Chapter 13

Rin stood in the middle of Kagome and Hiro who were ominously quiet. Even though Rin held both Kagome's and Hiro's hand they stayed extremely quiet ever since that little kiss. She thought it was normal but ever since than the atmosphere seemed to feel very uncomfortable. With Hiro staring off somewhere and Kagome in deep thought, Rin thought she might have done something wrong.

"Kagome-Chan?" Tugging on her hand a couple of times, she had finally caught Kagome's attention but she seemed gloomy because this time, she didn't smile at her.

"What is it Rin?"

"Um. You're different. You and Hiro-kun isn't talking. Why is that?"

There was silence as Kagome searched for some way to explain this awkwardness. So Hiro, sensing the sudden halt of words had stepped in with a seemingly perturbed smile.

"Well you see Rin. We're just gathering our thoughts right now. You know when you play the quiet game in the car with mom and dad. Well it's the same thing."

"Quiet game?" Rin remained holding on to Kagome's hand as she let go of Hiro's. With her index finger over her lips, she pondered on the thought. She had always played the game when she was in long road trips with her parents but it seemed boring after you play it for a while. "Hmm. I don't want to play that. Why don't we play the Kissing game?"

"……."

No one dared to say anything. Rin was too much of a child to understand and it wasn't worth the explanation that the friendship between Hiro and Kagome had come to a sudden crash in direction. That one kiss had not only caused trouble but confusion, making it all the more difficult for Kagome to ever be comfortable around him again.

"Come on. Mommy says you have to kiss my cheek and than you kiss kagome-chan's cheek and that ends the kissing game and makes everybody happy."

It was a type of a good morning thing that her parents did. A parent knows that having your child with you will be for a short time so having the words 'I love you mommy and daddy' or a simple kiss on the cheek means the world to them. Hiro knew that for a fact because ever since he grew older, he had been neglecting his parents for quiet a while and soon once Rin grew up she would do the same as well.

"Hurry up Hiro-kun."

"We're not playing that game Rin."

Rin pouted. "Why not?"

"Because we can't."

"But-

Kagome picked her up before she could say another word. She was but a child and Kagome just grinned to make the mood more, so to say, Happy. It seemed to work once Rin had put on a smile as well and she suddenly became quiet. So all the way to their next destination, Kagome carried Rin as if she was Shippo, cradling her gently in her arms.

They walked in silence and this time Rin didn't mind it as she laid her chin on to Kagome's shoulders, getting comfortable and relaxed. It seemed all the more pleasant to have a child in her arms but it didn't make that little moment disappear. Once their lips had met she knew that everything was going to change. She knew that she couldn't bare the sight of Sesshomaru's blissful expression when knowing full well that her lips had touched another's. There was no doubt in her mind that after today, she could never bare looking at her lover's face again unless she shows guilt.

"Kagome!" They stopped as the distant caught their attention and ominously became louder. "Kagome! My goodness are you two-timing!" Cheery yet teasing sliding into her words, the most unpleasant face had run up to them.

As if her problems weren't enough, now her aunty had to show up out of nowhere with that face saying 'I'm going to embarrass you to death.' But that's what she wanted more than anything right now. Not only was her aunt's present depressing but to add to that she had to show up at the location that she had to wait for about 5 more minutes. Which only meant Hiro would have to hear her damn aunt's nonsense.

"Kagura what are you-"

Kagome took a step back in shock. Kagura had unexpectedly reached out toward Hiro and grabbed a hold of his chin, lifting his face toward the light, examining his profile closely. He did nothing but compile with the hand that moved his head up, right and left. It was the total embarrassment of her life and if it weren't for the now slumbering child in her arms, Kagome would have done something instead of standing there like a log watching the whole thing. Kagura smiled once she was done and focused her attention toward her bag, shuffling through it until whipping out her cell phone.

"A-Aunty what are you doing?"

