Chapter 2

She knew that she not be able to take a bath in piece if she went now. After changing clothing Kagome had gone to bed alongside her two dragon protectors. However that next morning, before the sun was up, Kagome had been woken up hours before her daily chores began so that she and the two dragons she had yet to clean to wash up. Just as they reached the hidden lake began the castle, Kagome got off of the dark, ice blue colored dragon and looked around before she said, "You guys better make this quick. I don't have time to be running late today."

'You need a break…just relax here with us.'

'We'll be leaving soon any way, we have new orders and we'll be gone for some days.'

"I know, I heard, that's why I want you two to be very careful." Kagome stated as she began to undress. "I also want you two to protect the two miko's that will be riding with you two."

'We will.'

'If it's your wish, then we'll do what you wish of us…you know that.'

"I know…now Dante get in first…I know who you take the quickest baths and quite frankly I don't want the water that hot." Kagome stated as she watched the flaming red dragons walk toward the water.

He was a very rare dragon just as the dragon of ice was. Although may had heard stories from before miko country was destroyed, in truth, not all dragons were able to breathe fire like most humans had stated. In truth a common dragon was a dark brown color will long sharp claws and jaws. Their main ability was speed and that was it. As she watched the dragon slowly heat the cold lake water up, Kagome turned to the ice dragon and said, "That goes for you too…I don't want to get sick."

'Why would I risk that?'

Once the water was a level that she could handle, Kagome jumped into the water and made her way to the relaxing dragon to start washing him. Once she had cleaned all the places he could not reach, Kagome pulled away and began to wash herself. Knowing that she had to finish this soon, Kagome turned to the ice dragon and said, "Hurry up Helios, I don't have all day."

'Don't get her sick.' Dante growled.

'I won't…hot head.' He growled back.

After doing the same for her other friend, Kagome quickly climbed out of the water and looked up to the rising sun. Once she had covered herself up with the cloth that she was going to sue to dry herself off, Kagome turned to the two and said, "Hurry up and go back to your stables, I'll see you when I go feed you."

'Don't get hurt.' Dante stated as he began to leave through the clearing that led to the back of their stable.

'Make sure that wolf stays away from you.' Helios growled in anger before he followed suit.

Once they were gone, Kagome smiled and quickly began to get dressed. Just as she had finished getting dressed, Kagome walked over to the lake and reached for the three dragon scales that were left behind. Just as she was reached for the last one, Kagome was scared back into the lake when she heard a male's voice ask, "What are you doing here? How did you know this place was here?"

After reaching the surface of the lake, Kagome looked around for the person of that had scared her only to hiss, "Damn it Inuyasha, I'm going to get sick now."

"That's not the point wench, how did you find this place?" he growled.

"I've always known it was here…this is where I take a bath…it's the only place where I can without…" Kagome began to say only to turn to face him and ask, "How long have you been there?"

"I was on my way to eat when I picked up on your scent by my place…how did you find it?" Inuyasha answered.

"I found it when Sango and Miroku first started seeing each other, when I was left alone." Kagome whispered knowing that he could hear her.

"Feh, just don't tell anyone." Inuyasha stated as he looked at her funny. "And what did you mean by it's the only place where you can what?"

"Just forget about it, I'm running late anyway. If you really want to know then meet me here tonight." Kagome said as she looked down and into the water. "I have to come and look for something at the bottom of the lake anyway."

"Feh, if anyone tells you anything let me know." Inuyasha stated before he took off.

After running back to her room, Kagome changed into some dry clothing and ran out only to be met by a worried Sango. With a smile on her face, Kagome looked at Sango and asked, "What's wrong? You look worried."

"I am, your usually the first one up, are you feeling alright?" Sango asked.

"I'm fine; it just took me a little bit to get out of bed this morning." Kagome stated.

"The last time you said that I found out that you were hurt and that you had to wrap your wounds on your own." Sango hissed. "Now tell me."

"I'm feeling fine so far, I really did just have a hard time getting out of bed this morning." Kagome explained.

"Fine, come on, I saved you some food." Sango said with a smile on her face.

"Alright, thanks." Kagome said as she followed behind her friend.

"Wait don't you have to train the new dragon rider?" Kagome asked.

"She had to go back, her grandfather got sick and she needs to go see if they will appoint her as the next leader." Sango explained.

"Kagome, ye are late?" Kaede was heard.

"Yeah, I'm sorry but I just had trouble getting up this morning." Kagome answered.

"Are you feeling alright?" Kaede asked.

"Yes for the last time." Kagome snapped.

She knew that they were just worried; they had every right to worry. When she was a child if she wasn't up on time that would usually mean that she was very sick? She had been sick for most of her child hood and knew that if she pushed herself to much than she would get sick again. But it wasn't until she was fifteen that she realized why she was so sick most of the time, she was away from one more of her dragons, and that dragon was being locked up and ignored.

"Ye should be careful child." Kaede warned.

"I know, I'm sorry but this time I really am fine." Kagome sighed.

"Did you need her for something Kaede?" Sango asked, "She hasn't eaten anything yet."

"I came to tell ye that I need ye to go and look for some herbs." Kaede stated, "When ye is done go and collect some herbs."

"I'll take them to you as soon as I can." Kagome answered.

"Alright, well I have to go and make sure that everything is alright with Ayame's dragon." Sango said.

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked in a worried voice. "Did she get sick?"

"No, but she won't eat unless Ayame is close enough to sense." Sango answered in a worried tone. "And we don't know how long Ayame is going to take."

"I'll do it; I'm in charge of that any way." Kagome said as she turned around to make her way to the stables.

"You need to eat." Sango hissed.

"And I will, once I've made sure that the dragon eats." Kagome stated back.

