Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, so I don't own Inuyasha…or anything related to the show…yeah go ahead, smirk and laugh…make fun of me…but I warn you, my men are keeping tabs on you all…

A/N: breathes sigh of relief So you guys don't want to kill me. That's always good to hear! GO TO MY PROFILE PAGE, AND READ ALL THE SUMMARIES FOR THE INUYASHA FICS, AND VOTE!!!! And YES you MAY vote once every time that you review, and you may vote for more than one.

Thanks for reviewing: DarkNeko17, Rose's Petals, Pink Sakura, CrystallineLily, Tsuki Yume, Kimmi, sadakosasaki, Inukamisashi, SakuraoftheDream, YoukaiLover, Silver Princess, Silver Tonbo, Italiangirl1214, Kagamoesiun, yoarashiand Karina.

DarkNeko17- I would never abandon this story…that would just be cruel to this fic…and to you guys….I mean come on now, I love you all SO much.

Rose's Petals- Actually, yes you can vote for more than one story. There have been some people who have voted for four. So knock yourself out.

CrystallineLily- I absolutely loved your review! It was just too funny, you being worried that the other fics might get more votes…I never knew that they sounded that good! You can vote for '25 Days with Mr. Arrogant' in every review you ever send me if you wish.

Tsuki Yume- Your reviews always seem to consist of one word, but they are always so complex…and I toil over the true meaning of them….sigh

SakuraoftheDream- Heh…heh…heh…glad your hair is still intact…and fic huggles you back

Silver Princess- I am honored to find that you deem this fic worthy enough of a review!

Silver Tonbo­- Oooh, so you like Sango/Miroku too? I actually have an idea for a fic called My Motorcycle Girl, with Sango/Miroku as the main pairing, and Sess/Kago as the secondary pairing.

yoarashi- I am sorry that I cannot update more often! I am really hoping that your 'review' was more of a joke than serious, and it isn't easy for me to update on a 'regular' basis. School is HARD, I am sorry to say that my life revolves around school more than I do wish it revolved around , but unfortunately life doesn't work that way. So please forgive me, and please be a little more patient and understanding!

Karina- Heh, I've even written the first chapter to 25 days with Mr. Arrogant and if the voting goes the way it is, then it'll be up next I suppose.

Okee…and the voting so far goes like this:

A Tale of Autumn: 3

25 days with Mr. Arrogant: 9

The Doctor is in- love: 2

A Tale of two Dreamers: 1

The Trade: 3

The Photographer: 1

Chapter 11

Sesshomaru sat there in the middle of the forest with Kagome in his lap, and his arms wrapped around her. Her words hit him…hard. She hated him. She hated him for ruining the perfect life she had had; she hated him for treating her so badly…she hated him.

He tried to convince himself that he didn't care, but those pangs in his heart…they told him otherwise. 'I must be ill,' he thought. 'I keep dreaming and thinking of this ningen, I want to be with her, and when I am not, I feel strange. I find myself wanting to try and make her happy…these ailments will have to come to a stop.' He concluded.

He made up his mind to see Kaede when he returned.

Kagome sat there in the demon lord's lap…the demon who had killed her husband. She found it sickening that she could draw comfort from being held by him. What was wrong with her?! Kouga had only been 'gone' for a month, and she was already forgetting him. There was something wrong with her. She was supposed to be mourning still. What was wrong with her?!

Kagome felt like screaming. She was scared, so scared. She couldn't let go of Kouga, no, she couldn't, she couldn't. Kouga was her one and only love; she wasn't going to let some demon lord come and sweep her off her feet. 'He's not even nice to me,' Kagome thought angrily. 'So I shouldn't even like him!'

Kagome froze. Did she just say 'like?' There had to be something wrong with her…she would have to go see Kaede. 'If the mean demon doesn't kill me first.' Kagome thought sullenly.

Sesshomaru felt Kagome tense. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but didn't.

Kagome sighed.