She said nothing as her fingers pressed a few numbers, putting it up to her ear and than amusing eyes fixed on the couple. They were baffled by the woman's actions and they wanted answers.

Kagome took a step toward Kagura with frustration. "Kagura what are you-"

"Quiet." She said seriously. "Just wait and see."

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With a swoosh of the net; Sesshomaru had once again successfully shot a basket at the halfway mark of the court. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and did nothing but sigh. 5 times in a row and his teammates still reacted with gasps but he, as always didn't care about that, all he wanted was to get out of practice because obviously he really didn't need it.

Walking across the court, he grabbed the towel that laid on the floor and draped it over his neck before taking a seat on the bench. He watched the fools run back and fourth for a while until thinking 'why the hell am I here.' He knew if it wasn't for his sister persuasion than he wouldn't be here but at home seducing Kagome with words that not only she would be surprised of but would open his eyes as well. Words such as 'I love you, you mean the world to me or I'll protect you with my life' were words that were sealed deeply within him. He would never have said such words to not just anyone but for his little sister, her and her alone would be blessed with words of passion and truth.

"Ever since you've join the team we've been unstoppable." Unneeded annoyance had brought Sesshomaru back to reality and sat itself down beside him. Sesshomaru simply nodded at his teammate and paid his attention toward the floor once again.

"So you're not much of a talker are you? Well your sisters waiting for you outside. She's with her boyfriend I think?"

Sesshomaru's eyes widened as he grabbed the man's shirt and pulled him up as he stood. With anger, he yanked his teammate closer to him, his angered eyes putting fear in the whole teams as they stopped their practice.

"What do you mean boyfriend?!" His voice echoed in the gymnasium but with the coach in the bathroom, there was no stopping Sesshomaru's rage.

"Y-Your sister. I mean I think she's your sister."

Hearing enough of the rambling, Sesshomaru threw him aside and headed across the court and was about to make his way through the double doors until a familiar tone rang out. He stopped, shoving his hand deeply into his pocket and took hold of a phone. It wasn't the call he was hoping for but he knew that he had to answer it. He tired to release his anger as he calmly said:

"Is there something that you wanted Aunty?"

"Did you know that Kagome has a boyfriend Sesshomaru?" Not again. He had heard this nonsense from two people now and it angered him. His brows furrowed with every inch of his body trembling. No one had continued to practice yet, to afraid if the mere sound of the basketball hitting the floor would give those golden eyes more irritation than needed.

"K-kagura that's not true give me the phone." Kagome said in the background but it didn't require the phone to hear that because her voice echoed in the gym exponentially. He hung up the phone, still hearing Kagome argue and he wouldn't have believed it if he didn't see it with his own eyes.

His feet were planted to the floor as the child in her arms and the man who stood beside her was all he needed to believe it all. Just the site of another man beside her made him sick and he clenched his hand into a fist, wanting to just sink his fist into that man's face.

When he finally summoned up enough anger, Sesshomaru approached the group who had the same expression of fear just like his teammates. He did everything to make her happy and now this… He didn't want to imagine why she was with him but he sure was going to find out. As he stopped right beside Kagura, Kagome immediately stiffened.

"Let go of that child and come with me."

"Sesshomaru you don't understand. It's not-"

"I said let the child go!" She didn't follow his direct order; she stood there holding on to Rin for dear life.

"No! You have to listen to me. I don't want you to take this the wrong way. He's just a friend."

Sesshomaru gazed at Hiro and than back at Kagome. "Than why? Why are you gazing at me with those eyes?"

"It's not what you think." She whispered, defeated at the evident mixed emotions that glimmered in her eyes. There was nothing she could do anymore. It wasn't like she could say that she did nothing wrong because everything, all her sins and her miserable guilt were written all over her face.

"Let go of the girl."

"I can't."

"Kagome!"

