Inuyasha had disappeared again. Kagome grumbled, stuffing her yellow backpack with books and dirty clothes. If they were going to make an extended trip to scope out their enemy, she needed to go home to restock and deal with school issues. Maybe she could get the slayer to drop her off at the well. Her large cat looked like it could carry more than one. As she crossed the clearing to talk to Sango, she caught Sesshoumaru watching her. His gaze steady, never blinking, creeped her out.

"Do you need something, Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked the silent youkai.

"You are preparing to travel," he commented.

Oh crap, not another interfering dog trying to keep her from going home. Sesshoumaru hadn't been with their group all that long. The last time she went home was right before he joined them. He obviously was questioning her. Kagome struggled to keep her explanations civil. "I need to go to my home near the old well in Inuyasha's forest."

Sesshoumaru raised one eyebrow. "Will not this require several days travel? Surely you do not mean to go alone?"

Why doesn't anyone think I can take care of myself was her first thought. He wasn't actually trying to forbid her going. "I thought I would ask the vampire slayer to fly me there on her cat. It shouldn't take too long to travel that way," Kagome answered, watching him for clues to his reaction.

Sesshoumaru was elated, although he allowed none of his emotion to show. This was the opportunity he had been seeking, to get the miko alone. "There is no need to ask the slayer. This Sesshoumaru will take you."

Kagome's mouth fell open. She was so not expecting that response. "Okay, thanks. Can we leave before Inuyasha gets back? He always causes trouble when I go home," she replied.

"Come," Sesshoumaru gestured. Kagome tentatively approached. When she was within a few paces, Sesshoumaru moved swiftly and gathered her close, smirking at her squeak and reddening face. He formed his cloud and they flew away.

As they flew, Kagome explained that her home was not in Inuyasha's Forest, but through a portal in the old well. After they reached the clearing, Sesshoumaru hovered over the well and began descending. "It might not work . . . only Inuyasha and I have been able to go through," she trailed off as the blue light flared.

The portal activated and deposited them at the bottom of the well in the old shed. Sesshoumaru looked a bit startled and his nostrils flared. "It might smell odd," she commented hastily.

"Indeed," he answered. Holding her even tighter, he leaped out of the well.

He still had not let her go, even though they were out of the well. He nuzzled her neck and hair. "You smell far, far better than the air here," was the muffled comment.

Kagome still shocked, had no reply. Sesshoumaru seemed to have thawed a bit lately, but she certainly was not expecting this, nor her traitorous body's reaction.

"Um, you can let me go now," Kagome attempted to step away.

Sesshoumaru growled, something at the very edge of his senses triggered his protective instincts. "Mine," whatever or whoever lurked out there would not steal away his chance with her.

"What's wrong?" she whispered.

"There is something which threatens out there," he grumbled.

"It's just my family shrine. There are protective wards around it," she wondered out loud if that was what he felt.

"No, there is strong youki, but faint as if dampened," he mused. "Familiar somehow." He swiveled, canting his head and sniffing audibly. "It is gone now."

"Mom, I'm home!" Kagome called out as she entered her home. Sesshoumaru paced behind her silently, taking in his surroundings, on guard. The unknown youkai might return.

They entered through a food preparation area. A basin built into the cabinets was full of soaking pots and pans, some sort of elevated fire box, where the odors of fried food lingered, a high work table, and several large humming boxes of unknown purpose were in the room. Kagome continued into a connecting room furnished with couches and cushions around a low table. A boy sprawled on the couch closest to a large picture on the wall. Sesshoumaru stared at the images flickering across the screen and winced slightly at the noises that seemed to be coming from behind the moving paintings.

"Hey Kagome, you gotta watch the trailer for this new game. It sounds like Inuyasha and you guys." Souta paused his video and turned to face his sister. "Who's that? His hair looks like Inuyasha without the ears."

Sesshoumaru frowned imperceptibly, insolent pup. Kagome's whole family must have her loud, brash manner.

Kagome addressed Sesshoumaru, "My Lord, this is my younger brother Souta." She continued, "Souta, this is Lord Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha's older youkai brother."

"Half-brother," Sesshoumaru glared at her.

"Oh wow, can I see your swords? Inuyasha showed me his," Souta begged.

"No," Sesshoumaru's response was immediate.

Souta was diverted as he looked closely at Sesshoumaru. "That's weird, you look like the elf in the new video game. Clothes, armor, and everything."

Kagome was curious now, "What video game?"

Souta went into an excited, extended spiel about the new game he was just dying to buy. Kagome blinked, it sounded exactly like her adventures in the past.

Souta opened the menu on the dvd he was watching and brought up the "Coming Attractions" screen. He clicked on the "Vampire Castle" icon. The screen opened with a huge muscle-bound character with long white hair and cat ears dressed in a red gi and hakama. He bounced in the waiting for action fighter pose and waved a sword that was larger than he was. The name banner read "Inukami."

Sesshoumaru snorted. The picture must be Inuyasha's dream self.

As the scene unfolded, the camera panned to the forest in the distance. A short, skinny elf and a girl in a green and white school uniform were suspended in a spider's web in the trees. Massive spiders scurried and bats flew toward the fighter. His attacks took them out easily. He cut down the captives from the web, catching the girl and allowing the elf to fall on his rear. The school girl hugged and kissed the fighter. The dejected elf slunk away into the trees. A siren went off and lights flashed, a sign reading "Game Over! You Win!" scrolled across the screen.

Kagome covered her face, red with embarrassment. It was so, so bad. But how had their story become a video game?

x x x