A/n: thank you so much for your reviews everybody. And I know my profile has said that everything's on hold but I've found time between school to update for my readers. Once again, thanks.

Oh yeah, and just to let you people Maru Ieyasu is not a REAL person, neither is the book. You'll see why it put in the chapters, it ties with the story you see…I'll explain in further chapters.

The Ties that Bind

By: Youkai no Hikaru

It hurts to know that you'll never be good enough for everybody; That even you will never be good enough for someone to stay. –excerpt from Maru Ieyasu's My Sorrow in a Never-Ending Winter.

Chapter 6: Conspiracies

"So do we have a deal?"

"I get Kagome and you get Sesshomaru is that it?"

"Of course, what else do you want?"

"I want her to feel pain, so I will be there to comfort her when the baka 'breaks her heart'."

"Fine. So do we have a deal?"

"Yes, I believe we do."

The class was about to start soon, but Kagome couldn't help but feel that something bad was going to happen.

"You should not worry so much. Trust me," Sesshomaru whispered in her ear. He wrapped an arm around her.

"I know, but I have a really bad feeling, and I can't shake it off," Kagome sighed. She felt slightly reassured but Sesshomaru's confidence, but she still felt a slight foreboding feeling.

After Class

"We'll I'll see you at the garden after class right?" Kagome asked.

"Like always," Sesshomaru confirmed.

Before she should walk away, Sesshomaru grabbed her wrist and pulled Kagome close. He kissed her softly, but fully on the lips before walking away.

Kagome was shocked. Sesshomaru had kissed her before, but never in public. This was the first time. She blushed and hurried away to her next class.

Everyone quieted down as Professor Takeda walked in.

"Class, we will not be having any assignments this, for we must still have the curriculum approved," Professor Takeda stated. The class cheered.

"First, we will be doing small stuff, such as doing first-hand action with weaponry." The class cheered again.

"But of course, as you all know, this is the first hands-on physical class ever, so that will need to be approved as well." The class 'booed'.

"I guess that's all for the introduction to weaponry, class dismissed," Professor Takeda said.

Kagome sighed. That was really boring and pointless, Kagome thought as she walked out. Hmm, I still have about an hour, wonder what should I do?

"Higurashi-san!" someone called.

Kagome turned around to see Naraku running up to her.

"Hello Naraku," Kagome greeted politely.

"Hello Higurashi-san," Naraku said.

"Please call me Kagome."

"Well, I was wondering since class is out early, I was wondering if you'd like to have lunch with me?" Naraku asked. His eyes a bit downcast. (a/n: Oh no you don't! Don't you dare pull the "I-feel-pathetic" act!)

Kagome felt so bad for the guy, that she couldn't help but say, "Yes, I'll have lunch with you. Just lunch." (a/n: NO, she went for it! I know I know she's crazy)

"So, I met up with Naraku today. He kind of gives me the creeps, " Kagome told Sesshomaru.

"Well obviously. All stalkers are 'creepy'" Sesshomaru smirked.

"What do you mean by 'stalker'?" Kagome looked at him incredulously.

"Apparently, you fail to notice that Naraku follows you everywhere on campus, ever since he saw you at the beginning of the year," Sesshomaru explained.

Kagome shrugged off the memory, she wanted to find out for sure. Maybe lunch would give her some answers.

"Really?" Naraku looked up at her in surprise.

"Just lunch Naraku. Lunch with a friend," Kagome said firmly.

"Oh…okay. Lunch with a friend," Naraku told Kagome to follow him.

The two ended up on a balcony that nobody went up to because of all the ghost stories told about the place.

"Um…how are we going to get food from here?" Kagome asked.

"Oh, I already have it," Naraku brought out a brown bag full of take-out.

"Mmm, smells good," Kagome could smell Chinese food.

"Of course it is."

"Aren't you gonna take it out?"

"No."

"Why? Aren't we here for lunch?"

"Yes…and no."

"What?"

Naraku walked up to Kagome and held her wrist and moved in to kiss her. Kagome backed up.

"Sorry Naraku, I told you. I'm loyal to Sesshomaru and I love him. I hope you understand that," Kagome frowned.

"You're right Kagome, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking," Naraku sighed.

"Well I've got to get going, bye," Kagome quickly walked away from the balcony and went to find Sesshomaru, what she saw next shocked her.

(a/n: haha…I wouldn't do that…)

Sesshomaru and Kikyo were having a very intense kiss. Kagome noticed that Sesshomaru didn't respond, but also did not resist or pull away. She was so hurt and noticed all the glances full of pity the other students gave her.

Kikyo looked up when she noticed Kagome. "Sessho-, I thought you said you already got rid of the nuisance that was keeping us apart," she slurred. "You never told her about us?"

Sesshomaru didn't say anything. His eyes were still closed. Kagome slowly walked up to Sesshomaru, but Kikyo stopped her.

"Stop Kagome, can't you see that he CLEARLY does not want to talk to you?" Kikyo said calmly.

Kikyo went up to Sesshomaru and pulled him in for another kiss, but he pulled away. Kagome felt a little hope spark in her.

"Oh, I'm sorry Sessho. I forgot that you wouldn't want her to see us together," Kikyo said loud enough for Kagome to hear. She hugged him closely making sure that her breasts touched him fully on the chest.

Kagome was speechless, everything got all blurry. She pushed herself between Kikyo and Sesshomaru, and ran to the gardens. Kagome collapsed on the marble bench, and cried. She really wanted to talk to Sango, but lately, her friend seemed to be missing.

"You know, I've noticed that tears have been your best friend lately," a deep voice said.

"What would you care?" Kagome asked in between sobs.

"Kagome, I am mortally wounded by your words," the deep voice mocked. He chuckled.

A figure in silver hair wrapped his arm around Kagome's shoulders. Kagome looked up. It was Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, was I wrong to fall for Sesshomaru again?" Kagome asked. "Was it my ill-judgment to believe that he still loved me?"

"No Kagome. It was his fault by playing with your heart," Inuyasha replied. "If you need, Kagome. I'll be here for you instead of him."

Kagome nodded silently, and buried her head into his chest, and cried. Inuyasha just held her there, silently smirking to himself. Kikyo had done a wonderful job.

A/n: oOo I bet you didn't see that coming!!!! In the beginning I was going to have Naraku and Kikyo plan together, but then that was really common… and it didn't really work out with what I have planned. You'll guys see why Inuyasha did it, just be ever so patient with me…THANKS!!! REVIEW POR FAVOR!!!