Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

All right, all right, I get it. No reviews...so sad...but I'll keep posting. Maybe one of my reviewers will find it and take pity on me. Or someone else will...maybe? Please?

A slight bit of lemon, I think, later in the chapter.

Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism is welcome.

"So this is where the Shikon no Tama resided," Sesshomaru murmured, following the two mikos into the shrine. Although the purified air and scent was sickening him, he showed no outward signs of illness. "How did Toshiro manage to get in here?"

"He killed several mikos," Kaede informed him, "I was not aware it was Toshiro until Kyoko mentioned his name, and it all made sense."

"You have heard the story as well?" Kyoko asked sharply, and Kaede nodded. "Why did everyone know but me?" she demanded indignantly.

"Compose yourself," Sesshomaru said casually, "Or do mikos normally act this way?"

"Shut up," Kyoko glared at him, not at all liking this inuyoukai.

"If I may?..." Kaede coughed discreetly, and continued. "After he murdered the mikos, Toshiro grabbed the Shikon no Tama. Fortunately, I arrived just as he was departing, and I shot him with an arrow. Combined with the purifying powers of the Shikon no Tama, it apparently did more damage than I anticipated, and he fled."

"After leaving it," Kyoko finished, nodding. "It makes sense."

"I will send you to Yatsushiro, to a shrine there, Kyoko," Kaede informed her, as they left the shrine, much to Sesshomaru's inner relief.

"Why?"

"Because there may be a miko that can help you in a purification ritual – one that is not quite so complicated and strict," Kaede shot a glance at Sesshomaru, who ignored her. "Her name is Meiko. She is an older priestess, and more experienced than you or I. She may also find a way to…accommodate Lord Sesshomaru," Kaede added, and Sesshomaru snorted.

"I do not rely on the aid of humans, especially those of mikos," he informed her. Kyoko sighed, unable to believe that she was stuck with this arrogant youkai.

"He's so different from Inuyasha!" she thought, staring at his back as he and Kaede began to argue. "Much more handsome – or beautiful is a better word. But so much colder, and arrogant! How could he have ever fallen in love with Kikyo, or her with him? I wish I knew…"

Pondering these thoughts, Kyoko failed to realize that they had addressed her, until Sesshomaru prodded her.

"What?"

"I was asking if it is acceptable to you that Lord Sesshomaru be boarded near you while you are in Yatsushiro," Kaede repeated, and Kyoko shot a glance at him.

"I don't think I have much of a choice, so I guess," she nodded, and groaned at his self-satisfied smirk. Determined not to let him get the better of her again, Kyoko stalked away into the miko quarters to pack supplies for their journey.

"We are taking a train to Kojiki in an hour," he informed her, as the pair strode down the streets.

"I know," she replied, "And do you have to be so conspicuous? At least get rid of the pelt, please." She gritted her teeth at having to ask him anything, but took it in stride.

"Why?"

"Because I don't know what kind of trouble you might cause," she retorted, "People know youkai walk among us, but if they're face-to-face with one, we might be screwed."

"Such language from a miko," Sesshomaru said mockingly, but obligingly erected a barrier that shielded human eyes from his youkai appearance.

"Thank you," Kyoko said, surprised that he had listened to her. Sesshomaru regarded her with amusement, unsure of why he had decided to watch over her.

"Not because I feel any need to, that's for certain," he snorted to himself, "Partly for Kikyo, I suppose. But this…miko intrigues me. I wish to know why she is the way she is. Even though she has youkai blood in her, it should be so diluted by now that there shouldn't be any trace of it in her scent. Yet, it is strong around her. I wonder if the mikos can sense it?"

"What?" Kyoko asked in annoyance, noticing his gaze.

"I was contemplating the reasons why you became a miko," he replied coldly.

"And? What were your conclusions?" she asked sarcastically. Glaring back at her, he decided to antagonize her.

"It's much too easy to rile her – it is amusing, however," he thought, watching in satisfaction as she turned red from a comment he made about her marrying opportunities.

"You…you…you're lucky I don't purify you in one blast," she muttered, deciding to ignore the youkai until they reached Yatsushiro – and maybe even then.

