The tiger roared loudly, the sound ringing through the air. Below her flaming feet, red and orange trees flashed by. Crimson eyes observed the surroundings. Another roar loosed itself into the clouds. A hand brushed the furred head.

"Kirara," Sango cooed, "calm down. We can't make a fuss. Naraku was spotted not too long ago. We'll be lucky to catch his trail. Now, focus on any scents you find." The youkai huntress sat back, shifting her hiraikotsu. Her hair was tyed in a short ponytail, slowly growing longer. After marrying Miroku, she decided to cut it in honor of a new life, but after Kagome left, all Sango wanted was her old way of living.

"Sango." Miroku put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're tense."

"It's been tough," she admitted, releasing a sigh. "Fall is coming. The colors are changing, and it's getting colder. Kagome used to say she loved watching the leaves change." She cast her eyes down.

Miroku tightened his grip on Sango. "It's been a couple of weeks. It isn't as if Kagome has been missing for years. And I'm sure we will see her again."

"But Inuyasha and Shippo are gone too!" Sango turned to Miroku in frustration. "Kagome was the glue keeping us all together. We're more seperated than we've ever been. She's stuck with the most emotionless youkai I know, because some stupid flower put her there. It's just . . ." Sango faced forward again. "Kagome deserves so much more. To meet a wonderful man who will treat her correctly, fall in love, and be happily married."

"Like us?" Miroku asked. "Hunting down Naraku?"

Sango shrugged. "If only she could be with someone she loves. I can't see her being with Sesshomaru."

"You couldn't see yourself with me, either," Miroku whispered, leaning his chin on her shoulder. Sango blushed, and shook him off.

"It took a long time!" she said indignantly. "And you're kind on the inside. Even Inuyasha would have been okay if it hadn't been for that Kikyo nonsense. Who knows where he ran off to. But Sesshomaru is a stoic bastard that kills anyone in his way."

Miroku chuckled. "Inuyasha was worse before you met him. Being with Kagome changed him, made him softer." Miroku twirled his staff lightly between his fingers. "I think she can change Lord Sesshomaru as well. Time will reveal all the answers."

"Hm." Sango pulled hair from her face, and commanded, "Lower, Kirara."

The day was long and empty. Throughout the search, thoughts of Kagome and her well being infected Sango's mind. The miko was a little sister to her. Kagome required protection despite being strong in her own right. The thought of Sesshomaru constantly mistreating or ignoring her sent shivers down Sango's spine.

It wasn't as bad as when Kagome first left. Sango hadn't slept for three days. Shippo was fine if he was with her, the kit wouldn't let himself be affected by a bad mood. Kagome herself was sensitive and emotional. She succumbed to depressions easily, though her strength had improved largely as she grew. Despite this, Sango couldn't help thinking the worst.

"It's getting dark," Miroku said, looking at the sunset. "We should make camp for the evening."

()

"Dinner is ready!" Kagome announced, pouring the last of the water into her cup. "Everyone gather around!" She took the group of forks in her hand, passing them out to the children. She offered it to Jaken, but he turned his nose up.

"I will not use your ningen tools." He reached into his sleeve, pulling out a set of wooden chopsticks. "I always carry my own utensils for times such as this."

"Suit yourself," Kagome said, and rolled her eyes. She handed Jaken and the kids their Cup O' Noodles, glad to have her own food to eat. It was a comforting taste of home that she enjoyed. And it was nice to have a dinner that didn't take long to prepare. She shook the metal pan and set it upside down on the ground to let the water drip dry. The fire snapped and cracked, filling their camp with soothing noises.

"It's good, Kagome-neechan!" Rin dug into her noodles, flavored water spilling from the plastic container.

"Indeed. A strange dish," Hatori said, turning his cup in his hands, "but delicious. From your home land?" he asked, and looked at her. Kagome nodded, knowing she could not tell Hatori about where she was actually from.

Sesshomaru had disappeared over an hour ago. Kagome guessed he was hunting for Naraku's trail. She offered to go with him, but he was adamant about going alone. Kagome wondered if it was his normal stoic personality, or if he wanted her to keep an eye on the kids.

"Rin, eat quietly!"

"But Master Jaken, it's so good!"

Kagome rolled her eyes again. The imp was not the best babysitter, that was for sure.

Sesshomaru watched the small scene from the air, the cloud beneath his feet shifting with the coming wind. Kagome gently separated the arguing youkai and young girl, to peacefully settle the issue. Her patience was great. Sesshomaru would simply have hit Jaken to end it.

