AN: Big thanks to Revang for giving this chapter a look over! Please check out their stories on Ao3

Pride

Kagome could barely articulate words. She kept trying and failing to say something of value, but the murky waters of fear and worry clogged the sentences. Her mind raced with images of his emotions locked away behind silver bars, trapped in cages.

Repression. That was the only explanation.

"I-I didn't do anything," she managed to grit out. "I was just trying to leave the entire time! Repression must have locked the others away."

"Repression?"

Her hands waved in the air, trying to communicate what her stumbling mouth couldn't. "There are loads of different Sesshoumaru's inside your head that represent your emotions. They helped me escape, but some of them are real jerks. Repression was one of the jerks!"

Golden eyes narrowed a touch. "What nonsense you speak, miko."

"It's the truth!" Kagome burst. "Check your nose to see if I'm lying if you don't believe me!"

Sesshoumaru's acerbic tongue did not curb, "this one was perfectly fine before you went inside my head. Because of your meddling; water stung my eyes shut, memories I did not wish to divulge were running out of my mouth, I performed somersaults without my consent, and my desires were-"

Tears were stinging her own eyes by now yet she managed to catch his words before the rest were stifled.

"Your desires were what?" Kagome's voice wobbled.

His lips drew back in a cold sneer, revealing sharp fangs. However, the disgust that usually accompanied such an action was absent. She could see it in his dulled eyes.

A hand met Kagome's shoulder, causing her to jump and come back to the world. The breeze felt keen and cool on her frazzled skin, smoothing through dark locks as their small group stood on the grassy path overlooking the village. Sunlight bore down on them, proof that she was in the real world. Miroku's calm gaze shifted between the two.

"I think we should all sit down with some tea and talk this out," he smiled amiably. "Inuyasha, can you go and fetch the oni sorceress? I feel she may be useful."

Inuyasha bristled and stuffed his hands within his sleeves. "Why do I gotta do it? Kagome just got back. I wanna talk to her!"

Miroku's breezy smile remained in place even as a dark look crossed the monk's usually charming features.

With a huff, Inuyasha grumbled to himself, storming off in the direction of the village. Shippo's tail puffed up, affected by the static energies colliding in the air.

"A-ah, I think I'll go with him!" He chirped, hurrying after him. "Good to have you back, Kagome!"

Sesshoumaru and Kagome remained locked in a stare, lips thin and atmosphere heavy. The suggestion of reiki and youki rolled over their skin.

A few sharp claps broke them out of the charged reverie, Miroku sitting himself down on a flat grassy area. "I can see that this situation is complicated without understanding what's going on. So! Let's talk this out before leaping to conclusions. Kagome, why don't you divulge everything that happened while inside Lord Sesshoumaru's head?"

Her stomach twisted into knots at certain memories, glancing at the demon lord. "Um...are you alright with that? They're kind of your emotions. This is pretty personal to you."

Golden eyes flicked away, mulling it over. He let out a sharp exhale, attention settling on her once more. "Hn. Only speak of the necessary details, and monk-" Miroku looked at him. "If I hear tell of you gossiping about the intricacies of this one's mind, I shall skin you alive."

Nervous laughter rang out, Miroku wincing. "Of course, my Lord."

The miko lowered herself to sit cross-legged, sighing and absentmindedly putting on her discarded socks and shoes. Sesshoumaru sat in a much more dignified rustle of silks, both men watching her in pensive silence.

Kagome took a breath and started from the beginning. She recounted waking up outside Intelligence's mansion, meeting him, Wrath and Repression. How Lo- another emotion had saved her from falling.

She'd snuck a glance in Sesshoumaru's direction at that part but he merely stared with an unreadable look. After that, Kagome mentioned very briefly meeting Lust, swiftly moving on to Innocence and fleeing from the monstrous Instinct, freeing Sadness from the cage. Then came Fantasy, which again Kagome wobbled on.

If she detailed too much about her, Miroku would no doubt catch on to Sesshoumaru's feelings. She seriously doubted the proud lord would want that particular info disclosed.

Therefore it became necessary to downplay Fantasy's part, describing Sloth, Vanity, the time spent with Happiness, running from Repression and finally escaping with Discipline's help.

Kagome exhaled in a rush, glancing between the two when she was finally done.

Miroku appeared dazed and confused. Their demon companion merely observed her without a flicker of emotion.

"So if I have this right...Lord Sesshoumaru's emotions walked and talked like normal sentient beings?" Miroku double-checked.

