…Neobrad- when you get here, know that this chapter is for you and all of your reviews…

Kagome was rifling through his closet with some reason and only kami knows what it is. Sesshoumaru shrugged, sitting on the corner of his bed simply watching her. The muscles on her upper arms would tense creating an indent in the skin where it contracted. Her legs were spread and she constantly tucked the wet strands of hair behind one ear. The girl had taken a shower and was now standing in one of his bathrobes, his favorite to be exact. This fact caused a minor bit of irritation on his part. Kagome was taking over his life. Sesshoumaru smirked. The girl had just slipped on the edge of his too long robe and fallen into his large closet. The sliding doors knocked together softly in their suspension. He could help her, but then that really wasn't the point. Sesshoumaru had tried to assist her before by asking her what she was looking for and Kagome had shoved him onto his bed in her frustration at not being able to find whatever it was.

Kagome squeaked. Her hands were braced against the wall opposite her and she was very much inside his closet. A few of his once straight shirts were no wrinkled and surrounding her on all sides. They obviously didn't like being disturbed. Kagome closed her eyes. Was she blaming shirts now?

Kagome pushed off the wall and regained her balance after teetering on the balls of her feet for a moment. The hands that gripped at her hip also helped to steady her. Blue eyes glanced down and blushed when his fingers lifted and fell in succession beginning with his pinky. The action was like a drumming against her and she rolled her eyes. She wasn't an instrument after all, yet Sesshoumaru did seem to know exactly which strings to pull to make her react.

Sesshoumaru drug her out of the confines of his closet and scowled at the disorder she'd caused simply by looking through it. Honestly this woman, or would be woman because Sesshoumaru wasn't sure someone so klutzy and chaotic could be really be human, was really too much trouble. How many times had he said this very sentence? Probably too many, but it was true. At least he wasn't bored, he thought with a sigh.

Kagome swatted at his hands and pushed him behind her again. She was slightly surprised when he actually moved too. The first time he had resisted at first demanding what she wanted, which only made her more agitated. After all, she wasn't a child, she could do it herself.

"I don't need help."

He looked at her skeptically, "Do you plan to fall into my closet again?"

Kagome was stuck on two things. One was a question, was he flirting with her? Then, the second was the fact that Sesshoumaru actually asked her a question. This in itself was odd. Then again Kagome just spent the night in his bed. He didn't complain or even question her. Who in their right mind wouldn't have given her a full inquiry, Sango would have, especially since it was so late. Sesshoumaru had just looked at her. His expression had been bordering on shoving her back out the door more like that was what his eyes revealed.

Kagome had felt her hopes drown, but then he had stepped aside. He didn't even say anything as he gave her clothes and slid in beside her. Sesshoumaru really was a hard person to figure out. He could be such a cold fish, but other times, like around Rin, it was like Kagome couldn't even recognize him. The changes were slight, but they were there. It was even happening around her and Kagome found she noticed more and more. She was getting to the point where she was wondering why she'd ever missed it before because it was becoming so obvious. Kagome stilled for a moment. She really could understand the stoic male and for some reason that made her smile in triumph. Very few others could probably accomplish this task.

Her smile faded and Kagome growled when her rebellious hair once again fell into her face. Like that was its purpose in life; only to piss her off and never sit right. This was going to be a long day and it hadn't even started. Kagome sighed heavily and buried herself back into the closet. She gave up trying to keep the thing neat because that only seemed to make it worse. Kagome had to fight the stupid shirts and clawed her way to the back. At first she'd found it strange that only one of his closet doors actually slid on the dual track because well- this was Sesshoumaru who expected the best. So why did he live with this simple annoyance that could be fixed? Maybe it was because he never came back here. Kagome swore she was halfway to the Dagobah system and back with no sight of Yoda yet. She scoffed at her own sarcasm, but that didn't last long for the pearl of her search came into her darkened view.

