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

So my awesome trip had a cancellation of sorts because I was in an accident. I got hit with a firecracker and it's safe to safe that second degree burns on your face and chest are considered bad enough for heavy drugs and several trips to the E.R. Don't worry I'm fine and my 'battle scars' are getting better! I love you all and I hope you guys enjoy this next chapter!

Also wanted thank Atari Teenage Riot for their song 'Speed!' and Cher's 'Strong Enough'! They really helped me in writing this chapter as well as the last one. By the way, check out the closing Author's Note, IT'S IMPORTANT!

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

~Mari

Disclaimer: (sorry for not doing this in previous chapters) I do not own Inuyasha or his malty crew but I do own this plot and any characters I decide to make up.

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 Six:

From Nightmares to Dreams… or So It Seems

(Earlier that day)

"Again Shippo, and this time aim lower. If you can knock your opponent off their feet, then you have the upper hand." Sesshoumaru instructed blandly. He had hoped he would catch Kagome as she dropped the little kit off to training, but she had come early.

Sesshoumaru had to force himself to focus on the task at hand. He had put ten three-pound weights on Shippo's wrists and ankles, forcing his body to work on everything he did. The Daiyoukai had also placed the boy on an all protein and youki tea regiment to strengthen his youki as well as increase his body's endurance. After a good year of this, Shippo's puny youki would have at least doubled, and his body would be able to heal faster, much more damage than he would ever have to and he would be able to start taking the youkai exams.

"Feel your youkai build in your chest, and channel that heat to your mouth. Unlike many other mammal youkai, kitsunes have natural occurring oil in their saliva, much like inus and nekos have various poisons, toxins, and acids coursing through our veins. This kind of training is done by every youkai demon in your age. Now, try again." Sesshoumaru remembered when he had to do this same thing with his father. The most troubling part was to get it to work, then to control it to his liking. Shippo had the determination to get it done, but lacked the focus to control it.

Watching the kitsune before, he saw his forehead began to dot with sweat. His eyes closed, Shippo took a deep breath. He felt the energy burn his chest as it built up. Collecting saliva in his mouth he concentrated, working the energy slowly from his chest to his throat with each breath he took. Shippo took one last deep breath and with a target in mind, spat out as fast as he could.

A giant clump of oily spit sat on the hard wood floor in front of the Daiyoukai's feet when the kit opened his eyes. Meeting the tall lord's gaze sheepish, he waited for him to, yet again, give his criticism.

"Not bad, come here." Shocked, Shippo ran over to where the Daiyoukai knelt by his glob of slob. "Look closely and tell me what you see?" Bending low, Shippo saw what his master spoke of. His saliva was sizzling slightly. He had gotten it kind of right! Shippo got up to celebrate when Sesshoumaru's name was called over the intercom.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, please come to the front desk. A call is waiting for you." A female voice droned before disconnecting. Sesshoumaru sighed impatiently, telling his pupil to hold on and when he got back they would practice a little more before calling it a day and going home. Rin waved at him as he left from the side lines where she sat and watched extremely interested.

Jumping over the banister at the edge of the personal training room, Sesshoumaru landed gracefully three floors and in front of the Main Office. He went in, ignoring the 'Employees Only' sign in big red bold letters on the door and went to the neko youkai managing the secretary's desk. Not even looking up, she handed him the phone sitting on the edge of the cradle.

"Sesshoumaru Tashio, you are receiving a call from Kagome Higurashi at the Tama Art University Jail Center. Will you accept the charges?"

Growling low in his throat, he clenched his fist tightly. "Yes I will." Moments later the tone went dead and then connected again. It rang twice before it connected to Kagome.

"You're where?" He roared in her ear. His anger barely containable as he heard her try to explain what happened. Sesshoumaru took a few steps away from the desk and leaned himself into the corner, his warm forehead against the cool plaster wall.

"Sesshoumaru, I'm so sorry but –"She started to choke up slightly. "Kikyo came at me and we started to fight and one of the teacher's cars were damaged and –"

He cut her off, his anger slightly replaced with worry. "Kikyo? Kikyo attacked you? Are you ok? Where are you?" He questioned her again trying to get to calm down. Panicking would get them both nowhere, but Kagome seemed not to hear him and kept going on.

"And their charging me with the fine to fix his car cause they believed Kikyo and not me!" She started crying slightly. "I lost my temper! I'm so sorry! And now Inuyasha is on his way and I don't want to see him and –"

"Kagome!" She went completely silent minus a few whimpers. "Calm yourself." Sesshoumaru ordered. Hearing her so distraught was causing his beast to start clawing at the cage walls he held him so tightly in. His youki leaked heavily from every pore of his body and the staff in the room stopped working and began to panic. He needed to calm her down so he could calm down.

A few moments passed and he could hear her breathing evening out as did his. The staff around him slowly began to work again. Last to go, his beast receded back into the depths of his baser being and he was left back in control.

"Kagome," he half asked have said. He got a small sigh as his answer. "Are you hurt?" She gave him a 'nu uh'. "Where are you?"

