Disclaimer: InuYasha, and all its characters, including the hotness that is Sesshoumaru, all belong to Rumiko Takahashi. At least until I'm older and she's dead and I buy the royalties off whoever inherits them.

Thanks to Trelweny Rosephoenixwolf for pointing out a few mistakes

CHAPTER 17: THE GREAT DIVIDE

Kaede looked up as Kagome and Sesshoumaru entered her hut. It only took one look at Kagome's hurt features and the tensing of Sesshoumaru's shoulders to tell her that InuYasha had actually let his stupidity get the best of him. She shook her head and stood to greet her two guests. "Ah, did ye enjoy your time away, child?"

Kagome started, and felt her eyes prick. She hastily shook her head and moved forward to embrace Kaede. "Yeah. I did have fun."

Kaede looked to Sesshoumaru. "It was unkind of ye to take her from us without telling us where ye would be going, Sesshoumaru-sama. She may be your pack, but she is also important to this group. Please remember that when ye next take her."

Sesshoumaru stared at the old woman for a moment, then nodded slowly in recognition of her words. Kaede's stern expression softened, and she turned back to Kagome. "Now, what has that look in your eyes, child? Surely ye are not allowing InuYasha's words push at your heart, are ye?"

Kagome shook her head and smiled at Kaede. "No. I've learned by now that InuYasha rarely means what he says when he's in that kind of mood." She looked towards the door and shook her head. "What hurts is the fact that Miroku and Sango would actually believe him. I just don't understand why."

"People are complex and unknowable, child." Kaede answered. "We must simply learn to accept that there are some things we cannot change."

Kagome forced a smile in return, and moved to sit at the fireplace. "So did anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

"Not at all." Kaede answered, sitting across from Kagome. "It has been rather boring without ye, Kagome."

Kagome felt a true smile cross her face. "I'm sure that InuYasha kept you entertained enough. I'm sorry for not letting you know ahead of time where I was going to be. I didn't mean to worry you guys." She leaned back and rubbed her forehead. "I don't know what to do, Kaede. Naraku has nearly all of the shards, except for the five I have and the two that Kouga's got. We need to get those from Kouga somehow, though kami only knows how we'll succeed at that. And with the amount of power we have now, there is no way that we'll be able to fight Naraku without some casualties. But we can't do much without knowing before we can even begin working." She sighed. "There's too much to do, and much too little time. Not to mention that right now, I don't want to even think about traveling with them. I know it's selfish, but it hurts that they don't trust me."

Kaede placed a cup of tea in front of her and sat back. "Perhaps ye should return to your own time for a few days. By then, everyone will have calmed enough to talk without allowing their tempers to get in the way."

"But I'm tired of constantly running away." Kagome whispered. "I did that every time I fought with InuYasha, and it never solved anything. For once, I want to be strong enough to stay and fix things."

Sesshoumaru could see the inner turmoil of his pack-sister, and it irked him that he could think of nothing to help. He was very good at causing pain, but fixing it was another matter entirely. A thought occurred to Sesshoumaru, and his eyes grew wide. What if she started crying? There was nothing worse in the world than a crying female, no matter what their species. He shook his head. Worrying about things that hadn't even happened yet was absurd. He should be focusing on forestalling the tears, not what he would do should they occur.

Luckily for him, just as he began to smell the salt water that often signaled tears, there was a knock at the door. "Lady Kagome? May I come in?"

Kagome stiffened for a moment, then hurriedly wiped at her eyes. "Come on in, Miroku." Miroku entered the hut, and his guilt worsened when he saw Kagome's eyes. For a moment, he was at a loss at what to say. Strangely, this fact seemed to lighten Kagome's mood. "Come sit down, Miroku. I'm sure that words will come to you in a moment."

