A/N: We are getting down to the last few chapters readers. I am so glad that so many people have enjoyed this story. I took such a long hiatus from writing I was severely debating posting on here again after so many years away.

Good to know I still got it. Enjoy!

Kagome sat next to Inuyasha staring ahead at nothing. She leaned against him her tears finally having stopped.

"I'm so stupid." She mumbled bringing her hand to wipe her eyes.

"Yeah well, that's besides the point."

"You're not helping."

"Look, you need to go clear the air with Sesshomaru. I don't know all the details but this whole things a mess." He replied. "At the least just to say bye to him."

"I don't know." Inuyasha pulled away from her bringing his hand to smack her lightly in the back of her head. "Ow! Hey! Why you...ugh! What you hit me for?"

Her hands rubbed at the sensitive spot that his hand had made purchase.

"Trying to knock some sense into ya' Kagome!" He shouted back. "Listen, I want you to be happy and if being happy means being with my prick brother than fine!"

"It doesn't change the fact of what he said. Even if it had a double meaning to it, those other demons would only cause trouble if he went back on what they thought he said." Kagome let her hands fall to her lap. "I just, don't see a future with him anymore."

"In any case, there's a storm coming. Guess it's better off we didn't leave when we did." Inuyasha replied. "Come on, I'll take you to your room and you just relax. Maybe sleeping on it will help."

"I just want to go back home." Kagome whispered as Inuyasha pulled her to her feet and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into her friend enjoying his warmth.

"Promise, that after the storms over then I'll take you home."

"Okay, fine, whatever."

Inuyasha led her down the hall and to her chambers. He sat with her for some time convincing her to sit in the hot spring for a while. Eventually she agreed. At the very least maybe it would help the ache that had seemed to settle in her shoulders and back.

Kagome tied up her hair in a messy bun atop her head dipping her foot into the steamy water. As soon as she sat down it was an instant physical relief. Too bad it did nothing for her emotional state.

Taking deep breaths she attempted to clear her mind. When had everything become so complicated?

"It would have been better if I never came here." She said to herself.

"Agreed." Kagome startled at Sesshomarus voice. Visibly jumping she resisted the urge to turn to him.

"I don't have anything to say to you." Kagome lowered herself into the water until it touched her chin.

"Will you at least allow this one some last few moments of your time?"

"Go ahead." Kagome sighed out.

"Expressing myself does not come easily. From what I was taught it is a weakness, to afford another access to your inner most thoughts, feelings, are a vulnerability." He began. "However, upon spending so many years with Rin this Sesshomaru has found that by being able to let another know what you are thinking or feeling...it develops bonds and creates deep seated connections."

Kagome almost felt bad for how hard he was struggling to convey to her how he felt. She remained perfectly still and silent closing her eyes as she listened intently.

"When you stated that your mating to Inuyasha had dissolved it made me curious of you. This one had always been curious of you, I thought you odd...strange, and it became the perfect opportunity to learn more about you. When you injured yourself in the well it struck a spark within this one."

Kagome put her head back slightly against the edge of the spring and opened her eyes staring up.

"It was never this ones intention to develop a connection with you in such a way. Kagome, this is all so new. I never have had a mate before you, there was never a want to acquire one. When the time came to produce an heir then a suitable companion would have been chosen. With you there is the want, need and desire."

"I, Sesshomaru, apologize for all of the pain this one has caused to you. Kagome, you are so very dear to me and most precious. Your devotion and love was repaid with half truths and concealed information. Know that in my heart I was only trying to protect you in my way."

She bit her lower lip rolling it as he continued on.

"I refused to mark you. It is an old tradition that is not generally in practice any longer. Once it was seen as a way to force another to stay with their mated companion and I have seen what happens when a pair resents those markings, grow to hate one another over them, and attempt to shred every bond they once shared."

Kagome furrowed her brow. Was he talking about his parents? That was the most reasonable explanation. With such limited experience in the matter, as he claimed, that would be the only circumstance she could conclude.

"I love you Kagome and I always will."

"Sesshomaru..." Kagome turned to finally face him but he was gone. She hadn't even realized that he had exited the room. She sat back down placing her hands behind her head and interlocking her fingers together.. "I guess...it's over then."