A Coupled Encounter

AN: Revised 10/07/15

A loud roar echoed around the lakeside causing Shippou and Kirara to instantly jump up. Both looking straight into the misty vast space in front of them. Sango placed a hand timidly against the monk; who was looking out with calculating eyes.

"What was that?" the small fox cub asked shyly. Miroku was useful when it came to softly explaining the difficult situations. Clearing his throat he interjected.

"I believe that was Inuyasha." Sango looked away face clouded by tense thoughts,

'Why had Sesshoumaru warned us about Inuyasha? Does he know something we don't?' The demon slayer eyed the other members of the group, before looking into the distance where Inuyasha's voice had erupted from.

"Demon lords are said to be prideful beings" Sango started, "If the western lord says he will return Kagome, he will" the older female stood tall her hands tightly clasped, believing in what she had relayed.

Shippou nodded, however he too was wondering why Sesshoumaru had said what he did, 'If you value your lives humans, stay clear of the Hanyou until your Miko is returned.' biting his lip in worry the small boy frowned 'but why?'

Inuyasha growled for a second time. Showing his impatient attitude to the four guards from before. To human ears the low gravel sounds from the Inu Youkai's would be interpreted as territorial animal behaviour. Each growl from the dog eared boy was cut short from the four other demons, shooting down the silver haired boy wanting access into their lord's house.

The boy was once again sporting his crimson gaze, his teal pupils wide in anger at not being allowed access. It wasn't at all fair. Kagome was his, Not Sesshoumaru's.

Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru intercepted the worried Amaterasu. Her locks tucked into a neat bun, she was probably in the midst of preparing a bath for Kagome. Sesshoumaru's golden gaze narrowed. Amaterasu rolled her eyes at her lord's molten orbs, ablaze with irritation.

"Yes it's the young woman, she has gone missing." Her lips curled in annoyance. "Seriously boy you don't need to act high and mighty in front of me. You did use to cry for your mother a…" she scoffed.

"Enough" Amaterasu smiled softly at the stoic lord after he cut her sentence short,

'Pretend all you want Sesshoumaru' a teasing smirk crept up on the older woman to the back of the now annoyed the Inu Youkai. The two had swiftly made it back to his chambers in no time. Amaterasu had wondered why the girl was left alone in there to begin with. The fact that lord Sesshoumaru never let anyone into his bed chambers. Sesshoumaru could feel her eyes burn into his back. Sesshoumaru gave her a warning look, only having an assumption to what she was thinking about.

The two came to a stop inside the empty bed chambers. Amaterasu could not help notice the way her lord eagerly searched around his room.

'My, my Sesshoumaru are we concerned for the human female?' cocking her head at the man in front. The sudden amusing thought warming her insides, she could not help think of the great Inu No Taisho, perhaps had more influence on the young master than he let on.

Golden eyes darted around the room before settling on the hidden door. Cursing inwardly he slid the small screen open revealing the tugging pressure from the above cavern.

"Amaterasu…" he began to the tense demoness. Her usually indifferent eyes, now solely fixed on the passage hidden from everyone. Only four knew of its existence, the lord, his mother, Amaterasu and now the inquisitive futuristic Miko.

"I cannot follow you my lord." Amaterasu said looking down the passage, lowering her head away from the lord using all her strength to tare her gaze from the pulsing corridor, she backed up into the hallway before shutting the screen concealing the lord in his room, alone.

"Magnificent isn't it?" crystal blue eyes glistened at the older woman now propped up against the closed screen, her clean cut kimono plain and lifeless to the elaborate Chinese garment in front. She breathed heavily, eyes filled with disappointment.

'You endangered Kagome, distracted the western lord. You sir know something, something about the Inu Taisho family. What are you up to?' she said nothing. The Chinese dragon locked an intense gaze on the woman, his mind open for her to wonder in.

'Perhaps we can continue in Chinese?' Amaterasu narrowed her eyes slightly. She had learnt many decades ago, how did he know? Just who is this demon?

"My actions have a purpose Amaterasu. Goddess of the universe, daughter of the storm god Raijin" turning her full attention on the other demon, eyes wide in shock.

