Chapter 6

Winter was upon them, light snow fell from the gray sky dusting the hibernating landscape. Kagome walked with her small tachi, she was warm despite the weather wrapped in her newly made fur cloak. Rin still had her old cloak so she had made an appropriate sized one for the small girl and picked up a few other things for the child on her last visit home. Kagome couldn't wait to see her new little friend again. She might have gone overboard on the gifts she brought for Rin but didn't care.

Daydreaming about their next visit, Kagome fell behind to the back of the group and was no longer walking behind Inuyasha. "Oi wench!" Inuyasha yelled from the front of the group, "Pick up the pace!"

"Inuyasha I'm right here!" Kagome yelled back, only a few paces behind Miroku and Sango. Stopping Inuyasha let the others pass by him and stood in front of the miko. "I want you in front of me where I can keep an eye on you," Inuyasha demanded. "Why?" Kagome asked, putting her hand on her hip.

"'Cause you're weak and always gettin' into trouble and it's a pain in my ass!" Inuyasha retorted. "I'm fine by myself you big jerk plus, I have Ashi with me." Grabbing her by the arm he pushed her in front of him and demanded she walk. Ashi growled at the hanyou and sent him a warning hiss.

Warning bells started to go off in Kagome's head again, Inuyasha kept doing weird things like this. About a month ago she stopped riding on his back because he had grabbed her thighs tightly and slid his hands up so far he almost touched her most intimate place. After sitting him really hard, she would only ride with Ashi. Now there was this. Lately he would make her walk in front of him under the pretense of keeping an eye on her but she could feel his eyes in the southern region of her body and was sure he had no idea of their surroundings. The guy was creeping her out. She was frightened and had no idea what to do.

Turning her attention ahead of her, she wished her friends would notice these things. Sighing, she watched as Miroku reached over and grabbed Sango's butt. "HENTAI!" she screamed, smacking him in the head with her bone weapon. Shippo laughed then jumped from her shoulder to Miroku's and banged his little fists on his head trying to help beat some sense into the hoshi about the public displays of inappropriate attention. She knew they had their own lives to deal with and their own problems but still if only they paid a little more attention she wouldn't feel so alone. She had no one to stand in her corner against others who bore her harm. Trying to ignore the pervert behind her, Kagome thought of her favorite golden eyes wishing she could be with Sesshomaru and Rin right now where she felt safe.

Later that afternoon, Kagome and Sango had just finished cleaning up their temporary camp after their small lunch when Inuyasha jumped from his tree and ran into the woods. "Where do you suppose he's going?" asked the monk. "I don't know, I'll go see if he's ok," Kagome said. Standing, she left Ashi behind to continue his game with Shippo and followed after the hanyou. He looked anxious all day and she wondered if he was ok.

Finally, breaking through the trees into a very small clearing, Kagome found Inuyasha holding Kikyo and kissing her. The dead miko's haori was pulled apart at the top exposing her shoulders. Pulling away from each other they looked at the blushing woman who interrupted them. "What the hell are you doing here bitch?!" Inuasha demanded harshly. "I was just coming to make sure you were ok..." Kagome replied, embarrassed at the scene she came upon. Kagome turned to look at the dead clay woman who was fixing her top and walking toward her.

Stopping in front of her, Kikyo looked into her eyes with cold, dead anger. "Copy, you are pathetic, Inuyahsa does not need a weak imitation like you to run after him," mocked the dead priestess, "you are nothing to him but a tool to detect shards, you do not belong in this era, nor do you deserve to be in our presence." Before Kagome knew what happened she felt a cold, hard slap across her cheek. Falling to the ground from the force, and surprise, of the attack Kagome threw out her hands to catch herself feeling the unforgiving ground scrape away the flesh of her hands. Laughing at the fallen girl, Kikyo walked back to a smirking hanyou, took his outstretched hand and walked away.

With tears in her eyes from the emotional and physical abuse, Kagome carefully got to her feet. It took some effort with her injured palms. Deciding she didn't want to go back to camp and face her friends with the shame clear on her face, she went for a walk in the opposite direction the couple went.

