Hey everyone, I'm glad to be back again! My vacation was fun and now it's time for another update. First though, the A/Ns:

1) Of course, you guys know what goes here. I don't own nuthin'!

2) I have changed around the genre of this fic slightly. Instead of Romance/Drama, it's now Romance/Angst. Poor Sesshoumaru!

3) I apologize for the long wait everyone. But again, my vacation and everything robbed me of most of my time. Hang in there!

4) On my website, in my fanart section, I made a map of the continent to include the human kingdom and the youkai kingdom. This should give you a good visual aid about where everything is. The quality isn't the greatest, but at least it's something…

That's all. So then, here's the next chapter!:

I walked slowly down the hallways and flights of stairs. My immediate goal was to find my father, but until then I could drink in the scenery. The castle had plenty of windows that allowed massive amounts of light to flood the hallways. Magnificent draperies hung from either side of the walls, and an occasional chandelier could be seen above. Paintings were also commonly placed throughout.

Before I could find my father, some servants that I had happened to run into insisted that I would sit down for my breakfast. At first, I refused, but their number gradually multiplied and their persistence increased. I was so annoyed at last that I agreed to at least visit my father on a full stomach.

I was quickly led into a room with a large table and chair on one end, where I sat down and waited for the food. It was not a long wait, because soon plate after plate was brought out for me. Obviously I was not expected to eat all of it, but all of the dishes appeared to be some of my favorites nonetheless. As I looked around the table, I pictured the distant memory of Kagome and Rin eating happily with me. There was nothing that I wanted more right now, and it would surely give me a qualified reason to sit down and eat like this. When the cooks were gone, I took a first bite thoughtfully.

Directly in front of me was a window that gave an admirable view of the kingdom. Even from such a distance I could make out several different kinds of youkai living below. There was no evil presence here as I had remembered it—no foreboding darkness, no lingering clouds, and no unnatural thickness to the air. No, everything looked to be prosperous and safe for the youkai, something that I was confident had been a direct effect from my father ruling the kingdom. The question, then, was whether or not things would remain this way—peaceful. In my heart, I knew that the answer was no, but I did not know why, if Naraku would pose no real threat.

After the meal I inquired to one of the cooks as to where my father presently was. His reply was crisp and automatic: "The Emperor is in his study at this time of the day doing paperwork." I nodded vaguely as a response and left. It was true that I did not know where the study was, but I felt as though I could find it eventually, even if the hallways were very intricate. Occasionally I would pause to look at my surroundings to calculate exactly where I was. I was a quick learner and gradually eliminated all the rooms.

At last I came to what I believed was the study for my father. A small amount of excitement began to seep through simply because it had been so long since I had witnessed him alive. It would be unnatural.

I knocked on the door somewhat hesitantly. With one swift movement the door immediately opened and closed. The servant led me into a brightly lit room with books everywhere. I sat down in the most dignified manner that I could muster and declined a drink.

"…You're here at last, Sesshoumaru." A voice said in a projecting manner from behind a chair. "Kikyo tells me you had slept later than usual. Is this true?"

I sat up grudgingly. "My…mind was full of various things, Father."

"…Indeed." There was a pause. "Your blood has shifted. I can sense it even from over here. Has something happened?"

My eyes remained firm. "I don't know what you mean. I have remained unchanged since yesterday."

Another pause. "…I will pretend I did not hear that, Sesshoumaru. And I will pretend there is no difference in your blood. It does not pay to lie."

I scoffed. "Pretending does not pay, either."

A faint growl could be heard. "You are my heir, Sesshoumaru. There are certain responsibilities that you must undertake. Such as the one that I am about to offer to you." My father stood up from behind the chair and looked at me straight in the eye. It was a face that I had not looked into for more than three quarters of a century. Even I was awestruck at a singular moment such as this.

"Today I must go over to the human kingdom for a negotiation meeting. It is up to you to look after the castle when I leave, Sesshoumaru. I will return in three days. Can you do this?"

I thought for a moment. Kagome would be in the humans' castle, or so I hoped. This would be a perfect opportunity to find her. "…Would it be possible for me to attend the meeting in the place of you, Father?"

He frowned. "No. I cannot leave this place in the hands of your reckless brother while I stay up here. There has been talk lately of an uprising from the youkai. Too many times they have complained that I am weak for remaining as an ally to the humans. They wish for us to take control of the human territory after an all-out war, but I cannot allow this to happen." He looked at me squarely in the eye. "Sesshoumaru, I don't have much time left. My life will soon be taken from me."

