A/N: Hey guys, FINALLY I can post another chapter. I have been fighting with this chapter and trying to do all kinds of applications. I have been so busy it isn't even funny. But I'm getting things done and I was finally able to find some time to get another chapter out to you all. It's not as great as it probably could be, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was, lol. It's a lot longer too…I was able to squeeze in a couple thousand more words than what I had for weeks. *sigh* But I digress, I hope you all like this chapter. I worked really hard on it. Thanks for your support! ^_^

Disclaimer: I love Sesshomaru to death but I do not own him, nor do I own any of the other characters from Inuyasha, they all belong to the original creator Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter Eleven: An Unsettling Destination

The darkness from the storm had not lifted from the area. The sun's rays were blocked by the continuous coverage, obscuring the sense of time. Kagome sat silently as she watched the little smoky imps move boxes around three times their size. The parts of the compound that she could see was bare, aside from her chains in the wall and the pillow she happened to still be sitting on. She had calmed down considerably after her little field trip into the storm the previous day. It seemed Ryukan worked overtime to get things done. She bit down on her thumbnail.

'Is that my fault? Did he have to work so hard because I wasted what precious little time he had to get finished? I hope I hadn't caused him trouble…my selfishness is making me a burden on people.'

Kagome could not really explain why she cared so much about how the man felt about her, but gradually his opinion was beginning to matter more and more. Despite being a villain's flunky, Ryukan was growing on her at a pace that baffled her. She stayed silent, determined not to interrupt anything else. Hopefully the man wouldn't hold it against her later.

His presence came closer as she sat waiting for something to happen. He had been on the other side of the building, farther than he was the first time she called him and he was on his way towards her location. Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes as she analyzed his aura for the millionth time. For the amount of time she had been captured, it had become a beacon of peace, something that calmed her and made her feel less alone in this hell Naraku had put her in.

'But when had this happened? I don't normally feel this close to someone so quickly. Sure, I'm a friendly person, but this is a bit much right? I don't think this is normal. Even though I had tried to befriend Inuyasha the first time I met him, it wasn't the same. The level of trust wasn't the same as it was in my time with that baka. I attempted to make friends with Inuyasha out of necessity, a mix of self-preservation and an ancient connection I had to him from a crazed predecessor who carried her warped love into the future. But this guy, lackey to the most idiotic, self-centered vile being known to man had just snuck in under my radar. I can't help but care for him on some weird level. I've known Sesshomaru for a longer period of time and I feel less close to him that I would a stranger on the streets of Tokyo. '

Disconcerted with the path her thoughts were taking, she tried to clear her mind and focus on something else. Steps sounded behind her, and she lazily turned to look at the dimly lit hallway opening. Ryukan emerged, his hair dripping as he tried to catch the water with the towel around his shoulders. He wore a fresh set of clothes and his skin held a glowing, 'freshly scrubbed' pinkish tint to it.

"Good morning, Ohime-chan! I hope you're ready. You can have a bath and then we set out to your new home! Aren't you excited?"

Kagome narrowed her eyes and gave him a bland look, one that said: 'Are you stupid?'

"I really hope that was a joke. Though, if it was, then I'm afraid the humor was lost on me. This was inevitable that I would have to leave this place soon, so whether I am ready or not makes no difference in the long run now does it?" She bit out in agitation.

"Ouch…Ohime-chan, what's got you in a bad mood?"

Kagome averted her eyes to the side. She really didn't know why his comment made her so snippy. Perhaps it was due to her confusion on the origin of her budding and abnormal feelings toward him, or the culmination of every event that has been frustrating her since her capture. Either way, she didn't mean to take her frustrations out on the man, especially when he had gone out of his way to make her more comfortable and less likely to lose her mind the previous night. But he could stop calling her that ridiculous nickname.

"I'm sorry. Please disregard my outburst. I'm not myself at the moment."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know…well, more like I can't put it into words that you would understand. It just feels like I'm having some sort of out of body experience, so I might say things I wouldn't normally say. Please disregard them. Oh, by the way…thank you."

