Chapter 10: Problems

0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0. o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters…

0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0. o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.

Kagome smiled brightly as she ushered her two closest friends into the house, taking their jackets and hanging them on the coat rack as they removed their shoes and put on a pair of slippers.

"I'm so glad you guys came! I was getting so bored! Rin-chan and Kaede-san are gone all week visiting family and Sesshomaru has been up in his study working nearly the entire time." She laughed in exasperation, ruffling her hair with a hand. "I've probably cleaned every surface in this house." They all shared a laugh before Sango wrapped her in a quick hug.

"Well we are glad to visit, Kagome," smiled Sango as she released her.

"Yes, indeed," Miroku agreed as he pulled her in for a friendly hug. He made sure to keep his hands at safe locations, so he didn't risk her ire. "But are you sure that we will not be imposing on your husband?"

Kagome laughed lightly and waved a hand dismissively as she led them to the living room.

"No, there's nothing to worry about there. He'll probably be in his office the whole time and as long as we aren't too loud it shouldn't be a problem. Inu's and their sensitive hearing, you know?"

Miroku chuckled in reply and headed over to the large, leather couch to plop down into it as he gazed around the spacious room.

"You have quite the living quarters now-a-days, Kagome my dear."

Sango joined him and he wrapped an arm around her without a thought.

Kagome sat in a plush lounge chair, propping her feet up on the matching stool.

"It is nice," she smiled lightly in agreement.

The houshi snorted at her nonchalance.

"Well, I don't mean to be tactless, but I think you are much better off here."

Kagome sighed and frowned at him, not at all angry since she knew that it was the truth, but still a little irked by what he was hinting at.

"You mean, better off here than with Inuyasha."

He flinched a little with how bluntly she stated it, but nodded anyways.

"I'm sorry, Kagome, but you know it's true. The guy couldn't hold a job to save his life, let alone support the both of you and any children that you might end up producing. Even with his father backing him up financially, he went through money like toilet paper."

"I know, Miroku, you really don't have to tell me."

His expression told her how little he liked discussing it and how bad he felt about it, but he'd obviously felt it necessary to say and she understood his reasoning.

Miroku had always been the most straightforward of her friends in regards to Inuyasha, but she knew that it was because he cared. He'd disliked the Inu from the start, his brotherly instincts kicking in swiftly. He didn't like the way that he'd talked to her or treated her and until the break-up he'd been more tactful in how he approached her on it. Now that Inuyasha's nature had been completely revealed, he had no qualms in openly discussing his dislike of him.

And while it still hurt a little, Kagome didn't let it truly effect her. She was married to someone else, and she was -if anything- loyal to a fault.

"Well!" Sango began, smiling, "Now that that's out of the way, what do you say to some tea?"

"Oh! Of course! Black or Green?" Kagome and Sango stood and went into the kitchen, leaving Miroku to look about in curiosity once more. Their giggles as they went made him smile.

He stood from his seat and approached the framed pictures lining the mantle, recognizing many of them. He'd been there for the majority.

Smiling, he went down the line and remembered each and every instance, noting a distinct lack of Inuyasha in any of them. When he got to the center, he came to the largest frame and knew just why that was immediately. The wedding photo.

Eyes searching, he took in every minute detail. Kagome's fake but large smile, her tight eyes, her white knuckles wrapped about the bouquet.

The poor girl had put up with so much because of the half-inu.

Curious, he turned those same calculating eyes to the groom and found him utterly…unreadable. He could not tell what the man was feeling from his expression, or his stance, or anything at all. It was rather bothersome and it left the houshi feeling a little unsettled. He'd met the man briefly at the wedding, only enough to shake his hand and wish him well, and it only showed to him that he was polite. And serious.

With a sigh, he turned, intending to go join the women in the kitchen.

Only to stop in his tracks, brows raised in surprise.

For there stood Kagome's husband at the foot of the stairs, stance rigid and eyes narrowed slightly. His nose seemed to twitch minutely and Miroku knew that he was scenting him.

"Oh! Sesshomaru! Were we too loud?"

Both men turned to the dark-haired woman as she entered the room once more, a tea tray in her hands. She stopped briefly, smiling brightly as she tilted her head to look up at the tall male.

"You were not."

"Are you joining us for tea?"

Something seemed to pass in his expression as he looked at Kagome, and it made Miroku watch him all the more closely. The look cleared in an instant and he took the tray gently from her hands and brought it to the coffee table in answer.

So he wasn't as stoic as he appeared.

Kagome took his actions in stride and plopped down inelegantly next to the large Inu who didn't seem to think anything of her child-like ways.

"Sango, will you grab another cup while you're in there?" called Kagome as she began pouring tea. The Inu's ear closest to Kagome twitched a little at her pitch, but again, his expression never changed.

