Rin threw another handful of water into the air and laughed. The droplets landed on her face, giving her an enjoyable chill. The autumn wind picked up, rustling the leaves. Rin twirled in her bare feet, the smooth stones massaging her soles.

"We need to get back." Shippo stood, watching the forest behind them. "Come on, Rin."

"Aw." Rin stopped, and pouted. "This is fun."

"You'll catch cold," Shippo said, grabbing her arm and gently pulling her from the stream. "Fox fire," he whispered, lighting blue flames around his fingers. He ran them close to Rin's feet and legs, drying her completely. When he finished, he smiled at her. "I like seeing you play, Rin, but we've been gone too long."

Rin grinned back, and nodded. "I guess you're right."

The two began to make the short journey back to camp. Rin hummed as they walked, bobbing her head to the rhythm. Shippo watched her, and joined in the humming. Rin paused in surprise, and giggled. The hum picked up volume as they created a unique melody that rang through the trees.

"Rin! Fox!"

They halted, and saw Jaken coming at them. "What do you two think you're doing!? I woke and found you missing! Do you have any idea how dangerous these woods are!? Stop laughing!"

Rin took a deep breath, still grinning. "Sorry, Master Jaken. Shippo and I were thirsty and found a stream to drink from."

"There's water in containers at the campground!" Jaken yelled, his arms swinging wildly. "We must return at once and locate that worthless hanyou boy!"

Shippo's eyebrows shot up. "Hatori? Is he gone?"

Jaken turned and marched back to the camp, continuing his rant. "You were all missing! I thought the hanyou would be with you! That miko will be upset if he is gone, and Lord Sesshomaru will not be pleased if she is upset!"

"But Master Jaken," Rin said, forgetting about Hatori's disappearance, "Lord Sesshomaru says he doesn't care about Kagome-neechan."

"Feh!" Jaken snorted. "I have served him for centuries. I know when Lord Sesshomaru cares about other creatures. Why in the world he adopted you, Rin, I have no idea, and now he is letting useless mikos and hanyou children get the best of him. If I didn't know any better, I would say he has become soft-"

"Soft, Jaken?"

The imp froze, and the children stopped behind him. They had reached camp. Sesshomaru and Kagome were standing on the other side of it. Kagome saw Shippo, and launched herself at him.

"Shippo, where were you!?" She picked up the fox and looked him sternly in the eye. "I almost had a heart attack when Ah-Un was the only one here!"

"Mama, let me go!" Shippo struggled free, landing softly on the ground. "Rin and I went to get a drink, that's all."

"Take Jaken with you," Kagome chastised. "You two are just kids-"

Shippo glared at Kagome, a strange feeling boiling within. "Mama, it wasn't that far. I'm older and I can handle myself. You told me I have to become an independent warrior, didn't you?"

She froze at Shippo's words. Her son could stand up for himself, but he had never stood up to her. He was her adorable fox. The words sunk in, and Kagome sighed, slightly shaken. "I guess I did," she said, recalling her lecture some time ago. "I just worry, Shippo. You still aren't old enough to wander around without protection, you know."

Shippo kept his gaze with her, despite not wanting to hurt her feelings. He enjoyed being alone with Rin, even if only for a few moments. He wasn't about to let his mother scold him every time she thought he went out of line. "I know, Mama. It was only a few yards away."

"Isn't Hatori still missing?" Rin asked, desperate to change the subject. Shippo confronting Kagome-neechan gave off an unfavorable atmosphere.

The group paused, taking in the surroundings. "Hatori?" Kagome called out, glancing around. "Hatori!" she called, louder.

"Hello?" Kagome turned to the left, and saw Hatori emerge from the bushes. "What is wrong?"

"Oh, thank goodness." Kagome sighed with relief. "We thought you were missing for a minute, Hatori. Please don't scare us like that."

"I was gathering herbs nearby," Hatori said. "Could you not smell my scent?"

"No," Sesshomaru said, and stepped closer to the hanyou. "As a matter of fact, this Sesshomaru cannot detect your scent at this moment." He narrowed his eyes. "Why might that be?"

Hatori thought for a moment, and said, "Oh!" He reached into his shirt, and pulled out a small sachet. "I was making this." He opened the top of the pouch to show an array of woodland plants. "The herbs I collected must have masked my scent."

Kagome gave Hatori a small pat on the head. "Tell us when you want to go somewhere. We don't want your grandfather to arrive at the castle and wait for you, to find that you've vanished."

"No, Miss Kagome," Hatori answered. "I will let you know the next time."

