A/N: Thank you all for your reviews! I'm so excited that you've given me over 100! And I don't have like, a gazillion chapters up, either! (Originally, that's what I was thinking would have to happen for me to even break 50 reviews). Well, I'm back from vacation! It was suuuch gross weather out there in the Midwest… blech. My mom and I both stepped out of the airport into the heat and humidity, and practically withered. BUT! My chibi niece is so kawaii! Hehe, just her looking up with her big blue eyes, and her little voice saying something like "..aunt kar-en color too? Pease?" is enough to melt any heart. Plus, I guess I'm her favorite relative so far, so that makes me feel special.

Also, I was looking through my last chapter, and there were all of these words that were just like, jammed together with no spaces! Please know that this funky editor did that, and that I space all my words properly unless y'know,I do it for a certain effect in a dialogue or something. Anyway.. sorry I wasn't able to update while I was out there, but I hope you will enjoy this next, super-long chapter.

SPECIAL NOTE:

For all of the readers who have finished the original ending, and wish to read the alternate "what-if" ending, please read this chapter until Kagome says "Mm." at that point, please skip to the chapter labeled "alternate chapter 12." For those who haven't read this story before, please finish the original ending before going on to the alternate.

Previously:

"Inu Yasha, remove your hand." Contrary to his usual rebellious spirit, Inu Yasha heeded his brother's advice. When he did, he realized that the incision Sesshoumaru had made was completely healed. It normally would've taken him a few minutes to heal from a cut. However, this cut healed only a few seconds after its separation from Sesshoumaru's wrist-definitely a variance from his norm. Sesshoumaru stepped in front of him, and heavily placed his hand on Inu Yasha's shoulder. "We are now… blood brothers."

CHAPTER 12: secrets revealed

'Still,' Kagome thought while she relaxed in the heated pool of water, 'Although I am happy to see Inu Yasha, I'm also glad Sesshoumaru took him away so quickly. I hope sitting in here for a little while will help take away the scent of Sesshoumaru…' Kagome slid down until just her eyes remained above water. 'He might not be able to smell the mark anymore, but… what should I do? Should I tell Inu Yasha what happened between me and his brother?' Somehow, even with the appearance of Inu Yasha, she found herself thinking even more about Sesshoumaru. Resurfacing to get some air, Kagome turned around completely, resting her body against a boulder that lined the pool. She folded her arms on the top of it, and laid her head down on the makeshift pillow. Suddenly, there was a small noise from behind the bath wall.

"Ahem," Jaken's voice could be heard, "Sesshoumaru-sama has told me to announce that there will be dinner tonight. Inu Yasha will be joining us, as well." The minion made sure that he could be heard leaving the onsen area. He hated awkward moments like that.

After she heard Jaken's announcement, Kagome immediately got out of the hot spring and headed for her room to prepare for the dinner. She was excited. No doubt, Sesshoumaru would try to force some clothes on Inu Yasha just as he had done with her. She smiled, envisioning what he might look like tonight. When she got to her room, she opened her own closet, looking for something appropriate to wear. Among the silk kimonos, she found a light pink one with purple and white designs, similar- but not identical to- the patterns she remembered on Sesshoumaru's haori. The obi was purple and yellow, and the under dress to the kimono was a deep red.

'This is weird,' she thought, as she styled her hair. 'I thought that Inu Yasha came to see me, but.. I haven't seen him since he got here. What is Sesshoumaru doing with him, anyway?' Kagome gathered her hair into a bun on the top of her head, and then released some hair from the center of the bun before pinning it in place. Using a red ribbon, she laced it through her raven black hair, creating a slightly dramatic, but very beautiful effect. Again, as she looked in the mirror, her mind wandered to Inu Yasha. She really did wonder what he would look like out of those red M.C. Hammer pants. Maybe his appearance would resemble that of Sesshoumaru. But, most of all, she hoped that dinner would go extremely well. After what seemed like forever, there came a tap at her door. Kagome smiled, and rose from her place at the vanity. Jaken had arrived with Rin, and escorted them both to dinner.

