Kagome sighed softly; she had been training with Sesshoumaru for about maybe seven days or so. She couldn't help but wonder what this weird feeling in her heart was… Every time she was near him, it felt like her heart would quicken in her chest, her cheeks would flush and she felt the desire to be near him. It was rather odd for her to have those kinds of feelings, but not to understand them. Sighing softly, the young woman looked out the window and thought that it was time for her to get the chicken and rice ready before giving it to Sesshoumaru since Sango said that Inuyasha had gone yesterday and shouldn't be back until tomorrow.

Whatever the reason was for him leaving, she didn't know and she wasn't going to stop him.

Letting out a soft yawn, the young woman made sure that Sesshoumaru's and her food were prepared nicely, and that they were in thick containers so that way, they would still be nice and warm for when she arrived to see him. It was nice to see that he did enjoy her meals though; she couldn't help but wonder what he was going to teach her today.

So far, it seemed that it's only been how to properly hold a sword, the wrong way to hold it, and of course how much strength she should use in her swings and how to swing it. Though, it was tough when he had her do push ups to help build strength in her arms and of course to run around to help build strength in her legs. He was a tough teacher but at least she was learning something rather than learning nothing like she was in the village.

Frowning a little, the young woman hadn't even noticed but… even though Sesshoumaru doesn't really say all that much, or show any emotions he's treated her better than the villagers. Was that normal for a demon to treat someone better than a human would or is that something else altogether? "Maybe I'm just over thinking this…" muttered Kagome as she let out a soft yet sad sigh.

Shaking her head, the young black haired woman looked out of her home with wide blue eyes as she wondered about the silver haired demon. Her face flushed just thinking about him, trying to think on what he was doing right now… if he was okay. Giving a small smile, she closed her eyes as she thought about all the times he would train her, when he had to hold onto her when she wasn't doing something right… or when she was tense and he had to massage her hands just to get her fingers to relax while holding the hilt of her sword.

Blushing all the more, Kagome shook her head wildly as she tried to get herself to calm down. Why was she thinking like that in the first place? It just didn't make any sense to her on why she would think all of that when Sesshoumaru was a demon, demons couldn't be like that, they even had trouble being friends let alone more than that. It was one of those things that weren't meant to be and she had to learn to accept that but it did get harder and harder for her to accept that for some strange reason.

Sighing softly, the young woman wrapped up the containers in some cloth and started to leave her home and started to make her way down the path. It sure was another nice day out, though she didn't know how long it would last… In fact, she was hoping that it would rain soon, that was the one thing that she enjoyed rather well. Grinning from ear to ear, Kagome's blue eyes seemed to sparkle with her delight; it made her wonder if Sesshoumaru enjoyed the rain.

Inhaling deeply, Kagome's mind started to drift off to Sesshoumaru once again. It was rather weird, his face never showed emotions, that is true but for some reason… she could almost see what he was feeling just by staring at the golden orbs of his, it was like his eyes revealed everything to her without her having to ask anything but yet, there was still some sort of hidden mystery to him that he did not wish to share with her and she could respect that… but it still had her curious as to what he was going to do once he was healed enough to go on home… was there something important that he had to do or would he… would he stay?

Shaking her head, the young woman knew that was asking too much of him. He had his own life, his own home that he had to return to and she shouldn't expect it of him for him to stay here with her just because she may have developed something for him. Covering her eyes for a brief moment, Kagome tried to get her thoughts together, tried to get herself to calm down and relax and clear any emotions that clouded themselves in her heart.

Letting out a soft sigh, Kagome thought that maybe it was best that she didn't get her hopes up; there would be no reason for Sesshoumaru to want to stay anyway right? After all, she had told him that he had a kingdom, even if he wasn't the ruler; it was still his home and- wait… Stopping in her tracks for a moment, she thought of something… if his father left the kingdom to this 'Naraku' fellow took over the lands, he didn't have a right to have the lands since from what she had been told, Naraku was only related through some kind of mating, not through blood so the kingdom should have still gone to Sesshoumaru no matter what… so why the change?

