AN: Hey there! AxidentlGoddess here…what, you were expecting the Easter Bunny? Anyway, sorry I haven't updated in so long…but we lost two people at work and while OT is nice for the bank account it's hell on sleep. And it didn't happen that this chapter decided to give me fits. I'm still not sure I like how it turned out…but it had to end. So…here you go!

Disclaimer: Despite repeated attempts and much clever sneakiness Rumiko Takahashi's works still do not belong to me. But give me time….

Good Morning

The gentle warmth of Brother Sun grazed the Lord's face, pulling him gently towards wakefulness. Sesshomaru instantly begun to scowl. Not at the fact that he had fallen asleep when there was a dangerous plot afoot, no, he wasn't awake enough to remember that. He was disgruntled merely because of the detestable and unavoidable fact that he was waking up.

Many assumed that because he was a Taiyoukai that he didn't really need all that much sleep. Many would not be wrong. His power sustained him for long periods of time. His connection to the energies around him fed him and ensured that he needed far less time to rejuvenate. His status and lifestyle made it dangerous. The fact of the matter was that Sesshomaru, feared Cardinal Lord of the Western Lands and most powerful Taiyoukai in greater Japan, liked to sleep.

Perhaps it was silly and frivolous, but it was none the less true. And he guarded it greedily. It wasn't that he was lazy, not by any measure, it was just that he was afforded so few pleasures in the sea of responsibilities, honor, and obligations that ruled his life. He liked the peace, the relaxation, but most of all, the dreams. In the dreams he could live the life he never could while waking. He could flit off as he pleased. He could shirk as he wanted. Hell, he could chase butterflies in the nude if he so desired. Actually, he'd done that before, though that particular dream had ended poorly as the butterflies had suddenly changed into little, hopping toads that had then decided to chase him. He preferred not to think about that dream too much or too closely, it was rather disturbing.

And usually he enjoyed all parts of sleep. In fact, he rather reveled in the slow waking, that gentle daze that lazes gradually towards a peaceful wakefulness. But this time he wished to hold onto the rapidly disappearing sleep he'd been in. The dreams had been most…pleasurable.

He sighed inwardly as sleep and the dream faded more and more until he gradually became aware of other things. One thing in particular, most likely the thing that had actually awoken him. Laughter. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence these days that he would awaken to laughter, not since Rin joined him. She was a happy child and it seemed sometimes that the simplest things amused her. All in all, it was a rather pleasant way to wake up.

But there was something different this morning…or rather, something more. His still dozed mind easily recognized Rin's tinkling laugh, like little silver bells on the wind. What shoved him a little more towards alertness was that it was joined by another, unfamiliar one. He paused and listened to it…It was decidedly feminine, that was for sure, but it wasn't like Rin's. No, this one was deeper, more mature, and while Rin's seemed to tinkle this other one almost rang. It shimmered on the air, warm and full, and made one want to laugh with it. Or at least smile. There was just such a life to it.

No, Sesshomaru had never heard this laugh before, but he suddenly found himself wanting to hear more.

Just then, the slight breeze that had been ghosting through the clearing shifted, blowing from the source of the laughter instead of towards and brought with it a now familiar and torturous scent. Sesshomaru groaned inwardly as he felt his body start to stir and his instincts fight for control as he recognized just what that delectable scent was.

Kagome.

Knowledge and remembrance came to him in a flood as he came to full wakefulness with a sigh. Oh yes, that's right. I'm cursed. Fighting off the grimace he slowly opened his eyes to the new day…which seemed to seek out the source of the scent that had him so besieged almost of their own will.

He remembered why he'd decided opening his eyes was a bad idea.

Some little distance away from him, further down the clearing, was the picture of innocent delight. Sesshomaru gazed almost idly, settling back into his first waking daze as he took in the scene. There, surrounded by a field of flowers, was one of the most peaceful and striking images he had ever seen. His ward, Rin, was sitting on Ah-Un's back, lazily kicking her legs back and forth while she talked to the vision of beauty standing in front of her. Kagome.

