A Discomfited Encounter

A/N: Revised 28/06/2015, thank you for reading J

Kagome's moved the soapy sponge over her pearly knees, hair pooling in the murky water as she gently guided the manmade object over her long toned legs.

'There's nothing more comforting than a soft sponge scrubbing away grime of the day' she sighed in contentment. Sango had already left the springs, the two had chattered away about recent adventures, mainly gossiping about the two men who travelled with them. But Sango knew something was troubling Kagome.

"It's nothing really Sango" the younger smiled, Sango knew when to press Kagome not being satisfied with the response.

"Kagome please, I know you. I thought you would let me in by now" The Miko looked at her older companion,

'Not with the eyes Sango' Kagome looked doe eyed to the slayer.

"If I tell you, you have to swear not to repeat this, ever." Kagome glared at Sango, who nodded eagerly, agreeing to withholding information.

"I think I may have out grown Inuyasha" Kagome stated, expecting a shock-horror expression from her friend. Kagome mimicked a goldfish expression, from the slayers lack of response.

'Need I elaborate any further?' she questioned inwardly. Thankfully there was no need; Sango chuckled softly. Understanding exactly what Kagome meant patting her friend softly.

"The monk and I had our suspicions" she spoke friendly. "I suspected more so than the letch, but why did you keep such a thing from us?" Kagome moved her head downwards listening carefully with unease as her friend continued. "Kagome it's not a sin to mature out of teenage fancies." She hung her head in shame; she had kept something petty from her friends for many, many months. The Teen twiddled her dripping tendrils around her longer fingers, Sango didn't chaste the girl, she knew Kagome deserved something more than what Inuyasha was giving her.

"Thank you Sango, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner" Sango looked at the younger girl, admiring the small smile that had replaced the usual worried wrinkle. Sango smiled once more, twisting her hair free from excess water.

"I feel there is more you're not telling, but I will wait until you have it all sorted before prying, however, Kagome I am always here for you to talk to, please don't dwell on your own" Sango rose to her feet like the proud warrior she was, wrapping one of the towels Kagome had given her quickly hiding the naked flesh away from prying eyes, if there were any before hopping out to dress. Leaving the younger teen to contemplate her sisterly words of wisdom, Sango slipped back to the group. Now Kagome was alone she could reflect over all that happened over the week. Without interruptions or arrogant remarks from either brothers. She gritted her teeth at the thought of the silver haired males.

'How can two brothers be so different, but still be extremely annoying?' Laughing darkly the Miko slid herself down further into the water. Frustrated as she was, it was pleasant thoughts of a demon prince that covered her cheeks in a gentle blush.

The Miko eyed the well-loved yellow backpack, or more specifically the small side compartment where she had hidden the parchment. Looking around sensitively assuring no one was around she gracefully got up grabbing her own towel and slipped her fingers around the little yellow button sealing the small pocket shut. Once opened Kagome retrieved the small roll of luxury paper. She knew it was already from the cold hearted prince, she had never come across such silky feeling paper before. Felt almost milky to the touch.

'Now is not the time to be amazed by stationary' Kagome settled down to assess the paper more comfortably. Her fingers crept towards the small red ribbon. 'Why am I so nervous' she shook her head gently. Small water droplets running from her hair settled down on the fluffy towel. Taking a deep breath Kagome pulled the ribbon and unravelled the parchment swiftly.

You have been summoned. Kagome read rather begrudgingly.

To the priestess, Kagome Higurashi. Your presence is required at the western palace immediately.

'Hold the phone, how does the ice prince know my full name?' the next few moments Kagome thought back to all previous encounters finger upon lip. Not once could she recall her full name slipping out into conversation. Kagome scratched her head in irritation, but there was more to be read.

No others are permitted. On arrival, hand the parchment to the gateman.

'No other permitted, what is this?' Kagome stuffed the parchment back into her pack with force, 'this is stupid, and how does he expect me to get there if I don't have someone to accompany me?' The priestess rose to her feet chuckling harshly 'Somethings telling me this is not going to be a good idea.' The light of the fire from her camp greeted her warmly. Her happy mask back on her face.

The winter breeze teased the snowy locks of the stoic lord, who poetically sat watching his subjects from his large balcony idly as they rushed around after his ward,

'Rin is becoming troublesome' he noted humoured by the small child teasing Jaken.

When the imp had returned without the priestess, he had become extremely impatient that the Miko had dismissed the invitation. The foreign onlooker had been walking the halls and had popped his familiar head around the door of Sesshoumaru's study. The lord couldn't remember especially how long he had spent cooped up doing his lordly duties. But the Chinese dragon grinned at the sight, something telling him the Inu lord hated paperwork.

"Am I interrupting lord Sesshoumaru?" the soft foreign voice of Lord Bo Lei soothed in the ears of the western lord, as he tried to mimic the other demons challenging native tongue.