"Who are you?" She spoke clearly.

Sesshoumaru raced up towards the hidden chamber. Being honour bound, nothing could happen to the raven haired teen whilst she was in the western lands. Why would she do this to him? If such a contract is broken it would ruin the iron grip he held on his lands. All would deem him unfit to rule and no doubt seek out to over throw him thus destroying the legacy his father had built. Humans were hateful creatures indeed. Sesshoumaru now had a sour look on his face. This woman would feel his wrath, full force.

Silver locks fluttered behind in the wind created by the demonic speed, Sesshoumaru fashioned a look of determination.

'Nothing will happen to the woman' he agreed inwardly, he would not dishonour his agreement, he would not dishonour his father.

The chamber was filled with swirling pressure. His clothing fluttering with the spike of power. The large lanterns knocked into each other. A dull drum beat echoing around the chamber. There was no Miko. Sesshoumaru stepped closer to the waters. A small pale hand emerged from the water. A pale glow left her. Her skin glistening behind white fabric clung to her shapely body. Sesshoumaru had been hesitant to approach, though to his senses she was the same woman that had been sitting on his futon earlier. He knew she could not be normal. The waters were never ending, her lungs would have given out from the sheer pressure of the pools depths. And yet she stood unharmed, face down trodden. Water dripping around her from her raven locks.

Kagome kept her eyes embedded to the floor, the small pitta pat from her wet bare feet edged closer to the stifled demon lord. Her approach restricted from water-logged clothing, she made no attempt to acknowledge the demon in front. But continued up the narrow stairwell to the main house.

"Miko" Sesshoumaru gritted out glancing behind, her body instantly stilled under his outburst. Still she did not turn back. Sesshoumaru pulled, forcing her gaze to meet his own. Her once sharp oceanic eyes dull. They did not stay open for long, falling into the demon lord for support Kagome went limp in his hold.

Amaterasu scurried away after escorting the dragon demon back to his holding place. The two guards had felt the full extent of failing the orders left by their lord from the pale demoness. Finally reaching the royal wing Amaterasu approached the screen to Sesshoumaru's room. Gracefully she slid the door open and entered the empty room. She noticed the heavy aura she had felt earlier distilled.

'Still the Miko's mind is locked away from me.' frowning Amaterasu unusually sighed. 'It's as if she's purposely blocking entry to me' Amaterasu snapped her eyes to Sesshoumaru entering from the secret cavern.

"Kagome has blocked my entry into her mind," Sesshoumaru looked up from the Miko in his grasp. She had a habit of ending up in his arms as of late. "My lord, if Kagome knew how to do this, she would have done it sooner." Sesshoumaru said nothing. "Something has changed." Amaterasu patiently waited for acknowledgment. However her lord remained silent. Amaterasu saw the conflict in his eyes, and mind.

"Take her to her room" he spat, "And do I need to remind you, you are not permitted to read this Sesshoumaru's thoughts." Taking out the frustration on Amaterasu would possibly have repercussions later, but she had disobeyed him.

East of the main house Inuyasha had erupted in an uncontrolled fury. The sun had begun to rise and yet Kagome was still stuck behind two demonic barriers.

'What is he hiding? Why won't he let my Kagome out?' Inuyasha grabbed his father's fang now glowing red as the same red bleed into his younger sunset eyes for the umpteenth time that night. With a roar of power Inuyasha broke through the first barrier. The four guards defending the east gate thrown into the air at the sheer force of the blow.

All eyes settled to the eastern gate. His human and demon child companions looked up horrified at what their halfblooded friend had just done. Sesshoumaru flicked his gaze eastward in annoyance now handing an unconscious Miko to Amaterasu who held the bridge of her nose also irritated at the Hanyou. She remembered Inuyasha's brash behaviour all too well.

'The boy will get himself killed.' she breathed heavily, now clenching her claws around Kagome. Sesshoumaru walked towards another screen leading to a large balcony mouth apart as he began to speak.

"Need I remind you of your father's wishes boy?" Sesshoumaru glared at his ex-nanny already hating the fact she had the audacity to cut him off.