Miroku moved to sit beside Kagome, and felt the watchful and angry eyes of the daiyoukai behind him. He half wondered if he shouldn't move, but his curiosity about Sesshoumaru's anger kept him in place. And anyway, it wasn't as if he didn't deserve his anger. "Lady Kagome, I-"

"Don't." Miroku froze when he heard that. So he had crossed even Kagome too many times to ask for forgiveness. Well, she was only human, and so even her forgiveness had its limits. He should have known better than to—his inner scolding was cut off when Kagome smacked the back of his head. He looked over at Kagome in shock, and saw the happy sparkle was back in her eyes. "Don't you dare get mopey on me, monk. It's not that I'm not forgiving you. I'm just saying that you shouldn't apologize when you don't mean it."

"But I-"

"I know why you agreed with InuYasha." Kagome interrupted. "It's because Sango believed it. And as much as I am your friend, Sango is the one that you are going to spend the rest of your life with. You need to be able to trust someone in a situation like that, and so you trusted Sango when she believed that I had. . . well, you know. There is nothing wrong with that, and I'm sure that if faced with the same choice, you would make the same decision. So don't apologize when you don't mean it."

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure whether to smirk at the monk's amazement, or be irritated with that stupid miko. Then suddenly, Miroku burst out laughing. Soon Kagome joined him, and the mutual amusement flowed between them. Sesshoumaru stared uncomprehendingly at the two of them, completely lost to what had transpired between them. He shook his head as the laughter died out. He would never understand humans.

Miroku stood and smiled at Kagome. "I couldn't help but overhear what you and Lady Kaede were saying."

"Eavesdropper." Kagome groused, though the smile still remained on her face. "Must be from all your sneaking around."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Miroku answered, sticking his nose in the air. When Kagome laughed again, he lowered it and smiled. "I just thought you might like to know that it is not you who is running away from this conflict." His eyes twinkled as he stood. "There is a distinct lack of hanyou in this village today."

Miroku walked towards the door, content now that he had made up with Kagome. The sound of her laughter as he left was only an added bonus.

Kagome stared up at the giant mansion, and suddenly questioned her resolve. It was one thing to come to the colossal complex where Ao and Kin made their home when she was invited. It was an entirely different matter when she just showed up on their doorsteps. Kagome bit at her lip nervously, contemplating whether to press the button for intercom. Then she shook her head and turned away.

"Is there something you desired?"

Kagome let out an eep and whirled to see Kin coming up from the other direction. She let out a breath, then nervously fidgeted under Kin's steady gaze. "Um . . . well. . . I'm sorry for just showing up like this." She said in a rush. "But I was kind of hoping to see Ao."

Kin nodded before pulling out some strange card from one of his pockets. He held it up in front of the intercom, and a green light flashed on it. The gates groaned and opened in response, and Kin nodded at them before turning back to Kagome. "Unfortunately, Ao will be in America for about a week. One of our granddaughters is about to give birth, and she insists on being present for the last month of every pregnancy."

"Oh." Kagome answered, feeling her disappointment weigh on her. "Well, I don't want to bother you. I guess I'll just be going."

Kin seemed to contemplate something, then let out a sigh. "While I am not Ao, and do not have proficiency in dealing with the problems of other, I have learned a bit from her over the years. Perhaps you could speak to me about what is troubling you."

Kagome paused, almost ready to reject the offer. But then again, Kin had shown the same penchant for advice that Ao usually had when Ao had been in the hospital. Maybe he could help this time too. "Thank you." She answered, a small smile stretching across her face. "I'd really like that."

Kin nodded and led her through the gate, which shut behind them almost instantly. One of the modified golf carts came to a stop in front of the gate, and the driver stepped out. "Welcome home, Nishinoshu-sama." He said, passing the keys to Kin.

Kin nodded absently and waved Kagome forward. "That will be all for now." He entered the driver's seat of the golf cart, and Kagome took the other side. The drive was quiet, and Kagome took the opportunity to look around as she couldn't last time. Along the main road, there were other deviating roads, which led to large houses that looked like Ao's and Kin's. At the entrance to each road, the frame of a gate stood with a name written within the twisting metal. Sanada, Morinobu, Yukimura, Masayuki, Nobushige, Akihime, Chikurinin, Kansho-in, Masako, Oichi, Tokuko, Tomoe.

