I tried to make it longer but I just wanted to get out a chapter since I haven't wrote in so long. I am pretty pleased with this chapter.

So onward and happy reading.

No matter how pretty the rose there are always a few thorns - From my story Music of the Night.

He stood for a bit just listening to the sounds of the water around him. Not much happening. He must have stood there for a while because he heard the beginnings of everyone waking up. He turned and walked back to camp but not before picking up his clothing and putting it back on.

As he entered camp he walked over to Jaken. "Light the fire and cook these fish."

He dropped the fish at Jaken's feet. Jaken looked confused at his master. Not once in the time he has served his master had he ever seen him able to catch a fish. And here before him is not one but ten fish! He hid his glee carefully for his master held no obligation to killing him over one misplaced comment/joke. He had learned early on not to kid around when it came to Sesshomaru.

"Lord Sesshomaru, you've caught us some fish thank you." She bowed to him in respect then wandered over to help Jaken prepare the fire for the cooking.

He began to wonder on thoughts of how much Rin had grown in such the short amount of time she had been with him. She was at least ten or eleven in human years. Pretty soon things would begin to change within her and how was he supposed to prepare for such things when he himself as a male had never experienced such. He finally made up his mind. He had to have Kagome join him with his group. They would need a woman to help young Rin go through what only women have experienced. It was things like that that made him thank whatever God was up there that he did not have to go through such distasteful stuff.

Silently he slipped away unnoticed. He hoped that young Rin's bodily changes could hold out while they seek out for Kagome. Wouldn't Jaken be surprised that the one he used to call a filthy human has now turned a demon out-ranking him in caliber by more than one could dream only to be almost within matching of this Sesshomaru. To be quite frank she was the closest in caliber to him than any other demon male or female that he has had the pleasure of coming across in the years since his father and mother's deaths.

He decided it was time to seek out fair Kagome while waiting for the slightest hint of Naraku's whereabouts. It would do him a lot of good to have a new pair of ears, eyes, and nose matching his to help for his search although he would never admit to such a weakness to a female of her status.

On his way back to camp he pulled out the blossom left behind and smelled it once more before he hastily stuck it back into the folds of his clothing lest Jaken or Rin should see him doing something so feminine. Even if it was a gift from one, or at least he assumed.

He came back to find all of the food devoured. "Jaken we are leaving."

He waited patiently while Jaken and Rin gathered all of the belongings carelessly thrown around into the bag Rin had adopted the last time she had seen Kagome.

Kagome. He inhaled again searching for the scent of the fragrant flower waiting patiently in the folds of his haori. And if she refused he had a plan. You will be mine.

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"Shippo stop splashing me and Sango." She giggled as he jumped around slapping his arms like a bird into the water.

He stuck out his tongue, slapped the water one last time before running away. He wasn't fast enough because no sooner than had he turned to go she had a hold of his arm pulling him back into her lap.

"Here Shippo lets wash your hair with this fragrant stuff Kagome has graciously provided for us." For some reason she had the urge to pull his tiny body close and keep him away from Sango. Before she could stop it a small growl escaped from her and Shippo turned around with concern in his eyes as to what she was growling at. Sango must not have noticed because she kept on digging in the bag for the shampoo.

"Okaa-san?" He questioned. She snapped out of it and put him into Sango's awaiting arms. It must come with being a demon the protectiveness of it all. She decided nothing a good swim couldn't cure so she swam a ways away from them to ponder this new outcome. She must have been wandering in the water for a bit because next thing she knew Sango was hollering out to her telling her that they were heading back to camp. She decided to let them go and be alone for a bit.

She had a lot to think about. When she was sure she was alone she wandered back to where her new backpack was and proceeded to wash her hair and body.

Wasn't it natural for a demon to be protective of their young? Well as she considered Shippo now after all they had been through together. She loved him like her were her own son. She would have to remember to thank Inuyasha for that before she killed him. It was only proper since Shippo had become the only thing for her to enjoy other than her womanly talks with Sango.

