A Foreign Encounter

A/N: Chapter two, revised 25/06/2015. Happy Reading :)

In the blackest of night skies, folding white and gold scales reflected the fire light like a firework display. Each twist and fold from the serpent like creatures scales, sent bursts of light towards the village below. Kagome watched the creature with awe unsure of what to make of it, it was an incredible sight despite spending over three years in the Feudal era. A brisk wind rattled through causing Kagome to start tugging at the sleeves of the new Kimono she had bought in time for the village festival. Kagome sighed holding her arms 'winter was coming around quick this year' shaking her thoughts away the blue eyed girl turned to each of her group members, each had finally agreed to give in to Shippou endless poking at going to a human festival, though Kagome was all too happy to encourage.

Making sure his fox legs and tail were well hidden, she couldn't keep the excited child from fidgeting excitedly.

"All done" she smiled down at Shippou who was already running off towards Sango who had also acquired a new kimono that Kagome had bought for her. The older of the females smiled warmly as she touched the maroon fabric. Miroku had also noticed the new garment and was enjoying it all too well. Both girls picked up on Miroku's perverted grin and both shot him a deadly glare.

Inuyasha shook his head as the monk began rubbing the back of his head from the blow of Sango's weapon 'when will he learn?'

The half breeds stare flicked towards 'her' the girl who had released him from the tree all those years ago, how she had changed so much from the bubbly teenager. Even though in human years he was the elder, to his demon life he was still only a pup and she was gracefully maturing. No longer resembling his dead lover, Kagome had surpassed Kikyo in beauty. She now held a different kind of beauty to the graceful Miko he had known. Kagome had a humble, warm kind of beauty. One that any demon would try to capture despite her independent attitude and fiery tongue. Tearing his molten orbs away from his pack, he quickly darted towards the forest, Kagome noticed but shrugged it off. It was crowded after all, she sighed but she was adamant there was probably more to his sudden retreat.

The night progressed with show after show. Shippou had begged to try everything the numerous stalls had to offer. Kagome happily obliged, what a soft role model she was. Chuckling she handed more sweets and trinkets to the small bundle clinging to the hem of her dress.

As the crowds started to die off, Kagome looked towards Sango and Miroku who nodded agreeing it was definitely time to retreat. They picked up the half asleep fox cub and took up the path to where the half demon had hidden himself away many hours before.

The walk up the path to where Inuyasha sat in a tree. Inuyasha noticed the disappointed look on the Miko's face. Shrugging it off as not being able to see her family, with the fact they had not been back to Edo for well over a month. However Kagome was thinking of another golden eyed demon. She had not seen him since her falling incident. She hadn't even felt the predatory aura that she still wasn't a hundred percent sure was Sesshoumaru. Biting her lip in worry, she couldn't not think could she have angered the ice lord in any way.

Rolling her eyes at her silliness, she followed the group to a small clearing to camp for the night. Having the scariest demon around did have its benefits, they were now hardly attacked.

'I bet that was his doing' she narrowed her eyes, 'or maybe he liked Inuyasha more than he let off.' She laughed off the notion, picking up the pace stopping beside Sango.

As she helped start a fire, Kagome stole a glance towards her dog eared teenage crush. His molten eyes similar to Sesshoumaru's, but different all at the same time. The stoic lords were more mysterious however she conclude. A spontaneous shiver flew down her entire being, she missed those eyes that analysed her.

'What am I thinking? Did I really just admit I miss Sesshoumaru?' Kagome made an indescribable sound, Inuyasha turned to look at her questionably.

"What's up with you?" he asked. But Kagome was oblivious, her eyes flicking left to right in deep thought.

'The way he'd be lurking one step behind us? I really am pitiful. Quick to fall into an unrequited attraction, those eyes, his scent untamed and powerful…' Kagome rose quickly, horror spread across her face.

"Kagome" Miroku chimed, as all eyes now settled on the strange woman from the future.

'No! NO. no.' she shook her head vigorously, feeling chocked by the heat rising to her face, 'those train of thoughts will absolutely, positively 'NOT' happen!'

She was ashamed, unable to hide the heat rising and forgetting her friends, the embarrassed Shikon no tama ran, her feet wobbled over every branch. The oblivious Miko was blindly running. Longing for the nearest refreshing slither of water which she could find.

"Must have been something she ate?" Miroku spoke calmly, placing his hands into his sleeves, not wanting to worry Inuyasha or his beloved Sango.

