Back in the clearing, a very angry hanyou was about to come to. 'Ow…What the hell? Why does it feel like my head weighs a million tons? I'll just go back to camp and get Kagome to ba-' Suddenly, everything seemed to fall into place in the half-demon's head. 'Kagome! Oh Kami! What do I do now? He just had to declare a formal battle over my bitch, didn't he? And I….I lost. There's nothing I can do now! Wait he couldn't actually want her as his mate could he? Isn't he known for hating humans? Although….I haven't known him to lie before, he's too honor-bound. Oh this is just great! What am I supposed to tell the slayer and the monk, not to mention the kid! Well, I sure as hell can't tell them the truth….so, what would be believable? I know, we had another stupid argument and she left for her time. Perfect!'

MEANWHILE…

Sesshomaru flew through the skies holding his mate close to his well-toned chest. Despite his calm appearance, his mind had been flying around from one matter to the next since he set out. 'What female doesn't desire this Sesshomaru? I did not expect this to be a problem. It was clear that she would fight me…but to out right refuse my offer? It must be the affect of spending such long periods of time in radius of the mutt's stupidity. But she mentioned love…does this Sesshomaru know how to give love. I am sure she has my respect, praise, approval and lust…but love? Hm, it will have to be discussed further, but for now more immediate matters. She needs to be subservient to me like a good bitch, but I take no pleasure in causing her pain. It matters not; sooner or later she will learn respect and realize that her punishments were for the best.'

Sighting his white, marble castle the demon lord decided to forgo the hassle of bringing his intended through the main gate and settled on simply entering from his balcony. As his feet touched the ground with cat-like grace, he felt his woman stir. 'This Sesshomaru will not lose his temper with her. It's obvious that she will not respond well to the-' but the thought was never finished due to the groggy interruptions of the raven-haired girl.

"Mom, I'm not going to school today. Tell everybody I'll be back tomorrow," she yawned.

A haughty, smirk graced the face of the Taiyoukai before once again falling into its normal stony barrier. "Girl, I am not your mother." Walking over to a set of plush throw cushions, he laid her down gently before taking a seat next to her on the chamber floor.

Kagome's emotion-filled eyes slowly began to stir from their heavy-lidded position. 'Where am I? Where is Inuyasha? I'm surprised he hasn't woken me up already screaming for his breakfast. Hm, I don't want to get up, these pillows are so comfy…wait, pillows? I really don't remember bringing any pillows. Oh boy, now I remember where I am. Let's see, maybe if I close my eyes he'll disappear.' Cracking one eye open, she groaned at the knowledge her wish hadn't been granted.

Sesshomaru watched the girl, amused with her childish antics. "It is time to awaken, koi. We have much to discuss."

Turning onto her side, facing away from Sesshomaru she snarled, "WE? Since when has there been a we? I'm quite sure there is a you and then there is a me. I'm afraid I missed the whole we thing."

"There has been a we and an us and a them since this Sesshomaru decided to make it so."

"First, this Kagome is sick of Lord Jackass over there referring to himself in the third person. Second, are you off your rocker? I mean hello! You hate humans, Kami; you've tried to kill me! If this about that fang I'll flip! You two are just the same. It makes me sick! Was being a stubborn, egotistical, chauvinistic, pig-headed idiot in your gene pool? Third, even if you are serious the answer is no! No! No! No! Did your oh-so-mighty demon hearing catch that frosty?"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes in an attempt to stay calm. "Woman, you try my patience. Listen and listen well for this Sesshomaru does not repeat himself. How much or how little you know about inuyoukai mating is, at the moment, none of my concern but let me caution you. The male is always dominant, while his chosen bitch obeys his every word knowing that their decision is for the best. You will abide by the customs of my clan, seeing as I have not had contact with yours."

Kagome simply turned away from him, refusing to further acknowledge his presence in the room. No sooner had she settled herself than she felt large sword-callused hands pull her into a possessive hold at a hard chest. She sighed. 'What can I do? Well, I know what a CAN'T do…that would be anything that he says or even implies that would please him. I could try the silent treatment, but it wouldn't work. Frosty seems to prefer the quiet and when he does speak I get so angry there is no way I contain myself. Maybe I can explain to him about this…"

"Mate, what are you thinking?"

