Review Replies:

LB: First of all, I'd like to say HOLY CRAP! (dances around crazily) ALMOST 90 FREAKIN REVIEWS SO HAPPY MUST BE HYPER AND HAPPY AND I NEED TO STOP YELLING NOW, NE? Whoo….that's better. Oh, and I also just realized that I haven't been putting the disclaimer. Whoopsies…I hereby disclaim any of that stuff and all that junk. You know the drill. If I didn't own anything in the first ten chapters, I don't now. Back to your review replies.

Sakrua: Another vote that me loves! Heeheehee…and probably will happen. There's your hint, to those of you who actually read these.

Sleepinghanyou: I can't remember, either, but vote appreciated!

Inuyashalover014: Umm…I kinda can't put Kag and Inu back cause this is kind of a Sesshy Kag…I am not sure I agree with your opinion of Sesshoumaru, but it's a free country so…yeah.

Kitsune'sangelofflames: Yay…kawaii-ness I know. Me loves. I like to dream too…(hugs Sesshy picture)

Hekele Masuyo: Hiya to you too!  I admire your dedication, and I thank you for your vote. Yayness, happiness, everythingness….

Phalon22:I was wondering who Ffchick was…hmm…I like my songs too…heeheehee.

Raging Inferno: More new reviewers? YAY! I am glad you like it…you have no idea how glad…and I much agree with you.

Anonymous: You don't have to remain anonymous! Unless you are plant and secretly reading my story…must investigate this…or perhaps phalon22 pretending to be someone else again? Don't be offended if I'm not right.

TwistedBlackandRedRose: Yes, Kagome much prettier as demon. I've got enough votes now to figure it out…so you win. :P Again, anyone reading review replies will know this. Those who don't shall have a semi-surprise.

Gwnwyvear: Interesting choice of penname…and that was exactly my idea! Kagome can't just lose her powers!

Inuyasha/Kagome07: ooh…more mystery reviewers…who are you really? Lol. To change the penname, go to Settings on the login screen, and your penname should be displayed. After that, type in your desired name. Happy to help.

Red Skyies: I no…me too!

PrincessTaisho: Thank you for the vote!

KaNaGi: Thank you! Appreciate that!

Thank you to all of you for your awesome reviews! They are all appreciated and as I have so many, make this fic my main fic. The vote is as follows:

Kagome Human: 3

Kagome Demon: 11

I think we can all tell who wins, and no tomatoes, but I am glad. That's what I wanted, and it'll make the fic longer, too!

On to the chapter!

Chapter Seventeen. Suspicion. Part One.