"URGH!" she screamed in frustration, burrowing her face into the lake that her nimble legs had directed her too. She gasped for the needed air she had restricted herself too, spluttering in a very un-lady like manner. In the distance two demons watched in shock, by the human on the opposite side of the lake, who had just face planted the lake. Kagome shot a glance to where they were stood, stunned by the insane woman who seemingly was trying to drown herself.

Kagome blinked slowly, her mind becoming fuzzy. She could make out white and gold colours in the distance. Her breath hitched, she pleaded with her mind

'Please just let me blank out right now' she pleaded to the divine gods above.

The two demons looked at each other. With a thunderous crack, the golden demon spiralled towards Kagome, flickers of gold and white reflecting in the water below.

Stunned already by her unique action, the demon returned to its humanoid state, bending down beside her, he was instantly captivated by her natural beauty, sliding his delicate claws into her wet ebony locks.

"Mei-nü" his voice was soft and silky, as he called the beautiful woman to consciousness.

'If I'm dreaming let me dream' she mused half conscious. The second demon approach, cautiously.

"Nín hǎo ma?" he greeted as soft as before, Kagome now registered his was foreign, he watched her twitch from the cool breeze.

"Humans indeed are fragile creatures," he spoke this time in Japanese, addressing the other demon stood behind him. He shifting her head to a more comfortable position. The other demon noticed the way his companion watched the Miko closely, somewhat displeased with the way he was being so affectionate.

"Leave the Priestess be, she does not travel alone" his sunset orbs focused on the young Miko. She winced at the sound of the familiar male's voice.

'Wait, I know this voice;' her head began to spin as she passed through another stage of consciousness 'I definitely know that stone like voice?' Kagome furrowed her brow, and then it hit her, she did indeed know that voice.

"Sesshoumaru?" her voice was but a whisper, but for the great dog Lord he had heard her, and the lack of title.

"Mei-nü is awake" the foreign demon spoke, very much like her Monk friend, his tone happy but mature. Kagome shook her cloudy mind,

'Sesshoumaru was here.' She had thought about the stoic lord earlier, about his absence since that incident, 'he was actually here' she smiled to herself. 'Wait, he is here' Kagome snapped out of her thoughts.

Blue orbs revealed themselves under her fluttering eyelids, she was not prepared for what was sat but inches away from her. Crystal blue eyes burrowed deep into her stunned expression. Eyes complimented by chestnut hair, which was long but not nearly as long as Sesshoumaru's, Kagome stared at the stoic lord.

'A ponytail?' she blinked, when his golden glare fixed upon her she moved her attention back on the unknown demon. He was quite incredible, his skin was somewhat glistening like liquid gold and she noted that he was wearing traditional Chinese dress, with elaborate green and gold designs. He was just as handsome as Sesshoumaru.

"This is Bo Lei, a white Dragon Youkai from the continent" Sesshoumaru stated Kagome thought back to the Dragon she saw earlier, her thoughts went black, Kagome had fainted.

'What a troublesome girl' he said to himself. 'Humans are so weak' gently the ice prince scooped the frail human, cradling her into his chest.

"Lord Bo Lei, Ah-Un will escort you back to the palace. Urgent matters have come to my attention, make yourself comfortable I shall return presently" the dragon bowed ever so slightly in respect.

"I understand Lord Sesshoumaru," looking upon Kagome he continued "I hope to see this fine human woman again" Sesshoumaru noted the amused glint in the other lords eyes, turning to leave; he gave his equal a short nod, before stepping away with the Miko in arm.

He had to show compassion, just this once, the Chinese lord had obviously taken a liking to the Miko. Though why, Sesshoumaru had no idea

'What was she to him exactly?' She had captured his thoughts. She had daringly gotten close enough to inhale the ice prince's personal scent. The crisp untamed aura of a Youkai lord, fresh as she called it. Feeling the fragile women shiver in his arm he subconsciously tightened his grip, 'how annoying' he breathed, gritting his teeth at his sudden kind-heartedness, 'This will not do, this will not do at all.'

The damp locks of the Miko had seeped into the noble lord's expensive silk robe. His usual armour missing as was his red and white ensemble. His golden orbs transfixed on nothing but the path ahead, this was not affection this was purely business, a game of tactics with Chinese dragon lord. Sesshoumaru stepping swiftly with every step planned instinctively. Silent as his name suggested.

Inuyasha was pacing, a small dent created by his frantic motion, every crack of sound made from the dense forest sent another shot of hope to the worrying five individuals. Where had she gone? The fox cub nestled into Sango, his eyes tearing with dread. Sango hushed the small boy, but really she too was apprehensive. A sturdy hand patted the older woman's shoulder

"Fear not Sango, I'm sure Kagome will return shortly" desperately trying to remain calm for the sake of the blubbering child and his beloved. Looking to the other male who was not so calm, Miroku nodded in agreement to what was just said, she would indeed return, however Inuyasha was not so accepting.

