Disclaimer: Nope. Me does not own any. Not even the chapter title. It's from the Disney-movie "Mulan".

Chapter Seventeen – Reflections

With a gasp her eyes snapped open. For several moments she just stared at the ceiling, breathing deeply. It still wasn't morning, she could tell. She turned her head to her side to see what the time was but immediately a sharp pain hit her and she bit her lip not to yell aloud. Honestly, the headache really was serious this time. Of all the weird dreams she had been seeing that one just now had been the weirdest. There had been only her and Sesshoumaru... Or at least Kagome thought that the woman had been her. The woman had looked exactly like her but... Something in her hadn't been quite right. She had started to walk and had met Hisakata-sama who had been in a bad condition. He had called her Miko and she had replied with Sesshoumaru... And after that Kagome had not heard a word of their conversation. In the end she had left, smirking to herself after she had healed Hisakata-sama. But how she had managed to do that, Kagome couldn't tell.

After that dream she felt it more powerfully and clearly than ever before. Something seemed to be off. She couldn't point her finger at it but something seemed to be wrong. It was as if trying to remember something you've forgotten. She knew it was there but she did not know what it was.

It confused her. For some reason it felt like she wasn't quite herself. Like she was missing something. Her thoughts were shattered by the throbbing headache which made it very hard to think of anything. Groaning she turned over to her side and forced her eyes to close.

Kayade let her gaze wonder from one to another.

"Okay, something has happened between you two?"

Neither one of them responded.

"Hmph. Kagome-chan?"

"I'm all right... I just... yeah." she winced.

"All right, eh? What was that wince about then?"

Sesshoumaru turned his head a tiny bit so he was able to see the dark-haired woman.

"It's... Ehh, I just have a headache, that's all. I woke up in the middle of the night and but tossed and turned in my bed after that..."

"You should have taken aspirin before coming to work."

"I took two. They don't work."
"Honestly, what kind of headache is that?"

"I don't know. I just guess it's all because of this one disturbed dream I had. Anyway, Kayade-chan, don't worry 'bout me. I'll survive."

Kagome heaved herself up from the seat and walked into the kitchen, where she would be serving in today.

"Just a headache? She seriously thinks I'll believe that's the only thing troubling her?" Kayade shook her head.

"What about you then? Hisakata-sama?"

Sesshoumaru just glared at her.

"I'm not stupid. I figured your little charade out some time ago. Why you are doing this is none of my business and therefore I shall not ask any questions about that..."

Sesshoumaru stiffly nodded, showing his deep gratitude by this enormous gesture.

"But something's not quite right with you either. I can tell."

"If I wasn't quite all right, it still wouldn't be your problem," the stoic taiyoukai replied.

"Hmmh. You've been this morning even more quiet than usual! I think that tells something, ne?"

He replied nothing. Sesshoumaru got up and left the small staff-room behind.

Kayade sighed to herself.

'What a fine pair they make indeed,' she thought sarcastically. 'Well, they'll learn soon enough. Evading and not talking about your problems don't make them disappear.'

It bothered him. Bothered him very much. The sheer thought of Kagome having another self, making a pair just like he and his inner demon did... It bugged him. He couldn't exactly tell what feeling it was that nudged his nerves. There was no way he would be scared about a mere human so that was out of the question... But maybe... Just a tiny bit, of course, but maybe he was feeling nervous. He hadn't liked at all the emotions in the miko-Kagome's eyes when she had been glaring at him. Those eyes had been more like his own eyes than Kagome's. It was nothing like those warm, chocolate-brown eyes, hiding a smile inside. They had been cold, resentful and full of... sadness. Seeing those eyes had stirred something inside him, something he could not quite identify. But that self of Kagome had looked exactly like that un-dead wench of Inuyasha's... The miko Kikyo, protector of Shikon no Tama. After all, Kagome was a reincarnation of that miko, so it would only be natural to look like her, still, Sesshoumaru didn't like that. He had never liked that wench Kikyo. The same sorrowful gaze. The same hatred burning...

It confused him. How could Kagome's miko-self be so different?

'I'm just a half. She's just a half, although she does not know it. We complete ourselves and complete is what we should be.'

The quiet, nonchalant words echoed in his mind again. Maybe the miko was right. Maybe they needed to be whole again. Maybe, he really should help to break that seal.

But what would happen to the Kagome he knew then? The sealing had been done in the first place to protect her. How would she react if suddenly being able to remember it all again?

'She would recognise us for sure.'

'That I figured.'

'She'd want to have nothing to do with us.'

'Most probably, I always was an enemy to her.'

'Ahh, "was" is what you say?'

'...'

'You consider yourself as her ally now?'

'Hmph. Don't be too eager. We're neutral.'