Wincing, Kagome nodded. If he were that skeptical then it didn't bode well for Sesshoumaru believing her-

"The miko's scent is not disturbed by confusion or lies. She is speaking the truth," he uttered in a smooth baritone. Some warmth pooled in her chest at his words, but he continued in clipped tones. "However, what you've said does not explain my current predicament of feeling….nothing."

Miroku thought for a moment, "let's see. The only thing Kagome has really changed inside your mind is the action of letting out Sadness."

"Surely that wouldn't make him have trouble feeling emotions," Kagome reasoned. "It's Repression. He's done something."

The monk straightened and drew himself up when Inuyasha approached, holding onto the scruff of the oni sorceress' haori. "I think we should test if Lord Sesshoumaru truly doesn't feel anything. Maybe there are some emotions remaining. Inuyasha, would you now go and fetch Rin for us?"

His mouth fell open. "Hah?! But I just- you cant-" receiving several dark looks now, he sighed. "Keh!" Turning on his heel, the disgruntled hanyou leapt back in the direction he'd come from.

While Miroku talked to the sorceress, Kagome felt a shiver run down her spine.

Tawny eyes were fixed on her. She could feel the weight of silent judgement load heavier onto her shoulders with every passing second.

Returning that heavy stare, Kagome straightened her back. She knew that having someone rifle through your head must've been a violating feeling. After all, she'd had Hakudoshi pry inside her heart for a speck of darkness. The experience had been unpleasant, to say the least. So Kagome could understand his tight-lipped response. She'd seen so many secrets, of course he'd get defensive.

Her thoughts drifted to Lust and Fantasy.

Colour reddened her cheeks and Kagome quickly looked away. No, no, no- do not think about that. Okay, yes they were his dirty thoughts but I can't bring that up now. Timing, timing!

And yet, no matter how much she tried to shove the image of their writhing bodies away, they kept flooding in like a burst dam. Exhaling shakily, Kagome felt sweat prick the back of her neck. She reached up, gathering dark hair in her hands, lifting it away from her shoulders and-

A snarl bellowed through her eardrums, blasting through her body it thundered so loud. Kagome barely had time to register what was happening before she found herself shoved onto her stomach, a clawed hand sliding beneath her navel and pushing to arch her spine.

Kagome blushed violently, feeling a heavy warmth press against her back.

"Kagome!" Miroku shouted with alarm.

Heavy, laboured breathing sounded out behind her ears, and Kagome quickly lifted a hand towards the monk. "Stay back. It's alright," she called.

He seemed confused, but Kagome remained still, feeling the hot plumes of breath dance onto the nape of her neck. Sesshoumaru's scent filled her nose. Just like Sloth's, but stronger, masculine. The arm beside her that braced his weight trembled slightly.

"Sesshoumaru," she murmured in a hushed tone.

Guttural noises rumbled forth, his chest vibrating against her back with the force of his growls. It was then she felt the fangs at her throat, pressing down without breathing the skin.

She didn't dare move, taking the time to think. Fear didn't cloud her senses, leaving her free to notice his weight at her ass.

If he were aroused, if Lust were free, then surely he'd be turned on?

But he definitely wasn't. So this isn't about Lust. And he doesn't...seem Wrathful or he'd be biting me.

The image of steam leaking out of open jaws came to mind as heat continued to fan against her skin. Instinct. So, he must be okay.

Kagome bit her lip and decided not to push it this time, instead tilting her head to expose more of her neck, blushing wildly. Hearing the growls sputter into silence, she grew bolder. Hesitantly, she touched a striped wrist, dragging her thumb to try and assure him.

The weight pressing against her back disappeared.

Shifting to sit up, Kagome glanced behind her. Sesshoumaru stood a little ways away, back turned.

Miroku glanced between them awkwardly.

"I-I think he's still got his instincts anyway," Kagome weakly laughed it off. Her fingers traced the flesh of her neck, still feeling the suggestion of fangs.

"Ah- Lord Sesshoumaru," Miroku called. "We can assist you, please do not leave."

Jolting, Kagome noticed the demon lord's retreating figure heading towards the trees of Inuyasha's forest. She quickly stumbled to her feet and gave chase.

"Lady Kagome!"

Ignoring her friend, the miko hurried after Sesshoumaru, running in his general direction even when he disappeared from sight. Her stubbornness was rewarded when she rounded a trunk and nearly bumped into his still figure.

