Chapter 4

"Answer me, woman." Looking into his amber eyes as his face drew closer I felt the stirrings that had previously made their way south intensify, his expression a mixture of desire and arrogance... he already knew the answer to his question.

"I u-uh, you're very close..." He put his palms against the wall behind me, effectively trapping me between his arms, and growled as he moved even closer.

"Lord Sesshomaru? What are you doing to Lady Kagome?" Rin's small voice could be heard from the hallway, her little form appearing as a bob behind the silver haired demon's large shoulders.

"Rin, go find Jaken. Now. Koga, go with her." Two sets of reluctant foot steps headed towards the door, leaving me alone with an apparently erect dog demon- known to me because his hardened member rubbed against my hip, and that's when I realized what he was really asking.

"Now, now my lord... is that anyway to treat a Lady? I understand tonight is the start of mating season but I'd thought you of all demon-kind would have more control over yourself. Tsk Tsk." Amber eyes flashing between amber and red, the low growl that escaped his throat told the newcomer he was unwelcome, as for me? I was relieved by the distraction, I had not yet come to terms with how exactly I felt towards him and didn't want to do something in the heat of the moment.

"Miyumi, I should take your head for this." Sesshomaru looked at me and for the briefest of moments I saw hurt flash across his eyes, if he can smell arousal- had he scented my relief?

"I was on my way over here when I ran into Chiro, he's on his way to collect Mandailla eh?" Sesshomaru stepped away from me and I felt a pang in my chest, it was like I was disappointed yet I hadn't wanted to lose my virginity in the heat of the moment... or did I?

"Are you the miko I've been hearing so much about? Lady Kagome?" I'd almost not heard him- lost in my thoughts as I was, but the silver haired demon to my left touched me and brought me back to reality.

"U-uh yeah, I'm Kagome. No need to call me Lady though, and your name is Miyumi?" She was beautiful, long golden hair and deep purple eyes with pale creamy skin, she looked almost like an angel.

"Yes, I'm his first general and heir to the Southern lands." Heir? The beautiful demon standing before me isn't a woman or did I hear wrong?

"You're a man?" Taking in the long flowing female kimono I was beyond confused, then again the Lady of the West's adviser looked to be female as well, though I had later been shown not everything is what it seems when it comes to demons.

"Hai, I am. You don't have a problem with that do you Lady Kagome?" My eyebrow twitched at the way he purposefully used the honorific anyway, he must be sensitive about people who look down on his choice of dress.

"Not at all, just wanted to make sure I heard you right." I smiled at him showing that I genuinely didn't care what his lifestyle choices were and he seemed to soften,
his eyes warm when he looked at me before turning his attention back to Sesshomaru.

"My father isn't happy about this new situation your mother's demon brought us- although I'm sure neither is your mother. Where is she anyway? It's been too long since I'd visited." Looking at Sesshomaru I couldn't help but wonder who this demon was to him, not many can speak to him that way and I very highly doubted anyone else would have met his mother. Well, under normal circumstances anyway.

"That's why this Sesshomaru sent Chiro to fetch you, she is unwell and needs to be guarded while I'm away. Since you've arrived sooner than expected, we don't have to wait until morning to depart." As he finished speaking he turned towards me, it would seem our journey would begin sooner than we'd thought.

"I see, what ails her?" Amber eyes looked to me as if he wanted me to be the one to answer, of course no one really knows whats wrong with her- including me, but I had a better idea of it than anyone else so it made sense.

"She's kind of a berserk-er right now, there's something wrapped around her energy that is making her enraged and violent, sort of like it's eating her sanity." That was the best explanation I could give for now and with Sesshomaru insisting she stay here with Miyumi- I wouldn't be able to help her or figure out what's wrong with her, but it probably is safer.

"I see... if the Lady loses control and unleashes her rage even Sesshomaru might have a hard time fending her off. She likes to act weak but if push comes to shove the Lady of the West is a dangerous enemy... or an exquisite ally." The situation from three days ago coming back to me and I had wondered why it looked as though Sesshomaru over-powered her so easily.

"Well yeah, but right now she needs to be contained. Will you be able to handle that if she is as powerful as you say?" Miyumi looked insulted, his purple eyes shining in mock hurt as he grinned.

