Disclaimer: I still do not own Inuyasha's characters, and I'm not making any profit by writing this… Chapter title is stolen from Linkin Park.

Chie: Don't be too confused. This is the right fic you are reading. And even the right chapter. :P It's just written backwards, please pay attention to the timeline ;x Sorry if it hard to make out, I just started to try out something different.

Chapter seven - Breaking the habit

Saturday, 05.26 AM

Kagome was awake though she stubbornly still kept her eyes closed. Instinctively she knew that it was not yet time to rise. Besides, she was feeling way too comfortable to get up. She was feeling warm and secure and his steady heartbeat soothed her tired mind.

... Wait, what heartbeat?!

Kagome's eyes shot swiftly open. And then she remembered it all.

All that had happened last night.

Kagome's eyes widened and her face paled. No. Oh no! What had she done? Where the hell had her brains been last night? Just why had she let him do that?

Kagome got up and amazingly enough she was able to creep from the bedroom without waking him up.

As she picked up the pieces of her clothing that had been scattered all around the floor of his apartment, she scolded herself. Just why... Why had she let him to.. She couldn't even make herself to finish the sentence.

She was trembling as she hastily dressed herself. Now what? How was she going to get back home? After all she had taken a taxi...

Don't bother to think about it now, it does not matter, she stated to herself. Now I only have to get out of here.

Kagome crept out of the silent house and vanished into the night.

Saturday, 00.13 AM

Kagome yelped as he let his hold of her go. For her surprise she fell on his soft bed. Funny. She had not noticed he had been moving at all after he had picked her up into his arms. What was it about him that made her feel this way? This hunger, this desire... Hojo never made her feel like this. This strongly...

And that was the last time when she thought about her fiancé that night. Very soon the only one she could think about was Sesshoumaru. His silver hair glowed slightly in the darkness of the room. She knew now for sure that he was a not human. What he was exactly, she did not know. But those fangs that brushed gently her skin, those claws that were currently tangled in her hair, those red eyes which were watching her couldn't belong to a human being. The little voice of reason in her mind, the same annoying one that constantly kept on reminding her that she already was engaged with someone else, told her that she should be scared of him. That she should run.

But Kagome did not listen. She knew he wouldn't do her any harm. He wouldn't do to her anything that she did not want him to do. Not tonight.

They both were already stripped out of all their clothes, those had been totally useless and only in the way of their hungry passion. The clothes had been scattered all across his living room floor. And now they were in his bedroom, sitting on his bed, their lips locked in a fierce kiss. His tongue was invading her mouth, tasting her sweet soft cavern. His hands were travelling all around her firm young body as she was sitting in his lap, facing him with both her legs and arms wrapped around his body. The feel of his skin on hers, his tight embrace, his passionate kissing... All of those sensations he was causing to her were awakening something strong in her, something ancient and all consuming. She shivered, moaned and whimpered in her need. Her body seemed to be on fire but Sesshoumaru's skin remained as cool and calm as ice. Yet his eyes were burning as hot as the lustful fire he had awakened inside Kagome and his kisses were scorching her.

His lips had moved away from hers and now they were tracing her jawline, moving on to place hot open-mouthed kisses onto the soft skin on the side of her neck. His fangs brushed against her skin and for a short moment she thought that he could tear her throat open with those fangs. But she knew that he wouldn't do that to her. And soon she forgot about that thought altogether as he moved on from her neck to place kisses all over her shoulders.

Kagome gave out a whimper of surprise when his skilful tongue suddenly brushed against her left nipple - the whimpering soon turning into moans of pleasure. He gently rubbed her left breast as he licked her nipple once more before starting suckling on it. Kagome's moans grew louder. She moved her hands on his skin, wanting to feel more of him, needing him. He was teasing her, she was able to tell. He was ready for her, it was obvious and distracting her badly for she felt him pressed hard against her when she wanted him to be inside her... Yes she was definitely ready for him too.

He pulled away from her. She let out a muffled, opposing sound and opened her eyes. He was staring at her, his crimson eyes glowing in the dark of the room. He pressed her down on her back. Then he bent down to kiss both of her sweet soft mounds once more before he continued his way, heading down. Kagome moaned at the feeling of his tongue tracing her skin. He stopped as he reached her navel and circled it a few times. Then he travelled further with his tongue, heading lower and lower...

Until he reached his goal.

Sesshoumaru knew she was ready for him, he felt it, heard it and smelled it. This woman was his. He really wanted to mark her as his own at this very moment but he knew he couldn't. Not when his rational self still was fighting against his wishes and desires. Not when he did not know if she was willing to give herself to him. Oh, he knew she was willing to give him her body but that was not enough for him. He wanted her love, he wanted her soul. He wanted her as his mate and eventually he would have her. But just now this was enough.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes as he heard her hoarse moans and whimpers.

