Disclaimer: Really. I wish I owned InuYasha but I don't. It's a pipe dream to be able to pretend I do. So leave me in peace don't sue, cause I don't own.

"Kagome?" Shippo called. Kagome looked down at the demon pup she held in her arms. More like an over grown brown cotton ball. She couldn't help but smile at the thought. The demon pup smiled back at Kagome his surrogate mother and protector.

"Yeah Shippo, What is it?"

"I'm hungry." Kagome broke into laughter.

"Me too. Me too. I'll tell you what you wait for Sango and Miroku to catch up and I'll run ahead and ask InuYasha if we can take a brake for lunch okay?" Shippo nodded and jumped out of Kagome's arms. Once Kagome saw the silhouette of the demon slayer and the monk she ran ahead to catch up with InuYasha.

I wonder if InuYasha is okay. He's been kind of quite lately. I wonder what's up. Well what else can be up. He has to go around protecting you from everyone and everything while collecting the shikon-no-tama shards because you not only broke the shikon-no-tama but also shattered it all over Japan. Good going Kagome. Not only that you placed him in a love triangle when you developed feelings for him. Uuuggh. Why do I have to berate myself like this? It wasn't my fault and I can't help what your heart desires.

"Hey, InuYasha wait up." InuYasha turned to see Kagome running towards him. As always when he looked at her he was flooded with emotions from every which way. Every time he looked at her he saw Kikyo, what could have been, but he also saw Kagome and –

"Do you think we have time to stop and rest before we return to the village?" He looked down to see her chocolate eyes staring into his.

"Why do you find need to stop every time we start? You slow us down with your weak- humph. All right but just long enough to eat. All right?" He could get lost in those eyes forever. And with that thought he stepped away just as she raised her arms to hug him in thanks. The two stood still for an awkward moment before InuYasha looked towards the rest of the group. Shippo jumped into Kagome's arms and her expression turned quickly into one of joy and happiness. It was Miroku who broke the silence that hadn't quite become silence. "Isn't it time for lunch?"

Seshomaru rose gracefully making sure Rin, his charge, continued to sleep soundly. He walked a few feet sniffing the air delicately. His eyes narrowed as he caught one particular smell. He stepped towards the sleeping Jaken and Jaken almost instantly jumped to his feet. Jaken was about to begin apologizing for having fallen asleep when Seshomaru's gaze silenced the retainer. It was his master's next three words that made Jaken begin to tremble.

"Naraku is coming." Seshomaru stood in front of Rin so that Naraku would not see her. Naraku arrived entering the clearing opposite of Seshomaru and Jaken.

"Why hello Seshomaru." He sniffs the air and similes. A glimmer can be seen in his eyes.

"I hope I do not disturb your rest or the rest of your child." Seshomaru keeps the disgust he feels for Naraku to himself and allows himself to dwell, for a moment, on Naraku's choice of words

"I have long heard of your hatred for the hanyou InuYasha. I have come to offer you an alliance of sorts. I will leave you lands in peace and help you conquer your half brother. In return you will deliver the miko to me."

"I do not accept your alliance. The hanyou will die by my hands when I wish it."

"You will regret this Seshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, your weakness has been made clear to me and have no doubt I will exploit it." Naraku seems to disappear into the shadows of the darkness. Seshomaru walks towards the place where Naraku stood. Lost in thought he did not notice that Rin had run after him until she hugs his leg. Seshomaru looks down at Rin, his weakness, and his strength?

"Rin woke up and Seshomaru was walking away from Rin." Seshomaru looks down and registers that she is trembling from the cold.

"Build a fire Jaken." Jaken hurriedly goes to complete his task. Rin goes back to her resting spot and wraps the furs she slept on around her and returns to Seshomaru's side. Seshomaru sniffs the air his nose picking up another scent. He gently guides Rin to where Jaken has a fire going and after seeing she is comfortable Seshomaru walks to the west, the direction that InuYasha's scent emanates from.