Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Props to Rumiko Takahashi for her excellence.

Chapter 1

Where was Inuyasha and why hadn't he come for her yet? Kagome wondered of the circumstances as she trotted away from the Bone Eater's well and toward Edo, her worn, yellow backpack hoisted on her shoulders. Surely he'd have come for her by now… Maybe something had happened?

Onyx hair flying over her shoulders, the miko jogged against the wind until she reached the entrance of Kaede's village. Her warm brown eyes lit up when she caught sight of her friends; Sango the taijiya, Miroku the hentai monk, Shippou the little kit she considered her own and Kirara the twin-tailed nekomata demon. But where was Inuyasha? He was probably not too far away.

"Hey guys!" The priestess greeted her companions with a toothy grin. They greeted her back and the youkai slayer even went as far as getting up from her sitting position and hugging her sister of the future. Then Kagome was overwhelmed by a giddy little red-headed fox demon. Shippou always thought that any amount of time away from Kagome was an eternity.

"Inuyasha's not with you?" Miroku asked when he felt the moment was over, tucking his hands into the sleeves of his robes much like their hanyou friend often did. Kagome closed her eyes briefly and shook her head before setting her gaze into his violet one.

"No, I thought one of you would know where he is…" She dropped her heavy bag on the grass they were resting on and sighed at the weight lifted from her shoulders. Sango looked uneasy for a moment as she shifted her eyes to the cute cat youkai curled up in her lap.

"He left last night to go and get you in your time, Kagome. We saw him off and everything. We assumed he had stayed at your home for the night again because you were studying for one of your tests." Sango's chocolate eyes found Kagome's and saw the worry etched within them. Shippou and Miroku took note of this also.

"He never showed up. Could something have happened to him?" The 17 year old worried at her bottom lip as numerous horrible possibilities went through her mind. Naraku couldn't have gotten to him before he made it to the well; he was dead. Or what if it was Sesshoumaru? No, Sesshoumaru wouldn't have tried anything, not with the sudden peace between the two half-brothers as of late. Unless the peace was only a front to throw them off? No, Sesshoumaru, young lord of the west did not lie or resort to such trickery.

Then…what? If it wasn't Naraku or Sesshoumaru, what could it be? Kouga had settled down with Ayame so he wouldn't have bothered with Inuyasha at this point. Kagome couldn't think of any other enemy the inuhanyou had that was still alive and wished him harm or that had the power needed to inflict harm upon him. Had he simply left on his own? After all, what was there left for him with them? The Shikon no Tama was gone, his revenge on Naraku had been exacted and he was strong enough on his own. But would he really leave them behind? His friends?

"I'm over thinking things again." With a quick shake of the head, Kagome cleared her mind of negative scenarios and sat down with her closest friends. She felt so close to them, in fact, that she considered them her family.

Miroku was her older, flirty brother who loved to chase skirts but loved one special lady above all others. With his dark hair tied back in a small pony tail, his violet eyes and his purple robes, he was quite handsome for a monk. He was strong willed and took the loss of his wind tunnel in stride, even if he missed it at times. His spiritual energy was enough for him, much like Kagome relied on using her own. Though, he did love wielding that staff of his around, especially in close combat fights.

Sango had been like a sister to her since they met. She even looked the part with her similarly coloured eyes and her dark brown locks. The pregnant slayer had recently put down her Hiraikotsu and exterminator's garb until further notice. Instead, she settled for wearing her simple kimono and loosely tying her hair back with a ribbon as she'd always done. She was the cautious older sister who would kick a bigger guy's ass if he hurt her siblings. Trained to fight and be strong of body and heart, she was everything Kagome could have ever asked for as a sister.

Then there was little Shippou, the small fox demon with fiery red hair and amazing green eyes. What really caught the eye about him was his fluffy tail and his almost constant smile. Orphaned at such a young age, Kagome cared for him like he was her son. She spoiled him with tasty candy and made sure he always had colourful wax crayons and paper to draw on. The little kit liked to put on a brave front but he still scared quite easily; he was only a child after all. But with Kagome as a mother figure and the others treating him like their little brother, he learned from them and always did what was right. Though he still wished Inuyasha would be less rough with him…

Kirara, the nekomata youkai, was just a lovable little cat who transformed into a bigger lovable cat when her companions needed the protection. She was strong and fierce and could light up a campfire in a second with the flames that formed around her paws and tails when she transformed. Protective and comforting, trained for battle and cared for by Sango, Kirara was the ideal comrade. Everyone loved her.

