I don't own Inuyasha - I wish...

Chapter 9

Reward or punishment?...

A loud piercing sound hit my ears causing me to fall to my knees painfully it reverberate in my head even after it had stopped. It hit me hard trying to shake it out of my head I faintly hear my name being called by the softest most beautiful voice I ever had the honor to hear . Looking up eyes searching for the woman who made my inner demon purr with her presence alone he did so now rumbling his appreciation a the site of her petite form lovely curves hidden from my gaze was enough to make my fingers itched to touch her smooth skin of her thighs and rip off her clothing and reveal those lush curves to my tongue and teeth. My inner demon growled his approval at the idea of taking the woman that belonged to us i pushed him down back into his cage trying to calm him. She called my name again I looked back up this time looking up into her swirling blue eyes immediately drowning in them with their concern and warmth. I rose from my position standing over her making her look up at me I stared into her eyes hands itching to hold her. A sudden inspiration hit me I bowed to her holding one clawed hand out as i did addressing her formally I was going to treat her aloofly make her question my actions and teach her to not leave without me again.

"My lady Miko I am here to escort you and your brother home." She placed her hand in mine i swiftly tucked it in the crook of my arm turning in the direction of Sota's school without a word I walked faster then a human could she was having trouble keeping up with me.

"Sesshomaru please slow down a bit I can't go that fast. Please what happened why are you acting like this what's going on?" She questioned unaware of what she did I didn't dignify her wit a response just scoped her off her feet and ran the rest of the distance we got there just as the piercing sound I heard at Kagome's school rang out. Children came flowing out older kids by themselves or in groups younger kids ran to relatives. Sota walked out with a group of what I assumed were his friends he turned in my general direction and screamed running up to me i knelt with a smile letting Him launch himself at me.

"Sessho-niisan you came to get me."

"Told you I would you doubt my word Sota-ototochan?" I laughed slinging the boy over my shoulder he giggled happily turned with him in arm ignoring the Miko whose mouth was hanging open and started walking to the shrine.

"Never Sessho-niisan I knew you'd come I am just happy to see you. hey Sessho-niisan?" The boy asked tone turning serious.

"Hn what?" I replied

"Would you teach me to defend myself?" I looked at the boy over my shoulder analyzing his sincerity before I could answer him Kagome piped up.

"Are you being picked on again Sota? Is that why you have a bruise on your arm I know Sesshomaru didn't leave it on you he has control over his strength!" She yelled the boy hung his head not looking at her.

"Onna this is a man's conversation, Ototo-chan asked me a question not you." I practically barked at her I half expected her to shoot me another witty remark oddly enough she kept quiet a puzzled look on her face. "What makes you ask such a thing Sota-ototochan. explain this to nii-san." I asked the boy he straighten himself from over my shoulder to look at me.

"About a few months ago a new kid transferred to our school he started to pick on my best friend when I stood up to him he hit me and began to pick on me from that day foreword he is always careful where he hits me and makes sure there are no witnesses to it he covers his tracks well makes sure he has an alibi and everything every time he hits me or bully's me the teachers can't do anything because there isn't proof its him they know he's doing it but they can't prove it. I'm sick of being his punching bag at least is i was able to defend my self i wouldn't have to worry mom, grandpa, and nee-chan anymore they have been wanting to transfer me to another school but that's running away I don't want to be a chicken. I want to be strong and brave like you and Inu-niichan. I want to be able to stand up and take care of myself I can't rely on anyone to look out for me at school I have to be able to do it myself" The boy replied.

"Hn I see I'm proud of you boy having the courage to look out for your friends no matter how much or how little power you have you stepped up and dealt with it your in your own way. What surprises me is that you didn't ask my half-brother or your sister for help when the initial incident happened and why ask me." I asked curious as to why the boy hadn't gone to hanyou for help the boy obviously adored my foolish brother.

" Inu-niichan told me one time 'that strength is something we have to find ourselves and learn to harness and control alone that is were true strength comes from' I thought that if i would have asked him he would hate me for not finding it on my own. I thought you would understand better your older and your stronger then Inu-niichan. And nee-chan is so busy when she comes and tired I didn't want to add to her burden. She did what she could helping me to avoid the worst of the blows " The boy sighed leaning into me trying to gain some strength from my presence I held the boy close patting him.

"Hn I will teach you but be warned Sota-ototchan I am a hard teacher and will expect nothing less then all effort towards learning. I am teaching you for your benefit not mine I will not tolerate idleness when training. Understand?" I asked making my tone not open for argument.

