Hi Hi

I updated. Thanks everyone for the reviews ::huggles:: them they made me feel good I put this in one of my other stories as to why this update took a while.

Sorry that it took so long I kind got a email that put in the dumps not about one but two of my stories geeze if you don't like the way that I write why would you read two?

Ok more vocab

Karyuudo=hunter

I don't inu

Echoe Shayne

He's Changed

~*~*~* Demro Taki's house*~*~*~*

When Kagome woke the next morning it was already late. Looking around she wondered why they had allowed her to sleep in so long. He hadn't had a normal night sleep in a long time. Stretching out on the bed she grimaced a little at the pain in her ankle. Frowing she cursed herself for how careless she yesterday.

It's all that insufferable mans fault. If Yasha hadn't gotten her all mad then she would have been paying attention to where she was going. If he hadn't been such a rude perverted letch then she would be perfectly fine. Ok so maybe she could would be perfectly fine but she would certainly feel better than she did this morning. Or maybe you would have tried controlling your temper. A little voice in the back of her head said before she pushed it away.

She wanted to linger in the warm bed. Though she knew it was only a matter of time before someone came to wake her up. Most likely it would be the same 'insufferable' man who had just been occupying her thoughts, and she was not about to let him have the satisfaction. Sitting up, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. The house was oddly quite though she thought it was too late for everyone to still be sleeping. So why did it feel like the house was so dead. Standing up, she waited a few seconds before allowing her bad foot to touch the ground, drawing in a deep breath she gritted her teeth. Reaching out she grabbed her dress that was sitting on the edge of the bed. Pulling the semi rough material over her head, she let it slide down to cover her slip that she had been sleeping in. Making her way slowly to the door she paused her hand resting on the door knob collecting herself before she opened the door and made her way into the hall.

It was odd the house still felt empty. Making her way into the main room she turned to see Vianna was sitting at the table. The dishes behind her looked freshly washed meaning, no one had woken her for breakfast. How very kind of them she thought sarcastically to herself . Then again she was thankful for the extra sleep. It left her feeling more refreshed than she had in a long time.

Vianna looked up to see the girl making her way to the table. She walked with a slight limp. When she had seen Kongyous ankle yesterday it had been black and blue it was a marvel she was even able to walk.

Kagome frowned it shouldn't have been such a big task to make it the table. Then why did she feel like she had been walking miles rather then just down the hall and across the room. It could be worse she guessed. That was something she had learned things could always get worse. Just when you thought that you had hit rock bottom you would break through that damn rock and be falling even faster than before.

Looking around there was still no signs of anyone. So they had all went out without her too. Just as well she didn't feel up to going anywhere at the moment anyway. So she would be thankful that she got to sit here and relax.

Looking up at Vianna she smiled. The woman was warm, and inviting. The kind of person that you could just sit and talk to. If she had to guess she would say that she was probably around her mother's age. Even now Vianna sat there with a large smile on her face, the kind of woman you couldn't help but like.

"I guess that it's just you and me. Is there anything that I can do?" she asked not wanting to appear a burden in the house. Even though she knew that she was there, with her foot the way it was there weren't that many things that she could do. That was a fact that only served to make her feel more and more useless.

"well I do have a few questions so if you wouldn't mind just keeping me company. Now tell me how's your foot young lady?"

"It's not that bad really" she lied hoping the Vianna wouldn't see right through her. Looking at her it didn't appear that woman entirely believed her, but she said nothing. "Plus the wrap that Yasha put on it makes it feel way better," she added hoping that would help her explanation.

There was pain in the woman's chocolate colored eyes and Vianna knew she was just saying that to be brave. There was something bothering her too she could tell by her expression.

"You know if you ever have something that you want to tell me you can tell me anything. The truth is that I don't get to talk to that many people. It's refreshing to meet someone new."

Kagome looked up at the woman and smiled. Vianna was telling the truth of course her problem was Kagome didn't want to bother some else with her troubles The truth… the truth was she was worried. She was worried about the extra danger she had placed on every one.

Serching Kongyous face she wondered how the girl had come to be traveling with Yasha, He was usually so introverted. In fact it was odd he was traveling with a group this large to begin with, Maybe Miroku, but Hojo and the girl they were out of place. "I won't tell anyone." She said trying to sound reassuring to the younger woman.

Kagome said nothing. Rather she looked down at her hands that were folded neatly on the table.

Seeing that she wasn't going to get anything out of her, Vianna decided to ask the question that had been plaguing her every since she laid eyes on the raven haired woman.

"How is it that you've come to travel with Yasha?" she asked the curiosity just about eating her up. After all the only thing that she had gotten to hear about the woman the night that they had came was her name and that she was under Yasha's protection.

"Yasha was supposed to see me to Ember for my cousin Sango," she said thankful that she had remembered the story that Yasha had been telling people. Even so, she couldn't help but feel awful for lying. "But because of circumstances beyond my control. Not to mention my own stupidity of not doing what I was told I ended up here." Pausing she reviewed what she had just said for a few seconds. Then added a nod, content with her explanation.

