The Subject of Who Loves Who.

"The course of true love never did run smooth."

- William Shakespeare.


When Kagome woke up, she realized that she was sleeping on his lap again for the second time in the week. His furry pelt and right arm were wrapped around her body securely, giving her the warmth and security needed for that dreamless sleep. She peered up to his face cautiously; Sesshoumaru was sleeping soundly against Ah-Un, his lips slightly parted as his head drooped down and his thick heavy bangs covered his dark blue crescent moon. A small smile crept up her face, he looks so peaceful and relaxed when he is sleeping...

Dawn was breaking soon, she could see the light blue and yellow hues thrown over the sky by the climbing sun, yet she was reluctant to leave his side. It felt good, protected and loved to be in his embrace, especially the way he was holding her. If she did not think so much, Kagome thought that they could almost be considered as a couple, as lovers, if everything was simple.

If he was not a youkai, if she was not a miko, and if she had not fallen in love with his younger brother first.

But things were not that simple, and it hurt her head. Her heart ached too.

He was a taiyoukai, who hated ningens and Inuyasha, with a duty to continue what his father had started and to restore his lands. She was a miko, who was supposed to hate youkai, stand by Inuyasha and her friends, with a duty to restore and complete the Shikon no Tama, destroying it from the face of this earth. And what was more, was that they had a bigger issue in front of them to take care of; Naraku and his evil scheme, his incessant hunger for power and strength.

Kagome closed her eyes and frowned, 'their' issue was simply out of the place. There was no time to think about it, and it was pointless to do so, nor to imagine the impossible. It was as if she was trying to go against the laws of nature, to even try. And why should she? Sesshoumaru probably see her as nothing more than a simple woman, one who could fill and satisfy his cravings and bodily desires. Besides, she had Inuyasha, even though she knew that she did not possess him. Kikyou did, her incarnation did, the most powerful miko did. Kagome had nothing to boot, nothing in her possession in Sengoku Jidai, other than her feudal friends and her feelings for both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, albeit a bit mixed-up and confused. And her old tattered second-hand bicycle which was going to expire soon.

"Baka na..." she chided herself softly into his furry pelt and willed herself not to cry. She tried to convince herself that what happened last night between him and her, was merely pure sexual attraction and nothing else. Even if she did harbour some dubious feelings for him, she was sure that he did not reciprocate. She knew that she was plain, simple and not very clever, not that he can see, but he surely must have felt it... Kagome resolved within herself that she would not be made use of again.

Besides, I don't think I like him either. It's just that, that's it. Afterall, Sesshoumaru would never have taken a second look at her if he was his old self. And he probably did not even know her name until he almost lost his life.

Kagome did not know whether to laugh or to cry. The triangle seemed to morph into a square now with this new addition.

Sesshoumaru's ears twitched, he knew that she was awake, and could hear her scolding herself. He did not want to let her know that he had woken up, he was not sure of her state of mind after last night's incident. He felt guilty towards her, and he wondered why. He was sure that he must have had taken many women to bed before, and it confused him to no end why he would care about her feelings.

Nevertheless, he reminded himself that he needed her still. She was a powerful ally to begin with. And that was more than enough.

Kagome tried to pull away, to which Sesshoumaru loosen his hold over her instantly, still pretending to be asleep. She scampered to her backpack as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake either Rin nor Jaken up. She quickly pulled another sweater over her head, stashing the torn one into her bag and buttoned up her trenchcoat.

"Sesshoumaru," she turned around and called out to him softly.

He took a short while before feigning a light yawn, "huh?"

Kagome bit on her lower lip hard and reassured herself that this was for the best for both of them, and she needed to reaffirm her love and loyalty towards Inuyasha. What happened last night must never reached his ears, it was truly unintentional. She had never meant to betray him, nor stray away. She took a deep breath, saying out the words slowly and firmly, "what happened last night was a mistake. The one I love is Inuyasha, just so you know."

Another foreign emotion welled up in his heart, he was not sure whether that was hurt or jealousy, or just plain anger. He did not expect that she would say such a thing, did she not like him at all? Why did she agree last night then? Had she mistaken him for Inuyasha? Or did she try to imagine that he was he? He would not ask her such questions, even though he wanted the answers. It was pointless. She had declared her love and loyalty to his so called-otouto, and he would not stoop so low to try to win her back.

He was a youkai, a man had dignity and pride. And she was afterall a ningen, with a limited life-span.

"I know, we are allies," he tried to control the strange unknown emotion but it somehow slipped into his voice, making it seem a little forced and strained.

