Chapter 21

A/N: Okay, I know what you're thinking: Why the hell did it take you so long?! Well to answer with that question: I was busy. Recently I have being reading this newly discovered anime/manga called Yu Yu Hakusho. It's a pretty good one to read but I still believe Inuyasha is the best!

And I've also been busy with the oneshot I made recently (Fighting Destiny). I wrote that one because I had a little case of writer's block and I thought that might have cleaned the air a little bit. It turned out I spent more time on that than a chapter on this! Lol. And I'm also going to make a sequel! I know I said I wouldn't but I realized I made too much loose ends so I'm going to fix it.

And there's also assignments and tests to consider but I wasn't too worried about that. Oh! And also I had some parties to go to on the weekends so I couldn't update then either. Sorry guys!

Anyway let's continue this extremely late chapter. I hope you guys aren't too mad at me and enjoy!

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Inuyasha: 18

Kagome: 16

Shippo: 5

Sesshomaru: 25

Rin: 7

Miroku: 18

Sango: 17

Kouga: 18

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Inuyasha and the group ran through the forest, only taking the minimum of stops. They had arrived at a stream and decided to stop there after 5 long hours of non-stop running. And that pretty much tells you how tired the group was and how pissed Sango was at the constant running.

She stomped angrily away from the hanyou who was perched on a tree, his arms crossed and his eyes closed. 'Another minute with him and I think I might burst!' she thought angrily. She walked towards the stream and sat down on the edge, soaking her tired feet into the cool and refreshing water.

Kirara had joined her only a few seconds later and sat down by her left. Sango sighed once more and patted the neko demon behind the ears. Ever since Kagome went she couldn't talk to anyone in the group which was most surprising. She guessed having another girl in the group made her a bit more soft and timid around the boys. Well not timid, maybe wary is the word.

Kirara purred and leaned in to Sango's touch and Sango gave a soft and sad smile in return. She missed Kagome more than she was willing to admit. She was terrified what was happening to her. She often wondered if Kikyo had struck her yet or had Lord Sesshomaru harmed her in any way. These things made her worry to the core.

Suddenly Sango heard the grass moving behind her and turned her head around to see Miroku. he had a concerned face on and it made Sango swiftly turned her head back, fighting back a small blush. "What do you want, Miroku-sama?" she asked while petting Kirara.

Miroku coughed to clear his throat. "Would you mind if I sit by you, Sango?" he asked politely.

Sango didn't say anything so he took it for a no. He crouched down beside her, not putting his feet into the water like she was doing. He crossed his arms and held his staff above him. "Something's bothering you." He stated.

She shot the monk a warning looked before she ignored him and continued to stroke Kirara. Miroku tried again. "We are all worried about Lady Kagome, Sango." He said calmly. "But we cannot do anything more than what we are doing now. It is best if you do not worry so much." He said wisely.

Once again she shot him a look but this time she held his gaze. "There's nothing else I can do but worry!" she shouted angrily. She stopped stroking Kirara and pulled her feet from the water. Kirara stood up and mewed at the troubled exterminator. "What if Kagome's hurt?" she asked. "What if Princess Kikyo got to her already? What if Lord Sesshomaru harmed her?"

Miroku put a hand on her shoulder and stared up at the bright, cloudless sky. "You must have trust in the Lord's word." He said. "Even if he was our enemy he is still a proud and trustworthy being. He will not go back on his word."

Sango slapped Miroku's hand off of her shoulder. "Yeah." She grumbled but she frowned soon after it. "But Kagome is a princess isn't she?" she asked. "Lord Sesshomaru has been trying to bring down her kingdom for years, even before he took the thrown. What if he chooses this opportunity to finally end the conflict and rule the human lands?" she asked terrified. "I can do nothing but worry."

Miroku sighed and stared at Sango's worried face. "All of us cannot do anything but worry." He said as he motioned to the hanyou perched on the tree. "Especially him. He feels terribly bad for he was the on who had driven off Lady Kagome in the first place."

