Disclaimer: All characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi. Any events taking place are of my own imagination. I hold all rights to those

Chapter One: The First Encounter

The wind whipped around the Kaede's hut like a bitter memory. The winter had not been kind to the village nor any of its inhabitants. All of them had suffered much. If it wasn't a lack in rations it was someone going down sick. Either way both Kaede and Kagome had been extremely busy.

Kaede was stirring a pot of remedies as three more villagers laid in the other room that had originally been Kagome's before the outbreak of sickness. The young priestess had been subjected to the living area for the time being. The young priestess was use to this Kaede knew, but it didn't help the elderly woman for feeling for her. She knew what it was like to want for your own bed and not be able to have it.

It had been nearly two years since Inuyasha's death and Kagome had grown in the way of the priestess. Kaede dared say she was stronger than she had been when Naraku was alive. When Magatsuhi was destroyed, the dark force within the Shikon no Tama, it unleashed Kagome's true power enabling her to become an extremely powerful priestess. The woman had never seen her mourn Inuyasha's death though. That in the woman's mind was unhealthy, but many dealt with pain differently. It wasn't really any of her business; however, she worried over the young woman anyway.

Kagome entered the hut covered in snow, but unharmed with an armful of firewood they would need. Kaede took in her appearance. She had switched her modern-world clothes for that of this era with the traditional red skirt and white haori of all priestesses. Her hair had grown long which she tied back like Kikyo had. On most days, Kaede would look at her and see her sister instead. She guessed it was normal to do so her being Kikyo's reincarnation.

"What herbs are we in need of Lady Kaede," Kagome spoke warming her hands by the fire as her blue orbs met Kaede's brown ones.

"Ninroot it seems," she spoke looking back to the room that housed three sickly villagers.

Kagome nodded as she made her way to the back room. She peered at the two men and one woman on the floor. She began removing the cloths from their foreheads and rinsing them with new water. She looked upon them with sorrow. Their fevers were heightening. She doubted they would make it.

She went to replace the last cloth as a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked to the villager. He was the youngest of the three nearly twenty she guessed. She gave him a smile and tried to remove his hand from her wrist.

"Priestess," he rasped, "You mustn't go to the forest alone. It-It's dangerous." Kagome smiled more at the young man before her.

"I will be fine," she answered softly as she took his hand in hers comfortingly, "I will have my bow with me. There is no need to worry for my safety, please rest."

Kagome rose to her feet and the man caught the hem of her skirt as she made to leave.

"Priestess, please," he rasped, "There is something out there. Do-don't go."

Kagome's eyes widened slightly at the warning. She hadn't heard of any reports of wayward demons entering their village. In fact, since Naraku's demise nearly two years ago, there hadn't been hardly any demonic activity in their village.

She quickly knelt by the young man and spoke to him comfortingly, "I promise I will be careful." The young man moaned but his strength to protest was waning as he rolled his head to the side in defeat.

Kagome rose and left the room returning to Kaede's side. She grabbed her winter haori and her bow and arrow along with a basket as she headed for the door. She paused as she slid the door open and looked back at Kaede.

"Lady Kaede," she asked looking back at the winter wonderland before her, "have you heard of any dangerous youkai nearby?"

Kaede's brow furrowed as she looked at Kagome's back, "No child, why?"

Kagome just closed her eyes and smiled, "No reason."

Kaede was left staring at the place where Kagome had once stood curiously.

Not ten minutes later, there was a knock on Kaede's door.

"Come in," she called stirring the pot some more.

A man from the village wrapped in bundles of winter garb stood in the doorway. "Lady Kaede, I came to warn you of a youkai that has entered the area. It's attacking villagers."

Kaede's eyes narrowed. Be careful child.

XxxX

Kagome walked slowly as she took the sight of the village in around her. It had become her home in the last two years. She loved its people and in turn they had also grown to love her as well. She'd had many people come to her for help or even advice. Kaede had told her it was because she had such a big heart. Sometimes she hated that heart.

It had taken her a year, but Kagome had eventually gotten over Inuyasha's death. She had come to the conclusion that if the hanyou had been here he wouldn't want her to be so miserable. So she had moved on and tried to be happy for everyone. It still stung now but it had become a much more bearable burden.

She stopped short when she saw little kids playing in the snow before her. One little girl was making a snow angel while the boys were building some sort of fort. The little girl looked up when she saw Kagome approaching.