'Neutral?' the inner demon chuckled. 'There was nothing "neutral" in the way you kissed her sometime ago.'

Sesshoumaru snarled.

'I told you, I wasn't myself then.'

'Wrong, you were fully yourself, you had just allowed your Lust to take a control of yourself.'

'Like this Sesshoumaru would allow something like that!'

'It's actually quite understandable. Considering you are supposed to be the rational, more "advanced" part of the two of us, such a primitive force as Lust is something I'm very familiar about. For you again, it's something new.'

'Then why do I feel it then? And of people towards her!'

'I'd say you're falling for her.'

'No! I'm not following my father's footsteps. This Sesshoumaru will never stoop so low as to fall for a pitiful weak human!'

'Kagome's far from weak, you know that. You saw her miko-self last night. She's strong. Very strong.'

'Like I would care!' Sesshoumaru snapped. 'I am NOT falling for her, and that's IT!'

'Baka,' was only thing the inner demon commented before its voice faded away.

Sesshoumaru's claws dug deep into his palm and few drops of blood appeared. He slowly opened his fist and watched the four deep half-moon shaped cuts made by his own talons heal quickly.

'I'm not falling for her,' he repeated, growling. A smirk rose to his lips. Yes. He felt much better now.

The most surprising thing about the diary was its deep sadness. From what he had heard from Myoga – it was not like he had asked anything but the flea just couldn't help blabbering – he had learned that the miko had always been a kind, caring and happy person. It was hard to believe that while reading the blue-covered book. Sesshoumaru recalled the piece of conversation he had had with Myoga sometime ago.

"Everybody loved Kagome-sama. She was bright, pure and sweet person. She was warm, gentle and loving. She often had a smile on her face and that smile made other people smile as well. Also she was courageous and she had temper. Once she got so angry that even Inuyasha was scared of her."

"The halfbreed always was a fool," he had replied, bored expression on his face. "The wench always stayed behind his back in a battle. She always was protected by the others of the group. Even the kitsune pup protected her."

"Well, she always hated fighting," Myoga had explained, "besides, all she had was the bow of hers. Nobody ever taught her any other fighting skills."

"What? How idiotic could the hanyou have been?"

"I also thought it was risky, but he very seldom failed to protect her."

'Yes. He protected her, that was the problem. Had she known how to fight herself... Had she not have been forced to depend on him... Had she not have fallen in love with him... He had loved her but he loved the un-dead wench as well. Kagome's love and affection towards that mutt is the heart of her sorrow. Because of his actions, his constant running after Kikyo, she thought that in the end, after Naraku defeated, he would choose his former love. I think she cried every single night the mutt was somewhere off with the un-dead bitch. And then... What happened truly in the day Naraku died? Which of them he really chose in the end? Her tears were spilled in vain. Her fear was all in vain.'

"Quite pitiful," he whispered out loud. Then, Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. 'Not like I pity her though,' he added in his thoughts. 'I really couldn't care less.'

But he couldn't help asking that if what he just had said was true, if he really didn't care then why... Why he still kept on reading that blue-covered diary?

"Oh, it's you again. What is it this time?"

"I wish that you follow me."

"We're going somewhere again? Thanks but no thanks, I'll skip this time, I'm exhaust –" her sentence was interrupted by a wide yawn.

"Have you already seen a doctor for the pup?"

"Huh? What's that supposed to have to do with this?"

"Answer the question."

"Uhh, yes but.."

"Don't go there anymore."

"Huh? Just wait a second, you jerk! Why am I not allowed to go to see a doctor?"

"Just come with me now."

"Hell no. I'll stay right here and go back to sleep."

"Fine," Sesshoumaru spat out. Then he rudely stepped in and easily picked the small woman up, tossing her on his shoulder.

"Hey, you jerk, get your hands off me, now!" Kagome yelled, trying her best not to get any of those long silver strands of his into her mouth.

Sesshoumaru walked out of her apartment, closing the door after them, fully ignoring her "request".

"Put me down now! Hisakata-sama, honestly!" she said as she was miserably hanging on his shoulder. Feeling rather frustrated, she punched his upper back with her small fist. He didn't even flinch.

They walked out to the sunshine, she still struggling and yelling at him. Sesshoumaru calmly tossed her on the backseat of the taxi and then seated himself next to her.

"Now let's go," he said to the driver.

"Ahh, Hisakata-sama!" The brown-haired tall woman bowed down in front of him, before turning to Kagome.

"I'm Doctor Usugi Kira," she introduced herself. "And you must be Mrs Hisakata."

"Uhh.." Kagome blushed.

Sesshoumaru coughed softly.

"Doctor Usugi, here's Miss Higurashi Kagome."

