DISCLAIMER: Still don't own. Sorry!

Sesshoumaru sniffed as the hanyou dropped from the trees without the miko. He was no fool. He was sure that the whelp had told the miko exactly what it was he scented on his person.

But…what truths were left unsaid?

Knuckles cracked and acid dropping from one, lone finger as a sign of the Western Lord's displeasure. He would not go to Inuyasha, no. Though he may want the woman as his own, he would not lower himself to ask what the whelp would undoubtedly tell him anyway.

Patience.

"She left."

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes to find his half-brother standing before him, arms crossed over his chest, ears pulled back tight against his scalp. The daiyoukai simply raised an eyebrow.

"Let me tell you now, you bastard, you will not take her from me!" Inuyasha snarled. Though he knew Kagome would never cast him aside, he wanted to let his brother know that he would not be going anywhere. Where his best friend stood, so did he.

Power buffeted against the hanyou as the ice cold feel of Sesshoumaru's might bared down on him.

"Calm down would you, you overbred asshole?" Inuyasha, yelled as Sango and Miroku readied themselves. "I said that you could not take her from me, not that you could not attempt to do…whatever…it is that you are wanting to do. Where she goes, I go! There was a time… Just know that if you hurt her-dishonor her- I will take your arm again. She deserves more than that." The hanyou finished quietly.

The power died abruptly as golden eyes widened in disbelief at the maturity displayed by the often brash halfling, even as he ground his fangs to hold back the words of Inuyasha's own misdeeds. No, if he truly wanted the woman, and he did with everything that made him youkai, he would have to somehow find someway to come to terms with his father's bastard.

"The wench is fully capable of deciding what she wants to do with her life. Even-even it's you." Inuyasha blushed. "Besides, watching you make an ass out of yourself is too good a chance to pass up."

"Hn. This one finds it hard to believe that you will not interfere in his plans for the miko."

"Keh. I won't have too. I have no doubts that you will mess this up all on your own." His brother tossed over his should as he walked back to his companions.

Burning gold eyes narrowed slightly.

Hn. Insolent pup. As if this one is capable of failing.