Disclaimer- I/she don't own Inu Yasha... I own the pen name... she owns the plot.

Chapter- 12

Kagome walked silently behind the tall emotionless lord.

Butterflies of all colors danced along casually. Warm sunlight shown

down

on the leafy trees, as here and there a bird would sing a sweet melody.

They traveled on a rough trail with a couple of rocks and limbs of fall

braches on it. But it was still a path.

She wanted to speak, but what could she say. Thoughts flooded and

raced

through the corridors of her mind.

"Why did he ask me? Sure I saved his life, but I wouldn't think that

he

would really act upon it."

She had her eyes down cast staring at the moving ground in front of

her,

watching out for rocks and branches so she wouldn't trip.

Kagome was in such deep thought little did she notice Sesshomaru's eye

on

her.

He walked gracefully like water, just studying her troubled expression

from

the corner of his eye.

He then turned his gaze to the path ahead of him.

"Girl, are you thirsty?" He asked in his deep serious tone.

Kagome snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him.

"Um ya, kinda." She answered innocently.

"Why did Sesshomaru ask me if I was thirsty?" She mentally asked

herself.

A couple minutes passed before trickling and roaring sounds of water

entered

her ears.

The air around them became cold and moist. Thick fog drifted around

them

and lay on the path in front of them.

The ferns and plants at her feet increase and deepened in a darker

emerald.

They kept walking till the thundering sounds of a water became loud and

clear.

They then passed through the mist and came upon a beautiful waterfall

that

came down from a ridged rocky wall where moss grew in the cracks and

crevasse in the dark wet rock.

Mist and fog lay heavy between the trees around the waterfall and where

the

water fell in a dark lake.

Kagome noticed that she was now walking on smooth stones instead of

brush

and foliage.

"Get yourself cleaned up." Sesshomaru ordered in a stern but not to

harsh

tone.

Kagome looked up at him and made a "hmph".

Sesshomaru glared daggers at her.

She reluctantly knelt at the edge of the lake.

"I wish he would stop ordering me around." She thought.

She dipped her hands in the cold mountain water and cupped up some and

looked at herself in the mirror in her hands.

Her face was dirty and had a couple of scratches here and there upon

her

soft milky skin but not deep enough to engrave scars.

She took up the cool dark water and scrubbed until it was clean.

She then lifted up her kimono sleeve and rubbed it across her face,

capturing the beads of water that were left.

She looked up at Sesshomaru who was sitting on a rock which delicate

moss

grew on; his gaze was on the waterfall.

"Umm…Sesshomaru, I guess I should thank you for saving me from the

snake

demon."

She paused and in her always caring voice "So how's your arm?"

"It's fine thank you." He spoke in his deep handsome voice and slightly

turned his head and gaze at her with intense golden eyes.

"He actually thanked me!" Kagome thought blushing; a hint of pink came

into

her cheeks.

Sesshomaru was amused as he saw a flush of color come into the humans'

cheeks.

A small graced curve threatened his lips, but he refrained.

Suddenly a desperate cry erupted from the tangled forest behind Kagome.

"PLEASE SOMBODY HELP ME!"

It sounded like a young boys.

"Some one's in trouble!" Kagome shouted, jumping to her feet and faced

the

forest.

"I'm gonna go check it out." She shouted back at Sesshomaru.

The bushes at the entrance of the forest suddenly exploded in a bunch

of

leaves and out burst a little kitsune.

It tripped and rolled right at Kagomes feet.

"Ahhh!" He cried and in a flash he was behind her skinny legs crying.

"Don't let him hurt me!"

Then out of the bushes came forth a scaly dark magenta lizard youkai.

A row

of diamond plates stuck out from its back and designs and patterns

covered

its loins and belly.

With a deep malevolent voice it spoke.

"Move aside human, if you do not wish for me to devour you along with

the

kitsune.

The little fox cried out and tried to hide behind Kagome even more by

lying

on the ground covering its head with its little arms.

"Hey you jerk! What did he ever do to you!" Kagome yelled spreading

out

her arms exposing her body in defense of the small kitsune.

"If you want him you have to get through…huh?"

She was suddenly cut off, as Lord Sesshomaru calmly walked in front of

her

facing the lizard demon.

"Leave this area and you remained unharmed." He glared coldly.

The youkai instantly recognized his lord and bowed.

"Apologies Master Sesshomaru." Its face shown a disappointed look for

loosing its breakfast and the youkai quickly retreated into the forest.

The cute little kitsune sat sobbing on the ground as Kagome turned

around

and crouched down and looked at him.

"Don't worry, everything will be ok." She smiled trying to calm the

upset

kitsune.

She then felt the urge to pick him up and hold him in her arms, and she

did.

She carefully picked the kitsune up and held him close to her on her

lap.

He clung to her kimono like for dear life and soaked it with warm

tears.

(With Kouga…)

Kouga awoke with a yawn, exposing his sharp white fangs. He got up and

stretched his arms above his head.

"Ok, get up Hakkaku." He ordered.

Hakkaku stretched out lazily and yawed.

