Part 11: Torn

A/N: Lots of emotions from you guys based on the last chapter. Not to worry, here is the next update, and our favorite couple will be able to explain what occurred the last time around. Sorry for the late update, that pesky thing called 'work' keeps getting in the way of my fanfiction writing :p

Thank you for reviewing:

Liwliwa-Janoah

Little25victor

AmorPorSiempre

ThisisMel

Reesexxoo (Sorry, I will try to be nicer with the cliffhangers!)

JollyJoker94

Nihao-tiger

Maria-Reynne

Malmal (So kind of you. I am glad you are enjoying my stories!)

Lenna0813

Guest (Thank you for your enthusiasm, here is the next chapter!)

Kallmered

Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish for it, I unfortunately own nothing except my plot, and a few OC's here and there.

As soon as we had made it home, I had rushed to my bedroom. I had shrugged off the black dress, rolled it into a ball and threw it in a corner of my room. I had tossed the heeled sandals and jewelry on top of it. I wanted nothing of Sesshoumaru to make contact with my skin. The mere thought of it made my skin crawl. After taking a hot shower and changing into some of my good old clothes, I started thinking.

In the end I stayed locked up in my room all evening. Thinking things over, and trying to figure out what the hell I had just happened to me. I did not open the door when Rin had knocked on it. I had feigned an illness and the wish to stay in bed to recuperate. She reiterated her condolences on the death of my brother, and left a plate of my favorite cookies by the door. Better she think I had been struck by grief rather than her knowing a vicious attack by her beloved Sesshoumaru-sama was the reason for my hiding. Kagome had also stopped a few hours into my self-imposed lock up to ask about my well-being. I assured her I was on the mend. Unlike Rin, she damn knew I was not grieving for Hakudoushi, but no way was I going to tell her the truth either. While I had not opened the door to any of them, I had brought in the cookies in my room. Even though I had no intention of eating them. If Run walked by my room and saw I had left her snack out in the hall, I knew it would hurt her feelings. I cared too much about her to willfully hurt her like that.

For now, I had no particular plan, but aimed to stay locked up in my room until I found a way to get the hell out of that mansion, and away from Sesshoumaru. I still did not understand what the hell had happened. One minute he was taking care of me, buying me designer clothes, and tenderly making love to me, and the next he almost choked me to death. Not a word spoken or an explanation given. His ability to go from 0 to 60 like this scared the hell out of me. I never would have imagined the Sesshoumaru I loved would be able to do such a thing. Granted I knew he had earned the nickname the Killing Perfection because the man had murdered more people than he could remember, and was a notorious mobster, but that was work-related. He did what he had to do to provide for his loved ones and keep them safe. Foolish me had thought I was among that group. Sure, if he had wanted, he could have easily killed me, and he did not, but I was pissed he had even attacked me to begin with.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door. It was the middle of the night, so whoever was there it sure as hell was not Rin bringing me more treats.

"Wind witch, open the door. Kagome wants me to make sure you're alright." I could tell it was Inuyasha on the other side of the door. Damn, one of the Tashio brothers was the last thing I wanted to deal with right now.

"Tell her I'm fine, just resting." The roughness had gone out of my voice a few hours ago, and my bruises had just started changing from angry red to yellow. Too bad I had slow healing, or they would have started to fade by now.

"Kagura, I heard some things from Miroku, and my asshole of a brother has not been acting quite like himself. Ever since you guys came back he's been locked in his office, and he's been pacing and grumbling... I'm guessing something went down at the little shit's funeral, and I want to know what. If you don't open this door right now, I will fucking break it down. Either way, I'm coming in."

I snorted at finding out Sesshoumaru had been affected by our altercation. I did however take Inuyasha's threats seriously. He was a hanyou, and had the strength to break down the door if he so wished. And if Kagome was the one to have sent him, then he would certainly do it.

Reluctantly decided to let him in, but not before I grabbed a nearby shawl and wrapped it around my neck. I knew I could not hide in my room forever, and frankly I needed some fresh air, so letting the outside world in was past due.

I opened the door to reveal a worried hanyou, and stepped aside to let Inuyasha come in. Before I could stop him, he reached up to take off my shawl, and swore loudly and angrily.

"Keh! This looks bad, are you okay?"

I nodded. If only he knew these injuries were mild in comparison to the torture Naraku had unleashed on me on an almost daily basis for years. What truly hurt were not the bruises, but knowing who had caused them.

