Claimed by brittany

Good idea? Or big mistake...

Disclamer: I do not own Inuyasha or the characters from said show.

....

Kagome sighed deeply as she continued to stare into the starless sky. She hated the fact that in her time there were too many street lights that ran close together so the sky in her world would never seem as clear as she knew it was at her other home. She would spend hours in the feudal era staring up at the constellations while she became consumed in her thoughts. That was her problem tonight, she had too many thoughts to focus on anything. She had told Inuyasha she had to come back so she could study and pass a few tests, which was true, but Kagome felt little need to actually concentrate on her work. She let out another long sigh before she rolled over on her side in the soft grass. Her brain was literally going through a melt down and Kagome had no control to stop it.

"This is ridiculous. I don't understand why Inuyasha is being such a jerk about them joining us. We need the extra help and Rin seriously needs to be near more human women. Me and Sango are the only one's Sesshomaru hasn't tried to kill for being around her. Shouldn't he be thankful he's even willing to help?"

Kagome shook her head as she glanced downward to the hardened floor. Her big doe eyes watching carefully as a tiny lady bug made its way up on a long thin blade of grass, before taking flight in the air.

"I think Inuyasha just needs some time. After all, wasn't he the one who thanked him for saving me? If Sesshomaru was all big and bad wouldn't he much rather watch me die than help? Plus…we can't forget Rin, can we?"

Kagome smiled at her own little speech as she thought back to the day when another incarnation of Naraku's had attacked. If Sesshomaru hadn't stepped in, they would have all been goners.

Flashback:

"Sango! Look where your going. Their coming from the sky!"

Kagome screamed while dodging a few pieces of fallen earth. She wasn't sure when the attacker got there, but she was not liking the way things started to unfold. Inuyasha had ran into the fight with little to no thought which unfortunately had caused the demon to use a strange, yet effective attack on the group. Who knew that Naraku had the brains to actually conjure up an incarnation who had the ability to multiply all over the place? Their luck really did stink.

"Kagome duck!" She barely heard the command from the tired monk before Kagome dropped to the ground. The battle had not even started but fifteen minutes ago and already the group seemed to panic. Inuyasha was the only one who stayed oblivious to the danger they had all fallen in.

"Kagome grab Shippo and leave the grounds. We can take this creep." The youma laughed harder as he swung another well toned arm in the hanyou's way. His razor sharp teeth glistened in the moonlight.

"Naraku had told me to let no one escape. Now you will all die at the hands of me, Kimishi O'Tabuya!" Kagome could only glare daggers at the gigantic ape. His dark purple skin reminded her of an angry miasma, just waiting to suffocate its unfortunate victims. She wanted to do nothing but vomit at how much it reminded her of Naraku.

"Hit the mark!"

Purification power shot through the air, before the arrow hit the demon on it's right shoulder. The young miko was happy to see the displeasure that made its way onto the youkai's face, before he retaliated with a blast of a green oozing ball of energy. Kagome gulped in fear as she notice the ball coming right at her small form.

'Everyone is so busy fighting the copies that there is no way anyone could make it to me in time.'

Kagome started to shake with an uncontrollable fear as she continued to stand protectively over her adopted kitsune. There was no way Naraku was going to lay a finger on Shippo while she was there.

"Kagome! Get out of here!" Inuyasha's voice was laced with pure terror as he could only watch his best friend stay still as a statue in harms way. He knew that from where he stood, with his half-demon speed, there was no way he could get to her in time.

"Ahhh!"

The team froze in their spots as the blood curdling cry reached all their ears. Sango dug her nails into her fury companion while Miroku tried his best to control his shaking legs.

"KAGOME!"

Inuyasha cursed as the dust around the girl had finally settled, praying that somehow their friend had made it to a safe location before the object was able to hit its target. Inuyasha's eyes lost its redness as a figure stood tall and strong in front of their shivering companion. Inuyasha's half-brother glared angry daggers his way while the incarnation could only scoff at the new guest.

"Half-breed. Why is it you leave what is yours with no protection? Are you truly that worthless?"

Kagome knew that once Sesshomaru uttered his words Inuyasha would lose the rest of his patience. She, however, could not stop the tears of gratitude that had already started to make its way down her dirt-splattered face. She could not be more happy at the Western Lord's presence. Sesshomaru paid her no mind as he continued to walk towards Inuyasha, purposely ignoring her friends and illusions that had been made by Naraku's true abomination. Sesshomaru could not be more disgusted by the display of weak human fighting. They were in his way and they would pay for it, one way or another.

"Sesshomaru…What the hell do you think yo…"

"Silence half-breed. You are trying my patience."

With smooth grace, Sesshomaru slowly lifted up his sword before quickly slashing it in the wind. A swarm of power shot straight at the confused demon, before quickly tearing it to shreds. The group looked on in amazement while Inuyasha just folded his arms in a stubborn fashion. Refusing to let his sibling know that he was also somewhat impressed.

"Keh. I don't know why you are even here, but I guess I can at least thank you. If you didn't show up Kagome would have been a goner."

Kagome smiled gently at her companion, before glancing bravely at the powerful Taiyouka before them. Sesshomaru didn't even acknowledge the appreciation.

"Sesshomaru-Sama! You were going to fast."

Soon the little kid that hung around Sesshomaru for nearly a year ran onto the scene with a tired toad demon close behind. Their fire-breathing friend sat under a tall oak tree, not to far away from where they stood on the field. Ah-Un's eyes never strayed away from the little girl's skipping form.

"Rin. I told you to not follow until I returned."

