Inuyasha, Kyo, Miroku, Kagome and Shippo walked for hours before nightfall hit and they stopped to make camp for the night. Sesshomaru hid behind trees so they couldn't see him. He was only a few feet away.

"Kyo, would you mind getting the firewood?" asked Kagome.

"Not at all." said Kyo, turning to go get the wood.

"I'll come with you." said Miroku.

"I don't need your help Miroku." said Kyo, going off to gather firewood. Sesshomaru followed her, unnoticed.

"I can't win." said Miroku.

"You're such an idiot Miroku." said Shippo.

As Kyo gathered firewood, she felt she was being watched. She tried to shake it off but it really bothered her. She looked around but saw

no one. She continued gathering firewood.

Just then, she heard a twig snap. She spun around, her hand immediately going to her sword ready to draw it.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" she demanded.

A familiar figure with long silver hair came out of the shadows.

"Sesshomaru. What're you doing here?" asked Kyo, taking her hand off her sword. She didn't find Sesshomaru threatening. If he wanted to kill her, he would have already.

"I came to talk to you. I watched your battle with Inuyasha and I was impressed. You may be inexperienced but your power surpasses that of Inuyasha's. I wish to train, make you stronger. No demon would be able to stop you." said Sesshomaru.

"Are you trying to bribe me or something?" asked Kyo.

"No. I just came to make you an offer." said Sesshomaru.

Just then, Inuyasha showed up.

"Sesshomaru. It's been awhile. What're you up to this time?" demanded Inuyasha, hand on his sword, ready.

"Nothing that concerns you little brother." said Sesshomaru.

"If it concerns Kyo, it concerns me." said Inuyasha, drawing his sword. "Wind Scar!"

Sesshomaru drew his own sword. "Dragon Strike!"

The attacks clashed and Sesshomaru took the oppurtunity to leave, vanishing before Inuyasha could attack again.

"Damn." cursed Inuyasha. "What the hell did he want Kyo?"

"He made me an offer." said Kyo. "He offered to train me."

"You're not seriously considering it are you?" asked Inuyasha.

"He said he was impressed with my fighting skills." said Kyo, a sort of dreamy expression on her face.

"I can't believe it! You are! And that fight between us didn't even count! Your father was controlling you!" said Inuyasha.

"I know that. But he was only controlling my mind, not my body." said Kyo, getting irritated.

"Well if that's the best you can do, you better take Sesshomaru up on his offer." said Inuyasha.

"Kicked your butt didn't I?" said Kyo.

This really got to Inuyasha. He could feel his blood boil and his temper rising. "Listen, if you wanna go train with my brother, go ahead but

don't come back here 'cause you won't be welcome you traitor!" he yelled before turning and walking away.

"Fine then, maybe I won't come back you big jerk! And don't expect me to be so nice when and if our paths cross again 'cause I won't be

you stupid jackass!" yelled Kyo than she turned and stalked away, going to find Sesshomaru.

"Go to hell!" she heard Inuyasha yell.

"You first!" she yelled back over her shoulder, not stopping or slowing down.

It didn't take long for Kyo to find Sesshomaru. He was only a few miles away, standing by a stream. The wind blew past him, blowing his

hair away from his face and Kyo noticed her breath catch in her throat.

"So, you've come to accept my offer." said Sesshomaru, turning to her.

"Yes, I have." said Kyo, feeling herself blush slightly and hoping Sesshomaru didn't notice.

"Good. Inuyasha didn't take it so well when you told him did he?" said Sesshomaru.

"No, he didn't. He's such a stubborn jackass." said Kyo. "I told him not to expect me to be so nice to him if our paths cross again."

Sesshomaru gave a slight smile, causing Kyo to blush again and he did notice but chose not to say anything.

"Let's get started than." said Sesshomaru.

Kyo nodded, ready for whatever Sesshomaru was going to dish out at her.

---

"Inuyasha, can't you look at it from her point of view? If she does this training with Sesshomaru and you get into any trouble, she can help

you, only she'll be stronger than before and not easy to defeat." said Kagome.

"I don't care. She's with my evil older brother. To me, that's betrayal and not easily forgiven." said Inuyasha. "And we're not discussing this

anymore." he added as Kagome opened her mouth to argue. He walked further ahead.