Rin and Kagome sat side by side at the table, waiting for Sesshoumaru and Inu Yasha to enter the pagoda area for dinner. "Rin-chan, you look pretty," Kagome said, smiling at the young girl.

"Thanks Kagome- so do you. Look, I even tied my obi knot like you tied it the first day you came here," she said, turning to the side for Kagome to admire the knot. Rin had chosen a yellow kimono with a light blue obi, and matching underdress.

"Oooh, it looks great, Rin-chan!" Rin smiled.

"AHEM," Jaken began, "Presenting Sesshoumaru-sama." After a noticeable pause, Jaken continued, "and… Inu Yasha…sama." He hated the fact that he had to use an honorific term for that pesky Inu Yasha. Although, somehow, after seeing him and Sesshoumaru approach the pagoda, he could smell nothing but youkai on the fellow. 'Something must've happened between Sesshoumaru-sama and that brat Inu Yasha,' he thought to himself. Rin and Kagome looked towards the two brothers.

Kagome blushed when she saw Inu Yasha. He really did look transformed. It seemed like he was a little different, but she chalked it up to the new clothes. His outfit was an inversion of Sesshoumaru's own clothing. Inu Yasha wore dark blue pants with a light blue haori. The pants were loose at the ankles, much more free flowing than his usual attire. His haori was trimmed with dark blue, and the family crest was printed in a light yellow on his shoulder and sleeves. Sesshoumaru's pants were light blue and his haori dark blue. Both brothers wore a yellow belt marked with some kind of a pattern. It was tied in a knot in the front, but the extra fabric from the belt was artistically draped down alongside their pants. They truly looked like brothers, and their presence together was unmistakably powerful. Both of them slowly approached the table and knelt down.

Inu Yasha looked at Kagome. Noticing her blush, he blushed as well. He hardly ever saw her in garments of that era- but dressed in the beautiful silk kimono, she was definitely one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. The colors of her kimono truly suited her light complexion and soft spirit. Rin's eyes were mainly on Sesshoumaru. She beamed. She had never seen him walk so royally. Was it because of his brother? When Sesshoumaru sat down opposite of Rin, he looked at her. It made Rin nervous; she had never seen that kind of look from Sesshoumaru. It seemed much more gentle than normal. She was relieved when he looked over to Kagome.

"Kagome," he said, breaking the attention of the miko from her promised mate. She looked at the lord of the Western lands. "How did the lessons go today?" Inu Yasha watched the interaction carefully. He was more than surprised at the fact that his brother called Kagome by name. Previously, he had only called her a "human woman," or "miko," at best. Perhaps, Inu Yasha speculated, it was his brother's concern for his own human girl that he finally warmed up to Kagome.

"Rin-chan is doing extremely well," Kagome praised Rin, flashing her a smile. Rin blushed an even deeper red, happy that Sesshoumaru asked about her.

"Excellent," the taiyoukai nodded at Kagome. "Then, shall we eat?" he offered, and the four of them began to help themselves to the food.

"Hey, this is actually pretty good," Inu Yasha commented. "You've been getting to eat this all along, Kagome?"

"Uh… yeah," she said, not sure of Inu Yasha's attitude. It seemed to have changed drastically since his appearance at the castle earlier that day.

"Sesshoumaru-sama has the best cooks!" Rin told him proudly.

"Inu Yasha," his brother said, "you are welcome to stay here until Kagome is finished with Rin." Inu Yasha looked at his brother in surprise.

"O-kay," he responded, still shocked at the invitation of his brother. Somehow, after the ritual, Inu Yasha felt different around his brother- more at ease. The fact that Sesshoumaru was willing to integrate him into the family line really said a lot about the taiyoukai, especially considering the fact that Inu Yasha was actually an illegitimate child of their father.

"Rin should be able to read several more kanji by the end of tomorrow," Kagome told Sesshoumaru. He looked at her, and then at Rin.

