NOTE: I'm new to all this so I hope you enjoy it. This is just the beginning. I've rated it "MA" for adult content that will come in later chapters. This is a starter fic for me and it takes place after the third Inuyasha movie.

Sesshomaru is beginning to see that he can't go on the way he has been any longer and needs to do something different. Are human emotions really so bad?

At the same time, with Sesshomaru hanging around them all, Kagome is beginning to see Inuyasha in a different light. Has he always been this irritating? And just wait and see what happens when someone they know goes a little too far…

I welcome any input and reviewing to further my writing skills and make the story more enjoyable. Thanks all!

"Unexpected"

Chapter One

He didn't have anyone to protect. He didn't have a need or a care for anybody. So why would I have someone to protect? Why should I care…I don't need anyone do I? He had been pondering those, and other similarly unsettling thoughts, ever since he had joined forces with his idiot hanyou half-brother to defeat the spirit of the demon within their father's old sword. It was an uncontrollable force and was especially dangerous if put into the hands of a human as they are nowhere near strong enough to resist the will of the sword. Humans easily succumbed to its power. Inuyasha had learned that lesson. He was half human and half demon, but half wasn't enough to control the sword. He'd been smart enough to distance himself from everyone once it had taken him over, but his human blood made him too weak-willed to take back control completely. All had ended well though as Sesshomaru and Inuyasha let go of their loathing for each other long enough to combine their attacks and had defeated the evil thing.

It had been bad enough that he had had to admit to himself that Inuyasha might not be so worthless after all; though he would NOT admit that to anyone else. His father's appearance after the battle however, had forced Sesshomaru to take the blinders off and have a good look around. Things no longer appeared to be as they once were to him. The world was different now, or was it he who could now see it differently?

It was now obvious that he needed to give up the quest to own Tetsusaiga, the sword forged from one of their father's fangs that was bestowed upon Inuyasha. It was a great sword of immense power, and he had wanted it badly, but it was clear to him now that it was not meant for him. Indeed, he must continue to gain strength, but not so that he could defeat and destroy all those that stood in his way. Their father was dead, Inuyasha was no competition, and he had defeated every other threat to come his way. He was tired of senseless destruction. Something had to change, that much was clear; but what, and how? Spending some time observing those that had banded together with Inuyasha might give him some insight. Why would so many follow his weak hanyou brother? What drew them together so strongly? He couldn't see what harm could come of observing them for a while.

From the edge of the wood, Sesshomaru gazed disconcertedly upon the odd assortment of people huddled around the campfire. They had gathered in the center of the meadow to settle down for the night and converse upon the events of the day before they lay down to sleep. Sesshomaru on the other hand sat alone, feet folded under his knees as was usual, and thinking on his new companions began to casually study them. The warm glow from the flames illuminated their faces, each so very different, so unique. Though he'd made the choice to distance himself from the others, deciding to settle himself quite a ways away from them at the edge of the clearing, Sesshomaru's enhanced demon senses allowed him to still hear their soft speech.

"I'm sure glad we found a spot close to a stream, this fish tastes so good compared to the stuff we've had to eat lately." Shippo commented eagerly to Sesshomaru's little human companion Rin. She smiled brightly and agreed, "Oh yes, it is quite wonderful, and you did such a good job roasting it. It's very yummy."

Miroku, the lecherous, wildly flirtatious monk, was huddled in close to Sango. She, in turn, was continuously twirling a piece of fabric very tightly around her fingers as she gazed steadily into her firmly clenched knees. To look at her, you'd think that it was a lifeline she held tightly clasped in her fingers, she was so intent at not looking in Miroku's direction. If it hadn't been for his heightened hearing, Sesshomaru may have thought that it was simply the heat of the flames that brought a slight blush to her cheeks as Miroku softly murmured,

"You showed great strength and admirable skill today Sango. You are quite a remarkable woman. Are you absolutely certain that you do not wish to bear my children? We could get started right away you know…" this last was cut off quickly as he slid his hand around to rest upon her soft backside and the resulting blow reverberated off the surrounding trees. Did he never tire of being the recipient of such forceful blows, or were the few short moments of such mildly intimate contact really worth so much to him? Sesshomaru just didn't understand it.