Miroku walked beside Kagome. "If you ask me, I understand what Kyo's doing. Inuyasha's just over-reacting about it."

"She's not doing it for Sesshomaru, she's doing it for us and because she wants to. She wants to be able to protect those she cares about.

Maybe if Inuyasha hadn't yelled at her and run her off, she'd still be with us and not with Sesshomaru." said Kagome.

Miroku nodded in agreement.

"You think they'll ever make up?" asked Shippo.

"Yeah, eventually but it'll take time." said Kagome.

"But how much time is the question." said Miroku.

---

Kyo and Sesshomaru seemed to have been walking forever. Kyo felt a little confused but she didn't say anything to him about it. She didn't really even know Sesshomaru but she could tell she should never question him. Still, this did not cause her to fear him any, she was just playing it safe and smart.

Up ahead, Kyo saw a figure crouched on the ground as though waiting for them. As they drew closer, she saw it was a man dressed in a mask of a baboon.

"Naraku. What're you doing here?" asked Sesshomaru, his voice as calm as it had been when he spoke to Kyo but Kyo could detect hatred in his voice. It was taking a lot for Sesshomaru to contain his anger. He usually never let his emotions get the better of him but Naraku was a different story.

"I merely wished to meet the young demon girl I've just heard about. I heard she destroyed her own father in a single blow." said the man called Naraku. "This must be her. She is beautiful like I've been told but she doesn't look that strong. So you're the long lost sister of Inuyasha. But how are you and Lord Sesshomaru not related?"

"It's a long story." said Kyo. Something about this guy scared her a little. Just his presence was enough to make her skin wanna crawl. There was something about him that she didn't like.

"Indeed. Well, let's see just how tough you are." said Naraku and then his baby began tranforming. He shed his baboo disquise and Kyo saw Naraku's face. Then instead of legs, there were many long brown and green tentacles. They immediately headed straight at Kyo.

"Dragon Strike!" yelled Sesshomaru.

All the tentacles coming at Kyo were destroyed but they just regenerated themselves. This time, they came at both Kyo and Sesshomaru. Kyo quickly drew her sword and both her and Sesshomaru deflected any tentacles that came at them. Every now and then, she would destroy some heading at Sesshomaru that he didn't see. In return, Sesshomaru would destroy one that Kyo couldn't get in time. Kyo felt a strong need to protect Sesshomaru, though she wasn't sure why. She didn't even know. Still, she protected him the best she could while trying to keep herself alive at the same time, which proved to be challenging.

Suddenly, all the tentacles came at Kyo at once. She knew there was no way she could destroy them all. Right then, Sesshomaru jumped in front of her, pushing her out of the way. The tentacles began wrapping around his body. He tried slicing them away but it was useless. One wrapped around his wrist and squeezed until he dropped his sword.

Naraku laughed evilly. "Just as I thought. You aren't powerful, your father was just a weak, sad excuse for a demon. I don't know what I was worrying about when I came here." he said.

Kyo felt the anger and rage inside her and she attacked. "You let him go!" she yelled, slicing the tentacles binding Sesshomaru and he was freed. She attacked again, not giving Naraku any time to figure out what was going on. "Fireball Wave!" she yelled. Then she yelled another attack.

"Spiraling Tornado!" She sent spiraling gusts of wind at Naraku and he was carried away. Kyo replaced her sword in it's sheath. Sesshomaru walked over and stood beside her.

"You saved my life." he said. "Why? You don't even know me. Why did you save me?"

"I'm not really sure. I just can't watch someone die, no matter if I know them or not. Besides, you saved me. Why did you save me? You don't know me yet you saved me." said Kyo.

Sesshomaru just stared at Kyo for a moment, as though trying to figure her out but he couldn't. As soon as the words had left her mouth, Kyo wished she hadn't said them. It made her sound like she was smarting off or something and that wasn't what she was trying to do. She was just curious as to why Sesshomaru had saved her. He didn't have to but he had. Right then, Kyo felt herself blushing and quickly turned to try and hide it from Sesshomaru but then she felt his fingers turn her face toward his. He slowly leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. At first, her eyes widened in surprise but then she closed her eyes and melted into his kiss.

