Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns all of the rights to Inuyasha. But I've been saving up in case she decides to sell them! *Shakes piggy bank*

Thanks so much for your support it really means the world to me!

Since I took so long to post a new chapter before I've decided to go ahead and post chapter 4 now as a thank you for your patience. Next update will probably be next weekend, but in the meantime I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

My peaceful sleep was rudely interrupted by eye searing sunlight, and a rude hanyou. "Mmm, Inuyasha sit!"

My mood is considerably lightened by the sound of Inuyasha's dirt muffled curses. Finally feeling brave enough to face the day, I flip back the cover of my sleeping bag and come face to face with Sesshomaru. Memories of the night before flood my mind, and I can feel my face heat up in embarrassment.

Well if he didn't think I was insane before he probably does now. Nice job Kagome, way to prove to the human-hating, (with one exception) youkai, that humans are reliable, ugh! I couldn't help it though, for those few moments in the moonlight talking with the inu Lord the weight just seemed to lift off my shoulders and I felt like I could fly! I didn't even feel the tugging on my soul that usually accompanies Kikyo's nearness anymore!

So naturally, instead of calmly basking in the feeling, I make a fool out of myself! Maybe the whole lunar madness thing is true, and I can blame my insanity on the moon? Or better yet it was all a dream, I mean there's no way the stoic youkai would ask me to help him find a mate, right?

I chance another look at him, only to find that he's looking back at me, with his eyebrow raised and what looks like mocking amusement in his eyes. Darn, it all really happened! Maybe after Yasha crawls out of his hole, I can jump in and bury myself!

What's worse if everything I remember actually happened, then I agreed to meet him again tonight to discuss the 'courting rituals' of my time. Oh yeah, I'm doomed.

"Damn it all Kagome, what the hell was that for!"

Could someone remind me why I fell in love with him again? No? Well then since my brain cells are ignoring me today... "THAT, Inuyasha was because there are nicer ways of waking someone up than kicking them and yelling, 'Oi wench, get yer lazy ass up!'" My impersonation of his voice earns me giggles from Shippo, Rin, and Sango; and a laugh turned cough from Miroku.

"Keh whatever, just hurry it up and make breakfast, I'm starvin!" Though the words are still rude, I decide to let it go in light of the blush currently spread across his face.

Laughing, I stand up and rise up on my toes, stretching my arms above my head extending my stiff muscles. Suddenly, something that feels suspiciously like my sleeping bag wraps around my body. I look down to see two red clad arms, with hands tipped in claws, covering my waist and pinning the sleeping bag closed. I then notice that my back is leaning against a firm chest and that there's wild silver-white hair brushing my cheek. I can feel myself blush as my heart starts to pound in my chest. Unfortunately, a rough and unusually high-pitched voice screeching in my ear ruins the moment. "Y-you! You were...I saw...Bastard!" Well that was informative, not!

"Inuyasha, what is your problem?!" I manage to tilt my head back enough to see his wide accusing eyes. I follow his line of sight to see Sesshomaru still propped against his tree, with his eyes now closed.

"MY PROBLEM, My problem is that dirty peeping tom!" Before I can ask what Miroku has to do with this, he continues. "I caught him leering at you, isn't that right you hentai inu?! Say something you bastard!

"Wait, wait, wait, hold it right there! You're saying you think you saw SESSHOMARU checking me out?" Yeah right, like that would happen!

"YES wench! Are you stupid, what the hell else have I been saying! He watched you stretch, while your clothes rode up, and leered at you!"

Okay that's it! I elbow the moron sharply in the ribs, and when his arms loosen from around me I whirl around to face him, as the sleeping bag falls unnoticed to the ground at my feet. "Sit! Sit! SIT! I'm stupid? You're the one that thinks SESSHOMARU of all people, was scoping out my body for Kami's sake, you idiot!"

From behind me comes the irritating, and completely unwelcome voice of Jaken. "That's right! There's no way my great and powerful Lord Sesshomaru would taint his eyes with the sight of a body belonging to a common, filthy human whor-"

Before he can finish his assault on my character, I turn my head away from the still twitching form of Inuyasha, to glare over my shoulder with eyes narrowed, at the stupid imp. "Finish that sentence you slimy, disgusting toad, I dare you!"

