Hey! New chappie is up! For all who have been telling me to put more into my chapters, I have made a decision...

Do you guys either want me to update quicker, but have less content in the chapter, or do you guys want me to update slower, but have more in it? Tell me, or I will continue to write the way I am! (I am writing about 6 pages each chapter right now, so I would be writing about 12 pages if I put more into it)

Well, thanks soooooooo much for all the great reviews! I love you guys:)

''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Chapter 17: Inuyasha's Reasoning

Kagome and Inuyasha walked alongside each other, in peace. They had both made up their minds that they were going to be strictly friends, nothing more. Kagome still wasn't pleased though. She didn't believe that Inuyasha accepted the fact that she was in love with his brother. Who would accept that?

Kagome was lost in thought, about how bad she felt for Inuyasha, but still she hung that hate in her soul for him. He had left her numerous times for her dead ancestor, and yet he still thought about her. sure, he apologized, but she still wrung that sadness in her. She looked at Inuyasha like a brother now, and she knew that the sadness should be gone, but it still stood with her. Was Inuyasha thinking the same things as her? She shook her head, and squeezed her eyes.

'Don't be so stupid, Kagome! You know that Inuyasha doesn't care for you like that! He doesn't love you, and never will!'

Kagome battled with herself in her thoughts, trying to convince herself that Inuyasha wasn't worth crying over. He just wasn't worth it, but yet she still walked with him, in this supposive peace. Was he thinking the same as her? No...he couldn't. He was too 'haughty' for that.

But yet, she was wrong. Inuyasha was lost in his own thoughts, trying to convey the reason why he let Kagome stay with his brother. He tried to find the reason why he was in his brothers castle, the brother he hated and despised the most, and now he was at peace with him. And it was all because of Kagome.

He would have to thank her for that later.

But for now, he would have to think about what he was going to do. He knew that Kikyo was in the forest, waiting for him to come to her, but he still wasn't there. No, he was here, with Kagome.

The one that he wanted to be with.

He did not want to be with Kikyo, no, he wanted to be with Kagome. But he couldn't. Sesshoumaru had her now, he was too late. His friends were staying at Sesshoumaru's castle, and he couldn't change that. So why was he battling with himself? Because he loved Kagome.

As Kagome and Inuyasha battled with themselves, secretly, Sesshoumaru watched them. He sensed uneasiness in the air, and he sensed it from his half-brother and Kagome. He couldn't help but watch, but all they did was walk, with blank stares on their faces. So, what was so uneasy about those two? He decided to intervene.

He stepped out from the shadows behind the two, and approached them. Inuyasha was too caught up in his thoughts to notice, and he jumped when he felt Sesshoumaru's hand on his shoulder. When he turned around and noticed his brother, he almost growled, but didn't for the sake of Kagome.

"Inuyasha, Kagome. I think that you two have had enough time alone together. Kagome, please come with me." Sesshoumaru stated in his monotone voice. Kagome smiled, but Inuyasha placed a scrunched look on his face, and snarled. He wasn't about to let his brother have his way again.

"No, Sesshoumaru, Kagome and I are enjoying ourselves, and we would not like it if you interrupted us. Now, please leave us alone." Inuyasha said with ice in his tone, making Sesshoumaru snarl, and Kagome growl.

"Inuyasha! What have I told you about this! I have told you over 3 times already! Please, just let it go!" Kagome said with anger in her voice, and in her features. Sesshoumaru smirked at Kagome's sudden outburst, and crossed his arms. He was glad that Kagome would take care of this. He didn't feel much like dealing with Inuyasha, anyway.

Inuyasha flattened his ears to his head, but still spat a comeback at her.

"Well, don't come crying to me when my bastard brother hurts you! I won't be listening!"

Kagome's eyes turned red. "SIT!"

Inuyasha's neck glowed, then he was sent into the ground. Sesshoumaru snickered, then turned his back. Kagome walked up to the dent mark in the ground, with Inuyasha struggling to stand up in it.

"Inuyasha, you have to understand. You do not need to protect me anymore. Sesshoumaru has replaced your job almost. Besides, he won't hurt me like you have, Inuyasha. Now, please, leave me and Sesshoumaru be." Kagome's voice dripped with venom, and left Inuyasha, lying in a hole. He smacked himself on the forehead.

'Dammit, I let myself go again! I have to learn to stop doing that! But I can't, I can't help myself! Ugh, Kagome, please forgive me!'

''''''''''''''''''''''

Sesshoumaru and Kagome walked around the castle, until they came to the entrance to the gardens. Sango, Rin and Shippo were out there. Rin and Shippo were playing in the flowers while Sango watched, petting Kagome's puppy, laughing. Kagome smiled, and ran up to Sango.

Sango saw Kagome, and laughed. She stood, and handed her Mina. "Your little puppy has been an energetic little thing, playing around with Rin and Shippo. She's wore out now, though."

Kagome nodded, and held her puppy in her arms. She put her tiny head in the crook of Kagome's arm, and fell straight asleep.

Sesshoumaru walked up to the two girls, and nodded to Sango. Sango nodded back, while sitting down on the bench behind her. Kagome and Sesshoumaru did the same, while Kagome handed her puppy to Sesshoumaru. Kagome turned to face Sango, who just looked up at her.

"Sango, I need to know. Did our plan work? Does Miroku care for you? What will you do? Will you choose Miroku or Seekou?" Kagome asked Sango tons of questions, making Sango laugh. Kagome looked just like a little kid who wanted to know the answer to everything.