Tetsuka entered the room, not bothering to conceal herself. Kagome stared at her, blushing slightly as she stepped backward from Sesshoumaru slightly, as she was fully aware of how close they had actually been standing, and she was feeling tingly all over. "Tetsuka! When did you get here?" Tetsuka just glared at her, sniffing slightly. "You know, it's not as though my spirit isn't getting restless enough, but you just had to make me lose!" Kagome stared. "What?" Sesshoumaru refused to meet Tetsuka's gaze, as he felt, for one of few times, much like rubbing it in her face, and he knew that he should resist. Tetsuka sighed. "I suppose that I shouldn't complain, seeing as it's your own fault for being so entranced with Mr. Taiyoukai over here." Kagome flushed hotly, and Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. Entranced, hmm? He hadn't heard that one before… Kagome bit her lip. She would never ask Tetsuka when she'd arrived again. Tetsuka smiled. "Oh! I see that I've …ahem… interrupted something?" 'She knows perfectly well what she interrupted,' Kagome fumed. Sesshoumaru turned to Tetsuka, smirking almost smugly. "What is it that has you so upset, miko?" he asked quietly, pretending that he didn't know. Tetsuka flushed, realizing that telling Kagome would be admitting that she'd been so un-miko-like. She abruptly changed the subject. "I met your brother, Souta. He's a cute kid. I met your mom, too. She's very protective, isn't she now?" Kagome shrugged. "I don't know. I guess." Tetsuka smiled haughtily, having successfully changed the subject without arousing suspicion. Kagome must be having an off day. Sesshoumaru focused on Kagome. "Have you decided?" She stifled a small sigh. "Hmm. Can I stay…a…erm…a week with my family before going back?" He nodded warily. Why was she so nervous about asking him? Kagome studied his expression futilely, (A/N: It wasn't as though she'd find anything there…) and decided that he hadn't suspected anything. If she could stay a week, she'd still be able to meet up with Kagura when she returned, perhaps before Sesshoumaru noticed. (A/N: So naïve, isn't she?) Kagome grinned. "Great! Thanks. I'll meet you back in the feudal era!" Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow once again. "I was under the impression that I would be staying with you until you returned." Kagome frowned. "Don't you trust me?" He studied her carefully. It was like she was hiding something…(A/N: Note that Tetsuka is still present. Just a reminder. Shutting up.) His face remained emotionless as his amber eyes searched her brown ones. He spoke smoothly, so as not to let her know that he suspected something. "I presumed that your intention was to introduce me properly to your family. Our last visit was slightly…rushed." There. He'd put her on the spot. She couldn't get out of this one. Indeed, she looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Oh…yeah. Sure, I guess." She would just have to find some way to get him back early, or late? This was getting confusing…why had she asked Kagura to meet her at the bone-eater's well? At the time, it had seemed convenient. Now she was in a whole lot of crap. "Um…Sesshoumaru. You said…that you wanted to get better acquainted with my family right?" He frowned. 'Not exactly what I was saying…' he thought in reply. She continued. "Well, here's your opportunity. I'm sure my mom isn't doing anything, and you don't want to talk to my jii-chan, so downstairs you go." She almost shoved him out the door. She sure was acting strange… She closed the door, turned around, and nearly ran into Tetsuka. (A/N: I'm not quite sure if you run into her, or through her, seeing as her form is impenetrable.) Her mentor stared quizzically. "Kagome? Are you alright? You seem to be off a bit. This is the second time that you haven't noticed me."

"I'm just tired, that's all."

"You aren't getting of that easily. Spill." Kagome crossed her arms. "The last time I told you something, you went running to Sesshoumaru…and I'm…planning a surprise for him." Tetsuka eyed her suspiciously. "You know very well that I wouldn't spill a secret that doesn't endanger anybody. What are you hiding?"

"Nothing."

"Stop that. You act as though I'm stupid." Kagome winced. "Sorry." She thought for a moment. "If you promise not to tell anyone, and I mean anyone, especially Sesshoumaru, I'll tell you." Tetsuka bit her lip. "I promise…as long as it doesn't hurt anybody."

"I don't know if it'll hurt," Kagome admitted. Tetsuka sighed. "Fine. I promise. But the second somebody gets hurt badly because of it, or anything like that, I'm telling Sesshoumaru, understand? He has a right to know if it involves your relationship." Kagome sighed in resignation. "Okay." She could hear her mother's voice downstairs, signifying that Sesshoumaru was busy. She whispered, almost so that Tetsuka could not hear, "I'm going to become a demon."

:-

Sesshoumaru sat uncomfortably on the 'couch' thing. Kagome's mother was desperately trying to start a conversation. He could hear Kagome and Tetsuka upstairs faintly, and listened. "…involves your relationship."

"Okay." His ears twitched slightly, straining to hear. How did she speak so quietly? It was too late. She'd finished saying whatever it was, and all was now silent, save for Mrs. Higurashi explaining that she had to go and wash the dishes. The woman had been very uncomfortable around him. He was becoming used to it. People generally became unnerved in constant company with his silence.