"Oh dear this is just getting so confusing." Said Kagome, not really caring if anyone heard her or not. The only thing that she cared about was to try to solve this mystery… maybe that would cheer Sesshoumaru up for him if she could solve that problem. Why couldn't things be simpler for her to solve instead of being so complicated? It just seemed that no matter what she just couldn't figure out why this 'Naraku' guy would just take over the lands when he isn't of royal blood like Sesshoumaru.

In fact, for some reason she felt like the answer was right in front of her in some way but she just couldn't figure out what it could have been. Digging her fingers of her free hand into her head, the young woman let out a frustrated sigh before letting go and fixing her hair a little bit and started to walk on down the path. Maybe it was best that she forgot about that for now and when Sesshoumaru was healthy enough she would tell him what she had been thinking about.

"Hey look guys, it's the Demon Lover." Said a voice that made Kagome groan and sigh before turning around and saw some of the priests that were her age. They were handsome, of course; in fact one of them, the one in the middle was the headman's son. His short brown hair and matching brown eyes stood out, along with the robes that he wore; in fact they looked just like Souta's robes. The other boys though she didn't really know them, nor did she really care.

"Leave me alone." Kagome said with a glare before turning her head away and tried to walk away… only for her path to be blocked by some of the headman's son's goons to get in her way. Rolling her eyes, the young woman turned around and stared at him as she said "look, I'm in a hurry Roka, now just leave me alone alright?" Roka though, just smirked at her, that had Kagome a little worried but she didn't change her expression from a cold glare. Maybe she did learn something from Sesshoumaru; in a way she figured that this expression resembled his.

Roka laughed, crossing his arms as he stared at Kagome, his eyes held no concern or kindness within their brown depths. She knew that he was going to be a terrible headman when his father stepped down. "You know Kagome, I've seen how you're leaving the village a little more often." Said Roka as he laughed, along with his friends. Narrowing her eyes, she just stood there; trying to find a way to get out of here and hurry up to get to the glade so she could get back to her training and check on Sesshoumaru's wound to make sure that it hasn't reopened or needed cleaning again.

"It's called gardening. Have you ever tried it Roka? Maybe if you do you wouldn't be a jerk to people." Kagome said with her glare hardening into steel. Roka just laughed at her, his laugh was cruel and harsh, it made her wonder if he even had a heart in the first place. If he even had a heart, she figured that it would be black as coal. It made her think that… since after all Roka was devoid of any kindness or compassion for others but himself. He would always be nothing but a cruel heartless man and that was how he would always remain and she knew that.

"That is something a woman like you should do. After all, you can't train to be a true priestess or a slayer since you are a demon lover." Spat Roka as he walked a little closer to Kagome, though not by much. Kagome just stepped back, careful not to get to close to Roka's goons, she didn't want to get close knowing that if she did they would shove her onto the ground. "Are you hiding something Kagome? You normally left the village every few days and now, you've been going every day."

"Yeah, to get away from people like you."

Roka laughed as he smirked at Kagome a little, it was easy to see he wanted to hurt her in some way. There was no way that she was going to allow it, after all she had trained hard with Sesshoumaru and she had gathered enough strength herself though she knew that she was still far from being strong enough to take down anyone. Shaking her head mentally, the young woman narrowed her eyes all the more, hoping that her glare would harden enough to strike fear into Roka's heart.

"Oh look what we have here, she thinks she's tough." Said one of Roka's goons with a laugh. Oh how she wanted to punch him until he fell over and stay down for days and still be in pain when he woke up. Breathing deeply, Kagome looked ready to fight back she would make sure that they didn't lay a hand on her, she wasn't going to allow anything to hurt her, not again anyway!

"The little 'Demon Lover' thinks that she can take us on. What are you going to do Kagome, call for one of your friends to help you or better yet, you gonna summon a demon to come and save you?" said Roka with a laugh. In fact, his goons laughed with him, this only served to irritate Kagome all the more before she set down her containers and threw her fist at Roka. He didn't even know what had happened, all he knew was that he felt pain in his nose and he found himself on the ground. "You bitch!" shouted Roka before he shot up and went to grab Kagome; she stared with fear for the first time, thinking that she had just dug her own grave this time.

