Kagome squirmed in her sleep, slowly blinking her eyes open and regaining consciousness. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kaede sitting beside her, grinding something within a bowl as if preparing it to be eaten. Further away, near the corner of the hut sat a very worried Inuyasha, fidgeting with his sword as he waited for Kaede.

"Inu… yasha…" Kagome spoke softly.

Inuyasha immediately shot his head up and crawled over to the opposite side of Kagome, taking her hand in his.

"Kagome! You're okay!" he exclaimed with a sort of joy in his eye that he made sure not to show often.

"Yes… I'm fine…"

"Ye has regained consciousness, but should be wary of her body…" Kaede spoke.

Kagome smiled up at her, but nevertheless, she struggled and eventually sat up straight. She looked down at her hands, raising her palms turning them over from one side to the other again and again. They were wrapped in bandages, and although she could see them, she could not feel them. It's as if they were paralysed.

"Kaede-sama… why can't I feel my hands?" Kagome asked with both worry and concern.

"Ye has suffered a case of frostbite… but should recover quickly."

"Is that because of my spiritual powers?"

"And because ye comes from a different time…"

Kagome felt a sense of relief, as did Inuyasha. 'I guess it wasn't a severe case…' she thought. Kaede finished grinding and handed the bowl to Inuyasha who looked at her questionably.

"Ye must feed her whilst I retrieve some water…"

Before Inuyasha could retaliate, Kaede left the hut. For an old lady, she was still pretty quick. Kagome looked over at Inuyasha, waiting for him to say something. She would've done it herself, but alas the reason why Kaede asked Inuyasha in the first place was because she couldn't do it herself.

In a moment of silence, Inuyasha dipped his fingertips into the grinded grass-like mush and hovered it just in front of Kagome's mouth. Hesitantly, she opened it and Inuyasha dropped the contents inside. They repeated this until the food was gone.

Finally, Kaede returned and held up another small bowl to Kagome where she drank fresh water from the stream. It felt nice as it washed down her throat. Once that was over, Kagome had another quick look around the hut. It didn't change from last time she was there. Boxes filled with Kaede's belongings sat neatly at the back of the hut, some stacked on top of the other as it spread along the wall. In the middle where Kagome lay was the futon she was currently in. Beside her was a cloth and a few other blankets that were already wrapped up, obviously used by Kaede and Inuyasha when she was asleep.

It took her another glance around to realise that Miroku, Sango and Shippo were nowhere to be seen.

"Inuyasha… where's the others?" she asked.

"Shippo is playing somewhere outside…"

"…what about Miroku and Sango?"

Inuyasha paused for a moment. He did not quite know himself where they were. It had been four days since he last saw them. Even he was growing worried, but he wasn't about to leave Kagome's side.

He looked up at Kagome and took a deep breath, planning in his head what he was about to say, but ended up just spurting out the truth. "Sesshoumaru kidnapped Senomaru, but because you were sick, I had to get you back to Kaede as quickly as possible, so Sango and Miroku went after him…"

Kagome's eyes widened in shock, perhaps a little worried even. Sesshoumaru may have saved her life, but if he felt threatened, he wouldn't hesitate to take his opponents life, whether it be friend or foe.

"…They haven't come back yet and they're too far away to track." Inuyasha moved his face so his hair covered his eyes. He raised his arm and bawled his hand into fist, punching at the floor, breaking the wooden floor boards. Kaede wasn't impressed, but she decided to stay seated and say nothing.

"I shouldn't have let them go after Sesshoumaru… I knew I shouldn't have!" he growled. Once again, Inuyasha raised his hand and punched at the ground, breaking more of the floor boards. "He could've already killed Senomaru by now… which is why—"

"Inuyasha…" Kagome interrupted. She sounded more serious than usual. Inuyasha looked up and stared at her as he waited…

"I don't think Sesshoumaru would've killed Senomaru…"

"Are you kidding me? Just because he lets that human girl travel with him, doesn't mean he'll spare that kid's life…"

"Inuyasha is right Kagome… Sesshoumaru isn't a baby-sitter…"

Kagome couldn't help but slightly smile at Kaede's remark, but returned her serious emotion quickly. "That is not the reason Inuyasha…"

"What are you going on about?" he asked in frustration.

