Blackiecat: -bows before her faithful readers and reviewers- I'M SORRY! – dodges fruitlessly as her reviewers start throwing angry tomatoes at her – I'M SORRY I SAY! T.T

Sesshomaru/Shippo/Kagome: -scolds BC-

Blackiecat: T.T

REVIEW RESPONSES

Lady mystic Saria: I tried T.T

Kogascubsmother: I'm writing now! I'm writing now!!

InUyAsHaFaN2004: Thanks for your critique! I'm working more on Shippo and Rin. Just read and see! nn

Everlasting hope: Thank you.

Yoyo person: Interesting name! Any how yes, Inu is stupid… for now. But just wait and see, 'cause here's your update!

Inuluva: I'm glad you're getting sucked in, that's a good thing! And I'm doing my best to update now that I'm settled in with school; I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

DimmingBlackRose: Whoa, cool name! anyhow, thanks for the review!

Dragon Man 180: Thanks for your ideas once more! As for your question, Sesshomaru isn't saying "this Sesshomaru," all the time because I'm having him only say it when he wants to sound intimidating. I don't hear him use it all the time, so I might as well keep it that way!

Bloody-mary216: lol, yes Kikyo is an annoying biatch. Any how, thanks much for your review, and I hope you enjoy the next chappie!

END REVIEW RESPONSES

BC: WOW! Lots of reviews! Well, it has been awhile since I updated, and they will build up over time… -rolls eyes- Anyways, here is your next chapter!

Everyone else: w00t!

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"Inuyasha! We need to go find Kagome! Why are we going back to the village?!" Sango exclaimed. It was easy to see that she was very angry with what had happened, and what was happening.

FLASHBACK

"Sesshomaru has her," said Inuyasha.

"What?!" Sango yelled. "Then let's go! We have to save her!"

"Yes, let's hurry Inuyasha!" said Miroku.

"Wait, Inuyasha come with me I need to talk to you," said Kikyo.

"Uh, guys, I'll be right back," replied Inuyasha. Kikyo led him off into the forest, and they came back a few minutes later. "Listen, Miroku, Sango? We... we aren't going to go get Kagome… we're gonna continue the shard hunt with… Kikyo as her replacement…" murmured Inuyasha.

"BUT INUYASHA! HOW COULD YOU LEAVE KAGOME LIKE THAT?!" Santo screamed. Inuyasha only turned and left for the village. Sango was about to turn and follow after Sesshomaru, but Miroku stopped her.

"Sango, We cannot leave Inuyasha. If we do, we won't be able to get revenge on Naraku. Also, we've already lost sight of Sesshomaru, and we don't exactly know where he lives. It would be reckless to rush after him!" he reasoned. Sango listened to his reasoning, and followed after Inuyasha in a huff. Miroku was close behind.

END FLASHBACK

Sango was still trying to figure out what Kikyo and Inuyasha had been talking about that had made him change his mind. She was furious with him.

Inuyasha was really downcast. He knew what he was doing felt wrong, but he didn't want to lose Kikyo. He loved her, and she would have left him. He remembered what she had said to him after she led him into the forest.

FLASHBACK

"Inuyasha, Don't go to save my reincarnation." Kikyo pleaded.

"You mean Kagome? Kikyo what are you talking about?! We have to save her!" he responded. Inuyasha was shocked that Kikyo didn't want Kagome to be saved. What was going on?

"Well then, Inuyasha, since she will be here I guess I won't be of good use, and I should leave," she said, sounding sad.

"N-no, Kikyo wait. W-we won't go save Kagome, please stay," he pleaded with her.

"Alright Inuyasha. I will stay, but only if you don't go retrieve my reincarnation," she said. It seemed like she was devoid of emotion, only capable of anger and hate. But he loved her, she was his Kikyo. He loved her.

END FLASHBACK

Inuyasha really did feel bad about not going to save Kagome. He felt like he was abandoning her and leaving her to die at his brother's hand. His ears lay flat upon his head the entire way back to the village. His depression really caught up to him when they arrived back at the village, and Sango stormed off to the hut without saying a word to him. Mmiroku followed closely behind her. He jumped into the top of the Goshinboku tree, and thought about all that was happening around him. And Kagome had the piece of the Jewel. 'Oh… what am I going to do?'

AUAUAUAU

"Wooooow!" Kagome exclaimed when she saw the dining room. She was looking around with awe. The dining room was painted a lavender color that made her feel right at home. There were bright lanterns in all corners of the room, and across the entirety of one of the walls, there were windows that looked out over all of the western lands. The carpet was white, and there was a table bit enough to seat about twenty people. It was made from what looked like cherry wood. All of the lanterns were lit, and it made Kagome feel warm inside, like the flames were actually lit inside her. "This is definetly my favorite room in the whole castle!" she said.

Sesshomaru inwardly smirked. This was actually his favorite room too. If he couldn't think, or felt stressed and frustrated, he would come and look out the windows. Seeing his lands looking so calm gave him a peaceful calming part of mind. But he didn't need to tell her that. He walked over and sat down at the head of the table, beckoning the still awe-struck Kagome to sit at his right side. A servant appeared and asked what they would like to eat. Kagome asked for a simple soup, and Sesshomaru asked for some tea. The servant bowed and left to the kitchen. "Kagome, what was it like traveling with my damned half brother. How on earth did you put up with him?"

