A/N: And here is the new chapter for my readers. It only took a week for the new post so I'm happy. I will try really hard now to update at least once a week from now on. Well on to the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Inuyasha anime or the manga or any of its characters.

Ch.8 Gathering Forces

As Kagome walked back into the castle she couldn't help but wonder about what Jaken had told her, 'He is so loyal to Sesshomaru and he tries to protect him even from his choices. He is a good advisor, he is the one who suggested I would be of help to him and so far I have.'

Kagome continued to walk down the hall so deep in thought that she wasn't paying attention when she turned a corner and ran into something hard falling back and onto the floor.

She shook her head as she looked up to be greeted by Sesshomaru, "How is it that you manage to run into this Sesshomaru so often?"

She got up red as a tomato, "You know I should wonder why you can't just avoid being run into."

"This Sesshomaru does not have to move to accommodate your air headedness."

"Humph, well I was thinking and not paying as much attention to who was in front of me."

"That was obvious, you should wish to be more aware of your surroundings though Kagome. That way you are a harder target to sneak up on for enemies."

"Well thank you for showing me how untrained I am in combat."

"You are welcome and since you are untrained you will be training with Lord Arisugawa's servant every morning starting tomorrow when we return."

"Return from where?"

"We are going to retrieve your friends and allies that will be helping us in the campaign."

"But it's late. Shouldn't we wait until the morning? They would be startled if we dropped in on them as they were sleeping."

"It is not yet dark and my brother is not far from here. We will arrive before they have settled. And it would be better if we gathered them tonight than spend all of tomorrow searching for them when you could be training."

"And about the training, I don't need it. I'm fine with the bow and you said I was mainly going to be healing the wounded."

"I rather you be able to protect yourself in more than one fashion so that there are no surprises. I will not have you get hurt while under my protection."

Kagome couldn't think of anything else to say so she nodded and started towards the room.

"Where are you going?"

"I am going to change into my miko garb and get my bow and arrows then we can go."

He decided he would follow her back to the room then in hopes that she would hurry so they did not spend the entire night traveling.

~*~*~*~

Inuyasha had not had it easy the last two days since Kagome left. On the contrary he had to deal with ten times the amount of complaining that he was used to and it was all almost about him and Kikyo. He tried to explain to them that while they had gone to gather supplies that morning he and Kagome had decided to part. So he asked Kikyo to join them since they needed a priestess and since she was his mate after all.

Kikyo placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, "We should stop for the evening. They will be tired by now and it is near nightfall."

Inuyasha looked up at the sky, she was right the sun had begun to set and he hadn't really noticed. He looked back at the others. Sango was carrying Shippo as Kilala walked at her side between her and Miroku. They looked tired but had not said anything and he knew that they would be hungry.

"Were going to stop and make camp!"

Sango stopped and looked around before finding a spot for her to lay Shippo down. Miroku helped her to lay out the sleeping bags that Kagome had given them and started to set up a fire near them. Inuyasha on the other hand jumped up into the nearest tree to wait for Kikyo since she would be gone for a while to collect a few souls.

After laying Shippo in the sleeping bag Sango helped Miroku make a fire to cook whatever they could find and catch that was nearby. They didn't bother to ask Inuyasha for help since he would not be eating with them and they knew Kikyo to would not need any food.

Once the fire was started Sango grabbed her sword and took Kilala out to find food. Miroku took this time to go and speak with Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, will you not tell me what exactly happened for Lady Kagome to depart so suddenly with your brother?"

"She left that's it, she just left."

"You are sure she did not give any reason? Or even when she may return?"

"No, and even if she did come back I don't care."

"But you are sure that she left with Sesshomaru and that he didn't take her?"

"Ya."

Miroku set his chin on his fist in thought. 'They did talk a rather lot that evening. Perhaps she did go with him willingly.'

Inuyasha then jumped down from the tree alert and sniffing the air.

"What is it?"

"Sesshomaru and Kagome… they are near Sango." With that he took off.

Miroku followed simple so that if anything happened he could be of assistance.

~*~*~*~

Sango had been stalking a big rabbit with some help from Kilala when the rabbit took off suddenly.