In the moonlight she had been dazzling, but in the gentle sun of the morning she was radiant. Her silver hair spilled down her back in a gentle wave to stop just above the small of her back and glinted in the light. She had kept it down, but used two of the ornamental clips to keep it back from her face. And her face…her skin nearly glowed, pale beneath the delicate sapphire stripes. He only saw her from profile, but it was the most perfect profile he'd ever seen.

Sesshomaru sighed, not even bothering to keep it to himself in his first waking laze. It wasn't real, he knew that. He should be upset, angry, enraged even, but he found it impossible as he watched his dragon nuzzle at her. Huh, strange that. Ah-Un didn't usually take to people like that, especially not strangers. Sure, his scent was on her, but it was obvious that she was not him. Besides, long association had caused his scent to rub off on Jaken a bit as well, and the twined dragon definitely would not let the imp stroke his muzzle the way he was letting Kagome. Not unless he was planning to eat him.

Despite everything, he found himself in a peaceful almost half-doze as he watched the little scene, not really thinking on it one way or the other. He blamed it on the fact that he'd just woken up. After all, Sesshomaru was not always at his best when first waking. Sure, if there was danger near he would be instantly alert, he was almost never caught off guard. But waking like this…he decided not to think on it.

Maybe this remains some peaceful dream, he mused. Perhaps I should enjoy it before it turns back into a nightmare.

With that Sesshomaru allowed himself a slow waking as he watched the heavenly scene before him.

ooOoo

Despite popular opinion, Jaken was no fool. He knew his Lord and he knew him well. Well, as well as anyone could. He wasn't the most open of youkai. But Jaken had been following him for some time now and had come to understand a few things about the magnificent being he was so blessed to serve. He was strong and honorable and beautiful and brilliant…and boy could he hold a grudge. Granted, he didn't tend to hold them long, mostly because the grudge tended to end quickly in a rather messy death. It was generally wise not to incur the Western Lord's ire, unless you were no longer fond of breathing.

Not that it was really all that easy to seriously enrage the Lord, but it was certainly easy to annoy him. And Sesshomaru did not generally deal with annoyance well. Jaken had come to find his Lord valued tranquility and was none too forgiving to have his peace intruded upon. Jaken blamed the courts. He knew the annoyances Lord Sesshomaru had to put up with because of them, annoyances he couldn't do anything about but deal with in an 'acceptable' manner. It made the Lord guard his peace jealously, and woe to anyone who disturbed it.

When Jaken had awoken and found the stranger within the camp, not only that, but with the Lords precious Ward, he had feared the worst. A stranger would mean a disturbance, a disturbance meant annoyance, and annoyance usually meant that Jaken was introduced to the working end of his Lord's boot. After all, Jaken had failed to notice the intruder.

He knew something else about his Lord, though. He was generally the most forgiving, or at least likely to over look things, when he first woke up. Jaken had escaped many a punishment by apologizing within those first few moments of the Lord's wakefulness when he was still wrapped within the peacefulness of sleep and more difficult to rise to ire. When he heard his Lord sigh blissfully Jaken knew his chance to avoid a booting had come.

"Sesshomaru-sama," he said as softly as possible, endeavoring not to break the peace that currently surrounded him, "this humble servant begs forgiveness for failing to notice the stranger's presence. I fear I didn't not wake upon her arrival to challenge her. But she seems to be of no harm and the human child seems quite taken with her, though this does not excuse my lax…"

"Jaken," the Lord's deep voice interrupted him and Jaken immediately fell silent, judging the tone. It had not been harsh or sharp or anything else that generally preceded a thumping. So far so good. He hesitantly raised his eyes to find his Lord still gazing at the new arrival.

"She is…" the Lord paused as though considering his words. Not uncommon, after all, his Lord's words were powerful things, not to be bestowed upon the unworthy. "my guest."