Suddenly, someone's hand shot out and grabbed a hold of Roka's fist before he could grab at Kagome. Kagome looked up and was surprised at who she saw. "Miroku!" shouted Kagome in shock.

Standing there was a tall man with long black hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. His dark blue eyes shined with a hint of anger, if there was one thing that Miroku hated it was a man that would raise his hand against a woman. Sure he was perverted but he had honour. Looking over at him a little more, Kagome noticed that he has two earrings on his left ear, and one on the right. Must have added the second one on the left while he was traveling.

His robes looked like any other traveling monk's robes, though his were more refined. The robes were black but he had a purple cloth that wrapped itself around his body and over his left shoulder, while the cloth that would have gone to the right is neatly tucked into the black robes, to hold it all together the purple robe was tied in a knot near his heart.

On his left hand was an arm protector that covers the back of his hand and palm wrapping itself around his middle finger and held on by a ring with some kind of engraving. But around the protector, was a rosary. She never understood why he had that on his left arm but she also never bothered to ask him since it was, after all none of her business to ask him anything. In his covered hand, was a staff.

The staff was topped with a metal finial with two sections, each with three rings, (for a total of six rings), which represent the Six States of Existence—the cycle of samsara, of suffering and reincarnation. She had heard that the same staff becomes a grave post if a monk was to ever die on the way. Thus the top of the staff is designed like a Buddhist grave post. Though she wasn't sure if what she heard was true… maybe she could ask Miroku that. To finish off his outfit, were the straw sandals that he wore.

"Now… if I may ask why are you trying to grab my friend?" asked Miroku with a glare.

Roka narrowed his eyes at the monk before pulled his arm away and looked like he was about to beat up the monk this time. Yet, he didn't throw the first punch. "This bitch deserves a good beating! She punched me first and she's been leaving the village every day and not to mention, she spends all of her time with that weird traveling swordsmen." Growled out Roka, for a second Roka did almost sound like a demon though she said nothing, thinking that if she did then she would be called a demon lover all the more.

"That does not mean you should throw a punch on a woman. Kagome just has a pure heart and cares for others, but has a temper to match." Miroku calmly said with a small chuckle before adding "though as for why she leaves the village every day that is none of our concern, after all Kagome has a right to leave whenever she wants." Grinning, Miroku patted Roka's shoulder as he said "also, Inuyasha isn't weird, he is an amazing swordsmen and he has protected our village without having to be asked."

He did have a point, Inuyasha may be mysterious but at least he didn't have to be asked to protect the village if he didn't have to. Roka rolled his eyes and slammed his elbow into Miroku's stomach, causing him to grunt in pain and fall to his knees, using his staff as a way to support his weight. Kagome was about to go and help Miroku but one of them grabbed her shoulder and threw her away from the monk. "So Miroku, you're going to stand up for this wench?! What happened to your pride as a man and a monk?! She is a demon lover!" shouted Roka.

"Kagome just has that kind of a heart. She doesn't see a reason to kill demons if they do not harm us first. We could learn a lot from her." Gasped out Miroku before pushing himself back up onto his feet and getting his breathing under control. It was going to be difficult for him to collect himself but it seemed that he was able to hide the pain a little bit. Shaking his head, Miroku narrowed his dark blue eyes on Roka as he said "you on the other hand Roka, you have no heart to speak of."

"At least I'm not a pervert."

"I just happen to appreciate beautiful woman, like my lovely Sango."

"How can you love that woman? She is a woman that acts like a warrior! Women shouldn't be warriors but house wives, and those who are priestesses should just purify demons and get on with their lives." Miroku narrowed his eyes at hearing that about Sango. It was at that point, Kagome knew that Roka had just made a big mistake… Yes, Miroku is a pervert, yes, he gropes women's rear ends, and of course he asks them to bare his child but if there was one thing that anyone could see, it was his love for the demon slayer and he respects her desire to be a slayer.

