Almost Twelve Roses

Chappie 8: When Did You?

Author: Funnyfan the GREAT

last time

There was a huge wall of TVs on one side of the room, like the kind you see in movies where the security guard falls asleep. On the other side of the room Kagome saw a long row of shelves all covered in movies. Curious, once again, she looked along the shelves. There seemed to be full shelves for everyone in the family. InuYasha, Sesshomaru, Rin and Taishio each had their own shelf. Kagome dragged her finger along the shelves, randomly reading the titles.

Kagome gasped as her finger landed on one of the titles.

Now

Kagome looked at the movie closer, pulling it out of it's place on the shelf. Sure enough in bold letter it read 'Kagome rides a bike'. Kagome quickly put it back and scanned the other movies. There was a whole shelf for her. Just like InuYasha and Rin, she had her own shelf. She felt stupid now that she noticed, in bold lettering, a label at the top of the shelf reading; 'Kagome'. Kagome smiled at the shelf. She had her own shelf. Looking around, to make sure no one was there, Kagome scanned the movies again. 'Kagome's 6th birthday', 'Kagome and InuYasha have a fight', 'Kagome gets locked in bathroom', Kagome lifted her dark eyebrow at the title, 'Everyone scares Kagome', and as she scanned them she realized they were in order of date. Her 7th and 8th birthday followed down the line, along with other videos. As she got farther into things she realized some of the things had happened not too long ago.

"No one will mind, if I watch some of these," Kagome said aloud, to no one, and grabbed a few videos, leaving the cases behind so as to remember where they went. Almost skipping to the tape deck Kagome stuck one of the tapes in, labeled 'Kagome introduces Sango and InuYasha'. For a minute or two the screen was nothing but static but soon, a picture appeared.

A smaller version of Sango, looking quite the same as now, was sitting in a sandbox with her brother. She wasn't actually playing in the sandbox, but watching her brother carefully. Sango instead of having her slender, slightly long, face had somewhat chubby cheeks. Her body was the tall slender figure it would become as she aged. She held the air of being strong and proud, as well as very protective.

"This is Sango!" Kagome heard a small girl said in a cheerful, loud, voice. Kagome wasn't sure whose it was. Her unasked question was answered when the camera de-zoomed and she appeared into the picture, as a smaller version. Kagome too looked closely the same as she did now, if not a tad chubbier. Her blue eyes seem to stand out more, as they looked larger and more alive. She smiled at her former self. "And that," Kagome watched as she pointed to Sango's brother, "is Sango's brother, Kohaku!" Kagome shouted with excitement. "I met her at preschool." Little Kagome sounded so excited. Little Kagome pointed in another direction and the camera followed her finger. "That's InuYasha, but you already know that right? I met him…when I was small." A younger looking InuYasha appeared on the screen, looking absolutely uncaring as he sat against the trunk of a tree, bits of sun creeping through the tree's branches. "INUYASHA!" InuYasha popped an uninterested eye in the direction of Kagome. "I want you to meet someone." InuYasha stared at her a moment with his one eye as if contemplating whether he wanted to move or not.

"Feh, sure." InuYasha mumbled and flipped himself onto his feet. He walked over to Kagome and the camera with his head resting against his hands, held behind his neck. The camera de-zoomed more, so InuYasha's walking figure wouldn't fill the whole screen.

"Sango!" Kagome shouted.

The camera held all three children in its screen. Kagome had a triumphant look on her face, looking very proud. InuYasha looked as though he really didn't care and Sango had a look of sheer strength. Kagome moved InuYasha to the left of her and Sango to the right.

"InuYasha, this is my very best friend, Sango." Kagome said and waved her hands towards Sango. InuYasha's eyes twitched a bit. "Sango, this is my very best friend, InuYasha." This time she waved her hands towards InuYasha. Sango's eyes twitched a bit. They were quiet for a moment and no one said anything.

"Feh, I'm more of her best friend than you." InuYasha folded his arms and looked smugly at Sango. Sango glared at him.

"I don't think so, dog boy." Sango retorted. A look of shock swept over InuYasha's face, but that was soon taken over by anger.

"Shut up you boy-girl!" InuYasha shouted and balled his fists in front of him. Sango's glare intensified and her fists balled up in front of her too.

