The next morning the trio set out to collect Rin and Jaken, and Shippo prepared to wreak havoc on Kagome's ability to walk easily. Every tree root she tried to step over seemed to grab her foot and cause her to trip therefore Sesshomaru had to keep steadying her. After the tenth stumbled Sesshomaru growled in irritation and lifted Kagome off the ground and formed his cloud under their feet.

Shippo hurriedly leapt onto the demonic cloud and tried to sort out what to do next, he hadn't anticipated this turn of events. Maybe they should enlist the aid of Miroku and Sango, he glanced at Sesshomaru and decided that would be a good idea. With the help of the perverted monk they could probably get far in their goal to bring the two together.

-33-33-

Kouga found Ayame and surprised her by saying "I need some female assistance Ayame."

"Well Kouga I've been trying to get you to mate with me for a long time, it's about time you came to your senses."

"That's not what I meant exactly."

Ayame's eyes narrowed dangerously at Kouga before she said "What exactly did you mean then?"

"I need some help with a friend of mine, you see a certain hanyou betrayed her and his brother has been caring for her since then.."

"This better not be about that human woman Kouga."

"Well I need help to get Sesshomaru to realize his feelings for Kagome and for Kagome to develop deeper ones for the him."

"Oh, so does that mean you're finally done chasing after that woman like a lost puppy?"

"If you must know Ayame, then yes I no longer have intentions to take her as my mate. No will you assist me with Sesshomaru and Kagome?"

"If it means that she will be out of your reach then I will help you, what did you have in mind?"

-33-33-

Kagome was happy to see a village come into view, it seemed that there had been nothing but mishaps since they had started their travels once more a few days ago. Sesshomaru had begun to follow her to the hot springs and streams again, it appeared there was some mischief about where Kagome was concerned. Every time his attention strayed she was tripping or began to wonder off, it would appear that there was something trying to cause trouble for her and he was growing irritable.

Kagome caught the flash of red hair just before Ayame stopped in front of Sesshomaru, she watched as Ayame's eyes lit up in interest and lingered on Sesshomaru as she said "Hello handsome, is there anything I can do for you?"

Kagome's jaw dropped as Ayame sauntered up to Sesshomaru and ran her hands down his chest, Sesshomaru gripped her wrists and said "Whom do you think you are wolf to touch me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry it's so rude of me not to introduce myself, I'm Ayame the former betrothed of Kouga." She shot a dirty look at Kagome as she said "You can't have them both Kagome, since I can't have Kouga I'll take Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru glared at the offending female before him and said "You shall do no such thing, if you know what's best for you, then you should back off."

Kagome was beginning to get irritated with the wolf demoness, Ayame was so aggravating and how could she believe that Kagome would want both males?

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

Kagome looked to the sound of Rin's voice and smiled as the nine year old launched herself at him with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. Looking up from her embrace she saw the two demonesses watching her, the one with red hair she wasn't sure about but the other one seemed to Kagome. "Lady Kagome is that you?"

"Hello Rin, how have you been?"

Rin smiled and ran to give Kagome a hug as well, Jaken just sat dumbstruck by the new development before him. Why did his lord have that insolent wench with him? And just who did that wolf demoness think she was to touch his lord in such a familiar manner?

Rin released Kagome and said "You're a demon now Lady Kagome, how did that happen?"

"Well it would appear that the Shikon Jewel would not allow a selfish wish to be made upon it, so when Inuyasha wished to become a full blooded demon it refused his wish. Instead it turned me into a demon and here we are."

"Wow, I want to become a demon too! So I can always be with Lord Sesshomaru!"

"Rin settle down now." Came Sesshomaru's quiet voice, silencing Rin's excitement effectively. "Let us go collect your companions."

-33-33-

Rin and Shippo lagged behind whispering to each other, Rin's face lit up when Shippo revealed the plan to bring her Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome together. She eyed the wolf demoness that was walking closely to Sesshomaru and shared a smile with Shippo.

"We need to get Sesshomaru away for a while Rin, I know a raccoon-dog that is excellent at impersonating others."

"I will think of something Shippo, just let me know when to set it in motion and we shall make Lady Kagome jealous of my lord."

-33-33-

Sesshomaru was getting the sinking feeling that the wolf demoness wasn't going away anytime soon, it appeared that she had taken a liking to him. As if he wasn't already neck deep in females, he resisted the urge to rub his temples. Were they trying to kill him?