Despite himself, he found himself asking her if she was not comfortable.

"I think I'm too comfortable," she had replied grumbling.

"How so?" he asked.

"Let's just say I'm confused," Kagome told him as she unconsciously rubbed her cheek against the soft silk of Sesshomaru's pristine and white haori.

Even though Kagome had been unaware, Sesshomaru was well aware, but he angrily stuffed all of these 'feelings' into a small box, and put it away somewhere in the back of his mind. Yes, lately no matter what, he had recently discovered that Kagome was always in the back of his mind…always…

"Kagome?" he asked again his voice rather quiet.

"Yes?" she asked in surprise.

"Is it possible, hypothetically speaking, that if I am nice to you, you will stop hating me?" he posed as he spoke each word slowly.

Kagome blinked. Was this the great demon lord Sesshomaru actually asking her, in an uncharacteristic way, if she could every stop hating him? Kagome opened her mouth, and closed it, she opened it again, but only ended up closing it again. Finally a breathy 'Maybe' was the reply.

Sesshomaru held her tighter in response.

Kagome closed her eyes, she could do this…she could do this. "Let's go Sesshomaru." She said as she pulled away from his embrace, and from his lap.

Kagome could have sworn a mixed look of surprise and hurt crossed his face, but it was gone as quick as it had come. A look of anger was there instead. He rather roughly brushed past her, and began walking. Kagome stood there, watching his retreating form. For some reason, she was getting the feeling that he was…hurt? 'But that's not possible,' Kagome told herself as she began to walk after him.

Sesshomaru pulled Tokijin from the sash around his waist, and with one strike cleared a path through the forest. Soundlessly he sheathed Tokijin, and began walking again.

Kagome watched silently with worry as Sesshomaru destroyed a clear path through the forest with his sword. She didn't know why he was like that, but her heart told her why…but she refused to believe it. To her, Sesshomaru would always remain the demon who killed Kouga…Kouga…

"If you do not hurry, you will be attacked by other demons." Sesshomaru said, loud enough so Kagome could here.

Kagome's eyebrows furrowed as she wiped the sweat off her brow. "Well I'm sorry that I'm not strong and almighty like you," she spat angrily. Her feet hurt, and she was tired. She was hungry too. Her stomach gave a loud grumble.

Sesshomaru stopped dead in his tracks. What was that peculiar noise he had just heard? His eyes slowly looked to the right and then left, nothing. He heard the noise again, and turned around. Kagome laid on the ground…and the sound was coming from her. "Get up." He commanded.

Kagome didn't respond.

His mind began to panic. He willed himself to take slow steps toward Kagome, but found himself at her side quicker than he had anticipated. "Hum-" Sesshomaru paused and corrected himself, "Kagome are you still alive?"

Kagome opened one eye. "Maybe…"

"So much for hoping," Sesshomaru remarked off-handishly.

"Thanks for the concern," Kagome grumbled.

"It seems that if I wish to return to the palace before the year is over, I will have to retrieve some nourishment."

"Food right?!" Kagome asked excitedly.

If Sesshomaru was the sort of person to roll their eyes, he would have, but he was not, so therefore, he did not roll his eyes. "I was actually going to suggest you scavenge and forage the area for edible plants."

Kagome opened both her eyes, and looked at him skeptically.

"Your condition hinders you from doing so…" Sesshomaru said annoyed. "I will be back." And in a blur of white, he was gone.

Kagome tried sitting up, but fell back onto the cool grass. "Ugh…going without food for this long should be outlawed…" she moaned.

"Do you bring news of Kagome?" a man with long black hair with streaks of silver asked as he stood up.

"He probably killed the wench." Kagura said before Hojo could open his mouth.

"What?!" a petite lady with long blonde wavy hair asked.

"Now now Kagura, we don't know that for sure."

A look of relief washed over the other two. "Don't be stupid Hojo, did you see Kagome once while we were there?"