"Really your Sango's cousin you didn't strike me as a Karyuudo," the woman said suddenly looking at the small girl in a new light.

Karyuudo, a hunter? Sango was a hunter? No more like she was an exterminator. Even she had heard of them, the Karyuudo clan. Sango was a part of them. Why did that surprise her? After all, here she was the daughter of Captain Higurashi sitting in the house of slaves. She was running from Kouga. Yasha was running from the entire imperial army because he was part of the resistance. In short you could say that her world had been turned upside down.

"No I was taken away at a young age. I worked as a maid in a Youkai household." With that she looked away from the woman. Hopefully she would get across the point that she didn't want to talk about this matter.

So that was it. Yasha must have helped her get away and she was with him till they could find somewhere for her to stay. That would explain why they had left this morning to look for somewhere to put the girl. She thought not using Yasha's more colorful words. Seeing that the subject was not one that Kongyou was comfortable with, she sought to change the subject. Without a second thought she blurted the first thing came to her.

"You know he's changed."

~*~*~*~ Demro Slave district ~*~*~*~*

Yasha scowled as he walked out of the house. This would be the one. He had visited many people this morning, but this would be the one. The one where he would leave Kagome. It was a nice family. They worked in the fields which was better than someone that worked in the house. The extra people wouldn't be noticed as much. After he left her they would depart for Lacien immediately. He had received summons this morning and already his time was dwindling for he had to reach Lacien by midnight. Turning his head he looked at Miroku who was walking behind him.

Miroku looked at the ground as they walked. So this was it, they were just going to leave her. He had been through this situation over and over again in his mind. He had even talked to Yasha about it, and Yasha had been right. When Kongyou was with them she was in danger. They lived their days not knowing if they would wake to see the next one and he did not want that for her.

Looking out of the corner of his eyes to the hanyou next to him he know that Yasha didn't want that for her either. Still Miroku found he had grown attached to her in the short time of their acquaintance. He didn't know how long Yasha had known her, but it was obvious in the way he looked at her sometimes that he was also attached to the young woman, 'you don't even know who she is' it was true he had no idea who she was, but that really didn't matter to him.

The thought was suprising to him. After all since they had rescued Hojo his curiosity had plagued him he wanted to know who she was who Kagom was how she tied into everything.

Viannas last word hung in the air between the two of them. Who could it be she was talking about but try as she might only one name came to her mind. Yasha

"You means he's actually gotten ruder?" she asked finding it hard to believe that Yasha had changed in the slightest he was unyielding when it came to getting his way. Yasha's words were the law he had told her so himself. His stubborn, and caring… wait how had that thought gotten there? Before she could dwell further on it Vianna was speaking again.

"No he has changed. You never met him before. It may be a subtle change, but it is there none the less. He's more open now than he was before. Like some of the coldness that surrounds him has thawed a little."

"I don't know what you're talking about. As long as I've known him he's always been stubborn, pig headed, full of himself and…caring…and…" and worried about you and the people around him the voice in her headed added. Coldness, she knew that he was high handed and loved, having his own way. But she had never thought of him as a cold man.

"If you say so. I think the thing is you don't notice it because you're the one that caused it." The expression on Kongyou's face changed. It was like this was something that she had never considered.

Changed because of me? The thought kept repeating itself over and over in her mind. She could not deny it. She hadn't known him from before so maybe he had changed. Who was she to judge? The sound of a door opening in the house caught her attention and she looked up to see Hojo exiting the room. She had thought they had been alone, but it appeared there had been at least one other person besides them in the house.

Hojo sauntered into the room. Sleep still clinging to him his motions were slower then they would have normally been.

"Good morning Vianna." He said looking at the woman briefly before turning his attention to Kongyou "Miss Kongyou." He said a smile slipping onto his face as he said her name. "How are you this morning."

"Better and you?" The bruises on his face had yellowed a bit and his weren't as puffy which was good. She was thankful that at least one of them was getting better instead of worse.

"I feel a lot better since I got to see you." He said not taking his eyes off her as he slid into the chair next to her.

*~*~*~* Kien Naraku's Palace *~*~*~

Naraku frowned as he entered the silence of his chambers. Normally he found a bath refreshing but not on this day, when thoughts of his future kept pouring through his mind.

He was the seventy-fifth emperor and the year of his reckoning was quickly approaching. Everything was closing in on him he could feel it. Even now in the safety of his castle he could feel the conflict building. Filling him with doubt, doubt in his own power.

This pathetic sword. These murmurs of a master that will claim it- to destroy him. It didn't matter to him if it was true or not. What did matter to him was that the wretched humans believed it was true. It gave them hope. Something that he wanted to smash, something he would smash with his own hands.

It didn't help that the power of his people where diminishing. They had grown too comfortable in their dominance and so they were slowly losing it. Comfortableness made a person weak. Some of them no better then the puny humans who milled about like bugs. He couldn't stand it.

Then there was the resistance. It was growing in wait. There had always been a resistance, but never had it been as strong as it was now. Hell one man was throwing his Kingdom in to an uproar. The Shinkushikyou, he hated that name. He hated everything it stood for.

