AN: Hello All! Yes, despite rumors to the contrary, I'm alive! And no, this fic is most definately not dead. I must appologise for my slow updates, but let's face it, I appear to be a slow updater. I don't mean to be, but it appears I have a somewhat fickle muse. Sometimes the inspiration just doesn't come. (Don't you hate it when that happens? Grin) In any event, I will do my best to get this up as quickly as my muse will allow, but we've all seen he's a somewhat unreliable fellow. I just hope that my slowness is somewhat made up for by the sheer size of my posts...maybe they'll keep you sated. Don't worry, though, I still have some rather large plans for this little bit of fun...

Disclaimer: It appears that my capture teams need better training as they have yet to bring me Sesshomaru yet. Lazy louts. It certainly does appear that I have yet to gain any possession or rights to Rumiko's stories or characters...much to my chagrin. Oh, well, we'll see just what this tephlon-corded net might get me later...bwaahaaahaaaa

Courtly Grace

There has to be a law. Somewhere, in some scroll or book, there is a universal law that great events would be preceded and followed by vast amounts of nothing. At least, that's what Kagome figured after she had been sitting there in the clearing for the last two hours bored out of her friggin' skull. She supposed it was meant to highlight those events so that they would be given more notice, have more meaning. Something like a Universal Highlighter. She began to wonder if there was something to either side of the events if they would just get lost in the rest of the prose. Just a little sentence in the middle of a textbook about the exiting life of fungus.

She knew there was a reason she disliked biology.

When the others had left the clearing, left her and Sesshomaru alone to begin their 'courting' she had been nervous. No. Damn near terrified would probably fit it better. After all, what did she know about courting? She'd never even had a boyfriend! The closest she had ever come was Inuyasha and, well, she didn't think that was a prime example of anything but severe dysfunction. Sure, Hojo had wanted to date her for a while…okay, make that was still trying to date her…and Kouga had never gotten the hint. That didn't count as far as she was concerned. All it proved was that she obviously wasn't very good at rejecting people effectively.

And if she was so miserable with human courting practices what the hell was she supposed to do with Inuyoukai ones? At least human ones she more or less understood.

And so far, Sesshomaru hadn't been a whole lot of help. For the last two hours he had been sitting on that damn boulder looking into the sky. What was he doing, anyway? Meditating? Zoning? Sleeping with his eyes open? Looking for UFOs? Whatever it was he had been sitting in exactly the same pose, without moving, for two freaking hours! Kagome liked to think of herself as a patient person, hell, it had been proved time and again in her dealings with Inuyasha, but even she had her limits. Because if there was one thing Kagome handled well, it was not boredom.

She sighed for…she'd lost count of how many times. She'd done everything she could think of to stave off the boredom. She'd organized her belongings. Twice. She hadn't really been able to keep much with her, really only a few changes of clothes, bathing supplies, and a couple essentials a woman normally couldn't do without. Granted, she didn't really know what she'd need with this body, but she figured it was better to be safe then very, very sorry. After that she'd picked a few flowers before getting bored with it, searched the stream for fish they could catch later when they got hungry, surveyed the area for likely herbs to add flavor to them, and then proceeded to go completely and totally cross-eyed.

While beautiful, there really wasn't a lot to do in the clearing. And Kagome wasn't one who was used to being idle. She was always doing something. Traveling with the group the last three years there was always something to do, from entertaining Shippo, to preparing a meal, to traveling for miles on end, to restraining Sango from killing Miroku. And when there were quiet times she could always talk to someone or read a book or, God forbid, do her homework. But she couldn't even do that seeing as they had decided it was best not to have her futuristic possessions with her, least Massoumo get suspicious. Not having anything to do was completely foreign to her and she found she wasn't liking it.

Hell, right now she'd voluntarily do calculus to relieve the tedium.

All right, that's it. She growled mentally when she realized just what her last thought had been. This has got to end. I just volunteered to do math. If Mr. Statue over there doesn't twitch or something I just might go insane and spare us all the trouble.

With that she hauled herself up from the slumped position she'd been wasting in and marched over to the sky-bound youkai. She stood in front of him and crossed her arms but it was like she wasn't even there. Her hands found her way to her hips. Nothing. Her foot started to tap. She was tempted to snap her fingers in front of his face to get a reaction or hold a mirror under his nose to see if he was still breathing, but wasn't sure what he would do. Oh, she knew now that he wouldn't hurt her…well, she was pretty sure…but he'd made the point pretty clear earlier that she didn't know him. And with the way all of this was affecting him, who knew justwhat he'd do.

"Sesshomaru…" she started, but was immediately cut off.

"What is your relationship with the hanyou?"

Kagome blinked. Well, at least she knew why he'd been staring into the clear blue yonder for so long. He'd obviously been looking for where to pull that question from. She found herself looking into an intense pair of golden eyes, her mind ground to a stunned halt by the sheer unexpectedness. It was probably amazing that she was able to come up with as intelligent a response as she did.

"Huh?" Oh, brilliant, Kagome.

"Inuyasha. My younger half-brother. The one who waves the really big sword around and has a slightly disturbing predilection for the color red. The hanyou. What is your relationship with him?"

Kagome blinked. Well, now wasn't that just a ten thousand dollar question. It was certainly one she'd asked herself more times than she'd really care to think about. So far she hadn't been able to come up with a satisfactory answer. But now she had another question, why in the world did Sesshomaru want to know?

