Sesshomaru walked through the forest, walking past the same spot where he had forced himself apun the young miko. He knew she would be gone when he returned. He could smell her scent mingled in with that of his half-brothers Inuyasha.

So Inuyasha was here….

He wasn't sure why he came back. He knew he didn't really feel remorseful for what he had done. She was a human after all. And to him humans where supposed to be of use to Great Demons like him. But still he was haunted by how he had left his mark on her neck.

She would be protected due to that mark he had placed. Protected from any demon she would come across. No one would dare touch her knowing that he had claimed her.

He grinned in response to that thought.

He could only wonder what his brother would say when he found out that Kikyo now belonged to him.

"Jaken."

"Yes me Lord?"

"Let's go…"

Sesshomaru continued to walk and Jaken called back for Rin to hurry up and fallow. As they left the area behind them and headed toward the direction of a small village.

"Inuyasha," Miroku called from a distance. "Where have you been Kagome and the rest of us have been worried sick about you."

Inuyasha said nothing as he approached closer carrying a passed out Kikyo in his arms.

"Inuyasha what happened?" Miroku asked as his eyes took in the sight of the beaten down priestess. "Is she alright?"

"I don't know." His tone was solemn as he looked down into his arms at Kikyo. "I found her like this; she needs some rest someone to look after her wounds."

"So you brought her here?" Miroku gawked at him with a look of surprise at his boldness.

"Yes I brought her here you idiot, what was I supposed to do? Leave her where I found her?"

"Inuyasha did you even think about how Kagome would feel about this?"

"Yes, of course I have. But … I am sure Kagome will understand once she sees how badly off Kikyo is."

The monk opened his mouth in protest, but the harsh look Inuyasha set apun him once he did sent his jaw slamming shut an a awkward smile to grace his handsome features.

"Well then, just making sure you thought about that, you know." He spoke through clenched teeth and then nervously fallowed behind Inuyashas entrance into the hut.

Sango and Kagome where sitting around talking up a storm while shippo played with a toy that Kagome had brought back from the future for him. Silence fell over them all when they all peered up to see Inuyasha and kikyo.

"What is she doing here," Sango asked somewhat with a hint of worry in her voice on how her friend Kagome would take what news Inuyasha would give.

Kagome said nothing she just stared up at Inuyasha her eyes filled with hurt and a questioning of why beaming into his golden orbs.

His eyes seemed to be saying he was sorry, but his words said nothing in that nature to her.

"I found Kikyo like this. I'm not for sure what happened but…she needs help."

"Of course, " Songo replied. She knew how Kagome felt about Kikyo, but she knew that she couldn't deny Inuyasha any help. Especially when she considered all the help he had given her in regards to her brother Kohaku.

"Lay her down."

Inuyasha complied with Sango's request and placed kikyo down on a sprawled out sleeping bag that kagome had given to Sango to use.

He turned his face back toward Kagome who said nothing the whole time. She didn't really know what to say or what to do. She did tell herself that if he went after Kikyo, she would leave and for good this time. But, could she. She felt as though she didn't have the strength to leave Inuyasha. She didn't really know what was going on, and a small part of her did feel bad for Kikyo. Even though another part of her hated her for having and holding onto a small part of Inuyasha's heart.

She stood up slowly. Her bangs covering and over shadowing her eyes from everyone's.

She wasn't going to leave, not yet. She decided she would give Inuyasha a chance to explain. And she would stay to help Kikyo. That was the right thing to do, but why was her mind still screaming for her to just leave her there like she was and return home.

She sighed heavily. "Inuyasha, come out side with me…Sango, I have some bandages and ointment in my backpack."

"Mmhm," Songo nodded and retrieved the backpack that was placed up against the corner of the hut.

Inuyasha and Kagome stepped outside. And walked away toward the bone eaters well. Once their they stopped and didn't speak to one another for a long while.

Both wanted to, but neither one knew exactly what to say to begin. So they stayed mute, and said nothing until Kagome felt as though she couldn't hold in her feelings any longer.

"So, last night….did it means nothing to you?"

Inuyasha inhaled deeply. His mind reeling, it was the moment of truth. He knew his response meant would be the result of her staying or her going. He knew his answer had to be true; he gazed deeply into her eyes. And then his lips parted slowly to tell her everything.