"Understood Sessho-oniisan! I will do my best." He replied happily i glanced at the miko trailing us she had a confused look on her face clearly knowing that i was harsh on her for a reason. Good I thought in approval it will bug her until she figures it out then she'll be quick to apologize i laughed inwardly relishing the thought of how she was going to make it up to me. My youkai purred at the thoughts streaming thru my head Yes i determined this was gonna be fun. With that and a evil smirk on my lips I walked forward slightly faster then before making the girl practically run to keep up. I ignored her protests and calls to wait all the way back to the house there i set the boy down. She swept in anger radiating off of her. Yes wouldn't be long now keep busy with the boy for a hour or so and she come looking for me. I licked my lips in anticipation turned to the boy and set to work teaching him.

****************************************************************************************the following is in Kagome's pov***************************** ************************************************************************

Flying into the house slamming the door in the bastard's face I stomped up to my room cursing in my head. What the hell is going on with him why was he treating so cold. I didn't do anything to him to warrant it. He was irritated at something stupid pig headed alpha male he was so fucking irritating she wished she could purify him to leave nothing but a pile of demon ash would serve him rite. Grabbing my literature text book trying to concentrate on poetry. Still cursing but managing to complete all my homework i sighed packing everything up and sliding it back in my backpack. Stretching and thinking to myself only another half year of school then I'd be free of High school and I couldn't wait. Soon she'd be able to live permanently in the feudal era. Walking over to my dresser I slid out a change of clothes suddenly remembering the shirt i bought Sesshomaru yesterday and retrieved it from the bag it was in and hid it away in my closet for now. I changed and headed down into the kitchen to help my mom upon entering sensing my mood immediately she asked back turned still cooking dinner.

"So what has you so upset?"

"Him he's acting like I did something to upset him? I don't know what's with him. Everything was great yesterday I went to school he was distant picked me up then after we got Sota he yelled at me when i was asking Sota about his school problem." I explained telling her the details.

"Hmm while I see his point you interrupting Sota"s and his conversation they were having i don't see why he's giving you the cold shoulder. And you not recalling what you did to irritate him." she mused

"No everything was normal i woke up early even turned off my alarm clock before it went off so it wouldn't wake him. Changed and left after breakfast i didn't do anything bad to him at all."I explained exasperated my mother stood their thinking with me.

"Maybe that's it Kagome the fact that you didn't wake him to see you safe you said so your self a long time ago Inu-youkai are extremely protective of their pack maybe you hurt his Inu-youkai pride by not giving him a chance to look out for you. Is that not why he came here to look after you it's his job as alpha male of the pack is it not." My mother's words struck a cord in me it dawned on me on why he was so different today I had hurt his pride. My mother was absolutely correct He was mad that I left without him this morning it hurt his pride when he found me gone and had no idea where i was so he had to find me himself to try to save face. He was under the impression that i had gone out of my way to by pass his authority as alpha male and left without protection in an unknown place. I gaped at the thought trying hard not to smile and failing he was to sweet wanting to do everything possible to ensure my well being it also made me feel like a jerk for my previous insults to his person. I looked up to my mother seeing the look of sympathy on her face she knew she was rite I knew she was rite but what was I going to do about it I didn't know Inu youkai traditions and practices I had no clue how to apologize to him.

"Dang what am I gonna do I have no idea how to make it up to him." I stated to my mother

"Well sweetie there are a bunch of books in this shrine all of them about demons. Why don't you start there and if all else fails he's a dog I'm fairly sure dog packs are like wolf packs just bare your neck or belly to him." She laughed continuing her preparations for dinner. I pondered her words rising from my seat at the table mite as well look at the books mite at least give me a starting point I walked to the entryway and sliding my shoes and a lite jacket on. I walked out into the self defense lesson from my past experience training with Sango, Sota was learning fast which impressed the demon teaching him his form perfect moveing gracefully for a boy starting to go threw puberty he wasn't at war with his changing body like most boys his age he also retained his personality and sweetness. Looking up at the Demon lord teaching him with admiration and growing love. I smiled at the site Sesshomaru ever patient with the boy slowly helping him get use to the moves occasionally moving the boys arm or hand into a different place slowly showing him how to block and move quickly aside. The demon lord attentive to his student so wrapped up in the lesson or I mused still ignoring me didn't acknowledge my presence. My brother did squealing with pride and boyish excitement.

"Look nee-chan watch me" I smiled catching his laughter and enjoying his enthusiasm.

"I see your doing great you have always been a quick learner and with a teacher like Sesshomaru you'll be able to beat nee-chan in no time." I laughed smiling at them turned when Sota's worried voice called to me again.

