Crime and Punishment

by Serephina of the Kamis

Sesshoumaru has pushed the gods over the edge. When he's sentenced to death, an open hearted miko saves him. Sesshoumaru is then bound to the miko Kagome until such a time that he learn to value another's life before his own.

25. Chapter 25

Last Time:

Kohaku smiled briefly before embracing Kagome tightly. "You know I'm here. That's not changing."

Kagome hugged him back before heading to her room. Kohaku stood for a moment, assessing the night. I wonder if either of them knows that they're still in love.

CHAPTER 25: SESSHOUMARU'S PRIVATE GARDEN

Sesshoumaru groaned as yet another female surrounded him, enveloping him in the scent of arousal. Really, after two days, you'd think they'd get it. He didn't want them!

Only one female didn't come near him, and he'd become increasingly suspicious that she was going out of her way to keep away from him. Anyone else was fine, but as soon as he came around, her eyes went blank and her voice went cold. He was getting tired of it.

A bell sounded, and the females reluctantly stepped away as the time for the afternoon rest period was announced. Sesshoumaru breathed a sigh of relief, heading for his private gardens. Everyone knew that no one who entered ever left.

He entered his garden and breathed deeply. The familiar scents of trees, water, bushes, roses, dandelions, and rain filled his senses. . .

Wait a second. Granted, he had a few rose bushes scattered around. But he knew for a fact that there was not a single dandelion in his garden. And it hadn't rained in two days, so the scent of rain should have disappeared!

He took another whiff, and found the three scents intertwined into one unmistakably addictive smell. Kagome. . .

He followed the scent, somehow forgetting that she had trespassed in his private gardens. He tracked it easily, and soon found himself in the very center, standing behind a strangely silent woman. He watched as power danced around her, slowly sinking into her skin in a routine he recognized from his own training. Interesting. She is learning control in more advanced ways than before.

What else would you expect from our mate?

She's not our mate, and you know she'd bite our heads off if we tried.

He waited as her power settled, and almost smiled at how much she'd grown since last time. He had so little memory, and yet so much, of what had happen five months ago. Those memories made up more of who he was than the past centuries had. He wanted more memories like that.

Kagome opened her eyes then. She rolled out her neck, smiling as she heard it crack satisfactorily. "Nothing like a good bout of meditation before dealing with the world." She whispered. "Can't keep relying on Kohaku to keep me calm." She finally turned and nearly shrieked when she saw Sesshoumaru standing there.

Sesshoumaru wanted to smirk when he saw her reaction, but managed to contain himself. "Talking to yourself is a sign of madness, Miko."

Kagome glared at him. "No. It's only madness if you expect someone to answer you back." She snapped. Sesshoumaru could have jumped with happiness as he saw irritation flash across her face. His Kagome was back.

Kagome watched a smile grow in his eyes and took a breath. She needed to regain control of her emotions if she was going to survive this week. Think. . . stones. Stones are good. She opened her eyes, and they were once again emotionless voids. "If you will excuse me, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru nearly growled at the lack of emotions in her voice. But instead, he merely nodded. Kagome bowed, and started to leave.

"Good girl, Kagome-chan!" Kagome and Sesshoumaru turned to see their least favorite goddess sitting on a stone bench nearby. "Don't let him get to you."

Kagome held back a sigh. "What do you want, Amaterasu?"

Amaterasu smiled. "It's a secret." Then she gasped. "Shoot! I wasn't supposed to let you see me." She quickly covered her eyes with her hands. "If I can't see you, then you can't see me! The perfect plan."

Sesshoumaru felt like smacking her. "That idiotic child's trick doesn't work in the real world, Amaterasu-" He shut up as she faded from view.

Kagome blinked. "Apparently, the 'idiotic child's trick' works."

"So it would seem." Sesshoumaru bit out.

They stood facing one another for a time. Finally, Kagome turned away to sit on a nearby bench. She needed Kohaku's help, and right now she didn't have his calm demeanor to help her focus. She kept breathing even as she spoke. "Why does she insist on showing up if she's not going to even do anything useful."