"Oh? I'm sorry, I have got the wrong idea then," the otter youkai answered with an apologetic smile.

The glint of curiosity in the demon doctor's eyes was not missed by Sesshoumaru.

"It's okay," still red Kagome mumbled.

"Then Higurashi-san, if you please follow me, this way.."

Kagome followed the dark-brown-haired doctor, side to side with Hisakata-sama.

"Why didn't you tell me we were going to see a doctor for the pup?" she hissed.

"You didn't ask," Sesshoumaru replied with the shrug which he knew would annoy her.

"I wouldn't have insisted on staying home and hadn't put up a fight had you only say we were going to see the doctor."

"What fun would that have been?"

Kagome was taken aback. 'Woah, that's so unlike him to say that. He's.. joking!' Kagome couldn't help glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

He was smirking.

"Why are you coming this way too?" she asked sharply trying to hide her confusion.

"What do you think? I'll accompany you in the check-up."

"Oh no you won't!"

"Don't even think that you can tell me what to do," he replied with quiet growl.

"Don't pretend that you care," she spat out as quietly as he had growled.

Sesshoumaru raised his head and saw Doctor Usugi standing a few yards ahead of them, her hand resting on a doorknob. She was eyeing them both with curiosity. The silver-haired taiyoukai shot her a cold glare and she immediately bowed her head in an apology. She opened the door and gestured them to step into the room.

"Please."

"Hisakata-sama, could you please stay? I could check you too, you seem to be a little pale."

Sesshoumaru was already opening his mouth in refusal when he spotted the expression on Doctor Usugi's face. Even though the words had never been spoken aloud, Sesshoumaru knew what she meant.

Stay here please, I need to talk to you only.

He nodded now calmed down.

"Higurashi, you go ahead."

Kagome gave him a puzzled look but obeyed.

Once she was out of the room, Doctor Usugi sighed.

"I have to say, my lord, that she'll make a fine mate for you."

Sesshoumaru didn't reply.

"And I couldn't help noticing your.. umm.. special relationship."
"That is nothing for you to be curious about," he answered coldly.

"Of course it isn't, my lord. I apologize." She bowed.

"Now, I doubt this is what you wanted to talk to me about," Sesshoumaru said quirking an eyebrow.

"It isn't, my lord," she admitted. Her expression changed into a more serious one. "She is a miko, isn't she?"

"Yes, that's true."
"Well, that might explain..." the otter doctor frowned. "But still, I doubt she would be powerful enough to hide it. And it didn't quite feel like a miko's power."

"What is it?"

Doctor Usugi sighed. "For some reason, I wasn't able to read the pup's aura. It has never happened to me before. It felt as if a stronger power would have drowned the pup's youki, hiding it. Hmm.. That power felt somehow familiar but yet I can't quite tell..."

Sesshoumaru fought with himself for awhile, was this female youkai to be trusted or not? But well, Myoga trusted her and Myoga was very good when coming to judge humans' or youkais' nature..

And she was a doctor anyway.

"The power most probably comes from Shikon no Tama."

"Shikon no Tama! I heard it had disappeared."

"It had. It disappeared in her. She's its carrier and protector."

"In her you say it?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Oh my. Poor girl..."

"Hmm. Was there all you wished to discuss with me?"

"Yes. That was all."

Sesshoumaru nodded, leaving the room behind.

He was there again. Sitting in the very table, dressed as neatly as ever, and the dark eyes like glued on her. Kagome shifted uncomfortably under the intense gaze. In her mind she decided just to completely ignore him, as she continued to clean the table.

"Higurashi-san?" it was a soft voice that called her.

Kagome turned her head and saw the guy.

"Yorukawa-san, isn't it?" she said flashing a quick smile. "How can I help you?"

"I assume you got the flowers I sent to you?"

"Yes."

"Good... Higurashi-san, my apologies if I am too rude but I wish you to have a dinner with me."

"Uhhmm... Is that like an invitation to date or something?"

"Something like that yes."

"Uhmm... I don't know. I've kinda been seeing this one guy and.. well.."

"It's all right," he hurriedly answered. "Here's my phone number," he said, giving her his business card. "Call me. Please."

He bowed his head and left the restaurant.

Kayade hurried to her friend's side.
"Oh, now what was that?"

"I just got asked out on a date," Kagome replied, frowning.

"Ooh! You didn't agree now, did you?"

"Of course not! I don't know, I suppose that guy is okay, but he just keeps staring me, you know... It's kinda creepy. Besides, since I'm kinda seeing Hisakata-sama already.."

"Oh yes, that's right! Now, how are the things between you two?"

"Well.. I don't quite know. You know what Hisakata-sama is like," Kagome said, rolling her eyes.

