I don't own Inuyasha.

Where are all my reviewers hiding? My ego is getting peckish. Constructive criticism is welcome to, just don't be mean. Slow chapter, sorry, but feel free to reveiw anyway.

Kagome's eyes had gotten wide, as had her grin, when Melissa told the story of how he protected her from the rain. Then both women giggled like school girls. Melissa hadn't gone into detail however, she hadn't mentioned that she fell asleep stroking his cheek and singing to him. He'd die if he knew she'd told him as much as she had but Kagome swore she'd never tell a soul, not even her husband.

Later Sesshomaru found himself sitting in Inuyasha's house having a surprisingly civil discussion about battle and tactics while Kagome, Melissa, and Rin visited. Neither man knew what the two women had talked about earlier. Melissa and Kagome kept looking at each other and giggling. A few times they looked at him, then each other, and giggled. He had been sorely tempted to question Melissa, but had heard them threaten Inuyasha and decided against it.

Melissa had run a wet comb through Rin's hair and was braiding it tightly. She told the girl if she left the braid in while she slept then in the morning her hair would be wavey. It happened again, she and Kagome looked at him, exchanged a glance and smiled. He couldn't stand it.

"Melissa, what did you and the miko discuss this morning?"

"Girl talk." She replied dismissively.

"You discussed this Sesshomaru." It wasn't a question.

Melissa turned to face him without standing. She leaned toward him, placing her hands on the floor so that she was basicly and her hands and knees looking up at him with a wicked smile. " Kagome sworn secrecy. If you really want me tell you what I say, in front Inuyasha and Rin, I will tell."

Sesshomaru glared at her. Then he stood up and stormed outside. Minutes later Rin yawned and Melissa told her it was time for bed and walked her home.

"Well, that was weird. Do you want to tell me what we just saw?" Inuyasha asked his wife

Kagome smiled, "She has him wrapped around her finger. That's what we just saw."

"Well, yeah. But we've seen him kill for much less. Yeah, he grew up a lot when he took in Rin, but still, she drives him nuts and he lets her live. He should have killed her by now."

"He won't."

"But why?"

"Same reason we put up with one another even when we drive each other nuts."

Inuyasha stared at her while he worked that out. "Kagome," he said slowly. "She's a human.

"She is a woman. A beautiful woman. Like your mother."

Melissa had cast a circle and was sitting meditating in a field just outside of town. Then she picked up the dark shallow bowl she'd borrowed. She'd never been that great at scrying, preferring to read tarot cards, but she had no cards now. At some point she'd have to make some. But for now this would have to do.

She stared into the dark reflective surface. After a long while a shape began to form, a crescent moon. Then the rest of the card shimmered dimly in the background. The Moon card, was a trump card, an important one. The moon symbolized lies, deception, and illusion, a warning that situations and people were not what they first seemed. At some point she would have to be very careful not to jump to conclusions or be too trusting of a person. But when or who?

As she continued to stare at the dark surface the card shimmered and faded, but the moon remained. Then it turned to a dark blue... Sesshomaru? A face started to form. Cold gold eyes, painted lips, a dainty stripe high on each cheek. It was not Sesshomaru, but she greatly resembled him. Then the image was gone and all she could see in the water was the starry sky above.

She felt like she was being watched. She lifted her head and looked around, Sesshomaru stood at the edge of the tree line. How long had he been watching her? She smiled and uncast her circle as he began to walk toward her. He was so pale he seemed to glow. Maybe he did glow, he was a youkai.

"Are you ready to come to camp?" He asked softly.

"Need return Kagome bowl."

Sesshomaru turned his head toward the village. He could hear Kojo and his friends being rowdy, they were drunk again. "I will escort you."

"Sesshomaru, you have sister?"

"No. Inuyasha is my only sibling."

"Cousin?"

"My cousins both died in battle." Why was she asking about his family? "Do you have any siblings?"

"I have four big brother, no sister."

"you must have been very well protected with that many men to watch over you."

She gave him a small, sad smile and shook her head. "Father not want girls."

"Your father expected to have only sons? That is unreasonable."

"America have ways not have more babies. Father had four boys. Done. I born last. Accident. He not want me."

Sesshomaru stopped and turned to face her. She stopped to and looked up at him. "If your parents were taking precautions and conceived you anyway you are not an accident, you were meant to be. Your father was a fool."

His eyes were intense as he spoke. She turned away, back toward the village, brushing her bangs away from her face as she did. They were getting too long, she needed a trim. She started to walk away. He watched her for a moment before following.

She appeared to be alone. Kojo and his friends were sitting outside his house when they spotted her. Kojo pushed himself to his feet and staggered towards her. She spotted him and froze, then took a step back. Even though they were several feet apart she could smell the sake.

"Come back for a visit, Youkai whore?" he slurred. He staggered toward her. Then his eyes grew wide and he staggered backward and fell. She felt a strong hand on her shoulder, then Sesshomaru pulled her behind him and glared as Kojo and his friends retreated inside, swaying and staggering as they went.

They made their way to Inuyasha's house for Melissa to return the bowl without further incident.

"How did it go?" Kagome asked quietly, trying not to wake the fox kit who'd returned from school while Melissa was out.

"I saw something, but I have no idea what it means. I'll figure it out though. Thanks." It was still easier to speak in English. "I saw a tarot card, followed by a woman who looked like our friend here, but he says he doesn't have any sisters or cousins."

"Hmmm, we don't know anyone who looks like him either. Can't help you there. Would you like to spend the night?" She looked at Sesshomaru.

"Jaken as found a suitable site and I sense no storms approaching."

"No thank you, Kagome. See you in morning." She waved and followed Sesshomaru out of town. Speeding up to walk closer to him as they approached Kojo's house. The door was open and as they passed she caught his eye and he glared at them. She subconsciously moved even closer to Sesshomaru and gripped his arm.

He looked down at her then followed her gaze. Kojo had enough sense not to meet Sesshomaru's eyes. "You needn't fear them Melissa, I am here." He assured her with a low growl, placing his free hand protectively over her's as they continued on. Once they reached camp she greeted Jaken then settled down to sleep while he watched over them.