A/N: 'Ello readers. I was most dissapointed with my reviewslast chapter. Three? Oh well, my loyal reviewers do their job. Obviously Sess chasing me last chapter didn't get you guys to review. (sigh) Please review for I, your depressed authoress. Please? Besides, I'm aiming on having only this chapter, and maybe, two more. I'll sleep on that descision. Maybe...

Chapter fourteen: Feathers, Contests and a Finally Together Again.

-...-

Denial is one of the worst things the mind can make up. Denial was what Kagome was in. Torn between the right for her country, and for her own feelings; the ride to the Western Castle proved as difficult as she'd thought it, if not even more so. Here she was, staring idly out the window, on the way to seeing one of the most important people in her life, and she couldn't stop thinking of duty. A sad thing, to be sure. And for the last half-hour the castle'd been in view, Kagome's stomach couldn't stop turning, her insides twisting.

But half-an-hour ago seemed much, much longer. It seemed she'd been travelling for days on end - while it'd only been one.

By nightfall she'd reached the castle. Its walls beckoned her forwards, and as she stepped from the carriage, retreiving her bags, she couldn't help but feel that twinge of excitement.

Had she finally found home?

-...-

Figiting every so often, Inuyasha poked at his food listlessly, avoiding the woman's eyes across from him. It was awkward when she first got here, just as it was now. At every interval, Kikyou would reach across the table and try to take Inuyasha's hand, him whipping it away with wide, tawny eyes. She would sigh then, withdrawing her hand and continuing to eat. Sesshoumaru was watching it all silently, spooning his soup quietly into his mouth. After much time, Inuyasha stood and proceeded to leave the room without a word.

His thoughts accompanied him.

Will Kagome ever come? He asked himself silently, gazing into the nothingness that had become of the hallways as of late. Since Kikyou came. Even Myouga found his self occupied in the library twenty-four seven. The dim lights in the hallway reminded him of always; before Kagome came.

He came upon a door, the same door he'd been avoiding. In it was a single flight of stairs, rickety and old, leading to another room, with much more in it, before finally; the roof.

Inuyasha went up all the stairs, never once looking around; otherwise he'd be distracted for hours on end, never reaching his destination.

The roof was like a long stretch of tile, so you could walk across it easily, before another part sloped down slightly. The cool marble felt good on his bare feet, and he watched the sun fade into the inky black horizon line. He remembered then; it was the new moon. His time to revert into his human self. His gaze travelled downwards; to the second carriage that day. Another one of Sesshoumaru's unwanted suprises? He mused, watching the door open. A tousled head peeked out, before a slender hand grasped the edge. And she emerged.

Kagome! His mind shouted, and he was aglow with happiness. He didn't have time to jump; or he'd break a lifes worth of bones. Being almost night and that. He set off to the small hatch, and stumbled down the two flights of stairs, right to the library. If he was correct in his musing; Kagome would come through the secret entrance. Almost flying to the wall, he beat on it incessantly, until it opened.

"Master Inuyasha! Wha - ?"

"No time, Myouga!"

And he was through the doorway.

Now he had to be more careful, the sloping stairway and damp walls made it hard to walk down, and his palms were clammy with anticipation. He heard something creak a ways down the passage, and they last rays of sunlight filtered through.

Kagome, it is you...

-...-

With the log-book read and set beside her, Kagura scowled. Sesshoumaru, planning to intercept a wonderful love just because his brother was sulking? She thought not! Why I oughta -

"Kagura," interrupted a cold voice, quelling her thoughts immediately. She scrambled to stuff the evidence under her covers, but Sesshoumaru saw it first. With his own inhuman speed, he had Kagura by the wrist, and the log-book in the other hand. "What is this all about?" she sought out an answer that would satisfy his anger and dampen his lividness. She could find none.

I can't die now. She thought with an inwardly chuckle.

So with great determinedness, Kagura the Wind Sorceress, leaned forwards to catch the great inu-oni lord off-guard, with the only thing that could suprise the Ice-King...

She stuck the feather from her hair into his mouth and ran like Hell.

-...-

Within a moist cave, two voices of equal breadth echoed throughout.

"Huhh...that...that was..."

"Y...Yeah, I know."

