The moment the barrier came down, chaos erupted. Kazuki grabbed Kagome and immediately put some distance between her and the inuyoukai. Seshoumaru snarled at the close proximity of the fire elemental and his mate and his beast rose to the surface wanting nothing more than to rip the youkai to shreds and taste his blood.

As Kazuki checked Kagome for injuries, Sango cried in alarm. Unable to see his mate being touched by another male, Seshoumaru's beast literally saw red and his youki went out of control. Transforming into his inu form, he sent Inuyasha flying with one massive paw as the hanyou tried to stop him. Before Sango or Miroku could attempt anything, Kilala transformed and snapped both of them by their clothes and moved them out of harm's way.

Kazuki's eyes were narrowed in anger and Kagome took a worried step back, "Is he coming our way?" And in a higher pitch, as the inuyoukai rushed towards them, "Why is he coming this way!?"

"Kagome!"

The flaming barrier did nothing to prevent the inu from reaching his target, and even as Kazuki tried to stop him, he was thrown back. Kagome's scream reached his ears and he tried to rush back but he was too late. The miko was in the inu's grip and he was too far away. The fire elemental knew he could not reach them in time and he watched in horror and growing fury as the huge inu few into the sky, the miko in his jaws.

Kagome struggled in vain. Seshoumaru had her in a tight grip. She made a face at the saliva touching her arms, now that her kimono was torn.

"I hate you!"

Her words were lost in the rushing wind, but unbeknownst to her, the Inu's ears pricked at her words and his heart ached. However, he refused to let go of his prize. The human side of him had messed things up. It was his turn now.

His mate was unhappy with him. He could sense that and he wanted to fix that. Her struggles soon ceased, making him look down at her.

Her arms were crossed across her chest and she growled, crossly, "You're drooling over me."

Indignant over that comment, the Inu let out a grumble making her shriek, "Stop it, you – you dog!"

That just made him grumble more and she tried to kick him, failing miserably. Finally, she settled down, muttering darkly, "When we get to wherever you're taking me, I'm going to hit you. I don't care how you retaliate to it, but I will smack your doggy butt so hard, you won't be able to sit for a month!"

The Inu wondered if his mate knew what she had just said but wisely decided to keep his muzzle shut. As they reached their destination, he flew lower until he saw the cave on a steep cliff. This used to be his favorite hide out when he used to be young since no one could reach here. This was the first time he was showing it to another being. A part of him shied away, wondering whether she would like it or not. So when he dropped her at the entrance and walked towards the opening, he turned and watched her warily.

Kagome growled she was put on the ground. Her clothes were wet with a mixture of water particles from the clouds and slobber. She glared at the Inu who was watching her quietly. It didn't occur to her at that moment that she was more comfortable with his Inu form than she should be.

She just stood there glaring at him and when he came over to her, she immediately took a step back. "Stay where you are!"

He froze and cocked his head to study her dripping form.

"This is not a funny joke."

He remained still so she tried again, this time stomping her foot for emphasis, "Take me back right now!"

He wandered over to her till they were face to face. Those huge red blood eyes were unnerving but she stared back, stubbornly, "You heard me!"

He blinked and then shoved his nose in her neck, sniffing in a cautious manner. The scent of the elemental had nearly faded off. Good.

Noticing how she was frozen to the spot, he backed away from her and entered the cave, looking back at her to make sure she was following. Kagome sighed and followed him deeper into the cave, all the while questioning her own judgment.

He turned a corner and she saw a huge box which contained soft bundles. He clamped one in his jaw and dropped it her feet. Imagining the worst, Kagome opened it and to her surprise, it was kimono. He stood watching her again and when he saw that she was not angry, he turned his back on her and made deeper into the cave.

At the sight of a spring fountain, Kagome's jaw nearly fell open. What was this place!? The Inu nudged her towards the water and then settled down in front of the entrance, his huge head on his paws, those blood red eyes fixed on her form, unblinking.

More than anything, Kagome wanted to get that slobber off her, and that meant bathing. She scowled at the Inu, "You need to leave."

He blinked, languidly.

The miko gritted her teeth, "I can't take off my clothes in front of you."

He rumbled in his throat and she felt like tearing her hair out. Then it occurred to her, and she narrowed her eyes, "You can speak in this form." Her eyes widened with triumph, "You can speak! And that means you can understand me. So when I say get out, it means GET OUT!"

He growled then and stood up. Quivering with fear inside, she stood her ground and pointed towards the door. To her shock, the Inu's ears drooped and he let out a yip and then turned on his heel and left.

Sighing with relief, Kagome discarded her clothes, eyeing them with distaste. Kazuki would probably be upset that she ruined his gift. Shrugging, she put it aside, making a mental note that she had to mend it soon. As she slipped into the water, she groaned. It felt so good.

However, the minute she closed her eyes to relax for a moment and go to her happy place, the howls started. Miserable, ear wrecking howls that made her want to break something. Kagome narrowed her eyes. He was doing it deliberately.

At first she pretended not to hear as they kept on coming. However, finally, she gave in. She could take no more. Putting on the kimono on her dripping body, she tied it securely and stomped out.

The second she came into his sight, the Inu stopped and cocked his head to the side, innocently.

Unable to bear this any longer, Kagome abandoned all reason and marching up to him, she pulled on his right ear. Hard.

The Inu whined, snarled, yipped and howled, but Kagome would not let go of his ear. He could not get past her, since she was blocking the way. Finally, he let out an ear deafening roar that startled her into her senses. Backing away, horrified at what she had done, she quickly hid her hands behind her back.

He was going to kill her.

He was so going to rip her apart.

NOBODY touched Seshoumaru's ears.

However, to her shock, instead of jumping on her and dissolving her with his poison, he sat back down, properly chastised. The look in those eyes was mournful and reminded her of a scolded puppy. One paw was on his ear, as if nursing it and he looked at the wall, anywhere but at her.

Kagome's heart had always been soft. She knew this was Seshoumaru, but this Inu was not acting like the Seshoumaru she knew. He was more playful, more energetic, more alive. And she knew, she suddenly knew he wouldn't hurt her.

Approaching him cautiously, she murmured, "I'm sorry, Seshoumaru. I shouldn't have done that."

He whined softly and turned his head away from her, like a sulking child.

"Come on, I said I was sorry, didn't I?"

He grumbled and refused to look at her.

"Seshoumaru? Why won't you say anything?"

He got up, towering over her, and she automatically moved aside and watched him make his way to the entrance of the cave and then fly away.

"SESHOUMARU!"

Oh God! He had abandoned her on this cliff to die!

A.N: All in good time, folks. I will be updating my other stories soon, but this one has my rusty gears working right now…

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