^*A/N: Okay, first, thank you for the reviews everyone. Second, I just uploaded a new story and I would really love for you guys to give it some love. And now, here is chapter 4!

Disclaimer: Ownage = nothing.

**MonsterlyFiction :)

Chapter 4:

It was once again a lovely day in the feudal era, just like always. Kagome had taken a break from searching for the shards and had decided to relax for a little. Time without Sesshomaru was a little hard to come by while she was in the west.

Kagome let out a soft breath, it was truly nice to have alone time. It was a few minutes she treasured before an aura showed up.

"You again?" Kagome sighed from where she was sitting. The baboon pelt just chuckled as it took a seat next to her. Kagome studied the pelt, raising an eyebrow. "Why have you sent a demon puppet? Does this mean that you found some jewel shards and you're too afraid of me?" Naraku chuckled again, shaking his head.

"No, my dear, now that you're involved with Lord Sesshomaru I can't take any risk of him finding me." Kagome frowned.

"I'm a little offended. What makes you think that I won't kill you?"

"You won't kill me if I don't have the thing you search for; you wouldn't gain anything from killing me. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, would kill me because I have 'disgraced' him." She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned back against the tree stump.

"I could kill you out of revenge. You were the one that sent me plummeting to my death, whether or not that hanyou 'made the choice'." Her eyes moved to their corners, staring at the puppet through her peripherals. "I believe I just came across my new plan."

"And what plan would that be?"

She stood, brandishing her elegant sword. "Let's just say that you have become more of a nescience than a help." With that she sliced the demon puppet in half, leaving the nasty white pelt to disintegrate into purple miasma on the forest floor. She couldn't help but feel a bit of satisfaction from cutting down something Naraku related. She sheathed her sword before turning to the western lands and gracefully maneuvering through the over grown roots as she began walking.

(-: ^^

Naraku glared at the wooden doll that was now neatly dissected in the middle. He was beyond furious, how could she just disrupt his plans like that! Worse than the fact that his plan would no longer work, was that she was now out for his head. Although he was slightly thankful that it was only his demon puppet that was destroyed when she decided she was fed up with him.

Naraku would have to think of something else. 'Well, I suppose if I don't have to converse with her anymore, there is no need that I further refrain myself from gathering the jewel shards.' He thought with a slight smirk as another brilliant idea formed in his dark mind. He turned to the door of his elegant room.

"Kikyo, it seems it is time for another visit."

(-: ^^

Kikyo glided through the forest, her soul-collectors floating around her, creating an eerie glow wherever the undead miko went. Just as a soul was dropped into her chest she stopped, looking to the forest out of the corner of her eye.

"Naraku, I know you're there, show yourself." There was a moment of silence before Naraku emerged from the darkness. "What do you want?"

"Kikyo, I wish to ask you a favor." Kikyo turned to look at him, a glare marring her usually stoic face.

"Why would I be willing to do you a favor after what happened with Inuyasha?" Naraku heaved a slight sigh.

"Who was I to know that he would cast you aside after the little miko perished?" Kikyo huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What is this favor you ask?"

(-: ^^

Kagome tapped her chin as she silently walked through the forest. She expanded her senses to search out the jewel shards and furrowed her eyebrows. 'It seems that the jewel shards have been collected and a little fast for my tastes…' She thought absently. She could feel about three different groups of shards gathered in three different areas of the countryside. She guessed that Naraku gathered some shards along with Inuyasha's group, although she didn't know who the third group belonged to. 'I'll find out soon enough.'

She gave a slight sigh, and continued on her way until she felt Sesshomaru's aura approaching her. Kagome hummed slightly as he fell into step with her.

"Why, hello Sesshomaru, I thought you went back to your lands…" Sesshomaru gave her a curt nod.

"I assume you realize that all the jewel shards have been consolidated into groups, so there is no point in you needing to travel anymore…"

"How quant, you want me to come to your lands with you don't you?" She inferred to the taiyoukai. He glared at her from the corner of his eye.

"Woman, don't be so insolent. I simply see no benefit in having you travel anymore. If you wish, you may continue travel, I do not care."

Kagome shook her head at him. "I think I will accept your kind invitation, Lord Sesshomaru." She said in a slight mocking tone as she came to stop and looked up at him. He watched her eyes for a short moment before raising an eyebrow and turning in the direction of the west, walking off, leaving her with a simple 'hn'.

She huffed. "Ever the conversationalist, are we?" They continued the trek to the western castle, the image of the two celestial beings emitting the true image of untouchable-ness.

(-: ^^

Kagome beheld the palace that was quickly coming into view. She raised her eyebrows as she turned her gaze to Sesshomaru who was standing closely next to her as they flew through the air on his youkai cloud.