And finally, Inuyasha, who played the role of a best friend in Kagome's life. She had once loved the silver haired half-demon with the golden eyes and pointy dog ears at the top of his head like a lover would. He was her soul mate, much like Sango was her soul sister. But soul mates came in many different forms and as it turns out, he just wasn't the forever type. They still loved each other as only the greatest of friends could. He was brash, rude, temperamental and hard headed. He annoyed her to no end while simultaneously making her feel like she belonged and reassuring her of her worth. Inuyasha was simply himself and that was all he needed to be for their group. Kagome couldn't resist treating him like the dog he was at times but they both laughed about it at some point. It wasn't her fault that he actually chased after the stick that one time she told him to fetch.

Thinking back on fond memories, Kagome settled her back against the tree trunk closest to her and listened to her friends chattering. Inuyasha would come back when he would or could. He'd never leave them all hanging forever. He loved them as much as they loved him, even if he never said it. Well, he had said it once at Sango and Miroku's wedding when he was down a jug of sake but they didn't really count it. Even if a drunken man did what a sober man was too cowardly or proud to do, they were patiently waiting for him to properly voice out his affections. Kagome had faith in his ability to express sentiment, even if he got embarrassed about it. And now that Kikyou was eternally at rest, the hanyou had softened slightly in regards to the people he held dear. He'd sometimes hold Kagome's hand just because he could and he'd hug all of them if he felt like they needed it. The year since the end of the shard hunt had turned him into a caring brother figure indeed, Kagome mused to herself.

"Do you think Sesshoumaru will come back around soon?" Kagome snapped out of her musings when Sango spoke the name of the taiyoukai. She sort of missed the stoic demon lord and his subtle yet dark sense of humour. He was smart and very interesting, even more so when he actually spoke more than a few words. The Inu tachi had grown this sort of camaraderie with the aloof, full-fledged inuyoukai and they all seemed to get along pretty well. His aura, though big and menacing, was soothing in a way only pack members could understand. Kagome oftentimes felt calm in his presence despite his frigid mask and uncaring attitude. His glare was also hard to face at times but it barely ever held the animosity it once did.

"Rin is getting impatient, isn't she? I mean, we all know that even after spending years in a human village, she'll pick Sesshoumaru. He's basically her father. If anyone has any delusions over her possible choice of future lifestyle, it's him." Kagome replied, a vivid image of his handsome face in her mind. With his nearly knee-length silver hair, his smouldering golden eyes and his markings, he really was a sight for sore eyes. Kagome's favourite part about him had to be the royal blue crescent moon on his forehead. Though, admittedly, she also admired the twin magenta stripes on his cheekbones and the slightly darker ones on his eyelids. Far from being in love with the humanoid demon, she admired him like any logical woman would. And his silk kimono and the fur pelt draped over his shoulder only enhanced the appearance of his strong body, his armour and swords a testament of his warrior ways.

"It's only been six months too. I can still remember the shattered look on her face as soon as he turned his back to her the first time he left her with Kaede." Sango murmured softly, a distant look in her eyes. The mother in her was already coming out and she felt for the girl. It was the same look Kohaku, her younger brother, had on his face when he was younger and they would leave him at the slayer's village while they went exterminating. She had a look of longing in her eyes, pleading to not remain behind. Unable to disobey her lord though, she simply cried silently, salty tears trailing down her round cheeks. It had been hard for him to walk away with the scent of her tears in the air and his instincts to make it better for his ward but he did. The poor girl was only 10 years old and she needed him. That's why he visited as often as he could and lavished her with gifts from all over that he picked up while traveling with Jaken. Ah-Un was with Kohaku somewhere, serving as his traveling companion. The taiyoukai's little group was split up.

