I don't own Inuyasha; I'm broke so go figure!

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A/N: I can tell you all now that I am NOT happy with this chapter. Believe it or not I have had this chapter written out for months now and was not happy with the direction that I was taking the story. After many re-reads and changes I finally settled for this… b/c I refused to give you some junk. I do however, know where the next chapter is going… how long will it take? I don't know. I have a lot of things on my mind…. But I will start typing it sometime soon.

Please just stay with me and thank you for all of your reviews and personal notes; they really help me keep going.

Special thanks to 1Tierra, you reminded me of what needed to be done… Hopefully you all will like this chapter…

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Chapter 6

Realizations

After talking with Jin and his father, Sesshomaru decided to go and think for a while. As much as he wanted Kagome to bend to his will, the act would mean nothing if she submitted by her father's command and not her own. His victory would mean so much more if she was to come to him on her own accord.

Many things plagued Sesshomaru's mind as he paced the halls of his father's fortress. Somehow, he couldn't shake the feeling that his urges for the girl were being manipulated. His father seemed all too eager to aid him with advice, while Jin played the favorites game amongst himself, Koga, and Hoshiomi. Still, no matter how Sesshomaru looked at the situation, he longed for Kagome's approval and submission. That confused his greatly but he brushed it aside; if instinct was telling him that he needed the girl, then it would be foolish of him to brush it off.

Stopping mid-step, Sesshomaru headed toward his father's study. He may not understand all that's going on, but he was sure that he wanted Kagome and he refused to be manipulated into taking her the way that they wanted. With that thought in mind, Sesshomaru decided to see if he could amend their deal.

…….

Toga sat with Jin in his study; both men had the near future on their minds.

"Despite their arguments, they really would make a good match." Toga stated. "Surely you will agree."

Jin sighed. "Indeed, I would have to be blind not to have noticed their chemistry. That's why I agree to this 'deal'. However…." He took a sip of his tea. "I still have my doubts about your son's motives as well as his opinions about us."

"I assure you, Jin my friend, Sesshomaru's motives are normal for a pup of his age. He is naturally drawn to Kagome's power and her submission is the only way he knows how to control his 'urges' for her." Toga took a sip from his cup as well. "But I have no clue as to what you mean by his opinions about you."

Placing his cup back down, Jin looked out of Toga's large study window at his wife and son talking the gardens. "I mean; your son's opinions about our family as well as those about humans in general. He makes no effort to hide those feelings." He said suddenly. "By now I'm quite sure that you now that the only human among us is my wife Sakura."

"Hai… I've known that for quite some time; though it was hard to believe in the beginning."

"But the fact remains that our appearance has not fooled you. Like many demons and sprits alike, we have also adapted a humanoid form; but it is not flawless."

Toga nodded. "Your eyes."

"Yes. However, I don't understand why your son continues to insult us so. Has he not noticed?"

As Jin continued to speak, Toga finally understood what the man was concerned about. "Ah, I now know what the problem is. Since the first time I laid eyes on you and your children, I knew that you were not normal beings; so I set about trying to collect information and answers to my questions." He paused and looked out of the window as well. "And I found them within my own memories. I was but a pup when I first met the matriarch of the Higurashi house; the new mate to my father's retired General. Like Sesshomaru, I had no idea what the fuss was about because she was only human. Tired of my ignorance, my father pulled me aside and told me the story of your people, and I was awed. By the time I met you on the battle grounds for the second time, I was no longer concerned with the land; I wanted your daughter for my son. I tried to subtly relay her importance to Sesshomaru but he has yet to see what I do. It was my hope that he would figure it out with time."

"Time huh?" Jin mused aloud. He turned back to his host and sighed. "I see, though I don't know how much longer I can wait. The young lord, even with knowing what we are, should realize that we protect those who he thinks so lowly of… and…" Before Jin could continue, Sesshomaru walked through the study doors.

"Jin-sama, father; I'm sorry to interrupt but I need to have a word with you both."

……..

Jin turned from his conversation with Toga. "Yes, is there something you needed young lord?"

Sesshomaru bowed to Jin. "Hai, if possible I would like to amend our earlier deal."

"Oh?" Both men replied with a mock surprise.

"I've been thinking." Sesshomaru nervously cleared his throat and turned to Toga. "Father I need you consent for my request as well." When his father nodded and he was sure both men were paying attention, he continued. "In our original deal, Kagome would be given to me for one night. However, I would rather not dishonor her in such a way. Instead, with your blessings father and your approval Jin-sama, I would like to ask for her hand."

ssss

Kagome shifted from position on the bed to one on the floor so she could take a better look at the evening sky. Evenings like this one always gave Kagome the urge to reflect on her past and the happenings around her.

