Hello again my readers! Here is another chapter and I hope you guys like it. Special Thanks goes to the wonderful helper, the amazing and orgasmic Sol Rivera!

I love you all and with all the support I am getting, I have no doubt that I am on the right track with this story. I want to say now that I am leaving town and probably won't be back for a month. Because where I am going is not exactly "safe" for expensive electrical equipment, my poor laptop won't be coming with me. I will have some sort of device that I can write on but I doubt I will be able to write a lot. Sorry guys but when I come back YOU WILL HAVE A NEW CHAPTER READY FOR YOU!

A Review a Day Makes Keeps My Sanity at Bay (it's a good thing).

-Yuuki

P.S. - *!~!~!* = flashback ~!~ = time or scene change 'blah'=thought "blah"=talking

Betrayal's Greatest Romance

~ Third Year of Tama Art University ~

End Fall Semester

Chapter Five:

One Reminder of Sorrow + Two Drops of Honesty = Three Slaps in the Face

She watched as her former husband left the day care their daughter attended with a little more pep in his step. Growling, she forced herself to remain unmoved and masked. She could do nothing right now but make herself look like more of a fool. Taking a calming breath, the woman turned her attention back to the scene beyond the glass windows. Her daughter leapt into the dark haired woman's arms and the woman in turn held her tightly.

This time a growl did part her lips. That was her daughter, not the little whore's. Kagome Higurashi, the star of last week's papers. Single handedly, she had brought shame to the Taisho household, more specifically, her former husband Sesshoumaru and his younger brother Inuyasha. The woman had balls, she'd admit that but now she was treading on dangerous waters.

The mysterious woman continued to watch as Kagome kissed her daughter's cheek then set her down to take a kitsune cub into her arms. They walked further back to put away the children's belongings before disappearing down the hall. When they didn't return, the woman started her car and began drive when her phone rang.

She knew who it was and didn't care to talk to him at the moment. She knew what he wanted but all she wanted was her daughter back. She sat silently, listening to the cell phone ring as she gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned bone white. She would never get to see her daughter again. The court as well as Sesshoumaru made sure of it. She was young and made a mistake just like everyone else, and because of it, Rin would never know who she was.

The steering wheel broke.

Cursing she snapped open the phone. "What!" she shouted and frantically tried to put the steering wheel back together.

"Why did it take you so long to answer the phone?" He was calm, way too calm for her liking. Fear chilled her spine as she tried to answer but he ignored her and spoke again. "You're watching them again, are you not? You know what you are supposed to be doing and instead you disappoint me yet again. Should we go take a little trip back to the summer house?"

"No!" She screamed, panic gripping her heart as she tried not to thinking about the three week get away they took to the summer house when she took an afternoon with her little sister without asking. She couldn't go back there, not again.

"Then what are you going to be doing?"

"Go home." The phone clicked off and she slowly lowered it from her ear. Shaking, she tried to pull herself back together. Allowing herself one last look into the Lil' Steps Day Care Center, she drove out of the parking lot and disappeared to no one's notice.

~!~

Kagome listened to Shippo ramble on about his first day back in school as they strolled down the aisles of the super market. He hadn't been to school in almost two years and he was so happy to see the kids and teacher. He talked and talked as she nodded and picked out the stuff they would need to make dinner that night. Smiling, she watched him put something he liked into the basket and then another. Kagome shook her head and took out the unnecessary junk food as they continued to walk.

"Miss Kagome!" A small body collided with the back of her knees. Kagome managed to turn around and pick up the yellow and orange blob attached to her legs. Rin grinned back at her, one of her front teeth, Kagome noticed, missing. Sesshoumaru followed leisurely behind his daughter, a basket full of junk food.

"Good evening, Sesshoumaru-sama," Kagome greeted, placing Rin at her side to bow respectfully. Sesshoumaru fought the urge to roll his eyes as he took Kagome's shoulders and stood her up straight.

"Must I remind you each time we meet that I prefer you call me Sesshoumaru and just that?" Sesshoumaru teased as he took Rin's hand and placed a sugary cereal in the basket slung on his arm. Kagome laughed and took the cereal out.

"No Sesshoumaru, but I might recommend you get something as sweet as it is healthy. Rin has already begun loosing teeth and if you want the one that comes in to replace it to stay, I suggest you take good care of it!" Kagome chided as she selected another, healthier cereal and put it in the basket. Taking a look back into the basket, she shook her head and took it away from the Daiyoukai.

"And what do you think you're doing miko?" Sesshoumaru held on to the basket, raising an elegant eyebrow at her as she tugged once more on the black plastic handle.

"Saving you time and money, as well as Rin's poor body. I'll make you a deal. Since you're training with Shippo twice a week, I'll have you and Rin over for a nice fresh cooked home meal on the days you train. Since you won't let me pay you then at least let me do this." Kagome blinked her wide cerulean eyes up at the youkai lord towering above her and saw his mask begin to falter. With a huff and a neck roll, Sesshoumaru agreed.

