Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. All rights are reserved for Rumiko Takahashi.

His soldiers were lined up before him in a complex strategic position. It was early morning and his men were ready to go. He inspected the rows of demons with their weapons idly at their sides. They were his finest soldiers and he was confident they would fight well.

He made sure that his scouts pin pointed Naraku's location therefore making it easier for him and his men to go forth and attack. He would no longer need the jewel shards to lure Naraku, although he had very little interest in the shikon jewel in the first place.

He was going to send his more lethal and assassin like warriors travel separate from the main group of soldiers so they could enter the grounds of the battle field quietly. He would have these select few scope out the place and commence a battle to take over the castle again from the inside out.

"Today we all go to battle. We fight side by side, not as lords and vassals, but as brothers and sisters of a noble kind. Today some of you will die and you should know your death will not be in vain. Die with the same thing you will fight with, honor."

They all cheered and waved their swords in the air while he remained impassive. He took his place at the lead of the group next to Kagome and the rest of her group.

Mana was walking in the shadows of the forest near them and he knew he should have sent her ahead with the rest of his skilled warriors, but she had refused. She insisted that it was best for her to stay with the main group and help Kagome when the time came for him to leave her. His thoughts were interrupted when said miko spoke up.

"So how long does it take to get to this other castle?" She smiled at him while attempting to start a conversation.

"At least two days with all these soldiers." He answered simply.

"And what is our plan when we get there?" Inuyasha butted in.

"You and your group will enter with me and head straight for Naraku while my men take on the lesser obstacles." He glanced at Inuyasha, curious as to why he was being reasonably focus on the task ahead. "My best warriors, including Yuma, will be arriving ahead of us and will commence with overtaking the castle from the inside out."

"That way when we arrive, our target is made easier." Miroku nodded to himself.

"Precisely." He replied in quiet agreement.

We had walked from this morning to late into the night. The moon was high above us creating our only source of light. I had to watch carefully where I was going or else I'd trip and stumble. My mind was already growing weary and by the looks of it so where the soldiers. I looked up at Sesshomaru who looked as energized as when we'd started walking. Of course I knew his strength was great and surely wouldn't falter after only walking for a day straight.

He looked down at me after he felt my gaze on his face and raised a silver brow curiously. I smiled at him and shook my head slightly. His eyes flickered to the rest of the weary group before he stopped walking.

"We shall rest here for the night. Set up camp." He called out to the soldiers.

I watched the ocean of faces shift to relief at his words. I stood by Sesshomaru moments after everyone else started to set up their sleeping mats and tugged nervously at my school uniform.

"What ails you?" He asked without turning to look at me.

"Just pre-battle jitters I guess." That was partly true, but I was also worried about the looks I'd been getting from the soldiers all day. Some were like Yuma's, furious at first, but the others, either oblivious or apathetic to the mark, were flat out staring at me with lusty looks. I glanced over at a said group of soldiers and shuddered slightly. Sesshomaru stepped in front of me and growled in their direction which made the soldiers turn away quickly. I watched him turn to me before I averted my gaze and watched the ground for a few seconds.

"I wont let anyone else have you." His face was inches away from mine now as he whispered to me.

"Are you sure you chose the right girl?" I asked skeptically. "I think you might have me confused with some other girl. A demoness perhaps?"

"Do you think this Sesshomaru has failed to pick a suitable mate? It would be most unwise to doubt my abilities now." He smiled one of his rare and drop dead gorgeous smiles at me. "Besides demonesses tend to be... Temperamental not to mention bothersome."

"You're just saying that to cheer me up," I said stubbornly.

"Do you think I would lie?" He pulled me to him now and then lifted me into his arms easily. I grinned up at him as he walked effortlessly over to a distant tree. I could see why he picked it because it was far enough away from some privacy and yet close enough to pick up on any trouble. "Rest now, miko, our journey has only just begun."

I cuddled into his fur pelt and sighed happily. All my worries of the battle to come melted away as his arms tightened around me. Never had I ever felt so safe in my life which made me content to stay like this. "Goodnight Sesshomaru."

"Goodnight," he answered quietly as he rested his chin on my head. After a few moments I drifted into a dream filled sleep filled with subconscious thoughts about Sesshomaru, myself, and a little boy with a little crescent moon on his forehead.

To be Continued...

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I know it's a little boring, but don't worry things are going to speed up real quickly in the next chapter. Please review! Next chapter: Battle Front.

-Lala 3