Chapter 3

Kaelie and Kagome had a tearful reunion, the two clinging to one another as the rest of their respective groups watched on in near befuddlement. Kagome was not an exceptionally emotional woman where tears were concerned and Sesshomaru already knew that the human Kaelie was more prone to angered outbursts like her relation. Only Sango seemed to understand, ushering them all away, even glaring at Sesshomaru when he just stared at the messy tableau. The mild sneer on his face was really only visible to Rin, the girl taking his hand with a soft smile. "Don't worry, Lord Sesshomaru. Lady-san will be okay." Sesshomaru let out a quiet snarl of fury. Even when he had gotten rid of the human, she still made it hard for him, caused him trouble and pissed him off.

Kaelie sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes as she released her cousin. Kagome stared at her as if she still didn't believe Kaelie was standing before her. Well, that made two of them.

"How did you get here?" Kagome led Kaelie away from the retreating group, but Kaelie looked over her shoulder at the youkai lord who was still glaring at her. She narrowed her eyes turning her head back and smiled at Kagome. Sho jumped and draped himself over Kaelie's shoulder. She patted his head absently.

"I-um this is probably going to sound crazy-but I fell through a mirror." Kaelie ran a hand through her messy hair.

"It's not hard to believe, when I first came here I fell through the old bone eater's well." Kagome shook her head a bit and still couldn't believe that her cousin was here with her. It had been so long since she had seen Kaelie. Ten years in fact. Kaelie hadn't visited Japan since her mother died. What didn't surprise her was that Kaelie was going through the same thing Kagome had so many years ago when she fell through the well. Sometimes everything that happened was still surreal to Kagome. She gave a warm smile and led Kaelie to Kaede's small hut. Her cousin was in need of a bath, knowing Sesshomaru he didn't stop to let her eat much less bathe. It was a good thing Kagome had some extra clothes. Kaelie could wear those while her clothes were being washed.

When they walked through the little hanging door of a small hut, an older woman with an eye patch smiled at Kagome.

"Kagome-chan, where have you been? InuYasha has been looking for you."

"I've been out in the herb field with Jinenji-san. InuYasha can look all he wants, it's not like it's hard to find me. I'm going to need some of my clothes; I'm taking my cousin Kaelie to the springs so she can bathe. Could you fix her a warm meal Kaede-san?" Kaelie waved at the old woman as Kaede studied the blonde girl. She nodded and smiled at Kaelie.

"Anyone related to Kagome is welcome here." Wow it was the first time since Kaelie had arrived here that someone didn't judge her or think her crazy. Kaede simply said okay and went back to what she was doing before. Kaelie stood there waiting for Kagome to find clothes and lead her to the bath. She hoped it would be warm, but knowing her luck it would be a lake or pond or something.

Luck was on her side though. When Kagome led her away from the village proper, she had led Kaelie to a real, honest-to-God hot springs. She squealed with joy and nearly tackled Kagome into the water in her haste to make known her forever undying love and devotion to her awesomely awesome cousin who was getting something for Christmas. Had she mentioned how awesome her cousin was?

Thirty minutes later, the two were sitting, Kaelie in the decadently hot water and Kagome on a large stone setting on the edge of the spring. Sho, Kaelie's little creature was curled up next to Kagome on the rock.

"Kagome?" Her cousin looked over to her, humming in a distracted air. "Um what can you tell me about Sesshomaru… Other than the fact that he is an ass and has his Hakama on too tight." Her dry tone caught Kagome from her musings, the other girl taking time to answer.

"Well he isn't easy to get along with-"

Kaelie snorted. "Oh really? Hadn't noticed that tid bit at all."

"Hush you. As I was saying, no, he's not nice. He's a feudal lord. The youkai don't stay that way by being nice to everyone. However, he is a good person, whether or not he lets anyone know that. Rin does, of course. That little girl could turn stone into a cuddly puppy if she tried. But everyone else doesn't see Sesshomaru well enough. They see him with dark sun glasses instead of through clear, impartial lenses." Kagome shrugged. "He's not a black and white being. He is a whole other shade of gray and technicolor. You just have to dig for anything positive until he knows you." She set her crossed arms on her knees, propping her head on them. "Of course, he might be afraid to be like his father, a man I affectionately refer to as Inu-papa. Just don't let that stuck up pain in the ass hear you… InuYasha, too. They'd do nothing but fight about it. Believe me."