"At least I have normal ears, ugly!" Sango shouted and jumped at InuYasha. InuYasha, who was completely taken by surprise that she would jump on him, fell back.

"Get off me you fake girl!" InuYasha shouted and the two tumbled around on the ground shouting names.

"Mutt!"

"Boy!"

"Dog-boy!"

"Idiot!"

"Stupid!"

"Tomboy!"

The person holding the camera followed the two back and forth, and then turned the camera towards Kagome. She was standing with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face. "Kagome, they're fighting, why are you smiling?" the person holding the camera asked, sounding suspiciously like a young Taishio. Kagome turned to the camera and smiled wider.

"'Cause Mr. Taishio, me and InuYasha fight all the time. This just means he likes her, and Sango and him'll be friends in no time!" Kagome smiled again and sat on the cement tiled ground and watched.

The screen started to go fuzzy again showing that was the end of that film. As Kagome replaced the tape she smiled and thought back to that day. That was when they were almost six. She may have had that memory still her head, but that didn't mean she thought about it all the time. She was glad she was reminded of the things before. It made her smile.

"It appears little brother; you're a cornered rat, literally speaking." Sesshomaru's hard glare stabbed into InuYasha and all InuYasha could do was step back. He didn't think Sesshomaru would be this mad about it, honestly. Really, he thought Sesshomaru was over reacting, by a lot. His eyes flashed red almost and InuYasha could've sworn he saw them begin to outline in crimson. His brother's eyes, light golden, so much like his, yet so far from it.

"Come on, what's the matter any way? Dad helped too." InuYasha said as he stumbled backwards a bit, a chair sliding against his thigh. Sesshomaru's glare hardened. Quickly turning around a book shelf and beginning his new venture around the library. "How the hell'd you find me any way?" InuYasha asked, attempting to buy some time. He had a sent a servant to find his father as soon as he smelt Sesshomaru any where close.

"Do not attempt to buy time half breed." Sesshomaru spoke so monotonously that it gave InuYasha the shivers. The man had eyes that bore into your soul and felt like they were ripping you apart piece by piece, and all he ever spoke with was that monotone for a voice, all it did was heighten your fear of him. And InuYasha had already hit fear and was making his way up the scale.

"You probably just asked a maid or something." InuYasha said holding his voice firm to show that he was going to hold his ground, though moving backwards and away from someone probably didn't support that. But, he was still going to try and buy some time.

"Your antics cease to amuse." Sesshomaru stated with a bite. InuYasha shoved a chair in front of him as he passed the library's tables. Sesshomaru merely walked into them and the fell to the ground, as if bowing before him.

"Or maybe you used your nose." Obviously InuYasha wasn't planning on giving up buying for time. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes un-amused.

"If you honestly feel the need to continue your attempts, than proceed, I do not care." Sesshomaru said almost bored. InuYasha continued to try and block Sesshomaru's path or slow him down by throwing chairs in front of him. They did little good and Sesshomaru continued to walk through them and they continued to bow before him as they hit the floor.

"Come one Sesshomaru, how the hell'd you know I was in the library of all places?" InuYasha glanced nervously at the door. His father was close but why wasn't he hurrying? "Just share the secret, what'll it hurt?" Sesshomaru growled as he followed InuYasha's turn around yet another shelving unit.

"If I were to tell you how, brother dear, would it be a secret?" Sesshomaru asked cockily. If InuYasha hadn't been so scared right then and there he'd have, attempted to, rip Sesshomaru bit by bit. However, circumstances proved other wise and different events were taking place.

"Don't worry, it can be our little secret…" InuYasha turned around another table and sped up a bit but, so did Sesshomaru.

"I've had enough of your games half breed, prepare to –-,"

"Ah, Sesshomaru, just the man I wanted to see. I need to talk with you about employees and merges and what not." Taishio said cheerfully as he popped in front of Sesshomaru, interrupting his threat towards InuYasha, and intercepting his attack.

"In a moment father, I merely need to take care of some business of my own." Sesshomaru stated coldly as he side stepped his father and using his speed and agility was in front of InuYasha within seconds.

"What the hell's your problem?" InuYasha growled. "What's so bad about you thinking Kagome doesn't know you're a demon?" InuYasha bit out. Sesshomaru's eyes hardened and he grabbed InuYasha by the throat and had him against the wall.

