Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the character's that belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not make a profit from writing this story, I write for my and my reader's entertainment. Also I do not own any song(s) used in this chapter. The artists of said song(s) have complete ownership and I do not make a profile by using them. Thank You.

P.S. – Sorry it's been so long since I've last written. I could tell you everything but the short of it is, I've gone through college, graduated, and have a beautiful baby girl to call my own. I've always wanted to get back into writing, especially fanfiction and now here I am. Enjoy the chapter!

A Review a Day Makes Keeps My Sanity at Bay (it's a good thing).

~Mauri

Chapter 7

'Replacement' Is NOT My Middle Name

Unsurprisingly, the fight didn't resolve itself quickly. Thirty minutes of three women yelling at each other had all the men, youkai and human alike, ready to flee. Nothing was getting solved and the more time they spent arguing, the more daylight began to break in the windows. It was Toga who gave in first though; having to throw his wife over his shoulder and carry her out just as she lunged to take another go at Kikyo.

"I think it's best if we just leave this at a stalemate for now and pick up when tempers have simmered." Stepping over the forgotten door that still lay on the floor, the Inu Lord and his mate made a swift departure with Sango, Miroku and Jakotsu following closely behind. Kikyo and Inuyasha followed shortly, Kikyo all but spitting how she wouldn't let Kagome rest for this. But it was Inuyasha who left the most memorable parting words to Kagome.

Grabbing his mate-to-be by the waist, he stared into Kagome's eyes, "You know, it's funny, everyone and their mother has been hassling me about dating a woman who has such a likeness of you. Everyone's giving me shit for dating the 'copy' when I could have had the original but here you are shacking up with the guy who shares the same blood as me. Think about that." Before Kagome could reply, he melted into the shadows of his 2-door and let the sun take them from sight.

Sesshomaru stood behind Kagome, listening to his brother's words. True, they angered him, but he didn't step in to defend Kagome because he wanted to hear her response to them. Was he a replacement for his brother as she was for Kikyo? He needed to know the truth.

The house grew quiet again, the youkai picking up the forgotten door and leaning it as best he could against the door jam. Sesshomaru led Kagome back to the guest room, intended to end the ruined dawn before more miss happenings could occur. Kagome followed obediently, never once speaking, simply nodding as he pointed out where the towels and restroom were. He even gave her some of his pajamas yet still, she said nothing.

Frustrated he turned to leave the room, taking the door to close it with him when she put her hand out to stop him. He didn't look at her; he didn't want to see her rejection of him or his brother's truth in her eyes. Sesshomaru just wanted to go to bed. They needed to pick up the children in less than four hours.

"You are Inuyasha's brother. That much is all that is true about what he said tonight. I see you as Sesshomaru and no one else. I am not like him. If I wanted someone to replace Inuyasha, I would have picked some hanyou off the streets with white hair for a couple of one night stands. I don't want Inuyasha, I want what he said he was giving me..." Sesshomaru turned to look at Kagome as the door closed.

~!~

The woman rested on one of the highest branches of the Goshinboku tree. It had been a long night. Touching her still swollen temple, she winced. Blood dripped from her mouth in a steady stream down her ripped kimono top.

He usually wouldn't have gone so hard on her, but he had lost a key part in their plan today and they decided to take it out on her body. The brutal beating could be dealt with, but when one pushed her to the floor, his heavy boot on her shoulder blade, she knew that's not all they wanted on this night.

Grimacing, she used her left arm to bring the dislodged right arm to her lap. With a loud snap and a whimper, she pushed the disjointed limb back into place. She had to keep going.

Survive.

Glancing through the open window of the shrine's resident home, she saw her daughter resting peacefully where usually the older boy slept. Her charcoal hair had grown another quarter inch since she had last seen her. The pony tail that usually adored her right side had been taken down for better sleep comfort and she clutched her pillow tight against her body.

The woman snuck across the branch trying to creep closer to her daughter, even if only for a few moments. Dawn was already here, and she needed to escape before being caught.

"Mommy…." Rin spoke in her dreams as if sensing her presence. The woman smiled, tears actually coming to her eyes. Her daughter was thinking of her!

"Kagome…"

Kagome, the wench her husband so disgustingly paced after like the dog he was. Her daughter dreams revolved around that onna instead of herself. She'd prove herself and get her daughter back. He had a plan and he said he would help her get her daughter back for a price.

