Disclaimer: Same as before.

Here we go!

Chapter 5 - Fifth

Sesshomaru did a double take, he couldn't believe it. The goddess from the park was heading right towards them. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. He was about to excuse himself to intercept her when lady Sango spoke:

"Kagome, there you are." Sango said. "I was looking for you when I was stopped by these gentlemen." Sango smiled anticipating Kagome's reaction. "May I introduce Lord Sesshomaru," Sango paused for dramatic effect. "And my fiancé Lord Inuyasha."

'Oh my god' Kagome thought before unconsciousness claimed her.

Kagome opened her eyes to see her green silk skirts draped over the black sleeve of someone carrying her across the ballroom. Sesshomaru had caught her before she hit the floor. She looked up and her eyes met clear amber ones, it was the man she recognized as lord Sesshomaru. He was smiling down at her, Kagome blushed ashamed at the scene she must have made and now having this stranger carry her out. She was mortified, she'd never fainted before in her life. She felt the muscles of his chest through his clothes flex against her cheek and suddenly she felt shy, he was a complete stranger after all.

She wasn't sure how long it took but it seemed like it was taking forever to cross the width of the ballroom. They stepped out onto the drive were all the carriages were waiting. Sango had collected their cloaks and was directing them towards the carriage. Sesshomaru placed her in the cab and once inside Kagome was forced to speak "Sir I don't know how to thank you for your assistance. I'm in your debt."

"I would be fully compensated if you allow me to visit you tomorrow to see how you are feeling." Sesshomaru said with a grin.

"Of course, thank you" She smiled, his attentions were making her uncomfortable. She was tired, being almost raped and realizing she had been saved by her best friend's fiancé and now having to figure out how to stop a duel was exhausting. Suddenly as if he knew she was thinking about him, Inuyasha materialized by the window his gaze fixed on Sango.

He then said "I will call on you tomorrow Lady Sango, until then. Good night Lady Matsamura." He said to Sango's mother with a slight bow of his head. She had seen the commotion and rushed to her daughter's side. She had been hastily introduced to her future son in law.

And then Inuyasha looked at Kagome. She thought she would faint for the second time that night. His eyes were an unusual gold color. She didn't notice the color of his eyes before and then he spoke sending a shudder through her.

"I hope you feel better Miss Kagome." And then he left. Her heart was beating so hard against her chest she could hardly breathe.

"Are you ok Kagome?" Sango asked concerned.

"Fine" she said halfheartedly. 'This is not good.' she thought.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha watched as the Matsamura carriage drove away.

"It's her." Sesshomaru said.

"Who?" Inuyasha asked.

"The girl from the park, Lady Kagome is the girl I saw in the park." He could not believe his good fortune. She was Lady Sango's friend and he would see her often. He had decided then and there that she would be his. Fate had brought them together.

Inuyasha got into the carriage, Sesshomaru still stood there looking into the darkness.

"Are you coming?" Inuyasha said irritated. Now that Sesshomaru was infatuated with Kagome Higurashi he couldn't possibly ask him to be one of his seconds. If he knew what had happened to her, he would not hesitate to just kill Count Miroku. Not that Inuyasha had any reservation about doing the same, but Sesshomaru was ruthless, he would probably show up at the count's doorstep and shoot him dead. No one would know it was him either. He didn't care much about rituals like dueling, when it came to defending something that was important to him, he just sought vengeance.

"Yes." He replied. "I'm going to make her my wife." Sesshomaru whispered to himself.

Inuyasha missed that last statement he was lost in his own thoughts. He was deciding to wait a day to make his dawn appointment with the count. He was going to make him sweat a bit. Plus he needed to find seconds. The task might prove difficult since he didn't have many acquaintances in town.

Arriving at the Matsamura townhouse a footman helped Kagome out. She was feeling much better, but she didn't feel like talking to anyone at the moment. So she let the footman carry her up the stairs. But Sango would not let her get away without talking to her, so she followed.

"Just set her down on the settee Shippo." Sango said when they entered Kagome's room.

"Thank you, Shippo." Kagome said. He bowed and left the room.

Kagome loved her room. It was decorated in her favorite colors, pink and white. Her bed was big and comfortable; she had a vanity table, an armoire, a writing desk, and the settee. This had been a sanctuary for her when she'd first moved in, but now it offered no comfort to her in light of the events of this evening.

Sango sat in the window seat. "I have to tell you I'm the one who should have fainted tonight. Imagine Lord Inuyasha surprising me like that. Although I found it to be a very pleasant surprise. He is incredibly handsome, and that hair." She let out a sigh. "I think I will like being married to him."

'She sounds so excited.' Kagome thought guiltily.

"The way he looked at me you should have seen it. He's eyes are so intense and I swear he made me shiver." Sango was rambling.

"Would you mind if we talk about this tomorrow? I'm really tired and I would like some sleep." Kagome didn't want to be rude but she needed to be alone and if she didn't say anything Sango would talk all night.

"Oh, I'm sorry I got carried away. Of course you should sleep. I'll see you in the morning." She left through the door that connected both their rooms. Kagome got up and locked it from her side. She was going to be up for a while and could not afford any interruptions.

Kagome went to her writing desk and took out a piece of paper. She had gone over the message in her head all the while Sango rambled on. She had formed a plan and hopefully this message will get the result she wanted. It read:

Dear Sir,

It is imperative that we meet. I must speak with you before it's too late. You've helped me tonight. I mean to return the favor. We need to speak as soon and as discreetly as possible. I am able to get away after the household is a bed. Let me know of a time and place convenient for you. Please we must speak.

