Sesshomaru held Kagome against his body. Kagome began to cry, the tears streaming down her face as her fear began to take its hold. Sesshomaru stopped a cupped her chin pulling her face to his. He didn't want to see her cry. "Kagome, You are safe with me. You have nothing to fear." Kagome looked into his eyes, her tears beginning to fade into tiny streaks on her face. Sesshomaru pulled off of her sitting next to her silently. Kagome shifted and pulled herself up. Sesshomaru looked in her eyes, and Kagome understood. Sesshomaru was lonely and hurting. Though he never said it and never would, she knew. She drew close to him, laying her head in his chest. His face contorted into a small smile as his mask faded while he stared at the girl who lay trustingly in his arms.

"Sesshomaru!"

Inuyasha and the others came into the clearing by the lake to find both naked and Sesshomaru holding a shivering Kagome. Her face was leaning into his chest. Sesshomaru grimaced and slightly growled in his throat as the party came to steal her away. Inuyasha took a step forward only to see Sesshomaru tense up warning him that he was not to come any closer. Inuyasha's face dropped as he realized that Sesshomaru was still holding Kagome, who was awake and aware of all going on. Sesshomaru was frustrated that he was being watched while he was holding the human woman in his arms. Quickly a thought registered and he gently licked Kagome's neck, further infuriating Inuyasha. Sesshomaru gave a quick, mocking look at Inuyasha then his attention turned back to Kagome.

A small, but distinct whisper was heard. Sesshomaru gave a laugh for only he knew what she said. The seemingly heartless Sesshomaru was laughing. Sesshomaru tentatively licked her neck again. Sesshomaru whispered into Kagome's ear, only loud enough so that she would know what he was saying, "I will come back for you tonight, wait for me. I don't want to hurt you. When I come you can tell me if you will come back to my castle with me. Wait for me, my love." Sesshomaru got up and grabbed his kimono then darted toward the skies leaving Kagome and the party in silent horror.

Kagome's eyes got wide as the scene took its full effect. She look up down at herself and realized that she was almost completely naked! Kagome ran to get her clothes and no sooner had she gotten them did she run into a nearby bush, muttering curses. Inuyasha ran to her. Inuyasha saw her behind the bush, she had cuts and marks all over her and- and she was trying to put her clothes on behind the bush. Inuyasha looked in shock as he realized that Kagome had a look of death on her face. "HENTAI! OSUWARI! OSUWARI!"

Sesshomaru willingly stayed with her even after they arrived. It made him sick to think Kagome didn't panic or chow any signs that she wanted to leave or get away until after he was gone. He came to one conclusion, that Sesshomaru must have bewitched her somehow.

Later
Kagome sat at the bottom of the tree as she thought. How could this be? Sesshomaru, the cold and ruthless ruler of the western lands, was lonely. ''My love'did he really say that? I do feel better since I was with him.' She looked up to see Inuyasha approaching

"Huh, Inuyasha?" Slowly and hesitantly Inuyasha approached Kagome. He took small steps until he stood three feet in front of her.

The sky was dark, but the light of the moon reflected onto Kagome's shimmering hair. The wind gently playing with her hair as Inuyasha stood in front of her. Now was the time, he would tell her his true feelings. He wouldn't back down. He had to be sure. He didn't think he would ever get another chance. The heat was rising to his face as he stood there, almost in a trance. Meanwhile, Kagome didn't move, or speak the slightest whisper. She only gazed at him steadily.

"Kagome, I need to talk to you. There's something I've been wanting to tell you." Inuyasha paused taking in a breath, preparing to say what he meant to all along, when Kagome spoke.

"Inuyasha, I understand. I'm not sad anymore, I know how you feel about Kikyou."

'Is she nuts? What was she talking about?'

"K-Kikyou." Inuyasha repeated blushing a little confusedly.

"Yes, I know you love her Inuyasha. I'm not her, and I never will be Inuyasha. I stayed because I hoped that you would realize that and think of me as Kagome, not Kikyou's shadow. I see I was wrong, now. I'm sorry, Inuyasha. I'm sorry." The wind rustled, knocking Inuyasha to the ground in a second. There he was, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's half brother.

Inuyasha stared wide-eyed as Sesshomaru stood in front of Kagome, looking at her intently.

