Blindsided Chapter 17, an inuyasha fanfic

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is sooo not mine.

Chapter 17

Late Saturday night, Sesshoumaru was pacing in his home office, waiting for Naraku's phone call that would tell him where to find Kagome. But no call came and though the days without sleep were taking its toll, he ignored them. How could he sleep without knowing where she was or if she was hurt?

Kagome had been careful covering her tracks. There still were no transactions made to her credit card and he had gone beyond worrying and his mind was now numb. The same questions went round and round in his head in an endless, vicious circle. Where had she gone? Was anyone with her? Did anyone kidnap her? If she left on her own, then why did she leave?

His body moved automatically around his office, one foot in front of the other, treading an invisible path around the room.

Souta and Jaken watched the tall, hunched figure make its continuous rounds about the room. They had already stopped trying to convince Sesshoumaru to try and sleep; he simply would not listen.

"She's fine, aniue," Souta said softly. "Believe me."

But Sesshoumaru did not answer. He seemed to be lost in a world of his own, for his eyes, once bright and keen, were now staring dully down at the well worn carpet under his feet.

The heavy silence was broken by the feeble bleating of the telephone on Sesshoumaru's desk. For a moment, no one moved. Sesshoumaru stood still and stared with a startled gaze at the phone as it rung again.

It was Souta who moved first. He grabbed the phone and put it on speaker. "Yes? Morikawa residence," he said, eyes going to his step-brother whose own eyes had widened, life once more lighting up the brilliant gold.

"Souta? Hey, big guy, this is Naraku. Where's Sesshoumaru?"

As soon as he realized that it was Naraku's voice he heard, Sesshoumaru was across the room and at his desk. "Yes! Naraku! Have you found her?" He grabbed the edge of his desk and leaned forward slightly, resting his weight on the cool marble below him.

There was a tsking noise on the other end and a sigh. "And here I was, thinking that you actually had a little bit of faith in me. Yes, we found her."

Dropping to his knees with a shuddering breath, he retained his hold on the desk. "Is she alive? Is she okay?"

Naraku laughed. "Yeah, Sess. She's fine--"

"Where? Where is she?"

"Oi, baka, give me a chance to finish telling you. Sheesh. So yeah, we picked up her trail again and traced her to Osaka."

Lifting his head, Sesshoumaru glared at the phone. "Osaka? What on earth for? What's in Osaka that made her feel like she must desert me and leave me worrying like crazy?"

"That, I don't know, Sess. Sorry. We lost her there. You've got to give me more time."

Souta watched his guardian press his forehead against the end of the desk and he felt bad for him. Of course, Sesshoumaru wouldn't be attuned to Kagome like he was. Souta knew his sister and he knew the reason why she had left. There were just too many things for her to handle, to adjust to. Men wanting her, whereas before it had only been Inuyasha who had lavished that kind of attention on her. Now there was Kouga, Yuki... and of course, Sesshoumaru.

Souta had had a feeling about Sesshoumaru for awhile now. Their step-brother had always cared deeply for Kagome, but the vibes that came from him were too strong for Souta to ignore. He even knew when Sesshoumaru was thinking about his sister, from the way the vibrations rippled off of him in strong waves and the older man would stare off into space, his gaze softening.

Then, that night before Inuyasha left for Kagoshima when Souta had carefully observed Sesshoumaru just to test his theory. Whenever the elder Morikawa looked or spoke to Inuyasha or him, the air around them was calm and placid. It was just when he turned his attention on the girl sitting opposite him that Souta could practically feel the air in the room crackle with sudden excitement. The man's very aura went haywire, shifting and swirling into soft shades of pink and red.

Thank kami he'd continued to practice reading auras, just like his grandfather wanted, or else he'd never have known for certain. But whatever. The man kneeling on the floor was suffering and Souta knew he should try to ease his pain, although the story he was about to tell might not go over so well...

Souta sank to his own knees, joining Sesshoumaru on the floor. "Once, before my father died, he took all four of us to Osaka. There are many temples there, aniue, but about 25 minutes away from the city is a place called Mount Koya. On it are many temples and shrines, places which allow travelers to stay overnight. When we went I was only a baby, but I remember Kagome telling me this story just after mom died. Anyway, there was a family from Osaka who were also staying in the same temple we did. It was a monk, along with his wife and son who was about the same age as she. Kagome said that she met the boy later that evening after meditations and they played together. He told her that he was training to be a monk like his father and that his family shrine was in Osaka."

