MC: Hey guys! I'm sorry for the late update, school started in August, and I really haven't had time for much of anything since. I'm hoping I can get another chapter out, or at least get on a schedule now that everything has settled down again.

Thank you guys so much for your support! Even though I haven't gotten many reviews (for those who have, a BIG thank you to you!) everytime I check my email, I see where someone has added this story to their favorites.

Again, thank you guys so much. Now, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Mulan, or anything of the sort!

Chapter Thirteen

Kagome stared openly at the destruction before her, her eyes watering slightly from the smell of burnt flesh and blood. The other troops around her were just as stunned, some having to turn away from the sight, others puking right where they stood. She felt Myoga rustling around in her hair to jump onto her shoulder, his eyes just as wide as hers.

"Oh my…"

"What do you think happened here?" Kagome asked softly, placing her hand on the hilt of her sword before slowly moving forward. Myoga just shook his head slowly, taking in the burning buildings in awe. "I honestly don't know. This is like nothing I have ever seen before."

As they entered the village, Kagome tied a handkerchief over her mouth and nose, her eyes squinting through the smoke. Her gaze traveled along the piles of rubble, looking for anyone who might still be alive. There was a rustle of movement, and Kagome glanced over, blinking when something caught her eye. "Hello?"

The rustling stilled, yet Kagome began to creep toward it, her eyes trained on the area where she saw movement.

Then she saw it - a small, glossy brown eyes peaking at her from underneath a beam.

"Survivor…" Kagome said, disbelief in her voice. As the eye blinked at her, her heart began to race, her voice growing as she raced over to dig through the pile. "A survivor! I found a survivor, someone, anyone!"

Several soldiers suddenly appeared next to her, all talking at the same time as several pairs of hands began digging through the sooty pile. As soon as an there was an opening, Kagome slipped through, her blue eyes meeting wide, scared brown.

"Shh, it's okay." Kagome cooed, moving to sit on her haunches as she watched the small child cautiously. It was a little girl, no older than five, with dark brown hair and large, brown eyes. She was dressed in a torn, orange and white checkered kimono, which was smeared in brown dirt and what looked to be dried blood.

The girl whimpered, and Kagome's heart tightened painfully at the sound. "Shh, sweetie, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."

"Souta, who is it?" Someone called through the hole, and Kagome frowned when the girl jumped. "It's a little girl! I don't think she's hurt, I think she's just scared!"

"Step back!" Sango's commanding voice filtered through, and Kagome looked up to see her friend looking at her through the opening. "Kag…uhh - Souta! See if she's hurt, then let me know!"

"It's okay sweetie, I promise we're not here to hurt you. Are you hurt?"

The girl just stared at her in response, causing her to sigh. "Myoga, what do I do?"

"Try to approach her - there's nowhere to run." Myoga whispered. Kagome nodded once before sliding down to her hand and knees, locking eyes with the girl. "I'm going to crawl over to you now, okay? I promise I won't hurt you."

Again, the girl just stared, eyes widening even more as Kagome began to slowly crawl over to her, whispering softly in hopes to calm her down. "Shh, shh, it's alright sweetie. My name is Kagome, can you tell me yours?"

The girl blinked, gulping before slowly opening her mouth. Kagome stilled, leaning forward with wide, hopeful eyes as the girl mouthed something to her. "I'm sorry, sweetie, can you repeat that?"

The girl mouthed to her slowly once more before her mouth clicked shut. As her eyes began to water, Kagome quickly crawled to her, stopping right before her and sitting once more on her haunches with her arms open. There was no hesitation as the girl dove into her arms, her small body shaking with quiet sobs.

"Shh, it's okay." Kagome cooed softly, hugging the girl to her as she ran her hands over her hair. "It's okay, I have you, you're safe now."

"Souta, are you still alive down there?!"

"Come on, sweetie, let's get some fresh air." Kagome sighed, securing the girl before slowly moving back towards the opening.

...

"What if he suffocates?"

"Should someone go down there with him?"

"I have some rice I can throw down there!"

