AN: Hey guys! Sorry this is so late, I'm kind of on vacation atm in Washington state! :3 it's nice up here and really great! Well here's the long awaiting chapter! I hope you enjoy the story and just so you know I'm already working on the next chapter!

Chapter 20: A Hybrid I May Be

Kagome looked off to the distance in a daze, for the past few weeks after the incident with her black door and her inner demon that was manifested from the soul bond that she and Sesshomaru share. Everything had ran through her mind over and over like an old mantra that was stuck on repeat with the button broken so it would be nearly impossible to stop it.

She wondered if Sesshomaru meant what he said to her that day she went to him for answers. She knew that the dog demon lord wouldn't lie to her, especially since he had nothing to gain from it and it would go against his honor. Though she couldn't help not to believe his words, she didn't used to be this way before coming to the past but after a few years of being compared to someone else, a few years of mental and emotional abuse from Inuyasha that had changed into how she is now.

In her original time she knew a lot about mental disabilities, abuses of all kinds and a little on how to help it without medication. Just thinking about her era made her go a bit deeper into her depression; most days she would keep busy and not think about it but not today because Sesshomaru's busy with his advisers and the other lords that are visiting while Shigatsu took today and tomorrow to visit her clan. The children have been subdued lately which worried her but allowed them to stay within the family wing while the visitors were within the castle.

Feeling an unknown aura coming upon her silent pondering area made Kagome stiffen with uncertainty, she didn't want to embarrass Sesshomaru because she did something disrespectful. She stayed with her back to whoever it was until they desired her attention.

"Well now, it seems the rumors were true that the Dog Demon Lord acquired a human pet." A male voice said from behind her.

Kagome narrowed her eyes in ire with a frown to accompany it, placing an expressionless mask to rival Sesshomaru's upon her face while discretely forcing not only her powers and emotions but her scent too into dormancy. Turning around to face the demon who decided to be rude, his appearance was like all other demons who successfully obtained their humanoid form. The unearthly beauty though was ruined by his personality which was shining through his eyes and facial features.

From what Kagome could tell this demon was a soldier from the North and appeared to be a high ranking official dragon demon at that. His skin has a scaly bronze tint, hair beige and his eyes were a dark brown it almost appeared black.

"Rumors are the root of some misunderstandings, such as the rumor of my being Lord Sesshomaru's pet and I assure you that I'm no one's pet." Kagome said in a soft but firm tone.

"Really, if you're not his pet than what are you if not his pet?" the still nameless dragon demon spat.

Kagome studied the dragon before her carefully; she was getting conflicted readings from him. Visually he appeared to be disgusted while she red in his aura that he was curious and indifferent, she decided to be a bit elusive. She knew better than to give too much information to those that may use it against you or those around you.

"Please pardon me if this seems rude but does it really matter what I am to Lord Sesshomaru?"

The dragon demon narrowed his eyes at her but she felt his curiosity peek higher and she felt amusement enter his aura. "For some yes, for me no but I don't like my inquiries to go unanswered nonetheless, you will answer my question human wench."

Kagome's anger was getting a little hard to control and kept under wraps so she wouldn't kill this arrogant prick. "All you need to know is that I'm his ally."

She definitely had enough of this person who plays a part completely different than who he is and keeps hidden. If this ass wanted straight answers than he should have been up front and who he really was than try to play smoke and mirrors with her. That crap might have worked with other people to get the information he seek but it wouldn't work with her. She was tired of fake people and those that pretended to be something they weren't to get what they wanted.

It appeared she had hit a nerve with that answer because he growled as she felt his aura go cold and anger replaced the curiosity and amusement quickly. "If I were you bitch, I would watch how you talk to those who are superior to you."

Finally her anger couldn't be squelched any longer. "May I ask what gives you the right to treat people, human or demon otherwise, the way you do? Because from where I'm standing you and I are equals."

The still nameless dragon demon snarled showing a full set of sharp teeth followed by a glare. "A human could and can never be equal to a demon! You bitch, will learn your place and I'll gladly teach you myself!"

