Okay...here's the next chapter, folks! I'm doing this just for all of you who have reviewed so far...because you are what motivates me to continue on! I'm sorry I haven't given you credit yet for reviewing, so I'm going to, right now! So thanks to...GryffindorBabe2, Lynx Irisa Black, Saiyuna-san, ShadowCat711, Mori'quessir, weretigress, fluffychick15, inuyasha- lover- forever, shenronprincess, inuyasha's little angel, Everlasting Hope, and
d-e-m-o-n-i-c-m-i-k-o! Also to Sesshomarugrl, Pinayazngrl,
sheeshys-only-luff, "Muki", "Amara", "Alexis", Naito-Kage, "Bri", RaveMasterplue3173, TearsoftheInnocents, Opheila, Inuyasha's Favorit Fan, and "lyn"! You all make me sooo happy! Thanks for reviewing, and I'll try to post the next chapter soon! (Providing that I get some time to, this week...I have a feeling I'm going to have a lot of homework!)

Disclaimer: Lol...forgot to put this in the other two chapters, although it should be pretty obvious that Inuyasha and co. don't belong to me. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The only character that belongs to me, I am proud to say, is Sorahiko. Sooo...yeah. They don't belong to me at all! On with the story!

"Damn it! Where the hell did Kagome go? I didn't smell her around the well...and..."

"Inuyasha...maybe...we're not looking in the right places. I mean, it's only the second day...well...third...and...her scent can't be gone already, can it? You can still smell her...?"

"I don't know, Sango. I haven't gotten a good sniff of her in a whole day. I shouldn't have...damn it! If I hadn't been knocked out, and I'd woken up before she left, we might have found her!"

"Don't blame yourself completely, Inuyasha. Although you were the one to anger her and the cause of her leaving..." Miroku cut in.

"Shut up, Miroku! Stupid houshi!"
"Hey, now! Leave him alone, Inuyasha. He's right! You did cause her to leave us!" Sango shouted.

"Aw, just shut up, will ya? Don't you think I feel guilty enough?"

"Do you, Inuyasha? When and if we find her, and she is willing to stay with us, do you think you're going to treat her any differently?"

"Wh...what kind of a question is that?"

Sango got in Inuyasha's face, staring him straight in his yellow orbs.

"Answer me. Are you still going to treat her like Kikyo's reincarnation, or are you going to treat her as Kagome?"

"I've always treated her 'as Kagome'!"

Sango glared at him.

"You know what I mean. Kagome means a lot to me, and I hate to see her hurting like this, Inuyasha. And especially when it's because of something you have said or done to her. It's not...it's not fair for her to come back to us, only to be treated the same or worse than she has been before. I mean it Inuyasha...you'd better not screw this up again, or..." Sango motioned to her boomerang, hanging on her back.

Inuyasha gulped.

"That's all I have to say. So let's get moving."

Shippo, who had been sniffing in the bushes for any sign of Kagome, popped out right after Sango and Inuyasha's conversation.

"Hey, Inuyasha...I didn't find anything."

"Feh. You wouldn't, you little runt." Inuyasha snapped at the kitsune.

"I could too, you big bully! I bet I'll find Kagome before you do!" Shippo stuck his tongue out at the hanyou, who rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever, furball."

"Don't call me that! When we find Kagome, she's gonna sit you until you cry!"

Inuyasha glared at Shippo.

"Shut it."

"You can't tell me what to do, Inuyasha! You're..."

KONK!

"OWWWW!" Shippo cried. Inuyasha had smacked him on the head, causing a bump to arise.

"Inuyasha, Shippo, I think perhaps you should put your bickering aside..." Miroku interrupted.

"Oh, and why is that, houshi?"

"Because something is coming..."

Inuyasha sniffed the air, and sensed a strong demonic aura coming at the group, fast.

"Damn...what is it?"

"I do not know. But whatever it is, it is powerful."

"I can sense it as well." Sango replied, removing the boomerang from its sling on her back, readying herself for battle.

"It's getting close." Inuyasha snarled as he saw a cyclone moving towards the group at an alarming rate.

"Be ready, Sango!" Miroku shouted.

Shippo dove into the bushes.

Before anyone could attack, the cyclone stopped, and a tall wolf-demon stood in its place.

"Hey, mutt-face!"

"K...Koga?"

MEANWHILE...

As Kagome slept that night, she dreamt of Inuyasha. He had been plaguing her dreams since she had left the group.

'Inuyasha...what are you doing here?' Kagome said as she sat in the garden at Sesshomaru's castle.

'I came to rescue you. From on! The others are waiting back in Kaede's village for us.'

'You came to...to rescue on! We're going to be late! Kaede is making a big feast for your return. We've missed you!'

'You...you have?'

'Duh, Kagome...you've been gone for a few days now. And we need you to hunt the jewel shards.'

