Round 5, enjoy. –DP

Well, they were as comfy as they would be for the night, the cave was little bit cramped up but would do because they were both sitting. Kagome had packed snow up, blocking the entrance except a few inch gap at the top for air circulation. Surviving the night was biggest obstacle currently, and there seemed to be enough brush here that Kagome split it in two, some for the two girls to kind of try to half bury themselves in for the night, though any branches and decent bark she decided to attempt to make small fire, least for couple hours, with any luck it would heat some of the rock of the cave walls and hold it a few hours, enough to get them through the night. She positioned the small pile near the snow entrance so smoke could escape through the gap she had left, with her trusty lighter she soon had a small blaze going. She watched young Rin scoot closer to it for a little warmth and Kagome didn't blame her, she could already feel the temp dropping it seemed, and the last rays of light were fading.

It was going to be a long night Kagome knew, she loaded the fire up with more twigs and bark that had been left in the cave by some animal at some point, she pulled the girl into her lap and then began pulling the brush and dead grasses that were left around them, hoping to help converse heat between the two. After they settled there , they both watched the small fire perk up some, they felt the heat much better but Kagome knew didn't have enough twigs and such but to last maybe couple hours and then coals for a couple hours. She prayed to every deity she knew for a few moments, hoping no one found them and they wouldn't freeze to death this night and that they would find the village by midday tomorrow. The small warmth they received from the fire lured them into a light slumber eventually, hopefully though it would not be the last time they would wake. ****

Sesshomaru was currently storming through the area himself, well he figured the general area that those damn demons had last swept through. Damn the snow and its effects on dampening my sense of smell… The faithful dragon flew behind him in silence, Jaken had been sent off to a nearby village to gather supplies for Rin, and he just hoped the girl would be alright not froze by the time he reached her again. He had known they went north, he figured as much because that was where the leopard demon would benefit the most at locating himself. The northern plains had several tundra's in the area that any snow demon would enjoy basking in the wintery weather. Sesshomaru released a low growl in frustration, he did not like being left in the dark, even more so not knowing precise location of his little ward. It was pitch black out, he could still see easily, though not much for traveling at night unless it was a matter needing immediate attention, his eyes were currently scanning the area below he had done passed two villages neither containing the girl's scent, so he kept northward, he would enjoy far too much sinking his claws into the leopard who was causing him so much trouble, and one top of snatching his father's blade, oh he would pay slowly…

Sesshomaru suddenly stopped in mid flight catching the smell of a fire, though didn't seem logical the last village he had past probably near ten miles back. He was over a frozen forest, his eyes darted around rapidly taking in everything on this side of the frozen waste land. He idly landed and started to attempt to trace the trail of smoke, though faded perhaps two or three hours old, the smell scattered all over the area for there was little wind to carry it anywhere, if a demon with a lesser nose had attempted to trace it, they would have likely failed. His steps were silent his demeanor deadly as usual as he continued to follow his nose for a couple minutes through the landscape, he figured he was close. ***

Something was tugging at her senses, trying to pull her awake, reluctant but finally Kagome pried her eyes open, trying to focus though it was fairly dark where ever she was, though after a minute it crashed down on her to where she was and little Rin was still tucked against her chest. Kagome didn't feel that cold, little cool, she glanced at the fire which all was left was dimming embers of orange. She gave a mental sigh at the sight, if only she had, had a few more twigs, she didn't know what time it was besides the fact was still dark out. Though she tried to recall what drew her from slumber. Then the sensation raked over her, her senses tingled in warning from the youkai presence nearby, not that far at that. She tried to identity it, it was definitely pure demon, so that ruled out Inuyasha, it seemed to strong to be the leopard so that ruled out her enemy.

Kagome took a guess that it might be Sesshomaru, she wished that she could remember the energy signature of his aura exactly but it wouldn't come to mind, though seriously what loony demon would be up in the northern plains freezing their tails off. If they had a tail that is, she kept focusing on the source, it was closing in she knew that much, her brow scrunched as she continued her energy on the demon and her thoughts attempting to think of something. Though she heard a branch snap and she instantly put her barrier up, her form getting up on her knees she put Rin where she had been sitting, the girl groaning in protest from her lack of pillow and security. Kagome got up enough to look through the gap she had left for air, she couldn't much see anything in the pitch black, though her barrier would fairly block their scent she hoped wasn't too late. She didn't want to take a chance that it wasn't Sesshomaru. Anything could be looking for a quick easy meal, Rin and herself would not be one.

Kagome was at a loss, if she dropped her barrier and it wasn't Sesshomaru they'd likely get eaten, if it was Sesshomaru hopefully they could both get out of here in one piece. What risk was she willing to take? She stirred Rin from her sleep, the little girl groggy though sitting up. "Kagome?" Kagome just gave a nod and spoke very lowly, in near whisper. "Rin there is a demon around, and I don't know if it is Sesshomaru or another demon, do you have any way to tell that it is Sesshomaru?" She watched Rin think for a moment, her little nose scrunching in thought. "Can't we just call out and see?" The little girl finally said and Kagome sighed. "No, it would give us away and if it isn't Sesshomaru, we are doomed." Kagome made a last minutes choice. "Rin, listen closely, I am going to go out there and find out, if it is Sesshomaru he might end up going right by us.