"Good work," he told Rin. "You have become quite a lady in these past few days."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin replied timidly, a small blush appearing across the bridge of her nose. She had never gotten this type of compliment from Sesshoumaru. In fact, she had a very small tally record of the times the youkai lord praised her. "It's because Kagome was here to teach me." She looked at Kagome thankfully. Inu Yasha observed this interaction. So, it was true that Sesshoumaru brought Kagome to the castle to mentor the girl. Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome, who smiled back at him. Inu Yasha watched her smile, slightly jealous. He hadn't felt this way since he heard Kagome add the -kun to 'Kouga-kun.'

"You've changed as well, Kagome," he told her. She tried to fight back a blush, remembering all the changes she went through.

"As have you, Sesshoumaru." Inu Yasha tried to fight off possible rage by shoving more sashimi into his mouth. The group continued on in silence until finally, after what seemed like forever to Inu Yasha, Sesshoumaru rose from the table.

"Inu Yasha," he said to his brother, "You still have much to learn. Come with me to the library."

"Ah…" Inu Yasha said, quickly standing to his feet. "I'll see you later, Kagome," he told her. She nodded, slightly disappointed that they couldn't talk as much as she had wanted. After all, they were in Sesshoumaru's presence.

'What's going on with those two?' Kagome wondered. 'Just a few hours ago, they looked like they couldn't stand each other… what happened?' She watched the brothers until they were out of her sight.

"Teme, Sesshoumaru, what did you do to Kagome?" Inu Yasha asked his brother under his breath, once he was sure they were out of earshot.

"What do you mean, Inu Yasha? She is acting properly; as should you."

"That's exactly why I'm asking." He continued to think on the inside, 'Something had to have happened to make both of them treat each other so nicely.' Sesshoumaru, though aware of what his brother was suggesting, ignored him. It was beneath him to taunt his little brother with the fact that he had temporarily marked his woman before he had the chance to claim her. Truth be told, Sesshoumaru was feeling a small twinge of guilt about it; but he would never let that be apparent to anyone. Besides, it was up to Kagome if she wanted his brother to know about it.

"Inu Yasha, you now have the ability to leak shouki from your claws. I suggest you read up on your new abilities and how to use them. Not only that, but you are also a member of this family, so you will need to have a decent grasp on your responsibilities. You've slacked off enough." Inu Yasha was slightly amazed at the sudden concern his brother was showing for him. Was it because of the ritual? He certainly smelled the difference between his own blood before and after the transfusion.

Sesshoumaru opened a sliding door and led Inu Yasha into a small library- a different library than the one Kagome used when teaching Rin. While the library Kagome and Rin were using contained books mainly on history and incantations, the library that the two youkai brothers were now standing in was filled with scrolls containing tactical maneuvers and the like. It was well-lit by track lighting- a small trough of fire made its way around the room. Sure, it's a dangerous thing to have fire in a library, but light is necessary to be able to read- even with inu youkai vision. Sesshoumaru led his brother to a stack of scrolls in the corner. "Here you will find what you need to know." And with that, Sesshoumaru left Inu Yasha to read.

"Somehow, I feel like I'm getting tricked," Inu Yasha said, after his brother swiftly left him to his business. Sesshoumaru was right, though- with all these new abilities, he was going to have to learn how to wield them before he put his comrades in danger. Inu Yasha remembered the time he transformed into a raging youkai simply because he couldn't handle the new, heavier Tetsusaiga. Thinking about this, and about Kagome, Inu Yasha set himself to work studying the scrolls.

Kagome had just finished changing her clothes, and was back in a comfortable cotton kimono, when she heard a tap at her door.

"Come in," she called. The door slid open, and in walked lord Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru," she greeted him. "How can I help you?" Sesshoumaru closed the door, but remained close to it, as if he only intended to tell her one small thing.

"You no longer carry the scent of my mark, Kagome," he told her. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief- she had worried about it during dinner. The fact that Inu Yasha was so quiet and watchful of everything that was happening at dinner really put her on guard. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, and turned, ready to leave her room. Kagome, relieved at his news, wanted to give him some news as well.

