Moments Between Time

By: dolce-bebe

Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha do not belong to me, but to the great Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 1: When Alice Arrived In Wonderland

Kagome gave a heavy sigh as she landed at the bottom of the Bone Eaters well, her knees imbedded in the dirt and her hands breaking her fall. She often wondered what it would be like if she had attached a ladder instead, knowing that it would make her travels a lot more convenient and less troublesome.

But she didn't have time to think of that at the moment. She had overslept after trying desperately to study for a coming test and failed to notice the time. Inuyasha would kill her! The miko could almost hear his drabbles when she showed her face in Kaede's village.

He had promised her three days to return home to prepare her school work, and that on the third night she would return to him. That was all, and not a minute more. So far, Kagome had slept three hours more than scheduled. By Kami, he would kill her!

Hurrying up the well she threw her bag pack over the rim and hopped out. She was greeted by the sight of the lush forest. Good. He wasn't here waiting for her. Perhaps he had forgotten?

Kagome's lips twitched. It wasn't like Inuyasha to let her sleep in. Usually the hanyou would be beside himself and spitting out insults by her ear as she slept if she were a minute late for her return. Strange indeed.

Trotting along through the forest she made her way to the village, her stomach grumbling in hunger. She rather hoped that Kaede had prepared something for them to eat. She was starving, that, and in her haste, she forgot to bring the ramen that Inuyasha had reminded her before she left. So, what, those were two things now that he had against her?

The miko kept her pace fast. The village would be coming into view any time now. Her stomach made another scorching noise and so she willed herself faster and faster. The young miko seemed to walk in an endless path. Had it been this far all those other times? Perhaps. The hanyou always did come for her, thus it did not seem to have taken very long to arrive at the village. Maybe she was still tired and half drowsy. Continuing her pace, the girl trudged on, but village never appeared.

Kagome stopped abruptly. The bridge across the river had disappeared. The grass looked like it had not been touched in years. It blew against the wind, long and lush. There were no traces of the crops in the fine soil. Hadn't she just helped the villagers with their crops three days ago?

"W-What's happened?" she managed to whisper.

In an instant before the miko could blink a gust of wind blew by, and she found herself being surrounded by four youkai, their spears pointed straight towards her neck..

Kagome gaped.

"State your business here, human. No one is allowed near these grounds."

It was, what Kagome guessed, the leader of the four who spoke. He stepped in between them. His long purple hair tied into a loose knot, his eyes a deep swirl of amethyst and boring into hers. He remained calm and collected, although she noticed that he had spiked up his youki to warn her off.

"I-I uh…" Kagome stammered with her words.

What exactly was she suppose to say? That she came through the Bone Eater's well and that she was from the future, oh, and also the fact that she had already time traveled to their era, and was heading towards a village, which obviously didn't exist in this area. Even she herself was confused, how was she suppose to explain it to a group of youkai who had her completely surrounded.

"These lands are now a property of the West, as stated by legal contract of the Four Taiyoukai. You as a human have no rights to be trespassing on private soil," the youkai said sternly.

Kagome's lip quivered. "I-I wasn't. I've lost my way. I must have mistaken this land to be where my v-village resided. Sorry, I didn't know," she managed out.

The youkai frowned at her and gave a silent order for his men to withdraw their weapons. "It does not matter. You will be answering to our lord very soon," he said his eyes slowly scanning her frame and finally resting on the yellow sack she had on her back.

"Your lord?"

"Yes."

Kagome took a step back. She hadn't meant anything by it. It happened solely on instinct, but as soon as she did, one of the youkai's spears were by her throat once again.

"W-Wait!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands by her face in alarm. "I-I'm not trying to escape or anything!"

The youkai holding the spear to her throat hadn't moved. He stayed in his position, spear in hand, his dark blue eyes glaring down at her. All of them seemed to be. What exactly had she done to deserve this? Clearly, the miko noted, that the youkai all wore heavy armour, as if they were preparing for battle-they were soldiers-not just some mere youkai that she and her friends normally dealt with.

