Standard disclaimer. Meaning, InuYasha characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. Story here and imaginary foes/friends (Haa Jinsoku, Aoi Kirei and so on) are mine. Please, do not use them!

Dawn came. It was another one of those awfully sunny days, when villagers worked their butts off for the little food and earnings they could get. A completely worthless day then.

Kagome sighed heavily. Somehow, during the night, her hands had been rebound in front of her and she had gotten a blanket. Who and how she didn't know; whoever it was that person was awfully quiet and flick with his hands. If only she had been awake…

Well, it wasn't that bad; she had found that which she had been sent out to find. Now the only thing to do was to lure them in into a false safety, which she was pretty sure she could pull off – why else would she have been chosen for this job? The kit was under her spell now, which took less time than she had thought; the InuYasha boy was almost there, that blockhead. She had noticed almost immediately the way he had watched Kagome with that mixed expression of worry and fondness. Cute, but not quite her cup of tea. The human woman and man wasn't that far behind, but the male was somehow more… aware. That wasn't good – maybe she would have to silence him before he opened his mouth.

Tentatively she tested the ropes around her wrists. Someone had done a good job with these – but it was nothing she couldn't break free from. But not yet; she had to win the other's trust, even those full demon boys. But they would be a whole lot more difficult to tame, especially the tall dog demon. Kagome smiled at the thought. Not that she complained – she looked quite forward to it.

Are you a sadist or a masochist? The voice was so annoying and sudden that Kagome actually jumped. Then she took a deep breath and smiled tensely.

Good morning to you too.

Whatever. So, masochist or sadist?

She did think about it, but shrugged. "Both, I guess," she said softly as a sly smirk made its way onto her face.

"Both of what?" another, more male, voice asked.

She dropped her smile for a few seconds, before tuning it up into the Kagome-smile fashion. Turning her head slightly she gave the wolf boy a cute smile. "Oh nothing, really. I'm just… just so…" Sighing theatrically, she shrugged. "I guess I'm both tired and excited to be back, I guess."

Lame excuse.

Stuff it.

The wolf, Kouga, tilted his head as he looked at her from the corner of his eye. "Huh," he finally said. "You hungry or something?"

Kagome smiled brightly at him, but then shook her head apologetically. "No, I'm not. But thank y-"

A low gurgle followed by a likewise low rumble coming from her made both of their eyes look at her stomach. When she looked up again she saw that his eyes were filled with laughter. "Not hungry, eh?"

She smiled stiffly. "Maybe I am a little hungry…" Though she couldn't understand why; she could live with so little like a few blooddrops. Then why did her body seem to crave other nourishments? She shook her head and smiled more lovably at Kouga, watching in satisfaction as his cheeks colored slightly. "I wouldn't mind some food… I hope I'm not bringing any trouble to you?"

He smiled boyishly back at her. "Of course not – you are my woman. It is my duty to take care of you." He nodded toward her and then ran off toward the camp.

Kagome sighed and laughed lightly. "Men. Why does it seem like they swarm around me like flies?"

-ooo-

InuYasha's wounds had healed by now; only pinkish marks were left on his skin from where those reptiles had hurt him. He frowned as he looked at his naked arm, flexing his fingers and bending his arm this way and that as to assess the damage. No stinging and no bleeding; no scars would be left by night.

Plopping down his arm and slowly treading his kosode back on he frowned darker. The stinging he was feeling now couldn't be compared to those that had been on his body. InuYasha had left her there, fully knowing that he couldn't go back and get her however much he wanted to. The pain of knowing that he had failed her was enough to relish in those days it had taken him to find the others.

"Hey, mutt. Take it easy with that, will you?"

Glaring daggers he ogled the wolf youkai that stood before him, arms crossed and a raised eyebrow. Then he looked down and saw that he had unconsciously been gripping one of the strange containers that Kagome used from her time to stack food in. The 'plastic', as she called it, was bent and cracked in places.

A memory surfaced; Kagome being chained to that damned wall when one of the reptiles had hit her for talking back. He hurried to release the container, as he shuddered slightly.

"You done?" Kouga asked as he went to retrieve the bent container. "Kagome is starting to get hungry, but I don't know what she is gonna say about… this." He demonstrated his thought by raising an eyebrow at the container, then flicking a quick look at the hanyou.