Just before he lunged at her a strong authoritative voice snapped out, a voice that Kagome found vaguely familiar but couldn't place it. "Meishimaru, what is the meaning of this?"

The dragon demon now known as Meishimaru paused immediately when he heard the voice's commanding tone, he suddenly snapped into attention before he answered his superior. "Nothing of importance my lord, I was just about to teach this human female her place."

He Northern Dragon Lord raised a brow in question until he turned his attention to said human female making him pause before he burst out laughing. "Boy, she would have beaten you soundly!"

"My lord, what do you mean? How could this human beat me, a demon, soundly?" Meishimaru asked in disbelief.

"I see you can never stay out of trouble Lady Kagome." The Northern Lord said in amusement.

Sesshomaru joined them with a small smirk. "I see my taking your guards away was a miscalculation on my part, perhaps I should reassign them back to your side my lady?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed slightly, the only movement that appeared upon her face; she wasn't going to make a scene when she knew that he was just jesting but she gave him a look that said 'you wouldn't dare' while something different was voiced from her. Politics sucked hard.

"If that's what you desire my lord, and then I'll have no objections."

Sesshomaru wanted to smile, he could feel his lips twitch in wanting to complete said action but he squelched it immediately; though his aura told her the exact opposite which in turn made her brow tic in annoyance.

Meishimaru didn't like where this was going and he saw it was within his right to teach this human female her place. He didn't believe for one second this lower being could beat him, a demon of superior breeding.

"I challenge you human to a duel!" Meishimaru firmly stated, effectively silencing everyone there.

"General, I advise you to reconsider your challenge." The Northern Lord growled, he was going to say more but Sesshomaru stopped him.

"Lord Draccon, if he wants to fight her than let him, you and I both know what the outcome will be. Let's just hope he doesn't anger her too much to the point where she uses that dark power we both witnessed." Sesshomaru stated.

Being reminded of what happened to him during his duel with her made him shutter. "One can only hope because she's frightening when angered."

Sesshomaru allowed a smirk this time. "She is to whom those that knows nothing of her."

"Very well, only if Lady Kagome agrees." Lord Draccon said.

Kagome had stood there while that Lords had talked, when she heard Lord Draccon, whom she remembered now, answer she already decided to fight this prick. "My Lord?"

"As you wish Lady Kagome, do as you see fit." Was all the demon lord said.

"Tell me General Meishimaru, do you want to raise the stakes a little?" Kagome asked in amusement. "Like what would you want if you win?"

Meishimaru thought for a moment before deciding, might as well because he sure in the hell wasn't going to lose this duel. He'll play her game and make a bet; he wouldn't mind having a slave or a pet for that matter. "Fine, if I win you'll become my slave."

Kagome was starting to become extremely annoyed with this prick because she belonged to no one but herself and judging by Sesshomaru's menacing growl he didn't like her being a slave either. Yes, this ass will be getting an ass kicking of a life time and hopefully without using her special abilities; she wants to be fair unless the ass doesn't play fair first that is.

"Tellme human, what did you want were you to win?" Meishimaru asked as he unsheathed his sword.

"I'll let you know when I win; since you were the challenger by law I'm permitted to choose place, when and weapons to duel with. Though that isn't necessary since it's here, now and with swords." Kagome said tonelessly as she too unsheathed one of her twin blades.

"It's surprising a mere human wench knew as much as that, though I'm not impressed in the least." The dragon general barbed.

Mentally sighing Kagome seriously wondered if this opponent monologue was taught or if it was ingrained into the male species DNA but then again Sesshomaru wasn't like that at all. Dropping into a fighting stance silently she carefully focused on her opponent and tactically waited for him to make the first move. One of the lessons Sesshomaru taught her was to wait for the enemy to make the first move and patiently study their fighting style; strike when there was an opening and strike unexpectedly but the surprise will only work once so make it count.

