A/N: First off I want to thank loveinthebattlefield, Zerhai Dragonspirit and Azumigurl, each one of you continues to review every chapter and that really makes me happy! It's a joy to see that you have continued ready and enjoy my story! Thank you three so much!

I want to thank each and everyone of you who reviews and favourites my story or me. It makes me all giddy inside when I see my emails full of notifications from ! Thank you all sooo very much!

I luv Writing67: I'm sorry if Kai is a bit Mary Sue. I have tried not to make her that way, but she was kind of just a filler for this story. I felt bad because in my story Kikyo was still going to pass away like in the actual show and I worried that Inuyasha would be lonely. Because Kai had already in my mind been planned as his sister, I needed to place her in the pair her with Miroku so Inuyasha could have Sango. You have begged me to update, and so here it is. I truly hope you enjoy this chapter, I'm sure you will. As for Sesshomaru being OOC, I understand that. Yes, he is, but honestly, he had to change in some way to help him and Kagome bond together. Kagome isn't one for being around cold cruel people, being so pure and loving. So, I had to tweak him a bit to make it so they would work together, at least that is how I see it in my mind. Sorry for the long reply, I hope you enjoy.

(YES, some of the chapters will be a bit close to what happened in the anime if not the same thing. But, I assure you that I'm going to do my best to make it different at the same time. But, I like where the anime went with things at some of the points so I'm trying to incorporate them, but I believe from here on out it will be different, besides going to the gateway between the underworld (since the jewel shard is there.) Do forgive me if you do not like that I have chosen this route. But, I decided to give you a quick warning before I get complaints about it.)

Unimaginable

Chapter 14: The Darkness That Looms Within

Kagome groaned when Sesshomaru shifted under her. It was his usual way of waking her up and she didn't feel like coming back to the land of the living. He rubbed his hand against her hip, urging her to wake up. She turned and buried her face into the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. She was not ready to greet the day, but Sesshomaru was insisting. Her eyes cracked open and she let her head fall backwards to look into the golden eyes of the man holding her.

"Is it really time to get up," her voice rough with sleep.

"The others are all awake," he told her.

Kagome turned in his lap. Everyone was awake and trying desperately, and failing, not to stare at her tucked in Sesshomaru's fur. Sighing, she sat up and stood only when his tail had moved from around her. Fixing her kimono and trying to make her hair lay flat she went to her bag. Digging around she found a clean kimono and a hair tie. She ignored the pointed stares and pulled her hair in a high pony tail before hiding behind the screen to change her clothes.

"Hey, Kagome," Sango called to her, "I noticed you have been wearing kimonos, why is that?"

"Well it's more appropriate to wear a kimono in this time," Kagome shrugged walking around the screen in a beautiful grey kimono with blue obi, "and Sesshomaru offered them to me."

The disbelieving glances at the Taiyoukai made her roll her eyes. They would never believe her about Sesshomaru. In their eyes he would always be that hard killer they had met all those years ago. But to her, he was Sesshomaru. The man who was kind and caring, yet still held himself high. He was hard and rough to everyone but her, Rin and Shippo. It made her feel special knowing he treated only her in this fashion.

"So," she said flopping down next to Sango and Kai, "anything good happen while we were apart?"

"Besides a lot of fighting and jewel finding you mean," Sango giggled.

"We didn't do much else," Kai shrugged, "these humans can sure take a beating."

"Inuyasha was kind of pushing," Miroku shrugged.

"Hey," he hissed.

"It's true! You pushed us like crazy," Sango told him.

"Keh," he folded his arms and turned his head away.

Kagome laughed nothing had changed in the group besides the relationships, it was a nice thought.

"I miss Shippo and Rin, I wonder how they are doing," she said more to herself.

"Where are they any ways," Kai asked.

"They are at the Palace, it was much to dangerous for them," she sighed, "Sesshomaru, you think maybe we could check on them or let them come back?"

"It is in their best interest to stay at the palace," he answered her calmly, "but if you prefer I can go check on them."

