Song: I won't say I'm in love

*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X

Kagome tensed as she felt three strong demonic auras coming her. Her hand rose to her sword when she felt them freeze suddenly, only a few feet away. "If you plan to attack, I suggest you do so." She announced calmly, unsheathing the sword and charging it with spiritual energy.

One of the demon's chuckled. "Ha! Don't mind if I do!" He leapt out of the trees and at her, sword raised. Eager for some fun, he swung at her, seeming somewhat surprised when Kagome managed to block the attack.

"Who are you, and what do you want in these lands?" Kagome asked as she pushed against the sword. 'What the hell do they want, coming this close to the castle?'

"As if I'd even tell you, little onna." He teased, swinging against and noticing her wince at the sound of metal clashing with metal. "What are you doing tis close to Sesshomaru's castle?"

"I highly doubt the importance my being near has to you. Now, battle me or shut up." Pushing her roughly, he smirked as she flew backward, crashing into a tree.

'Don't faint on me, body. There are still things to do. I will not let Sesshomaru down!' Kagome willed herself to keep moving and swung her sword in his direction, sending a strong wave of purifying energy toward the demon.

-Meanwhile-

Sesshomaru looked up from his work, the hairs on his neck standing up. 'Purifying energy...Kagome must be in a battle. Damn that woman. If I say to not leave the castle grounds, she does the opposite!' Out of the window in a flash, he flitted in his courted female's direction.

-With Kagome-

"Damn you, woman!" The male yelled angrily, clutching at aching, bleeding arm.

It was then that the two youkai, who had remained hidden again, came out giggling. "Jeez, Haru, injured by a human wench."

"Shut up, Masumi, Masami! She's a miko! That's different!" He snarled at Kagome's smirking face. "Curse you to hell!" He lunged at her again and swung his sword downward.

Kagome immediately lifted her sword to keep his from injuring her. "Jeez, what the temper you have. Angry for being bested by a woman?"

He snarled at her. "Shut up!" He pushed harder, frowning when he noticed Kagome's eyes widening as she peered over her shoulder. And suddenly, she found the strength to push him back and into a tree.

Dropping her hand to her side, Kagome smiled weakly. "Sesshomaru, koibito, hi. Uh, I can explain."

"Koibito?" The surrounding demons frowned. "How dare she call him-"

"Then I suggest you explain, dear."

Kagome pouted. "Oh, Shomaru, I was so bored. And since you're treating me like a prisoner in my own home, I decided to behave like a prisoner and escape. Pretty good, huh? I even managed to slip under your radar." Kagome grinned at him.

Sesshomaru petted the top of her head. "Yes. Very good."

Haru blinked his hazel eyes and shook his head, his light green hair swishing both way, then fanning beneath him as he fell to the ground. "The world has come to an end."

"Do not be so foolish and dramatic, Haru." Sesshomaru answered disdainfully as he checked Kagome for scratches. "Why have you come to the castle? Why have you attacked my courted woman?"

"Courted woman?!" Masumi shrieked. "But she's a human!"

"A human who just managed to force off your brother." Sesshomaru retorted, before turning to Kagome. "Return home."

Kagome shook her head viciously. "No way! I'm finally free." She huffed when Sesshomaru wrapped his tail around her and began to walk towards the castle. "Sesshomaru, come on. Is this anyway to treat me? I'm courting you. I'm the mother of your pups, damnit!"

"Pups?!" Masami screeched.

Sesshomaru ignored her, answering Kagome. "You are the very ill mother of my pups, whom I ordered to rest."

Kagome sighed tiredly and slumped in his grip. "And if I told you I were pregnant again." That's one way to effectively freeze a daiyoukai.

He released her and took a deep breath. "Are you? Your scent is not that of a pregnant woman's."

"Yeh, well, that's 'cause I ain't. Thanks anyway for releasing me." Immediately, she sprinted off with the new demon speed she'd acquired through her connection with Sesshomaru.

"Kagome." He called out to her, annoyed.

"I'm free! So don't you dare come after me."

Sesshomaru closed his eyes, lifted his hand, and spoke aloud, "The pups were searching for you."

Kagome seemed to materialize at his side. "Really? My pups? Come on, Sesshomaru. We've got to go." She yanked on his arms.

"Hey, Sesshomaru, we need to hang out at your castle for a while. Come on. Be kind for once." Haru pled with a smile. "Please. Lady Kagome, persuade him."

"You just tried to kill me." She bit back.

He grinned. "No. Kill is such a strong word."

Kagome huffed. "Sesshomaru, allow them along. Just come on. I was thinking that you and I could take a walk in the garden, after I check on the pups."

*Later in the garden*

Fingers laced with Kagome's, Sesshomaru sighed contently. "Was there something you wished to say, love?"

