BC: Hi everyone! I'm back with the second chapter! I'm very excited about this new story, except that I got flamed for the pairing I chose, which I really think is unfair. Anyways, I'll start with review responses.

ReViEw ReSpOnSeS

Keya13: I am working on both stories at the same time, and the other story is very very close to completion. That's why I got started on a second story. Please don't flame me for the pairing I chose, it isn't fair. There are a lot of other authors who use this pairing, and I quite like it. So please don't flame me anymore. If you don't like the story, then don't read it.

Dragon Man 180: Thanks for the suggestion! It came in quite useful for the story :3 also, thanks for reading! It makes me feel special, considering you don't usually go for this paring.

bloody-mary216: Thanks for the review! And I'm going to make the chappies longer then that first one was. Thanks for the review!

EnD rEvIeW rEsPoNsEs

BC: well that's it for review responses, thanks for all your reviews! … Except for the flame. Anyways, it's disclaimer time.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

BC: ok here's your chappie!

Chapter two: In the Castle

AUAUAUAUA

As Sesshomaru stopped in front of Kagome's room, he could hear her soft cries. 'Weak ningen,' he thought. 'She is probably in pain; I guess I'll see what's wrong.' Sesshomaru slid open the door, and watched her for just a moment. She had turned towards him when she heard her door open. Confusion was evident in here eyes. She spoke, her voice slightly raspy.

"Sesshomaru-sama? Where am I? And where is Shippo?" she asked, her tears had slowed and stopped as she spoke.

'Perhaps she was frightened about not knowing her whereabouts,' Sesshomaru concluded. 'Now she knows, but is not afraid? Oh well, I probably wouldn't understand why she doesn't fear me. Ningens are too confusing.' "You are at my home, and the Kitsune cub is playing with Rin out in the gardens," he turned and closed the door behind him. "Meanwhile, I will change your bandages." He looked at her and saw her blushing. As he walked over to her he said, "Do not let modesty get in the way of your life. Also, that strange contraption is still in place. You are covered." Her blush went down a bit, and she hesitantly removed the top half of her kimono. He gently sat her up so he could get his hands behind her, and removed her the bandage. He heard her gasp at the wound. It had scabbed over, but it was quite large.

"I'm surprised that I survived…" she mumbled.

"So am I." replied Sesshomaru. He cleaned the skin around the wound, and pulled a clean bandage out of his haori. (That's right, right? A/N – he has his armor off.) He wrapped it around her middle, being gentle so he wouldn't hurt her. "How are you feeling?" he asked her.

"I'm doing OK, except for the hole in my stomach," she said lightly. Even when injured, she still had a sense of humor.

'That's good, that means she hasn't lost hope of survival.' He thought. "Lay back," he instructed, gently laying her back down. "You are not to drink for two days, or eat for five. Your stomach may have been injured, so we need to wait for it to heal some. You should sleep." He then stood, and left her to rest. 'Well, it looks like everything is Ok now.'

AUAUAUAUA

Kagome closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep. A few thoughts assaulted her mind, and they were keeping her awake. Why was she at Sesshomaru's castle? And why had Sesshomaru been so gentle? Also, couldn't he have sent a doctor to care for her, instead of doing it himself? She realized that her kimono top was still off, but she was too tired to fix it. She realized that Sesshomaru must have changed her into the clothing the night before. Blushing, she closed her eyes and relaxed. One more thought hit her before she fell asleep. 'Who is Rin?'

AUAUAUAUA

Kagome was gently shook awake, and a woman's voice brought her from her deep slumber. "Kagome-sama? Kagome-sama! Please wake up! You've been sleeping for a whole day now; you need to drink water so that you can live!" Kagome opened her eyes and looked at the woman who had shaken her awake.

"Huh? Wha?" Kagome's voice was raspy, and her throat was dry. She felt very thirsty.

"Here," the voice from before handed her a glass of water. Kagome looked at her. She was a very beautiful Black Panther hanyou. She had long black hair that was pulled up into a high ponytail. She had black cat ears, and a long black tail. She had rich violet eyes which shone with kindness. As Kagome took a drink, the woman spoke again. "My name is Kuro-gawa. I am at your service." Kagome could see her bow over the rim of the glass.

"You may call me Kagome," Kagome replied after finishing the glass of water. "It's nice to meet you." Kagome held her glass out to the servant, who took it hastily.

"Would it really be okay for me to drop the formalities?" she asked.

"Of course! I hate formalities. And may I call you Kuro? I don't want servants, just friends!" said Kagome. She remembered about how her friends from her time always said that she should be known for her naivety, and her kindness.