She trembled at the explosive yell that came from her lover. She had never came across this side of Sesshomaru before but she knew that she never wanted to ever see it again. There was only one thing to do and when she turned toward Hiro and handed him her sister, Kagome grasped Sesshomaru's hand. The enclosed fist was trembling with fury but she gently placed her lips on his fingers, trying to ease the pain.

"Don't be mad at me. I don't want to see you mad Sesshomaru. Please. He's just a friend." Once her words broke through the void of anger he placed around him, his hand caressed her cheek, they both were so succumbed to that one moment that the little smirk on Kagura's face was unseen by them. Her little devious plan had work and seeing the tender embrace of the two siblings had only proven to her for all these years she was absolutely correct.

"So I see you two are quiet cozy."

Her eyes shot open and as fast as their relationship had patched up again Kagome had pushed him away, Sesshomaru almost falling over.

"Aunty! It's not-"

"So your name is Hiro am I right? Well let's take a walk shall we." As if nothing had happen, Kagura had taken Hiro off to the other direction, leaving the couple alone. The awkwardness of it all was now setting in as they stood there in silence for a moment. She warily looked up at him only to find him looking up at the sky.

"When I was little. Christmas was one of the holidays I despised but when you almost froze yourself to death under the snow, I wondered why you spent your time out there when you could have just come inside the house. You stood there, motionlessly, your hands stretched out in front of you as snow fell onto your hands. I just watched you until you finally fell down. You scared me and by the time I got to you, your whole body was trembling but you were still smiling as you laid there unconscious."

She recalled that very day as if it was yesterday. The happy memories that weren't only memories but dreams that never came true. The kinds of dreams of having her whole family together on a snowy Christmas day with smiles on their faces. The happiness of having her mother and father home was the kind of memory she wanted but once she knew that the Christmas she wanted wasn't going to come, the only thing that could come true was the snow.

"I want to have a Christmas. One Christmas where mom and dad is there and you have to be there as well. Not always cooped up in that room alright."

Sesshomaru responded with an embrace and kissed her forehead. "Is that what you want?"

"Yes it's what I dearly and truly want most."

"Than I guess you'll be happy because mom and dad's coming back tomorrow."

"W-What?"

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Kagome paced in the kitchen as she darted her eyes at the clock. Yes, she had wanted a Christmas with her parents but that meant that they had to not only hide their loving relationship at school but at home as well. She didn't know what was going to happen but she just prayed to god it would turn out okay. That everything would remain a secret. But would it really be as unnoticeable to their parent's eyes, the only people who really knew them the best.

"Kagome can't you sit down?" Sitting at the table with a glass of water in hand, Sesshomaru watched the nervous wreck bite her thumb.

"No I can't. I mean what if they find out. What if Mom and dad-"

"They're not going to find out." His words were sharp causing Kagome to stop in place. But her eyes were glued to the door, continuing to bite her thumb.

"You know dad. He's serious about his reputation and if he finds out that we're in love than I don't know what will happen but it won't be good. It won't be-"

"Kagome!" Her rambling had stopped as their eyes met. They knew this was going to happen sooner or later but the cold and bitter look in his eyes were somewhat reassuring. Even if it was a sign of frustration, Kagome comprehended that Sesshomaru had a plan or something close to it. But there was no time to explain it once the front door had open. That same passive expression of her father had walked in first followed by her mother that held nothing but a smile.

Her hearted pounded uncontrollable as her father made a beeline toward her. That passive face seemed different as if anger was seeping through those dark eyes that were fixed right at her. Kagome glanced at the sudden change of the expression her mother had and she who looked away with fear. She didn't know what was going on but once an impact to the face caused Kagome to stumble backwards, her eyes widened in confusion.

Kagome cupped her cheek as she slowly looked at her infuriated father, trying to find a reason why he had hit her. "F-Father why did-"

Sesshomaru stood up, his hand into a tight fist as he cut Kagome off. "What are you doing father?! Why did you-"

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me Sesshomaru!"

