Morning came and Kagome went about seeing to the beginning of the day. Gathering supplies from her bag, she set out to start boiling water for rice, and then made her way to a nearby stream to cleanse herself.

She had seen the way Sesshomaru had tensed, had felt the unease that escaped and slithered through the open door that connected to the bridge that linked them together.

Smiling warmly, she sent back a wind that carried confidence and reassurance.

Not waiting to receive a response, she set out.

The cool water had felt wonderful, and it was a nice way to help rid herself of any residual tiredness that thought to follow her after the events of the day before.

When she returned, she began portioning out bowls, offering some to everyone in camp. Shippo had been hesitant, but thankful, while Inuyasha nearly spilled his in a rush to gobble down some breakfast.

When she had turned silently to Sesshomaru, he had simply declined with a simple shake of his head, which she acknowledged with a nod before making her own.

It was while she was packing up that Sesshomaru approached her. A hint of pink curled it's way up to bloom across her cheeks. She was minutely embarrassed after her outburst yesterday. He had made out like it was no big deal, but she couldn't help but feel like it made her appear childish and it made her cringe internally at the other apparent difference in their age.

He was so - regal.

"Cease your packing, miko. We will not be departing."

Her brows scrunched together in confusion as she stood from her crouched position by her bag.

"But aren't we going after those youkai that hurt Shippo?"

"In due time. This One recalls informing you we would begin your training this morning."

Sesshomaru took a step forward, and from her peripherals she caught sight of his hand rising to her face. A shuddered breath escaped her at the first touch of his skin against hers.

So intense this bond thing was.

"Yesterday was an unfortunate oversight. Had you been born in this period of time, your training would have been mandatory from the moment your aura was measured."

Her hair swayed as she tipped her head in consideration.

"Is it going to be more difficult for me to learn since I'm older or something?"

She knew some thing's were actually easier to learn while you're younger compared to the restrictions the mind placed on an individual that has had time to mature.

"Your age is not a factor. It is your power."

"My power?"

His thumb stroked the skin along her jaw, and then pulled away leaving her feeling oddly bereft without his touch.

"You hold an immense amount of reiki. Such power has a will of its own. It will make training difficult."

Sesshomaru watched as the miko's mind seemed to drift. She fidgeted aimlessly on her feet as she mulled over the information he had provided her with.

Suddenly, the bond was slammed with a thundering wave made of sheer determination, and he couldn't help the small amount of respect that filled him.

The girl had will.

Her head tilted up, and he caught the way she fisted her hands at her sides. Blue eyes blazed as she stood up straighter.

"We start now?"

He nodded.

"Lead the way, then."

His brow rose, but he allowed her - request - and took off to the tree line.

As they passed under the shade of the trees he felt the edges of his lips twitch. The miko was proving to be more and more surprising.

"I quit!"

Sesshomaru fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"Miko."

"No! I can't do this! It's not even a won't! I just can't!"

"It is simply difficult because you have never attempted to do so before."

"That's easy for you to say! You're not the one attempting to do something you've never done before!"

"All you must do is sit still."

He watched as she threw her head back and groaned at the sky. All the determination she had built up for herself moments ago had long dispersed. Defeated and arrested in pure horror at what he had asked of her.

"I cannot meditate, Sesshomaru! My mind won't shut off."

Her eyes narrowed at him, and he cocked his head to the side, an action that seemed to infuriate her more.

"Do you know what I'm even thinking about? I start trying to make everything leave my mind, just like you said, and then it's like since I try, everything I've ever thought or seen or done or heard pops in and starts playing at rapid speed, and then that's it! Poof. Concentration gone."

He watched as she slumped. Disappointment trickling into her aura, and he began considering her words.

Hn.

"Again."

"But - !"

His eyes narrowed, and the miko sighed in resignation as she straightened her posture.

"Since you are obviously incapable of clearing your mind completely, we will simply have to leave something in."

"Huh?"

"Focus on one thought. Cast your mind around a singular image, and only that image."