She glanced at him through her peripheral vision. He cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. He kind of looked like a confused puppy and she had to stifle a giggle.

"Why do you wanna thank me?"

"For what you did for me last night…I know you were busy and I'm sorry if I gave you problems."

He walked over and knelt in front of her, pinching and pulling on her cheek.

"*Ano sa, if I had a problem with it, I wouldn't have let you go out in the first place. Give me some credit here! I wouldn't let you cause trouble for me, so when I say 'don't worry about it', that's what I mean."

He took out a set of keys and unlocked her restraints and replaced them with a set of golden bangles around her wrists and ankles.

"What is going on? Why are you letting me loose?"

"Don't get excited. These work the same as those chains. I have to have some way to transport you don't I?"

Confused, she touched them with her index finger, drawing back sharply with a hiss.

"I wouldn't touch them out of curiosity if I were you. They are made just like that crown you have on. And just to let you know, you'll get another shock if you end up more than twenty feet away from me."

He pulled out a purple amethyst crystal on a cord around his neck. He dangled it in front of her, the stone catching light rays from candles lit in the room.

"See this? It was also made by eight legs to keep you in check. This is what makes them work…somehow he connected it to your miko powers, which is probably what powers the jewelry."

Kagome just stared at him.

"Why are you telling me this? I don't think Naraku will be pleased. This sounds like information he wouldn't want me to know."

He shrugged, "I wonder…" Leaving the sentence open-ended, Kagome scowled at his cryptic response.

"You can move around freely now. The imps won't bother you; they're too busy at the moment. I trust you can bathe alone? I won't be far away. Remember the twenty foot rule. Don't get any ideas."

'He sure is hella bossy.'

Kagome nodded and he led her to the bathing area, standing just outside the door to relay orders to the imps.

This time she could choose what she would use to bathe with instead of everything being decided for her. It was a refreshing change since she was dragged there unconscious. She basked in what would most likely be a rare opportunity for her as long as she could while considering the time constraints. When she came out, instead of another of those atrocious outfits, there was a beautiful kimono lying on a bench on the wall of the bathing room. The top portion of the garment was a pale pink color that gradually turned into a darker peach toward the bottom. The under layer was a pale blue and there were swallowtail butterflies embroidered along the bottom skirt and sleeve hems. The obi was yellow and black with silver vines embroidered along the material. Even during festivals and demonstrations at her shrine, she had not found a kimono that was this gorgeous.

She fingered the material lightly, in awe of something she never thought she'd get her hands on. It looked extremely expensive. But she didn't have all day to sit and admire it. She hurriedly put it on to the best of her ability and left to meet Ryukan outside the door. He had been picking his fingernails and leaning against one of the walls not made of Washi paper with one leg crossed over the other.

He turned and with a critical eye, swiftly coming to re-tie the poorly knotted obi acting as her temporary manservant. After deeming it tight enough and smoothing out all the wrinkles, he stepped back to see the finished product. Kagome could have sworn a sparkle came into his eyes at her appearance. He was appraising her, she knew. But she had also gotten used to his random little habits…such as staring longer than socially appropriate. He nodded to himself in satisfaction and smiled one of those rare real smiles of his.

"It fits, that's great!"

Kagome raised an eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the kimono of course. I went to get one from a neighboring village that sold nice clothing while you were asleep. That bastard didn't give me any clothes for you to wear on the journey. I checked. I didn't feel comfortable letting you leave the premises looking like you were looking. I'd have to do too much fighting if we passed anyone else on the road."

"So…you bought this...for me?"

"Yeah, he at least gave me some extra funds. I used some of it to buy your stuff."

"Thank you very much." Kagome said quietly, trying her hardest to fight down a blush.

"Well, shall we get going? I'd like to be on time so I can get my pay. We're already going to have to take frequent breaks on the way. It's a long journey to our destination."