"Well no but…"

"Exactly. Where else could she be?"

"In the dungeons…?"

Kagura glared at him. "She'd be dead by now though."

"Why didn't you come sooner?!" the blonde haired lady yelled, a crazed look in her gray eyes.

Kagura's fuchsia colored eyes turned towards her. "We had other affairs to tend to. Talk about showing appreciation and gratitude."

The blonde haired lady's eyes narrowed, despite being barely 5', she was about to lunge at the wind demonness, but a strong pair of hands, pulled her back.

"Lord Koji? Lady Yugi?" Hojo began in a forced good-natured voice.

"Yes?" Lord Koji replied.

"I'm afraid that we cannot let you stay here any longer." Hojo said, regret obvious.

"What?" Lady Yugi gasped.

"Hojo here agreed to some treaty of Lord Sesshomaru's." Kagura informed them.

"What?!" Lord Koji roared as he stood up, his blue eyes turning stormy.

"It was not like that…" Hojo protested. "Lord Sesshomaru simply…"

"Threatened, belittled…" Kagura offered.

"Kagura dearest, I don't mean to be rude, but just whose side are you on?!"

Kagura shrugged nonchalantly. "What? I'm pregnant."

An exasperated look crossed Hojo's face as Lord Koji and Lady Yugi looked on in pity. "The point is, that because of a treaty we've agreed to…we can no longer allow you two to stay here."

"Where are we to go then?" Lady Yugi asked.

This time, Kagura had no snappy reply.

"I am sorry," Hojo said, "I truly am."

Lord Koji and Lady Yugi looked at each other. "We leave tomorrow at dawn."

"We will have the servants prepare you provisions, medicine and money." Hojo said quietly.

Kagura left the room.

Hojo walked towards them. "I believe Kagome is alive." Hojo whispered. "Sango and Miroku were not there as well. They may have sought refuge from the Eastern Lands."

"The Eastern lands?" Lady Yugi repeated. "Isn't it Sesshomaru's younger brother who rules those lands?"

Hojo shook his head. "Not anymore. A new ruler is in power...I don't know who."

"Perhaps he will be willing to stand against Sesshomaru." Lord Koji concluded.

Lady Yugi sighed. "Sesshomaru used to be such a nice young man…"

Hojo looked at them with surprise. "Ex…excuse me?"

"It is none of your business!" Lady Yugi exclaimed, quite miffed. First he had betrayed them by giving in to that demon, second he was going to refuse to shelter them any longer, and now he wanted to know about Sesshomaru. The nerve!

"Sorry." Hojo said quickly.

Lady Yugi nodded in approval.

Lord Koji sank down onto the bed, and buried his face into his hands. He then heaved a sigh. His bright blue eyes had lost their youthful twinkle, and the silver streaks in his hair were turning white. Kouga's death, and not knowing where Kagome was, was taking their toll on him. "We never should have left without her." He murmured.

Lady Yugi gracefully sat down next to her husband, and soothingly ran her fingers through his hair. "It wasn't like we wanted to," she reminded him. "We are youkai, they would have sniffed us out in a second. Besides, I have a feeling Kagome is alright." Lady Yugi's piercing gray eyes looked dull, and the beautiful blonde waves of her hair had lost some of their luster.

Hojo watched the exchange of comfort and words between the two wolf youkai. He hung his head, from sorrow, regret and shame, and quietly left. He hated himself for giving into Sesshomaru, but he had a wife, and soon a child to take care of, he had to do what was best for them too.

"I still can't believe he left you in charge." Kougorou muttered as he took a long sip from his flask of rice wine.

"I can't either," Akeno admitted. "I hope he's alright." He added with a sigh.

Kougorou snorted as he blew a tendril of his dirty blonde hair out of his face. "It's Lord Sesshomaru you idiot, of course he'll be alright. He alone rules half of Japan as it is!"

