And onto the third chapter. I have had a little trouble writing this one. I do have a purpose and a goal, just getting there has become more...interesting. Words of the chapter:

tori-bird

kawauso-otter

doragon-dragon

Anything else ask.

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

Chapter Two: A Decision to Be Made

They had been in the air for hours. Sesshomaru had just picked up the scent of the hanyou again. For being of such a station, the neko was skilled. Although, he wouldn't admit this openly.

He had sent word for Jaken to retrieve the Tetsusaiga from Edo shortly after they took to the air along with word of his prolonged absence from the palace. He had some business to attend to elsewhere.

The taiyoukai stole a glance back at his newly acquired companion, who had spent most of the trip recuperating from her ordeal, after she had healed her major wounds with her reiki. Her skills had increased greatly. When she had shot the purifying arrow over his shoulder the blaze of her reiki hadn't burned him as it use to. She had gained more control, and, had the neko not caught it, the arrow's mark would have been fatal. She had seemed to take his words at the grave into some consideration. That was good. She'd need to put that training into practice now. This neko was below his station, but her intended target was not upon his person.

His gaze returned to the front as his eyes narrowed. What had the miko done to provoke such a violent reaction from the hanyou? The neko had spoken of the fact that the miko had slain her mate. The only youkai of substantial intelligence, to his knowledge, that the miko had slain was Naraku. He did not recall Naraku ever having such a mate, but there were many things his, nor Inuyasha's, pack did not know about the wayward hanyou. He would have to question her upon her arousal from her current slumber.

He was awoken from his thoughts with a spike of youki off to his right. His eyes narrowed further. The scent that wafted through his keen senses did not match that of the neko, but for such a spike of youki so close to Edo was intriguing. The patrols he had launched in the area had either been eliminated or circumvented. He found this an annoyance. His patrols were meant to be a means to protect the miko in the past from any middle to high class, rogue youkai. How many times before had they been so careless?

His curiosity got the better of him as Sesshomaru descended quietly. He settled the cloud in a thicket before it diminished completely. The miko's presence would be concealed here allowing him to investigate. The culprit youkai were not too far, so he would be close enough in case trouble were to occur.

He suppressed his youki, silent in his approach as he had mastered in his youth. He hadn't had to travel too far when a makeshift camp happened into his view. There were three middle class youkai sitting around the fire. From their scents, they were that of a tori, kawauso, and doragon. They were whispering amongst themselves quietly, but with his inuyoukai attributes hearing their conversation wasn't a challenge.

"What do you think Hikari," the tori asked looking to the side at his companion. The doragon looked contemplatively into the fire.

"The Lord of the Western Land's men were here. Even if Ribashiburu has placed a bounty upon the miko's head, it would be risky to go after her while the area is under his protection," he finished his golden eyes flashing in the fire's light.

"Then what should we do," the female kawauso asked tentatively looking around them for listening ears. She looked frightened by her surroundings and rightly so.

"I don't see why we shouldn't take this opportunity," the tori spoke excitedly, " the bounty could help us, and, with Naraku out of the way, we would be a rising power in the lands," his blue eyes blazed with determination as he looked from one companion to the other.

"I still say it's risky," the doragon said shaking his head.

"And you are right to do so," Sesshomaru spoke making his presence known.

The kawauso froze in her place her eyes ablaze with fear. The doragon was the first to recover from his momentary shock. He rose to his feet with a great sweeping bow, "To what do we owe the pleasure, Lord Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru regarded the doragon momentarily before continuing. He noted that the tori looked to be filled with rage at his appearance which only proved his friend was correct, but he should know better than to openly express his dislike toward someone of his station. He narrowed his eyes at the tori who showed no sign of backing down.

"It would be wise, tori, for you to remember your station," he said evenly. The doragon looked back at his friend.

"Hayate, we don't want trouble," Hikari pleaded.

"You are no better than any of us. For what reason should we bow to your whims," the tori snapped.

"It seems your pack-mate forgets his place," Sesshomaru vocalized his narrowed eyes never leaving the tori, "I will have to remind him," he finished as his poison whip crackled to life before them the green glow unmistakable in its intent.

The doragon's eyes widened, "Hayate," he warned but his friend wasn't backing down.

"I will warn you once more, tori, stand down," Sesshomaru said evenly.

In the past he wouldn't have given a second thought to punishing the pup before him, but, upon the defeat of Naraku, the taiyoukai had pondered the words of his father those many years ago before he had gone to defeat Ryukotsusei. He had been disappointed in not only Sesshomaru's complete disregard for the sanctity of life, but also in Sesshomaru's complete lack of mercy. It was in these moments that he put into practice what his father had spoken; however, he wasn't going to stand for this disrespect. The pup had been warned.