"Could you? I know Shioshi is great with them and everything and Rin really loves Jaken, but I just worry."

"I will depart then, it will take me a few days, but I will return."

"Be careful, please," Kagome hugged him before he left.

"Notice how awkward he makes things," Miroku inquired.

"What do you mean," she asked sitting back down.

"His presences just makes everything so tense," Sango agreed.

Kagome looked thoughtful for a moment, "I've never felt tense around him. Not after I realized he would never purposely hurt me any way. I feel comforted by his presence, his aura is calming."

"I have never heard of a priestess becoming calm around a youkai aura," Miroku stated.

Kai shrugged, "it's not common but I've heard of it."

Kagome blushed under their thoughtful gazes. They knew about her feelings for Sesshomaru and weren't willing to say it because they knew it would embarrass her. She hadn't even truly said it out loud. She had talked to Kai about it but she had never truly said it. It was uncomfortable, having them watch her as if there was something in the air they wanted to say but didn't know how. Shifting uncomfortably, she blushed.

"Can we please talk about something other then Sesshomaru," she stammered, "Kai, Miroku, are you planning to have children?"

"What," Kai blinked, "well we really haven't talked about it. With Naraku around and everything, it isn't a good time to be having children."

"I was just curious because your child would be a hanyou. Would they be accepted by Taiyoukai as an hire?"

"They would be accepted yes, but they would also be challenged a lot for the lands. The child's life would be harder than any normal Taiyoukai."

"Would you want to have children," Miroku asked.

"I would, yes," Kai told him, "I'm not against hanyous like most youkai. My palace is full of human and youkai mates with hanyou children."

"Really," Inuyasha asked.

"Of course."

They spent a few more hours talking about everything that might happen after Naraku was killed before they headed out. Kagome shifted her backpack uncomfortably. It felt weird walking on her own for once instead of being carried by Sesshomaru.. Surprisingly he had readily left back home, she wondered if he was worried about the state of his lands. He hadn't been there in a while so maybe he was looking for a reason or excuse to go home and she gave him one.

A place she hadn't been in a long while was the future. Had it been long enough for Sesshomaru to agree to her going home? Maybe, he would go with her again. She didn't like being without him any more. She didn't know how well she would be able to sleep that night, it would be the first night in over five weeks that she would not be in his arms. She was so deep in thought that she almost ran straight into Inuyasha. Ahead of them a village had been destroyed by youkai that had escaped from Mt. Hakurei.

"This is horrible," Sango gasped.

"I thought it was a good thing that we forced Naraku out of hiding, but," Inuyasha stared wide eyed ahead of them.

"Inuyasha," Kagome reached out and touched his arm, "Kai warned us it would get worse."

"But, who knew it would get this worse," Kai sighed.

They set out then to put the dead to rest. Kagome found her priestess powers worked well to help her dig the graves. It was easier then anything she had done recently. Time seemed to pass so quickly, yet so slowly. It was heartbreaking to see so many people murdered. Inuyasha worked quietly, Kagome knew it was because he was still devastated that Kikyo died. He still didn't want to believe it, but he stayed by Sango's side. She was glad they had fallen so deeply in love.

An old man approached them, "it looks like there was a huge tragedy here. Please, let me help."

Later that evening when all the bodies had been buried, they sat around a hut talking with the man. He told them that he had been travelling and came upon a village after the collapse of Mt. Hakurei. A priestess had told him of Naraku, and being badly injured she had left to find him. The only thought racing through the minds of the group was Kikyo.

"Go Inuyasha," Sango told him, "there is no time to waste."

"Forgive me, Sango," he said as he turn and ran.

"Sango," Miroku put a hand on her shoulder, "are you sure you want to let him go?"

"There is no other choice," she told him, "I know Inuyasha loves me, but he needs to see for himself if Kikyo is alive or dead."

"Oh, Sango," Kagome sighed, knowing just how the woman must be feeling.

