Sesshomaru's plans just took a rapid turn. Rin seemed to have developed an attachment to the miko, especially to go to the extent of asking to call her, 'Momma'.

This could be a slight problem, Sesshomaru mused.

How so?

If she gets killed or returns, Rin would be sad.

Returns?

Weren't you paying attention when the woman explained everything to us? The miko is from another-

Kagome.

Kagome, is from another time.

That's wonderful! We could-

Yes. Information she possesses would be useful to this Sesshomaru.

That's not what I meant-

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

At Rin's voice, his beast retreated slightly and Sesshomaru's gaze landed on a pair of pleading eyes. Seeing her Lord's eyes on her, Rin smiled.

"Can we travel with Lady Kagome?"

Watching for a sign for approval or annoyance, she was slightly puzzled at the uplifting of his lips. That usually meant he was happy about something. Deciding for herself he was happy she asked, her smile brightened.

"Rin, I don't think-"

"Kagome, come."

Happy that her Lord wanted to speak to her Momma, she tugged on Kagome's hand.

"Momma, he wants to speak with you!"

How dare you just order me around? "Kagome, come." Just like that? And he expects me to follow? That-!

"Momma, he wants to speak with you!" Oh, dear. Rin's voice was so bright and happy, not to mention the little hand pulling on her. Gathering her feet under her she followed Sesshomaru out the door, pausing to ask Sango and Miroku to watch Rin. Shoving the mat aside, she was startled at the sight of the moon. Since when did it get so late? Realizing Sesshomaru was rapidly leaving her behind as he headed towards the Inuyasha forest, she broke into a run. Ah, I wonder where Inuyasha went? He only stayed in Kaede's house for only a couple minutes before leaving. Not to mention Damia and Nariel. Maybe they're together and they're explaining again.

"Kagome."

Jumping slightly she noticed she they had arrived at the God Tree.

"Yes?"

"You and the strange woman will come with this Sesshomaru to the Western Lands. When Rin is healed, you will stay and teach her."

Totally taken aback at the superior tone, condescending attitude and the way he just ordered her to abandon her friends, give up defeating Naraku, forget about returning home for exams and tests, not to mention gather the Jewel shards, she was rendered speechless.

"You will teach Rin everything you know, and will pretend to be her mother. Understood?"

High in the branches of the God Tree, Inuyasha fought to keep from laughing when he noticed Kagome's eyebrow twitch.

"What do you think you're doing?"

A slender eyebrow was raised at her question.

"What makes you think I'm just going to drop everything and come running just because you say so?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. Was the miko defying him? True, she did possess an unusually high amount of spiritual power that presented a slight danger to him, but she was untrained.

Letting his youkai pool out around him he asked in a silky voice, "Do you find a problem with that?"

He was surprised that her power rose to match his, so he let out more.

"I do not answer to you. If you want my help, you ask for it. I will not abandon my friends, I will not abandon my duty to collect Jewel shards as the Shikon Miko and I will not fail middle school!"

Her power was overwhelming his, so he undid his first seal. The normally peaceful forest was filled with a massive, violent green youkai, and white pure lightening crackling against the other. His youkai easily matched hers, but at his beast's urging he decided to test how much power she could bring out. After several minutes, her power turned from harsh, burning purity to calm, gentle and soothing. His beast immediately resealed his youkai. The miko was laying on her side, hair fanned out and a gentle light spreading from her finger tips.

Before he could move closer to examine her, Inuyasha jumped down from the tree.

"Nice going, Sesshomaru."

"Inuyasha," he said nodding his head slightly, then raising his eyebrow silently asking.

"She's never done that before. I noticed her scent sharpen four days ago, so I returned to Edo. Next thing I know the old lady's telling me about a star falling from Heaven."

Approaching her, Inuyasha jumped back shaking his hand.

"Shit, there's a freaking barrier up."

Throwing a glance behind him he said,

"Ya know, if ya want her to do what you say don't be your usually bastard self. Ask nicely saying it's for Rin's sake instead of tellin' her like an asshole."

"You've matured."

He snorted.

"Ya think? I'm only 250 years old. For a half-demon that's right when you turn into a jerk. Since I changed, I've been calmer and I actually stop to think more often."

"You are willing to give Kagome to me?"

No! Don't say it like that!

Hearing his beast's warning a split second too late, he instinctively dodged the sword that was thrown at him. Inuyasha's face was fierce, and his voice hard.

"Hell no. You ain't gonna het your hands on her. I may have acknowledged you as Alpha, but that doesn't mean shit when it comes to her. Things may change between us, but Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, are my pack. They aren't yours, they're mine."

