(Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha)

Chapter 12: Travelling With Sesshoumaru

----With Kagome----

Kagome's return to the clearing was uneventful. Sigh.

'My clothes are wrecked and my katana is pretty much shattered thanks to Sesshoumaru… I wish he didn't have to put so much pressure on it… Sigh I need a new katana.... I know! I'll go to Toutousai for a new sword and maybe a bow too! But… I doubt Sesshoumaru would let me go… but I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.'

As Kagome appeared in the clearing she was met by the sight of her pup and Rin laughing and enjoying each others company. She had to smile at the two innocent children. She looked around and spotted Sesshoumaru in a tree surveying his surroundings.

"I see you have returned. We will leave in few moments. Gather the children." His voice brought her out of her previous thoughts.

"Will I have to be serving for long because I have other things to do." His eyes narrowed as his attention was brought to her.

"You will serve me as long as I want you to. Do not question me or my decisions. Now do as you're told and gather the children." A low growl would be heard coming from Kagome as she headed towards the children.

"Shippo, Rin, we have to leave soon, so gather your belongings!"

"Hai!" the children said in unison. She watched as the children ran about collecting the little possessions that they have. In less than three minutes they were ready for their leave. Kagome looked down upon her katana.

'Sigh I guess I've got no use for a shattered katana.' She dropped her katana beside the tree trunk and took her bow and quiver of arrows. She swung her weapon and bag on her back and headed towards Sesshoumaru.

"We are heading back to the castle. We will get there in two days." The lord of the Western Lands turned around and headed down the path with the rest of his group following him.

They walked for the rest of the afternoon and only stopped to fetch some water for the children. Finally night fell and Kagome was carrying Rin and Shippo in her arms. They had fallen asleep just before sunset. She smiled down at the cute forms of the children. 'They must be tired from playing all morning.'

She was brought out of her thoughts by the taiyoukai ahead of them.

"We will rest here. Jaken, go fetch some food and water." The toad-like youkai bowed his head and left the clearing.

Kagome's attention was adverted from Jaken to Sesshoumaru who was staring right at her. She raised an eyebrow confused at what it was that he was staring at.

"Miko, how was it that you were able to wield Tetsusaiga?" Kagome blinked a few times finally taking in what it was that he was asking her.

"I… I'm not sure."

"Even if that half-breed doesn't know, I've known that only bloods of the Royal Inu clans are able to wield the great fang."

"Uh… I… don't know, milord. Maybe I was just lucky…" 'Oh god, how am I going to get out of this without him finding out? Shit…'

He narrowed his eyes at Kagome's last answer and was about to question her more when his attention was caught by the shifting children who were awakening.

'Phew… saved by the children… I don't know what I'll do if he keeps up the questions.'

'Kagome, you shouldn't tell him your identity until you find your father.'

'Thanks Midoriko… I've already figured that much out.'

'Well, I'm just reminding you.'

'But what should I do? I need to find a way to escape 'Mr. Almighty' of the west.'

'Um… I don't know about that… maybe we could train some more on your speed. I'll contact you in your dreams tonight. I've got to go. I can't keep this connection up any longer. See you tonight!'

'Thanks Midoriko. See you tonight.'

"Mommy? Mommy?!?" Shippo was yelling while jumping on Kagome's lap.

"Oh sorry Shippo. What was it that you want?"

"I just want to know if I can go and play with Rin for a while."

"Yea sure. Just don't go off too far. Yell if you need anything." She watched as Shippo and Rin ran off to play with each other.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, I'm going to collect some wood for a fire. I'll be back in a little while." He gave a slight nod of acknowledgment but didn't turn her way as he kept his gaze at the moon. Kagome gave a little sigh as she left the clearing. She actually excused herself to get away from Sesshoumaru to think for awhile about how to escape from Sesshoumaru to go back to her quest to find her father.

----With Sesshoumaru----

'Why did I even keep that girl around? I could have picked someone else to protect Rin.'

'You know you couldn't have picked anyone else. Everyone would either be too scared of you, too weak for your liking, or hate humans. Anyways who would be better than a demon who thought they were human for most of their lives?'

'You again? I don't care whether you're my conscience or not, I thought I told you to stop pestering me.'

'Well, it seemed like you needed help. For the answer to your first question, you think she is too beautiful to be dead anyways but doesn't she seem to resemble someone?'

'I'll ignore the first two comments but yes… she does seem awfully familiar. But who could it be?'

"Milord, I see you have disposed of that wretched girl." An annoying voice rang through the clearing.

"Who are you calling a 'wretched girl' you ugly toad?" Jaken gave a spiteful glance back at Kagome who stood there with an arm full of firewood. Jaken grumbled something under his breath but was heard by both the youkais. As normal, Sesshoumaru didn't care what his retainer said to anyone as long as it wasn't directed at him or Rin and remained quiet but Kagome heard and wasn't too happy.

"If you got something to say, say it to my face u stupid toad!"

"Shut up you stupid wench, you should know better than to talk to me."

"Well then you should know better than to expect me to follow your orders and no one is going to call me 'wench'." She let her purifying aura flare to make her statement more threatening. Kagome looked like she was engulfed in a pink flame. Jaken gulped and stumbled backwards and fell on his butt trying to back away from the bright, pink tendrils of her purifying aura. Her aura flared out for a good meter or two but she finally calmed down.

They spent the whole night with Jaken keeping his distance from the demoness which didn't bother Kagome the slightest bit. Actually, she was glad that he kept his distance.

'I can't believe that Sesshoumaru can stand the smell of the toad. Without his staff he smells just like the modern time sewers! I bet Sesshoumaru puts a spell to mask his scent on the staff.'

They finally settled in for the night with Shippo and Rin in Kagome's arms sound asleep. Kagome looked down at the two sleeping forms and smiled at them. She wrapped her fluffy black, blue tail around them before heading into the land of dreams as well.