"Lord Bo Lei if it's easier I will continue in Chinese" the other demon nodded almost childlike in appreciation, but reminded Sesshoumaru to waver the Lord title. "Forgive this Lord Sesshoumaru, I forgot myself" Sesshoumaru had mastered the other language quickly, but mentally kicked himself for his testily attitude seen by the Chinese Dragon.

Jaken had regained composure from playtime with Rin.

"Ahh! My lords, the fault is all mine please don't think poorly of my Lord Sesshoumaru" the sudden outburst threw Bo Lei off guard. Only understand bits of what the ugly creature had said "I have failed you lord Sesshoumaru, forgive me" Flicking his clawed fingers in dismissal at Jaken, Sesshoumaru reflected to why he let that aggravating demon serve him. Golden orbs lay upon Bo Lei, who had begun to 'snoop' in his private study. His fresh blue eyes gorged at the strange items that Sesshoumaru had accumulated over the years, from instruments to elaborate writing utensils.

"Is everything satisfactory?" Sesshoumaru spoke startling the green haired dragon who had put back the familiar writing tool, much like his own brushes back home.

"Everything is exceptional, as expected from the great Lord of the West" he teased innocently, receiving a raised eyebrow from the white haired demon. Sesshoumaru's golden gaze fell back to his mahogany desk, the small mound of parchments that he had begun to demolish before Jaken interrupted.

"Please excuse me for a little while longer Bo Lei, there is more work that I must attend to" Sesshoumaru escorted Bo Lei out the study, leaving the white dragon in the capable hands of his staff, the expressionless lord confined himself back into his mundane duties.

"My lord" a soft voice from one of many hired to work in the house steered the preoccupied Sesshoumaru back to reality.

'Hn, it is already this late' Sesshoumaru raised a gentle palm stopping the offender from coming any closer, also noting the small mound of parchments he still had to attend to. They would have to wait a little longer, Bo Lei was leaving for China in the morning and his ward had sprung a small party idea for the Dragon, which she had attached the very much hated pleading glare so he had to reluctantly agree. Not forgetting the fact she had also beseeched the idea that they should dress in the foreign lord's traditional clothing. Tonight was going to be very long indeed, resting his clawed hand on his forehead as he mentally groaned.

First he would need to retrieve the Miko that the Kappa had failed to do. This only added to his already long 'to do list'. Grabbing his swords the western lord not bothering to use the door flew down from the balcony that he had momentarily rested upon, towards where his dragon like demon Ah-Un was settled.

He was never keen on riding the two headed demon, he had other means to fly but he wasn't overly keen on the 'other option.' The chances of the Miko being accustomed to his personal mode of transport were highly unlikely, therefor he decided she would probably be frightened and would find the lowly human clinging to himself. And so Ah-Un was the wiser decision hopefully her group wasn't too far into his western region.

Kagome had finished dressing, happy with the soft cotton sleeping trousers she had had to mend roughly,

'Must press Inuyasha to take me back to the well soon, these clothes won't last much longer' she noted to herself. Once everything was packed up neatly, Kagome slung the backpack over her shoulders, taking as much time as she possibly could. Inuyasha and she still had an argument to settle which was bothersome. The walk back to camp wasn't long her hair began to flap in the harsh wind, causing her to push it behind her ears, she began looking at the winter blossoms and continued walking. Playing a game with Shippou to pass the time.

"Red, yellow, red, red, pink, orange, and red" Shippou repeated her colours and added his own colour.

"Red, yellow, red, red, pink, orange, red and white" Kagome said absent minded. 'Wait what?' Kagome cocked her head backwards slightly, trailing her blue eyes back. There in the distance was indeed the white Lord Sesshoumaru.

'This is about that stupid letter' Kagome changed direction, to where Sesshoumaru was prowling but she suddenly became hesitant. 'Aw crap, I'm in my pyjamas bottoms, thanks Inuyasha.' She had a good reason to why she needed to go home. Oblivious to her feud with Inuyasha, she had started to walk towards his half-brother Sesshoumaru.

'Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru together in a small camp, after Inuyasha had been disappointed that his brother had not been with the imp that afternoon…' Kagome groaned' Pyjamas or not it's better to see him alone.' After a small while, the two met.

"Erm Lord Sesshoumaru, about this…" Kagome mumbled finding it difficult to concentrate on the demon lord, as usual she noticed he did not look amused. Sesshoumaru was taken back slightly; she was so casual, just as foreign as Bo Lei.

"In response to the parchment, I have arrived to escort you personally, being you ignored my first entourage" His words cold but consistent to his usual self. Kagome however was just the same as ever with her response.

"I didn't ignore anything, that stupid midget left before I could reciprocate" she spat fashioning the typical womanly hands on hips.

'Why on earth does the Chinese Dragon Lord find her remotely amusing? She is nothing but an ill-mannered human" the demon lord silently scoffed to himself.

"I assure you, I commanded the smaller demon to escort you back to the palace" He stated, calming his beast from her fiery outburst.

