It was the beginning of their sixth day in Tahou Village. After a good night sleep on the group's second day in the extravagant village Sesshomaru had summoned a healer to tend to Kagome's abused body from the days before. While there had been nothing major wrong with the woman, Sesshomaru was advised to allow her a few days of rest before leaving the village.

"Ok, Chen Rin we will be leaving the village tomorrow so we're going to need to stock up on a few supplies." The woman instructed the two children and Sesshomaru watched in his peripheral as the boy raised his hands to rest them behind in head in a casual manner, and Rin nodded her head eagerly awaiting instruction. "Alright, Chen you are in charge of the list. Read it to Rin when you get to the shop so she will know what to pick up. Rin you're in charge of making sure everything on the list is acquired appropriately. Be sure to check that Chen read everything correctly before leaving the shop."

"Ok Kagome-san." Rin chimed, and took hold of the shorter boy's hand. After the third day of being in the village most if not all of the villagers had been informed that the two children were not to be harmed or disrespected least the violator of this rule wished the wrath of the daiyoukai lord. So they were allowed to explore so long as they stayed together and out of trouble.

"Yes, mother…" Chen looked over the list he was handed slowly. The combination of hiragana and kanji was not too difficult to follow. "Let's go, Rin-chan."

After the two children swiftly left the room to meet with Ah Un and Jaken at the entrance of the inn Sesshomaru stood by the window, hawk-like eyes watching the two and their retainer fade into the bustling crowds. When he could no longer see them the lord turned to the miko. "Ready yourself, we too have business to attend to."

The petite woman looked from her crouched position, she had been collecting the yukata's the kids and herself had worn that night to fold and return to the inn keeper. "Oh? What are we heading to take care of lord Sesshomaru?" The miko ask as she rose with the folded yukata's in her arms. She placed them on top of their futons.

Sesshomaru pushed off the wall he was leaning against and casually walked towards the door, "If you wished to be trained in the art of combat you will need resources to aid you in this endeavor." He spoke. Kagome nodded and slipped on her shoes before following the daiyoukai out of the door. As the joined the bustling crowds of villagers Kagome took a moment to take everything in again. Her first experience of the village hadn't been so great and she had been confined to her futon for the last couple of days. With a soft smile and a stretch the miko all but skipped behind the western lord. Perhaps it was because once again she found herself secure and protected as she once had when traveling with the shikon group. But in her heart she also felt different from that time. She was going to be stronger, someone was allowing her to grow strong. Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, even Shippo…though she loved them dearly they tried all too hard to protect her, to keep her innocent. They never wanted her in the battle, she was expected to find the shards but not to fight for them. They had blinded her with their assuring that she was pulling her fair weight on that team of theirs. Kagome far from spited them for handicapping her like that, her own ignorance to just how weak she was faulted her too.

"Kagome, do not become so absorbed in your thoughts that you forget yourself." Sesshomaru's monotonous voice cut through her thoughts like a hot knife through butter. The woman blinked slowly and turned around to face the man. She stood about five or six steps past where Sesshomaru had stopped walking. As Kagome blushed from embarrassment and shuffled back to where the man stood, Sesshomaru allowed a subtle sigh to pass his lips. The air headed woman was going to catch hell when they began her training. While he was sure she had at least some miko training it seemed her disciplines where not practiced in the real life setting. Sliding the door open, Sesshomaru entered the shop and was greeted by a row of three men. They bowed low to him and introduced themselves.

"Good morning lord Sesshomaru. I, Manatoru Koji, welcome your lordship to my humble shop. This my son Manatoru Jige and my grandson Manatoru Taichi." The elderly man straightened himself and grinned at the daiyoukai. Finally, someone of quality had entered his shop. As the two younger men also stood up straight the grandson had noticed the woman standing slightly behind the lord. He offered a kind smile and bowed again, "Hello to you as well miss, welcome to the shop." He greet cheerfully.

Kagome smiled and politely returned the greeting. "Thank you." At least someone was kind enough to acknowledge her. The two older men were too absorbed in their greed from the thought of making a profit off the lord.

"So what is it that this humble blacksmith can forge for you today? A mighty sword, trusted armor…or perhaps-"

"This Sesshomaru only require such material for her, younger sister and ward of this Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru cut in all too coolly before the old man gave himself a heart attack from his excitement. It was only then, that the senior and his son turned their gaze to the young woman next to Sesshomaru. A lovely woman she was indeed with her long raven hair and pale blue eyes, her skin was unlike the women in their village. It was loved by the sun from all her travels and while slender her body flowed in toned curves no doubt also developed from her extensive travels. The two older men glanced at each other exchanging a brief conversation with their eyes before smiling.

