This is the chapter in which you find out if your suspicions about what Sess was feeling are right! Which they probably are, since I'm terrible at keeping things secret, lol. And you'll get to see Kagome's reaction when she figures it out! Oh, and you'll be seeing Chentei again. –huge grin- I love Chentei so very much!

Disclaimer: I own Chentei, and I own the plot, and I own my talent at making Sesshomaru mad. I also own my pretty yellow swirly pen!

Kagome awoke in the morning feeling better than she had in weeks. Not content to sit around doing nothing, she got up and explored her room. There was a window on one wall, and when she opened it, bright morning sunlight streamed in. Looking out, she saw the courtyard Sesshomaru had taken her to the night before.

A wardrobe on the opposite wall caught her attention. Curious, she peeked inside. Much of the clothing was old and must have there for ages. However, one outfit was clearly put there recently. Kagome supposed it must be for her use, and took it out.

To her surprise it was much the priestess garb that Kikyo and Lady Kaede wore, only instead of red, the cloth was light blue. She quickly changed out of her grubby school uniform and donned the new clothes.

Curiosity getting the better of her, she wandered from the room. Rin was coming down the corridor, and was very happy to see her out and about. "Come with me!" she exclaimed, and Kagome happily followed.

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"Lord Sesshomaru, you've been acting strange ever since that woman joined us. Are you sure it's a good idea to let her stay?"

Sesshomaru looked at Jaken carefully, judging his motive for the statement. All he could sense from the small demon was concern for his master. He sighed inwardly. Kagome was indeed having a strange effect upon him, and he had found himself on more than one occasion wondering if he should have left her behind in the forest.

"Perhaps you are right." He knew Jaken was right. She was getting through his iron defenses, which could very well end disastrously. It was becoming hazardous, having Kagome around. No wonder InuYasha has changed, he thought miserably. She could get to anyone.

After much thought, and much internal debate, Sesshomaru had made his decision. Kagome was welcome to stay until she had recovered. But when she was strong enough, she would have to leave his castle. Knowing she'd want an explanation, and knowing he could not provide one, he went to deliver the verdict.

He found Kagome out in the courtyard with Rin, sitting among the flowers. As he approached, the child said something that made Kagome laugh. It was a rich, melodic sound, overflowing with joy, and instantly warmed Sesshomaru's heart. Rin caught sight of him and waved, Kagome turning around to see who was there. A bright smile lit up her face.

Sesshomaru nodded acknowledgment, feeling his resolve weakening. He could not turn her away. It must be done, but…it was an impossible task. So he occupied himself with watching over them from a distance, senses alert for the approach of any unwanted company.

Jaken waddled over, clearly confused. "Milord," he said uncertainly. "I thought you were going to—"

"No, Jaken," Sesshomaru interrupted. "Kagome shall stay as long as she wishes."

"But, Lord Sesshomaru—"

"Enough. My decision is final."

"Y-yes," Jaken stammered. "Uh, Lord Sesshomaru, what is it?"

The dog demon had stiffened. "Chentei is coming," he said angrily. "Take Rin and Kagome into the castle."

Jaken hurried off to do as he was told. Chentei came more quickly this time, flying into view before the humans were out of sight. "What is this?" he asked in his ear-pounding voice, making Rin cry out in terror. "The great and powerful Lord Sesshomaru of the western lands, keeping company with mortals? I had thought you were above that."

"Hurry, Jaken, take Rin to safety!" Kagome said urgently, giving the girl a push forward. She herself, however, took not another step toward the safety of the stone walls.

"Go with them," Sesshomaru commanded, not taking his eyes off the putrid demon before him.

"I'm not going anywhere," she retorted stubbornly. "I will not stoop to running away from pathetic demons."

"Not very obedient, is she?" Chentei laughed.

"Go," Sesshomaru ordered, angry at being disobeyed.

"Not a chance."

Before anything more could be said, Chentei was swooping to attack. Sesshomaru charged, drawing Tokijin. But Chentei flew past him; straight at Kagome. Sesshomaru whirled, fear gripping him, eyes wide.

He needn't have been worried. Kagome had produced an old bow and some arrows, and proceeded to take aim and shoot. Chentei dodged it and flew away, his laughter fading into the distance along with his horrid stench.

"My aim's off," Kagome commented wryly. "So, what's with the lunatic?"