*With Sesshomaru*

"Sesshomaru-Sama, may we visit Lady Kagome soon?" asked the innocent child who recently joined the young Lord. This had been the tenth time the child had asked to see the miko and he knew he would have to give in soon. "Rin!" shouted the slimy drudge to the daiyoukai, "stop harassing lord Sesshomaru, he does not wish to see a pathetic ningen."

"Jaken, leave her be," commanded Sesshomaru. "Yes Milord!" squawked the retainer. "I am your humble servant." The toad screeched. "I only wish to please you!" He wheedled as he threw himself at the stoic Lord's feet.

Ignoring the squabbling creature and raising his nose to the air as the wind brought a familiar scent towards him, Sesshomaru thought to himself, 'It would seem I will not have to search out the miko.' Turning towards the direction the woman was in he walked away from the graveling green pest at his feet with a happy child skipping beside him holding Ah-Un's reins. The two headed dragon quietly tread in step after her shaking their heads at the embarrassing scene behind them.

Arriving at the mikos location, Sesshomaru could smell tears and blood. "Kagome-Sama!" squealed a very happy Rin as she ran to embrace the startled woman. "Rin!" Kagome replied happily, wiping her eyes dry and hiding her injuries before the child noticed. But Sesshomaru did. Hugging the girl awkwardly, Kagome smiled at the demon lord and Au-Un then stood, releasing the child in her arms.

Bowing low, Kagome greeted the lord kindly, "Hello Lord Sesshomaru, I hope you are well." "Hn," was his reply. Pulling on the older girl's sleeve Rin demanded her attention. "Rin missed you Lady Kagome, Rin has colored a bunch of pictures for you and wears your cloak every day!" explained the tiny girl, practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh, that reminds me Rin, I have some gifts for you!" replied the miko, pulling her strange sack from her back.

Sesshomaru watched the woman digging around in the yellow monstrosity curiously, wondering what she had for his ward. "I made you a cloak of your own so it fits you better," Kagome stated, pulling the furry thing from her bag. Squealing, Rin pulled off the big cloak she wore and handed it over to try on her new one. This one was different shades of brown and looked to be made from deer fur. It fit his ward well and Sesshomaru was impressed at her skill to make such a thing.

"I also knitted you a hat and mittens," the young miko said, pulling more items out. "Here You go," she smiled, happily helping Rin to put them on. "Lord Sesshomaru, look at what Lady Kagome made for me!" Rin yelled joyously. "Very good Rin," replied the Lord. Rin smiled a grin that almost reached her ears and ran off to show the toad and Ah-Un.

"Um Milord, I prepared this kit for Rin for the coming winter so she stays healthy," the shy miko said, handing him a small sac. Taking it from her he opened it to find various bottles of herbs and odd cloths. There were also a few things Sesshomaru did not recognize. Looking at the miko, she somehow read his eyes and began to explain all the things he held. "These jars are herbs for tea if she has a sore throat or cough. This jar has throat lozenges I made for her to suck on to soothe any aches in her throat or nose. These are pills I purchased from a healer I know for when she has a fever, give her one every 6 hours until her fever breaks. Lastly, these are patches to place on her head to help with fevers, just peel this paper off the back and stick it to her forehead. It gets cold and stays that way for a few hours. They can be thrown in a fire when she's done with them," Kagome finished, being sure he understood everything. "If she is ever sick longer than seven moons you can bring her to me and I'll help any way I can," offered the kind woman.

Sesshomaru was surprised. This did not happen easily. The miko had gone out of her way to make sure his ward stayed warm and healthy through the winter. "My thanks, miko," the lord said with the slightest bow of his head. Watching her eyes widen he looked to his ward who had come back from showing off her new winter wear. "Thank you very much Kagome-Sama, Rin loves her gifts very much!" the little one spoke gratefully. "Your welcome Rin, it was my pleasure! But that's not it, I have a few more things for you!" the miko explained, going back to her bag and searching for her gifts. Finding and pulling out two small packages she handed it to a giddy child who ripped it open right away. Rin stared wide eyed at the presents in her lap. One was a small box of wooden blocks for the child to build with. The other was a doll dressed in traditional Japanese clothes. It was all done up and looked like it was of royalty. "Rin can have these?" asked the shocked girl. "Of course you can," replied the miko, "I saw them at a shop in my village and thought of you, every little girl needs a doll and blocks," she explained. Jumping up and hugging the older girl around the neck, the little girl thanked her profusely. "Oh thank you so much Lady Kagome! Rin loves them and will take very good care of them!" promised the little child.