Kaelie leaned back against the bank of the spring and sighed. She supposed her cousin was right, she too had been seeing Sesshomaru through dark lenses. It was a bad habit of hers to judge people by the first impression. Maybe the next time she saw him-which probably wouldn't be anytime soon because she had to get back to the modern era-she'd try to see him in a different way. He had provided her with a fire and at least had stopped for food. He never supplied for her, she had to acquire things on her own the past four days but he had given her a fire. Kaelie heard her cousin clear her throat as if she had a lump. She looked up at the dark haired girl and saw the sadness that lingered there as she stared down at the water. Kaelie spoke softly.

"You miss your mom?"

"Everyday…" The response was almost instant. Kagome stared down at her cousin then smiled gently. "But this was my choice. I haven't seen her in a year, I'm happy here but I do miss her, Grandpa, and Sota… How are they?"

Kaelie grinned, "They're great! Grandpa is still crazy as ever, the slightest breeze could make him think that a demon's near by," Kagome chuckled, hand over her mouth, "Sota's become really mischievous, I've had to give him some pointers on pranks he can pull and your mom's doing well." Kagome beamed, her eyes twinkling.

"That's good… Hey, could you take something back to her for me?" Kagome hopped down from the rock and handed Kaelie a towel as the blonde stood up out of the water. Kaelie nodded.

"Sure. I'd be happy to." She wrapped the towel around her body. "Thanks for letting me take a bath-"

"Kagome!" A loud growling voice cried. A young man dropped in front of Kagome and Kaelie, his white hair swaying behind him. Sho jumped down from the rock in front of Kaelie and growled a bit. Kaelie cocked her head, this guy looked like Sesshomaru, just younger. He had long white-silver hair, golden eyes, but instead of markings he had…. Dog-ears? Kaelie's eyebrows pulled down in confusion. Kagome huffed a bit.

"What do you want InuYasha? Can't you see that my cousin is taking a bath?" Kagome indicated her cousin with her hand. Kaelie's eyes widened as she realized she was only standing in a towel. Her shoulders raised in a slight shrug as she stepped from the water.

"Keh. Like I care? Where have you been Kagome? I've been looking everywhere for you. That bastard Sesshomaru is still in the village so I don't want to be there." InuYasha stood with his head held high, one hand placed on his hip. An eyebrow raised, Kaelie shook her head. Wow, this guy was just as arrogant as Sesshomaru. Just not as refined and definitely not as composed. As Kaelie was pulling Kagome's brush through her hair, Kagome and InuYasha's conversation suddenly escalated into a full-blown argument. Whoa… Kaelie watched the two bicker back and forth though she wasn't quite sure what they were arguing over. Something about InuYasha waiting for Kagome in the village and that he didn't want to because of "that damn Sesshomaru". This went on for about three minutes before Kagome clenched her fists and shouted.

"SIT!" The necklace around InuYasha's neck glowed and then he slammed face first into the ground. Wow, Kaelie wished she had one of those for all men. It served a great purpose for a heel mechanism. Kagome stalked over to Kaelie, face red and eyes snapping fire. "Come on Kaelie. You can change back at Kaede-san's hut." She smiled sweetly at her cousin making Kaelie step back at the extreme venom that was covered with a sickly sweet tone. InuYasha leaned up off the ground shakily as the girls walked back. Sho followed close at Kaelie's heels.

"Where ya going Kagome? Ya just gonna leave me?" He sounded wounded. Kagome turned and shot him an intense glare.

"I'm going back to the village. You can stay out here all you want to but I have to take care of my cousin." She turned around and continued walking. Kaelie watched InuYasha pull himself up from the ground then he ran up beside Kagome.

"Keh." Inuyasha spat and followed after them. Kagome turned her face away and crossed her arms over her chest as they walked.

Kaelie clenched the towel around her body and shook her head at the two. They bickered like a old married couple… No… Worse than a married couple.

