*IMPORTANT* This story contains spoliers from the Bleach Series! DO NOT READ if you don't like spoilers, ruiners, etc. I have given my warning! *IMPORTANT*

Title: Miko and Shinigami Love

Rating: T

DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo. Two respected mangaka! I do not own the characters in any way nor the story plot only the idea of this fanfiction!

MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: A long wait but a new chapter has arrived. Pretty short compared to the others, but I think it brings faster updates, no? I changed the plot a bit from the Inuyasha anime when Renkotsu disguises himself as a monk but this IS a crossover so changes need to be made. Don't worry, Espadas will appear soon along with Grimmjow (because I love him!) and as for why Kagome seems weak, let's say she needs to get accustom to her power first. Don't worry, she will stronger as the story progresses. And I do not hate Inuyasha! He just needs to learn to make a choice and move on haha! I love the hanyou and his fluffy ears.

Thank you to those who waited this long for a new chapter and those who reviewed, I greatly appreciate it!

Special Thanks To:

Nixie the Bloody Pixie, Monkshood and Angels-Trumpet, eviltexangirl, Itachi anime, Joker2113, witch20, rosesterling100, Infinites Lover, anajahouston, jaibird305, Guest, Jose19, and omaomae!

Thank you! and Enjoy! (Yay! Almost to 400 reviews!)

Chapter 36: Hidden In The Shadows

Sun stood out on the open. It's waves of heat covering everyone in tiredness. Rangiku sighed, placing a shadow of her hand over her eyes while looking out straight and seeing nothing but trees, trees, and more trees.

"Ugh! Taichou! Can we rest?" she pleaded. "We have been walking for hours!"

The called captain looked over his shoulder and watched as his lieutenant gave him the puppy eyes that never worked on him but in someway she always got what she wanted whether he said yes or no. He gave her glare: "Matsumoto, we can't waste time."

"But my poor feet!"she exclaimed. "Taichou…a beautiful girl like me can't walk that much! I need rest and this sun is going to give damage to my skin."

Hitsugaya crossed his arms, ignoring her whining: "We keep moving forward. We already lost a lot of time over at the village."

Rangiku was about to continue on her whine but was surprised to see the monk coming closer to her with a smile: "If you like, miss, I could carry you-"

Rangiku's eyes watched in fascination as the monk was thrown with a kick to the side by demon slayer: "You perverted monk!" blushed Sango, annoyed that Miroku was continuing to flirt with the big breasted Shinigami.

"I apologize, Sango!" he laughed nervously, afraid he would get slap next. "But I can't just let one of my companions be tired…"

Sango sighed, looking at the orange head woman: "I guess you are right." Her eyes searched for the hanyou and noticed that unlike other times, he was trailing behind the group. He usually took over the role of being the leader. "Inuyasha!"

The ears twitched after hearing his name being called. He stopped in his walk and looked over his shoulder with an angry look: "What?"

She sighed in her mind, seeing that he was still annoyed that Kagome was continuing to hang with the Shinigami now demon. Shippo crawled over to Miroku's shoulder: "Do you smell any villages around, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha couldn't help but blink: "W-What!? Smell villages!? I am not some trained dog!"

"We could train you," glared Ikkaku to the side of him. "You need the discipline."

Inuyasha growled under his breath: "You want to die today, don't ya' baldy?"

"I am already dead, idiot!" smirked the Shinigami. "But I wouldn't want to kill you. That would mean I would have to deal with you in the afterlife in Soul Society."

"That is enough!" shouted the short captain. "We will rest but only for thirty minutes!"

"Yay!" cheered Rangiku, watching as everyone smiled or growled under their breaths.

Rukia's eyes scanned the area, trying to find a place to rest but was quickly caught at the temple to the right that hid in the trees: "Should we ask for some assistance there?"

All eyes followed her finger to the temple that stood quietly in the trees. Miroku blinked: "Hm, looks like a monk's temple to me."

"We should go," smiled Rangiku. "Maybe they can give us some food along the way!"

She lead the group forward after hearing protest and angry growls coming from her captain. Kikyo walked next to her reincarnation after seeing the miko's distressed face. "You sense it?" she questioned her in a whisper.

