Author's Notes: Okay, we're going to find out a little more about some issues here, so hang on through a bit of the drama.

Once again, thank you to those that review every week. It means a lot. Thanks ^^

As always- read, review and enjoy ^^

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Everyone has a dark secret they say. Something they don't want to remember. Something they hope everyone will forget. Something that even if it was in the news, has been forgotten by now.

I know it seems I'm always bitching about my life. Yah, so sometimes I just assume everyone's life can't be as bad as mine. But you never know.

Each day I spent around Sesshoumaru, it seemed like was he avoiding telling me something. Or just…avoiding talking much about himself to begin with.

It pissed me off a whole damn lot at first, but then I realized I was doing the same thing to him. I was avoiding explaining my past anymore than I had to. It just…wasn't something I wanted to bring up. So perhaps that's why he was doing the same, aside from the fact he's not very sociable to begin with.

But sooner or later, you get the answers you've been wanting. You find out- just what it was that caused someone like Sesshoumaru to go out of his way to help someone like me. And when you find out about all the shit in the past, for some reason, it makes things a whole lot clearer.

And that's how it was- I found out his story and suddenly; he wasn't as a big mystery as he used to be. Suddenly, I felt like… like I cared- just a little.

Now don't get me wrong, there was no way in hell I was getting sentimental. But… needless to say after that, Sesshoumaru didn't seem so cold anymore.

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Chapter 17: Answering Machine

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Shaking the thought from his head, Sesshoumaru decided such ponderings were a waste of his time. Lifting up the portfolio containing the progress on his novel so far, he flipped to his last segment. Still perplexed as to what could have triggered Kaguya's and his Father's sudden interest in the plot.

Nimbly turning the pages, he paused on seeing one page that looked as if it had once been folded. The handwriting- not his own.

Eyebrows furrowing, he read over the page already surmising what had occurred.

Page read, he closed the portfolio and looked in the direction of his room.

"And she has the nerve to demand that her life not become part of my novel."

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Upstairs, Kagura's mind was still contemplating the words Jakotsu had left behind.

"What did that kiss mean to me?" She questioned herself over and over.

Playing it back through her mind, she tried to recall the emotions that were going through her head at that moment.

"I was scared. Scared he was going to see me and drag me back to that hellhole. Then he…"

Kagura paused, trying to slowdown the rush of things that had happened.

"Sesshoumaru… he… he hid me. Then we…Ah fuck," She cursed, punching the nearby pillow, "Why'd he have to go and make things difficult by kissing me?"

Sighing in annoyance, she flopped over onto her back; wincing as the injury on her side tugged at her muscles.

"And why did I have to go and make it difficult by liking it?"

Before her thoughts could wander any further, the soft sound of footsteps nearing the doorway caught her ears.

Raising her eyes towards the figure that entered, she quirked an eyebrow at the papers he held in his hands.

"An explanation would be nice," Sesshoumaru stated calmly as he handed over the sheet of paper.

"I thought I threw that in the trash…."

"So, my novel is trash?" He retorted.

She frowned and looked away.

"You should be grateful for your little joke."

"What?" Kagura questioned, turning back towards him.

"It helped you get a place to stay here at my Father's request. Kaguya saw it."

Blinking as that sunk in, she looked down at it again, "So that was it…"

"They are aware it was yours."

"Well shit…" She snapped standing quickly and winced as it caused the pain to intensify, "What? You want me to leave now? I've overstepped my boundaries- what?"

Gesturing wildly, her face looked torn between her anguish and anger.

"I told you staying here was your choice."

"Then why the hell is this an issue? If it doesn't matter to you, then tell them I wrote it, let them kick me out and I'll just go back to my life in hell!"

Sesshoumaru glanced down at the pile of papers in his hands, then held it out to her.

"Read."

"What?!"

"You shouldn't write the middle without being aware of the beginning."

At that, she was left with no words.

"Is he…wanting me to…help him?"

Smirking, she casually snatched it from him, and then sat beside him on the bed.

"Why'd you become a writer anyway, Sesshoumaru?"

He raised an eyebrow, then stood quietly and went over to one of his dresser drawers and removed a book from it.

"Here."

Sitting the manuscript of his story aside, Kagura took the book in her hands and looked down at it.

Before she could ask anymore, Sesshoumaru turned for the door, "Speaking of. I have a phone call to attend to."

Watching him leave, she sighed figuring he'd once again skipped out on giving her the answers she wanted.

Regarding the book in her hands though, it suddenly became clear.

"Moonlight Becomes Her by I. Taiyoukai."

Taking that in, Kagura flipped the novel over and searched for the bio on the author.

Not finding it located on the back, she opened the front cover and a piece of paper fell out.