"You wound me my Lady, I can not begin to explain the admiration for the beautiful Lady of the West, I shall protect her from outside influences as well as herself- that means protecting her people, which is why it's good she stays here." With that my unease about the situation was put to rest, she would be in good hands, I believed him when he said he's strong, his aura pulsed out in waves resembling a heartbeat- powerful and steady.

"Alrighty then and I've already told you not to call me Lady, the names Kagome. Ka-go-me." He chuckled and looked at Sesshomaru, his eyes bright with amusement as he shared a silent conversation with the beautiful silver haired demon beside me.

"She's feisty, I do hope you keep this one." He winked at Sesshomaru as the latter growled his annoyance, of course had he not interrupted before, things might have gone differently... I may very well end up a kept woman, if his possessiveness was an indication anyway.

"Leave." Miyumi grinned one more time before turning on his heel and walking towards the hallway, a bounce in his step as if he were happy- because he likes taunting Sesshomaru or because he caught the silver haired beauty in a compromising situation I didn't know, but it was weird all the same.

"Seeing a demon basically skip out of here is quite possibly the oddest thing I've seen since coming to this er- castle." I'd almost messed up and said era, Sesshomaru still didn't know about my home like the others- I should probably keep it that way.

He looked at me, his eyes burning into mine as if asking the question of whether or not we should continue what was started earlier or if we should prepare to depart, the inner battle was obviously torturing him so I made the decision for him. Wanting to know once and for all if I was developing feelings for my ex-intended's brother I walked back to the wall- leaning against it slowly. Before I had a chance to situate myself he was on me, his hands on either side of my hips as he instinctively pushed himself against me, when he finally looked at me I felt myself melt. If he'd smelled arousal before from the butterflies I'd experienced he'd be scenting it all over me now, I could feel a pool of hot liquid fill my panties as he leaned in for a kiss but before our lips touched Chiro came running in. Once again we were interrupted but this time Sesshomaru didn't look like he was going to be as forgiving, even I had to admit my irritation- at least until he heard why we'd been barged in on. Besides, maybe it was for the best, Sesshomaru was moving faster than any male I'd ever been with and wanting to experiment with him so I knew my feelings was a bit selfish... what if I decided I didn't want to last minute? Would he have been able to stop?

"Inuyasha's at the gate!" Sesshomaru had released Chiro's neck which until this moment I hadn't realized he was holding, when did he move is what I was trying to figure out- better yet, why the hell was Inuyasha here?

"What?" Chiro rubbed his neck as he took a step back, his lavender eyes flashing in worry as he took in his master's disheveled state, it was like Sesshomaru was also losing control but not in the way his mother was.

"Your brother, my Lord, he is here in the arms of a green haired demon and looks quite injured. They are seeking asylum." Sesshomaru's eyes bled red as he stalked past Chiro and towards the castle gate leaving me to scramble after him as quickly as I could.

When I finally reached the gate I wasn't surprised to see the green haired demon's neck between Sesshomaru's claws- who had forced the weaker to his knee's. Inuyasha lay crumpled against the grey cement wall on the left hand side of the gate, I could already sense Koga approaching, he and Inuyasha had become really good friends throughout the years- or so I'd been told. Walking over to where Inuyasha lay motionless I checked to see if he was still alive, his skin so grey I worried he might actually not be in need of asylum because he'd be dead. Satisfied he was breathing before pumping some healing energy into his body, careful not to mix too much of the holy aspect of it- although some was unavoidable, I breathed out in relief when his color returned. Inuyasha should thank his lucky stars he's half human, the holy power pumping through his veins wouldn't hurt so much later, unlike Kaihiki who was probably still suffering it's affects.

"Sesshomaru, stop!" He glared at me with red eyes, his expression asked me how I could dare order him around- knowing he could kill me, but I stood my ground, had I wanted Inuyasha dead I would have let Sesshomaru kill him in the clearing.

"I don't want Inuyasha to die and that one isn't worth your time, let's wrap this up so we can get moving and hopefully have some privacy." Trying to use our earlier, constantly interrupted, almost moment to my advantage, I saw Sesshomaru's eyes begin to return to their normal amber hue.

"What'er you doing to dog-faces mate?" My head snapped towards Koga as he spoke, he'd known about it the whole time and didn't tell me?

"Koga! You son of a bitch! How could you not tell me he was rutting around behind my back? I thought we were friends..." The wolf looked at me and actually had the nerve to appear ashamed, guilt clouded his eyes as he walked towards me.