"Yes of course my lord, my family would be honored to have your kin outfitted here." This time Jige spoke. "By chance do you have your measurements already, and was there anything in specific you'd like to request?"

Sesshomaru cast his gaze around the shop, thinking for a moment then pinning Jige under his no nonsense stare. "The armor will have to be forged since the Sesshomaru is certain you do not have female armor prepared already." Sesshomaru handed the man a slip with the measurements he had collected from the tailor Kagome had gotten her clothes from. "Allow it to be sturdy but lighter in weight, and…fitting for a female." In other words he figured it was unbecoming for Kagome to be walking around in samurai armor. "As for weapons we will be buying premade."

"Yes my lord…" Jige spoke softly. He was already thinking of how he would fill the lord's rather different request. Not many females requested armor, so as far as design went he was a bit worried they may not be to the woman's or more importantly to the impatient lord. Nonetheless the man made his way to his work room in the back of the shop to begin the commission not doubting he was given an unspoken time limit.

The elder blacksmith smiled and gestured to his grandson, "Please allow my grandson to take you through or collection of weaponry, and though he is still in training he has a keen eye for matching a weapon with its wielder." The man spoke with pride. The attention that was once focused on Sesshomaru was now pressed onto Kagome, and the woman felt it. The elderly man continued, "Why Taichi here has the makings of an expert…no maybe a genius. He works fast and precise and not only that but he's not have bad with wielding these fine instruments himself. Yup, a fine man with a good head on his shoulders Tachi, he's not too bad looking either."

"Grandpa why don't you finish writing out the order for the iron, Tanaka will be by to collect the mail to be sent to Kaijo village and he's not going to be willing to throw off his time to wait for you again…" Taichi sighed. He was used to his father and grandfather throwing him every pretty young woman that happened to enter the shop. More times than not they had almost got him killed by those young lady's husbands or fiancé's as well. At the reminder for the orders that needed to be filled out the senior Manatoru bowed quickly and clumsily shuffled off to complete the task before the mail runner popped up. Taichi shook his head and bowed in apology to the lord and miko. "I apologize and promise that my grandfather is not senile." The young man spoke light heartedly, then waved to two to follow him. "This way please."

Taichi lead the group to the back of the shop past his father's work station. It surprised Kagome how large the shop actually was on the inside. She was even more awed when she was faced with some of the most extravagant weapons she'd seen in a long while. Swords, staffs, giant shurikens, Chinese broad swords…just about every weapon she had seen from the shinobi manga's back in her time. "Please feel free to look around, if you see something that you think would suit you please call for me." Taichi said with a kindness that made Kagome blush without her realizing it. He really was a nice young man, perhaps a year or two older than herself with light brown eyes and chestnut brown hair. He was a bit pale from all his time spent inside the shop training in his craft, but he was well built from it as well. Taichi turned to the western lord and bowed respectfully, "Please excuse me my lord, I must make sure my grandfather is actually going to complete his task, his mind strays in his old age sometimes."

Sesshomaru nodded in acknowledgement and Taichi dismissed himself for the time being. He said nothing as Kagome made her way around the room. He could tell her eyes were not really looking at any of the weapons but instead merely glancing. "Which weapon are you most accustomed to, miko."

Kagome sighed. Sometimes he would say Kagome but more than not he was still stuck on miko, woman, and after becoming so frustrated with her when she was bedridden and whining like a child he had resorted to wench. The term had shut her up quickly but sent her into depression as it was an unwelcomed nickname from her past with Inuyasha. She had no choice but to go with whatever he wished to call her as she could only correct him so many times before he snapped at her about how she should not correct the inu no taisho, lord of the west. "I used a bow and arrow back when we were hunting for Naraku."

"And no other weapon?"

"Nope, no other."

Hn." Sesshomaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His idiot half-brother really was good for letting all good things bestowed upon his ungrateful hands go to waste. The shikon no tama, the first and second shikon miko, the tetsiaga and all its many forms, Sesshomaru would even consider the fool's companions the taijya, monk, and kitsune as assets; nothing his brother obtained was ever used to its fullest potential. "This Sesshomaru is a fool of a half-brother. Miko you will be wielding a sword as your main weapon, additional are of your own accord."