That night Kagome and Sango laid down next to each other. Sango really missed Inuyasha. Kagome remembered all the times that the hanyou had left her in search of Kikyo. Hours passed and she couldn't fall asleep. She had grown used to the heady scent of forest and sandalwood, the soft silk and fur, and Sesshomaru warm hard body against hers. She rolled over in a huff. She had become to dependant on Sesshomaru to sleep. Would he laugh at her if he found out just how hard it was to be without him?

-x-

Kagome yawned wide as they walked down the path. Sango next to her looked a little upset. Miroku and Kai seemed to be completely oblivious to the two companions. They had decided to move forward in the travels while Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were gone. Though, she was sure Sesshomaru would get angry at Inuyasha for leaving.

"Did you sleep okay," Sango turned to her.

"Not really," Kagome shrugged, "I couldn't seem to sleep much at all."

"I was hoping Inuyasha would be back by now it's been three days."

"He will find us. His nose will lead him straight to you."

"I hope so," Sango tried to smile at her.

It was so heartbreaking to know that Sango was feeling the same of what she felt for almost two years. The only thing that kept her from truly feeling bad was knowing Inuyasha actually picked Sango over Kikyo. He just really needed to know how Kikyo was and Sango had allowed him to go. Her friend was lucky, to know for a fact that he loved her back. Sesshomaru came to mind again but she shoved all thoughts of him away. It would drive her mad to keep thinking about all the what ifs of Sesshomaru and her.

"Hey you there," a group of men came toward them, the man that spoke rode on a horse.

"You mean us," Kai asked.

"You look suspicious. With all the strange things happening around here we have been order to bring all suspicious travellers back to the castle."

"Do you think we should go," Sango asked.

"I could easily knock them all out in a second," Kai told them.

"They are just ordinary humans," Miroku pointed out, "we should humour them."

"What are you whispering about," the man yelled, "tie them up!"

They stood still letting the men tie them and bring heard them to the castle. A man was begging for his life on his knees. Kagome peeked around Miroku, watching in horror. Before she could even blink guards had pushed her three friends away from her and a man grabbed her roughly around her arm.

"You will come with me , my lady commands it," he pulled her into the castle.

Kai struggled against her ties, her eyes wide when she realized she couldn't get out of them. Her nails worked hard against the rope trying to break it. Her powers hadn't returned, she was a weak as the humans around her. Inuyasha was going to get in so much trouble when he got back, letting her be the only youkai to protect the group. She was so tired and still recovering from her previous death, it shouldn't have come as such a shock that she couldn't even break these simple rope bindings.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to the two, "I'm too weak to break free."

"Kai," Miroku turned to her, "are you still weak from the other day?"

"I think so," she told him.

"Don't worry, we can handle this," Sango told her.

"I hope so."

-x-

The nervousness that ran through her was by far the worst she had ever felt. Being completely alone, separated from everyone and knowing that Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were to far away to help, was the most unsettling feeling ever. She was thrown down to her knees. There was a woman holding a child sitting in front of her. The strange glow around her body made Kagome uneasy. Looking to her side she saw the old man from the other day.

"Now that Kikyo is dead, it seems you are the only one that can see the jewel shards," the woman told her.

"What," Kagome gasped as the man fell over and his body began to bubble.

Kagura moved forward a frown on her face, "Kami, Naraku making me look after the infant."

"Your friends will not come," she could tell it wasn't the woman talking, but the child in her arms, "Inuyasha is completely obsessed with finding Kikyo and your friends will be killed by the castle guards."

Kagome gaped, the child must be one of Naraku's reincarnations. A shiver coursed down her spine, she was here alone with some of Naraku's henchmen. Her eyes looked down glaring at the ropes that bounded her. She didn't have anything to cut them with.

"Just what do you intend to do with me," Kagome asked more confidently then she felt.

"I told you. You are the only one that can see the jewel shards, I'm in need of your eyes."

