A/N: hehe! 147 reviews! Wow, I am really excited. You guys are great reviewers... Well, things are really going to come to a close, starting with this chapter. What do I mean? You'll see! Oh, also, I doctored this picture I had of Inu Yasha, and made him look like he was in full-youkai form. It looks cool! Weird, but cool! I also have a pic of Sesshoumaru where he looks super nice... like, really. He's smiling a small smile, and he looks very kind. It's weird, but... refreshing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha or anyone else in this story (which is MY story- haha!)... because I am a purist, and don't like making new characters. Except for Sango's baby. Who I named, but you won't find out what the name is until later. Yay!

Previously:

"Hm," Sesshoumaru smirked. "Very well, Inu Yasha. As I said before, you may stay here until Kagome is finished teaching Rin. But," he said, turning to his brother and looking him dead in the eye, "you would best spend your time in the library learning more about your duties. You are now my brother, are you not?"

"Right," Inu Yasha said slowly.

"Then I expect you to take some responsibility concerning our assets. Come with me." And with that, Sesshoumaru took Inu Yasha to the library where he stored the most recent information concerning the Western lands.

CHAPTER 14: the scent of blood

The evening after Inu Yasha's return to Sesshoumaru's castle, there was no dinner. Kagome relaxed in her room and read some more of the incantation scrolls. Although she couldn't use them anymore because the transfusion from Sesshoumaru had worn off, she wanted to find some good spells for Rin to learn. So far, there was a small pile of scrolls she not only wanted to teach Rin, but also wanted to learn for herself, as well. The flying, breathing underwater, invisibility, and shape-shifting scrolls were the first ones she had set apart. Suddenly, there came a tap at her door.

"Come in," she called. The door slid open to reveal Rin, who stepped inside the room and closed the door behind her. "Rin-chan, what's up?"

"I'm bored," she said plainly. Kagome smiled at the girl's honesty.

"Well, what do you want to do?" she asked her student, pushing away from her desk.

"Hmm…I think I want to learn more about spiritual powers." Kagome was completely surprised. She would never have wanted to study in her free time.

"Okay…" Kagome stood up. "Let's go outside." Rin nodded, and the two girls headed outside.

Meanwhile, Inu Yasha was learning how to develop his own new powers. Sesshoumaru had told him that he would be able to transform into a youkai for as long as he wished, with the exception that one day out of the month would be saved for a human transformation. Although he was comfortable with his hanyou appearance, especially now that he smelled like a full youkai, he still decided it would be beneficial to learn how to harness the skill of transformation. He remembered Kagome telling him that she liked him as a hanyou. Regardless, Inu Yasha realized that if he were to transform into his full youkai form, his senses would probably be even sharper than they were while in his hanyou form.

He stood in the forest outside the castle, away from Kagome. After all, if he transformed and Sesshoumaru was wrong, he might come after her with bloodlust. Inu Yasha stood still, focusing all of his yoryouku inside his body, strengthening his senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Gradually, the two crimson stripes that had first appeared on each cheek during the transfusion began to reappear. His ears slowly changed position to each side of his head- they resembled the ears of all humanoid youkai. Although his eyes didn't appear to have changed, their vision became sharper than ever before. Inu Yasha felt his body strengthen, and was surprised at the fact that his yoryouku levels had not lowered at all- in fact, he was even more powerful than before he began the transformation. "Sankon Tessou!" he called, turning around and leveling the tree behind him. Well, in reality, he had only wanted to level one tree. His power was much stronger than it had been in his hanyou form. While he had intended to simply knock over one tree, he actually succeeded in completely destroying ten. "I'm going to have to hone this strength," Inu Yasha said, looking at his hands. Then, closing his eyes, he released the yoryouku from his body, returning to his original form. "Wow," was all he could say outwardly. 'So.. Sesshoumaru was telling the truth; I can transform into a full youkai, and keep my consciousness. This is great!'

After a few moments of rest, he tried the transformation again. It was imperative for him to learn not only how to transform with speed, but also how to manage his new abilities with precision and ease. After several practice transformations, Inu Yasha, in youkai form, sped off through the forest, savoring his newfound power.

"So, basically, you have to pray when you want to do anything that needs spiritual powers- other than shoot arrows. That's why they call us 'priestesses,' " Kagome finished explaining.

