Disclaimer: Heh, heh. No, I don't own any of the Inuyasha characters. I wish I did, though!

Author's Note: I have 14 reviews! I'm so happy! Thank you, Benten and Lightning, for your encouragement! Here's chapter 12, thanks to all of my faithful reviewers! Hope you enjoy! the truth about the mysterious stranger is finally revealed! (Fluffy's here, because of totally-wicked's request!)

The Course of True Love Ne'er Did Run Smooth…

Chapter 12

Inuyasha ran up the tall green hill, panting, and tried to figure out who the person was. How had that person stood by, unnoticed, until the last second? How at he moved so quickly to rescue Kagome? And most importantly of all, who was it? The bright sun that was behind the hill cast a dark shadow in front of the figure, enabling whoever it was to hide his identity. Inuyasha continued to rush up the hill, breathing heavily and frantic with worry for the girl in the stranger's arms. He squinted at the dark figure on the hill as he neared it.

Long, silver-white hair billowed out from behind him, identical to his own. An intricate white silk kimono covered with patterns of gold and blue dogs. Smooth, calm face, and an arrogant, relaxed stance. Stripes on the sides of his face and a purple crescent moon on his forehead. Inuyasha look one look at the man as he stopped running, and narrowed his eyes angrily. There was no mistaking that disgusting scent anywhere.

"Sesshoumaru, you bastard! What are you doing with Kagome? Why are you here? Let go of her and come let me whip that smile off your pretty girl face!" He snarled at his half-brother, Lord Sesshoumaru, Ruler of the Western Lands. The two had always maintained a negative relationship for reasons unknown to anyone. He was quite shocked, in fact, that his half-brother, who was a full-youkai, had saved Kagome, though he definitely possessed the speed and agility to do so.

The pale, indifferent man answered loftily, "This Sesshoumaru does not need an excuse for his actions. Be glad, dear brother of mine, that I saved your pitiful little bitch for you." His bland yet firm tone of voice indicated that this was the end of the discussion, but Inuyasha remained unyielding.

"Give me back Kagome, then answer my question. Why did you save Kagome?" He asked, careful to remain nonchalant, as if he had not cared whether or not she was saved, and was only asking out of curiosity.

"I, Sesshoumaru, the Great Demon of the West, feel no obligation to answer your demands. Begone, brother, before I feel the urge to rip you to pieces for your insolence." He waved a long, clawed hand at his brother, carelessly, as if he was shooing away a troublesome pest.

Inuyasha was growing angrier and angrier at his brother's words, and he shouted angrily, "Tell me, Sesshoumaru! What's your damn purpose!"

Miroku, Sango, and Shippou had finally caught up with him, and as they stopped at the top of the hill, weapons raised, Sango said in a hard voice, "Give us back Kagome-chan, or we'll rip you to pieces." Her hands gripped Hiraikotsu tightly, worried over her friend's health. Miroku and Shippou nodded in agreement as they tensed, ready for battle. Inuyasha crouched down on hands and feet, ready to spring at his brother's throat.

As if in silent agreement, the four rushed towards the waiting demon in one accord. All of a sudden, a small shrill voice rang through the air, "Stop!!!!!!"

Five people halted and turned towards the sound of the childish voice. A small girl with raven-black hair, wearing a cute red kimono and a flower wreath on her head, was running up the other side of the hill. She looked to be about 7 years old, and her wilted chain of daisies was hanging lopsided from her head as she ran. "Please, stop fighting!" she wailed as she neared the group. Inuyasha and his friends had faces of complete shock. How could such an innocent, young girl be running into the midst of a battle? Who was she? Sesshoumaru, however, had a look of resigned annoyance as the girl latched herself onto his left leg and started hugging it.

"Rin. What did I say about interrupting me while I was battling? I told you to stay with Jaken. Why did you disobey my order? " Sesshoumaru asked in a flat tone.

The young girl named Rin looked up at him with a cheery, gap-toothed grin as she answered, "Sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin just wanted everyone to stop fighting because it was Rin's idea to rescue Kagome-chan. Rin doesn't want her friends or Sesshoumaru-sama to get hurt!" she cried in an apologetic voice.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha and the others were looking on in amazement at the interaction between Sesshoumaru and Rin. Did this small human child know the cruel, bloodthirsty dog demon? She wasn't afraid of him? Many grown youkai trembled at the mention of his name, yet Rin had called him Sesshoumaru-sama! What was going on?

Miroku voiced all of their thoughts out loud as he said in a confused, amazed voice, "Can someone please tell me what's going on here?" Sango shrugged, Shippou shook his small head, while Inuyasha had his bottom jaw almost touching the ground. He was, to say the least, astonished. His half-brother had constantly stated that humans were weak, frail, despicable, lowly creatures and refused to have anything to do with them. Was Sesshoumaru actually associating with a small human girl? He would have laughed his head off, had the matter not been more serious, for Kagome was still in the youkai's arms.

As the four companions watched, Rin took the daisy wreath off of her own head and carefully placed it on Sesshoumaru's, who was crouched down beside her in an attempt to convince her to leave. She grinned and said, "Look! Rin made a daisy chain for you, Sesshoumaru-sama! Do you like it? Can we go home now? Can I play with Kagome-nee-chan when we get home?" Bombarded by the girl's incessant questions, the demon lord just sighed and simply said, "Follow me." Carrying the still unconscious miko and allowing the small girl to hold onto his sleeve, he walked away.

It wasn't until both had walked out of sight that Inuyasha came out of his shock and shook his head to clear his thoughts. He looked around, then noticed that his half-brother and the little girl had disappeared. "Hey, he's gone! Where'd he go? He still has Kagome! Come back here, you shitty excuse for a half brother!" The frantic hanyou ran down the hill in the direction that Sesshoumaru had gone, bent on finding and retrieving his Kagome. The three remaining friends looked at each other, shrugged, and followed after him as fast as they could, though still confused.

A/N: How was it? Wait for the next chapter to find out why Fluffy took Kagome with him! More secrets unveiled! Hee, hee ^_~