"Campus police holding center. It's at the North edge of the University grounds, small blue and white building." She sighed again, her voice still kind of shaking.

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Is Ayame working today?"

"Uh huh," The fact that Sesshoumaru was willing to let someone else watch his baby girl, spoke volumes to Kagome about how mad or worried Sesshoumaru was over this whole situation.

"I'm going to drop the kids off there. I will instruct her to drop them off after her shift to your mother's and I will come and get you." Sesshoumaru took one last calming breath before pushing off against the wall and slamming it down on the cradle. No one spoke, not even to each other as he passed by. Apparently most of the gym had felt his youki seep into the air. With his natural toxin combined in just about every part of his being, Sesshoumaru wasn't surprised to taste the air and have the familiar acidic taste burn his tongue slightly.

Instead of jumping up back to the third floor, Sesshoumaru walked slowly the whole way up, using the time and exercise to work out his new found stress. By the time he had gotten to the top, he was much calmer and with a clear head, he was able to figure out what he needed. He stepped on the last step in time to see Shippo trying his flame again. The wad of spit hit the ground, still only a little sizzle and bubbling.

"Shippo," Sesshoumaru's voice startled the boy. Rin sat in the corner, her mind already picking up on his changed demeanor. "Go get changed. You and Rin will be dropped off at the Day-care and after that to Oba-san's." Rin's eyed widened at the fact that she was going to the day care. Something must have been seriously wrong. Her daddy didn't leave her anywhere.

Hustling out of sight, Shippo went into the locker room and hurriedly changed while Sesshoumaru came in after him and did the same. Five minutes later, both children were buckled up in the back seat and Sesshoumaru was peeling out of the parking lot at such a speed that Rin clutched her seat belt in fear. Shippo began to worry.

"Mommy said she was going to come and get me today." Shippo spoke up, starting to worry about angering Kagome or worse; sending her on a man hunt for him because he didn't stay put like she told him.

"Plan's have changed. Mom called me and she needs you to follow instructions until she can come and get you." Sesshoumaru told the kit, not really having the patience to explain everything.

"Is mommy ok?" Shippo pressed on.

"She better be," Sesshoumaru murmured under his breath, hoping they didn't hear him. Thankfully the rest of the trip was relevantly quiet until Sesshoumaru walked them in, physically placing both children in Ayame's hands and giving her the instructions.

Rin leaned up to hug him and whispered in his ear, "Make sure she's ok." He nodded and ruffled Shippo's matted ginger mop before fluttering out of the door and whipping out of the parking lot towards the University.

~!~

Kagome sat on the nasty stained cot chewing her finger nails. Sesshoumaru had hung up on her ten minutes ago and with each passing moment she grew more and more nervous. Luckily, Kikyo had been placed in the holding cell two cells down, and couldn't hear her. How embarrassing would it have been to not only end up in jail because of the woman but to also let their situation get to her so bad that she had almost cried.

Kagome covered her face with her hands, praying to Kami that this was just a dream. She prayed that she didn't get into a fight with Kikyo in which during said altercation her fist had punched so hard into one of the University's most distinguished teacher's car to leave dents, in which said the teacher was now trying to sue her for repairs. She prayed that she wasn't in jail with brothers Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were now on the way to and would see her in this state of distress. Inuyasha would be so self fulfilled seeing her hit rock bottom and he of course would think it was all because he left her. And Sesshoumaru would be so ashamed, he probably wouldn't let her keep Rin anymore.

Kagome's hopes were shattered by a familiar skidding coming from outside. Kikyo chose that time to speak. "Oh look Kagome, Inuyasha is here for me. Who's coming for you? No one you say? Oh what a shame," Kikyo laughed and Kagome got up, leaning against the bars of her prison. Kikyo was doing the same, looking towards the door. A few moments later the door chimed and Inuyasha burst in.

"Where is Kikyo? I got a call to come and get her and I'm here so release her now!" His words stung Kagome, mainly because she knew he had never reacted so strongly for her and never would. Kagome continued to watch Kikyo, refusing to meet the hanyou's curious eyes. She began to step back into the shadows of her cell when he finally saw her.

"Kagome?" She flinched and didn't reply. "Kagome, is that you?" Inuyasha half laughed. He didn't get to continue questioning her, the door chimed again with a new arrival.

Sesshoumaru stepped in and went straight to the only desk with an officer at it. "I am Sesshoumaru Tashio, Lord to these Western provinces. I am here to deal with the situation dealing with one, Kagome Higurashi." He spoke calmly and kept his head down.

"Sorry sir but Mrs. Higurashi is to stay here until the morning. She has a meeting in court to deal with the damage she did to Professor Ito's car. And she has no bail so if you will please leave – "The officer continued to ramble, his broom handle mustache twitching with each word. Sesshoumaru didn't listen. Instead he rolled his eyes and walked over to Kagome's holding cell.