A bright smile lit up the girl's face as she got up and ran to her, "Lady Kagome!"

Kagome couldn't subdue the smile that overtook her features. She knelt as the little girl reached her wrapping her into an embrace, "Hello Shiru," she greeted pulling back from the girl who was smiling brightly, "How are you today?"

"Great Lady Kagome," she answered brightly as the boys were running to Kagome's side as well, "Kitsu and Miato are letting me play with them."

Shiru was one of the orphan girls that the villagers had taken in when her village got destroyed by raiders. Kagome always felt some sort of connection with her. Kitsu, Kagome knew, liked Shiru but just didn't realize it yet. He was a tall boy with light brown hair and intense blue eyes. You could tell there was intelligence behind them. They reminded her of Souta's eyes. The last boy was Miato. He was bigger than Kitsu and extremely protective over little Shiru. One day she knew that Shiru would have to decide, but for now childhood innocence was in play. It was the best time in a lifetime Kagome had decided. No worries. No pain.

Both boys behind Shiru smiled proudly as Kagome looked to them, "Well that is very kind of them," she said in praise. Both the boy's smiles brightened considerably.

"Will you play with us Lady Kagome," Miato asked excitedly. Kagome was about to reply when Kitsu spoke up.

"Lady Kagome is probably busy," he said eyeing her evenly. Kagome just smiled at him.

"I was just on my way to collect some herbs from the forest," Kagome admitted as she rose to her feet.

"Okay," Shiru answered slightly disappointed her expression falling. Kagome looked down at Shiru and smiled.

"Maybe when I get back Shiru," she said trying to get the girl to smile again.

"Okay!" She said excitedly, "Bye Lady Kagome!" She called as she and the boys ran back to their play area.

Kagome couldn't help but smile at their receding features. She thought of Shippo as she watched them go. He had gone into the wilderness nearly six months ago. He needed to strike out on his own he had decided. Kagome knew it was the right thing to do in letting him go, but it had been hard for her. He had been her last connection to the life she had once lead.

Sango and Miroku came out to visit every once in awhile with a new baby nearly every time. Kagome couldn't repress the smile. Sango was a wonderful mother to all three of her children. Miroku had wanted a lot of children, and she didn't imagine he was going to slow down anytime soon.

Kagome started walking toward the forest again. She stopped short of the treeline and looked at it. She closed her eyes and used her reiki to sense for any youkai that could be lurking behind the security of the trees. She felt nothing.

She opened her eyes once again and started forth. Maybe it was due to the young man's warnings, but this time Kagome was on high alert as she entered the sanctity of the forest she had felt safe in countless times before. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching her. This trip would be a quick one.

XxxX

The paperwork. That's what Sesshomaru hated most about being Lord of the Western Lands. That and the politics but mostly the paperwork. Granted it came in handy. He liked to know who was having a hard time raising crops so he could further cushion his father's lands. He managed to scrape by every year with enough to feed his people. He hadn't had to stoop to the level of buying from other lands, and he was quite pleased with it. However, there had been many close calls.

He looked around his study. It was lined with bookshelves on nearly every subject. The blue that colored the crescent on his forehead adorned the walls around him. A tapestry of his father's greatness hung on the wall behind the low desk he sat behind. A rug laid on the floor between the desk and the door to the rest of the palace. It was white and blue in color. A fire pit sat two feet from the wall to his right.

His father had spared no expense in creating his home for he and his mother, but he sometimes thought the old dog had overdone it slightly. However, it was nice for Rin to live in. She enjoyed the beauty of the castle sometimes more than he did. All of its impressive halls and elegant rooms bewitched her.

A small twitch pulled at the edge of his lips. He guessed it was also because she was a little girl. He had learned quickly that they liked pretty things.

He had started her in etiquette lessons as soon as he had returned to the castle after Naraku's demise. She had done fairly well in them thus far, only hating politics with a passion.

The corner of his mouth twitched at the thought. She had brought a small amount of peace to his life. It was welcomed with all of the incessant nobles he kept around.

That was another thing he disliked that his father had done.

Inu No Taisho had made it so nobles, of all stations, could come and stay at the Western Lord's Castle; of course for a small price. He admitted it had been nice while he was out searching the world for Naraku, but once he had returned home it had been quite the nuisance. It had also started several disgruntling rumors about him and Rin upon his return. He had quickly put a stop to them, but it hadn't gone unnoticed by his young ward. Afterward, she had been quite distrusting of anyone but Jaken or himself. He couldn't blame her.

