You guys rock!!!!! My reviews are in the 40's and I can't be any happier, so thank you!! Anyway, right now, I am a gimp. I have either tendonitis in my foot, or a stress fracture. The only real plus is that I'm out of work until Tuesday morning.(I work at Target from 3a to whenever)

I just finished this chapter, so I hope you like it. By the way, I DO have a reason for the shared dream, because it comes into play with a crucial scene later on, but I still haven't figured out why it's happening, so please bare with me.

And Kate? New chapter, so can you please repeal your death threat? Please?

Chapter Four

"What are you doing here, Human?"

"I don't even know where here is."

"This is one of my memories."

"You mean that I'm in your dream?"

"You are," he replied.

"How old were you?"

"Seven, by human standards."

She looked at him again and saw that he was totally engrossed in the scene that was playing out in front of the two. Sighing, she looked on as well.

"Please wait, Young Sir," the servant begged.

"But Oryn, they promised to help me practice my fighting skills," the child whined.

"I can assist you."

"But Papa is a better fighter than anyone in the whole world!"

"True, but your parents are meeting with the mikos that reside near the Western border," Oryn explained.

"Mikos?" Sesshoumaru asked as he plopped down onto the floor. "What are mikos?"

"Well, a miko is a high priestess. She has the ability to use magic as well as purify demons."

"But if they can destroy us, why are Mama and Papa meeting with them?"

"That is precisely the reason, Child. They have grievances, so your father, as the Taiyoukai, are working it out so that they don't get angry."

"Oh." He paused. "Can I wait outside the door?"

"If you wish, but you must not say a word."

Excited, the pup jumped to his feet and took off down the hall yet again, followed by the old demon, sighing the whole way.

"You were so cute!" Kagome cried, catching the demon off-guard.

"Did you just call me cute?"

"What?! You were absolutely adorable. I just wanna pinch your cheeks."

"You may want to reconsider."

"Kidding! I was kidding."

Rolling his eyes, he again watched the memory unfold.

During their meeting, Inu Taisho and Lady Narai picked up on their only child's energyas he raced down the corridor and stopped in front of the door. They also noticed the scent of apprehension, but weren't worried, considering that Sesshoumaru had never before met a miko.

With a slight nod to his mate, the pair kept their senses alert to be on the safe side.

"Forgive me. Where were we?"

'Wow. He looks like his father, but he's practically a male carbon copy of his mother," she thought.

Kagome then turned toward Sesshoumaru, who was completely focused on the dream.

'It's as if he's never experienced this before. Wait. Does he not remember this?'

She watched with a new intensity.

When Sesshoumaru reached the room, he stopped in his tracks when he felt the auras radiating from the humans standing by the door. Oryn then caught up with the child, accidentally bumping into one of the mikos.

"Forgive this old servant, Lady Miko."

"Whatever, Old Man."

Suddenly, another servant, one who had been carrying a tray of tea, tripped and the tray fell to the ground, slashing the same miko with said tea. Sesshoumaru's apprehension fluctuated a bit as she glared daggers at the servant.

"Well, aren't you going to apologize to my sister?" The other miko was met with silence.

"I think he did that on purpose, Sister."

"I think that you are right. He ought to learn some manners." The miko reached out to grab the servant when the Western Heir grabbed hold of her arm.

"Stop! He didn't mean to do it. He is unable to speak!"

"Sasha, who is this little mutt?"

"I don't know, but he needs to be taught a lesson. With that, she pried his arm off her sister, lifted the pup by the hair and pressed him roughly against the wall, making him yelp in both fear and surprise. "And I will be the one to teach you, you little whelp." She smiled evilly, sending chills shooting down his spine.

Her hand began to glow an intense blue color that truly terrified him, sensing that she was preparing to use her purification powers. She was poised to strike him when he suddenly fell to the ground in a heap, only to be scooped up into the arms of his mother.

"Mama?" He looked up to see Narai hug him tightly, refusing to let go. He then turned to see his mighty father slam the miko against the wall by her throat, actually putting a deep dent in the wall.

