"Do not believe the imp the woman in the ogres hand is not your mom." Kagome
"I knew it she's a fake. Do you think Sesshomaru has anything to do with this?" InuYasha
"No I don't such trickery is beneath him. The only one to blame is the imp. He's the one you should be mad at." Kagome
InuYasha nods, and says.
"Hand over the imp, and tell me why the hell you are here Sesshomaru." InuYasha
"I will not allow you to kill my retainer InuYasha, and I'm here seeking our fathers tomb. Do you know where it is by any chance?" Sesshomaru
"No I don't, and even if I did I wouldn't tell you." InuYasha
Before Sesshomaru has a chance to respond Kagome fearlessly looks Sesshomaru in the eye, and says.
"Sesshomaru. Do you have any clues as to the whereabouts of the tomb?" Kagome
"Are you saying that you may be able to assist me in uncovering it's location?" Sesshomaru
"Yes. Just hand over the imp so he can be punished for his despicable scheme. I will personally ensure he will not die. What do you say Sesshomaru?" Kagome
"Very well then Jaken. Go, and pay the penalty for your foolish scheme." Sesshomaru
"Milord?" Jaken
"Now Jaken." Sesshomaru
Jaken hops off the ogre, and walks up to InuYasha who proceeds to clobber him. Sesshomaru follows him, and makes off with Kagome. When Sesshomaru is a fair distance away from the village he says.
"The only clue I have is this: Seeing, Yet never seen, Protected, Yet never known to it's protector. Does this make any sense to you girl?" Sesshomaru
"Yes. It sounds a lot like a story my Grandma told a few years ago. It goes like this: Centuries ago there lived a great dog. The dog was fierce, honorable,and kind. The dog would do what ever was necessary to protect what was important to him. The dog had two sons who he loved very much. Shortly before his second son was born an enemy began to ravage the dogs home consuming the land in scorching flames. The dog knew he had to defeat this enemy or everything would be lost, however the enemy was so fierce that he was not sure if he would survive the battle. So he devised a clever way to hide his tomb so no one would be able to find it. The dog called upon the jewel smith Hosenki, and asked him to create a dimensional stone known as the black pearl. If the dog were to die his remains would be buried inside the pearl, and the pearl would be hidden in his youngest sons right eye. The dog went into battle, and barely managed to make it out alive. Shortly after the battle the dog heard that his youngest son was being born, and the castle was under attack. He rushed to their defense, and died saving the life of his son. After his death everything happened the way he planned it.
And that is the story of the great dog of the west." Kagome
"Thank you for your assistance miss. I know where it is now." Sesshomaru
"Your welcome Sesshomaru. I hope you find what you are looking for." Kagome
Sesshomaru nods, and returns to find InuYasha. As soon as he is gone Kagome feels Myoga bite her, and she squishes him. He falls into her hand, and says.
"Why did you have to tell him that Kagome? Now he is going to steal lord InuYasha's inheritance." Myoga
"Because he is my soul mate. When I became old enough my Grandma told me that an elemental can always detect the presence of there soul mate. An elemental will do all he or she can to be of assistance to their other half." Kagome
"Does he know?" Myoga
"I'm not sure Myoga." Kagome
Myoga nods, and Kagome says.
"Myoga do you know what Sesshomaru is after?" Kagome
"He is after Tetsaiga. The sword that their father had forged to protect lord InuYasha's mortal mother." Myoga
"Thanks Myoga." Kagome
Myoga nods, and Kagome flies back to the village. She arrives just in time to follow Sesshomaru through the portal to the tomb. Sesshomaru glances at her, and a ghost of a smile spreads over his face. By the time the three of them have gone Myoga is jumping around on InuYasha's shoulder saying.
"You must go after them Milord. Before they steal your father's treasure." Myoga
"I'm going, but why is Kagome with him?" InuYasha
"Kagome is no longer our concern. The treasure is what is important now." Myoga
"Alright already I'm going." InuYasha
InuYasha and Myoga follow Sesshomaru, Kagome, and Jaken through the portal. By the time they get there Sesshomaru is already attempting to pull out the sword. The sword refuses him. Myoga tells Sesshomaru that InuYasha's the one meant to pull out the sword. After InuYasha tries, and fails to pull it they start fighting. When there is a lull in the fighting Kagome runs up to Sesshomaru, and says.