"Sure, Kags!"

Miroku slowly ambled over to the chair that Kagome had been occupying previously, his eyes still watching the Inu who was watching Kagome impassively.

Sango entered the room carrying a tray of treats as well as another cup, both of which she set next to the tea tray.

"Hello Sesshomaru-san," greeted Sango politely as she sat. He nodded in return.

"Thanks Sango," smiled Kagome as she set the tea pot back onto the tray. Smile ever-present, she turned and handed the tea cup to her husband who took it from her hands gently, fingers brushing her own. She went about pouring the next cup without a word.

Miroku watched as the Inu took a sip, his gaze as placid as ever, before said eyes slid to him.

Miroku jumped slightly in his seat, but did not allow his gaze to waver. He wanted the man to know just how determined he was in regards to Kagome. With as much determination as he could muster he gave him his best, 'Don't you dare hurt her' expression and waited for his reaction.

He didn't have to wait long.

With a light scoff, the Inu dismissed him and turned his attention back to the female who was chattering away to him about her friends.

"I'm pretty sure I introduced you to them at the wedding, you remember?"

"Hn."

"Well of course you'd remember Sango, she's been here before, but what about Miroku? Did you meet him?"

Golden eyes slid once more to him.

"We are acquainted."

"Oh good, the wedding was such a mad rush I don't really remember it," she laughed, rubbing the back of her hand against her forehead.

He reached up and wrapped a hand around her wrist, drawing her hand down gently and halting the nervous action.

"It is understandable, given the situation."

"Yeah." She smiled up at him once more before turning to Sango to discuss something in regards to their brothers.

As they chatted, the two men with them kept close tabs on each other. The Inu did not truly know the houshi and so he did not fully trust him around his wife. The houshi in turn was not sure how well he could trust the Inu. And so both discreetly spied on the other.

So far, the houshi had not found any malicious intent from the Inu, merely a sense of protectiveness which he approved of as long as he didn't become too possessive. The last thing that Kagome needed was someone who'd try to reign her in like a horse or dog and keep her under lock and key.

But in the short amount of time that he'd spent among Kagome and her husband, he did not feel as if she was constrained in any way. She went about her business like her normal -sometimes childish- self while the Inu observed and guarded from a distance. Miroku felt he could put his stamp of approval on that. And since he felt that he could commiserate with him on that subject, he began to observe the youkai on a more good-natured level. Which brought him to something that piqued his curiosity.

Miroku watched over the rim of his tea cup as Sesshomaru kept a hand on Kagome in some way nearly the entire time. It was nothing of a sexual nature, just simple forms of connection that Kagome seemed completely oblivious to. He almost felt bad for the guy. He obviously sub-consciously wanted some form of attention from the girl, and being Inu he most likely sought a pack-like connection with her. Depending on how the day went, Miroku might be inclined to help the guy out and speak with Kagome about Inu nature.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O. o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

Kagome stood, lifting the tea tray carefully, and began to bring it back into the kitchen while Sango and Miroku continued their discussion about the possibilities of a new apartment. A warm smile lit her features as she walked, her mind elsewhere. So of course she did not notice until it was too late that the stack of tea cups was wobbling precariously before it toppled over and onto the floor.

A loud crash was heard and Kagome cursed softly at her own stupidity, stooping down to pick up the ceramic shards.

Before anyone else could react, Sesshomaru was kneeling on the floor beside her and had halted her movement, the iron scent of her blood in the air. Before she could protest he'd licked the blood away and held her hand still as he looked at the little gash a shard had caused.

"It is minor," he rumbled. "I will finish with this. Sit with your friends."

She nodded and held her injured hand with the other, leaving the tea tray with him.

He quickly cleaned up the mess and brought the tray into the kitchen. When he returned he carried antiseptic and bandages with him.

He sat close beside her on the couch and held a hand out. With a small, embarrassed smile Kagome placed her hand in his.

"Sorry about the tea cups," she mumbled.

"It is no matter."

Deftly, he cleaned the cut and wrapped it with a Band-Aid. If he held her hand a little longer than was practical, she did not notice.

But Miroku had.

When Sesshomaru returned to the kitchen to take care of the broken dishes Miroku turned to his friend.

"Kagome, are you two close?"

He made sure to keep his tone light, so as not to startle the girl or embarrass her.

"Not really, I don't think. I mean, we get along well but that's all." She fiddled with the bandage as she spoke, looking down at her hands.

"Are you sure? He seems to like you fairly well."

She looked up and a light blush stained her cheeks with his words. Her eyes were wide and honest.

"We're friends, Miroku."

He exchanged glances with Sango who had a knowing smile on her face as well.

