Story Notes:
This idea was one I came up with a long while back and I hope that everyone enjoy's it as much as I do...
Author's Chapter Notes:
A/N- This one I've been working on for a while. Since I'm creating new ways that everything occurred in the anime and manga of InuYasha, hopefully this will work out.
Disclaimer- I don't own InuYasha, even though I would love to bring Fluffy and Inu home any day!
Enjoy!
'Thoughts'
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Chapter One
Inu Priestess
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Feudal Era...
The night's moisture hung heavily to the air as the large form of a Demon Dog prowled his lands, Sesshoumaru hated night duty but being a faithful son, he had done as his father had asked him too.
Looking up at the sky he discovered that it was a new moon night, 'that bastard is going to be born soon,' shuddering at that thought, Sesshoumaru continued down the hill and into a wide valley.
Since winter had passed only months ago the grass was still struggling to grow back, there were wide patches of brown and grey grass, here and there, thus showing that the time had come for new grass to grow in the stead of the old.
As he made his way across the valley, Sesshoumaru's ears picked up a loud scream that resounded in the distance, '...it can't be that human woman she's miles away...better check anyway, father would be rather displeased to find out that I had done nothing.'
Having made up his mind, Sesshoumaru silently cursed his father as he ran off into the trees where the scream had come from, still unsure that this was the right course of action he sniffed the air.
Almost automatically the scent of blood hit his nostrils, it was human and female, but there was another sent as well.
'Panther Demon...' growling angrily at the audacity of the demon, he hurried to the location of that offending smell making sure to transform back into his human form, 'no demon has the right to see me in my true form!'
As he approached, he could hear the female human screaming at the demon as she tried a pathetic attempt to be let go.
Letting loose a low and threatening growl, he stepped out into the small clearing his eyes automatically locking on the form of a lower ranked Panther Demon. The Demon cringed when it saw him but oddly it didn't turn and run, even though it knew that it had no chance in hell at defeating Sesshoumaru, instead the Demon lunged forward.
Surprisingly the Demon wasn't headed for him, following the Demon's trajectory, Sesshoumaru saw the human female he had smelled from earlier.
She was lying upon her side, blood was streaming out from between her legs as she tried to move away, her yukata was stained with mud and now blood. Her once clean and kept hair was now a dirty mess, her eyes were wide with fear and pain as a contraction sweapt through her still quivering form.
'She's giving birth...Hmph, stupid female, she has no chance of survival.'
Sesshoumaru just watched as the Demon landed before the woman, expecting the Demon to just kill the woman he waited, but yet again the Demon surprised him, instead of killing the woman the Demon bent down and spoke kindly to the woman.
"Calm yourself human, I am not going to harm you...I've come for your child," the woman's face shifted between relieved and frightened at the Demon's words, "Why?"
Instead of answering the Demon got to it's feet and faced Sesshoumaru, "I will not let you take this human, we need her child, let me leave with her now and I swear never to enter your lands again."
Sesshoumaru's curiosity was perked at the Demons straight forward statement, directing his attentions to the woman, Sesshoumaru studied her form and her scent, '...hmmm, there seems to be something strange about her pup, it has an odd yet familiar scent.'
"Tell me why you want her child and I might consider letting you leave with it," the Demon flinched at his powerful words, Sesshoumaru had made sure that his voice had a tone that told the Demon to cut the crap or die.
Taking a slight step back the Demon slowly responded, it's voice quaking with fear, "the child is an Inu Priestess. Her value is great to us Panther Demon's, we have been waiting a long time for such a child to be born and now that she is almost among us I must return with her so that she may be trained properly. Now, I have respectfully answered your question, may I leave now?"
Sesshoumaru was frozen in place and had not heard anything the Demon had said after he mentioned 'Inu Priestess,' moving forward, Sesshoumaru came to a stop before the human, she was shaking horribly as she tried to keep her child inside of her instead of giving birth.
The Panther Demon took the chance and lunged at Sesshoumaru, not even turning around, Sesshoumaru sliced the Demon in half with one stroke of his poisonous claws.
Licking the blood off his nails, Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to the woman before him, "Woman...did you understand what that Demon said about your un-born daughter?"
"Y...yes..." barely keeping in her screams the woman held a steady stare with Sesshoumaru.
"Good, then I have nothing to explain, this Sesshoumaru will go right to the point then. I want your daughter and either you are going to give birth to her naturally or I shall remove her from your lifeless corpse, the choice is yours."
The woman's face lost it's color completely at Sesshoumaru's last words, glancing about to see if any help was coming, the woman directed her attention back to Sesshoumaru knowing that this was her only choice if she wanted her daughter to live.
"As you wish milord Demon, but please allow me to raise my child if I survive the birthing process, that is all I ask."
Nodding his head in quick approval, Sesshoumaru choked back a gag as he lifted the woman up into his arms and let his demon traveling cloud appear, stepping onto it he felt the woman shift her weight so that she could breathe without it touching Sesshoumaru's face.
Sesshoumaru ignored the woman as he directed his cloud towards the nearest human village, his home was too far away to reach or he would head there, after a few minutes of traveling Sesshoumaru touched down in the middle of the village.
Looking about he could see countless human's surrounding him, surprisingly one stepped forward and bowed, "Milord Sesshoumaru...to what do we owe this honor?"
"Silence! I need a healer, this woman is having trouble in the birthing process, I wish her child to survive," answering slowly, Sesshoumaru made sure that the human's would not think that this woman's child was his, the very thought of that made his skin crawl.
"I am healer! Bring her after me milord, I can help her."
Hearing the soft voice of a woman, Sesshoumaru turned to see a priestess pushing her way through the crowd, scanning her form he could see that she was pregnant as well, but was only a few months so.
Nodding his head, Sesshoumaru followed behind the priestess as she lead him away from the village and to a small hut that was separated from all the others of the village.
As they approached Sesshoumaru saw a man make his way over to them, he was young but from his scent, Sesshoumaru could tell that he was the father of the priestess child. From his clothes, Sesshoumaru could discern that he was a very highly ranking monk and smelled of herbs, the man bowed deeply as he stepped aside to allow Sesshoumaru to carry the woman into the hut.
Once inside the Priestess pointed to a straw mat that lay on the floor, "please set her down here Milord."