Sesshomaru looked back to the paperwork before him. The Lord of the East, Lord Isamu, was having a shortage this year. This was fine by him. Lord Isamu wasn't considered an ally since he had been the one to send Ryukotsusei in an attempt to assassinate Inu No Taisho in the past, and thus normally Sesshomaru wouldn't have aided him. However, his crops had done extraordinarily well; he had a surplus. It looked like an opportunity he could take advantage of.

He moved on to the next stack of papers. Youkai movement reports. Technically, it was out of his jurisdiction, but Sesshomaru always managed to persuade the Eastern Lord to show him the reports concerning Edo. Sesshomaru had not forgotten the promise he had given his little brother.

Since the demise of Naraku the lower class youkai had felt the freedom to move about as they wished. Naturally, the activity of youkai was up and had risen intensely in the past two years, but nothing significant enough to catch his attention had happened yet.

His eyes scanned the papers quickly. Some stronger levelled youkai looked to be moving in on Edo. He furrowed his brow. He normally went out and disposed of the youkai in the area to make sure that the Miko was safe. However, they weren't normally this strong. Not that it would be a problem for him. The Miko however…

There was a knock at the door. Three to be precise and from the smell of it one of his servants.

"Hn," was the only reply he gave the servant who entered swiftly.

"Lord Sesshomaru," he said bowing quickly. It was a tori. His hair was a bright red and his eyes a deep blue. Sesshomaru found his inherited appearance unfortunate as he was a good servant, and as the captain of his guard; he trusted him most. "We have received an urgent report from the Edo area," he said looking up at Sesshomaru recovering from his bow.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as he raised his hand for the paper that was clutched by Karatsu's side. It took him seconds to read over the report. His expression going stoic, but in his mind Sesshomaru was slightly concerned.

"Karatsu," he spoke as he rose from his seat, "Inform Rin and Jaken that I will be gone from the castle for a few hours."

"Hai," the tori responded as he bowed again, "Lord Sesshomaru," he called as Sesshomaru left the room, "What of the meeting?"

Sesshomaru didn't stop as he replied, "Cancel it."

XxxX

Kagome worked quickly to gather the necessary herbs keeping her guard up. She had grown stronger and could deal with most things on her own, but it still wouldn't help to be caught off guard by a youkai out here by herself.

She had nearly filled the basket when she heard a twig snap behind her. Kagome immediately turned her head but saw nothing. Her eyes narrowed as she set the basket down at her feet. There was something out here with her.

She had felt watched when she had entered the forest, but had just brushed it off as slight paranoia from the young man's fever enhanced warnings. However, she had heard something behind her. She reached for her bow and an arrow. She held them low before her. Her eyes scanned the snowy dead-looking forest before her. There wasn't anything that stood out, but she knew better than to trust just her eyes. She closed her eyes and reached out with her reiki. Still she felt nothing.

Kagome reached down for the basket keeping her eyes levelled before her. It was time to go. She turned to leave as movement caught her attention once more. Kagome turned and fired an arrow in the direction of the movement. She heard the telltale swoosh of a misfire. Her eyes narrowed.

She waited for the enemy to reveal itself but it seemed disinclined to do so.

"I know you're out here," she spoke evenly, "reveal yourself and I won't purify you on sight," she coerced.

There was still no response to her words. Kagome closed her eyes and erected the lavender-colored barrier around her. She would be safe from attack, but she still couldn't locate the youkai that stalked her.

She saw movement again out of the corner of her eye, but she couldn't move in time to launch an arrow. She felt this burning sensation on her side. She looked down to see cuts in her haori that was now stained crimson. Her eyes widened.

A youkai that wasn't affected by miko powers. Was it even a youkai? If that was true she was going to be in bad shape.

She notched her arrow determined to hit whatever it was the next time she saw it. Kagome could hear faint laughter in the shadows of the forest. However, pinpointing the exact location was impossible especially in winter. The forest was bare and sound reverberated throughout.

"Having trouble miko," the voice taunted. It sounded that of a woman.

Kagome's eyes narrowed. "Come out where I can see you," she demanded.

"Oh," the voice sneered, "so you can shoot me with a purification arrow? Honestly, how stupid do you think I am?"

