Hello! So the next chapter is here, rejoice and be merry. Rewritten and better, it shall end to your satisfaction of being longer as well. The chapters may not be coming fast, but they are coming at least. I am a busy girl, I do have a life outside of fanfiction believe it or not. So have your fun with this chapter and the next shall be up as soon as I can get it written.

To Flamers note/s:Have your fun, say what you wish. Flames are only the excuse for the fact that you have nothing better to do with your life then go around and hassle people who spend hours on end to write a story. If you had any real sense of writing skill and thoughts at all you would give a correct analysis and write a constructive criticism, but you don't, so there for you are given the title of flamers. I find this to be a rather funny thing indeed for the very fact that where I come from, a flamer is a something on a whole new level that, trust me, you don't like to be associated with. So pull your heads from your butts and get on with your life.

Have a nice day:

Disclaimer:All ownership of Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, the song lyrics below belong to the writers and artists only, thank you.

Genera:Romance/Angst—Angst in first chapter. Possible angst late, I'm not giving away any hints. :-p

Song/s Listening to that do not effect story:"Take me onto the holy"-Kutless

"Our Truth"-Lacuna Coil
"In the Arms Of An Angel"- Sarah McLaughlin

"Concrete Angel"-Martina McBride

Song/s listening to that effect the story:"Breaking the Habit"- Linkin Park
"Rise"- Yoko Kanno

"Over it"- Annelise VanDerPol

Line/s portraying to this chapter from song/s above:"I don't know what's worth fighting for or why I have to scream. I don't why I used to cave and say what I don't mean. I don't know how I got this way, I know it's not all right. So, I'm breaking the habit, I'm breaking the habit, tonight." –Breaking the Habit

"Save your tears, for the day, when your pain is far behind. On your feet, come with me, we're now soldiers stand or die. Save your fears, take your place, save them for the judgement day. Fast and free, follow me, time to make a sacrifice, we rise or fall."-Rise

"How could you know, that behind my eyes a sad girl cried? And how could you know, that it hurt so much inside? How could you know, that I'm not the average girl, I'm carrying the weight of the world? Yeah. So can you get me out of here? Take me away, jump in the car, drop till' the gas runs out and I'll walk so far. And I can't see this place anymore. Take a day off; give it a rest, so I can forget about this mess. If I lighten up a little bit then I will be, over it."-Over it


(To those who asked me why I like Evanescence so much, I don't only like them:p )

To my beta:I'm sorry I was unable to let you beta this. But I couldn't this written by the end of the week. You were away and I couldn't wait, less my fans hate me for not updating! Sorry! But I thank you for considering the time to do it, I promise I'll try and get the next chapter to you! Sorry again Kagome2323!

Chapter 2--- Inner Supernova:

A burning look plastered through her eyes as she stared into the unbarring features of a man so ruthless, he could barely be called a man at all. Broken tears were just a symbol of what he could accomplish. Hurtful words were just a cover up for what he's done. And what he's done, was the ultimate encumbrance…

Her lips pushed out the words; desperately trying to woo him away, force back what she knew was inevitable, but hoped was an illusion. She lied to her soul, swallowed her own tongue, and finally shoved out her pain.

"Koga…" She couldn't make it, she dared herself to push further, but her lips deceived her as his eyes began to whimper out her want.

He stood, uncaring, unscathed, and seemingly heartless. His words were a scorn to her heart, and a scorch to her river of tears.

"Kagome, come. He had what was coming to him. Inuyasha knew what he was getting into." His words were entrancing, but she didn't care. His spell was a poison that she would try to desperately to find not addicting.

"I never told you I would go with you! I've told you over and over Koga-kun that I can not be your mate!" Kagome cried out, begging her tears to stop their fall. He didn't deserve them; no he only wanted on thing from her. The one thing she promised herself he would never get.

Koga stood silent, their past experiences ringing through his mind. She never did say so, but he was so sure she loved him back. Didn't she understand he gave up everything for her? He gave up pillaging villages, killing humans, and other woman for her! If it weren't for her he would have taken Ayame and possibly become the biggest wolf tribe to hit all of Japan!

I don't know what's worth fighting for or why I have to scream…

No, it wasn't that he thought she didn't care. He was still stuck on that she couldn't comprehend how much he cared for her. And she was going to get it through her beautiful little skull that she was his…and his alone.

