Kazou was reporting early in the morning. He wasted no time even bothering to return to his home. He went straight into the lions den. His report was short, he could not bring the Miko in without potentially in danger in his men. The council was in a uproar, but Lord Sesshoumaru had seemed almost expecting this to happen. "The Miko has no intention of coming in peacefully." Sesshomaru had stated it plainly and ended the bickering among the council. The council was made up of noble who represented certain parts of the West. With Inuyasha's disappearance many had thought it fitting to question who would succeed Sesshoumaru if he had passed. So many were stone faced and Lord Sesshoumaru sat in the center. The oldest member of the group addressed him with distaste. "General Kazou... you have remained as General due to Lord Inutaichou's wishes. However if you do not bring the Miko to trial your career will not be the only thing on the line." Kazou inwardly raged, but he kept quiet and bowed deeply. "I will not fail in bringing the Miko in."

"Kazou. You will not return until you bring the Shikon Miko in peacefully." Sesshoumaru had spoken in his usual tone. However what he was implying was that if he failed, Lord Sesshoumaru could not protect him. He and the Lord were not exactly friends. But they had both spent a fair amount of time together growing up. There was some sort of fondness between them. "Use whatever means you must Kazou. You are valued as this Sesshoumaru's General. You are dismissed to your task." Once again he bowed lowly before walking out with his head held high. Kazou did not spend much time lingering around the western palace. Kazou had no family name. He was a orphan that Lord Inutaishou had picked up. He was trained and over the years he became the General of the West.

From what he been told in his youth his mother had been a kitsune that had seduced a Inuyokai soldier. She had intentionally became pregnant with Kazou. Years later in his youth his mother had been murdered and Kazou had become a orphan. He used what magic he could to steal from villages to get by. He didn't hate humans, he just treated them with indifference. One day he had been caught. The villagers had wanted blood. He had prayed to Inari-Sama with all his might. By the grace of Inari-sama Inutaichou had saved him.

Kazou had no lineage or a desire to create one. His kitsune heritage was lost to him. He could not transform or use much of the magic that most of his kind had. In his mind he might as well have just been a simple mutt. All Kazou had wanted was to protect Inutaichou's legacy. Frankly he wanted to join Inuyasha during the final Shikon battle. But he knew that the council would not allow him to do so. They had already managed to Keep Sesshomaru away. Losing his place as General would insure that Kazou would never have a place of power in the west. Gaining a high position key to honoring Inutaichou's last wish. Kazou was deep in through during his travel to catch up with the Miko and her companion. She had traveled all the way to Totosai's Volcano. But when he had arrived, she was no longer there. Why she left he didn't know or care. Kazou was not there to collect intelligence. He was there to track and detain the Miko.

After leaving Totosai's the weather turned for the worst. After days of snow and harsh winds travel was slow. Some days were imply to dangerous to travel. Kagome was in no hurry and had no desire to endanger her pack. The trio had finally made it to Bokuseno. Kagome was relieved, but supplies were at a all time low. In her head she checked the surrounding life forms. Not much game was lingering around in such harsh winter. She would figure it out later. "Bokuseno-sama... " Kagome greeted the old tree with a small tip of the head. "Kagome-sama.. and the child of the infamous Monk and Slayer. I have been expecting you."

"I would like to ask Bokuseno-sama's opinion on what has happened to me... Totosai has claimed I am a earth-bound god. I do not age, I can not die and my flesh regenerates." The old tree hummed and inspecting her form. "The events of the final battle of the Shikon met the certain conditions. These conditions were required for the making of a new god. Whose favor you have gained I am not sure. But you will slowly fade from existence if you do not build a shrine and receive prayers." Kagome's lips were set in a firm line. She had feared as much. "My advice would be that you set up a shrine in the West. I am sure you are welcome in the West."

