Chapter 13

The breeze that danced through the trees kissed Kagome's cheek as she walked an artificial path through the woods while traveling with her pack. Rin ran around her picking flowers as she saw them. Jaken walked in the back with Ah-Un, the two-headed dragon. Sesshomaru walked next to her silently.

The demon lord has been keeping relatively close since the incident at the castle. Kagome shivered in discomfort trying not to remember the horrible close call. She felt something furry touch her hand and looked at it. Sesshomaru's Fluffy snaked around her wrist, up her arm, and around her body. Kagome giggled, hugged it close then looked at Sesshomaru. "It seeks to comfort you," Sesshomaru said, still looking ahead but answering her unasked question. Kagome smiled and hugged the fluff tighter.

As she walked she pet it absentmindedly. Looking at Sesshomaru she said, "Thank you Sesshomaru, for saving me yesterday." Kagome realized she hadn't thanked him yet. "This Sesshomaru apologies for the attack upon you," he replied. "You didn't attack me," Kagome smiled. She tried comforting him the way he would her but with a twist. She bravely reached over and squeezed his hand. He looked at her then squeezed back.

"Lord Sesshomaru, would it be alright to stop for lunch?" Kagome asked a few hours later. "Hn," was his reply. The miko walked to a large tree and sat beneath it. Kagome pulled a few rice balls from her pouch and handed them out. Jaken came out of the woods a few minutes later with some wood and Kagome started a fire with it.

Pulling out her tea box, Kagome stood and went over to her Lord. Sitting next to him in a seiza, she opened the box and presented it to him. Sesshomaru looked for a moment then chose a tea he had not had yet. "Jasmine dragon pearl, good choice Sesshomaru Sama, it's my favorite," Kagome said with a smile. "You may call me Sesshomaru," he said, dropping his third person royal speech. Kagome stared for a moment then smiled. "Alright, you may call me Kagome," the miko said, getting up to make his tea.

It was later in the evening they were walking down the worn path when Kagome sensed two jewel shards. She looked to her side to see the daiyoukai she traveled with had stopped. "Sesshomaru, I sense two shards coming this way from the east. They are both in one demon. It feels big," Kagome said. Sesshomaru pulled his sword and commanded Jaken and a transformed Ashi to watch over Rin. The miko set a large barrier over Rin and her protectors, just in case.

Kagome went to stand next to her alpha. They waited until they heard the large beast coming. The young priestess summoned her bow and arrows, made of her reiki, and readied herself.

Trees broke and crashed to the ground with the arrival of the demon. It was a dragon demon, twice the size of Ah-Un. It was deep red in color with a black stomach and horns. It didn't have wings though. Its eyes were black with yellow slits down the middle like a snake. "I'vvvvvee been seeeaaachhing for yoooouu mikkkoooo," hissed the dragon snake.

"What business do you have with my pack?" Lord Sesshomaru asked. Kagome saw his hand tighten on his sword when the demon spoke of her. "You will find out in time," replied the dragon then he lurched forward to attack.

Kagome pulled her arrow back and fired it at the dragon's heart. Her arrow collided with his scales and fell to the ground. "His hide is too strong for my arrows," Kagome said aloud to herself, dissipating her bow. Summoning pink crackling energy into her palm, Kagome watched Sesshomaru attack the demon, pushing it away from her. The miko focused on her hand. She packed a large amount of energy into a small orb. Bringing it to her lips she whispered a spell that would make the orb follow its prey. Kagome waited until Sesshomaru had the beast distracted then threw the ball of pure energy. She aimed for the jewel shards in its throat knowing they were the cause for such strong armored hide.