The train ride from Kagoshima to Kojiki passed without incident, with Kyoko giving and amused Sesshomaru the silent treatment the whole way. To his surprise, his enjoyment of the peace and quiet was tempered by a slight disappointment that she was not speaking to him.

"Damn miko," he thought in frustration, as she stared out the window to avoid any eye contact with him.

"The train to Kobayashi leaves in fifteen minutes," Sesshomaru said, reading the train schedule. "We have to stay overnight there until we can continue."

"Great," Kyoko grumbled, looking anything but grateful that Sesshomaru had just saved her luggage from continuing the journey without her. "So, are you hungry?"

He shook his head, and she sighed in exasperation.

"Well, I'm starving, so come on," she said, tugging him by the hand as she headed for the nearest food kiosk. "I've got time to eat something."

As he allowed her to pull him along, Sesshomaru unconsciously closed his fingers over her grip – but quickly realized what he had done when she jerked her hand away to pay the man at the kiosk.

"That hits the spot," she sighed happily, munching quietly on the food. Sesshomaru looked away, keeping her in the corner of his vision, waiting for the train to come. Within minutes, the announcement sounded over the sound system announcing that the train would be there in five minutes.

"Let us go to the platform and wait," Sesshomaru suggested, but to Kyoko it sounded more like an order. "That way we will be able to find beneficial seating."

"All right," she nodded, a bit surprised at herself, and allowed him to guide her back through the growing crowd, his hand on the small of her back. She felt a ripple of power surge through him – and in that instant, she realized that his boasts were not empty threats, but truths. He could indeed kill her effortlessly, but chose not to.

"I do not like the way that man has been watching you ever since we boarded the train at Kagoshima," Sesshomaru muttered, glancing toward a European stranger. Kyoko recognized him from the train, and looked up at Sesshomaru. She wore a white blouse that set off her tanned complexion and a flowing denim skirt with boots, while he was dressed in black jeans and a wine-red shirt.

"Pay him no attention," she ordered, the miko power suddenly flooding into her tone, "He's of no threat to us. If he was, I would have killed him by now."

Sesshomaru glanced down at her, with a look of amusement and almost admiration crossing his face.

"She means it," he realized, and then looked away as the train pulled into view, its whistle causing him to cover his ears.

"It seems that Kobayashi is the perfect place for an overnight stay," Kyoko noticed, as they approached the hotel Kaede had directed them to in her instructions. "A small, inconspicuous little town."

"Indeed," Sesshomaru agreed, and followed her into the building. His gaze caught the eye of the same European man that had been following them, and he raised his lip slightly, to reveal his fang.

"I believe we had reservations under Lady Kaede," Kyoko said to the manager, who nodded happily.

"Oh, yes! Here's your key – on the third floor," he told them, and Kyoko blinked.

"Don't you mean keys? I need two rooms!"

"Lady Kaede only instructed to hold one room for you – and there are no available vacancies, I'm afraid," he said, looking from one to the other. "Is there a problem?"

"Are there any other hotels that might have vacancies?" Kyoko asked in desperation, and he shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. This is the peak of tourist season, and every hotel is packed. Lady Kaede was lucky to book your room."

"Thank you – I suppose," Kyoko muttered, and grabbed her bag. Sesshomaru followed her, his mind a mixture of amusement and resignation.

"Only one bed?" Kyoko shrieked, as Sesshomaru closed the door. He glared at her, and rubbed his temples.

"I would appreciate it if you kept your voice down," he requested, but she ignored him.

"Where are we supposed to sleep?" she demanded, "I'm not sharing a bed with you! With our luck, I'll probably purify you."

"I wouldn't be surprised," he muttered, and then sighed. "I will sleep outside – I am a youkai, after all. However…"

"However what?" she asked suspiciously.

"That same European man followed us here," Sesshomaru told her, "I am not sure it wise for me to leave you alone tonight. I believe I shall have to remain in the room."

