Chapter 20: Meeting at the Western Lands

Kagome had awoken wrapped up in Sesshoumaru's arms. Her head was resting on his chest and her legs were intertwined with his. Sun streamed through curtains like a waterfall of light. Any trace of rain was gone. Any trace of battles was gone.

It was peaceful.

That last time Kagome had awoken wrapped up in Sesshoumaru's arms; she had a realized she was starting to fall for youkai. And a thought of never leaving him passed through her... but she had thought he could never feel that way towards her. She had thought once the chain was broken it would be over.

She had thought wrong.

Kagome smiled. Last night was the most passionate night of her life. And it was no wonder that the great youkai who never slept...was asleep next to her. Kagome gave a sly smile at the thought--she had worn him out.

Of course he had worn her out as well. By the direction of the sun Kagome could tell it was not morning, it was not mid-day either. It had to be somewhere around three.

But her thoughts had shifted back to last night. Somewhere between hot kisses and love making--Sesshoumaru had bit her. And he had bit her hard. Right on the crook of her neck. He had whispered in her ear:

"You are mine now."

Knowing a bit on inu youkai, Kagome realized then that he had marked her as his mate. No other being could have her. She was his. His until death took them.

The smile on her face grew larger.

It was almost a dream. Something that Kagome thought would never happen. Of course she loved Sesshoumaru now, but it was not always so. He had gotten under her skin, pissed her off, degraded her, and they fought constantly.

Even now, Kagome could remember the first week. It was horrible. They were fighting every moment they drew breath. Back and forth they would bagger and it continued to be that way until something happen.

It was puzzling. Kagome didn't really know what the something was. She didn't know when the something happened. But soon their fights became almost taunting and flirty. They began to understand each other just by their actions.

And before Kagome new it, Sesshoumaru had shown her what she truly could be. Not a just a copy of some dead miko, but a powerful one of a kind.

She was going to have to thank Tsuki.

Oh Kami... was she going to have to thank her.

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Inuyasha ran. Something he was doing a whole hell a lot of. Running. Last night played in his head. He and the gang had ran after the damn bandage for what seemed like forever.

It led them straight out of the forest to a large field. No grass, no trees, just a barren land. They had stood there in the rain puzzled by the meaning.

Then Inuyasha began to sniff around. Though the rain made it difficult, he could smell the scents of Naraku, Kagome... and Sesshoumaru. Faintly he smelled that Kagome and Sesshoumaru had left together.

And now they were after them.

Inuyasha was sure Sesshoumaru would take Kagome to the Western Lands. And even if it cost him his life, he had to go there to make sure that she was ok.

But also to try and talk to her before it was too late.

"We are almost there, guys!" Inuyasha called over his shoulder while everyone moaned a response.

If there was one thing they never wanted to do again, it would be running. Miroku was riding with Sango on Kirara's back, his thoughts rolling over the last events that had happened. But something stuck out farther than the rest.

The chain.

Kagome had come to them, weeping and consumed with worry. Sesshoumaru had been fighting a battle of some kind and needed their help. What Kagome never explained was how the chain got broken. Miroku's eyes widen. There was only one way that it could have been possible…

"And until this creature of darkness and greed cares for the soul of this young maiden more than his own life..." The words of the fairy floated back into Miroku's mind. Impossible. Sesshoumaru couldn't really care for Kagome...

Could he?

Miroku leaned in and whispered to Sango, "I wonder if Inuyasha realizes how the chain must have broken."

"Why do you think he's running so fast?" Sango whispered back.

'Inuyasha...' Miroku looked at Inuyasha with worry.

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Kagome felt Sesshoumaru stir next to her. She turned her body over and placed her chin on his chest. She focused on his closed eyes and watched the lids flutter. Slowly she saw his piercing golden orbs gazing at her. At first the were distant and cloudy. But the youkai blinked again and Kagome saw the sharpness and depth return to them.

Tenderly Sesshoumaru reached out and touched Kagome's hair. Kagome was pretty sure he was going to drop a romantic line like "Good morning my beautiful" but that wasn't the case.

Instead an arrogant smirk curved on his lips as he said, "I said I would show you a ten." Kagome threw he head back in laughter. The constant joke that would never die.

She pulled herself on top of him and kissed his neck. "Oh... that was a ten? Maybe you should refresh my memory." She felt his strong arms wrapped around her as she moved her lips up his neck, to his lower jaw, and up to his lips.

