Two hands, wrinkled but strong, grasped Inuyasha's shoulder. "The pup is healthy, as is the mother." She smiled kindly, her eye clouded with age, the other covered by a worn, black patch. The old priestess turned back to the hut. "It was only a mild fever."

Inuyasha sighed with relief. "Good." Perhaps one of his most panicked moments occurred when Kyoko collapsed in the woods during their travel. It took half a day to get her to the only village with a healer that would treat a hanyou. "Thanks, Kaede."

The priestess looked at him sharply. "If what I understand is correct, Inuyasha," she said, "you are not married to this woman, but the pup is clearly yours."

Inuyasha gulped, and turned away. "Yeah, I got her pregnant. She was all insistent on being friends with me and all this crap about how she wanted to be nice to 'cause I was nice to her, and she seduced me." He looked at the priestess, who continued to glare. "Okay," he admitted, "maybe I didn't care enough to try stopping her. I was upset, all right?"

"Hm." Kaede adjusted her eye patch. "This is both your fault, I presume. Children are always making mistakes. How does Kagome feel about this?"

He could remember the way Sesshomaru stood in front of her, protecting Kagome when Inuyasha briefly lost himself to rage. The inu youkai never had that look in his eyes before. "She's too busy flirting with my brother," he spat, clenching a fist.

"The Lord Sesshomaru?" Kaede raised an eyebrow.

Inuyasha sighed, and explained everything that had happened to him since their original inquiry with Kaede about the Hana no Shukumei. Kagome leaving, his trying to replace her with Kikyo, the tragic end of the woman he loved at his own hand, Sango and Miroku leaving him, and his meeting Kyoko and becoming reluctant friends with the hanyou tiger.

Kaede did not show much surprise at the news of Kikyo's death. "My sister needed to be released from that body," she said. "I only wish it had been under better circumstances."

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Kaede." Inuyasha felt the guilt rip another tear in his heart. He hadn't yet forgiven himself for Kikyo. Perhaps he went back to Kagome after that out of grief. It was pathetic to think about.

The two stood in silence for a moment. Finally, Kaede said, "I find it odd, Inuyasha, that you continue to fall for women with names beginning in the letter 'K.'" She chuckled softly, and Inuyasha lowered his ears.

"Shut up, old woman. That's the last thing you should care about."

"Aye, but humor is good for my heart," she said, patting her chest. "In any case, it does shock me that Kagome was mated to the Lord Sesshomaru. I knew she had found the Hana no Shukumei, however-"

"Wait!" Inuyasha glared at her. "When we asked you about that thing, you said you only knew a little bit that Kikyo learned. You never called it the 'Hana no Shukumei.'"

Kaede realized her mistake, and shook her head. "Ah, I apologize, Inuyasha. I withheld that information from you, or rather, Kagome, on purpose." She paused, thinking of what her sister told her about the legendary flowers. That they tied together youkai who were destined to accomplish a great good, or produce a child together that would do so. How they were almost never found by humans due to their magical nature, and humans' innate lack of magic. For Kagome to find one and be linked to someone through it surely meant something monumental.

"You see," Kaede continued, "I feared that Kagome could not fulfill her destiny, were she to know that she was united with someone without her own choice. She is an independent creature that would not take kindly to such news. To know she is linked to the daiyoukai of the west is surprising. I believed him too proud to take a human mate."

Inuyasha growled quietly. "He was, at first. That pompous ass treated her like dirt, and she still decided to travel with him because of that stupid rose. And now he's all protective and shit, like he never hated humans!" Inuyasha growled again, louder. "I can't believe him!"

"Calm yourself." Kaede put a hand on his shoulder. "If they are truly united through the Hana no Shukumei, it is only natural that they would grow to care for one another. They say that the Hana is controlled by the gods themselves. Its powers are not to be doubted."

Inuyasha didn't answer. From within the hut, a voice called, "Kaede? Inuyasha?"