"Nee-chan were are you going alone?" I turned around to smile at him once more.

"I'm just going to the storage shed to look for something for mom Its not like I haven't been there a thousand times besides Sota I'm home were not in the feudal era there are not as many dangers here sweetie you know that here is someone attacks me i have a fighting chance i'm fairly good at hand to hand now. Only thing I have to fear is for my little brother neh?" I blew him an air kiss and walked away hearing the giggle from the boy then a swish of fabric as they continued their lesson. I stepped into the store house sneezing at the dust and began to rummage in the boxes and chests man jii-chan had a lot of demon crap. Reading the books covers so far none about youkai society just killing and purifying and mythology's found lots of Tanto knifes and a few small kaiken blades a few kimono I didn't even know we had Which i was going to take in the house so they didn't get ruined. I sent the next hour searching the stupid store house for something anything i could use any book that would give me even the slightest clue. After two hours with no clues i was forced to abandon my fruitless search picking up the kimono boxes I left the dusty store house. Noticing the sun slinking down to the other side of the world I stood watching its progress seeing the colors the sky turned as the firey orb made its decent. I sighed and made my way into the house calling out as i entered.

"Mom I couldn't find it out there but I did find some kimono's that i have never seen before they are beautiful. A little old fashioned but beautiful I didn't want them to get ruined so i brought them in ." I said carrying them in to the kitchen she gave a small gasp at the boxes and started crying. At the smell of and sound of a woman crying Sesshomaru came rushing in the room seeing no blood he relaxed his posture.

"Mom what's wrong?" I asked worried she sniffled trying to regain composure as she slid the first box open a magenta kimono with white sakura on it laid in it she pulled the fabric out slowly rubbing the cotton across her cheek.

"These were mine your father bought them for me as a wedding gift." She replied still rubbing recalling something i reached to the other boxes opened both finding the one I had suddenly remembered. It was a beautiful bluish black with silver cranes. It was my favorite dad would let me touch it occasionally when mom wasn't home I held the fabric to my nose smelling the slightly faded sent of my dad's cologne falling to the floor I joined my mother in tears with a mumbled daddy. I sat rocking slightly clutching the kimono crying trying to comfort my self.

'' I'm sorry momma I forgot about them when i saw them in the store room I didn't think i just brought them in." I said raising my face tears streaming down my face. A whimper came from the demon standing near my mother forgetting he was mad at me he walked over to me picked me up off the floor kimono draping in my arms to the floor and held me my nose to his neck i pressed myself to him whimpering softly he growled low in his chest trying to comfort me.

"Its ok Kagome it was time for them to go with you anyway." My mother said voice watery I turned from the demon to my mother seeing something in the depths of her eyes i did my best to not laugh i succeeded in passing it off as a sigh. Nodding at her marveling in her brilliance and acting the woman could cry on command for results she wanted. unable to look any longer knowing that if I did I give us up shaking slightly keeping my aura sad i turned back into the chest of the demon who shifted slightly so he could easily cradle me in one hand and run his claws threw my hair i curled into him arms around his neck pressing close. I loved being in this man's arm's it was a place of security and love and all things Sesshomaru. His smell deep like the forests even with the cotton smell dominating his natural sent was intoxicating, His strength keeping me safely to him holding all evil at bay comforting and tender much like the man himself. He may have been a demon but a demon who was a perfect example of what a man should be strong loving in his own way patient intuitive reliable in short worthy of affection. Damn Kagome quit gushing your making your self sick I reprimanded myself. I decided i had monopolized the demon long enough I let myself slowly calm and sat up to look up into the gold eyes that were filled with concern and longing I placed a hand on his cheek swiping the spot his magenta strips should sit and smiled brightly up at him.

"I'm sorry for being weepy thanks for lending me the shoulder." I whispered knowing he'd hear it he set me on my feet but didn't let go he held me as close as he could claws still running threw my hair sweeping it behind me i relaxed and allowed him to continue. Suddenly recalling the kimono in my hands i pulled out of his grasp gathering it up and folding it up properly and stowed it in its mother had already replaced the magenta one and closed both boxes waiting to be put up.

"Go put them in your room Kagome they belong to you now for over there two nice ones and the magenta for everyday to remember me." She smiled sadly this time for real. I walked around the counter and hugged my mother.

"Momma no matter what happens I will never forget you or Jii-chan or Sota you guy's are not my past you guys are what i have to survive 500 years to find. You know that I have never felt at home in this era since i started going to the past 5 years ago maybe its my destiny to make my place here. I will do everything I can to come home even if I have to mate with Koga." I was interrupted by a deep primal growl that i ignored and continued." I will come home when the time is rite and I will bring you lots of grandchildren to spoil to your hearts content." I smiled at her she beamed back laughing.

