Chapter 3-Rin's Request

Kikyo looked out upon the forest she was in from her place in the tree. She growled in disgust at herself for actually admiring the beauty of the place.

'Damn Narku and his plans, why can't he just go on without the hanyou for once?' she thought shuddering at the thought of InuYasha.

As if on cue said hanyou broke through the foliage and stopped in front of her tree.

"Kikyo!" he shouted, "Hurry up and get down here! We need to go!"

"And why, pray tell, should I leave with you?"

His ears bent back, "But Kikyo, I thought you loved me…"

With the help of her shinidamachuu she landed gracefully in front of him before running and hugging him, "Oh my love, that's all I needed to hear."

Not thinking anything of it InuYasha didn't notice the evil smirk she gave before hugging her back.

~With Kagome's tachi~

Kirara had landed a few hours later and they made camp and slept. It was now almost midday and they had broke camp after eating a joyous breakfast of fruit that Shippou had made a huge display of getting and were walking along a path to the nearest town.

Sango was walking with Kagome and chitchatting happily about getting her a sword of her own and teaching her. Kagome had already mastered her archery so the sword and a staff were next, that way should she decide to or need to she could also defend herself close range even using Miroku's weapon.

Miroku was holding Kirara and Shippou laughing as both bounded off ahead of everyone to chase a butterfly.

All watched the two demons intently to make sure they were safe playing and laughed merrily along the way.

Not a moment later than the butterfly flying off into the forest Kagome felt a strong aura.

"Everyone, on guard… A TaiYoukai is near and I can't tell if it's Sesshomaru or not." Kagome said notching an arrow onto her bow as Kirara changed into her full form and Sango readied Hiraikotsu.

"Very good miko, you're getting better." Said Sesshomaru's silk voice as her emerged from the forest ahead of them.

Behind him was his own tachi and Rin squealed realizing it was Kagome and the others.

"Kagome-nee-san!" She shouted gleefully before hugging her legs, "Rin is happy to see you all without InuYasha-no-baka! She has missed you all!"

As Rin ran around giving everyone hugs, including Kirara and Shippou, the others eased up laughing at the girl's delight. Sango placed Hiraikotsu on her back and Miroku took his hands off his prayer beads, Kagome had replaced the arrow into the quiver and slung her bow.

Shippou ran around the group with Rin and Kirara who had transformed back to the smaller cat. Jaken was chasing after them screaming that they stop this foolishness and Ah-Uhn watched.

Kagome bowed to Sesshomaru as did Miroku and Sango, "Sesshomaru-sama, it is our pleasure to see you and your tachi again so soon. Hopefully we may be in peace this meeting." Kagome said straightening from her bow.

"Hm, this Sesshomaru sees no need to be hostile for now. Where is my halfwit brother?" Sesshomaru responded surprised that she was acting as a normal lady of the court would and dressed as she should be.

"We have left him Sesshomaru-sama as it was benefiting us no longer to be part of him and his abuse." Miroku said standing on Kagome's left as Sango stood on her right.

"We hope to not cross your lordship in anger anymore as we have no reason to fight with you Sesshomaru-sama." Sango stated.

"That is well as Rin has missed you all greatly and it displeases me to have my ward upset."

"We would be more than happy to see Rin from time to time Sesshomaru-sama." Kagome said.

"Miko Kagome, you are dressed as you should be. Why is it you have chosen to refrain from wearing the former strange clothing this Sesshomaru usually sees you in?" He asked not wanting to give his motives away.

Now that they'd disbanded from his brother he saw no reason to be cruel to them any longer. At some point they'd all proven their worth to him and shown intelligence that no other humans have since Midoriko herself has.

"Lord Sesshomaru, does this displease you?" Kagome said respectfully.

"No, but answer my question."

"Yes m'lord. As is seen, I wear the traditional miko garb though I've chosen other coloring and patterns. I also wear the Slayer outfit traditional to Sango's tribe in respect for her and to move freely in fights." She started. "The silver of the slayer outfit represents the good of the inner struggle of the Shikon-no-tama, whereas the black represents the evil. The dark blue of my miko haori represents the depth of the human required to protect the jewel, and the silver the clarity. The moons stand for the many parts that represent the Shikon and the struggles we go through on a daily basis in the fight for it, the black of the hakama represent the turmoil the world would be in should we fail."

Sesshomaru nodded his understanding. He hadn't realized the depth she'd have thought of for something even as simple as clothing.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" Came a soft question from Rin by his leg.

"Yes Rin?"

"May Rin travel with Kagome-nee-san so she can play with Shippou for a while? Or could they travel with us?"

"Rin-chan, I don't know if that would be a good idea. Sesshomaru-sama would only be slowed down by us." Kagome responded kneeling to her level.

"True as that may be Miko Kagome, you have all proven yourselves capable in battle and this Sesshomaru would fight better knowing that no matter who was with her Rin would be safe."

"Sesshomaru-sama you honor us." Miroku and Sango said bowing.

"I don't know… Sango has as of yet to teach me a sword, never mind us find one I could work with." Kagome said uncertainly.

"This Sesshomaru has many of worth at his home and all will be available to you for training, as well as this Sesshomaru's general and myself to teach you in addition to the Slayer Sango." He said having decided for them.

Kagome and the others bowed, including Shippou and Kirara. Rin only squealed and tormented Jaken while singing "They're gonna join us, we're going home!"

Things were gonna get interesting.