Kayade giggled. "Oh yes, I know."

"But still.. If he only wants he can be like a completely different person. He even joked with me once."
"You know, I think he really likes you."

"Hmmh, I don't know."

"Awwh, why not?"

"I still believe there's something fishy about this. He doesn't seem to be such a person, you know..?"

"Well.. What about your feelings then?"

Kagome sighed and closed her eyes.
"My feelings.. for him? I think he's one big jerk. I feel a little wary around him. But when he kisses me.." she swallowed.

"Hmmmh?" Kayade encouraged her to go on, curiosity twinkling in her sparkling green eyes.

"Well, I surely find him physically attractive but.. I doubt I feel anything more for him. I do not quite trust him, you know.."

"Oh yeah?" Kayade smirked. "It's in his kiss," she sang then and giggled.

"Oh shut up!" Kagome groaned, blushing a bit.

Kayade nodded her head, but couldn't help a knowing smile rising up to her lips.

"You know, that Kagome-chan's admirer was here again," Kayade informed once she was in the staff-room with Takeo-chan. The restaurant had just been closed.

Sesshoumaru didn't reply.

"He couldn't take his eyes off her," Kayade said, shaking her head.

"Hmph."

"The most interesting thing though was that Kagome-chan told me he gave her his number and asked her out on a date."

"So he did?"

"Yeah. And Kagome-chan agreed."

"What! " Sesshoumaru hissed, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Yeah. They'll go out to dinner. Kagome seems to be excited," Kayade lied at ease, carefully watching the traces of emotions in Sesshoumaru's eyes. She didn't usually like lying, but she needed to know whether Sesshoumaru was only playing with her.

The taiyoukai clenched his hand into a fist. So, she was planning on seeing someone else? Mentally Sesshoumaru shook his head. Now wait. Why would he feel this upset because of such a petty thing? He didn't truly care for the human, so in all sense he shouldn't care about a contestant for her affections.

Oh, the plan. Yes, the plan of his. A contestant would most probably ruin the plan, and he couldn't allow that to happen. Yes. That had to be why he had got so upset.

Sesshoumaru got up.

"Where are you going?" Kayade asked.

"None of your concern," he replied coldly.

Kayade watched his back as he walked out of the little room. She smiled to herself.

Kagome was cleaning the table in the now empty restaurant, lost in her own thoughts.

She startled when a hand was placed upon her own.

"Hisakata-sama?" She breathed out as she semi-turned around.

"Why did you agree?" he said, golden eyes locked with her hazel ones.

"Huh?" she said, confusion clearly showing on her face. "What are you talking about?"

"That Yorukawa-guy asked you out on a date, didn't he?"

"Yeah he did.. So?"

"So why did you say yes?"

"What?" Kagome said, frowning. "All I ever said to him was that I'm already seeing someone."

Sesshoumaru's grip of her hand tightened.

"You refused his offer?"

"Well yeah. What did you think I'd do, huh? You couldn't possibly believe I would have wanted to date him?"

'Kayade,' Sesshoumaru growled in his mind. 'You little..'

"Hisakata-sama?"

"Yes?"

"Are you all right?"

"Yes."

"Good. Could you then please remove your hand before you crush mine?"

The taiyoukai eased his grip but did not take his hand away.

He stared into the depths of those hazel eyes. What was it about her?

The next thing he realised was that his lips were pressed against hers and that his tongue was exploring her mouth from the inside.

Just how had it again come to this?

Her eyes were closed and every coherent thought seemed to be leaving her mind when suddenly she remembered Kayade's teasing words.

It's in his kiss..

If that was true then... Kagome's heart leaped and started to race.

Kayade was leaning against the wood on the doorway, watching the pair, still smiling to herself. They could say whatever they wanted. Kagome could go on and on and say it all was just physical attraction. Sesshoumaru could blame it all in not being himself but yet... That kiss gave it all away. Kayade turned around and walked back into the staff-room.

Yes. Whatever they would say... However they would deny and refuse...

She knew the truth.

"Have I got any calls?"

"Nope, Sesshoumaru-sama", Rin chirped.

He walked over to his office-door, ready to open it when Rin spoke again.

"There's someone waiting for you inside."

"You let him in without my permission?"

"Well, Myoga told me that it's okay... And I trust his word."

"Hmm."

He opened the door and even before glancing at the figure casually sitting on his wooden desk he knew who it was. Demonic aura lazily swirled in the air around the guest.

His amber eyes met pale yellowish ones. It was a woman, who had waist-long, platinum blond hair and long lavender stripes on her cheeks.

She was a dog demoness.

"Why hello, Sesshoumaru," she greeted with a smug smirk on her face.

"I finally found you."