InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Cross of Blades ❯ An End to Peace ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: No, I don't own it. So there! You guys can't sue now! Oh, and this chapter includes a few more gunblade names, again thanks to Tessa3! Oh, and speaking of gunblades...Dark Neko-chan has graced us again with a great picture. This one is of Kagome's gunblade, Junsei. It's an awesome picture people. It's absolutely breathtaking. If you want to see it (and I know you do) then smack Mediaminer upside the head. Oh, and my beta's back too! Hi Tessa! I've missed you! (Glomp!)

I

walked along the dirt pathway that was Winhill's main street, taking his leisurely time getting back to the little group of houses on the courtyard at the opposite end of the road. His gunblade bumped lazily against his left hip, the dull black leather sheath worn from excessive use. 'I will have to have that fixed,' Sesshoumaru thought as his fingers traced a hole on the waist strap near the buckles holding it around his waist. 'It wouldn't due to have this come undone in the middle of battle.'

glanced away from it to the darkness around him, the sky above rapidly fading to shades of orange and purple as morning began to herald it's arrival to his part of the world. Sesshoumaru mentally counted the days past, a groan escaping him as he attempted to keep track of the days remaining until he needed sleep.


"Why don't I just keep a sleep planner like Father?" he asked himself and immediately scowled. 'Because I don't need it. I know that I sleep once a week. There's no real need to keep up with it so religiously. Besides, I could stay awake for an extra week if necessary.'

continued down the main village pathway, his steel toed boots ringing softly against the loose stones. He came to a field in the middle of town and paused at the yellow traffic sign next to the road. He gazed over the bright yellow daffodils in disinterest. He snapped his fingers, his eyes still on the bed of flowers as a large chunk of ice careened into the bite bug swiftly approaching him. He smirked when it crashed, the exoskeleton crunching under the massive weight before disintegrating into dust.


'That was dull,' he yawned as he continued to watch the sun rise. 'Out of all of my previous assignments, this by far is the least strenuous. It's almost like a vacation here.' He sighed in boredom, crossed the pathway to the other side of the flower field and began to make his way toward a large flat boulder. 'Four months of boredom are weighing on my sanity. I normally am not as 'eager' as Inuyasha, but this is ridiculous.'

four months of their station were uneventful to say the least, with the bite bugs and caterchipillars running for their very lives in less than a week after their arrival. Patrols after that were divided between the three, with Kagome patrolling for two hours before noon, Sango for two hours in the afternoon and Sesshoumaru patrolling for the rest of the night. At daybreak the three would set out together to do an entire sweep of the entire town, including the dock at the bottom of the hill near the east side of the village.

by now was used to the quiet nights, with nothing more but the cattle to keep him company when he passed by their pens. He experienced the night's interpretation of the change of seasons, the wool peacoat shed in favor of shirts like the white long sleeved tunic he wore now. The air was warmer and he could sense spring and the changes to come.

two following under his lead were the least of his worries to his surprise. Kagome and Sango entertained themselves without much input from him, fully content to leave him to himself if that's what he chose. When their time to patrol came they went without complaint, and most of their free time was spent training. Sango's aim was near impeccable, with Kagome's impressive gunblade skills only outmatched by the ease in which she wielded her magic. The only real problem Sesshoumaru had with either of them was Kagome and the way she would disappear when least expected. He wondered where she would go and what she would do...

like most things, an explanation soon presented itself...



walked through the tavern door, his hand testing the door's hinges. 'This will have to be repaired,' he thought as the door squeaked and groaned in protest to his inspections. He looked around to find the rest of the abandoned place in order, with the layers of dust covering top of the tables gone and the filth that once crunched underneath his feet replaced by polished wood. He could still smell remnants of cleaner in the air along with something that smelled exactly like breakfast.


'Seems the little workers were busy this morning,' he said to himself as he took off his coat, unfastened Shikyo from his side and hung them on a nearby hook. The gunblade thumped against the wall sharply, eliciting a startled gasp from the cook behind the pub counter. Sango looked up, her shotgun pointed in his direction and her cinnamon eyes glaring over the twin barrels. Sesshoumaru stood still, his eyebrow quirked when she finally recognized him.


"Oh, sorry Sesshoumaru," she smiled as she lowered her weapon and stood up. "I didn't know who, or what, you were."


"I see that," Sesshoumaru replied dryly as he eyed the plate in her hands. "Higurashi didn't cook that did she?"

laughed, her eyes closing and her head coming to rest on the counter top. "No Sesshoumaru," Sango finally said at last. "Kagome didn't cook. She's not even here."


"Again?" Sesshoumaru said before pulling off his boots, shaking the snow from them and setting them beside the tavern door. "Do you know where she disappears to Almsay?"


"Well yeah," Sango nodded before sliding a glass of orange juice down the counter toward him. "But it depends on the time of day."


"What is that supposed to mean?" Sesshoumaru asked as a plate of pancakes was passed next. He waited patiently for the syrup while Sango explained.


"See, finding Kagome is like playing one of those Wack a Mole games," Sango commented with another laugh. "You never know where she'll pop up."


"Then how are we to find her should we need to?" Sesshoumaru inquired, completely unamused with Sango's little joke. "I do not like this inconvenience."


"Oh don't worry about it," Sango replied with a wave of her hand. "You just have to know where to look at the right time. For example, right now Kagome's on the roof. She likes to sit up there and watch the sun rise. That's what she does when we come to Winhill."


"And in the afternoons?"


"In the afternoons she's in the Chochobo Fields."


