South Bound

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Warning: Small Lemons ahead!

When Sesshoumaru and Kagome returned from the future with fresh provisions the group was ready to leave, except for Inuyasha and Rin. The two could not be found, and had apparently been gone all day. Miroku said that he was certain he had seen the two leave the village together, possibly headed toward the forest. Sesshoumaru gave a disapproving growl, and Kagome placed her hand on his arm. The youkai lord and miko decided to head into the forest to look for them together. After they had entered the forest Kagome slyly slipped her hand into Sesshoumaru's. He gave her hand a little squeeze, and smiled down at her. The couple slowed their pace, taking time to enjoy each others company and time alone. Kagome turned her face skyward slightly and took a deep breath in.

"It's good to be back." She smiled at him. "It smells better, and it's quieter too."

"Um." Sesshoumaru agreed as he looked up as well.

"Where do you think those two got off to?" She asked nonchalantly.

"What are they doing alone?" He growled.

"Are you worried?" She teased.

"If he lays a finger..." He started.

"I wouldn't worry about Inuyasha." She giggled. "He's pretty dense when it comes to those sort of things."

Sesshoumaru looked Kagome in the eye, and saw the truthfulness in them. The pair had been vaguely following the scent of the missing couple. They wound through the trees, lazily making their way toward the field that they knew was coming up. When they finally made it to the edge of the field they saw the girl and the hanyou. The two were sitting together under a tree; kissing.

"Rin." Sesshoumaru roared.

"Inuyasha, sit boy." Kagome yelled.

The hanyou hit the ground with a resounding thud, and Rin screamed in surprise. The miko and daiyoukai ran forward together. Sesshoumaru pulled Rin to her feet, and pushed her behind him. Kagome stood over Inuyasha her hands on her hips, and glaring down at him. Inuyasha's foot twitched a couple of times before he pulled himself out of his indentation in the earth.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, don't be angry." Rin pleaded, trying to get around the irate lord.

When Inuyasha was able to regain his senses he stumbled over to brother and hit the ground with his knee's, then lowered his head to his hands in a deep bow. Sesshoumaru looked shocked at his half brother, and the humility that he displayed. Even Kagome was stunned at his transformed behavior. A little smile cracked her lips as she watched him.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, I love her." He insisted. "I ask your permission to court Rin."

Sesshoumaru stepped back, and his mouth actually gapped open. He couldn't believe his ears. Was it possible that his immature, strong headed brother had finally...grown up. All because of Rin. That was absurd, he thought. To think that one woman would make such a difference. Sesshoumaru's eyes turned to his betrothed then reconsidered his previous thought. Looking at the raven haired miko he thought how much he had changed, and all because of her, and the sweet girl at his elbow. Kagome's eyes turned to Sesshoumaru. Noticing his gaze on her, she smiled and shrugged her shoulders. The inu-youkai relaxed, his ward slipped around him, and knelt beside the man she loved. Her hand was smoothing over his back in reassurance, and he lifted his eyes to his brother. Sesshoumaru looked him hanyou brother in the eyes, regaining his stern look. He carefully examined his brother, studying his scent and his expression.

"Inuyasha come with me." He finally said, and Inuyasha jumped to his feet.

In an instant the two brothers leapt away into the forest. The two women left behind just stood watching them leave. However, in a split second before leaving, the youkai lord eyed his mate-to-be with a look that told her what he wanted. Kagome turned to Rin, and gave her a smile and a sigh. Rin walked over to the miko and gave a concerned smile.

"So, do you love him?" Kagome asked bluntly, but in an unconcerned way.

"Yes, I do." The young woman said with true conviction.

Kagome looked at the young brown haired woman. She could hear the truth in her voice, see the truth in her posture, and smell the truth in her scent. Kagome smiled and patted the girl on the shoulder.

Sesshoumaru leapt through the branches of the trees, Inuyasha was following closely behind him. The silent lord finally stopped on a high branch in a tall tree. He looked up at the nearby mountain. The stoic lord folded his arms when his brother landed beside him. Neither spoke, and Inuyasha crouched on the branch waiting for his brother to speak first. Beads of sweat built on the hanyou's brow. The longer he waited the worse he felt, but he was determined to make his brother understand that he truely loved Rin. As the daiyoukai turned to face his brother, the hanyou stood straight to look him in the eye.