"You, brother dear, have made me hold back." Sesshomaru spoke icily and tightened his grip on InuYasha's throat to show he wasn't pleased. InuYasha's eyes squinted closed in pain.

"Let me get this…straight, you're pissed…'cause you had to…control…yourself?" InuYasha gasped out as he held Sesshomaru's arm. InuYasha coughed and tried to pull Sesshomaru's arm away.

"Bravo InuYasha, you get a cookie." Sesshomaru said coldly as every word dripped with sarcasm and disgust.

"Are you stupid?" InuYasha attempted to shout but it ended up as a hoarse whisper. InuYasha pushed Sesshomaru back with his feet and as Sesshomaru stumbled a bit InuYasha rubbed his throat. "You're mad cause of that! Because you had to hold back a bit?" InuYasha shouted, though his throat still made it sound hoarse.

"Come now Sesshomaru was that really necessary?" Taishio asked after watching the two's little display. "Come, come, you were being far too harsh on the girl and we figured it'd do you some good." Taishio added.

"Do not tell this Sesshomaru what he does wrong." Sesshomaru said plainly as he sent a glare towards his father.

"Ah, yes, speaking of Kagome Sesshomaru…" Taishio started but…

"Where is she?" InuYasha finished, interrupting his father's comment. "Losin' her ain't wrong or nothing. She could just be lost in this huge ass house. Here you are talking about your wants and needs when you're supposed to be worrying 'bout Kagome." InuYasha all but shouted. His lips turned up in a smirk when he watched Sesshomaru's face. His eyes opened, just barely enough to notice, in realization, though they quickly went back to their normal size.

"Ah, actually…"

"Wonder where she is." InuYasha questioned aloud to himself, though really it was said to bother Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru growled and swept passed his father and InuYasha. "Ever hear the saying 'if you love someone let them go, and if they come back they're yours, but if they don't, the never were.'?" InuYasha asked as Sesshomaru slammed the door; he was sure Sesshomaru heard.

Growling Sesshomaru smelt the halls, searching for Kagome. He wasn't harsh on Kagome, at all. He hadn't lost her. And InuYasha was a fool for getting involved. His growl deepened when he smelt the room she was in. Growling he sped to the room and quickly opened the door with a slam

Kagome laugh loudly. She was on her fifth tape. The first three were on her shelf the fourth in InuYasha's and now the fifth Kagome had ventured as far as to grab one of Sesshomaru's. Her other tapes were labeled 'Kagome's Halloween' and 'Kagome's 6th birthday'. The tape she took from InuYasha was one where he was taped, most likely secretly, gardening with Kikyo.

Kagome remembered Kikyo. She had appeared not long after the introduction of Sango and InuYasha. She had moved next door to Kagome and her and Kagome became friends. Though, when InuYasha was added to the picture it seemed the girls hated each other. Back then, as Kagome remembered it, she was absolutely head over heels for InuYasha. But, she got the memories of InuYasha and Kikyo being together back. She knew her and InuYasha were finished. Now, they were just friends. She wasn't sure what had happened between InuYasha and Kikyo and she didn't know if she wanted to ask. But in the movie Kagome had watched, InuYasha's face was red from either embarrassment because he was gardening, or because the sun was blazing hot or because he was with Kikyo. Or, Kagome thought, a mixture of the three.

A now, after finishing her tape of 'InuYasha and his green thumb' she was watching 'Sesshomaru gets the chickenpox', along with a whole new bunch of tapes. When Kagome read the title she was a bit unsure on whether she wanted to watch it or not. But then decided Taishio wouldn't keep a tape of Sesshomaru sleeping in bed with dots all over his body. Something had to have happened.

Kagome laughed again. She was right. Sesshomaru, it appeared wasn't as stoic a kid as he was now. And Taishio had been right to tape Sesshomaru. This was funny. To see the always in control stoic lord Sesshomaru having what looked like a temper tantrum was beyond amusing. This, Kagome thought evilly, can be used as black mail.

Kagome continued to giggle quietly to herself, attempting to control her laughter, as she started the procedure of changing tapes. Mused out of her findings from the loud sound of door hitting wall, Kagome looked up. Her eyes landed on the irritated figure of Sesshomaru standing, in what Kagome found, an intimidating stance, his arm outstretched. He brought his arm down to his side and continued to stare at Kagome.