Friday, 11.56 PM

Kagome paid the taxi driver.

"Now come on," she groaned, helping the utterly drunk man into his own house. She took off his jacket and shoes and left them in the entrance-hall.

Rustling sound caught her ears and she turned around to see a small cat. A Two-tailed, red eyed little cat with a fur the colour of cream.

Huh? That's the kitty from my dream...

"I didn't know you're a cat person," Kagome stated simply.

The man still refused to answer her. Kagome sighed.

"Now come on..." she helped him leading him onto the large soft sofa he had in his living room. She groaned as she left him sink to the sofa. He was just too damn heavy.

"A friendly advice. In the future, don't let yourself get this wasted."

He was still ignoring her.

"Well, I guess you'll be fine by yourself from now on. Good bye." Kagome turned around and started walking out. An Instant later she was pulled back.

"Would you please let go of my arm," she snapped.

"No. I want you to stay."

"What!?" Kagome turned around. He was staring at her an odd look in his eyes. Eyes that shone... Kagome blinked.

"Ehh, Hisakata-sama... Why did your eyes turn red?"

He chuckled as he tugged her arm.

She "eeped" as she lost her balance and fell into his waiting arms. She did not have time to catch her breath because the moment she raised her head to give him a glare, she found his lips pressed against her own.

"Please stay with me," he whispered into her ear after the fierce kiss.

Kagome felt dizzy. She couldn't possibly stay over at his place for the night. This was not right, this was outrageous! Who was he to treat her like a piece of garbage and then suddenly just kiss her and ask her to stay? Goddammit, she was engaged and –

And his soft lips were tracing sweet kisses on the side of her neck and it felt heavenly... As he cupped her face with his large hand, once again claiming her lips, all thoughts of Hojo or leaving suddenly vanished completely from her mind. And then she let herself go with the feeling and answered his kiss.

Friday, 11.30 PM

"Exactly what are you planning to do with that piece of information?" she inquired, clearly amused.

"Never mind that, Rin-chan, just tell me the friggin' address," Kagome pleaded.

"Alright, Alright...."

Rin hung up. She giggled.

"Who was it?" Hitachi asked curiously.

"It was Kagome-nee-chan... She sounded pretty pissed off." Rin was still giggling.

Hitachi quirked his eyebrow.

"What's so amusing?"

"She called to me because she wanted to know what's Sesshoumaru-sama's home address."

"She what? Just why does the miko want his address?"

"I don't know... But I sure would want to know. Especially on such a late hour... What if..."

"No way, Rin. You know him. His damn pride would never let him to do that."

"I know. How boring."

Friday, 10.02 PM

She really wasn't a drinker. Honestly. But the whole week had just been too damn crappy to stay sober. A great end to a great week! She desperately wanted to forget about everything for a moment.

Kagome walked down the streets, heading towards a bar which she had once visited with Yuka and Eri.

It had all been so horrible. First days she had spent at home after Shaere had told her to go home. Then, suddenly Rin-chan had come to visit her. Well, Kagome had been even more surprised as Ayame-chan suddenly came to visit her too. Just what the heck had she been doing in Tokyo anyway? And she had shortly met her husband Kouga-kun too...

But the date with Hojo, that had been the worst. The final blow that broke her completely. She needed to forget it all, just for awhile... and why had he suddenly kissed her like that?

A little voice of reason nagged that it really wasn't so strange behaviour, after all, they were engaged. Kagome huffed and threw reason into a trash can.

She finally reached the bar, stepped in and walked up to the counter to order her drink.

When there were two empty glasses on the counter in front of her, she decided that it would be enough for this night. Even though she still remembered everything, she wanted to at least remember how to get back home.

"One more," a rough growl demanded from the other side of the little bar.

"Sir, I think you've had enough already," the bartender replied calmly.

"I said that I want one more. And I want it now," the angry man stood up though the impression was ruined because of a bit staggering.

Kagome turned her head.

What the hell?

It was Hisakata-san, completely drunk.

That's it, I'm leaving.

Kagome got up and paid for her drinks. She grabbed her purse and walked over to the door.

On the door she stopped.

She couldn't leave him there. Not in that condition.

Damn conscience, she complained.

Kagome walked over to him.

"I think it would be time for you to go home."

He turned to look at her.

"Stay away from me, miko," he growled.

Miko? Right, he seriously is drunk...

"Shut up, I'm trying to help you."

"This Sesshoumaru needs help from nobody," he replied arrogantly.