Gah… What is it with these people and short skirts? Kaelie looked down at the clothes Kagome had let her borrow. It was a short beige skirt and a pink t-shirt. She heaved a sigh and raked her fingers through her hair. She grabbed the hair tie from her wrist and pulled her extremely layered hair up into a bun on her head. Her bangs fell down around her face; they were still too short to be pulled back. She placed the clips at the back of her head to hold up the stray hairs.

She stepped from Kaede's hut and strode over to Kagome, InuYasha, Rin, and Sesshomaru. InuYasha was yelling at Sesshomaru for something and the Youkai Lord was just standing there, eyes closed as if he had a headache. Kaelie waved at Kagome as she made her way over to the group. Sesshomaru instantly opened his eyes and gave her a fierce glare. Jeez… What the hell have I done now? She wondered as she came to a stop next to Kagome. A small boy with orange hair beamed at Kaelie.

"Your Kagome's cousin huh?" His voice chimed cutely.

"Yeah." Kaelie confirmed and kept her eyes on the small boy instead of the daiyoukai standing just a few feet from her. The boy leapt from Kagome's arms at Kaelie and she barely caught him. He had pointed ears; a fluffy tail and his feet were like the hind legs of a dog or fox.

"My name's Shippo and I'm gonna be a great fox demon one day!" Ah so the boy was a fox demon. InuYasha sneered.

"The only thing you're gonna be great at is being stupid." Shippo hopped from Kaelie's arms and threw a slip of paper at InuYasha. InuYasha caught it and it burst into a statue that brought InuYasha to his knees from the weight. Shippo howled with laughter, along with Kaelie. Wow, she liked this little demon already. A small voice broke through Kaelie's giggles.

"Are you leaving Lord Sesshomaru? Where are you going?" Kaelie looked over at Rin as she peered up at the demon lord. He regarded her with a cool expression.

"I have business to attend to Rin. I will return when it is time for you to have a new Kimono." Kaelie could tell that little Rin wasn't pleased with that. Rin looked down at the ground but when she looked back up at him she was using the biggest pair of puppy dog eyes she had ever seen on a child. Kaelie watched, amused and waiting to see what Sesshomaru would do.

"Will you stay the night Lord Sesshomaru? It's been so long since you've visited. I've missed you…" Rin looked sad, her eyes glossy. Sesshomaru stared down at her, his arms folded in his large sleeves. Kagome spoke up.

"Yeah Sesshomaru-nii-san, why don't you stay? It's only one night. Rin's been really down lately." Oh now Kagome was teaming up on him? InuYasha, too busy pulling Shippo into a headlock as the young child cried out, was missing all of this. Kaelie looked back at Sesshomaru, tilting her head waiting for his reply.

He looked down at Rin once more and if possible her eyes got bigger. He closed his eyes.

"Fine… I will stay." There was a delighted squeal from Rin as she jumped up and down in front of the demon lord.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord Sesshomaru!"

Kaelie felt a small grin grace her lips. It seemed the "evil pain in the ass" was about as mean as a goo filled pie. All crusty and rough on the outside, sweet and squishy on the inside. She held in a chuckle at the mental imagery. Kagome gave her a sideways look.

"What?" she whispered. Kaelie shrugged.

"I just figured something out… Now I have to see if it will work." The brunette sighed and rolled her eyes at the cryptic answer.

"Thanks, cuz, that was so informative and all." Kaelie laughed aloud this time, winking at her cousin.

"I'm just taking some advice to heart, okay? Don't worry; it's not that insane… Yet." Kagome patted her cousin on the head, her brows quirked.

"Sure. I'll be here if you need me… To pick up the pieces or purify something okay?" Kaelie gave her a one armed hug.

"Thanks."

Morning heralded a lot of commotion, the most of it caused by a man dressed in Monk attire, the purple cloth draped dramatically over his shoulder. Walking with him was a woman heavily pregnant, a giant boomerang upon her back as she rode a two-tailed cat creature. Kaelie estimated the hooked fangs to be longer than her hand, palm heel to finger tip. Sesshomaru was less than thrilled by their arrival since it meant that his early departure was delayed yet again… Not to mention Rin wouldn't let Mokomoko go as she clutched at her daiyoukai papa. He did feel vindictive amusement when the Monk was once again bashed quite forcefully by his mate.

