Disclaimer: I do not own inu yasha or any other characters except Tomika and Shirokiba.

Last time: "Sesshoumaru…..?" Kagome whispered.

Sesshoumaru glared at Kagome, "you will never call me that again. Do I make myself clear?"

Ch. 5

More Clues, or More Mysteries?

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Kagome's chin dropped, " Sesshoumaru I- I didn't mean-"

Sesshoumaru snarled, his teeth bared, "you didn't mean to call me by you lover's name?"

Kagome's head shot back up, "Hay! That's not fair!! He's not my-"

"And yet you would assume that any man in bed with you was your bodygaurd," Sesshoumaru smirked.

Kagome paused, then looked at Sesshoumaru curiously, "why were you in bed with me?"

Sesshoumaru growled, "Do not presume to tell me I actually wanted to sleep with

you. You're whimpering and screaming during that dream last night would have woken the entire household."

Kagome's eyes widened. Her face paled and she started backing away from Sesshoumaru. All the while shaking her head, her fists clenched at her sides.

Sesshoumaru watched, slightly amused, as Kagome shook her head. His amusement turned to anger as she fled towards the door.

Just as Kagome reached the door, a strong arm wrapped around her waste and whirled her around. She found herself looking up at Sesshoumaru.

A very unhappy Sesshoumaru.

'What's with this girl?' Sesshoumaru asked himself.

Kagome's eyelids closed, and her muscles tensed. She waited.

Sesshoumaru spoke softly, " don't walk out on me." When he got no response, Sesshoumaru shook her lightly.

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru tried again.

Kagome looked up, "you said my name…."

Sesshoumaru smiled inwardly at that statement. 'So she likes it when I say her name.'

"I needed to talk to you." Sesshoumaru paused, waiting for approval. Kagome nodded and Sesshoumaru continued, " I wanted to ask you if you knew why we never met."

'Huh?!' Isn't he going to ask about the dream?' Kagome thought, feeling confused once more.

Kagome looked at him sadly, "Dad always wanted me to meet you. I think at one point he even wanted you to train me........, " Kagome trailed off, looking away. 'Stop it! Don't do this to yourself.' Kagome looked back at Sesshoumaru, "we were on our way here when my dad died. So of course, I didn't come." Kagome shrugged, "that's all."

Sesshoumaru looked slightly annoyed, but refrained from commenting. Instead he asked, "what is you relationship with Shirokiba?"

Kagome looked startled, "well, he's like my brother,... I guess.......?"

Sesshoumaru growled softly, "that's not what I was asking. How do you feel about him?"

Kagome answered truthfully, "he's the closest friend I've ever had. He's always ther for me and he makes up for all my mother's short-comings."

Sesshoumaru snarled at himself, disgusted by this feeling that made him want to keep Kagome away from Shirokiba. What was it? Jealousy? 'I will not lower myself to her position.'

In spite of himself, Sesshoumaru found himself asking, "He's claimed you then?"

Kagome raised an eyebrow, "no. He hasn't."

Sesshoumaru was surprised. Did this girl, Kagome, not know what he meant?

"Are you not aware that he protects, shelters, and worries over you as if you were his?" Sesshoumaru probed.

Kagome groaned, "I just told you! He's like my brother. He's taken care of me ever since Rei died!!" Kagome gasped. 'What possessed me to say that? I haven't called my father by that name since the day he died. Rei..... he always let me call him that.

* flashback *

"Daddy," a young Kagome asked, "why does mommy call you Rey?"

A tall figure laughed. He turned around, scooping the girl up into his arms. His hair was dark, long, and straight. His face gentle; eyes grey and laughing. "Would you like to call me Rei aswell, my little Kage?"

The young girl's eyes lit up, "Really?"

He laughed again, "Really."

* end flashback *

"Kagome! Kagome!!" Sesshoumaru shook Kagome roughly. She had gone pale and looked like she was mentally too far away to come back. He could smell her pain and fear and for some reason, it seemed to hurt him as well. He shook her again, "Kagome?"

Kagome's eyes flickered blue, registering Sesshoumaru's prescence, and dropped, their line of sight now on the floor.

Sesshoumaru was bewildered. 'What's wrong?' "Kagome?" he took a tentative step closer, pulling her against him. Then he smelled the salt in the air. 'She's crying again. Why? What's been done to make her act this way?'

Kagome sagged against Sesshoumaru, crying. He lowered her to the ground, and wrapped his arms around her, the sleeves of his kimono sheltering her from the world.

As Sesshoumaru cradled and comforted her, Kagome let it all go. All the pain she hadn't been able to deal with at her father's death. All the unjustice she knew her mother was plotting with the power of the throne behind her. The stress of war and the pain at the loss of many friends ebbed away as the tears ran down her face.

When Kagome calmed, Sesshoumaru helped her to stand. He held her by the waist, and with her head still burried in his kimono, lead her over to the door. He guided her out of her room, through the halls, to his personal courtyard. His gaze rested on the girl in his arms.

He spoke her name softly, "Kagome."

There was a slight nodd against his chest.

Sesshoumaru shook his head, "Look."

Kagome peaked up past Sesshoumaru's kimono and saw the blue sky. She whirled around, taking in the sight. It was undescribable. ( and here i go trying......) Japanese maples lined the courtyard walls. Large rocks that resembled mountains gave way to three tremendous waterfalls. A clear, sparkling spring bubbled beneath it. There were white lilies everywhere. They contrasted with the shadows like stars in the night sky.

Sesshoumaru watched with amusement as Kagome stared in awe, "I thought you would like it."