Sango gave a glare towards the hanyou who didn't notice it at all. "What the hell did he do anyway that was so bad?" she asked resentfully. "I couldn't hear what they were saying. I have no idea what happened." She gave Miroku a suspicious look. "Do you know what's going on, monk?" she asked dangerously.

Miroku tried his best not to look guilty by looking innocent. Unfortunately, him looking innocent usually meant that he was guilty. "Why, what ever do you mean?" he asked.

Sango shot him a glare. "You know what happened don't you?" she grabbed his ear which he protested greatly to. "Tell me what the hell is going on, Miroku." she hissed as she pressed onto his ear like a child scowled by his parent.

Miroku tried his best not to whimper but he didn't last for long. "I know nothing!" he stated as he tried to pull his ear away from Sango.

Sango let go but this time held her boomerang above her head, her eyes glimmering with something dangerous. "Tell me what's going on or I'll bring this bone down onto your head." She threatened. By now, Kirara had skipped away from the two and joined Inuyasha as she curled up at the base of the tree.

"But Sango dear!" he pleaded as he stared at the boomerang threatening to fall on him. "I do not know anything!"

Sango gave a small sigh and lowered her boomerang without hurting or even touching the monk. "Fine." She said as she stared into the water. "Inuyasha probably told you the story. He doesn't want you telling anyone else now does he?"

Miroku shook his head and Sango sighed once more. She stared into the water with sad eyes. "I'll just have to find out what's going on when Kagome gets back." She decided. "At least she'll tell me what's happening… I hope."

Miroku nodded. "Of course she will tell you." He said. "You two seem like the closest friends. It would be surprising if Lady Kagome didn't trust you enough with a secret."

Sango didn't reply to that in any way. She just stared at the clear water, thinking about the past events. She had lost her entire family, she didn't want to lose a member of her new one. 'We're your family now.' Was what Kagome had said to her that night she found out and she took those words into heart. She didn't want to lose Kagome and she knew everyone felt the same.

Thinking about her new family has got her thinking about her old one. She missed her parents and her brother. 'Kohaku…' Sango silently said in her mind. She missed him a lot. He was the best little brother anyone could have. Sure, he was a little klutzy and childish but he was still the best brother she ever had.

Sango felt a tear running down her cheeks. Her eyes were moist with loss. She then felt a hand caress her cheek to wipe the tear away. She snapped out of her train of thoughts and stared at Miroku's hand. She slowly met Miroku's eyes and they stared at each other for a few moments before one of them spoke.

"What's the matter, Sango?" Miroku asked in concern. His hand was still on her cheek, not moving but just staying there.

Sango could feel herself leaning into his warm touch, letting her tears fall in front of the man she has known for years and trusted her life with. She realized what she was doing and recoiled from his hand as if it were on fire. She blushed madly and wiped her new tears away with her sleeve. "Nothing's wrong, monk," she said in a raspy voice. "What makes you think that?"

Miroku's eyes were flooded with concern for his friend. "You know you could tell me anything." He stated.

Sango shook her head. "I'm alright." She said. "I was just thinking too hard, that's all." She said trying to reassure the concerned monk.

Miroku still gave her a worried and suspicious look but before he could ponder any further Sango stood up and dusted her kimono for any signs of dirt. Miroku seemed like he was going to protest but she was already walking away from him and towards Inuyasha. He, defeated, stood up and followed Sango like a shamed puppy.

She reached the base of the tree where Inuyasha was sitting on and sighed. 'Kohaku…'

Suddenly she felt a breeze hit her face and she realized that Inuyasha just jumped down from the tree. "Come on you weaklings!" Inuyasha called. "Let's keep going. I'm sure you two had enough rest."

Sango found herself steadily boiling with anger. "We were here just for a few minutes idiot!" she yelled. "We can't go off when we barely had enough time to recover!"

Inuyasha glared at her. "Well who's fault is it that you tire so easily, huh?" he mocked.

Sango was about to yell at him even further before she felt hand rub down on her backside. She quickly changed her purpose and slapped the offending hand away, her face bright as a tomato. "Hentai!" she yelled and slapped Miroku hard once more.

