Hi everyone! I'm soooooo sorry about the long update! Talk about writers block! I couldn't write anything! I feel so guilty now for not updating in such a long time. Hopefully I'll be able to update on here more often, with school coming to a close. I swear, all my teachers have homework-itis! They suddenly feel the need to give out as much homework as humanly possible. Grrr…never mind that some of us have lives! Ok, I'm done venting. Here are the review replies!

Amanda (cutiepie1123)(Anonymous): I'm glad you liked the chapter! It was a big pain in the you-know-what to write it!Yes, I will write more. I love to write, it's one of my passions. Hopefully though I'll update faster next time!

Lyn (Anonymous): As you can see, I've written more. Thanks for reviewing, although you don't say much I love to know that I have people out there reading it.

sesshoumaru the GREATWhoa! –Snatches Kagome away- Hold on there! I have to have that for my fic! I can't let you have her yet! …But thanks for liking it!

Keiko89: Hey brat, news flash: You're my little sister. You're SUPPOSED to like my writing! -Snatches the Sesshomaru plushie back and runs away-

InnocentDarkSassycat Thank you so much for the compliment. It means a lot to me when someone says "awesome story." Yeah, Sesshomaru and Kagome are my favorite pairing! I think that still waters run deep in the case of Sesshomaru. He just needs someone to understand him…like Kagome!

Sesshoumarugrl Thanks! I love it when people can't wait to see what happens next. That tells me if I'm doing this right or not lol. I hope I don't disappoint you with Inuyasha's reaction; I tried to stay as close to the characters as possible!

Kitty Meow-Mix23 Sorry I didn't update so fast! Like I said up above, I feel so guilty when I don't write but what can I do when I have a bad case of writers block? But hey, at least it's out now! Perhaps you can look at some of my other stories on fictionpress dot com if you really want something else of my writing and can't wait for another update. It's the same pen name: Tigress015. Lata!

Shan (Anonymous): Hey, did you know that Shan means "beautiful" in Japanese? I thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, thanks for reading and I will try to update sooner!

gothicsexy101Thanks for reading my story! Yes, Sesshomaru does need some TLC in my opinion, but I think I'm gonna twist things up a bit before he finally reaches his goal…he'll appreciate Kagome more if he has to work hard to get her –wink wink-

Salena-Jagonashi Yes, I'm going to try and update as much as possible now! With summer coming up I'll have a lot more free time and the teachers won't be able to load us with homework. Hopefully my writers block is over and it won't happen again anytime in the near future!

crazy-punk-gurl Hey! Thanks for telling me about how you were bothered. Can you tell me when he was acting OOC so I can try and get a better idea of how he would act in such a situation? But I'm glad that you like it so far. Thanks again! Ja-ne!

Alexis Barnes (kagome1214)(Anonymous): Sorry I took so long to update, but thank you for being so patient and continuing to be a reviewer! It means so much to me that you like it. Toodles!

tiger girl (poobear1107)(Anonymous): Heyyyy love the name! Even if it isn't your official name or even if you don't have one, tigers ROCK! Ok, now that I've not that said thank you for the compliment! You have no idea how much it means to me when someone says that my story is very well written. I hope you like the next chapter as well.

Vi3t Babii Thank you thank you! –Takes a bow- I hope it looks good! That's what I'm aiming for! Keep on reading and thanks again!

rocklover15 (tldavis15)(Anonymous): Hey I'm glad you like it! I guess you could call it my "baby". Here's the update, and here's to there being no more long waits in between them!

Miko's Sorrow A cliffie? You know, I think you're right! Oh the evilness of me! Well, here's your update. It took long enough to get here but it's finally here! Oh, one more thing, SESSHOMARU IS MINE! MUAHAHAHAHAHA! (Yeah, I know he isn't mine either but I have my delusional fantasies too…I might share if I'm bribed though. O.O)

Demonic-One Thank you! I did try to update it as soon as possible…it just took awhile for the possible to come along. –Nervous laugh- Sorry! Next time it won't be so long! Erm…hopefully!

inuyasha109(Anonymous): Stickers everywhere! Muahahahaha! –Slaps a sticker on inuyasha109's forehead that says "Tigress's reviewer" and runs away- Until next time!

animesorceress169Sorry took so long to update! Thanks for reading!

