Sesshomaru tangled his hand deeper into her thick hair, pulling her to her feet. "You have much to learn, bitch." Licking his lower lip slowly, he suddenly slammed her into the wall, crushing his entire weight against hers. "How do you think I should punish you?"

"You may treat me however you like, milord." Kagome replied, remaining perfectly still beneath him.

"You have no suggestions." He stated lightly, almost tauntingly. His eyes gazed openly into hers, and when she moved to turn away, he jerked her back, declining his head until their lips were nearly touching. "Perhaps something you expect of me?"

Her eyes lowered to his lips, then back to his eyes. Of course, she'd seen them red before, but never so feral, never so intense and smoldering. It was almost as if he were trying to melt her in his arms. 'His arms…' She tried to rebuke the thoughts that coursed through her brain, the images of things he could do to her to make her eyes roll back, the things she could do to him to make that emotionless mask vanish. "You said to take my beating like a woman. Do you wish to beat submission from me, milord?"

While Kagome inwardly fought at the absurd idea, her beast knew that it was not strange for the alpha male in a relationship to use such methods to tame a wild bitch.

"A beating for submission?" Sesshomaru drawled. "Surely, you do not think such of me, miko." There was an incredulous tone behind his stoic voice.

"It is only natural, Sesshomaru-sama."

The lord cocked a brow. He wasn't so sure he liked this submissive side of his wench. He needed her to be angry, to be defiant. "Perhaps, if I were to take you, you could think of something."

Instantly, her eyes hardened, taking on a slightly darker red as anger fueled inside her. "Like hell!"

Oh…there it was! That anger that sent fire to his loins. He thrust his hips forward, molding his lips around hers. When she pushed him away, he growled sensually, "You forget, miko, that you have permitted me to treat you any way I wish." Not that he wouldn't have if she hadn't given him permission.

"Then I take it back!"

"I'm afraid that that isn't a choice." Again, he pressed his lips to hers, smirking into it when she began to fight him as he caressed her body.

Kagome growled in the back of her throat. 'He's lost his regal mind!' She swung her fists at him, her eyes widened when he caught her wrists, forcing them above her head. "Let me go, Sesshomaru!"

His smirk spread across his thin lips, giving him a look of insanity. "Hast thou forgotten my suffix?" Something inside him was snapping, of that he was sure. He was behaving like a madman, speaking strangely and molesting the miko. But as much as he wanted to stop his acts, he could not. She was simply too intoxicating. "Give in to your lord, bitch." He hissed.

"Let me go! What right do you have to do this, Sesshomaru?! This is rape, molestation!"

"Is it?" The Daiyoukai inhaled deeply. "Based solely upon your scent, you want me, you crave me. You desire your lord, bitch. Tell me you do not!"

"I-I shouldn't." She whined.

He arched a brow, licking a trail along her nose. "But you do, do you not, my bitch?" When she whimpered again, Sesshomaru cradled her to him, kissing her face gently as he led her toward his desk. "Do not fear your cravings. This lord, himself, longs to feel your heat. Will you deny him?"

Inwardly, she cursed, she fought, she stomped, but outwardly…Outwardly, she acted as a bitch in heat, launching herself at Sesshomaru, sealing their lips, and grinding against his waist.

Sesshomaru chuckled lowly as he led her through the shoji into his room, tossing her onto the futon. "Prepare to be taken!" He began to ravage her neck.

Kagome chomped down on her lower lip, leaning her head back. 'Oh, this is heaven. Fuck being in my right mind. I'll think tomorrow.'

The slamming of the shoji in Sesshomaru's bedroom caused Kagome to shoot up in the bed, clutching the sheets tightly in shock. Her eyes roamed to the beautiful silver haired woman who'd entered and was now staring at her. "What are you staring a- Augh!" She pulled the sheets up to wrap around her. "Who are you? And what am I doing nude?"

"I am Inumimi, a servant of the Lord Sesshomaru. And you are nude because you two rutted last night a well into the morning." Her nose scrunched up in what Kagome assumed was disgust, causing her to lower her eyes, ashamed.

"Oh."

She sighed, rolling her golden eyes. "Don't be so vain. Get up so I can dress you."

"Jeez, what's with the attitude?" Kagome hissed, standing up while still covering herself. "Sesshomaru usually gets the submissive type when it comes to his servants. Why the hell are you so rude?"

Inumimi smirked. "Because, I'm not like the others." Snatching the sheet from the young miko youkai, she tossed it to the floor. "I like you. You and I are kind of alike. Sesshomaru cares for us because of our character."

The miko stiffened. "Cares for…What do you mean by 'us'? You and Sesshomaru have a relationship?"

"You could say that. So, don't think you can replace me." She began to sift through the kimonos in Sesshomaru's wardrobe. "I love him more than you ever could."

"Whoever said I loved the asshole?" Kagome retorted as Inumimi approached her with a kimono that resembled Sesshomaru. "W-"

"He requested it." The demoness replied instantly as she helped Kagome to stick her arms through the sleeves. "He felt that you would look lovely in it. I must admit, you do have quite the body."

Kagome arched a brow. "Um, thanks…I guess." 'So, Sesshomaru has a…concubine or whatever the hell she is…' She grimaced as Inumimi tightly tied the obi into a knot. 'I hope the idiot doesn't think that's what I am! I can't even remember it clearly! He's got another thing coming if he thinks I'm gonna be his fuck toy! Especially not when Naraku and I are trying for another baby.'

