As Sesshomaru and Kagome hammered out the details of just how they were going to travel to the mountain where Suikotsu was imprisoned (with the mountain being a good ways to the South, Suikotsu having been in Southern Japan when the portal sent him back)...well, to be accurate, Kagome was hammering the details, or rather at them. Sesshomaru was insisting she ride Ah-Un, and that the wild cat she'd adopted was not suitable, and that his mate ("Future!" she shouted at that) would not ride such a beast, and then she replied that if she becomes his mate she'll be riding a beast every night, and then...well...you get the picture.

Unfortunately, so did Naraku. Jakotsu had returned to his master immediately following listening to all of Sesshomaru and Kagome's conversation. Jakotsu was clever enough to realize that the new situation brewing between those two would be of interest to his master, who was nursing his wounds from the battle with Kagome in a small deserted (after he got there) town.

Jakotsu entered the large house that his master was laying in and went down to one knee. "Naraku, I have brought you news," Jakotsu began in his high, feminine voice, "of Kagome and what she plans."

"Continue."

"She has approached your enemy Sesshomaru and proposed an allegiance..."

"What kind of allegiance?"

"A mating."

"She wished to mate with the dog demon?" Naraku asked in a surprised voice. He was well-aware of Kagome's vow to not go into a relationship with another demon after Bankotsu.

"Yes, they are in fact executing the terms of their mating now."

"Explain."

"If Sesshomaru frees Suikotsu from the mountain he became trapped in during the transition from future to past then Kagome will mate him."

Naraku considered for a moment and decided on his plan. "Then we will just have to make it so that he cannot do that." Naraku nodded to Kanna (hiding in the shadows during this) and Jakotsu, signaling that they were to take care of it. They left to do his bidding and Naraku pondered the situation. Kagome had the jewel, would have a mate, and was a powerful miko in her own rite; she was a great enemy with many advantages. Maybe it was time to take some of those away.

Sesshomaru and Kagome had compromised and finally got underway. Kagome rode Ah-Un, but kept her cat demon Nolla nearby. They had a half day's trip ahead of them and Kagome tried to make the best of it.

"Where'd you grow up?"

"In the west," he replied as if talking to an idiot. Kagome stuck out her tongue and made a face at Rin, who giggled long and hard from where she clutched at Ah-Un's neck(s) in front of Kagome.

"What was your mother like?"

"Female."

"You and Inuyasha's father? What was he like?"

"Lordly."

"Any other siblings beside Inuyasha?"

"No."

"Are you always such a close-mouthed ass?"

"Yes...what?"

"Nothing, just curious."

"Did you just call me-..."

"Rin, are you secure enough? Wouldn't want you falling off..."

"Yes, Lady Kagome."

Just as Kagome started to turn back and start twenty questions again she noticed something. "Hey! Where's the toad?"

The toad, Jaken, was in fact running along below them having been left behind. He was swearing up a storm and breathing heavily through his mouth. Just as he thought he might just up and die again, the miko's damn cat swooped down and grabbed him between her jaws. By the time they were level with Ah-Un and Sesshomaru he had gotten enough breath back to yell at Kagome.

"Stupid wench! Ordering me ate did you? Think that getting rid of me will allow you to whore and steal my master's-...Eep!"

Sesshomaru had latched onto the toad's neck and shook him horribly. Kagome laughed at the sight, having been unperturbed by Jaken's screaming. "You will not speak to my mate that way. I am respected and she is as well."

Jaken nodded his understanding and was grateful when Sesshomaru threw him onto Ah-Un. "So sorry! So sorry master!"

"Apologize to her, not me."

"Sorry, my lady, so sorry."

"It's cool," Kagome laughed and turned to say something to Sesshomaru but suddenly he was too close, too big. He had come within inches of Kagome and as her mouth gaped at him he leaned in and brushed a kiss against her lips.

"See, miko? I already protect you. Know that I am the best mate for you."

"Implying that I am not the best one for you?" Kagome asked, thinking the question up out of nowhere.

"I am seeing more and more that you are in fact a good candidate for mate," Sesshomaru replied. He moved a little bit away but Kagome continued to catch him sneaking glances.

Kagome wasn't used to the feeling in her stomach. She was uncomfortable with the attraction. She was sure however that as soon as they had mated, for there was no doubt that he would free Suikotsu from the mountain, it would abate. He was entirely too delicious for long periods of time.

Okay, so yeah, short chappie, but most of you can't complain because you don't review to remind me to write, but for those of you who do...

miko of fire and ice: this is total Kag/Ses...I don't believe in Inu/Kag...it's not natural...

hermonine: thanks for the support...greatly appreciated

Silver-Winged-Angle: I do intend for it to go that way, because given what they going to be doing feelings usually develop...

Kogasgirl142: Glad you like the lustiness...more will come...

princessdance711: yeah, wow...you seem hyper...

destinyheart15: yeah, Fluffy versus mountain next...decided to throw a wrench into that deal so had to have a filler chapter...

Okay! So that's it for now...more chapters to come...oh, question...has anyone else noticed that Koga carries a sword but never uses it? It's just there. Totally noticed that a couple days ago.