Okay, first of all, sorry for the long wait. Secondly, I really enjoyed writing this chapter :D. I hope you guys enjoy. Thirdly, I'll start dating the chapters according to the story line.

The Shikon Institute for Phobias

Chapter 4- One Apology Goes a Long Way

November 29

To apologize or not to apologize, that is the question. I blew my bangs from my face and took a deep breath. I really didn't feel like sucking up to the zombie today, but hey, if it got Sesshomaru's respect for me back, I sure in hell didn't care. Hmm, maybe the past two weeks with Sesshomaru have really altered my brain or something to actually want his respect or care for his opinion of me. Today was Sunday, marking the fifth week I've been in this hellhole. I rolled over on my stomach, placing the cooler side of the pillow under my cheek. It was too incredibly cold today to do anything and I was beginning to wish this place had a sauna.

The cheap heater in my room was doing nothing to heat me up, so I'm pretty much cold and angry. Mumbling to myself, I pulled my fleece cartoon blanket tight around myself, hissing in anger when my bare feet touched the cold linoleum as I walked to my slippers. Growling to myself, I trudged out of my room, dragging my slippers across the floor. I wouldn't be surprised if it was snowing out side, or if a crow had frozen in mid-air. Well, I hoped for that last one. I suddenly wondered where everyone was, probably running all the hot water out the bathroom.

I sure as hell would be doing the same thing, but I enjoy my skin not being wrinkled like a prune. I still hadn't gotten any information on how Kagura and Sesshomaru broke up, but then again, it isn't like I could go ask them or their friends… Wait! I could go ask InuYasha. Surely as the Mr. Clean's brother, he would have some idea as to why they terminated their relationship. I put a little speed in my feet dragging walk as I made a u-turn and headed to see if Yasha was in his room. When I got there the door was closed and I hesitated before I knocked.

The last time Inu Yasha and I had been remotely close to each other was when he dragged me into the well and put his disgusting onion-garlic-slime breath in my mouth. Shrugging my shoulders, I adjusted my blanket so it wouldn't fall as I removed my arm from the cocoon I had formed to knock on the door. The door opened seconds later with a red nosed brat staring at me. "Whatcha want wench?" He questioned as brashly as he could with a stuffy nose.

"Hi to you too." I murmured rearranging my cocoon to swallow my arm again.

"What?" He questioned sniffing snot deep into his nasal cavity and probably his throat too. My lip turned upwards in disgust.

"Do you know why your brother and Kagura broke up?"

"Why'd ya come bother me about-," He sneezed… without covering his mouth, and I stepped back. Luckily his mucous went elsewhere. "-that bastard for? I don't know nothin' bout his business and don't care either." I frowned. Drat… who else could I ask? Kagura is annoying, clingy, and deceiving after all, and it's only common sense Sesshomaru would break up with her, but that was just what I guessed. What caused him to date her?

"Well do you know why they started dating?" InuYasha coughed in his hand and sucked mucous back into his naval cavity before coughing and swallowing it. My face must have truly shown disturbance because the spoiled brat laughed at me.

"Don't tell me you never been sick and what are you doin'? A research paper on their relationship or somethin'?"

"No, I was just merely curious and-,"

"Yeah yeah. If it will get you to leave me alone then my dad and her dad put them together and she pretended to be exactly how Sesshomaru would like a girl to get him to date her. Her true colors showed a little before he came here." I grinned. Figures that the conniving-.

"Can you go now?" He interrupted my thoughts and I frowned.

"Yeah, thanks. I hope you get better." Inu Yasha waved me off and I smiled which quickly turned into a frown when he sneezed loudly in the same hand he was waving then wiped whatever had been on his hand on his flannel pajama bottoms. Utterly disgusting. I took my leave before I could witness anymore of his revolting behavior.

I left Inu Yasha and headed straight to Kaede to take some medicine before his germs invaded my immune system. Now I'm walking slowly to the rec. room to find Kikyo and hopefully get her alone to apologize. I stopped in the bathroom beside the rec. room and blew my nose before washing my hands. I smelled vomit before I heard the awful retching sounds of someone puking their guts up. Looks like I found Kikyo a lot easier than I would have thought. I knocked on her stall before opening it, and sure enough Kikyo was there, lying across the clean bathroom tile and her forehead resting on the lifted toilet seat. "Go away." She warned weakly. I'm guessing she didn't know it was me, so I shrugged and pulled her hair back as she started yakking again. "Yasha?" She questioned in bewilderment. Her eyes were squinted closed and she was obviously in pain.

