Seven minutes into their walk Touga couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer and finally asked a question "So is there a reason you invited me on a walk" he tilted his head to the side to eye her from the corner of his eye, it really was strange and usually it was him instigating their little walks.
Kagome puffed up "What can't we just enjoy a peaceful walk without everyone jumping to conclusions" she huffed angrily and Touga cringed, Kagome deflated a second later "You know you can talk to me right" she bit her lip.
Realizing that she'd asked him on the walk because she was concerned for his well being, Touga smiled inwardly in triumph, Kagome was slowly warming up to him, after all the damage dealt to her, he knew it would take awhile but to know she actually was worried about him inflated his ego a lot.
"I'll remember that Kagome" Touga chuckled softly patting her hand that was wrapped around his arm fondly, they settled into another long silence before "Kagome, do you ever wish you'd never been pulled to this era" he inquired gently.
She gave a jolt in surprise and she whipped her head around with a crack to lock eyes with the inudaiyoukai she was slowly beginning to feel for, even if she only admitted it to herself at the moment, then Kagome remembered his question and fumbled to answer it.
"Sometimes, but that was way towards the beginning of my quest here, and then a little bit while traveling with Inuyasha after the fight with Naraku, my only constant regret was leaving my friends and family behind but now I don't have to worry about that anymore" Kagome shrugged easily.
Touga took a deep breath enjoying the breeze as it floated past them ruffling their long hair and entwining the locks, blue/black and moonlight silver, one day he hoped to see a lock of her hair turned silver and one of his her coloring, it would be beautiful.
He sighed softly "Do you think you could ever come to see me as more than a friend" Touga murmured so quietly that Kagome had to strain her ears to hear the question, they paused in their trek and the kitsune female that he already loved faced him with an unsure smile.
It took her several minutes to answer and it wasn't an answer he really expected "I...I believe so, in time that is, but listen Touga, I want to be happy and not worry about someone coming after me" Kagome shuffled nervously before the inudaiyoukai.
A smile briefly spread across his lips before it faded, at least she wasn't outright rejecting him, "Kagome" Touga called and she lifted her head, her chocolate brown eyes clashed with his golden-amber orbs and he couldn't stop himself.
Kagome squeaked in surprise when Touga stepped closer than normal and bent going extra slow before smoothly pressing his cool lips against hers, then the moment was over, and he held out his hand that she took and nothing more was said as they went back to camp and settled down to sleep.
In an seemingly abandoned hut, deep underground in the Southern Region, Akuto was stood before his gathered minions "I've brought you here for one reason and one reason only, To Destroy Kagome Higurashi, Miko/Kitsune, Lady of the East" he pounded his hand down on his chair.
A cheer rang through the room and whoops and hollers filled the air from the twenty youkai who all hated the new lady of the east, one of those included was the one she had banished from the lands for attacking Hinoko and trying to kill both her and Fuketsu.
"There are many things to do before we can attack, we must amass much more power to be able to destroy her barrier, because I lost my only pawn who had such an ability, I need you all to seek out Dark Miko" Akuto raised his hand and those gathered fell quiet.
Some youkai looked at each other before nodding and volunteering themselves to search for that which their leader required, "Also, it's time we took completely over the South, Nagemasu here will help us with that" Akuto chuckled, they needed a better base of operations after all.
The bird youkai still under control stepped forward, eyes empty of all emotion and cheeks hollow as if the life had been sucked out of him, he was lost completely to Akuto, he nodded, not even Kagome herself would be able to save Nagemasu.
More cheers and Akuto smirked everything would go according to plan and then he'd kill that fox bitch who'd killed his favorite underlings, she would know pain just as he did and then only then would he give her that which she desired death.
"We'll start with killing her friends and family, the kit is a good start" he called and silence reigned, a difficult task had been set before them, but those he'd gathered were willing to go through it all, Akuto dismissed his minions and settled into his chair becoming more comfortable.
Soon, soon all of his hard work would pay off, he chuckled darkly and a wicked smirk spread across his scaly lips, and in the darkness of the room his yellow eyes gleamed with deadly intent, Kagome wouldn't be able to fight against him, he was certain of it.
