Sesshomaru stared at the miko lying still on the ground, she was still unconscious from the blow Inuyasha had given her. But wait a minute something was different, there was something on her cheek. He squatted down next to her and moved her hair, he stiffened when he saw the tell tale markings of a demon on her cheeks, two flowing delicate forest green stripes stretched from her pointed ears to the center of her cheek. Her scent had changed subtly as well it had the faint scent of a field of flowers after a spring rain.

He turned to look at the fool responsible for this change in her and was surprised to find the hanyou was nowhere to be seen. Shrugging it off for another day he lifted the newly made demoness into his arms and dressed her in his haori once more, he should really learn how to operate her clothing if she was going to be out of it this often.

Walking back to where Shippo paced anxiously he set Kagome down on her bedding and then turned to the fox kit before he could be bombarded by questions. "It was Inuyasha again, he tried to rape her once more, when I interfered he made his wish on the jewel. But it would appear that his wish backfired on him, Kagome is no longer human."

"What kind of demon is she Sesshomaru?"

"A black inu, the green on her cheeks is a little odd though, but she is definitely a black inu."

"Wow a black inu, aren't they as rare as the silver inus?"

"Yes, but she isn't a natural black inu."

Both of them looked at the former miko and wondered what was going to happen next.

-33-33-

Inuyasha was furious, not only had he been treated like a lowly dog with all those "sit" commands and lost Kikyo since Kagome took the rest of her soul from Kikyo. No that wasn't enough! She had to go and STEAL his wish, the bitch was going to pay for her treachery and selfishness!

-33-33-

Sesshomaru and Shippo were starting to wonder if Kagome was ever going to wake again, it had been a week since Kagome's transformation and still she had not awakened. Shippo finger brushed her hair as Sesshomaru slowly poured soup into her mouth to ensure she did not weaken from hunger or dehydration.

Looking at the Kitsune he said "I shall be back with her in a bit, she has not been bathed in a few days and is in need of one."

Sesshomaru undressed Kagome and stripped down to his thin under pants before stepping into the spring with her held carefully in his arms. He ignored the finer details and set himself to his task, not paying attention to the swell of her breasts or the markings that ran vine-like down her slender and well proportioned body. His main focus was to wash her without drowning her and then to wash himself once she was dry and clothed once more.

A soft moan escaped her throat as her eyelids fluttered open and wide vibrant blue eyes met his startled gold eyes. "What's going on? Why am I in a hot spring and why are you washing me?" Each question rose in pitch as she scrambled away from him and crouched in the water to hide herself from his sight.

"No need to get upset, I was merely bathing you, you've been unconscious for over a week now and needed to be bathed. If you would like to finish here is your materials" he offered her the rag he'd been using and turned to the bank before continuing "I shall take this time to bathe as well."

"You're going to do WHAT?" she shrieked.

"Please desist from yelling, I'm merely going to bathe now that you no longer need my assistance. No need to hide I've already seen and washed everything and I'm not particularly interested in watching you."

"Gee thanks for the boost to my confidence." she snipped back as she turned her back on him and scrubbed angrily.

A hand rested on her shoulder and she turned her head to look at him but gasped in surprise when she realized he had already stripped off the rest of his clothing. Turning red she quickly averted her eyes and said "What is it?"

"I didn't say you aren't attractive, I'm just not interested in finding myself a mate even if you are a demon now."

Kagome finished bathing quickly and wrapped her towel around herself before asking him "What do you mean I'm no longer human? Why aren't I human anymore?"

"Inuyasha's wish backfired, it made you a demon and I suppose the change wiped you out physically which is why you were out for a week."

"I see, well then I suppose I need to be teach him a lesson for this."

"I would be glad to help with that." He said with a smirk on his face as he stepped out of the spring.

-33-33-

A few days had passed and some of the awkwardness had begun to wear off, she was beginning to get used to Sesshomaru's presence when she went to bathe. She wasn't thrilled when he had followed her to the spring that first evening of going on her own two legs. But she did understand what he was getting at, Inuyasha was still out there and more than likely wanting to get even for what he would view as theft on her part. Even if she wasn't even conscious when his wish backfired and chose her to transform, the Shikon Jewel had a mind of its own apparently.

Sesshomaru was diligent in protecting her and she appreciated it, but watching her bathe was a bit extreme, even if he didn't think of her in a sexual manner. Though that kind of rubbed her the wrong way, wasn't she physically desirable to him? Or was it the fact that Inuyasha had raped her twice now and he didn't want used goods?

Kagome sighed and finished rinsing her hair before grabbing her towel and drying off, at least he didn't watch her every move, even if he had already seen and touched everything she had to offer.

Sesshomaru watched the onna through slits in his eyelids, she was quite attractive, but he wasn't interested in mating anytime soon. She could find herself a nice upper class demon male easily and live a life of luxury with someone looking for a mate. He bared his teeth at that thought and silenced a snarl before she could hear it. There was no need to get irritated at the thought of letting some other male claim her, her brilliant blue eyes flicked to him as she checked to see if he was watching for the hundredth time.

Her eyes had caught him off guard, he didn't expect to see a blue so vivid in her face, since he had become used to her previous brown eye color. He took a deep breath and couldn't help appreciating her clean scent of flowers after a rain, his eyelids slid closed as he savored the scent. He caught himself and refrained from growling in irritation at himself, he wasn't interested in a mate and would not take a mate for a few more decades to come.