Apparently sensing his imminent dismemberment at my hands, the ugly little jerk squeaks and runs behind Ah-Un, who immediately moves away. Realizing that he's out in the open, he panics and starts running around, yelling for Sesshomaru to help him. Out of nowhere comes a pebble sailing through the air before smacking the obnoxious little imp right in the center of his forehead.

I glance up from the thankfully now unconscious toad, to see Sesshomaru standing near the Inuyasha shaped crater. Shooting him a smile of gratitude for his timely projectile, I then resume glaring at Inuyasha as he climbs out of the ground.

"You are mistaken dear brother; I was not 'leering' at the miko. I merely turned my head in her direction at an inopportune moment, nothing more. Perhaps you are so fatigued from your all night PATROL that you are imagining things."

I can't help the derisive snort that escapes me at the Western Lord's emphasis on the word patrol. I interrupt the idiot, now sputtering in apoplectic rage before he can start another fight with his brother. "See Inuyasha, it was just a misunderstanding, so stop making a fuss and let it go!"

He breaks his angry staring contest with Sesshomaru, to look at me. "Look wench, I can't believe he'd want to ogle you either but-"

"Sit, Sit, Sit, Sit, SIT!"

He just had to say it like that didn't he?! Like it's a complete mystery why anyone would want to look at my body! Like I'm completely undesirable or something!

I grab my bag and my bow, and stalk off toward the small stream near camp, but just before I leave ear-shot, I hear the children giggling and Miroku saying to Inuyasha, "Perhaps it would be wise if you were more careful how you phrase things in the future, my friend, otherwise you may be misunderstood."

I splash the cool water of the stream on my face, as my anger calms. Sighing, at the hurt that still remains, I pull the empty water containers from my bag in order to fill them, I might as well be productive while I sulk. So much for last night's moonlit peace, the day has only started and it sucks already! I want to go back to bed!

~...~...~..~...~...~..~

I am relieved to see the end of this wretched day. Being caught staring at the miko's body by my half-wit, half-brother this morning was only the beginning.

Despite avoiding detection from the miko herself, I had to endure Inuyasha's insufferable surveillance throughout the day. Normally this would have been a minor annoyance at best, but after watching the miko dance the previous night I find my eyes continually drawn to her.

While I did not lie earlier when I said it was a mere coincidence that I was looking at her while she stretched and revealed that tantalizing look at previously concealed skin; my eyes remaining there was much less innocent in nature.

I despise this newly acquired weakness enough as it is, allowing that whelp to find out about it would be intolerable. His suspicion has assuredly been raised by what he saw earlier, I cannot let him catch me looking at the miko again.

This would be no problem if I could keep my accursed eyes to myself, but as things stand now I'll end up confirming the hanyou's earlier accusations in no time.

I can still hear the words he spoke after the miko stormed off this morning, "Listen asshole, she may believe your bullshit answer, but I know what I saw. Just remember to keep your eyes and your hands to yourself, or else. I'll be watching, you bastard!"

His audacity apparently knows no bounds. If it had not been for my vow not to start a fight with the wretch preventing me, I would have cut him down for his insolence.

He might be the miko's protector on the battlefield, but he has no right to lay claim to her body, and who may, or may not look at it. A point that she had seemed only too happy to reinforce, as the fool was subdued more times than I can count for his supposed rampant paranoia; that at least was an enjoyable part of this torturous day.

I was not even offered a substantial challenge by the shikon wielding youkai that attacked us today. A decent fight would have gone a long way toward improving my mood; unfortunately even with the jewel's power they were merely weaklings. They did not even warrant the use of my poison whip, let alone my Bakusaiga.

The miko however seemed troubled about something after the battle. I shall have to ask her about that, when she arrives here for our meeting.

I left camp shortly after Rin fell asleep, no longer able to endure Inuyasha's watchfulness and the monk's speculative glances. I fear the hentai monk may have decided to observe me today as well. If that is the case he most likely saw me glance in the miko's direction, when I was able to dodge Inuyasha's notice. Hn, I shall have to threaten his manhood should he voice his observations to anyone. Satisfied with this course of action, I settle in to wait for the miko's arrival.

