Chapter 3: Discoveries

To say he was shocked with Kagome would be an understatement. He never thought that Kagome could be so cruel, not the same motherly woman who had nursed and played with Rin when she visited her. He also had a feeling that Kikyou wasn't actually dead, like Kagome had faked the soul and the death. Sneaking after her, he saw her whisper to the soul, before letting it go and watching it float into the sky, towards the heavens. Then she turned to his hiding place.

"You have a question, Lord Sesshoumaru?" When she felt his surprise she giggled and walked away, managing to reach a clearing before he made his appearance.

"Many." He replied some time later, after staring at her and marvelling at the ease at which she was in when she was in his presence. Kagome laughed again and sat down.

"Ask away, I have many interesting things to converse with you." Sesshoumaru scrutinised her carefully, watching for a reaction.

"Rin has been taken, and I could not scent the one who took her." Kagome's eyes bugged out before closing.

"You mean to tell me… that Rin has been taken under your care?" Her voice was deathly quiet. Sesshoumaru was actually nervous. 'I haven't been nervous since… I was in front of Father. The first time I confronted him.'

"Yes. Though I can assure you she was not injured." Kagome sat up, her head down.

"And where were you when this occurred?" Sesshoumaru gulped, he felt stupid, but he couldn't help it. Kagome was far more attached to Rin than he was, and a female's mothering instincts were nothing to laugh at. When her child was injured, or taken, the mother usually went nuts, going on a rampage until the child was back in her arms. Kagome was no exception.

"I was… preoccupied." Kagome was starting to loose it, he could tell.

"Doing what?" She hissed.

"Thinking." 'About you.' He added silently.

"My daughter," she started dangerously, "has been kidnapped because you were thinking! You were unable to protect her, I shouldn't return her to you." When he started to protest, but she held up a hand and raised her head. Sesshoumaru's breath held and he stifled a gasp when he saw her eyes. The irises, instead of being azure, or even stormy grey, were glowing blood red. As her aura escalated to incredible heights, Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to take a step back.

"Kagome, calm down." She started towards him, slowly, casually. "I'm sure you will be able to sense her, after all, you are connected to her like no other." Kagome stopped a few feet away before closing her eyes and breathing deeply. When she opened them again, they were back to their azure blue. Sesshoumaru, had he been anyone else, would have breathed a sigh of relief. Then he watched as she sat down on the spot, and, instead of her aura escalating, it spread out across the lands. Further and further it reached and he watched as Kagome's facial expression changed as she had to look further and further for her little girl.

When she eventually opened her eyes, her expression changed from relief, to horror and panic, then finally to anger. Kagome stood up slowly, and then, just as Sesshoumaru started worrying for his health, she just turned and walked out of sight, jumping into a tree. Sesshoumaru took a quick look around, making sure there was no one around to see him, before he sighed heavily and slumped over. 'Thank Kami she didn't attack me.' He thought, praising Kami for a second time.

Then he realised he forgot to ask her if she would join his court, but then Rin was her first priority at the moment and he was worried that if he, who had allowed Rin to be captured, had asked such a thing, she would have attacked him with all the power of a miko in a maternal rage.

Kagome leapt through the branches, speeding towards her pack, anger filtering through her body with a vengeance. When she reached the border to her pack's campsite, she settled in a tree, obscured by the leaves. She smiled at the familiarity of their evening routine. Inuyasha was the one she watched the most, wondering what he would be like with the rest of them. Turns out, she had nothing to worry about. He was quiet, calm… ish, and he didn't even steal Shippou's food. In a way, she was not surprised as to why he was acting this way, as he always went all mopey when he thought about Kikyou. It was important that he remained unaware of the fact that Kikyou was still alive… or as alive as she could get.

"Watching me again, Naraku?" she said quietly, so as not to alert the group that she was here. She heard him snicker.

"A crime I am guilty of, miko." Kagome smiled thinly.

"Why must you call me 'miko'? You know my name, use it." She heard the smile in his voice as he spoke.

"Very well, Kagome. Why, pray tell, are you hiding from your pack? Surely you want them to know you're here." She had no time to react as she heard him move, and suddenly she went flying through the leaves and landed straight in the middle of the campsite. Forgetting where she was, she stood up, shaking a fist at Naraku.

"What in the seven hells was that for?!" She shouted up at him in fury. From where she could see he was smirking smugly at her, and then gestured around her. Looking around in confusion, Kagome realised where she was. She was now smack bang in the middle of camp. Almost growling, she turned back to Naraku.

"Damn you down to the depths of hell!" Suddenly, Naraku wasn't there anymore, leaving her to deal with her pack alone. But she heard his parting words in her mind.

'We will meet again soon, promise.' Her hackles raised, he was definitely up to something. However, she must now get back to the matter at hand before things got out of hand.

"Ummm, hi?" Was Kagome's unsure greeting. She was trampled upon by her excited pack, with the exception of Inuyasha. When the hugs and smiles were finished, Kagome locked eyes with a fuming Inuyasha.

"How dare you…" Kagome blinked. That was very… calm. And threatening.

"Yes, I do dare. You know that it had to be done, and you know that it was your fault in the first place!" She knew it wasn't a good idea to taunt Inuyasha like this, but the rage he incited was just too much.

All self-control shattered, Inuyasha lunged for Kagome, growling ferociously. She dodged easily, tapping him on the back of his head. Inuyasha paused and stumbled, then laughed. Gritting her teeth, Kagome prepared for the next attack, she knew he needed to get the frustration out of his system before he would listen to her. Still, it did not stop her from trying one last time.

"Was what you felt for her guilt?" Inuyasha had turned and crouched, preparing to spring.

"Iie, it was love!" His voice was rough with emotion, but he wouldn't see past the sympathetic gaze of his once-best-friend. Kagome sighed, he had left her no choice. Closing her eyes and conjuring a thin barrier around herself, it fitting like a second skin, Kagome moved towards the now on-guard Inuyasha. Reaching out her hand, she was met with resistance at first, but after being repelled a few times, Inuyasha finally gave up.

"Was it?" Kagome whispered softly before her index and middle fingers touched his forehead. A bright light momentarily blinded the rest of the Inutachi and Kagome and Inuyasha were frozen in place, a barrier placed securely around them.

Hopefully this will help you understand what is going on - Kagome is not working with Naraku, it is part of her plan to destroy him! Their supposed companionship is fake, a necessary courtesy due to their deal.

Hope this helps for those that are not quite following what is going on!