They turned to the door. "We should be speaking of Kyoko and her health," Kaede said, "not matters of fate. Come, Inuyasha." She pushed aside the door cover. Inuyasha hesitated, and followed.

Inside, Kyoko was laying on a futon with a wet cloth on her forehead. "Inuyasha," she said, smiling. "Are you okay? You look mad."

"Yeah." He sat beside Kyoko, eying her stomach. "You feel all right?"

"Much better, thanks to Kaede." She turned to the priestess. "What do we owe?"

"Child, there is no need to pay me." Kaede took the cloth and dipped it in a bowl of warm water, before replacing it on Kyoko's forehead. "Inuyasha is a good friend of mine. I would be happy to help the mother of his pup whenever you may need it."

"Oh, thank you!" Kyoko took a deep breath. "That's a relief. I don't actually have any money. You're a very kind priestess."

"So when can we leave?" Inuyasha looked to Kaede. "I'd like to get out of here soon."

"Alas," Kaede said, "you must stay at least the night. And I would not advise traveling for this one. As strong as hanyou may be, I believe this to be a fragile pregnancy." Kaede turned to Kyoko. "Were you often sick as a child?"

Kyoko chuckled, and said, "Yes, unfortunately. My father was human and worked on the fields. He made me work with him to help bring in money. I was sensitive to the heat and caught fever often."

"That is what I thought." Kaede placed a hand gently on Kyoko's stomach. "For a human, you appear strong. But for a hanyou, you are weak, and temperature sensitive. The pregnancy does not help that condition. I would advise you stay somewhere safe until the pup is born."

"But that could be months!" Inuyasha said. "Naraku needs to be found, shards have to-"

"Inuyasha." Kaede gave him a stern look. "I understand that Naraku is a danger to us all. Indeed, it would be best if you could find and eliminate him. However, if you wish your pup to survive, Kyoko must stay here and rest. Her body is fragile, Inuyasha."

The inu hanyou glared back at the priestess, before turning to Kyoko. Her stomach had not even begun to swell yet, as she was only a few weeks along. It could be as long as a human pregnancy before she gave birth. She collapsed readily on an unusually hot day like today. Kaede was right to say that she wouldn't be able to cope while burdened with pup.

"How long?" he asked, facing Kaede again. "Winter is coming, and today's heat probably won't be happening again. How long can she travel before the pregnancy is too much?"

"I am fine," Kyoko said. "I can travel with you if you have to find Naraku. I may not be as strong as you, but I will not be a burden."

Kaede considered for a moment, peering between Kyoko and Inuyasha. Two young ones without any notion of responsibility, both stubborn and proud. Kyoko seemed a bit more mature, but if Inuyasha told the truth about her seduction, she might not be as smart. "A month, perhaps two," Kaede said finally, "if her pregnancy goes the route of a human. If it advances more quickly, I would estimate three weeks. After that, her body may have trouble adjusting itself as winter comes." She turned to Inuyasha. "If you recall, I said temperature sensitive, not heat sensitive. I believe Kyoko may suffer in the cold as much as the heat."

"She may be right," Kyoko admitted, looking away. "But I want to stay with Inuyasha."

Inuyasha looked at her, thinking of the strange relationship they started. Kyoko was clearly obsessed with him, and not in a good way. If she continued this clingy behavior, she could risk herself and the child.

"You'll stay here."

Both women faced him in surprise. "What?" Kyoko asked, sitting up. Kaede moved to push her back, but Kyoko waved her away. "Inuyasha?"

The hanyou sighed. "Kyoko, I'll help you raise this kid. It's both our faults, I guess. But you can't get the wrong idea, we're just . . . just friends," he said, hesitating to call her even that. "You're gonna stay here," he continued, "with Kaede to watch you. I have a job, to kill Naraku. You can't come like this."

"But-" she tried to protest.

