Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Genre

: Romance/Angst/Hurt

Pairing

: Sesshoumaru/Kagome

Summary

: Little Rin has died and Sesshoumaru doesn't know what to do. He looses himself to his beast, lost in emotions he hasn't felt in hundreds of years. Kagome is called to subdue the raging beast and in the process binds herself to the taiyoukai stronger then her bond with Inuyasha. With Sesshoumaru's subduing comes the price of being Lady of the West and with the title comes all the downsides and perks of being ningen royalty among a youkai court.

A Demon Lord's Cry
Chapter Twelve: Common Ground

x . . . . x

Her living affected the well being of the Lady of the West and that was unacceptable.

As Sesshoumaru left the dojo his thoughts were slowly plotting out the demise of the undead miko.

Several weeks passed and there were days that were worse than others. Sometimes she would only cross his mind four or five times a day and others she would never leave his thoughts.

Sesshoumaru sometimes felt like he had taken the young girl for granted. Things she did daily were never thought of as special or endearing but now that no one did those small things he realized... he missed them. Not that he would ever mention that to anyone else.

Things like humming as Rin did calligraphy or the way she'd run from the maids in order to avoid her bath. The way she would seek him out whenever something interesting happened to her and how he would listen with half an ear. She never minded though, her smile never wavered. Her laughter had always been a constant within his halls and now it was gone.

Yes... some days were worse than others and this was definitely one of those days.

This made him agitated and his subjects made sure to give him wide berth because none wanted to be in his way while he was in one of these moods.

Sesshoumaru paused at one of the closed windows and frowned. Rin had adored sunlight and she didn't care how cold it was, the windows were always open. His fingers moved toward the wooden window shades to open them but paused a few inches from the latches. The cold had taken Rin because she and her ningen body had been small and frail. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, which always seemed to be so jumbled together and days, the Western Lord glared at the window, brought his hand to his side, and continued walking.

He was forced to stop when a small body collided against his leg. He looked down and turquoise met tawny gold in a moment before the turquoise eyes widened and looked behind him. The sound of running footsteps reached his ears along with angry growls and curses. Sesshoumaru looked at the kitsune that quickly darted behind him with something akin to a scowl. Several lower classed guards were yelling angrily and barreled around the corner, almost running into Sesshoumaru before coming to a stop and fearfully dropping to the ground and bowing.

Sesshoumaru arched a brow as he noticed the screaming, whining mushrooms that were currently multiplying along the guards.

"Lord Sesshoumaru!" the three youkai greeted and Sesshoumaru inclined his head slightly.

"What is the meaning of this?" he inquired lightly.

The first guard spoke and growled lowly, "That damnable kitsune tricked us and covered us in these mushrooms, Sesshoumaru-sama!"

"Yeah!" the second spoke. "We were chasing him to teach him a lesson!"

The silence was thick [minus the mushrooms] and the other two guards cast the second a dark look. "You had planned to 'teach' the miko's son a lesson?" Sesshoumaru rumbled lowly. Several gulps sounded audibly from the guards and Shippo snickered. "You have five seconds to get out of my sight. Deal with the mushrooms elsewhere... far away; they offend my ears." The taiyoukai sniffed haughtily, cracking his knuckles, and the guards leaped over one another to get away. Shippo burst into laughter, his little tail twitching with mirth, and the older youkai stared at the small bundle of fur.

As though sensing his gaze, Shippo's laughter died abruptly and he turned his sheepish smilw to older youkai. Sesshoumaru said nothing and did nothing but Shippo was clearly intimidated by the unblinking, cool eyes and the sheepish smile turned into frightened trembling remembering that this was Sesshoumaru and he had definitely tried to kill Inuyasha on more than one occasion. Shippo took a step back, getting ready to run from the possible threat and even succeeded in turning half way before claws descended on his neck and lifted him by his collar.