Sesshoumaru's eyebrows rose when he heard a muffled cry from within his closet. Why he let the girl into it he didn't know perhaps it was his own curiosity. It had made quick work of the cat and was readying the dog for slaughter as well. Kagome would be the monkey who got away with murder. If she couldn't blush her way out of it, then her innocent smiles would turn her executioner to helpless goo in her palm.

A dark head came into view, her bangs hanging down and Sesshoumaru stiffened. A lightning fast flash of one of his more thorough dreams of Kagome echoed across the plains of his consciousness. Her black ebony hair had blocked her face from view where it moved between his thighs. Her motions lost to his eyes, but not his treacherous body which forced him to release a moan.

Sesshoumaru cleared his thoughts with a slow, deep breath. He felt like the bull starring in one of the many cartoons Rin was now enamored with, blowing the air out through his nose. Ever since he met this woman his world had been upturned and thrown to the floor into that cataclysmic order that Kagome defined. She was messy, yet organized. This was not easily understood. Organization was clean and knowing exactly where it is you put everything. Kagome could walk through her apartment for a half hour trying to find her other shoe, but know exactly which pile of clutter the letter opener, one she never used, had fallen entrenched into. No one affected him so significantly and Sesshoumaru was aghast to know why this was.

Kagome was what was missing in his life. How sad that sounded at this moment. The woman had just tripped and crashed face flat at his feet. Kagome was charismatic, drawing every moth to her flame and tenderly taking care of it instead of burning it. Sure she singed a few wings here and there, but anyone would suffer the burns to be blessed by her smile; at least judging by his observations. All of Kagome's acquaintances seemed to be drawn together by tragedy, even himself. Kagome, despite her inner turmoil, made life a brighter existence; a sun below the clouds and within reach.

Sesshoumaru stilled his thoughts. How unlike him to wander his focus. The damnable girl was rubbing off on him for sure. Sesshoumaru almost found his lips smiling of their own accord at times. However he could not deny that Kagome had become a welcome distraction in this month. This was the darkest time of the year and the day was approaching ever so slowly, a dot on the horizon and highlighted in red on the calendar. It was meant to be a day of love, February 14th, but to Sesshoumaru it was only a day to remember that which he didn't want to ever see again.

Sesshoumaru could feel his heart sink, depression cooling the beating muscle and slowing its rhythm into a calmer state. His thoughts coalesced despondently as random images pervaded, reminding him of that which he didn't wish to know. The passage of time was inevitable and yet he found the desire for its flow to stop deep in his heart. Rin and his responsibility to her was what kept him going throughout, but Sesshoumaru still refused for any to see him on this day and for good reason. His control always dissolved and he would lash out. It was his day of blindness to everything, his day to dwell on the past.

Sesshoumaru blinked and grabbed the hand waving in front of his face. Kagome's voice just now entering his ear drums. The concern reflected in her glassy cobalt orbs was as translucent as it was wrapped within the timbre of her soft tone. Dark lashes fluttered closed and she tilted her head to the side slightly upsetting a few strands of her hair. When she opened those dark, large eyes it was like he could see his own heart bared before him. Their souls like a mirror image. That was his last thought before Kagome's arms descended upon his shoulders. Sesshoumaru leaned forward resting his head against her chest. His cheek met cool skin. The v-neck of the robe had opened slightly.

Kagome shivered. Just when she'd decided she understood him, he pulled out one more stop and Kagome was thrown through another loop. She'd looked up and he was distant, his attention inward. What could draw his focus so fully from the real world? Did he have a dark secret just like she did? That didn't really matter though. What really scared her was his expression when he finally reentered his presence into the room and met her gaze. His eyes were so lost, so pained. His eyebrows knitted and his lips thinned as if withholding the grief of his inner self. Was there someone else locked so tightly within Sesshoumaru's outer frame? A person so riddled with depression that he couldn't be allowed to speak?