"Oh yeah?" Kagome said sarcastically as he staggered again. Not fearing any of the possible consequences she grabbed his arm and started to walk him out of the bar.

He growled at her but she didn't mind.

"Eh, miss?"

"Yes?"

"His bill."

Kagome looked at the piece of paper the bartender was holding. She blinked. How on Earth could someone drink that much?!

"Boy aren't you a pain in the ass," she hissed as she threw money to the bartender.

The extremely happy couple made their way along the streets. Kagome was muttering curses under her breath and he was growling at her.

"Great, a taxi."

Kagome waved the car over at them.

"What's your address?"

The man refused to answer.

"Be it that way then," snarled as she took out her mobile phone. She would have to call Rin-chan.

Friday, 07.00 PM

After the incident with the taxi-driver Hojo escorted Kagome inside.

"I'm so happy to see you again," he told her.

"So am I to see you," Kagome lied with a fake smile on her face.

"You look beautiful."

If he only knew how much time I spent putting on this thick mask of make up... If he only knew how horrible my life has been this whole week...

"I made dinner for us."

"Oh, you did? That's so sweet! You shouldn't have..."

"Ohh, please, it's nothing big. Just a little something to take away the hunger."

Kagome forced out another smile and sat down at the table.

Even though she had not eaten properly the whole day - actually not for several days, she still was not hungry. Despite that, she filled her plate with food and then started to eat.

"How have you been, sweetie?"

"Oh my week has been just great," Kagome said smiling.

Yeah right. My week's been just pain.... And it sure isn't getting any better.

Kagome banished the sarcastic thoughts from her mind. She should keep up the facade.

For the rest of the dinner she listened to him as he went on and on about how full of work his whole week had been and how badly he had missed her. She felt a small sting of guilt. She hadn't missed him at all. It was more like the other way around.

"Thank you, it was delicious," she complimented as she had finished her meal.

Hojo gestured her to rise and follow him. They settled down in his living-room, where they started to watch a movie, which he had rented. The film had reached its halfway when Hojo suddenly bent down and kissed her. Kagome stiffened but Hojo didn't seem to pay heed to that, for he deepened the kiss. Kagome trembled. She broke the kiss and pulled away from him.

"No, Hojo..."

"You don't have to be afraid, Kagome... I love you." He flashed her a sweet and gentle smile and then closed their distance again kissing her lips.

Kagome backed away from him as much as she could on the small sofa.

"No, please don't."

"What's wrong, sweetie?"

"I... I don't want to, not today, please."

Hojo let her go. Kagome got up.

For awhile they stared at each other, Hojo looking sad and hurt, Kagome looking distant and pained.

"I have to leave," she said quietly.

Hojo could only watch when she walked away from him and closed the door of his apartment after her, setting a wall between them.

Friday, again 07.00 PM

That was it. That had been the last trick. He had had enough.

Something was disturbing him, something that was not quite right. He had let his self control slip way too often lately.

And what had that been just a moment ago anyway?

He did not care about the damn miko! Just why should he? Just why had he got that upset for seeing her boyfriend kissing her? Why couldn't his inner demon see how foolish its behaviour was? But of course he was just a savage beast. He wouldn't understand why the idea of the miko as his mate was simply absurd. Sesshoumaru would never lower himself to taking a human as a mate.

He decided to go and drink something. He had earned that, for sure.

The taiyoukai meeting had been a pure hell. The word had spread causing all the others to laugh at him. Hitachi and that foolish wolf had even been rolling on the floor.

So much for his reputation...

Sesshoumaru still regretted not killing those two annoyances. But he couldn't do anything to Hitachi because he simply could not stand watching Rin suffer. And regarding Koga, it would have been just awfully impolite. Well, it wouldn't matter tonight.

This night he'd drink it all away.

Friday, 06.24 PM

Kagome watched his blank expression from the rear view mirror. Just her typical luck. It was Friday now and she was sitting in a cab on her way over to Hojo's.

How come she had again ended up running into him? Just what were the odds anyway? Out of all the damn cabs in Tokyo how had she ended up choosing the one he was driving?

... And why in kami's name was he driving it anyway?

I just can't believe this...

Luckily it wasn't a long ride.

Hojo waved, he was already waiting for her outside his apartment.

Kagome got out of the car and walked up to him. Her fiancé greeted her with a kiss.

She couldn't really tell what happened then. One moment she was kissing Hojo, the next she was swept away. Feeling utterly puzzled she turned her head to look around.

What met her eyes was even a greater surprise.

Hojo was lifted up from the ground and pinned against the brick wall by a pale strong arm. Sesshoumaru's long clawed fingers were wrapped around his throat. For awhile Kagome could swear his eyes flashed with a reddish tint but then they were back to normal amber again. The silver-haired man blinked.