"Yes you may, Kagome, and I would love to be your friend!" replied Kuro, smiling happily. "May I change your bandages, Lady- I mean Kagome?"

"Go ahead, Kuro." Kuro sat down on the bed as Kagome removed the Kimono top that sometime during her slumber had been fixed. When Kuro finished bandaging the wound, Kagome asked, "Are there any other clothes that are not so tight as this kimono?"

"Yes, we do. How about a Haori and Hakama pants?" she replied.

"Oh! Like what Inuyasha wears, a loose shirt and big comfy pants? Yea sure!" Kuro hopped off the bed, and pulled a white Haori/Hakama set out of the wardrobe as Kagome slowly rose. She had no trouble getting her kimono off, but putting on the haori and the hakamas was a little more difficult. After Kuro helped her dress, she got back under the covers so she could rest. With kind goodbyes, Kuro left and Kagome went back to sleep.

AUAUAUAUA

It was five days later, and Kagome had healed quite well. She was finally able to eat a small meal, which was a bowl of miso soup. After her meal, Shippo, a little girl, and Sesshomaru gave her a visit. "Hi Shippo, Sesshomaru-sama! And what's your name?" Kagome asked the little girl, who hid behind Sesshomaru's legs. She walked out, gave Kagome a small bow, and spoke.

"Rin's name is Rin! It's nice to meet you! What's your name, you're very pretty!" the girl named Rin said all in one breath. This caused Kagome to giggle a bit.

"So, how have you and Shippo gotten along?" asked Kagome.

"Rin loves Shippo! Shippo is Rin's new brother, and you are his okaa-san! Um… Kagome, will you be Rin's Okaa-san too?"

"Sure I will, Rin!" Kagome said. Rin cheered happily, and would have run to hug her new okaa-san. But Sesshomaru stopped her before she got anywhere.

"Rin, remember that Kagome is injured. She must avoid too much contact." Sesshomaru reminded the little girl. He had spoken with Rin and Shippo before entering the room.

"Um, Sesshomaru-sama?" asked Kagome. "It's been five days since I bathed, so could I take a bath?"

"Yes, please do," he replied, scrunching his nose a bit. "I'll have Kuro direct you to the indoor hot springs."

"Arigato, Sesshomaru-sama! Arigato!" Kagome thanked him. When she had been helped up, she hobbled over and gave him a small hug. She was then led off to the hot spring, as he stood there, his eyes slightly widened.

'Why did she hug me?' he asked himself.

AUAUAUAUA

As Kagome was led down a few hallways in the direction of the springs, she thought to herself, 'why did I hug him? Something just said 'hug him' when I stood up. Oh well.' She decided to talk with Kuro along the way. "Um, Kuro? How far away are we from the hot springs? It kinda hurts to walk."

"Not too far, Kagome. It's just up ahead. Um, can I ask you a question?" replied Kuro.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Um, why did you hug Sesshomaru-sama?"

"I don't really know. I just… did."

"Oh, Ok. Well, we're here!" Kuro stopped and opened a shoji screen. As Kagome walked through the door, she gasped at the beauty of the springs. It looked like a series of waterfalls that emptied into one big pool. Except for the four walls, it actually looked like the springs were outside. Grass grew on the ground around the rocks that created the beauty of the springs. A wardrobe rested upon carefully installed tiles. They left enough room to stand on and open the door. Before sliding off her Haori and Hakamas, (A/N: she would change her clothes daily.) She dipped her toe in the warm water. 'It feels so nice!' Kagome opened the door Kuro had closed, and beckoned Kuro into the springs.

"Kuro, will you join me?" Kagome asked her.

"U-um, Sesshomaru-sama said I was not allowed in his guest springs…" she stuttered.

"Its okay, Kuro!" Kagome gently grabbed her hand and tugged her in the room. "I won't tell! And if he finds out, I'll take the fall, and say that I wanted you to join me!" she reassured her friend.

"O-okay, if you say so." The girls removed their clothing, and gently stepped into the springs. They both sighed happily as they sunk into the warm water.

"The water is so nice!" said Kagome. "I would go to sleep if I was tired, or stay here forever if I could!" Kuro laughed a bit.

"The servant's springs aren't as nice and warm as these ones! What a wonderful experience!" replied Kuro happily. Both girls giggled a bit.

"Kuro, what about shampoo and body wash?" Kagome asked, suddenly remembering they had not retrieved the necessary substances.

"Oh, do you mean hair and body wash? They're in the buckets by the wardrobe. The pink is hair wash, and the blue is body wash. Do you wish for me to retrieve them?"

"If you want to. Other wise, I will get them myself."