Kagome began sorting through the variety of objects she could picture. She started with a flame, but that only proved problematic because then she began thinking about the different variations of color in a flame, which caused her to think of gold, which caused her to think of eyes that were similarly colored, which caused her to think about Sesshomaru.

Next, she pictured a body of water, then a tree, a pen, a rock, a string, until finally her mind settled on a well. The Bone Eater's Well, but much deeper.

She began imagining her power at the bottom. Rolling and throbbing down below. She could see the wisps of reiki gently sweeping through the darkness.

Her brows furrowed as she began thinking of a way to fill the well, so she could actually touch it. It sung to her. She could feel the call caressing her skin, flowing through her veins. It practically begged her jump in, and swim in its depths.

Just as she began to throw a leg over the well to take the plunge, she jolted. Her eyes flashed open as her heart lurched, and she looked around in a panic before she finally focused on the face in front of her.

"You did well, miko."

Confusion marred her features as she stared at him.

"What do you mean? I didn't do anything."

"Though it may feel that way, you have made the first step. You found where your power lay. Remember that feeling, miko. It will serve you well in the rest of your training."

"Oh, okay. So what next?"

"Now, we pack and then depart."

Kagome's brows rose skyward as she watched Sesshomaru rise.

"But, it's only been a few minutes."

He looked at her from the corner of his eye, and she saw something flash that she was unable to read or sense through their bond before it disappeared.

"Look around you, miko. It is nearly midday."

"It's what?"

She looked up even as she asked the question, eyes squinting as she looked at the sun that was nearly centered in the sky above her.

"How did that happen? It was just morning a few minutes ago?!"

"It is part of the trance. Meditation is not limited by day or night, but by will. Had I not awakened you, I suspect it would have been nightfall before you roused."

Kagome was in a state of disbelief, while dangling on a thin line between being in awe and distraught.

She had lost nearly four hours of her life, and it had only felt like minutes.

"Be at ease, miko. Time is not something that concerns you."

Her head jerked up, and she looked at Sesshomaru who was gazing at her in a seemingly dispassionate way, though when she focused her mind on the bond, she could sense the calming waves he was attempting to send to her.

With a shaky smile, she nodded her head and rose, dusting of her skirt in the process.

She didn't miss the sidelong glance Sesshomaru sent her way.

"What is it?"

Kagome looked down at her school uniform, attempting to see if anything was out of place, but when she found nothing wrong she looked up in confusion.

"It is nothing. Come."

As they made their way back to camp, Sesshomaru decided they would be stopping at the nearest village. The miko required clothing.

Though he understood she was from a different time, and the garments she wore would be considered proper, the idea of others seeing so much of her had him fighting a snarl.

It was a situation he endeavored to fix.

Immediately.

The next day found Kagome, Inuyasha, and Shippo resting in a field. Sesshomaru had left them to go to the village on the other side of the tree line stating there were some wares he needed to retrieve before they continued.

She had felt no small amount of trepidation as he began gliding away, silver hair swaying with each step causing something to clinch deep in her chest.

For a moment she began to panic.

What if the pain of their separation returned?

What if something happened, and she couldn't help him?

What if -

"Quit your stressin', wench. If somethin' happens, I'll go get the bastard."

Her head turned to Inuyasha, eyes wide, before her face softened at the look of surety in his gaze.

"Thank you, Inuyasha."

"Keh."

She watched as his face seemed to redden before he took off, and bounded up into the branches of a tree.

A small nudge at her leg, caused her to look down, and she saw Shippo standing there with his hands behind his back as he fidgeted. His small mouth opened and closed, allowing her a glimpse at the small fangs hidden behind his lips, before he looked down and hid his face from view.

"Um - I was just - well. I was wondering - "

He stopped, and looked out at the field longingly.

Understanding bloomed, and she smiled as she bent her knees to bring her eye level with the small youkai.

"Hey, I have an idea! Since Sesshomaru is going to be gone for a little while, how about me and you play a game?"

His tail swished as he turned back to her.