Kagome sat in seiza on her blanket watching Rin play with her new doll and blocks. As time passed she got a few snacks out for them to eat. Not too far away, the demon Lord sat, resting against a tree with one knee bent and his arm atop it. "Miko," Sesshomaru called, getting the girl's attention. "What happened to your hands and face," he asked quietly so the small girl did not hear.

Staring at the ground, the happy look on the miko's face faded to one of shame and a tinge of anger. "Kikyo, the dead clay pot that Inuyasha loves," Kagome looked away and said no more on the subject.

'So she was attacked by my half brother's deceased lover.' Sesshomaru thought, his heart rate picking up and his eyes narrowing slightly. Why his pathetic sibling loved a corpse when he had the real thing, he had no idea. "He is inadequate to be her mate in any manner" his beast chimed in. For once he agreed with his baser self. Inuyasha did not deserve her, he barely deserved the dead one.

Looking to the trees at his right the daiyoukai sensed a small demon approaching and recognized the scent. A moment later the miko's pet neko came into view. He must have followed her scent. 'A loyal companion' Sesshomaru thought to himself. Nodding at the creature that stared at him to request entrance into his space, the small cat nodded back and ran over to his mistress. "Ashi!" Kagome yelled in surprise. "You found me!" she said happily, picking up and hugging her pet. Rin chose that moment to come over and find out what the commotion was about. Ashi meowed his reply and greeted both girls by rubbing against them. "Can Ashi play with us Lady Kagome?" Rin asked sweetly. "Of course!" replied Kagome. "Come on Ashi!" she called, while getting up. With Rin's hand wrapped around her arm, they started running around the glade while the neko chased after them.

Lord Sesshomaru watched the merry group play while he let his mind wander on tedious matters. He had earlier received his fifth scroll from the other cardinal lords, demanding he settle down with a mate and produce an heir. He had dismissed all of them with a short reply that he would not be told how to live his life and he would produce an heir when he was ready. They were being persistent and it irritated him immensely. He was not ready to settle down and mate. Even if he was, there were no demonesses that were acceptable to him. Calling Jaken to his side he sent the annoying toad off to go check on his shiro and be sure there were no more nagging scrolls.

Kagome's head snapped up at the same time Sesshomaru felt three auras nearing. She stopped in her tracks turning to the lord. "Sesshomaru-Sama, three demons are approaching with a jewel shard each!" Kagome warned. Standing swiftly, he watched the neko demon hiss and transform to his larger size. Pulling his sword from its sheath, he was about to order Rin atop Ah-Un for safety, when he heard the miko already in action, "Ashi take Rin into the air and away from here," the miko commanded, while picking up a frightened Rin and placing her on the nekos back. Running to get her bow and quiver, Kagome watched Ashi take to the sky with her precious cargo. "Ah-Un follow them and keep watch." The Lord added.

Taking a defensive position next to Sesshomaru, Kagome waited for the approaching demons. Three large centipedes broke into the clearing and stopped several meters from the pair. Lord Sesshomaru noticed the girl's disgusted face at the sight of the scaly demons. They each had three red eyes and looked to be covered in some sort of slime. "We smelled a child we wish to have for dinner. Where did you hide it?!" screeched the middle centipede.

Angered at the threat to his ward, Sesshomaru was about to send a killing strike at them with his tokijin when the miko's aura exploded in anger, lifting her hair with the swirling power. "You will not touch her!" Kagome growled out. Knocking three arrows, the miko wasted no time letting them fly at each being. The head of her arrows glowed a brilliant pink and pierced each centipede in the heart. Exploding in a purifying light, the demons were engulfed in the powerful blast and were reduced to ash in seconds. Three shards fell from the sky, sparkling in the sunlight as they dropped.