Little did they know, Inuyasha was watching from the shadows nearby. He had followed Naraku's scent here to see his brother and Kyo battling with him. He watched Sesshomaru save Kyo from Naraku, he watched them battle with Naraku, he watched as Sesshomaru jumped in front of Kyo, pushing her out of the way and get caught by Naraku, he watched as Kyo saved Sesshomaru and sent Naraku flying with her Spiraling Tornado attack. When he saw Sesshomaru kiss his sister, he felt angry but then he gasped in shock when he watched Kyo kiss him back. Then he felt the anger return and he drew his sword but Kagome grabbed his arm.

"No Inuyasha. Like it or not, she's still your sister." whispered Kagome.

"I don't care. She's betrayed me and I can never forgive her." said Inuyasha.

"Just by kissing your brother?" asked Kagome.

"No. By leaving to train with him, saving and protecting him, and kissing him." said Inuyasha. He broke away from Kagome's hold on his arm and charged at Sesshomaru and Kyo. "Kyo, you traitor!"

"Kyo, look out!" yelled Kagome.

Kyo quickly drew her sword, spun around, and blocked Inuyasha's attack and he backed off. She saw the rage and anger on his face, knowing he must have been watching everything and she knew what had caused Inuyasha to be so angry with her.

"Inuyasha, I knew our paths would cross again. I just never thought it would be this soon." said Kyo.

"You've gone too far Kyo! And you've gone way too far this time Sesshomaru and you're gonna regret it! I saw you two. I saw everything. I've been watching since you ran into Naraku. I followed his scent here, I just didn't expect to see you two as well." said Inuyasha.

"Oh grow up Inuyasha. You wouldn't have been able to beat Naraku and you know it, you just wouldn't admit it so you hid instead. Just like you couldn't even beat me." said Kyo.

"I was protecting you! I didn't want to hurt you so I didn't attack you! But since you're so grateful, I won't bother next time!" said Inuyasha.

"You wouldn't know grateful if it hit you in the face you big jerk!" said Kyo.

"You go to hell!" shouted Inuyasha, jumping forward to attack and Kyo jumped forward to meet him.

"Wind Scar!" they both shouted and the attacks collided in midair, shaking the earth.

"Damn it." cursed Inuyasha.

"You seem to forget Inuyasha, I know when you're gonna use one of your attacks and I can block it." said Kyo.

"Then I'll just stick it to you in your heart." said Inuyasha, running forward, sword raised high. "Backlash Wave!"

"Fireball Wave!" yelled Kyo.

Both attacks clashed midway and blew up, shaking the ground and blowing huge gusts of wind. After a minute, the wind died down and everything was calm again.

"I beat you once Inuyasha, and I can do it again." said Kyo.

"Not likely Kyo. You were under your father's control. Now that you're not, you've got nothing. I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back." said Inuyasha.

"Hah. What can you possibly accomplish? You're nothing but a pathetic half-demon." said Sesshomaru.

"You'll die first!" yelled Inuyasha, charging at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru drew his Tokijin and blocked Inuyasha's attack. "You fool. You're outnumbered. You'll surely meet your demise."

"By the likes of you two? Don't make me laugh." said Inuyasha. "Wind Scar!"

"Dragon Strike!" yelled Sesshomaru, blocking Inuyasha's attack.

"Spiraling Tornado!" shouted Kyo, sending Inuyasha flying. Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo ran off after him. Kyo and Sesshomaru put their swords back in their sheaths.

"That was too easy." said Sesshomaru.

"I don't use that attack to kill, remember?" said Kyo.

"I didn't say anything about you killing him. I can handle him myself. I was just saying it was too easy to get rid of him. Like you said, you beat him once and you can do it again if you wanted." said Sesshomaru.

At first, Kyo looked at Sesshomaru with a bit of surprise but than she smiled.

"Why couldn't have met you sooner? I mean, I feel ashamed to even be a full-fledge demon."

"You shouldn't. You should be proud of who you are and you should feel proud to be a full-blooded demon." said Sesshomaru.

Kyo thought for a moment than she smiled and said, "You're right."

"I know I am." said Sesshomaru. "Come on, let's go."

The two of them started to walk away but a voice called them back.

"My lord, wait."

They turned to see a small imp demon running over to them, carrying a demon arm.

"Jaken, what took you so long?" asked Sesshomaru, sounding a little adgitated.

"It wasn't easy tracking this demon down and taking his arm." said Jaken.

