Kagome stayed on her side of the well for a week, everyone could tell it was bothering the daiyoukai who had taken the miko under his protection, Miroku leaned against a tree and watched Sesshomaru pace back and forth in front of the well again for what seemed the millionth time.
"If I didn't know any better Sango my love, I would say Lord Sesshomaru is, or is falling in love with our Kagome-chan, but upon closer inspection it's different, he worries about her yes but not like a lover more like a reliable older brother" he whispered to Sango after the fifteenth pass.
His ears twitched and Sesshomaru pretended he wasn't paying attention to the conversation a few feet away from him, he couldn't help it he was inu curiosity was in his very DNA, he made another pass in front of the well before the Slayer spoke.
"Now that you mention it I think you might be right, though it wouldn't do to tell Lord Sesshomaru that he might deny it and in the end it would just hurt Kagome" Sango sighed, the last thing she or Miroku wanted was for the raven haired girl to run away from them again.
Sesshomaru nodded to himself, he knew he had accepted them into his pack for a reason, even if they were loud and obnoxiously annoying sometimes, they were bearable, plus they provided extra safety for Rin if he or Kagome couldn't get to her in time.
Speaking of Rin, his golden orbs searched the well clearing and found the child and the fox kit playing some game in a field of wild flowers, Sesshomaru sighed and ran a hand along his mokomoko, then an idea finally came to him.
'Yes that will do quite nicely' Sesshomaru thought to himself before wondering towards the two humans situated beneath a tree "Monk, Slayer, this one has business to attend to elsewhere if the miko returns before I do, tell her to rest I'll be back in a few days" he rumbled.
Sango blinked her brown eyes and shared a look with Miroku "Of course Lord Sesshomaru, we understand" she sent him a kind smile before watching in fascination as a cloud formed beneath the daiyoukai's feet and he took to the skies.
Once he was far away from his pack, Sesshomaru flew across the lands heading to the only known person who still made such items and landed before their small but quaint home, upon his touch down on the ground a old inuyoukai female appeared.
"Lord Sesshomaru what brings you to my humble home" the demoness nodded her head politely and waited for the dai to speak, she knew he had some reason to come before her, Sesshomaru eyed her for a long moment before closing his eyes.
"I come with a request to have another mokomoko created, you know of fates design correct" Sesshomaru questioned and the inuyoukai female nodded "This one is certain it will end in a mating between father and the miko in question" he mused aloud for a second.
Raising her head silver hair falling over her shoulder, the inuyoukai female searched his golden orbs before sighing "A month is how long it will take me to create another pelt for the petite girl" she rasped heading into her home.
Business there finished, Sesshomaru gathered his cloud beneath his feet again and headed in the opposite direction to gather the last two items armor and a kimono that would be perfect, with his gifts he was certain he'd be allowed passage into her world.
A couple days later Kagome finally emerged from the well, Rin was the first one to spot her "Kagome-chan" the child squealed running at full speed toward the older girl, Kagome smiled sweetly and scooped the little girl into her arms.
"Hello Rin-chan, guess what this Kagome got you" another slip of the tongue that went unnoticed by the raven haired teen but not by Miroku, Sango or Shippou, they thought it was strange but the more they each thought about it, the less strange it seemed.
Rin's brown eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store "What did Kagome-chan get Rin" she clapped her hands together excitedly, she couldn't wait to see what the older girl had gotten her, she hoped it was something good otherwise their Lord wouldn't approve of it.
"Well Rin-chan I got you a new kimono, Lord Sesshomaru consulted with me before I left to my world and it was decided for being such a good little girl lately that I was to get you a new one" Kagome grinned holding out the brown package for Rin to take.
The little girl didn't waste a minute as she tore into the brown paper to reveal a sky blue kimono with clouds as it's design along with a pair of new sandals for her feet "Thank you Kagome-chan" Rin hugged the clothing to her chest smiling so wide it hurt.
"Nonsense you should be thanking Lord Sessh..." Kagome's chocolate brown eyes widened in realization, that's who was missing, her eyes flew about the clearing searching the one being that had made her feel safe over the last several months and not finding him anywhere.
