A flaming pink arrow seemed to appear out of no where and shoot down the bear demon. Only leaving behinds orbs of light, left to waft up to the heavens. Sesshoumaru did not stop to admire the sight though as he spun around to look at the archer. The miko was slinging the bow over her back, and muttering under her breath, "Stupid bear demons."

She then looked up to and locked eyes with the taiyokai and gasped before throwing herself into a bow. Her hair was bound up in some peasant coil above her head, and the quickly glance he had gotten of her face was smeared with dirt.

Sesshoumaru inclined his head before silence reigned over the two.

"How is it I did not notice you sooner miko?" Sesshoumaru inquired suddenly, not exactly sure why he was even asking.

Said miko gave a gentle laugh, "It's alright, I put up a shield so no one would be able to notice me. I'm glad it was able to with stand the senses of such a powerful demon as yourself."

Sesshoumaru would not let her know how much it irritated him that he was so lost in thought to not notice anything, but continued questioning her, "Miko, what are you doing wandering about on your own?"

The given miko snorted, silently taking pleasure in not being scolded for such an unlady like act. "I am a miko. Do I truly need another reason? But what are you doing wandering about the countryside is a better question milord?"

Sesshoumaru contained his surprised at her knowing her status, "Why, ningen, do you address this Sesshoumaru as a lord?"

She gave a laugh, "If it is not obvious about the way you are dressed, then it most definitely is by the marking you show on your face, obviously stating that you are not of inferior birth."

"Interesting. How would you, even though you are a miko, know of such things?"

She gave a somewhat rueful smirk, "I have learned. Still you did not answer my question milord. What is it that brings you out to wander the countryside. Surely there are more important things on your agenda?"

Sesshoumaru gave a curt nod, "It is true that this Sesshoumaru has a purpose, but that specific information is not needed for you to know at this time."

"If that is the case then by all means, please, do not let me detain you."

"Hn."

He paused; he was unfortunately in a dilemma. He had gotten lost much too quickly, and had been attacked by a demon, too lost in his own sulking to be keep his wits about him. He, a great demon had be saved by a miko, this miko. He sighed inwardly at what he was about to do.

"It seems this Sesshoumaru could possibly be in use of your assistance. This Sesshoumaru is afraid the given knowledge of the eastern lands is not nearly as well informed as first believed, would you care to be this Sesshoumaru's guide?"

Kagome laughed, "Yes, I believe I can do that. Whenever you feel the need to tell me where I am guiding you to, by all means do not let me stop you."

"Hn."

Sesshoumarus beast purred, enjoying the sound of her laughter and silently urged him to make it happen again. Putting a firm hold on his beast he went to walk beside the strange miko. Pondering at the same time what seemed so familiar about her. He seemed to be thinking a lot lately, and he wasn't getting any answers, yes, that was annoying.

Kagome had a feeling he was not one to talk, so she let her thoughts wander, "What's a lord, not just any lord, but lord Sesshoumaru doing out in the countryside? And why in the world did I agree to help him? And a better question is, what will happen if he recognizes me?"

She snuck a glance at him, admiring his silver hair, shining in the sun, and those amber eyes, so focused, yet thoughtful, his tall and powerful figure. Kagome looked away before he could catch her gaze. They continued walking without sound for a while. Until Kagome asked, "So, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"Hn?"

"Might I ask, where I am guiding you to? It is hard to lead when one does not know where one is going."

Sesshoumaru paused a moment wondering if he should answer the miko inquire before seeing that if she was guiding him, she would need to know what he was looking for.

"I am looking for the Princess Kagome. She ran away when she heard of the courtship her father arranged between her and Lord Naraku."

He looked to see the little miko's action and saw her hands clenched and teeth ground, as she spit out, "Naraku. That fiend."

"Miko, what is it?"

"That fiend is horrendous! How could anyone be even asked to court him?" she hissed.

"Well, the princess was asked to, so she ran. Feisty." Sesshoumaru murmured the last part, not thinking the miko would hear him. Yet for some reason a blush appeared on the woman's cheeks, making his beast rumble with pleasure.

Sesshoumaru silently growled at his beast, Why is it you seem to become attracted to every blue eyed woman we meet?

You haven't figured it out? His beast asked in reply.

Figured what out?

Oh this should be interesting.

What should be interesting? Sesshoumaru growled at his beast, yet nothing came in response.

A hand then rested on the vexed demon lord's arm. His slightly red tinged eyes rested on the miko's hand.

"Is something wrong milord?" came her gentle inquisition, concern crinkling her dirt covered face. It looked as though she had slept with her face firmly stuck in the mud. The only thing he could make out clearly were her large blue eyes.

Sesshoumaru dipped his head to look down at the woman, "This Sesshoumaru is fine miko. Why do you ask?"

Said miko gave a shrug, "It seemed you and your inner demon were having a discussion that displeased you."

"And how would you know this miko?" Sesshoumaru asked, with a slight bit of scorn in his voice.

At this she bristled, "Why must you always question what I do? Why? And you know I have a name!"

Sesshoumaru gave her a bored look that continued to antagonize her, "How is this Sesshoumaru suppose to refer to someone by their name, when their name is not even given?"

"Well you could have asked," she muttered, yanking her hand off of his arm in order to cross it over her chest with a huff.

"What is your name miko?" Sesshoumaru finally asked.

Kagome then gave a blank stare, almost with a panicked look in her eye before composing herself. Humans, you give them what they want and they still couldn't function properly. "Kiyomi. My name is Kiyomi."

Sesshoumaru snorted, "It seems even you did not want to refer to yourself by your own name Ki yo mi." Breaking apart her name into sllyabals in an attempt to annoy her further.

"Hmph." She then walked off ahead to be out of the demon's hearing range but not before he heard her mutter, "Maybe you're right. Maybe I don't want to refer to myself by my name."

If Sesshoumaru had been any creature other than that of noble birth, he probably would have stopped walking to think over the strange miko's words, and wonder about her knowledge, but he did not stop. He a duty to accomplish, much as he was loathe to do it. He kept walking, his cold demeanor put in place, yet was furiously calculating everything.
He came to a conclusion that he had four questions he needed answers to:

1.) Where was the Princess Kagome?

2.) Why was his demon keeping something from him?

3.) How was this miko so resourceful?

4.) Why did this miko seem so familiar?

He very much disliked the fact he had so many unanswered questions, and was determined to solve these little mysterious. Starting with the curious miko only a few paces ahead of him.