The kistune squirmed and struggled, "Let go of me of you jerk!" Shippo yelled angrily and as though knowing that was not the right thing to say, he turned fearful eyes up Sesshoumaru as he was brought to the larger male's face. They were eye-level now. Plopping the kitsune in his open palm, Sesshoumaru calmly stared at the child that had died and had been brought back to life via his sword. Sesshoumaru could honestly say he had never really been so close to the child and normally he had been stuck closely to the miko's side.

The trembling continued and something within the taiyoukai broke and was filled with a faint curiosity, wonder, and sadness.

Rin had never been quite as small as the child that was cradled in the palm of his hand. He was tiny and weak and he obviously needed someone to protect him.

"Stop trembling." Sesshoumaru demanded almost solemnly.

Rin had never been so frightened; in fact she had always been quite lively. The only thing she feared were the ookami that he dealt with on occasionally but that was understandable. This kit seemed to fear everything that was youkai which was actually quite disgraceful considering he was a youkai himself. The trembling figure in his hands seemed to have stopped slowly and Sesshoumaru nodded his head in acknowledgement at the kit's feat. "A-are you gonna hurt me?" Shippo stuttered softly.

"Going to." Sesshoumaru corrected automatically and the kit blanched. "The correct form would be 'going to' rather than 'gonna'." For a moment he was whisked away back in time where Rin would use improper grammar and he would correct her. She would smile then, nod, and use the correct form of the word she was attempting to use. "Try again." he instructed lowly.

Shippo tossed him an inquisitive look but nodded his head. "Are you going to hurt me?" the kitsune asked and Sesshoumaru shook his head.

"No, I am not. I am, however, going to make sure that you learn a valuable lesson." His golden eyes sparked almost darkly. Rin had been female so her punishments had been few and far in between and when he did punish her it had been light but Shippo was a male. Strolling down memory lane, Sesshoumaru remembered his own punishments given to him as a pup. Looking down at the runt of a child before him that was cradled within the palm of his hand, Sesshoumaru began walking and Shippo audibly gulped.

.

Kagome had been tracking down Shippo's aura for a little over half an hour now and it had finally led her to one of the inner private dojos. She was apprehensive when she took note of the other aura within the dojo and she laid her fingers on the door, ready to slide it open. She paused as Sesshoumaru's voice floated over to her through the rice paper doors.

"Good. Blocking is essential. Defensive maneuvers are more important than offensive maneuvers. A good defense will always win over a good offense because offensive moves require more energy when executed."

"Inuyasha always attacks and he wins fights!" Shippo's voice called out petulantly and Kagome couldn't help the smile that curled her lips.

"My brother..." came the dry tone."... is without a doubt, an imbecile but the hanyou is also has smarts that were imbedded into him at a young age of living alone. He is able to read his opponents quite well. This allows him to be able to guess almost in milliseconds on how they will move. That is all it is though, guessing. He was not able to learn proper technique. You have been given the chance to learn what he was not. For the hand the whelp was dealt he did considerably well for himself and survived to adulthood, something most hanyou do not. In conclusion, I suggest you stop comparing yourself to him because you will learn differently."

Shippo grumbled softly to himself and there were a few moments of silence before the kit spoke. "You know, before Kagome found me, I was alone like Inuyasha." Shippo murmured gently. "Papa had been murdered and Mother had died years before. I would have joined them had it not been for her and now you."

"I did not save you from death as the miko had." the taiyoukai sniffed.

"Sesshoumaru-sama... I haven't properly thanked you." Shippo whispered. "You did not save me from dying but you did bring me back."

"Kit, the reason you died was because I prevented the girl from going to you." Sesshoumaru bluntly stated and Shippo sighed. Kagome's heart squeezed in her chest at the fact and she knew it would be a long time before she would ever forgive Sesshoumaru for that. In fact, the simple thought made her tremble with rage and she wanted to attack Sesshoumaru as she had not been able to do the fateful day of Shippo's death. Her lips pursed as Shippo began again.

"I-I know. There had to be reasons though. I don't know why you saved me - "

"I did it so that the miko would return." Sesshoumaru interjected coolly but Shippo continued.

