Author's Note: I'm back! Yay!! Sorry for the delay, I've just been having some problems lately. By the way, can anyone tell me the name of Sesshoumaru's sword? If he has one..x.x; I think I have the name, but I wanna make sure by the time I post the next chapter. Enjoy..

Chapter 2-An Unexpected Alliance

Treehouse Village

Early Afternoon

Kagome's Point of View:

          Surprisingly, Sesshoumaru had been rather quiet since I threatened him and damaged his ego. I suppose it was a good thing. Sesshoumaru now knew what I was capable of. Maybe he understood that I was only trying to help him. Or possibly break him. I think his hatred had boiled away into respect. I was his equal or at least I hoped I was. I saw him sitting on a tree branch during certain times during the day. I learned some of Sesshoumaru's 'unique' body language.

          He was detached and emotionless. What could he sense that I couldn't? And what was he thinking? I would never know. Sesshoumaru would never trust me like that. Just then, Raisuke dropped by. I saw Sesshoumaru eye him warily.

          "Lady Kagome, how fares the demon we sent to you?" Raisuke asked. I smiled softly as I saw Sesshoumaru mock Raisuke. So he does have a good side. (A/N: Perhaps, I explored Sesshoumaru's immature side. If he has one. .)

          "Oh, he's doing just fine," I replied.

          "I'm surprised you were able to contain him," Raisuke said. Sesshoumaru snorted softly.

          "Sesshoumaru's been good on his own," I replied. I saw Sesshoumaru smile faintly.

          "Ah well, come out to the square when you get a chance," Raisuke muttered as he left. Once he was out of sight, I sighed.

          "I don't like him. Can I kill him?" Sesshoumaru said.

          "No," I said calmly.

          "I don't like the way this is going," Sesshoumaru muttered. At last, he fell silent. Hmm…maybe Sesshoumaru was on to something. I could tell by his body language that he was irritated. Rather than facing his anger, I headed down to the square. I heard Sesshoumaru say something, but I ignored him. The square was mysteriously empty.

          "Why did Raisuke send me down here?" I asked.

          "Because you have overstepped your bounds. You let that demon run free," Raisuke hissed.

          "Sesshoumaru is not running free. He's actually behaving himself in the treetops," I replied.

          "That no longer matters. However, you will not be allowed to live," Raisuke said. All of a sudden, a sword flew out of nowhere and plunged into Raisuke's body. Sesshoumaru stepped out of the shadows with a frown on his face.

          "Why did you do that Sesshoumaru?" I asked nervously. And where did he get that sword?

          "Look at him," He said simply.

          "What about his looks? You just killed the village advisor," I snapped.

          "He wasn't 'alive' in the first place," He said cryptically. Sesshoumaru extended his arm. The sword appeared back his hands and he sheathed it rather swiftly.

          "He was a zombie?" I asked as Raisuke's trembling body hit the ground.

          "Correction. He is a zombie. I suggest you get your pack and go. Things are about to get ugly. Or rather, would you like to stay here and find out the curse of the village? Your decision," Sesshoumaru muttered. I turned and hurried back to my house. Sesshoumaru waited patiently at the door, his hand resting on his scabbard. I packed all that we needed, including a little sewing kit just in case.

          "What is it about this village that makes you feel this way?" I asked.

          "If I tried to tell you, you wouldn't understand," Sesshoumaru said faintly. Sure I wouldn't. There was an unearthly growl outside as I walked towards the door. Sesshoumaru took my hand and dragged me down to the platform. Arrows zoomed past us, making frightening sounds in the air. All the while, Sesshoumaru dodged this way and that. I couldn't believe he was protecting me. Me, of all people.

          "How do you work this thing?" He asked. I shook off his hand and started pulling on the ropes to the side to lower it. The arrows stopped flying and the ropes holding the platform snapped. Sesshoumaru grabbed me by the waist and jumped off of the platform. He landed on the ground perfectly and took off into the forest, holding onto me every second. It wasn't until we got some distance away from the village did he stop. He sat me down gently then sat down into the dirt.

          "Thanks, Sesshoumaru," I whispered.

          "What are you thanking me for?" He asked. I rolled my eyes.

          "You did save me back there, you know," I replied. He didn't bother to say anything to me, which meant that he was back to his normal old arrogant self again. I didn't notice it before, but Sesshoumaru was thin. I guess that's why people probably underestimate him. But his powers surely destroyed the whole pretty boy look when he decided to use them.

          "Maybe I should knit you another kimono," I said carefully. (A/N: Can Kagome actually sew?) Sesshoumaru turned to look at me.

          "No," I heard him mutter.

          "I won't make you look like a girl, honest," I pleaded. When he didn't say anything, I got frustrated.

          "Inu-Y—" I started to say. I sighed and walked to the edge of the lake.

          "What happened between you two?" Sesshoumaru asked softly.

          "Differences," I said cryptically as I heard a sound from behind me.

          "I thought you two were together, since he is always protecting you," He said. Was Sesshoumaru actually showing some compassion?

          "I did it," I said.

          "Did what?" Sesshoumaru asked.

          "You showed compassion towards me," I pointed out.

          "I was just making an intelligent conversation," He protested. I knew he was up to something so I stepped to the right. Sesshoumaru ran right past me and fell into the lake. He sunk quickly (You would too if you had heavy clothes on). I waited for a few seconds for him to come back up, but he didn't. Sighing softly, I jumped into the lake after him.

Sesshoumaru's Point of View:

          "Who would have known that demons couldn't swim?" Kagome asked. Perhaps, she thought it was funny. I didn't. I looked like a wet cat.

          "It's funny how you don't seem to know that," I muttered. Kagome chuckled and began wringing the water out of my clothes. She managed to persuade me to shed them after the cool night air had gotten to me. I wore another kimono, one not too girlish, but suitable enough to wear until my clothes dried out.

          "Ah…so you do have a playful side," Kagome said. In this light, she did seem heavenly in a way.

          "Hardly," I replied. There was a moment of silence between us. Kagome touched my hand softly and yawned. I didn't look at her; I was more or less interested in the moon. Then, without warning, Kagome grabbed my face and kissed me on the lips. (A/N: Ok, who saw that coming?) I wasn't sure how to react. I didn't want to push her away. It felt good. At last, Kagome pulled away and went over to a tree by the lake and pulled a blanket over her. I was left to look like an idiot. I sighed and looked down at the dirt. It was then that I sensed something.

          Zombies? Couldn't be. A floating ball of light flew past my head slowly, making me sigh in relief. It was just ghosts. I couldn't help but wonder what was calling the spirits…

Author's Note: Ah..yes. My long update times are killing your patience, I know. Inu-Yasha and Sesshoumaru face off in Chapter 4. Plenty of insults and name calling to entertain everyone! Oh yeah, there's a cool fight scene also.