Kagome gave her a slight nod: "A shard rests in that temple…"

"Someone clearly has it," Kikyo whispered back, walking behind the whole group. Their steps were small and cautious. Kagome nodded for the second time: "Do you think…it is one of the Band of Seven?"

"Or it could be an Espada," she replied quickly. "I am not saying out of worry, Kagome, but because I don't want the enemy to have a miko in their hands and jeopardize innocent lives, but be on your guard at all times," her eyes narrowed down, the temple getting closer in sight: "For sure, they are after you and don't say anything just yet. We will wait to see who the enemy is. Only we can take out the shard."

Kikyo's pace quickened, arriving next to the hanyou while leaving the other miko in her thoughts. Kagome's eyes drifted to her hand: 'After me…I do cause trouble, don't I?'

"What is troubling you now?"

The masculine voice broke into her thoughts, bringing her eyes to stare at brown ones. She gave him a small smile: "Nothing. Just thinking what would happen if…Naraku and Aizen were to capture me…"

"That isn't going to happen," he answered her.

Kagome remained silent, her eyes fixed on the demon next to her. He didn't even look down at her when he said those words but she knew it was because he was on guard. A small sigh was released in her mind.

'I shouldn't be feeling weak,' she looked ahead, watching as Kikyo caught up with Inuyasha and the rest of the gang walked closer to the temple. 'I must be cautious.'

"They are heading this way."

A smirk appeared on the male's voice as he looked out through the window. He watched as the group of Shinigami and the hanyou's companions casually walked towards the temple they had taken over the night before.

"Yeah," the male replied, his gray decayed eyes narrowed down in anticipation to finish their pathetic lives. "They are a naïve bunch if you ask me."

"Now," red orbs glided to the corner of his eyes, while leaning on the wall next to the bald male that had changed into monk clothing for the 'play', "don't go underestimating them, Renkotsu."

"I don't see why that bastard Naraku and Aizen made you in charged of everyone here," his glare glided over to his left, watching the tan male smirk with closed eyes, "Zenaku."

"It is not a matter of accepting it or not," chuckled the demon. "Just follow orders, got it?" His eyes opened, a deadly glare presenting itself on: "Disobey and I won't be giving any mercy to any of you whether your are my partner or not."

Renkotsu only gave him a laugh: "Whatever. So what do plan to do? I am guessing you are taking that miko with you this instant? You still need the other two shards in order to place the Shikon no Tama in her."

"You can deal with the rest," smirked Zenaku, "but leave Kagome to me, got that?"

Renkotsu closed his eyes: "You are worse than my older brother."

"Huh?" Zenaku's eyebrow lifted up. "Bankotsu? I assure you I am the nicest one here."

"Yeah, that sounds and looks convincing," Renkotsu retreated from his spot and walked towards the exit: "No doubt that the two mikos will sense the shard behind my neck."

"Then I think it is best to knock them out before they open their mouth," Zenaku disappeared from his sight after his words echoed in the dark room. Renkotsu knew that the other Espadas were busy in finding the remaining shards besides the ones that rested in the wolf's legs and the demon slayer's brother's back. His other brothers were probably just shedding blood somewhere for fun in the mean time but he wouldn't go fooling around. If he wanted to become strong, he would have to collect the shards for himself and use them against his brothers, the Espadas, and Naraku and Aizen.

He walked over to the kitchen and noticed cups of tea. A smirk appeared on his face, a plan formulating in his head. Grabbing a ceramic cup, he looked around the edges and his smirk grew wider: "We will just need to make sure that this specific cups falls on the miko's hands when they come in."

He soon heard the sound of steps coming onto the wooden platform of the temple, signaling the beginning of his scheme.

"Excuse me!?" called out Miroku. "We are travelers and we wanted to ask for a place to rest."

Hearing nothing but the breeze, Hisagi crossed his arms: "Hm, maybe this is an abandoned temple."

"Looks pretty cleaned up to me," replied Ikkaku, placing his weapon over his shoulders. "But this silence is creeping me out."

