"Kagome please don't cry anymore," Chiyeko begged as she placed her basket down for the fourth time and took the older girl in her arms. Kagome pushed away and shook her head, wiping the stray tears up and smiling.

"I'm sorry," she said and showed her hands, using then for an excuse. "It just hurts a lot."

Chiyeko nodded her head in sympathy and dug her hands into the soil, overturning it and pulling out a potato. She dusted it off a bit and placed it in her half full basket. Then noticing Kagome's only had three potatoes, she sighed and placed a few of her own into her friend's basket.

"What are you-"

"Kagome you won't get far if you keep hurting your hands by using them. Why don't you try to switch chores for a while? Perhaps you could clean in the kitchen or tidy the rooms." Chiyeko said, concern showing on her face.

She glanced at the hands again just before Kagome hid them behind her back but not before Chiyeko got a good look. The tops of the bandages were stained with blood, a spot on each knuckle that Kagome had badly bruised. The underside was still clean but there was a small painful puncture on each hand where she had punched too hard, causing her nails to skid along her own skin and shallowly cut them open.

"You have to give them time to heal," Chiyeko said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Really, I'm fine." Kagome responded with a laugh. "Look," She said and plunged her hands into the hard dirt surface and deeper until the top broke and her hands reached the rich and soft soil beneath.  She bit her lip in pain but kept on searching for the potato.

"Kagome you really shouldn't-"

"Let me do it," she said her tone determined as a bit of blood stained her lip. She pulled out the carrot and tossed it in her basket, pulling her hands close to her and cradling them clenching her eyes as she took a deep breath. Why did they hurt this much? She hadn't bruised them that badly had she?

 Chiyeko only stared in slight horror as more blood dirtied the bandages along with loose dirt.

Kagome smiled triumphantly. "I told you I could do it," she said after a few moments of calming herself down. She blinked her eyes frantically trying to get rid of the tears. She noticed how worried Chiyeko looked and stood up, stretching her arms.

"I'm fine. But if you worry that much I'll go back and get them re-wrapped." She bargained. Chiyeko smiled and nodded, relaxing a bit. She watched as Kagome walked off back towards the castle and took a deep breath.

"She's a magnet to pain." She muttered under her breath as she placed a few more of her potatoes in Kagome's basket.

*** **** ****

Later that night, Kagome walked the halls of the mansion quickly and quietly as she could manage.  The only noise she could make out was the soft scratch of her sandals upon the floor. She paused right before Naraku's work chamber and took off her shoes and began to tiptoe past, hoping he wouldn't hear.

"Going somewhere?"

She jumped and spun around to see that the door had slid open and Naraku was leaning against the wall, staring at her with a cold expression.

"Although, once again, you're name escapes me at the moment I am positive that I had told you to see me after the day's work."

Kagome bowed nervously, trying to keep from shaking. She had been hoping to seriously avoid all possible contact with all kinds of lords for…..probably the rest of her life. Seeing as Naraku seemed to be such a busy man, she had assumed he had forgotten about the little hallway incident.

"My Lord I-"

"Will step inside and sit down. Your lucky you walk so noisily otherwise I would have forgotten about this." He said as she walked in, he following. He slid the door close and watched as she sat down, he going around to the desk in front of her and sitting on the other side.

"Now," he said in a business like tone. "Your name once more?"

"Higurashi Kagome"

"Ah yes, I remember now. Your Sesshomaru's whore," Naraku said carelessly as he took a parchment and scribbled something down. Kagome's mouth dropped open as she fought back the urge to cry out. Tears immediately stung her eyes.  Was it her or were all lords just cruel in general?

"Close your mouth before something flies in it, girl. The truth hurts, does it not?" he asked.

Kagome shut her mouth as he had told her to do. But what the hell was his problem? Couldn't he see that she was a woman in obvious heartbreak?

"So when are you leaving?" he asked. "I want to add up the pay you've earned so far and have it ready before you depart."

"De-" she cleared her throat and swallowed so it didn't sound too teary. "Depart, my lord?" she asked. "Just where am I going?"