The Shinkushikyou slipped through the shadows avoiding his men. His face and identity hidden. He disrupted the peace of his kingdom. And so he would claim his life. A evil thought came to him he would buy him. Every man had his price. Would the Shinkushikyou crumble under his power? Or be willing to become part of it?

~*~*~*~ Demro ~*~*~

When Yasha opened the door it was to the sound of laughter. His eyes going to the table he saw that Vianna Hojo and Kagome were sitting around the table where they were usually served meals. His eyes went to Kagome there was a wide smile on her face and though he couldn't see her eyes he knew they would be alight. He had never heard her laugh like this before. His eyes shifting to Hojo he took in the sight of the battered man who was also laughing at the top of his lungs. What was so funny?

Crossing the room he stood at the table his sullen aura engulfing the table and drawing their attention to him. Part of him wanted to know what they were laughing about. The other part of him was telling him that he had to hurry so he could carry on with his business and make it to Lacien by the appointed time.

"Hojo get ready. When I return we shall leave."

All traces of humor had left the mans face and he looked confused.

"Or would you prefer to stay here?" Sooner or later Hojo would be the next person he got rid of. Like Kagome Hojo was particularly suited for this type of life style. But he would not be leaving him here. Not so close to Kagome not when the fool looked at her the way he did. Yasha was irritated when Hojo didn't agree with him right away. Kagome was having a negative effect on how people took his command.

"No No I will be ready to depart upon your return." He said quickly to assure Yasha that he would do as he was told. 'This is goodbye.' The thought swinging about to look at Kongyou once more. The look on her face told him that she knew it too. For a seconded he considered resending his eliyier words and saying that he would stay here. With her. But his sense of duty would not allow him that luxury.

"Good bye Miss Kongyou. Perhaps when we meet again it will be under more favorable circumstances."

"yes perhaps it will be." She said smiling at the boy.

Yasha stood by watching as Vianna wished her good bye as well saying that she would always be welcome in this home when ever she wanted to visit. Turning he looked at Miroku who had taken a step forward and was now just standing in front of her.

"Kongyou." Miroku said before taking the smaller girl into his arms.

Yasha watched the man carefully fully ready to make him pay if he so much as touched her in a way that he deemed inappropriate. To his surprise the man did nothing. Wheatear it because Miroku knew that he was watching or his respected for the girl. His hands reminded were they should have been for a change.

Briefly Yasha thought of Kagome and Mirokus first meeting. He guessed by the way his normally wandering hands stayed where they should be for a change he remembered it too.

Kongyou didn't know how to express herself to this man. He was almost as big a mystery to her as Yasha was. She looked at his hand realizing the hand that was bound hadn't touch her when he had hugged her. Even now as if sensing at she was looking at it he pulled the hand back hiding it in his robes.

Miroku knew what she was looking at his cursed hand. She had once asked him if that was how he had created the wind. The thought even now made him angry. Yes he was cursed so what. Why should that matter. Moving his hand behind him he hid it in the folds of his clothes. When to his surprise he felt her hands close around his wrist pulling his arm out into the open.

Kagome looked down at his hand. Cloth was wrapped around his hand prayer beads crossing his palm. Using her free hand she enveloped his larger hand in both of her smaller ones.

"May you not feel bitter over something you have no control over."

Her words shocked him into stupidity and he could do nothing but stand there and stare at her. Barely even noticing the slight pressure as she gave his hand and extra squeeze before letting go. "Ms. Kongyou, remember what I said if you ever need anything."

"I shall hope that I never do. But if it ever. I know." With that she turned leaving her friends to look at Yasha who was standing there with his hood pulled up as always. She felt like she was facing the firing squad. True in a way she was. She was leaving behind the only friends she had ever made and she was going into the un known.

It was scary and she didn't want to leave them behind. She didn't want to leave Yasha behind. But she knew that it was for the best wasn't it? She only served to get in their way. Soon they entered the crowed streets and she was forced to turn most of her attention to avoiding collisions with the people around her. Focusing on Yashas back she thought of the first time they had been in this exact same situation. It hadn't really been that long ago but for how it felt it might have been months ago, years ago. Focusing on his back she could only think of one thing she didn't want to lose him. Not in the crowd they were walking through right now, not to anyone.

Yasha glance behind him seeing Kagome bump into people as she walked through the crowd. So she still hadn't adjusted to walking in large crowds that would soon change. Soon she would be able to navigate her way through the crush just as well as anyone else. Not now though right now she was struggling to keep up with him. Reaching out his hand he took her smaller hand in his for the last time, he could almost wish he was carrying her just so he could feel her in his arms one last time. The thought was disturbing to him but what did it matter soon she would be out of his life just as quickly as she had come in to it. Slowing his pace to match hers he walked next to her, instead of trying to get her to match his.

