Practice makes perfect, but you must be trained to realize perfection when you see it.


Sesshomaru looked up as the kit's aura came closer to the small clearing of wildflowers they were in. Haru was playing with Sesshomaru and for once, the daiyoukai did not have to worry about the miko's wandering eye and was able to unravel a little with the pup. He purposely kept up a strong façade of a pack leader, but he also knew there were times when he needed to teach the pup about being a demon and this week away from Kagome was prime time. She may be the only ningen he would ever associate with but that didn't mean he wasn't wary of her.

It wasn't even her powers that made him so guarded, but it was her love and attention. She treated Sesshomaru like an equal despite their obvious differences and even though there was fear laced in her scent she had become bolder when speaking to him. She was brave, he would give her that, and possessed the qualities any male would look for in a female. The only problem was that she was ningen and he just could not abide by that.

Beside him, Haru had played all through the morning as Sesshomaru instructed the pup on his pouncing technique and other small lessons about his aura. Some of it the pup listened to, but for the most part he was too excited to sit down quietly. Sesshomaru finally had a great understanding of the energy Kagome used trying to keep up with Haru. While easy for him as a full blooded youkai it probably drove the ningen ragged.

"Sesshomaru-sama." The kit, Shippo, bowed respectively to the daiyoukai and waited for his lord's nod of approval. It was a rare time when the kit actually spoke to the daiyoukai but over time he had begun to open up. Sesshomaru had respect for that, at least. It was not an easy thing to overcome one's fears, especially so young.

"I was wondering if you could train me as well. I know I'm not your son or anything, but I don't really have anyone else to ask. My parents died a few years ago and I haven't had anyone to really teach me about what it is like to be a demon. Could you…could you teach me, like you do Haru." Shippo looked up holding his breath as the great lord considered him. Having been sitting, Sesshomaru moved to rise towering over the small kitsune youkai. With a burst of energy he let forth his aura and surrounded it around the kit.

It surprised and scared the kit, but Shippo held his ground as he continued to stare in the lord's golden eyes.

Sesshomaru had meant his aura to pulse with warning, but more than that he was investigating the kit's strength and testing his boundaries. With a frown he realized what the time with the hanyou had really done to the kit's demonic aura. It was weak and almost nonexistent to say the least, his growth stunted and his powers practically dormant. The few attacks Sesshomaru had seen the kit do were nowhere near the full potential they should be, especially at his age. At this age the kit should be able to fend for himself and protect his own hide. Instead he had been dependent on Inuyasha and his gang.

There was however, a latent strength within the kitsune. He had the potential to be strong, but his strength had yet to be tapped. As a dog demon, Sesshomaru could not truly instruct the kit in the ways of a fox demon, but felt at least some obligation to train him in the ways of his own kind. Demons were superior beings and it was a waste of the kitsune's potential to pretend to be human when he was not one.

"Rest easy, kit. I will train you, but you must be ready to work hard and never back down." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes waiting for a response and the kit looked up to him with surprise and wonder.

"Yes Sesshomaru-sama. I am ready." In an uncharacteristic show of affection Sesshomaru reached down and patted the kit's head. Truthfully, he didn't know what had changed in him. He used to be feared and revered through the land until a small girl came and began to thaw the hardness in his heart. The miko and her adoptive sons used that weakness to worm their way into his care making them a part of his pack. He had always been a loner and now he found himself picking up almost every living thing that crossed his path and taking them into his pack.

He almost growled at that wanting to blame the miko and Rin for such uncharacteristic kindness, but while he dwelled over such things the beast within him purred. He knew instinctively that he was in his prime and his beast had been on the prowl for a mate and eventually a pack. He was an alpha by nature, but without a pack to call his own he was a poor excuse of a pack leader.

Having a pack of his own had satiated his beast on some deeper level than killing ever had.

Sesshomaru realized what he had been missing in his life had been a pack and a mate to share it with. He was in his prime and his mating instincts were growing stronger every year. Already he had begun to be pressured to get a mate from outside sources. Now his own body was calling out to him to mate, a primal instinct that he was having increased trouble suppressing. The biggest problem was it was the miko his beast's attentions were wavering towards.