Kagome blanched, only did she realized that they were waiting for her answer. She opened her mouth to speak, but they moved before she could blink, to make a clear path for her. The miko could only stare. Was she free to go? If she was then she was truly grateful, that, and maybe her day could pick up sooner than she thought.

However, that was not the case. Within in a matter of seconds a powerful aura had surrounded the forest making the young miko twitch slightly, as a tall figure emerged from the forest.

Kagome's eyes widened. It was Sesshoumaru. He walked swiftly by the other youkai guarding her and stopped mere inches from her person.

"S-Seshoumaru?" she barely whispered.

She wasn't exactly sure she had said his name, because it had been faint, but youkai always did have the most perky set of ears. The youkai who addressed her earlier took a step his eyes suddenly wild and angry.

"How dare you speak to one such as Sesshoumaru-sama in such a manner?" he growled and then turned to look at his lord. "M-My greatest apologies my Lord. We stumbled upon this strangely, dressed human while we were making our rounds. The others captured her scent in mere seconds when she set foot on your land."

Sesshoumaru didn't waver. His were eyes glued to the young girl in front of him, but he did incline his head toward his minion.

"Leave us," he drawled.

The youkai bowed and made haste back into the woods. It left them alone. Kagome gulped to herself. What exactly was he doing here? What was happening? Why did Sesshoumaru look rather odd and why was he regarding her as if he had no idea who she was? Okay, so perhaps he didn't mind her most of the time, but she knew that she had angered him on several occasions. From pulling the Tetsusaiga, to firing her arrows at him in battle-she knew that the Taiyoukai was at least aware of her existence.

"How is it that you know of this Sesshoumaru?"

Okay…maybe not.

"I-I um…"

For some reason the little miko couldn't find her words. Never before had she been this confused in her life-and just when she thought she had the Feudal Era all figured out… Perhaps his hatred for her and her companions were far too great that he simply erased them all from his mind-or perhaps he thought she was of absolute no importance and was a flee to be brushed off after their last few encounters. Oh she would have loved to give him a lecture right about now. Unfortunately she was out numbered-not that he needed his men for her to meet her demise.

"I'm the miko who travels with Inuyasha…don't you remember?" she finally made out, unsure of how she sounded..

He stared a her for a few seconds, his cold amber eyes remaining emotionless. "I do not recall this Inuyasha," he started. "Do you normal associate yourself with inuyoukai?"

"No, just him," Kagome blurted out before thinking.

In another case, Kagome would have not believed that Sesshoumaru had erased all thoughts of Inuyasha from his mind-he simply hated his half brother too much for that. But now the thought terrified her. A world where Sesshoumaru did not know of Inuyasha, which would have had to have been impossible since they were half brothers…A world where Sesshoumaru looked slightly smaller in frame-hair a tad bit shorter, face younger, she noticed, and wore more armour than he usually did-it all irked her. Something was off…

Oh Kami.

She snapped out of her day dream when his clawed hand grabbed her arm and started yanking her behind him as he walked towards the forest. She cried out and tried to pry him off, but was only met with a growl of protest.

"Where are you taking me?" she demanded.

"You will speak about this Inuyasha with the Taiyoukai of the West," he merely stated.

"What the hell are you talking about? Let me go!"

Sesshoumaru gave another low growl and turned around so abruptly that she nearly stumbled back. His eyes grew a fiery red and he grasped her by the shoulders.

Kagome screamed.

And then they were gone.

Teleporting hadn't registered in Kagome's brain until the scenery changed and they were suddenly outside standing in front of a tall wooded gate that reached the skies.

Sesshoumaru released her his eyes returning back to a steady gold and turned to face the gigantic doors. It creaked open almost immediately upon their arrival, but Kagome was not prepared for what she was about to see.

Youkai. Hundreds of them. They roamed about what seemed to be an almost modernized market place. They, the girl noticed, were very much civilized, wearing expensive looking kimonos and judging from their posture and poise, Kagome guessed that they were not in fact like the youkai that she had encountered on her journeys with Inuyasha. For one, these youkai all had human forms and aside from their perky elvish ears, the strange markings on their face and their brightly different coloured hair, they looked very much like normal village people-rich village people who shopped at market places.