"B-but I've never used a sword…I don-"

"Is this not why you have requested this Sesshomaru to instruct you. Do not be a fool as the hanyou has become. If you wish to protect something than be prepared to move forward with your entire body, mind, and will." There was a hint of annoyance in the daiyoukai's voice but Kagome didn't dwell on that. Her thoughts focused on her doubt and fear. There were very few times since coming to this era that she had even touched a sword let alone actually wield one, charging into the heat of battle. It was a strange feeling, fear and excitement twisting together to fuse one awkward confusing emotion. Walking nearer to the racks which held the swords, she ran her hand over the hilt of a pristine silver blade with small foreign etchings on the blade collar. As she looked at the other swords she noticed that all of them were marked with the foreign characters.

"Lord Sesshomaru, if my enemies are your enemies then wouldn't a sword forged by Totosai or something of that sort be better. I mean these are all nice looking but will they hold out against youkai of that caliber?" Kagome asked curiously as she took one of the swords off the rack. The sheath was black with a single red line trailing done its body. The cord wrappings on the handle were also red. It reminded her of Chen. As she took it down the weight of the weapon surprised her causing her to drop it with a loud clang.

Sesshomaru's narrowed at the woman. This look Kagome had decided to dub as his annoyed look. His facial expression didn't change often but he often narrowed his eyes and his lips pressed tighter together when he was mad. Also she noticed that whenever Sesshomaru was annoyed it took him a whole five seconds longer to speak. His ability to collect himself and bite his own tongue was impressive. "Woman this Sesshomaru knows not the destruction your clumsy actions would cause if given a blade of that status. That sword would suffice for now until you are capable of controlling your miko no chi. "

"Oh I see. So…a bow would not suffice?" Kagome asked pleadingly. She really didn't think she was cut out for swordsmanship. Maybe a staff would work as well? But the look in Sesshomaru's eye told her he was not going to curve in the slightest. "Ok, ok fine. I'll get the sword." Kagome huffed, and picked up the fallen sword. She would get that one.

"This Sesshomaru will hone your offense both in battle and in life." The daiyoukai turned to lead them back to the way they came. Kagome raised her brow at him as she followed, not quiet getting what he meant by that.

As they made it back to the front of the shop, Taichi and his grandfather were handing off a few things to the mail runner. It seemed they had made their order deadline. The young man turned to the duo and grinned as he spotted the sword chosen by the young woman. "Somehow I knew you would choose that one. Its spirit guide is the dragon, guardian of man's most precious bonds."

"Oh…really, that's certainly interesting." Kagome chuckled weakly. It was funny how life keep through her in one big loop.

"Indeed. We shall purchase the blade when the armor is complete." Sesshomaru took the sword from Kagome and placed it in Taichi's hands. The male nodded, and went to place it to the side so his grandfather or father would not accidently sell it to anyone else.

"My father had just finished with the designs for the armor you requested my lord. We have placed all other commissions on hold so it shall be finished by the early morning. Is this acceptable?"

"Have it ready by dawn, this Sesshomaru's pack leaves at dawn."

"Perhaps we should meet up with Rin and Chen, it's almost lunch time." Kagome suggested. After leaving the blacksmith's they had rejoined the crowds on the streets of Tahou village. She wasn't really sure if Sesshomaru had something else planned to do, but as much as she was ok with following him when it was just the two of them alone it was rather awkward. She liked talking, and Sesshomaru wasn't much of a conversation. Even Chen was more active in a conversation and he didn't even speak the language.

"They are not far off." Sesshomaru nodded his head in the direction he had spotted Ah Un. Kagome followed his gaze and sure enough she spotted the two headed dragon along with the two youngsters.

Chen and Rin sat peacefully on a bench next to the store they had visited to get the herbs Kagome asked for. The woman that ran the shop had been a rather sweet lady that offered the kids a little treat. And so they sat munching on warm sweet bread and tea.

"Ok Chen-chan what does, hm…that one say?" Rin pointed to another sign across the street.

Chen looked up from his bread glancing over at the sign, then slowly read. "Tahou Fresh Seafood. Octopus and …eel sold here."

"Wow good job Chen-chan! You're learning really fast." Rin ruffled his hair, making Chen smile a bit before taking another bite out of his bread.

"There you two are!"

Rin and Chen looked up as Sesshomaru and Kagome approached them. "It seems you two are getting along quite well. How did the shopping go?" Kagome asked, relieved to have the two kids to take her mind off swords and Sesshomaru.