Kagome blinked at him, then sighed. "Why do you can me 'love'?"

"That is generally what you call someone whom you love, Kagome." He waited patiently for her to reply, for her to say, 'I love you too, Sesshomaru.' But that wasn't what she said.

"Oh." She took her hand from his to fiddle with her fingers. "Love is such a strong word, Sesshomaru."

He frowned percievably. "Hai. And that is why I used it. Do you doubt my feelings? As you know, This Sesshomaru does not feel often."

Kagome nodded. "Which is why I'm wondering if you're simply confused because you rarely feel. Maybe you just like me a lot." She once again took his hand.

"This Sesshomaru is not confused. I know for a fact that I am in love with you, Kagome." Again, he waited, less patiently this time. And again, she disappointed him with no answer. "You can not say the same...for you do not love this Sesshomaru."

"Sesshomaru-"

"It is fine that you do not." He angrily jerked his hand away from her. "I have business to attend to. Remain on palace grounds." He announced coldly, before disappearing.

Kagome frowned. "Sesshomaru! Sesshomaru come back here! You didn't...you didn't even...ugh! Damn you!"

Haru popped up beside her and sighed. "You are one lost cause, Lady Kagome."

"Don't call me Lady." She spat.

Masumi and Masami appeared beside their brother and frowned. "Fine then, Kagome. You are one lost cause."

Kagome glared. "And I am a lost cause how?"

"You love him, and you can't say it."

"Like hell." She mumbled to herself. "If I were, I could say it. I jsut dont' feel that any male is worth the pain of love. Trust me. I've felt the pain love can cause, and as i said before, it surely isn't worth it."

[Meg]
If there's a prize for rotten judgement

I guess I've already won that

No man is worth the aggravation

That's ancient history, been there, done that!

Haru snorted loudly, sneering at her. "Just who do you think we are? Babe, we're love youkai. We can sense these things."

Masumi nodded her agreement and crossed her arm, cocking her hip to the side. "You try to hide it, claiming you don't love him. Come off it. Sesshomaru's your everything. I see it in your eyes everytime you glass at him, and we've only been here for a few hours."

Masami heaved a frustrated sigh. "You can't hide something like love from us. We see how you feel, Kagome. We know who you're thinking about when you blank out. You give it up."

[Muses:] Who'd'ya think you're kiddin'

He's the Earth and heaven to you

Try to keep it hidden

Honey, we can see right through you

Girl, ya can't conceal it

We know how ya feel and

Who you're thinking of

Kagome folded her arms over her chest and looked away. "There's no way possible that I love Sesshomaru. I admit that I like him, alot. But love, it just can't be. I fell in love with his brother, got my heart broken thousands of times. I just can't be that foolish." She shook her head furiously.

[Meg]
No chance, no way

I won't say it, no, no

"Oh, come on! You are definitely in love! There is no way you aren't. Why even deny it?!" Haru shouted back.

[Muses]
You swoon, you sigh

Why deny it, uh-oh

She bit her lip nervously as she stared down at the grass beneath her feet. "Love is overrated, you know. I have no reason to want so desperately to be in love. So no, I refuse to say it."

[Meg]
It's too cliche

I won't say I'm in love

"I won't go through that pain again! I swear, I won't! You can't make me! Not after all of that hurt, those wasted tears, those heart wounds!"

Haru placed a hand on her shoulder. "Kagome."

Kagome shrugged him off, wiping tears from her eyes. "No! It all felt so good at one point! So good to be in love, to think that I was loved in return. I keep telling myself over and over, that I can't love! That I don't love him! Because if I do, I'll only be hurt again because of it! I know!"

I thought my heart had learned its lesson

It feels so good when you start out

My head is screaming get a grip, girl

Unless you're dying to cry your heart out

Oh

"Stop lying! You love him!" Haru yelled with rage.

"Of course you do! He's yours! The father of your pups! Your world!"

"He's not!" Kagome backed away from them as they took steps toward her.

"Admit it."

Kagome whimpered. "No!" She turned to run away form them. "Nooooo!"

Masumi sprinted after her, as did her kin. "Kagome, you can't run away from love, you just can't!"

[Muses]
You keep on denying

Who you are and how you're feeling

Baby, we're not buying

Hon, we saw ya hit the ceiling

Face it like a grown-up

When ya gonna own up

That ya got, got, got it bad

Kagome ran faster, only to be tackled by Haru, and sent tumbling into the pond in the middle of the garden. She swam to the surface, tossing her hair back. Sobbing into her hands, she turned to Haru, "I don't. I can't."

[Meg]
No chance, now way

I won't say it, no, no

Haru sighed calmly, pulling her into his arms and carrying her bridle style out of the water. "Kagome, jstu give up, confess. You're in love."

