Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Author Notes: To my Readers

I am so sorry that it has taken so much time for me to update this story. This is not normal for me and I must assure you that I would only allow this to happen unless the most dire of circumstances. To be honest these last four months have been the hardest of my life. However, do not think that I have not appreciated every 'favorite', 'review' and 'follow'. They were shining positive lights in an extremely dark time of my life. I will continue to update and I am very humbled and grateful for all of you. Thank you so very much.

'I cannot believe Inuyasha – what a stupid ridiculous boy-man'! Kagome thought as she pulled herself up the side of the well. These last few days had been crazy. Kagome knew that Koga kidnapping her and his frenzied male attention would make Inuyasha jealous but how dare he accuse her of doing something more with the man. 'He honestly thinks I am interested in that wolf? A demon prince who allows all of his people to kill and destroy entire human villages?' Kagome growled out in frustration as she threw her yellow backpack over the well stuff with snacks, textbooks, and other supplies. She stalled for a moment – not entirely prepared to see Sesshomaru either. Neither of the canine brothers had learned anything about the other and continued to be pig headed toward one another.

The only reason they even ran into Koga was because Sesshomaru yet again tried to steal Tetsusaiga from Inuyasha and they had been down wind when the massacre occurred. They would have traveled far past the village at that point if Sesshomaru hadn't delayed them and perhaps Kagome wouldn't have been kidnapped and she would be in a huge fight with Inuyasha.

Kagome wasn't entirely sure Sesshomaru would be at the top of the well when she swung her leg over. He had been hit full force by the wind scar – something she still couldn't believe. She had personally witnessed Sesshomaru's power again and again and could not understand why Sesshomaru allowed Inuyasha to live. He could easily have killed him – he often stopped to allow Inuyasha to catch his breath or get on his feet and throw insults at each other. Something that didn't go unnoticed by Kagome. Inuyasha only lived by Sesshomaru's will and he was just as surprised when Inuyasha managed to land a devastating blow. She has been praying and hoping that the wind scar had not caused too much damage to her complicated Lord of the West.

Suddenly an arm pulled Kagome roughly from the well and steadied her on her feet before the Lord took a step back. Kagome's eyes looked downward unable to meet Sesshomaru's gaze.

"Are you not well Kagome"? Sesshomaru murmured his head cocked slightly to the side – his body language one of his only ways to read his emotions. His calm voice giving nothing away and Kagome knew looking at his face would only cause her emotions to bubble over – she was barley reigning them in.

"Your brother is an idiot," Kagome whispered with her eyes still cast downward crossing her arms across her body and rubbing her upper arms. She walked forward into his solid form and rested her head on his arm – wanting to avoid being impaled on his deadly armor.

A sigh of frustration escaped from Sesshomaru's chest – his body firm and warm - Kagome pressed herself more firmly against him.

"What did that foolish mutt do this time"? Sesshomaru asked – you could tell by his tone that he was getting frustrated with cleaning up after Inuyasha's emotional wrecking ball when it came to this girl. Kagome reached up and held fiercely to Lord Sesshomaru's arm and breathed in his woodsy male scent that caused her breath to stop and he heart to quicken at the same time.

"I was kidnapped by a wolf prince named Koga who apparently claimed me as his woman, WITHOUT MY CONSENT, and I denied it vehemently and Inuyasha accused me of doing something sexual with him while I was kidnapped because I wouldn't allow Inuyasha to kill him just for being a stupid young guy." She sighed and held him tighter. She could feel his body tense against her and his clawed hand held to her tighter to the point of almost being painful. She tried to pull back to see his face but he held her tight – she was shocked to feel his body starting to shake against hers.

"Sesshomaru" Kagome spoke with a slight quiver to her voice. She tried to twist her body again to see his face but his sharp claws dug into her arm and pierced her skin.

"SESSHOMARU" She screamed out in pain and he let her body go roughly and stepped away taking in shuddering breaths and holding his head in his hands. Kagome took a step toward his and he growled forcefully in her direction – the intention was clear – that Kagome needed to stay exactly where she is or risk putting Kagome in danger.

Kagome took a forceful step toward Sesshomaru making sure that he would hear her coming and he turned toward her faster than she could possible have seen causing her hair to blow back by the force of his movement and his chest was heaving with a rage that Kagome had never seen before. He looked more animal than man and you could see the beast fighting for control over his body. His fangs and claws had grown longer and the magenta strips along his angled cheekbones became ragged and wild. She could see the danger of a transformation that neither of them could control.

"My Lord Sesshomaru…" Kagome started out hesitantly until she saw his red eyes snap toward her his body tense and ready to pounce.