"Well, the couch's there," Kyoko gestured to the loveseat, and flopped onto the futon. "This is ridiculous! I'm going to give Lady Kaede a piece of my mind once I get back…"

Interrupting her threats was a knock on the door.

"Stay here," he advised her, and strode to the door. "Who is it?"

"I have a package for Lady Kyoko," the manager told them, "It just arrived."

"Let him in!" Kyoko ordered, exasperated. Taking the package from the man, she thanked him and returned to her former seat, and looked at it curiously. "This is odd."

"Open it," Sesshomaru suggested, and she glanced at him. She nodded, and untied the string. A brown box lay on her lap, with no note accompanying it.

"I wonder what's in it?" she wondered, and pried the flaps open. She gasped in shock, and Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes when he saw what was in it. A silver band lay on a bed of black velvet. Lifting it up into the light, Kyoko realized that an amethyst was set inside the ring, and examined it curiously. "It looks genuine."

"Who could have sent it?" Sesshomaru muttered, checking to make sure there was no note. Kyoko put it on, sensing there was no magical properties about it, and gasped when it tightened around her finger to fit perfectly.

"I guess there is something about it," she admitted, and was able to easily slid it off. Putting it back on, she blinked in confusion. "But I didn't sense anything magical about this. What is it – and why is it here?"

"I have a feeling we will find our answers when we arrive Yatsushiro," Sesshomaru told her, and then glanced out the window. "It is dark – I think it is time we retire."

"I guess," Kyoko glared at him, and then slipped into the bathroom to change. She emerged several minutes later in fitted deep-blue pajama bottoms and a top, with cream-colored trim. Glancing at the youkai, she sighed. "Aren't you going to change?"

"There is no need," he informed her, and promptly reclined in the loveseat. Since he was so much longer than it, he was forced to lay with his knees bent. Kyoko felt a pang of guilt, but it was quickly overridden by her desire not to share a bed with him.

"Good night, then," she said after a pause, and turned off the light. Sesshomaru's sensitive hearing picked up the fabric rustling as she slid in between the blankets, and waited until she had fallen asleep to close his own eyes.

During the night, he was woken up by a click, and was instantly at the door. To his surprise, it hadn't come from there, but the bathroom. Narrowing his eyes, he silently approached the door, and peered in. To his inner relief, there was no one there but a cat, which was apparently kept for mice problems.

Returning to the loveseat, he resigned himself to sitting awake the rest of the night, since he was in no need of more sleep. In the pitch black he was able to see the outline of Kyoko's body underneath the blankets, and turned his back to her as she shifted suggestively in her sleep.

After a few more moments, Sesshomaru closed his eyes, and to his surprise, fell asleep again.

"Sesshomaru? Are you okay?" Kyoko asked, shaking him gently. His eyes popped open, and she jumped back as he swiftly rose. Without giving her a glance, he strode out of the room, leaving her alone.

"What was that about?" she wondered, and then shrugged. "I guess youkai are just cranky in the mornings."

"What was that?" he demanded to himself, rubbing his temples to rid himself of the dream. In it, he had pleasured himself with Kyoko and her body, and she had done the same. Even now, he could feel the heat gathering between his legs, and the hardness forming.

Striding around the grounds, he impatiently waited for her to arrive, so they could catch their train, and wished that the damn dream would leave him in peace. He was surprised at himself.

"I hardly know her, and she is a miko," he growled, "There is no reason for me to dream of…that with her, and yet I did! I did not even dream that of Kikyo…"

"Sesshomaru?" Kyoko asked, inwardly surprising him. He didn't show it, but turned around coldly.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes," she nodded, carrying her bag, "What time does the train leave?"

"In an hour," he told her, and she sighed in relief.

"Good, I can get some breakfast before we leave. Train food is disgusting," she wrinkled her nose, and then looked back at him. "Let me guess – you're not hungry?"

"Actually, I am," he nodded, and tried to ignore the desires growing within him at the sight of her. "Maybe eating something will relieve my mind of these damn thoughts," he grumbled silently, and followed the miko through town.

Not a very good lemon, but hey! These guys hate each other - well, mostly, anyway. PLEASE, someone, REVIEW!