Grinning, Kagome scooped Rin into her arms and set her down inside the cart with Shippo. The two chattered animatedly as Kagome stepped behind the handle bar and began to push again. Two firm hands encircled her wrist, lifting them away from the handle, and took her place. She pouted up at the Daiyoukai as he began to push the cart down the aisle, leaving her behind.

Running to catch up, Kagome latched on to Sesshoumaru's arm and gave it a good tug. "Sesshoumaru please let me push." Sesshoumaru stopped abruptly, bending at the waist to level her with his piercing citrine eyes.

He leaned close to her ear, his lips brushing the shell of her ear and whispered quietly. "Kagome, you are feeding my child, taking care of her six out of seven days of the week and giving her any and everything she might want or need that she isn't getting from the woman that was supposed to be her mother. Let me, as a man and as a father, do what I can to provide for you and our children." He began to walk away but Kagome stood frozen in place.

Had she heard correctly? For a split moment, she allowed her mind to slip into the alternate universe she held in her subconscience. The world where she and Sesshoumaru made that perfect TV couple with Rin and Shippo her biological children but she knew it would never come true. It was just a dream she kept to remind herself there were still chivalric men out there. 'Not that any would want her…'

Shaking herself out of the daze, Kagome took quick strides and caught back up to the cart's side. Shippo and Rin leaned outside the cart, picking up whatever they thought they must have while Sesshoumaru rested his elbows against the handle bar and let them. Shaking her head she began to take everything back out before walking away, not waiting to see if Sesshoumaru would follow or not. He did.

An hour and a half, one hundred and sixteen dollars, and an ice cream stop later, Kagome and Sesshoumaru found themselves chopping various herbs and vegetables in Kagome's small dorm kitchen. Shippo and Rin sat in the living room in front of them, playing some Mario Kart. Kagome smiled, accidentally letting her mind fool her once again tonight that this could truely be hers. She dismissed the thought and tossed the diced onions, carrots and peppers into the fryer.

Stirring them, Kagome was too distracted by her thoughts to notice an intrigued Sesshoumaru coming her way. His nose in the air, he scented the frying vegetables and came closer. It wasn't until Sesshoumaru was right behind her, his head hanging over her shoulder and right above the flavorful warm vapors steaming up from the sizzling pan. The flash of his piston white hair startled her and had his quick reflexes not been there, she would have tossed the burning hot oils and veggies right onto her chest.

"Kagome," he whispered next to her ear. "Although I was distracted by your cooking, maybe your head should stay in the game. No trips to the ER tonight, deal?" His chest rumbled with a deep chortle against her back before disappearing. The sound of her old kitchen blade hitting the chopping plate resumed and Kagome shook herself to continue cooking. She checked on the steaming rice and began to add the slices of fish to the veggies before turning back to Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru is the bread ready?" she asked, coming around to his left to peek at the fresh bread. He eyed it carefully, examining it from all angles. His expressionless mask did not give away his confusion about the bread. He spared a glance at the woman to his left and growled low in his belly. The damn bread smelled good and looked ok but did Kagome honestly expect him to know how to check bread, he wasn't a doctor.

"Look, you have to squeeze it." Kagome lightly nudged him aside, took the bread into her hands and squeezed it gently. It made a satisfying crunch beneath her nimble fingers. The sound alone made his ears tweak and his mouth water. "Yup," Kagome piped after a moment. "It's ready. I'll finish the fish and vegetables then we can eat."

While Rin and Shippo washed for dinner, Sesshoumaru set the table and Kagome prepared the plates. They sat and began to eat minutes later like the family they all secretly wished for. Sesshoumaru looked around at his other dinner occupants from his seat at the head of the table. Kagome sat to his right, where his wife and lady would sit. Shippo sat to his left, where his first son or heir to the West would sit and Rin next to Kagome, here the female children were to sit alongside their mother.

"Mama?" Shippo piped up halfway through dinner. Kagome wiped her mouth with her napkin and began to get up. She didn't need to even look at the kitsune to know what he needed. She picked up his plate and went to refill it with food. Sesshoumaru watched as the young woman secretly transferred the rest of the food on her plate to the plate of her son. She had picked and barely ate any of her food because she knew the young boy would need more food than she had originally given him.

Sitting her son's plate back before him and sitting back in her seat, her missing plate only noticed by one person. "Kagome," Sesshoumaru spoke, "Maybe changing his diet to one of a growing youkai boy would help you better provide for him. I can have my house keeper shop for you as she shops for our house hold. I'll set it all up tomorrow." Sesshoumaru left no room for argument so Kagome was left to nod in agreement.

~!~

Rin and Shippo slept soundly on the love seat, leaning against each other as Shippo murmured on about a lollipop and Rin drooled in his hair. Sesshoumaru and Kagome were left to watch the two quietly, the "proud parent" look on their faces. Kagome stepped away from the soapy water, now emptied of dirty dishes, and placed a light blanket over both of them and turning off the TV.