"Well, since you have told me that Miroku does care for me, and the fact that he came to my room to ask me if I was okay, and he wanted to help me around the castle, and he didn't even try to grope me once, then I would presume that I also have feelings for Miroku. Seekou...I just met him, and he was my kidnapper, and...that just doesn't seem right to me...I mean, him and I will still be friends." Kagome smiled and nodded, and gave Sango a small hug.

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but overhear what was happening, since it was happening right next to him. He even gave a small smile to the girl's joy, but he wouldn't let them see that. Not like it mattered anyway, they have seen him smile in the past. He sighed, and petted the small puppy in his arms. Kagome had gotten into his heart, so easily, and she had mended it. he gave another small smile. At least he knew that he chose well.

While Kagome and Sango talked amongst themselves, Sesshoumaru sensed two people coming through the door. one was that monk, Miroku, and the other was Inuyasha. He growled. What did Inuyasha want now?

Miroku and Inuyasha had noticed the three sitting on the bench, and walked right up to them. Sango and Kagome had stopped talking, and looked up to smile. Sango was blushing, while Kagome was staring at Inuyasha with interest. What did he want now?

Miroku had stepped up to Sango, and he held out his hand. Sango took it, and they both walked away, somewhere else in the gardens, near a big willow tree. Inuyasha still stood in the place that he was, while Kagome and Sesshoumaru glared at him.

Inuyasha had summoned up enough wits to go and sit next to Kagome, where Sango was once sitting. He just sulked over to the spot, ignoring the growls coming from Sesshoumaru, and plopped down on the seat. Kagome just looked ahead of herself, not wanting to look at Inuyasha. Inuyasha's ears were flat on his head, while he looked to the ground.

All three were silent for a few seconds, until Inuyasha spoke up.

"Kagome...Sesshoumaru...I wanted to...apologize...again, for what I had did. I really don't mean what I say, I just get a bit...overprotective, I guess you could say." All were silent for a few seconds more, until Inuyasha spoke up again.

"Sesshoumaru, I told Kagome a long time ago that I would protect her from any harm that were to come her way. I have lived up to that promise to this day. When Kagome got attacked by that bear, and she ran off, it scared me. I thought I wouldn't be able to protect Kagome, until I found out that she was residing here, with all of my friends. I had thought that she was in deep danger, until I found out that everyone came here on their own free will. It sorta made me...not realize...that you were also strong. I thought that I could take out your entire army, and take back my friends, because they had lied to me." Inuyasha stopped for another few seconds, making Kagome sigh, and Sesshoumaru grunt. He then continued on, again.

"I once again found out that they hadn't lied to me, and they actually wanted me to stay here. I hadn't realized that you accepted this for awhile, until Kagome had actually told me so. I was just so stunned about how everything changed so much, how everything, my friends, my promises, my life had changed in just a few days time, and I am still trying to overcome this sense. It is still too weird to me, that's all..." Inuyasha sighed, and closed his eyes. He hoped that his brother had a small understanding in his heart for him, even though it was unlikely.

Sesshoumaru just sat while looking ahead, not moving. Kagome moved her head over to see him, and she nudged her arm to him, snapping him out from his phase. He just looked over to Kagome, who had a smile on her face. She nodded, and he sighed and nodded.

"I understand, Inuyasha. Although, I would have not cared if it were not for Kagome. I am allowing the both of you to be friends. I trust you respect this, Inuyasha, for I know you do not wish to lose her. You can keep your promise to her, but know that I have also made myself a promise to protect her at all cost also." Inuyasha looked over to his brother, and nodded.

Kagome, who was sitting in the middle, burst out in laughter. Both of the brothers look at Kagome in confusion, wondering why she had started to laugh so abruptly. She finally calmed down after a few seconds, looking up at the two.

"It looks like I have two bodyguards now! Now I know I will never be attacked, or killed! My life is in no danger at all!" Kagome giggled, and stood. Inuyasha understood, and gave a small laugh. Sesshoumaru just nodded.

Kagome jumped up in the air, and stretched. She looked at the two, and giggled. They had been so different, yet alike. Inuyasha was smiling, Sesshoumaru was frowning. Inuyasha had never understood, while Sesshoumaru has. You would have never guessed them brothers if you wouldn't have known about it.

Kagome grabbed each of their arms, and pulled. Inuyasha stood, while Kagome was still trying to pull Sesshoumaru up.

"Sesshoumaru...please...get...up!" Kagome squeezed through her breath, trying to pull him up with all of her might. He just wouldn't budge! Sesshoumaru seemed more amused out of it then anything.

"Kagome, you and Inuyasha take a walk or something. I would try to prepare for tomorrow. I will be giving you lessons on how to protect and defend yourself. You need all of your energy for this, so be prepared. We will be up and ready by dawn. And do not forget about my invitation for tonight, either." Kagome let go of his arm and blushed, and hurried up and scurried away.

Inuyasha looked at his brother in confusion, but Sesshoumaru just gave him a small smirk in return. Inuyasha smirked back, knowing what he had in plan for that night. Would he really do it? Were they that into their relationship already? He just shrugged back the unwanted feelings, and put in the ones that were happy for Kagome. He took one more look at his brother, and ran off after Kagome. He needed to do some explaining to Kagome.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''

Another chapter done! I might not be able to update quickly after this, because I am swimming for 8 hours everyday, and I am wore out when I get home! I have a lot more ideas for new stories also, but I might hold them off till another time. Just getting one story to update is hard enough!

Well, thanks for all the great reviews! Please Read and Review more, they make me so happy :) Until next time...cyas:)