As lessons ran through her mind her attention never left the dragon demon who looked as if he was becoming impatient for her to make the first strike. "What's this, is the human wench too afraid to strike first or are you unsure what to do now that you're in the duel?"

Not answering and staying in her stance, Kagome ignored his words which in turn made the demon more irritated but what she said made him lose his cool. "Are you finished hearing yourself talk because if so let's get this duel started please; I have pups to attend to if you don't mind."

"Bitch!" Meishimaru roared as he launched himself at her with his sword bearing down upon her.

It's true that demons are superior to most humans but Kagome had many factors on her side even though she despises them; yet she's also grateful for them at the moment too. One of the superior traits that demons have over humans was speed and it seemed this demon favored it from the looks of it but to her he might as well be jogging because his speed didn't come close to Sesshomaru's speed which she's used to dealing with.

His sword was nearly upon her, suddenly there was a clanging din to indicate steel hitting steel and no one, other than Sesshomaru, saw her move to block that strike. Meishimaru was surprised at how fast the human moved because he was sure he moved too fast for a normal human to actually react but it could also mean that it could just be a fluke.

He attacked again but she blocked again as well, he tested her defense even though she was in an offensive stance. He started to become frustrated as his attacks were blocked or dodged; with the feeling that this human female was testing him he growled viciously.

"Bitch, if this is all you can do than you wouldn't last long against anyone or a horde of demons!" Meishimaru spat.

Ignoring his jab Kagome carefully watched him back away, she had his fighting style figured out and also found the weaknesses. When he attacked once more she dodged but this time countered struck hitting him the fleshy soft skin under his arm about two inches away from his armpit.

"Instead of trying to taunt me so I would make a mistake General, maybe you should concentrate on your defense so all your bases are covered because if they were I wouldn't have gotten that strike in." Kagome said trying to be helpful like her two teachers here at the castle, she watched him cover up his wound with his hand as he backed away to a safe distance.

Her words of the wise regardless of how correct they were angered the dragon general; he couldn't believe the insolence of this human female. Who was she to give him lessons in combat when he was more experienced and older then she could ever achieve in her short lifetime.

"You're in no position to teach me the ways of combat human, I've been through more battles than you would ever see in your short lifetime not to mention the many centuries I have compared to your measly decades." Meishimaru hissed out venomously.

/I hope he knows you're her combat instructor and out of anyone you've trained she's the best. It says a lot if she bested the Northern Lord in combat./ Sesshomaru's beast intoned.

'No, he doesn't know that and why would he? It's true that she's my best student, she's determined and pushes herself to do better than her limits.' Sesshomaru thought back to his beast as he stood there and watched as Kagome clashed with the dragon general. 'But this battle should have already been over, she's playing with her target and that isn't appropriate now; there are things that need to be done.'

/She's having fun, don't ruin it for her./

'Be that as it may Beast, the things needing done come first.' Sesshomaru thought back. "Kagome now isn't the time to play."

Kagome danced out of the way of her opponents attack making sure to be a good distance away. Her facial features immediately went blank as she dropped into a modified version of Sesshomaru's fighting stance. "As you wish my lord."

Meishimaru paled slightly as he watched her drop into a fighting stance that seemed very familiar making him shiver in fear from the familiarity of it. He felt strong spiritual powers emerging from the small human female as well as demonic energy matching that of the spiritual. He hadn't realized that she was hiding her power but everything else too such as her scent and aura. She was a miko that had a demonic aura with her holy aura and they weren't conflicting; was it even possible for that to happen? In all his years it was unheard of, so how was it even possible?

Suddenly she disappeared before his eyes; he was in disbelief when he felt her behind him with her sword at his neck as if to decapitate him but stopped. Immediately it clicked why her stance was familiar, it was a modified version of Lord Sesshomaru's fighting style which means she was personally taught by the said Lord of the West. With the skilled mastery she seemed to have with the sword and her coupled powers of both miko and demon he truly had no chance to win to begin with. His lord was correct, so he raised his hands in surrender.

"You're dead." Kagome said flatly.