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome share her motherly love with his daughter as he absentmindedly dried the thoroughly dried bowl in his palm. For a moment, a true smile graced his lips and somewhere in the back of his mind he truly connected with his father. Surely this is what it must have felt like to watch over the ones you love without any disturbance from the outside world.

He sighed, shaking the thought from his mind before it could grow. Like everything good in his life, there were only moments and they all came to an end sooner than he would have liked. Sesshoumaru placed the bowl back where it belonged to sleep for the night with the rest of its set and began to gather his and Rin's belongings. He silently watched Kagome kiss the children's foreheads before breaking the dream of their world.

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru whispered, shattering the little fantasy her brain had tricked her into. She looked back to him, silently questioning with her eyes what he wished for. "It's time I took Rin home." He swept past her, his coat feathering against her arm. She watched as he gently pushed the blanket she had placed on his daughter off and then replaced it with her tan wool coat. He nudged her until she flopped against his shoulder, then picked her and her book bag up effortlessly and headed for the door.

Kagome quickly walked past Sesshoumaru, opening the door for the father and daughter, before whispering a quick goodnight. She was closing the door when he whispered back, "Kagome." She stopped, peeking out at the white haired Daiyoukai. "I, as well as Rin, had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow." Kagome smiled and before she could think to speak, Sesshoumaru pressed his lips against her forehead and vanished into the night.

~!~

"Again!" the bull demon shouted at Shippo. Kagome watched as her son and the strong youkai warmed up before Shippo started his real training with Sesshoumaru. The kit tried so hard, each time throwing his body to the floor for fifteen push-ups, then sprinting up to charge the punching bag before him with all his might. The punching bag had yet to move and this was Shippo's eighth try.

'This was the warm up? He's too young for this; he'll be hurt or killed! I shouldn't have agreed to this!' Kagome thought as she watched her new son's body tremble with exhaustion. Shippo's forehead beaded with sweat but his eyes held the determination his body didn't seem to match. Kagome watched as Shippo tried again, this time pouncing at the heavy sand bag, knocking his head against the center and bouncing back. Blood sprayed from his nose as he descended to the hard wood floor but before the boy could land, Sesshoumaru had him by the back of his white haori.

Resting his hand against the slightly swaying bag, Sesshoumaru gave the bull youkai a hard nod of dismissal before turning back to Shippo. "Are you alright?" He asked the kitsune, his voice void of emotion. Shippo nodded as he held his nose, tears pricking at his lashes. "You have determination, I'll give you that but you're too soft. Your body can withstand a lot more than you think but you've been allowed to believe you are weak. That ends today. You are old enough to start taking care of yourself. You're the man of your household yet you let your mother go hungry. You're stronger but your mother does all the heavy lifting. You have the potential to be a very fine youkai and I'll beat you until you meet my standards."

At this, Kagome stood up. Her anger and worriment willed her tongue to speak up for her son but before she would get a word out, Sesshoumaru's warm honeyed eyes froze her in place. A silent command was issued and Kagome slowly sat back down, her eyes locked with the Daiyoukai. It was only when Shippo sneezed and blood splattered on Sesshoumaru's face and clothes, did they break their gaze.

Growling low in his chest, Sesshoumaru set Shippo down on his feet. "First, you will complete a hundred laps around the gym in fifteen minutes. If you manage to actually do that you'll be assigned to laundry duty for the whole gym and when you're done with that you'll be sparring until I say stop with your warm up partner." Shippo's eyes widened as he looked down and over the railing at the floor level gym. Sesshoumaru bent and whispered by his ear, "it's almost noon now, we will not leave here until you complete all your tasks. I'll make you stay here until it's time for us meet again tomorrow, and you will repeat this tomorrow."

His threat rang clear in the young boy's ear as he hurried away. Not to be silenced anymore, Kagome stood and pushed Sesshoumaru's shoulder angrily. He didn't move, just looked down at her with one elegant eye brow raised. "You will not treat my son like some throw away! You can't be so rough with him, you'll hurt him!" Kagome huffed, trying to make a point.

"No, that's the problem. You're too soft on him. That's why he's so far behind with his training, because you won't let him grow up." Taking Kagome's shoulders, Sesshoumaru held her firmly at arm's length. "You will leave here and let me take care of Shippo. Rin is downstairs with her friends in the cafeteria. Take her, go to work and Shippo and I will come to get you when we are done."

Kagome reluctantly shook his hold from her shoulder and began out the door, calling over her shoulder, "If you bring him home any less than perfect, your balls ARE MINE!" Slamming the door, Kagome left the gym in an awkward silence, as all looked to the Daiyoukai twitching ever so slightly.

~!~

Kagome lay out on the floor beside Rin, staining the giant white sheet of paper with all the colors of the rainbow. The daycare had closed about an hour ago and she was starting to get antsy as to why Sesshoumaru hadn't come yet with her son. Rin noticed and spoke up, "Daddy won't hurt Shippo. He just likes to be scary so people won't see him worry."