'Poor guy. He has to use other arms. I wish there was something I could do to help.' thought Kyo. Then she remembered something.

Ever since she was little, she was able to heal small wounds but when she got her jewel shard, she could heal bigger wounds but not had been permanent but they were helpful and she was able to save a lot of lives.

Sesshomaru took the arm from Jaken and was getting ready to attach to the stump where his arm used to be.

"Wait, I have an idea." said Kyo, pulling out her chain with the jar containing the jewel shard.

"A Sacred Jewel Shard from the Shikon Jewel." said Jaken.

"How did you get that?" asked Sesshomaru.

"It doesn't matter." said Kyo. "Ever since I was a little, I could heal small wounds. I've healed many wounds of people in my village. But ever since I've had this jewel shard, I've been able to heal larger wounds and I've saved a lot of lives."

"I think I see where you're going with this. You want to try to give me back my arm." said Sesshomaru.

Kyo nodded. "If it works, it will be very painful. And it's possible it will only be temporary."

"It doesn't matter, as long as I have it long enough to achieve what I want." said Sesshomaru.

Kyo nodded. She wondered if he was talking about taking the Tetsusaiga from Inuyasha or if he meant killing Naraku, but Kyo didn't dare ask either. She knew better so she just concentrated on what she was going to do. Sesshomaru took off his armor than pulled his camono off his left shoulder to reveal what was left of his arm. Kyo placed her hands on it, closed her eyes, and concentrated. He felt it get warm than start to tingle. Then Sesshomaru felt it start burning and pain shot through it. He gritted his teeth but the pain increased and soon became unbearable. Kyo opened her eyes and Sesshomaru had his left arm. She held on a few seconds longer than let go. Sesshomaru's knees buckled and he started to fall but Kyo caught him under the arms and knelt down with him, laying him against her chest.

"Lord Sesshomaru, are you alright?" asked Jaken in fear.

Sesshomaru was breathing normally but was unconscious.

"He's alright. He just passed out." said Kyo. She layed him down and went to gather firewood to keep them all warm and to also get some herbs for the pain that Sesshomaru would be feeling when he woke up.

---

Nightfall. A fire was going and Kyo stayed by Sesshomaru's side and so did Jaken.

"Lord Sesshomaru has been unconscious for a long time now. Should we wake him?" asked Jaken.

"No, let him rest a while longer. His arm is gonna be sore for awhile so he won't be able to fully use it yet." said Kyo.

Just then, Sesshomaru woke up. He slowly sat up and looked around, seeing Kyo and Jaken sitting nearby, watching over him.

"Master, you're awake!" said Jaken.

"Sesshomaru." said Kyo, getting up, walking over, and kneeling next to him. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. My arm is a little sore though." said Sesshomaru, resting a hand on his left shoulder.

"It will be for awhile. And you probably won't be able to fully use it yet." said Kyo.

"I'm curious, why did you help me?" asked Sesshomaru.

"'Cause I wanted to. I enjoy helping others." said Kyo.

"You're too kind." said Sesshomaru.

"Yeah, so I've been told my whole life but it's who I am, I can't change that." said Kyo.

"And you shouldn't have to, for anyone. You'd be a fool if you did."said Sesshomaru.

This really caused Kyo to blush. She wasn't used to getting compliment, especially from men. The only person that really gave her compliment's was Mio's mother.

"Jaken, go find Rin." said Sesshomaru.

"Yes, me lord." said Jaken, turning and leaving Sesshomaru and Kyo alone.

Before Kyo knew what was happening, Sesshomaru kissed her. He slowly pushed her kamono off her shoulders. They broke away and stared at each other. Kyo reached up and slowly pushed Sesshomaru's kamono off his shoulders, neither looking away from the others' faces until Sesshomaru kiss Kyo again, forcing her onto her back.

---

Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo continued on their journey. Inuyasha was no longer holding a grudge against Kyo. He had forgiven her for the time being, unless she did something to anger him again.

"Inuyasha, are you okay?" asked Kagome. Inuyasha was looking gloomy.

"Yeah, I just wish Kyo was back with us. I shouldn't have been so mean to her." said Inuyasha.

"I tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen." said Kagome.

"Oh shut up, don't make me feel worse than I already do." said Inuyasha.

"Well, you did bring this on yourself." said Kagome.

"Gee, thanks. That makes me feel so much better." said Inuyasha sarcastically.