While Naraku remained silent, Sesshoumaru turned to his youngest sibling. "What about it? What's that got do with anything?" he asked, his voice coming out more harshly than he meant to.

Unfazed, Souta shrugged and replied, "I believe she went back to Osaka and met up with him. I remember her telling me that while they were playing, they seemed like they belonged together. She didn't know exactly how to describe it, but when they were together, she said she felt such a great sense of peace being around him. I don't know. Maybe I'm completely wrong, but I feel that is what happened. Look, all I know is that Kagome's world has been turned upside and now, all she wants is peace and if what she said about him is true, then he's the only person who can give it to her."

Naraku cleared his throat. "Hmm, that's very interesting, Souta-kun. Mount Koya, you say?" remarked Naraku amiably. "Great! I'll check it out personally tomorrow."

"What?! Why not now? Do it now!"

"Oh, Sess, you silly boy. Can't you tell time? It's very late and besides, Kagome won't be going anywhere so late at night. She's a careful girl, remember? I'll head out first thing in the morning. Have good night, Sesshoumaru and thank you, Souta."

When Naraku had disconnected, Souta got to his feet, but Sesshoumaru grabbed hold of his hand. "Who was he? That boy you spoke of?"

Souta shrugged. "I don't know, Sesshoumaru. But I probably would know it was him if he stood side by side with her."

"Why is that?"

The young man's brown eyes softened and he gazed absently out into space. "I don't know, really." He blinked and smiled down at his step-brother. "But you should have seen Kagome when she talked about him. Her entire being glowed with this wonderful, rosy pink light. It was dazzling."

'Oh great,' thought Sesshoumaru peevishly, as Souta exited the room with Jaken scurrying behind him. Yet another man to keep away from Kagome. Damn, why wouldn't they just leave his woman alone?

ooo

Early Sunday morning, after yet another sleepless night and deciding to join Naraku, Sesshoumaru dragged Souta from his bed and they headed down to Osaka. When they were on the road, he called Naraku and told him to meet Souta and himself at the base of Mount Koya. Naraku agreed.

Sesshoumaru and Souta met up with Naraku near Mount Koya. Naraku was a tall, dark-haired man with laughing dark eyes. As soon as the other two males approached him, he greeted them a grin and a wave.

"Yo, Sesshoumaru! Long time no see!" He turned his cheerful gaze on the teenager beside the frowning silver-haired man. "Wow, this must be Souta. Damn, kiddo, you've certainly grown up, haven't you?" With a hearty laugh, he reached out a hand and ruffled Souta's hair, while Souta glowered sleepily at him.

After a moment of serious chatter, the two older men looked at Souta expectantly. When Souta asked why they were staring at him, Naraku asked if he could lead the way, since neither he nor Sesshoumaru had ever been here before. With a glare, Souta reminded them that he'd only been an infant at the time and then coldly informed them that since Sesshoumaru had neglected to allow him to eat breakfast, there was no way in hell he'd assist them any damn way until he got something to eat.

After getting the cross teenage boy something to eat, they took a ride up to the mountain in the cable car. A few minutes after they arrived, Naraku went up to a couple of monks who were out taking a walk and asked them a few questions. One of them nodded and pointed towards a nearby path.

It was a foggy day and the mist seemed almost to cling to them as they continued to climb upwards. The dark, wet trunks of the trees seemed almost to close in around them but they gave off a heady, woodsy scent, adding to the allure of the dream-like, mist-shrouded forest.

"Man, if this fog gets any thicker..." grumbled Naraku, looking around. "Its like... some kind of miasma. Wouldn't be surprised if this shit starts eating away at my flesh with all the air pollution we got here."

"Cease your complaining, Naraku," Sesshoumaru muttered, annoyed.

As they neared the temple Souta had told them of, they saw, coming towards them through the mist, two figures. The figures were oddly shaped, but soon the three visitors realized that it was two people dressed in the bulkiness of robes and hakamas.

The pair moved slowly, faltered, then stopped altogether. Sesshoumaru could just see that the figures were that of a man and a woman, holding hands.

Then the figures moved again and soon they appeared out of the light, swirling fog. The other three were stricken for a moment, for it seemed that they had stepped back in time, back to the Sengoku Jidai. A houshi and a miko stood before them, dressed in traditional clothing and staring at them as though they were intruding upon holy ground.