Shocked, Kagome took the girl's words to heart and relaxed. She studied Rin as she carefully chose every color and where to place it. She colored with graceful, calculated strokes. For once, Kagome could actually see Sesshoumaru peeking out of the young girl. They sat on the carpeted floor quietly until Kagome's hand took a mind of its own and landed its self on top of Rin's hair. Appalled, Kagome snatched her hand back and apologized, but again, Rin surprised her.

"Rin likes when Miss Kagome acts like a mommy. Can you do it again? I won't tell." Rin bubbled with a quiet laughter before giving her a toothy grin. Kagome softened and leaned down to kiss her on the forehead before returning her hand and gently stroking Rin's hair.

This was how Sesshoumaru found them five minutes later. He pulled up quietly and sat back, watching through the glass windows as his daughter and the woman he loved interacted in a mother-daughter fashion. Shippo unbuckled his seat belt and studied Sesshoumaru's expression as it went from cool and collected to warm and almost happy. The kit could tell his master's gears were turning, thinking of something hidden from the world, but from him.

"You love mama." It wasn't a question and that alone snapped Sesshoumaru back into reality. He stared at his student in awe. His accusation, although true, wasn't to be heard by anyone else and he was going to make sure of it. Shippo beat him to the punch. "It's not my place to say anything but still, you should tell her. The mean guy with puppy ears, Inuyasha, hurt her. She cries sometimes at night. I hear her, and I don't like it. You could fix it." Sesshoumaru and Shippo stared at each other; letting the wise words the kit gave sink in the air before Shippo dashed out the car and into the day care.

"Mama," Kagome whipped her head around to see her son in mid-air. He tackled himself into her waiting arms and began his rampage of all the training he had done after she left. Smiling, Kagome sat up just in time to see Sesshoumaru walk through the door and Rin launched herself into her father's strong waiting arms. He kissed her cheek and whispered a sweet 'I missed you' before placing her firmly on his slender hip.

'How would it feel to be held by those arms, and spoke to so lovingly?' Kagome let herself wonder absently as she picked herself up off the floor and set Shippo on her shoulder. To her surprise, Shippo jumped down and stood by her side. She gave Sesshoumaru a questioning gaze.

"It's a part of his training. No more babying." Sesshoumaru answered her unspoken question. Nodding, Kagome got on her knees and started cleaning up but before she could gather one crayon, she was jolted up and sat on the bench and accompanied by Sesshoumaru a moment later. Again, he answered her unspoken question. Giving Rin a gentle pat on her rear, he sat her down beside Shippo. "You two, start cleaning. Rin you know better and Shippo, your learning never stops." With that, both children took to the floor and began to pick up and place everything where it belonged.

Sighing, Kagome unconsciously leaned against Sesshoumaru, and he didn't mind at all. A few moments later, Kagome broke the silence, "Tonight is Friday."

"Yes it is." Sesshoumaru wasn't getting where this was going.

"So, what are you doing?" Sesshoumaru hesitated to answer.

"Rin and I shall spend some time together while we eat leftovers from previous nights and watch a movie of her choice." Kagome retreated back, holding her tongue on her next question. Father-Daughter time was crucial for them and she was not going to intrude. Seeing her pull back from him, Sesshoumaru took Kagome's hand and held it till she met his gaze. "What is it that you wish to ask?"

This time, Kagome hesitated. "It's Friday –"

"You've mentioned this already."

"– And usually my family gets together and has sort of a family night. But because of all the recent… miss-happenings, Sango's husband Miroku will not be joining us. Which leaves an empty seat and I was just wondering if you and Rin w – "

"Yes." The reply was rushed but he wasn't going to think of this. He wouldn't let his chance to be welcomed get away. Kagome grinned, her round cheeks flooding with a beautiful dusty rose color. The left corner of his lips, the corner she couldn't see, turned up a fraction. Shippo and Rin reappeared in front of the two adults.

With the moment gone, Sesshoumaru stood, taking Kagome with him by the hand he still held. Nodding to her, he knelt down to eye level with his daughter and ran his clawed fingers through her hair. "Rin," he started softly, "Miss Kagome has asked us to join her and her family tonight for dinner. I know usually tonight would be our Baby-day but we still have tomorrow and I don't have to go into the office on Sunday. Would sharing me tonight be ok?"

"Will Shippo and Kohaku and Miss Kagome and Oba-san be there too?" Rin asked, her huge innocent light almond orbs focusing on Sesshoumaru's own lemon honey eyes. He nodded to answer her question and to his surprise, his daughter blew past him and attached herself to Kagome's leg. "Oh thank you Miss Kagome! I missed Oba-san and Kohaku and Souta and Miss Sango and Mister Mimi! Can I introduce Daddy to Oba-san and Miss Sango? What will we eat tonight? Is Oba-san cooking? Will there be munchies? Are we going play the Name Game? Can I spend the night too?" Her rambling continued as Kagome just nodded and gently removed the child from her leg and took her and Shippo's hands.

