It was a smaller space than she expected, and it lacked color too. Little bushes and trees were perfectly cut without a single branch sticking out and there were white benches and white tiles on the paths but not a single flower.

'what a strange garden, so. impeccable that it doesn't seem to contain life at all' thought Kagome.

Inuyasha's mind agreed 'hate to be in this sterile place, so unnatural'.

He took a seat, and she followed. It was always like this with them, ups and downs, fights and reconciliations, Kagome left all of this for a reason, and here she was again.

He could smell her discomfort and felt like shit because of it, but Kagome should know what she was getting herself into.

"Kagome pays attention, I'm going to tell you how the world works".

She seemed unamused

"I mean our world, my world. Every supernatural creature on this earth is part of my world, you included. But, on this planet there is no bigger predator than a yokai, so we rule above all else and according to the laws we created.".

She was immersed in the tale, not really knowing why Inuyasha was telling her all this but completely engaged in the mysteries denied to most human ears.

"I'm going to be blunt," he said, and she smirked, blunt was his default.

He continued "yokai mate for life, and we do not date if you are going out with one of us, it is implied that you are going to belong to them forever, the dating part of the equation is only for human comfort, as well as rejection, only humans do that, we are always sure".

Kagome was shocked at the revelation, she wanted to go out with Koga for a short period, a lifetime with him was out of the question. Besides, she was Inuyasha's girlfriend first.

"But why? It makes little sense, you and I were together and now we are not. That is not supposed to happen then?".

He closed his eyes briefly and answered.

"No, I let you go. I allowed it. It's more common that one rival kills the other, but this wasn't the case because I gave up. I can deal with heartbreak but not with forcing myself onto you".

Inuyasha lifted a brow. She looked sad. "And I can say for certain that he is not me, now that he has you, he would never give you up, only a stupid, worthless shit like me would do that without a fight."

He was mistaken or joking. This could not be real.

"Don't talk like that. You respect my decision. That is the honorable path. I'm sure he'll do the same. The things I feel for him, these feelings aren't enough for a life partner, sometimes love isn't enough either." She changed the subject as a look of profound pain crossed his face. "who made these insane laws?" she asked with anguish in her voice.

"The laws are not natural, our ancestors wrote the primitive guidelines but the great daiyokais of the past, in my father's lineage, they decided on our modern laws…"

"Are you talking about father in conversation or am I going to punish you for speaking of our ancient secrets, little brother"

They heard a voice that sounded both menacing and bored before the most powerful living creature of the world stepped forward. Sesshomaru was a sight to see, just as his castle, Sesshomaru's appearance impressed her, making her jaw drop.

"Sesshomaru… You don't understand, she doesn't know…" said Inuyasha with a pleading tone.

"And so she shall remain, she is not yours". At the world -yours- he smiled a mocking smile. Inuyasha was ready to disobey. His grief had a violent side, but he saw Sesshomaru shift moods. In an approachable way, he welcomed Kagome to his domains and said the forced pleasantries.

"Leave us," he said to Inuyasha, and as any order he gave, so it was done.

Inuyasha waited within hearing range. He wasn't about to become treacherous, but he didn't trust his brother very much. Kagome watched the exchange amused, Inuyasha still acted as if having family was bothersome when she knew it was the very thing he always wanted. Still these developments leave a bitter taste in her mouth, Koga was hiding things, concealing. She always had a feeling that he wanted more.

Trying to distract herself from Koga and pay attention to Inuyasha's brother, Kagome pointed out the beauty of the ancient fortress. Sesshomaru, claiming to have maintained the thing for centuries but to not built anything on his own, seemed to shrug it off, as if keeping up with the times and maintaining a fortune centuries old wasn't good enough.

'He seems like a very hard demon to please and very old, very wise' supernatural creatures aged slower in this world. Kagome knew she would outlive Sota. Everything about this conversation was making her sad.

Without warning Sesshomaru asked Kagome, "why don't you admit you are a powerful Miko?" he was curious because this kind of power could rule lands in the right hands. 'A power greater than that of Midoriko'. The girl even made HIM uneasy. He would never admit to it but she was probably his equal.

"How could you tell?" she said with fear in her scent and a trembling voice.

The window for the test opened, "Inuyasha told me, of course," he said with plenty of satisfaction.

Kagome looked up. He was very tall and his hair was shining in the light. Holding her gaze to his eyes, she replied with solemn dignity "I don't think so, he wouldn't do that".

'Speaking about not knowing rules that could get a human in trouble.' Sesshomaru gathered all of his might and, letting go in full his demonic aura, confronted her "Are you saying I'm in the wrong human?".