"I concede to you; you win my lady." Meishimaru said with equal flatness in his tone. "Since you won, what is it you desire from me?"

His ears perked hearing her sheath her sword, she went to stand before him; lowering his hands to his side he became weary. Kagome suddenly grinned and glowed happily, shocking him.

"You're friendship is enough." Kagome said with a gentle smile.

Meishimaru blinked at her stupidly as he tried to see what the catch was, he didn't see any or scented any deceit from her. "What, all you want is my friendship? You could have asked anything of me and all you want is my friendship?"

Nodding, the miko smiled brightly. "Correct."

"What if I don't want to befriend you?" the dragon general asked cautiously.

"Then you don't have to, if someone doesn't want to be my friend than I'm not going to force them to. The choice is yours but weather you choose to be my friend or not I've already decided to be your friend." Kagome explained.

Meishimaru blinked dumb-founded. "You're one unique person for a human female my lady."

"So I've been told, think about it and do what you think is best. I'm sure you would be able to find me when you come to a decision." Said the now called unique miko.

Sesshomaru mentally shook his head as he heard his beast chuckle from what was heard between his miko ward-desired mate and the general of the Northern forces. Maybe if she agrees to become his mate he could also ask her to become his negotiator because he had seen her win over many difficult people be they human or demon to her side making allies for just being herself.

"Lady Kagome, come. There's much to be done." The Western Dog Lord said as he turned to leave knowing the small miko would follow.

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru!" Kagome replied even if she didn't have to but she turned back to the dragon general. "Thank you for the fight, I enjoyed it and hope to spar again."

Meishimaru watched the miko quickly catch up to the Western Lord, instead of walking behind Lord Sesshomaru she walked beside him which surprised him and told him that the western lord saw her as an equal. It's not unheard of with other demons but with humans it's extremely rare and if it does happen it's usually because the demon had consciously made the decision to mate the human. This human female wasn't mated to the Western Dog Demon Lord so it would mean he fund her as his equal either through her own merits or through power which either were possible. He had a lot of thinking to do and it's best to get some advice from his lord before he thought too much.

"She's unique." Meishimaru said as he stood behind his lord respectfully.

Lord Draccon nodded in agreement. "She is; she asked of me the request as she did you. I thought she was stupid and conniving but once I got to know her I found she was the complete opposite of my thoughts of her. If you want my advice Meishimaru, than I advise to consider being her friend and get to know her."

Following his lord once he started to walk back to the castle, Meishimaru was silent for moment thinking, he wanted the advice and he got it so he had much to thinking to do. "I'll give your advice consideration my lord."

Silence fell between them the rest of the way to the castle, before they separated he bowed to his lord and continued towards the barracks he and his men were temporarily bunking while visiting the western lands.

***1234567890*1234567890*1234567890***

Naraku was getting more agitated as the days past after he sent Kagura on the orders to infiltrate the western castle where he had no sight because his bees either perished by the guards or the barrier surrounding the castle. He recently heard from his annoying lackey who ended up telling him ill news such as she hadn't been able to infiltrate the western fortress.

His plans could work around this minor irritation but it would be much easier and sweeter if he could get an inside informant within Sesshomaru's lair especially now that he's harboring what he desired most; Kagome. Lately now the miko has not only become elusive to his grasp but his sight as well and that bothered him. He wasn't too worried about the girl because what could she really do; especially within the home of the Western Lord?

Sitting back as he turned his gaze from the window to look at Kanna whom was always quiet and does what she's told. Truth be told she was one of his favorite incarnations just because of her silence and obedience. If he couldn't get the information he wanted from the Western Lands than he might as well get what amusement he can get from the group he's able to spy on; Inuyasha's group.

"Kanna, show me Inuyasha and his collection of misfits." Naraku ordered as he stared into her mirror.

"As you wish." Was all the void demon, Kanna, said as she tapped into her power and made the mirror respond to her master's desire.

The mirror fogged over slightly before the image of Inuyasha and his group appeared clearly upon the mirrors surface. It seemed that the group hadn't moved from that forest clearing as of yet, which he found intriguing.

