I re-read this whole story and re-read everyone of the amazing reviews left about this story form you guys. I can definitely say that I was inspired and touched enough to start writing this story again. I did run into a little creative block, as I'm nearing the end of this story, but wanted to give you more chapters at the same time. So trying to fill the spaces in between the more iconic scenes I want to write, is difficult. So sorry if the chapter lacked in any way!

I do have a serious question to ask! This story can end it two ways and I want you guys to decide how it will end. I can have it end happily, or end with a huge twist. Don't worry, the twist won't involve either main character falling out of love with the other. This is a Sess/Kik fic all the way through. But the twist is just another end to the story I'm playing with. So please please please review to let me know, and give your input as I continue to put more of the story together for its conclusion.

Enjoy!

Chapter 9

The weather had finally cleared up and the night was gracing the sky and land with its darkness. Sesshomaru remained silent the rest of their bath and while dressing after their clothes completely dried. He was always a man of little words, but after this encounter she felt he should have more to say. Or at least not seem so standoffish. Once she finished securing her top, she went to speak but was instantly cut off by an echoing laugh from within the forest.

"Ku, ku, ku… that was quite the performance…"

Sesshomaru stepped in front of Kikyo as the intruder slowly revealed himself from the shadows. They knew all too well who was dressed under the white draping of the baboon cloak. Only his sickly smile was visible as his mask was covering his face partially.

"Wow, I'm shocked Lord Sesshomaru. To see you so protective over your fated enemy, a priestess. Your brother's lover, Kikyo."

Sesshomaru knew better than to lose his cool with Naraku over his brother, "Naraku. You finally decided to show yourself. Even if it's cowardly."

The demonic aura was indeed Naraku's, but Sesshomaru was right. It was another one of his puppets. The priestess sealer wasn't here, and Kikyo still felt all her powers within her.

"Why haven't you come to face us yourself Naraku?" Kikyo demanded.

"Why my darling Kikyo, I've been enjoying watching from afar. I've had to test out how this alliance was holding up between you and Sesshomaru. I wasn't going to rush in to anything unprepared. However, I am more than shocked and please to see how things have turned out."

A chill crawled through Kikyo's body. The mere thought of Naraku watching her while she was intimate with Sesshomaru made her sick. She couldn't contain her disgust for him, "You vile creature. I've had enough of your games. Come face us, you weak spineless sycophant."

"Ku, ku, ku. This encounter has been knowledgeable. Trust me Kikyo, you and I will come face to face soon enough. After all these years of Onigumo yearning for you and your body, I finally got to see what was so alluring. I must say," Naraku paused. His tongue slipped out of this mouth to wet his lips lustfully, "I don't think I'll keep Onigumo's heart waiting any longer. I will finally satiate both his and my ulimate desires. I will bed-"

Naraku's puppet wasn't allowed to finish his sentence. Sesshomaru sliced through with his poison claws without a second more to waste. He wasn't going to let Naraku speak so distastefully about Kikyo. It was clear to Sesshomaru, he had to hide Kikyo away back in his lands of the West. Naraku would never be able to snatch Kikyo from there without having to go through more trouble than he'd like. It'd put him at too far great of a risk.

"Come Kikyo, we must head back to Jaken and Rin."

He started off with Kikyo not trailing far behind, "Sesshomaru… why are we heading back to the West? We should be going after Naraku, it is clear now more than ever, he's intimidated about us uniting together."

If there was one crystal clear fact about this encounter, it wasn't that Naraku was scared. It was that Naraku had finally found his edge over Sesshomaru. This much was very clear to Sesshomaru. It didn't help that he lost control of his demeanor when it came to him objectifying Kikyo, which most likely confirmed Naraku's suspicions. Naraku would now use Kikyo against him; and if he was right about Kikyo's feelings, and he was sure he was, Sesshomaru would now be used against Kikyo. It put both at an extreme disadvantage.

Sesshomaru knew better. All the times of encountering Inuyasha and his group, they were strong together just as much as they were weak. It was largely the reason the group struggle in defeating powerful enemies. He couldn't risk going into this blindly. He needed to figure this out, in the safety of his lands.

'If Kikyo reaps the repercussions of my failure-… What nonsense just crossed my mind…? Did I, the great Lord Sesshomaru, just imply I could possibly fail. Fail because if Kikyo happens to fall into the clutches of Naraku I'd be rendered weak?'

"Sesshomaru?!" Kikyo had her fill of his silence.

"Silence priestess!" He shot her a glare of crimson-raged eyes.