"Come."

Sesshoumaru's voice snapped the miko out of her staring and made to stay at her spot refusing to move a muscle. Just because she wasn't from this era didn't mean she was dumb-why in Kami's name would she enter a household of youkai when she was but a mere human? A human yes with purification powers, but not so strong as to purify one as powerful as these youkai. Perhaps she could send a little spark here and there, but from what Sango had mentioned before, youkai who could take human form usually meant that they were of status-and in other words, powerful.

"You will come with this Sesshoumaru into the palace. This one will not ask twice," Sesshoumaru commanded.

His voice was firm causing Kagome to clench her fists by her sides. If she decided to make a break for it, she would not get very far, but if she went with him, how did she know that they weren't preparing a feast featuring her roasted on a platter-or worse? She didn't want to think of the possibilities.

In frustration, Sesshoumaru made a grab for her arm once again and started dragging her through the crowd.

Kagome squealed and realized that she was causing a scene. Not that she cared. For all she knew the youkai had caught her scent from the moment of their arrival-at least she wouldn't go down without a fight. What had she done to deserve this? She had caught up a few hours on her sleep-but this punishment was beyond what she had imagined. She half expected Inuyasha to just yell and scold her, until it ended up with her sitting him-not this.

The Sesshoumaru that she knew would have just probably left her alone-he never did bother by taking up his time in acknowledging anything she did-with the exception of targeting his half brother. This Sesshoumaru however, didn't seem to mind showing some sort of emotion. She could feel his irritation with her, mild anger, confusion-his eyes were cold but his youki said other things.

"Let me go, Sesshoumaru! Where are you taking me? Stop, my arm hurts!"

Frankly, she didn't care now who noticed as they drew nearer to what she supposed were the palace steps and to the doors. The youkai had began their whispering and they gave her peculiar stares. Kami, it was as if she was some kind of freak show for these youkai to gawk at!

When they entered the doors the Taiyoukai released her and inclined his head.

"You will explain to the Taiyoukai as to how you know of this Inuyasha," he said and started up the hallway.

Kagome flinched staring at his back as he strode along. She knew Sesshoumaru wasn't the kindest, no scratch that-was not kind at all, but it made her feel more uneasy being alone at such a foreign place-a place where there were hundreds of youkai roaming about. She hesitated, then followed.

"You can't possibly not know of Inuyasha," she said. "You've hated him all your life!"

"This one does not know of whom you speak of."

"But-" Kagome decided to stop there. If Sesshoumaru didn't know of Inuyasha and of her then perhaps he was not Sesshoumaru at all?-Although the thought was impossible. From his head and down to his toes, she knew it was him. He had a same moon shaped mark on his forehead, the marks on his face, the white silver hair…Oh it was him, that, she was sure of.

They passed several halls of which were surrounded by guards at either ends. They're eyes followed her as she walked slowly behind the inuyoukai questioningly. Had they not seen a human before? No doubt they were staring at her clothing-it is called a school uniform! It had class!

Kagome groaned to herself. How did she always find her self in the more ridiculous of situations. First with the Shikon no Tama, with Inuyasha, finding out that she was a reincarnation of a dead, or un-dead miko, then now this. Suppose she was bad luck?

She almost knocked herself over when he came to halt in front of a terrace. Kami, why didn't he say anything?

"Father."

Kagome blinked.

"I have returned from scanning the lands. All is well," Sesshoumaru started.

The miko bit her bottom lip slowly and peeked from Sesshoumaru's tall shoulder. A youkai stood by the railing clad in heavy armour, his hair tied back into a neat and long tail, but when he turned, Kagome couldn't help but gasp.

It was Inuyasha's father! Or at least, she could certainly see the resemblances.

The inuyoukai that she had caught a glimpse of the time of Souunga's destruction stood mere inches from her, his face passive but eyes deep. He gave no notice of her and merely nodded to his son in acknowledgement.