"I see," Rin said, shaking her head. The two girls had been sitting outside in front of the castle, talking for the past hour. Kagome was actually worn out. Although she was now a master archer as well as one of the strongest mikos in Feudal Japan, she really had a hard time teaching. Not only that, but Rin was an especially tiring student because of her many questions. Kagome smiled. Rin, although she asked many questions, was a remarkably fast learner. Her archery was already much improved, and her spiritual powers were growing surprisingly fast.

"Ne, Rin-chan, why haven't we seen any dangerous youkai?" Kagome actually had taken Rin outside in order to train her in youkai extermination. If Rin wanted to have priestess capabilities, she would have to learn to shoot the hama no ya under pressure, not just at an archery range.

"Well, it's probably because everyone knows how strong Sesshoumaru-sama is," she told Kagome. "There have never been any youkai around when we've been at the castle."

"Hmm," Kagome said, seeming to be in thought. Suddenly, she let out a yawn. "Well, I guess it's time for bed, Rin-chan," she told her student.

"Mm," Rin agreed. The two girls rose from the grass, and headed inside for a good night's rest.

.
It had now been a week and a half since Kagome last saw Inu Yasha. She was wondering if she would ever see him again. Sighing as she finished her morning preparations, Kagome recalled the saddened look in Inu Yasha's eyes when she told him she kissed his brother. 'Well, there's nothing I can do about it now,' she thought, trying to convince herself that everything would work out in the end. Slowly she walked to the back patio, where she- as usual- sat and spoke a few words with Sesshoumaru before it was time to call Rin back inside.

"How is your progress?" Sesshoumaru asked Kagome a few minutes after she began to eat.

"Rin is almost ready to learn the full incantation of the flight scroll. She only has a few more kanji to learn, and then I will teach it to her tomorrow."

"That is welcome news."

"Sesshoumaru, have you heard anything from Inu Yasha?" Sesshoumaru showed no change in his countenance. Before he could answer- if in fact, he was going to answer- Rin and Jaken arrived at the table.

"Good morning, Kagome-sensei!" Rin greeted her teacher, bowing.

"Eh, heh, good morning," Kagome replied, surprised by the '-sensei' ending Rin had given her.

"I am ready for my lesson today," the girl said politely, still with her face toward the ground. Kagome shoved the last few morsels of food into her mouth before standing up.

"Thanks for the food," she said, and then promptly led Rin inside. Sesshoumaru, remaining seated at the table, closed his eyes. Kagome had no idea that Inu Yasha had been staying at the castle for the past week and a half. He had kept his little brother occupied with mounds of scrolls and an abundance of sparring sessions to hone his new abilities. There was no way for him to have any free time to see Kagome. Did Inu Yasha want to see Kagome? Sesshoumaru had no doubt that he did- but the taiyoukai had somehow convinced Inu Yasha to leave her alone until he was capable enough to handle himself and his new abilities.

Kagome, like usual, was bathing in the onsen after her final lesson with Rin. 'I wonder if I'll ever see Inu Yasha again,' Kagome wondered to herself. Again, she remembered the pained look in his eyes and the sound of his voice when she told him what she had done with Sesshoumaru. 'He looked so sad… He said he didn't blame me, but- why haven't I seen him? It seems like it's been forever… has he changed his mind about me?' Kagome sunk deeper into the pool of heated water. She had been feeling so many different emotions lately, and sometimes, like now, she wished she could just turn herself off to the world. She usually just went back to her time to sort everything out in her mind, but given her current situation, that was impossible. Kagome dunked her head under the water and remained submerged for a few moments. The more time away from Inu Yasha, the more worried she became, wondering if the newly-transformed youkai was still willing to be her mate. Kagome resurfaced, only to hear someone running to meet her. It was Rin, and she seemed to be panicking about something.

"Kagome, Kagome," she panted, "I--" Kagome turned to look at the girl, whose eyes were wide with terror, amazement, shock, confusion, and any other crazy emotion that a human girl can possibly feel. "I'm bleeding from the inside." Kagome turned around completely, resting her body against a boulder, which lined the pool.

'So, it's finally happened…'

Kagome instantly got out of the hot spring and went with Rin to her room. Something like this had to be taken care of immediately. Kagome showed Rin how to make 'wrappings' - following Sango's model from when Kagome forgot to bring extra "supplies" along with her one fateful month. Rin, as with everything else, learned very quickly- a good thing, since slow learning in that venue is not desirable.

"Thank you so much, Kagome," Rin called after Kagome as she left her room. The miko turned to look at Rin before she closed the door behind her.

"Don't forget, Rin-chan… rinse those with cold water, okay?"

