Hello readers! I wanted to tell you all how happy I am writing this for all of you. It makes it a lot easier when you have an understanding and appreciative audience. Anyway my first reviewer was Dominik Journot who I want to thank for their second review. Looks like I did update on time…AGAIN! Yay me! Back to the reviews, thanks to chica Blanca for being understanding with the story and for your compliments. Next to the faithful byakugan-master93, I told you that the complex plot would pay off in the end didn't I? Still we have a ways to go, but don't worry about Lilith the story will eventually explain everything that you need to know. Merry Christmas to you too! Lastly was a review that upset me a little. It's funny because it isn't exactly a flame, but I don't know if it's meant seriously or as a joke. Crossx asked I quote ", Is Healo gay with Sesshomaru?" Let me state most emphatically…NO!!! NO! No. In my story neither Healo nor Sesshomaru are gay and they certainly would not be attracted to each other. This is not a story of a love-hate relationship sorry but just not true. Umm…one last thing would you all glance at my profile page and answer the poll about Healo, I just want to check and see what kind of response I get. Ok so this chapter will show a scene between Sesshomaru and Kagome which is drawn in part from a message sent by Dominik Journot. Hopefully will also get to the Imperial Lands finally. Thanks again for the wonderful response that I got, and I hope that you all keep it up. Please remember to answer the poll question on my profile if you get a chance. Please keep up the reviews!!

CHAPTER LII

WHY DID YOU PICK ME

Healo's POV

The Northern Lord kept his eyes warily on his two opponents whose desperate eyes showed how dangerous they could be. He did not fear for his own life, they had already admitted that they needed him to revive this Lilith, but the demon lord knew that they would kill Kagome if it served their purposes. Healo had to fight back the primal growl that threatened to emerge at that thought. No one would harm her; not while he was around. Reanna smiled grimly and said thoughtfully, "Our goddess was right, you are strong. She said that every time she had a child the next would be stronger so of course your abilities would be stronger than ours."

Healo was silent for a moment before demanding, "Release us from this illusion, you've already admitted that you cannot defeat me and I did not fall for your tricks." The two only laughed in response and while they were distracted the demon lord thought, 'Kagome how did you get here?' After a second a worried response came, 'I don't know, I just touched the sword and found myself here.' The Northern Lord's eyes widened, of course. Before he could tell the miko what to do Reanna said softly, "We needed you to kill in order to strengthen the sword, but since you refused to kill the undead miko we knew that more drastic measures were necessary. If you had only cooperated you would have been able to live here in bliss while we possessed your body. After we had freed our mother we would have allowed you to return to your body and the goddess would have rewarded you for your sacrifice."

The demon lord grew angry again at the suggestion that he would allow anyone to control him. Not only that but Healo could sense that some of the demoness's words had caused Kagome to doubt him and he could feel a small feeling of uncertainty coming of his intended. However, the Northern Lord understood why; he hadn't thought to tell her that he had run into Kikyo, he had assumed that it wouldn't matter. What a fool he was sometimes, Healo should have realized that he needed to reassure Kagome about why he had seen the undead priestess. Now it would have to wait until after they escaped.

The demon lord said with a cold fury, "I have no desire to stay in this illusionary paradise. It is true that at times I am captivated by the mistakes I have made in the past but," he turned to look at the confused miko and continued softly, "there is so much that I want for my future." As his blue eyes looked into Kagome's sparkling brown eyes he thought calmly, 'Take my hand then summon your energies, it's time for us to leave.' The miko hesitated for a moment, but then did as he asked. His eyes continued to stare into hers even as he ignored the enraged cries of the twins who could only watch as their prize was snatched from them. The Northern Lord wanted more then anything to convince her that his feelings for her were real and strong. But as of yet nothing seemed to work, not his words, not his actions, but perhaps this would. It is said, after all, that the eyes lead to the soul, and he definitely believed that that was true.