Kagome could only wonder about Sesshoumaru's silence. He very rarely, if ever, spoke about himself and his past. Kagome had just figured in was that of the normal rich boy. There were the loving parents who probably weren't around as much as they should be with the father working and the mother off at country clubs or something. Then an education of prep schools and the best college money could buy followed by inheritance, for Sesshoumaru this was a multibillion dollar company. Was there something else? Kagome frowned, running her hands through his hair. The locks were really as soft as they appeared.

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, rubbing his cheek against her soft skin, feeling it heat up. Kagome was no doubt blushing now. He leaned away and there it was. Kagome's skin held a reddish hue all the way down to the tops of her breasts, not that he could really see that for sure. Sesshoumaru stood up pushing her away slightly, but gave squeezed his hand lightly where it had returned to its place at her hip once again. Kagome smiled at him and showed him her prize. An eyebrow rose at her making Kagome laugh lightly.

"That was in my closet."

Kagome nodded, "I felt guilty taking it."

Sesshoumaru eyed the green shirt he'd let her borrow the last time she'd impulsively spent the night. It had been washed and somehow replaced in his closet. His guess would be the little chit he adopted for a daughter had been Kagome's accomplice.

"Rin."

Kagome started, "How do you do that! Can't get away with nothing around you…"

"It was the obvious answer, but I wonder how you manipulated her into agreeing." Sesshoumaru eyed her.

Kagome stared at the ground, running her foot in a circle trying not to appear guilty, but wasn't doing such a hot job.

"Um…well…" Kagome scratched her head in embarrassment, "Rin said she would do it only because it was me asking. I don't really get what she meant. I mean all I asked her to do was hang it up in the closet. She asked why I didn't like your gift," Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru, "I said that I wanted to leave it here just in case I ever needed something to wear I could just use that. I mean I have enough clothes at my apartment already."

Kagome had begun to rush her words in her anxiety. They just seemed to come out wrong and sounded like implications. She didn't want Sesshoumaru to feel like she was invading his space or something. She wrung her hands together fretfully trying to find a way to fix her words. Sesshoumaru sighed inwardly at the girl's stupidity. He placed his larger hand over both of hers stopping the nervous quirk.

"It is a shirt and you are a klutz."

Kagome scowled at his words.

"You would no doubt spill something or trip," He smirked, "and would require it."

Sesshoumaru walked out then, leaving her to change. Her jeans from yesterday had been thrown in the dryer while they watched television. They were kind of stiff, but wearable. Kagome changed quickly and searched around for a brush. She saw one on top of the dresser with a few strands of silver curled around its bristles. Kagome shrugged and drew it through her hair, straightening all the snags.

Kagome stepped from the room and went down the hall. She knocked on the now familiar door to Rin's room. The child opened the door with a large smile.

"Kagome-chan, can you…make Rin's hair pretty?" The child spoke softly.

Kagome smiled at her use of third person. Rin seemed to fall into a relapse of speech at times despite her intelligence and age. It was an unordinary trait, but it was Rin and it only increased the girl's cuteness. Rin's voice, though, reminded her of the many children she met and befriended at the orphanage where she first spotted Shippou. She seemed to almost cower before her, ashamed to ask for anything as if she wasn't worthy of the attention. Rin wouldn't lift her gaze from the floor and her smile had dissipated.

Kagome knelt down and touched the girl's cheek lightly. When Rin flinched, Kagome immediately removed her hand, but lowered her face until she met Rin's eyes. There was longing and loneliness circling those chocolate depths. Kagome was swept up in the need to remove those feelings and replace them with warmth, but she had to hold back because it would only scare the poor thing.

"Rin, I would do almost anything you asked of me." Kagome said.

Kagome held her gaze. Her face was determined, but not fiercely so. The girl searched her face seriously. She held Kagome's cheeks, one in each hand. Rin smiled slowly and nodded. Whatever it was she looking for, she found. Rin took Kagome's hand and held it for a moment as if waiting for the woman to take it back away from her. Kagome gave the tiny palm a soft squeeze with her fingers and Rin allowed the elder woman to enter her bedroom.

