DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the other characters.

Chapter Nine: Look Into My Heart

Inuyasha was shocked at her words. Kagome was also shaking from the lie she had just given. She knew that deep down she can not erase the feelings she had for him…but she had to push him away. She was afraid of being hurt again.

"No," Inuyasha denied. "You can't just…Kagome, please tell me it's not true."

"I'm not lying to you Inuyasha," Kagome went on in a cold voice. "Just leave…you should just go back to Kikyo."

"I am not leaving Kagome," Inuyasha gritted out. "I told you already, I don't love Kikyo. And I'm not leaving until I can get that into your head."

"Fine then," Kagome snapped as her anger rose. "Stay…I don't care whether you love Kikyo or not. It's over between us; get that through your head."

With that, Kagome turned and headed to her bedroom. She laid down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. A part of her wanted to run out there and let herself be held by Inuyasha. But a part of her was also reluctant to even consider a relationship with Inuyasha. Besides, she was also already engaged to his brother. Kagome didn't want to hurt Sesshomaru and end up in another mess.

Inuyasha just sat down on the couch in Kagome's living room. He put his head in his hands. He was frustrated beyond reason. He had pushed her away and now he had pushed her way too far. Inuyasha sighed…he had to talk to Sesshomaru about this. He knew that his brother and Kagome did not have feelings for each other. Hopefully, if he played his cards right, he can hope to win back Kagome.

Inuyasha walked over to Kagome's door and opened it slightly. It seemed that Kagome had fallen asleep so Inuyasha just closed the door and left. He left her house and locked the door on his way out.

He headed to his car and climbed in. He sighed once before he started the engine and drove home. He still thought about what Kagome had said…and the hurt that he felt. Now he knew how much he had hurt her and he promised himself that if he ever got a second chance with her, he would spend the rest of his life making up for the tears that he had caused. Inuyasha didn't want to admit that he had fallen so hard for Kagome…until he lost her.

Meanwhile, Kagome had heard Inuyasha open her door, but she pretended to be asleep. She was surprised to hear her front door close. Assuming that Inuyasha had left, she opened her bedroom door and looked around. Inuyasha had left…and she felt a lonely, empty feeling inside.

Kagome then headed to the refrigerator and grabbed a bowl and filled it with ice cream. She found that she could not swallow a bite and was highly frustrated. She tried to think of anything else but Inuyasha, but her thoughts still revolved around him. She really wanted to give him a chance, but she knew that she still had the obligations and duty as a daughter to fulfill, before she can ever attain happiness. Kagome realized that she was obligated to marry Sesshomaru now, and she couldn't just break off the engagement with him. Not only that, but Kagome was afraid. She was afraid of being hurt again. Inuyasha had claimed that he loved her and that his actions were meant to protect her, but could she really forgive him for his actions and just readily welcome him back into her life?

It was confusing and frustrating not being able to decide. Kagome just decided to see how the events would flow along, but in the meantime, she would have to stay away from Inuyasha. He was able to bring about too many emotions in her. She sighed as she headed towards the phone, needing to talk to Sango.

Sango picked up the phone and was surprised to hear Kagome on the other line.

"Kagome?" Sango asked, surprised that Kagome called her so late at night. She had just changed into her pajamas and was getting ready for bed. But from the sound of Kagome's voice, she knew it was something urgent.

"Yeah, I needed to talk now," Kagome answered.

"Sure. Anytime Kagome…you know you can always confide in me and have me laugh at your antics," Sango joked, trying to cheer her friend up.

Kagome smiled, she knew that Sango was trying to cheer her up and her friend was always there for her. "Yeah, I needed to talk about Inuyasha."

"You need me to go beat him up? Or maybe commit a murder tonight?" Sango asked hopefully. She still resented Inuyasha's actions towards her 'little sister'.

"No, nothing like that," Kagome quickly insisted. "He came over to tell me the reason for our breakup."

Kagome then proceeded to tell Sango all about what Inuyasha had said. She ended up with the declaration that she was confused beyond all reason as to what to do at the moment.

