"Inuyasha if you keep making the scowling face it will become permanent." Miroku said as he sipped his tea. Kagome and Sango were preparing dinner for the night and Shippo and Rin were playing off to the side. Sesshomaru, the source of Inuyasha's scowl, was merely sitting off to the side watching the kids.

"shut up. It will not." He rolled his eyes.

Miroku smirked. "you an protect them too, just because he is watching does not mean you cannot be the hero."

"I'm not looking to be a hero, and nothings near around to attack. We're fine." He snapped. Kagome was noticing him being more agitated when it came to the kids. She wasn't sure why. She was happy he seemed more concerned with Shippo but…she still didn't know why.

"ok, that should be enough for all of us." Sango smiled adding the last carrot shed been cutting. "now we just wait."

Kagome nodded. "yeah. You mind watching the kids while I go take care of the hour?" she asked, not actually wanting to just dump the responsibility on her.

"of course. The three of us will keep and eye out and make sure nothing happens. Go enjoy your "date"." She said, trying the word Kagome had used a few times.

"this isn't a date" Kagome said, but felt a slight blush come to her cheeks. She was glad she was facing away from Inuyasha so he couldn't see her getting flustered over this.

"if you are ready?" Sesshomaru asked, now standing next to her.

She hated when he did that! "yeah. Ok." She nodded, standing and dusting off her pants. "lead the way" she shrugged fallowing him.

They walked further than they had the previous night, and Kagome had to assume they were getting out of Inuyasha's hearing. Which she also assumed was a good thing, not wanting him to get upset of anything said or done. Not that anything was going to happen.

"is this acceptable?" he asked stopping in a clearing.

Kagome nodded and sat when he did, keeping a good space between them. Which he noticed but said nothing.

"have you thought on your favor?"

"not really. You should really just take your turn. I don't know if or when I might think of something." She said. She really couldn't think of anything she wanted from him. Other than this courting to not be a thing.

"I will wait for you. The one being courted goes first." He said. "what is your favorite color?"

She blinked. "why?"

"you pointed out, that I do not know you and that is your largest argument to not accepting me as your mate. The only logical step next, is to play the game your way. To learn."

She thought about that and nodded, "ok, but at the same time I need to know things about you too. Because I don't know you either."

He nodded. That sounded fair and understandable. "what is your favorite color?"

She smiled. "purple. Or pink. But more on the purple side." She said. She then thought of her own question, not wanting to ask him the same as he did back and forth. "how old are you?" she finally asked.

"I am 700 years old." He frowned at her shocked look. "is something wrong?"

"I'm sorry its just…you say that so calmly that I…its not something I normally hear for that question" She added.

"hmm…I supposed by human standards that is…old. You can think of it this way, as for demons I am still rather young, if I were human, I would be nearing 30 years."

"I would rather look at it like that, if that's ok. It seems more understandable that you would be interested in me. Even a bit…" though 30 was still a long way off from her age. "your question."

"what is your favorite animal?" he asked, ok with her thinking his age younger. If it made her happy, he'd let it go.

"foxes." She smiled. "I really like white or black foxes but red ones too. My dad and I used to watch documentaries about them a lot when I was little…um…I'm mean…we used to listen to experts and stuff" she said, knowing he didn't know what she meant.

That was good to know. And he was close with his cat guess the previous night. She had a feline quality, but a vixen persona worked just as well for her. Though he doubted a fox pelt would be something shed want, due to her fondness of the creatures and the kit. But perhaps a kimono with foxes on it? He could easily have one made. A black one with silver foxes perhaps?

"…did you do things with your dad like that? I mean, did you two have something you bonded over?"

Fighting. Power. Strength. No, she didn't want to hear that. He knew that. He knew she wanted to know more than what she could guess…"yes." He nodded. "when I was a pup my father and I liked music. He knew how to play a few instruments and would try teaching me…I was not a good student and did not learn much." He admitted not looking at her.