Sesshoumaru shifted to look at her with wary eyes, lips pressed into a thin, grim line.

"Do you want to talk about what just happened?" She asked quietly.

Sesshoumaru gave a slight shake of his head.

Kagome nodded with acceptance, lapsing into silence and deciding to wait for him to speak.

"You had no right, releasing my Sadness," was the first thing he said.

Blue eyes widened. Swallowing thickly, Kagome glanced away. "...I'm sorry for how it's affected you," the words came, quiet but honest. "But if I had the choice of doing it again, I would. He wasn't some abstract thought or concept of emotion. He was...alive. He looked lost and scared and alone, left in the dark. The cage was too small. Repression...had cut out his tongue. It's not in me to ignore that kind of suffering. I wouldn't be me if I didn't set him free. Do something."

They were skirting around the real subjects Kagome wanted to talk about. His feelings, what she'd seen of Fantasy and Love within his mind.

"Look, I don't have solid proof for why you're having trouble feeling things, but…" she rubbed her arm. "We could talk. Maybe that would help?"

Unfortunately, talking wasn't the taciturn demon's strong suit. Within his head, the emotions had been so forthcoming. However, this was the real Sesshoumaru she was dealing with.

Kagome mulled over how to best bridge the distance between them. "How are you feeling? Putting emotions aside."

Golden eyes slid up to the branches of the trees, his body tense. The words escaped him stiffly, "as though I am detached from my body. Yet for some inane reason, I am not distressed."

Dark brows pulled together and Kagome stepped up to him until they were near touching. "That sounds like a thing some humans go through. Do you feel like you're in a dream?"

"Hn."

Biting her lip, slim fingers drew up of their own accord. She lifted her arm and cupped his warm cheek, feeling his jaw clench. "It could be a weird sensation leftover from the spell we were under. Or...something else," she said gently. "Your mind might have freaked out from being violated like that and now it's trying to piece itself back together. I don't really know. We should go talk to that oni sorceress Miroku had hanging around for some odd reason."

He nodded, "Inuyasha and I kidnapped her."

Kagome sighed with dismay, lips tugging up at the corners. "Why am I not surprised, you big bullies. I killed the one who put a spell on us, you know. That lady is innocent."

"Others do not matter," he said softly.

She swallowed, glancing at her hand cradling his cheek. Sesshoumaru did not tip his head into her palm, remaining stiff, confusion rolling off him in waves.

"...Inuyasha and I broke up," she finally blurted. "Many months ago, actually. Just...putting that out there."

Golden eyes did not flicker or change in the least, his expression a blank slate.

Kagome's shoulders fell, a dusty sigh escaping her as she removed her palm. "No good, huh?"

"Hn, it seems this one cannot feel surprise," came his quiet voice. When she remained downtrodden he added; "nor relief."

A wave of feeling rolled fierce and strong through her chest. It was about as close to an admission that she'd get right now. "I thought by telling you I'd maybe be able to shake Repression's control over the other emotions," she mumbled.

Creamy white lashes lowered. Claws unfurled and raised to her cheek instead, looking mildly interested in her reaction, perhaps gauging if what she'd just done was a fluke on her end. An act of ignorance.

The second his calloused palm touched her skin, Kagome leaned heavily into the Daiyoukai's open hand.

Sesshoumaru stared. He then swallowed and frowned a touch. "Unacceptable," he uttered lowly.

She stilled. "Huh?"

"This one was not anticipating a positive response from you. However, I know I would be feeling immense satisfaction right now," he said bluntly. "Being robbed of that is unacceptable. I do not wish to discuss what took place in my head nor our…interest in each other further. Not until my emotions are restored to their former glory."

Kagome bit the inside of her cheek, fighting a smile but unable to keep up a losing battle. "Okay," she breathed, feeling the touch of his palm linger on her cheek.

Turning, they slowly started walking back towards the monk's location. Though Sesshoumaru felt very little, Kagome could sense a different presence about him. One that was more assured than before.

"While we're here though, I'd like to say that you're kind of a pervert," she said offhandedly, grinning to herself.

His steps didn't falter. "Hn."

Just before reaching Miroku, a red and white blur leapt out in front of them. Inuyasha placed Rin down with a huff. "There! Here's your damn brat. So, Lord Bastard, do ya feel happy right now when you look at Rin?"

Sesshoumaru blinked and answered honestly without tact. "No."

The little girl's big brown eyes promptly filled with tears.