" - but still... thanks." Shippo pressed on. "... and I'm sorry about Rin-chan." Kagome heard Shippo's sniffling and her heart broke for him. "She was a good friend and we were going to play again the next time I saw her. She was one of the only ningens my age to accept me even though I am a youkai. Most don't want their children playing with me when we go into villages." There was a hiccupping sob and his voice rang out again. "I'm gonna miss her."

Shippo's quiet crying was heard and the came Sesshoumaru's voice, "Going to." he said slowly. "Going to miss her, remember, kit?"

"Will you miss her too, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Shippo asked between whimpers.

Kagome inched away from the door and decided to head toward the courtyard and do some exploring.

As she pulled away Sesshoumaru said nothing to Shippo but to Kagome, his silence was enough and spoke volumes.

.

Evening found Kagome seated across Sesshoumaru in his office. She was still often surprised by the random western decor in different parts of his home but by far, she loved the office the most. Currently, he was looking down at some paper work and though he was still quite cool... he had somewhat softened since the night that Shippo had been brought back. Towards others, he hadn't changed at all, but he was still different.

Occasionally, she caught him staring at nothing. Other times, he would say her title without sneering. He was distantly respectful and she began to find it difficult to dislike the taiyoukai so greatly. After all, she was naturally a friendly person and enjoyed getting to know others. Though her forgiveness was out of the question she didn't deny the fact that they were getting along somewhat smoothly.

Her days were the same. She would be taught history by Himeno in the morning, break, continue learning from Himeno but about etiquette, meditate with Takeshi, and learn from both Takeshi and Sesshoumaru about battle tactics and training. At night she would retreat to his study and recount the day's events to him and what she had learned. She remembered after the first time they trained how she had Takeshi reported to his office and her stomach turned uncomfortably as it still worried her.

"As Leaders of the Western Lands, we must operate together; hence why I have called you here rather than acting on what must be done. The undead miko is a threat." Sesshoumaru said into the silence. "I know, per my request, she is searching for your Shikon shards with the hanyou but it has come to my attention because of her you are not operating at full power." The youkai addressed Kagome. She looked on at him in confusion, curious about where he was going with this, and he began again. "Your incomplete soul is hazardous. Should you ever be attacked, you can only defend yourself for so long. This is clearly unacceptable."

"So what do you suggest, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Takeshi inquired lowly, knowing that this wouldn't be good.

"She has to be eliminated." Kagome gasped and stared with wide eyes.

"No!" she murmured. "You can't kill her!"

"She is the reason you are not as powerful as you should be." Sesshoumaru shot back, eyes narrowed.

"This runs much deeper than that." Kagome responded angrily, her own eyes flashing in frustration. "Naraku tricked Kikyo and Inuyasha into betraying one another. Since her resurrection, she and Inuyasha have grown close again. I cannot put Inuyasha through the pain of losing her again!"

"She is already dead." Takeshi murmured to Kagome whom offered him a quick glare.

"No! I rather remain weak and become stronger through time then kill her. I will not have her death on my hands." The miko turned away angrily, clearing stating that was all she would say on that matter. Sesshoumaru would have rolled his at her had he been anyone other than who he was.

"Miko... I am trying to work with you." Sesshoumaru began. "The Western Lands have always been ruled by the rulers, not the individual Lord or Lady, as you must have learned in your studies. The West works by a joint leadership and I am attempting to include you in planning and you are acting like a petulant child."

Kagome, unlike Sesshoumaru, did sigh. She sat up straight and looked at the taiyoukai, "I do not want Kikyo killed and considering this is my power, I choose to gain strength on my own."

Though he disagreed completely, Sesshoumaru conceded and nodded his head. "Alright. You are correct, they are your powers and her death would forever be on your conscience."

Kagome then awarded the youkai with a bright smile that he merely snorted at.

Takeshi almost glowered, almost being the key word.