"What kind of game?"

"It's called 'Hide and Seek'. I'll turn around and count, and then while I'm counting, you run off and hide. When I'm done, I have to come find you."

Kagome watched as Shippo's face lit up, and he nodded his head enthusiastically.

"Okay! I'm good at hiding!"

Something like a snort came from the tree's, along with a muttered, "I bet."

With narrowed eyes, Kagome looked up at the bits of red she could see through the bushes.

"Sit, boy!"

Thump.

Unintelligible muttering came from the Inuyasha sized hole, but Kagome ignored it in favor of turning to Shippo.

"You ready?"

He nodded, his red ponytail bobbing with the action.

"Get ready."

With a smile playing on her lips, she turned around and covered her eyes, and the game began.

They had been playing for awhile now.

The nice miko lady - Kagome, had managed to find him three out of the five times he had hid, and he had found her four of the five times she had.

Now though, he was looking for a different hiding spot. He wanted to find the best one ever, so that he could show her just how good he was at hiding!

His little feet skittered along the forest floor. Bounding through a bush, he came across another clearing, green eyes scanning the area before landing on a large rock that had dips small enough for him to hide in.

"Twenty- nine! Thirty! Ready or not, here I come!"

Anticipation and glee took over, and he leapt for the nearest overhang and pulled himself up into one of the small hidey holes. He snickered quietly to himself as he waited for her inevitable defeat.

Kagome searched all around the forest area. She was surprised the bond was allowing her and Sesshomaru to be so far apart, but she brushed it off as she continued searching for Shippo.

"Where, oh, where could he be? Hmm. I wonder..."

A giggle echoed from her left, and she took off, chasing the sound. She burst through into another clearing, and began searching. Her eyes drinking up every bit of her surroundings before finally, a hint of red peaked from on top of a rock.

She stifled a chuckle as she made a show of looking around.

"Hmm. Where did that little kitsune run off too?"

Quiet snickering came from the rock as she began circling around the clearing. Jumping into bushes, darting around trees, before she finally walked to the rock, and began looking it over.

On the wrong side of course.

"Shippo, where are you," she sung out as she walked around.

Finally, being able to no longer take it, he barked out a laugh, and she giggled as she popped around to the other side.

"Aha! Found you!"

"No fair, no fair! You made me laugh way to much!"

"Okay, okay," she giggled.

With a wide smile plastered on her face, she raised her hands up to help him down from the ledge.

"We'll do a rema-", she paused as she looked to the opposite tree line. Something skated it way along her spine, and she narrowed her eyes as she watched.

Shippo looked from his place on the rock with confusion, before he suddenly froze and then began trembling.

"Kagome, we need to go. We need to go now!"

"Why?"

"It's - it's Manten! He's one of The Thunder Brothers!"

Kagome looked back, the feeling snaking its way up her spine increasing the closer he got.

"Shippo, stay up here. Do not, for any reason whatsoever come down unless I say so, okay?"

"But, Kagome -"

"Promise me!"

He nodded his head hesitantly as he scooted back to hide.

Just as Kagome lowered her arms, a big hulking demon came out. His nose was elongated in a way that reminded her of a lizard of some sort.

Her hands shook as she cursed herself for letting them get so far from camp.

A wicked smile formed on the youkai's face as he peered at her.

"What a pretty little lady. Just what are you doing out here all alone?"

"I'm waiting for my mate."

"Ah," his hand rose as he rubbed neck, "how unfortunate."

"Yes, well, you had best be on your way then. He would be upset to see you here."

Kagome prayed her voice sounded steady. That it didn't relay any of the anxiety that currently flowed through her body.

"Ah, you misunderstand. It is unfortunate because I will be separating a mated pair. Such a pity."

Faster than what should have been possible, given his size, he appeared before her. Beady eyes raked her form in a way that had her shivering with repulsion. A clawed hand reached out, pulling her to him, and she fought a gag at the way his breath caressed her face.

"You will make an excellent ingredient to my potion."

Anger flared, and she lifted her hands to his chest.