Jaken blinked and turned to look at the female that had joined them, finally taking her in now that the fear of impending doom had lessened. Quite beautiful, he had to admit, if you liked that sort. And powerful. Jaken blinked again. Was it…could it possibly be…

"My Lord, can it be?" Jaken started, startled into speaking without thinking…another common occurrence. "Have you finally chosen a mate? I must say, she is most lovely a bitch. And powerful. And her scent is ever so pleasing. Hmm, yes, a wise choice indeed, Sesshomaru-sama."

Oh, yes, his Lord would make such a wise choice. His Lord was very wise indeed. The imp turned back, his beak gaped in a grin, only to freeze. Every muscle in his Lord seemed to have tensed. His hand was fisted, his jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed. Jaken gulped and cowered slightly behind his staff. What had he done now?

ooOoo

Sesshomaru had managed to hold onto his peaceful daze through most of Jaken's little speech. Not an easy thing to do, that. He often wondered why he kept the little imp on, considering that his voice was grating on Inuyoukai hearing, he scent offensive to the nose, and his manner more annoying than not. Mostly Sesshomaru tuned him out and considered it a testing of his control. He was usually quite proud of himself about that. Most would have killed the deposed underlord by now.

But when Jaken had mentioned Kagome being his mate that control nearly went out the proverbial window. His peace shattered as his instinct remembered just why he found her scent so pleasing and his daze was shattered with a rather painful need . He suddenly found it all he could do not to rush over to her side and wrap her up in his arm, curl his tail around her, bury his nose in the shining hair he been admiring, and lick at her neck. A most proper 'good morning' to one's mate.

No, there will be no licking, he growled at himself. No licking of any sort. She is not my mate.

He could feel his retainer start to tremble at his sudden mood change, but ignored it in favor of reigning in his more primal responses and keeping the whimper of disappointment in his mind. It would seriously not do to start whimpering like a hungry pup. Jaken's head might explode if he did that, and Sesshomaru certainly didn't want to deal with that mess on top of everything else.

Ironically enough, the mental image of the imp's head going 'splat' managed to break the sudden struggle with his Beast. Apparently his instincts recognized the danger for the disgusting thing it really was. Ah, the Gods bless survival instincts.

His relief, however, was short lived.

"Sesshomaru-sama! Ohaiyo!"

It seemed that Jaken's genuflecting and subsequent sputtering had drawn the attention of his Ward. He focused to see the young girl waving cheerily at him from the back of the dragon as she noticed he was awake. He also focused back just in time to see Kagome spin around towards him and felt his breath catch at the sight. Her hair spun out like a cloud of silver, her sapphire eyes wide and bright, her cherry blossom lips parted sensuously…

Stop, just stop. Please.

Sesshomaru squeezed his eyes shut to block out the scene. It had been a long night and it looked like it was going to be a long day. He seriously had to gain some control over his responses to her.

He barely noticed the two females approaching him as he fought against the instant rapture. Well, until he found himself pounced. There were times when Rin really reminded him of an Inu puppy, but little did it more than her tendency to pounce on him in greeting. The mornings were generally the most enthusiastic. Usually she just launched herself at his leg and wrapped herself around it. In the morning, however, he was generally seated and thus not tall enough to avoid a full on assault. The first time it had happened he had been briefly worried as he watched her fly through the air that she was going to impale herself on his armor. Since then he had discovered Rin had a remarkable ability to avoid the spikes, though he never quite figured out how.

"Good morning, Sesshomaru-sama," she grinned at him as she pulled back before thrusting a handful of wildflowers at him. "Rin picked these for you."

Sesshomaru said nothing, not trusting himself to speak, and took the flowers. For the briefest of moments he was distracted from the fight he was having with his instincts at the happy sound of her voice. Nothing ever seemed quite so bad when Rin talked to him, her voice so light and full of life, herself so full of joyous energy. Rin beamed at him before turning to Jaken.

