Hey! Sorry for the delay! Enjoy the longer chapter and thank you guys for your feedback. I love knowing what you guys think, and your support helps me to overcome writer's block .

Kagome didn't sleep that night. Couldn't. Her mind danced around, projecting her worst memories and biggest fears. Her butt grew numb and her feet tingled from a loss of blood, but she still sat there leaned against the door, eyes wide open, as the sun came up. She thought of Sesshomaru's lips on hers and felt heat rising to her face. She couldn't stop picturing the look on his face after he kissed her. An odd mix between smug, calculating and cold. She felt used, but for what purpose she didn't know. Kagome hummed her favorite song of the week to herself, gently rocking back and forth. She had just found a rhythm and was beginning to lull herself to sleep when she heard a small knock on the door.

Kagome ignored it.

The knock came again, a little louder this time.

"High Priestess?" The voice was high pitched and young.

Kagome sighed and stood up. She opened the door to find a young girl, about twelve or thirteen years old, standing there head bowed.

"Yes?"

The girl looked up briefly, before bowing her head again.

"Lord Sesshomaru has requested your presence downstairs."

Kagome looked at the top of girl's head for a moment. The girl's hair was loose and wild, not pulled back into the tight bun she had seen the other maids sporting.

"Okay, give me a minute."

Kagome closed the door again and picked her book bag up. Kagome felt woozy, and her feet felt as if she were standing on upturned pins. She crossed the room slowly. The sun had risen fully and the room was illuminated. Everything was white. From the curtains to the carpet. Kagome felt out of place. She dropped her book bag on the bed and continued to the window. It took her a moment to figure out how to open it, and a few moments more to get her clumsy fingers around the latch, but soon she pushed the window open. The smell of the outdoors hit her nose and Kagome took a deep breath. Birds chirped out their morning songs and Kagome sat on the windowsill and listened. The wind gently blew her hair around, and although the air was frigid, Kagome didn't mind. For the first time in a long time she could see the sun clear in the sky, and it shed a whole new light to the winter laden ground down below. Kagome continued to breathe deeply and eventually the nausea left her. She stood up and went to examine the closet. She opened the door to a walk in closet much nicer than Kagome had ever seen, and more than she had ever needed. The closet led to the bathroom, both sides of the wall were lined with clothes. She walked through slowly and turned a slight corner where she found a full length mirror, a vanity, and a sink. She opened the last door at the end of the closet and found a small shower and toilet. Kagome was in awe. She stood in front of the vanity and inspected her reflection. Her hair was wild, falling in tangled loose curls, her eyes were rimmed red and accompanied with dark, almost bruise like, bags under her eyes. There was no hiding that she cried all last night. The thought of seeing Sesshomaru made Kagome feel queasy. Kagome raked her fingers through her hair nervously. Her hand hooked on multiple knots. She gave up. She looked through the closet, there were clothes for every occasion. She found at least seven different ball gowns; tons of suits, skirt and pants; and a myriad of other clothes. Kagome decided to keep it simple. She pulled a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt off a hanger. She found that they fit her perfectly, and if this had been anyone elses house, she would have been surprised. There wasn't a casual jacket in the closet, so Kagome settled for the sweater she wore yesterday. Kagome folded her clothes and placed them in the hamper in the closet. She closed the closet door behind her on the way to the door. As a last thought she crossed to the bed and rummaged around in her back pack. Kagome slid her cell phone in to the front pocket of her jeans. She was ready.

She was stunned to find the maid still bowed at the door.

The girl looked up quickly, before bowing yet again.

"I am your personal maid, Rin. I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier."

Kagome felt humbled.

"I don't need a personal maid."

The girl spoke to the floor, "Lord Sesshomaru has insisted. If you follow me, I will show you the way to the kitchen."

With that the girl turned and stood, leading Kagome down the hall she stood in with Sesshomaru the night before. Kagome followed closely behind and observed the girl. She walked lightly, her hair bounced, almost happily, behind her. Kagome found a smile on her face. She was cute. They reached an open area and Sesshomaru sat at a small table. He read the newspaper his plate empty of food, though there was a wide spread in front of him. Rin pulled out a chair for Kagome and gestured that she had a seat. Rin pushed her chair in as Kagome sat, then she scurried away, returning with a plate, silverware, and napkin that she set in Kagome's lap.

This is too much.

"Sesshomaru, I hardly think I need a maid."

Sesshomaru didn't spare her a glance as he kept his eyes trained on the paper.