"I don't think so, you creep!"

She shoved him away, and her eyes widened impossibly large as he flew across the clearing. Reiki danced along her palms, and she took a moment to stare in awe before she turned and began sprinting in the direction she hoped camp was. Praying to any Kami that would listen that Shippo remained hidden.

She opened her mouth to yell out, to get someone's attention, but a blow to the back of her head silenced it as she pitched forward, black spots dancing along her vision.

Landing hard on her hands and knees she shook her head, attempting to clear the fog that was approaching.

"You, wench! My hair! My poor, poor hair!"

Shakily, she reached for the bond, grasping on it and pulling with everything she was worth, while at the same time shouting down the bridge between she and Sesshomaru.

Something stirred on the other end, and in her mind she saw an image of a white dog peering through one crimson eye before it lifted its head and stood. Hand raised, she attempted to grasp it. To run her fingers through the soft fur.

Just as she was about to touch the silky strands, pain exploded in her skull, and the sound of bereft moaning followed her as she slipped into the darkness.

Sesshomaru was gazing at kimono's of all different colors - reds, pinks, blues, gold's, greens. He was attempting to find one that would best suit his mate, but found that while she would look stunning dressed in all the finery he could place upon her, it did not suit their purposes.

He strode along the vendors shop, and his eyes landed on battle garb. Some were hulking, huge pieces of steel made for burly males, while some were small enough for even the kit.

His mind began whirling as he took it in.

"Is there perhaps something I could assist you with finding?"

He looked to the ningen male who had addressed him. Normally, he would not stop at such a place, but he endeavored to remedy the miko's clothing as soon as possible.

Ignoring the human male, he turned to a table that held the garb of a miko, and began considering as he looked back to the armor.

It was known that the original creator of the Shikon no Tama was a battle ready miko.

Perhaps...

With his mind set, he turned to the ningen, but froze as a sudden surge flowed down the bond.

He could nearly see her - his mate. Her hand outstretched, fear swirling in her eyes, and pain lining her features. When he made a move to reach for her, the connection cut off, and then - nothing.

He dove down into the bond, searching the bridge that connected them as fury started to build. When he reached the end that contained her awareness, he was met with inky blackness.

The ningen was attempting to speak to him. Asking him if he was okay.

Foolishness.

He was perfectly fine. Obviously unharmed.

His mate, however.

A low rumbling growl escaped him, as he darted from the shop. Within moments he was back in camp, and he let out a snarl at the individuals missing.

Inuyasha's shouting barely registered, and for a moment he nearly turned back to roar at the impudent whelp for letting the kit and his mate venture out so far alone.

Instead, he followed their scent. Running like the Kami themselves were chasing him.

If his mate was harmed, there would be nothing to halt his wrath.

Shippo was a flurry of red and teal as he zoomed across the forest floor. His little pawed feet rustling up dust and debris as he pushed towards camp.

Tears blurred his eyes, and he quickly wiped them away in his anger - and shame. A small whimper escaped his lips.

He shouldn't have went so far out. Shouldn't have tried to show off.

His mind barely had time to examine the brush of youki against his sense's before the aura burst, and suddenly he was skidding to a stop in front of white silk and red tinged eyes.

Immediately his body started trembling. His instincts recognizing the gap in power.

The predator.

"He - he took her! Manten! He took her!"

He prostrated himself on the ground as his tears took over. His teeth clenched as he attempted to get ahold of himself.

The sound of feet sliding to a stop had Shippo lifting his head. Inuyasha was looking between him and Sesshomaru.

Golden eyes took in the runts position at his half brother's feet, two pairs of reddened eyes looking at him and relayed two different stories. One held grief and shame, the other rage and retribution.

"What's going on? Where's the wench?"

A low growl came from Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha wrote him off as he narrowed in on the kit.

"One of The Thunder Brothers. He came while we were playing, and she told me to hide."

Inuyasha heard the low whine escape his lips, and dug his claws into his hands.