-33-33-

Hachi looked at Kouga and coward "I don't want to die!" wailed the raccoon-dog "Surely impersonating the Sesshomaru would be the end of me!"

Kouga grinned maliciously and said "If you don't impersonate him you will die!" He cracked his knuckles in a threatening manner and finally agreed to do it.

-33-33-

Rin looked at Sesshomaru and fell tearing her kimono in a few too many places, she cried out in feigned horror at the state of her kimono. "Lord Sesshomaru I need a new kimono, will you take me to get one?"

"Very well Rin, Jaken stay with Kagome and Shippo. We shall return shortly."

Hachi prepared the illusion of Rin and waited for Sesshomaru to leave, Shippo gave Jaken a potion that made him sleep and Hachi pulled the leaf to his head to bring forth his illusion of Sesshomaru.

Walking into the clearing when Sesshomaru had been absent for enough time so as not to seem suspicious, Ayame seeing "him" was happy to take her roll. Running up to the illusionary Sesshomaru she giggled and wrapped her arms around him "I missed you Sesshomaru."

Hachi smiled at Ayame and let her kiss him on the cheek, Kagome was stunned by his behavior and anger was beginning to bubble up from deep within her. She didn't understand from whence the anger was coming from though, just that it was slowly turning to rage as she watched the two. She was feeling betrayed by the cozy way Ayame cuddled up to Sesshomaru and it never appeared to be off in any way. All she could feel was the anger, turning she stormed out of the clearing and into the forest surrounding her.

What did it matter if Ayame wanted Sesshomaru? She had taken Kouga from the demoness so why did it bother her that Ayame would go for Sesshomaru? His kisses had been nice, but they meant nothing to her, right? She sighed releasing her pent up rage in one breath, it was none of her concern but she had developed something for the demon lord. Especially after all the care he had bestowed upon her, she had thought he might actually care for her.

-33-33-

Ayame glanced at Kagome's retreating back with a victorious smile on her face, Hachi quickly retreated into the woods and dispelled the illusion of Rin. The cowardly raccoon-dog had done his part and was getting the hell away from there before Sesshomaru came back.

-33-33-

Sesshomaru returned sometime later to discover that Kagome had left and not returned, looking to his sleeping retainer he suppressed the urge to kick him and left in search of the troublesome woman.

He found her sitting quietly staring off into a still pond with a far away look on her face, she didn't even register his approach until he reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. She whipped around the knife he had given to her drawn and a snarl on her face, he hid his surprise and kept the knife from plunging into him chest.

Kagome slumped against him and said "I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was you Sesshomaru."

He smelled her sorrow, but did not understand it in the least. His stomach clenched as he smelt her tears and he lifted her chin gently before saying "What is bothering you?"

"Ayame" she whispered and if he hadn't been demon with sensitive ears he wouldn't have caught the name.

"What bothers you about her?" he was curious now, the miko seemed to be fine with her earlier.

"Nothing…"

"Kagome" he said sternly, now he really wanted to know what had gotten into her.

"I told you it's nothing!" she growled out as she snatched away from him and tried to retreat.

Obviously it was more than nothing by her behavior, quickly he caught her and subdued her. Something spiked in her scent, something bitter and angry, was it what he thought it was? She couldn't possibly be jealous could she?

Lifting her face so that she had to look at him he said "She is nothing but a pest to me, do not fret so over her presence."

"How did you…?"

"I'm not without a sense of smell Kagome… I could smell your bitterness the minute she sauntered up to me."

"I see, well then in that case release me for she told the truth I can not claim both Kouga and you. I honestly don't want to have either of you." She bit out trying to hide from his revelations, she wasn't jealous, she couldn't be jealous of Ayame. She didn't think of Sesshomaru in that light, so why did the sight of them hurt so much?

Sesshomaru almost released her from the stinging of her words, but what did her words matter to him? He wasn't going to claim her for himself, not now, not ever. He supposed that the reason her words stung so much was the fact that he had been the one tending her and nursing her through her injuries as of late. The thought that she was biting the hand that fed her crossed his mind, but then he analyzed her scent.

Damn her, she hadn't meant half of what she had just said, the question was which half had she meant?

A/N: Well this was kind of short, but I really am starting to struggle with laying this one out. Keep in mind I didn't have any part of this fic planned out, and I still don't have a planned scheme for it. So what happens is a surprise to us all

In other words I hope you enjoyed this installment and will try to update in a few more days. But my schedule will dictate that one, review please! And thank you to the ones that have left me reviews, these chapters are for you…