Inuyasha was awoken the next morning not only to the sun coming up but also to Kagome and Sango freaking out. He sat up slowly groaning.
"What? Why are you yelling so early in the morning?" He yelled in a grumpy voice. The girls stopped and Kagome ran over to him.
"Anya's gone, we can't find her anywhere!" Inuyasha looked around surprised. She hadn't come back yet. It wasn't necessarily something to be worried about. She may have chosen to stay with Sesshomaru, but he thought she would have said good bye first. He'd have to go and find her. He stood up sighing. Sango gasped and Kagome turned.
"Anya?!"
Anya walked out of the tree line next to Sesshomaru. When she had woken in his arms she had remember last night. She had been blushing ever since. She was embarrassed that she had given in so fast and easily, but thankful that he had not allowed it to go too far. When she stirred Sesshomaru had gently let go of her and stood, he handed her clothes to her and looked away while she dressed trying to give her some personal space. Then without saying a word he had begun walking her back to the group. She had known that they would be worried when they woke to see that she was not there, and they would be shocked to see her come into the camp with Sesshomaru. But somehow she didn't really care at the moment. She was content to walk quietly beside him and not think about anything except his presence next to her. When they reached the camp the group stood quietly, waiting to find out what was going on. Anya bit her bottom lip nervous. She wanted to stay with Sesshomaru, but she didn't want to leave her friends either, and did she still want to go home? She wasn't sure, heck, she wasn't even sure she would be able to go home. So she wasn't sure what to say now that they were all looking at her. Sesshomaru however had considered carefully what he wished to say once he took his female back to his Halfling brother.
"She is mine. However, she is to travel with you. It is….safer." He said stoically. Everyone turned to him surprised. Anya felt….to many emotions, he had claimed her, which was great, and a little weird, she was a person and not an object, but at the same time it felt good to be claimed but a big strong sexy guy that she really liked. However he was leaving her behind, she felt her stomach drop at that, would she still get to see him as often?
Inuyasha smirked. Not only had his arrogant brother claimed a human as his mate, although not fully yet he could tell, but he was also leaving her with Inuyasha for protection. He couldn't let the opportunity pass.
"So…you're mating a human…interesting."
"…..Silence" Said Sesshomaru slightly irritated. He simply wanted Inuyasha to agree and then he could see to his duties.
"You know…if you fully mate her, and have pups, they'll be a lot like me."
"….." Sesshomaru growled slightly, he didn't plan on giving the human pups.
"So you know, you'll be the father of half breeds, just like dad." Inuyasha egged him on, enjoying the irony.
"Inuyasha, I don't think this is the time…" warned Kagome softly, she was worried about Inuyasha pushing Sesshomaru too far, and what if he hurt Anya's feelings. This was weird enough she thought.
"You will not have to concern yourself with that situation; I never plan on allowing her to bear my young. So that will not happen. It is also why she will be traveling with you." Sesshomaru said coldly. Anya felt like her heart stopped and her face froze she looked down at the ground, not wanting anyone to look at her right then. She felt humiliated, while she was much younger then Sesshomaru she had let herself think about their future together, married, living happily and perhaps after a few years having children together. Sesshomaru however would never agree to it however. He thought of her as less, despite their night together, he didn't consider her worthy to be his wife, just his play thing. Anya was devastated, but determined to stay calm, she would not cry here, in front of everyone. This was already bad enough.
Inuyasha grew serious, if he didn't want her as a true mate then why was he stringing her along? He looked his brother in the eye and realized for the first time that Sesshomaru was terrified of becoming their father. It wasn't something Inuyasha wanted to tease him about, it was about being weak, and Inuyasha understood that perfectly. He nodded.
"She will be safe with us. Besides, Kagome would hate it if she wasn't traveling with us anymore." He said casually. Kagome nodded quickly. Sesshomaru gave a curt nod and glanced down at Anya, he could tell something had changed with her, but he could do nothing about it now. She wouldn't look up at him so he turned and vanished into the trees. The group stood awkwardly for a moment before Inuyasha clapped his hands together and stretched.
"Well, we should get packed and get back on the road. More jewel shards to find. Let's move out." They dispersed to get their things and Anya was glad, she was in no mood to discuss anything at that moment, she only wished to be alone, but since she could hide in her closet she packed her things, a pillow and blanket provided to her from a very nice villager, and followed the group down the road to the next adventure.