She was merely thinking out loud, and didn't expect a response. So imagine her surprise when Sesshoumaru spoke. "That would be assuming she knows how to be useful."

Kagome nearly scowled. Now she had to continue the conversation, or risk being rude. I just want to get out of here. "I think she just likes to piss off the world." Kagome sighed. "I swear, you'd think she'd want to act semi-normal. For kamis' sake, she's the head goddess!"

"I still believe that she has merely stolen the title for a time." Sesshoumaru answered. "The ancient and wise Amaterasu is in hiding."

Kagome couldn't help but giggle. "I wonder what she would do if someone told her that she was being impersonated."

"Smite her in her place." Sesshoumaru said immediately. "As would any true ruler."

Kagome frowned. "Well, I don't know. Couldn't she just lock her up or something."

"The imposter has committed too many offenses to be allowed to continue to live, especially with the chance that she might do so again." Sesshoumaru said with a shrug. "Better to kill her than waste time later fighting her again."

"Like with your mother?" Kagome asked quietly.

The two of them were silent for a moment, and Sesshoumaru thought he'd gone too far. He nearly jumped when Kagome looked up at him and nodded. "I get it now."

Sesshoumaru was confused, but then again, he was around Kagome. He never had understood what went on with her. "Explain."

"Well, I mean it's not like I sat there and said 'How horrible! How could Sesshoumaru kill his own mother?' For kamis' sake, she was attacking you. You were totally justified in fighting and killing her."

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure that he wasn't dreaming. He remembered her horrified expression. It was why he'd sent her away. If she couldn't accept that part of him, then they could not be together.

"I mean, I totally expected you to kill her. There was no doubt in my mind. But now I see that there was a legitimate reason behind it besides 'I have been disrespected, so now I am going to avenge myself.'" Kagome shook her head. "Should have known it would be more than that."

Sesshoumaru came to sit beside her on the bench, and she turned in surprise as she felt him sit. "If that was the case, why did you stare at me in horror once my mother was dead?"

Kagome looked at him, and realized just how much she'd given away. She quickly pulled herself back in. "If you're as smart as you claim, then you figure it out." With that she stood. "Good day, Sesshoumaru-sama." She bowed then quickly walked out of the garden.

Sesshoumaru stared after her, a small smile decorating his face. He was getting through her wall, just a tiny bit. Now, if he could just get her to completely drop her guard, he'd be set. But he had a feeling that it would be a long road.

!# Kohaku #!

Kohaku had been searching for Kagome for some time now. It wasn't like her to just disappear, and with Sesshoumaru around, the possibility was even less likely. And yet she'd still just vanished on him.

Finally, just before dinner, Kohaku found her in her rooms. "Where the heck have you been? I was looking everywhere."

"Around." Kagome looked at her kimonos, not really paying attention. She picked up a blue one with silver stars decorating it. "What do you think of this one?"

Kohaku glanced at it. "It looks fine."

Kagome huffed. "I should know better than to ask a male. Where's Yui or Sarra when I need them?" She dropped the kimonos back on the bed with a sigh. "What am I going to where?"

Kohaku watched her as she waded through kimonos and fussed. Suddenly it clicked. "You talked to him, didn't you?"

Kagome froze. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Uh-huh." Kohaku said, glaring daggers at her. "And I'm a mongoose tied to a piñata. Don't lie Kagome. You're not good at it."

Kagome sat on her bed. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who knows you well, like me." Kohaku soothed. "You're happier than you've been in a while. Not to mention that you're freaking out over what kimono to wear. A marked changed over 'I'll just wear whatever looks nice and won't show wear easily.'"

"Well, it's more practical to choose clothing that's not going to get damaged easily." Kagome countered.

"Never said it was a bad thing." Kohaku said with a smirk. The smirk faded as Kagome returned to her kimonos. "Kagome, stay away from him."

Kagome jolted at that. "What do you mean?"

"Stay away from him." Kohaku said again. "He's already hurt you once. I won't let him hurt you again."

