Well that was a long few weeks huh? I am so sorry for neglecting this story and I do plan on starting it up again if it is worth it. Please please please review! Thank you!

I do not own

As my mind began to come into the living world, I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes. The first thing I noticed was that I was beyond comfortable and had probably just had the best night's sleep I had had in a long while. I sighed happily and turned my head to the side only to feel something tickling my nose. I frowned lightly and reached a hand up to itch my sensitive skin only to brush my hand over the fur again. I breathed deeply successfully bringing the hair into my nose again but it was accompanied by the smell of cinnamon and…snow? Yes, it smelt of snow. And it was so soft! I brought my hand down softly stroking the fur, still in a stupor from my sleep. When the soft fur growled, or perhaps purr would be the better word, my eyes snapped open. I brought my hand up to my mouth to stifle my gasp as there, beside me on the ground, was Sesshomaru. His tail was draped around my shoulders and it seemed I had been laying my head on it. I stared wide-eyed as he stood and moved his tail to drape once again over his shoulder. He absentmindedly ran his hand over it cleaning the debris off.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" I questioned, thinking I was clearly delirious from a fever to see Inuyasha's half-brother standing in front of me. He simply stared into my gaze and inclined his head as if to say 'duh'. I flushed and stood slowly, wiping my hands down over my pants that were clinging to my legs. "I am so sorry! I am not quite myself when I first wake up." I looked back up to meet his eyes, leaning my head back to compensate for his tall frame.

"It would seem you are not yourself as you sleep either, miko. You grabbed this Sesshomaru's person when he stumbled upon you. Really is my half-brother so incapable of responsibility he would leave his wench out in the middle of the night alone?" His voice stayed emotionless as he talked but something told me his curiosity was getting the best of him. At his mention of Inuyasha I felt my heart clench and I immediately gritted my teeth.

"I am NOT his wench!" I clenched my fists at my side, momentarily forgetting to who I was talking to. I saw his stare hold and I looked down once again letting my hair cover my eyes. For so long I had felt my heart slowly breaking and, for once, I couldn't care less anymore. 'I give up,' I whispered internally and I felt my shoulders sag. I looked back up to him and knew that it was true. I couldn't fight any more for Inuyasha. My heart couldn't take it. "Inuyasha has a woman. She is not me. Thank you for staying with me through the night Sesshomaru-sama. I apologize again for my stupidity."

Change in POV

I stared into the human's eyes before me, frowning internally at the amount of defeat radiating from her body. Her eyes seemed dull now compared to the shock that had been in them moments before. I tilted my head thoughtfully at her choice of words.

"Hnn," I grunted not sure what I should of said. She looked back towards the village and a brief sigh escaped her.

"I must go back to my group. We are leaving today to hunt jewel shards." She once again ran a hand through her blue-black locks and I felt my beast growl in approval of her beauty. She is exquisite! 'She is a mere human.' My beast growled a warning but I ignored him choosing instead to study the female before me. She was still running her fingers through her hair but now seemed to do it out of comfort instead of necessity. It had been months since I had seen my half-brother; I had returned to the castle during the beginning of the winter to catch up with meaningless paper work and to have Rin fitted for the necessary clothes for the winter travel.

The last time I had passed by the half-breed, he was in the midst of a battle with a lesser demon. I had watched from the forest's edge as he battled senselessly. I watched and noted every flaw that he fought with and was just a little surprised to notice his swordsmanship had improved. Beside him was the monk and the demon slayer as they watched waiting to see if he needed their help. As they continued to watch on, the miko was further back with the young kitsune in her arms. I watched curiously as another demon stalked her from behind with a sneer on his face. My eyes narrowed at Inuyasha's obvious over-look of the second demon and even the monk did not pick up on it. With speed rendering me practically invisible, I shot behind the miko, my acid whip flashing. I heard her scream as the demon head rolled by her feet with an almost comical look on his face. I smirked before my face slid back into its emotionless façade. The young miko stood, her mouth in the shape of an 'o' and eyes wide. The young one in her arms was trembling and hopped down running to get the victorious hanyou. Immediately Inuyasha starts yelling.

