What did you get a daiyoukai that had everything? The thought had plagued her for days. She'd bought another batch of his favourite tea blend, but it seemed so ordinary that she immediately dismissed it as an actual gift. She chewed on her lip, searching her brain for something significant enough to catch his attention.
She asked Inuyasha about it, but he made a face before gagging. "How the hell should I know? I ain't the guy's keeper."
Kagome scowled at him, kicking a stone off the path. "I meant in a youkai way. If I get him a human gift, it wouldn't mean as much."
He sighed, hands stuffed into his sleeves. "I was raised by humans. And Mom never really talked about it. She thought the less I knew, the better I'd get along with them."
Miroku slung his arm around Inuyasha's neck. "And you have done so well for yourself, my friend! You found a family all on your own." The hanyou struggled to escape his hold, but the monk dragged him away, recalling all his triumphs as Sango sidled up next to her.
"Symbols are important," she said, Kirara mewing from her shoulder.
"Metaphorically or literally?" she asked.
"Both, but the second leads to the first." She pulled out her sword, pointing to the crest etched into the hilt. "Every lord, youkai or human, creates their own symbol. Either to strike fear or reverence into those who cross them." She went on to tell her about how her father had done the same, using it to spread the word of their family business. "He never wanted it stained in blood," she admitted, "but people knew who to turn to when they had a problem with youkai infestations."
"Until you took over," Kagome said, nudging her in the side.
Sango blushed slightly. "We stopped being assassins for hire," she agreed. "Though Kohaku has been better at enforcing that than anyone else."
"How's his training been going?" she asked, ignoring Inuyasha's spurts of anger, Miroku refusing to release him.
"It keeps him focused, which he needs." Sango sighed, shoulders slumping. "I worry about him a lot."
Kagome squeezed her friend's arm. "Which is why he's been working so hard to make you proud."
Sango gave her a grateful smile, then shook her head. "You always turn things around when people are trying to help you. Stop changing the subject so we can come up with something for you to give Lord Sesshoumaru."