"Our children." Kagome jumped at Kin's comment, and he smirked slightly. "They each have their own home on the property. Our daughters all live with their mates, but we leave their home alone. With our life spans, it's good to have a place to escape to once in a while."

Kagome smiled. "I'm sure that they appreciate it." Then she realized something, and she turned to Kin with wide eyes. "Wait a minute. You have twelve children!"

Kin chuckled. "Kagome, I have lived for a long time, and I am an inuyoukai. It is rare for single births to happen. It is a part of our more bestial nature." A dark look flashed over his face, and Kagome saw a lifetime of sadness in that look. "Of course, not all pups that are conceived make it to birth." Kagome remained silent, not really sure what to say. Then Kin shook his head, and forced his face back to normal. "In any case, our children are precious to us, and we want to make sure they have a place they feel safe in."

Kagome smiled. "I think that they're lucky to have parents like you. I hope that I'm as good as Ao when I have children." Kin looked at her, and Kagome could have sworn that something like amusement flickered in his eyes. But before she could properly identify it, she was distracted by the sudden stop of the golf cart. With a shock, she realized that they had arrived at the last gate frame on the property. Kagome blinked and turned to Kin. "Wait, where's this?"

"This is where Ao and I live." Kin answered simply.

"But this is different from when you had the party." Kagome protested.

"We use that place for when business associates come." Kin answered as he led Kagome from the car. "It's really just to impress people. Ao and I moved here after Akihime came of age. The main house was too big with only Ao and me."

"Oh. That makes sense." Kagome answered, a bit embarrassed that she hadn't seen it for herself. She hurriedly followed after Kin, who was entering the front door. She paused in the doorway, and didn't hear a sound. "There aren't any servants?"

Kin smirked. "It annoys Ao when she's constantly tripping over them. So we transferred them to other locations." He took off his suit jacket and placed it in the closet before placing his briefcase on the shelf at the top of the closet.

"Chichiue*? Is that you?" Kagome jumped at the sound of the new voice, and Kin scowled. "Chichiue." Kagome saw a woman enter the room from the hall. She was nearly as tall as Kin, and her eyes glowed the same gold as his as well. However, her hair was the same shade of black as Ao's, and her skin had the same toned, tanned look. It was easy for anyone who knew the two to tell it was their daughter.

The woman scowled and narrowed her eyes at her father. "You know, I can tell when you enter and when you leave. You could answer when someone calls you."

Kin raised an eyebrow at her. "I was not aware that I was to answer to anyone besides my mate, Akihime." He turned and began walking towards a room on the left. "If it bothers you, you are free to go."

Akihime scowled, and turned to Kagome. For a moment, she paled and her eyes widened in shock. "Haha-"

"This is Higurashi Kagome." Kin interrupted, speaking in a suspiciously hurried voice. "She is a friend of your mother and myself. Kagome, this is my daughter, Akihime."

Akihime shook herself and bowed to Kagome. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kagome-san."

"You as well, Akihime-san." Kagome answered. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding on your time with your father."

"Not at all." Akihime protested. "Chichiue is probably glad that you interrupted. He's not really happy that I'm here. To be honest, the only reason he's letting me check in on him is because he knows Hahaue* worries about him." She moved towards the other room, where Kin had taken a seat. "Please, come in. I'll get you a drink."

"Thanks." Kagome answered. She followed him into the next room, and she nearly gasped. "This place is perfect!" She exclaimed. It was as if she had stepped into her dreams. The perfect couch faced the perfect table and the perfect television set. There was a fireplace, with countless photos on the mantel, each with several people who looked similar enough to be related. Kagome felt a sense of warmth from the entire room. It felt like home. Kagome heard a clink, and looked to see Akihime placing lemonade in front of her. She blushed and sat on the couch. "Sorry. I was too busy admiring the room. It really is amazing."

"Ao designed most of the house." Kin answered. "I will pass along your compliment." Kin looked at Kagome, then stared at the cup Akihime had brought for him.