"Kagome, if I must take hard actions, I will do them." She glared at him, as if testing him to do what he wished. Kagome was confused. What else could he possibly do to her! He already killed her spirit; he already killed her best friend's brother! The only thing he could do to her was killing off Sango and Miroku themselves!

…Wait…

"Koga…what do you mean…actions?" She bit her bruising lip; he wouldn't, would he?

Koga turned her eyes to looked at said houshi and demon slayer. His gaze as black as the night's unforgiving ray. Kagome fought to keep her surprise from overwhelming her face, but soon lost out into a new batch of salty tears.

I don't why I used to cave and say what I don't mean…

Sango watched Kagome as her pupils dilated and speech gave way. Confused, she turned to Koga. What was he talking about? And then she felt his steaming glare on herself, and realized that now; her life was on Kagome's hands...

"Kagome! Please, you don't have to protect us! We can handle him. You don't have to go with him for our sake!" Catching on, Miroku began to almost echo Sango's own words.

"Please Koga, be reasonable! She does feel the same for your affections! Let her be happy, you've already cost her the grief of her loved one!" Kagome shook her head and held her aching heart. Her legs were wobbly as she stood. She was no fool, he already killed Inuyasha, and none of them would be a match against Koga without Inuyasha's protection.

This was all she could do.

Koga nodded and took her hand, pulling him to her. The look upon his face was not his own. This wasn't the man she had called a friend once. This was the face of the enemy, and she could do nothing but go in his arms. Kagome turned her head and looked to her friends, wishing they would just let her go. She was doing this for them! At least not let her pain go unfruitful!

I don't know how I got this way, I know it's not all right…

She linked her gaze with his own, bitterness hidden behind a fresh sheet of sadness. She opened her mouth and a whimper went out as her words bled through.

"Please Koga-kun…let me take them with me at least…" His brown eyes blinked and he heeded her words. He closed them and shook his head, black tresses of hair whipping behind him.

"They would only be useful as a meal for my wolves. They have no place in my pack. I am sorry Kagome." She closed her eyes and faced down, images of a happier time gallivanting into view. She spoke next with saddened lips.

"May I take my son at least…" Koga looked up in thought. Maybe if he granted her this one wish she would come more willing.

He nodded and pulled her closer to him. He would have Ginta go off and fetch the whelp later. For now he had more important business to attend to.

He pulled her close to him and lifted her bridal style, his hands rubbing her thigh in support. Kagome looked to her only family in this era, tear stricken eyes pained to watch them leave, her legs forced to leave them behind. Miroku held Sango tight as she fought and kicked to try and push her way to her only sister. Her hand slipped out and waved to the houshi and exterminator then blew a kiss.

And with that…she was gone.

So, I'm breaking the habit, I'm breaking the habit, tonight…

( .) (. )

She flew up from bed, sweat rolling down her brow, two years…two long years. She held her heart as she tried to push back the tears that had escaped in her sleep. The pelt of furs beneath her was racked with her sweat from the previous night of horrifying dreams and memories. She sighed and wiped the remaining from her brow and swung her legs over the mountain of fluff she had come to be known as her bed for the past few years.

She looked around. She always had that dream on the anniversary of his death…her birthday to be exact. She was sixteen that day and he had been refusing to let her go home to see her family for a little while. The stubborn dog.

Save your tears, for the day, when your pain is far behind…

She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. She hated remembering that. Though, she had only thought a bit about it a few times, another thought struck her. How did Kikyo deal with his loss? I mean it was her who would have, maybe if anyone, who would have felt the pain intensified then her own self. And Kagome for not the first time, but for once, felt remorse for poor woman of fifty years.

Kagome shook her head of her memories and happiness, and pushed her out of 'bed'. She moved quietly as not to bother the bundle of fluff that was Shippo as she went. She sighed and scratched her head. Her back was killing her, her head hurt, and he eyes felt too puffy to open completely. Yes, it was her birthday.

She let out a whine as she walked to the opening in the wall of the section of the cave known to be her room. She had insisted to Koga that she not be in the same room as him. Her reason being she would not mate him until she thought of herself as a woman for real, that being her eighteenth birthday. But, what was her reasoning now? The only reason he let that one slide before was for the very fact that he knew she was from the future and respected her beliefs enough to realize that once that hit he could take her. And now she only had one little though processing through her impotent little mind.

