Chapter Twenty-One –Three words

Soft sounds of birds chirping echoed in the garden. Soft light shined through the leaves of trees. In the Western garden a round table was set up for a special occasion. Kagome had invited her dearest friends to stay another day after the evening ceremony to have tea. Pouring the tea she made into individual tea cups, a peaceful smile remained on her lips.

"Akihiro, have you written anything new these days?" Kagome asked gently, while passing him a tea cup. A blush appeared on Akihiro's cheeks as he responded, "N-no, not yet, Lady Kagome."

"That's too bad. I long to read another story written by you," she said honestly. She had not forgotten the new set of eyes Akihiro's book gave her. Seeing his blush deepen, a giggle escaped her lips.

"You almost gave me a heart attack during the evening ceremony, Lady Kagome~" Chika pouted. After taking a sip from her tea, she continued, "But I guess, Lady Inari's plan to make a fool out of you backfired. Your stance on the issue between the 'Mu' and 'Gon' rank was pretty impressive."

"Ah! Yes, Lady Kagome, our elder had a meeting with the entire 'Mu' rank to discuss your statement last night!" Akihiro piped in. But soon turning flustered, he stuttered, "However, I c-can't re-really tell you an-any details y-yet…"

"That's okay, Akihiro. I am just glad that the elder has taken my opinion seriously," Kagome voiced sweetly with a smile.

"Hmph," Chika huffed and continued harshly, "Nothing like Kura's answer."

Kagome saw Hisashi, Chika's intended mate, rest his hand over Chika's in comfort. She understood that Chika still held grudges against Kura, even though Kura seemed to have change for the better. Chika repeated Kura's words from last night, "It is useless to have knowledge as a priority?"

Snorting, Chika continued to mock Kura's words, "Battles are won by strength and power? What kind of opinion is that? No demon is dumb enough to behave that way. She is an idio-"

"Inuyasha seems to fight by strength alone," Ryou, the 'Sho' rank leader, interrupted Chika. All eyes turned to see Ryuu calmly sipping his tea.

"O-Oi!" Inuyasha yelled as he stood up from his chair. Ryou's words finally sunk in for Inuyasha to understand what was said.

A stiff silence rested upon the group. Chika, Hisashi, and Akihiro froze, not knowing how to respond to the awkward situation. All three watched tensely as Ryou continued to calmly sip on his tea, while Inuyasha looked obviously ticked off.

"Well," Kagome said, breaking the silence. Immediately, all three eyes looked to her almost pleading for Kagome to fix the awkward situation.

"It's true."

A sweat drop formed along all three of the witnesses.

"What!? Oi! Kagome, you're supposed to be on my side!" Inuyasha growled.

"I'm just agreeing with Ryou. It's true that you go into battle without prioritizing knowledge," Kagome said trying to hold back a snicker.

"You'd be dead by the time you think things through!" Inuyasha barked back.

"So you're saying you don't use your brains in battle," Kagome pointed out.

"W-wha…No!" Inuyasha whined.

Kagome couldn't hold back any longer and burst out in laughter. Chika, Hisashi and Akihiro laughed along cheerfully. Even Ryou had a smile upon his lips. Crossing his arms, Inuyasha tried to hide his embarrassment with a scowl, "Keh!"

Laughter jingled through the Western gardens as nature drank in the lovely sound. Finally unable to laugh any longer, Kagome wiped away a tear from laughing too hard.

"I say that you only fight by strength, but this does not mean you are weak, Inuyasha," Ryou voiced calmly. He continued to sip on his tea before continuing, "What the Northern Lord said about you was false. I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru knows that too for he would not entrust anyone weak with the duties of patrolling the land even if it was tradition."

'Your existence is a disgrace half-breed. You taint Lord Sesshomaru's reputation with your filth! Had it not been tradition for the second Prince to hold the duties of patrolling the land, you would be on the streets!'

Kagome remembered the harsh words the Northern Lord has said towards Inuyasha. A smile appeared on her lips as she saw the acceptance Ryou was showing towards Inuyasha. Seeing the others nod their head in agreement, her smile grew wider.

It was her wish to show Inuyasha the hidden beauty within the demon society.

Her wish must have been achieved.

He must have seen that not all hated him.

What a beautiful sight.

Even though the tea grew cold, the group continued to chat away in the garden. Only this time, Kagome recognized that Inuyasha was much warmer towards her friends.

As evening approached, Kagome and Inuyasha said farewell to her friends and watched them exit the Western Castle.

"I should go tell Sesshomaru that the last of the guests have left," Kagome said to Inuyasha. Just as she was about to turn and head towards his study room, she heard Inuyasha say, "Sesshomaru left the Castle to patrol."

Kagome revealed a confused expression. She thought it was Inuyasha's duty to patrol. Knowing the reason for her confusion, Inuyasha explained, "He wanted to check to see if I was doing my patrols properly."

"Oh," Kagome whispered. Kagome acted as if Inuyasha's response did not affect her, but her heart responded differently with disappointment. Looking up into the night sky, she wondered when he would return.