But this couldn't be, could it? He was dead and that, Kagome was sure of. How could-? And then it dawned to her. Sesshoumaru not knowing of her, of Inuyasha, him looking slightly younger, less experienced, his father suddenly alive and kicking-By Kami's…she had gone further back. Further back than…five hundred years? Then that meant that Inuyasha had never existed-either that or he was in the process of being born.

"Why is it that you bring this human to our home, Sesshoumaru? Was it not you that complained highly of your disgust with them during many of the meetings with council?" the Taiyoukai asked.

Sesshoumaru made a noise that sounded something like a grunt. "Yes, but there is something odd about this one," he stated.

"I can see," his father said looking up and down her frame, his eyebrow raised, "that…"

"She speaks of one with the name of Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru said his lips set to a firm line. "Perhaps you know of him. This one does not recall a youkai of such a name."

The mighty Taiyoukai didn't think twice. "No, I have not heard of him."

"He is not someone that you would know…um, sir," Kagome interrupted.

Frankly she was compelled to now cover up his existence. She knew the dangers of time travel and what it could do. If she somehow messed things up with Inuyasha's father-then Inuyasha might not exist in the future.

But he merely stared at her. "I doubt that," he started. "Having a name that is so relatively close to mine is treason unless blood related. Is this Inuyasha of noble blood?"

Kagome almost let up a little, "eep!" but fought against it. So that's why Sesshoumaru had acted so odd when she mentioned him earlier. She remembered Myouga mentioning the name Inutashio to them when he talked of Inuyasha's father, and Kagome always thought it had been some what cute that they had similar names. This situation however, was not entirely cute nor cuddly.

Sesshoumaru let out a growl when she didn't open her mouth to answer.

"Do not force the girl to speak if she does not feel the need to," Inutashio drawled. He swept past his son and the miko into the palace. "Find her a room in the Western Wing," he informed one of the guards.

Kagome saw Sesshoumaru's eyes flash for a brief moment, the slight increase of his youki enough to stop his father at his tracks.

"You are angry, my son."

"No."

"Then what troubles you?"

"The name 'Inu' comes from a family with royal blood. I trust that you wouldn't know anything of this youkai's whereabouts… or creation?" Sesshoumaru said.

Inutashio made no attempt to turn to face him. "What are you insinuating, Sesshoumaru?" he replied.

"The rumours…"

"Are false," the Taiyoukai finished. "They are merely rumours."

And with that he was gone, through the doors followed by the two youkai guards that had stared at her questioningly before.

Kagome bit her bottom lip. What had she gotten herself into? Did this mean that anything she said could affect the future of Inuyasha and his family? It was certainly possible. There were rumours? Supposedly now she was in the era where Sesshoumaru had once been the one and only heir. Perhaps his mother was alive even, and neither he nor his father knew of what was to come. Would his father leave his mother for Izayoi? Of course it would happen, that is, unless she managed to already alter things by being here.

The young miko nervously stared where inu prince stood, his back still turned to her and facing the direction his father had once been. He hadn't moved for a minute or so, and she dared not to speak. At least she knew now that he wasn't going to kill her.

"Um," she started.

"Come," he interrupted and started down the hall.

She reluctantly followed. It was no surprise that he stayed silent the entire way until they reached the doors to what she guessed was to be her quarters for the evening.

"There are kimonos laid out for you. Get dressed, you will be joining us for dinner. This one must remind you, to prepare yourself. Father will require answers." He glared down on her and continued walking down the hall.

Gulping at the realization that she would indeed have to explain herself to the Taiyouaki, if not now then most certainly at another time, unless she found a way back home or back to Inuyasha. If what Sesshoumaru said was true, and "Inu" did come from someone that had to be a part of their family, then Kagome was royally screwed.

What other explanation would she give them? What if they sought Inuyasha out and found his existence to be false? What if their father found out about her little gift of being able to travel through time-and the well.

Myouga had explained that the Taiyoukai had protected Izayoi and Inuyasha to his death, because of the love that he felt for them both. What would she do if he figured everything out-would he not be with Izayoi? That would mean Inuyasha would not exist in the near future. Kikyo and he would not have been together-the Shikon no Tama would still be intact, and Naraku would cease to exist. If one would look at situation, it would seem very reasonable actually.