"...S-So, you want to do it again?"

"Again, huh?" Miroku's face comes into view, himself looking slightly sweaty. Running a hand through his hair, he remarked: "Sango, you are insatiable." though with a smile. Sango smiled belittleingly - also in the same state, a sheen of sweat coating her brow - and cocked her head slightly, replying almost instantly.

"What's the matter houshi-sama...your amazing stamina giving out already?"

A log set between them, Miroku grabs her hand again, rolling up his sleeve. "Hardly. So you want stamina, eh?" He grinned slightly. "Well, then...far be it for me to dissapoint you..."

"Don't you hold back on me this time."

"Nnnn...I...never do..."

"Uunnn...oh, yeah, that's it..."

(A/N: All credits to that little scene go to a wonderful artist on grey-space . net. She is wonderful, go see her art if you have the time!)

-...-

When the door creaked fully open, Kagome crept through, closing it behind her. Though, with a yelp, she whirled when something tapped her shoulder. Inuyasha.

"Kagome..." she was silent for a moment, before crying out and throwing her arms around his neck.

"Inuyasha! I missed you so mu - !"

Her sentance was effectively cut off by Myouga's frantic voice.

"Master Inuyasha! Master Inuyasha! Are you alright?" Kagome sniffled, and smiled a watery smile. Inuyasha let a smile cross his face also, shifting his arm around her shoulder.

"Yeah, Myouga. We're fine."

"Hello, Myouga-jiji!" Kagome called out happily.

"K-Kagome-sama?"

So after an explanation to the curious old flea, he left Kagome and Inuyasha alone, seeing the tension beneath their happy facades, and their need to talk...alone. After they were left to their own devices, there was an awkward silence. Kagome held her tea, tracing one fingertip around the rim, and Inuyasha was watching his black hair sway from the corner of his eye. Kagome first broke the silence.

"Um...I just wanted to say...sorry..." she started, eyes meekly gazing at him through her eyelashes. He looked up, slightly startled.

"Why would you say sorry?" she giggled softly, almost in a reserved way.

"Forget about it, OK? Let's just, go back to - mmph!"

Although her beginning reaction was suprised, she soon melted at the familiar feel of Inuyasha's haori. Her hands tightened, fisting into the material of his sleeves. The hug was warm, and so comforting. She sighed and smiled, almost able to be completely happy.

"Inuyasha?"

"What?"

"...um...nevermind...let's go."

"Okay."

-...-

Kikyou was certain that Kagome was here; and dreaded her very presense. She could ruin everything I've tried so hard to gain! She thought angrily.

So, she went out to search for them.

Where she found them, and in what position, and what words she saw and heard; she did not expect. Kagome was curled up beside Inuyasha - on his bed - his arm wrapped tenderly around her. She was nestled into his chest, fists against her collarbone, eyes half-closed. His chin rested lightly atop her head, a serene smile across his face. "Inuyasha..."

"Hmm?"

"You're still my little doggie," Kagome murmured quietly, before falling asleep.

"Suimin jaa, my koishii..."

-...-

A/N: Hee! I bet you thought Kagura was going ta kiss Sesshoumaru, didn't 'cha? Eh, eh? Well, she didn't. Not yet, anywho...

-...-

Japanese Dictionary:

Suimin jaa, my koishii: Sleep well, my love.

Jiji: Old man (nice term!).

Sama: Master, someone of high status (someone you think highly of...).

Houshi-sama: Lord monk.

Inu-oni: Dog-demon.

-...-

Review Reviewer:

Alex: Sorry, ma friend, the Rin/Sessh thing just isn't working out! But maybe I'll write a story with them together, hmm? Would ya read it?

Shawnainoakhurst: I don't really like her either; but I do pity her. She was kinda cheated out of her happy ending. I guess. (snatches such cookie and runs)

Evilanimeblond: Thank you! I like writing 'em. The li'l buggers. (has updated) Ja!

-...-

Small Skit:

Sesshoumaru: What was that again about Kagura kissing me, dear authoress? (twitch)

Tia: Uhh...umm...er...no?

Sesshoumaru: ...no?

Inu: No! We're all quite happy now. Review.

Sesshoumaru: No... (sharpens claws)

Tia: ... (gulp)