"Yes, Kagome, but keep in mind that you are married as well."

Her brow furrowed a little.

"So? I think we were pretty clear that this isn't that kind of marriage, Miroku."

"That may be," he nodded in acknowledgement, "But he is an Inu youkai, Kagome. Inu's work in packs. And in their packs they are close."

"I know, Inuyasha told me once."

"Well, then you know that Inu are kind of…touchy-feely."

"What?"

Her azure eyes widened comically.

Sango laughed lightly.

"It's nothing like that Kagome. Just simple things. They're very affectionate by nature." At Kagome's blank expression, she elaborated. "Inu's like to cuddle, but if they are denied basic cuddling they may simply allow touches to linger a little longer than necessary or find reasons to connect."

"But Sesshomaru has never been that way with me," she interjected.

"Ah! But he has, you probably just don't notice," Miroku pointed out. "All day long he was touching you in some way. HE probably doesn't even realize he's doing it. He seems like the type to deny his own nature," he mused more to himself.

Kagome gaped at him and looked to Sango who only nodded in agreement.

"He was, Kagome. I can't believe you didn't notice, honestly."

He watched her as she thought back through the day with a look of surprise on her face.

"I don't expect you to hold his hand or anything, just keep it in mind. Like I said, he probably doesn't even notice he's doing it. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would want to be openly affectionate with anyone. I'd peg him as more of a behind closed doors kind of guy."

Kagome continued to stare blankly, eyes wide as she contemplated the new development.

He almost laughed at how oblivious Kagome had been. And now that her eyes were opened she could either make things worse or better. It was entirely up to her.

O.o.O.o.O

When Sesshomaru returned to the room, Kagome tensed up.

When he sat next to her, she visibly flinched.

This caused the Inu to frown, his eyes narrowing.

"Are you unwell?" He reached for her hand, to look at the bandage, but she pulled her hand away with a nervous laugh.

"Oh I'm fine! It's nothing!"

Her smile was false.

His golden eyes narrowed but he said nothing. He leaned back into the couch, shoulder resting against hers, and she tensed even further.

He looked to both Sango and Miroku who were in turn watching both Kagome and he quite closely. Obviously, something had been said in his absence that Kagome was not comfortable discussing in his presence.

Suddenly feeling like an intruder in his own home, he stood from his seat and nodded politely to their guests.

"If you'll excuse me, I have work to complete."

He left without another thought, though he felt that something was wrong. And he knew that it involved him.

O.o.O.o.O

"Kagome!" hissed Sango, tone accusing. "That was mean!"

The girl cringed, curling into herself.

"You were right! I can't believe I didn't notice!"

"Kagome, do you realize what you may have just done?"

"I didn't mean to! I couldn't help it!"

"Yes, but regardless, you pulled away from him. He may just isolate himself further from you now as a defense mechanism."

"But-"

"Kagome, I already told you that his actions are subconscious. He's not trying to feel you up or anything. It's not sexual."

Sango leaned forward, elbows on her knees.

"Inu like to reassure and be reassured. That's really all that the little touches are. They're meant to comfort. To console. Sometimes it's for the benefit of the one being comforted, and sometimes it's for the one seeking comfort." She reached over and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder as an example. "With Inu it's a form of communicating. He's saying he's comfortable around you, Kagome. That's all."

Kagome was still for a moment and then she deflated, shoulders sagging.

"I was mean."

"You should probably apologize."

"But he doesn't know that I know. It would be really uncomfortable talking about it."

Miroku sighed.

"Kagome, that's the whole point. You don't have to say anything. With Inu it's more about physical communication. Don't flinch the next time he reaches for you. Relax around him, show him that you're comfortable in his presence and that will be apology enough."

She frowned cutely as she picked at the Band-Aid, mind deep in thought.

0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0. o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.

Sesshomaru was typing away on his laptop, immersed in his work, when he heard a faint knocking on his office door. He stopped his work for a moment, listening.

He knew that Kagome's friends had left long ago, and he wondered now at what she was up to in coming to him. She hadn't seemed like she was keen on his presence earlier.

Brow quirking as his eyes never left the screen, he murmured a 'come in' and continued to type. His wife's nervous aura tingled against his own in her slight agitation and it made him glance up.

She fumbled with her sleeve, tugging at a fraying thread, and chewed on her bottom lip.

"What is it, Kagome-san?" He scrutinized her tell-tale nervous tendencies and filed them away for later thought.

"Umm…" she looked about her, eyes wide and darting. "I was watching a movie," she began slowly. When she did not continue, he stared blankly.

"And…?"

"Aaaaand I got scared." She said it in a rush and stepped closer to his desk as her azure eyes looked to the darker corners of the room.

