Authors Note: Sorry it's taking sooo long, Today I had two projects due and science notes and then tommorow I have a science test. So this might be posted tommorow…I dunno. Today is Tuesday…I'm really busy. Oh lmao, I forgot the quote of the chapter sorry bout that! I'm not going to be able to post according to scedual for now so please bare with me. ARG! The servers overloaded…is the world against me? And then yesterday (Monday) my mom decided it would be a good time to take away the power cord and got to her classes and come home very late. I hope I can get it up today.

o0Japanese Words0o

Inu- Dog

o0Review is being a bitch so I can't respond but I have read all of the reviews and I loved em all! I'll try and respond next chapter. I thought it would be better to give you your chapter then waiting another day to respond to reviews.

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Chapter 18: Behind the Facade

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Kagome bit back a smile before casing herself in a hard exterior. She had learnt from Sesshomaru a way to contain herself, for a bit. Her face was blank and she walked up to Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha grimaced.

"Can I talk to you a bit alone?" Inu-Yasha asked pathetically.

Kagome nodded emotionlessly.

"Yes, come into the court yard garden where we can talk. My Lord has permitted it."

Miroku and Sango nodded and stared in disbelief at the way Kagome was acting. Had she really learned from Sesshomaru? Had she no heart anymore? As Kagome led Inu-Yasha into the garden before she opened the door she turned her head back to Miroku and Sango.

"Please come into the garden in exactly 5 minuets. The garden is just outside these doors." Kagome said with her façade still up.

The way Kagome was acting made Sango frown. She turned to Miroku.

"Have we lost her?"

"I don't know… I really don't know…" Miroku responded sounding concerned.

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Once Kagome was sure the door closed behind her she broke away from herself and smiled. Inu-Yasha hung his head in front of her, not noticing the change in attitude as he had his back turned to her.

"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome cried as she jumped into the air and threw her arms around Inu-Yasha's neck nearly toppling him over after being caught off guard.

Inu-Yasha managed a short 'what the!' before turning around to see Kagome still clinging to him. With Kagomes new strength she could have easily made him fall which scared Inu-Yasha a bit.

"Uhh…Kagome?" Inu-Yasha murmured not knowing what else to do. Finally he picked up the courage to speak to her. He put his arms around her and enveloped her into a warm hug. "Kagome, I am so sorry. I never meant any of it. I never realized how much you meant to me until you left. You are my best friend."

Kagome nuzzled her face closer to Inu-Yasha's chest.

"I'm sorry too. I miss you and the others so much. You are my best friend, and you have been from the beginning. I'm really sorry about when I blew up. I don't know what I was thinking. The demon blood inside me… was telling me to take revenge… I just couldn't be around you. Please forgive me?"

"Kagome. Why in the world would you ever think I'd not forgive you? You didn't have to ask, I've forgiven you since the start."

"Thank you."

Kagome pulled out of the embrace and stared at Inu-Yasha smiling causing Inu-Yasha to smile.

"You look really nice tonight. I would never have guessed anything was going between you and Sesshomaru."

"Yah well, one thing leads to another."

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Sesshomaru growled slightly when he glanced out the window to see Kagome and Inu-Yasha hugging. For once he actually cared about something enough to get scared. He was scared Kagome would go back with Inu-Yasha. He sighed in relief as he noticed her other two friends going outside and went back to the conversation with the other Lords. Inu-Yasha wouldn't try anything with those two there. Hopefully.

Sesshomaru still rest uneasy when he noticed some of the lesser demons hooting at Kagome and watching attentively as she went outside, but Inu-Yasha would hopefully take care of anyone that tried anything.

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Kagome swung her head around to be confronted by her two friends Miroku and Sango. Her smile had now amounted to that demonly possible. Which kind of creeped out Sango but Sango realized Kagome was just happy from the dangerously swift movements of Kagomes tail back and forth.

"Miroku! Sango! I haven't seen you guys in forever!" Kagome cried as she ran over and actually toppled over her friends. Everyone was laughing. It was a great reunion of friends.

As soon as they finished laughing Miroku decided to ask Kagome something that had been bugging him all night.

"Kagome, have you noticed Sesshomaru has TWO arms. Not one, even though Inu-Yasha cut off one."

"I should!" Kagome beamed. "I'm the one that gave him a working arm."