InuYasha only nodded before he rose to his feet slowly, taking Tetsusaiga in his hand and walking a few distances away. Stopping under a large tree he jumped up in it and sat down, attempting to think his thoughts in peace.

-ooo-

Being a great taiyoukai isn't always pleasant. Not if you had an irritating little brother that only was half; not when you had to be in the same company as a wolf; definitely not when you had to scent the disgusting odor of ningens.

Said taiyoukai was feeling restless. Sesshomaru hadn't felt "restless" in the least two hundred years of his lifetime, yet when he did it was insufferable. Gritting his teeth he refrained from starting to tap his hand against his knee; he would not let himself fall to the same level as his mutt-brother. The lord almost missed having Jaken around, if only to get the chance to throw a pebble at the creature.

He sighed through his teeth, looked up through the leaves which was growing from the tree he was seated in. It was enjoyable as he closed his eyes, only listening to the leaves whispering and scenting the greenery from the quiet forest – but then, that insufferable smell assaulted him again. Irritation flooded him. Heck, he would have been happy with Rin's constant chatter.

Sesshomaru glared accusingly down at his temporary pack; the fox child was chatting happily with the demon slayer, who had the little neko-demon – Kirara – in her lap. She stroked the cat absentmindedly as she half listened to the kitsune, while carefully eyeing their surroundings. When her eyes met his they momentarily widened, before she nodded to him. He gave her a curt nod back.

The monk wasn't far away from the slayerness, Sesshomaru noticed. Which shouldn't surprise since the young man had time after time again sought the woman's… finer parts. The demon shuddered. And humans called his race animals.

His little brother was nowhere in sight – probably in another tree somewhere, keeping watch on his brother most likely. The taiyoukai almost snorted at the thought; if he, this Sesshomaru, had wanted to do anything to this pathetic pack of humans, then he would have done so earlier.

Taking a deep whiff he searched for the last of their odd group; a wild scent that reminded of fur, animals and forest. The wolf had been out of his sight for quite a while now – not that it worried Sesshomaru. One less dominant male would do this group good.

Another whiff and he found the other youkai. The wolf was sitting, cross-legged, and with his chin propped on his closed fist as he looked at the miko. Sesshomaru frowned as he looked closer. Why had the hormone-fueled boy decided to free the miko's hands? Was he blind for the dangers that she had posed to them before, or was the wolf simply oblivious to the fact that something was wrong with her?

Sesshomaru knew he was glaring. It wasn't something he was unaccustomed to do; except using his claws and youki, his glare was a very effective weapon. The lord almost smirked as he saw the wolf tense and cautiously look around. But then he frowned as his vision clashed with the miko's.

Blue met gold. For a moment none of them moved, but then the miko – Kagome, was that what they called her? – smiled, lifted her hand and stroke a black tress behind her ear. His eyes widened. What was she attempting to do?

As if sensing his wonder the miko winked. Winked. If Sesshomaru wasn't wrong, which he never was, then that meant she was flirting with him. Or possibly teasing him. Whichever it was, it didn't please him. Not in the least.

He frowned darkly and leaned demonstratively back against the tree trunk, shot her another icy look, closed his eyes and relaxed. But even that was impossible as he found himself wondering about her intentions.

-ooo-

Kouga tensed. Something was watching him and by the feel of it, this something wasn't very happy. He straightened so he could look around without it being too obvious and let his eyes run over one end of the meadow, and then the next. Nothing other than Dog-Breath lounging in a tree. And he wasn't even looking at Kouga.

He shook his head and turned back to face Kagome again, happily seeing her smile back at him. He had to say that he had been frightened when she came back and was so… changed. Kouga hadn't even recognized his intended mate. But now, right here, she was smiling her same kind smile as always. Maybe even more kind than what it had been before?

"Does it taste good?" he asked, feeling his hope rise with every second. She looked up at him and smiled again. Heck, he sure hoped he would wake up every day and see those azure blue eyes laugh back at him.

Kagome licked her lips and plopped a red cherry into her mouth. "Want to try one?" she asked and showed the berry in her mouth.

Kouga shivered. "Kagome…" if she only knew how much he wanted to reach out, tread his fingers in her thick black mane and plant his lips on those that she was smiling back at him with. He had to clench his fist not to do just that.

"Just kidding," she laughed softly, chewing slowly. Mirth played in her eyes as she looked up at me, before she let her gaze fall to the tray of food before her.