His attempts to find any trace of Naraku proved fruitless. The spider was too good at hiding his scent if he did not want to be found. It would not surprise Sesshomaru if Naraku let himself be seen simply to hide away and frustrate his enemies. He was playing a game with them, and Sesshomaru would not stand for it.

Why he did not rejoin the group for dinner, Sesshomaru was unsure. It was mildly intriguing to watch Kagome handle the dispute, for her to prepare her food from the future era, to see the children smile and laugh as they ate. It was a happy atmosphere. With himself, Rin, and Jaken, the conversation was purely Rin talking of what she had seen and what she thought of the world. As Rin grew, she talked less and was not as excitable as she used to be. Before Kagome had come, their nights were fairly quiet. Rin was coming of age as a human, and a shift in the dynamic was what Sesshomaru expected.

However, when Kagome and Shippo were introduced, Rin began acting the way she used to again. She talked and laughed and played. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the thought. Was she not entertained with his company any longer? Or was it simply the presence of new people that brought out her old self?

From the south, a wind suddenly blew past, carrying the scent of a youkai. Sesshomaru turned to the wind and inhaled deeply. It was a familiar scent. Behind it followed two others. Sesshomaru's mind flashed to the day he last encountered them.

The day Kagome left with him. The scents were those of her two friends, the monk and youkai slayer, riding on the feline youkai. Not threatening in the least, and a sign of others hunting Naraku. The word of his sighting was spreading fast. Sesshomaru followed the scent through the sky.

Their camp was only a few miles away. Sesshomaru settled on the ground just beyond the light of their fire, and masked his scent. They would not know he watched them unless Sesshomaru chose to reveal himself.

The two were resting by fireside. The youkai slayer had her head lain on the monk's shoulder. Sesshomaru recalled that they were married. The feline sat in the slayer's lap, and yawned. Giving up on the facade, Sesshomaru dropped the mask on his scent and entered the camp.

The feline yelped, and hissed. Both humans looked up, eyes wide upon discovering who it was.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Sango stood and positioned herself for battle. "What are you doing here?"

"Calm yourself, Sango," Miroku said, keeping his seat. "This is our dear friend's mate, after all." He turned to Sesshomaru, and smiled. "What brings the great daiyoukai of the West to us on this lovely evening? Surely not simply conversation?"

Sesshomaru eyed the monk. "You are hunting Naraku."

"Yes," Sango answered. "What is it to you?" Her stance relaxed slightly.

"I hunt him as well," Sesshomaru said, keeping his eyes on the monk.

Sango reached behind her and gripped her hiraikotsu tightly. "I wouldn't expect you to come for that. If anything, I thought Kagome would come if you knew of our presence." She narrowed her eyes. "You despise anything human, don't you?"

"True enough." Sesshomaru continued to look at the monk, as waves of anger flowed from the slayer. "Kagome does not know you are here. Our camp is not particularly close, and I followed your scent to discover if you were pursuing a similar goal as myself. Naraku is allowing others to find traces of him to provoke a hunt."

"Indeed." Miroku put a finger to his chin in thought. "But we have no choice except to play Naraku's twisted game. It's the only way to have a chance at catching him."

"Hn." Sesshomaru listened carefully to the sounds of the night. Animals and youkai alike would be out soon. "I will be going."

"Hold up!"

Sesshomaru turned, finally facing the slayer. Sango frowned at him. "If Kagome knew we were here, she would want to see us, I'm sure. We're coming to see her."

"Do what you wish," Sesshomaru said, summoning the cloud beneath his feet. He lifted into the air slowly, and looked back at the two humans. "But do not involve this Sesshomaru in it."

With that, Sesshomaru was gone. The two watched where he had been standing, mesmerized. After a moment, Sango snapped out of it, and grabbed Kirara. "Come on, we have to see Kagome."

"Sango," Miroku said, standing as Kirara began to transform. "Is this a good idea?"

"Yes!" Sango jumped onto the tiger's back. "I miss her, and I'm going to visit. Come on."

Miroku stood firm, refusing to budge. "My dear," he said gently, "I'm not sure if this is wise. Kagome has spent the last couple of weeks with Lord Sesshomaru, learning to live with him, and maybe even growing to like him." He sighed. "As much as we do not like or trust him, the daiyoukai is destined for her. If we visit, Kagome may remember how much she liked her old life. She might begin to resent being with Lord Sesshomaru. Do you want to do that to her?"

Sango blushed, and turned away. "But," she said, "she's my friend. And if she resents him just because we're around to remind her of her happiness," Sango said firmly, facing Miroku again, "then she shouldn't be with Sesshomaru in the first place. Fly, Kirara!"