Miroku swung his staff and slammed it into Roka's head, causing the priest to yelp out in pain and start to stagger backward and slam himself into Kagome who had risen to her feet. Kagome yelped and fell into the river with a big splash. Miroku gasped out in shock and rushed to his fallen friend and pulled on her hand. "Kagome please forgive me! I didn't mean to knock him into you!" cried Miroku as he pulled his friend out of the water. Kagome sniffled slightly, looking around she saw all of Roka's goons and of course, Roka himself pointed at her and laughed.

"What a stupid girl, I'm surprised my father even keeps you in the village. Why doesn't he just kill you off and be rid of you?!" shouted Roka before he threw his head back and laughed.

"No kidding, she's not worth anything to anyone." Said one of his goons.

Kagome grabbed her cloth covered containers and ran off as fast as she could. Not caring that she was dripping wet, in fact she didn't care about anything. She just wanted to get away from the village. Maybe she should leave the village and never come back… it was best that she just left and never came back. Though she couldn't do that yet, knowing that if she did, and her father just had happened to return he would worry about her…

'After my father returns… I'll leave… or… maybe I should just go look for him.'

Sesshoumaru pushed himself up onto his feet as he looked up at the sky… Closing his eyes, the demon prince sniffed the air as he wondered if his sense of smell had returned to him. Hm… 'The air smells a bit moist… it'll rain… just can't tell when.' thought the silver haired frown with a soft sigh. That was one thing that he hated, his demonic aura had started to return a little more to him over the seven days since he first started to train the priestess… Kagome. Hm… why did it bring him joy to be near her?

"Hn…" he opened his eyes and looked around the glades. Maybe he should put off training today since he didn't know when it would rain, nor did he know if the barrier would keep this place safe from rain. Taking a deep breath, the demon prince walked over to the pond and dipped in the bamboo shoot into the water to refill it. He was thankful to Kagome that she left that here for him, but what he was curious about was how anyone can have such a pure heart to care about him.

Looking up, Sesshoumaru frowned a little, he sensed something wrong, there was some very powerful emotions coming from the village… he couldn't tell who it belonged to, nor did he really care at the moment. Maybe it was all just in his head for the moment.

Shaking his head, the demon prince pushed himself back up onto his feet and drank down the water. It seemed that the water here had its own natural healing abilities, was this why Kagome chose this place as her own personal getaway? Or was there more to this place than meets the eye? He still didn't know everything about this place; though he had a feeling that maybe he could learn something about this place when Kagome arrived.

'When are you going to tell her about my death…?' came Isao's voice.

That has been bothering him for a while now; he couldn't tell her the truth. That he killed her father, that he was the demon that had taken her father from this world and that his spirit seems to find some way to haunt him for some reason. He didn't know what that reason would be yet, but maybe it had to involve what Isao had told him while he was asleep. Hm… "What could have Isao meant by something to be taken away from me that means something?" That had also been bothering him… ever since he had heard that in his dream, he has tried to figure out what the spirit had meant but came up with nothing.

Then of course, there was what he said about something wanting to take his power from him. Whatever that was, he also didn't know since he didn't have anything that could be taken. After all, he had his position as lord taken away from him so there was nothing more he could do. Letting out a deep breath, the young man made his way back to the cave and sat down as he waited for Kagome to arrive. It wasn't that late, so he didn't think too much on what would be taking her though just thought that maybe she was speaking to her friend's.

Once he sat down, the demon prince used his pelt to go around his shoulders, there was no way that he was going to lean on anything without any sort of comfort. It was already uncomfortable to be sitting on the ground of this cave though for now it would have to do until he could leave and go home… "Home…" he whispered softly before closing his eyes. Why did he feel the need to stay here? There was something holding him back but he just didn't know what it was… but it had something to do with Kagome… he just knew it.

Shaking his head a little, the demon prince tried to get that thought out of his head. Why would one human make him want to stay? This was causing him a great amount of confusion and he wanted it to stop. Letting out a deep breath, Sesshoumaru leaned back as he tried to get himself to clear his thoughts and get his heart to stop beating so quickly from the sudden thought of Kagome or, of him wanting to stay just so he could stay with the human priestess. "Why does my heart beat to quickly when I think of Kagome?" asked Sesshoumaru, trying to think on what was wrong with him.