The next morning Kagome woke first as always and stretched her arms high above her head, her back popped all the way down the spine and she smiled "Ooh" she groaned softly before standing on her feet, then she nudged Ishi awake, the female dragon youkai jumped up in alarm.
"Is something wrong Lady Kagome, are we under attack, get behind me" Ishi cried leaping before her lady in an attempt to shield her from imagined enemies, Kagome stared at the dragon with a look that was a mix between amusement and exasperation.
A couple minutes later Ishi fully woke and she blinked her muddy brown eyes in confusion "Oh sorry Lady Kagome" she smiled at her alpha sheepishly Kagome shook her head before kneeling next to Sango and gently shaking her awake.
Unlike Ishi, Sango slowly sat up already knowing what her friend wanted and got to her feet carefully, the two girls went about the clearing waking the rest of the pack and the children, the men set off to find more firewood and the girls looked for something to cook for breakfast that morning.
Twenty minutes later, five rabbits, and four fish were set up over the once again roaring fire and Kagome sat back to stare into the fire with a contemplative look, she was quiet for a time and Touga couldn't help but crease his forehead as worry filled him.
"Do you know of any elemental youkai that have wind abilities" she finally spoke staring straight at Sesshomaru, Touga sighed silently in relief that what he'd done yesterday wasn't bothering her, and the younger dai of the group nodded.
Kagome closed her eyes "And would you happen to know where he/her is" she asked again, she was pulling out all the stops here to protect her family, she had this feeling deep in the pit of her stomach that Akuto was gearing up and she wanted to be ready for him.
Sesshomaru frowned slightly as he thought back to the last time he'd seen the youkai in question "Her name is Mikaku, and I do believe the last time I saw her, she'd just mated to Keshi, so wherever he is, she will surely not be to far behind" he grumbled, those two together were not a pretty sight.
Thankfully Keshi had a handle on his own temper where as Mikaku had a temper that rivaled his mothers when she was in the mood for it, "You don't sound to happy at the thought of going near them" Kagome snickered.
This time he actually grimaced to Eri's amusement "While Keshi is hot-headed, Mikaku, has a temper that rivals my mothers when she's in the mood, the last time I saw the both of them, we got into quite a scuffle" Sesshomaru curled his lip up in disgust, it had taken him days to heal even with his abilities.
Sure the dai was being dramatic, Kagome scoffed inwardly, but kept the thought to herself as she doled out breakfast with the help of Sango and Ishi, she really needed to add more female members to her pack to balance out the males, cause all the testosterone was driving her crazy.
Instead of dwelling on it she hopped to her feet prompting everyone to do the same and only then did she realize that Ago had joined them, she eyed the young inuyoukai male curiously and he stared right back at her with a cheerful smile.
She went to speak but he held up his hand "Lady Kagome would you mind terribly if I moved to the East, I'm finding the in between lands is terribly lonely" Ago started whistling innocently as Sesshomaru gave him this knowing look.
Shocked to the core, Kagome blinked her chocolate brown eyes before staring into those innocent blue, "We, The East would love to have you Ago-san" she smiled brightly extending the offer to the young youkai, it was awfully lonely all the way out here after all.
Ago bowed low nose almost touching the ground "Thank you Lady Kagome, this Ago is quite pleased that you accepted my request, I'll send you a letter to let you know if I've chosen a new place to set up shop" he popped back up before traipsing into his home presumably to pack.
Everyone couldn't help but smile, he certainly was different than the norm, they were distracted as Kagome clapped her hands "So, I think we should go to the old slayer village first, then Totosai's, then we'll find the two elemental youkai I'm searching for" she laid out the plan for the next few weeks.
Touga nodded, it was better to get the easier things out of the way all in one go so that they could focus on their search, with that, everyone climbed onto the back of a nekomata if they could, or climbed onto a cloud as they took to the skies.
