Chapter 6: Kiagami the eastern lord

Lord Kiagami watched in amusement as the young girl pulled away from the youkai lord with a flush on her cheeks. It amused him to see Sesshomaru so disgruntled at the fact that his little heart to heart with the young woman was interrupted. Maybe he could have some fun with this...

"Umm... I'm sorry. I'll be going back to my room now. See you later Sesshomaru-sama."

Kiagami let a smirk of amusement fall upon his face before turning to Sesshomaru.

"The lady you have chosen as a mate is quite a catch Sesshomaru; or should I say Fluffy?"

Sesshomaru bristled. It was not his place to talk about Kagome in such a tone. "She is not my mate Kiagami, our relationship is none of your business."

Kiagami smiled at how defensive Sesshomaru got of her, she meant more to him than he let on. With that idea Kiagami decided to push a little more. Pushing his brown hair back he smiled even wider. "Maybe she would be more interested in me. She is a pretty little thing; she seemed affectionate too. She would make a fine

wife for myself."

Sesshomaru grew even more agitated at the eastern lord of Japan. He was not going to take away his Kagome. Kiagami had a notorious reputation as a womanizer. It was rumored that Kiagami could make any woman fall for him and he wasn't going to let him take Kagome away from him just because he was interested in her. Kiagami had no idea what love was; only lust. "Tell me Kiagami, what is the business you wanted to discuss with me?"

~~~

'Now Sesshomaru must truly think I'm a burden. I wish he would open up to me. I haven't figured him out in the time I have been staying here. He's so much like Inu-Yasha...'

The thought of the silver haired hanyou caused her to slump against the wooden wall of her room. Memories plagued her, taunting her of what could have been if it weren't for Naraku. She wasn't even completely sure that he was dead. It saddened her even more that she would never see her friends again.

Memories. The memories that she did not want to rise to the surface came up in a flash. Why was it that she felt that she could have done more? She should at least have kept Shippou from dying. But she couldn't. She was a useless human with no strength whatsoever. She wished that she could die right there, so she could join her friends in death. She knew it would never happen. There was something holding her back, an attachment to the world of the living. If she were to part with the world of the living there would still be tears shed over her death, a deep sadness caused by her that would take a long time to heal.

Hastily wiping the tears from her eyes and cheeks she stood up, determined to give her deep emotional wounds time to heal; deciding that she would not take the coward's way out. She would be strong for as long she could be, until she truly felt that there was nothing left for her. She just missed her friends; along with InuYasha.

InuYasha she would always have some special feeling for him in her heart. She knew that she was simply a replacement for Kikyou for InuYasha but that didn't stop her from finally falling for him.

'I wish you were living InuYasha... I'm confused. Lately your brother has been so kind to me. I can feel my feeling towards him growing stronger everyday. But I feel if I do start a relationship with him, I'll be betraying you.'

Chapter 7: Friends, huh?

Sesshoumaru was in his study going through the mountain of papers that usually sat in his office. It was hard task, particularly because he was too busy worrying about the trouble that Kiagami might be causing. Especially if he got near Kagome. His brush broke in his hand as he thought of all the possibilities that could occur while Kiagami was in his household. Kiagami had always irritated him to no end. Sesshoumaru would be very glad indeed if he could just melt the nuisance with a blast of his poisonous acid. It was so unfortunate he couldn't.

After another hour of not bring able to concentrate on his work, he decided to check to see if Kagome was any near that piece of waste that dares call himself youkai. He walked into the gardens and the sight that greeted him there made his blood boil. It was the scene of Kiagami trying to use his 'charm' on Kagome. He was trying, but failing miserably.

Kiagami in the meantime was actually not in the least bit slighted that his charm did not work on the human girl. He was actually quite pleased since he sensed Sesshoumaru's presence nearby. It also felt like he was angry.

'I better leave these two lovebirds alone. I don't particularly want my insides melted right now.' With that nasty image in his mind he politely said goodbye to Kagome and disappeared into shadows of the castle.

Sesshoumaru stepped out into the light, giving a better view to Kagome who already knew he was there. He walked up to her, not banishing the image of Kiagami's death for even one second. Later on it would surprise him to know that the particular reason he wanted to kill Kiagami was because he was jealous. Yes he was jealous of that piece of filth. Jealous because he could lose Kagome to him, jealous because Kiagami would claim what he couldn't take back by force.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, I thought I felt you around here. So, what brings you to me today?"

Sesshoumaru mentally frowned. It was strange that she was referring to by his proper title and name. She stopped calling him Sesshoumaru weeks ago, and she had never addressed him as Sesshoumaru-sama. It was strange to hear her referring to him so politely. It also pained him to see that they have lost a certain familiarity that enabled her to talk to Sesshoumaru like an old friend.

"Why are you talking to me in such a manner? I rather liked the way you used to address me; it was almost like we were.... friends." It was then that Sesshoumaru disappeared, leaving Kagome with her thoughts.

"Friends, huh? I'd like to try that." Kagome said; hoping that Sesshoumaru would be able to hear her.

'I would like to try that too, my strange miko'

~~~

The nights were getting colder in Japan; winter was quickly approaching. Kagome shivered in her bed feverently hoping for more warmth. She wished that she was back at the castle where she was sure to have warm sheets and breakfast to look forward to. It was unfortunate that she wasn't.

It was only a few days ago when she and Sesshoumaru had heard rumors of a terrible hanyou that was reeking havoc across all of Japan and she had a suspicion it had to do with Naraku. She knew it wasn't Naraku directly because it wasn't Naraku's style to go out and terrorize towns. Sesshoumaru had not wanted to get Kagome involved to which she protested greatly. After all, it wasn't as if she was completely helpless. She had her miko abilities which almost always came in handy. Kagome shivered again the cold of the night.

Kiagami watching Kagome took pity on her and seeing as Sesshoumaru was doing nothing to make her more comfortable, he took off his cape and draped it over her thin body.

"Thank you Kiagami, I appreciate it very much." In a few moments she drifted off to sleep.

Sesshoumaru could feel the ugly monster of hate rise up through his chest just waiting for its wish to be granted, like an overly spoiled child. So many times he had given into his hate in the heat of battle and because of that it was even harder for him to suppress it. For some reason he did not want Kagome to experience the uglier side of him. Deep down he wanted and needed Kagome's approval.

Though Sesshomaru didn't know it, his affection for Kagome was growing deeper and deeper.

~~~~~~

AN: Yes I am aware that this is incredibly short, and I really wish I could have written more. But alas, that didn't work out. Also, ideas are greatly appreciated for I am running short on them.