"Amaterasu" he growled, the woman was invading his mind once again.

"Do not presume I needed to read your thoughts for that comment. It is all over your face." Amaterasu snapped, turning away from the boy.

"The half breed should not have disregarded my warnings" he firmly stated before soaring down towards an approaching Inuyasha. Amaterasu shook her head at the brothers. So alike yet so different. Oh how they reminded her of their father.

"At least I can care for you, without interference from two obnoxious dog demons" she spoke softly, placing the woman on her futon. Kagome shot her eyes open as soon as her head contacted with the pillow. The dead oceanic gaze looked through Amaterasu. Causing the older woman to eye the girl suspiciously. Standing up on her bare feet Kagome gracefully left the room her Miko powers swirling around her. All demons who came across the girl backed away in fear, Amaterasu followed at great distance.

Down each wooden staircase the futuristic girl navigated. Across long bamboo corridor after corridor. Controlled in each footing as if she had designed the building herself. Stepping through one of the outer screens on the ground floor. Kagome stepped onto the soft damp grass.

"Leave now half breed, or die!" Sesshoumaru called, the lack of armour on him oblivious to the irate Inuyasha as he charged forward, fathers fang in hand.

"Give back Kagome" Inuyasha swung at the stoic lord, catching a bit of silk on the tip causing the fabric to tare from the sleeve. Sesshoumaru looked at the ripped fabric void of any expression.

"The human is sleeping" he half lied, dodging another swing of their father's sword. "When she awakes, she will be returned. Must I repeat myself until your laughable excuse of a brain catches up?" flicking his poison claws into Inuyasha's shoulder, instantly the Hanyou dropped the sword and now clutching his aching wound.

"I want Kagome" Inuyasha snarled, lunging forwards claws filled with his blood as he shouted his next attack. Sesshoumaru maintained a bored expression, dodging each red curve of the attack.

"Well you can't have me?" Both golden gazes settled on the woman now walking towards the brother followed by a cautious Amaterasu. Sesshoumaru eyed her carefully; her once vibrant gaze was still hidden behind expired blue. As if someone had sucked all the fire out of her.

"Kagome, what are you saying?" Inuyasha wined his demonic side still faintly present.

"Inuyasha" Sesshoumaru barked annoyed the fight had stopped abruptly because of the cursed Miko. He needed a good fight, she always knew how to wind him up until he could snap.

"I am not property" Kagome spat, her eyes swirled with life. Sesshoumaru noticed, it would appear she is returning to her full self.

"Kagome I" Inuyasha started, ears dropped, noticing the woman in front had her hands firmly on her hips.

'What a provocative stance.' Amaterasu chuckled, her eyes on her lord, with a blank expression upon his face.

"This is stupid, Kagome come here now! We can go back to the …" Amaterasu shot the half demon a glare, silencing him instantly. Her abilities had already infiltrated the younger dogs mind. Sesshoumaru ignored the two heated glares from his ex-nanny and his hated half-brother.

Lord Bo Lei took this moment to appear in front of the group. Amaterasu was aggravated the Chinese dragon had slipped away from the guards stationed outside his door. Ignoring the rival brothers, the golden lord placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder. The affection from Bo Lei had angered all three, Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru and Amaterasu. Silver strands fell forward as the demon lord tilted his head towards the revealed cave.

'So this is what he wanted.' The stoic lord concluded, bringing his narrow gaze back on the other male demon lord.

'How dare he touch Kagome, he will pay dearly.' Inuyasha growled loudly, his beast now screaming in anger. Said offending demon lord spoke to Sesshoumaru in his native tongue, the sudden change in language hadn't helped the situation, Inuyasha couldn't understand anything that was being spoken. But the name of the Miko hadn't gone unnoticed, his mind left to interoperate what was said through the tone and the body language the two nobles sparsely gave out.

Amaterasu sighed in annoyance, the Hanyou's distressed nature had kept her own mind preoccupied whilst her abilities relayed his every emotion to her. She would have to speak up to keep the rash child calm.

