"We will search for the jewel."

Touga's announcement had Kagome frowning and muttering to Inuyasha, "Aren't we already searching for the jewel?"

Inuyasha snickered.

The lightening whip that flicked in his direction had him jumping to avoid it. He growled, "What the fuck, old man?"

His father kept on walking, "It seems I will have to teach you respect."

"What about Kagome? She said it!" He pointed an outraged finger at the frantic girl who shook her head and mouthed 'No' at him.

His father glanced back towards Kagome, his amber eyes narrowed with a focused intensity in them, "Kagome will receive a different form of lesson in respect."

Kagome gaped at him before her face turned red and she tried to speak but couldn't get the words out. But what she could do, she stomped on Inuyasha's bare foot as hard as she could making him howl.

"Thanks a lot, Inuyasha, you jerk." She mumbled under breath.

Touga watched their antics and sighed. The two were children. Even his intended was just a child. Although women her age were already wed and bedded, Kagome was too naive and innocent. It bothered him that she was so immature. However, he recalled back to his grave. She had been willing to sacrifice herself to let his son escape. She was also brave.

He glanced back at the bickering companions. There was so much yet to be learned about the girl before he could press his suit. For the mating to take place, she had to come to him. And for that to happen, she had to trust him and fall in love with him.

He crossed his arms as they walked towards the vicinity where they had accessed the portal to the graveyard. How was he going to make Kagome fall in love with him? Ordering her about seemed to anger her.

A hiss of pain from behind him made him blink and then he was by Kagome's side. A branch had scratched against her injuries which were red.

His arms around her, he asked, "Are you alright?"

Kagome winced as the movement made the pain almost pulse, "It's just a scratch. It'll be fine once I treat it."

Humans were so delicate.

Touga stood up, picking the girl up in his arms, in a bridal style. Her face turned red as she protested, "You don't have to carry me! I can walk!"

"Silence, little one."

She shut up, not wanting to argue when he used that particular tone. However, she wasn't used to being carried like this, his face so close it was unnerving and so she started fidgeting.

Touga glanced down at the girl in his arms. Such a restless soul. His lip quirked upward as he saw her toying with the spiked horn on his armor. He saw her discreetly try to pull at it and forced back the smile that was making its way out. She had done just that when she had first met him.

She must have seen something in his face, because she turned red again and looked away. However, this gave Touga the added benefit of studying her up close. Her cheeks were soft and her lashes were long and curled. Those crystal blue eyes were distracting in their clarity.

The girl was incredibly attractive. He could admit that much. But she shied away from him, her wariness very annoying. He understood that she needed time to adapt to this decision, but she could at least be a bit more accepting. She had acknowledged his role as her protector but aside from that she didn't seem to see him as anything more.

He was her mate!

Just how clear should he be?

She was fidgeting again. He sighed.

Such an impatient child.

However, he paused and then looked down at her uncomfortable face, "You do not wish me to carry you like this?"

Kagome relaxed, thinking that maybe he was now taking her desire into account. She couldn't be more wrong.

"It's awkward," She admitted, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Hnn." He set her down and straightened her when she wobbled, before taking a few steps back.

She only had time to look up, before the massive lash of youki overwhelmed her and she stumbled onto the ground. A firm hand grabbed her, tossing her onto a very familiar back. Inuyasha jumped back into the trees and watched in what could only be a called a mixture of horror and fascination as his father transformed into one of the biggest inu he had ever seen.

He even towered over the trees, his size spectacular.

His half brother watched from the distance and made a sound of disgust at the tremendous power his father was displaying. He knew he was nowhere close to his father in terms of strength or size and it irked him. Tensaiga pulsed and he frowned, "Be still."

It took a few seconds for the dust to settle and Kagome gaped at what was clearly the biggest dog she had ever lain eyes upon. Blood red eyes with tiny blue pupils and so many jagged teeth. She tried to breathe but the fear was overwhelming her. Clenching onto the red haroi, she breathed past her fear, trying to tell herself that it was just Touga and he had promised to protect her. The dagger snuggled deep within her clothing pulsed and she grit her teeth.