Kaelie was still furiously striving to die by his claw. This morning, she looked to be a whore with the horrendous clothing she was wearing, her brown skirt above her knees as her shirt was nearly skin tight. She had a look of need and innocence that he would have said something negative to…Until now. Her eyes, a curious color for a human-All green and warm-had taken up her face as she pleaded with him to please let her get the things she would need, rations, blankets, and a change of clothes. What was he, her pet? Her lady-in-waiting? He was Sesshomaru. Lord of the West, most sought after daiyoukai, and a most superior being.

"You have half an hour, human."

When Kaelie was out earshot of Sesshomaru she smiled triumphantly.

"Yes, It worked!" Her puppy eyes theory had worked. She was glad of it too because there was no way she was going to let the only person that knew the whereabouts of the old magnolia tree get away. No matter how much he resented her or wanted to kill her, he was stuck with her at least another four days or so. Kaelie still wasn't sure if she would return to the feudal era. She might if her Aunt wanted her to check on Kagome but Kaelie would have to find an old map or something. She would not seek Sesshomaru out if she returned. He was just a big pain in her ass and truthfully, she was tired of him.

Kagome was busy preparing a pack for Kaelie, it had bread, and honey, some rice balls and her clothes were folded inside it too. In fact, the bag was not even half full. It was a yellow backpack that was worn from use. Kagome smiled at Kaelie and stood with one of the straps in her hand.

"Well, I've got four or five days worth of food in here and there's some soap, shampoo, conditioner and a change of clothes." She looked solemnly at her feet. "Mom should recognize my bag when she sees you." Kaelie placed a comforting hand on Kagome's shoulder and offered a warm smile.

"I'll tell her that you're doing fine and that you miss her, grandpa, and Sota." Kaelie pulled her cousin into a tight hug and took the pack when Kagome offered it to her.

Sho appeared from where he had gone for the night, the little creature suddenly enlarging in size as a whirlwind blasted from around him like a vortex. Kaelie smiled at him.

"At least you are trying to make this easier." Her hot glare at a certain daiyoukai was not missed, though the outright evil smirk was hidden by her own hand. It wouldn't do to let him know she wasn't all that afraid of him anymore.

"Are you ready to depart?" Sesshomaru asked impatiently, the sound of his teeth squeaking together a clear indication that if Kaelie didn't get a move on she would be left. Sighing in a put out way, the human girl crawled up Sho's back, settling in with the large yellow pack hanging from her shoulders.

"Let's follow the cranky man, all right, Sho?" The wind demon took a couple of steps forward, Kagome, Rin and InuYasha came from Kaede's hut, Kagome and Rin waved goodbye while InuYasha stood next to her, arms crossed over his chest, glaring in the other direction. Kaelie waved back, shook her head at InuYasha and then focused her gaze on the road ahead of them.

Several hours later, she was this close to just bashing her head in to maybe help kill the silence. She sighed … again, she might add. Sesshomaru wouldn't let her sing, talk to Sho, question him-about anything, damn it-and now she was bored, bored, bored, bored. "Please, get that stick out of your ass so I can maybe make conversation. Because, you know, that's what civilized people like to do on long trips in the middle of nowhere with nothing else better to do other than walk."

Sesshoumaru gave the smallest of snorts, but she couldn't tell if it was in amusement or derision.

"If there was a dignified response to your request, I would answer. However, your plebeian vocabulary leaves much to be desired thus making conversation with you a waste of my time." Kaelie glared.

"Be glad I don't have a stick at hand because I just might shove it up beside the other one." Kaelie crossed her arms over her chest trying not to jostle the sleeping fox demon currently hanging over her shoulders. Sesshomaru cracked his knuckles in one fluid, curling of his fingers in agitation. Kaelie rolled her eyes as she walked behind him. "Oh wow, how intimidating, popping your knuckles." Sesshomaru growled lowly, so low that Kaelie barely heard it.

"You will think intimidating when you are lying at my feet in a pool of blood." He glanced over his shoulder, his golden eyes narrowed threateningly. Kaelie rolled her eyes again then shook her head. This guy was unbelievable. Sho whined a bit then let out a sigh, clearly the little fox demon was getting tired of their arguing as well. Kaelie couldn't help it she had to be sarcastic. It didn't matter how many times he threatened her life, the threats he made were just that, threats. Kaelie knew that if she pushed him enough he wouldn't hesitate to put those words into action, but for now, he simply walked ahead of her.

