She slipped soundlessly into her sheets. Her cat-like grace allowing her smooth movement as she stretched comfortably on her stomach. The night's wear bearing down on her shoulders heavily. Her long ebony hair sprawled across her back and spilled to pile on either side on her waist. An indiscernible smirk crossed her lips when she heard noises sounding from the bathroom. The toothpaste clanked as he dropped it into the holder mounted on the wall and the water whooshed on. A gargling and soon the lights flicked off. A soft shuffling hit her ears loudly and soon the covers pulled away from her scantily-clad form admitting a warm form to rest beside her. He curled alongside her flat form laying an arm over her back running a hand gently through her hair.

She turned away from him feeling the disappointment practically radiating from his aura and Kikyo could almost picture the frown on Inuyasha's cutely handsome face. However that was quickly remedied when she continued the jostling of her body that she had planned on doing. Kikyo scooted closely to him so that her back was against his bare chest. His arms wrapped around her waist fiddling with the edge of the satin tank top riding up on her midriff. The skin of his hands was always a little rough causing a giggle to escape her mouth as she wriggled against his tickling fingers. The smile was felt against her shoulder as he ceased his motions. Kikyo panted, but turned her head to look at him. His normally gruff nature had melted away for that one moment to reveal a twinkling in his eyes and that smile she always fell in love with all over again. They were rare and every time Kikyo received one, the swelling of her heart was immediate. Kikyo kissed his lips one hand cupping his cheek.

Kikyo turned once again laying her hands to rub his before capturing them inside her own. He laid an open-mouthed kiss on her neck and whispered goodnight against the slightly damp skin. She inwardly cringed making sure not to let him feel her discomfort. His head fell against the pillows above and behind her with his nose plunged into the sweet scented strands of her hair. Inuyasha was always one to fall asleep quickly, but even when slumbering he remained in their cuddling position freely sparing his warmth to her.

Kikyo closed her eyes, hiding the muted pain in the dark depths. She didn't want to hurt him this way, but a broken heart is much better than a forsaken one. She would hurt him once again yes, all for the corrupted master of hers. Still he would move on this time, Inuyasha would feel the pain and to Kikyo that was much better than the emptiness she would feel. That was her own personal punishment. She would never love again. This warmth, protection, safety…that Inuyasha gave her would be the only that would ever fill that vacant void.

-Inuyasha deserves better than this…-

Kikyo sighed, pulling his arms more fully around her, but her need to be next to him was too great. Kikyo turned and delved into his embrace burying her face into the crook of her neck. The tears she refused to shed hiding stealthily at the corners of her eyes conveying the storm raging inside her heart.

-All because of Naraku…but it is better this way. I would only be a disgrace to Inuyasha. I am not the perfect woman he thinks I am.-

Kikyo pulled away running a hand down his face, drawing the tip of her finger to trace his eyebrow. Following the thicker curve the farther she went, than down the bridge of his nose, and finally to trace his lips before leaving a kiss. Kikyo left her lips on his, her forehead leaning against his. She memorized his face every night so that she may never forget it.

-Inuyasha even when this is all over, I will never forget you…my love.-

The sullen woman laid down against her first and only love sinking down in the pillows and sheets of their bed. The small apartment in the center of Tokyo was dark, but warm on that freezing night as snow fell outside the window. The drapes were shut to close off the lights from billboards on the buildings across the way and street lights of the city that never really slept. Dark eyes closed, falling into a loving embrace, allowing herself to fall into the naïveté of the male's arms, admitting that nothing ever felt better in her life, but soon she would have to leave. Kikyo's time in this perfect world with Inuyasha, was almost up.

() (-.-) () (-.-)

Kagome sighed. It was so late, past two AM and no doubt Shippou would get her up early to open up his presents. She nearly lost it when Sesshoumaru drove to his apartment instead of hers. Kagome laughed at herself, she probably made him deaf. The whole neighborhood was probably awake by the time she was finished if they weren't up already.

Flashback

"Sesshoumaru…you have some nerve."

Kagome fisted her hands and gritted her teeth. She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. Her bangs fell over them hindering her sight, but her anger grew by leaps and bounds. That is until large hands gripped her around the waist and pulled her off her feet. An 'eep' escaped Kagome's lips as the hands tightened around her tiny hips and 'oomph' as her stomach bent over a muscular shoulder. Kagome blinked, her mind was blank. Then a good glance down gave a view of a rather interesting specimen.

"Hentai! Put me down!"