"Don't you ever put your hands on my son or so help me, I will annihilate every last one of you," the Demon Lord growled dangerously, his eyes flashing crimson.

"Y-Your s-son?" she choked.

"This meeting is over. Get out of my home and leave my lands at once. I will give you until sundown."

"But-"the leader began.

"Unless you wish to die by hands right here and now, you will heed my warning and do as I say."

He dropped the offending miko and went over to his son, lifting him into his arms. The woman looked at the family as well as the onlookers before leaving.

Inu Taisho turned to his child. "Are you hurt, Sess?"

"I-I don't know. Did she really try to purify me, Papa?" Instead of answering, his father tightened his hold on his only son. When he did, however, he felt his child wince in pain and grab his forearm.

"What is it?"

"My arm hurts really badly."

"Let me see," Narai said softly. She gasped when he held his arm out to her. "Darling, take a look at this." On his arm was a hand-shaped burn. "This is a serious burn, Taisho."

"He put his son down and turned to his mate. "Take him to your brother, Love. I am going to make sure that are off my lands by nightfall." He turned and left, with one last look at his precious family.

Suddenly, the scent of tears flooded the pup's senses. He turned toward his mother to see her fall to the ground, silver bangs covering her eyes.

"Mama?" Before he knew it, Sesshoumaru was pulled into his mother's tight embrace, her tears staining his sleeve. "Mama, what's wrong?"

"I'm just happy that you are okay, my child. When I heard you cry out like that and sensed the fear, I was so afraid."

"Please don't cry Mama. I'm fine. Really."

After a moment to calm herself, the Lady of the House rose to her feet, taking her son's hand in her own.

"Let us go see your uncle an have him tend to this burn you have." The two headed toward the infirmary.

Kagome turned to see the Western Lord deep in thought.

"You don't remember this, do you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"I remember very little before my mother's death."

"You look so much like her."

"Rojin tells me that quite often." He paused to think. "I am almost grateful for this illness. I have virtually no memories of my mother. I had nearly forgotten what she looked like."

"Did the mikos leave the Western Lands as your father ordered?"

"You will not mention those witches in my presence. Understand?"

Suddenly, they both began to flicker, before disappearing completely.

##########################end dream####################################

Kagome jumped awake and ran toward Sesshoumaru's room in one fluid motion. Entering his room, she saw that he was nowhere to be seen. She was about to call his name when he entered the main room.

She blushed a deep crimson upon seeing him. He had changed his clothes and had yet to fully close his haori, revealing his finely tones chest. He grabbed his hair and pulled it out from under the top, allowing it to cascade freely over his shoulders and down his back like an ivory waterfall.

Deciding to play off her discomfort, Kagome said, "Nice outfit, Sesshoumaru."

"I wouldn't comment on my choice of attire without first looking at your own."

"What do you mean?" She looked down and practically fainted. She had entered Sesshoumaru's room wearing nothing but a very short T-shirt, socks, and a pair of underwear, which, much to her utter humiliation, sported the picture of a puppy on the front and the phrase 'Bite Me' on the butt.

"Care to repeat your little comment?" His face was as indifferent as usual, however his eyes told a different story.

"Oh, my God, you're laughing at me!"

"I don't laugh, Human."

"Maybe not on the outside, but you are so laughing on the inside! I can see it in your eyes!"

The Inuyoukai was about to respond when something caught his attention. 'It's about time that idiot realized what was happening,' he thought.

"You should get dressed. Our guests will be here within the hour." Nodding, Kagome left the room.

Sesshoumaru watched the girl as she left, observing her curves and how well the shirl hugged them.

"How indecent," he murmured.

"SESSHOUMARU!! LET US IN, YOU BASTARD!!!" Sango, Miroku, and Shippo sighed as the half-demon continued beating the door and screaming.

He kept pounding until the door suddenly opened, surprising the group and sending Inuyasha falling to the ground. They cast each other cautious glances before slowly entering.

"My, you have certainly grown quite a bit since the last time I saw you, Master Inuyasha," Came a voice.

