to the ground as the sword's power devoured it from the inside out.

The shadows came alive as three children ran from its confines to the disintegrating form, looking on the horrible scene in front of them as their caregiver writhed and died in agony. None could move as they were numb and inexperienced juveniles watching for the first time as one of their own died in front of them.

Shock widened the Daiyoukai's eyes as he looked upon the unfortunate situation from afar, he was prepared to kill all the remaining dragons, but he hadn't considered the possibility that there might be children involved. The others caught up with him after successfully putting down the other creature. They too observed quietly.

"Sesshomaru, we must do what we came here to do," Tora said almost as a plea as he could sense that his friend was hesitant.

He did not reply to the statement addressed to him, only remaining quiet as he continued to watch the look of sorrow on the dragonlings faces. They knew that they were not alone and were in grave danger, and yet they fail to run or hide. Deep was the grief and loss they felt.

"I cannot kill children," Inuyasha said breaking the silence. "Brother do what you must I should go."

Inuyasha turned away from the scene with a quiet Jaken riding on Ah-Un contemplative of the children's fate. He wasn't a monster, and with half of him being human, he was regretful that the children might not be spared.

He had lived long and had seen what a full bloodied demon was capable of, even if they were mere children. They were young now and to some extent innocent, but they would undoubtedly grow into the hideous and unconscionable beings that they'd just hunted and killed. His head throbbed slightly as he considered what was right and what was wrong. He couldn't tell in this case, he only knew that he would not take part in their deaths.

Long after Inuyasha had left Sesshomaru did not move from the spot he occupied. The irony of it all was that before he had children and to a greater degree before he'd tied himself to Kagome, he would have moved and killed the little ones out of necessity. But now he was not as sure. Maybe with good upbringing and morals they could lead a different life.

But as he considered on these things Tora left his side and approached the dragon children. However, he did not stop him with a gesture or any words of objection. In fact he watched as his old friend severed the heads of the single female and one of the males. He moved to strike down the last one but he ran away wild and scared into his direction and dropped himself at his feet.

"Please spare me, don't let him kill me," the child begged grabbing unto his pant leg.

The emotion that one gesture brought out in him was to protect the child, but he wouldn't. Leaving the child alive now would be unwise. He had just witnessed his clan being murdered by them, if he were to let him live he would grow fostering vengeance for his clan.

Sesshomaru bent, lifted the boy by the collar with his right hand and stared at him, he was very beautiful as all dominant full bloodied demonic children were, while the other hand by his side glowed a distinct green. When the deed was done he carried the child's body back inside the cave and rests it down along with his siblings.

On closer inspection Sesshomaru and Tora found three un-hatched eggs and destroyed them. They did not want this nightmare to ever occur again. When they were done the large cat sealed off the cave with ice that would hold for eternity, because of the high altitude and the cold.

They were both tense as they left the mountains. Each knowing that the deeds done here today were never to be mentioned. It was to be buried into the deepest recesses of their minds and forgotten. He didn't worry about his brother, he knew that he wouldn't say anything.

The unspeakable acts done by both of them left them wary, but it was done out of necessity for the greater good. At least that was what Sesshomaru kept telling himself. The lines between right and wrong were oftentimes blurred, when one seeks to justify an action that they knew deep down into their heart was wrong.