Blowing a kiss through the window, she staggered back deeper into the depth of the leaves. Holding her chest tight, her missing heart silent. With a strong gust of wind, she disappeared into the morning breeze, off season cherry blossoms following her path.

~!~

Sesshomaru woke to the sound of the guest shower turning on. Grimacing at the lack of sleep, his bedside clock read 8:39am. He supposed it was time to wake up, get his pup, and go to work. He sighed heavily then perked slightly, remembering Rin had school today (and judging by the time she'd already be there), and that he still had to get both children from school and train Shippo afterwards. It was going to be a long day.

And it wouldn't get any shorter the longer he sat there thinking about all he needed to do.

Getting up, he got dressed for the day, his hearing absentmindedly paying attention to Kagome getting dressed, and rummaging through the kitchen. He had just finished getting dressed when he came to see what she was doing.

"If you would like something special, I'll see what I can do," she said over her shoulder, not bothering to look his way. It took everything in him not to sigh again, and slip on the mask he was so used to wearing.

"Don't worry about it, I'll stop and pick us up something on the way. I can drop you off at work or your home, whichever you prefer."

"Home please, I need to change," she said just as monotoned as he practiced being. They were off, awkward again. Sesshomaru felt the urge to sigh again as he was beginning to realize that just as he had gotten somewhere with Kagome, his brother once again got in the way. His fist clenched with hatred or jealousy, he didn't know. He really did love his brother, and liked the close relationship that they used to have, but he couldn't take this much longer.

Trying not to show his frustration, Sesshomaru went into autopilot, getting both him and Kagome into the car and headed towards the city. As promised, they stopped at a coffee shop once they got close enough to Kagome's apartment.

It was while they were in line, that Sesshomaru realized today would be a lot longer than he anticipated. The corner wall mounted tv blared the news, and today's top story seemed to be a phone video of a park brawl, starring his step mother, Kikyo, and Kagome. He didn't dare look down at Kagome in fear of her reaction.

"It seems that the story of the year just keeps adding new chapters!" The gossip report started. "We were given this video by an anonymous passerby who saw the entire thing! Kagome Higurashi, the victim of a terrible public breakup a while back from the youngest son of General Toga Tashio, Inuyasha Tashio, was caught yesterday having a violent fight with Inuyasha's mistress, now fiancé, Kikyo Hishada! The women fought viciously, apparently, from what was said prior to the fight and during, Kagome had enough and is now trying to get her man back! Though with all the public outings the new couple has had, it doesn't seem likely. From one woman to another, Kagome just seems so pathetic. But that's not all we caught!" A second camera displayed Sesshomaru putting Kagome in his car and, with his back to the camera, leaning into the car over Kagome. "It seems our Lord Tashio has stepped in to the mess! Could Kagome be switching sides? Or is this, as Kikyo claimed, her attempt to get Inuyasha jealous?"

He didn't want to listen to whatever else the reporter had to say, in the time he had listened, the entire coffee shop had gone silent, almost everyone looked in their direction. The line in front of them gone and the hanyou cashier waited for them.

He watched as Kagome shook, taking her steps to the counter. She placed her order, paid, and began to leave when the cashier spoke up, "You know, Kikyo was just in here with Inuyasha few days ago," she began, glaring at Kagome. "It would be great if you didn't make us all look bad by trying to brother hop. Besides, from what the news has been reporting, Kikyo had him first. Either way, he doesn't want you, that sucks, but don't sink so low as to taint our lord with some twisted plot. Stop trying to be Kikyo and stop trying to get in where you're clearly not wanted."

Angered, Sesshomaru opened his mouth to defend them but Kagome beat him to it.

"I would never do something like that! Lord Sesshomaru is my friend! If I wanted to date him, I would! Not because of Inuyasha, or any stupid plot but because I have feelings for him! And if I do have feelings for Sesshomaru, IT IS NO ONE'S DAMN BUSINESS!" Kagome all but screamed, tears threatening to cloud her eyes. She couldn't take it. She should have just stayed by herself. She should have….

But she didn't. And now this was what she was reduced to. How was she supposed to build a relationship and keep a healthy home for her son with this?

Kagome didn't notice the fingers trying to enclose around her arm. She didn't feel her feet move, didn't hear Sesshomaru call her name, or the car honking at her as she ran. She didn't.

Sesshomaru watched her run, away from him, them, and knew this was far from over. Turning back to the coffee shop inhabitants, he saw several people had been recording the entire thing. It was sure to be a news development in an hour. He didn't resist the sigh that pasted his lips, he just left and got into his car.

