"Stupid Sesshomaru." Kagome mumbled tiredly, hunching over as she walked and dragged her feet. "Waking people up before the sun rises and telling them to go some place they have no idea where it's located." Lifting her nose to the air, she sniffed again. Sesshomaru's scent was pretty heavy around the palace, seeing as it was his home, so she opted for Inuyasha's instead.

As soon as she caught the hanyou's scent, she continued to drag herself toward it. She pushed open some doors and found herself staring into a dojo. All eyes turned to her, and she huffed, "What?"

Sesshomaru brushed some lint from his black hakamas. "You are late." He placed his hands on his waist. The freezing wind nipped at his bare chest, and his pecks twitched.

She shrugged. "Yeah, well, when you're in a gigantic, mansion of a castle, trying to find your way and, might I add, you don't have a guide, you tend to get lost. It's so difficult tracking your scent when it covers this entire domain."

The Lord said nothing, simply tossing something to her.

Kagome arched a brow, holding it up. "A battle kimono and hakama?"

"We will be sparring."

"Oh." She ran her fingers over it, then beamed. "That reminds me of something. I'll get changed, then I'll be rigth back here."

Sesshomaru watched her leave, then turned to face his half dressed half-brother. "In the meantime, little brother, let us see if you have improved in the past year."

"Okay, there." Kagome smiled to herself as she applied the last of the armor she'd bought in her time. The sparring kimono Sesshomaru had given her was a pure white. Her armor, plates covering her chest and back, as well as her wrist guards, were painted to look like blue waves of water, silver koi fish jumping through it.

She'd also bought some boots, much like Sesshomaru's, only blue. Pulling her hair up into a high ponytail, she tied a white ribbon in her hair and observed herself in the mirror. Every time she saw herself in this form, she thought of Naraku, the things they did, the time they spent together, the way he'd hold her at night without the tiniest of intentions to harm her. How it had gone wrong, she didn't know, and that angered and saddened her to no end.

"Love or not, I will have my vendetta."

"On who?" A deep voice startled her, causing her to whirl around.

"S-Sachio." She glared at him angrily. "Don't you know it's rude to enter a ladies' room?! And how did you get past the barrier?!" The thought of her barrier failing and someone harming her children made her chest burn.

"I suppose it didn't see me as an enemy, or someone with ill thoughts, Lady Kagome."

Kagome rolled her eyes in annoyance. "What do you want?"

"I simply wish to observe. Lord Sesshomaru said, after I endure a bit of training, I will be your personal guard."

She snorted, "You of all people?"

Sachio chuckled. "Yup. Me. Anyway, you look nice, milady, like a real warrior."

"Thank you. And call me Kagome. That milady stuff is so annoying. I'm not that special."

"I will...when Lord Sesshomaru is not around." The two shared a laugh. "Would you like me to escort you back to the dojo?"

"Sure." She took his offered hand and walked with him. "So, how long have you known Lord Sesshomaru? 5 years? A couple of centuries?"

Sachio squinted his eyes as he remembered. "Ummmm, since I was born. We're friends, or as close to friends as one can be with that 'ol icy youkai. When he needs advice, he'll come to me or Garo."

Kagome nodded briefly, "Shocking. I never thought Sesshomaru talked to anyone about his emotions or issues."

"It's just the opposite...well, not just the opposite. He is cold and quiet, but Lord Sesshomaru isn't so bad. He has his reasons for being the way he is. He's as curious as a cat, so I call him neko just to piss him off." He laughed, pausing in enchantment when Kagome let out a melodic giggle.

"I've for to try that sometime, Sachio."

"I'd like to see that."

She sent him a small grin. "What's his reaction when you do it?"

Sachio shook his head in amusement. "This huge vein in his firehead starts to pump. His adam's apple twitches. His eyes turn a vicious red, and he growls a warning a to me."

"What do you do then?"

"Me? Oh, I just call him neko again and take off as he throws the nearest thing at me." Kami, he loved it when she laughed. He'd definitely have to make her do that again sometime. He jumped, startled, when he heard someone clear his throat. "Milord." He bowed, havin only just realized that they'd made it to the dojo.

Sesshomaru watched the two with narrowed eyes, blood dripping from the small cut above his eyes. 'Sachio is behaving far to friendly with the miko.'

'He try get mate.'

'Well, I will not let him...' Sesshomaru ignored what was in his head, telling himself that his beast had manipulated him, and looked straight at Kagome. "You are next." He tossed her a plain sword before taking one of his own and nodding at Sachio to leave.

"Next?" Kagome inquired, tilting her head to the side curiously. "What do you mean?"

'Is he talking about sparring?'

'No shit, Sherlock.'