She was screwed.

On your feet, come with me, we're now soldiers stand or die…

Kagome rubbed her groggy eyes and half wobbled, half walked down the hallway of the dirty cave. She could hear the waterfall off in the distance that held the cave from view of neighboring enemies. Finding it strange that that was the only thing she could hear…

Out of nowhere Ginta popped up from around the corner ripping a scream from her skinny throat. In response he did the same, only, oddly, more high pitched.

"Ginta! What did I tell you about doing that!" Kagome was slightly choking on the intake of air she inhaled just seconds before.

"I'm sorry sister! I was coming to wake you. Koga asked for me to have you come into the main chamber of the cave in a few moments. He had something important to ask of you!" Ginta was bowing and shaking his head and practically kissing her shoes in apology.

Save your fears, take your place, save them for the judgement day…

Kagome just rolled her eyes and laughed a bit. Whispering out a short 'okay' she scurried down the hall, pulling her hair back from it's tangled mess into a high ponytail.

Ginta stood behind, sad eyes watching with anticipation as she walked off. He had become extremely close to this woman known as his sister, and it wasn't hard to tell she didn't feel the same for Koga as he did her. But, he was only the right hand man, not Koga, so he had no say in what Koga did. Not only did this bother him, but also Koga had proclaimed to Hakkaku and himself early the night before that he would take Kagome in two days. But, that could not be possible unless he proved she loved him…or if he took her by force. And he seriously doubted the first would come to be…

Fast and free, follow me, time to make a sacrifice, we rise or fall…

( .) (. )

Kagome hummed softly as she began her rise up and down the hallways to where the waterfall was loudest. It was hard, for the very fact that the only thing lighting her way was the dim light of a torch lit here and there, every so often. It was hard living in a sordid cave.

Finally reaching the clearing known as the center chamber she sighed, inhaling the smell of the freshwater crashing down upon the rocks below, and then the arms of a stranger were wrapped around her shoulders.

"Good morning Koga," She sighed as she pried herself from his hale arms. This was getting annoying.

Koga pulled on a competent grin and bent down to kiss her. She rolled her eyes and sidestepped. She didn't want to deal with this, this morning. She hadn't let him kiss her to many times. She didn't feel that her kisses were meant for him…

How could you know, that behind my eyes a sad girl cried?

He rubbed the back of his neck and stared at her, his eyes intent on staying like that for the rest of the day if they could. Kagome shifted uncomfortably. This was fairly creepy. She couldn't take it, after about three minutes, and finally broke the unpleasant silence.

"So…what's on the agenda for today?"

Koga smiled and piped up a bit. He stood proud for a moment, his cocky façade finally returning to look manly.

"The men and I are going out to hunt. We caught wind that a brood of wild boars were traveling this way. We will be gone most of the day." Kagome nodded and smiled. It would seem to her benefit that he had forgotten today was her birthday, and she was just fine with that. The less he remembered, the less he could try to tangle with her for mate-ship.

Koga smiled back and retorted still. "Would you like to join us Kagome?" He tilted his head a modicum, smiling down at the girl much shorter then he.

Kagome slightly snarled at the thought. The last time she had ventured with them on an outing she was covering from head to toe in deer guts, not to mention plenty of blood. It took her a week to wash it out, concerning she couldn't use any shampoo. That being because she frequently tucked away to the well to see her family, and he would question her if he could smell the shampoo in her hair.

All because the pig-head was too competitive and wouldn't let her out of his site unless he knew she was going to bathe or stay at the cave.

And how could you know, that it hurt so much inside?

Koga nodded and turned to his men. Signaling it was time to go, they all ran out the door, himself twirling around into his tornado. Kagome stood confused; wasn't there something important he was supposed to tell her? She just shrugged; must have forgotten.

She looked around; the only people still here were the wives and a few newborn wolf pups. She yawned and stretched, only slightly awake still. She walked back to her chambers and pulled on her new clothes. Well, they weren't that new. She was forced to change from her school uniform to a few cotton kimonos upon coming to Koga's cave. He said he found it to alluring to other demons. That and it made her look like a concubine.