"This is your palace?"

"Yes."

"It's beautiful." She said simply.

"Hn." He lowered them down in front of the elaborate gate that lead into his estate. Kagome walked with Sesshomaru as he passed through the gate. She noticed that the demons on guard were giving her odd looks, but she just stared over them with her icy stare and continued on. They fell into a comfortable silence as he showed her around the palace in what seemed like a rushed tour. They were passing room after room until Kagome heard something.

"Kagome!" Kagome spun on her heel just as a young girl barreled into her legs.

"Rin, it's very nice to see you're well." Kagome patted the girls head. Rin pulled back and looked up at Kagome with hopeful eyes.

"Are you staying here with us?" Kagome now glanced to Sesshomaru for the appropriate answer.

"Rin, show Kagome to her room." Rin happily cheered and grabbed Kagome's hand, effectively dragging her down the hall. As soon as they disappeared a handsome demon walked out of one of the doors.

The demon bowed deeply. "Lord Sesshomaru, I don't think it's safe for her to be here." Sesshomaru just turned away from the red-haired demon.

"Kaoru, I am aware of this. She can protect herself." He started to walk away.

"But, Mi'Lord…"

"Don't question me. I know you feel the power she emits can you not?"

"Yes…"

"Then why do you worry." Sesshomaru was gone.

Kaoru sighed to himself. 'Sometimes that baka is just too ignorant for his own good, Lord Inutaisho was right.'

(-: ^^

"Kagome, do you want go watch Lord Sesshomaru train?" Kagome stopped brushing the little girls hair.

'That would be… Interesting to watch.' She thought to herself as she placed the brush down and tied the normal pony tail into Rin's hair.

"Sure, why not… Would you show me to the dojo?" Rin nodded with a smile and escorted Kagome out of the pink room.

(-: ^^

Kagome and Rin entered the large dojo just as a body flew from a crowd of demons into a nearby wall. Kagome saw Rin flinch and she knelt down next to her.

"Rin, thank you for showing me the way here. You may go now if you want." Rin looked relieved as she ran out of the room. Kagome shook her head as she approached the group of higher military personal. She was about to push her way through, but some of them turned to give her incredulous looks and took a step back to avoid her touch.

When she got to the front she smirked at the sight she saw. There was Sesshomaru in all his bare chested glory, squaring off with what she guessed was another inuyoukai. They didn't have swords, they were practicing hand-to-hand combat. She watched them battle and was surprised that Sesshomaru hadn't noticed her presence yet. Sesshomaru landed a sound kick on the demons chest, sending him flying out of the ring. There was clapping as Sesshomaru straightened himself.

He stood tall as he asked. "Anymore challengers?" Kagome glanced around the ring and saw that everyone was happy staying where they were. With a sigh she stepped forward.

"It seems that our last fight was pathetic." She said, remembering the night by the water when she first talked to him. "How does a rematch sound, Lord Sesshomaru?" There were some gasps and collective murmurs about how 'this miko is going to die for such insolence.' Sesshomaru spun on his heel to face her, a glare and scowl plastered on his face.

"Miko, what is the meaning of this?" Kagome shrugged.

"I feel like a good fight. I need to stretch my muscles a bit. All this walking and inactivity has left me edgy." Kagome crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow at him. "You're not, afraid, to fight me, are you?" Once again, there were more gasps and Kagome could hear Sesshomaru's soft warning growl. Kagome walked out until she was right in front of him. "Growling at me won't get you out of the battle, Mi'Lord. So what's the answer?"

There was moment's pause before he called out, "Bring me my sword." Kagome smirked at him. She took a few steps back and watched as Sesshomaru's sword was tossed to him.

"I am not responsible for any injury you may attain, miko." Kagome huffed.

"Same goes for you. And I do have a name you know." Kagome looked over his form as she smoothly unsheathed her sword and took a slight fighting stance. Only now did she really notice his bare chest and lack of armor. She did have to admit that he had a pretty hot body, but she quickly cleared all the rapidly rising impure thoughts out of her mind. She once more raised an eyebrow at him. "Shouldn't you get some kind of protection on?"

He smirked at her. "I do not need any armor to defeat you." She narrowed her eyes at him.

"We'll just have to see, won't we?" She charged at him with amazing speed and their swords clashed painfully.

They stayed at a dead lock until Sesshomaru decided it was enough and applied more pressure, pushing Kagome back slightly. Her face remained blank as she quickly removed her sword and swung at his legs. Sesshomaru jumped up slightly, narrowly missing getting his legs sliced. Kagome used this opportunity to get behind him. She held her sword to his neck and there where, once again, gasps heard.