Kagome shook her head. This was too much thinking for her. She didn't exactly know the whole story yet, but upon realizing sooner, gave her a clear advantage of remedying the situation with the hanyou's father. He seemed swayable enough and had not forced her for answers. Sesshoumaru however, seemed slightly disappointed.

The young miko bit her bottom lip as she stepped into the room. Frankly, it was not as she expected it to be. Mostly she thought that Sesshoumaru would have given her the dirtiest place to stay, a dungeon almost-but it wasn't the case, nor did she expected it to be so… decorative. That was one way of putting it.

The ceiling practically reached the sky and was adorned with, Kagome probably guessed was more than thirty candles floating throughout the non-existing ceiling. She blanched. Sorcery? It would certainly have to be that way since they floated softly through the air, light shimmering and lighting up the entire room.

Sesshoumaru had been right of course. A kimono was laid over the bed for her to wear. Kagome raised her eyebrow. Pink was definitely not her color, although most men did assume that it was a lady's first choice. She gave a defeated sigh and flopped down upon the bed.

"Oh!"

Another surprise. And she thought that foam was invented surely much later in her time, but this bed was what she suspected a cloud would have felt like. It was beyond what she imagined and suddenly the girl felt her eyes grow heavy. It was not that they have traveled far, thanks to Sesshoumaru's magical teleportation, but jumping through the well and finding a whole lot of unfamiliar, and less friendly faces-were exhausting. That, and now she had to answer to their father or worse-Sesshoumaru.

It wasn't long before a knock came upon the door. Startled, Kagome nearly knocked down the glass vases on the stand by the bed. She squirmed to finish dressing up in the kimono and approached the door slowly. It slid open slowly and a small, dangly looking girl youkai strode in, with ears drooping down to her shoulders.

She sniffed the miko unsurely and made a gesture as to follow her down the halls.

Kagome's stomach churned. She had not felt this nervous since she had slept half way through her mid terms and had gotten a failing grade in return. This was certainly a life or death situation-and it wasn't as if she hadn't been in that position before, but she would rather take on one of Naraku's incarnations than to sit in an awkward silence with Sesshoumaru and his father. Indeed. Death would not be such a bad way to escape.

The girl was led past the corridors and when the mouse-looking youkai stopped just before the tall wooden doors. She gestured for the miko to enter and turned to take her leave.

Giving a defeated sigh the girl trudged on, lips in a pout. She had stood up to Inuyasha's arrogant brother before-had even threatened to cut him with the Tetsusaiga in their father's tomb-certainly she would muster up that courage again. Couldn't she?

They were already seated. Awkward indeed. Who would have guessed that the father and son of the West could sit so casually having dinner and sipping on tea? If Inuyasha were to hear of this-by Kami she knew that he would have not believed a word of it. The thought of Sesshoumaru alone acting so civilized was enough to let the girl believe that all of this was a figment of her imagination.

Inutashio looked up at her when she entered and inclined his head to her seat. Sesshoumaru however, remained as impassive as ever, his eyes closed as he sipped his tea. He did not even look up when she sat and took her place next to him.

She frowned suddenly.

"Does the food not please you?"

Kagome fidgeted in her seat and she glanced at the table noticing that chunks of meat had been boiled and prepared. Did youkai eat cooked food as well?

"Yes, it's uh, fine, thanks," she replied.

The Taiyoukai nodded, satisfied with her answer and watched with intense eyes as the girl shifted in her spot. "You are a miko," he said.

It wasn't entirely a question, Kagome guessed, but he merely stated the fact. She nodded slowly, peering at him from her lashes, and noticed that he nor Sesshoumaru hadn't made an attempt at bringing food on their plates.

"We do not eat cooked meat, girl, although you should feel honoured that my father has bothered to take your…situation into consideration," Sesshoumaru drawled next to her.

Kagome gaped. Her situation? Her situation? What exactly was he insinuating? That she were but a mere human and required tremendous amounts of cooked food in order to function? Had they not heard of sushi? That was certainly raw.

"Now, now, Sesshoumaru, there is no need for such words," Inutashio said.