Kikyo stopped in her tracks, taken aback. His hateful look could have very well been a dagger that pierced her heart. All the positive aspirations that flooded her heart from the previous events crumbled within seconds before her.

The look of shocked sadness in her eyes quickly dispelled the crimson in his eyes. His rage gone. He took a step forward and reached for the hand that Kikyo instinctually used to clutch her kimono over her heart. Upon seeing his hand reach for her she stepped back out of his grasp. She dropped her head, her bangs hiding all the emotions that glazed her eyes.

"What am I to you…" the words barley heard as they creeped out of her mouth.

What a loaded question. He wasn't sure if he had known the answer either. His only sure truth was that today's events uprooted his life. He was never one to be emotional. He couldn't even begin to comprehend what his relationship with Kikyo meant for either of them.

His silence guttered her, "I see you may not know what I mean to you, Sesshomaru. However, I know what you mean to me…"

Sesshomaru turned back towards his original destination. He could feel it deep down within his soul, it was the wrong direction to head. Every being of him screamed out to fix this now, to turn around and put his pride away. He should take this leap with Kikyo. Yet, his pride was strong, and he needed this journey back home to sort through his thoughts before telling Kikyo anything.

"Let's be on our way, Kikyo…" hopefully using her name would comfort her slightly and forgive him of his outburst.

Kikyo watched his figure gain distance between then. She wasn't sure if she should follow or take this loss as is and part ways now. Sparing her further humiliation down the line. Staying with him now after all of this only meant more pain for her. Naraku was his main priority, whether she stayed with him or not. She started to retreat the opposite direction, yet her heart decided otherwise. The last time she saw Kaede flashed within her thoughts. Rin's face following shortly after.

"To the West it is then…" she solemnly whispered to herself.

The tension within Sesshomaru's shoulders fell as he sensed Kikyo's presence following him. He never halted to wait for her decision, but he could feel Kikyo's hesitancy. If she had walked away he would have to let her. He couldn't relinquish his pride to a woman. Even if he felt immense relief from her finally deciding to trek on with him.

Kikyo and Sesshomaru stood at the gates of the entrance to his manor. Kikyo took in the sights of the landscape. It was beautiful and peaceful here inside Sesshomaru's manor. It brought a sense of calm over her. As quickly as it came it dissipated.

"Kikyo, why did you come back with me?"

Kikyo closed her eyes to take in a deep breath and relish in the light breeze that passed by, "Rin."

Kikyo had no control over the way she said goodbye to Kaede. She was stripped of any closure with her younger sister because of the cursed jewel. However, this time, she had control over how she would part with Rin. She would make sure she spent whatever time she could with the girl, who desperately needed a strong female role model in her life. She'd spend whatever happy days with her she could. She'd defeat Naraku with Sesshomaru, and then she'd tell Rin goodbye. Goodbye on her terms. She would not be ripped away again. She opened her eyes and went off to find her loyal friend.

Sesshomaru watched her stride off out of sight as Jaken came running past her, "Mi lord! You're home! I'm glad to see you've made it back unharmed."

A vein twitched in Sesshomaru's temple, Jaken always so loose with his lips. He walked off, stepping on Jaken on his way inside his manor. He was going to give Kikyo some time with Rin before he pulled her off to the side to talk with her. First he was going to retreat far away from Jaken where he couldn't find him. He had too much going on in his mind to deal with any nonsense the imp had to say to him.

Sesshomaru made it to his private study that was hidden within the manor. This is where everything official and secret were kept to avoid any espionage attacks from finding important information. It had been a while since he had been in here, ever since he began his travels all those years ago this place was abandoned. In its purpose from being hidden, not even the maids knew of its existence. Dust was starting to collect on the surface of various items.

He stood in front of the large wooden carved bookshelf that contained countless relics, scrolls, and potions. He wiped the dust of an intricately carved lock box. He used his fingers to trace the box designs. He knew quite well what was inside. Slowly lifting the lid, he revealed a dried out clipping of a bellflower…

Sesshomaru hadn't realized how many hours had passed once he got lost within the confines of his study re-visiting his old memories. He searched the manor to find Kikyo outside in the gardens with Rin watching the stars. He had hoped they had been fed and catered to while he was gone. His servants should know better by now to care for his wards.

"Kikyo…" he walked over to the two figures and towered above them, slightly obstructing their sight of the night sky.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Come watch the start with Lady Kikyo and I. They are beautiful!"

