A/N I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. Also sorry for the delay. I meant to post this yesterday.

Chapter 17

Kagura was checking to see if the blocking spell was used by a specific youkai, or a specific sorcerer, or both. She went to all the locations, but there was nothing that tied them together. They weren't registered under the same name, or the same company, they were not all places of residence or business. So likely, there was a sorcerer who was hired to create the blocking spells. She had traveled to several places in the city and crafted a very powerful spell. She checked each and everyone of them, anyway. A few tall skyscraper buildings, where hundreds of people worked, no telling who hired the sorceress to block it. A few apartment buildings so once again no way to narrow it down.

Then she got to a large estate. At least she knew this one was owned by a single person. She was trying to hide, but there were cameras and guards everywhere. There were warding sigils on the large wall that fenced the property. She could not enter to look around, but could tell this youkai was powerful. She walked by the gate and looked for a family crest or something. He was old blood. It only took one glance at the crest to know he was the son of the Inu no Taisho. The current Lord of the West.

Well, that had to answer the question of where the monster was. Now she at least had something for Naraku. Not that he would likely be pleased with this outcome. She took her time walking all the way around the barrier. She didn't want to leave the fresh air soon. She wanted to enjoy what she could while she had the chance. She wanted to feel the wind on her face for the little time she could.

She went back after checking the remaining locations. Nothing wrong with being thorough. She had to make sure she could give him the best answer after all. The trip back to her prison went too quickly for her liking. Arriving back at the hell she has lived in for years.

As she entered she went to his office first. He was, unfortunately, not there. She went to the great hall, as he called it. Not there. He must still be in his room. She dawdled as long as she dared. Knocked and waited for a response.

A slimy voice responded, "Enter." and she swung the door open slightly and peeked her head inside. "Ah, Kagura. You have returned. And tell me the good news. Where is my monster? Did you bring her with you?"

She took a deep breath, "Naraku, after looking at all the locations that match the block, I believe the most logical one housing her is the son of Inu No Taisho. Most of the locations were office buildings or apartment buildings. But the residents were smart. They didn't just have a single apartment blocked, they had entire buildings warded meaning we cannot pinpoint which apartments they may be. It would make sense, Sir, that the current Lord of the West would guard those in his territory though. Not that I would even begin to make assumptions on your part. I did monitor all the locations as best I could. However, his estate is under guard, and I was unable to remain for long without being detected. If you would like me to go back after dark, I will gladly try again."

He shook his head, "No, Kagura. I will contact my dear friend Sesshomaru. I am sure he would be happy to help me. Especially if I have something he wants in return. Now, go eat, I know you have not eaten today, and afterwards you may return to your room. Also, send in the newest servant girl. My appetite is back. And here I thought my needs had been sated for a while. Unless you of course are interested?"

She gave a fake smile, and tried to seem to consider, "My Lord, I believe my body would be too tired to please you. I will have the new servant girl sent up for you."

Then made her way to the kitchens, stopping one of the guards to relay his request. They brought a young human out of the dungeon and she was screaming and crying all the way down the hall. Kagura took a deep breath. She would not endanger herself to save someone. She needed to take care of herself first. She reheated a small bowl of leftovers from his previous meal and went to her room. Hopefully, it would not be long before she could be back outside and feel the wind again. Last time it was at least 3 months. She needed to feel the fresh air. It was her only solace of her existence.

Sesshomaru was not eavesdropping. He was ensuring his fool of a half brother did what needed to be done. He didn't want him to suffer by losing his mate, especially at such a young age. He still had centuries to live, and to do so without his mate by his side, would not be worth it. He could almost imagine Inuyasha trying to take his own life, if he failed to be with her. He had to do what he could to protect him. He had failed in the first couple centuries. But after Inuyasha stepped up and assisted in the revenge of their father. After he decided to take his bloodline seriously, Sesshomaru knew that he could be a worthy successor. He started trying to help him. He began to speak highly of him to other demons, especially in battle meetings, and committees. He wanted the other rulers to know that even though he was not a full fledged demon, he was still of royal blood, and still held power.

