Hey there everyone!! I know you all missed me oh so much! Well, this chapter's gonna be short, but I'll try to make up for it in the next chapter. See, this is the last one I had FULLY pre-written, so you're gonna have to forgive me here... Anyways, here's your new chapter!!

And they're still not mine!

NOTE: I'M PUTTING UP 2 NEW CHAPTERS FOR THIS AT THE SAME TIME. Don't forget, okay?

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Ch. 4 The Secret is Out

Did I do that? The ugly bruise marring her pale skin seemed to be in the same place my hand had been the day before. And it was about the same size as my hand. She turned her head towards me slightly, looking at where my fingers were brushing against her shoulder. I felt her eyes move to my face, but I continued to examine the mark I had left on her. I couldn't see where my handprint's fingertips ended, and I considered turning her around to look for the claw marks I feared would be there.

But she moved away from me. I watched as she hid the bruise from sight, and I realized she didn't like the idea of me touching her. Not even looking at her. I felt anger swell up inside me. Did I truly disgust her that much?

In my anger, I replaced the shield around me that I had so foolishly let down. Her opinion of me could not change after 500 years? She still hates me as much now as she did then? It must be her human blood.

Human. I had almost forgotten who we both were. She was a human miko, and I, I, Sesshoumaru, was the Demon Lord of the Western Lands. I was a Taiyoukai, and one of the most powerful.

I am a youkai.

She is a human.

Humans are insignificant.

So why does it still hurt?

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I took a deep breath, wondering what he was thinking that could cause him to revert back to his cold self.

"You never answered my question, human. This Sesshoumaru does not like to be kept waiting." My fists clenched. It was back. The condescending tone, the proud, arrogant attitude. The icy demeanor that always got under my skin and pissed me off. I focused my eyes on his and glared angrily. My jaw kept clenching involuntarily as I fought to keep from calling him every word I'd ever heard Inuyasha use.

"You bastard." Okay, I guess I didn't try hard enough. "You track me down, come into my home, and then proceed to talk to me like I'm something off the bottom of your shoe! I don't give a damn who you are now, or who you were then, you do NOT insult me in my own home! Inuyasha couldn't do it, and neither can you! If that damn well hadn't sealed up, I'd go back right now and pin your ass to the tree just like Kikyo did his!"

"'Well'? 'Go back'?" Uh oh, 'Gome. As I had spoken, I had stepped closer until I was looking directly into his eyes, my finger emphasizing my point as I kept poking it into his chest. And now, he had an eyebrow raised in what seemed to be amusement and pure curiosity. Oh, damn, I thought. I thought back on what I had said, and felt like kicking my own butt.

Repeatedly.

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Told you it was going to be short, but I promise the next one will be longer!! This is the shortest chapter I think I have EVER put up... But you have to admit, I had a reason... Next chapter! What does Kagome tell Sesshoumaru about the well? Until then, feel free to review!!