Do not own Inuyasha.
Progress
Several weeks went by without any luck of finding the last shard. Currently Kagome was at home. The rest of the pack was in or around Edo. Sango, Miroku, Kohaku and Kilala had just returned from the slayers village that morning. Sango had needed to do some repairs to her weapon. Kagome would be another two days, so the pack was taking the time to rest and resupply. Inuyasha and Shippo were helping the elder miko with chores around the village. Sesshomaru, Rin, Jaken and Ah-Un had made camp at the base of Goshinboku.
In the weeks since he gave Kagome that first compliment, he had given her several others. Nothing overt, but sutble comments here and there. He gave her a few tips for improving her skill with her bow, and told her that her skill was already great, but that he knew she could be an excellent marksman. Rin had made a flower crown for Kagome. He had said that it looked nice, but that integrating blue flowers in the crown next time would bring out Kagome's beautiful eyes. The pack had been attacked three times, each time Kagome had protected the children, but had still fought, taking out an opponent from time to time. He had praised her and told her she had done a wonderful job.
The only issue, she was still fighting the attraction. She would respond by blushing, and say thank you, but she would change the subject afterward. He almost wanted to pull her aside and tell her that she didn't have to, that he was sincere and that he wanted to be with her, but he knew that would scare her a bit. Again he told himself patience.
It was later in the evening when Inuyasha showed up in the clearing, followed by the kit and Kohaku. The two boys wanted to see and play with Rin for a bit and Inuyasha was going through the well to see Kagome. It irked Sesshomaru that Inuyasha could go through and he could not, but he also knew it was because of the neckless Inuyasha wore that allowed him passage.
The children decided on hide and seek, with Jaken and Ah-Un keeping their ears and eyes open for trouble. Sesshomaru was going to hunt, but stopped the children and asked if the kit would like to join him. Rin and Kohaku encouraged Shippo to go, saying they understood. In the end Shippo went on his first hunting lesson, the children made a game out of getting the wood, and fire going. The two demons returned with six rabbits. Shippo had caught the last three.
Inuyasha returned after sunset, and joined them for a time. Shippo and Kohaku wanted to stay with Rin for the night. Since that first night all those weeks ago, the three kids were inseparable. Kohaku was making progress, he was talking more and laughing with the other children. Kagome had called them the three musketeers. When asked, she explained it was a story about three friends who served their king. She also promised to get a copy and read it to them when she came back. Inuyasha told the children as they bedded down that Kagome said that she missed them and that she sends her love.
Once the children were all asleep, Inuyasha pulled out a container and handed it to Sesshomaru. He explained that there was a treat inside for each of the children, but that he was told not to give it to them so late, to wait till tomorrow. Inside was five sugar cookies, one for each of the children, and one for him and Jaken. He also had another container with more for the others. Kagome's mother baked them for the pack. Inuyasha explained it was like a biscuit, but sweet, since they didn't have cookies in the feudal era.