The next two days went without incident. Sesshomaru had made a fire for her and she was in the process of digging through Kagome's overly stuffed bag. Finally she found shampoo, conditioner, a cloth for washing and some soap. It was time for a bath, she felt icky from the sweating she'd done the past two days. She straightened from her kneeled position next to the bag and turned to walk through the woods to the stream they'd passed earlier. Sesshomaru's voice stopped her in mid stride.

"Where are you going?" His question was flat, void of emotion. She grit her teeth a bit, he wasn't really concerned about her so why did he even ask? She ended up answering anyway.

"I'm going to bathe in the stream we passed earlier." She turned slightly watching him through the firelight as he sat beneath a tree. He regarded her with half closed eyes and remained silent.

His silence was making her feel awkward… instead of dealing with the emotionally stunted, stuck-up-his-arse demon lord; she trundled off to finally rid herself of the grime. Ten minutes later she was dipping a toe into the chilly water. Even though the past days had been regularly warm, the water was still cold. Goose bumps rose over her skin and she forced herself to wade into the icy water. She carried her toiletries in her arms as she waded over to a rock not far from the bank. Sho had been sleeping when she left so she decided to leave him alone, the poor little thing had to sleep sometime. If something were to attack her she hoped Sho would come or at least Sesshomaru but it was highly unlikely that the youkai lord would save her. She knew how bad he wanted to be rid of her, but did she care? No she didn't. She poured some shampoo into her hands and began washing her hair. It felt so good to bathe after two days of walking in the hot sun. Even though the water was a bit cold, she still enjoyed it as it refreshed her. Being clean was an improvement of the most wonderful kind.

Back at camp, Sesshoumaru looked into the tree line, a few degrees away from Kaelie's direction, but far too close for it to be normal. He took off into the brush, running effortlessly. It was but moments when he was standing in front of a group of cowering youkai. "What business do you have upon my lands, pigs?"

The leader of the pack seemed emboldened by the daiyoukai's pause in killing them. "SGRAWNK, we were just looking'-"

Sesshomaru snarled soundlessly as he charged, the pig demons scattering like confetti. He growled lowly. He did not want the filth on his lands or within his borders! He knew pig demons, they would keep coming back until they had what they were rooting around for or were very much dead. Sesshomaru was going to make them very much dead. And so the hunt began.

However, if he had stayed there but a moment longer, he would have heard something that would disturb his peaceful bloodlust of the hunt. Kaelie had just finished washing her hair, rinsing out the suds when she looked up into the tree that hung out over the stream. There was something she couldn't quite make out perched there and she was half afraid it might have been a large snake. She gathered her things, wrapped a towel around her body, and stepped slowly away from the stream and the tree. Unfortunate events happened afterward, some that would baffle the majority of the demons for the next few centuries to come.

When the creature dropped from the tree to the ground with a heavy thump, Kaelie knew she was in trouble. When she got a good look at the thing, she felt her insides freeze and her stomach knot up. There, laying in all it's inhuman; partially centipede body was a female centipede demon. "Huuuuuman! It was you! You who destroyed one of my clan!"

Kaelie hadn't the foggiest of what the lady-thing was going on about, but she was less inclined to stay and listen. Lighting out like a bat out of hell, she turned and ran, dropping all but her towel, her necklace bouncing around her neck. Her terror was enough to stop all sound from emerging, her eyes wide as she tried to breathe. Find Sesshomaru find Sho. Find Sesshomaru, find Sho. Find Sesshomaru… Well, you get it. If that stupid demon lord saw her now, his eyebrows would be raised in mild astonishment at the speeds she could attain if properly motivated. Right now, she was properly motivated. That ten-minute trek out took less than three in, her feet flying. She saw the campfire and felt a little hope soar inside. Sesshomaru would be there, and so would Sho! If nothing else, the daiyoukai would kill the centipede because it had bothered him.

Bad luck runs in threes and she was only on her second one as she skidded into the camp to see… Sho conked out and not moving. Why are you doing this to me, God? she shrieked in her mind. I have done a horrible thing in a past life, haven't I? I'm sorry, already!

"What did I do?"

