As promised, here is chapter eleven! I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for all the lovely reviews! If you have any questions, comments or concerns please leave a review or if you've got an idea you'd like me to incorporate feel free to let me know. Enjoy the chapter! Love KJ!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA, THIS IS FOR MATURE ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY!


After our bath, Kagome and I dressed and went to find Rin, completely oblivious to the discussion Kikyo and Inuyasha had. We both knew Inuyasha had left, his aura and scent were nowhere to be found when we exited the bathing chamber.

When he comes back I will corner him and make sure he is absolutely crystal clear that he is to stay away from my mate.

My beast growled in agreement.

We made our way through the house and finally found Rin in the library. She was napping on a settee in a far corner of the library, under a large painting. I'd seen the painting hundreds of time's and had it moved here so that I wouldn't have to look at it anymore. It was originally hung in my office.

Kagome stared at the painting in wonder. There were five people portrayed there, my father, Inu No Taisho, my mother Inukimi, me, Inuyasha, and Inuyasha's mother Izayoi. My father stood in the middle, beaming with happiness. His hair was long and silver, pulled back into a single tail. His facial stripes were blue and there was only one on each side and his golden eyes danced with glee. He looked fierce, even in his jubilation. My mother stood tall and haughty, her moon showing stark against her pale forehead. I stood by my mother, a mask of cold indifference on my face, even as a child. I had only been a pup in this portrait. Inuyasha's mother was a beautiful human woman with long black hair and brown eyes. A content smile played on her lips. Her face was kind and she reminded me a bit of Kagome, though less beautiful. Inuyasha, as a pup, stood next to his mother, his face covered in an ear to ear smile.

Just looking at the portrait brought me to rage, and it had every time I'd looked at it. The anger that usually swept over me was lessened as I noticed that Kagome was staring at the portrait with a mixture of adoration and sadness. I could smell the empathy she was feeling so I reached out and set my hands on her shoulders and rested my chin on her head.

"What is bothering you?"

"You look so sad, and lonely. You have worn that mask of boredom ever since I've known you, and seeing it there, on you as a child, makes me wonder why you had to hide your feelings even when you were so young, and it makes me sad."

Affection swelled through me, that she cared how I was treated, even as a child.

"Would you like to know why?"

She nodded slightly and I stared at the portrait while I explained.

"When I was born, I could immediately sense the feelings of those around me. I knew my mother doted on me, and that my father was proud to have an heir worthy of inheriting and furthering our line, but there was no love between them and my father didn't feel love toward me. At first, I didn't understand it, and for a while I tried many things to earn his affection but each time he grew more irritated with me then the last. Eventually I realized that there wasn't supposed to be love between a father and a son, just respect and the willingness to follow orders. I began my training shortly after I started to walk. My father didn't train me himself, he had his generals and soldiers do it. And they were cruel. They beat me and I often missed meals due to my injuries. Whenever I showed affection, fear, or any emotion at all the training would get more difficult and my injuries would increase in severity. I learned quickly to hold everything inside and to follow orders to the letter. My father turned a blind eye to my injuries and my mother said they were necessary if I wanted to grow into a demon deserving the name of 'the killing perfection'. Neither of them cared, and neither of them stopped the soldiers from pushing me around. I became a deadly fighter very quickly. I was about fifty in this portrait, which is about seven or eight to you, but I was already nearly as deadly as most of my father soldiers."

Kagome was sniffling and I could smell the salt of her tears so I wrapped my arms around her waist and nuzzled into her neck and continued.

"When I was about 30 my father brought a human woman into our home and I could smell that she was with child, my fathers child. My mother was furious at first and went into a rage for days. My father being our leader and alpha told her to keep her silence or she'd be removed from the castle. Shortly after, Inuyasha was born and it confused and angered me. I could smell the love my father had for the woman and the babe and I was angry that he didn't ever show those emotions toward me or my mother."

I paused, hating the weakness I could hear in my own voice. Tears were streaming down Kagome's face and I could smell her despair. I wiped her cheeks and nuzzled into her neck before continuing.