"They're healing. I just needed some rest." It was nice to see that despite his gruff exterior, Inuyasha did care for me.

"What happened? I was only able to get useless information from Miroku."

"That is for us to discuss." A deep voice said from the entrance of my room.

I had felt Sesshoumaru coming right before he made his presence known. Damn me for still being so in tune with that asshole. Even now my heart sped up in happiness just at the sight of him. Seems like my feelings for him were just as strong as ever. Damn my heart!

"Leave us." He ordered his younger sibling as he stepped inside the room to stand close to me.

In the blink of an eye, Inuyasha had grabbed his brother by the collar of his shirt and had slammed him back against the wall. The impact had made the whole room shake. How ironic to see Sesshoumaru being the one pinned to a wall by a loved one this time around.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Since when do we attack our females?!" For good measure, Inuyasha slammed Sesshoumaru a second time. This time with even more strength. My lover's head hit the wall with a loud sickening thud. The impact left a head shaped dent in the wall, and Sesshoumaru's luscious hair was littered with plaster and red wall paint.

The Western Lord fought off the hold his younger brother had on him, and shoved the hanyou back. I guessed he did not enjoy being slammed into walls. Ha! Let him get a taste of his own medicine. Sesshoumaru with his shoulder then pushed back his younger brother once more. Inuyasha did not like that one bit as he shoved his brother back. Damn this could get bad fast. I did not want the two men brawling in my room right now.

Before I managed to talk myself out of getting involved, I stepped forward, and wiggled between the two brothers. I placed a hand on each of their chests, and with all my strength pushed them apart. Sesshoumaru was now flat against the wall that still sported a hole the size of his head, and a heaving Inuyasha was close to the door.

"Inuyasha, it's fine. Sessh and I need to talk. You can leave us alone." While seeing someone be ready to defend me was a nice salve on my bruised heart, I did not want the brothers to come to blows on my account.

The hanyou looked at me for a long time, his face grave. "I'll be down the hall in the nursery. Yell if you need anything. I will hear you from there." He then sent his brother an angry glare.

"You fucking better make this right Sesshoumaru!" With this last threat, Inuyasha left, and Sesshoumaru and I were left alone.

After a quick peek outside to make sure Inuyasha had truly left, Sesshoumaru reached behind him to close the door. We were left alone now. He reached up to brush off the litter in his hair, and while he groomed himself, I did my best not to show how unnerved I was. I stopped my urge to take a step back and away from him. I had no need to be scared. If need be, my fan was still within reaching distance on my side table. I could of course yell for Inuyasha's help if Sesshoumaru decided to make a violent move.

We stayed in silence for a while, neither of us speaking. Finally I decided to take things into my own hands.

"So, you said you wanted to talk, let's talk."

No reaction from Sesshoumaru. Alright… I guessed the drawback of being in love with an Ice Block was to have to be the one doing the heavy lifting when it comes to conversations and emotional work.

He walked over to the window and stared outside to the darkened garden, standing with his back to me. He must have sensed my uneasiness because he was clearly leaving me an exit just in case. No matter his great speed, if I so wanted I could run out the door before he had the chance to rush across the room and get to me. Plus, in youkai culture, leaving your back unguarded was a way to show you trusted the person you were with. Back in olden days, it was a clear way to get a sword through the back. I guessed that was his way to show me he trusted me without words. Hum, strange after what had occurred this very afternoon… how could this man blow hot and cold so easily?!

"You are the one who must explain yourself."

His calmly spoken words were a sure way to piss me off.

"Excuse me, you're the one who should be begging for my forgiveness for now." I did my best to keep in my temper. It was time to channel my own inner ice block. "You attacked me for no reason!"

"No reason?!" He turned around with incredible speed, showing me an example of his ample youkai power, which he usually tempered down. I knew that when he had attacked me, if he had wanted to snap my neck, he would have been able to do so with little effort. "What did you expect would happen after your betrayal…"

"Betrayal? What the hell are you talking about? I never betrayed you.. Naraku wanted me to spy on you and distract you, but I've done neither." How dare he say that?! I was so mad I could smack him. "I've protected you and your family, and unless you've forgotten, I even almost got killed protecting your ass!"

My mention of my injury at the hands of Zankoku, made his jaw clench. I guessed it hurt his pride to be reminded of that incident. Let his conscience hurt him for daring to hurt the woman who had done so much for him.