The dragon beast saw her energy orb and tried to dodge it. The ball followed quickly behind him, surprising the dragon demon so that it was unable to dodge a second time. Her reiki ball hit the spot with a burst of power and went right through its throat taking the shards with it. Kagome closed her eyes and summoned the shards to her so he couldn't get them back. "Stuuuppiddd weennnchh!" choked the dragon, spitting blood while it yelled. Distracted by her attack, it didn't see Sesshomaru in time. "Arrrrggg," the dragon screamed. It wasn't able to dodge the demon lords attack enough and lost an arm. Without the shards it's scales weren't impenetrable anymore.

The dragon tried to swipe at Sesshomaru with its other hand but missed. In the blink of an eye Sesshomaru stood on its other side with the dragon's remaining arm in hand. What is your business with my pack?" Sesshomaru asked again. The dragon ignored him as it screamed, "Arrgggh!" The coward tried to turn and run but that was a fatal mistake. Sesshomaru raised his sword and brought it down across its head, cutting it in half. Kagome looked away from the grotesque scene. She summoned a small ball of her reiki and sent it to the demon's remains, turning it to ash.

Sesshomaru drove his blade into the ground then sheathed it. "Come," he commanded angrily and started walking toward the northwest again. Kagome waved her hand releasing the barrier and was happy to see Rin was turned away playing with Jaken. That battle was not for children's eyes. Ashi transformed back into his small state and jumped onto her shoulder. "Come on Rin," Kagome said with a smile, holding out her hand. Rin giggled then ran up and took her offered hand as they walked.

The sun was creeping closely to the horizon so the group decided to stop for the night. Sesshomaru caught a deer and brought it back wrapped in its fur after he cleaned it. Kagome cooked the meat along with some vegetables she grew. After their evening meal, Kagome collected her things for a bath. She left Ashi to play with Rin since the hot spring was not far from their camp.

Kagome sighed as she sunk into the steamy water. She loved hot springs. Grabbing her bottle of shampoo, she poured some in her hand and lathered her hair. Once she was done, she submerged herself to rinse the shampoo. While she was under water she felt two shards approaching impossibly fast and recognized who they belonged to right to late. Bursting through the surface of the water, Kagome took one look at the wolf demon in front of her and screamed.

*With Sesshomaru*

Lord Sesshomaru sat against a tree watching his pup play a game of catch with the neko. He reached for the ties holding his armor in place and undid them. Setting them to the side he was just replacing his Moko-moko when he heard a scream. Immediately he was on his feet running towards Kagome. He smelled a wolf demon's aura that almost instantly appeared close to his female.

Breaking through the tree line that circled the spring he put himself in front of the little miko who was naked and just climbing out of the water. He felt her grip his haori and shrink closer to him. He mentally commanded his Moko-moko to go to her for some cover as he studied the wolf. "Wolf, leave now if you value your life," Sesshomaru commanded, while bringing his clawed hand into view and growling in warning. "Who the hell are you and what are you doing with my woman?" demanded the wolf. Sesshomaru growled at his disrespect and claim towards his female. The Inu Lord felt a small hand touch his shoulder and looked to see Kagome peeking around him. "I know him," she said, then turned an angry glare towards the wolf.

"Koga, what are you doing here! You scared me half to death and you know not to bother a woman while she bathes!" lectured the miko. "Kagome, I smelled you but not Inuyasha and figured you weren't traveling with him anymore. I came to get you and take you back with me," said the wolf as he took a step closer. Sesshomaru let a snarl loose, warning the pup away from them. "It's ok Sesshomaru, he thinks he has a claim on me but I've denied him many times. He won't listen," Kagome said frustratedly, while she patted his arm to calm him. Sesshomaru took the outer layer of his haori off and handed it to the little miko. He felt her putting it on while he made sure she was out of sight of the wolf.

The miko walked from behind him to stand next to him with a limp. He wanted to ask her what was wrong but didn't take his attention from the demon before them. Sesshomaru took a small step forward and to the right, putting himself half in front of the injured woman. "Hey, get away from her, she's my woman!" barked the demon wolf who advanced a step closer. Now only the spring separated them. Sesshomaru let his doku drip from his claws ready to attack if necessary. The wolf pup backed up a few steps at the show of power. "Koga, for the last time, I'm not your woman and I'm not going to be. Ever!" the miko said firmly. Sesshomaru felt a sense of happiness wash over him at her denial to the wolf's claim.