"It went well Kagome-san, Chen read everything perfectly. I think Japanese is going to be easy for him to learn!" Rin reported gleefully. The girl held up the plate with one piece of bread left on it. The shop keeper had given them three pieces; one for her, Chen and Jaken, but Jaken hadn't wanted any human "trash".

"It is very good." Chen spoke in favor of the bread. He was happy Rin thought that he would learn quickly. He couldn't wait to be able to say all he needed and wanted to say. And also he wanted to understand just what was going on. He knew they had to run from the village because of the crazy hanyou…but there were people back there that he had liked, and that Kagome had liked very much as well. Were they going to go back? And who and why were they trusting the kin of the hanyou that tried to kill them. It was like walking blind right now, he only had his instincts to trust and well of course his mother…but she seemed easily swayed.

He watched as his chosen mother sat down on the bench beside Rin. He knew one day, when he could understand her questions and when he could properly answer her…well they may have to take a whole day to talk about everything he could assume she would want to know. Where did he come from, why did he come here, and things along those lines. But also there was much to tell her that he didn't think she would ask. There was danger on the horizons of tomorrow. It had struck hard and fast on the mainland that he wasn't to clear himself what had happened or more importantly why, but it imminent to happen here. It was luck that caused him to stumble upon this woman, and he could feel that through the tangled web of bonds between the people around her, she would have the power to rise up and over power this threat.

Chen's gaze then went to Sesshomaru. The tall formidable looking youkai was marked as he was which only meant that he was from a pureblood line. His strength was amazing. In the small burst he had been stung with back at the fabric store the dragon youkai had been able to get a full sense in just how much chi the male stored within himself. Not to mention he also witness how he easily controlled the situation with the crow youkai on the night they had first met. No…he witnessed control at every second with this man. From the way he talked, walked, presented himself, demanded respect and compliance…it reminded Chen of his father and mother. Perhaps he would have become something like this had fate not taken such a strange turn.

Feeling eyes on him, Sesshomaru's piercing gaze caught Chen's. It startled the red head as most people couldn't easily detect him looking at them because of his special eyes. But Sesshomaru stared straight back into his own void-like eyes.

"Well I hope you two hadn't ruined your appetite, come on, let's go get some lunch."

Kagome's voice cut through the trance like state and Chen looked away from those prying golden eyes. Sesshomaru also looked away, "Miko, I shall return tonight, have Rin brought back to the inn by dusk. I suggest you all retire early tonight. Training begins tomorrow miko."

Kagome blinked as the daiyoukai suddenly stalked off, "Oh, ok…I guess it's just us then." Kagome stood up and stretched. Well at least these way she didn't have to feel so self-conscious, though she should probably get over her fear of being alone with Sesshomaru soon. She could only anticipate what he had in store for her on the first day of training. Once more the knots in her stomach were twisting and turning and the questions began to arise.

"Wow, Kagome-san, Sesshomaru must be getting used to you. He wasn't doing his really formal speech." Rin stated as she got up as well, followed by Chen.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"Oh well usually Lord Sesshomaru will say "this Sesshomaru" when referring to himself. Jaken had said he does this because in the youkai court it is important to distance one's self from becoming too personal with other members. It's because people like to manipulate each other through relationships…but Lord Sesshomaru is usually distant from all people…."

Kagome let this new information sink in. She hadn't thought that a simple change in pronoun was anything to get excited about, after all it wasn't like they were best friends. But she supposed it did mean that he really was accepting her into his pack. "Oh by the way Rin, do you by shance know where we are heading next after we leave this village?"

Rin shook her head, "Nope! I simply go where ever Lord Sesshomaru goes!" She said confidently

"Oh…hehe…of course." She felt Chen's hand slip into her own and Rin skipped merrily beside her. If only she could follow so confidently like these children. "I believe I saw a nice restaurant on the way to the blacksmith's, they were cooking beef. Does that sound nice?"

As Rin and Chen agreed, Kagome focused her attention to them determined to relax for the rest of the day.

Ruins and ashes. The state of Kaede's village, or at least half of it, was terrible. The brunette boy quickly ran to where his sister and brother in law's house would be. A wave a relief washed through him as he saw it was still standing, however that relief was soon enough washed away as well.