Sesshoumaru just nodded his head as he set the woman down lightly, glancing down at the front of his kimono he saw that the woman's blood had stained the silky material, 'curse that human, now I have to bathe.'
"Milord, this woman, where did you find her? I can tell already that she is not your mate, so why did you bring her here?" hearing the monk's voice Sesshoumaru turned about to glance at him.
"I wish to take her child, that is all, her life is of no consequence to me," speaking in his normal neutral tone, he almost smirked when both the monk and priestess stared at him in utter shock and anger.
"P...please...help me, I have already said that he could have my daughter for saving my life, so please deliver my child..." the woman's voice was weak and Sesshoumaru could tell that she would be dead pretty soon.
Hearing the woman speak the priestess turned back to her and only nodded her head as she motioned to the monk lightly, nodding his head the monk turned to Sesshoumaru, "you need to leave, just wait outside."
Sesshoumaru was slightly surprised that they wanted him to leave but he didn't speak and just turned about, once outside he could see that most of the human's of this village were watching from the distance.
He didn't care, as long as he got the child nothing else mattered, moving over towards a nearby tree he jumped up into it.
He listened to the screaming of the human woman inside of the hut as she pushed the child out, 'an Inu priestess,' a cruel smile grew upon Sesshoumaru's lips as he recalled what his father had told him about Inu priestess's.
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***Beginning Of Flashback***
'Inu priestess are the most powerful priestess or spell caster, they are only females because as everyone knows, the female of the species is always stronger than the male, though there are a few exceptions.
Now, the Inu priestess holds the power, that if trained correctly, she can entice any and all male Inu demons around her.
If trained by a male Inu demon from childbirth, her powers of enticement have no effect upon that male because she will consider him as a special case.
Now, one look into her eyes is all it takes for a male Inu youkai to fall in love with her, but her on the other hand can only fall in love once.
Since she puts off a sent that unmated male Inu youkai's can't resist, she will only fall in love with a male Inu youkai, it is all part of her abilities as an Inu priestess. The rest of her powers are like that of any priestess but only a hundred times stronger, she has the ability to purify anything and everything around her except male Inu youkai's, the female of our species is not protected and would be purified.
There is more though, if and when the Inu priestess falls in love that male Inu youkai will...'
***End Of Flashback***
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At the time when his father was telling him this he was still young, but his father was never able to finish because that was the day that his mate, 'my mother,' died from a deep wound she had attained from the war with the Panther demon tribe.
Hearing movement outside the hut, Sesshoumaru looked down to see the monk walking out, a small bundle in his arms.
Leaping down quickly, Sesshoumaru walked towards the monk, his eyes focused wholly upon the sleeping form in the bundle of cloth. A slight trace of the woman's blood wafted to his nose, "the mother is dead, is she not?"
Already knowing the answer to that question, Sesshoumaru reached out his hands slowly, letting them encircle the small child, pulling the child against his chest he looked down.
The child had raven hair like it's mother, but a few strands were a dark blue color, other than that the child had the mark of the Inu priestess upon the right shoulder and that was what caught his attention the most.
The mark was a dark blue symbol, it looked like a large dog, 'the true form of a male Inu youkai, interesting.'
"Yes, the mother is dead...but Milord, I must ask. I saw the mark upon her shoulder and I wish to know, what does it mean?"
The monk's question pulled Sesshoumaru's gaze away from the child in his arms, "it is simple, she is an Inu priestess, now I must leave."
Speaking solemnly, Sesshoumaru drew his demon traveling cloud about himself and took off into the air, heading directly towards his father's castle.
The monk could only stare in shock as Sesshoumaru and the child disappeared into the distance, the only words that could be heard was, "may she grow strong and beautiful," with that uttered the monk turned about and walked back towards his hut to tell his wife of this.
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Flying swiftly, Sesshoumaru made his way towards his father's castle as his hair whipped about behind him, letting his tail curl over the small child he as felt a rather strange sensation come over him.
The girl was still sleeping but her breath's were coming out soft coo's instead, surprisingly Sesshoumaru felt his lips twist into a gentle smile as he looked down at her sleeping form, 'she looks so beautiful...oh Kami, did I just think that?'
Shaking his head violently Sesshoumaru looked ahead seeing his father's castle just up ahead, flying faster he reached the main courtyard of the castle and landed softly.
He had sensed his father's presence already and just waited as his father approached him holding a small bundle to his chest as well.
"Sesshoumaru, what are you holding, it smells of human's," his father's voice was deep with a tint of amusement as he stopped at Sesshoumaru's side, glancing down at the sleeping child his eyes widened dramatically.
Sesshoumaru saw this but was too busy examining the form of the small child his father held, the child was male by it's sent and it had silver hair, there were also two small but prominent dog ears adorning his little head.
"I see that your human bitch was able to bare you a son, may I assume that she is still among the living then?"
Sesshoumaru filled his voice with obvious venom as he glared at his father.
"That, my son, is none of your concern. Besides, if I may, why did you bring a newborn human child here?" his father reached a finger towards the child that Sesshoumaru was holding slowly, Sesshoumaru let out a low protective growl from the back of his throat as he backed away slightly, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"I have a need for her, but I'd like to know, what did you call that half-breed in your arms?"
Sesshoumaru didn't wish to bring up the subject of an Inu Priestess just yet so he decided to just stall for a while.
"Hmmm... his name is InuYasha, now tell me, what purpose do you need this child for?" his father was apparently loosing his cool because he was flexing his claws as he glared back at Sesshoumaru as if daring him to fight him.
Sesshoumaru only nodded his head as he pulled the blanket back on the child revealing the symbol on the child's shoulder, his father's breath caught as he gripped Sesshoumaru's shoulder tightly.
"Sesshoumaru, do you know what this means, you must get her away from here right now before her power has the chance to meld with your youkai blood."
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly, "What do you mean, she is still an infant, there is no chance of that ever occurring."
He watched as his father's sent became distressed and agitated, Sesshoumaru glanced down at the child in his arms again and saw that the mark on her arm was beginning to change colors, it was going from dark blue to the magenta of his own stripes.
"Hand her to me Sesshoumaru, now before she has a chance to meld with you completely," Sesshoumaru glanced at his father in complete confusion as he started to move towards him, but something held him in place, it was a comforting feeling but very possessive.