That one had earned him a nice crisp slap.

Kagome fumbled through a few of the furs, her destination of an object hard to find, though it would have been easier if Shippo wasn't still lying there sawing away logs. Then she felt the smooth coating of the article of wood she was searching for. The beads from around his neck…She sighed and pulled them to her, settling it around her neck. Lacing her fingers around the smooth outer coating, she closed her eyes. Memories flooded back to her in a wave of grief and pain. The strangest was how she had come to find the beads once more…

A few days after her departure with Koga, she had convinced him to let her out for a bath. He finally gave in after like twenty minutes and she weaseled herself around with small plant Keade had told her of, called Wolfsbane. It made it so he could not smell her out, by masking her sent to wolf kind and all. That was how she always got herself away.

But, she walked out into the forest and found her way to the god tree. After several times of getting lost, nearly eaten, and practically dead, she still found her way. She walked up to the god tree and ran her fingers across the jagged bark, remembering her first meeting. He looked so…beautiful.

Taking a look around she noticed something wasn't right, the grave Sango and Miroku had dug…was completely gone. Where it had once lain were the beads, no tombstone, no pushed up dirt, no flowers, just his beads. And if you looked high enough on the tree…you could see Kikyo's arrow perched proud into the trees inner wood.

How could you know, that I'm not the average girl, I'm carrying the weight of the world?

She picked up the beads and closed her eyes. And cherished them forever.

She shook her head again and picked up her under-bindings and homemade towel. It wasn't the time or place to dote on such memories. She padded along through the room, picking up a few soap roots, and some herbs she would use to wash with. Then she turned and headed her way out of the cave.

( .) (. )

Kagome sighed as she pulled herself around the waterfall to avoid being pulled under by the crushing blows of rain. She walked down the slippery rocks while watching her step every so often. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small red leaf, the outsides tipped with brown, while the inside was green. She rubbed it on her wrists and put it away.

'I think that's all I have to cover…' She thought without too much caution, but little did she know youkai could smell not only the blood flow on her wrist, but upon her neck as well. She knew that, but the commotion of her birthday seemed to wash away that part of her memory. It always did seem to be her downfall…

Kagome pulled herself along the numerous branches and trees that was the forest of Inuyasha. The trip was always so long, she was only glad she'd spent practically that whole year of her time with Inuyasha walking. That and that she had left so early.

Upon seeing the peak of a brown wood hut, Kagome sighed. Finally she had reached Sango and Miroku's home. The hut was a nice size, nothing fancy. Miroku had built it few weeks before his and Sango's wedding. It was only a shame that he still held the Kazana, or hellhole, embedded into his hand. She smiled and quickly pushed herself over the last remaining vines and through the remainder trees and hopped over the hill.

Within a flash Kagome was on the ground, oofing in response, and stuck firmly beneath two little bodies. She laughed as she peeled the little ones off of her petite frame. The smaller one was the daughter of her two best friends. Her name was Carmen, and if you couldn't guess, she was the love child of Sango and Miroku. As well as the other larger body that pummeled her over. His name was Heishie, and he was the passion son to Miroku and Sango as well.

Yeah. So can you get me out of here?

Seems liked they missed her. Well, she hadn't seen them in over a month. Koga had been acting as though he was up to something, and she had feared he had caught on. So, she had to actually go to a hot spring when she said she would be instead of coming to see them.

Sango, now nearly four months into her third child, scurried across the yard, arms open, and awaiting a hug. Miroku hurried off behind her constantly saying small things like, 'Slow down' or 'Watch my children!'. Kagome rolled her eyes and silently laughed. He certainly had come a long way since his days of milking out love.

( .) (. )

An hour went by and Kagome spent her time speaking with her friends, as though she hadn't been gone for a month, as though she hadn't been forced into a situation she really could have lived without. She waved to her friends goodbye as she exited the hut, watching as the two children she considered her own family lifted their own beaded hands.

She prayed that they would be able to destroy Naraku before they had to watch the same fate that Miroku had, as his father was sucked away by the Kazana…

( .) (. )

Kagome made her way over the hill that was the barrier between her sister's hut, and the well. They had promised to watch over the well to make sure nothing could come in harm of it. She silently thanked them once again; a ritual she had come accustomed to doing every time she caught site of her only sanctuary in this barren world that seemed to love her torment.

