A/N: Thanks for the reviews, you guys! It really is encouraging to even get a one-liner like "I like your story" or … whatever.. even flames are good, since it means you care about the way the story is going! So please, continue to review!

dafluff123- you crack me up! Thanks for reading my other stuff too, yo.

Kantra- yeah, I was thinking about making Kagome talk back more to Sesshoumaru... but then I was thinking about the fear factor also.. like, she has to be a little more careful, since Inu Yasha isn't there to protect her from Sesshoumaru. So, she might talk back in her head a little, but I figured she might be a little more careful around Sesshoumaru, since she knows he's dangerous.

The Squabbit- thanks for your faithful reviews! Well, I'd say that the beginnings of romance start around the next chapter...

CHAPTER 4: dinner etiquette
They were just now entering the territory of the Western Lands. "Keep an eye out, everyone," Inu Yasha warned the others, "the youkai in the Western lands are more tricky than the ones we're used to." Everyone nodded in response. They had been at it for a few more hours- it was now about time for dinner. Inu Yasha was just about to tell them what to look for when they approach his father's castle when he felt a sharp prick in his neck. He swatted at it with his hand, and to no surprise, found Myouga.

"Inu Yasha-sama! What are you doing in these parts? Could it be that you've finally decided to pay respects to your father by returning to his castle?" Myouga asked hopefully. Anything that could possibly honor his old master was a pleasing thought to the youkai flea.

"Tch, not quite, Myouga-jiji. I'm trying to track down Sesshoumaru."

"Quite a task, if you ask me," the little flea replied. "But.. you are headed to the castle, are you not?"

"Yeah. It's the only place I can think of to begin the search." Inu Yasha told him. Myouga looked around carefully.

"Where is Kagome-sama? Did she go back to her own time?" he asked. His question was met with a low growl. The flea cowered, a large sweatdrop forming on his head. "What happened, master Inu Yasha?" he asked, nervously.

"Oh, Myouga, is that you?" Miroku called from Kirara, who had caught up with Inu Yasha.

…later…

"I see, so Kagome-sama was taken by Sesshoumaru-sama…" the flea said thoughtfully, sitting on Kirara, who was next to the fire that the group had prepared. "…Who left no clues as to his whereabouts…" he trailed off.

"Exactly," Inu Yasha said curtly, more than slightly annoyed that he had to keep replaying the events of Kagome's kidnapping. It was enough that Sesshoumaru had taken her; but he left absolutely no clues as to where he could be found. There wasn't anything that Inu Yasha could think of that was more irritating than this situation. "Do you know where he might be, Myouga-jiji?"

"hmmmmm…" the flea appeared to be deep in thought. After a few moments of silence, where everyone held their breath, Myouga gave them his answer. "Nope."

Everyone fell to the ground.

"Tch, I knew it… the best bet we have is to continue on to the castle where my father lived-- and where I grew up with my mother." Inu Yasha eyed the last two fish on a stick, and moved to grab it. At the same time, a kitsune paw reached for the same thing. The two eyes met and clashed with lightning bolts… before Inu Yasha swiftly grabbed the stick and popped the fish into his mouth in the next second.

"Gah! Inu Yasha! You're still mean!"

"Keh, you've gotta learn to fend for yourself, Shippou,"

"Oh, yeah?" Shippou said, reaching into his vest. "then, take this!" He pulled out a leaf and a small ofuda, placed them on his head, and, reciting a single word, disappeared into thin air. Everyone gasped a little, since they hadn't seen this trick from Shippou in several years. Inu Yasha immediately received several blows to the face, chest, arms, and yes, groin.

Inu Yasha didn't know what hit him.. or rather, he did, but there wasn't much he could do about it. Shippou's scent was all over the place, so he couldn't track him that way. All that was there to use as a hint as to where Shippou would attack next was the flow of air. But of course, since it was windy that night as well, Shippou was pretty much safe from any counter-attacks made by Inu Yasha. After a few minutes, Shippou had his fill of payback, and rematerialized, placing the ofuda and leaf back inside his vest, bowing at the thunderous applause and laughter coming from Miroku, Sango, and Kohaku. Sometimes the hanyou needed a good butt-kicking when Kagome wasn't around to 'sit' him.

"Well, I guess we should stay the night here, then," Miroku said a few moments later, eyeing Inu Yasha's seemingly unconscious body. Shippou, now almost as big as Inu Yasha, was a pretty good fighter now, especially having trained with Inu Yasha for the past two years. He could throw a pretty decent punch, even at Inu Yasha… who was definitely feeling the success of his lessons with the kitsune.

