Kagome was miserable, her body felt hot and her feet ached, not to mention she had a headache that felt like someone was taking a sledgehammer and bashing it against her skull repeatedly, Inuyasha had been such a slave driver lately and it was getting to all of them.

Sango glanced at her young friend in concern, noticing the unhealthy flush to her cheeks and the paleness of her skin "Inuyasha perhaps we should stop, Kagome-chan doesn't look so good" she called out to the silver haired inu but the dog eared hanyou ignored her.

Miroku shook his head and patted Sango on the back, now was not the time for his normal antics, he was just as worried about Kagome as his betrothed was "Hurry up slow ass human" Inuyasha's normal biting words caused them to sigh and trudge along at a slightly faster pace.

It was all about to come to a headway though as Kagome tripped over a rock and landed flat on her face with a yelp, Shippou was immediately concerned when the raven haired girl just laid there on the ground not even attempting to get up.

Inuyasha glanced back and with a sneer on his lips gave a disgusted "Feh, stupid wench make camp then" he took off at an even faster pace than before, Kagome gave a weary sigh and curled her knee's into her chest it was as if all the life had been sucked out of her.

Sango creased her brown and helped her friend and sister up into a sitting position "Why don't you rest Kagome-chan, let us handle making camp" she smiled kindly at the younger girl before traipsing off into the woods to find what was needed to build a fire.

"Yes, Kagome-sama" Miroku gave her a polite bow and headed in the opposite direction of Sango looking for food to catch, so they wouldn't starve, it had been months since any of them had headed back to the well so that Kagome could replenish her supplies.

Kagome closed her eyes and pressed her face into her knee's, she wasn't sure if she could live like this any longer, the not knowing and always wondering if she would ever see her family again, despite the jewel having been finished and her wishing it away the well had remained open for her use.

But Kagome no longer wished to travel with Inuyasha, but anytime she tried to speak up he cut her off and she was unable to get the words out, it was like they were permanently caught in her throat, Kagome didn't have much more time to think as camp was soon set up and food was dished out.

That night, after everyone had gone to bed, despite Inuyasha not having returned, Kagome sat up in her bed roll and silently unzipped it, then she gathered up her things and snuck off into the forest heading to the hot springs Sango had told her about earlier while they had been eating dinner.

Sesshomaru watched with hooded eyes as the miko that traveled with his despised half brother slipped into the forest heading to the hot springs, he was well aware of her desires to leave the half breed and was considering making the girl an offer she couldn't refuse.

Kagome sighed in content for the first time in months as she sunk down into the heated water of the hot spring unaware of the dangerous daiyoukai who had his golden amber eyes on her, she couldn't help but slip into her thoughts again.

"I wonder what happened to Inuyasha that would change him so much" Kagome mused aloud to herself not really expecting an answer but an answer is what she received as a very familiar baritone voice called out from the darkness.

"Miko, you need only seek him out to find what would change him so thoroughly and woo him away from you" Sesshomaru called, he was well aware that Kagome knew it was him that was spying on her, but he neither cared nor worried about how she felt about that fact.

Kagome slipped further into the water and waited a moment, when Sesshomaru didn't say anything else she rushed from the water and quickly slid her plain white kimono onto her body before slipping into the hakama and tying them in place properly like Kaede had taught her.

When she was finished Kagome grabbed up her bag spreading out her senses as she did so and found Inuyasha not as far away as she thought he would be and took off in his direction, Kagome was determined to find out what was wrong with the half demon.

Kagome stepped over branches and leafs trying to avoid alerting Inuyasha that she was snooping around, he had told her several times lately to keep her nose out of his business, like Kaede had taught her, Kagome was keeping her scent hidden.

But the sight she stumbled across made her drop her bag in horror, it hit the forest floor with a dull thud that Inuyasha and the beautiful half demon that he was with paid no attention to, Kagome turned scooped up her bag and disappeared.

'That's it I've had enough, first it was Kikyo, now this' Kagome inwardly seethed, the anger rolling off her was massive, she was done trying if Inuyasha didn't want to be with her, then she was going to strike out on her own and that was final.

Kagome silently gathered all of her things and slid the humongous bag onto her back, with her bow in hand, she left the clearing and all of her friends behind, Kagome was so focused on getting as far away as she could that she never noticed the daiyoukai trailing her.

