Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Warning: this chapter has a little bit of limey ness in it… not really anything, but enough to be warned, just a little nakedness and some kissing

New Beginnings

Chapter 3- Things Learned

A spark flickers to a flame…

I was running again. Yet I wondered why that was so. I had already done this… how is it possible that I am experiencing this horror once again. Had I not suffered enough? Tree branches lash at my face and arms as I run through the woods. I know who's behind me… it's Him again… I feel every scratch and pain just as if I were there again. But this can't be real… can it?

"Foolish… did you really think you could get away?"


Sesshomaru woke to a whimper coming from the room across from his. He growled softly at his inability to tune out the pained sound and return to peaceful oblivion. The demon reluctantly slipped on a robe and stepped outside his room. The whimpering came from Kagome's room and Sesshomaru could smell her fear. With a long-suffering sigh, he pushed open her door and stepped inside. The scent of fear increased and panic was added to the mix.

Kagome was lying sprawled on her bed with the sheets tangled around her limbs. As Sesshomaru approached, he could smell the saltiness of tears. He stood over her and observed silently for a moment. What could be tormenting her so…?

As if she had heard his thoughts, Kagome cried out "Inuyasha, stop!" and flung out her arm in front of her. Sesshomaru raised a delicate brow. Just as he was about to turn and leave the room, something about the pained expression on her face made him hesitate. Why can't I just leave? I don't care about her… he growled mentally at his own weakness. Finally, he managed to wrench his eyes from Kagome and leave the room quickly.

The sound of her door shutting harder than planned woke Kagome from her nightmare. Breathing heavily, she detangled herself from her sheets and slid open the door to look around. "Hello? Sesshomaru?" There was no response. Kagome shut the door again, walked to the window and looked outside at the steadily lightening sky. She sighed. "Will I ever escape him…" Kagome opened the glass doors and stepped out onto the balcony. "Inuyasha continues to torment me, isn't it enough that I had to kill him?"

Kagome hardened her resolve. "I will not let my life be dictated by this. He had no intention of ever loving me back so why should I lose anymore sleep over this when he is the one who stole the jewel from me?" As she watched the sunrise Kagome decided then and there that she would let herself return to her former demeanor.

Feeling that the silence was soon to be disturbed, Kagome walked back into her room and closed the doors. She sighed again and it seemed as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She smiled brightly. "I feel so much better." Humming to herself, she grabbed a white kimono with gold and pink cherry blossoms that trailed along the hem and up the side. Then Kagome headed to the baths.


I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my soul. I am at peace with myself again. It is a wondrous feeling… one that I haven't experienced in so long that I had forgotten what it felt like. Now all I can wonder is what Sesshomaru will do with me… I have answered all his questions… what more does he want of me? I can't even begin to fathom…

Leaving doesn't seem to be an option; I have grown attached to Rin and do not wish to leave her. However… whether Sesshomaru will keep me alive long enough to decide is another question…

I find myself curious about Sesshomaru…


Sesshomaru walked at a leisurely pace to the baths contemplating the girl. "I cannot kill her. That much is clear. Rin would never forgive me. But what shall I do with her?" Wrapped up in his thoughts, Sesshomaru didn't notice Kagome's scent coming from the hot springs. He slid the door open and froze. Kagome was currently reaching up to wash her hair with her back to the entrance. Sesshomaru couldn't help admire her. The clear pale skin and shapely figure from what he could see. There was only one imperfection; there was a long slashing scar that marred her back.

Without thinking of the consequences, he asked, "Where did you get that scar?" Kagome whipped around and ducked under the water in one fluid motion.

Her face burned red and her eyes were livid. "What are you doing in here?" she hissed. Sesshomaru was temporarily stunned by her change in behavior. The girl that he remembered encountering in previous years seemed to have returned. Then he came to his senses and growled warningly.

"Do not speak to me in such disrespectful tones. You are a guest in my home, remember that." Sesshomaru closed the door behind him as he stepped inside the baths. He internally smirked at Kagome's irritation. But the girl said nothing, only attempted to cover herself more thoroughly and glare heatedly at him. "Are you so rude as to not answer my question?" Kagome flushed angrily.

