There once were brothers who could not even agree to disagree.

Kagome sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time since this morning. The group had been traveling nearly non-stop for days and just about every last member of the group appeared to be at their limit. It didn't help that Sesshoumaru and InuYasha constantly bickered and fought, halting their progress and dividing the group's focus. Patience was running in short supply. Even Miroku found it difficult to be diplomatic given the circumstances so Kagome found herself breaking up countless skirmishes between the two.

Her attempts at playing peacemaker were always so awkward. Sesshoumaru's presence made her uneasy most of the time although she treated him with polite courtesy. The very idea of reprimanding him the way she did her best friend and first love seemed out of the question. Just because she agreed to travel with him didn't mean that Kagome had forgotten that InuYasha's older brother already made several attempts on her life in the past. Had she not met Rin and witnessed firsthand how well the daiyoukai took care of his ward she would have classified him as irredeemable.

There were no rosary beads to use as a safeguard against him should he decide to melt off her face if she offended him. And who would know what was going through his mind? He was so unreadable that not a trace of what he thought showed on his aristocratic face. Not to mention, she was ill trained despite being powerful therefor she highly doubted that he would allow her to best him in battle. Rather than barging into the brothers' conflicts with guns ablaze she managed to subdue InuYasha before any real damage was done. A well-placed "Osuwari" seemed to distract the hanyou most of the time and when that didn't work, she let them fight until they grew bored with each other. Kagome's first aid kit made its round constantly and her supplies were being eaten up rather quickly with the expansion of the group. Despite this, InuYasha resisted the suggestion of returning to Edo to recharge and restock their supplies.

InuYasha was obviously uncomfortable being in close quarters with his brother and the animosity brewing between them seemed to grow exponentially with each imagined slight. Although Sesshoumaru had been helpful to the group on several occasions, his brother could not let go of their turbulent past. All it took was a mere condescending glance from the daiyoukai to plunge the younger hanyou into a terrible mood. It was a rather frustrating cycle of violence and counterproductive for everyone.

InuYasha replied incredulously when they made a brief rest stop in a small clearing. "Kagome, you have to be kidding. We're so close. I can feel that bastard watching us. Can't you?"

"We're running in circles. We don't have any leads on Naraku. And I don't know about you but I don't enjoy chasing my tail. Since…" Kagome paused uncertainly before she blurted out that the Naraku had remained hidden since Kikyo's death. "Gods, just be reasonable for once, InuYasha."

The hanyou muttered, "Damn it. You just want a reason to run home and leave me with that bastard. He's your responsibility, you know. I'll be damned if I have to sit around with him making small talk and shit. "

Kagome nearly pulled her hair out in frustration as she replied, "Oh my! What a concept? Actually talking to your brother instead of trying to lop each other's heads off every chance you get?"

Sesshoumaru unfolded gracefully from his resting place beneath a tree and approached the couple. "Half-brother… Miko," he corrected her calmly while pinning her with a pointed stare. "And this Sesshoumaru would appreciate not being talked about as if he is not present."

Kagome started at the sound of his voice, her head whipping in his direction. Gathering her courage she continued, "My apologies Sesshoumaru but do you not agree that wandering aimlessly is pointless?"

The dog demon loomed over the young miko merely contemplating her. That she grown bold enough to directly address him in such a manner was surprising since she had markedly avoided engaging him since he joined their group. "Hnnn."

Miroku intervened, "Perhaps Kagome-sama is right. Unlike you Sesshoumaru-sama and for that matter InuYasha, we are mere humans. It would be prudent to rest and regroup. Perhaps plot a plan of action as a team."

Sesshoumaru didn't immediately respond, seeming to concentrate on some point in clouds far beyond their reach. He was silent and focused for a moment more before he replied. "This one cannot sense Naraku now. Do as you deem fit."

Without further ado, the daiyoukai turned in the direction of Edo and commanded that Rin and Jaken follow. The little girl was so tired she could barely walk another step so Kagome had to lift her onto An-Un. As if by tacit agreement, the entire group except InuYasha and Kagome followed suit.

InuYasha was livid. "Oy! That's it?! What about what I think?"

Kagome watched InuYasha closely for a moment seeing through his façade as she quietly replied, "You know you can't keep this up forever, right?"

Her best friend's ears flatten against his skull defensively. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You keep avoiding the obvious. You know that if we go back to Edo now, you have to call it a truce and actually talk to Sesshoumaru instead of fighting."

Shying away from the uncomfortable feeling blooming in his chest, the inu hanyou leapt on the chance to be angry once again. "You act like I'm the only one fighting. You know damn well he instigates it as much as I do!"

Sympathy bloomed in the depths of her sapphire hued eyes as she replied, "I know but… Would it kill you two to actually hash out your differences. You're strong but we need every hand on deck if we going to defeat Naraku. That's why we all agreed for him to be here. It's been days and you haven't even tried yet."

"Keh." InuYasha grunted before turning away stubbornly. "So I'm supposed to erase everything I've been through just like that huh? You think it's that easy."

"InuYasha…" Kagome sighed sadly, "I know it's not…" Kagome was suddenly glad that InuYasha could not see her heartbroken expression. "No one is asking you to forget but how can you move forward if you are so stuck in the past?"

With that she turned away, striding swiftly to catch up to her companions. InuYasha remained frozen in place for a moment contemplating her loaded question and watching her retreating figure as the distance widened between them.

Another Chapter! Don't forget to reveiew