A/N: This is the continuation of the joint story Tsukiataru Tasekai that me and Del Kaiden are writing. It covers the home ward journey. We dont own Inu Yasha or any of the others. Taka does belong to me and Leena and Akisame belong to Del (and trust me...you dont want them running around your writing studio...they can be a handful). Enjoy!

Homeward Bound
Prologue

Taka

The morning dawned cold and clear, not a cloud to be seen in the azure sky. Taka folded a blanket and stuffed in the pack she’d found. Akisame would probably need it. She reached for her weapons and stood, securing the katana to her belt, the dagger around her calf. She couldnt help but feel a little sad, true soon she would be returning back to her own time but she would miss her new companions. The young youkai picked up the pack and settled it on her shoulders. When she had first come here, all she could think about was going home, back to her own Sesshomaru. He had been the only one she cared about. Now others had broken into her heart. She smiled, yes she would miss them all. Sighing she slid open the door of the room she had stayed in, stepping into the hall she took a sniff. Her companions were heading towards the gates. Quickly she caught up to them and they began their journey.

Sesshomaru

He stood outside their room, gazing at the lightening sky. The stars disappeared one by one as inside his mate slept. He remembered what the Maiden had told him about his unborn pup. No he would not let his child grow up to be as he had been until recently. Sesshomaru wondered what the child would look like. Would he have Sesshomaru’s silver hair and Akisame’s emerald eyes? Or maybe her hair and his eyes? ‘You'll just have to wait and see,’ he told himself. As he stood he was again haunted by a face very much like Akisame’s but it was not her. Again he felt the touch of anger, when he returned to his time he would seek vengence for her death. He wondered if Akisame understood his need for revenge. He thought again of the similarities and differences in his two chosen mates. The taiyoukai chuckled softly at the thought that any who had known him only as the cold one would be very suprised to find that both of them were ningen. Sesshomaru heard the sounds that indicated that his companions were awakening and turned to go back inside to prepare for their travel.

Leena

She sat at the gate watching the sun rise. The journey to defeat Naraku had changed her, she was unsure if she liked the changes. Yet, they were now a part of her. Still she wondered if she would ever see the brave faces of Taka and Akisame again. Or even the Sesshomaru she now called friend. The only sadness was for Akisame and Sesshomaru. She had not forgotten her promise, she would find a way for them to be together. Hearing her companions rise she waited.

Akisame

As she woke she became aware of the emptiness of the room. He was gone, for a moment she panicked, sitting up her eyes searching the room. Then she saw his silouette as the sun rose. Would they be allowed to remain together? Could she live without him? Did she want to? Laying her hand on her still flat stomach, she knew no matter what she would always have this child. Her hand moved to her collar where it touched the still sore mark. This she had too. She saw the worry in his eyes as he reentered the room. She stood and crossed to him, "One thing at a time, my mate. First we find a way for us to be together. Then we seek revenge for Akari and Kagome." Giving him a brief hug, she moved away to prepare for their journey.

Taka

Taka looked at the faces of her friends. Not wanting to tinge their return trip with sadness, she gave them a smile, the kind of smile she used to have, before she'd lost most of her family. "I suppose it'll be kind of boring on the way back huh?"

Sesshomaru

He returned the pup's smile. "One can only hope," he sighed. Sesshomaru was tired of fighting, it was time for peace. "Let's go," he reached for Akisame's hand as they walked throught the gates, away from Naraku's castle, toward the one who would send them home.

Akisame

Taking his hand she squeezed lightly. "Yes, we have a long journey ahead of us." She looked at her three companions and laughed, "But, Taka, I do not thing this journey will be boring. It seems adventure finds us, no matter how hard we avoid it."

Leena

"True." She agreed. "But let's get distance between us and the castle. Sesshomaru, you still owe me a double Kata."

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Chapter 1