Chapter eight- Shippo is kidnapped

It had been a week since Sesshoumaru and Kagome had been to the future. Sesshoumaru had noticed that Kagome seemed sad more often. She was teaching Rin and playing with the child, but she seemed less cheerful. Sesshoumaru finally came to the conclusion that she felt alone. For some reason he felt sorry for her {being around humans is making me soft} he thought as he walked outside.

Rin saw him and ran up to him "Sesshoumaru-sama!" she hugged his leg "I learned to count to 30"

Sesshoumaru looked down at her "well done Rin" he looked up to see Kagome walking over "I must leave for awhile" she nodded and he looked down to Rin "listen to Kagome"

Rin smiled as she let go of the taiyoukai "hai!"

Sesshoumaru gave another nod before taking to the skies.

Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Shippo were busy walking. All had been shocked when Inuyasha had told them Kagome never made it home yet. They were all filled with worry and decided then and there to start looking for her. Of course no one knew which way Kagome had went since her scent had faded, but they chose a direction and hoped it was the right way.

They had been traveling for a long time and were nowhere near closer to finding Kagome. Inuyasha was deeply worried and was constantly asking himself questions. Why did she go to the well? What happened at the well? And was she okay?

Just then Inuyasha smelled the air and growled at the familiar and unwanted scent. In a flash there was a huge wind and just as quick as it came, it vanished. Inuyasha looked around and finally spotted Sesshoumaru holding Shippo. Inuyasha growled, "Let him go Sesshoumaru!"

Shippo had felt the wind rush by him before feeling something grab his tail. He had his eyes closed until he heard Inuyasha scream Sesshoumaru's name. He opened his eyes, turned his head, and saw a serious looking Sesshoumaru "aah! Let me go! Let me go!"

Sesshoumaru merely glanced at the kitsune before looking back at Inuyasha "funny isn't Inuyasha?" he saw his hanyu brother growling "first you fail to protect your woman and now you fail to protect what matters to her most"

Inuyasha gasped "nani?"

Miroku and Sango were equally surprised as Sesshoumaru's statement. Miroku prepared his air void "do you mean to say you have Kagome?"

Sesshoumaru smirked "Indeed I do and I expect not to be followed for I shall kill her and the kitsune"

Inuyasha growled even louder "give me back Shippo and Kagome!"

Sesshoumaru watched as his brother charge and he merely blocked it "the question is, Inuyasha, does she even want to come back?" and with that he left as quickly as he had come.

Inuyasha punched a near by tree to release his anger. When had Sesshoumaru taken Kagome without his notice? Was she even alive now? Or was she badly hurt? Why did Sesshoumaru bother to take Shippo as well? Were Miroku and Sango going to be next on his list?

All these new questions swam around in the hanyu's head. Well now that he knew were Kagome was it was just a matter of time before he reached Sesshoumaru's castle and got Kagome. It then clicked to him…he had no clue where his brother's castle was {Shit!}.

After Sesshoumaru had left, Kagome brought Rin inside. The castle seemed quiet without the servants running all over the place. Kagome sighed and looked at Rin "so what do you want to do?"

Rin looked up at her "can you read me a story please, Kagome-chan?"

Kagome smiled and nodded "of course, in fact I have one in my bag" she then started down the hall with Rin following close behind. Kagome looked around to see if maybe Jaken could be found, but to no use. The toad was most likely in hiding so Rin wouldn't torture him.

The girls entered their room and Kagome grabbed a children's book from her bag. She then sat on her bed and registered to Rin to come join her. Once Rin was seating next to Kagome comfortably, Kagome began to read.

Kagome was just starting to read another kid's book to Rin when she heard a familiar voice.

"KAGOME!!!"

Kagome's head snapped up to look at who was at the door and gasped when she saw the little fox youkai "Shippo!"

Shippo ran into the room and jumped on to Kagome's lap before burring himself in Kagome's chest "Kagome!"

Kagome hugged the kitsune back "Shippo, how did you get here?"

He looked up at Kagome "Sesshoumaru brought me"

Kagome gasped "nani?"

Shippo was just as confused as Kagome "he came out of nowhere and grabbed me from the others. I thought he was going to attack as all, but instead he left without fighting Inuyasha and before I knew it he brought me to this room and then I saw you"

It was at this point that Shippo took notice of the child sitting next to Kagome. Kagome didn't fail to notice where Shippo's gaze went "Shippo this is Rin, Rin meet Shippo"

Shippo smiled "hello"

Rin gave a toothy grin "hello"

Kagome left to let the two get acquainted while they started to draw together. She knocked on Jaken's door and when he answered she smiled "Jaken, watch the children for a moment"

Jaken gasped as he watched Kagome walk down the hall "children?" he then walked into the room where Rin and Kagome were staying. That is when he saw Shippo "where did you come from?!" he squawked.

