"Sesshoumarou?" Kagome parted the leaves and branches blocking her way and stepped forward to view the full-demon before her. The weekend was over. She cried and cried at home but packed Inu-yasha's favorite foods anyway before going back to this world. But when her feet touched the familliar ground, her knees buckled and she felt she couldn't face them, not now. Instead, she dashed to the other side of the village, toward the forest.

It was nighttime again and the moon was hidden by the clouds. Everything was dark and gloomy just like the inside of Kagome. But though she felt forlorn and sad, she alerted when she spied something white among the leaves ahead. Her heart quickened and without a moment wasted, she walked toward it. She was so sure she knew who it was because it was here where she first talked to him, really talked to him.

Sesshoumarou turned. He intended to leave her before she spotted him but her eyesight was better than he expected and when she called him, he stopped.

Although Kagome did not see Sesshoumarou for many days, he was actually very near, watching her. But on that particular morning, he wasn't able to see her until the last moment when Kagome seemingly melted into Inu-yasha's arms and cried. He had just arrived at the edge of the forest and witnessed the heart-breaking scene. He couldn't hear them. He could only see. And whatever explanation there is, he could only make up by himself.

He stood there, hidden. He wanted to go but he couldn't tear his gaze away. When Kagome suddenly stood up and stared stricken at Inu-yasha, he deduced Inu-yasha must have said something very shocking. He watched Kagome pin Inu-yasha to the ground with the familliar spell and rush toward the well in haste. This time, he could hear Inu-yasha shout her name. Something was wrong.

"Human . . " His cold eyes regarded her. It was meant to scare her, to frighten her enough to call Inu-yasha. But he also knew that Kagome was brave and in whatever situation, she can hold herself. This trait he found both impressive and annoying. She looked at him and her face contorted as though she was going to break. And then at that moment, he realized what Inu-yasha hax told her. He saw this same expression on her face before when she first told him about her love for Inu-yasha and now once again, he saw this expression and putting the pieces of the puzzle together, he knew. Inu-yasha love her.

He should have known.

"You should be happy now." He spoke and his words meant volumes. You should be happy now that Inu-yasha loves you. You should be happy now that you can love him back without fearing Kikyo will take him away. You should be happy now that you don't have to think that you love a full-demon. It was a cruel thought but it did not outwardly affect him. Truths might hurt but he will not let it hurt him. . .yet.

Kagome merely stared at him. Sesshoumarou had always seemed to read her, to understand her and perhaps, he also knew what had happened to her. She raised a hand to steady herself against a tree. She almost deciphered the hidden meaning behind those words but at the same time, she was not sure. "I'm not happy." She did not know how to deal the situation she was in. It would have been easier if she loved only one person and. . .Her hand flew to her mouth. She was troubled because somehow, she still loved Inu-yasha and at the same time felt affection for Sesshoumarou. She had revealed in her dream that she loved him and the truth was. . .she really did. But he does not love her back. Sesshoumarou does not love her. Inu-yasha does.

It would be easier to forget her feelings for Sesshoumarou and concentrate on Inu-yasha.

"Is that right?" He spoke again. Kagome abruptly looked at him. Is that an answer to her thoughts? Sometimes, she suspected that Sesshoumarou can read thoughts but it was too eerie to think about. "Then go back to Inu-yasha and be happy." It was too dark to make out Sesshoumarou's face. He really feels nothing for her. Kagome sighed.

"Should I?" A crypted question. Sesshoumarou knew that it was. Should I go back and face him? Should I forget you and love Inu-yasha? Should I be happy if I do these things? It was strange that their words mean different things. It was strange that they have to mask everything.

One simple answer.

"Yes." Once they will part, they will never meet again. He will never follow her and they will separate ways forever. Maybe it is better this way. Maybe. .