Just then, he suddenly stopped and froze, smelling the air around them.

"What is it Inuyasha?" asked Kagome.

"Someone's coming. They're getting closer." said Inuyasha, standing on his guard.

Suddenly, someone jumped out of the trees and landed in front of them. It was a man wearing a familiar white baboon disguise.

"Naraku." said Inuyasha angrily, drawing his Tetsusaiga.

"Inuyasha, we meet again." said Naraku.

"I'm gonna slice you in half." said Inuyasha.

"We'll see about that." said Naraku and he shed his baboon disguise. Instead of legs, he had many green tentacles.

"Wind Scar!" shouted Inuyasha.

The attack hit Naraku but he just quickly regenerated.

"Damn. He healed himself." said Miroku.

Naraku attacked, his tentacles flying at them.

"Fireball Wave!"

Kyo jumped up out of the forest and hit Naraku with her attack. Sesshomaru jumped out after Kyo, hitting Naraku with his poison claws. The two of them landed by Inuyasha and the others.

"Kyo!" said Miroku.

"You made it!" said Shippo.

"Of course I did. You didn't think I was gonna let you guys have all the fun without me did ya?" said Kyo, smiling.

Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo smiled but Inuyasha was glaring at Sesshomaru.

"What's he doing here?" demanded Inuyasha.

"He's with me." said Kyo.

"And it has nothing to do with you or the Tatsusaiga this time." said Sesshomaru.

"Well there's a surprise." said Inuyasha.

"Can we do this later and concentrate on Naraku?" intervened Kyo.

"Fine." said Inuyasha.

"Mind if I join you?" asked a female voice.

They all turned and saw Sango.

"Sango!" exclaimed Miroku, stars sparkling in his eyes.

"Glad you could make it Sango." said Kagome.

"Come on, we don't have time." said Inuyasha.

"Backlash Wave!" shouted Inuyasha and Kyo together.

"Dragon Strike!" Sesshomaru and Kyo then shouted together.

Miroku tossed some of his Sacred Sutras at Naraku.

"Hiratsu!" shouted Sango, hurling her giant boomerang at Naraku.

Kagome sent one of her sacred arrows at Narku.

All the attacks hit together. There was smoke everywhere so they couldn't see Naraku anymore. They had to wait for the smoke to clear. After the smoke cleared, Naraku had vanished.

"He's gone!" exclaimed Shippo.

"No he's not. He's around here somewhere." said Inuyasha, gazing around them.

"We should get out of here before he comes back." said Miroku.

"Are you nuts? We've gotta stop Naraku here and now!" said Inuyasha.

"You're gonna get us all killed!" said Kyo.

"You are a fool Inuyasha." said Sesshomaru.

"You stay out of this Sesshomaru! If I remember correctly, Naraku was the one pulling your strings not too long ago!" yelled Inuyasha.

"Knock it off Inuyasha! We've been here before!" yelled Kyo.

"Come on you guys, stop fighting." said Miroku.

"Shut up!" yelled Inuyasha and Kyo.

"You are so stubborn Inuyasha!" said Kyo.

"And you'd rather be off with Sesshomaru, whom I despise! Or is he making all your decisions for you?" said Inuyasha.

"I make my own decisions!" yelled Kyo.

Suddenly, she yelled out in pain as an arrow pierced her right shoulder.

"That's a sacred arrow!" exclaimed Kagome.

"But who shot it?" asked Miroku.

A girl they had met in Kyo's village came out of the forest, a bow in hand and arrows on her back. She readied another arrow in her bow and prepared to fire.

"Mio!" exclaimed Kyo, barely able to stand.

"I shall kill any demon I cross! I will avenge my family." said Mio as she aimed at Sesshomaru.

"No!" yelled Kyo, placing herself in front of Sesshomaru.

"Get out of the way Kyo." demanded Mio.

"I can't do that Mio. I won't let you do this, it isn't you." said Kyo.

"That was until your father came back and destroyed our village. I barely got away. He killed everyone else. Your father killed everyone and it's your fault!" yelled Mio. She released the arrow at Sesshomaru and Kyo but Sesshomaru caught it and it melted in his hand. He took out the one in Kyo shoulder and tossed it aside.

"Stop this foolishness before anyone else gets hurt." he said calmly.

--To be continued...