I do NOT own Inuyasha or it's characters.

Chapter 8- Things Aren't As They Seem

As Kagome follow him back to camp she couldn't stop all the thoughts running through her mind. She continuously replayed all the things that just happened. She had spoken with Sesshomaru's beast. He was so much more open than Sesshomaru's normal self. Had he told her to run because he didn't want his true feelings known? What was the big deal if he liked her?

'Oh... rejection. I didn't reject him...I don't think I did...This is all too much right now at the wrong time.'

Kagome was ripped from her thoughts when she bumped into the hard back of Sesshomaru. He did not even turn to face her as he spoke.

"This...incident... is not to be made known to anyone. Do I make myself clear?"

Kagome couldn't contain her anger.

"You have NO right to talk to me like that Sesshomaru! Not after what just hap-"

He cut her off with his growl deep in his throat and he faced her.

"NOTHING HAPPENED!"

All of his stoic practice was thrown out the window. Kagome could see everything ounce of emotion on his face.

"Miko... you have made it clear to this one that you have no interest in pursuing anything and I will treat you no different than anyone else that would cross my path. As I said before... nothing happened."

Kagome did not utter a word. She had done this herself. She had not meant that she felt nothing for him.

'I just want to know him more. I know nothing about who he is/was and I've never even been to his home! I mean, I do like him... wait... I do?... Oh no... What have I done?'

When Sesshomaru turned once again and started to walk away, Kagome followed closely this time. She was unsure how to ask Sesshomaru to forget everything she had said with her new found realization, but she also knew that she had ruined something that should have been a romantic gesture of love... for a demon at least. He scared her, but being afraid of something like that was such a small price to pay for something so great. She had realized her mistake and wanted to take it all back... instead... she would have to find another way around it. And that's what she would do... She just wasn't sure how that was going to happen. She had never been a expert with affection especially since the only experience she had with men all boiled down to a stubborn half-demon who held her heart once upon a time.

When they finally came to a stop they were back with Rin, Ah-Un, and Jaken. The trio were quietly eating a roasted deer near the campfire they had cooked in on. Probably compliments of the demon lord.

Kagome smiled at his secret kindness that only a few, including herself, had ever seen.

"Miko, you will eat and then rest. Tomorrow we start the journey to the west."

Kagome reverted back to calling Sesshomaru by his title. Her sorrow for her mistake was easily heard in her voice.

"How many days travel will it take, my lord?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at Kagome by her surprisingly hurt tone.

'She is the one that rejected this Sesshomaru. She has no right to be upset.'

"Rin, Jaken, and yourself will travel on Ah-Un while myself will fly on my own. At that rate it will take approximately two days at the most."

Kagome nodded only once with her eyes glued to the ground. She was hurt, but she was thinking of what she could do to get him to open back up to her. She came to terms with the fact that she did like him. A lot. But how would you go about trying to fix things with a stubborn, cold, demon lord like Sesshomaru?

Kagome decided she would sleep somewhat away from the group tonight. She needed to collect her thoughts. She took out her sleeping bag knowing she would not be close to Sesshomaru tonight and

took it to lay under a tree that stood about a hundred feet away from where the rest of the group settled including Sesshomaru. She wrapped up in her sleeping bag and stared at the stars in the night sky. How could she possibly try to break down the hard walls again. It would be no where as easy as the first time. Not that she was actually trying to, but it's something she still accomplished. It would be ten times worse the second time. She knew she had hurt him badly. It was definitely clear what she had done. Right now, she had to sleep. She was so exhausted from the long day that caused so much grief. Kagome lulled herself to a dream filled slumber that hurt her even worse when she was awake.

Dream State

Kagome walked through beautiful gardens smelling each flower she passed. She worse a orange kimono that hung slightly off her shoulders. The kimono was very well fitted showing every curve she had and traveled down to the ground to flow behind her. Her gently curled hair was pinned in a high ponytail that held a decorative white and yellow lotus flower.

Kagome looked at her surroundings in awe. Not to far she spotted Sesshomaru walking along the tree line when a female demon came running up behind him. She watched as the scene played out and she could here everything that was said as if they were standing right in front of her.

"My lord, join me for your favorite tea? I had it prepared and laid out the main balcony."

"Leave me be. I will not join you for anything."

Kagome saw Sesshomaru smirk toward her without the other demoness noticing his kind gesture. A small pink blush rushed across her cheeks and she looked down with a gentle smile on her face. The demoness, angry from rejection, hurried away from the lord shouting her departure and saying she would not return in attempt to woo him. Sesshomaru sped fast to join Kagome in the gardens and was at her side in no time.

"I've missed you."

"You were away from me for no longer than an hour."

"That is an hour too long. You're beautiful."

"You don't look too bad yourself. Though I have seen this outfit on you many times before."

Sesshomaru let out a chuckle and leaned to peck Kagome's cheek ever so gently.

"Now Sesshomaru... what was wrong with that female demon? She seemed quite suitable for a lord of your station."

"She... is not you..."

"I cannot give you a full-blooded child."

"And I do not require one as of now."

"They are already trying to force you. What will you do when the time comes?"

End Dream State

Kagome woke to the morning sun. She saw that everyone was still asleep but stood to pack her things any way. She did not want to do anything more that would upset Sesshomaru. By the looks of the sun, she figured the group would sleep for at least another hour. Kagome left to go take a quick bath. She grabbed her bathing supplies and left her bag next to Ah-Un so if they did wake Sesshomaru would have an idea as to where she was. She wasn't going all the way back to the hot spring Sesshomaru had taken her to the day before so she settled for the closest river she could find. She quickly rinsed her hair with her shampoo and conditioner and shaved the three areas of her body she always did when she bathed and got out of the river. She grabbed the pair of jeans and sweater she brought with her and french braided her hair in two so they were brother hanging on each side of her shoulder. She even braided her bangs back just letting a few pieces frame her face.

Kagome headed back to the group was just finding them stirring. What perfect timing she had. Sesshomaru was already awake and staring at her like she was a raw piece of meat.

"Is something wrong Lord Sesshomaru?"

He immediately looked away and told Rin and Jaken to ready themselves for departure. He then moved himself to where Kagome stood.

"Do not leave again without informing me. Something could have happened."

"And nothing did. Don't worry over me, okay? I'm not going anywhere."

Kagome flashed her heart breaking smile to Sesshomaru and walked past him to help Rin pack her belongings and board Ah-Un. Before climbing up behind Rin, Kagome looked back to Sesshomaru once more and gave him a small smile and subtle blush and proceeded to do as she was told the night before. As soon as everyone was settled the group took off to the west.

End Chapter

Soooo? Feed back?