"Uh, we're friends."

"Friends?" he asked, an eyebrow raising gracefully, saying more than words that he wasn't exactly buying it.

"Well…it's complicated."

Mental snort. Complicated wasn't the half of it. It would have to been a whole hell of a lot less muddled and confusing to simply be complicated. Being the reincarnated soul of a former lover who died thinking you killed them right after pinning you to a tree then being brought back from the grave (literally) full of hate and deceit and constantly trying to kill you tended to do that to any kind of relationship. She knew Inuyasha cared for her but half the time she wasn't sure whether it was because of her or that part of her that was Kikyou. Just like half the time she wasn't entirely sure whether what she felt for Inuyasha was because of Inuyasha or because of the part of her that was Kikyou. No, complicated barely begun to cover it.

Thankfully, Sesshomaru didn't seem to pursue just that avenue. Oh, no, he picked a much more uncomfortable one.

"Is he courting you?"

Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce Kagome the Stunned Mullet. He hadn't really just asked her that, had he?

"Uh…no. I don't think so."

"It is in question?" And there went the eyebrow again.

"Well, considering I don't know anything about Inuyoukai courting, how am I supposed to tell you? For all I know, you could consider 'bitch' a term of endearment."

This time it was Sesshomaru's turn to blink. Yeah! Movement! So he hadn't turned into a rock after all.

"Actually," he started slowly, "it is. But only with one whom you are currently physically as well as emotionally intimate with. Otherwise it is a most base insult upon a female's character, implying that they are of looser morals and willing to rut with anyone."

Kagome's jaw dropped and her face flamed as her brain processed that. "Wait a minute…" she started slowly, hearing the growl in her own voice. "You mean that all this time Inuyasha has been calling me a slut?"

As she fumed not so silently, she watched Sesshomaru blink again, his brows furrowing ever so slight as his head tipped to the left in what she was rapidly coming to consider his 'thinking pose'.

"While unable to speak with full confidence as to the validity of it," he started slowly, "this Sesshomaru would be inclined to say 'no'."

Kagome blinked. "But you just said…"

"It has little bearing," he interrupted her with a wave of his hand and Kagome fought a scowl. "Inuyasha has spent little time among the Inuyoukai and is thusly unaware of most of our customs. He has, instead, spent a majority of his time among humans and as consequence bows more towards their ways than our own. Tell me, what meaning do humans hold to the word?"

"Umm," Kagome stuttered, slightly bewildered at the sudden shift, "well, there's the technical meaning, I suppose." Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow at her. "The most technical definition of 'bitch' would be 'a female dog'."

There was no way to miss the satirical twist to the Lord's lips at that nor the dry drawl to his voice as he responded. "No doubt a twist to our own use of the word, since it is only used in reference to one's female."

Kagome blinked again and wondered briefly if she was starting to resemble and owl more than a dog. Huh, that wasn't something she'd ever considered before. As far as she'd ever been able to determine youkai had been around for at least as long as humanity. Actually, everything pointed to them existing long before. Just how much of human existence had been colored or effected by youkai? She most definitely remembered one lecture in school about the development of language and how it tended to take terms from other cultures and twist them to their own uses. She'd been completely incapable of falling asleep during that particular lecture due to the professor's habit of shouting parts out at unexpected times. As she remembered, there was even evidence that words from far away cultures existed in ones they could find no evidence of contact in, having filtered through some way or another. Could such exchanges have happened between humans and youkai? And if they had happened with language, just where else might they have occurred?

"Um," Kagome continued, shaking the thoughts away for now, "there's also the more…I guess you'd say cultural use. It's usually used against a woman as a demeaning and insulting term, saying that she is rude, sharp, overly aggressive or harsh, and generally unpleasant to be around."

Huh, exactly when had she turned into a language professor?

Sesshomaru nodded thoughtfully. "And did he call you this when you were displaying these characteristics?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed dangerously and she could actually feel the growl building in her own throat. Strange that. "Asserting one's own opinion or a contradictory viewpoint and having one's own mind does not make one a bitch."

Sesshomaru blinked. "Agreed. But then, I am youkai and youkai have different standards by which we judge feminine agreeability. I have noticed that most human males prefer their women weak and obliging."

Kagome huffed and crossed her arms. "And what, exactly, does that say about them other than that they are too insecure in their own abilities that they are intimidated by strong women?" She saw Sesshomaru raise an eyebrow at that and would almost swear that he was fighting a smile. She sighed. "And we have gotten woefully off subject here."

Sesshomaru nodded. "Yes, I believe we were discussing whether or not Inuyasha is courting you."

Kagome pulled a mental grimace. Oh yeah. Why had she reminded him again? She'd really much rather discuss the pitfalls and hypocrisies of 'femininity'. It was less confusing and far less complex. She sighed and flapped a hand in the air at the futility of trying to discuss something she didn't even understand.

"How am I supposed to know? Your brother is more confusing differential calculus."

He quirked an eyebrow at her again and Kagome began to wonder if that was the only facial expression he allowed himself freely. If so, he should find another. That eyebrow thing was really starting to get old.

"Half-brother. And one would think you would be able to tell if a male was courting you."

Kagome glared at him but she might as well have been glaring at the bolder on which he perched for all the good it did. He just stared back at her waiting for some kind of answer. Finally she heaved a sigh and dropped down into the grass, refusing to look up at him.