"You hit her damn it! What the hell-"

"Sesshomaru please." His mother put a hand on his shoulder and sat him down. The first thing that came into mind as Inuyasha entered the kitchen was that his little brother had said something about their incest love. But once a piece of paper was thrown at Kagome, that little suspicion was ruled out.

"What is wrong with you Kagome!? You brought shame for not only your mother but me as well. We have left you with your brothers but still you haven't improved. Damn child."

Slap!

These series of hits that Kagome was receiving was painful for her mother to watch but undeniable provoking Sesshomaru to kill this man. He didn't care if Onigumo was his father; he just knew this abuse had to stop.

"Look at this!" Her father picked up the piece of paper from the floor. "F for biology and another one for calculus. Didn't I tell you I wanted improvement!?"

"I-I'm sorry father. I didn't-"

She shakily took another step back as he threw the paper at her once again. But Onigumo wasn't done yet; he took a hand full of her hair and tilted her head up so she looked straight into his eyes. Her whimpering was nothing that concerned her father but that little cry of pain had cut the thin thread of Sesshomaru's patience.

"That's enough father!"

Onigumo cornered his eyes at his son. "Sit down! Or better yet leave!"

"Let her go!"

"I said sit down!"

Sesshomaru felt a tug on his hand but he got out of his mother's grasp. He was on the verge of taking a step forward but Kagome yelled out for him to stop.

"Don't brother." The tears from her eyes trailed down her cheek.

He had sworn that she wouldn't cry ever again but this was her wish. Even with his trembling hands pushing him to take a step forward, her plea sat him back down.

Onigumo grip had loosened around her hair. This display that his son had shown made him wary for a moment. For all these years he knew his son as an enclosed, passive, and unresponsive man but now this sudden care for his younger sister was strikingly surprising. For what it's worth, he knew more about his son to suspect that he was changing or in the matter of fact, becoming softer.

"I am overwhelmed by the sudden change Sesshomaru. Yes, Kagome is your sister but you had no interest in butting in before. It's getting quite a bother when I'm trying to teach your sister a lesson. Seeing that you can't teach her anything." Tossing her daughter aside, Onigumo took a final glance at his children before ascending the staircase. The room had become silent until a booming sound of a door came from up stairs indicating that her father had once again gone to the study room.

Wiping away her tears, she turned toward her mother and brothers with a smile. "I always cause dad to get angry at me." The paper on the ground grabbed her attention. And as always it was her fault for slacking off in class, her fault for not doing the homework and her fault for the pain she received.

"Dad's looking out for me and I-I'm happy that-" Barely finishing her sentence, she broke down as the paper crumbled in her hands were soaked with tears. This wasn't the reaction she wanted from her father but as long as it didn't had nothing to do with Sesshomaru than that was all that mattered. Though as she tried to stand, her heart refused her to do so. The pain diminished her of any strength she had to get on her feet and if it weren't for Sesshomaru who carried her off of the floor and into his arms, she wouldn't have gone anywhere. As her brother passionately carried her out of the kitchen and upstairs, she caught a glimpse of notion in her mother's eyes, which made Kagome worry for a second.

Kagome held her brother's neck tightly and rested her head against his own. "It's my fault."

"It's not your fault. I'll help you study and besides it's just a progress report, you'll do better. Dad shouldn't have gone that far." The tension in her shoulder subsided along with her trembling.

The unforeseen event had caught Sesshomaru off guard for a moment and he almost went as far as to put harm against his own father. He had blood on his hands already and just the slight thought of killing his father scared him a bit. If seeing Kagome in that situation almost brought him to think of death toward his father, he knew that changes had to be done. Not only does his outlook on this relationship but as well as a way to securely protect his lover from any harm. For this wasn't an example he wanted to repeat again.