Take me away, jump in the car, drop till' the gas runs out and I'll walk so far…

She shoved herself over the last of the rocks that blocked her path and stopped. This aura…it…was so familiar. And then it hit her like three bricks in a sock…

"Shippo, why don't you run along ahead of he me? I…need to take a look at a few herbs Sango told me about while you were off playing." She laid him down and he smiled in acceptance to her request. She thanked the gods that, although he was eleven, he hadn't quite caught on to the concept that every now and then she had to lie to him…

Though most of the time he already knew what she had to lie to him about…smart little kid.

She stood straight and waited until he was past the brush and to the lip of the well. She turned on her heels and narrowed her brownie eyes, this aura was extremely familiar, and she to say she didn't like the person on the other end would have had to be the understatement of the century.

This man, well youkai, was not someone she had had the most…'pleasant', of times with. And right now she really didn't feel like facing him. Then again, she never really did…Though it puzzled her as to why he was here in the first place. He was several leagues from his lands and she had never seen him take but one step in the direction of Inuyasha's forest…ever.

She took a soft step back, her strength and anger slightly melting. Oh, how she wished she had been smart enough to bring her arrows with her for once…

A black boot emerged from the protruding bush she was currently facing, to reveal a tall Taiyoukai. His usual emotionless face looked down at her, almost as though it was disgust in his eyes. She held back her anger at the thought and looked up, holding her ground as long as she could…

"What do you want Sesshomaru?" Her voice wanted to come out strong, but it instead betrayed her, and she was once more turned to the fifteen year old little girl she had been when she'd first met him…

He stood silent, phlegmatic, and powerful. He was definitely the Sesshomaru she had come to know and well…hate. He looked down at her with no thoughts to swim across his eyes. Kagome fidgeted beneath his intense gaze, unsure of what she was getting herself into.

Becoming slightly frustrated as he stood there, she furrowed her brow and began to move towards the well where Shippo sat awaiting her arrival. But in her attempt to escape he moved closer, his lips finally parting to speak.

"Why do you walk alone with nothing but kitsune as a companion?" His deep baritone echoed silently through the small grotto of wood they now occupied in speech.

And I can't see this place anymore…

Kagome, a little glad he finally broke the silence, but also dreading the fact that he did, stood straight once more and looked into his deep golden orbs. His gaze rested in the trees behind her, as though his was staring off into deep thought. She sighed under her breath and gathered whatever courage hadn't been eaten away at first sight of him.

"I can be anywhere I want without protect Sesshomaru. I'm a big girl and these aren't your lands. That and my business isn't any of your concern!" Feeling bold, she huffed out the last smart remark. She really didn't like him was the only, 'nice', way to put it. Though to her own experiences with the demon lord before her, she realized that that was an extremely dumb thing to say to a Taiyoukai who would without a backtrack of thought, slice into little tasty bite size chunks.

Said Taiyoukai growled in warning and advanced towards her a bit further. Silver hair swung violently as he moved quickly, all his movements husky, but had a graceful flip to them.

"Watch your tongue miko, lest you wish for this Sesshomaru to dismember it." His cold watch stared at her petite form, her own eyes narrowed in a silent defeat.

"I can say what I want Sesshomaru. I'm not the same girl you tried to fry with your acid years ago. I'm not afraid of you!" Her lips spoke of lies, and her eyes betrayed her words as she stared into the deep molten orbs of this man, this youkai, this enemy.

Sesshomaru growled once more, his fingers on his only hand twitch violently. His closed his eyes and spoke, holding back what seemed to be his anger, and swallowing the urge to just melt her with his acid as she had said, he tried once before, or…rip her in half. Yes, that last one would work nicely…

"If this Sesshomaru hadn't come here on business to attend with you woman, you would not still be standing and speaking to me with such obstreperous words. So in objective, saying what you wish may not end in benefit to one such as yourself." His voice spoke low, dangerous, and it shut her up quite nicely. Though that didn't mean her mind was silent…

"Well?" She held back her fear, and annoyance the best she could as she waited for him to tell her of his wishes. He tells her one thing, then stays silent. It was indeed becoming a pet peeve of hers. Though she would keep herself at bay for now, he had come here on business. She wouldn't be a cold-hearted beldam and not hear him out at least. But, that didn't mean she had to do whatever it was he wanted.