"If you must know, I don't exactly have a whole lot of experience in the area," she said, trying to keep the sour note out of her voice. "Like you said, men tend to prefer their women not like me. At least most of the ones I've met recently. The others…" She shook her head. She wasn't about to explain Hojo to him or the men in her time. First of all, it would mean explaining her time. Yeah, not a discussion for the now. Instead she chose another route.

"The situation with Inuyasha has always been complex," she started again, still not looking up at him. "When I very first met him he wanted nothing more than to kill me. Granted, that was because he thought I was Kikyou and his last memories of her was of her betrayal. We started becoming friends after that and then…I don't know. Sometimes it feels like there's something more sometimes…there are just so many complications…"

Kagome trailed off, not even sure where she was going with it. She didn't particularly like thinking of those complications. Sometimes they were just too confusing, and sometimes they just hurt too much.

"Complications?" Sesshomaru prodded, and she was so distracted that she didn't even register how gently he seemed to be doing so.

"Kikyou," she said softly and sighed, finally looking up into Sesshomaru's eyes. "I'm her reincarnation."

"Ah," he said, a light of understanding in his eyes. "And you are never sure whether what occurs between you is because of yourself or the fact that you are the reincarnation of his former love. And I would imagine that now that she had been resurrected that the situation is even further complicated. Especially since Inuyasha's loyalties would be so noticeably divided. And you, yourself, must wonder whether your feelings are based upon the experiences in this time or your soul's familiarity with his."

Kagome blinked, more than a little stunned that he had so effectively hit the nail on the head. Someone give the demon a prize. He'd managed to cut through just about everything and find the crux of the problem that had taken even her years. She wasn't even sure that Inuyasha had figured it out yet.

I guess there's a definitely reason why he's a Lord.

She nodded slowly, still too dazed to really think about what she was saying. "Exactly. As far as courting though…." She shrugged. "I mean, sometimes he does nice things for me, sometimes he even tries to be thoughtful, though it usually goes a little wrong in the end. And he definitely gets jealous whenever another male shows me attention."

Sesshomaru's brow furrowed much more deeply at that. "I thought you said you were inexperienced in such matters…"

Kagome snorted. "By other's males I most mean Kouga. He's an ookami-youkai prince. I guess it would be most accurate to say he's been…infatuated…with me almost since I met him. I'm not interested but he's rather persistent. I mean, after all, it's really only been about my ability to see the shikon shards. But he's convinced himself he's in love with me and I'm his woman. Inuyasha always gets pissed when he shows up and the two of them always wind up fighting about it."

"Hmm," Sesshomaru's head tipped to the left. "That one I would say is courting you. Most unseemly, though, if you have already refused his suit."

"Repeatedly."

"Even worse."

She watched him as he continued to think, pondering a few things herself. He was strangely easy to talk to, at least, when he decided to talk. Which he seemed to be doing with an increasing amount of regularity since just last night. Funny, she'd never thought of Sesshomaru as a sparkling conversationalist. Then again, before now the only times she'd run across him there's been a sword or two between them and intellectual discourse. But still…so far she'd talked to him about things she'd only ever really discussed with Sango or maybe her mother. Not to mention learning things about youkai she wasn't sure other humans had ever known. She could barely remember having this long of a discussion with Inuyasha without having some kind of disagreement crop up between them.

Now that is a highly disturbing thought…

Finally the waiting got to be too much for her. Right now she didn't think being left alone to her thoughts was the best of notions.

"So…" she started, drawing his attention back to her without his even moving a muscle. An interesting talent. "What's the point of all this? I mean, why does it matter whether or not Inuyasha is courting me. This is all just for show anyway, we all know that."

"Simple," he said immediately, "as I mentioned before, there are several ways to go about a formal courting. I am trying to determine which method would be best for our purposes. Some are immediately disqualified, as they would take far too long to implement and as such would be completely unbelievable for our current situation. With your…scent…and my Beast's reaction to it, a long, drawn out courting would be insupportable as it clamors to make you our full mate."

Kagome couldn't help but blush at that and what it implied, glancing away out of embarrassment.

"From what choices are left…" he continued, either not noticing or ignoring Kagome's embarrassment, "if Inuyasha is courting you there is some chance that, even though an act, they would damage such endeavors. And despite the actions of the past, this Sesshomaru has no desire to do you harm. Much to the contrary."

Kagome turned her eyes back to him, blinking in confusion. "What do you mean?"

She watched, feeling the beginnings of panic as his eyelids lowered and the golden depth heated to a more molten nature. "There are forms of formal courting that at much more…physical than others."

Kagome felt her eyes widen and her face flame. He wasn't suggesting what she thought he was suggesting…nope, that's exactly what he was suggesting.

"Oh," she said in a strangled voice. "Yes, well, umm…we, uh…might want to avoid that." She gave a chocked laugh as his eyes heated more and she began to wonder if he was in complete control. "Wouldn't want to hate yourself in the morning."

Oh shit, was he purring? Kagome gulped and saw he was inhaling deeply through his nose. Oh shit. No good. The spell affected him through smell. She needed to get out of here, and now.

"Well," she squeaked, jumping to her feet, "while you go over possibilities, I think I'll take a bath."

Sesshomaru blinked once, seemingly drawn out of whatever it was he had been in and closed his eyes tightly. She was a little surprised she didn't hear teeth cracking from how hard he was clenching his jaw.