Akihime took a seat beside her father, a glass of chardonnay in her hand. "So, Kagome, was it? How strange. You have the same-"

"Perhaps you should tell me what it was that had you pacing in front of my gate." Kin cut in, a silent growl shutting Akihime's mouth. "I am curious as to the nature of your dilemma."

"Um. . ." Kagome looked nervously over at Akihime.

She got the hint and stood. "I think I've seen enough of you for one day, Chichiue. I will be able to tell Hahaue that you are well." She smiled at Kagome. "It was nice meeting you, Kagome."

"Likewise." Kagome answered, smiling back. "Kin's lucky to have someone who cares about him so much."

Akihime blinked, then let out a short laugh. "Yes, I suppose he is." With one last amused look at Kin, Akihime left the two of them alone.

Kin waited until he heard the front door close before turning to Kagome. "Well, Kagome. What is troubling you?"

Kagome blushed and looked away. "It's silly really. It's just. . . every time I've had a problem since I met you two, somehow one of you says something that inspires me to fix it. I don't know how, and it really doesn't matter how. Bit right now. . ." Kagome blinked, trying to hold back the sudden rush of tears. "Now I need that."

Kin was silent for a moment, then placed his cup down. "Explain. I will help as I can."

Kagome thought then started to speak. "Recently, I've become very close to my friend. I've mentioned him a couple of times, Sesshoumaru?" Kin nodded to show his understanding, and Kagome moved on. "Anyway, as I said, we've become close. He was having some problems with a bunch of stalker girls, so I helped him out by getting them off his back for a while. But when we got back, my friends started talking about a bunch of nonsense! They kept saying that I was. . ." She blushed and looked away. "They said we were doing some rather sensitive things."

Kin raised an eyebrow. "Sensitive things?"

Kagome's blush deepened. "Please don't make me explain. It's way too embarrassing."

Kin blinked, then his eyes widened in understanding. "Is there any basis to this misunderstanding?"

"NO!" Kagome shouted.

Kin jerked in surprise, and quickly composed himself. "I apologize. I did not mean to insinuate that such an accusation could be true."

Kagome settled down, slightly mollified. "No, I'm the one who should be sorry. I shouldn't have shouted." Kin nodded his acceptance, and Kagome continued. "Well, they confronted me about it, and when I say confronted, I mean confronted. They didn't even ask me if it was true. They just assumed that their assumption was right. They wouldn't even listen to me! And at the end, only Miroku apologized at all." Kin nodded, waiting for Kagome to run out of steam. "I mean, it's one thing to accuse me like some kind of criminal, but they refused to let me tell my side of the story. How could they just decide something without even considering the alternatives. And even if I had been with Sesshoumaru, would it have been a bad thing? It's my body, and if I want to sleep with Sesshoumaru, than that's my choice, not there's!" Kin stared at her, and Kagome couldn't help but blush. "Sorry. I didn't mean to get off topic."

Kin nodded, then cocked his head. "Sesshoumaru is a friend of yours, is he not?"

"Well, I'd certainly like to think so." Kagome answered. "It's kind of hard to tell with him. His specialty is acting indifferently to everybody."

"I did not ask if Sesshoumaru considered you a friend." Kin replied. "I asked if you considered him a friend."

"Well of course." Kagome shrugged. "I wouldn't be willing to travel with him if he wasn't my friend."

"Interesting." Kin murmured. Seeing Kagome's puzzled look, Kin elaborated. "I have to wonder, what would happen if your friends asked if you were having relations with that hanyou friend of yours."

Kagome snorted. "As if. We've moved passed the chance of that ever happening."

"And the other?" Kin prodded. "I believe you called him the 'hentai monk.'"

Kagome laughed and shook her head. "Don't even think it. The thought is just way too hilarious."

"And yet the thought of Sesshoumaru and you makes you defensive." Kin commented, staring at his tea cup intently. "It makes one wonder what is so different about your relationship with him."

Kagome blushed and looked away. "He's just a friend. That's all."