Sesshomaru had set Kagome onto her bed, tucking the soft cotton sheet tightly around her before closing the curtain, fading the orange glint of the sun to a mere soft blue that reflected off of the silk linen. Her face was still visible and he softly kissed her forehead, wiping away the remaining tears that spilt from her eye.

"This wasn't what I wanted." She whispered.

"I know but Christmas is just 3 weeks away and dad's temper will fade away by than." Caressing her cheek, he searched her hazel hues before standing up to leave. "I love you Kagome."

Just than she felt a lump in her throat as she tried to overcome the power to stop him from leaving. Though her hand had moved on it's own accord, gripping Sesshomaru's wrist tightly. There was something in those eyes that bothered her. Not only the sadness that reflected from them but also guilt. There was no doubt he was leaving again and just thinking of that made tears build in her eyes.

"D-Don't leave me."

"K-Kagome I have to-"

"Don't! Please."

The outcry plea softened his expression. There was no way Sesshomaru could turn his back on her, there was no possible way to leave her…not now anyways so he decided to stay. Just for a little while, he would wait until she goes to sleep but as he looked at his watch he knew he didn't have much time left. He gently ran his fingers through her hair continuously, trying to comfort her in any way necessary, but her eyes remained open, watching his nonchalant face every second that past.

"Why don't you go to sleep?"

Kagome shook her head. "If I do you'll leave."

"I won't leave you just sleep Kagome."

She shook her head again. "I'm not going to bed I just want to stay like this." She wrapped her arms around his waist, threatening to never let go, as her hold on him grew tighter and tighter.

There was this nagging feeling that Sesshomaru was going to leave the house again but she now made sure that for just this night he wasn't gong anywhere. Even with a simple embrace Kagome felt the once tense air lightened as a sigh from Sesshomaru confirmed her worries. He was going to stay whether he liked it or not so Kagome let out a sigh of her own. Her eyes were weighing down on her and soon enough she fell asleep in a matter of minutes.

"Kagome." With no answer, Sesshomaru took one glance at Kagome's now slumbering face and maneuvered his way out of her arms. He tensed as she shrugged to get comfortable but after she had relaxed, his shoulders eased and he was finally able to get free. In truth, he wanted to stay more than anything. To be with her and having her arms around him gave him the hardest time to make the decision he made. He quietly opened the door but his heart literally sank to the pit of his stomach as Kagome's whisper was heard.

"Sess-homa-ru." She was still asleep but it made his mind uneasy. As he walked out of the room and made his way down stairs, he looked at his hand as he uttered words that stabbed him deeply.

"I'm sorry Kagome."

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Where is he? Why can't I feel his warmth? I can't feel him near me but why? She shifted in her sleep, trying to wake up from a nightmare. Please look at me? I'm sorry that I kissed him. I'm sorry but please look at me? The more she tried to convince him to turn around the more the darkness around him started to shroud his whole body. He was disappearing slowly but as always there was nothing she could do. Sesshomaru! Sesshomaru please come back. I didn't mean to please.

As he slowly turned his head and his gold eyes came to view, she waited for him to speak. "You never loved me and I never loved you. It was something that I wanted to experience and I guess I had my toll of fun don't you think." With a smirk he turned away. "Goodbye Kagome."

"Sesshomaru!!" Wiping away a mixture of sweat and tears, Kagome who trembled profusely, shakily got up from her bed. As she feared, Sesshomaru was gone and before she knew it she found herself out of her room, trudging down the corridor. The first thing that came to mind was the whereabouts of Sesshomaru than once she got down stairs and her parents came to view, that's when the question 'how am I going to get out of the house' popped in her head.

"Why are you in a hurry?" Her father said suddenly, keeping his eyes on the paperback that he set on the table.

"C-Can I go out for a while?"

Onigumo shifted his eyes to her daughter and quickly back at his book. "No."

"But dad I have to-"

"I said no now go to your room."