"Please, put away your weapon," said the miko, hand raised. "There is no need for such a thing here."

Souta and Sesshoumaru frowned, then turned to look at Naraku, whose face was flushed a bright red. Quickly, he slipped his gun back into its holster just under his arm. "What?" he asked defensively, looking askance at his two companions. "I always come prepared."

Looking back, Sesshoumaru squinted. The fog had thickened a bit just now and the girl's face was unclear, but he knew it was she. The moment he heard her speak, all tenseness left his body. "Kagome? Are you alright?"

The miko turned to smile at him. "I've never felt better, Sesshoumaru," she said. Turning to the young man in the monk's robes, she said, "Miroku, I believe you've met my guardian before."

The houshi came forward and bowed. "Sesshoumaru-sama. I trust you are doing well?"

Sesshoumaru could not help but notice that Miroku kept a grasp on Kagome's hand. "I'm doing better now," he said carefully, wanting to punch the monk in the face for committing the grave sin of holding her hand so familiarly.

"Kagome, I knew you were here," Souta said, going to his sister and hugging her. "Hey Miroku. Glad to encounter you again... here in this place."

Miroku started and stared at Kagome's little brother. "Hmm? What are you talking about? Oh my... wait a second." His brow furrowed as he went deep in thought. A moment later, his face cleared and his dark blue eyes widened with surprise. "Those two children... the little girl and the baby... were you two! I remember now! Kagome, do you remember? We played together here a long time ago."

Kagome tipped her head back and stared up at the gray skies. "Mmm, barely. Was that really you?" She looked back at him and smiled. "I should have guessed by now. Silly me."

Souta had been right, Sesshoumaru thought with growing irritation. Kagome, standing next to the young man he'd seen only a few times before now, certainly had an inner light as she stared up at him. "Kagome," he said, deliberately interrupting the tender little moment the two were having. "Its time to come home."

She turned to him and released Miroku's hand. "Yes, its time to go home. Miroku and I were on our way back to Osaka right now." Going over to Sesshoumaru, she held out her hand to him. He took it happily and she turned to the others. "Could the three of you go on ahead please? There is something I must tell Sesshoumaru."

Miroku nodded and walked away, with Souta and Naraku on his heels. Sesshoumaru turned to her, his heart pounding. He tugged her to him and held her close. "I was so worried about you, darling," he whispered, his voice shaking. "Why did you leave so suddenly? I thought something terrible had happened to you."

"Sumimasen," she said, returning his embrace. "But... I needed time to myself. I needed to think things through."

"But why? Why didn't you tell me? I thought... I believed that you trusted in me," he told her in a pained voice as his hands reached up to cradle her face. "I know I tend to smother you, Kagome, but if you had told me that it was very important to you to make such a journey--"

Reaching up to caress his cheek, she shook her head. "You would have refused to let me go, Sesshoumaru. We both know that." Her dark eyes studied him for a moment. "I wish to return to my family's shrine."

"Kagome--"

Her fingers pressed lightly against his lips. "I must return, Sesshoumaru. It's something that I know I have to do."

He kissed her fingers before she had a chance to remove them. "Then, if that is what you feel you must do, I won't object. Does this mean you'll move back to the shrine?"

"Oh, no! I don't wish to give up the house that you so generously gave me. I just wanted you to know that I'll be busy helping my grandfather everyday. It'll give me something to do since Hiro is spending more and more time away from me. You know, he and Connie-chan will be married by the end of the year," she said with a pleased giggle.

Sesshoumaru smiled at her, all the while pushing back the urge to inform her that he had given Hiro the boot. She wouldn't like it, of course; hell, she might hate him for doing it, but it was for the best. All he ever wanted to do was make sure she was alright and if getting rid of what was rapidly becoming dead weight, (i.e., Hiro) then good. One less man in his beloved's life, the better.

She graced him with a heartfelt smile and began to turn away, but his hands kept their hold on her face. He knew he had to come clean with her before something else happened. One of the things that made him so miserable while she was gone was knowing that he had never told her just how much she meant to him. Perhaps once she knew how he truly felt, she'd give up the idea of going back to her grandfather and move back in with him... as his wife.

"There is something I have to tell you, before I completely lose my nerve this time--" He leaned down, his eyes boring into hers, but once again his voice failed him. Dropping his hands, he turned his head away, smooth cheeks stained a dark pink. "Damn it," he cursed himself under his breath.