Only a few moments pass before I hear her approaching. "Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had to wait for Yasha to fall asleep before I could sneak away."

Hearing her refer to the hanyou so informally bothers me for reasons I refuse to examine. "Hn, now tell me how your people go about courting a desired female miko."

We had spoken a bit about her home after she had exhausted herself last eve, and I find myself curious about the traditions and customs in the future. However it is unfortunate, that this clearing has so much tree cover, it seems I will be unable to play audience to another one of the miko's performances tonight; a true pity.

"Um, well they have similarities to the courting rites here, but things like status, money, and parental consent aren't guarantees of a successful suit in my time."

"Oh, and what would guarantee a match then?" She turns to me with a bittersweet smile.

"Generally love is the most important factor for a relationship in my time." Love, her people place such a high value on something as intangible and inconstant as love?

"Is that what you desire most in a mate as well, miko?" She looks away again, nodding.

"Yes. In my time women have the same rights and opportunities as men. That means I can support myself financially should I choose to, and I've never really cared all that much about status. Of course I'd like my family to approve of the man I choose, but if I truly loved him, even their disapproval wouldn't stop me from living my life by his side. Don't you want to find love as well Lord Sesshomaru?"

"I have never experienced what humans refer to as love. In truth I have never seen any true instance of romantic love in all my long life. I have heard it described as undying and unconditional, and yet I have only ever seen examples of the opposite. Youkai females desire only for a male to have strength and the ability to provide for she and her offspring. The female youkai of high-ranking usually desire the same, in addition to wealth and influence in their males."

The miko sighs as she turns her face up to the barely visible sky above us. "Well you certainly have all of those things covered. I envy you your strength the most I think. Until I met you I never knew killing could be made into something beautiful, you make it look effortless. I wish I had strength and skill like that. I always feel as though I'm only a liability to my friends on the battlefield. As for never knowing love, while it makes me sad to hear that, I think I might envy you that too. Loving someone when they can't or don't love you in return, is unimaginably painful."

I watch as her fists clench in the grass at her sides. "You speak of the hanyou, do you not?" And pray Kami why does that disturb me so?!

"Yeah, he's broken and bruised my heart so many times that I'm not even sure why I still love him. At the same time I can't bring myself to hate him either. I don't even hate Kikyo for that matter, though I can't help but to envy her. They deserve happiness and the chance to finally be together that they were denied. I truly believe that, and yet there's this selfish part of me that keeps saying, 'don't you deserve happiness too?' I know that one day soon I'll have to choose to either let go of my feelings once and for all, or to keep on hoping until it destroys me. Sorry, I know you didn't want to hear all that."

She is correct, I did not. Hearing of her feelings for the whelp creates all of these unwanted emotions within me that I cannot put names to. It makes no sense! I had believed she was his woman at one time, so this comes as no surprise. Yet, hearing from her own lips that she cares so deeply for him, causes a foreign tightness inside my chest.

For both of our sakes, I believe it would be best to change the subject of conversation.

"Miko, tell me, why do you not simply stay in your own time? From what you have told me it is safer for you there, and yet you continue to come here; is it for the sake of my foolish brother?"

"No, that's not it at all; when I first decided to keep coming back here Inuyasha and I weren't even friends yet. I carried the jewel inside my body all my life; and I was also the one who broke it. I'm its guardian and it is my responsibility to put it back together and find some way to purify it completely."

She has such a sense of duty and honor, how rare in a human. It is also a relief to me that the fool is not her reason for being here. "I see. I noticed something was bothering you today after the battle, what was it?"

She turns her eyes to meet mine, and I can see I have startled her. "I didn't think anyone noticed!" When I say nothing and merely wait for her explanation, she clears her throat and looks down at the vial of shards she now holds in her hand.

"The shards that came out of those youkai today were completely tainted. I've only ever seen that in the shards that Naraku possesses, but I didn't sense him nearby, and I couldn't detect his aura from those youkai today. It makes me nervous."