Sesshomaru watched the children return to Ah-Un and climb on the dragon's back. No amount of plain herbs from the woods could mask a scent so strongly as to hide it, especially not from Sesshomaru himself. He made a mental note to keep an eye on the hanyou boy.

Kagome took her place at the back of the group as they prepared to continue on their travels. The children began chatting as Jaken walked beside Ah-Un. All was as it had been the day before. Kagome sighed, thinking back to Inuyasha. If what that girl said was true, he had a lot to deal with. And he was never good under pressure.

"Kagome."

She started, and looked at Sesshomaru, who halted the group. "You will walk at the front. There is no need for you to be in the rear. Jaken will watch it." He gestured with a single claw for her to come closer.

"Milord!" Jaken objected. "I am managing Ah-Un, I cannot-"

"The dragon manages himself," Sesshomaru said, glaring at the imp. "Watch the rear."

Kagome glanced at Jaken, who nodded complacently to his lord, before joining Sesshomaru. She stood to his right, tightening her grip on her backpack. Sesshomaru had not lied about what he said. He was actually trying now.

They began walking again. Rin peered at the two inu youkai, and smiled. "I guess they didn't need me," she said to herself.

"What did you get, Hatori?" Shippo's question brought her attention from the blossoming love, to the small pouch held by the neko hanyou.

"Not much," he said, pulling out a few stems. As he explained each one, part of his mind wandered to the couple, and what he saw happen between them.

The great daiyoukai still wrestled with his feelings for the miko. Such tenderness was unfamiliar to him. But Hatori could see it, in the way he walked, the way he spoke. From this moment forward, he would pursue only what he wanted, without regard to the opinions of others.

Hatori smirked to himself as he put the herbs away. Lord Sesshomaru was evolving into his father's true image. No longer the cold wall of strength Sesshomaru perceived his father to be when he was young. Rather, he would soon become the noble warrior that protected what was important, the true identity of the Inu no Taishou. Hatori had not watched the great lord this long to see his love slip so easily away.

If it continued this way, Hatori's job would soon be finished. The faster the two opened their hearts to one another, the quicker Naraku would die and the land could live in peace. At least, that was his hope.

"I apologize, Rin, I did not hear you. What was that?" For now, his facade would allow Hatori to keep a close eye on the two.

Kagome glanced at the children, and saw Shippo showing his recent fox fire skills. Rin clapped ecstatically, and Hatori gazed in awe. She hadn't realized Shippo was growing so much. Before long, he would be a young man without need for a mother. It made her heart ache to think about.

"Is there something you would care to talk about?"

Kagome turned to Sesshomaru, and shook her head. "No, not really. It just seems that a lot is happening at once." She faced forward, inhaling deeply. The forest held many scents, but none that were unpleasant. "You'll have to let me know when you smell Naraku," she said. "I don't have an idea of his scent yet."

Sesshomaru resisted the urge to bare his teeth in disgust. "His scent is as putrid as the miasma he uses so willingly. You could not miss it."

Kagome cringed at the thought. "Ugh, if that's the case, I'm sure I won't. But are we following his trail?" She observed the scenery. "You never really mentioned where we're going."

"The spider was spotted in a village of my subjects. There, we will track him further."

"Hm." Kagome bit her lip, wondering what Naraku was up to. "I know he's evil. It seems strange, though, if the rumors are true." She turned to Sesshomaru again. "Would he really destroy the resources of the land, just to get at you? Not to be cruel, but it would be faster to kill your subjects, and send a bigger message."

"No." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "This is worse. By ridding the villages of crops and livestock, the villagers turn to the minor lords, who turn to me for assistance. They have begged for help all summer, and I spent that time vigorously hunting. Naraku kept himself at the edge." The inu couldn't help flexing his fingers in frustration. "His continuous disturbance, and my inability to capture the vile creature, strained my people and shook their trust. Some of them have already moved to other areas in hopes of finding a better ruler."

Kagome's eyes went wide. "Oh, Sesshomaru, that's terrible." And all this time, Kagome concerned herself with finding true love and getting Sesshomaru to tolerate her while they stayed at his castle. Sesshomaru was trying to keep his subjects together and fight off one of Naraku's most direct attacks on him. She felt foolish, and looked away. "We have to find him, then. You're a great leader, and he can't undermine you."

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "You think this of me?"

"Of course." Kagome didn't meet his eye, but said, "You've ruled for centuries as a powerful daiyoukai. Obviously you've done something right, or else everyone would have rebelled by now. That the people leave so quickly when things go wrong, just means they depend on you to do everything right. I think that shows a lot."