"Damn it!" She cursed loudly to herself.

"If you plan to scare the remaining animals you should continue." Sesshomaru said landing with Kagome.

Sango at first was angry at his remark but it all washed away as Kagome ran over to her and gave her a hug.

"Where have you been? Inuyasha said you just left but I didn't believe him. I was so worried."

"I have been helping Lord Sesshomaru. I am sorry I did not say anything. Inuyasha had slapped me and I was so angry that I just left."

"Wait he hit you? The nerve of that bastard!"

"Well I sat him like ten times to make up for it."

"He deserved it."

"So you were looking for food?"

"Ya, we have been traveling all day."

"Well I have some ramen noodles but no meat." She then turned to Sesshomaru and smiled about to ask him if he could possibly catch something since it would be faster.

But he wasn't looking at her. Instead he was looking at the trees to their left. Kagome was about to ask when she sensed Inuyasha. Moments later he came crashing through the forest.

"What the hell do you want?!"

Kagome was about to say 'sit' when she remembered, "Would you like to face him or should I handle it?"

Sesshomaru walked towards his brother. Inuyasha had never seen this happen before so he waited to see what he would do. Then Sesshomaru ran at the hanyou and punched him square in the jaw.

Miroku came into the clearing as this occurred and barely moved as Inuyasha flew past him.

"Sorry have I missed much?" he then gathered himself and looked at Kagome with a smile, "I take it you are well Lady Kagome?"

"Yes, I am doing fine."

"That is good. We were worried about you since you just disappeared."

Kagome shook her head, "If that's what he wants you to believe fine. Anyways where is Shippo?"

Sango looked at Miroku who smiled as he rubbed the back of his head, "I didn't think about him when I came over here to make sure you two ladies were fine."

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Sango could you show us where the camp is?"

Sango nodded as Kilala transformed into her bigger cat demon form so they could mount her.

Miroku then asked, "Can I fit with you ladies? I did just run over here for you?"

Kilala lifted off as Kagome called back, "No stay and make sure Lord Sesshomaru doesn't kill Inuyasha."

Miroku watched as they flew back towards camp before turning to Sesshomaru. The cold demon lord looked at the monk before stating, "This Sesshomaru would not be stopped by you even if I planned to kill the hanyou."

Miroku smiled as he heard Inuyasha cursing as he made his way back to them, "I will just stay out of your way then Lord Sesshomaru."

~*~*~*~

Once they landed Kagome walked over to the sleeping bag to make sure the small boy was ok. She smiled as she looked down at her surrogate son and brushed his hair out of the way.

Sango poured her water pouch out into the small pot on the fire and grabbed a metal spoon to stir in the seasonings from Kagome's bag. As it boiled you could smell the broth in the pot wafting through the air. Kagome sat next to Sango as they waited for the water to boil.

"So how have you been helping Sesshomaru?"

"His lands were taken a few days ago and that little girl who used to be with him was killed. It was Naraku and the southern lord who did it. So I have been helping him with my healing and with my miko powers."

"Oh. And you are here to ask us to also help him then in reclaiming his lands?"

"Yes. We will be facing Naraku in what may hopefully be the last time. There are two other lords who will help us with their allies and armies. I just wanted to know if you guys would also help us."

Sango looked at her long time friend, "Of course we will help you Kagome. That's what we do. If this is the final battle or just another battle against Naraku we will be at your side and help as always."

Kagome smiled and thanked her friend as she stirred in the packages of ramen. Sango then got up and looked behind where Kagome sat. Interested Kagome then too turned to see Kikyo.

The dead priestess had stopped at the edge of the clearing and didn't seem to know what to do so she decided she would leave when Sango had gotten up and seen her. Kagome looked at the still older woman even though now it was only by about two years physically. She then noticed the small satchel at her side that seemed to have something in it.

"Hello Kikyo, come sit with us by the fire."

Kikyo and Sango were stunned at the sweetness in Kagome's voice and even more so at the invitation. Sango turned to Kagome who only smiled reassuringly and motioned again for the other priestess to join them. After a moment or so Kikyo gave in and walked towards the fire sitting opposite her reincarnation.