"Sesshomaru. Why do you need the Tetsaiga? You are perfect just the way you are." Kagome
Kagome gently cups Sesshomaru's face, and looks at him with adoration and the beginnings of love. Sesshomaru looks at her, and says.
"I need it to increase my power." Sesshomaru
"Why?" Kagome
"Because power is all I have." Sesshomaru
"Not anymore. You have me, and I will never leave your side." Kagome
A smile graces his face while he inhales her scent: fresh snow, and sakura petals. Realizing that it is exactly the scent expected to belong to his soul mate. He looks at her, and says.
"Come. We're leaving." Sesshomaru
He turns to leave with Kagome following after him. Seeing his only friend leave with Sesshomaru InuYasha says.
"Kagome isn't going anywhere with you." InuYasha
Before anyone has a chance to say anything InuYasha grabs Kagome's wrist, and starts pulling her away from Sesshomaru saying.
"I am willing to overlook your betrayal this once, but you are never to see him again ever. Got that Kagome?" InuYasha
The expression on Kagome's face could freeze a glacier. She extracts her hand from his grasp causing his claws to scrape her marks. Anguish adorns her face when she looks at Sesshomaru who becomes angry. She pushes the pain aside, and says.
"InuYasha Sit Boy." Kagome
While InuYasha is in incapacitated Sesshomaru picks Kagome up bridal style, and leaves the tomb.
The portal closes when both groups arrive on the other side Sesshomaru begins walking away with Kagome in his arms, and Jaken following behind. Sesshomaru runs to a clearing as far away from the village as he can get. He sets Kagome down on her feet, and says.
"Kagome your injured wrist." Sesshomaru
Kagome hands Sesshomaru her wrist which is shaking from the pain. Sesshomaru begins inspecting her wrist for injuries. InuYasha's claw marks have begun to bleed. So Sesshomaru brings her wrist up to his mouth, and starts licking the wounds until the bleeding stops. Sesshomaru notices the shaking has yet to stop so he continues treating the wounds until they are completely gone not even a scar remaining. The shaking stops, but pain is still evident in Kagome's features. Sesshomaru lowers her wrist, and says.
"Why are you still in pain Kagome?" Sesshomaru
"I will tell you when we are alone. I do not trust that imp with such sensitive information." Kagome
"Jaken." Sesshomaru
"Yes Milord." Jaken
"Go to a nearby village, and purchase some food and suitable clothing for Kagome." Sesshomaru
"Yes Milord." Jaken
Jaken turns, and leaves. As soon as he is well out hearing range Sesshomaru says.
"Explain." Sesshomaru
"My elemental markings are extremely sensitive. I was unaware of this until a year ago, because I had almost no interactions with non-elementals." Kagome
"What happened?" Sesshomaru
"A year ago a terrible enemy resurfaced, and threatened the innocent. My father agreed to help protect the children. Father fought valiantly against him, and this greatly angered him. So I was kidnapped, and tortured by Pitch. During one of the sessions he grazed one of my marks with his nightmare sand, and watched as the pain reverberated through out my entire body. For the duration of my imprisonment he viciously attacked me in those areas completely disregarding everywhere else on my person. It was then when I understood why an elemental never touches the marks of another." Kagome
Sesshomaru's eyes widen as he processes what Kagome just said. While he understands the seriousness of the information it makes him wonder if the same applies to pleasurable touches as it does to pain. He begins to rub soothing circles on Kagome's wrist, and watches her person for a reaction to the sensation. He is pleasantly surprised when the pain begins to melt from her features. Sesshomaru continues this until all the pain goes away. When that happens he lets go of her wrist. Before he can further display his affections Jaken walks back into the clearing, and says.
"I have what you requested Milord." Jaken
"Hn. Jaken setup camp we'll leave after a sufficient rest." Sesshomaru
"Yes Milord." Jaken
Jaken goes about doing what he was told when Kagome says.
"May I sit with you Sesshomaru?" Kagome
"Yes. I would not have it any other way." Sesshomaru
Jaken hears Kagome address Sesshomaru with familiarity, and says.
"You will not address Lord Sesshomaru with such familiarity you impudent woman." Jaken
"Silence Jaken!" Sesshomaru
Before Jaken has a chance to protest Kagome's face takes on the expression that she gave to InuYasha, she takes out her brush, walks up to Jaken, and freezes him solid. Sesshomaru watches with amusement on his face while sitting comfortably under a tree. When Kagome snuggles into his side he asks.