Miroku rubbed his cheek dreamily before he cast a far-away look towards Inuyasha. "Perhaps Sango is right, Inuyasha," he stated. "If we continue like this without our full strength then we'll be nothing but a burden to you."

Inuyasha once again crossed his arms and closed his eyes stubbornly. "Feh!" was all he said.

No sooner did he say this his eyes snapped wide open and took a fighting stance. The others took on his lead and cautioned themselves. Inuyasha started to sniff the air and he could smell a very familiar scent coming towards them. He growled. "I can smell something that smells like Naraku." He stated to the others.

Sango cast him a frustrated glance. "What is that supposed to mean?" she asked angrily, her boomerang ready to be thrown.

"I mean that I smell someone who smells like Naraku!" he growled.

The wind suddenly picked up and they all had a cold shiver run down their spines. Miroku glanced up at the sky but there wasn't a cloud in sight. He held his staff up high and prepared for the worst.

Inuyasha growled and the others tensed as they spotted a small figure coming towards them. From Inuyasha's demonic sight he could see it was a child. But why did this child have Naraku's scent on him?

They all heard Sango gasp when he came into clear view. She could feel her eyes filling up with more tears. "Kohaku…" she whispered as the boy came into sight.

All eyes glanced at her except for Kirara who just stood there, waiting and cautious of the boy's arrival. "Do you know this guy, Sango?" Inuyasha asked.

Sango was too shocked to speak. She stared at her little brother thought dead. He was wearing the same clothes he last saw him in: the exterminator clothes. Tears suddenly spilled form her eyes at his arrival and she could feel herself smile. Her family wasn't dead. Kohaku was still alive. She wasn't alone anymore.

But when she saw his eyes her smile instantly vanished. His eyes were hollow just like Kikyo's. It held no emotion in them and it irked her to great ends. His face was impassive and his eyes were cold and hard. This wasn't how Sango remembered him. "Kohaku…?" she called out.

"Who the hell is Kohaku?!" Inuyasha yelled in frustration.

"Kohaku is Sango's little brother." Miroku informed seriously. "But we all thought he was dead. How could he still be alive and walking?"

Inuyasha growled at the new arrival and drew his sword. "Who are you?" he yelled at the boy.

Kohaku remained silent. His features unreadable. He stared at them with blank eyes but when he laid eyes on Sango they lingered there for a bit. Sango's tears fell freely down her cheeks, trying to smile but failing miserably. "Y-You're alive." She took a step closer to him. "I thought you were d-dead…" she said as she reached out to him.

But Kohaku suddenly moved and pulled out his chained scythe. He threw it at Sango without hesitation. Sango gasped, too stunned to defend herself. She closed her eyes shut, expecting pain but feeling none. When she opened her eyes again she saw that Miroku blocked the hit with his staff.

Kohaku pulled his chained scythe back to him and threw it once more but this time with more force. Sango was able to react this time and jumped in front of Miroku and threw her boomerang. "Hiraikotsu!" she yelled, tears pouring from her eyes.

The boomerang tangled the chain and hurried back towards Kohaku. His face was as calm as ever as he let go of the chain and dodged the blow. The boomerang came back to Sango and she caught it easily, the chain tightly wound up around it. "What's the matter with you Kohaku?" Sango asked screaming. "Don't you remember who I am?" she asked desperately.

Once again Kohaku stared at her blankly but Sango could see another small glimmer in his eyes yet it disappeared as soon as it came. "I do not even know who I am." He stated blankly. "So how should I know you?"

Sango's eyes widened in shock. "W-What are you talking about?" she asked in tears. "I-I'm your sister remember? How can you forget me?"

Kohaku said nothing but he did pull out another weapon from his back, daggers. He threw them at Sango and Miroku but the giant sword Inuyasha held blocked them. He stood in front of the two humans and glared at the boy. "Alright, why the hell do you smell like Naraku?" he snarled. "If you are then I'm going to kill you on the spot."

'Naraku?' Sango repeated as she stared dumbfounded at her little brother. 'He smells like that bastard, Naraku?'