The miko seemed to see something in the demon lord's eyes, but Healo was unable to find out what when he heard the voice of a certain hanyou as he said, "They're back!" A moment later the Northern Lord saw that an obviously concerned Inuyasha was helping a dazed Kagome off of the ground while the stoical Western Lord watched from a few feet away. Healo smiled at the familiar scene and stood gracefully as he nodded to the others whose eyes betrayed their concern. It took the demon lord a few minutes to explain what had happened inside of Yamikura, but he left out some of the parts that would have caused the miko embarrassment and the Western Lord to become angry. But he knew that Kagome had noticed his thoughtfulness since she shot him an incredulous look while he was telling the story. That made his lie worth it, at least to him…

Sesshomaru's POV

The Western Lord watched the young miko carefully with his golden eyes, he knew that something else had happened between his brother and her while they were inside Yamikura. The fact that Healo hadn't trusted him enough to tell him the truth only proved that the Northern Lord was a devious manipulator who was intent on snatching Kagome away from him. However, the Western Lord was determined to keep that from happening, and he knew the best way to do so. It was time to speak with her himself; to explain the reasoning behind why she would make a good Lady of the Western Lands.

Since there was still an hour until they would need to continue towards Maleon, the demon lord decided that there really was no better time and so quietly approached his mate-to-be. The young woman jumped when he said smoothly, "Kagome I wish to speak with you." The miko turned with an interested look in her brown eyes as she nodded and stood to follow him. After they had gone an acceptable distance away from camp the Western Lord closed his eyes when the young woman asked, "Sesshomaru, why did you choose me? I've been trying to figure it out for days, but I just can't seem to find an answer."

Sesshomaru turned to look at the confused miko with his golden eyes, could it truly be that she didn't understand how special she was? He answered calmly, "Kagome it is true that I do need to take a mate for the continued strength and security of my lands," the miko's eyes fell at this answer, but the lord continued, "however, that is the reason that I am allowed to take you as my mate. The reason I want to take you as my mate is not just because you are a miko, but because you are strong and loyal; qualities I never before ascribed to humans." 'Except for Rin,' he conceded to himself, but the thought of his young ward boiled his blood; Naraku would pay dearly for everything he had done.

Kagome only stared at the Western Lord with a shocked expression on her young face. However, she blinked quickly and asked quietly, "You…you really mean that?" The demon lord nodded and answered neutrally, "This Sesshomaru would not lie to someone as respectable as you. Miko, you are not like other humans; you do not fear me, hate me, or think of me in terms of profiting yourself. I know that you have all the qualities that would make you a wonderful lady and mother." The Western Lord meant every word and hoped that his tone and reputation for truthfulness would show the miko that he was not exaggerating.

The young woman turned her eyes away as she was obviously embarrassed at receiving so much praise. However, when she turned back around there was an uncertain look in her eyes as she asked, "I know that you respect me, but could you ever love me?" The demon lord's mask fell to reveal his confusion for just a moment before he answered carefully, "For demon's a mate is chosen based on abilities and instinct, however, I do not doubt that in time I could develop deeper…feelings for you." It was definitely the closest that he would ever come to saying yes. Kagome smiled softly at Sesshomaru which he saw as a good sign; without another word the young woman made her way carefully back to the camp. The sun was rising…

Healo's POV

The Northern Lord had watched her go without saying a word. Part of him had wanted to follow them, but he knew that if Kagome found out that she would be angry. Healo didn't know what they had said, but judging from the happy expression on his mate-to-be's face Sesshomaru had said something to allay her fears about his desire to mate her. It was not that in itself that angered the demon lord, but the fact that his brother had purposely been so secretive about it. However, he calmed himself quickly since he realized that most of his anger was just jealousy. Still the Northern Lord was confident that Kagome had finally realized exactly how he felt about her and that could only be a good thing…

Alrighty then, so I did manage to update right within the deadline which I am very proud of; especially considering that this is my week of finals. So tired, but the show must go on. I really should have divided this story about 15-20 chapters ago since I remembered just how much stuff we still have to go through especially at the rate I'm going, but I refuse to give up. By the way I'm sorry if I sounded to snippy when commenting about the one review, but it did kind of upset me that someone actually thought that. So what did you all think of the scenes between Kagome and her two official, not counting Inuyasha, suitors? Pretty interesting I hope I sometimes find it difficult to attack my own characters characteristics through Sesshomaru, but it is productive. Anyway I really hope to hear from most of you since reviews help to spur me on. Next chapter should be within a week and I may soon be able to get two chapters a week since Christmas Break is coming up very soon. Next chapter will, hopefully finally definitely, get them through the Imperial Lands and speeding towards the climactic finale. However, there are still several events that will take place between when they finally see the regent and the end. Also I never noticed just how many of my stories under my favorites are Sesshomaru/Kagome, I only have one Inuyasha/Kagome which I think is weird since I read both. Strange. Anyway please review.