Kagome stole a look out of the corner of her eye she wished Yasha would take off his hood but she knew it wouldn't be the wisest thing to do in this district. So this was going to be it wasn't it. Maybe she should fight him demand that he let her stay. Pulling herself as well as him to a stop, she collected herself ready to give the man a piece of her mind.

"Don't even think about it little girl. We all know your scatter brained notions only lead to trouble."

~*~*~*~ Tol village *~*~*~

Souta looked up at his mother who was just gazing out the window. "She's not coming back is she?" the young man asked with a frown on his face.

"I don't know." Mrs. Higurashi said her voice filled with pain because she truly didn't know the answer. She had driven her daughter away.

"How could she." Souta was fuming his sister had run off and left them high and dry. He personally didn't see what was wrong with Kouga. He held a high rank in the imperial army. He knew his place he got things done. What more could you ask for than that?

Yet at the same time he knew if her sister had married him it would have sucked the life out of her. He wouldn't have been able to stand that. No matter how mad he was now. Kouga had always been nice to his sister but he had seen the other side of the young man. To the captain Kagome was a prize something he had wanted to claim for himself a long time. Then there was Kagome could he… He would see how mad he was when he saw his sister.

It wasn't like she hadn't been given a choice. Man after man had been presented to her. She had turned her nose down at all of them. He could see some of them were idiots and totally undeserving of his sisters time, but still you would have thought that she would have been about to pick someone out. She had to get married… and Kouga would have made a logical choice at least she knew him it wasn't like he was a stranger.

"Souta, wipe that expression off your face," Mrs. Higurashi said looking at the scowl gracing her young son's features. He was taking this all hard she knew. He would never understand though what his sister felt and she did not expect him. She did know one thing though, the boy was mad because Kagome had left and she hadn't even told him goodbye.

Souta said nothing. Trying to do as his mother said, he looked out the window, before turning back to his mother.

No, his sister had to run away. Not only had she run away from her family she had ran away from her duty. That was something that had been instilled in him at early age. To turn your back on your duty was unforgivable. He didn't remember much about his father but he remembered this obedience above all else unto death. It pained him to know this was one lesson he would have to teach his sister.

~*~*~*~*~Demro ~*~*~*~*

Kagome sulked as she as they stopped in front of a little house. Standing on the door step she looked at the rough wood of the door not wanting to look at Yasha who had spent the last half hour lecturing her about what a little idiot she was.

Fine with her she couldn't wait to get away from the pig headed man. Mr. High and Mighty who treated the people around him like they were pawns set there to do him biding. She only put others and herself in danger. What irked her was that he was absolutely right, not that she was going to openly admit it to him. Why should she? So he could lord that over her as well.

Yasha could practically feel the anger seething off Kagome. Her chestnut colored eyes flashed at him with anger. He liked the glint in her eye and her spirit she didn't back down not even to him. He could have seen this as she was a spoild brat who was mad she didn't get her way. But the proud young woman infront of him never came off that way. He didn't want her to be mad though, he didn't want the last few minutes he would spend with her to be in anger.

The anger made it easier though for both of them. If she was mad then she wouldn't be thinking clearly. If he got her mad enough at him she would willingly step through that door on her own and he wouldn't feel like he was abandoning her. Even if her last words to him had been in anger it was alright as long as he knew that she would be safe.

____________-

Sango sighed as she slipped into the city. She knew where Yasha and the others would be staying and quickly made her way there. Rising her hand she knocked on the door a few seconds later Vianna opened the door. A startled expression her face showing that she clearly didn't expect to see her.

"Is Yasha here?"

"No he's not here right now. He went over to the other part of the slave district with Kongyou."

Kongyou? She was confused for a second before she realized that the woman was talking about Kagome. That cleared up the problem. So they really had taken her with them and she wasn't wondering around somewhere.

"You can come in and wait. He should have been back by now."

"No I really need to talk to him right now and I can't wait. I have to talk to him as soon as possible." She said trying to keep the desperation out of her voice but she was sure that Vianna could sense her urgency because of her next words.

"I think they said something about District C."

That was all that Sango had needed to know. With a quick thanks, she turned away from the door, her mind racing to think of the people, Yasha would turn to in that district.

____________-

"This is it. I'm finally going to be rid of you," he said not meaning for it to sound as harsh as it did.

Kagome could hear the relief in his voice. She had known that he would be happy when she was gone but it hurt to hear the relief that lingered in his words. It was like he would run away from her if he could. Her head snapping toward him, she wished she would see his face but as always he had his stupid hood pulled up.

He watched as she turned toward him knowing the view of his face was hidden in the folds of fabric he had pulled over his head. He watched her. Studying her expression and the way her hair fell around her shoulders as she hadn't braided it this morning and it hung around her face in ebony waves. Her eyes were trained on him as he watched her emotions filter through them. She didn't know how to guard her expression so he could read everything about he clearly and right now he saw hurt in those brown depths. Hurt over his words, momentarily he regretted them.

Even though she couldn't see his face her heart started to hurt. As pig headed and thick skulled as the man was, he had only ever helped her. She had said good bye to everyone, and the goodbyes had been harder to get out then she had anticipated, but she wasn't so sure if she could say goodbye to him.