"Shortly after he was born my father set up a household for them in a human village and arranged to have my mother and me sent to the sky kingdom. My mother had begun to be cruel in a more tactical way. Instead of openly challenging the human woman and my father, she started to be underhanded and buried threats and insults in back handed compliments. It angered my father so he removed us to separate households. He remained in the house of lords further west of here. He went to see Inuyasha and his mother often, and I saw him maybe once a year. Ice grew into my heart, I assumed that he didn't want me, didn't care for me and I knew it would be simpler to avoid it all. That's why I grew to hate humans so much. One had captivated my father and made him weak, made him love her, when he could never feel love for me or my mother. Shortly after this portrait was taken my father died, and Inuyasha's mother went soon after, being as they were mates. My mother never mated him because they felt no love for one another, they only bred to give him an heir with the best lineage. I didn't go after Inuyasha, to care for him. I hated him. He had something I never did, my fathers love and acceptance. And you know the rest."

I let my voice drift off and noticed that I sounded weak and angry. Worse then that, I sounded very vulnerable. I tried to close my feelings off and let the indifferent mask fall into place to hide my emotions from Kagome, but I couldn't.

She stepped out of my arms and sat on the settee next to Rin. She gathered her in her arms and caressed her hands through Rin's hair, crying softly the entire time. I sat next to her and rested my head on her shoulder, putting my arms around her waist.

"I can't imagine how painful it must have been to watch your father love someone else, but never you. I'm so sorry, Sesshoumaru. No child deserves that." Her voice was filled with raw emotion and she sounded angry on my behalf.

My heart warmed, watching her interaction with Rin. She smelled of maternal love and she was brushing the hair away from Rin's face. I'd grown to love Rin as well over the years. She was the only person I cared about at all until Kagome had appeared on my doorstep, and seeing Kagome mother her sent waves of arousal through me. I knew that Kagome would be a good mother to our pups. The thought of pups sent alarm through me; they would be Hanyou. My alarm was erased when I realized half would be me and half would be Kagome.

Hanyou or not, if they took after her, I could love them.

This realization was practically an epiphany for me. She had changed me quite a lot in the short time we've been mated.

I never want my pups to be raised in a loveless household like I was.

"Whatever happened then, has only lead me to you, so I do not wish to change the past. Let's take Rin and move her to her chamber." I didn't want to look at the painting anymore.

"I can do it", she said gently, staring at Rin in open affection. She lifted the girl into her arms and motioned for me to lead the way. I watched as Rin curled into her arms happily and the young girl nearly purred at the show of affection. She carried the girl easily in her arms as she followed me through the corridors to Rin's room. When we entered Kagome took her to her bed and dressed her in a nightgown. She tucked her in and kissed her forehead and backed out quietly until she bumped into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and backed out of the room slowly, nuzzling into her neck at the same time.

When we were out in the hallway I turned her in my arms and looked into her beautiful blue eyes, "You're very good with her, the kitsune as well. You'll be a wonderful mother." She blushed from head to toe, at the idea of being a mother, or from my praise, I wasn't sure. I grabbed her hand and led her toward the dining room, remembering that she hadn't eaten since yesterday.

On our way there we saw Kikyo walking through the foyer toward us. We stopped and I noticed her eyes were rimmed red and the faint hint of salt was wafting into my nose.

She's been crying. Had she been listening to Inuyasha and Kagome's conversation?

A small smile graced my face and I fought off a chuckle.

Serves him right.

She bowed upon our arrival and then raised her eyes to me.

"It seems Inuyasha has left, and I do not know the way to the chamber. Would you be so kind as to point me in the right direction, my Lord?"

Before I could answer Kagome released my hand and approached Kikyo, empathy lit up her face.

"Oh Kikyo, are you alright? I'm sure so much stress is not good for the baby."

Her gentleness took me off guard, she had been calling the dead priestess a bitch a few hours ago and now she's asking after her feelings and worrying about the unborn child.

Her maternal instinct must be kicking in more than usual after spending time with Rin.

Kikyo stiffened at Kagome's approach but didn't move away from her.

"I will be well after I rest, my lady. Do not worry over me. As for Inuyasha, I do not know when he will return, we had words."

Ah, so she had been listening as well.

Kagome looked guilty and grasped Kikyo's hand in hers.

"Oh Kikyo, I'm so sorry you overheard our conversation. No one should have to hear such things."