"Ne, Sesshoumaru," she called after him, causing him to turn and look at her. "Rin-chan really loves you." Sesshoumaru, although he didn't blush, averted his eyes from Kagome. While he felt a strong pull towards the woman in front of him, his first love was for the girl question. Although Kagome opened him to expressing his feelings, Rin was the first person to show him selfless love and devotion- and the first person for whom he actually had a desire to protect. The miko detected the feelings behind his averted gaze and smiled. "Sesshoumaru, you've been showing your feelings more, recently."

"I am well aware of this," he said coldly, slightly annoyed that he had been showing weakness to emotions lately. Kagome sensed this, and shook her head.

"It's a good thing, Sesshoumaru. Emotions make people stronger. When you love someone or something, your desire to protect it strengthens you, making you a stronger person than you would ever be without it. Of course it's a bad thing if your rage controls you, or if you're blinded by emotion.. but I don't think that suits you. Just remember, you can use emotions like love as a very powerful weapon that will destroy any enemy who comes against you." Kagome could practically hear inspirational music as she spoke. She smiled to herself, but outwardly, she was watching the taiyoukai for his reaction. He gave her his typical response: he closed his eyes and smirked.

"I have noticed this from our battles against each other. Inu Yasha, although his movements are always clumsy and slow, moves faster and with more power when he has something to protect. My own father also believed this to be a strength. I believe that you imparted strength and courage to my brother, and it is for this reason, among others, that I chose you to be a mentor to Rin." He took a breath, and blinked, looking into Kagome's eyes. "I have also noticed similarities between you and Rin." Kagome nodded.

"I've noticed this as well. Jinenji-" Kagome realized he might not know who this was- or particularly care- so she just continued, "--told me that he saw a girl that resembled me. I'm sure it was Rin-chan. And now she is developing spiritual powers, as well…"

"There are numerous similarities between you and Rin. Spiritual powers and physical features are only a few things you have in common." Sesshoumaru reviewed many instances in which Rin's spirit reminded him of Kagome: her reluctance for him to dispose of Kohaku, her fighting spirit and faith in Sesshoumaru when she was in danger mirrored Kagome's spunk as well as her trust in Inu Yasha. And while he was watching Rin and Kagome play catch with each other, he was reminded of one of the battles in which Kagome first shot her hama no ya at him. The spirit energy found in Rin's passes was nearly identical to the arrow Kagome shot at him those six years ago. The only difference was the amount of power that her spirit energy contained. The taiyoukai guessed that it was the difference in their ages. Sesshoumaru continued. "Though I do not know how it came to be, it seems as though you and Rin share the same soul," he told her, silently hoping that she might know something he didn't.

"Yeah." Kagome took a moment to think. 'Maybe Rin is actually Kikyou's first reincarnation…?'she asked herself. Not letting on to what she was thinking, Kagome continued. "But.. that's okay, isn't it? Two brothers, who are more similar than they care to think- are brought together because of similar feelings toward the same soul… I think it's a nice thought." the lord of the Western lands looked at the miko who he had placed under his care for the past few days.

"Hm," he said. What Kagome just stated was a truth- more than what she knew. Somehow, Sesshoumaru began to feel tenderness toward Kagome during her short stay with him. However, he had already made his decision; caring for Rin was his first concern.

"Sesshoumaru.." Kagome looked up at him, unaware that her eyes had begun to water slightly, "I wanted to thank you for the experiences you've given me." The girl walked a few steps forward until she was directly in front of the taiyoukai. She slowly rose on her tiptoes, and gave Sesshoumaru a light kiss on the cheek. Just as quickly as she had done it, she lowered herself and stepped back. He was surprised at what had taken place, but again, he wasn't offended or even annoyed at her action. Sesshoumaru gave her a small, almost indiscernible smile, and turned to face the door.

"For all your work with Rin, and for your challenges with this Sesshoumaru, I thank you."

'Did.. did I just hear Sesshoumaru thank me?' Kagome thought, a look of surprise covering her face. Before she could respond to him vocally, however, he had stepped outside, and closed the door behind him. While she stood in her room, staring at the now-closed door in surprise, Sesshoumaru stood on the opposite side of the door. He let out an audible sigh- he had expected the tenderness he felt for her to subside once his scent left her blood, but it hadn't. Somehow, that woman Kagome had wormed her way into Sesshoumaru's heart.

