Kagome stumbled along the forest floor, her eyes closed. As she walked, the little tug grew stronger, pulling her in a certain direction. She was tripping over roots and bumping into trees, but at least she was getting somewhere…right?

"This is only slowing me down!" Kagome cried as she rubbed her nose after ramming into the sixth tree. "Maybe I should just walk with my eyes open and close them every time I feel uncertain about where I'm suppose to go."

"That would be a good idea. See, then I wouldn't have to judge your intelligence," a sharp voice said from above her.

Kagome looked up to see Sesshomaru on a tree branch leaning against the bark. He did not look happy. He jumped down and landed in front of her, making her have to whip her head down to see him.

"Can't you stay in one place for long? Or is it your calling to go wondering around like a fool with your eyes closed?" he asked.

Kagome rolled her eyes and turned around, walking away from him. "I'm busy," she said as she brushed him off. But he would have none of that. Sesshomaru grabbed her arm and pulled her back, almost making her fall.

"Wrong. I am a Lord, so there, for your time bends to fit my needs and wants. You have no power over me," he said, squeezing her arm painfully.

Kagome tried pulling her arm free but it only hurt worse. "And what exactly would your wants and needs be, jackass?" she asked, getting angry. " Money? You're rich enough. Sex? I am positive that there are many other women who would rather take my place. So tell me! What is it that you want so badly that you must kidnap, stalk, and hurt me so much?"

Sesshomaru gave her a hard stare for a minute before releasing her. "I'm not exactly sure," he said truthfully. He was angry that she had dared to speak to him like that, but an idea was forming in his mind.

"Not sure? You're not sure? You kidnap me and try to kill me all because you're not sure? You have my daughter taken away from me by the other jackass and YOU'RE NOT SURE?" she began screaming. "YOU DEMONS ARE SO STUPID! I DON'T BELIEVE IT!"

Sesshomaru balled his hand into a fist. 'Just take the abuse a little longer. Get her more upset. Insult her.' "It really isn't my fault that your daughter was taken from you. If you want my opinion, you're an unfit mother." He said. "First, you bed a man who is not your own and have his child. Then, you kiss me. Such a very "friendly" woman doesn't deserve to have a child now, does she?"

By this time, Kagome's face was red with anger. She sent one slap across his face, but it didn't do any damage. Hell, his face didn't even budge. Unlike her own, where the corner of her eye was a bit swollen due to the slap he had given her. Plus, it hurt like hell.

"First off, you kissed me buddy!" she yelled. " And if I had known Inuyasha was going to betray me, then I would have never had sex with him!" she blurted out. "You think you can own me, Sesshomaru?" she asked, "You think you can just use me and abandon me when you're done, just toss me aside?"

Now Sesshomaru understood! "I see," he said, face serious. "Is that what Inuyasha did?"

Kagome stared at him with a hard face, but her voice gave her away. "It's none of your business," she said in a whisper.

But Sesshomaru would have none of that. "Is that why you aren't marked as his mate?" he asked. "He abandoned you didn't he? Fooled you with the ideals of "love" and "passion" and took what he wanted from you. He used you didn't he, Kagome?"

Kagome began backing up, looking down because she was unable to keep her face impassive. She frowned because she knew what she was hearing was the truth. Sesshomaru continued.

"For his clay bitch was unable to bear children and you were the second choice. Blinded by your love for him, he made you have his child and then stole her away from you. Is this why you are so…emotional?"

Kagome stared down at the forest floor, teeth clenched. She wiped her tears away quickly but more came.

"Now if you are done humiliating me-"

"Hardly."

Kagome looked up to him and his eyes immediately softened. "But why?" she asked. Her bottom lip trembling. "Why do this to me?"

Sesshomaru shrugged slightly. "I'm not sure. Curiosity."

Kagome stared at him for a moment before getting angry again. She turned around and began walking away; her teeth were clenched so hard it hurt. Tears were still falling, but she held them back as best as she could.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Leave me alone!"

"Answer me!"

"I hate you!"

Sesshomaru followed her, angry. "Do not upset me further, Kagome!" he yelled. He didn't know when he decided to call her by first name, but he was already comfortable with it.

Kagome stuck up her middle finger and continued walking. She then broke into a run. Sesshomaru caught up to her easily and pushed her, making her trip and knock her shoulder into a tree. She fell down, putting her hands in front of her to break the fall.

Sesshomaru stopped and looked down at her. "You're pathetic," he said. "How do you plan to take your worthless child back if you cannot even defend yourself?"

Kagome began to sob into the dirt. Why wouldn't he leave her alone?

"And crying will not help, I assure you," he said. "You might as well give up and die. You are useless."

Kagome slowly rolled over and looked at him. "I'll get her back one way or another. I have to," she said.

"How?" he asked quickly. His mind was making up countless possibilities of how he would do it. But she could never do the things he could. She was human and she was weak.

Kagome wiped her tears, and finally they stopped. Her face was grim. "I will," she swore. "I'll figure something out."

Sesshomaru looked at her for a long time. Even if she was currently covered in dirt and her hair was messy, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

'You catch more flies with honey than vinegar,' Ojai had once said to him. 'It's common knowledge.'

Sesshomaru offered her a hand to help pull her up. "I'll help you," he decided. " I'll get your brat back."

Kagome looked at him with disbelief. She couldn't understand him! Rather then take his hand, she slowly got up instead. "No." she declined.

"I was not asking you," Sesshomaru said tightly. "I was telling. And because I am your Lord, you will not refuse me."