Kagome froze, and just managed to keep her mouth closed. His love? His love! Kagome's heart sang even as she felt a bowling ball drop to her stomach. She hadn't...hadn't expected him to say. Never suspected he might love her. Had been willing to hurt herself. But now that he had she'd have to hurt Inuyasha. How could she do that? But...how could she turn away from Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru who loved his mother and sisters enough to dedicate his life to revenge on the person he believed, no matter how wrongly, responsible. Sesshomaru who was a beautiful killer with the sweetest growl she'd ever known. Sesshomaru whose bark was worst then his bite deep down.

She looked up at him. "Say the words." She wanted to hear them. Wanted to hear 'I love you' from his mouth.

His eyes narrowed. "No. I made my point."

She laughed and couldn't stop herself from running across the distance to fling herself at him. She'd meant to hold out till he'd said it but her resistance crumbled under that familiar surly countenance. She was a weakling she new but she didn't care.

"Fine. I won't say 'I love you too' then." She paused for a moment before smiling and adding "But I'm thinking it." And stuck her tongue out at him then blushed in surprise when he leaned forward to nip it playfully.

"Kagome...." Inuyasha's voice! Kagome's heart broke. She'd forgotten about Inuyasha. She shut her eyes against what she knew was coming and counted.

1

"Kagome what...you...you..."

2

"You just..."

3

"You're in love with him!?"

Three. Three seconds it took for it to sink in. Kagome winced then turns glancing up as she felt Sesshomaru's arms wrap around her possessively. "Inuyasha I..."

Inuyasha stared at her with cold eyes. "Answer the question Kagome."

"Inuyasha..."

"Kagome." She looked up as Sesshomaru spoke this time. "Answer it."

She looked down. "Yes Inuyasha. I am." Her heart broke as she watched Inuyasha turn away, a bit and braced herself for the words to come. The ones he gave surprised her.

"I guess you'll be staying here then."

Kagome blinked. Is that what it meant? Would she remain in Sesshomaru's castle now? Now that she knew of the love they shared would she abandon the quest, which had wound around her life? Would she forsake her friends and leave them to search for the shards without her? No. She couldn't do that. It was still her responsibility. Still her mission. Still her purpose.

"No." Two sets of gold eyes fell on her in surprise and she shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. "I will continue to look for the jewel shards."

"No." The word echoed by both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru in unison and they glowered at each other for a split second before returning to her.

Kagome jumped at the resounding refusal. Then settled her hands on her hip angrily. "What do you mean no!?" She understood Sesshomaru's disagreement but did Inuyasha hate her so much that he couldn't even stand to be around her anymore? "It's not your decision to make! It's mine."

When they were silent she looked from one to the other then slipped out of Sesshomaru's arms to stand between them. "Listen. The jewel shards are still out there and need to be gathered and not t mentioned purified. I broke them and so I'm the one who has to help fix it." She looked at Inuyasha as tears gathered in her eyes. "Inuyasha. Don't hate me. Please. I still...I still care for you. Don't hate me." But this is what it came down to. Her first love versed her true love.

Inuyasha looked up at her and sighed then looked away again. "I could never hate you Kagome. Him, I have no problem hating but never you." But he still didn't look at her.

She looked up at Sesshomaru patiently, his gaze was averted focused on the gardens before his gaze shifted to her again and he drew her against him. "Very well Kagome. You may go."

"Very magnanimous of you." She muttered to herself.

He smirked. "However you are still my wife and so you will return to me." He tipped her face up with a claw. "And I will be checking on you." His voice became low and dangerous, like the chill brush of midnight. "And I pity the man or demon who lays a hand on you."

Kagome shuddered at the raw warning in his voice and nodded then stepped forward to embrace him. "I love you."

"I know." He said, running a hand over her cheek then gently detangle her from him and turned her towards Inuyasha, nudging her forward gently. "Take care of her brother."

Inuyasha glared. "I was doing that way before you were Sesshomaru."

"With your life brother." Sesshomaru said ignoring Inuyasha's comment. "Protect her with your life." And with a tiny glance to Kagome he turned and walked back to the castle without looking back even once.

It stung her. More then she could say but she understood. If he lingered too long he would be able to make himself allow her to walk away with the half brother he hated. She stood and watched him walk away until he disappeared through the castle entrance before turning to look at Inuyasha who still wouldn't face her. She walked over to him slowly.

"Inuyasha?"

"What?" His voice was quiet, emotionless but Kagome heard the pain that the dead tone masked.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

"And I love you."

"I know."

"But...I love him...stronger."

"I...know."

And Kagome finally realized what Inuyasha felt when he was trapped between her and Kikyou. When the past and the future both pulled at him with tight grips on either side. And to let go of either one you'd have to give your whole arm over and submit to linger with the pain as well as the joy. And even the regret. She looked at Inuyasha and realized he was thinking the same and so she asked the question she know only he could answer.

"How do I know I made the right decision?"

He paused a moment before saying. "You know."

"It hurts."

He looked over at her and nodded. "Yea. I guess it does."

And she knew things would be okay.
Author's Note: One more chapter left! The final chapter coming up next!! I can hardly stand the excitement!!