Her eyes widened in anticipation, then disbelief. Before he'd spoken a word, she had known what he wished to tell her and even though he couldn't say what he truly wanted to, she was touched by his shyness. By nature, Sesshoumaru was not a shy man and being shy for a man with his status would not have made him the successful businessman he was today.

"I know, you already told me," she told him with a sad smile. When he jerked his gaze back to her, surprise splashed all over his beautiful face, she went on. "I heard you whisper it in my ear the last time we were together," she admitted, feeling her face grow warm. "I'm afraid I wasn't asleep."

"Oh, I see." Again, he turned his flushed face away. One of his hands reached for hers and gently interlaced their fingers together. "I know you don't feel the same about me, Kagome and I accept that. It's just that... I wanted you to know that I am interested in you that way and that if there was even a only a ghost of a chance of spending the rest of my life with you, I'd gladly take that chance. I want to be more than your guardian, Kagome. I want to be your husband."

Her husband?! This revelation rattled Kagome down to her very soul. Sure, she knew about his feelings and she appreciated them. He was a kind, loving man and she adored him, and in some respects worshipped him even, but to picture him as her husband... That was not so easily done. Then again, she couldn't see anyone as her husband.

But as she stared up into his eyes... those heartbreakingly beautiful golden eyes, a part of her wondered what it would be like to be Sesshoumaru's wife. Her social status, should she wed him, would vault her to the top of Tokyo's elite society. As Morikawa Sesshoumaru's wife, she would be expected to look and act a certain way. Would she be able to handle it? The very thought frightened her.

She said nothing, and he gathered her to him again and kissed her; but it was not like the soft, chaste kisses he normally bestowed upon her. This time, his kisses was hard, demanding, and passionate; so much so that it left her clinging helplessly to his shoulders. Nearly everything he felt for her, he showed her through that kiss. He'd gladly have shown her just how much he loved her, but he couldn't take from her what she wasn't offering.

Sesshoumaru inhaled the scent of her skin and his knees nearly buckled. She smelt of springtime, rain and incense and all he could do was crush her to him. He straightened, taking her with him, until her little feet dangled freely in the air above the forest floor.

Releasing her lips, he buried his face against the warmth of her neck, feeling her heart and breathing quicken. She stared straight into his eyes when he moved his head back and his gaze roamed all over her face. "Do I, Kagome? Do I have at least, an ounce of a chance with you? Would you give me the opportunity to show you how much I want to be everything you need?"

"Sesshoumaru..." Her eyes were filled with uncertainty. "I don't know. I never imagined that you would feel this way about me." Her hand slid into his hair and she cradled the back of his skull. His chest heaved against her; his magnificent eyes closed at the slight contact and she smiled, brushing the tip of her nose against his. His eyes flew open.

"You already know I love you Sesshoumaru, but if you wish to pursue a relationship of that nature with me, then you must be patient. I've not yet gotten used to thinking of you in such a way. Even though its been several days since I found out about your feelings, it is still very new to me."

The look of hope in his eyes touched her and she leaned over to give him a light kiss on the cheek. "Now then, please put me down. The others are waiting for us."

After setting her on her feet, Kagome took his hand and pulled him along behind her. Sesshoumaru watched her back as he allowed her to lead him. Normally, he hated playing the part of the follower. He was used to being in charge, taking control. But when it came to this girl, he was more than content to let her command him. He was putty in her hands; he always had been.

She shot him a look over her shoulder and smiled sweetly at him as they went together down the path to join the others.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

On Saturday night, Yuki was consoling a very inebriated and depressed Hiro in his living room while Akira sat back and watched the proceedings. From what the two sober men could make out, Sesshoumaru had given him a good job and rent-free flat in exchange for moving out of Kagome's house and possibly out of her life. All the drama made Yuki crave a cigarette, which he hadn't had in almost two months, but Kaede had destroyed all of his spare packs right before his eyes and thrown them away. Miserable old crone...

Thankfully, when Hiro arrived already buzzing pretty hard, he'd not only brought two bottles of tequila with him, (one of which he'd opened on the way up in the elevator) but also a carton of Yuki's favorite brand of cigarettes, fully intending to smoke every last one. But he ended up taking out one pack and immediately forgot he'd bought the others. While Hiro was busy talking about being cast out by Sesshoumaru, Yuki managed to snag the remaining carton and stick it in his wall safe, the one place as yet untouched by the demon nurse from hell.