"It couldn't be." Inuyasha turned to see Rojin standing beside him. "Uncle?"

"It is I, Young One. Are you here to see Lady Kagoome?"

"Lady?" they all asked.

"This is your uncle, Inuyasha? I thought that your brother was your only living blood relative," Miroku said.

"He is. Rojin is actually Sesshoumaru's uncle. His mother's brother."

"Then why do you call him uncle?" Sango wondered.

"I prefer for young'ns to call me Uncle."

"Me, too?" Shippo asked.

"Yes, you too, Little Kit."

"Where's Kagome?"

"He room, I believe. I will take you there."

The group was nearly to the room when Kira's voice called to them.

"Come to tend to the Lady, Miss Kira?"

Inuyasha's eyes grew as he whipped around to face the voice's owner. "Kira?! Is that really you?"

She stopped dead and gasped at the sight. "By the Gods!" She threw her arms around the half-demon. "I haven't seen you in forever, Inuyasha!"

"It's great to see you too, Kira, but what the hell are you still doing here? I would have thought that you'd be mated caring for kits of your own by now, not working for my bastard brother."

"Well, you see, my love died last winter, so Lord Sesshoumaru offered to have me return to his service. I tend to his special guests."

"I apologize for interrupting, but are you saying that Kagome is a special guest?" Miroku wondered.

"Very much so." She paused. "Oh! Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Kagome are waiting in the main hall for your arrival. I'll bring you there."

"Don't worry Kira. I know how to get there."

"Are you sure, Young One?" Rojin asked.

"Positive."

"Well then, off you go."

"Thanks, Uncle." To Kira, he said, "Come find me. We have a lot of catching up to do."

"I will try." With that, they headed for the great hall.

Once there, Inuyasha opened the hall doors to see the miko and the Demon Lord sitting beside each other at a large table.

"I see you still know your way around, Little Brother," Sesshoumaru stated dryly.

"And I see you're still an asshole, Big Brother," Inuyasha retorted, equally as dry. He then turned toward Kagome. "What the HELL are you doing here?!"

"The human is her per my request," the elder brother answered.

"Why?" Sango asked meekly, nervous in the Taiyoukai's presence.

"She's-"

"I'm helping his ward!" she blurted out. "She's quite sick and I'm helping her get better."

No one in the room missed the shocked expression break through Sesshoumaru's mask of indifference. His eyes practically doubled in size as he stared at the girl, who had suddenly found great interest in the color nail polish she had chosen.

"Well, as long as you are safe, Kagome," Miroku stated, changing the subject.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine." She looked up and smiled. "No need to worry about me."

"I will allow you to stay here for two nights, no more. Inuyasha, I assume that you can find the guest quarters."

"Um, Sesshoumaru? Can Shippo stay with me in my room?"

"The kit?" She nodded. "Very well. Her room is directly across from mine."

"You put her in your old room?" Inuyasha yelled, hurting his brother's ears.

"Actually, it was Rojin who placed her there. Now bring the kit to her room and find your own. The miko and I have much to discuss."

To Shippo, Kagome said," I'll be there shortly. I have some chocolate in my bag that you can have while you wait." He agreed as they left the room.

When Sesshoumaru sensed that the group was out of hearing range, he turned his intensely golden gaze to Kagome.

"Why did you lie?" She looked down again, causing the Inuyoukai to grab her chin in his hand and turn her head until her steel eyes met his. "Answer me. Why did you lie to your allies?"

"Pride," she whispered.

"Explain," he ordered as he removed his hand.

"I knew that you didn't want them to know you're in a weakened condition at the moment." She fidgeted a moment before slowly rising. "I should go tell everyone to play along. I guess I'll see you at dinner."

"Stop." She was at the door when she turned back slightly. I am- indebted to you, Kagome."

She turned around completely, eyes wide. "Did you just call me by my name?!"

"I did."

"But why?"

"You showed me respect, now I shall show you the same." She smiled widely and bowed as she bounced out of the room.

'Humans. Pathetically easy to please,' he thought, inwardly smiling.