no1 in paticular(Anonymous): Thank you! I'm glad you like the story! It makes me so happy when I hear people say that. Keep on reading and I'll keep on writing. It's the readers that keep me going! From: noauthor in paticular

Inuyasha Thinks I'm Sexii Hey it's you-who-has-read-my-other-stories! Yay! I'm glad you like my little role-plays, their fun to write! ;) –Runs over and slaps a sticker on Koga's head that says "Inuyasha Thinks I'm Sexii's property" and pats a confused Koga on the shoulder- There, now you own somebody! (Even if it isn't for real we can still daydream! LOL)

kenshi-mimiroo Man oh man did you just find the way to my heart! I love it when people tell me they love my story! Yeah, I can't wait for the fun part either! –Rubs hands together gleefully-

Ok! So that's all the reviewer replies I think….

Tigress: -Slips into view, eyes nervously darting here and there- "Hey, once again, sorry it took so long to update!" –Looks over her shoulder but sees nothing and once again turns to face the reviewers- "Shhh! I'm hiding from Sesshomaru! He's ah…kinda mad that I pushed him into the pool…"

A large hulking shape looms up behind Tigress without her aware of it-

Tigress: -Nervously shifting her weight from one foot to the other- "So anyway, I hope you all like this chapter! It took some work and I'm not so sure that anyone will like it that much. It's more of a chapter where you get to see a few other sides of the characters and their uncertainties..."

...-Drip. Drip.-

Tigress: -Her eyes widen slightly as she slowly does a complete 360 degree turn to face a very large, very wet, and very angry Sesshomaru and gulps loudly-

...-Drip. Drip.-

Tigress: "Ayiiiieeeee!" –Screams and turns around, running for her life-

Sesshomaru: -Growls deep in his throat and chases after her- "Get back here!"

Tigress's sister, Keiko: -Walks in with her hands in her pockets, whistling, sees what's going on and does a u-ie (U-turn) out of the room, still whistling-

Tigress: -Still screaming and running away- "Ayiiiieeeee! Enjoy the chapter!" –Dashes into the doorway and out of sight with Sesshomaru following, leaving a tell-tale trail of wetness behind-

Chapter Three: Uncertainties

Before: Sesshomaru took one last look around him before he entered the small building. From afar he could see that annoying mutt Yarou scamper across the yard. As he turned around thoughts filled his mind. Thoughts of television, shampoo, cats, and refrigerators. 'I will come back.' He decided in that instant. A small nod accompanied the thought and he faced Kagome, readying herself to jump into the well.

With a small growl he swooped her up bridal style and looked at her. "I have no wish to land on top of you when we reach my era." He said by way of explanation.

She nodded. "Ok then! All you have to do is jump into it!" she directed, still cheerful although a bit breathless from being in his arm.

He nodded grimly back. "Then hold on."

Kagome only had time to wrap her arms around his neck before he jumped, plunging into the well and beyond.

Chapter 3: Uncertainties

"K-Kagome!" the outraged sputter came from behind her as she climbed out of the well and she closed her eyes, recognizing that voice all too well. From behind her she could hear the slight sounds of Sesshomaru making his way up the well, seconds from reaching the top and confronting Inuyasha.

She whirled around, nervous eyes darting to the well and back to the hanyou that now was making his way determinedly towards her.

"You left without telling me? You little idiot! If I hadn't been here something could have been waiting for you to kidnap you!" He was now toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose with Kagome, glaring into her eyes.

"Well what did you expect?" came her equally outraged reply. "First you accused me of wanting to help Naraku then you accused me of wanting to help Koga! So I went home to—"

"Well, well, well. If it isn't my pathetic little brother, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru emerged from the well, planting his feet squarely on the ground and putting a hand on Tokijin.

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha snarled. "Instead of Naraku or Koga you choose to help him?" His indignation washed over Kagome as his golden eyes flashed with anger. Disdainfully he took a small sniff. "Jeez, now you really reek of Sesshomaru!" His hand went to the hilt of Tetsusaiga as he whipped around to face his brother.

"Inuyasha. Do you think you can defeat me?" Sesshomaru asked, as if the possibility was ludicrous. Almost absently he drew Tokijin from its scabbard and stroked the blade, keeping his cold golden eyes upon his opponent.

"You bastard! I bet you kidnapped Kagome!" With a cry of rage Inuyasha withdrew Tetsusaiga from its scabbard, the fang automatically transforming in his hand.

