Wow! Thank you so much. It is really wonderful to see people actually enjoy reading my writing. I'd like to give a special thanks to Rebecca the Priestess and HisLordFluffiness. People like the two of you are the most wonderful and fulfilling part of writing these stories. I sincerely appreciate your praise and I truly hope not to disappoint you. XXemzyXX

Inuyasha, the arrogant inu-hanyou, sat in his favorite branch of the god tree, resting his aching body against the sturdy age-old trunk. He had already been chewed out by both the monk and the slayer, not to mention the old hag and the little fox brat. Why did they care what happened to that bitch? What did she do for them besides sensing shards and cooking and seeing to their wounds and…whoa, wait a minute…what was this feeling. It felt almost like his chest was being pressed down by a significant weight and as if his stomach was a bottomless pit. It was almost like he missed her.

But that was impossible because he had Kikyo. Kikyo had been the first woman in his life and Kagome was only a cheap copy, right? Kikyo had been gorgeous with her long, straight black hair and mysterious chocolate brown eyes. On the other hand Kagome had those thick wavy locks that framed her face and moved slightly with each one of her graceful steps. Her blue eyes were much warmer than Kikyo's had ever been.

Whatever, that didn't matter; his Kikyo was more powerful…wasn't she? Now that he really thought about it, Kagome's spirit arrows shone brighter with holy energy and shot farther than Kikyo's ever had. But that didn't mean anything compared to all the wonderful times Kikyo and he had spent together.

Like the frivolous talks and evening boat rides. But…she never looked at him like his Kagome did. With those loving eyes that saw him for what he was and accepted him all the same. Kikyo, she had wanted him to change in order to be with her…she didn't want him, she wanted only the human parts of him. She had always shied away from his touch, making him feel even more like the dirty half-blood he knew he was. But Kagome, she held him no what he was. Human, half-demon, even in his crazed demonic episodes she had been there.

At that second in time he knew that his wish on the jewel, if he had had it, would have been to just be in his Kagome's arms tonight. Right now, when he was all alone, he could finally admit to himself that that had been his home, his comfort. What had he done?

His beast snarled at him from within, telling to go reclaim his bitch, make her his mate. He fought the thoughts, but it was no use for in all honesty he agreed with him. Letting his demon take-over, he went to prepare a den so they would have a safe place to mate. Soon, soon he would have his bitch, the bitch he had waited years for his human to claim. Now he would do things his way.

WITH SESSHOMARU AND KAGOME

Rarely did Sesshomaru ever sleep. He never really needed it, and the past night was no exception. He had lain, holding his intended all night thinking on of all things, his father.

Yes, all those years ago he had been so disgusted at the thought of his father taking another mate, but not for the reason he thought. For many years he had simply allotted it to his step-mother being a human, but that had not been it. No, he had Rin and Kagome, the two most important women in his life and they were both humans. It had been the fact that his mother was abandoned. He knew his father could never understand the feeling he had each day seeing his mother die a little more, and not being able to do anything.

When his father had died some years ago he had not shed a tear. Why would he cry for a man that ruined his mother's life and destroyed his own happiness? But, ever since he began to feel for Kagome he had changed. Not in a way he would let the outside world know, no, but in a different way. He was beginning to realize the difference between emotions and weakness. Emotions did not make a person weak, weakness was a state of mind.

Before he had any more time to muse over his past, he felt his chosen stir next to him. Leaning in, he nuzzled her neck gently, a traditional inu sign of affection. He allowed her room to stretch and resituated himself so that she was more comfortable. "Good morning, pet."

Kagome was still on edge of falling back into the world of dreams when she heard a voice talking to her. With much effort, she opened her eyes slightly and caught sight of the breath-taking demon lord next to her. He really was stunning with his dark amber eyes and pearly hair flowing around him like silk, ironically giving the deadly demon the look of a god-sent angel. She had no idea what possessed her to do so, but she leaned into his chest and placed a light kiss on the distinctly defined muscles. "Good morning, Sesshomaru," she yawned.

He smiled, she really was as adorable as a young pup. Did I, the Great Sesshomaru, just think something was adorable. He mentally chuckled at his own changes. "Are you hungry, love?"

Feeling her stomach pleading with her to answer in the affirmative, she smiled softly, "Yeah."

He stood and walked across the room to a wardrobe she hadn't noticed before. Out of it he pulled the most exuberant kimono that, in her opinion, ever existed. It was spun of the finest silk and was a crimson red, eerily reminding her of the color of blood. It was stitched in black and had a scattered pattern of white sakura petals spread over the left sleeve.

Sesshomaru studied her face, pleased with her obvious approval. "It was my mother's favorite, would you do me the honor of wearing it?"

Kagome was so stunned she just sat for a moment trying to pull herself together. He was giving her something that personal? "I do not think I could do it justice Sesshomaru."

He gave her a patronizing smile and walked over to her. Grasping her chin and bringing her eyes to meet his he spoke, "My Kagome, it is the dress that will not do justice to you. So I ask again, will you wear it?"

