Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha and co. I don't own any of the songs that I put into the story, except on cd's. But I do own Shiori, Miyu-Guardian-mother to Shiori & Koshin Hakogami-snow youkai from modern Japan-father to Shiori, Kil Kai-another snow demon from feudal times & Aisu-female snow demon from feudal times, they are all mine.

AN: " " is speaking, ' ' is thought

AN: The She that I am referring to in this is the Goddess, I thought that I would put 'she' in italics & capitalize, instead of writing 'Goddess' all the time.

I know this is unusual for me to post another chapter up this quickly, but my Muse was getting impatient with me. So, what can you do when your Muse won't leave you alone? LOL And as always, thanks to those who read & enjoy my story. I had 96 hits on my last chapter. YAY! Thanks Karla, I can understand how busy you are, but I love to hear from you. I'm glad you still like my story. And I love to here from all those that review. . :-) Hope I keep you all interested in this story. The reviews mean a lot to me, so pretty please drop me a line. Enjoy!

Now on with the show.

Glossary:

youkai-demon

taiyoukai-demon lord

inu-youkai-dog demon

ningen-human

ookami-wolf demon

osuwari-sit

aisu-ice

Previously:

The feeling of power breathing along his skin brought Sesshomaru out of his musings. He looked around and noticed that the rest of group had also felt it. He noticed that his brother's ears peaked up and were turned towards the direction the others had gone. He was still, trying to listen and smell to find out what was going on. Then there was something that sounded like an explosion coming from deeper in the woods. And without saying a word, everyone near Kaede's hut took off towards the explosion. Kil Kai had just been walking back to the hut when the explosion went off.

As they drew closer, they could hear the sounds of metal on metal and the other sounds that warned of a battle ahead. Sango and Kirara were the first to break through the tree line that surrounded the clearing. Only to find that her friends were fighting what appeared to be a group of disgusting pig youkai. She was looking for Miroku first.

He was standing back to back with Shiori and Kagome who had their swords out trying to keep the youkai away from Kaede and Rin, who were in the middle. Kaede was holding Rin, trying to keep her calm.

Sango wasted no time to join the little group with Kirara to help battle the youkai. She hadn't been fighting for a few seconds before the rest arrived.

The look on Sesshomaru's face was mirrored by his younger brother, both faces promising death to the fools that dared to threaten what was theirs. They flew into the thick of the pig youkai, swords drawn, bringing death to unsuspecting group.

Chapter 26: Impressing a Taiyoukai

The little group had been getting ready to test Rin's binding when all of a sudden a large group of smelly, disorganized pig youkai came out of the surrounding forest, effectively surrounding the group. The group was large enough to almost be a clan.

Immediately, Kaede and Rin were placed in the middle of Kagome, Miroku and Shiori. These three had weapons out and ready for a fight.

One of the pigs snorted, "Hhmmm. Looks like we have found some delicious looking humans. Why don't we capture them and have ourselves a little feast?"

The others in the large group snorted with laughter and approval. Then the ring leader spoke again.

"Put down those little weapons and come along quietly. We promise to make your deaths quick and painless," he snorted with laughter. "We'll also take those shards you have with you as well."

"I believe we'll go with option B," Shiori said keeping an eye on the youkai in her field of vision.

"And what would be option B?" the pig leader asked, humoring her, thinking that the humans would be no match for them.

"It would be the one where we kick your asses and go home in time for a cup of tea," she answered. "Now, I have a suggestion for you, turn around and go back where you came from. If not, then you will die here today. The choice is yours."

This caused the pig youkai to laugh. "Why would we leave?"

"Well, you must be blind," Rin shouted from the center of the little group. "You're facing a monk, two mikos and a Guardian. You'd do well to turn around and leave, you dirty piggies!"

"Really? Well, I think that we can take on a few humans. I don't think that they could take on all of us," the ring leader snorted, causing his group to laugh.

Kagome glanced at her cousin, "What do you want to do?"

Shiori held up one fist, calling her purifying power to it. The pig youkai stopped laughing, having felt the build up. "I think I'm in the mood to kick a little ass." With that said, she unleased a powerful blast that plowed through part of the group and set off a loud explosion. Then the fight was on. The pig youkai began swarming the three protectors. Kaede held Rin and tried to keep her calm because her Guardian powers were straining at her mother's binding spell.