The happiness in Kagome's eyes faded. "You don't need to remind me of that. I expect nothing to come of this other than a bit of momentary fun."

Kohaku watched her sort through her jewelry, trying to find something to go with the kimono she chose. She seemed slightly less enthusiastic than she had been before. Kohaku came to stand beside her. "Just be careful, alright?" Kohaku asked. "I don't want you to get hurt again."

Kagome smiled at him. "I'll be fine. I always am."

That's what worries me. Kohaku said as she picked up a necklace she had retrieved from her time before the well closed. You'll never let anyone see how upset you are. So what will happen when it becomes too much?

!# Sesshoumaru #!

Kagome had returned to her usual practice of ignoring him, which he almost understood. One meeting in the garden couldn't change five months of damage.

At least, that what he tried to convince himself.

Kagome laughed with Kohaku, who teased her in return. Sarra, Yuri, and Yui all joined in the fun.Even Rin had joined her instead of staying with Sesshoumaru. In fact, all of Kagome's former friends at the palace got to have fun with her.

So why was he stuck with a bunch of idiot females instead of being over there with her?

"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Sesshoumaru refocused on the female next to him. "Is everything alright?"

Sesshoumaru nodded and continued to pretend to listen to the people around him. Meanwhile, he kept his ears on the conversations around him. And then had to force himself to ignore them when he understood what they said.

"I can't believe Sesshoumaru-sama allow such filthy human scum here. . ."

". . . a miko no less! Nearly purified my son. . ."

". . . should be kept away from Sesshoumaru-sama at all costs."

". . . bad enough. But the miko is crossing the line!"

". . . poor Sesshoumaru-sama. Having to deal with a miko. . ."

". . . his half-brother's former wench. . ."

Sesshoumaru felt his fist tightening, especially as he heard the whispers growing in malevolence.

"We can easily deal with her if the need arises. . ."

". . . can't purify us all at once. . ."

". . . still mortal. . ."

". . .can't be that hard to kill."

He managed to keep his claws from cutting into him. But he knew it wouldn't be long before every demon in the room smelt his blood.

Luckily for him, Fate decided to intervene. "Kagome, you said you could play the piano, right?" Yui said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Kagome glared at her. "Yes, I can. But I'm not very good."

Yui smiled. "A foreign diplomat gave Sesshoumaru-sama a piano as a gift of loyalty from his king. But no one here knows how to play it." Yui smirked. "I wonder how the diplomat's impression of us here in the West would improve if he saw that someone in Sesshoumaru-sama's court played."

The hall went silent, and Kagome blushed. She glared daggers at Yui as she spoke. "I assure you, I do not play well enough to increase the reputation of the Western Court."

"I think you should try out Sesshoumaru-sama's piano." Sarra interjected. "If, of course, he agrees."

"I don't see why not." Yuri commented. "He's been trying to find someone who could play for him."

"Why don't all three of you shut it." Kagome hissed. "I know perfectly well what you're trying to do, and it won't work."

Kohaku stared at them. "I'm glad you know what they're up to, cause I don't."

Sesshoumaru nearly smirked. I should really remember to thank them one day. He quickly disentangled himself from the people around him and went to the group surrounding Kagome. "Lady Kagome."

Kagome stiffened, then turned to Sesshoumaru with a bow. "How can I help you, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"You will play for us."

Kagome grit her teeth. "I assure you, Sesshoumaru-sama. My skills are not enough that they could be displayed in front of your court." Back off, or I swear I'll kick your butt!

Sesshoumaru knew exactly what she was thinking, and smirked. "Even so, I would like to hear you play."

Kagome grit her teeth again. "As you wish, my lord." She bowed again before heading to the piano in the corner, glaring at the others as she passed by. They shivered and prayed that their plan would work. Because otherwise, they would have a very angry Kagome on their hands.

Kagome sat on the bench and took a deep breath. Remember what sensei told you. There's no one else around. Just you and the piano. She looked up and gulped. Every demon in the hall was staring at her. Yeah right! How am I supposed to ignore them?