Sesshomaru watched Kagome for a moment. She did not lift her head. He sighed quietly, and said, "You are almost too optimistic. I thank you for the compliment."

Kagome paused, and said, "You're welcome." Once again, her grip tightened on her backpack. Naraku was playing seriously. If they didn't catch him soon, he would wreak havoc on the entire country. Possibly, the world.

()

"What do you mean we're lost?"

"Um . . ."

The youkai slayer glared at her husband, fingers ticking against her arm. "Edo is west," Miroku said, pointing in one direction. "So, that means we're, uh . . ." His arms flailed around as Miroku searched for something to confirm their direction.

"You don't know where Edo is, do you?" Sango asked, her voice lowering with each syllable. "I fall asleep for two hours," she continued, "and this is what happens!?" She yanked Miroku forward by the collar and readied her hand to slap him. "Miroku!"

"Darling, let's not be hasty," Miroku said, putting his hands up in defense. "I just told Kirara to turn right a little bit . . ."

"My ass, you did!" Sango dropped the monk and crossed her arms again. "If I had a coin for every time you failed to meet expectations, Miroku, I'd be a princess and married to a rich nobleman by now. We would have three children and I wouldn't have to get lost hunting Naraku."

Miroku stood, placing both hands on her shoulders. "I'm sorry, Sango. I want to find him as much as you do. The gods should know it isn't easier, with Kagome gone and neither of us able to detect shards. We have to be patient."

Sango sighed, and placed a hand over Miroku's. "I know. It's frustrating, that's all. I thought Kaede might have a lead for us." She tightened her grip. "Let's just continued flying. We'll find a landmark eventually."

Miroku watched his wife climb onto the fiery cat, wishing he could do away with the sad look in her eyes. After meeting with Kagome, and knowing they still could not travel with her, Sango became more depressed by the day. Every false lead tore at her. She wanted to prove herself, to exact revenge on Naraku and gain back normality. It all went south because Kagome found a path to her destiny.

The monk mounted Kirara in the front, and they began to fly. He had to find a way to cheer up Sango. If it continued like this, she wouldn't be able to fight anymore. Miroku searched his brain for anything that might bring a smile to her lips again.

A thought crossed his mind. Miroku smirked, and bent down to Kirara's ear. Sango raised an eyebrow, and asked, "What did you tell her?"

"I asked her to look out for the mountains near Edo," Miroku answered, searching the landscape beneath them.

"I could have told her that," Sango sighed.

They were further than Sango realized. This area didn't look anything like Kaede's village. As they wound through the sky, some of the landscape looked familiar. Sango furrowed her brow. "Miroku, where-"

"Just wait, Sango," he interrupted. "We're going somewhere special."

She frowned. "We have to ask Kaede-"

"And we will," Miroku said. "Eventually. Sit back and relax for now. It's not too much further, I don't think. I knew I'd seen those lakes before."

The wind blew harshly through Sango's hair, as memories of home filled her mind. She knew where Miroku was taking her. She had not seen her home in a long time. Sango wasn't sure if she wanted to see it again. But Miroku never steered her wrong when it came to these things.

After an hour, Kirara began to descend. Sango recognized the wooden walls underneath them. She could see houses, intact and half-destroyed. Her arms tightened around Miroku's waist, and tears began to well in her eyes. "I'm not sure about this."

"Sango, you haven't paid respects in a while. A visit here would do you good."

They landed, Kirara growling at the unkempt earth. Sango remembered when these fields were once used for rice. The ditches filled with water had long since dried.

Miroku took her hand gently, and smiled. "Let's go in."

The tall gate still worked. Sango set foot in her home village for the first time in over a year. It was true. They were too busy hunting Naraku for her to come and pay respects. Her ancestors must be ashamed that she hadn't caught their killer.

"I think this place could use some cleaning up. I'll find a broom and sweep the temple." Miroku released Sango's hand, and felt her grip it again. He turned back.

Sango squeezed his hand, and said, "I'll come with you."

Together, they went to one of the storage huts at the edge of the village. In it were an assortment of supplies borrowed by villagers when they didn't have what they needed. Brooms, spare clothes, wagon parts. Sango remembered her father crafting a wheel one night, because a youkai had destroyed several of the wagons in the village and their weren't enough spare parts for repairs.

"Here we go." Miroku picked up an old broom, shaking the dust off it. "Even the brooms need a sweeping." He laughed, and faced Sango. "Shall we go?"

