A/N: Well, this chapter really didn't turn out the way I expected... yeesh, now I've got even more stuff to deal with in this fic... Oh well, hopefully it'll all work out... here's to hoping I can remember everything!

Oh, and I made a brief edit in this chapter and changed the function of the cloak... I don't like what I originally came up with... it just seemed stupid...

-Clouds of the Sky - Lol, well I actually don't really remember what her voice sounded like, but she really was a bit of a slut wasn't she? I guess that's because they were still playing around with the characters and plot back then... Still are for that matter I suppose, but now everyone is much more developed. Hm... Flattery as my downfall... looks around suspiciously That's it, I'm never leaving the house again, and from now on I'm insulting everyone!... Lol, well okay, maybe I'm not ready to put myself in lockdown just yet, but seriously, until we figure out if flattery really is my weakness, we should probably keep this quiet neh? Don't want too many people to know and all that...

-Punk Rock Miko2 - I actually have no idea. I think he was just trying to get Sesshomaru to understand that there were things more important in life than power, and that, even if you have it, power is useless without someone to protect with it. The "path of supreme conquest" would be a lonely one, and he didn't want Sesshomaru to go through that... I don't really know if it had anything to do with Inuyasha at all...

-angelwingz21 - Lol, well thanks! Neither do I!

-Lord Makura - Lol, well I actually don't know if I agree with my own assessment of who their father meant. As I said to Punk Rock Miko2, I think it might just have been a way of trying to explain to Sesshomaru that, even if he achieves "supreme conquest" he will have nothing. Everyone will be afraid of him, or respect him or whatever. And that's all he'll have. Their fear, etc. I think he was trying to tell Sesshomaru that power is useless unless you have a cause for having it... namely, Someone to protect with it. "But maybe I'm giving him too much credit and reading too much into his emotions."

-Ania24 - Lol, I actually don't know if Sess is "over protective" but I do find him to be fairly possessive of what he has, even if he shows it in very subtle manners. And I can imagine why-- after all, he wanted to possess Tetsusaiga, and Inuyasha got it instead. He wanted Sounga, and his father left him Tenseiga. He wanted to battle and kill his father, and instead Inu Taisho gave his life for Izayoi and Inuyasha. And somewhere along the lines, his mother must have died, and then Inu Taisho took another mate. It seems to me that would bring out the more possessive side in a person-- especially since he was already leading a rather lonely life. Lol, still, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! And I did update Subjection, Subjugation just today!

-RamblingPhilosopher - Oh really? There was some big debate a while ago about which was right, and I really couldn't care less, but I've had people bit my head off before for less, so I figured I'd let people know that there was an alternate meaning and I didn't know which was right. -- Yeah, I knew his was supposed to be Toga, but I'm really glad they didn't make it that. It just doesn't sound like a name worthy of him, even with it's meaning (graceful; sophisticated). I mean, think about it, you've got Sesshomaru (Killing Perfection/Destruction of the circle of life), Inuyasha (Dog-Demon) And Toga... C'mon! Anything less than six letters simply won't do! Besides, I keep thinking of greek stuff... -- Lol, well I imagine they were just trying ti develop some characters that would catch people's interest... it was still fairly new around that time, wasn't it? Still, can't help but be glad she's dead. She was trying to steal poor Inuyasha's hair! And, while it might have been nice to see some colour in her collection of black, we can't have her killing poor Inu! -- Thanks! I was actually unsure if the canon would work, but if everybody here is saying it is, then it clearly must have! -- Passover huh... well, all i can really say is be careful you don't get caught!

-Bluer Sky - Yeah, I imagine it will... who knows, I might even pass 100 chapters! ... Okay, woah... I never actually thought about it, but considering how this story is moving along... yeah, I might actually pass 100 chapters... it's a little early on to be saying that I imagine, but still, it is a possibility... o.O

-Wings of Fayth - Really? Huh. Well then, I'll definitely have to check it out sometime!

-Almandine-Azaleea - Lol, really? You don't think he's too emotional/corny/ooc, etc?

-lunerfox - Actually no, I don't know. Thanks for telling me though!

-Sexy Kat - Thanks! -- Hm... I don't think you're going to get anyone's attention that way. I can ask people at the end of these little rants though, and see if we don't get any responses, neh?