Kagome brushed Rin's hair and began to fix it up. Two braids started level with Rin's eyes and began their twists at her ears. Each one swept back to the crown of her head. There they were both tied by a large white ribbon whose wide tails hung down a few inches. Kagome ran the brush through Rin's bangs, straightening them. She stood with a grin and put her hands on her hips.

"All finished!" Kagome exclaimed.

Rin hopped off the bed with joy as if sitting for the past ten minutes had been an eternity. Kagome followed the enthusiastic child as Rin pulled her back down the hall towards the front door. Rin plopped down and was obviously waiting for something. Kagome raised both eyebrows when the child smiled up at her. Kagome's heart fluttered in her chest. Rin looked so at peace with that ear-to-ear grin on her heart shaped face. Kagome could only watch fondly as Sesshoumaru bent his tall frame onto one knee. His long fingers deftly tied Rin's white sneakers with a 'b' for Barbie on the outside of each shoe.

His long hair was swept back into a high ponytail and it fell lazily over one shoulder. Sesshoumaru was wearing a faded grey tee shirt and fitted jeans that had bleach lines running horizontal below his front pockets. What Kagome found humorous again was his choice in shoe ware. Sesshoumaru had slipped on a pair of medium colored brown leather flip flops, which of course matched the leather belt holding his jeans low on slender hips.

Kagome stared trying to keep her mouth in check for she was two steps from gaping. The tee shirt was tight around his shoulders and pectorals, but looser as his broad shoulders tapered down to his hips. His toned stomach was still obvious though as was his firm rear, Kagome noticed with a blush. Sesshoumaru's back was to her so at least he didn't notice the reddening of her face. Otherwise Kagome was sure that he'd smirk at her in that annoying fashion that he always did.

Rin stood up quickly and wrapped her arms around her father's neck before he could stand up. Sesshoumaru acted as if this was natural and placed one arm beneath Rin's bottom to support her small weight. The girl tucked her head against his shoulder and under his chin. Sesshoumaru frowned slightly, Rin needed to eat more, she was getting thin again.

Sesshoumaru sent Kagome a look before grabbing the saddle bag from its place beside the door. He walked out first, ever the all mighty arrogant jerk. However, this only made Kagome laugh, shake her head, and follow in his wake. He'd already locked the door from the inside. Kagome wore the shirt long this time. The tails of the button down fell to mid thigh. She wrapped her arms around herself with a small smile. Kagome liked wearing his clothes; they were huge on her, but extremely comfortable. Sesshoumaru had the best taste.

…At Sango's Apartment…

Kagome walked into Sango's apartment in front of Sesshoumaru and Rin. She had knocked lightly first, but pretty much went right on in. A loud voice came from the kitchen. It was chipper and most definitely Shippou. Kagome followed it and she hadn't even stepped foot onto the tile before she was plowed over. The happy kid now lay on top of her with his arms sort of around her neck, but more like just his fingers curled over her shoulders.

Kagome smiled softly and wrapped her arms around his small, cuddly form while she sat up. She looked up at Sango who was leaning on the door frame to the kitchen with an almost arrogant smirk on her lips. Kagome looked up at her in confusion. She set her precious bundle down onto his feet. He immediately scampered away to where Kohaku was properly greeting Sesshoumaru and Rin. The three, Kagome noted, went into the living room where they began to play, of all things, Uno. Kagome sighed, that game just like E.R.S got her into trouble. Kagome wasn't usually so competitive, but it was something about those games that got her into it, like Outburst. Who in their right mind got excited over a good game of freaking Outburst!

Kagome stood up from her spot on the floor, mouthing 'good luck' to Sesshoumaru who caught her gaze from his seat in the living room. Rin had shoved his share of the Uno cards into his hands and Sesshoumaru was volunteered right into the fun. He scowled at her smile before she walked into the kitchen.