"What is the matter, human?" A demon challenged. "Scared?"

A quick kick later, and the demon was on the floor. Sesshoumaru stood over him, his aura flaring. "Miko, play." He ordered.

Ordinarily, the order would have Kagome shouting at him about how he couldn't order her around. But somehow, Kagome was comforted by the order. "Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama."

She placed her hands on the piano and closed her eyes. And then she started to play.

The music started out slow at first, a simple rhythm to help her warm up. A few of the nobles sneered at her, sure that that was the extent of her knowledge. But then the tempo began to speed up and the complexity of the song grew. In just a few minutes, her hands were racing along the keys, and she seemed to have fallen into her own little world.

Sesshoumaru felt the urge to smile as he watched. She was completely entranced by her song, and she probably didn't even know that she was smiling. She was happier than he'd seen her since before they went to his palace five months ago.

"She plays beautifully, doesn't she?" Kai had appeared beside him, a knowing smirk on his face. Sesshoumaru didn't even look at him, though he nodded in agreement. "To think, a human surpasses the great lord Sesshoumaru." Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, and Kai knew that Sesshoumaru wanted to know why Kai was baiting him. "Wouldn't it be nice if you could play like her?"

The music faded away, and Kagome sighed. She'd missed playing more than anything else about the future. She was a little rusty, but that particular song was one she'd never forget, no matter how long she was away.

"That was well done."

Kagome started and turned to see Sesshoumaru behind her. She'd forgotten that everyone was watching her. She bowed. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"You will teach this Sesshoumaru."

The clamor was instant. "My lord, you cannot allow a human to teach you!"

"It is completely ridiculous!"

"The traditions you would be breaking are too numerous to count!"

"Oh, shut up." Everyone turned to see a bristling Kai. "He's the friggin Lord of the West. If he chooses to learn piano from a human, that's his problem. It's not like any demons here know how to play." He turned his gaze on the crowd in mock suspicion. "Unless there are those here who are holding out on Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Enough, Kai." Sesshoumaru said, keeping his eyes on Kagome. "I do not need to explain myself to my underlings."

Kai shrugged. "As you say, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Kagome felt the need to say something then. "Sesshoumaru-sama, I am sure that there are others who will teach you. I am not qualified to do so."

"How so?"

Kagome blinked. "Well, I've never been taught how to teach piano. I have no idea where I would even start."

"You learned, did you not?"

Kagome glared at him, and somewhere in her, something snapped. "What kind of idiotic question is that? I'm not even going to dignify it with an answer!"

The hall went silent instantly. A few smirked in anticipation. There was no way in hell the ningen would actually survive.

Sesshoumaru smirked. "My questions are only as idiotic as your excuses." He turned away then. "You will meet me in the garden in the morning."

Kagome stood still and tried to remember how it felt when she meditated. I'm supposed to be able to implement it at any time! Seeing him walk away, so sure of himself, she couldn't control herself. "What if I decide I don't want to teach you?"

Sesshoumaru stopped then and turned, amusement in his eyes. "You will come."

"And if I don't?" She countered.

"In the hypothetical case you speak of, I would just have to send the necessary enforcers to retrieve you."

Kagome was too shocked to make a retort.

!# The Next Morning #!

"Kagome, what's that on your mantle?" Sango asked.

"Oh that?" Kagome asked innocently. "It's my wall of annoyance."

"Wall of annoyance?" Miroku asked.

"It's where I put everyone I've demolished because they annoy me." Kagome said brightly. She began pointing things out. "That pot over there holds Kikyo's ashes. Then that blood-stained fire rat haori is InuYasha. Naraku is that crushed spider in the corner. The fur pelt here is all that remains of Kouga. Oh, and that hole in the wall in Hojo."

"What's that one?" Shippou asked innocently.

"That one? That's the least important of it all." Kagome said dismissively.

"Do not dismiss this Sesshoumaru!" Sesshoumaru's head, hanging from the center of the wall, shouted.

"Did you hear something?" Sango asked.

"Oh, don't worry." Kagome said. "I just need to pickle his head a bit more."