"Uh, hi, Sesshomaru…" Kagome said a tad uneasily after breaking the somewhat awkward silence. He just stood there, a look of utter contempt on his face. Had she done something wrong? Looking closer she could see he wasn't actually looking at her but the tapes behind her. Glancing back she looked at them all. Was there anything wrong with watching home videos? Glancing closer she noticed most of the titles she had gotten on her second trip to gather movies were about Sesshomaru, and three quarters of those involved her name in the title. She blushed noticing it. She hadn't realized she'd even looked at his movies. It made her wonder where her mind was.

"What are you doing?" Sesshomaru asked angrily, reading the titles of Kagome's chosen movies. 'Sesshomaru's boo-boo', 'Sesshomaru meets InuYasha', 'Sesshomaru and Miroku's encounter Hilarious', 'Sesshomaru's rage Frighteningly amusing', but what caught his attention the most were the ones titled 'Sesshomaru's confrontation' and 'Sesshomaru's confession'. Those two especially were off limits, along with every other movie. The titles he had named off in his head now weren't even close to half the movies Kagome had out. The other bunch of them all had both her and his name in the title. Those movies, he didn't want Kagome to watch. He didn't want to watch them.

"Just…watching some videos…wanna join?" Kagome asked in desperate hope that it would distract him from being angry and staring at her with those eyes. And it did, unfortunately only for the smallest margin of time that not even Kagome noticed it.

"How many of those movies have you watched?" Sesshomaru asked, keeping his temper in order. Kagome gave him a quizzical look and held up the movie entitled 'Sesshomaru gets the chickenpox'.

"Just this and some other ones with me, when I was little." Kagome looked at him curiously. She wanted to ask why but the response 'That is none of your concern' popped into her mind, as well as a figure of Sesshomaru, saying the words over and over in her head in a way that made Kagome want to strangle him. Biting down on her lip, holding in the question, she waited for him to make his next move.

"These movies are not for your eyes, girl." Sesshomaru said in a way that made Kagome twitch with annoyance. She didn't even need to ask her question for him to act like king of the world. Had he just called her 'girl'? Kagome's eyes hardened as she glared at him. Very carefully and neatly Kagome picked up all the movies and put them where they were supposed to go. And glaring at him defiantly as she walked towards him, she swept passed him.

"Fine with me, boy." Kagome said mockingly, though it didn't have as much effect, as she walked around the corner. She smirked as she rounded the corner, sure Sesshomaru wouldn't see, but she was wrong. He stood in front of her, his eyes flashing a ring of red every so often. Quickly she jumped back and looked to where she had last seen Sesshomaru. He wasn't there so, she wasn't going crazy. Realizing this was what InuYasha had meant when he said Sesshomaru could and would get out of control, she stepped back. "Er, how did you…get there?" Kagome questioned, though she already knew the answer.

"Don't play the brainless twit around me girl. I'm not stupid." Apparently Sesshomaru knew she knew the answer too. Kagome stepped back again.

"I'm…what do you mean? I don't…understand." Kagome stuttered backwards.

"Don't call me stupid girl." Sesshomaru growled his eyes burning red more and more.

"I don't have to, you just did." Kagome 'eeped' when the distance between them became non-existent, and her body was between his and the wall. His red eyes flared as his temper began to get the better of him. Kagome really regretted her words now.

"Don't play the defiant little girl, girl. Your musings are not amusing." Kagome could feel his breath on her face with each word he spoke, but the bridge to her temper had just been crossed with that last 'girl' comment. Taking up the role he just accused her of Kagome glared at him.

"Listen you, I have a name. It's Kagome. Kah-go-meh. Got it? Or do you need more help?" Kagome sneered, pushing him back with her finger. "Get your temper in control demon boy, because you've crossed my bridge and your high and mighty act is beginning to grow old." Kagome shouted. "So." Poke. "Get." Poke. "Away." Poke. "From." Poke. "Me." Jab. Kagome quickly spun in her heels and stomped down the hall.