"Sango!" The tiger flew into the air, Miroku helplessly staring from the ground. In a wave of fur and flames, Kirara was gone. Miroku knocked his staff against his forehead. "You're an idiot," he said to himself. "And now your wife is gone."

()

The sun was gone, and the stars played in the heavens above. Ah-Un breathed heavily in his sleep. Beside him, three children curled into one another for warmth. Jaken leaned against a tree and snored. The fire was low. Kagome placed a few more branches on it, and blew life into the flames. Sesshomaru had yet to return.

Kagome sat cross-legged and opened her bag. Inside were a few books, and Kagome took an older one out. It had a bookmark near the middle. Kagome removed the mark and began reading. The tales of adventure and hardship were a distraction in the quiet night.

From the far left, Kagome heard a noise. Closing her book, she turned to see something flying closer to the camp. A small sniff revealed Sesshomaru's scent. Kagome stood and waited, wondering if he would have news on Naraku.

"Hello," she said, when he landed. The other group members did not stir. "Anything?" she asked, knowing he would need no explanation.

"No," he answered, sitting beside a tree. "It is late. Get some rest."

Kagome rolled her eyes at his predictability. "Can't we talk for a few minutes?" She sat again and set her backpack aside. "Everyone else is asleep. We can chat."

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "I suppose you want to get to know each other more?"

"Yes," Kagome said, holding in a sharp tongue. "Since the picnic, you haven't been as cruel. I thought that might mean you could tolerate me a little better."

Sesshomaru thought to open his mouth again, when both he and Kagome heard another noise. Sesshomaru was aware of what it was, and ignored it. Kagome watched the sky intently, her eyes widening as she took in the scent on the wind.

"It can't be," she whispered, taking a step forward. Louder, she said, "Sango!"

"Kagome!" The youkai slayer waved from the air, Kirara beginning a descent. Soon they landed, out of sight, and quickly appeared from the midst of the trees, Sango with twigs in her hair and Kirara still in tigress form.

"Sango!" Kagome ran to her beloved friend, and gripped her tightly. "It feels like it's been ages!" The two released each other and smiled. "How are you and Miroku getting along? Where is he?"

Sango shrugged. "He stayed at camp. He didn't want to bother you and Sesshomaru, I guess." Sango narrowed her eyes at the daiyoukai sitting some distance away. "But after seeing Sesshomaru, I couldn't pass the chance to see you, too."

"You saw her?" Kagome turned to Sesshomaru. "And you didn't tell me?"

"The slayer followed me here," he said. "I did not need to inform you of our meeting."

Ignoring this, Kagome faced Sango again. "I can't believe you just showed up. Why don't we sit down and talk?" Kagome led them to the fire, and they sat. "So, how are you?"

"All right. We, uh . . ." Sango diverted her gaze. "Inuyasha wanted to be with Kikyo after you left. And when we tried to tell him that he couldn't just replace you, he-"

"Killer her, I know," Kagome said quietly. "I ran across Inuyasha, and he told me."

The two were silent for a few minutes. "After that," Sango continued, pushing the subject away, "we continued hunting for Naraku. It wasn't until recently that we heard anything. He's as good at avoiding unwanted conflict as ever."

As the females were catching up, Kirara resting at the edge of the trees, Sesshomaru turned his mind to their hunt. The reports of Naraku stated that he was seen in the mountainous area. They would need to travel a few days to reach the mountains. He looked to the two women. If Kagome wanted to travel with her old friends, she would need to think again.

"And who is this?" Sango raised an eyebrow and pointed to Hatori. "A new friend?"

"Yes." Kagome sighed. "He's an orphan, of sorts. He was waiting at Sesshomaru's palace for his grandfather to take him home, and we had to leave due to Naraku. He would have been all alone there, so we brought him with us. The servants will inform his grandfather of what happened if he shows up before we get back."

"He's adorable." Sango put a hand near his neko ears without touching them, for fear of waking him. "And is he a hanyou?"

"Yes."

Sango turned to Sesshomaru. "I never thought you would tolerate a hanyou."

The daiyoukai did not look at her, and said, "Kagome is responsible for the young one."

The night continued like this, Sango and Kagome chatting with little interference from Sesshomaru. The moon rose high above them, and the other group members continued to sleep peacefully. Eventually, Kagome realized how late it was.

"You should get back to Miroku," she told Sango, smiling a little. "I'm sure he misses you."

"I suppose." Sango brushed her hair back. "I wish he had come with me."