Walking fluidly to retrieve his sword, he swung it over his shoulder, and gave a look to Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, was shocked at the nostalgic feel Inuyasha gave off. It was almost like looking at his father the last time he saw him.

Have you something to protect?

"Have you something to protect?"

"What?"

The word slipped from his mouth as Inuyasha, looking for all the world like Inu no Tashio, uttered the same worlds as he did over 200 hundred years ago.

"Keh, it ain't that hard of a question. Have you got something to protect? Something so precious you would give anything to keep it safe? Even your own life?"

Rin.

Something must have shown in his eyes as Inuyasha nodded.

"To me, it's Kagome. The first one to accept me. It's Sango and Miroku who are always by my side. It's Shippo and Kirara and Kaede, they are those I have to protect. It doesn't matter what shit happens. Every time I turn around they're there."

Inuyasha leaped, landing on a conveniently placed branch.

"Sesshomaru, you have Rin. You've got Jaken and that two headed dragon. But Kagome is mine. Well, mostly mine. I may claim her as mine, but in the end, she's the one who has the final say."

Sesshomaru watched as his brother vanished from sight, reminding him strongly of his father. Though he didn't dismiss what he said, he determined he didn't require permission to take the miko. Rin was important to him and Rin wanted Kagome as her mother.

I think you should listen to Inuyasha.

Why do you always agree with him?

I don't. I haven't even mentioned him since he took of our arm. I told you the day he was born you should raise him, but you ignored me. When his mother died, I told you, you should take care of him. Yes, you did keep the stronger youkai away from him, especially during the night of the New Moon, and left food for him to easily find but you didn't do anything more.

I had no need to. What he did was no concern of mine.

No, you did have a need to! You fought with him under the pretense of ridding the Earth of the stain of your House, but you were teaching him how to use his sword. You made him hate you on purpose so he would not come to the House of the Moon, did you not?

A challenge to the thrown would have been made. I did not have time to waste with such things.

No, you knew the Elders would rip him to shreds! For once could you just be honest with yourself and admit that you care for your brother?

What a pathet-

I AM A PART OF YOU. I am the only one you cannot lie to! As soon as he was changed into a full blooded Inuyoukai capable of holding his own against you, you acknowledged him as your brother! You even sat down and gave an explanation to Kagome knowing she would tell him later on! WHY DON'T YOU JUST ADMIT IT?

The last words were uttered in a roar, Sesshomaru snarling back.

"Be silent!"

Realizing his other half was not going to listen to him anymore, he retreated into the corners of his mind. His mood ruined, Sesshomaru took a step intent of leaving, when he remembered the miko. Turning around, he found her in the same state as before. Surrounded by a white soft glow resembling moonlight, breathing softly. Moving closer, he reached out his hand and laid it on the simmering transparent barrier. A warmth spread from his fingers, seeping into his soul. He closed his eyes, feeling at peace, a state he could not remember the last time dwelling in. It felt foreign. The resistance holding his hand in place vanished.

Opening his eyes he moved to the miko's side, kneeling down to tilt her face towards him. Her expression was peaceful, the lines that had marred it gently soothed by the crescent moon shining in the night sky. The light from her fingers withdrew into her body, and for a moment, she appeared to glow. Then, he stiffened as an impression of a hand lightly touching his shoulder was felt by his youkai.

A soft voice by his ear whispered, "Treasure her well, Sesshomaru, Lord of the House of the Moon." and quickly as it came, was gone. Spreading out his senses, he found only a lingering trace of Inuyasha and traces of power left by the miko. A soft moan, quickly returned his thoughts to the woman still sleeping peacefully.

Carefully reaching out with a clawed hand, he ran the tip over her throat. His beast immediately snarled at him. His hand paused, then he slipped it under her shoulders, his other arm sliding under her legs, he lifted her up and proceeded to walk to the village.

If one was merely passing by, they would come on the most intriguing sight. A tall, pale, regal daiyoukai cradling a sleeping woman in his arms. Though the only feature they could identify the woman with was her swinging blue black hair and the slight bite from her power, the youkai was immediately recognizable to both humans and demons as The Lord of the House of the Moon and the Western Lands, the Killing Perfection, Sesshomaru.

Okay, I lied. There's 4 chapters to hold y'all over. I hope you enjoy them. Please Review! (Due to a completely and totally accidental detonation of a nuclear weapon, the Wonderful World of EvilTexanGirl will not be accessible in this chapter. We apologize for the inconvenience.) Actually, this is the opportune time to ask does anybody even read the Wonderful World part? Or should I just skip it?