"But I love Kagome!" the drunk cried, sobbing bitterly into his bottle of tequila. "Jusht cuz I'm shpending time with my girlfriend, doeshn't mean I don't care!" He jabbed an unsteady finger at his chest and poked himself a few times.

"Of course not, Hiroshi. You love her very much, don't you?" Yuki asked, running his fingers through his brother's curly brown hair. He was staring at the bottles of liquor sitting just beyond his reach on the glass-topped coffee table, but he couldn't have one single drop. Akira would kill him for mixing pain medication and alcohol... and also because Akira was sitting across the table on the opposite sofa just within hand-smacking reach. Damn it all. When his gaze slid up from the bottles to Akira's face, he saw his cousin's eyes narrow into slits, silently daring him to reach out and try to grab a bottle.

"Yesh!" Hiro sobbed even harder. "I love her shooo mush!" He wiped at his eyes with shaky hands.

"Look, don't worry about it so much," Akira added softly, downing his glass of whiskey. "It wasn't your fault that you couldn't be there all the time. You have a life to live too, you know."

Raising wretched brown eyes to his cousin, Hiro nodded. "I know, Akira. But to think that I was accushed of not caring..." He hiccuped and took another swig of his tequila, fresh tears cascading down his face. "I cared... more than anyone elshe... 'cept him. Do you know that the white-haired bastard is in love with her? Oh yeah, you've met him before, 'member? It was pretty damn clear he loved her, right? But a guy like him... he don't like anyone, 'cept for Kagome. She's all he ever thinksh about."

Upon hearing Hiro's words, Yuki's body tensed, going rigidly straight and Akira saw it. He wanted to kick Hiro hard in the shin for opening his big, intoxicated mouth. He also knew that Yuki saw this as the perfect opportunity to pry his brother for more information.

"Who is in love with Kagome, Hiro?" asked Yuki carefully, eyes slitting, making him look rather snake-like.

Akira got hurriedly to his feet. "You know, Yuki, I really should take Hiro home. He's not in very good shape right now--"

Hiro's head bobbed and he stared tearfully up at his cousin. "Home? What home? I have no home!" he bawled, turning to his brother and clinging to him. "Yuki... Yuki... I wanna shtay with you. Pleeeze let me shtay!"

Yuki held his brother and rocked him, laying his head down on his lap and letting his fingers run through the silken brown curls. Two identical pairs of green eyes stared daggers at each other. "Of course, Hiro, you can stay. You're my baby brother. Stay as long as you want." His eyes narrowed at Akira, who glared back at him.

When Yuki turned his attention back to Hiro, that one was fast asleep, one hand curled beneath the flushed cheek lying atop Yuki's thigh. Akira saw this and heaved a great relief-filled sigh, sinking back down to the sofa.

"Thank kami," he breathed, pouring himself another drink.

"What do you mean, thank kami? I have a right to know who's going after my future wife." He eyed his cousin suspiciously. "Just what do you know, Akira?"

"I don't know a damn thing." Taking one of the cigarettes out of Hiro's open pack, he lit up and took a deep drag. "But you're jumping the gun there, aren't you? I mean, after all she hasn't said yes to you."

"She promised to think about it," Yuki retorted. He looked down at his brother's head, still running his fingers through the soft brown hair. "She promised me and I believe her."

"What if the answer she gives you isn't the one you want?"

A hard green gaze slid up to meet Akira. "Then I'll keep asking her until I get the answer I'm looking for."

Akira studied the golden one silently for a moment. "I don't think that's how it works, Yuki," he said, taking a sip of his drink. "Besides, when it comes to Kagome, the last thing you want to come across to her as, is pushy."

"Pushy? Who's pushy? I'm persistent, for your information."

"No, you're pushy. Pushy, bossy, overbearing, needy--"

"Shut your face, Akira."

"-- whiny, childish, demanding--"

Scowling, Yuki lifted his cane in the air in order to chunk it at Akira, but thought better of it. He'd paid a pretty penny for this cane. The handle was made out of gold and mother-of-pearl, while the body was made of sturdy wood, covered with black laquer. He had his name carved in gilt letters into the laquer. All in all, it was a beautiful piece of workmanship, even though it had been a rush job.

"-- insensitive, selfish, and overtly sexual. Basically, you're one big, slutty pain in the ass."