For what came next, he had to blink slowly to gather his thoughts.

Kagome replied, "I know him, so yes, you are in the wrong. I'm sorry but a truly honorable leader will deal with it and not be mad at his subjects for the truth."

There were a few moments of silence in which Kagome thought Inuyasha had changed, so why was she so sure of him, and a rising doubt of Koga's sincerity came to the surface.

In the vicinity, Inuyasha cringed and sped through the garden, positioning himself behind her; Sesshomaru was pleased to know that at the very least the miko was brave. She also regarded his brother in high esteem and knew that humans were subjects. She even implied that he was meant to be the very example of what honor looks like. She was wise. Unlike the moronic Inuyasha that was standing back to protect her, as if he could hurt his brother's mate.

"I smell it on you" was his only reply, but he delivered it with a soft smile.

"WHAT? I didn't know you could do that," she panicked.

He comforted her, "calm yourself Kagome, I believe only I can do that. You see there is me and then, there is the rest of the world". He said, including Inuyasha with his gesture. He was so still in his anxiety that Kagome had not noticed that Inuyasha was behind her.

Sesshomaru was amused. This was something that did not happen every day. For that, he wanted to help, within the bounds of the law, of course.

"I have matters to attend to. I'll see you in a couple of months at your mating ceremony, Kagome".

"What?, wait I'm not with Inuyasha anymore," she said as she watched him leave.

"I am up to date with the developments of my family. I was referring to the lord of the East," said Sesshomaru, looking bored again.

"no, no no, I will not mate with him, we are… I don't love him that way", Inuyasha gasped, it was one thing for her to say those things in front of him, it could have been kindness. But in front of Sesshomaru, it was a statement.

Kagome turned her head surprised but Sesshomaru said "Is that your final decision?"

"Yes, of course, I even love someone else", she said, looking at everything but Inuyasha and going red in the face.

Sesshomaru moved on. "even when he told me the date of your future union, you can do as you wish. Females have the ultimate say." Turning to leave, he added, "And thank you for your warning. Our houses will surely fight for you, but now we have the upper hand, I will not forget that," Kagome and Inuyasha watched Sesshomaru go.

She was in a state of panic. 'He told Sesshomaru of the date of our mating! Is he really going to force me? He can´t!... but I CAN really escape, he doesn't know what I can do, I have advantages as Sesshomaru says, I have the upper hand too…'. Without getting ahead of herself, Kagome decided to confront Koga, and based on that conversation she would choose what her future would hold. Inuyasha was frantic. 'Is this the right time for me to ask for forgiveness? To get her back?' He couldn't focus on anything. She was going to be free again, and this was his time.

From the place where Sesshomaru left, Kaede came right away, without giving them the chance to talk. She jumped through the greetings to the explanation that her miko powers would keep Inuyasha in check, and before she asked anything Kaede told her that Koga had requested Inuyasha's. execution if he didn't agree. Kagome couldn't understand how so many people talked about death so nonchalantly. Maybe yokais were too aggressive. His world seemed dangerous and cruel. And why was Koga still worried about Inuyasha if he won? Maybe he knew she is still in love with him. If he knew that she still loved him, why would he want to hurt him? It was as if her feelings did't matter, only his own mattered. She remembered the night that Koga saved Shippo, or should she say, the night he allowed her to save Shippo. She was blind before, but he had all the signs of a cruel being that only pleased her so she could please him later.

Inuyasha was watching her reactions towards Kaede's words. She obviously disapproved of Koga's intentions, but she smelled wounded too. Kagome broke the silence.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha, I'm such a stupid girl, maybe if Kikyo weren't…"

Kaede interrupted her, "Are ye talking about my sister?". She didn't know, of course.

"Oh, is Kikyo a miko too?" Kagome didn't know what to say to relieve the tension. Inuyasha's face looked petulant.

"yes, a powerful one too".

"Oh," said Kagome and the ritual to put the subjugation beads started. She got it done without complaining because she needed time to think and besides, she could take off the beads later.

Inuyasha let her put on the necklace. Days ago he would say that it was because he wanted the connection with her, but now he just wanted to move things quickly. He needed to be alone with her.

.

Walking home, Kagome stood a few more minutes in the gardens.

"I'll take them off as soon as Koga is out of my life, don't worry I won't use them"

Inuyasha didn't reply.

Kagome wanted to make things clear. "does he really think that we are going to mate?"

"Obviously," said Inuyasha.

