Chapter 2: Sesshoumaru Joins the Group

"That bastard!" yelled Inuyasha "He's going towards the well and Kagome!" worried for their friend, the tachi took off after Sesshoumaru, hoping he had not hurt her.

~*~

"KAGOME!" a voice bellowed rudely yanking her out of her thoughts. "WHERE IS HE! WHERE IS THE BASTARD!"

"Inuyasha, sit" Kagome said calmly. "And don't yell. I'm not deaf ya know." Ignoring the muttered curses coming from the hole, she turned to the rest of the group. Smiling brightly, she said as cheerfully as she could "Hello, everybody! I'm sorry if you were worried, but as you can see I'm clearly fine." That's debatable, but I don't want to worry them. "So I think I'm going to forgo returning home for the time being." She announced.

"Kagome, are you sure? I know you really miss your family." Sango asked her.

"I'm sure, Sango." Kagome replied her eyes softening at Sango's concern "We are going to have company soon."

"Company?" echoed Sango confusedly.

"Yes." Turning back to Inuyasha, whose subjugation had finally worn off, she told him "You are going to be nice to them or at least tolerate them or I'm going to give you s-i-t-ing of your life".

"Keh" Inuyahsa said non-committally.

"They are – " she started to declare before Inuyasha tensed and pushed her behind him.

"Inuyasha who is – "

"It's Sesshoumaru" But before Kagome could tell him that Sesshoumaru was going to be traveling with them, Sesshoumaru and his company walked into the clearing.

"Hello, little brother"

~*~

Growling, Inuyasha angrily demanded "Why are you here?!"

Raising an eyebrow, Sesshoumaru turned Kagome You have not told him?

Well I was going to, but you guys got here before I could. Kagome answered, annoyed at his superior tone. Even when you're speaking mentally, you still manage to sound arrogant.

Ignoring her last thought, he announced "Well, little brother, your miko and I have formed a temporary alliance. I will travel with you and your group until Naraku is defeated. In return I expect to be told any information regarding the disgusting half-breed." Sesshoumaru answered his brother's question. That is not true but it is a good cover up she admitted grudgingly to him.

I know. He said, a little smugly in her opinion.

"WHAT?!!!" Inuyasha looked about ready to attack his smirking brother.

That is sooo not helping she thought miffed at Sesshoumaru's deliberate antagonism towards his brother."Inuyasha" she ground out, the warning clear in her voice.

Laying his ears back, Inuyasha temporarily backed off. "Keh"

Just now noticing the little girl half-hidden behind Sesshoumaru, Kagome forgot about Inuyasha and smiled brightly at her. "Hi, I'm Kagome. What's your name?"

Shyly the child answered "My name is Rin.'

"Would you like something to eat? We were just about to go have lunch" here she stared pointedly at Inuyasha silently daring him to refute her. He turned away from her stare, intent on ignoring everyone.

The little girl – Rin Kagome corrected mentally – turned to look at Sesshoumaru, silently asking for his permission. Inclining his head, Sesshoumaru gave it. A grin lighting up her face, Rin turned to Kagome "I would like it very much Kagome-sama"

Once again Kagome smiled at her and offered her hand "No, Rin, it's just Kagome." Her eyes wide, Rin returned her smile and took hold of Kagome's hand.

Suddenly, her eyes took on a mischievous glint.

Seeing it, Sesshoumaru asked suspiciously What are you planning, miko?

You'll see.

"Rin, would you like to meet Shippo? He is my son."

Surprised Sesshoumaru asked You have a son?

He is my adopted son. His parents were killed by the thunder brothers and he just kinda joined our group. What's funny though is that, originally, he tried to steal our shard hoping to lure the brothers so he could take revenge. Strangely, Sesshoumaru could feel her smile.

Why? Sesshoumaru was genuinely curious

Why what? Kagome asked confused

Why do you care for him? He is a youkai and your kind kill youkai.

Understanding dawned on Kagome. He reminds me a lot of Souta, my brother. But it's not just that. He needs me and even though I didn't give birth to him I love him all the same.

Abruptly Sesshoumaru ended the conversation. The miko had given him much to think about.

~*~

Despite Inuyasha's resistance, Sesshoumaru's group melded effortlessly with them. Rin was usually either playing with Shippo or talking to Kagome. Everyone could tell the little girl was fond of the miko and Kagome was equally taken with Rin.

Jaken had decided to remain behind with Ah-Un, mumbling under his breath about stupid hanyous and dirty ningens. Everyone just ignored him for the most part.

Sesshoumaru, though, surprised everyone. He remained at the end of the group in peaceful silence, not once saying anything antagonistic even when his brother said something stupid to rile him up.

It took a couple of days before Kagome had enough courage to slow down and ask what they were going to do about the rosary.

He raised an elegant eyebrow at the miko. Kagome was slightly nervous even as she approached him, but she didn't want to admit it. At his raised eyebrow however, she forgot her nervousness and stiffened her spine Now is the perfect time to discuss the rosary, Sesshoumaru.

Miko.

You can't keep putting this talk off she warned.

Miko. Sesshoumaru was clearly getting frustrated at not being able to get a word in edgewise, something he was completely unused to.

It's going to get us into trouble if we –

MIKO!

Huh?

I do not disagree. It would be foolish of us to go into battle without fully knowing the affects the rosary could have on us.

Oh. Well why didn't you just say so? Kagome asked exasperated

Sesshoumaru's eye twitched minutely, but he calmed himself down knowing that he would not be able to hurt her anyway. Yet.

~*~

So what do we know about the rosary?

Hn. I am not able to kill you. It restrains me if I attempt to do so. And you can not remove the rosary from this Sesshoumaru.

You can't kill me?

I believe I just said that miko. Replied Sesshoumaru, amused and annoyed at the same time.

It also allows you to subdue me by saying 'down'.

Are you sure it's 'down'? What if it's 'lay down'?

Hn. Raising his eyebrow, his face screamed I-know-what-word-subdues-me-and-a-pathetic-ningen-like-yourself-does-not.

Ya know, you can't know everything, Sesshoumaru. She grumbled mentally, annoyed at his arrogance.

Miko, I did not feel the pull of the subjugation until you said the word 'down' he thought exasperated.

Oh. Embarrassed, she changed the subject. So what else do we know?

Well there is the most obvious affect: our mental connection.

Is that all.

Perhaps.

Perhaps? You mean there will be more? She thought dismayed and starting to panic a little.

Miko, calm yourself. He ordered. Only time will tell what other affects the rosary has on us. There is nothing we can do, so do not worry needlessly.

You're right, Sesshoumaru. She looked up at him, surprised but grateful for his reassurances Thank you.

Hn.

Kagome smiled at him before running to catch up with Rin and Sango.