As she walked Kagome hoped that it hadn't just made Sesshomaru angrier. She didn't have any memories of an angry demon, and she didn't plan on getting some any time soon. Quickly her face drew from its some what angry frown to one that marred worry and showed a bit of fear. Was Sesshomaru going to attack her? Mentally shaking her head Kagome tried to reason with herself. Sesshomaru wouldn't attack her, even in his demon form. But, then again, she hadn't really had any experience in the field of Sesshomaru acting demonic. Or at least, she had no memories of that.

Sighing Kagome slowed down and began to walk at a normal, sedate pace. Sesshomaru was probably either still back where she left him or off in some other direction pretending he was king of the world and making servants kiss the ground he walked on. Sighing and turning around she realized she had passed her room a while back. And I'm wrong Kagome thought as she nearly walked into Sesshomaru. Not wanting to repeat what happened last time, Kagome swept passed him and continued to her room.

Without looking back Kagome could tell, Sesshomaru was following behind her and not in a conspicuous manner either. Kagome stopped and spun around. "Why are you following me?" Kagome asked already knowing the answer.

"I am merely going the same direction." Bingo, Kagome thought.

"Oh really, and so when I stop, are you going to 'coincidentally' stop too?" Kagome asked.

"No, the thing about going the same way merely means 'I'm walking in the same direction as you', not 'I'm walking in every foot step you make stopping when you stop, jumping when you jump'." Kagome's eye twitched and she spun around and started walking, Sesshomaru walking the same direction as her, not following.

"Why?" Kagome asked after a moment of silence. "Why do you care so much?" she kept her face directed ahead but really, she wanted to see his reaction to her question. See what he was going to say, looking in his eyes to search for the truth. When he didn't say anything, she continued. "Why go to all the trouble? What makes you go so far?"

Needless to say, Sesshomaru was surprised with the question. Not that he showed it, his features remained flawless and emotionless. He thought about it for a second. Why? He asked himself. "Because," Sesshomaru started, "of you." Kagome nearly stopped but kept going.

"Why me?"

"Because, you are perfect." Kagome gasped and this time she stopped. He was being so…sweet. He sounded so sincere. He sounded charming. He…Kagome stopped herself. She couldn't let him get the better of her now. Shaking off her surprise, Kagome turned around and smiled at him.

"There's…no such thing, as perfect." Kagome said plainly.

"There is, when you're in love." Sesshomaru had said it with such serenity and with such a sincere air about it, Kagome believe it, almost. She shook her head and smiled at Sesshomaru.

"…no such thing…as perfect…"

"So, what you're saying is…" Taishio began but Dr. Naru put his hand up to stop him. Shaking his head he continued on with his explanation.

"I don't want you to get your hopes up, so let me explain." Both Taishio and Ms. Higurashi waited for him to continue. Clearing his throat he continued, "Kagome is remembering things at an amazingly fast rate. Most patients don't remember as much as she has within such a short period of time. And, from what I'm hearing from her brother and friends, she's remembered a lot of things she shouldn't have."

"So…?" Taishio asked, leaving his statement blank for the doctor to fill in.

"Before, when I said Kagome wouldn't remember things…it was half-true, and highly unlikely, but the test results are merely 99 correct, leaving a 1 chance of remembrance." Ms. Higurashi gasped. "But, I don't want you to get your hopes up. Though she's remembered more than what we thought, it's still extremely doubtful she'll remember 'him'." Dr. Naru shuffled some papers on his desk.

"But, why won't she remember him?" Ms. Higurashi asked. Taishio nodded his head, curious to know the answer as well.

"From what I've heard of her brother and friends and even yourselves, Sesshomaru is doing a poor job at having her fall in love with him. In fact, I've heard it's the complete opposite." He paused a minute, thinking of how he was to word what he was going say next. "Ms. Higurashi, Mr. Taishio, if Kagome doesn't want to remember Sesshomaru, she never will."

Wiping sweat from her forehead Kagome looked up at the sky. It was such a wonderful day out, the sun was shining brightly over head, and clouds occasionally flew by and blocked out its powerful warmth. Patting the stray dirt from her trousers Kagome stood up. Stretching her legs she examined her work. She had been gardening all morning, taking advantage of her workless and, so far, Sesshomaru-less day.

Apparently, according to InuYasha and Taishio, Sesshomaru had been given a major work load and so 'unfortunately' for Kagome, as Sesshomaru had so modestly put it, she was to be without him for a whole three days. All Kagome could think so say was, 'only three days?'