Kagome looked him straight in the eye, "do YOU think that I'm going to mate with him?."

"I thought you would, but you seemed surprised about it all. I'm not so sure anymore," said Inuyasha with sincerity.

She could not believe it. Dating wasn't the same as accepting a proposal. "It makes little sense, we haven't even had sex yet" she blushed realizing who she was speaking to.

Inuyasha picked up on the statement, 'she wants to fuck him but not mate him, what's wrong with her'

"Can you lend me the book?, the laws?" said Kagome, trying to diffuse the situation.

Inuyasha stared at her, "the fucker is supposed to teach these things to you, as your future mate". He only said this because he was realizing that she did not want to mate with the prince of the eastern wolves.

Kagome fidgeted with her hands. "you were my boyfriend first, and you taught me nothing".

Inuyasha couldn't believe that she was blaming him for the things that the bastard was failing to teach.

Kagome glanced at his expression and with a look of desperation said, "I mean, am I not your mate first, then? Can you not help me?."

He opened his mouth and closed it again. She had never referred to herself as his mate and his inner yokai loved she did. "There are laws to decide that too, the way things are right now. I cannot help you without breaking the law myself".

Kagome looked defeated, even a little crazed. 'maybe Koga is confused and I'm making a fuss, but he informed Sesshomaru, and he is not Inuyasha's brother to him, he is Koga's superior, he knew what he was doing. Also, with the man she really wanted to be in front of her, she couldn't fool herself.

"I want out, this plan doesn't suit me, I didn't even knew what it all meant, I don't want to continue with this relationship".

Inuyasha chucked, "you broke up with me already you know, you have to tell HIM this".

She looked ashamed. "I'm sorry Inuyasha, is just… I feel lied to, manipulated. I assumed WE were going to end up mating, but never in a million years would I think of those things with anyone else. I have been dreaming of things with you all my life. I cannot suddenly pick up those dreams and change the groom as if nothing happened. This is a betrayal because he acted on his feelings. He did things alone, he didn't ask me anything because if he did I would have said no,". Kagome's shock was turning into anger "take me home" she said and fumed in silence, walking back.

Inuyasha respected her silence only because he was doing a lot of thinking himself. No one could feign shock because if they were plotting things then their minds knew the plot, and the surprise wasn't genuine. So without a doubt, she didn't want to mate Koga. Even if the implication made Inuyasha guilty of pushing her into him, the path was clear. He had to get her back. He was riding the highest high; she said that she wanted to mate him, twice, that she dreamed about it. True. She didn't know what those things implied, but he would teach her everything. And she would choose him with open eyes. Halfway through the ride back he felt shitty, wasn't she telling him the truth from the beginning? Koga was the one who twisted things. If he was completely honest, she meant what she said and said what she meant; he had wasted a lot of fucking time spiraling down into his fears. Now it was the time to kill Koga and make her his. His thoughts halted. If it offended her that Koga wanted to kill him, surely she would feel the same if he attempted to kill his rival. Humiliation would have to do, from this moment on he would listen to her, really listen and things would get better.

.

Koga was waiting for her in her apartment, Bankotsu was late. She stepped inside with none other than Inuyasha instead of Bankotsu, and Koga was on flight mode at once. At first glance, she seemed mad, but it was strange. She didn't look angry at Inuyasha but at himself. Inuyasha was smirking.

"Shippo! honey where are you?,¨ she said and a little ball of fur came running at her arms.

"Inuyasha, this is my son… Oh don't look at me like that, my adopted son, Shippo". Inuyasha had many questions. Kagome seemed to be in a foul mood so he saved his intrigue for later.

Koga didn't avert his eyes from Inuyasha when he talked to Kagome "why are you with him."

"He is again Sesshomaru's second," she said before Inuyasha could interrupt.

Koga felt better. His woman was following commands. She watched his smug expression at her apparent obedience and went straight to the point

"have you been saying that we're going to mate?"

Koga answered almost flirting "we will, you'll see".

Inuyasha growled. His inner demon hated Koga, he thirsted for his blood.

Kagome kneeled down and ask the kitsune, "Is it true Shippo, that humans who date yokais end up always as mates". She didn't want to involve her son, but he was the only yokai she could trust in this room filled with jealousy.

"uh I don't think so. My friend Ai is the daughter of a human concubine and a soldier yokai, but her father mated another yokai, so they threw her mother to the streets".

Kagome's scent was filled with outrage. She knew that Inuyasha's mother had suffered the same treatment, and she took hold of Inuyasha's hand to show him that she remembered, that she cared.