~!~

Kagome's breath came out in pants as she finally slowed to a stop. She was shaking she realized. But she couldn't seem to get a hold of herself. She just wanted to disappear. She couldn't keep anything to herself. Every time she wanted something just for her, something stepped in her way. She felt herself begin to sob but quickly straightened up, channeling the pent-up emotions to her reiki channels. She tried to harness it in her gut but it was too raw. She was too raw.

Even after all the training she had gone through to control the power she was born with, it seemed her emotions ruled her control. This was just another thing she could feel slipping out of her grasp. Out of her control.

Kagome was about to keep running when a voice called to her. "Kagome, wait up!"

Turning, the young woman smiled as her grandmother Kaede, and friend Ayame, made their way over to her. It was the first time she regretted having her home and work be so close together. Her Oba-san lived close to the daycare, loving to come see the kids for story time. Though why Ayame was with her when she was supposed to be on bed rest, bothered her. Swiping at her face of tears as they came near, Kagome tried to smile again.

"Hey Ayame, Oba-san, I was just heading home. I'll catch you guys later. Ayame, you should be off your feet." Kagome kissed the elderly woman's cheek and hugged her co-worker. Having none of her departure, Kaede linked her arms with Kagome and Ayame, and resumed walking, slowly for the sake of Kaede's weary knees. A comfortable silence settled amongst the females for a moment as they passed the scenery slowly.

"The doctor said I could take short walks to keep the circulation to my legs going good. And since I hate walking the compound, Koga drives me to Kaede's to take my walks with her." Ayame started, nodding to Kaede. "Now, let's talk about you, we both saw the news before we left the house…"

Like a broken dame, Kagome babbled out words trying to form a coherent sentence.

"Calm down child! You be so flustered, your tongue will swell and knot!" Kaede whispered harshly as she tapped Kagome's cheek. "Tell me child, is this about what Sesshomaru thinks or what you think?" Kagome could only nod as her cheeks colored.

"I can't help it Kaede. You heard what they were saying about me on the news. I know that if we were to really start something, that's all we would hear. All he's done and all he can do, will be pushed into the shadows and he will be reduced to nothing but a comparison of his brother. He deserves so much better than that, especially since he is so much better." Kagome sighed again, the gossip woman's voice echoing in her head on repeat.

"Bunny bear, I know you're worried about him and about everyone else, but we are worried about you. How do you feel about him? At the end of the day, you have to lay in the bed you made and be happy that you did." Ayame told her, a slight twang to the way she talked. The two younger women started to detour off the brick path and to a bench not far off into the dead grass. Kagome looked around and realized not only was winter just about on them, but that many college students lingered about.

"He's perfect." Kagome answered with a sigh as she helped Kaede to sit down and she and Ayame took to the soft ground. "He takes care of me when I can't do it myself, then goes further to support Shippo. Sesshomaru always knows when something is bothering me and knows when to listen or just let me work it out on my own. He can be gentle with kind words when I need comfort and demanding and challenging when I need a little motivation. Sesshomaru Tashio is perfect and I don't even really know him. But, he can do better and I won't let him ruin himself for me." Kagome shifted to lie on her back with her head cradled on Ayame's thighs. There was silence for a few heartbeats as Kagome's eyes slipped shut and the last three months played against her lids.

"I'm afraid I've already... I don't know my feelings for him. It's only been a short time since we started our friendship again. It took me two years to realize that I loved Inuyasha and now, I don't love him at all. But with Sesshomaru, it's like I can't catch my breath. To make things worse, I'm like a puppy, always excited to see him or hear his voice. Like the first date repeating every day. But we aren't dating! It's like, it was too easy. Not that I'm asking for trouble, cause there has been plenty of trouble and issues but it just feels like…" Just last night, she was ready for anything he offered. Had they not been interrupted, she fantasied him asking her on a date, making a commitment to be more than friends, and she'd readily accept. But now, how they and the rest of the family were, she couldn't pull herself to do it.

"Like you have yet to let go. Like there be something on the horizon, waiting to swallow you whole as soon as you allow yourself this freedom of love." Kaede provided with a knowing, faraway look in her one good eye. Kagome slowly opened her eyes to look at her grandmother. Kaede simply gave her a sad smile and pulled a small charm from inside her thick coat. Kagome knew well what it was before she opened it, she still sighed as Kaede opened the locket and showed her the wedding picture of her and her grandfather.

