(Author's note: I just realized something. Sesshomaru's clothes are very hard to miss. Why didn't Kagome's mom notice them on the floor? I never explained what happened to his clothes. Let's just skip the Mishap. Oh, all the people who skipped the 'scene' you can read now. No more of the 'rumble under the jungle'.-)

Chp.23 Don't forget….

Sesshomaru awoke next to Kagome. How did he---- and then he remembered. Last night. Her scent seemed to be all around him. As if she had dived into him. Damn him. Why had he ever even touched her? But yet he couldn't imagine going back to a world without her. Sesshomaru could not go back to a world a solitude. His own personal hell. He wanted to remain in heaven…in this insurmountable cloud he was on. He never wanted to come back down. The demon Lord knew in his heart society would not let him stay with her. A human. It disgusted him to acknowledge what he had just done. It felt right, but it wasn't. He wished it was…

He turned over in the small bed to see if Kagome was awake. Even now he wanted her again. Sesshomaru slowly left the bed so she would not awake. She wiggled her hips under the bed to get more comfortable. A slight smirk lined Sesshomaru's face.

When Kagome woke she realized Sesshomaru wasn't beside her. She jerked up only to find him leaning against the door to her room. Clothes back on. His hard exterior was back on…Kagome knew then...that yesterday night….was probably just a fling to him. She shifted uncomfortably. Sesshomaru walked to the edge of the bed and crouched down to maintain an eye level with Kagome.

" Erm….Morning." said Kagome, shifting her gaze.

"Kagome. I want you to know, last night I was acting irrational. I think that you were as well. Let's forget. Our little 'vacation' has been long overdue. Let's go back to reality."

Kagome turned from him. Her eyes were rimming with tears.

"Yeah. I didn't mean any of what I said…I just wanted….well….I don't know what I wanted. It's not like I was ever attracted to you anyway….you were just there. Wait downstairs while I get ready." Said Kagome. Sesshomaru remained staring at her for a moment then walked out the room. Kagome stuffed her face in the pillow and cried.

Sesshomaru could hear her sobs behind him. He felt…he didn't know what he felt right now. He just wanted to see Rin again and go back to his life without any feelings. As he entered the main room Kagome's family looked up from their breakfast.

"Sesshomaru?" said Kagome's Grandfather.

"I thought you left last night" said her Mom.

Sesshomaru didn't have a liable excuse. His face was hot and he could feel the blush that was creeping on his cheeks. Comprehension dawned on Kagome's Grandfather as he observed Sesshomaru's messed hair, slightly crinkled clothes, and blushing face. Mom and Grandfather exchanged knowing looks.

"Hey Sesshomaru," said Souta "After breakfast wanna play 'Super Smash bro's' again?"

"I don't know if I can" said Sesshomaru as he passed by a disappointed Souta. He patted the young boy on the head. Grandpa winked at Sesshomaru and his blush deepened now to the color of magenta. Finally Kagome came down stairs.

"I'm taking Sesshomaru back. I'll be returning in a short time" said Kagome. Her eyes were a little pink and her face was blotchy. After closing the door she turned and walked ahead Sesshomaru. She was not acting like her normal self. When they stood at the edge of the well Sesshomaru took up Kagome's hand and jumped…

XXXXXXXXXX

Inuyasha sat on a tree limb over looking the well. Jaken lay sleeping near a mound of moss and Shippo, Sango, and Miroku all sat around a dull fire. It had been a week in the feudal era since Sesshomaru and Kagome had left them. A bright light that appeared in the well startled Inuyasha. He jumped down from the tree, which awoke Jaken. Kagome was the first to appear, climbing out of the well. Then Sesshomaru climbed out second and landed gracefully on the landing.

"Kagome! Where the hell have you been? I---….." Inuyasha stopped. No….maybe his sense of smell wasn't working right. He walked closer and sniffed again. No….he wouldn't have…Sesshomaru would have never…

"Lord Sesshomaru!" yelled Jaken who ran up to Sesshomaru.

"Jaken. Have you been well?"

"Yes. Rin was crying all the while for you. I, Jaken, had to go on a perilous search for you. Fighting off monsters and----"

"Spare me the details Jaken. Let us leave." Interrupted Sesshomaru. He knew his brother could sense something. He was not in the mood for a confrontation. The wispy puffs of a cloud erupted around Sesshomaru's feet and they floated off in the night air. Kagome looked after Sesshomaru with mixed feelings.

Inuyasha abruptly grabbed Kagome's hand and ran to a more 'private' part of the forest so the rest of the group would not overhear.

"Inuyasha! What are you---" yelled Kagome. They abruptly stopped and Inuyasha sat a little ways from her.

"You slept with him, didn't you?" said Inuyasha quietly. Kagome's eyes widened in shock. She didn't know what to say. He seemed to be calm but she knew, inside, Inuyasha was hurting. Serves him right.

" How did you know?" said Kagome.

"I CAN SMELL HIM ON YOU!" roared Inuyasha.

"Yeah? And? What was I supposed to do? You totally ditched me for Kikyo. Do you know how I felt? Good, you feeling my pain. And you know what? It felt great. It was the best feeling I've ever had. I would do it again if I could. The funny thing is I did not even think of you once while I did it." Yelled Kagome back.

" I-….I didn't mean to save her. I…after…I wished I had saved you" said Inuyasha looking away.

"Sure. Well you didn't. Sesshomaru did"

"Why…why?" said Inuyasha. Hurt lined the edge of his voice.

"BECAUSE INUYASHA! YOU NEVER SAID ANYTHING. YOU never…you never made a move. I gave you a chance…and now I'm in love with someone else…" said Kagome.

"You…LOVE him?" said Inuyasha.

Woo. Some deep emotions. Now that the story is coming to close a lot of deep emotional stuff is going to happen too. Keep reading! I love you all! -QN