Kikyo's hands tightened in anger, clearly remembering what had been said between Kagome and Inuyasha, and her nails accidentally punctured Kagome's soft flesh. Kagome didn't even flinch, likely not having felt the cuts, as blood flowed down her arm.

The unusual smell that tainted her blood sent arousal and confusion through me. I moved toward Kagome and snatched her hands out of Kikyo's grasp. All my instincts were screaming at me to protect her. Kagome looked mildly alarmed at my actions but looked down, finally noticing the blood. I raised her hand to my mouth and lapped up the blood staining her ivory flesh. My saliva closed the wound but I knew immediately what the change of scent in her blood meant. I stepped closer to her, nearly on top of her, my beast howling with the need to protect her.

Kikyo stared at us with wide, shocked eyes and I could smell jealousy and contempt leaking out of her every pore.

Excitement and fear raged through my body and Kagome noticed it, not knowing the reason for my reaction. Nervous that I'd hurt the dead woman, she put a hand to my chest and gently pushed me back a few feet. Catching my bearings I called out for a servant and Miku, Kagome's personal maid, appeared before us.

"Take our guest to Inuyasha's chambers and make sure she has everything she needs."

I'd barely finished barking out the order when I snatched Kagome up into my arms and ran toward the dining room as fast as I could. When we entered I noticed we were alone and then turned to close and lock the door. Kagome's scent was ripe with surprise and curiosity.

"What's going on? Why did you usher Kikyo away like-", she broke off with a squeak as I cornered her against the door and took her mouth savagely.

I took her face between my hands roughly and pressed my body into hers. She relaxed in my arms and wrapped her legs around my waist. I broke our kiss and began trailing kisses down her throat in an excited and frenzied pace.

Kagome laughed, not sure what had sent me over the edge so quickly.

"What's going on Sesshoumaru? Since you saw my blood you've been acting very odd and your usual control has slipped entirely."

I rested my forehead on hers and tried to spit it out. Hope was raging through me like a wildfire and I couldn't control all of the emotions coursing through me.

"You're...you're…", I tried desperately to get it out but she became impatient and burst out in her confusion.

"I'm what? Is something wrong? Damn it, Sesshoumaru, just tell me!" She sounded exasperated and a bit amused.

I sighed deeply and let it out, "Kagome, you're pregnant."


I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. I was frozen in place but my mind was running a mile a minute. Sesshoumaru stared down at me tenderly, but I could smell his worry permeate the air as I continued to stare at him in shock.

I'm pregnant? Will it be a half demon, like Inuyasha? Will Sesshoumaru hate our child? Could he except it if we had a half demon child?

His anxiety heightened and I could smell it, and he began to talk to fill the heavy silence.

"Say something, Kagome." There was fear in his features and I could smell it rolling of him.

"Could you love a hanyou? I saw how you hated Inuyasha and I don't think-", I broke off with a surprised squeak as his mouth crashed down to mine. His kiss was aggressive and I could feel the affection and need in it.

"The child will be yours. Half of it will come from you. It doesn't matter to me anymore if our child is human, hanyou, or full demon. As long as the child comes from you, that's all that matters."

Tears pricked at my eyes and I leaned into him fully, kissing him hard on the mouth. When we came up for breath I nuzzled into his neck. He sighed contentedly.

"Could we go get shippo tomorrow, if the weather clears? I'd like for him to adjust before the baby comes. We could fly, the cold doesn't bother me much anymore."

He nuzzled into me tenderly, taking in my scent which was apparently laced with pregnancy hormones, because he growled, pleased with my scent.

"Yes, but first, I'd like to take you on this table, in the bathing chambers, in our bedroom, in the library-", I cut him off, kissing him and laughing into his mouth.

"Insatiable monster", I reprimanded without heat, "It's been more than a day since I've last eaten. I believe that now that I'm with child, that should come first."

He nodded, reluctantly, and set me on my feet.

"I'll find the cook and have him send something out. Stay here and rest. I'll be back shortly."

He left the room quickly and I sat at the table, my thoughts running rampant through my head. I sat at the table in thought, until I heard a soft knock on the door. Rin entered, looking groggy and came to me. I picked her up and set her in my lap.

"Are you going to stay with us, Lady Kagome?"

"Yes, Rin. I'd love to stay with you. Sesshoumaru would like me to stay, would that be alright with you?"

