Weeks turned into months, and months into years, and still Sesshomaru could not get over the hurt he felt that night. The first person he had actually come to value, the first person to make him smile had left, and he felt betrayed. He felt ignorant. I'm misinterpreting things. I didn't even know her. How could I know her, or anybody else? I've never even gone beyond the Western Lands. He shook his head in frustration. "I do not want to live this way." he said to himself. "You've finally realized it, huh?" he turned around to see his mother and father smiling sadly at him. "You can not dwell here in the palace walls and ponder why things aren't going your way. You have to travel, see the dark part of this world." his father said. Sessomaru had started walking off when his mother shouted, "Wait, Sessomaru! Do not leave if you do not know why you are going. What are you fighting for?" she demanded. "Not "what." "Who." he whispered without turning around. She smiled and nodded as he ran out of the front gates and to his fate.

"Fantastic job, Kagome!" Lord Ikkoku boomed. Kagome hid her contempt beneath her emotionless mask as she asked, "Will you release her now?" His laughing ceased as he leaned forward in his throne and grabbed her chin. "You have not finished your job yet, my dear. I want him dead." He threw his head back and laughed. "If Sesshomaru, heir to the Western Lands, were dead, his parents would be forever broken. The other nobles would determine them unfit to rule the Western Lands, and I would be able to conquer their land and become more powerful. And you see, if I were the one to kill Sesshomaru, I would be overthrown. That's why I need you." he smiled evilly. Kagome glared at him. "Why aren't you satisfied yet? You used my father to destroy our home village, to injure me, and to get my mother -the only one who could stop him- out of the picture. All because you want me to kill Lord Sesshomaru? Why me?" she spat. "Because, Kagome dear. You are an interesting specimen. A war raging inside of your body, a battle between demon and pure. One day, you'll go insane. And I'm hoping that your killing Sesshomaru will send you into the frenzy I've been awaiting." "I'll do what ever you want, just release her. Now." she pleaded. "Ah ah ahhh. We both know that isn't true. Now, I want you to reappear to Sesshomaru, convince him to come back here to my palace, so I can watch this all unfold. Dismissed." he cooed. Kagome silently walked out of the palace, into the rain. She glanced up into the melancholy sky. How could this rain refresh something like me?

Sesshomaru rested just outside of a trading village, where he had helped kill demons that had plagued them. He sat cleaning his sword when he heard a rustling in the trees behind him. He quickly stood. "Reveal yourself." he demanded. A hooded figured landed agilely in front of him as the breeze ruffled their cloak. "Who are you?" he asked impatiently. Slowly they popped a cherry into their mouth and held another out to him. Sesshomaru's eyes widened. "Kagome-" Suddenly she jumped back as a demon reached for Sesshomaru's throat, knocking his sword away in the process. The demon had him pinned and Sesshomaru was quickly losing consciousness. Then, his eyes started glowing red and his claws lengthened. Just as he was about to strike, the demon was cut in half by the hooded figure. Sesshomaru's eyes reverted back to their curious amber as he studied them through his blurry vision. The figure was still eating cherries, yet they were holding a double-headed katana in their right hand lazily, as if they hadn't just killed a demon. Sesshomaru stood and stared even longer. Suddenly a cherry burst on his forehead, and he smiled. "I was supposed to catch it right, not waste it?" The figure smiled as Sesshomaru walked towards them. He slowly reached out a hand, but the figure took a step back, unsure. "Kagome-chan." Sesshomaru whispered as he pulled her to his chest. This time he was rewarded when the scarred yet strong arms gingerly wrapped around him. He stepped back and smiled even bigger. He quickly reached to pull the hood down when Kagome recoiled. "What's wrong?" he asked as she slowly shook her head side to side. "I need your help..." "Anything." he responded. "Come with me to Lord Ikokku's palace..." Say no... Sesshomaru nodded as Kagome turned to lead the way. No, what am I doing? I can't do this. But she's there, all alone...I never expected this to happen...

Flashback

Kagome shakily stood, her back screaming in protest. Her whole village had been slaughtered by her father, and her mother had sacrificed herself to save Kagome. She slowly took one step, and then another, refusing to let the tears spill onto her bloody cheeks. "Where are you going, little half-demon?" a singsong voice sounded. She looked up to see a man with long dark hair and tan skin studying her, amused. "I am Lord Ikkoku, and I can put you out of your misery. I just need help with one little thing..."

End Flashback

He's a fool. Kagome sat with her arms folded behind her head, staring up at the stars as the cold wind ruffled her hood. No, I'm the fool. I allowed myself to become attached. She glanced over to Sesshomaru who was silently sleeping in a low branch, just above their fire. She smiled and retuned her gaze to the dark sky. It would be ignorant to say that I had grown accustomed to my temporary surroundings: the royal kimonos, marble floors, royal blue walls. No, I had become severly attached to this one entity, this demon. And I was being forced to sever this attachment myself. She shook her head and sat up, her smile receding into the shadows once more. Gently she touched her face, something she wished to keep hidden from the only one she had been able to call "friend."

"Kagome?" his voice called, worry outlining his features. Her hand dropped from her face and she turned towards him. "Are you okay?" She nodded. "Just cold." Sesshomaru seemed to give up on the subject then, but then he was sitting down next to her, pulling her into his lap. "Wh-what are you doing?" she blushed, though he couldn't see it because of the hood. "You said you were cold." he replied innocently, glancing away as he to blushed. I didn't mean my body, I meant my soul... Kagome contemplated moving for a minute before she nestled into his chest and began slipping away. Sesshomaru could slowly feel her relax into him, and he too began to relax. He rested his chin on her head. This is unreal. She's back, in my arms so suddenly. How? Why? This can't be a coincidence, she had been armed, and she was purposefully in that tree, waiting- Kagome unconsciously gripped his kimono, and he smiled as he gently wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep. I guess it isn't so bad...

Kagome and Sesshomaru had arrived at the palace gates, and had just entered when they quickly shut behind them. Kagome slowly led him to where Lord Ikkoku sat, waiting. Ikkoku stood and spread his arms wide. "Welcome, Lord Sesshomaru! Welcome, to my humble abode." he smiled evilly. "What's going on?" Sesshomaru asked, confused. "Let's give a big round of applause to our beautiful actress Kagome. Let's hear it!" He laughed as his lone clap echoed through the room. "Actress..?" he asked, looking over to Kagome incredulously, who's head was bowed. "You see, Lord Sesshomaru, Kagome here has gained your trust and brought you here for a special night." "Special night?" "Indeed. And YOU are the main event."