I got my phone!!! I've got 4 chapters (this one included) ready to go!! We have 12 total chapters in this arc, the goal is to wrap it up by October 1st! October 1st-17th I plan on uploading my short story "I Can Fix it" and celebrate my birthday by finishing that story. November 1st I'll start publishing the final arc of this story hopefully have it finished by December 20th ish. Then I plan on uploading a holiday one shot for Christmas taking a break until January.

I hope the wait was worth it y'all enjoy this chapter!

The clashing of metal on metal rang out through the clearing as the expanded inutachi watched on with bored faces. The fighting between brothers had become a nearly everyday occurance, so it had lost some of it shock value. Though the vehemence of the fights was getting worse with each passing scuffle, and with the human wench gone home to restock on supplies, there was no one there to quell the fighting.

The rest of the grop seemed to understand that they were no match for either inu and wisely stayed back. The two humans were not important enough to care but the children were another story. Being the benevolent master he was, Sesshomaru-sama had taken an interest in the fox kit, much like he had shown in Rin. Because of this, Jaken now regularly found himself set with the task of caring over the two children.

He, the once revered gami leader of the hidden swamps, was reduced to a lowely babysitter for orphans. At least this one was a yokai, Jaken thought glumily to himself. With a sigh, he waddled over to find a suitable distraction while his lord showed his stupid half-breed brother his place.

~~

"You are a disgrase!" The vehemence of his voice was nothing compared to the strength behind his swing, each blow landing against Inuyasha's sword with a vibration of fury. Though he didn't understand why the bastard was so pissed off, he knew this fight was more than just them letting off steam like usual.

Normally, one of them would make a snide comment, they'd spar, then they'd continue on with their lives like nothing happened. It wasn't really personal anymore, not since Sesshomaru had given up on Tenseiga. But this was different.

As soon as Kagome had gone down the well, Sesshomaru began his assault. A quick turn to the left had Inuyasha dodging a swipe of claws and he realized he let his thoughts get away with him. He needed to focus.

"Why the Miko remains loyal to you, when you can't show the same courtsey is beyond this one." Sesshomaru had been waiting for this. His disgrace of a half-brother had built up quite the list of offended toward the Miko, and while she wasn't inclined to put the whelp in his place... Sesshomaru had no problem with it. In fact, he reveled in it.

"Fuck off ya prick! I didn't even do anyhting this time!" And he didn't. It has been three days since he'd done anything to piss everyone off, so what was the pricks deal?

Sesshomaru didn't let him wonder for long as the next swing of his sword caught Inuyasha's left arm. Cursing the bastard, Inuyasha jumped back, giving himself space to formulate a counterattack.

"The wells magic had yet to even receed before your undead bitches shinidamachu appeared."

"What?" That's what he was so pissed about? What the fuck did he care what Inuyasha did or who he did it with! Besides, it's not like he heeded the call. This time. "You think I planned it or something? Its not like I left!"

A low growl filled the clearing as Sesshomaru's eyes flashed red. Seething his sword, the infuriated inu lord walked toward Inuyasha. Each step deliberate. A statement. "Had this one not stepped in, you would have run to the dead one before the Miko even made it home."

His ears flattened against his head as his grip on his sword tightened. Who did Sesshomaru think he was? Just waltzing in and trying to take over. What happened between him, Kagome, Kikyo wasn't his business. Inuyasha didn't want to deal with this anymore.

Kagome was gone for a few days, Sango, Miroku, Shippo had plans, there was no reason for him to stick around. He damn sure wasn't fixing to waste his shard hunting break fighting with the bastard he shared a site with.

"Keh, whatever ya prick! I'm outta here!" Seething his sword with a huff, Inuyasha turned his back and began to walk away. Only to stop abruptly at Sesshomaru's next words.

"You will not continue to betray the Miko for the undead one without consequence Inuyasha."

"Why do you even care anyway?" Spinning around so fast he almost fell, Inuyasha quickly caught his balance and growled. Eyes narrowed and fangs bared, Inuyasha went on the defensive. "Kagome's a human, you hate those... remember! What I do or don't do when it comes to her is none of your business, shes not yours so back off!"

