Sesshomaru watched as Kagome fell from the cliff. In shock, Inuyasha watched as well, frozen. Suddenly Kagome was surrounded in flames and Kirara emerged. Sesshomaru let out a breath that he hadn't known he'd been holding. Slowly, he uncurled his hand, revealing a semi complete Shikon Jewel. It glowed an eerie black color, showing it was tainted. A feminine voice filled his ears with laughter. The voice was familiar. Too familiar. Quietly, Sesshomaru leapt from the tree, running to the beach where Kirara had landed. Kagome was on the sand, panting heavily. She smiled when she saw him.

"Still got the jewel?" she asked weakly.

Sesshomaru kneeled next her.

"Yes," he replied.

"Hold onto it for me," she said, shutting her eyes.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried, running towards them.

Sesshomaru glared at his half brother while gently picking Kagome up. With great care, he settled her on his shoulder and began running back to the village.


Kagome woke sometime later with Sango and Kikyo having a stare off. Actually, it was more of a glare off because the both women's eyes were narrowed. Shippo was on Sango's shoulder.

"KAGOME!" he cried seeing her open eyes.

"Hi Shippo," Kagome greeted, sitting up.

"Where is the Shikon Jewel!?" Kikyo demanded.

Kagome looked at her.

'Aha! My suspicions were right. Kikyo wants the jewel. Good thing I gave it to Sesshomaru,' Kagome thought.

"The Shikon Jewel is in very capable hands if you must know. I will have it back by the time Sesshomaru and I depart this village. Maybe even later," she said to throw the priestess off.

If she figured out that Sesshomaru had it then Kikyo would fight him and Inuyasha would help like the obedient puppy he was. But if Kikyo stayed focused on the fact that Kagome might get the Jewel shard back later, then the woman would go berserk wondering who had it. To this, Kagome added one of her silent evil genius laughs. Kikyo stood and left without a word, anger steaming off her. Anger and some unfamiliar aura. Kagome couldn't put her finger on it but there was something painfully familiar about that aura. With Sango's help, Kagome managed to stand and put on a loose fitting kimono.

"Thank you Sango," she said walking out with her friend.

From the look of the garden, they were in a castle. Nearby she spotted one of Miroku's fake wards.

"That monk," she laughed.

Sango also laughed.

"Well. You know Miroku," she joked.

Both giggled hysterically until a rustle in the trees startled them.

"If you would mind being silent," a deep voice ordered.

"Sorry Fluffy," Kagome called.

Sango looked at her and then they burst out laughing. Shippo remained silent and he went stone still when Sesshomaru leapt from the tree, approaching them.

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Inuyasha!" he cried, leaping from Kagome's shoulder and running away.

"Shippo!" Sango called, running after the little demon.

Kagome smiled at Sesshomaru.

"Hey Fluffy," she said, patting him on the head.

"Do not patronize me," he growled.

Kagome stopped patting him and scratched his head. Sesshomaru nearly melted. It felt good to have someone scratch his head and had he been a cat demon, he would have purred. Quickly, he recovered as much dignity as possible and stepped back.

"When shall we leave?" he asked.

"Tonight. I just want to watch Kikyo for a little longer. She's up to something," Kagome declared.

Sesshomaru nodded and walked away, vanishing in seconds.


Miroku looked up at the sky, suspiciously. A weird vortex was forming . Or actually, it had already formed and a giant hand was emerging from it.

"Inuyasha!" he called.

"What?" Inuyasha snapped.

"The sky is giving birth!" Miroku answered.

"What!?" Inuyasha yelled, running over.

They both watched as a giant followed the hand.

"AHHH!" Shippo wailed, as the giant landed solidly on the ground.

It let out a loud roar, looking around. At least four or five of Naraku's poisonous insects surrounded it.

"Naraku's already made a pet?" Inuyasha asked.

"It would seem so," Sango replied.

Inuyasha drew his sword.

"Let the games begin," he said, running out.

Sango and Kikyo followed.

"Why aren't you going Miroku?" Shippo asked.

"Well, someone needs to stay behind and protect Kagome," he said.

Suddenly, Kagome ran past him, ready to shoot.

"Uh... never mind," Miroku muttered, grabbing his staff and running after Kagome.

Shippo clutched Miroku's shoulder as he did.

"Wind Scar!" Inuyasha yelled.

As his attack flew full force at the giant, Kikyo prepared to fire an arrow but one flew past her head, joining the Wind Scar. Kikyo turned to find Kagome, reaching for another arrow. She glared at the girl before firing her own arrow. Even with that much power, the barrier surrounding the giant refused to budge. Kagome ran forward, holding her bow as a sword.

"HA!" she yelled, throwing it, glowing, at the giant.

That got through his barrier. Inuyasha raised his sword again but a white blur past him. It was Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru sliced the giant in half with Tokijin, leaving Inuyasha standing there, sword raised, looking like an idiot.

"Whoo-Hoo! Go Sesshomaru!" Kagome cheered.

She clapped happily.

"Oh shut up Kagome. He isn't that great," Inuyasha snarled.

Sesshomaru slid his sword into the sheath and rolled his eyes.

"Stubborn half blood," he mumbled.

"What did you say!?" Inuyasha pointed Tetsuiga at Sesshomaru.

"How about a fight? Right here, right now," Inuyasha challenged.

Sesshomaru faced his half brother with a blank expression. Kagome sighed.

"Will those two ever grow up?" she mumbled to Sango.

Sango laughed quietly.

"Inuyasha. I have no intention of wasting my energy in a fight with you. Not only is it useless but it is tiresome. Even with Tetsuiga you always fail," he proclaimed.

"Bastard!" Inuyasha yelled.

Sesshomaru heard a faint 'whoosh' and then he felt something hit his head.

"OWW! Kagome!" Inuyasha accused rubbing his head.

Sesshomaru looked at the girl. She was standing beside the demon slayer, arms crossed and face in a tight line.

"Inuyasha. I'm sad to admit that I'm not surprised you'd pick a fight with your brother when Naraku is still a threat as well as his new friend. You need to grow up. And Sesshomaru, really, you lead him on and then you aren't willing to fight. Sheesh, I swear when I look at you two I see two children," Kagome snapped.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed but Kagome didn't notice. Instead, she sighed.

"Sit," Kagome said innocently.

She grinned when both demons were forced to the ground by the enchanted beads.

"Why did you do that?" Inuyasha growled.

Sesshomaru just glared. Kagome crossed her arms.

"Well. Now you know I'm serious," was all she said turning her back on them.


That night Kagome crept silently from her bed, grabbing her semi fried bow. Sesshomaru was waiting beneath a tree, completely hidden if he stayed still. When Kagome approached, he moved a bit so she would see him.

"Ready to go?" she asked with a smile.

Sesshomaru merely turned and kneeled, allowing Kagome to climb on his back and then he ran, vanishing into the night.