Kagome stirred the food on the fire before asking, "What's in that bag? I don't recall you carrying it before."

Kikyo looked down at the pack then at the food before answering, "I found a wounded baby pig so I ended its torment and thought to bring it back since the remainder of the group needs food to travel tomorrow."

Kagome nodded, "That was very kind of you. We should cut it up and cook the meat now so that we can add it to the noodles."

Kikyo handed Kagome the bag, "Why are you so kind to me when I took Inuyasha from you?"

Kagome pulled out the piglet and two knives before she and Sango started to carve some of its flesh off to add to the noodles.

"You were lucky to find this. Now you guys will have meat to carry on the journey to Lord Arisugawa's castle."

Kikyo then asked, "Where?"

Kagome looked up, "Well I have been gone helping Lord Sesshomaru and we are going to be battling Naraku soon so I came back to ask for help. Sango and Miroku have agreed to help so they will be making the trip to the Eastern lands so they can prepare for the coming battle."

"Has Inuyasha agreed?"

"No, I don't think he will either because of his dislike for Lord Sesshomaru."

"Could I be of assistance?"

Kagome stared at Kikyo, "You don't have to but yes we can use all the help we can get."

Kikyo then nodded, "Then I too shall help you, Kagome."

Kagome smiled.

"Hmm, what smells so good?" Shippo's small voice came from the sleeping bag.

"It's just ramen with pork once we cook it." Kagome answered her kit.

Shippo then sat up and looked towards her before jumping up and running over, "Mama!"

Kagome caught the little boy and hugged him, "It's good to see you."

"Why didn't you take me with you mama?"

"Because it wasn't safe at the time but now it is so you can go with me."

"Yay!"

Kagome laughed as she put him down. Shippo then eyed the pig, "I could use my fox fire to cook the whole thing real quick mama that way we can all eat."

Kagome and Sango quit cutting and allowed Shippo to pick up the pig and place it on a spit before releasing his fox fire on it. After about two minutes Shippo stopped and took a deep breath.

"All done, now can I have some food?"

The women laughed as Kagome started to serve everyone except for Kikyo. It wasn't too much longer that Inuyasha came grumbling back into camp with a hurt arm and black eye. Accompanying him were Miroku and Sesshomaru.

"So Kagome will your friends be assisting us in the battle?" Sesshomaru asked as he watched her cut the remainder of the boar up and offer it to his brother and the monk.

"Yes they all will."

Sesshomaru was interested but Inuyasha was the one who asked, "What do you mean I'll help? I never said I would do anything of the sort!"

Kikyo then said, "I have offered our services Inuyasha."

He looked at Kikyo and was dumbfounded. She didn't give any further explanation though so he then grumbled as he jumped up into the tree.

Kagome then said, "Well I have eaten now so we can go to find Kouga now."

Sesshomaru stood and waited for the Kagome to do the same. Shippo then downed the last of his third helping and jumped into Kagome's arms as she stood ready to go.

Sesshomaru eyed the kit, "He should stay with them."

"Mama, don't leave me again." Shippo mumbled.

Sesshomaru was even more interested now, "Kit it is better if you allow us to go alone. You will see her in the morning."

Shippo looked at Sesshomaru and nodded as he jumped into Sango's lap.

Kagome then dropped her bag keeping only her bow and quiver, "Sango please hold on to that for me until I see you again."

"I will Kagome. The castle is east of here right?"

"Yes, not even another hour if you fly and Inuyasha ran."

Inuyasha 'feh'ed from the tree but no one noticed.

Kagome then walked to Sesshomaru's side as he picked her up and disappeared.

Miroku then asked, "So will we make the trip now or in the morning?"

Sango looked at him and said, "We should get rest and at dawn go to the Eastern lords castle."

Inuyasha then said down to them, "Like you will wake up at dawn."

Sango brushed off his remark and continued to eat her dinner.

~*~*~*~

A/N: And here you go. I already have the first part of the next chapter done but I need at least 2500 words done before I post it so hopefully I will be done in the next couple of days. If not I will definitely have it done in the next week. Thank you to all who reviewed and to all who will review. You are the people who make me feel like the story is getting heard and that you actually enjoy it. As always read and review.

-Vamp