"What nerve, what nerve!" Inu Yasha paced around the campfire, which in the morning air was going out. "I mean she expects sympathy from me- me! I thought she was better than that. I thought she- cared."

"She does care."

During Inu Yasha's monologue he had assumed Shippo and Miroku were asleep, and was startled by the voice. Luckily, Miroku was fast enough to block Inu Yasha's fist.

"Inu Yasha, you're so thick headed to think Kagome doesn't like you. Even though I can't imagine why she would." That time Miroku didn't have time to block, and he found himself suddenly on his back.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Inu Yasha inquired between clenched teeth, trying to keep his cool.

Miroku took his time climbing to his feet avoiding Inu Yasha's heated stare. "It means that she told you because she cares. Would you have liked her to get married without telling you?"

Inu Yasha hung his head. "No."

(Break)

Kagome hung her head and allowed Kori to clasp the necklace behind her neck. Kori had bought the necklace for her as a wedding gift; something unrequired that made Kagome feel very appreciated. The jewel that hung down above her cleavage was a black opal, which sat in a golden setting shaped like a snowflake. The chain was gold as well, and delicately made.

"Do you like it?" Kori watched her expression, decipheringly.

"Of course I do, it's beautiful." Kagome smiled warmly, though her thoughts were on Inu Yasha. "Thank you."

If she could just get Inu Yasha to forgive her then they could still be friends, even if she was married.

Kori kissed Kagome on the head. "Too bad it doesn't go with the necklace you're all ready wearing. Here let's take that other one off." His hand slid again to her neck prepared to unhook the necklace.

"No!" Kagome clasped the jewel shards tightly in her hand as if they were her life.

"Come on Kagome, its poorly made and doesn't belong."

Kagome felt her anger bubbling, why was he being so pushy? "I said no it's important to me."

"Kagome take off that necklace." Kori held out his hand patiently.

Kagome was about to reply but she looked into Kori's eyes, and agreed that the jewel shards did clash with the opal.

Kori watched as Kagome's eyes glazed over, and felt triumphant. His threads of deception had won over. The opal, with his demonic power, was more than just beautiful it was entrancing. It had the ability to take over free will, or hypnotize.

Kagome took off the jewel shards, and was about to place it in his greedy hands, when the door burst open. His henchmen, Dumb and Dumber, stumbled into the room just as he threw his hand up and froze Kagome in place.

"What do you two want?" Kori was enraged. He was so close and then these two had to ruin everything.

The taller of the two, pushed the shorter one forward. The chosen one bowed his head looking like he'd wet his pants. "Excuse me boss, but the half-demon - you know the one you wanted- we found him."

Good- just great, now Kori could be rid of that wimp and there would be no one who could stop him.

Kori smiled darkly. "Excellent, bring him to me."

(Break)

When Kagome regained consciousness, the last thing she remembered was Kori leaving for business. He had taken the jewel shards with him, but that wasn't important he couldn't use them. Inu Yasha was probably still seething, so she decided she would distract herself with a good book.

Callie here: Review! (Please)