Okay, so like I'm really sorry about the long wait. I've been sick and with school and my kids I haven't had anytime to myself. But good news, well for me anyway, my husband is coming home in 8 days. So on the important stuff, what that means for you. I will try to get another chapter up before the end of next week, if I'm able to do so, then it may be a while seeing how I haven't seen my husband in a year.

Oh, the reviews are nice, but I'm starting to feel like you all are sitting around with pitch forks and knives waiting to see how long it's gonna take me to get another chapter up. So here's the deal. You all come up with some ideas for the next couple of chapters and I'll take it from there. How's that work for you. Make the readers work.

Once again thanks to my friend and main support 1Bluefire.

Disclamer: No, I do not own Inuyasha or sadly Sesshomaru, though I really really wish I did. But alas I don't and never will. Poor poor me.

Sitting in his office, Sesshomaru sighed for the third time in less than thirty minutes; closing his eyes he tried to will away the migraine that was slowly making its presence known. He has just gotten off the phone with Inuyasha, that had been an experience in itself; why Kagome was so close to the imbecile was a mystery which he cared not to uncover. But because of their bond he knew Inuyasha would do anything for the infuriating onna. Sometimes she was more trouble than she was worth, but Sesshomaru loved her none the less and would give his life for her. Hearing Kagome's squeal of joy he knew that her friends had finally arrived. 'We really must discuss the virtues of female companionship.' This day was going to be by far one of the longest days in Sesshomaru's life.

"What are you guys doing here? No one told me you were coming." Placing a chaste kiss on her wrist Miroku answered her with some worry in his voice, "Why we came to check on you of course."

"Monk if you value your life you will refrain from putting your lips anywhere else on my mate's person." Bowing slightly and gently pulling away from Kagome, "Of course my lord, it was just a simple form of greeting." Deciding that the conversation was not going to end well if left as is, Kagome stepped in suggesting that they go into the family room to catch up.

"Bankotsu, there are things we must discuss before you get too comfortable," Sesshomaru ground out between clenched teeth. Knowing there was no room for arguments Bankotsu followed Sesshomaru to his office. It had taken some time for Kagome to realize what had transpired between the two males and she was suspicious of Sesshomaru's motives. Knowing that they did not get along Kagome wondered what business they would have to discuss in private.

"Okay you two, I know you have some idea of what's going on. They don't speak to each other unless they have to, so what have you all been up to?" Both Inuyasha and Miroku found everything but Kagome interesting at that particular moment.

"Come on Kags you act as if we would keep something from you…"

"Save it Inu, you are keeping something from me; I know you and you are as transparent as wet paper when you lie, so apparently your brother has forbidden you from telling me what I want to know." Fearing that the situation was about to get out of hand, once again Miroku was the voice of reason between the old friends. "Kagome, you know if we could tell you we would, but it is for your own protection that we cannot and will not involve you in any unnecessary danger.

Flopping down on the couch Kagome crossed her arms in front of her body and pouted. "Jeez, I swear you are as bad as you were when we were teenagers. I am starting to believe that you think that I am made of porcelain the way you treat me."

With an undignified snort Inuyasha looked at Kagome with wide eyes, "Far from it wench… You, are more like the wood that makes up the well on your families shrine. Maybe a little battered, but not easily broken." Responding with a very familiar raise of one brow Kagome looked at her friends, "Thanks, I think."

Making their way towards Sesshomaru's office, he and Bankotsu walked in silence. Neither could stand the others presence, they only tolerated each other for Kagome's sake. Closing the large oak doors Bankotsu's frame was ridged as if he was waiting for an attack. Noting this, Sesshomaru once again sighed, "Sit, I do not wish this meeting to last any longer than it has to. What have you found?"

Sucking his teeth Bankotsu looked Sesshomaru in the eye, "This is entirely your fault… You self rightous, pompous asshole. I wouldn't need to do your dirty work if Naraku didn't have a grudge against you; and now because of it Kagome is caught in the middle."

Sesshomaru was livid, he was beyond pissed, 'How dare the insignificant ant speak to this Sesshomaru with such disrespect. I should kill him where he stands, but that would serve no purpose.' "I will not repeat myself half-breed, do not attempt to lecture this Sesshomaru about the well being of his mate. Just give me the information I am paying you to retrieve."

Bankotsu's eyes widened a bit before his cold exterior fell back into place. "How did you know… No one but Kagome knows?"

"That is of no concern at the present moment, but if you must know I take it upon myself to know everything about those whom I employ. Now give me the damn information." For the next hour Bankotsu informed Sesshomaru of everything he had found out over the course of the day. Sesshomaru found himself quite impressed with how efficient Bankotsu was in gathering information; this alone kept him from ripping Bankotsu's throat from his body, that and the fact that Kagome would never forgive him.

Standing abruptly Bankotsu turned towards the door, "Are we done here? I would very much like to check on Kagome to make sure she is alright."

"We are done for the moment, but you will keep up your sirvalence on Naraku. I want to know if he so much as sneezes in the wrong direction."

Making his way into the family room where the others were, Bankotsu let out the breath he had been holding since leaving Sesshomaru's office. 'Kami, I can't stand that over grown dog.'

Seeing his overly distressed form Kagome frowned, walking up to him she grabbed him the hand and led him towards the overstuffed chair in the corner. "What's wrong Bank?"

Sighing Bankotsu pulled Kagome into his lap, "Kags you know I can't tell you, so why ask. I don't want to fight with you, we've been worried sick about you since we were told about the Naraku incident."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry anyone. I didn't think he would be stupid enough to attack me in my building."