This was how the rest of the group found them. Taking on the large group of filthy youkai. Sango and Kirara joined the three protectors first. When they joined the fight, Kaede asked Kirara if she would get her and Rin to safety so the others could fight.

Kirara agreed and took the two humans high into the air, out of range of battle. She didn't take them to the village because she didn't want them to try to follow and possibly destroy the village.

"Let me go, Priestess Kaede," Rin struggled, "I can help them."

"Hush now, child, you're powers are trying to break out, but they are not ready yet and neither are ye. The time will come for you to join in the fighting, but this is not that time. Up here, they can fight and not worry that you will be hurt or captured. Just let them deal with this, for now," Kaede chided kindly.

Rin was forced to stay out of the way and watch her new friends below. Then she heard two loud roars and turned to see her Sesshomaru-sama and Inu Yasha join the fray. She could tell that her lord was very angry and he was showing no mercy to the stupid pig youkai.

Sesshomaru could not explain it. When he saw the group of pigs trying to get to Rin, he was overcome with rage. No one hurts what is his. No one! But it was not only the threat to Rin that set off the taiyoukai. It was the large group that was beginning to surround Shiori that set off his beast. He was cutting a swath through the pigs to get to her only to stop and watch her in action.

Shiori saw that she was cut off from the rest of the group and smiled. "Gotcha." She stabbed Winter's Kiss into the group at her feet and threw a hard side kick with her left leg, taking out the pig on that side. Then with her right arm, grabbed the arm of the demon on that side and threw him into his comrades. One came up behind her and grabbed her arms, trying to hold her still. She moved a couple of inches to the left, just enough to bring her left fist down and hit with all her might into the pig's groin. Causing a loud, very high pitched squeal to escape before he fell to the group, incapacitated. She then let loose a right front kick and hit the one in front of her in the chin, breaking his neck. She was moving fast and deadly, it was like watching a Jet Li movie. She was even deadlier when Winter's Kiss was back in her hand.

When he was able to look her way, Sesshomaru was stunned. Then, he was taking on two pig demons. He, of course, wasn't even breaking a sweat. He was able to watch her between bouts.

Inu Yasha had taken out three demons as soon as he entered the fight. "NO ONE HURTS MY KAGOME!" he shouted. He turned to make sure she was okay and found two trying to sneak up behind her. She was fighting off one in front of her with swords. He jumped behind her, with his back to her and fought the other two.

Kagome had felt the aura of the two trying to sneak up behind her and tensed. But then, she felt a familiar aura and a broad back pressed to hers. She knew that she could now concentrate on the pig youkai in front of her and that Inu Yasha would take care of any that came up behind her. This is what she wanted more than anything, to be able to fight along side him and not be a burden. She met the pig youkai head on with renewed courage and strength, know her hanyou was with her.

Miroku and Sango were finishing up the group that had tried to attack them. The pig youkai were not paying too much attention to who they were fighting, because they failed to notice the uniform of a taijiya. They didn't stand a chance against her. Miroku was using his holy staff and his sutras to battle the youkai coming at him. Aisu was using her sword against those foolish enough to get in her way. She didn't let any of them get close to her. She ended up back to back with Kil Kai.

All of a sudden, Rin screamed and the smell of powerful hanyou blood filled the clearing. Sesshomaru turned in the direction of the smell and found Shiori down on one knee with a knife sticking out of the front of her right thigh. She had gone down but she was still trying to fight off the remaining youkai. Sesshomaru's eyes turned red and before he could stop himself, he let out another anger filled roar.

Before he got a few feet, he felt a large charge of power coming from Shiori. The rest of the group did as well and they had a pretty good idea what that meant.

Kagome grabbed Inu Yasha and began pulling him out of the clearing. They were followed by Kil Kai and Aisu. Sesshomaru just stood there and watched Shiori begin to glow a bright blue. Then, the glow left her in a large pulsating wave that turned the pig youkai, that were too foolish to run, into dust. They barely had time to squeal in surprise.

