Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

CHAPTER NINE

I did not sleep last night.

I could not. Not after that incident. Not after those words which are now engraved in my heart and forever on my mind. I could not understand why he had said such a thing…why he had said it at that moment.

Miroku had pointed out the obvious.

'Concubines.'

He had many, including Kikyo.

No.

Kikyo…she was something else. The letters verified she was something…more.

I was astonished and confused but I did not reject his proposal…honestly I did not answer. The pressure engulfed me into deep silence and only made it more difficult for me to speak.

He noticed I had no answer and simply walked away. He showed no emotion but I could tell he felt betrayed…sad…upset even and yet, he did not force me to answer.

I did not do it to offend him nor did I even do it for pride. I just could not answer and he walked away when he saw I was not going to give him a response. So I went to one of the rooms and I have been lying on the same bed since. I have not eaten. I have not slept. I have not moved. If it were I who could control breathing, I probably would not have breathed either. I have only been replaying that scene continuously through my head.

A strong beam of light set upon the bed I was laying on. I could feel its heat warm up my cold body and turned my face to avert its shining gaze.

What was this strong feeling burning deep within my chest? I had only been with him for two whole days, today being my third, and the fact that my days with him were slowly coming to an end…the fact that I would have to leave…it saddened me for some reason. Could it be that I was beginning to feel something for him? Could I really be falling for him? Was this what the other women felt?

The hard knock on the wooden front door was what brought me back to reality.

Today we would be leaving for this battle of his and Miroku would be joining us. They seemed to share a history of which neither one of them wanted to speak of, let alone remember. I wanted to know what it was they were hiding. I had never seen Inuyasha act the way he did last night…on the arena was something completely different which is why I did not take it to any consideration.

I groaned as I sat up. I did not want to see him right now, but as I have mentioned I must not falter. So I forced myself out of bed and walked slowly towards the door. My hand reached for the handle, fingers slowly gripping it into a perfect grip. I opened the door and focused on the tall figure standing in front of me.

He was standing there, greeting me with a small smile and acting like nothing had happened. Why was he acting so…normal? I instantly pouted and he walked up to me.

"Nice face," he chuckled, tweaking my cheek.

I pulled away and the self-satisfied grin on his face widened. I remained silent as I stared at him.

No.

He had been up all night. I just had not noticed it until now. His face, his smile…it may fool me. But his eyes…never. Those bright golden orbs opened the doors that lead straight to his soul.

"Inuyasha…I—"

He knew he had given me a glimpse of his deep inner emotions and the smile slowly slid off his face.

He turned away, averting my soft gaze.

Coward.

Immediately, I pulled on his hair before he walked away.

"Where are you going?" I growled before he could complain.

"We were supposed to leave early but you, my dear, overslept," he pointed out, slowly gripping my hand that was grabbing his delicate silver coat.

"You could have awoken me."

He pulled me close to him and goose bumps ran through my body as his hot breath mixed with mine. I was positive Inuyasha could hear my heart pound in its cage, retaliating every time it came in contact with my ribs.

His lips formed the small smirk that I both loved and detested and his eyes twinkled with the same mischievous look that appeared before a perverted comment.

"I could have," he commented before whispering, "but we wouldn't have wanted Miroku to hear us now, would've we?"

The heat from his body was being absorbed by my own and I could feel a warmth spread across my face. His hand slowly traced its way up my arm, making circular motions with his thumb over my smooth skin. His touch, his caresses…they were different. They were filled with a strong heat of passion and whenever he stopped my body would scream and yearn for more.

He leaned in stopping in front of my mouth. I whimpered knowing that he was merely teasing, making his smirk grow even wider.

"Let's go, princess," he breathed.

I stood there standing, watching helplessly as he walked towards the entrance. He left me craving for something that never came and although that made me upset, I had to thank him; for caring and not pressuring me…for not making it anymore difficult…for treating me normally after last night.

"Do you want me to hold your hand?" he mocked with a smile.

I snapped out of my daze, walking towards him and out the entrance.

"Where is Miroku?"

"Don't tell me you actually care about him?" he frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Never mi—"

"Lady Kagome!" cried out a voice.

I looked ahead and evidently Miroku was standing near the carriage, waiting for us.

"Miroku. When did you—"

He took my hand and gently kissed it.

"I have been waiting for you?" he whispered huskily.

I pulled my hand away from his grasp and slapped his head.

"What happened to this lover of yours?"

"She doesn't have to know," he smiled.

I saw Inuyasha's eyes burn red with jealousy and anger. Commotion was the last thing we needed, so I pulled on Miroku's ear and brought him to the carriage.

"Is privacy what you seek, Lady Kagome?"

"Silence you fool," I whispered.

Inuyasha walked slowly towards us, his eyes never leaving mine. He leaned closely, pretending that his only objective was to open the door. But no. Of course it was not. He wanted to threaten Miroku. I noticed this because Miroku instantly stepped away.

I walked inside and the two men followed after. The journey had begun. Inuyasha was going to win his battle. Miroku was going to win his lady. And I was going because…come to think of it, I had not clue why I was exactly going. The only thing I could come up with was that I was being forced. I nodded. Yes, forced. Nothing more.

I stuck my head out the small window, watching the trees pass by and sighing boredom. Miroku had fallen asleep and the silence between Inuyasha and I was unbearable.

"Where is your next battle?" I returned to me seat and asked.

His eyes were closed but I knew he was awake.

"Is it important?" he smirked.

My eyes narrowed.

"If you do not wish to tell me you can answer more appropriately," I crossed my arms.

He chuckled with his eyes still closed.

I turned to look at him. His thick, long eyelashes covered his eyelids and his beautiful noise pointed upwards, while his lips parted allowing the necessary oxygen flow through his mouth.

"Am I really that interesting," he opened his eyes and grinned, turning to me, "Kagome?"

"Do not flatter yourself," I said through gritted teeth, looking away.

"Admit it already. Admit that you've fallen for me," he whispered huskily, moving closer towards me.

"What are you talking about?" my face bloated as I pushed him away.

He laughed.

"How much longer until we get to wherever it is we are going?" I sighed.

"Impatient, are we?"

We were interrupted by Miroku's loud snore. The drool seeped from his mouth only to be absorbed by his clothing. I sighed and changed the topic.

"Do you have to?" my gaze softened.

"Huh?" he looked at me confused.

"Fight another battle, that is."

He remained quiet and only stared at me.

"I do not want you to fight again. I do not want to see you die," I whispered.

"I'm not going to die," he smiled, placing his rough hand on my knee.

"Promise?"

"Of course. I mean, I'm an undefeated champ baby."

"Stop boasting, I am serious," I commented, swatting his hand away.

The carriage stopped.

"It seems we have arrived. Miroku. Miroku! Wake up. MIROKU!!"

"Inuyasha stop it. Miroku."

His eyes popped open, "Yes, Lady Kagome?"

"We're here."

We both stepped out and Inuyasha walked ahead of us. What was he so upset about?

"Miroku, do you have any idea where we are?" I whispered.

"Why of course Lady Kagome. These are the Western Lands."

My eyes widened and my body froze. I stopped walking and felt myself go numb. My heart pounded and I stopped breathing. We were in the Western Lands…Kouga's territory.

A/N: I know. I know. I know!! I'm sorry I took so long to update. But I've been having family problems and someone close to our family died as well. So I wasn't feeling all to well. But things like that happen you know. You just have to move on. Anyways I want to thank you for being so patient. My apologies.

Masterkon.