'Inuyasha...is...is that the only reason you came back to get me?'

'Why else would I have come, baka?'

'Because...you...need me...?'

'What would I need you for? Besides jewel shard hunting, anyways.'

'Inuyasha...well...I...I love you...'

'You what?'

'I love you.'

'Kagome...'

Inuyasha's eyes softened as he walked closer to Kagome and sat down on the grass with her.

'Kagome...you...I...I can't love you. My heart. It belongs to Kikyo. You know that.'

'But I thought that maybe there could be something...'

'No...I can't let her go, Kagome. I will always care about you...as my friend. But I can't love you. I...I'm sorry.'

'Then...Inuyasha...' Kagome started with tears in her eyes. 'I can't...and I won't go with you to look for the jewel shards. It would be too uncomfortable. That's the whole reason why I left. I thought that maybe you'd forget about me, and go on and find the shards without me. That's what you should do. I don't want to be with you or the others anymore, Inuyasha.'

'Kagome...please don't do this to me.'

'You've done this to yourself.' Kagome snapped.

'Wha...'

'Sesshomaru has treated me better than you have! Even though I...I get punished sometimes...for doing stupid things, I'll admit...he's treated me like a part of the family...like I belong here...more than you ever did! So why in Kami's name would I want to go back with you, and be treated like nothing more than a shard hunter?'

'Kagome, Sesshomaru hates ningens!'

'Well, Inuyasha, he doesn't act like he hates me. I want to stay here, and I'm going to.'

'What about Shippo?' Inuyasha struck a chord.

'He...'

'Do you really think that Sesshomaru is gonna let Shippo stay with you?'

'If I asked him, he might.'

'Whatever, Kagome.' Inuyasha stood. 'When you come to your senses and decide to leave this dump and come hunt for the shards again...well...you'll find me.'

Inuyasha hurried away, leaving Kagome alone, crying.

'Stupid Inuyasha! I hate you, and I won't find you! I am not coming back!' Kagome shouted to no one in particular. She closed her eyes, and tried to stop crying. When she opened them, she found herself standing in a strange room with a luxurious futon and beautiful tapestries covering the walls.

'Where am I?' She said aloud. A voice came from behind, startling her. She whirled around to face whoever it was.

'This is my bedchamber.'

'Sesshomaru?'

'Hai.' He was dressed in his usual haori, his long silver hair flowing around his form. His golden orbs studied her. 'What are you doing here, miko?'

'I don't...I don't know...one minute...I was talking to Inuyasha...and then...I...I was here.'

'Inuyasha paid you a visit.' He stated coldly.

'H...hai...he did.'

'And you are leaving with him.'

'I...what?'

'He came to take you from the castle, and you are leaving. This is why you came to find me, is it not?'

'No...not at all! I told him that I would rather stay here! I don't want to go back with Inuyasha!'

'I find that hard to believe. Just the other day, you confessed your longing to leave this place.'

'I...well...I changed my mind!'

'Did you now.'

'I did! What, I can't change my mind now?'

'I never stated anything of the sort.' He spoke coolly. 'And why did you change your mind, miko?'

'I...don't...well...I told Inuyasha...that you treated me...like I belong here. And he never did. And that's why I wanted to stay.'

'I see.'

'Are you mad at me?'

'Why would I have any reason to be?' The taiyoukai furrowed his brows in confusion, one of the few emotions Kagome had ever seen him express.

'For talking to Inuyasha.'

'I could care less with whom you speak, miko.'

'Oh...okay...then...'

Silence engulfed the room briefly before Kagome spoke again.

'I'm...I'm glad I decided to stay here. I know Rin's going to be really happy that I didn't leave.'

'Hn.' Sesshomaru stared at her momentarily before turning his head and looking out the window at the rapidly approaching night sky.

'Are...I mean...is...'

'What is it you are trying to say, miko?'

'Um...you...uhh...nev...nevermind. I gotta go...and...I just have to go now.' As Kagome turned to leave, she felt two arms encircle her body and pull her backwards.

'What is it you were trying to tell me, Kagome?' Sesshomaru whispered in her ear, causing her to shiver involuntarily.

'Are...you...glad...I stayed?'

'Tell me, Kagome...what do you think? Is there a reason I should be?'

'I don't know...Lord Sesshomaru...I...don't know...'

She felt herself being turned around then, to face the taiyoukai.

'Tell me. Tell me, Kagome. Am I glad you stayed?'

His eyes pierced through her, knowing what her answer would be.

'Hai. You are. You won't tell me...but you're glad I didn't leave.'

And then he kissed her.

Kagome awoke from her dream with a start, sweating profusely.

"What in Kami's name..."

She threw the furs off of her body, and sat up, panting.

"He...he...kissed me. Wow. What a dream."