Their attentions turned to the front shoji screen doors, revealing a bald monk wearing the traditional clothing while holding purple beads in his left hand. He smiled at the traveling group: "What can I help you with, young travelers?"

Inuyasha snickered, leaning closer to the bald Shinigami: "Look, your brother."

"You stupid mutt!" a nerve twitched on Ikkaku's head, the last comment having broken his patience.

Kikyo's eyes narrowed down, already sensing the shard immediately at his arrival. She tightened her hold over her bow knowing that this was probably one of the Band of Seven in front of them. Meanwhile, Ichigo's eyes slowly glided to the corner after feeling a small hand lightly grasp his arm. Looking down, he noticed Kagome's worried look on her face as she looked at the monk.

His brown eyes returned to stare at the person who had greeted them: 'He…smells of graveyard soil or could I just be smelling Kikyou? Darn senses!'

"Ah, yes!" exclaimed Rangiku, coming in front of the group. "We needed a place to rest! These idiots behind me don't understand the hardship of a beautiful woman walking in the heat so if you could please let us rest for a few minutes?"

The monk smiled: "Why of course. I could not turn down young travelers seeking for shelter. Why not stay the night to rest. I will prepare dinner if you like?"

"We are not staying the night, thank you for your hospitality," glared Hitsugaya, annoyed that everyone around was ignoring the task in hand. "We are only resting for a few minutes."

"Aw, taichou!" whined Rangiku. "We can't turn down the monk's offer! That is rude, you know?"

"Please, allow me to introduce myself," smiled the bald monk. "My name is Renkotsu."

"Renkotsu-san, we will take you on your offer!" smiled Rangiku as she walked into the temple.

"Matsumoto!" anger flared out of Hitsugaya, already ready to scold the orange head dimwit. Miroku laughed, bowing at the monk before them: "Thank you again, Renkotsu-san."

"Oh, don't worry about it, just get the rest you need," he smiled at them.

The group walked forward, along with a grumbling captain behind. The last two were the demon and the miko. Kagome gave him a slight bow, her body filled with nervousness. Her eyes came up, seeing the smile glued on the monk's face.

"Rest while you can," he said innocently. "Who knows when your next resting place will be."

"H-Hai…," she replied. Ichigo waited a few feet away from her and walked forward as she caught up and united with the rest of the group. Renkotsu smirked, all of them ignoring his presence. He felt a small presence behind him: "Hm, seems like the little miko can sense it, Zenaku."

"Just don't ruin the plan," smirked the demon behind him, concealing his presence form the group inside. "Remember, the miko is mine."

"Both of them?"

"No, I have no need for Kikyou."

Renkotsu's eyes quickly went over to see Ichigo glaring at his person after he had sensed someone was behind the shoji screens. Renkotsu bowed at the orange head: "Is there a problem, young traveler."

"No…," he answered, his eyes still on the shoji screen door. "Nothing."

"Very well," Renkotsu bowed once more. "I will prepare dinner then."

The group sat around the spacious room the monk had designated them too. Rangiku gulped, feeling the intense glare she was receiving from her captain: "Aw, taichou, no need to be so gloomy about this! It is not everyday we could get fed like this…for free!"

"We are losing time!" he exclaimed out. "We have no time to play around, Matsumoto! There is no telling when Aizen and Naraku might leave for Hueco Mundo!"

"I don't think they will leave without Kagome," spoke Miroku. "If they are targeting her again, chances are that they will get her before they leave."

"I agree," nodded Renji. "But this is a pain not knowing what their next move is."

Kagome looked over her shoulder, seeing Kikyou sitting on the wooden floor with eyes closed and bow laying across in front of her. She sighed: 'Kikyou-sama said not to say anything to them but it is clear that the monk is playing us like fools. He has the shard behind his neck.' Her eyes went back to see the group bickering and laughing. 'I need to tell them!' Kagome opened her mouth but before any words could come out, she was surprised to see the monk coming out with a tray of ceramic tea cups.

"How about some tea?" he questioned with that smile of his.