He knew the miko was beautiful and feminine, aspects every male judges in a potential mate. She also was an instinctual mother, taking care of young ones not even born of her body as if they had been. It spoke large measures of her kindness, her love, and care. All of those his beast looked for in a potential mother for his pups. The only thing she seemed to lack was strength, the strength of a demoness and the strength to protect what was hers.

Part of this failing was due to her human body and lack of training as a priestess. Should she prove herself worthy on that front, Sesshomaru knew not even his other self, his non-beast, would be able to resist her. As it was he was looking for a way out, trying to separate himself before she managed to break through his defenses.

"We will start today after lunch, kit. You will come to me then and we will begin." Shippo nodded enthusiastically running off to tell Rin the great news. Sesshomaru was left watching after him and then turned to Haru who grinned at him.

"Don't think you are getting off easy pup. You will be training as well." Sesshomaru said and the pup frowned before straightening to pounce again.


Sesshomaru spent the rest of the week strengthening Haru and Shippo's auras and teaching them how to uncover their instincts and their beasts. He taught Shippo most of all about his own unique abilities as a fox demon, how to shapeshift, improved stealth, as well as unlocking his fox fire. That, however, was the extent of his knowledge of kitsune's as the secretive and generally roguish bunch of demons hid their talents well.

There were small changes, changes that were made in the small span of a week through sheer determination.

For Haru it was good for him to look upon the kit and learn from his older brother's mistakes. He watched most of the sessions with interest before becoming bored and running off to play with Inuyasha or Rin. By the end of the week Sesshomaru had taken to teaching the kit how to use a sword. He was surprised to learn the kit had been watching Inuyasha in most of his battles, but dismayed that he had never had the opportunity for true instruction. Even his hanyou half-brother's instructions would have been better than nothing, but Inuyasha had neglected the kit's training thus far.

Towards the end of the week even Inuyasha had taken to participating in these training sessions. Whereas first Sesshomaru had ignored his half-brother now he had taken to using the hanyou in his pupil's training exercise. He was however loathed to call this brotherly bonding.

"Since you have taken to watching Inuyasha, why don't you help by participating?" Sesshomaru called over to his brother watching the white ears on Inuyasha's head perk up. He opened his eyes lazily as if he had not been paying attention the whole time and regarded Sesshomaru with a grin.

"What and spar with you? Bring it on, I've been itching for a fight." As Inuyasha jumped down from his perch in the tree he watched as Sesshomaru turned to Shippo and Haru.

"Watch boys and learn. I will test you after this." The two boys nodded, Shippo more so than Haru who was still too young to quite understand everything.

Before Sesshomaru could turn around Inuyasha had unsheathed Tetsaiga and began racing towards the great lord. In a quick but forceful movement Sesshomaru parried his attack with Tenseiga. A look of boredom crossed his features as he began the age old dance of fighting with his younger brother.

They clashed over and over until the sun began to set. Inuyasha was sweating, a slight sheen to his skin while Sesshomaru remained cool and unfazed.

Turning to his brother he held up his hand.

"What? Had enough, have ya?" Inuyasha called while Sesshomaru ignored him. Turning to Shippo and Haru who had been joined by Rin he looked at the three children.

"What did you learn, kit?" Shippo instantly began to prattle as Inuyasha, too riled up from the duel, readied his sword again.

Without missing a beat Sesshomaru spun catching Inuyasha with his sword and pinning him down.

"Pathetic. Don't you have somewhere to be, hanyou?" Inuyasha stopped his growling as he looked up realizing the passing of the sun. Kagome would be back soon and he had to go meet her at the well.

Showing his teeth in a show of aggression he pointed at Sesshomaru.

"I'm not done with you yet, Sesshomaru." Fighting the urge to roll his eyes Sesshomaru turned his back to the growling hanyou who got up and ran off disappearing into the forest.


Kagome had been waiting for an hour now as she sat by the side of the well. Tapping her foot she released a sigh of aggravation at the site of the sky growing dark.

