Another week passed. Rose began training in swordsmanship with Inuyasha, discovering it quite easy with Ibara, which felt like an extension of her body to her. The more time spent training between her and the hanyou, the nicer Inuyasha treated her.

It was one such night that the trouble came. Rose and Inuyasha were training, working on her defense, in a secluded clearing with only Kirara to watch them; the others were back at the camp. The session was as intense as ever. Iraba seemed to be a good match against Tetsusiaga.

"I...think...that's...enough..." Rose panted, doubled over as she tried to catch her breath.

"I agree," Inuyasha replied, the fatigue showing only in his sweating body. He sheathed Tetsusiaga as Rose put away Ibara. Rose moved to the clear creek that ran through the clearing and knelt down. She cupped her hands, collecting the cool water and splashing it onto her flushed face. She then turned to say something to Inuyasha but found him and Kirara missing. With a shrug of her shoulders, she sat down in the lush grass and watched the water.

'He's always taking off, leaving me on my own. Now would be a good chance.' Rose stood and smiled as she turned her gaze to the dark sky and the full moon. An image of Sesshoumaru entered her mind. After all this time, she still missed him. She had a good life with Inuyasha, yes, but it was surprisingly lonely. Rose didn't feel like she was truely accepted or understood. With Sesshoumaru she was widely accepted by the servants, by Rin, even by Sesshoumaru himself. She wanted to go back to where she felt she belonged.

'Hear me, Sesshoumaru. Find me.' Rose did as so many wolves before her had done. She howled to the moon, her voice seeking her longed for companion. Her howl was enchanting, the melody echoing through the forest with a sadness to it. But she was quickly silenced as a hand covered her mouth. Inuyasha's voice hissed in her ear, "What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to be found by a demon?"

Rose struggled against him until he released. She turned to see him glaring at her with his arms crossed in annoyance. She imitated his stance and glare, expressing her own irritation towards him. "In fact, I was," she stated matter-of-factly.

Inuyasha let his arms fall to his sides. "Well, you didn't have to howl for me!" he snapped back. "I didn't leave you. I was only sending Kirara on ahead." He turned his back to her and muttered, "I would never leave you if I could help it."

Rose heard it, but it didn't click in her right away. She just kept arguing. "For your information, I wasn't howling for you! I was howling for--Wait! What did you just say?" Her own body visibly relaxed as she looked at Inuyasha curiously.

Inuyasha turned and glared at her. "Nothing," he growled as he pushed past her and sat down by the creek.

Rose joined him, kneeling down beside him and placing her hand on his shoulder. He didn't shrug her away like she thought he would; instead, he seemed quite interested in the sakura blossoms that floated with the flow of the creek. Many of the trees were around the clearing, leaving the petals everywhere.

"Inuyasha," Rose began. "Why did you say what you did? I thought you cared for Kagome."

"Yeah...well..." was all Inuyasha would say, refusing to look at her.

Rose settled into a sitting position next to him, moving her hand to her lap where she toyed with a sakura blossom. As she looked upon the flower in her hands, she was faintly aware of Inuyasha's gaze on her. "Inuyasha," she sighed. "I'm not sure I understand you this time."

She turned to look at him and was surprised when he pressed his lips onto hers. He wrapped his arms around her and gently lowered her to the ground, laying over her. Rose didn't know how to react; she was too shocked to even struggle. Inuyasha finally pulled away, his face still inches from hers as he looked into her eyes as though he were confused. Rose could feel his heart racing much like her own.

"Rose! Inuyasha!" Both turned their heads to see Kagome standing nearby, tears in her eyes. She had left just yesterday for more supplies and a test. She had returned and seen the entire kiss.

Inuyasha jumped up and started towards Kagome. "Kagome, please...let me explain. I--"

"SIT!" she yelled. Inuyasha fell to the ground as she ran from the clearing. Rose stood and helped Inuyasha up. He looked to Rose then in the direction that Kagome had fled as though lost on what to do. Rose just nodded and waved him away. Inuyasha quickly kissed Rose on the cheek before running after Kagome.

