"I.. love.. you.. Sesshoumarou."

Kagome said the words with eager slowness and felt her face blush at the too-forward confession.

Sesshoumarou's eyes never wavered or indicated any emotion. He was steadily looking at her as though she had suddenly said something very ridiculous and indeed, by his standards, she had said something a thousand times very unlikely. For a brief second his mind played over the words, scrutinizing each letter, reading it back and forth until it hit him. She loves me? He shook his head. It wasn't possible. The poor girl must be terribly disillusioned. Or at least he thinks so. He beheld her with slight amusement.

"I do not understand why you insist on yourself that you love me when I cannot be loved." He drawled.

His comment chipped Kagome's expectations and a slight frown formed between her eyebrows as she let go of him.

"How could you say that? I love you because I love you. It's as simple as that. I'm not forcing myself. I am not..." She searched for a word. "I am not disillusioned!" She wanted him to see that her love was real. She knew he wouldn't believe her and she almost expected him to laugh at her although highly impossible given that he often nothing to laugh for.

Her choice of words made a smirk form on his face. If he didn't knew better, the little waif had read his mind. But then he suddenly turned serious. He frowned. Her words puzzled him. She was laying her heart in the open and he could almost touch those radiating feelings in the air. But he did not know what to do with it and more puzzling still, the words and the feelings that came with it coincided with the sudden slight release from the tight bands binding his heart, bands which he himself put up to control his emotions. Now the bands are loose and emotions starting rushing in, whispering and urging. The first he recognized was relief. He wondered why would that emotion be there.

Kagome looked up to him. "This is my dream, silly. You tell me that you love me. What people say in dreams can be a lie or the truth."

"So what you're saying can also be a lie?" A voice at the back of Sesshoumarou's mind told him there was another emotion creeping slowly and surely and soon it will envelope his being entirely. And there was nothing he could do about it. He suspected it was all this girl's doing. He couldn't describe what that emotion is. He felt helpless and it frustrated him.

"No no no...What I say is true. Or at least I think it is. I just recently figured it out. It's really strange because it took me so long. I thought it was gratitude and relief because you helped me countless of times. But it couldn't be. I began...looking for you and when I'm in danger, I call for you not Inu-yasha. I suddenly became dependent on you because I think...I began to trust you. When I see in danger, I felt panic strike me. Everyday as I travelled with Inu-yasha, I just know though I don't admit that I'm always wishing to meet you on the way. The rare times when fate throws us both together, I felt happy. YOu saved me so many times and I saw past your actions. That couldn't be just gratitude. Mind you, it took me so long to realize this." She let out a slight laugh. "At first, I thought it was friendship but it was more than that. I've never felt this for anyone this much before. It's so different. It's a strange. Why? Because it is highly unusual to fall in love with the enemy. That's what bothering me. I guess there's just no explanation to it. I love you just the way you are. Not because of anything."

"You are foolish for feeling like that. I cannot return your love." He could not figure it out the concept of all. He avoided finding out thinking it will be a bothering nuisance. Not because he's afraid what he's going to find. He is not afraid of anything, right? He closed his eyes. And if that is truly true, if he really is not afraid of anything, then he shouldn't be afraid to love. But. . .what is love? How can one recognize this? He felt so detached from the emotions. Who will tell him? Maybe. . .his mind and gaze focused back on Kagome's soulful ones. He will find out soon.

"Tell me you love me please?" Kagome said again. "This is a dream after all."

She was looking at him with those pleading brown eyes, so clear and so pure.

"Even if it will not be true?"

She nodded at once. He thought of how ridiculous her desires are and how irrational. There would be no meaning in his words if he does say them. So why does she insist to make him utter those words? "

"Sometimes, people say in dreams the things they do not know is already true. They think it's a lie but it is actually not."

"You believe that applies to me?"

"Maybe. . .shall we find out? Tell me that you love me just this once."

A foolhardy hope this girl has. True that he does not recognize the emotion inside himself right now but for his girl to hope that it is love? She must be really stupid to hope for that. . After all, this does not concern him, he might as well play along. He leaned toward her. "But I do not know how." He whispered to her ear.