He held his hand out for her and Kagome swallowed the surprise at his random act of chivalry.

They began walking away towards their new destination in what looked like a caravan of small wispy creatures. It was still ominously dark, but she didn't feel they'd need to find shelter anytime soon. It was mostly the lingering miasma that blankets the areas Naraku occupies or has occupied for extended periods of time. Looking over all of the trunks and boxes and other questionable containers, Kagome failed to pinpoint where Rin was being kept. She was slowly gaining the ability to read auras and have awareness to the location of a person, but while in captivity, Rin hadn't moved much making it impossible for Kagome to experiment with distance. Wherever the child was, Kagome guessed they went so far as to mask her presence within the container they had chosen to carry her in. It had been a while since she had last spoken to the girl and she had not been able to warn or comfort the child before they were thrust into motion yet again by forces out of their control.

'I really hope she isn't cramped up in one of those trunks. I can't feel her, no matter how much I try my new found powers to search for her. She was hidden well. Naraku's desire to keep the child a secret from me isn't that bad is it? What was his reasoning for taking her anyway? I have some idea why he wants me, but I doubt he wants her for the same reasons…at least I would hope he isn't that despicable.'

She worried and fretted inside over her young secret companion, but as always she kept a calm façade in front of Ryukan and didn't let the knowledge of the child's presence escape her. The last thing she wanted was to get her hurt. She prayed and prayed she wouldn't do something stupid to slip up.

The walk started out silently, no one uttering a word to the other. It was just the soft sound of feet shuffling through grass and the occasional strong breeze to pass their ears. Kagome was getting more comfortable with her current situation, but she continually had this underlying desire to be rescued and return to her shard hunting group. No matter how safe she felt with Ryukan, she highly doubted the same feelings could be conjured up or ever applied to Naraku.

Over my dead body.

However, the longer she stayed in captivity, the more it whittled down her optimism in believing that her situation would change. The faith she had in her dog-eared savior was waning. Despite this, she still held out a glimmer of hope for her increasingly cynical views pertaining to the future to turn out false.

She missed the sun. Kagome looked at her depressing surroundings and sighed heavily.

'How long ago was it that I went to find Sango at the onsen? It feels like it's been ages, when it really could only have been a month at the most. It feels like much longer than that the last time I saw my family or friends in my time. Will I ever see them again? The way this is going, maybe I shouldn't even ponder the answer. What ever happened to that moon god? I wouldn't mind him punishing me now. It'd probably be better than what Naraku has in store for me.'

She fought the tears that threatened to spill out in her anguish. She'd have to resign herself to a miserable life filled with darkness.

He had been searching for a long time, but it was proving increasingly difficult. He had never had this much trouble tracking one person down, but he swore with all he had in his being that the bastard responsible for kidnapping what was his would pay with his life…slowly…painfully…without remorse, pity or mercy.

After a while, the lowlife must have masked their scent. The farther away from the scene of the kidnapping he got, the smell gradually dissipated and after the fog it had disappeared altogether. Rin's scent permeated that clearing, but not fifty miles out, it was nonexistent. The only indication he had on what direction he should continue traveling in was the fact that the forest had the same scent as the way they were traveling when the wind wench sent them on this wild goose chase. He didn't know how much trust he could put in the words of his brother's old lover. Kikyo had always been a conniving bitch in his opinion, but in this despairingly hopeless situation the woman had given him a way out.

But it did not come without some sort of bargain.

The demon lord was still unsure of whether or not he'd actually do as she had asked, but it wasn't out of his way. There would only be a slight annoyance until he found a suitable place to drop her off. For the information she provided, it would make no sense to refuse the request. But should that lead turn out to be false, he would ensure his repeated demise for tricking him.

No one crossed the demon Lord of the West.