Kagome jumped, startled out of her state of shock. She looked at Sesshoumaru, "It's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it." Kagome turned back and continued to look around.

Sesshoumaru stayed for hours watching Kagome as she walked around the garden. She would lay beside the spring, and Sesshoumaru would stare enthralled, as Kagome ran her fingers through the water. 'I wonder what it would feel like if she ran her fingers through my hair.....? Where did that come from?' An all to-well-known voice popped into his head. 'She's a filthy, dirty human. She has no pride. You've seen her! She cries all the time. She has no strength and-' Sesshoumaru interupted his own thoughts. 'She's beautiful, she isn't dirty. She does have pride, but she isn't arrogant. I don't know why she cries, but-'

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked softly.

Sesshoumaru ripped his mind away from his thoughts, his eyes focusing on their subject.

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked again, a little worried.

Sesshoumaru nodded.

Kagome smiled, relieved, "You looked a little upset, I was worried."

Sesshoumaru stared at her. 'She's gorgeous when she smiles. By Kami she's beautiful.' No she's not. She's a human! A dirty- 'Shut up.'

Seshoumaru shook his head, "no, not upset. I was thinking."

Kagome smiled again, " okay."

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru's voice was stern.

Kagome's smile faded, but she nodded and sat down beside him.

Sesshoumaru grimaced when Kagome's smile vanished, but didn't show it. He spoke evenly, "there are two things. Neither of which you'll like."

Kagome answered seriously, "I will answer what I can."

Sesshoumaru nodded, "Good. Tell me what you know of this war."

Kagome spoke evenly, " our Northern borders were being over-run, so we sent troops out to the watch posts. They were ambushed, slaughtered, and their bodies hung from trees. Two of my closest friends were among those who died. Three days later I found a ransom not in my bedroom. They wanted my father's lands in return for my brother's life. I'm not the only one who has suffered. Villages along the border are being raided. We couldn't let it continue, so we declared war."

Sesshoumaru's voice was like honey, silky and smooth, almost as if to catch Kagome in a trap. He leveled his gaze, "and how, may I ask, do you know this?"

Kagome held his gaze, "I was there."

'She was WHAT?!?' Sesshoumaru thought utterly confused. 'Why would you send a princess into battle? It's not ethical, smart, or dignified.'

Kagome spoke, "I know what you're thinking. Who were they going to send, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome demanded. "My father is dead, out people are farmers, and my mother couldn't even get in the saddle of a horse!"

Sesshoumaru growled, raising his voice, "neither should you bitch!" 'Damnit! I haven't come so close to loosing control in over a century. This girl will ruin me,' Sesshoumaru thought bitterly.

Kagome straightened, then glared at Sesshoumaru, "that is why I never wanted to come here." Kagome stood, "the second thing?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, "now is not the time."

Kagome turned and walked away.

Sesshoumaru watched her go with a look of indifference, but for some reason his heart was heavy with guilt. 'She didn't diserve that. I probably could have commended her, but that would be more than she deserves.' Sesshoumaru sighed, 'I doubt now, that I'll ever find out what made her cry last night.' The thought angered him and left to patrol his borders.

Kagome walked calmly down the halls, but inside she was fuming. 'Who does he think he is?! He's nothing but an arrogant, overbearing, bastard. I don't care what Rei saw in him! I hate him.' She moved swiftly down the halls, letting her trained sense of directions take her back to her room. The area was saturated in her ki and could be easily located and tracked.

Kagome reached her room and opened the door. She was surprised to see Sango waiting, but quickly became angry again.

"What?" Kagome demanded. Kagome saw Sango's hurt look and dropped her chin, "I'm sorry Sango-chan. Sesshoumaru just really pisses me off. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

Sango's face lit up, "Apology accepted."

Kagome smiled.

Sango gave Kagome a thoughtful look, "You know,... no matter how much of a jerk Sesshoumaru-sama acts like, he's stil the most beautiful jerk there is." Sango grinned at the look on Kagome's face. Both girls burst into peels of laughter.

When they recovered, Sango ushered Kagome into the bathroom. Sango looked dissaprovingly at Kagome, "You've been wearing you nightgown all day?"

Kagome looked down and then back at Sango, blushing, "oops?"

Sango shook her head, "take a quick shower while I pick you out a dress kimono."

Kagome frowned, "why do I need a dress kimono?"

Sango looked at Kagome with surprise, "the Lords are coming to dine with Sesshoumaru-sama tonight. They have requested you prescense."

Kagome raised an eyebrow and sighed, "just like tea with mother. I'll take a shower."

Sango left the room, and Kagome undressed, noticing the slight rip in the sleeve of her nightgown. 'Did I do that?'

Kagome filled the tub with steaming hot water and lowered herself into its depths.

next time: introductions will be made.......... Kagome's out of line.......... is that a fight scene?

I'm soooo sorry about how long this took. I actually have several very good reasons too!! not that it matters. I moved from my apartment to a house and I've been going crazy trying to get settled in and get all my schoolwork done too. I'd like to be able to say that my next update will be soon, but I can't. sorry!!

I'd like to thank all my readers, especially......

Shinigami Clara- you are absolutely right! the setting is feudal japan but i have a few anomalies. i hadn't even realized that, so thank you. however, i don't plan to change them as the oven was a side story and there will be more enfasis on Kagome's miko powers.

PeachesDani- thank you!

twilightsuzuka8890- happy belated new years!!

Suki1- i'm glad you like it. sorry it took so long

watergoddesskasey- thanks

rys()- thank you!!! here we go!! my very first vote for sess/kag!!