"Yes, perhaps that would be best." He said in a slightly tight voice and Kagome couldn't help the wave of guilt that swept over her. After all, it was her presence that was causing him to act this way. He waved a hand in the general direction of south east. "There is a hot spring some few hundred meters that way."

Kagome gulped and nodded, even though he kept his eyes closed. She quickly gathered up her bathing supplies and headed towards the spring.

Note to self: do not bring up the notion of sex with the demon lord being manipulated to want you. Bad things follow.

ooOoo

Sesshomaru refused to open his eyes until he had heard Kagome leave the clearing in the direction of the hot spring. It perhaps wasn't the best of notions to let her get so far away, but right now it had been the better of the two options. At the notion of the more 'physical' manners of courting his Inu had immediately supplied him with several ways with which to go about it, obviously liking the notion. He had started to respond to them, his mind clouding over, before he was truly aware of what he was doing. Thankfully, Kagome had realized it and removed herself before the fight between the mating desire and the protection desire had begun. That would most definitely have been unpleasant.

And he had been doing so well.

But then again, maybe not. While deception and ambiguity were skills he had mastered long ago out of the necessity of dealing with his Court and various other Lords and negotiations, it was remarkably difficult to deceive oneself so fully. At least it was for him. He could not claim to be as unaffected by their conversation as he would have liked.

Firstly, there was the somewhat expected anger and jealousy at the thought of Inuyasha courting her, much less any other male. That he could understand, given the situation. His instincts saw her as his mate and as such would not tolerate another male trying to drive them apart. No matter how much he consciously knew that not to be the case. He had had to bite back the urge to track down the hanyou and beat him senseless more than once. Even worse had been when she had mentioned the wolf prince and his distasteful suit. At least there he had more than the spell to blame for his displeasure at the notion.

While different breeds of youkai had different traditions the Ookami ways were perhaps the closest to the Inu, seeing as they were regrettably something of cousins. In both societies it was the female that decided to accept or decline the suit. For Kouga to have completely ignored her refusal and disinterest was disgraceful and completely uncouth. Even if Inuyasha was not courting her he was completely correct in battling Kouga for such dishonorable behavior. Especially considering his Vow. Sesshomaru could blame his own Vow for the near overwhelming desire to find the wolf and beat some manners into him.

Then again, he was an Ookami. The exercise would probably be completely fruitless.

What was most disturbing to him, however, was his reaction to their conversation itself. He couldn't help but find her remarkably easy to converse with. That was a rare thing for him for as a Lord he must be forever circumspect with his words. But whether it was the fact that his Inu thought her his mate and thus his equal or the Vow of Protection, he found himself almost at ease with her. And that was most disturbing. He could only come to one conclusion.

Insane though he might be, Massoumo was an evil genius. He had orchestrated this to perfection, making Kagome something that was beginning to affect him on all levels. And quite quickly, too. Undoubtedly the lizard knew that Sesshomaru would figure out there was something wrong with wanting a female he had only just met so quickly. But the effect of the scent was making things so difficult. It made it impossible to tell whether or not his reactions to her were because of that or something else.

Something of a shame that he was going to die very, very slowly.

But the fact of the matter was that he was beginning to find Kagome fascinating and he could not truly claim to know the source. It could be the spell, and he tried to tell himself that that was what it was. But as they spoke…she had already showed more than once that she was intelligent, more than capable of holding a decent conversation. That, in itself, was a privilege seldom afforded him. And she had shown a remarkable ability for compassion and understanding, even going so far as to find acceptance for the one who had done this to them. He had already found himself beginning to think that she was wasted on humanity and their narrow views. In fact, her expressions on suitable males had been far more to the youkai way of thinking than had been entirely comfortable.

But how much of that was the effects of how the spell had changed her? He knew so little of her from before it to be able to judge whether or not being changed into a youkai had changed her outlook or nature. He supposed it was entirely possible that the change could have effected more than her form and scent. But, then again, how much of youkai attitudes were based upon intrinsic nature and how much were cultural? And his reactions to her…were they just the effects of her change or were they actually because of her?

And what she had begun to say about her relationship with Inuyasha and the complications in it. He couldn't help but snort at the unwanted parallels to their current situation. And wasn't that just delightful?

Sesshomaru sighed and rubbed his forehead, not really caring if anyone was there to see him or not. Better to focus on the situation as it stood. It was bad enough as it was, there was no need to bring in extraneous aggravations. One more and he just might snap. And who knew what might happen if that occurred. He'd probably find himself blabbering gibberish and spinning around in circles…all things considered, it seemed appropriate.

Studiously ignoring the courting options that had caused the necessity of Kagome fleeing he went over the others in his mind. There really weren't too many left. As long as he could keep his mind on track he should be able to decide before the woman returned from her bath…

Sesshomaru shook his head sharply to dispel the images that thought provoked.Note to self; do not think of the female bathing while you are trying not to jump her and claim her. Such thoughts are not helpful.

He sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought.

ooOoo

Kagome sighed as she leaned back in the hot spring. What a friggin mess. She swore, there was someone up there who seriously did not like her. That or they had one messed up sense of humor. She idly traced her fingers over the water, gazing at the strange and yet familiar appendage. It was odd. It was very much her hand. It felt like her hand. It moved like her hand. For the most part it even looked like her hand. But that was the problem, the 'for the most part' bit.

