I was exhausted when I sat down against the tree. I had been running from Naraku's insects all day, and I was so relieved when I finally lost them, that I payed no attension to where I was running, only that I was. So when I looked around and had no clue where I was, it was pretty terrifying. I had no idea that someone else was in the clearing. I sat there, trying to catch my breath, when all of a sudden, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

"Who's there?" I called.

Then he walked into the clearing. I recognized this man. Sesshomaru. The emotionless yet clearly annoyed expression that was usually on his face was gone. Now he just looked emotionless. Then he saw me. He looked surprised for a split second, and then he looked annoyed. He gave me his signature glare and walked away. I was shocked, every time I had met Sesshomaru in the past he had tried to kill me, so why didn't he this time?

Suddenly the insects were swarming around me, I screamed, and as I was reaching for my bow and arrows, a hand closed around my arm, and Sesshomaru pulled me out of the swarm, throwing me behind him before he drew his sword, leaping into the air and destroying every last insect. He turned to me, and opened his mouth to say something, but he was interupted by InuYasha, who had just appeared in the clearing.

"What are you doing here? Stay away from Kagome!" he shouted, pulling me behind him.

"I am simply here to hunt Naraku, the fact that I ran into your miko was purely coincidence," Sesshomaru said coldly.

"Oh please, do you think I'm an idiot? I know you were trying to hurt her!"

InuYasha started to leap, so I did the only thing I could,"Sit boy!"

He flew toward the ground so fast that all I could see was a red and silver blur.

"What the hell was that for, you idiot?!" he shouted.

"Sesshomaru saved my life! Besides, he didn't do anything to you, at least not anything more than usual, all he's doing is standing there! Whereas you took his arm, not that it wasn't necesary, but that is worth revenge! But is he attacking you? No, so just leave be!"

"I don't need your aid, Miko," Sesshomaru said. He was trying to act nonchalant, but I saw his mask flicker for a second, and his eyes were less cold than usual, maybe even the slightest bit warm.

"Sesshomaru, what are you planning?" InuYasha asked rudely.

"Do you really think that I spend all my time plotting against you? You flatter yourself." Sesshomaru said, his voice was cold and hard again. He whirled and was gone.