Kagome looked straight into his eyes; the lucid honey color was now infused with an erotic darker gold permeating from the dark ring around the outside of the iris. She memorized his features, the slim curve of his strong jaw line as well as the slender nose gracing the center of his face. His sculpted brows were set as he studied her as well, but his focus was more on the innocence shining in her eyes as well as experience that Sesshoumaru found he liked burning those twin blue oceans. He saw her full bottom lip leave the company of the thinner upper lip to allow her increased breathing. Sesshoumaru's mouth thinned slightly as he leaned down towards those rose petal lips only to stop and look her in the eyes. She watched him through a slight daze it seemed and he smirked.

"Anxious, are we?"

Kagome's eyes widened before narrowing quickly as she glared at his retreating back that didn't sway, unlike most people, when he walked. The muscles in his lower back that could be seen from beneath his long hair, tightened slightly with the gentle, masculine movement of his hips. Her cheeks defied her anger for the embarrassment she was really feeling right now. She had thought he was going to kiss her even when something in the back of her head was shouting that she was an idiot the whole time for letting him walk all over her like that. She had only let one person do that, take advantage of her and she lost her god-given innocence, and it was then that Kagome swore never to let another follow in their footsteps.

Sesshoumaru took his sweet old time crossing the kitchen's tile floor. He was never one to beat around the bush, preferring to be direct and concise. Therefore, it was impossible to deny the fact that he had almost just kissed that insufferable woman. And it wasn't like he couldn't understand why, Sesshoumaru wasn't an idiot. His attraction was obvious as was the lust screaming through his veins at this very moment. Now normally Sesshoumaru would have just seduced her, taken her, and then dismissed whenever it suited him. However this time...there was something holding him back. The thing had black hair, big brown eyes, freckles, and happened to have a great affiliation for this woman he wished to use. Rin would not want to stop seeing her as well as Shippou. Sesshoumaru would have to endure her presence every visit to the park or anytime Shippou would come over. The women he dropped so casually either always sought him again never leaving him a free moment, or reeked with the need for revenge. Rin would not be in the middle of that again. After discovering her in the alleyway, Sesshoumaru had taken great pains to make sure Rin was never to be hurt and that mentally or physically.

He sighed and set the now cleaned kettle on the stove. He heard the pitter patter of little feet and waited for the entrance of the two children currently housed in his apartment. The two popped around the corner obviously playing tag or some adapted version to suit their purposes. Rin ran around Kagome laughing excitedly before circling to hide behind Sesshoumaru. Shippou was about to reach her when he slipped and fell forward, but before he hit the floor, a hand reached out and grabbed his arm. The grip was strong, but not painfully so. Once situated back on his feet he looked over his shoulder at the fleeing girl. Her shoulder length black hair pushed out behind her as it was for once loose from its side pony tail in her hurry to dress and make breakfast.

Kagome watched the male across from her curiously. Any tension was now obliterated. The draw of his shoulders into that taught, rigid posture, the clench in his tight jaw, and also the loose fingers that were just yearning to create a fist. His eyes had been hard and his face strained, but now all was serene. His eyes were lidded and his mouth relaxed to reveal the fullness of their seams. Sesshoumaru shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the counter. Kagome moved across the kitchen parallel to his position, but on the other side of the room. He tensed at just her movement, which seemed odd, but she also noticed the narrowed eyes as if she was up to something. Kagome looked him straight in the eye, all previous emotions forgotten, then picked up the coffee pot and poured herself a cup from a nearby mug.

Sesshoumaru saw her look, the question obvious, but even more so there was a slight hurt in that cobalt hue. It was then that he realized he was treating her like all of his past girlfriends or rather acquaintances as he was prone to refer to them. It was ridiculous, she had given him no reason to mistrust her so far, but Sesshoumaru was not one to hand over his trust as she had obviously done with him. Now the infernal woman felt he was betraying that by not liking her presence? But I do…the realization wasn't a strong argument, but Sesshoumaru noticed the fact that he did act different around her, except it was minor. Sesshoumaru was more willing to compromise and conformist that he was usually found to be. He felt…alive. He wasn't brought down by the boredom that usually coursed his body with tire and his mood with irritation. He was calm and for once his heart and mind were not quarreling about simple actions. His mind would insist upon not lowering himself to the point of opening a door for another's passage, but wait for that person to do the deed for him. But now, Sesshoumaru didn't feel this was lowering himself, but rather improving her status by doing her favor to which she owed him greatly. He wouldn't sink, Kagome would rise.

He watched her fill his mug full of coffee and raised an eyebrow at her. Did she plan to use the same cup? Or perhaps she wasn't aware of its usage and was mainly drinking from it because it was close requiring her not to ask where the others were kept. He smirked as his bangs covered his eyes. Yet another chance…

"Now we share cups."
"Nani?"

Kagome looked at him strangely. Sesshoumaru hadn't really spoken since he turned from her. Now he was looking at her with that same look as before. She couldn't quite describe the gaze or the fact that she could see some miniscule flickers of emotions cross his eyes. Or the fact that those eyes stole her breath away and her stomach flutter almost queasily with butterflies. Then his question, or rather the statement, sunk in that was actually meant to be a question. Glancing down at the cup in her hand she took in the royal blue ceramic mug with his initials written in a curvy silver glaze right next to her thumb resting on the surface. Kagome then stiffened at the memory of his lips touching the ringed opening which hers had just left. Yet, she didn't find herself blushing even though she could hear Sango's teasing emphatic voice saying 'That's considered a French kiss! You just kissed a freakin' millionaire!!' Kagome shook her head, shuffling the tresses hang loose down her back to fall crazily partly over her shoulders leaving some down her spine. The waves swarmed her front and framed her face as she looked at Sesshoumaru across the way.