"I'll do it." Kuro replied, a happy cheer to her voice. She got out of the water, walked over to the wardrobe, and picked up the buckets. She then brought them back, and set them down by Kagome. She slid into the water close by, and grabbed some of the pink hair wash. Kagome followed suite. When they were done, they stepped out of the water, and returned the buckets. Then they got dressed. Kagome picked out a clean Haori and Hakamas, and Kuro dressed back into her servant's kimono.

As Kagome was being led back to her room, she remembered Inuyasha and Kikyo. Why hadn't Inuyasha came barging in, wielding Tetsusaiga? Did he even know where she was? Or did he know, but not care because he had Kikyo? Kagome's eyes brimmed with tears as she thought of the night she was attacked, the night she saw them. "What's wrong, Kagome?" Kuro's question was innocent enough, but it brought on the wave of tears Kagome was trying to hold back.

"I'm heartbroken, Kuro! The man I love loves another… and he only sees her in me. I'm just his shard detector…" Kagome sobbed. Kuro stopped Kagome and gave her a gentle hug, trying to sooth away her sorrows.

"It'll be okay, Kagome! I'm sure you'll get over it! Maybe even fall in love with another. But… what does 'shard detector' mean?" Kagome giggled a bit through her sobs.

"I'm the protector of the Shikon Jewel, and I accidentally shattered it. I can see the shards of the Shikon Jewel when a distance away, or in possession of another. And that's my only use to him." Kagome pulled out of the hug and showed Kuro the half-jewel that hung from her neck. Kuro gasped at the chunk of the jewel.

"I've heard about it having been broken, and how one shard can give someone immense power! Is that many shards that were put together?"

"Yep," Kagome took a few deep breaths as her tears stopped. "Thanks Kuro."

"No problem," she replied. Kuro then brought Kagome back to her room, where her sheets had been changed. Kagome got comfy under the covers, said goodbye to Kuro, and then fell asleep.

AUAUAUAUA

Sesshomaru was sitting in his study. He couldn't seem to get Kagome off his mind. He had heard their conversation when they stopped outside of his door. His hanyou half-brother had chose a dead corpse over the girl. He knew his brother was stupid, but that had brought him to a whole new level. He officially lost all respect, which wasn't much, for his brother. He decided to visit the girl alone, so he could talk to her. He walked down the halls, and when he arrived in the hall where Kagome's room was, he saw Kuro close the door and walk in his direction.

"Oh, Sesshomaru-sama!" she bowed. He took a sniff at her, and he could smell the hair wash from the guest hot springs. Apparently she had used the guest springs with Kagome. He let a small smile slip as Kuro stood up.

"Kuro-gawa, you used the guest springs," he said. He watched horror pass over her features, and she bowed deeply.

"Y-yes Sesshomaru-sama. Please forgive me!" She stuttered while praying for forgiveness.

"Don't worry about it Kuro, I know you wouldn't have gone in uninvited. Go ahead and get back to work," he said lightly. Since she had been invited in, he was pretty sure of that, he wasn't at all angry. He was only worried about other servants finding out. If they knew, they would probably do horrible things to her…

When he arrived at her door, he slid it open and found her asleep. 'She must tire very easily.' He slid the door shut, and left.

AUAUAUAUA

Kagome woke again later that evening. She got carefully out of bed, and looked out her window. The sun was just starting to set. "Aaah, it feels so good to get out of bed!" she said to herself, stretching carefully. "Well, since I don't really know my way around, I wanna explore." Kagome turned and left the room.

Kagome walked down the beautiful hallway that just screamed, "I am of high power! Bow down to me!" It was a rich red color, paintings, lights, and numerous other things decorated the walls. She turned a few more corners, and ended up at a dead end. She turned back around, and nothing seemed familiar for some reason. "Great, I'm lost." Kagome tried to find her room, but only ended up more lost. She sped up, and ran into someone or something when she turned a corner. She reached out as she fell, and gripped cloth. It kept her from falling. She looked up, and saw Sesshomaru. She was gripping his Haori.

"Be careful about where you are going, girl," he said, grabbing her hand from his haori and helping her right herself.

"I'm sorry Sesshomaru-sama. I was exploring the castle and got lost," she bowed somewhat stiffly. "Um, could you guide me to my room?" she asked, although her stomach betrayed her request, and growled loudly. Kagome blushed, and Sesshomaru inwardly smiled.

"I suppose I will bring you back to your room, but first I'll get you something to eat. Come with me," he beckoned her along. "You'll eat dinner with me in the dining room," he told her.

"The dining room? I bet it's grand," she replied.

"Quite," he responded, smiling inwardly again.

AUAUAUAUA

BC: well there's chapter two! What didja think? Review and tell me! Can't wait 'till next time, see ya all again!