'What is this sensation...I don't understand,' "Father, I am unable to move, why is this occurring and why is her mark changing colors?" he needed answers, Sesshoumaru tried to step back and found he could.
Hearing his father sigh deeply he focused his attention on his father watching as he sat down and met his eyes.
"Sesshoumaru, when I told you about Inu Priestess I left out a few details about their abilities, that of course was because I never thought that you could find one nowadays. The female in your arms may be a new born but she still is a female, you are the first Inu Youkai that she has come into contact with and to make matters worse, you are an unmated male of mating age."
Sesshoumaru followed suit and sat down as well as he slowly processed all of the information he was receiving, he watched as his father struggled with talking about this and a foreboding sensation was starting to flow through him as he listened on.
"You already know of an Inu Priestesses ability to attract all male Inu Youkai's around her except that of the male that has raised and trained her. There is a catch though, this male that has been training her has already..."
Sesshoumaru felt something bad was about to happen but he had to know what was occurring so he pressed on, "please continue father."
Letting out a sigh his father muttered a couple words under his breath and stood up, he then proceeded to approach Sesshoumaru and touched his shoulder.
"The male has consented to be the mate of the Inu Priestess once she comes of age and if she chooses him over any other male they will mate."
Sesshoumaru's eyes shot open as wide as they could go as he shot to his feet, his eyes drifted to the child in his arms as her mark had fully turned magenta. He felt his heart almost stop as the child's eyes drifted open and locked with his, her swirling orbs of the deepest blue held an emotion that Sesshoumaru could only register as complete and utter possession.
'This child, this human female has claimed me...' his thought's were only a whisper as he watched the child roll over lightly and drift back into a deep and peaceful sleep.
"Father, what am I to do to prevent this?"
Sesshoumaru was desperate now, there was no way in hell that he wanted a human mate, unlike his father he thought that was degrading not to mention utterly ridiculous.
"I don't know Sesshoumaru, by the color of her mark she has already accepted you as a suitor, the only thing I can think of is to leave her somewhere and hopefully you will never meet again."
His father was shaking his head as he touched the child with one of his claws gently, he then chuckled deeply to himself as he continued.
"It seems that she has accepted me as her father as well, which only means that her and InuYasha will be like brother and sister, that is if you decide to keep her here."
With that said, Sesshoumaru could only watch as his father turned about and entered the castle without a single glance back. Sesshoumaru glared down at the child, his thoughts whirling as he drew his demon traveling cloud about himself again, as he took off towards to north he had his mind set on what he had to do.
Reaching his destination, Sesshoumaru walked through the trees stopping only once to glance at the sacred god tree which was the resting place of his mother, 'I'm getting distracted...better just continue before I forget what I came here to do in the first place.'
Moving past the god tree he made his way into an open meadow, the only thing that stood out here was a small wooden well that sat by itself in the center of the meadow. Approaching it, he took a last look down at the sleeping child and did something completely out of character for him, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead as he wrapped his tail about her and lowered her into the well.
Making sure that she was still sleeping and was laying comfortably at the bottom of the well, he released his tail from her and turned about, calling his demon cloud he started back towards his home.
He assured himself that a human would find her and raise her, but most importantly that they would never meet again.
He was too lost in his thought's though to notice that the well was glowing a bright blue and then faded leaving the night to remain still as Sesshoumaru disappeared from the forest never to return again, or so he thought.
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Beyond the well-
A woman walked up the steps to her home which was known as the Higurashi shrine carrying her groceries in one hand, as she passed the old well house she heard a faint sound coming from inside it.
Setting down the bags she made her way towards the building, as she got closer the sound increased in pitch, thinking that someone had gotten trapped inside so she pulled the door open quickly and rushed inside.
She discovered that the sound was coming from inside the well, running over she pulled out a flashlight and shined it inside, she almost fell back in surprise when she saw the small child laying there a blanket wrapped about it.
"Father! Get out here quick!"
Screaming, the woman threw a leg over the mouth of the well, then proceeded to let herself climb down to the child with out even thinking about it.
Upon reaching the bottom the woman reached over and pulled the child into her arms, the child was squirming as it fought grabbing at something invisible. The woman hummed lightly trying to calm the child as she opened the blanket and found that the child was a girl and was still rather bloody, meaning that someone had just abandoned her here.
There was a scuffling outside as an elderly man came barreling inside, upon reaching the lip of the well the man was breathing heavily as he glanced down into the well, "Daughter, are you in there?"
"Yes father, please send down the rope, I need to get out quickly."
Nodding his head the man went about untying the rope from the sides of the well, while she waited the woman had been examining the form of the child in her arms.
She discovered that the child had a mark on her shoulder, it had started to blur and was almost all gone, but she could make out that it was in the shape of a large dog and held a strange mix of dark blue and magenta.
The child slowly calmed and buried her face in the woman's chest as the man lowered the rope down to the woman, she only smiled as she took hold of the rope and with the help of the man finally was out of the well.
The man went about rolling up the rope as the woman moved as if in a trance, she walked outside and past her forgotten groceries as she stopped before the house.
Pulling the child closer the woman whispered to the child in her arms, "Welcome home, my Kagome..."
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Chapter Two
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Feudal Era-
Sesshoumaru, the lord of the West stood on his bedroom balcony looking out at his lands, his thoughts had become rather troubled lately what with the presence of Naraku and the reborn priestess Kikyou.
A crewel smirk appeared on his face at the very thought of the dead clay bitch, 'I wonder if InuYasha is still as infatuated with her as ever, it wouldn't come as much of a surprise if he decided to mate with her.'
Sesshoumaru flinched at the word 'mate' it held some sort of torture for him, he was still baffled that he had no chance of ever mating, 'which means my idiot half-brother and his bastard offspring will take my place once I am gone.'
His fist tightened in anger as he recalled the last time he had tried to sleep with an Inu Youkai bitch, he had found her slightly tolerable so he decided to give it another go, but as usual the second he touched her she burst into pink purifying flames.
It was just as his father had explained after he had rid himself of that human Inu Priestess.
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***Beginning Of Flashback***
Sesshoumaru hurried back to his father's castle, when he landed he found that he reeked of that human woman and the child, cursing silently to himself he headed to the baths. When he reached it he stripped out of his blood soaked kimono, submerging himself in the hot and soothing water, he ran his claws through his hair rinsing the sent of human's and blood out of it.