Looking down at her pale hand, she could see how people easily mistook her and her family for humans. Not demon, not hanyou, and not human. Kagome was sure that all of those things mixed into her blood attributed to her behavior as late. The more that she thought about it, it was easy to see. In the future, Kagome thought, I'll have to keep better control over my emotions. Kagome looked down at her hand once again and noted that it took on a pale glow. Maybe I'm passing another one of those stages that father told me about, she thought.

Nodding to herself; Kagome's thoughts turned back to her current situation. Somehow, Sesshomaru bested her.

Now, how to fix this?

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Toga had to bit his lip to keep from outright laughing at his son. They knew that he would never accept the deal and actually carry it out. The boy may have messed up a couple of times, but it played into the plans perfectly otherwise. Kagome, one the other hand, would be the difficult one. Jin once commented that Kagome was too stubborn to manipulate and even harder to control. Yes… She would more than likely fight his son till the end, but Sesshomaru really should thank him. Not many men can say that they have a mate as strong or as beautiful as Kagome. Toga smiled as the thought came to an end in his head and then turned to Sesshomaru. "Then you have my blessings, son. Kagome is a fine young woman, and to have as apart of this house would be an honor."

Sesshomaru turned to Jin and tried to look for any sign of his approval.

Jin stretched in his seat before looking at Sesshomaru. "Are you sure?" He asked. "You would not be her only suitor."

"Might I ask who else has asked for her hand?" Sesshomaru asked through clenched teeth. He knew of the others that wanted her, but hadn't known that someone beat him to her hand. He couldn't imagine who else would want to put up with a loud mouthed human devil as a wife or mate forever.

"Hoshiomi."

Ah, I should have known; Sesshomaru thought.

"Along with many others…" There was a long pause in the room. The look that Jin saw on Sesshomaru's face, suggested the he thought that he would be the first. "However, Hoshiomi is at the top of the list. Though I have turned him down many times, he continues to display is devotion to Kagome with his repeated request and his willingness to have her by HIS SIDE." Jin emphasized the last two words. "For those reasons alone I am forced consider his proposal."

Sesshomaru looked slightly confused for a moment and then turned back to usual aloof manner. "Hn… that is hardly surprising. Hoshiomi has always had an affinity for filthy humans." After the words left his mouth, Sesshomaru wished that he had thought better about his choice.

Toga's smile faded

"And yet you wish to marry a filthy human, right Sesshomaru?" Jin countered. He shook his head in disappointment and stood up from his chair. "I'll leave you with your son, Toga, while I go find mine. It's well past the hour for his meditation session." He nodded his goodbye to both of them and left the room.

ssss

Minutes turned into and hour, and that hour slowly turned into many hours. Kagome sighed. She still had no plan of action but she was confident that something would come to mind.

Suddenly the door opened and Sesshomaru walked in. As Sesshomaru took time out to notice Kagome's attributes in her thin robe, Kagome thought it would be best to break the ice. "What are you staring at?"

"My prize…" Sesshomaru took a step forward. His father may have told him not to touch Kagome, but that didn't mean that he couldn't play for a bit. "I see that you have accepted fate. That's good."

"And what fate would that be?" Kagome asked.

Finally noticing the pale light radiating from Kagome's body, Sesshomaru took another step and then stopped. "You will submit to me. A human, such as yourself, should be thanking the gods for having the chance to grace my bed."

"A human?"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "Indeed, human, you should consider yourself privileged." Before Kagome could reply Sesshomaru pounced; shoving her back onto the bed while straddling her body. "The fact that you are willing to submit to your fate willingly, pleases me greatly." He thrust his hips into Kagome's for emphasis and smirked at the uneasy look that found its way on to Kagome's face. "Unfortunately, our time together has been postponed. It's sad; really, I had planed on teaching you all that I know.

"Which I assume, isn't very much." Kagome drawled and then flashed him a bright smile.

The acidic reply on Sesshomaru's lips died. Complete shock overwhelmed his whole being when he felt Kagome's warm lips on his neck.

Kagome rolled her eyes. Men, she thought, are forever control by the desires. "I may still be a virgin, Sesshomaru, but I am far from innocent."

"……" Sesshomaru was too busy trying to fight back a wanton moan to reply to Kagome's statement. However, after a minute or two, her words slowly started to filter through is muddled brain. He abruptly moved away from Kagome and glared. "Who has dared to touch you?!" Sesshomaru demanded hotly.