"She is my ward, and needs something to occupy her time. Do understand."

"Ward?"

A smile grew on Rin's face, "Sesshomaru found me when I was a little girl and took me in. Some demons were going to kill me, and he saved my life. And I've been living here ever since. It's just been really boring here, and my private tutors aren't coming since I'm on break. But I'm really excited to be your maid, I don't want you to think I'm only doing this because I'm bored. I-"

"Rin." Sesshomaru cut her off, his tone almost gentle.

Rin turned red with embarrassment, "I'm sorry I talk a lot sometimes."

Kagome smiled at her, "It's okay, I don't talk very much, so you can talk for the both of us."

Kagome turned her attention back to Sesshomaru, "I like her, but I can't have her as my personal maid. It's too much." Kagome looked at Rin. Her face fell. With her eyes trained on Rin she pushed on.

"How about a personal assistant?" Kagome looked to Sesshomaru for confirmation.

"I will permit this."

Kagome looked to Rin who met her gaze with excited eyes and an overly enthusiastic nodding.

Kagome gave Rin a thumbs up, "And I would prefer she wore her own clothes."

"Fine."

"Great. Rin, do you want to go change?"

Rin nodded excitedly before running off, throwing a thank you over her shoulder.

Kagome smiled. Rin was so happy, and though Kagome was only a couple of years older than her, she felt as if it were her job to keep her as happy and innocent as possible.

I wonder if that's how Sango feels.

Kagome had no intention on giving the girl any work. Kagome had no need for anything. But this way Rin wouldn't be waiting on her hand and foot.

Kagome looked at the food spread out before her. There was everything. Pancakes, waffles, fruit, toast, eggs, sausage, and foods Kagome wasn't quite sure what they were. Her mouth watered, she was starving. She loaded her plate and ate beside Sesshomaru in silence. She had always heard it was rude to read at the table, but Kagome decided to forgo this rule. If Sesshomaru could sit at the table with his eyes glued to the paper, she should be able to read a book. She dug in her book bag for the next book she had put on her list and opened it up.

"We will be leaving this city in two days time."

Kagome closed her book and set it on the table.

"Why?"

Sesshomaru held out his paper and waited as a butler took it from him.

Kagome rolled her eyes.

"As long as Naraku knows where you are, you are not safe."

"I know he's dangerous but, I doubt he'll find me out here. He doesn't even know I know you."

Sesshomaru leaned forward on the table, resting his elbows lightly on either side of his plate.

"Trust me he knows. I'm a known ally of the High Priestess. I have been for centuries"

Kagome took a bite of her waffle.

"I mean, my dad is evil, but he's not EVIL," Kagome covered her mouth with her hand.

Sesshomaru said nothing as he stood up, dropping his napkin on to his dishes. Hurried hands came and whisked them away.

He stepped away from the table before he spoke again, "Eat quickly. When you are finished Rin will show you to the practice room."

Practice for what?

It didn't really matter for what, it didn't sound like it was going to be fun.

Kagome choked out a confused, "Sure."

He was already gone. His movements soundless and graceful.

Kagome sat alone in the breakfast nook. She didn't rush as she took her time enjoying home cooked food, something she had come to miss somewhere between the pizza boxes and McDonald's bags.

A butler Kagome hadn't seen before entered the room holding a small sleek box.

"Sesshomaru has requested we dispose of your cell phone. It could be being used as a tracking device."

That thought never occurred to Kagome and she hurriedly pulled it out of her pocket and handed it to him. He handed Kagome the box in his turned it over in her hands but before she could ask what it was he was gone. She hesitantly opened the box and found one of the latest cell phone inside. Kagome picked it up gingerly. It was bigger yet thinner than the clunky phone she owned before.

RIn came around the corner quickly looking more her age in jeans and a t-shirt with a band Kagome didn't recognize on the front. Kagome slid her new phone in her pocket.

Rin stood slightly behind Kagome's chair, causing the hair on the back of her neck to rise.

"Rin, have you eaten?"

"Yes, High Priestess."

Kagome cringed at the title. She turned around and looked Rin in the eye.

"Rin, come have a seat."

Rin smiled before dropping quickly into the chair Sesshomaru had just abandoned.

"First off, I want you to call me Kagome."
"Okay, I can do that."

Rin's enthusiasm brought a smile to Kagome's face.

"And I want you to be comfortable around me, forget whatever they taught you. I don't want you to feel like my maid."

Rin nodded.

