InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lady Kagome ❯ Chapter 42 ( Chapter 42 )

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

The journey to Edo had been uneventful. All the shards that had shattered a couple years ago, already in the possession of either Naraku or Kagome. Kouga had already relinquished his shards to Kagome without a fight. Kouga had always been fast without the shards, so he was not in the least worried. Naraku had a larger portion of the jewel, in fact three quarters of the jewel.

As they had traveled, Kagome noticed that no lesser youkai bothered to approach them. Kagome and Inu Yasha mused that it was because of Sesshoumaru's presence.

"Sugoi! If only we had you in our group years ago Sesshoumaru. Every youkai would be pissing their pants," Inu Yasha joked.

"Indeed. At least they know a superior demon, unlike the hanyou brother I have," Sesshoumaru egged Inu Yasha on.

"Superior my ass Lord Fluffy. I've almost whipped you several times. Your pansy sword just keeps saving your ass," Inu Yasha stuck his tongue out at his brother. “You’re real lucky Kagome could replace the arm I cut off.”

"Grow up, Inu- baka! Or should I have you put that tongue to use on Kagome," Sesshoumaru smirked.

Inu Yasha's and Kagome's faces turned bright red as Miroku grinned lecherously.

"So, that is what you have been doing instead of shouting vulgarities my friend," Miroku replied, his lecherous grin widening.

"Can it houshi!" Sango and Inu Yasha said in unison at the same time, but it was Sango who punched Miroku hard in the shoulder.

"But my dearest Sango," Miroku pouted.

"I said can it!" Sango warned, her eyes narrowed.

Sesshoumaru could not figure out how this ragtag group lasted this long.

'A virgin miko, a taijiya with a temper, a lecherous monk, and an immature hanyou,' he laughed to himself, his stoic visage unwavering.

But then again, his own company before had been just as ragtag. He technically could have called the combined group his pack, but he was not interested in that. He just wanted Naraku dead. Sesshoumaru was not sure if everyone would survive the battle. Rin and Shippou were in his palace under Jaken's care. He refused to bring Jaken to battle despite the toad youkai's incessant squawkings. Jaken was simply getting too old to do battle. He did not look ancient like Myouga, Totosai, or Sen, but Jaken had been in his father's service for quite some time before Inu Taisho's death. The last battle he had been in was against the panther tribe while Inu Yasha was stuck to the Goshinkbu. Jaken had stood by him and even then the toad youkai was a tad too old to be battling along side him.

Once they reached the area near Edo, technically called Musashi, they set up camp. Sesshoumaru refused to sleep in the village and Kagome did not want to leave his side, so they caved into his wishes. Inu Yasha did not care, having grown up in the area and he did not care if he slept in a hut, cave, tree, or palace. Of course, Sesshoumaru could not help goad Inu Yasha into another amusing argument about his shortcomings. It took Kagome to settle Inu Yasha down as Sesshoumaru chuckled.

Miroku had sat down to pray and meditate, as Sango rested. Kouga had brought Ayame, Ginta, Hakkuku, and the rest of the surviving members of his tribe, however after a huge fight with Inu Yasha, he moved his part of the camp a little bit away by Sesshoumaru's demand. Kagome had been furious about Inu Yasha's behavior and sat him several times until a deep hole enough to bury the dead was made. Kagome had caught Sesshoumaru's amusement and warned him that she would not hesitate to throw beads and make him sit as well. Of course, when she had said it to Sesshoumaru, Inu Yasha, after just dusting himself off, plummeted to the ground once more. She apologized and Inu Yasha kept cussing at her until she gave up and flat out kissed him. Of course, Miroku tried his luck with Sango and found himself laying unconscious over the back of a log he was previously sitting on and an angry Sango clutching her weapon while glaring daggers at the poor monk.

Three days after they had set up came, various members of tribes that had pledged an alliance long ago with Sesshoumaru's clan had shown up and made their camp, even random youkai. It made Kagome happy to know that her small group was not the only ones willing to fight against Naraku. They all knew that if Naraku had his way, that they were either be dead, tortured until death, or dictated under his sadistic rule. Even an army of humans from the South had learned of the battle and joined forces, as the majority were also youkai exterminators. It was not just a battle of the Inu-tachi group anymore, but of all youkai and humans that would not tolerate such a vile being to exist and play with their lives any longer.

Sesshoumaru was even astonished at the rate that their group was increasing, however, he knew that it meant the death toll would be greater. Naraku's disgusting control over hundred of lowly youkai could be called forth in torrents. Sesshoumaru did not look forward to smelling the revolting smell that death left behind in humans. It was bad enough that their usual scents consisted of salt, urine, and dirt. Some smelled better than others, but he was center it was the fact their bloodline had been dilluted down from youkai through the generations. Humans did not have an entirely unpleasant smell, as it was tolerable. However, the hygiene was terrible and made him want to dunk each one in a river with some scented soaps.

Kagome had sought out Kaede and told her to keep the villagers away so they would not be harmed. As she came back from informing Kaede about the upcoming battle, she heard, "Soon hime, you will be mine."

She stopped and growled.

'Naraku!'

His scent was not around, so after she was positive that it was clear, she continued back to camp to wait for the battle to begin.