"Kagome." Sesshomaru started softly, not paying attention to the stricken Inuyasha.

"Kagome." Inuyasha stood to his feet and slowly went toward his brother' just as Sesshomaru held his hand out to Kagome. Inuyasha standing a few short feet away gazed at the movement turning to Kagome. She stood up, facing Sesshomaru, a blank look on her face. She held up her hand to her face for a moment as if wiling it to decide for her. Silently she placed her hand in his. With a graceful leap he headed toward the sky, with Kagome in his arms. "Kagome!" Kagome.

'I love you.'

Kagome looked back on Inuyasha who was still standing by the tree as she flew higher and higher with Sesshomaru. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she thought about him. 'Inuyasha.' She sighed and turned to the figure in front of her. Slowly she looked down and saw the cloud she was standing on and the ground far below it. 'Oh, my.'

Sesshomaru smelled her fear and held her closer. She leaned into him instinctually, closing her eyes tightly. A small blush grazed her cheeks as they flew toward the West, to the home of Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands. Sesshomaru looked at the figure in his arms, the wind blowing hair in her face, gently brushing his Kimono. 'Tetsusaiga you will be mine, at last. I will use this girl against my brother. She is his biggest weakness. Now, sleep'. And Kagome slept.

When Kagome awoke the sounds of morning were upon her. She was on a soft futon in a white, luxurious room with a balcony looking over a garden. The balcony lay on the left side of the bed protected by double doors. In front of the bed was a white door. On the left side of the door was a beautiful dresser with a long mirror over it. On the right side of the bed was a white door leading to what could only be a bathroom. Next to the bed was a large mahogany cabinet for clothes. Ivy hung down the balcony, becoming light green when the sun caught it. The fresh air from outside was intoxicating. It really seemed… peaceful. She slowly made her way to the end of the balcony ledge. Seeing the beautiful garden below and the strands of ivy leading down to it. She decided to climb down. Little did she know that Sesshomaru and Rin were in the garden. Rin was picking flowers for Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru smelled Kagome on the balcony and turned to see a very strange sight. The girl was climbing down the ivy gracefully. He surmised that she must have climbed trees when she was little. When she reached the bottom she jumped down from the remaining foot of ivy and landed on the soft grass beneath.

She began to go toward an old tree. The old Oak tree stood in a majestic glory.

The leaves were an orange-red color and amazing to look at. The branches were just starting to shed them. As she watched the wind carry them away she saw a small girl.

Sesshomaru watched as she stood before the tree holding her hand out to it as if she was expecting an answer. The wind picked up creating a howling sound. Sesshomaru watched as she smiled and closed her eyes as if trying to understand what the wind was saying. Finally she opened her eyes and looked up at the luminous branches above. She smiled a deep smile and began to walk away slowly.

Finally noticing Sesshomaru watching her intently, she walked slowly past him to Rin. Sesshomaru watched in amazement as Rin, who was enjoying the flowers and roses, turned around and happily met Kagome with a smile. She pulled at a yellow rose to give to Kagome.

"Look at what Rin has Kagome-Chan. Here, this is for Kagome."

"Thank you Rin. Do you know what this rose is called? It's called Timeless"

"Really?" Rin turned and looked at Sesshomaru eagerly. She quickly picked at a white rose as Sesshomaru approached the two girls. He walked past Kagome and stood at Rin's side. Rin held up the rose to Sesshomaru who gracefully took it from the girl's hands. "Tell Sesshomaru-sama what this is called Kagome!" Sesshomaru looked at Kagome who came closer to Sesshomaru until she was by his side. She touched the rose in his hands, slightly touching his claw. She still didn't flinch. "This is called a Vandella, this" she held the yellow rose to Sesshomaru, "is Timeless. Even red roses have a name. They're called Classy. Rin, would you like me to teach you the names of the flowers and roses?"

Rin nodded excitedly and began to dance around Sesshomaru shouting. Kagome grabbed Sesshomaru's hand and slid the yellow rose into his clenched fist then began to walk away toward the ivy strands leading to the balcony leaving a very excited Rin and a very perplexed Lord. 'How dare she touch me without my permission. Maybe I should just destroy her and take the sword after killing my brother in his anger. That can be done. It will be tonight.'