"Please come back to me, My Lord" Kagome took another minute step toward her demonic possessed man. He grabbed the woman roughly and pulled her toward him pinning her against his muscular body, his grasp loosening only slightly when he heard her painful whimper after her body was injured by his armor. His couldn't let her go – even if he wanted to. His beast demanded to hold this woman, and to never let her go. His beast was raging at the ineptitude of his brother – allowing this woman to be taken by anyone. Then the idea that, that stupid wolf prince could put a claim on Kagome – that was too much. His beast was fighting for control so that he could kill the wolf prince and squash the idea of any other male touching this priestess.

"Sesshomaru – I need you to come back to me" Kagome took one hand and slid it gently across his cheek, tracing his markings with his fingertips – trying to calm the inner beast. His eyes slowly started to fade back into his royal gold. They stood there intimately for a moment before Sesshomaru took a step back still breathing in slightly harder than was normal for him.

"Are you alright?" Kagome breathed out, wanting to reach for him but afraid of what just happened. A tight laugh escaped the demon lord.

"Is that not how this all started? By me asking if you were alright Kagome?" Sesshomaru turned toward her – his mask slipped automatically back onto his porcelain face. He was still fighting for control – his beast un-amused by being locked back up.

"Yes" She looked up at her Lord Sesshomaru with concerned and caring eyes. When he saw the emotion behind them he almost lost control again. It was as if her innocent face was begging for him to rescue her. His beast raged against its restraints once more and she could see the red starting lightly seep into his eyes.

"Sesshomaru – What is happening? What am I doing that is upsetting you so?" She practically begged – not used to seeing this ice prince lacking such control. Sesshomaru responded in a strained voice through clenched teeth.

"It is nothing that you have done. My beast is not pleased with the idea of a male putting a claim on you." He paused seeing her eyes widen "without your consent" He added quickly trying to shut down any idea that his beast wanted the girl – however true it may be.

"Oh " A sly smile spread across her beautiful lips and her body relaxed "Tell your Beast that I can handle one cocky wolf prince – he will never have me. I'd die first" She turned away from him and wrapped her arms around herself rubbing her upper chest where she had struck Sesshomaru's armor. The demon lord walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her upper body and rubbed the bruised area.

"I am sorry my beast was so rough with you – we were fighting for control. I do believe that you can protect yourself. My beast however wants to kill that man and any other who wish to take something from you that you isn't theirs to take." Kagome leaned back into him and held steadfast to his arm – knowing full well that she is part of reason that he only has one.

"Tell your beast thank you – I appreciate someone wanting to protect my honor and not assume I am passing out sexual favors to strange man" She slightly teased and he growled in protest against such a belief.

"You called me 'My Lord' " Sesshomaru stated playfully trying to change the subject away from his beasts utmost devotion to the tiny human standing in front of him. 'I don't think my beast will allow me to hurt her' He was suddenly stunned by the fact that his own body was fighting his plan. If Koga hurt Kagome it would probably hurt Inuyasha just as much as his original plan, however, he could not allow that to happen – it hurt him more than he had anticipated. He was suddenly stunned – he was rarely so shocked by such things.

"I had to shock you back into reality" She teased back and twirled around to look at him seeing the distressed look on his face. She raised an eyebrow quizzically at the sudden mood change. He let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders half-heartedly.

"I am definitely surprised – if that wolf ever becomes a problem, you need only call for me and I will take care of him" He stated in his typical stoic voice – but Kagome knew that this statement meant more than a simple favor. Sesshomaru didn't offer his help easily or to just anyone.

"If you are going to continue to act so honorably maybe I will keep calling you my lord" Kagome smiled up at him and he had to stop a smile from spreading across his face.

"You – Kagome – May always call me by my name, I believe you are my only friend and you have earned such an honor". He squeezed her body lightly and she blushed at the compliment.

"I think you may be my best friend, Sesshomaru. I am not sure why you came into my life, but I am sure it will be an adventure. I don't think we know any other way to live. Go big or go home" Kagome pulled away from his body and turned on her heels and started walking away.

"I hope I am going the right way – Sesshomaru, are you really going to allow me to lead us somewhere"? She started marching leaving a stunned man standing behind her. 'Her best friend?' She had once again stunned the ice prince who was starting to warm toward a certain girl. He caught up with her within moments wrapping her arm around his waist and creating the cloud beneath their feet.

"You are not leading us anywhere – You don't even know where we are going" Sesshomaru whispered into the shell of her ear causing a shiver to run down her spine and giving he chills. The sensation causing Sesshomaru to take a sharp breath in. 'what is this woman doing to me"? He thought stubbornly holding the woman tighter as they headed off toward their next big 'adventure'.