I raised an eyebrow faintly. "Surely, then, it would be better for me to travel between kingdoms while you remain here in the safety of our castle?"

He sighed a weary sigh. "What good is an Emperor who does not trust his own people and they do not trust him?" He looked back out the window. "Sesshoumaru, promise me that when I am gone, you will not go to war with the humans. It is essential that we stay as allies."

"Why?"

I watched as his gaze flickered with determination. "I don't dare to risk war. They have the legendary Shikon no Tama. We are not a match for such power, Sesshoumaru. Always remember this."

Again I scoffed. "You remain allies with them only because of this?"

He sat down again. "…No. I am a good friend of the Queen's. I will remain a loyal friend to her until our days are over." My father paused to write something down on some sort of legal document on his desk. "But that is not the reason you came here, is it not?"

"Kikyo told me that you were the one who sent for me."

"True. But there is something else on your mind. Am I correct?"

I considered. It appeared as though my father could see through anything.

"Father, I must go to the human kingdom."

As I had suspected, he seemed rather unsurprised by the news. "I told you, you need to stay here and keep after the castle, Sesshoumaru. And why exactly would you want to visit that place, anyways?"

"…There's no particular reason." I answered flatly.

"Hm." Clearly, he didn't believe me, but I didn't mind. "Well, perhaps later, Sesshoumaru, but not right now."

My heart tore up inside—I needed to see her whether my father approved of it or not. "And when will that be?"

"It'll be hard to say. A month, perhaps."

"I…see." Although my manner remained calm, I cursed at my wretched fate over and over. If only there were some way of reversing the spell…but I would most likely need Kagome for that. Already my mind began scheming of ways to travel across the kingdom to her despite my father's disapproval. Right now I was feeling as though I could slay one thousand youkai in exchange for Kagome's heart; much less my father's consent. Again I forced myself to fear tear the image of her wonderful, loving face out of my mind and back to the matter at hand. "Perhaps it would be better if I were to escort you to the land of humans while Inuyasha looks after the castle?"

"No." His answer was immediate. "Although I fully consider him as an heir, the youkai in this land would not take too highly of a hanyou as their leader. Besides, Inuyasha has a swelled ego, with altogether too much pride." At this point, he chuckled a little.

I gave a low growl of annoyance. "…Fine. I shall leave now then."

"Wait." I stopped in my footsteps and waited for him to walk up to me. "…You have changed somehow. There is a twinkle in your eye, Sesshoumaru. I had the same thing when I met Inuyasha's mother." I looked away. "And you don't seem nearly as cynical as you always do. Tell me the truth; what is it?"

My frustration reached its peak. "I did not come here to be questioned and lectured upon."

He sighed and sat back down at his desk, mumbling, "…Oh well. I suppose I will find out soon anyways."

I paid no attention to this remark. Clearly there were bigger things on both of our minds and we had no time to worry about it. Without looking back, I walked calmly out of the room and into the hallway.

It was exactly two hours later that I saw my father exiting the grounds from a far away window. Envy rose within me for an instant, and also the same blinding anger at my own stupidity for trusting the spell to work. When he was out of sight, I leapt through the hallways and outside the castle to hunt out any youkai that I could sense. As my eyes became more and more bloodshot from rage, my slashing and killing increased. I could feel nothing—no remorse, no concern, no regret. Eventually the odious scent of murdered youkai blood was too much to bear as I could plainly see the caked redness all over my hands and realized what I had done. I shouted a reckless roar that could've reached the heavens, and then collapsed bitterly besides the dozens of soulless carcasses I had created.

Once I came to my senses after awhile, I knew matters would have to be taken into my own hands. If I could just think clearly, then I was certain there would be a way. After digging a quick hole and setting the bodies neatly into it, I sprinted away to a nearby pond, which would be suitable enough for washing the blood away. Once my arms were satisfyingly clean, I sat down on the ground in order to think.

Somehow, I had gone back further with my memories than I had hoped for. But there was something else as well. I could feel it. Perhaps it was because I was remembering the King's memories, and only partially my own. This was his life, not mine. That was the most likely explanation.