"You say you love her." Sesshoumaru said sternly.

"Yes. I do love her." He replied fervently.

"How can I trust you with Rin, after Kikyo and Kagome?" Inuyasha's expression grew grim.

"It's different with Rin." He began, and his expression turned thoughtful. "Kikyo opened my heart the way Rin did for you. I loved Kagome too, but she taught me how to accept someones love. Rin, though, she makes everything right. I want to protect her, and love her, and I will do anything to make her happy."

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and thought about his brothers words. He hated to admit it, but Inuyasha's words were very profound. For a half wit, half breed that is. Rin was a special girl, he knew that from the moment he had met her. Rin was a lot like Kagome, but had a softer way of doing things. It was Kagome's take charge attitude that made her an alpha female, and in turn a very alluring quality to him.

"Very well, I consent." He finally agreed.

Inuyasha's eyes brightened at his brothers words. He was honestly amazed that his brother had agreed to the courtship.

"But," The hanyou's face fell immediately. "If you hurt her in anyway, you will regret the day you were born. Understood!"

"Hai."

The brother took to the tree tops again, heading back to the women they left behind. The women were looking up as the two men descended together. Sesshoumaru eyed Kagome as he floated down, she gave him a very subtle nod, and he returned it to her along with a little smirk.

Inuyasha immediately told Rin that her guardian agreed. The new couple embraced each other, then Rin ran to Sesshoumaru, and gave him a big hug then a kiss on his cheek. Sesshoumaru and Kagome turned away, starting their walk back to the village. As they reentered the forest Kagome tucked in close to her lord and he looked down at her.

"Your pretty sexy when you come flying out of the air like that." She smirked mischievously and walked away.

Sesshoumaru grabbed her by the waist and pulled her forcefully into him. When she hit his chest she gave a playful giggle, and reached back to grab his thighs. He wrapped his arms around her middle, and squeezed her tight to him. He leaned into her ear, and gave it a lick then a nibble.

"There is a hot spring nearby." He whispered. "We don't have to leave until tomorrow."

Kagome smiled at his suggestion. In the next moment the youkai lord was flying them through the air. When they landed at the hot spring Kagome smirked at Sesshoumaru then stepped back, and turned around. With a disappointed frown Sesshoumaru turned his back to the miko and began to strip his clothing. Unfortunately for him, it took him longer to remove his armor and clothing. Because of this unfortunate handicap Kagome made it into the hot spring first. The daiyoukai was disappointed that he didn't make it in first as he heard the water splash and slosh and lap against the rocks. When he turned to enter the spring he could not see Kagome. Sesshoumaru slowly entered the spring looking for the feisty woman. The youkai extended his senses looking for the miko. That's when he found something, but not raiki. He could sense youki on the top of the large rock that created the far wall of the spring. It was faint and fluctuating erratically. He was just about to pounce on the source when Kagome leapt from the rock above. At first he was surprised to see her, then the shock of the naked woman flying for him set in, and he caught her just in time. She was laughing hysterically, cradled in the arms of the youkai lord. When the shock wore off he looked down at her, and with an evil grin tossed her into the air. She flew up with her arms and legs kicking, laughing wildly, and landed in the water with a large splash. Without giving her time to recover he lunged and pulled her below. Under the water he pulled her into him. She struggled in vein to get herself free, but the lord would not release her. Only when one of his hands found her breast did she finally stop struggling and relaxed. The two floated to the surface and took deep breathes. Kagome relaxed into his embrace as his lips found her nipple. She moaned her pleasure softly to him, his arms snaking around her. Her back arched when he nipped the erect peak, then he turned his attention to the other breast. Kagome moaned as she laced her fingers into his hair. She threaded them through the long lengths, then pushed her palms down his back. Sesshoumaru moved one hand down her back, over her hip, around her firm, and to her core. The miko gasped excitedly when his fingers made contact. When he pushed his fingers inside her she moaned louder than before, and dug her nails into his back. Sesshoumaru gave a low rumbling growl that vibrated through her and the water around them. He slowly worked at her, building her ecstasy steadily. Suddenly, without warning she froze and gave a frustrated sigh. Surprised at her behavior Sesshoumaru stopped to look at her. She was looking up to the sky with an angry expression. That's when he caught on to what had upset her.