He did not reply and it angered Inuyasha even more. "Well if you'll be like that then fine by me!" he brought the sword down towards the ground. "Wind Scar!" he yelled.

"Inuyasha, no!" Sango cried but she was too late. The blast had gone towards her little brother and hit, casting dust and dirt into the air. "NO!" she yelled.

The dust slowly cleared and Sango could feel more tears flowing from her eyes. It slowly disappeared before it revealed a fully unharmed boy standing where he stood before.

Inuyasha was baffled to say the least. How could he have survived his attack without even one scratch on him? "What the heck are you?" Inuyasha snarled. "How could you have survived that attack?!"

Miroku put a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "The Tetsusaiga is a sword created to protect humans correct?" he asked. "Then it is impossible for it to kill a human too. That is what I had heard frolm my village."

Inuyasha cursed under his breath and sheathed his sword. "Then it is of no use to me now." He flexed his claws threateningly. "But I can kill him with my own two hands." He snarled.

Sango punched his arm rather hard. "No!" she yelled pleadingly yet angrily as well. "That's my brother you're talking about!"

Inuyasha glared at her. "Well he obviously was dead before wasn't he? This isn't your brother Sango. Why would your brother attack you and your friends?" he asked seriously.

Sango remained silent but sobs were audible through everyone's ears. She turned to Kohaku and started to say something but before she could a dagger hit her to her arm. She cried out in pain and in shock and fell to the ground with a bleeding arm. She pulled out the dagger forcefully, successfully making more blood spill out freely. She threw it to the side with a shriek of pain and tried to stop the bleeding with her hand.

Miroku knelt down worried and examined her wound. "Sango! Are you alright?" he asked.

Sango gave a hiss of pain. "Does it look like I'm alright Miroku?" she asked.

Inuyasha glared at Kohaku before he charged towards him. "What kind of brother are you?!" he yelled. "Throwing a weapon to your sister! Even when her back was turned!" he howled in anger.

"No, Inuyasha!" Sango called out. "Stop!"

But Inuyasha wasn't listening as he prepared to strike the tall boy. "Die you dishonourable piece of-" but he was cut off as two loud cries were heard.

"NO!" came from Sango.

"Dance of Blades!" a feminine voice cried at the same time.

No sooner did Inuyasha see a feather-like attack coming towards him at fast speed. He was taken into surprise before he dodged it narrowly, one of the feathers cutting his arms slightly. Blood poured out of his slowly and Inuyasha began to growl as he stared up at the sky. "You the hell are you?!" he yelled. 'Where are these guys coming from? She smells like Naraku as well!'

Everyone's head's turned upwards as they saw a demon riding on a large feather. Her cold, violet eyes stared down at them all, the lower part of her face covered by a large fan. She seemed to chuckle as she descended form the skies. "My, what an odd group of friends you four are." She paused. "Isn't there supposed to be six members?" she asked curiously as she landed. The giant feather she once had seemed to shrink to a tiny one, which she snatched and held.

Now, Inuyasha knew this one was a demon. He pulled out his sword and took a fighting stance. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded. "Who are you guys?"

She gave another low chuckle. "I am Kagura the Wind Witch." She stated. "I am one of Naraku's underlings." She seemed to have spat out that last part.

Even mentioning his name seemed to have angered the group. Sango stepped up, wiping her tears away furiously. "What did you do to Kohaku?" Sango cried angrily.

Even if they couldn't see it, they could just feel the demon before them smirk. "If you had that miko friend of yours you would know," she stated.

Inuyasha growled warningly. "How do you know of her, witch?" he hissed.

Kagura suddenly snapped her fan closed, revealing her entire face. For a demon she was beautiful, not like other ugly demons they have seen. She had some resemblance towards Naraku but only a little. Her dark black hair was exactly the same as the dark demon but that was where the similarities end. She was too feminine but they all could tell she didn't possess a woman's strength. "Naraku tells me all about you and your little schemes. I should know if there was one who could see the Shikon shards in your group."