"And I assure you, that imp didn't relay any of that command to escort me to your palace" she back chatted, gritting out the last word.

"It is irrelevant now, come" turning his back he pointed to Ah-Un's saddle, showing her he wasn't joking, that he intended to take her back right this second. The Miko slowly approached the two headed dragon, she didn't feel any threat from the stead like creature. Stroking along Un's neck as she got closer to the saddle, she was amazed by how warm he felt to her touch. Sesshoumaru noticed the way she timidly stroked Ah-Un, she was obviously nervous, and he guessed it was a human way of relating almost. He watched as she placed the hideous pack on the ground before climbing onto the saddle, what she could possibly want to lug around constantly was a mystery, one he would not care to discover.

Kagome was startled at his delicate hand thrusting the pack towards her. The shock alone was that he had actually bothered to touch it; he had undoubtedly regretted the motion as soon as he took a hold of the man-made fibres beneath his claws. Kagome clung onto the backpack, 'maybe he isn't so evil' she mocked privately. Sesshoumaru began to walk, and the stead like creature followed.

'Oh no, I should have told someone I was going, stupid, stupid! Kagome' the woman brought her hand to her head in one swift motion. Sesshoumaru caught the action in the corner of his eye; his voice was softer but still firm.

"Jaken has already been sent to explain your whereabouts Miko" this sprung the teen out of thought.

'He really does plan things to a tee' she expressed amusement.

"Thank you" she cheeped, already regretting saying anything, Sesshoumaru glanced behind ever so slightly.

'She is nervous, which she has every right to be' he revealed a rather slight grin. The journey was not long; he had managed to walk a mere two hours before he caught up to the camp.

They walked was in silence, much to his gratification. The teen had asked some questions, some were answered mainly the ones about the demon she was sat upon, yet she had not dared ask why she was being taken to his palace. An hour passed, and even though the Shikon no tama was none the wiser, they had covered ground as to be expected, However Sesshoumaru knew if he were to be spotted by other demons it could be quite troublesome. Guests were due to be arriving soon, and he had still not dressed, nor briefed the human on what she must not do in any circumstance. Pressed for time the demon lord decided it was inevitable, he would have to ride Ah-Un.

Kagome was uneasy, and that was an understatement, she had moved as far as she could at the sudden change in traveling arrangements, but still she could feel the demon lord behind her, his strong arm curved around her holding onto the rains, his voice shaking her as if he were shouting as he quietly commanded the other demon to fly.

'I bet he's loving this' she gritted; unable to control her responses from more commands; she now knew he was rushing.

"Your nervous disposition is unsettling Ah-Un" He teasingly spoke closer to her human ears, Kagome jumped at the sudden abuse her ears had picked up.

"Are you trying to kill me?" her voice an octave higher than its usual soft sound.

'Yep he is defiantly enjoying this' she scrunched her nose in detest. 'Bastard' she cursed. Up ahead Kagome could just make out a clearing, they must be close she filled her thoughts trying to ignore the sadistic demon behind. A small lake appeared before her, showing off the reflection of the two upon Ah-Un, her innocent face bewitched by the sight. 'Even now he still looks perfect' her reflection suddenly became that of an annoyed child, narrowing her eyes at the dog Youkai. The sudden gold that was being reflected evoked Kagome to turn her attention forward.

Sesshoumaru was almost relieved when the clearing revealed itself, followed by the vast lake; he had come to enjoy the calm waters as a child. He noticed that the tranquil waters had also worked their magic on the unsettled Miko who was now looking into the scenery below now less jumpy. The white male had also noticed how she seemed to be distracted again, another human trait he pondered. Sesshoumaru took a quick glance trying to get a glimpse of what had taken the humans attention. However as soon as he had, she had shot her head forward, causing the lord of ice to narrow his eyes at the woman.

The lights of the palace were now in view, Kagome let out a small gasp as the palace appeared from the mist that coated the rest of the lake. The small bursts of the many lanterns created a soft pink and yellow glow on the rocks it was built around, each gateway was lit up with large red and white lanterns displaying Sesshoumaru insignia.

Kagome lent forward so much Ah-Un jerked slightly nevertheless Kagome just laughed at the slight turbulence and stroked one of the heads in apology. Her attention went back onto the main building built into the rock. The tall pagoda like building was well hidden, something she believed was a crime. But then again she was from a time of peace. Tactical building was common in this period. Still it had been lit up as if it were New Year, the raven haired Miko looked behind at Sesshoumaru who glanced at her quickly but then continued his gaze forward. Kagome took that as don't say anything so she went back to looking forward.

Ah-Un began to descend causing Kagome's excitement to die quickly.

"We have arrived" was all he said as they touched down.

A/N: Thank you for all your reviews. It is much appreciated. Please forgive any silly errors, I am dyslexic and struggle to notice them. I will change if I find any, and will be thankful to any reader who notices some :)