"Useless," he told himself queitly, annoyed that he had gotten involved in feelings he hadn't bargained for. Annoyed at and slightly confused with his thoughts, he walked down the hallway towards his room.

Kagome, now that she knew Sesshoumaru's scent was no longer on her, rested a little easier. She decided to go for a walk down to the lake, to remember everything that she had experienced that past week. Humming softly to herself, she made her way there under the moonlight. Though it was only a small crescent, the moon was still beautiful to look up at- especially since in modern day Japan, the skies are polluted with smog. She never ceased to be amazed by the beauty of the night skies. Her gaze fell down over the lake, where the fireflies mingled with each other. Lily pads bearing pink, purple, and orange flowers appeared in a soft silver hue as they floated atop the water. The water appeared to be black, but the ripples created by the fish combined with the reflections of the stars made the lake look like black velvet covered in diamonds. Somehow, she never fully appreciated the scenery until tonight. "It's beautiful," she said softly to herself, putting her clasped hands over her heart.

"Ah," Inu Yasha's voice came from behind her. Kagome turned around.

"Inu Yasha,"

"Kagome, it's been awhile. I'm sorry I couldn't see you sooner- Sesshoumaru kept me occupied with things." She smiled at him. Although he looked fabulous in his dinner outfit, he had changed back into his usual clothes. She guessed that even Inu Yasha had his limits to accepting hospitality from his brother. "I-- wanted to tell you about something that happened when I came here," he told the girl.

"What is it?"

"I've been accepted as Sesshoumaru's blood brother," he told her. Kagome's eyes widened with surprise.

"What does this mean?" she asked. "And… blood brothers? How can that be? Is that why he's been so friendly with you?" Inu Yasha looked down at Tetsusaiga.

"This- this gift from father- is what changed his mind." The gold thread glistened under the night lights.

"That- it's beautiful," she said, bending down, her eyes at his waist. She supposed that she was too impressed with his clothes at dinnertime that she hadn't paid any attention to the Tetsusaiga.

"It means I'm now a part of this clan. Since I'm father's son, it means that I'm also a lord of these lands, alongside Sesshoumaru." Kagome wasn't sure how to react. "Not only that, Kagome.. but.. although I have a human mother, I am now considered a youkai."

"H-how?" Kagome asked, taking a step backwards. Inu Yasha looked at her, slightly pained by her response. He had hoped that she would be happy for him; instead, he could smell a tinge of fear on her scent. Of course- why wouldn't she be afraid? Inu Yasha again recalled the times his youkai blood took over his body, and the pain it caused Kagome each time.

"No, Kagome, I'm still the same.. I'm still me.." He stepped forward, but Kagome matched him by taking another step back. Inu Yasha's ears drooped. He sighed, the pain in his heart almost unbearable. Kagome meant so much to him- was she now going to reject him because of this? Inu Yasha looked away from the woman he loved, and set his gaze on the lake. He sat down, trying his best to appear un-aggressive.

"Then.. what's different about you?" Kagome asked, still on guard slightly. Although he looked pained, he also looked like the same Inu Yasha that she had fallen in love with so long ago.

"My body is stronger. I have poison abilities like Sesshoumaru. My senses are sharper."

"But.. what about the youkai blood? The last time," she trailed off.

"I know. But now my body can handle it. It's my heritage, Kagome," he finished, quietly. He sighed, and closed his eyes, resting his head on his arms, which were around his knees. He heard Kagome's footsteps come closer toward him, and felt her body heat next to his. She was sitting by him.

"As long as you're you, Inu Yasha. That's all I care about. Sorry, you just surprised me." Her scent of fear was gone. In its place was the smell of Kagome. Happy, caring, brave, strong Kagome. Inu Yasha raised his head and looked toward the woman he loved. "Do you have what you want, Inu Yasha?" she asked.

"Ah."

"Then, I'm happy for you," she told him, not a trace of falsehood in her voice. Inu Yasha smiled, his facial features softening. Kagome smiled, until she felt the sharp stab of guilt. He had been completely honest with her- and she had been hiding the fact that Sesshoumaru had temporarily marked her from the beginning.