***1234567890*123457890*1234567890***

Inuyasha sat on a sturdy branch within a tree staring out into space; he was lost in his thoughts thinking about everything from when Kagome left the group up until now. Now that he could see clearly he saw the mistakes he's made as well as the mistreatment he had put Kagome and the others through. He wasn't sure how they were still friends with him and he was weary of confronting them but knowing them they would breach the subject sooner or later regardless if he was ready for it or not.

Lately now he started to remember things that Kagome had either said or done and some things she'd said no made sense when it didn't at the time. He had been thinking a lot about everything from Kikyo before she died up until now; he could see all the mistakes not only with Kagome but with Kikyo too. In the past when Kikyo was alive he had been stupidly happy when someone had paid attention to him without the sneering hatred he always got with not only the demon society but the human one too. He was really lucky to have found her even though she was a miko; one of the mistakes he had allowed was having her talk him into using the jewel to become human for her. He loved her very much then as he does now but she should have accepted him for whom and what he was regardless of the fact if he was demon, human or half; if she truly loved him as she said she did.

Comparing that Kikyo to the undead one walking in the world of the living now he could see the similarities but also the vast differences as well. Seeing the differences made him realize his Kikyo was gone forever and there was not getting her back no matter how much he wished it to be so. He also realized that the Kikyo now walking amongst the living is just a copy, not Kagome who he had thought was the copy. The undead miko will never be who she once was because all that remained of her former self was vengeance, bitterness and hatred. So in other words this Kikyo has to be laid to rest and the piece of Kagome's soul returned to her so she could finally be whole again. He knew what he had to do and he didn't like it but it'll be best if he put Kikyo to rest again; if he didn't then that will be another regret that he'll have to live with.

"God, I'm so sorry but if this is how I need to atone, so be it." Inuyasha said to himself, even though it felt like a great load lifted off his shoulders his chest squeezed tightly from the heartache he brought upon himself.

"Inuyasha, quick! Demons approach!" Sango barked getting ready to fight.

The half-breed jumped down unsheathing his sword as his final decisions ran through his mind. He was truly damned.

***1234567890*1234567890*1234567890***

Steel gleamed in the afternoon light that filtered through the window of the dojo as Kagome mindlessly went through all the steps of basic sword training. Earlier after her battle with Meishimaru she suddenly gotten this heavy feeling within her chest making her feel as if she couldn't breathe, she tried shaking it but when it finally felt it had eased off it would come back twice as worse than before. So she found herself in the dojo where she has her morning lessons with Sesshomaru, starting with the basic sword training than ease into the advance and finally she ends it with her sword dance. Once wasn't enough; she started all over again and this go around made it her fifth time, yet she still felt the unease.

"Have you been here since you left my side Kagome?" Sesshomaru's smooth voice washed over her.

She hadn't realized he had entered or was close for that matter, this just told her how much this feeling unsettled her which wasn't good at all. She stopped what she was doing but hadn't tuned to face him; she didn't want to trouble him with this because he already had enough to worry about as it was.

"Yes." She replied softly and carefully filtered her tone so not to reveal her distress. "Is there something you need of me Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru blinked slowly at her and stared, Kagome instantly knew that he knew something was troubling her and she wasn't about divulge any of it. She came to know this dog demon very well by watching him and she quickly found out he could read anyone with or without a scent. In turn getting to know him by watching, she found that she too can read others easily but not as good as the demon in her presence could. She prayed this time he wouldn't be able to tell but it seemed that luck didn't seem to favor her at the moment.

"Kagome, look at me." Came his gentle but firm demand. She could feel the chill rush through her as she turned to face him knowing what would be next. She cursed her luck. "What is distressing you to the point to repeat your entire sword training multiple times?"

The raven haired miko frowned at his questioning statement. "How do you know it was multiple times and not just once?"

Sesshomaru sighed softly. "Woman, quit trying to miss direct the subject and answer this Sesshomaru's inquiry."