'Perhaps you have developed some feelings for her…' said Isao's voice with a chuckle.

'This Sesshoumaru has no feelings for her, but to repay a dept.' thought Sesshoumaru with a growl emitting from his chest.

Shaking his head, the silver haired demon tried to get those words from his mind. He did not develop any kind of feelings for that human. She meant nothing to him, he didn't care about her nor would he ever care about any human for that matter. She was only trying to heal him, and he was only her teacher so she wouldn't be defenceless anymore. Nothing more, and nothing less. That was how it would always remain… it was just the natural order of things. Humans and demons were not meant to be together, whether it be as lovers or as friends… 'Why did I just think of lovers…?' thought Sesshoumaru with confusion.

Rubbing his face, Sesshoumaru tried to get himself to calm down. Just what was with him and all of the weird thoughts that would plague his mind… and why did they always involve Kagome for that matter? It all confused him… not to mention, he felt some sort of heat in his face which puzzled him. Frowning a little, he reached up and carefully touched his face and tilted his head a little. What was wrong with him? Was he ill?

Suddenly, a weird sound reached his ears… along with a weird scent. He smelled sadness, and the sound of someone sniffling… Turning his head, the demon prince stared in shock as he saw Kagome walking down the path wearing soggy robes and shivering. Pushing himself up, the demon prince ran over to the priestess and stood in front of her. "What is wrong?" asked Sesshoumaru, tilting his head to the side, his face an emotionless mask.

Kagome lifted her head, her blue eyes shining with unshed tears. Tears that she didn't want to shed in front of him. "Nothing's wrong Sesshoumaru, I'm perfectly fine." Kagome said, a smile appeared her face but that smile did not reach her eyes. He knew that she was upset, and it had something to do with why she was soaking wet. "I brought you some food, I haven't been able to bring any sake though, I'm sorry…" Sesshoumaru grabbed the young woman's wrist and pulled her toward the cave. She couldn't keep wearing those robes; she will become ill if her immune system was as weak as he has heard.

"Sesshoumaru what are you doing?" asked Kagome with confusion in her voice.

"You are going to get out of those wet robes, or you will become ill. I won't allow it." Growled Sesshoumaru before bringing Kagome to the cave and pushing her inside.

"I can't just strip! I'll be naked and cold!" shouted Kagome.

"Did I say, that I would allow you to be naked in my presents?" said Sesshoumaru before turning to stare at her. He saw her confusion, it was easy to see since he did, after all figured that she would not understand what he had meant fully. Shaking his head, the demon prince turned away from Kagome and removed his white robe jacket from his person and held his arm out for Kagome. "I'm giving you to wear until your robes are dry. It isn't much but it should keep you warm…"

He felt the cloth be pulled away from his hands; the sound of ruffling clothing reached his ears. He tried to think of something, hoping to get his mind off of the changing female behind him, and of course to make sure that no one would be walking in on Kagome as he stood at the mouth of the cave. It was rather strange that he would do something like this for a human, allowing her to wear his robes just so she wouldn't catch a cold and so her own robes would dry… just what was wrong with him? 'Perhaps I have become ill…' thought Sesshoumaru as he shook his head, trying to get those thoughts from his mind.

There was no other reason for it, why would he care if she caught a cold? There was nothing that he could have done to prevent it but to let her change out of her wet clothes and nothing else… he didn't even have to let her change her clothes in the first place. He could have just left her to stand around in soaking wet clothes all she wanted and he wouldn't have cared… yet… he did care damn it, but he didn't know why that was.

Had she changed him somehow or was there something more to this than he's realising? Rubbing his forehead, he tried to think on something else… yes, killing something. A battle, anything to get his mind off of the female that resided behind him but… even that didn't seem to work for he would just find himself thinking about her once again damn it.

