For our next track we are listening to, 'When It Hurts', by Avant. You won't know if love will hurt unless you give it a try.

Enjoy!


Kagome had easily fallen in love. It hadn't been hard and had happened so fast she didn't realize what had hit her at first.

As she processed the information she took in all of the instances that had led her to this moment that she sat internally examining her own self.

Bringing a hand to her forehead she sighed. It hurt to come to this conclusion knowing that the person she wanted to give her whole heart to would never return it.

Sesshomaru hated humans. He would probably kill her if he found out or, worse, outright dismiss her and ignore her. Over the years they had become sort of companionable, he didn't sneer or scoff at her anymore so that meant progress.

Shaking her head she didn't have a clue what to do. It wasn't as if she could talk to Inuyasha about it, any other guy maybe but not his brother.

The subject of Sesshomaru had always been touchy. Even if the two of them worked together once in a while they weren't close and still have animosity towards one another.

"Kagome?" Looking up she saw Rin coming towards her. "Lady Kaede is looking for you. Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm okay Rin. I just wanted some time alone." She said.

"I'll go then." Making a move to turn back to the village Kagome had an idea.

Who knew Sesshomaru better than Rin? Maybe she could offer her some insight.

"Can you stay? I don't mind the company." Kagome requested.

"Of course Kagome." Sitting beside her she straightened out her pretty purple kimono adorned with butterflies that Sesshomaru had gifted her.

"Can I ask you something Rin?"

"Sure, anything." Rin said with a small smirk looking at her friend.

"Does Sesshomaru really hate humans the way he used to?" Kagome ventured somewhat timidly.

"Lord Sesshomaru has never said anything to me of the sort. I have heard that he doesn't but it isn't something I have ever asked him." She replied honestly. "Why do you ask?"

Kagome stared ahead of her to the grassy meadow they were sitting in and shook her head slightly.

"No reason, I was just curious."

"Oh, no, there is a reason you asked." Rin said kneeling in front of her and taking her face with both of her hands staring into her eyes.

"Rin, what are you…" Kagome questioned only to be interrupted.

"You're in love with Lord Sesshomaru." Rin gasped out before her face broke out into a wide smile.

"I…am not!" Kagome sputtered childishly.

"I can see it, and feel it." Rin said pulling her hands aways. "I can't believe I didn't see it sooner."

"Rin, please don't say anything to anyone." Kagome whispered out embarrassed. "If anyone found out I would just die."

"No you wouldn't." Rin shook her head clearly amused by the entire situation. "What if I were to tell you that Lord Sesshomaru likes some humans that I know of, myself included."

This piqued Kagomes interest as she looked to the young teenager.

"Who else?"

"You obviously." Rin replied with a small laugh. "How much that I don't know but Lord Sesshomaru keeps his heart very closely guarded and doesn't really share his feelings."

"I see." Kagome said softly.

"He will be coming around soon. When he does you visit with him. I can make an excuse and leave you both alone or I can stay to make it easier to talk with him." Rin offered.

"I don't know…"

"And you won't know unless you try." Squaring her gaze on Kagome she gave a small shrug. "Do you know who told me that?"

"I told you that." Kagome smirked to herself sighing. "You're right. I'm just…I'm afraid of getting hurt or being rejected."

"Just be honest and forthright with him. He won't be cruel about it, I promise."

"Okay." Kagome agreed. "Thanks Rin."

"No problem." She replied in a sing song voice. Kagome sat internally freaking out while Rin seemed content with her newfound knowledge.

True to her word in a few days Sesshomaru came to visit with Rin. She practically had to drag Kagome out of her hut asking Sesshomaru to accompany them to pick herbs.

Kagome remained mostly silent as Rin talked about what had been going on since his last visit.

"Oh, I nearly forgot…" Rin said suddenly. "I need to go back to the village. Lord Sesshomaru please stay with Kagome. I'll be right back."

Kagome felt her stomach knot as Rin took off being left alone with Sesshomaru.

"You are uncharacteristically quiet." Sesshomaru said after some time had passed in silence. Kagome glanced up at him from where she knelt cutting plants.

"I have a lot on my mind." She said meekly her voice becoming stuck in her throat.

"Hm, concerning my idiot brother?" Sesshomaru asked. Kagome looked at him in question. "Rin tells me a great deal of things."

"Great." She took a breath closing her eyes. "No, it isn't about Inuyasha. It is…someone else that I-I'm interested in." Reopening her eyes she saw him looking right at her.

"Someone in the village. A human." Was Sesshomaru prying for information? Kagome stood wiping off her hands on the apron she wore over her priestess attire.

"No and no."

"A demon then."

"Yes." Nodding her head quickly she swallowed hard. "You."

"Interesting." Sesshomaru replied watching her, searching her really, perhaps to see if she was being dishonest.

"Yeah. Look, I know that you're probably not into humans and…I didn't mean for this to happen. It just…did." Kagome offered.

"Do not apologize Kagome. In recent years if there was one thing I have learned is that our hearts seem to betray our minds when in fact it can show us whom we really are." Sesshomaru said.

"I have to ask; do you still hate humans?"

"I was angry for a very long time. It made me become bitter and hateful. I closed myself off from everyone and anyone who tried to come close. The only one I hurt was myself by doing that." Sesshomaru looked away as if he were gathering his thoughts. "I never hated humans or you."

"Thank you." Kagome said with a small smile forming on her lips.

"I would not be opposed to courting you. You have proven yourself to be a worthy mate, if such a relationship were to form between us." Bringing his gaze back to her she felt her heart flutter madly in her chest.

"I-I would like that but if it doesn't work out I want us to still be civil to each other afterwards." Kagome said.

"You have this one's words Kagome if we come to find that we are not compatible then we will remain friends."

"Good." Kagome said biting her lower lip.

"Do you accept my proposal of courtship?" Sesshomaru asked formerly.

"I accept, Lord Sesshomaru." Kagome said with a small nod. Similarly Sesshomaru nodded back just as Rin came back to join them.