AN: I'm BACK! And here's the next chap…if you want the disclaimer…look at the first chapter….it depresses me to say that more than once. Major OOC in this chap and for the rest of the story…especially from an emotionally confused/constipated wolf.

Key

"…" speaking

'…' thoughts

Sesshoumaru stood, "I know I shouldn't tell you how to run her life, but, she could get an incredible education in the U.S. why pass up this chance?"

"She's been accepted by Tokyo University. Schools can't get much better than that. I understand your concern for her, Sesshoumaru, but she has just as good a chance here as in America."

"Why stop only at Tokyo university? She's been accepted by Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and M.I.T. The list goes on. Each is an internationally renowned university. Why won't you give her this chance?" Sesshoumaru clenched his fists, trying to suppress the anger in his voice.

Kagome glanced at her father worriedly. "Sesshou. Stop, please." She looked at his pale face begging him to understand the pain she would go through if this continued. He was only making this worse for her. "Just stop."

He nodded stiffly and bowed to Kagome's father. "Forgive me. I'll take my leave now."

Kagome followed him out the door. "Sesshou."

He stopped abruptly, turning to place his fingers on her lips. "I don't want you to stay here. I can't protect you from her."

Kagome shook her head sadly, "You can't protect me forever. I'll wait for you to come take me away in six years."

"I promised, didn't I?" He spoke wryly, wondering if he would find her broken when he returned.

She nodded happily. "You had better remember. That's going to be the only thing keeping me going."

o.o

Sesshoumaru sat dejectedly in his room. Why did she always accept everything so readily? She made her own life so difficult. He swore and stood to finish packing the rest of his bags. His flight left in less than a week.

Kagura. The woman's name left a bad taste in his mouth. She was cunning and presented herself as the loving stepmother who wanted what was best for all of her children. Sesshoumaru growled; he and Kagome knew better. He'd seen Kagome with bruises on every part of her body from the many beatings Kagura gave her. She had scars, most of which Sesshoumaru had seen at some point while they were still bleeding. Kagome always made him promise not to tell her father. He never regretted that decision more than he did now. The need to help her was overwhelming and he could do nothing save for sit and watch helplessly on the side.

He laid a framed photograph of Kagome on top of his suitcase. They had been on the annual school field trip when he'd taken it. She sat, reclining comfortably on the stone bench beneath sakura tree, gazing off into the setting sun with a half-smile on her face. They'd gad fun then, throwing each other in pools and flinging mud at everyone. He fingered the frame carefully, sighing, slowly dispelling the anger that he felt. He would keep his promise.

o.o

"Just what did you think you were doing? Why did Sesshoumaru feel the need to come and beg for you to go to the U.S. with him? Did you ask him to do that? Pathetic little whore. You're the same as the bitch you call your mother." Kagura spit on Kagome's face and swiftly backhanded her. "You're a complete disgrace to this family. Be happy that I haven't kicked you out yet."

Kagome hung her head, trying to hide the seething anger she felt at Kagura's words. Sesshoumaru had only made it worse. She would have to make the best of it, like she always did. 'I was right after all. Why couldn't I have just run away with him?' Kagome berated herself and walked toward her room.

Kikyo stood at their door, a smug grin tugging at the corner of her lips. "She never would have let you go with him. You shouldn't have even bothered. You'll never beat me Kagome." she pushed Kagome away from her small frame as she flounced down the steps.

Kagome sighed again and brought her hand up to her bruised cheek. Walking slowly to her bed, she sat down, thankful for the forgiving embrace of her blankets.

Kouga stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. "Why do you let her do that to you?"

Kagome glanced towards his direction. "I don't want to ruin my father's happiness."

Kouga snorted unbelievingly. "You're doing it because of that? He hasn't even noticed your discomfort around Mom."

"…up. SHUT UP!" Each word became increasingly louder as she stood in front of him. Two angry splotches stood vividly on her cheeks. "Don't say anymore, Kouga."

"Why? Why let her do this to you? Do you honestly think that everyone is blind to your bruises? Make up only works for so long. Your excuse of 'I fell down' only works so many times before it starts to get suspicious!"