Sesshoumaru followed them out, taking Kagome's keys to lock up the daycare. He leaned in behind her, whispering in her ear, "Who is 'Mister Mini' and what are munchies?"

Kagome laughed quietly, opening the back seat for Shippo to hop in and helped Rin buckle into her booster seat. "Mister Mimi is Miroku. Rin still has her slight lisp when they first met and because of this, couldn't pronounce his name correctly so Miroku let her pick out any nickname for him. She chose Mimi. We make fun of him sometimes but he won't respond to 'Mister Mimi' from anyone but Rin. Much like he won't let anyone call him Roki anymore…"

'One sorrowful reminder…'

Kagome grew silent and glanced over to Sesshoumaru before clearing her throat and continuing. "My mom, Oba-san, used to be head pastry maker. She loved the shrine but she also loved to bake. So she opened her own shop down the street. You know it, The Sweet-Cheeks?" Kagome closed the back door and got in the passenger seat, buckling up right before Sesshoumaru started the car and sped down the street heading east. "Anyway, every day she would come home with all the scrap dough and toppings and make Sango and me these weird cookie-muffin things. Greatest little sweets, they would be so odd, and each batch was different. I loved when she used the half chopped strawberries with the raspberry jam. When Sango retired the force, my mother also called it quits and handed the business to her. She still walks over there though at sundown so she can get all the extra dough and toppings and make Kohaku and Souta the munchies. Rin has grown quite attached to them as well."

By the end of her little tale, they had reached the shrine. Lights from past the windows warmed the cool night. Helping the kids out first, Kagome looked across the seat and noticed the mini van parked crookedly in front of her mother's shop, the driver's seat pushed as far back as possible. Miroku would indeed not be coming tonight. Despite their talk at Inuyasha's party, the apology was not enough and Sango still had yet to forgive him.

Sighing mostly to herself, Kagome placed both children by her side and began the steep ascend to the top of the Shrine steps. Once at the top, Rin and Shippo both took off, slightly knocking her back down the old stone steps. Good thing Sesshoumaru had been a half step behind her the whole time. Of course, he was this close to make sure of her and the children's safety and no other hentai reasons.

He caught her gently in the crook of her arm. A split moment he held her as gentle as a person would a fragile piece of art and then next, she was thrust back onto the top stair and nudged toward the now illuminating door a few yards from where they stood. A figure waddled into view as they neared the door and engulfed Kagome in a tight awkward hug.

"Kagome, I'm so glad you and Shippo showed up and with Rin too? We thought you weren't going to make it and I was going to call you. But no bother, the boys are just setting the table." Sango blabbered on, tucking her sister's hand into the crook of her arm and leading her to the kitchen. "I need your help making the salad and grilling the onions. Mind?"

Shaking her head, Kagome smiled and entered the kitchen, kissing her mother's cheek before donning an apron and getting to work. "By the way Sango, Mama, we have another guest this evening." Kagome motioned to the kitchen entrance where Sesshoumaru stood, bowing gracefully. Before another word was spoken, Rin bounced in and, as promised, introduced her father to the two women.

"Daddy, this is Oba-san and she makes munchies! And this is Miss Sango and she's pregnant but she still lets me sit on her lap and listen to her tummy and sometimes me and the baby play games!" Rin grabbed her father's hand and led him to the center of the kitchen where Mrs. Higurashi stood and greeted him with a warm hug, even though he didn't move to hug her back.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Daiyoukai-sama. W – "

"Mrs. Higurashi, just call me Sesshoumaru, please." He interrupted her with a slight smile.

"Sesshoumaru… We hope you find our home pleasant and suitable for your daughter to come and visit still." She politely said before turning back to her work.

"Ma'am, with all due respect, if I thought anything was less than perfect for my daughter she and I would have never met you. I would like to thank you for showing my daughter the same love and care as you do your own children. And you as well Miss Sango." It was meant as a compliment, even if it was worded a little shakily, Mrs. Higurashi still smiled.

"Thank you very much Sesshoumaru and I wouldn't dare treat her anything else than as one of my own. Now, as for this 'Mrs. Higurashi and Ma'am' bit you seem to be stuck on, that will not be tolerated. I'm getting old, but I'm not there yet. Please, call me either Miss Kim or Mama."

"But Oba-san," Rin interrupted. "Rin calls Oba-san, Oba-san. Why doesn't Oba-san get mad?"

The elder woman smiled and pinched the little girl's nose slightly before answering, "Because you are the only one to call me that." Grinning, Rin ran from the room.

"Very well, Miss Kim," Sesshoumaru whispered just for her to hear. She turned to face him, a knowing smile tweaking at the corners of her lips. She remained silent.

Sesshoumaru turned his attention to the round woman waddling his way. He would sense, see, and smell the irritation rolling off her but kept quiet. A pregnant woman was one thing he would never mess with, in any way. She stuck her hand out for him to shake and he took it, turning it up and kissing her wrist.