"I heard you." He growled. "Gloating to Naraku about your plan…"

"You know me." I cut him off, not wanting to hear any more as I could see where this conversation was going. "How could you think I meant any of these words? I was doing as we agreed. I was playing Naraku's game to try to get information out of him." I was angry and disappointed that Sesshoumaru could doubt me so easily. Did he not love me… even one little bit? If the tables were turned, because of my feelings for him, I certainly would have given him the benefit of the doubt. The tear in my heart widened again.

"You sounded all too convincing as you told your father about playing this Sesshoumaru and all my family for fools. We have opened ourselves and our home to you, and to hear you…" He did not finish his sentence, but clenched his fists in anger.

All my anger suddenly evaporated. He did not need to say more for me to understand. The pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place. I understood what had happened. He might have mentioned his family, but he really meant , Sesshoumaru despite himself had developed deep feelings for me, and not only did he not like it, but he did not know how to handle it. He probably had never been in such a situation before. All my sleuthing over the years had led me to the conclusion that Sesshoumaru had never dated a woman for a long stretch of time. He seemed to have only had some casual flings. Whatever was developing between us freaked him out, and left him vulnerable. The thought that I, the one who breached the carefully erected walls around his heart could have played him for a fool and betrayed him at the instigation of Naraku, his greatest enemy, had made him snap. This had prompted his unjust attack of me. That foolish man. How could he not know I loved him, and would do anything to protect him?! In truth that pissed me off. How unfair for him to treat me this way, and I was about to let him know exactly, how I felt. Why should I be made to pay because he had lacked the ability to handle emotional baggage?!

"Fuck you Sesshoumaru!" His eyes widened in shock at my outburst. "How could you doubt me so easily? I've done everything I can to help you and to look out for you, and your family. Today, the way you treated me was unacceptable. You acted as if we were enemies... as if there was nothing between us." I was so angry. How could he have so little faith in me?! "After everything we've shared… after everything we've been through. You know how much I hate Naraku. I would never side with him, and especially not against you."

Was it me, or was his face softening? Maybe I was getting to him after all. Not that it mattered. I was so far gone in my angry tirade, I could care less. I just wanted to unleash all my thoughts and feelings on him.

"I think I have proven my loyalty, and you know what, you can either trust me, or you don't, and if you don't, then there's no point to me trying to make you see reason. I'll just walk out that door, and walk out of your life. Somehow, I'll deal with the fallout with Naraku, and figure out a way to get mom out."

He frowned, and I guessed what I said had hit him. Yep, let him realize he should not take me for granted. No matter how I felt about him, I would be able to walk away from him. I had been raised thinking that nothing good ever came to me, and if it did, it never lasted. So, why should the wonderful time we shared be any different?!.

"Kagura…" I was taken aback by the amount of emotion I could hear infused in the way he spoke my name. In this one word I could feel his fear, worry and dare I say anguish? What an unexpected show of emotion! Inuyasha was right, Sesshoumaru was not acting as himself. Damn him, and damn my heart. It hurt me to see him so hurt by my words.

"In truth, I don't want to leave. I love it here. I've never been happier… and I have feelings for you." I walked closer to him. "Things don't have to end between us. We can get back to where we were before. We could build back the trust between us. Despite the way you've been acting, deep down, you know I would never hurt you. Look into my eyes and tell me you don't see that I'm telling the truth."

Frankly, that had not been how I expected to confess my feelings to Sesshoumaru. I figured I would have had the chance to ease him slowly into the idea of us sharing more than a physical relationship, but fate had other plans. Hopefully my words had gotten to that stupid man, and if they had not, then I meant what I had said when I threatened to leave. In any case, the words I had spoken would have to be enough for now. I had talked too much, and had hurt my sore throat in the process. I gently massaged my neck, hoping to make the pain fade away.

To my surprise, Sesshoumaru his face still blank stepped up to me. He leaned forward and took ahold of my chin to stare straight into my eyes, and I defiantly looked back. I knew my eyes would only show that I meant every word I said. Sesshoumaru then gently trailed his fingers down my hand that was covering my neck to reveal my marked throat.

"I have decried Naraku for leaving scars and bruises on your body, and this Sesshoumaru has done the same." He hung his head in shame. I could definitely see the pain and regret in his eyes. "I am sorry Kagura." That was the first time I had ever heard him apologize.