She was about give him a soft kiss, when she felt every muscle in his body tense up. She paused and pulled back, searching his eyes for an answer. He jerked up and she fell on her side next to him.

"Hey!" Kagome pulled the covers to her chest. "What was that for?"

"We have company." Sesshoumaru grumbled as he put on his clothes. "Get dress. There's a kimono in the closet." Sesshoumaru pointed to a closet and then walked to the door. "Don't be long, or I might kill our guest." Sesshoumaru swung open the door and then slammed it shut.

There was only one person who could make Sesshoumaru that mad in that little amount of time.

"Inuyasha." Kagome quietly said the name as if it held a curse. She got up and went to the large dresser Sesshoumaru pointed at. Surprisingly there was a beautiful kimono inside. It's silk was the finest Kagome had ever touch. So soft she felt has if it might tear by the touch of her hand. The kimono flowed with such elegance; Kagome thought she shouldn't be allowed to wear the beautiful thing.

The color was a sapphire blue that matched perfectly to Kagome's swirling sapphire eyes. When Kagome put it on, she turned in the mirror and gasped. The dress hugged her perfect hour-glass figure and then pooled down by her legs. The sleeves flowed down her slender arms and gracefully covered her hands.

But the design was what caught Kagome off guard. Everything was solid blue except for the swirling design of light shades of blue down by her left leg. It was drawn like an explosion of bright blues that eventually faded into sapphire.

Quickly fixing her hair, Kagome rushed to the door and struggled to get it open. "Ugh!" Kagome wheezed and finally made a small enough entrance so she could squeeze her way through.

Running down the long hallway Kagome realized, she was lost. By chance she glanced out the window and saw Sesshoumaru standing outside in front of his large door, arms stiffly by his side, back straight as a board, oh yeah... he was pissed.

Inuyasha and company burst through the trees and then came to a dead stop. Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha just stared at each other. Finally Inuyasha's mouth moved.

Kagome could see that Sesshoumaru wasn't answering. Inuyasha balled his fist and repeated whatever he was saying. Kagome needed to get down there and fast.

"It has to be this way!" Kagome just ran straight ahead as fast as she could. Finally she reached spiral stairs and quickly made her way down. She ended up in a large room. She headed straight for the large door and with all her might, she pushed it open.

Immediately Inuyasha's loud voice filled her ears.

"DAMMIT I SAID, WHERE IS SHE!" Inuyasha yelled. Kagome ran down the steps.

"Right here!" All eyes were focused and her as she ran and then stopped next to Sesshoumaru. She met Inuyasha's eyes evenly. "Right here." She repeated, out of breath.

All was silent and then Shippou jumped from Sango into Kagome's arms. "I'm so glad you're safe!" He said with delight, breaking the unbearable silence.

Sango's eyes suddenly filled with tears as she covered her mouth and just gazed at Kagome. Gently Kagome set down Shippou as Sango rushed into her arms, unable to hold back the sobs. Kagome softly patted her hair.

Kagome felt bad for what her friends must have been going through. Especially after she just got kidnapped from Naraku. She couldn't imagine the kind of worry they must have had for her over the last few weeks, and most especially over the last twenty-four hours. Poor Sango was probably filled with such relief at the sight of her.

Miroku met Kagome's gaze and a silent message of "I'm glad you're ok" was passed between them. Sango regained her composure and then took her place next to Miroku.

Now Kagome's eyes fell on Inuyasha.

He stood directly in front of Sesshoumaru, his shoulders tensed, his fist curled in tight balls. Kagome couldn't see his eyes, for his head was downcast.

The tension in the air seemed to multiply ten fold as the group stood there.

Finally Inuyasha's head shot up, his eyes filled with the all too familiar look of jealousy as he glared at Sesshoumaru. "What did you do to her!" He yelled in fury. "What the fuck does she smell like you? Huh! What did you fucking do to MY Kagome?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed red as Kagome's mouth fell open.

She stared at Inuyasha in disbelief, and then noticed how clouded and distant his eyes were. Fury and jealously swirled in the amber depths making them unclear and cloudy.

"How could you ra-" Sesshoumaru grabbed Inuyasha's throat before he could finish his sentence.

"This Sesshoumaru would never sink so low as to take advantage of a woman." He squeezed tighter, his eyes redder than blood itself. "Kagome is MY mate, you insignificant hanyou bastard!" Then he threw Inuyasha back into a tree.