"Sounds good to me," Sango chimed in, petting Kirara who was now resting on her lap. Everyone laid out their sleeping mats, and prepared for bed. They were definitely going to need their energy if they were going to keep searching for Kagome at this pace.

…meanwhile…

"Hmph, that jerk Sesshoumaru. I wonder what would happen if I didn't wear the silk kimono like he instructed," Kagome said, looking in a mirror at her reflection. She managed to tie her obi- a fairly difficult task for someone to do all by herself. Looking at the knot with satisfaction, she heard a knock at the door. "Come in," she called.

"Kagome?" a small voice came from the halfway opened door, as Rin peeked her head inside Kagome's room.

"Rin-chan…" Kagome was surprised, since this was the first time she had been visited in her room by the girl. "What is it?"

"Could you…" she stepped inside, revealing a poorly tied obi. She continued, "help Rin tie this? Rin wants it to look good for Sesshoumaru-sama." Kagome smiled. Rin was cute, wanting to please Sesshoumaru… even though it was Sesshoumaru.

"Sure, come in."

...flashback...

"I expected you to act like a lady- or was I mistaken?"

...end flashback...

'Grr, that arrogant Sesshoumaru! I'll show him a lady!' Kagome thought to herself as she turned Rin around in order to tie her obi- with slightly more force than she had intended. "Okay, Rin-chan," she said, "You'll have the best obi-knot, ever!" Rin giggled.

"I'm excited, we never dress up for dinner," she told Kagome.

'Whaat? So, is this some kind of special occasion? What's going on, here?' the miko asked herself. She put those questions into words. "What do you mean? Is this a special day, or something?"

"Mm!" Rin nodded. "It's because Kagome is here! This is the first time that Rin can remember that we've had company in the castle," she told her tutor.

"All done!" Kagome said, after a few moments of silent concentration.

"Waaaii, it looks so pretty!" Rin exclaimed.

"You like it? I can teach you how to make this tie later, if you wish," Kagome told her.

"Yes!"

"While we're here, let's do our hair, as well,"

"Okay,"

"Now, just do what I do, okay?" Kagome began to twist her hair into a style she figured was somewhat from the warring-states era. Rin copied her movements exactly, and before long, they had matching hairstyles. After a few more finishing touches, they were ready to be called to dinner. As if on cue, Jaken appeared at Kagome's door.

"Kagome-sama," he eked out. He disliked the woman, and disliked having to call her in a respectful manner even more. "Rin," he looked at the young girl. "This way,"

"Hai, Jaken-sama!" Rin followed the toady minion right away, and Kagome trailed behind. This whole situation was really weird and new to her- she had been too occupied and shocked by her new situation that she really didn't have time to be mourning her separation from Inu Yasha and the others- let alone thinking of going back to her time. However, it was a long walk to the location of their dinner, so Kagome had a little bit of time to think about making an escape. "Jaken-sama, Kagome is teaching Rin to write!" she said, excitedly.

"Is that so, Rin?" Jaken said, mildly bored.

"Yes! And Rin can even write her own name!"

"Is that so, Rin?" he repeated, not paying any attention to the girl. He heard a small growl coming from behind him, and turned to see a slightly peeved Rin. "Heh, heh.. I mean, t-that's great, Rin! How proud Sesshoumaru-sama will be!" he said, trying to appease the girl. Her scowl quickly morphed into a smile.

"You think so?"

"Absolutely." Rin began to sing softly to herself about Sesshoumaru liking her newfound ability, and asking herself why Jaken was green. Within a few minutes, they had reached their destination. It was a pagoda outside the castle, overlooking a small lake. Beautifully constructed, with several intricately carved pillars as well as decorated stairs leading to the platform. Centered in the pagoda was a small table covered in many different dishes of food, some of which were even new to Rin. Sesshoumaru, however, was nowhere to be found. When the ladies were seated, Jaken announced the arrival of the lord.

Sesshoumaru was dressed nicely as well, a welcome change from his usual armor. He still had the Tenseiga at his waist, but his appearance was somehow less menacing. His pants were a dark blue color, and instead of the pants style he usually wore (where it gathers at the ankle), the cut of these pants were straight legged, and flowing. Although they were still floor-length, Kagome could see Sesshoumaru's shoes peeking out from underneath as he walked forward. His haori was similar to the one he normally wore, but instead of his family seal in red, it was now in a dark blue. The belt at his waist was a deep red, with a white design on it. What it was, Kagome couldn't tell, since the only glimpse she could get of it was where it was tied in a knot. Kagome watched him approach the table, and sit. He truly carried himself royally. Maybe he wanted Rin to be able to match him in her posture and carriage, as well.

