The winter season was almost over and spring was quickly coming. Their journey was once again set in motion for the Shinkon no Tama shards. Their order didn't change, Inu-Yasha was still the one at the front and Sango was still at the back. The only thing that did change was Miroku's wondering hand. He "accidentally" groped Sango's butt out of habit and Inu-Yasha nearly broke it just by squeezing it. Sango was the one who was able to save the monk and calm Inu-Yasha down.

Before they had left, Inu-Yasha and Sango announced that he and Sango would be getting married on the first day of spring. It wasn't surprising news to the gang, they had been expecting it for some time. Kagome even announced that she had a surprise that she had for Sango-Chan for the wedding day but wouldn't bring it until then.

Everything was almost perfect. Everything besides the fact that their number one enemy was still alive. Everyone wanted to kill Naraku more then anything but so far, it seemed impossible. They hadn't seen him all winter which worried them since knowing Naraku he was up to something and no one liked that thought.

"Stop," Inu-Yasha said which made everyone look at him. "I smell some unwanted company coming this way, stay here," Inu-Yasha ordered. "I'll take care of it."

Moments later, just as Inu-Yasha said, none other then Sesshoumaru stood before them. The Youkai Lord of the West was frowning and his eyes colder then normal.

"What do you want bastard?" Inu-Yasha asked and rested his hands on the hilt of his sword, ready to fight if needed to be.

"I had heard some… unsettling rumors these past few months." Sesshoumaru replied, his tone was colder then usual. His eyes moved from Inu-Yasha back to Sango. "And it seems as if they where true."

"Feh, what would you care?" Inu-Yasha asked. "About any rumors that had to do with me?" He asked.

"It seems as if you really did take a mate." Sesshoumaru said, his cold gaze not moving from Sango. "All this time I thought that you would take the miko but it seems as if I was wrong, you took the Taijiya as a mate instead."

Sesshoumaru was beginning to irritate Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha didn't see why Sesshoumaru even cared. "I still don't see how this is any of your business." Inu-Yasha growled and Sesshoumaru's gaze turned to Inu-Yasha. "You took a human as a mate." Sesshoumaru growled.

Inu-Yasha said nothing.

"It seems as if you would follow in his footsteps wouldn't you?" Sesshoumaru asked. "Just like father you of all people would take a human as a mate."

Sesshoumaru's tone was really beginning to piss Inu-Yasha off. "Why are you here Sesshoumaru?" Inu-Yasha asked.

"I cannot allow your bitch to live." Sesshoumaru said withdrawing his own weapon. "She shall die by my blade." He growled. "I will not tolerate your mate living."

Inu-Yasha withdrew Tetsusaiga and stood in a fighting stance. "So you want to fight you bastard?" Inu-Yasha asked and snorted. "Why does that not surprise me?" Inu-Yasha asked. "That's the only reason why you ever show your sorry face after all." He said.

"Inu-Yasha…" Sango said and started toward his side.

"Stay where you're at!" Inu-Yasha barked causing Sango to stop. "This is between me and this bastard."

Kagome laid an arm on Sango's shoulder. "Come on," She said. "I don't like this anymore then you do but Inu-Yasha is fighting for you." Kagome added. "We should do as he says and move out of his way."

"But…" Sango said worriedly as she looked at the two brothers.

"Don't worry, Inu-Yasha will be alright." Kagome said trying to reassure the older woman. "Let's go." She said. "Kirara-Chan, mind…" Kagome didn't even get to finish her sentence. She was hit in the face and was knocked aside by the force.

"KAGOME-CHAN!" Sango shouted and dashed to her friend's side but Sesshoumaru caught her wrist before she could reach her friend.

………..

"Kohaku," The white haired child-like-youkai said to the younger Taijiya as they watched a dark cloud appear over the area where the gang was. "Go check it out, I believe that someone is about to kill Inu-Yasha." He said. "I smell the sent of his blood in the air."

Not needing to be told twice, Kohaku ran off in the direction he was told to go.

"And be sure to report back to me how that bastard dies." The white haired child-like-youkai added. (I don't know how to spell his name or even what his name is.)

Kohaku frowned.

……….