"You are right, my treatment of you was uncalled for. You have proven yourself to be a trustworthy ally in the past, and I should not have doubted you. You deserved better…" He paused as if hesitating to speak the words he wanted to say. "To be honest, your perceived betrayal brought me to an unprecedented… emotional response that I was not able to rein in. I am usually much more contained, but at the time I was overcome with the impulse to hurt you as you had hurt me."

My heart skipped a bit at his words. This was probably the closest he would ever come to admitting he had feelings for me, and that he did not know how to handle it.

"If that is your way of letting me know you care about me, it is pretty fucked up." I pointed to my marked throat. "After being witness to the way Naraku has mistreated my mom for years, I swore I would never be a man's punching bag." He flinched at my use of that term.

"Kagura…" I could hear the anguish in his voice, but I raised a hand to interrupt him. I was not done.

"If I had thought you had betrayed me, I would have been mad as hell too. I probably would have sent a couple wind blades your way… so I can forgive you this once, but let's be clear. We are in this together, and we must trust one another. If you ever lay a finger on me again, I will walk out of here, and never come back."

What I was saying was true. Considering how much in love I was with Sesshoumaru, if he had betrayed me in such a way, my heart would truly be broken, and I would be tempted to kill him too. That however in no way excused his treatment of me. No mater how much I loved Sesshoumaru, I loved myself more, and I would not stand for being hurt by any man. Ever.

We silently stared at each other for a long time. Our gazes saying what we both thought without us having to speak any words. He did not speak the words a second time, but I could tell he was sorry and ashamed of his treatment of me. I hoped he could also read in my eyes that I meant what I had said. I would forgive him this once, but that was it.

"Kagura, I am sorry for losing control, and I promise you it will never happen again. I made a vow to protect you, and I intend to keep it." I was surprised the usually emotionally reserved Sesshoumaru had decided to speak aloud after all, but it pleased me.

I don't know who was the one to reach for the other first, but soon enough our lips were fused in a kiss. Soon enough as it always did with us, our kiss turned passionate, and our tongues met and shared a now familiar dance. We finally broke our kiss, but stayed close enough to look deeply in each other's eyes.

"This should have healed by now." His clawed thumb gently brushed against the welts and bruises marring the skin of my neck. I flinched in pain. My injuries were still tender.

To my surprise, he opened up the collar of my shirt, and lowered his mouth to my offended flesh. I jolted when he gently licked the marks he had left on my throat. I shuddered more out of pleasure than pain as his tongue lapped at my skin. I knew this was usual healing behavior for inu youkai, but this was incredibly erotic. I was even more surprised to see the pain of my injuries was also melting away. Maybe there was indeed some healing properties in dog demon saliva.

"I may be youkai, but I'm a kaze youkai, we don't heal fast." I squeaked out.

Sesshoumaru stopped his ministrations to look into my eyes.

"Kaze or not, you are youkai. Fast healing is a shared trait among our kind. What does your inner demon say?"

"Why the hell would I talk to my youkai side?"

He sent me an incredulous look. Was that a frown I saw between his brows?

"You never speak with your demon side?"

"Of course not!" I was shocked he would even ask such a thing. "I don't want to be lost in the madness. This is what happens when we give in to our demon side." I was surprised he did not know better. He came from one of the most renowned youkai families, and could trace back his lineage centuries back, even beyond the Feudal Era.

"Kagura, who told you such nonsense? We are youkai, our inner demon is a part of us, and you must listen to it."

"But Naraku said..." I paused, doubt crept in my mind.

"What would a hanyou know about the inner workings of us full blooded youkai?"

Indeed what. It would be just like Naraku to find a way to keep me weakened. Maybe Sesshoumaru was right. Maybe I had some untapped powers I had not even explored before. Naraku had given me a poor excuse of a fan after all, and made me believe for years that my lack of offensive power was due to me being weak.. From the first time I had touched the fan Sesshoumaru had made for me, I had felt my powers grow. Maybe there was another way for me to get even stronger.

"That's what I've been told my whole life…" My mind was reeling. Sure Naraku was the one to have issued the warning, but never had mother contradicted him. Maybe she did not even know about it herself.

"Have you been to the training room and dojo next to the gardens?"

I nodded my assent. In the weeks since I had moved into the mansion, I had

explored the whole house.