The demon hissed around the pincers in her mouth. "You killed! You KILLED! Die, filthy beast!"

Kaelie ducked a wild swipe. "But I haven't killed anyone! Why are you coming after me?"

"LIES!" The centipede snarled. "You and your kin destroyed one of my own!

"Sesshomaru, where in the world are you?" She cried out, Sho not even moving in his exhaustion. She screeched in frustration as she fisted her hands and stomped her foot. In her moment of frustration, she forgot all about the centipede. That didn't last long. The hand that traveled around her shoulders was blackened and claw tipped and grasping for her neck. Kaelie lurched back and her necklace flew up almost magnetically latching itself to the claws of the centipede's. She screamed like a scared little schoolgirl and tried to free her necklace. That darned centipede was not getting her necklace! She'd be damned before she let anything happen to it!

It didn't seem to matter. The moment the centipede clenched her fist around the beads and tightened, there was a glow that was leaking from between its fingers. Kaelie felt as if her world stopped moving, that lightning was striking her and leaving her over-charged. Her breath caught in her throat before the centipede was blasted away by the same feeling, her vision swimming for a moment. Once cleared, she was looking at Sesshomaru. With a little cry of fear, she leapt into his chest, hiding her face as she shook. Sesshomaru stared down at the shaking girl clutched to his chest in a death grip. He frowned deeply noticing the large cloth she had when she left was laying just a few feet from them and the human girl was… naked. He blinked and focused his gaze on the writhing female centipede who was currently clawing at her face. He stepped past Kaelie, his claws-already drenched with blood from the pig demons- were not quite sated of their bloodlust. The centipede squealed in pain as Sesshomaru walked calmly toward her.

"Filth! You burned me!" The centipede rose from the ground and rushed toward Kaelie. However, she was too slow and with one swift slash of his claws, the centipede was divested of her head. It rolled onto the ground, her body, still thrashing from the last few beats of the heart, landed on the ground heavily. Without turning around Sesshomaru spoke to the frightened human girl.

"Pick up your cloth…" He cleaned his claws with one flick of his wrist as he heard the small squeak from the girl. She didn't say much after Sesshomaru killed the centipede. She did ask if he would accompany her back to the stream where she had been bathing so she could retrieve her things. He obliged only because the rank smell of her fear filled the air and would attract more unwanted company. His face remained stony as she gathered her things from the stream bank. He knew that the pigs had been a distraction, something to lead him away from Kaelie. What he didn't know was the purpose behind it. She was only human nothing more, nothing less. The pigs had been easy kills but a distraction to him nonetheless. Kaelie walked up to Sesshomaru once she was finished picking up her scattered toiletries. He stared down at her, not saying a word as was his custom. She was still shaking from the frightening experience she had just been through. At least he had been there to save her, if not for him she'd be dead right now. She looked up at him so she could thank him properly and noticed that his hard gaze was directed not at her face but at her chest. She was covered in the towel again but the fact that he had the audacity to stare at her breasts after what she'd just witnessed made her mad.

"Hey, stop staring at my chest ya pervert." She spat. Sesshomaru scoffed, he had not been looking at her chest as if he would ever do such a thing. He had been studying her necklace. The fang itself was rather large and on each side there were three jade beads set about an inch apart. One of the beads closest to the fang was cracked down the middle and a strange pulsating power was seeping out of the bead and into the human girl. She couldn't tell, that was apparent by the frown written on her face, but Sesshomaru could because of his youkai. Just before Sesshomaru had arrived to rid his lands of the demon there had been a bright flash of light. For a moment he had felt power sizzle through the air. A power he knew well. It had burned him on many occasion when he had been pursuing his idiot younger brother for Tetsusaiga. Kaelie snapped her fingers in front of the demon lord's face. His gaze rose to hers and he frowned deeply.

"Woman, I am not disinclined to killing you. You cause me far more trouble than you are worth. You will do well to respect that I saved your life this once. It will not happen again." He turned on his heel as he often did and walked away from her. Once back at the campsite, Kaelie dressed and sat down next to Sho, who climbed into her lap and whimpered. She patted his head, reassuring him that she was okay.