"Sesshoumaru… I… I'm dressed…" Turning around, Sesshoumaru wondered how the woman would have looked in his robes. It wasn't really much to it though it would be long on her frame; he just knew it though what he saw almost made his heart stop in his chest. Eyes widening, the demon prince saw that the robes almost looked like a simple kimono on her, though without the obi around her waist. The sleeves were well past her fingertips, the hem of the robes went bit past her knees though it gave him view of her slim and smooth legs. She had her arms over her chest, tightly holding the robes closed so she wouldn't be revealing herself in any way…

Frowning a little, Sesshoumaru sighed softly and reached down and removed the yellow sash from his waist and held it out for Kagome. "Here… use this to tie around yourself… it should keep the robe closed." Sesshoumaru whispered before sitting down on the ground… questioning his actions for the priestess. What was wrong with him? Why was his heart beating so quickly? Why did he feel like his face was so hot and flush? Shaking his head, the demon prince rubbed his face, hoping to get it to cool down.

"Thank you…" whispered Kagome, causing Sesshoumaru to turn and stare at her… the robes was large on her small frame, and it didn't show very much but it did show him enough to know that she did have a curvy figure that most demonesses would kill for.

"You're welcome Kagome… now, will you tell me… what has you so upset." Kagome opened her mouth to protest, only for Sesshoumaru to hold up his hand as he said "if you are going to tell this Sesshoumaru, that you are fine, then do not speak, for I have smelled your sadness and saw the tears in your eyes." Lowering his hand, his golden eyes bore into Kagome's blue orbs as he stared at her… he could see that she was still trying to hide her sadness from him, that only angered him. "Kagome… what has happened for me to see you soaking wet… and close to tears?"

Kagome sniffled a bit, it seemed that she could no longer hide her tears for they soon started to spill and roll down her cheeks. He had never seen anyone cry before, and he didn't like it… seeing Kagome upset, it bothered him and he didn't know why that was… All he knew was that he wanted it to stop… Breathing deeply, he reached out and grabbed a hold of Kagome's hand and pulled her toward his body.

Once Kagome had been pulled to his muscular chest, Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around her, his arm wrapped around her waist, and his free hand on the back of her head so she could not see the faint tint of red on his cheeks. "Kagome… I do not wish to see you upset…" whispered Sesshoumaru as he lowered his head down to her ear. Kagome sniffled a little before burying her head on his shoulder and cried her heart out.

"I can't take it… I just can't…" sobbed out Kagome.

"You cannot take what?" asked Sesshoumaru.

"The villagers hate me, they never treat me with any respect and… I just want to leave but I can't. My father hasn't come back to us yet and I want to see him before I leave this place." Cried out Kagome, which had Sesshoumaru freeze for a moment. She only stayed to wait for her father, a man that would never return. How could she have waited for so long and never see any results? Of course, the amount of time that she has waited was a long time for humans; to a demon that amount of time meant nothing to him…

Closing his eyes for a moment, Sesshoumaru ran his clawed hand through Kagome's hair as he whispered "why… why do you stay here just to see your father? Wouldn't you want to travel and go to a place that would accept you?"

"I wouldn't be accept anywhere Sesshoumaru… no one would care about a 'Demon Lover' like me…" Kagome whispered as she reached up and started to rub her eyes. He could see the reason for that, but… it shouldn't stop her. There was a place for everyone, and he knew that better than anyone. Yes, his title had been taken from him, but it was still his home, his palace and he would do whatever he could to reclaim it without causing a war… or maybe, he was like her. He couldn't leave, because he was trying to regain what he has lost.

"I know that feeling very well Kagome… my title was taken, and I try to reclaim it so I have not left."

"That's different… it was supposed to be yours, you are of royal blood. Naraku isn't so why would your father leave the kingdom to him?" Sesshoumaru frowned a bit at her words… right's right. Naraku wasn't of royal blood, and only those who were of royalty could claim the throne for themselves. Naraku was only his uncle, because of his grandfather, mating Naraku's mother… Someone must have changed the will, there was no way it would have been otherwise but… who would have done that? "Why do I have to care about demons… if I didn't I wouldn't be tormented like this." Came Kagome's words with a choked up sob.