A couple hours later Kagome plopped down on a rock to rest for a moment, "Miko" Sesshomaru appeared before her and startled Kagome so much that she nearly fell off her impromptu seat but she righted herself just in time.

"Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome nodded curtly at the dai, she wouldn't cower before him any longer, Sesshomaru cocked his brow at her and she raised her chin high, Kagome wouldn't submit either and that was that.

Inwardly Sesshomaru was pleased that the human girl wasn't bowing before him, all while remaining as polite as possible "This Sesshomaru wishes to speak with you" he ordered, swiftly turning on his heel, his long pale moonlight locks swishing from side to side as he did so.

Kagome sighed and hefted her bag onto her back again, "What is it that you would like to talk to me about Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome asked pointedly, it let Sesshomaru know that she wanted whatever it was he wanted to talk to her about all laid out on the table and bluntly at that.

"Bokuseno the magnolia youkai in the western lands gave this Sesshomaru a message, you Miko were included, the fates have something much better in store for you than traveling with that whelp could ever give you" Sesshomaru spoke in low tones.

Kagome creased her forehead in confusion "Go on Lord Sesshomaru, I'm listening" she gestured with her hand for the dai to keep speaking, from the minute he had started speaking her interest had been peaked and now Kagome was more than a little curious.

Sesshomaru glanced down at the human at his side "The fates have a task for you" he paused turning to face Kagome who tensed in anticipation, "Revive the Inutaisho" Sesshomaru finished and Kagome with wide eyes gasped.

"But how, I don't have that kind of power, I'm not a dark miko" Kagome was seriously confused she had no idea how she was supposed to revive a dead demon, she'd have to have massive amounts of spiritual powers and Kagome didn't have that.

"It is possible, but you have to complete many perilous tasks to achieve this" Sesshomaru explained, Bokuseno had told him everything that needed to be done in order for Kagome to reach the level of power she needed to complete this seemingly impossible task.

Kagome sighed "What would you have me do then Lord Sesshomaru" she questioned, hopefully the inu would tell her what he wanted of her so that she could continue on her way and get as far away from the others as she could.

Sesshomaru tilted his head to the side "Join this Sesshomaru's pack and while you complete each of these tasks, miko you will be protected" he offered suddenly, his eyes narrowed when Kagome swayed on her feet and then collapsed.

Rolling his eyes and a deep frown etched onto his face, Sesshomaru lifted the extremely light girl into his arms, formed his cloud beneath his feet and took to the skies, even with the monstrosity that Kagome carried she was still unhealthily light.

Several minutes later, Kagome woke to the feeling of weightlessness, her eyes cracked open warily to peer around, she looked up and up to stare into less than amused golden amber eyes, then Kagome remembered that she still had to give Sesshomaru an answer to his request.

"Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome started seriously, "I accept your offer, to join your pack, if the fates have deigned it necessary then I will complete this task they have so graciously given me" she bowed her head since they were in the air.

Sesshomaru let out a rumbling chuckle of pleasure, he was pleased, once again the miko had deferred to him, it was obvious that the girl hadn't expected him to laugh "Very good this Sesshomaru is pleased to have one of power such as you join his pack" Sesshomaru dipped his head.

Not a moment later, they touched down on solid ground in the middle of his encampment, Rin jumped to her feet "Kagome-chan" she squealed in joy rushing to hug the raven haired girl, Kagome bent and wrapped her arms around the tiny child.

"Hello Rin" she greeted before pulling back, Kagome gazed around and spotted the sulking Jaken, it was obvious he was unhappy about her presence "Jaken-sama" she dipped her head politely and he gave her a wide eyed stare.

"Girl" he grumbled under his breath, even if she had been extremely polite, he still wasn't going to be nice until she had proven her worth to him, Kagome flashed him a small smile and sat before the fire, it reflected off her inky black tresses and made her chocolate brown eyes glow with an amber light.

All was silent as the fire crackled and Kagome slipped into her thoughts, she had never thought this would happen to her of all people, but here she was in Sesshomaru's presence of all people and about to embark on an entirely new journey to revive the Inutaisho.

She had left behind her only friends, and while it was going to hurt for a time, Kagome was determined to complete this task the fates had given her, no matter what she had to go through, even if she ended up dying, by the kami it would be done.

Sesshomaru leaned against a tree watching his newest charge through hooded lids, yes this was turning out to be more than interesting, having that girl around would give Rin company, a rumble filled the air, he was more than pleased, the fates had his thanks.