"Ha-ai," the young woman replied. Just then, Jaken could be seen waddling down the hallway.

"Sesshoumaru-sama has told me to inform you that there will be a formal dinner tonight. Inu Yasha will also be joining us," he announced when he arrived at Rin's doorway. The girls nodded in response, and Jaken hurried on his way. Spending time with two human girls was not his cup of tea.

"Then… I'll see you tonight, Kagome."

"Mm," Kagome said, shutting the door.

'Why didn't Inu Yasha come to see me, if he's here?' she asked herself. 'I hope everything will be okay.' Kagome nervously styled her hair. She had already decided on a light blue kimono with a yellow underdress and matching obi. Her stomach churned with uneasiness. 'Inu Yasha said that he would deal with Sesshoumaru about the mark… does this mean that he's already done it?' Kagome wished she didn't feel so out of the loop on this matter, and truth be told, she was actually getting more and more annoyed the more she thought about it. Earlier than she had expected, Jaken and Rin stood outside her door, beckoning her to dinner.

No sooner had the girls seated themselves at the table did Rin begin to whisper to Kagome. "Ne, Kagome... do you think Sesshoumaru-sama will be able to tell what happened to me?" Rin looked down at her lap, and clenched her fists. "He has always been able to tell when I've been injured or something…" she trailed off, worried.

"Maybe. But don't worry, Sesshoumaru understands these things," Kagome told her, patting her on the back. Rin nodded slowly, still a little worried. Kagome would've said some more encouraging things to the girl, but their conversation was cut short.

"AHEM," Jaken began, "Sesshoumaru-sama and Inu Yasha-sama have arrived," he announced.

Kagome's mouth dropped when she saw Inu Yasha. Was that really him? He looked significantly different from the last time she had seen him. He was transformed into his full youkai form. Kagome didn't realize it, but she was staring at him. He looked almost like Sesshoumaru from afar, but with his thicker eyebrows, wider eyes, and not to mention his boyish face, it was easy to tell the two apart. Inu Yasha now had two crimson stripes down each cheek, and his ears were at the sides of his head, like his brother's. Both Inu Yasha and Sesshoumaru slowly approached the table and knelt down simultaneously.

'I guess they sorted it out,' Kagome thought in surprise, not detecting any remaining hostility between the brothers. Inu Yasha looked at Kagome, who had still been staring at him. As soon as he made eye contact, she snapped her gaze down at her lap. Noticing this, Inu Yasha let out a sigh. He couldn't tell the reason why she looked away. Was it the fact that he was now in his transformed state, or was it because he hadn't come to see her since he left a week and a half ago? He could smell nervousness on her scent. It was all too obvious to pick out, with his heightened youkai senses.

When Sesshoumaru sat down opposite of Rin, he looked at her strangely. Rin blushed nervously, hoping he wouldn't ask her about what happened to her. The look in his eyes, only discernible to those who were able to penetrate beneath his usually icy front, was that of a mix between curiosity and concern. Rin was extraordinarily relieved when he looked over to Kagome.

"Kagome." Kagome broke her stare on the chopsticks in front of her to look up at Sesshoumaru. "Is Rin hurt?" Kagome knew that Sesshoumaru could smell the blood coming from Rin. And just the fact that he asked her instead of asking Rin directly meant that he was suspecting the truth. Inu Yasha watched the inquisition. He also had smelled blood on Rin. She looked fine, but perhaps she had been injured while practicing archery.

"No, she's fine," Kagome told him calmly. Rin blushed an even deeper red, but was happy that Sesshoumaru asked Kagome instead of her. There was no way she would have been able to answer calmly like that.

"I see." The taiyoukai nodded at Kagome. "Help yourselves," he offered, looking towards the food. They all began to put food on their plates, but Kagome put less on her plate than normal. She hadn't felt like eating for the past few days, and had lost a little bit of the rosiness that used to play on her lips and cheeks.

"What about you, Kagome? Are you well?" Inu Yasha asked, concerned. He had told her that he didn't blame her for what had happened between her and Sesshoumaru- did she believe him? Worry flashed in his sharp amber eyes as he searched her face for a response. After a few moments of silence, he received one.