"No!" Inuyasha cut her off, baring his teeth. "I've been a dumbass about everything else, I won't be a dumbass about this." He stood, balling his hands into fists. "I'll be back in a couple months at the latest. Stay here, Kyoko. Take care of the kid and think about why you like me so much in the first place. I have a youkai to catch."

"Inuyasha!" Kaede called, as the inu ran from the hut and leaped through the town. She followed outside, but he was out of sight. Knowing him, Inuyasha would not change his mind. Kaede stood in silence for a minute, watching for the hanyou, before returning to the hut.

Kyoko sat up straight, with panic on her face. "He left," she whispered, clutching her stomach. "He left me with the baby."

Kaede sighed again. She was correct. Kyoko had seemed mature when the two arrived, thanking Kaede profusely and telling Inuyasha not to worry. The priestess could see now, the child was also selfish and insecure. She wanted someone to fill a hole in her heart. Perhaps that was why she rushed into a romance.

"Hush, Kyoko," she said, kneeling beside her again. "Whining does nothing to help."

Kyoko looked at her with eyes full of tears. "But Inuyasha-"

"Has an obligation to fulfill," Kaede finished. "Naraku will kill many if he is not stopped. And you must rest here. I suspect your pregnancy will be shorter than a human's, and if this is so, the sooner you decrease your strain, the better."

Kyoko didn't answer. She sat still, staring at her hands. Kaede frowned. The old priestess did not tolerate this. "I doubt it was personal," she said, "Inuyasha has always been brazen and prone to doing what he wants. Lay down, sleep, and forget about him for now."

"All right," Kyoko said, reluctantly lying on the futon. "I just wish it hadn't come to this. I never meant to hurt anyone."

Kaede took a folded blanket from the corner and laid it over the tiger. Night would be coming. As Kyoko continued to mumble about Inuyasha, Kaede dumped the hot water pot and cleaned the hut. It was going to be a long and difficult task, caring for this one. Then again, helping those who were not secure in themselves was a talent she had developed, after watching her sister suffer for so many years before Naraku killed her.

Kaede checked on Kyoko after some time, and saw she had fallen asleep. The priestess smiled to herself. If she could make one more soul less damaged, she did not care if she died tomorrow.

()

Sesshomaru scanned the horizon. They had reached the edge of the western territory. Another two days of walking, and they would be nested within the east. If the messages from Lord Rei were to be believed, the east was not faring much better than the west. Crops suffered and livestock refused to breed. If this continued into the winter, famine would begin.

Naraku was at the root, he was sure. The evil hanyou was taking the route of a snake in the grass, slowly starving the people and turning them on the youkai lords. It was expected. In the years since Naraku's rise, word of the hanyou had spread. His threat was drawn to the attention of the youkai nobles that controlled the land. Even the royalty among humans knew of him.

If he could take out the youkai system, the lesser youkai and the rogues that followed no one would lose control. A power vacuum would form. The rules against slaughtering humans in large numbers would not be heeded, and the weak race would die out like a flame. Without the humans, the intricate trading system between the two intelligent races would fall. The monarchy would end in chaos and give Naraku the chance to take over.

He's playing a political game, Sesshomaru thought.

If it were Sesshomaru on his own, he would hunt down Naraku as quickly as he could and kill him. Seeing as Sesshomaru had no means of killing him, due to Naraku's ability to constantly regenerate himself and hide his sources of power, this option was not practical. Alternatively, Sesshomaru could pool his resources with the other three youkai lords. They in turn could consult their youkai and human subjects to gather a resistance.

Whether Naraku needed an army to confront him was debatable. It might also lose more lives than necessary. It couldn't hurt to speak with Lord Rei either way, if we are headed east. For once, Sesshomaru's inner youkai was voicing useful thoughts. The other half of him spoke when Sesshomaru knew he should do something he would rather leave alone.

In this case, his doubtful half was correct. If Naraku could slowly starve the lands, Sesshomaru alone would not be able to destroy him, as much as he might want to. You'll need the help of a certain miko.