"Why exactly are you searching for these elemental youkai anyway Kagome-chan" Sango flew Kirara closer to her friend, and Kagome flashed her a smile before pointing discretely at Rin and then Ayumi, when that didn't work, the kitsune sighed.
Kagome took a deep breath "Well Rin-chan asked to have daggers imbued with abilities, one request was to have a strong flowery scent come out of the dagger so to overpower a youkai's nose and daze him, and then water ability with poison qualities to them" she ticked off her fingers in remembrance.
She paused "And Ayumi-chan is going to have a ring forged out of both my reiki/youkai and be imbued with barrier and wind abilities, while having some daggers imbued with immobilizing qualities and one healing that she'll keep on her at all times" Kagome finished with ease.
Sango smiled "You sure go through a lot to protect us Kagome-chan" she rubbed her belly, it was only thanks to the kitsune that she was able to even be with her beloved and be able to bear him children, though she would regret not being able to help out in the ensuing battle against Akuto, it was a price.
A price she had to pay to protect her own little ones and whatever children she and Miroku had in the future, of course any children they had would be sent to Kagome's school, her lips curved upwards into a fond smile again and Sango stared straight ahead looking for that old run down village of hers.
Eight hours later, after making a pit stop for lunch, they managed to find the abandoned slayer village and they touched down right outside the broken and rotted gates, Sango wasted no time, with Miroku helping her, in hurrying in and veering to the right into a dilapidated hut.
Knowing it would take awhile, Kagome and Sesshomaru ordered for camp to be set up and an invisible barrier was raised over the entire area, only the younger dai at her side felt the barrier go up which let her know he was very in tune with her reiki now.
But instead of saying anything Sesshomaru gave her a small smile and nodded, it was better to be safe than sorry, their silent conversation was missed by everyone and soon wood for the fire, and a deer and two rabbits had been caught for dinner, the fire roared to life and Kagome and Ishi got to work cooking.
"Lady Kagome are we going to practice some after supper" Soten inquired softly, the children had been exceptionally quiet all day so when the little thunder demoness spoke up, Kagome gave a start as she turned in Soten's direction.
Contemplating the request, Kagome tapped her lip, "It's to dangerous around this area to practice with reiki/spiritual or youkai powers, but you may practice dagger throwing, or wielding you're blades if you have one" she finally said.
Wondering what could have led his chosen to make such a decision, effectively putting a damper on the children's excitement, Touga ran a hand through his silver moonlight locks "Why do you say that Kagome" he piped up suddenly.
She faced him still sitting in seiza and blew out a puff of air followed by an aggravated sigh "Never know when youkai with bad intentions might be lurking around, especially this place" Kagome started looking around with wary chocolate brown eyes.
"I sense evil in the air, from a dark miko, or several it's hard to tell, and it's recent" she lowered her voice to a whisper, though despite trying very hard not to alarm anyone, Rin let out a soft cry and scrambled into Sesshomaru's side, while Shippou and Soten jumped into her lap.
And Souta, he huddled into her side, while Choko, Kokoa and Natti wrapped their arms around each other and shook in fear, Kagome let out a tired sigh "Relax you guys..." she trailed off, she hadn't really wanted to reveal this yet, but now it seems like she had no choice.
"No one will be able to harm us not even a few dark miko, it would have to be at least twenty of them, my barrier is raised and I learned how to make it invisible, and it goes far beyond our little camp" Kagome assured the seven children and they slowly relaxed, but they didn't move from their new positions.
Now more curious than anything "How big can you make you're barrier Sis" Souta prodded lightening the mood and Kagome smiled in relief, trust her brother to be able to ask a question like that, she smiled and wrapped her arm around Souta and squeezed him tightly.
"Well right now it extends beyond the reach of this entire slayer village, maybe a couple inches short, not sure, I'd have to make it tangible to see, not only that but I can make it however big or small I want" Kagome boasted before she started humming putting the children even more at ease.
Glad that even though they couldn't practice right now, he was still learning something, Souta grinned widely and leaned further into Kagome's side, Soten craned her neck around to meet his eyes and she smiled at him causing his cheeks to turn red.
