A/N: OMG! I can't believe I have twenty reviews already! I figured I would only get like ten. Anyway keep them coming they really encourage me to write. Also there will be no song in this chapter. . . sorry.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the story plot and a few original characters.

Chapter 3: trouble at the hot springs.

The moon slowly disappeared from the sky as the sun started to rise over the horizon. Kagome could feel her abused muscles scream in protest with each step she took. Exhaustion washing over her like a tidal wave.

Kagome has never traveled all night before usually she would make Inuyasha stop by saying the magic word 'sit.' But Sesshoumaru doesn't have a rosary around his neck so simple commands are useless and most likely if she tried it would result in her death. 'What I would give for a hot soak and some sleep.' She thought stifling a yawn.

Sesshoumaru could sense the weariness of the girl. He heard her stagger and he silently cursed. Pathetic humans and their need for rest. If he didn't stop the woman would be useless and probably pass out. The woman didn't complain and that put her a good few steps above Jaken in the respect department. But still she's weak. Sesshoumaru's Youkai within growled and his eyebrow twitched. Dammit! What is his fascination with this creature.

He suddenly stopped and smirked when he heard her surprised 'eep' when she ran into his back.

"We stop here." he commanded in a tone that made Kagome shiver.

Although he couldn't see it, Kagome gave him her best smile. "Finally." she sighed, stretching out her sore limbs.

She noticed Sesshoumaru leaving to lean against a tree a few feet away from her. A few strands of his long silvery hair fell across his face.

Kagome not one to resist, walked over to him. She noticed that his eyes were closed and the smile that began forming widened. ' So demons get tired too even great lords of the west.' She thought grinning like a cheshire cat. Soon she was so close to him their noses touched. Gently and with quick movement she pushed his hair away from his face tucking it behind a pointed ear.

"There much better." She whispered

His eyes shot open and Kagome jumped. Sesshoumaru let out a low growl his Amber eyes narrowing.

"What do you want human?" he asked coldly.

Kagome began to back away nervously, "Um. . . is there a hot spring near here by chance?"

Sesshoumaru grunted " To the left approximately thirty feet away."

"Um. . . Arigato." said Kagome, a sigh relief escaping her 'For a minute I thought he was gonna be angry.' She thought shaking her head 'But what do I care not like I want to please him or anything.' (A/N: sniffs air smells like denial.)

"Well Ja ne." She said to Sesshoumaru walking in the direction to the hot spring.

The very thought of having the warm water relaxing her sore body is bliss. . . Until she remembered that she doesn't have her yellow pack. 'I must of forgotten it at Keade's .' Kagome cursed her shampoo was in that bag! And her soap. . . and food . . . and clothes . . .

"Dammit!" She muttered

The thought of having to put the same underwear back on was enough to make her shudder.

Kagome was tempted to go back to ask to see if Sesshoumaru would go get it (A/N: Fat chance) But the sight of the hot spring threw all teachings of proper hygiene from her mind. Stripping quickly as possible to jump in.

Kagome soon found herself dipping low into the water, her face barely above the surface.

"This feels great." she mumbled not noticing once that two pairs of eyes were watching her. . .

' I wonder if the fluffy thing resting on Sesshoumaru's shoulder is his tail.' Wondered Kagome giggling at the utter randomness of that thought.

'Maybe I should stare at his butt to see if it's attached. Mom would love him to pieces if it were his tail.'

"Mom. . ." she whispered "I . . . miss you."

It's been nearly twelve hours since the well stopped working and it's been twelve hours since Naraku has died and she started to travel with the cold hearted lord. She sighed

"I guess I owe Sesshoumaru for letting me come with him."

"What a pretty girl."

Kagome jumped startled her eyes growing as big as saucers. . . "W- - Wh - - Who's there?"

"Lovely Child."

"Who are YOU?" She screamed

A grotesque looking demon emerged from the bushes it wore nothing, It just stood naked letting Kagome know 'it' is a he. . . His skin looked like the color of mucus and he had black beady eyes. The demon is an Oni demon. Kagome once saw a picture of them in one of her grandpa's books. The description said that they crave young flesh and usually kills the victim before they would fuck it.

Kagome gulped audibly.

The Oni smiled flashing razor fangs. " YOUNG FLESH!" He screamed flying at her at an inhuman speed.

"HIRETUKEN!" Screamed Kagome putting her hand up in front of her. A bright purple light shot from her palm hitting the demon.

The Oni hissed falling into the water.

"FUCK!" she screamed trying to pull herself out of the hot spring. She cursed loudly when she felt her foot get caught between two rocks at the bottom of the water.

A loud roar echoed around her as the Oni emerged from the water and began swimming towards her again at the neck breaking speed.

Kagome closed her eyes waiting for the inevitable. . . nothing. Slowly she opened an eye to see a floating Oni head. She screamed and tried to swim away but she was still stuck.

" Calm down girl. . .it's dead."

Kagome turned her head to see Sesshoumaru standing sword in hand blood slowly dripping off it. He killed it. He killed the Oni demon.

The damn thing probably took ten years off her life span it scared her so bad.

Sesshoumaru sheathed his sword and walked over to her. Kagome squeaked and dipped lower in the water. 'I'm NAKED!'

Sesshoumaru bent over and grabbing her arm he pulled her out. She tried to cover herself but to no avail. He can see everything no matter what she tried to do.

He gently set her on the ground where then he threw her, her clothes.

"Here get dressed we must leave soon."

Not one to argue she quickly got dressed. " where are we going?"

"To my castle."

Kagome gasped in shock. He answered her question!

"Why?"

"Because I need to keep you safe."

Kagome's Jaw dropped. Did he care about her? What was going on? Finally she came up to something very odd. . .

"Why were you in Inuyasha's forest ?"

A/N: YES EVIL CLIFFY MAWHAHA . Anyway chapter not that great but basically a lead up chapter to a good chapter my favorite one. Chapter four cause it's where Kagome share her first kiss with Sesshoumaru. . . oops spoiled it sorry. Any way here's a glossary of Japanese words I will use in my story. . . ENJOY!

R+ R Flame welcomed

Ohayo Gozaimasu good morning (formal)

Kami (sama) : God

Miko: priestess

Matte: Wait!

Okaa - san: mother

Otou - san: Father

Demo: But

Chikshou: Damn

Shimatta: Dammit!

Kuso: Shit

Oyasumi (nasai) : good night (formal)

Ningen No Baka: Idiotic human

Baka: Stupid

Kisama: Bastard

Mou: something like 'geez'

Hoari: short silk Jackets

Habutae and Tsumugi: Two sorts of fabrics for Hoari's exterior Habutae : black reeled silk and Tsumugi: hand spun silk.

Yukata: Summer Kimonos

Hakama: Japanese pants

Ookami: Wolf

onna: Woman

Ikou: Lets go!

Monku: Bitch

Doushita no: what's wrong?

Urusai: shut up

Arigato: thank you

Ja ne : see you later

Hiretuken: mean Bastard

Omae o Korosu : I'm gonna kill you

Ai Shiteru : I love you