Sango spotted the panic on her friends face "Kagome-chan, Lord Sesshomaru said he had business for a few days, he should be back by tomorrow, and that you should rest" she said putting the younger girl at ease for the time being.
Shippou was still by the flowers pouting, "Thanks Sango-chan, I was about to have a serious melt down, oh Shippou-kun" Kagome turned to the sulking kit and pulled out some new clothes for his as well, his eyes lit up and he took them happily.
"I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten about me" he mumbled and Kagome smiled sheepishly, when she was in one of her panic attacks she sort of forgot all about people until her uneasiness had abated then she could focus.
"Sorry Shippou-kun, and no I would never forget about you, anyways we should get away from the well, Lord Sesshomaru will find us even if we are traveling" Kagome as the alpha female of the pack took charge and led the pack in a direction away from the village.
A day later Sesshomaru landed before them carrying two brown packages that were quickly stuffed in AhUn's saddle, Kagome was extremely curious, but in the end she let it go as the daiyoukai faced her and cleared his throat, she knew instantly what was coming.
"The fates have been in contact, you're next task has been assigned, we'll travel by sky, you have three weeks to complete it" he announced cryptically, he was still a bit disturbed about the newest task and he was completely on edge.
Kagome's ebony brows creased together in concern, but she knew better than to ask the dai what was wrong, he would either clam up on her or threaten her into remaining silent as she had learned much earlier on during her training whenever she asked him certain questions.
But there was one question she could ask "Lord Sesshomaru what kind of task is it" Kagome spoke up confidently those golden orbs were plastered to her face a moment later, they were filled with an emotion one would hardly ever see on the dai, it was concern.
Sesshomaru debated telling the miko but in the end there was nothing he could do "Survival you must survive on you're own for three weeks in a mountain littered with demons, small fry but still it will be a drain on you" he grumbled in a tone filled with displeasure.
Miroku and Sango blinked and shot a wide eyed look to the dai, their suspicions from a few days earlier had been correct, Sesshomaru had come to care for Kagome as an older brother would, it was cute to see him agonizing over her safety but they wouldn't dare say that out loud or to his face.
Kagome bit down on her lip "Ne Lord Sesshomaru, doesn't Rin-chan look adorable in her new kimono" she offered as a distraction drawing his golden gaze to the little girl garbed in her newest clothes, it was sky blue with clouds.
"It is adept" his rumbles filled the air, Sesshomaru knew Kagome had only said that to get his mind off of what was about to happen, Rin squealed and latched onto the raven haired girl, a fond smile spread across Kagome's lips as she scooped the child into her arms.
"No more interruptions" Sesshomaru focused on the task at hand and grabbed Kagome in his arms taking to the skies, he could only hope she wouldn't perish even with all she had learned Kagome had a kind heart that should be protected all times much like his little Rin.
Kagome kept her eyes skyward, even with as many times as this had happened already she still felt a little queasy about being up in the air, it didn't take much longer for them to arrive and Kagome could instantly tell what had Sesshomaru so uncertain.
"Thanks Lord Sesshomaru, I won't fail" Kagome smiled grabbing the now crying Rin in a hug before squeezing Shippou, then she gave Miroku and Sango a wave, and without a backwards glance at the protective dai headed into the mountain, a barrier rising behind her that no one but her could break.
The minute she had stepped inside Kagome appeared elsewhere in the center of the mountain "Kagome Higurashi you're task is to survive and make it back to the entrance, but there is a companion here for you as well" a body less voice spoke.
'Right' Kagome took a deep breath to calm herself down despite her rising panic, she ran a hand along chiryo-ho causing the blade to hum in pleasure under the gentle ministrations of her owner, chocolate brown eyes narrowed with fondness before slowing to a stop.
When she stopped Kagome felt the first of her opponents converging on her and she instantly raised a purifying barrier having figured out how to do so not that anyone else knew yet, all anyone knew was that she could raise a protective barrier.