"That reminds me, do you think the Northern Lands are alright?" Akeno asked. "It's been about a month since Sesshomaru's patrolled…"

"Will you get a hold of yourself?" Kougorou snapped. "You sound paranoid."

"Maybe it's because I am," Akeno muttered.

Kougorou rolled his light brown eyes. He set his flask of rice wine onto a stack of papers on the great desk in the study. "So do you think he's going to kill her?" he asked.

Akeno's dark brows furrowed. "I don't think so," he answered truthfully. "It might just be me, but I do believe that Lord Sesshomaru has taken…a liking to Kagome."

"You even know her name?" Kougorou asked in disbelief.

"She's a very nice person." Akeno protested.

"Yeah, but she's human," Kougorou pointed out. "She's not even that pretty. That one wench with the Hiraikotsu is even prettier."

Akeno sighed. "If you like Sango, just admit it."

"Women are weakness." Kougorou declared.

"Are you calling Lord Sesshomaru weak?!" Akeno demanded, aghast.

"You're missing the point Akeno. I'm saying that getting attached to a woman could be your downfall."

"You're just scared Kougorou." Akeno said.

"Scared? Of what?"

"Of…loooooove," Akeno joked.

"You're asking for it."

"Too bad Sango is married."

Kougorou raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Akeno nodded, secretly in glee. "She and the monk are married…"

"You mean the groper?"

Akeno nodded again.

"Why would she marry him? He's rude, disrespectful, he'd stray, he looks rather scrawny, he's a womanizer-"

"You're spraying spit all over Lord Sesshomaru's papers…" Akeno pointed out.

Kougorou scowled. "That's not the point!"

"Actually, it is. Lord Sesshomaru put me, not you, in charge, and when I tell you to stop spraying saliva everywhere you mangy cat, I mean it!" Akeno commanded.

"You're getting an ego you skinny little chicken," Kougorou snarled.

"Did you know that for once, you can't do anything to me because I'm higher ranking than you?"

Kougorou knew that he was much stronger than Akeno, and could fight him and win easily, but he knew and heeded things such as rank and status, and did not reply. But a dark scowl remained on the cougar youkai's face while Akeno rested comfortably amongst the pillows, and sighed. Kougorou was like his older brother, but sometimes he felt…below him, just knowing that Lord Sesshomaru would entrust him so empowered him, and made him swell with pride.

It was then he felt something call to him. His dark eyes rested on a drawer in the desk. He felt a wave of echoing power…it called to him.

Kougorou called Akeno's name, but Akeno didn't seem to hear. He noticed how Akeno's eyes had turned black, and his eyebrows grew knotted with worry.

Akeno shook his head. He glanced at the drawer again, and then at Kougorou. "Did you feel that?" he asked, not noticing the look on Kougorou's face.

Kougorou nodded. "Of course, but don't be an idiot and touch something. Lord Sesshomaru will have your head…and whatever is left of your body after I'm done with you." He warned grimly.

Akeno swallowed, and shut his eyes. "Oh Kami…I'm being tested…"

Sango just sat on her horse as they plodded along. She was married.

She was married.

To a monk.

A perverted monk who had hands that tended to stray.

She couldn't live like that…she refused to live like that. Tears welled in her eyes, but she stopped herself. 'Don't cry over him,' Sango reminded herself. She blinked back the tears, and put on a brave face of indifference.

Miroku sneaked glances back at Sango every now and then. He could never see her face though because she was always looking down. Perhaps she didn't realize it, but he knew her better than she thought he did. She never knew it, but he was always watching her. In the mornings when she gave Rin self defense lessons in the dojo, he would be sitting underneath a tree on the bank watching.

At breakfast he would sometimes forget to eat because he was so lost in watching her. He would watch her walk around the beautiful and vast gardens of the palace with Kagome, the sunlight gleaming down on her…making her look akin to a goddess.

His goddess.

