Author's Note: An update. Finally.

IMPORTANT: please read—

I apologize for the delay, but it was something beyond my control. For those of you that have looked my user profile lately, you might have noticed the small note I had about it.

In short, my father had to be taken the hospital and have surgery. It's made things around my household since very hectic. That combined with coming down with the flu and trying to keep on my class-work hasn't given me much time to write.

That aside, I must say that I am very offended by how rude some of you reviewers have been acting. I have gotten reviews/emails that have outright told me they hate my favorite pairing (bank/jak), basically implied I should stop writing my other stories to update this and just simply having no regard for the fact that I am human and I do have a life outside of writing this story. This was actually one of the main reasons I have been unable to write on this story until now. I was already very upset due to the situation with my father and receiving these rude, insensitive reviews really made me feel like working on this story was a waste of time. I honestly didn't feel any respect from these people at all, yet they kept making demands for me to update.

In the future, if you are wondering about my updates, please check my user profile. If something serious has come up (like in this situation) I will note it there. Also, I ask that you don't rudely email/review my fics in that manner anymore. As I said, it killed my motivation on this story and I almost discontinued it due to how upset it made me.

I think any author of any story can outright say that if you want them to update, try using a little courtesy and respect. They might actually listen if you are mature about it. But rude demands that treat the author like nothing more than a machine that churns out text is insensitive and kills motivation. I don't want to have to discontinue this story, but if such rudeness is ever directed towards me or my stories again due to a delay that is beyond my control, I will be forced to.

All right, that aside. If you want something else to read, I strongly encourage you to check out my other stories and the stories of my beta reader, Kellychan85. I recently uploaded two short-stories as part of a contest and I am trying to keep all my other lengthy stories up-to-date as well.

Okay, now on with the show: Enjoy!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm not certain what it is that came upon me. Maybe it was just the fact that being at a party cheered me up. But whatever it was I found myself beginning to let my bitterness fade away.

Yes, my life in the past was horrid. Yes, Naraku could come after me and probably would any day now. But for the moment- I was sailing without a care in the world upon a peaceful breeze. I was beginning to live my life and I enjoyed it.

But at the same time, I realized that if I was going to fully enjoy this newfound 'freedom' to its fullest, I would also have to do something about my buried feelings for one ice-block of a man.

There was something there. Perhaps it was the chemistry between he and I that just made me think there was a chance. Then again, I never was that good at chemistry in high school, so I wasn't banking on my predictions.

So, mathematically speaking it came down to this.

A girl likes man x, but he's so unemotional and icy that he would give penguins a cold. But girl y is determined to try and make it work. So given her current knowledge on man x and his reactions to things, what would girl y's best plan to open him up be?

Now, did I mention I wasn't good at this? And of course, being the genius I am- I was left with nothing but a very grade school answer to a problem like this.

The only thing, and I mean only, I knew about properly attempting to 'flirt' with a man involved the child-level tactic of picking on him.

But considering that Sesshoumaru's hormones have probably been asleep that long and the fact that it was about all I had to go by other than my phone sex operator training (which I was definitely not going to use) I decided it was worth a shot.

In the end though, I can't really say it helped one way or another. I think that assistance came from none other than a certain little girl.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 28: Pressing the Right Buttons

------------------------------------------------------------

The party seemed to end as a quickly as it started, and Kagura couldn't help but notice that Rin seemed to be constantly coming over to talk to her.

It started out as simple questions.

'Do you want more to drink?' 'Will you come play this game?'

Just little things here and there.

But as other children slowly went home, Rin practically sat with Kagura and Sesshoumaru as her captive audience.

"And then I told the Ken doll that if he wanted Barbie to love him that he'd have to stop being so quiet around her…" Rin rambled on, but the black-haired woman couldn't help but find herself reading into the child's words.

"Okay, if this kid is trying to pull the symbolic-parallel-whatever crap on me and Sesshoumaru, then she's…well damn, she's smart."

Finally, the last of the children went home and the small birthday girl turned happily to Sesshoumaru.

"I get to go to your house now right? Or do you already have a date with Miss Kagura planned?"

Sesshoumaru shot a sideways glare towards his family, a warning not to go planting ideas like that into Rin's mind if he was the one babysitting her for the evening.

"Get your things."

"Yay! I get to go be with Sesshoumaru and Miss Kagura! This is going to be fun!"

The girl jumped up, knowing from Sesshoumaru's avoidant answer that it was a 'yes' and that he wasn't backing out on his promise to her.

"So the kid's spending the night… This ought to be interesting…" Kagura pondered, then with a smirk noted the way the young girl seemed to have Sesshoumaru wrapped around her finger.

"Then again, between me and Rin maybe we can get Sesshoumaru, King of Antarctica to melt a little."