"Have you noticed how high the ceilings are?" I nodded once again. "It is to allow for the change in full youkai form. I often make use of it. It is not healthy for us youkai to keep our other nature at bay. It makes us weaker and more vulnerable."

I was shocked by his revelations. "You turn in full youkai form here at home with the kids around?!" Considering how high the ceilings in that room were, I could just imagine how humongous Sesshoumaru's other form might be. The thought of a giant poisonous inu youkai beast roaming around frankly terrified me. "I know you would never hurt the kids purposely, but you never know what the beast might do."

"I control my inner youkai. It is a part of me, as yours is." He paused to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my pointed ear. "I understand better now why your youki is so weakened. You have shut out your inner demon. As long as you do so, you will never be able to unlock your full potential."

Becoming stronger and being able to fight my own battles was something I dreamed of doing, but the idea of playing with my youkai half scared the hell out of me. I had some serious thinking to do.

"Come, we have had a long day. It is time to rest."

Sesshoumaru took my hand, and gently tugged me towards my bed.

I was pleased when he lay down next to me. Ever since we had first started sleeping together, I had spent every night in his room, and I was getting used to having him as a pillow. He placed a gentle kiss on my lips, and wrapped his arms around me. He then pulled the covers over me, and gently rubbed my back. Contrary to his massive bed, the one in my room left us little space to share. Not that I was complaining. It was nice to lie so close to Sesshoumaru.

I snuggled closer to his warmth, quickly feeling myself fall asleep. My last thought was that this was the first time we had ever shared a bed without making love before. I could see now why people loved snuggling. I would never get enough of sharing that with Sesshoumaru.

I had spent a peaceful night in Sesshoumaru's arms, but had once again woken up to an empty bed. A usual occurrence since I started getting involved with my lover. We may have admitted yesterday that we cared for one another, but I did not expect things to change. That was what one should expect after getting involved with an ice block.

To my surprise when I had gone to the dining room, I had seen none other than my missing lover sitting there having breakfast with the rest of the family. Well that was definitely not a usual occurrence. Most times he disappeared during most of the day, popped back in the late afternoon, and left again only to come back in the late evening or early dawn. He usually then found me settled in his bed. He would wake me up with kisses; we would make love, then fall asleep. He shared time with the family only on very rare occasions. Maybe this was all part of him showing a new side of him after our talk from yesterday, and trying to be more affectionate… only time would tell.

I may have sat across from Sesshoumaru, but we both continued to pretend in front of the rest of the family that nothing was going on between us. Only the kids believed that. Not only did the adults know exactly what Sesshoumaru and I were up to on a nightly basis, but they also had not forgiven him for his mistreatment of me the day before. At least that's what it seemed like based on the angry glares Kagome and Sango were sending him, and the scowls on Inuyasha and Miroku's faces. I guessed I was the only one who had allowed him out of the doghouse. Good. He needed to realize his actions were unacceptable, and never to be repeated again.

Unaware of the tension surrounding the adults around them, Shippou and Rin chattered happily about school. They were both excited about the approach of the winter break. I idly wondered what the Tashio did for holidays. Somehow I had a hard time imagining Sesshoumaru taking Rin on skiing holiday. Whatever their family traditions might be, it surely beat the way we did it in my family. Naraku enjoyed getting drunk and having over ladies from his clubs to entertain him and some of his closest friends. I shook that thought out of my head. These memories were now far behind me.

After breakfast, I decided to corner Sesshoumaru before he slipped away to wherever he usually disappeared to during the day. After a quick stop in my room, I slipped into his office, and found him putting neat files and his laptop into his computer bag. If one did not know better, he looked like a perfectly respectable businessman about to head to the office. While I had never visited his official base of operations, I knew he had two outside offices. One at his art gallery, and one at his casino. Both places were money laundering facilities, and great fronts from where to conduct his shadier activities.

"Was there something you needed?" He looked up from his packing to ask me.

"I just came to give you these back."

I placed on his desk the shopping bag he had gifted me only a few days ago. I could not wait to get rid of the pearl necklace, as it would forever remind me of yesterday's event. The feel of the small globes that made up the jewelry digging into the flesh of my neck as the man I loved choked me would be etched in my mind forever. I however gotta say parting with the rings would be sad, but I did not want to rise unnecessary interrogations. As things stood, I was not Mrs. Tashio, and had therefore no intention to wear the man's rings. I had asked Jaken to bring the magnificent little black dress to the dry cleaners, but intended to give it back too.