Kin raised an eyebrow, and suppressed the smirk that was dying to spread across his face. "As you say." Kin smoothed his face and took a sip of his tea. He placed it down again, then leaned back in his chair. "I will say again, that I am not Ao. Therefore, I do not have her. . . delicacy with words."

Kagome giggled. "Meaning that Ao has tact." Kin glared at her, and Kagome settled down. "I'll be good, I promise."

Kin stared her for a moment longer, than shook his head with a sigh. "In any kind of relationship, be it personal or professional, the main component of that relationship is trust. With it, any partnership will flourish and grow beyond a persona's imagination. But without it, the relationship is slowly poisoned, until all that remains of the origins is a twisted mass that is unrecognizable to even its original pair." He looked down at his tea cup, as if remembering something that had happened a long time ago. "It is the reason that my brother and I do not get along well. Trust is something that does not exist between us." He sighed and placed down his cup. "In business, you learn that sometimes, it's better to cut your losses before it begins to affect other areas as well."

Kagome stared at him, a bit confused about what he was trying to say. "You think. . . that I should just drop my friends?"

Kin nodded to her. "Perhaps drop is not the right phrase to use. More along the lines that you should try to distance yourself."

"But they're my friends!" Kagome insisted. "I could never-"

Before Kagome could finish, she heard the front door slam. Kin growled and headed for the door. "Akihime, what do you think you're-" He froze in the doorway.

"Kin?" Kagome jumped when she heard Ao's voice. Ao laughed walked forward, sliding around him to enter the room. "It seems I still have the ability to surprise you." She took Kin's seat and smiled at Kagome. "It's good to see you again, dear. When Akihime told me you were visiting, I just had to come see."

Kin frowned and moved to sit beside Ao. "I thought you were staying with Amelia until the birth."

Ao sighed and leaned back. "Apparently, the advice of an old woman with experience as a midwife, and the mother of twelve children, is not appreciated by the expecting mother." She shook her head. "Well, at least I can say I tried."

Kin squeezed her arm. Kagome squirmed, wondering if she should leave, but then Ao turned to Kagome. "So, what brought you to our humble abode, Kagome?"

Kagome reiterated what she had told Kin, and included the advice that Kin had given her. At the end of the tale, Ao narrowed her eyes and turned to smack Kin upside the head. "What kind of advice are you giving that girl, Kin?"

Kin rubbed the back of his head and glared at Ao. "It is sound and intelligent advice."

"And incomplete." Ao answered. "Why don't you make yourself useful and get me some pie? I know Akihime always leaves some in fridge when she's looking after you for me."

Kin kept glaring as he stood. "If you believe that you can do better, then please proceed."

Ao waited until Kin left before she turned back to Kagome. "Now, I want you to listen to me closely, Kagome. What Kin said is not necessarily wrong. Sometimes it is better to let people go their separate ways, instead of forcing them to support something that they do not believe in. However, just because you are separating from someone, does not mean that you are dropping them."

Kagome gave Ao a confused look. "I don't think I understand."

"Do you have any friends that do not travel with you?" Ao prodded.

"Well of course." Kagome answered.

"Well then, aren't you still friends with them?" Ao pointed out. "Just because you are friends with someone does not mean that you need be with them at all times. And sometimes the extra space between you will help you to see each other's point of view. The phrase 'time heals all wounds' doesn't just talk about the long term. The immediate affects are just as potent." She sat back with a smile. "Basically, it's okay to separate from your friends, as long as you separate as friends."

Kagome looked down at her lemonade, and felt sadder than she had in a very long time. "But we'll never be as close again, will we?"

Ao's smile softened, and she moved to kneel beside Kagome. "There is always the chance that allowing yourselves differences may distance you from your friends. However, so long as you part on good terms, you will always remain friends." Her grin grew. "And if you separate, then you can accomplish many different tasks at the same time. Then when you come back together, you'll have something to bond you together: a common goal." Having said her piece, Ao stood. "Just trust me. Have I ever steered you wrong?"