Sesshoumaru glanced up at her after rolling the scroll he was working with and sealing it with dark blue wax. His eyes were hooded and yet glowing due to the fire that was cast in the room, his silver hair taking an orange tint. He spoke after a few moments, his voice soothing and rumbling in the dim yet distinctly cool, "We have much to discuss this evening."

"We do?" Kagome inquired, arching a brow curiously.

"You have come a long way since you entered the Western Lands a slouching, somewhat ill-mannered girl. In these few weeks, you have been taught proper etiquette, you have learned better control, and you can defend yourself much more then you could previously. There are still things you have to be taught. As you have learned from the challenge you received, youkai are ruthless. Though you have not been challenged since then, it is not out of the realm of possibility. Though some youkai may not want me in particular, they do want the status of Lady of the Western Lands and some may challenge just because you are ningen. Most have been frightened to do since considering what happened to the last challenger. You have met the harem and on the outside they seem to be calm at this point but sizzling beneath the surface is their anger. They are not the only ones either; Reika too may be an issue in the future."

"If you do not mind me asking, what is your relationship to Reika? She once mentioned she was to be your mate." Kagome asked curiously. She remembered the cruel and callous way that the inu-youkai had treated Rin's death.

"It is a possibility." Sesshoumaru uttered the word 'possibility' as though it was a curse and Kagome once again cast him a look of confusion but curiosity as well. "If I were to mate Reika it would be a political and practical move. She is strong and would bear powerful pups. Her father is also a youkai that resides in the South. He owns a large amount of land and is a minor Lord but if I took her as my mate then I would take control of part of his lands as a part of her dowry. This would increase the size of the Western Lands."

"So it's not a set mating." the young girl inquired, the word 'mating' rolling off her tongue slowly, not sure if that was correct.

"No, it is not. She believes it to be due to her power level and though I am practical even practicality has its limits." Kagome nodded and he continued. "Which brings up this next point. She would like to mate me for the title of Lady of the Western Lands, a title that you now hold, and so the prestige is no longer there. Hence her reason for wanting to eliminate you. Miko..." he began slowly, a single hand cradling his head and as he looked at the ningen girl. "If she attacks you, you attack back. She will kill you which will in turn kill me. She is sneaky and is not above resorting to underhanded tricks."

"Why do you keep her here then?"

"A show of faith in a way. If I send her so soon, then her father will take it as insult and from there take it to his Cardinal Lord which may cause war if the Cardinal Lord feels like it." His eyes darkened and he growled lowly, "The West is prospering very well and war is a long and tiring process. If it can be prevented, then it is my people's interest that I leave well enough alone."

"I always thought you were war bent; it seems to be your nature." Sesshoumaru allowed himself a chilling smirk.

"It is my nature, miko. I prefer conquering all that stand in my and taking what I want. However, this is not about what I want but rather what is good for my people." he intoned almost patiently. He knew that she didn't quite understand war and all its intricacies and though she was intelligent, some things had to be taught rather than learned first hand. "War takes everything. Homes, crops, people, money, everything. I will not cause war for such a miniscule thing as an insult to an old man's pride."

She would admit, even if to herself only, Sesshoumaru was a good leader and she knew this because she had read the history in class of both Japan and other countries. She knew what war did and how it affected everyone it touched and the fact the Sesshoumaru could make decisions that were so good for his people showed the markings of a true leader.

"Do you think I am in danger from her then?" she asked tentatively and Sesshoumaru nodded his head slowly.

"Yes and if you fight and you are strong enough to kill her then kill her."

Kagome spoke quickly, "I thought she was a potential mate!"

"If she can be killed by you then she was not worth my time." Kagome nodded her head in acceptance but paused in mid-nod.

"I don't like killing." she responded softly, not looking in his eyes.

"I do not think I would be fond of dying and people, youkai, ningen, and hanyou, all must do things they do not like to. Do not hesitate, miko." Kagome nodded her head and sighed. "There are two other issues that must be addressed. Takeshi and his clan, as well as the youkai, Sakumo, that spoke against you."

"What's wrong with Takeshi?" she frowned, brows furrowed in concern.