Smiling proudly Kagome stretched, her arms extending into the air for the full effect. Glancing down she re-evaluated her work. It really did look pretty good. She couldn't help but wonder if it was suppose to be something. She had weeded the entire garden and it had precise flowers going in precise locations. She really wondered if it made a picture, but doubted it. No one here would go through all the trouble.

Now that she was finished…what was she supposed to do with the rest of her day? Rin and Shippo were both, once again, at school. InuYasha was working and Taishio…she didn't know where Taishio was. He was probably off gallivanting about shouting in a sing song voice that he didn't have to work. Which reminded her, she worked tomorrow. Sighing she headed towards the house. It wasn't a sigh of contempt, no, it was the opposite. It was a sigh of contentment. She loved working. It was her freedom, where she got to do what she wanted, so to speak. She made new friends, workers and customers. It was like a home away from home, unlike the prison she was in now. She hadn't gone out for a night of fun since that last time.

Since then, Sango had come over, occasionally bringing Yuki, Eri and Ayame with her. Not that the time her and Sango had in the 'house' wasn't fun, it just, wasn't enough. Not for everyday. She needed to get out, breath. And that's exactly what her job did for her. Let her out in the open.

Wandering the halls Kagome adjusted her pack. One of the gardening tools she borrowed was stabbing her in the back, and she was beginning to become sore. Looking around the hall she tried to find something she recognized. She knew this should be close to the room the butler was talking about.

"There should be a—aha!" Kagome said triumphantly as she found the clue to which direction she was supposed to go next. Looking up she found her second clue and walked down the right corridor, even though, unknown to her, she was to go left. But then, fate was beginning to like choosing where she went, even though it was she who controlled fate.

Fate, as the wise say, is a fickle matter. It's up to you, how it's done. Whether you choose to believe your fate is decided or if you think your fate is up to you. Either way, it's true. If you choose to believe the latter than who's to say you are wrong? And what if you were to choose the first? The answer is the same. You control your beliefs and what you do with your beliefs is up to you. Fate is merely an excuse to do something. And for Kagome, who should know by now which hall leads where, chose to go down the wrong hall, chose to turn the wrong direction. Whether her choice was done subconsciously or consciously, it was done, and now fate, through the hands of Kagome, was turning its wheel. For fate…can only go so far.

She was sure this was the way to the garden room. She was absolutely positive. This was the hall the butler had told her previously to go down. She was sure she was willing to spend a whole day with Sesshomaru if she was wrong. Thinking back, Kagome tried to remember what the butler had said.

"And remember Ms. Kagome, left, not right. You do not wish to go that way."

Screw what she had said earlier. She wasn't sure at all, and that didn't count. Shaking her head Kagome spun on her heels, prepared to go back the way she came. That is, until voices reached her ears.

"Yes, of course. I'll pay you full price. No, I don't want someone else, I want you." Puzzled at who it was and curious as to what they were saying she quietly snuck towards the voice. "I want you. No, I can't wait." as Kagome got closer, the voice got louder. "I need you. You're a favorite." Now that she was closer, Kagome could definitely tell, it was Sesshomaru. But, what was he talking about? And why did he sounds so…out of character, almost begging, though in a demanding tone, for something. "I only want you." Sesshomaru said again. What, Kagome couldn't help but wonder, does he want so badly from this person. "No, I need it from you. Only you can give me what I need. You know that." The more Kagome listened the more she thought, he was talking to a girl or something.

A girlfriend? Kagome narrowed her eyes. No, he wouldn't. He wouldn't make her stay in the damn house, by herself because he had work. He wasn't going to lie to her. He wouldn't make her fall in love with him and take on another girl. He wasn't the type to lie just to get his own way. He…what was she kidding. Of course he was. Kagome's eyes turned into angry slits. The bastard was cheating on her? Well, not technically. They weren't dating or anything, but, fact remained he was keeping her in this house to make her love him, and now, here he was, getting some hooker on the phone.

There was a click and the phone hung up. Kagome held her breath and waited for something to happen. She half expected him to pop out of the room, see her, and get mad. But, that didn't happen. No, instead, he began to talk again, this time, another person's voice popped into the conversation.

"All done then?" Taishio asked.