Once again Inuyasha growled. "What the heck is going on?"

Kagura gave another chuckle and spread her fan open once again. "I would have loved to answer that question but I'm afraid I have to bid my farewells." She stated. She got that tiny feather again and threw it to the skies. It enlarged and she hoped on. "Come, Kohaku." She commanded.

Surprisingly to all of them, except Kagura of course, Kohaku obeyed her order and hopped onto the giant feather with her. They took off form the air with Sango running after them. "No! Kohaku! Come back!" she yelled helplessly. Another wave of tears poured out of her eyes as she collapsed on the ground, her arm still bleeding. This pain was even worse then the first. Losing the on you love a second time did not feel any less painful than the first. In fact, she would say it hurt a lot more.

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Kagome was in her temporary room, lying alone on the large bed. It was daytime but she felt tired and sleepy for last night's events. The curtains were closed and the door was locked so that she could get a peaceful sleep.

Shippo and Rin were outside playing, she knew that. When they started to bother her this morning Sesshomaru showed up and lured them away. 'He isn't so bad… I guess.' She smiled to herself.

It was odd. When she first woke up she wanted nothing more than to sleep once more. Now that she has the chance she seems restless. She kept thinking about Inuyasha. It was like she couldn't get him out of her thoughts. Somehow, her every thought would lead back to him and it frustrated her.

'What's wrong with me?' she asked sadly. 'Why can't I get that killer out of my head?' calling him that didn't seem fair. The week was almost over but she hasn't decided yet. Would she forgive him or would she not? She still remembered the promise she made to him by always staying on his side but was their friendship strong enough to keep that promise? She really didn't know the answer to that.

Restless as she was, she got up and opened the curtains. The sunrays glared into her eyes before they could adjust and they were temporarily blinded. She closed them tightly before she knew she could open them without getting hurt.

Her view of the castle was beautiful. She could see the garden from here and also the training grounds. 'Hmm… Training grounds…' she thought to herself. She shrugged. 'Well I might as well test if I could still shoot an arrow.' She figured.

She quickly fixed herself up and grabbed her bow and arrows from her desk. She ran outside and was greeted with two smiling children, spotted wit dirt. "Rin-chan! Shippo!" she cried happily, her sleepiness washing away from her. "What have you two been up to?" she asked.

Shippo held out his hands to Kagome and grinned. "We've been planting more flowers, Kagome!" he cried proudly. "And they're all nice too!"

Rin giggled and nodded her head, revealing the dirt in there as well. "Yeah! What Shippo-kun said!" she said happily. "You want to join us Kagome-chan?" she asked.

Kagome smiled at their little forms. They were so dirty Kagome was tempted to make them take a bath. "No thanks guys." She said politely. "I've got some shooting practice to do."

Their faces fell. "But we want you to play with us Kagome-chan." Rin said pleadingly. She paused for awhile before she smiled and jumped up and down abruptly. "Ooh! I know!" she cried cheerfully. "We could watch you practice!"

Kagome smiled and nodded. "That would be fine, Rin-chan." She said. "Come on you two, let's get going." She was excited about this little session.

They arrived at the training ground not long after that. Rin and Shippo sat under a small tree for shade while Kagome was standing in the field, the targets quite far away from her. She pulled out an arrow and steadied it on her bow. She took aim carefu7lly, trying to remember how she does this.

Flash Back::..

"Kagome! Keep your back straight when you shoot! It's not a good composure if you're all drooping and bending." A bossy voice cried.

An 8 year-old Kagome was wearing the cutest kimono. It was a purple colour with tiny crossed embedded on the long sleeves and bottom dress. Her hair was short, up to her shoulders, and her fingers were short and stubby.

Her face was in a frown as she tried to straighten her back but like most people she found it hard. "But Kikyo-sama!" she cried back. "I can't get any straighter than this!"

Kikyo glared at her strictly and Kagome flinched from the gaze. "Listen, Kagome." She said. "You are going to do this right okay?" she asked.