Sango leapt to her feet, eyes shooting daggers down at Miroku (though Sesshomaru could see a slight uplift to the corner of her pursed lips). Shouting in, was that feigned outrage? As she said,

"Miroookuuuuuu! Get away from me you disgusting pervert!" The brave demon slayer then proceeded to stomp her way over to her two-tailed cat demon Kirara, back straight, chin pointed to the stars, and arms glued down her to her sides. It was done with such dramatic fashion that Sesshomaru was quite sure only her kind was capable of such a feat.

The next conversation however, really got his attention. Sesshomaru's mutt of a half brother was lounging cross-legged against a large stump; arms casually stretched out behind his head. Next to him sat the oddly dressed, dark haired human girl, Kagome. She was seated quietly, long legs folded under her. Her hands, as Sesshomaru had noticed earlier in the day, though delicate, were quite competent with a bow and arrow in the heat of battle. Inuyasha peered over at her with a very smug tilt to his mouth as he said,

"That was some pretty good fighting I did today, huh Kagome? My Tetsusaiga really cut them down to size quick. Can you believe how fast that three-headed snake demon went out?" At this he leaned forward, shifting his gaze toward the flames, most likely reliving all the wondrous glory in his mind.

"It must just be that I've gotten even stronger than I thought. I mean, I seriously thought it was going to be more difficult than that," he glanced toward her expectantly.

Sesshomaru inwardly scoffed at Inuyasha's idiotic boasting. He guessed that his younger brother was probably looking for some sort of praise by this point, but Kagome was peering over at Shippo and Rin, who were intently chowing down on the tender strips of fish.

"Kagome? Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, waving his hand around in front of her face and snapping his claw-tipped fingers. Kagome blinked, finally turning her gaze in Inuyasha's direction.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"What the heck is wrong with you tonight Kagome? Aren't you listening to a word I say?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Inuyasha, I was just thinking that we should take some of that fresh fish over to Sesshomaru. He's sitting over there all on his own, not even with Rin or Jakken, and he fought hard in that battle today. We all did. He must be very hungry too."

This last actually managed to surprise Sesshomaru and he shifted forward just slightly onto his knees, listening more attentively to the dark haired girl.

"Yeah, sure, Kagome," Inuyasha sneered in his usual mocking tone. "Why don't you take him some of that stuff you packed from your house though? I want the fish. Just don't give him any of those noodles I like."

Kagome glowered at Inuyasha, not taking kindly to his tone of voice. It shouldn't surprise her that he would be such a baby about it.

"I swear Inuyasha, sometimes you can be so stubborn! You weren't the only one out there fighting today. Sesshomaru showed great courage battling those two centipede demons on his own after they had started after you. You were already fighting the snake and he made sure that you didn't have to take on more than the three sets of fangs you were already dealing with. Try to be grateful for once!"

With a deep furrow now settled between his brows, Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest and turned to glare into the fire, mumbling to himself.

That was interesting, Sesshomaru thought to himself. She praised me. As he began to lean back against the tree again he saw Kagome make a move to get up. Coming slightly forward once more, he began to follow her movements. What was she doing now? She wasn't really going to walk over to him was she?

He watched, eyes narrowed, as Kagome, who continued to glare at Inuyasha, stepped over to her bag to rifle around. After a minute or so, appearing to have found what she was looking for, she stood once more. She then moved back to the fire where the pile of cooked fish sat on a nearby rock to keep warm. After choosing a few pieces of the tender morsels, she wrapped them in a thin cloth. Holding the small package she had taken from her pack along with the wrapped fish, Kagome started in the direction of the wood where Sesshomaru sat, now quite alert.

What was she thinking? Surely she realized that if he had wanted something to eat he would have either gotten it himself or just had his servant Jakken get it for him. She couldn't possibly believe that he wanted anything from her, could she? He had always made his dislike of humans very plain in the past. That alone was usually enough to deter others like her from any possible thoughts of conversation with him. The young miko thinks I might be hungry and wants to give me fish? For some reason, the thought pleased him.

End Chapter One

--Thanks again everyone and please review so that I know how it's going.

Mome