"Rin would have picked flowers for Jaken-sama too, but Rin knows Jaken-sama does not like them." Not waiting for the toad to squawk at her, she turned back to her Lord. "Sesshomaru-sama, Rin also found a pretty lady."

A warm chuckle drew his attention away from his Ward and to the woman that had come up behind her.

"Good morning, Sesshomaru," she said with a soft smile on her face. Sesshomaru could only stare up at her, momentarily entranced by that smile before giving himself a sharp mental slap.

"Good morning, Kagome."

He watched as the woman blinked and her smile widened, momentarily wondering just what he had done to make that happen, and trying to ignore the fuzzy feeling it created. This Sesshomaru is not fuzzy. Furry sometimes, perhaps. But not fuzzy. Kittens are fuzzy. Chicks are fuzzy. I am not fuzzy.

"Ka-ka-ka… Kagome?" Jaken shrilled. Sesshomaru cut his eyes over to the imp to find him staring slack-jawed at the woman with his eyes about three times their normal size. A truly disturbing sight. "But…but my Lord! That is the name of Inuyasha's bitch!"

For a moment Sesshomaru saw red. There were so many reasons he had a hard time picking one. It could have been that Jaken had once again failed to follow his orders not to say his half-brother's name in his presence or to curse around Rin. It could have been the effects the spell was having on his instincts, making Kagome being referred to as anyone else's intolerable. It could have been the fact that Jaken's shrill voice nearly pierced his eardrums. Choices, choices.

Many choice punishments and terrible deaths flashed across his mind in that instant of red, but apparently the hesitation was enough to rob him of the chance to use any of them.

Jaken squeaked as Kagome picked him up by the neck of his robes and the imp gulped as he looked in to her glaring face.

"What did you just call me?" she growled and Sesshomaru had to fight of a smirk at just how adorable she looked, glaring and growling like a disgruntled pup. Rin giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. Jaken just squeaked.

"For your information," Kagome continued, "my name is Kagome and I am no one's bitch. Get it straight, toad, or I'll take that staff of yours and punt you into another swamp like I did when we met. You got me?"

Jaken continued making squeaking and gurgling sounds and this time the smirk would not be held back. Kagome shook him once and the imp started nodding furiously. Rin was full out laughing as Kagome dropped is servant with a satisfied 'hnh'. Jaken, for his part, just stared up at the woman, caught somewhere between fear, shock, and befuddlement.

The little scene was interrupted, however, when Rin's stomach let out a growl loud enough to frighten a lesser youkai into hiding. The girl immediately stopped laughing and looked at everyone with a slightly sheepish grin.

"Rin," Sesshomaru said, drawing attention back to himself, "there are some berry bushes down the river a ways. Take Ah-uh."

Rin grinned at him. "Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama!" She turned and scampered towards the two-headed dragon, once again reminding the Lord of a little pup. Maybe she had been one in her last life. Maybe it was because of all the times she spent around Inu. Maybe he was just going crazy.

If I'm not already…

"Jaken."

The imp jumped at the sound of his voice, startled out of his daze. Sesshomaru just looked at Rin and took some satisfaction in the way his shoulders slumped. The Western Lord was no fool, he knew that Jaken didn't have the patience or temperament to deal with children. It wasn't the nature of his kind, which probably had something to do with them hatching from eggs almost fully grown. He knew that Rin annoyed him no end. But he also knew Jaken would follow his every word to the best of his abilities. Vengeance was sweet…petty, but sweet.

"She's a darling child," Kagome said, her soft tone drawing his eyes away from the retreating form of his Ward.

She was standing a little distance from him her eyes on the same group. For a brief moment all he could do was stare at her. She was beautiful in the soft light of morning, her silver hair shifting slightly in the fresh, Spring breeze, a slight, soft smile on her face. She was full of so many expressions, each one different from the last and each one completely fascinating. From the near blankness of last night, to the embarrassed blushes, to concern...and now this. This soft, warm, tender expression. He began to wonder if the spell was the cause for his fascination before he gave himself a mental shake. This was ridiculous, of course it was the spell.

