Sesshomaru and Kagome both slept until the first break of dawn. They regretfully rose to dress and head back to meet the others. She was helping her mate with his armor when a screaming toad interrupted them.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru asked?
"Uh...uh... yes my lord?," the little oni replied.
"Shut up," Sesshomaru commanded.
"Uh... yes my lord," Jaken bowed and awaited further command.
Sesshomaru slipped his swords into his sash and turned to his vassal. "Jaken, you will, from this day forth, address this woman with the utmost respect as the Lady of the Western Lands."
Jaken wasn't thrilled about this new set of circumstances, but he only lived to serve his master, "Yes, my lord." Jaken handed the new clothing to the priestess.
Kagome looked in confusion to her mate. He smiled and said, "It would please me if you would wear this."
She did actually need a new set of clothing, her uniform was certainly showing it's wear, and going home for a new one was out of the question for now. She bowed and thanked him and slipped behind the trees to slip on the new garments. The color of the top was baby blue. It tied in a sash around the waist. It fell to her knees and the sides split up to her thighs. The navy blue skirt was slim and fell just above her ankles. On each side there was a slit as well, but it was hidden unless she moved a certain way. The top, sash, and skirt was inlaid with silver thread, woven in the most delicate design. She suddenly felt like royalty.
Sesshomaru was very pleased when she emerged wearing the new garments. The color matched her hair and markings further adding to her angelic appearance. "Stunning," he said in approval. "Well done, Jaken"
The praise of his lord made the toad gleam with pride.
Kagome blushed under Sesshomaru's warm gaze. She could tell he was extremely delighted with her appearance.
They arrived to the outskirts of the village and waited for the others. After only a short while they came rushing toward them in great haste. Kagome was confused about what had occurred, just as Miroku began speaking.
"Lord Sesshomaru... she's vanished!" Miroku's voice carried much guilt as he was in charge of the girl.
"Rin," the demon lord repeated her name as he grabbed the houshi by the collar and lifted him off of his feet. "You were in charge of her houshi," his anger was barely contained.
"Please Sesshomaru, let Miroku down. I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation!," Kagome put her hand on her mate's shoulder, hoping that he would not act rashly.
The demon dropped Miroku to the ground and stormed off in the direction of the village. Kagome feared this wasn't going to go well. She ran to catch up. It would take more than luck to keep this place in tact.
Sesshomaru re-traced the steps of the others through the middle of the village. Women screamed and grabbed their children as he swept past them.
He stopped at the inn where Rin was last seen. He burst through the door and took in a deep breath. The innkeeper began to protest, but quickly backed down when he seen who he was dealing with. Not many youkai did not know of the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands and in his current human form, he certainly knew better than to stir this demons wrath.
The lord swept through the rooms until he arrived at the one Rin had slept in. He walked to the window and inhaled deeply. He turned with open anger in his eyes. "Wolves."
"Wolves?" Kagome couldn't understand what wolves would come in and take Rin for. No one else was missing. Why just her? She quickly followed Sesshomaru back outside. His movements were swift and filled with tightly controlled fury.
A group of men crowded together just outside, with farming tools held in their hands. Three of them stepped forward with swords. "We do not allow strange demons in our village," the balding one in the middle warned.
Sesshomaru had no time to waste on these human ingrates. He almost cut them all down, but instead moved to continue on his path. The bald one jumped at the demons sudden movement and made to attack him. Before Sesshomaru could turn, he seen a streak of blue fabric moving faster that the human eye. With a swirl of graceful movement Kagome disarmed the man.
"Stand down baka. Your gonna get yourself killed!" Kagome tried to reason with them. She didn't want to see anyone hurt, when they only wanted to leave. The wary group of men stepped back following the disarmament of their best fighter. Kagome decided to further ensure their safety by flicking out her long ivory claws. Her power sparked and sizzled in the air around her. The men turned and ran.
Someone would pay for taking Rin and these fools had no idea how close they were to appeasing the demon lords' sudden lust for blood. Sesshomaru knew, however, that his mate was more than capable of handling the ignorant human scum. Locating Rin was first on his list, so he left them to Kagome. Once at a clear location, he took to the air.
'Ooh that self centered bastard'; Kagome could have sliced his head off at the moment he left the ground and her behind! 'Ah-Un....," Kagome raced to the two headed dragon. He could follow his master with ease. When Kagome rounded the corner Jaken was already in flight behind Sesshomaru. "You jerk!" she yelled to the fading white figure.
Sesshomaru knew how angry he just made his mate, but it was unavoidable. He could not allow her to follow him, because she would definitely interfere. He did not tell her what wolf he smelled at Rin's window. Kagome's kind heart would not want him to kill the wolf prince, Kouga, but he chose death when he stole something that belonged to the Western Lord.