He wanted him to know that if Inuyasha wanted it, he could have his own land. He could have his own kingdom. Sesshomaru would gladly split the Land of the West into two equal parts and allow Inuyasha to rule on half. The only other option was to teach him to be his second in command. But, Inuyasha did not seem to be interested in ruling. He would continue to try to train him. He would give him time, but try to get him to want to help their people. But, it seemed Inuyasha did not see how his business helped their people. Perhaps after this was all done, he would have to show him a bit more.

But right now, there were more important things going on. There was someone trying to attack Inuyasha's mate. He would do whatever was necessary to protect the creature in the small guest house. Inuyasha deserved to be happy. He remembered how much Inuyasha stood by him and helped him figure out how to court a human. It was such a new world for him. But Inuyasha was amazingly patient. Even if he did mock and tease him. He would not throw the friendship they had worked hard on, away for anything.

He couldn't hold back the grin as he stood as silent as death outside the door to the guest house. Listening to Inuyasha tell the story. He was very proud of him; he was so afraid of being judged unfairly. He knew he was part of that. He had judged him so harshly when he was but a pup. He hadn't given him a chance to come into his own. He had tried to kill him so many times. Okay, not entirely. If he had wanted his little brother dead, the boy would be dead. But he was so much fun to play with back then. He felt that he was unworthy of their father's fang, and his father's bloodline. Not to mention, the fact that he had left his mother to go be with that mortal woman. Sesshomaru had been too little to understand. Too immature. Then, having their father die at the hands of Ryukutsusei had been a wound too deep to heal easily. He knew it hadn't been Inuyasha's fault. Nor his mother's, but it was easier to blame them. Easier than looking at the truth. His father hadn't gone out to protect only his mate and child, but his territory. His land. He went out to protect them all. If Ryukutsusei had been permitted to survive he would have laid waste to so many youkai and humans. It was necessary to kill him. Not that their father had succeeded. Despite his great strength. But he had sealed him away and unfortunately lost his life in that battle. He did what had to be done. And although it took a few centuries to realize it, Sesshomaru understood his reasoning now.

He now had to do his best for his father. Inu no Taisho would not want Sesshomaru to kill his youngest son, especially not because of who his mother was. He had improved greatly, through a great amount of work. He wanted to make his father proud, even if he was gone. He had a legacy to live up to. He had to keep his father's name in good standing. He would do whatever was necessary to keep his people safe. All of them.

After his little brother finished telling the story, Sesshomaru walked away. He had done well. Now he hoped the creature would be able to forgive him. He didn't deserve to be hated by the one person in the world who could love and accept him. That was how mates worked. She could love and accept him through everything. She just needed to realize it. He would give them time and privacy to work things out now.

Kagome was still sitting on the sofa, asking questions back and forth. She finally knew she had to ask the next question. She had told Sesshomaru she would see about letting him come with her.

"Inuyasha, you said you would follow me to a cave if that's where I had to go. Is that still true?"

His eyes snapped to hers, "Of course. Are ya leaving then?"

Her face softened, "Not in the way you think. I need to try to contact the witch who gave me my disguise spell. I think she might be able to help me, but Sesshomaru's sorceress did give me a blocking spell, so it might not be necessary anymore. But since he was so impressed with my spell, he wants me to see if I can contact her, anyway. Would you be willing to go with me?"

He nodded before she had finished asking, "I told ya I would. I don't really want to be away from you. Not that I won't leave ya be if ya want me to, but I don't want to. D'ya know where she is?"

She smiled, "I really don't, but she told me before, to use the ring charm to call for her. I don't know if it will lead me to her, or her to me. But I need to get somewhere safe before I start. I don't know if there is anywhere safe anymore."

He sat for a minute thinking, "We can probably build something that would keep you safe. We have some very powerful spell casters. With their help, we can get it done. They might need to use the charm to see about locating her, though. D'ya really think she's still alive? Wasn't that over 1500 years ago?"

She nodded, "I really don't know if she's alive, but I was hoping. At least then I wouldn't be in so much debt to your brother anymore."

"Keh, don't think about it like that. He isn't looking to collect like you think he is. Yeah, he likes to know all the details, but you are in his territory. He'd protect you for free. It was never about you owing him. It was about him knowing because you owed him, you'll tell him everything from now on. So don't let him get to you. Besides, if it comes down to it, I will pay him back for ya. He owes me more than he'll ever be able to pay back."