"I can see why you care for her," she added, turning to look at him with a dazzling smile.

Control, Sesshomaru. I must have better control. That annoying corner of his mind was snickering at him, while his Beast growled. He was so intent on his inner struggle that he barely noticed her approaching closer until she flopped down beside him in a surprisingly graceful maneuver. Funny, he had no idea that anyone could flop gracefully.

"She is my Ward," he said at last, endeavoring to keep his expression as neutral as possible. It was bad enough that he was having to struggle against himself, there was no reason for her to know it.

She cast him a slightly startled glance that he found more than a little confusing. In truth there was really nothing more he could say. Rin was his Ward, of course he should care for her well being. It was only right. He found it slightly odd that she would wonder at that. Did she not care for her kitsune Ward? He had seen them together a time or two and he knew she did. Why was it so hard to imagine that he should care for his own?

He watched her as she turned her eyes to the day, the smile on her face touched with something he didn't quite understand and once more he found himself fascinated. She was leaning back on her elbows in a very relaxed manner, on leg propped on the other knee bend in front of her. It really wasn't a position one wearing a kimono was meant to assume. The garment seemed to still be slightly loosened from its original state, enough so that the leg she had propped up showed bare to the knee…and the poor Taiyoukai found himself near powerless to remove his eyes from it.

She was toned, that was obvious. Most likely from all the traveling she did on foot with his half-brother's strange little Pack. But there was still a softness to her that belied the hard labor and the many battles he knew she had been in. He watched, entranced, as she bounced her leg slightly on its lever, staring dreamily out across the field. She stilled, though, as a white and blue butterfly fluttered closer to her to land on her bare toe. Sesshomaru couldn't help the slight smile that touched his face as she gazed wonderingly at it.

How could a creature such as she be so innocent? He had kept track of his half-brother over the time since he had been awoken, by her no less. He knew she had seen death, battle, and evil. She was hunted by any number of youkai attracted by the jewel she chased. She had been drawn time and again into Naraku's plots and darkness. And yet she was staring at the little butterfly with all the wonder and innocence of a child. How could someone who had seen and lived through as much as he knew she had, more probably than he knew, still act like such an innocent?

"You seem in a much better mood this morning, little butterfly," he said, breaking the silence and startling her just enough so that she jumped, dethroning the little creature from her foot. His lips twitched at the small scowl that crossed her lips, half way between a glare and a pout, trying to tell himself that it wasn't adorable. "You have decided what you wish to do."

Kagome turned to him and blinked before shaking her head. "No, I haven't. Actually, I have absolutely no idea."

It was Sesshomaru's turn to blink in confusion, though that was the only expression of it he would allow himself. "Have you forgotten this situation?"

Kagome rolled her eyes and Sesshomaru clamped down on his annoyance. Okay, apparently the spell had its limits. It was slightly comforting that he could still have his normal reactions to things. Annoyance appeared to be one of them. There were very few people who would dare to roll their eyes at him, and for good reason. It was extremely disrespectful to his royal self. He found it no less annoying when those few that were allowed actually did. What was slightly disturbing was that apparently Kagome was allowed.

If she weren't, she'd be bloody right about now.

"I haven't forgotten," she said as she completely the roll. "It's just…everything seems so much better in the morning. Especially on a day like this. It's just too beautiful here to feel so depressed."

Ahh, at last, something he could understand. They lived in dangerous and bloody times, to find a beauty like the clearing they were in was a gift. Whenever possible Sesshomaru surrounding himself with beautiful things…it soothed him and helped keep him from doing something foolish, like slaughtering his Court in a fit of pique. Damn politics; the repercussions would be terrible. Not that there weren't times it wasn't tempting to pull out his sword and tell some petitioner to be silent because he really didn't care whether or not so-in-so was swimming in his pond. In the end it just created more of a headache. And blood was so hard to get out of the tatami mats. Better to look at the finely pained vase next to this throne.