"I'll go back with you," Kagome offered, and the two stood. Kagome listened closely to the forest around them, but only animal noises could be heard. "Sesshomaru, I'll return soon."

Sesshomaru frowned at her. "Kagome, it is dangerous in the night. The slayer can return to her camp by herself."

Kagome smiled at him. "I can take care of myself, Sesshomaru. I'm an inu now, too, remember. I'll bring my new arrows if it makes you feel better." She grabbed the bow and quiver from beside her pack, equipping them easily.

Sesshomaru stood. "I do not think this wise."

"Trust me," Kagome said, stepping close to him. "I'm strong, especially thanks to your teaching me how to use my powers. Don't wait up for me." With this, Kagome turned to the tiger youkai and mounted her. "Come on, Sango. I can say hi to Miroku when we get to your camp."

Staring between the two, Sango slowly mounted Kirara, and the three were flying. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, a strange feeling boiling in his heart. I know this feeling, he thought, detesting the change in himself. I am worried for her.

Sango kept an eye on Sesshomaru as they flew, before turning to face ahead. Kagome sat behind her with a tight grip on Kirara.

"Kagome," Sango said slowly, a bit louder than usual because of the wind around them, "did Sesshomaru just call you by name?"

"Oh, yeah." Kagome shrugged. "He began doing it a while ago. I think he knows that I get in a bad mood if he calls me 'miko' and 'woman' all the time."

Sango turned to look at her. "Kagome, I don't think he wouldn't do that just for convenience's sake. Sesshomaru doesn't even address his own brother by name." Her brow wrinkled. "He must be comfortable with you around, to do that."

Kagome's heart skipped a beat, and she briefly wondered why. "I guess you could put it that way. Sesshomaru is much less hostile towards me. I think we're able to get along a lot better than we did a few weeks ago. It's impressive, actually, the change that's happened in such a short time." Kagome looked at her hands, thinking of Sesshomaru's words of warning.

Sango looked at Kagome's expression, and chuckled. The miko was falling in love again.

()

"I am so glad to see you are all right, Kagome." Miroku hugged her tightly. "Have a safe trip back to your camp. Kirara can accompany you, if you wish."

Kagome pulled back from the hug. "Kirara has flown enough for one night. I'll get back on my own just fine."

"We'll visit again if we cross paths," Sango said, patting Kagome's shoulder. "If we're both hunting Naraku, that might be sooner rather than later. Take care, Kagome."

The goodbyes were sad, and weighed heavily on Kagome's heart. Seeing that the spouses were safe and happy was enough to reassure her. As she began walking from camp, Kagome thought of how their group used to be. Inuyasha had run away, Kikyo was gone, she and Shippo were with Sesshomaru, and the spouses were finally alone in a way they didn't want to be. The situation was a blow up in everyone's face. Kagome wondered what might have happened, had Shippo not found the Hana no Shukumei that day. If it was truly her destiny, Kagome would have found it one way or another. But maybe, if it was a year or two from now, things might be different. Perhaps the group wouldn't have severed so completely.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar smell. Kagome looked up to see Sesshomaru, waiting for her. She stopped and stared at the stoic expression on his face.

"I told you I'd be fine," Kagome said quietly, touching her bow. "You didn't need to follow."

"Perhaps," he replied, "but it was my wish to escort you back, regardless."

"Oh." Kagome nodded. "All right then. You can lead the way, if you want."

The two walked beside each other in silence. Sango's words flowed through Kagome's mind like a beehive, and she tried to shake them off. It was only a couple of weeks. There couldn't be that much change in Sesshomaru. Kagome was only another person in his life.

Sesshomaru glanced down at her, and saw the confusion in her face. She was conflicted. He, too, was not quite himself. His claws flexed as his mind whirled. The desire to ensure Kagome's safety was not one that he liked. Somebody has a new friend, and it's Kagome, his youkai chanted. Sesshomaru clenched his teeth. His heart was too soft for his own good.

()

Hey, everyone. Mattaki here, once again. I hope you guys liked this chapter. Just like I promised, it's longer than the last one by a couple pages. I wanted to have Kagome encounter some old friends, after being with Sesshomaru for a while. Although I looked back at the timeline of the story, and realized that, because the chapters are so short, it's only been a couple weeks since Kagome started traveling with Sesshomaru. It feels like a lot longer! Such is the writing life, I suppose.

More Inuyasha, Kikyo, and SessKag goodness in the chapter to follow. Thanks so much for reading! Please, please review!

Until next time, ja ne~