Kagome ate quietly while she listened to Rin chatter incessantly. Kagome nodded at the appropriate junctures, but her mind was elsewhere. But one thing she managed to understand from Rin was that, Rin thought the sun shone out of Sesshomaru's ass. Kagome faded in and out of a story Rin was telling her about how the Great Sesshomaru had once slain thousands of demons without even once pulling his sword. Kagome resisted the urge to sigh. Instead she quickly finished her food before standing up abruptly.

Rin stood up, too.

"Where is the practice room?"

"Right!" Rin began walking away and Kagome followed close behind. They walked through, what felt like, a maze of doors before stopping outside of one. Rin stepped to the side.

"This is it."

"Thanks. You don't have to wait I'll call you if I need you."

Rin nodded hesitantly, the smile slipping from her face, before she walked away.

Kagome stood in front of the door and took a deep breath. She pushed it open quickly, before she chickened out. Sesshomaru was seated in a chair flipping through a book. The room was quite big. The walls were padded and as she stepped inside, she could feel the floors were as well.

Sesshomaru spared her a quick glance.

"Are those clothes comfortable?"

"I guess."

"Then let's begin."

Sesshomaru stood up and set his book down in his chair. Kagome entered the room fully before closing the door.

Sesshomaru sat on the floor his legs crossed. In here he looked like a different person. Almost approachable. But then again Kagome had yet to see him so casual. Sweat pants and a wife beater, his hair in the same high ponytail.

"High Priestess." He used her title almost as an insult and she quickly averted her eyes before sinking down to mimic his position.

"You are going to learn how to summon your powers today. Seeing as your development has been stunted, you use your ability in a childish and dangerous manner."

Kagome felt her annoyance flair she kept her mouth shut.

Sesshomaru continued on," Try and empty your mind and focus on nothing but the power inside you."

Kagome had never meditated before and felt clumsy and silly as she sat there with her eyes closed. She didn't feel anything inside of her. Just a growing, quiet emptiness. Before she knew it she was drowning in her thoughts.

If they left the city where were they going to go? Was everyone coming? Where was everyone? She began to imagine the worst. Her father knew all of her friends by face and possibly by name. If he was dangerous enough that we needed to leave the city, wouldn't he be dangerous enough to hurt everyone she cared about? Kagome felt Sesshomaru move and she opened her eyes. His knees touched hers and they sat face to face. Kagome's mind stopped racing.

"You are not following directions."

Kagome only looked at him. She cleared her throat.

"I'm having trouble focusing."

Sesshomaru's expression remained neutral.

"It may help to focus on the feeling of the floor beneath you."

Kagome tried, but all she could feel was the near oppressive tingling she felt from where his body touched hers.

She sighed in annoyance and opened her eyes again.

"Maybe I should try it by myself."

Sesshomaru nodded and rose to his feet. In a blink of an eye he was gone, book and all.

Kagome laid down on the floor and stared at the ceiling. Her exhaustion had hit her. Kagome pulled her new cell phone from her pocket and turned it over in her hands. She couldn't seem to find the on button. Kagome's finger brushed the side and she felt a small button there. She pressed it quickly and the screen came to life. A short video swirled across the screen and she watched it wide eyed, she never thought she would actually own a phone this nice. She wanted to text her friends, just to know if they were okay, but she didn't know any of their numbers. The phone vibrated, effectively startling her and she dropped on to the padded floor. Sitting up she felt around for it. She picked it up and looked at the screen.

'We were told you got a new phone. Here's everyone's number. See you later. -Miroku.'

The numbers were listed below that and Kagome felt a small bit of relief. At least they were okay a few hours ago.

She laid back down on the floor, her phone clutched to her chest. Her eyes were heavy and she let them close. Surrendering to sleep.

Kagome rolled over and curled into the warmth. Sleep was slipping away and she desperately wanted it back. She squeezed her eyes tighter and tried to resurrect the dream she was having but to no avail. Kagome opened her eyes. She looked up and was met with a curious look from Inuyasha. Kagome sat up, her face red. Beside her Inuyasha was on his back his arms behind his head. The room was dark around them as the last few rays of a setting sun drifted in through the window.

"When'd you get here?" Her voice sounded terrible, heavy and rough with sleep.

"I've been here for a while. I came to check on you, cause I knew Sesshomaru wouldn't and found you having some kind of nightmare."

"Why didn't you just wake me up?"

Inuyasha snorted, "You don't think I tried? You sleep like the dead. You know you're going to keep sleeping like that until you get your powers under control."