The coldness in his voice made Kagome want to retreat back a few steps, but Rin gave him no mind. She beamed another bright smile before turning to face the kneeling priestess on the muddy ground.

"Hello Kagome-Sama. You look tired. Are you OK?"

Kagome chuckled at the girl's innocence before nodding her head, answering the small question. There was always a feeling that Rin gave Kagome every time they made contact and it made the young woman feel filled with warmth and happiness. It was a good thing they had ran into each other, after the battle had been over.

"Rin-Chan are you still traveling with Lord Sesshomaru this late at night? Is that a good thing to do when it is so dark?"

Concern etched its way onto Kagome's face, but Rin just shrugged it all off. She had no fears of the dark, as long as her Sesshomaru-Sama was nearby to protect her.

"No Kagome-Sama. Sesshomaru-Sama takes really good care of Rin. As long as Sesshomaru-Sama is near, than I have nothing to worry about!"

Kagome didn't miss the tiny glance Sesshomaru spared his young ward and soon came to a great thought. After all, why not camp together if they were already together to begin with?

"Hey, I know! Since it is getting late and we are all here, why don't we all stay together tonight? There is a river not to far from here so it would be perfect for a place to set up camp. If we must depart, it would be easier to do it in the morning. Lord Sesshomaru might be able to protect you in the dark, but you are still a little girl and little girl's need their sleep. Especially little human girls…"

Kagome knew she was rambling on, but she thought if she mentioned it to be in Rin's best interest then the dog demon would feel like he would have no choice, but to accept the invitation. Inuyasha mentally groaned once he realized what Kagome was saying. He hated being in his brother's presence for just a few minutes, there was no way he would stay beside him for few hours! The girl truly wanted to get back at him for that visit with Kikyou a few weeks ago. He knew this was his punishment.

"Whatever. I highly doubt that his grea…"

"That is acceptable."

Mouths hung open while Kagome pinched herself to assure she was not dreaming. If Sesshomaru agreed without any need of pleading, then Kagome guessed she did a good job at pointing out her reasons. Inuyasha grunted in annoyance, but was smart to silence his complaining. The group all joined together on the field and as if they were walking to a grave site, they each walked towards the riverside in total silence. Kagome hated the tension that hung high in the air around them and almost wished she hadn't suggested them staying together. One small glance at Rin convinced her it was worth it.

/

Morning broke and the group prepared themselves for another long day of travel. Kagome cheerfully tended to the needs of Rin and Shippo while Sesshomaru watched with mild interest.

"You know…it would be best if Rin did stay around us a little more often. She is a growing girl and soon she will need another girl to confide in." Kagome whispered quietly as she watched Rin run off in a game of 'tag your it' with Shippo. Sesshomaru kept his head high, staring at the passing clouds.

"Rin is mine."

Kagome cocked a brow.

"I never meant to state she wasn't Sesshomaru-Sama. I just meant to give you helpful suggestions. I know very well that you are more than capable of taking great care of her, but like last night…Rin, as a human child, needs a sufficient amount of sleep. We do not work like youka and most would pass out if they didn't at least get a few hours of rest each night. Shippo is a demon and yet I still make sure he gets his sleep. Rin is no different."

"Hn. I had told Rin to stay until my return."

"Yes, but Rin doesn't see Jaken as a strong leader and so will still have a need to follow you if you are gone for long periods of time. Especially in the dark…I know that even I still get frightened when Inuyasha leaves me alone in the darkened woods. Even if Shippo is with me, it just makes me even more scared knowing that if something were to happen my son could also get hurt."

"So the half-breed leaves you alone at night a lot then?"

Kagome nearly cursed as her cheeks flushed to the shade of a pink rose. Sesshomaru caught her fast reaction, before turning his view back to the sky.

"Sometimes…Trust me Sesshomaru-Sama, even though Rin knows that you will take good care of her, if she is left alone in the dark fears could easily consume her. It isn't a good thing for a small child to go through…"

"Hn."

Sighing, Kagome wasn't sure where the conversation was taking her, but she was happy that she had actually managed to have a conversation with the great Prince.

'Even if I was the main one talking, he still didn't threaten my life so that's a plus!'

"Kagome! We need to be leaving now."

Inuyasha walked up to the pair, not wasting the opportunity to glare at his elder brother. Sesshomaru gave him his infamous scowl before turning his back to him, preparing to fetch his ward.

"Sesshomaru-Sama! Me and Shippo were wondering and would it be OK if we all traveled for awhile together? You wanted to head to the castle and they are kind of going in the same direction. We can just leave whenever they turn on a different path. Please, Sesshomaru-Sama?"

Rin gave the demon one of her brilliant smiles before Sesshomaru turned his gaze to stare at the young miko who was now standing at a more closer distance to his idiotic half-brother. His scowl only deepened as he remembered the young woman's words.

"Hn."

"Really? Thank you so much Sesshomaru-Sama! Did you hear that Kagome-Sama? We don't have to say bye yet after all!"

Kagome gave her small friend a smile to show her happiness, trying to ignore the frustrated man beside her. She inwardly cringed at the thought of having to hear Inuyasha's mouth for the rest of the day.

Sesshomaru continued to ignore them as the others walked over to hear about the change in plans. Rin was happy and that was all he could care about. Kagome cursed her run of bad luck as Inuyasha had already decided to open his big mouth.

End Flashback:

Kagome rolled her eyes as she thought about the fight that erupted between her and the half-demon. It of course ended up with her giving him an endless round of sit commands and a throbbing headache which had formed, threatening to engulf her. She made a grunting noise as she turned back onto her back to stare into the blanket of blackness that hovered above her. She could all but hope when she returned the next day everyone would still be well and breathing.