Kagome never remembered falling asleep in the first place, but felt a cool wetness on her cheeks and then remembered that she had been crying. She slowly opened her eyes, the blurriness of her vision fading as she gradually took in her surroundings. She hadn't actually really noticed-or cared-what the room she was in looked like during the previous night, but now she gazed at the crimson, velvety-looking curtains that draped over some windows. Some sunlight peeked through them so she assumed she either woke at a normal time or slept in. "Though I doubt I slept in after what happened yesterday..." she murmured. She winced as her joints popped when she slid out of the bed, attempting to comb through her messed up hair with her fingers. She stood and saw that the entire room theme was actually a crimson with elegant golden decoratives here and there. She stumbled across the room to find that a beautiful kimono had been lain out for her. "Why is he treating me so nice?" She wondered aloud as she picked it up and examined it. She gasped when she felt that it was made of silk. "I'd better not ruin this.." she said quietly and slipped it on carefully. A few minutes later she heard a knock at the door, then Sesshomaru walked in.

"Ohayoo gozaimasu," Kagome greeted, bowing respectfully.

"There's no need for the bowing. And you've never seemed to call me Lord Sesshomaru before, though it's a good start."

Kagome felt herself turn red.

Sesshomaru broke the awkward silence with, "I see you've found the new kimono."

Kagome glanced down at it and tried to smile. "Thanks a lot for letting me borrow it.. But.. Why?"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow and glanced over at her school uniform that she usually wore. She suddenly noticed that it was torn and was mostly dyed crimson from her blood.

"..."

"Have you made your decision yet?" Sesshomaru asked abruptly. He stared at her intently while she bit her lower lip.

"Ah.. No.. I'm sorry.."

"Tonight at dinner you will tell me, and if you haven't made it by then I will for you." He started to walk out of the room but stopped. "Oh, and one more thing.."

He turned to face her.

"If you do accept my proposition, there is one more aspect involved.. You will be the caretaker of my ward, Rin." He finally walked out of the door.

'Rin? Isn't she that girl that I sometimes saw?' Kagome wondered, then reviewed her decision again in her mind. 'I'd better accept.. That, or die unhonorably at Inuyasha's hands.' She gritted her teeth. 'No. I will not be hurt by Inuyasha again.'

She walked out of the room in hopes of finding a more lighter room than that dark, dreary one. She passed a corner but paused when she felt something small brush by her waist. As she looked down, she saw Rin and smiled as Rin slowly looked up with wide eyes.

"You're Kagome-san! Sesshomaru-sama has told me all about you, he told me that you may be staying with Rin!" She said excitedly, bouncing up and down. 'Great, now I'll feel even worse if I don't accept his offer.. I'll disappoint Rin..'

Rin looked down. "Rin remembers Okaasan.. But not very much.. Rin misses her.." She said sadly, and Kagome felt a pang of sympathy towards Rin's circumstances. She knew that Rin had lost both of her parents to wolves and that she had been killed by them herself. 'But why did Sesshomaru revive her?' Kagome wondered. She felt something tug at her sleeve and realized that it was Rin.

"Kagome-san.. Can Rin.. Hold your hand?" She asked innocently, sucking in her lower lip.

"Of course, Rin! And yes, I will gladly be staying with you!"

Rin squealed with excitement and happiness as she grabbed Kagome's hand and ran off into the corridors, dragging Kagome behind her.

"Sesshomaru-sama! Sesshomaru-sama! Kagome has said that she will stay with Rin!" She yelled happily as she bumped into Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru merely patted the top of her head and nodded to Kagome, acknowledging her.

"It appears you've made your decision early." He said, his monotone voice void of any emotion. "Both Rin and I are pleased to know that."

Kagome managed a weak smile as Rin bounced up and down happily.

"Sakura." Sesshomaru said, and seconds later a woman dressed in a plain black kimono appeared. She seemed to look human, but Kagome doubted she actually was. The woman bowed to Sesshomaru then turned and bowed her head to politely acknowledge Kagome.

"Show Kagome her room," Sesshomaru said. "And also show her the rest of her quarters." He added, then Kagome started to follow the woman named Sakura into one of the many hallways. She soon noticed that Rin wasn't following her and wondered why. As if answering Kagome's question, Sesshomaru said, "Rin will meet you in the dining room tonight during dinner, then tomorrow you will accompany her to wherever she chooses." Kagome slightly nodded her head telling him he understood then disappeared into the dark hallways along with Sakura.

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gah i know not much angst here but i couldnt really make kagome sound too angsty or too cheerful-remember, shes just been through this whole ordeal

please tell me what you think