"Agh! Shut up, damn it!" Before he decided to throw it at his annoying relative anyway, he lay it down on the sofa cushions and moved his hands away to grab the cigarettes from the coffee table. He was careful not to wake Hiro, who thankfully appeared to be out like a light. "I am none of those things," Yuki remarked, petulantly. "Except maybe for needy. You're right about that one. I need Kagome." He lit up with a sigh. "I hope she's okay. I haven't seen her in so long. Damn, I miss her."

Akira wondered if Yuki knew about Kagome's disappearance. From the way Yuki was sitting there, peacefully smoking a cigarette, he realized that his cousin most likely had no idea she'd left. Hiro knew, of course, but was wise enough to keep the knowledge to himself. If Yuki knew she'd been missing since the day he last laid eyes on her, he'd be furious. But perhaps, everyone was better off with Yuki being left in blissful ignorance. Especially Kagome.

Unless of course, Yuki had something to do with her being missing. Akira wouldn't put it past Yuki when there was something he wanted.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Late on Sunday afternoon, Kagome made it home on the motorcycle, with Sesshoumaru driving right behind her. They dropped Souta off at home first since he was cranky and wanted a nap, as well as a decent meal. As for Miroku, he went straight to Sango's apartment to tell her everything, as well as propose to her. Kagome wished him happiness and sighed heavily when he drove away.

Inside her home, Kouga, Ginta, Hakkaku and a pale, sickly looking Hiro were waiting impatiently for her.

Kagome tried to apologize to Hiro for taking his motorcycle, but he only hugged her and told her that it was fine. He didn't care, just as long as she was okay.

From behind her, Kouga wrapped his arms about her and tugged her back against him. "I was so worried about you," he told her, his lips brushing softly against one cheek. She turned in his arms and hugged him. His grip on her tightened...

Over Kouga's shoulder, her eyes met Sesshoumaru's gaze and she very nearly flinched at the expression he wore. Now that she knew how he felt about her, she realized that all those times he had seen her with Kouga and allowed him to kiss her, it wasn't just his overprotectiveness as her guardian that made his eyes burn like that; so full of blind rage. Sesshoumaru had been filled with jealousy at the sight of another man kissing and touching the woman he loved; the woman who, in his own mind, he had already claimed as his own.

But Kagome wanted Kouga to hold her in his warm, secure embrace... so she sent her beloved guardian a reassuring smile. When it reached him, Sesshoumaru's body instantly began to relax and he returned her smile.

When Kouga let her go, she was instantly snapped up by Ginta and Hakkaku, who pulled her into a sandwich hug, squishing her between them like a lone piece of bologne between two tall pieces of bread. "We missed you, Kagome-neesan!" cried the brothers in unison.

"I missed you, too," came Kagome's muffled reply. She struggled against them and managed to push her face away from Hakkaku's chest. Looking up, she noticed that he didn't have his mohawk up. "Hakkaku! What happened to your hair?" She reached up and touched his hair, which was pulled down to a low ponytail at the nape of neck.

"Um, well..." Hakkaku muttered, his face turning red. "You see, Kagome-neesan--"

Ginta broke in. "He was so worried about you that he stopped doing his hair." He leaned down and whispered in her hair, "He even cried for you at night."

Hakkaku's handsome face tightened with anger. "Shut your hole, Ginta!" he cried as his entire head went scarlet.

"Oh, Hakkaku," Kagome breathed, reaching up to cup her hands on his each of burning cheeks and pulled his head down to hers, gently kissing his cheeks. "I'm sorry. I never meant to make you worry about me. Really."

His dark eyes searched her face for a moment. "It's fine. When I heard you took off on Hiro's bike, it scared me. It's just that... I know what it's like to lose someone I love in an accident. Didn't want to go through that again." He looked away, but suddenly pulled her to him. "I'm glad you're okay."

Kagome felt his big body shaking and guilt seared through her. How could she have been so selfish as to just drive away, leaving the people she cared about in the dark about where she was or if she was okay? Her arms wrapped around his waist and she squeezed him tightly. "I don't know what to say except that I humbly apologize. To everyone. I never meant to upset anyone. I honestly didn't think I would be missed." She gave a small, mirthless laugh. "I guess I was wrong."

"Completely wrong." Ginta's voice was soft in her ear. He kissed the top of her head. "You shoulda seen Kouga after Hiro told us. He thought you were abducted by Yuki and nearly lost his mind."

"Why would Yuki abduct me?" Kagome asked curiously, casting a quizzical look at Kouga, who was watching her intently.