Forty minutes later, dinner was ready and Miroku and Sango emerged from the dilapidated hut, slung over the monks shoulders were two much smaller versions of hiraikotsu, that were quickly handed to Eri and Yuka, the two females nearly buckled under the weight of them.
"Oops, I guess I forgot, since they are made out of bones from a youkai, they are extremely heavy and you'll need to do a lot of training in order to wield them properly" Sango rubbed the back of her neck a sheepish smile on her lips as Miroku pulled her into his side.
Eri blinked before nodded, Yuka was quick to follow, "So after you give birth do you think you will take us on as you're somewhat apprentices, in the meantime we'll just practice with a sword is that okay" Eri bit her lip hoping the older girl would accept their request.
Sango's eyes lit up "Absolutely, just a couple hours everyday is all you need to build up strength, and I can even teach you how to fight properly with a sword as well, maybe I can gift you some slayer uniforms" she clapped her hands together in excitement, hormones running rampant for the moment.
"Yes that's fine, we'll learn under Kagome-chan at first so that way we won't go in blind" Yuka grinned, this was definitely the strangest thing they've ever done, but it was worth it, that way they'd be able to protect themselves in a youkai eat youkai world.
The last Slayer smiled and rubbed her belly eyes sparkling with happiness, if she could teach these girls everything there was to be about being a slayer, then she wouldn't be the only slayer left, even if they didn't go out killing youkai all the time, or if they never killed a youkai that was fine with her.
Just then another problem announced itself "So how are we going to lug these back to the Aoiro Estate when we go back in six days" Eri quipped in amusement she was barely standing as it was and that small boomerang was extremely heavy for her.
"Oh" Kagome frowned in realization "Well you could always just stay with us for the weeks we are out here, I doubt there's anything truly pressing to do back home yet anyways" she smiled and opened her void pocket lifting the boomerangs with ease and gently put them into her pocket before it closed.
Hojo eyed it with a large amount of intrigue "What was that Kagome-san" he asked prodding the air the pocket had appeared, the kitsune he was speaking to blinked before bursting out laughing and reopened her void pocket for his inspection.
"I actually fashioned it off of Miroku-san's wind tunnel, without the ability to suck up objects to never return, hehehe" she laughed sheepishly getting an exasperated smile from the monk himself, "But basically I can store things in it without having to worry about losing them" Kagome explained.
The brown haired male stuck his arm in the void "Can you fit people inside" Hojo questioned, he couldn't help it, curiosity was in the human DNA, Kagome hummed softly before widening the pocket as far as it could go.
"It's possible, but I don't know how long they would be able to survive, especially with no air flowing in or out, I'm pretty sure if I put someone in my void pocket, they'd either go insane because of no light, food or air, or die of suffocation" she snapped her fingers as she answered Hojo's question.
At the revelation, Hojo jumped back and the girls sitting around the fire helping themselves to food snickered at him, while chuckles came from Inuyasha, Touga and Toya, Sesshomaru remained silent, though mirth was in his golden-amber eyes.
Kagome smiled and shook her head closing her void pocket to protect the items within and sat down to eat her own supper "So how long are we staying Sango-chan" she twisted her head to the right to eye the girl who was like a sister to her.
"A couple days is that alright, I want to pay my respects to my people" Sango bit her lip as tears welled in her really dark brown eyes, when he saw this Miroku jumped up in a panic and ran around tugging on his hair.
"Ah Sango my love please don't cry" he pleaded jumping up and down in an attempt to calm his beloved pregnant wife down, dead silence then, Sango not being able to help it started laughing, instead of sadness now she was happy and Miroku sat down in relief.
Not wanting to upset Sango again, Kagome nodded at Miroku and he sighed pulling Sango into his side as they ate the rest of their dinner in peace, then everyone settled into their sleeping bags, or curled around each other and fell asleep.
The next two days passed by peacefully, and soon the group were flying across the land to Totosai's, when the old demon saw who had come to visit, he leaped around the happiest anyone had ever seen him "Kagome, Kagome, come look I've got something that will interest you greatly" he shouted.
