UPP: (throws a hatchet at the curtain) Heeeeerrre's UNIQUE! Lol, sorry, couldn't resist! Anywayz, I'm back, and ready for another chapter of Namida no Ame! Oh, and by the way-

Inuyasha: (O.S.) Dammit! Where is it?!

UPP: (sighs) Be right back. (walks over to edge of stage close to left curtains) Inu-chan, what's wrong?

Inuyasha: (coming onstage with nothing but boxers on, audience wolf- whistles) Someone stole my Fire Rat kimono! (looks out over the crowd) Uh, UPP?

UPP: Yes, Inu-chan?

Inuyasha: (grabs UPP's shirt collar) WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME WE WERE GOING ON?!?!

UPP: (flinches as Inuyasha yells) Actually, I did. You musta been dryin' your hair or something. (whispers to audience) He's really cute when he gets outta the shower.

Inuyasha: Hmph! (storms off shouting, "WHO TOOK MY CLOTHES?!)

UPP: Hmmmm... This is a mystery. But... (grins evilly) He doesn't know that I took his clothes...

Inuyasha: (comes running onto the stage) YOU WHAT?!?!?!

UPP: Uh oh! (zips away, apologizing profusely to Inuyasha) Gomen, Inu- chan! GOMEN NASAI!!!

Inuyasha: GET BACK HERE!!!

Kagome: (sighs) When will she ever learn that it's not wise to tick off Inuyasha? (turns to audience) Well, everyone else is set up except those two, so I guess I'll introduce the chapter and hurry back to my position. (clears throat) The next chapter of Namida no Ame is about to start!

Chapter Three

Making Friends

"To what?!" Kagome said loudly, consciences of Sesshoumaru's ears. "What made your sick, twisted, freaked out mind think that I would help YOU get the Tetsusaiga?"

"...Because if you don't... I'll kill you."

"NANI?!?!?!?" Kagome didn't care about Sesshoumaru's hearing anymore. To think that he just threatened her life! THAT FOOL!

Sesshoumaru flinched when Kagome screeched. "The only fool that's here is you." And with that, he flew over the table and knocked Kagome unconscious for the third time. He watched her face change from anger to shock, and then to a blank state as she fell to the side slightly before Sesshoumaru caught her and lifted her up with him. 'Well, I think that's enough for one night,' he thought as he carried her to her bedchambers.

As he set her on the bed, he thought about just leaving without another look towards her, but as he stepped away, something latched onto his left wrist (yes, his arm has grown back). He turned around to see Kagome's soft hand attached to his. His heart melted and he sat down beside Kagome on the bed, brushing a stray lock of raven hair from the beautifully soft-complexioned face. 'Why do I feel so attracted to this human? Is it because she has the will to fight me, the Taiyoukai of the West? Or is it her beauty? I must admit, she is appealing to the eye and nose.'

Sesshoumaru leaned close to Kagome's face, sniffing at it delicately. 'Strawberries and vanilla... how unique. I've never smelled anything like it.' He closed his eyes and took several deep whiffs of Kagome's scent. When he opened his eyes, he saw that he was but inches from making contact with her lips. He immediately straightened up and looked at Kagome's apparel. 'We must get rid of those.'

He strode up to the closet and slid the door to the side. He looked for something decent for her to wear to bed and spotted it. A beautiful silk night kimono that was blue and green, matching the bed. It didn't look like a regular kimono. It had pants, which was usually worn by men, and a regular, modern-day looking top, with blue and green swirling around in the pattern. 'This is perfect.'

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Kagome woke up in a four-poster, canopy bed, with dark blue curtains and a cherry wood headboard, which was elaborately carved. The silk sheets, 'Wait, silk?! I've never slept on silk before!', were a light green that was almost sheer. 'Wow,' Kagome thought. 'I gotta say it. Sesshoumaru's got style! And... HOW DID HE KNOW MY FAVORITE COLORS?!'

"Well, about time you woke up, milady!" called a cheerful voice. The curtains were suddenly yanked back to reveal a small woman, maybe seventeen or eighteen. She had a smile on her face, which brought out the laughter in her bluish-gray eyes. Her red hair was pulled into a tight bun on the back of her head, and her kimono was green with a white obi. "My name's Akira! May I ask of yours, milady?"

"Uh, it's Kagome." She looked at her clothing, which had changed, and her eyes grew wide. "Ano, may I ask a question, Miss Akira?"

"Iie, it's just Akira! No need to call me "Miss." But, you wanted to know something, milady?"

"Well, now that you mention it, two things. One, could you stop calling me 'milady'?"