The woman stood and began to slowly walk to her. Kagome's heart raced, the child wanted her eyes. How would he use them? Would he somehow remove them from her body and use them that way? Or would he find a way to control her? She felt like she was drowning in the fear that coated her like glue. How was she going to get out of this one?

As the woman sat the child spoke, "Kagura, I want you to untie her ropes now."

"Are you sure," she asked before flicking her fan, a blade slicing through the ropes.

Kagome froze before moving her arms to her sides. Her muscles screamed at having been cramped for so long behind her. She was still in danger, so she couldn't relax yet. To her horror the woman was holding the child out to her and his small hands made as if to grab her. She attempted to move backwards, but strong female hands on her shoulders told her Kagura wasn't going to let her go. The child loomed ever closer and she pulled back.

"No," she cried out in her fear.

"What's the matter," the child asked mockingly, "afraid I will take your eyes and possibly eat you?"

Unable to answer, Kagura pushed her forward and forcing the purple eyes and haired child to cling to her chest. Her hands held the child on his sides. Even if he was evil, she couldn't allow him to just fall to the floor. A cold chill washed over her, and her mouth opened in a gasp. It felt like he was groping around her heart, searching the far and dark corners of it for something she couldn't even see.

Sesshomaru, Kagome thought, he wasn't going to come. He was busy with his lands. He had more pressing matters to attend to then to come rescue her. Inuyasha was to busy worried about Kikyo and he wasn't going to come either. Neither the man she loved or the man that was her best friend had the time of day for her. She was going to be stuck here, all alone. Alone because neither of them knew how she felt.

"I got it," the infant cried in triumph, "I have grasped the darkness in your heart Kagome, you are mine. Now hold me tightly, let our souls unite and become my eyes."

Her hands began to wrap around the child, holding him close to her heart, Sesshomaru.

-x-

The sound of Kohaku's name snapped her out of the darkness that had kept the world around her at a hush. She was somewhere else. They weren't in the castle any more and Kagura stood in front of her, a tainted jewel shard in her hand. The youkai was going to put the shard into her. They were going to try and control her. Kagome was desperate she needed to figure out a way to get free. She had to get free by herself and she needed to know how.

"Hold on Kagura, she is a stubborn one. It seems she has regain consciousness."

"What," the wind pulled back a little.

Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, save me.

"You must see that it's hopeless by now. They have chosen others over you. They will not come for you."

She tried to pull away, to let go of the infant that was held so tightly to her. It was useless, she couldn't move and the words he was saying stung, ripping at her heart.

"Remember all the times that Inuyasha left you behind for Kikyo. All the times your heart hurt because he chased after her and left you all alone. He has chosen to save Kikyo over you, after all you are only his friend and his first love will always come before you. And Sesshomaru, he is a Taiyoukai, there is no way he would ever return your feelings. He could never see you in the way you see him. He hates humans, and that is what you are. Aren't you bitter toward Inuyasha for leaving you for Kikyo? Don't you hate Kikyo for taking Inuyasha away from you all the time? Doesn't your heart despise Sesshomaru for his intense hate of humans that will never let him be yours?

It's okay to hate them. It's not wrong to hate them for what they have done to you. Fill your heart with bitterness once more."

Her eyes slid close and Kagura moved forward confidently. The shard almost pressed into her skin when her body pulsed, the shining light from the jewel was bright even behind her closed eye lids.

I feel bitter toward Inuyasha? I hate Kikyo? I despise Sesshomaru? I know I have every right too, but...

Kagura pulled the shard back when the light repelled it. It would seem even the child had things he couldn't do.

"You're wrong," Kagome whispered.

The infant's eyes widened, she had spoken, that was impossible.

"What your saying isn't true. The feelings I feel towards Inuyasha, Kikyo and Sesshomaru, any normal human would feel. I use to feel jealous when Inuyasha left me for Kikyo, but I understand that he can't forget her. He loves her and I'm just his friend. And I used to wish that Kikyo would just disappear, but I always felt so guilty afterwards. Inuyasha is my friend and I want him to be happy even if the means chasing down Kikyo. And Sesshomaru, I knew from the start how he was. I knew he could never return my feelings. Even if my heart hurts because of it, I know that I chose to love him, knowing he would never love me back.