The stripes were definitely different. They mirrored Sesshomaru's own, which she supposed made sense considering this new body had been formed from him. Or, well, his hair, or maybe it was his essence…best not to think about it that hard. Unlike his, though, they were a sapphire blue. She couldn't help but wonder at the difference. If she was made to be his perfect mate, madeof him to some extent, shouldn't they be red like his?

Then again, why wouldInuyoukai have stripes to begin with? It was something she had always wondered. After all, she'd never seen a regular dog with stripes like these. Well, maybe a pit-bull, but that breed hadn't even come into existence for a few more hundred years. So why did Inuyoukai seem to have them? She knew Sesshomaru did, and Inuyasha had those blue ones when he lost control to his demon blood. But wasn't it felines that had stripes? She would have to remember to ask Sesshomaru about the meaning of these things the next time he was feeling verbose.

It was funny, how such a small part of herself could sum up the whole thing, though. Add the claws to the stripes and you had something completely foreign. Sure, her claws weren't huge and they actually looked rather dainty and graceful, but they weren't hers. Her hand looked and felt so similar and yet so unfamiliar at the same time. Her whole body was like that to an extent. She still felt like herself and yet at the same time she wasn't. She was youkai. She growled. She moved really fast, even though she hadn't meant to. Which was probably even more disturbing. She couldn't help but wonder, just how much had she changed? How long would it be until she stopped being the Kagome she had known? Or was that even something she needed to worry about?

She was drawn out of her thoughts, though, when something niggled at her mind. A presence, a familiar and rather insane presence. And it was drawing near. Fast.

Kagome hesitated, debating whether or not to scramble for her clothes before the repulsive little lizard got there. But if she did then it might be obvious that she had known he was coming. She couldn't say that she had smelled him, he'd know that was a lie because he couldn't be smelled. And she sure as hell didn't hear him. And if he found out that not only had his plan been revealed, but that she was working with Sesshomaru to stop it…she wasn't sure she wanted to think of the consequences. After all, if she'd wanted stripes in some of the places she'd found stripes she would have gotten a tattoo.

For once in her life Kagome failed to curse her tendency to hesitate because the decision was soon taken out of her hands. She'd been so caught up in the eternal question of to dress or not to dress that she'd failed to realize just how close Massoumo had come. Until he'd dropped down out of the tree right next to the rim of the hot spring.

So this is what a heart attack feels like. She found the only working part of her mind muse.

It had taken everything she had to keep from screaming as the ugly little creature suddenly dropped into her life again. As it was, she only partially succeeded, clapping her hands over a shrill 'eep' and actually hoping that Sesshomaru was too distracted to come rushing over here to see just what the problem was. There was really no telling what would happen if he saw her naked…especially if he had yet to control the reason she'd fled the clearing in the first place.

Yeah, because having that tongue lick you dry would be a bad thing…Kagome momentarily stilled. Where the hell had that come from? Okay, so perhaps it wasn't her first less-than-pure thought when it came to the opposite sex. I mean, she was a mature young woman, such thoughts were perfectly natural. All the books said so. And TV…TV wouldn't lie to her. And she had been reading one of Yuki's bodice rippers over the break…it was really perfectly natural. Or it would have been if it hadn't been about Sesshomaru of all creatures.

Get a grip Kagome. Insane Chameleon who turned you into a youkai is standing right beside you while you're naked!

Kagome immediately 'eeped' again and ducked down in the water until only her head was above it, crossing her arms over her chest at some attempt of modesty. Hell, modesty be damned. She could be the most lewd and uncouth of women and not want this creep to be staring at her bits.

"Ahh, hello my pet," he cooed at her. "Surprised you, did I? Well, yes, yes, that is to be expected. Even with the new senses I have gifted you with you would not be able to sense me. None can sense the Great Massoumo!"

Kagome blinked at him a quirked an eyebrow. He was either really confident or not quite as smart as they'd all thought to start giving things away like that. She decided not to point it out to him. They might have already known that about him, but maybe he'd get stupid again and let something else slip they could use.

"Oh, there is no need for such modesty with me, my pet," he cooed at her again. "I made you, you know. I know every inch of you. Every inch. And I can assure you that while you are exquisitely perfect in your making there is nothing there to tempt me. Dogs are far too warm for my liking."

Somehow that didn't make Kagome feel any better.

"Lord Massoumo," she said, admittedly sounding a little choked. "What…what are you…"

"What am I doing here, my pet?" Man she was really starting to get tired of that little title. She felt like she should roll over or fetch his slippers or something. "Ah, yes, most important, most important. I am here to check on your progress. So tell me, my pet, how do they. Hmm? How do they?"

"Umm," Kagome stalled while she tried to think of something to say. They hadn't quite anticipated that he would try to contact her like this. It looked like she was going to have to come up with something on the fly. "Haven't you been watching? I mean, you just said no one could sense you…"

"Yes, yes. Too true. Too true. None can sense me if I do not wish it, but I must be extremely careful with that one. His father's power, he has. This is most assuredly so. Perhaps more. But he has his mother's cunning as well, her subtle slyness, her eye for intrigue. Yes…I must be exceedingly careful with that mutt. Sense me, he will not…sense something else, there is no telling. No, I cannot afford to be too close to him, so I cannot watch too closely. Though I heard the Vow. Oh yes," he chortled, rubbing his stubby talons together. "Well done, my dear, well done with that indeed. I had not hoped for such a thing and it will make things all the sweeter in the end. Oh yes, oh the pain he will know. The utter despairing pain!"

