Chapter 14

"I can feel the inner struggle of your energies," Sesshomaru stated blandly, finger tapping every so lightly on the darkly stained mahogany desk in front of him. He gave off the air of complete disinterest, yet they both knew that to be untrue. He couldn't hide so easily from her. "It's quite distracting, the push and pull of dark and light that appears to surround you. Have I not taught you how to suppress projecting your aura?"

She frowned in response, but the air seemed to clear as the battle that seemed to rage around her being dissipated. She had lost herself in more ways than one since he last left her. It was probably his own fault, he knew she shouldn't have been left to her own devices, she was still too young and naïve in the dealings with herself.

"You do know not of my past, do you?" She asked, her eyes locking onto his own cool and golden ones. "Before you found me on the streets?"

"I have done my research." His eyes never left her own intense gaze, meeting the challenge that the woman in front of him seemed so determined to issue. He knew more then he cared to, more of her pain then he ever wanted to know. For it only angered and saddened the old demon. But, he was above that, those foolish emotions. All that mattered was that she was here now, the person that she was, with him.

"Then you know, don't you? You know why I am what I am, Sesshomaru. That I can be nothing else but the twisted, confused being that I am," she sighed and paused. "I don't know why you bother," was mumbled but clearly he was aware of her words. As her eyes broke the gaze and looked downward, it was like looking at a saddened, guilty child. It was a glimpse of what she had been when he first found her. Broken pieces that managed to stay together as if by glue, fragile enough to break once more at the slightest touch.

He reached out, his hand gently tilting her chin up to look at his stern expression. "How dare you say that," his eyes softened, expressing more feelings then she had ever seen from the stoic demon. "You insult not only me but yourself. And I will not tolerate that attitude from my fiancé. I picked you for a reason, Kagome, and that reason is because you are worthy. Only you." He watched her own emotions swirling in the depths of her dazzling blue eyes which sparkled with the water of tears yet to fall. "Why does this matter so much to you? This revenge will solve nothing."

"Because," she whispered. "It's all I have left. I cannot be at peace knowing those monstrosities live, that their line continues on, breeding more monsters. That what happened to me undoubtedly happens to other innocent young women. I can't," she shook her head, tears falling gently now.

"Kagome, Kagome," he cooed to the crying angel in front of him. She was no demon, no. She looked as if she were a fallen angel. Tainted but perfect as she mourned. A beautiful creature that he now held in his arms as she silently suffered. She was never meant to be the creatures that they were, the dark, devilish fiends that surrounded her. It had been but a kink in her fate to end up a creature of the darkness when she was so obviously meant for the light.

"I can't stop crying now," she said, still nestled into the strong embrace of Sesshomaru. "It's all I feel like I have been doing recently," the sardonic laugh that followed was self-pitying.

"It is alright, Kagome," his left hand ran through her hair in a soothing motion. "I am here to bear this weight with you. I am not going anywhere anytime soon."

She smiled into his chest, a real one. She had never realized how important Sesshomaru had been in her life until she was without him. He was like a steady weight keeping her grounded and bringing her back to reality. He was her tether to the Earth, lest she float away into the sky. He was her stability in times like this, always so calm and accepting. Nothing like Sebastian and Claude who only seemed to stir up her distress and confusion. Even Ralph would never be the stable overpowering force that Sesshomaru always was. He didn't even have to try, he just simply was.

For a while they just stayed like that, both contented by the presence of the other. And Sesshomaru noted her energy no longer seemed to fight with itself, but rather it was a peaceful balance. Like yin and yang, coexisting as it always had, as it had been meant to.

"So," he broke the silence with his deep, rich voice. "Who is this other demon foolish to pursue what belongs to this Sesshomaru?" Sometimes he still slipped into his old habits, referring to himself in the third person. It only caused to make her laugh a little before she finally ended the embrace, pulling away reluctantly from his warmth.

"He is a butler," she started, noticing his look of disdain before continuing, "Claude Faustus and he is currently in a contract with Alois Trancy."

"Hn," Sesshomaru smirked. "You certainly do seem to have a talent for attracting butlers." If he had been anyone but himself he might have laughed at the little joke. But he was himself and so he did not as much as it humored him to say so. "And Michaelis, he is a problem as well, correct?"

Kagome nodded, but she wasn't really sure. She didn't like Sebastian, or she didn't think she did. Not like she liked Sesshomaru. But, was he really such a problem? He was just playing his usual games. And, she doubted he would actually allow any real trouble to come to her, even with the current case his contract Ciel was working on. No, he wanted her too much to allow anyone else to have her, even his contract. He would never allow the Queen to find her.

"Well then, you are not to be left alone with either one for any reason. I or another is to be with you at all times," Sesshomaru started, ignoring her look of irritation. "There is no reason for you to have another encounter with either one, and now that I am present I will remind them they best not step on someone else's property."

Kagome sighed. She forgot just how overprotective he could get. And she knew he didn't mean to sound like she was his possession. But, in all rights she was. He was her rightful master, her teacher and more recently, her lover. And, it was just the way he was used to speaking.

"I hardly think that necessary, Sesshomaru. You're presence here is enough to deter most. Besides, it would be odd if I suddenly needed a companion to do what I have always done. And in any case, neither truly wishes me harm. They are both stuck in their little games, I will be perfectly safe. Just having you here is enough to ease the situation." She was about to continue, but there was a hesitant knock on the door.

Both occupants glanced at each other, one conveying that his word was final and this conversation was over, the other saying this was certainly not over. But, it was he who spoke finally.

"Enter."

An awkward and unsure looking Souta peeked around the door to look demurely at the two occupants. He felt like he was invading a very intense and personal conversation and he wasn't too comfortable with their new guest. "D-dinner is ready," he stuttered a bit. The guest, Sesshomaru, was a very daunting presence. Nothing like Lady Adriana.

"Alright," Kagome smiled. "We'll be out in a moment. Why don't you start?" She tried to ease his apparent nervousness, but it didn't seem to do the trick. After all, Sesshomaru was quite intimidating.

He nodded before disappearing off to dinner, quickly closing to door behind him. Kagome sent a look to the calm demon besides her.

"Please try not to frighten the whole household," she commented but he only smirked back.

"It is my house, little Kagome. The other servants know that," he said, standing to place a gentle kiss on her head before heading towards the door. "Are you coming?" He asked, eyebrow raised in an elegant arch.

She huffed, but nevertheless followed him out the door. He was such a dog!

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Dinner was more than awkward to say. The easygoing family like atmosphere that Kagome had fostered with Ralph and Souta disappeared with Sesshomaru's presence. He was like the stern father, returning to a household which seemed to fear him. Ralph and Souta were almost silent, the latter trying so endearingly to be on his best table manners while Kagome tried to smile in encouragement to the young boy.

Sesshomaru sat at the head of the table, eating his meal elegantly while curiously taking in everything about the two humans his dear Kagome had decided to take in. They were…an odd choice, if he did say so himself.

Meanwhile, Kagome now sat to his right with Souta to her left and Ralph across from her. The perfect little family like structure. Except there was nothing family like about the atmosphere.

This was going to be difficult. Ralph and Souta clearly would need to adjust to Sesshomaru, and it wouldn't be easy.