Seshoumaru found that observing his past self was strange, for lack of a better word. He would often try to recall his past, but found himself unable to do so. It was like his entire childhood had been erased form his mind. Sometimes, if he concentrated, he would get a blurred image of a girl laughing, a melodious chime.

He found himself staring at Kagome. The girl was irritating and yet, his eyes narrowed as his past self sat down right next to her. The pup was sitting too close to the miko. It was unacceptable. He let out a low growl.

Maru's eyes widened and he looked over at the snarling Seshoumaru. He knew what that growl meant and he a scowl passed his face, fleetingly. That may be his older self but he had no claim on Kagome. He huddled closer to the miko who absently put an arm around his small frame, her focus on the book she was reading.

Seshoumaru's snarl amplified and Maru ignored it. This was the first time someone was being openly affectionate with him. Inuyoukai craved touch and contact. It was the way they were, but his parents never touched other than to cause pain. He flinched with the memories and closed his eyes, unconsciously letting out a whimper.

Kagome immediately looked at him and frowned, "What's wrong?"

Without waiting for an answer, she glared over to where Seshoumaru was sitting, "What are you doing? Stop barking. You're scaring him."

Seshoumaru was stunned. Did she just-?

Before Kagome could blink she was pinned against the tree by her throat, Seshoumaru's face inches from her. His voice silky smooth, he murmured, "You need to learn respect, Miko."

Kagome grinned, a feral smile, "Respect is earned, Dog."

With that, she started glowing pink. Seshoumaru could smell the acrid smell of flesh burning, but he ignored it. The girl needed to realise her place in this pack. The pain was intensifying, and the glow had reached her eyes. The pupils were no longer visible. She was pure power. Even as he held her in this submissive hold, he could not stop himself from feeling awed by her power. It was a beautiful sight.

The familiar poisonous whip that slashed against his hand made him blink and turn around to watch his past self. He froze.

The pup's eyes were red, his beast showing through. The beast was trying to take over and the pup clearly had no idea what to do. His nails were elongated, his eyes red, and his hair frazzled, and yet, he slashed the green acid whip at him to make him release the miko. Interesting.

He released Kagome and watched his hand try to heal itself. The miko energy had been too pure. Raising a brow, he watched as the girl scowled at him, unaffected by the event. The pink faded from her eyes, and she rubbed her throat, annoyed, "What the hell is your problem?"

She turned to look at Maru and her eyes grew wide. He was snarling and still trying to shift. "Maru..."

At the sound of her voice, those red eyes turned in her direction and he was by her side in a second, nuzzling her throat and whining. Not knowing what to do, Kagome stilled, confused. Finally, he relaxed and turned in her hold, growling at Seshoumaru, "You shall not threaten Kagome again."

Seshoumaru raised a brow, "Do not be insolent, pup."

Maru raised his chin bravely, "I say you shall not and since I am you, you will not harm her."

Seshoumaru studied the boy for a second and then announced, "You shall train at sunrise." With that , he was gone.

Kagome blinked. What had just happened?

Maru looked up at her, the red in his fading, his composure returning, "Are you hurt, Kagome?"

Seeing, the worry in his eyes, she ran a hand through his hair, frowning, "No, but there's something wrong with me. I'm being too reckless. I keep forgetting he's the enemy."

There was something wrong with her. Kagome could sense it. Ever since Maru's arrival, it was like something in her had shifted and transformed. Her power was manifesting too rapidly. She was doing things, acting in ways she would never have dreamed she would. She shouldn't have spoken to Seshoumaru the way she did. It was like an instinctive part of her was aware that he wouldn't hurt her. She swallowed. She had missed death by an inch today.

Sinking to the ground, she buried her head in her hands, bewildered. Just what was going on? Maru rubbed put his hands around her awkwardly, not knowing how to comfort this girl he had come to adore.

Meanwhile Seshoumaru was immersed in thought as he walked under the trees. The pup had to be trained. This was too early an age for the beast to manifest itself. He narrowed his eyes. There would be no weakness in him, now now, not in his past. The pup would have to learn how to handle and control his beast.

'Like you have done a fine job with me?'

The beast sounded amused.

'Silence.'

'The miko's scent is different.'

'How so?'

The beast was fascinated with Kagome. It always had been, ever since that day in Father's tomb. It had taken one sniff at her and became a frisky puppy in her presence.

'I want her to pet us.'

'She is human.'

'She is powerful.'

'She is... unique, but human.'

The beast was silent for a while.

'You are blind.'

A grumble, which could only be discerned as a chuckle, 'You will see in time.'

Irritated, Seshoumaru tried to question his beast but it remained quiet, silent in its cage.

At first it had been the beast which had found itself enaptured by the miko, wanting to taunt her, play with her every time he saw her, but slowly and gradually, the man too began to wonder and studied her. She was strange for a human, different somehow. He often foundhimself running into Inuyasha's group more and more often. The fact that the miko defended the half breed began to make him angry, irritated. The whelp was ungrateful, undeserving of all the love she showered on him. All that affection should be given to someone worthier, someone more deserving.

He wanted the girl to start seeing him, not as Inuyasha's older half brother but as a powerful inuyoukai in his own right. So he would speak at her, taunt her, make her angry and yet when she would growl at him, like she did today, or stand toe to toe with him, it made him feel unsettled, strange. He kept wanting to show her his dominance, to make sure that she knew her place, and yet he enjoyed those quips.

The pup however, shoudl be more careful about scent marking her. The golden eyes darkened. He would deal with his past self in the morning.

A.N: Sorry. That's all I can say.