"I'm sorry Kagome, you were gone for three years and only just recently came back a month ago, I didn't have the time to return to Kaede's village... Please don't hold it against him, being without you killed him and he just wasn't strong enough to exist without a mate." My eyes widened at this revelation, if what he said was true then Inuyasha was just weak... not cruel, in any case he was still unfaithful and I wasn't going to forgive him that easily.

"Still... Sesshomaru, please don't kill him. Let's just let them stay, we aren't going to be here for long anyway and I'm sure Miyumi will have loads of fun baby sitting-
plus it might be wise to keep them around for now. I have a feeling they will be detrimental to my journey." That was the last card I had in my arsenal, if that didn't convince him to spare them nothing would and if it did work? It was perfect revenge against Miyumi for being such a patronizing, interrupting, smart-ass pest and I couldn't wait to see the look on his face if he ended up watching after his Lord's half-demon brother.

He dropped the green haired demon to the floor but released his neck, turning towards me and seeing me lean over Inuyasha- his eyes turned red again, boy was he testy today, I thought, as I stood to make my way over to him. He grabbed my wrist when I got close enough and looked like he wanted to do more but instead just stood there, his eyes locked in a silent battle with mine. Ultimately he let me have my way, as his body language changed just about everyone in the garden relaxed and I turned intending to speak with Inuyasha's mate but he was already at the half-demon's side. Gently picking him up the green haired one held Inuyasha in his arms as if he were the most fragile thing on the planet, seeing that for some reason boiled my blood. Before I had a moment to clear my head Sesshomaru spoke, his voice like velvet against my angry thoughts and I knew it was better this way... after all I'm the one who really won. I'm no longer emotionally tied to someone who will only hurt me and now I'm guarded by someone who would hurt everyone for me.

"Bring him into the castle, one of my servants will show you the way to the guest chambers. If you two do anything my generals deem unworthy they will not hesitate to kill you, are you sure it's wise to seek shelter here?" He looked back at Sesshomaru, light green eyes met amber and not for the first time I almost felt bad for the green haired demon, he seemed deeply tortured.

"It's better here then out there my Lord, something dangerous is sweeping through the lands and affecting only those with demon blood. I fear something more deadly than you is upon us and for our sake I hope she does what she is intended to do." He looked at me as he finished speaking, he knew about the compass? It just dawned on me that Koga had said something about knowing about it as well which meant he would be coming with us. My only complaint was I wouldn't be able to see Miyumi's face when he's told he has to watch Inuyasha, whoever was to be his guide would get that honor- though I doubt he or she is going to find it as amusing as I would.

"Hn, we already have someone among us who knows about the compass, I hope you aren't trying to use that information as a bargaining chip?" He looked back at Sesshomaru and shook his head, fear tinged his eyes but not because of the silver haired Lord who'd just pommeled him.

"No my Lord, I truly just don't want my mate to die and he wouldn't have made it here without me nor would he stay if I left." I know that to be true, when Inuyasha is in love he follows the object of his affection around like a puppy dog.

"What is happening to demons that has you so frightened?" The green haired demon once again turned to face me but it was like he couldn't speak, his skin lost all color and he began to sweat like he'd seen a ghost.

"It's nothing I've ever seen before, I suggest you speak with your wolf friend soon priestess." Looking over to where Koga stood his face was solemn, whatever was happening out there was bad and I was supposed to be the one to stop it but how can I? I'm the moron who shattered the jewel, not to mention the fact that no matter how hard we collectively have tried to end Naraku? It hasn't been possible. What's coming is supposed to be worse... will I really be able to save everyone or will I mess this up like I've done everything else I've tried to fix in this era?

"The wolf will be accompanying us on this trip." He looked at Koga who looked like he wanted to protest but wisely kept his mouth shut, after all he did kind of betray me by not informing me on Inuyasha's tryst- as the fastest demon in the feudal era he could have found time to visit and talk.

"I think that's a great idea!" Looking over to him he looked almost scared, as he should be- he's lucky I don't have anymore enchanted beads or I'd be having a field day sitting him into oblivion.