[Muses]
Give up, give in

Check the grin you're in love

Tiredly, Kagome nestled closer, her face against his chest. "I'm not."

[Meg]
This scene won't play,

I won't say I'm in love

"Kagome, this is the last time I'll say it. You. Love. Sesshomaru." Haru whispered, pushing her hair from her face.

[Muses]
You're doin flips read our lips

You're in love

Kagome sniffed and sneezed, once again cuddling Haru who couldn't help but blush. Yawning softly, she whispered, "No. I can't. Get off my back."

[Meg]
You're way off base

I won't say it

Get off my case

I won't say it

He chuckled. "Don't be so arrogant. You're in love. And it's nothing to fear. Love is something natural."

"So." Kagome pouted childishly.

[Muses]
Girl, don't be proud

It's O.K. you're in love

After a knowing look from the three, Kagome huffed, "Fine. I will admit. I might love him. But I will never say it outloud." Sneezing once again, she allowed herself to drift off to sleep. 'Never.'

[Meg]
Oh

At least out loud,

I won't say I'm in love

Sesshomaru looked out of his window and spotted Haru carrying Kagome as she slept. Growling, he appeared before them. "Why is my mate soaking and in your arms?"

Haru blinked. "Mate?" He stepped back when Sesshomaru reached for Kagome, his eyes flashing.

"Eventually, she will be." He growled, eyes fully rutilant.

Haru sighed. "She fell into a pond."

Kagome yawned again, nuzzling closer to Haru.

"Give me my mate." he roared, reaching for her.

Haru moved back again. "You're going to hurt her in this state. Stop and calm down."

Sesshomaru glared. "She is mine."

"I didn't plan to take her from you."

"You could not."

"Sesshomaru-" he stopped when Sesshomaru snatched Kagome from him, pushing him back. "I was watching out for her."

Sesshomaru ignored him, holding Kagome close. She didn't have to say that she loved him. She was his, and he'd be damned if she left him. "You will never touch her again."

Haru sighed. "Sesshomaru."

"Never!" He calmed down when he felt Kagome stirring. "Kagome."

"Sesshomaru." She mumbled, placing a hand on his cheek as he returned to his calmer self. "I'm not going to leave you, not for anyone. What's wrong with you? You seem so tense. Is this about the whole 'love' thing?" She took his silence as her answer. "Sesshomaru, I- I-"

Sesshomaru no longer caring whether she was tired or not let her down and turned his back to her. "It does not matter. Do not say what you do not feel."

Kagome exhaled crossly. "Sesshomaru, jsut listen for a moment."

"I do not wish to hear lies."

"Sesshomaru."

"Return to Haru's arms if you wish. I do not care." He stormed off, anger and hurt flashing in his eyes.

Kagome clenched her fists. "You're so damn stubborn!" When he was out of her sight, she turned to Haru and his sisters. "Has he always been so stubborn?"

Haru nodded. "Always."

"Kami help me."

*Later that night*

Kagome tiptoed into her bedroom to find Sesshomaru naked beneath their sheets. Stripping of her kimono, she climbed into the bed with him, holding her chest flesh against his back. "Sesshomaru." But he ignored her, turning his head away. She sat on his back, massaging gently. "Sesshomaru." Her eyes, as well as Sesshomaru, snapped to the door when it was opened.

The guard stared openly at Kagome's nude body until Sesshomaru growled. He looked away and cleared his throat. "Ah, milord, forgive me. I forgot to knock. You both were requested by elder Kayaki."

Sesshomaru frowned mentally. "Reschedule."

"Reschedule, milord?" He blinked, wondering why his lored would do something so unusal.

"I will not repeat myself. You are dismissed." When the guard left, he clammed up again, ignoring Kagome's words until he had fallen asleep.

He awakened to the sunlight in his face. Tired of being angry, he reached out to grab Kagome and pull her close to kiss her, but she wasn't there. He shot up. 'Kagome?' "Kagome." he called allowed, recieving no answer. "Kagome!"

Haru yawned and stepped out of his guest room. "ya lookin' for Kagome?"

"You have seen her then?"

"Yeh. She wouldn't tell me why she wasn't in the room with you, but she slept on the oppsite end of the castle.

Sesshomaru nearly sighed in relief, having half thought Kagome would be in the room with Haru. Eager to see her, he made his way to the east wing of his palace and sniffed her out. Guilt swam in his gut.

Kagome laid asleep on the floor in the corner of the room. her face was streaked with tears, and she was hugging herself. Upon smelling Sesshomaru, her eyes snapped open. "What are you doing here?"

"Why did you leave the room?"

"You seemed angry with me. So I couldn't stay in the same room with you." Frowning smally, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I wanted to tell you, that I-"

The door flung open, revealing Masami, holding Takako. "Sesshomaru, Kagome, something's wrong with Takako!"