"I would never take back something I have given you." With that final statement he picked up his bag and coat, and walked to the door. After a brief hesitation, he walked back towards me and pressed a quick peck to my forehead.

"I will see you tonight."

Sesshoumaru left, and a few seconds later I heard the front door banging shut. He was truly not acting like himself… and to be honest, I quite liked it. Hum maybe our talk yesterday was indeed yielding results. The Ice Block had started to melt even more.

I'd be lying if I said I was not happy about keeping the gifts. As much as I hated to hold on to the necklace due to the bad memories it would always evoke, I was not stupid, I knew if I was ever in a financial bind, selling it would make me some nice ready cash. Same with the clothes and shoes. I was Naraku's daughter after all, and knew how to take advantage of any opportunity that presented itself. When it came to the rings, the sentimental part of me wanted to hold on to them. After the little domestic scene that had just taken place, I could almost pretend that I was indeed Mrs. Tashio. I felt like such a housewife bidding her husband goodbye as he went to work. Except that the man in question was a murderer, a mobster and a violent youkai, and the only tie binding us together was a bogus marriage license orchestrated by my evil father in a ploy to spy on his greatest enemy. Yes, what dream marriages are made of!

Left to my own devices, I had gone on to my usual occupations. After seeing the kids off to school, and looking after a cranky Izayoi while Kagome got some much needed rest, I locked myself up in the library to do some sketching. What do you know, wearing designer fashion had inspired me.

"I have a gift for you."

I looked up to see none other than Sesshoumaru standing above me. I had not even heard him come in. A quick look outside the window made me realize it was now late afternoon. I had sketched through the entire morning, and even lunchtime. I guessed no-one wanted to come disturb me. Well it had given me time to get some much-needed work done, so I couldn't complain.

"You don't need to give me anything." While I did enjoy gifts, I did not require them. I wondered if he was still feeling guilty about what happened the day before. If that was the case, I did not want to get anything else from him; no matter how much I liked gifts.

He did not pay any attention to what I said, and pulled out what he had planned for me. To my surprise instead of a shopping bag or jewelry case, Sesshoumaru handed me an envelope. I opened it, and to my utter shock saw a fake ID with my picture on it. A stunned gasp escaped my mouth when I saw what else the enveloped included: a visitor badge to an institution I knew all too well.

"How?!" I looked up at Sesshoumaru, blinking back tears of gratitude.

"I have been working on this for some time, but had not wanted to tell you so as not to get your hopes up in case of failure."

This time around, I could not stop the tears from falling. Damn that man, if I was not already, I would have fallen in love with him all over again.

In typical male fashion, he seemed unnerved by my tears, and looked away to give me some time to compose myself.

"What are these?" He picked up one of the sketches I had just completed.

"I am a clothes designer in my spare time. I like to sketch and sew my own clothes." I placed back the precious gift Sesshoumaru had just handed me in their protective envelope, and started cleaning out my drawing materials.

"These are good." I smiled at his praise. "Have you ever thought about doing this professionally, and selling some of your clothes?"

I sighed dreamily. Must be nice to live in the world where you had the resources to make all your dreams come true. While Naraku had money, he had never cared to share with either mom or me, so I had had to work hard to make a living. Living with Sesshoumaru in his mansion was the closest I had come to real luxury. One day I knew I would get to design an actual collection, and even own a cute little store where I could sell my very own designs… but not yet. For now I had to contend myself with the clothes I made for myself, and was able to sew with the machine I had purchased years ago. Sadly said machine had to be left behind at Naraku's. I was missing the calming effect of sewing and crafting a beautiful garment out of a piece of fabric.

"Sure, but that requires tons of money, and Naraku was not too keen on helping finance a means of financial independence for me." Thinking about how far away I still was to realizing my dreams put a damper on my mood, so I decided to shift my attention to something else.

"Anyways, for now I want to focus on taking that bastard down, and saving mom. Talking about mom, I'm going to go schedule a visit!" I picked up my things, kept the precious envelope clutched to my chest, and pressed a quick kiss to Sesshoumaru's cheek before dashing out. Now was not the time to talk about dreams, I first needed to earn my freedom.

To be continued…

A/N: Things are moving for our main couple. The next chapter will be named Wings it will contain an emotional reunion, and of course more drama.