Author's Note: Dang, I've done a lot of writing this week! If feels good to get back in the story zone! So without further ado, a fluffy chapter...sort of!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or affiliated with Inuyasha, however, this particular story is M-I-N-E! :)

Follow Me

"Ouch! Hey you, I breathe with that!" Inuyasha barked as Kanna put pressure on the slowly healing wound that covered the taiyoukai's chest.

"I did not think youaki were so fragile," the girl remarked blandly. "Why do you heal so slowly?"

"Those blades were coated in some kinda poison. I should be fine in a couple of days…if someone would just leave me alone!" Inuyasha growled and swatted the girl's hand away.

Kanna did not argue, but rose to her feet and replied, "I will go procure some food, then."

"Pain in the ass," the taiyoukai grumbled, turning over on his side so his back faced the girl.

"Yes, you are," the hanyou huffed, as she stalked off toward the village.

Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder to make sure the girl was gone before slowly rising to his feet. His wounds had healed enough for him to walk, and for now, that would have to do. Staying longer would only waste time, and he needed to get back as soon as possible.

A familiar scent soon caught his attention as he made his way towards aclearing in the woods. In no time at all, he was facing his loud and annoying vassal, who had been busy plucking flower petals and murmuring about Inuyasha abandoning him. A good, firm kick sent the imp flying skyward, and Inuyasha called out, "I was wounded you, dumbass! Keep that up and I really will abandon you!"

"Oh, my lord! I'm so glad you have returned!" The imp exclaimed, once he had landed, and scurried back to cry at the taiyoukai's feet.

"Keh!" Inuyasha muttered as he glanced back in the direction he had come.

Suddenly, his eyes went wide. The taiyoukai smelled blood…and he recognized that blood.

Ignoring the pain in his chest, Inuyasha dashed through the forest as Jakken called out loudly for his master to wait. That stupid kid had gone and gotten herself in trouble!

I'm gone for twenty minutes and look what happens! That girl better be grateful when I rescue her!

Inuyasha ran faster and soon came upon the girl huddled on the ground with her hands covering her head as a large wolf hovered near her, fangs bared. Inuyasha dove at the animal, and with one swipe of his claws, the wolf was dispatched. The taiyoukai landed in a crouch next to the girl and gently picked her up as he examined her for wounds. Inuyasha breathed a sigh of relief, as he noticed that the only wounds she had were scratches from branches and a few cuts on the bottoms of her feet. He slowly laid her down and growled, "Stupid kid! Don't scare me like that agai—"

Inuyasha was not able to finish his sentence, for at that moment, a very large and very heavy object hit him at full force and knocked him to the ground. The taiyoukai then found himself staring into the faces of a snarling, two-headed dragon, who had opened its mouths, ready to douse him in fire.

"Ah-Un, no! Down now!" Kanna firmly called, catching the dragon's attention.

"What the—He's yours?!" Inuyasha gave the girl a stunned look as the dragon backed off and entwined its heads around the kneeling Kanna.

"My father's. It is ok Ah-Un, he is a friend," the girl petted the large muzzles with her tiny hand.

"Hmph…I dunno about friend…" Inuyasha gave the dragon a measuring look before abruptly getting up and stalking toward the girl.

"Listen here, kid," he jabbed a finger at Kanna, "don't just go helping every youkai hard-case you come across! Chances are, you're gonna get eaten, got that?"

The young girl blushed and looked away, but nodded nevertheless. Inuyasha let out a loud groan and crouched so she was at eye level. "Don't you got anybody to look after ya?" he asked sincerely.

"They are dead or have abandoned me," Kanna spat bitterly. "It is just me and Ah-Un."

"What about the villagers?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"They want nothing to do with a hanyou." Kanna turned away and started patting Ah-Un's muzzles.

Inuyasha stared at the child that certainly did not act like a child. When he left, she'd be all by herself, and chances were she wouldn't make it past winter.

"…Do you want to go with me?" he asked before he could stop himself.

Wide, hopeful eyes met his, and in that moment, he didn't want to take back his words. "You're gonna have to keep up though! You get your own food and take care of your own things, got it?" he stated gruffly, turning his back on her. "You need to get anything back home, or are you ready to go?"

"No, the only things I have of importance are Ah-Un, and…this," she said, pulling a small round object out of the dragon's saddle bag. Inuyasha glanced back to find her holding a mirror. "What's that? A keepsake?"

"Yes. Father said it is very powerful."

Inuyasha was slightly intrigued. "What does it do?"

Kanna gazed at him with a serious expression and said, "It is a window to another world."

XXX

Kagome was worried. It had been some time since Sesshomaru had left, and the young priestess was wondering if it had been a good idea to let him go alone while Naraku was still lurking about. Kagome sighed and gazed up at the waning crescent that loomed high above the earth. She had thought a good long while about what Izayoi said, and in truth, she was right. Kagome had still not given up on going home, and when she did, then she would be separated from Sesshomaru forever. Well, Sesshomaru would be there, but it wouldn't be the same. As far as Kagome knew, the Sesshomaru in her world hated her guts, or at the very least saw her as an eyesore. She had always seen the imposing youkai as a threat to Inuyasha, so she had never given much thought to who he was. Could it be possible that underneath that cold and cruel façade, there was a loyal and caring man?

"Kagome, why are you still awake?" a deep male voice spoke from the doorway to her veranda.

Kagome instantly recognized the commanding tone, and quickly stood to greet him. "Oh, you're finally back! I was so worried! Did you find Inuyasha?"

"Hnn. He was injured, so I left him to be treated," the hanyou answered as he joined her at the edge of the balcony.

"Will he be alright?" Kagome gasped, fearfully. Though he was different, he was still Inuyasha.

"Do not concern yourself with him. This experience will teach him a lesson." Sesshomaru answered dully. It was obvious he was not pleased with her concern.

Kagome let out a sigh, then hesitantly wrapped herself around his good arm. "I'm glad he's ok. Thank you for checking on him," she spoke softly, rubbing her cheek against his sleeve.

Sesshomaru stilled, then turned his gaze to meet hers. A moment of understanding passed between them, before Kagome tentatively raised herself on tip-toes and gently brushed her lips against his in a feather-light kiss. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for everything."

She put all her feelings from the last month into those words, and hoped he had understood just how grateful she was. Sesshomaru's eyes softened, and a slow nod confirmed that he did.

"I may not always have the answers, Kagome…but will you still follow me?" he asked quietly, keeping his eyes locked with hers.

A slow, stunning smile spread across the young woman's face as she answered, "You don't even need to ask."

Another Author Note: I know it's kinda short, but bear with me! On a side note, I will be changing the art for this fic soon so DO NOT PANIC! You are reading the right fic! :) Also, if any of you can find the Disney refrence I used in the last chapter, then you get imaginary cookies!