Kagome nodded slowly and tried to aim again. The target was not very far from her. Maybe only ten meters at the most. Her hands shook slightly from the pressure and strictness. She gulped and squeezed her eyes shut. She released.

And she also missed.

About 30 centimeters.

From the board.

Kagome opened her eyes slowly and saw that she missed horribly. She gulped once more as she glanced at her frustrated older sister. "Kagome!" she yelled at her. "How many times have I told you to concentrate? You don't close both eyes and try to hit it by chance! That doesn't happen Kagome." She said strictly.

Kagome nodded weakly and readied another arrow from her stubby hands. Sweat rolled down her cheeks as she tried to aim for the little red dot in the middle.

"Come on Kagome." Kikyo coaxed. "Don't miss this one. Concentrate really hard and put a lot of strength into it. There is nothing more useless than an arrow which hits its target but turns out that it didn't even hurt the thing." She said wisely.

Once again Kagome nodded and concentrated on the target board in front of her. 'Come on, Kagome.' She thought to herself. 'You can do it! Make big sister proud!' Kagome's determination grew and straightened herself up. She could almost see Kikyo's small smirk of promise.

She aimed t the target and finally let go, hitting the red dot right in the middle.

End of Flash Back::..

Kagome breathed in and out. She aimed carefully at the target more than a yard away. She let it go and saw the arrow rushing straight into the bark of a tree. She has missed the target my a long shot, it didn't even hit near the target at all!

Shippo and Rin just giggled and cheered her back on. Kagome nodded and readied another arrow. She released it but it came out with the same results: Hitting a tree.

Kagome sighed. Maybe she doesn't remember how to use a bow and arrow. She knew she could do it when she didn't lose her memory. Why was everything so different now? It was like she had two separate lives and now she was playing both of them.

"Come on, Kagome-chan!" Rin cried cheerfully. "You can do it! We know you can!"

"Yeah!" Shippo agreed. "You can hit that piece of paper board!"

Kagome smiled and nodded. She aimed once more at the target, concentrating very hard on this. She was ready to fire but before she could even let go of the string she felt a strong demonic aura coming their way. She abandoned trying to hit the target and pointed her arrow towards the demon with such an aura. "Shippo, Rin-chan. Get behind me." She ordered.

They did what she said and ran behind her legs alarmed. Kagome frowned and pointed the arrow to the trees, waiting for someone or something to come out. She knew she couldn't have mistaken the presence for anything but a demon.

Suddenly a loud roar was heard and the trio could feel the ground shaking. "Look out!" she yelled as she pushed the two to the side. No sooner did she do that a giant worm like youkai burst from under the ground near her feet and she stumbled back. It was a funny and disgusting looking creature. "Give me the shards…" it hissed at Kagome.

Kagome's eyes widened as she saw the two pieces of the Shikon jewel embedded in the giant worm's middle body. She frowned and stood up, a bow ready to fire. "Let's just see you try and take them!" she said as she released her arrow towards the tainted glow of the shard.

The worm youkai dodged easily and dived under the ground once again, leaving a giant hole behind it. Kagome whipped her head around widely, trying to pinpoint where it might come up. She skimmed the area, trying to sense the demon. Her eyes fell to the two children huddled together looking both frightened and confused.

Her eyes widened as she sensed the jewel coming towards them underground. "Look out!" Kagome yelled as she ran to them. But she was too late as the worm youkai sprouted from the ground and made both Shippo and Rin stumble backwards.

It gave a small hiss at them as it opened its giant mouth wide. Its mouth consisted of thousands of tiny sharp teeth, its throat dark and slimy. They both screamed but was soon joined by the youkai as it screeched in pain.

Kagome stood behind them, an arrow shot and hit it right where the jewels were. She glared at the withering demon as it crippled up from the holy energy she put into it. "Wow, I still got it." she said as its body began to rot rapidly.

It screeched once more and finally died as its body turned into purified ash and was blown away by the wind. Kagome approached Rin and Shippo. "Are you guys alright?" Kagome asked worriedly.

They both got up with Kagome's help and nodded. "Yeah. We're alright," Shippo stated.