So the voice of the forest wasn't just some low level youkai. It held intelligence. This was a change from the few grunt-like youkai that they had encountered in the past two years. She guessed it was just a matter of time before someone else got curious and decided to check out the village.

"What are you," Kagome inquired. She still couldn't sense the entity's aura. Whatever it was, even if it was a human, it would have some sort of life force signature that her spiritual powers could detect.

"Ah, confused on why you can't find me miko," the voice taunted once more, "maybe you should have studied harder," it chided. She could practically hear her laughing.

"What do you want," she practically growled. Her patience was wearing thin; she was tired of playing games.

"Ah," the voice called, "finally the right question." Kagome had been trying to locate the origin of the woman's voice, but every time it seemed to be coming from all around her. "I am here to kill you of course."

"What have I done to you," Kagome called still reaching out with her reiki, "What grief have I caused you to warrant such an action," she called stalling for time.

"You," the woman's voice said taking on an entirely different level of animosity, "have killed someone I hold dear."

Kagome was taken aback. She hadn't killed anyone or any youkai with a substantial amount of brainpower in nearly two years.

"The only thing I've killed in the past two years was a hanyou by the name of Naraku," Kagome called out once more her arrow still poised before her. She had given up on detection. She was now focused on deflection of the inevitable attack.

The voice went silent for a long minute before it answered, "I've waited a long time to find you, miko," the voice sounded off. This time it was closer than it had been before, "It's been a long two years, but every second searching for you has been worth it." The sadistic yearning in its voice was clear as Kagome felt herself being closed in on. "And now," the voice said pausing, "I am going to break you."

Kagome suppressed the involuntary shiver her body produced at the cold, chilly intent the woman's voice had held. This woman was sincere in the declaration she had just voiced.

It went deathly quiet. Kagome recognized this brief timespan. It was the silence before the strike. All middle-class youkai did this. It was like it was ingrained in their beings to frighten their prey. Normally, it didn't work on Kagome. This was an exception.

Whatever this being was it could break through her protective barrier without any apparent harm. The barrier would not only protect from attacks but could dispel any nearby enemies without much effort. The fact that this youkai or whatever it may be could not only withstand it, but also break through and land an attack on her left her with a sense of unease.

Then it hit. Kagome felt burning sensations throughout her body as she was hit from nearly all sides with what she presumed to be blades or claws. It had moved too fast for her eye to follow. Definitely youkai-like in speed.

Kagome fell to her knees as her barrier faded. She held onto her bow as she used it to aid her in standing. Her face held a mask of subdued pain. She needed to stay alive. If the youkai was only interested in her the rest of the village would be safe, and maybe after her death it would just leave the rest alone.

Kagome rose to her feet shakily as she notched the arrow once more. "If you're going to kill me," Kagome voiced her hand shaking, "then at least look me in the eye when you do it. Have a sense of decency," she chided. She knew it was a risky maneuver but what else did she have to lose at this point.

The forest grew silent for a few minutes until she heard footsteps closing in on her. Kagome turned to see what appeared to be a youkai woman standing before her. She was elegant with dark blue hair cascading down her seemingly frail shoulders. She held the markings of a full demon with crimson stripes on her cheeks accompanied by a gold rhombus on her forehead. Her dark brown orbs were now boring into Kagome's blue ones with a burning hatred that Kagome hadn't seen before. Her pale skin seemed tan against the white, snowy backdrop. Kagome had to admit she was quite beautiful.

She recognized the look in those brown orbs though. It was a look of pain. A look she had held for a long time, "You loved him didn't you."

The youkai seemed taken aback for a second, "Whoever it was that I killed, you loved him."

The youkai scoffed. "Like you would know anything about it," she spat poisonously. "You know nothing of my pain."

Kagome suddenly felt pity for the youkai before her. She would have to live a long and lonely life while she herself would have a short mortal life. Granted she was alone, but she wouldn't have to be tortured if the one she loved died. It would be a brief separation.

"I am sorry," Kagome said as she lowered the bow before her. The youkai snarled.

The female youkai was about to launch an attack. Kagome raised her bow but knew it was futile. Her arrow wouldn't unleash in time. Kagome closed her eyes and awaited the impact but nothing came.

Kagome opened her eyes to see a figure standing before her. She recognized it immediately. How could she not. She had seen this figure before in battle nearly in the same situation it was in now. The long white hair to his mid-back, the mokomoko over his right shoulder, his right arm grasping Bakusaiga that was now held before him blocking the female youkai's blade.