As she sat there she began to wish she had never heard of the Shikon no Tama, Inuyasha, or Naraku. But most of all the Shikon No tama because it was because of it she was thrown into this world five hundred years into the past.

She remembered back to times when she was naïve enough to believe her and Inuyasha actually could have a future together. Sure a few times they had, had a couple of moments and she had found herself wishing they could be together, but she realized just how foolish wishful thinking had become. Another thing to praise Inuyasha for was that if she had never come across him she would never have met Sango or Miroku to begin with. Nor would they have ever had the chance to see just how much they were meant for each other. She had truly grown up in the past two or so years she had spent in the feudal era.

All her thoughts brought her back to how she still had the intended mark on her shoulder. Through the past few weeks she had begun thinking of ways to get rid of it. But each time it consisted of trying to purify herself which would result in her own death. So ultimately there was no way except for the one who made it to take it away or for that person to die she preferred the latter as to she never wanted his grubby hands on her again. She only wished she hadn't been so unbelieving of her own heart when it told her that every time he had looked at her with what she thought was the beginnings of love in his eyes, it was Kikyo he saw every time.

Oh how she had hated walking in the shadow of his beloved Kikyo. Of how every time she knew he was with her, she feigned ignorance and shoved it aside telling herself that he would come around. She had been stupid then and if anything showed now she had become smarter in her own foolish ways. Ways that involved heartbreak, lies, and ultimately the death of her soul.

There was only one word to describe her as she once stood contrasting to how she stood now. Foolish. It was foolishness that got her here in the first place. Foolishness that allowed Inuyasha to run her life. Foolishness that made her believe the stood a chance. Foolishness that caused her to believe it was for the good of the people. If she had learned anything in her time here it was, no one is that selfless without a price. That price being her freedom.

She looked into the water at her own reflection. Blue eyes with hints of silver in their watery depths stared back at her speaking in volumes unknown to her of what pain and sorrow she had been through. Angrily she swiped at the reflection leaving that water in ripples before standing up and walking to the shore to get dressed. She noticed her clothes her still a little wet from their wash but she put them on anyway, and she was running low on shampoo and condition along with other needs. Soon she would have to return to the village with her group and go back to her time and restock. She safely assumed no one would recognize her in her new appearance seeing as everyone there assumed she was dead slaughtered along with her family. The thought had her clenching her fists stabbing her nails deep into her palms. She opened them to watch as lowly her black blood trickled out. Blood balanced between purity and darkness. Blood that could eventually kill her if left uncontrolled. She licked it up enjoying the flavor then turned her attention back to it as the wound healed itself over in a matter of seconds. It was a wonder how much more versatile your body was when you were demon. She was happy with her new appearance but not with the memories of why it was there.

"Inuyasha." She growled out.

"Funny you still growl out that name." She looked up in alarm and saw Sesshomaru standing some fifty feet away.

"What is it you need?"

He was before her in a flash with his hand clenched around her throat squeezing. "I would think that being a demon would have given you a better sense of respect for this Sesshomaru."

She kept her face impassive and unwavering as his grip tightened.

"Do you understand?" He commanded squeezing a bit tighter. She nodded and he let go of her throat. She pushed aside the urge to rub her throat were his hand had held it tightly. "Yes Sesshomaru-sama."

His face stayed the unemotional way. "So what brings you here on this lovely day Sesshomaru- sama?" She added quickly.

"You are to come with me."

"You can't just order me around no matter how high in status you claim to be."

He smirked. "You belong to the Taisho's."

She let the confusion spread on her face, and then said, "I belong to no one."

He let it slide but pointed faintly to the mark no one would be able to see since it wasn't enough to mark a steady claim seeing as it was only the intended mark. "That mark says you belong to that half-blood Inuyasha who unfortunately is related to me so until he finishes his claim you therefore belong to anyone in the Taisho's intermediate family. Me being the only remaining one other than Inuyasha himself mostly since you deny him. Either way you now belong to me."

