A/N:

See authors note at bottom!

Disclaimer: I'm too good for Inuyasha. Hmph. XD

Editor's Note:

Everything I corrected is in red. If there's anything in parentheses ( ), it's either a note or a possible replacement for the word (or phrase) before it (or after it). Underlined words in red mean that they should not be there. I did change a few spelling mistakes and spacing mistakes without any red marks to show for it, so just use this copy when you post. Also, a little word of advice: before you post, select all and change the color to black so that just in case you missed any red marks, they won't show up online. ^^ Once again, I'm sooo sorry that I couldn't get this to you faster. SORRY!! Great job on the chapter!

The Librarian's daughter

I can still remember the library, so dark and foreboding. The bookshelves groaned with their weight, and the rain beat against the windows so fiercely I thought they would break.

"It hurts.." I mumbled, standing in the corner of the library. I held my arm across my chest and cried, having never felt pain as intense as this.

Suddenly, I wished I hadn't come. I had begged my father to take me here, to not leave me behind in the dark, cold garage that was our home. Father's boss didn't allow children in the work place, but father managed to smuggle me in with the condition that I stayed in the 'kidde korner' of the library.

The library was even more frightening than our garage.

I had seen my father plug in a lamp many times. There was a small lamp not a few steps away from the kiddie korner…I knew I could plug it in.

The lamp was different. Father's lamps always started up when touched—but this one remained devoid of any light. Maybe there was something wrong with the socket? Considering it a possibility, I stupidly jammed my fingers into the outlet.

Father never did teach me about outlets…Because most of our outlets were high up on the wall where I could never reach them, being the small six-year-old that I was, father never took it upon himself to teach me…

A bolt of electricity went up my arm. White-hot pain surrounded me, engulfing my world, causing me to let out a soft cry of pain. I drew my arm back with a snap, and cradled it. Tears began to burn at my eyes, and I tried to hold them back…I wouldn't cry…I couldn't…but my efforts were (in vain) wasted as the beginning of many tears paved a path down my face.

As I sniveled quietly in the corner, fearing that I might die from the pain in my arm. Father's desk could not have been ten yards away, but the pain had grounded me, and I sunk to the floor on my knees. I failed to take notice of the figure that was slowly advancing towards me.

Too late I noticed it…or rather him, the eldest son of Inutashio. What he was doing in that library, I'll never know, but at that moment, I became terrified. Of stories whispered and rumors gossiped, I remember one in particular. In the story, Sesshomaru, barely the age of three, gobbled up three children in a fit of hatred. He had done this because, supposedly, they had been bullying him around for quite some time. It was also said in the story that sometimes, if you're unlucky, Sesshomaru would fly into another rage and gobble you up, too.

"…Ah…Ah…Ah--!"(Maybe just one 'ah'? Like "Ahh---") I began to scream, but a hand clamped over my mouth.

A minute later, a smooth voice followed. "Relax….I'm not going to hurt you."

The hand removed itself from my mouth, and I was tempted to try and scream again, but my fear kept me in check. I began to tremble, instead.

"What's wrong?" Sesshomaru asked, watching my visibly quaking form.

"…I-I…m-m-my arm…I t-tried to start up t-the lamp." I stuttered, avoiding his gaze.

His hand grasped my unhurt arm and began to lead me to my father's desk. "Your father left for some time. He's back now. You should get treated."

Fear left me then and the pain came back to me ten fold. My arm began to throb by the time we reached father's desk.

"Higurashi"

At the sound of Sesshomaru's voice, my father sat up right stiffly.

"I found your daughter in the corner of the library."

My father took one look at my trembling form and practically leaped over the desk to tend to me.

"Next time," Sesshomaru said, walking out of the library, his every word dripping with ice, "I advise that you teach your daughter about outlets before she jams her fingers in another one."

Father's eyes clouded over with concern. I began to cry again, and all father did was hug me.

"It hurt." I mumbled through my mess of tears. "I was so afraid."

+      +      +

I rolled over, desperate for sleep.

My bed was a tangle of sheets, as was my hair. I couldn't count how many times I had rolled over, hoping to find the perfect position that would lead me into sleep. All I knew was that it was past midnight and I was unable to get sleep when it was most needed.

I rolled over again, this time facing the digital clock.

'Four twenty-six and I still can't get a wink of sleep.' I thought, rolling over again.

This time, I was facing the door of my room. For every chip and splinter on the door, there was a story to be told. My eyes shifted over to the largest one on the door yet, a crack in the middle of the door. That one I had put there…today.

+++++++++++++++++

The minute Sesshomaru had lessened his grip, I broke away from his embrace. But it wasn't enough to just escape him—oh, no. He was gong to pay for taking my first kiss.

The palm of my hand connected with his left cheek in a stinging force.

Sesshomaru stumbled away from me, shocked and stunned. A thick, throbbing pain vibrated throughout my whole hand, but I forced myself to watch Sesshomaru's reactions. Confusion flashed on his face—then shock, and finally anger.

When I saw him growling, my head cleared. When the full impact of what I had done blew onto me, I knew I couldn't stick around. Before fear could cripple me, I swiftly walked away as fast as I could to the outside of the courtyard. When I was out of Sesshomaru's sight for sure, I began to run.