"M- Mm," she replied, playing with the rice in her bowl. Sesshoumaru looked at her keenly; he knew the reason for her anguish. Not having seen Inu Yasha for so long, and the way his stupid little brother had left Kagome that night, it was no surprise she was distraught. Of course, he hadn't allowed Inu Yasha to have time enough to see Kagome once he returned, but that was beside the point. Inu Yasha's eyes moved from Kagome's downcast face to Sesshoumaru's profile. His older brother was watching Kagome with just as much concern as he felt for her. Kagome shifted uncomfortably, feeling the stare of all three people in her company. After forcing a few bites, she put her chopsticks down on the table. "Please excuse me, I need to rest," she said, looking up at Sesshoumaru for permission to leave the dining area. He nodded at her, and immediately she stood up and left the table- not even throwing a glance at Inu Yasha.

"Ah- Kag-" Inu Yasha moved to stand, ready to follow the woman he loved.

"Sit down, Inu Yasha,"

"Tch, like I'm gonna just let Ka-"

"Sit down, Inu Yasha." Inu Yasha looked as though he was going to yell something at Sesshoumaru before he continued in a softer tone of voice, "She needs to be alone for a moment." Inu Yasha looked at his brother, trying to decide if Sesshoumaru was really interested in Kagome's well being, or if he was more interested in keeping him away from her. Yes, he had the feeling that Sesshoumaru had been keeping him occupied so he couldn't see Kagome. However, although Inu Yasha felt this, he also knew that he needed a strong grasp on his new transformation and abilities before he saw her. He remembered what he felt like when he nearly lost control during his last conversation with the miko. The youkai blood within his veins began to boil, and when it did, he had a hard time suppressing it. But now that he felt like he could control himself, Inu Yasha was finally ready to meet with Kagome.

"Keh," Inu Yasha said, standing anyway. "Thanks for the food." Sesshoumaru looked up at his brother, warning him with his glance. "I'm going for a walk," Inu Yasha said loudly. Although he really did intend to talk with Kagome, he decided that Sesshoumaru had a good point. He would talk with her, but he would have to wait.

"Inu Yasha," his brother said, "after tomorrow, Kagome is free to leave." Inu Yasha looked down at Sesshoumaru. Was he giving Kagome up? His eyes flashed to Rin, and then back at his brother. He was more than a little surprised at the suddenness of Kagome's release.

"All… right…" he responded, confused as to what was going through his brother's mind. 'One second, Sesshoumaru seems completely absorbed in Kagome- and the next, he's ready to release her? What are you thinking, Sesshoumaru?' Inu Yasha looked at his brother strangely, raising an eyebrow, before he left for his 'walk.' Now the only ones left at the table were Rin and Sesshoumaru.

"Kagome says that she's been teaching me kanji characters in order to read an incantation scroll," Rin said a few minutes later. She was worried that Inu Yasha might take Kagome away before she had a chance to learn it.

"That's good. She has informed me that she will teach you an incantation tomorrow. You have been learning very quickly."

"Mm!" Rin said before she happily popped a piece of unagi into her mouth. "Ne, Sesshoumaru-sama…why did Inu Yasha look different than normal, today?" Sesshoumaru took a bite of his meal, and looked at the woman before him.

"Inu Yasha is my brother, Rin," was all he said.

"O-kay," she replied, wondering if he was going to say anything more about it. Obviously they were brothers- she had known that since she first witnessed the two of them together. Sesshoumaru didn't say any more, but he stayed until Rin had eaten her fill. Rin appreciated this, because usually Sesshoumaru left after a few moments at the table, sticking her with Jaken until she was finished eating. "Thank you for the food, Sesshoumaru-sama!"

"Ah." Sesshoumaru rose from the table, and Rin did the same. The two entered the castle, and went to their rooms.

Kagome had changed immediately upon reaching her room. Seeing Inu Yasha like that was such a shock. He was beautiful, and carried himself with almost as much grace as Sesshoumaru. But he didn't look like the same Inu Yasha that she had fallen in love with. And now… was she still in love? She fell backwards onto her bed. 'Of course I still love him,' she thought, matter-of-factly. 'Why would it hurt so much that he didn't come see me, if I didn't love him?' she reasoned. She had a feeling that Inu Yasha must have been in the castle for awhile, and been able to settle things with Sesshoumaru before he saw her at dinner. Still, she thought that Inu Yasha would have- no, that he should have come to visit her before suddenly seeing her at dinner.

'And what about Sesshoumaru? Why didn't he tell me when Inu Yasha came back?' Although she wished Sesshoumaru would have told her about Inu Yasha's presence at the castle, she could guess why he didn't tell her. Sesshoumaru had taken her away from Inu Yasha from the very beginning. Perhaps it was that Inu Yasha would be a distraction from her lessons, or that Inu Yasha needed to get a grip on his new abilities. Whatever it was, the young woman knew that Sesshoumaru would have had a reason for keeping this information from her. Kagome turned on her side, resting her head on one of the silken pillows that lay on her bed.

