Clan Wars by silvermidnight

Hanging Moon

A/N: I do not own these characters, as they all belong to Rumiko Takahashi. And of course they will be out of character, since unless written by Takahashi, they always will be. I would also just like to say thank you for reading, yes I know it is very short, but I plan on keeping all chapters short and yes, Kagome is a Inu-youkai in this story.

Hanging Moon:

The moon hung high in the sky, over shadowed by thin wisps of grey clouds, giving muted light to the forest below. A lazy breeze pulled at the branches of tree's, rustling the brightly colored leaves on the ground and leaving a chill in its wake.

Autumn had come early this year, bringing the relief of cooler days compared to the summers intense heat. Almost all the tree's leaves had turned in color, the teasing breeze pulling them gently from their branches to dance in swirles before landing in piles with their brothern. While animals made haste to stock for the coming winter, which would prove to be a long and cold one, one young girl relished in the feeling of the promise of snow.

"Kagome!" Startled from her thoughts, a raven haired women turned to look to the young child beside her. "Yes Shippo?" Her eye's twinkled merily down at her young companion. A small pout brought a light giggled to her own lips. His tiny arms were crossed over his chest, and his dainty fox feet crossed as were her own.

"I asked how long you think it would take?" Slightly startled at first, she could only stare down at him in question, until she remembered why they were out in the forest in the first place. A sudden wave of unease came to her, eroding the smile that had graced her lips earlier. She was somewhat surprised she had even managed to forget for a moment.

"I'm not sure, but it shouldn't take more then a few days travel to reach the west." She offered him a smile, though strained as it was it seemed to appease him slightly, for he unhunched his shoulders.

"Do you really think he'll help?" She could feel how uneasy he was, and placed him in her lap, hugging him protectively and offering as much comfort as she was able.

"Yes. I believe he will." Her voice hadn't sounded as sure as she hoped it would, and she hugged him a little tighter to herself. She could tell he was slightly scared, and she was admitly a little scared herself. After all, no one sought out the Lord of the West unless they had a death wish. Yet here they were, venturing out to ask for an audience with him, in the hopes to gain his help.

"Will he try to hurt us?" Kagome smiled down at Shippo, who clung to her chest and wore a weary expression. "We might not need his help, we could do it on our own! Or go to another Lord."

"Don't worry Shippo, we'll have each others back, ne?" With sad eyes, he clutched onto her tighter.

"I'm more worried about you.." He whispered. And being unable to confidently settle his unease, as they were the same as hers, she absently ran her fingers threw his tail. She couldn't be certain that he wouldn't harm her, as many have tried. But still she would go to him. He was an Inu-youkai as well, though from another clan, he would be more bound to help them then any other, or at least most unlikely to do harm to her- so she hoped.

She knew of him, of course, no demon or human haven't heard tale of the Lord of the West, and his many victories. He is rumored to travel along the West, in search for strong demons to do battle with. His goal is one of supreme power and he's painted as a demon that is beautiful, and ruthless. He shows no mercy to his opponents, he slaughters any who get in his way and it is rumored that he is a brillant stratigist. And despit knowing all this, still she willing walks the path leading to the lions den. With but a small hope in which she can gain enough of his interest so that he will offer his help.

Gaze turning upward, she once more stared at the hanging moon. Thoughts and 'what if' scenarios running a mock threw her mind, slowly she relaxed against the trunk of the tree they had settled on for the night. Wearily, she tucked the now sleeping child against her more firmly, and allowed herself to unwind enough to fall into a light slumber. As she drifted off into sleep, she could only hope that they reached their destination quickly, and that against all odds, Lord Sesshomaru would be willing to at least hear her out. After all, an epic battle of the clans should hold some appeal to him.