The lesser youkai were instantly turned to ash and Kagome smirked silently to herself and closed her eyes feeling a barrier at what could possibly be the entrance she started in that direction opening her chocolate brown eyes to watch her surroundings.
There was also the other part of her task, find the supposed companion, Kagome was certain the fates hadn't told that to Sesshomaru because they possibly wanted to see how the daiyoukai would handle being separated from her for a long period of time.
She didn't think the inuyoukai loved her like that but more like a sibling kind of affection, she wasn't as blind as people made her out to be, Kagome sighed and focused on her surroundings again, she couldn't lose focus no matter what.
Two days had passed since Kagome had gone into the mountain and Sesshomaru was once again pacing like a mad man er youkai, Miroku would have laughed if he didn't think he would end up facing down an angry Sesshomaru.
Another growl tore through the air and Sango grimaced hoping that Kagome didn't take three weeks to make her way through the mountain and back to them, even she was extremely worried Kagome could hardly protect herself before and suddenly the fates wanted her to survive three weeks alone.
Rin and Shippou were pretty subdued as well remaining close by at all time not that Sesshomaru would even let them out of his sight, the first time they had gotten to far he had nearly changed forms in an attempt to find them again.
After that they hadn't wandered off to play choosing instead to stay near Miroku and Sango, Sesshomaru growled softly again and Rin frowned, it hurt that a member of their group was missing, Kagome had played a big part in her life recently and she didn't want to lose the older girl.
Kirara was the only one unconcerned, she felt a presence similar to herself dwelling deep within the mountain and knew the raven haired teen was fine, and when Kagome finally emerged the girl would be changed and that youkai would be bound to Kagome, like she was to Sango.
Shippou sighed and fiddled with some grass, this sucked something awful and he and Rin couldn't even go off to play like usual, lest they made Sesshomaru upset and he decided to try and level the mountain in an attempt to find them again.
Four days that's how long she had been in there, Kagome groaned softly and slashed through the air "Mizu Tatsumaki" she called water spewing from the end of chiryo-ho and swirling around much like a tornado would crashing through the enclosed walls and some youkai lurking around that she could feel.
Once chiryo-ho was sheathed again, Kagome swiped a hand through her grimy hair, not taking a bath for a few days would do that to a person and she hadn't run across any large enough water source to do so yet, it sucked but she knew that once she was out she would be able to bathe again.
Kagome sighed and headed through the new opening, it was the only way to get to the top after all but it was also along the way to her new companion, or she hoped it was and not a strong demon the fates had forgotten to tell her or Sesshomaru about.
"Ugh" she huffed panting slightly as she trudged along the path, she had, had to push herself the last couple of days sleeping lightly as possible in order not to be caught of guard, simply put Kagome was completely and utterly exhausted and that wasn't even the half of it.
The strain of using her reiki for several days without rest was getting to her making her body sore as all hell, then something occurred to Kagome "Oh brother" she sighed, it had been awhile after all since she had seen the dragon and wondered if he could feel her raised aura and was on his way.
What Kagome didn't know was that no one but the demons inside the mountain could feel her aura because the barrier keeping her within was one that hid her completely none of her friends could sense her at all, but she would only find that out once she emerged.
Another sigh slipped through her parted lips and Kagome lifted her foot to climb upwards, it was truly a daunting task and she wondered what else would she have to accomplish in order to be strong enough to raise Sesshomaru's father from beyond the grave.
Three more days passed in the same manner signaling the end of her first week within the mountain, every step she took, took her closer to the mysterious youkai aura brushing against hers until Kagome finally reached it and when she did, Kagome was shocked beyond belief.
There in a little alcove was a twin tail youkai cat, but what was so different about this one, she was all black and she had brown eyes like her, the minute the youkai settled it's brown eyes on Kagome, the raven haired girl felt something snap inside her mind.
A moment later a strange voice filled her head "Hello" it called in an extremely sweet voice and Kagome nearly had a heart attack "Don't be afraid" the voice said again laughing softly "I'm Kegawa you're soul bound neko companion" it introduced.