Kouga then realized Ginta was missing and scanned the rocky cave.

"Now where's Ginta?" He asked the half a wake wolf youkai.

"Uhhh…(yawn) I dunno maybe he went to get something to eat." Hakkaku

sleepily responded.

Kouga walked out of the dark cave and out into the brilliant sunlight.

"Ginta!" He called.

No answer

"Damn." He growled. "Where did he get to?"

(With Sesshomaru…)

Sesshomaru watched with amazement as the young woman mothered the

little

kit, but didn't show any signs of emotion.

But what made Kagome interest him was how she defended the kit with

herself,

without any chance of surviving against the youkai.

"You're wounded." He heard her speak in a sympathetic tone.

The kitsune was holding his foot paw. It was cut deeply and dried

blood

matted the light cream colored fur around it.

The wound was inflamed and would soon get infected if not treated.

"So what's you name? She asked sweetly.

"Shippo." The kitsune's voice trembled, as he whipped a tear from his

eye.

"Don't worry Shippo, I'll treat you foot paw and I'll return you to

your

family." She smiled sweetly.

Tears swelled in the sweet innocent kitsune s' eyes. His little body

trembled as he spoke.

"Demons attacked our clan, they killed everyone! I'm the only one

left."

The kitsune tried to hold back tears, as the thoughts of a week passed

of

his family and friends being slain in front of him. The blazing fire

burning everything around him and the bodies which lied still on the

blood

stained ground. Then he had to face the loneliness, as he tried to

survive

in the forest.

"Don't worry Shippo, I'll look after you." She spoke in a soft voice.

The kitsune looked up at the pretty human girl.

"R..r..really." His voice quivered.

"If you're willing to come back with Lord Sesshomaru and me to live in

his

castle." She answered cheerfully.

Shippo looked up into his saviors eyes and nodded.

"Well, Shippo my names Kagome, and that's Lord Sesshomaru." She

pointed at

Sesshomaru.'

Shippo looked uneasily at the great Taiyoukai.

Kagome got up from the ground to her feet with Shippo in her arms and

walked

up to Sesshomaru.

She looked up into his fierce golden orbs.

"Umm…Lord Sesshomaru, it wouldn't be any trouble if Shippo comes to

live

with us, would it?" She longingly looked up into his eyes. Her honey

chestnut eyes pleaded with his ice golden ones.

Sesshomaru then averted his glare down at Shippo.

Shippo shivered as Sesshomaru's gaze came down on him.

"The kitsune may be a suitable play mate for Rin." He thought.

"Please Sesshomaru, he's harmed." Kagome pleaded, tears brimmed her

beautiful eyes. "His foot needs to be cared for as so as possible."

"Very well." He spoke coldly.

Kagome's face lit up with a white smile.

"Thanks!"

Sesshomaru took a liking to making her smile for it was sweet and

innocent.

"The swiftest way human, is if I carry you and the kit." He spoke in

icy

emotionless voice.

A blush slightly appeared on her cheeks.

"Uhh…ok." She replied in a surprised unsure tone.

Suddenly, she felt a cold breeze blow passed her and she was picked up

like

a feather by Sesshomaru's two strong muscular arms.

She gasped and hugged on to Shippo tighter, who cried out with surprise

as

soon as he was lifted to a horizontal position in the blink of an eye.

Sesshomaru's feet barely grazed the ground. It felt like you floating

just

barely above ground flying at unnatural speeds.

Kagome was amazed on how fast they were going. She looked in the

direction

they were heading. Trees whizzed passed them and colors blended in

teals,

emeralds, and jades.

Something in the distance caught her eye. It sparkled and shimmered.

"W…what's that!" Shippo yelled.

As they approached it they realized it was a river. But as the came

closer

they found out it was bigger and had rapids with sharp rocks sticking

out of

the white raging water.

Its thundering rapids could be now being heard ever clearer as they

sped

towards the raging water.

Shippo cried out and stuffed his head into Kagomes arms.

They were going to run into the river!

Kagome gasped and squeezed her eyes shut.

Just as Sesshomaru's foot graced the water. He leapt into the sky and

covered the huge river in one bound.

Kagome opened one eye and realized that the river was far below her.

It

now just seemed like a silver snake.

She looked up at Sesshomaru and sighed with relief.

She then studied his perfect features.

His gaze was in front of him.

She then noticed the two blood red strips on his cheek.

She felt a strong urge to touch them. She steadily reached up her arm.

(Sesshomarus prov…)

Sesshomaru felt the heat of Kagomes body close to his. He delighted in

her

scent.

He felt her body tighten in his arms as he leapt into the air.

He then concentrated on the direction of his castle and his eyes rested

on

the destination in front of him.

He then noticed the girls gaze on him.

A strange feeling came over him as he felt Kagomes hand reaching up

towards

his face.

From the corner of his eyes he looked down at her.

A blush came over her face in a deep rose crimson.

But she still persisted. Her fingers gently stroked his cheek.

He watched as a strange fascination came over her.

