Here's another chapter for you. This one's a bit longer than my last one, but it's still short by even my standards. Forgive me. Anywho, enjoy the fruits of my toil!

Summary- Kagome is a librarian that gets pulled into the world of darkness. Strange things begin to happen after she meets a vampire. Will her world have a storybook ending? Or will it end in tragedy?

Disclaimer- me no own...you no sue!

Recap-

"I'm glad you liked it." Inuyasha reached over for her hand, "If you ever come to your senses about that bastard Sesshoumaru, you'll always have a place in my coven." Sesshoumaru could be heard talking to Kouga through the thin walls. Inuyasha gave Kagome's hand a firm squeaze befor he let it drop back into her lap. He then left for the front room, no doubt about to give Sesshoumaru a piece of his mind.

(Chapter 16)

Kagome tried to hear the conversation taking place between Kouga, Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru, but it was muffled beyond recognition by her walls. For once she cursed Inuyasha for speaking quietly instead of shouting to the world like usual. After a bit of silence, Sesshoumaru waltzed into her room, looking like the high-and-mighty got that he obviously percieved himself to be. Rediculous. Without giving him a chance to speak, Kagome intervened.

"I know why you're here Sesshoumaru, and I don't need your pity. I'm fine now, so you can leave." Her statement was only met with a blank stare, and it riled her nerves more. "That's why you're here right? Because you feel bad about leaving me a mess this morning? Well, I'm fine now, so save your pity for the weak."

"I don't pity you Kagome. What in the seven hells are you talking about?" It was Kagome's turn to give Sesshoumaru a blank stare. Had she come to the wrong conclusion about his feelings? After a bit of hindsight...she concluded that though it was a possibility, it wasn't likely.

"I'm here because I said I would be. We never finished talking this morning, which I admit is my fault. You caught me off guard, I've admitted that, but with all the things going on, I needed to plan for the future." Kagome's blank stare didn't dissipate, but if possible doubled in intensity.

"Plan for the future? What future?" Kagome questioned when her mind began working again. Sesshoumaru sat beside her on the bed. She would have shifted away from him if his weight hadn't caused such a dip in the mattress that it took most of Kagome's regained energy just to keep rolling on top of him. 'Who would have thought that Sessh weighed a ton!'

"I wanted to discuss this last night. I have some disconcerting news that involves you. Do you remember the warning Naraku issued when we met him?" It took Kagome a moment to remember the detail of that particular visit, since much had happened since then. '"Kikyo won't take being replaced lightly"' flashed through her memory banks. She dipped her head to Sesshoumaru informing him that she remembered.

"Well after a bit of digging, I've learned that Kikyo was behind the death of your friend. Apparently she's taken a personal vendetta against you. She comissioned this "James" character to seduce your co-worker, and kill her." Kagome sighed to herself after letting the information sink in. A deep hatred for this Kikyo character bubbled in Kagome's chest. Despite the great deal of animosity she felt for her though, a small portion felt sorry for Kikyo. Such troubles for unrequitted love. Pathetic.

"So that's why you went so quiet after I told you about my ability. You believe Kikyo may come after me soon, and you had to plan on what to do should I loose control with her." Kagome supplied. Gathering by the look of shock on Sesshoumaru's usually stoic face, she presumed that she'd hit the nail-on-the-head; so to speak.

"Yes, unfortunately, Kikyo has made many allies, and few foes. If she were to meet her demise, there would be dire reprecussions. Unfortunately, I don't think anything short of death will get Kikyo to stop her insane desire to kill you; which leaves me with quite the dillema." Kagome absorbed the information, and began working on a way around it, but there were a few things that escaped her formula.

"What kind of reprecussions? What would happen?" She asked somewhat timidly, though it was because she was trying to find a way out of the situation. Sesshoumaru tuned to look at her briefly before sighing and returning his gaze to her wall, which until that moment, it hadn't left.

"They'd group together and try to kill you." Sesshoumaru stated simply. "I'd try to protect you, of course, but even my powers wouldn't be enough to protect you against their combined power."

"What if we were to gather an army ourselves? Kikyo is not the only one with allies Sesshoumaru." He gave her a dry look, "Surely you don't believe that this Sesshoumaru, has an army at his disposal. I must inform you that I'm not very populat amongs my own kind, and am seen more as an outcast. That option is not available."

"To you maybe, Sesshoumaru. I'm sure I can come up with someone willing to help. It doesn't necessarilly have to be an army of vampires that aids us does it?" Kagome hinted. Sesshoumaru caught on to what she was alluding to, and obviously did not approve.

"I would think twice about asking for the aid of a bunch of unorganized couths. They'd be massacred." Kagome just smiled sweetly at her companion. A mischievious glint in her eyes.

