Rin came too quickly through the doorway and ran into Kagura, who, being very graceful, spun around once to keep from falling and stayed upright. Rin wasn't so fortunate; the gangly eleven year old fell on her behind and stared wide eyed up at the youkai woman. She rose and instinctively moved closer to Sesshoumaru, an old habit born of her time under his protection.

"Ka…Kagura?"

Kagura grinned.

"I'm not gonna hurt you, kid. I only ever kidnapped you 'cause I had to."

Rin looked to Kagome for affirmation. The older girl nodded, and Rin turned the full force of her sunny smile to the wind user briefly, before turning towards Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, you've come back so soon! I didn't think I'd see you again for while."

Sesshoumaru nodded.

"I followed the wind user to ensure she didn't cause any trouble."

Kagura touched her fan to her lips, trying to hide her smile.

"Well, I'm off…just thought I'd let you guys know I'm around again."

"But Kagura…" Kagome instantly spoke up. "Where will you go?"

"I think I'll go find Kohaku. After that…I don't know. I guess I'll just wander around a bit. Maybe kill a few lesser youkai or hire my fighting services out, if anyone will take a woman as a soldier."

"Well why don't you go with Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru glared at Kagome, InuYasha looked at her like she was crazy, and Kagura and Rin just looked puzzled.

"What nonsense are you speaking, woman?" Sesshoumaru looked beyond ticked off, yet he still seemed unable to keep his eyes from moving to Kagura every so often. "I have no need of a companion."

"Well, Kagura hasn't really lived at all. She was only a few months old when she passed, and during that time all she did was either follow Naraku's orders or try to betray him. She really probably doesn't know much about really living. You could show her the ropes, Sesshoumaru, like you did with Rin. You taught her how to fend for herself but gave her someone to turn to when she couldn't. Why not do that again? It's no different."

Sesshoumaru almost wanted to laugh at the utter ridiculousness of saying there was no difference. Rin, he considered his pup. It was one thing to guide a young child to finding her way. It was another thing completely to take with him this beautiful, seductive, creature, who despite being technically younger than Rin, was in all other ways a woman.

"I have no desire for a companion."

"And I'm perfectly able to take care of myself."

Kagome sighed. Perhaps this would be harder than she'd thought.

…….