He didn't reply as he continued to scribble on the parchment. "Actually I'll have a horse and carriage ready for you tonight." He said. He turned to a dark corner in the room. "You there, run along and ready Miss Kagome's belongings. Then tell the stable boy to ready a carriage."

A young boy, no older than the age of eight jumped forward and ran out the room. Naraku watched him leave before looking at Kagome.

"I don't expect you to be returning either," he said calmly.

Kagome was filled with a sense of confusion. "My lord just where are you sending me off to?" she asked.

Naraku put his quill down and rolled it up, tying it with a thin red rope. He handed it to Kagome and she accepted it, still looking confused as ever.

"You are to deliver this directly to Lord Sesshomaru-Sama of the Western Lands. It is to be handed to him personally and must not leave your sight for a mere moment. Is that clear?"

Kagome stared at him before he got up and left her there, yelling back that she should be ready to depart in just three minutes. But she hadn't heard.

She fainted.

*** **** ****

(Two days later)

It was a mistake.

All of it was, visiting Kagome, making love to her, and then leaving. He shouldn't have done any of it. She had probably woken up angry and confused. She had most likely felt used when she finally discovered that he had gone. He knew that she had cried over him again and that left him with a guilty burden.

She'd never forgive him now and he would never apologize. His actions had been careless and his thoughts exaggerated. He should have laughed at himself when he had so easily thought he loved her. She was unique, he'd give her that but she was replaceable. She was too imperfect and unsound. Her judgment would change and soon they would see each other as a big mistake. They were terribly mismatched and that was the bottom line. It was logic, plain and simple.

But that still didn't make his feelings dissolve. That night…He shook his head and continued his work, stopping his thoughts from going awry. He'd never see her again and soon she'd forget about him… and there was nothing he could do.

"Sesshomaru you pompous ass son of a bitch I'm going to kill you!" Inuyasha said angrily as he walked in and slammed his hand on the desk, making a crack spread along the middle. Sesshomaru growled and lashed out but Inuyasha, now sober, dodged with ease.

"I was joking when I said I wanted to bed Kagome and leave her!" Inuyasha continued to yell. "I had no fuckin' idea you'd do it!"

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said looking up from the huge leather bound book he had on the desk. "You weren't there. I suggest you not assume anything unless you know all the details."

"You fuckin' lowlife, I should rip out your throat," Inuyasha growled low and menacing. "I tired helping Kagome out and I end up making matters worse. I must have lost my god damned mind if I ever thought she had a better chance with you,"

"A better chance?" Sesshomaru repeated. "Are you implying that you wanted her for yourself? Well then, by all means go ahead." Despite his calm face his voice sounded unsure and tight. He had to force that one out and he knew it. Inuyasha looked away and back again. He tried punching Sesshomaru but the older brother grabbed his fist and twisted painfully.

"What are you doing here?" he asked while Inuyasha ground his teeth together to keep from shouting out. He let go and Inuyasha took back his hand, slamming it down on the desk, knowing it hurt like hell but keeping it in.

"I'm keeping her away from you," Inuyasha answered. "Because I'll be damned if I let her march up here so you can kill the rest of her spirit!"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "From marching up here?" he asked. His heartbeats increased rapidly. "Kagome is here?"

"Stay the fuck away from her!"

Sesshomaru stood and began walking out his office and towards the main entrance, Inuyasha following and cursing.

"Where the hell are you going? Oi! LISTEN TO ME!" Inuyasha screamed. He ran ahead of Sesshomaru and downstairs intending to get to Kagome first.

When Sesshomaru did reach he heard Inuyasha trying to make her leave.

"He isn't here. He's on a business trip, Kagome. Come on let's take a walk."

"I can wait Inuyasha it's all right."

"No, lets go," Inuyasha persisted and grabbed her by the arm, walking out. Sesshomaru reached the bottom stair and cleared his throat causing both Kagome and Inuyasha to turn and look at him. Inuyasha scowled while Kagome just stared.

"I thought you said he left," she said quietly, her eyes never moving off Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru beckoned her forward. "Inuyasha I'd like some privacy." 

"No."

Kagome looked at him then back at Sesshomaru. She took a deep breath, "Inuyasha…please?"

"Hell no."

