The sun gleamed high in the iron sky as they touched down at last upon Kouga’s mountain. Or, at least, what Kagome thought was his mountain…

Sliding down from Entei’s warm back, she took the opportunity to stretch out her cramped legs as she walked along the flinty overlook, searching far and near for the hidden waterfall entrance. She could picture it so clearly in her mind–but in that picture, too, the season had been entirely different, the mountain path and waterfall both wreathed in the vibrant green of spring. This time of year, everything muddled together in muted shades of brown and grey.

A glimmer of blue the next peak over caught her eye. “Ah!” she said, glancing back at Sesshoumaru as she pointed toward it. “There it is!”

Climbing atop Entei again, she led them over to the cascading, icy fall. But as soon as they landed, she realized this wasn’t the right spot either. A lack of demonic presence wasn’t the only clue—she knew that the wolf clan’s hideout was protected by a youki-concealing enchantment. Rather, the waterfall was a bit too small, and peeking behind it, Kagome could see nothing but glistening grey rock.

“Hm,” she frowned, rubbing at her chin. “Guess this isn’t it, either…”

“You have no idea where the entrance lies, do you, wench?” Jakken groused, crossing his bony green arms over his chest.

Kagome glared. “I know it’s somewhere around here.” Shading her eyes with a hand, she peered out over the range again. “Maybe that next mountain, over there…”

“The entrance is this way.”

Blinking in surprise, she watched as Sesshoumaru strode past. Exchanging a quick glance with Jakken, they hurried after him as he circled around a narrow ledge, to the mountain’s other side. Sure enough, the path she remembered came into view, the distant crash of falling water meeting her ears from above.

“Yes, this is it!” Kagome exclaimed, looking at Sesshoumaru curiously. “But, how did you know…?”

“The stench,” he answered flatly, his nose still wrinkled in distaste.

“Milord’s sense of smell is unparalleled!” Jakken effused.

“Oh, hush,” Kagome grumbled, squishing him against the sheer rock wall as she elbowed past.

Together they ascended the steep mountain trail, Entei and Ah-Un gliding off to the side. Kagome huffed with exertion as she attempted futilely to keep up with Sesshoumaru’s long, effortless strides. By the time they reached the summit, she was sweaty and wheezing, her bangs plastered to her forehead as she hunched over to catch her breath.

Sesshoumaru continued on ahead toward the waterfall, Jakken panting along behind him. As the daiyoukai stopped before the frothing pool at the base, a couple of wary faces appeared from the cliffs above.

“Oi, what do you want?” one of the sentries called out.

“Kouga,” the daiyoukai demanded in turn. “Where is he?”

The sentry eyed Sesshoumaru narrowly. “Who’s asking?”

“Mangy wolves! How dare you question Sesshoumaru-sama!” Jakken admonished with a rap of his staff.

“Sesshoumaru-sama…” the other sentry repeated to his companion in a harsh urgent tone. “Isn’t he the Lord of the Western Lands?”

“W-what do you want?” the first sentry asked again, uneasy.

Sensing Sesshoumaru’s patience wearing thin, Kagome straightened, edging her way to the front of the group with a hesitant smile. At once, the guards’ posture relaxed, the one who had been addressing Sesshoumaru exhaling in relief.

“Onee-sama!” he said, grinning broadly in welcome. Resting his spear against his shoulder, he turned, calling back behind him, “Oi, you louts! Tidy up the den—Kagome-onee-sama is here!”

“Oh, you guys don’t need to go to any trouble…” she said with a blush, glancing nervously over at Sesshoumaru as the wards guarding the den entrance dispelled with a flicker.

The daiyoukai stared hard back at her, his gaze boring into her still as they passed through the curtain of falling water and into the minefield beyond…

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi