(Review from Chapter Tweny-Two)

"InuYasha," a deep, cold, but extremely wonderful voice called from ahead of me.

InuYasha turned and glared at his brother. "What?" he asked in a snarl.

"Let her go. You've already done enough damage," Sesshomaru said in a icy tone.

InuYasha looked back at me and reluctantly let go of my arms. "I didn't mean what I said," he muttered barely above a whisper, "but when I said that you were stupid for giving your human blood up, I was telling the truth."

He stepped away from me and started walking away from the castle. I spun around and glared after him. I felt my anger rising with something that wanted to rip out of me and shred InuYasha to pieces.

I stepped towards him and felt a strong hand grab my shoulder. "I hate you, InuYasha!" I screamed and turned and leaned into Sesshomaru's welcoming arms that held more warmth then InuYasha's heart did.

Sesshomaru slipped his arm underneath my legs and lifted me up. I settled against his chest and looked back at InuYasha one last time. He had turned around and was staring at me with so much hurt in his eyes that I had to turn away.

Laying Amongst the Dead

Disclaimer: I don not own InuYasha.

Chapter Twenty-Three

oOo Flashback oOo

"You're a fool, InuYasha," Sesshomaru said as he glared at me after Kagome sprinted off through the woods, away from him, "she'll never forgive you. Even I could see why she gave up part of her human blood for you. Even is she was infuriated with you, you still held her heart, but now...She gave you a gift and you through it right back in her face."

I turned to Sesshomaru and didn't know what to think or do. "She has a reason to hate you now, brother, and I fear it will fuel her determination to do just that. To despise you and everything you are," my borhter said in a cold, monotone voice as he stared at me, "your stupidity will cost you Kagome's love this time."

My eyes widened and looked back after the spot where I had last seen Kagome's raven colored hair whip around a tree. My heart was in my throat and something inside of me was screaming at me. I looked over at my brother with my mouth open to say something and noticed the absense of his presence. I spun around and found him nowhere near me.

"Damn you Sesshomaru," I growled under my breath as I raced after Kagome with the feeling of lose heavy on my chest. I knew his words were true. I had screwed up this time...majorly.

oOo End of Flashback oOo

Those words and thoughts ran through my head as I watched Kagome hug Sesshomaru with tears staining her cheeks. Kagome's words ran through my head as I watched Sesshomaru carefully scoop her up and hold her to his chest. My heart felt like it had been burned alive and stomped on.

"I hate you, InuYasha!" she had screamed at me in fury, turning to the shelter of my brother's arms

I watched as she looked at me and my shattered heart and looked away, almost as if she was repulsed by my mere being there. Sesshoamaru turned with the very thing that I given my life for and somthing snapped inside of me. I shook my head and felt the blasted tears fall from my eyes. I couldn't lose her again. Not again.

"I'm sorry, Kagome. I'm so sorry," I mumbled in a soft plea for her to just hear me.

oOoOoOoOoOo

I gripped Sesshomaru's tail gently as InuYasha's apologe met her ears. They flattened against my head and I blinked back the tears that blinded me. I looked up at Sesshomaru who was staring down at me, waiting to see what I would do.

I shook my head against his armor and he nodded curtly and continued walking. InuYasha's eyes flashed in my mund and gripped Sesshomaru's tail, making him pause a heartbeat. He glanced down at me and read the uncertainity in my eyes. He stared to turn when touched his cheek. He froze and something flickered across his eye. But it was gone before I could read it.

"It doesn't change anything, InuYasha. I gave something up for you that most woman shouldn't have to do and you throw it back in my face without a second glance at it," I growled as I looked away from Sesshomaru's piercing eyes, "I'm tired of being second best. You love Kikyo and she obviously loves you back. You two sure were tangled up together when I saw you last."

InuYasha made a strange sound and I looked up at Sesshomaru in question. "I thought she was you," InuYasha cried.

I frowned and Sesshomaru lowered me to my feet. I turned to Inuyasha and froze when i met his tear filled amber eyes. I felt Sesshomaru touched my arm and I looked away from those eyes that pleaded for forgiveness.