Near a human village, golden eyes looked upon the same night sky filled with stars.

Seeing her Lord looking up towards the dark sky, Rin asked curiously "Lord Sesshomaru, what are you looking at?"

'I wanted to see the stars.'

The memory of her words from the night after her challenge against the 'Sho' leader echoed in his ear.

"Stars," he responded with a hushed voice. Not quite understanding his answer, Rin asked innocently, "Does Lady Kagome favour stars?"

'Yes, stars! They are so beautiful here. You can see them all shining brightly without clouds of smoke to cover their glow.'

"She does," Sesshomaru responded in a softer tone.

'I want to be like these stars that can shine the faintest light for people when all is dark.'

Staring at a bright star in the sky, golden eyes revealed tenderness.

Catching her Lord's expression, a wide smile appeared on Rin's face. Lady Kagome always seemed to make her Lord see things in a different light. Lady Kagome would be perfect for her Lord. But, her smile faltered as she remembered that Lady Kagome was promised to another. Rin asked sadly, "Is Lady Kagome really going to mate Prince Inuyasha?"

Not hearing a response, she glanced at him. His eyes alone answered her question. Quickly averting her eyes to look down in shame, Rin regretted asking her Lord a question that made his eyes appear sorrowful. Noticing him move to stand, Rin followed. She knew he was about to leave the village. Bowing before her Lord, she said, "Good-bye, Lord Sesshomaru."

She felt his hand pat her head twice before looking up to see him vanish into the thick forest. Rin recalled Lady Sango telling her that Lady Kagome and Prince Inuyasha were only friends. The information confused her and she intended to tell Lord Sesshomaru this, but decided not to. She was sure Lady Sango was wrong. If Lady Kagome is Prince Inuyasha's intended mate, surely they were in love with each other. Looking up at the stars her Lord was staring at, Rin whispered her plea, "Please, Lady Kagome, notice Lord Sesshomaru."

Crunch crunch crunch.

The crunching sound of fresh grass could be heard each footstep he took. Headed towards the Western boarders, Sesshomaru walked deeper into the forest.

Silence.

Too silent.

Suddenly stopping in his footsteps, golden eyes narrowed. Clawed hands skillfully reached for his sword. He saw a dark figure rushing towards him from the corner of his eye.

Clash.

Quickly blocking an attack, Sesshomaru scanned the clearing to see five demons dressed in black with cloth covering their faces. Slashing one of the attacking demons, the injured demon fell to the ground.

'Weak,' Sesshomaru thought. Foolish was the one who dared to send assassins to ambush him. Easily blocking the weak attacks from the remaining four demons, Sesshomaru examined them to look for hints as to who had sent them.

"He is not the half-breed!" one of the masked demons called out. Sharply glaring at the demon that spoke, Sesshomaru wondered if they had meant to target Inuyasha.

'Why?'

Causing another demon to fall to the ground, Sesshomaru heard the leader whisper something. Abruptly, deep slashes formed on his body with the use of dark magic. Blood gushed out from the wounds and dripped to the ground. Golden eyes stoically turned to glance at the remaining opponents. He watched the demons flinch and look mortified by his unfeeling expression. Finding the fight no longer entertaining, Sesshomaru finished the three remaining demons.

The ground was soon painted with blood. As five demons lay in the clearing lifeless, Sesshomaru's blood began to mix with theirs. Blank eyes glanced down to assess his wounds. It had been a while since he's been injured this badly. Noticing that the dark magic was preventing his wounds from healing quickly, he cursed his carelessness.

Sesshomaru left the bloody clearing and headed towards the Western Fortress.

Crimson marks trailed on the grounds of the Western Lands.

With blood staining his white haori red, Sesshomaru arrived at the Western Fortress weakened. Sesshomaru allowed his stoic expression to fall. His sight blurred as he saw a figure approaching him. Before he allowed his body to fall unconscious, he whispered the name of the woman he longed for.

Inukimi gripped onto her unconscious son. Assessing his wounds, she whispered in astonishment, "Dark magic?"

After moving her son into the master bedroom, Inukimi ordered for her healers. She stepped outside of her son's bedroom and called for a messenger. Remembering her son calling out a name, she ordered the messenger, "Send for the Miko."

-The Western Castle-

It took only a matter of minutes for the messenger to reach the Western Castle. A loud urgent knock pounded against Kagome's bedroom door. Past midnight, Kagome was still awake to go over several scrolls she was assigned with. She looked up from the pile of scrolls in front of her and answered, "Come in."

"Lady Kagome!" Emiko yelled as she swung open the door. Emiko quickly searched through Kagome's wardrobe and pulled out a traveling kimono. With a distraught expression, Emiko said, "Lady Inukimi sent an urgent request for you to come to the Western Fortress immediately!"

"Now?" Kagome asked doubtfully. She walked towards the frazzled maid and tried to calm her down. But upon hearing Emiko's words, Kagome felt her blood freeze.

"Lord Sesshomaru is injured."

Fear slammed into her heart with great force.

Shock waves of pain trembled throughout her body.