Kagome's heart plummeted at his affirmative words. She was right, all her deductions and assumptions had turned out correct. She had been too naive, to wish for the impossible. She should have listened to her rational side, to listen to Reason, instead of hoping that there might be a thin thread of affection between him and her. It was ridiculous, really.

She nodded her head stiffly, "we need to go to Jinenji-san today for your medicine."


"Kikyou-sama, what should we do now?" Kohaku asked politely as he looked at the insect-like Shinidama Chuu dropping bright round tamashi into the miko's clay body. They had been on the chase after the wounded Mouryoumaru but he had evaded both the miko and the taijiya, seemingly to have disappeared into thin air.

Kikyou opened her eyes wearily and looked down to Kohaku from the tree that she was resting on. She truthfully had no idea except to continue to look for Mouryoumaru, he afterall held the heart of Naraku. She allowed the soul-stealers to carry her down from the tree, "we will have to continue to look for him. He will look for you too, for the Shikon no kakkera in your back."

Kohaku nodded firmly, he was prepared to lose his life, to rid this world of Naraku and his detachments, and most importantly, to atone for his sins towards his village, and his ane-ue. He knew that he could never reconcile with Sango, it was simply impossible. He could never lift up his head before his ane-ue; his hands were drenched in their fellow villagers' and chichi-ue's blood. He must, he had to, take revenge and appease the souls of the dead. They haunted him almost everynight.

"Kohaku, do you know what this will entail? To destroy Naraku and the Shikon no Tama?" Kikyou asked.

The young taijiya nodded his head again and answered resolutely, "hai Kikyou-sama. I am prepared."

Kikyou frowned a little at his readiness and willingness, she could only hope that her eventual plan of purifying Naraku along with the completed Shikon no Tama would work. She really did not want to sacrifice Kohaku, but it seemed to her that there was no choice. She afterall, could not resurrect the young taijiya from the dead, and the elimination of that damned Naraku was her topmost priority.

Then perhaps, she would be able to finally rest in peace with Inuyasha.


"Ne Kagome-neesan, did Sophie and Hauru live together happily?" Rin turned her head around and asked excitedly.

Kagome smiled and pushed her head back, while she continued to pull her comb through her messy knotted hair, "be still. I cannot comb your hair like that."

"Ne, what happened to Sophie and Hauru, 'nee-san?" Rin pleaded again. Jaken rolled his eyes at the banter between the two female, wondering why would anyone want to comb Rin's hair. It was not even as strong and shiny as his lord's.

"Hmm... Sophie and Hauru quarrelled quite often. Hauru sees her as a plain old 'baa-san who takes care of his castle for him, and constantly teases Sophie for poking her long nose into his magic business. Hauru often ditches his young apprentice to chase after Sophie's younger sister. Sophie is disgusted with Hauru, although she likes him very much. But she cannot tell him her feelings ne? She is old, and Hauru likes young pretty girls."

Rin frowned a little, "Hauru is not nice. Sesshoumaru-sama is nice."

Kagome's comb stopped halfway through her hair, while Sesshoumaru's expressionless mask remained as he leaned against the base of a tree.

"Dakara, Sophie does not admit her feelings for him, and she hopes that Hauru is sincere towards her sister. And she has to think of the bigger problems, like how to free Calcifer from the contract and to undo the curse the Witch has laid upon herself. She often scolds Hauru for spending all the money, not being serious and honest, while keeping a watch on him that he does not ditch her sister for other young pretty ladies," Kagome continued.

"This is so confusing," Rin's frown deepened.

"Ja... do you still want me to continue, or do you want to eat your lunch? Kagome smiled and ran her fingers through her now tangle-free, fine hair.

Rin shook her head, "what happened then? Rin is curious!"

"Dewa... there was one day when the young apprentice could not figure out a magic spell. And since Hauru is not around to teach him, he turned to Sophie and asked her for help. Now Sophie really likes the young apprentice, just like how I like you Rin."

Rin smiled and stole a peek at her lord, who was resting motionlessly against the tree. "Kagome-neesan, does Sesshoumaru-sama like Rin too?" she tried to whisper, even though Kagome knew that he had heard it. With or without the twitch in his ears.

Kagome began to gather up her hair neatly into a ponytail and whispered back softly, "mochiron! Sesshoumaru talks to me about you so often, don't let him know!"

Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow up in surprise when Rin giggled. It was true that he held some fondness for his little ningen ward, but to why Kagome had bothered to put in a good word for him eluded him. He had thought that she would make things difficult for him.