Blinking he looked down at the whimpering woman and sighed softly. "Kagome…" whispered Sesshoumaru, tightening his hold on the upset woman as he tried to pick his words carefully, not wanting to upset her any more than she already was. It was tough enough for him to control the weird warmth on his face from holding her, and he still did not understand the reason behind that, nor did he think he would ever understand it… but right now… he had to say something to cheer her up… "The reason you care about demons, is that you have a pure heart. This Sesshoumaru wishes… that there were more humans like you."

Feeling Kagome lifting her head from his shoulder, she gazed up at him with wide blue eyes. Her eyes looked a little red and puffy from her tears, though… for some reason, thought 'how can someone who had just cried… look so beautiful?' he mentally shook his head, trying to clear those thoughts from his mind. "If there were more people like you… more with a pure and gentle heart, then this world would not be in so much turmoil…"

"You… you really think that?" asked Kagome with shock, confusion, and for some reason, a hint of awe in her words.

"Yes, I do."

Kagome smiled a bit at his words, causing Sesshoumaru to look away, his heart was beating quickly again in his chest. What was with him anyway? Why did he care if she was so upset!? Has she bewitched him in some way or form? It was strange, then again, wasn't he becoming strange for allowing Kagome to care for him?

Sesshoumaru sighed softly as he turned his gaze to the outside of the cave, the moisture that he had smelled earlier was becoming stronger… it seemed that they would have to have their training on hold for today, and wait and see if tomorrow would be better for the two of them to train… there was no way that he was going to risk her getting soaked again… he didn't have anything else dry to change in nor for her to wear until her clothes are dry.

"Sesshoumaru… are you going to go home once you've healed and regained your strength?" asked Kagome suddenly.

"I plan to yes, but I must find how my father's will could have been changed, for no one had access to his will but himself and…"

"And who?" asked Kagome.

Suddenly, Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he finally put the final piece together. No, it couldn't have been… there was just no way that it could have been possible for that to have happened but it really did start to make sense. There was only one other person that could have been able to get a hold of his father's will that could have been able to change it without anyone noticing… though he would also have to find some way to prove that this theory was correct, if he just went in and had no proof, then he would bring shame to his family and that was something he did not want… It was already tough enough for him to have lost the throne…

Looking down, Sesshoumaru blinked his golden eyes down at the now sleeping woman… she must have worn herself out from all of the crying she had gone through. It was ashame… he was hoping to learn why she was soaked but it seemed that he would have to ask when she woke up. Looking outside of the cave, Sesshoumaru saw the first few drops that had begun to fall, only for more to fall… It seemed he was right about the rain… though he didn't think it would fall this quickly for it soon, had started to turn into a down pour.

"It is best, she stays before I let her go home…" whispered Sesshoumaru, he felt Kagome start to shiver in his arms causing him to sigh softly. Reaching over, he grabbed a hold of the blanket that Kagome left for him and draped it over her shivering body, and wrapped his arms around her to help build some warmth for her. Humans truly were frail beings… it had him amazed that they had survived as long as they have…

Closing his eyes for a moment, Sesshoumaru breathed deeply as he nuzzled the maiden's hair, breathing in her wonderful scent… the scent of peaches, apple blossoms and wild flowers caused his senses to go wild for a brief moment before he pulled himself back. He couldn't believe that her scent alone was what drew him to her… why though? It was a mystery to him, though it was one that he could easily solve… at least he thinks that he could solve it.

"So, this is what Kagome has been doing." Said a voice, causing Sesshoumaru's eyes to snap open and look over at the mouth of the cave. Standing there, was a tall human man with long black hair, dark violet eyes glaring at him with some kind of hate within their depths. He wore a red kimono and at his waist was a sword, though what he had noticed around his neck looked like some kind of rosary… odd. "I never thought that Kagome would have been taken care of a demon… even though I know her heart is pure enough to try."

Sesshoumaru growled at the human, thinking that he was going to try to take Kagome back to the village. Sniffing the air, Sesshoumaru found something odd about this man, there was something… familiar about him but he just couldn't place his finger on it. "What do you want? I thought only Kagome could enter this place…"

"Then how are you here… Lord Sesshoumaru."

