Happy Holidays! Seasons Greetings and all that beautiful jazz! Here's another for you dearies. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even on Christmas

Chapter 35: Raging Storm and Feelings

Sesshomaru leaned against the wall and looked toward the sleeping girl on his bed. It didn't seem like she had heard him, which was good for him. He hadn't realized he said anything until the words fell from his lips. He wasn't even sure why he responded to her, only that he was thinking. Which is what he has been doing all day. Avoiding everyone and thinking. Wondering why he let himself get angry at Inuyasha's words, and why he felt confused. It shouldn't have bothered him at all but it did. The hanyou had insulted him by claiming he was better at protecting the miko than the daiyoukai. Sesshomaru had seen how well he could "protect" Kagome on several occasions. Then again he wasn't fairing any better. The inu sighed and walked over to the bed. The girl was a magnet for trouble and he could not risk leaving her alone any longer. In just a month she had already gotten hurt and nearly kidnapped.

He got a soft blanket and pulled it over the sleeping mother and child. The miko let out a soft hum before snuggling into the blanket and mokomoko. Sesshomaru sat down beside her, leaning back until he rested against the wall. He stared at the window as another flash of lightning struck through the sky. In a matter of seconds the rain came tumbling down. Sesshomaru furrowed his brow at the heavy sound of rain. It seems the storm was going to last a couple of days. Just the thought of being stuck inside with everyone was enough to give him a headache. He briefly contemplated on avoiding them all again.

He glanced over at Kagome. He couldn't avoid her again. Well, he could but he would feel bitter about it, like he did during the afternoon. It only made him more confused on his feelings for the girl. She was only human. A priestess. Someone who had always traveled with his half-brother. If it wasn't for the pup, they would never have been acquainted with each other. They most likely would have still treated each other as enemies. He felt a sharp pain as he thought that. It was puzzling. Another loud clap of thunder interrupted his thoughts.

"Sesshomaru," a small voice called out to him.

He looked back at Kagome to see she had turned in his direction. She was staring at him worriedly.

"Are you okay?"

"I am fine miko." He replied a little confused. Why was she looking at him like that?

"You don't look okay."

"Then how do I look?"

"Like somethings troubling you." She responded sitting up.

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I've only been thinking. Why are you awake again?"

"I don't know." Kagome shrugged. "Somehow- well, all of a sudden I felt sad. I woke up and noticed you looked... troubled."

He gave her a small questioning look. "You do not have to worry about me."

"But I do." Kagome said smiling at him. After awhile she spoke again. "Am I a burden?"

The inu-youkai gazed at her for what felt like hours. He never thought of her as a burden. She was just troublesome. He couldn't say it like that though. No doubt the girl would take it the wrong way. She wasn't a nuisance, that's for sure. He didn't mind being around her. His many thoughts contradicted one another. As much as he tried to convince himself, he couldn't deny that he care about her. 'I care about her?' Sesshomaru began to feel confused again. He had never admitted to caring about anyone before, so why now? Why her? Every time he was around her, everything he once held firm was shattered. He rested his hand gently on her cheek. "You are no burden," he sighed. "Go back to sleep."

Kagome stared at him confused before laying back down. Whatever he was feeling it was obvious he wasn't going to tell her. Sighing, she rolled over and closed her eyes, forcing herself to fall back to sleep.

Sesshomaru watched her sleep still trying to figured out his thoughts. He cared about her. Was that why she made him so anxious all the time? He hated that feeling. He hated the near helpless feeling he got when he felt she was in danger. The only other person that made him that way was Rin. The inu groaned inwardly. This is not what he expected to happen upon agreeing to protect her.

Protect. That word also bothered him. Caring, love and protection were the three things that he would avoid feeling. Excluding love, which he had never felt, he knew he cared for her safety and wanted to protect her. But why her? He had a long while to think about it. Thinking was all he could do about it. Thinking about why he felt that way, and how to deal with it. His first idea was to simply ignore it. But to ignore it, was to ignore her... which meant he had to avoid her. And he just could not do that. Again he felt the beginning of a headache.

"Troublesome little woman." He whispered to himself. He honestly had no idea what to think anymore. Every thought for the last few days were on her. He reached over and brushed a strand of hair from her face. He knew as long as she stayed within his domain and had the markings of the inu clan, he would protect her. A little whimpering brought his attention to the pup. Mizuki was fidgeting in her sleep, and he could feel Kagome begin to stir in her sleep. He leaned over and gently nudged the pup. "Hush little one."

Mizuki reached out for the inu with a tiny yawn. When the pup closed her eyes again, Sesshomaru realized she was another one he cared about. She also made him question everything he used to do. He especially found himself questioning his past... mostly about his father. It was always a bitter feeling thinking about the previous lord. When he was simply holding the pup however, he felt oddly warm. The one thing he could admit to himself freely was enjoying the little pup's presence. The daiyoukai leaned back once again and closed his eyes, listening to the wind and rain and the light breathing of the two sleeping females.

Well looky here. It's another chapter. Just like I said. A gift from me to all of you. I didn't make it for the 25th. Celebrating with family distracted me. So tell me what you think. Review, review. :) Sorry the chapter was so short. This was just about Sesshomaru and his feelings.