Kagome rolled her eyes and laid back down, her head resting on Inuyasha's bicep.

"That's what I was supposed to be doing today. But I couldn't sleep at all last night."

"Why?"

Kagome could feel the rumble of Inuyasha's voice.

"It's just hard sleeping in such a new place."
She didn't know why she lied. She could have told him that Sesshomaru made her uncomfortable.

Too late now.

"Want me to help you?"

"Help me what? Sleep?"

Inuyasha sat up and Kagome's head hit the padded floor lightly.

"No, help you concentrate."

Kagome sat up and shrugged.

"I guess. Can you help?"

Inuyasha didn't answer but instead faced her and folded his legs. She mimicked him.

"Okay, Kagome. First thing I want you to do is close your eyes."

Inuyasha sounded like a bad recording and Kagome made a face before obliging.

"Okay, now try and empty your mind."

Kagome sighed internally. The more she tried to force the thoughts away the more thoughts and problems swirled around her mind. Her thoughts were wrought with her fears and doubts. And try as Kagome might to get rid of them she felt herself being crushed under their weight.

"You have a lot of thoughts in your head don't you? You don't have to force them away. Try acknowledging each one and then envision yourself putting them in a locked box. Just for now. The more detailed the better"

Kagome took a deep breath and tried. She envisioned a small bark wood trunk. It was covered in hand carved vines, but the leaves were real, growing and budding out of the wood. The box felt alive with magic. The lock looked as if it was centuries old. engraved metal that had rusted with time. the heart handled key turned and the trunk lid opened. Kagome placed all thoughts of her father, title, fears, and worries inside. Before closing the lid and locking them away. Her mind was finally clear.

"When you're done with that, try and feel your powers, they are always there, and shouldn't be too hard to find."

Kagome waited. She didn't feel anything. She felt herself begin to worry, but she pushed it away. She waited patiently, and eventually she could feel an odd hum, a slight vibration that started from inside out. It was so slight it almost tickled and Kagome wondered how she hadn't felt it before.

"Last thing, after you feel it, imagine it emanating from every inch of you like a light. Let it warm your skin."

Kagome willed her power to feel stronger and imagined flipping on a light switch.

"Kagome, open your eyes."

She opened her eyes a little and looked down. She was glowing, a light purple radiance dancing on her skin.

"Holy shit."

Kagome looked at Inuyasha with wide eyes.

"Inuyasha! This is so cool!" She ran a lilac laced hand across her skin and smiled at how warm she felt.

Inuyasha's eyes were wide too.

"Inuyasha, what happened to your hair?"

He touched his hair absently, still staring at her glowing skin. Kagome really looked at him. His ears were gone and his eyes were a normal brown. Kagome grabbed his hand hesitantly. His hand was still huge in hers but his claws were gone.

"You're human."

Inuyasha nodded.

"Half demons have one vulnerable night a month where their human blood takes over. So tonight, on the new moon I am human."

"That's kinda cool." Kagome mumbled under her breath lightly.

"Yeah, if I was half demon right now you would be burning the shit out of me."

Kagome's eyebrows knitted together, "Am I burning you now?"

She retracted her hands quickly.

Inuyasha smiled at her, and rested his hands on her knees.

"No."

The door burst open and Inuyasha and Kagome jumped apart. Like an old light bulb Kagome's glow flickered before going out completely. She shivered.

"I am sorry, High Pr- Kagome. I was told to come fetch you for dinner."

"Coming, Rin!"

Inuyasha stood before helping Kagome to her feet.

"You're a lot heavier tonight for some reason."

Kagome hit Inuyasha on the back of the head before exiting the room.

Kagome followed behind Inuyasha, who had picked Rin up and was giving her a piggyback ride down the hall, with a small smile on her face.

They entered the dining room and joined Miroku, Sango, and Sesshomaru at the table.

"I assume you are prepared to leave tomorrow." Sesshomaru spoke cordially to everyone at the table.

"Yes. Lord Sesshomaru." Sango bowed her head slightly to him, and Kagome barely contained her urge to roll her eyes.

"Lord Sesshomaru, why are we moving?" Rin asked before popping a cherry tomato into her mouth.

Sesshomaru looked Kagome directly in the eye.

"We're moving because the person who has been killing High Priestesses for centuries knows where the High Priestess is."

"And who would that be?" Kagome matched Sesshomaru's gaze unblinkingly.

"Naraku."