It was at this moment that Kagome knew that she had to tell him about what happened between herself and Sesshoumaru. One of the main reasons she had been hesitant to tell him anything about what happened between her and her captor was the fact that it was sure to cause Inu Yasha pain, and Kagome was the last person who wanted to cause Inu Yasha the pain of betrayal. But it couldn't be helped. The secret may never come out on its own, but Kagome wasn't sure if she could live contentedly with herself knowing that she kept such a thing from the one she loved. Gulping, she began. "Inu Yasha, there's also something that I need to tell you." She paused, waiting for a signal from Inu Yasha that told her to continue. He looked at her. Inu Yasha could now smell the distress on her, even though her face showed no trace of it. He guessed that she acquired this ability from watching his older brother for the past week.

"What is it, Kagome?" he asked, not sure if he really wanted to know. From the sound of her voice and the scent she was giving off, he knew it couldn't be anything good.

"I…" this was the hardest thing Kagome ever had to do. It felt like she was willingly shooting an arrow straight at his heart- not like previous times when she had been forced to do so by someone else. "I…" tears began to well up in her eyes as she stared at Inu Yasha. The newly-transformed youkai looked at her, helpless. He wanted to comfort her, but he understood the importance of letting her get whatever it was she needed to talk about off her chest. "I… was marked by Sesshoumaru," she finally squeezed from beneath the knot in her throat. She watched Inu Yasha's expression change from concern to shock to rage. "Please, Inu Yasha," she pleaded, touching his arm, "don't be angry- he did it so that I could teach Rin the incantation scrolls." Kagome worried that Inu Yasha might not have heard her over his now thunderous growls.

"Sesshoumaru…." he growled dangerously, and stood up abruptly. "How… dare he!"

"Inu Yasha, please…" At the sound of Kagome's voice, he calmed a little, but was still growling softly.

"What else happened, Kagome?" he asked, his eyes showing a tinge of red and his cheeks beginning to show their stripes. He hadn't yet become accustomed to controlling the new blood inside of him. Kagome, from what he could detect, had no scent of Sesshoumaru on her, which meant that Sesshoumaru had temporarily marked her. And from what he had read, temporary marks result in immediate mating.

"I…" Kagome looked at the ground, "…kissed him."

"You… what?" He stepped backwards. "Kagome… you?" he asked, shocked. The red tinge and crimson stripes, which had emerged because of jealousy, disappeared from his eyes and cheeks. In its place was the expression of deep sorrow in his amber eyes. He turned away from Kagome in order to hide the hurt from his eyes. "You kissed him," he repeated softly.

"Mm."

"Kagome," he asked seriously, his voice shaking with raw emotion, "did anything else happen?"

"No. That was it. Inu Yasha, I'm so sor-"

"Tch. Kagome.. last night, when Shippou said you smelled like Sesshoumaru… that was the scent of the mark, wasn't it?"

"Mm." She could hear the shaky sound of his breathing, even though he was facing away from her.

"Then.. Kagome.. did what I say-- did what I say to you mean nothing?" he asked, weakly.

"No. Inu Yasha, I love you," she told him.

"How can I believe that when you kissed Sesshoumaru?" he practically spat his brother's name.

"I'm so sorry, Inu Yasha," she apologized again. "I don't know what came over me when I did it," she tried to reason with him. Inu Yasha knew she was telling the truth; he had read about the influence of youkai blood when used in a temporary mark. But that didn't change the facts of what happened. Still with his back to her, Inu Yasha turned his head to allow him to see Kagome out of the corner of his eye.

"Kagome- you realize that the mark Sesshoumaru gave you meant that he intended to…"

"I know what it meant, and that's not what happened. He did it so that I could use the incantation scrolls." She waited for his response. Inu Yasha shook his head.

"It doesn't matter why he did it. The scent that the mark produces…" he trailed off. "You're sure nothing else happened?" Inu Yasha realized that if he had marked Kagome like he had intended to for so long, Sesshoumaru wouldn't have had to do such a thing. While he was angry at Sesshoumaru for taking advantage of his Kagome, he realized at the same time that she actually wasn't his Kagome, after all. He turned, finally facing Kagome once more.