"Kagome don't be like that! You know you like me. I claimed you, it's more than that half breed Inutrasha did! I'll take care of you, then you can be my bitch," the wolf pup said, seeming to begin getting angry. Sesshomaru felt Kagomes's ire raise. "I AM NOT A BITCH! Do I look like a wolf?! I'm not yours either, Sesshomaru is my alpha. I'm staying with him," the miko yelled, almost hurting his ears. "Sesshomaru has never walked out on me and left me alone like you and Inuyasha! He actually CARES! Why don't you just give us your two shards from your legs and go!" The wolf's eyes started to turn red and Sesshomaru bent slightly into a defensive crouch. "Hey, I was nice enough to offer you a place by my side, you should be grateful, now come on. We will mate then you will tend to my tribe and help me grow it," the arrogant wolf growled.

"What is with you demons thinking you can claim people! I'll never be yours no matter what you do!" Kagome yelled. "Is that a challenge? Then I will make you submit to me! I've made my claim, your mine!" he roared. The miko took a step back. Sesshomaru had heard enough.

Summoning his whip, he lifted it into the air and slashed the unexpecting wolf across the chest. He then rushed behind the pup and cut out the two shards then returned to Kagome in seconds. With the jewels in his sleeve he rushed forward and grabbed the wolf by the back of the neck and slung him into a tree several feet away. "Leave, I will not repeat myself," Sesshomaru said with authority in his voice. The defeated wolf growled, "This isn't over!" Then cowardly fled with his tail between his legs.

Sesshomaru looked at the little miko and noticed she held all her weight on her right foot. Sesshomaru grabbed the end of his sleeve and ripped a long strip off. Taking the miko's hand he placed it on his shoulder as he bent down and began wrapping her swelling ankle. "Thank you Sessho, I must have rolled my ankle running out of the water," the miko said when he finished. Sesshomaru raised his brow at the nickname but did not say anything. He found he almost liked it.

Sesshomaru picked up the miko so she would not have to walk on her injured foot. He then grabbed her other things and turned to head back. When the two arrived at their camp Sesshomaru set Kagome down by a sleeping Rin. He watched as she tucked in their pup and kissed her goodnight. The lord went to sit by a tree close to his pack while he watched Kagome bustle around and finish getting ready for bed.

He noticed her pause before she got into her own sleeping sac then fiddled with the sleeve of his haori she still borrowed. "Ano, Sesshomaru.." she started. Sesshomaru could tell she felt uncomfortable and figured it was because of the events from the last few days. He stood and began taking off his boots then untying his swords. Setting Tensaiga on the ground he took Futari no Ken from its sheath and drove it into the ground. A large purple barrier formed over them. He wanted to be sure his pack was safe while he rested.

"You will sleep with me tonight, I will keep you safe," Sesshomaru said. Kagome smiled and picked up her sleeping bag. She limped over to him where he watched her undo something that made it larger then lay it out. Sesshomaru laid down on his back with his right arm tucked behind his head. He almost smirked as the woman laid beside him awkwardly with the greatest distance she could give between them.

Sesshomaru reached underneath her and pulled her to his side. She gasped and jumped at first but then settled in. He felt her fear disappear and was satisfied with that. "Goodnight Sesshou," the miko said with a yawn. She was asleep when he finally whispered back, "Goodnight my Kagome."

~End of Chapter 13~

We're peeling the onion you guys! ;) Also sorry for being a little late. Life ya know?

Miko-Priestess

Reiki-Spiritual energy

Haori-T shaped traditional Japanese garb

Ano-Umm

Tensaiga-Sword of the heavens

Ja ne, Peach