"This one was merely stating to the wench, father," his son shot back.

If Kagome had not been so enraged at the thought of insult she would have been in complete shock of the tension and folly of the two inuyoukai. Sesshoumaru talking back to his father? That'd be the day-but alas she always did have a problem when trying to bite her tongue.

"I do have a name you know," she exclaimed. "Kagome. And its certainly not miko, girl, or wench." She exasperated the last word just for him, her eyebrows knitting together in a tight glare. "You don't have to be so rude! I wasn't the one who brought me here in the first place. The least you could do is call me by my name!"

The dining area fell silent.

The guards by the doors gasped.

Then of all things, the Great Tayoukai of the West banged his glass down on the wooden table and suddenly burst into fits of laughter. Heavy laughter. One which might have made the flea, Myouga die from shock. Kagome surely almost did, besides from almost falling off her seat.

His laughter echoed and bounced through the walls.

"Sesshoumaru, where did you say you found this girl-this Kagome again?" He turned towards his son, his eyes squinted in amusement. "She is quite the little spit-fire don't you think?"

Sesshoumaru made a grunting noise flaring his youki in annoyance.

For a moment Kagome thought he was going to lash at her with his claws. He looked absolutely murderous, and although his expression hadn't change, she noticed that his hands had clenched to fists by his lap.

"Do ignore my son, he has quite the temper when it comes to the opposing sex," the Taiyoukai said with a chuckle.

"This one does not."

"He does," Inutashio insisted. "Now Kagome, which village did you say you resided in? I do not recall a village n the West with clothing such as yours. Perhaps you are from the East?"

"The East?" Kagome started and then recovered. "Yes! Yes, I'm from the East. Far, far away from here."

"Then what pray tell, brings you to the West?" he asked.

"I, um…got lost?" she answered.

Sesshoumaru snorted. "Lies," he drawled.

"Now, now-" Inutashio started.

"And how would you know if I was lying or not?" There she went again. "I am most certainly lost. Can't you tell from my confusion?"

Sesshoumaru growled. Perhaps he would kill her this time, with this he cracked his knuckles hoping to thaw her off.

"-And I am from the East, if you must know. I-I just got lost trying to look for someone." she finished.

"This… Inuyasha?" the Taiyoukai asked with amused eyes.

"Yes-I-I mean, no. No. I was looking for a miko," she lied. She almost added 'Kaede' to her claim but thought against it.

So far, Inutashio seemed to be buying her lies, whereas Sesshoumaru remained annoyed.

The Taiyoukai leaned back on his seat. "Ah. Then I am afraid you are a long ways lost, girl. There are no mikos who reside in the Western Lands, although, feel free to stay as long as you like until you get better directions for the person you are looking for."

Sesshoumaru seethed.

"T-Thank you, Inutashio-sama," Kagome made out, shocked by his proposal.

With this Sesshoumaru got to his feet, flicked his hair over his shoulders, and stormed out the doors.

Kagome glared hard at his retreating form, lips curved to a frown and fists clenched in the bottom folds of her kimono.

"You are quite an amusing woman, Kagome," the Taiyoukai said, suddenly startling her.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Not many youkai, and especially a human could mutter up the courage to talk back to my son. He is quite…intimidating from what I have heard. Yet you quarrel with him as if you are lovers."

The miko nearly choked on her own tongue. She made a sound which sounded similar to a yak suffocating and causing the guards around the room to chuckle at her reaction.

"W-Well," she stammered out, "I just don't like it when people step over me-intimidating or not-"

"I see," drawled the inuyoukai. "Alas, I must take my leave. Feel free to roam about the palace as you wish."

And with that he was gone, leaving the miko alone on the table. She wasn't exactly hungry-who would be after an encounter like that. Gosh, she must be out of her mind. Standing up to Sesshoumaru like that-and in front of his father. What if he had not shown her the hospitality that he did? What if they both decided to decapitate her upon her outburst. By Kami, Kagome did not want to think of the possibilities.

