Alright, alright, so it took a little longer than I had hoped to post this chapter, but for some unknown reason my internet refused to connect today! It was simply infuriating I tell you!

Have mercy on this poor, deprived writer, whose internet connection was faulty. The blame does not rest on my shoulders, so please understand my dilemma. I want to update just as much as you want to read. You have no idea the great satisfaction I get while reading reviews, thinking all the while, 'Wow, people really appreciate my work.' Honestly, you people are a cool drink to my starving soul, one that parches and rejuvenates. Thank you, for without you, I would have no purpose to continue with my stories. Give yourselves a pat on the back because really, all of you help this story along.

Disclaimer: Murmle, murmle, murmle… oh shut up… I don't own it, aight!

Acceptance: Battle of the Soul

Hand lifting in a formal wave, Kagome bid the last of the guests farewell, having had a pleasant time but glad to be through with it all the same. The meeting had been so very boring. She had never been good with war tactics and strategies. She felt like the odd man out.

Rin had been sent to bed once she had finished her meal. Talk about war was not for young ears such as hers.

Thinking back to her outburst, she sincerely hoped that Sesshomaru wasn't still upset with her. She could sense the disturbance in his aura when she had spoken out of place. The words that had left her mouth had surprised even her to a degree.

Something, to her, hadn't seemed right. This Lord Rika was not trustworthy, she could tell. She had learned many things while training at the monastery, and had lost her childish naivety. All thoughts about being innocent until proven guilty she used to carry had been tossed out the proverbial window.

After discovering how to harness her miko energy, she had ascertained that a person's aura confirmed several things about them. For instance, a great amount of unease in one's soul generally denoted that they were untrustworthy or unreliable.

Rika's soul, for one, had been so clouded and apprehensive that it was hard to sort out what type of person he was underneath his bitter and cruel exterior. Was he insecure, racist, or was he hiding something?

Though she knew it was not right to pass judgment on someone when one barely knew them, Kagome's feminine intuition told her that Rika wasn't being quite honest with them about something. She wasn't certain as to what that something was, but she was assured that, in time, they would find out.

"We need to have a discussion, miko."

Upon hearing the demanding and irritated baritone, Kagome instantly stiffened, back growing rigid as she gradually turned around to face her not so happy Lord. "Now, Sesshomaru, I realize what I did was uncalled for but I refuse to allow someone to belittle me like that."

He said nothing. His eyes spoke volumes as they bore into hers; vicious, smoldering amber piercing into frantic azure. There was fury, unbridled and unadulterated rage. Combined with it was something that seemed feral… something completely unrestrained. It was unlike him, to have such a look of careless wildness in his eyes, and it frightened her to a degree. What was the matter with him?

Merging with his inner beast, Sesshomaru eyed the luscious morsel of meat before him, eyes slowly bleeding red. He had been restraining this part of him for far too long without anything to vent it.

For the entirety of dinner he had fussed over the fact that she had spoken out of place. She had been reckless and disobedient. Untamed and fiery. That was what had set him off.

It had been hard enough holding back until the guests were gone, but it was well worth it. Now the defiant little wench was completely at his mercy.

Throughout the dinner he had whispered sinful little things to the miko, just to see what her reaction might be. It had taken the minx a while to realize that he had indeed been saying them, but when she did the sharp spike of arousal he had sensed from her pleased him greatly.

Watching as small veins of red leaked into the corners of his eyes, Kagome slowly raised her hands and began to back away. "Now Sesshomaru… y-you had best calm down. D-don't make me use my miko abilities." Her threat seemingly went unheeded, for the crimson color that leeched into his eyes spread, pooling around his irises and staining the honeyed depths a deep ruby. Soon, his orbs were nothing but two bleeding pools, wide and glowing.

He grinned wickedly. Had she just threatened him? His subconscious laughed at the notion. Though she was a powerful miko, she seemed to think that her own power bested his. 'Silly little priestess,' he purred mentally, 'I'll have to teach her otherwise.'