"Eat," was the first word out of his mouth. Kagome almost fell over. She had half expected his words to be a little more elegant, dressed for the occasion as he was. Without much thinking, Rin obeyed his order, and loaded food onto her plate. He looked at Kagome, who was staring at Rin.

'She must've been really hungry…' she thought to herself.

"You too," Sesshoumaru told her.

"Just a second," Kagome began, slightly annoyed at his ordering everyone around. "It's not right to just order people around, you know!" She would've continued if she hadn't heard Jaken gasp for air. He seemed like he was about to faint from the shock that anyone would dare say such a thing to Sesshoumaru in his own castle.

"Do not eat, then, if you do not wish it," he replied, challenging her. He stared deeply at her eyes, prodding her to say something else. When she said nothing more, the taiyoukai glanced at Rin, who was munching on her food, watching the dialogue pass between himself and Kagome. Kagome noticed this, and understood. He wanted Rin to acquire table manners, as well.

'No one is going to learn any kind of manners unless you do as well, Sesshoumaru,' she thought to herself. She looked up at Sesshoumaru, who had been watching her expression. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"Kagome, it would be in your best interest to have some dinner." Somehow, Sesshoumaru politely avoided using the word 'please.' Kagome looked at him, surprised that he revised his statement for her.

"Mm," Kagome began to stack items onto her plate. "Aren't you going to have anything, Sesshoumaru?" She asked, trying to be civil in front of Rin.

"Sesshoumaru has no need for human food," Jaken sneered from the side of the table. He would've continued, but Sesshoumaru gave him a stern look.

"It's only polite for you to eat, also," Kagome hinted at him. 'If he's going to tell me I don't act like a lady, he had darn well better act like a lord, himself!' Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, and laughed once to himself.

"Point taken," he said, and placed a few morsels on his own plate.

"Huh?" Rin asked herself quietly. She had never, ever seen Sesshoumaru eat before. Her eyes passed between Kagome and Sesshoumaru, who were staring at each other. What was going on? Rin shrugged it off, and the three continued to eat in silence. A few moments later, Rin remembered to tell Sesshoumaru what she had learned that day. "Sesshoumaru-sama, Rin is learning how to write!"

"Good, Rin," was his reply. Rin pouted a little- she had been hoping for a little more enthusiasm from her caretaker.

"Kagome tied the obi, do you like it?" She asked innocently, standing up and turning around to model the knot.

"…" Sesshoumaru merely looked at Rin, and then nodded approvingly at Kagome.

"You know, aside from reading and writing, Rin should learn how to defend herself- shall I teach her archery?" Kagome proposed. She was still trying to find a way to break the barrier around the castle. Although she may not have openly said anything about Inu Yasha throughout the day, nor had enough time to mourn her separation from him, her thoughts constantly returned to the hanyou. Sesshoumaru eyed her suspiciously.

"No," he replied shortly. Seeing that the evening would no longer be free of Kagome pestering him in order to either break the barrier or take her to see Inu Yasha, the youkai rose from the table and exited the pagoda.

"Ah--" Kagome started at the abruptness of the action. She looked at Rin, who was watching Sesshoumaru, and then back at the lord of the Western lands. 'Act like a lady…for Rin-chan…' "Thank you for this evening's dinner, Sesshoumaru," She called out after him. He stopped in his tracks, and turned his head to allow him to see the woman out of the corner of his amber eye.

"Yes, thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin added. 'What a great idea, to thank lord Sesshoumaru! He seems to like the gesture, since he stopped and looked back at Kagome,' the girl thought, copying Kagome's gesture of thanks.

"We'll do this again tomorrow," he told Kagome authoritatively. Kagome assumed that meant 'you're welcome,' and rose from the table as well.

"Well, that's all for today, Rin-chan. I'll see you tomorrow,"

"Mm." And with that, Kagome also left the pagoda. Now that she was better rested, and had some free time, she would look over those scrolls that Sesshoumaru had placed in her room.

A/N: So, I hope you guys liked this chapter.. I know nothing really big happened in it.. it was kinda more of an atmosphere chapter, so you know what everyone is going to do, and stuff. I should update soon, though! Please review, and let me know if you have any questions or comments about what is going on in the story so far.. I love reviews!

Also, I am friends with this new little hit counter they're giving us on so I can see how many people read and DON'T review-- you meanies, you know who you are! It's not that hard to just click the little button! ...pleeease?...