Sesshomaru sighed quietly. He might be annoyed that his other half was bringing out unwanted desires again. But his inner youkai was correct again. Sesshomaru needed Kagome's talent as both a growing youkai and a strong miko. And he was not averse to needing this help.

The daiyoukai descended from the tree, landing softly in the center of their camp. The sun would soon rise. He stepped to Kagome, asleep in her cocoon of the strange material called 'plastic.'

"Kagome."

She stirred, and buried herself further in the sleeping bag. "Kagome, it is time to resume training."

With a groan, Kagome sat up and rubbed her eyes. "G' morning," she mumbled, unzipping her bag and standing. "I almost forgot," she said with a yawn.

"Indeed. Be ready in five minutes." Sesshomaru turned and left the camp. He had a spot for their training session prepared. It would not be as optimal as the dojo at his home, but it was better than abandoning training all together. Kagome had to increase her skill. Her potential was more than most of the nobles Sesshomaru knew.

Kagome watched him leave, and yawned again. He reminded her last night that they had training to do. She both dreaded the prospect, and looked forward to it. Kagome bent to her backpack and pulled out her training outfit, brought from the castle.

This is good.

The miko jumped, and sighed. The inner youkai. That strange voice that made Kagome feel as though she were psychotic. It hadn't disturbed her in quite a while.

I know training is good, Kagome thought as she changed. And I'd rather not talk to you.

Why not? All inu youkai must deal with their inner emotions. I daresay it's better than the struggle humans go through to realize what they want or need.

Kagome sighed, pulling her hair into a ponytail. Perhaps it's more direct, she thought, but it's also disturbing. Voices in the head aren't normal for humans. And the fact that you seem to know more about being an inu than I do doesn't help convince me you should be here.

The inner youkai chuckled. I'm the manifestation of your deep thoughts and nature. The youkai half of you. Lord Sesshomaru must experience this as well, and it allows him to confront unwanted feelings. I would not be surprised if his inner self is the reason he accepts his feelings for you.

Be that as it may, Kagome thought, grabbing her bow and arrows, I'm not used to this. Please, leave me alone.

She waited a moment, and heard no response. Sighing again, Kagome took a delicate sniff of the morning air. Drifting among the scent of morning dew and woodland creatures, she could detect Sesshomaru. Fifty meters to the north. She followed the trail quickly. The last thing Kagome wanted was for Sesshomaru to insult her this early for being late.

He was waiting in a clearing, though Kagome quickly noticed that it was not natural. This deep in the forest, clearings were scarce. Sesshomaru made an area for training by taking down quite a few trees. Kagome touched the fallen logs, disappointed that their lives ended prematurely. "You didn't have to destroy them," she said, facing the daiyoukai.

"It was efficient," Sesshomaru said. "They will provide nutrition for the dying land."

Kagome frowned. She had not thought of that. According to Sesshomaru, Naraku was not simply killing crops. He was fusing his miasma with parts of the earth to ensure nothing grew. And Kagome had felt a poisonous effect emitting between the grasses. They had not approached any villages, where the effect would be more concentrated in the farms, but it worried Kagome all the same.

"All right," she conceded. "I suppose the earth needs the nutrients."

Sesshomaru nodded, and said, "Ready your bow."

Kagome did as he commanded, loading an arrow and preparing to shoot. Sesshomaru warned her last night that they would be working on her bow skills. In Kagome's mind, she had been shooting for three years and they were refined. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, thought she needed work.

"Aim at that tree," Sesshomaru said, "between the two main limbs."

She did as asked, hitting the tree precisely where the trunk split from one piece into two limbs that continued to split into dozens of smaller limbs and branches.

"Good," Sesshomaru said. "Hit the arrow."

Kagome froze, and raised an eyebrow. "The arrow? The one I just shot?"

"There is no other arrow for you to hit," he said. "I told you that we would be working on your archery. If you are not prepared, you may leave."

