Stepping past the trees onto the worn path leading from the local game trails towards the flourishing village, Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose ever slightly. Sure, he had no ill will towards this village and no longer carried a deep seated distain for humans, but that didn't mean he liked their smell. Most the population smelled foul and their villages even more so. Though this village was more pleasant than others thanks to the teachings of the hanyou's Miko.

Unfortunately, it was with she he had business with at the moment. Her hut wasn't hard to distinguish from the others, thankfully being set up along the edge of the rest of the village. Was it out of a lack of space or lingering mistrust of the Hanyous demon blood? Either way, it suited him just fine.

Said miko was bent over various bushes growing in distinct lines beside her hut. Rin, ever curious, crouched down beside her, watching intently as the Miko picked a budding stem from the plant. She babbled on about its uses for human ailments. Out of the corner of her eye, Rin spotted Sesshomaru. Her lesson abandoned as she left up crying out for the Demon Lord.

Kagome rises up and turns around to smile at the scene of the young girl rushing towards her hero figure.

"Lord Sesshomaru, Rin wasn't expecting to see you again so soon!" She gushed wrapped his leg.

"I have matters to discuss with the Miko." He informed, placing a hand on the crown of her head. Smiling, Rin released him of her hold and followed closely as he continued towards Kagome.

"Hello Sesshomaru, what can I do for you?" Kagome questioned with a smile. Sesshomaru gives a pointed look towards her hut. Loath to enter her and the half breeds dwellings as it was, it simply wouldn't do to have this discussion out in the open among the many ears scurrying about the fields. "Oh! Why don't you come inside with me and have some tea? Rin and I could use a bread anyway." She offered, noticing his pointed look.

The three entered Kagomes hut. Quickly, Kagome set to work, starting a fire and setting a pot of water to boil beside it. Once she and Rin were settled on the floor, Sesshomaru having declined to sit down with them, Kagome leveled him with an expectant look.

"This one requires your abilities." He started out.

"Okay, whatever it is, I will do my best to help." Kagome encouraged.

"There is a temple in the east that has sealed an Inu Demoness. You must break this seal." He stated as the water began to bubble in the pot.

"Do you know why this..." She draws off, turning her attention to the pot as she tosses a handful of leaves into the steaming water. "Has been sealed?"

"Typical pursicution of humans against Demons. This demoness harbored no ill intentions towards humans, according to my father."

"Your father? So you have known about this sealed demon for some time, then? If so, why decide to free her now?" She inquired with a puzzled look.

"This Journal.." Producing a leather bound book from his sleeve Sesshomaru continued. "Was found in one of this one's sires chambers. This one's mother read the contents and then saw fitting to pass the journal down to me when she felt appropriate. It is his account of his meetings with the Demoness before his demise and her disappearance."

"Oh wow! So this demon was a friend of your dad's! How far east is this shrine?"

"It is among the coatal islands littering the coast of the East. It is considered a spiritual stronghold of sorts." He supplied.

"Okay, well, Inuyasha isn't supposed to be back until tomorrow. I can't leave without talking it over with him first. I can only imagine how long she has been sealed, but hopefully, one extra day won't hurt?" She explains but tones it as a weary question.

"Hn..." He nods his head. The logic was sound, as for why would they try to exterminate the demoness now when they had been sealing and guarding her for so long.

"Does that mean you'll be staying the night milord!?" Rin exclaimed, eyes sparkling at the thought of more time spent with him. His nod makes her bounce in excitement, almost spilling the cup of tea handed to her. The two girls finish their tea and the Lord of the West disappears into the forrest of Inuyasha. Leaning against the base of a tree, he opens his father's journal and begins to read once more. Managing to read a few passages before Rin comes barreling towards him, having finished her chores of the day.

There the two spend the rest of the day enjoying eachothers company. Sesshomaru simply keeping and eye out for possible danger while humorist the ramblings of Rin. Who bounced between picking flowers, telling him of what she had learned so far, and huming made-up songs.

"Absolutely not. No. Nope." Inuyasha spits, transformed tensauga resting over a shoulder.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome pouts. "You were sealed to a tree for fifty years before I came along and freed you. How would you feel if it was hundreds of years?"

"Keh! I barely even recognized any time was going by while sealed. She ain't going to miss much. Let some other person come along and unsealed her." He argued back.

"What if you came with us!?" Kagome suggested.

"HELL NO! I ain't traveling with him!"

"Inuyasha..." She drawled out in warning.

"No! I'm putting my foot down here! This isn't our problem. The bitch probably deserved it in the first place."

"Your father's journal states otherwise you idiot! SIT." With a resounding thud Inuyasha was sent clattering to the ground head first, his sword deformity in the process. "I'm going no matter what! It's not like we're going on some lengthy adventure like we did with the Jewel shards. The village will be fine while I'm gone and I want to help. Now I'm putting MY foot down." She seethed readjusting her bow and quiver on her shoulders.

Throughly amused and content with the events unfolding Sesshomaru turned towards the east and began what would be a long trek towards the coast. With one last huff and the pointing of her nose in the air Kagome followed after him. Walking right past the entrenched hanyou as he pushed himself up from the ground to spit out the dust that he inhaled upon landing.

"What!?" He exclaimed looking up to find his mates back retreating from him. "Kagome!" He screamed after her. "Don't you dare take another step! I mean it! Kagome! Come back her right now. I'm not running after you to save you for the billionth time because you want to go all noble on me for someone or something that don't concern us...

KAGOME!!!!!!"

"Stupid mate...making me chase her across Nippom after that smelly bastard. Could've been at home right now." Inuyasha muttered darkly to himself from the back of the group.

"You should be honored the great and powerful Lord Sesshomaru requested the aid of your Onna! Must less allow you to follow him with your tainted blood and foul stench!" Jaken shrieked from his perch on Ah-Uns back.

"If he so great and powerful why doesn't he break the seal on this demon anyways, huh!?" Inuyasha argued back finding a new target for his ire.

Kagome casted her gaze heavenward and shook her head. Jake plus Inuyasha equaled and infinity loop of yelling and arguments. So far this trip was turning out to be a long one. Looking to her side she caught the twin gaze of Ah-Uh looking every bit as exasperated as she did.

'At least I'm not the only one annoyed by these two.' She sighed internally.