"Kagome," he spoke cooling, beckoning her over to him. She still hid in the shadows, away from him. His need to see her increased. "Kagome, come here and let me see you." After a few minutes, Kagome poked her head from the darkness and all hell broke loose. Sesshoumaru saw her busted lip first and then the burse on her cheek bone. That's all he needed to see. Sesshoumaru let out a growl.

"She's lucky I didn't do worse," Sesshoumaru was about to say something but when he looked at the other woman, he snorted and turned her out.

"Stand back Kagome." He ordered and she ran to the corner. Building his body's natural toxin in the tip of his fingers, Sesshoumaru combined it with his youki and in a whip of light the bars that held Kagome were cut in half and piled on the ground. The officer yelled behind him but Sesshoumaru's only concern was the young woman before him "Come here," Sesshoumaru growled.

Kagome rushed towards him, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. He had come for her and he was taking her away. She embraced him tightly and to her surprise, he did the same. It was only for a moment but a hug was still a hug. A moment later, Sesshoumaru lifted Kagome's chin and turned it every which way he could, examining it to the best he could.

"Any other injuries or any sort?" Sesshoumaru ask, his arm wrapping around her waist. Kagome lifted her elbow to show a slightly bleeding scab. Without thinking, Sesshoumaru lifted her, bringing her elbow and started to lick and suck on it.

Inuyasha couldn't believe what he was seeing! Sesshomaru losing control and tending to a human female's wounds! Tired of his older brother showing him up, Inuyasha finally made his way to the back where Kikyo's voice was coming from and almost lost his composer. His mate sat against the bars with a black eye, swollen cheek, died floor under her nose and that was only her face. He roared, demanding the officer come there and release her. Within two minutes Kikyo was in Inuyasha's arms, crying about how brutally Kagome had attacked her out of nowhere. Inuyasha mind fought with his instincts, telling him Kagome wouldn't do something like that but his instincts demanded retribution.

Sesshoumaru paid no mind to his brother and his wench as he finished healing Kagome's arm and picked her up like he would Rin, her laps wrapped around his torso limply as he sat her on his hip. Kagome cuddled with his mokomoko and relaxed as the smooth dusty smell embraced her.

Sesshoumaru began to leave when the officer stopped him again, "Sir, you can't just take her! She has court in the morning and the fine on her head won't allow her to leave without it being paid! Not to mention the damage you just did to our holding cell that must be paid!"

Kagome began to tremble on his side as the officer continued to babble so to shut him up, Sesshoumaru stepped close to him, dropped three wads of money at his feet and whispered, "There is 5 million yen. If this doesn't cover everything needed, please feel free to contact me again." Tucking a card into the man's uniform pocket, Sesshoumaru left with Kagome fastened to his side.

They got all the way to his car before Inuyasha's voice stopped them.

"Asshole, bring that wench here!"

Fed up with all the distractions, Sesshoumaru set Kagome down on the hood of his car and in a flash, had to his hanyou half brother by the neck in less than a moment not holding any of his strength back to choke him slowly. His normally honey orbs began to distort with red ribbons as he growled, "Keep your bitch away, and be thankful my Kagome did not get the chance to finish her." Bringing Inuyasha closer so he could whisper in his ear, he snapped his fangs, "my Kagome."

Snarling, Sesshoumaru dropped his brother and turned to the shaking woman beside him. He roared in her face, baring his fang inches from her nose. When she dropped to the floor beside her mate, his beast was slightly more satisfied.

Sesshoumaru's beast fought with him for the second time that day, trying to invoke his rage and kill the hanyou and his bitch. Sesshoumaru wanted so badly to do so, but Kagome came first. Slowly advancing back to his car where Kagome still held his mokomoko, he took each stride to calm himself. When Sesshoumaru finally stopped between her legs, he grabbed her hair, pulling it so force her head back and buried his nose at the root of her neck, inhaling in calming scent deeply. She would probably think he's crazy now but better crazy then a homicidal maniac who just killed his brother and his wife.

Kagome didn't exactly know what Sesshoumaru was doing but she had seen his eyes and whatever he needed to do to calm down, she was willing to help. Hand shaking, she reached up and gently stroked his bangs back. She knew dogs couldn't purr but the rumble in his chest made her smile a little.

Finally calm, Sesshoumaru wasted no time and picked up Kagome, and got into the car. Speeding from the University, Sesshoumaru left his brother behind.

Normally, nothing would be wrong about this except for the fact that once in the car, Sesshoumaru started to drive off with Kagome still in his lap. He pushed the seat all the way back and opened his legs wide, allowing her to sit between them and lay against his chest with his mokomoko still wrapped around her.

The ride was silent, and Kagome soon drifted into sleep. Midday became midnight by the time Sesshoumaru had gotten them to his home. Kagome was still nestled into his chest as he parked the car, his mokomoko warming her like a child's blanket. Miroku's car was nowhere to be seen, a first in almost a month. Sesshoumaru didn't bother with the why; just thankful he had the house to himself and Kagome.