The female's eyes narrowed as she stared into Sesshomaru's golden orbs. "Miko," Sesshomaru said looking back at her out of the corner of his eye, "who is this hanyou."

Kagome lowered her bow as she looked from Sesshomaru's back to the hanyou. She didn't look like it, but she wasn't about to argue with him. "I don't know," Kagome responded her eyes narrowing.

Sesshomaru pushed the hanyou back and stood straight staring the hanyou down. "Hanyou, what business do you have with the Miko," he asked evenly.

Sesshomaru hadn't seen this hanyou before but this wasn't unusual. She was a middle-class youkai. He was interested in how she bore the marks of a full youkai when she was a mere hanyou. She was a neko-youkai. Semi-skilled in the way she held the blade.

The neko hadn't answered. "This Sesshomaru grows tired of waiting," he said once more with his eyes narrowing.

"What business of your is it," the neko stated.

"That is none of your concern," Sesshomaru replied evenly.

The neko grimaced. She looked like she didn't really want to have to deal with Sesshomaru. Even she seemed to know that he was above her. "You leave me no choice Lord Sesshomaru," she said dropping the blade at her feet. The hanyou dropped to her knees and began to pray.

Kagome was shocked as a spiritual reiki began to surround the neko. Sesshomaru watched intently. Miko powers were emanating from the hanyou.

The neko grinned, "You seemed shocked Lord Sesshomaru," she taunted, "I guess you would seeing as I'm a 'hanyou' in your eyes. However, with my mother being a powerful miko and my father a more powerful youkai, I was cursed with the best of both worlds."

The spiritual reiki came to a point as she looked at Kagome, "You took from me what I hold most dear, now I am going to torture you with yours!" She pressed her hands to the ground and said in a voice that would still even the most hardened taiyoukai, "Reanimate."

XxxX

Kaede was beginning to get worried. Kagome had not returned from the forest after the villager had come to warn her of a youkai that had been preying upon the villagers. She should have been back nearly an hour ago.

She looked back at the three sickly villagers in the other room. It was not like she could go out and search for her. She was about to dish out some more of the poultice for the sick when a spiritual reiki caught her attention, but it wasn't Kagome's.

Kaede's eyes narrowed as she opened the flap to her hut. Wisps of reiki were shooting towards Goshinboku. Her eyes narrowed. Why would they be going there?

Kaede could sense the malintent in the air from the aura. Something bad was about to happen. A realization hit her as she saw a figure walking toward her slowly. The red haori was unmistakable. "Inuyasha?"

XxxX

Kagome raised an arrow over Sesshomaru's shoulder aimed directly at the neko. "Hit the mark," she said quietly. Sesshomaru didn't flinch as the arrow caused a draft that ruffled his hair.

The neko caught it in her fist a smirk gracing her features. "You are going to have to do better than that miko," she chided. Kagome grimaced. She was useless in this fight.

The neko charged at Kagome once more only to be blocked by Sesshomaru again. Sesshomaru pushed the neko back once more with Bakusaiga. "You are still weak," Sesshomaru mused gauging her power with every block, "You forget your station."

The neko's smirk didn't fade at all as she spoke, "We shall see about that, Lord Sesshomaru." She jumped off toward the village. Kagome's eyes widened as she took off after her. She stumbled slightly at the wounds she had received, but before she could hit the ground she was wrapped within the mokomoko as Sesshomaru took off from the ground.

She looked up at the taiyoukai. She didn't know why he was helping her, but she wasn't going to question it at this time.

Sesshomaru touched down feet from Kaede's hut. It had been reduced to shambles. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. The only attack he knew that could cause that type of damage to a structure came from a weapon whose user was deceased.

Movement to his left caught his attention as a ghost came into his view. At first the shadows seemed to play tricks on his vision, but the daiyoukai knew better than that. What he saw was what he saw even if he didn't want to believe it.

Kagome's voice beside him brought him back to reality, "Inu-yasha?"

Maniacal laughter sounded from Sesshomaru's left as the neko revealed herself once more. "I will torture you with yours, remember miko," the hanyou sneered.

Sesshomaru had only held this emotion for two beings in existence. Both of which he had ceased feeling this for some time ago, but it was now a renewed emotion just for the hanyou that stood before him.

A low rumble resounded deep within the caverns of Sesshomaru's chest as his eyes narrowed upon the hanyou. He raised Bakusaiga before him as lightning crackled around him. The hanyou took a step back and snapped her fingers.