Kagome couldn't help but smile. That was actually cute that he looked away. And that he had memories like that. "you just wanted to listen right?"

He nodded. "yes. Izayoi had a nice singing voice. I suspect that is what he fallowed to find her…"

That…was surprising. He didn't talk about Inuyasha's mother like…well like he usually did about humans. "did…did you know her?" she asked, moving forward a bit without realizing.

"some." He nodded, he didn't miss her moving closer. "I believe that my father did not trust me not to kill her."

"would…would you have?"

He thought about it. "she did not do anything to make me want to kill her, but then, she had not produced the welp yet." He cleared his throat. "my apologies. She had not had Inuyasha yet."

"yes, I'd like you to be more mindful of that. He is still my best friend." She said. "if you want a favor so bad use that."

"what?" he frowned, looking at her.

"be nicer to Inuyasha. I'm not asking you to go out of your way to do nice things, just use his name, don't insult him, and if he insults you, don't stoop to that level." She said. "that would be a nice favor."

It would also win her affection. "alright. I promise not to intentionally insult him, and do my best to remember not to. For you." He nodded.

"great." She smiled.

"and now my favor…" he said, thinking. He had many he wanted, but was coming to realize many of them would be things she wouldn't really want. "my favor…is you accept appropriate signs of courting."

"I…I don't know what that means." She frowned.

"should I give you an appropriate gift, you will accept it. Unless," he added, "you truly do not like it. Do not dismiss it just because it is something you find "too much"." That should be acceptable. She had already said she didn't want jewels and such. But a new kimono, perhaps a hair pin, there was no logical reason she couldn't accept those.

"ok, that…that sounds like something I can do." She nodded.

"good." He smiled. At least she was coming around to understand how this was working. "you spoke of your father, as if he is gone. Is he?"

Kagome nodded. "he died a while ago. My brother was just a baby."

"I am…sorry."

"it happens. He was in a car accident-uh…kinda like a horse and carriage only a lot faster. It was raining…"

"what of your mother?"

"she's alive. She helps my grandpa run our family shrine. And looks after Sota of course."

"your brother?"

"yes." She smiled. "he's a good kid, he really goes all out trying to help mama and I. and grandpa, though he really wants him to be a monk and Sota doesn't want to."

"he does not wish to follow the family tradition?" he frowned.

"its…not really much of one. Mama isn't a miko. And dad wasn't a monk. i…I suppose if I go home after Naraku is dead I could run it. I'm the closest thing to a miko…"

Go home? Leave? That would not be happening. She would be staying here with him. "when is your time?"

"uh…I think we kind of pegged it to about 500 years from now, give or take of course."

"then that will not be an issue." He shook his head. Shed live far longer than that once they mated. Hell, should she have mated Inuyasha her life would still be extended much longer. Shed look maybe a few years older, but not by much.

"what do you mean?" she frowned.

"nothing. I believe it is your question." He said.

"ok…is your mother around?" she asked.

"unfortunately." He growled.

"not a fan I see…"

"she is…" he took a breath so not to upset Kagome with his response. "she is not a parental figure one would wish for, nor would many among us wish to interact with. She has caused harm to Rin," which wasn't fully true. Sesshomaru had caused that damage…shed helped. "and I do not trust her to be around."

"I see…I'm sorry you two don't have a good relationship."

He shook his head. "trust me, you will be happy to never meet her. Now, why exactly are you hunting Naraku?" he'd never actually asked before.

"oh. Well, because of everything he's done to all of us" she said. Actually, except Shippo, Naraku was the cause of all their problems.

"explain…please." He said, trying to not make it sound like an order.

Kagome explained, starting with Inuyasha and Kikyo, moving onto Miroku's grandfather, then Sango's village. "we still hope to save Kohaku but…"

"he is dead if you remove the shard from his back?" he guessed.

"yes. But, I know it sounds crazy, hes not really gone. When Naraku isn't in control, there is life. And its not like a clay body its…its real."