"There is something you need to know about Senomaru…"

"What?"

Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again and looking Inuyasha directly in the eyes. "…Senomaru, is Sesshoumaru's son."

Senomaru kept his eyes closed, but felt something tickling his nose every few seconds which was disturbing his current, peaceful sleep.

He moved his head slightly, but felt a sharp pain run all the way down his back. He growled and finally decided to open his eyes to get a look at his surroundings, finding the culprit who disturbed his sleep, and the reason his back was in so much agony.

Blinking his eyes open, he looked up and saw that he was currently resting on something large and soft. Looking up further, he saw Sesshoumaru's face. His eyes were closed for he too was in a peaceful, undisturbed sleep.

Slowly gaining the strength to sit up, he looked at what he was laying on. It was Sesshoumaru's mokomoko. The fur from it was the reason his nose was being tickled. Forgetting about the pain earlier, Senomaru went to turn slightly to the left, but another sharp pain ran down his back. He moved his arm so it would slip in at the back of the collar so he could feel his skin. Reaching down, a large scar was torn open in his back but was no longer bleeding brutally.

Senomaru finally remembered what happened. In a moment of desperation, to spare Rin's life, he rolled on top of her and had taken one of Naraku's spears, causing himself to get knocked unconscious.

He sighed, somewhat relieved that he was okay. But how was that possible? The scar was deep and it would've needed help for the bleeding to stop, whether it be the use of a priestess's spiritual power or that of a demon's. Either way, the only conclusion he arrived at was Sesshoumaru. Of course, Senomaru scoffed at the thought, total denial, but there was no other way for him to be feeling the way he was now.

Looking up into the sky, he watched as the millions of stars lit up the night, like fireflies dancing across a black river. A few feet in front of him was a small-lit fire where Rin and Jaken lay next to each other, snugged up in blankets. On the other side was Ah-Un, coiled up like a snake, enjoying the sleep he was in. Tall trees surrounded them and a large boulder that sat atop a small hill to the south seemed to be the only entrance into the small area they were in. The grass was rather long, but it was soft and he could smell a creek nearby, listening as the water trickled down amongst the pebbles.

It was quiet. Peaceful. As if they were hidden from the world around them. Neglecting the scar on his back again, Senomaru turned over so he could get more comfortable, but instead just felt another sharp pain, the worst one he had felt since he awoke.

A light grunt escaped his lips, but he was sure to quickly bite down so he would not disturb anyone.

Once the pain diminished, a small sigh escaped his breath only to then suddenly feel a hand softly touch his shoulder and talons only inches away from digging in to his flesh, but remained at a safe distance.

"Don't move so much." A cold voice silently whispered from behind.

Senomaru turned his head and peeked over his shoulder. Sesshoumaru's eyes were now open and were glaring straight at him. Even if the area was dark, he could see those golden eyes as clear as day.

"Lean back." Sesshoumaru ordered.

Senomaru did as he was told and leaned back into his mokomoko, resting his head softly, but swiftly on it. "Were you the one who helped me?"

"You protected Rin. I merely returned the favour."

Senomaru smirked. "Of course… it would damage your pride if you were to help someone just because you cared."

Sesshoumaru said nothing. He was growing tired of the boy's comebacks, always directed at him personally, even if his name was not always mentioned.

"Rest"

"I can't…"

"Why?"

"I have too much on my mind right now…"

Sesshoumaru once again said nothing and simply looked down at the boy. He acted much more mature than his age, but then again, most demons did. Having a longer life span than humans meant they could retain the look of a young child, but have the mind-set of someone much older and wiser.

