A/N Another chapter! I have no idea how long this story will be, but I do know that it will not be over 40 chapters (I hope)! I have just gotten back from a 4-month exchange, so I apologize profusely for not updating during that time! *bows deeply* PLEASE ACCEPT MY APOLOGY, I SHALL UPDATE MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY NOW!

CHAPTER 11

Sesshomaru's POV

To say I was shocked would have been an understatement. I was bewildered and befuddled beyond belief. I know that Kagome was . . . different, but to be 500 years from the future, well that was a whole new level. The only reason she is even here is because of a magic well. I vaguely wondered whether it was a wishing well, and I mentally snorted at the thought. Finally, once I regained my composure, I focused on the time traveler.

"Okay," I said to her.

She stopped her pacing, her mouth agape and her eyes as wide as the saucers in which my teacups sit in.

"You look like a fish like that," I told her smoothly, as I turned around and started to walk away. I could hear her mouth snap shut and could imagine the faint blush that would dust over her cheeks. I shook my head, mentally berating myself for even being able to not only remember, but also vividly picture that image about the intriguing woman behind me.

With a shake of her head, she would start a quick jog to catch up to my quick steps, reaching me in about 3…2…1.

I was right. She fell into step beside me as the sun illuminated us from behind. We were walking for not even a few minutes when I felt a twinge in my abdomen once again. While the fall in the river had slightly cleansed the wound, it was still rather nasty and would need attention when we returned to the cave.

However, Kagome, seeming to sense my discomfort, tugged on my sleeve. I slightly turned my head and raised my eyebrow at her, poising a question. With a huff she stopped completely and pouted slightly as I brushed past her. I walked about ten steps before I gave a small sigh and stopped.

Without turning around to face her I asked emotionlessly, "Is there something you need?"

"No. It's what you need."

"I need nothing at this moment, so let us continue," I said, I was starting to get frustrated. I just wanted to get back to the cave so I could bandage my wound up.

"I'm not dense you know," she stated, plainly showing her irritation. "I can obviously see that you're wounded, no matter how much you try to hide it."

"Merely a flesh wound, nothing I can't handle," I said through stiff lips, although her admission made me nervous. If a mere human could notice this change, any demons would be able to. I scanned the forests and mountains restlessly, my body taunt in case we needed to fight at a moments notice. I faintly heard Kagome say something else as I stressed my other senses, my eyes picking up the most minutes of details and my noses finding the faintest of scents.

With these new senses I knew there were 3 bear demons on the mountain; a family of two children and a mom, they posed no threat. To the right and left closed in a tribe of monkey demons, they were fairly new; I suspected they came from the mainland. They had yet to learn who was their superior. I sent on a low growl that rumbled from my throat as I my eyes bled red. Kagome, in the background of my mind, jumped slightly from the unexpected sound.

That's when it started.

With fourteen in total, the band cajoled all at once and then came closer, swinging easily in the dense forest surrounding us. Kagome efficiently lowered her bag and brought out her sword, some blood from the previous battle staining the blade and handle. I faintly noted that she would have to keep better care of her weapons if she wanted them to last.

The monkeys worked in bands of seven. One surrounded Kagome, the other me. The all looked very similar, hair ranged from brown to black and the eyes were all a dull brown. Fur covered their entire bodies and they wore little or no clothing. They walked ape-like, using their feet and knuckles in an awkward grace. Finally, when we were completely surrounded, they sat upon their haunches and let out a singular, sharp yelp.

A signal for The Leader.

Kagome and I looked at each other, a look of weary distrust filling our eyes. Neither of us had ever encountered such beasts before, and had no idea what to make of them. We had heard stories, naturally, but many stories were just rumors made to scare children, and no trust could be placed in them.

These rumors were no different. The Leader was not towering over nine feet tall, with fangs for teeth or spikes littering its body. In fact, The Leader was actually a woman, and a rather pretty one. She had chestnut brown hair held back with a simple ponytail, had dancing blue eyes that held a sort of intelligence and mischief within them. She walked more upright than her fellow monkey members, although she was still covered in fur, it framed her face rather nicely and highlighted her high cheekbones and button nose. I had never seen such a beautiful creature.

Kagome's POV

Monkey demons! Despite the danger Sesshomaru and I were in, I couldn't help but admire them. The fourteen men surrounded us all walked upright with dancing blue or green eyes and had brown or black hair. Their fur, which matched their hair colour, framed their full lips and soft eyes. I had never seen such beautiful demons before.

Then they had called out The Leader. I had assumed, just like everyone else, that it would be a male, but I was proven wrong as a brute of a woman came out. She was bigger than the others, but walked on her knuckles and feet, crouched over in a way that was definitely not good for her posture. Her hair was chestnut brown, with dull brown eyes. She had an overly large nose and her forehead jutted out rather brutishly. She was almost exactly like the rumors I have heard.

I chanced a glance over to Sesshomaru only to find him practically drooling over the ugly ape woman! I mean, I wasn't jealous or anything, but I would like to think that I was at least slightly more attractive than that beast.

Her eyes fixed upon Sesshomaru, she opened her mouth to speak, her mouth filled with pointed teeth. And, with a voice like nails scraping on a chalkboard, she began to talk. At first it was so bad that at the start I could barely understand what was being said. Eventually though, I caught on and almost laughed as she finished what sounded like a proposal to Sesshomaru.

As if the Great Lord of the West would want anything to do with a complete stranger, especially one whom started off this meeting by surrounding him.

In spite of this, he said yes! A look of wistfulness overtook his face as he gazed dreamily at The Leader.

For some reason, this made me angrier than it should have. A little voice niggling at the back of my brain pointed out that I was jealous, but I soundly ignored that part. As there was no way whatsoever that I could ever consider even remotely liking the high, mighty and pompous brat. I could respect him and like his dry wit, and his looks, and his kindness towards others and how he actually cares. He would probably deny that most, if not all, of those qualities exist, but I know that they do.

Despite that, I couldn't possibly be jealous of him with that other demon. He had the choice to marry or bed whomever he wanted, it was of no consequence to me. Even if the thought did stab a brief pain through my entire body.

There was no way I could possibly like him that way, right?

I didn't even notice at first when the rest of the male demons slowly revealed their true forms. I did notice when I looked around, and had to crush my urge to scream at the sudden change.

An illusion! It was fake, all of it.

Now I only had to warn Sesshomaru. But how? This isn't like the time with Inuyasha.

Actually, maybe that's exactly what it was! Either way, I had to break this illusion that The Leader seemed to have over him. I looked for him with renewed hope, only to find him gone. I was left along in the clearing with the fourteen demon monkeys. And suddenly I was very afraid.

A/N: I had this whole different plan, but when inspiration strikes, you go with it! So, yes, monkey demons and illusions and possibly (okay definitely) more fighting coming up! And, dare I say, love? Ah, you shall just have to wait and see! Long weekend, so hopefully I can catch up for lost time!