The monk distributed the cups to each person, taking his time with each warm cup. Rukia took hers in her hands and bowed with a small thank you, she watched Kagome taking hers hesitantly, her fingers slowly wrapping around the ceramic cup. Something was up. Kagome was fine this morning and right now, her eyes alone were shaking. The monk gave Kagome one last smile, the only ones noticing, Rukia and Kikyou at the long stare Renkotsu had given her.

Kagome brought the cup to her lap, watching the reflection of her face on the liquid. Ripple after ripple came out from the tea. She sighed, catching Inuyasha's attention: "What's wrong, Kagome? You smell nothing but worry." Shippo skipped over, his head tilting to the side: "Are you okay, Kagome?"

"I-I'm fine…," she lied. "Just, I have been feeling uneasy."

"Don't be," smirked Ikkaku, already having finished his tea in one gulp. "We will know when danger is around and we will kick their assess!"

"Hai! Hai!" Rangiku drank her tea, soon bringing it down to her lap. "Don't get so cocky."

"If you are worried about them coming after you, don't worry. We are here," Ichigo gave her a hidden smile behind his bandages, knowing that Kagome could see the small gesture of his lips. Kagome nodded, not bothering to look up from her tea.

She brought the cup up to her lips, letting the warm liquid settle her nerves.

Renkotsu placed the tray down, smirking as he heard the conversation behind the doors: 'What a bunch of naïve people. They don't even know the enemy is right behind these doors.'

His eyes traveled to stare at the shadow in the kitchen, his presence once again hidden with expertise. He chuckled lowly under his breath: "I gave them their tea," he whispered lowly.

"You sure you gave her the right cup?" Zenaku's eyebrow crooked up.

"Don't mix me with them on their level of weak," glared Renkotsu. "I for sure gave the miko the cup. I specifically placed invisible powder that Mukotsu left behind. Once she drinks the tea she will feel tired and go to sleep. She will wake up in about hour after she does sleep."

"Hm," Zenaku closed his eyes, arms crossed, "you did good then."

"I don't need your praise," Renkotsu went over to check on the fish, annoyed with the fact that he actually had to cook dinner for these weaklings. "By night, the mikos will be tired and want sleep."

"That will be my signal," smirked Zenaku.

"What will you do with the others?"

"Hm," Zenaku's eyes went over to see the shadows behind the shoji screens, hearing laughter and voices on the other side, "they can't even sense their enemy from this distance. Don't worry, once Kagome is alone in her room, all I need is to get her fears higher."

"You are trying to get her more scared of you?" questioned Renkotsu, getting out the fish.

"Fear is what I love most and those eyes of hers deserve to be covered in nothing but fright," he smirked, showing his demon fangs and glowing red eyes. "I can't capture just yet…"

"Hm…"

Hearing the demon slayer's voice, Hisagi turned around, watching as Sango placed her cup down: "Something wrong, Sango?"

"Isn't it odd that one monk alone takes care of such a big temple?" she questioned. "Usually you would see at least five working here."

"Hm, that is true," Miroku placed his index finger and thumb under his chin, thinking over the logic on that. "It is odd that this monk is here all by himself."

"Maybe…the monks are out doing some praying or cleaning somewhere?" Rangiku suggested the idea out loud, laying down on the floor comfortably, looking out the open shoji screen seeing the sun ready to set.

"I doubt they would leave one monk alone here, Matsumoto," Ikkaku sweat dropped, watching the orange head girl laying down as if she were at home and drunk.

Kikyou grabbed her bow while still sitting on her spot: "I agree that a monk being left alone in a temple is unheard of but perhaps, he is taking care of it on his own?"

Kagome quickly turned her head, staring at the older miko: 'Is she really going to hide the fact that he is the enemy!?' Kagome opened her mouth again, but soon saw the death glare in Kikyou's eyes followed with a small shake from her. Ichigo and Inuyasha quickly noticed the glances the mikos were giving each other and knew that this was strange behavior. If anything, Kagome seemed to be asking or questioning something while the other miko looked strict and stable.

Ichigo spoke first in a whisper: "What is going on?"

"Huh?" blinked Kagome, turning around to face the demon.

"Oi!" glared Inuyasha, hearing a snarl behind. All eyes fell on the two men sharing glares towards each other. "Don't concern yourself with her. She has nothing to do with you and there is nothing you can do for her, Shinigami."