Kagome groaned and put a hand to her forehead. "Inuyasha SIT!"

"Gah!"

After settling down with Miroku again, the group sharing tea to organise their thoughts, Kagome had approached the oni sorceress and learned her name. Tagako remained justly peeved at the kidnapping. With a bit of negotiating, Kagome managed to ensure Tagako's release from her binds.

"Your sister is giving birth to a hanyou?" Kagome blinked, grinning. "That's great! To make up for this whole kidnapping business and as a thank you for any information you can give us, I'll totally help out with the birth or any supplies you might need!" She bowed her head.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha watched the exchange with flat expressions. "It's like she ain't even grateful we tracked down the oni group and got information outta them."

"Hn."

Tagako seemed a little bewildered though oddly charmed by the girl's earnest nature. "S-so, girl. You were asking me why Lord Sesshoumaru is having trouble feeling emotions now?"

Kagome nodded eagerly.

"It is because the spell has not been broken."

"H-huh?"

The oni sorceress tutted, holding her teacup with gnarled, aged hands and taking a sip.

"Hold on!" Inuyasha snarled, standing up. "Ya told us that to get Kagome out she just had to go into his conscious thought and-"

"That is precisely it," she grumbled. "You asked how to free the miko. Not how to break the spell."

Inuyasha was practically ripping his hair from his scalp. Sesshoumaru looked on placidly, much to his brother's chagrin. "Aren't you pissed?"

"Livid, I'd imagine. If I could feel it."

Kagome spoke up, frowning. "What exactly IS the spell, if trapping me isn't the objective?"

"Oh, that is one. But the other is to drive the host mad with strong emotions." Tagako levelled a cool stare at Sesshoumaru. "Did you not think it strange, that you should be effected so strongly that it began to control your body? Somersaults and the like."

Golden eyes narrowed and flicked away. "...It is because of that reason that this one chose to squash all emotion."

Kagome gaped, incredulous. "Wait a minute- you willingly used repression while I was in there?"

"Indeed."

"Well it's no wonder he suddenly got a power boost!"

Miroku gave a cough to try and get the discussion back on track. "And since then, Lord Sesshoumaru hasn't felt anything. It's because of that spell?"

"Mn, it is feeding the emotions with the most power. Perhaps it is a good thing it is feeding the one that is likely keeping us all safe from his wrath."

Frowning, Kagome leaned forward, hands gripping her cup hard. "How do we break the spell and help him get back to normal?"

Tagako hummed. "Someone goes back into his mind and dethrones whatever emotion or memory is that is blocking his feelings. That will bring about harmony between the emotions. When this happens, the spell will break."

Sharing a look, Kagome and Sesshoumaru shifted.

"No."

The blunt statement came from none other than Inuyasha, who stuffed his hands inside his sleeves and sneered. "I saw that. You ain't dragging her inside there again. It's too dangerous."

Kagome stood, toe to toe with him. Her hackles rose, mouth opening to verbally combat him every way she knew how, before he added. "Not without me, anyway."

A large smile burst onto her face, warmth filling her up.

From his seated position, Sesshoumaru's lips thinned. He did not want the whelp running around inside his head. And yet, the reasoning was sound. Kagome's safety felt more important.

He did not say a word of protest.

They'd decided to enter the following day after getting a good night's rest and some food. Tagako stood outside with them, conjuring purple youki to her hands.

Kagome kept her hand in Inuyasha's and her attention on Sesshoumaru. He stood across from them, silent and still as a sentinel.

Just as before, the blast of energy was shot into the Daiyoukai, causing him to hiss and sneer. Raising her hand, Kagome's brows drew together. I'll help you, she thought. I'll make this right, I promise.

With a touch, Kagome Higurashi disappeared from sight.

Leaving Inuyasha behind.

Winds raced by, tugging dark hair to and fro and causing gusts of snow to wail past her ear. Kagome raised her head, shaking off the snow and feeling her teeth chatter. The world around her was nothing but a blur of grey and thick snowfall. She could barely see a foot in front of her, shuffling through the snow and hugging her arms.

Kagome hadn't awoken outside Intelligence's mansion as she'd thought would happen. Instead, the miko stumbled around in a snowstorm, lost and confused. She had no clue where she was within Sesshoumaru's mind.

I screwed up, she thought. I really...thought I could do this. Why? This isn't my head. Why did I think I could help?

