Chapter One

I'm sorry to all of the fans of this story. I won't be taking this story down again, promise. However, I have tweaked a few parts so please r&r to tell me if it's okay...

I don't own Inuyasha.

"My Lord! Lord Sesshomaru!" The frantic squawks of Jaken pulled Sesshomaru from his scrolls. He slowly laid down his brush.

"Enter,Jaken."

The green imp burst in, brandishing a scroll. "A Tora-Youkai from the east has sent you a message!"

"Set it down and leave," he said, his amber eyes flickering to the two other scrolls placed carefully on a small table across from him. "Announce to the servants that the castle will be receiving the Lords of the North, South, and East. Have all the rooms prepared within the week."

"Y-yes my Lord!" he scurried out quickly, echoes of him barking orders coming through just before the huge oak doors shut.

The Taiyoukai stood and crossed the room to pick up the scroll. It boldly displayed the seal of the East on it, but no doubt held a gently worded acknowledgment to his response to a agree to host the Summit of Lords.

All four ruling Lords of the North, West, South, and East would meet and address problems and propose ideas. The center of this year would b the doing away of Naraku. It was also an excuse to show off and have a grand party, so it was more fun than serious.

This year was the West's turn once more, and Sesshomaru had a record of being the grandest host, more so than even his father, who spent more time in the midst of battles than his castle. However, he still hadn't found a special something that would make this year unique. His record was impeccable, and he did not wish to tarnish it with a dull year.

The East were Tora-Youkai, and their Lord was the late Daichikyo's son, The cub reminded Sesshomaru of Inuyasha with his hot temper and rudeness. He was the only one that had to have an eye kept on. The North belonged to the Dragons, and Lord Tatsuryu was almost twice Sesshomaru's age. He was ancient, and not someone to worry about. The south were rowdy Osamu-Youkai. They had a knack for getting drunk and unruly, but they were strong allies.

After reading the scroll, Sesshomaru returned to the running of his kingdom, only to be interrupted once more.

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

It was not toad this time, but Rin. Faster than he would have for Jaken, the Taiyoukai opened the doors. She was there, in tears and babbling about something 'horrible'. He had to keep his eyes from bleeding red. If someone had harmed his daughter...

"Speak Rin, and be clear." he snapped, and she flinched.

"Father," she said only when they were alone. "It's Kagome-nee. Shippo has brought her here, but she's been hurt,"

He calmed, raising a brow. What was his brother's woman doing here? Where was Inuyasha?

A woman? The little one that follows your brother?

"Come," he said, sweeping down the hall. Servants scrambled out of his way, sensing his annoyance. He would send them back, for this was no time to invite problems.

Come now, let's see her.

'Why are you so eager?'

The beast remained silent as he went outside. Jaken squawked at the once kit, now a growing Kitsune, who held the unconscious Miko. His turquoise eyes met his with a fire he had never seen before. He had hit his growth spurt, or the first of few. The kit came up the his chest now, which was just a bit taller than Rin. The two had grown in the past three years.

"I...I just didn't know where else to go..." he said, his voice strained. It was obvious that he was trying not to cry. The cloth covering the Miko was pulled away.

She looked dead.

Rin gave a cry, but Sesshomaru knew better. He could hear her heart beat. It was weak, and her skin a convincing white, but she was alive. As well as the fact that the smell of her blood hung heavily in the air.

"Explain."

Shippo held her closer, "It was yesterday..."

#Flashback#

"Mama," Shippo peered into the well, looking down at Kagome as she sat at the bottom. She bit her lip and fighting back tears.

"I'm fine Shippo. I just...need a moment," she sniffed. She had swore that she would not her him see how much he had hurt her, how much she had cried.

The Kitsune nodded and leaned against the edge. His adoptive mother ad not been having the best of times lately. Having turned eighteen and graduated high school, Inuyasha had been expecting Kagome to spend more time in the feudal era. She was more than willing of course, but there was the matter of college. Angrily, the hanyou had told Kagome that they were too close to defeating Naraku for her to be in her time even more. The two fought bitterly, and had even stopped talking to each other for a while. However, Kagome relented. She told Shippo that Inuyasha had pulled her aside and 'opened up' to her. He said that she would need that 'stuff' after Naraku was gone, and the Miko took it as a subtle proposal.

Happily, she halted her studies and started making plans for her to move to the feudal era permanently. Kagome then focused on cultivating her vast, raw power and archery skills. She became utterly deadly, no longer requiring Inuyasha's protection when they fought, or for any situation. She proudly held her own now, and looked forward to being Inuyasha's mate when the time came.

