In His Arms

All previous disclaimers apply.

Author's Note: Very short chapter. Battle coming very soon! Review if you have a moment, please!

The camp had grown to four times it's original size, Kagome noted dispassionately as she walked with Rin and Shippou to try to tire them out a little before bed so that they might actually get some sleep despite the fact that the adults most likely would not. As they had marched, they had expected the Dragon's army to join them, as well as the combined armies of the wolves. Kouga had finally taken complete responsibility and leadership in his realm. He was finally ready and she had never been prouder of him than when he had joined them, running at the head of an army as large as that of the West, looking so very adult and so very handsome. She was also glad to have another lady companion as Ayame joined her and Hiroko telling stories to the children around a campfire the night the wolves had arrived. Ayame, too, had grown. She had matured into a beautiful young woman who no longer felt as if she had to be brash to get her way. Her leadership skills and tactical knowledge got her everything she wanted within the army anyway. Including, it seemed, Kouga. Kagome had had to hide her smile behind her hand for the rest of the day after seeing the tender way Kouga pushed Ayame's hair from her face when they stopped the armies for a noon meal. The sweet way Ayame smiled left Kagome with no doubt that soon enough Kouga and Ayame would be mated. If they all lived that long.

Of course, there was more cause for hope now, Kagome mused, as she and the children passed by a small encampment of eagles mixed in with the encampments of dogs, wolves, and dragons. The Eagle lord of the North had silently joined the procession of lords just two days earlier. The three other lords had given their consent and thanks to him by simply nodding. Kagome had been very proud of Sesshomaru as he had even nodded soberly to Tsubasa, who had joined his father's army as a lowly foot soldier. They were no longer on Sesshomaru's land and he had more honor than to attack Tsubasa, but the fact that he had acknowledged him at all had made her want to throw her arms around his neck and thank him. Tsubasa himself seemed much better. He bared his load without complaining, he did work without being asked. He didn't speak much anymore, but Kagome had not expected he would. The night the army of the North had joined them he had approached her, while she was with Sesshomaru, on his knees. He quietly apologized for all he had ever said to her and humbly begged her pardon. Kagome had smiled and kissed him on the head. She didn't expect that she would ever speak to him again, but she truly hoped that he made it through the battle alive. Now that he had been brought down he could build himself up into a great yokai.

"My lady, little mistress, young lord," a soldier of the West smiled and half-bowed as she passed with the children. Rin was getting much better at being in the crowds. The walks they had taken every night through the camp had taught her not to be nervous around the soldiers. If she could be comfortable around all of these burly men, then surely, when they got home, she could be comfortable around the people of court and the capital city. Still, as happy as she was that Rin was doing well, her heart was made heavy again every time she looked at Shippou. He had regained the weight that had seemed to fall off of his small body before he found Kagome again. He was talking more now, even laughing and smiling often, but there was still a hollowness in his eyes that no joy could reach and she feared for him for reasons she could not even understand herself. He was still a little weak physically and was, at the moment, half asleep on Kagome's shoulder as they finished the last leg of their walk and made their way back to the tent.

"I love you, Mama," Rin whispered as Kagome tucked a light fur more securely around her and kissed her forehead gently.

"I love you, too, little girl." Kagome tried to keep the tears out of her eyes as she watched her girl fall asleep quickly. If she had anything to say about it tonight would not be the last night that she saw her children, but one could never bet against fate. Fate had a tendency to turn on those who did so. Instead she was content telling herself that she would see her children again and making sure that they believed it, too. She expected Shippou to be asleep when she turned to make sure that he was properly tucked in, but his bright eyes were looking up at her, tears pouring over.

"Baby!" Kagome drew him into her arms once more and tucked his head under her chin, "What is it, baby?"

"You're going to fight him tomorrow, Mama?"

"Yes, baby, we are."

"But, if Inuyasha... and Miroku, Sango and Kirara... I don¡¦t want to lose my mama again!" Kagome didn't bother to hide her tears from Shippou as he began to sob and held him out by his shoulders so that she could look into his eyes.

"Listen to me, baby. Tomorrow will be dangerous for everyone fighting, but Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango are only three. We have thousands. Thousands of demons all here to fight Naraku. We're going to win, baby, and then you, me, Rin, Lord Sesshomaru, and all of our friends are going to go home and be safe and happy for the rest of our lives. But, in order for that to happen, tomorrow has to happen. To make all of us safe we have to risk the danger."

"Mama!" Shippou wailed and threw himself back in her arms, "I don't want you to go!"

"I know, baby, I know," Kagome sniffled into his hair, "I love you so much, baby, I have to go. You be a good boy. Be good for Hiroko. Her mate is going to fight. She'll need you to help her. Be a good boy and know just how much your mama loves you." She rocked him quietly until he had fallen asleep in her arms, exhausted from his crying. By the time she had him comfortably settled she was ready to join the lords and their generals in the tactical tent.

Sesshomaru only momentarily glanced at her, giving her a worried look, when she entered the tent and took her place at his side. She knew they would have talk on it later, but right now he needed to keep his mind on battle plans and she needed to get her mind on them. She was surprised that he went as far as to pull her into his lap as soon as she sat down. His eyes staid on the plans that the general of the North explained to them, but one hand began to methodically rub her belly, just beginning to show signs of her pregnancy.

"As soon as the advance team of eagles and dragons have cleared the miasma the front lines will go in. We expect this to be sometime in the early morning, before the sun. The front lines have been well rested and well prepared. From the information we have been given by the Lady of the West," he nodded to Kagome here and she nodded back in recognition, "We should expect thousands if not tens of thousands of low class demons. At this point, the danger is overwhelming numbers, not insufficient training on the part of our armies. When we get to the more highly trained of the Hanyou's forces we will have to depend upon the generals and the superior training of the lords themselves," he nodded again, this time to all of the lords in general, "At this point and past it I am afraid that all of our forces will be useless. We will have to depend on only the well trained and the lords. It is all we can do."

"The advance team..." Kagome looked down at the map, where infirmaries and resting areas were to be set up should the battle last longer than a day and the wounded need longer term care, "They will be taken care of? I'm sure they'll be exhausted. The miasma will not be easy to break through. Unless he wants us to break through sooner rather than later," she added, under her breath so that only Sesshomaru could hear. His grip on her tightened slightly.

"Yes, My Lady," the general nodded, "It has all been arranged."

As if Kagome had spoken a premonition, a young dragon stumbled exhaustedly into the command tent, "Forgive me, My Lords, My Lady, the advance team is about to break through the miasma."

Ozora, Kouga, the Dragon, Kagome and Sesshomaru all stood.

"And so it begins."