"What the…"

Lifting the tattered and folded paper up, she realized it was an old newspaper clipping.

Quickly scanning over it, her eyes widened as it became clear that Sesshoumaru had just left her with the key to his past.

His Mother.

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Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru had taken it upon himself to return his Father's phone call before he derived any more false assumptions about what was occurring in the household.

"You've been busy," Mr. Taiyoukai intoned on answering the phone.

"Eating requires time."

"And the woman?"

"Is resting."

"Eating rarely causes that much exhaustion," His Father said implicatively.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes.

"I was calling in regards to the arrangements tomorrow."

"They haven't changed."

"So you're bringing her along?"

"That is up to her."

"Rin would like it. She's been talking about you two all morning."

The white-haired man sighed, "Is that all?"

"How's the novel coming?"

"Don't you mean, how is Kagura's novel coming?" He retorted.

"Now Son, we don't want her to write it for you. But, her concept has potential."

"…" His frown deepened, "I will see to it we attend tomorrow."

"Good. Rin will be pleased."

Looking back upstairs, Sesshoumaru's mind thought over the party that was to be held the next day.

"If she's not opposed to attending…"

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Red eyes danced across the tattered article, slowly taking in the story it told.

"Maiougi Taiyoukai was found murdered in her home today by her twelve year old son. Her husband, and recently best selling novelist was away on a business call when an intruder broke into their home last night. Police say the man's motive seemed to be strictly money and goods, but when confronted by the lady of the home, he panicked and attacked. Her body sustained trauma to the head and chest areas, blows made by what is believed to have been a glass lamp from the home's study."

Pausing and swallowing hard before reading further, Kagura's mind raced.

"Is this why Sesshoumaru? You'd found her beaten to death…and me… my side… is that why you took care of me?"

"Police were contacted around 2am by her son, Sesshoumaru Taiyoukai who had found her bleeding to death in the house's study. It is said that he young boy tried to tend to his Mother's wounds before the ambulance arrived on the scene. Due to a severe head injury, she passed away at 4am this morning. Shortly afterwards, police apprehended the culprit. Mr. Taiyoukai offered a short press conference this morning to his readers saying, 'I am sorry, but due to this tragedy I am afraid I cannot write anymore. My hope is that someday my son might be able to put this behind him and follow in my path.'"

Kagura stopped then, her hand absently brushing the bangs from her face.

"You wanted to save her, didn't you Sesshoumaru? You probably tried everything you could…but, it wasn't enough. And now you're writing in your Father's place… because…that's all you can do."

Feeling as if she was finally beginning to understand him, she gently tucked the news clipping back into the book and left it on the bed.

Walking into the bathroom, she regarded her reflection.

"You're right Sesshoumaru. I'm not like your Mother. I'm… I'm still alive. I survived because of you…and that's why…"

Halting her thoughts at where they were about to venture, she shook her head at herself.

"Just admit it… you want to stay here. You're safe and… it'll… in its own small little way make him happy."

Looking at the cut on her face, she noticed it was beginning to fade.

"And maybe… these scars will heal."

Turning on the water for a moment, she leaned forward over the sink and splashed some cool water on her face.

Smirking to herself as she noticed the large stack of towels waiting nearby, she realized that Sesshoumaru was beginning to do his best to avoid any more instances that caught her in the shower.

Thinking back to the paper, an idea slowly crept its way into her head.

"Why the hell not… it's worth a try…" She reasoned, and after pausing to regard the book once more, she began her way downstairs.

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Sesshoumaru paused in listening to the business statistics from his Father as he noticed the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.

Looking up to her, he pulled the phone slightly back from his ear and waited for her to speak.

"Sesshoumaru, I…I have a deal to make with you."

Raising an eyebrow, he finished up the phone call.

"Father. I will call back later."

Putting down the receiver without a word more, he walked towards her and leveled her with a questioning gaze.

"A deal?"

"Well, I know your trying to write this best selling novel, right?"

Watching her with interest, he nodded to encourage further explanation.

"And, whether your Editor thinks so or not, you are a good writer."

Knowing she was getting at something, he stepped up closer to her.

"And?"

"I need you to keep Naraku away from me. And you- need help with your novel."

"You can't write," He stated simply, edging up another step towards her.

"And your plot sucks," She countered.

At that, Sesshoumaru fell silent.

Extending a hand towards him, Kagura continued, "So, is it a deal?"

Narrowing his eyes he studied her expression, looking for any hidden motives in it.

On seeing nothing but sincerity in her and her words, he grasped her hand in his for a proper handshake.

"A deal it is."

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Preview for Chapter 18:

Knowing his Father will expect to see a small amount of progress on his novel, Sesshoumaru sits down with Kagura to try and sort out- how do two people like them, write a novel?