Kagome nodded and walked towards the two shards remaining on the ground. She picked them up and pocketed them in a small glass bottle around her neck. She found this dumped on the ground while they were traveling. She thought it could still be some use.

She turned once more to the two children who were dusting themselves off. It wasn't working though as they were covered with filth. Kagome approached them and put a hand on each their heads. "Come on you two." She said. "I really think you should take a bath."

Both faces rose at the idea. They both held each of Kagome's hand and walked back to the castle, fully intending to clean themselves up.

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Sesshomaru had seen the entire scene take play. Little goes on in this castle without his knowing. He saw how the young miko had missed the target badly yet was able to target the demon on the second shot. It wasn't that great a feat though as the youkai was very big and obviously easy to hit.

Yet what confused him was what she had picked up after she purified the demon. He only saw a blank glimmer turned pink once it was in her hands. This miko still had secrets kept inside her little head and he was curious to know them. Of course, he wouldn't directly ask her. It was below him to ask another ningen about their life, even if it were very interesting. The Lord was supposed to know everything and asking would not back up that idea.

Sesshomaru left the tree he was in and bundled off into the forest. He had told Jarken to take care of the two females when he was gone. He trusted Jarken somewhat, sure, he wasn't smart or strong but he was loyal.

He ran off through the forest, looking out for intruders in his lands. He still had other responsibilities other than taking care of the two females. He scouted his territory for hours, not even stopping to take a break. He was a determined young man and he would fulfil his lordly duties no matter what it took.

He was close to the western boards until he stopped dead in his tracks. He sniffed the air and growled in his chest. He smelt a familiar wolf scent coming his way. It was a noble scent, someone that was born in high standards. And he had a feeling who it was.

"Hey! What's up Sesshomaru?" yelled the wolf youkai as it spiraled towards Sesshomaru under a small cyclone. He stopped in front of the great lord and the cyclones disappeared. He smirked at him. "Guess where I learnt that new trick."

Sesshomaru stared at the wolf youkai with no expression at all. His eyes gave away nothing either. "Kouga." He said in a low voice. "You do know you are trespassing in my territory right." He was more of a statement than a question.

The wolf prince's smirk disappeared sadly. "Why, I used to go to your lands without permission years ago! Why would it be so different now?" he asked curiously, his blue eyes locking with Sesshomaru's golden ones.

Once again his face was unreadable. "If you have no business here then I suggest you leave, Lord Kouga." He said coldly. "Wouldn't want your lands to be destroyed while you're away, now would we?"

Kouga only bared his fangs at him, his eyes narrowing. "Well I do have business here, Lord Sesshomaru." He stated. "I'm looking for me mate to be." He said proudly.

Outside Sesshomaru read nothing but in the inside he was gapping. Him? A mate? A willing mate? Now that was something different. "Why must you look in my lands?" he asked curiously. "Surely there are some fine wolf women in your tribe."

The wolf prince took that as an insult. "There are plenty of beautiful wolf women in my tribe!" he defended. "But they are not what I'm looking for."

Sesshomaru quirked up an eyebrow. "Are you not still a pup to take a mate?" he asked emotionlessly. "I suggest you wait a little while. I do not believe you have enough… maturity to be able to take care of a family." He mocked.

Kouga growled at the older lord. "I do not need your consent in order to mate Sesshomaru." He stated darkly. "I came here to find my mate, not to be thrown unneeded advice at. If you can call it advice anyway."

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed dangerously at the young pup. "Indeed it was not advice." He said coldly. "For I would not waste such wise words from myself for a little stubborn pup like you." He almost smirked at Kouga's pissed and obviously angry face. "Who is the unfortunate woman?"

Kouga glared at him. "Why the hell should I tell you?" he growled.

"I may have seen her and may be able to help." He glared right back at the wolf. "That is, if I want the woman to suffer for the rest of her life."

"Well I doubt you've seen her." he replied, ignoring his latest insult. "She is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on, even when I was a young pup." He said. "And I very much doubt that she would be spending her precious time with you and not with me." He smirked.

