I'll be your strength; I'll keep holding on...

Of course, rumors started to fly and soon reached Inuyasha.

"Why do you fuss, Inuyasha? We have our own problems." Kikyo stated,

"Do you hear yourself? Sesshomaru wants to mate with her!"

"I fail to see how that is our issue."

"She's still my friend!"

He kept going, and she kept following, and behind them, Miroku and Sango.

Rin and Shippo stayed with Kaede.

"Inuyasha, it is only a rumor," Miroku added,

"Keh, I know it's true; Sesshomaru would kill them otherwise."

"It's not so shocking," Sango said, which had them all stopping and looking back at her.

"What? He's good-looking, she's good-looking, and they're both Inu demons. Not only is the attraction factor there, but their instincts as well. Sesshomaru was no doubt drawn to her right away, the way he held her."

"Shut up!" Inuyasha yelled, "I don't want to hear that shit!"

Sango put her hands up in defense.

"Inuyasha…" Miroku warned; too bad none of them could sit him.

They kept moving on, "We will be there by nightfall." Came Inuyasha's rough voice.

By nightfall, Kagome was lying in her bed but shot up at the feel of something coming close. She quickly ran from her room. "Sesshomaru," She said softly,

His mother came into view, opening her door. "He is outside; the half-breed comes."

Kagome bolted till she saw Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru,"

He looked back at her running to him; he watched as her long hair swayed. She came up and grabbed his arm. "Is it Inuyasha?" She looked up at him innocently, and a possessiveness came over him. He tugged his arm away and wrapped it around her waist, pulling her closer. "Can you not tell? Use your nose."

She sniffed. "He smells like dirt, water, and blood,"

"Hn."

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha jumped over the wall with Kikyo in his arms, sword drawn. Miroku and Sango rode on the demon cat's back and landed.

"To what do we owe this displeasure?" Sesshomaru asked.

"So it is true!" He yelled.

"Hu?" Kagome asked, looking at him, then back at Sesshomaru.

"You're going to mate with him!"

Kagome snapped her eyes back to Inuyasha. She didn't miss the fact that Sesshomaru's hold became tighter.

"I thought you were not some piece of meat that could be claimed, Kagome?"

Her eyebrows drew together, and then a growl came from her mouth, but Sesshomaru's light chuckle made her stop and look up. "All is well; do not look at me so."

"Why are you-" She stopped mid-question at the faint, and I mean faint, blush on his cheek; she swallowed.

"Grrr. Get away from her, Sesshomaru!"

Kagome watched as his faint blush faded, and darkness took over. "Silence, half-breed!" He snapped.

"Kagome, what are you doing?! It's Sesshomaru!"

Kagome looked back at him. "What are you getting all worked up over?" She pulled away from Sesshomaru, who was none too happy about the loss of warmth.

"You can't be serious about mating with the guy. He tried to kill you!"

"Yeah, and you let me die." She snapped and then smacked her hands over her mouth for a moment, "I'm sorry," She whispered.

"Come back with us," His ears were now flat.

"Inuyasha," Her words were soft but didn't sound the same. More apologetic than anything.

"I can protect you; we can protect you!"

"I don't need protection anymore, Inuyasha."

He stepped back. "No, you can't be serious! Are you seriously thinking about this?"

She turned her back to look at Sesshomaru, and a blush graced her face. "What if I am?"

Sesshomaru stepped forward, and a low growl of approval rushed to her ears, causing her to blush more. She really had to stop doing that.

"Ka- Kagome, he won't love you." His tone almost begged, "Not like-"

"Finish that sentence half-breed, and I'll remove your tongue."

"Grr… What did you say!"

"You can offer her nothing," Sesshomaru stated coldly,

"Yeah, and what can you offer her bastard!"

"Everything her heart desires."

Everyone there, even Miroku, felt the flutter of Kagome's heart. "Sesshomaru," She whispered, and he looked back down at her again. Their eyes met, and then he leaned down and bumped his nose against her cheek, and the oddest thing happened. She closed her eyes, and heat pooled within her, then she walked away, back to the castle where his demoness mother waited.

"What the fuck was that?"

"Tell me, Inuyasha, our father's blood runs in you, yet you know nothing of our ways?"

He balled his fist, "Slayer and monk, you may stay if you wish."

With that, he turned and followed his very soon-to-be mate.