Checking the clock above the fireplace, Sesshoumaru laid Kagome down and started a fire, making sure to drag the couch a little closer so she would be warm. Despite the fire's radiating heat, Kagome still refused to let go of his mokomoko. 'Just like a demoness clinging to her mate's scent,' Sesshoumaru thought with a slight smile. Leaning down, he gently pressed his cheek against her, simply curious at what she might do. To his slight shock, she began to press and rub her cheek against his before rolling herself tighter in his fur pelt.

Rumbling began again low in his chest as he stood and headed for the kitchen, intent on making his mate-to-be something to eat. Sure, he didn't know how to cook but he could read the book they had set out for decoration.

~!~

Kagome coughed awake. The first thing she noticed as her mind floated to consciousness that she was no long in the car with Sesshoumaru. She was in a home, on a couch with a beautiful fire blazing to her right. Next thing she noticed was she couldn't breathe, smoke hung low in the air and filled her lungs. Taking a deep breath, she smelled the char flesh of something or someone burning.

Throwing herself up from the couch, she coughed and followed the smoke to the kitchen. She could have laughed as she stood at the door watching Sesshoumaru standing calmly over a pan full of pork bellies, all burned black, something green boiling over in a pot next to them and what looked like mashed potatoes on the side. The book in his hand didn't seem to be making anything better 'cause he kept throwing it and then picking it back up. Finally seeming to give up, Sesshoumaru threw the book over into the potatoes and cursed loudly, causing Kagome to break into a fit of laughter.

He hadn't known she had woken up. Sesshoumaru couldn't help the rush of blood rise to color his cheeks as he saw her coming to him, his mokomoko still wrapped securely on her shoulders. The dark navy sweater she had on hugged her full breasts tightly and every other delicious curve and lit her cerulean eyes to an inhuman glow. That was another physical quality he loved about Kagome. Her eyes always had laughter bouncing in them. Her body, unlike most other human and demon women, was full of curves and she didn't care. She didn't skip meals but ate like it was her last day on earth. Her hips filled out her jeans, breeding hips he remembered his father calling such thick hips. He couldn't help but letting his eyes travel all the way down to her little feet. He almost laughed at the lime green glitter painted on her toes. Kagome laughed again, forcing his attention back to her face. She looked so beautiful.

Kagome looked around the beautiful kitchen. Had it not been for the dirty dishes everywhere, it would have been beautiful. Dark marble counter tops with white, see through, cabinets where everywhere. Stainless steel appliances and hard wood floors and walls gave it a very western cowboy look.

"Sesshoumaru where you….. Trying to cook?" Kagome asked incredulous. He nodded, a little ashamed at the fact that he had lived for centuries and killed any man that stood in his way but couldn't cook. Shaking his head, he covered his lower face with his hand, hiding the blush and curse words. Kagome giggled again at his antics.

Prying his paw-like hand away from his face gently Kagome smiled up at him. "Sesshoumaru, would you like me to cook for you? And maybe teach you a few things during the time?" Sesshoumaru nodded reluctantly, already hearing his father's haughty laugh if he ever found out he had to take lessons in anything from a woman.

Crooking her finger at him, Kagome beckoned him down to her. Slightly taken back at her forward moves, Sesshoumaru couldn't help but hope he would get a reward for his efforts.

No such luck.

As soon as he was low enough, Kagome stood on her toes and released him of the stained white apron that hung loosely around his neck. Growling a little at himself, he stood straight again and turned Kagome around, helping her out of his mokomoko, much to his dislike, and into the apron.

"Ok first, let's clean up our area!" Kagome's chipper attitude started to peek out despite the late hour. "Do you have a dishwasher?" Sesshoumaru raised an elegant eyebrow at her, as if he knew what the hell she spoke of. Sighing, Kagome could already saw how this was going to go and had to stop herself from laughing at him. His ego had been hurt enough.

"Go tie back your hair and put on a bandana or something. We wouldn't want the beautiful hair to burn or get stuck in the food. And while your back there, wash your hands thoroughly!" Kagome snuck in the compliment and just like she thought, Sesshoumaru puffed out his chest in pride as he left. Men.

Kagome took out her own hair tie and pinned her hair high before sliding a head band in place. A sharp murmur caught her attention and looked to see Sesshoumaru had returned, his gaze fixated on her neck, right below the hair line. Slightly confused, Kagome turned to face him with a questioning look.

He snapped out of whatever trans he was in quickly and asked her what was next to do.

"Now, scrape everything in any pots, pans, bowls or plates in the trash and bring them over to me to wash. All except that mashed potatoes." Kagome smiled rolling up her sleeves and turned on the hot water to wash her hands and the dirty dishes.

Twenty minutes later, the kitchen was clean and ready to be cooked in again.

"Now, what do you want to eat?" Kagome asked and of course got no answer. "What do you have to cook?" This time she got a shrug. Laughing in her mind, he opened the refrigerator, freezer, and all the cabinets. Perfect, he had boneless chicken breasts, tons of pasta with cheese and tomato sauce.