"BASTARD! SHE IS MINE-"

"Sit!" Kagome yelled at Inuyasha, causing him to stop in mid-sentence and fall to the ground. "JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE! I thought we were passed this. What the hell, Inuyasha, what the hell? Here you go, spouting off at Sesshoumaru thinking he fucking raped me! You aren't even considering the possibility that maybe, I dunno, maybe I'm his mate by choice!" Kagome walked to Inuyasha's subdued body.

"How dare you, HOW DARE YOU, come here and claim me as your woman! I swear you are the stupidest, pig-headed idiot I've ever met! Things just don't register in your brain." Kagome crossed her arms as Inuyasha slowly stood up.

"I just..." His eyes were clear now, no anger, no jealousy, only sorrow, only sadness. "I just didn't want to believe that. I wanted to believe that I still had a chance-" Kagome held up her hand to silence him.

"Inuyasha you ruined your chance." Kagome said softly. "A long time ago. I-"

"WELL! I do say this is a lovely scene." Kagome whirled around at the smell of lilacs and saw Tsuki standing next to Sesshoumaru. "I mean the gang is all here!"

Sesshoumaru was glaring at Tsuki while the others had turned their gazes from Inuyasha and Kagome to the beautiful fairy standing next to Sesshoumaru. Kagome looked back at Inuyasha... whose anger had quickly returned to his eyes.

"YOU!" He pointed a finger at the fairy. "You're the reason for all of this!"

Tsuki looked behind her, and then back at Inuyasha. "Me?" She pointed at herself and then scooted behind Sesshoumaru. "I... um... no... I can't take all the credit!"

"You little bitch!" Inuyasha charged at her.

"Sit." Inuyasha fell flat on his face. "Inuyasha getting mad at her won't help anything."

'Wow... could this get any worse?' Kagome mentally asked herself as she gave a long sigh.

Suddenly she felt a shard heading towards them at great speed. In the distance she saw a large...tornado. Inuyasha jumped to his feet and turned to the forest, giving out a long growl. "I had to ask." Kagome mumbled.

Just that instance Kouga burst through the forest and stopped in front of Inuyasha. "WHAT THE FUCK, DOGBREATH?" He yelled. "I've been trying to track you for THREE WEEKS now and I haven't be able to catch you yet! WHERE THE HELL IS MY KAGOME?"

"Oh shit." Tsuki cursed.

"Oh shit." Miroku and Sango said at the same time.

"Oh... shit..." Kagome's head dropped. Kouga spotted her in an instant and made his way towards her sulked figure.

"Kagome I've been-" Sesshoumaru was in between Kouga and Kagome in a flash. His eyes were red once again and his claws were flexed and ready to attack. "Who the hell are you!"

"Kagome's mate." Sesshoumaru said in an icy tone.

"What the fuck?" Kouga stared at Sesshoumaru in disbelief. He looked back at Inuyasha who was standing with his fist in tight balls, getting tighter by the second. He looked back at Sesshoumaru. "JUST WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE! WHEN DID YOU GET INTO THE PICTURE!"

Kagome lightly touched Sesshoumaru's arm. His anger dwindled and his eyes faded from their bright red. "Kouga." She spoke his name with such an odd tone that Kouga was forced to look into her sapphire eyes. "Sesshoumaru is Inuyasha brother, he and I-"

"WHAT!" Kouga whirled around took a swing at Inuyasha who quickly dodged the oncoming blow. "YOU LET HER GO TO YOUR BROTHER?" He yelled. "I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT HER WITH YOU!"

"IT ISN'T MY FAULT! IT'S THAT BITCH OF A FAIRY'S FAULT FOR CHAINING THEM TOGETHER!" Inuyasha said as he punched Kouga.

Kouga jumped into the air and then kicked Inuyasha's jaw. "JUST WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"

"Wow, do they do this a lot?" Tsuki asked Kagome, suddenly appearing by the miko's side.

"Yes." Kagome let out a sigh. "Sit." Inuyasha smashed into the ground. "Alright listen here!" Kagome's voice rose as she stepped out from behind Sesshoumaru. "You two will stop fighting. Let's act our damn age for once!"

Kouga and Inuyasha looked at the ground and started to kick imaginary dirt. Kagome placed a hand on her forehead and sighed. "First of all," She began, her voice sounded weary and tired, "I need to talk to Inuyasha...alone."