"You will not place this Sesshoumaru back into that disgusting pickle!" Sesshoumaru's head growled.

Kagome laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed, even as a disembodied clawed hand grabbed her shoulder and shook. . .

"Kagome, you need to wake up now."

"That's it, I'm putting your head in that pickle jar." Kagome shouted, reaching forward and grabbing the person's head.

When it didn't move, she finally opened her eyes. She saw Kai's face and shrieked. The sound forced him to release her and block his ears. "Would you knock that off! You're killing my eardrums!"

Kagome calmed after a moment. "Sorry. You scared me."

"And what were you talking about a pickle jar for?" Kai demanded. "Whose head are you pickling?"

Kagome scowled at him. "Yours. Now get out. I'm too tired to deal with you."

"Fine. Ignore the fact that I came to get you before Sesshoumaru's men came."

That woke Kagome up. "What do you mean Sesshoumaru's men are coming?"

"Remember what Sesshoumaru said yesterday?" Kai said, a smirk at the memory.

It took Kagome a minute, but then her eyes widened as she remembered. "He wouldn't dare." She said, the words almost a prayer. She lay back down, curling up into a ball. "He wouldn't."

"If you say so, Kagome." Kai said with a smirk.

He waited a total of two minutes before Kagome finally stood. "Darn it! He totally would!" He left as she rushed around the room, muttering about arrogant taiyoukai. The only thing he caught before he shut the door was "Kai, tell those guards I'm going to purify them if they come in here!"

Kai chuckled at that. Sesshoumaru was going to be in such trouble. It would be funny to watch.

!# Sesshoumaru #!

Sesshoumaru sat in the garden, specifically on the piano bench of the piano that had been specially moved to his private garden so that Kagome could teach him in private. He smirked. He had come up with this plan in mere moments, and he had to admit, it was brilliant.

"Get that smirk off your face." Sesshoumaru turned to see a highly pissed Kagome walking up the stairs up to the gazebo. "If I'm really going to teach you, then you've got to do whatever I say, understood?"

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "I have received instruction before, Miko. I am no stranger to learning."

Kagome glared at him. "I'd hit you right now if I thought that would change anything." She muttered before coming up next to him. She saw him smirk at her grumpiness, and mentally cursed. Being tired was no excuse for letting her guard down. She took a few deep breaths, and focused on keeping her emotions in check.

"Now, let's get down to business." She pulled a scroll out of her bag and placed it in front of him. It was a sketch of the piano keys, each with a letter on them. "Each of the letters tells you what note they are. This series of keys are repeated on the entire keyboard, so if you memorize their order in one sequence, you will know them all."

Sesshoumaru took a quick glance. "Why do these thin black keys have two names?"

Kagome looked at what he meant and smiled. "This is the way music works. As you go up from the lower pitched notes to the higher pitched ones, meaning its frequency increases. In music, we say they are going sharp." She played a C and went up the scale to a G. "As you go from high to low, the frequency decreases. This is called going flat." She demonstrated by going from G to C. "Each white key represents one full step, meaning that the note has become sharp enough to be considered a whole new note. The black keys are half steps, meaning that they are halfway between two notes. They are called sharps and flats because they are neither one note or the other, but stuck in between."

Sesshoumaru understood, but was a little confused. Kagome sighed as she saw this confusion in his eyes. "Alright, let's try explaining this in terms you will understand." She played a C. "Let's say that this note is a demon." She moved up on key and played a D. "And this key is a human." Sesshoumaru didn't understand why she was using this particular metaphor, but nodded anyway to show his understanding. "So tell me, Sesshoumaru, what is in between a demon and a human?"

It didn't take Sesshoumaru long. "A hanyou."

Kagome nodded. "Humans call them half demons. Demons call them half humans. Both are names for the same thing." With a sad smile, she played the C sharp/D flat. "They are neither human nor demon, but stuck in between. Just like these black notes."

Sesshoumaru nodded, now comprehending, and not just about the keys. The sad smile on her face wasn't her smile, and he was determined to erase it. "I understand. May we move on now?"

