Inuyasha's Discovery

Darkness surrounded him, he was huddled against the wall trying to control his breathing and not give away his hiding place to the little devil who trailed him. Sucking in his breathe, he tried to stop even the beating of his heart when he heard a light step in the adjoining room. He could hear the being creeping closer and closer to his hiding spot. He saw a small delicate shadow flit across the screen before him, with baited breath he waited, hoping the being would pass by and leave him in peace for a few minutes more. Luck was not with him it would seem because the devil pulled the screen open and looked at him with huge caramel eyes gleaming wickedly with a giggle the devil slapped him on the shoulder.

"You're it, Jaken-sama!" The little devil ran off laughing and desperately searching for a cleaver hiding place. The little toad shook his head and started slowly after the girl. She loved this game most of all and the little toad was often called upon to play the game of tag with her. He began his long search for the little devil as he affectionately called her in his head. Rin could hid in the most interesting and unusual places. Jaken could spend hours searching for the girl sometimes. Jaken had become emotionally attached to the girl over the years she had trailed behind Sesshomaru-sama. He was often responsible for her care and had long ago stopped resenting that assignment. Sesshomaru-sama protected the child and many believed her to be Sesshomaru's adopted daughter because of the surprising amount of care he showed her. Jaken was incredibly honored to care for her when Sesshomaru was gone and had even grow to enjoy the little devils company. Jaken smiled widely to himself and set off after her at a quicker pace.

The kitsune watching the pair from the shadows was still confused. Why were these two beings so honored to follow in Sesshomaru's very footsteps? What about them was so special? A human female child and a grumpy toad youkai, following a proud inu taiyoukai was unheard of. The kitsune, Kenshin, was glad of the chance to watch over the toad and the girl. He wanted to better understand them and their affect on his lord. He did love a good puzzle. The mistunes tail twitched in anticipation.

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Sesshomaru was healing quickly. He would need to leave the village soon. Casting a look to his brother, Sesshomaru smirked. He really did enjoy watching Inuyasha get sat. He also enjoyed teasing his brother. He was after all the older brother it was his job to tease Inuyasha unmercifully. However, what Sesshomaura enjoyed the most was the attention he was receiving from the miko. Her aura was calming and even soothed his youkai.

Sesshomaru was sitting beneath a tree near the old miko's hut; Inuyasha strolled up to his brother and for once was not strutting around with a cocky air. Inuyasha sank to the ground next to his brother and drew in a deep breath before launching into the speech he had planned.

"Sesshomaru, I haven't asked until now because you were wounded. But I need to know why are those youkai coming after Kagome and why have they not attacked since you have been here?" Inuyasha's voice was respectful and did not hold a malicious undercurrent to it. He needed to know who was trying to kill Kagome, why, and how this was connected to Sesshomaru. He was willing to play nice if it meant protecting Kagome.

"Akito, the northern lord, believes her to be my concubine. He seeks to take control of the Western Lands, by killing anyone who has a claim to rule. He has sent assassins after this Sesshomaru and believes killing the miko would keep the Western Lands from having an heir after my death." Sesshomaru's voice never changed from his usual icy tones.

"Why did you come to save her?" Inuyasha was still surprised at the risk Sesshomaru had taken when he had jumped between Kagome and the attacking wall of youkai.

"This Sesshomaru saved the miko because of a promise to Rin." Sesshomaru's voice changed slightly on the last word of his answer. It was as if he had feelings buried deep within his heart for the little girl, as if she was a ray of light in his dark world.

"You only saved Kagome because you promised Rin?" Inuyasha looked sideways at Sesshomaru. Something was wrong with his normally cold brother and wondered what kind of power the young girl had to be able to melt the ice around the taiyoukai, because it seemed as if Kagome had the same power over Sesshomaru.

As Inuyasha looked at his brother, he noticed his eyes were continually seeking out Kagome and he also noticed Kagome was always glancing at Sesshomaru. It would seem the two were beginning to harbor feelings for each other. Inuyasha knew neither of them knew what was going on. Kagome was too innocent and Sesshomaru had been too cold for too long to realize what was happening to him. Inuyasha sighed deeply and earned a cool glance from his brother. Inuyasha stood and dusted himself off and walked off towards Kagome. He needed to do a little investigating and discover just how deeply Kagome was affected by the living breathing god that was his brother. Then he had to do something many believed he was incapable of, he had to do some serious thinking. He had to find a way to regain Kagome and quickly before his brother realized what was happening to himself. He only hoped he wasn't too late. He showed have realized before now what was going on he had been told the story a similar story often enough.

Inuyasha stopped near the miko and made small conversation with her and counted the number of times he had to call her name to get her attention and how many times she glanced to Sesshomaru. Yes, he defiantly needed to think and the most peaceful place to think was the gods' tree. Inuyasha was soon ensconced in the boughs of the ancient tree, frantically trying to come up with a plan that would pull Kagome to him and not push her away. He thought for the rest of the afternoon and far into the evening. The sun had set and the moon had risen when he finally gave up and returned to Kaede's hut.

As Inuyasha approached the hut, he was reminded of a painting that once hung in the main receiving room of the Western Castle. It was a painting of his mother and his father. It had been painted before they were mated by a wandering artist. His father had often stared at that painting for hours after his mothers' death. It was his last memory of his father. The painting had been simple yet magnificent and Inuyasha saw the painting brought to life before his eyes.

They were on a slight rise above the village and formed a silhouette against the round luminescent moon. Sesshomaru, stood tall and regal, his long silver hair blowing gently in the wind. His hand rested lightly upon Tojokin's hilt prepared to pull the sword from his obi if necessary. His pristine white haori seemed to flow in gentle ripples as the wind rustled past him. Kagome sat at his feet. Her legs were tucked up beside her covered with the simple silken kimono Kagome had taken to wearing. She rested her head upon Sesshomaru's leg and her ebony hair caressed his silk clad thighs. Both beings were staring up at the moon and seemed to be content and comfortable in each others presence.

Kagome was allowed liberties Inuyasha had never seen Sesshomaru grant to anyone, youkai or human. If he did not move quickly he would lose her forever to the one person in the world Inuyasha knew could give her everything she desired. Sighing heavily, Inuyasha trudged into the hut indescion and uncertainty rolling off his young body in waves.

Sesshomaru heard his sigh and smelt the change in his scent but he could not pull away from the miko. Being with her now was not meant to torment Inuyasha, it just felt right to Sesshomaru to be here with the young miko and to have her leaning on him for support. He was still unable too understand what was changing inside him yet he knew something was changing and he knew somehow it had to do with the little miko at his side.

Authors Note

I hope you all see the last scene between Sesshomaru and Kagome as I saw it in my mind. I would love to see that scene as a drawing but I do not know anyone who can actually draw. I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you to all of you who reviewed. The first part of the chapter concerning Rin and Jaken was to answer some questions I received about what Rin was doing without Sesshomaru.

Lady Morganna