He wished he could sing praises to her, but every time he did, he always ended up with minor concussions. He did have to admit that he enjoyed being injured because he would always wake up to see his beautiful angel keeping faithful vigil…even if she wasn't the one to incur the injury.

He didn't know how to make Sango see he loved her. He knew that he was labeled as a womanizer…but he didn't know what else to do. Sango didn't know what she did to him every time she turned him down…it was rather minor, but to him…it killed him. Maybe he was just a sensitive guy…

Anyways, to raise his self esteem he would well…converse with other women…Miroku almost cringed. He was a married man now…he would not stray from his woman! Miroku resolved to make Sango fall in love with him.

He would show her affection, and shower her with his attention. He would bring her flowers, accompany her on moonlit walks...

"MIROKU!"

Miroku looked back at Sango, about to ask 'What.' But he never got to. A loud crack was heard, and Miroku went tumbling off his horse.

An exasperated look crossed Sango's face. Her horse snorted as it stood still. She looked down at Miroku who was face down into the ground. "Come on Miroku, we don't have all day!"

No reply came. Not even a muffled one.

"This isn't funny Miroku," Sango called not amused.

Finally, she dismounted her horse, and cautiously approached Miroku.

"Are you alright?" she asked slowly, not sure of what to expect.

Still no reply.

But she could have sworn she saw a finger twitch. So she stepped on one of his hands. Just to eliminate the possibility that his hand might have a 'seizure' of some sort. "If you don't speak, I'll think that you are dead and bury you. Dead or alive." Sango warned.

Finally a muffled moan came from Miroku.

Sango sighed again, and pulled Miroku's face up from the dirt by his hair. A loud yell emitted from Miroku's face. Surprised, Sango let go of Miroku's hair. Miroku did another face plant. "Sorry." Sango muttered as she lifted his face from the dirt more gently.

"It's quite alright," Miroku said, his words slightly slurred. "I just wasn't expecting for you to pull me up by my hair."

"What?" Sango demanded. "How else was I supposed to get your face out of that hole in the ground?" she asked miffed.

"By the sides of my head." Miroku suggested.

"You um…uh…" Sango began to poke at her face.

Miroku looked at her strangely. "Excuse me?"

"Your uh…face…" Sango continued.

"Ah yes, I know, it is devilishly handsome if I do say so myself." Miroku said rather cocky.

Sango gave him an incredulous look.

"I only speak the truth dearest Sango."

"Shut up houshi. You got mud all over your face." Sango said blatantly as she huffily grabbed her horse by the reins. "I suggest you wash it."

Miroku sighed, and stood up, still proud. "My face just makes the mud look handsome!" he called as he snatched his horses' reins, and followed Sango.

"You've got to let me go…"

"No! I refuse to!" she screamed.

"Kagome! Listen to me! You have to! You can't waste your life away. Let me go Kagome…please!"

"I can't Kouga! And I don't want to! You were my first love and my only love. I'll never forget you."

"I'm not asking you to forget me. I'm just asking you to let me go." His blue eyes looked into her dark ones. "Please."

"What will I have left if I let you go?" she asked, scared.

"You won't be able to find out unless you let go…" he warned.

She stared at him. And he stared back. She didn't want to let go…she was scared. Scared of what the future might bring…scared of forgetting him. "I'll always be with you Kagome. You know that." He whispered.

She nodded. "I know." She said quietly.

"I'll love you forever."

"Me…me too…"

And there she was, all alone…again.

((A/N: Hey everyone…heh…heh…I know…it's been…quite a long time…heh…heh…But yes, some real Sess/Kago action will be coming up since Kagome has 'let go.' I love you all, I truly do! So please review! Rhyme so unintended… And no, there will be no Kougorou and Sango action…and the plot unfolds…muahaha.))

BY THE WAY, GO TO MY PROFILE PAGE, AND READ ALL THE SUMMARIES FOR THE INUYASHA FICS, AND VOTE!!!! And YES you MAY vote once every time that you review, and you may vote for more than one.