"Why would she go there?" Sesshoumaru asked between bites. Though he hated human food with a passion, the sniper somehow managed to make her offerings palatable. It was the other private's cooking that he avoided like the plague, remembering her first attempt and the kitchen fire that nearly burned down the little house afterward.


"She goes there to play with the baby Chocobos," Sango answered with a smile. "Oh, and at night she's with the cattle ranchers helping them round up the cows. She started doing that the first time we came here and she's been doing it ever since."


"So long as she stays out of trouble," Sesshoumaru replied as he pushed the empty plate over the counter to the sink below. "We don't have time for her to misbehave."


"She's not a child Sesshoumaru," Sango told him with a disapproving shake of her finger. "She's perfectly capable of keeping herself out of trouble. Besides, I don't think trouble is on her mind at the moment."


"Then what is?" Sesshoumaru asked, though he wasn't exactly interested. His mind was more on the shower he intended on taking once he got upstairs. His nightly round had presented a particularly nasty bite bug duo that just had to explode all over his shirt. He moved to walk up the stairs when Sango sighed and said, "Kagome's suspicious of something."

glanced back at her and found her staring at him expectantly. They continued this a few minutes more before Sesshoumaru sat back down. "Continue."


"She said this last week when we were still in Timber," Sango began at his request. "Um...it was something about how the original monster hunters were hurt."


"What about it?" Sesshoumaru commented. "There is nothing strange about it. Humans are fragile after all."


"No, it wasn't that," Sango shook her head. "It's the way it happened. She said that cows aren't afraid of a bunch of caterchipillars and that the ranchers normally allow the cows to graze on the same land with the caterchipillars. Of course the ranchers themselves have to be careful not to agitate the cows or the caterchipillars but other than that they pretty much co-exist."


"The intelligence report stated that the stampede was caused by caterchipillars," Sesshoumaru recalled, though after the stunt Hojo pulled it wouldn't surprise him if it were wrong. "But you're saying that Higurashi has a different theory?"


"I'm not saying that," Sango shook her head. "All I'm saying is that Kagome thinks its strange. I mean, when was the last time a caterchipillar attacked a cow? They don't even eat meat and the cows know to stay out of their way."


'Hm...' Sesshoumaru thought as Sango continued on with her morning. 'This Sesshoumaru had not thought of that. The woman is right...how disturbing...'




'And it still is,' Sesshoumaru thought with an inward shudder. 'It is disturbing how insightful that one little human can be at times.' He took his place on the boulder, one long jean clad leg hanging over the side of the boulder while the other was bent near his chest. He rested his elbow on it and looked toward the sun again. The golden ball was a little higher in the sky, and birds were just beginning to stir when he noticed an odd outline along one of the houses. His vision adjusted quickly, involuntarily magnifying until he could see a small form sitting on the roof.


'So, she's awake,' Sesshoumaru said to himself as he gracefully slid from the boulder. His feet touched his cloud instead of the ground and he hovered inches above it before floating idly toward the house. 'I believe now is the time to ask her a few questions.



sighed, her head back and her eyes closed as she straddled the rooftop. Her hands held her steady in front of her as she relaxed, allowing the breeze to blow back her ponytail and the crimson tails of her shirt. She balanced herself easily as she gazed into the ever lightening sky. 'It's so beautiful in the morning,' she sighed to herself as the sky became a beautiful blue. 'I wonder if I should try to talk Sango into coming up here when she gets back.'

sighed again, this one sad and a little regretful as she turned away from the sunrise toward the beginning of town. Sango finally managed to talk Sesshoumaru into allowing her to visit her family some four days ago, using Timber's junk shop as a leverage. The supplies and ammunition in the Winhill junk shop was enough to meet the small town's needs perfectly, but the three SeeDs found it sorely lacking in ammo and materials.


'Oh come on Sesshoumaru,' Kagome remembered Sango saying to their captain as she tried to reason with him. 'I won't be gone longer than what...two weeks, maybe three at the most? You and Kagome can handle the few monsters still in town while I go visit my family. Besides, I can visit the Timber junk shop and get the .45 armor piercing ammo you like so much.'

giggled to herself at that, remembering the thoughtful look that crossed Sesshoumaru's normally calm face. 'He agreed almost too quickly,' she recalled with a smile before moving her arms behind her and leaning back against them. 'I suppose he really likes that ammo. I hope she remembers mine as well.' She sighed again as she remembered her friend's bright face and helpful nature. 'Sure, Sango's a bit extreme at times, but she's honestly alright. My cooking's a little better since she started teaching me and wearing a skirt isn't nearly so bad as it used to be...I still hate wearing them though.' She huffed before laughing, the pure sweetness of her mirth ringing out in the warm morning air.


'I just hope she's not still mad at me...'

sighed yet again, this time with her knees drawing to her chest as she recalled their last conversation. "I know she meant well," Kagome whispered to herself as she glanced toward the end of the town's main road once again. "But she just doesn't understand...."




"Kagome?"

jumped with a start, the oversized hoodie in her hands falling to the wooden floor as she spun around with a grin. "Hey Sango," she greeted like a guilty child caught with a forbidden sweet. "You scared me you kno-"


"Is this Inuyasha's?" Sango asked and frowned when Kagome nodded. "That's what I thought."


"What?" Kagome asked as Sango tossed the hoodie into a nearby chair. "What's wrong? You know I normally steal a few of Inuyasha's clothes."


"Ever asked yourself why?" Sango wondered and frowned again when Kagome shook her head. "That's what I thought. Look Kagome, I know about you and Inuyasha."