When he had finished his bath, Sesshoumaru shook himself dry and pulled his sleeping kimono on, he then headed to his bedchambers for the night.
Reaching it he planed to just lie on his bed until sleep took him, but before he reached his bed he felt a sharp pain on his forehead, thinking nothing of it he tried to ignore it but that only made the pain even worse.
He decided to have a look so he walked over to his full sized mirror and looked at himself, his eyes widened as he examined the crescent moon marking of his lineage, right in it's center a small maroon heart could be seen.
Growling his distaste, he left his room and made his way down the long halls of the castle towards his father's chambers, reaching them he pounded on the large wooden doors not caring if he was waking half the castle with the sound.
After a minute or so his father opened the door and stepped out, Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth as he spoke, "Father, why is there a heart on my marking, does this have to do with that Inu Priestess child I got rid of?"
His father only sighed as he started to walk down the hall motioning for Sesshoumaru to follow. "That is her mark, it's the sign that she has claimed you and now that her mark has taken on your color, part of you is now with her just as part of her is with you. This means that all hope of my line continuing rests on InuYasha's shoulder's, unless you find the Inu Priestess and mate with her, then and only then will your children continue our line."
Sesshoumaru could only gape at what his father had just said, 'a half-demon, as the lord of the West, never.'
"Father, is there some way that I can break this connection with the Inu Priestess?"
His father started to shake his head as he turned to face Sesshoumaru, "only if she herself releases you from her spell, that is the one and only way. It's getting late son, you had best head off to bed, we can worry about this all later."
His father patted Sesshoumaru upon the shoulder and headed back to his cambers leaving Sesshoumaru with his thoughts.
***End Of Flashback***
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'Why did I ever save that human wench in the first place, I must have been insane to do such a thing...' a low growl rumbled from Sesshoumaru's throat as he glared at the forests surrounding his castle.
The sun was starting to set in the horizon and Sesshoumaru knew that he would not sleep this night.
It was all because of her, that child, she seemed to haunt his very existence. He was still pissed because he had to share her pain, he had found out about that little side effect as he was in the middle of battling a demon and felt something invisible tear through his shoulder. He had somehow managed to still kill the demon before he made his way back home to find the reason to this 'occurrence.'
Sesshoumaru had found that his father had a book that told what an Inu Priestess could do, this was after his father had died trying to defend InuYasha.
That pitiful hanyou was a real pain in the ass as he grew up in the castle, Sesshoumaru had almost killed the brat several times but he would always refrain, knowing that the very fate of his kingdom rested on his 'shit for brains' little brother's shoulders.
Sesshoumaru couldn't belittle his brother completely though, he was the reason he found the book on Inu Priestess, he had been talking with one of the cooks demanding that they cut his brother's meat and not make him do it.
Sesshoumaru could still remember the way InuYasha looked as he stumbled into the kitchen calling out to him.
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***Beginning Of Flashback***
InuYasha had ripped his kimono and was practically naked as he walked over to stop at Sesshoumaru's feet, his hair was unruly as usual but there was a small stain of red on one side, seeing that his brother was bleeding Sesshoumaru walked over and picked up InuYasha.
Walking out of the kitchen, Sesshoumaru made his way down the hall towards the location of the hot springs that lay outside of the castle. His little brother needed a bath, badly, normally he would have let one of InuYasha's many nannies bathe him but since InuYasha was wounded he decided to take care of it.
Since his father's recent death, the servants of the castle had been wary taking his orders and more often than not, Sesshoumaru would have to personally punish them for their un-loyalty.
Hence the reason for bathing his brother, when InuYasha had run off to play that very morning he was fine and had no wounds or bruise's, but seeing him come back only hours latter wounded disturbed Sesshoumaru.
There had been cases of this before, but that had only been when InuYasha had teased a guard too much or was being to ruff with the other children who were about, it always had resulted in his being wounded or beaten to an inch of his life.
Being the elder brother and the lord of the castle, Sesshoumaru had to punish those who would dare do this, it was an annoyance. If Sesshoumaru had any say in the matter he would have let InuYasha deal with his problem's on his own and let InuYasha learn his lesson.
Although if he wished to be looked on kindly when the time came for InuYasha to become the new lord of the west, then he had to play the nice and caring elder brother. Reaching the small entrance to the springs, Sesshoumaru set InuYasha down and grimaced when he felt the all too familiar weight of InuYasha gluing himself to Sesshoumaru's left leg.
Suppressing the need to throw InuYasha off and beat him senseless, Sesshoumaru started forward and made his way towards the spring.
InuYasha let go when they got there and leapt into the water thoroughly soaking Sesshoumaru's clothing, cursing under his breath, Sesshoumaru removed his now soaking kimono and entered the spring at a more dignified pace than his brother.
After a few moments of silence passed over them, Sesshoumaru took the initiative and broke the silence, "InuYasha, tell me, how did you receive these wounds this time?"
Sesshoumaru leaned back and closed his eyes as he awaited his brother's reply, moments passed and it didn't come. Letting one of his eyes slit open, he glanced over to see that his brother was tucking something within the folds of his kimono before he turned to glance at Sesshoumaru.
Watching as an evil glare rose in InuYasha's eyes, Sesshoumaru knew that his brother was going to attempt to scare him for the millionth time that month.
Feeling a strange tweak at his heart, Sesshoumaru quickly crushed the emotion that was starting to build there, 'never, I will never allow my emotions to rule me as they did my father and this whelp here.' He waited a few moments to right before InuYasha leapt at him, moving quickly Sesshoumaru caught InuYasha in mid-air and dropped him unceremoniously into the water.
Sitting back down, Sesshoumaru watched in mock annoyance as InuYasha burst out of the water and glared angrily at him, "answer the question InuYasha." Sesshoumaru shot his brother an icy glare causing InuYasha to flinch, an evil smirk crossed Sesshoumaru's lips briefly as he watched InuYasha's ears flatten in submission.
"Yes brother," mumbling quietly, InuYasha walked back over to his tattered kimono and pulled out the object he had placed with in it's folds.