"Nothing is wrong with him; it is his clan you must be worried about. As you have most likely heard, Takeshi is no longer a general in my army. In fact, he is no soldier at all. When he chose to follow you into the village the day he ran off with you, he chose you over his duties. His duties would have demanded he check on his lord and then his lady. He did not. He followed you and as a soldier, that is unacceptable. He was ripped of his station and is solely your guard. I could not keep by my side, do you understand why?" Kagome shook her head and he rubbed his temple. "His loyalties cannot be divided. He is either wholly dedicated to me or wholly dedicated to you. There are no in betweens. I refuse to allow a moment where he does not know whose orders to follow if we ever gave him contradicting instructions so I made the decision for him. He is yours.

The reason you have to worry about his clan is because the Obsidian Inu are a controlling lot. He was created to be a killing machine and is an heir of the clan. He has two elder siblings and they were raised to take over as head of clan one day. A third son is not needed as much and so they trained his differently. After a century or so, Takeshi tired of his life and ran off. I found him amidst an unfair battle with terrible odds. I did not help him because it was not my fight..." Sesshoumaru was no longer in the room, his mind falling upon the day he met the young inu.

They had been the same age, no taller than Kagome and roughly fourteen years in ningen appearance.

The sounds of battle reached his ears and blood filled his nostrils. He wrinkled his nose and though he knew he should not bother with the battle, the scent of inu reached his nose and curiosity became the best of him. Walking steadily and slowly, young Sesshoumaru reached a grassy knoll where an obsidian inu was fighting off three or four higher level snake youkai. Black hair billowed wildly as the inu moved with precision and practiced movements.

Sesshoumaru arched a brow as the boy leaped and tore his claws through the jugular of the closest snake, blood spraying every direction and coating the male in the sticky substance. Another dove for him and he dodged out of the way, a leg coming up and kicking the snake in the chest, knocking the air clear out of the youkai. A hand descended upon the snake's skull and crushed the head within its fingers until cracked and became nothing more than exploded brains. Emerald eyes looked sharply at another opponent and snake youkai flicked a long tongue out of its mouth, tasting the air.

They two charged one another and they met in a clash of teeth, claws, and hissing growls. Vaguely, Sesshoumaru wondered what urged the attack and yet he had no doubt the snakes wanted to make a quick meal of the boy. Lips curled over pale lips, lifting into a snarl and his attention was drawn back to the battle as a cry filled the air and the young inu pushed a hand through the snake's chest and pulled out the still beating heart and crushed it within his palm. The final snake attempted to run but the inu tossed a knife made of energy into the pathetic creatures back.

He was ruthless, no doubt, and as the inu licked his fingers of blood, Sesshoumaru approached him. Cool, emerald eyes observed him with something akin to annoyance and Sesshoumaru chuckled lowly.

"You are an interesting fighter." Sesshoumaru began and the youth, covered in blood, stared expressionlessly. "I am Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands and I would like to take you to my father. We might have some use for talent such as yours." The obsidian inu snorted but none the less, gathered his things and gave Sesshoumaru an expectant look. "What is your name?"

"Takeshi, Sesshoumaru-sama." Sesshoumaru nodded his head and began to walk, Takeshi not far behind.

"When we brought him to the West as a soldier the obsidian inu were furious and he was placed under my father's protection. My father travelled to the compound and fought for the boy's honor as well as his freedom. They negotiated and as long as Takeshi had a champion they would leave him be. When my father died he was placed under my protection and I too travelled to the compound and fought for his honor and freedom. That protection was revoked from him the moment I gave him to you and they will want to retrieve him unless you travel to the compound and fight for him. The decision is yours. Should you decide to this, I will send a letter informing of them of our intent and we can set a day."

It was a lot of information to take in and though her throat was dry with this new information, she responded. "I understand but why not tell me sooner?"

