Chapter 10 is here for you all to enjoy! Wow, I finally reached the double digits! So, read and review, constructive criticism and no flaming please.

Big thanks to all my fans,

-Jack Knights

"Kagome dear, are you sure you're alright?" her mother asked her. The two had been washing dishes in the kitchen, and despite her attempts at conversation, Kagome remained unresponsive.

"Hm? Oh, yeah I'm fine," Kagome answered, distracted. Two weeks… he's been gone for two weeks now. Did he manage to get back?

"Kagome…" her mother put her hands on her daughter's shoulders, looking her in the eyes. "What's distracting you like this? The last time you were like this was…"

Thinking back, Kagome realized what her mother was hinting at. The last time she had been distant and depressed was three years ago, when she discovered she couldn't go back through the well. For months, she had tried to forget the Feudal Era, everyone she helped, the friends she had made, him.

"Is it him, Kagome? Did he come back?"

"Wha—no, mom, InuYasha didn't come back," she said hurriedly. But his brother did manage to. "He could never come back," she added under her breath.

"I won't pry, but…"

"I know mom, believe me, I understand where you're coming from. But it isn't him." Kagome assured her.

"Oh, well… that's good then," she left it there, thankfully.

"I'm going upstairs, OK? I didn't finish all my homework and classes start again on Thursday, so I'd better get started."

"Alright, I'll call you when dinner's ready."

Going upstairs, Kagome groaned inwardly at the thought of the pile of work she should have had done weeks ago. But with everything that had happened, she couldn't manage. Sighing, she scratched her head and opened the door to the bathroom. Looking at herself in the mirror, she could see the lifelessness in them that her mother had seen.

Throwing cold water on her face, Kagome tried to wake her brain up. Going to her bedroom, Kagome sat down at her desk and opened a drawer, taking out the books she would need. Leaving Mathematics for last, she pushed the books away from her and reached instead for Physics.

She paused as her hand brushed up against the cherry blossom that she had put in the glass of water. Although almost two months had passed since she first saw it fluttering through her window, and it still hadn't died. In fact, Kagome was sure it had grown. Ignoring it, she reached for her pens and began to work.

Newton's first law stated that… she began. Stated that… what the hell does it say? Kagome thought, dropping her pen. Raking her fingers through her hair, she sighed.

"You can't concentrate, can you?" came a voice from behind her. Whirling around, Kagome nearly fell out of her chair.

"InuYasha?! But, how…" Kagome stuttered, at a loss for words. There he was, sitting on her bed, his legs crossed and Tetsusaiga at his shoulder. He was exactly as she remembered him; long silver hair, dog ears and yellow eyes.

"Feh, you always did daydream at the worst moments," he said, shaking his head.

"I do not daydream!" she argued, but he merely smiled at her. Standing now, he walked the short distance between them and stood in front of her. Looking up at his face, she saw that he was sad.

"Hey Kagome…"

"Yes, InuYasha? What's wrong?" she asked, afraid of what he'd say. He crouched down, his arms in front of him as he looked up at her.

"Do you remember what you promised me? That you'd find a way to move on, live your own life in your world?"

"InuYasha, you're not making any sense. You're here now, so that doesn't matter anymore," Kagome said, pushing back the chair. She sat down in front of him, sitting on her knees. He turned his head away from her, looking depressed. She put her hand on his cheek and he looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

Don't you love me anymore InuYasha? Kagome wanted desperately to say it, but found she couldn't. InuYasha looked at the cherry blossom on her desk and frowned.

"Why did you keep that stupid flower?"

"Because I—" she stopped herself. Why did I keep it? She couldn't answer herself.

"Listen to me, Kagome; get rid of it," InuYasha said, standing. "It will bring you nothing but painful memories and nightmares."

"But…" she began, but the look on his face silenced her.

"I have to go now," he said, going to the window she hadn't noticed was open. "Promise you'll forget about me, please Kagome." With that, he ducked out the window and disappeared into the snow.

"InuYasha, wait! Don't go!" Kagome shouted as she ran for the window. But he was already gone.

Her eyes flew open, and Kagome sat up at her desk, a paper stuck to her face. Pulling it off, Kagome looked down and saw that she hadn't gotten any further in her Physics report. She stood and looked around her. Going to the window, Kagome looked outside and stared at the falling snow.

It was all a dream, she thought as she slide the window pane up and poked her head outside. The weather was freezing, and the snow stung as it hit her face, but she was instantly awakened by it. She closed the window but stood staring at the harsh weather outside.

"Back to work…" she mumbled to herself as she sat down with her unfinished Physics report, the smell of cherry blossoms thick in the air.

Many hours later, Kagome was asleep at her desk, her homework finished as best she could. She was in such a deep sleep that she did not hear the window open and close, a figure stepping into the room from outside. Sesshomaru brushed snow off his kimono and looked about the room.