"Oh, yes Lady Kagome! Will you be my new mama?"

Tears gathered in my eyes again and I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face into her hair.

"Would you like that?"

"Yes, I do not remember my mama. But you're very kind and you make Lord Sesshoumaru happy. Will you be my mama then?"

"Oh yes, Rin I'd love to be your new mama!" She began to weep and I cried as well, holding her in my arms.

I heard shuffling near the door and looked over to see Sesshoumaru standing in the doorway with a peculiar look on his face. Apparently he'd heard the entire conversation because many emotions were flitting across his face one by one and I was getting mixed signals from him. Relying on my new enhanced nose, I took in a deep breath and inhaled all the emotions rolling off him.

Love, affection, happiness, and primarily contentment. His scent carried a feeling of family, of pack affection.

I smiled at him affectionately and pushed my aura out to him; using it to caress him gently, then turned back to Rin.

"Do you remember Shippo, Rin?"

She nodded and I continued, "He's going to be apart of our family too, we're going to get him tomorrow, would you like that?"

She nodded again and a few servants entered the room to place food in front of us. Sesshoumaru took the seat next to us and watched us eat and chat, silently. The smell of his contentment washed over me during the entire meal and when we were finished I carried a slumbering Rin back to her room while Sesshoumaru followed, silently guarding us. We tucked her in again and as we exited he took me into his arms and kissed me passionately.

Exhaustion began to wear on me. It had been quite a day filled with drama and excitement at nearly every turn. My eyes started droop as he held me and he swept me up in his arms, and carried me to our bed chamber.

When we entered he set me on my feet and began to undress me slowly, letting his hands wander over my body and caress me. Once I was completely naked he stood behind me and caressed my body, enjoying the sight of my pale body basking in the moonlight. His fingers swept over my nipples and the feeling made me whimper with pleasure. He growled with need. His mouth began to nip and kiss my neck as one of his hands wandered down to the curls between my thighs. He began to stroke me and pleasure ran like fire through my veins from my toes to my head, and then settling in my sex. Moans were escaping my throat and I could feel his growls in the flesh of my neck.

"Do you want me, little one?"

"You know I do", I breathed out, "I know you can smell it."

He turned me in his arms and brought me to the bed. He laid me down and and my hair fanned out across the linens. His hands ran up and down my legs sending shivers through my entire body. He spread my legs and I let out a deep moan. He bent his head between my legs and began to lap his tongue against my entrance and my clit. My moans rose to the ceiling and I felt his growl of pleasure against my sex. He inserted two fingers into me and began stroking my clit with his tongue. Pleasure sky rocketed through me and my entire body shook with need. He began stroking me faster and more vigorously. In an instant it all became too intense and I breathed out his name as my pleasure over took me and I orgasmed. He growled into me and stroked me until my body stopped shaking.

When he lifted his head and removed his fingers I sat up and pressed him down into the bed and crawled over him. He had curiosity in his eyes and he didn't fight me as I reached for his cock and began stroking it. His eyes rolled back into his head and he let out a moan of pleasure. I tentatively leaned forward and kissed the head of his erection. His entire body convulsed violently and he growled and it was filled with need.

I think he likes that.

Lowering my mouth to him once again, I took his cock into my mouth and ran my tongue along the silky flesh. The taste of him was so arousing that it made me wet again instantly. I began to pump him at the base of his cock with my hand and I brought his member further into my mouth and to the back of my throat, them out again, applying pressure to the head with my tongue as i went. I continued sucking him, in and out until he let out a groan and moaned my name.

"Oh, fuck! Kagome!"

Hearing my name on his lips made arousal spike through me. He lifted me off him and rolled me under him.

"You're going to be the death of me woman", he growled against my lips as he steadied himself at my entrance.

With a grunt he pushed himself into me, slowly sheathing himself inside me with a moan on his lips. Feeling him filling me made me moan and my nipples hardened and my breasts became achy. I lifted his hand to my breast and he began to knead it and suckle it with his mouth as he thrusted into me agonizingly slow. He pulled himself out of me until only the tip remained, and then slowly entered me, inch by glorious inch.