Kagome did her best not to laugh. She shook her head silently."Laugh if you will Kami-sama. But you will never escape those dogs." That statement felt eerie to both Kagome and Kohaku. "I will consider it as my last option. May I ask you one more favor Bokuseno-sama?" Kagome's mind was buzzing with this new reality. She could not even look to see Kohaku's reaction. "I imagine you need some of my wood." Kagome smiled, her intentions were transparent. "Yes I would be honored if would allow me some for my spear and Tessaiga's sheath." Bokuseno reached out a thick branch with a creaking sound. "Here Kami. Cut swiftly." Kohaku held his sword out to her. "I apologize if it's a bit rough. Swords are not my art." Kagome took it from its sheath and sliced sheath with all her might. "Thank you Bokuseno-sama!" The old tree simply creaked with laughter. "One must give tribute a God. Who knows what good it may bring?" The branch fell limply onto the snow. Kohaku took his sword and sheathed it silently.

Kagome collected the wood and packed in her bag. Something occurred to Kagome. "Bokuseno-sama.. May I give you something? It is not much but if my teeth have value then..-" Kagome pulled her braid of hair from her bag and held it out. "Would this bring you good fortune?" Bokuseno reached for the braid and held it in his bare branches. "Such a valuable thing... It will bring me what every you desire little kami."

"Take refuge in my forest. There is a old den that has abandoned for quite sometime. It's towards the east but large enough for you to spot it. I fear a monstrous snow storm is brewing."

Kagome had said good bye and given thanks. Kohaku remained silent and thoughtful until the reached the Den. It had been dug into the earth deeply and it was like a under ground cave. Kagome had made each of them beds out of furs she had been given. She even had brand new pillows and blankets to use. Maneki was shivering earlier but he had stretched out near the warmth of the fire. The Den was ventilated some how but she wasn't sure how. "You have been really quiet Kohaku. Do you want to go home?" Kohaku simply shook his head. "I have just been thinking about you, Kagome. I'm not sure what to do. I can't follow you if you do not exist." Kagome laughed. It seemed like Kohaku did not trust the word of holy men, but then again Miroku was his father. A lecherous monk with more cunning then most. "I've been promoted from Miko Kagome to Kagome Kami!" She grinned widely. "Don't worry Kohaku. I'm a Kami, I won't disappear so easily." Kagome joked while poking the fire.

Kohaku opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by someone entering the Den. "Ah. So this place has been occupied by the Miko and her companion of all people." Kazou murmuring to himself shedding a layer of wet clothing. It left his upper body bare revealing various scars and tattoos. "Ah so the General had returned! I've been expecting you." Kagome said in a sing song voice that made the General twitch.

Kohaku eyed the Youkai curiously. "You aren't a full Inuyoukai... huh." Kagome had spoken exactly what Kohaku had been thinking. "You are half fox.~" She hummed joyously. Kazou looked at her with a raised brow. This Miko was being friendly. "You know... I have a great fondness for foxes. My son is a fox. My mentor is a Kumiho as well. I call her Unnie as she has asked." The Daiyoukai was unsure why she was sharing this with him. He was also unsure of the steady violet eyes tearing into his being. "Perhaps you are a Kami under Inari-sama. I would not be surprised." The young human had finally spoken in a voice deeper then what Kazou had been expecting. "Inari-sama? I like that!" She grinned and looked in Kazou's emerald eyes. She rested her chin on her knees watching him. "What are you willing to give up for my cooperation Kazou of the West?"

Kazou simply closed his eyes and accepted his fate. "I will risk anything for the sake of returning to the west. If I can not bring you there peacefully I will be banished." The fire was warm and he felt no threat from either of the humans. "Your best bet would be to pray General." Kohaku chimed in lazily. "Kagome has been promoted from Miko to Kami. Prayers are necessary to her existence." At this Kazou blinked curiously. "Pray? To a human..?" This is was becoming a odd day. "I seem merely human because I have little following." Little was known about Kami and Kazou wasn't one to argue.