"It's none of your business whether or not someone has touched me!" Kagome shot back. "You're not my husband, mate, or promised one; and you never will be. You're just some lowly mongrel who seeks to dominate the nearest female."

Sesshomaru's thin temper snapped with Kagome's harsh comment. He was ready to shed her blood when a servant appeared outside of his doors.

"Sorry to interrupt, Sesshomaru-sama, but Jin-sama wishes to see Lady Kagome immediately." The servant turned and left.

Kagome pushed herself off of the bed and headed towards the door, but not before throwing Sesshomaru a look of pure loathing and a few parting words. "Ja… Asshole."

Sesshomaru bristled and started to go after Kagome, but thought better of it. His recent action as well as those to follow will weigh heavily on Jin's decision on his proposal. Instead of his retribution, Sesshomaru attempted to find some rest while thinking of the future.

ssss

Three days passed and Sesshomaru had yet to see or hear anything of Jin or Kagome. Most of the people from the ball had departed and he heard from the servants that Jin was leaving today.

Determined to see Jin before he left, Sesshomaru set off in search of the illusive man.

…….

"Are you listening to me, Kagome?" Jin asked as he towered above her.

Kagome, who sat with her knees resting on the ground, looked away from her father's angry eyes. "Yes, but it's not right. Why am I being punished so severely? Don't I have a right to defend myself without dishonoring you?!" She shouted.

"Enough!" Jin's back when rigid and he shed his human visage. His physical form stayed the same only with minor differences. His once blue eyes were now a ghostly white, his house symbol appeared on his forehead, and he now had a pair of sharp fangs. "Silence…"

While Jin and Kagome were going through their episode, Toga and Sesshomaru suddenly up on them. Toga stopped in his tracks and put his arm out to stop Sesshomaru. They had been searching for the pair, but never expected to find this…

"You will obey me Kagome! Not as your lord but as your father!" Jin bellowed. "Everything that I do for you is for your own good."

Crying, Kagome spun her head around to meet her father's heated stare. "He may be too stupid to realize what you and Toga-sama are up to, father, but I'm not! I don't want to be with him."

Sesshomaru's jaw almost dropped… is this really the human lord Jin Higurashi?

"Insolent girl, do you think I'm that callous? Of my three children you are the most delicate… I would rather die than give you to a man who could not appreciate your true nature or handle it properly. However, you must be punished for your behavior." Jin walked closer to Kagome and kneeled down. With his left hand, he grabbed Kagome by the neck and with his right index finger, he proceed to carve a strange symbol into Kagome's neck. Jin ignored Kagome's tears. "There are other ways to gain respect, Kagome. You would do well to remember this lesson. I'm sure you know what the punishment is by now."

Kagome nodded. "Am I to assume that this punishment takes the place of the last one?" She asked solemnly. When Jin nodded, Kagome continued. "How long, daddy?"

"Until I see you next…" Jin paused. "However, your stay here has been extended here. Lord Toga has asked to bring you and Sango under his tutelage, and I agreed. He is known for his legendary control… maybe it will do the both of you some good. Now brace yourself." A blinding light surround the two and Kagome let out an agonizing scream as she too changed. "Demons an humans alike are ignorant of us… but don't let that fact make you uncomfortable to be yourself. Hopefully, this will allow you to adjust."

In the background, Toga and Sesshomaru looked on in astonishment.

When the light finally dimmed, Jin let go of Kagome and turned towards his audience. "I apologize for the disturbance, but it had to be done."

"I understand…" Toga waved off Jin's comment. "I have two sons that need direction still… however, I do hate to see you depart so early."

Jin nodded. "Indeed, but I have lands to attend to. I apologize; hopefully you will accompany your son to my home when the time comes?"

As the men continued their conversation, Sesshomaru made his way over to an exhausted looking Kagome. He felt stupid for all of the times that he called her a filthy human. His honor demanded that he apologize, but his pride refused to let him do so. Still at a loss… Sesshomaru gazed down at the body on the ground. Her physical attributes appealed to him greatly, but this form seemed to be more agreeable…

Kagome glanced upward at the figure looming over. "What?!"

"Hn… you have been hiding from me all this time?" Sesshomaru replied.

"I wouldn't call it hiding… The proof was right in front of you, but you were too ignorant to notice it." Sesshomaru reached his hand out to help Kagome up, but she slapped it away. "No thank you… just continue to think of me as one of those filthy humans."

Sesshomaru sighed and turned away. He turned to the figures of his father and Jin. Hopeful their conversation was going better.

……. To be continued

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