She touched her lips tenderly. It was as if the dream had been reality. She could have sworn that his lips were just locked with hers, trying to coax them into letting his tongue slide in. His arms...around her waist...pulling her to him, in a gentle embrace.

'Yeah right. Like that'll ever happen. In your dreams, Kagome.' She thought as she tried to go back to sleep. But it was to no avail. She tossed and turned, attempting to get comfortable. Finally, she gave up and got out of bed, walking to her window and staring out at the starry night sky.

Sighing, Kagome wished she could leave her confining room and venture out to the gardens.

'But Sesshomaru put up those barriers around my room, so I can't leave.'

She grumbled to herself.

'That's not fair. Where am I going to go in the dead of night?' She walked slowly to the door, and, sliding back the door, expected to be thrown back or hurt in another way. However, nothing harmed her, and she was able to pass her hand through the opening.

'Odd...you'd think that he'd still have that barrier up...but...I guess he either removed it or forgot to put it back up. At least I can get out of my stupid room! Finally! Some time to myself!' She hurried out of her room and down the hall, trying to remember where the doors to the garden were. There were so many doors leading to other rooms of the house, it was hard for her to memorize which was which.

'Umm...okay...where was the garden again? Think, Kagome, think!'

She came to two double doors, finally, after searching for a number of minutes, and decided to open them.

"Hai!" She squeaked. "I was right! I knew it!"

She had found the garden. Kagome silently rushed outside, and found a spot in the grass to sit. She plopped down on the plush ground and sighed.

'It's really beautiful out here at night. I wonder why Sesshomaru never comes out here. I would, if I had the chance to. Come to think of it, I probably shouldn't even be out here. He'd butcher me.'

She smiled faintly as she thought of the taiyoukai. Something was happening to her, she realized. Something...unusual. It was...it was as if she was developing feelings for the stoic demon. Everything she did...or thought...he would always pop up in her mind...in her thoughts.

'Am I falling...in...no. No. That can't be it. I am not...falling in love with Sesshomaru. I've only been here...a couple of days. That's not possible.'

But in her heart, she felt and knew otherwise.

In another part of the castle...

Sesshomaru sat in Rin's room, on her futon, watching her sleep. He had returned after speaking with Kagome in his study. He had often done this, especially when Rin had first come to his castle, as she would have nightmares often. When she had called out for someone, he had been there. And he would be for as long as she needed him.

'What the miko...what Kagome said...was true. I do love her. She is...my daughter.' He thought as he quietly stroked Rin's hair, seeing a smile faintly spread across her face. And then Rin murmured something that he never thought she would call him to his face.

"Otou-san..." Her smile grew slightly wider as she unconsciously snuggled closer to Sesshomaru.

'Father...' He thought.

He sat with Rin for a while longer, letting her stay as close to him as she could get, before realizing that he should leave before morning came. He had things he had to do that day, and he did not wish to wake Rin too early. She had been up late that evening, and had excited herself somewhat. He decided he would let her stay asleep a few minutes longer than usual. It was no use for Kagome to try and teach the girl if she was too tired to pay attention. He left Rin's side quickly and quietly, sliding the door shut behind him as he made his way to his own room. And...then...the smell of the miko hit his nose. She had left her chambers, and gone to the garden.

'Damn girl! I knew I should have left those barriers in place!' He rushed down the hall in the direction of the garden, and threw open the doors, looking for any sign of the defiant miko. In a white blur, he flew through the garden, sensing her presence. He found her lying in the grass beside a tree, staring at the stars.

"Miko! What are you doing out here?" He snapped, drawing her out of her daze. She jumped.

"OH! Lord Sesshomaru! I'm sorry! I...I couldn't sleep...and I came out here..."

"Did I give you permission to leave your rooms at night?"

"No, 't stay in there! It was too stuffy, and I was..."

"There is no excuse."

"I'm sorry! Please don't be angry with me. I...had a dream...and...I couldn't...I just couldn't sleep, okay?" She begged quietly.

He glared at her.

"Please. I'm sorry, and it won't happen again. Haven't...haven't...you ever had a weird dream...that just sort of...made you restless?"

"No, miko. I do not dream."

"Liar." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"What makes you think I am lying, miko? Do you dare challenge this Sesshomaru?" He growled. She blanched.

"Kami! Is everything I say about challenging you? I was just saying...everyone dreams...even demons! It's impossible for you not to!"

"Hn." He muttered.

"Please...sit down next to me." She patted the ground.

"Dawn will be coming soon. I have much work to do today, as do you. And you will not be allowed to put it off."

"I know that. But I'm not tired...honestly."

He stood in front of her for a moment, but, realizing that she would not be swayed from her request, sat down next to her petite form.

"You know...it's really beautiful out here at night. Why don't you ever come out here and just...look?"

"Because time does not permit me to, miko. I am not carefree."