"Grab the chicken breasts, any vegetable, all the onions and peppers, and the olive oil." Kagome ordered, whirling around the kitchen grabbing knives, a pot, chopping board, a pan, and two bowls.

"Ok, which one do you want to work with: the pasta and sauce or the chicken?" Kagome asked? Sesshoumaru pointed to the pasta, figuring all he'd have to do was watch it boil. He was wrong, again.

"Ok grab the pot, fill it with water and set it on the burner. Turn the flame on low, as low as it can go." Doing as instructed, Sesshoumaru watch Kagome grab the two bowls and go to the refrigerator, bending low to grab the eggs. He couldn't help but stare a minute before putting the pot on the burner like instructed and turning the flame on. He looked behind him when he heard the pantry door open and saw Kagome trying to pull a six pound bag of flour out. Coming behind her slowly, he bent his form around hers and helped her pull it out from under the shelves.

Her scent and heart rate picked up and Sesshoumaru couldn't help but smile. He affected her just as much as she did him. Kagome cleared her throat, still feeling Sesshoumaru's body heat behind her as she opened the zipper and pulled out a premeasured cup full of flour. She stood straight fast, almost hitting Sesshoumaru in the chin, and put the cup on the counter.

"You can zip that bag back and push it away," Kagome called out smiling back at him, her cheek rosy red. He didn't hide the grin as he nodded and did as she asked. "Ok now, putt a little salt and pepper into your water and take the pasta noodles from the cupboard, crack them in half and sit them in the water."

Again he did as Kagome said and watched her as she cracked eggs into one bowl and poured flour into the other. Adding salt and pepper into the eggs like he did his water, she began to beat them into a gentle fluff. "Kagome," Sesshoumaru finally spoke. "How did you learn to cook? I know your mother owns the pastry shop but that doesn't explain your culinary skills."

Kagome smiled at the question and tried to answer the best she could. "My father, despite his career in the automotive business, loved to cook. He taught me most of what I know. Not to mention, I'm not exactly a stick. A girl has to eat, why not eat something you enjoy?" Kagome laughed tapping her shapely hip.

Sesshoumaru didn't laugh. "You aren't fat, Kagome."

"I'm not skinny." She countered.

"I for one love that fact." Kagome accidently knocked over the fork she used to beat the eggs. When she bent to retrieve it, she heard a very appreciative groan. "I love it all." Sesshomaru commented, a smiled lifting the corner of his mouth slightly. Kagome tried her best to ignore the comment and straighten quickly, depositing the now dirty fork in the sink.

"Uh, ok now you're going to work on the sauce." Sesshoumaru gave her the craziest look she'd ever seen and Kagome couldn't help but laugh. "Oh yes, my lord, picking the noodles also means dealing with the sauce! Now, grab two jars of canned tomato sauce and a pan." Kagome couldn't help but keep laughing as he continued to glare at her and do as she said.

"Ok, pour the jars of sauce into the pot and put it on the back burner, also on as low as it will go." He did as she told and waited for his instructions. "Now, get a smooth knife and the cutting board. You need to cut up the vegetables, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. If you need to know how to cut them, just ask."

Kagome turned back to her work. She took out a heavy cast iron skillet Sesshoumaru hadn't known he had and filled it half way with oil. Dipping the skinless, boneless chicken breast into the egg first then coated it in the flour and slowly dropping it in to the oil, Kagome began to cook the chicken. They instantly started to sizzle and pop. Kagome followed this process four times and then was finished, going to clean her mess.

"Why cook four? There are only two of us." Sesshoumaru asked as he finished chopping the tomatoes and onions.

"Because tomorrow, you can have this for lunch and Rin and I can take this tomorrow to the day care for Rin to eat as well." Kagome answered simply. She took out another pan and put it on the front burner next to Sesshoumaru. Dashing some oil into it and taking out a spatula, Kagome tossed in the onions and tomatoes and started to lightly roast them. "Dump everything else in here when you're done cutting them up." Kagome said, not taking her eyes from the pan. Ten minutes later, everything lightly browned; Kagome dumped the pan into the slightly boiling sauce. The noodles were done and so were the chicken. A few more minutes on the sauce and everything would be good to eat.

Taking out two plates and two Tupperware dishes with their lids, Kagome began to load each with noodles, putting the chicken on top. "Hand me a knife and fork?" Kagome asked and Sesshoumaru supplied, watching closely as she prepared each plate with care. Kagome took the chicken from the pink to go bowl and cut it up into smaller pieces. Sesshoumaru smiled at her thought to his daughter. Wanting to help, he took out a ladle and came to her with the sauce.

"Wait, don't pour any on yet!" Kagome stopped him, running to the refrigerator and quickly cutting a lemon in half. Squeezing the juice on the chicken a little and placing a slice of pepper jack cheese over the chicken, they both watched as the cheese melted and bubbled with the lemon. "Now, pour the sauce directly over the chicken and a little on the sides. For the bowls, pour them into the little side trays so that they won't make the chicken soggy."

