Chapter 4

When Sango and Kagome were alone in the hotspring, and have made sure that a certain lecherous monk is away procuring dinner, the former, who had been indifferent of their many youkai encounters, expressed to her traveling companion how very much she'd prefer Kouga over Sesshomaru.

"He's just what a friendly youkai should be" said the taijiya, "not threatening anyone, remains unaffected by the shikon shards; I never realized how much we took him for granted until yesterday! so much at ease with humans, with such friendly attitude"

"Perhaps because his packs used to eat them? He is also very stubborn" Kagome rolled her eyes, "as expected of a rival of Inuyasha. What a complete blockhead."

"I was rather surprised when he tried to kiss you last night"

"Are you serious? I mean, after all the attempts to get me to be his mate?" Kagome huffed. "No thanks. Well, he certainly is better than Sesshomaru, and I give you leave to be appreciative of him. The daiyoukai most certainly has a big stick up his ass."

"Kagome!" Sango slapped Kagome on her back, scandalized at her uncouth language.

"Sorry, learnt that from Inuyasha" Kagome smiled sheepishly. She was not sorry for saying the word, as much as saying it in front of her female friend. Sesshomaru touched a sore point, true as it was, it still hurt her to hear it.

"I mean, at least Kouga only flirts to you"

Kagome listened as Sango ranted on about a certain lecherous houshi, but her mind was elsewhere. As much as she hated to admit it, Sesshomaru's behavior yesterday had not been calculated to instill fear to the village; and with more battlefield experience and knowing Sesshomaru, she was wholy ensured that yesterday was not the least of what he was capable of destroying, should he wish to.

He and his retainer were in fact almost civil compared to what they were usually, not rampaging unless provoked, nor being intimidating by choice. Even Jaken was more well behaved than his usual annoying, doormat self.

Sesshomaru needed to stay away from his lands, she realized. He was not there to fight them, but was there to stay. As the western lands are now forbidden due to his own volition, the area of their neighboring village, for reasons unknown, displays attractive qualities of a hiding place for the inuyoukai. Perhaps it is because of his young ward Rin, or perhaps some other reasons obscured to her.

The daiyoukai's servants and kappa retainer were very anxious on his moving so suddenly; and though he was now established in the neighboring village, he was by no means a willing participant. It was 3 moons ago when he descended upon the abandoned land, trying to get away from many demonesses in heat who had been under misguided knowledge of his interest in their person, when he realized that they were unable to follow his scent. The land, while seemingly no different than the rest, was quietly blanketed in ancient magic. It was then that he sealed the land's fate, and the neighboring villagemen that came attached with it.

He did not care for the neighboring village other than the fact that Rin lives there. He had fully planned on ignoring them, if it wasn't for the demented human who dared to offer his daughter. He had underestimated his mother's far-reaching influence. The manner in which Sesshomaru would describe the unusual interest of the neighboring village was muted dismay. He had never saw more curious humans in his life; every body had been needlessly attentive to him, there had been distinct lack of fear and awe a demon of his stature are used to; no doubt it might be attributed to the weak hanyou who lives there and his lack of dominance on the village.

The wolf, on the contrary, did not seem to care of the people in whom there was little beauty and much discomfiting odour, for none of whom the wolf had felt the smallest interest except for the hanyou's miko. The miko, Sesshomaru allowed, smelled better than the rest, but is too loud to his liking.

The people of the village seemed to admire her and like her, and pronounced her to be somewhat of a hero, and one of whom whose protection they should not object to be under, and Sesshomaru felt authorized by such ridiculous commendation to dispel their illusion.