"Well, neither am I, Lord Sesshomaru."

He chuckled slightly at this.

"And what could possibly trouble you so much?"

She turned her head to look at him.

"Do you...really want to know...?"

"I asked, did I not?"

"Why...do you want to know?"

"Call it curiosity, miko. This Sesshomaru does not know much about humans and their worries...however petty they are. I would like to hear of them."

"Oh. So my worries are petty, then? They don't matter..."

"You are stubborn. My brother must have taught you. I simply am curious, girl. Enlighten me."

"I had a dream about Inuyasha, actually."

"And. This would cause you to worry?"

"Hai...in my dream...he came back for me."

"Really."

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"And what, pray tell, happened?"

'Wow...he's...actually interested...this is so weird. Just like the dream...he...was actually being nice to me for once.'

"I told...him...I...erm...loved him. And...he...told me he loved Kikyo instead. And that he couldn't possibly love me. I was just the jewel shard hunter. Nothing else. So I told him I wasn't going to go with him."

"And this troubled you so much that you decided to leave your room and come to sit in my garden?"

'Kami...he knows there's something else I'm not telling him...I don't want to tell him. I won't...'

She nodded, nervously.

"You are lying, miko. When will you learn that I can sense it? There is something else you are refusing to tell me."

"Just...there was another part, and it...well...I don't want to talk about it."

"I am not here to judge you, miko. You asked me to sit, and I am...I assume you wanted me to listen to what you had to say."

She nodded again.

"Tell me."

"I...I can't! It's..."

"Humiliating?" He smirked.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you? Making me uncomfortable...!"

"You could say that."

"Well, I'll have...I'll have you know...it's not...embarrassing...or humiliating...it's just very private, and I don't wish to discuss it with you!"

"Lying again, miko...you know it doesn't become you." His smirk grew.

"I can't tell you, okay?"

"You can tell me anything, miko. I have heard worse, I am certain."

"Why do you care?"

"I don't."

"You're impossible!" She hissed.

"And you're stubborn. Tell me, and I shall leave you to yourself for the rest of the time you have left before dawn comes."

'If I tell him, he'll probably smack me into the middle of next week.'

She began to tremble.

"Well...you see...after Inuyasha left...in my dream...I...ended up...um...in...your...heh...in your...room..."

"My bedchambers?" He questioned.

"Umm...uh-huh..."

"This is interesting. And how did you know that you were in my bedchambers?"

"Because you told me."

"I see." He nodded for her to go on.

"And...I told you...what Inuyasha said about me leaving with him. You thought I'd said...you thought...I was going...to leave. I explained that I wasn't, and you asked me why. I told you that I had changed my mind."
"And why was that?"

"Because."

"There must be a reason. Even in dreams." Sesshomaru spoke silently.

"...I...felt like...I...belonged..." Her eyes darted away from his, and she blushed. "Like...I belonged here."

He did not speak, and let her continue.

"I...told you that I knew Rin would be happy that I stayed. I felt contented with where I was, and then I was...I was going to ask you something, but..." She hesitated.

"But?"

"I didn't...and I turned to leave." Kagome became silent after that.

"That is all?"

She shook her head.

"Well? Out with it."

She stared down at the grass, and began to play with the hem of her kimono sleeve.

"I...you...wouldn't...let me. I tried to leave, and you wouldn't let me."

"And?"

"That's..."

"Do not try and persuade me that nothing else happened, Kagome."

'He used my name...' She shivered again.

"I can sense it. What is it that I did to you to cause you trouble sleeping?"

For some reason, he hated being the cause of her unrest.

"You...you..." Kagome could not find herself able to say what she had wanted.

"I...what?"

He reached for her chin, and with his thumb and forefinger, turned her head up to meet his eyes. Her cinnamon orbs danced with fear and excitement at the same time, causing him to smile slightly.

"Tell me, Kagome." He ordered quietly.

"You...kissed...me..." She whispered in dread.

Her heartbeat sped up, causing her breathing to quicken, as he refused to release his hold on her chin.

"Is that so?"

She did not reply.

"And this causes you unrest."

His eyes bored into hers.

"Hai..." Blood rushed into her cheeks, turning them a deep crimson under his gaze.

'Not because she didn't want me to, then. This is evident.' He thought as he searched her eyes for emotion.

And then he did the unthinkable. He brought his mouth closer to hers, and in a rash decision, claimed her lips in a passionate kiss that sent her mind and heart reeling into ecstasy.

A/N: Muahaha! A cliffhanger! Sorry...I didn't mean to do that...but it's almost 12:30 in the morning, here, and I have the sniffles, so I'm kinda tired. But I updated...heh...I promise I'll at least try to get two or three more pages in before Wednesday. I'm just going to be really busy. Hope you like what I wrote this chapter!

CitrusSeverus