Rose sat back down in the middle of the clearing then laid back, her arms behind her head, gazing at the stars above. 'Inuyasha has feelings for me, but I care for him only as a friend. My heart is for his youkai brother. Sesshoumaru, will I ever see you agian?...What the!' Rose sat up as a white owl flew over her and circled back to drop a scroll in her lap before flying off again. "What? Who's this from?" Rose questioned aloud as she picked up the scroll and was about to untie the the red ribbon that bound it when a voice called to her.

"Rose! There you are!" Sango had entered the clearing with Miroku. Rose stuffed the scroll under the wide fabirc of her belt then stood to greet them.

"Hello, Sango...Miroku."

"Rose, what happened?" Miroku asked.

"What do you mean?" Rose returned.

"Kagome came running into camp, crying. Inuyasha wasn't far behind and pleaded with her about listening to him, but she would not have it. We left them argueing."

Miroku came to stand beside Rose. "If he did anything to you in Kagome's line of vision, I'd be glad to take care of him in your honor." Miroku placed his hand on her butt again and squeezed. Rose was about to slap him but decided on another action. She turned to Miroku, a sweet smile upon her lips, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks, Miroku, but I can handle it," she told him. He stood shocked before smiling victoriously and looking to Sango. He turned back to Rose, taking both her hands in his.

"Rose, would you bare my children?"

Rose just smiled. "Maybe later." She kissed him again then left the clearing, Miroku watching her every move. She stopped within hearing distance to hear Sango chewing Miroku out then went on to camp.

In camp, Inuyasha was staring into the fire as Kagome lay in her bedding, trying to sleep. Inuyasha looked up as Rose passed, but he said nothing. Rose sat down across from him and pulled out the scroll.

"What's that?" Inuyasha asked as he looked to the paper in her hands.

"I don't know. An owl left it to me." Rose was unrolling the paper with careful fingers. She read over it quickly, looked to the woods, and read it again but slower this time. Miroku and Sango had joined with Miroku sitting beside Rose.

"Is everything all right, my sweet?" he asked as he put his arm around her shoulders. Rose looked to Inuyasha who was looking jealous, then to Kagome who had rolled over to face them with a glare; Sango looked angered too. Rose then shrugged Miroku's arms off her and shook her head.

"Yes. This is the best news I've heard in weeks," Rose replied, looking back to the letter that she now held lovingly.

"What does it say?" asked Sango.

"Well...it says a friend of mine is in the area with thier child. They heard my howl and will be stopping by tomorrow night"

"Oh," replied Sango.

"I'm going to bed. I'm beat." Rose stood and chose a tree to sleep under as usual. It wasn't long until the others followed her example.

Kagome opened her eyes and saw that Rose was sleeping. Quietly she slipped from her blankets and crept towards the leafy nest Rose had made for herself. "Let's just see who this friend is," Kagome whispered as she took the letter from the wolf demon's loose grip. She froze as Rose shifted; however, Rose didn't wake, only whispered in her sleep.

"Be careful, Rin...Don't go too far..."

"Rin? Isn't that the name of the girl with Sesshoumaru?" Kagome whispered, looking down at her sleeping companion. Kagome shook the thought from her mind and began to read the letter in the moon's light.

Rose, my faithful servant, I have been searching for you with Jaken and Rin at my side.

I know you are worried about Rin. She is doing fine and misses you. She is not the only one. I admit, but only in this letter, that I've come to miss our nightly talks and your company.

I was writing this letter to tell you that we are coming, but I've just heard your howl. Try to stay in the area. I will come for you tomorrow night. Be ready. Howl again when you feel we can get away with little trouble.

Sleep well,

Sesshoumaru

"What! He's coming for her, and she calls that good news! From the sound of this, she enjoyed being with him! How could I trust her!" Kagome returned to her bedding after putting the letter in her bag for evidence. She would not stop Rose from leaving with Sesshoumaru, but she wasn't going to let her friends be decieved.