Somehow, I always end up back here. Seeing Kagome asleep at her desk, papers and books scattered around her, he frowned. Stupid girl, working herself to sleep.

He went over to her and picked her up; she stirred slightly, but didn't wake. He removed her slippers and sweater, laying her down on the bed. Drawing the covers up to her neck, Sesshomaru watched as she rolled over, still asleep.

Going back to the desk, he reached to turn off the lamp when he spied the flower blossoming in the glass. It's unusually sweet smell washed over him and he stared at it, scrutinizing the plant.

It's grown… but how? This is most definitely not the season for it.

Shutting off the lamp, he turned the chair around and sat down, facing Kagome. He crossed his arms, but did not sleep. He couldn't calm himself anymore; something was eating away at him, making him feel agitated, restless. Sighing, he shook his head and tried to think.

"InuYasha…" he heard Kagome mumble in her sleep. "You… jerk."

At least we can agree on one subject, he thought to himself, smiling.

Kagome awoke to the noises of her family going about their daily routine. Her brother had his music playing loudly, an annoying habit he had recently acquired. Next door, she heard her grandfather's muttered prayers. And the smell of fried rice and coffee wafted from behind her closed door. Smiling, she cracked opened her eyes and found herself staring at the ceiling.

But… didn't I fall asleep at my desk? Turning her head, she looked at her desk. The chair was pushed in and everything was exactly as she remembered it from last night. She sat up and yawned loudly, stretching as she threw back the covers. Swinging her feet over the side of her bed, Kagome's feet touched the floor.

That's funny… where are my slippers? Looking about the room, she couldn't find them. Pulling out the chair, she looked for them under her desk, to no avail. Standing, her eye caught the cherry blossom. She gasped in surprise.

"It's huge…" she muttered as she studied the plant. Seemingly overnight, it had grown several new flowers and green shoots could be seen in the glass; roots, trying to find their way to soil. "No way, that's not possible."

Annoyed that she couldn't find her slippers, Kagome put the extraordinary plant growth in the back of her mind and opened the door. Her brother and grandfather were still in their rooms, so she hurried to the bathroom. Giving her hair a quick brush, Kagome looked for her slippers, wondering where she had left them. Frowning, she descended the stairs.

"Hey mom, have you seen my…" she said as she walked into the kitchen. She forgot her sentence when she saw who had her slippers. Sesshomaru stood in front of the stove, wearing a long sleeve shirt she remembered buying for him and pants that were too many inches too short, frying rice. He turned at the sound of her voice, his face blank and impassive.

"Oh, good morning Kagome," her mother said, sitting at the table with a cup of tea in her hands. Unable to answer, she simply stared at Sesshomaru, who shrugged at the woman and turned back to the stove.

"Mom…"

"Don't worry dear; I know everything that's happened."

"Everything?" Kagome asked, suddenly worried. Looking at the back of Sesshomaru's head, she wondered just how much he had told her mother. "Listen mom, what happened in the alley was a fluke, a—"

"What are you talking about Kagome? Did something happen?" her mother asked, worriedly. She pleaded with her eyes, and Kagome flinched. Damn it, now what? She probably thinks that…

"Oh, God no mom! How could you… I would never… He's just," Kagome stuttered out half sentences when she caught her mother's look.

"Kagome, explain yourself," her mother said, her tone going serious. She sighed and sat down, rolling her shoulders. Recounting the events that had transpired since Sesshomaru had popped out of the well, Kagome watched as her mother's face went through a long series of emotions in just a few minutes.

"No wonder you forgot we came home yesterday," her brother said as he walked into the kitchen, his eyes still half closed.

"Souta! How long have you been standing there?" Kagome asked worriedly. He yawned and stopped dead when he saw Sesshomaru standing there, looking down at him.

"Whoa… um, hi?" he said nervously as he inched his way toward the table.

"Hello," Sesshomaru said blatantly. Souta nodded in return and quickly sat down, throwing questioning looks at Sesshomaru. He turned to Kagome and raised an eyebrow, who looked back her brother and narrowed her eyes at him. He shrugged and grabbed her untouched tea, downing it quickly.

"So, sis… who's this?" he said, pointing his thumb at Sesshomaru. Kagome blinked once and could feel herself go red in the face as she tried to explain.

"Well, he's Sesshomaru…"

"Oh, InuYasha' half brother…" he said, looking at her questioningly. "So, he's the one that's always trying to kill everything?"

Kagome felt herself go several shades redder and she stared at her hands, which were clenched tightly in her lap. Looking at Sesshomaru out of the corner of her eye, she saw his ear twitch, the only indication that he had heard her brother. She sighed and gave Souta a look that could mortally wound a buffalo. He ignored her.

"So, Sesshomaru, how long will you be staying with us?" her mother asked, breaking the tension.