"Sesshomaru, you've been honest with me, so let me do the same for you. There is just no way that this will work. I have a responsibility to my friends, to Inuyasha. He has lost too many people already and I can't bear to make him go through that again, even if he doesn't love me in the way I'd like he is still my best friend. I just can't leave Shippo. I'm his mom now. You should have seen him when we first found him, Lord Sesshomaru. I'm sure that you would never abandon your pups, and I refuse to abandon mine. Besides, Sango is like the sister I never had and Miroku…uh, well he is good for things. As a lord I would think that you of all people would know about duty and honor, and you ask me to give up both."

"Koi, you will not dishonor yourself. The taking of a mate is highly respected in Youkai court, and as for the kit I will allow him to take up residence here. According to demon law you are mine now, seeing as I am first to lay claim to you."

Kagome stiffened at that thought. He WASN'T the first demon to approach her on such a subject. 'Should I tell him about Koga I…?'

Sesshomaru had smelt the sudden tension radiating from the girl at his last statement and it made his inu thrash about wildly in its mental cage. He let out a low snarl before using his incredible demon speed to position himself on top of her. "Tell me, Kagome, and do not lie to me for I will know. What demon has dared to lay claim to you?"

Kagome stayed silent, realizing this would only hurt Koga. As the silence dragged itself out, she felt sharp claws digging into the pale, tender flesh of her shoulders. "Answer me now bitch!" Her only reply was a defiant glare.

"Woman, I will find out, I might be able to check my temper more thoroughly if you reveal this information to me."

"Koga, Lord of the Eastern Lands and prince of the wolves has had a claim on me for a good 3 years now," she whispered. I fact it was so quiet; even Sesshomaru's demon senses had trouble picking it up.

A deep growl rumbled through his chest. 'The Eastern Lord! That flea-bag mangy wolf? He's only a pup! There is no way he could provide for my intended. I will simply not allow it.' "Kagome, has he acted on his claim?"

She scoffed in irritation, "Well, only if you count kidnapping and bribery."

The lord was pleased to hear the distaste in her young voice. 'At least she is not found of Lord Koga…at least in that fashion.' "Come, we are going to pay a visit to the Eastern Lands."

He stood with his normal fluency and held out a clawed hand to assist her in getting up. "Uh, Sesshomaru is this really necessary. I mean it's not like I am actually considering-"

"It matters, for the Youkai society needs to be aware of who you belong to. But before we go, I have something for you." The pulled out a jeweled collar with his family crest upon it. Quieter than she had ever heard him he sighed, "This collar was given to my mother by my father as part of an inu tradition. It is a sign of his, and now my, ownership over the female adorned with such. But more importantly, it is my promise to you. My promise to have no other, love no other. With this on your neck, you have made the same promise to me. It will be irremovable, with exception of myself"

Kagome turned around to rudely decline, but then she caught sight of his eyes. 'He looks so sad, yet so hopeful. I never knew that he hurt like that. I may have been wrong about---wait, what am I thinking he just kidnapped me! But still…' "I will wear your collar, and while I do I shall seek no other. But, know that I if I wish it I will leave, trusting that you will allow it. At the end of a moon cycle I will tell you my final choice, binding me to you."

"If that is how you wish it that is how it shall be. Know, though, that I am not a gentle man by nature, nor am I even tempered. "

Kagome gave him a half-hearted smile, "I know, I really do know."

With those words the western lord pulled the mass of soft, raven hair to the side and fastened the silver latch. As she turned to face him, Sesshomaru felt for the first time in many hundreds of years, true contentment. 'She is the as beautiful as my own mother, I will have her for a mate.' "Beautiful…' was all he said before quickly scooping her up bridal style and taking to the air.

AFTER A SHORT FLIGHT

The pair landed lightly, but Sesshomaru still did not let Kagome down. His soft growl was a clear indication for her to stop moving. A few yards ahead stood the wolf village. It consisted mostly of mountain-side caves and a few wooden buildings. Baskets of food were set near the forest edge and small wolf pups ran around playing, watched by the elders.

Catching her longing smile directed at the pups Sesshomaru whispered to her, "Soon, Koi. Soon we will have our own."

This thought sent shivers down her spine, but before she could really think about it a cloud of dust came speeding towards them.

As soon as the air cleared, the wolf prince was visible. "Kagome! What the hell are you doing here? Did that mutt finally get to you? Have you come to take your place as my woman?"