"And you can?" glared Ichigo.

"You are asking for it, Shinigami!" growled Inuyasha, standing up from his spot.

Ichigo was ready to rise but his attention was called elsewhere when he felt the same hand grabbing his wrist weakly. He blinked, surprised to see Kagome with closed eyes: "Are you feeling alright?"

"Kagome! I told you not to touch him!" shouted Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha…," glared Kagome.

Inuyasha gulped knowing what was coming. Ikkaku laughed, leaning close to Renji: "Here it comes."

"Sit."

Inuyasha was brought down, kissing the floor beneath him. His ears picked up the sounds of Ikkaku laughing along with the other Shinigami, except for the captain of course. Sango walked to her friend and knelt down in front of her: "Are you okay, Kagome-chan?"

"I…feel dizzy…," she replied tiredly. "Maybe body is still not use to having miko-ki and Espada ability all in one," she gave out a faint laugh.

Ichigo placed one knee on the floor, his eyes fixed on the miko in front: "Want to go lay down?"

"My, are you feeling alright, young one?"

All eyes were called out to the owner of the voice and were surprised to see the monk coming out with few trays of food. His eyes were focused on the Kagome, seeing her with eyes filled with tiredness: "You don't look so good, young one. Perhaps you would like a room to rest?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed down: 'What is he planning?' Her mind was beginning to blur along with her eyes: 'W-Why do I feel so sleepy…?'

"Kurosaki-san, maybe it is best we take her to a room," Sango looked at the demon in front, receiving a nod. Ichigo carried her body, quickly following the monk to an empty bedroom with a futon ready and laid on the floor.

Inuyasha growled out from the floor: "H-Hey! Don't you dare touch her-!"

Ikkaku smacked his head down with his weapon, giving him a smirk: "If you are that worried about her, I wouldn't fight, mutt."

Inuyasha gave one last growl: "You damn bastards!"

Ichigo laid an unconscious Kagome on the futon, covering her body from the cold of the night. Renkotsu stood behind them, a smirk hidden from them: "I hope she is alright."

"I am sure she is just tired," replied Ichigo. "She has been through…a lot."

"I see," he replied. "I will take my leave then to serve dinner to the rest of your companions."

Ichigo's hand came up to move a hair strand away from the miko's face: 'Kagome…if anything is troubling you…tell me. How can I protect you if I don't know what is going on in your heart or mind? Have faith in me…'

He stood up and closed the shoji screen door behind, knowing that Kagome just needed her rest. His nose soon picked up the scent of graveyard soil once again: 'Why is this smell everywhere? Could I be smelling Kikyou from this far?' He shook his head: 'No…I would be able to pick everyone's scent then.' His feet traced him back to his friends: 'Something is fishy…'

Red orbs accompanied a smirk in the shadows, watching the ex-Shinigami walking away with his dark long hair swaying away.

Brown eyes opened up slowly, blinking away the blur. She looked at the dark ceiling above her: 'W-Where…am I?' She sat up, looking at her lap being covered by a futon: 'Ah…that's right…I felt tired. I guess Inuyasha or Ichigo put me in this room.' Her eyes widened a bit: 'No! I have to warn them about Renkotsu!' She moved away the futon cover before she could stand.

"Had a nice rest?"

Her eyes expanded in size, fear clearly written on.

"I hope you did. I don't like to see my dear miko tired."

Her head slowly turned around with wide eyes to see a male standing in the shadows of the room, nothing but his red eyes glowing from the dark area. Her eyes shook, wanting to think it was all but a nightmare. She opened her mouth, ready to call out her friends, remembering her bow had stayed behind, but was found with her back fully on the futon with the demon over her body, his hand covering her mouth with a smirk.

"No, my precious miko. We wouldn't want anyone to interrupt would we?"

She shook her head: 'Z-Zenaku!?'

MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: And that is a wrap for this chapter! Please tell me what you think. Also, don't worry, Sesshomaru will appear and the other Shinigami will make their comeback, just please be patient! Thank you for reading!

Also, vote on my poll if you haven't yet! Only four more days!

Ja~ne!