"He was no better for a bit. He'd grown accustomed to having her around and didn't quite know how to act with her gone. I don't understand why he would purposefully but the both of them through that when it's obvious they need each other." Miroku added in, his brows furrowed and his lips set in a thin line. If Sesshoumaru really wanted Rin to learn how it was to live with humans, he could have just left her with them.

"I would have thought that you knew, monk." The hard voice of the young inuyoukai lord broke through their collective reverie. Sesshoumaru, in all of his glory, was walking up the grass hill to join them. His gait made it seem like he was gliding more than walking, his posture exact and elegant. Every movement he made was elegant really.

"Sesshoumaru!" They all exclaimed in surprise, not having felt his smothering aura approach. "What are you doing here?" Kagome asked, straightening her posture out of respect. He sent a short glare her way, having already told her in the past that such forms of respect were unnecessary between pack. She relaxed back against the tree trunk and rolled her eyes at the silent reprimand. He really had a way of communicating his thoughts without even opening his mouth.

"Inuyasha has been taken," A series of gasps erupted from the group. "I've crossed his scent trail on my way and he was clearly unwilling." Sesshoumaru continued to explain, aware that the news was unnerving. Though he was reluctant to admit it, his half-breed younger brother was far from weak. What being would have the possible strength to take him captive? A witch or a sorcerer perhaps; if they were very strong.

"We have to go help him then!" Kagome rose up to her full height, which was still more than a foot and a half shorter than the taiyoukai, and planted her hands on her hips. Like hell she'd let anyone take her best friend away from her! Sesshoumaru planted his gaze into hers and nodded almost indistinctively. He then turned to the others.

"Taijiya, I cannot allow you or the kit to come along." His tone held no argument but that didn't stop Sango. Almost as if to match her mood, the wind picked up. The day had not been sunny in advance but now the clouds overhead were darkening. A storm was coming; all the more reason for Sango and the child to stay behind.

"And why not?! I am perfectly capable of traveling and I can stay out of the way if ever a fight were to take place!" The beautiful young woman tried to reason as she stood up also. She was 7 months along in her pregnancy and therefore very round with child. The strong slayer was in no condition to take part in the rescue of his foolish brother.

"As alpha of this pack, it is my duty to insure the safety of my pack mates. A female who is pupped, regardless of race, is in no condition to take part in such a quest. As strong as you think you are, with the weather that is rolling in and the rough terrain ahead, your body will tire quickly and you will most likely become sick. I can not allow this to happen and therefore you stay behind. For the same reasons, the kit stays also. Young as he is, I do not need his frail immune system and easily exhaustible body to hinder our progress." That might have been the longest speech Sesshoumaru had ever given and he made good points. Kagome agreed with him wholeheartedly. Shippou and Sango on the other hand…

"Hey, I am a full-fledged demon too! My body is much stronger than even Kagome's yet you let her tag along!" The kitsune insisted, his stance straightening in inexistent bravery. His knees were slightly shaking, poor boy.

"The miko is a perfectly healthy adult woman who harvests the ability to protect herself if need be. She is quite capable of making her own decision to come and has the means necessary to stay warm and dry. Her energy levels exceed your own and it takes her longer to tire during travels. In normal circumstances, you are all free to do as you please but I refuse it this time. Your wellbeing is a priority, especially with a growing family."

Seeing the conviction in his eyes and hearing the protectiveness in his voice, they all halted their impending arguments. Content with their acceptance, the tall inuyoukai turned his back to them.

"Monk, you are free to do as you please, though I advise that you stay at your wife's side. I have already left Jaken with Rin until the ordeal is over. We leave immediately."

Author's note:

This chapter is significantly shorter than the others will be but I felt like I needed to get it out there. I can't promise an update schedule because of my job but I write in almost all of my free time so it probably won't be too long between updates. Thanks for giving this story a chance! :) You are free to review but I won't bitch if you don't. I write simply because I want to and opinions won't change that, even if it would be nice to hear what y'all have to say. I welcome flames with open arms so don't think that your negativity will stop me. ;) Anyway, that's it for now! Smile. :) ~Nat