A/N: Sorry this one took so long, I had a whole bunch of versions and none of them seemed right… so I kept redoing it… I'm still not completely satisfied with this, but I said I'd keep to some kind of schedule, and I intend to do just that. I know it isn't quite up to par, so if you see something I can improve on please leave a review and let me know.

(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)

Perfect Imperfection 13

'Mmmmmmm…' Kagome smiled and stretched widely. 'You were right, Khyber, that meditation stuff really does wake you up! I've never been so relaxed this early in the morning before!'

'Tell me about it.' Inuyasha grumbled from his position a few feet ahead. 'Setting yourself on fire and jumping off a cliff is a safer than trying to wake you up.'

Kagome's eyes narrowed dangerously. 'What was that?'

Inuyasha eeped and flattened his ears. 'Um, nothing?'

'Sit, boy.'

Inuyasha slammed face-first into the dirt while the group separated in two and walked around him. He pulled himself up and winced; that hurt!

'So, Khyber, do you happen to know anything about the lands we are traveling towards?' Miroku asked curiously, ignoring the background noise of Inuyasha and Kagome bickering over… something.

'Actually, yes. I stayed in one of the villages once, long ago. It will be interesting to see if anything's changed.'

'Really?' Sango inquired, coming up alongside them. 'What was it like? I heard they have very different customs there, and I wouldn't want to accidentally insult anyone while we're there.'

'If you don't want to insult anyone, it's quite easy to avoid. Don't ask anyone about their lives before they came there. Don't ask personal questions.' She looked at Miroku. 'You would do well to keep your hands to yourself, monk.' She paused. 'And…'

'And?' Sango prompted.

'Well, Inuyasha isn't going to like this,' she said reluctantly. 'In these lands, women have a higher social standing than men. A much higher social standing.'

'Really?' asked Miroku. 'How interesting; normally, the reverse is true. How is that?'

'Well, since women give birth and look after the family, on top of all the regular duties usually performed by men, they are considered stronger, both emotionally and physically. It isn't uncommon to find female warriors, whole clans of them, since the folk around here have found that women have a better temperament for battle and a higher pain threshold. They are the proverbial "source of life", and are highly honored.

'Why would Inuyasha have a problem with that?'

'Havent you noticed how your whole group is set up like a pack? And since Inuyasha is the strongest in a straightforward battle, that would make him the pack leader. As long as we stay in these lands, Inuyasha will have to surrender that position to a female, which goes against his demon nature.'

'Yeah,' Sango agreed. 'I can see why he wouldn't be very happy about that. I mean, he freaks out bad enough when Kouga comes to woo Kagome, but having to hand over his position as alpha and assume a subservient role? He'll be livid!'

'Yep, that he will. On the other hand, he'll quickly learn how to hold his tongue… or he might lose it, depends on who he pisses off.' Khyber replied. 'So, is there any village that we're heading for in particular? Or are we just going to roam around until we hear about some jewel shards?'

'I think it's Dolby village that we're going to first.' Sango replied, noting Khyber's wince at the name, but not saying anything. 'There have been rumors of several jewel shards coming out of that area for awhile now. Why?'

'Um…' Khyber bit her lower lip, looking distinctly uncomfortable. 'Well, let's put it this way; if that particular village is anything like I remember it, you'll soon find out.' She winced and rubbed her left arm, muttering, 'I just hope they don't try to set me on fire again…'

'What was that?' Sango asked, catching the last bit.

'Nothing!' Khyber replied quickly, before turning and noticing that Tetsumi was lagging several yards behind. 'Are you getting tired?'

Tetsumi looked up. 'No, milady. But… my head feels strange.' The young girl was very pale.

'What do you mean strange?' Khyber questioned, her brow furrowed in concern for her young ward. 'Strange how?'

'I don't know. It's like… when you're swimming, and you close your eyes, and you can't tell which way is up anymore.'

'You're probably just tired. After all, it wasn't exactly peaceful last night.' Khyber responded reasonably. 'Here, I'll carry you for awhile and you can rest, okay?'

The child nodded wearily and allowed Khyber to scoop her up and carry her bridal style. The girl curled up and rested her head against Khyber's chest; within moments, she was fast asleep.

(&)(&)(&)(&)

A/N: Don't forget to reveiw, and check out my other stories please!