Kagome froze and her eyes settled on the neko again, the twin tailed fire cat nodded 'Wow so we can talk to each other in here' she sent the thought and Kegawa nodded her head again before mewing softly and jumping into her arms.
"Of course Kagome-chan, I've been waiting for you for a long time" Kegawa yawned softly in that very sweet voice, it was absolutely adorable and Kagome could help but squeal and gently crush the neko to her chest in response.
Then Kagome caught on 'What do you mean you've been waiting for me for a long time Kegawa-chan' she questioned as she turned and started making her way to the entrance of the mountain and back to her friends and Sesshomaru of course.
Kegawa stayed quiet for a long moment before answering "A few hundred years, the fates promised me if I staid here within the mountain that I would meet the one I was meant to serve, I was only told a name, Kagome, you are Kagome correct" Kegawa asked through their mental link.
'Yes Kegawa-chan, I am Kagome, I'm glad that I found you in time, it must have been very lonely' Kagome felt sad for the little neko in her arms, to wait that long to meet someone it must have been excruciating for Kegawa.
"It was lonely but I always kept the thought of meeting you in mind and the happiness I felt was enough to override the loneliness" Kegawa replied purring softly and Kagome giggled scratching her behind her fuzzy black ears.
"Well I'm here now Kegawa-chan and you never have to worry about being lonely again" Kagome promised cuddling the neko to her chest again as she walked towards the entrance, she had a feeling it was going to take her a week unless.
Kegawa knew instantly what her new mistress was about to ask so she jumped from Kagome's arms to the ground and transformed "If it pleases you Kagome-chan, you may ride on my back and I will fly us to the entrance, I know the way, though there are a lot of demons" she said worriedly.
"Don't worry Kegawa-chan, leave the youkai to me, you just concentrate on getting us to the entrance" Kagome said aloud before climbing onto the neko's back, and stroking Kegawa's head as she rose in the air and starting flying in the right direction.
It only took a few hours before Kegawa slowed down considerable "Kagome-chan" she sent through their mental link, the raven haired teen ran a hand down her back gently and Kegawa started forward again as Kagome narrowed her eyes in concentration and pulled her blade from her sheath.
Once they were in close enough range of the many youkai, the slightly stronger ones, Kagome took a deep breath and pointed her sword at the first group "Doku no ha" she whispered and a large blast of green poison shot from the end of chiryo-ho disintegrating several youkai.
This was followed by a blast of purifying reiki courtesy of Kagome's hand, then the raven haired girl jumped from Kegawa's back and hacked through a few youkai that dared get to close and for those that were on the ground.
"Yogan no Sakeme" was sent out next, Kagome touched the tip of chiryo-ho to the ground creating large rifts that immediately started spewing lava setting a few of the youkai on fire before they were burnt to a crisp and they to disintegrated in ashes.
Kegawa was even tearing a few of the youkai in half with her teeth joining her mistress in the fight, it was part of the reason she had been ordered to serve Kagome to fight with her as a battle companion even if the girl may not need it.
Lastly to finish off the remaining youkai, Kagome formed a few of her reiki daggers imbuing them with purifying energy and with careful aim sent them flying, next "Mizu Tatsumaki" and that tornado of water was sent forward cooling the lava.
And finally Kagome raised a purifying barrier finishing off the rest of the youkai that blocked their way to the entrance of the mountain "Kagome-chan you were magnificent" Kegawa chirped in that sweet tone as she climbed onto the neko's back again.
"Thanks Kegawa-chan, you were pretty good as well" Kagome praised and the purring commenced again this time increasing in volume, letting Kagome know that the twin tail neko was extremely pleased about being praised by her.
Kegawa padded forward again before leaping into the air flying towards the entrance again, when they got as close as possible, "Kagome-chan there is a barrier I can't get through" she sighed feeling useless again, Kagome was quick to rub her head gently.
"Like I said Kegawa-chan, let me handle this" Kagome grinned before facing forward and with a simple raising of her barrier the one that covered the mountain collapsed before her, Sesshomaru was next to her in a flash golden eyes rimmed red.
