MC: Hey guys, wuddup? Yes, I'm alive, I apologize for keeping you waiting. Buuuttt, it's getting close you guys, and even though it took a while to get all the characters introduced, the ball is getting nudged. I know this chapter seems a little scattered, but I'm just trying to focus on cranking these out as fast as possible before school completely swallows me.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Twelve

Kagome trudged towards the breakfast area the next morning, her mood dark as she plopped down onto a bench a bit a ways from the other troops. Myoga wriggled out of her sloppy bun, hiding in the shadow of her rice bowl as he looked up at her in worry. "Kagome, is everything okay? You've been acting weird all morning."

"I'm fine." Kagome muttered, forcefully stabbing the pile of rice with her chopsticks. "I just didn't sleep well."

Myoga sighed. He knew; all night she had been tossing and turning from nightmares, causing Shippo and himself to have to sleep outside to keep from being rolled on. He leaned against the side of the bowl, thankful for the warmth in the cool morning. "I'll be here when you're ready to talk about it."

Kagome just frowned deeper, her blue eyes flashing with irritation as she leaned back from her rice. "Hmph."

"Attention, troops!" Miroku called cheerily over the loud chatter, smiling broadly when all when silent. "We leave in a hour! Make sure you pack everything you brought with you. If you have a horse, you may pack everything on it, but we may need some extra horses to pull some wagons for us. If you do not have a horse, please report to Sango, she'll tell you where to put your stuff. Thank you, and have a wonderful morning!"

"He seems to be in a good mood." Myoga commented idly, eyes widening at Kagome's snort. "He's too happy. Chipper mother –"

"Kagome!" Myoga hissed, eyes narrowing as all six hands clenched into fists. "I understand you had a bad night's sleep, and you're in an irritable mood this morning, but could you please at least try to be civil this morning?!"

Kagome blinked, slightly taken aback at Myoga's outburst. Shoulders sagging, she looked down at her lap. "I'm sorry, Myoga. I just had nightmare's of my father and brother last night."

"It's fine, Kagome, all is forgiven. Let's just head back to the tent and start packing."

Nodding, Kagome waited for Myoga to settle back in her hair before standing to put away her empty bowl. As she passed a group of rambunctious soldiers, one of them, Hojo, looked up at her as she passed, a look of shock on his face. "Yo, Higurashi! Rough night?"

"Just keep walking, Kagome." Myoga whispered in her ear. "Don't let them rile you."

"Nah, just couldn't sleep well." Kagome answered softly, moving to walk away, but was stopped when Hojo grabbed her forearm. "Hold on just a minute. We're sitting here discussing women, and wanted to know what your sister is like."

"Why? Don't any of you have sisters?" Kagome asked suspiciously, crossing her arms over her chest. They all looked at one another, the one across from Hojo shrugging at her. "Nah, not really. I have a brother, but he might as well be a girl."

"Are you talking about Jakotsu?" Another guy next to Hojo asked with a grimace. "Bankotsu, I would just disown him."

"Wait, Jakotsu?" Kagome asked, blushing a little when the one named Bankotsu looked at her oddly. "Uh, m-my sister is friends with him."

"Seriously?"

"Umm…yeah, Kagome talks about him all the time. I think he's courting her or something." Kagome bit down on her tongue to keep from laughing at Bankotsu's shocked expression. Serves him right, talking about his own brother like that!

"Holy hell, that's rich!" Another guy snorted, causing the other guys, minus Bankotsu, to laugh. "He's a great actor! That must be how he gets in good with all those women!"

Bankotsu's face paled, his blue eyes widening slightly as he looked up at Kagome. "A-Are you sure?"

"Umm…that's what he told Grandpa." Kagome frowned slightly, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Is that a problem that he's courting my sister?"

"N-no…I gotta go." Bankotsu suddenly muttered, bolting away from the table, leaving the group of guys to stare after him.

"Huh, wonder what's got him." Hojo mused, before glancing back up at Kagome with a sigh. "Well, damn. I was hoping your sister would be available."

"Well, she's not." Kagome answered snippily, smirking inwardly at Hojo's shock. "Gotta go, I need to pack."

"Later, dude." Hojo half-waved, and Kagome nodded before jogging off in the direction of her tent.

"Did you see that Bankotsu guy's reaction when you told him Jakotsu was courting you?" Myoga asked in a hushed tone as Kagome slowed to a brisk walk. "Is it true?"

"Nah, I just told him that to hopefully get him off his back." Kagome whispered back, a small frown marring her features. "I don't understand his reaction, though. He was one of the main ones that teased Jakotsu about being gay, you would think he'd be happy to know that his adopted brother is actually courting a woman."

"…Wait, Jakotsu's adopted?" Myoga asked, surprise lacing his tone. Kagome nodded slightly, careful not to shake him off her of her head. "Yeah, all of his brother's are. Technically, they aren't really adopted, but his parents sort of took in and cared for the orphan's from the nearby villages that were pillaged by Naraku years ago." She paused as they passed a group of soldiers meditating with Miroku, waiting until they were around the back of the camp before continuing, "Why are you so interested?"