"So?"

Sesshoumaru tilted his head down at her, and then shrugged lightly before gesturing her out of the kitchen. Sesshoumaru walked out first leaving Kagome to roll her eyes, but follow him out coffee cup in hand. She had only moved two steps before he turned back and lifted the cup in her hand to his lips. Kagome's hand was now encased in his own against the sweating warmth of the mug making heat flow through her forearm. But the darkened look penetrated further into her eyes and flashbacks of her dream swiped across her memory. Her body stirred yearningly, but after one sip and a quick lick across the rim closest to him, Sesshoumaru left the cup to her control.

Over his shoulder Sesshoumaru spoke, "It's nearly eleven".

Kagome took that to mean that her welcome was worn and prepared to leave. She gathered her now dry, but stiff blouse. She held it up only to glance down at the shirt that Sesshoumaru had to have use fabric softener on. She shrugged and threw her shirt in her backpack left by the door. Kagome straightened her jeans and brushed away the few wrinkles possible from her night on his couch. She giggled. A smile crossed her features and she turned to call for Shippou.

Sesshoumaru entered then and watched her as Kagome's back was turned. He heard a soft feminine giggle and saw her turn to look at him. Her eyes widened and she took a deep breath.

"I didn't hear you come back in."

Then she smiled and the light from the open balcony doors behind her emblazoned her long hair. The soft toned of his shirt highlighted the pale skin of her face and neck. Her delicate smile only improved her appeal. The downy cotton material was one of the only Sesshoumaru didn't dry clean. The clean collar lay loose allowing most of her collar bone and a sliver of the white tank she wore underneath to be visible. She clutched a hand at her heart as a flushed touched her cheeks. Sesshoumaru did have quiet footsteps, but perhaps it was because she was caught doing something she was embarrassed about? He stepped closer and she fidgeted.

"Um…Give me a second and I'll give your shirt back, unless you want me to wash it?"

-Great Kag, now you're rambling.-

Sesshoumaru stepped closer enjoying her squirming aura in front of him. If only she could be beneath him as well as he thrust into her. Sesshoumaru caught himself; these thoughts would only be allowed in private when there was no chance that his desire would be cast into the open. He didn't need another gold digger seeking his fortune to realize his lust. She might just use it to her advantage. His eyes looked at her lips and resisted the urge to lick his own in response. Instead he clasped a hand around hers as she held onto the collar. Sesshoumaru pulled her hand down releasing it almost immediately. He gave a millisecond on the descent of their coupled hands to revel in the sheer softness of her skin. How he wished to touch it…to kiss it…Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth. This woman would drive him mad. Avoiding her was the only option, which wouldn't be very difficult for Takarashi Sesshoumaru.

"It is too small for me, keep it."

Then he left and Kagome felt the coldness that his reputation screamed he possessed sink down into her chest. A hard squeeze echoed through her heart and she knew that the one in her dreams…would remain there. The Sesshoumaru in reality was different, very different. He made it sound like charity giving her a shirt. Well no- Kagome would give it back no matter how much she wanted to keep the soft, warm, good smelling button down. She loved the color too, but Kagome would not accept his charity.

Kagome went into Rin's room to collect Shippou. She saw them playing together and Rin asked her to join them. But with sorrowed eyes Kagome declined.

"We have to go, gomen Rin. Another time?"
"Hai! Bai bai Shippou-chan, Kagome-chan!"
"Sayonara Rin-chan." Shippou replied as he walked out the door with a wave.

Rin turned and sat on her bed. Her face was downcast and her features, even when hidden from view, were obviously solemn. Small tears leaked down from the curtain of raven bangs. Her shoulders shook in silent sadness.

-So close…so close to having a mother again.-

Review Responses:

Pollux- Dude, that review was awesome. Personally I like rambling, seeing as how I do it myself…. Anyways, I agree with you- Kagome does seem to be the least likely to get raped and the sad part is that's not so unrealistic. It tends to be the people you wouldn't expect, but I'm not putting it in because I'm tired of reading it (personally). The way it's written is still kind of flowery and that takes away from it. If you have that kind of scene it has too be hard angst or otherwise I don't want to read. (must be believable, no saved at the last possible moment stuff) So, Jaken bashing usually is funny if its just a boot here and a boot there or maybe a little dress-up, but the pulverizing gets lame. Jaken may be sort of an idiot, but he's the comic relief to balance Sesshoumaru's serious nature, you can't have him being seriously punished. Plus, AU fics are getting very similar. A lot of them seem to blend into each other, so I'm trying my best to stray from common themes and twists.

I suppose I don't get a good number of reviews…but I can't help that. I don't like to review that much, but I do if there's a low number (most likely why you did too, lol) because then the author knows someone out there is reading it. Like for me on another site, the number of hits is counted, though that doesn't mean every one is reading the stuff, but I've had over 2,500 hits and one comment. It's pretty sad really…anyways; this fic actually has 37 chapters. I am gradually updating so as not to flood the inboxes like I did when I uploaded the first 13. (I forgot about the author alert thing -.-) Basically the point is- I appreciate you taking the time to review and if you think this is descriptive you should check out my other fic 'By the Light of the Moon'. It is also not so hot in the review section, but that is a very in depth plot. I confuse myself sometimes.

Lynnie6- Gomen, I didn't respond to your previous reviews. I'm a little lazy (sorry to everyone else as well .). The count of reviews is a little low, but I'm more concerned with the content. And as long as my current reviewers are happy, I'm cool with it. I like to see returning readers, its pretty good feeling to know that they keep coming back. So, I'm glad you like it. I posted two chapters along with this one, so keep going!