"Inuyasha, Kouga, would you mind coming in here please?" In almost no time, both Inuyasha and Kouga stumbled through the door, both trying to come in first and only succeeding in getting stuck. When they finished their little battle of wills and childish staredowns they turned to the two spactaters. Sesshoumaru turned toward Kagome.

"You're sure you wish to ask for their aid?" He asked incredulously. Kagome shot him a dismal look before nodding.

"Help with what?" Inuyasha asked only to be interrupted afterwards by Kouga.

"Of course we'll help! My woman has asked for my servaces, and I am obliged to accept!" Kouga stood and rushed to Kagome, by passing, and ignoring Sesshoumaru alltogether. "What is it you wish of me. Just name it and it shall be done!" If Kagome had been an anime character, there would have been a sweat-drop, but as it was, there wasn't.

"Kagome has found herself in a bit of a bind. She has requested your help in this matter, but before you agree, you should know that it may cost the lives of many of your kind. She's found herself in a position that if things go sour, which they most likely will do, will start the war that's been brewing between our two races." Sesshoumaru noticed how both wolves sobered immediately.

Inuyasha took a seat beside Kagome, but opposite Sesshoumaru. He took her hand, but failed to notice the glare sent to him by both other males in the room. He stared intently into her eyes.

"What have you gotten yourself into Kagome, and I want to know everything." Kagome, for her part, swallowed thickly. She was nervous about the whole ordeal, and really needed their help, but didn't want to cause a war.

"It's Kikyo." At the mention of her name, Inuyasha stiffened visibly. Kagome squeezed his hand to try to comfort him before continuing. "She's decided that she wants to kill me." Inuyasha stood from the bed and flung Kagome's hand back at her.

"She wouldn't do that. Kikyo's not that type of person!" He turned his back on Kagome, but she didn't let it phaze her. She knew that he'd be difficult given the past between him and Kikyo. She continued compassionately, yet undaunted.

"I have reason to believe that she was behind the murder of one of my friends. Granted it's just rumor at the moment, but rumors tend to be rooted in truth. I'm not taking any risk to my life lightly Inuyasha, not even for you. IF, and that a big if, she does make an attempt on my life, I will defend myself. It could end in her death Inuyasha. If it does, I'll need to know what side you'll be on. Will you help Sesshoumaru protect me from all the vampires that will try to kill me in return, or will you be among the ones seeking my life?"

It seemed like an eternity before Inuyasha answered. All in the room held baited breaths. Sesshoumaru would protect Kagome reguardless, as would Kouga. She knew that for certain, but if Inuyasha refused...the future was dark. It may very well cause a rift to form between Kouga and Inuyasha.

"I will help you if it comes to that, but it won't! Like I said, Kikyo won't try to kill you, she's not that kind of person." Kagome let out the breath she'd been holding. It was nice to know that he was on her side, if even slightly.

"Thank you Inuyasha, that means so much."

The rest of the night resulted in the four planning their strategies on what to do should things go sour, even with Inuyasha's constant outbursts about how "this was all for nothings since it wouldn't happen."

Dawn came soon enough and Sesshoumaru left per usual for his sunless haven. Kagome was still curious as to know where he went during the day, but would question it later. It wasn't important at the moment. Soon after his departure, Kouga and Inuyasha left too, to inform their pack of their possible future.

Kagome sighed when all was once again quiet. She stood from her bed, and went to shower. When she cought her reflection she almost growled at it in frustration. Her hair was a perfect rat's nest, and her clothes were wrinkled and stained with what looked like chicken soup. She decided that after her shower, she'd call the library and see about coming to work today...provided she still had a job.

(End Chapter)

So what did you think? I finally got out of my slump and back on track. I can't believe how far off my original storyline this has gotten! But it's okay because it's back. In fact, this detour proved quite interesting!-. At least this chapter was a bit longer than the last one, though, I think my next one may be a little short. At least it looks like it will so I'm giving you the heads up!

BETA-READER WANTED! With the loss of my spell-checker, I will need someone to look over my chapters and catch everything I've missed. Like I said last chapter, I look over my work, but without my checker, I'm useless.

With that out of the way, here are the review responses!

BelleDayNight- As always, your reviews give me pleasure and a good laugh. A guy hanging out with me because of pity is NOT something I would like either. LOL. Does the guy that asked you to marry him know of your obsession with Kouga? -.. LOL. I tried to not make him so clingy, but he just keeps coming out that way...especially in this chapter. I swear he's not going to be like this for the whole thing. The only reason he's acting like this is because he's worried about Kagome being sick. This IS the first girl he's ever loved, and with her being mortal, he's scared he's going to loose her. Let's just say, he has to brush up on his human skills. LOL, thank you for reviewing, your effort is greatly appreciated!

darkphoniex245 and Vampirezdarkgurl- thank you both for reviewing. Here's the updated chapter that you were so looking forward to. .