Kagome watched in a strange kind of morbid fascination as the lizard descended into his most recent bout of gleeful madness. It was more than official, this guy was completely and totally loony! He actually appeared to be dancing some kind of deformed jig in anticipation of the outcome to his plans. Kagome wasn't sure what she was more disgusted by, the plan itself…or the grotesque little dance.

Thankfully, he seemed to remember where he was after a moment and that the outcome had yet to occur. "So, tell me, tell me, tell me! How do things progress?"

"Umm, well, he seems…" Kagome searched for the right words, "well, enamored for a large part." It seemed like that was the right thing to say as the lizard started to chortle and mutter to himself about 'stupid dogs and their noses'. "But he seems a little resistant."

"Ah yes, well, that is of course to be expected," he nodded sagely. "Sesshomaru has not survived what he has by being the fool. After the initial reaction he must have realized it strange to react so strongly to a female he just met. A risk, yes, but one worth taking. So what has he done?"

"Well…he's going to court me. A formal courting, as I understand it."

Apparently this was also more than the right thing to say because Massoumo immediately spun around on his tail and resumed a more aborted version of his dance. "Oh, but my dear, this is perfect, absolutely perfect. Do you know how he will court you? What path has he chosen?"

Kagome blinked. How was she supposed to know that? Somehow she didn't think that telling him that Sesshomaru was right now back at the clearing trying to decide that would really go over well. But before she had a chance to try and stumble her way through something Massoumo cut her off.

"Oh, but how would you know that?" he asked and answered himself. "You wouldn't. You are, after all, only human. You know nothing of such things. But I do. I do! Long and hard have I studied the curs, worthless mongrels. I know all of them, their rights, customs. I know what he might choose. But what…what…"

Massoumo's eyes grew distant for a moment before snapping back to her. "You must know, my pet, yes you must. He would expect you to know. To not know would make him suspicious. So I will tell you. I will tell you what few outside their own kind have ever known…but which way, which way…."

His gaze drifted off again and Kagome began to wonder just how much more of his babbling she could take before she ripped his little head off. Or drowned herself in hopes of filling her ears with water. Damn it, she cured to herself. If only she was more useful. I mean, here he was, just pacing around the pool thinking. She could grab him. That would end things. They'd have their hands on him and someone would be able to make him tell them how to turn her back and release both herself and Sesshomaru. But no. Here she was being worthless little Kagome again, always in need of rescue. Not able to pull the big part off herself. Always in need of backup. She heaved a mental sigh.

"Ah…what is this?" Massoumo's voice broke her out of her impromptu pity party. She looked over to find him fingering the change of clothes she'd brought with her. They were one of the sets her mother had given her for her birthday, the light blue one with the pink sakura blossoms. She couldn't help but think it would go well with her new, darker blue stripes. Hey, she may be transformed into a youkai, but Kagome was a girl at heart. And this girl knew how to coordinate.

"Ah, a gift from Sesshomaru," the lizard answered his own question and Kagome just nodded dumbly. Might as well. How else was she going to explain the silk blend? "Yes, only that dog would have access to such fine and exotic materials. Showering you with gifts already, eh my pet? Oh, very nice, very nice. And it tells me which method he will use. Yes…yes it makes sense. No, he would not want that. You are pure, innocent, untouched. He would save that for the mating to make it stronger. Always wanting power, damn dogs. And the others would be too long. So it must be this, must be. And the clothing confirms it. My my, what an impetuous dog he is. How bold, how bold."

Kagome bit off a sigh. Maybe if she smacked him really hard upside the head he'd stop skipping like an old record. Suddenly he spun around to face her, make Kagome jerk back in surprise.

"He has chosen the path of training."

Kagome blinked. The path of what?

"Ah, you must understand, my dear, he will expect you to. So I will tell you. These are things few, if any human's know, so once more you are privileged. In the world of youkai strength is all. Be it physical or political or intellectual. More often than not the three are combined. For a warrior such as he the physical and intellectual would hold the most merit. He would test those things in his future mate, he will test those things in you. And he will do so by training you in his own way of fighting."

Kagome blinked, more than a little shocked at how suddenly lucid he seemed. "I'm not sure I understand…"

"No, no, of course not. No human would. You see, with a warrior such as he his skills and techniques are closely guarded. To let them be known is to give the enemy and advantage. To keep them secret is to keep himself unpredictable in battle. If the enemy does not know your style or cannot figure it out then they cannot plan for it, adjust for it, and will most likely fall. As such, while trained by parents or teachers or whatnot youkai eventually develop their own style that is unique to them. Just as many human families do.

"By training you he is not only testing your strength and mind, he is giving you a great gift…the gift of his technique and thus the key to his strengths and weaknesses. It shows great trust and is usually not done untilafter the mating. If at all. Only ever so rarely is it done as a method of courting…and it means that the male is absolutely sure of his choice. Oh this is perfect, perfect. For these clothes show that is exactly what he shall do! What female of noble birth would wear such clothes but for fighting? Oh, perfect!"

Oh perfect, indeed. As if she had not seriously imposed on Sesshomaru enough as it was, now she was going to be forcing him into this! Vow or no Vow, he was going to kill her for sure.

ooOoo

Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, was quite pleased with himself. Despite certain opinions and a few wide spread rumors, he was not usually in the business of patting himself on the back. For one, it was usually a futile effort that showed a regrettable amount of overconfidence. For another, it tended to make one look rather silly and looking silly was not something he had ever enjoyed. But the fact of the matter remained that right now he had earned it.