As the car was loaded down with the presents Rin insisted on taking, Kagura felt Izayoi tapping lightly on her arm.

"Now if Rin gets too much for you two to handle, don't hesitate to call and we'll come get her."

"I don't think it'll be a problem," Kagura shrugged, figuring the kid couldn't be all that bad.

"Well, I'll just warn you then. Once Rin sets her mind to getting Sesshoumaru to do something, she won't give up on it… So, good luck you two."

"Wait a second…" She watched as the woman joined up with the rest of the family, "Is she trying to warn me that Rin's up to something?"

"Kagura. Let's go."

Sesshoumaru's normal bored voice shook her from her pondering as he nodded towards the car. Sitting down in the front seat, she had no idea what would await them now that Rin was coming over to stay.

"So- Sesshoumaru, does Miss Kagura need new bandages when we get home?"

He quirked an eyebrow and looked to the lady in question for the answer.

"I'll be fine for a little while Rin. Sesshoumaru probably wants to write."

"Oooh that's right, you're helping him write some long love story aren'tcha?"

Kagura coughed, looking to Sesshoumaru to handle it.

"Rin, if you stay quiet you can watch a movie while we work."

"Can I pick which one?"

"Sure."

"Okay, I'll be really really quiet then!"

And as she promised, the young girl went completely silent for the rest of the ride home.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

As the trio reached the home's door, everyone could tell that Rin was about to explode if she had to remain silent much longer.

Turning his key in the lock, Sesshoumaru let her in and calmly signaled the end of her 'quiet time'

"The lion movie's sitting out."

"Okay Sesshoumaru," Rin replied happily making her way over to the TV.

Kagura watched Sesshoumaru carefully, her eyes following him as he disappeared into his study. Curious and not exactly in the mood to watch a children's movie, she decided to see what he was up to.

Walking over to the cracked doorway, she quietly peered in. He sat down, lifting the pen and letting it hover over the page as he waited for an idea to drive him onward.

Just when it seemed that he would stay frozen like that forever, he glared casually at the door.

"Is there something you need?"

Kagura started, but maintained her cool.

"I already know how that movie ends."

"I see," He wrote down one before stopping again, "Sit."

"What?"

His golden eyes leveled with her, wordlessly saying, 'Yes, that was an invitation to come in. Are you going to take it or not?'

Defiantly, she did so; finding herself once again seated in the large chair.

The two remained silent, until finally, Sesshoumaru noisily placed his pen down and stood. Manuscript in his hand, he walked over to her; leaning down to her face as he spoke.

"Read."

"Not sure what to do next, eh?" She asked nonchalantly.

He glanced away and she knew she was right.

As she read, she watched him from the corner of her eye. He seemed to be moving closer, but Kagura knew that it had to be her imagination.

"There is just no way he'd try something like…" Her thoughts paused and she sighed inwardly, "Why am I thinking of THAT? This is Sesshoumaru we're talking about."

Reading the passage once more, Kagura held out her hand.

"Pen."

He narrowed his eyes, but she insisted.

"You want help or not?"

Reluctantly, he retrieved the pen from his desk and handed it over.

Kagura read through it once more before putting the pen the page and starting the next scene.

"He leaned closer to her, his warm breath surprising given his cold nature. But the Wind Mistress held her ground. She would not give up so easily.

"I know where my Master has been hiding," She murmured softly.

Her body was tense and her mind was fearful of the consequences she soon might face for assisting the man who was her enemy.

"You will take me there?" The Lord of the Western Lands spoke, his eyes searching hers for the meaning behind her strange actions.

"Yes. Follow me."

It could have easily been a trap, but he followed her anyways. And even as she led him deep into a cave, he questioned her not. He knew she faced many dangers from her master if she were to be seen with him.

As they approached a large gateway flanked by two giant statues, the Wind Mistress turned to leave."

Handing it back to him, Kagura watched as his golden eyes skimmed the page. Finally finishing, he held his hand out towards her.

"What?" She said teasingly.

He glared.

"Try speaking. It helps," She mocked, knowing fully well he needed his pen back.

But Sesshoumaru was adamant and so he simply reached down and began to pry it from her hand.

"Stubborn aren't you?" Kagura muttered, half-expecting this of him.

"The same can be said of you," He shot back as he freed the pen from her grasp.

Sesshoumaru returned to his desk, his pen starting in on the next sentence when he heard Kagura stand to move behind him.

"It's hard to work when someone is hovering over you."

Kagura just smirked, finding that trying to push Sesshoumaru's buttons was a rather amusing way to pass the time.

"I know, but I managed to write that much didn't I?" She countered.

Figuring that arguing with her was a lost cause, he silently returned to writing. And from over his shoulder, Kagura followed the text as it appeared.