Without another moment's hesitation the taiyoukai merely flicked his wrist as the tori made to move. A piercing scream in agony penetrated the silence of the night. It was enough to make every creature's hair stand on end within a fifty mile radius. In the back of his mind, Sesshomaru wondered if the miko was still asleep.

A low annoyed growl rumbled from his chest at the thought. Since when was Sesshomaru actively concerned with the miko's well being. Since you made that promise. Sesshomaru mentally blocked his beast's oddly timed vocalization and focused upon the situation at hand.

With another flick of his wrist his poison whip dislodged itself from the tori, who fell to the ground unconscious. The doragon took one look at his companion before returning his gaze to the taiyoukai before him. His stare was now glazed over. The kawauso beside him trembled openly.

"You will answer this Sesshomaru's questions," Sesshomaru stated his poison whip dissipating. He looking completely unphased as his golden eyes stared into the doragon's, "it would be wise to do so quickly."

"What is it you ask, My Lord," the doragon answered monotonously.

"What does Ribashiburu want with the miko."

"My Lord, I do not know," the doragon started, "the hanyou was offering a bounty as reward for the miko's head. She was within the Eastern Lord's walls when she made the proclamation. We assumed that the miko had committed crimes against him. If that assumption is incorrect, I do apologize."

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. This Ribashiburu was in the league with the Eastern Lord, Isamu. What other devilry would this miko bring into his life?

"Do you recall the name of this miko," Sesshomaru inquired his tone near deadly.

The doragon was silent for a moment clearly searching his thoughts. He was about to reply when the soft voice of the kawauso next to him answered, "Kagome, Lady Kagome of the Shikon no Tama."

A low rumble reverberated within the chasms of his chest. Protecting this miko had just gotten much more complicated.

The kawauso was terrified into submission once more. Sesshomaru turned from the group and began to walk back toward the miko his mind swimming with situations that declined by the second.

There had been no deceit in the doragon's words. His nose had told him that much. However, that was just the beginning.

If he were to track down and kill this Ribashiburu, the Eastern Lord, who had been looking for an excuse to take over the Western Lands since Inu no Taisho's death, would have his reason. He had already tried once and failed shortly after Inu no Taisho was slain protecting Izayouri and Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru had lead the Western Land's army in a successful counterattack and pushed the Eastern Lord back. Isamu had called it 'testing Sesshomaru's strength,' but for Sesshomaru, who had shortly after gained the nickname 'The Killing Perfection' from the other Lords, Isamu's intentions were clear. He knew Isamu wouldn't let this opportunity pass to take another shot at him.

However, the disrespect that had been shown to his father's bloodline could not be tolerated. Even if the miko had been the target, his father's name had been drug through the mud in the process. His eyes began to bleed red at the thought. He couldn't allow that to stand.

He was awoken from his thoughts when the miko's figure happened before him. She looked lost and dazed as she should be.

"Sesshomaru?" She asked uncertainly.

"What is it miko?"

She blinked a few times before shaking her head. "Never mind."

"Hn," was his only reply as he strode past her, "come miko. The hanyou isn't much farther," his nose lightly sniffing the air around them.

Kagome nodded as she blinked her bleary eyes in order to focus them. She had fallen into a deep slumber upon the cloud. She hadn't felt that safe in a long time. She assumed it was because, for whatever reason, Sesshomaru had opted to protect her. At least he seemed inclined to do so even though she wasn't entirely sure why.

She glanced behind her for a second. She was sure she had seen Inuyasha standing before her, but when she had blinked it had been Sesshomaru standing there. It would be an easy comparison, not that Lord Sesshomaru would ever let that be said aloud about him, but they both had the signature white-silver hair, golden eyes, strong jaws, and same slender but strong build.

She began silently following behind him as her mind drifted back two years ago at Inuyasha's grave. That had been the last time until today that she had seen him. Maybe that was the connection. They had both been, in their own ways, grieving. Maybe she was his last connection to his brother, and so he felt the need to protect her. She didn't know, but at the moment she wasn't going to question it. He had allowed her to come with him in order to track the hanyou down. She was grateful for that.

Sesshomaru sensed her reiki following slowly behind him. Her pace indicated she was lost in thought. He wasn't surprised. As if you haven't been. Sesshomaru growled lowly. The decibel range was too low for the miko to hear. It had been a courtesy to not alarm her. Even now you change your actions to accommodate her. Any 'accommodations' this Sesshomaru makes for the miko is out of a sense of duty to Inuyasha. For now. Sesshomaru growled at the same range again. His beast hadn't openly spoken to him for some time now. It was unsettling that it would choose to do so now in the presence of the miko.