"Stop!" Suddenly Kagome was in between them, a hand held out on each side as the steam almost poured out of her ears. "Inuyasha, Sesshomaru was helping me." She stressed the word "help", hoping it would get through to him.

"Out of the way, Kagome!" he shouted, keeping his poisonous gaze fixed on Sesshomaru, who likewise kept his own gaze on Inuyasha. Neither male seemed to acknowledge or even hear Kagome speaking, which further enraged her.

"Wench," Sesshomaru's words were directed to Kagome, his voice icy and unemotional and his eyes focused on Inuyasha. "My pathetic little brother had not the sense to protect you with his presence before and so I took pains to make sure that you remained unharmed. I will not see my efforts go to waste. Remove yourself from our company."

"How dare you order Kagome around!" Inuyasha shouted out in rage, his eyes throwing daggers at his older brother. "Kagome," his voice softened marginally as he spoke to her, his eyes flickering for less than a millisecond to rest upon her face before returning to keep watch on Sesshomaru, "Go to Miroku and Sango and stay there. I don't want you to witness the killing of my brother. They're at Kaede's village." He didn't seem to realize that he had contradicted himself by doing exactly what he had screamed at his brother not to do…give Kagome orders.

"Inuyasha!" she sighed in exasperation. "Can't you two ever get along like normal brothers?"

"Step aside, wench." Sesshomaru growled, moving forward as if to push the girl out of his way.

"Sesshomaru!" she scolded uselessly, as the Youkai wasn't paying any attention to a thing she said.

Letting out a cry of rage Inuyasha lunged at Sesshomaru, the Tetsusaiga held in both hands and above his head. Kagome darted to the side, her heart pounding, finally realizing that she was just going to have to let them get it out of there system as they had done so many times in the past. Quickly she whirled around to see Sesshomaru bring Tokijin up, blocking the downward motion of Tetsusaiga.

"Fool!" Sesshomaru grit out from between his teeth. "By not fleeing you have sentenced yourself to death!"

Ruthlessly he thrust Tokijin at Inuyasha in a deadly arch, letting out a small grunt when the hanyou leaped into the air to avoid the deadly sword and bring Tetsusaiga down in his own deadly thrust. Effortlessly Sesshomaru whirled around in a complete 360-degree circle to meet the Tetsusaiga, kicking out a leg in vane hope to try and trip Inuyasha and therefore making it easier to run Tokijin through him.

Kagome stood, watching in horror as the two brothers darted around, dodging one blow and thrusting to out deliver another blow. The sound of the swords clashing filled the air; an occasional taunt from one brother to the other punctuated the silence.

"Wind Scar!"

Sesshomaru leaped high into the air, feeling a wave of energy brush by him that lifted the hairs on the back of his neck as he brought Tokijin down in a wickedly fast stroke only to meet empty air as Inuyasha leaped back, using the opportunity to swing Tetsusaiga in such a way that had it actually hit Sesshomaru it would have cleaved the Youkai into two halves.

Landing on his feet Sesshomaru jumped neatly back, deftly avoiding another thrust of the Tetsusaiga and countering that with a swift jab of Tokijin.

"Lord Sesshomaru! I've found you!"

"Rin! Get back here you ungrateful child!"

Kagome swung around to watch a young girl of about seven running across the grass with a toad demon in hot pursuit. It was the same ugly creature that had been with Lord Sesshomaru on a few other occasions that they had met up. But the girl…Kagome studied her intently as she ran across the grass. Her first initial glance had been correct, for the girl looked to be about seven years of age. Long, untidy black hair was held back with two pony-tails and a well taken care of white and orange-checkered garment adorned her.

"Rin," Although he had not looked in her direction or made any other motion to acknowledge her presence Sesshomaru spoke to her, indicating that he indeed knew that she was there now. Skillfully he avoided a death thrust of the Tetsusaiga and darted to the side, lashing out with Tokijin aimed at Inuyasha's chest.

"Get back out of danger, Rin." His voice held no concern or otherwise as he spoke to the young girl, although he purposely backed away some to lure Inuyasha and the fight away.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" the girl asked uncertainly, almost as if she were afraid and asking him to protect her, before doing as he had ordered and scampering well away from the battle.

"It would be wise to retreat now, Inuyasha. I feel like I'll kill you today." Sesshomaru informed coolly.

"You'll never kill me, Sesshomaru! Face it, you're no good." Inuyasha taunted as he thrust Tetsusaiga at Sesshomaru.