She was filled with the overwhelming sense if she said goodbye right now she would never see him again. As it was she knew the feeling was foolish, after today she would probably never see him again anyway.

"Don't do anything foolish. If you do, just know that I will have to send someone to punish you." He said it to break the tension in the air. Instead it seamed to have the opposite effect as her brow furrowed in a frown. Still she said nothing not even one of her smart aleck come backs.

Though Yasha said it as a threat, and she knew that was how he wanted her to take it. She couldn't help but think that what he really meant was for her to take care of her self. In his own little warped way of course. 'I will have to send someone to punish you.' Those words nagged at her. He wouldn't come and punish her himself? It was like he was saying he no longer wanted to deal with her. Well fine. She told herself she knew how it was going to be from the start he had made no promises other then he would get her to the next town safely and he had done more then his fair share. She knew this had been coming and had relsolved that when the time came she would say her goodbye. So why then did she find herself not wanting to go?

If this was the last time she was going to see him, then so be it. Taking a deep breath she flung her body against his snaking her arms around to his back as her hand gathered the material of his shirt into them. Raising to her tip toes she buried her face into the front of his shirt.

Yasha looked down at the small woman in shock. He could feel the warmth of her body pressed against his, he hands pressing against his back. Slowly he brought his own arms up around her.

______________-

Sango walked through the district her eyes looking around she saw two people up ahead standing on the porch in front of a house. It was a house she vaguely knew. Maybe she had been there before. Could that be them? The thought ran through her mind again, but the people in front of her were locked in an embrace. Try as she might she couldn't picture Yasha hugging anyone, yet alone Kagome. The last time she had seen them together he had had her pressed against the wall and was hissing her name like she had been the vilest creature on the face of the earth.

Doubt assailed her senses or maybe the fact that she didn't want to see Yasha hugging anyone. None the less curiosity as to the fact if it could really be them had seeped in. With a feeling of guilt for watching she ducked closer to the over hang of the small houses and continued on her way slowly.

________-

Kagome knew that she should let go. To him this was probably just another bothersome act on her part. Despite the fact her brain told her this, her body wasn't listening and she took a deep breath so that she could remember him.

Hearing her intake of breath he drew in his own. Catching her sweet scent as well the smell of his soap that still lingered on her making her smell a little like him. The thought filled him with a small amount of pride though he couldn't fathom why such a small thing would have that effect. Though the youki part of him knew why a reveled in the fact that she smelled like him even if just a little.

Frowning he wondered why he was doing something like this. This wasn't like him, he wasn't the mushy emotion type. Yet it felt so right with her body pressed against his. Her frame was smaller than his and he could completely envelope her in his embrace. His hands tracing down her body he longed to be closer to her. Pushing back the opening of her cloak his hands went to rest on her hips before pulling her closer to him if that was even possible.

"Goodbye." There she had said it. Feeling her heart drop with the words she closed her eyes.

The word hung about his neck like a stone. Goodbye… he didn't want this to be good bye he didn't want to leave, he wanted to stay here. He wanted her.

Suddenly he thought of the night before of their faces so close to one another. He wanted to finish what they had started. Moving one of his hands he tilted her face up toward him. Taking in her angelic features, her small pink lips that were parted ever so slightly her breath falling against his cheek as he tilted his head to hers. The breath mingled together his body tight with anticipation then he heard it.

Someone was approaching them. Their movements slow and deliberate. He could tell that they were trained.

"Someone's coming." He said stopping his descent and giving his full attention to the sound of the person that was drawing closer to them. Kagome didn't seem to hear him.

Kagome frowned. Yasha had said something this she knew, but her mind couldn't completely wrap around the words he was saying. She was too caught up in the feeling of his body next to hers. Of the warmth pouring of his body and flowing into hers, they were so close she could feel the rise and fall of his breath as his chest moved against her. The feeling was delsious and wonderful.

Looking down at her closed eyes he knew that she had heard him, but it was clear by the expression on her face she hadn't been paying attention to what he had said so he said it again.

"Someone's coming."

'Someone's coming? Her eyes snapping open, she heard. She searched his face that was still close to her.

She had heard him this time. He felt her body tense against his. The sound of the person was getting close to them. Reaching for Kagomes arm he pulled her behind him, his hand going to the sword at his side.

____________-

Sango watched the people on the porch. They knew that she was there. At least one of them did. The taller one pulled the other one behind him, their hand going to the weapon at their side.

It had to be them. No one but Yasha would have noticed her careful approach so quickly. Stepping into their line of sight, her hand went to her concealed weapon as well, just in case she had been wrong in her assumption.

"Sango." It was Kagome who had said it rushing forward to wrap the other woman in a hug like they were long lost friends. In truth it was like they were.

Sango smiled. It was good to see the girl had made it away safe. She had been worried about her when Kaede said that Kagome had been able to slip away. It was a feat not many could claim. Now she understood a little more about the older woman and how it was sometimes hard to escape her grasp. Yeah I understand more about Kaede and less about Kagome.