"My lords" she paused also speaking in Chinese, before eying up Kagome. "I would like to excuse myself and the Half breed from this conversation" Earning a nod of approval from the western lord, she continued grabbing Inuyasha by the collar effortlessly dragging him away from the others.

"Old hag let me go" Inuyasha wailed however the older demoness did not let go.

"Don't you call me old hag, mutt face" she spat, "what is it with the Taisho pups? Bloody ungrateful runts." She muttered offensively knowing fully well the half demon hadn't heard her, though the fully demon runt as she had called him had heard her perfectly.

"Kagome is in trouble you senile woman." Inuyasha cursed again, but still she held on tightly as she dragged him further and further away. For someone who was an elder even for the demons standards, she still had the strength of an ox that Inuyasha was no match for.

"Enough Inuyasha Kagome is safe, calm your beast" the white haired woman spoke coming to a halt, twisting the younger boy to face her. His iconic dog ears lowered in submission.

"I can't, even though I have a bit of control. He just will not back down" Amaterasu narrowed her stern gaze, the boy was speaking true. However he was acting far too irrationally for someone who was still mostly in control. A sudden realization hit the older woman.

"Inuyasha, how old are you now?" her gaze wavered slightly; a nearby aura conflicted with that of Inuyasha's, causing her body to react as she became more uncomfortable, the inconsolability that the nearby aura was emanating was greater than the Hanyou's own turmoil, looking back at the boy she noticed how oblivious he was of the other presence creeping forward, 'not surprising the boy can't feel that, considering the strain his body must be in fighting off the urge to release his demon' she silently thought waiting for her answer off the boy.

"If I hadn't lain dormant for fifty years, I would say." He counted on his fingers "Eighteen why?" Ears now perking up inquisitively, Amaterasu narrowed her eyes once more.

'Far too young for the boy to be considering taking the girl as a mate, something unnatural must have induced this state. Perhaps I should inform Sesshoumaru.' With no intention to explain why he was incapable of taming his demonic side, Amaterasu once again took off dragging the weaker species along. The presence she had felt earlier once again began overlapping her own unruffled aura.

"Hey Amaterasu, what was my father like?" flittering her mature gaze upon the teen not stopping to address the younger brother, she decided to humour him speaking of her previous master. How he was strong and respected until his love for humans had managed to anger many other demons. She had always been fond of him.

Sesshoumaru had listened to enough of the dragon's chatter. Why should he care what his father had done many decades ago, knowing his father was spoiled by the human woman who bore the insufferable half-breed. What was his point?

"As the human is guest in this Sesshoumaru's house, I cannot allow you to torment the half-breed. The Miko and I had an agreement and I will honour it." The Inu Youkai announced, keeping a close watch on the deceitful Chinese lord.

"Understood, it is not the half-breed I wish to provoke." He smiled at the growl that slipped from the western lord. Already knowing he would probably regret his decision, Lord Sesshoumaru hesitantly agreed to let the chestnut haired man return to his lodgings.

"The human will remain in the royal wing" Sesshoumaru quickly. The foreign lord smirked but continued to walk away from the pair. Considering taking a small walk around his grounds. A sudden crash of thoughts struck Sesshoumaru.

'The Taoist mirror may have greatly enhanced the Miko's pitiful abilities. The already apparent change in appearance could indicate she may already be changing inside' Sesshoumaru frowned still unaware his body had walked so far 'Being a Miko, even if she is a poor excuse for one, the girl should have had enough power to stop the changes, her blood would instantly purify the foreign changes. So why had it not?' keeping the thoughts dormant Sesshoumaru looked upon his house regretting every encounter with the human female. Could this be what his father had felt like each time he came across that human Izayoi? Deepening the frown present on his hard features the ice prince.

The walk was proving successful, he had come across the stubborn demoness Amaterasu and his half-brother Inuyasha talking in the distance, and decided to avoid confrontation when the demoness narrowed her gaze to the older brother. He now took off in the opposite direction, coming across a small orange bundle collapsed on the floor inside the thick demonic shield. Unexpectedly showing another compassionate side Sesshoumaru lifted up the small bundle by a pair of small hakama's. Bringing the collapsed child to the stoic lord's eye level he raised a slender eyebrow. Somewhat impressed that the child made it through his barrier alive. Tucking the child in his arm, Sesshoumaru turned back towards the house his golden gaze settling on a particular balcony.