He nodded. "I can bring the boy back should we save him. It will be payment for him protecting Rin." It was not him who kidnapped the girl, or himself to blame when he tried to kill her.

"you'd do that?"

He nodded. "I am sure it will make Rin happy."

It would make them all happy.

"I believe our hour is coming to an end. And dinner is read." He said standing and offering her his hand.

Kagome hesitated but took it, and let him pull her to her feet.

"I will not hurt you." He whispered. "you don't have to be afraid of me."

"I'm…trying." She said. "I promise I am…"

He smiled. "good. Come, you need to eat." He said, releasing her hand and urging her to lead the way back.

"see? There she is. Perfectly safe and sound" Sango said as Kagome and Sesshomaru returned to their camp.

"you ok?" Inuyasha asked, looking her over.

Kagome rolled her eyes and took her seat between him and Sango. "yes, I'm fine. You don't need to be so suspicious."

"the hell I don't." he growled.

"eat. Then sleep. Then we can leave tomorrow morning and get the shard."

Inuyasha frowned at her. "fine. Good." He said finally. She wasn't actually falling for that prick was she?

"are you sure we're going in the right direction?" Miroku asked. It was late afternoon by the time they neared the where the jewel shard was waiting. It still hadn't moved, and Miroku was becoming concerned it might be a trap.

Which Kagome was also thinking. "yes, but….i feel like something is wrong." She said.

"why? If its just sittin there we'll just grab it" Inuyasha said.

"why would it just be sitting there? When have we ever just seen a jewel sitting there?" she asked.

"that's…yeah that's a good point." He frowned. "but I don't sense or smell Naraku anywhere near…"

"maybe its not Naraku?" Sango suggested.

"whoever it is, we'll kill them and take the shard." Inuyasha shrugged.

All three humans rolled their eyes.

"stop." Kagome frowned as they reached the tree line.

"what? Why?" Inuyasha growled.

"something wrong." She said.

"what is wrong?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I…I don't know but this has got to be a trap." She said frowning.

"you're over reacting." Inuyasha rolled his eyes and quickly walked into the clearing, and looked around. Nothing was there. "see?" his ears twitched before he leapt to the side to dodge a fist coming down on him. "fucker!" he yelled.

"I told you something was wrong!" Kagome yelled as the rest of them rushed forward drawing their weapons.

The fist belonged to a large ogre type demon. Kagome watched it lift a large club and pointed "jewels in the club!" she yelled seeing the glow.

"perfect" Inuyasha growled drawing his sword.

Kagome moved to the edge of the fight, keeping her bow and arrow read to protect both kids, while Inuyasha Sesshomaru Sango and Miroku fought the demon. Mostly the attacks fell useless against the beasts skin. Even the venom whip thing that Sesshomaru had wasn't slowing it down…

She aimed her arrow high and shot directly to the club. "Inuyasha!" she called holding the arrow.

He looked over, saw the arrow and nodded, raising his sword. As soon as she let the arrow fly, he used the wind scar, the attack fallowing the arrow by seconds. The arrow damaged the barrier around the club enough that the wind scar damaged it.

"yes!" Inuyasha called smiling at Kagome. This had become a new attack plan for them, that so far, when needed, was working out perfectly.

Kagome smiled back and knocked another arrow into her bow. She aimed higher for the ogres eyes, letting it loose. The arrow purified enough for Sesshomaru's own attack, damaging the beasts face. This caused it to start swinging its club around heavily, slamming down on the ground and at the group. And towards a single person of the group.

Kagome rushed forward before the club swung down and dove, knocking Sango out of the way to protect her. Unfortunately, that caused Kagome to take the blunt of the clubs blow, knocking her off the edge of the cliff they were at.

"Kagome!" Miroku called, seeing her go over, but unable to rush for her. Neither could Inuyasha, who was pushing the ogre back and away, keeping it away from the children.