"I'll leave your food with Kaede then." Sango stated in a defeated voice.

"Thanks see you." Kagome said as she made her way to the dragons stable.

He walked into the room and made his way straight to his seat. By him was his brother and by his brother was his father. He had been told he had to start attending the meeting with his father so that he would start to get some field and knowledge in how to handle some of the economic problems their country was have. Just as he took his seat, Inuyasha let out a low growl when he heard his brother say, "You are late little brother."

"I had some matters to attend to." Inuyasha stated formally. "Shall we being father?" Although he didn't like the thought have having to run the lands when it was his brother that already met all the qualifications to be the next king of demon country that did not mean that he didn't know how to present himself or how to deal with the men that over looked the villages.

"What is it that you have to report to us?" Inutaisho was heard.

"The two miko's have already been sent to make sure that Naraku has not been trying to send spies to our outer villages." He spoke. "They are to return within five days and they will report directly to me."

"Did they go alone?" Sesshomaru asked, "I don't think I would be good if they were attack."

"We had no men that were willingly or capable of going with the two miko's and their dragons." He answered.

"What will you do if they are captured or attack?" Inutaisho asked.

"Although we had no men to accompany them, all of the guards in the nearby villages have been informed to keep watch over them."

"What about the problems here in our village, have the crop problems been solved?" Inuyasha asked.

"My good prince, the poor suffer because they do not work, you must not worry about them." He answered.

"It matters to me, or do you just not care?" Inuyasha growled.

"Enough, my son shall hence forth take care of the poor within the village, you will do your job and take care of the miko's that have gone to make sure that Naraku has not entered our lands." Inutaisho ordered.

"Alone?" Inuyasha asked.

"No, Sesshomaru is to help you. That is all, you all may leave." Inutaisho ordered as he turned to face his mate.

"You were suppose to go eat first." Izayoi hissed.

"I know, but this was rather important." Inutaisho stated.

"Mother." Sesshomaru greeted.

"Hello mother." Inuyasha added.

"Well I'm glad to see that you two are getting along, Sesshomaru dear, Rin is looking for you." Izayoi stated.

Not having to be told twice, Sesshomaru excused himself and made his way to meet his mate. He knew that there had been something brothering her since she gave birth but he had no idea what. The only thing that he knew was that she was rather happy than usual. Meanwhile, Inuyasha turned to his father and said, "Why I have to work with Sesshomaru, I don't think he should leave the castle until his pup is older."

"It is so that you two can start to get alone more, that and your father wishes to see who is better at working with the angry people in our village." Izayoi explained.

"Further more, it shall also be a test for the two of you. I have two heirs, therefore I must chose the wises and the more qualified." Inutaisho added.

"Inuyasha dear, when will you start to look for a mate? You are quiet old enough you know." Izayoi asked.

"If you do not chose a mate by the end of this summer I shall chose her for you." Inutaisho warned.

"Feh," was all Inuyasha had to say before he took his leave.

Izayoi turned worried eyes to her mate and asked, "You aren't really going to choose a mate for him…are you dear?"

"Of course I am, my first son chose a mate from a poor family, I shall have my second son be mated to a noble or princess." Inutaisho stated.

"If you do not let him find his own happiness he will leave." Izayoi warned.

"It can't be helped, if he leaves than I will welcome home with open arms when he deices to return home." He stated.

Having had enough of her mate's stupid ridiculous ideas, Izayoi slapped him over the head and took her leave. As she made her way to her garden, she couldn't help but notice the maids looking toward the garden she had told all to stay away from. Just as she got closer, she could already hear the guard ordering someone to get of the garden and to go with them. Just as she was about to say something, she heard a girls voice say, "For the last time I was collecting herbs for lady Kaede in the forest and I got lost. Just let me go and I'll go back the way I came."

"Like if we're going to fall for that, you're probably here to poison our queen." One of the guards growled.

"I wasn't, just go ask Kaede and she all tell you, so will the queen herself, she knows that I am Kaede's helper." She cried out in pain.

"Enough, what is going on here in my garden?" Izayoi growled out as the maids moved aside so that she could pass through.

"My queen, we found this girl trying to kill you."

"We're going to lock her up and question her now."

"Let me go!" she yelled as she finally broke free while jumping back.

The maids watched in horror as the girl was about to land in the queen's favorite plants. Just as Izayoi was about to order one of the guards to grab her, she watched as she easily twisted her body in mid air and landed in a clearing next to it. As soon as she landed, she looked at the queen, bowed and said, "My Queen, please tell me that you remember me."

"I do, as for you two, I have told you before to stay out of my garden." Izayoi hissed as she motioned for her to stand.

"But my queen"

"No buts, just get out of here, I'll make sure this healer in training is taken back safely." Izayoi ordered.

"Yes my queen." They stated before they took their leave.

Once the guards were gone, Izayoi turned to the girl and said, "Although I do remember you, I was never told your name, would you tell me?"

"I am Kagome, and I'm sorry that I wondered into your garden. Please believe me; I did not touch any of your plants."

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Izayoi asked as she looked at the basket full of herbs.

"Yes, thank you but I really must be getting back; Lady Kaede needs these herbs as soon as possible." Kagome answered.

"Every well, I shall have my son draw you a map so that you will no longer have to be treated in such a poor manner." Izayoi offered.

"Oh, I assure you it will not happen again, if you excuse me." Kagome stated as she took her leave and followed the maid that was going to lead her back to the dragon stable.

"Sure a nice girl…if only my son didn't run all of them off I would have had her wait for him to get back." Izayoi told herself as she began to tend to her plants.

A/N: PLEAE REIVEW!!!

Darkiceone