"Soshite, Sophie tried to figure out the spell with the young apprentice. It was actually part of a poem, and there was this part about searching for a fallen star. It took them somewhile before Sophie decided that the best way to work the spell was to look for a real fallen star."

"Nagare boshi ka!" Rin squealed, she had only seen a few and it did not seem to her that one was able to catch one.

"Hai, sou desu ne. Sophie and the young apprentice took Hauru's special boots, that can travel and cover wide distances in a few steps, and went out to search for the nagare boshi. It took them one whole night, and they almost caught one. But the nagare boshi did not want to live, and he told the young apprentice to let him go on his way, instead of catching him. So they returned back to the castle empty-handed. When Hauru returned, the young apprentice immediately asked him how to work the spell. But Hauru was shocked and furious when he found out the truth, and scolded the both of them for trying to catch the nagare boshi."

"Doushite?" Rin frowned again.

Kagome smoothed out the frown in her forehead and rested her hands on her tiny shoulders, "Rin, you should not frown too often. If not you will look like Jaken you know."

Both female ignored the kappa-youkai's shouts and threats while Rin scrunched her nose and shook her head, "hai. Why did Hauru scold them? He is so fierce, Sesshoumaru-sama never scold me."

Kagome sighed inwardly, "Hauru was worried for them you see. They did not know of the dangers of catching a nagare boshi, and its consequences. Calcifer tried to hint to Sophie about that complex weird spell but she did not understand."

"Hint? What hint? Why does he want to hint to Sophie?" she asked again.

"Rin, iku," Sesshoumaru got up from his resting place and walked to Ah-Un, while Jaken tottered behind him obediently. Kagome bit her lower lip as Rin jumped up excitedly and dragged her across the snow to the draconic youkai. Sesshoumaru and Kagome had avoided conversation as much as possible, and she could not help but to feel down. He behaved as if she was not in their group, and almost ignored her existence. She knew that this would happen, but it still did not go down well with her.

She mounted the draconic beast reluctantly and wrapped her arms around Rin's shoulders, who held onto the leash happily. She noted that the taiyoukai behind her made no physical contact with her until the beast soared to the air, and he had to prevent her slipping back by placing his palm against the small of her back.

"Kagome-neesan, what is the hint?" Rin was persistent in getting the answer.

"Ano.. Calcifer wanted to hint to Sophie that the poem was about the contract between Hauru and himself."

"Wakaranai, what is the hint?" Rin frowned as she steered Ah-Un slowly in the air.

Kagome did not want to reveal the crux of the story, but it seemed to her that she had no choice, "that poem was the curse that bounded Calcifer to Hauru, and Hauru to Calcifer. The fire youkai is the nagare-boshi, and he holds his heart you see."

Rin squealed, "heart! Hauru is 'heart-less'!"

"Ee, a lot of people are heartless, not only Hauru," Kagome nodded her head and stared into the clear sky, thinking of a particular taiyoukai who was seated behind her.

"It is better than being brainless," Sesshoumaru remarked dryly.

"I don't think Sophie is brainless," Kagome frowned.

"To try and catch a falling star, which is beyond her means."

"She was just being helpful."

"One needs to know one's limits."

"There's nothing wrong in trying."

"Dreaming you mean."

"Dreams make up a person."

"Building legendary castles in the air that can fly are silly dreams."

Kagome chewed on her lower lip, not willing to back down. She had never lost to Souta during their arguments either.

"What's wrong with dreaming?" she asked indignantly.

"One merely needs to know one's limits," Sesshoumaru repeated himself again.

"But Sophie likes Hauru!" Kagome was losing her nerve.

"But does Hauru like Sophie?" he asked himself whether she was trying his patience.

She was stumped. He remained silent. For a long while, none said anything until Rin broke the silence.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, Kagome-neesan, what are you talking about? Rin doesn't understand."

But Kagome did not reply Rin, "does it matter whether Hauru likes Sophie?"

Sesshoumaru could not help but to feel irritated and his brows creased, "isn't Sophie wasting her time then?"

Her eyelids drooped, her shoulders slumped, her head hunched forward, "then I guess Sophie should not have believed in the first place."

Sesshoumaru arched both eyebrows up at her dejected reply which was not related to the story at all. That was unexpected.

"Kagome-neesan, what did Sophie believe in?" Rin frowned too.

"Sophie should make her feelings known first," he spoke meaningly.

"And why should she? Since she knows that Hauru does not like her."

"Did Hauru said so?"