Kikyo chuckled at Rin. Sesshomaru and Kikyo should take a lesson from Rin's book occasionally. The girl was always happy and positive despite the tragedies she had been dealt. In fact, Kikyo would take partake in Rin's philosophy right now with Sesshomaru. She would act as nothing happened between the two, and go back to being comrades. Or what she considered a comrade to the pompous Lord Sesshomaru.

"What can I help you with my Lord," she chimed, but avoided his gaze.

"Lord Sesshomaru! You've finally returned! I've missed you!" a woman's voice yelled at the top of her lungs. It was a voice unfamiliar to the two women on the ground. They both rose to look at the woman who was running towards Sesshomaru with a Jaken chasing after.

The woman bowed down at Sesshomaru's feet and quickly rose back to look him in the eyes. Her hands were clasped together and rested right above her breast. She was breathing quickly, most likely from running away from Jaken. She had short tousle-waived hair that followed her heart shaped face, but her pointed ears poked through. Her white skin was speckled in faded brown freckles and she had the brightest green eyes. A light brown fur bandeau top, matching the color of her locks, covered her chest, accompanied with a furred short skirt that her long tail reached out from. She also had fur cuffs around her wrists and ankles.

"Kinaske?"

"Oh Sesshomaru you remembered me! I can't begin to tell you how happy that makes me!"

"Mi Lord!" Jaken finally caught up to the group. He crouched over and was heaving hard from running after the woman.

"I'm so sorry Mi Lord! I tried to find you all day to tell you. I also tried to stop her, but once she caught your scent she barged in looking for you!"

Kinaske kicked Jaken to the side, "Lord Sesshomaru, I heard news you were going to return home today. I sent word that I would be coming by. It's been far too long since you and I have seen each other. I don't think that's proper for engaged royalty."

"Engaged?" Kikyo gasped.

Kinaske finally took notice of Kikyo once she finally spoke up. She eyed Kikyo from head to toe then followed suit with Rin. Her face contorted with disgust, "What are these humans doing here? How dare they speak to us."

Jaken recovered from his position in the ground and came running back waiving his staff around, "Kinaske! You insolent woman. How dare you speak about Lady Kikyo and young Rin that way! Know your place girl. You are a guest to this manor and you will not insult the Lord's wards."

Kikyo was taken aback at Jaken's sudden rush to her defense. Jaken detested human's yet here he was defending a human priestess and child against a woman of supposed nobility. She smiled at Jaken, bowing her head slightly towards him in show of respect.

"Enough. Kinaske, we are not engaged. You know that was just strategy thrown about when my father was around ruling the Western Lands. It was never official and I have countlessly denied your request for it to be reconsidered. If you're here diplomatically, then Jaken can show you to your room where you will remain until tomorrow. If you decide to stay past the morning, then I expect you will be dressed accordingly with your status if you wish to remain on my grounds."

"But Sesshomaru-" she tried to interject.

"Lastly, you will not belittle or harm Lady Rin or Lady Kikyo while you are here on my grounds." He made sure to address them with proper titles in order to solidify his resolve.

Kinaske could feel the heat in her cheeks from embarrassment. Sesshomaru has always been so cold and strict, but never has he put a human's dignity before her own. She glared back at the two human females invading her presence. She made sure to give them scornful looks. Tonight, she may not get the answers she needed, but before the week was over, she'd know everything she needed to bring them down.

Jaken ushered Kinaske off before she could cause any more trouble. Rin stuck her tongue out and pulled her bottom eyelid down at the retreating demoness. "How rude. Lord Sesshomaru, you should keep better company. Women like that will only bring you down."

"Rin, it's time for you to retire for the night."

Rin released her pose and smiled sheepishly at her Lord, "Of course Lord Sesshomaru. Goodnight Lady Kikyo, goodnight Lord Sesshomaru." A quick simple bow and she was off.

Kikyo smiled after the child. When the girl was out of sight, Kikyo was painfully aware of being left alone with Sesshomaru. She could feel his gaze penetrating her from the side. Not wanting to stay in this awkwardness anymore she tried to leave off to bed.

"Well, goodnight Lord Sesshomaru." She bowed.

"We aren't engaged, nor were we ever."

His tone commanded her to stop, even if his words had no relation. "As I heard. Besides, you do not owe me any explanations about your women of the night. I've learned that much."

He scoffed, "Obviously."

Kikyo bowed once more and began continuing her way towards her room. However, it seemed as Sesshomaru had other plans. He was at her side, placing his hand on the nape of her back to guide her down the opposite corridor from the room she last stayed in.

"Lord Sesshomaru, where are you taking me?"

