Disclaimer- I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters.

Beginning the Journey

The rosy early morning light filtered into the hut and fell into the eyes of the young hanyou. Glancing around the hut, Inuyasha checked the breathing of his companions noting they were all asleep he rose to his feet and stepped out into the chilly fresh morning air. Sesshomaru stood slightly away from the hut looking toward the rising sun. Inuyasha stepped beside his brother and stood next to the regal Sesshomaru. Looking at the two brothers, anyone could see what Inuyasha would eventually resemble. He had a lot of growing up to do but he too would one day be tall, elegant, and entirely too handsome for his own good. Inuyasha bore a resemblance to his brother at that age and even Sesshomaru had to admit he would progress into a handsome youkai one day. If Inuyasha ever decided to grow up.

"You know why I have come here." Dripping ice as always Sesshomaru went directly to the point. Inuyasha glanced at his brother and his face hardened.

"I won't let you take her, Sesshomaru. You cannot have her." Seshomaru sensed there was something more to Inuyasha's comment but chose to remain quiet.

"I made a promise to Rin. I will carry out my promise. You cannot protect the miko. I can protect her; therefore she is coming to my castle with me where she will remain until this war is over." Inuyasha glanced to Sesshomaru and did not see anything out of place with his brother. Inuyasha was stuck and he knew it. He also knew Kagome would be safer locked away in Sesshomaru's castle where no one would have a chance of getting to her but he truly feared what would happen to her within those walls. He also knew he had already run through every scenario he could think of to protect Kagome and none of them would work. She would eventually be killed and taken from him forever. To protect her and keep her he would have to put her in Sesshomaru's care on one condition.

"Very well Sesshomaru. But only on one condition, I go with her and protect her." Inuyasha thought he had found a way to get around his brother and his demands.

"Very well Inuyasha. Be ready to depart when I return." Sesshomaru left a stunned Inuyasha behind him as he walked elegantly away. Inuyasha had a fleeting desire to know where Sesshomaru was going and what he was going to do.

Turing toward the hut, Inuyasha prepared himself to be sat for his plans with Sesshomaru. Unfortunately the poor hanyou should have prepared for several vicious sits in a row. Kagome did not like the idea of leaving the village unprotected why she was protected in Sesshomaru's castle. Kagome was drawing in a deep lungful of air to sit Inuyasha into the next century with, when she felt a cool hand upon her bare arm. Glancing down at the hand, she noticed the long slim fingers and elegant wrist with maroon stripes wrapping around it.

"There is no need to kill Inuyasha Kagome." The taiyoukai spoke her name as a caress and slid his cool hand down her arm in a gentle caress taking her hand Sesshomaru lead Kagome out into the bright late morning light. Once they were outside Sesshomaru handed Kagome a silk wrapped package.

"You will put this on and wear it to my palace." Giving Kagome a little shove towards the hot spring, Sesshomaru clearly indicated she was to bathe. Turning to the rest of the group, Seshsomaru addressed them in a calm cool voice.

"Are the rest of you prepared? It is a long journey to my castle. You would do well to ride the fire neko. I will carry the miko upon my cloud." Inuyasha began to speak up but was bowled over by the imposing taiyoukai.

"The fire neko and I are full blooded youkai Inuyasha you will not be able to keep up with us with only your hanyou speed. I refuse to carry you or any of the others. You will ride the fire neko." The finality in Sesshomaru's voice spoke of a male who was used to getting his own way and not having to argue with anyone. Inuyasha fell back from the argument not because of his brother's imposing personage but because of the vision that was walking towards him.

Kagome was dressed in a silver silk kimono, her obi was the same blue as the crescent moon on Sesshomaru's brow and a vine circled around the hem of the kimono and sprouted small blue moonflowers. The entire kimono reeked of the western lords' ownership over the young miko. Every piece of the kimono spoke of the western lands from the colors silver and blue to the moonflowers along the hem.

Inuyasha growled and took a step towards the young miko attempting to put his body between the miko and the taiyoukai. He acted on instinct and did not realize what he had done until Sesshomaru also acted out of instinct and wedged his body between the miko and Inuyasha. Sesshomaru was not going to let the hanyou anywhere near what was his. He considered the miko his and his alone. It was a subconscious decision, one that was made without Sesshomaru's consent or willingness. However, once the decision was made instinctually Sesshomaru had to act on it and had to obey it, his youkai would not allow him to do otherwise. Inuyasha had simply gotten to close to the miko and if he did not move away the irritated taiyoukai was going to snap and hurl his brother across the village.

Inuyasha was reckless but he was not stupid backing down from Sesshomaru was the only way he would live to make the attempt to regain Kagome. So, he did it and did it well even sketching a small incline of his head to the elder youkai. Sesshomaru's youkai calmed some when Inuyasha backed down; however, it was still raging within his blood. Only when a small hand was placed on his arm and the scent of chamomile and lavender came to him did his youkai calm down. Inuyasha noticed the taiyoukai's reaction to Kagome and realized he was very close to losing her to his brother. Sesshomaru's youkai had already recognized Kagome as his mate and was pushing his brother to protect the female from any encroaching males. Inuyasha felt a great wave of unhappiness settle over him as well as a new resolution to fight with his brother for the love of the little miko. However, if he was right he would have a difficult fight on his hands.

Sesshomaru formed his cloud beneath his feet and then held his hand out to Kagome. Kagome took his hand and stepped easily onto the demonic cloud with trust. Sesshomaru pulled the slightly accident and danger prone Kagome close to his warm body and wrapped a protective arm around her body. Kagome found herself feeling comfortable and protected within the arm of the taiyoukai. She settled herself in for long ride with the taiyoukai and reminded herself to ask Sango about the strange behavior between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.

Authors Note

Well here it is the next chapter. To answer a question, the pairings are Sesshomaru and Kagome. The next chapter will have a bit of fluffiness in it, a realization on Sesshomaru's behalf, and some more annoying Inuyasha. Please do not get me wrong I love Inuyasha. He is an adorable character but he is much to immature for Kagome and he still loves Kikyou. I also do not have bad feelings for Kikyou. She and Inuyasha are perfect for each other in my eyes. Just as Sesshomaru and Kagome are made for each other. She needs to have the grounding and calmness Sesshomaru displays. Sesshomaru needs her happy spirit and carefree attitude. Together they are the perfect couple!

Lady Morganna