Sesshoumaru could make out the torn and curled edges of the book as InuYasha came to stand at his side, InuYasha was shaking as he held the book out for Sesshoumaru to take. Seeing his fear, Sesshoumaru gripped his brother's arm and tugged him towards himself, InuYasha stiffened considerably as he sat in Sesshoumaru's lap.
"What is this InuYasha?" studying the book Sesshoumaru had found the name missing, but since the book was old it had probably long since worn off.
"I found that when I was playing in father's study, it's really hard to read...brother...what is an Inu Priestess?" Sesshoumaru froze at those words, he looked down at InuYasha in complete disbelief, "where did you hear that name?"
InuYasha pointed at the book that Sesshoumaru held, "it's written several times in there, what does it mean?"
Sesshoumaru hid the blank look in his eyes by glancing at the trees surrounding the hot spring. "That word is of no consequence, forget it..." he then pushed InuYasha off of him, "bathe yourself, then we will dress your wound."
InuYasha smiled and dove into the water before Sesshoumaru; the rest of the evening went the same as all the others, except the fact that Sesshoumaru had his eyes on that book most of the time.
***End Of Flashback***
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'That was the night I found out about the exact complications of being claimed by an Inu Priestess,' turning about, Sesshoumaru walked back into his bedchamber and pulled on a kimono top before exiting the room. He would have gone bare-chested, but all the memories of being claimed and the heated stares from his female servants, were things he had no desire of worrying about this night.
Entering his study Sesshoumaru sighted the many letters that he had received recently, each one held the same type of content, permission for him to court the daughters of the other lords of the land and invitations to attend seasonal events.
Sesshoumaru had grown tired of sending return messages formally apologizing for being unable to accept or attend, instead he had just let them pile up. Making his way over to the desk on which the letters sat, he cursed each of the lords silently, they had recently tried to get him to choose a mate but he had refused.
Sesshoumaru would never admit to anyone his reasons for not wanting a mate, if the other lords found out then he would have to immediately hand his title over to his brother. The reason being to the fact that by now the Inu Priestess was dead, it had been at least a hundred years since he had rid himself of her, a choice he was beginning to regret
If he had only kept her at his side then he would have had the chance to convince her to release him from her hold, or he could have kept her as his mate. After all in the book it spoke of turning the Inu Priestess into a full-blooded Inu Youkai through love.
But it was too late now, no human would ever survive a hundred years no matter what the situation, cursing silently Sesshoumaru pulled out a particular letter from the stack.
It was from the lord of the North Lord Heniske, the letter spoke of the request to hold the wedding ceremony of lord Heniske's daughter he at his castle, there was something mentioned about how his daughter wished to have the ceremony take place in the splendor of the West.
Sesshoumaru wanted to just rip the request to bits but knew that the other lords would think that he was avoiding them, so reluctantly he pulled out a piece of parchment and wrote his reply. Finishing a few moments latter, Sesshoumaru got up and walked out of the room, message in hand.
Waiting outside was one of his many messengers, this one was his most trusted, "Rekai, take this to the lord of the North immediately, then report back to me, understood?"
The demon bowed his head as he took the message and disappeared down the hall, 'now comes the hard part,' moving quickly Sesshoumaru headed back to his room and changed quickly into his traveling attire. Pulling on his armor and swords last, Sesshoumaru left his chambers and made his way outside to the gardens.
Rin was running about laughing herself silly when she saw him approach, "Lord Sesshoumaru!" allowing a slight lift of his lips Sesshoumaru glanced down at the young female as she clamped onto his leg, just like InuYasha used to.
"Good morning Rin, Jaken, fetch Au-Un."
Directing his gaze to the toad demon, which stood a couple of feet away, he sent a cold glare as he watched the look of distaste turn to fear in the demon's eyes. Jaken nodded his head furiously as he rushed into the trees close by, Sesshoumaru then looked down at the grinning form of Rin, she had always held a place in his heart but that was another effect of the Inu Priestess's powers over him.
'She must have liked little children,' looking away again, he watched as his two-headed dragon steed came walking over Jaken in tow. Rin almost immediately released his leg and ran over to the beast, "Lord Sesshoumaru, where are we going today?"
Rin smiled her toothy smile again as she patiently awaited his response, "I must find and speak with my brother, there is something important we must discuss."
"That is wonderful Lord Sesshoumaru, I get to see Kagome and Shippo again!" Rin patted Au-Un's back gently as Sesshoumaru turned to look at her.
'Kagome...why does that name seem so familiar, I have never met InuYasha's wench. She was always gone whenever I would show, but her scent...fresh cut flowers and spice, to this day I still don't know why that scent calms me.'
Sesshoumaru decided not to respond as he summoned his demon traveling cloud to head to the village InuYasha was usually around. That village, it had a special meaning to InuYasha, ever since the day he decided to leave the castle and live on his own.
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Kaede's Village-
"InuYasha, Sit boy!" a second latter the woods rang out with the loud cry of the hanyou as he connected with the ground. "I said it once and I'll say it again, I am taking a bath and I don't care if your brother is coming or not. Besides, you've never let me meet or see him, now stay here or I'll make sure you won't walk for three days. Come on Sango, let's go."
Turning about the woman pulled her yellow bag onto her shoulder more as she stomped towards the nearby hot springs, another woman and a small fox demon in tow.
"Kagome..." growling, the hanyou pulled himself to his feet his teeth clenched as he watched them leave, "fine, don't say I didn't warn yah."
Grumbling he turned about and leapt into the trees heading back to the village. Kagome just shook her head as she glanced at his back, "I just don't get him, everytime his brother shows he does whatever he can to drive me off, I mean what is his problem. It's not like his brother is going to just swoop down and carry me off like some sort of trophy, you get what I mean Sango?"
The woman at her side just nodded her head as they walked, when they reached the Hot Springs Kagome quickly got undressed and stepped into the relaxing waters, Sango and Shippo following right behind her.
Sango glanced at her friend a look of worry etched in her face, "Kagome, are you sure you want to meet Sesshoumaru? I mean, you remember what Kaede told you about your mark, he is a full Inu Youkai after all, are you sure you can handle it?"
Kagome just sighed as she looked down at the mark on her right shoulder, it was a deep maroon in color and was shaped like a large dog, behind the dog was a barely- seeable moon shaped marking.
