First of all...I want to apologize. I lost my beta. No. Seriously. She disappeared. So, after waiting and waiting for her to get back to me with this chapter and things like that, I decided that I would put on my big kid panties and update without her. That being said, if anyone is interested in being my beta just shoot me a pm ok? Thanks!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Absolutely none of the characters belong to me!

So, Enjoy! And I thank you for being patient with me!

Kagome awoke at dawn, her eyes still partially glued together from sleep. From what she could see everyone was already up and moving. The camp was slowly being packed away. Sitting up from her sleeping bag, Kagome reached over for her backpack. She knew her friends would all want breakfast. Reaching in, she pulled out a few packs of ramen and made her way to the fire.

As she cooked, she played back last night through her mind. All of it was still fresh, not blurred at all by the realm of dreams. She hoped that they would fade with time. Seeing Naraku so early since her return home made her nervous. The half-demon was constantly growing stronger and it frightened her. Of course, Rin had been alright, and Sesshomaru had made him retreat hastily enough.

Sesshomaru. The cold inuyoukai had been there as well. Generally, he didn't come near the group unless he had planned to steal his father's fang from InuYasha. Why had he been there yesterday? Kagome found that she didn't have a reasonable answer. The puzzle was getting bigger and it would seem as though several pieces were still missing.

"Come on Kagome! Hurry up!"

With a groan, she shot InuYasha a cold stare. It was such an ungodly hour and the ramen just wouldn't cook fast enough for her. She listened as Kikyo reprimanded him sharply. "Really, InuYasha, Kagome is making breakfast for you and you can't be grateful?"

Smirking into the pot, she watched as the rest of the camp was packed away. The water began to boil, its bubbles splashing out onto the ground with a hiss. Kagome opened the individual packages and poured a generous amount of water into each. The noodles cooked quickly, going limp as they soaked in the steaming water. Shippo bounded next to her with a innocent smile on his face.

"Is breakfast ready, Kagome," he asked. She nodded at his question and passed a cup to him, warning him to blow first before he ate. The little kitsune obeyed, blowing his noodles before taking a large bite. Slowly but surely the rest of the group meandered their way over to the cooking fire and took a small cup of noodles.

Kagome glanced around once more as she ate. Everyone seemed eerily quiet. Even Miroku seemed more subdued this morning. Maybe it was the attack last night. After all, Naraku rarely showed up without an entire army behind him. It was just another sign that he was getting stronger.

After finishing their breakfast, the group cleaned up and finished getting ready. By the time the sun was just peeking over the trees, they headed out. With Kikyo in the group, their chances of sensing a jewel shard had doubled. Both women were considered the Shikon Miko, though Kikyo was probably the better choice. At least that was what InuYasha thought. Shaking her head in an attempt to banish her thoughts, Kagome settled into a brisk walk and followed after her friends.

They were all unaware of the golden eyes that watched them.

Sesshomaru continued to follow the group. He had been tracking them for a few days now, trying to find an opening in their defenses. But between the monk, undead priestess, and the true Shikon Miko, they had enough holy power to purify his father. Add to that an unpredictable half-demon, a clever fox, and a demon slayer, they were a force to be reckoned with. Not that Sesshomaru was worried. He never worried about anything, especially not a false pack. Yes, they were a pack in the broadest definition of the term. They had an alpha…as idiotic as his half-brother was and they all seemed to believe he would protect them. There was a sense of camaraderie in the group. A sense of pack. Sesshomaru's thoughts shifted to his own pack. He was the alpha and the only one able to do any true damage. With Naraku gaining in power, Sesshomaru found himself behaving like his father in more than one way.

A laugh brought his attention to Rin. The small human he had adopted in a way. She was so full of life, so happy. She needed protection, and with his dog-like tendencies; Sesshomaru found he wanted her to be somewhere that was safe. As much as it pained him to admit it, the miko's actions last night had made his decision for him. Rin would stay with his half-brother's pack. If only to ensure her safety until the final battle. But how to get her there?

"Rin." The little girl looked up from her flowers that she was trying to weave into a small crown for Jaken. Her Lord was watching her with emotionless eyes, but they didn't frighten her. She was more than used to his mask. So used to it, that she almost saw a smile on his face.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"It is not safe here. We will move on."

Rin smiled up him and stood, her little flower chain long forgotten. "Where will we go," she asked curiously. Sesshomaru tried to think of a response that would suit her. He settled with silence. How like him. Rin shrugged her tiny shoulders and followed after him, smiling with complete adoration etched on her face. The demon in front of her was her entire universe, she trusted him completely.

A clawed hand shot to the side, successfully stopping the rest of the group. InuYasha tilted his head up and sniffed. A dark aura moved closer to them at a leisurely pace. And InuYasha knew exactly who it was. Sesshomaru. Sure enough, the woods parted to reveal the taller youkai, looking as regal as a monarch. He paused when he was a mere two feet away.

"This Sesshomaru's ward will remain with you until the half-breed Naraku has been defeated."

There was an eery amount of silence that followed. The tension that was now splayed over the group made Kagome take a step forward from her place beside Miroku. Clearing her throat, she moved closer to InuYasha. Kikyo was nestled closely behind him ensuring her safety no matter what. Judging by the cool expression on Sesshomaru's face and the shocked one currently being worn by InuYasha, it looked like it was Kagome's job to save the day.

"We would be more than honored, Lord Sesshomaru," she said, ignoring the startled gasps she heard from her own group. Sesshomaru gave her the tiniest of nods before turning to look at Rin. His silent command was enough. Rin moved quickly to stand by Kagome, beaming up at the older girl with an innocence that made Kagome smile back.

"Hell no!" Inuyasha's sudden outburst would have been unexpected, but Kagome knew him all too well.

"Why not," She asked quietly, "Sesshomaru needs us to keep Rin safe and we are going to help! He is your brother!."

"Half." The two brothers answered in unison. Well, at least they agreed on one thing, even if it was something trivial such as blood relations. Family is family. Kagome shook her head and tried to beat her temper down. She knew that InuYasha was hard-headed, but not allowing a simple child to remain with them when she needed protection? Honestly!

Sesshomaru watched as the pair argued. He had to fight to keep the tiniest of grins from twisting his lips upward. It would seem that he had misjudged the group. InuYasha was not the alpha…the Miko was. Turning his head towards Rin, he gave her a brief nod. And then he was gone. After all, the miko had said yes, and she was obviously the leader of the pack; even if InuYasha was too stubborn to realize it.

Alright! Finished. I know this one is shorter than my last, but like I said lack of beta led to lack of works :( Anyways, thanks for reading this last chapter! And I always love your criticism! It helps a lot!

Special shout out to Tokahlia! Your review made me smile! It helped me figure out a little with the dialogue! Also, I didn't realize that I had slipped into a different tense! Anyways, thanks for your kind review!

Kalewyn