Giving a small 'eep' as her back pressed against a wall, Kagome had around a half second to react before Sesshomaru was upon her, slamming her frail body into it. A pained 'oomph' left her as he crushed her smaller frame between his and the wall, claws shaking as they grasped her shoulders. She had yet to decide which was more solid, the wall at her back, or the demon Lord to her front?

"It's time to end these games, miko," he distinctly told her.

"Games," she repeated confusedly, "what games? What are you talking about?"

Tightening his steel grip, he snapped, "You are attracted to me; do not attempt to hide the fact. I have scented such emotions on you before, and even now. I have made it clear that I am equally attracted to you. Therefore, why is it necessary that we continue on with this silly charade? We know what we want… now all that's left to do is to take it."

The world blurred around her as she was pulled from the wall into Sesshomaru's vice like hold, his youkai speed carrying them out of the foyer and through several lit corridors. When the jumble of color that was their surroundings jerked to a halt, she found herself in a massive bedroom. Thrice the size of her own, the gigantic space was large enough to hold a demon of massive proportion, such as the one that her Lord morphed into every now and then.

Lacquered, mahogany bookshelves lined the expanse of one wall, crammed with several scrolls and parchments and books. She knew of the library, but perhaps these shelves held more personal scriptures. A polished desk sat in one corner, ink well and quill resting neatly to the side with several papers stacked atop it. A large fireplace stood out against another wall, a large black pelt spread before it. One of the walls, save the few tasteful pictures that adorned it as well as the doors that lead out into the hall, was rather bare, though it only served to make the setting seem more aristocratic. Black, blue and silver pillows were strewn across the top of an elaborate headboard; sheets of frost colored silk covering the massive breadth of the bed. Another black fur was folded at the foot of the mattress, curtains of blue silk tied neatly to the four posts that stood erect at every corner. She had never seen such a lovely canopy bed.

In a heartbeat she found herself tossed upon said bed, hair in disarray as she tried desperately to crawl off of the mattress.

A strong hand clasped around her ankle and pulled her backwards, directly underneath the growling western Lord. Hovering over her as a great predator would before gorging on its prey; he remained still, only the odd movement detectable. His broad chest heaved every so often and his breathe came out in short, quick pants.

Shaking lightly as she stared up into the face of her pursuer, she gulped and asked meekly, "Sesshomaru… are you alright?"

Thrusting his pelvis forward, he ground his stiffness against her core and growled his answer. "No… I have lost control of myself. My firm sense of self discipline has been shattered into a million tiny pieces. And what is the cause of my unease? Why, a ningen priestess. Not some seductive demon enchantress, not a goddess, nor a nymph, whose feminine wiles lure and corrupt the male mind. No… a simple ningen priestess: that is the cause of my unease."

Lip quivering, she attempted to reason with him, "Well I'm terribly sorry for shattering your firm sense of self discipline but isn't there something we can do about this, like sit down and have a nice, civilized chat?"

"I have had enough talk!" he bit out, gnashing his teeth at her. "Why do you continue to deny yourself of what you want? Why continue with this farce when all that you crave is yours for the taking? I, for one, will no longer deny myself."

His claws were merciless as they shredded the delicate strip of silk that fastened her kimono together; eager fingers yanking open the folds of her garb.

Crying out in modest desperation, she quickly covered her exposed chest, cursing herself for deciding not to wear underwear that day. "Wait, please you can't do this!" she begged.

"Why?!" the enraged inu youkai demanded, his voice thick with furious impatience.

"I'm a priestess, Sesshomaru!" she elucidated.

Pausing in his fervent exploration of her exposed skin, the red eyed demon crooned amusedly, "Ah yes, a miko. Purity… innocence… you'll have to give them up sometime, Kagome."

"I know," she implored, "but not now, please, I'm not ready for this!"

Taking a deep breath, the icy inu snarled in contempt. Damn her childish innocence… he was hard as hell and he really did not want to resort to self gratification.

"Please."

The beseeching tone of her voice did him in and he huffed in defeat. Rising from the bed, he gave her time to pull her kimono shut and helped her stand.