"Miko you are unharmed" he growled softly gathering the girl into his arms and carrying her out of the mountain, Rin jumped on her feet but slowly sat down when Sesshomaru bypassed her, right now the daiyoukai was focused on Kagome.
Sango was the only one who noticed who was silently padding after the dai, her brown eyes flew to Kirara and back again before hurrying forward stepping in the second twin tailed fire neko's path "Hello little one" she greeted reaching out to pet the neko only to get snubbed.
Miroku's jaw dropped what the hell there was another neko "Come now little one Sango-chan can be a good mistress and you'll have a lot of fun" he tried but he was also ignored as the black neko went around them and followed along after Sesshomaru and Kagome.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I'm fine really a bit tired but I wasn't injured, in fact I had a lot of fun in there" Kagome giggled lightly but not annoyingly, Sesshomaru finally seemed to realized she wasn't injured and set her on her feet properly.
Then his golden eyes lighted on the second fire neko that immediately jumped into the miko's arms much to Miroku's and Sango's chagrin as they had hoped to have the fire neko become bound to Sango but that idea was out now.
"Who is the little one miko" Sesshomaru questioned his curiosity running rampant, the fates hadn't told him of this and it made him irritable, but again since he was inu he couldn't help but be very curious about the little neko.
Kagome's chocolate brown eyes lit up "This is Kegawa-chan, apparently she's been waiting in that mountain for over three hundred years for me, she's my neko companion" Kagome chattered as she scratched Kegawa behind the ears and that purr increased again.
Sesshomaru watched silently as the miko he had taken in as she went through each of the test the fates threw at her, interacted with the twin tail fire neko and decided "Very well she can join the pack, but the neko is you're responsibility miko" he turned on his heel calm once more.
"We'll travel in two days, the fates haven't contacted this one yet as to you're new task" he tossed over his shoulder leaning against a tree and closing his eyes to rest, now that Kagome was back she could take over watching the pack for a couple of days.
Kagome sighed and slid down onto her butt leaning heavily against a tree as well, Rin and Shippou scampered over to her, the little girl squealing softly in delight but hesitant to reach out and touch the neko that was settled in Kagome's lap.
'Kegawa-chan please don't ignore Rin-chan, she's very important to me' Kagome warned before looking at the little girl "It's okay you can pet her Rin-chan but be very gentle" she stated in a warning tone and Rin nodded her head eagerly.
Jaken shook his head, he had long since gotten past his reservations of the miko traveling with them, now the ones he didn't truly trust were the miko's friends, it had only been a couple of months since they had joined the pack and they hadn't done anything to earn his trust.
He turned and stoked the fire wishing he had someone to keep him company, ever since Kagome had come into their pack Rin no longer turned to him for protection while it did hurt, he also knew that the miko was a force to be reckoned with and was very protective over the little girl.
Jaken sighed drawing Kagome's attention she smiled softly at the gami servant, 'I'm only gonna ask this of you once fates, please let Jaken be happy soon' she prayed silently before chattering away softly with Rin and Shippou, Kegawa purring away in her lap.
Sango was highly put out, the fire neko was absolutely adorable, not that Kirara wasn't either but still she had hoped to convince, Kegawa, to serve her alongside Kirara, that way she would have formidable companions on her side.
Miroku groaned, this wasn't going to be good, he could only hope Sango wasn't going to be to jealous "Sango my dear" he murmured wrapping his arms around her from behind, her brown eyes widened and she immediately felt awful for thinking such horrid thoughts.
"Sorry I guess I was little to upset, but no more, Kagome-chan deserves to be happy" Sango side snuggling into her betrothed's arms until "HENTAI" she screamed jumping to her feet, her hand swinging out and striking Miroku across the face.
Miroku grinned "Sorry it's this cursed hand of mine" he lied rubbing his throbbing cheek, Sango sent him a scowl that could scare the devil into submission and settled down a little further away from him, he sighed, why did he always get himself into these messes.