Author's note: Here we are. The end of it all … I hope you enjoy … (secretly mutters "I love you Kelli, thanks for all your support")

Disclaimer: Don't own … (sigh)

Strawberries and Sugar

Chapter V: The Silent Wind's Serenade

Sesshomaru had left only a little while ago to drop Rin off at school, so I thought I'd have some fun and take a bath in his room.

It's not that big of deal, but he has a much bigger bath than my own, so why pass up the opportunity?

Anyway, it'd give me time to think. And I had a lot to think about.

I was right—his bath was so much better, let me tell you. The marble—that's right, marble—was spotless, and the water warmed instantly. I had to use my own bath bubbles, of course, because he didn't have any.

It didn't look lived in, though. There were fresh towels on the rack, no toothpaste in the sink. For the normally messy Sesshomaru, this was weird.

Well, whatever. The bath was wonderful. The tub was large, so my legs weren't all cramped.

When I thought I was nice and clean, I got out, undoubtedly dripping on the floor, and drained the water out.

After making sure it looked just the way it did before I came, I quietly left the room, shutting the door behind me.

"Enjoy your bath?"

"Ack!" The voice had surprised me, and I accidentally let go of the towel that was wrapped around me. Luckily, though, I was able to catch it.

"Don't worry; you don't have anything there to cover up."

I gaped at Sesshomaru. How could he say that!

"Is that what you think?" I asked him.

"It's what I know."

"Fuck off." Glowering at him, I left.

I just hoped he wouldn't be pissed at me for using his bath.

Not that I cared, or anything. I was too busy thinking of ways to get back at him for that comment.

So I came up with the plan to wear nothing but totally revealing clothes that showed a shit-load of cleavage.

Ha-ha. Take that, Mister Sesshomaru.

I did nothing but lean over half the day, especially when I was really, really close to him, in hopes he'd get a good look at what I really had.

I won't even tell you how pissed I was when he didn't even look, let alone drool.

Which is why I decided to pop the question. No, not that question, you numbskulls.

"So, are you gay?"

He looked at me over his most recent book (aptly named Fill the Emptiness. Geez, he's such a whore monkey.)

"Excuse me?"

"Well, I mean, you've hardly 'looked' at me since I moved in."

"I'm far from gay, Kagura."

I sighed. At least then it wouldn't be me that was the problem. "I'm just going nutters, aren't I? Yeah, I am. Look at me, I'm talking to myself."

He glanced at me.

"I mean, slather me in chocolate and you'll have nut-filled candy bar."

Sesshomaru seemed to pause for a moment before getting up and going to the kitchen. I watched him leave, wondering what he was doing.

"Go wild," he said and handed me a bottle of liquid chocolate.

I snatched it from him, and then threw it at his head.

Damn his demonic reflexes, because he avoided it easily by just the tilt of his head.

"Ass," I mumbled.

"At least I have one," he said as he went to his book marked page.

I made a rude gesture with my right hand as my left spooned myself some of the chocolate syrup. Hey, I wasn't going to let it go to waste.

He looked over at me.

"What?"

He walked over, leaning in so close I had to lean back against the wall. For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. Until he did something even more odd.

He fucking licked me. Licked the chocolate right off my face and went back to his chair like nothing happened.

I didn't have time to ask him what the hell that was about, because I heard a noise. An animal noise.

"Is that a dog I hear!"

Not bothering to look at me, he answered. "Rin wanted a dog, so she came home with one."

I scrunched up my nose. "I hate pets."

He replied, "This one's very lovable," though he didn't sound too enthused.

"Keh. I'm going out."

"Fine."

OoooO

A dog, can you believe that?

I snorted, tightening my coat around me as I walked past the empty alleys. It was dark, around 12 in the morning, I'd say. Too bad I wasn't paying attention to those seemingly empty alley ways.

OoooO

I didn't feel anything, not the scream that came out of my mouth, not the tears in my eyes, not the vile man that I had feared all my life. I didn't feel anything. I wish I couldn't have seen it, either.

OoooO

When I finally got away, I ran. Ran to the place that had felt like home for almost a year.

OoooO

Sesshomaru's nose scrunched up. He could smell it. Hell, a human could smell it, think how strong a demon could smell it. The worst smell ever, next to burning flesh. Rape.

I shuffled past him, bluntly telling him to fuck off.

"Kagura," he said slowly.

"Shut up, I'm not in the mood."

He grabbed my arm, and I definitely wouldn't be able to get him to let go.