Rising from his seat Inuyasha stalked to where Kagome and Bankotsu were sitting, "Stupid girl, this is Naraku we're talking about. He wouldn't care if you were out in the middle of downtown Tokyo. You have to be more careful. Oh and don't think I forgot about you monk; where the hell were you while all of this was going on?"

"Inuyasha, please stop showing everyone how low your IQ is, you know that I do have my own duties to attend to. I got there as soon as I could; no one thought that Naraku would stay in the building after the meeting was completed. Yes you're right, this is Naraku we're talking about, but he would never make a careless mistake such as this, even if his ultimate goal is to hurt Sesshomaru. He's too calculated for that; he does nothing without purpose."

Sliding out of Bankotsu's lap Kagome decided that she had heard enough of the current topic of conversation, "Hello, I thought you came to see how I am doing. If you want to discuss what that cretin is up to I suggest you find another place to do it in because I will not allow any more discussions of Naraku to take place in my presence." Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Kagome blew several strands of wayward hair out of her face. 'I swear, they are just as bad as Sesshomaru. I have to get out of this house and away from all of them before I lose my mind.' "You know what never mind, you guys stay here, I'll leave." Turning on her heels Kagome fled the family room to find solace someplace else.

Sesshomaru had been present for the entire exchange, "Well gentlemen, I guess this would be a good time to make a quiet exit, seeing how you have managed to upset Kagome so thoroughly."

Snorting Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru and smirked, "Don't think that she isn't mad at you as well, cause you know she is. We are all in this together, she knows that we are keeping something from her and she's pissed. You don't get a get out of jail free card just because you're her mate. Have fun with that enraged woman of yours."

Inuyasha's laughing was the last sound Sesshomaru heard before the 'three idiots' left his home. As much as he hated to admit it, Inuyasha was right, he was not going to escape Kagome's wrath. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Sesshomaru once again found himself trying to will away the fast approaching migraine. 'This is going to be a very long day.'

'Why must you hide things from her, she has a right to know.'

'She is in too much danger as it is, this Sesshomaru cannot afford to place her in anymore compromising positions.'

'Unlike the two hanyous and the monk, she is not rash; she will not do anything to endanger herself. Trust her.'

'I know… I can't lose her; it took too long to get her to love me, just to lose her because the vile half-breed has a grudge against me. Now leave me, the matter is closed.'

--Flashback—

It had been two years since he'd had any contact with her; he'd even stopped coming home during the school breaks in an attempt to avoid her. 'Why can't I get her off my mind? It's maddening.'

'You want her… Need her.'

'Why do you continue to insist that I want to be with the girl?'

'Why do you continue to fight what you already know to be true? You love her… Just admit it so we can move on to more productive ventures.'

Sighing for what had to be the fifth time within the last hour, Sesshomaru came to the realization that he cared for Kagome. Being too stubborn to call it love, he was not so arrogant to continue to fight what his other half knew to be true. That had gotten him nowhere in the last two years. These last two years had been the most excruciating time of his demonic life. Dealing with a deranged wind demon and fighting his feelings for a certain human onna had practically brought the usually aloof Inuyokai to his knees with unexplainable emotions.

Only a year ago Sesshomaru had finally begun listing to his beast, and broke off his relationship with Kagura. He didn't love her; she was just a form of relief, an exceptional form, but just that, relief. She wanted nothing more from him than what his status could give her. It was perfect, or so it seemed, because one moment Kagura was beneath Kami's gift to all women and the next she was being told to leave and never come back. That was unacceptable; no one treated her like this, no matter who it was. And Sesshomaru Taisho was about to find out how miserable she could make his life.

Trying to focus on what was most important; Sesshomaru found himself in the university's library at two in the morning staring at his laptop trying to will his paper to completion. This paper was his baby, it was the only thing he needed to complete before graduation, but he was nowhere near finished. He couldn't concentrate; he knew she was there and it sickened him.

Ever since he had told Kagura they were through she had found a new purpose in life, making his a living hell. Well in reality he didn't tell her they were through; he fucked her, threw her out of his apartment, stopped excepting her phone calls, and went out of his way to avoid her. But he figured she get the message one way or the other. Now she just wouldn't go away, she was quickly making her way towards the bottom of his list of people he didn't like, which was a very long list seeing how he felt mostly every other being walking was beneath him. She had even made it below Inuyasha; now that was saying something, he never thought anyone could pull that off, but there was Kagura sitting at the very bottom of said list.

Finally shutting down his laptop, Sesshomaru pushed away from the desk he was currently working at. Sitting here was getting him nowhere and the longer Kagura was in his presence the more he felt like gutting her, which was not an option. He couldn't kill the annoying wench no matter how much he wanted to.

Pulling out his cell phone he began dialing the number before he realized who the number belonged to. He was greeted with a sleepy hello and he froze.

"Hello... I know your there I can here you breathing. Look why don't you do us both a favor and stop calling me in the middle of the night, or at least say something when you do."

Just when she was getting ready to hang up there it was, "Kagome wait…"

"Sesshomaru, why are you doing this? Is there something wrong?"

"Look… I… Shit. I will be returning home in a month's time; would you meet me sometime after I return?"

"If it keeps you from calling me in the middle of the night, then yes I will meet you. Is that all or is there more to this little chat?"

"Why must you make this so hard?"

"I'm not trying to make this hard on you, it's just… you gotta stop calling me so late; why can't you call at a normal hour. I do have school in the morning like all the other sixteen year olds in the area."

Finding nothing wrong with her logic on the situation, Sesshomaru did something so out of character that Kagome had to wonder if he really was alright. Before she hung up she heard him apologize about calling her at odd hours of the day. Hanging up Kagome sighed, 'Something is wrong with him. He's been doing this for the last six months, but tonight is the only time he's ever said anything. Why would he want to see me after all this time and why does he even have my number.'

--End Flashback--