Friends

Kagome woke alone a little before sunrise. After dressing she watched the sun come up over the horizon. She felt a calming peace inside that she hadn't felt in a long time. A feeling of being wanted and belonging. Something she hadn't felt since she was a little girl before her Father had died. Although she would never let any of her family know. When her father died she started feeling different about things as if she was meant to be somewhere else. When she started traveling to the Feudal Era the feeling had only gotten stronger. She felt as if she belonged here more than she did in the Modern Era.

This was her favorite time of day. The quiet before other woke. Birds singing their joys of another day. Watching as the light chased away the darkness of the night, the way it always brings the colors of the world to life in their true glory. It was always as if the world was being reborn with each sunrise. It was amazing, every sunrise was different and held a new beauty waiting to be enjoyed. With a smile on her face she went to breakfast. Ready to take on the day with a renewed since in her life.

The morning was spent in the gardens playing with the children. Telling stories and playing tag. Sesshomaru sat in his study trying to work. Hearing the laughter he went to his window looking down on the gardens. He watched as they laughed and played. Through out the years he had never seen Rin so happy. His castle was now filled with laughter sence Kagome came. It felt warm instead of cold as it had before.

He wished he could go down and sit with them but he had to much work he had to get done. As he stood watching them in the garden he remembered many times his Father doing the same thing at this very window. He also remembered a conversation they had.

FLASHBACK

He walked into the study. His Father was standing at the window smiling as he looked out of it. "Is there something you needed Sesshomaru?" He asked never removing his eyes from the scene below him in the gardens. " I am leaving for the patrol Father. I shall return in a months time." His voice was cold with no emotions at all. " You know Sesshomaru being a Lord of the Lands is a very demanding thing. Someday you too will know this responsibility.

Keeping your Lands safe is one thing but it can not make you happy like the love of a family can. A mate and children means a life with joy and the bloodline to live on. Without those one is doomed to live a life of loneliness with no joy. To live without emotions and be cold as you are. I fear you will never know this joy I speak of. I pray that someday you too will know the love of family as I do. It is a greater feeling than that you have after a great victory of battle. It is a constant that dose not fade with time." He turned and looked at his son, a smile on his face.

" You speak nonscene Father. Nothing is greater than the victory of battle. Emotions are not for someone such as myself. I have no use for them. I will mate someday to carry on the family line but that is the only reason. Being The Lord of these Lands is all I need to help me along my path to power. I need no one. I protect no one."

"If true power is what you seek my son then you walk the wrong path to find it. This is something only you can see with time I hope." Looking over at his desk and the amount of scrolls on it. Then back out the window. He smiles. " If you are finished my son I am going to the gardens. One should not ignore ones mate or children even for their Lands. I will see you in one month my son. Be safe and return to us." He watched his Father walk out of the study.

END FLASHBACK

As he looked out of the window a smile cross his face as he watched them in the garden. "Indeed Father." He said as if his Father where standing next to him. He now understood what it was his father was trying to tell him all those years ago. My Family. To Love and protect. He turned from the window and left his study. Standing in the doorway he watched his family until they saw him.

" Lord Sesshomaru! Have you come to play with us?" Asked a excited Rin as she ran to Sesshomaru hugging his leg.

" No Rin. I do not play. But I will watch till it is time for the meal." He answered as he looking at Kagome and patted Rin on the head. Rin smiled up brightly at him then returned to playing with Shippo.

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru and blushed as she remember what he had done to her the night before. " You are even more beautiful when you blush My Love." He whispered in her ear. She hadn't realized he had gotten so close until she felt his breath on her neck and ear. Making her blush even deeper. He lead her over to a tree where he sat down pulling her onto his lap. His arms wrapped around her waist. " One of these days My Love I shall find out how far down your blush really goes." He smiled as he saw her reaction to his statement. Her face now a deep crimson red.

The rest of the morning went by quickly. Kagome and Sesshomaru sat talking under the tree watching the children play. Neither of them want meal time to come. Before long Jaken came into the garden.

" My Lord." He bowed low. " The messenger has returned with word. He awaits you in your study." Jaken bowed and started to walk away when a child's voice was hear.

" Jaken come play with us." At hearing this simply question fear struck through out Jaken's body and he took off running as fast as his little legs would carry him. Kagome couldn't stop herself from laughing as she watched him running away. " I do believe he is afraid of Rin and Shippo." She managed to say between broken giggles. Sesshomaru looking in the direction of the children and sighed. " He has reason to be. Trust me." She laughed harder.

As the children talked about chasing after him. Standing he looked down at Kagome." I will join you for the meal. It should be ready soon. You two leave Jaken be." With a nod of her head he left the garden and made his way to the study.

After the meal the children went off to their lessons leaving Kagome on her own once again. Wanting to know what the messenger had to say she went to his study. During her walk a smile came to her face. Maybe I'll torment him for awhile. Find a good book to read and stay their the rest of the afternoon. Surprising herself she found his study without getting lost.

Knocking on the door she waited for him to answer. " Come " After entering his study and taking a seat she watched him. Looking up from his parchments he smiled. " Is there something you need My Love?" She smiled and replied. " I was wondering what the messenger had to say." She asked as she started to lightly rub her leg.