-cocoke5 - Lol, well that's fine! It's good to hear from you again though! Thanks though, and, I suppose for the sake of the readers, hopefully they will get the bad guy in the end! It will probably cut out from the angst though... That's never a good thing.

Hey everyone! I got a little question for you all. As I'm sure some of you have noticed, Inuyasha doesn't seem to be airing anymore in some places. So now I want to know if anyone knows when it's coming back on in australia? Or anywhere else you might know about... Thanks! You'll be saving someone's insanity if you help!

Cloak and Dagger

'Do you have everything?' Inuyasha asked softly.

Kagome frowned and looked up.

'Well there isn't that much to bring. Those horses travel very fast don't they? We shouldn't need all that much...' The miko responded, looking at the tattered yellow bag she had once used to lug around books.

Amaya had somehow fixed it up when she returned it to her back in the dungeon, but it had since become very grimy and torn once again.

Still, it was something from the future-- something she was used to handling-- and she enjoyed using it. Especially since she still had to use these old fashioned kimono's.

They gave her a new found respect for Sango and Miroku and most of the other people they had met in their search for the jewel.

'Doesn't hurt to be prepared.' Inuyasha said softly.

Kagome blinked and glanced up at him, but he was facing away from her and she couldn't see what emotions lay behind that statement.

Sighing, she grabbed hold of her bag and slung it over her back, taking her quiver and bow in her other hand.

She turned and had to move her head back slightly as she found herself face to face with a fairly large dagger clutched in a rough, battle-hardened and clawed hand.

Albeit it, it was still sheathed, and the hilt was pointed toward her, but it was still a dagger, and caught her slightly offguard.

Her eyes crossed slightly in the attempt to look at it, and then she frowned and took a small step back so she could look at it.

The sheath was simple enough-- just an ordinary wooden sheath, though it was a strange, deep blue colour-- like the sky just before a storm, or on a moonless night-- with ornate silver leaves twining their way across it.

The hilt was slightly worn and tattered-- like Tetsusaiga was before it transformed-- and looked like it survived through several centuries, yet not used in many battles.

She glanced from the dagger to Inuyasha uncertainly.

'Take it.' The hanyou said, pushing it toward her hands. Kagome's eyes widened slightly in surprise as her fingers wrapped instinctively around the smooth case, feeling it seem to tremble slightly beneath her touch.

She stared down at the dagger, her fingers unconsciously trailing the leaves across it, and then looked up at Inuyasha again. 'Why?' She asked softly, uncertain what else to say.

Inuyasha frowned.

'Arrows are well and good for long distance fighting, Kagome, but you should know by now that if you go up against an enemy that can get close enough to you, there's no time to aim a bow, let alone draw an arrow.' His expression darkened slightly. 'I won't let you go out unprotected like that.'

Kagome blinked again in surprise.

'Yes, but you'll be with me, and you can protect me...' She trailed off.

She had meant that almost as a joke-- just a way to lighten the mood or make him feel better about this whole situation, but, judging by the look on his face, the effects had been completely opposite, and his expression darkened even more as his ears pressed back.

'But I didn't.' He said angrily, his hands clenching slightly as he stared down at her. 'Don't you see? I didn't protect you Kagome? Not any of you! I couldn't stop Naraku from taking you! And I...' He swallowed, looking away and dropping his head slightly so his bangs feel over his eyes. 'I won't let that happen. I won't let him take you away from me. Not again.'

Kagome's mouth opened slightly as she stared at the half-demon, uncertainty welling up within her. Did he really still feel so guilty about what had happened? It wasn't his fault! It couldn't have been helped...

'Inuyasha...' She said softly, but broke off again as he looked back at her, his eyes grim and dark, causing her words to die somewhere between her throat and her lips.

'Take it Kagome.' He said again. 'Please... For me.'

Kagome swallowed thickly and looked down at the dagger again, her fingers resuming their slow exploration.

'Where did it come from?' She asked softly after a moment, if for nothing else then to distract from the current situation.

Inuyasha was silent a moment.

'It was my mother's.' He said softly. Kagome's eyes shot up, but his were cast down, staring at the dagger with a faraway sort of expression.

'It was forged from another of my father's fangs, but not one of the canines. He wanted it to protect my mother, since so many were after her because she was carrying me. It's name is Seiitsu.'