Since she didn't have much choice because he was tugging on her wrist and pulling her simultaneously into his cave, Kagome followed behind the old demon, her curiosity guiding her forward just as much as Totosai was.
When she saw it, or rather who, Totosai wanted her to see, Kagome squealed in delight and lifted the little bundle into her arms "Aw he's adorable" she bounced the baby getting a coo from the child and her lips curved upwards.
"Who is it Totosai" Sesshomaru stepped forward trying to act like he wasn't curious and glanced sneakily at the bundle Kagome held carefully in her arms, Shippou was perched on her shoulder wiggling his finger in the babies face.
Totosai cleared his throat "Well this old one was out wandering a day ago, and wandered across that child, there was a letter" he pulled the very letter he was speaking off out of his shirt and passed it over to Kagome who read it.
"His name is Kaen, it says his father was a fire elemental and his mother was a ningen, the village he was born at killed his parents, and then they just abandoned this poor child" by the time she was done, Kagome was angry, her reiki/youkai was leaking out of her in waves before she could reign it in.
Getting closer, Touga peered at the bundle as well "What are you going to do Kagome" he asked, at that everyone looked at Kagome, they all wondered if she would take the child in herself, and as if sensing that she shook her head.
"I might have found something that would get Keshi-san and Mikaku-san on our side, he doesn't really look like a half youkai/half ningen child, his youkai blood is more dominant" Kagome started lifting the child for everyone to see.
Sesshomaru nodded, it certainly was a good plan "But what if they don't accept him, then what Kagome" he questioned placing his hand down on the babes head, he found it hard to imagine Kagome not taking care of the child if both elemental youkai refused to take him in.
"Then I'll take care of Kaen-kun myself and adopt him the same way I did Shippou" she nodded decisively before turning to Totosai "Also, I'd, we..." Kagome gestured at little Soten "Would like to borrow you're workshop is that okay" she inquired.
He didn't even object and Totosai began nodding eagerly "Of course, of course, use whatever you'd like" he gestured all around him without even kicking up a fuss, "How's Chiryo-ho" Totosai eyed the sword on her hip and Kagome grinned.
"She's doing well, in fact I've used her quite a bit since I forged her here" she stroked her hand down the sheath and though she wasn't actually touching the blade, Chiryo-ho hummed strongly and Totosai smiled enjoying her song.
The old demon sighed and sat down against the wall, because he lived here, he didn't really get to interact with many people, youkai/ningen or otherwise, it was a little lonely, "That's good Kagome" Totosai smiled watching her work, she truly was magnificent.
"Heard you've become the Lady of the East" he piped up suddenly and she nodded flashing him a bright smile, before Kagome paused as if she had just remembered something, perhaps she had, but he wouldn't know what it was, well that was until she turned fully to him.
Kagome took a deep breath "Totosai, this Kagome hasn't just come here to use you're workshop, I have another request to make of you" she began, Sesshomaru, the only one who knew what she was planning nodded encouragingly.
Even Totosai looked moderately interested "Go on Kagome, what request do you have for this old demon" he leaned forward, forgoing the whole forgetful act, he really should look for an apprentice, but that was impossible because he didn't really find young youkai who were interested in this sort of thing.
"Would you like to move to the East, just a few miles from my Aoiro Estate is a mountain that has the same qualities as this one or you can move into the Estate, also, I've found four youkai who are very interested in learning how to create and forge weapons" she ticked off her fingers before falling silent.
Like a couple nights before it was unbelievably quiet as Totosai pondered his new options, and to find out that he would possibly be able to train four youkai, in his ways "I'll do it" he jumped up already packing most of his belongings.
Kagome smiled before turning back to Soten, "Okay now take all that you've practiced in the last few weeks and put it to use, fill you're hand with you're youkai and add it to you're sword" she instructed easily, it was exactly how Sesshomaru had taught her.
It took a couple of hours before it came time to take a tooth from Soten, the little thunder demoness squirmed as Kagome took hold of one of her teeth and with a quick tug pulled the loose one free, "Wow that didn't hurt at all Lady Kagome" Soten smiled poking at the empty spot with her tongue.