Glaring, Kagome readied her bow once more. She could hit close to her previous arrow, she knew. But striking the arrow itself would require enough power to make the current arrow drive itself deep enough that it would stick in the thin piece of wood. Otherwise, it would simply knock the arrow down. From a distance, that power would be difficult to achieve without skewing the arrow's path.

Kagome planted her feet firmly in the ground, drew the arrow back, and took a deep breath. Slowly, she let some of her aura seep into the arrow. A dull blue light emanated from the wood and feathers. She whispered, "Hit the mark," and released.

It hit just below the center of her previous arrow, knocking them both from the tree and into the grass. "Crap," Kagome said, pulling another arrow from her quiver.

"You were on the correct path," Sesshomaru said, as Kagome prepared to shoot again. "Your miko abilities will help to guide the arrow where you wish it to go. However." He glanced at the two arrows on the ground. "You cannot count on your miko powers for everything."

"Thanks," Kagome said, shooting again. She hit the tree in the same spot, and quickly prepared to shoot another arrow. Once more, she stood in silence as her aura seeped into her weapon. She drew the arrow taught, more so than she usually dared, and released.

It hit her previous arrow. They both hung for a moment, long enough to raise Kagome's hope, before falling to the ground again. "Great," she muttered."

"This Sesshomaru finds it hard to believe that you have not done this before." He looked between Kagome and the arrows. "I meant this to be a prerequisite to our actual task."

"Do you know how hard it is to hit another arrow so that they both stand?" Kagome asked. "I'd like to see you try and do this."

Sesshomaru complied, taking the bow and two arrows, despite Kagome's protests. He loaded one, shot it into the tree, loaded again, and shot the second arrow. It struck the first dead center and embedded itself, creating a perfect line. Sesshomaru looked to Kagome.

She stared at the arrows, eyes wide. "But . . . how did . . . I . . ." Kagome sputtered, unable to believe her eyes. "Since when do you know archery!?" she finally asked.

Sesshomaru said, "I was required from a young age to learn all basic ways of fighting. Archery was one of the first things I was taught, and I have not forgotten how to shoot, despite not using a bow regularly."

Kagome frowned, looking at the arrows again. She sighed, and gathered all six from their places. "That's impressive," she admitted. "I wasn't aware that you knew archery. Let me try again."

Several more tries, and Kagome continued to miss. She cursed to herself, readying a third round of arrows. Before she could shoot, Sesshomaru placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why do you rotate your elbow and refuse to lock the joint?" he asked, pointing to her bow arm.

"Oh." Kagome lowered the bow. "I don't have an arm guard to protect my forearm from being burned by the string when I shoot." She gestured to her left arm. "If I turn my elbow and don't lock it, I can still shoot, and my arm is far enough from the string that it isn't hurt."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "This puts stress on your left arm and interferes with the grip on the bow."

Kagome shrugged. "Yeah, but I can compensate for it. Kaede taught me how to shoot without an arm guard so that I can do it on short notice."

The daiyoukai frowned, and said, "I will retrieve an arm guard for you when the chance presents itself. It is not optimal to shoot without it."

She smiled, and said, "Thank you, Sesshomaru. I appreciate the consideration. But I'm fine for now, as you can see." She aimed the bow again and shot. The arrow stuck in the tree, and she prepared a second one. It stuck for a moment, before falling. The first arrow, however, remained in the tree.

"I'll get this right," Kagome said, "just you wait."

()

Hi, all! Mattaki here, with another chapter finished. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Time for more SessKag goodness!

I can't say much, as I have work to do. College tests to study for . . . bleh.

Next update should be October 6th or 7th, but I have a midterm on October 8th, so be warned that the update might be late by a few days. I'll try not to be, but my education is rather important to me, and if I have to sacrifice some time to study, so be it.

Stay tuned! Thanks so much for reading! Please review!

Ja ne~