Kagome stared at him a moment, then down at the dagger again. Slowly she gripped the hilt and pulled it out a little ways.

Instantly she felt the power of the gatana pulse through her, seeming to extend itself into her arm as she caught sight of the gleaming moonlight silver of the blade, that was also adorned with a small line of leaves that seemed to run down from the hilt and disappear into the sheath-- likely going all the way to the tip.

The whole blade was gleaming and a bright white aura surrounded it, making it slightly hard to look at it.

Carefully she slid it back into her sheath and looked back up at Inuyasha.

'It's beautiful.' She said slowly.

Inuyasha gave a small nod, then reached around her, and Kagome felt something soft drifting around her shoulders.

Kagome brought a hand up to gently touch the silvery material that was now flowing over her shoulders, gleaming as well with a faint pale aura, though not nearly so bright as the blades.

'What's this?' She asked softly. Inuyasha gave a small shrug.

'A cloak.' He said, earning a frown from her. Taking pity on the human, Inuyasha continued. 'It's not as good as the fire-rat, but it'll work as a shield or armour or something...'

Kagome's eyebrows shot up and threatened to disappear into her hair as she looked up at the half-demon.

Inuyasha just shrugged again, then scowled.

'It's for your own good, ya know? Besides, Amaya suggested that we protect ourselves in whatever ways we can now that Naraku knows we're gone. She's the one who put the spell on that cloak.'

Kagome stared at him a moment more, then nodded her head slowly, and, making sure he noticed, she moved and slipped the dagger into the obi of her kimono so that it could rest in the traditional place next to her hip.

Strangely enough, she felt safer already.

And, if that hadn't made it worth it, then the small, crooked smile Inuyasha offered her certainly would have.

She shyly returned the gesture, fastening the cloak around her shoulders as Inuyasha walked toward the door.

'Where are you going?' She asked with a small frown.

Inuyasha paused and looked back.

'I was going to ask Kazkaen and Arron if they'd be willing to take us to the bone-eaters well.' He said slowly. Kagome's eyes widened slightly again.

'You mean you haven't asked them yet?' She demanded.

Inuyasha tensed slightly, seemed to consider for a moment, then shrugged, turned and opened the door.

'I'll be back soon. Don't wander off or anything.' He said, shutting the door quickly and striding off down the hall before she could respond.

Glossary

Miko - Priestess/Witch (In this case priestess)

Tetsusaiga - Iron Pulverizing Fang (I'm pretty sure that's it's meaning anyway)

Hanyou - Half-Demon

Seiitsu - Purity

Gatana - Dagger. Katana would be sword (but that only applies to one somewhere over 20 inches long)

Kazkaen - Wind Blaze (OC)

Arron - Wild Theory (OC)

A/N: Well that's the chapter. I didn't actually think I'd be getting one out today...

Anyway, for those of you who like AMV's I found a fun one with Inuyasha in it -- http // www . youtube . com / player . swf ? video id yN6OHU8oIkg (Without the spaces) that will hopefully be showing up now. It plays to "Falling for the first time" By Barenaked ladies.

And one that I mentioned earlier, but, because of the lack of spaces, don't think showed up: http // video . freevideoblog . com / player . aspx ? fileid 5A46FDB5-6B2F-4FF2-95EB-9E4EC6AE0FD2 & pl wm -- I don't know if either of these addresses are showing up, but hopefully they are and you can find the video's.

Anyway... Now for the most important part:

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Clouds of the Sky, Punk Rock Miko2, angelwingz21, Lord Makura, Ania24, RaMbLiNgPhIlOsOpHeR (lol, did the name thing again! ), Bluer Sky, Wings Of Fayth, Almandine-Azaleea, Inume-Blue, lunerfox, Sexy Kat, cocoke5

You guys have been completely awesome! Thanks so much!

CMoC - Falling for the first time - Barenaked Ladies ( -- I actually forgot how much I liked this song... hated them for a while!), Brand New World - V6, Numb - Linkin Park (Has anyone heard this song played by TheKen? It's sounds completely different...!), Monteal Calling - Mobile, Middle of Nowhere - Hot Hot Heat, I'm not an Addict - K's Choice, Grip - Every Little Thing, Perfect World - Simple Plan, Crazy - Simple Plan