"Me and...Inuyasha," Kagome stammered out. "What are you talking about? Inuyasha and I are just frien-"


"Just friends, I know," Sango nodded as she sat on the edge of the twin bed closes to Kagome. "But Kagome, I know how you feel about him."


"How?" Kagome demanded, her eyes narrowing as one name came to mind. "Shippou..."


"Shippou knows too?" Sango asked. Kagome nodded. "Yeah, Shippou already kne-Wait, how did you find out if Shippou didn't tell you?"


"I could tell," Sangp answered. "It's like right in front of your face. Don't worry. Kikyou and Inuyasha can't, but I can. You're like family to me, of course I can tell when you're head over heels in love."


"Yeah, I guess you're right," Kagome said as she sat down beside her. "So..."


"Soo....." Sango repeated, then sighed and turned to Kagome. "You haven't gotten over him have you?"


"Um...why?"


"Because I don't think you have," Sango replied. "I mean, the two of you fight like cats and dogs-"


"He is a dog," Kagome joked, then quieted when Sango glared at her. "Ok, sorry."


"Like I said, you two fight like cats and dogs, you steal his hoodies and you're constantly allowing him to get the best of you. On top of that, whenever it's something he can't do, you step in and do it for him. The only reason he passed Ancient Social Studies is because of you! Hell Kagome, you did over half his research papers!"


"What are you talking about?" Kagome asked defiantly. "I don't let him do anything like that. And what's wrong with helping him out a little?"


"Everything," Sango shot back. "Remember when you and Inuyasha were the only ones taking the gunblade course? It was just you and him with the headmaster, and everyday he managed to beat you in sparring despite your training your ass off."


"That's because I'm human," Kagome said before standing up and retrieving the hoodie from the chair. She swiftly found herself not liking the direction the conversation was going and readied herself for the worst. "Besides, what's so bad about him being better than me?"


"Nothing if he were better than you," Sango countered. "But he's not and you know it. The one day, the one day the Headmaster separated you two and made you spar separately, you scored higher than him. The day of the SeeD exam, you end up higher ranked than him. Doesn't that tell you something?"


"Well he's a crush," Kagome defended weakly. "I'm supposed to be nervous around him."


"But you're not supposed to let him win all the time," Sango told her gently. "You're allowed to be your own person Kagome. You're allowed to be the best at what you do. You deserve to be."


"I'm the only female gunblade in all three Gardens," Kagome replied. "I think that's enough."


"You know it's not though," Sango told her with a shake of her head. "You're the best Kagome and you know it. You're rank tells you so. The only person better than you is Sesshoumaru, and he wouldn't have promoted you a week ago if you weren't of some good."


"What's the point Sango?" Kagome demanded heatedly, her temper finally at an end. "I mean, this pep talk isn't for nothing so spill."


"Don't be mad Kagome," Sango replied as she hugged Kagome's shoulders. "I'm just saying that you deserve more than you give yourself credit for. I mean, you deserve someone that'll love you and you've got to realize that Inuyasha's not going to see you any differently."


"I know."


"Huh?" Sango said when Kagome stepped away from her, her head down and her ponytail drifting over her right shoulder. "What do you mean you know?"


"I know Inuyasha will never see me as anything more than a pest," Kagome told her. "Or a little sister. But I don't care. He's...safe."


"Safe?" Sango repeated softly as Kagome replaced the hoodie back inside her duffle bag. "How is he safe unless...you're scared. That's it isn't it?" Sango realized. Her suspicions were confirmed when Kagome turned away from her, her arms folded underneath her breasts as she looked out the window at the setting sun. "Oh Kagome, you don't have to be scared," Sango told her as she hugged her again. "There's someone out there that will love you. You don't have to sit by and watch everyone else."


"Why do you care?" Kagome snapped irritably. "I mean, it's not like you've ever had to watch Miroku fawn all over some other girl."


"Now that's not true and you know it," Sango reprimanded. "You know that the year Miroku and Ayame dated was the worst year of my life so don't go there."


"Then you know what I'm talking about," Kagome said. "I don't have to explain myself then."


"No, you don't." Sango shook her head and sighed. "What are you so afraid of Kagome? You won't let anyone close to you, not even Shippou. Every time we try to include you, you push us away. We just want to be your friends. We care about you and want to help you. We'd stay by your side forever-"


"No you won't," Kagome interrupted. She sniffed and sank back to the bed, her head hung between her arms as she placed her hands on her knees and braced herself up. "None of you will. You'll leave, Shippou will leave, Miroku will leave and Inuyasha will leave. Friendships never last forever."

sighted deeply, her head lowering momentarily before giving her friend a sad smile. "Maybe not, but we're with you now. We'd never leave you by choice, no matter what the future may hold." She turned and walked out the door to the stairs, but stuck her head back inside the room seconds later.


"Kagome, I know you want to drop it but I want you to remember something: There's a reason they call it a crush."




'Cause crushes hurt,' Kagome sighed to herself as she traced one of the pinstripes going down her leg. 'Sango's right. I've got to stop letting him get to me. I guess I've got some apologizing to do when Sango gets back.'


"Higurashi?"

glanced up and over her shoulder at Sesshoumaru, watching as he landed on the roof with barely a flutter of his silvery hair. 'It's not bloody fair,' she griped as he settled on the rooftop behind her. 'How's this guy's hair better than mine? Maybe I should listen to Sango about a few of those hair tips too.' "Anything I can help you with captain?"