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome as he poured the sauce, he eyes smiling as he did so. When he was down he set the pot back on the stove and got out two chilled bottles that looked like wine. Kagome was quick to object. "I don't drink much Sesshoumaru."

"Neither do I, this is cherry flavored sparkling cider." Sesshoumaru smiled at Rin's favorite 'champagne'. Laughing Kagome put the two bowls in the refrigerator.

"Where to?" Kagome asked as she took off her apron and picked up their plates.

"I thought it might be nice to eat by the fire. I noticed while you slept that you were a tad cold." Kagome nodded and led the way, giving Sesshoumaru a chance to watch her hips sway slightly.

As they neared the living room, Sesshoumaru sped up and placed a thick blanket on the floor before the fire. Kagome smiled and sat down as Sesshoumaru brought out trays for them to set their very late dinner on. Popping the 'champagne', they began to eat. Kagome kept her eyes on the beautiful fire before them while Sesshoumaru kept his gaze on her.

The clock chimed above the fireplace and Kagome was startled by the time. "It's 3 a.m.? Wow, when did it get so late?"

"About eight hours ago," Sesshoumaru answered with a grin, earning him a swat to his arm. "Would you like to watch a movie?" he asked as he pointed to the seventy five inch flat screen TV mounted on the wall to the right.

Kagome nodded pushing their plates onto one tray and to the side. Sesshoumaru pulled her closer, making sure she was in arm's length as he put in the VHS. Grey fuzz started out but as soon as it cleared, Kagome appeared on the screen. She was walking down a side walk, one of the university buildings in the back ground, with Kikyo headed right for her.

"Gosh no, no," Kagome started to get up but Sesshoumaru's long arms shot out to still her and pin her small frame to his side. "Sesshoumaru, please don't make me watch this!"

"Who said I was? I am sample watching two women I know beat the shit out of each other. You are here to keep me company." He shrugged and continued to watch. Kagome peeked just in time to see Kikyo force her to turn around and land the smack that started it all. Sesshoumaru's chest began to rumble. Kagome looked up just in time to see him bare his fangs at the Kikyo on screen.

Kagome on screen sprung into action, dropping the items in her hand and tackle the black and white Kikyo on to a nearby car and start to punch her. The tape continued and to her astonishment, Sesshoumaru let out a full deep laugh as the Kagome on screen fought.

"Sesshoumaru how did you even get the security tape?" Kagome asked, her cheeks tingling from embarrassment, but not from the tape. She couldn't believe his laugh was so… sexy. Kagome struggled to keep her growing arousal but to dismay, Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as he took a deep breath.

"It doesn't matter. What does matter is the talk we are about to have." Sesshoumaru clicked off the flat screen TV and pulled Kagome between his legs so that she faced him but couldn't get away. "Kagome, about last Friday, what your sister said – "

"Was totally wrong! She shouldn't have said anything like that! Her accusations were far off and rude and shameful to our family." Kagome yelled, trying to convince herself more than the youkai before her.

"Kagome now – "

"No, I'm going to visit her tomorrow and check on her. She has a doctor's appointment and I want to drive her but before we go, if you wouldn't mind, we're going to try to meet you so she can apologize."

"Kagome – "

"I mean, you want me! Ha, it's so absurd! You dislike humans as your maids! What makes her think you'd want one to warm your bed, let alone anything else? You dislike hanyous even more! And, and, and we won't work anyways and – " Fed up, Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome by the back of her neck, weaving his talons through her wild bluish black curls and pulled her head back to she was pressed right below his chin.

Using his other hand, he ran his thumb over her pinkish brown full pouty lips. Kagome saw his eyes soften to a warm honey as they followed his thumb over her lips. Before she could think, he lowered and pressed his lips to hers. It was gently and soft. Nothing over exaggerated, but Sesshoumaru made sure she felt just how much his love for her had grown over all the years he had watched her from the shadows.

Pulling away, Sesshoumaru gazed into Kagome's baby blue orbs as they opened, searching for anything at all that would show him that she felt something, anything, for him. Lust shined her eyes, confusion drew her eye brows together, and that little something that said she cared for him more than just friends pulled her lips into a slight smile. That's all he needed.

Sesshoumaru wound her legs around his waist and drew her in tighter to his body, attacking her mouth with his. This time, Kagome reacted. Nipping her lips, she hissed and he took advantage, darting his tongue out to meet hers as Kagome tangled her nails into her hair and anchored on. Battling each other for dominance, Sesshoumaru pulled at her hair once more, lowering her head back and taking the time to trail the tip of his tongue up the column of her neck to the little spot behind her neck.

Kagome moaned, tightening her legs around his waist and pulling Sesshomaru closer. They fell back, Sesshoumaru on top and he knew this wasn't going to end well if they continued. Kissing her passionately one last time, Sesshoumaru tried to pull away. Kagome wasn't having it. She bit at his bottom lip and refused to let go.