She stood dumbfounded as she took in all of this information. She thought she had belonged only to Inuyasha with whom she refused so therefore she belonged to no one. Evidently she was wrong. "What if I refuse to go with you?"

"I kill you."

Since she wanted to live to kill Inuyasha she would just have to flow with this. For a little while at least. "I guess putting it that way I have to accept but under one condition." There was a pregnant pause which he took to raise one perfectly sculpted brow while waiting for her request. "You have to allow Shippo, Sango, and Miroku to come with me."

If he was pondering her request he seemed not to show it. "Fine but since they belong to you, they now belong to me and you will tell them their place or I will be forced to kill them." She kept her face set and bowed before turning away grabbing a bag similar to the one Rin carries.

"Where do you think your going?"

"To get my belongings." She said without stopping.

"I will accompany you to make sure it is all done in due time, for we will be returning to the Western Lands shortly."

She kept walking and hardly seeming to notice that he was walking beside her his long stride matching hers step for step.

When they returned to camp she noticed a fire going and food cooked waiting. She decided to ask Sesshomaru to wait while she broke the news to them all.

She stopped suddenly. "Sesshomaru." He didn't acknowledge her. She rolled her eyes. "Sesshomaru-sama."

He stopped this time but only questioned her with an eyebrow. "Do you mind if you wait here while I tell them?"

He gave her a look up and down before turning away and retracing back into the woods. The look had given her shivers and left her uncomfortable.

She continued on to where everyone was gathered by the fire aware that the whole time eyes were on her back.

When she made it to the circle she spoke. "I need to tell you guys something that matters greatly on our mission." They all gave her inquiring glances. She cleared her throat before resuming. "Evidently I belong to the Taisho's."

"Meaning?" Questioned Miroku.

"Meaning that I belong to Sesshomaru and he has requested I go with him or die. I wish for you to accompany me."

"Yeah we would do anything for you Kagome." Sango said with confidence that Kagome admired. "You showed us what a sleaze Inuyasha was. We trust you to keep us safe with Sesshomaru."

"Yeah." Piped up Shippo.

"Well being as you all have been with me for so long and you all wear my scent on you, you are considered mine and everything mine is his. I just want you all to make sure you watch what you do around him and try to stay out of trouble. He has already told me he would have no qualms about killing any of you. If you do not wish to follow with me I will show no remorse in your decision but I will see to it you make it safely back to Kaede's village. I only wish for the safety of you."

"We are not allowing you to go alone with him. We all are supposed to have an equal share in killing Naraku. We will follow you anywhere you lead us. We trust you Kagome."

She felt a little weight at dragging them with her but she pushed it away. "Sesshomaru-sama you can come out now."

He showed up right behind her. She didn't jump because she had expected it.

"We re to leave soon. I will be back within the hour." He then left.

She assumed he was going to get Rin and Jaken.

They waited patiently for Sesshomaru to return.

When he did her ordered for Shippo, Sango, and Miroku to ride on Kirara, Jaken to accompany Rin on Ah-Un the two headed dragon and for her to ride on his cloud. No one objected and they soon made their way.

She closed her eyes and swallowed while they departed for the Western Lands. This was going to be a bumpy ride from here on out.

Man I am tired I was up until 5:00 this moring and I then got up at 9:45 ish. I am tired and I had planned on coming home to sleep for a bit. But I felt really guilty about not updating so I made myself stay awake and write a chapter. I know it isn't as long as I would have pleased but it is all good. I am just proud that what I wrote didn't end up a bunch of pointless mush.

I also felt that I was making Sesshomaru a little OOC. I hope I made up for it in this chapter while keeping him true to himself.

Well review...please.

Ja ne
XOXOXO
Raining Tear Drops