'I can't spar with him! He's a daiyoukai! And, and I-'

'I'll help you.'

"Sesshomaru, take it easy on her." Inuyasha grunted, rubbing the lump on his head which he'd gotten when his elder brother had slammed the butt of his sword down.

"I can't spar Sesshomaru!" Kagome cried, but it was too late, he was already charging at her. Shocked, she held up her sword just in time to avoid being sliced right down the middle.

Sesshomaru glared into her eyes. "You would have been dead, miko. You must improve."

Growling angrily, Kagome pushed back against him, her feet sliding jsut slightly on the ground. "Arrogant bastard."

Yes. That was what he wanted. He jsut needed to push her further. "One can only expect so much from a human."

"So what if I was a human?!" Kagome pushed her sword roughly against Sesshomaru's. They both broke apart, only to run right back at each other and clash swords. "That simply makes me stronger!" She grimaced as he became more aggressive, and she flipped back to avoid his sword when hers gave.

Sesshomaru arched a brow. "And I suppose that the same can be said for your halfbreed son?" There it was, the final spark to anger her.

Kagome stood tense before Sesshomaru. Growling loudly, she sprinted at him, swinging her sword with as much strength as she could.

Sesshomaru's eyes actually broadened considerably as he blocked the attack. He wasn't aware that she was that strong. She kept swinging, sending blows back to back, and Sesshomaru matched them all.

"Wow." Sango watched the fight closely. "Kagome must be furious. I've never seen her fight like that before."

"I had no idea that Lady Kagome had such strength." Miroku stared in fascination. "And she looks rather nice in that sparring kimono." That comment found him unconcious, face planted to the ground.

"Keh, stupid monk." Inuyasha shook his head, then returned his attention to Kagome.

'Why won't he stay still?!' Kagome slashed hersword downward.

Sesshomaru, stunned, jumped back. All was silent as two drops of blood fell from the scratch on his cheek. Sesshomaru stuck out his tongue, and licked his wound. 'The miko wants to play, then play we shall!' He rushed at her. "It seems you must be taught a lesson, priestess."

Kagome jumped back to avoid Sesshomaru's quick blows, blocking them with some of her own. He managed to clip her shoulder, but landed no more blows. Panting as she found her back against the wall, she gasped, "I'm...tired...Time out...Sessho...maru."

"The fight is not over yet, miko. And there are no 'time outs.' Unless you submit."

"Submit?" She scowled at the very word. "Why would I do something absurd like that?" Upon seeing Sesshomaru lift his sword, she tossed a barrier around herself. "Watch it!"

"Tsk tsk tsk." Sesshomaru shook his head. "Are you using reiki now, miko?"

Kagome stuck her tongue out at him. "Don't taunt me, you baka!"

He tightened his hold on the plain sword, engulfing it in his jaki. He swung the sword at her. He knew the blast wouldn't hurt her.

She gasped, dropped her barrier, a sprinted off, but not quickly enough. The energy from Sesshomaru's sword engulfed her, tore her kimono, but did not harm her. A strong gust of wind flew by, tossing her hair. "Sesshomaru! That armor was brand new!" She whined, looking at the pieces that laid burnt on the ground.

But he did not reply. He, and the other's in the room for that matter, was too busy staring at the mark on her back.

"What?" Kagome attempted, and failed, to look behind her to see what they were staring at.

Sesshomaru glided toward her, grabbed her hair, and tossed it over her shoulder. His hand slid from her shoulder to the large spider on her back.

Shivering and giggling, she tried to move away. "Stop that!"

"Do you not feel it?"

"What?" She asked, not really paying much attention to him or to anyone else, but instead eyeing her armor as it repaired itself on the ground.

"Naraku's spider on your back." Kikyo spoke up.

Kagome reached back, touching it lightly. "I don't feel anything."

Sesshomaru grabbed her hand, pressing it to where the skin rose the most.

"I thought that would have gone by now. Does that mean he can find me?"

"Perhaps."

"No. I don't want him to!" She clenched her fists in pain as the burn throbbed.

Miroku moved to squat near Sesshomaru. "Unbelievable. It's dissolving."

Kagome closed her eyes tightly. "Sesshomaru? You're a youkai. What happens if your mark bleeds?"

"Then you are no longer connected."

"But did I disconnect him, or the reciprocal?"

"Hn." Sesshomaru rasn't quite sure. Standing straight, he looked to her shoulder, where the mark had once been.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" A servant came scurrying in, dropping to his knees and staring dumbly at Kagome, who was only covered by her hakamas and the bandage wrap that covered her breasts. When Sesshomaru growled, he blushed. "We have report that there is important news on the way to the palace...concerning Naraku."