So I let go. I cried. I didn't care Sesshomaru was right there, I didn't. I collapsed against him and he just stood there.

Once I was out of tears, I stood back from him. I swung my fist and punched him square in the jaw. And he didn't dodge it. He saw it coming, but he didn't dodge.

"You're such an asshole!"

"I don't think I did anything that deserves such a remark," he said, composed.

"You see a woman cry and you don't comfort her? What the hell's up with that!"

He blinked. "I didn't think you'd want me to comfort you, is all."

"Of course I would! I mean I lo—" I stopped and he stared. "Whatever! It's not like you would if I ask you to! The only person you could ever dream of showing any emotion to is Rin! You're just a fucking cold-hearted bastard!"

I paused. I had struck a nerve. A nerve. Something I didn't think this man had.

He didn't say anything. He didn't even look at me. He just walked away.

I growled and went to my room, slamming the door shut. After getting undressed, I curled up in my bed and cried again. I was pissed at myself; I was acting like such a baby …

I sighed and rolled over …

And screamed.

I heard footsteps coming and the door opened quickly.

"What the hell! It's three in the morning, Kagura!"

"The fucking dog's in my bed!" It didn't occur to me that I was standing their naked, pointing at a little puppy. I just knew I didn't want that dog there.

Sesshomaru grabbed the mutt and shoved it into my hands. "Get used to it."

I held it at arms length as he left, shutting the door loudly.

Grumbling words that are not best repeated, I tossed the pup back in the bed and got under the covers. And it licked my nose. I couldn't resist. It was just too. Damn. Cute.

The next day, I no longer hated the dog (whom I learnt was a female Siberian husky named Pan).

I was making breakfast with her sitting on my foot, very happy. I didn't feel terribly bad about what had happened to me yesterday, Pan made me feel better. Plus, I had built up a very sturdy emotional wall against it.

I heard the door open, the normal call of "Hi Mama!" and the sound of chairs being pulled back.

"Smells like burnt cat piss," Sesshomaru said calmly as he sat down. Which, of course, is nothing he'd say in front of anyone but those he didn't mind hearing.

Rin ignored him, but I couldn't. I set down what I was doing, scooted Pan off my foot and walked next to him.

"If you don't like it, cook for your self. I'm tired of your snide remarks, okay?"

To calm my nerves I went out to the park. On my way, there were a lot of annoying cars that decided that I didn't mind them speeding only a foot away from me. Despite the fact I was on the sidewalk, they were really close. Disregarding them, I lowered my head against the wind.

That's when my luck took a deep dive. My fucking heel broke.

Horns blaring. And black. Pain. Lots of pain.

OoooO

Someone's holding my hand. Two people, actually.

…

Now three. I hear talking, not sure what about. "Kanna?" I mumble.

"It's me, Sister."

I fade out again.

OoooO

It's one hand again … I blink open my eyes, looking to the left.

"Sessh .." My voice hurt. What the hell happened? Oh yeah … I remember a car … bright red … was it red because of my blood? I didn't feel that bad. It must have just been a red car …

"You're one tough woman, Kagura."

"I manage …" I closed my eyes against the bright light. "'Happened?"

"Car."

"No shit …" I felt like sleeping. I squeezed his hand with my weak one.

And he squeezed back. That told me right there.

"Sessh … I …" I stopped. I couldn't tell him. But he knew … so why should it matter? I can tell him. "Love you …"

Once more he squeezed my hand, and I could feel myself slipping back into unconsciousness. "Sessh? Can you read to me?"

I knew he was staring at me. "Sure… 'Her hand slowly worked harder and har—'"

"Never mind!" I rasped with a smile before falling back to sleep.

OoooO

And so that's how I came to love a man, and he came to love me back.

OoooO

Kagura yawned and turned off the computer, standing up and stretching. "Done," she muttered. She scratched her back, which still had some sparkly bandages pasted all over it from the not-nearly healed cuts and bruises.

She crawled into bed, her eyes watching his face. She traced the moon on his forehead with her fingers, and closed her eyes.

Let all be loved.

Ahh … I'm done. That's it. There is no more. I'm shit out of ideas. Couldn't be carried on any longer. I hope you liked it … If you didn't, fine, but don't freaking flame me about it, please. u.u I love you all, thank you for never giving up on my. Or, if you did, but decided I deserved another chance or something. That's fine too. n.n

For strawberries, for sugar, for you all. I love you, and may all your nights be brightened by the black moon.

Black-Moon-Goddess