Kagome smiled as she strode into the room, followed by Tetsuka. Kagome sat down, and Tetsuka shifted from side to side. 'Great,' Sesshoumaru thought. 'Now they're both hiding something.' Tetsuka stared for a minute, and realized that Kagome was clearing her throat. "Do you need a cough drop?" she asked mildly, having heard of the things in Kagome's mind. (A/N: As I have explained, she had nothing better to do than to read through Kagome's memories and thoughts. Spooky. :P) Kagome smiled at Tetsuka. "Do you ever go to sleep?" Tetsuka raised her eyebrows. "Technically, I'm dead. I don't need sleep. Thanks for remind…" She got the hint. "I mean…well…even spirits need their beauty rest I suppose," she muttered. She glided from the room, and Sesshoumaru stared at Kagome. "What was that about?" She smiled. "Nothing. Did you have a nice conversation with my mother?"

"She was rather nervous."

"Yes…well, I suppose it isn't often she's in the company of the taiyoukai of the west, right?"

"Are you attempting to flatter me?" Kagome smiled. "Whatever would give you that idea?"

"You smell nervous, and you're babbling." Kagome bit her lip. "Yes, well…it's a surprise. So, I can't tell you."

"Tetsuka knows about this surprise, I trust."

"Yes…but you can't ask her either. Plus, I don't think she's in the best of moods."

"No, I suppose not. She was rather upset over losing."

"Losing what?"

"She claimed that you would know immediately that she was here and had…helped…me arrive here. You did not, therefore, I won, and her rude remarks were thrown into her own face."

"Rude? Tetsuka?"

"I assure you, she is not as polite as she may seem." Kagome laughed. "Well, sometimes she is."

"Indeed."

"Well, I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed, okay? Where do you want to sleep?"

"…"

"Oh…yeah. Well, where do you want to rest, then?"

"Here will suffice."

"On the couch?" Kagome stifled a laugh. The taiyoukai of the west wanted to 'rest' in her living room on the couch? It was all too bizarre. Even Inuyasha had never slept in the living room… "Umm…okay, Sesshoumaru. Good night." She kissed him on the cheek, without even thinking, then blushed and dashed upstairs. Sesshoumaru's mouth twitched into what could have been a smile, but which vanished instantly, though remaining on the interior. Tetsuka's voice brought him to attention. "Well, now, isn't that interesting."

"You were spying."

"You knew I was."

"I will not deny it." Tetsuka grinned. "And you let her sit there without knowing?"

"I assumed that she knew, what with your aura."

"You know very well that I was masking my aura, and that Kagome had no idea that I was there."

"…I will not deny it."

Kagome glanced around her room. "Tetsuka?" Silence. "Tetsuka?" She blushed furiously. Tetsuka must have been downstairs the whole time. 'Stupid miko and her tricks…I want to learn how to do that…but then, she's not exactly alive, is she…then I wonder how it is that she has an aura…' "Tetsuka." She caught the miko as she strode into the room. Tetsuka smiled. "You know, Kagome, it's about time that you got some rest."

"You were listening in on my conversation."

"Oh, relax. It's not as if I didn't do that while in your mind. And while I was in your mind, I could read all of your dirty little thoughts. Of course, I can still do that now if I want to…"

"Tetsuka?"

"Yes?"

"If you gave me your powers, in a sense, then firstly, how do you still have them, and secondly, will you teach me to read minds?" Tetsuka grinned. "Firstly, I'm kind of dead. I can do what I want. Secondly, it doesn't really come with the package…but…I'll teach you to read one mind. Of your choice, of course." Kagome rolled her eyes. "Sesshoumaru. Duh." Tetsuka sighed. "Of course you have to pick him. He even conceals his thoughts. He's going to be hard. But, fine. I will teach you how when you and Sesshoumaru are married, or mated, or whatever sort of junk you go through nowadays. That way, I can do it and pass it on before I finally get some much-deserved rest."

"I'll miss you, you know."

