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Sesshoumaru looked back at his group of ningens and demons. Miroku was in the front, then Kagome with Rin in her lap, then Akina and then Jaken. Sesshoumaru knew why the girls requested Miroku in the front, that lecher would have groped them all the way there. All of them where sleeping, for lack of anything better to do to pass the time. He looked at Kagome, her silky raven locks where whipping about in the winds, her arms protectively wrapped around Rin. He had to admit, she was quite beautiful…for a human, that is.

'No. She is a human. She is beneath me, I cannot think about her in that way. That brash arrogant hanyou brother of mine is already a disgusting disgrace of our family line! I swore I would never follow in my father's footsteps and take a human for a mate. I cannot disgrace and dilute my clan's blood line with any more filthy hanyous.' Sesshoumaru told himself and shook his head lightly to rid it of thoughts concerning the miko.

'But Kagome is not just a human;' he thought despite himself, 'she is a miko, and an incredibly powerful one... All she needs is some training to control her powers and she will even rival me in battle. Is that why I have been hesitating to get someone to give her some training sessions?

'No, I, Sesshoumaru, will never be bested in battle by a ningen woman.' He thought coldly. 'There is no way I will ever act on any feeling that may be festering in some sick part of my mind. It must be some odd phase. I refuse to turn into my father. My father was a fool. He let his heart lead him to his death. I couldn't care less what happens to her.' He thought vehemently, his lip twitching as if he wished to bare his teeth.

'I will not leave my lands in the care of a hanyou heir...But again, she is not a normal human…she's a priestess.' He repeated in his mind, his eyes narrowing. 'My heirs with purifying abilities would be incredibly powerful…' A frustrated growl tore from his throat but it was swallowed up by the rushing wind. 'No, what am I thinking? What would even be the point? I know nothing of the human emotion, love! Yes, I love Rin, but that's not the same. But since I love Rin, I shouldn't be hostile towards the miko for something she has no awareness of.

'She doesn't know that for some reason I feel a pull towards her, but none the less…' Sesshoumaru thought, finally giving in, 'Being…nice…to a mortal. It can't be that bad…can it?'

oOo

Softly moaning, Kagome slowly woke up from her short nap. Refreshing wind in her face made her eyes open. Tightening her loosened grip around Rin and looked around, she spotted Sesshoumaru. He was a bit farther away now, but he was still aside the dragon.

His eyebrows where contracted together somewhat and he was looking down, his eyes glassy. Something must have been troubling him since he was actually showing some emotion. Even when he was deep in thought Sesshoumaru more often then not still had his perfect impassive mask on—but he didn't have it on now. What was that emotion on his face? Uneasiness? Discomfort? Annoyance?…Indigestion? (Ha sorry I just had to put that)

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome called out loudly, knocking the taiyoukai out of his thoughts.

'Remember…be nice.' He thought forcefully as he directed his youkai cloud toward Ah-Un to answer the miko.

"Hai?" He said, softening his features from the formerly stony look.

"Are you okay?" She asked, turning her upper body to get a better look at him.

'…Nice…don't say anything rude…don't snap at her…'

"Yes, I'm fine." He said in a voice that wasn't necessarily nice, but it wasn't rude either, so it was a step up.

"Ano…Sesshoumaru?" Kagome began timidly.

"What?" He answered.

"My legs are falling asleep…" She looked downward at her legs; Rin was splayed across them stopping some blood flow. The miko numbly tried to budge her feet but she just scarcely could get some movement.

'Do things for her, at least small things to show you don't hate her…' He took a calming breath.

"Give Rin to the monk." He commanded softly. Kagome looked at him but then turned toward Miroku who was in front of her and shook his shoulders gently. He moaned and opened his purple eyes.

"Can you take Rin for a while?" She asked him quietly. Miroku nodded, stiff half asleep, and deftly twisted his back and scooped up Rin from Kagome's arms and turned around again only to be knocked out by sleep a few seconds later. Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru after doing what he instructed, to be surprised that he was now riding very close to Ah-Un. The taiyoukai reached over and Kagome gasped as Sesshoumaru easily lifted her up and off Ah-Un like he had with Rin.

'She's not just a human; she's a miko.' He repeated in his head again. 'Regular humans cannot stand on my youkai cloud, but she's not a regular mortal; she's a priestess…so maybe…' Sesshoumaru thought as he gently let Kagome down, still holding on her, seeing if she could stand on his cloud. If she couldn't, then he would simply carry her until her legs went back to normal. He wasn't exactly sure what happened when a human's legs 'fell asleep' but he tried to help anyway. Kagome glanced questioningly at the youkai and then down at the cloud, she felt it was solid beneath her feet. Sesshoumaru let her down fully and sighed quietly.

"Well I guess priestesses are allowed on a youkai cloud, ne? Kagome asked smiling up at the taiyoukai. He looked down at her and the corner of his perfect lips pulled very, very slightly into a small smile also. After a few minutes of Kagome quietly struggling to brace herself from the force of the wind. The demon circled an arm around her back to steady her so she didn't fall with the wind force pushing on her as they flew through the air.

oOo

Inuyasha felt Sango's arms tighten as she woke up from her snooze.

"Mmm, Inuyasha? How much longer?" She asked linking her hands around his neck.

"He's close." The hanyou said shortly.

"Can we stop for a few seconds? I need to stretch my legs, please?" Inuyasha sighed but stopped.

"Just for a minute." He said stubbornly

"Ne, Inuyasha?" Sango asked, getting off and swinging her arm way above her head, loosening her tight muscles.

"Yeah?" He turned to look at her.

"Why do you suppose Sesshoumaru hasn't killed Kagome and Miroku? I thought he hated humans." She said quietly, bending over to stretch her back.

"…I don't know but they're close, probably only half a mile, now!" Inuyasha said impatiently.

"What if…Kagome likes Sesshoumaru? You said your brother was in mating age."

"That would be impossible, Sesshoumaru's emotionless. It's a big surprise to me that she's actually not dead. He's tried killing her before." He said, crossing his arms.

"Why would he keep her alive if it wasn't for a reason?" she countered.

"Sango where are you going with this…?" Inuyasha trailed off, Sango was standing in front of him with a small seductive smile on her face. She snaked her arms around his shoulders…and forced her lips on Inuyasha's. He was stunned into silence and body was stiff…Just as Kagome, Sesshoumaru and the rest of the group flew over head.

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A/N: Uh ohh! : ) Thanks for reading!

JA NE!