Still, he hadn't quite expected the answer from her. After all, her situation was a little more dire.

The sound of a deep sigh drew him out of his thoughts.

"I suppose I ought to find Inuyasha," Kagome said, thoughtfully before turning to him. "I don't suppose you know where he is?"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at that. "And why would this Sesshomaru know where the hanyou is?"

"You know, can you smell him, or something? I mean, no offense, but I know that Inuyasha can find people by scenting them on the wind. Being a full youkai your sense of smell must be even stronger."

"You are a full youkai as well," he pointed out. "Can you smell him?"

He watched Kagome's face fall slightly at that and resisted the urge to stroke her cheek, not liking the disquieted expression. No. There will be no stroking. No licking and no stroking.

"I don't know," Kagome said at last. "I don't know what he smells like with this nose." Then she turned to him with a grin. "I'm afraid you're going to have to do it. If you ever want to get me out of your hair, that is."

Sesshomaru blinked. "Out of my hair?" He glanced at her silver tresses that were so much like his own, a little confused.

"Yes, you know. Out of your hair. Gone from your sight. Out of your presence. No longer a problem."

Sesshomaru blinked at her again, but this time not in confusion. She wanted to leave? He felt a strange constriction in his chest and suddenly it was very hard to breathe as the meaning struck home in his core. Unfortunately, his core was where his instincts lived, and they didn't like the thought that their mate wanted to leave them. Realities be damned.

ooOoo

"You will not leave."

Kagome suppressed a start at the harshness in the Taiyoukai's tone. "But…"

"You are under this Sesshomaru's protection," he continued with an intensity that surprised her. "You will not leave while our enemy is still out there, plotting against us."

Okay, that was a little unexpected. She looked at him slightly askance. She remembered the vow he had made last night when he had found her while he was still under the first throes of the spell. He didn't think she was actually going to hold him to that, did he?

"But…Sesshomaru-sama, you don't have to do that."

"I gave you my word and my bond."

Okay, looked like he was going to be stubborn. Really, it shouldn't have been such a surprise. I mean, this was the same guy that persisted in trying to claim a sword that burned his hand every time he tried to touch it. But still, why was he protesting like this? She wasn't stupid, she had seen his reactions to her, why in the world would he want her to stick around?

"No, you gave your word when you thought I was someone else. Because of the spell. It's all right. I know you don't want to protect me, I am human after all. I know you've only been nice to me because of the spell…"

The sudden fierceness in his gaze shut her up but quick. The change was so swift it had caught her off guard. One moment he had been actually a rather pleasant companion and the next she was looking for a really big rock to cower behind.

"Do not be so presumptuous as to know me," he said in a voice cold enough to chill an Eskimo, his golden eyes burning with a fire that pinned her to her spot when all she wanted to do was run like a ninny complete with flapping arms and girly scream.

"Before now, when have we spoken?" he asked, leaning forward slightly, kicking up the sudden uncomfortable level a few notches. "Never," he continued harshly before she could even think to speak, "save a few words exchanged in battle. Hardly adequate. When have we even met? But a handful of times and most of those, once again, in battle. What of my motivations do you know but those that you assume? What of my life do you know save what you have heard from my half-brother or rumor? I would think you had the minimum of intelligence to realize that neither are reliable. The latter, by its very nature no rational being ever trusts and the former is irreversibly biased. Inuyasha knows less of me than even rumor does."

Kagome sat stunned as Sesshomaru leaned even further forward, his eyes narrowing to burning slits as their noses came within rubbing distance. "Or has my estimation of your intelligence proved so faulty that you would believe the words of a spiteful pup without any evidence but his own distaste to prove them true?" Sesshomaru snorted in disdain and turned from her. "You know nothing of me, do not, in your ignorant arrogance, presume to."