He had wondered how long it would take her to come and ask this question. He debated wearther to tell her or not but he felt she had the right to know after all she had been through in the past.

" The Lord of the Southern Lands said that an evil aura is in his lands close to the mountains. Whenever someone goes to investigate it they don't return. It might be the Half Breed. Preparations are being made for our travel. We can leave after your friends have come and rested from their travels. The path will also take us close to the Bone Eaters Well. Where we shall stop to go to your mothers home."

Kagome became excited at the thought of being able to go and see her family though the well. Her smile grow wider as she replied " Good at least we have an idea of where he might be now. How much time are we going to be able to stay at my Family's place though the well?" He knew she wouldn't like his answer but she would haft to live it.

" A few hours." He watched as she looked down and the look of disappointment on her face. She was hoping she would be able to spend the day at least. "Kagome we have a more pressing matter we must do. Afterwards we can return to your mothers home for a longer visit." She lightly shook her head in her understanding. Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door.

" Come" called out Sesshomaru They watched as Jaken came into the room stopping in front of the desk. He bowed. " My Lord The group that traveled with Lady Kagome has arrived. They are asking to speak to you both." Hearing this Kagome became very tense as a sadness filled her. " We will see them. Bring them to my study Jaken. Prepare rooms for them." Jaken bowed once again and hurried out of the room to do his Lords bidding.

Turning his attention back to Kagome he knew this wasn't going to be easy on her. Retrieving a large silk pillow he placed it by him at his desk. " Kagome you will sit here." He said as he pointed to the pillow. As soon as she had taken her seat on the pillow there came a knock at the door. Turning to her Sesshomaru asked. "Are you ready to face them?" With a hafe grin she asked. " Do I have a choice?" " No." They both looked to the door as he called out for them to " Come in."

After greeting her friends Kagome did all she could not to look at Inuyasha or Kikyo. Sesshomaru had been waiting for this moment to slap Inuyasha in the face with his own stupidity. " Inuyasha I remember telling the Monk and Demon Slayer they where welcome here but not you or her. So Tell me. To what reason is it you have returned with your dead Miko?" He could feel the unease coming from Kagome. He let his aura extend and cover over her to help ease her discomfort.

" We came to talk to Kagome" Inuyasha turned to Kagome and was about to speak before he could he was cut off but Sesshomaru. " You will speak to me not her. You over step your rights to speak to my mate without my permission." Sesshomaru's voice was cold and hard. In a way Inuyasha was surprised that his half brother would pull such a Alfa statement on him. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

" Fine. We need Kagome to come back to the group in order to find the shards because Kikyo can't see them. There are you happy now?" He said as he was crossing his arms. A pissy look on his face.

" Hmm. Does this mean that you believe that Kagome is not worthless. As well as all the other cruel thing you have called her in the past Inuyasha?" The look on Inuyasha's face made Sesshomaru want to laugh. The look of surprise and shock and embarrassment was clear for all to read. Glancing over at Sango and Miroku Sesshomaru could see the smiles on both their faces at what he had said to Inuyasha. " No." Was all Inuyasha said in reply.

Sesshomaru sit looking at Inuyasha for a moment before speaking again. " She will not be joining your pack. As much as I detest being in your presents. Your pack may join and travel with my pack as we are heading to Naraku's castle tomorrow. But know this Inuyasha I am the Alfa of the pack." He knew with Inuyasha admitting he was wrong about Kagome and had to admit he was the Alfa that it would hurt Inuyasha's pride. He savored his revenge he had gotten on Kagome's behafe.

Everyone in the room could tell Inuyasha was not happy about this turn of events. As his aura flared filling the room. But he knew there was nothing he could do about it. They had to have Kagome with them to find the shards. A growl could be heard coming from Sesshomaru as a warning to Inuyasha. At hearing the growl Inuyasha calmed himself. While giving Sesshomaru a death glare while grinding his teeth.

Kagome who had been quiet the whole time spoke up hoping to ease the tensions on the room. " Have you guys had any dinner yet? Hoping they had not so that she could get the two away from each other before someone was killed. " No we haven't Kagome." Replied Sango smiling. With that being said Sesshomaru called out. "Jaken" Jaken came running into the room. Bowing low. " Yes My Lord. You have need of me?"

" Jaken take out guest to the dinning room so may eat. Then show them to their rooms for the night. We will be leaving after the morning meal tomorrow. Make sure the two guards I have requested will be ready as well as the rest of the things I have ordered. Lady Kagome and myself shall be retiring shortly." " Yes My Lord" Jaken said and walked to the door. He waited.

Offering his hand, he helped Kagome up holding her close to his side. Seeing this upset Inuyasha. He didn't like the idea of Sesshomaru holding Kagome in such a way. She's my pack not his. He hasn't marked her yet dammit. That Bastared! Inuyasha thought as he narrowed his eyes at his half brother. Sesshomaru knew the look in Inuyasha's eyes. Suffer Little Brother Suffer. He thought to himself wanting to smile, as he watched the small group walk out of his study with Jaken.

A little late as they lay in bed Kagome's sadness had not left her. Sencing this Sesshomaru did his best to comfort her. Holding her close in his arms and lightly stroking her back with small circules. He listened as her heart and breathing slowed letting him know she had finely fallen asleep. Closing his eyes he two tried to sleep.