"You're up early," Sesshoumaru said instead as he sat down behind her facing the horizon. Kagome sighed and turned so that he sat at her left side. "Yeah, I guess so."


"Where are you from?" he asked next, his eyes never leaving the horizon nor the blue sky. Kagome glanced at him strangely, then shrugged and answered him. "I'm from Esthar. I'm sure Inuyasha's told you that."


"What side of Esthar?" Sesshoumaru growled. "I know of your country."


"Oh, um...the left side."


"And why do you not visit there now?"


"That's none of your business." She smiled when he glared at her, his golden eyes demanding an answer to his question. "Well it's not."


"You're disobeying an order Higurashi," he warned her. Kagome huffed and tossed the threat aside. "Whatever. I'm not doing anything of the sort. You know like I do that the only way I'm disobeying an order is when we're in battle and you tell me to do something pertaining to the battle. Anything else is whatever I want you to know."


"Well then," Sesshoumaru began, turning fully toward the surprisingly crafty human. 'Too much time spent around the kitsune,' he determined as Kagome lightly scratched her left wrist. He stared at a raised spot on her skin in the shape of a teardrop. It appeared to be a scar, but it was the same coloring as the rest of her arm so he left it for another time. "What if I make it my business?"


"Ok, what's the deal?!" Kagome demanded hotly. "What's your problem? You've done nothing but quiz me since we got here. It's like an inquisition or something! What did I do to you? Kick something of yours? Leave my shampoo in the tub? What IS IT!? Why do you keep picking on me?"

quirked a dark brow at her, the only sign of his slight ire and amusement at her exclamation before turning away to face the east. "I wasn't aware that I was 'picking' on you, as it were. I merely wish to learn more about you."


"But for what?" Kagome demanded with a hard sigh. "I mean, why do you even care? I'm just a human remember? I'm just like the rest of my kind."


"That you are," Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement. "And yet you are different. You train harder than any other specialist; excluding myself but including Inuyasha. You seem to have more focus, more drive than any human I've met either. You are...rare, Higurashi."


"Um...wow," Kagome whispered shyly, a slight blush rising on her cheeks. "Thanks. I didn't know you felt that way."


"My feelings have nothing to do with it," Sesshoumaru replied coldly. "It is the truth as I see it. Only your magic excels your gunblade skills. However," at this he glanced at her from the corner of his eye, golden eyes glittering in the early sunlight. "You will never be anywhere as good as this Sesshoumaru."


"ARGH !!" Kagome yelled in frustration. "I should have known!" She tossed her hands up in frustration and began to make her way off the roof. "I don't know what possessed me to even think that you were trying to be sociable to me! Only you would be able to turn a compliment into an insult! Jeez !!!"

leaned over the roof's edge and watched as she released the drainage pipe and dropped to the balcony below before shaking his head. 'Humans are strange,' he said to himself as he listened to her muttering. He frowned at a few dog insults before deciding to ignore her in favor of his surroundings. He turned back toward the sun and looked over the mansion next door to a field many yards behind it. Shepards were already in the fields, the little white dots that were the sheep ambling slowly across to graze in peace and quiet.


'No wonder Higuraish's aura has been so different here,' he mused as the sheep bleated below. 'It's peaceful here...though it is a little behind the rest of the worl-' His ears twitched as the loud roar of a car engine sounded in the distance behind him. He turned around and watched the large dust cloud that appeared near the items shop. He stood up and followed it, sunlit eyes narrowed slightly as the mini sandstorm swiftly approached him. He jumped from the roof once it passed the traffic sign in the middle of the yellow flower field, his altered viewing point helping him to recognize the cause of the disturbance. His white nimbus materialized beneath his feet in bare whispers of youki, slowing but not stopping his descent as he continued to eye the dirt cloud and the car that was causing it.

touched ground just as Kagome ran out of the front door of the tavern, her gunblade strapped to her side and one hand on the holster. "Isn't that our rental car?" she asked suddenly. Sesshoumaru frowned thoughtfully. "Yes, it is."


"Since when do they give you the same car?" Kagome wondered aloud. She squeaked in surprise and jumped back when the royal blue classic slammed on the breaks, finally coming to a stop where she was just standing. Kagome leaned over, one hand at the center of her chest as she bent over to try to catch her breath. Sesshoumaru observed this passively, his concern more on the car and the waves of despair coming from inside.

car door flung open and Sango stepped out, completely ignorant of her audience as she viciously slammed the door shut. She growled under her breath and kicked the side once, twice, and again before fully taking out her frustration on the defenseless piece of metal. Kagome's jaw slackened as she and Sesshoumaru watched Sango punch, kick and shake the car with a fury she never knew her friend could possess.


"Sango?" Kagome called out after a moment, her hand extended toward her friend's shoulder. Sango whirled around, cinnamon eyes wide and dark as tears streamed down her face to wet her cheeks. "Sango, what's wron-" She gasped when Sango turned from her to Sesshoumaru, her eyes narrowing hatefully before spitting out


"You...this is your fault..."

marching toward him, her fist pulled back and ready to break a few bones. Kagome gaped again, but this time only for an instant before grasping Sango's loose hand and jerking her backward. Sango stumbled into her and Kagome used her surprise to wrap an arm around her shoulders, the other to pin Sango's arm behind her neck before sweeping her leg from underneath her.

stood by while Kagome subdued her, her hold firm but gentle before whispering in Sango's ear. He listened on as Kagome reasoned with the older girl. Though Sango's advance had barely fazed him, he found himself unable to say the same about Kagome's quick reflexes. 'The little human would not have hurt me, but Higurashi does have some usefulness all the same.'


