The Once and Future Taiyoukai By RosieB. (Inuyasha FanFic)

Chapter 24:Sunrise

ALL RIGHTS TO ROSIE B ON FANFICTION.NET Rosie B [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/38149/RosieB]

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Chapter 24: Sunrise

A/N: Hello all. Sorry for the long wait – law school finals come three times a year for this poor soul and I am in the midst of another round.

Anyway, one person asked where Myoga was during this whole deal, pointing out that the flea had worked for Inuyasha's father. There are 2 answers. First, he just didn't fit in and as he usually disappears for long periods of time, I didn't see this as a problem. Second, for some reason, Myoga barely even recognizes Sesshoumaru when he first encounters him in the anime. I figure Myoga worked with Toga after Sesshoumaru distanced himself from his father.

The Once and Future Taiyoukai

Chapter 24: Sunrise

The snowflakes clung to her hair and her eyelashes as she moved through the darkness of the early morning. It was at least two more hours until dawn and the snow was already dusting the ground with no signs of stopping. Winter had come late, but it seemed determined not to lose any more time showing its power.

She came to the edge of the fields and hesitated. She knew she should stay in sight of the village where they were staying for the night, but the dark forest in front of her beckoned. The restlessness of her body was too much to ignore – she could not go back and sleep and she would not be satisfied wandering around the small patches of frozen ground where the villagers grew their crops.

Kagome took a breath and stepped into the shadows of the trees. It was quiet, except for the creaking of the branches in the wind. It normally would have terrified her, but she felt no fear this morning.

She moved quietly through the forest, her thick winter kimono whispering against her legs. Sesshoumaru's fur was wrapped around her shoulders – it was the first time she had worn it since he had left it with her a week ago. His scent had faded only slightly and she pulled the pelt to her nose and breathed deeply, allowing herself a small smile.

In the distance, barely perceptible to her human ears, leaves rustled with someone's step. Although bereft of her spiritual powers, Kagome knew it was the taiyoukai. She wondered if the time had come already.

"Sesshoumaru," she murmured.

There was no answer, and she let out a breath, knowing that she was being ridiculous. If he wanted to talk to her, he would talk to her in his own time. She hoped that he knew that she didn't appreciated being spied upon though.

She wandered for an hour at least, knowing that she was walking farther and farther from the village. The others would be worried if they woke to find her missing, but she couldn't make herself turn around. Koga would probably turn up soon, cocking his eyebrow and telling her that she should have at least tried to get some sleep instead of traipsing around in the woods all night.

Kagome sighed and slowed her pace. If she turned around now, she could probably get back before any of them woke up. But she was still reluctant – if she wasn't there, they would be worried, but that was better than being there and still surrounded by her friends' constant concern.

"That's just selfish," she muttered to herself. She pivoted on the spot and began to head back.

And there was Sesshoumaru, directly in her path and not more than five feet away.

She stared for a moment until her brain caught up with her fluttering heart, reminding her of what day it was. "I thought I had a few more hours," she said. "You gave me a week and it hasn't been exactly a week yet."