His eyes widened for a moment before narrowing into slits. How did this human know of him in the first place? Kagome couldn't have told anyone of his location and of course, he wasn't a lord, he had lost that title… but how did this man… damn it. "I am no lord human." Growled Sesshoumaru as he turned away, tightening his hold on Kagome. "I lost my demonic aura, I was able to pass, for there was no aura for it to detect." Answered Sesshoumaru, he already hated this man and yet he just couldn't shake the feeling that he's met him before.

There was silence for a moment, Sesshoumaru had thought that this human man would try to take Kagome at that moment after getting his answer… instead; he just stood there, getting himself soaked by the rain that would pelt itself against his body. "I am surprised… that the Ice Prince would care for a human." Turning his golden gaze and stared at the violet eyes of this human, he couldn't believe what he was seeing, there was something off about this man… though he couldn't think of where…

Soon, Sesshoumaru's eyes fell to the sword that was at his waist… was that? No, it couldn't be, that sword had disappeared hundreds of years ago! There was no way that this man could have that sword when he knew for a fact that it had gone missing and- wait… "I remember you… I saw you once before…"

"We have… though, you never did take notice of me like everyone else Sesshoumaru. A bastard like you wouldn't have noticed me anyway… Now answer me this, why is Kagome caring for you and bringing you meals?"

"She feels guilt for harming me, so she wishes to repay me…"

"Bull shit! Even a demon such as yourself would have regained his power by now, or at least enough to leave this place." Shouted Inuyasha, only to receive a glare from the Ice Prince, remembering that Kagome was sleeping and that she didn't know that the intruder was here. Sesshoumaru didn't like this man, there was something about him that irritated him to no end… he just knew that was the case. "Kagome has a big heart; she just has this gift that draws people to her, people who would want to protect her, to keep her safe from anything. It seems that you have been affected Sesshoumaru, why else would you allow her, a human, to curl up against you and wear your robe?"

Sesshoumaru remained silent for a moment. Was that why he stayed? Yes, he did indeed have enough strength to leave this place, even though it was not his full strength… Closing his eyes, he let out a soft sigh before opening his golden eyes once again. "Do not let her get too attached Sesshoumaru, Kagome has a good heart yes, but she is also frail when it comes to losing someone… you must leave before she becomes too attached to you. I won't allow anyone to break her heart."

"If that is the case, then why do you allow the villagers to treat her as they do?"

"I can't do anything about that, neither can her friends. All I can do is protect her from the incoming danger. That is why I left in the first place…"

Raising an eyebrow at the human, he was confused as to what he meant by that. Left from where, and most of all what danger was he speaking about? "Kagome is safe with me… I won't harm her…" Sesshoumaru whispered softly, he didn't know why he even said that… she was a human, humans should mean nothing to him and yet, he did want to keep her safe, away from any and all harm… "I will protect her with my life…" he whispered softly.

"Oh? Have you told her you're deep dark secret Sesshoumaru!? Have you told her about her father?!" shouted the black haired man, only for Sesshoumaru's eyes to widen in shock before staring at the mysterious man that stood in the rain. "That's right; I know… how do you think Kagome will take it if she finds out that her father is never, ever, going to come home… I was glad to have left… as soon as I heard the plans of why Naraku is attacking the villages, I did what I could to keep them safe, and I came to this place… I know what he's after, and I won't let him have it."

With those words, the black haired man turned on his heel and started to walk away… the way he walked, the way he tucked his arms into his sleeves… now he remembered who this man was! "If you want me to tell Kagome of my secret… why is it, that you have yet to tell her of yours Inuyasha?" said Sesshoumaru, finally remembering who this man was… he hadn't seen him in years, a man that took off not just because of Naraku's mystery plan, but the only one to have known, was the very man that stood before him…

Inuyasha stopped walking, his head turned, bangs hiding his eyes from view as he said "because…" his head lifted, revealing a pair of golden eyes as he finished "I'm protecting these people from the man that took away your throne from you…"