'She wanted to play, she'd get it,' Sesshoumaru thought, raising to his knees and bringing her lower body up with him. With a flash flick of his wrist, he spanked her bottom hard enough to make her let go of him.

"Sit up Kagome, I wanted to talk, not ravage your body. Not tonight at least." Sesshoumaru mumbled the last part. As he watched her pant, cheeks flushed, arousal mucking the air, and spread below him and couldn't help the rush of blood to his pants. Running a frustrated hand through his feathering colorless bangs, he tried to think of anything to make him calm down.

It wasn't working.

"Kagome," she didn't answer. He swatted her bottom again and with a slight squeaky, Kagome detangled herself from his form and up. She grabbed his mokomoko, still on the floor behind them from their meal, and wrapped it around herself.

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru tried again. "Kagome, it is not in my nature to beg for anything nor will I ever bend to be that way but I can persuade you to look at me the same way you did Inuyasha. Kagome, I know you were hurt, terribly. And I helped do that hurting, foolishly believing that maybe the hanyou would straighten up and but the wench behind him." Kagome broke her eye contact with him, tears springing to the corners of her eyes. Sesshoumaru gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, and scooted closer to her as he established their eye contact again.

He wanted her to look directly into his eyes as he told her all he'd wanted to for so long so she would know he was truthful in every syllable he spoke. "Kagome, I would neverdo that to you. I would love and cherish you the way a woman, my woman, should be. I would care for you first and our kids. I would love your son like he was my own, just like you love my daughter like she came from your womb. Even if we don't make it all the way I would still take care of you. Kagome, let me court you the way he should have and show you that I am the last person you have to give your heart to.

"I know you're afraid to love again. You don't have to love me. I'm not asking you to forget the hurt or to fake feelings to make me feel better. I'm asking you to let me heal your wounds and help you build your feelings for me. With me Kagome, all you'd have to do is open your eyes and look at me. That's all I'd need from you. Just say yes, and I'll gladly hold you every night for the rest of time."

Kagome couldn't speak. Sesshoumaru loved her. He loved Shippo. He wanted to court her, not date or ask for a one night stand. He wanted to show her everything he could offer as a mate to her. His golden honey orbs pleaded with him and she knew he spoke no lie. He loved her.

Sesshoumaru loved her, Kagome.

Shaking hands came up slowly up to rub the cherry slashes across his cheek. Kagome sighed, and started to slowly nod. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as she smiled and nodded firmly. Tangling his hands in her thick mane, he kissed her again, a real smile plastered on his lips.

"Thank you," he murmured against her lips, pecking them every half second. A few more minutes of his chaste kisses and Sesshoumaru pulled back, kissing each chick and her forehead before firmly planting her at arm's length. "I don't want to ruin our moment," Sesshoumaru liked how it rolled off his tongue. Hearing himself, he was almost sickened. Two minutes of actually being together with Kagome and the mighty Daiyoukai had been reduced to a smitten puppy.

'Pull your head from LaLa land and get in the game. It's time to prove yourself.' Sesshoumaru gave himself intern pep talk before getting up, pulling Kagome with him and setting her on his lap as he sat on the couch.

"Kagome, there are something we must discuss about our courting," Running a hand through the soft round fur still wrapped securely around her body, she listened carefully. "First off, this pelt is a part of me. All the members of my family, except Inuyasha have one. It's called mokomoko, and I guess you could say it's a raw baser me. It's not alive, just think of it as an energy holder. At best, I use half the energy my body produces a week. The excess energy goes into this. I am giving you mokomoko."

That made Kagome's head snap up, giving him a very questioning look. "Yes, it's yours. Having the mokomoko with you at all times has many different purposes. It lets me keep track of your well being. If your emotions spike to a dangerous level or you get into another tussle like you did earlier," Sesshoumaru tried not to laugh. "I will know and it will act accordingly to sooth or protect you. Mokomoko will be my eyes and ears when I'm not with you. Now, I would never use it to invade your privacy, although it would be might interesting to see you take off you –"

Kagome swatted him, shouting out his perverseness. They laughed and got back to business. "Anyway, point is I wouldn't do that to you. Another reason it's important that you take mokomoko everywhere during our courting is because it's embedded with my scent. I don't want to scent mark you just yet. It would be too much too soon for you to handle, so instead you'll carry this. It'll warn off other youkai that you are to be taken and if they still didn't get the hint, the strong aura sent off from mokomoko would also stop them. And if that didn't work, I would know to come to you instantly."

Grinning, Kagome cuddling the soft fur against her body," So it's like a little body guard without the embarrassment of actually having someone actually following me?"

Sesshoumaru groaned, "Yes now please stop doing that. I can…. Feel that in a sense."

Kagome smiled wickedly, pressing it against her more, "Well I've found a way to torture you."

"Yes uh," Sesshoumaru pushed Kagome off his lap slightly and reached into the coffee table's hidden draw for a bow. Bringing it out, he opened it for her. There, lying innocently inside, was what looked like a subjugation necklace.