He swallowed. "I-I know that," he muttered. Kouga fixed his eyes on her delicate hands that he had freed; only for the need of getting herself feed, nothing else. However, he had instead bound Kagome around her stomach and then around the tree. Being a wolf youkai didn't mean that he wasn't careful.

"So, um… Kagome"

She looked up expectantly, head slightly tilted, eyes large and innocent. So irresistibly beautiful, like a young doe. Almost as delicious looking too. Kouga licked his lips.

"Um... I was just wond-"

"Take cover!" The monk's shrill voice snapped Kouga out of his dilemma. Quick as only he was he jumped, spun in the air and landed with his feet firmly planted beneath him, standing protectively in front of Kagome.

"What is it?" he shouted, cursing himself for not trusting his earlier senses.

"Company!" the monk managed to shout from his right, standing equally protective by Sango's side. The woman didn't acknowledge him; she stood in a battle stance with the heavy boomerang slung over her shoulder. Her cat companion became engulfed in flames for a moment before it turned into its more fearsome larger form.

Sesshomaru suddenly blurred to stand beside them, though somewhat aside. His half-brother soon joined them, his sword transformed and held at the ready. Then none of them moved.

-ooo-

It was way too quiet. InuYasha suppressed a shudder and stared at the dark forest in front of him, while his ears swiveled on top of his head. He was used to sound; crying, screaming, Shippo. This quietness was unsettling and made him want to twitch all over.

When glancing at Sango, Miroku and Sesshomaru he couldn't tell if they had the same feeling. But then again, Miroku had always stared death in the eye; Sango was even trained not to show anyting. Sesshomaru was just a creepy bastard, with that indifferent mask.

A muscle under his eye twitched. Seconds went by. Chancing a glance behind him he saw the wolf standing at the ready. Although he had a cocky expression on his face, it was easy to tell that he had the same feeling as InuYasha. The half-demon almost snorted – finally, something they had in common. Now wouldn't that please Kagome?

Suddenly he heard something. Something very faint, but if his ears heard right it was feather light footsteps, coming in their direction. Hearing a soft rumble coming from his right he glanced and saw his brother look back at him. So the bastard had also heard something then?

The footsteps stopped; as if whatever it was contemplated if it was wise to continue walking. InuYasha smirked and tightened his hold of Tetsusaiga. The bastard could always try getting by him.

Seconds ticked away. Growing very anxious and edgy InuYasha thought of the clock he had destroyed for Kagome; tick-tock, tick-tock. Every second now the warning bell would go off and all hell would break loose – at least if he remembered that moment correctly.

His ears twitched and turned in the direction of mangy-wolf and Kagome. Her ropes were sounding awfully loud, weren't they? As if grinding together or-

A yelp, that was so unexpected that he jumped high. When coming down again and twirling in place he saw the wolf lying face-down on the ground, unconscious and with a nauseating gash in his forehead. Blood trickled down his face and started pooling around him.

Dreading what he would see InuYasha looked at Kagome, who was smiling like a Bird of Paradise.

"You didn't really think that I would ever submit, did you?" she cackled. Sweet Kagome was cackling. "My mission is to kill the lot of you."

She squirmed against the ropes, and suddenly they broke free. InuYasha couldn't help but stare at the red marks around her wrists and arms. Had those mainly been by their ropes?

Then he heard that rustle again, and the one person he had hoped to never see again, or at least kill, stepped around the tree. The person smiled cheerfully at them, bent over and lifted Kagome into his arms. She cuddled close to him and caressed his cheek with her palm.

"Hi love," Haa Jinsoku said.

Duun, duun, duuuuun! Finally I'm back with a new chapter! And finally I'm kinda getting somewhere with it! Sorry about the ridiculously long delay; I've been busy with exams tests (Swedish – A! Yay! And, yes, I'm swede. Math I've probably failed big time on… give me cookie if I have?), I've focused on my other story Stray Dog (which are kinda hard to write at the moment. Who knew that a story I only wrote when being bored would be so hard?) and my cat died. My brother has moved. AND my mom has sugar sickness (socker sjukan in Swedish). So, she can't eat candy. EVER. And le kitten was killed by the way. Probably a fox or something. That makes me seriously consider getting a hunting license.
How do you think about Haa Jinsoku and Kagome? Cute? Maybe? I don't know; I feel that this can turn kinda creepy soon. Or really fluffy since I'm trying to get some kind of foursome in here! 8D

Please Review!