"You yourself told me that you knew it was her when she first saw her. You should have gotten the clue and left, but instead you let her twist your mind and fuck you," I said in a venomous voice.

"No!" InuYasha cried and stepped towards me, "I would never..." he started to say.

I held up my hand and took a step back, lining my back with Sesshomaru's chest and lower stomach. "But you did, InuYasha," I growled, "you let her twist your mind and fuck you. God, InuYasha. She's a bloody clay pot. The walking dead and you actually...ugh. The very thought turns my stomach and makes me sick," I groaned and clenched my stomach as I turned away from InuYasha.

I pressed my face against Sesshomaru's tail and lightly ran my hand over the soft fur. "Sesshomaru may have killed me, but he...he didn't hurt me as bad as you have. He came to my rescue on several occasions. Even saved my life more then once, but you... You sent me to hell and back with pain beyond belief," I said in a soft voice.

I felt Sesshomaru touch my arm and i leaned into the warmth. His hand raised to my head and rubbed my ear softly. My eyes closed and I pressed my head against his hand. I purred and opened my eyes. I stared up into Sesshomaru's amber eyes that were as calm as a summer's breeze. He stared back into my eyes and he smiled softly, the smile suddenly vanished when he looked up.

I turned and came face-to-face with InuYasha. "Don't you touch her!" he yelled, making my ears flatten against my head. He was yelling at Sesshomaru.

I stared at InuYasha and felt that thing that was in my chest that wanted to rip InuYasha earlier rise again. He suddenly looked down at me and his eyes bled from red to amber. He blinked and reached to touch my cheek. I turned my head and growled.

"Go to hell, InuYasha," I said and looked up into his eyes, "I'm staying with Sesshomaru whether you like it or not."

I felt Sesshomaru stiffen behind me and looked over my shoulder up at him. "When did you decide this?" he asked, his eyes very still and content on my face.

"The second InuYasha broke my heart," I said and took his hand in mine.

I looked back at InuYasha and watched as his face crumbled. I frowned and hid the small twinge of regret in the back of my mind. My decision was final. I was to stay with Sesshomaru until I was ready to leave and face my parents with my new hanyou blood.

"Kikyo was sent here after me. Did you know that? Death wants me dead for some reason and he made a deal with her. She was supposed to kill me, inuYasha. You would have figured it out if you weren't too busy thrusting inside of her," I shivered at the thought, but kept my eyes looked on his.

His eyes hardened and he frowned. He was going to try to defend Kikyo. "That's not true. She was here because of me. She wanted me. It had nothing to do with you, wench," Inuyasha growled from inches from my face.

"Heed my warning, InuYasha, if you dare bare your fangs at me again, I will shorten your life span," I growled, drawing my hand back and balling it into a fist before it collided with InuYasha's face, "and I told you you loved her more. You won't even consider the idea that she used you, when you accuse me of such and just stand there," I said as I watched InuYasha fly back and hit the ground with a thud.

"Lets go, Sesshomaru," I sighed and turned away from InuYasha's form and headed towards Sesshomaru's front gates.

oOo

I hope you guys enjoyed that. It took me a while to think something up, lol. Anyway, I apologize for the long wait you all had to endure for this chapter. I got caught up in somethings that needed time to work out. Well, I will try my best to update at least once a month if not more. I loved all the reviews everyone sent me. You guys are a great support and i appreciate all of you readers. Thank you so much for you compliments, but i wish for more. Please send me more reviews. i wish to hear what you think of this long awaited chapter. Cookies for all. Love ya.

Oh to answer a question from a reviewer that I thought had a good point…

The Question: Love your story lots but how is Sesshomaru gonna take her if 1.Inuyasha claimed her and 2.She felt bad for him when he gave her that pained look which would suggest that she still cared about him?

The Answer: 1. Inuyasha only claimed her, he did not actually make her his mate. To do that they would have to get down and dirty and he would have to bite her, thus marking her as his mate. Oh and the number 2 is explained above.

To the Anon. Reviewer: I am so glad you pointed that out. It took me a while to think of it then it just kind of hit me…literally. A book fell on my foot and the idea popped into my head. Thank you so much for your review and I appreciate your help with this matter. J

Please send me a Review. :) Pretty Please!