She could feel it like a heartbeat but she didn't know what it meant. The dagger had been with her for as long as she could remember but she could never remember using it. Not once. But she always carried it with her. She put her hand over her clothing where she had concealed the dagger, willing it to stop that weird vibration.

She looked up at the enormous beast towering over them and let out a small cry when it lowered its massive head to gaze at her and Inuyasha. Inuyasha muttered something under his breath but Kagome could feel his hands tremble. Those blood red eyes blinked and then a rough voice spoke, "Are you frightened, little one?"

His voice made the ground shake, such power it contained.

Kagome's fingers flexed. He was so big and his appearance was frightening. Would he be angry if she told him that? Did she dare tell him that?

She swallowed and noted that he was waiting for her response.

Gathering her courage, she told her hanyou friend, "Let me down, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha's head whipped around and he looked startled and a little bit wary, "Oi, Kagome. What are you thinking?"

"Trust me."

It was a little hard to get those words out when she didn't even know what she was going to do. Reluctantly, Inuyasha released her and one hand went to his sword as he watched the weak human girl walk up to the vicious Inu general who had obliterated armies upon armies in this form and he felt a lick of fear.

His father was watching Kagome, still as a statue, waiting for her next move. He could scent the fear from her slender form and it made Inuyasha uneasy. Did his father truly understand how fragile humans were? One playful push could end Kagome's life. Sweat dripped down his temples as he watched with growing apprehension as Kagome's gait did not falter.

Finally, Touga moved. He lowered his head slowly so as not to frighten the girl. Resting his head on the ground, he watched her as she approached him and place a trembling hand on his fur. Her very touch was so soothing that his eyes fluttered shut. She did not know the power she held over him.

When he did not move, she petted his fur, marveling at how soft it was. The soft rumbling that suddenly emitted from him made her stumble back. One eye opened, almost lazily, "Do not stop. It is soothing. Your touch."

Kagome blushed fiercely but obeyed him, by petting his fur again.

"Inuyasha. Leave."

The sudden words had Inuyasha glaring at the enormous beast that was his father, "What the hell? Why?"

His father's eyes remained closed, " I wish to spend some time with my intended."

Kagome's eyes widened, and she shook her hand, speaking uneasily, "There really isn't any need to do that. Inuyasha can stay, can't you, Inuyasha?" The desperate look she shot at the hanyou had him hesitating.

However, his father spoke up, "Do you trust me, Kagome?"

Kagome thought for a second and then shook her head, "No."

Those terrifiying eyes jolted open and the inuyoukai seemed almost amused, "You are very honest."

Kagome sighed and continued petting the fur beneath her fingers. It was almost addictive, "I reckon you could kill me any second you wish to and you say you want to protect me and I'm your intended but -" She looked up at him to meet his eyes and he saw another aspect of her which attracted him to her, despite her immature behavior. Those clear eyes which sometimes reflected the wisdom of a millennium, looked at him directly, "I still don't know you, so I can't trust you."

"I can accept that. Climb onto me, Kagome."

Kagome blinked.

"Inuyasha."

His father's commanding voice had Inuyasha making a face, but he darted forward and grabbing Kagome by the waist, he jumped up onto his father's back , settling Kagome, on his neck.

Kagome's gasp was ignored as he jumped into the nearest tree. "Let's see how fast you are, old man."

With that he rushed towards the clearing by the waterfalls where they had been ambushed by Seshomaru.

Kagome screamed as Touga lifted into the sky and soared , following Inuyasha.

"Show me the way, Kagome. Unless you wish me to lose to my son."

Kagome's voice stuttered out as she pointed out the way and then promptly buried her face in the silky fur.

Feeling the damn dog's amusement, she pulled at his fur in retaliation. His amusement increased. She groaned.

This was going to be impossible.

A.N: I'm sorry for the long wait. MY university started and I'm trying to write six chapters in one go but it's next to impossible seeing as I'm spending ten hours in my university, and I get home six and then Im just so tired.

But I'm trying. Be patient.

Also, I realize this chapter is short and doesn't cover much but I hit a block. I know where I wanted to go but I didn't know how and it was very frustrating. I needed to get the how out of the way.