"Let me tell you a tale you young ones may have heard me tell before." Kaede looked into the distance as her mind rewound to her youth taking her along the road her memories paved. Sighing, she patted her knee and looked down at her granddaughter.

"Kagome, the Higurashi women will always be cursed with loving hearts and conflicting minds. Your great-grandmother, myself and even your mother have been in similar, if not the same exact situation you are in now. For I, it was with your grandfather and a man named Yuko Madamora." Kaede sighed, a fond memory dancing across her mind as she continued.

"He was my first love Kagome. He was dashing, brash, and every bit a rebel as many women had warned me of but with me he was different. He loved me tenderly, but it was his best friend who was in love with me, Koichi Higurashi." Kaede admitted with a small mischievous grin.

"Obaa-san, are you saying you were seeing two men at one time!" Ayame exclaimed. Kaede didn't answer, only smiled more.

"You are so dirty, Kaede! I never would have thought that you had it in you!" Ayame squealed as she lightly tapped the elderly women's knee.

"Now settle down. Even though that's what many people thought had happened, that's not exactly what happened." Kaede gained their attention once again and continued. "You see, while Yuko did love me dearly and I him. He came from a wealthy and respected family. His family approved of his dating me but only because it looked good on their reputation.

"Don't get me wrong, I wasn't found of this idea but I was with someone I truly cared for so what difference did it make?" Kagome and Ayame nodded in agreement, not really seeing the trouble in it. They both also kept quiet as they noticed Kaede's little old English twang worked itself out of her speech the more she spoke.

"Well it became a rather big problem when Yuko fell in love with a woman he worked with, named Gaila." Unison gasps came from the audience that now contained three more faces. "She was beautiful, inside and out. I can't blame him for falling in love with her, nether could he blame me for falling in love with Koichi, your grandfather Kagome." Kaede looked to the clouds and her mind began to mold them into her late husband's smiling face.

"So you and the Yuko guy were together while you each loved another?" Ayame asked, too enraptured by the love tale to notice that several more students sat down to join in to hear.

"Yes, and slowly the love we had for each other dissipated and was replaced with a friendship that love wove into. We confessed our feelings to each other and understood that we weren't meant to be. We had an understanding and were ready to part ways, to let the other be happy, and that's when his family intervened. They demanded he marry me. Him, being the only boy of his father's children, was the heir and had no say in the matter. It was either marry me or be banished from his family's sight for the rest of his life. The way they saw it, by marrying me, it would make the family seem humbler and more pleasing to the public.

"Yuko was a family man, so naturally he didn't want to give up the people he held so dearly. A few weeks later, we were engaged. Even though we loved each other, there was no way we could marry each other. So, we came up with a plan. We would appear to the public to be a loving couple but in the shadows of night, we would disappear to be with the ones we loved. "

Kagome sat up slowly, seeing her grandmother's eye mist up with tears. She lifted herself up from the ground and gently leaned on the old woman's knees, giving her an anchor to the present from her past.

"Our plan worked perfectly," Kaede began again a few moments later, her voice thick with emotion. "We were no closer to figuring out how to get ourselves out of marriage but at least we were happy for the time being." She paused, hanging her head low so that only Kagome could see her one good eyes begin to tear up and drip on her forehead. A wrinkled hand came up to caress the soft ebony curls the framed Kagome's face.

The small clearing to the side of the walk way went silent. The wind blew rash before settling again, blowing leaves and time past the small crowd surrounding the bench that held Kaede Higurashi. The past painted itself around Kaede's world and, for just a few moments, she relived the night her life began anew.

"It was a Sunday night," she whispered, her eye not focused on anything but the memory in her mind. "Koichi and I were meeting at his parents' second home, a few miles away from the city, so that we could be alone. There was nothing out there but a few houses and a small shrine next door…." Kagome perked up a little hearing this small detail. "We spent all night holding each other... I was a woman in love and he, a man in love. It was like everything outside of those walls melted away…. It only lasted until first light, however. By morning, Yuko's family had tracked me down and found us out." A collective gasp echoed throughout the small audience as Kaede continued.

"They beat Koichi until his face was so mangled and gorged that I thought I would never recognize my love again. I cried long and hard, holding him to me as they beat me for betraying their son. They tortured and abused me and Koichi for what felt like several hours until finally my mind gave up." Kaede shook her head at the memories of the pain and tears tried to take over her mind.

"What happened then?" Someone from behind Ayame spoke up. For the first time since the women had begun to listen to Kaede's past, she noticed that about ten other students, maybe more, had joined them to listen to what the old woman had to say.

