I keep forgetting to add a note in here. I'm actually not a fan of the Sesshoumaru/Rin pairing set in feudal times, especially with this story. See if you go back to the first chapters you will see that Kagome is only 17 at the beginning of this, meaning only two years have passed. The only person whose age I definitely changed was Sango and Miroku's son since he was born 3 years after the start of the series but was instead born 2 years into this one. When Sesshoumaru found Rin she was only around 4 or 5 meaning she is roughly 7 right now so making her and Sesshoumaru into a pairing would be wrong, my daughter is 7 so that makes it even more wrong in my mind so I will say this, no this story will never go on that long to where she would be reaching puberty but if someone wanted to create a story like that based off this one's setting then they have my permission so long as they refer to my stories title as their inspiration. In my eyes he protects her right now like a father would a daughter though I don't plan on focusing on growing anything there.

Chapter 29

The roar that spread through the castle alerted him that his father has woken up and most likely discovered that once again, Kagome was gone. Rin had remained asleep, she appeared to be dreaming or having a vision, he wasn't sure which as he watched her toss around, eyes moving rapidly behind her closed lids as her lips uttered unintelligible things.

His father appeared to be giving the healers a hard time as he felt him flare his aura out. He walked down a few doors and asked Sango to watch over Rin in his absence. He left to go see his father, InuYasha remained absent in his presence lately so he could expect no help from him when it came to calming their father. As he neared, his father had settled down, he walked to the open door finding that he was donning his armor with haste, appearing fully healed.

Touga turned around to his eldest, he already knew the answer to Kagome, he was the only one brought back but she wasn't captured by that demon to his knowledge. "So she lives then?" The sudden question had him turning sharply to his eldest son.

Feeling the jewel he could feel a much weaker connection that sizzled, two golden orbs narrowed as they studied the jewel that lay on his palm before them. They would have to take that as a yes; she was alive but not for long apparently if no one intervened soon. He left the room, his father following and with his clear thinking he convinced his father to grab food from the kitchen to eat on the way. His father tended to be brash at times; he had nearly forgotten this more reckless side of him.

They were off; trying to save the priestess from whatever ails her. He had only lightly conversed with his father about the latest developments. They kept there guard up and paid attention to the jewel as they retraced the steps in the cave.

If he could end this he might be ending what is tormenting Rin so much. He had also sent for the Priestess Kaede to check in on her, the sudden powers she seemed to unlock were a bit of a mystery, he could think of several other times that would have triggered them.

At this point they were at the thundering rapids before the waterfall, long since passed where she initially fell in. The jewel kept his father hanging by a thread, his mind in turmoil that he just couldn't seem to keep her safe. They rose above the water when they came across a fork in the path; almost teasingly they caught her scent in the wind and headed towards the right.

Their superior sense of smell soon had them at a much calmer portion of the river. They could smell several humans, ones like the monk Miroku. They apparently must have spotted her floating in the river and dragged her out. Though thankful she wasn't dead, the connection was even weaker. By foot they followed the scents deeper into the woods.

As the tree line thinned out they could see them ahead having a small conversation as the head monk in their group held out some holy relic at body strewn on the ground. It lifted off as the monk's powers wrapped around it, he chanted and held the relic at her body before it went into a spasm, the demonic powers in her fighting back, sending waves of pain through her system.

"Master, if we go on like this the priestess is sure to die," one of the subordinates worriedly stated as he watch his master try to expel the demonic energy. They both growled watching the display, Touga could feel they were steadily killing her with how taxing this was to her already weakened body.

"If she dies then at least she will depart with a pure soul, free of this demon's taint," he delivered the response before he tried again.

Her body lifted off the ground again; her screams of distress were caught in her throat, as she remained unconscious during the entire encounter and the pain magnified. "That demon mark is incomplete; there is a chance of ridding her from it. She will die an even slower death with an unfinished mark like that. My goal is simply to set her free from it before it either consumes her or the demon has a chance at finishing it."

They could sense the aura of the demon; it was certainly powerful to be still fighting its claim on her body. They could feel her powers were weak from battling the mark. It was sad to see her tortured expression as their master called for all of them to focus on expelling the demon mark. They had just started again when two powerful beings entered the clearing. Her body hit the ground roughly, it was taxed and her skin showed signs of illness.

"Stop demons," the master demanded, "what business do you have with us?" He could feel their power rippling out as they approached and stopped only a few yards away.

"The priestess belongs with us," Touga stated in a clipped tone, his eyes studying every little detail about her.

"I won't be handing her over to the likes of you," the monks formed a tight circle around her.

"Your methods of removing that mark are insufficient, barbaric, and will only succeed in killing her." His attempt at reasoning with the monk was wasted though. They attempted to put up a barrier to prevent them from reaching her but they sorely underestimated who they were dealing with.

"She will pass on pure even so, reincarnating into a powerful priestess once again. Your taint will be rid of," his wizened features and conviction kept the young monks with him.

"We did not do this to her pathetic humans. If you will not let us through then I will rid you from the face of the earth." The mercy in Sesshoumaru drained away; he could care less if he had to rip them apart to get to the priestess.

"We are her allies monk, we cannot have you killing her, her life is much too valuable so stand aside," Touga tried one last time. The monks held fast, within moments they were scattered, being sent in different directions as they made quick work of knocking them out before Touga growled possessively, standing over Kagome as he faced off with the eldest monk. The barrier was shattered without them even trying, the monk sputtered as he noticed the men knocked around the clearing.

"What manner of beasts are you?" It was apparent he had not had many dealings with demons of their power; if any, they usually kept to themselves anyways so it was easy to understand why.

He threw purifying salt on him but it did nothing beyond lightly crackling against his aura. "We are way more powerful than the likes of you Monk; I would suggest giving up your fruitless efforts." With a blast of his aura he sent him stumbling backwards several steps to give him room to pick Kagome up. In his clenched hand he revealed the jewel, touching it to her skin, instantly purifying it before he placed the barrier back around it.

The monk's eyes widened when he realized just what priestess this is. Sesshoumaru was at his back, waiting to depart. With a burst of both of their auras they managed to knock the monk back for amusement, not feeling even a tad bit threatened by him using his relic on them.

They formed into their balls of energy and left the monks behind, going straight to the western palace where Touga proceeded to hand out orders as he strode to his room. From now on she will be staying in his rooms, he could care less if it is proper or not, he and he alone will protect her while she is in this state.

Time progressed forward, soon after feeding some broth to Kagome's limp body he pulled the covers over them and retired to bed, he had yet to finish healing and recover his own energy so he went into a short hibernation as they both tried to recuperate. The rest of the palace buzzed with the news of their return. Her friends sighed in relief; they were finally able to focus on getting rid of the eclipses and hopefully take down Takeshi as well.

The hours stretched on; it was hard telling when a day passed by but the darkness outside their windows had them falling asleep much easier. Rin had finally gained a peaceful sleep as well as Shippo, who had been plagued with nightmares. All manners of beasts though were lying in wait outside of the barrier, their numbers had grown and they were attracted to the power of the barrier and the movement behind it.