Koga was instantly in front of her "you are not going to disrespect me, woman if I have to kill him in front of you to make you understand who you belong to, I will!" He said grinding his teeth with an effort to remain calm.

'Here it was, another out of proportion reaction. Do they have to be assholes? Thought Kagome'.

Inuyasha, for once, didn't rise to the challenge. "I'll gladly end things once and for all, wolf, but Kagome wouldn't like me to kill you, so back off".

She was shocked. It was as if he read her mind, but she didn't have time to think on it. Koga lunged himself forward and Kagome lifted Shipo into her arms. She took him out of the way. Inuyasha protected himself with tessaiga, without transforming the sword, and the brave miko placed herself between them. Koga stopped truly shocked by her actions. Surprisingly Shipo was the one who spoke.

"Wow, I have never seen a female interfere in a fight like that". He was utterly in awe of her new mother, she was brave and kind and warm.

"I don't want any of you to get hurt" she replied.

Each of them looks at her and at themselves, they said nothing, promise nothing, but she stood aside and they relaxed, waiting for the opportunity to strike again.

Koga tried another angle "go back to the whore Kikyo, Inuyasha, all of us know you wanted to mate her." Kagome looked sideways at Inuyasha, hurt. This was too much for her, she just declared her years-long obsession with him and he wanted another. She cried. Inuyasha only swore and ground his teeth together to gain control.

This was getting her nowhere. She had to find the common tread to her predicament, Koga, at the moment, acted just as crazy as Inuyasha. This must mean something.

"Should I not touch people? Well, males? said Kagome.

Strangely Shippo was the one who answered "my father was the same way with mother, when a servant came close to her he would clean her himself".

"What do you mean by that?" said Kagome.

"Hmm, well he would bathe her you know to get rid of the scent"

Kagome was confused but the two grown warrior yokais were blushing. 'What is this, this makes little sense, and then it hit her, jealousy was intrinsical to their way of living, owning and conquering. They were ruled by power and possession. "Shippo, did your mother had any male friends, did she touch or hugged any male yokais?"

Shippo became red and his little hands became fists. "my mother was an honorable mate, she did no such thing".

'Wow, just wow, they trained them as early as this. Kagome looked at Inuyasha, and he was nodding slightly and giving Shippo a look that seemed like respect. The little yokai looked up at Inuyasha with pride. Koga looked annoyed, bored even. This wasn't anything new to either of them. "Why did you avoid telling me all this for yourself Koga?" said Kagome

He reacted quickly, maybe too quickly to be completely natural "I thought that the mutt was your childhood friend, he was supposed to tell you".

Inuyasha flashed his teeth but Kagome turned her head to him, "why didn't you, Inuyasha". Why indeed, this conversation with the cub was eye openning to him, she asked questions that a child would know, he just assumed she knew how to act, but he didn't know anything about human relationships either, this was a fucking mess.

"I'm sorry, it's obvious, I thought everyone knew".

It was disconcerting, not only for her own future, but for their subjects too. Koga was one of the great leaders of a section of the country, and Inuyasha was near the top also. How much did they not know, how much did they assume. "Thank you Shippo, I have to talk to them but you did great, you are of great help around here", she said, running her hand in his fur. Shippo beamed and Inuyasha realized that the little brat loved her. Maybe as a mother or something, he was very fond of her and was happy for her praises. "Please go to a safe place where you cannot hear us talk alright?, and take Sota", Shippo nodded and went.

"Koga, you were here when I broke things up with him so it is only fair to do the opposite", Koga protested when she said "I'm sorry but I didn't know the kind of relationship I was getting into, I… I cannot be your mate, I don't think I fully understand it but I know it is not the role that I want to play." Koga growled and Inuyasha answered with a growl too, he saw his rival and was planning to attack when she added "Inuyasha was my friend, and you were my friend also, but a long time ago I stepped out of this world and I'm going to do that again, I ask both of you to not look for me, I can fight my own fights and if I fail… Then the failure will be my own.".

They stared at her. This was incomprehensible. No human turns down yokai protection, ever.

"Listen, babe, you are making a mistake"

"No Koga'' she interrupted, "I know what I want".

"You don't understand, little human, you are mine! I will not let you go" Koga said and grabbed her arm.

"MOTHERFUCKER" screamed Inuyasha and lunged himself at Koga, transforming his sword in the air. The clash of steel on flesh made a sound that she felt in her bones. She went to her room, hearing the sound of violence, concrete and wood failing to withstand yokai power. She picked up Shippo and Sota and as quickly as she could, she ran with the things that she had on herself into the night.