And as long as I get to spend time with him, here and now, I'm happy. Because all of us are okay, we are all friends, and I love them all with all my heart."

Behind them the door to the temple split open to reveal Sesshomaru, standing there in all his glory. He landed gracefully on the wooden floors, his eyes never leaving the black haired woman. Sesshomaru, you came for me, Kagome thought as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. He moved quickly, catching her before she could even get close to the ground. His golden orbs glared up at the three youkai.

"I suppose you are Naraku's incarnation," he sneered at the purple child.

"And you must be Sesshomaru," his voice was unconcerned.

His eyes narrowed, the child showed no fear of him. Setting Kagome down on the ground he stood to grab his sword from his hip. He would teach the child a lesson in fear. Blue lightning surrounded them and he was sure that they would perish. As the light dulled a purple barrier surrounded the three and an odd light flowed from the front of it. His eyes widened for a moment before he picked up Kagome and flew from the building.

"KAGOME," Inuyasha's brash voice screamed when the house crumbled under the blue lightning.

"She is here," Sesshomaru told him, landing off to their left.

"It would seem that Sesshomaru got here in time," the infant chuckled, "but you Inuyasha failed to."

"Why you," the hanyou snarled, "what did you do to Kagome?"

"I merely searched through her soul to find the darkness there. One second later and I would have broken it."

"How could you," Kai growled, "she would never let that happen!"

"But, the darkness in her heart was from Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. Them not being there for her gave me the perfect opportunity. She was alone and scared. Believing that both of them had chosen something else over saving her. The two she cared so deeply for had forsaken her for their lands and their first love. Leaving her alone to die."

"That is not true! We would never leave Kagome," Inuyasha screamed.

"Maybe, you wouldn't. But, Kagome was sure you would. After all, her heart can only be broken so many times before she loses faith. Inuyasha you cracked her heart. She cared so deeply for you and you always chose Kikyo. She finished the break when she chose to stay with Sesshomaru. As long as the two of you can't express your feelings for her, the darkness will remain in her heart."

Inuyasha attempted to go after him, but they were gone. He cried out and punched the nearest tree. His knuckles turning red with the force. How could he and Sesshomaru have really broken Kagome's heart? The woman who was always happy and smiling? Had they really broken her? He had let her down big time. His shoulders slumped and his forehead hit the tree in defeat. Would she ever forgive him, would Sesshomaru?

He could feel his brother behind him, his anger curling through his aura so harshly it made the hairs on the neck of everyone there stand on end. He didn't want to face him, but he had no choice. This was his fault and he wouldn't be able to get away from it. Inuyasha resigned himself to his fate and turned to face down the angry Taiyoukai.

"Tell me, Inuyasha," his voice was cold and cruel, "where were you? Why was Kagome not in your care?"

"I..." he paused unsure how to answer.

"Why was Kagome not in your care?"

Inuyasha stumbled, trying to find the words to explain to his angry brother why he had left Kagome alone.

"I had to go find Kikyo, I was told she was alive, I thought Kagome would be safe in Kai's care!"

"Kai is weakened from her ordeal, she could not have protected Kagome."

"I didn't know she would be attacked while I was away," the hanyou tried again.

"And you allowed her to travel with just humans to protect her," Sesshomaru's snarl tore from his throat.

His chest vibrated with the sound and Kagome groggily opened her eyes. Something was wrong, his scent was different. No longer did it smell of forest and sandalwood, but of sandalwood and lightning. She could see the white of his eyes turning red, his pupil becoming purple and the strips on his cheeks becoming ragged. He was angry, but angry at who. Suddenly the memories of what just happened snapped to the fore front of her mind and she could vaguely hear Inuyasha voice. Sesshomaru was angry with Inuyasha and they were about to get into a huge fight.