Sesshomaru shrugged off the annoyed look she was no doubt deputizing to his being and spoke deep to a bark lower. "I come for your assistance miko. My retainer has come to an age and time for learning. She holds a holy aura to which I can do cipher about." His voice spoke of prudence, but inside he was disputatious. It wasn't him to ask for help. He was the great Daiyoukai of the west! But this was his only chance. She was but the only miko he knew that held categorical power. The undead priestess was no where to be found and she was not as Herculean in a holy vigor as the woman before him was.

After all, no one had ever broken through his armor with a scant arrow before.

Kagome quirked her eyebrow and held a hand to her waist, the universal sign of a woman's confusion or annoyance. Hers being a nice mixture of the two. What was she going to do about it? She liked the small girl known as Rin yes, they had had their troubles together when Takimaru had taken a rampage to kill them with Sounga. Sesshomaru had only saved them because Rin was there; he could have given a rat's behind for her safety.

Some of her luster may have left along with Inuyasha, but her ferocious attitude had stuck to her like super glue to a child's fingers.

Sesshomaru resisted the urge to roll his pristine, golden eyes. This woman still proved to be a thorn in his side, or an arrow to his armor. Either circumstance, still annoying.

"From the look radiating from your mannerism, I shall take it to presume you will not do said task without entity in return?" His look at her with stoic eyes was his normal, but it looked almost like amusement…

Kagome, unresisting, rolled her eyes. Well, duh! She wasn't just some machine that did whatever another person wanted all the time! Inuyasha had tried that and it always ended in him laying a hole three feet under…The thought of her previous pack brought back painful memories and she quieted suddenly.

…Inuyasha…

Kagome sighed and looked up at this demon lord proceeding to stand before her. He must really need her help, or by now, as well as she knew him, he would have walked away…And here she was, refusing to help him even though he had tried to kill her about five times.

…Wait…

Take a day off; give it a rest, so I can forget about this mess…

She opened her petal pink lips and sighed softly. Her next words foreign, something she hadn't said to anyone, well, someone, in a long time…

"Promise to protect me." Sesshomaru, slightly thrown off, stood strong. Although, sudden confused thoughts wanted to sluice through his normally well held mind. That was all she wanted? Protection? Any other being he could think of would want riches, or a position of power. And all she wanted was protection?

Cringing slightly at the thought, he wasn't a day care center. He didn't have the time to always protect what was around him. He had enough trouble to deal with in his own lands. But, all she asked for was protection…He mused slightly. It was undoubted that the undead one would have rejected his proposal all together.

Inwardly sighing, Sesshomaru nodded his head. If this is what she wished upon, it would only prove to help his later predicaments.

"This Sesshomaru gives his word to your request. If protection is all you acquire, then so shall be done." Kagome let out a sigh of relief. She…hadn't expected that response to his request question to come out. She guessed it was for the very fact that she'd been longing for someone to give a hoot about her…that she really just wanted protected. Or at least have the feeling of impregnability once more around her…

Though not all protection was against another's sword…

His eyes held a question at to her sudden dolor, but his lips remained shut. He stared at her, trying to figure out the enigma that was this miko. He had replayed a current conversation he had over heard her and the wolf she had taken current position of living with. The wolf had called her Kagome. So in realization, he meditated that that must indeed have been her name.

It was a rather sad concept though, that it took him so long to realize that…

Yes, he knew she lived with the wolf. But, what confused him was as to why as she did not smell of him. Usually mates smelled of one another, but while his scent was of the forest wood and musk, hers was that of strawberries and milk. Though he hated to admit it so, it was a quite…calming smell…Almost alluring. But, as it seemed due to her smell, she was not mated to this demon prince, and so he searched her out for the mentoring of Rin.