Sesshomaru saw the wave heading straight for him, even felt it flow over him, but he was not hurt. He felt warm, protected. He turned to Shiori and met her gaze dead on. In that moment, he knew that she was the one that protected him from the blast. She was able to destroy and protect, even in pain and getting weak from blood loss. After the wave left the clearing, he watched her shoulders slump and her breathing becoming heavy. But she stood up and remained standing, looking around for more pig youkai. She barely glanced at him as he appeared by her side.

And he was by her side in the blink of an eye. Just in time to see her spin around in the opposite and reach out her left arm. She caught a pig youkai and without waiting, she snapped his neck. She just watched it slowly fall forward, unmoving.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her and heard her mumble numbly, "I think I need a nap." Then she began to fall forward. She didn't hit the ground. She was caught by Sesshomaru, who stood there for a few heartbeats, staring down at her.

This was just enough time for the rest of the group to rejoin him. Kirara landed and Kaede was able to walk over to the young woman. She tried to examine her, when she heard a low growl of warning coming from the taiyoukai. She was unfazed by this and simply said, "I have to check her, Lord Sesshomaru. I promise not to cause her anymore pain than necessary."

He nodded and allowed the old miko to do her job. Shiori groaned when her leg was examined by Kaede's gentle touch, but remained still, slightly conscious.

Kaede turned to Kagome, "Her wound will need to be cleaned and dressed. Though I'm surprised she is like this. She seemed to fair much better after the attack of the snake youkai."

"I think it is because of what she did with her powers. She released a great deal of power that did two very different jobs," Kagome answered, thoughtful, more than a little worried about her cousin.

"I see, maybe the blood loss also added to the problem," Kaede said, equally thoughtful.

"What do you mean," Inu Yasha asked, curious. He had moved to stand close to Kagome.

"She purified the youkai attacking her, but at the same time protected your brother," Kagome began with her answer. "She did two things at once. I've never heard of her doing that before. With humans, we don't have to worry about protecting them when we purify evil. But, she didn't want to purify him along with the others," Kagome answered, watching as Shiori began to stir.

"We need to get her back to my hut so I can pull out that knife and wrap her leg," Kaede said, straightening up from a crouch.

Having heard this, Shiori pushed a little out of Sesshomaru's arms, leaned back and grabbed the knife. Without a second thought, she yanked the knife free from her thigh. "Damnit! That always hurts!" She was breathing through the pain, trying to stand up. She then took her outer shirt, twisted it and tied it around her thigh. "Okay," she said to the surprised group, "let's go back to the village." She began to shuffle out of the clearing, Kagome taking her arm to help steady her.

"Inu Yasha," Sesshomaru called out, not moving forward. He was watching the young woman while unting the stays on his armor.

Inu Yasha looked at his aniki, puzzled, but was even more shocked when he heard his aniki's request.

"Take my armor so I can carry her back to the old miko's hut. I don't want to cut her with it," he said, his stoic mask firmly in place, as if he were talking about the weather.

Inu Yasha was speechless but nodded his head. He walked over to his aniki and began to help undo the rest of the ties holding the armor in place. When it was off, he held on to it, deciding that he would carry it for him and not grumble.

Everyone just stared in surprise as the stoic inu lord walked up behind the two women and picked up Shiori to carry her bridal fashion back to Kaede's hut. He never looked back at anyone except Rin.

The others quickly followed him, silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Also, a little in shock at the out of character actions of the Lord of the West.

"I think I can walk back on my own, Fluffy," she protested softly, her eyes fluttering, trying to stay awake. She hated to admit it, but she was a little dizzy from the blood loss. Even a powerful hanyou is affected by something as simple as blood loss.

"That I can see, but let's just not chance you falling on your face getting there," he quipped, looking straight ahead.

"It won't be the first time I fell on my face, nor will it be the last. I can make it under my own steam, Fluffy, just put me down," she was trying to sit up in his arms.

Sesshomaru stopped walking and let her down. As soon as he took away his support and she tried to take a step, she fell flat on her face. He heard a frustrated growl and watched as she struggled to stand up. She made to her knees before her thigh burned from the wound. "SHIMATA!" She slammed her fist into the ground, trying to vent her frustration and her inability to walk.