His voice was like liquid honey pouring over her body, slick, sweet and intoxicating. She trembled. His breath lingered in her ear and unconsiously, she clenched her fists to stop herself from reacting. Friendship? Friendship my eye. . .Friends do not feel like this for each other! This added to the piling evidence of her love for him, not as a friend but more than that. He affected her in so many ways. It was gratifying to finally admit her love for him.

Sesshoumarou probably never said those words to anybody and Kagome decided to teach him as she always do.

"Just follow after me. Talk as though you mean them. . ."

"I do not pretend. . ."

"But you will because this is my dream!"

Sesshoumarou tensed. Would he go that far to make this encounter stay as a dream? And if he didn't, she would think he had done this purposely and. . .what a moment! Why would it matter to me what she thinks? He almost chuckled. He might as well say that he's playing a game with her and give not a care in the world. You couldn't do that! There was that voice again. He thought he shut that voice out. Mentally, he forced it away. You know you couldn't do that! What harm would it be if you just pretend to care just this once? Besides, if she thought you did this purposely, she would run after you and you would have no peace. The voice was laughing maliciously as it faded away. Darn. . .he's right. It was his fault that he gotten himself into this mess.

"Listen to me." Kagome cupped her hands around his face. Her touch tingled his skin. She felt so soft and silky. . .He unconsiously turned and his lips met her palm. He felt her shudder as he kissed the skin and nibbled it, causing no pain but a slight but obvious redness. Primitive and predictable act. . .marking what he want as his. . .and at once he snapped away from his action, the puzzlement glowering at him once more. Kagome had looked down, blushing even more but she had gotten over it and looked at to him.

" All you have to do is say I . . . "
She was acting as though he was just a mere child. But instead of getting annoyed, it amused him. His face, however, an impossibly indifferent mask. He had decided to humour her and so he followed after her. It does not mean though that his words will be sincere.

"I. . ." His voice was devoid of any emotion but he was just staring at her, seeming to look deep into her soul.
"Love . . ." She watched for any change in his face. None.
"Love . . ."

"You . . ." Still none.
"You . . ."

"That wasn't so hard after all, was it?" She asked tentatively. She made him say those words because she understand that this man, even when love is right in front of him, will not be able to recognize that emotion. She realized that suring the times they were together and right now, she was going to help him. Perhaps, he does have those feelings. . .only thing is, he does not know. It was a faint hope and the only evidence pointing at it was the numerous kind deeds though masked that he had done for her. She wondered whether the words held any impact on him right now. And whether he knew that by just hearing those words from his mouth sent a electrifying sensation right down to her toes. His face may not show any emotion but he was looking intently at her as though he was laying out all of her being and examining them, one by one.

"I love you."

He tried again, just to test the words. It came out in a husky whisper. To him, the words felt strange especially, he suspected, because it was directed to the girl in front of him. Let it be other people and those words would have held no significance. But it was for her and suprisingly, somehow, there was something amazingly truthful about it. How could it be? The voice at the back of his mind was sighing. The emotion that was slowly encompassing his heart . . .could it be love? When I see you in danger, I felt panic strike me. Everyday as I travelled with Inu-yasha, I just know that I'm always wishing to meet you on the way. The rare times when fate throws us both together, I felt happy. What about the stunt you just pulled? The voice was saying. Why did you save her? Isn't it because when you see her in danger, you felt panic strike you and everyday as you travel, you are following the path she takes thanking that your destination and hers are the same? Sesshoumaoru inwardly gritted his teeth. Where did this voice come from? He mentally clamped down the voice to prevent it from talking anymore. . .uncomfortable truths.

For a fleeting moment, Kagome glimpsed the doubtfulness inside Sesshoumarou. He must be thinking about the words she made him say and she wished to calm the battle that is inside him right now. There was nothing to doubt about her love for him. He held such an indifferent mask in front of everyone that if she hadn't looked closely, then she might not have witnessed the thoughts going on right now. To see him in the doubt pained her.

"Do you believe me when I say I love you?"

"I don't know"

His answer raised even more questions in Kagome's mind. She could not understand what is Sesshoumarou being uncertain of. She could not fathom the questions in Sesshoumarou's own head. She fixed her gaze unto his face, searching for answers. All she got was nothing and more appreciation of how handsome this stubborn creature in front of her. There was not a wrinkle or a line that broke the smoothness of his face. Every bit seemed to be perfectly chiseled and set in proportion. Even the marks that streaked his face matched well with his aura. He looks good not smiling at all what more if he does smile? She sighed. Perhaps a kiss will do the trick. Perhaps it can even help ease whatever qualms is inside him now.