"You didn't even do anything, did ya? You just sat there, and hid like a whimp while she did all the work, huh?"

"Enough."

His head shot up as he looked to Sesshomaru. The red had receded from the bastards eyes, but now something else swirled and pulsed as he looked at Shippo. His little head had bowed under Inuyasha's questioning, regret dripping from his aura.

Sesshomaru stared down at the kit. He could feel his blood pulse and throb as his soul recognized the presence that was missing.

The utter lack of her was threatening to make him go mad.

The bond was threatening to make him go mad.

The cretin who thought to take what was his was threatening to make him go mad.

He claws flexed and he vaguely registered Inuyasha flinching away before righting himself.

"Come."

He began walking in the direction the kit had come from, his aura drawn in tightly around him as he used it to dive down the bridge that connected his soul to the being on the other side.

He needed to find her. See that she was unharmed, that she was safe.

And then he would coat his claws in blood.

"Please! You need to let me go! You don't understand, he will kill you!"

Insane chuckling left the mouth of the youkai who held her captive. She winced, the sound thundering in her skull from the headache that had bloomed due to the blow that had knocked her unconscious.

"Woman, there is no one that can harm me. They would have to find me first, and no one would be idiotic enough to brave a storm to find you in the sky."

Kagome chewed on her lip as she glanced out the window. Dark storm clouds blocked her view of anything else, and she wrung her hands in her lap.

Sesshomaru really didn't owe her anything. He didn't have to come. She had even told him that if he wanted to leave he could. Inuyasha didn't even really need her for the jewel shards. In fact, things would probably go faster for him if he wasn't having to wait on her.

But - she could feel him. Deep in her soul she could feel the essence of him pulse and writhe in what could only be described as wrath, and hope and weariness flared to life as she held on to the bond like a lifeline.

"You are the key ingredient I need - ."

"The what?!"

The youkai covered his ears at her screeching, and turned to face her. His bulbous face was screwed in a grimace, but his eyes regarded her carefully. She had to fight to keep from shuddering. Something shined in them that spoke of a darkness that seemed to hang over him like a cloud.

"I will use you to make potion, woman."

"Uh, for one - no! For two, are you insane?! You can't just cook people! Besides, you don't understand! My sorta-kinda mate will, and I stress this, will kill you."

Cackling laughter bounced off the walls causing her to jump.

"It will be an easy thing to defeat your so-called mate!"

"Even if you managed to defeat him, I still said no! I'm not just gonna let you cook me into whatever weird thing you've decided to make!"

She watched as his muscles seemed to freeze up before giving out and causing him to slump as though drained and exhausted.

"It's because I'm bald isn't it?"

A look of incredulity marred her features.

He was psycho!

"It has nothing to do with your hair, or lack there of! I just don't want to be cooked, you idiot!"

"It doesn't matter. After I use this potion, I'll have hair as gorgeous as Hiten's, and then I will no longer be shunned and he will not be ashamed to call me 'brother'."

She groaned loudly and deep in her throat, frustrated at the idiot in front of her.

"You aren't listening to me! If you want hair find some other way to get it, but you need to let me go!"

He rolled his eyes, as he turned from the cooking pot.

"Once again, woman, your mate is of no consequence."

Her eyes narrowed in on his face when a pink glow caught her attention.

"You have shards."

"Yes. Your mate is no threat against the power the shards give me and my brother."

Kagome sucked in her lower lip as she considered his words.

She had seen Sesshomaru fight, but it couldn't even really be considered a fight given it was with Inuyasha. So, she really had no idea how strong he was, and she obviously didn't know how strong Manten or his brother was.

Uncertainty crept it way into her mind, and she shook it off.

Everything would be fine.She searched the recesses of her soul, feeling Sesshomaru's aura pulsing on the other end.

It just had to be.

An: So sorry it has been so long! Life has been absolutely hectic. All of my kids, myself, and my husband have been horribly sick, and then it's caused me to get behind on my project for work. It's just.. been awful.

Please forgive me, and except this chapter as my sincerest apology!