"Oh hell no," Kagome shouted, fighting to untangle herself from Sesshoumaru. He fought her back, trying to keep her still and calmed down so he could explain but Kagome wasn't giving up. Striking her bottom a little harder than before, Kagome grabbed her bum and settled down, glaring at him.

"Kagome, it's not what you think." Sesshoumaru told her firmly, holding her still. Kagome glared at him more. Sesshoumaru sighed, wiping his face. Ten minutes into their relationship and they were already fighting.

"I'll explain everything if you give me a chance," Sesshoumaru calmly sat her back up, this time between his legs with her head resting on his shoulder so she could feel secure and comfortable but unable to really move. "This is my first courting gift to you. There are eight teeth and beads. The fangs are my baby teeth and the beads each represent something that I must give and provide for you. When you feel I have done so, the bead will disappear and one fang will turn a different color."

"So," Kagome took the necklace reluctantly into her hands, "First off, why your baby teeth and second, what do they all mean?"

"Well, during the first two years of a youkai's life, their demonic energy is the rawest and strongest." Kagome's confused look almost made him smile. "Seems weird but it's true, our energy starts out against out nature which is why youkai pregnancies are so short. The female can only take such raw almost uncontrollable energy inside her for so long. But for a hanyou, it's a lot long pregnancy than a normal human pregnancy because the demonic energy of the youkai and pure holy energy of the human are constantly fighting and as a result, the pup will remain in the womb until the energies finally level out and merge into the pup. But, that's all beside the point. The reason the teeth are there is because when we start to lose out teeth, the excess raw energy that didn't stabilize leaves with it. With these fangs on the necklace, they are a very… good gesture as a courting gift in the youkai community.

"About the beads well, there's the trick. You won't know until the bead is gone. On the fang that turns a different color, it will read what has been accomplished. Also, this doesn't have to go around your neck, it will shrink or stretch to fit where ever you put it but, once it's on only I can take it off."

Kagome huffed, a little annoyed by the tricky piece of jewelry. "Will it make me do anything?"

"No, just sit there and try to look as beautiful as you are," Sesshoumaru grinned as she started to blush and kissed her temple.

"Fine, then I want it on my wrist," Kagome finally agreed, holding out her right wrist. Taking the beads, Sesshoumaru secured them around her wrist and watched as they began to glow, shrinking around her delicate arm, and lock.

"There," Sesshoumaru kissed her nose, slightly biting it. "Was that so hard?" Kagome murmured a no and cuddled her new mokomoko close. Without her noticing, the pelt reduced to fit her size and wrap around her tightly.

Tucking her tightly into his body, Sesshoumaru curved around Kagome and covered them with the blanket around them. His mokomoko squeezed between their bodies like a nosy little brat.

"I won't overwhelm you anymore tonight. Got to sleep my dear, we have a long day tomorrow." Sesshoumaru kissed her sweetly one last time before making sure she was comfortable against his chest. Kagome yawned, not realizing how tired she was until she looked at the lock above the almost dead fire. Half past four and she was still up?

She kissed over Sesshoumaru's heart before allowing herself to drift; his chest's gently rumble lulling her over into the deep end.

'I am loved.'

~!~

The woman rested on one of the highest branches of the Goshinboku tree. It had been a long night. Touching her still swollen temple, she winced. Blood dripped from her mouth in a steady stream down her ripped kimono top.

He usually wouldn't have gone so hard on her, but he had lost a key part in his serves today and decided to take it out on her body. The brutal rape could be dealt with, but when he pushed her to the floor, his heavy boot on her shoulder blade, she knew that's not all he wanted on this night.

Grimacing, she used her left arm to bring her broken limp right arm to her lap. With a loud snap and a whimper, she pushed it back into place. She had to keep going, survive.

Glancing through the open window of the shrine's resident home, she saw her daughter resting peacefully where usually the older boy slept. Her charcoal hair had grown another quarter inch since she had last seen her. The side pony tail that usually adored her right side had been taken down for better sleep comfort and she clutched her pillow tight against her body.

The woman snuck across the branch trying to creep closer to her daughter, even if only for a few moments.

"Mommy…." Rin spoke in her dreams as if sensing her presence. The woman smiled, tears actually coming to her eyes. Her daughter was thinking of her!

"Mama…. Kagome….."

Kagome, the wench her husband so disgustingly paced after like the dog she was. Her daughter dreamt of that onna instead of herself. She'd prove herself and get her daughter back. He had a plan and he said he would help her get her daughter back for a price.

Blowing a kiss through the window, she staggered back deeper into the depth of the leaves. Holding her chest tight, her heart clutched. With a strong gust of wind, she disappeared into the stars.

And there you have it viewers! More to come very soon! Please leave me a review and tell me how I'm doing or what you think!

Now, I thought it would be fun to start a little forum challenge on Dokuga! It will be the same name as the story and if you're interested in winning a chapter dedicated to you or a sneak peak at the next chapter, check it out for rules!

's Greatest Romance Challenges

Thank you! See you soon!