"Maybe that's because she is not worthy to take up my time." he said coolly while Kouga growled.

"You take that back you bas-" but before he could finish he began to sniff his scent. He glared at the great lord as he recognized the scent lingering on his shirt. "What the hell?" he asked angrily. "What are you doing with Kagome?!"

Sesshomaru immediately turned possessive. "What does it matter to you that I am with the miko?" he growled.

Kouga growled in return, his blue eyes blazing. "What does it matter?! She is going to be my mate!" he yelled.

And no sooner did he find a clawed hand around his neck. He clawed at the hand but it stayed firmly around his neck. Kouga stared into the cold eyes of the great demon lord. "You will not lay one hand on her, do you understand?" Sesshomaru said darkly.

Kouga growled at him. "I do not take orders from you, even if you were the highest ranking lord. I would do whatever I please." He smirked.

Sesshomaru's grip on his tightened as he choked for some precious air. "I repeat, you will not lay one hand on her or else it'll be your head." He threatened seriously.

But this was Kouga, he was as stubborn as Inuyasha even if he wouldn't admit it. "Not if it was your head first." he growled.

Sesshomaru growled once more and threw the wolf prince to a tree. He gave a painful grunt and stood up once again, shaking only a little bit. He could actually feel the daggers Sesshomaru was shooting at him. "Do not touch her." he ordered, his voice a bit more wild and feral, but only a little.

Kouga glared up at the demon lord. "Why should I? What does she mean to you?" he asked seriously.

Sesshomaru didn't reply but he did decide to walk away from the growling wolf. "I will not explain myself to you." He said coldly. "Just stay away from the miko and we will not go into bad terms with each other." He said as he walked away.

Kouga had seen that he was exposed at the back. He could slice him up right there and send him kneeling to him. But he wouldn't do that. He was a wolf of honour even if he were stubborn. "Well I'm afraid we must not avoid the inevitable." He stated. "I can and will not stay away from her. She is to be my intended." He said as his fist curled with anger, "You cannot stop me from taking her in."

Sesshomaru didn't even glance back at the wolf demon. If he did, however, he would have attacked him from saying such words. For some reason it bothered him that the wolf prince had staked a claim on Kagome. Why did that bother him, he had no idea.

'It's probably because he was claiming something that was mine.' He decided. 'The miko belongs to Rin, as she is her playmate. Rin belongs to me and therefor everything Rin possesses belongs to me. Including the miko.' He agreed to that idea. 'I will not let another take what is mine. I know how Kouga is and his selfish acts. Kagome is mine and mine alone. It will be no other way.'

The idea of him owning her made him smirk, he left the wolf demon without even casting a first glance and continued his parade in his territory. 'Stupid wolf.' He thought. 'He cannot take what is mine unless he defeats me.' He gave a mental snort. 'Yeah right, as if he would be strong enough for such a feat.'

Sesshomaru watched as the sky turned a light orange, signaling that it was almost sunset. 'Another day has almost ended.' He thought ahead. 'Then that would mean only a few days until Kagome would have to leave.'

Even thinking about that made his fists curl in rage. He would not lose something that was strictly his. But how would that make the miko feel? If she wished to reunite with his half brother than he couldn't stop her. For another strange reason he wanted her to be happy.

He snorted out loud. 'Happy? Why would I want that weak human wench to be happy? It does not matter to me if she is sad enough to kill herself.' He settled.

He didn't think this was true though. Deep down he knew he cared for her wellbeing but he was sure as hell that he wasn't going to show or admit it. He'd be damned if he did.

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Well there you guys go! I hope you're still not angry for my late update! And don't worry inu/kag fans! They will reunite in either the next chapter or the next, next one. And for you sess/kag fans: beware for the end to come! Muhahahahaha! Nah, don't worry! The relationship won't be over for neither of them yet! Oh and a question: I've seen a lot of fics in this site that has the letters 'AU' on them. What the heck does that mean?! If you know PLEASE tell me! Anyway don't forget to review and hope you enjoyed reading! I'll try to update sooner!