"No, it's Kagome. Are you okay? Do you want me to go get Kaede?" She shook her head and replaced her forehead back on the porcelain bucket.

"No. Kagome?" She repeated and I nodded, mindless of the fact she probably didn't see it.

"What do you want? Shouldn't you be stealing my food or something?" At the mention of food, Kikyo was retching again and I made a slight face at the aroma of her vomit.

"I was looking for you to apologize about that. I know I'm not helping you in anyway to get over your phobia. I promise not to do it anymore." Kikyo moaned and began throwing up again.

"Yeah… well it doesn't make us friends." She sat up and glared at me. Her dark chocolate eyes boring holes into mine.

"Who said I, of all people, wanted to be your friend?" I retorted with a scoff and folding my arms across my chest. Kikyo smirked and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I suggest you not go into the rec. room. Everyone in there has the flu, including me." I backed away slowly and covered my nose with my hands. How was it that everyone got each other sick in the matter of the six days I decided to keep to myself for a while?

"Yeah... Thanks. I think your boyfriend is starting to get it too." I saw her tense when I mention him and nearly rolled my eyes.

"What were you doing talking to him?" She questioned almost instantly, her eyes narrowed at me in a critical stare.

"Jeeze…. Relax." I told her immediately steering from a confrontation, "I do not want your disgusting little lapdog, but I talk to whom I please." Kikyo continued to glare at me and I exited her stall. "Have fun throwing up." I told her as I left the bathroom.

My next stop was the cafeteria to get some soup and green tea. It was best to raise my immune system while I had the chance. My daily exercises would help in the long run too, but for now it was best to take precautions. I was just finishing my tea when Sesshomaru walked in. I watched him walk gracefully to the table I was sitting at alone before he sat down. He said nothing… merely staring at my almost empty mug and empty bowl.

"I take it we are the only ones who have not fallen ill." I smiled and nodded.

"Well between your hand sanitizer and cleaning products with my healthiness, we should be pretty okay I would say." I informed him setting my now empty tea cup down. He removed a small unopened bottle of hand sanitizer from his pocket and sat it in front of me.

"I am sure you have come into contact with the brat's revolting sanitary skills." I smiled ear to ear with acceptance. Popping the cap and squeezing a small drop into my hands. The smell of alcohol cleared my stuffy nose from the cold as I rubbed my hands together. "Thanks." I said as my hands tingled. "I don't blame you for being Mr. Clean after seeing him in action." Sesshomaru's eyebrow twitched and I smiled nervously. Damn… I did NOT just call him my personal nickname.

"I believe anyone would desire cleaner habits should they witness the brat's." I laughed and thanked anyone who was listening for letting Sesshomaru forget I even mentioned the horrid, to him that is, nickname.

"So what should we do since we're the only ones healthy?" I asked taking my mug and bowl to the tub we put our dirty dishes in.

"I would not know." He replied. I frowned as we left the cafeteria together. He was no fun! 'What could we do?' I questioned myself repetitively.

"Ooo! I know!" I exclaimed after walking past a window and acknowledging it did indeed snow.

"We are not in kindergarten Kagome." I blushed sheepishly. I didn't mean to get so excited but it was a good idea!

"Let's go play in the snow!" What seemed like a good idea at the time, suddenly struck me as dumb. Of course Sesshomaru wouldn't dirty himself into playing in the snow with me, but-.

"I do not 'play' but I will overpower you with snowballs." My eyes widened in surprise and a grin overtook my entire face.

"Oh, you're on!"

So I figured it was a good place to end the chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as a I enjoyed writing it... I dont know when the next update will be... I officially start work next monday, so... I will update all my stories when i get a chance.

Reviewer's Corner:

Lady Manami: I'm so glad you love my story AND think it's awesome. I update just for reviewers like you!

Sesshys Angel of Darkness: I'm trying to keep it coming!

Sesshomaru2004: Thanks, I'm trying to keep it up :).

kashiangel07: I know right. I sure as hell wouldn't complain. Thanks. I'm glad you thought the chapter was great!

And there we have it Readers! Who knows when the next update will be, but hopefully it'll be soon. I'm not quite done with my ASR chapter 18, but it's nearly there.

Love and Leave Love,

SillY or Mouse