I've been gone quite a while, haven't I? Well, I won't be explaining it. Just know I'm back, and I apologize for my absence. On with the show.

...

There was nothing left. The slayer village had burnt to ashes, and the devastation dropped Sango to her knees, a wail caught in her throat.

'How did this happen?'

Her family, her village, couldn't be gone.

'My family!'

She began to hunt around the broken boards and fire, Kirara snarling all the while. The buildings looked as if smashed by a massive fist, crushed roofs and walls bent outwards. Oddly enough, there were no corpses. In fact, it looked as if the slayers had packed up and moved quickly. This thought brought on an intense feeling of relief that rocked her bones.

'If they are not here, then where are they?'

Shifting through rubble, she continued her search for clues.

...

The next leg of their journey wouldn't be a long one, however she was unsure of the path it would lead her afterwards.

'...And Kami knows Bankotsu won't like it.'

Turning towards her slightly captive audience, she decided quick and painless would be the way to go.

"Alright, here's what is going to happen."

The two males, unused to commands, shifted minutely.

"We're going to see Kouga."

Immediately a groan of long suffering sprung from Bankotsu. She glared, but continued.

"We need answers, and he always has his ear to the ground.' 'If anyone would know about upcoming enemies, it would be him.'

Still, the mercenary acted as if she had just taken Banryu from him.

"Why the wolf?' 'I have plenty of sources myself!"

Unmoved, Kagome shot back easily.

"It's good to have him on the lookout, and if he has nothing for us...we'll visit your "sources".

Feigning an affront the man moved to her side, shouldering his massive pike as he did so. The tired boy took her other, moving like a wraith, silent and slightly dazed by the early start. He seemed to still distrust them, standing farther from her.

"Lead on than, fair miko."

...

They passed the cats without trouble. The two disagreeable felines seemed to have come to a standstill. Taking this as a ploy to follow them, Sesshomaru looked to the young dragon panting beside him.

"We need to take to the air.'

The dragon looked to him.

"Can you do this?"

An almost insulted expression.

"Even the stupidest hatchling can fly, Taiyoukai."

With that said, his body began to shift. Pale hands broke into claws as scales shot up his limbs, the same color as his violet hair. Fangs grew in his mouth, and his green orbs sharpened to a burning red. Horns twisted from the crown of his head, hair growing and falling down his frame. A massive beast stood before him now, and he closed his eyes to do the same.

Fur covered skin. Limbs stretched and lengthened. Man turned to animal, and took to the sky.

...

Ryo felt the change in the atmosphere like a crack of lighting. Looking to the strange miko he knew she felt it as well. Her back was tense and she flashed a glance behind her, hurrying her step. Ebony locks bounced to the new beat as her bow battered her shoulder.

"How much farther?"

He hadn't meant for the desperation to leak into his voice. He hadn't voiced it, but he didn't trust that the miko would defend him. Truth be told, he thought she would have run by now. She knew as well as he did from whom the youki behind them originated from.

"Not long, a few miles."

He just hoped the western lord didn't kill them on sight. He was beginning to like the woman.

...

It won't be this choppy for long. Hopefully you guys will like enough to stick around. Also, I'd like to thank the people that stuck with me this long. I know I disappeared for a while. Please feel free to tell me what you think. -GensoRyuu