"Sister! Miroku! Girls!" Kohaku entered the hut to find it completely empty. It looked as if the residence had been gone for quite some time. Kohaku frowned, "What the hell is going on." When he arrived at the entrance of the village he was immediately confronted by the village. They bombarded him with questions about the group; Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, and his sister. Overwhelmed and confused Kohaku hadn't bothered to ask questions and instead immediately made his way to where Kagome and Inuyasha lived, knowing that whenever there was trouble his sister and Miroku would take the children there where they could be protected. He had found the small house completely destroyed. It looked as if someone had ripped it apart board by board and destroyed all the contents inside the house in rage. His heart dropped to see the place in such a state for two reasons. One because Inuyasha was the strongest in the group. If something had managed to take him out then…realistically speaking his sister and Miroku may not have made it out of whatever chaos went on here. Two because Shippo would happen upon this soon enough. The two of them had planned to meet up and visit the village together but Kohaku finished his job early and so arrived first.

From Kagome and Inuyasha's place Kohaku had then went to his sister's which he was now leaving from. He only had one other place he could go for answers. Kohaku swiftly made his way to the elder Kaede's hut. When he arrived he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Oh thank kami, girls come here." Kohaku bent down so the two twins could run into his arms.

"Uncle Kohaku!" The both girls yelled at once. They buried themselves into the young man's chest, for they had not seen their mother and father in what seemed like forever, and the familiar face was welcome. The commotion brought out Kaede as well. The old woman looked just as relieved to see Kohaku as the girls and in her arms was another reason for Kohaku to thank the heavens. His nephew was safe as well.

"Kohaku, it is good to see ye child."

"You as well elder. Why is half the village burned down and where is my sister and the others?"

"Come child. I will inform ye of what has happened in your absence."

With that Kohaku carried the girls inside after Kaede so that he could be filled in on what happened. The explanation was brief as everything had unfolded so quickly and there were a lot of missing pieces to this puzzle of what exactly happened. As far as Kohaku could understand, there was an evil youkai of the likes no one had seen before that had possessed Kagome. She had brought him back to the village wanting to take care of him since he was a child but when Inuyasha returned he unveiled the youkai's true plot. They fought, and the youkai caused the village to burst into terrible flames that had taken about a week to completely put out.

"That has to be either some powerful magic, or a very strong elemental youkai….and my sister and the other's went to track it?"

"Aye child. The youkai grew wings and escaped with Kagome held captive. Ye sister left the young ones with me so she may go and rescue dear Kagome. They left almost immediately after sealing the flames so they would not spread. It seemed Inuyasha had had a taste of these flames so he estimated about how long they would last." Kaede finished her explanation with a sigh. She had hoped that these young ones would get to rest and spend the rest of their lifetime in peace. But it seemed destiny would call upon them once more.

With all the information in mind Kohaku stood up. "I see. Thank you Kaede, you know that I must go as well then."

"I did not doubt ye would, but child a word of caution."

"Yes?"

"Things may not be as they seem. I had sensed no ill will from that boy. And while I may be aging I do not think my intuition has faltered that much. However during the battle Inuyasha displayed such ruthlessness I have not seen from him in a long time. His desperate need to kill the boy…"

"The boy was attacking someone he loved dearly Kaede, surely a bit of protective instinct must have kicked in him."

"Aye. I had passed it off as that as well. But when I thought about it a bit more I did sense something dark."

"Well then it must have been from boy Kaede, Inuyasha is not evil. A little gruff yes, a little distant since…that incident yes. But surely he would not turn on us. Not when he was protecting us."

Kaede sighed, she knew she did not have much proof to be able to sway anyone's mind about Inuyasha. So instead the woman got up and retrieved a small bag of herbs. "Take this Kohaku. When ye mind is in doubt, release the powder in this bag to the area. It shall allow ye to see truth from falsity. "

Kohaku accepted the bag gratefully and with one final hug from each child and Kaede the young man was off once more to track down his family. "Shippo is not going to like this." The boy muttered as he began running toward the edge of the village.

"Kohaku one more thing!" Kaede yelled. The male skidded to a stop and turned to face the old woman. From behind her Kirara appeared from stairs that lead to the bone eaters well. The large cat bounded down the stairs towards him. "Ye sister let Kirara so you could catch up!"

Kohaku nodded and leapt onto the neko youkai as she passed him. "Alright Kirara let's set a trail to Shippo, he should not be too far off. Then we can set to find my sister and the rest!" Kohaku instructed, as they bounded off to the south in the direction Shippo normally traveled to get to the Kitsune School and back. Kirara roared in agreement and took to the skies.

And another chapter done. I'm off for two more days so I'll try to come out with one more before going back to work. What do you guys think? Kohaku and Shippo are kind of their own team now days! Maybe next time we'll see what Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku are up to.

Review, fav, follow please!