Yasha watched the two women as they hugged. He let them have their moment before pressing on with more important matters. "Why are you here Sango?" his voice was cool showing no emotion as he asked this question of his friend.

"I figured something had happened when people started to leave Tol. Also on my journey here I have information for you about Kouga. He split up from his men leaving well over half of them to search Ances. The remainder of them is following him here to Demro. I expect they will arrive within the hour."

Kagome took a step closer to Yasha he body tightening at Sangos words. Kouga was on his way here? He would be here within the hour? Looking between the two of them panic rose. What was she supposed to do how could leave her hear knowing Kouga was coming for her.

Yasha could see Kagome tense as her words as fear filtered into her eyes.

"Don't worry they will protect you. When we leave Kouga will follow I will make sure of it."

Kagomes eyes widened. He would make sure of it. That was out of the question. The only way she could think of him making sure Kouga would follow was by making them the target. She was not about to put more people's in danger.

"You will not I will hide and you will get away safely."

Looking at her he knew she was worried about them, worried about him, but there was no other way. Kouga would turn the city upside down looking for her unless he had a reason to believe she was elsewhere.

Tears pricked at her eyes. She wasn't that important so why was he willing to put everyone in danger for her.

"Hey now don't you do that. And don't be stupid we know how to take care of ourselves. Give us some credit ok."

"Then we must leave immediately. I have received summons this morning to attend a meeting in Lacien." Shifting he looked at Kagome and then to the door. She had her mouth open like she was about to protest but he hurried on before she got the opportunity to speak. "Whether your ready or not this is where you get off." He informed her watching an almost pained expression over take her delicate features.

"Oh and before I forget, Lady Kaede sends you this." Reaching into her sleeve Sango withdrew a piece of paper extending it to Yasha.

Kagome was interested in what the piece of paper said but turned her attention back to Sango when she started speaking.

"You don't know how worried about you I was." Sango said taking in the fact that Kagome appeared in top shape. Which was good considering she had been traveling with Yasha. Sango had traveled with him before and knew he could be merciless. He was merciless normally, but this time he had known he had a troop from the imperial army on his tail. She could only imagine the pace he had put them to.

"You shouldn't have been she was with me." Yasha said slightly annoyed that Sango would worry about Kagome when she knew the girl was with him. "None the less it looks like there's been a change of plans and she will remain under my protection for time being."

Kagome's attention snapped back to him as she stood there trying to understand what was going on. She could see his face in shadow, his golden eyes meeting hers.

"What?" Kagome muttered trying to further understand the sudden change of plan.

He didn't have time for this. They needed to be leaving. With the news that Sango had given them they didn't have any time to waste.

"Don't ask me questions. When I tell you something that's what I want done." His voice was calm and detached.

How could he have changed so fast? One second he had been…she couldn't really describe how he had been there were no words for it. Now the detachedness of his voice she could almost picture him as the cold man that Vianna had said he was.

"Lets go." He said as he started on his way expecting them to follow. As they once more entered the crowed district he braved a glance at Kagome out of the corner of his eye. To his disappointment she had pulled her own hood up. He knew it was because she was hiding herself from him.

Her mind was buzzing with information. Kouga was on his way here. Then suddenly somehow she was no longer being cast aside but rather told she was coming along. Not that she could complain but, everything was such a jumble. Mentally she scolded herself and tried to push all her thoughts aside and just concentrate on making her way though the crowd.

He didn't have time to slow his pace and allow Kagome to try and work her own way through the crowd. Reaching his hand out, he took her slender fingers in his. The feeling as they made their way through the crowed was way different this time then it had been earlier. They fit nicely there he thought to his own irritation, as he pulled her up next to him to match his own quick pace.

Yasha and Kagome were ahead of her as they entered the crowd people. As she watched Yasha reached back and took Kagomes hand in his pulling her up to walk beside him. The scene brought back the image of them on the porch locked in each others embrace. Shaking her head she drove away the image focusing on them before her forced to look down at her own feet she felt a wrenching in her chest.

Sango watched as they entered the crowd. Yasha had reached out taking Kagomes hand. The thought brought back the picture of them on the porch. Shaking her head of the image she focused on them now feeling a wrenching in her chest.

"What are we going to do about Kouga?"

*~*~*~ Demro 45 minutes later *~*~*~*

Kouga entered the city with the four men that actually managed to keep up with him. Looking around he saw the people stop what they were doing to stare at his outrage. Pathetic little bugs they were looking at him out of the corners of their eyes trying not to get his attention as they scurried for cover.

He hated it, he hated cowardice. The Shinkushikyou had proven himself to be just as spinelessness when faced by a real opponent. What had he expected anyway he was nothing more than a filthy human. That brought his attention back to why he was so avidly chasing them. Kagome, she was proof that not all humans were wimps. She reminded him of her father. Of what a great man he had been. Her will would bend for no man, not even his. He had the feeling that when he caught them and claimed her once again, she would spit in his face in spite of his rage. Yes he had decided that she was quite the prize and wasn't about to let anyone have her.