It had been only a short glimpse, but her sweet, soft body was something he looked forward to gazing upon again, and soon. So she was a little less willing to hop into bed than he had first surmised. She was still, after all, a mere child. She was not like the experienced demoness wenches that had shared his bed before. No… he would need to go slower. He would need to seduce the innocent little vixen… and then she would be all his.

Seeing her out of the room, he slid the door shut and slammed a fist against the wall. He was still unbelievable hard, and this time it was not something that could be left unattended. Try as he might, he could not will the stubborn erection away.

Stripping away the burdensome clothing that covered his person, he returned to the door, inhaling deeply. Kagome's scent still lingered, and it made his arousal bob in appreciation. Wrapping a clawed hand around his girth, he placed the other against the doorframe and began to stroke himself, eyes fluttering shut as he imagined himself holding her delectable little body close to his. The softness of her skin, the quiet, shy moans she would utter, the tight, slick heat of her feminine depths engulfing him as he humped her.

It did not take long before his release was nearly upon him, and he pumped himself harder, strokes quickening as he rocked into his hand. Grunting loudly as he grew dangerously close to the edge, he managed to get out, amongst a sea of groans, "Uh… gods… Kagome."

Jerking to a halt, he released a low growl as his seed shot forth, splattering against the wall. After regaining his senses, he stared contemptibly at it, hating himself for his lack of control.

Grumbling in a bestial tone, he turned his back to the sticky mess that acted as a reminder of his folly. It was ridiculous, to allow the wench so much control over him. Even a glimpse of her made him hard beyond belief, her scent driving him wild with desire.

Leaving the mess, he slid under his sheets and lie motionless, eyes staring upward. The servants would clean it up.

Scrutinizing golden orbs analyzed every crack and imperfection that marred the expanse of the canopy top. The wood needed to be refurbished, and he deduced that he would need new curtains soon. Though they were still in good enough physical condition, they were beginning to take on an old, musty smell. It was faint, but to his superior senses it reeked.

An exasperated bark left his lips, his annoyance in himself building. Was this what he was reduced to? Mulling over furniture to get his mind off of the miko? It was preposterous.

She was nothing to him… could not be anything to him. His family's bloodline had been tarnished enough by the mortal taint. Inuyasha was a constant reminder of his father's idiocy. Like a stain marring one's favorite haori that refused to come out. The boy's existence was a bitter and mocking reminder of what a joke his father had been to youkai society, one that ended up affecting even him. All fingers that had once pointed at Inu Taisho now pointed at him, the gossiping murmurs that passed around amongst the nobles not going unheard by his keen ears.

'Like father like son.'

Never… not in a million years, would he allow himself to be lured in by whatever feminine wiles human females seemed to possess. So many of his kind had been pulled in, and look how they all ended up… dead. Human women were nothing but trouble. Women were nothing but trouble… a distraction. Why bother mating when it only presented another risk to one's rein? A mate would present enemies with the opportunity to hurt him in other ways than physical pain… not that anyone could harm the great Sesshomaru.

He knew now, and had accepted the fact that he felt more than a passing lust for the miko. However, he had also decided that, even though he could admit it, he would never act upon it. It simply could not be.

And then there was the fact that he did not want Kagome getting hurt in all of this. He knew that, should she join with him, her life would be in constant jeopardy, and he didn't think he could stand that, watching her live in fear.

He was a monster… a beast… a demon. He needed her, badly, but in a way that could never be fulfilled. He cared for the coy, little miko, and yet he knew that their union would be dangerous. That was why he had come to this final decision.

He would have her, and she would be hurt by it. The two of them would suffer silently, and as sick as it may have seemed, he supposed that one night in her arms was better than none at all. And he would cherish it; keep it in his heart forever.

"Soon," he whispered to himself before turning on his side, eyes sliding shut. "Very soon."

Bwaaaaaaa! Poor Sesshomaru, wanting something but finding he cannot have it. What a nasty situation this is. Will true love overcome this hardship before it's too late, or will our poor, broken miko be pushed over the edge; sliding from balance… into darkness?

Review… and this answer to this angst stricken situation will be revealed to you in but a few chapters time.