Satomi watched curiously as her daughter moved over to the fire and got the sword hot until it was glowing a bright red, then she hit it with a hammer, hair tied back, and sweat trickling down her face as she worked making the sword have it's own unique shape that would fit Soten's style.
She wasn't the only one watching, Toya and Kaede with their arms wrapped around each other watched closely as Kagome created a sword, the three of them briefly thought that maybe it should be her learning how to forge and create swords under the old demons teachings.
Souta peered around taking in all the interesting items and discretely prodded one, the sword thrummed and he jumped back into Sesshomaru's side "Yikes why the hell did that sword just make a noise" he shouted.
All eyes turned to him and he grimaced, Totosai eyed the sword that was now glowing a luminescent blue "Heh, looks like he likes ya boy, who are ye anyway" the old demon came forward and picked up the sword and unsheathed it from the dragon hide sheath.
"I am Souta Higurashi, Kagome's little brother" Souta puffed out his chest and swiped his bangs to the side so that the youkai would see his crest, Totosai looked between Kagome and him for several minutes before handing him the sword.
"His name is Inazuma, he uses lightning bolts as his attacks" Totosai patted the young kitsune boy on the head before going back to his previous spot, though he had one last thing to tell Souta "And now he's yours, treat him kindly" he warned.
He clutched the sword to his chest "Oh I will thank you very much Totosai-san" Souta stated seating himself on the floor and running his hands along the sword, he didn't know why but he felt a sort of attachment to the blade, maybe that's how his sister felt towards her own Chiryo-ho.
"I think I understand now Sis, the obsessive need to protect what's yours" he called softly sheathing Inazuma in his dragon hide sheath again, Kagome flashed him a smile and set down the hammer lifting the sword she was working on into the air eyeing it before dousing it in the water.
By this point she'd been working on it for well over five hours, without a break, and Sesshomaru had ordered lunch to be set up in the meantime, thankfully though all that was left now, since it had it's own unique shape, was to add the tooth and that was done simply.
"Here you go Soten-chan, you have to name it though" Kagome handed the sword over to the little thunder demoness who hugged the small sword to her with a laugh of happiness, "Now let's eat" Kagome clapped her hands and everyone sat down including Totosai to eat lunch.
Satomi who'd been holding little Kaen chose that moment to speak up "Kagome dear, where did you learn all that sword stuff" she questioned her head tilted to the side in curiosity, they were very curious individuals after all.
Kagome shifted her gaze onto Sesshomaru "Well I wouldn't know any of it if it hadn't been for Sesshomaru" she smiled mischievously at the younger dai, who suddenly looked as if he was the most embarrassed he'd ever felt in his entire life.
"Nonsense" Sesshomaru huffed suddenly to distract himself "This Sesshomaru merely instructed you, and the rest you learned by yourself" he nodded and took a bite of the stew, some giggles filled the air mostly from his chosen mate, and Kagome as well.
"Sure whatever you say Sesshomaru" Inuyasha sniggered nudging his brother in the side, it was nice, to be able to tease his older brother and not get smacked around for it for once, and to be able to sit down and enjoy a piping hot meal with the people he considered family.
The only thing missing was Hinoko and his pup, it was Naraku's and Akuto's fault that he couldn't remember any of his time spent with the inuyoukai hanyou female, and that he couldn't remember the birth of his own pup, but at least they had the chance to do things over with each other.
Touga peered around the fire with fondness in his gaze, he'd been reassured days earlier that in the end he would get to be with Kagome, all he had to do was wait until Akuto was taken down, then he and her could be happy together for the rest of their lives.
Kagome caught his gaze with her own and they stared at each other for a long time until Kokoa pulled her attention away from the older dai, no one was the wiser, "What is it Kokoa-chan" Kagome asked her little apprentice.
Kokoa cleared her throat and stood "Is it okay if we go practice" she pointed outside and her sensei's eyes went impossibly wide before Kagome shook her head "What why not, we weren't allowed to practice outside the slayer village either" she pouted.