"Damnit Inuyasha!" She yelled right as the hanyou burst through the tree line.

"Kagome!" He said, startled to see her there.

"Inuyasha! Where have you been? Did you forget to come get me again?" She screamed more out of annoyance than pure rage. It was so typical of Inuyasha to do these sorts of things she didn't have the heart to really be angry about them anymore.

"Hey it's not like I did it on purpose. That bastard, Sesshomaru, kept me busy cause he knew I had to pick you up." Inuyasha continued to grumble to himself as Kagome picked up her large yellow backpack, filled to the brim with supplies. Besides some new toys her mother had picked up for Haru she also had gotten Rin and Shippo some chocolate and Inuyasha his ramen. Unfortunately, Kagome hadn't known what to get Sesshomaru or Jaken for that matter. They were such an enigma to her and she ended up not being able to figure out anything.

Her week home though had been anything but relaxing. Her final exams for high school were coming up soon and then she would not have to worry about school. Still her friends and teachers wanted her to go to college but at the moment it seemed like a silly decision since she didn't know how much longer she would have to battle Naraku.

There was also that burning feeling in the heart that she wanted to stay in the feudal era. She wanted to stay with Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha and her new adoptive children. The peace she had forged with Sesshomaru seemed short-lived. What would he do when Naraku was gone? Would he continue to help them or would he go his separate way down a path she could not follow?

She had to get answers from him somehow so she could figure out if it was even worth it to stay after Naraku was defeated.

"Oi wench, you comin'? I got a score to settle with Sesshomaru." Inuyasha stalked off into the forest and Kagome followed tiredly behind him, growing exceedingly curious as to what had happened while she had been gone.

"What did you do now, Inuyasha?" She called after him. He grunted turning to look at her with a smirk.

"Nothing! He's been teaching the kids to fight so he thought he would use me as a training dummy, but I showed him." He looked back at her smugly, thinking she believed him. Truthfully, Kagome knew what Inuyasha was capable of and while he had stopped his brother he had never beaten him. Both of them knew it, but it was in Inuyasha's nature to be cocky. Instead Kagome pressed him further.

"Kids? What like Haru?" She asked as she huffed climbing over a fallen tree with her large bag.

"Ya, Haru and Shippo have been learning how to fight from him. I told Shippo I could teach him if he had just asked me, but the brat is stubborn. He said it would be easier if he learned with Haru since Sesshomaru is teaching the pup anyways."

"But Haru is only a baby. Isn't he a little young to be learning how to fight?" Kagome cut in and Inuyasha shook his head.

"Not according to Sesshomaru. He says in the demon world, the young start learning to fight as soon as they can walk. Doesn't sound like much of a childhood though, but whatever gives me a reason to fight the cold hearted bastard. Maybe then the kids will take me more seriously." Inuyasha's voice sunk then and Kagome found herself feeling guilty for having not said anything sooner. Pressing her hand on his shoulder she stopped him, catching a passing breath as she went.

"Inuyasha, you know Shippo loves and appreciates you just as much as Haru, but you have to realize there are things you and I can't give them. They are full blooded demons and need certain care. Even if we don't like it, it's only natural they gravitate towards Sesshomaru. He can give them what they need. After all when everything with Naraku is done, what will be left for them?

"I don't think it would be right for us to force them to stay with us. If they are able to, maybe it wouldn't be so bad for them to be with their own kind." Kagome's voice dropped then as she realized she had finally laid out her biggest concern in front of Inuyasha. The hanyou however seemed agitated to say the least.

"You know you sound just like him, Kagome! I never thought I would hear it from you. They don't need be with their 'own kind'. As long as they're with friends and family who care for them, they will be fine. We're the only kind they need!" Inuyasha's eyes flashed and Kagome released her grip from his shoulder staring back at him in fear. Then she slowly shook her head.