"Well well well lookie here. If it isn't Inutrasha and his older brother Sesshomaru." A gruff voice came from a tornado-like formation of dust and wind.

"Koga! What are you doing here?" Kagome whirled around to face the wolf demon.

"Hey Kagome. I was in the neighborhood and decided to drop by." Before she could blink Koga was standing in front of her and taking her hands in his own. "So, when are you finally gonna have enough of this mutt and take your rightful place with me?"

A delicate red blush crept up Kagome's checks. "Koga, I told you, we're just friends!"

He chuckled, completely ignoring the two battling brothers and Rin, who was currently cowering behind Jaken at the sight of Koga.

"Hey you lame excuse for a flea bag! Get away from Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted at Koga as he avoided yet another deadly stroke of Tokijin.

"Oh Inuyasha, while I'm here I might as well remind you! Stay away from Naraku, he's mine!" Koga replied before turning back to Kagome and tugging slightly on her hands to bring her closer to him. "Don't you worry, Kagome. I'll get Naraku for you."

"Lord Sesshomaru! I'm afraid!" Rin's tiny voice floated to them from behind Jaken.

Automatically Sesshomaru leaped up into the air and landed beside Kagome.

"Human. Do not wander off by yourself again. There are other less noble creatures in this world besides me." And with that warning he strode towards the forest, leaving Rin to walk close by his side and Jaken to follow after, complaints streaming out of his mouth.

"Why that coward! He just left 'cause he knew that I was winning!" Inuyasha raged.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome scolded uselessly, trying to pull her hands from a resisting Koga.

"He probably left cause he knew you weren't worth fighting!" Koga snarled.

"Oh yeah? Just try me ya wimpy wolf!"

"I will!"

"Sit!"

A resounding crash filled the air. Kagome sighed in exasperation. "It serves you right! All you ever do is fight! Try learning to talk sometime!"

"Well Kagome. Since mutt-face is busy at the moment I'll be leaving. Be seein' ya." He winked and gave her a two-fingered salute before spinning off in another whirling tornado.

"Koga! Wait up!" Just as the tornado-formation disappeared around a bend two wolf-pack members came sprinting into view.

"Hey Kagome! Can't stay! Gotta catch up with Koga!" one of the wolves shouted out his greeting as he passed by her.

"Hey Sister! See ya later!" The second wolf waved to her.

"Oh, hi boys!" Kagome replied to their greetings and returned their waves. "Boy, Ginta and Hakkaku sure get a lot of exercise chasing Koga around." She remarked absently.

"Ka-go-me!" Inuyasha crawled from the Inuyasha-shaped hole in the ground that he had been (unfairly, in his opinion) sat in.

"Oh, hey Inuyasha. Took you long enough to crawl out from there." she remarked happily. "Common! Let's go meet up with Sango and Miroku."

He followed along silently, slipping his hands into the opposite sleeves of his fire-rat red haori. Damn Kagome. Always sittin' me. Why was she hangin' out with Sesshomaru anyway? She didn't seem to mind his company. And Sesshomaru hates humans so why would he be helping Kagome? Thoughts scrambled through his head as he studied the slender girl before him, who seems oblivious to his thoughts.

He's so quiet. That's not like Inuyasha. What's he thinking? I bet it's nothing good! She thought darkly. Her thoughts deserted her as Kaede's village came into view. It was a quiet little village, well protected by Kaede's powers. It was here in the feudal era that she felt she could most relax in. Here she didn't always have to be on guard. It was sort of like a home away from home. A smile spread across her face as Shippo came into view, running wildly towards her with his arms outstretched.

"Kagome! We didn't know if you'd be coming back or not. You seemed pretty mad at Inuyasha." The tiny fox-demon greeted her as he leaped up into her arms. She laughed. "I was mad for awhile, Shippo, but now I'm not feeling so angry."

Inuyasha muttered something under his breath, too low for Shippo or Kagome to hear him correctly, as he passed by them and went into the village. Sango and Miroku, forewarned of her arrival by Shippo's shouting, came out to greet them and each gave curious looks to Inuyasha as he passed them, too, without saying a word and still muttering things under his breath.

"Whoa what's wrong with him?" Shippo wondered out loud.

"Oh, just ignore him. He's throwing one of his attitudes again." Kagome said airily.