Sesshomaru nodded. "Gather all those important to this information in my study tonight. The rest of you, change clothing. We will continue sparring tomorrow. There are things I must attend to." He swept from the room, his heart rate more rapid than usual. He was furious. If Naraku was looking for Kagome, he'd, he'd...he didn't know what he'd do! That hanyou could not have her.

'Why? I thought you say she no mate.'

'She has my respect. I will not allow him to harm her again.'

'Uh huh.'

'Grrr.'

"What information do you have?" Sesshomaru questioned stoically as he stared out of the window. Kagome was entering the palace, Kakudan in her arms and the kit hanging on her shoulder, that Akane girl pulling up the rear.

"Well, milord, do you want the good, the bad, or the worst first?"

"I suppose..." He paused as Kagome entered the room, bowed, and took her seat, "that I will take the good first."

His loyal servant nodded. "The good is that Naraku has finally come out of hiding."

"The bad?"

"He has come out of hiding searching for the teenage human boy that arrived with you and your companions two days ago."

"Do you know why?" Sesshomaru asked upon seeing the demon slayer cringe and pull her brother close.

The servant nodded slowly, his expression taking on one of confusion. "He seems to think that the boy will lead him to his mate and child. Though I have no idea why."

Sesshomaru's muscles locked and his jaw ticked. So he was after Kagome. 'May God curse him if he thinks he's getting Kagome back.' "The worst?"

Gulping at his Lord's awfully quiet voice, which meant bloodshed was soon to come, the young man took a step away from Sesshomaru. "Your mother is hosting a banquet in thirty moons, inviting all noble, single demonesses so that you may choose a mate."

He growled lowly, tightening his clenched fists until his blood spilled. He'd forgotten that his mother was trying to get him to mate. She'd given up, or so he had thought, not too long ago.

'I no mate who mother choose.'

'Neither will I.'

'Me save self for Gome.'

'Gome?...Kagome? How many times must I tell you that that foulmouthed, disrespectful, tainted excuse for a mikoyoukai is not to be our mate? She was human, a rather annoying human, if you do not recall.'

'She perfection.'

'She is human. They are as far from perfection as one can get, save hanyou.'

'I take her, whether you want or not.'

'I am the master of this body, you fool. You can not have control.'

'On night of no moon, winter solstice, I be released. I take her.'

'You will not! I order you!'

'Blah blah! I take. You no have say. Nah!'

Sesshomaru closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. When he reopened them, everyone was staring at him cautiously, patiently, awaiting his reply. "Hn. You are all dismissed."

The group filed out, all save Kagome, who remained in her seat. "So, Sesshomaru, getting a mate?"

"No." He replied far too quickly for his liking. Clearing his throat lowly, he repeated, "No. Mother seems to think so."

"Your mother." Kagome clicked her tongue against her teeth in distaste. "She knows how to push someones buttons. But then again, I suppose that's where you got it from, huh?" She smiled almost innocently, but you could see the sly intent twinkling in her eyes.

Sesshomaru wasn't sure what to do. What if she was flirting with him? That's what that had sounded like, but he'd never heard genuine flirting. Usually demonesses simply threw themselves at him, stroking him and growling instead of talking.

'Talk!'

'And say what, exactly?'

'Anything!'

"Hn." He replied to her comment.

'Baka!'

'Pardon me for not giving the answer you wanted. Learn to be more specific, you damned beast.'

'Hn. Cocky master.'

Kagome sighed softly, leaning back in her chair. For a moment, Sesshomaru thought maybe he had upset her by not flirting back. "So, wanna talk about the future?" When he nodded, she smiled, grabbed his hand, and pulled him toward the window.

Sesshomaru eyed her questioningly.

She shrugged, pointing out of the window. "I want to go up to the roof. Come on." Climbing out onto the ledge, she jumped up onto the roof. She turned around to call to Sesshomaru, only to find him directly behind her. Gasping, she stepped back, lost her footing, and fell on her butt. "Ow." she glared when he smirked at her. "What's so funny?"

"You are rather clumsy to be a 'demoness.'"

"Because I'm still human, only in a youkai's body." She sniffed, staring up at the sky. "Okay, we hit computers yesterday. Why don't we address something else?" She laid down on her back, looking at the stars.

Sesshomaru laid back beside her, hsi platinum hair fanned out beneath him. He recalled the times he'd once climb to the roof with Inumimi. He missed her dearly. They'd spend evening talking about, "The stars."

"Excuse me?"

"The stars. In your time, what do you know of the stars?"

"Ohh. Well, in my time, we know what stars are made of."

Sesshomaru's brows furrowed. "They are made of light. We know that."

Kagome shook her head a little. "Actually, it's a bunch of glowing gases."