"Yeah, well. Maybe I'll come visit every once in a while. I still don't know how the whole 'rest in peace' thing works. I guess I'll figure it out eventually. I'll tell you what. If I don't come after the first two hundred years, you know it isn't going to happen, kay?" Kagome laughed. "Fine, then. 'Night, Tetsuka." She turned out the light and soon fell to slumber.

:-

Sesshoumaru glared at it. It seemed to be some sort of scroll, but scrolls didn't have eyes…and they didn't stare at him, either. No demon would stare at him, let alone scrolls. He strode forward and prodded it with a claw. Nothing happened. He pushed his claws through it, creating five holes in the middle of the scroll's face, but there was no blood, no screaming, no nothing! "Lord Sesshoumaru?" He turned, somewhat surprised to see Kagome's younger brother staring at him. He stared at the young boy, wondering if he was going to talk or not. Souta swallowed visibly, and muttered, "What are you doing to the poster?"

"Post-er?"

"Yes…it's a picture of a person."

"I see…and what is the purpose?"

"I dunno. It's just there to look it."

"It wasn't…looking at me?" Souta tried very hard not to smile. "No. The poster isn't a threat. It's a piece of paper." Sesshoumaru made no comment, merely sitting down. "I was under the impression that you were ordered to bed," he finally stated. Souta shrugged. "I couldn't sleep.So…if you don't mind me asking, do you like Kagome?" Sesshoumaru was silent. It wasn't really any of the young ningen's business, but in a way, it was, as he was Kagome's brother. He decided not to answer. Souta also made no comment. "D'you want to play a video game?" Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow. "What is a…video game?"

:-

Kagome woke with sun streaming into her window. The birds were singing, the radio was playing softly, the sky was blue, Tetsuka was watching her, and the sound of a video game beeping resounded from downstairs. Wait a second…Sesshoumaru was downstairs…Kagome got up and bolted down the flight of stairs, nearly tripping over her own feet.

She blinked, pinching herself. Was she still asleep, or was Souta playing video games with Sesshoumaru? Souta seemed to be winning. Sesshoumaru was silent, and was obviously learning quickly, as he was catching up in the little silver sports car racing across the screen. (A/N: This is bizarre…it just popped into my head. It gives them something to do. Sesshoumaru wanted to get to know Kagome's family? Well, Souta's a video game freak, so voila. Sorry. Shutting up.) Kagome gaped at the taiyoukai. This was too bizarre for words. "Breakfast!" her mother called from the kitchen. Kagome stared at the pancakes on the table, fully equppied with whipped cream, strawberries, and syrup. "We have missed eachother for too long," she murmured to the beautiful, fluffy, fattening discs of breakfast perfection. She promptly forgot about video games and began to shovel the lovely food into her mouth.

LB: That is hereby the longest chapter ever. And it's only one part! Heeheehee…torture, ne? I will later decide if Suspicion will be two or three parts, cause I'm thinking of making it last the whole week at Kagome's house…hmm…but that could get boring. We'll see. However, I am very happy, as I never dreamed that I would get anywhere near 100 reviews. HAPPYNESS! Everybody gets a cyber-sundae. Next chapter will hopefully be soon! Sorry this one took so long, but it was a longer one, so there you go. A little bit of OOCness but thats in most fics. Flame me if you must, as long as you have plausible evidence...lol. There I go with the words again. GottaLuffTheFluff is probably rolling her eyes, so I'll shut up. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Now that I've got your attention, I would like to remind you all that the Kag Human or Demon vote is over. The demons win. However, I am taking suggestions on how she is to become demon. I would prefer if this method is something obtained from Kagura, whether it be some sort of ritual, incantation, scroll, vial of strange liquid or anything that your imaginations can conjure. Also, suggestions are being taken of whether or not I should make suspicion into three parts. This suggestion period (the three part one) is only open for one chapter. Method of making Kag demon is open for two more chapters at least. Note: ALL other suggestions on other topics are welcome. Ja ne! -LB