"So that's what Inuyasha was so angry about." Miroku commented as came to a halt a few feet from where Kagome stood. Kagome studied him closely and recognized the redness on his cheek and Sango standing well away from him. Looks like Miroku's been up to his tricks again. She thought, slightly amused.

"Where did you go, Kagome?" Sango tickled Kirara, who was currently making herself comfortable on Sango's shoulder, under the chin.

Unwillingly her thoughts traveled back to Sesshomaru and his two companions, one of whom she knew she didn't like and the other who seemed the least likely companion for the human hating Youkai. Her encounter with him had been…interesting. Certainly her thoughts regarding him had changed their tone somewhat.

"Kagome?" Shippo waved his hand in front of her face.

"Oh!" she blushed. "Sorry. I must be tired from the fight with Inuyasha!" she told the lie with a straight face, mentally crossing her fingers.

"Nevermind." Sango said, laughing. "It's been awhile since we've been here and I'm guessing we can all use a good rest from jewel-shard hunting!"

"Amen to that!" Shippo agreed heartily, then in the next breath, "Did you bring me anything, Kagome?"

"Oh I almost forgot!" She reached into her backpack and pulled out some chocolate. "Here you go."

His face lit up with excitement as he snatched the chocolate and scrambled away with his prize, holding it to his chest as if it were his most prized possession. Nimbly he skipped around a pouting Inuyasha that was sitting at the entrance to Kaede's hut and disappeared inside.

"Where's Kaede?" she had noticed that the old priestess had not come out to greet them.

"I think she went into the forest for something." Sango answered. "Anyway, she left us a pot of stew. Let's go enjoy it while we still can."

"Where are you going?" The question came out more curious than she would have liked. She was aiming for carelessness.

"Naraku has sent for me." Came the emotionless reply.

"Naraku!" Kagura spat out. "What does he want now? We serve him enough already, why does he not solve his own problems?" The question was purely rhetorical. Silently she fell into step beside Kanna, absently looking about.

"Perhaps he wishes my presence to gaze upon the mirror."

"More likely he has conjured up another worthless plan to capture Inuyasha." Bitterness flashed in the wind sorceress' red eyes. When will I be free? Am I forever doomed to follow idiotic plans to end Inuyasha's life?

"He has your heart. You must be careful to say such things when Naraku is near."

Kagura paused briefly before continuing to walk along side her sister, finally reaching the entrance to the room in which Naraku would be. "I shall say whatever I wish, Naraku or no Naraku!" she finally said, defiance in her tone.

"Be that as it may," A gasp escaped from Kagura as she was suddenly wrapped around the waist by one of Naraku's hideous arms that had shot through the entrance and hauled across the room to dangle in front of where Naraku stood, for once not attired in his baboon disguise. "You will obey me. Remember, Kagura, I hold your heart in the palm of my hand." Beads of sweat formed on Kagura's forehead and upper lip and a tortured sound was ripped from her as Naraku's other hand floated in her vision, holding her precious heart and squeezing it. "Do you wish to rejoin with my body?"

"N-no!" she gasped. "Please Naraku!"

With a loud thud she was dropped to the cold stone at Naraku's feet, clutching at her chest and breathing heavily. I hate you Naraku! Someday I will be free from you!

"Come here, Kanna."

Silently his reincarnation strode forward, holding the prized mirror between her hands as she reached him. Without a word he gazed into the mirror, an evil little smile playing upon his lips as Inuyasha appeared, slamming to the ground before a screaming Kagome.

"I have decided to use the girl that Inuyasha travels with, Kagome, to lure him to us."

His eyes snapped to Kagura, who had gathered up her dignity and stood facing him yet again. "First you and Kanna will go to Kikyo. Kanna will use the mirror to suck the souls out of her until she is weak. You will bring her here. Now go." He turned around, dismissing them automatically.

Kikyo? Kagura thought as she rushed out of the room, Kanna following at a steadier pace. What could Naraku want with Kikyo?


"Ye know, Inuyasha, you and Kagome would get along much better if ye would control your temper." Kaede said, plucking some weeds from a small garden.

"Keh. Kagome just doesn't realize how important the jewel shards are to us all. I bet if she had a choice she'd rather say in her world." Inuyasha sat on the ground Indian style, and folded his arms across his chest stubbornly.

"Kagome does have a life. Imagine how hard it would be to keep up with two existences. Ye must try to show her more understanding." The old priestess looked up at him expectantly.