Her hand reached up and gently laid on the side of his face and she called to him, "Sesshomaru."

His eyes snapped down to her, the red slowly fading away, "Kagome."

"Please don't be mad at Inuyasha," she begged, "please don't fight with him."

"He left you alone."

"And I'm okay. You came back for me," a smile spread her lips, showing him her human teeth.

"Did you doubt me," the words of the infant ringing through his mind.

"I," she paused her hand and smile falling, "I was scared that you wouldn't return."

"Why," it was such a simple question but the way he said it made her heart break.

"Sesshomaru," she gasped tears filling her eyes, "please. I'm sorry. He got to me. That child, he got into my soul."

"He only showed you what was already there, so tell me why?"

"Because," she pulled away stumbling to regain her balance, "because there is always fear there. You are a Taiyoukai and I'm just a pathetic human! Because you mean so much to me that it would hurt me for you never to return."

Kagome covered her face, continuing to stumble backwards and into the arms of Inuyasha who wore a look of concern on his face. She hadn't wanted to say that. She never wanted to tell him that she thought of herself as just a pathetic human who had fallen in love with a Taiyoukai, that would never return her feelings. Her heart pounded harshly against her ribs, she had already came to terms with never telling him her feelings and here he was pulling them from her, breaking her will.

His face had returned to normal and he was watching her with eyes shrouded in emotions she couldn't place. Inuyasha's arm around her waist grounded her, making her feel better. He was there for her. He had came back for her even when Kikyo was possibly out there. Her best friend really did care for her and her heart felt once again lighter because of him.

"You are not a pathetic human," his voice was deadly calm.

"In times like this," she waved her hand in front of her, "when I'm stuck, caught by the enemy and too weak to get myself out of it, that is how I feel. A burden on you and my friends, forcing you to have to come to my rescue. You always have to go out of your way for me. I'm pathetic and a burden on everyone around me. All I ever do is hold you guys down and even after my training, I worry to much to even use my powers. How do I use them when I'm always surrounded by youkai I don't want to hurt!

I love all of you so much that it would kill me inside if I accidentally hurt you. That's why when Naraku tried to capture Koga, I couldn't use my strength to save him, afraid I would hurt him. This time, I couldn't use it because I could never harm a child even if he is one of Naraku's incarnation. I'm useless! All I ever do is cause trouble and pain for everyone around me! So of course I fear that one of these days you all are going to get tired of me and just leave."

"Kagome," Kai moved forward, setting a hand on her shoulder, "you are not a burden. You protected us often and in the case of Naraku, you saved Koga remember? You got Naraku to let him go, remember telling me that? You save him regardless of how. You keep the group happy and together. You helped Sesshomaru and Inuyasha settle their differences just a bit and now they no longer fight when they are around each other. You have helped so much and yet you write it off as if you didn't do anything."

"But.."

"I know how you feel. Today I couldn't even break the ropes that held me. I couldn't help you. I was useless in that fight too. It was like my body didn't want to do what I told it to."

Kagome flung her arms around her friend's neck holding the woman to her, "I was so scared. He got a hold of me and there was nothing I could do. I couldn't get away and he kept showing me all these thoughts about Sesshomaru and Inuyasha never returning for me."

"They would never leave you," Sango told her, "none of us would."

"We care just as much for you as you do us, Kagome," Miroku offered.

Her tears came easily as she was passed to each of her friends, being locked in their warm and comforting arms. She needed this, to feel loved and cared for after all the horrible dark thoughts that had filled her heart and mind. Her fear was still there, hanging on to her as if it was a parasite. Finally after hugging Inuyasha, she turned back to Sesshomaru who was regarding her with his hooded eyes. Her footsteps were soft on the ground, she stopped just close enough for their clothes to touch. He remained still as her arms reached up and wrapped around his neck.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her snug against him, burring his face into her neck, breathing in her scent. Her fear stung his nose, leaving a painful pull in his chest. She was afraid that he would leave her. Afraid that he would never come back because she thought herself weak when in fact she was the strongest human he had ever laid eyes on and in the ways of emotions, she was far stronger then he.