"He chases after other women, and Sophie is still an obaa-san."

"But did Hauru said that he did not like Sophie?"

Kagome tightened her grip over Rin's shoulders and bit hard on her lower lip again, "no."

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and pinched his nose bridge with his thumb and forefinger equally hard, "good."

"Kagome-neesan, Rin does not understand! Rin wants to know!" she pouted as she steered the draconic beast to the familiar herb fields.

"Rin, yakamashii! This is between Sesshoumaru-sama and Kagome!" Jaken could not help but to intervene, and wondered at the same time whether his lord meant what he said. The interesting silent exchanges between his lord and the wretched miko did not escape his old experienced eyes. Jaken wondered to himself again whether the loss of memory altered his lord's taste in women.

"Nani?" Rin did not receive her answer when Jaken was promptly knocked off Ah-Un and landed onto the center of the bare snow-covered field as they descended. Kagome was once again dragged off by Rin to the small thatched hut while Sesshoumaru remained outside with Ah-Un. He did not understand how the argument had started, and why Kagome had insisted that he did not like her, not that he knew the real answer to it. But he was irritated, and was starting to believe that Kagome could not differentiate between reality and fiction. He was not Hauru, nor Kagome Sophie. He was no wizard, and she was no hat-maker. He wondered why she had compared themselves to the characters in her story book.

"She bothers me to no end," he mumbled to himself and his eyebrows knitted themselves together again.

Jinenji came out of the farm with a nervous Kagome and Rin trailing behind him. Sesshoumaru could hear the loud heavy draggy footsteps and he bowed his head a little, he needed the herbs afterall. Jinenji looked down at the taiyoukai before him and smiled, "konnichiwa Sesshoumaru-sama. I have heard of your condition from Kagome-san. Demo you look well and fine!"

"Aa, when will my eyes recover?" he was dying to see, and the first thing he wanted to see was her face. Bothersome as she was.

The towering hanyou unwrapped the gauze around his head and examined his eyes carefully, the tissue and skin were already healing nicely, and there would be naught but a light faint scar around his eyes. "Sesshoumaru-sama, your youkai powers are helping you to heal fast. Demo I am no doctor but a mere herb farmer. I think the restoration of your sight will depend on Kami-sama."

All remained silent at the uncertain news, Jaken thought it was as good as saying that his lord would remain blind indefinitely and pressed his lips together firmly.

"What about my memory?" Sesshoumaru asked the last question.

Jinenji paused for a while before he replied him slowly, careful not to antagonize him after what he had heard from Kagome.

"The poison from these herbs were made to enter through the eyes, which are the weakest and defenceless point of entry in our bodies. If not stopped in time, the poison will travel to the brain first, before spreading it to the rest of the body. I believe the poison has affected your brain, but only a little since you seem to be regaining back your memories."

All remained silent again at the bleak prospect, no one knew when Sesshoumaru would regain his memory.


Kikyou's black eyes widened, Kohaku's jaw dropped. Both stared as Kagome flew over them, with Sesshoumaru and Rin on the familiar draconic youkai. She was seated right in the middle between the taiyoukai and the little girl, as if she was a part of their family. Kohaku thought that he saw a blob of dark green hanging precariously onto the furry pelt of the taiyoukai.

"Kikyou-sama..." Kohaku did not know what to say while his head followed the flight of the draconic youkai until it was out of their sight. He never knew that Kagome was on such good terms with Inuyasha's ani-ue. It was just so... strange.

"Follow them, I have some unfinished business with Kagome," Kikyou frowned as the Shinidama Chuu brought her up to the skies.


A/N: I almost wanted to hang myself for this chapter. URGH. URGH. URGH. Again, thank you to my readers. I cannot emphasize how much I love the reviews and emails!

Shinidama Chuu - the insect-like youkai that steals the souls of people. Kikyou uses such to steal the souls of young girls to fill her clay body.
tamashi - soul
taijiya - youkai terminator
Shikon no kakkera - Shikon shards
ane-ue - respectful way of addressing one's elder sister
chichi-ue - respectful way of addressing one's father
'baa-san - old granny/auntie dakara - therefore/that's why
ja - well/then
dewa - then
soshite - and then
mochiron - of course
nagare-boshi - shooting star/fallen star
sou desu ne - yes you are right/oh i see
doushite - why iku - go (let's go)
wakaranai - I don't understand ee/aa - yes (casual)
yakamashii - shut up! (noisy/boisterous)
nani - what
demo - but
ani-ue - respectful way of addressing one's elder brother