Chapter 1

Sesshomaru takes matters into his own hands.

Sesshomaru rested in the high boughs of a tree having left Rin with his toady servant for the day. He had heard several disturbing rumors of his half-breed brother cashing after a dead miko while his live one remained behind. As usual the kit was acting reckless and with disregard of anything but his own fancy. In doing so would potentially lose the only suitable mate he had around.

Breathing deeply the scent of the little shard hunting party filled his senses. It was time to put his plan into action. He leapt from limb to limb until he was sure he was in their path and leaned back against his new perch.

"Did you see me! I got it with my foxfire, that's what killed it."

The little fox demon's fox touched Sesshomaru's ears as they drew closer. He heard the unmistakable thump of his brother popping the young kit.

"You did not, my Tesiaga killed it. That foxfire is useless."

"Is not."

"Is too!"

The deep sigh of the miko was the next thing he heard before she turned on Inuyasha just as they came into view.

"Inuyasha, he helped. Shippo come here."

The little fox jumped into her arms and stuck his tongue out at the silver-haired dog demon who raised his hand threateningly, though it was obvious he had no intent to strike the kit while Kagome held him.

"Don't make me say 'it' Inuyasha!"

Before Inuyasha could respond he sniffed the air and whipped around to face his white-haired brother. He drew his sword and stepped protectively in front of the miko and little fox.

"What are you doing here Sesshomaru?" The half-demon narrowed his eyes his hand on the hilt of his blade, ready to defend his friends against any attack his brother might be planning.

Sesshomaru stayed leaning nonchalantly against the tree and stared past Inuyasha watching Kagome for a moment before shifting his gaze back to the agitated sibling.

"I heard you were still wasting your time chasing.. that dead priestess."

He watched with interest as Inuyasha eyes widened and then turned angry and Kagome's shoulders dropped her eyes downcast. Very interesting. Sesshomaru gestured to the left of the group.

"I chased her down myself to see what you were so interested in. She is out there, half dead now that her spirits have been stolen. Not much to see Inuyasha. I do not understand your fascination."

He watched as the priestess hugged the fox kit a little tighter a wounded look across her face as she stared as Inuyasha. His brother tensed, looked behind him at the living woman who refused to look at him. He looked back the direction Sesshomaru had pointed and back at Kagome.

"I.. just need to..", he begun taking in her desolate looking posture. He wished she could understand that he could not help that his feelings for Kikyo had not completely dissipated. He still felt a pang of concern each time he heard her name or caught wind of the scent of grave dirt and clay.

"I know Inuyasha, go check on her. It's fine." She finally raised a hesitant smile in a half-hearted attempt to reassure him. All the while knowing it would kill her to see him run off in concern for the true guardian of the Shikon jewel.

Sesshomaru interrupted before his brother could take off.

"Fine coming from a woman is always a lie Inuyasha. Do you really intend to choose the dead miko over the live one?"

Inuyasha growled low at the larger dog demon and gripped the sword tighter, as if resisting the urge to draw it.

"Don't tempt me Sesshomaru, I can take you out and get to Kikyo in time."

Miroku and Sango had brought up the rear of the little party and were simply watching the exchange between the brothers. Why Sesshomaru was trying to make this harder for Kagome and Inuyasha they couldn't begin to understand. It was like he was flaunting it in Kagome's face that he was going to Kikyo once more. They both knew that even though she said she was fine that inside it was ripping her up to see him leave once more. Even just to check on the other priestess.

Sango and Kagome had spent many long hours talking about why he did it and what he might still be feeling for Kikyo and if he had any feelings for Kagome at all. Sango had always assured her friend that Inuyasha cared for her, and more than as just a traveling companion. Still Kagoma would just give her a small smile and shrug. She never really believed it. Why would he leave every time when the hurt was clear on her face? Was he really so dense?

Sesshomaru waved away his little half-brother's anger and turned away from him as if to leave. "Do as you will Inuyasha but be warned, I will not tolerate you taking that undead woman as your mate."

The half-demon sputtered angry incoherent words, "I.. what, what would.. you asshole. " He managed finally and gave one fleeting glance to his little pack before taking off towards the faint scent of grave dirt.

At this Sesshomaru turned around and walked back to Kagome studying her face in silence. Sango and Miroku tensed behind her as he drew near. He flicked his eyes back at them and then towards the confused gaze of the raven-haired girl.

"What can we help you with Sesshomaru, is Rin okay?" She couldn't think of any other reason Sesshomaru would stare at her like he wanted to ask her something, and yet seemed to having a difficult time getting the words to come out.

Finally he sighed, "priestess, my brother is heir to the Western Lands and I will not tolerate his obsession with that piece of rotting meat he is chasing."

All four companions gazes widened. They had never considered that if Sesshomaru was to be killed that Inuyasha would inherit his father's kingdom. It was clearly something that Sesshomaru had put some thought into however.

"I don't know what you want me to do though. I mean if I could.." Kagome trailed off and shrugged her shoulders sadly. She didn't think it would do any good. She had yelled at Inuyasha, sat him until his back almost broke and ignored him but nothing worked. She looked up sharply when the tall demon made an exasperated noise.

"You women and your roundabout ways, I do not doubt that my brother is one of the most dense creatures alive but surely you have not directly told him that you care for him and it hurts you most terribly when he leaves you." He crossed his arms staring down at her.

Shippou jumped from being cradled against her chest to her slim shoulder, gripping her hair for stability he pointed his tiny finger at Sesshomaru.

"Hey! You be nice, she can't help it your brothers an idiot. He probably wouldn't listen anyway. He is always being mean to Kagome!"

She smiled and reached a hand up to steady her little demon-child. "I haven't Sesshomaru but I think I'm afraid it wouldn't do any good."

"That is what I assumed. Well, you will come with me. Rin needs a teacher and my thick-headed brother may finally realize what he is missing when you are gone." Sesshomaru turned as if he simply knew she would follow him back to his castle in the Western kingdom.

Sango jumped forward putting herself in front of Kagome and reaching back for her boomerang weapon. "Wait just a minute here, she is not going anywhere with you."

The white-haired demon turned and scowled over his shoulder the exterminator. "He is a foolish boy who will let her suffer needlessly for many more years without prompting. Will you submit your friend to this? I will allow her to even bring that mangy fox."

Shippou sat up and rattled off some extremely foul curses at before Kagome had a chance to clamp her hand over his mouth. She looked sheepishly at the group and thought to herself that clearly the fox kit was spending too much time around Inuyasha.

She straightened up and nodded at Sesshomaru. "I think he's right guys. Inuyasha is never going to take me seriously if I don't show him that I don't need him after all." She declared and proudly as Sango and Miroku gave each other exasperated looks. It seemed to them that Kagoma refused still to admit that there was more than friendship between her and the half-demon.

Sango put her hands on Kagome's shoulders pushing Shippou off. "Are you sure about this. Really. What should we tell Inuyasha?"

"Tell him.. tell him.. that.." Kagome searched for the right words.

Sesshomaru had enough of the stalling and a cloud appeared below Kagome and Shippou lifting them up in the air.

"Tell my half-brother that since the undead miko is a better mate for him, I will take the live one for myself." Though his face was emotionless inside Sesshomaru smirked, he knew that if anything that would bring the easily angered dog to his door.

{No this is not Sessh/Kag it will be Inu/Kag but you'll have to give it time.)

(Anyway, please review! Thanks!)