He felt a longing for her. Longing for what, he didn't know. It felt

as if

he wanted to please her. To have her smile for him as she had did

earlier.

She then pulled her hand away and looked away blushing, even a darker

red.

He then tore his gaze from her and concentrated in front of him and

wondering about the girl in his arms.

(With Kiron…)

Kiron and the group searched all night and the next day in the forest.

Amber fires burned and a few fish sizzled over them. The traveling

group

was extremely famished so they all agreed to take a stop.

Suddenly, one of the youkai soldiers cried out.

"There look!" He shouted.

All heads turned to see a black panther youkai solider pointing at a

white

object in the sky.

"It's Lord Sesshomaru!" He cried out.

"He's returning to the castle!" Another solider shouted. "Look he has

something in his arms! Why! I believe it's Lady Kagome!"

Kiron sighed with relief and smiled, and shouted. "Men were heading

back!"

(With Sesshomaru…)

As the hours passed Kagome and Shippo fell fast asleep in Lord

Sesshomaru's

arms.

The sun was setting and went behind the mountains and everything fell

into a

navy blue tint. Crickets chirped and fireflies danced along the

fields.

Sesshomaru lightly landed on the stone path leading up to his castle.

He

walked silently up the cold stone steps up to his castles large oak

door

entrance.

An armed solider stood at each side of the entrance, each holding a

burning

torch and a wicked looking weapon.

As he approached, one of the soldiers spoke. "Master Sesshomaru, we

have

been waiting for your arrival, welcome."

They both bowed and opened the thick doors. They creaked and moaned as

they

opened.

Sesshomaru stepped into the candle lit room.

Two pearl white staircases lead up to a second story. The floor

beneath him

was white marble with golden leaves and vines decorated into in.

The beautiful floor reflected the flames from the uncountable candles

that

danced on the walls.

He then walked gracefully walked up the white steps leading to the

castles

corridors and halls.

He still carried the sleeping kit and Kagome in his arms. Some

servants

rushed to his assistance as he approached the second story.

"Heal the kitsune s' foot and give him a room next to Rin s'." He

commanded

to one of the servants.

"Yes, my lord." The servant obeyed and carefully picked up the kitsune

and

walked away.

"My lord, do you wish for take Lady Kagome to her chambers?" Sasha

asked.

"No." He replied coldly.

"Yes, Master." She bowed and walked off to the servants' quarters.

He then made his way down towards Kagome s' chambers.

Candles lined the halls of stone and cast shadows as he passed.

Sesshomaru entered Kagome's room with the silence.

He then carefully held her with one arm and pulled back the drape and

the

embroidered satin sheets.

Then gently set Kagome down on the silk bed and covered her with the

pulled

back sheets.

He then sat in a chair by the bed side. Watching and waiting.

(With the lizard youkai…)

The lizard had searched through the forest all day looking for food but

never found anything.

He growled with hunger. He flickered out his tongue to see if he could

smell anything.

Then the smell of blood came into his senses. An evil grin came upon

his

face maybe he might not go hunger after all.

(With Ginta…)

The wolf youkai woke up with a splitting headache. He rubbed the back

of

his head trying to recall what had happened. Then it came back in a

heart

beat.

"Kagome! I got to tell Kouga that Sesshomaru has her." He then

grunted in

pain. His arm was wounded, but luckily Sesshomaru hadn't poisoned him.

"Your wounded, let me stop your pain." A dark evil malevolent voice

spoke

out.

"HEY WHO ARE YOU!" Ginta growled.

The figure then shot out from the shadows. The lizard youkai clamped

its

fangs down on Ginta's right leg. Dark blood emerged from the youkai's

mouth.

Ginta howled out in pure bloody murder.

(With Kouga…)

In the distance Kouga's ears picked up his comrades distressed cry.

"Ginta's in trouble!" Hakkaku exclaimed also hearing the howl.

"Damn! This way!" Kouga yelled running in the direction of the howl.

(With Ginta…)

The lizard youkai chuckled ominously as it sunk its fangs deeper into

Ginta

s' leg.

Ginta then turned and punched the youkai with his good arm right in the

face.

The lizard cried out and opened it jaws from around Ginta's leg.

Ginta then tried to get up but only got so far until he collapsed

helplessly

on the ground soaking it with his blood.

"You die now!" The lizard youkai yelled as it rose it's self on its

hid

legs and walked over to Ginta.

He laid there looking up painfully at the lizard.

"DIE!" It yelled and made one final lunge at him. Ginta shut his eyes

awaiting pain.

"Oh no you don't!" Gintas ears picked up a familiar voice.

"Lord Kouga." His eyes snapped open to see Kouga's foot go into the

youkai's face.

It was in a matter of moments before the youkai lizard was dead and

Kouga

and Hakkaku were at his side looking down on him.

"Can you stand up?" Kouga asked.

"Kouga…"Ginta managed to say. "I know where Lady Kagome is…"

Kouga got an anxious look on his face.

"Where!" He almost shouted

"Ses..shomaru…has her." His voice trembled as he made one last effort

before his vision clouded over with blackness.