"Yes, Inu Yasha. Nothing else happened. Once I changed back, it was an entire day before I got to see you again." Inu Yasha took a few steps toward Kagome and sniffed again, just to make sure. Although Sesshoumaru's scent could be found on Kagome's clothes and hair, it was not intermingled with her own scent. There was no scent of pregnancy, either. Inu Yasha looked at Kagome, who stood there silently, wondering what her promised mate or now, probably her former promised mate- was going to say next.

He heaved a sigh of relief, and pulled Kagome closer to him. "I'm glad you're okay," he told her.

"Inu… Yasha?" she asked, slightly confused at his amazing emotional acrobatics.

"It's okay, Kagome. I know what kind of process takes place with a temporary mark like what Sesshoumaru gave you. It's a miracle nothing else happened." One arm wrapped around her shoulders while the other hand cradled her head to his chest. He rested his head on hers and continued, "It must have been hard for you to resist the urges of the youkai blood." Kagome nodded.

"Actually, it was Sesshoumaru who was able to stop it. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened," she said, wanting to make sure that he didn't blame Sesshoumaru, as well.

"I do."

"Please don't blame him, Inu Yasha," she petitioned, "if it wasn't for him…" she was cut short by Inu Yasha's next words.

"I'll deal with my brother later." He released Kagome from his embrace, but kept his hands on her arms. "I don't blame you for what happened, Kagome," he said honestly, looking straight into her eyes. "But as for my brother- it's his fault you were even marked in the first place." Kagome just looked at him, amazed at his forgiveness at her actions. Inu Yasha stepped back from Kagome, and turned around. "I'm going for a walk," he said, thinly veiling his mixed emotions at the news Kagome had just broken to him. Although he forgave Kagome for what had happened, he needed some time to sort things out in his head- and he needed to deal with Sesshoumaru, as well. Neither one saying anything further, Kagome watched Inu Yasha until he was gone from her line of sight.

A/N: How did you like it? I know I didn't have Inu Yasha smell the scent of Sesshoumaru on her... I think that the final soak Kagome had in the spa got rid of the last of Sesshoumaru's scent. Besides, it was like, almost 13 hours after the typical time for her to lose the scent. Anyway, I was going to split this chapter up into two smaller ones, but I changed my mind, since you all waited so patiently for me to get back from vacation. I thank you very much, and here are the review responses!

Jessica L: Yeah! I did the blood sisters thing too!.. except we were too scared to prick our fingers. So we used ketchup instead. I guess that made us 'ketchup sisters' instead, huh?

Angel-Assain: thank you very much! I will do my best to finish this story. Sometimes I realize that I have to add something, and it puts like, two more unexpected chapters onto the story! I just hope no one is mad at me if they don't like the ending...

toxiclollipop: heh.. sorry! Although he didn't smell her, at least he found out one way or another, right?

hermonine: glad to keep you on your toes!

pinkpreppypunk: Well, it'd have to be in a little bit to have any kind of love scene with Sesshoumaru and Rin... after all, she's only 13! Although this story may seem partially pedophilic, I do have some limits... hehe!

BluesDaughter: oh! sorry you were surprised with Sesshoumaru! It's hard to turn the story where you want it to go and keep the people in character as well...

Moonlight Stars: You know what's funny? Someone said that one of my other stories had a beauty and the beast ring to it, too! How weird! Yeah, Rin was acting kinda child-ish in the beginning, but that was mainly to emphasize the fact that she hadn't really been schooled.

Kitty Mew 2005: Yeah, that's what I hope as well. It'll be a loooong road before all the hurt they've caused and sustained is healed, though. But that doesn't mean it won't happen! Hehe, that would've been cool if we saw each other! I guess we'll never know, though, huh? ...sigh...

Also, thanks to Yami Pandora, destinyheart15 (thanks for the compliment!.!), Devill, 'darker'than'shadows'(thanks for joining!), RinCutie7455,and Sally (what happened to Shelly? well, I'll try to remember to send you a new chapter notice, k?)