Pleasure was pooling at my spine and as he took one of my nipples between his teeth, he thrusted into me once hard and fast. I came instantly, my walls gripped him tightly and I moaned his name loudly. He kept thrusting slowly through my climax. He reached for my waist and pulled me to the edge of the bed and flipped me onto my stomach gently. He stood between my legs and centered himself at my opening once more.

He entered me with a hard thrust and I whimpered with ecstacy. He groaned loudly and cursed under his breath, "Fuck, Kagome, you're so tight!"

He began to thrust fast and faster, pounding into me from behind and my moans bounced loudly through the room, accompanied by the the sound of our joining flesh. His thrusts were so deep I could feel his cock nudging my womb. He placed one hand between my thighs and the other on my breast. He began rubbing my nipple and stroking my clit, while he brought his head down to my mating mark and he began licking it. Pleasure began to rage through me once again and as it reached the crux he growled into my ear, "Come for me, Kagome." His voice was deep and pleasure filled and it sent me over the edge. His mouth latched onto my mark and sent more pleasure through me as he came inside me, spilling into me. I could feel the heat of him inside me and he kept nudging into me through my orgasm, making the intensity feel as though it would last forever.

When the pleasure abated and my body stopped trembling he picked me up and set me onto the bed and crawled up next to me, pulling me into his chest. Sleep began to overtake me and as I drifted off I could have sworn I had heard him speak.

"I love you, Kagome."


Shippo had been angry nearly every moment for six months. Inuyasha had driven Kagome away and in her sadness, she'd forgotten to take him with her. He missed her dearly, she was practically his mother. She'd spent years protecting him, looking after him and he loved her. He'd spent months training and practicing his magic and picking fights with lower level demons, trying to make himself strong enough to travel. His plan was to become strong and go out and find Kagome and join her. He'd be damned if he stayed here and waited for Inuyasha to return with Kikyo.

Whenever Shippo wasn't training, he was with Sango and Miroku. They took care of him and fed him and they all spent the evenings chatting and joking, avoiding the topic of the hanyou driving Kagome away. Miroku and Sango were planning to leave after their first child was born. She'd become pregnant shortly after the defeat of Naraku and was nearing her sixth month of pregnancy. She'd been happy to have shippo around, he made her laugh and sniffed out herbs for her to make into tea that would take her nausea away. Everyday, though, she thought about Kagome. They were nearly sisters, and they were best friends and it was painful for her to be away from her. She longed for the day they would be together again.

The snow had come nearly a week ago and the three of them were all gathering extra wood in the forest before the snow became too deep to travel for supplies. On the return trip they noticed that many of the villagers were standing near the shrine and all were whispering to one another while a couple talked to Kaede. As they neared the crowd, Sango recognized Kagome almost instantly, though she'd physically changed quite a lot. Sango dropped the firewood that had been in her hands, grabbed shippo by the collar of his shirt and sprinted toward Kagome. Once she stopped in front of the couple her heart lurched as it caught up with her eyes. Kagome looked very different, and stunningly beautiful, and she was standing next to Lord Sesshoumaru, Lord of the west, and she was holding his hand.

Shippo squealed with delight, "Kagome, mama!"

He lurched out of Sango's grasp and leapt into Kagome's open arms. She nuzzled the kit and whispered that she had missed him dearly into his ear. He was weeping openly with happiness and when he finally lifted his head he realize who she'd been standing with.

"Lord Sesshoumaru? Why are you here, and why are you holding Kagome's hand?"

Kagome blushed deeply and Sango noticed. Sango rushed to Kagome and threw her arms around her. They held each other for a long moment, with the kitsune smashed between them, squealing with delight. After they released each other, Sango took her in all over again. Her entire body had changed and she looked like a goddess.

"Yes, Kagome, why are you holding hands with Sesshoumaru?"

Kagome blushed again and Sesshoumaru just blinked down at her with his usual mask of indifference.

"I believe this is a conversation we could have in private. Kaede, would you mind terribly if we had a chat in your hut?"

"Not at all, Lady Kagome, I'd love if everyone would come by for a chat." She said this with a knowing smile on her face.

Kaede led the group to her hut and Miroku and Sango watched Sesshoumaru and Kagome interact. They were whispering and still holding hands and their heads were bent together. Kagome was practically glowing and Sango could see the adoration in Sesshoumaru's eyes and it confused the monk and slayer thoroughly. As they entered the hut Kaede took a seat and motioned for them to sit as well. Sesshoumaru sat and pulled Kagome down to sit between his legs and she held Shippo in her arms. Miroku and Sango shared a confused look and sat down next to them.