Kagome was gripping the side of the cliff. She could not hold on, her hand was bleeding from the rock she was holding onto, and the grip slipping.

"Kagome!" Sesshomaru reached down for her, but too big a gap to reach her.

Kagome's eyes widened, knowing she was going to slip, even before she lost her grip. She couldn't even think of screaming as she fell. Her shock was just too great, until she hit the water below, and the sudden cold shocked her, before the water pulled her under.

Sesshomaru didn't even think. As soon as Kagome's hand slipped he threw himself off the cliff and dove after her, hitting the water seconds after her and trying to reach her, before the water pulled him down as well.

It took too long for him to reach, but once his fingers finally made contact with hers he grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him, using his body to shield hers from the rocks and debris in the river. He struggled but pushed them up multiple times for air before finally making it to the shoreline and pushing them out of the water.

After catching his breath he looked over next to him at Kagome, as she coughed up water. "are you alright?" he asked. There was a large gash on her head, and he knew there was a wound on her hand. Other than that, he couldn't tell if she was hurt.

"I…I'm ok…" she said weakly. "just…dizzy…" she said, coughing again.

He reached over to rub her back before her arms gave out and she dropped, passing out.

"fuck" he growled, pushing himself up and looking around. The river had swept them so far even with his vision he could not see the cliff they had fallen from. But, he did see the cave that would help them now. He scooped her up and carried her to the cave, great full it was large enough for a fire, and clean enough that nothing had been living there. The laid Kagome down and decided on the next plan. Shed freeze in her wet clothes. So he removed them, leaving her in her under garments. Next fire. He quickly left the cave, used his claws to cut up a tree, and bring the wood in and started a fire near her to warm her up before he disrobed himself, leaving his pants on. He would not freeze anywhere near as fast as her, but he did not want to be any more uncomfortable than he had to be, even removing his shoes.

Sesshomaru checked Kagome multiple times the next few hours. No fever, breathing fine. He'd torn some of his sleeve to wrap around her head, and hand, and the bleeding seemed to have stopped. The sun was lowering when he was cooking some fish he'd caught when she finally stirred.

"are you alright?" he asked, still sitting, unsure she would be comfortable with him near in her current dressed state.

"my head is killing me…" Kagome muttered, sitting up. It took her a minute to realize that she was in her underwear and tried covering herself.

"use this." He said, handing his, mostly, dry shirt. "your are still too wet."

"thank you" she said, blushing and pulling it on. Then noticed her hand. "you bandaged me up…" it still stung, along with her whole arm actually…

"your head as well." He said nodding. "I am sorry I did not get to you before you got hurt."

"its not your fault." She said shaking her head. "why are we in a cave?" she frowned.

"I needed to tend to your wounds, not to mention you have only just woken up now. And the river carried us further than I wanted to risk traveling with you wounded."

"oh…thank you again."

"you are rubbing your arm. Is it hurt as well?"

"yeah…but not bad. Plus its my left arm." She shrugged. "its ok."

He nodded, though still worried. "the fish is almost done. Come closer." He said.

He didn't have to ask her twice. While being covered felt better, she the fire was much appreciated. She did choose to sit as close to him as she could, without being too close.

He smiled at that. She was choosing to be closer than before. "I am sorry I do not have much, but I did find some herbs for pain if you need them."

"no…no I don't think its that bad." She shook her head.

"if you need it tell me." He said firmly. She was too much like Rin.

"I will" she nodded, before scooting closer to him and the fire. "how long do you think it will take to find everyone?" she asked after he passed her a fish.

"I would assume they would be fallowing the river to find us, so it should not be too long." He said. Inuyasha was smart enough to fallow the river. He assumed.

"ok." She nodded, worried about Shippo and Rin. But she knew Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango would keep them safe.

"I am sure everyone is safe." He assured her. "eat. You need to build up your strength." He urged.