"Hn, the kumo may be planning something. We must be more vigilant from now on. You should return to camp and rest, I am sure the hanyou will give you another rude awakening in the morning."

I smirk at the unintelligible grumbling coming from the miko as she walks back toward camp, inordinately pleased when she spares me a backwards wave as she goes.

~...~...~..~...~...~..~

A week later we wake in the morning to find Inuyasha is missing. I'm not worried though, I saw a soul collector last night, so I'm pretty sure I know where he is. Well who he's with anyway.

After a short discussion we decide to pack up camp and continue on our way, if we didn't I know that jerk would throw a fit about losing time and blah, blah, blah; as if he has a right to complain!

It's near noon when I feel it, the sickly, oppressive aura of Naraku, and the dull throb of tainted jewel shards. I see Sesshomaru stop abruptly just as I open my mouth to call out a warning. However, before a sound even leaves my throat, we're scattered in all directions by Kagura's dance of blades.

Ah-Un takes to the sky with the children and Jaken, while Sango quickly jumps on a now transformed Kirara's back. Sesshomaru and Miroku are fighting Kagura, trying to distract her long enough for Ah-Un to get away.

I see Sango un-strap Hiraikotsu from her back, launching an attack at the wind sorceress as well. I wait, bow drawn and ready, still scanning our surroundings.

I know Kagura's wasn't the only aura I sensed. Where is he? Suddenly I feel the ground under my feet begin to quake, shouting a warning I drop my stance and begin running toward Sango's position, hoping to be able to get on Kirara's back and get off the ground.

I'm almost there when the ground in front of me heaves, and something explodes out of it. Dodging out of the way I search franticly for Sango and Kirara, praying they're okay, only to watch in horror as tentacles dripping with miasma wrap around the fire neko's legs, and torso, lifting both she and her rider into the air.

Rising up from the ground behind them, I finally see the owner of the tentacles. As expected the second aura I sensed belongs to another one of Naraku's puppets, but this one is huge! It also has two jewel shards.

I hear Miroku behind me screaming Sango's name, and turn to see him running toward us. He's too far away though; I can already see the miasma eating into both Kirara's and Sango's flesh. Kagura is keeping Sesshomaru pinned down. I have no other choice but to try to take this thing down myself.

I clear my mind and drown out the sounds of my friends' agonized screams. I watch the tentacles move for a moment looking for some kind of pattern in their movements. Taking an arrow from my quiver and gripping my bow tightly, I say a quick prayer, and send a curse at Inuyasha for not being here when we needed him, and take off running toward the puppet of Naraku.

I manage to dodge most of the tentacles that are flying at me, and block the rest with small barriers of reiki. When I'm almost at my goal I hear Miroku yell out my name. "Kagome, watch out behind you!"

I try to dive out-of-the-way, but I'm too slow. I cry out in pain as I feel one of the tentacles lash against my back, gouging a trench in my skin. I feel blood flow down my back in a steady stream, as I impale the tentacle that injured me with the arrow in my hand. Watching it dissolve, as I get back on my feet.

Seeing that my path is temporarily clear, I pull another arrow from my quiver, and ignoring the pain in my back I take off running again.

Dropping to my knees at a dead run, I slide toward the sick marionette that's hovering a few feet off the ground. Gritting my teeth as I feel the wound in my back rip further, I knock my arrow and draw the bow, bending backwards as I begin to slide between the ground and the knock-off Naraku.

Now directly underneath it, I release the reiki charged arrow and watch as it hits and begins to purify the imposter. Kirara now free is able to catch the unconscious Sango and land safely on the ground, in front of Miroku, before collapsing and reverting to her smaller form.

I rise from the ground, fighting back the resulting nausea and dizziness that accompany my movements. My eyes are drawn to the place where I last saw Sesshomaru, only to see Kagura in the distance, flying off.

I turn my head trying to find the inu Lord, finally spotting him near Sango and the others. I catch his stare and I'm surprised to see worry and pride in his eyes as he looks at me. I offer him a small smile and begin to move toward him, but stop in my tracks when I hear mocking laughter behind me.

"Well done Kagome, but I'm afraid it's not over yet."