"You are frightened of a film?"

"Yeah, I don't really watch scary movies. They have a bad effect on me."

"Then why did you proceed to watch this one?" He nearly flinched at the steel in his own voice. He did not mean to sound so harsh with her. Relaxing his shoulders, he leaned back in his chair.

She stepped closer hesitantly, gaze still anxious and nervous, and gently placed a hand on the dark wood before her as if to stabilize. Her other arm came up to wrap around herself.

"I don't know. I was curious, I guess. And bored."

He sighed lightly, a hand coming up to flick his hair over his shoulder. Her eyes followed the movement.

"And what do you wish me to do about this?"

Her lovely azure orbs widened, her shoulders hunched and she leaned into the desk, closer to him, as if silently begging him to do who-knows-what.

She looked so lost in that small moment, so utterly adorable in her fear, that he felt the strong urge to go to her begin to overwhelm him. He ignored it.

She didn't truly want his presence. If anything she had seemed repelled.

But these actions now spoke of the opposite and it piqued his curiosity. It would seem that his wife's thoughts and emotions could change on a dime. He had yet to decide if this was acceptable to him.

He cocked his head to the side, pushing aside the strange feelings and attempted to make his features look less daunting.

She obviously wanted something and was afraid to ask. His less than open personality probably wasn't helping.

After a moment of silence, she caved.

"Will you come sit with me?"

Her voice was so small when she asked him, and her eyes so very large, that he could not possibly decline.

The natural charms that the woman possessed were dangerous.

With another light sigh he saved his work, closed the laptop, and moved to exit the room.

"Dessert and tea shall be your payment."

"Kay," she agreed quietly.

She walked close behind him, her scent enveloping him, and when her small hands found purchase on the back of his shirt the Inu preened. At the very least she trusted him to protect her and was seeking comfort.

He reached back and pried her hand from his shirt. She made to protest, but she became quiet when he wrapped his own hand around hers and when he glanced back at her he found that she'd turned a lovely shade of red.

The Inu in him was satisfied with this physical connection that it felt long-denied and he proceeded to the couch with his wife in tow.

Taking charge of the situation and his strangely submissive female, he sat on the couch and tugged her down by the hand, trying very hard not to smirk when she sank into it clumsily. With a small sound of protest, she righted herself and sat rigid in the cushions, eyes darting from him to the screen before locking there.

He pressed 'play' and prepared himself for a rather boring hour or so. He'd never found horror films stimulating. They were vastly inaccurate.

To his interest, throughout the film Kagome crept closer and closer to him until she was wrapped around his arm, knees pulled up and face buried in his shoulder from which she would peek out every once in a while. Her light cries of fright had a dual effect on him, both amusing him and urging him to quell her fears. He knew the latter was irrational as she was the one to submit herself to such treatment and so he ignored them both in favor of looking about the room.

He hadn't noticed before, but it would seem that the woman was thoroughly encompassing all aspects of his life. There were pictures lining the mantle of the hearth and various other shelves, none of which were his. There was a pile of books on the coffee table that he'd never heard of and he tilted his head to read the bindings out of curiosity. Small bits and pieces of Kagome filled the room and declared it hers.

While he normally would feel outraged at such an intrusion, he was not. If anything, he felt relieved that she was comfortable enough in his large home to make it her own.

Admittedly, when their arrangement had first begun he had not been all that intent on knowing her or allowing her to know him, but as time moved forward he found himself drawn closer and closer to the petite female. It was something that he'd realized when they'd encountered the wolf at the grocer and it was something that was irking him little by little.

He knew that he should not feel anything for her. Knew that she did not feel anything for him. But that did not stop his mind from wandering to her on occasion. Or his nose from searching for her scent to calm himself when agitated. Or his hands from reaching for her with no reason other than to reach for her.

He, Sesshomaru, was beginning to feel for this woman. What it was that he felt, he could not say, but something was there all the same and he was wary of it. In his experience, nothing good had ever come from such things.

A small cry rang out beside him as she buried her face against him, and with a deep sigh he placed a large hand atop her midnight tresses. The screams of agony from the film filled the room. Feeling her head tilt, he allowed his hand to fall and looked to the female buried against his side.

She peeked up at him from beneath sooty lashes, her azure eyes finding his own with deadly accuracy. Her pouty lips twitched into a hesitant smile as she took comfort from his presence. Her smile was her thanks, and he made no move to make a reply of any kind. He merely observed her and her actions, eyes calculating.

She seemed to take that in itself as his reply and peeked back at the horror film they were watching, laying her cheek against his shoulder and sighing lightly.

Yes. He felt something.

0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0. o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.

A/N: And that's all for now, we'll see what I come up with next! ^_^ There really are so very many things that can happen…