The afternoon passed on without much incident within the inutachi. Inuyasha and interestingly Kagome had insisted that they travel even with the looming darkness, in order to reach Bokusenou sooner. Being near the area of Bokusenou's whereabouts Inuyasha had mentioned that if they travel in a medium pace they would soon reach their destination. Unfortunately for them Inuyasha's medium pace was somewhat between brisk walking and jogging. Here and there Kagome notices the increased protectiveness that Inuyasha is showing. He has even started growling at Shippo when he gets too comfortable with Kagome.

"Mou, my feet feel like they're about to fall off!" complained Kagome. She got her mirror out. "Sango has there been anymore changes?"

"Iie (no), it seems to have settled Kagomechan."

"I hope there are no more changes, I don't know what I'll do if I find another glowing disco light perched on my head. One is enough, I don't wanna look like a walking christmas tree that sprouted legs and arms."

"We could always try my ofudas again." suggested Miroku.

"NOOOOO!" cried all the gang.

"You lift up one ofuda and I'll shove it so far up your ass you'll be hiccuping sutras the rest of your perverted life." threatened Inuyasha as he balled a fist towards the monk's face.

"Houshisama, have you not lead the life of a lecher long enough? Have you ever considered taking your vows seriously like every monk should? Because if you have forgotten I would be more than happy to demonstrate with my hiraikotsu and knees what happens when a monk forgets his self discipline and vow of celibacy in favor of the carnal ways of the world." To which Miroku's face pales considerably.

"How long til we reach Bokusenou Inuyasha?" asked Kagome trying to change the topic.

"Not long now, just over that valley where the forest is the thickest. Kagome if you're tired you could ride on my back."

"Uh.. I'm fine Inuyasha." a pretty blush graces her face.

"Keh.. suit yourself." Inuyasha walks away.

"Ano, Kagomechan, what is up with Inuyasha lately?" queried Sango.

"I have noticed it too.. something is bothering him, I should talk to him now." she walks over to the sulking hanyou.

"He has been acting a lot stranger since Miyogajichan mentioned Kagome's blood."whispere Miroku to Sango. "Earlier I was merely handing Kagomechan an apple and the way he looked at my hand I thought he was going to use it as chew toy."

"Could you blame him after what you've pulled in the past? I'm surprised your hands are even intact. The fact of the matter is you don't seem to have any control on your hand. Your hand controls you... but I do want to know what is with his strage behavior lately."

"It's simple. If she's pack and she's powerful and she's unmated, she's in the prime position for being considered a potential mate. All she has to do is issue him a challenge."

"WHAT?" both the Taijiya and Monk exploded. Kirara jumping up to Miroku's head.

"We have to tell Kagomechan, or keep Inuyasha away! Why didn't he say something earlier! Kagomechan is not familiar with these ways."

"Save your breath Sango, that baka (stupid 'person') doesn't know youkai nature well enough. He probably isn't even aware of what he's doing. Of course Kagome could sit him a couple of times to joggle his mind a bit, who knows it could improve his brain function." laughed to kitsune.

In a grove of trees a few paces away.

Grrrr.. 'that kitsune doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.'

"Inuyasha? Did you hear a word I've said?"

"Huh? Suman (masculine way of saying sorry) Kagome, my mind was elsewhere."

"Hmp.. more like your ears were. Did you think I wouldn't notice the way it swiveled in the other direction where the others are? I asked about what would we do if Bokusenou does not want to talk to us."

"We'll deal with it when we get there, or I'll ask Miyogajiji, speaking of Miyoga, where is that sorry excuse for a youkai?"

"Do you think he knows something we don't? I mean when danger is near he's the first to go to the safest place."

"You're right his knack for avoiding dangerous situations is legendary."

"Inuyasha what if there are dangers in the path to Bokusenou?"

"I'll get you there safely Kagome, .. uh..kuso.. I'm not good at these things but .. I want you to know I will get you there safely."

"Thanks Inuyasha that means a lot."

"Our best chances are to travel quickly. I'll tell them to ride Kirara and you get on my back. I don't wanna risk any bad encounters you're not used to your powers yet. It's time to finally deal with this mystery once and for all."

Six eyes fastened on the group undetected. One pair leaves silently while two pairs remain faithfully adhered to the group's activities.

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"Okachira, why have come here?" Sesshoumaru asked coldly. "I gave you specific orders not to leave the group."

"They arrive here within the hour lord. The onna you have commanded me to follow is no longer ningen, she is a full blooded youkai now Sesshoumarudono. The powerful aura of the miko undoubtedly mask their scents as they make their way here. She is not aware of her growing power and yet as if instincts are guiding her, she made a powerful cover for their scent. Were we not hard pressed to follow them we surely would have lost them, with the absence of any scent."

"Hn.. why would they head here."

"They wish to speak to Bokusenou."

"What business have they with Bokusenou?"

"Lord, they, as with you, wish to know of the origin of a great power hidden within the shikon no tama. Although we are aware that they as of yet do not know of Nadeshiko."

"Indeed. Bokusenou perhaps your explanation should wait until they get here. I wish to meet this threat to my rule."

"As you wish my Lord. I will withhold until they arrive. A word of caution beforehand though, lord, the onna as of yet has not fully awakened to her capabilities as your servant had stated. If within the discussion you think to eliminate her it is the best time before she fully regains the knowledge of her power, and of the mysteries of the spell she invoked upon the shikon no tama."