Kagome had dried and dressed by the time he had stopped his inner musings and he joined her as she walked back towards camp. His eyes wandered over her as she strode confidently ahead of him, he supposed he should take her to get weapons and train her in the use of them. Once she was trained he could go his separate way and do what he did best, kill off lowlife demons in his lands.

-33-33-

When they walked back into camp they found they had acquired a visitor, Kouga sat next to Shippo on a log as they quietly discussed her. His teal eyes shot up to meet her when Shippo said "Kagome's back."

Kouga stood and rushed to her eagerly as he inhaled deeply her scent, and what a delightful scent it was he thought to himself. "Kagome you're positively stunning and smell oh so tasty." He finished with a playful wink. "Shippo told me everything and I will be happy to kill that mutt for you, my dear." He bent to kiss her on the lips, but she turned her head so all he ended up kissing was her cheek, Well at least she didn't completely reject my advance he thought smugly.

"It's fine Kouga, I'll take care of things with him on my own one day."

"Kagome can we take a walk?" Kouga asked.

"Sure"

Kouga grasped her hand and began to lead her away when a quieted snarl met his ears, glancing at the inu Daiyoukai he noticed a scowl that quickly disappeared. It would appear that I might be trespassing on someone else's territory, well I shall court her anyways and see how this tidbit of a reaction progresses. He grinned mischievously to himself, to think the Ice Lord might have feelings for the small newly made demoness walking next to him. Too bad for he really did want to take her for himself, he knew Kagome only saw him as a friend, but maybe he could try his luck with her if only to make Sesshomaru jealous.

"Is there something you wanted to talk about Kouga?"

"I was hoping that you would consider letting me court you?" Kouga replied boldly.

"Well you are a good friend and I do care about you, I suppose you could court me it's not like I will ever be anything to…" She trailed off with tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"Inuyasha is a fool Kagome, and he never truly saw you for yourself."

"I know but it still hurts and it's not like I could talk this kind of thing over with Sesshomaru…. He's so distant most of the time." She began to cry I earnest and Kouga held her close and stroked her hair as she did so, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Kouga found a smooth patch of ground and sat pulling Kagome onto his lap and continued his soothing ministrations to her as he waited for her to calm. When the sobs subsided he lifted her chin and slowly leaned his face forward, she didn't resist him so he kissed her full on the lips and relished in her flavor.

A hand rested against his chest and he let her push him away as he stared down at her trying to read her conflicting emotions. Seeing there wasn't any way to decipher them he stood and sat her on her feet, taking her hand he led the way back to the campsite Sesshomaru had chosen before his arrival.

Sesshomaru sat leaning against a tree when they entered the clearing, there was a fire crackling happily in the center of the camp, but no water on to boil for tea. Grabbing a pot Kagome looked to Sesshomaru and said "I need to get some water for tea."

Sesshomaru stood and led the way to a nearby stream and noted the scent of her earlier pain, she looked happier now than she had a few hours ago and she smelled of the wolf demon. His nose wrinkled at that and he noted the scent of saliva on her, So the wolf managed to kiss her again, well I suppose he would suffice if he decided to court her. But I wish there was something less vile than a flea-bitten wolf to lay claim to her. His lips lifted in a silent snarl at the wolf's antics, there were better demons in this world than that wolf prince.

As she stood the bank under her feet gave way and he quickly caught her, before she could fall into the water. Looking down at her he said "It would appear that you always need saving from one thing or another onna."

She blushed in embarrassment and said "So it would seem that I do need rescuing, thank you for all of your help."

"It's inconsequential after all you've done, riding the world of that vile demon Naraku."

Turning he began to lead the way back to camp as she followed quietly behind him wondering about his odd remark, after all it would appear that Sesshomaru wasn't what he had originally appeared to be. He was being oddly considerate by taking her in and ensuring her safety after Inuyasha's actions, even when she was obviously just a human and far beneath him. Now that she was no longer a human though his mannerisms towards her had not changed, so maybe he didn't despise humans as they had previously thought.

Kouga grinned boldly at her when she entered the camp and patted a place next to him on a log in front of the fire. Kagome smiled at him and set the water on a spit above the fire before taking a seat next to him.

"I took the liberty of procuring some rabbits for our supper tonight" he said as he pointed to the skinned rabbits cooking next to the fire on a large flat stone.

"Thank you Kouga, that was very considerate of you." Kagome replied with a smile before opening her pack and removing four tin cups and the tea bags she carried with her at all times.

Once everything had been cleaned and packed back into her yellow backpack, Kagome settled into her sleeping bag and let the sounds of the night lull her into a peaceful slumber.

"So you have intentions towards her wolf?" Asked Sesshomaru dryly.

"I've always had the intention to make her my mate and now that she is one of us I plan to court her and take her for my mate. Is there a problem with that?" Responded Kouga with a smirk.

"Just be sure you do not bring any harm to her wolf, she has suffered enough in the time she has spent here at the hands of my witless half-brother. If you upset her, I shall bring my wrath down on your head and you will regret ever harming her."

"Understood" Kouga hid the knowing smirk as he thought well well well, it appears that the Ice Lord has a soft spot for Kagome, now to make my move and force him to realize it. After all I can't claim her as mine, I'm betrothed to Ayame and will have to settle for her eventually for the sake of the Northern wolf tribes.