"Someone found us," Kaede answered, looking up into the crowd. "One of the neighbors I think, and they took us to the hospital. When I woke up, Koichi was in a coma, I had lost the sight from my right eye and everyone in the city knew me as the whore who gave up on Yuko. Yuko didn't even come to visit me. He married his Gaila and I never heard from them again. The abuse of the city people got too much for Koichi's family to take so they begged my family to let us marry. They agreed and a couple of months later, Koichi and I were married and living in his parents' second home. The shrine keepers next door took pity on us and helped us a lot throughout the years, giving us food, and teaching us to work the land, and train ourselves in the art and protection as monk and miko. When they became too old to tend to the shrine, they gave it to us."

Kaede opened her mouth to speak again but a loud bell echoed through the empty area of the park, breaking the moment, and students began to get up and collect their stuff. Slowly, they trickled away and onto their paths, leaving Kagome and Ayame with Kaede alone again. "I truly appreciate you telling me this story Obaa-chan but, what does this have to do with me?"

"Child," Kaede laughed slightly, her old twanging coming back. "What I say is, even though your heart and mind are conflicting, you have to keep moving. Aye, things will get worse, they'll get better, and eventually the winding road will untangle."

"Obaa-san, how can I when every time I step on the street someone is calling me something I am not, accusing me of plotting and scheming! They say I am trying to copy her, be her! You of all people should know what it's like to be called something you are not!" Kagome shouted. Trying to hold back tears, Kagome thought back to earlier that morning when Sesshomaru had stopped for coffee and the hanyou cashier…

"You are in no way, that woman's copy," Kaede nodded, hunching over to give Kagome's head a loving pat. "You're eyes alone speak what there is to be said. My mother use to tell me water was the world's biggest mystery. It could bring life to barest of lands or split a mountain in two with its anger. That power I see in your blue eyes Kagome. You are a miko, trained and tested. You are my granddaughter. You are Kagome."

"Yes, Kaede is right. But that doesn't change what people will say. What will always be whispered... Kagome, who you are and who you are with is all up to you." Ayame said solemnly, not missing the flash of anguish in Kagome's eyes.

"I am not that woman's copy." Kagome whispered between gritted teeth, standing with shaking shoulders.

"Where are ye going child?" Kaede asked. She saw the hurt drum in Kagome's eyes and tried to stand to go after her, but Kagome was already too far gone.

~!~

An entire week passed with Kagome narrowly dodging Sesshomaru. As much as he tried to press the issue, she seemed to always be one step ahead of him. He couldn't tell if she was just that good or if maybe he was that predictable. They stuck to the schedule they had been on, just without the nice in between parts where they talked to each other and had normal interactions.

Today was the same. Usually, he'd come to the gym after working through the usual conference call to get updated on all the bases that protected the western lands. He'd come, get warmed up, spar once or twice with his usual bull youkai partner. And then he'd take a break just as Kagome and the kids were coming in to drop off Shippo for his training session. He'd usher them to their usual top floor reservation, ask her about her day and vise versa while Shippo changed. Then the girls would be off to the day care until they were done, and Kagome's shift was over.

Now however, as he walked down the stairs, unwrapping his hands after his spar, he was irritated to see that Shippo was walking up the stairs to meet him, alone. Swallowing his growing frustration, he set himself to think about the task at hand: training Shippo.

Catching up to him, Shippo stood on the stair below Sesshomaru and bowed respectfully, "Mama dropped me off and said I was to tell you that her and Rin were going ahead to the daycare." Sesshomaru sensed the uncertainty in the boy's voice and let him ago ahead of him with a nod.

Even after only a week of training, the boy's body was already starting to change, as well as his youki. To anyone else, it would seem like he was in badly need of a growth spurt. However, as Sesshomaru watched him, he could take in the minute changes. He was taller, not drastically so, but maybe an inch. The signs of his youth and lax control of his youki were shrinking away as well as his animalistic feet and legs were becoming less furry and straighter. His shoulders are also gotten just a smidge of width to them. Even his hair had grown some and his tail began to curve upwards. At the rate he was going, Shippo's adolescent tale would soon pop off like all feline and canine youkai and form his pelt, just like Sesshomaru's tail had done to form his mokomoko and his father's before him. It was tradition and a right of passage.

A transformation that Kagome should be here to see, and be here for him to explain to her. She'd be so proud to see what he was seeing and understand that they were doing a good job. He knew she'd hate herself later for missing these details.

