I do not own Inuyasha or the characters

A bright blue flash blinds me for a moment, and then I'm back in my own time. Quickly scaling the ladder, my backpack straps digging into my shoulders, I run across the shrine grounds. As I throw the front door open, my pack hits the floor with a resounding thud, and I race to the kitchen. Relief floods me when I see my mother standing by the stove, relief so intense I almost collapse to the floor. Throwing myself into her arms, I try to keep the tears at bay. Though I'm seventeen years old I still feel so safe and secure with my mother. How I've missed her these past five weeks.

"My goodness, Kagome," she says as she returns my exuberant hug. "Is everything alright?" I consider her words for a moment before answering.

"Yes, no…I'm not sure," I finally manage to stammer as I try to think coherently.

"Boy trouble?" she asks as she lightly pats my back.

"More like man trouble," I murmur sheepishly.

"Oh dear," she says as her eyes widen. "I'll put on some tea then we can have a long talk." I watch in silence as she fills the teapot and sets it on the stove to boil. "So this isn't about Inuyasha I assume," she comments as she joins me at the kitchen table.

"No, mama, he and I are finished," I bite out angrily. I won't tell her about him conspiring with Kikyou. She might lock me in my room if she thought my life was in danger. "Actually it's his older brother, Sesshoumaru." Yep it's just like me to keep it in the family…maybe it's the silver hair and golden eyes. They are quite striking. More likely I just excel at impossible relationships.

"The scary, powerful youkai lord?" she asks, using my own past words to describe him. "Isn't he a little old for you?" Leave it to my mother to pick the least important aspect of a hopeless relationship to dwell on. Yes he's big and scary, oh and he kills people for fun, but I think he's a tad old for you dear…

"Mama, that's the least of my worries," I sigh just as the teapot releases a high pitched squeal, making me jump even though I was expecting it. Mother rises from the table, motioning for me to remain seated when I try to rise.

"I know dear, I was trying to make light of the situation," she says as she returns with two cups of tea. "Perhaps not the best choice considering your mood." Silence permeates the room as we both silently sip our tea. I have so many questions I desperately want to ask, but how can I expect my mother to even remotely understand the situation? As if reading my mind, she turns to me with a wan smile, "I may not understand but I still wish you'd talk to me. You seem so troubled. A girl in love should not be so conflicted."

"I'm not in love," I reply automatically. "We've only been involved for a week. Even I don't manage to fall in love that fast."

"Then why are you so despondent?" she finally asks. "For all intents and purposes you should be lost in the glow of a new relationship, yet you sit here sighing as if he's about to break your heart."

"I…It can't last, eventually he'll need to take a youkai mate. He'll need full blooded heirs, he'll need a powerful female capable of ruling the West by his side," I murmur, giving voice to the fears plaguing me. I thought I could just enjoy the moment, relish his touches, his kisses, without my heart becoming attached. "He's the Lord of the West, a powerful cardinal ruler. I'm a human miko. He would never take me as his mate. Never." The last part comes out a tiny whisper and to my utter consternation I feel the tears forming completely against my will. "What is wrong with me, Mama? Why do I always fall for guys I can never have?"

"Oh, baby, it's too early to just give up hope," my mother says as she moves to kneel at my side, enfolding me in her arms. "You may not realize this but you'd been talking about Sesshoumaru more and more every time you came home. Ever since he saved that little girl's life and took her in as a ward I think you started developing feelings for him. The last time you came home you mentioned him at least three times for every comment about Inuyasha. It's only been one week. Obviously you care about him so give him a chance. Love can be a very powerful emotion, capable of moving mountains."

"He doesn't love me, Mama," I say with a self-deprecating laugh. "I'd be a fool to believe that." Now if only I can make my heart believe it…

Later

"Kagome, you seem so sad," Eri says as we sit down at a table in the new European Pastry Shoppe. "Is that delinquent ex-boyfriend of yours causing problems?"

"Yeah, Kagome, we almost never get to see you anymore now that you're home-schooled," Yuka adds, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze. "I don't like seeing you so down."

"Actually he isn't really much of a problem anymore," I reply, plastering a fake smile on my face. "I've kinda become involved with his older brother, Sesshoumaru. He keeps Inuyasha under control and won't let him bother me at all."

"Kagome, that's wonderful!" Ayumi cries, bouncing up and down in her chair. "Come on, what's he like? Spill! We want all the details!" Rolling my eyes, I realize I just backed myself into a corner. How can I possibly explain my relationship with Sesshoumaru to my friends? I guess I stay silent for too long.

"Oh, no, please don't tell me he's a criminal like your ex," Eri says dramatically, dropping her head to rest on her folded arms.

"No! He's honorable, wealthy, powerful, and sexy as hell," I say, surprised by how quickly I rush to his defense. "We've only been together for a week, but I just get lost in his kisses. It was never like this with Inuyasha. I can't be near him without wanting to touch him."

"Oh, Kagome, you're already in love with him," Ayami sighs wistfully. "How romantic!" My heart clenches painfully in my chest, the truth hurts. Despite what I told my mother, it looks like I do fall in love this fast. When Ayami notices my expression, her face falls, "Kagome, why do you look so sad?"

"It can't last," I whisper miserably. "I'm not good enough for him."

"How can you say that?!" Yuka yells as she slaps her hand down on the table, gaining the attention of the other patrons. "Where is your self-esteem? Just because he's wealthy and powerful doesn't make him any better than you. You know that," she chastises, making me feel even worse. They could never understand the situation so I plaster the fake smile back on my face, answering the inane questions regarding fireworks and toe-curling kisses. When Yuka insists that every good kiss must be accompanied by visions of fireworks, I almost fall out of my chair laughing. Funny thing is, even though I can't explain the relationship, I feel better just talking to my friends. At least now I won't have to worry about them trying to set me up with Hojo again…

Thanks for reading!

Cymberle