The (time lapse) thing is indicative of...you guessed it...a time lapse. This chapter is way confusing, mostly because the characters are confused themselves. If you've ever had feelings for someone, but you don't know if they like you, or if you'd be doing the right thing by being with them, you can relate. Plus, it's hard to make Sesshomaru care, and be unfeeling at the same time.

Her yells did not fall on deaf ears.

What was that for? I can't tell you that Kagome, because I don't know.

In truth, Sesshomaru did have a partial answer. He did it because he wanted to, because something in him told him to. He was not one for wearing his heart on his sleeve at all. Romance and relationships were a waste of time for him right now. He wasn't lying when he told Kagome that he used Kagura as a front and a deterrent to his so called 'fan club'. But he was graduating soon and wouldn't need a false relationship in college; the women there were too mature to chase after a guy they thought was handsome.

That still didn't resolve the problem of why he kissed Kagome. Just as he had too much honor to lie to another person, Sesshomaru also believed he was above lying to himself as well. He didn't deny that he enjoyed being around her. He didn't deny that he was unhappy that she was hurt. He didn't lie to himself and say that he didn't want to take her back into his arms that very moment and kiss her again, and again, and again.

No, Sesshomaru was above lies. So why was he still walking away?

He stopped and turned around. She was standing in the hallway. Her eyes were wide and a blush was beginning to form on her cheeks. He gave a little half smirk.

"Because I wanted to."

"Oh, good." Kagome said softly. When a flash of confusion passed through his eyes she gave him a weak smile. "Because I wanted you to."

Sesshomaru had no answer to that. No sarcastic comment. No sneer.

He wondered why he couldn't turn away from her. Tune her out like he did everything else in his life. He tolerated her, yes. Sometimes he liked spending time with her. That was it. He had no feelings beyond that. He had no feelings for her.

Wait. That wasn't right. He just admitted to himself that he had feelings for the girl.

No, not feelings. He just...

There was no point to dating her anyways. He would be at college in a few months and away from the immaturity of secondary schooling.

He was thinking about dating her?

Why not? He enjoyed being around her. That was more than he could say for Kagura. But, he only kept Kagura around to fool the rest of the idiot females in this school. She was a cover. Is that what Kagome would be?

"Sesshomaru..." Kagome's voice broke into his warring thoughts. "Do you want to go to a movie or dinner or something on Friday?"

He looked at her with those beautiful gold eyes.

"Dinner will be acceptable. I will come get you at eight."

Noooooo! Part of him screamed.

Holy crap, I just asked out Sesshomaru. And he said yes! Kagome thought. Wait...what?

You wuss. The other part of Sesshomaru admonished. At least she had the guts to ask you.

(time lapse)

Sesshomaru took Kagome to The Phoenix, a very classy french eatery. A part of him wanted to impress her, but the other half argued that it wasn't as if he didn't eat at places like these all the time. But Kagome was most definately impressed. Sesshomaru had called her beforehand and told her to dress somewhat formally. She had chosen a dark blue dress with a slightly-paisley flower-and-vine pattern done in a sort of powdered shade of the same blue. It had faint needle-thin loops of silver in it as well. The dress was haltertop, with a low back and V-cut front, and a tie going aroung the back at chest level to ensure nothing embarrassing would pop out. It came about 2 inches past her knees with slits on either side slightly below mid-thigh.

When they had arrived at the restaurant, Kagome realized she could have worn a formal gown and not looked out of place.

Though Sesshomaru was not much of a talker, he found himself engaged in the nearly nonstop conversation provided by Kagome. He mostly asked questions to prompt Kagome about herself and her past, but soon after the soup she switched to asking questions about him.

"Where do you think you'll be going to college, Sesshomaru? Tokyo University?"

He paused for a moment.

"It is a possibility."

"Oh good," she smiled, "I would think you might decided to go farther away."

He remained silent.

"What will you major in?" she continued.

"Business management. I am the eldest son, so I will be taking over Youkai Corporation when I reach the appropriate age."

"Oh that's right. I forgot that your family owned it."

Forgot? he thought, puzzled.

"This is really nice Sesshomaru. Thank you for taking me."

And now she was thanking him for what other girls expected.

"Kagome, would you...date me exclusively?" He was expecting a screech or something of that nature. So when she stared at him for a long time, he was slightly curious.

"Sesshomaru...I..." she hesitated, but then a slow smile appeared on her lips. "Yeah, I would."

(POV)

Was she doing this just to spite Inuyasha? Dating Sesshomaru as an answer to Kikyo?

No. nononono. She really liked about Sesshomaru. He was a good guy once you got past that aloofness.

(POV)

He had decided. He would be with Kagome until graduation and then he could leave. She'd get over it. She got over his brother in less than a day.

(time lapse)

"Thank you again, Sesshomaru. I had a good time with you tonight." Kagome was facing him, but had her head down. He put two fingers underneath her chin and lifted. His lips pressed against her once, firmly.

"As did I with you. Goodnight...Kagome." A shudder ran through her body when he said her name. His voice caressed the syllables fondly, embraced her name.

He smirked at her and got into his car. Kagome waited until he turned the corner before she started to the front door.

(Break)

The news of Kagome and Sesshomaru's relationship spread quickly throughout the large school. So quickly that Inuyasha heard from other people before he heard from Kagome. He was...less than happy.

"I can't believe you would date Sesshomaru, Kagome!" Inuyasha all but yelled. He had found her on her way to lunch and all but shoved her into an empty classroom.

"Is it because he's your brother, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked sympathetically.

"Yes! And because he's a bastard!" Kagome was beginning to get angry.

"No he's not! He's a perfect gentleman!"

"Oh yeah, right!"

"You...You're just jealous!" The outburst left a buzzing silence.

"No, I have Kikyo, Kagome," Inuyasha said softly. "I'm sorry for yelling. I was just...surprised that you would be dating...him..."

"It's ok. I'm sorry you had to hear it through rumors, and not from me," Kagome stuck her hand out. "Friends?"

Inuyasha pushed her hand aside and gave her a hug.

"Friends." He held onto her for a long time. "I don't know what it is about you, Kagome, that makes me feel the need to protect you."

"Just lucky, I guess," she smiled at him. "Uh, can you let me go so I can get to class?"

"Oh, oops."

(POV)

Kagura remembered how she felt when she heard. Defeated. She didn't want revenge on Kagome anymore, she just wanted to go away. Away to someplace new, with new faces. She didn't want to be here anymore.

Tears ran down her face.

(fin)

Ok. You know how I said I had a clear ending for this story? Well, since I decided to do a sort of sequel/continuation...I don't. So, I'm not sure on the sequel anymore, but there will be a sort of epilouge thing or whatnot. I don't even know. I'm exhausted on this story, but I hate it when authors just up and stop writing. I think it's because I've grown up since I started writing it, and now it seems...not childish, but...not well written to me.