The One I Love

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

A/N: As promised, I'm doin' my darndest to update in bulk. I really thought I'd have more to post by now but having time to write is rare these days :/ But anyway- here's the next chapter, I really hope I'll be getting some reviews soon!

Chapter 4

Kagome lay in her bed alone that night. She stared at the canopy above her, her eyes finally dry of tears. She felt so tired, yet she could not sleep. She sat up, pinching the bridge of her nose, her shoulders slumped. When had she lost herself? Where was the strong, independent Kagome her mother had raised? Who was this lovesick fool that paraded around in her body? Kagome exhaled in frustration. Her misery was getting her nowhere. She had important matters to deal with, like gaining the approval of the Western Lord so that Kouga would allow her to be present for the battle.

Allow. Kagome scoffed at the word. Since when did she ever need someone to allow her to do anything? She closed her eyes and threw herself back. She truly had lost herself..

Just then, Kagome heard a noise coming from the bathing room. A slithering sound, like fabric moving across the floor. She slowly got out of bed, her hand reaching below the mattress to the dagger she had hidden there should someone unwanted enter her chambers. For all she knew, it was Rin, but she would rather be safe than sorry. Kagome moved stealthily across her room, her hand slowly reaching for the knob to open the door. She inhaled, and before she realized what was happening, the door swung open and a pale hand seized her wrist and dragged her inside.

Kagome was still adjusting to the quickness in which she had been assaulted when another hand clamped around her throat and pushed her against the shelved wall. Kagome raised her blade, her eyes not yet adjusted to the darkness and moved to stab her attacker. Her wrist was snatched before her blow could land and her dagger fell with a noisy clatter to the floor. She quickly summoned her spiritual energy, tapping into reserves that had been unused for so long, she doubted she could control them. Her heart was pounding and her adrenaline was kicking in.

"Think carefully before you attack me, priestess," a familiar voice said. Kagome's eyes widened in fear, and her powers shrank back within her.

"Sesshoumaru," she said, her hands coming up to grip the clawed one that held her. He did not loosen his grip, nor did he tighten it. Instead he stepped closer to her, his breath fanning across her face. She was too terrified to realize how sweet he smelled, or how warm his hands were, despite the cold edge in his voice as he spoke.

"What were you doing with my sword, woman?" he demanded, his voice lethal. Kagome blinked in confusion before she understood. The sword she had found in the trunk earlier. Rin wasn't joking when she said Sesshoumaru didn't like people touching his things. "Is this some kind of ruse? Is Kouga planning to kill me in order to gain my lands?"

"No!" Kagome exclaimed, her voice rising in fear for her lord now. "No, I swear it was nothing like that!"

"Explain yourself!" Sesshoumaru growled, raising her so that the tips of her toes barely touched the floor. Kagome gasped as her air was cut off. She struggled to speak, and tears welled up in her blue eyes.

"Rin.." she choked out. "Rin needed... dress.."

Sesshoumaru dropped her then. Kagome was on the floor, holding her throat and breathing deeply, thankful for the air. She looked up at the shadowy figure of Sesshoumaru as he looked down at her. She was lifted to her feet then, and stood before him, wishing that she could see his face.

"Do not," he hissed, stepping closer to her as he spoke. "Touch my things again."

Kagome could do nothing but stare up at him. The ray of moonlight that came through the window illuminated his golden eyes. It was all Kagome could see of him. She stared sadly into those amber orbs, her heart throbbing painfully at the resemblance that would haunt her every time she looked at this man. Sesshoumaru stepped away from her, and disappeared into Rin's room. Kagome stood there a while longer, her hands shaking, her heart racing. She was a wreck, and if she wasn't careful, she could ruin things for Kouga and this battle. She bit her lip, walking back into her own room and lying on her bed.

And here she thought she had no more tears left to shed.