Kagome managed a smile. "No, I suppose not."

Just then, Kin entered the room. Ao jumped up and stole the plate that he had carried in. "And now. . . PIE!" Kagome stared at Ao, who held the pie up triumphantly over her head, and at Kin, who was staring at her as if she were crazy. And then she couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing. Ao grinned at her and placed a piece of pie in front of her. "Eat up. Pie makes everything better."

Kagome did end up eating her pie, and she stayed for a bit longer talking about ridiculous things with the elderly couple. Nearly an hour later, Kin escorted her to the front gate, where their limo was waiting to drive her home. He returned to the house just ten minutes later to see that Ao had cleared the room and was now in the kitchen doing dishes.

Nishinoshu Kin, also known as Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands, stepped into the kitchen. "I'm sorry."

Nishinoshu Ao, also known as Higurashi Kagome, turned in surprise. "What are you sorry for, Sesshoumaru?"

"I am sorry that Amelia has been influenced by Rin's prejudice and could not appreciate the help you offered." Sesshoumaru answered. "You shouldn't be hurt because of her misguided opinions of you."

"They are hardly misguided." Kagome whispered. "I went back on my promise to her, and so she has every reason to hate me. I just regret that her blind hate has transferred to her children and grandchildren as well."

Sesshoumaru growled and was in front of Kagome in an instant. "I don't want to hear those words from you. At that time, you were an eighteen year old who had spent the most important years of her life fighting for her life. Not only that, but that damn hanyou was the first person you ever loved, and he hurt you in every way possible. It only makes sense that you would protect yourself from reliving the same fate."

"I should have trusted you." Kagome's whisper softened even more. "And because I was stupid, I hurt a young girl who had already been betrayed by the human race. Is it any wonder that she despises me?" She looked at Sesshoumaru and forced herself to smile. "And besides, if hating me means that she can live among humans without fear, and without prejudice, than I don't mind being her scapegoat."

Sesshoumaru snarled at that and slammed his fist into the wall behind her. "Stop that. Stop smiling as if there's nothing wrong. Don't smile unless it's real."

Kagome's smile wavered, and then fell. "Why the heck do you know me so well?" She muttered.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and slumped forward until his forehead touched Kagome's. "I would be a poor mate indeed if I did not know you."

Kagome smiled as she felt her breathing begin to match Sesshoumaru's. No words passed between them, but then again, they really weren't needed. Kagome would never believe that Rin's anger was unjustified. Sesshoumaru would never believe that Kagome deserved Rin's undying anger. The two of them would never agree, nor would they ever agree.

After a few minutes, Kagome opened her eyes, a true smile now on her face. "So. . . do we have anymore pie left?"

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but to laugh.

When Kagome entered Kaede's hut, the air was still tense. InuYasha and Sesshoumaru stood on opposite ends of the room, eyes locked as if just waiting for the other to make the wrong move and give them an excuse to start a fight. Sango stared resolutely at the fire, while Miroku sat across from her sending hopeful glances her way every few seconds. The two kids sat huddled together in the corner, wisely keeping silent. Only Kaede seemed to be unaffected by the tense atmosphere.

Well, maybe it's time to listen to what Kaede, Kin, and Ao suggested. "I think we should separate."

"WHAT!"

Kagome nearly flinched away from the looks she was getting, but she forced herself to remain still. "I know that it's not what anyone wants to hear, but I really think it's for the best."

Sango jumped up. "Kagome, if this is about the things we said before, then we can talk about it. It's not like we want you to go or anything!"

All that, and she still doesn't apologize. And she makes it sound like it's my fault! "It's not that, Sango." Kagome answered. "It's just that I think we could use a break."

"So what? You can't deal with us knowing the truth, and so now you're running away?" InuYasha growled.

"InuYasha!" Miroku scolded. "That's not-"

"It's alright, Miroku." Kagome cut him off. She looked at InuYasha and sighed. "I am not running away. However, the way we are now, with everyone being angry and hurt and frustrated, we'll do more harm than good out there." She leaned back with a sigh. "Look, we've been traveling together for nearly four years now. In all that time, I'm the only one who's been away regularly. The rest of you have always been huddled together with only one or two short excursions to get away from one another." Kagome grinned. "In short, we're sick of each other! So I suggest we make the best of a situation."