~~

Several days had passed and the group, minus Inuyasha, were waiting in a clearing not far from the bone eaters well, waiting on Kagome's return. In the time she had been gone, no one had heard from Inuyasha. They had, had time to think things over and were now discussing their thoughts on the matter.

Sango sighed as she looked off into the trees. Things had changed so much for their group lately it seemed like more change was inevitable. Inuyasha couldn't keep up this behavior without something bad happening. As much as she hated it, she could at least admit it. "Do you really think Inuyasha told Kikyo to meet him here?"

"It does seem suspicious that she would show up just as Kagome-sama left. Especially since this trip was so sudden." Miroku pointing out the spontaneity of Kagome's trip home highlighted the fact that Kikyo had to have been told when to show up. There was no way it was a coincidence.

"Indeed. The whelp met with the undead one just before sunrise."

Sango hoped the twitching in her eye wasn't noticable. "Of course he did."

Miroku's frown matched the disappointment laced in his voice. "This cant continue. While I understand Inuyasha's precarious position, Kikyo has proven she can not be trusted."

Nods of agreement were shared before he continued. "If it came down to protecting the jewel or getting whatever misconceived vengeance Kikyo feels she is owed to her from Kagome, I believe vengeance would win."

Sango knew Miroku was right. Kikyo was a vile creature that had no business walking around, let alone plotting against her dearest friend. "Obviously that... thing would definitely take the opportunity to trade the jewel to hurt Kagome. Kikyo has already tried to kill her more than once."

Letting out a sigh of frustration, Sango lowered her eyes. It was time to make a verbal concession. "Sesshomaru's right, Inuyasha doesn't deserve Kagome's loyalty."

"While the half-breed may not deserve it, the fact that he still has it just proves this ones point. The Miko is too good for him an can not realistically depend on him for her protection in all situations."

Giving the two humans a moment to absorb what he's just said, Sesshomaru quietly added one more little tidbit. "While the Miko has proven continuously where her true loyalties lie, so too has the whelp."

"I hate to admit it..." Miroku felt like a traitor for what he was about to say. But in the end, he was a monk and lying to yourself was a great sin. It was time to face the fact that his best friend was a terrible significant other. "But unfortunately those loyalties are not with Kagome."

"Indeed."

"So milord, how do we, Sango and myself, help?" Miroku wanted to move on. They had all verbally agreed on the problem. Now it was time to find a solution. But of course, Sesshomaru wanted to hear none of it.

"Do not concern yourselves."

"Mirokus right." Sango glared at the inuyokai. How dare he tell them not to concern themselves with their best friends welfare? What a tool! Well, Sango was NOT about to let Sesshomaru dismiss them so easily. ",Kagome is my best friend and we can help. You said it yourself, she can't protect herself. Maybe we could train her."

Sesshomaru thought about the slayers suggestion. It wouldn't hurt for the Miko to get some training in, even if she wouldn't need to use it. Deciding it wouldn't be a hinderance of any kind, he agreed. "The Miko no longer need worry over protection. But if you an your intended wish to train the Miko, this one would not oppose."

"Indended?! Thats not-" Sango's face immediately flushed crimson as her brain seemed to forget how to function. Miroku, taking pity on the woman he loved, stepped in to redirect the conversation.

"While I agree spiritual and hand- to - hand combat experience would benefit her, and am willing to train Kagome-sama, may I inquire my lord, as to what exactly you meant by saying she no longer needs to worry about protection?"

"The Miko Kagome of the Shikon no Tama is henceforth under the protection of this Sesshomaru, along with her adopted kit Shippo. Thus, she will no longer be cast aside in times of turmoil in favor of a corpse. She willbe safe in this one's care."

It was at that moment that Inuyasha returned dropping several bags on the floor in a huff of fury, a bewildered Kagome following closely behind. Apparently their friend had returned and was escorted by their now furious looking companion. Ears twitching in agitation, Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and reached for his sword. "The fuck did you just say?"