Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha and co. I don't own any of the songs that I put into the story, except on cd's. But I do own Shiori, Miyu-Guardian-mother to Shiori & Koshin Hakogami-snow youkai from modern Japan-father to Shiori, Kil Kai-another snow demon from feudal times & Aisu-female snow demon from feudal times, they are all mine.

AN: " " is speaking, ' ' is thought

And as always, thanks to those who read & enjoy my story. I had 118 hits on my last chapter, making a grand total of 18406 hits to my story! YAY! I'm glad you still like my story. And I love to here from all those that review. . :-) Hope I keep you all interested in this story. Enjoy!

Now on with the show.

Glossary:

youkai-demon

taiyoukai-demon lord

inu-youkai-dog demon

ningen-human

ookami-wolf demon

osuwari-sit

aisu-ice

houshi-monk

hentai-perv

Chapter 32: Bandits and Distractions

The trek began as uneventful and as the day wound down, it seemed it would stay that way. But, it seemed that was not to be the case. It was only a small disturbance, nothing that could not be handled, it was annoying. They group was walking along the road. Inu Yasha and Miroku were walking quietly at the head of the group; Inu Yasha because it was his group and Miroku so he would stand a chance of staying out of trouble. Kagome was walking next to Sango, who had Kirara on her shoulder, and they were talking about some of the things in Kagome's time. Aisu and Kil Kai were walking in companionable silence, fascinated by what they were hearing from the young miko. Rin and Shippou were keeping Jaken busy with questions and pranks, much to his dismay. Ah-Uh followed behind. That just left Sesshomaru and Shiori bringing up the rear. They were quiet, paying attention to the area around them. Both of them were keeping alert to anything that might appear to be after them.

Shiori felt like she did on missions, coiled, tense and ready. She didn't feel like talking, so didn't bother. She was also having to work on ignoring the gorgeous male specimen walking next to her. That, to her annoyance, was proving to be a challenge, one she readily accepted. She noticed her share of men, but she didn't usually notice them on this level. It was annoying and unnerving. But, of course, he seemed to be cool and unaware, which she was grateful for. She turned her attention outward once more, with one last parting thought, what in the hell is going on?

Sesshomaru was having a bit of difficultly himself, though it was not showing. He was concentrating on the surrounding forest, but a part of him was busy thinking about the woman next to him. What was it about this woman that fascinated him so? She was just a hot tempered half breed, who didn't know her place. But, she was interesting to say the least. He mentally shook himself and focused on the surrounding area.

It was getting close to sunset when there was a rustling sound, then a small band of bandits came out of woods. They were a cocky bunch, thinking that this would be an easy robbery. They had with them a large, low level demon on a chain. "Well, well, what have we hear, lads?" the leader shouted. "Looks like an easy haul."

The bandits laughed and hooted.

The Inu-taichi just stood on the road, calm and collected, waiting. They could take them, but they were in no hurry. That is, they weren't until the leader spoke again.

"Now, we have you surrounded. Give us all your valuables and the women. We could use the entertainment," he laughed uproariously.

"I'm afraid," Miroku began, calmly attempting to be the voice of reason, "you will be slightly disappointed if you think that these ladies will provide you any entertainment."

"I'm not asking them, I'm going to make them," the leader answered with the bandits cheering.

"Ah, well, then we will have to just change your mind," Miroku sighed. He felt a hand on his right shoulder and turned to see Shiori was standing next to him. She had no visible expression on her face, but her eyes gave away the irritation she felt.

"I'll take care of this," she said, not taking her eyes off the bandit leader. She appeared to calmly walk up to him, watching as he smirked her way. He was blatantly letting his eyes roam over her. This just pissed her off.

"So, what are you going to do, woman?" the bandit leader asked, leering at her.

Her answer was a hard knee to the groin and when he doubled over, a strong, right upper cut to the jaw. This sent the arrogant leader flying into his men. They all just stood there staring at their unconscious leader, then to the strange woman.

The Inu-taichi just smiled rather coolly at the bandits. Kagome even added, "I don't think you gave it all you had, cousin. If you did, he would have be knocked into the next territory."

Shiori didn't comment, only kept her eyes on those in front of her, her grip steady on the scabbard holding her sword. She was just waiting to see if the bandits were going to be smart and leave, or stupid and try to fight. She didn't have to wait long.