"I'm going to find Kagome and drag her ass back; I can't stand this depressing atmosphere!" It was just then Sesshoumaru appeared into the view of his half-brother; Inuyasha paused eying up the stoic lord. While the other three jumped into fighting action as the aura hit their senses. All except the blue clad monk who had decided to merely stand in a cautious manner. Sesshoumaru noticed

'A wise decision human.' He mused. The group noticed his state of undress, no amour, and a different haori. His hair pulled back, he looked very much like Inu no Taishō. Kagome's cradled form was the last thing the poised group were expecting nestled in the lord's arms.

"Kagome!" both Shippou and Sango cried, yet they remained rooted to their spots. Inuyasha was not so refined.

"You bastard! What have you done to Kagome" the roar echoed through the small campsite. Sesshoumaru placed said female inches away from the fire. Then just as quickly he had arrived, he left. Why should he explain? He is more than sure the Miko will tell her beloved friends exactly what had happened.

Shippou bolted to her side, inspecting his mother for any signs of an attack, but thankfully he found nothing. Questions began to form on why the usually uncaring, Sesshoumaru had brought the unharmed priestess back to them.

The night was chilly which caused Miroku and Sango to wrap up together. Moving closer to the fire, and keeping a watchful eye on the long haired woman curled up under Inuyasha's outer garment. Her constant shivering had not gone unnoticed.

'Please be okay' Shippou prayed,

Inuyasha knew she was perfectly healthy, he had smelt no poison, no demonic or human curses. In fact all he could smell, was 'him', Inuyasha narrowed his golden pools in thought.

'What is his game?' Grunting Inuyasha sprung onto a nearby branch, he will ask when she woke. He growled quietly 'oh she will answer why Sesshoumaru was cradling her.'

Kagome's hair tickle her nose causing her eyes to flutter open in annoyance.

'What on earth happened last night?' she moaned rolling over to stretch her back. She had absolutely not slept well at all. Inuyasha stared into her hazy orbs, he seemed bothered.

"Can I help you?" she chirped, becoming slightly irritated. Inuyasha grunted in response, turning away from her

'His smell is all over her, its making me sick!' he darted from the branch he had rested upon throughout the night, to the ground.

'What is his problem?' Already annoyed Kagome habitually flung what she thought was her sleeping bag off her, before she had a chance to notice the fire rat, she stormed off towards the lake. A sudden realization hit the teen as she reached the lakeside. She had been here late last night with Sesshoumaru. A small crimson blush surfaced, then quickly she supressed it back inside. 'I said no! To those kinds of thoughts brain' she sighed setting herself down to look into the pool. Her head was still killing her, lifting some hair out the way, she noticed she was still wearing the Kimono for the festival. Kagome gathered some water in her elegant hands, splashing the icy water onto her pounding head.

"Do you enjoy glacial waters that much Miko?" Kagome jumped, hands clasped close to her chest turning to ogle the ice prince.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?" she rasped, it was indeed colder than usual but still, 'why is he here?' Acknowledging the lord would not continue the conversation Kagome continued, nervously.

"Do you intend to frighten me to death, this is the second time you have snuck up on me" she attempted a small chuckle, his serious face sucking out all the humour she had displayed.

"If you were not so absent minded," he strived, quite menacingly. "You would have noticed both my being here." Kagome pouted.

'I guess I should have expected that the almighty Lord Sesshoumaru would not take a joke.' Again not deeming an outward sentence she began again,

"Do you want something, Lord Sesshoumaru" The stoic lord snapped his gaze from nowhere in particular to right upon her.

'To think this Sesshoumaru would want anything from a feeble human' he snarled.

"Nothing you could possibly offer, is worthy of this Sesshoumaru" he responded flatly, earning a furious spike in the priestesses aura, which he noted with slight amusement.

"Well then, why don't you kindly excuse yourself from my presence?" She grated through her fangless mouth. In a huff Kagome turned back to the lake, collecting her things she began stomping away from the unbelievably pompous lord.

'How dare she address me so indirectly, in my own lands' the anger seeped off him much more than when his idiotic brother shouted at him in battle. A clawed hand went for the throat of the unsuspecting Miko. 'She will pay for her insolence.' As flesh touched flesh a brief feeling of triumph painted the usual unreadable demon lords façade. He certainly wasn't expecting what followed. The woman had tried to turn away but tripped, in the scuffle the demon lord's usual ballasted approach faltered. He had no time to react to the abomination that was happening. Sesshoumaru cursed how had he let his composure go, how could he have been so angry at a pathetic human.

