I do not own Inuyasha or the characters

A/N: Life is extremely busy right now. I haven't abandoned this fic but updates will be less frequent for a while…

The steam rising from the hot spring is soothing the slight ache that had been developing in my temples. Leaning back against a smooth rock, I crack open one eye to gaze at the Lady of the West. I just can't get over how much she looks like Sesshoumaru. She's the epitome of grace and beauty, leaving me once again to wonder what the taiyoukai possibly sees in me. Inukimi dunks under the water, only to emerge again looking like a water nymph as the waning light glints off her moonbeam hair. My hand flies to my damp tresses. Right now I must resemble a drowned kitten more than a mythological temptress. Still kittens are cute. Right?

"The entire saga is amazing," Inukimi says while playing with my bottle of strawberry scented shampoo. "I knew Naraku was making a pest of himself, but not really the full extent."

"He only gains in power as time passes and he absorbs more demons," Sango says, agreeing with her. "We need to find a way to stop him once and for all. And soon…"

"One thing bothers me, though," Inukimi remarks, glancing at our camp in the far distance. "Is it really the best thing for Inuyasha to bring this tainted priestess back from the dead? From what you've told me she never had his best interests at heart. Imagine what would've happened had she made the wish on the Shikon for him to be human. That is a selfish wish. Why could she not accept him as he was?"

My eyes widen as the breath leaves my lungs in a loud gasp. It never occurred to me before. To wish him human…how is it any different than wishing him youkai? I've spent quite a lot of time thinking about what would be a truly unselfish wish.

"Kagome, you're a good person," Sango says when she notices my distress. "I have faith that when the time comes you'll make the right wish."

"I hope you're right," I reply softly, well aware that making an unselfish wish will be difficult.

Until Inukimi pointed it out, I always thought Kikyou's wish to make Inuyasha human was unselfish. But wishing him human so the jewel would disappear and she could live a normal life; it doesn't get much more selfish than that. I was just too naïve to even consider it. I doubt the Shikon will take my naivety into account when I make a wish. The path to the netherworld is paved in good intentions. Where have I heard that before?

"Well, we have to save her soul regardless of whether we can bring her back among the living," I murmur, gazing through the steam, lost in unpleasant thoughts. "She doesn't deserve an eternity of suffering in the lowest level of the netherworld."

"Besides, it's not our place to make decisions for Inuyasha," Sango says. "We made him a promise and we'll follow through on it."

"I'll stand beside him no matter what happens, no matter his choice," I say through the bitter sting of tears. "I'll only go back home if forced to by the Kami." My heart clenches painfully when I think of being wrenched away from Sesshoumaru.

"What an odd thing to say," Inukimi remarks, staring at me with narrowed golden eyes.

"I, uh, well…" I stammer, trying to come up with a response.

"You may as well tell her," Sango says. "It's becoming pretty well known anyway."

The rest of our bath time is spent informing Inukimi of my true origins, while avoiding answering her rather astute questions regarding the future.

Later

Dinner was a raucous and delicious affair. Hakkaku and Ginta had outdone themselves hunting with Hitoshi while we were busy bathing. The result was a virtual feast around a blazing campfire. Everything cooked and prepared to perfection. All Sango, Inukimi and I had to do was sit down and enjoy the myriad of meats, fruits and vegetables. When the supply of delicious blackberries begins to dwindle, Inuyasha rises.

"We've got lots more berries," Inuyasha says. "You guys want more blackberries or raspberries?"

"I'll get them, Inuyasha," I say, rising to my feet. "Go ahead and sit down."

Crash!

"Oh crap!" I cry, running to Inuyasha's side. "I'm so sorry."

Inuyasha pushes his face out of the ground, spitting dirt from his mouth. While he continues to sputter, I brush the soil from his face and hair, while apologizing over and over. This whole situation is absurd. Why did I pick a word like sit? Why not airplane or internet or cellphone…something I'd never use in this era. Well, it's not like I had any time to decide on the word. Hell, I didn't even really understand what Kaede was talking about when she told me to speak the word of subjugation.

"Damb it, Kagombe," Inuyasha mutters. "I thik you bwoke by dose."

Placing my fingers on both sides of his misshapen nose, I carefully release my healing reiki. The power never ceases to amaze me. To watch the cartilage knit and straighten, to actually see the broken skin weave back together, it's amazing.

"Thanks, Kagome," Inuyasha murmurs, rubbing at his now healed nose.

For some reason, his humble gratitude enrages me. I'm the idiot that caused the injury. In fact I think our relationship would be better off without the damnable beads. Throughout the last two years I've made excuse after excuse for the need of the subjugation spell. My face flushes when I remember the times I screamed 'sit' out of pure anger. I shouldn't have that kind of power over another being. It just isn't right.

"I really am sorry, Inuyasha," I say softly.

"What're you apologizin so much for?" Inuyasha asks, the normal grating attitude quickly returning. "I said it was fine, so it's fine. So shut the fuck up will ya?!"

"Inuyasha, si…I mean…ah, shit."

My angry cry turns to a low mumble as I berate myself for losing my temper. What I don't expect is the heavy thud of the hanyou's body hitting the earth again.

"I-I said shit not sit!" I yell to the heavens.

Thud…thud. Crap. He's gonna be mad now. Inuyasha doesn't move from his prone position, nose buried in the hard earth.