He glanced back at the miko who was still consumed by her own thoughts. "Miko," he stated evenly. This caused her to look up at him, "It would be best to remain alert." He could see her nod slightly.

"My name is Kagome," he heard her say behind him.

If Sesshomaru inwardly sighed he would have, but being as he was Sesshomaru he did not. However, he did have to remind himself for the first time, and surely not the last, why he kept the miko around.

XxxX

"That was a risky move, Inuyasha," a deep thundering voice sounded. Inu no Taisho leaned against a sakura tree languidly. He looked like he had the day he died minus his injuries incurred from Ryukotsusei.

Inuyasha didn't bother to lift his gaze from the pond before him that clearly displayed both Kagome and Sesshomaru's figures as they traveled through the forest to an unknown destination.

"I am aware, old man," he snapped back slightly in annoyance. Two years ago, nearly to the day, Inuyasha had awoken in this place. It was a continuous green field with a light breeze that ruffled the luscious long grass. When he arrived his father had been waiting as if he had expected him. They had spent the first year talking and getting to know one another. Inuyasha had asked him every question he had ever had concerning him, Sesshomaru, Sesshomaru's mother, and his own. By now, he had learned the old dog enough to treat him casually instead of the crisp formality he had at the start. Inu no Taisho was honestly pleased with the development.

The old dog closed his eyes his arms crossed, "It would do best not to meddle in their affairs until the time you have to is nigh."

"What do you mean, until the time you have to is nigh," he questioned looking back at his father quizzically.

The Great Dog Demon lifted his head and glanced sidelong at his son, "If you meddle in their lives now all you will do is cause rifts and confusion as you did in the young miko a moment ago. However, there will come a time when your intervention is needed. At that time you will have to make a pivotal decision. That decision will change everything."

"You know, that would have been nice to know earlier. Why wasn't that mentioned during the whole 'get all the information I've wanted to know all my life' talk."

Inu no Taisho merely shrugged as he closed his eyes leaning back against the tree, "You never asked."

Inuyasha was riled up slightly as he stood up shaking a fist at the daiyoukai, "Is there anything else I should know?"

Inu no Taisho couldn't help the smirk that graced his elegant face. Getting a rise out of his son had been his favorite past time for awhile, and by this point he was getting rather good at it. "Sesshomaru is going to fall for Kagome. She is going to fall for him."

"WHAT? There is no way Sesshomaru would ever love Kagome," Inuyasha growled.

This got Inu no Taisho's attention, "Why would that be pup?"

Inuyasha winced slightly. He was still getting use to that name, "Sesshomaru hates humans. He's made it clearly known to all he's encountered. Even Kagome."

Inu no Taisho raised an eyebrow, "What about that human girl he keeps, Rin."

Inuyasha's gaze returned to the pond before him, "I don't know. I honestly don't understand why he keeps her around. It isn't like she benefits him, and he doesn't keep anything around that doesn't mean something to him."

Inu's lips turned upward in a smirk, "So she means something to him. She is a human. Therefore, he doesn't hate them," satisfied he leaned back against the tree once more.

"Fine he doesn't hate all humans. Just those that aren't Rin."

Inu no Taisho chuckled from his spot against the tree, "You have a lot to learn pup."

"Keh, what good does it do me now," he muttered darkly.

Inu no Taisho levelled his son with a gaze the weight of it caused Inuyasha to turn and look at his father, "You still have a decision to make. The knowledge you gain about Sesshomaru will help you make that decision. Think about it. Weren't you two getting along much better shortly before you died?"

"Yeah," he said looking back at the pond his gaze riveted to the long silver mane of his older brother, "we were."

The Great Dog Demon's face broke out into a smile, "Just think about it." He had to.

XxxX

The sky was darkening and Sesshomaru had noticed a drop in the miko's pace although she hadn't complained once about being tired. He respected her for that, but like all humans she had her limits. It had been five hours since his run in with the other youkai and eight hours since their encounter with Ribashiburu in Edo.

Sesshomaru stole a glance at his newly acquired companion who was watching the forest around them with mild interest. More than likely she hadn't been traveling like this since Naraku's defeat. Her face was weary and she was beginning to favor her right side. She needed rest.

He peered around them. They were in a small clearing in the path. It was room enough for her and his person to reside. It was as good a place as any.

"Miko," Sesshomaru's voice sounded breaking the eternal silence that has surrounded them since five hours before, "we will rest here."

Kagome nodded slight annoyance detectable in her scent. Did calling her by her name mean that much to her?

He settled himself against a tree on one side and she sat down at the base of a tree on the other. There was no small talk. There was no preparation for a fire and a warm meal. There was just silence.

