Kagome was about to return to Kaede's hut, when everyone began screaming. She quickly swirled around to see from where the offending presence came. Her new senses were strengthening gradually, but they were completely new and unexplored. Her senses were a little slow to recognize the danger, but she was now overwhelmed with the knowledge that there was another youkai near. A very powerful youkai. Her eyes followed the villagers who were running towards them, trying to escape its path.
Behind the crowd stood a tall white figure of a man, followed by a dragon carrying a child. Running to keep up was a short green oni.
"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha yelled as he leapt in from of Kagome. "What the hell do you want?"
"Ah, little brother. It seems you have met the same dismal fate as the others," his steely gaze met those of his half brother with indifference. Inuyasha was of no consequence to Sesshomaru... especially now that he was mortal.
"There has been unrest in my lands. I have been searching for the criminal who has tainted my soil. The trail has lead me towards the north. However, as I neared this human inhabitation, I became increasingly aware of something else," The demon lord moved his amber eyes to fix on the female youkai behind Inuyasha.
Inuyasha seen the look in his brothers eyes. He had come searching for Kagome. "You have no business here, Sesshomaru, get out of here while you still can."
Inuyasha's brave words could still make Kagome feel protected, even though he no longer had his hanyou strength. She knew that he would still die to protect her. She also knew that he didn't stand a chance against Sesshomaru.
Kagome stepped from behind Inuyasha. She hoped that once he satisfied his curiosity that the taiyoukai would leave. Inuyasha tried to stop her, but stepped aside at her insistence. "Trust me Inuyasha. Let me handle this, please."
Before she could take her eyes off of Inuyasha she felt a brush of wind swirl around her. Her stomach tightened, as she became aware of the steamy breath on her neck. Sesshomaru was so close that his scent became overwhelming to her. She swayed, suddenly unsure of her footing. A strong hand came out to encircle her waist.
Sesshomaru reached out to steady the woman standing before him. Her scent was intoxicating. The aroma made his blood boil sending an ache deep into his loins. He leaned closer to her neck and inhaled the delightful essence of it. He could feel her heart racing under his close scrutiny. His wretched half brother quickly stepped up to part them, but he immediately placed his hand on his chest.
The hand was like solid stone. There was no moving it. Inuyasha could only watch as his brother sensually moved around his friend, seeming to breathe in her very soul. It infuriated him to no end. "Sesshomaru, what the hell do you think your doing with Kagome!?!" That got his attention.
"Do you mean to tell me that this, lovely creature was once the human wench traveling with you," the demon lord replied with dripping sarcasm.
"Hey! I may have stripes now, but I'm still the same girl underneath.... you... you...arrogant jerk!" Her words brought everyone out of the daze they were caught in. Kagome stepped away from him, trying to put some distance between herself and Sesshomaru's intoxicating scent.
The look on his face was empty as always, but his mind was tossing with the revelation. 'This female youkai was once human? How could this be?' Sesshomaru stepped away from her. Her scent was powerful and made him feel strange. He couldn't think properly with her so close. "Girl, I will not tolerate such outbursts."
Kagome looked him square in the eyes. This guy picked the wrong day to piss her off. Things were just not going her way and this was the last straw. She turned to the demon lord, who seemed to have taken another step back.
Inuyasha watched as Kagome's fury took over. "Oh, your gonna get it now," he said, as he moved to the side.
The two squared off and circled each other once, never removing their eyes from the other. Kagome began to glow with the softest white light. Her claws flexed as she made ready for an attack.
Sesshomaru smelled the fury seeping through every pore of the woman's body. It just made this to much fun. After circling twice, he took a retreat. He stopped next to Jaken, who waited anxiously for his masters' command. "Jaken, make camp." His eyes never leaving the inflamed female. His lip curved into a half smirk. "We will be staying until I give further instructions."
"But my Lord...," the toad began, and was immediately cut off by a sharp warning glance from his master.
"Yea!" The little girl cried as she leapt down from the dragons back. Sesshomaru looked to her, then glanced around at the mass of people who had gathered to gawk at his presence. Their fear hung thick in the air. Of course he was used to this from mortals. They always cowered in his presence. He spotted the kitsune, which also accompanied the shard hunters, hiding behind the demon slayer. That gave him a splendid idea.
"Miko, I believe you have met my ward Rin." It wasn't really so much as a question as a statement. "I believe your kitsune would provide her with adequate entertainment."
Kagome fought the urge to slash the smug look off of the guys face. 'Really, like Shippo is just there for his wards amusement.' She began to protest, but Shippo had already latched onto the girls hand. They laughed as they ran off towards the clearing behind the village. 'Hmm, I guess it didn't bother him too much,' she thought, silently glad she had held her tongue.
Kagome's eyes drifted back to Sesshomaru. He again held her gaze with his own. It made her feel a little woozy for some reason. Her heart picked up it's pace under his intense observation. As soon as Sesshomaru knew he had her full attention once more, he gave a slight bow, and turned to walk away.