Her shocked eyes unsettled his usual blank expression. The demon lord was now caging her between freedom and the floor, his hair pooling around her and onto her outstretched palms. This scene didn't last long, as he regained his up write position in lighting speed. Kagome remained frozen on the ground, her eyes still blankly staring upwards to the bright sky, her chest elevating rapidly.

"I'm sorry" she whispered. 'Please go, just leave please.' she begged. She couldn't look at him, she couldn't even move at that moment. A small zipping sound echoed on the shores, as he vanished from sight.

Closing her eyes, she replayed the events in her mind. A soft set of steps could be heard in the distance, sitting up she was thankful to see her friend Sango, running to her aid. Kagome asked Sango to not say anything, and like a loyal friend she consented, reluctantly.

Inuyasha had spent days complaining, about the demon lords scent on Kagome, again. As anticipated her disappearance did not go down well. With the young female lying about her whereabouts obviously. Kagome Claimed she'd had a clumsy moment and the demon lord had simply pushed her away to stop her from falling upon him, however she had fallen unconscious on impact with the floor, and obviously the demon lord took matters into his own hands on where her safety was concerned. Inuyasha didn't believe her.

He was irritated, extremely irritated,

'My half-brother! Of all people why did it have to be him?' He cursed slashing through more vegetation that blocked his path. To go near the teenage female at present was exceedingly difficult, deep down he had been fighting his human feelings and the demon instincts.

'She was clumsy, but still' Inuyasha shook his head clearing the cobwebs so to speak. 'Damn it' clenching his clawed hand he pummelled it into a nearby tree, fangs bearing in frustration. The dog eared boy was so very fond of the Miko; her looks were so very much like his past lover, but yet so different. Inuyasha shot up into the sky, much like a cricket hopping from one grass to the next, he was so very, very angry.

Some miles behind the three humans and the two demons raced to catch up to their half demon friend. Occasionally Shippou would whine about the pace, but after loudly voicing his complaints once before, Inuyasha had only beaten the little fox cub and continued the same pace if not slightly faster.

Kagome was starting to tick again. 'How could he? That ungrateful, spiteful, cowardly …' Kagome stopped dead in her tracks, her eyebrow twitching in irritation. Miroku had noticed the sudden change in Kagome.

"Kago…" Miroku was cut off by the heated Miko.

"SIT BOY" she shouted, her voice echoed through the forest they had been trudging through. Birds flew upwards in great numbers revealing to the others where Inuyasha had tumbled into the ground. The ground began to rumble with the incoming Hanyou.

"WHAT THE HELL" Inuyasha was nose to nose with Kagome, his grey locks flowing as his aura spiked, Kagome's hair also flew as her anger matched his. The strong whiff of the uninterested demon lord invaded Inuyasha's nostrils, making the male teen take a few steps back. Kagome looked up at Inuyasha who had looked away as soon as her eyes had briefly met his.

As calmly as she could she popped her enormous yellow bag down off her shoulders,

'Should I be hurt by the way he just looked away from me?' her eyes quivered in the sad thought. 'There's no way I'm backing down from this,' as she had already lost her temper and was in need of some rest and a quick bite to eat, she matched Inuyasha's tone.

"YOU'RE WALKING TO FAST!" she breathed out her frustration. Shocked by the way she had spoken to him he retaliated quickly.

"WELL IF YOU GUYS DIDN'T WALK SO SLOWELY" he began, but was interrupted by the cold, yet plump lips of the Shikon Miko.

"We do NOT HAVE YOUR DEMON ABILITIES INUYASHA" she shouting again, face red. Inuyasha let a sudden hurt expression slip. "Your so selfish sometimes Inuyasha" she shook her head, female human emotions were hard to follow. Even though he was cross he had watched the way her lips had curved around each word spoken in the quarrel.

The dog eared boy had come to realize he loved the way that even when she shouted, her mouth would still effortlessly look beautiful. He had stopped listening to her some while ago, but had managed to catch a few notes on how he was becoming selfish.

"I wish sometimes, I was back in school with a boring life." The Miko started walking in the opposite direction, needing to just walk.

"ARE YOU STUPID? Don't walk away, you could be attacked!" Inuyasha walked towards the departing Miko. 'Does she really want to leave me?' scratching the back of his head, he knew he had to say something, 'anything to make her stay'

"Ahem" Miroku interjected, but was ignored.