The little fool was running off. Briefly he wondered if maybe she had run away because she was afraid. Immediately he pushed that thought aside. It wasn't her style to do something because she was scared she always had her own reasons for doing what she wanted. No she had run away because she didn't like the fact that she hadn't been the one with the final decision. Somehow she had fallen into the hands of the enemy. He knew she had enough sense not to tell them who she really was but how long would it be before they found out? He had to find her before then.

She was making him work for her. That only made his trophy more valuable. When he caught her he would enjoy breaking her.

*~*~*~* The road to Lacien *~*~*~*

They were moving at break neck speed. She had once again been hoisted in a piggy back fashion because she was slowing them down. The other members of the group had looked at her a little funny. Wondering why she was there when the entire reason of going to Demro had been to finally get rid of her.

After a glare from Yasha as well as a growl, they had no time to waste here. They were on their way. She had been told that Lacien wasn't that far away and they should reach their destination before nightfall. Summons, summons to what she had no idea. Some kind of meeting from the sound of things. She didn't know much more then that, she also had the feeling in the pit of her stomach that was all Yasha wanted her to know.

Even though he was carting her around, he still didn't trust her as far as he could throw her. Not that she could blame him. Considering everything she had to admit he was being rather fair on his part. More fair than she would have been if she had been in his position. A twinge of uneasiness hit her with the thought.

Miroku suppressed the frown that was tugging at his lips. 'What was Kongyou doing here?" Not that he was grateful to know that she was coming with them. Yasha wasn't one to change his mind, so something had happened. He had wanted to ask. The expression that had been on Yasha's face when he was going to ask him earlier told him to keep his mouth shut. Since he had obviously hit a wall there, he shifted his attention to the newer addition to their group. Sango was another unexplained person, though not an unwelcome one. Sango would never be unwelcome as far as he was concerned.

Taking in the brown haired woman she looked weary, she had no problem keeping up with them but her movement lacked the crispness they usually had. She must have came all the way through from Tol. Why was she here? She acted familiar with Kongyou? Did she know her somehow? Did she know Kongyou and Yasha's secret?

*~*~*~* Lacien ~*~*~*

Kagome stood with the small group on the porch of a run down looking house. It didn't look to be in the most favorable part of town but then again the entire town didn't appear to be in tip top shape in the first place. Hojo had told her that Lacien was a slave town meaning that it wouldn't appear out of place for large groups of slaves to come and go on a regular basis. Kagome guessed that was the reason that they were having the meeting here.

If people just started to converge on a city, people would start to get suspicious. Before she could think of anything else the door opened, and they were ushered into the small house. The man at the door must have already known the other members of the party because she was the only one he was looking at. His cold calculating eyes looking at her much as Taki had when they had arrived in Demro the other day.

Was her appearance that shady looking? After a second she decided that it wasn't and that these people where just overly cautious. Trying to smile under his scrutinizing glaze she was thankful when Yasha spoke.

"Kyoshiro this is Kongyou," he said to ease some of the tension in the room. His words appeared to do the trick for the man extending his hand to her with a smile on his face.

Taking his hand she felt an unpleasant jolt go through her body and immediately felt the urge to pull her hand away. Instead she continued to shake his hand till he released her not wanting to appear to be rude.

"I didn't think, you would make it on time." Kyoshiro said turning his attention to Yasha. "I also didn't think that you would be traveling in such a big group," he said turning to look at the other people in the room before returning to Yasha who had now removed his hood.

"Well I had some unavoidable circumstances come up."

Kagome frown he was talking about her she knew. So she had been unavoidable? He talked about her like she was a cold.

Hojo cringed a little at Yashas words because he knew he was one of those circumstances. The idea irked him pulling at his pride because he knew it was true. Looking to the raven haired beauty he knew she wore the same title as him.

Though looking at her, he had to admit that she carried the shameful title better than he did. Her head was held high with her eyes fixed on Kyoshiro and Yasha like she dared them to say something to her. If it was possible he admired her even more at that moment.

_________-

Kagome sat in the bedroom with Sango. There was only one room and it was decided that the girls would get it. The rest of the occupants of the house would crash in the main room.

Sango looked at Kagomes ankle for the first time noticing that it was wrapped in a bandage. She had been limping earlier in the day, but she hadn't thought anything of it. Now seeing her without her shoes, she had had a good view of her ankle.

"What happened?"

"I had some trouble." She tried to think of how she could explain it. "Walking." Sad but true, when she had first hurt herself she had been in walking and tripped. He was right. The insufferable man was always teasing her, telling her he she needed to learn how to walk. Biting back a laugh she looked down at her hands.

"Oh I see." Sango said a little taken back by her answer

After a moment of awkward silence the two burst into laughter.

"Hey don't worry about it. It happens to the best of us." Sango said trying to assure the young woman. Yasha could be harsh and judging by her reaction to her ealier statement he had been doing is fair share of rubbing her need to learn how to walk in Kagomes face.

"That's good to hear from someone for a change. I was starting to think that I was the most uncoordinated person in the world." That sent the two into more peels of laughter.