"Hello, I'm Sango. I would hug you but as you can see, that's a little difficult." She greeted rather coldly. From behind her, Kagome nudged her back and Sango cleared her throat, plastering a strained smile on her mouth. "It's a pleasure to have you in our honest home." Again Kagome nudged her and this time Mama stopped what she was doing to give her a hard look.

"Thank you Sango. Your pregnancy is going well I hope." He answered back politely, but Sango still had some bite left in her.

"Yes it was, but as of recently, I've been having trouble getting around because my husband is absent from our home at the time." Sesshoumaru didn't miss what she was so blatantly trying to get across but still, he ignored it.

"That is rather unfortunate. Please, should you still require assistance after today, notify your sister and she shall notify me. I will make sure you have the best home care nurse stay with you night and day to make sure you are ok. Mistakes happen, but we wouldn't want any more to happen."

Sango stood there as Sesshoumaru walked out of the kitchen, slightly taken back.

In the living room, Rin, Shippo, Kohaku and Souta sat, playing a game he didn't understand. Upon his arrival into the room, the game stopped and the two older boys grew silent. The eldest, Kohaku, glared straight into his youkai eyes while Souta simply looked bored and border line nervous.

"Hello sir," Kohaku greeted first, hostility evident in his words and body language as he stood to shake hands. Sesshoumaru looked down at the boys extended hand and disregarded it to look back at the other one. He had not forgotten the day he came for Rin and the two of them stood at the top of the shrine steps, Kendo train swords in hand and holy seals at the foot of the stairs to prevent him to step on to the property. He was angry to say the least but he understood the boys were turning to men to protect their loved sister but still, they had kept Sesshoumaru from his daughter. His flesh and blood.

He would not forget that.

"Stand down boy. Holy energy runs through your blood and should you accidently strike this Sesshoumaru, I would not hesitate to show you some manners." His tone reeked of authority and dominance. It silenced the younger children.

Shaking slightly, Kohaku lowered his eyes and sat back down. The boy knew when to fight and when to give, but Kohaku knew he'd have his say. The night wasn't over.

"If my ears have not fooled me," Sesshoumaru continued as he looked to the half set table, "You two were supposed to be setting the table. My eyes see not a set table so I suggest you move and get it done. Dinner will be ready in less than two minutes if my nose is correct."

Sure as he said it, less than two minutes later the women came out, each carrying a tray full of food. Tonight's special: Chicken lasagna, potato salad, fresh homemade bread and ice tea, with bread pudding and munchies as dessert.

Everyone's mouth watered and stomachs rumbled, including Sesshoumaru's, as the food was set down and everyone took their respective seats. Mama sat where Mr. Higurashi would have sat with her daughters on either side, Sango to the right and Kagome to the left. Following them were Kohaku next to Sango, where Miroku would have sat, and Souta next to Kagome. Sesshoumaru sat at the opposite end and had Shippo to his right and Rin to his left.

Dinner began quietly as everyone began to fill their plates followed by the start of the usual conversation. Like a horse race, everything was fast and if you didn't get your word in when you wanted to say it, you never did. You took a bite out of your food talking about a soccer game and by the time you swallowed you were on the latest fashion trend. The only two not participating in the conversation were Kohaku and Sesshoumaru. Sango was also being quiet but still nodding and paying attention. That is, until she found the perfect time to insert her desired topic.

"So Sesshoumaru," she started, smiling sweetly his way. "How long do you expect us to sit here at our table and play nice while you, back stabbing son of a bitch, still grace us with your presence?" First drop of honesty…

Silence.

Complete Silence.

The mouse that lived in the corner stopped begging.

The house cat, Buyo, stopped stalking the mouse.

The neighbor's dog stopped barking at the cat.

The mother bird stopped pecking the neighbor's dog.

Somewhere a fish stopped swimming and died.

Everyone's focus was on the Daiyoukai still calmly chewing his food, his eyes down casted. Sesshoumaru's calm demeanor unsettled everyone in the room as they watched him swallow, take a swig of his drink then focused on the pregnant woman. It was then both Kagome and Rin realized the gentle, sweet, caring man they saw on a daily basis had left for the night and the General from 1500s of the Youkai Wars had come to play.

"Rin and Shippo go into the next room and cover your ears." He ordered. They left without hesitation. The moment the next room's door closed, Sesshoumaru pounced.

"Do not perceive this Sesshoumaru wrong woman!" He roared, his youki flaring as his anger grew. "You shall not talk ill of me in front of my pup, let alone anyone else! I made my mends with Kagome and she has forgiven me! You are her family, and as such you are important – "

"Important? You liar! If you care so much then why is it that you were the one that led my husband to cause such hurt to his own family! Do not think he didn't tell me everything!" Banging her fist against the wooden table, Sango stood and pointed an accusing finger in Sesshoumaru direction. "It was you who first started helping Inuyasha sneak around with that whore! It was you who still covers for his sorry hide as he cowers away from us! You and your family have put this family through enough shit! And now you come into our home, giving my sister that look! It's sick! What do you and your brother do? Pass your woman between you? You want my sister and I will not allow it!"