As suddenly as he had attacked, he let his grip go. He turned on his heels and strode back to his car. He got in and drove away.

Hojo was panting on the ground, covering his sore throat with his hand.

"Just what the hell was that about?"

Kagome couldn't answer his question.

Friday, 05.12 PM

"Thank you so much dear for watching your younger siblings as we were gone," Ayame said smiling to her eldest child.

"It was nothing mom. You really should thank my employer because it was she who let me go. You know, other workers have been off lately on a sick leave."

"Well, when you get back to work you should thank her for me too."

"Sure."

"Were the little ones much of trouble?"

"No, the twins were rather wild but every pup is like that in their age," the young wolf youkai smiled. "Anyway, how was your meeting?"

"Very interesting indeed... You've heard the legend of Inutachi?"

"Yeah."

"It appears that the miko was a time traveller. She's still alive. About your age, in human years, of course."

"I see..."

"And then your dad nearly got himself killed," Ayame added.

"What? What did he do this time?"

"It appears that Sesshoumaru-sama in all his boredom was delivering a pizza."

"He what?" the young wolf giggled.

"Yeah, it's funny... But you should have just seen the face of the taiyoukai as your dad was rolling on the floor, laughing... I think that his sense of manners and honour were the only things that kept your father alive," Ayame rolled her eyes. "But that aside, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it, mom?"

"You're going to have a new younger sibling."

The young wolf squealed happily and hugged her mother.
"That's so great, I'm happy for you!"

Ayame smiled as she watched her young blond-haired daughter with pride.

Wednesday, 09.30 AM

"Where are you going, dear?"

"I'm going to see Sesshoumaru-sama. Don't you remember that I forgot the kitty at his place? I'm going to save her and get her back... Or at least get back her remains."

Hitachi chuckled.

"I seriously hope she's all right. Fire cats were rare even back then not to mention nowadays."

"Rare or not, she was so cute! I want her."

"One kitty isn't enough to you?" Kouga asked from the kitchen, grinning.

Rin turned to grimace at the wolf taiyoukai who was currently having his breakfast.

"Oh, shush, Kouga-kun.... Umm... Where did Ayame-chan go this early?"

"She went to see Kagome. You know, we'll probably soon head back to home. Ka-chan is there alone looking after her younger siblings."

"I'd say you better hurry in that case," Rin grinned. "Anyway, I'm going now. Bye!"

After the short drive she parked her car in his yard and walked in. She did not bother to ring the doorbell for she knew that Sesshoumaru-sama wouldn't mind.

She was prepared to see blood. She was prepared to see cats entrails spilled all over his house. She was ready to see everything if it just included the cat being already dead... But, she was not prepared to see that the cat was healthy and alive. And happy. And drowsing. And being curled up in Sesshoumaru's lap. Purring. What scared her the most was the fact that he didn't seem to mind it at all. He was also half asleep, his eyes closed, his pale hand lazily petting her soft fur.

And he was also purring.

Rin couldn't believe her ears. Inutaiyoukai? Purring? She shook her head.

It was a shame, really, she had really wanted that kitty to herself... Maybe she just should be happy with the one kitty she already had back at home, waiting for her. Sesshoumaru was a loner, better if the fire cat stayed with him. They seemed to get along pretty well anyway.

Wednesday, 09.00 AM

"What are you doing here?" one very bewildered young woman asked as she was being hugged by her red-haired friend.

"What a silly question is that, Kagome-chan? I came to see you of course!"

"But Ayame-chan, uhh.. Nevermind, come in, come in!"

"It's just you haven't sounded too happy lately. I got a bit worried for you."

"But what about your kids and Kouga-kun?"

"My eldest daughter is watching after the kids and Kouga is with me. We had to visit Tokyo anyway."

"Oh, then I understand." Kagome smiled, although her smile wasn't too cheery. "Please, sit down. Would you want something? A cup of tea maybe?"

"I just ate breakfast but I guess I still have room for one cup of tea," Ayame smiled.

Kagome vanished into the kitchen and after a while walked back into her living room and settled down on the sofa, next to her mail-friend and turned so that she was facing her.

"So. What's going on?"

"A total chaos and confusion," Kagome answered with a sigh.

"Is it really that bad?"

"Yeah, my boss sent me home yesterday from work and told me to have a few days off."

"You poor thing," Ayame said with a compassionate expression on her face.

The wolf princess hugged the miko tight.

"You shouldn't let this all have such a toll on you, you know. Your friends will start to worry about you. And in your case that means a lot of people. And you had better to remember that, too."