Everyone stared at Kagome.

"Well, using a book I took form that old hags house I was able to restore Sesshomaru's arm. And a good thing too because if I hadn't I doubt he would've invited me to this thing. He's really not as bad as you think."

"Keh…" Inu-Yasha was cut off by the new male demon that had come out of the doors where Kagome was standing. He was obviously drunk; he seemed to be one of the lesser demons. He was some kind of wolf demon; probably from one of the other many wolf clans. Inu-Yasha snorted. Just what they needed, another wolf demon around.

"Aren't you a lovely lady!" The man growled as he grabbed Kagome by the waist. "How would you like to spend a night with me?"

Inu-Yasha was so surprised he didn't know what to do. Sango was frozen and so was Miroku who couldn't have helped anyways. Inu-Yasha didn't want to harm the man just in case Sesshomaru got mad, but wouldn't Sesshomaru be mad about this? If he got Sesshomaru upset Kagome would get really mad.

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When a piercing cry could be heard outside everyone hurried to the doors. Sesshomaru who recognized the voice of Kagome quickly ran to the garden where Kagome slapped some drunken wolf demon. Her voice could be heard above the murmurs of the others in the audience.

"How dare you even touch me! And last of all how dare you dishonor Lord Sesshomaru by trying to claim me? You are despicable."

For the first time Sesshomaru grinned, only slightly. He was proud of Kagome. At least he knew she could properly take care of herself. The slap sent the man backwards at least a meter when a miko force joined in the slap. Sesshomaru wiped the grin off his face and walked over to Kagome who was still huffing in anger. Sesshomaru came up behind her and put an arm around her waist. Kagome at first was shocked but once she looked up and saw Sesshomaru leaned closer to him.

"I, I'm sorry my Lord. This man was trying to… ummm…"

"No, it's quit alright. Luckily you know how to take care of yourself as I see my brother was of no help." Sesshomaru sent an icy glare Inu-Yasha's way making Inu-Yasha clench his fists and growl. "And will someone make sure this man is taken out of the castle bounds immediately?"

Not so much of a second passed before two other wolf demons arrived trying to excuse their drunken friend. Once the party moved back inside and the wolf men were gone Kagome turned to Sesshomaru who was still pissed off at Inu-Yasha who let the whole thing happen in Sesshomaru's mind.

"Lord Sesshomaru. Please try and understand that Inu-Yasha did not want to dishonor you at your own occasion by hurting one of your guests." Kagome said while staring at Sesshomaru with pleading eyes.

"Fine. Little brother, please come in for dinner. Your friends are to come too."

Kagome smiled and leaned close to Sesshomaru when he held out his arm for Kagome to take. Kagome leaned up whispered into Sesshomaru's ear.

"Domo Arigato, Sesshomaru-Sama."

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Once inside everyone sat down to their respectful seats. After everyone was seated Kagome glanced over to the three empty seats, which would have belonged to the wolf demons. Kagome cringed at the thought of what had happened before. When Sesshomaru came up behind her afterward she had cringed in fear of what he might do to her for hurting a guest. Luckily for her Sesshomaru seemed proud of her. The wolf was only a lesser demon anyways.

The dinner table, was now full of happiness and word about the fight a few minuets before. Once the eating began the lady of the Eastern Lands who was sitting beside Kagome nudged Kagome.

"I'm sorry about what happened before. I think that was my cousin three times removed, not really known for kindness and well thought out plans. But he is known for hitting the bottle too much. I apologize on his behalf."

"It's quit alright. I don't mind. I was just really upset at the time. I apologize for disgracing him in front of all these people."

"That's fine. He was bound to get kicked out some time or another. Every year he comes drunk and every year he gets kicked out."

That comment made Kagome smile and feel better as she begun to eat. Near the end of the meal the Lady of the Eastern lands nudged Kagome again. Kagome turned to her smiled in response.

"I just realized you are the exact same age as my son Kouga. You should talk to him! He is here somewhere, I'm not sure where he is seated."

Kagome blushed when she heard this.

"I think… I think we've met before… somewhere…" Kagome joked, even though the Lady of the Eastern lands didn't get why.

Sesshomaru glanced over at Kagome a few times. He still didn't get where all that anger came from when she slapped the wolf demon. Maybe he shouldn't upset her. She was probably just being good for him.