It was a good thing that her lap was in the way, otherwise it might have hurt when her jaw hit the ground. I guess the effects of the spell has its limits, her stunned mind thought idly right before she wondered if anyone had gotten the license plate number of that board that had come along and hit her on the back of the head. But Kagome being Kagome, it didn't last all that long.

As the words of Sesshomaru's icy little rant sunk in Kagome's fearful, shocked daze quickly morphed to anger. Just who the hell did he think he was? Okay, so he was a really powerful Taiyoukai who could rip her to shreds without breaking a sweat. So he was the Lord of the Western Lands and all royal and such. So he was a big, bad, demon-dog whose bark was nothing compared to his bite. And yeah, so there was some truth to what he said. But so what? She had been trying to do something nice and he had bit her head off for it!

That stupid…stupid…stupid….

"ARG!" She growled, making Sesshomaru's head snap back to her. If she hadn't been so angry she probably would have been shocked at the feral quality to it. Later she would blame it on the stress but in this moment all she saw was another arrogant Inu taking out his shit on her. To say she snapped would be putting it a little lightly.

"Just where do you get off?" she nearly shouted at him. "You're right, we haven't spoken, we haven't spent time together, and we haven't had get-to-know-you hair braiding parties. And just whose fault is that? Huh! We only meet in battle? That's because you're always frickin' attacking us! I don't know about your life? Well, let me tell you something buster, you want someone to know you then you gotta let yourself be known. So excuse me if I'm functioning off the only information I have! Pardon my base ignorance if I let the how many time's you've called human's worthless, called me worthless, affect my perception of you. And golly gee, who would you trust, the one who's saved your life countless times, been your friend and companion for years, supported and cared for you, or the one who once tried to melt you?"

Kagome rose up on her knees and this time she leaned towards him. If she had been thinking clearly she might have found the slightly shocked look on Sesshomaru's face amusing. But then, if she had been thinking clearly she wouldn't be shouting at the most powerful and dangerous youkai in Japan. And she certainly wouldn't be poking him in the chest with her finger as she started elaborating on her points. After all, that armor hurt.

"You're not the only one affected by this you know! I've tried to be nice, I've tried to be understanding, I've tried to be sympathetic to the fact that that stupid, insane lizard is trying to trap you, despite the fact that he's usingme to do it. And youinsult me! And another thing! You do not get to tell me where I do and do not go! I don't care if you are the Lord of the Western Lands, Prince of Dogs, and King of the Moon. You could be the King of Rock and Roll for all I care! If you think for one second that I would tolerate being dictated to by anyone then it is you who does not know me!"

Before Sesshomaru could utter a word or kill her or something Kagome spun to her feet and stalked off across the clearing muttering under her breath about stupid men and their stupid double standards.

Well, there went her good mood.

ooOoo

Sesshomaru stared at the retreating, angry form of the miko turned youkai and fought to keep his jaw from dropping. He was rather glad that there was no one there to see him at the moment, in a state he rarely ever found himself. Complete and utter shock. He could not remember a time when anyone had dared to talk to him like that. A female no less. Most were far too afraid of him. It was one of the reactions he had expected the least from her, though he wasn't sure why. After all, this was the same girl who had once tried to shoot him with an arrow. One of the few people who had ever dared stand up to him over anything. As he watched her stalk stiffly farther into the clearing, muttering about 'stupid youkai' and 'what was it about her and dogs' he was forced to admit something that he rarely ever did, even to himself.

Perhaps he had overreacted.

It was near miraculous for him to admit something like that, even if it was still only in the arena of possibility. Sesshomaru was generally very careful in how he reacted to things; always very appropriate, always thought out. The fact was that he had to be. He was a Lord. He was regal and composed and as perfect as a being could get. Well, as long as he didn't want to get smashed by his rivals. Sesshomaru didn't think 'smashed' was a good look for him.