"We should give them some time alone," Sango pulled Inuyasha, "I think it really hurt him to think Kagome would doubt him."

"Kagome hurt Sesshomaru," Inuyasha gasped, following along as his love pulled him.

"Kagome doesn't know just how much Sesshomaru cares for her," Kai told him.

"He is blind to her love," Miroku stated, "so blind is he, he can not see that their feelings are mutual."

Kagome didn't want to let go. Here he was with her. Wrapped up in her arms as if they were lovers. It was a fantasy she knew. A stupid school girl fantasy that this man could actually love her back. He pulled away to stare at her caerulean eyes. He wanted to see her emotions. He wanted to know what she was thinking, but he couldn't make out any of them. None of them were strong enough to smell and he didn't know enough about emotions to be able to make them out.

"I will never leave you, Kagome," his voice was stiff, almost as if he was commanding her to believe him.

"You promise," she asked the fear beginning to subside.

"I promise you on my honour, I will never leave you," his face moved closer, their breaths mingled together.

"Sesshomaru," it fell off her lips in a whisper.

Her eyes strayed to his lips. They looked so soft and she knew how they felt against her forehead, leaving her wondering just how good they would feel on her lips. Her mind raced, she didn't know if she should kiss him. Who knows when she would get a chance like this again. Kagome's eyes fluttered shut and courage began to grow. She could do this. Even if it only happened once, she wanted the memory of his lips on hers. She knew she had to kiss him before the negative thoughts consumed her mind, telling her he would never kiss her back.

Just as she was about to move forward, her eyes shot open at the feel of his velvety soft lips on hers. His eyes were closed, and his lips moved gently against hers. He was kissing her. He had kissed her first. Happiness bloomed in her heart. Sesshomaru noticed she had closed her eyes and taking it as a sign that she wanted him to kiss her, he went for it but her lips remained unresponsive under his gentle caress. Maybe, he had read her wrong, it was possible that she was just closing her eyes.

He moved to pull back and it shocked Kagome into action. Her eyes slipped shut and she fisted her hands in his silky hair, holding his head to hers. It felt amazing. Her lips tingled, and her mind fogged over. The pleasure that came from the simple act re-vibrated though her body. His hands on her hips left the feel of electricity against her skin. His hand moved trailing it up her back to gently slide into her hair and cradle the back of her head.

Sesshomaru's tongue darted from his mouth and traced her lips. She gasped at the feel and he wasted no time before exploring her mouth. His tongue tasted sweeter then his skin had all those nights ago, like his mouth was coated in honey. He groaned, Kagome tasted pure, like rain. The hand on her hip wrapped behind her back and crushed her body against him. She barely noticed the feel of metal cutting into her ribs where his armer was.

Her head became dizzy with lack of oxygen and the two parted. Their foreheads rested against each others as they panted trying to get their breath back. Kagome's foggy mind tried to figure out just what that kiss meant. Did he liked her back? She couldn't think of any other reason that he would kiss her like that.

Sesshomaru tried to force his thoughts to the surface. His mind so addled and absorbed in the sensation of her body against his. He had kissed her. The taste of her mouth still lingered on his tongue. She had readily returned his kiss, putting just as much feeling into it as he had. Her mouth opened as if she was going to say something but before she could Inuyasha interrupted them.

"Are you guys going to be much longer? Sango, Miroku, and Kai said we need to talk about what our next plan of action is going to be."

Kagome smiled at him and followed him back to the group, it was as if the kiss hadn't even happened. But, the sweetness in her mouth reminded her it had. He walked behind her, closer then usual. The heat of his body seeped into her, warming her to the very core. He was back and the loneliness that had settled into her heart while he was gone seemed like a dim memory. Sesshomaru glanced down when Kagome's hand slipped into his and she smiled up at him. He returned it with a soft smile of his own.