The thing was, neither Kaede nor anyone else could tell her if the moon was crescent shaped or full. Kagome was still in a slight shock like state, she had only just found out that she was what one would refer to as an Inu Priestess.
InuYasha had yet to be told of this little development, she was afraid of how he would react.
'I know that he likes me, it's only part of the spell I carry and it is bad making him think that he likes me on his own, but I don't know what to say. I might hurt him, besides even if he still liked me, if what Kaede said was true then he and I can't be together.'
"Kagome, hello, Kagome?"
Shaking out of her thoughts Kagome turned to look at her demon slayer friend, "sorry Sango, yes, I can handle it. Do you remember when Kaede asked me to accompany her on a little trip?"
"Yes, what about it?"
Sango waded over to Kagome's side so she could hear her better, "Well, we went to see a well known Inu Priestess, she was very old about 145 I think. Anyway, we asked her about my 'condition', she told me to show her my mark, so I did. We found out that I have already picked the male I want to be with, the moon symbol and color of my mark are a sign of that. You see, my mark is supposed to be dark blue, but it's not, it's maroon."
Sango's eyes went wide at that, "So is that why you want to meet Sesshoumaru, to see if he is the one you picked, but Kagome...you've never met him before. Or any other full Inu Youkai for that matter, how is it possible that you have already picked one?"
Kagome let out a deep sigh as she ran her fingers through her hair, "I know, that's why I have to find out, I plan on asking Sesshoumaru about it. He might know something, but I don't know about InuYasha, he might go berserk if I ask something like that."
"We'll just have to see," Sango turned to look into the trees as she closed her eyes and dipped her head into the water.
"Kagome, is Rin coming too?"
Kagome smiled as she remembered the little girl, looking over at Shippo she nodded her head. "That's what InuYasha said, do you miss her Shippo?"
The little fox demon nodded his head as he swam over to Kagome and hugged her neck, "I just hope you'll be okay, Sesshoumaru doesn't like human's and I don't want you to get hurt."
"Don't worry Shippo, I can take care of him, I..."
Kagome froze in place, her eyes locked to a pair of amber one's that were staring at her from the trees. Something about the eyes calmed her and gave her a sence of peace, Kagome watched in utter amazement as the owner of those eyes jumped out of the tree. He was tall, had long silver hair like InuYasha's and had a regal air about him, Kagome remembered him.
At her side Sango let out a wailing scream as she tried to grab Kagome's shoulder, but Kagome was already pulling herself out of the water, once out completely she walked towards the demon slowly her eyes never straying from his.
Sesshoumaru had been busy trying to pinpoint InuYasha's location when he caught a familiar scent, it was the sent of InuYasha's wench, he was going to ignore it when he felt that he needed to see this 'Kagome'.
Against his better judgment, he sent Jaken, Rin, and Au-Un ahead as he located the scent of the human, she was not alone either.
Letting his traveling cloud disperse, Sesshoumaru leapt through the trees, landing in the tree nearest the hot spring, Sesshoumaru froze as his eyes focused upon the naked form of a woman.
Next to her was a male fox kit and another female, but he didn't care, he was too busy looking at the other female. The scent came from her meaning she was the Kagome he knew of, that wasn't what caught his eye though, it was the marking on her right shoulder that had his particular attention.
There it sat as plain as day, the mark of an Inu Priestess, it was just as he remembered it.
Maroon with a faint blue crescent moon in the background. There she was the female who had claimed him the day she was born.
Sesshoumaru watched as she turned towards him as if she sensed his presence, 'that's impossible, even for her,' his thought's were cut short though as her eyes locked with his.
Sesshoumaru was trapped, he could feel her pulling him towards her as he leapt out of the tree and into the open, he heard the other woman scream but he didn't care. He watched in awe as the woman 'Kagome', climbed out of the water and walked towards him, Sesshoumaru lost the last shred of control that he had as he watched the water run down her perfectly formed body.
He started walking towards her as well, his eyes focusing on hers, they were about a foot from each other when InuYasha came bursting through the trees Tetsusiaga in hand.
Kagome felt InuYasha's presence and suddenly noticed that she was completely naked, she felt her face turn a deep shade of crimson as she tried to think of what to do, then it happened.
Before she could control her body, she leapt at the demon before her and tried to hide her body in his arms. After a moment she felt his arms shift about her form, something soft wrapped about her, covering her naked form. Kagome let out a deep sigh of relief as she buried her face in the chest of the demon, she knew that he was a complete stranger but she didn't care, something about him made her completely content to just be near him even in this strange situation.
Sesshoumaru was still trying to recover from the force of what had just happened, he had felt InuYasha close-by and was starting to get angry for no apparent reason, then he felt Kagome wrap her arms about his waist.
All logical thought was lost as he wrapped his tail about her naked body while his arms encircled her form, this felt right to him and it made him feel content. Turing his eyes from the woman in his arms, Sesshoumaru glared at InuYasha, a sudden need to protect welled up inside him at the very sight of his little brother.
"Sesshoumaru, let go of Kagome," InuYasha approached them slowly his eyes darting from Kagome to Sesshoumaru, Kagome shivered as she heard InuYasha's voice.
'This is Sesshoumaru...' Kagome took a deep breath, only to have her nostrils bombarded with Sesshoumaru's scent, he smelled of Sakura blossoms and had that distinctly male scent about him.
She burrowed her face deeper into his chest as she let out a sigh contentedly, "InuYasha, mind your own business." Kagome felt the vibrations of Sesshoumaru's chest as he spoke causing an unfamiliar shiver to run up her spine, his voice was deep, regal, commanding, and Kagome liked it.
Sesshoumaru felt the words pass through his lips unbidden and wondered why he had said that, looking down at Kagome he felt something strange, it was a feeling he had never before experienced. He wanted to protect the female that was clinging to him, that was sure, but he felt the odd urge to care for her needs and right at that moment she needed clothes.
Ignoring his brother, the other female, the kit, and the male, he removed his arms from about Kagome and let his tail hold her in the air. Removing the top part of his kimono, he handed it out to her, she glanced at it and then at him before she took it.
Sesshoumaru pulled her behind himself and released her, hearing the rustling of the cloth as she put it on, there was a soft touch on his shoulder as he turned about.