"Hey! Just what the hell do you think you're doing Sesshomaru?!" He marched up grabbing the girl by the waist and dragged her behind his back. I raised an eyebrow and felt amusement fill my eyes as the girl subjugated him and stepped around him to me.

"Really, Inuyasha, he just saved my life," she scolded before turning back to me with a grateful yet apologetic smile on her face. "Thank you Sesshomaru-sama." She bowed respectfully and I nodded my head to her.

"Don't bend to him wench!" Before he could say more, she turned smacking him over the head. I fought the chuckle as I stared on.

"Don't be such a baka!" She shook her head.

"I must be on my way." I turned, knowing we had a short time to make it to the castle before the first snow fell.

"Wait!" I turned and saw the girl bent over her great big yellow bag. I felt my beast stir at the sight of her backside and I growled in return to shut him up. My beast was a restless dog… "I brought this back for Rin." She handed me a small doll that had big blue eyes and black hair. I looked at the small thing and back to the girl curiously. She blushed and looked down running her hand over the hair, brushing our fingers together. I couldn't help but notice her flinch at the small touch and even I had felt the shock. I shook my head inside thinking it simply the holy powers of the girl reacting with my demonic aurora. "This is a toy. I know Rin walks a lot with you and I figured this would be light enough for her to carry." I nodded and dropped my hand with the tiny doll in it.

"Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this Sesshomaru's ward." She smiled brightly and I turned walking back toward where I had left the child and toad.

Rin had kept the doll close ever since. She slept with the toy curled up to Ah and Un at night. Bringing myself back from my strange flashback, I saw that the girl was staring blankly at the surrounding trees. I frowned noticing the lifelessness in her eyes.

"Miko should you not be getting back," I asked surprised at the gentleness in my voice. She jumped lightly and turned those eyes to me.

"I suppose you are right… Thank you Sesshomaru-sama." She bowed to me before walking out towards the village. I waited for a while before turning back to where my camp was set up somehow with the little miko still in the back of my mind.

POV CHANGE

As I walked away from Sesshomaru, I could feel his eyes on me. I sighed and continued on dreading returning to the village only to be met by a furious Inuyasha. As I approached, however, I found that he wasn't even there. Standing by the hut was Miroku and Sango with worried expressions on their faces. I stopped in front of them and was met by Shippou lunging into my arms.

"Mama!" He wrapped his arms around my neck hugging tight. I gently rubbed his back and smiled lightly.

"I'm fine Shippou." He snuggled into my chest and looked up frowning.

"Mama, why do you smell like Sesshomaru?" He frowned and I noticed the others worry start to grow more evident on their faces.

"Come on into the shed and we'll talk." We all went into the hut where the fire was warming water for tea.

"Ah Kagome. I had wondered when you would come back," Kaede said sitting down in front of us. I tried to give her a big smile but it didn't quite there.

"Sesshomaru and I ran into each other this morning while I was on my way back from the God Tree. He was asking why I was out with Inuyasha." I stumbled over his name and looked around before back to Sango. "Where is he?" She looked down suddenly and even Miroku looked away. Before anyone had a chance to ask, he walked through the door jerking the curtain aside. Directly behind him, with a dead expression, of course, was Kikyo.

"Oy bitch you're back," he grumbled. "Good." With that he sat down and the dead priestess sat beside him.

"What is she doing here," Shippou asked covering his nose from the rotten smell. I pulled him into my lap and gently patted his hair.

"Runt learn respect! And she's here because she is joining the group." Everyone gasped and immediately looked at Inuyasha like he'd lost his mind. "And… she is my mate." I looked up then and for the second time that morning, felt my heart break into a million pieces.