Kagome journeyed with the demon lord and the child for weeks upon uneventful weeks. Most of the barren lands were places she and Inuyasha had not yet explored. She was half glad, too, that she hadn't. She wasn't entirely sure she could have endured the monotony atmosphere that seemed to consume her for so long as to trudge through them more than once.

The school girl glanced at Rin to find her humming the very song that had beckoned Kagome to her. How, though, she was putting up with the humid weather and dull hours was beyond what Kagome knew.

'Do you want to play a game?' Rin asked after a while.

'I don't know very many,' Kagome put in. 'At least not any that we could play without stopping.' Rin sighed and she took it that the girl did not know any such games either. I wonder why we haven't come across any demons yet?

'Miko.' Kagome started at the youkai's voice; he hadn't spoken all day and it was presently well into the afternoon. 'We are in my lands now and you will do as I say lest I leave you for the weaker demons that roam these lands when the moon rises.'

'Judging by who your demon half comes from you couldn't ward them off for more than a minute,' Jaken added.

'I don't know what you have against him, but I like Inuyasha and you shouldn't insult him. He's just as good a demon as any, better than most! I'll bet if he were to really try, he'd even be better than Sesshoumaru.' Kagome stopped walking. A surprised look had happened across her face. 'I didn't mean-'

'I shall pay no heed to your ramblings, miko. Jaken, if it is at all possible, refrain from speaking.'

Rin giggled. 'He doesn't think very highly of Jaken-sama.'

As the day progressed, so did Kagome's boredom, but as the sun was nearing the horizon a stream of shouts rose up over the hills. 'GIVE ME BACK MY JEWEL SHARD, YOU DAMN BEAST!' The girl's discontentment vanished at the sight of Kouga who seemed to be pursuing a wild horse demon.

'Now, now,' it said. 'It's not nice to call people nasty names. I am Shiyou (SHY- yo)... not "you damn beast".' The horse youkai froze at the sight of Sesshoumaru and his company. Carefully, he approached, his long flaxen hair flowing gracefully behind him. 'Forgive me, my lord. I have given an awful gift, discourtesy, in return for living on your lands.' He bowed deeply and gasped as Kouga attacked him from behind.

'You stole my jewel shard. Give it back!'

'How very unbecoming of you, to attack me with my back turned.' Shiyou's eyes gleamed.

'You're just as maddening as mutt-face!' Kouga yelled as he took another swipe at Shiyou. 'All dogs for that matter are nothing but a nuisance.'

Sesshoumaru, having taken Kouga's words to heart, joined in on the battle.

'I don't know why you're going on about dogs, when you are clearly having battle with a horse demon. Oh, look. You've done it now. Sesshoumaru will have your head.'

'He's too sarcastic for his own good,' Kagome said seriously.

'Kagome?' Kouga asked having heard her voice. 'What are you doing travelling with him?' He raised an eyebrow. 'Well... I suppose it is better than mutt-face.'

'Kouga! Look out!' Kagome screeched as Shiyou hit the wolf youkai over the head with an attack. Kouga fell unconscious.

'That'll teach you,' the horse demon muttered, spitting at an unresponsive Kouga.

'Come, Rin... miko.' Sesshoumaru re-gathered his composure and continued on his way through the tall grass. 'He'll wake up,' he said to Kagome for she didn't move.

... But Kouga did not wake. His heartbeat slowed, instead taking on the pulse of the sacred jewels still in his possession.

A week after their encounter with Shiyou, Kagome began having second thoughts about leaving her friends. She had decided that they were indeed her friends and that she was the one being insensitive. It was then that Kagome realised the horrible reality of daydreaming. She had started creating scenarios that would never happen and adding on to ones that had.

Begin Daydream... (This is something she added onto. It's from chapter three.)

'I'm keeping away from those giddy girls. It's not like I wanted to save them anyway. I didn't even know they existed and could care less even if they do.' Inuyasha shifted his position away from the reincarnated Kikyou.

Kagome knelt down beside him. 'Come on, I know you've got a heart in there somewhere,' she said, poking him in the chest.

Inuyasha looked down at her with an odd expression on his face and Kagome froze. 'You're right,' he said in a quiet voice. 'It's here.' He took Kagome's hand in his and pressed in gently against his chest. Kagome closed her eyes, blushing. She started when he pulled her closer. 'You know what's in my heart, now let me know what's in yours,' he whispered, then kissed her.

End Daydream...

Kagome stopped and looked around at the others with wide eyes. Why am I thinking about kissing Inuyasha?

'Is something wrong, Kagome-san?'

'Oh... um... no. I'm fine.' At least I think I am.

'Sesshoumaru-sama. I think Kagome is not feeling well,' Rin stated even after Kagome's oh-so reassuring answer that she was perfectly fine.

'She'll be missing the half-breed by now. By all means, miko, if you wish to return, I will not hold you back.' The school girl paused to think on this a moment. I could leave. I want to leave, but there's no way I'll find my way back.

'Do you hesitate?' Sesshoumaru queried though the answer was quite obvious.

'I- um... I don't know the way,' the girl said in a small voice.

'Sesshoumaru-sama-'

'No,' he stated without letting her finish.

What am I going to do now? Kagome pondered.

Muaha... ha... haha! I have evil plot twists!

This chapter should clear up any Sesshoumaru/Kagome misunderstandings. I am NOT putting them together and I NEVER will. -sigh- I feel better now.

By the way... I want reviews! -grins- I'm so greedy.