Kagome nodded, and ate. It surprised her that he had done so much to take care of her. Was it because he was courting her, or because he actually cared? She watched him as they ate, noticing he had similar stripes on his sides as to his face. "I didn't know you had those" she said tilting her head. "is it because you're a full demon?"

"what?" he raised a brow. He hadn't missed her watching him, and was taking some pride that she was admiring him.

"the stripes. On your hips. They're like the ones on your face."

"they are." He nodded. "they are on my feet as well. They are demon markings. Shippo will have some of his own when he matures."

"so you weren't born with them?"

"no, not even faded marks where they would be." He said. "demons are not born with their markings, they are a sign of maturity."

"even your moon?"

"no, that is something else." He said.

"ok…is it like a birthmark?"

"I…suppose you could call it that." He nodded. "it is inherited. The first born from my mothers side inherits the crescent moon marking."

"oh. That's kind of interesting." She said nodding. "so your first child would have it too?"

"a version of it." He nodded. "my mothers is much thinner and feminine. My grandfathers was facing the other way, and his fathers was red."

"but always the same spot?"

"yes." He nodded. "sense you are asking questions, am I aloud to?"

She nodded. "uh huh."

"what is the cham on your stomach?" he asked, having noticed it when he stripped her.

"oh…it's a belly button ring…I got it on a dare with a friend back home…and I liked it." She shrugged.

"I see. Many females get these?"

"some. I'm not really sure if its a lot or a little."

"hmm. Your question."

"ok…what's your favorite color?"

"hmm…" he frowned, not really having ever thought about it. He looked down at her. "blue." He said, the fire making her blue eyes glow.

"such a boy answer" she smiled but looked back to the fire. "but mine was such a girl answer I guess."

He chuckled. "perhaps I will tell you one day why that is."

"well now I wanna know."

"no. not tonight. Ask your next question. Or favor."

"oh. Right. The favor…I'll have to ask that later. I need to think of one." She said, finishing her fish.

"are you still hungry? I can go find something more." He offered. He should have caught something more for her.

"no, I don't think people are supposed to eat a lot with a concussion. One is enough." She said. "thank you again." She smiled.

He found he liked when she smiled. "then it is your question."

"ok, how did you meet Rin?" she hadn't actually learned the story. When they were taking care of her when Sounga attacked that hadn't been high up on the list of things to do.

He frowned and turned back to the fire. "one of the fights with Inuyasha. I was injured and she found me." He said. "not unlike you. She tried saving me. And returned every day to try and take care of me…"

Kagome smiled. "Rin's a sweet girl." She said.

"yes. You did not tell me how you met the kit last night." He said.

"oh. Shippo's father was killed by a pair of thunder demons. We kinda avenged his father and he needed someone so Inuyasha and I…just kind of took him in." she shrugged.

"and now…he is yours."

She nodded. "yup. Just like Rin is yours."

"what?" he frowned, looking at her.

"well, your basically her father. That's how she sees you."

"I…did not know she saw me like that." He said, though now he vaguely remembered her saying something like that the night she saved him.

"of course she does." Kagome laughed. "I don't understand why you don't see that."

"I have not thought of it…should I speak to her about it?"

"hmm…I don't know" she shrugged. "I've never actually asked Shippo about it. Maybe it should wait until Naraku is dead…"

He nodded. That sounded like a good idea.

"your question." She said.

"I asked about the kit" he pointed out.

"well…not really but fine." She shrugged. "what is…your favorite shape?"

"my favorite shape? Humans have favorite shapes?"

"well…I do." She shrugged.

"I do not think I have one. I have never considered it." He'd never even heard of that. It must have been a human thing. Humans were…very strange.

"ok well, mines a moon." She said, "that's why I got one for my navel ring. And the star was just cute with it." She smiled.

"I see…I will have to consider that." He nodded, wishing to see that little charm again. Though, seeing her in his shirt was also a enjoyable sight. Though, he'd prefer if she were wearing it in his bed after a few rounds-

"your turn. Your question." She said interrupting his thoughts.