"What?" a weak voice trembled out from her lips.

She didn't know how she got to the Western Fortress. She couldn't remember. All she knew was that she had to reach his side. All she felt was pure fear.

Upon seeing Inukimi's worried expression, Kagome felt fear chocking her.

"Come," Inukimi whispered as she wrapped an arm around Kagome. Bringing her to the bedroom Sesshomaru was resting in, Inukimi opened the doors for the Miko to enter. She then closed the doors to allow the Miko to be alone with her son.

Blue eyes fell upon his sleeping form. Each step was made hesitantly as if afraid to clearly see how wounded he was. Each step caused her throat to tighten making it harder to breathe.

Finally standing over him, tears fell from her blue eyes.

Bandages covered his body.

A pained expression remained on his face.

Blood soaked the bed sheets.

Her heart crumbled at the sight; the pain around her chest unbearable. Ever so slowly, Kagome crawled into the bed and curled up against his side. Her trembling hands reached to hold his. Nuzzling her nose near his neck, his scent calmed her aching heart. Tears continued to overflow past her closed eyes and down her cheeks.

'Only for a while,' she whispered tiredly to herself. She would stay like this for a moment before he could wake up. But alas, her weary heart drifted her into a deep sleep.

A peaceful slumber rested upon the Miko and Inuyoukai. Both did not know of the warmth they gave to each other in comfort as they slept. Both remained side-by-side as warm sunlight soon shined through the dark bedroom.

Golden eyes slowly blinked open. Sesshomaru moved to sit up and felt his wounds partially healed. The dark magic definitely slowed his healing process. Feeling something warm wrapped around his hand, Sesshomaru glanced to his side. He stiffened in surprise at the sight of Kagome curled up by his side asleep.

Dried tears visibly trailed down her cheeks.

His eyes softened at the sight.

A sad expression scrunched upon her face as she slept.

His heart lurched at a realization. He was the reason for her worry and tears.

Unable to stop himself, Sesshomaru leaned towards her.

Golden eyes fixed upon her lips.

The sound of his heartbeat rang in his ears.

Within mere inches, his lips almost brushed against hers.

Knock Knock.

Pause.

Golden eyes that reflected his hidden desires reverted back to stoic ones. Slowly distancing away from her lips, reality came crashing down on him. The sound of the door opening was heard.

"Interesting," Inukimi voiced coolly. But with a growing smirk and amusement twinkling past her eyes, Inukimi struggled to hold in her excitement. The sight of both her son and the Miko in bed made her hope that something happened last night. But the moment she captured her son's cold eyes, her excitement vanished.

"Why is Kagome here?" he asked coldly.

"Don't give me that tone. You called out her name before falling unconscious," she snapped back. Not understanding the reason for her son's cold behavior, Inukimi scoffed. She watched her son move to get off the bed when he was stopped by the Miko's hand that still held his hand tightly. It was the flash of pain in his eyes that made her feel that she made the wrong decision to call for the Miko.

Sesshomaru pulled his hand free from Kagome's grasp. It took all his control to leave her warm grasp. Standing up from the bed, he put on his haori. Sesshomaru walked past his mother before saying, "Do not interfere again."

Pushing down the pain, golden eyes hardened.

Heading towards the study room within the Western Fortress, he needed to find out who ordered the ambush and the type of dark magic used. Sesshomaru recalled the assassins mistake him for Inuyasha. Who would want Inuyasha dead?

Hours passed by as Sesshomaru researched and looked through books. Suddenly hearing footsteps running towards his study room door, he sensed the Miko's aura. Sesshomaru forced his expression to remain stoic, yet golden eyes slightly dimmed.

BAM.

Kagome swung open the door she was told Sesshomaru was in. Anger and worry simmered beneath her skin causing her to forgo any courtesy to knock before entering. Seeing Sesshomaru appear perfectly normal and healed, she released all her anger, "How DARE you make me go through a HEARTATTACK! I thought you were DYING when I was notified that you were injured. Then you make me come here and see you all BLOODY! I thought I was going to DIE from a HEART ACHE or something! THEN you appear PERFECTLY FINE the NEXT DAY!? Are you trying to KILL ME or something!?"

Venting out all her anger and worry, she felt her legs weaken. She fell to the floor and placed a hand over her bruised heart. She was truly scared yesterday. Still, a relieved sigh escaped at the sight of Sesshomaru's wounds healed. Noticing black boots enter her range of sight, she looked up to see Sesshomaru extending a hand. Kagome let go of her anger and grasped for his hand.

His hand suddenly tugged her towards him. Blue eyes widened with shock at the sudden movement. Warmth embraced her as she felt his arms wrap around her waist. Feeling his chest rumble, a soft chuckle was heard. Though she knew she should be angry or embarrassed by his chuckle, she was too enchanted by the sound to even care. She gave into the warmth and rested her head against his chest.

A smile tugged on Sesshomaru's lips.

He couldn't resist embracing her after her rant.

He found her too adorable.

It tempted him to make her worry over him even more.

'I love you.'

Thank you for reading,

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