"First, I want to apologize for running out on you. I'm sure it hurt your feelings and I didn't mean to cause any pain for all of you", sadness was clear in her voice and when Sesshoumaru heard it he began running his hand up and down her arm. Sango had to hold back a surprised gasp and Miroku was staring at them with his jaw on the floor.

"I went traveling through villages and I was helping to exterminate demons and healing their sick. I made my way westward, assuming that Inuyasha would never travel into Sesshoumaru's lands. When the winter storms began to come in, Lord Sesshoumaru invited to stay and we've grown quite fond of each other. We are mates now."

She said the last sentence very hesitantly. She wasn't ashamed, but she was very nervous that they would judge and exile her. She looked around the room and saw everyone sitting in shocked silence. Miroku was the first to recover.

"Congratulations, Kagome. I'm glad you have found your happiness, you are happy, right?" Sesshoumaru growled a little at the clear insinuation of his question and Kagome swatted at his shoulder.

"Yes, dear monk. I am very happy! We've actually come back because I was hoping that Shippo would like to come and join our little family. Rin gets awfully bored by herself in that big-", she was cut off by Shippo squealing in delight.

"Yes, yes I'd love to come live with you. Can I lord Sesshoumaru, can I?" He was begging the Western Lord without shame and a small smile was present on Sesshoumaru's face.

He chuckled and spoke gently, "Yes, we've come all this way haven't we?"

The others stared at Kagome and Sesshoumaru for quite a while until they were all convinced that not only were they okay with the match, but that they fit quite well together. Miroku, in particular could see how the firey miko and the icy demon lord completed each other. She needed his cool calm demeanor and he needed her passion for life and love.

The group began to catch up and chat about all that had happened in Kagome's absence, except Sesshoumaru, who sat with Kagome between his legs and twirled a lock of her raven hair in his fingers while he listened to their conversation. Kagome had asked when Sango was due to have her baby and if they knew what gender it was. Sango said she'd be due at the beginning of spring and that they didn't know, though her belly was growing at an alarming rate. Sesshoumaru interrupted, shocking them all.

"That's because you're having twins. And they're both girls." They all stared at him in awe and even Kagome had turned around in his lap to stare at him with wide eyes.

"What", he asked confused at their reactions, "I can smell it."

Tears formed in Sango's eyes and Miroku looked mildly alarmed at the fact that he was about to have two girls.

Sango spoke out hesitantly, "Are they healthy?"

He sniffed the air and trained his eyes and ears on her abdomen, "Yes, quite healthy actually. They should be very strong when they're born."

They all looked between Sesshoumaru and Sango's baby bump and the room was silent. Sango was crying soft happy tears and Miroku was rubbing her shoulders. Kagome beamed at Sesshoumaru, and he realized that he'd done something right. Soon the conversation picked up again and they begun talking about the coming winter storms. As mid day approached Sesshoumaru announced that it was time to leave, otherwise they wouldn't be back before nightfall and he didn't want to leave Rin mostly unguarded at night. As they were exiting the hut, Sango approached Lord Sesshoumaru hesitantly. He could tell she wanted to ask him for something so he just stared at her and waited for her to spit it out.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, I was wondering, do you have villages near your home?"

"Yes." He stated it simply, finally understanding what she was going to ask.

"Would you mind if we moved to one of those villages in spring? We no longer have a desire to stay in this village and we would like to stay close to Kagome."

He looked over to Kagome and she was staring at him with pleading eyes. He knew that this would make her happy, so he'd do it.

"You may move onto my lands. You can stay in our home until you've established a residence. If you'd like, the forest surrounding my home has no one living on it. You may establish a home there, if you like."

Kagome squealed happily and threw her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes.

"I told you Kagome. I'd do anything for you."


Okay dears, here is chapter eleven. I hope you enjoyed it, the drama will be picked up again in the next chapter.

Thank you, everyone, for reading and thank you to all those wonderful folks who left me comments. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please leave a review or if you've got an idea you'd like me to incorporate feel free to let me know.

Love, KJ.