Kagome turned to him. "You're so impatient." She pulled the scroll off the piano. "If you're so smart, then play a C."

Sesshoumaru smirked and did so.

Kagome stared at his hand, and then turned to him again. "You memorized in two seconds, didn't you?"

"Of course."

Kagome sighed, trying to remember that it would not be a good idea to kill Sesshoumaru. She smiled wryly. "I guess I should know better than to be surprised." She sat beside him. "Now, let's work on form. . ."

!# Kohaku #!

Kohaku marched through the courtyard of the palace, fury painted on his face. He pushed past each person that tried to stop him. Until, at last, a hand grabbed him. Kohaku whirled to see an amused Kai holding him. "Let go of me." Kohaku hissed.

"No chance in hell." Kai said cheerily. "Not with that attitude. And especially not with your goal."

Kohaku tried to shake himself free. "She's been with him all day! The guy who messed her up so badly that she was catatonic for nearly a week. The guy that she helped, and then was shunned from the village that she called her home for being a 'demon's whore' after Kaede died. " Kohaku jerked his arm free. "She's my sister, and I won't let him hurt her."

"Did you think that Kagome was the only one hurting?" Kai asked.

"She didn't turn away from him." Kohaku snapped.

"No. He only thought she did." Kai answered calmly. "There were misunderstandings on both of their parts. This is their chance to fix it."

"He's going to hurt her again."

"Really? You can see the future?"

Kohaku seethed. "He doesn't deserve her."

"No, he doesn't. But if Kagome wants him, then that is her choice. Not yours."

The two of them stood apart from each other. After a moment, Kohaku relaxed. "Fine. I will allow him to do what he wants without a fuss. But if he hurts her again-"

"We'll trash him. Together." Kai said. "Sesshoumaru may be my best friend, but if he ruins this, than he is beyond help."

Kohaku smiled. "So. . . partners?" He extended his hand and waited for Kai's next move.

Kai smiled and shook the extended hand. "Partners."

!# Kagome #!

Kagome went to bed that night, more tired than she'd been in months. The lesson had covered about two months of training. She was amazed at his learning curve.

Instead of going to bed immediately though, she was going to meditate. She'd been doing small sessions all day to try and keep back the emotions that Sesshoumaru was forcing forward again. She was over him. She knew she was. She had to be.

But every time she saw that smug look when he mastered something new, she couldn't help the small flutter in her heart. And every time she slipped up and starting a verbal sparring, she had to remind herself of the hurt he'd caused her.

She stopped at her doorway when she saw that it was open. "Not again." She whispered. "Please, not again." She walked in, and instantly froze when she saw a pile of rattlesnakes in her bedroom. She whimpered softly before racing out and slamming the door shut. "I worked on this. I did." She whispered. "I can deal with this. I won't go running to Yuri this time." She opened the door, only to shut it with a squeal when she found one of the snakes in the doorway.

"Okay. I can't do it." She muttered. She started running, oblivious to the presence that followed her. She didn't stop until she reached Yuri and Sarra's door. She pounded on it, not stopping until Yuri wrenched the door open.

"What in the name of-" He stopped when he saw Kagome. "Lady Kagome? What's wrong?"

Kagome smiled sheepishly. "Um. . . remember when I promised that I'd work on my fear of things without the right number of legs?"

Yuri stared at her suspiciously. "Yeah. . ."

Kagome gulped. "I kinda sorta didn't do so well with it."

Yuri groaned. "What is it this time?"

"Snakes." She whispered.

"Where!" Sarra shouted, coming to the doorway. "Yuri! Do something!"

"They're in Kagome's room." Yuri grit out.

"Get them out!" Sarra shouted.

"I don't want to!" Yuri whined.

Sarra's eyes gleamed. "I said, 'Get them out!'" She kicked him out, sending him halfway down the hallway. "Kagome, come on in." She ushered Kagome in and shouted down to him. "You can sleep in her room, since you think there's nothing wrong with snakes!"