With his thoughts complete he spoke up, taking her from her mental battle of pain and heartbreak. He flicked a soft strand of silver hair, which had fallen in front of his shoulder, back with long porcelain fingers. "I will come for you within three days. The night following the new moon." The last few words only further sought out unwanted memories and all she could do was try and shake back her tears. She had come to realize she cried entirely too much. He was gone…there was nothing she could do…

Kagome was about to open her lips as to warn him of Koga but he spoke out first. "As to the predicament of the wolf. As scent by your emanation you are not mated to him. Therefore there shall be no confrontation for dominance of yourself between the demon prince and I." Kagome looked surprised and a little annoyed at his words as to 'domination' of herself, but brushed it off, what really rallied her up was that he knew she lived with Koga. Then again he had come seeking her out, so he must have known at least a little of her current address if he knew when to find her.

Then why hadn't he come for her at the cave?

She simply shook her head and looked up, a soft smile tracing compassionate features as she gazed up into a satisfied golden gape. She nodded to him and looked to her feet. But then realization had come to a dawn. Koga would fight for her, she was eighteen, and the new moon was the start of mating season!

This…this she had forgotten…

Sensing sudden adversity, he looked down unto his ward's new mentor. What could possibly be the problem now?

"The new moon…isn't it, um, mating season?" Recognition hit him so fast, he actually thought he might have moved back a few feet. Why hadn't he, the mighty Taiyoukai of the west, the last Daiyoukai, next to his mother, of the Inuyoukai race, remembered such a simple detail?

He mused within his own thoughts and sought silently. He had had a few encounters with this kiba prince before. And only on few occasions had he seen said youkai with his former brother. The way he doted over this miko before his was quite puzzling. The young pup would undoubtedly challenge him for ownership of the miko. Though he wanted her not for the same reasons. And if he came the night after, he would no doubt be too late.

After all, it was considered extremely un-honorable to steal another youkai's mate. Though from seeing her with him in his den with her, it had come to wonder why she was not mated to him. She had been with the wolf for two years. By now she would have become mate to him, right?

Considering her words he pondered silently. He would have to watch the night of rutting season. If the kiba tried anything, he would take matters into his own hands.

Sesshomaru explained his thoughts her. Feeling her uneasiness dissipate, he inwardly sighed. He would come for her still within three days. And if protection against the wolf was needed, he would bring forth such.

It was after all the only thing she'd asked of him.

After the decisions were made and pack commenced, she thanked him. Picking up his composure he turned to walk away. Bur soft words stopped his tracks.

"Thank you Sesshomaru…Sama." He took in her words, though to himself he hadn't done anything. But to her, he had given her a reason, a feeling of safety and sanctuary. All she really wanted was a feeling of protection again…just that feeling.

"Hn." Was his only reply as he turned his back to her, turning his head to the bushes.

Kagome picked up her feet and made her way back to Shippo while Sesshomaru retreated back into the bushes he once came. But, all the while he never took an eye off of her. She was a mentor in his pack; she had power and authority within his Inu-clan now. It was his job as Alpha to keep watch and safekeeping over her.

And it was what she wished of him; he would brood once more.

She hummed softly as she picked Shippo up into her arms. His happy squeal showing he hadn't expected such. He looked into her cinnamon orbs with his own emerald ones and smiled at his mama.

"Where's the herbs Kagome?" Her gaze stopped as she slightly. Then slowly she pulled out another little white lie to her lips.

"Oh, it turns out it wasn't what I'd thought it was after all. It took me a while as I searched but I couldn't find any!" She smiled cheerfully as he bought her reply. She dipped her legs over the side of the well and hopped inside, sighing in relief as the blue mist that sanctioned time passage washed over them both.

If I lighten up a little bit then I will be, over it…

In secret, Sesshomaru smirked with question to her little white lie. Walking to the flange of the well he looked inside. Seeing nothing but bones and dirt, he quirked his eyebrow in mock fascination. He shook his head to himself and turned, flicking a strand of silky hair from his shoulder once more, out of habit. Walking back into the bushes he'd once come he chuckled silently to himself.

Strange little miko.

( .) (. )

Okay! So the second chapter is done. I don't know if it seemed like it was rushed a tad, but I'll let my reviewers check. I want to thank all of those who gave me constructive criticism for my stories and such. You guys are the biggest help, while my reviewers are my joy! So you both work hand in hand to help. .

So, remember flame me if you wish, but flames and complaints will get you no where! Reviews and constructive criticism will!

Thanks for taking the time to read my story!

With love,

Keni

Ja ne!