After informing Koga he had one hour to prepare himself for our departure he gently grabbed my wrist, leading me to the guest bedroom I'd stayed in, and brought me to the bed where an oriental traveler's chest rested at it's edge. He opened it to reveal four or five silk priestess set's except instead of the usual red with white- were multiple shades of lavender, purple, black, and white with a light blue tint. Picking up the black silk hakama's and white silk blue tinted haori I looked at him in awe, who knew Sesshomaru would ever purchase clothing for me... really nice one's at that. Just as I was about to comment that I'd need to be alone to dress he hands me shiny black wooden female sandals before silently heading towards the door, once he was gone I quickly changed out of the thin night kimono into the beautiful set of miko robes he'd provided. There were a few hair accessories in the box as well, I chose two shiny black hair combs adorned with light blue-ish lavender lilies, sweeping my hair back so it was out of my face but still loose as my long blue black hair hung down my back, stopping just above my hips, letting a few strands frame my face. Ms. Sereda's Valley of Shadows came back to me as I remembered the protagonist's "captor" seems fond of these colors as well. Smiling down at the silken robes I wore I couldn't help but feel luckier than the woman in my book, after all Sesshomaru is no John Belvedair but for him to do something like this and for me? Giggling happily I made my way towards the shoji door, just as I was about to pull it open Rin came barging in.

"Lady Kagome! Rin thinks you should stay here, don't go!" She wrapped her little arms around my legs as I placed my hand on her small head, she was so beautiful for a girl so young and I was beyond pleased she had Sesshomaru to protect her- this era not being very kind to woman or female children.

"Listen, it's just for a little while and don't you want to see Shippo again? I need to do this so you and everyone can stay safe, so I want you to do something for me,
okay? Watch over this place until we get back and try to stay away from Inuyasha, we shouldn't be gone too long- when we get back I'll make sure to bring Shippo with me. Would you like that?" She smiled up at me, her eyes already brimming with un-shed tears but I had to force myself to remain vigilant, although I didn't really want to leave knowing I'd probably die, I don't want those I care about to suffer. So with a heavy sigh I untangled myself from Rin and pushed out my energy to locate Sesshomaru's.

"Are you ready miko?" Nodding I wasn't suprised at how fast he appeared or at the fact he had Koga with him, Sesshomaru went to the bed and grabbed the small travelers chest before leading us to the front entrance, stopping just as we hit the gate and called Ah-un.

"Before we go, shouldn't I speak to your mother once more? Command her to listen to Miyumi or something like that?" He shook his head, long silver hair flowed around him as he moved and when his amber eyes met mine it was clear he didn't want me near her.

Fastening the chest to Ah-un along with some other supplies for his new ningen companion- such as food and bath supplies from what I could tell, he then lifted me onto the two headed dragons back before forming his cloud. Looking at Koga questioningly the wolf simply grinned and pointed to his shins, he intended to follow us on foot which knowing the wolf wouldn't be too hard a feat. I planned on grilling my old friend not only about the compass- but Inuyasha as well, first chance I got- even though I'm sure he doesn't know much, the energy I'd already tasted on the Lady of the West is most definitely foreign to these lands. With that in mind the four of us took off, Sesshomaru in front and Koga at the rear. We flew for hours until a dark energy so disgusting I gagged as it hit me- actually nearly knocking me from Ah-un, swirled around us and I suddenly understood why the green haired demon had been so afraid. Images of what looked to be satanic rituals, rape, and murder played in the back of my eyes like a sick movie I couldn't turn off almost causing me to vomit all over Ah-un- thankfully I missed, releasing the bile into the air below as the two headed dragon prepared to land.

"Kagome?" Koga called as he raced to where Ah-un gently dropped me, my skin slick with sweat as I tried to get hold of my breathing but nothing I did seemed to take away the nausea torturing my insides.

"You need to tell me everything you know about this thing on my forehead and you need to do it right now." Koga looked at me with wide surprised eyes but nodded his agreement, it's time I learned a little about what we're up against and make sense of just what the hell it was I saw in that vision.

"Miko?" Sesshomaru was by my side seconds after Koga but I wasn't sure I wanted him around when Koga told me about my destiny, what if I really did die and these feelings I was starting to gain for him eventually gets him killed? From what I saw it was possible- because the rape and rituals I'd seen in my vision? Were being done to demons... by humans.

~ Author's note~ Sorry for the short chapter guys, working and adulting is quite time consuming but I plan to write a longer one for my readers next week! Reviews would be greatly appreciated! If you like the story please voice it, I love hearing other's opinions and don't mind answering questions. Thank you to my followers and favorites! You guys make writing worth it 3~