Irritation once again crawled up his spine. If she really didn't want to see him, fine. But he wouldn't let her son pay for her… whatever this was.

He tried to calm himself down again, ready to call her and shout, make up any excuse or fake injury to get her here as soon as possible. Maybe it was his itching need to see her, maybe he was really that mad that she wasn't here to see her son's development. Maybe it was something else, or maybe it was everything.

Taking a calming breath as he slid his phone from his pocket, he smirked as he sent a simple text and let anxiety take care of the rest.

~!~

Kagome looked at the text for the fifth time in less than a minute. It was simple, but worrisome.

'Get Here.'

That's it. No why, no explanation; no hint of emotion. 'Same as he usually is with everyone,' Kagome couldn't stop herself but thinking. But a small part of her also couldn't help adding, 'not with me'.

Sighing, she watched Rin play in the playroom with the other kids, trying to decide if it was wise to go. She didn't want to see Sesshomaru. Not yet anyway. She still couldn't put into words what she wanted to tell him. She wasn't even sure what she wanted to tell him, but he deserved a complete answer to whatever question he was going to ask, and she just didn't have it.

On the other hand, it may be that Shippo was hurt, or worse, and she was wasting time here when he needed her.

Solidifying her resolve, she flagged down Jinenji.

It took her 23 minutes to the second to pack her and Rin up, drive back to the gym, and start climbing the stairs. As she rounded the last few steps, Shippo, his trainer, and Sesshomaru came into view. Kagome slowed down, taking a moment to gather a deep breath and really look at Sesshomaru. He still had one of his hands wrapped from sparing, the usually white cloth stained a slight red. His hakama pants rested lower than today, usually resting high on his waist, now hugged his hip bone. Able to see the very beginning on his white happy trail, she realized how nude his upper half was. Kagome swallowed hard, taking in his stance. He, the great Lord of the West, was slouching, most of his weight on one foot and his toned abdomen shined prominently with sweat.

Kagome felt her heartrate pick up with every step she took. This was it, she knew it. And when he turned his head over so slowly to pin her with a hard stare, his gold eyes aflame, she knew there would be no running this time.

Run quickly left her side, running across the expansive training area to settle her belongings by the window and watch her brother-to-be. Shippo remained focused on the bull youkai instructing him, kicking at the padded gloves. No one took notice as Sesshomaru all but prowled slowly toward her, every inch the predator he was. She didn't resist when he reached her, taking her arm and continuing to walk. She didn't fight at all when he pushed open a door and closed it behind them, the loud clank of the lock engaging right after.

They stood, face to face, neither one willing to break the silence in the locker room. Kagome cracked first, moving her eyes away from his. "What did you need Sesshomaru?"

"You know that already."

"….no I don't," she began to whisper. Movement caught her eye and she met Sesshomaru's eyes right before he came barreling towards her. He showed no mercy pushing her back into the tiled wall, and he wasn't gentle about grabbing her at the waist. His hands didn't stay still for long, going to tangle in her mass of waves and bring her lips to his. He had only kissed her one other time, the night on his couch, but he already was addicted to her lips.

"Sesshomaru," she whispered breathlessly, trying to put her hands between them, "You have to stop."

"You're still running," He stated simply, taking a nip at her bottom lip. He released his hold on her mouth, craning his upper body an inch away from her. "Why did you run from me?" Kagome didn't answer. "Do you want to be with me, Kagome?" Again, she stayed quiet. He dipped his head to meet her lowered eyes, "Do you even care about me Kagome?"

"Of course I care!" She all but screamed at him, "I care, I care so much. I cared more than I even realized… And I ran because I know what people say, how people already treat me, and we aren't even together." She paused, trying to calm her breathing. "I don't want you to have to defend me at every turn. I don't want to bring shame to you… to have you always compared to your brother. You deserve better than that Sesshomaru. Better than me." She trailed off, unable to hold his eyes anymore.

Sesshomaru sighed heavily for what seemed like the thousandth time. "Kagome, do you still love Inuyasha?"

"NO!"

"Are you trying to copy Kikyo? Mimic her in every way? Entice me in hopes of getting Inuyasha back?"

"Of course not… You know better than anyone how I feel about Inuyasha, especially because he's your brother… I don't want to be in anyone's shadow. No one's copy. And I don't want that for you." she sneered looking up to meet his gaze voluntarily.