"Then that will make up for loosing you love lots of grand-babies to spoil rotten. And you have to bring my little Shippou-chan home to me to"

"Of course momma I'd never forget Shippou he'll always be my first baby no matter how many I have he'll always be special ." I proudly spoke of my kit.

"Oh gosh look at us a couple of cry baby's not wanting to let go when it isn't even happening yet. Soon but not yet I have you for a little more time. Now go put these away and get Sota dinner will be ready in five." She flapped her hand at the boxes I nodded scooping them up and leaving my mother and Sesshomaru in the kitchen. I climbed the stairs to my room set the boxes on my dresser with Sesshomaru's sword's touching Tenseiga lovingly drawing comfort from the ethereal blade it pulsed under my hand telling me 'all was as it should be' clear as if it had spoken the words to me.

"Thanks Tenseiga I needed that its nice that I understand you your master on the other hand a complete mystery to me i don't get what goes on in his pretty head." I commented to the blade a little awed that it retained all it power even in this time it pulsed under my hand as if to say 'your telling me girl' I laughed man the sword had such a sassy personality unlike Tetsusaiga who was very quiet and withdrawn only occasionally gracing Inuyasha with a response. I laughed at the irony the swords were mirrors of the others master I finally understood a little of Inu no Taisho's madness at leaving Tenseiga to Sesshomaru it helped balance him out and keep him from getting stale. Laughing at his father's sense of humor knowing he wouldn't mind a silly human girls perception of him. Heck he'd probably get a kick out of it and laugh in a great booming voice. I patted Tenseiga again bidding the sword goodby it pulsed again in return and falling silent. I collected my brother we sat down to dinner comfortable and delicious dinner my mother provided. Sesshomaru even tried a little of the food claiming the smells drove him to get hungry. No one believed him in the slightest thou we held our tongues letting the demon have his excuse. We ate talked laughed enjoyed the night i helped my mother clean up Sota introduced Sesshomaru to video games and cable t.v Sesshomaru's eyes widening in wonder at all the channels once mother shooed Sota to bathe and get to bed Sesshomaru flipped thru the channels like any other modern man finally finding the history channel he sat in thralled in the creation of the Egyptian empire. I rolled my eyes the man loved History thou he was part of it finishing clean up my mother retired to her room I towed a testy youkai from the t.v grumbling about just getting to the good part to my room to sleep. The next four days passed in a blur with Jii-chan's home coming and attempted purification of Sesshomaru which guess what didn't work. After that they became the best of friends discussing demonology, history,war, Sota's training, and how beautiful I was were their favorite topic. We had flowed into a kind of ritualistic schedule. Sesshomaru would take me and Sota to school go back to the shrine spend the day helping Jii-chan or my mom or relaxing with the history channel. The more he watched the more he picked up on modern day things like air planes and cars and guns. He'd become so knowledgeable he even fixed Jii-chan's old motorcycle that had been sitting in the garage taken it apart he did it so quickly and perfectly it look new. Jii-chan was so impressed he tried to give it to Sesshomaru which Sesshomaru refused saying Sota would need it soon enough to get to and from school. It was amusing to see the normally pristine Sesshomaru covered in grease and oil thou at least he had enough sense to not ware his good jeans and had ripped the old pair he had worn previously to shop in and the tight tee-shirt as well and not one of his button down ones. The over all effect was a hot grease covers surfer guy complete with flip flops an old pair of Jii-chan's old ones from the looks of it. strangely it didn't take away the affect of his beauty only added to it. He looked so comfortable in the future thou he was a daiyoukai over 800 years old. By the end of the school week all I wanted to do was sit at home and sleep wrapped in Sesshomaru's tail. Saturday was the longest day of school in my mind maybe it was the cold or the fact i was daydreaming about warm fluffy tails that smelled like the deep woods and autumn air and was unbelievably silky and smooth more comfortable then any pillow i have ever owned by the time the final bell rang i wrapped myself in my coat ran out the door and launched myself at the demon waiting outside. Gleefully burrowing into his arms he picked me up and we were off ignoring the calls from my friends and Hojo we picked up Sota who launched himself at Sesshomaru as well carrying both of us without strain he took us home and tumbled the three of us to the sofa throwing bags and coats to the floor before landing a fluffy tail meet us wrapping around the three of us Me and Sota fell asleep on either side of Shessomaru peacefully blanking out the world warm and safe in the youkai's arms...