Traveling the great distances he has comes in handy in times such as these. His ability to distinguish the scent of the land based on its location within the cardinal directions. The south smelled slightly musky, a smell that carried the sweat of the animals that inhabited it. The north smelled sweet and fresh, like the snow that rested on its soil. His lands smelled of Sakura blossoms, and eternal spring that lived in his domain. The east smelled of wolves. That was the best way he could describe it and a place he avoided because of the annoying, nose curling scent. But Kagura, if he ever caught up to her, Sesshomaru vowed she would also meet his wrath. He had many on his blacklist, but at the top would forever be that hanyou scum, Naraku.

Frustration ran through the stoic lord. He was not used to feeling inept at any task and it was not something he tolerated out of himself or his subordinates. He would have to just continue to travel this chosen route until he either ran into them or came across another lead. He stretched his senses out to catch every sound, scent and movement in the underbrush of the forest.

By this time, the miasma had dissipated and gave way to the much craved warm rays of wonderful, glorious sunlight. Instantly the burden that hung over Kagome's shoulders was lifted, like the darkness had actually been physically holding her down. Her spirit was lightened. She had to fight the urge to twirl around and roll in the soft green grass underneath her. Excitement bubbled just under her skin and it buzzed the air around her. Ryukan felt it too and he grinned at her though she was not paying attention enough to see it. Though her excitement was palpable, her feet hurt and she was extremely exhausted. They had been walking for several hours, she could only tell based on how her body was holding up. In the distance, Kagome saw a village.

'This must be the first rest stop. Finally, I get to see civilization! It seems to be a cute, well-populated little village. What I need now is a bath and a nice or at least somewhat decent futon to sleep on.'

Upon closer inspection within the streets of the village, Kagome got an eerie feeling as if this wasn't a run-of-the-mill village. For one thing, it was much too large to be accurately called a village. It was more of a forted township. She hadn't noticed the ten foot tall barrier that surrounded it until she was walking through a thick space of air. It also wasn't like other villages the Inutachi frequented out in the countryside. Dust wasn't easy to kick up here, many of the women wandering about wearing elaborate kimonos and many of the village's inhabitants having hair in weird shades of color.

'Demons. These must all be demons. We've never come across anything like this with Inuyasha. Are there more villages like this?!'

All of a sudden nervousness attacked the miko. Though she didn't have full control over her powers, her instinct still immediately responded negatively to all the possible threats that surrounded her. Based on sight alone, she knew should things get hairy, their little ragtag group was severely outnumbered and at a serious disadvantage with nothing much to use in the way of weapons. Her hand-to-hand combat skills sucked ass and she highly doubted these people would wait for her to craft some arrows and maybe pilfer a bow. She couldn't read Ryukan's skill level accurately, but his appearance led Kagome to believe that he might at least be as strong as Kouga.

'I doubt Naraku would have left me in his care, if he couldn't at least hold his own in a fight. However, I don't think he'll be able to do much if one of us somehow sets these people off.'

About three fourths of the imps traveling with them walked in a separate direction, towards what she assumed to be one of the village's exits. Turning to her companion, she questioned him on the nature of their departure.

"Hey, where are they going?"

"They won't stop to rest here, they don't need it. They'll continue until they reach Naraku. I know I'd love to eat something and you look dead on your feet in exhaustion. So here we shall stay the night, maybe two depending on how long it will take you to recover strength enough to continue our journey."

She nodded, staring around her stiffly. Kagome hoped against hope they wouldn't have to stay very long. She could already feel stares on her back that felt less than welcoming.

Stalls were everywhere, selling everything from clothes to dango to earthenware pots. You name it, they had it. It almost resembled **Natsu Matsuri in her time with its complexity. Kagome was in awe, impressed with everything she saw. Merchandise present in the shops were things she thought she wouldn't be able to get her hands on unless she went back to the future.

The human villages never had things remotely close to what was there. Their stalls were always grungy and most of the wares were second rate. But then again, the majority of them were farmers who were poor and couldn't have access to the best materials. But these…these were fit for a daimyo or even the shogun.