Ever since her temporary transformation, Kagome hadn't really sorted out her feelings concerning the taiyoukai. Kagome realized that she felt differently about him than she did when he first kidnapped her. 'Yes, he kidnapped me. But do I resent it anymore?' Kagome shook her head at the question that popped up in her mind. Her feelings concerning the youkai lord had begun to change since the night after her arrival at the castle. Although he wasn't as emotionally readable as Inu Yasha, Sesshoumaru was capable of showing her his emotion as well as concern for her well-being. She hated to ask the next question of herself, but she knew she had to if she wanted clarity concerning her feelings. 'Do…do I love Sesshoumaru?' her response to the question of her thoughts was a twist of her heart, and butterflies in her head. It felt almost like the topic was forbidden territory. She wasn't about to deny the fact that she felt some tender emotion for him, but… was it love? More than anything else, she was hurt because of Inu Yasha's failure to come visit her, and she was confused about her feelings concerning Sesshoumaru. Kagome felt tears welling up in her eyes, and was about to give herself over to crying, when there was a sound at her door.

"Come in," she called, standing up. The door slid open, and in walked lord Sesshoumaru. Kagome turned away from him as he entered, and wiped away the unshed tears from her eyes.

"After tomorrow, you will be released from your duties here at the castle," he told her. Kagome made no sound in response, and her back remained to Sesshoumaru. He could smell the salt of her tears. Letting out a silent sigh, he continued. "Before you leave, you should give Rin any final instruction on archery and the use of spiritual powers." Kagome nodded slowly. The taiyoukai lord couldn't help but notice a small pang in his heart, knowing that the woman who had begun to open that heart wouldn't be staying with him any longer. "You are welcome to stay, if you decide not to return with Inu Yasha," he offered, surprising himself a little. Although Inu Yasha had stated his intentions clearly to him, it was apparent to the taiyoukai that his little brother had said no such thing to Kagome as of yet.

"Thank you," she said weakly, her back still to Sesshoumaru. She continued, "but I'll leave after tomorrow." Sesshoumaru simply looked at her. His eyes ran down her silky raven hair, and followed the curves of the blue cotton robe she wore down to the floor. Kagome continued, "Are--" she paused, gaining courage to ask him what she wanted to ask, "are you going to mark her right away, now?" Kagome turned, finally, to face Sesshoumaru, who was slightly taken aback by this question. He wasn't offended by it, like he would have been when Kagome first came to the castle. Instead, he almost felt a need to tell her- since he had marked her first. Sesshoumaru nodded slightly.

"She needs to use the scrolls for her own protection, especially now that she has come of age. But, as you should know, thorough marking with the taiyoukai clans does not necessarily mean instant mating," he told her plainly. Kagome blushed.

"I see." Actually, she didn't know what Sesshoumaru meant by 'thorough' marking. Kagome figured, however, that if Sesshoumaru was able to mark her- with that intense attraction that they battled- and not become her mate, that he was telling the truth. Kagome turned away from Sesshoumaru. "Thank you for everything, Sesshoumaru," she told him honestly. Somehow, she knew she would miss the special moments he shared with her. Sesshoumaru made no vocal response. He stood there for a few silent moments, processing their conversation. He wanted her to face him- he wanted to offer her some kind of comfort, but he knew that in doing so, it would only serve to complicate matters even more. Fighting the impulses he felt to stay with her, Sesshoumaru silently walked back towards the door, leaving Kagome to herself.

Sesshoumaru's visit helped Kagome to sort things out. She was never one to force herself on others, so the fact that Sesshoumaru was going to mark Rin helped alleviate some of her concern about what she was feeling towards him. Whatever it was, she didn't have to act on it- but she needed to figure out her feelings before moving on with her promise to Inu Yasha. If, that is, her promise to Inu Yasha still stood. Kagome sat down at her desk to think some more.

"What do I like about Sesshoumaru?" she asked. Pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill pen, Kagome began to list things. "Handsome…strong… controlled…" Kagome remembered what it felt like to fly next to him, with his arm firmly around her waist, and what he looked like when he fought his urge to kiss her while she had been marked. Yes, he exhibited supreme control. "Smart… protective… considerate?" Kagome stopped halfway through writing this last word. "Hmm… well…" Kagome remembered his taking her to the infirmary, his rough way of suggesting she should eat something at her first dinner with him, and his desire for Rin to be protected. "Yeah, I guess considerate works. Considerate- in his own way…" looking around, she realized that yes, Sesshoumaru was also quite well-off. But she was above writing that down as an attribute. Turning the paper over, she prepared to list things on the other side.

