A/n: Oh, I hope you don't mind, but I really hate Kikyo so expect Kikyo bashing later on…As a treat for my patient readers you guys get 2 chapters in one day!!! I also have the drum roll…..LONG AWAITED LONG CHAPTER!!! cheers so enjoy… I hope you like it.

The Ties that Bind

By: Youkai no Hikaru

Summary: He left her to go on a quest, but before he did, he left her a locket that would open up when he returned. He never did. Sess/Kag

I always thought that Betrayal was an unmeaningful word that only weak people felt. I guess I am weak for feeling so much pain and grief at your betrayal. –excerpt from Maru Ieyasu's My Sorrow in a Never-Ending Winter

Last time:

"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.

Chapter 7: Solidifying Unstable Relationships

"Come on Kagome, Let's have lunch, you still have classes to go to," Inuyasha suggested after Kagome calmed down.

"Alright," Kagome said. She stood up by herself and walked away.

"Thank you for staying with me, Inuyasha. I think I'll go to lunch by myself though thanks very much," Kagome said over her shoulder.

Inuyasha was a bit shocked. He hadn't expected Kagome to change her demeanor. She was supposed to be helpless and begging him to stay with her. It wasn't going the way he planned it, and he didn't like it one bit.

"Bitch!" Sesshomaru shoved Kikyo, after Kagome left. "How dare you force yourself on me?"

"Why Sesshomaru I am hurt by your accusation," Kikyo feigned her distress. "Last time I checked, you didn't pull away when I kissed you."

"You will removed yourself from my person immediately if you value your life," Sesshomaru threatened.

"Hold your horses Sesshomaru. You know you enjoyed my kiss more than any that Ka-GO-me could ever place upon your lips," with that, Kikyo went up to him and placed a chaste kiss on his lips and walked away swaying her hips attracting the attention of every guy but Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru followed Kagome's scent and rushed to the gardens. There, he saw Inuyasha smirking to himself while he held a sobbing Kagome. Sesshomaru tapped into his mind-reading powers and listened to Inuyasha's thoughts:

Kikyo did wonderfully. Everything went according to plan. Naraku played his part without even knowing it. He might come to claim Kagome as well. No, she's mine. Sesshomaru deserves to feel pain after all he took from me. I don't care if I have to hurt others in the process, as long as Sesshomaru feels suffering the way I felt.

Sesshomaru's eyes flashed red for a moment. His pathetic filthy half-breed brother and the whore were in it together. Trying to separate each other for their own pathetic purposes. What was Kikyo's reason anyway? All right, two people can play at this game, Sesshomaru thought. I'll play along and see what the truth is behind this ploy.

Sesshomaru walked away in search of Kikyo.

Kagome was hurting. Yes, it hurt like hell to see Kikyo kiss Sesshomaru like that. He didn't even resist. Kagome decided that she should find Sesshomaru to apologize for running out like that without letting him explain. No, HE will be the one to apologize this time, not me. I'm tired of always apologizing when I don't need to. With that firm resolve, Kagome went to get some lunch.

Kikyo had sensed that Sesshomaru would willingly find her, and come into her arms. She walked into an isolated area on campus that no one knew about and waited for Sesshomaru. Just as she had expected, Sesshomaru came into her view.

"Hello Sesshomaru. Care for a drink? It says that this particular drink has a spell that if couples drink it they fall in love with the other forever. I'm sure you'd like to give Kagome this wouldn't you?" Kikyo handed him the bottle that she had put some "ingredients" into.

"Wench, if you think that I would fall for your trickery, then you need to get your facts straight," Sesshomaru said coldly.

Kikyo frowned. How can he see through my plot? He knows? Inuyasha… Her eyes narrowed and her jaw tightened. "Well at least Inuyasha is happy."

"Kikyo, tell me, are you desperate enough to join forces with my filthy half-brother? You are truly pathetic and can never stoop any lower than you already have. But then again, you always find more ways to 'dirty' yourself," Sesshomaru stared at Kikyo icily, then walked away.

Kagome was angry at Inuyasha.

"How dare he? He of all people should know that I'm loyal to Sesshomaru. No matter what happens. Even…even if it kills me," Kagome said resolutely.