"You know how he feels about you, right?" Ginta asked, absently rubbing his hand all over Kagome's back. "Yuki's crazy about you and Kouga can't stand it. He nearly attacked Hiro for not watching over you properly."

Kouga's body stiffened. "So? He shoulda been watching over her instead of traipsing off after that chick! If he'd been doing his job, none of this would have happened!"

Hiro bowed his head and looked away while Sesshoumaru cast an angry glance at him. He felt like shouting, 'You see? Its not just me who thinks you were slacking in your duties!'

"Yeah, well, you shouldn't have attacked Hiro in the first place, Kouga. It wasn't his fault that none of us trust Yuki an inch and its not his fault that Yuki is a jerk," Ginta told him, still rubbing Kagome's back. "But seriously, man, you gotta chill out more."

Kouga gave Ginta an unpleasant smile. "Oh, please. You weren't any better, Ginta. You were just as upset as me and him." He jerked a thumb at Hakkaku. "And you can stop rubbing my woman like that."

"Oh." Ginta ceased rubbing and removed his hand. "Sorry about that, Kagome-neesan. Didn't realize what I was doing," he told her apologetically.

Kagome turned from Hakkaku and smiled up at the elder Kawase brother. "No, its fine. It felt really good. You're very good with your hands, Ginta-kun."

It was Ginta's turn to blush. "Um... thanks, Kagome-neesan. If you ever want a massage, just ask." He bowed his head, causing his white-striped lock to fall forward into his face.

"I shall. Now, if you will all excuse me..." She turned to Sesshoumaru, who was eyeing every male in the room, save Hiro, with the utmost suspicion. "Come Sesshoumaru, you must rest now. I know you've been unable to sleep, so come with me. Let me take care of you."

Sesshoumaru's eyes went to her face and the dark look in his eyes vanished. Her soft brown eyes twinkled with warmth that was meant only for him and in the space of a heartbeat, the stress of the past week disappeared and his body sagged wearily. Several days of having no sleep had, at last, slammed into him and he nearly panted with exhaustion.

Kagome saw him stagger slightly and rushed over to him, grabbing him around the waist and slung one of his heavy arms over her shoulder. He leaned against her and together the ascended the stairs. When she had shut her door behind them, she went to the windows and drew the heavy, dark curtains, effectively blocking out the sun then assisted him with undressing himself. Clad only in his boxers, she got him to lay down before going to her closet to undress herself and change her clothes.

"Are you going to sleep with me?" came his distressed voice from her bed.

Smiling into darkness, she replied, "Yes, I'll be right there. I just need to change my clothes and put my dirty clothes into the hamper."

She heard a soft sound behind her. Movement to her left caused her to start and she whirled around to face Sesshoumaru. He loomed in the doorway of her closet, the outline of his body just barely illuminated by the little amount of light that shone through the curtains, and watched her intently. For a moment, Kagome let her gaze slide down to his slim body with its pale, sculpted chest and abs that she could see even without the aid of the light. Until now, she'd never noticed that his body was so well-built or so... very... sexy...

Her face aflame, Kagome quicky turned her back on him, very much aware of her rapidly beating heart. "I'll... be right there. Let me... um..." Her hands fumbled about in the dark and she wondered just what she was supposed to be looking for.

The light in the closet came on overhead and his large hand took hers, bringing the jerky movements to a halt. "Are you okay? You don't need to do this right now, beloved. Save it for later." His voice deepened and to Kagome, it sounded like the warm, smoothing vibrations of a soulfully playing cello. "Come to bed now."

"L-let me change first," she whimpered, feeling him move behind her, his body heat invading her personal space.

"What you have on is fine," he said and Kagome remembered that she was only in her underwear.

She began to panic and quickly snatched a shirt from a nearby hanger. "I... I can't! Not in this!" she cried softly, but he took the shirt from her and turned her around to face him.

His eyes burned through her and she could see him frown, puzzled. "But you've never had a problem with this before," he told her, his long fingers brushing softly against her bare shoulders.

It was all she could do not to back away from him. "I... was not aware of your true feelings before," she said weakly. "Let me put on this shirt and a pair of sleep pants, okay?" As she turned from him to locate a pair of pajama bottoms, she felt his hand grasp hers and pull her from the closet.

"No, Kagome," he said firmly, steering her to the bed. "I need you just the way you are." He lay down on his side and opened his arms to her. Like always, she went to him obediantly and lay down in front of him with her back to him.