"Well, maybe we should stay in two groups," Kai stated, "we would cover more ground that way."

"That is true, but what will we do if we figure it out and they haven't," Sango asked as Inuyasha, Kagome and Sesshomaru sat down among them.

"We could always just send Kirara to go tell them," Miroku stated.

"Well, what if they find out first, " Sango asked.

"Um," Kagome started nervously, feeling Sesshomaru's hand squeeze reassuringly against hers.

"What is it Kagome," Inuyasha turned to her.

"I was kind of hoping to go home," she blushed, "You know it's been close to two months since I've gone."

"Sesshomaru could still help," Miroku told her.

Her blush grew and her fingers nervously fiddled with Sesshomaru's, "I was hoping he would come with me."

"Can he even pass through the well," Inuyasha looked curious.

"I have gone once," he informed him.

"You have already been to the future?"

"Indeed and I will accompany Kagome on her trip again."

"We can still figure it out without help from you guys," Kai pointed out, "it isn't like you guys had two groups search for the shards in the first place."

"That's right," Sango nodded, "it would be nice for Kagome to get some rest. The last few days have been pretty hard."

"Is it really okay," Kagome asked, her blue eyes looking to Inuyasha for reassurance.

"Yeah, you earned it," he nodded at her.

"Thank you all, so much."

That night was filled with talk of Naraku and what he might be planning to do. With everyone around Kagome had been unable to talk to Sesshomaru about their intimate moment that had been ruined by Inuyasha's appearance, but strangely she wasn't upset with the hanyou. She was too happy that everyone was together and okay to be mad.

The smell of forest and sandalwood put her as ease. Laying in his arms, cuddling to his warm hard chest, felt like heaven. She had missed this so much the past three days. She had lost so much sleep because her body refused to let her mind shut down for the night. Always so scared, always so afraid, but here he was.

When everyone was asleep, she decided it was worth the risk. She nuzzled his neck with her nose at the pulse point, before sleepily placing an open mouth kiss in the same spot. She felt his growl against her lips. Lazily she closed her eyes, letting the sleep that had been avoiding her cover her in it's dark blanket.

If he had any doubt in his mind about his love for this woman, it had long since fled. Sesshomaru watched her slowly fall asleep in his arms. A frown appeared on his face as he remembered her words from that afternoon. Pathetic human shot through his mind like a bullet. Those words, the way she had phrased them, didn't sound like what she would say.

She had never thought of life as humans and youkai. She treated both creatures as if they were the very same thing, only one was stronger then the other. Where had that phrase come from? His eyes widened, Jaken. Jaken had once called her a pathetic human. He had once yelled at Kagome telling her that Sesshomaru would kill her because of her existence as a human.

Kagome was afraid that all he would ever consider her as was a human. Just a lowly human like he had considered all the others before her. She wanted him to care for her as she did him, but her fears had held her back from telling him. From letting him know that she feared nothing more then him rejecting her because of the creature she had been born as.

He, however, didn't know of a way to tell her that he didn't see her humanity when he looked at her. When he looked at her, he saw Kagome, a wonderful person full of love and kindness. He saw her, not her heritage. She was simply Kagome, the woman that had won his heart without truly trying. She had been herself around him at every turn and that had ultimately caused his heart to crave her.

She was different. She kept him on his toes, she never did the same thing twice and she wanted nothing more then to be accepted. Her place was here, right by his side. In his mind, she was his, even if he hadn't yet claimed her. But, he had witnessed Koga's claim and had watched her reject him. Would she do that to him if he asked her to be his mate? Was she even in love with him, as he was her?

His eyes drifted shut, his mind being coated in the calming sensation of sleep. He would talk to her while they were in the future. He needed to know what she felt for him, so he could choose what to do. For now, he would simply enjoy the feel of her body pressed against his while they slept in peaceful slumber.

A/N: So there you go guys! They FINALLY kissed! I hope that makes you happy! I wasn't actually planning on it but it just fit sooo well! I hope you enjoyed it!