"That figures." She growled.

Sesshoumaru kept her close to him, but backed off of their play. Just in time to, as a large pink ball came floating over the tree line.

"Kagome-chan, Sesshoumaru-sama." Shippou yelled down at them.

The couple sunk into the water in disappointment. Shippou floated down to the edge of the spring, and with a pop transformed. The kitsune crouched down by the water, and stared intently at the miko. Kagome could sense that the kit had something on his mind. She gave him a little nod, and he got up and started walking toward the village. Kagome pushed away from the daiyoukai, and started wading for the edge. Sesshoumaru caught her wrist with one hand, her hip with the other, and pulled her back toward him. He rubbed his lips over her shoulder softly, as he took in her scent.

"Kagome, it's time." He whispered. "I wish to mark you as my intended mate."

He kissed and nipped the soft flesh at the crook of her neck. Kagome gave a smile, them leapt from his grasp. When she landed on the shore, she was crouching down, balancing on the balls of her feet and one hand. Her kimono was clutched in her other hand, held to her chest, and a playful grin teasing the youkai lord across from her.

"If you want to mark me, you will have to catch me." She said firmly. "But, for now I need to take care of Shippou."

Without waiting for the inu-youkai to reply she stood and swept on her kimono, then followed after the kitsune that had left before her. Just as she disappeared into the forest she waved her arm in the air.

"You better head back soon, Sesshoumaru-sama."

The youkai lord stood in the hot spring staring at the woman he intended to make his. In an instant his frustration level rose, he wanted her so much. Each time he found himself so close, they have been interrupted. The western lords frustration was growing, as was the pain in his groin. He made his way out of the spring, pulled on his kimono and hakama, and tied his obi. Carrying his armor and weapons he begrudgingly made his way back to the village.

Kagome caught up with her kit easily. When she came along side of him she ruffled his rust colored hair. The boy walked along quietly for a while, still deep in thought. Shippou kept his eyes down when he finally started talking.

"Are you going to become Sesshoumaru-sama's mate?"

"I don't know yet." She smiled. "Would you be upset?"

"No." He said honestly. "I would miss you though."

"If we accepted each other, do you think I would leave you?" She asked.

"You would want to start your life together, and you wouldn't want an orphaned kitsune stopping you." He said sadly.

"Shippou, you have never stopped me from anything. Sesshoumaru-sama would have to understand that you are my kit, and I chose to take you in. You are part of my life." The kit brightened slightly at her reassurance, knowing she would back it up.

"Kagome, I need to ask you something." The kit eyed her carefully.

"Sure Shippou, what is it?"

"The test at the kitsune school is starting soon, and I would like to go." Kagome smiled happily.

"Of course you can go." She set her hand on top of his head.

"I didn't want you to be upset that I wasn't going south with you guys." He grinned up at her.

"Don't be silly, Shippou." She took up one of his hands. "You have to train to be a strong kitsune, and I can't teach you these things." Shippou squeezed her hand. "Go, have fun, and become a strong youkai."

Eventually, everyone made it back to the village. Shippou told everyone of his plans, and the whole pack supported his decision. It would be a week before he had to leave, so he would stay and help Kaiede until it was time. The rest of the pack would be leaving the following morning to head south. Sesshoumaru had sent Jaken to gather some information ahead of time, and from what he found, it was estimated that the trip would take around three weeks. With that time table in mind that would bring everyone back together around the same time. That night the pack made preparations to set out first thing in the morning.

Early the next morning everyone gathered at the south edge of village. Kagome clung to her kit. A part of her was sad that he was leaving to train on his own, but knew it was the best thing for him. He had to learn to be a fox youkai. With her new fire pike strapped across her back she left Shippou behind and joined the rest of the pack that was patiently waiting for her to join them. The human's all waved as they started their next journey together. The youkai and hanyou simply looked forward, not expressing any emotion as usual. Before long the pack was out of sight of the village, and south bound.