They chose stupid. The bandits tried to rush the Inu-taichi. The group was ready. Shiori took out three with just one swing of her sheathed sword. Then, she was a flurry of movement. The Inu-taichi were defeating the bandits till the one holding the chain of their 'pet' released it. It was a low level boar demon. It had no human form, but it was huge. How the bandits managed to capture and keep one was unknown, but it was a massive force when released. It charged the Inu-taichi, who were able to jump out of it's way.

Rin and Shippou were on the back of Ah-Un still and were taken safely into the air, over the skirmish. The rest were in the thick of it, even Jaken stayed on the ground. It was Rin and Shippou who yelled down a warning about the, now loose, boar demon.

Shiori was in the path of the boar but was unable to jump out of the way. She was almost trampled, when a white blur slammed into her. She ended up on her back with something heavy and solid on top. She turned her head to cough and heard Inu Yasha's yell, "WINDSCAR!" She turned her head to see who had tackled her. She found herself staring into a pair of surprised golden eyes. 'Why does he seem surprised?' she asked herself, 'Why hasn't he moved?' Still watching his eyes, she softly said, "Thanks, Sesshomaru. I owe you one."

He just lay there watching her mouth move as she spoke. He was more than slightly fascinated, though he deeply wanted to deny it. When what she said sunk in, he met her ice blue gaze and nodded his head once. He pushed off her and seemed to be interested in brushing the dirt off his clothing. He was irritated that he had just laid there after getting her out of the path of the pathetic boar. He glanced around and found the beast in bits and bandits running for the hills. 'Well, at least the whelp is good at something,' he thought of his half brother, 'While I was distracted by a mere woman.' He straightened his haori under his breast plate, when another thought struck him, 'An interesting woman who was underneath. . .' he stopped that thought right there. He turned to said woman, irritated, when he heard her voice.

"Cowards, won't fight unless they feel they have the upper hand," Shiori mumbled, while she rolled her shoulders to work the kinks out. She slammed into the ground pretty hard and felt a bit sore. She glanced at the stoic taiyoukai out of the corner of her eye, nodded once, then went to where the others were. Ah-Un landed close by, bringing the children back.

Rin and Shippou jumped off and ran to Shiori. "Are you okay," Rin asked, a little worried.

Shiori smiled at the pair. "Yeah, I'm fine. Nothing liked getting tackled to keep one from being run over." She then walked over to where Kagome was. "So, are we having fun yet?"

"Loads," Kagome mumbled, watching Inu Yasha curse a blue streak. He was livid, not only for the boar almost trampling Kagome after it missed Shiori, but also because the bandits thought they could take his Kagome away from him. "But, I think everyone is in one piece. How about you?"

"Oh, I'll live. I think we need to someplace to camp and maybe find a nice hot spring. I could use the soak."

Kagome began to worry about her cousin. "Is your leg bothering you?"

Shiori shrugged, the group was ready to head out again. "Yeah, a little. Nothing a soak won't fix."

"I could use a bath myself," Aisu added, shaking dust from her hair. "Plus, I am not too fond of traveling on the ground."

"We could try finding a place from the air," Kil Kai suggested, a little dust covered, the boar kicked up a bit of dust while charging. Inu Yasha's wind scar added to the dust.

"Is that what everyone else wants to do?" Inu Yasha asked, and getting approving nods from everyone, well except Sesshomaru, but he didn't really expect an answer from him either way. "Fine, let's get going. Kagome." He walked up to Kagome and turned around so she could get on his back. He couldn't fly, but he could keep up with them and he wanted to carry Kagome. They were mates after all.

Kil Kai and Aisu flexed their wings and took to the air above the tree line, waiting for the others. Ah-Un joined them with the children and Jaken. Kirara was next, carrying Sango and Miroku. Shiori changed forms and flexed her wings before taking to the air. She was followed by the ever stoic Sesshomaru on his youki cloud. Inu Yasha and Kagome landed on the tree tops and the group was off. Heading northeast, where the mountain, earthly home of the Sun Goddess was.

Sorry for the short chapter, me and the cast are having issues. lol But, I want to keep working it and get this updated sooner. So please bare with this poor writer. batting, big brown eyes

I would like to thank my wonderful editor, ninjawarrior4life, my bro. glad you like it.

And thanks to everyone who has been reading this story from the beginning when I first started posting it. And to those who read and like it.

THX to all my readers.