She was startled at the soft smile on his face. It might have been the first real smile since she'd met him. It made him even more handsome, and it killed her. How could he be so damn good looking? She hadn't been joking before when she called him an Adonis, but this just made it more true. She took a deep breath. She needed to get a hold of herself. She couldn't let her libido dictate her decisions. Not again.

Inuyasha would go to the ends of the world to be with her. If she wanted to hunt down some old witch, then he would go with her. No matter what. He would follow like a lost puppy if she tried to leave without him. He needed her. More than he needed the air in his lungs. So, when she gave him the option, of course, he said yes in a heartbeat. But the look on her face was something he wasn't ready for. She was definitely attracted to him. Which he had never had happen with someone who knew what he really looked like. Of course, only demons could see through his disguise and most of them looked down upon him because of his mixed heritage, anyway. But the scent of her arousal hit him hard and made something else hard. He tried to take a deep breath and reign himself in and by the smell of things so was she. He had to hold back. It was too much for her.

He took a deep breath and released it slowly. He would do his best to show her that he could be mate material. He would do whatever she asked or whatever would make her happy. Now how in the hell could he figure out what would make her happy? He had never courted a woman in his life. He had never actually dated anyone. Sure, he'd had one-night stands, especially after meeting Miroku, but none of them ever knew who or what he was. He couldn't even look them in the eye afterwards. He disappeared before the sun rose and never called them. He would have to figure out what she liked, what she wanted. But how?

Kagome was trying to calm herself down. Sure, it had been centuries since she'd gotten laid, but it didn't mean she should just spread her legs since Inuyasha was willing. And by the tent he was trying to conceal, he was definitely willing. And seeing his cock straining at the front of his pants was definitely not helping her calm down. She stood up and excused herself, going to the bathroom and rinsing her face. She didn't even know what had caused Inuyasha to get so horny. It wasn't like she had said or done anything to him about things like that. She had been speaking about the witch. She had been speaking about traveling to find her. And she had agreed that if she did have to leave, he could come to. Then she had seen him smile, and she knew she had gotten a little aroused, but that didn't explain his reaction. Except what if it did? He was half Inu-youkai. He was half dog demon. Dogs could tell when a female was in heat. And isn't that exactly what her being aroused was? Shit, he could tell when she was horny. Of COURSE he could! Because why not?

,

Her face was on fire, and she was trying to breathe, but struggling to get a breath n. He had known she was aroused, and it turned him on. Had he known every other time she looked at him and thought he was sexy? She was trying to trust him, but now even her emotions weren't a secret. No, she did trust him. He had explained, and she had forgiven him. It didn't change the fact that his betrayal, although explained, still hurt, but she forgave him. She couldn't keep punishing him. But seriously? She couldn't even get turned on without him knowing? She was going to need a sedative for the trip across the world with him.

She washed herself up everywhere, hoping to eliminate the pheromones. She was just kind of assuming it was pheromones. It could even be because he decided she was his mate and he could just tell when she was horny. Which wasn't any better. She needed to figure out how to control herself. 'Okay, let's think of something unsexy. Let's see… Ummm, things in my life that have killed my libido in the past. Ummm, shit, why can't I stop picturing him?!' Her mind was getting the better of her, and she needed to get it under control. But all she wanted to do was touch him. All she wanted to do was drag her fingers through that long silver hair. How in the hell was she going to fix this?

Another deep breath, 'Okay, you are being hunted. Not for the first time, but you have no idea who this one is. It's not Daddy. Nor is it likely one of his siblings or cousins. This is clearly a mortal. He wouldn't send mercenaries after you, after all. He would just appear, grab you, and disappear in a heartbeat. But he doesn't know you're still alive. He thinks you were killed with Mama. He doesn't need to know you're alive either. Deep breath. At least I'm not horny anymore. Just terrified. I am not very good at this.'

*BAM BAM* "Kagome, are you okay?"

Of course, he was worried. She had been inside the bathroom for at least 10 minutes. Last time she left to be alone she tried to run away.

"I'm fine. I'll be out in a minute."

"Bullshit. You ain't fine! What happened?"

"I said, I'm fine. Really. I just need a minute."