"It's okay Sho…" She cooed. Sho hopped from her lap, transformed and then lay down so Kaelie could sleep propped up against him like she did every night. She sighed, still too shaken to fall asleep. She moved her eyes over to Sesshomaru. He was leaning against a tree, unmoving, except for the occasional sway of his hair against the slight breeze.

Damned man and his damned perfect hair… She hardly noticed that she had fallen asleep while trying hard not to.

Sesshomaru stared at the sky through his lashes as the human girl slept so peacefully in his presence. Not only did she sleep without worry, she destroyed his solitude and calm, gave him a contemptuous attitude, and even went against his orders on occasion if she so wished. The woman was quite infuriating and he was trying to figure out why he had yet to kill her. Only Rin had ever been able to get under his skin in such a fashion, but in a very different way. Where Rin was kind and willing to walk to the ends of the earth for him as if he were her sun, this human sneered at him and made him out to be a mild irritation and a pathetic milestone in her life.

Frankly, he had killed others for lesser offenses.

However, this brought him to his original musings, her necklace. He glanced at the piece of strange and barely noticeable craftsmanship, the jewelry seemingly designed to be easily over-looked and under appreciated. It bothered him how he, the Lord of the West, had not even noticed it before now. It was the little things like details that would get him killed in his daily dealings of demon and man and he. Had. Not. Noticed. On a semi-constant companion, no less. If it had been a purified energy, he would probably be dead. It was a sobering thought.

His pondering took him through the night into the early light of pre-dawn. Sighing silently, he rose to start the day, casting a despairing look to his travel partner. He prayed she would be gone soon so that he could once again concentrate. Now was not a time to be distracted.

Sesshomaru didn't have to wake the human girl this morning. Kaelie was already awake, packed and waiting by the time he languidly stepped over to her. She remained quiet, she didn't even say anything to Sho. She simply climbed on his back and they returned to their journey toward Bokusen'on. Kaelie was beyond ready to get away from this place. Demons, Sesshomaru, I just can't handle this place. I gotta get outta here. I love Kagome and I know she's my cousin but I just can't come back. It's too much for me. I still wish this was all a dream. She couldn't' wait to get back to her modern world and forget everything that had transpired in the past eight days. Except of course, the part about seeing Kagome again. She smiled a bit and wished that she hadn't been attacked. Maybe she would have considered visiting Kagome from time to time.

Kaelie sometimes found herself staring at the back of Sesshomaru's head. He had so much hair, it was crisp white almost blue. When the sun hit it, it shone like snow. After awhile though, Kaelie began to get disgruntled, because of his pretty hair and started imagining what he might look like with short hair. She was sure that he was enjoying the quiet and she knew Sho was. Sho had sighed repeatedly anytime Kaelie and Sesshomaru had started fussing with each other. Kaelie wondered if the fox youkai even enjoyed traveling. He was so loyal to her, she pondered the thought of keeping the creature. Oh yeah, I can imagine that going over so well with Aunt Asaka. She's already going to be upset about my absence. She's probably got the whole police squad and detective agency out looking for me.

When Kaelie became bored of her own thoughts, she tried to relax and just concentrate on braiding Sho's mane. She knew he was enjoying it because every now and then he'd purr in delight. Sesshomaru of course remained stoic, non-conversational and an all around ass. As usual.

"We will meet with Bokusen'on by dusk." He spoke softly, almost to the point where Kaelie had to lean forward to hear him. She didn't reply just kept on braiding Sho's mane. "That necklace of yours…" Sesshomaru began, and paused for a moment as if he was searching for the words to say. Kaelie looked up and stared at the back of his head again. She waited for him to elaborate.

"Yes?" She asked after a few minutes of stillness. Sesshomaru slowed his pace some so Sho was walking almost by his side.

"Where did you get it?" He finally asked. He glanced at her ever so slightly out of the corner of his eye, his golden eyes gleamed in the dimming sunlight. Kaelie looked down and took the large fang of her necklace in hand.

"Well my mother gave it to me before she died." Kaelie frowned a bit and let the necklace fall back against her chest with a soft thump.

"I see. So it is of little importance, as I thought." Sesshomaru sped his stride and was once again walking in front of Kaelie and Sho. Kaelie ground her teeth in frustration, but held her tongue. It wouldn't matter how mad she got at him, she'd be gone through the mirror in just a few hours and she'd never see him again.