Her breath fanned out in visible puffs, nose and cheeks feeling frozen. White flakes kept sealing her lashes shut. Kagome stumbled and fell to one knee, shuddering.

I didn't want Repression to find me without a plan to fight him, and I'm vulnerable, but…

She trembled, managing to stand. If I don't do anything, I'll fail. Gotta get out of this weather-

Kagome raised her shaking hand, opening her palm and calling holy powers up. Reiki sparked to life, glowing forth from her hand and spilling out in a large pink orb. She fed as much energy into it as possible, the winds feeling like sheets of ice slamming into her body.

The orb grew, burning like a beacon within the raging snowstorm. Kagome struggled to keep her hand raised, panting.

Within a few minutes, the light died and Kagome stumbled, exhausted. She could barely move. Cold had numbed her feet, legs, arms and hands. She sank to both knees now, bowing her head.

I have to...keep going...

A shuffling noise through the snow caught her dazed attention. Hair lashed at her face but Kagome pushed it back, dimly noticing a dark shape approaching out of the swirling winds and fall of snowflakes. The crunching of snow under boots drew closer, and Kagome looked up into golden eyes, breath hitching.

Inu no Taisho bore down on her, furs dancing in the howling winds. Bushy brows drew down into a slight frown, his imposing, still figure remaining a pillar of strength despite the storm raging around them. He shifted, turning on his heel.

"Come," he said in a gruff, clear voice.

Without waiting for her, the Dog General began walking away. Kagome stumbled to her feet, hurrying after him. She stumbled, finding it difficult to see and reaching out blindly when more icy flakes sailed into her eyes. Despair plumed in her stomach- until soft furs met her outstretched fingers. Kagome latched on tight, holding onto one of his trailing mokomoko's with both arms as he continued walking.

She couldn't say how long they walked, going off adrenaline alone to continue moving her stiff, frozen legs, but the shadows of a building caught her frayed attention.

The winds soon fell away, replaced with the warmth of an actual, heavenly, wonderful room with lamps already burning for them. Kagome collapsed onto some furs, uncaring of her undignified sprawl of limbs as the door shut behind them.

Trembling, the miko clutched at the warmth around her, blinking tired eyes open when the large demon padded across the room to kneel beside the irori, putting it to use.

Kagome watched him, eyes falling shut and peeling open every so often. "...T-thank y-you for saving me," she mumbled, lips blue.

The Great Dog Demon removed his armour and shifted his twin mokomoko's off, shaking the white specs from his silver hair, which was drawn back into a high pony-tail.

He then levelled her with a serious look. "Strip," he said, voice a deep baritone.

Kagome blinked, gaze becoming flat. "E-excuse me?"

He chuckled quietly, a dusty, rich noise, lips curving and flashing a fang. "Fear not. This one is not interested in taking advantage of you, girl. But you will freeze if you keep those clothes on. Cover yourself with the furs while they dry by the fire."

It made sense and she felt a little bad for thinking him perverse, picking up the furs lying on the floor to drape around her shoulders and stripping under the layers. Pushing out the wet clothes, she fixed the furs into a loose covering over her chest and thighs in a sort of make-shift dress.

Kagome shuffled over and groggily set her wet clothes out to dry around the irori. Inu no Taisho didn't comment on her strange garments, instead sitting beside the wall and propping Tetsusaiga against his shoulder.

Kagome glanced at his shoulder, noting the golden crest on his white silken clothing. "...Are you an emotion?" She chanced a guess.

Ancient, golden eyes weathered by experience slid to her, resting upon her features in a weighty stare. A kind of pressure radiated off the demon in waves, which swallowed the entire room. Kagome could feel it pressing down, shoving at her to lower her eyes in respect. Kagome held his gaze, weakly pushing back against the energy with a ripple of reiki over her skin.

Inu no Tasiho's lip tugged up into a slight smile. "Indeed," he rumbled.

"Could you tell me what's been going on?" Her hands curled into fists in the fur covering her knees. "Repression...what's he done to the others? The real Sesshoumaru is having trouble feeling things. I came here to try and help."

Heavy brows lifted, "they have been locked away within the lands to be suppressed. To my knowledge, myself and Instinct remain free."

"And who are you?"

"Take a guess, little one."

Kagome bristled, cheeks heating. Looking him over and noticing the way he held himself, she thought back on how Vanity had once taken on Sesshoumaru's Mother's appearance. "Pride?"

"Hm, many think of me as such. However, to the pup, I am the feeling of Dignity. The reflection of duty to our clan that this one once shared with Discipline."