"It was Inuyasha." She spat. Her eyes seemed like liquid fire. They sparkled dangerously as her temper rose. Kagome behaved as if she had no wish to elaborate, but Sesshomaru's growl rising in volume encouraged her. She swore under her breath and said, "We were having a terrible argument. Kikyou had tried to kill me again and Inuyasha wouldn't have it. Naraku was already dead, but so were Shippo," her voice took on a sad note as she recalled her adoptive pup and her friends. "Sango and Miroku. Our tempers were running higher than usual." She sighed and looked down at the water. "I'm sure it was an accident. I probably brought it upon myself, but…" she sighed again.

"But what?" Sesshomaru prodded quietly. He could tell that this was a painful topic for her, but his curiosity was aroused. What could she have done to make my dimwitted half-brother turn on his most loyal ally? Kagome looked back into his eyes and continued speaking.

"I had turned and stalked away after declaring that I was going to go kill Kikyou and take my soul back." She let out a small dry laugh. "As if I could have done it anyway, I have never killed anyone or anything before… but apparently Inuyasha forgot that in his rage." Tears misted over her eyes as she remembered. "The demon rage took over and he attacked me. As soon as I went down, he returned to normal and apologized profusely. He said that he didn't know what happened. But our relationship changed after that day. It wasn't so comfortable anymore. Rather it was filled with tension." Kagome angrily wiped the tear that escaped from her barriers away. "A few weeks later, when I was preparing to go home for good, Inuyasha stole the Shikon from me and used it. The rest you know."

Sesshomaru looked impassively at her, taking in her fierce expression. But inwardly he was shocked. He truly preferred that dead clay pot to this spirited girl? Inuyasha never did notice what he had right in front of him. I believe that I will keep this little curiosity. Kagome huffed impatiently and turned her back on him. Anger streaked through him. "You dare to turn your back on me?"

Kagome found herself lifted out of the water and slammed against a rough surface faster than she could blink. Sesshomaru had pinned her up against the stone wall and lifted her off her feet so their eyes were on an equal level. He growled dangerously at her. "I could kill you in an instant, yet you don't fear me. Why is that?" Kagome searched his eyes, trying to ignore that she was naked and being pinned to a wall by an impossibly gorgeous man.

"I just don't. There isn't a reason really. Perhaps it is because of how you behave with Rin, I do not know… but I don't feel any fear for you." She swallowed and blushed again. "Now do you mind letting me down so I can get dressed or something?" To her surprise, a spark of mischief flickered in Sesshomaru's enigmatic eyes.

Sesshomaru found himself not wanting to relinquish his control over the miko. His subconscious had decided at some point that he liked the feel of the girl against himself. Without realizing it, Sesshomaru had leaned closer so his mouth was next to her ear. I might as well cooperate with my instincts… He smirked and whispered softly, "No." As Kagome gasped in surprise, he moved his head and caught her mouth in a bruising kiss.

Kagome was stiff in surprise for all of two seconds before she relaxed and began responding back. Sesshomaru had soft full lips and he was doing something wonderful to her mouth. She had never been kissed before. Suddenly Kagome's stunned senses realized that Sesshomaru was no longer kissing her, but was pressing hot open-mouthed kisses to her neck. She gasped and tilted her head to allow him better access.

Just as his instincts were about to consume him, Sesshomaru noticed what he was doing. He quickly dropped Kagome and retreated from the baths. He didn't catch the girl's confused and scattered look. What was I thinking?! I'm not attracted to her… am I? He mentally berated himself and headed for the training room to work his frustration out.

Kagome sat unceremoniously on the floor of the baths, naked and trying to catch her breath. "W-what just happened?!"


I have never been kissed before… it was exhilarating. I would never have though in a million years that Sesshomaru would be my first. But why did he leave so suddenly? Did I do something wrong? I find that part of me wishes he had stayed and finished what he started, and the other part is filled with relief that he left.


After Kagome had gotten dressed and left the baths, Rin ran at her and grabbed her by the hand. "Come on Kagome-neechan! Let's play in the garden!" Kagome smiled and let the little girl lead her outside.

Sesshomaru watched from the window.


Next time: Sesshomaru decides to train Kagome after avoiding her for a time.

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