Kagome flailed her arms, kicking and wriggling from her unsettling perch on his shoulder. The pair was just about to walk through the doorway when Kagome made a mad grab for the frame. Their progress halted and Kagome smiled triumphantly, but that soon faded when Sesshoumaru's voice rang clear in the cold atmosphere.

"Hakashi, won't you?"

Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder slightly at the guard and doorman that was always stationed at the entrance to kelp stragglers from entering. The doorman quickly responded and gave an apologetic look as he gazed into Kagome's azure depths. Her cerulean orbs pleaded with him, but he looked away before prying her hands from the door frame. Hakashi watched with a humorous, but strange expression as the woman continued to yell. He scratched his head wondering why she was making all that racket. Her screaming had begun as soon as the car stopped. Hakashi shrugged and turned back to his post on the front steps.

Kagome let loose something near a growl as she saw Sesshoumaru's hair, still in its low-set pony tail. Kagome grinned, an evil smirk much different from her usual, and she reached for that tail. Sesshoumaru's back stiffened at the received jerk. Kagome inwardly celebrated, but apparently she did so too soon. Kagome squeaked, the hair unraveling from her hand in her shock.

-Did he…DID HE JUST GRAB MY ASS-

Sesshoumaru smirked. The only way to keep her quiet was to surprise her and keeping her on her toes was actually quite easy. He had only smoothed his hand from mid-thigh, where he kept her anchored even with her frantic struggling, upwards to the lower curve of her rear end and gave a quick pinch. He chuckled at her silent surprise and increased the length of his stride in hopes to make it to the elevator before she recovered.

Kagome recovered quickly, but was suddenly aware of the other people in the room. Also her childish behavior, but she was never one to act rationally around this insufferable man. Still, nervous eyes flitted across the lobby. Several pairs of eyes from the various couches sitting about peered over. Each one would widen then the person would look away. Apparently Sesshoumaru gave them a cold glare that made them avert their attention, but as soon as Sesshoumaru's attention was elsewhere, their curiosity returned. Kagome blushed at some of lecherous thoughts that were flying through the minds of two older men, their lecherousness seen clearly on their faces. A woman gave her pity and a sad smile no doubt thinking that Sesshoumaru was furious with her. The elevator opened as soon as the button pushed and Kagome was dropped when the doors closed. Kagome huffed, relenting. She crossed her arms and turned her eyes away from him. The embarrassment was left still burning on her cheeks.

Sesshoumaru leaned in cornering her in the elevator. His smoldering tawny eyes bore into blue ocean swarming with a slate grey. It made her squeamish, Kagome felt like she was going to be sick. Kagome never did like being in small spaces, her face paled and her mouth gaped. It was too similar, too much like last time. A charming smile and a too handsome face belying the evil burning in those dark eyes. Kagome shut her eyes tightly warding away those lost forgotten memories that put even her heart break over Inuyasha to shame. The days of her careless youth flooded her mind, Kagome fisted her hands.

Sesshoumaru backed up, uneasy at this sudden change in stature. Once again this girl reacted much the opposite of his expectations. Perhaps she would melt with desire at his closeness, but more likely warming with her explosion temper. He wasn't expecting fear that swelled so strongly in her heart he could practically smell it clouding the elevator or the maddening terror portrayed in those expressive depths as if they were projector screens for her soul. A chord was struck harshly inside Sesshoumaru. He felt an extreme anger that had long remained dormant since his mother. The same helplessness and despair that destroyed his mother's aura was replaying right before him in this slip of woman.

Sesshoumaru didn't think, his instincts overwhelming him. Kagome's world snapped and broke when her body became enveloped by strong arms. Her face stared at a white, iron-pressed collar and Sesshoumaru's soft hair, a few strands that escaped his hair band, tickling at her nose. Kagome hated herself for her weakness, but she couldn't stop the shaking. However her breathing, once rapid and wheezing, returned to normal. Kagome swallowed calmly and pushed away from Sesshoumaru. Kagome looked at him, meekly.

"Gomen nasai…I-I'm a little claustrophobic."

Kagome averted her eyes and truthfully they both knew she was only covering something up. Sesshoumaru didn't push the matter; her violent response was enough to let him know it wasn't an issue she wanted to address. This time- he would ignore her outright lie to his face, she needed to overcome this herself. They were her demons after all and none of his business. Sesshoumaru was just overprotective when it came to abuse; his mother didn't deserve it and neither did she.