The momentarily immobile Inuyasha launched into action as he leapt before his brother wielding the Tetsusaiga. Sesshomaru looked to the form of his brother, but his attack didn't lessen.

"Miss me, brother," Inuyasha said menacingly. It was like the first time they had faced each other when they had bore so much hatred and resentment for the other. It was a far-cry from what they had become recently before his death.

"You are not my brother," Sesshomaru stated coldly. Sesshomaru lunged at his brother's body. He knew it was no longer him. Inuyasha had died at the hand of Naraku.

Inuyasha unleashed Wind Scar upon him with the same magnitude he'd held in life. Sesshomaru untethered its power with kenatsu as Inuyasha jumped back to dodge the attack.

Kagome was sitting on the ground in shock. She barely noticed as the hanyou drew closer to her with a weapon drawn. This was not something that Sesshomaru missed.

He doubled-back and stood before Kagome blocking the hanyou's advance. "Miko," Sesshomaru said evenly, "this is not the real Inuyasha."

Kagome looked up to the daiyoukai before her. He hadn't said it but she knew what he was trying to tell her. Inuyasha was dead. She knew that. She had accepted that. Even so, the reanimated corpse before her brought back memories. She had to push past that.

Kagome closed her eyes and opened them once more with renewed resolve, "I understand," she said levelling the pseudo-Inuyasha with a stare.

"Hn," was the only response she received as Sesshomaru raised his blade against the hanyou.

Sesshomaru was irate. He would never outwardly show it, but the fact that someone, a hanyou no less, had gone to the lengths to defile the body of his kin. Of one who held his father's bloodline. She was going to pay. His unspoken promise shone through as Bakusaiga crackled to life.

The neko's eyes widened as her apparent fate became reality to her. Seconds later Inuyasha ran at Kagome.

Sesshomaru growled as he once more jumped before Kagome shielding her from a blow from Tetsusaiga. He had to end this quickly.

Sesshomaru drew Inuyasha away from Kagome. Both of the brothers stood facing each other neither one had moved. Sesshomaru regarded his brother one last time. He could see the reanimation was powering up another Wind Scar.

Sesshomaru held Bakusaiga before him as it crackled with lightning. He would end it with this attack. Both youkai raised their swords.

"Wind Scar!"

Youki Wave.

Both attacks screamed toward each other. Sesshomaru watched his attack come feet from slamming into the Wind Scar when a lonely arrow whizzed over his head and into the youki filled assault.

He looked behind him to see Kagome standing with her bow raised. This Miko.

Kagome knew that Inuyasha needed to be put back to rest. Even though she felt pain for firing an attack against him it was nothing compared to the pain of watching his body suffer long after his time had come. She knew what needed to be done. Once she had seen what was about to happen she knew that the Youki Wave would need assistance if it was going to not only overpower the Wind Scar but also put an end to Inuyasha's suffering.

She saw Sesshomaru looking at her and she forced a small smile. Sesshomaru's expression didn't change, but she knew shock when she saw it. Inu-youkai were all the same.

Her attention was torn from Sesshomaru as the pained scream of Inuyasha rang in her ears once more. It wasn't unlike the sound she had heard during the final battle with Naraku. Then all was silent.

Sesshomaru walked toward the area in which his brother's body was to lay. All that remained was the Tetsusaiga. The wind whipped up and took with it whatever ashes remained of his body. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as he levelled the neko with his gaze.

The hanyou seemed to know when it was time to leave.

She smirked at Kagome, fully aware of the pain she had caused. "Don't think this is the last you'll see of me, Miko," she taunted as she threw a ball into the air. The ball seemed to absorb her and sped away at a high speed.

Kagome sighed as she sank to her knees. Sesshomaru made it to her side and she peered up into his face. He looked off into the sky. He started to walk off in the direction of the hanyou. "Take me with you," Kagome called.

Sesshomaru paused and turned toward her. "You should care for your injuries, Miko," he said evenly.

Kagome stood on her feet shakily, "We both have business with her, Lord Sesshomaru," she levelled him with a determined gaze, " You know this."

The daiyoukai said nothing for a few moments as he started toward her. He was barely half a foot from her when he turned toward the forest once more. The cloud he used for travel formed beneath Kagome's feet.

"Rest Miko," he said quietly, "when we meet the hanyou once more, you will need it."