"What do I like about Inu Yasha?" She looked up at the ceiling, recalling all the adventures, mishaps, conversations and other experiences they'd shared. "He's pretty cool sometimes, I have to admit," she said, writing 'cool' down on the paper. "He's also strong, and protective… he's not always considerate, but he is more often than not… in his own way." Kagome chuckled as she wrote down the exact same thing- 'considerate- in his own way'- for Inu Yasha as she did for Sesshoumaru. "I'm comfortable with him... and he's fun," she reminded herself, remembering when the four of them- Inu Yasha, herself, Sango and Miroku- played paper-rock-scissors in the forest. It had been a game to see whose group would reach the next village first. Kagome sighed, comparing the two lists. This was about more than just writing down attributes. As she wrote about each brother, she was probing her thoughts and feelings.

While she was writing the attributes of Sesshoumaru, her heart was pounding with confusion. The topic seemed like it was forbidden. The idea of a romantic relationship with Sesshoumaru, now that she was allowing the thought of it to fully materialize in her mind, was enticing. Kagome felt the adrenaline begin to pump into her stomach. While she had no doubts that Sesshoumaru would ever harm her, he still had a strong, forceful personality. In a way, Kagome enjoyed this, because she was allowed complete freedom within the parameters he had given her. Besides that, Sesshoumaru was beautiful. He had such a commanding presence, and was beginning to show her the softness of his heart. Still, she had to admit, her heart was in a state of unrest. She thought about the confused state of her heart as well as the exciting prospect of what it would be like to win Sesshoumaru's love. Was that what excited her? Was she attracted to Sesshoumaru for real reasons, or was it simply because a relationship with him would be a new and chancy romantic experience? Kagome sighed when she realized that it was probably the latter of the two.

When she wrote about Inu Yasha, however, her heart felt warm and full. She felt safe and protected, as well as a kind of peace about her relationship to the newly transformed youkai. While he didn't always like it when she did certain things (like go home to her time), she was almost always able to do what she wanted. Kagome flashed back to the time he pushed her through the well and sealed it so that she couldn't return. She was able to come back, but only because of Shippou. After that, she had to rely on the power of the rosary to control him. Smiling, Kagome remembered the first few times she 'sat' Inu Yasha. She hardly thought about the rosary anymore. When was the last time she used it? She couldn't remember. Sighing yet again, Kagome shook her head, and crumpled up the paper in her hands. She closed her eyes, and pressed her hands -which still held the paper- to her chest.

"If I had to choose which way I want to feel for the rest of my life," she said, thinking on her feelings, "I choose... Inu Yasha." Kagome slowly opened her eyes, and took a deep breath. Standing up, she threw the paper into the trash receptacle next to her desk. Having finally made her decision, Kagome felt like a huge weight was lifted off of her chest. She knew she made the right choice; although she admitted to feeling a kind of tenderness for Sesshoumaru, her heart still felt at home with Inu Yasha.

A/N: SO! There you have it. I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter, although I am pretty certain that some of you didn't like the last few paragraphs... It took a lot of thought to write it, though, so I hope you will give me your review as a reward! I am expecting like, lots of flames... so if you're not completely p.o.ed at me, please, please be nice!

toxiclollipop: hehe, yay! You're feeling exactly the way I want you to feel about the story! That's so great!.! I hope everyone thinks the way you do, yo!

Devil1: eh... sorry...

Exunamoon: Hahahahahahaha!.!.! Guess I'll have to change the summary for you, huh? -sigh- You made me laugh out loud with that review-

RinCutie7455: you'll see! The secret will be revealed at the end! And um... didn't your 'name' used to be RinCutie7244? I got all confused when you changed it... I was like, "hmm, RinCutie 72-- no, wait.. what?.?" hehe! ya pulled a fast one one me!

My heartfelt thanks go out to my other reviewers: destinyheart15, Kigirls, katlin, Kira the Mizu Ryuu, pinkpreppypunk (I agree!), Zookie Moon princess, hermonine, sheenachi (happy birthday)and whimsy (you provide me with invaluable insight. Thanks!) You all are very important to me, and I value your reviews! Arigato, and I'll see you on the next chapter! Aba-yo!