Disclaimer: Nope. For the money, I'd own it, but I'm still content to let Takahashi-san write this wonderful series. sigh I need a life.

His Past, Her Present, Their Future

Chapter 6 - Journey

Weather in late spring was never predictable. The dreary haze they walked in was dreadful, the drizzle seeping through Kagome's t-shirt and seemingly into her bones. Shippou's small mass was her only source of heat as they trudged through InuYasha's forest on the beginning of their journey. It was mid-afternoon, but the deep grey clouds that covered the sky made it seem later than it was. The slight rain hadn't let up all day, and now her footing was becoming an issue. Kagome's sneakers slipped through the mud and she barely caught herself from plunging into the sticky ground.

"Kagome?" Rin called from her perch on Ah-Uh's back.

"Yes, Rin-chan?"

"Umm…do you have anything to eat in your bag? Rin is hungry."

"Alright, sweetie. Just a minute." She put a hand on one of Ah-Un's snouts to stop them, and they obeyed without hesitation. The beast of burden had taken a liking to her, since she slipped them treats when Sesshoumaru and Jaken weren't paying attention.

Now, Kagome rifled through her huge bag that was strapped to their side, digging out two bags of potato chips. She set Shippou behind Rin on Ah-Un and told them to share, which they did while chattering happily. Kagome smiled at the pair and jogged to catch up with their leader, ignoring Jaken's insults.

"Hey, Sesshoumaru, want one?" she said, tipping the open bag towards the demon lord. He raised an eyebrow questioningly. "It's food, trust me, it's good."

"Hn," he said grabbing one of the chips between his claws and examining it. "It is…oily."

"Yes, and it's terrible for you, but it tastes too good!" she said with a grin, munching another.

His eyes narrowed at the crispy treat before he nibbled off one end of it and frowned. "It is not… terrible."

She rolled her eyes as he popped the remainder in his mouth, chewing slowly as if trying to decide whether or not he liked it. She laughed and offered the bag again, getting a shake of his head in return. Kagome shrugged and offered the mostly eaten bag down to Jaken, who took it without thanks, but his eyes showed his thoughts. He had hated the girl when she first arrived in the House of the Moon, resented her attitude and demeanor… but even at her angriest she had never treated him terribly. And now on their journey she offered him food, asked him nicely when she needed something done, and didn't hit him like his master and his ward. Yes, for a human, she was acceptable.

The group chatted quietly, and night was approaching fast. The approach of night also meant the drop of temperature. Kagome pulled out a blanket from her bag, putting it around the two dozing children and shivering herself. She didn't want to dirty a sweater when they were likely to be stopping soon, so she bore the cold. An hour later her teeth were chattering. She jogged up to Sesshoumaru again, loosing her footing and collapsing into his back. He stopped and turned to the girl who was clung to him for balance, a slightly annoyed look on his face.

Kagome grinned sheepishly and blushed. "Sorry Lord Sesshoumaru."

He sniffed and turned away, his own equivalent to rolling his eyes. She walked beside him quietly for a moment before speaking up. "Hey, Sesshou?"

"Human wench! You shall address Lord Sesshoumaru with respect!" Jaken squawked.

His words were hardly finished before he was picked up by the neck in his master's claws, his expressionless golden eyes boring into Jaken's bulbous yellow ones. "Do not refer to Kagome as such," he said in his monotone, tossing Jaken with a flick of the wrist, sending him sailing into the forest.

Kagome couldn't repress a giggle as she turned back to the youkai, whose cool gaze was now turned on her. She shifted uneasily. "Uhh, what?"

His expression didn't change, but Kagome saw the slight tightening of his jaw that signified annoyance. "Stop calling me that."

"What, Sesshou?" she asked.

"Yes. I do not want honorifics, but use my full name."

"So I guess Sesshy-dearest is out, eh?" He scowled now as she laughed, and waved her hands. "Joke! I was joking!" She sighed as they started walking again, the chill setting back on her after the few moments entertainment. She turned to Sesshoumaru. "I was going to ask before all this, but I have a favor to ask," she said with a prize-winning grin to her friend.

He stopped and raised an eyebrow to her, waiting for her to elaborate. She squirmed under his gaze. "I'm cold. Can I wear your fluffy thing?"

His deadpan gaze returned as he turned back to the road. "No."

"Please!"

"No."

"Come on, why not? It's so fluffy… and it looks warm…"

"I hate that word."

"What word, warm?"

"No."

Kagome stopped and tapped her chin. "Fluffy?"

"Yes."

She laughed and ran ahead of him, standing and blocking his path. "Why do you hate the word fluffy?" she said incredulously.

"That is none of your concern."

"Sure it is! Or wait, 'You shall not tell this Kagome what is and is not her concern!'" she said in her best impression of him. He was not impressed and his cold expression dropped for a moment for a look of pure exasperation. She giggled. "Come on! Either let me wear your pelt, or tell me why you don't like the word fluffy. You can't not do both!"

"You think not?"

"Come on Sesshou!"

He growled low in his chest as she stepped back in front of him, stopping his progress. Sure, he could get around her easily, but that wasn't the point. "Cease this, miko."

"I will not, youkai."

He sighed, growing weary of this game, "I do not like the word Fluffy because that is what the half-breed used to call me when he was a child. It is a foolish word."

Her giggles escalated into laughter now, and she was clutching onto her stomach as she doubled over. He took the opportunity to move past her, but her fist in his hakama stopped him, "Oh, that's awesome. I'm sorry, but that's adorable! I promise I won't say it ever again though. But man," she wiped tears from her eyes, "That is so cute!"

His look clearly stated his opinion on the matter. She ignored it and took back her place at his side as they walked. After another hour she was falling behind, he could tell she was tired. When a yawn spilt her face and he stopped, causing her to run into his back. "We shall camp here."

She looked around and nodded, setting up things beneath a tree. The rain had mostly stayed out from there, and she set the now awake children down to begin dinner. Jaken rejoined a few minutes later, and was ordered to go about making a fire. The rest of the evening was uneventful as they ate ramen and Kagome read the children a story. They were finally sleeping as Kagome mourned the loss of her sleeping bag. It had been destroyed in a small fire the month before. She pulled out her only other blanket; the children were using one of two. She determined she would rather be cold than dirty and laid it on the ground and herself upon it, glancing up to lock eyes with Sesshoumaru across the fire.

"Goodnight, Sesshoumaru," she yawned closing her eyes.

"Goodnight, Kagome," he said softly, watching her as she fell into dreamland.