When I got home, I immediately ran to my room. I had banged the door so badly against the wall that it had cracked. For an hour, I stood in my room, throwing non-breakable things at walls. Father didn't dare approach me in this state—he knew the consequences.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

By the time I was down reviewing the memory, I had fully made up my mind to go into the kitchen and warm up some cold milk. That would put me to sleep…right?

Before I got up from my bed, and involuntary shudder passed through me. The feeling of those cold, hard lips against mine…If that was what his every kiss was like, I hoped never to kiss him again.

After a minute or two of deep thought, I finally sat up and pulled on my thin robe and two-sizes-too-small-slippers.

With stealth I had practiced since an early age, I slipped out of my room. When I was younger, I would always sneak downstairs and grab a candy cane (father always managed to have a box of them, no matter what time of the year.)—I had learned quickly which floorboards would creak or squeak and alert my father to my…'escape'.

I made my way down the stairs, also skipping the steps that groaned and creaked with weight. I slipped around the maze of stacked books, under the table that blocked my way into the kitchen (the alternative route was blocked by stepping over father, who was currently snoring away on the couch, legs on the coffee table and book poised in his hands.)…And freedom.

The kitchen was small, not unlike any other room in the house. Stacks of books were piled into corners, crammed on shelves, and even stashed in the dish cabinets. A stranger would be surprised to find about three-fourths of the tiny pantry filled with books.

I sighed and began to trudge over the rug (which was actually a very cheap blanket) to what was probably the oldest fridge on the face of the earth. I opened the fridge, and then slammed the door shut when I realized that the milk had spoiled a day or two ago.

I sunk to my knees and before I knew what I was doing, I was out cold on the kitchen floor.

+++++++++++

RINGRING

I wasn't surprised to feel myself wake up on the rug of the kitchen floor. After all, I had slept here many times as a young girl. The kitchen always seemed to have an aura of warmth surrounding this place. Father says it's because mother spent most of her time cooking and—

RINGRING

Blearily, I hefted myself off the rug and began to search for the new phone. Somewhere amongst the piles of books, it was hiding.

'Father had it just yesterday…I could have…AH HA!'

The phone was just where Father had always left it. Less than half-charged, the phone gave one last desperate ring before I pressed talk.

I had actually meant to say, "Who is it?" but it came out more as "Whoesht?"

"Higurashi."

The sleep clears from my eyes as I snap awake. I stand up straight, no longer slouching as I clutched the phone.

I slammed the phone on the nearby cradle.

A minute or so passed. Just as I was about to turn around and quell my raging caffeine urge, the phone rang again.

I picked it up.

"Listen," I spat venomously into the phone. "You had no right to do what you did! Leave me alone!"

Silence. Then…

"You seem to forget," Sesshomaru said, venom coating his every syllable, "who holds power over your father's job."

Shock. "You wouldn't." I breathed. I didn't have a job anymore, so the only thing sustaining me was father's income. Father wouldn't settle for another job…

Sesshomaru ignored me and continued on. "I'd like you to listen."

As if I wasn't already.

"Give me another chance."

I nearly keeled over in shock. The Sesshomaru…asking me for another chance?

I laughed. "Joke's up, Inuyasha."

Another silence, this time shorter than the last.

"…This is no joke."

I could practically feel his eyebrow quirk up.

It was a while before I spoke again. "You aren't mocking me, are you? You really want another chance?"

I paused.

Should I...? I guess he didn't deserve to be hit….but he did kiss me without my consent….

But...

"Okay." I sighed. "You can have another chance."

"Thank you." Sesshomaru replied, a bit more….warmth?

The phone went dead as Sesshomaru hung up. I hung up too, in a matter of seconds.

I grinned slightly. 'Warmth? What am I talking about…?'

--------------(^^)AUTHOR

O_____O OH MY GOD! She actually made another chapter! Hullajueh! Well, Not much to say…Holidays are hectic.

::REVISIONS::

Ah, yes. A touchy subject. Whether you like it or not, some minor parts or even some chapters as I have been planning WILL BE CHANGED. Chapter three is probably going to be replaced all together (I actually have the whole replacing chapter three planned out, so there's no stopping me now.). Chapter four will be revised to have a short summary of the old chapter three. Messy details will be mopped up…Squee. Count on it happening.

:: SHAMELESS PLUGGAGE::

Castle In The Clouds (Coming soon)– Woo….A loose retelling of the EROSxPSYCHE myth….A very, very loose retelling. Kikyo gets jealous…Shippo messes up…and now Kagome has two gods clawing at her. ^-^ Set in AU, A INU/KAG/SESS triangle! O.o oh ho ho.

Flesh, Blood, and Steel – YYH x-over! ^-^ Kagome is not what she appears to be. Sent to the same school as her dead sister, Kagome must learn to adapt to school life, all while not giving away her fears and origins. (Chapter two up!)

::OTHER::

So many reviews…THANK YOU! ;_; I love chuu all….taking the time out of day to review for me….[gets teary eyes] THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[takes Rin's sword and bravely fights off zee ninja's]

Rei-san:…oh ho ho! Back, you monstrous….monster!

THIS CHAPTER WAS REVISED