As the group quickly disappeared and headed for the castle, Kagome turned around and walked to Sesshoumaru. She placed her hands lightly on his chest and looked up at him. "Please..." she whispered, "I need to do this."

Sesshoumaru briefly looked passed her and glared at the hanyou. Inuyasha quickly looked away and Sesshoumaru brought his gaze back to Kagome's sapphire orbs. He gave a slight nod as Kagome slowly smiled. Mouthing a thank you she stepped back and watched Sesshoumaru slowly turning to go, giving Inuyasha one last glare.

Once he was out of ear shot Kagome turned around and walked towards Inuyasha. "Kagome I-" Kagome held up her hand to silence him.

"When I said, I needed to talk, that meant... I needed to talk." Kagome took a deep breath and then met Inuyasha's gaze directly. "Over these past few weeks you have been nothing but overbearing, jealous, rude, obnoxious, and down right confusing." Her eyes flashed with anger. "And let me strongly emphasize that confusing part."

"If my memory is correct, Inuyasha, YOU told ME that you loved Kikyou and for me to forget about anything between us. But yet you throw a jealous rage if Sesshoumaru is near me. You told Kikyou that I meant NOTHING to you, but now you're pissed that I'm with Sesshoumaru. What the fuck Inuyasha? Are you skitzo? Do you need a doctor? Because honestly you've been showing some split personalities lately." Kagome continued.

"Don't pretend that you see me for who I am. Don't pretend that you have suddenly changed your heart and you no longer see the Kikyou inside me. Don't force yourself to love me. Because that's what you're doing. You want to love me. But more and more you see I am not her. So it's hard for you to love me. But its the Kikyou inside me that compels you to. Am I making any sense?" Kagome paused to let him speak.

"Yes..." Inuyasha's ears flatten against his head. "I'm a bad person."

Kagome's eyes soften. "No Inuyasha, you're not. Your love was just taken away from you too soon. You never had the chance to grieve. I don't hate you Inuyasha. I still care about you as a friend. I always will, you were my first friend over here." Kagome reached out and patted his arm. "For once though, do something for me. Accept my love for Sesshoumaru and stop trying to love me."

Inuyasha met her gaze steadily. "Ok." He said and then brought her into a quick embrace.

"Ok." Kagome smiled and then pulled back. "Let's go and make sure Sesshoumaru doesn't kill Kouga."

The two headed towards the castle, no more words spoken between them, they just walked in a comfortable silence. It seemed as if things were starting to mend, for the both of them.

End of Chapter

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Moonchild: A couple of things...

Kagome: Uh oh...

Inuyasha: Here we go...

Sesshoumaru: It won't be a couple of things.

Moonchild: You're right, it won't. First I want to say, Single Spark is back up and I will be updating there as well. Two...as you may have noticed... I've been away for like two months. And that's for many reasons, one I was in a slump because I got some reviews that kinda upset me. They weren't bad but they weren't good, and if you learn one the about me, learn this: writing fanfic is personal to me. The fact that I'm letting you all read something I wrote is hard in the first place because I'm VERY insecure about my writing right now.

So be careful with what you say. If you don't like it, that's ok. Don't read it. I don't expect everyone to like my work. But I'm asking you... not to send me a review nit-picking on my damn chapter with what I did wrong! You know I got a complaint saying the last chapter was a little rushed. Well let me just explain that a little bit... I must have gotten 40 or more reviews a day basically saying "Update soon you bitch or I'm going to kill you." And not that I was scared that random people were going to kill me, but I just got a since of urgency to hurry and got the chapter out there. FOR YOU. And then I get a complaint that says "Oh it was too rushed" So you know what, I took my time with this one. Two months.

Next, I got a review saying last chapter was "cheesy". Ok I'm just going to tell you all right here and right now that hell yeah last chapter was that mushy mush romance feel. THAT'S WHY THIS IS A ROMANCE FIC. If you don't like that, I suggest closing this browser and never reading this fic again because it's going to get worse, my friend.

So after all my bitching and all my barking I want to say that this author's note doesn't even apply to 90 of you. And to that 90 I want to say THANK YOU. Because it's only for you that I even considered finishing this fic. So seriously, thank you, thank you so much.

Inuyasha: DAMN MC was pissed!

Sesshoumaru: Even this Sesshoumaru is impressed

Kagome: MC needs a hug, c'mon guys! Let's go give her one rushes to MC