"Just that," Sesshomaru answered stonily. "He's a lunatic. Chentei finds it amusing to try to kill me. Yet he flees whenever he himself is attacked. During my absence, he killed most of those loyal to me."

"That's terrible!" she said sympathetically. "Why don't you just go after him?"

"I will not waste my time on such a weak demon."

"He's too fast for you, isn't he?" The look he gave her told her she'd guessed right. With the speed she witnessed, she suspected even Koga would have difficulty keeping up with Chentei.

"Where did you get that?" Sesshomaru asked, changing the subject while telling himself to shut up before he dug himself into a hole he couldn't get out of.

Kagome looked at the rickety bow and smiled. "Rin found it. She was so excited when she showed it to me this morning. Too bad it's bad shape, or I would've hit him for sure." Suddenly she blushed. "I'm sorry. I should have asked before taking it."

"Hooray!" Rin shouted, rushing out to them. "You almost got him Kagome!"

During the next few days, Sesshomaru often spent time with Kagome. He showed her around his home, and answered all her questions. She was eager to learn about everything, and strangely enough, he found he enjoyed talking with her. He even went as far to explain to her how Jaken and Rin had come to be with him; the toad demon leaving his own position of power to serve Sesshomaru, and Rin following him after he had revived her from death with Tenseiga. Out of all the information she unearthed, what astonished Kagome the most, however, was that he had had several run-ins with Koga, and the two demons fostered deep hatred for one another. She couldn't understand why dog demons can't get along with wolf demons.

But overall, Kagome had an enjoyable time. She was slowly discovering that Sesshomaru was not the cold, cruel demon he seemed, but that underneath his hard shell he was kind and gentle, truly concerned about the well-being of those close to him. But why does he care about me? She thought, sorely puzzled. All I've ever done was get in his way and help out his brother. Could it be because I've saved Rin?

She was deep in thought on this matter one day when she walked into her room to find Sesshomaru waiting for her. He was standing at the open window, his back to her. Slowly, she closed the door.

"Tell me," he said quietly. "Are you happy here?"

"Of course I am," Kagome answered, moving to stand by the bed. "I've been happier in these past weeks than I've been in a long time." She sat on the edge of the bed, eyes downcast. "But…I'm scared. Because when InuYasha and Kikyo complete the jewel…" Her voice trailed off and she hugged her knees, suddenly cold at the thought.

She felt a gently hand on her shoulder and looked up into his golden eyes. "I will protect you," he said softly.

Tears brimmed Kagome's eyes as she suddenly hugged him, not caring how he would react. It was just something she felt compelled to do. To her surprise, he returned the embrace, sitting beside her, giving into the urge he felt that night she'd been injured. Raising her eyes again, she caught his, and saw there something she hadn't seen before. But it was quickly clouded by fear, and Sesshomaru looked away. Tentatively, and not at all sure she was helping, she reached up and laid her fingers on his cheek. "Don't be afraid of what you feel," she whispered. When he locked eyes with her again, she could clearly tell what he was feeling; she felt it too.

Their lips met, hesitantly at first, but the second kiss was deeper, more passionate, as both realized that what they felt was true. Breaking apart, they gazed at one another. For the first time, Sesshomaru's eyes were alight, and a warm, tender smile rested on his face. Kagome smiled in return, resting her head on his chest. She felt safe, secure, and happy. But most of all, she felt at home. Closing her eyes, she drank in his warmth, perfectly content.

"I'll never know how you wormed your way into my heart," Sesshomaru whispered into her hair.

"I should be saying the same thing," was her whispered reply. And of course, neither of them knew the answer.

Why can I never get long chapters? Is it because I get right to the point, or because I'm cursed? I'll never know, will I. Oh well, I loved this chapter most of all, and I want to know what ya'll think of it! So, review, no matter what you have to say, and if it's a good review, my yellow swirly pen and I will send ya a reply!

Sesshomaru: -stands ominously in the doorway-

Kinkatia: Oh no…I promised not to get killed!

Sesshomaru: -draws Tokijin-

Kinkatia: Please, Lord Sesshomaru, spare me! What I've done is nothing compared to what orangepencils did to you in Past Present And The In Between. (You should totally read it if you want a laugh!)

Sesshomaru: -stalks off to kill orangepencils instead-