Kagome swallowed thickly knowing that when the Lord of the West went third person it meant that he was serious. When he was serious and was disobeyed it meant punishment, she knew he wouldn't do anything too bad to her but she wasn't sure if it was worth the risk. Deciding, she looked at him in the eyes with weariness.

"Many things are distressing my lord, so it's hard to know the root cause of my upset or if it's something else." She stated. Not going into detail, she gave a safe answer and hoped it was enough; boy did her hopes like to be shot at.

A muscle ticked in the young demon lord's jaw but his mask remained in place. "I see. Kagome, do not hide things from me; I cannot help you if you do not tell me what it is that's distressing you and I don't like seeing you upset."

Something within the raven haired miko swelled up to nearly choke her with the emotions it brought, she wasn't surprised that Sesshomaru was very perceptive but was when he admitted he cared about her mental and emotional state. She could think of many reasons on why he cared and none of them were what she wanted from him. She tried to be rational about this but it couldn't hurt to pretend he cared because it was her right? Yes she can dream but it just makes it hurt all the more knowing this male before her would never love her.

"I don't wish to burden you any further than I've already have my lord and besides you already have enough to deal with than to add more stress and problems into the mix for a mere miko from the future." She said forcing a soft smile though it turned sad once she looked towards the horizon.

Sesshomaru watched her closely, he was proud at how far she had come and he noticed she gotten better at hiding her emotions as well. If it wasn't for the binding between them where he could feel her emotions he was sure that he wouldn't be able to tell what she was feeling. Her emotions beat at him like tidal waves during a storm; harsh, strong and chaotic, it was not only distracting but worrisome because she looked as if she was giving up if that brief tired sadness he thought he saw and felt was anything to go by.

"Kagome, don't turn from me." He commanded more sharply than he intended to. He saw her stiffen and he tried to remember the lessons of human adult females his father tried to teach him. He walked up to her and gently turned her chin with a knuckle so she would face him. She looked up at him with weariness. "Forgive my tone, but if I thought you were a burden or your troubles too much than you and the kit wouldn't be here nor would I have asked about it Kagome."

The raven blinked tears, he was being so gentle with her that it made her heart ache with want, yet, she knew she couldn't have what she desired from him. "It's best that I don't say anything about it my lord because some things should remain a mystery to those apart from me."

Sesshomaru saw the logic behind her words but he didn't care for logic at the moment because he wanted her, all of her. Cupping one side of her face he leaned into her personal space until his lips were a few inches from hers. "This Sesshomaru heard your logic and agrees but in this circumstance it doesn't apply because Lady Kagome, this Sesshomaru wants…"

"Lord Sesshomaru!" screeched the irritating voice of his retainer Jaken.

Sesshomaru growled viciously as he stepped away from the woman he desired and faced the retainer that interrupted something very important. "What is it Jaken?"

The demon lord growled in agitation as she saw Jaken swallow nervously making him think if it was worth it to have Kagome see him gut the toad. "My lord, a village upon your borders is being attacked by the half-breed Naraku where your half-brother had resided!"

Sesshomaru snarled at the news but calmed down when he turned to Kagome. "We shall finish this conversation later Lady Kagome, you will stay here."

That command made Kagome snap. "Oh no the hell I will not stay here Mr. Fluff-butt! I'm coming too and no one will stop me, not even you!"

Sesshomaru sigh-growled, he didn't have time for this so he picked her up without warning making her squeal and orbed towards the castle making it there in no time leaving poor Jaken squawking behind. "Be sure to wear armor and grab your weapons including your ranged weapons."

With that the young demon lord left to retrieve his armor and swords, Kagome watched him leave as she placed her fingertips upon her lips thinking about the situation before they were interrupted; finally it fully dawned on her and the gravity of it made her blush.

'Was he going to kiss me and what was he going to say before the interruption?' she thought as she left her spot to obey his orders to get her armor and weapons, she was in a daze and one thing kept repeating in her mind: he had about kissed her.