"Gases." He mumbled slowly.

"Yes. Like the air. Or when you cook, or in your case the servants cook, the steam. In gases, the tiny particles that make it up zoom around really quickly. That's why they don't have a definite shape."

"It seems definite. They are in perfect spheres, no?"

"Nope. Looking at photos, we saw that some were, but we also saw that some were more oblong."

"Photos." He tried the word.

Kagome wanted to slap herself for forgetting. "A photo. It's like a painting, only its made by a machine. I'll bring you one. Oh, but here," She pulled her locket over her neck and opened it, "these are photos."

Sesshomaru looked at those 'photos' closely. 'How interesting.' He wanted to smile at the picture of her, but that quickly faded when he saw the other picture. "Inuyasha?"

"Yes. All those times that I wanted to take this off, I couldn't when I saw his face. Even when I wanted to kill him. He was my friend, is my friend."

"Why do you not wish to kill Inuyasha any longer?"

"The feeling faded when I...when Ashi...when we fell in love with Naraku." She sighed. "Now, we're getting off subject."

"How did you obtain photos of the stars?"

Kagome smiled. "With a spaceship. It's like a...I don't know. It's a means of transportation in space. So using those, and satellites, which are these wound, dish like things, we got pictures. Oh!" She pointed to a bright star. "Do you see that one? The brightest one in the sky! That's Venus!"

Sesshomaru cocked a curious brow. "Venus?"

"It's a planet. You see, a planet is a mass of rocks and gas in space with an atmosphere. Like the planet we live on, Earth."

"Yes. Earth."

"So there's Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. They're a little skeptical about Pluto. It's very small and cold." She shivered a little.

He nodded at the gained information, storing it in the back of his mind. "What of the moon? What is that made of?"

"Well, it's basically rock. People have walked on the moon."

"Impossible."

"Nope. They walked on it. They even planted a flag. Some people think it was fake, but I don't." She shivered against, but this time Sesshomaru noticed, or at least, hi mokomokosama did. The appendage inched off of him, wrapping around her. "Hey, Sesshomaru, what is this?"

Sesshomaru looked over, astonished to see his tail wrapped around her. "My tail."

"Oh, well, thanks. I was freezing."

"Where is Kakudan?"

"In Sango's room sleeping. He's about to catch a cold. I can tell from the way he's acting." She sighs, snuggling deeper into his tail and lacing her fingers in it.

A shudder works up Sesshomaru's spine. He hated that tails were strong sources of arousal. He'd never reacted this way before when his tail was stroked, except with Inumimi, and it hadn't been the same then. "Did you know that when one looks at the stars, they may see the future of the one they are thinking of?" His voice was an octave deeper than usual.

Kagome turned to face him, grinning broadly. "Really? Anyone?"

"Those of my bloodline, father, myself, Inuyasha, and more."

"Ooh. Tell me mine."

Sesshomaru sat up, grasping her hand in his and pulling her up. He cradled her small hand gently, for fear that he'd break the teeny thing. Looking up to the stars, he took a deep breath and watched as the stars seemed to rearraged into an image, and what he saw shocked him into anger.

Kagome winced as his hand tightened around hers. "S-Sesshomaru..."

He looked down at her in shock. "My apologies." He observed her hand, cringing invisibly when he saw it starting to bruise.

"It's alright. W-what did you see?" She drew her hand back, cradling it to her.

"You, miko. You, your mate, and many pu- children."

"My mate? Who is he?" She asked enthusiastically.

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I revealed too much already." he smirked a little. "If I told you anymore, I would be forced to kill you."

Kagome shrugged. "I'm cool with that." She yawned, stretching her arms. "Well, Sesshomaru, it's been fun." She stood up.

Sesshomaru frowned, standing as well. He wasn't ready yet. There was much he wanted to do. he wanted to inhale his friend's scent a little longer. He wanted to- 'Friend?'

'Mate. You saw.'

'Kagome is a friend.' And that oddly enough made him feel pretty good. Smiling the slightest of smiles, he nodded, "It has been entertaining."

"Same time, same place in three days?"

"Hn."

Kagome laughed. "Hn. I'll have to teach you some other words, my friend." She stood high on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek gently. "Goodnight, Sesshomaru." She turned to leave, but he grabbed her hand.

Sesshomaru pulled her into an embrace and pecked her cheek, before whispering, "Goodnight, my friend." He seemed to vanish into thin air.

Blushing, Kagome touched her cheek. "Oh my."

'Ooh, Junsei has a crush!'

'I do not! Sesshomaru's a good friend!'

'Liar!'

'Go to hell.'

'Like that'll affect me. I dated Naraku, remember?'

'Touche.'