But the truth was that the moment she mentioned joining back up with Inuyasha it was like something inside him started to simultaneously whimper and growl. He felt like the bottom had dropped out of his stomach. That, he could blame on the effects of her transformation. Inu youkai were not exactly possessive of their mates, per say, but they were quite…attached. They didn't like to be parted and they absolutely refused to let anything come between them. Sometimes their refusals ended in a six foot grave being dug for the remaining parts. Yes, he knew that she wasn't actually his mate, but there was still that part of him that was looking for a handy shovel.

He heaved an inward sigh and made a face most would call a grimace at her back. This was getting extremely bothersome. When I get my hands on that damned lizard I'm going to…he paused. Actually, he couldn't quite think of anything bad enough to repay the crazy bastard for doing this. It was a torture that was beyond torture. Pain Sesshomaru could handle. Blood loss was rarely a concern. While he didn't like confined spaces, he could deal if he had to. Frankly he would far rather be chained to a wall or boiled in holy water that have to put up with this…this…mockery.

In truth, though, he wasn't sure what to do about it himself. He had thought it might be best to distance himself from the miko, but his instincts were obviously rebelling against that notion.

This time he sighed out loud as he watched Kagome huff down to a sitting position by the stream that ran through the center of the clearing. It was official, he had managed to seriously piss her off. He hadn't intended to, actually, he hadn't really thought about it. When she had impugned his honor by suggesting that his vow need not be honored…well, he obviously hadn't responded well. What did she take him for? He was a noble Taiyoukai. Of course he would honor his word. Just because the situation had changed slightly didn't make the vow any less valid. Did she think him some lowly creature to merely disregard such a thing?

And as much as he hated to admit it, the thought that she did had, well, hurt. All right, that part's the spell. Her opinion does not matter to me. The affront to my honor does. That is all.

He hadn't really considered her reaction all that much when he had chastised her. He merely intended to put her in her place. Obviously, she didn't agree.

Perhaps I should apologize, he mused, then blinked. Where did that come from? This Sesshomaru does not apologize to anyone, much less my half-brother's miko.

Sesshomaru fought off the groan of frustration and leaned back against the rock he was still sitting in front of, closing his eyes as though that would make everything go away.

And I thought it was going to be a long night…

AN: Okay, I know, a good deal of filler seeming stuff. But there were things in there that were kind of important to plot development. I'm sure of it. Just don't ask me now… Well, love it, hate it, whatever…I'm somewhere in the middle myself. Feel free to comment or offer helpful suggestions…I make no promise to heed them, though, so be warned. O.

Reviewer Response:

Wolfye Productions: Yay! Another of the following! It is so nice to meet another member. (Shakes hand.) I'm glad you're enjoying what I'm doing with this fic, Sessho's just so much fun to play with. I'll do my best!

PlayingWithDemons: Thanks! I try to be original, I always do. It just bugs me so much to be 'done'. I was like that when I was ice skating too. I just couldn't have music I'd heard a thousand times...drove my coach nuts!

Erik and Fae: (Grin) Thanks! Yeah, I feel kind of bad for being so mean to Sesshomaru, but then, I know how the story's going to end, so I don't feel quite so bad. Heh. As for Rin, well, she's going to have an interesting part in the future...though not quite what you might think...(having PTSD flashback of babysitting the Connel kids...shiver) Oh! And see if you can get some of that super-reinforced repelling rope...or chains... We'll get him yet! (We can always use the duct tape on Jess if he tries to stop us!)

Insane-and-Psycho: Ah, who does't love Sesshomaru? (Grin) I have so much fun...uh...playing with him. Yeah, that's the word. I'll try to update sooner this time...damn frickin' HR people...

AN: Well, that's it for this time. And now…I'm to bed. I've officially been up for 24 hours…and things are getting a little blurry. Oh, hush, you stupid penguins….