Akira looked appalled. "Iie!! It is the duty of the servant to speak to guests and owners as 'milord' or 'milady'! To address them otherwise is highly disrespectful." She changed her facial expression back to cheeriness and asked, "And your other question, milady?"

"Ano, yeah. Did you come in and change my clothing last night while I was asleep?"

"No, I didn't. I was not aware of your arrival until this morning, when my Lord commanded me to look after you."

'She didn't change my outfit? That means that... YOU HENTAI, SESSHOUMARU!!!' Kagome thought with a sour face.

Sesshoumaru sat in his den looking over his bargains with the demon lords of the land when he got a very loud mental message.
'YOU HENTAI, SESSHOUMARU!!!'

'What?!' he thought. 'Who could that have been?' Then he knew exactly who it was. 'So, she's figured it out, huh? I guess she's awake.' He smirked and stood up, fully intending on walking to Kagome's room. Every now and then, a servant would run up to him with news or advice or something that wasn't, at least to him, worth paying attention.

As he stepped through the threshold without, he was immediately greeted with an empty room. He looked around and spotted Kagome's bare back. The only thing on that was covering her was underwear.

Kagome turned around figuring it was Akira, and almost screamed. There was Sesshoumaru, standing there staring at her almost nude figure. She blushed and attempted to cover herself, but failed miserably. "What do you want?!"

"I wanted to come in and see how you were doing. You had two bumps on your head, and I figured you'd want to get rid of them." He smirked again.

Kagome blushed even more and demanded that he turn around. "And I don't care if it won't matter, I still don't want you peeking!" As Sesshoumaru turned, she caught the scent of jasmine again, but it was mixed with something... Something sweet... Sugar? Now how did she smell that?

"I'm as puzzled as you are, miko."

"Damn you," Kagome muttered under her breath, aware that Sesshoumaru would be able to hear her.

"Whatever you say, priestess." Sesshoumaru listened as Kagome changed behind him. As she slipped the last article of clothing on, she said he could turn around again. Sesshoumaru's normally placid face almost faulted in shock.

"What?" Kagome had put her hair into a loose bun with little locks hanging from the gathered section. The kimono she'd put on was light pink, almost rose-colored, with sakura petals embroidered into the fabric. Her obi was white with more cherry blossom petals embroidered. Kagome shrugged her shoulders and walked over to her wardrobe, looking for something to add to it.

"You need not put more on. It's enough as it is."

Kagome's nose picked up the sweet scent more than ever as Sesshoumaru walked over to her and stood her up straight. 'What's causing me to smell this?!'

"...I have a theory..." Sesshoumaru said, looking at the priestess's face. 'But it's near impossible.'

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UPP: Well, that's it for this chappy! Hope you enjoyed! It took me a while to write this chapter. I had like, MAJOR writer's block AGAIN! Okay, coming up is the preview, the recommendation, and the responses to my few reviewers.

PREVIEW: Chapter Four, Trying to Act

Okay, I suck at summaries, so bear with me. Kagome and Sesshoumaru are trying to figure out why the hell Kagome's sense of smell has gone sky- high! Especially when it comes to our favorite taiyoukai. Back with the Inu-tachi, they're still in hot pursuit of Sesshoumaru and Kagome, not knowing that they are still a week or two from getting to the palace. What will happen in this next exciting chapter of... NAMIDA NO AME!!! Okay, that was a little too dramatic. Also, the reason the chapter's gonna be called, Trying to Act is because Sesshoumaru isn't doing too well with masking his scent and emotions. Especially when it concerns Kagome. I promise, I won't wait as long to update this time! I hope you all still love your handy-dandy, pocket author!

RECOMMENDATION: To Bear Witness, by Striking Falcon, Story ID: N/A at this time.

Another really good fic done by SF. I swear, this girl's got TALENT! There's no doubt about it! It's A/U, and Sesshy-sama is a big CEO or whatever for a very large company. FYI, it's in the US. Kagome is a U.S. Marshal who is sent to protect a certain demon from another certain demon, even though she doesn't know that they're demons. Check it out! If you review quick, she might be able to post sooner! I'm serious, GO READ!

RESPONSES:

Sunstar-1217: Keep reading and you might just find out! Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Sorry about the cliffy, but I couldn't help myself!

FireKitsune: Thanks for the praise! Sorry it took me a while! Damn I forgot to update today for my other story! Kuso! Well, I hope this makes up for it! Ja ne!

Hiraikotsu Slinger: Thanks again for reading! Like I said, you're my most loyal fan. You and Jeans. Anywayz, hope you liked this chappy! Laterz!

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UPP: Well, that's it for this chapter! Check in next time for another chapter of Namida no Ame in a few days. If you wanna know when I'm gonna possibly update next, go to my bio page. It'll be there. Arigato, and ja matte ne, minna!