-My enigma is certainly a challenge.-

Kagome tilted her head when the elevator stopped two floors below his apartment. She knew this because the last time she had visited. Kagome had thought how predictable that someone like Sesshoumaru would live in the pent house.

Sesshoumaru pushed on ahead, leaving the woman behind in the elevator. She stood for a minute, too caught up in her thoughts before she realized he left her standing there like an idiot. He could hear her mumbling curses at him under her breath, but he chose to ignore them only too glad that the cowering female was once again gone from her personality. She never used to be like this, at least not so often. Now it was twice in one night…why this night?

Kagome sighed, the tension between them was awkward, but that soon disappeared when a familiar face opened the door. It was Kaede, the woman who helped Sango with her store, the Chikujitsu, when Sango had to go to class. Kagome smiled, pushing passed Sesshoumaru and gave the elderly woman a small hug.

Kagome never knew where Kaede lived, but knew it was close by because she always arrived shortly after Sango called her for assistance. Even if it was last minute, it never took the elderly woman long to get there. Plus, Sango said that Kohaku was going to be watched Kaede while she was at the gala. Of course, Kagome convinced her to do so, but Sango always felt guilty asking others for help. Sango called the night before, still not really okay with burdening the kind Kaede, but Sango relaxed when hearing the news that Sesshoumaru's ward was going to be staying with her as well.

Kaede led the two to a room near the back of the apartment, the guest bedroom. There they found Shippou and Rin on the floor in nothing short of a dog pile with their various blankets covering random parts of their bodies. Kagome laughed lightly squatting down, an action not easy in a kimono, to gather her little treasure in her arms. The boy awoke, but chose to let his head fall on her shoulder and sitting on her hip. He fell back asleep soon after from Kagome's hand running in soothing circles across his back. Rin had been awakened from the loss of Shippou's warmth and simply stuck her hand into her guardian's. She leaned on his leg as she walked her body still half asleep. Kohaku had left earlier when Sango came by about a half hour ago.

"Gomen nasai, Kaede-san, for keeping you up," Kagome offered a kind smile, "Oyasumi Nasai."

"Oyasumi nasai, Kagome-san."

Sesshoumaru nodded and led the quartet with its new members out of the apartment. Sesshoumaru quickly tucked Rin in, brushing her bangs aside before promising to return shortly. Kagome missed the sweet moment for when Sesshoumaru went up; she waited for the elevator to come back down. Sesshoumaru then found the two waiting patiently in the lobby, all previous night owls that had been present for their entrance had left for bed. Kagome was silently thankful, but she still caught the doorman's odd look when she came back out.

End Flashback

Kagome sighed. Sesshoumaru drove them back to her apartment. There was one odd moment as she entered. He had grabbed her arm, staring at her for a few minutes before walking away.

-He almost looked…concerned, but then again I thought that before…that is right before he insulted me.-

She turned her head to glance around the dark living room. Kagome may have accepted that maybe it was time she gave in to her urges and perhaps date the man she spent the entire night with, but that didn't mean she was completely confident about her decision. Sesshoumaru just always seemed to set her off, she was always so uneasy.

A soft snoring was heard in the echo of the quiet room that interrupted her thoughts. Kagome smiled as a hand lifted to draw through the young kid's hair that rested against her side of the couch. Shippou's head rested on her stomach and his arms flung around Kagome's form loosely, the wide couch holding them in a comfortable situation. Kagome played with his hair that was for once released from his pony tail. The seven year old's shoulder length hair fell in wisps across his neck. He snored again making a motherly smile lighten Kagome's weary features. The woman sat up, gathering the small body in her arms so that he rested on her hip. His head now fell onto her shoulder and hands gripped at the fabric of the tee shirt she wore there. It seems Shippou would be sharing her bed tonight, not that it was the first.

Shippou tumbled under the covers, still in the charcoal grey sweatpants and navy blue tee shirt. The pants were gathered at the bottom and in his sleep they were pulled up to his knees. Kagome lay down on the other side of the bed hoping that maybe this time she could sleep. It had taken an hour to get Shippou back to sleep; he seemed quite interested in her night at the ball and getting a ride from Sesshoumaru just made his interest grow. Kagome had at first been suspicious, but set it aside for a child's curiosity. Kagome yawned, apparently all she needed was her bed for sleep to drag its claws into her and draw the tired woman to Neverland.