Stay right here in this cave, and if I don't come back by dawn keep heading toward the village as we planning, okay?" Kagome knew Rin wanted to protest but she couldn't blame her getting left alone, but the girl eventually nodded. Kagome cleared some of the snow away enough for her to slide out of the entrance, she quickly packed the snow back to hide Rin. The young priestess let a barrier over the younger girl and slowly made her way forward, feeling with her feet before stepping, she made sure to get several steps away before she let out a harsh whisper. "Lord Sesshomaru?" She wasn't willing to drop her barrier, not If something came charging for some reason. Including Sesshomaru himself. "Sesshomaru?" Kagome tried again, listening for any signs of life besides herself, she still felt the aura nearby. She decided to put out a low wave of her pure energy to catch attention incase they hadn't heard her already. Complete suicide… She mentally figured, her energy washed over the area probably for half mile. Just as when she was going to try calling Sesshomaru again, she only had about two seconds and the demon lord was then right in front of her, well she figured it was him considering all she could see was white clothing.

"Human what are you doing way out here?" His voice was monotone and she'd know it anywhere. Kagome was slightly relieved but quickly supplied an answer not to annoy him. "Well…I got kidnapped from my group like three days ago probably, and then Rin got kidnapped from you apparently, and so yesterday while we had the chance we made our escape. Rin is fine, held up in a cave somewhere behind me. I can follow my own energy back." She added knowing just where the girl was. He was unmoving and silent for several moments. "Ah-Un…" Was all he said before he was gone, and in another moment the dragon was nudging up against her form for attention. She had made friends with the two headed beast from their time together when Sesshomaru had somewhat joined their little group to defeat Naraku. Her hands placed on the dragon for balance as she then heard a squeal of delight when she figured Rin had discovered her lord had come to her aid once more. Too bad Inuyasha didn't have that track record for getting here just on time… She shook her head as a shiver was felt down to her bones.

Ah-Un nudged her again as suddenly she had a Rin clinging to her legs. "I told you he would come Kagome-chan!" She exclaimed eagerly. Kagome tried to see the demon who she felt was couple feet away, though her poor eye sight at night prevented her from doing so. "Kagome, Lord Sesshomaru has done said you can come with us until you find your group again! So you don't have to stay out here." Well that was a slight relief Kagome figured. She felt Rin pull away and manage to climb into the saddle of the awaiting dragon. "Come on Kagome." With a deep breath she felt out where Rin was located and none too gracefully got onto the dragon herself behind the girl. It wasn't but minute later they were in the air flying to she didn't know where. Kagome leaned over and asked Rin if she knew. Rin just shook her head. With a sigh Kagome felt the exhaustion inching into her mind, she hadn't slept well for days, always on alert because of those demons guarding her back in that hut.

Kagome couldn't believe she had dozed off, but apparently Rin had too because the girl was leaning back against her lightly snoring, it was still dark, though she the light jarring from them landing stirred her from sleep. Glancing around she noticed they were on the outskirts of a village, she longed to just go shuffle to one of those warm huts and sleep for two days. Though for some reason she knew it wouldn't happen, as if on cue she saw the outline of a familiar Jaken who slightly wobbled carrying his baggage. In the next couple minutes was somewhat comical, Jaken let a complaint that she was there, not wanting another human around again. Sesshomaru had a boot to the poor toads skull followed by what Kagome recognized as a pound of jiggling coins being dropped. They were far off enough she couldn't hear the conversation though Jaken had came over stuffed supplies into the saddle bags on the dragon and waddled off again toward the village. He had grumbled beneath his breath the whole time and while he walked off.

Same old Jaken… Her thoughts were disturbed by the voice of none other than Sesshomaru himself. "We will camp not far from here." He stated plain and simple, as she suddenly felt Ah-Un moving once more on foot away from the village, soon enough they stopped again and the dragon lowered himself to the ground. With a unsteady sigh Kagome waited a couple minutes before she manage to balance herself and get Rin off the Dragon at the same time. Sesshomaru had done cleared out, his aura was further off which didn't bother her much, his energy always put her on edge slightly, it just screamed DANGER RUN. She shook her head again and placed Rin down, leaning on Ah-Un, which is how the young girl always slept when they had traveled together for near a week. She didn't know how long she had been lost in thought just standing, leaning against Ah-Un when a pile of wood being dropped in a heap but not horribly loud gave her a start. It was just Sesshomaru, who had gathered wood for them, or at least Rin to keep warm for time being. He took but a minute organizing the wood to his liking leaving a stack to feed it later, he then walked away, and Ah-Un inhaled sharply and then let out a large puff of fire which caught the wood on fire.

Blinking rapid after a few moments her eyes readjusted to the area, the flames quickly eloping the wood for fuel. The light flickered among the cleared area making her feel a bit more at ease. Kagome found herself sliding down the dragon to sitting next to Rin, her head propping against the beast's scaly hide but it wasn't rough to the touch, which amazed her as usual. Kagome dozed once more, into a slumber, letting the heat of the fire warm her cool skin. ***

Sesshomaru was idly leaning on a tree he had decided to perch himself for the time being. His gaze slid to the newest member of his pack, the miko, the one who too often reminded him of her. His gaze returned to the cloudy sky above, he would return her to her group, he owed her that much considering she looked after Rin. Though fate seemed to like being cruel to him, leading the priestess into his path, and now he was stuck with her for who knows how long. He still had revenge to reap and his sword to recover, it would play in his favor to have the miko around to keep an eye on Rin when he decided to go after the bastards. Yes, he would look after the human for now, until her group found them.