Stunned that yet another person had caught on to him, he tried to recover and deny her accusation but again, Sango would not allow it. "Oh please, do not even attempt to deny your feelings for my sister! I see the way you look at her, and walk after her! You took in her kid, and she is the only one you'll allow remotely close to you! Not even your own damn father has seen you smile and the only reason I know that is because I worked security detail with him three years ago! Do not lie to me! Enough is enough."

Kagome's heart pounded against her rib cage. 'Like her, Sesshoumaru could barely stand the smell of her!' Her sister's attacks on him justified but something inside her was angry that she dares do this, in front of her son no less. To Kagome's shock, Kohaku was quick to stand beside their sister.

"You demons think that you can do whatever you want to us because you are stronger! Not in this house hold. Get out! You and your child are not welcomed here you filthy animal." Another Drop…

A slap rang out through the small dwelling. Mrs. Higurashi stood, her hand still poised in the post slap position. Her breath ran out of her mouth in ragged pants. Kohaku's left cheek burned bright red as he slowly turned his teary eyes back to the woman who birthed him. "Mama…"

"Enough… Be silent. You have no right to speak. You may be the man of this household but you are still my child. Sit down." Mother Higurashi ordered in a hiss. Her glare fixated on him as he slowly sank to his knees.

"Mother, how dare you stand up for thi – "Another slap echoed. Sango fell backwards and onto Kagome's lap.

"You too! Shut up! I will not tolerate any more disrespect and dishonor in this family! You two have been raised better! As my eldest son and daughter, I expected so much more from you two. This family has suffered enough heartbreak and loss." Mother's voice began to crack as she looked up at the small shrine dedicated to her departed husband.

Disappointed, Mother Higurashi left the room, her head hung low. She didn't speak another word. Her footfalls could be heard going up the stairs. Back down in the dining room, Souta and the other three adults still held their places silently.

After a moment, Sango shifted to sit on her own, glaring at the Daiyoukai still in their midst. "This is your fault," she hissed venom in every word. "My poor mother's heart cannot take anything more and it is you who – "

Slapped again, this time by Kagome, Sango quickly shut her mouth. "Kagome why are you – "

"Enough Sango." Kagome whispered her voice eerily calm. "I know you mean well, but all this hate and stress is no good for this family or for your child. Enough is enough; you can't keep living with this hate eating at you. You feel guilty for what happened to me and that's why you attack Sesshoumaru." She sighed heavily, weary. "Enough."

Kagome got up, left the room and a few moments later came back with Shippo on her hip. "Tell mama I'll see her next Friday for dinner." With that she left. It was only until she was out the door that both Kagome and Sesshoumaru realized that they had driven together.

Bidding everyone a quick polite 'goodnight', Sesshoumaru took off into the night with Rin. Settling her into the backseat, Sesshoumaru pulled off into the night. He didn't find Kagome.

~!~

Kagome kissed Shippo's bang covered forehead and nudged him toward the Youkai Gym door for his lesson. She had been unusually quiet since Friday dinner, and that was almost three days ago. She still just couldn't wrap her mind around what happened. 'Sesshoumaru…. Cared for her?' No. According to Sango's accusation, he wanted her. But had he been human, the sexual tension would have been normal. Sesshoumaru was beyond handsome and she was… Pretty? Kagome was no way a 'stick figure'. Technically, by the fashion industry, she would be considered plus sized just because she wore a size 13 dress. Her hips swayed no matter how she walked, breasts full without being unreal, and her waist was in no way tiny but toned.

But he wasn't human, he was youkai. Youkai didn't want for anything, they took and if they couldn't have it, they either gave up or fought until they did get it. Someone of Sesshoumaru's caliber didn't want for anything, so why her?

It was always around this time that her mind overheated and shut down, blocking everything out except the music of the world around her. Today, it would be her Professor's lecture. Kagome looked down at her wrist watch and swore. She was late.

Rushing through the tongs of people on the sidewalks and across her university campus, she made it in to the studio right before the door was closed and locked. The Professor, her grandma by coincidence, did not tolerate tardiness and if you weren't inside the studio by 30 seconds after the class started, you were locked out. Professor Kaede didn't give any make up classes.

Everyone took their seats in front of their pottery wheels. Today's assignment was to sculpt something/someone you loved. But the catch was you couldn't sculpt them as everyone else saw them with the naked eye; you had to make them the way you saw them. Create what you feel.

Kaede began to go around, giving everyone tips and reminding them of the assignment. Kagome listened but her hands didn't move. She stared at the lump of rusty red clay and couldn't think of anyone but her Sesshoumaru. How did she really feel about him?