He watched her for a few seconds more, then bent down and scooped her up again. "Now, maybe you won't be so stubborn?" He could tell she was sulking and for a fleeting second thought it was cute.

"I hate being weak," she mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

Without looking at her, "You are not weak, far from it. You handled yourself quite well."

She looked up at him with mild surprise. "I think I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks."

He nodded his head in acceptance. They continued on until Rin came up beside them.

"Are you okay, Shiori?"

"I'll live, munchkin. Don't worry," she smiled down at the little girl.

"I won't, because Sesshomaru-sama is going to take care of you," beamed the little girl, causing the taiyoukai to sigh.

Shiori stifled a laugh, causing the stoic lord to look down at her. "Nothing, really."

He kept staring at her and she finally said what struck her as funny.

"I was picturing you playing nursemaid, Fluffy. Somehow that doesn't quite work." Then she began to yawn, just feet from Kaede's hut.

Sesshomaru was silent when he felt her head fall onto his collarbone, close to his neck. Next thing he was listening to was even breathing, which indicated that she was asleep. He was amazed at how much control she had over her powers. Only someone with total control could unleash that much power with two very different purposes. He was impressed. He was also trying to ignore the feel of her warm breath on his neck. It was distracting, causing goosebumps and little tingles to shot through him. Though, none of the effects showed on his face. His stoic mask firmly in place.

He waited as Rin moved the door flap so he could enter the hut without disturbing the sleeping woman in his arms. He stood off to the side and waited for the rest of the group to enter the hut. He silently admitted that he enjoyed holding her, try as he might to deny it. The one thing he didn't like was why he was smelling her blood. His eyes tinged red a little at the thought of the youkai that stabbed her. If she hadn't killed that trash, he would have. 'Where did this come from? Why do I feel this way towards this woman?'

"If you would, Lord Sesshomaru, lay her here so I can take a better look at her leg," Kaede said as she entered the hut and stepped onto the raised floor.

He nodded and tried to lay the sleeping woman on the mat on the floor, but she had a hold on his haori. He couldn't get her to release it, so he lifted her and sat on the mat instead, cradling her.

Kaede just shrugged and went about gathering medicinal herbs to mash into a poultice along with those to make into a healing tea.

Kagome was the next to enter the hut and asked, "What do you want me to do, Kaede?"

"We need to get to her wound. Any suggestions on how to get to it?"

Shiori stirred and mumbled, "Cut the jeans or take them off. Dealer's choice."

Kagome nodded and went to shift Shiori to undo the pants. Unfortunately, the movement caused Shiori to inhale deeply because of the pain the material caused as it rubbed against the wound. Kagome appeared to be thinking when Sesshomaru took and ran his index claw around the top, right thigh of the jeans, just above the wound. Kagome was surprised but was able to pull the pant leg down to get to the wound.

The others were just outside the hut, not wanting to crowd the four inside. There was plenty of room, Miroku and Inu Yasha helped to add on to the hut about a year ago. They were just staying out of the way.

Kaede was mashing the herbs together and Kagome had gotten her med kit out of her bag. She began to clean the wound and the surrounding area.

Shiori was awake again and leaning against the quiet taiyoukai. She was examining the wound herself. "Hey, could you get my big black bag for me, Kags? I have some extra stuff in my kit that will help this."

Kagome nodded and gave her the black bag.

Sesshomaru watched as she began rifling through it. He couldn't see the bottom of the bag. It was pitch black inside.

Having remembered who she was using as a pillow, she mentioned, "It is spelled. Given to me by a friend."

"Spelled how?" he asked.

"I can pack as much stuff as I want into it and it nevers gets heavy or run out of room. The one who worked the spell was a Fey from Ireland. It was a thank you for helping with a rampaging dragon," she answered, smiling. Then she stopped and turned her head, "You know, you don't have to stay in here? I can just prop up against the wall."

"I'm comfortable," he quipped back quietly, his mouth next to her ear so the other two in the hut didn't hear him. He felt the little shiver that he caused run through the woman in his lap. He was more than a little pleased with her reaction.

But she stiffend and whispered back calmly, "Suit yourself. You do what you want to do."

"I intend to, little one," and he barely stopped himself from smiling when she snapped her head to the side to stare at him in surprise, having heard a double enuendo.