Kaelie had been wrong…Again. They arrived at the large magnolia tree around dusk maybe a few minutes before. The sun hadn't quiet set across the horizon. Kaelie hopped off Sho and watched as the old wrinkly face materialized on the trunk of the tree once more.

"Ah, why Lord Sesshomaru. It is nice to see you again. It has been a long time." Bokusen'on's mouth pulled up in a grin and Sesshomaru regarded him as he did most things, with contempt.

"Why did you tell this human to find me?" Sesshomaru demanded calmly. He folded his hands into his large sleeves and scowled at the tree. Bokusen continued smiling and gave a simple answer.

"Destiny, of course." Kaelie rolled her eyes, man this tree never could give a straight answer and frankly she was tired of it (and everything else). Kaelie took a step forward.

"Yeah, you told me that already, but what does destiny have to do with me meeting this arrogant bastard?" She gestured toward Sesshomaru, who narrowed his eyes. Bokusen raised his eyebrows as if he was in shock.

"Why you don't know do you?" Kaelie felt like banging her head against a tree. Why would they ask if they didn't know? Sometimes she swore wise entities had given up common sense for wisdom, or Bokusen was just a senile tree. Sesshomaru and Kaelie waited for Bokusen to continue. He looked at Sesshomaru and his face became serious. "You're father, wants you to finish his work." Sesshomaru quirked a brow ever so slightly. Bokusen began by saying this. "A long time ago, when Lord Taisho was still alive…"

Eight elemental keys are said to seal a gate of great chaos. Beyond this Gate of Chaos reside eight demons of the eight elements: Water, Earth, Fire, Air, Thunder, Ice, Light, and Darkness. According to legend, the gate must be sealed by spirits of light and darkness, and must be sealed twice in the time of five centuries. Lord Taisho was the first to seal the gate, five hundred years ago. His fang holds the power to reseal the gate, but no being may touch the necklace without first having pure blood should be shed before the gate; the first seal shall be broken. The elemental vials must be collected and returned to the gate. If the vials are to fall into the hands of someone who wishes ill will upon the earth, they will release the eight demons and then be able to rule over all. The vials are hidden within their element. Those chosen worthy to protect the vials with their life, guard them.

You must find these vials before it's too late. Each vial has a clue, a riddle that must be uncovered to find the key.

Kaelie stood next to Sesshomaru, her eyes slightly wide in disbelief. She blinked a few times before she spoke.

"You've got to be kidding me! You want us to go on a journey? That could possibly cause us to die?" Bokusen had to be pulling her leg this time, but by his expression she could tell he wasn't joking.

Sesshomaru glanced over at Kaelie and scoffed a bit.

"You mean you will die, woman." Sesshomaru returned his attention to the magnolia tree. "Bokusen, as you were my father's trusted confidante. I believe you. However, I must know why she must come a long as well." Bokusen smiled.

"Lord Sesshomaru." He paused. "She wears your father's fang. How she came to own it, I do not know, but she wears it. Therefore, she must accompany you on this journey." Sesshomaru closed his eyes at the tree's words and folded his arms in his kimono sleeves once again.

"Perhaps I could take the necklace from her, I will not have a burden to bear on this journey."

Kaelie glared at Sesshomaru and stomped up to him.

"You know what? You can't have my necklace and I don't want to go on this journey anyway. Besides this is not my problem! So you can find some other way to seal this gate on your own, 'cause I'm. Not. Doing. It." She poked his chest with her pointer finger, emphasizing the last words. "I'm gonna go home and forget about this place and especially you!" She looked at the old tree. "Sorry, but I gotta go, I can't stand it here any longer. Find someone else to solve this problem." Kaelie turned on her heel and walked toward the hole in the ground that she had climbed out of seven days ago.

Little Sho tugged at the edge of her pant leg with his teeth and she stopped and looked down at him. "I'm not staying Sho, but you can come with me if you want. You'll just have to stay hidden." Sho barked in enthusiasm and hopped into the hole. She glanced back to see Sesshomaru glaring fiercely at her. She glared right back then climbed down into the hole and crawled her way to the mirror. She was finally going home, but she wondered what trouble she would face once she returned. Had timed stopped while she was gone? Was everyone looking for her? She wasn't sure, but she would soon find out.