"Why do you even care?"

"Why the hell do you always depend on Sesshoumaru?" Kouga's hands were fisted at his sides. "What makes him so damned dependable!"

Kagome stared at him incredulously. "I've known him ever since I was in diapers! He's the only person that stood by me! Why shouldn't I depend on him?"

"He's not good enough for you!" Kouga yelled.

"What?" Kagome glared at him. "What did you say?" her voice became softer, a whisper of deadly silk in the quiet room.

"He's not good enough for you."

Kagome laughed bitterly. "And I suppose you would know who is."

Kouga stood silently for a moment before answering, "I do know."

"Bullshit."

"I do know who's better for you." He stared at her, hardly moving, save for the breaths he took to calm his racing heart. "I am."

"Say that again. You are joking right? Kagome gazed unbelievingly at his stricken blue eyes. "You can't be serious. It could never work."

"Why the hell not? I love you! Isn't that enough?" Kouga pulled her into his embrace.

"No." The word his ears as she pushed him away. "That would never be enough. I would have to love you, and I don't."

Kouga took one step back, glancing at the hard set of her face. "It's only because of Sesshoumaru. You do love me! You have to!"

"Why should I love you, Kouga? You never lifted a finger to help me! You never risked yourself to make certain she didn't hurt me! Sesshou did. He always stood by me, watching over me, protecting me. What did you do?" Kagome stopped speaking and turned to face the wall. "You helped Kikyo torment me. You helped her make your first weeks here a living hell for me. I can forgive you everything else, but I can't forgive you that."

"I had to. She never gave me a choice. She's always wanted the best for Kikyo, no matter what the cost. She wouldn't even care if Kikyo killed someone to get what she wanted. Do you understand what I've lived with?"

Kagome sat on her bed and sighed heavily. "Leave please. I need some time. Alone." She emphasized the last word, leaving him no room for argument.

Kouga turned slowly and placed his hand on the door handle. "Hate me for it if you must, but I love you." He left, shutting the door silently behind him.

Kagome fell back into bed. It seemed that sighing was all she did lately. She missed Sesshoumaru already. He would leave in a matter of days and she would be left oto Kagura and Kikyo for the next six years.

"I won't make it. It will be a miracle if I can stay alive by the time he gets back." She threw a pillow in the air and waited for it to land on her stomach. "I should have just run away with him after all. It might have been easier."

She stopped talking to herself when she heard her phone ring a soft tune. She flipped it open and found an unread text message. She quickly scanned the brief message and typed a reply.

He had written, "Meet me at three."

o.o

"Why'd you want me to me you at this hour?" Kagome looked at him carefully. He seemed worn and depressed.

"Explain this," he tossed a folded sheet of paper at her.

"What is it?" She looked at it curiously.

"You tell me. It was an email from you."

"I haven't been on the computer for three days. What is this?" Kagome's eyes widened in anger as she read the carefully chosen words. "Kouga."

"What about him?" Sesshoumaru gripped her wrist. "Tell me now, Me-chan."

Kagome sighed, "He's jealous of you."

"Why?"

She fidgeted and glanced around uneasily. "…can we not talk about this now?"

"Tell me, Kagome. Now." It was a command and they both knew it.

She turned to go inside, but he pulled her back to him. "Kagome, please. Just tell me."

She burst into hysterical laughter. "He's in love with me."

"Say that again. I think I misheard you." Sesshoumaru began to pray under his breath. Kouga couldn't be in love with Kagome. Sesshoumaru growled. Kagome belonged to him.

"You heard me Sesshou. He told me after you left."

"And after Kagura slapped you again." He gently thumbed her bruised cheek. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Kagome's attention focused on a light that had turned on within the house. "You need to leave. Someone's awake!"

Sesshoumaru looked up at he light and cursed. Kagome pushed him towards his car and motioned for him to leave.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Kouga's voice rang out in the air.

AN: WAHOO! Second chap done! Booyah! You take it man, you take it….don't ask folks…just really hyper and not liking math…taking a break from precalc homework…for the love of god… be back soon….hopefully.