"You will no longer be sleeping in that room."

"Oh…" so she suspected he was showing her to her new room.

The room they came to was on the more secluded side of the manor where it was less busy of life. For a moment, Kikyo had considered Sesshomaru was hiding her from the rest of the manor. It brought about considerable anger in her. Sesshomaru opened the shoji to a large space.

A large raised bed was in the place of where a mat would normally be. A bed that was for rich nobility, not a mat that was typically used for servants and lower class. The sheets were made of the finest silks and glided smoothly under her fingertips as she ran her hands across the bed. Even the pillows were filled with the softest material she had never felt before, possibly cotton.

Elegant kakejiku hung from the walls displaying various calligraphy and paintings. This room contained a personal hearth accompanied with two zabutons. There were also various kodanas and tansus in the room which, undoubtedly, contained various handcrafted weapons and trinkets.

Kikyo was amazed, this room was, definitely, designed for a noble. The size of the room indicated it belonged to the lord of the manor, but without seeing every room on the land Kikyo couldn't know for sure.

"Lord Sesshomaru, you do not need me to take up such an exquisite room. I was fine in my old quarters, where I won't take up much space."

"You won't be taking up space here. We need to talk."

Sesshomaru motioned for her to sit on one of the zabutons at the hearth. He hadn't sat with her, but stood on the opposite side of the hearth.

"Kikyo…" he realized this was much harder than he anticipated. He knew the decision he had come to, but never being one to display feelings or regret, he wasn't sure how to being.

"This is my room Kikyo."

Kikyo blushed, "Oh.. I do not wish to take your room from you my Lord."

"You won't be taking it from me. You'll be staying with me."

Kikyo jumped to her feet, offended. Did he think he'd just be his private sex toy? She approached him, fist clenched tightly to avoid releasing her anger on him physically.

"Kikyo, you shall stay with me in my room…" his voice wasn't his usual monotone nature. It was soft and undemanding. He couldn't express his feelings vocally, but was hoping she could understand his feelings through the nature of his actions.

Kikyo searched for answers in his eyes. She had to re-track the events. Certainly, she was looking at this all wrong. Sesshomaru wasn't an affectionate man, and if he was offering to share his bed it meant to be close. If he truly just wanted sex he could have thrown Kikyo in her old room and beckoned or visited her based on his needs. Kikyo had to see past the visage he was presenting.

"I think I understand Sesshomaru…" she reached for his hand and began to pull him towards the bed. She helped him to remove the armor and kimono from his body, and he helped her undress to her kimono slip.

Kikyo crawled into bed with Sesshomaru, resting her head on his chest as he held her tight. A position new to him, but felt right. Kikyo felt tears well up in her eyes when he hadn't once protested what she perceived as his true convictions. The security she felt in his arms was overwhelming to her. Even her three nights with Inuyasha were incomparable to this.

She suddenly felt foolish. She should have known better after all this time and knowing exactly who Sesshomaru was. Intimacy wasn't easy for him, and their love making at the hot spring was uncommon for him. Of course, he would have needed time to process everything that happened, and Naraku showing up didn't help.

He stood protectively over her and hadn't let Naraku finish his perverted musings while they were talking. He wanted to rush her back to the safety of the West. All these actions, this was all Sesshomaru's way of telling her he cared. Then selfishly, she tried to push him about it after being ridiculed by Naraku. No wonder he lashed out angrily.

The use of her name gently after slipping up and calling her priestess. The amount of space he gave her when they arrived at the manor. His quick response to clear up the confusion of his engagement. Sharing his private sleeping space with her willingly. These huge gestures were his way of showing her his true feelings.

She tried to grab onto him tighter. Afraid to let go or possibly ruin her chances with him once more. He could feel the fear in her grasp and held her tighter. Whispering into her hair, "This is what you mean to me…"

The tears broke free of her eyes and streamed down her face. The confusion this past year, and she finally arrived at this moment. This moment of clarity. She wanted to be with Sesshomaru with her whole being. She wanted to defeat Naraku and live to share a life with him and Rin. Even Jaken. She wanted all this so desperately. She wanted to be selfish with him, she wanted to give up being a priestess and the weighted sense of duty that came with it. She wanted to move on to the life she deserved.

Sesshomaru held her while she cried. He didn't move or speak. He could feel the relief that she gained when each weighted tear fell from her eyes. All she needed right now was this moment of silence and comfort. A moment he wouldn't mind sharing with her every night for the rest of her life. From this second forward, he lived for her chance to live.