In fact, he might have even indulged in the ludicrous act himself if it weren't that he could sense Kagome's impending return. That's how pleased he was.

Sesshomaru had learned something very important since the young miko-turned-youkai had fled for her bath. While she had been there with him he had found it very difficult to come up with a solution he felt he could live with. Not incredibly surprising. But after she had left he had discovered that thinking of Massoumo and just what he had done had allowed his anger at the little lizard to help clear his mind and allow him to look at the situation as more of a whole.

An amazing thing, anger. Highly underrated at times. Yes, it could cloud the mind and slow the reflexes, making skilled and practiced maneuvers jerky and fumbling. But it could also clear the mind, lend strength where it was lacking before, add a sharp edge to help bring a picture into focus. It all depended on how you used it.

And he believed he had come to a most equitable solution. It was not, perhaps, the most ideal but this was hardly and ideal situation. And the fact still remained that it would take care of several problems at once.

The short of it was that he had chosen a method of courting to use for their little charade. The path of training.

It wasn't often used for courting, this was true, but it would serve so many purposes that could overlook that. One's fighting style was usually kept highly secret. Oh, sure, people knew the basics, but the special attacks the methods, the reasoning were all kept under the tightest of wraps. Especially for someone like him where his supremacy over an opponent must be absolute, least it least to insurgency and chaos. It showed a great amount of confidence and surety in his choice to start the training for the courting, and he was sure that Massoumo would see that and think his plans furthered al the more.

Well, the little lizard was defiantly in for a surprise.

There had been other paths he could have chosen that was for sure, even his he was going to avoid the more…physical…ones. But Massoumo would never guess just how perfect this was for Sesshomaru's purposes. Not until it was too late. After all, the bastard thought Kagome was on his side.

By teaching Kagome his techniques, training her, he would be making it possible to defend herself in the upcoming confrontation. More than that, it would allow her to take a more active role, and considering that she was the only one that could sense the lizard, that would be eminently important. But that was only one part of the brilliancy. The other had to do with the Vow.

There were many who took their Vow, if they ever made one, to mean that they must provide Protection and Protection alone. The one they had sworn to would be dependant on them for it. That was not strictly necessary, though. By teaching Kagome to fight, to take better care of herself would further the success of his Vow.

The Western Lord was many things, but he was no fool. At least, not usually. He knew that once this situation was resolved that things were going to get more and more complicated. There was no way that he could be there to protect her all the time. He had duties to his lands and to his people. He had even more duties besides as a Cardinal Lord. And then there was Naraku. Kagome, for her part, had duties of her own. He wasn't entirely sure what they were, but as a miko she must have some. He knew that she hunted Naraku with his half-brother's pack, that she sought to restore the jewel of four souls. No, he could not always be with her and despite Inuyasha's own Vow, the pup had proven himself to be an ineffective protector. Sesshomaru would not trust the hanyou as the sole provider of her safety.

But with training, even after she returned to her human status, she would be better able to care for herself and he need not worry about her all the time. In fact…depending on how she responded to the training here he could probably alleviate a great number of problems by taking a short amount of time after she had returned to humanity and training her some more in her new form. Yes, that might work very well.

He blamed the distraction of his thoughts fro the reason that he failed to sense just how near the subject of those thoughts was until long after he should have. The first clue he had that had reentered the clearing was her scent hitting his nose. He had to admit, he wasn't prepared for what he bath had done to it. It was stronger now, cleaner, even more vibrant than before. He allowed himself a moment to actually study it, something he hadn't allowed himself before for fear of his own control. But his mind was still clear enough from his previous exercises that he was willing to risk it.

He inhaled deeply, purposely pushing past his scent mingling with hers, and to what lay underneath. And was momentarily stunned. It was…amazingly unique. It reminded him of his last journey to the Arabic lands some hundred and twenty years ago as men tell time, of their market places where the air is to tantalizingly filled with the scent of spices. Some strong, some subtle, most eminently pleasing to the Inu nose. There were hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and something sweeter. Underlying it was a kind of warm richness that reminding him of refined almond bark, a delicacy he had encountered on one of his travels that some called 'white chocolate', light but delectable. He found himself being forced to admit that even if his scent weren't mingled with it in a way that drove his instincts wild that he would have found the scent most appealing.

Once again, though, Sesshomaru found he was cursing himself for not having paid closer attention to the woman in their previous encounters. There was no way for him to tell if this was her natural scent or one that he been constructed or enhanced by the changes forced upon her. Sesshomaru had made a habit of not inhaling too deeply when around humans. Inuyoukai noses were quite delicate and sensitive, and humans had a tendency not to wash too thoroughly. There were times when the mingled smells of sweat, body odor, and other vile fluids were enough to make even the most controlled of beings gag.

Perhaps if he had taken the time to study her more closely he would be able to alleviate some of the confusion as to what impression was what, what had been changed and what had not, but as it was he was a victim of his own habits.

When he turned to look on her and acknowledge her presence, he found himself cursing silently again.

If she had been a vision of seductive beauty before in the fine kimono Massoumo had put her in she was a near goddess now. Her shining mass of silver hair had been pulled back into a high tail with some kind of binding, but a few locks escaped to frame her delicate face. Somehow it only made her large, azure blue eyes look even larger and her face even more refine. And her clothes…where had she come upon such clothes?