She shut the door in Yuri's face, and Yuri stared at it in shock. "She just locked me out of my own room." He stood up. "That evil little bitch!"

"I can hear you, you know!" Sarra shouted through the door. "You're so not getting any!"

Yuri stared at the door in horror. "For how long?"

"Until the end of this ridiculous festival!"

Yuri sputtered. "Alright! I'll kill the stupid snakes!" He stood and started down the hallway, muttering to himself until he reached Kagome's door. "Stupid snakes. You're the reason Sarra's mad at me!" He launched forward and killed all the snakes in one swipe. "Ridiculous things!"

He sensed Sesshoumaru's presence and turned. "How long you been there?"

"Since Kagome reached her room." Sesshoumaru said, surveying it quickly. "Tell me, what was it she was afraid of?"

Yuri pointed to the pile of dead snakes. "Looks like she's being bullied again."

Sesshoumaru turned to him. "What do you mean, again?"

Yuri gulped. "I, um, I can't say. I promised Lady Kagome."

Sesshoumaru growled, and Yuri shivered slightly. "Sorry, but Lady Kagome is scarier than you." He bowed and tried to leave, only to find his way blocked by Sesshoumaru's arm.

"Kagome is still afraid of these creatures?"

Yuri thought about it and shrugged. He might as well know. "She's afraid of bugs and spiders, Sesshoumaru-sama." He told Sesshoumaru. "Something about not having the correct number of legs."

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at that before releasing Yuri. He thought for a moment, then left as well.

!# Kagome #!

Kagome entered the garden, and yawned as she got to the gazebo. "Are you ready, Sesshoumaru?" She asked with a groan.

"I am ready to begin the lesson, Miko." Sesshoumaru said. "However, you will not be teaching me today."

Kagome stared at him. "Huh?" She asked.

Sesshoumaru pointed, and Kagome turned. Then she screamed so loudly they could hear it at the palace. Sesshoumaru finally ended it by clamping a hand over her mouth. "Miko, a scream will not change anything."

Kagome stared at the huge snake that stood in front of her before whirling on him. "How dare you! I will kill you, I swear!" She charged forward, and Sesshoumaru easily grabbed her hands.

"Miko, you must learn to deal with your fears." Sesshoumaru said.

"Easy for you to say, Mr. I Fear Nothing!" Kagome snapped. "I am out of here!"

"There are snakes at every exit." Kagome froze and whirled on Sesshoumaru. "You will learn to deal with this fear, Miko."

"Why the hell should I?" Kagome snarled.

"Because Yuri will not always be around to kill the pesky creatures."

Kagome froze. "Wait a second. How do you know that?"

Sesshoumaru tried to avoid the question. "I am aware of all."

"Bull. Yuri and Sarra wouldn't tell you that." Kagome said. "You must have seen it yourself. When?"

Kagome pinned him with one of her glares, and Sesshoumaru decided to risk answering. "I was patrolling the halls and happened to see you."

"You were there, and you didn't try to help me!" Kagome shouted. "You colossally humongous jerk!" She used her bag to whack him upside the head. "I can't believe you."

A snake slithered close to her ankle, and Sesshoumaru pointed to it. "Miko."

She looked and shrieked in surprise. "Kill it!" She screamed.

With a sigh, Sesshoumaru sent out his poison whip and cut the snake in half. "Now, the next one is yours."

"No way in hell!" Kagome shrieked. "Kill it!"

Sesshoumaru winced at the pitch of her voice. "You must learn to conquer your fears."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kagome screamed, purposely stepping closer to him. Sesshoumaru sent out his poison whip, just to get her to shut up. "Get rid of them, Sesshoumaru. Or so help me, I'll scream until your ears bleed and you go deaf!"

Sesshoumaru glared at her, then smirked. "You cannot affect me if I am not here." Then he disappeared.

Kagome stayed still for a moment. "He wouldn't." She waited. "He couldn't." Still nothing. "Sesshoumaru, you asshole!"

!# Kohaku #!

Kohaku caught Kai's eye and gave him the signal. It meant there was trouble. Quickly, Kai excused himself and came over. "What's up?"