Kagome didn't answer, she just stared at Sesshomaru. After just a moment she spoke, "You said my name…" she mumbled.

"Yes…" he had used her name. Since when did he use any human's name besides Rin's? He didn't let it show on his face. "But will you please answer my question?"

"Oh!..." sadness clouded her eyes. "A-at first it was scary… traveling around battling demons. But soon I began to enjoy searching for the jewel shards. Then, one day when I came back from my time, I found Inuyasha with Kikyo. He was telling her that he loved her. Over the time I spent with Inuyasha, I had fallen in love with him, so I was heartbroken. I took Shippo, and left. And now I'm here," she finished. He could smell salt coming from her, and her bangs shadowed her eyes. He knew she was trying not to cry, and he didn't know what to do. He heard her sniffle once or twice, and saw her rub her eyes. She took control of her tears, and didn't let them fall.

"Lord Sesshomaru, the food you requested is ready." It was the servant, and she had Sesshomaru's tea and Kagome's soup. Kagome picked up her chopstics and began to eat.

"Mmm, this is good," sighed Kagome. Almost anything tasted good when one is that hungry, but she began to eat at a slightly greedier pace. Soon she was done, and Sesshomaru had just started drinking his tea. She looked at him, he was frozen at mid-sip. "Wow, did I really eat that fast?" he arched an eyebrow, and Kagome took that as a yes. "Oh… hehehe…" Sesshomaru drained his tea, and stood up walking towards the door.

"Come, I will lead you back to your room." He opened the door, and waited for her to follow. She stood up, and followed Sesshomaru to her room.

AUAUAUAU

The next morning Kagome awoke in the bright sun. She kept her eyes closed tight, she didn't want to wake up. She was forced to wake up when someone sat beside her and gently shook her awake. "Kagome… wake up girl." A deep masculine voice finally brought her to open her eyes. Sesshomaru was towering above her.

"Good morning, Sesshomaru-sama," mumbled Kagome, her voice laced with sleep. "Why isn't Kuro the one waking me up?" she asked. She saw worry flash over his eyes before he spoke to her.

"Kuro has been injured, so I took it upon myself to wake you up and take you to her," he replied. Kagome sat up quickly out of shock.

"WHAT?! She's hurt?! What happened?!"

"I believe she was attacked by another servant… or two or three. They must have found out that she used the guest springs with you…"

"Well let's go! I need to see if she's okay!" Kagome realized how close their faces were and she blushed. They were only about three inches apart. Sesshomaru got up, and Kagome rushed up out of her bed after him. A sharp pain shot from her stomach throughout her body, and she stopped dead in her tracks. She put a hand over her stomach, and felt something warm and wet. "Sesshomaru, my wound re-opened…" She thought she heard him sigh and he turned and walked over to her.

Sesshomaru gently picked her up bridal style, and carried her to Kuro's room. When they arrived, he carefully set her down by Kuro's bedside. "Kuro, what happened?!" she asked as soon as her feet touched the ground.

"I was beaten by a group of jealous slaves who covered their scents and their faces. I don't know who they were, but they warned me to never bathe in the guest springs again. Or they'd kill me! My injuries are some bruises and a broken leg. I won't be able to work for three days," Kuro replied. "I'm also sad to say that I won't be joining you in the guests springs a second time."

"Aw, Kuro I'm sorry! I shouldn't have had you join me in the springs! This would have never happened…"

"No! Don't be sorry! To bathe in the hot springs was well worth the minor pain inflicted upon me by the other servants!" Kuro disagreed. Sesshomaru walked forward, and spoke his own piece of mind.

"This will not happen again. Kuro, you may bathe with Kagome as you please, but first I will put two buckets of the servant's body and hair wash in there for you to use. This way the guest springs will not be smelled on you, and no one will know," he said. The two girls stared at him with dropped jaws.

"Yes Sesshomaru-sama!" exclaimed Kuro, bowing her head as much as she could in her sitting position, and a huge grin appeared on Kagome's face.

"Thanks, Sesshomaru-sama!" Kagome stood and gave him a quick hug, she then hobbled around the bed and sat down on it with Kuro. Sesshomaru watched her the entire time she was up walking. He was strangely glad that he was the one that had brought Kagome joy, and rather liked the feeling.

"I'll leave you two to reminisce," said Sesshomaru, and he turned and exited the room. He went to his study to get some work done, but once again that damn woman-child was on his mind.

AUAUAUAU

Kagome continued to talk with Kuro, they discussed the next time Kuro would guide her to the springs, and other things. After about an hour, they both tired and fell asleep.

Sesshomaru soon came back to the room, and found them both asleep. He looked at Kagome's clothing, and could see that her wound had apparently closed again. The blood stain was dry, and he could smell no fresh blood. He sighed and walked over, picking her up. He carried her to her room, and on the way she fidgeted and opened her eyes a bit. He stopped, "Can you walk, Kagome?" She shook her head no and closed her eyes, falling asleep again. He brought her the rest of the way there, and set her on the bed. He covered her up, turned, and left quietly closing her door.

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BC: Well that's it for your most recent chapter, I know it's not that long but it will have to suffice for now! Anyways, please read and review!

Crew: YES! READ AND REVIEW!

BC: be writing to all you peoples later! This is Blackiecat, signing off!