Kagome turned to him and smiled, her hand caressing the side of his cheek. He winced as he felt the cuts and scars of her hands but put his hand on top of hers. Sesshomaru visibly scowled but did nothing more. 

"Kagome-"

"Inuyasha I need to talk to him…alone," she said softly. "I'll be all right."

He studied her for a moment before breaking away and staring at Sesshomaru a look of pure hatred in his eyes. "Kagome if he does anything I swear to god I'll kill him for you,"

She opened her mouth to say something but suddenly he was gone, running out of the citadel in an angry storm. Kagome turned to Sesshomaru and smiled before it dropped.

"Hello Sesshomaru…Sama."

"What are you doing here?" he asked straight out. He wasn't going to sit here and play little games with her. Cut the fake politeness and sad looks. He just wanted her gone. The faster she was away from him the faster he would be able to forget her and move on. 

"What are you doing here?" she asked him. "Why'd you leave me behind?" her voice was just above a whisper. She seemed scared out of her mind. He took a step forward and she took three steps back. "Stay where you stand," she warned. "Don't come close."

"Kagome stop this nonsense." Sesshomaru grounded out. "You have no business being here. Go home."

His voice was strained. He had an urge to be near her. To be able to touch her but he kept himself where he was. He was tired of this! All of it. He would have nothing to do with her at all. She was a human servant! She was imperfect, replaceable, and limited. He'd live to see her grandchildren while she'd become a person of the past.

"Go home," she repeated, more to herself than to him. "I don't have a home anymore…"

Sesshomaru scoffed. " Return to Naraku's lands, where you belong."

"I've been exiled." She said, slipping a hand in her sleeve and pulling out a crumpled paper. "This is for you…I um… I read it already," she whispered as she tossed it to him, intending not to come any closer.

"You had no right to do that," he said as he caught it, unfolded it and scanned over the words.

To: Sesshomaru Lord of the Western lands

It is obvious that this servant, who had originated from your home, has not been trained properly. As of now I release her and place her in your custody finding her unsuitable for any kind of servant work what so ever.  Also as of check in her background Higurashi Kagome has lineage of honorable discharge and therefore should be further educated and be given a status higher than a mere hand. I wish not to see or hear from Higurashi until this has been done.

To: Kagome Higurashi

A true servant wouldn't meddle in a master's business.

Naraku, Lord of Eastern Lands.

Sesshomaru read it twice more, excluding the part written to Kagome and folded it, tucking it away.  "You can read," he noted dully.

"That doesn't matter," she said as she swept a few strands of hair out of her eyes. "The fact is that I'm no longer a servant. Does this mean that…" she trailed off uncertainly.

"No." he said. "It does not mean we can be together, Kagome. It's not that simple"

"That's a lie and you know it!" she yelled, breaking out of her calm demeanor and getting angry. "I've given everything to you, Sesshomaru!" she yelled, a hand placed on her heart as she stomped a foot, childishly. "I've tried so hard to give you what you want and the first chance I ask for an explanation you provide me with lies!"

"There is no explanation-"

"There never is one for you is there?" she nearly screamed. "You think you can just do whatever the hell you want and just go on with your life like nothing matters to you! Like I don't matter to you!" she paused for breath and a look of realization hit her face, her eyes widening and mouth forming an open frown. "I don't matter to you…" she looked at him, her eyes painfully hopeful. "Do I?"

He did not give a reply.

"Answer me."  Kagome said. "Just…for one in your life give me a straight answer…do you love me? There are no more excuses to hide behind or places to run off to.  It's just a simple question. Do you love me? Yes or no?"

Sesshomaru swallowed and clenched his hands into fists. Damn her! Damn this woman to hell and back! Who did she think she was barging into his home and asking him questions? He wouldn't dare grace her with an answer. Not one!

"Get out," he growled out. "I never want to see you again," and with that he turned and walked away, returning to his work chambers.

Not caring if he left the woman he would ever love standing alone in the hall.

**** *** *** ***

Ok the story was supposed to end this chapter but I couldn't decide if I should end it happily or sadly. You need to help me with that…The sad ending is kinda cool in my sick kind of way…But the happy ending is ok too…HELP! VOTE!!