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"Kyaaaa!" screamed Kagome. 'I'll never get used to this.' she thought, as Inuyasha took to the air again. An unsettling feeling came over her as nausea hit her full force. Feeling her tense Inuyasha turns his head towards her a fraction.

"Kagome.. daijoubu ka?"

"I ttthink, you better slow down.. or better yet stop!"

"Hehhhh? What fo... F#!"

Bits of pink and yellow with orange and green unname-ables sailed through the air. Recognizing her lunch as it embeds itself to Inuyasha's hair, 'Gross!' Kagome's head reels as sheagain feels the quesy sensation and hurls further. "Oh kami please kill me."

"Hey stop making me your personal puke bucket wench! My hair is not some mop for your vomit!"

The short distraction causes the hanyou to lose momentum while high in the air. His back tilts abruptly sending the nauseated teenager careening down towards the ground.

"KKamiiii I takkkkeeee ittt baaackkkk... saveee meeeehhh."

"Kagomeeee." Inuyasha follows the plummeting demoness.

"Kagomechan! Inuyasha! Kirara, dive quickly!" goaded Sango.

Kagome was unsure of what happened next all she remembered was she didn't want to die so she thought of a safe place to be. Then an inky-blue-black mist envelops her and Inuyasha at the same time they touch. Unable to maneuver out of the way in time. Kirara, Sango, Miroku and Shippo plunge into the dark stirringmist.

Two pairs of eyes glow red in irritation. "Okachira will not like this."

"Forget him... if lord Sesshoumaru finds out we'll be fortunate if we retain our heads by tonight."

Dread washed over them.

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A black whirl pooling mist appeared directly above the fearsome Taiyoukai.

Again the air stirs.

Screams get louder...

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

KER-PLUNK !

"Youch! Ow that really hurt! Inuyasha you're no dainty ballerina GETyourhanyou assOFF ME!" bellowed the raging demoness.

"Shut up wench! You're the one grabbing my ass!"

".."

"Kagome?"

"I am not the one grabbing your ass you hentai! Ask that fellow hentai of yours!"

Kagome, Sango and Shippo laugh hysterically, while trying to untangle themselves.

"Miroku that damned hand better not be where I think it is or I'll cut it off and shove it up your narrow ass!" screamed the angry hanyou. Fire shooting out of his puppy ears.

"My apologies Inuyasha... it's just when I see a fine ass my hand has a mind of it's own. And I must say you have one fine ass. It's sooo firm and bouncy." he grins.

"Have you totally lost all sanity in the perverted mind of yours bouzo? I'm male, what? You can't convince any female to bear your child you decided to switch to the other team?" remarked Inuyasha sarcastically.

"Well it is a mighty fine ass.." Miroku sighed. Giving Inuyasha one last grope. Inuyasha tensed then growled threateningly.

"I always wondered your about your choice of company little brother. Now it seems I know why."

"SESSHOUMARU! Bastard, what are you doing here?" Inuyasha jumps and protectively places Kagome behind him. Miroku takes a stance near Sango while the fire neko transforms and Shippo hops to his customary perch in Kagome's shoulder. "Teme. Answer me!"

Sesshoumaru takes a step forward. The inutachi step back instinctively in reaction.

"I should be the one to ask you that question half-breed. Why I continue to let you live and address me as such is solely due to a pledge made by this Sesshoumaru to Chichiue (respectful address to 'father'). However, do not delude your insolent mind that I will not retaliate such brashness and utter disrespect to my person with nothing less than your demise. A death that will pass sweetly to my lips as I feel your blood decorate my sword, or better yet my claws."

"Empty words you.."

"Inuyasha! Yamete (stop) onegai!" intervened a worried Kagome.

"Sesshoumarusama.. please, we meant no disrespect..."

"Hey that baka started it!" screamed the hanyou heatedly.

"Inuyasha SIT! ...plunk.. Gomen nasai (sorry) Sesshoumarudono. We uh.."

With an unreadable expression on his face Sesshoumaru inclines his head toward the young demoness.

:...his inu wolf whistles in his mind...

Sesshoumaru rolls his eyes.

This did not go unnoticed.

"Hey, hey! Yeah I'm talking to you frosty! How dare you roll your eyes on me like your better than me..your ego is as big asMt. Fujiwhen your nothing but ah.. thinking... ah.."

"A nice piece of perfect ass.."

"..a nice piece of perfect ass.." repeats Kagome. Sango gapes. Shippo falls off his perch. Miroku snickers. Inuyasha glares. 'Oh kami Kagome, now you've really done it.' Kagome reproached herself.

Time seem to stand still.

The blurred movement of the taiyoukai not only visible to her but seemed in slow motion.

Kagome looked to Sesshoumaru as he reaches for her neck with his claws, while Okachira makes a move towards the others. Kagome not realizing her actions waves a hand to Okachira. An invisible force hurls the inu spy a good thirty meters away. Turning back to her attacker she infers that he is reaching for her throat, to which she reacts by squating down and kicking his legs under him. She then hand stands and twirls using her right claw and lands straddling on top of the astonished Sesshoumaru, a delicate claw on 'his' throat, while his claws wrap around her neck.

GASP.

All in all a 'perfect' tie.

Locking eyes with Sesshoumaru she mumbles. "Ano... what the hell just happened?"