"I do not know," he said, turning off the stove and bring plates of food with him as he sat down next to Kagome. "Hopefully not too long."

"You're welcome to stay for as long as you like," her mother said cheerfully.

"Wow, you're a pretty good cook, Sesshomaru," Souta said as he devoured his breakfast.

Sesshomaru ignored him, instead staring intently at Kagome. She blinked in surprise, unnerved by his gaze. Eating quietly, she tried not to think about anything in particular.

"Aren't you going to eat as well, Sesshomaru?" her mother asked when he simply remained staring at Kagome.

"He doesn't eat… this kind of food, mom," Kagome tried to explain. "He's a full demon, remember?"

"Oh… then what would you like? I'm sure I could find something for you to eat for dinner," her mother persisted.

"Nothing, I do not need to eat as frequently as you do," he said flatly. Kagome looked from her mother's surprised face to Sesshomaru's bored one and back again. Undeterred, her mother smiled warmly.

"Alright, but surely you will get hungry at some point? What could I make you then?"

"Mom…" Kagome groaned.

"Kagome, be nice to your guest. Everyone has to eat, regardless of who they are," her mother scolded. Kagome rolled her eyes and the corners of Sesshomaru's mouth twitched, smiling slightly.

"Actually, I find this food tolerable. I will eat this to save you from any inconvenience," he said, surprising Kagome.

"Oh, alright then," her mother replied, still smiling. "But if there's anything you want, just tell me and I'll see if I can get it for you."

This is too weird… Sesshomaru and my mom actually having a conversation; this has to be a dream, Kagome thought as she listened to them exchange small talk. Souta however, seemed unconvinced. He sat at the end of the table, pouting. Growing uncomfortable, Kagome finished her food quickly and stood suddenly.

"Well, I'm sure you've got a busy day ahead of you mom. Sesshomaru and I will just leave you alone then," she said hurriedly, grabbing Sesshomaru's arm. He stood without his usual protesting and she ducked out of the room quickly before she could be questioned.

Taking the stairs two at a time, she hurried to her room, Sesshomaru following her in silence. Already inside her room, she began organizing her books and putting away her work, doing anything in general to distract herself. As she rushed around her room, he stood in the door way, leaning against the wood frame with his arms crossed.

"Kagome…" he began.

"Yes, what is it?" Kagome answered distractedly. She didn't pause or look at him, anxious for some reason. He's back?! But… where did he go in the first place? He sighed and came to her, grabbing her arm. She stopped then and turned to look at him, suddenly afraid. His face was a strange mixture of emotions she couldn't decipher.

"Kagome, I am sorry," he said quietly. Confused, Kagome looked at him, trying to understand.

"Sorry? Sorry about what, exactly?"

"I am sorry for leaving you to fend for yourself in that alley," he said, frowning. "I shouldn't have… I—"

"It's OK, you don't have to explain yourself," she said, shaking her head. "Really, I'm fine," she added when he looked at her in surprise.

"You forgive much too easily," he said. He can't forgive himself, even if I can. She went to her closet and grabbed clothes at random, and turned to look at him. He was still frowning, and she went to him; he looked at her then, without saying a word.

Whatever made him freeze up like that, it's obviously personal, she thought as she touched her hand to his, walking to the bathroom. If he wants to speak about it, I'll listen, but I won't pressure him for an explanation. On her way, she passed her grandfather walking out of his room.

"Oh, good morning Granddad," she said, walking hurriedly past him. He nodded at her, the only consent of having heard her. Inside the bathroom, Kagome hummed to herself as she prepared herself a bath. On the other side of the door, she heard her grandfather shouting.

"Demon! There's a demon in the house!" she heard him bellow. Guess he's met Sesshomaru then… Going back into the hall, Kagome sighed and watched as her grandfather grabbed a handful of sutras and began flinging them at Sesshomaru, who looked amused by the old man's actions.

"Granddad, this is Sesshomaru," she said, trying to pacify him. "He is not a threat, so why don't you go downstairs and have some tea with Mom, OK?"

He did as she said, grudgingly, and went down the stairs, muttering and grumbling about demons. She turned to Sesshomaru, who was smiling slightly, and shrugged. He shook his head in silent answer as Kagome went back into the bathroom.

Alright! This is my longest chapter to date, I think. It was actually kind of strange writing this one, because I didn't know how Kagome's family would react to Sesshomaru, but then I remembered about the first time they met InuYasha, so I took my inspiration from there.

So, it seems that character development is something I don't have to worry about; the relationship between them is coming along pretty damn smoothly, and the pace is exactly how I want it at. Everything seems resolved, sort of, at this point.

Thanks for R&R!

-Jack Knights

PS: Sorry guys, but I'm putting this and my other story, Conquering The Past, on hold for the next two weeks. Life is getting hectic and I need to sort some stuff out before I can get back to writing. Hope you can understand!