"Even if it kills you. Hmm…I don't think such beauty and mind should be wasted like that," a silky voice spoke.

Kagome chuckled, not of laughter mind that. "Why are you here? To destroy me more than you already have?" She turned around. "Are you here to stomp on my heart? Leave me with nothing, but an empty soul in the end? I had pieces the last time you hurt me. Now it's just tiny bits. Continue on your road buddy, and you'll leave me as a void. Is that why you're here? Tell me. Is that why you're here? Just leave me by my─"

Her ranting was cut off when lips crushed hers. An arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. They stayed like that, while pearl-like tears slowly made their way down Kagome's face.

The couple pulled away. Sesshomaru spoke softly, "I'm sorry. Will you let me explain?"

"Of course," Kagome smiled gently.

"Inuyasha and Kikyo are in it together. They planned to separate us. I'm still not sure as to why Kikyo would want me."

Kagome scoffed. "Isn't it obvious? She just wants YOU. Kikyo's a whore what do you expect? She's basically slept with every man on campus except you. So obviously, you're her next victim."

Sesshomaru just looked at Kagome. "No, there's another reason. There is lust in her eyes, but it's not as strong as her determination."

"She's determined to sleep with you, that's all," Kagome said absolutely.

"Hmm, how can I explain it to you? There's something else behind her eyes that I can't place," Sesshomaru finally decided to say.

"I see."

"She forced herself on me. I was taken by surprise. Right when you were in line-of-sight, she kissed me," Sesshomaru clenched his fists. "She twisted my actions around."

"Oh." Kagome's eyes widened in realization.

Sesshomaru would never forget what that vile wench did to hurt his Kagome.

Flashback

"Sesshy!" a shrill voice called.

He kept walking. Kikyo caught up.

"I finally know, what I want to ask you!" Kikyo said in her fake high-pitched voice that she thought men found attractive.

"Waste my time another day. I have somewhere to go."

"But..." Kikyo pouted. She grabbed his wrist.

"Release me wench," Sesshomaru demanded. He felt Kagome approaching.

"Not yet," Kikyo said firmly.

When Kagome came in to sight, Sesshomaru looked at her and waited for her to come closer.

Then all of a sudden, lips were roughly pushed against his. He was in such a state of shock he blanked out (OOC I know). Sesshomaru closed his eyes to calm down, while he barely hear a word that was being said. When Sesshomaru felt Kikyo nearing closer again, he stepped back, but what he heard infuriated him.

"Oh, I'm sorry Sessho. I forgot that you wouldn't want her to see us together," Kikyo said in her lusty voice.

His fists clenched. How dare she? Sesshomaru quickly tried to reel in his anger, but felt Kagome push between Kikyo and him. Sesshomaru opened his eyes to find Kagome was gone. That was when all hell broke loose. Well not really, he tried very hard not to kill the bitch right then and there.

End Flashback

"Sesshomaru, I forgive you," Kagome said. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "You don't need to explain anymore. I understand. You were innocent and Inuyasha and Kikyo were the ones responsible, yes?"

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Sesshomaru smiled.

"Yes you could, you're just being nice and not being your arrogant self," Kagome smiled and leaned to kiss him, Sesshomaru met her half way there.

They pulled apart. "I'm glad we went through that though. It made us as a couple stronger." Kagome said.

"Yes it did. I trust you fully Kagome, and I'll love you till the end." Sesshomaru declared.

"And I trust you, and I'll love you forever." Kagome took his hand and they walked towards their next class.

"After class, we have a free period correct? Well, I believe we have scores to settle," Sesshomaru said thoughtfully.

"But we don't even know Kikyo's motive," Kagome mentioned.

"Yes, then we'll have to deal with Inuyasha first." Sesshomaru planted a kiss on her forehead and they continued their way.

A/n: okay…well I lied… not a long chapter, but apparently I am unable to write long chapters. And I was wondering should I keep Sango in the story because I'd really like to just keep focusing on Sesshomaru and Kagome and maybe bring Sango and Miroku in when they're needed so… please give me your input…. The vote begins!

Sango in---0

Sango out---0

Miroku in---0

Miroku out---0