A subconscious shiver ran down her spine. She hadn't grabbed any supplies before she left the village as she had thought it would be a short trip. They seemed to be in hot pursuit of the hanyou, but she had managed to evade Sesshomaru. That was a feat in and of itself. It's not like she had the fuyoheki to hide herself from Sesshomaru's senses.

Kagome glanced at the taiyoukai on the opposite side of the clearing. He had his eyes closed but she knew better than to think he had gone to sleep. Even if he had, inus were light sleepers. She had learned that well.

"What is it miko," Sesshomaru's voice sounded from his position as his golden eyes opened locking with her own blue orbs.

"Nothing," she responded somberly. She doubted if he would even care if she froze to death. He had no reason to care for her. He was allowing her to travel with him to find the hanyou.

There was a brief silence before he spoke again, "Miko, you have not slain a youkai since the hanyou, Naraku."

It was said as a statement but Kagome knew a question when posed to her.

"No," she replied answering the same question she had posed to herself earlier in the day, "the hanyou seems to think I have slain her mate," she paused momentarily her eyes peering into the trees in thought, "the only youkai I have slain in the past two years has been Naraku, and I never imagined he would have taken a mate."

"Hn," Sesshomaru's voice sounded as a silence fell between them once more.

His thoughts had been on the same wavelength earlier. He hadn't scented a female youkai of any kind upon the demented hanyou during the last fight. All he had smelled were the rolling waves of greed, evil, blood-lust, and the ever present miasma.

Normally, when one held a mate their scents intermingled allowing other males as well as other females to know that the youkais in question had been mated and were therefore off limits. The female youkai could have been the hanyou's mate-to-be. If the ritual wasn't completed their scents would not have intertwined. He was still disbelieving of the fact that the hanyou would have taken a mate, but it was a possibility.

Sesshomaru leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes. She's cold. He opened his golden orbs to take in the miko's shivering figure. This is no concern of this Sesshomaru's. On the contrary, she is ours to care for. This made the great taiyoukai pause. Their concern? Since when was his beast concerned for the miko. Since you took her into our pack. She is now our responsibility and under our care. I did not take the miko into my pack. Sesshomaru could feel a snarl begin to twitch on his face. You have a debt to repay. You brought her along. So far you have protected her and kept her safe. She is traveling with us. Therefore, she is now apart of our pack.

He hadn't audibly or even consciously admitted it, but the words of his beast rang true to a point. If she had been taken into his pack he would have to care for her safety. The only reason he did so was because of his promise to Inuyasha. She wasn't technically a part of his pack.

Sesshomaru growled low in frustration. He hated when his beast did this. He played upon his sense of honor. Our sense of honor. This earned another growl from Sesshomaru.

"Uh, Sesshomaru," a small voice broke his thoughts from his beast as his gaze drifted toward the miko, "are you alright?" Her blue orbs, even in the night he could tell, were muddled with concern.

"This Sesshomaru is fine miko, sleep," he practically ordered. Kagome frowned slightly at the taiyoukai before sighing and curling into herself on the ground.

"My name is still Kagome," she muttered but Sesshomaru could still hear it.

Sesshomaru didn't respond as he watched her body quiver. His beast was right. She was his responsibility. Even if he hadn't necessarily taken her into his 'pack' she was still under his protection and he had a promise to keep.

The taiyoukai rose from his seated position and made it over to where she was laying. He took a seat beside her and unfurled is mokomoko laying it on top of the miko.

Kagome's eyes widened a warmth spread through her immediately. She opened her eyes and felt the soft fur of what she had always assumed to be his tail surrounding her. She looked to Sesshomaru in question.

"Sleep miko, before this Sesshomaru changes his mind," he said evenly his eyes already closed. Kagome wasn't going to complain as she pulled his mokomoko around her snugly. It was quite soft.

Her touching his pelt sent odd sensations through him and awakened unsettling feelings within his chest. Normally, the only beings that would touch a inuyoukai's mokomoko were his parents, his mate, and his offspring. He had no material to cover the miko with, so this was his only option to secure her warmth. He was now second thinking his actions.

He glanced down at the miko. Her breathing had evened out indicating sleep had surely taken her. For that he was glad. His mind began to race to an earlier train of thought.

If he were to slay Ribashiburu, he would have to take the miko to his palace with him shortly after to ensure her safety. There would be no turning back from that decision. The Lord of the East would make a political move against his lands and himself. He was prepared for that, but did he want to drag the miko into that world? She wanted to avenge Inuyasha's honor as much as he did, but was she willing to face the consequences after?

He was momentarily distracted by a few low level youkai approaching their location, but as soon as he flared his youki they took off as fast as they could in the opposite direction. He smirked to himself. If only Isamu were so easily dealt with.