Sora: Hey everybody, I'm back in school now so hopefully that means more chapters more often.

tora: yeah you've had a pretty hectic summer

Sora: tora yay glomps tora everybody i want you to meet tora taisho, he's another person in my head, but i love him the most because he looks almost exactly like his uncle Inuyasha tweaks ears he's so fun to play with.

ego: but I thought...

id: give it up ego you are no longer the only guy in these authors notes.

melanie: well lets get this chapter started

id: she don't own 'em so don't sue.

That night Sango went to the borders between the human kingdom and the youkai kingdom. She quietly crept into the forest separating the two.

Not to far from the princess's bodyguard Miroku was ambling through the forest grumbling to himself about having to be on watch to make sure that no one got through the forest to report about the princess. A breeze from the east brought to him the tantalizing scent of a human female and he quieted. Sniffing again he smiled in delight as he recognized the scent as that of the beautiful human he had danced with at the ball. He quickly races toward her careful to circle around behind her quietly.

Sango had just entered a clearing, when she heard, or rather didn't hear, the creatures around her quiet and still. Tensing she rests her hand on the hilt of her sword preparing to draw it. Before she is able to though a two large hands reach around her from behind and hold her wrist out in front of her, pressing a very male body against her back.

"Let me go." she says in a hushed tone.

A voice from behind mocks, "And if I don't?" The person behind her transfers both of her wrists to one of his hands and uses his now free hand to disarm her. Twisting around while she can, Sango breaks free of the mysterious man's grip and gets into a fighting stance. She stumbles though as she sees the young man from the princess's ball, but something is off about him.

"What are you doing out here Ori, this forest is dangerous?"

Miroku smiles, "I am touched that you remembered my name, Sango. And I could ask you the same thing about being in the woods at this hour."

"I'm here on business. Why did you assault me?" 'I also couldn't hear him sneak up on me.'

"I to am here because my job requires it. May I ask what business brings you here?"

"The princess was kidnapped by youkai." She narrows her eyes, "But I think you already knew that."

He chuckles lightly, "That I do Sango. Would you like an escort to the youkai palace, I'm sure we could accommodate you as we are the princess?"

Before she can answer he rushes toward her hitting a pressure point on her neck to knock her out. He catches her as she falls and runs off toward the youkai palace cradling her in his arms.

Back at the youkai palace Inuyasha was escorting Kagome back to his room. When they enter Kagome is slightly relieved to see that there is a place set up on the floor by the bed for someone to sleep on. She heads for it, but is stopped by Inuyasha's hand around her upper arm.

"No, you can sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the futon."

"But its your bed and I'm only..."

"You'll sleep better on the bed, I want you to be comfortable. Its the least I can do after all I didn't ask you if you wanted to come here." Inuyasha looks away from her as he speaks. Without looking at her he says good night and heads toward the futon and lies down.

Kagome begins to raise her hand to stop him, but stops and brings it to her chest instead. Turning she goes to Inuyasha's bed and lies down. Snuggling into the soft pillow she inhales and finds his scent. The scent of autumn leaves and moonbeams soothes her to sleep and she sleeps soundly, dreaming of a certain dog-eared youkai prince.

After Kagome falls asleep, Inuyasha opens his eyes and gets up. Sitting with his back against the wall and one knee raised, he stares at the ceiling, to think about the human princess. 'Why does she have to be human? If she were youkai I would already have taken her, but she's human and would never be accepted. Why do I care if she's accepted, if I love her would it make a difference?' He sighs and looks up at the ceiling, closing his eyes after a few moments and allowing himself to fall asleep.

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As Inuyasha was falling asleep Miroku arrives back at the palace with his captive and heads for Sesshoumaru's office. Upon arriving there he finds Naraku waiting outside the room seeminly trying to listen through the cracks of the door, though recovering as though he had heard Miroku's approach.

"Good evening Naraku. What are you doing here at this hour?"

Naraku almost sneers but hides it before Miroku can truely see it. "I came to discuss the captivity of the human princess. It seems odd to have her here as a captive with the Shikon no Tama's whereabouts still unknown." He looks suspiciously at Miroku and the girl he is carrying.

"I'm sure that Sesshoumaru-sama has his reasons for it Naraku. You should know not to question his plans." Miroku steps up to the door and knocks to gain entry.

"Come in Miroku, and send Naraku back to his quarters."

"Yes sir." He nods to Naraku, "Good night Naraku." and enters the study.

Sesshoumaru looks up from the papers he is going over to see Miroku entering carrying a young woman and his eyes narrow slightly in exhasperation.

"Miroku, I am not running a hostel for humans, I asked you to watch the border for the princess's rescue party. That means not collecting more women with which you may play with."

Miroku attempts to look innocent before speaking. "I assure you Sesshoumaru-sama, that I was doing just as you asked. This woman is the Princess's bodyguard and I assume at least part of the party sent to find her. Though I saw no signs of any other, I don't think the human king would send one woman to rescue the princess."

Sesshoumaru raised his brow in question, "And why bring her here?"

Miroku looks sheepish and tries to find a reason for bringing the young woman in rather than getting rid of her, "Uh, I thought she might be able to keep the princess company?"