(-.-) (-.-) (-.-) (-.-)

Sango had arrived home a little after one. Miroku had been kind enough to stop by Kaede's, her temporary sitter, which she still felt guilty about depending on. It was last minute and apparently Kaede was already watching Sesshoumaru's adoptive little girl. He name was Rin, if Sango could remember correctly. Kohaku had waken upon her arrival and quietly left so as to not wake the other two. As soon as they arrived, Kohaku went to his room and fell asleep.

Sango waited for him to enter the house before turning to Miroku who stood by his car. The street was quiet, but the roar of the city whether from car horns or party goers. The lights could be seen from where they stood over the trees of the park. Miroku approached her and kissed her lightly on the mouth, giving her hand another squeeze. When he went to let go Sango held on, pulling him back towards her she fulfilled a longing she unconsciously held in her heart for a few months. Sango just held onto him in a tight hug. Her arms wrapped underneath his and at the center of his back. Miroku returned the embrace kissing the top of her head.

Sango had never been so happy in that one moment to feel her affections returned, especially since this time no groping was involved.

Kagome awoke to Christmas morning the same way she had for the past two years, except this year she wasn't Inuyasha to stop by around noon. Ever since she had known Shippou, the kid spent the holidays with her. The boarding house was quiet since all were orphans that weren't having company besides maybe friends they'd made in parts of the orphanage's housing.

Shippou bounced across her bed, closing to his sleeping mother-to-be to ensure that she was going to wake up. It was the second Christmas he'd spent with her and though he knew it was probably painful for Kagome, Shippou was glad no mean annoying Inuyasha would ruin it. Last year, the man had been grouchy from lack of sleep and always argued with him to no end, smacking him on the head too. Of course, Kagome would yell and/or hit him back, but not this year!

-NO INUYASHA-

"Okaa! Okaa wake up! It's Christmas morning!"

"Okay Shippou-chan. You can stop jumping on my bed now."

Kagome spoke from beneath the arm that covered her eyes. A plop and the sudden release of air from her lungs alerted Kagome that the energetic child was sitting on top of her. Kagome sucked in oxygen before grabbing the bundle of boy and tossing him on the other side of the bed. Kagome then proceeded to tickle him mercilessly. His squealing laughter was enough to make her smile along despite her fatigue. When tears sprouted and rolled partly down his cheeks, she let him up. A small hand immediately rose to wipe away the salty lines on his reddened face. Kagome stepped up from her bed, her arms lifting above her head and her back arching into a yawn.

"Are you hungry?"

Kagome asked as she turned to face him. An enthusiastic nod was her answer before he raced from the room towards the kitchen. Kagome glanced at the clock and issued a groan at the numbers blaring nine o'clock at her. Shippou always did love to cook and Kagome let him, as long as he did so with her help. On the menu for this morning was an egg omelet a la Shippou, basically eggs, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, cheese, and a little bit of spice. Kagome missed seeing him put in the spices so it would be her guess that he just put in whatever smelled okay or sounded right. Kagome was in charge of the bread and drinks. She toasted some plain toast for Shippou and a slice of wheat for herself. She boiled water for her tea as the chef stated he wanted orange juice. Shippou had sung it from the stool he stood on to place him above the stove's top. Add the chef's hat Kagome kept just for him and the apron that read 'I'm Irish, kiss me," it was too funny.

The pair sat down together in the living room, the elder flicking on the television so Shippou could watch his cartoons while eating. He laughed at random intervals watching the sarcastic remarks of Bugs Bunny as he fooled Elmer Fudd into thinking he was a girl and began dancing with the stupid hunter. Kagome could only wonder what type of girl would be wandering in the middle of the woods, no shelter in sight other than a bear cave. Breakfast was soon finished when a knock sounded at the door. Kagome smiled halting in her procession to the kitchen carrying some dishes.

"Shippou-chan, would you mind grabbing the door?"

Kagome set the glasses and plates carefully down into the metallic sink and then dried her hands quickly on a hand towel sitting next to the sink. Kagome re-entered the sitting room with a smile, already knowing who would be at the door this early in the morning.

Ok- I wasn't happy about how this turned out, so I tweaked it! Added like a thousand words lol.

To Yokan Ookami: Of course I can add you to my mailing list, all you had to do was ask. However, can you give me your email address again? You can send it to me at or leave it in a review. And on fanfiction, I update gradually. I updated the first thirteen chapters, but I forgot that for each one, the people who have me on their 'alert list' get an email for each one. (Whoops) So, the chapters there should get caught up soon though.

Words to know:

Okaa- mom

Oyasumi nasai- good night