She had her horrible break up with Inuyasha a little over three weeks ago and now she had feelings for his brother? What, was she 'keeping it in the family' or did she truly miss and love that bastard so much that she would love anyone with the same eyes (At least that's how everyone else would see it)?

But they didn't have the same eyes. Her hands moved without her realizing it, her fingers probing and kneading the dough like mud. Inuyasha's eyes were always wide, fighting against his demon nature. They were filled with anger and wildness that she just couldn't keep up with it. But that wasn't Sesshoumaru. His citrine orbs with specks of honey spilled with feelings unmasked. There was always something new to find. They were always calm and collected, which made him a great leader, but whenever he came around Rin, or looked at her, they cracked and swam with… Something she couldn't place.

Her heart fluttered and stomach knotted. Why did he have to look at her like that?

The door of the studio thumped closed and Kagome snapped from her thoughts. She looked down at the once clay mess to find her fingers had been very busy in the last five minutes. Their lay a Chibi or baby Sesshoumaru, small and huddled together inside a broken tea cup. His eyes, huge and innocent, were swirled with an intricate design that she didn't remember drawing in.

Studying it more, Kagome started working on the detail of the odd image her mind and hands had worked on without her consent. She smoothed his pudgy cheeks and edged the cracks. By the time she felt done, she looked up to see her class gone and the lunch session starting to file in slowly. Quickly gathering her belongings, Kagome cleaned her hands the best she could and headed to the cafeteria.

Since having Shippo, most of her money went to him but she didn't mind. The low budget kept her from binge eating due to her waning depression. Smiling, she thought about her poor little kit worrying over her so much, he slept with her every night and got up early to get himself dressed so she wouldn't have to. Her baby was such a little man.

Kagome, so wrapped up in thoughts of her carrot top son, failed to see the taller woman standing in her path. The two collided and as the saying goes, all hell broke loose.

Who she had 'accidently bumped' into her was none other but Kikyo. The smile slid off Kagome's face quickly as she got up and dusted herself off, intent on getting away before words could be shared. She wasn't in the mood for drama today.

"Watch where you're going, slut," Kikyo sneered as she got up and blocked Kagome's way again. Sighing, she tried the other way around and Kikyo still stopped her, asking for this confrontation. "What Kagome, are you still upset the better woman won the better man?"

Giving up on being the bigger person, Kagome dropped her booked, hands poised at her hips. "No Kikyo, I'm not upset anymore. I don't need a man to be happy or to take care of me. I have a son and family who love me."

"You little bitch! Don't you dare even think for one moment Inuyasha will give you shit for that child! You know it's not his!" Kikyo yelled out, pushing a well-manicured finger into Kagome's chest. Kagome shock wrote itself over her face.

"What the fuck are you talking about? Shippo is adopted and I would never try to take anything from Inuyasha! He did me wrong, very wrong, but I still wouldn't hurt him!" Kagome defended herself but it fell on deaf ears.

"Don't think we don't know you've been hanging out with Sesshoumaru! You really are pathetic. You go from one brother to another." Her anger out of control Kagome took a calm breath and let the comment go.

"Sesshoumaru is my friend, but you wouldn't know who that is because you've slept with all yours. Either way Kikyo, I'm not going to fight with you. This is childish; you are being childish. With that being said, I sincerely hope you and Inuyasha have a happy marriage and mating. I pray you two have many healthy children and as much peace as two people can have." And she really did mean it. She wasn't going to dwell on Inuyasha anymore but Kagome would not wish him ill. Everyone, no matter how horrible they are, deserved happiness.

Kagome picked her stuff back up, turned around and headed towards the campus gates, intent on skipping her English class to spend an afternoon with her son. Kikyo however had other plans. Snatching the younger woman by the back of her collar, Kikyo yanked Kagome back and smacked her as hard as she could.

That was it.

Dropping her stuff once again, Kagome jumped on top of Kikyo, pinning her onto a car top and punched her as hard she could. She let out every feeling she had with every punch. But after punch three and blood coming from Kikyo's nose, Kagome punched into the hot steel next to her head several more times, making a dent she would later have to pay for but she didn't care.

She pounded and pounded, Kikyo's anger depleting as she saw the woman above her break into tears and beat the car instead of her. Grabbing Kagome's fist, Kikyo sat up slowly and, just for a moment, showed a little compassion by wiping a little tear from Kagome's cheek. And then, just like that, it was gone and Kikyo had Kagome pinned to the grass and had punched her cheek.

Five minutes, a black eye and busted lip later, Kagome and Kikyo sat in the holding cell of the Campus Police. Kikyo had already gotten her one phone call and Inuyasha was on his way but Kagome still fought her urge to dial the number she knew would have to come and save her.

Swallowing her pride, she dialed and two rings later, Sesshoumaru picked up.

"You're where?"

And there we have it. So very sorry this chapter is late due to some boyfriend distractions. Blame him not me! He wouldn't stop feeding me Fish Sticks! DX Anyway, enjoy and review please!

-Yuuki