"The Lord turned to the two stone guardians. He could sense some movement and his hand grasped the hilt of his sword firmly.

Sure enough, the statues came to life; their gigantic stone weapons crashing towards the cavern floor.

Moving quickly, the inu-youkai lord blocked the attack; the loose rocks of the cave clattering down the cave's floor."

"What about the Wind Mistress? Wouldn't she get hurt if he didn't protect her?" Kagura piped up.

Sesshoumaru frowned and wrote out his retort.

"The swipe from the Lord's blade was so powerful that it managed to reduce all the falling debris to pebbles."

"That is so lame," She remarked, hands firmly set on her hips.

The white-haired man looked back at her, his frown becoming a tad more irritated.

"Here," Kagura said, boldly reaching and clasping his hand.

She moved it over the last few lines he wrote and caused him to cross them out. Unamused, he offered her the pen.

"You think you can do better?"

"Well, we'll just see," She shrugged, plucking the pen from his fingers.

Leaning beside him to write caused her to momentarily lose her idea.

"Great. I'm in that 'he makes me all ooey-gooey please gag me' stage. Just what I need," She reprimanded herself.

"And?" He pressed.

Kagura just glared and pointedly leaned over him to reach the paper.

"Not like pressing my boobs into his back will get us anywhere, but it'll most likely annoy him," She reasoned with a smirk.

Then placing the pen to the paper, she began.

"On seeing the debris beginning to fall, the Lord had a single hesitance on continuing his fight.

'Has she…gotten out?' His mind questioned, and then without a thought more, he ventured back into the pathway to find out the answer.

He could make her out in the dark shadows; her attempts to ward off all the rocks with wind alone were failing. Without a moment to spare, he rushed forward and slashed away a large boulder before it could impact near her.

And before he himself even knew what he was doing, he found himself pulling the Wind Mistress against him protectively as he shielded her from the perils of the cavern."

"He's holding a sword," Sesshoumaru spoke up. His finger lightly pointing to the earlier mention of it.

"So?"

"He can't hold both."

"Yes he can," Kagura protested, standing up straight and tugging at Sesshoumaru's sleeve, "Come on, I'll prove it."

He quirked an eyebrow but stood nonetheless.

"Okay, you be him holding the sword out and I'll show you how he can hold her."

She handed over the pen, the writing utensil doubling now as a false weapon.

Sesshoumaru stood, his position easily taking to that of a regal inu-youkai Lord. Then Kagura sidled up next to him, her hands slowly adjusting his body to fit her written description.

"Now see, if he's turning like this to block the rocks, then she could easily be right here like this…" Kagura's sentence trailed off as Sesshoumaru turned to face her. Their lips inches apart and both of them freezing on noticing it.

And of all the moments Rin would choose to check on the two while singing part of the movie's song, it would be this one.

"I can see what's happening. And they don't have a clue. They'll fall in love, and here's the bottom line- our trio's down to two…"

The young girl paused, then covered the eyes of her strangely shaped green stuffed animal.

"Jaken, don't look. Sesshoumaru and Miss Kagura are doing adult things. We'd best leave them alone. It takes time to make babies."

Both the two in question went wide-eyed, but Rin casually turned and walked out the door; continuing to talk to the plush animal.

"That's right Jaken. Mom told me it takes nine months to make a baby. But how can anyone kiss for nine months? Don't they have jobs?"

The two 'caught in the act' stared at the door, then jumped apart as if they were teenagers caught by their parents getting too friendly.

Kagura placed a hand over her heart and glared at the floor.

"Sheesh, we weren't even doing anything yet…"

"… yet it feels like we might as well have been." Sesshoumaru's mind finished off the same thought.

The two looked awkwardly at one another before Kagura nervously laughed.

"So….you named that character in your story after Rin's stuffed frog?"

He cleared his throat, "It's a toad."

"I…see"

The two fell silent once more, the movie's love ballad playing from the other room not helping matters in the least bit.

"You were thinking about kissing me again, weren't you?" Kagura dared.

Sesshoumaru frowned, "I have a job to do," He remarked turning back to his writing, but the black-haired woman caught the implication.

"To you one kiss might as well be nine months, right Sesshoumaru?"

Casually plopping back down in the chair, Kagura sighed.

"So what happens after the Lord slices up the rocks?"

"He's still protecting the Wind Mistress," Sesshoumaru retorted.

"Oh he is, is he?" She couldn't help but smile.

Turning back to look at her, he simply replied, "Yes. He is."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Preview for Chapter 29:

Izayoi warned Kagura that Rin could be persistent. But once the young girl gets her mind set on playing matchmaker, things are bound to get a bit crazy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note 2:

The movie mentioned is "The Lion King" and the song Rin was singing was Timon's beginning part to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"