Kagome and Sesshou walked back to their shared room in silence. She could tell he was fuming beside her, beyond irritated with the events of their evening. She didn't know what to say. Hell, she didn't know what to do.

On one hand, she could accept Kakushin's offer and be able to build an entire branch of YANA strictly for humankind to slowly become aware of demons. She didn't want everyone hiding their true selves. Kagome eyed her hands and recalled the pink light that often encompassed her palms when she reacted instinctively to threats of harm. She didn't want to hide her strength. She wanted to grow.

On the other hand, she could reject his offer. She could stay by Sesshou's side, in the safety of his protection, but she wasn't so sure she wanted to be beside him for the right reasons. She didn't know if she could weather the heartache that followed his rejection. Not that she ever considered exposing her feelings. They were just feelings after all. If she distanced herself, she would lose those feelings and be able to protect her heart. An arranged marriage wasn't such a bad idea when considering the heartache of losing someone she loved again.

If Sesshou found out about her feelings, would he discard her entirely? She feared the worst. She couldn't bring herself to think of losing her past all over again. She needed him. She needed Shippou, too. Without them, she would have to go back to taking her life day by day again, and she just couldn't handle that loss of hope a second time. YANA was her destiny. She could feel it; she was meant to bring the two beings together. Demons and humans should live together, side by side, without hiding from one another.

You would have to live long enough for that, she thought, eyeing the demon beside her from the corner of her eye. Sesshou glanced at her and she blushed furiously, reprimanding herself silently. There was no way she just thought that.

Just as they were about to exit the elevator, Sesshou pulled her left instead of going right, where their room was down the hall. His grip on her arm was firm, almost painful, but she knew from his great strength that he was being mindful of her delicate human body.

"Sesshou!" Kagome protested, "Whe-" He cut her off.

"Silence." he bit back, pulling her along. She knew better than to argue with him now, following his pace, but she continued to question him.

"Hold on!" Kagome rushed beside him, his hand still clasped around her forearm. "I just want-"

"I said be quiet!" He barked back at her, as he pushed through a fire exit that lead to the roof. Kagome was grateful her heels were on the shorter side tonight. Whatever he wanted to do, it seemed he wanted to avoid an audience.

They pushed through the door leading to the roof and the warm humid air of California embraced the two. Kagome welcomed the warmth, despite the chill running down her spine. Sesshou's nerves set her on edge, and his anger left her shaking. Before she could begin to speak, he lifted her bridal style and launched himself from the roof, into the night sky. Kagome would have screamed if they had ever begun to fall and land atop another building, much like Inuyasha often did, but they never did land. Sesshou took flight on his cloud and pushed onward until they were outside the city limits and a few miles off from the highway.

They made their descent into the sandy dunes of a California desert and only then did Sesshou allow her to speak freely.

"What is all this for?" Kagome shouted, knowing she was hurting his ears. Clearly he took her somewhere no one would hear them, so she might as well use volume to get her point across. "I mean seriously, why?"

"Would you lower your voice, you insufferable woman!" Sesshou's deep voice barked out into the night air. Kagome could tell he was furious. Good. So was she. "This one does not act for lack of reason."

"Oh so we're back to name calling and 'this one' this, and 'this one' that, huh?" Kagome shouted again, balling her fists at her side.

"I will not repeat myself," Sesshou sighed, reminding himself she was only human, and only seventeen at that. "Nor will I tolerate your insolence."

"What are you gonna do, huh?" Kagome stalked forward, getting into his face. "Hit me? You wouldn't. You promised me, you promised my mother," Kagome's voice reached insufferable levels as she grew more hysteric, tears beginning to form in her eyes, "You promised Inuyasha!"

"Silence!" Sesshou's voice boomed with a crack of thunder. Lightening began to light up the sky with the beginning of a rare rainstorm approaching. Light drops fell from the sky, sparsely landing across the dunes.

Sesshou easily caught her wrist as she aimed to strike him across the face. Then the other hand as well. She was not herself, and he was not going to accept her intended harm despite the lack of impact it would have on his flesh.

"Do not hit me," He growled, throwing her away from him by her wrists. She stumbled backwards in her dress and heels. "If you're going to strike me, at least have the audacity to purify me!" He couldn't believe her weak willed attitude. Did she have no faith in him? Did she not believe he would care for her as he said? He was hurt. Not that he would ever admit to it.

"You bastard!" Kagome screamed. "You-"

"I think you have me confused for someone else, priestess." Sesshou bit out each word, ripping off his wristwatch to expose his demonic features. He watched in twisted satisfaction as Kagome gasped in shock, amazed that he would direct an insult at her former love. "I am not my half brother."

"No," Kagome's face squished itself in anguish, tears forming in her eyes again as the rain began to fall more steadily. "You're right," She laughed without humor, "He wouldn't-" He cut her off.

"Wouldn't what? Protect you? Provide for you? Choose you?" He knew that last one stung. Kagome winced at the old jealousy that shook her of her senses when she remembered the sordid love triangle. "Because I would." Kagome didn't argue back, knowing he had more to say. "I would choose you."

"What?" Kagome's voice was broken as she sobbed out a single word.

"I would choose you over anything." Sesshou stated vehemently, "I am devoted to you, Kagome."

Her eyes went wide with what he'd said, but there was no chance to respond. Lightning struck to their right, just close enough to feel it strike the ground, and far enough for it to safely be viewed. They both turned their heads as it came upon them.

When the light vanished, someone rose from the ground. They both kept their eyes trained to their guest. As the person came to full height from their crouch, Kagome could see it was a woman dressed in pelts. Sesshou already knew it was a wolf.

"Hello?" Kagome called out to the woman, sensing no ill will. The woman raised her head from the fur hood, exposing a tanned, leathery face, with a pursed smile that spoke of many days in the sun. She was elderly, but appeared able bodied.

The old woman pointed a crooked finger at the pair and then waved them over with a swoop of her wooden cane. Kagome eyed Sesshou for a reaction, and he nodded at her.

They approached the old woman.