Naraku grinned coldly as his eyes lifted, flitting up to look at the door the Western Lord would soon be throwing down. He could hear the infuriated yells of Sesshoumaru, at least until Kagome screamed, then his yells became more panic stricken as he rushed to save the woman he had come to love.

His eyes flickered down to the pale face of the woman that hung limp in his arms. Reaching a hand down, and stroking his fingers through her dark hair, smiling sadistically. Oh yes, this would be the greatest victory over that stupid mutt and the demon lord. He looked up, just as Sesshoumaru threw the door open, his horrified eyes taking in the scene.

Everything looked perfect, nothing was out of place, except a few crumpled blankets, and the deep swirling blackness that was starting to fill the room. Naraku standing at the center of it, holding a faintly glowing form, a form that was Kagome. Even unconscious her body was attempting to purify the demonic youki that was filling the room. She purified enough so that Sesshoumaru could breath. A smirk touched Sesshoumarus lips.

Naraku growled, the lord was still cocky while he held his dearest treasure in his arms! How dare he be so rude! He tightened a hand around Kagome's right arm, delighting in the feeling of her skin bring pricked and thin rivulets of blood starting to drip from her arm down to the floor. The lord didn't stop smiling.

He lowered his head, his eye's shadowed, Naraku looked on, very confused and with no clue as what to do now. He could leave with the girl, but it seemed Sesshoumaru cared naught for her with the way he was smiling even seeing her hurt. A sudden shifting in his arms drew Naraku's attention to the unconscious girl, well… she was unconscious a moment ago.

Rage filled teal eyes were looking up at Naraku, and glowing marks, like ghost forms appeared on the girls face. A pink orb at her brow, and light teal stripes on her cheeks, fangs and claws. She didn't smell human anymore, if anything she reeked of demonic youki. She was abruptly dropped as a clawed hand shoved it's way through Naraku's stomach and twisted.

"What the hell…!" Naraku had no idea what was going on, his hand moved to his stomach, covering the wound there, and he growled in sudden rage at this female demoness.

Sesshoumaru was laughing, well laughing wasn't the right word, it was a soft mild chuckle as he watched the going ons. At least, until Naraku grabbed the demoness and vanished with her. His eyes widened, fear filled him and he screamed.

"Kagome!"

A clawed hand reached out to grab what was no longer there, and he dropped to his knees. She was… gone. Naraku had taken her… he couldn't reach her… how? How had this happened! He roughly punched the floor letting out a broken cry, before sweet darkness consumed him.

He didn't even remember hitting the floor.

Flashback

"Coming Mother! I'm coming" He called back, moments later opening the door and stepping out. The young prince looked about six or seven in human years. His hair reached his mid back, and his markings were dim and light having not yet darkened with age.

Bright golden eyes were kind and soft, and they met the loving eyes of his mirror image, only older, and feminine. His mother, wearing a beautiful green kimono, with intricate golden patterns smiled to him, reaching out a hand to take his. A hand he accepted happily.

"Come my darling, we must not keep the other lords and ladies waiting in the south now should we?" Her voice was loving, sweet, and he remembered it so well.

"No mother, we must not," he gave a boyish laugh and smiled up at her.

His laughter became more pronounced when he was lifted in his mothers arm, hugged tightly to her chest, and then carried the rest of the way out of the castle. She denied a horse, or any other mode of transportation and instead formed a pale amethyst cloud of youki under their feet.

Off they went, to go to this southern ball, Sesshoumaru happily chirping out different things he could see while leaning over the side of the cloud. Touching down lightly outside of the castle, Sesshoumaru looked at the small, but accepting castle critically.

"Mother… it's so small…"

"Yes, dear, Toshihero is very simple for a demon. He enjoys living life in an easy manner," the fondness in which his mother spoke of this lord was not missed by Sesshoumaru.

"Now, go play, and be careful not to get lost in the gardens… it's quite a large labyrinth my little one…" she smiled to him, entering the small but beautiful castle with Sesshoumaru at her heels.

He found inside to be quite boring, there were children, but they were older then he, and talking politics. Such things did not yet matter to him. So off he wandered, finding those extensive gardens his mother had spoken of. They were beautiful, and far larger then the gardens at home.

Sesshoumaru stood in awe of these gardens, his feet leading his numb body into the large expanse. Now he understood why his mother said careful not to get lost. If he had a—hold on a moment, what was that? Laughter? And… splashing?

He headed deeper into the gardens, following the sound, stumbling upon a girl in a silver kimono with bright blue designs sewn into it in random patterns. She was ruining the kimono by splashing around in a pond.

"What're you doing?" He asked, raising a brow and walking closer to this strange little girl, but carefully staying out of splashing range.

The girl looked up, she looked maybe two or three, proper age of a demon if it had only been living a year or so. She gave him a loving and heartmelting smile, her eyes were so bright and lively and kind.