Surprised at her display of power, the daiyoukai sheathed his sword and turned to the Miko who dropped her weapon and whistled into the sky. Moments later the neko beast appeared and touched down on the ground.

Kagome ran to her companion and whisked off the crying girl from his back. "Shh, it's ok sweetie, it's over, no one got hurt," the miko hushed. Sitting on the previously abandoned blanket, Kagome placed Rin in her lap and started rocking her back and forth.

Come stop your crying

It will be alright

Just take my hand

And hold it tight

I will protect you

From all around you

I will be here

Don't you cry

For one so small,

You seem so strong

My arms will hold you,

Keep you safe and warm

This bond between us

Can't be broken

I will be here

Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart

Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on

Now and forever more

You'll be in my heart

No matter what they say

You'll be here in my heart

Always

Always and Always

Finishing her song, the miko dried the little girl's tears with her sleeve after they finally stopped flowing, "There now it's okay," she soothed, kissing her forehead. The neko demon, now in its smaller form, hopped into Sesshomaru's wards lap and licked her face. Giggling Rin smiled and hugged the tiny demon. "Rin, would you like me to teach you a new game?" the older girl asked. "Oh yes Rin would like that!" Rin sniffed in reply. Taking a thin cloth from her pocket, the miko dried the child's nose then set her on her feet. Sesshomaru was impressed how she handled the entire situation. The Lord went to retrieve the shards while the miko cheered up Rin and brought them back to her. Holding out the shards to the woman, he dropped them in her open hand. "Thank you Sesshomaru-Sama." Kagome smiled and gave a small bow, then turned to the little girl at her feet.

The Lord of the Western lands sat and watched the two girls and neko play a game of "hide and seek". The miko showed his ward how it was played and they frolicked for nearly an hour. "She would make a good mother," his beast commented. 'Hn' was his reply. She had the qualities of a good mate.

Disliking where his thoughts were going he rose to his feet. The sun would set soon and he needed to find a suitable place to make his camp for the night for his pack. "Rin, it is time to go," the demon lord commanded. "Aw, okay," replied the girl, sad at having to stop her game with the miko. "Don't worry Rin, we will see each other again," comforted the miko. "Promise?" begged the small girl. "I pinky promise," said the miko, locking her pinky with Rin's and giggling at her confused expression. "What does that mean?" asked Rin, looking at her pinky. "A pinky promise means an unbreakable promise, if you break it you will lose your pinky!" She explained tickling the girl afterwards. Laughing uncontrollably, Rin struggled to get away from the wiggling fingers of the older girl. The smallest smile met the corner of the lips of the demon lord for only a second. He could tell these two would be inseparable soon.

*With Kagome*

Kagome watched Sesshomaru's group leave, waving until they were out of sight. Grabbing a bottle of water from her bag she took it over to the fire they had going and dumped it on top to put it out completely. Sighing, Kagome turned and picked up her bag and weapon. Large yellow sac and bow in its place, she gathered Ashi in her arms and started her trip back to her camp.

Arriving with her group as the sun had almost completely dissolved from the sky, Kagome pulled out her sleeping bag and climbed in with Ashi saying nothing to her friends and skipping dinner. Closing her eyes, she listened as the others settled down after waiting up for her to get back. When the tachi was soundless aside from their large fire Kagome let herself relax. Inuyasha was not back yet and she was glad for that. She was growing very weary of her so-called friend and hoped things would get better soon.

Sighing into her pillow, the bothered miko shifted the thoughts in her mind. Instead, she envisioned her wonderful afternoon that turned out better than it started and despite the demon attack. She missed the small pack already so much. Vowing she would see Rin and Sesshomaru again very soon she fell into an uneasy sleep.

~End of Chapter 6~

Bam! Another chapter done, hope you liked it! 3

Tachi-Group, pack

Hentai-Pervet

Hoshi-Monk

Haori- Hip or thigh length jacket that is usually tucked in

Shiro-Japanese style fortress usually made out of wood and stone

Tokijin-Sesshomaru's demon fighting sword

***Song*** You'll be in my heart by Phill Collins (Not me)

Ja ne, Peach