Inu-Yasha nudged Kouga whom he had to unfortunately sit beside.

"Don't piss off Kagome or else she'll give you one like she had your cousin." Inu-Yasha joked.

"Urusai… stupid mutt… what do you know?"

"Watch who your calling a mutt, my brother is still half my brother. We may not share the same mother but the inu demon blood that flows through our veins are the same."

"Whatever. But it doesn't matter. If I can't have Kagome then neither can you. And if I could… I'd make sure Sesshomaru didn't have her either."

"Keh, how could you be so blind Kouga? If you love Kagome you should want her to be happy. I mean, look at her over there." Inu-Yasha mentioned while pointing over to Kagome who was at the front of the table laughing, smiling, and joking with the people around her. "Can't you see she's happy? Admit it! If you love her your happiness should come after hers."

Miroku and Sango leaned over the table to stare at Inu-Yasha after he said his piece. Both of them were raising their eyebrows. Of course Miroku was the first one to comment.

"Inu-Yasha, that is probably the most insightful thing I have ever heard you say."

"HEY! I say insightful things all the time!"

Sango laughed and nodded her head sarcastically. "Un-huh, and when was that?"

Kouga also joined in the fun. "I bet he doesn't even know what insightful means to even actually say something like it."

Inu-Yasha blushed slightly. "I do SO know what insightful means… I just don't want to because you probably don't know it. Besides Kouga, I doubt you couldn't eve spell insightful."

"NEITHER CAN YOU!" Kouga said trying to keep his guard up. Luckily no one was paying attention to their stupid fight. But Kouga knew what Inu-Yasha said was right. If he truly loved Kagome he should be able to let her happiness come before his own.

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As desert was being served the lords stood up to perform a toast.

"To Lord Sesshomaru! May he and his lady have many more years of happiness!"

Everybody clapped and drank. Now it was Sesshomaru's turn as the host to make a toast and a thank you to everyone who came. When Sesshomaru stood up so did Kagome.

"As Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands I would like to propose a toast to everyone that came to attend this special occasion. May you continue to live prosperously."

Kagome and Sesshomaru were about to sit down before the guests started chanting 'Kiss her! Kiss her!' causing Kagome to blush a bit and giggle. Sesshomaru didn't seem to mind too much about their request. At least if he kissed her when it wasn't an obligation it would show to everyone that Kagome did truly come on her own accord; but he wasn't so sure Kagome would do it considering every time they kissed and someone came in she would blush profusely. Sesshomaru was too busy thinking that when a pair of soft lips reached his own lips he was caught off guard; for just a second Sesshomaru actually showed surprise by opening his eyes wider, but only for a second. Quickly and easily Sesshomaru regained control and put his arm around Kagome's waist bringing her closer and deeper into the kiss. Sesshomaru had allowed her tongue to enter his mouth the moment he regained control.

When Inu-Yasha and Kouga watched Kagome and Sesshomaru kiss they both had anger and jealousy except one more then the other for both things. Kouga was going out of his mind but Inu-Yasha only felt a twinge that it had to be his brother. He cared for Kagome as a sister and anyways he had Kikyou, even though she had been being a bitch lately. Kagome was his friend… he needed to be able to support her in her decisions, even if the decision may seem wrong.

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Authors note: OMG I AM SOOOOO SORRY! REALLY I AM! I've been so busy lately it's like AHH! Seriously I haven't been on the computer for almost a week and it drove me crazy. Well at least I'm not doing drugs…or am I? Ok jks jks jks, drugs are BAD…I don't know first hand but people have told be they are GOOD but they are really BAD. Ok sorry I'm rambling. Anyways…I'm sorry. And by the way. There is SO going to be a moral at the end of the story… dude you don't even know the half of it! And the story isn't close to done… or maybe it is… depends on the chapters and stuff… And once again GOMEN! I've been so busy and the chapters still need to be good so if you want them to be nice, long, and well done be able to wait. And I have written out what I want to happen from now to the ending (like points for the most umm I need a word, noticeable theme points) and it'll end in between 1-10 chapters.

Quote of the Chapter

"Can't you see she's happy? Admit it! If you love her your happiness should come after hers."-Inu-Yasha (I found this so nice considering it was Inu-Yasha was saying it. See, he's not always dumb!)