Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any other character belonging to the series, the plot, and original characters are all mine

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any other character belonging to the series, the plot, and original characters are all mine.

After Adara left her room, Kagome got out from under the heavy pile of silks and furs and made her way to her personal hot springs. When she entered the large stone room she was greeted with the warm steam and the scent of lavender. Thanks to Adara no doubt. She thought to herself.

She removed the dark green kimono and the black obi and slipped silently into the water. It had been months since her last warm bath; the rivers and lakes were far too cold for her liking, but that's what one does to keep clean in the wild. She thought back to the temple and her last bath as she rested her head on one of the large smooth rocks that lined the small spring. That was the night before Bankotsu's attack; she remembered sadly.

She was brought out of her sad thoughts with the sound of someone entering the room she looked up to see Adara who meet her with a smile and a small bottle.

"Here I use this on my hair, it's curly too and is impossible to comb through if I use just soap." She giggled as she kneeled on the rock behind Kagome and reached for hair. She put some of the herb mixture on to the mop of hair and massaged it into her head, careful of her claws and Kagome's scalp.

If Kagome cold purr she would have. She would have to ask Adara to do this more often due to its stress relieving abilities. "You can rinse now Kagome," said a smiling Adara.

"Thanks," was all Kagome said before disappearing under the water. When she came back to the surface Adara was standing on the waters edge holding open a large white towel. Kagome then climbed out of the spring gladly taking the large towel from her. She then followed her back to her room where she saw a tray of fruits, rice and warm tea.

Adara then reach for something pink on the bed, remembering their conversation. Kagome was excited to see what she was holding.

"I looked high and low for the perfect one, just plain Kagome," she said holding up a light pink kimono with white moons and stars embroidered on the sleeves and a matching white obi. "Now let's get you dressed, Lord Inutashio would like to speak with you after you have eaten."

"Adara, that kimono is so beautiful! Are you sure its okay for me to wear it?" Kagome asked, tracing the stars with her fingers. Adara just smiled; this human was a silly one. First she didn't want to be called lady now she is awe struck by a simple kimono.

"Yes Kagome, I am sure. Now get dressed and I will help you with your hair while you eat."

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Lord Inutashio looked at the large wooden doors as his two sons, Haru, Yukio and Kisho entered. They were all curious to hear about the young woman running from Bankotsu.

"Sit, Adara is bringing her down as we speak." He said, his eyes looking back at the scroll in his hand.

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Kagome followed Adara down the large winding halls as they made their way to Inutashio's study. "I'm going to need a map to get back to my room." She joked, trying to easy her nerves.

Adara smiled. "I will be there with you Kagome, do not worry."

They came to a stop at a set of large wooden doors. They had a large design of what looked like dogs and moths fighting each other in a very large battle. Adara gave one last smile to her before knocking on the large doors. "Enter." was heard from the other side as the doors opened and the two women walked inside.

Kagome looked around to take in the large room…and the six demons watching her. She saw Adara bow to the one sitting at the large desk. The same one who was talking with Bankotsu last night. She mused, before Adara took a few steps back so she was now behind Kagome.

Inutashio looked Kagome over. She was a very small woman, but curvy at the same time, the kimono she wore showed that much off. Her hair was in a lose bun on her head with a few wavy pieces framing her angelic face. He meet her brilliant blue eyes with his honey ones and saw her emotions flash…fear, determination, curiosity and just a pinch of, oh, what did Inuyasha call it? Oh yes…spunk. She would make and interesting mate for Sesshoumaru. He chuckled to himself. I will think more on that later.

"I am Lord Inutashio, ruler of the western lands and protector of the House of the Moon." He said standing from his desk. "Who, human, are you?"

Well that was a little over kill for an introduction, she thought to herself and at the term human she could feel her temper rise. What nerve! If he wants an introduction well then I will give him one.

She bowed to the lord respectfully before looking him in the eyes keeping her face void of emotion. Don't let him know he made you mad Kagome, just beat him at his own game.

"My name is Kagome, Lord Inutashio. Miko of the Mount Okiyama Temple, and protector of the Shikon no Tama." Not bad, she thought to herself.

Whatever it was they were expecting to come from the small human woman in front of them that was not it. There wasn't a living being who didn't not know the tales of the Shikon no Tama and the powerful immortal miko who protected it. It was said the temple of Mount Okiyama was guarded not only by strong miko but a god as well. But he still could not believe that the tiny girl before him could hold such a great amount of power and him not be able to sense said power.

Inutashio studied the girl again before replying. "If you are truly the Shikon Miko, then how it is your aura shows no traces of power? You dare lie to the Western lord?" He saw an emotion dance a crossed her lively blue orbs, as she smirked at him and released her full aura.

He smiled at the little miko. "I guess you did not lie my dear."

"No, my lord, I did not." She responded the same emotion flashing in her eyes an emotion that looked like…amusement if he wasn't mistaken. Oh yes a perfect match for Sesshoumaru. He thought.

"Now that we have that established father, shall we find out why she is here?" Came Sesshoumaru's velvet voice.

"I am here to find a protector. I was told to go west to Endo to find a Miko named Kaede if anything happened to the temple." She replied not taking her eyes off Inutashio. That son of his seemed like a royal pain in the ass if you asked her.

"Who told you to go to Endo?" Asked the young man who brought her here, Kisho if she remembered right.

Smiling sweetly at him she responded. "The Kami-sama of the Okiyama Mountain. He said he would no longer protect me from the evil that seeks me, and that a new protector would be needed. Kaede is the only one who knows what needs to be done to make my new protector and myself bonded."

"Bonded?" Asked the blond man next to him

"Yes, umm, well its kind of a long story." She said hoping to avoid the subject and just find this Kaede woman already.

"Well, my dear, we have all day." Inutashio responded.

Lovely……

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A/N remember to leave a review please!