"I suppose." Sango gripped the wood of the doorway. How many times she had bumped into this doorway when fetching something for a friend or elder. She followed Miroku away, toward the center of the village. In it sat the temple where Sango paid respects whenever she visited. It was the most well kept of the buildings, despite having a hole in the roof. Weather had damaged almost all of the buildings. The village no longer looked empty, but dead.

Sango knelt in the doorway, wondering how the spirits of her family and friends were, in the afterlife. Whether they had been reincarnated, or were simply drifting among the other spirits. "Why did you bring me here?" she whispered.

Miroku knelt beside her, stroking her hair gently. "With all of our hunting, you don't have time to come back here anymore. I thought it would do you some good."

They sat quietly together, in front of the crumbling temple. Sango sifted through her memories, glad and horrified to have them. It was here that she always felt the strongest pull to her past, and the greatest regret that she could not move on.

"We should clean, then." Sango stood, grabbing the broom Miroku had set down. She started sweeping, dust clouds forming at her feet. Miroku nodded, and picked up a stick from the ground. Using it, he cleared cobwebs from the corners and pushed small rodent remains out the door.

They spent the majority of the afternoon this way. By the time the sun began to set, the temple was cleared on unwanted debris. Sango was using a cloth from the storage shed to wipe the walls and scrub the floor. Miroku watched her silently. For years, Miroku did not have a proper family, raised by his father's friend. That man was the only one Miroku could be close to. But Sango lost the entirety of her village to Naraku. There were dozens of people she knew and cared for, gone in one day. Miroku could never imagine how she felt, presenting herself as a strong warrior out for revenge, when she probably wanted nothing more than to create a new life after such a tragedy.

"Sango, I love you." He whispered the words, and it took Sango a moment to hear. She looked up from the floor, eyebrow raised.

"I love you too," she said, blushing slightly, "but why say it now?"

Miroku took her hand and forced Sango to stand. "I don't say it often enough," he said, pulling her close. The hug caught Sango off guard, and she stood still as her husband wrapped his arms around her. "And yet it grows truer every day," he continued. "I love you, Sango."

"Miroku." Sango returned the hug, smiling. "I know that. I've known since the day you asked me to be your wife."

"But that isn't enough!" Miroku pulled back, keeping his hands on her shoulders. "I married you because I wanted to declare our love before it was too late! And the night we were married . . ." He paused, taking Sango's hand. "It was the happiest day of my life. To see you so depressed by our group splitting up, it depressed me as well. I want you to live in bliss, and I can't do anything about our situation. It's frustrating."

Sango squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Miroku. I know I haven't been myself. It's nice of you, to bring me here and try to make me feel better. I-"

She was cut off as Miroku pulled her close again, kissing her fervently. Traveling with their group, they never had time to be married. To love each other. The only night they got to be alone was their wedding night in Edo. The next day Inuyasha caught whiff of Naraku, and they were off again. Since then, they rarely even held hands. The fate of Japan was their top priority, but damn if Miroku didn't want to be selfish once in a while.

For tonight only, they could forget about Naraku. They could stay in this village as if Sango never left it. They could be a husband and wife.

"Miroku!" Sango said, pushing him back. "We're in a temple!" She blushed and covered her lips. "Besides, we should get back-"

"I don't care." Miroku kissed her again. "I want us, Sango. Just for tonight. Please. I'll keep you happy for tonight, even if we have to jump back on Naraku's trail tomorrow." He cupped her cheek. "I love you more than anything, Sango."

Sango looked into his eyes, and saw the sincerity in them. "I . . ." She paused. "I love you too, Miroku. But let's not do this in the temple." She took a hold of his hand and led him to one of the empty huts. "We can stay here tonight." She looked away, blushing again. "I'll admit, I missed you, too. Ever since our wedding night."

Miroku didn't wait any longer. He grasped Sango and kissed her. The feel of her, being able to be close, satisfied an ache in his heart. She was his wife. He was her husband. They would spend the rest of eternity together, no matter what.

()

Hi, everyone! Mattaki here, hoping you all enjoyed this chapter. I decided to focus more on secondary characters again. Miroku and Sango definitely needed some screen time! I think this is a realistic situation, Miroku frustrated both by the dividing of their group and his inability to comfort his bride. Those two definitely don't get enough time together.

As for Hatori, he's more than a simple neko hanyou. That's all I can say.

Please, please review! I love reading them!

I'll update again in two weeks, around September 22nd, which is actually a holiday for me, so it might be the day after instead. Again, I hope you all liked this chapter. Thank you for reading!

Ja ne~