Everything was fine until Kikyou showed up. Inuyasha claimed that he had found her ill and weak, and wanted her to travel with them until she regained her strength. At first, Kagome had been furious. The only thing that pacified her was Inuyasha's promises that nothing was amiss and the fact that Kagome had greatly surpassed the clay-pot. Everyone reveled at the smug smirk that Kagome sported after a small display of her power when they were attacked by demons. Kagome had flicked her wrist at horde of demons threatening to overwhelm the hanyou who was protecting the useless woman. Kikyou was envious, but did well not to show it. She would have her revenge on the girl who stole what rightfully belonged to her.

However, after awhile, Kagome and Sango glimpsed bruises and dirt patches on the corpse. After a few days of sly spying, they were horrified to realize that she was decaying. She was not ill at all! The two kept it to themselves, unable to tell Inuyasha.

The night that ended everything started off quietly. It was spring, and the evening was cool. Everyone was preparing for bed when Kikyou abruptly announced that she was going to bathe. Sango offered to accompany her, since Inuyasha had mysteriously disappeared, Kagome and her would fight, and Miroku was out of the question. The kitsune settling next too Kagome could not go for several reasons. He was Youkai, and thus Kikyou did not trust him. Plus, he growth spurt had given him a few feet, and now looked like a fifteen-year-old, as well as the fact the he hated Kikyou, too.

"No, I will be fine," she had said coolly and left.

With Inuyasha gone, Kagome volunteered to wait up for either. As the others fell asleep, Inuyasha had yet to return. She knew that it was mating season, and that the hanyou was 'taking care of things' in the woods, since they had not reached that part in their relationship. After a half-hour, Kagome went to look for them. It did not take her long to sense Inuyasha's youki and track it down, but as she neared, she found Kikyou's aura mixed in, and why...well, she saw. Inuyasha was caught tangled with Kikyou on the forest floor, and before either could respond, Kagome bolted. She crashed into camp, waking up everyone and begging Shippo to fly her back to the well. He obeyed her, distraught to see his mother so broken and in tears.

She stayed in her time for three days, and in that time, Shippo confronted Inuyasha on his actions. The guilt was evident, but he shockingly denied wronging Kagome. He stated that he still had every intention of mating Kagome, even though Kikyou clearly bared the mark as his mate.

Kagome sniffled at the bottom of the well and stood, "You didn't have to do that for me Shippo," she said after he'd told her what happened while she was gone.

"Of course I did, Momma," he reached down to get her bag while she scaled the wall with a grace and agility that awed him. "He's a jerk, and I'll stay with you no matter what after we defeat Naraku. Even if I have to wait five hundred years into the future."

The Miko gave him a tight hug, "Is that so? I thought you would've run off to find Rin?"

He blushed, "W-what do you mean?"

Kagome smiled, "Well, Inuyasha's brother-" She started, but then looked down at the arrow embedded in her chest, and the familiar purple glow that surrounded it. Her eyes blurred, stumbling back to the edge of the well, nearing falling in.

"Momma!" Shippo called out her name as her purity automatically surged forward, enveloping the weal purple. Something went wrong though, and Shippo passed out from the blinding white.

#End Flashback#

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, "This remains a situation that has nothing to do with this Sesshoumaru,"

Shippo shook his head, refusing to reason with him. "When I awoke, I had two tails, and Inuyasha was transformed. He was standing over her growling, so I grabbed her and brought her here. I know you hate him, so I was hoping that you would protect her. Please..."

Rin looked up at the Taiyoukai with a pleading expression, one that stirred even him. "I'll be responsible for them, my Lord. I beg of you..."

"You ask my protection for a ningen Miko I know nothing of? In what way would it benefit this Sesshoumaru?" he said simply.

I can think of one.

"I will pledge myself to you," Shippo said quickly. "I will do anything to have her safe again."

"Please," Rin wrung the hem of her kimono, her eyes filling with tears. He stared at her for a moment, and something in his cold amber eyes must have acquiesced, for she made a noise of joy and thanked him. He turned and went into the castle as she wiped her eyes and Jaken started to squawk orders for her to be placed in a guest room. He dared not disrespect the two now that they were guests. Sesshomaru had iron clad rules when it came to guests, and with the up and coming summit, his tolerance went to zero.

Inside, Sesshomaru was quietly pondering this new development. He would have to keep her here until she was completely healed, and most likely out of sight. The other servants were Youkai, and the only ningen they served was Rin, and that was after Sesshomaru removed the heads of a few. As if didn't have enough to deal with...

Of all the things to have there while the other ruling Lords were there, a Miko should not be one of them. Especially an attractive, powerful, odd one.

R&R please.