I do not own Inuyasha or the characters

Soft light filtering through the dense canopy of trees awakens me from a deep, restful sleep. I feel very content and lazy so I reach for the covers with the intention of burying my head underneath. Huh, I don't remember having such a soft, fluffy comforter. As I awaken further I slowly come to the realization that I've been wiggling around on Sesshoumaru's lap while tugging on poor mokomoko. I can feel the blush staining my cheeks as I hazard a glance at the taiyoukai through the fall of my bangs. His golden eyes are gazing down at me, sparkling in what I can only interpret as amusement at my antics, and for once in my life I'm struck completely silent. Tentatively I reach up, running my fingers along the magenta stripes on both cheeks before moving to trace the Prussian blue crescent moon adorning his forehead. My attention is drawn from him when I notice the two children curled up next to us beginning to stir.

"I need to head to the creek to wash up," I whisper as I cup his cheek gently in my hand. He nods and boosts me to my feet, pointing to the east. Grabbing my pack, I turn to leave just as Sango rises from the ground next to Miroku. Kirara mewls at the loss of her master's body heat and darts over to disappear under mokomoko. Sango's eyes widen in fear as the tiny nekomata vanishes under the mass of fluff only to reemerge on Sesshoumaru's lap. He glances down at the little cat before leaning his head back against the tree trunk and closing his eyes. Shrugging, I take Sango's arm, leading the confused slayer through the thick trees in search of the stream. When we reach the creek, I immediately pull out my supplies and begin my morning rituals. Before long I realize that Sango hasn't joined me at the creek. Turning around I find her sitting a few feet away staring into the trees, apparently deep in thought.

"Sango, are you okay?" I ask as I approach and kneel at her side.

"Yeah, I'm just a little surprised," she says as she turns to gaze at me. "For a moment I really thought Sesshoumaru would decapitate Kirara for her uninvited transgression." She takes the brush from my hand and pulls it through her long black hair.

"I think he has a soft spot for children and animals," I respond thoughtfully. "There's nothing sexier than a powerful man who is kind to…" My words trail off as the last tiny link attaching my heart to Inuyasha breaks. He was always beating on Shippou, and he used Kirara to practice the Wind Scar. How I ever thought I was in love with that insensitive jerk is totally beyond me. Sango senses my distress and moves behind me to start brushing my unruly hair.

"For kami's sake, Kagome," Sango exclaims as she comes across a dense tangle. "What did you do to your hair?" I don't answer as a blush creeps over my cheeks. She knows full well who is responsible for mussing my hair. "Hmm, I'm guessing based on your silence that a certain taiyoukai was quite passionate last night."

"Sango!" I cry as my embarrassment reaches an all-time high. She merely laughs and finishes brushing the tangles from my hair. "We'd better head back soon, I'm sure the children are awake by now and I need to make breakfast," I say, taking the brush from her hand and stuffing it into my backpack. Right as I finish swinging the pack over my shoulder, I feel a strong burst of reiki. Through instinct alone, I throw up a barrier around us just in time to watch two arrows bounce harmlessly off, landing on the ground near my feet. Kikyou emerges from behind a copse of nearby trees, a vicious scowl marring her normally peaceful face.

"You are more powerful than Inuyasha led me to believe," she says, venom dripping from her words. "I'm here for the rest of my soul you worthless reincarnation. I demand you return it at once." She slowly stalks across the clearing, her furious eyes never leaving mine.

"Does she look a bit unstable to you?" I ask in whisper. Sango glances at the undead miko then back at me nodding her head slightly. Kikyou's aura is flaring wildly, battering at the barrier still protecting us within its warm light.

"Why do you not answer me?!" Kikyou shrieks as she launches another arrow at me. A streak of white intercepts the arrow sending it flying harmlessly into the creek. Sesshoumaru stops directly in front of us, a menacing growl rumbling in his throat. "This is far from over. You won't always have your pet dog to protect you, Kagome," she screams before disappearing into the trees. Before lowering my barrier, I quickly search the area for Kikyou's wild reiki.

"She's gone," I murmur as I lower the barrier and turn to face Sesshoumaru. "Thank you." I whisper looking up into his impassive golden eyes.

"I'll see you back at camp," Sango says as she grabs her small pack. "I'll get breakfast started, take your time." She disappears into the trees before I can say anything.

As soon as she's out of sight, Sesshoumaru takes me in his arms, hugging me tightly to his chest. His lips descend on mine with wild abandon and I drop my pack to the ground before throwing my arms around his neck. He buries one hand in my hair, tipping my head back to deepen the kiss, thrusting his tongue in my mouth with barely restrained fervor. As he continues his passionate assault on my mouth, my head starts spinning from the thrilling sensations racing through every nerve in my body. When he finally releases my lips, I gasp both from the loss of sensation and the need to breathe. He moves down to my neck, kissing and licking the sensitive skin under my chin. Then he scoops me up, cradling me in his arms and begins walking back to camp still nuzzling at my neck affectionately. My yellow backpack is slung over his shoulder and it takes everything in my power to keep from laughing. Last week if someone had told me that he'd be carrying me in his arms while sporting my yellow pack, I'd have thought them worthy of a padded cell.

"I was worried about you," he murmurs into my neck. "When I felt her unstable reiki, I…" I cut him off with a kiss, weaving my fingers through his silky silver hair to keep him captive against my lips. He moans into my mouth as his arms tighten around my body holding me firmly against his chest. Mokomoko snakes around my body, lightly caressing my arms, sending shivers up my spine. When I finally release his lips from mine, I nuzzle into his neck listening to his low content rumble. As we enter the perimeter of the camp, a piercing pulse of youki courses over my body, raising the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck. My eyes dart around the campsite frantically searching for the source.

"Inuyasha," I gasp in surprise. Sesshoumaru quickly lowers my feet to the ground and pushes me behind him as Inuyasha's youki continues its frantic assault. Grabbing onto one of his arms, I peer around the tall taiyoukai, completely unsure about what to do.

"Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha mutters as he sinks to the ground, his ears flat against his head. "Thanks for saving her." His aggressive youki diminishes as he stares forlornly at the fire.

"Hn," Sesshoumaru murmurs as he takes my hand, leading me over to the tree next to Rin. He falls gracefully to the ground, leaning his head back against the tree trunk before turning an angry glare to the hanyou. "You underestimate Kagome."

"Will someone tell me what's going on?!" I ask completely flabbergasted by the current exchange between the brothers. With a deep sigh, I drop to the ground and lean into Sesshoumaru's side, relief flooding me when he places his arm around my shoulders. His calm strength soothes my frayed nerves and my anxiety over seeing Inuyasha so soon after Kikyou's attack.

"Inuyasha showed up a while ago and warned us that Kikyou was planning an ambush, so our mighty alpha took off to save you." Miroku says from his seat by the fire next to Sango.

"Kagome, I need your help," Inuyasha says softly. When I meet his eyes, they are full of barely disguised misery. "Please," he beseeches. I stare at my dog eared friend already knowing that I'll agree to help him, though this time I think I'll make him suffer a bit first…

Thanks for reading!

Cymberle