He had always had a life alone thus he know he can deal with it and Inu-yasha will take care of Kagome so that she can deal with it too. It was a perfect arrangement for them. "Goodbye, human." He turned his back on her. There was no reason to prolong his conversation with Kagome now. He will have to stamp down the growing emotions for both of their sakes. This will be last meeting for the two of them.

Kagome suddenly panicked. He was leaving her again but this time, she felt anxiety because she was almost sure that once he left, he will never come back. What can she do now?

"Don't go." She took a step toward him.

"Don't follow." Sesshoumarou drawled and then disappeared into the night. If you cannot make a choice, Kagome. I will choose for you.

Kagome fell to her knees and cried.

Minutes later, she heard the rustling of leaves from behind her and felt a hand grip her shoulder. It was long-nailed and rough. It was Inu-yasha's hand. Inu-yasha forcibly turned Kagome to face him. The latter tried to gulp her tears away to give a brave front to her comrade. But Inu-yasha could see the stained cheeks and smell the saltiness of the tears. The truth was, he had seen everything that night. Little did Kagome know, Inu-yasha had waited for her behind the tree near the well so when she came, he immediately knew. He was about to greet her but she had suddenly ran to the forest. He followed until he saw, to his complete surprise, Kagome walk toward Sesshoumarou. His first instinct was to take out his sword and protect Kagome. But Sesshoumarou showed no movement toward the girl. They didn't even come close to each other. They just talked and Inu-yasha heard everything.

He could not understand why Kagome was shedding tears at Sesshoumarou's departure. He could not fathom the reason why Kagome did not want him to go. And most of all, he could not know why they met at all. He wanted to ask her. Is it possible that they became friends so suddenly? He could not imagine his full-demon brother being that nice enough.

He offered a hand to Kagome and she accepted it.

"What are you doing here? It's dangerous." Inu-yasha scolded, pulling her to her feet. Kagome only shook her head.

"I wanted to watch the moon. Let's go." Kagome did not even wait for him. She plowed through the leafy underbrush toward the other side where the village was. Moon? It was the first thought that came up. But it wasn't a complete lie. She associated Sesshoumarou with the moon because everytime she sees him, the moon shone brightly behind him, illuminating his great physique. Cold. . . that was Sesshoumarou just like the moon. But now, there was no reason to think about him. He clearly does not love her and it was hopeless to still love him.

Moon? You mean Sesshoumarou? Inu-yasha narrowed his eyes at her. He wanted to confront her but he only silently followed her out of the forest toward the village. Once they reached the well, Inu-yasha touched her arm and pulled it slightly. "Kagome. . . I want to ask you something."

Kagome's mind revolved around the situation Sesshoumarou put her in. Inu-yasha loves her and she loves him too. There was no question now on who she will choose. Sesshoumarou had chosen for her when he left her. She turned to face Inu-yasha. She looked at him and felt lost at the gaze of those amber eyes. They were almost the same as Sesshoumarou's. She blinked. She will never think of him again. "Inu-yasha. . .I" she crossed the distance between them and hurled herself into Inu-yasha's arms, hugging him tightly. She will forget Sesshoumarou and Inu-yasha will help her. "I love you too. . ."

"Kagome. . ." Inu-yasha's eyes widened. He froze as he felt Kagome's arms encase him. Kagome was crying now, soaking his chest. Inu-yasha rested his arms around her waist and tried to soothe her. He was glad, very glad because she love him too and he will make sure that this will be the last time Kagome will cry. He will make her as happy as she had made him. "Thank you. . ."

"Inu-yasha. . .Inu-yasha" She sobbed and sobbed. The tears fell not because of happiness, but because of the thing Kagome lost.

Lenah:

Tell me what you think. I'd really appreciate it. I've got about 3 chapters soon to be posted. But I won't post them yet till I get reviews. About 5 of them or 10 at the most.

Yes, it's quite selfish of me. But I want to know how much people like the story. dodges the squashes thrown at her Oh come on, just give me a break! I want appreciation as much as you do!

Tell me also how you want the story to turn out.

I might include them. Teehee. . .