Stunning

"Lord Sesshomaru, I picked these for you!" Rin came bounding up to the stoic demon, clutching a colorful bouquet of flowers. "Do you like them, my lord?" she asked with a shy, hopeful smile as she held it out to him.

Sesshomaru stared at the flowers, their disgusting scent making him want to vomit. He gave a single nod and held out his clawed hand, taking the repulsive bouquet from the girl.

Rin smiled brightly and ran off to pick another bunch for her lord, causing him to grimace ever so slightly.

"Jaken."

The grumbling toad immediately jumped to attention. "Yes my lord? How may I serve you?"

"Watch over her."

Sesshomaru could tell that Jaken was displeased by the order, but his retainer simply bowed a few more times and ran after Rin.

Sesshomaru watched the child run around plucking flowers for a few minutes, then he turned and began walking towards the hot spring they had passed last night.

"I sense a sacred jewel shard! No...I sense two! Coming this way!" Kagome said excidedly as she lifted her bow.

Inuyasha flattened his ears and growled. "It's that idiot wolf!" he whipped out the Tetsuiga and crouched low.

"Now now, I'm sure there's no need to get violent, Inuyasha. Kouga means well, and-" Miroku began sagely, but was cut off by the hanyou's snort.

"But nothing! Who's side are you on, anyway?! Kouga's just a-umph!"

At that moment the wolf demon sped up and crashed headfirst into his rival, sending Inuyasha staggering away. Kouga took Kagome's hands and smiled sweetly, oblivious to her embarrassed expression. "Hey, Kagome, it's good to see you again. And may I say that you look as beautiful as ever-"

"Back off, you mangy wolf!" Inuyasha pushed Kouga away from Kagome and bared his fangs, intentions obvious.

"You really wanna get beaten, mutt-face?"

"Ah, Kouga, how've you been lately? I haven't seen you in a while."

Kouga instantly forgot Inuyasha and turned his grin back to Kagome. "Have you missed me, Kagome? I promise that once I've destroyed Naraku I'll never leave you again." he took her hands again and leaned in close, staring intently into her eyes.

"Oh, gee, that's-"

"Back off, you stupid wolf! Just because you're too dumb to actually find a real woman doesn't mean you can claim Kagome!" Inuyasha snarled angrily.

Kouga's eyes narrowed dangerously and Kagome gasped. "Inuyasha...SIT BOY! Sit sit sit sit sit! How can you say something so horrible?! To me and to Kouga!"

The hanyou twitched and started to raise his head. "I didn't mean it like-OW!"

"Sit! Sit! Sit! You insensitive jerk! Sit! Sit!" Kagome, eyes shining with tears and fists clenched tightly, continued her tirade. Kouga, formerly prepared to rip Inuyasha to shreds, backed away with a surprised and slightly terrified expression.

Miroku sighed and stepped forward, giving Kagome a wide berth. "Perhaps you should return some time later, Kouga."

The wolf folded his arms and smirked at Inuyasha. "Yeah, I have a demon to kill." He leaned down and grinned at the hanyou. "See you around, mutt-face. Bye, Kagome!" he called as he sped away in a twister.

Kagome watched him go and finally stopped her yelling. She clenched her fists tighter and stalked back towards the campsite.

Inuyasha grunted and partially lifted himself out of the fair-sized hole. "W-wait! Where are you going?!"

"I'm going to...take a bath! Now SIT!" she called over her shoulder.

Inuyasha yelped and slammed back into the ground."Why does she always do that?" he moaned.

Sesshomaru slid silently into the steaming water, dipping his long hair under its surface. He felt both relaxed by the water and tense, since the steam and heat significantly dulled his senses. He sighed and leaned against a rock, letting his eyes drift closed in comfort.
Kagome rubbed her arms and continued toward the spring, muttering about 'stupid Inuyasha' under her breath. As she approached the hot spring they had bathed in last night she stretched and yawned, closing her eyes in anticipation of the soothing water.

She stepped into the clearing and froze, mouth hanging open in shock. There, not ten feet away and with his back to her, stood none other than Lord Sesshomaru. She gaped at his backside, and he must have sensed her presence because he chose that moment to turn around.

Kagome stared. And blinked. And gasped. And blushed. "I-I'm so-I didn't mean to-sorry-I'm so..." she continued staring at where he dissappeared into the water, which was fortuanately right above his hips. Her eyes moved slowly upwards, watching drops of water slide from his sliver hair dow his muscular body.

"Human. What are you doing here?"

Kagome looked at his face and nearly fainted; she had seen Sesshomaru angry before, but it was usually impossible to tell since his expression never changed. But right now...right now he looked seriously ticked.

"I...I..."

"Quit stammering," he growled impatiently.

"I...wanted to...bathe. I-I'm so sorry, I h-had no idea y-you were...here..." she gulped and began to slowly back away from his cold, calculating stare. "I'll j-just...leave 'cause you're...um...BYE!" she screamed and ran for her life, thinking that death was only a second away.

After nearly ten minutes of sprinting she slowed and looked around. Sesshomaru was nowhere to be seen. Maybe...she felt a wave of relief wash over her. He wasn't going to kill her! Wait... she paused and paled again. What if he's just putting his clothes on before he...kyaaa! She squeaked and ran for her friends. "INUYASHA!"

Sesshomaru watched the girl ran off, his expression never changing. He wondered briefly if he should kill her for the interruption, but after a moments thought decided against it. He snorted in both annoyence and amusement and turned away, continuing his bath. Foolish human...

Well, that was fun to write! Koga, Rin, and naked Sesshy! Er, uh...I didn't say that. Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!