Shippo looked up at him "Sesshoumaru brought me here"

Jaken's eyes went wide and his mouth dropped to the ground "w-why would…he d-do that?"

Shippo just shrugged and went back to colouring with Rin.

Meanwhile Kagome made her way down the hall till she finally reached the library where she had an idea Sesshoumaru was. Without hesitation she walked in and noticed the youkai lord at his desk.

Sesshoumaru looked up from his work when he heard someone enter. He was ready to toss whoever it was out and then saw it was Kagome. He had given her permission to use the library, so it would be rude to toss her out and never have her warm up to share anything about who she is. He watched her as she slowly approached "is there something I can help you with?"

Kagome smiled at him "I just wanted to thank you"

He huffed "what for?"

She walked a little closer "for bringing Shippo here. I was feeling a little lonely even though I have Rin, but I'm very happy to see Shippo again"

Sesshoumaru acted like wasn't paying attention to her by signing some paper work, but in truth he was listening to every word. He then looked up at her "you were beginning to annoy me with that sadden aura that was around you" he answered.

Kagome wasn't expecting him to give an answer, but when she did hear it she wasn't sure if he was being rude or if he was being sincere. She inwardly groaned. Nope he was never simple. She was just about to speak when Shippo and Rin came running in. She watched them run up to her "you should no better than to run in the halls. You could have knocked one of the servants over"

Rin and Shippo frowned. Shippo jumped up into Kagome's arms, something he had missed doing "we're sorry Kagome"

Rin nodded "yeah, we just wanted to ask if you would come play with us outside"

Kagome smiled and nodded "okay, I'll be out in a minute" she watched as they walked out of the room this time before looking back and Sesshoumaru "thank you once again, Sesshoumaru-sama, now if you'll excuse me, I believe I have a play date with some kids"

Sesshoumaru watched as she left. He found himself thinking about her. Normally he hated humans, detested them to no end. Sesshoumaru found himself quite upset when he had learned his father mated to one, but here he was practically a father figure to a human. And now Sesshoumaru was socializing with another one and it was his brother's girl. He noticed he never called Kagome a wench anymore and didn't even know why. Kagome was different than other humans he admitted that. While Sesshoumaru found most humans repulsive, unhygienic, non-intelligent, and afraid of small things; he didn't find Kagome that way. No, Kagome was intelligent, very clean, and brave enough to stand up to him, Sesshoumaru, demon lord of the western lands.

Sesshoumaru sat back in his chair and pondered {Kagome is very different from other humans, maybe it was because she was raised in a different time} he thought. Just then he was torn from his thoughts as a scream was heard. He quickly recognized it to be Kagome's. He quickly stood up and went to his balcony where he had heard the scream come from. Just below his balcony he could see Rin and the kitsune, Shippo, tickling Kagome, who was pleading for mercy.

Sesshoumaru shook his head {what's going on with me?} he wondered just as he heard the library door open. He turned to see Jaken running up to him.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken puffed "a letter has arrived from the northern lord, Naylor"

Sesshoumaru took the letter and read it. It seemed there was to be a youkai ball at the northern lord's castle in a month's time. Both humans and youkai were going to show up, so the rules were…no killing, no wounding, everyone has to get along. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes at the letter. He had been to one of lord Naylor's youkai balls and had the other lords trying to get him to choose a mate, whether it was youkai or hanyu or even a human. Sesshoumaru continued the note and growled at what he read next. The northern lord wanted to meet the human child that was being rumoured to travel with him and he was also to bring the other human that was currently staying at his castle, no harm was going to come to them. Sesshoumaru growled even louder causing Jaken to jump and slink back a bit {so they have learned of Rin and Kagome} he thought {I must have a snitch among my servants}

"Jaken" Sesshoumaru called as he tore up the note.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Go and warn the servants that the next time the other lords learn of my business they shall all be killed" he ordered "then tell them to prepare dinner"

Jaken bowed "hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" and with that he ran out of the room.

Suppertime came quick and soon Kagome and the children joined Sesshoumaru at the dinner table. Kagome noticed Rin and Shippo seemed to get along well together and decided she would teach Shippo along side Rin while they were at Sesshoumaru's.

Kagome found it strange, she had been there for a while, and she had eaten many meals with Rin and the demon lord. Of course all meals were eaten in silence, but for some reason Kagome found it to be a comfortable silence. Before long Kagome felt a tug on her sleeve and turned her head to look down at Rin.

"I am finished, may I be excused?" Rin asked.

Kagome nodded "yes you can"

Over Kagome's stay, Sesshoumaru had given her permission to excuse the child, but only if she used correct manners. Kagome had agreed to the idea. She soon felt a tug on her other sleeve and turned her head to look down at Shippo.