"I wanted to give you time to adjust and I believe you to be firmly situated. The second and last thing I would like to discuss is Sakumo." Taking a deep breath, Kagome prepared herself for more bad news. She would be strong and she would listen and she knew she would be able to over come and understand all this with time. "There is in fact a threat on the Western Lands. After being interrogated for nearly a month, we found he was working with two other sources to break the West down from the inside. They had been waiting for the opportune moment to strike and you provided them with that moment when we became bound. We were unable to get any other information out of him seeing as he was mysteriously killed after giving up such information."

Putting pieces together, Kagome clucked her tongue, and held her hands in her lap tightly. "So they have to have been plotting for a while then. This can't have been a rash decision."

"Exactly." Sesshoumaru nodded. "As far as I know, they are after the Western Lands as a whole. What they had planned to do was turn the court against you quickly but they did not count on the loyalty the higher court held. They believed their contempt for ningen would outweigh the loyalty they felt. At this point, nothing else can be done in regards to this unless they reveal themselves or make another move. We thoroughly searched his home but nothing had been found. No correspondences, no journals, no scents that should not have been there, nothing."

"You're oddly controlled about this. I would imagine you to be furious." Kagome spoke without thinking and quickly covered her mouth.

"Anger is useless and I am a ruler. Things like this do happen though not often and I am quite angry but anger serves me nothing."

"I understand. Is there anything else I need to know?"

"Not at this moment."

Kagome began tentatively, "I... I appreciate the fact you are telling me everything that happens. I know I am a ningen as well as a miko and it can't be easy of comfortab - "

"Miko." Sesshoumaru interrupted. "We have spoken of this before. Dwelling is useless and there is nothing that can be down about the bond we now share. We must make the most of what we have been dealt and that is what I am doing. I have been given a Lady of the Lands and ningen or not, you are being taught how to rule. Your duties are as the Western Lady have not yet started as right now you are learning to protect yourself and our history. You cannot rule without learning about the place you are to control. I was doing the same thing you are currently doing as a pup. Once you are up to date and know enough about the West and etiquette, you will then take on the duties that your station requires."

Her head was beginning to ache with the information intake and yet she still asked, "What are my duties to be?"

Sensing her fatigue and knowing it could wait Sesshoumaru began, "We can discuss it when the time comes. For now, what has Himeno taught you?"

The miko nodded her head and filled him in on the day's events. "During the reign of your Grandfather the Northern Lands attempted to assassinate your Grandmother... "

.

The knock on her door startled her awake and Kagome yawned a quiet, "Come in." Miwa's head popped inside as she entered the room and offered the young girl a smile. "Miwa-chan!" Kagome greeted warmly yet softly as Shippo's little snores filled the room. "What brings you here so early?"

"The castle healer is assisting a difficult birth with the village healer and one of the guards has come back from patrol gravely injured. Sesshoumaru-sama said that you have some healing capabilities and told me to retrieve you." Miwa stated softly, nervously twirling her fingers. Kagome stood quickly and grabbed her yellow backpack from the corner of the room that it had been safely placed in. Pausing once by the bed, she tucked Shippo in, pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, and directed Miwa to lead her to the guard.

As her thoughts wandered to guards, she had yet to see hers since late yesterday afternoon and she was beginning to wonder where her was.

They padded quickly through the near silent halls and Kagome was led to the healing ward. Upon entrance, there were several men holding a thrashing guard in place upon a futon. The miko rushed forward, nurse qualities coming to the surface. She nudged aside the closest guard whom cast her a curious glance and then she frowned. Her eyes came to a drawn, pale face, splattered in blood. Looking at his torso, she saw several metal scraps no larger than a marble but sharper than a dagger in delicate places inside the guard.

His intestines were protruding from a deep laceration and it seemed as though someone attempted to cut out his heart by the damage and holes that were placed in his torso. Kagome's eyes widened as one of the guards was methodically making the wounds bigger and she about to scold him when she realized they were closing faster than she had ever seen any youkai. Taking a deep breath she began, "I need warm water, a pan, a knife, a cold rag, and a dry towel." For a moment, they stared at the ningen woman that intruded into their circle. Though they were not healers they were doing the best they could. "Do it!" she barked and one of the guards went to do as she was told. Kagome pushed aside another and situated herself next to his torso.