"I'm not sure…it just struck my interest." Myoga sighed, rubbing a small hand on his head. "I don't think that will be the last we see or hear of that Bankotsu fellow, however. I'm sure he's bound to seek you out soon - whether it'll be good or bad, we'll see."

"Anything to report?"

"Everything is going smoothly, milord. Lord Taisho has sent out his youngest son's troop to meet the eldest at the village beneath the mountain pass. They were successful in holding off our decoys while the traps were set, so now all we have to do it wait."

Naraku smirked, his mahogany eyes flashing red as he glanced at the cloaked figure kneeling in front of him. "Perfect. You've done well so far, my dear. You are aware of what you have to do now?"

Brown eyes rose to meet red, a smirk forming on the pale woman's face. "Yes, master."

"Good. Go forth, Kikyo, and be triumphant."

I'm so tired! Kagome thought bitterly, fighting to keep from leaning against Buyo to rest. After they had left for camp, they had traveled almost non-stop, only stopping once to water and feed the horses and troops. Sighing, Kagome glanced forward, watching as Miroku got punched, once again, by an irritated Sango for feeling her up. It was funny the first few times, but after a whole day of walking, Kagome wanted to punch him herself.

Suddenly there was a loud boom, and Kagome stiffened as the small weapons cart Buyo was pulling caught on fire, causing Buyo to rear up and whinny loudly. Quickly grabbing the reins, Kagome tried to calm him down as a few soldiers helped put the fire out.

Sesshoumaru suddenly appeared next to her, startling her as he glared down at her. "What happened?"

"I-I don't know, Captain, I was just - "

"You were just not paying attention." Sesshoumaru growled, his amber eyes flashing dangerously as he leaned a little closer to her, his voice low, "Are you wanting to give away our position, Higurashi?"

"N-No sir." Kagome nearly squeaked, eyes widening when she noticed how close he was to her face. Is he…no, he can't, could he?!

Straightening up suddenly, Sesshoumaru shot her one last glare before looking at Miroku, who instantly cringed. "Stay back here with Higurashi. Apparently he needs a babysitter."

Feeling her face heat up in embarrassment, Kagome ignored the sympathetic looks the other soldiers were giving her before begrudgingly hooking Buyo back up to the cart. Something caught her attention from the corner of her eye, but she ignored it, instead choosing to glare at Sesshoumaru as he signaled for them to move on.

Kagome was still fuming a few hours later, her hand gripping Buyo's lead so tight her knuckles were turning white. Miroku, who was walking with an almost cheery gait, glanced at her, smiling softly. "You know, Captain Taisho means well."

"What, by not even giving me a chance to explain?" Kagome hissed, glaring at the back of Sesshoumaru's head. "I don't need a babysitter, I was paying attention."

"Cheer up, Souta, just think of something else."

Kagome glanced at him, one eyebrow raised in question. Miroku wriggled his eyebrows, nodding towards the front where Sango was walking beside her cream-colored mare. "Isn't she a beauty? I can't wait until this war is over. I'm going to claim that, if you know what I mean." He nudged Kagome in the side, making her blanch. "What, there's something wrong with her?"

"No," Kagome started, then, noticing the frown on Miroku's face, backpeddled, "well, when I mean 'no', I mean it in a good way. I just don't see her that way, she's just a friend. Plus, she's yours.

A large smile broke out of Miroku's face, and he patted her shoulder roughly. "I'm assuming you have a special lady friend back home?"

"Umm…no?"

"WHAT?!" Miroku exclaimed suddenly, causing Kagome to jump. A few soldiers nearby, including Hojo and Bankotsu, heard Miroku's outburst, and ambled over to them.

"What are you screeching about, Miroku?" Bankotsu asked gruffly, scratching at the stubble that was beginning to grow on his chin. Miroku sighed in exasperation, frowning. "Souta doesn't have a girl yet!"

"Are you kidding me?" Hojo asked, his eyes widening. "Dude, we have to find you one."

"No thanks, I'm perfectly capable in finding my own significant other." Kagome replied haughtily, earning laughter from the others.

"Your 'significant other'? Geez, you sound like such a prude, Higurashi. When we get to the village, we'll find you a nice woman to roll around with."

"Wait, what?" Kagome nearly squeaked, her eyes widening as Hojo and Miroku high-fived. "I-I don't think the Captain would approve -"

"What makes you think he cares? He leaves us to our own devices." Hojo waved at her nonchalantly, winking. "Plus, we all have a theory that Sesshoumaru-sama has a special lady friend waiting for him at the village anyway."

Sesshoumaru has a special lady friend? Kagome thought sullenly, before mentally slapping herself. Get it together, Higurashi, you're supposed to be a man! Well...sort of. Kagome sighed, halting her trail of thought. Even if I was actually being Kagome, Sesshoumaru wouldn't really want me...would he?

MC: That's it for this chapter. Now time go to write the next!