"And what exactly is 'the best of the situation.'" InuYasha demanded.

"If Naraku sees that we've split up, he'll assume that we've argued." She lifted a hand to stop Shippou's automatic reaction to point out that they actually were arguing. "He won't be expecting us to work together, and we'll have an advantage. There are a few things that need to be done in order to be able to fight Naraku on equal terms and win, and now that all the shards are in either our hands or Naraku's, the time to do them is now." She turned to Miroku and Sango first. "One group needs to track Kouga down, convince him to hand over his shards, and find out if he will help us fight against Naraku. Another group needs to find people who are willing to go up against Naraku in the final battle. The last group needs to continue to hunt down Naraku as we've been doing."

"Hold on a second!" InuYasha shouted. "Who the hell said we needed to get help to fight that bastard? I can kill him without the help of that pussy wolf or anyone else that you idiots can dig up."

Everyone jumped when it was Sesshoumaru who answered. "Be silent, hanyou. If you were capable of killing the half breed, he would already be dead."

"Well I don't see you doing much better, you asshole!" InuYasha shouted, reaching for the Tetsusaiga at his hip.

"This Sesshoumaru is not capable of correctly fighting Naraku." The room grew absolutely silent, and every pair of eyes in the room stared in absolute shock. Sesshoumaru growled, and they quickly looked away. "This Sesshoumaru is. . . prejudiced. Because of this, it would be difficult for this Sesshoumaru to fight Naraku as the opponent he is."

The room was silent after this confession, but Kagome quickly continued to draw their attention away from the uncomfortable daiyoukai. "This is all beside the point. Even if we were able to kill Naraku on our own, I would still want to have as many allies on our side as possible. The more people we have, the more power we have. And the more power we have, the better chance that everyone will come out of the final battle alive." She stared directly at InuYasha. "That is what's important. Naraku has killed enough people already. I don't want to give him a chance to add more to his name."

InuYasha had no answer to that. Looking around, Kagome saw agreement on everyone's faces. "Alright, so here are my suggestions for the groups: Sango, Miroku, Kirara; InuYasha and me; Sesshoumaru on his own."

Sesshoumaru's answer was immediate and absolute. "Unacceptable."

"Nobody asked you, ya damn bastard!" InuYasha shouted.

"It was a suggestion, meaning that it is open for discussion." Sesshoumaru shot back. He focused on Kagome speaking only to her. "I cannot allow you to be separate from me."

"Keh! Of course you don't want your little fu-"

"Sit boy." Kagome interrupted, watching with a smug satisfaction as InuYasha landed face first into the unlit fireplace. Then she turned to Sesshoumaru. "Could you explain?"

"You are pack." Sesshoumaru answered.

Kagome stared at him, the slowly nodded. "I understand. Alright then, we'll make an adjustment." She turned to InuYasha. "InuYasha, do you know how to find Kikyo?"

"What!"

"You can't be serious!"

"She's evil!"

Kagome ignored the protests of the others and focused solely on InuYasha. Finally, InuYasha looked away. "I can try."

Kagome nodded. "Then I'll go with Sesshoumaru, and InuYasha will go with Kikyo." She thought about it, then smiled. "That's actually better, now that I think about it. Now each group has a person with holy powers as well as one with demonic powers." She gave a small smile to Sango. "Sorry Sango."

"What are we gonna do?"

Kagome looked over into the corner where Rin and Shippou had been sitting so quietly while the adults discussed their fates. She smiled and walked over to them. "You guys are going to stay here with Kaede."

"What!" Shippou cried. "You can't leave me here!"

Rin looked directly at Sesshoumaru. "I want to stay with Sesshoumaru-sama!"