The sound of someone knocking on the door drew their attention away from each other and to the door.

"Come in." Sango called.

Yasha was a little disturbed to hear the laughter stop when he opened the door. It gave him the eerie feeling they had been talking about him, pushing the notion away he looked at Sango.

"It's time to go."

Kagome got up and followed the two other people into the room where Miroku and Hojo were standing. Waiting, she presumed. Kyoshiro was also standing there. There was a smile on his face, but she knew he would not be leaving with the others, neither would she for that matter. More or less she had just come into the room to wish them well till they came back.

Yasha frowned looking at the small group. Turning to Hojo he studied the man's face for a few seconds before he spoke.

"I would like you to stay here tonight and take care of Kongyou."

Kagome was caught off guard by this. She had been under the impression that everyone would be leaving. 'Take care of Kongyou.' There he went again treating her like she was a small child. It was on the tip of her tongue to argue with him, but part of her was relieved she wasn't going to be left alone. So she held the rather rude comments she had been about to spill.

___________-

The sound of raised voices were all around him. He caught only bits and piece of what they were saying. Most of them were arguing their angry voices swirling around him. He sat at the table his body stiff with his head held high. He had turned his cloak inside out. The red material was now facing out a symbol to all in the room of his status. He said nothing merely listened as the conversation waged around him, a vortex of heated voices.

Sango stood on the edges of the room. Her eyes focused on Yasha who had been allowed a seat at the main table. Miroku stood at her side. She felt out of place in the crowd. She was one of the few women in the room. No, correct, that she was the only woman in the room. The only reason that this was tolerated was because she was the last of the Karyuudo, power and numbers could be a fickle thing. Once her clan had been one of the most influential in all the resistance. Aside from the remnants of the royal house which Karyuudo served since before the great wars. Now she was the last, of a dying tradition. Being so, she was the only representative. Even with this fact it did nothing to relieve her being uncomfortable.

"The 955th year is approaching we must put all our efforts into finding the Tetsusaiga," Koji said from the head of the table. He was pleased when there were mummers of approval from around the room.

Yasha didn't like where the conversation was heading. Turning, he looked at the people in the crowd. They were nodding in agreement to the man's words. "I don't think that's a good idea," he said, his calm voice catching the attention of everybody that resided in the small room. It also was serving to make Koji's face turn a bright red in anger.

"What are you saying." The man swung his attention to the hooded figure who had spoken. The man that sat there infuriated him, His demeanor was still calm and collected as if the words he had just said hadn't sent the entire room into an uproar. His icy tone as well as red cloak marked him as the Shinkushikyou. The pride of the people if only they could hear what he said at these meetings. Narrowing his eyes the man made him sick. H sat in a place of honor yet he shrugged of important matters so easily.

"Would you care to enlighten us as to why you think that?"

Yasha sat there for a second because he knew the man had something else to add. His next words pulled at wounds that were never fully allowed to heal. They made his blood boil.

"And why should we listen to you, a man that can't even show his face? Who hides in the shadow of power created by his mother?" Koji said wanting to rub it into his face.

Yasha sprang to his feet causing the people sitting next to him to crane their necks to look at him. He would not take someone trying to openly humiliate him. "Watch your tongue or lose it Koji," he said in a calm voice.

"You just don't like the fact that once the sword is found you will become obsolete," Koji said his voice holding more bravado then he felt. To tell the truth Yasha scared the shit out of him. He knew what was under that hood. He fully expected to see those gold eyes flashing at him. Catching the light and shining at him like some wild animals.

Yasha removed his hood so he could have a better view of the man that opposed him. Plus he knew Koji. He had met him before on separate occasions and he knew what kind of effect his appearance had on him.

"No I refuse to put my faith in finding something that might or might not be true. You are or anyone is welcome to look for it. Our entire trust should not be focused on finding the Tetsusaiga. Too much is at stake to risk everything we have worked so hard for on a gamble." Turning he surveyed the crowd humbling them with his gaze. To his satisfaction he saw nods of approval.

Satisfied that he had gotten his point across he sat down and the talking continued.

__________-

Kagome was sitting at the table when she heard someone knock on the door. Kyoshiro got up to answer it, leaving her and Hojo.

Kyoshiro opened the door to see a young man standing there. His brow was covered in sweat and his breathing was ragged leading him to believe that he had just been running.

"Hojo?" the man asked between breaths.

Shaking his head no, the man pushed past him.

"Hojo!" he yelled into the house.

Hojo, hearing his name and seeing the man standing there, he quickly rose to his feet. "I am Hojo."

The man was in front of him in a matter of seconds. "Yasha has sent for you. He needs your right away at the hall."

__________-

Yasha looked up he could hear the sound of commotion in the hall. It sounded like they were trying to keep someone out. Then he heard his name faintly.

"Yasha!" this time he was sure that it was his name. What disturbed him was that it was Hojo's voice. 'what the hell was he doing here?' With the realization, alarms started going off in his head.

Well that's it for now ^.^ Please review