Kagome shifted, wrapping her arms around herself and glancing at the decor. There were many weapons hugging the walls, but also scrolls stored in shelves, vases, and various items that looked old and possibly fashioned out of demon bones and scales. A large painting took up one wall, that of three inuyoukai. One was a large, more worn battle one. The other looked sleek, giving off a feminine air of danger, while the last was a duplicate of Innocence, the young pup seeming to chase his parents in the painting. Their heels practically melted into the clouds. Kagome's lips thinned, eyes lowering.

"You seem troubled."

"I-it's nothing...I just feel responsible for all this mess." She sighed. "I don't regret setting Sadness free, it's not in me to ignore a suffering person like that. I just regret the impact it might've had on Sesshoumaru."

He hummed. "There are some natures you cannot suppress, despite how much it would 'benefit' those around you if you kept quiet and did nothing."

Startled blue eyes slid up to him, warming slightly. She smiled a little. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm kind of surprised you're not in Sesshoumaru's image. Surely he thinks he has Dignity on his own?"

He lifted a shoulder, lighting some incense. "He is a complicated pup. Discipline and I used to be one being but my actions concerning Izayoi split us into two separate entities inside his mind. The pride he feels for our clan is tied up with the respect he felt towards his sire. But that is marred by my actions towards the end of my life and my death."

Kagome watched him, noticing his straight back and powerful, duty filled posture. He didn't seem to relax even though they were supposedly inside his home. She wondered if that were indicative of how Sesshoumaru had never seen him at ease.

"I see," she mumbled. "Well, if it's not too much trouble, would you help me break the emotions free and defeat Repression?"

"Keh," he grunted, causing her heart to clench with nostalgia. "What do you intend to do with Repression once you defeat him? Seal him away?"

Kagome shook her head, "he's still a part of Sesshoumaru. I just hope that by defeating him, he'll shrink a little like Bigotry did. It's not much of a plan, okay? I admit it. But I had to do something."

"You care for my pup." It was a statement, not a question.

"Of course I do," she nodded.

Sesshoumaru's father regarded her with weighty consideration. Kagome wasn't sure she liked that look. "As an ally?" His lips curved, face transforming into something like a boyish smile, despite the masculine features. "Or a lover?"

A groan was muffled into her arms. Discussing her potential love life with Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru's papa did not sound like a great idea. "Why does it matter?"

"Tch, you asked for my assistance and this one giving it," he rumbled, face smoothing into something displeased. "If you are interested in him as a potential mate, just as he regards you, then it is possible you could sway Instinct to your side. This one cannot fight Repression alone and neither can you."

Heat lit up Kagome's cheeks and she swallowed. It sounded too fast, jumping into talking about mating. "What...exactly would I have to do to sway Instinct into helping?"

Smoke curled around his figure, making inhuman eyes stand out in the grey haze. "Fight him for your place in Sesshoumaru's mind as his potential mate. If he finds you worthy, Instinct will bleed for you."

She shivered. "I thought you said Sesshoumaru already regards me as-"

"That does not matter," he rumbled. "That is host Sesshoumaru, capable of complex thought, planning and intricate emotions. Instinct is my pup's true form boiled down to its baser impulses and old, ancient inuyoukai blood that dwells in all of my clan. He must have final say before you can be accepted as a viable option to mate."

"And if I fail, I'm guessing he won't help."

"Hm. That whelp Repression has quickly lost his head from the amount of power Sesshoumaru keeps giving him. I'd wager only Instinct can defeat him, as the desire to protect a possible mate is one of the strongest sensations written into the very fabric of inuyoukai's beings. Heh, I died trying to protect mine."

"But you were trying to protect Izayoi, right? I thought...Sesshoumaru's mother was your-?"

He barked a laugh that made her jolt, his exposed fangs glinting in the light of the lamps. "We cannot know, but Sesshoumaru certainly seems to think the human princess was mine. His mother was an arranged marriage, you see."

"Oh."

He'd given her a lot to think about. But time wasn't on her side, and no matter how bizarre the situation or quickly the talk of mating had cropped up, Kagome decided to utilise it. It wasn't like they'd actually be mating. She'd just be taken into consideration as a hefty candidate. That was fine with her, and hopefully, Sesshoumaru wouldn't mind. All that matters is helping Sesshoumaru get back to normal.

Raising her head, she squared her shoulders. "Alright, I'll do it. Take me to Instinct."