Seeing as her little apprentices wouldn't listen, Kagome shrugged "Go on then, but don't come crying to me if you get hurt" she seemingly gave in to their demands to practice, Choko, Kokoa and Natti exited the cave to begin practice.
Only Rin, Souta, Soten and Shippou stayed next to her, it was just a couple minutes later that the three girls came scurrying inside tears in their eyes and feet blistered because of the heat of the mountain they were on, their heads lowered in shame.
Inuyasha tossed Kagome a look, was she really going to let her apprentices take the full brunt of their foolishness, he only had to wait a moment longer "We're sorry Kagome-sensei" Natti spoke up tone full of regret, but tears conspicuously absent from her forest green eyes.
She raised an ebony brow at them "Next time you should listen, you'll have time to practice after dinner, since our business here is done" Kagome easily healed her apprentices and they all bowed "Let that be you're first lesson in listening to commands" she scolded lightly.
Choko eagerly nodded her head, never again would she disobey her sensei, she knew best after all, and Kokoa just lowered her head all the more, it had been her idea to go out and practice "I'm sorry Kagome-sensei for being a fool, do you think you can ever forgive me" she raised her head.
Kagome sighed and patted the raven haired girl on the head "Everyone makes mistakes, even me" she explained and sat back down in her original spot it was quiet for several minutes as everyone gathered around the fire enjoyed the breeze floating through the cave until Inuyasha spoke up.
"For a minute there I really thought you were going to let those three girls suffer through their mistake and not heal them" he snorted and Kagome groaned, "But I can tell even if I've lost a year and a half of my memories you haven't changed not one little bit" Inuyasha chuckled.
She rolled her eyes "Why punish them even more especially since they seemed truly repentant of their actions" Kagome doused the fire with water and stood, this signaled for everyone to do the same, but before she formed her cloud of foxfire she had one last thing to say.
"Every action has a consequence, yes that is true, but actions speak louder than words and my nose doesn't lie, I doubt they'll do something like that again, though it doesn't mean they won't find something else they'll get in trouble over" Kagome patted her apprentices on the head with a fond smile.
"It's part of growing up, to make mistakes so that you can learn from them and better yourselves" she smiled finally forming her could, those that were riding with her hopped on and the others climbed onto the back of a nekomata, or AhUn and soon they were flying down the mountain
Now that he was alone Totosai hurriedly packed the rest of his belongings climbed on the back of his cow and took off towards the east, he remembered that Kagome had said there was a mountain with similar conditions and wanted to find it and set up his new home there.
A few hours later, Kagome pulled the group to a stop and lowered her cloud to the ground, she pulled out her bow from her void pocket and formed a couple of reiki arrows "What is it Kagome" Sesshomaru stepped up to the kitsune's side wondering what had prompted this little show.
"Someones following us, it's not Totosai, he headed towards the East" Kagome whispered turning in her spot and lining her arrow up with the bow, she concentrated and then let the arrow fly, it was silent for a moment before an inhuman screech filled the air, signaling her arrow had struck true.
One of those birds of paradise came falling from the sky quickly disintegrating "Curse you bitch, Curse yo..." the last word faded as the youkai fully turned to ash and Kagome put away her bow and removed the reiki arrow from it's existence.
Then they were once again in the air "What was that" Ayumi asked, none of them had come across any bad youkai yet, but she had a feeling that whatever that bird youkai was, it wasn't of the good, Kagome craned her neck down to meet her gaze.
"Bird of Paradise, my first encounter with them wasn't pretty, a wolf demon by the name of Kouga kidnapped me to be his woman and because I could see shards of a jewel, they were plaguing the wolf demon tribe and killing them" Kagome explained.
"And yes that was one of the bad youkai I warned you about and there are several others, not all of them are like us here or very accepting of hanyou or ningen, heck sometimes they shun those of full blood that do accept those less fortunate" she shook her head.
Inuyasha was in awe "You've gotten better at wielding that bow of yours, when you first came to this era, you couldn't even shoot an arrow at all, now you can wield it and a sword, and obviously daggers as well" he whistled and Kagome flashed him a happy smile.
