Chapter Five

Coming To Terms

Disclaimer: One day I shall own InuYasha!

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Kagome awoke the next morning in a soft bed. It was so comfortable … even more comfy then the one at her house in her era! That was hard to do but it had been done. She'd never slept so well before. Sitting up, she looked to her alarm clock, which she had brought back with her the last time she went to her time. It was only eight so Kagome figured that she had enough time to bathe and go down to the dining hall for breakfast.

When she came back from her bath, a girl with purple hair was bowing in front of her. "Lady Kagome."

Kagome bristled a little at the 'lady'. "Please, call me Kagome." The girl nodded a little.

"Lord Sesshomaru has sent me as your hand maiden, Kagome." She said with a small smile. Kagome smiled back with one of her own.

"That was nice of him. I hope you don't mind me asking but … what are hand maidens suppose to do?" A small giggle could be heard from the girl.

"To help the ladies, of course. So, right now, it is my job to help you get dressed for the morning meal with Lord Sesshomaru." Kagome nodded. If she was anyone but herself, she'd probably take that as an insult but she knew that it wasn't so she smiled.

"Well, alright. What are my choices for today?" The girl brightened up and went to the large closet-type of the furnishing, opening the doors and revealing at least fifty kimonos of all different sorts.

Kagome gasped a little. "Are … these all … for me?" Another giggle came from the girl and she nodded.

Kagome lightly touched one, gasping at the softness of the fabric. He must not have spared any expense …

"Um … Kagome?" A voice brought her back from her thoughts. Kagome smiled at the girl with the purple hair and then her eyes went wide.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry! I forgot to ask what your name is!" The girl giggled a little.

"It's alright, Kagome. I am Yuri, your hand maiden." She gave a bow and Kagome smiled a little.

"It's nice to meet you, Yuri. Now, I suppose we should get down to business so I don't keep the Lord waiting any longer than he already has, ne?" Both of the women giggled and then Kagome took out one kimono that was blue, gold, white and pink. It had flowers embroidered on it with various colored threads. It also had a large silver dog also embroidered on it. Kagome smiled a little, maybe being Sesshomaru's mate wasn't such a bad idea after all. Sure, he'd made countless attempts on her life but … he seemed different.

After the breakfast meal, which had turned out to be very uneventful, she was wandering around and came upon a room. The door creaked so she guessed that no one used it very much. There was a fireplace that had recent ashes in it and there was a picture hanging over it. It was of two boys.

Looking closer, Kagome gasped a little, realizing that the two boys that looked so very playful in the picture was Sesshomaru and InuYasha. They were both smiling wide smiles and holding frogs that they had caught. InuYasha was looking to Sesshomaru and Kagome was touched, seeing the admiration and adoration that his amber eyes held for his older brother. They looked so cute, too. I wonder why things are so different …

Kagome looked around the room a little more and found a desk with a chair. Frowning a little, she went over to the desk and opened a squeaky drawer, finding a book. It was the only thing in the entire desk, which was a little puzzling. Turning the book over, there was a large silver dog engraved into the old leather. With her curiosity growing, Kagome opened it and a letter fell out.

"Hm? A letter? That's strange … " Picking it up, Kagome carefully examined it. It was old, very old, how old she didn't quite know. Opening it slowly, as to not have it rip, Kagome scanned over it, thankful to Kaede for teaching her how to learn the writing of Feudal Japan. It was quite a long letter and there were some words that Kagome couldn't make out but she got the just of it.

"'Dear InuYasha,'" She began, reading what she could, "'This is for you, from me, your older brother, Sesshomaru. If you get this letter in good health then I'm really glad. I just want you to know that I really love you and I like catching frogs with you down at the pond. I also want you to know that I don't ever want to kill you but I want to help make you stronger and this is the only way I know how. Father wants you to get stronger, too, that's why he said that he wouldn't make me take back my pledge. I really do like you; InuYasha and I want you to know that I'll never think badly of you just because you're part human. I think it's kind of cool. Anyways, I have to go. I've got more training to do.

Love Your Brother,

Sesshomaru.'"

Kagome's eyes misted over and she smiled. "So he really doesn't hate InuYasha." Her small victory of uncovering a little of the demon lord was short lived since the door burst open and a very angry taiyoukai was standing in the doorway.

"What the devil are you doing in here, woman?" Sesshomaru demanded, his usual uncaring tone gone, replaced by an icy one. It made her shiver and she quickly put the letter away, getting up. She hadn't managed to put the book away before Sesshomaru strode angrily over to her and grabbed her wrist, yanking her to him and making her drop the book.

The book fell to the floor with a deafening quiet thud and Sesshomaru's eyes widened a little as he let her go, reaching down and picking the book up. Kagome watched as he ran his fingers over the design on the front cover delicately. His golden eyes turned molten as he just stared at the book for what seemed like ages.

"Where did you find this?" He asked, again making Kagome shiver.

"I … found it in the desk." She answered quietly. He didn't give any indication of hearing her but instead, he walked around to where the chair was and pulled the drawer out, putting the book back in. He then roughly shoved Kagome out of the room, closing the door soundly.

"Don't ever go in that room again." He ordered before stalking off.

Kagome followed him with her eyes until he disappeared and sighed a little. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved, concerned or scared. Looking out the window, she realized that she had spent more time in there than intended and she had promised to play with Rin that afternoon.

Running out to the garden, she was greeted by the child. Kagome smiled, pushing all thoughts of this morning out of her head. She would think about it later.

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Later, once everyone was sleeping, Sesshomaru crept into the room where he had found Kagome earlier that day. Going over to the desk, he pulled out the drawer and removed the book. He remembered the letter he had written the very day his father had died. He remembered every word of it. Opening the book, he took the letter out and sighed a little, going over to the painting of himself and his brother. He stared at it for a long time.

Sighing again, he walked over to the desk, put the letter back into the book but just as he was going to put the book back into the desk again, he stopped and just closed the drawer and looking at the picture again before exiting the room and entering his own.

I've never hated you, InuYasha. This is the only way I knew how to make you stronger. I wish I could tell you and have you feel towards me the way you did all that time ago …

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A/N: OOOHHH! Now what happens? I have just revealed a key bit of information! Isn't it sweet, though? How Fluffy still cares for his little brother!

What would you all think if I added a character of my own in here? I've got a little girl that I might add in if all of you think it's a good idea. It wouldn't bother me with just sticking to the characters but … I don't want to leave InuYasha alone … I kind of feel sorry for the little puppy! And sorry to all you pro-Kikyo people; IF she's in this story, there will be some MAJOR bashing! I used to have mixed feelings for Kikyo in like the beginning but now … NO WAY! I hate her now!

Silver Volken Raven - I was gunna have it be 'Protecting Rin' but I thought I'd change it ... cause I just didn't think that the current title suited it and so I changed it to 'Slowly Realizing' Sorry that it was confusing!

MysticTenshi - I agree with you on that one! Hmm .. maybe Kagome will just use it on occations ... like when she gets really mad at him ;

Thanks To:

KagomeAndRin
Horsefreak15
KageFaiaKoori Doragon
professionaldooropener

Anyways .. as always … I would LOVE to hear from you guys! I LOVE ALL MY REVIEWS and I haven't gotten a single flame, yet! –Hugs all my reviewers- I love you all so much! –Sniffles-