"Inuyasha you know that is not what I mean. I'm just saying that we are limiting them if we make them stay with us. They should be able to follow their own path and Sesshomaru can help them reconnect to the demon world and maybe even find whatever family they may have left. Don't you remember what it was like growing up without someone to teach you about your demon heritage? Imagine now if you were full demon." She hesitated then as Inuyasha's ears dropped further to lay against his head. He remembered and he remembered all too well the comments he had gotten. Unlike Haru and Shippo, he would never be accepted by either side of his heritage. The reminder that he was not a full blooded demon was a harsh one but necessary all the same.

"Remember when we found Haru, he was starving and no amount of food or comfort we could give him would sustain him. He needed a pack, something you and I can't give him." Kagome stopped then and took a breath her blue eyes unwavering from Inuyasha's golden ones, such a similar shade to Sesshomaru's.

"Sesshomaru understands this and he isn't winning everything. Don't forget Rin can't stay with Sesshomaru forever either. Why do you think he lets her spend so much time with us? One day he will have to let her go because soon she will be a woman and will need the companionship of other humans." Whatever she said must have struck a chord or perhaps it was the look in her eyes, but the anger in Inuyasha dulled and he moved away turning his face from her in a pout. He struggled to speak and then he gave a forced smile. When he spoke, his voice was strained as if he fought against the very act of speaking.

"You like him don't you, Kagome? More than me?" Kagome's heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened before she could regain control of her actions, but his perceptive demon eyes had caught her expression.

"I just can't win can I? That bastard takes my father, the kids, and now you! What the hell does he have that I don't? Is it his money or is it because you prefer a full demon compared to a half-breed? Tell me Kagome!" He screamed and she had to cover her ears as her tears began to surface. She hadn't wanted him to find out like this, she hadn't wanted him to find out at all. She didn't even think anything would come of it. It was just a high school crush, it had to be.

"Stop it Inuyasha! It's not like I have control over it. Besides you know as well as I do, he will never care for me like he would a full blooded demon. So just shut up about it. It will never happen and I would be a fool to think it would." She stopped their trek and bowed her head, her hair covering her features like curtains being drawn. Inuyasha felt like such an idiot then. Her slow tears were like footsteps on the cracking sand, slowly eating away at his anger until it was completely shattered.

He went and sat down beside her not knowing if she would be angry if he tried to comfort her. Taking a chance he swung an arm around her.

"It's ok Kagome, he ain't all that special anyway." Although this wasn't what Kagome needed to hear she pushed her feelings aside and tried to smile up at him. It was enough for Inuyasha although he could still smell the dull scent of distress on her.

They started moving after that mostly in silence with the occasional banter about how the kids had been. Kagome had missed them all so much and when the campsite came into view she started running until she was tackled by a brown ball of fur.

"Mama back!" Haru yelled as he wrapped his small arms around her. Kagome hugged the warm toddler to her chest just enjoying the moment.

She remembered herself when Rin and Shippo ran up to her begging for attention. Sango and Miroku weren't far behind helping her with her pack and trying to quiet the children, but Kagome's gaze sought out the one figure who was not there. Sweeping the campsite her eyes landed on Sesshomaru's form off in the distance. His eyes caught hers for a moment before he turned away.

"Okay guys, calm down! Let Kagome breathe!" Sango called as the kids began to back away. Beside her Haru tugged at her skirt wanting to be picked up and despite his lack of propriety she picked him up anyways, nuzzling his nose.

"I brought back things for everyone. Just let me get my bag." They gathered around her in excitement as Kagome passed out gifts to everyone. Then they all sat down for a dinner of well-cooked ramen. Kagome asked them all about what they had done while she was gone and Shippo for once was full of excitement explaining his training to her.

He got up and showed some moves he had learned and how his powers had increased. Kagome could feel the strength in his aura more than anything else and found her eyes searching out Sesshomaru. With a frown she realized he was not in sight. Reaching out with her aura she could hardly feel it and wondered why he was masking it.

Her eyes caught Inuyasha's as his golden orbs flickered in the fire light. Blushing, she returned her attention back to Shippo.

The fox kit was still rambling on about all the moves he had learned and everything that had happened. When he was done, Rin piped up telling Kagome how she had taken care of Haru.