Kagome felt vulnerable when Sesshoumaru had pulled her away from him, when he handed her his upper kimono she took it without a second thought, then when he used himself to keep her naked body hidden she knew that he had to be the one. Touching his shoulder she smiled as he turned about to look at her, she was about to step closer to hug him again when she was suddenly grabbed about the waist.
Glancing at her side she saw that it was InuYasha, turning her head she stared back at Sesshoumaru as InuYasha set her down and pushed her behind himself forcefully.
Sesshoumaru had been too enthralled by the vision of beauty Kagome cast when in his clothes that he had failed to sense InuYasha as he grabbed Kagome and leapt off with her. Sesshoumaru clenched his fist as he turned to face InuYasha, just as Kagome was pushed behind him, narrowing his eyes Sesshoumaru glared in utter anger at his little brother.
"Sesshoumaru, what do you want with Kagome?" InuYasha tilted the Tetsusiaga as he glared back at his elder brother with as much anger swirling in his amber orbs.
"InuYasha, stop..."
Sesshoumaru redirected his eyes as he heard Kagome speak, her voice was soft and gentle to his ears, 'no wonder Rin likes her so much.'
InuYasha turned to look at Kagome in confusion, which was short lived though, because Kagome had moved from behind him and was walking towards Sesshoumaru.
InuYasha gritted his teeth as he leapt after her, landing in front of her he gripped her shoulder's angrily, "Kagome, what are you doing, your not acting like yourself. He tried to kidnap you, or did you forget!"
InuYasha suddenly felt a foreboding presence behind him, he then felt the pain as three sharp claws sank into his shoulder, "Release her at once InuYasha."
"Please InuYasha, do as he asks," Kagome's voice was enough and he let go of her, a second latter he was shoved out of the way roughly by Sesshoumaru. InuYasha whipped about and would have glared if it were not for the fact that Kagome had a hand on Sesshoumaru's chest and Sesshoumaru had a hand caressing her cheek.
InuYasha was about to interrupt when he heard the most broken voice he had ever heard coming from Kagome.
"Sesshoumaru, why...why did you abandon me, didn't you want me?"
Kagome felt tears starting to form when Sesshoumaru rapped his tail about her waist and along her neck, she took one last look into his eyes before burring her face into his tail and sobbing uncontrollably.
Sesshoumaru felt awful but knew that he had to tell her the truth, "This Sesshoumaru is sorry Kagome, I was scared and I didn't feel ready, I am at fault and if you never forgive me I would understand."
Sesshoumaru lowered his head and touched the top of Kagome's head with his chin, "I...I forgive you..." Kagome lifted her head and looked up at Sesshoumaru kindly as she leaned forwards towards his face and lips.
Sesshoumaru noticed this and did the same, just as they were about to touch, a voice called from their side. "Alright, that's it! Tell me what the hell is going on and tell me now!"
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Chapter Three
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Kagome and Sesshoumaru froze in place, the same thought running through both their minds, 'Why did we try to kiss?' Sesshoumaru took a step away from Kagome as she did the same with him, her face completely scarlet.
InuYasha looked from Kagome to Sesshoumaru confused, growling deep in his throat, InuYasha gripped Kagome's shoulder and attempted to pull her behind him yet again. Suddenly Sesshoumaru moved without realizing it, he had gripped Kagome about her waist and pulled her flush against his chest, growling protectively the whole time.
Kagome flinched when she felt InuYasha's touch and for some unknown reason it repulsed her, then when she felt the strong touch of Sesshoumaru, her body relaxed letting him move her easily. InuYasha stared at them as he clenched his fists in anger, "tell me what the fuck is going on."
Sesshoumaru was the first to answer, "This Sesshoumaru does not answer questions from one such as you, little brother." He looked down at the woman in his arms, his face was an emotionless mask that hid his true emotion, confusion. Kagome was looking at him as well, she saw the marks on his cheeks and lifted her hand, running her fingers over the marking she heard Sesshoumaru purring quietly.
His purring caused an unknown emotion to run through her as she stood on her tiptoes and touched his lips lightly with her own. Sesshoumaru was thoroughly shocked at her touch, he loved the feel of her soft lips touching his as he pulled her in closer.
Kagome's mind was on overload, all these feelings and memories from her birth flooded through her. Sesshoumaru was a constant in the whole mess, he was the only thing that didn't change, he was hers. That thought shocked Kagome, she never had claimed anything as being hers and only hers, now there was Sesshoumaru.
She had claimed him the very day she was born, but the fact that scared her the most was that she had no intention of releasing him from that claim, ever.
Pulling away, Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru's confused and shocked expression that appeared in his eyes, she felt suddenly aware of what she had just done. 'I kissed him, I kissed Sesshoumaru in front of all my friends and InuYasha,' she took a deep breath as she glanced over at InuYasha. He was frozen in shock at what he had just witnessed, his eyes were glued on Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru missed the feel of Kagome's soft lips on his, he wanted more and he could feel his inner youkai reacting to that soft caress. She was looking away but the way she had her hand clutching his armor, he knew that she had no intention of letting go. Sesshoumaru felt better upon noticing this, it made him realize that he didn't want her to release him, he very much liked the thought of having her as his mate.
"InuYasha, calm down, I'll explain." Kagome turned back to look up at Sesshoumaru her eyes filled with a gentle contentedness, she placed her free hand on his shoulder, "Sesshoumaru, please sit down, we need to explain this to them." Sesshoumaru didn't reply he only lifted her up into his arms and sat down crossing his legs, he then let go of Kagome, causing her to land in his lap.
Kagome let out a little giggle at his actions, he was being just plain silly, 'more like a love struck puppy.' She smiled at that thought, it did suit his behavior, from what she had heard about him from InuYasha he never would behave this way normally. That struck a chord in her mind, 'does he really like me, or is it just because I am an Inu Priestess,' unsure about it Kagome decided to worry about it latter.
InuYasha took that moment to come out of his shock only to see Kagome sitting comfortably in Sesshoumaru's lap, feeling his anger growing by the second he clenched his fist as he glared at Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru ignored InuYasha's little attempt at being cold, he was to busy trying to figure out what he had just done. Kagome had asked for him to sit down and he did so with out a second thought, 'this woman can control me...why does that not bother me?'
