A/n: Here is the next chapter. Good for you. Now see who the voice is. (And, yes, I like leaving off with unknown voices.)

-FROM THE LAST CHAPTER-

She snarled and lunged. I sidestepped her attack and cracked her on the head, knocking her unconscious as well. I shook my head and said.

"Cats, can't live with them, can't do anything about them."

"Very nice, your form is a little off, but, you've got talent." Came a voice from behind me.

I whirled around to find the last person I'd expect to find out here.........

She whirled around to face me, staff at the ready. I was amused at the shock on her face when she saw me.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, what are you doing here?" She asked.

"Really, Laquisha. I had a feeling you would run, but I never expected you to steep so low as to team up with humans." I replied.

"Run away? I didn't........."

"Don't play innocent with me. So, what did you do with my brother?"

She sighed exasperatedly and yelled,

"Oi! Inuyasha! Wake your lazy ass up!"

There was a loud snort, a crash, and a groggy curse.

"Waddaya, wan' wench?" He asked groggily.

"Don't make me use the 's' word!" She growled.

"S" word? What was that? I overlooked it and, true to her word, Inuyasha trudged out of the brush.

"Inuyasha, would you mind explaining why your brother is here accusing me of running away?" She asked.

"What? Huh? Oh, has it been a week already?" He inquired.

She made a irritated sound and plopped down by the fire, muttering,

"Some heir to the western lands you are."

"Hay, I resent that!" He exclaimed.

"Stop bickering, you're acting like children." I said.

She muttered something I couldn't quite make out and Inuyasha looked at her like she was crazy.

"Excuse me?" I inquired.

She flinched and Inuyasha snickered and said,

"Your mouth gettin' you into trouble again I see."

She glared at him and said,

"I said, 'Compared to you, everyone here would be considered a child.' "

I stared at her, amazed that she would repeat that to me without even blinking. She was either very brave or very stupid. I walked over, towering over her, then stooped down and grabbed her chin, my face inches from hers.

"You need a serious lesson in respect. You're lucky that I have not the patience to give you one nor the time."

She sat there, completely calm, but I could smell fear on her. It was not nearly enough, but it was there; and, for some reason, it displeased me. Did I not want her to fear me? Usually I enjoy it, why not now?

The fear on her mixed with her other scents. I took a deep breath and reveled in how good she smelt. She smelt of a run though a forest in the rain during a thunderstorm......... of sitting in a garden of roses and......... a light musk perfume. I let go and walked off to get away from her intoxicating scent. Feeling as though I needed to wind down, I headed for the nearest hot springs.

I sighed as he released my chin. I had never been afraid of anyone in my life; not even my brother, and it both pissed me of and intrigued me at the same time. Behind me Inuyasha sighed and clicked his tongue.

"When are you going to learn to keep that sharp tongue in check?" He asked.

"I don't know. Probably never. Which is probably the same time you will." I replied.

"Hey........."

"Is for horses. I'm going to go take a bath."

And with that, I gathered my things and took off towards the springs. The sun was slowly rising and I wanted to get a bath before we left. And, God did the warm water feel good on sore muscles.

Just as I had gotten comfortable, I heard someone enter the springs and sigh deeply. I looked around the boulder that was resting against and saw the last person I wanted to see. Laquisha had rested herself against a rock, stretched and began singing in a different language.

'You say you don't. But I know you want her to be here.'

'You again? I never asked for you. And no I don't, she is disrespectful and an annoyance.'

'You like the little spit-fire. Admit it.'

'Never.'

'Oh, yah? Tell me you never thought about her that way. Go on.'

'I have not.'

'Oh yah? You will now.'

And with that it started chanting "mental pictures" in my head and, sure enough, I began getting mental pictures of her, underneath me, groaning in pleasure, skin silky smooth, both of us covered in a light sweat, her crying my name as we climaxed......... I shook my head of the thoughts, but I was already painfully aroused. I looked back at her to see her dive under and resurface, flinging her long hair back erotically, exposing her full breasts to me. I gripped the boulder painfully and looked away before I did something I would regret. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her tense and look around, her little wolf ears twitching. She couldn't have sensed me, I had a barrier protecting me from the senses. She quickly jumped out of the water, put a robe on, and grabbed her sword. Moments later, a demon in a baboon pelt came out of the trees. She got a glazed over look, as if she was trying to remember something, then a snarl escaped her lips.

"Naraku." She spat venomously.

"Ah, so you know me. Good, that will cut the introductions." the demon said and started towards her. She held her sword defensively. He reached towards her and she didn't think twice about slicing his arm off. The arm was instantly replaced by a tentacle, writhing in its place.

"Keep your distance you sick bastard." She spat.

"Tsk, tsk, such a disrespectful tongue. I shall have to cut it out." He replied.

"You can try, you sad excuse for a demon!" She exclaimed.

Naraku lunged and managed to grab the back of her neck, before she sliced his other arm off, only for it to be replaced again. Rage burned through me like fire. No man had the right to touch her. She was mine to decide the fate of; if she died, it would be by my hand and mine alone. With my whip, I sliced the demon in half, revealing that it was merely a demon puppet. She snarled and whipped around as I came from behind the boulder. Her eyes widened as she saw me in my naked state and blushed as she looked away. I smirked as she adjusted the robe closer around herself.

"So are you going to get dressed, or just stand there and stare at me?" She asked, hugging the robe to herself.

I smirked again as I put my clothes and armor on. She blushed a deeper color when I turned to face her. The blush really brought out the red tinge that was in her red-brown eyes. My eyes moved over her body and face possessively, and then I realized how I was acting. She was my slave and I was already claiming her as a mate in my eyes. This, I could not allow. I replaced my calm and collective mask and drove all my other emotions away.

"The sun has risen already, we should get moving if we are to make it back to the castle." I said carelessly and walked away. I could hear her let out the breath she had been holding as I left.

"That was awkward." She muttered and I smirked.

"That was awkward." I muttered as he left.

God, I had never been more embarrassed in my life, I had never let anyone live after seeing me naked, let alone blush in front of them. In fact, I haven't ever been embarrassed enough to blush at all. God, I just wanted to shrink into a tiny nothing and hide. Not to mention I got a full view of his body, and I MEAN a full view. I was surprised that he didn't say anything other than what he did. I expected at least a snide, or even rude comment. Perhaps even a scolding. I was confused.

An ugly creature enters its master's room, yet again.

"My lord, did the puppet work?" it asked.

"It served its purpose, for now."

"So the girl is dead?"

"No, fool, do I have the jewel?"

"S-sorry, mi lord, but I have more grave news."

The creature received a death glare from across the room, making it quiver in fear.

"Well, what is it?"

"The jewel is no longer a whole."

"What?"

"It has been broken into little shards and scattered across the lands."

He began laughing, a chuckle at first, then a big, menacing, evil laugh.

"Mi- my lord?"

"This is an unexpected move, even from her. Does she really think that I won't be able to find them all? If so, she is more of a child than I thought."

"My lord, I do not think she knows you are after them."

"Oh, she knows, she knows. Thank you, Dorei, that will be all."

"Yes, mi lord, but, may this humble servant ask what the puppet's use was for if not to kill her?"

"It was merely a test of how strong and smart she is."

"And......... would it be too bold to ask if she passed?"

He looked amused for a moment, then said,

"With flying colors." And added under his breath, "As was expected."

A/n: Ok, I know that lately I've been writing short chapters, but, bear with me here, I'm making this up as I go along. Please Review.