"Now one kiss and that's all. I don't want to abuse this dream but I always wished for a kiss from you."

Kagome held up his head to him. If the words are not enough then maybe an action will. She may not be as experienced as other women when it comes to the art of kissing and although she knew that Sesshoumarou is not fond of kissing women, she never know that once in his life, someone was able to kiss him. She pursed her lips at the thought. She will not care. What matters is now. . .

He blanched. He was not sure this was the right thing to do. In fact, this could even turn into a disaster. This could lead to something they will regret. He could not . . . he could not . . ."I cannot." he said again. But already Kagome was moving closer to him, closer than his self-restraint can hold.

Maybe he does not know or he even does not want to but still, she will show him. She wasn't the agressive type but this was a dream and she can do anything she want. Right? "I'll do it then if you cannot. . " she whispered. Her eyes twinkled under the moonlight, so inviting and those lips he could not resist.

His heart was starting to pound unusually faster. What is happening? The emotion gripping his heart was striking his insides at every turn. Stop, stop, NO! His cold, indifferent gaze fell upon her showing none of these. But Kagome was too close, too close to see that he looked as though he did not care. Push her away. Do it now!
Too late. Her sweet lips was already upon him, pouring in a kiss all that she felt.

A storm. Billowing, crashing and flinging upon his insides. What is the cause of this? The storm he soon realized was Kagome's very own, exploring the inside of him, hammering on the bands around his heart. It was shouting that she really do love him and it was telling him to feel. The chinks started to fall and the emotion inside Sesshoumarou which started as slow suddenly wrecked havoc in response. He was battling it because he was doubting her love. Now that he was sure that she loved him, the emotion filled him with no restraint. He wanted and needed her. All of her! Her smiles, laughter, compassion, kindness . . . He kissed her back in a passion he thought he never had. For a person who refrained from kissing anyone before, he seemed adept at it. His hands reached out to touch the bare skin at the base of her spine. He felt her arch toward him, getting more closer until their bodies touched. Risk, too much risk . . . but his lips cannot let go.

She unknowingly laid her palms on his chest, grasping the cloth as waves of passion washed over her in different intensities. Kagome never thought this dream could feel so wonderful. She had him in her arms and she wished this could go on. Never in her whole life had she experienced this happiness from in a dream. But a disturbing feeling of sadness dropped unto her, a trickle of gloom treaded over her body. It was a sudden desolate feeling of finality, as though this will never happen again. How silly . . . this is just a dream. She inwardly chided herself. She can dream again . . . can't she? But tears were gathering in the corner of her eyes and silently they trickled down, unnoticed.

All too soon, Sesshoumarou pulled away from her. His self-restraint held on to him again. He was disgusted at letting himself go but remembering the otherworldy sensation he felt, he knew he did not regret doing this. He wanted her but it was impossible. A full demon wanting a mere human? Preposterous! Or so he thought. After all, it will only cause Kagome pain if he did express what he feels. They were too different for their own good. This dreary line of thought that they could never further discover the startling bonds urged him to break the kiss. When he did, he saw hurt in her eyes and tears pouring endlessly downward, prickling his own skin. She must have felt it too without words. His heart went out to her. His eyes softened. Those icy eyes thawed finally for her. It was the least he could do for the girl he could never return the love she gave. For the last time, he stroke her cheek to wipe the tears away. A dream, yes, all a dream. Yet something which will remain in them forever. Kagome laid her own hand on his.

"Is my dream almost over?"

Sesshoumarou nodded, not daring to speak. He gently pushed her backward down on the blankets and made her close her eyes. He knew she was still tired and once her eyes were closed, she would relax and sleep once more. He waited until her taut face loosened and a sudden calm washed over her. She held on to his hands until she moved into the real land of dreams.

"Goodbye . . ." he whispered and effortlessly detangled their entwined fingers. He was free of her touch now. He stood up and walked out to the moonlight. He looked back to her once, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Then in the next instant, he was gone.