Kagome knelt down so that she stood directly in front of the two children. "Listen to me. I'm not trying to keep you guys out of the way. I need you guys here." Shippou started to protest, but Kagome quickly cut him off. "Shippou, someone needs to protect Kaede and this village while we're gone. You're the only one I can trust with this, because people will underestimate you." Shippou's mouth closed. Kagome turned to Rin, and saw the stubborn determination in her eyes. "Rin, I need you to be our information center."

Rin cocked her head. "Information center?"

Kagome nodded. "With the three groups moving around, there isn't much chance that we'll be seeing much of each other. Edo will be our common base, and we'll be coming here often enough. We'll need someone to gather the information we all gather and then let the other groups know when they come. I'm expecting a lot of you, Rin. Do you think you can do it?"

Rin frowned and crossed her arms. "I am not stupid, Lady Kagome." She declared. "Of course I can!"

Kagome smiled. "Good. Then I will leave it up to you." She stood and faced the group. "So are we all in agreement about the groups?" She was seeing no opposition, and so she pushed forward. "Anyway, I think that Miroku and Sango should go after Kouga. It makes more sense for the two of them to be wandering around, since they won't have InuYasha's sense of smell or an ability to find the Shikon shards. Does that sound alright to you two?"

Miroku and Sango nodded, while Kirara let out a purr of agreement. Kagome smiled and turned to InuYasha. "InuYasha, I think that you should find Kikyo, and then go after Naraku. You two have the longest grudge against him, and you're certainly the most vocal. It only makes sense that you would go after him now."

"Keh. I ain't got a problem with that." InuYasha growled.

Kagome shook her head with a grin and turned to Sesshoumaru. "I believe that Sesshoumaru and I should focus on gathering Shikon Shards. While we're on the way, we can gather our friends. Naraku has made plenty of enemies, and we've made even more friends while chasing him down. The more people we have on our side, the better our chances. Together, I think we can bring together an intimidating bunch."

Sesshoumaru was impressed. To think that the woman had come up with this plan in just the few days she had been gone. He would have to watch out for her, should they ever end up on opposite sides.

But still, it worried him that she would so easily dismiss him from her side. Sesshoumaru had made it clear that he would remain with Kagome until she had completed her task, as was his duty to a member of his pack. Did she think him honorless, that he would throw aside his duty and his promise so easily? He watched as she stepped between her friends, ignoring the hurt she still harbored in order to prepare her friends for their missions.

Sesshoumaru shook his head. No, Kagome understood the honor keeping a promise. She would not be here in this time if she did not. Nor did she possess the subtlety to imply that he could not protect her or try to insult him.

Sesshoumaru watched her as she interacted with her friends, and a thought occurred to him. Demons had packs; Humans had friends and family. It had to be that Kagome did not understand what it meant to be pack. If that was the case, then it was his duty as an alpha to educate her on these matters.

Sesshoumaru nodded to himself. They would have time for Kagome to learn the difference between friends, family, and pack. It would be an interesting thing to teach.

Asterisk ** ksiretsA

Chichiue: Dad, Daddy

Hahaue: Mom, Mommy

Author's Rant

Obsessive_Goddess: Hey, HW. How long have we been stuck in this tiny room in Serephina of the Kamis' head?

Horse Wolves: It's hard to tell. The only thing in here is the computer. . . hey, why aren't you typing?

Obsessive_Goddess: I'm going on strike!

Horse Wolves: WHAT! But then we'll be stuck in here FOREVER!

Obsessive_Goddess: I refuse to write again until I get to see my sources of inspiration again!

Horse Wolves: Sources of inspiration? Please tell me you don't mean that thing.

Obsessive_Goddess: Oh yes i do. I need that thing.

Horse Wolves: I'm never going home again, am I?

[In the rest of Serephina of the Kamis' head]

Kagome: It's the perfect plan to bust those two out!

Sesshoumaru: This Sesshoumaru will participate, if only to see your misery when it fails.

Kagome: [narrows eyes] You're secretly a sadist, aren't you?

Sesshoumaru: What's so secret about it?

End of Author's Rant