"Sango, you've got to calm down," Kagome whispered as Sango struggled to get free. "You can't punch him, even though I'd love to see you do it. Lord knows he needs it. But you can 't do it. If you do, we'll both get court marshaled and kicked out. You don't want that, right?" She sighed when the fog clouding Sango's eyes began to lift, the rage deep within the velvet orbs calming to despair.


"You've got to calm down and listen ok? We can't help you if you don't tell us what's wrong. Am I right?"


"Yeah Kagome," Sango choked out and sniffed. "Yeah. I'm good. You can let go now."

released her reluctantly, her eyes following her as Sango stood up stiffly and glared at Sesshoumaru. "What happened?" he asked. "And why are you back so early?"


"I'm back early because I can't get into Timber," Sango ground out. "It seems that Timber's under occupation...again."


"Again is right," Sesshoumaru said to himself. "One would think that country would've gotten stronger after Galbadia. Who has taken them over this time?"


"Believe it or not, Galbadia," Sango retorted and scowled when Sesshoumaru shook his head in disagreement. "Impossible," he assured her. "My father wouldn't allow it."


"Well," Sango said calmly, though her voice was swiftly rising in volume. "Do you know of another country that dresses their soldiers in that tacky assed blue?!! What's wrong with your pop Sesshoumaru?"


"I told you woman," Sesshoumaru growled softly. "Galbadia-isn't-responsible."


"Ok wait a sec," Kagome began as she stepped between them. "We don't know exactly what happened. All we know is that Sango couldn't get into the city and that there are soldiers there dressed like Galbadia soldiers. Now we don't know if Galbadia is involved-"

'hmnh'ed and turned up her nose.


"And we don't know if they're not-"

quirked a brow, but refused to speak.


"And until then, we're just going to have to wait and chill. Sango, you know it's probably nothing-"


"But you weren't there!" Sango shot back angrily. "They wouldn't even let me inside!!!! I couldn't see my mother or anything!"


"I know Sango, I know and I'm not trying to make light of things," Kagome appeased and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "All I'm saying is that we shouldn't jump to conclusions. You know if anything was really, really wrong Shippou would cal-"





reached inside her pocket for her com-phone and glanced at the little screen on the lid before showing it to Sango. "See, look here," she said as she pointed to the tiny digital chibi fox on the screen. "This is Shippou now. I'll just ask him what's going on ok?" She waited for Sango to nod before flipping the phone open and pressing the 'Talk' button. To her surprise Zell appeared onscreen. "Oh, Instructor," Kagome said. She saluted quickly, as did Sango who stood at Kagome's right shoulder. Sesshoumaru looked on from the other side of the phone where Zell couldn't see. "What can I do for you sir?"


"Morning Private Higurashi, Private Almasy," Zell greeted from the other end of the line. "I have something important for your captain. Is he around?"


"He is. Hold on just two seconds." Kagome passed the phone to Sesshoumaru and, after a quick explanation on how it worked, handed Sesshoumaru the phone.


"Yes sir," Sesshoumaru greeted. "I'm here."


"Good. Good seeing you Captain Endo. The headmaster's called for all SeeDs to report back to Balamb Garden by next Monday. You're to leave your post as soon as possible and head for-"


"But what about the monster hunters?" Sango interrupted. "Out of the two that survived, on ly one is able to walk, and that's with a crutch. They're going to need more time to get better."


"That's already been taken care of," Zell answered and flicked a blonde lock away from his face. "You're replacements arrive at 08:00 hours tomorrow morning. You're to leave as soon as they arrive and head for Dollet. There you'll take a ferry to Balamb. You're also to meet up with Private Saikai as well."


"Miroku's there?" Sango whispered. "For what?"


"Sir," Kagome spoke up next. "What about Timber? Sango tried to go there today and-"


"This line isn't secure Kagome," Zell interrupted. "You'll find out what your new mission is once you arrive. Private Saikai has been authorized to inform you of what you've missed and believe me," his face became grave then, beautiful blue eyes dark and troubled as he glanced at the three.


"You've missed a helluva lot."


"Alright. Thanks Instructor," Kagome said with a slight wave before flipping the phone closed. "See," she said to Sango. "Everything's ok. Miroku's going to be in Dollet and in three days we'll know what's going on and we'll be going back home ok?"


"Yeah," Sango nodded weakly. "Yeah, I guess so."


"Now that we've received new orders," Sesshoumaru said as he glanced over the car and shook his head at the Sango-induced dents. "It's time to prepare for departure. Higurashi, I want you to make sure this car is in working order before we leave. Almasy, stock up on whatever supplies we may need, including fuel and food. The both of you are to be packed and ready to leave at 0730. That means bags in the trunk with the supplies ready to go. Is that understood?"


"Yes sir," they both replied with a sharp salute. "Um, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome said after Sango ran into the tavern to begin her part of the preparations. "What are you going to do?"


"I'm going to take a shower," Sesshoumaru answered as he too made his way toward their living quarters. "Then I'm going to go on patrol. I'm doing them for the rest of the day."

moved to offer to help him, but shrugged when he closed the door between them and disappeared inside. "Oh well," she mumbled to herself. She glanced at the car with a silent moan, already anticipating an afternoon with greasy fingers and frustration. "Guess I'll get started then," she muttered and proceeded to pop the hood. She coughed when white smoke billowed from the engine. "Good God," she gasped as she struggled to breathe.