"Then why does it matter?" He asked, stunning her into confusion. "Kagome, why does what other people think and say matter if you and I know the truth? I've been called cruel, heartless, evil, and everything else because I was the one to do what was necessary to end the last war. I was the one to stand against everyone and advocate against separation of species. I was the one who slayed thousands, if not millions, to protect those I hold dear, to protect the people of this land, and to prove to myself and everyone else I was not only the leader they needed but to show I was worthy of the title. I am no one's copy, and everyone knows that." He huffed, becoming more agitated the more the memories came back to him. Kagome wasn't born during that time, neither was her mother nor was Kaede. It reminded Kagome about not only their age difference, but also how much Sesshomaru suffered to be at such a status he was at. He single-handedly ended the segregation of youkai and humans. He and his army brought together the nations to rule under four lords and under one code of laws.

Before this time, Lord Toga ruled these lands and threw himself into the front lines every day to defend them. It was one of the few places humans and youkai could not only live side by side peacefully, but also produce children without them being slaughtered.

That was less than a hundred years ago, but Sesshomaru was still here, standing proud as lord over these lands and the people under his protection actually liked him, maybe even loved him, but treated him as an almost normal youkai citizen.

"Kagome," Sesshomaru whispered, bringing her back to the present. He gripped her head from behind her neck, bringing her forehead to rest on his. "I'm asking you to give me a chance to be with you. I want to make you happy, bring you and Shippo in to be a family together. I'm chasing you because I know you're worth it, and I know where I want this to end: never. All I'm asking is for a chance." He chuckled a little as he closed his eyes and shook his head, "Don't make me chase you again, you should know we inus love the chase," he grinned up at her, opening his eyes with something dark and hazy swirling in their depths.

"You pick now of all times to be dirty," Kagome huffed, fighting the grin from forming on her lips. They both felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket and chose to ignore it.

"And you didn't answer my question," he quipped back.

"Why is it that you can ask questions and demand answers and I can't?" Kagome shot back.

"That's because I wasn't the one who ran out of the coffee shop and ignored me for an entire week. There has been so much I've been wanting to show you and talk to you about Kagome, and you've been playing hide and seek with me," he shot just as fast, switching his grip back to her hips.

Kagome's phone vibrated again.

"I was just trying to be sure Sesshomaru. I – "

"Sure of what Kagome?"

"I… I didn't know…" Kagome sighed, frustrated. "What if I was wrong and you were wrong and we shouldn't have gotten involved? I didn't want to see you and make things messy…"

Sesshomaru growled, irritated, as he firmly held onto Kagome's arm and directed her to the door. Unlocking it and opening it just an inch, he showed her Shippo and Rin. "Kagome, I don't care what goes on between us, whatever happens will happen. But at the end of the day I need you here because of them. There is so much you missed this past week about Shippo that I couldn't tell you, explain to you. You are his mother and the changes he is going through… you'd be so proud. I want you to experience that pride… hopefully with me."

He slid the door shut and trapped her against it an arm on either side of her head. "This… between us is already messy. It'll get messier. But you have to be here to figure it out. So what do you want Kagome?"

Kagome hesitated to answer, feeling her phone vibrate again, "I am… I don't know… but..." She was almost shaking now, bad enough that he could feel it through the door. It clicked to him suddenly, why it was one thing after another. These were her legitimate fears, but they weren't the root.

He heard the phone vibrate in her pocket again.

Irritated, Sesshomaru snapped, "Answer the damn phone before I break it." In a daze, she did as he asked.

"Kagome?"

"Mama?"

"Where are you? Never mind, that doesn't matter. Sango just went into labor, and she doesn't have a car to get her to the hospital, Miroku has it at work with him. I mean she couldn't drive anyway but – "Immediately, Sesshomaru flew into action before her eyes as her mom continued to fill her in on the situation.

"Shippo! Get in here and change your clothes immediately." He yelled the order across the spacious training floor from the door. "Rin, pack up your belonging. We're leaving in 3minutes."

She watched, but didn't pay attention has he and Shippo came in and felt his hands move her out of the room. Her hand still holding the cell phone to her ear, it was as if the whole world slowed down, waiting for her to respond.

Then it clicked. Everything. She got it.

And she went into over drive.

"I got her mama. Meet us at the hospital. I'm less than 5minutes from her. Sesshomaru will call ahead and make sure the doctor is there. If she's in active labor, you'll have to take the kids while Sesshomaru runs to get Miroku. See you then." Kagome didn't wait for a response, she ran to Rin, ending the call and shoving it in her back pocket again. It took her twenty seconds to get everything packed up.