"I thought I told you never to call me that?"

"But, you just said I could do what I want," he unexpectedly teased.

She just rolled her eyes and tried to ignore him. The key word 'tried.' He wasn't making that easy.

He didn't know where this sudden urge to tease her came from, but he was enjoying it. He even leaned his chin on her shoulder so he could try to see what was in her bag. He laughed inwardly when he heard her huff in irritation.

She found what she was looking for and leaned over to set the bag down. She leaned over a bit too far and almost fell off the platform but she felt a firm grip on her left hip keeping her anchored. She was able to right herself but the hand stayed. "You can move your hand now," she gritted out, trying to ignore the little stirrings caused by his touch.

"Why would I do that?"

"Okay, you two. Let's get that wound treated before someone else needs medical attention," Kaede quipped solomly.

Shiori just bent her right leg and finished cleaning the underside and allowed Kaede to apply the poultice with the added healing oil she found in her bag. Kagome wrapped the leg while Kaede cleaned the herbal mixture from her hands.

"There that should do it," Kagome said with a smile, trying to alleaviate the tension she could feel coming off her cousin. "You should also drink this," she handed the steaming cup of tea to Shiori.

"Thanks. I think I'll go take a bath in a bit," she said as she took a sip of the healing tea. But, she was forced to put the tea down when she heard a high handed youkai add his two cents.

"I don't think so."

"Please, enlighten me," she bit out.

"Your wound needs time to heal and soaking it will not help it," he answered calmly.

"The oil that was added to the poultice will speed up the healing and I will need to soak in the hot spring to help with the muscle spasms that will follow."

He quirked an eye brow up at this, silently gesturing her to continue.

She sighed, "The healing will be quick and the muscles will spasm because of it. By morning the wound will just be a red mark. The muscles will need to be relaxed or they will knot. Thus the reason for the soak. Unless you want to massage my thigh?"

Without betraying his thoughts or missing a beat, "If you insist."

She just gave him a dirty look and turned away. She finished her tea in silence because Kaede and Kagome had gone outside to check on the others. When she was done, she moved to get up and was stopped by a strong arm across her stomach. "What do you think you are doing, Fluffy?"

"Haven't I told you not to call me that?" he whispered.

"As you tossed back at me, 'I can do what I want.' Now, let me up," she tried again to get up, but with the same results. "I can make you let me go."

"Then why don't you?"

"Because I'm not in the mood to kick your butt, yet. Unless you like getting slapped around by a woman," she teased, leaning close to his face.

He turned her around so she was face to face with him. "Maybe, or maybe I want a rematch. Remember, we have a wager and I think I know what I want when I win."

"When? Whatever, you'll lose and you know it."

"When I win, I want you to be my slave for a week," he said thoughtfully.

"What? No way," she challenged.

He leaned in more, "Fine how about four days?"

"If you when, I'll accept one day. Take it or leave it," she challenged, their faces so close their noses were almost touching.

He appeared to think about it. "You will agree to do whatever I say for one whole day. I mean anything."

She ground her teeth. "Agreed. But, I won't make a good slave, you can count on that."

"We'll see," he whispered, letting his gaze slowly roam her face, causing her blush slightly.

She's had men look at her before, but never like this. He appeared to be committing every line, every curve to memory. She put her hands on his chest to push away, but stopped as she felt his muscles without the chest plate. 'Nice,' she thought, but said, "Okay, when I'm recovered we'll have our little duel and I'll be sure to mop the floor with you." She tried to push away but was stopped. "What now?"

He leaned in closer, so close that a deep inhale would have caused their lips to touch. He whispered, "We need to seal the deal, don't we?"

"Huh?" That was all she could think to say, then he leaned in that last inch and kissed her.

AN: Ah, sealed with a kiss. ;-) I have to admit I was inspired to write this chapter and my two little 'managers,' let me have some time to work on this one. I hope you like this chapter. LOL I hope this chapter is enjoyed by my loyal readers. How do you guys like it so far? Please read & review.

I would like to thank my wonderful editor, ninjawarrior4life, my bro. glad you like it.

And thanks to everyone who has been reading this story from the beginning when I first started posting it. And to those who read and like it.

THX to all my readers.