Chapter Two: The Eve of Battle

Gray clouds hung low in the air. The skies threatened snow as thirteen people gathered in a camp scooted closer to a fire to keep warm or fought to erect a tent for some sense of shelter. They were a motley crew, consisting of eight demons, four humans, and one grumpy half-demon. The tension around the camp was thick and nearly tangible, like their misty breath that curled like smoke in the air. Hakkaku kept nervously glancing between Koga, InuYasha, and Sesshomaru, as if half expecting a fight to break out at any second. Ginta frequently cast shy glances at Geist, hoping she would notice him. Jaken grumbled under his breath while Rin and Shippo drew pictures with the crayons Kagome brought from her era. Kagome, Miroku, and Sango fought to assemble the large tent that Kagome was forced to take from home. InuYasha sat deep in thought while petting Kilala. The twins sat cross legged facing each other lost deep in a conversation that no one else could hear, almost unaware of the thick tension. Rin and Shippo giggled between themselves at some private joke. She stood and bowed to Shippo, "Thank you for letting me use your crayons, Shippo." She happily ran around the camp heading for the one person whom she was always happy to see.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she said with her hands behind her back.

Sesshomaru turned to her slowly. Despite his cold demeanor, he was happy to see her as well. "Yes Rin."

She shuffled her feet, feeling a little less confident now that she was face-to-face with her lord. "With the battle tomorrow, my lord, I — uh . . . I made you something. It's for good luck," she slowly pulled a hand out from behind her back to reveal the picture she drew. It was a crayon drawing of Rin and Sesshomaru with Jaken squawking in the background.

"Rin, I do not need luck to destroy Naraku."

Rin looked heartbroken. "You don't like it, my lord?"

"I did not say that."

Rin suddenly launched herself at him and hugged him round the neck. "Be safe tomorrow, Lord Sesshomaru." And as fast as she was there, she was gone. Sesshomaru was stunned. He looked and saw the same expression on other faces. Ginta and Hakkaku looked away, trying to pretend they had not seen a ten-year-old girl hug the demon lord and give him a gift. Koga simply nodded to Sesshomaru as if to say that there was no shame in the girl's concern and affection. Mitsu smiled at the scene before turning back to his sister. When all had turned away, Sesshomaru noticed the drawing was lying in his lap. With a quick flash of golden eyes to note the coast was clear, Sesshomaru folded the paper in quarters and stowed it in the folds of his haori. If only he knew he had missed a pair of brown doe eyes belonging to a seventeen-and-a-half year old priestess.

Kagome smiled to herself and returned to helping Miroku and Sango stake down the tent. I'm glad to see that someone shows concern for him. Jaken is far too proud, and I don't think he's had anyone to be concerned for him since his father died.

"Kagome," Sango said softly.

"Yeah," Kagome said, snapping out of her reverie.

"Only one more stake and we should be done."

"Great! It'll be nice to have some shelter. I just can't believe my mom made me bring this thing along with all those extra blankets! I just said it looked like snow! But, I'm glad she insisted all the same. I wouldn't want anyone left out in the cold."

Miroku brought the mallet down on the last stake repeatedly. He paused to acknowledge Kagome's kindness. "I am glad your mother sent us such fine things. Give her our thanks when you next return home."

"Bah!" exclaimed Jaken, who appeared out of nowhere, "A true demon would never accept help or shelter from a pathetic human!" A fist came crashing down on Jaken's skull before he could continue.

"Speak for yourself, toad!" Koga scolded, "And the next time I hear you insult Kagome or her family, I won't be so generous." Koga turned, took Kagome's tender hands in his rough, clawed ones, and then bowed. "As the lord of the Wolf Demon Tribe, we accept the generosity of Kagome and her clan."

Kagome returned the bow, "You and yours are most welcome," she turned to Sesshomaru next to make a point, "And you three are welcome to join us as well, there are more than enough blankets."

"You too as well," She nodded towards the twins who sat close together. Kagome noted that Geist was staring curiously at Sesshomaru as she often did when she thought no one saw.

Since their small alliance formed a month ago, there has had to be a lot of bending due to a major clash of personalities. The bickering has mainly been caused by Jaken, and has usually ended with Kagome in tears and Koga or Inuyasha (or both) beating Jaken to a pulp. However, tonight Kagome was in for another surprise.

A clawed hand grasped Jaken's bruised head roughly. Sesshomaru glared down at the little imp and lifted him off the ground. Without a single word, Sesshomaru walked off with a pleading Jaken firmly imprisoned in his grip.
Miroku, Sango, Kagome, and the three wolf demons watched as the figures of the demon lord and his underling faded into the surrounding trees.

"What was that about?" Sango asked of no one in particular.

"I'm not sure," Kagome said softly.

"Perhaps the great Lord is in a foul mood," Geist's low voice called.