With Rin in her arms, she started to run down the stairs, taking them two at a time. Was this dangerous in low heel boots with her track record for accidents and episodes of clumsiness? Yes. Did she care? Absolutely not, her sister needed her. She was just passing the landing before the last set of stairs when both Shippo and Sesshomaru passed them, both running as they jumped to take as many stairs at a time.

She huffed but didn't say anything, simply following them as best she could to his car. They didn't speak a word but worked in perfect unison, and getting to Sango's apartment in record time.

"Fifth Floor," was all she needed to say as Sesshomaru pulled up to the visitor parking. Kagome was out of the car before the car was in park. No time to waste with knocking, Kagome unlocked the door with her key and found Sango…

Sitting on the floor of the kitchen, eating an apple, and unable to get up.

"Sango!" She rushed to her sister, pressing her hands all over to insure nothing was broken. "Are you ok? Did you fall? Is your water broken?"

"Chickadee," Sango laughed, half playful, half anxious. "I'm fine, I got a contraction while doing dishes and couldn't make it to the couch to sit it out. And as big as I am I can't exactly get up without help. No, my water hasn't broken yet, but my contractions are about twenty or so minutes apart now."

"Sango! How long have you been sitting here!" Kagome scolder her, getting back to her feet and going to find her sisters necessities.

"Uh…" Kagome rolled her eyes from the hall, already knowing she wouldn't like the answer. "About an hour, maybe a bit longer. I was listening to the tv! And a really good episode of All My Youkai was on! But I'm faced the wrong way. But it still sounded so good! So, I listened. And then my butt started getting numb, so I asked Kirara to go get my phone. I tried to call Miroku, but he didn't answer. I called mama and of course she hung up on me to call you. She always did worry too much"

Kagome rounded the hall again, Sango's shoes and coat in hand. "Sango you're on the floor eating an apple in labor. I think mama has a reason to worry." Grabbing her sister by the elbows, they worked together to slowly get her to stand. Once she was good on her own two feet again, Kagome ran back to the couples' bedroom and grabbed her prepacked go bag.

"Do you have your admittance papers already filled?"

"Of course. But that's not the problem Chickadee," Sango said, huffing as she leaned over the kitchen island, trying not to show how much pain she actually was in.

"What?" Kagome asked, coming back into the kitchen, only to slip three steps in. Slippery, almost sticky, water slowly seeped through her winter coat, and wet the back of her head. She slowly turned her head to look at her grinning sister.

"Now, my water is broken."

~!~

It took two minutes of trying not to freak out for Kagome to get off the floor, another four to get Sango in her winter gear.

"There is no way you are getting down the stairs like this," looking at her sister's large form. Sango huffed, her turn to roll her eyes.

"I do it every day Kagome, how do you think I leave the house!?" She shouted, looking at her wide eyed.

"Kirara. I know you Sango." Sango had the decency to at least look away. It was true, but she wasn't going to admit it.

"Well then I'll ride her down now!" Sango said, the fire neko ready to transform at her companion's command.

"You won't be able to hold on to her like this Sango. I'll just get Sesshomaru – "

"Sesshomaru's here?" Sango all but yelled. She looked around, as if he'd pop up out of thin air.

"Yes, he's in the car with Shippo and Rin…" Kagome trailed off, confused by her sister's reaction. "Why are you upset that he's here?" Sango sat there looking at her with a mixture of emotions they really didn't have time to go over.

"He's our ride to the hospital Sango now come on, we need to get you to the hospital," she said monotone, watching her sister carefully. "I'll help you on to Kirara, then it's down we go."

The entire trip down the stairs, to the car and to the hospital was tense and quiet. Sango supplied a simple thank you to Sesshomaru as she slipped into the front seat and then nothing else. Besides the small whimper as she held her stomach, she made absolutely no try for conversation. Kagome directed Sesshomaru to the correct hospital.

Sango stared at the ceiling less than thirty minutes later, admitted and all hooked up in her hospital room, Kagome in one of the two chairs to her right. Sesshomaru and the kids remained in the waiting room. Mama had yet to arrive and Kagome was still trying to call Miroku.

Kagome eyed her sister again, wondering when it would start back up. She knew her sister very well and knew she was a ticking bomb at this point, just waiting.


And that's it for now! I'll be back in a month or less with another chapter, the goal it to get on a monthly schedule. I'm also thinking of doing some other fanfictions! So look out for those! Thank you for understanding and for your support.

-Mauri