"JEEZ SANGO, WHAT'D YOU DO TO THIS DAMNED THING?!!!"



hummed to herself as she drove past the cliffs, completely relaxed in the peace and quiet as her companions slept. 'Poor Sesshoumaru,' she said to herself as she glanced back at the taiyoukai. 'He's been driving for two days. No wonder he's so tired.'

frowned in concern as she remembered yesterday morning, and how Sesshoumaru stopped the car to abandon the driver's seat. He grabbed Kagome's arm and plunked her into it, then took her place in the back and motioned for her to start the car. He was asleep before she could protest, his head thrown back against the headrest with his legs propped across the back seats and his tail firmly wrapped around him in a makeshift blanket.


'But he did look kinda tired,' Kagome reasoned with her irritation. 'I mean, he'd been up for two weeks before we left. It's amazing he lasted this far. I wonder why he doesn't keep a sleep planner. That's what Shippou used to do.' She smiled as she thought of him, remembering how the kitsune would phase to his animal form, curl up on a blanket in the middle of the floor (or on her pillow beside her when he was smaller) and fall asleep with his tail covering the tip of his nose. Kagome glanced at Sango and smiled at the peace on her features. She breathed out a sigh of relief and retreated to her inner thoughts.


'You know, this mission hasn't been so bad,' she said to herself with a smile. 'I mean, Sesshoumaru could have been a lot nastier than he was but he wasn't. And Sango and I....' She sighed and glanced at her friend, a fond smile spreading across her face as she watched her sleep with her head resting precariously against the seat belt. 'I would have never survived without her. She's....a true friend.' She glanced at Sango and Sesshoumaru again, assuring herself that the both of them were asleep before leaning toward Sango.


"I know I'll probably never say this to you when you're awake," she whispered as she kept an eye on the road ahead. "So I'm going to say it now; I...you're right. I hate saying it, but you're right."


"About what?" Sango muttered before taking a deep breath and opening her eyes. "What am I so right about?'

blushed in embarrassment but leaned back to her seat. "Um...about what we talked about before you left."


"What did we talk about...oh....." Sango nodded in remembrance, then shrugged and lightly slapped Kagome's shoulder. "No problem. You're not still mad at me are you?"

shook her head. "How could I when you're right? I'm want to do better, but I'm going to need some help. You wanna volunteer?"


"Gladly!" Sango exclaimed as she threw her arms around Kagome's neck. She jerked back when the car swerved, effectively throwing Sesshoumaru from his blissful nap while Kagome regained control. He glared around once, his sunlit eyes blurred and unfocused. He sniffed, grumbled something Kagome and Sango could only guess at, and went back to sleep, his head returning to the headrest behind him.


"Well that was new," Sango commented and giggled along with Kagome.


"Yeah I know," Kagome nodded. "Who'd have expected that from him?"


"Yeah...but..."


"But what?" Kagome asked and looked out the window at the cliffs surrounding them. Sango shrugged and stole a glance at the clueless youkai. "But he's kinda...cute like that."


"I'm totally not listening," Kagome said as she shook her head. "And just imagine what would happen if Miroku or Sesshoumaru were to hear you say that."


"Oh please," Sango brushed the threat aside. "Miroku still grabs other girls' rears. He can't exactly complain about me calling another guy cute. And Sesshoumaru's asleep so he can't do anything."


"Whatever," Kagome rolled her eyes. "But something tells me that he wouldn't appreciate being called cute."


"I don't."

both turned and looked at him, their eyes widening as he stared back at them. "Oh, Sesshoumaru," Sango laughed nervously. "We were just...um-"


"Don't bother," he interrupted to point out the right hand window. "We are close...though you two would know that if you weren't so busy staring at me instead of at your surroundings." Both girls blushed and turned toward the right. At the top of one of the cliffs stood a communications tower, one that was rather old to still be in use. "That is Dollet's communication tower," Sesshoumaru explained after stifling a yawn. "Now that Sango, is still under Galbadia's control due to an agreement made-"


"Seventeen years ago," Kagome interrupted and blushed when he looked at her. "Um...we had this in history class."


"We did?" Sango chirped. "I don't remember it."


"You would have remembered that if you and Miroku weren't so busy sucking face in the back of the classroom."


"Shut up," Sango grumbled. "Since you know so much about it, how 'bout you tell us why Galbadia wanted it?"

rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Galbadia wanted it so they could make the first on air broadcast in 17 years. You do know why they couldn't broadcast before then right?"


"Yeah," Sango replied. "Because of some kind of disturbance in space."


"Hey, you were paying attention," Kagome laughed. "I'll tell Instructor Jinichi that when we get back."


"I insist that we save this little history lesson for another time," Sesshoumaru said as they approached the main road into Dollet. They stopped at the tollbooth and paid the 150 gil to pass, then drove straight into the auto rental beyond it.


"Like, hi," the girl working at the front office greeted as they parked the car in front of her and turned in their keys. "I hope you guys got here safely."


"Yeah, thanks," Sango nodded. "Um...is it alright that this car's from Timber?"


"Oh sure hunny," the girl nodded. "We've got plenty of cars here from Timber and Deling City. Don't worry about a thing!"


"Ok Captain," Kagome said as they left the rental dealership and stepped out onto the street. "Where to now? This is our first time in Dollet."

discretely scented the air and caught the scent of sea water coming from ahead of them. 'This way.' He walked along without warning, aware by now that Kagome and Sango would follow his silent command. 'This is my first time here as well,' Sesshoumaru reminded himself while Kagome and Sango glanced at the various shops and restaurants surrounding them.