"Can I go to Kagome?" Shippo asked curiously.

Kagome looked at his plate, it was empty "yes you can Shippo" she watched at the children went up to the door before stopping and turning around.

"Can we play outside?" Rin questioned.

Kagome thought for a minute. It wasn't quite dark out, but it was getting there "only if Jaken goes out with you and you can't stay out for very long. I'll come get you when it's time"

Rin and Shippo nodded before running out the door. Kagome resumed to her meal and started to seem into her thoughts. She wondered what Inuyasha and the others were up to. Miroku was probably trying to grope Sango and then would be knocked unconscious when she hit him over the head with her giant boomerang.

"Kagome"

Kagome was pulled from her thoughts suddenly by Sesshoumaru's voice. She turned to look at him "hai?"

Sesshoumaru watched her "I have gotten word there is to be a youkai ball in a month. You and Rin are to accompany me"

Kagome blinked in surprise. A youkai ball? And she and Rin had to go to it? But Sesshoumaru must have a large reputation among youkai that he hates humans, so why was he bringing two of them? Kagome was very confused and then she remembered her deal with Sesshoumaru, obey his orders. So if this wasn't an order she could say no "is that an order?"

He nodded "hai"

Kagome groaned {well, there goes that plan} she thought.

Sesshoumaru heard her small groan. He could sense she didn't want to go, probably because he had said 'youkai' ball. He stood up and walked over to her "you are requested to be there"

"Requested?" Kagome echoed.

"Hai, it seems a servant as somehow sent word of you and Rin. The other lords of the lands wish to meet you," he explained

Kagome was shocked "why would they want to meet me?"

Sesshoumaru gave her an emotionless look, as always "the northern lord failed to mention his reasons"

"Oh" Kagome sighed, "Well if you're saying I have to go then I have no choice, but to agree"

He nodded "Since…other humans will be there rules have been laid out. There will be no killing and no wounding any one while at the ball"

Kagome nodded {wow, if I didn't know any better I'd say Sesshoumaru was trying to make me feel better about going} she thought.

Sesshoumaru continued "and if it will make you more comfortable and less alone, Shippo may join you as well since Rin is going"

When Kagome heard that she stood out of her chair and looked at him "arigato Sesshoumaru-sama, besides I think it will make Rin happy to know she'll have someone her own age to play with as well"

Sesshoumaru gave a slight nod "do not inform them of the ball just yet, it is still a month away"

Kagome nodded "well, if you'll excuse me Sesshoumaru-sama, I believe I have some kids to put to bed"

Sesshoumaru watched as she left {truly a confusing human} he thought. He had expected her to put up a fight, but she didn't. He never knew what to expect from her. Sesshoumaru then remembered he had papers to sign and so went to the library to work.

Later that night, Kagome placed the kids to bed. A servant had brought in a bed for Shippo, but the kitsune didn't want to use it. Instead he wanted to stay close to Kagome as he possibly could. Kagome agreed and let him sleep in her bed. After all, she used to share her sleeping bag with him and was use to the fox demon being with her at night.

Kagome tucked Rin into her bed "good night Rin"

"Good night, Kagome-chan" Rin yawned.

Kagome then moved over to Shippo "good night Shippo"

Shippo sat up in the bed "aren't you going to bed to, Kagome?"

She shook her head "no, I'm going to go to the library to read for a bit, I'll come to bed later, promise"

Shippo slowly nodded. He had just gotten Kagome back and didn't really want to be too far from her, but he guessed it would be safe for her in Sesshoumaru's castle "okay Kagome"

Kagome smiled and tucked him in before walking down the halls to the library. When she walked in she saw Sesshoumaru there. He looked at her and she quickly explained herself "I'm just here to read for a bit before I go to bed"

Sesshoumaru nodded and watched for a moment as Kagome looked for a book. When she found one she sat on a couch in the library and began to read in silence. Sesshoumaru had to admit he liked the silent atmosphere. Normally he would hate to have the silent presence of someone else in the room, but he rather enjoyed the silent atmosphere in Kagome's presence. It was almost…comforting?

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Very happy with my reviews. Luv to get them. Thank you Shay-Linh, there were some I did not know and I'm going to try to find ways to use them in later chapters. The Great Susinko, I thank you for that piece of information, see people you can learn things every day. Okay since I'm leaving for the day and I got so many reviews for this chapter I decided I'd put up a chapter before I left. I hope you enjoyed it. Now on to the translations, which some I'm figuring you know by now.

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Taiyoukai- great demon

Hai- yes

Kitsune- fox

Nani- what

Hanyu- half demon

Youkai- demon

Arigato- Thank you