Now however, the question of why wasn't important. The most pressing matter was obviously to think of a way of reuniting with Kagome. If it wasn't for my duties at the castle, then I could easily slip away to come see her. But now it wouldn't be easy. It also depended on how long my father would take to return. I could not wait to come with him for another negotiation meeting, so clearly I would have to visit on my own accord.

"…Are you having fun, Sesshoumaru?" A voice said suddenly from within the depths of the trees to break my thoughts away. I immediately jerked my head up in recognition. There was no mistake—that voice could only belong to one person.

"Show yourself, Naraku." I commanded. "I don't have time for this."

A chuckle could be heard. "My apologies. I had forgotten anyone from the royal youkai family is always busy with one thing or another. And yet…" His voice was dripping with a kind of sadistic enjoyment. "…And yet, you seem to have ample amount of time on your hands if you can slay so many youkai in one afternoon without being troubled by it at all. Rather interesting that their leader's son would do that to them, is it not?"

I growled quietly. My previous anger towards him for murder Kagome had only increased. "Show yourself, you coward." I raised my claws.

Another chuckle. "My my, such a dilemma, wouldn't you say? Your claws reek of the smell of blood all the way over here. It must've been quite a massacre. I'm sure your father would be outraged."

I ignored this. "You've had your chance, Naraku. Since you're not brave enough to show yourself, I'll seek you out instead." With that, I leapt through the trees to look for him in the direction that the voice was coming from. The image of Kagome's body being pierced with his fatal blade only quickened my furious pace. My youkai blood began to boil from within me, making it very unwise for anyone to cross my path at the moment.

Suddenly, it occurred to me that I couldn't smell any of his foul scent within the area. Naraku was not even here. "You coward." I muttered. "You don't even dare confront me personally after those accusations."

"We will see each other in time. For now, I am offering a proposal to you."

"I will never make a deal with the likes of you." I snarled back.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. I think you'll find it generous."

"Unlikely." I retorted. "Leave my presence now, or I'll find you myself, wherever you're hiding."

"…Tell me Sesshoumaru, did you know that today the human kingdom will present half of the Shikon no Tama to your father?"

"If your plan is for me to give it to you, you're-"

"-You will be able to keep it. With it, immense power will be brought to the youkai lands. You could take the other half and become the strongest taiyoukai in the continent."

"Forget it." I snarled. "I see through your plan. You hope to steal the Shikon no Tama from me when the timing is right and overthrow my family so you will become the new Emperor."

"I wouldn't dream of it." His voice was filled with sarcastic astonishment. "I can tell you have changed somehow since I've last seen you, Sesshoumaru. You appear to be less cold and demanding. Dare I say gentler?" Another amused chuckle. "With the Shikon on Tama, you could have anything you desire. Anything. And you DO desire something…don't you, Sesshoumaru?"

After a moment of not answering to this, Naraku spoke again with even more amusement. "With desire comes a certain weakness, Sesshoumaru. An attachment that is needless. No, but it's not power that you so desire, which only leaves…" A deducing laugh could be heard. "…Love."

"The next time we meet…" I raised my claws. "…Your life will be mine." I slashed down upon the puppet youkai I had found at last within the trees. A small light flashed for an instant, and then all the magic that was inside faded away. I knew deep down that it was definite we would meet again. I would not leave this world until Kagome could become mine with Naraku dead.

Lost in my thoughts from what had just taken place, I walked further into the forest. 'Naraku knows I am in love with someone. Does he know it is with Kagome?' No, I decided. I had not come in any contact with her since I had arrived here. The answer was not that obvious. Still, something inside of me thought frantically that I needed to hurry as fast as possible over to her so she could be safe with my protection.

Suddenly, my contemplations were halted when the last bit of trees to my path revealed a secretive, grassy area. But not just any area. This was the exact spot that Kagome and I had mated on long, long ago. A rush of sentimental feelings washed back to me. She had loved me then. She was willing to satisfy my urgent desires. And she allowed me the privilege to be the first to take her where she had never gone before. But now…

I knelt down against the tree. As I sat there, a slow feeling of Kagome's presence came back to me. She laid against my arms and gave me a quick kiss against my neck. I held her closer while she gradually drifted away to sleep. The wish to freeze that moment in my memory forever overwhelmed me. It was the happiest I had ever been. As I opened my eyes once more, Kagome faded away.