"Guys, really, be quiet!" Sango hissed, turning to glare at the group before kneeling once more in front of the hole. "Souta, are you still alive down there?!" She called, trying to peer through the darkness below.

There was a rustling noise, and Sango leaned forward, gasping when the face of the little girl suddenly appeared. "Souta?"

The group suddenly began moving as Sango reached for the little girl, securing her in her hold as some of the troops went forward to help Kagome out of the hole.

"Dude, don't scare us like that!"

"Way to go, Souta, you saved someone!"

"Guys, stop crowding him!" Miroku called over the noise, pushing his way through the ring of soldiers. "Souta, come with me - the Captain wants to speak with you."

Kagome's eyes widened frantically, "But, the girl - "

"She's fine with me, I'll go clean her up." Sango said reassuringly, smiling at her before sweeping off towards the infirmary wagon. Kagome just sighed, taking Miroku's offered hand and allowing herself to be pulled up and lead towards the hastily-made captain's tent on outskirts of the village.

...

"WHAT?!"

Kagura flinched, her ruby-red eyes downcast as Naraku hovered over her, his own mahogany eyes glaring. "You mean to tell me there was a survivor?!"

"It was just a child, Naraku." Kagura hissed, her own glare matching his. "So what if they missed one child, it's not like it can speak! It's mute!"

"And you know this because…"

"I was there!"

There was a loud smack, and Kagura fell ungracefully to the floor, clutching her stinging cheek. "Don't get smart with me, witch. Now, this little rag-tag troupe of InuTashio's is really grating my nerves."

"Sire, we tried our best to make conditions unfavorable, but they completely missed our trap." A nearby voice said, causing Naraku to spin on the newcomer. "And, pray tell, why?"

The figure shrugged, ignoring his soft growl or irritation, "Because Lord Sesshoumaru is leading them."

Rolling his eyes, Naraku plopped down into a nearby chair. "I'm surrounded by idiots!"

"What should we do, milord?"

"Attack them, what else?!"

...

"What do you mean I'm suspended?!"

"You went into a dangerous area without my consent."

"What?! What was I supposed to do, let the poor thing stay down there?!"

"The child is not yours."

"So?!"

"Umm, may I interrupt, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Miroku sighed at the glare his captain gave him before turning towards the red-faced soldier, "Souta, Sesshoumaru-sama was just concerned for your safety. That rubble could've collapsed - "

"But it wasn't even - "

"Or worse, it could've been a trap."

Kagome bit her tongue to keep from letting out the frustrated scream that bubbled in her throat, and instead chose to glare at the floor. Miroku sighed once more, turning towards Sesshoumaru before bowing. "I apologize for the interruption milord. What shall his punishment be?"

Kagome's head snapped up, her eyes widened as they locked onto Sesshoumaru's impassive face. "P-Punishment?! What, I don't even -"

"Babysitting."

Miroku and Kagome both froze, staring straight at Sesshoumaru in surprise as he slowly sat down at his small, make-shift desk. Clearing his throat, Miroku took a step forward, "I'm sorry, Captain, you said what?"

"I will not repeat myself, Houshi." Sesshoumaru murmured, shuffling through the papers in front of him. "Higurashi saved the child, and therefore, should take care of it."

"But I -"

"This is final." Sesshoumaru interrupted harshly, his golden eyes piercing though Kagome's blue ones before once more looking down at the papers in his hands. Taking a deep breath, Kagome bent forward slightly in what she hoped looked like a bow before spinning on her heel and stomping out of the tent, Miroku quickly following.

"Milord, are you sure that was a good idea?"

Sesshoumaru glanced up, and seeing Sango, merely sighed. "I want you to assist him. He is relieved of all other duties except for the care and guidance of the child."

Nodding, Sango turned, moving towards the exit. As she moved the curtain aside, she stopped, glancing once more at Sesshoumaru over her shoulder. "She looks a lot like her."

Sesshoumaru froze, quickly looking back up at Sango, only to see the curtain settling back into place.

...

MC: Please R&R!