When they finally stopped to set up camp for the night, Choko, Kokoa and Natti immediately took the chance to start practicing and Soten skipped up to her holding out her sword "His name is Rakurai" she exclaimed happily running her hand along the curved edge of her blade.
Kagome nodded "Fitting name for a sword, here you go Soten-chan" she reached into her void pocket and pulled out a dark purple sash, "To strap it to your waist until we can get you a sheath for him" she explained and Soten took the cloth eagerly and tied it around her waist before sliding Rakurai against her hip.
Once it was held in place, she skipped off to practice with her new sword and Souta did the same, Rin started throwing her daggers at a tree, and Shippou practiced with his fox magic, while the others did the same and Kagome sat leaning into Touga's side watching over her pack with the other alpha's.
By the time dinner was ready, Satomi, Toya, Kaede, Souta and Shippou could produce a foxfire cloud that would take them to new and exciting heights, which meant that they wouldn't have to fly with Kagome any longer.
Touga eyed the kitsune pressed into his side as he ate raw venison, he wasn't much for cooking it, but Kagome was good at it, though that night he wanted it fresh and bloody "Kagome is something the matter" he finally chalked up enough courage to ask hoping he didn't piss her off.
"Nope just enjoying the peace for once not having to worry about Akuto coming after me, he wouldn't be that stupid out here anyway, though I am worried about everyone back at the estate" Kagome flashed him a quick smile before her forehead creased in concern.
Sesshomaru started chuckling and she sent him a soft glare that had no heat behind it "Why don't we walk tomorrow, that way you can send on of you're companions to check on Hakari" he suggested and Kagome's chocolate brown eyes lit up.
Immediately she pulled out a scroll and started writing furiously on it, five minutes later she rolled it up and tied it with a little blue ribbon and marked the scroll with a blue heart before tying it around Kegawa's neck and sent her off with words of caution.
"Why did you mark it like that" Hojo piped up suddenly since he was sitting closest to the girl, he had seen her do that weird mark, Kagome perked up glad to get rid of the tension that had suddenly filled the air and she craned her neck around to meet his gaze, not moving an inch from her spot next to Touga.
"It's so Hakari will recognize it came from me, it's sort of like a code, he marks his with a blue scale mark and I mark mine with a blue heart, if anyone tries to pretend to be me, all he has to do is search for the heart, and he'll know if it's me or not" she explained easily.
Hojo leaned back in his spot and nodded hand to his chin as he thought "It's an interesting concept" he finally said tilting his head to stare at the starry skies, they'd all get to experience first hand what it was like to walk in the past and actually see the land as it was before it became Tokyo.
Then he wondered if there was a way to protect this land from becoming like it did in the future, it was a question he would have to ask later as everyone settled down for the night and fell asleep, Kagome for once not waiting for everyone else to do the same and fell asleep leaning against Touga.
Sesshomaru met his father's gaze across the fire, they were the only two left awake as the Alpha Males of the pack it was their job to make sure everyone was resting "I'm only going to warn you one more time Father" the younger dai started with a threatening growl.
"If you ever hurt Kagome it won't be her friends or those that trust her in the East coming after you, it will be me, this Sesshomaru won't tolerate anyone harming the one he's chosen as Sister of His Heart" Sesshomaru finished golden-amber eyes hardening and poison dripping from his claws in warning.
Touga went rigid in his spot before relaxing just as quickly when Kagome shifted and murmured unintelligible words as she slept soundly, but he nodded in understand, "You have this one's promise that no harm with come to her under my protection" Touga murmured softly.
Glad that his Father was going to heed his warning for once, Sesshomaru settled against a tree and closed his eyes to rest, as youkai they needed very little sleep, but just this once he could let his Father keep watch over the pack and sleep for a little while.
Once his son had fallen into a light sleep Touga leaned his head back staring up at the stars 'Well you certainly have given me quite the little mate' he thought in amusement to the fates, they didn't deign to answer him, and soon even Touga couldn't help but fall asleep.