KH

Kagome rang for one of the maids. She asked her to send the footman up she had an errand she wanted him to do for her in the morning. Shippo arrived and she said,

"Shippo, we have known each other for a long time. I need to know I can trust you with a secret." He nodded. "I need you to deliver a message tonight to Lord Inuyasha. I don't know where his townhouse is, you would have to make inquiries. It is very important you don't let anyone know of this errand. Do you understand?"

"Yes my lady." He answered. He would do anything for his Lady. She had always been very kind to him.

"I need you to bring back an answer; it doesn't matter what time it is. Just come to my door. Make sure no one sees you."

"Yes miss." He said and then he left.

"So what do you think of your fiancée?" Sesshomaru asked Inuyasha.

After the ball they had gone to one of their clubs to relax.

"I really did not speak to her long enough to form an opinion. From what I observed during the night she was admired by a large number of men. This might be a problem when we are married. I would hate to find myself making dawn appointments at every turn. I may have to keep her busy in Scotland. I don't like London society anyway." He thought for a moment and then added. "She's very beautiful. I believe she'll do very well." For a moment Kagome's face flashed in his mind. He needed to deal with Count Miroku as soon as possible from what he learned tonight he was one of the worst lechers in town and stopped at nothing to get what he wanted. Too bad he couldn't tell Sesshomaru about this. He was enthralled by Miss Higurashi, and he couldn't blame him.

"I'm going back to the house. Will you be staying?" Inuyasha said getting up from his chair.

Sesshomaru didn't answer he was lost in his thoughts again and Inuyasha just rolled his eyes. He knew Sesshomaru better than anyone and at the moment he knew that he was again distracted by a woman, a beautiful one at that. "Goodnight." Inuyasha said not waiting for a reply.

Inuyasha arrived at his townhouse at around 2:00 am. He expected his staff to have retired for the night. He had instructed them not to wait for him. Just as he was about to open the front door out of the corner of his eye he caught a movement in the shadows. He suddenly reached in his coat pocket for the dagger he always carried. Turning around dagger in hand he said, "If you wish to live a moment longer you will show yourself."

A very young man in a footman's uniform appeared.

"I have a very important message for you sir." He extended his hand to give him the message. Inuyasha noticed it trembled. 'He should be afraid I could have killed him.' Inuyasha thought putting the dagger back in his pocket after assessing that this particular fellow was too small to be of any threat. He read the message and then looked at Shippo.

"I'm supposed to bring back an answer." Shippo stuttered. He offered as an explanation for his continued presence.

"I will come to see her now. You will lead the way." Inuyasha said gruffly.

Shippo stuttered. "But…but sir, I was only supposed to bring back an answer, the lady will not be ready to receive you now."

"Oh yes she will." Inuyasha grabbed Shippo by the scruff of the neck and shoved him through the carriage door. "Now tell my coachman the lady's address."

Kagome heard the light scratching she had been waiting for. She opened the door and was shoved backwards, hard. Inuyasha in his haste to get inside without being seen almost knocked her over.

"Well Madam, I have come in answer to your summons." Even though his voice was low she could tell he was furious.

"What are you doing here? I wanted to meet somewhere, not here in my room, with Sango in the next room. Where is Shippo? Why didn't you just send word?" She said frantically.

"Calm yourself." He ordered. "You obviously care nothing for your reputation. What difference does it make where we hold this meeting?" He walked across the room and sat on the edge of her bed. Kagome thought she would faint again.

She collected herself and continued "I need you to forget this foolishness with Count Miroku. I won't accept it. You need to take back the challenge."

"Madam you seem to be issuing a lot of orders tonight. I believed you should be grateful for my assistance tonight. I don't like being ordered around." He said in a very soft voice filled with menace.

She shuddered. "I would do anything to stop this from getting out of hand. Thanks to you I was not injured, and I would never even speak to the count ever again. You should not feel obligated to me. You should not be defending my honor you owe your protection to your fiancée, not me."

He sat there looking at her. Her eyes shone with unshed tears and he realized this meant a lot to her.

"Please I beg you don't meet the count." She pleaded.

"Very well," He got up and walked towards her. She froze. He came to stand in front of her. He was so close, she backed up against the door and he came even closer. He was about an inch from her face. She couldn't breathe. She suddenly realized she wanted him to touch her.

"You should be more careful, you seem to have a bad habit of meeting strange men in the dark." He whispered in her ear which sent a shiver down her neck that made her curl her toes. He was responding to her presence in a very physical and extremely disturbing way. Her voice pleading had touched him with the impact of an inviting caress. She was still garbed in her evening gown and noticed how her breasts rose and fell with her breathing. He also noticed how her midnight black hair fell in waves down her back. She looked good enough to eat, he thought, and he was ravenously hungry.

"I won't meet the count, just because you ask, but be warned madam. I will require payment for my service to you tonight. I'm not accustomed to backing out of challenges." He then ran his hands down her bare arms. She thought she would die. He should not be here. She should not be enjoying this. "Thank you" she managed to say.

After a moment he moved away and headed towards the window. He opened it wide and threw a leg over the edge. "You should be more careful Miss Kagome." He said right before he jumped. Shocked she ran to the window and only caught a glimpse of his coat as he fled down the alley behind the house.

A/N: I'm telling you I'm going to have to start to write myself in instead of Kagome. Lucky Girl!

Please review. I go to the computer several times a day just waiting and waiting and expecting. I thrive on reviews. (on her knees she begs).