Disclaimer: Don't own.

AN: Hey! Another wonderful update from me! (yeah right) Sorry for the long wait, I went to Georgia for Spring Break and my grandma doesn't have a computer, much less internet access up there, so I had to write all my stuff down on notebook paper and then type it up! (ignores the world's smallest record player which reviewers have started) So here's the chapter!!

Missing

He found her at the entrance of the cave, her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms locked around her legs. He didn't say a word as he sat down next to her – despite his determination to keep her away from his half-brother, he wasn't entirely comfortable with the present arrangements. She didn't look at him as she spoke.

"He told me to be strong." Her voice was hardly a whisper, but he heard it. "After the final battle, he told me I had to be strong for – for what came next." A cold breeze threaded its way through the cave, heralding the coming winter, and she shivered in the thin kimono she wore.

Sesshoumaru wrapped his pelt around her slim body and pulled her close, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. "I used the Shikon no Tama to give Kikyou her own soul, but it didn't work very well. Her powers are only a fraction of what they once were." By now he could smell her tears even though she refused to let them fall.

"Why won't you cry, Kagome?"

The young miko laughed harshly. "There's no sense in crying over someone who doesn't miss you." she pointed out bitterly. "Besides, I've already cried enough over him over the past few years." In a softer tone, she added, "I just hope Kikyou has better luck with hi m than I ever did."

The taiyoukai didn't know how to respond to that. He knew a little of Kagome's character, much of what he had seen in the miko he had seen reflected in his ward. Maybe that's what had drawn him to Kagome – her resemblance to the only human he had ever grown fond of.

Not even that logical explanation sat well in his rational mind. After the first time he had tried to kill her, in his father's grave, he had never had the desire to kill her again. Even when he was being manipulated by Naraku, he had never wanted to kill her. He had seen how fiercely Inuyasha would protect the young woman, and he had wanted to give the hanyou a reason to fight. He had not intended to harm her.

"I would miss you."

Kagome looked up at him, startled.. "You would?"

He had not meant to say the words aloud, but the look of quiet hope on her face made it impossible to take them back. "Hai. You are my kouyuu, a part of my pack. I would miss you if you left."

Suddenly, from the back of the cave where they had made camp, Rin began to cry. Sesshoumaru recognized the sound from her nightmares; they were back in full force again tonight. The sickness must have brought them back.

Reluctantly Sesshoumaru stood to tend to his pup. He knelt down beside her and began to rub her back to put her in a more restful sleep – or wake her up one, whichever came first.

"What do you want, Jaken?"

His voice was cold enough to freeze ice, and Jaken shivered. "Ano, Sesshoumaru-sama, do you think it is wise to lead the girl on in such a manner?"

"This Sesshoumaru is not 'leading her on'." he bit out, the slightest edge of anger bleeding in to his voice. "This Sesshoumaru meant every word this Sesshoumaru said."

I figured as much, Jaken thought silently. He looked to the miko, who was now watching the rain with a warm smile on her face, and sighed. What are you going to do, my lord, when she is forced to return to save Inuyasha? With you let her go, or will you fight to keep her?

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AN: I know, not much of a chapter, but the plot will get rolling again in the next chappie, promise!!

POLL!!!!! One of my reviewers told me that "tomodachi" meant friend, not "kouyuu". This will be the only thing in this story you get a choice on, so pick carefully! I know both terms actually mean "friend", though which one is grammatically accurate eludes me. So, which do you prefer? Majority vote wins!!