Any words that would have followed were cut off by Sesshomaru's low, possessive growl. He set Kagome down lightly on her feet and turned, standing full height to face the wolf boy. "Lord Koga," he said in such a monotone voice that Kagome finally realized how much emotion he had actually revealed to her.

"Lord Sesshomaru, what brings you here? I thank you for escorting my woman here but-"

Sesshomaru snarled, a threatening sound originating from deep within his chest. He truly sounded like a fierce dog. "You will never refer to my intended as yours again, pup. I am here for Kagome has told me of your claim to her. Since I too have laid claim, I came to settle this with you in person."

"No fucking way dog! I have had rights to her for years now; your recent decision is nothing!"

"I feared you would think as much. Let us settle this in the old way. Let us fight."

Kagome gasped and flung herself between the two demons. "NO! Please don't fight…I don't want to see anymore fights."

Sesshomaru brought her to his chest in a strong embrace and began a low purring sound, meant for calming a female. It did just that, as Kagome felt the tension in her muscles drain away.

"We will not fight. Though, I do not retract my claim. Wolf, I am more fit to provide for her. You are still a pup compared to me, not powerful enough to defend a mate. What if Naraku happened upon you? Even with your shards you'd be no match, leaving Kagome to fend for herself."

Koga hung his head and simply nodded turning his face away. "If it is best for Kagome, then it will be this way."

"A wise choice, you will grow into a fine ruler."

Seeing how depressed the wolf demon looked, Kagome broke away from Sesshomaru, ignoring his warning growl, and caught Koga in a tight hug which he returned with vigor. "Koga, we will always be friends. You deserve some one better, some one who can love you fully. Whoever that is, they will be one of the most fortunate women in the world." With that, Kagome placed a chaste kiss on his lips and returned to the arms of Sesshomaru who immediately took off.

Within five minutes he had stopped again, landing in a small clearing.

"Woman, what was that?" Kagome could plainly see the fire burning in his amber orbs. "I am a jealous man Kagome, a very jealous man. For your sake, I did not kill him, at least not yet. But, you have kissed another and are now covered in his disgusting scent." Within seconds he had pounced, like the predator he was, and now sat straddling her hips and holding her arms above her head with one deadly hand.

Without warning he crashed his face down to hers, purposefully bashing her skull with his own. Not even asking for any type of permission, he bit her. Using the opportunity, he sucked her now quite bloody tongue into his hot mouth. After what seemed to Kagome like hours he lifted up his face, hovering two inches above her with red blood, her blood, staining his lips. He took his time sitting up, now noticing that the girl had her eyes shut tightly.

"Open your eyes and look at me. Assure me that this will never happen again Kagome. Tell me what I want to hear."

Her only response was to spit blood into his face.

Without even wiping his face, he raised his clawed had and slapped, a slap that could have brought pain to the strongest of demons. Looking down he could already see the yellowish-purple tint that her cheek had begun to shade. It disgusted him, knowing that he hurt her and marred her beauty. 'It must be done; this is how a bitch learns. I am in the right.'

Hot tears trailed down the girls cheeks, staining her flushed, bruising face. Turning her head away, she let a sob escape form her crimson lips.

Forcefully, but not enough to hurt, Sesshomaru grasped her chin and brought her eyes to meet his own. "Understand that it is not my wish to do such things to you, but it is my place as your mate."

"Your place? You have no place in my life. I will keep my word Sesshomaru and stay with you for a moon cycle but then I will return to your brother.

The inu demon felt his blood raging in his ears. 'She has been punished enough today. Too much abuse never taught anything.' "When we return you will be leashed, that way I can keep watch over you until I am sure you will not leave me."

"ARE YOU SERIOUS? A LEASH? YOU'RE THE DOG HERE!"

"That is still to be determined," pressing his finger to her pressure point he knocked her out.

After a short flight home, Sesshomaru retrieved the old leather leash that his father had kept and attached it to her sleeping form. 'I do not like doing this while she rests, but if I tried it when she was awake I am certain that she would hurt herself.'

The demon lord lifted his mate and gently laid her on his futon, joining her. He was more than content to simply lie beside her and breathe her intoxicating aroma, for he was positive all hell will break lose the moment she opens her eyes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wow! Chapter 3! It still probably sucks, but oh well, I'm having fun with it! Thanks guys, XXemzyXX