A/N: Hi now! I'm here... It's a Sunday…I have the house to myself, sooo…that means a new chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Inuyasha, but if they are for sale…

Chapter 11

"Stay focused!" Kagome said sharply, opening one eye to observe her squirming kit. "You need to concentrate on that ball of magic inside of you and will it to spread to your senses."

Sukashi furrowed her eyebrows, trying to keep her mental hold on the concentrated ball of energy inside of her.

"Relax." Kagome said more softly. "If you push it too hard you will lose your control of it."

Sukashi took deep breath and relaxed her tensed muscles. She slowly tried taking bits from the ball of magic and spreading it to her senses, making her much more aware of the world around her. She marveled as slowly, the world became more clear than it ever had been, even with her eyes closed. She could suddenly sense all forms of life nearby; she could feel the wisdom of the old trees in the area. She could sense major power levels and even the smallest ones. She opened her eyes so she could see more, becoming exited and happy at the same time. But her magic began to fade away, until she was reduced to her normal level of senses.

"What happened?" Sukashi pouted.

"You got too excited. You did very well though, for the first lesson. Once you use your magic to sense things for the first time, it becomes gradually easier and easier." Kagome said gently. "Now we have to be on our way...find Sesshoumaru and Shippou for me, will you?" Kagome watched as the kit bounced off. Sesshoumaru had told her last night that they were close to Rin's village, and they should be there today. Kagome excitedly searched for Rin's life force, and found it after a little searching. Kagome was certain it was her, but something was wrong. There was…unhappiness, fright and sadness around her aura. Was something wrong with Rin that Sesshoumaru doesn't know about? Kagome thought she wouldn't tell him, concluding in her head that she would go with him to see what was wrong with her when the time came.

Kagome's thoughts were interrupted by Sesshoumaru, Shippou and Sukashi walked into the clearing.

"Ready to go?" Sesshoumaru said emotionlessly to no one in particular.

"Yes." Kagome mumbled, not sure whether he was really talking to her. Then, without a word, he began walking away, forcing her to do nothing but follow.

Kagome wondered why he was being so indifferent. Sure, he was Sesshoumaru, and indifference was his middle name, but usually she could sense some emotion in him. It seemed to Kagome that he had built his protective wall quite high today. Because he is seeing Rin today? He doesn't want to show his vulnerability to me? He should know that I wouldn't care if he wants to see his once-adopted daughter…the baka.

The rest of the journey was in silence, and it was nightfall before Kagome was able to sense a large amount of forms of human life nearby. Sesshoumaru stopped walking just as suddenly as he had begun, and turned to face Kagome. "You should set up camp here while I go." He turned away and began to walk once more. Kagome hastily, without thinking, put up a barrier of magic that he could not walk through. Sesshoumaru walked into the barrier full force and almost fell backwards.

"Wait." Kagome said, giving him a fierce glare that said 'you're not leaving without me'. Kagome's eyes widened suddenly as she saw a faint red tint begin to appear in his eyes. He turned away from her, however, and began to collect firewood. Kagome stared at his back for a second that seemed like a minute before turning to clear a spot for the fire.

After the camp was made, the fire was crackling, and the kids were put to bed, Kagome found herself staring at Sesshoumaru's retreating back again. She jogged to catch up to him, grabbing his sleeve to turn him around so she could give him a piece of her. As she firmly tugged at the white material, he shot his hand around and grabbed her wrist firmly, eyes red and growling. Kagome was taken aback almost to the point of shock, but her miko magic seemed to be moving her body for her. Kagome watched as her own glowing hand placed itself on top of his, loosening his grip and returning his eyes back to normal.

"What is wrong with you?" Kagome asked as calmly as she could, but she grimaced as her voice cracked and wavered.

"I need to see Rin alone. It's a personal thing, human."

"Kagome." She corrected fiercely. "Listen, Sesshoumaru…I didn't want to tell you this, but when I sensed Rin's life force, I sensed unhappiness around her. That means she need someone to talk to. A female. Sure, you are her adopted father, but she still needs someone she knows that is a girl to talk to!" Kagome glared at him.

The youkai grabbed her hand once more, but this time much more gently. He observed the bruise growing on her wrist with narrowed eyes. Kagome, embarrassed, sent her miko magic through her body to heal the bruise that Sesshoumaru was staring so intently at, making her wrist glow slightly before the bruise disappeared.

"If you were to talk to me ten years ago, I would have snorted at the fact that I could have so easily been outsmarted by a mere human." He said passively.

"And then you would have killed me." Kagome concluded with a smirk.

"Kagome, I hate you for making me so damn weak." Sesshoumaru said, meeting her eyes truly for the first time that day.

"Yeah, I hate you too, darling." Kagome said mockingly, pushing affectionately at his chest. He took a step back but swiftly came closer to her again, wrapping his arms around her in an enveloping hug.

"Lets go then?" Kagome whispered in his ear.

"Yes." He said seriously, taking a step back and talking her hand.

That was horribly, evilly, and painfully short. I really apoligize too. I tried though, and it was a semi-good chapter? I hope. I also hope you don't hate me...Oh please review. If you do, I'll make the next chapter much much much longer! (well, I will try!)

"I hate the people who love me and they hate me!"

-Futurama