They ventured around with Ryukan occasionally picking up some weapon or scrutinizing some piece of durable cloth. They reached a small tea shop where a humble young lady with fox ears was sitting at a table. The girl was beautiful with chestnut curly brown hair that had blonde highlights. Her hair brushed her elbows and the furry fox ears had a dark golden hue. Her porcelain-like face held a slight frown as she gazed forlornly out of the only side window of the shop.

Hearing them enter, she snapped her head up to look at the two. Instantly, the frown had disappeared from her face, but Kagome could tell that the smile was a façade.

"Hello! Welcome to Sora Tea House! What would you like to order?"

Immediately Ryukan's gentlemanly demeanor was gone and replaced with the pervert.

"Why hello there little lady. Can I have one of you to go? You look absolutely delicious!"

'He's worse than Miroku, and that's saying something! Tone it down bub!'

The poor woman had to have blushed about ten shades of red at his bold statement. Kagome was about to whack him on the back of his head in annoyance but halted when a shrill voice echoed to the front of the shop. A rotund woman emerged from the back, barely squeezing through the curtained door that led to what Kagome assumed was the kitchen.

"Ayumi! What did I tell you about addressing guests? You are here to work, not fraternize with my customers! When someone comes in, what are you supposed to do?"

The scolded girl's ears plastered themselves to her head and looked to be on the verge of tears.

"I am to come and inform you in the kitchen, Sora-sama."

"Indeed, now get back there and remember your place half-breed! You have no rights. I shall deal with you later, until then I don't want to see you, am I clear?"

The girl nodded quickly and scurried away. Kagome glanced at Ryukan and saw him wince at every shrill note the woman made. He did not look pleased. The fat woman turned back to them with a fake smile on her face and a complete attitude change until she laid eyes on Kagome. Her smile morphed into a half grimace.

"I'm terribly sorry sir, but we don't allow personal slaves inside the shops. She can stand outside until you are finished."

Kagome's face could have been mistaken for a fish as shock from the statement hit her full-force. She was conscientiously watching what she said and did around the villagers, not saying a word since they crossed the barrier lest she mistakenly get them in trouble but this woman was asking for it. In true Kagome fashion, the slim miko was about to jump over the small counter the woman couldn't even fit behind and attack her in the face. However, a hand grabbed hers, linking the fingers from both and calming her down.

"Excuse me madam, but that was not very nice." A deep male voice spoke, piercing through the cloud of rage in Kagome's mind. "I don't think my lord would appreciate the insult to his mate. You would do well to learn your place. Just as you discriminate against that girl for being a half-breed and my lord's mate for being human, your blood is also somewhat tainted, is it not? Your large, bulging figure and ugly snout you try to conceal are both traces of being a lowly pig demon. I smell faint traces of human in you as well. I believe my lady looks a might better than you do. Would you like it if I informed my lord and he brought this matter to the council?"

Her eyes grew wide as saucers and her short, nasty brown bob cut swung swiftly from side to side as she tried to salvage the situation.

"Oh no sir! I am terribly sorry! You and the lady are welcome to stay. Please order anything on the menu, it's on the house!"

A malicious grin found its way onto the green eyed man's face.

"Please allow Ms. Ayumi to come back to the front. We would like her as our server. And I have a very good sense of smell. Should something be in our food other than the initial ingredients, I will know."

Ryukan gently led Kagome to one of the tables and sat with her, keeping up the guise of overprotective, star-struck guard. As the woman left, Kagome thought it safe enough to have a low conversation.

"What's with that? Who the hell is this lord you're referring to? That sure as hell better not be how you think of me and Naraku!"

Ryukan gave her a sheepish grin.