'Should I first take care of Naraku? Leave this kingdom secretly to visit her? Or, stay here and do as my father says?' In my heart, I knew Kagome was my first priority. She needed my protection, at the very least. As much as I hated to admit it, it was my brother and the other weak, unworthy humans that normally watched over her. But Kagome didn't have them now. However, she was in no real danger in the human castle…for now…

Suddenly, I heard some rustling within the bushes. "Sesshoumaru!? Where ARE you!? I can smell your scent—I know you're here somewhere!"

I looked at the scenery one last time, and then walked away calmly. "…What is it, Inuyasha?"

After a few moments, his face finally appeared. "Just what do you think you're doing all the way out here!? I've been looking all over for you! Our father left you to look after the castle, remember?" He looked at me crossly.

"…I am aware of that." I answered. "I'm not too far from the castle. And why aren't you there?"

He blushed a little then. "That's none of your business!" He looked around. "…But if you really must know, I was looking for Kikyo. You haven't seen her by any chance, have you?"

"No. I don't detect her scent in the area."

Inuyasha sighed. "I don't either. She's gone missing. I noticed it first when I was waiting for her to come out of her room, so, uh…we could take a walk in the courtyard. That was fifteen minutes ago."

I frowned. There were certainly more pressing matters on my mind than Inuyasha's love interest. "…Then continue searching if you care so much about her. You're wasting my time." Before he could say anything to this, I leapt away.

Review Responses:

IcyAsh: Ah yes! =D

Katgome: Why thank you! Unfortunately though, this update was not as quick as I had anticipated…

Blue Rhapsody3: Haha, yeah it was sort of sad wasn't it…

Shadow-Demon14: Aww…Vira hates rotten tomatoes, so she will be sure to make it work out for them!

m1s7ress: Will do! Hope you'll be able to read this update!

Tsuki Yume: To find out what iru anata means, you can go my website and click on the link 'Japanese Dictionary.'

puffin: Heh heh, yeah something like that…

Sankio: Arigato! Glad you like both of them!

Youkai no Yume: I would definitely agree! =D Sadly, Vira likes to torture Sesshoumaru…hehehe…

Sesshy's koi: Yep yep, Kagome's really out there…somewhere…lol.

Satu-chan: Well, you're certainly not the only reviewer to feel sorry for him!

xypherscompany: Don't worry! You KNOW they're going to be reunited somehow…just give it some time!

sweets427: Glad you like the twist, not many seem to right now, heh.

Neko-Yuff16: Arigato! I hope you'll be able to read the next one too!

AngelMiko69: Yeah, I lot of my reviewers seem to be saying I'm evil…why ever could that be? =D

inuyashagirl5: Thanks, glad to hear it!

KouseiJL: Well, your guess is as good as mine as to what went wrong…I'm sure I'll figure it out later though. ;)

Hell's Angel-Heaven's Demon: Yeah, he's going to have to stop certain events…like her death…heh heh.

barbara-marie: Thank you for reading it on my site and coming here! I didn't really know if anyone did that.

cubanblood: Sorry hon, but I don't do that…you'll just have to add me to your alert list, ne?

Chaos Babe: Heh guess I wasn't on time with the update then? Sorry!

Miko-Princess: Wow, this is a love/hate relationship, ne? Hahaha. Yes, I will readily admit that I am quite evil…

anime#1fan: Heh heh…well you're rushing a little (okay, more than a little…) far ahead with the kid thing, but we'll see!

DarkPyroPlanet: Vira understands, really! If you want, she will be happy to give you the next chappy of the story to beta read. Will that be okay?

Aishiteru until my dieing day: Huh? When I go into your profile I don't see any one-shots…Vira is confused!

anim3-anj3l: Yeah, I've back for awhile…just been busy I guess!

MoonlightPrincess: Well that's for sure! Lol.

Sesshoumarulovesme: Arigato! Hope you'll like this chappy, too.

the hitokiri battousai himura: Huh? You are confused? If you have any questions, be sure to ask! I'll help, promise!

jazngurl: Glad you have sympathy for him, hehehe…

snowy-angel: Well I'm happy to hear that you have some patience. Sorry this took so long to update.

DoRKyLiCouS: Yeah, it's cute. Sesshoumaru doesn't think so though…

Well that's all. Again, I am SO sorry for the long wait everyone! And remember, there's a map on my fanart section in my webpage for you to see. If you're confused about anything, don't hesitate to ask!! And please be patient with me, Sesshoumaru WILL meet Kagome soon. R&R! Arigato, ja ne!