Being unable to speak she simply nodded. He motioned for her to stand and he, with surprising gentleness, slipped it over her head and tied it in place. Without being asked, she held out his silk shirt for him to ease into. A quick smile, small but noticeable, was the only sign she received from him before he grabbed her small hand in his large calloused one and lead her to breakfast.

During the meal, Sesshomaru told her that they would be meeting the other lords in the library later, where they presently resided. The first to arrive was short dragon demon with thin, wiry white hair falling down to his backside and a tremendously bushy beard that swept the floor as he wailed. His green eyes were full of merriment and wisdom, reminding Kagome of her own grandfather, saddening her a great deal.

Sesshomaru felt waves of distress flowing from his mate and took her hand in his in a reassuring gesture. The old lord of the east Kowagi had been the first to arrive. Kowagi had always been like a second father to him and had been part of his life since he was a pup. The old man spoke up, "It is good to see you old friend, and who is this lovely young lady."

"Kowagi, this is my intended, Kagome."

The old man smiled, his grin convincing Kagome that he was not quite sane. He laughed and patted her on the shoulder, "You're a lucky one Sesshomaru. And you young lady, good luck trying to keep him in line." The man laughed at his own small joke and took a seat on a plush velvet chair.

The next man to arrive was, as Kagome was convinced, the oddest person she ever laid eyes on. He was, or seemed to be a wolf youkai, with one large blue eye and one small brown one. His walk made one of his legs look significantly shorter than the other. She couldn't tell if it was because it was or it just seemed that way. He wore an oddly feminine, overly large kimono that was sewn in a pattern so intricate it looked almost like the scales of a fish. Is hair was about shoulder, or it would have been if it was not practically sticking up straight.

Sesshomaru watched the northern lord Najaka hobble into the room. Even in demon years this man was ancient. He was supposedly around 8,000 years old, which would have had him born 2,000 years before his own father who died around 6,000. Najaka was known for his bizarre antics and odd beliefs. Leaning down to Kagome he warned her not to worry about anything the man said. In all actuality he didn't know why the man was still the acting lord of the lands.

To Kagome's relief, the man didn't say anything, opting to instead take the seat next to the eastern lord. Moments later a young demon, she couldn't decipher what type came sauntering into the room. He was tall and lean, on the muscular side and had a braid of fine black hair falling down his back. He was young, maybe slightly younger than Sesshomaru. Her observations were cut short by a snarl from Sesshomaru who had tightened his grip on her hand considerably.

"Koji, where is your father?" It sounded as if the entire question had been force from his throat due to the consistent growling that echoed around his statement.

"Father…couldn't make it, so he sent me in his stead," he answered in a bored manner while studying the room. He looked disgusted until he caught sight of Kagome and quickly approached her, not bothering to heed Sesshomaru's warning growls. Bending down he snatched her delicate hand into his overly rough grip and placed a sloppy kiss that may have been a failed attempt at aristocracy on top of it. His voice was cocky, like she would swoon at the site of him, "Why hello. I am Koji, son of the northern lord. Would you like to go find a private room and…get to know each other a little better?"

Sesshomaru was about to lose it, how dare this male come and touch his female like that? Quicker than lightening his hand shot out and snaked around the boy's throat in a crushing manner. He, against his better judgment, let his beast speak for him. "My female….grrrrr….my bitch….stay away…"

"Temper, temper Sesshomaru," he choked out as best he could. "How about we settle this the old way and fight for her, hm?"

Does the fool really think to challenge this Sesshomaru? He will quickly regret it. "Fine we will proceed in the dojo. I am sorry my friends, but you will have to come back another day." Without another word he grabbed Kagome and lead Koji through the winding halls to the practice dojo.

Kagome was in an absolute panic as she watched the two square off against each other. Koji had made the first move by swinging his fist clumsily towards the western lord. Wait, why was she worried? If he died she could leave right? Right now she didn't care why, she just wanted him to be alright. With one slash of the mighty dog lord's whip, the boy was down. Thinking it over Sesshomaru turned to face Kagome.

Unnoticed by the lord Koji used the last of his strength and slashed a great wound into his back. With that last act of sinful vengeance and cowardice, the man died.

But nobody noticed Sesshomaru was too consumed with pain and Kagome was overcome with worry. She ran the short distance to him, praying to every god that she knew that he would be okay. She stopped quickly and fell to her knees next to his chiseled body.

Sesshomaru was very aware of his beautiful mate next to him, worrying over him. A small part of him that wasn't consumed by other thoughts smiled, knowing that she cared.

Before she could pull herself together enough to heal him, a dangerously clawed hand snatched her around the waist and brought her roughly into a hard, muscled chest. Turning around, the only word that escaped her was, "Inuyasha?"

Sorry about how much that sucked but I wanted to ably to develop Inuyasha and Sesshomaru as characters a little more, plus it REALLY works for what is going to happen next. XXemzyXX