"It was the best way I could think of to diffuse the situation and not physically attack her. You were seconds from laying her flat yourself. I had to do something. You gotta remember that this is not your average human village. There are norms here that exist because it is a demon village. Humans and half-breeds do not really have any rights here. The only way she would have backed down without a fight was if she thought you were the mate of a powerful demon. Based on our attire, my appearance and the deference I gave you, one could assume my lord was both wealthy and powerful. However, not everyone here will care about that, they will despise you because of what you are and will mistreat you regardless of the consequences."

Kagome silently nodded and when Ayumi came back out they ordered some dango, green tea and jellied red bean paste. The fat woman was kind enough to add anchovy soup and somen noodles. Ryukan wolfed his portion down and got up, dusting himself off.

"I must go and take care of our lodgings. Do you mind waiting here until I come back?"

Kagome smiled and shook her head.

"No, I will be fine. Take as much time as you need."

'He must not be going too far away if he doesn't mind leaving me here. I hope he remembers the twenty foot rule, as much as he wants to remind me about it.'

He nodded and looked to Ayumi. "Keep her company would you?"

She blushed and consented, standing next to Kagome and awaiting orders. After about five minutes, Kagome was irked with the hovering the girl was doing.

"Hey, you wanna sit down?"

The girl turned frightened eyes toward Kagome, backing up a little.

"No ma'am. I can stand. Is there something else you need?"

"I would like for you not to be so afraid of me. Please sit, we can talk. It's incredibly boring around him. I haven't had a decent conversation in days."

Her trademark smile spread over her face and began to disarm the girl. Slowly she sat and timidly began conversation.

Kagome sipped on her tea, more comfortable with the girl not hovering anymore.

"What's it like to be mated?"

Kagome choked on the tea.

"Oh I'm so sorry! I didn't mean…"

Kagome held her hand up to stop the rambling as she continued to hack up the tea from her windpipe.

"It's quite alright. I just wasn't prepared for the question."

'I still have to keep up this façade, though I feel bad for lying to the girl. I have no idea what it's like either, but maybe I should tell her what I want in a man, just make it sound like that's what I already have.'

Kagome began her speech in an all-knowing tone.

"Well, my mate is most wonderful. When he is not busy doing his lordly duties, he is doting upon me. He is very attentive to my needs and he spoils me. He is very handsome and he has the most beautiful eyes." She got a misty look to her eyes. Looking far away, she continued to illustrate her fantasy to the girl, but the more she said, the more she realized she won't ever have what she saw in her dreams. "He sometimes brings my breakfast to the bedroom. He allows me free reign of the castle and several of the gardens are mine to roam. He is normally the first face I see when I wake and the last I see before bed."

Kagome chuckled a little bit, trying to stop the sudden flow of tears that had welled up in her eyes. "He keeps asking me when we can have children. I've heard many of the maids say they're ready for the little pattering of feet to sound through the halls and laughter bouncing off the walls. We have a pleasant life, but my mate is ready to start a family now."

As the fantasy grew bigger with every fabrication she added, tears silently made tracks down her face, growing into rivers.

"What is wrong my lady?" The poor girl was worried for a stranger she knew almost nothing about. Kagome smiled through her sadness.

"Nothing, I was just revisiting how wonderful my life is. But don't worry, you have a good heart. There is the perfect mate out there for you. He will love you and your life will be just as happy as mine."

Ayumi soon had tears falling down her face and they both laughed heartily at the outcome.

Not long after their conversation, Ryukan came back to pick up his charge and bring her to that bath and soft, downy futon she had been daydreaming about since they left the old hideout.

Ryukan had asked why she was crying, and as she wiped her face, all she told him was…"girl talk."

A/N: Okay guys, that's it for chapter 11. I hope ya'll enjoyed it! Please review, follow, fav and all that jazz. It is food for my creativity. Your support gives me ammunition to fight the writer's block that attacks me. Please lead me your thoughts on the chapter. Constructive criticism is always welcome. ^_^

*Ano sa = Look here/Just a minute (not an exact translation but it can be read that way here)

**Natsu Matsuri = Summer Festival