"Kagome's been missing since this morning. Do you know where she is?"

Kai thought. "Last time I saw her, she was heading into the garden for Sesshoumaru's music lesson."

"Then let's check there first. They were there all day yesterday." Kohaku suggested.

"Only Sesshoumaru and his guests are allowed in there." Kai hedged.

"Well, you're his best friend, and I'm a guest here." Kohaku said, dragging Kai behind him. "That qualifies both of us."

"I don't think he'd approve." Kai said carefully.

"I really don't care. You can blame me." By this time, the two of them were in the garden. "Little late now anyway."

They heard a scream, and ran towards the sound. "I'm going to. . . kill that. . . pompous jerk!"

Kohaku smirked. "Yup, that's Kagome."

They made it to the gazebo to find Kagome perched on the ledge, surrounded by snakes. "Kagome?" Kohaku shouted. "What are you doing?"

"Kohaku! Kai!" Kagome shouted in relief. "Get the snakes! Please, please, please!"

"Thought you were going to work on this." Kai shouted back.

"I did! I swear! I just wasn't very successful with it." Kagome shouted. "Just help me out!"

Kohaku. "You know, I still don't get it. How can you face down a demon with no problem, and then freak out when you see a spider?"

"Just get rid of them already!" Kagome snapped.

Kohaku glared at her. "And what if I don't?"

"I'll tell your sister that you left me to die!"

"Well, let's get to work!" Kohaku said with a grin.

!# Sesshoumaru #!

Sesshoumaru took another sip of tea, and thought about Kagome. I thought she'd be back by now.

Hmm. . . maybe dropping her in the middle of a SNAKE PIT was a bad idea.

Do you think so?

Are you really that brainless? Let's go check on her.

Sesshoumaru stood, and started to go, when the doors to the main hall opened. Out stepped Kagome, flanked by Kai and Kohaku. The hall was absolutely silent as she marched forward, her aura crackling around her. Sesshoumaru stared at her. I think I'm. . . scared.

Run for your life!

"You. . ." She snarled, sounding very impressively like an inuyoukai. "You. . . I can't even come up with a word vile enough to describe you! I can't believe you just left me there!" The demons around them froze, waiting for Sesshoumaru's reaction. "You know what I'm afraid of, and you left me there with an army of them. How could you possibly be so callous and cold as to just leave me there! You. . . you. . . bastard!" With that last word, she pulled back a hand and slapped him as hard as she could. "I dislike you intensely!" She screamed, before marching past him.

Sesshoumaru just stood there frozen for a while. Then he turned to Kai, who shrugged. "You know, sometimes, an apology is your best bet, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru frowned. "This Sesshoumaru does not apologize." He turned and walked away, leaving Kai and Kohaku in the hall.

"Well, she doesn't hate him." Kohaku said.

"Yeah, but she doesn't like him either." Kai responded.

"I hope he hasn't screwed this whole thing up too badly." Kohaku said, starting to walk out.

Kai turned to the demons gathered around. "Show's over folks. You don't want Sesshoumaru-sama to catch you here."

The hall was empty in two minutes.

------------------------------------------------------Author's Rant------------------------------------------------------

Obsessive_Goddess: I just cannot give these two a break.

Horse Wolves: Not to burst your bubble, but isn't the point of a Sess/Kag to get Sesshoumaru and Kagome together?

Kagome: Don't remind her!

Sesshoumaru: I will date you if you keep silent!

Obsessive_Goddess: Oh, yeah, that's right. Hmmm [stares at computer screen.] Now, how to fix this. . .

Horse Wolves: Forget what I said! [slams frying pan over OG's head.] What's 5 + 2?

Obsessive_Goddess: Um. . . 10?

Horse Wolves: Good! Her memories are messed up.

Sesshoumaru: No. She did that before you whacked her.

Obsessive_Goddess: Grrr! That's strike two Sesshoumaru! One more, and you'll be on your knees begging!

Sesshoumaru: As if.

------------------------------------------------------End of Author's Rant------------------------------------------------------