"Then ride Kirara, or Shippou!" Inuyasha was getting to his tether. He was extremely pleased with his sudden struck of wisdom, grinning widely. Now he would get an apology off the proud Miko, more so if he can find a hot spring. For the past four days that is all he had been searching for, least she could wash that fowl stench off her. The half demon frowned at the sudden thought.

However Kagome had taken the remark a little differently than Inuyasha had expected.

"Are you serious? What happens when we walk into yet another battle? Kirara and Shippou will be too tired." Her tone suddenly became sarcastic, "What would we do then? Please enlighten me the great Inuyasha?" Hands resting on her hips as she cocked her opposition a sceptical glare.

"Guys?" Shippou chirped quietly. Neither of the two backed down from their shouting match.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes; he was fifty years older than her in human years, give or take. So the reckless Hanyou didn't like being spoken down to; in fact you could say it was one of his weaknesses.

His eyes began to flicker red. "IF I HAD IT MY WAY, YOU GUYS WOULDN'T EVEN BE AROUND TO SLOW ME DOWN!" Sango grabbed Shippou retreating to a safe distance. Unknowingly to Kagome and Inuyasha who hadn't noticed the other demon approach, Miroku had and signalled Sango to step back. However it wasn't long before both the futuristic Miko and Hanyou had noticed the new comer. The argument stopped abruptly. Inuyasha gripped his sword all red seeping away revealing his calmer gaze.

"Wait Inuyasha" Kagome said, looking up into the sky quizzically. The half demon moved his hand away from the hilt of his prized possession cautiously. In the road ahead, two figures could only just be made out, one being considerably tiny. "It's Ah-un and that green imp" she expressed, slightly in disbelief. Inuyasha flicked his head around guardedly, but he couldn't feel any other demons around them.

'Good he isn't with them' Inuyasha turned his head away from the oncoming travellers and continued upwards onto a low hanging branch. Kagome was slightly irritated but said nothing of it. Jaken the green imp demon started fumbling in one of the packs on the two headed dragons back, pulling out a small roll of parchment. He reluctantly presented it to the Miko. Kagome softly reached out towards the small cylindrical object.

"Is this for me?" she questioned the displeased hobbit demon. He shot her a somewhat not amused look.

"Of course it is for you, silly human" Kagome grasped her fist tightly.

'Irritating little…' Kagome bowed and accepted the parchment. Her attention went onto the dragon demon; both heads seemed to be eying her over. 'That's kind of creepy' she thought, sighing she looked down at the parchment now in her hands. It wasn't stamped, and just a simple piece of ribbon held the thing from unravelling. She chuckled darkly 'this is a death threat for sure' Jaken watched the Miko placing the parchment into the strange yellow bag, the kappa demon recalled how his lord had told him not to read what was enclosed, so he decided it was most probably an eviction notice from his lands or something equally simple, strange it was to be delivered to the Miko and not the idiot half breed. Jaken scratched his chin like a perplexed detective.

In the distance the demon lord watched the imp deliver the scroll, noting down the annoying kappa's actions towards the naïve human. Nevertheless, the imp had done what was asked and so Sesshoumaru left as silent as he had arrived. Kagome watched the other two demons fly off into the distance.

'How very odd,' Kagome shook away the strange event, turning back to her group she smiled.

"It's from Rin-Chan" she lied, again. Sango and Miroku nodded unnaturally, they still had every ounce of faith in their beloved friend, she would confide in them if she needed too. Kagome looked up innocently towards Inuyasha, "If it is alright with you, can we stop soon" her voice was soft but stern. Inuyasha knew this to be 'what I mean is, I will say sit you again if we do not stop soon.'

The Hanyou gave a silent nod, ushering her to ride upon his back. Kagome was stunned by his sudden change in heart. The feeling of wind flowing through her long tendrils was implausibly electrifying, she was glad she was wearing warmer clothes now as the breeze was still a bit nippy. Kagome looked back to her friends, riding behind them. Inuyasha scanned the endless forest below,

'Come on, there has to be a spring somewhere' he was becoming impatient. A couple of hours later the group had stopped, setting up the camp so they could rest the night. The enthusiastic teen had demanded they stop the night when she had spotted the spring, not that Inuyasha minded, it was what he had been searching for after all. After everyone had eaten, the two females and Shippou walked towards the spring.

Kagome had collected the bathing accessories and some fresh water, she had planned to stay for a short while at least, only because she wanted to catch up with her friend Sango and avoid another dispute with Inuyasha.

A/N: Thank you for your wonderful reviews,