He scowled. "I'll never understand her. One minute she's all happy and laughing, the next she's sitting me! Maybe she should try to understand me more."

She sighed sadly, shaking her head and continuing to pluck the annoying weeds. Inuyasha turned his head to watch Miroku get slapped by Sango and Shippo muttering something under his breath. He wasn't sure but it sounded like "Stupid…"

He turned his back on Sango's shouts of, "You're such a lecher!" and instead stared into the distance, ignoring all the noise. Quietly from behind him came the sound of soft feet walking across the grass towards him, accompanied by the smell of Sakura Blossoms. He made no move to acknowledge her as Kagome came to sit next to him in the grass.

"Inuyasha?" Her voice was hesitant, as if she were afraid that he'd reject her.

Serves her right, with the way she treats me. He thought wickedly. "Yeah whaddaya want?" Hopefully it would be to apologize for sitting him. But she ever did that, so he wasn't going to get his hopes up.

"What'll happen when we finally get the jewel shard all put together and you make your wish?" She made tiny designs in the dirt at her feet as she asked.

He squirmed, looking down at the ground. "I dunno. Why ya wanna know? Already planning on leaving us here?" He asked suspiciously.

"No!" She was quick to deny it. "I was just…curious." Wondering if I would ever see you again…or anyone else. Her thoughts flashed to Sesshomaru, as they had been apt to do ever since he had left. Would she count him in as 'anyone else'? It was more than likely that she would never see him again, seems as how he hated humans so much. But why would he travel around with such a tiny little girl if he hated humans? There was definitely more to him than met the eye. I hope I run into him again. He doesn't seem like such a bad guy. Maybe he's just misunderstood. After all, we've all always believed what Inuyasha has to say about him. Maybe he was wrong.

She shifted, uncomfortable with her thoughts. Inuyasha was one of her best friends, even if they did argue sometimes and she would wish they were more than just friends. Wasn't her true loyalty supposed to be with Inuyasha? He was helping her get back the sacred jewel, even though it wasn't his fault that it was broken into tiny shards. But he has his own plans for it. That's the only reason why he's helping me…Sesshomaru doesn't care about the sacred jewels. He thinks he's strong enough already, which is pretty true.

She shook her head to rid herself of the unwelcome thoughts and peeked at Inuyasha out of the corner of her eye. How could she compare him to Sesshomaru? The two were as different as day and night.

"Kagome." She almost didn't hear Inuyasha, so lost was she in her own thoughts.

"Yes Inuyasha?"

"…You weren't…really…thinking about leaving us here were you?" He looked into her eyes and felt his heart skip a beat. Damn, why don't I just tell her how I feel?

Before she could answer Miroku came strolling up, his cheek still red from where Sango had made her mark. "It's getting kind of dark, and we all think we should turn in. Maybe tomorrow we'll get some more sacred jewel shards but for tonight we all need a good nights rest." He said cheerfully.

Kagome looked around her, a bit startled. She hadn't realized how dark it was getting. Boy, they must have been sitting for quite a long time until Inuyasha asked her that question. Secretly she was glad that Miroku had interrupted them, she didn't know how to answer it.

"You're right." Trying to look like she wasn't in a hurry, Kagome stood up. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

Inuyasha turned around and watched her leave, Miroku trailing behind her and happily telling her that it was the hand that was cursed! Not the mind! Silently he stood up and followed. Oh well. I'll just have to get an answer tomorrow…but it's not like I care if she leaves! All I want is the jewel shards. "Hmph." He slipped his hands in the opposite sleeves and followed them inside.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Look, I caught a fish!" Rin happily flapped a fish in the air, not really caring if he looked or not. It was enough for her that he was with her, and as long as he was with her she was safe.

"Silent foolish girl! Can't you see he's thinking? Why would he want his thoughts interrupted by a disobedient child!" Jaken's high squeaky voice filled the air. "Go and eat your dinner!"

Sesshomaru stood a small distance from the cooking fire, ignoring their constant bickering. Such small trivial things were things he did not need to listen to. Instead he stared up at the stars, golden eyes slightly narrowed as if he indeed were thinking. A light breeze swished through the air, making the fire flicker and the fur next to his face yield to it. He was puzzling over his strange reaction to the human girl, Kagome.