"Isn't that Kiki's?" he heard Sango say as she pointed toward a little bistro with a green and red flag fluttering beside the door. "You know, that café Kikyou's so fond of?"


"Yeah," Kagome nodded excitedly. "She said that the spaghetti there was awesome!"


'Those two and food,' Sesshoumaru commented wryly. He thought back to their four months together and found that they hadn't been nearly as torturous as he once thought it would be. True, the two were still extremely childish, and he found himself walking in the middle of some silly fight between them (one in particular resulted with him ending up with a face full of cocoa powder), but they became completely different people in times of battle. The silliness left them quickly leaving seasoned warriors in their places. He honestly couldn't think of another rifleman that could compete with Sango, and Kagome...


'I have told her what I think of her,' he thought with a mental sigh. 'I honestly cannot say that I regret commanding them for this mission.'


"You guys look!" Sango exclaimed suddenly, her hand fisted against her jaw as she pointed ahead of them. "Is that...it is! Miroku!"

young man standing at the docks a few feet ahead of them turned around, his shoulder-length ponytail flipping to rest over his shoulder. Familiar violet eyes smiled back at them as he opened his arms. "Hey Butterfl-oof!" He and Sango fell to the ground in a heap, with Sango sitting on top of him. She hugged him fiercely as Kagome and Sesshoumaru looked on, Kagome laughing at their cuteness and Seshoumaru shaking his head at the public display of affection.


"If you two are quite done," he interrupted after clearing his throat. Sango blushed and stood up, then offered Miroku a hand and dusted him off.


"I'm so sorry Miroku," she apologized. "I was just-"


"So happy to see me," Miroku finished for her. "It has been a long time Butterfly. I'm glad to see you too."


"Hey, what about me?" Kagome whined pitifully, her lower lip stuck in a slight pout. "You didn't miss me Miroku-monkey?"


"Jeez Kagome, don't call me that," Miroku blushed. He frowned as Kagome and Sango laughed, then shook his head. "Girls," he muttered before coming to attention in front of Sesshoumaru. "Private Miroku Saikai reporting Captain."


"At ease." Sesshoumaru surveyed the harbor, glancing over the various privately owned ships and sailboats before coming to the enormous gray freighter with Balamb Garden's insignia on the sides. "I take it this is our ride back to the Garden."


"Yup," Miroku nodded. "That's it, the Othello . Pretty name huh?"


"Quite," Sesshoumaru commented uninterestedly. He walked up the dock to the freighter's entrance and disappeared inside, with Miroku and the others following close behind. "You may begin your report now," Sesshoumaru said to Miroku. Miroku quickly took the lead and guided them down a set of stairs toward the cargo bay. "For one, we're supposed to bring a couple of supplies to the Garden for restocking."


"What kind of supplies?" Sesshoumaru inquired as they descended yet another flight of stairs.


"It's just little stuff, like food staples, potions and stuff like that." Miroku led then toward a large metal door at the end of the hallway, opened it and stepped aside so the others could enter. The group walked into the silent cargo bay quickly, and Miroku reported the innards of each crate to Sesshoumaru as they came across them.


"What is in this one?" he asked as he tapped a claw against an unusually large metal crate. It stood at 12x12x14 with no visible signs of how to open it. Sesshoumaru frowned when Miroku shrugged and demanded an explanation.


"I don't know," Miroku told the inu youkai. "I wanted to know what was in it too, but all the invoice says is that its 'mission supplies'."


"Show me." Sesshoumaru jerked the invoice from Miroku's hands and read over it. He mentally checked over everything that Miroku had previously pointed out to him and frowned when he found the crate's number and the description that proved Miroku right.


"How odd," Kagome said from over his shoulder. "I wonder what's in it."


"Me too," Sango said. "Can't we open it Sesshoumaru? Please?"


"Of course not," Sesshoumaru replied as he returned the invoice to Miroku's waiting hand. "This crate doesn't concern us. We will make sure it arrives safely, but we will not open it. Understood?"


"Yes sir," all three replied with a quick salute. They quickly fell into parade rest at Sesshoumaru's request, all three with their right hands resting on the hilt of their weapons as Sesshoumaru sat down on the crate and gathered his thoughts.


"Saikai, what time does the boat leave?"


"At 1430 hours sir," Miroku responded.


"Good. It's..." Sesshoumaru glanced at the watch on his right arm and nodded. "0825 now. At 0830 you're free to do as you please, so long as you make sure to gather your supplies and have your weapons serviced. Here." He took off his gunblade and handed it to Miroku, holster and all. "Take mine with you. Do not loose it."


"Y-yes sir," Miroku stuttered meekly, completely unnerved by the brief flash of red that clouded Sesshoumaru's eyes. "It's in good hands."


"Good, be sure that it is. You're to pick up anything that Balamb doesn't sell, like GF medicines and special ammunition. You're to be back here at 1400. Is that clear?"


"Yes sir."


"Good. Saikai, once you return you will inform the rest of us about what has happened in Timber and the rest of the world. Winhill is quite secluded, as I'm sure you're aware, so we are not as up to date with worldly news as you are. Until then, not a word to be spoken about it. Understood?"


"Yes sir," Miroku said with another salute.