Elsewhere in the castle Kagome had been returned to her room in the royal wing. Her body was heavy, she turned to the dresser reaching for a small mirror left by Amaterasu. Kagome dropped the mirror, shattering it instantly. Her reflection was not her own.

"Mai Yu, it has been too long, I had hoped the human Miko would be pure enough to allow effective transference" the sapphire gaze pouring into dull oceanic eyes of the futuristic human, from the door Lord Bo Lei had stood his eyes filled with a tender gaze.

"Yes my love, yet she fights with me continually it is troublesome and making me very tired" Kagome's eyes went wide, her hand shot up to her lips. Had she just said that? Her silky voice sounding exasperated as she claimed. Bo Lei nodded leaning forward, his lips but inches away huskily teasing the demoness trapped within the virtuous vessel.

After deciding placing the small child in the Miko's chambers at this current time would not be a good idea, he took to placing the small bundle in with Rin.

"I must admit, it was rewarding to find a beautiful young Miko" he spoke teasing the woman further. Chuckling as the woman pouted closing her eyes in wait for his touch. Bo Lei on the other hand pulled back, a pair of heated golden eyes conveying the death sentence. Stepping through the screen to the Miko's chamber once more, sunset orbs fixed on the crystal blue of the Chinese dragon. His stoic features suddenly becoming harsh in irritation.

"What are you doing Lord Bo Lei?" Sesshoumaru spoke icily. Glaring at the foreign dragon, not noticing he had spoken to the intruder extremely informally. Said dragon demon gave an equally stern glare to counter attack.

"There is something I must discuss with you, privately" Kagome said to the silver haired lord.

"There you are Kagome!" a strong woman's voice startled the tense group. After her chat with the younger Inu brother, who had now been placed in the furthest house of the large castle for rest, Amaterasu had come across a rather calm Sesshoumaru carrying a small fox child. He had announced that he would be retiring for the remainder of the day and did not wish to be disturbed.

'Like that would've happened' she snorted thinking back to the Taiyoukai carrying a small Kitsune.

"I am not Kagome; I am Mai Yu you'd do well to remember that" The usual sweet smile relaying a hint of darkness as she addressed the pale Amaterasu. Kagome gasped, there was that voice again. It was her voice but not her voice. "I'm sorry Amaterasu, I don't know what is going on." Kagome looked down, her bangs covering her face.

"It's okay Kagome" Amaterasu smiled, "Would you like to bathe? We have a wonderful spring in the grounds" she continued. Sesshoumaru stopped the pair and with a stern word he advised the girl to find him in his study afterwards.

"What a great idea, I would indeed enjoy a soak" she said softly, nodding at Sesshoumaru. Following the older demon down a small corridor between Rin's and Sesshoumaru's rooms.

"You are free to use the spring, whenever you wish to" Smiling the older lady slid the screen open revealing the steaming water.

"Your assistance is not needed" the arrogant tone from the other voice did not suit the Miko's soft features, but despite her annoyance Amaterasu bowed in response leaving the woman alone to bathe. When the woman could no longer feel the thunder goddess, she cursed in anger before speaking out.

"Child, do not fight with me" she began removing her white gown, revealing the strange under garments from Kagome's time. The dead blue pools flickered into those of crystal blue filled with fire from the human teen

'I will not stop, you're in my body' Kagome spat from inside earning a snort from the demon in control. Kagome hissed, bringing the her hand to her head signalling the being inside was giving her a headache, Mai Yu retaliated quickly.

"Enough!" she shouted, growling in irritation. Mai Yu finally removed the foreign clothes with difficulty, before stepping into the cloudy water of the spring enjoying the warming sensation, she noted her little Miko was also enjoying the sensation as she had now calmed.

A/N: A confusing chapter, but it is meant to be -scratches back of head- ahaa.