"Did you kill Jaken?" Sesshomaru
"No he will be fine when he thaws out, maybe he will think twice next time he tries bossing me around, and being rude." Kagome
Sesshomaru chuckles making Kagome smile. The two enjoy the peace and quiet while they can.
Sesshomaru asks her.
"What is it that you used to freeze Jaken?" Sesshomaru
Kagome takes out her brush, and says quietly enough so only Sesshomaru can hear.
"This is my conduit." Kagome
"May I see it?" Sesshomaru
"Sure." Kagome
Kagome hands the paint brush to Sesshomaru who begins looking it over with curiosity sparkling in his eyes. Jaken sees this, and decides he is curios too. So he walks up to Sesshomaru saying.
"May I see the brush when you are done Milord?" Jaken
Sesshomaru sees Kagome's face harden, and says.
"No Jaken. You may not." Sesshomaru
Jaken hangs his head, and walks back to his place on the other side of the campfire. Seeing his retainer looking so dejected he asks Kagome.
"Why did you refuse to let Jaken hold your brush?" Sesshomaru
"Allowing someone to hold your conduit is the largest show of trust an elemental can make." Kagome
"And you do not trust Jaken." Sesshomaru
"Not in the slightest." Kagome
Sesshomaru nods, and returns to satisfying his curiosity. Jaken saw the romantic way his lord has been acting toward Kagome. So it didn't take long to realize that this creature is his lords intended. Hearing that his future lady does not trust him sends him further into a melancholy mood. Kagome sees this, and says.
"Jaken." Kagome
"Yes Milady?" Jaken
"Did you really expect me to trust you after attempting pull off such a despicable scheme on the closest thing I have to a friend." Kagome
"Sorry Milady. Please forgive this humble servant?"
"You really need to work on first impressions Jaken. You never know who might be important." Kagome
"I will Milady. I beg your forgiveness Lady Kagome." Jaken
"No Jaken I do not forgive you, however I reserve the right to do so in the future. You are going to have to earn my trust Jaken. Is that clear?" Kagome
"Perfectly Lady Kagome." Jaken
Kagome goes back to cuddling with Sesshomaru; While Jaken thinks about everything his future lady just said. Both Kagome and Sesshomaru are aware of how they feel about each other, each having made their feelings plainly obvious, but neither of them were aware that InuYasha heard Kagome's entire conversation with Jaken. It made him feel guilt and regret for having used Kagome to get the Jewel. InuYasha realized that he cared about Kagome when he saw her leaving with Sesshomaru. He just wasn't aware that she cared about him considering how mad she was when she left with Sesshomaru and the imp. He certainly wasn't expecting Kagome to view him as a friend after the way he treated her. InuYasha is busy moping when he looks at the group, and sees Sesshomaru hand what he is holding to Kagome, and take off in his direction. InuYasha turns to leave when he is pinned to a tree by the throat before he can take a single step. Sesshomaru looks at him with rage burning in his eyes, and says.
"You dare show your face here after causing Kagome pain." Sesshomaru
"What are you talking about Sesshomaru?" InuYasha
"Your careless attempt at possessiveness caused Kagome pain." Sesshomaru
"You have to let me apologize to Kagome. She is the only friend I have." InuYasha
"Very well, but only because she says the same thing about you. You will not place so much as a finger on her." Sesshomaru
"I understand Sesshomaru." InuYasha
InuYasha and Sesshomaru walk into camp. When Kagome sees InuYasha she walks up to him, but stays out of arms reach. InuYasha's ears droop at this, but he is not surprised. He looks her in the eyes, and says.
"I'm so sorry for everything I have done to you. Please forgive me?" InuYasha
"I forgive you, but the trust I placed in you during our battle with Yura of the Hair has been greatly diminished. It will take awhile for you to regain it." Kagome
"I understand Kagome. Are we still going to go shard hunting?" InuYasha
"If Sesshomaru agrees then all of us can look for jewel shards." Kagome
"Why does he have to agree?Why are you even with him?" InuYasha
"He's my soul mate InuYasha. What he says goes." Kagome
"How do you even know that? Most people go their entire lives without ever finding their soul mate." InuYasha
"I could sense it from the moment I laid eyes on him. An elemental's soul mate has a very distinctive feel. It is different for each, but an elemental can always detect the presence of his or her soul mate." Kagome