Violet eyes stared up at her with pinched features and she gave him a soft smile, "Hey, what's your name?" she inquired, running her fingers soothingly through plaited gray hair.

"D-Dai." he stuttered slowly.

"Alright, Dai. It's going to be okay. Your body is healing too fast for me to be able to get all the metal shards from your body so we'll have to reopen them as they close. This is going to hurt something awful but you'll be okay." Dai nodded and a guard came back with the items she requested. She placed her hands in the water first, cleaning them, and then placed the dagger in the water for sterilization. Taking the dry towel, she rolled it and placed it into Dai's mouth. He looked at her curiously and she offered him another smile. "So you don't bite off your tongue."

Towel secure, Kagome looked to other three guards. "Two of you grab ahold of his arms and the other grab his legs. Miwa-chan, come here and hold his head in your lap." They scrambled to do as they were told and Kagome removed all the bloody towels staunching his wounds. Taking a deep breath, attacked the smaller wounds first, knowing they heal quicker than the larger ones. Sticking her finger in the opening, the boy struggled and yelled against the towel in his mouth. Her fingers felt around until she felt around until she met metal and she quickly pulled the piece out with a gush of blood and dropped the metal into the pan. She wiped the area down with a towel she dipped in water and moved onto the next wound. "Miwa-chan, use the wet towel to pat his face and keep him cool." Miwa nodded and did as directed.

By the third wound, she had placed his intestines back in his lower torso, and the larger wounds were beginning to close. She pursed her lips, cast the boy a pitying glanced and began to slice into the flesh until all the metal shards were found. Wound after wound quickly healed and the small group was breathing heavily and Dai seemed ready to pass out at any moment. Patting his hand, she wiped her brow with a fresh towel, she spoke softly, "You did well and you'll be fine."

Dai barely had the strength to nod and quickly descended into sleep. Kagome washed her hands clean of blood, though the kimono had been white and was now ruined. She nodded to the three guards and Miwa, "Thanks guys! I really appreciate the help though I'm curious about the wounds. Miwa said you received them on patrolling. What happened that Dai was filled with metal pieces?"

The guards looked amongst one another and the largest spoke, "We have to speak to Sesshoumaru-sama immediately."

"That bad?" Kagome inquired.

The guards only nodded.

Kagome sighed and they began the trek to Sesshoumaru's office, the miko filled with dread.

.

.

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'Gome Yuki:: This was definitely a filler chapter to get everyone updated and caught up so that everyone has a basic understanding of Kagome and Sesshoumaru's partnership. She doesn't mind him and he doesn't mind her but she can't forgive him. Sesshoumaru, as you can see, is still deeply mourning and we had some Shippo x Sesshoumaru interraction. I thought it was nice :3

In the next chapter, Kagome heads home for a little while and hangs out with Inu gang and Kikyo! Drama will naturally unfold! I love you guys and thanks for your awesoe reviews!

NOTE: Romance WILL be coming soon BUT you have to remember, they JUST started actually tolerating/liking one another. Love just doesn't happen. It will take a few more chapters. I'm not rushing or killing my brain baby because you lovely reviewers want romance now, haha. Be Patient!

ALSO, PLEASE stop asking me to 'go over and correct because there are still some major errors' Look. FUCK OFF. Don't give me fucking suggestions on how I should write because I DON'T WANT THEM. Believe it or not I DO reread my stuff but occasionally a word will slip my eye seeing as I WROTE it and my brain will replace the word it SAYS with the word it should BE. I'm NOT perfect. If the FEW and SLIGHT grammar errors take away your enjoyment from the story, then DON'T READ IT. THANKS.

SIDE NOTE: DESOLATE CONSUMMATION I have to update 'Through Ages' Inuyasha x Kagome on FF.N and then Desolate C will updated to but I have a date tonight so it won't be until tomorrow most likely. ;) I'm a review whore! I would like 30-40 PLEASE :3