"Yes father, it's been done." Sesshomaru spoke so calmly.

"What are you going to do next? Now that you've got that surprise out of the way, and stepped a little of the path, what are you to do?"

"I…am going to make her jealous." 'Jealous?' Who, she wondered.

"What?"

"I, father, am going to make Kagome, jealous" Kagome nearly choked at his declaration. Her, jealous of what? Some hooker who's getting paid for sex? Yeah right. She wasn't jealous, especially not if Sesshomaru was involved. This just insured her next plan of action. If he was working at make her jealous, she knew a perfect way to make him jealous.

And as Kagome walked down the hall pondering the best ways to get back at Sesshomaru, said person answered his ringing phone.

"What?" Sesshomaru answered irritably, Kagome out of hearing range.

"Sesshomaru, sir." Sesshomaru glanced at his father who looked innocently back at him, pulling his hand away from the 'speaker' button. Flashing Sesshomaru an 'I'm-innocent' smile he urged Sesshomaru on.

"Continue," Sesshomaru said uncaringly.

"Sir, your ring, the one for your fiancé, it's almost done. Another month." The voice said through the speaker.

"A month…is all I need."

Turning to her side she took a breath. Kicking her feet as hard as she could, slamming her hand against the wall she triumphantly shouted 'Finished!' She was done her laps, finally. Really, what she wanted to do, was play but, there was no one to play with her. Sighing she lifted herself out of the pool only to be met with a pale delicate, yet strong, hand. Looking up she saw him. In all his swim suit clad glory he wore dark blue swim trunks. She blushed at how beautiful he looked. He looked so…good.

"Care for a hand?" he asked. Shaking her head from her day dream she looked at him.

"No thank you, I can get up myself." She said defiantly, pulling herself fully out of the pool. Standing up she was about to push past him when she felt his hand on her arm.

"Well than, Kagome care to play?" he asked, and she could hardly believe the tone he said it in. He sounded so…playful so…out of character so…fake. Was he making fun of her? Probably, she decided. Narrowing her eyes at him she tried to walk past him, forgetting his grip on her arm. "I'll take that…as a yes." Without a moment of hesitation, he pulled Kagome back and threw her into the pool. Kagome swam to the surface, choking and sputtering. Glaring as she looked at him she doggie paddled on the spot.

"What the hell is your problem?" she shouted. Smiling arrogantly at her he jumped in. Popping up in front of her he smiled again, moving into her hula-hoop, invading her personal space.

"Tag, you're it." The way he said it, it wasn't that childish way most people said it in. It was…seductive. It was alluring, and Kagome couldn't help but feel like she had to play. And she did.

"Ha, ha, ha!" Kagome laughed, holding her stomach. "That was so fun!" She laughed happily. They had played tag for, what felt to Kagome like days, but was in fact only two hours. Even so, that was still a long time, and needless to say, Kagome was tired. Collapsing on her towel like a star fish, Kagome let out a tired, yet satisfied, sigh. Closing her eyes she tried to calm herself down. Turning her head and looking at him she smiled. "Thanks."

"And what for?" he asked. She turned her head away and smiled again. Closing her eyes she answered "For playing with me."

"Well then," he said, Kagome heard shuffling but couldn't tell where he was going or what he was doing. "Thank you, too."

"For wha—" Opening her eyes Kagome stopped mid sentence. He was leaning over her, his eyes half closed, in a dazed sort of look. "…t" she finished as he began to slowly inch down towards her.

"For this…" he said it in an almost whisper before he finally closed the distance between the two and swept her lips into a heartfelt, passionate kiss. Kagome's eyes slowly drifted closed as she moved into the kiss. Pushing her head up a little, her back following her, she deepened the kiss. His hand slowly swam up her thigh and snaked around her waste, sweeping across her backside. Gasping a little at the motion, he took the opportunity to explore the cavern that was her mouth with his tongue.

To her, it felt like heaven. She hadn't felt a kiss like this before. It made her skin bubble with happiness and her insides squirm with unsaid feelings. Her eyes felt like they were glued shut and her lips seemed to have a mind of their own. Her tongue danced with his, and she didn't want it to end. Ever. It felt so wonderful, like she was supposed to be in his grasp. It was like, she was meant to be there, in his arms, holding onto his lips with her own.

End of Chappie 8