~...~...~..~...~...~..~

The smell of the miko's blood in the air is making it difficult to concentrate, as my baser self clamors within me. I want to go to her and check the wound, but she remains conscious so I decide to assess the slayer and fire neko's well-being first.

I must confess that I was impressed with the miko's strength and courage. Her capability came as a surprise, I had thought her only capable of being guarded by those around her, but it seems I was quite mistaken.

I see her smile and proceed to walk toward me, only to halt suddenly. I freeze as the hated voice of Naraku reaches my ears as he suddenly materializes behind the miko. How could I not have sensed him?

"Well done Kagome, but I'm afraid it's not over yet."

The miko swiftly turns toward Naraku, and I am finally able to see the extent of her injury. The wound is deep and she is losing blood in a steady stream, if it is not tended to soon she may die.

My thoughts are confirmed; as I watch her knees wobble, before she is able to draw herself up and regain her balance as faces the kumo. I move to go toward the two combatants, but freeze as I see what he's holding.

How is this possible?! I saw Ah-Un take them to safety! So how in all the seven hells does this kumo bastard have them in his clutches? Is it merely an illusion? No, this is definitely Rin's scent, I would know it anywhere! The kit's is the same as well. I am profoundly relieved to detect no trace of death in their scent, so it would seem they are merely unconscious, but if I were make any sudden move toward them...Kami, damn it all!

"I believe that these belong to you, but if you want them returned unharmed you'll have to come and take them from me." So saying a barrier encompasses him.

I watch the miko's hand flex around her bow, and her aura flares as the steely light of determination glows in her eyes, I know what she intends to do, but before I can lunge and grab her arm to prevent it she steps inside the barrier.

My cry of "Miko," joins the monk's desperate plea of, "Lady Kagome, don't!" as I slash uselessly at the barrier.

Without Tetsusaiga's ability to break through the barrier, I can only watch as the miko takes a few more steps toward Naraku and the children, before collapsing to the ground at the filthy hanyou's feet, too weak to move.

"That's right bitch, take your proper place on your knees!"

Enraged, I can feel myself beginning to take my full inuyoukai form, and then I see the miko's lips moving, and calm myself enough to listen to her. At first there is no sound, but slowly I begin to hear a building whisper.

"Kami help me, please give me strength; please help me save them, GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO SAVE THEM!"

Her voice and reiki seemed to build with each word, until finally she was screaming, and her reiki flared out in a brilliant wave. The barrier shattered, and her purifying aura spread in all directions. I stiffened as it brushed against me, but I felt no pain only gentle, effervescent warmth against my skin.

When the light fades, I see the miko once again on her feet with the sleeping children wrapped safely in her arms, the remains of a hair-bound, puppet crumbling at her feet, along with five more shards of the shikon. I rush foward, and when I reach her side she looks at me with a dazzling smile before promptly passing out. I lift she and the children into my arms just as I hear a twin roar in the distance.

Moments later a battle damaged Ah-Un lands in front of me carrying an unconscious Jaken on his back. Shoving the useless imp out-of-the-way I place the miko, Rin, and the kit in his place.

By this time the monk, and now conscious slayer, and fire neko are at my side checking on the children and their fallen and severely injured miko friend.

I notice that the wounds the slayer and neko suffered have completely healed, most likely due to the miko's reiki. I can't help but sigh at her foolishness; she heals her friends and not herself; foolish indeed, but noble.

On the way to Edo I keep pace with Ah-Un on my youki cloud, while studying the miko. Since I began traveling with this little human and her pack, I have come to realize that strength is not merely a physical thing. I have seen many different types of strength displayed in this short time, and this small woman contains them all within her fragile body.

The strength it takes to smile brightly while your heart breaks.

The strength it takes to put another's happiness above your own.

The strength it takes to fight, not for your own agenda or conquest, but for those you love.

The strength it takes to be willing to sacrifice your own life for someone else's.

I hear a long ago echo of my father's voice ring out inside my mind, "Do you have something to protect, Sesshomaru?"

TBC

~...~...~..~...~...~..~

Strength:

Kagome: Pass

Sesshomaru: Pass

~...~...~..~...~...~..~

Thanks for reading!