"yes uh…" he frowned. Question…"had you not come to this time, what would be doing?"

"oh. Uh…id be in high school by now." She said. "its just higher education. I'd probably be studying to get into a university…" and…be normal…and boring.

"you attended higher learning? I thought you were a miko."

"i mean, I am kinda now. But where I come from you go to school till you're an adult, then usually continue on and get a good job."

"I did not know you were formally educated…" he should have suspected. It would only be natural he'd be attracted to a female who was educated.

"I mean, its nothing special from my time." She shrugged.

"but it is here. Unless you are higher class, most cannot afford to go into education."

"that's really a shame" she said, though shed started getting used to the way things were. Even if she didn't agree with it.

He agreed but didn't say anything. Their pups would be educated. It would not matter. "your question."

"ok, do you have a favor?"

"I do." He nodded.

"oh…I…I feel like you should just ask them. We don't need to take turns every night. If we have one we should ask, and if we don't, it should wait till next night but the other person should get to ask."

"I can…agree to that." He nodded. "do you want me to ask my favor now?"

"yes" she nodded. Shed rather know now, and not have to worry about what he might ask.

"alright. My favor, is for you to sleep near me at night."

"what? You said you couldn't ask for sex and stuff."

"I am not asking for sex." He said. "I said near. As I am courting you to be my mate, it is my responsibility to protect and watch over you. Not anyone else." Not Inuyasha. "if you would feel more comfortable, the children can sleep with you as well. Surely you know I will not be crass enough that I would try to do something with the children so close?"

"no…no I don't think you would." She shook her head. "ok…I can agree to that, if the kids can sleep close to me."

He nodded. "of course."

Kagome yawned and pulled the shirt tighter around her.

"it is late, and you should get some sleep." He said, before standing. He picked up his moko moko, now warm and dry, and laid it down near the fire, but far enough back so she would not get burned. "come lay down here."

"what are you going to sleep on?" she frowned.

"I will not. I will stay up to watch over you."

"you need sleep too. You got hit in the river too."

"I will be fine." He said. "lay down, or I will move you myself." He said raising a brow. He would.

"ok…fine. I have a favor then." She said.

"oh? What is it?"

"you'll lay down on your fluffy thing with me tonight. To share heat and rest."

He narrowed his eyes. Cleaver vixen. "alright." He nodded. "lay down first, and I will lay down after adding more wood to the fire." He said, moving to start adding the wood as she moved and laid down on the moko moko.

Once she was settled he moved behind her and laid down, keeping a distance so she would not feel uncomfortable.

"good night Kagome." He said softly, watching her slowly drift off.

"good night…" she yawned, curling up against the soft fur.

He smiled softly, and slipped his arm around her, pulling her against him. "my Kagome." He said softly before letting himself fall asleep with her.

"Rin, you should really eat something." Sango said as they sat around the fire that night.

"I'm not hungry…" she said just staring at the soup cup.

"I know your worried but I am sure Kagome and Sesshomaru are alright." Miroku said trying to reassure the young girl.

"I'm just worried…what if miss Kagome or Lord Sesshomaru are hurt?" she said looking up.

"I'm sure Kagome is ok" Shippo said, smiling weakly, but he was still worried too.

Inuyasha sighed from the other side of the fire. "they're fine." He said, then frowned when Rin looked up at him. The kid looked like a kicked puppy…"he's not going to let anything happen to Kagome."

"really?" she asked, seeming a little happier.

"yeah…you know…he's…if he hasn't gotten killed yet, a little fall like that's not going to do it." He shrugged, not wanting to admit anything positive about the bastard.

"you think so?" she asked.

He smiled. "yeah, he's fine. And Kagome's fine. Eat and sleep, we'll catch up to them in the morning."

She nodded and started eating the soup slowly.

Inuyasha smiled at the kid.