Realising that it was pointless to argue, Sesshoumaru leaned his head against the tree and sighed. "What troubles you?" he asked, though his tone didn't sound as though he cared much for the answer.

Senomaru paused for a moment, wondering if he should bother to answer. In the end, even if Sesshoumaru did not care, perhaps speaking aloud might help clear his conscience.

"Naraku was right in front of me… the one who murdered my mother was right there within my reach. Yet I chose to save Rin, a human, instead of attack him."

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. He too saved Rin, numerous occasions at that. Did his father start a trend? Were all the male inu yokai of his family cursed to care for humans? It was a humorous thought. A thought Sesshoumaru didn't seem impressed about.

"Another chance will arise." Sesshoumaru finally replied.

"You seem certain…"

"Naraku is a coward, but he will not hide forever."

Senomaru smiled and closed his eyes once again. Reluctant to admit it even to himself, Sesshoumaru was right. There was no reason for things to be rushed. Naraku will show himself again, and next time, Senomaru will be ready.

Curious, Sesshoumaru narrowed his gaze and took a small breath as he began to speak… "What does Naraku want from you?"

"Want from me?"

"The reason he came after your mother in the first place…"

"Oh… the Tare-kazari no jigoku."

"Midori's Pendant of Hell?"

"Do you know anything about it?" Senomaru opened his eyes once again, looking up to see if Sesshoumaru would nod.

Instead, Sesshoumaru shook his head. He didn't know anything about it as he did not care much for it.

"The Tare-kazari no jigoku is a powerful pendant that can steal the power of any weapon, or any demon. However, when it is sealed, it takes on the form of two yin and yang necklaces. Only when combined, a full-demon can unlock its power."

"What would Naraku want with that…" Sesshoumaru questioned to no one in particular.

"I don't know… but he went out of his way to get half of it…"

"Half?"

Senomaru once again stared up into Sesshoumaru's golden eyes, then moved his hand over his chest, reaching into his kimono and pulling out a necklace he currently wore. Hanging off it was a blue 'yin' symbol.

It seemed that this is what Naraku needed to unlock its full power. For what purpose, still remained a mystery.

"Naraku is nothing but a pathetic hanyou." Sesshoumaru said coldly as if to make a point.

"Don't you think I don't know that?" Senomaru snapped back. "He won't be able to use it, but he still killed my mother for it… although I know won't be able to wield it, I won't let him get his dirty hands on it."

Sesshoumaru stared at the boy for a moment longer before turning away. He was determined to get revenge for Midori. However, knowing when to compromise when built up on revenge is a difficult thing to learn. Too much revenge and you could lose your life because of the anger you built up. Too little and the enemy can toy with your mind, causing yourself to even question if that was your true desire.

Sesshoumaru knew this all too well, but if Senomaru knew it or not was a different story. Whether Senomaru knew it or not, Sesshoumaru took it upon himself to aid him and teach him so that he could keep his life.

Despite being lost in thought, that did not mean his senses were down. In one quick motion Sesshoumaru stood up with his hand gripped firmly around the hilt of Tokijin. Senomaru too sat up, curious as to the sudden stance.

"What's going on? I can't sense anything…"

"Be quiet." Sesshoumaru ordered.

Senomaru followed the order and remained quiet and still.

From atop the small hill where Senomaru laid eyes on the boulder, a girl wearing a white and red kimono stood, holding a fan and smirking as she looked down at the group.

"My my Sesshoumaru… I never thought Naraku would be telling the truth… but it seems the proof is right in front of me. You do have a son." With a quick flick of her wrist, hurling blades of wind came thrusting towards Sesshoumaru from her fan.

In one quick motion, Sesshoumaru jumped, taking out Tokijin and dismissing the dance of blades.

Before she had time to react, she felt a sharp sword raised at her neck. Sesshoumaru was already next to her with an evil glint in his eyes…

"Kagura…"