"Good. You three are dismissed." Sesshoumaru watched as they quit the room, his shoulders slumping slightly once he was alone. 'Something of great importance is happening,' he said to himself as he looked over the various crates and boxes around him. 'What need does the Garden have of so many supplies? Most of this is unnecessary, while others could keep the Garden well stocked for a year or more. What are we not being told?' He sighed to himself and left the room, taking a moment to glance at the ship's map before heading up the stairs toward the bridge.



later the group was off, the boat having left port to begin it's four day journey to Balamb. Miroku, Sango and the others of their group sat on the outer deck. All of them found the inner cabins of the ship too cramped for their tastes and had gravitated toward the deck and the fresh sea air outside.

leaned over the side of the ship, closed her eyes and took a deep breath as the wind blew at her ponytail. This was her first time on a boat and she was enjoying herself and the warm tropical wind that caressed her face. She turned when Miroku cleared his throat, her gaze as expectant as the others while he waited for their attention.


"I'd like to begin my report now," he said to Sesshoumaru, who graciously motioned for him to begin. "What do you guys know?"


"That we can't get into Timber," Sango said quickly. "Why? What's going on? Why did Ambassador Endo invade Timber?"


"For the last time Almasy," Sesshoumaru growled heatedly. "My father is not responsible for Timber."


"He's right Sango," Miroku told them. "Ambassador Endo isn't responsible for Galbadia invading Timber-"


"See!" Sango shouted suddenly. "I TOLD you it was Galbadia!"


"It's Galbadia's new president," Miroku said. His brow furrowed at the virtual sea of confusion. "You guys don't have a clue as to what's happened do you?"


"Nuh-uh," Kagome said as Sango shook her head.


"OK then. Let's see..." Miroku sat down in the middle of them with Sango behind him, Kagome on his right and an abnormally quiet Sesshoumaru on his left. "About three months ago, this army attacked Galbadia. Now they got their butts kicked, but the Galbadia army took a beating too. Anyway, any of you remember Vinzer Deling?"


"He was president of Galbadia 17 years ago," Sango replied. "Um...he was killed when Sorceress Edna was ambassador."


"Yup," Miroku nodded. "Well anyway, it turns out that that guy had a son, Juromaro Deling. He came in right after that army did and took over. He declared himself lifelong president-"


'Like father like son,' Sesshoumaru quipped dryly. 'Humans are such fools. Didn't he realize that a statement like that would bring nothing but trouble?'


"And declared war on the rest of the world at the same time."


"Apparently not," Sesshoumaru muttered to himself as Sango and Kagome gasped. "Are you serious?" Sango exclaimed. "He wasn't that stupid was he?"


"Well, he didn't say 'I'm going to war with the rest of the world,'" Miroku said with a quick shrug. "But he made himself pretty clear as to what he wanted. He invaded Timber a few weeks later. He took the city Timber in three days. Inuyasha and Mrs. Leonheart were already at the Garden by then...along with your mom, pops and little brother Sango. Ambassador Endo was sent to Fisherman's Horizon two weeks before Deling's presidency."


"Oh thank goodness," Sango breathed a sigh of relief with a hand covering her heart. "I was so worried."


"Don't be," Miroku told her. "They came on the last running train from Timber."


"Last train?" Sesshoumaru repeated. "I take it this Deling has shut down the trains as well."


"Not all of them. Just the train stations in Timber and Deling City."


"But every train connects to either of those stations," Kagome said. "So he basically shut down the entire railway system."


"Yeah, I guess you're right," Miroku said after a moment's thought. "Anyway, he took Clearance after that. It was there he got the nickname 'SeeD Hunter'. Sorry Sesshoumaru," he bowed his head in sympathy. "You're old team never made it out. Deling either imprisoned them or shot them on sight."


"Oh no," Kagome whispered softly. "Jeez, I'm so sorry Sesshoumaru."

waved aside their concern. "Is that why the SeeDs are being recalled?"


"Yeah," Miroku nodded. "It's pretty much the same all over Galbadia. No town is safe from Deling."


"But what's going to happen once we get to the Garden?" Kagome asked. "I mean, are we just gonna hide? And what about Galbadia Garden? Aren't their SeeDs in danger too?"


'That is a good question,' Sesshoumaru agreed while Miroku shrugged. 'Once again her insight surprises me. Exactly what are the Gardens going to do, and what does this Deling have planned next?'

Chapter)

Yup, that's the end! (Ducks flying fish) WTF?

(weighing another fish in her hands) Why'd you end it like that SF? What's going to happen to Timber?

Forget Timber! When do we get to kick ass? There isn't enough fighting in this story! (Growls and for once Sesshou and Kouga agree with him)

The fighting will begin shortly. Jeez, you guys have no patience. This chapter was to get Sesshou, Kagome and Sango in on the rest of the world's problems, that way when the next chapter rolls around no one will be like 'Huh?' Speaking of the next chapter, it's below. Who's doing the soliloquy this time?

I will!

(as Inu-chan cracks him in the head with Tötungmesser's handle) You're not in the story jerk.

Exactly. I want to protest my absence

Nope, don't want to hear it. Besides, Juromaru's in here. He's kinda like you.

I want to do it again!

But you just did it!

Kikyou hasn't done one.

Kagome hasn't either.

No, Kagome did the first one. I know...Kikyou, you do this one-and try to remember that you're a good guy in this story-and Kagome will do the one for the next chapter. How's that sound?

cast: Dandy.

Alright then. The preview is below. Oh, and there's an announcement that may be important on the bio page.

(reading over next chapter) The others should be back by tomorrow. I can't wait to see them! They're going to be so proud of my progress-but they don't have time for that do they? You would think the chaos in Galbadia was enough, but it seems like the Garden staff is on high alert for some reason. Is there something wrong with the Garden? And the headmaster is so secretive lately. I wonder what Inuyasha's next assignment going to be.

chapter- Chapter Seven: A Call to Protect