She pushed her plate back and followed the path down the halls. There was only one way to end this-and that was finding her way back to the well. She had to leave before everything fell apart. She should not be here. Her meddling had probably already altered the future. Sesshoumaru knew her name now, all thanks to her self righteous pride, and would certainly remember it for another what?-one hundred years or so into the future? No doubt if she went back he would question her.

How on earth was she supposed to escape? Inuyasha's father had said that she could leave-couldn't she? Of course she could! It wasn't as if they were holding her prisoner.

With that the miko made her way back to the room, dressed back into her clothing and darted out the door. Now if only she could remember where Sesshoumaru had entered upon their arrival. The palace was a maze, one would need a map just to find their way around and it was hopeless. Even if she found her way back to the well, how could she certain that she would end up in the correct era and back to her friends? She had never had this problem before and certainly did not think such a thing could happen.

Finally coming upon the exit doors she gave a sigh of relief. She could see the sun's rays shining through the opened doors. Good. She should be able to get to the well before sundown.

You can do this, Kagome.

Before she could take another step forward, the wall to her left suddenly exploded causing the miko to fall back in surprise. A youkai was thrown through the wall and landed badly beaten just mere inches from her.

Kagome gasped and scrambled.

"Are you alright?" she exclaimed.

She stood, half crouching to try and inspect his wounds.

"You will not interfere."

The girl spun her head around only to be met by Sesshoumaru's piercing glare as he stepped through the falling hole in the wall.

"What did you do to him?" she threw back, fists clenched.

A low growl was her answer as he strode pass her and towards the cowering youkai.

"You stay away from him!" she cried.

Sesshoumaru inclined his head towards her. "And you will cease your insufferable babbles." he snarled.

Kagome could feel her blood boil. Her hands were shaking, not entirely sure if it was from fright or anger. She had seen him once like this when he had transformed in the realm of their father's tomb. His eyes were bleeding red and the youki that surrounded him almost made the girl want to dart past them both and through the doors-but she couldn't. Just because he was all high and mighty, didn't mean he should go about and act like it. Suddenly she missed the Sesshoumaru from the future, who was far less bothersome of most others-except Inuyasha that is.

"You are the one who is insufferable!" she exclaimed.

The cowering youkai seemed to have paled even more so at her words. Did the girl have a death wish? Never before had he heard of any youkai, much less a human, who could talk to their lord as she did.

There was a long pause.

"Leave us," was Sesshoumaru's final word- and the youkai was gone running through the doors and to his safety.

Slowly the inu prince turned towards the girl, eyes turning back a deep hue and glared down at her still crouching figure.

"Miko, you tread dangerous grounds," he drawled.

Although his face looked passive enough, Kagome could tell he was enraged beyond doubt, so she huffed and puffed her chest out and stood straight and tall. Alright, so what if she stood barely past his shoulders, it didn't mean that she couldn't attempt to loom over him.

"You know what, I don't have to deal with this. I'm leaving!" she shouted and walked past him her chest still puffed out and arms waving as she walked.

She barely made it to the doors when he stood in front of her, gripping her arm, nearly yanking her from the floor.

"Where exactly are you leaving to?" he said a suspicious tone in his voice.

Kagome gasped. "Well I'm not lying if that's what you're trying to say! I'm going back-er, back to find who I'm looking for!" she retorted and pulled at her arm.

Surprisingly he let go. "To the miko," finished.

"Well, yeah," she said with a heavy sigh.

He nodded.

"Then we will depart."

Kagome gaped at him. "W-What?"

"This Sesshoumaru will help you on your quest on finding this miko, and back to your village of strangely dressed humans."

And then, Kagome wanted to die. This had to be a dream! It couldn't possibly be true!

Sesshoumaru blinked. The woman had to have gone mad. She had grasped both of her cheeks in between her fingers, muttering curses to herself and was practically bawling. As ridiculous as she looked, he couldn't help but wonder- He would expose her. He would find out the truth of this strange miko, this Inuyasha, and perhaps it would finally explain his father's odd behaviour. His lips twisted into a frown. It shouldn't take that long. The girl, as feeble and as useless as he thought her to be, was already on the verge of losing her mind. No. It would be no trouble at all.

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