This was amazing, for once in the few weeks since her 'rebirth' she actually felt alive. The good fight was unlocking something in her. She was alive with true feelings; the adrenaline coursing, her heart pumping, her emotions finally surfacing, the frustration, the grief. It was exhilarating.

"Surrender and I'll leave your skin unflawed." She frowned when she heard no surrender from him. She was about to take action when Sesshomaru kicked up in the air, sending them both flying, she was forced to separate. With smooth motions of her blade she took strikes at Sesshomaru midair, none of them landing. The grief bubbled.

They both landed gracefully on the ground and Kagome charged, not giving Sesshomaru any time to recover. He looked as though he was expecting this.

Sure he was ready for the charge, but not the brute strength that accompanied it. He was set back a few feet when they reached a dead lock once more.

Sesshomaru started pushing her back some. "Is this all you have, miko. How you defeated me before, I will never know." The frustration settled in.

Sesshomaru could see the change in her eyes, they were no longer dead, but they were bubbling with so many different emotions. In his slight stupor he was caught blindsided by her kick to his feet. It would have knocked him down had she been more precise in her foot placement. The hatred burst.

Kagome huffed, separating herself from him. They went into a steady pacing circle as they studied each other movements. The crowd was dead silent, not knowing what to make of the situation. Then Kagome did something that Sesshomaru wasn't expecting, cried. The smell of salt hit his senses and Kagome looked down to the floor.

"Damnit… Damnit…" She fell to her knees, her sword clanging to the floor. "Why… " The words were mumbled as she had her hand against her face, rubbing away the tears.

He took a couple steps. "Miko…"

"Damnit! What the hell did I ever do to deserve that damn hanyou's betrayal! I was loyal, even nice; some would even too domestic for that filth. The utter heart break… the pain, oh Kami, the pain." She sobbed, resembling something in between a cry and a laugh. She sounded like she had gone insane, crying, then switching to chuckling, only to go back to sob some more. Sesshomaru stood still; he really had no idea what to do.

"NONE OF IT WAS MY FAULT." She punched the ground, leaving a descent sized dent. She let out another sob and hit the floor one more time with a yell. The dent only increased in size as she repeatedly smashed the wooden floor.

Sesshomaru must have had enough because before Kagome could land another hit, he intercepted her hand, encasing it with his large fingers as he knelt down in front of her. Kagome looked up at him with wide, slightly puffy eyes. A few stray tears trailed down her face, but he could tell they were from frustration.

"Miko stop this, it's childish." Kagome tore her hand from his. The emotions were consuming her mind; anger, sadness, happiness, love, grief, all of them, bombarding her at once.

"I know, I know. I just… it just, I went through so much for that bastard. So much heart break I remember, so many things I did for his ungrateful ass. And he sends me flying off a cliff. The pain…" She shuddered at the memory of the agony. Why was all this coming up know? For the past four weeks she lived as an emotionless being, and then all of a sudden she's crying on the floor of Sesshomaru's dojo, throwing a tantrum.

There was an irritated sigh and Kagome felt Sesshomaru grab her shoulders, making her look up at him.

"Instead of damaging my dojo and throwing a tantrum like a child, save it for when you see the hanyou again." He released her and swiftly stood, bringing her up with him.

Kagome reined herself in, forced herself to relax, suppressing the gasping giggles and shaking cries. It took a moment, her hands covering her face as to not look into the crowd, her embarrassment showing up also, but she managed to steady herself.

Eventually, she was back to her old emotionless self, she didn't quite know if that was something to be proud of. She wiped her face, glad that Sesshomaru had turned them so he was blocking her from the view of the crowd.

He had known that she wouldn't like to be seen like this and took that into consideration. Contrary to people's beliefs, he did have an ounce of compassion in him. She wouldn't want to be seen as week and unstable, so he did the best he could, not wanting to move her from the room for fear she would completely snap and attack someone. He did what he could, even though he knew that the youkai in the dojo could smell the tears and rapid changes in her aura. He watched her as she finally composed herself.

She took in a steading breath. "I apologize, Sesshomaru. I do not know what came over me. I will repay you for the damages." Sesshomaru waved her off.

"Just do not do it again or expect this Sesshomaru's help in anyway. I will leave you to wallow in your self-pity." Could this be a small joke Kagome was detecting? Whatever it was, she decided to leave it be.

"I see. I suppose that I will need to speak with Midoriko about this then." Sesshomaru gave her a curt nod.

Kagome didn't look at the stunned crowd as she retrieved her sword and left the room in a hurry, giving a small bow to Sesshomaru. Once more they all backed away, but this time it was out of fear of the insane miko.

^*A/N: Now that you're done, please go check out A Rogue's Reasons. Seriously, I really do think this one actually has a good story line. :)

REVIEW MY MINIONS!

*MonsterlyFiction :)