Sesshoumaru came to a halt and stared for a moment at the girl before asking, 'Why are you here?'

Kagome stuttered, lost for words. Feeling rather embarrassed, she hung her head and fell content with monitoring the ground. I can't possibly tell him. He's... well. He's Sesshoumaru! 'I've- sort of... run away.' The youkai arched an eyebrow at this information, but allowed her to continue. 'I... well, if it weren't for Inuyasha I could go home!' She raised her head, glaring at Sesshoumaru as if this might be his fault. 'He did something! Shippou said it, Sango didn't need to say it. They all knew something that I didn't!' Kagome cringed again at her new found anger. She lowered her voice and was looking off into the woods when she began to speak again. 'They're keeping secrets from me. They aren't my friends. I can't go home.' The girl sank to her knees, and with her face in her hands, began to cry.

'Sesshoumaru-sama, we can't just leave her,' Rin started.

'We can. And we will,' the demon said quietly as he turned his back to them both. 'Come, Rin. We are leaving now.'

'I... but-'

'No.' Sesshoumaru didn't need to raise his voice to make it clear that he was not happy with the girl.

Rin stomped off in the opposite direction of the inu youkai, letting her bouquet of flowers fall in a heap as she passed Kagome. Kagome sniffled and glanced at the fallen flowers. 'I think they were meant for you,' she said. Sesshoumaru did not reply. 'She must mean a lot to you for you to have taken her in. The way Inuyasha makes it out-'

'I do not care to hear the half breed's name... nor do I care to be in one's presence.'

Kagome sighed. Is this what they wanted to tell me? Is this what Sango started to say? I don't get it. 'How am I a- a half-breed?'

Kagome's question, however, went unanswered for it was then that Jaken appeared, Rin at his side. 'I am sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama,' she whispered.

'See,' Jaken piped up. 'No harm done. That you would disobey your lord and master is nothing less than the greatest of surprises. He saved you, you ungrateful-'

'That is enough, Jaken.'

'Yes, my lord. Of course.'

'Come, Rin. We are leaving.' Rin started after Sesshoumaru in an all out pout. 'Miko.' Kagome looked up at the demon's back. 'You are coming, aren't you?' Rin clapped her hands together in an act of joy.

'Huh? You're letting me...' she trailed off. Sesshoumaru headed off once more in the direction from whence he came. Kagome got up from the ground and followed after them. She couldn't help but grin at the small girl's continuous thank yous.

Inuyasha slammed a fist into the defenceless wall in absolute frustration. 'Why didn't you tell her? You had three days to tell her!'

'Oh, I don't know.' The demon slayer glowered. 'Maybe because now she's acquired the same listening problem as you.'

'I-'

'She has a point,' Shippou said wryly. His heart, though, wasn't in teasing Inuyasha at present. He had instead occupied himself with the crayons Kagome had given him not too long ago.

'You know, maybe it would be better if we focused our energies on finding Kagome,' Miroku stated. 'Versus arguing, that is.'

'Quiet, monk. No one asked you,' Inuyasha barked.

Miroku shrugged. 'I was merely trying to help.'

'She probably wouldn't have run away if she could go home,' Shippou declared unhelpfully.

The hanyou twitched. 'How was I supposed to know she wouldn't be able to go home?' After all, I can travel through the well, can't I? Inuyasha sighed and pivoted around to face the doorway. 'I'll be back before dusk.' Looking more than a little disheartened, he left the hut and set off looking for Kagome once more.

Sesshoumaru ambled down the path in perfect silence, subconsciously avoiding twigs and dead leaves. Maybe I can use the girl to get to that thick-headed half breed and the sword he is not worthy to wield. Could the Tetsusaiga know a false intention? The youkai's lips curled up into a slight smile.

'My lord, you're- you're smiling?' Jaken stumbled over the words. Sesshoumaru ignored his servant with practiced ease and continued on his way west.

Meanwhile, Rin and Kagome were becoming fast friends. Kagome learned of the child's horrible past, of the wolves and of Sesshoumaru's curious benevolence. Rin discovered how Kagome had come to feudal Japan; something to which she listened in awe. By dusk Kagome found herself thinking of hot springs and of food. Before she had finished her debate about whether ask when they would be stopping for the night, though, Rin spoke up.

'Sesshoumaru-sama?'

'Yes, Rin?'

'I'm hungry.'

'There is a stream ahead.' Rin smiled and as was in her girlish personality, began to skip along side Sesshoumaru. Upon reaching the stream, that in truth was more like a river, the youkai situated himself against a pine while Rin and Kagome made amusing attempts at catching fish. Jaken couldn't help but mock them.

'Pathetic for even a human.'

After eating a small dinner, the girls explored the river banks and came across a conveniently located hot spring.

'Ooo... yay!' Rin said as she untied her kimono, ready to jump in. Kagome, too, was thrilled at the oppourtunity to have a bath and a warm one at that.

Sesshoumaru, who had nodded off some time ago, lifted his head at a peculiar yet familiar scent. Inuyasha. And, appropriately the inu-hanyou arrived with a cutting look on his face. 'Where is she?' he queried.

Sesshoumaru did not respond.

'Her scent is all over this clearing.'

'Your miko has decided to travel with us.'

'And you-' Inuyasha paused, trying to process this statement. 'You let her.'

'I can not deny Rin a friend.'

'Who knew you had it in you.' He grinned.

'Inuyasha!' Kagome exclaimed as she and a young girl made way through a gathering of tree branches.

'What the hell are you thinking running away like that?

'Who do you think you are! Osuwari!'

The hanyou mumbled, 'Right in front of my brother.'

'I did say your miko made this decision and not I,' said Sesshoumaru with a rather amused look plastered on his face. That his younger brother should be enslaved by a mere necklace made the youkai think even less of him.

'Fine! You take her and...' He reached for Rin, grabbing her by the arm, and pulling her to him.

Almost quicker than Kagome could see, Sesshoumaru had ended up standing but an inch from his half brother. He swiftly took hold of Tetsusaiga and pulled it from its sheath. I thought so. At this notion, however, the sword once again raised its barrier, forcing Sesshoumaru to let go. Inuyasha snatched at his fang (the sword), releasing Rin in the process.

'Feh. If this is what you want then so be it,' he snapped at Kagome. And he left.

'Sesshoumaru-sama! You saved me!' Rin ran at the youkai with arms outstretched and gifted him with a hug.

'So she's travelling with Sesshoumaru.' Kaede gazed almost absentmindedly into her stew.

'This can't be good,' Miroku stated.

'What could make her want to go with him?' Sango questioned. 'With Sesshoumaru?'

Inuyasha spent that night under the stars where Shippou wouldn't poke, prod, or ask question him. Miroku stayed up too, thinking of how they might persuade Kagome to come back. The demon slayer slept uneasily, and this Kirara noticed for she mewed several times throughout the hours of darkness. Shippou, however, seemed almost unaffected... or else trying to do as Inuyasha had once told him and conceal his tears- his emotions.

SailorMSoldier- YesI doand I'm proud of you. -laughs- I've been thinking about pairings though and going off of the anime, it would seem that Rin likes Kohaku.

COMING NEXT... CHAPTER NINE! Guess what. I've no name for thisone either. Not yet. And it might be a while. This coming week is going to be very busy for me.