While Kagome was getting comfortable in the circle of his arms, her bottom rubbed up against him and there was a sharp intake of breath from him. "Are you okay?" she asked, her heart pounding. She didn't need to ask what her backside had brushed up against; it was still there.

When she tried to move away, his hand grabbed her hip firmly and held her in place. Through the lightweight garments, she could feel the rigid, pulsating heat pressing against her flesh.

"Don't move about so," he groaned softly, pressing his face against the back of her head. "Forgive me, little one."

"O-okay," she whispered, shutting her eyes and willing herself not to move a muscle. After a few minutes, she found her voice. "Has this ever happened before? You know, when we lay together like this?"

He was silent for a moment, his lips pressing themselves in her hair. "Yes, several times."

"I see." She was quiet again. "But you never tried anything, Sesshoumaru. Thank you for being so considerate of me."

"I'd never do anything to cause you to push me away, Kagome. I could never forgive myself if I did that, knowing that I forced you to give me what I have no right to take. I couldn't bear it if you hated me."

Kagome turned in her protector's arms and lay facing him. "I would forgive you, Sesshoumaru." She touched his face lovingly. "But you wouldn't do that to me. I know it. I trust you implicitly."

He stared at her, the outline of her face just visible. Without a word, he leaned over and kissed her. At first she was startled by the sudden contact, but he was persistent and soon she relaxed against him. His tongue lapped at her lips and he was soon rewarded for his efforts when she parted her lips for him. Sesshoumaru couldn't hold back a blissful sigh. She tasted so warm, so sweet and he could feel all the blood in his body go straight to his groin.

But what really spiked his temperature was the fact that she was kissing him back. He moaned into her mouth and rolled her over until he was on top of her, his weight resting on his forearms. Breaking the kiss, he stared down at her. Her eyes were half-closed, her lips were slightly parted and her breathing was quick and uneven.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured, claiming her lips again. Her small hands slid up his naked back and gripped at him, sending shivers of excitement coursing through him. He felt himself harden again and unconsciously, he rubbed himself against her.

Feeling that part of his amazing anatomy moving against her, Kagome froze, her eyes widening in the dark. What was he about to do? He just said that he wouldn't do anything to her...

It took Sesshoumaru awhile to realize that Kagome was trembling. He pulled back and suddenly realized what he was doing and that she was terrified. Quickly, he scrambled off of her and the bed. "Kagome, I... oh, god. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean..." Without another word, he hurried off to her bathroom and shut the door behind him.

Hearing the shower turn on, Kagome began to cry. She was confused about what just happened. Did she just make him angry? Yes, he must be furious with her.

Curling into a ball, she pulled her covers up to her chin and wept silently into her pillow, listening to the water in her shower run continuously. Eventually, she began to drift off to sleep, sniffling slightly. The next thing she knew was a vague feeling of her mattress shifting behind her and the insertion of a large body between her sheets.

"Kagome? Sweetie, are you awake?" His arms slipped around her, but paused when she flinched. "Baby, I apologize. I didn't mean to do that to you. I just... I couldn't help it. You've enslaved me, Kagome. All I could think about was making love to you. If you want me on my knees to beg your forgiveness, I'll do whatever it takes to--"

"No. An important man like you should never be on his knees to please anybody."

Sesshoumaru pulled her into his arms anyway. In a way, he hoped she would slap him. He certainly deserved it. "Unless it's you, Kagome. Only if it's you. I'd do anything you asked of me."

She flipped over on her other side to face him. "You don't need to beg for forgiveness, Sesshoumaru. I already forgave you." Her hand reached out to caress his face. "I was scared that I made you mad at me. I've never really pushed you away before, have I?"

He shook his head. "No, not like that you haven't. But I deserved to be in this case." Sighing, he tucked her against his body, savoring the sensation of her breath against his chest. "I hope I haven't lost my chance to be with you."

"Right now, its anybody's game," she whispered, feeling sleep taking hold again.

Smiling into her hair, Sesshoumaru sighed contentedly and allowed himself to follow her into the land of dreams.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/N: Hey guys! I very nearly got carried away with the Sesshy/Kags bit just now. . I've been reading some Sess/Kag fics on and I couldn't help myself. I'm even thinking of doing another Mir/Kag fic. Agh! I love Miroku! XD

Oh, about Sesshy's little shower... I leave that up to your imaginations. -.-