While Sesshoumaru was lost in his own thought's Kagome looked at her stupefied friends, sighing, she decided it was time to explain. "Alright, to start things off, I have to explain what this is." Pulling the side of Sesshoumaru's kimono top down her shoulder, she showed them the birthmark, Kagome froze as she noticed that the marking had changed slightly.
Behind the dog, the moon shape had become clear, it was crescent shaped like Sesshoumaru's mark. Glancing up she looked to the marking and understood that he was definitely the one she had picked, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder as she looked to see Sesshoumaru's hand.
He was running two of his fingers over the marking and it was making her body tremble in a new way, 'I wonder if this is how Sesshoumaru feels when his markings are touched.' Mentally slapping herself for getting off track, Kagome turned to look at her friends while Sesshoumaru continued to stroke her marking gently.
"This marking signifies that I am a special type of miko, I am an Inu Priestess." Kagome watched as Sango just nodded her head, while Miroku stared at her like she had just gone nuts.
After a moment passed Miroku spoke up, "So, you are an Inu Priestess...that explains why InuYasha and Sesshoumaru are here. But, Kagome, why is your marking maroon and have that crescent shape behind it. That is not normal for an Inu Priestess's mark." Kagome nodded her head as she listened to him speak, when he finished she let out a deep sigh and continued her explanation.
"That, Miroku, is because I have already picked the male that I wish to mate with...I...uh...kinda did it when I was born. The moon behind it and the color change signify my choice, I could give up that claim if I want...but I have decided against it." Kagome felt her face flush red as she spoke, her eyes locked with Sesshoumaru's as she said the last part, letting him see her resolve.
Sesshoumaru felt his body tingle with an unknown warmth as he heard her words, 'she wants to stay with me, thank you kami-sama.' Miroku was stunned from what Kagome had said, he also felt a deep sense of confusion as he studied Kagome's mark and realized that she had claimed none other than Sesshoumaru.
InuYasha stared in surprised shock and rubbed his eyes, not wishing to believe what his ears and eyes told him to be true. 'She couldn't have, not with him of all people. Please no...' opening his eyes he caught the look that Sesshoumaru was giving Kagome as she sat in his lap unsuspecting.
A rage he had never known boiled in his blood as he felt the steady trickle of blood flowing from his clenched fists, he couldn't sit here and watch this anymore. Getting to his feet quickly, he turned his back to his friends and leapt off into the trees, feeling like he had just gone through a meat grinder.
Sesshoumaru watched his brother's retreating back and felt a smirk twitching at his lips, 'InuYasha can never have what's mine...mine...I guess she really is mine.' Looking down again he allowed the edge of his lips turn up in a slight smile, Kagome was looking up at him, her face filled with awe at his expression.
'He's smiling...I mean actually smiling?' Curious, Kagome reached a hand towards his face and ran her fingers along the side of his lips, his hot breath on her fingers was making a light blush flash across her cheeks.
Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrows in surprise, 'does she realize what she is doing?'
Suddenly Kagome's eyes went wide as her face turned crimson, pulling her hand back she looked away and just now noticed that InuYasha had left. That thought made her heart hurt, 'poor InuYasha...I didn't want to hurt him.'
Deciding that she should clear the air between InuYasha and herself, Kagome placed one hand on the ground and pulled herself to her feet. She started to walk towards the direction she sensed InuYasha in when she felt something soft stroke her leg. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Sesshoumaru looking at her, sighing, Kagome reached her hand out to him.
"Come on, let's go and talk to InuYasha about this." Sesshoumaru simply got up and took Kagome's hand in his, not caring how much emotion he was showing at this time. Kagome smiled and started forward, just as they reached the tree line she glanced back at her friends. "Guys, wait here, we will be right back."
Once into the trees Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru, "Ummm...could you...uh..." Sesshoumaru smirked as he scooped Kagome up into his arms and leapt off through the trees in the direction he could smell InuYasha from. After a couple minutes of leaping Sesshoumaru came to a stop near the bone-eaters well.
InuYasha was standing in the clearing and staring at the well, his back to them. Kagome looked up to Sesshoumaru and he placed her on her feet, Kagome flashed him a grateful smile before running over to InuYasha and leaping on him.
InuYasha had been so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even smell their approach, when Kagome had tackled him he was caught completely unawares.
Unable to steady himself, both InuYasha and Kagome fell towards the well. Seeing this, Sesshoumaru rushed forward to catch Kagome, but when he reached them they had already begun their decent into the well.
Growling, Sesshoumaru leapt in after them and was shocked to find himself bathed in a blue light. It appeared and faded quickly, Sesshoumaru felt his feet touch the bottom of the well and saw that Kagome was right at his side, sitting upon InuYasha's back.
Letting out a protective growl, Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome to his chest and leapt out of the well. He froze at what he saw, around him was a building of some sort, 'this was not here when I followed Kagome down the well.'
"Sesshoumaru...uh..." Kagome didn't know what to do, she had no intention of having Sesshoumaru of all people come to her time. InuYasha was one thing but Sesshoumaru...said Inu-youkai directed his gaze to the woman in his arms.
"Where are we...this place is different than the one we left." Kagome could only gape at him in silence, 'what should I do...wait...I'm an Inu Priestess right? He has to do as I tell him...heh, I think I'm going to like this.' "Sesshoumaru, help InuYasha out of the well." 'This is it, I wonder if it will really work.'
Sesshoumaru tilted his head at her and was about to respond when he felt his body move on its own. He had leapt down the well, still cradling Kagome. He then gripped the back of InuYasha's kimono and leapt out of the well, dropping his half-brother roughly upon the ground. Only then was he able to speak, "What did you just do to this Sesshoumaru?"
'Score!' Kagome felt a smirk appear on her face and she knew that there was no way this would be a dull visit home, not at all.
Sesshoumaru felt a sense of dread flow through him as he saw the smirk form on Kagome's face, only one thought raced through his mind, 'what have I gotten myself into?'
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Chapter End Notes:
Hope you all liked this!
A/N- There it is! I hope you guys liked it, I sure enjoyed making the oh so high and mighty Sesshoumaru have to obey direct commands from Kagome. Thus the title of this chapter!
Please review! Now, the next chapter will be up as soon as I can get it typed, so hopefully it's not too long of a wait.
Till Then...Ja Ne!