Sesshomaru did not stop until he knew himself to be well past a dog demon's earshot. He dropped Jaken unceremoniously and strode a few paced beyond the toad. Jaken stood and brushed the dirt and dead leaves from his garments. The toad soon found the point of Tokijin resting upon the tip of his beak.

"My lord!" he shrieked, "What have I done to warrant this?"

"Listen closely, Jaken, for I will say it only once: Cease antagonizing Inuyasha's wench. Despite the fact that she is only human, she has every right as we to fight Naraku. For without her standing with us all, it will be damn near it impossible to defeat Naraku once and for all. It sat not well with me to ally myself with humans, wolf demons, and half-breeds, but unless we unite, all will fall under Naraku's evil. Do you understand me, Jaken?"

Jaken trembled as all that his lord spoke sank into his thick skull. He dropped to his knees and bowed before Sesshomaru, "Aye, milord. I will not upset the girl any further. You have my word."

Sesshomaru sheathed Tokijin and began to walk back to camp, "Very well." Jaken began to follow when Sesshomaru stopped abruptly to say, "And Jaken, as a sign that you have indeed understood the extent of what is at risk, and to calm the little miko, I want for you to apologize to her." He resumed walking, a small smirk playing on his lips at the thought of Jaken's punishment and absolute mortification.

Apologize to a mortal! Oh, the indignity! By, if my lord wills it thus . . . And so, Jaken did not even grunt about the punishment set before him. He scurried along to keep up with his master. Their breath steamed and clouded about them as they traveled back down the path they had taken away from camp. Soon, the fire twinkled in the distance and the tent stood tall amongst the trees. As Sesshomaru drew nearer, he saw Kagome sitting by the campfire with Shippo cuddled on one side and Rin on the other, Geist stood behind them watching over. Everyone else was presumably in the tent. Instinctively, Kagome turned and glanced at the dark robbed woman who's face was darkened under her hood leaving her eyes shining in the dark towards the path. Kagome's eye follows Geist's gaze down the path. She roused the dozing children and stood to greet Sesshomaru. She noted that his eyes cast a brief study of Geist as he sensed the deep chilling aura everyone felt from her. Her aura was as if it was only an imprint of a stronger daunting beast willing itself to burst through the barriers of another realm. Unlike her brother's who's aura was strong and bright like a star, firmly rooted in this world, hers was dark and foreboding but not without an alluring charm.

"Rin insisted on waiting for you. Shippo and I didn't want to leave her alone and Geist insisted on staying to watch over us," she said.

Ignoring the pleasantries, Sesshomaru went straight for Jaken's pride. "Kagome, Jaken has something he wishes to tell you." Geist turned her gaze curiously to the scene before her once again allowing mismatched eyes to drift over Sesshomaru scrutinizing him silently.

Jaken visibly blushed despite his green skin, for he did not expect to apologize in front of witnesses. Rin looked as though Christmas came early. Sesshomaru let the playful, satisfied smirk slip again. Jaken gulped down some of that lofty pride, slowly bowed, and said in an embarrassed, hushed tone, "I apologize for disrespecting you." His voice trailed off. Jaken received a deadly glare from Sesshomaru. He swallowed again and resumed, "And your family." Sesshomaru's eyes said "Go on …" Jaken swallowed all that was left of his pride, "And I graciously accept your hospitality."

"Thank you, Jaken," Kagome returned the bow.

"Rin it's time for you to go in. It is too cold for you out here," Sesshomaru said.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru." The young girl turned to thank Kagome, Geist, and Shippo for keeping her company and then pivoted and followed Sesshomaru into the tent with Jaken in tow. Kagome and Shippo followed the trio. Lastly, Geist followed them in.

The tent was warm due to all the people within its canvas walls. Shippo joined Rin beside the small mountain of blankets provided by Kagome's mother. Rin soon approached Sesshomaru and Jaken bearing three blankets (one large and two small). Kagome chuckled as Jaken stared at his bedding with dismay. Rin grabbed another large blanket to the twins who had already curled up in their dark robes. Mitsu was much larger in stature than his willowy sister so he lay with his back against the wall and had made a space for her to lay beside him.

"Thank you little one," Geist smiled and took the blanket gingerly before spreading her blanket over her little brother. She shook her head as she realized her brother was already asleep.

As they all gathered their blankets and makeshift pillows Inuyasha stood to make an announcement.

"All right everyone. Everything we have all worked for will be ended tomorrow. Be careful, and get some rest. We'll be up before the sun." Everyone nodded.

Inuyasha settled down and pulled Kagome close to him. She smiled softly and gathered Shippo to her, and he snuggled into her warmth. Miroku put his arm around Sango and she did not slap him nor did she call him a lecher. Geist curled up with her brother as he turned over in his slumber to curl against her back. Sesshomaru and Jaken slept a bit closer to Rin. And Koga bid everyone a good night without calling anyone "mutt face" for a change.

They all knew that with the dawn their lives would change forever.