She's just a human. Not worthy of my attention, but why then do I feel the need to protect her? Other thoughts flooded his mind as it leaped from subject to subject. In the future cats are domestic and tame. Animals that smell similar to me don't talk, walk on four legs, and are tamed by humans. Does this mean then, that all species will someday be tamed by humans? How could this be? We are so much stronger then them. I must go back to study this, and ask more questions. He tried to ignore the small spurt of pleasure that took root in him at the thought of being with the girl again.

"No Rin! Give it back!" His thoughts were jerked back to the present as he whirled around to see Rin running in circles carrying the Staff of Two Heads and Jaken desperately following. She could do no harm with it, and so he let her be. Besides, her laughter was an enjoyable sound, one of the few that he took pleasure in. It had been very rare in the beginning to hear her laugh, but now she did it more often.

"Catch me Master Jaken! Catch me!" She laughed abandoned her circles and started zigzagging away, towards the darkness.

"Rin. Do not wander far away from the light." His deep voice penetrated the darkness and caught the girl's attention automatically.

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru!" Just as quickly she turned around and raced back towards the fire, Jaken in hot pursuit.

"Rin! That is not a child's toy! Give it to me before you do something we'll all regret!" Jaken's dire warning brushed off her with no apparent affect as she continued to evade him.

Sesshomaru turned back to studying the sky. The hairs on the back of his neck were suddenly uptight as he gazed suspiciously up at the moon. Something wasn't right. He couldn't smell anything or see anything, but a strange feeling had come over him. From the sounds of Rin's shrieking and Jaken's scolding they didn't seem to have noticed anything. He mentally shrugged the feeling off his shoulders and turned back to the fire. There was time enough to figure out what the feeling was. But until then he had two goals. Get Naraku and go back to that strange time with Kagome. One of those goals would take some time, but, he thought with another spurt of pleasure, the other could be achieved mostly likey he saw the girl again. I'll find her again.

Those were his last thoughts as Jaken finally captured a still giggling Rin and took his staff back. He didn't notice two figures shoot across the sky in what looked like a large feather, traveling towards an unknown destination, inadvertently starting a chain of events that would change his life forever.

Tigress: -Sneaks into the room and looks around warily, panting as if she's been running really fast for a very long time- "Well," –pant pant- "That's it." –Heavy breathing- "It took me long enough to update it," –Wheeze wheeze- "And hopefully it won't take so long next time." –Huff huff-

Sesshomaru: -Comes barging into the room and tackles Tigress-

Tigress: "Gerroff me gerroff me!" –Starts to wiggle away only to be pulled back by Sesshomaru-

Sesshomaru: -Pretends that he doesn't understand what she's saying- "What?"

Tigress: -Struggles to escape- "Gerroff me!"

Sesshomaru: -Laughs evilly- "What's that you say? Grope you? My pleasure." –His hand starts to move-

...-Miroku walks into the room-

Miroku: "Hey now! That's my job!" –Starts to move towards Sesshomaru and Tigress purposely-

...-Sango enters in time to hear Miroku make his remark-

Sango: "Why you little lecher!" –Slaps Miroku-

Miroku: -Holds his cheek where Sango slapped him in the palm of his hand- "I've come to enjoy this pain!"

Sesshomaru: -Is distracted enough for Tigress to pull away slightly and be able to speak clearly-

Tigress: "I said get off me!" –Starts to push at Sesshomaru-

Sesshomaru: -Glowers at her- "I like you where you are."

Tigress: O.O –Is stunned for the slightest moment- "GET OFF ME YOU IDIOT!"

...-Kagome enters and scowls at Sesshomaru-

Kagome: "You know, she said to get off you! She is the author you know!"

Sesshomaru: -Reluctantly gets off Tigress but grabs her wrist to keep her sitting next to him-

Tigress: -Gives Sesshomaru a dirty look- "That's all everyone. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to—"

Sesshomaru: -Ignores the daggers that Tigress is shooting at him with her eyes as he slaps his hand over her mouth to shut her up and finishes her sentence- "Review."

All right, that's the end of this chapter. Hopefully the next one won't be too long in coming. I told several people in reviewer replies that since summer is just around the corner I'll have more time on my hands, although I still have work, I'll be starting my Tae Kwon Do classes, and I got drivers ed. But still I should have enough time to write. Until next time! PS: Don't forget that I alternate between chapters with my other stories, so don't be frustrated if you think I'm taking too long…I'm simply doing my other chapters! Ja-ne!