Sango was leaning against the counter wiping the now clean kettle. Her eyes lacked their normal pink eye shadow and were sparkling with humor. It was a look Kagome recognized, she gulped loudly. It was almost comical. That look meant clearly 'I know something you don't and I'm going to laugh at you when you admit it's true.' Basically it was never a good thing. Sango knew her well, but what could it be. Kagome thought frantically. A noise from the living room made her mind freeze. Rin's voice was cheering happily because she had beaten the all time record and won within three minutes of the start time.

Sango laughed, she couldn't hold it in anymore. She barely set the tea pot down before she slipped down onto her butt still laughing. A head poked in from the living room, but didn't remain. Kohaku walked back over and shuffled the deck. He shook his head at the others. Shippou sighed.

"They're at it again?"

"Yeah…" Kohaku shook his head.

Rin simply blinked curiously.

"I'll never understand women." Shippou said scrunching up his nose.

Sesshoumaru smirked knowing this was man's first flaw, but then anyone who could completely comprehend their ways would probably either turn gay or go insane. He laid down his 'skip' card and gained a whine from his daughter who had the delightful pleasure of sitting next to time. Rin was no doubt regretting this move on her part. Last time Shippou had laid a 'reverse' card down, so she was immune enough to win, that would not repeat. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, surprised slightly at his competitive nature towards a children's game. Well it was this trait that gave him such success, but he would let luck guide his hand in this instead of strategy. It just wouldn't do to beat down a group of kids a third his age. Sesshoumaru sighed, feeling his age at that moment because Rin wasn't even a third his age, but two years under a fourth.

…In the Kitchen…

"How did you find out?"

"You said you'd help me cook and you were late. So I ran on over and I was really quiet." Sango looked upwards with a smile, "I was looking forward to waking you up."

Kagome rolled her eyes. The last time Sango woke her up, she'd dumped a whole bucket of ice cold water on her.

"Well you weren't there, obviously, and I came into the kitchen where low and behold…the answering machine was blinking."

Kagome blanched to which Sango chuckled.

"I actually went looking for a note, but I found something so much better…"

Sango's sigh turned to laughter again for a short while. She had moved over a little and was now slouched against the stove. Their voices were soft. Kagome rubbed her hands over her face with a groan.

"And?" She asked uncertainly.

"I was surprised…why did you go there?"

Kagome looked down to her hands after joining Sango on the floor.

"I don't know…" She spoke softly, her eyes distant as she gazed up and beyond the ceiling, "It was all kind of weird. I've been overworking myself, I wasn't tired, and I had just planned…on walking out in the rain."

"And getting sick…stupid." Sango admonished.

"Thanks mom!" Kagome responded sarcastically, "But seriously…I don't know I wasn't thinking."

"Isn't that obvious? At least not with your head…" Sango whispered with a wink.

"Sango!" Kagome exclaimed blushing hard.

Sango laughed leaning her head back. Her shoulders moved with her mirth and her stomach was beginning to burn.

"Whoa, all this laughing is giving me a workout." Sango patted her stomach.

Kagome's words were interrupted by Kohaku's voice from the living room, "Do you need help with the cooking?"

It was his way of saying 'I'm hungry, get started.' Sango smiled, her brother was too polite. He never asked for anything that he knew she couldn't give him and Kohaku never complained.

"I don't know where he gets it…not his sister, that's for sure." Kagome replied.

"Hey I heard that!"

Sango grabbed the towel hanging on the handle that pull the oven door open and swatted Kagome with it. The woman did sit back too fast to slouch and ended up hitting her head on said handle. Sango cursed under her breath reaching up with both hands to the rapidly forming bump.

Kagome crawled over to inspect. Her fingers lightly prodded the knot. Sango hissed. Kagome glanced down, smiling when an idea hit her.

"Now you know what it feels like to be Miroku."

Sango shook her head and they both stood up to prepare breakfast as they had planned. They were about an hour late, but who cares, it was Saturday after all. Though Kagome had some work to do, last night she decided that she would do nothing, but sleep, eat, and shower until this epidemic was solved. It would a long two months, but she could do it, she owed it to Shi. Shi would not have died for nothing. Tomorrow she would go to the morgue. In her mind's eye she saw Shi lying flat out on that cold table and Kagome stumbled for a second on her way to the fridge to get the eggs. Her jaw set with determination. She would do it and in two months time as well.