They were made of a light blue material he thought might be silk but he could not be sure, with sakura petals seeming to blow gently from one corner and up over the opposite shoulder. But it was not a kimono, no, it was something that looked vaguely like his own clothes but entirely different.

The top was sleeveless, showing off her toned, lean arms and the graceful stripes that wound from her wrist to elbow. It crossed over her front like a haori, but did not fit as one. It was tight, but concealing; showing of her delectable figure and high breasts without being immodest. It ended at mid-thigh with what appeared to be a slit to the hip for easy movement, but was saved again from immodesty by the matching not-quite hakamas which seemed to cling to her thighs and yet be loose enough for movement all the way down to where they puffed out slightly over the dainty boots on her feet.

She looked like a warrior maiden. No, a warrior goddess from some far away land who was too beautiful to quite fit in, but glorious in her differences. And at the moment he was just too stunned to care that he was being poetic about it.

Okay, I have not paid so little attention to have failed to notice an outfit like that. Where in the world did she find such clothes?Spell or no spell, he stared in utter shock and appreciation.

He wasn't sure how long he sat in his near stupor at seeing her dressed so, but it was her voice that finally dragged him out of it.

"My Lord Sesshomaru," she said formally, giving him a modest bow, "I thank you for the gift of such fine clothes."

Sesshomaru blinked slowly once. He hadn't…he saw her eyes shift ever so slightly to the woods behind them. So, they were being watched again. Sesshomaru's back stiffened, but not so that anyone but someone who knew him very well would notice. Massoumo was here. He was watching. And what was more, the realization flashed through his mind, if she was calling these clothes that he had most obviously notgiven her a gift then she must have already encountered him. But she had been bathing…so that meant…

He could feel the growl growing in his chest at the thought of that insane bastard being anywhere near Kagome, especially when she was bathing. That that miserable creature had seenhis Kagome in such a state was bad enough, but that she had been so vulnerable…Wait a minute…my Kagome? This Sesshomaru must gain more control of himself. He pushed the thought aside for the moment, though, as less important. The fact remained that the female under his Protection had been left defenseless. He had been so close, he should have been closer. It should never have happened.Damn this curse! Were it not for it she would never have been put in such potential harm!

Sesshomaru forced himself to take a deep breath and calm the growing anger. It was not the sort that would do any sort of good. No, the fact was that Massoumo would not harm Kagome, he needed her too badly. Most likely he had merely gone for a status report or to add something to further his plans. But it still cinched things. Kagome would definitely receive training, there was no question to it now. He would not have the lizard come upon her so ill prepared again.

And he was still watching. Well, I suppose it is time to put all that practice of acting before the courts to some actual decent use.

He rose from the bolder he had been sitting on and walked slowly towards the young female, allowing a small smile to grace his face. "Then you approve of them, little butterfly?"

He felt his smile widen of its own accord as he watched Kagome's eyes widen and a small blush begin to tinge her cheeks.

"Yes, my Lord," she said, letting her eyes drop in an appropriately innocent manner. "They are most beautiful."

Sesshomaru reached out and went for the gold. He placed a knuckle beneath her chin and lifted her face so her eyes met his own. It took all of his willpower not to drown in the amazing depths of her endless azure eyes, but somehow he managed it.

"No, my butterfly," he said, barely noticing that his voice had dropped down to something that was not helping the situation, "they are merely clothes. Fine, perhaps, as you say, but they only become beautiful when you don them. The beauty belongs solely to you."

He watched, almost in awe, as the light tint to her cheeks blossomed into a full, rosy blush. How in the world had she spent so much time with his crass, younger, half-brother and still remained so adorably innocent? Wait…adorable? Sigh. Was he never to have possession of his own thoughts again? But even as he thought it, Sesshomaru felt his control slip as he stared into her wide eyes and astonished face. Slowly his gaze dropped to her mouth, lips parted slightly in shock, those delicate fangs just peaking out…

It was an act. Yes, that was all it was. They were performing for their audience. He had to remember that. He did not want to kiss her. Not really. He had absolutely no desire to see just what those lips tasted like, to see if they would be as petal soft against his own as they looked. And he most assuredly didnot wish to wrap his arm and tail around her, haul her flush against him, press into her as he wrapped her tongue around his own.

But maybe…it would be more believable…

He blamed the scent, the scent that convinced him she was his mate. He blamed his instincts, disreputable things, that clouded his mind with her so near. He blamed his love of detail and perfection and perhaps his own ability to act. Not that any of it mattered, of course, as his lips descended to hers.

AN: Ha! Yes, I'm evil. And I so enjoy it. I hope you liked this new chappie! Frankly, I had to end it there or risk insanity. The problem with longer posts is that it's hard to know where it end them. It...just...had...to...end...there! Finally! Anyway, hopefully you won't have to wait nearly as long for the next one, but as I stated above, I offer no promises to the cooperation of my muse. We'll see. Please, R&R!

Reviewer Respose:

I feel the need to appologize to as well as thank all of my reviewers. I got so many in the time between updates that I find myself unable to answer them all here as I normally do. Many Applogies! The only problem is that I'm home sick from work today and find that I don't have the energy or mental fortitude to do so. So it was either wait to post until I could answer them all...or just post the damn thing and beg forgiveness.

But so you know, I love you all! Thank you so much for your kind words and helpful suggestions. I very much value them and find them eminently helpful. Please keep them coming as you see fit! Much with the love!