Sango was stunned at what Kagome had just explained to her. She was speechless and didn't know what to do either.

"Kagome, do you actually believe him?" Sango asked slowly.

"I don't know what to think anymore," Kagome answered despairingly. "He seemed so sincere…but I'm afraid to get hurt again."

"Do you still love him?" Sango asked, though she could guess that Kagome still had some feelings for the jerk. She knew that Kagome loved Inuyasha and would not readily give up her love, even if she was hurt.

"I…" Kagome was hesitant. She was reluctant to admit to herself her feelings. Deep down, she knew that she loved him and would always love him, even if he didn't feel the same. "…do still love him Sango."

Sango sighed when she heard Kagome admit her feelings. She wanted Kagome to be happy, feeling as if it were her duty as an 'older sister' to take care of Kagome and make sure that no guy would hurt Kagome.

"Kagome," Sango began slowly. "Are you absolutely sure that he still loves you? I mean, he hurt you pretty badly last time…why should you give him a chance?"

"If Miroku did something to offend you, but he sounds as if he really is speaking from his heart, would you give him a chance?" Kagome countered. "I just want the chance to be happy, even though my duty lies in being betrothed to Sesshomaru. I just can't love Sesshomaru. He seems so distant most of the time…he even admitted that he doesn't have any feelings for me. I don't think that that would make a very good marriage. But on the other hand…maybe I'm just hoping so much from Inuyasha."

Sango sighed. "Maybe you should just talk to Sesshomaru about this. I know that this sounds selfish, but I think that you should put yourself above your duties for once. I only want to see you happy, and even if that costs the company, I still think that money and prestige can not buy the happiness that you desire. But please, make the right decision…I will murder Inuyasha if he breaks your heart again."

Kagome smiled at Sango's comment. She was happy that Sango was always there for her. She said good bye and hung up. She just smiled as she sat on her bed…thinking about Inuyasha. 'Maybe it is time to move on and do things for myself.' Kagome thought to herself.

Inuyasha had headed home and quickly leapt up the stairs and sprinted to Sesshomaru's room. Sesshomaru was not happy when he opened the door to find Inuyasha there.

"This had better be good," Sesshomaru growled lowly.

"We need to talk," Inuyasha answered coolly. "And we need to do it now."

Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows but nonetheless, moved aside to let Inuyasha in. Inuyasha sat on the couch that was in Sesshomaru's room while Sesshomaru sat in the chair at his desk.

"I know you don't love Kagome, so give her back to me," Inuyasha began.

Sesshomaru was surprised at Inuyasha's request. "And what makes you think I don't love her?"

"Quit pretending," Inuyasha growled angrily. "I know that your attention is with Rin. You've been dating her since college. There is no way that you're not interested in her. But because the company was in jeopardy, you had to sever any relationship with her. If you can return Kagome to me, the company would still be fine and we can both be with the woman that we each love."

"What makes you think that Kagome would come back to you?" Sesshomaru asked. "You flatter yourself, thinking that Kagome would return to you at your beck and call. Do you not remember how you hurt her? A girl like her deserves more than you."

"Just shut up Sesshomaru," Inuyasha spat. "You don't know anything about Kagome."

"And I suppose you do? Is that why you pushed her away so cruelly with the intention of 'protecting' her?"

"How'd you figure that out?"

"Inuyasha, your actions are always so transparent. A better method would have been to show her that you care. You know that Naraku is great with mind games…he would've used her doubt about your feelings towards her in order to manipulate her mind. Either that or kill her."

Inuyasha's stomach clenched at the mention of Naraku possibly killing Kagome. 'I won't let anything harm you Kagome, I promise.' Inuyasha vowed silently to himself.

"But for once," Sesshomaru continued, "You are right. I don't love Kagome and I would be more than willing to give her back to you, but the question is, can you convince her to trust you once again?"

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Thank you so much to all of those who reviewed for my last chapter. I will try and update ASAP.

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