A/N: Surprise! As a big thank you to all who have shown their support and understanding for the long period of time with no update, I am posting 2 chapters this week! I love all my loyal readers and all the love and support I have gotten while I go through a difficult transition in my life. Also, wanted to give you guys a heads up, I will be trying to update either on saturdays or sundays, whichever is less busy for me. Now, On with the story!

A test for Sesshomaru:

Sesshomaru's POV:

To say Kagome was shocked would be an understatement. Her mouth was open wide and her eyes even wider. I had to try hard not to laugh at the look on her face. I had caught her completely off guard. "Rin, dear, Why don't you go and show Kikyo how pretty your flower crowns are." Kagome finally got out, She gave Rin a small smile and nudged her in the direction of her sister. "Lord Sesshomaru and I need to have a private conversation." She added when she saw the hesitation on Rin's face.

"Okay, I'll see you two later!" Rin finally beamed as she skipped over to Kikyo.

We were alone now, out of hearing range of all those in the gardens. I couldn't help but admire the blush that had started forming on her face. I found myself wondering just how far her blush reached.

"So…. You wish to court me?" She stated knowing I would not repeat what I said. The wheels began turning in her head and I could tell she was trying to find the right words to say to me. She was trying to put her lessons into good use. "I would love to court you, My lord, However, I need to know you are serious about your courtship with me." She finally stated in a tone that left no room for argument.

"I understand. What is it you require of me?" I was nervous of what she would ask. Kill someone for her, Free her from her step-father, those would all be easy, however, if it was something more difficult, like perhaps, telling her in depths how I felt, I am not sure I could actually do that. Even though I know she has stirred feelings in me, and that I do care for her, I don't understand the feelings enough to describe them to her.

"I want you to retrieve someone who is really important to me from my old village. He is a small orphaned kit who I have been taking care of. He has no one to look after him and I am afraid that if I don't get him back, he will not make it to adulthood. His name is Shippo and he is very attached to me. Once you find him, just tell him you are taking him to Kagome and he will be more than willing to go with you. He has red hair and a poofy red tail. His eyes are green and you can most likely find him playing pranks on the villagers."

I almost gave a sigh of relief. This is a task I could do. Retrieve a child. I'm sure Rin would also enjoy the company. I decided before Kagome had even finished her thought that this is something I would do for her. If the kit really is really that important to her, that she would decide that this is her task for me, I will gladly reunite the two of them. I reached for her hand and gave it a small kiss. Her blush than deepened as it started traveling down her neck. "I will gladly go and retrieve the kit for you. I only ask that you stay here for your own safety. The travel to the village and back will take me about a week and I promise your kit will be safe with me. Look after Rin for me?" I couldn't believe I had asked her instead of commanding her as I would have before I had asked to court her.

"Of course I will. She is a delight and it will help to distract me while I wait for your return."

with that I stood signaling my departure. I had one more thing I had to do before I could leave. I walked over to where Inuyasha and his intended were to make sure Kagome would be safe. When I was close enough I cleared my throat to gain his attention. "Look after Kagome while I am away. It seems we left someone important behind when we collected the girls and I have been requested to retrieve said person." All I got in response was the typical "Keh" and Kikyo looked up at me with a smile. "Of course we will protect her. We know how much she means to everyone she meets and we wouldn't let anything happen to her, my lord." after she said her piece, she gave me a respectful nod of her head and I turned on my heels and was on my way.

I decided to fly to the village as I wanted to get there fast so I could retrieve the kit and make sure he was well taken care of before he was reunited with Kagome. I wanted to make sure he was bathed and in appropriate clothing. I wanted to make sure he was properly fed as well. Kagome gave me this mission as a test, one I was going to make sure I did not fail. As I approached the village, the headsman approached and gave me a low bow.

"How may we be of assistance to you today, Young lord?" He asked while he remained in his bow.

"You may rise, I am here in the search of a young kit. I was told he is an orphan who was cared for by one of the mikos I took with me on my last visit."

"Ah, you must mean Shippo. Yes, he is quite the pest to our village and if you wish to take him away from here, I am more than willing to lead you right to him." He lead the way to a secluded area of the village. I realized it was an orphanage that he lead me to. Once outside the orphanage, the headsman walked inside and retrieved the young kit for me. When I first laid eyes on him I was astonished. It looked like he had indeed been mistreated. He was far too thin for a growing kit, which means they weren't feeding him what they should have. He was extremely dirty and his clothes were all torn up. Also, his hair was a complete mess, and this would not do. Yes a week is what I needed with the boy, to make him presentable for Kagome. The kit bowed but did not wait to be told to rise, much like how Kagome is.

"My lord, may I ask what you want with me?" Shippo asked, with a shaky voice, much to my surprise. His composure spoke of bravery, but his voice gave him away.

"I wish to reunite you with a miko by the name of Kagome." I said in a monotone. I did not want the villagers to find out she was significant to me. I was concerned for her safety. His eyes widened and he flung himself at my feet.

"Thank-you Lord Sesshomaru. I promise to be good and to not be a burden to you!" He blurted out in his excitement. I knew then, that this kit was just as important to Kagome as Kagome was to him. We turned and walked out of the village as fast as we could. The kit fell into place just behind me and had not said a word as we made our way out of the village. We walked for a few miles when I caught the sent of a boar. This would be good for the kit. I needed to get his strength up and make sure there was no signs of malnourishment when I reunited him with Kagome. I looked down at the kit and could tell he was able to sense the boar as well. "Stay here and I will bring you the boar. You require nourishment before we reach the castle." He nodded his understanding and quicker than he could blink, I was back with the now dead boar in my hands. He gave me a grateful smile and began to dig into the meat offered for him. Once he was finished with his fill, I ate what was left as to not waste the good meat.

Next we made our way to a near by village and I purchased him some suitable clothing. Brand new Hakamas And a new yukata in the colors of green and blue. The would automatically repair themselves and would suffice until I could have proper attire made for him back at the castle. That was two items off my list of things this kit needed. We walked until it was getting close to nightfall. I found a suitable place to camp for the night and was surprised when I found it was close to a hot spring. I had the kit follow me and bathe properly with the supplies I had bought at the village. Once he was cleaned and dressed in the clothes I had bought for him, I patrolled the perimeter and had a fire set up in no time.

We spent the next week in much the same manner. I would hunt for the kit and slowly he started to look healthy again. He was happier than he was when we left on our journey. I knew we were getting close to the castle and wanted to make sure he had an extra good nights sleep tonight, since tomorrow would be a big day for him. We stopped at the village nearest the castle and I got a room for us for the night. We had a meal I did not have to prepare and both enjoyed a nice relaxing bath before retiring for the night. The next morning, we ate a silent breakfast and made our way the rest of the way to the castle. We were welcomed by a very excited Rin as well as Kagome. As soon as the kit had seen Kagome, He flung himself at her and immediately began to tell Kagome all about our journey here and all that I had done for him.

Kagome than introduced him to Rin and had sent the two children off to play in the gardens so that we could talk. She approached me and gave me a welcoming hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank-you for doing this for me. He even looks better than he did the last time I had seen him. You have done what I have asked of you and so much more, and you have my sincere gratitude for it. I would be delighted to be your intended and hopefully one day, your mate." and with that, I sealed her vow to me with a passion filled kiss.