"Inuya—"

"Kagome, perhaps it might be in Inuyasha's best interests if you refrained from speaking for a few moments," Miroku says, trying desperately to control his laughter that's coming out in tiny snorts.

"Are evenings always so entertaining, Kouga?" Inukimi asks the wolf prince.

"Well, Kagome's mouth is usually occupied in another equally amusing thin-" His ill thought reply is cut blessedly short by a Hiraikotsu to the head.

"It's so nice to see someone else on the receiving end of that blasted weapon," Miroku chokes out through his laughter.

When I feel a soft tail wind around my waist, I cringe internally, well aware that we're about to provide more entertainment to the laughing Lady of the West. Hideki takes this opportunity to move in beside me, getting between me and Inuyasha. Bad move, stupid move. I can't help but wonder what that wily fox is thinking.

"Yo, kitsune, back away from Kagome," Inuyasha growls as he stands slowly while glaring at the fox.

"Hideki, what're you doing?" I ask, unable to hide the sheer annoyance in my voice. "Now really isn't a good time to bait Inuyasha."

"The hanyou is incapable of fulfilling his duty to protect you," Hideki spits out, his green eyes sparking in fury. "I am a much better choice than that idiotic, weak hanyou."

"Yeah, well I've been protecting her for two plus years now, asshole," Inuyasha growls while cracking his knuckles, obviously just itching for a fight. Hideki's tail tightens around my waist when I start to pull away. I think this is more than mere teasing.

"Mighty hard to do that with your face buried in the ground," Hideki replies with a sneer. When Inuyasha slowly advances, Hideki smiles, shaking his finger at the hanyou. "Ah, ah, ah, you wouldn't want Kagome to use the 'word'. Last time I checked, she didn't allow fighting."

"Let go of Kagome now or I'll rip your tail from your body." Inuyasha growls low in his throat.

Before anyone can move or speak, a flash of white streaks through the campsite, taking the stunned kitsune with it. Hideki's body is thrown brutally into several trees, toppling them with the sheer force of the attack. When the dust clears, Hideki is cowering on the ground, bruised and bloodied. Sesshoumaru doesn't even have a speck of dirt or blood to mar his perfect countenance. How does he manage that?

"You have exhausted my patience, kitsune," Sesshoumaru says in his deep baritone. "I have been lenient because my chosen felt pity for your upbringing. You have also been a decent role model for her kit. But you will not touch what is mine. Ever again. Do I make myself clear?" Hideki nods his head, his eyes still glued to the ground. "Now get out of here and do not return until the end of your rut."

"So that's the problem," Kouga says into the silence as we watch Hideki slink away. "I thought that fox smelled a bit strange today."

"Mother."

"Sesshoumaru."

"Hitoshi."

"Welcome back, my lord," Hitoshi says, bowing his head.

"You do realize you become completely ineffective as a Beta whenever my mother is around," Sesshoumaru says, leveling a hard stare at Satoshi. "This entire situation is your fault."

"Yeah, sorry, Sesshoumaru," Satoshi says, his cheeks stained pink. Is the inu actually blushing? "Inuyasha had everything under control. He is Kagome's protector when you aren't around. I wasn't needed."

"Still should a Beta really be cowering behind a little human girl and an imp?" Inukimi asks, her voice the picture of innocence. Her eyes on the other hand are glinting evilly. "I've never understood why you're so afraid of me Satoshi."

"Three hundred years ago," Satoshi mumbles.

"What?" Inukimi asks. "I'm afraid I cannot hear your pathetic whimpering."

"Three hundred years ago," Satoshi says again after clearing his throat several times. "I watched you castrate my half-brother with your claws."

"Oh my, you saw that," Inukimi says, shaking her head. "And you were just a pup. I'm afraid I remember that moment all too well. It was a just punishment. Your half-brother was a child molester. I caught him forcing a pup into despicable acts. I was furious."

"I had no idea," Satoshi murmurs. "He never would say what he did to merit your punishment. You were kind."

"Well now here's a first," Inukimi says, her laughter twinkling around the camp. "I'm kind. Please, Satoshi, don't say such things. You'll ruin my reputation."

"Did you miss me, Kagome?" Sesshoumaru asks, leading me away from the fire.

"What do you think?" I ask.

He drops gracefully to the ground, pulling me down onto his lap. Mokomoko wraps around my waist while his arms gather me against his chest. His lips meet mine in a gentle caress that quickly intensifies to full blown hunger. My arms fly around his neck, my fingers entwining in his silver hair holding him against me. When he nips at my lower lip, I gasp from the tingling sensation. He uses that opportunity to thrust his tongue through my parted lips, exploring my mouth leisurely. My head drops back the second he releases my mouth from his sensual caress. Tiny whimpers of pleasure escape as he kisses along my jawline then down my neck.

"I see what you mean, Kouga," Inukimi says, followed by a tittering laugh and the loud snap of her fan. "Entertaining indeed."

I feel Sesshoumaru stiffen beneath me, his face still buried in my neck. He inhales deeply, his arms tightening around me. My head spins as he rises to his feet, cradling my body in his arms.

"Goodnight, Mother." Sesshoumaru says softly before turning and heading away through the trees.

"Have a good night, son," her voice calls out, carrying on the gentle night breeze.

"Where are we going?" I ask, snuggling into Mokomoko.

"Someplace that offers more privacy."

"Mmm, sounds wonderful."

Thanks for reading!

Cymberle