Kagome woke the next morning feeling as though she had never fallen asleep. Her body was heavy, and there was a steady pounding behind her eyes. She didn't even bother pretending to be polite when Ayame came in to dress her. She was stiff, and quiet- not even bothering to look the girl in the eye. Ayame's usually foul temper seemed molified at Kagome's mood. She didn't really care. She just wanted to get this day over with so that she could return to the solitude of her room.

Kagome barely registered that Ayame had finished braiding her hair. She found herself walking to the dining room in a bit of a trance. She moved her feet, but couldn't actually feel herself walk. Her body moving on insinct, following the halls of the manor purely by memory. She couldn't ever remember feeling this awful. Well, not physically anyway.

"Miss Kagome!"

Kagome jumped at the excitement in the voice that called her. She blinked rapidly, her eyes focusing on the tiny head that peeked over the table at her. Her heart lifted a little. She'd recognize that wild black hair anywhere. For the first time that morning, Kagome smiled.

"Rin," she said happily, only then noticing the taiyoukai that was seated to her left. Kagome expected to feel fear, or at least some kind of nervousness at the sight of the demon, but instead she only felt that familiar sadness that always overtook her when she met his eyes. She turned back to the little girl that was scooting herself up so that she could reach her plate on the table. "I thought you took all your meals privately?"

Rin opened her mouth to speak but was silenced by her lord.

"Seeing as how the entire manor discovered her presence yesterday- thanks to you," Sesshoumaru said, his voice void of any emotion. "I deemed it pointless to keep her hidden any longer."

Kagome said nothing to him as she took her seat to the left of Kouga, who had yet to acknowledge her presence in the room. His eyes were fixed pointedly at his plate, eating quietly, his back straight, shoulders tense. Kagome frowned, knowing that she had probably upset him yesterday, but not willing to apologize in front of an audience. She still had some pride left. A serving maid came to place a plate of food before her, and Kagome nodded in thanks, turning back to little Rin who was happily chewing on the fruits she had been given.

"So what are your plans for today, Rin?" she asked, her heart warming just being around the girl. The girl smiled brightly, taking a deep breath to speak when she was once again cut off, this time by Kouga.

"Actually, Lord Sesshoumaru and I needed to discuss that with you, Lady Kagome," Kouga said formally. Rin huffed and began to spoon her porridge into her mouth, obviously realizing that she wasn't going to be able to speak with the adults at the table. Kagome frowned at Kouga. He had only ever called her "Lady" when he first asked for her hand.

"Please continue," Kagome said softly, setting aside her fork and turning to him fully.

"Lord Kouga and I shall be going into the neighboring villages to collect any humans with spiritual power to assist in the battle," Sesshoumaru said, pushing his plate away. "You and Rin shall be joining us for safety measures."

Kagome's interest was piqued. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two demons. Neither would meet her eyes.

"Why would you need those with spiritual powers?" she asked. Still no response. She huffed in agrivation and directed her attention to Kouga. "If it is crucial to the battle then I can help, Kouga. You know my power is-"

"Not now, Kagome," Kouga said, getting to his feet. "We'll be leaving soon, so gather what you need. We shall be traveling for at least two weeks' time."

Another thought suddenly struck Kagome then. All annoyance with Kouga aside, it wasn't a secret how close her home village was to Kouga's estate. Neither was the fact that there were at least three people in her village with spiritual powers. One of whom she didn't feel comfortable seeing any time soon..

"Shall we be traveling to Deepwell then?" Kagome asked, twisting her fingers in her lap anxiously. She did her best to keep herself calm as her stomach twisted, waiting for Kouga's answer.

"Yes," Kouga finally said. "You can have some time to visit with your family."

Kagome swallowed, feeling the color drain from her face. She got to her feet shakily and walked away, leaving her food untouched. She was dimly aware of Kouga calling her name, but her heart was racing, her palms sweating as she made her way back to her room. She had entirely new worries now. More troublesome than not being able to join the battle against Naraku.

She'd have to see Inuyasha.

A/N: Review please!