"Playing wif the fish… do you want to play wif me?" She had an adorable childish voice that Sesshoumaru smiled at.

"No, thank you…" he smiled, "I'll just watch, okay?"

He settled himself on a nearby bench, watching the little girl laughing and running around in circles. Splashing water all over herself, and making herself look like a wreck. Every now and then she'd catch a fish kiss it's head, then let it go. When she finally got out of the pond she was soaked, and had shoved her thumb in her mouth. She tottered over to Sesshoumaru and stood in front of him a few long moments.

"I'm Sesshoumaru…" He said softly, and smiled, hoping to see her smile back.

Her thumb was removed and she smiled brightly, "I'm Kagome!"

"And I was getting worried," came a dark voice from behind Sesshoumaru, one to which he tensed until a joyful shout from Kagome as she threw up her arms and was lifted into the arms of the dark man behind Sesshoumaru.

Stepping out of the shadows, the southern lord smiled to his little girl. Dispite looking rather imposing, he was always so kind, his eyes had never shown malice and his dark voice was rough with the love of a father.

"Daddy!" The thrilled cry of the little girl had Sesshoumaru confused. Didn't Toshihero have a son?

"Yes, my little one, I'm here…" He ruffled the little girl's hair earning himself a bright giggle, "Who is your friend?"

"Huh? Oh!" She squirmed until he finally put her down, and she straightened her kimono and at least attempted to look presentable, "Daddy this is Ses… Sess… Sesshou! And Sesshy this is my daddy, Toshi."

She smiled so happily, Sesshoumaru didn't have the heart to correct her mistake. Toshihero smiled also, looking down at Sesshoumaru.

"The little prince of the west? Well I am glad you were looking after my little Kagome. Where might your parents be?"

"They're inside," Sesshoumaru said in his boyishly happy voice.

Kagome grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand, and then her fathers, laughing softly as she started to drag both of the male demons toward the castle. Sesshoumaru flushed in surprise watching this wet, muddy little girl babble up to the dark lord beside him everything she'd done that day.

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but smile faintly, the ghost presence on his lips making his heart warm. This little girl was so pure, so innocent, even for a demon. She wasn't like the others, he had a feeling that if left alone with her, he could very well fall—

"Sesshoumaru!" His thoughts were interrupted by his mother as Kagome then dragged them toward his mother, and his father Inutaisho.

"Inutaisho!" The clap of the demon lord on his fathers shoulder wanted to make Sesshoumaru wince, that sounded like it had hurt.

"Good to see you, Toshihero, where is your son?" The cool voice of his father, always controlled met the ears of those in the vicinity.

"Right here," Kagome was lifted into his arms, the wet muddy girl smiling happily to all the guests now as her father put her on his shoulders, "Everyone!"

He had the attention of the room in moments, displeased looks given to the dripping girl.

"I would like to introduce you to my Daughter! And heir, Kagome!" Everyone was silent, looking on, and Kagome smiled childish, tugged at the hem of her kimono and everyone burst out in warm laughter or applause.

Toshihero put Kagome down, and then was herded off by Inutaisho and the other lords. Kagome looked around for Sesshoumaru, whimpering softly when she could find him.

The tapping on her shoulder had her turning quickly, smiling brightly when she saw Sesshoumaru there, holding out a hand for her to take.

"Friends?"

"Friends."

The two smiled at each other, and there was an unspoken agreement, they would always be there for the other. No matter what happened. Little did the two children know, their bonds of friendship would soon be tested in the years to come.

Sesshoumaru remembered the dark shadow he had seen in the gardens that night, unsure then of what it was, but knowing it boded evil, not for himself. But for Kagome.

He knew, in his heart, he would protect this pure little girl. Smiling softly to her back as they once again returned to the gardens, this time Sesshoumaru joining in the game of 'Fish' as Kagome had appropriately named it.

End Flashback

When had he woken up? Sesshoumaru wasn't sure, the memory of the first night he and Kagome had met burning brightly in his mind. They had promised, and he was pulling away from that. He was going to let her be killed perhaps by Naraku.

Just sitting there was getting nothing done. The sweet torture of his memories making his cold heart start to pulse with love, with life, with everything he knew he had been missing since Kagome had been taken from him the first time.

He wouldn't lose her, not again, not without a fight and the loss of his life.

He pushed himself to his feet, angry he had wasted time here, instead of searching for her.

"Jaken."

The toad was there within moments, quivering and whimpering as he looked up at Sesshoumaru.

"Ready Ah-Un, and find the location of Inuyasha."

"Yes, Milord!" The toad chirped, running off as fast as stubby legs could carry him. He watched Jaken run off with unseeing eyes.

As much as he hated it… he would need his brother's help for this one.


OMG! I know I've not updated in forever but I've had serious writers block! Here is the long awaited next chapter!

RR

Love,

Uial