"So…" Sango began, "Why did you go to him?"

"Jealous?" Kagome said, smirking.

Sango just gave her a look with her head declined down towards Kagome smaller stature with both eyebrows lifted. Kagome shrugged before raising her hands in a peace making gesture.

"I don't know why…it was like I just needed to see him. It was the only thought in my head. I was so overwhelmed…" Kagome said quietly unaware of their unsolicited guest listening in.

"By what?" Sango asked with a motherly softness to her tone.

Kagome glanced at her, "I haven't been sleeping well and it hasn't been because of like nightmares…I'm not hungry, thirsty, I'm not myself!" Kagome felt the rising panic.

"The epidemic…"

Kagome sighed, "Yeah…but I…"

"You'll get it." Sango said with finality, "You've never been one to just sit idle while others are suffering. This 'disease' won't escape you either."

Kagome smiled, "Thank you Sango-chan."

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and resting his head back against the wall. The living room was connected to the kitchen and he had intended to insist the women, so that the children would cease their whining for food, but he didn't want to interrupt their conversation. This was mainly because it involved him and he wished to see where it would lead. Kagome needed to see him? She did appear desperate the night before. Sesshoumaru scoffed. She was not the first to be desperate for his presence and touch.

Sesshoumaru ran a hand through his bangs and walked into the kitchen. Kagome wore a checkered apron that tied around the neck and the back. She was struggling to tie it behind her back. Her cheeks were reddening with her frustration. Sesshoumaru sighed and took the strings from her fingers. She gasped, meeting his gaze. Her eyes were like liquid glass, pale, but rippling with darker shades. He deftly tied the thing and Kagome smiled her thanks. Sesshoumaru held her gaze and searched for the answer to the riddle that was Kagome. He didn't find his answer, but he did find warmth and contentment tepidly swimming in her ocean orbs. Sesshoumaru grabbed a cup of coffee and padded back into the living room. He was quickly pulled into a game of 'go fish.'

Sesshoumaru saw her pass by the opening several times, busy gathering the needed ingredients. She paused and found her staring at him with a quizzical expression. He raised one eyebrow, but didn't meet her gaze. Sesshoumaru drew a card from the 'pond' or the deck since Shippou had no six's. Kagome scurried away and began cracking eggs for the omelets. Sesshoumaru smiled softly into his cards that Rin had pulled up so that they hovered just below his eyes. It was so no one could cheat, they all held their cards up high even though it was impossible to leave them that way and still be able to play.

Kagome's eyes were clearer and soft. The grief and worry free from tainting her heart. Sesshoumaru drew another card because of a failed attempt to find any three's in Rin's hand. He may not understand that confounding woman, but he was closer. That was enough for now; his curiosity was sated for the moment. Life would move on and perhaps the answers would fall into his lap much like Kagome had herself. Sesshoumaru sighed, losing this game of cards. He would just have to see where things went from here. For once, Sesshoumaru could not prepare for the intended outcome because he had no idea what it was. Sesshoumaru would instead prepare for everything then sit back and watch. He didn't have to be in control anymore and Sesshoumaru was finding…he didn't mind this so much.

...Dude! Some chick called me a sped…it was in this review and she was flaming me because she didn't know when there was a flashback. Don't I usually, usually, write 'flashback' and 'end flashback' in these little squiggly marks when there is one? How hard is that to get? Besides, I found it was also offensive to those who require 'special education' and would be called that. Really the review wasn't even worth the time it took to read. -.- Er…this is a rant and I apologize for it because it is unnecessary, but she made me mad (which in itself is a rare occurrence)

Oh anyone who was wondering- the Dagobah system in where Luke Skywalker goes to find Yoda for his training to become a jedi, if you didn't know that. …