From looking at the clock that read 8:50PM, Kagome curled her hands into a fist. She had to find out once and for all where Sesshomaru was going but with this only obstacle to overcome, it sure wasn't going to stop her. With out any doubt to stop her in her tracks, she ran out the door with her father yelling after her. Trouble was going to come, she knew that but Sesshomaru was her number one priority and nothing was going to stop her.

The gruesome winds hit her like a ton of bricks as chills ran throughout her body. She didn't have time to grab a jacket but she ran through the streets aimlessly. To the stores, gift shops, and restaurants that he usually goes to, he was nowhere in sight and that fact pained her heart as well as slowed her pace. She was out of breath and was forced to walk.

"Sesshomaru. You're keeping secrets from me aren't you? Are you really going to leave me like this?" The sounds of cars and people who passed by frustrated her to the point where tears streamed down her face. This undeniable feeling of loneliness clung to every cell that ran through her body, flowed through every vein and punctured every single inch of her heart. This wasn't something she neither wanted to feel nor wanted to hold so deeply inside her. If he had to go somewhere why did he have to hide it?

Coming across an intersection, Kagome was forced to stop in her tracks and stumbled backwards. Her arm was pulled and suddenly her once frozen body interacted with the undeniable warmth of a chest. With her face burning red with annoyance, she looked up at the person who held her tightly and attempted to push him away but he held on.

"Let me go! Let me go!"

She bucked and thrash but he held on to her tightly, trying to suppress the pain he held for her. "I don't want you to look at this." He merely said.

"Hiro let me go!"

"I don't want you to get hurt Kagome." The words coming out of his mouth was baffling though with a finally push, she got out of his grasp and turned on her heels. Just than her heart crumbled, there he was, the person she ran frantically across town for was right across the road. The hot feeling in her eyes came out in the form of tears and her fingertips even felt the pain of betrayal.

"S-Sesshomaru." Muttering out the name that meant dearly to her, she took a step back and ran in the direction she came from. If seeing Sesshomaru's arms around another woman was going to hurt this bad, she would have stayed home. But now with the picture so freshly in her head, she ran through the streets, pushing and shoving people out of her way. There wasn't a need for any explanation, her true fear had come true and now she just wanted to run away.

Why did you have to hurt me? Exhaustion had caught up with her as her pace slowed and her breath had suddenly come out in small gasps. She dove into the snow and laid there, crying out her sadness. The cold snow between her fingers was exactly what she wanted to feel because if her body wasn't contacted with that coldness than her heart would be. She was huddled in the white blanket until she felt a recognizable hand lift her up right and hug her. Her fingers shakily clung to the front of his shirt as the coat he once wore draped her shoulders.

"I didn't want you to see that. I'm sorry." Hiro was the one person that was there for her, protected her and loved her. If she wanted to reframe from feeling this pain ever again, this man who kept her safely in his arms was the person she wanted. But she wanted more than anything to be with Sesshomaru, to hold him and to feel his lips upon hers. Though with this despicable picture of him holding another woman so dearly, what more could he want from him. It was obvious that she didn't want to share his love so with a decision in her head, Kagome gently pulled away from Hiro and wiped her tears away.

"I can't be with him anymore." These words that came out so desperately caused her to tremble as her eyes looked upon the man that held nothing but worry for her. "I don't want to get hurt anymore."

"Kagome…"

"I just wanted to be happy with him but now I can't look at him the same way after seeing that. Please Hiro, don't leave me." Burying her face into his chest, she cried out the remaining tears she had. This person was all she had and there was no one else. Sesshomaru was with another and now Kagome actually had someone close to her that she could trust. So with a warm embrace, Hiro rested his chin on her head and whispered:

"I'll never leave you Kagome. I promise."

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A/N Okay there you all go. Now don't hurt me please. I just had to do this okay so please don't yell at me. I adore Hiro's kind personality so I wanted him to shine in this chapter. I didn't do this intentionally it just how it had to be for the story. Hehe. So I hoped you all enjoyed it. Ja-ne for now.