Everyone laughed until the fire began to dwindle and with Haru asleep in her arms Kagome decided it was time for bed. Making her way to her sleeping bag she felt as if she was being watched. The sensation was a small one, but one that irked her nonetheless. Turning her head casually she tried to see if any of her friends were awake. Reviewing the quiet and reserved campsite it seemed as if the feeling was just a false alarm, but when she turned back to her sleeping back she thought she saw some movement in the trees.

When she looked back again at the spot where she thought she had seen movement, the forest around her remained still. The stillness was stifling and she even expanded her aura just a little bit so as not to awaken her friends.

Her aura brushed against another's but the foreign aura was quick t recede, so much in fact that Kagome was left bewildered. Had she truly just imagined it?

She had nearly thought there was a flash of priestess red from between the trees and the only other priestess that was known to lurk in forests was Kikyo. Her brush with the other priestess's aura had confirmed the identity of the soulless being, but Kagome had sensed no malice for her presence.

Kagome stayed awake a little longer until her aura sensed further movement. Her eyes jumping to the side of the camp she was relieved to see the silver haired daiyoukai silhouetted against the moon. His imposing figure was enough to make her release her breath she had been holding since sensing Kikyo.

The daiyoukai walked towards her, his aura extending to wrap around hers. When he was beside her he looked down, his golden eyes glowing in the moonlight as he regarded her and Haru.

"Sleep miko, none will disturb us this night."

"I thought I saw…"

"She has maintained her distance. I do not foresee danger from her anymore." As Kagome turned back to the place in the forest she struggled to try and see something that was not there. Although her mind was plagued with questions she let it slip as she curled up in her sleeping bag to sleep.

Sesshomaru watched her curiously, the frail little human who seemed to mold so perfectly against a demon child. She had been on his mind lately and he did not like the feeling of losing control of one's own thoughts.

Tearing his eyes from her, he sought out the dead miko with his auro brushing against hers. He walked steadily to the side of the forest where she was, her skin paler and more translucent. Whatever had changed within her it seemed to take her strength as her body seemed thin and weak.

Her powers that he had tasted one long ago were but a fraction of their former glory, her aura weakened by death. He could smell the scent of decay on her clearly as he regarded the unnatural being before him.

"The great lord Sesshomaru has a child with a miko. Who would have thought a priestess would sink so low?" Her words were spoken to the air, her eyes refusing to meet his. His guard was up, but he was confident she would be no match for him. In her prime he may have had to be careful, but as she was now, weak and dying, there would be no contest.

"This from a priestess who loved a hanyou." She smiled at that, a small and simple smile.

"That was a long time ago and look where it got me." She whispered. Her eyes still refusing to meet his, she made to turn her back to him.

"Priestesses and demons are not meant to mix. The result will only end with pain." She turned her head slightly at his scoff. He seemed displeased with the conversation and again she smiled. Finally she turned round again to face him, her chocolate eyes locking with his golden eyes.

They widened for a moment as she realized the similarity to Inuyasha's hue. Inuyasha, though, had a far more playful nature hidden in his eyes that made the gold warm like the sun. Sesshomaru's though was cold, but not cruel.

"Why are you trailing this Sesshomaru's pack?" The miko was brought from her memories at the sound of his deep baritone. Looking down from his golden gaze she sighed.

"Your goal is as mine. I want to be there at the final confrontation with Naraku and I figured this was the best way. He has hidden himself and his lair well. I think he is intimidated by the strength of you pack." Sesshomaru bristled a little at that his eyes snapping to hers. It was true that she had been following the group for some time and he wondered how Kagome had sensed her only now. However that was not the concern.

If Kikyo had gathered to their party then the feeling in his gut was right. Naraku would make his move soon and the end would come. What the dark hanyou had planned though was a mystery and Sesshomaru hated surprises.

"Don't worry I will stay out of your way."

"See that you do." He responded tersely as Kikyo watched him. Done with the conversation, Kikyo watched him turn away, his figure disappearing in the trees. She could still feel him with her aura, his mark on the world a beacon in the darkness.


A/N: Kikyo's alive! Also some Inu Kag fluff, because I had to acknowledge their relationship. Please review!