"That isn't going to happen." Inumimi said lowly, stepping back to view her work. The girl did look amazing in Sesshomaru's mate's kimono.

"Did you say something?"

"You most definitely will not be having another child by that Naraku. My, you look simply gorgeous. Now, for that rat's nest you have for hair. Sit down, please." She pushed the girl to the floor, kneeling behind her.

"Why not?" She asked, her hands on her hips. "And how did you hear me?"

Inumimi grunted. "I'm a mind reader, dear. Sit still. And as for you getting pregnant by him, it's impossible. Don't ask me, though. Ask Inutaisho next time you see him."

Kagome glared over her shoulder. "Why would I if you're right here?"

"Just ask him."

"He's dead."

"Don't you give me that, girl. I know that you talk to him. I know a lot of things. You need to learn to simply sit and listen. Sesshomaru's gonna have a hell of a time handling you."

The miko hmphed. "We're not together as you are insisting."

"Soon enough." Inumimi rose to her feet before helping Kagome up. "You know, dear, you're beautiful."

Kagome looked into her face. "So are you." For the first time since the servant had entered the room, Kagome noticed that her face had a certain aged look, a sense of wisdom. "You truly are."

She smiled broadly. "Now, I have a little advice for you. Firstly, Sesshomaru can be a jackass sometimes, be he needs love and understanding…like a child, a pup actually. Secondly, you shouldn't search for love in the wrong places. Most of the time it's right there in your face. Thirdly, forgive your friends. It can only hurt you if you continue to ignore them and be angry with them."

"You know a little more about my life than I'd like you to, but thank you." She leaned down to brush a little lint from her kimono, and when she rose, the servant was gone. Sliding on her boots, she sighed and left to the dining room. At the door, she hesitated. She could hear Koga laughing. 'Inuyasha must be upset about something, and Koga's laughing at his misery... Well, there's nothing to fear. They'll find out eventually.' Inhaling deeply, she nodded her head firmly and slid open the shoji. The instant she stepped into the room, everyone went silent. 'Oh no, don't stop on my account.'

Sango was the first to speak up. "Um, good evening, Kagome." She greeted, standing up and bowing.

Kagome arched a brow. "You mean morning?"

"No. It's well into the evening. Kakudan and the rest of the smaller children are taking their evening naps, Lady Kagome." Miroku answered, his violet eyes rolling around her form.

There was silence for a moment as Kagome took her seat at Sesshomaru's right side, before a certain hanyou snapped, "What's with the matchin' kimono?!"

The miko glared at him, immediately causing the hanyou to clam up. "Ask your brother."

"I had absolutely nothing to do with your attire, miko." Sesshomaru assured her. "Where did you get the kimono?"

"Inumimi." She replied, arching a brow when he paled and the servants in the room gasped. "What?"

"Impossible. She is long dead." The lord informed her, his tone bitingly cold.

Kagome shook her head. "No. I'm pretty sure she isn't. Her hands were really warm. You didn't tell me you had such interesting servants, Sesshomaru."

He narrowed his eyes, looking to her. "Servant? You think my Inumimi a servant?"

Her eyes widened. 'His Inumimi…So they do have a relationship?' Face hardening, she bared her fangs at him. 'The nerve of him, fucking me when he has someone on the side.' Turning away from him, she glared at the food before her.

"So, um, Kagome, how were you punished?" Koga asked, lifting his chopsticks to his mouth.

"My punishment?" Blush flamed across her cheeks as she whipped around to glare at Sesshomaru. "What the hell kind of punishment was that?"

"That was not your punishment, miko."

Kagome's eyes widened. "What the hell do you mean that wasn't my punishment?! Your ass raped me!"

Koga gasped, choking on a noodle that was halfway down his throat while the rest of the occupants of the dining hall screeched, "What?!"

"You dare to accuse me of something so vile?" Sesshomaru inquired heatedly. 'The nerve of her…Yes, we got very close, terribly near, but we didn't go so far.'

"I woke up naked in your futon, and Inumimi said that we rutted well into the morning."

"We did not, I assure you, you would remember." Or at least he hoped he hadn't forgotten their first time together.

Kagome snarled. "Then explain what happened!"

Before the lord could open his mouth, Jaken dashed in. "Milord, Garo is about to leave to get the things you asked of him. He wishes a word."

When Sesshomaru stood, Kagome grabbed his hand, "I'm not done talking to you yet."

"Hn." He pulled his arm free, walking away.

"Insufferable bastard!" She hollered, following closely at his heels.

"Pathetic ningen." He replied lowly.

Kagome gasped. 'Ningen? He still thinks of me as a weak human?' "Your Inumimi doesn't know what she's talking about. You are just a jackass!" Her voice lowered as she whispered, "And you wonder why we cannot be together."

He halted at that, glanced over his shoulder, nodded, and left the room. A Jackass…She thought him a jackass. His eyes hardened. He would show that wench of a human how much of a jackass he could be. Meeting Garo in the front of the castle, he commanded, "Forget your previous orders. You are instead to move the miko's things from her cottage to my chambers."

The moth demon's eyes widened drastically. "A-are you sure, milord?"

"Why would I ask if I were not? The bitch cannot be trusted, and until she can be, she will be stuck at my side. Now go."

"Yes, milord!" Nodding firmly, he took off toward the miko's cottage, sure that his lord had to have had an ulterior motive to what he was doing. No servant, guard, or advisor had missed the looks their lord sent the miko. He longed for her, as they all saw, but she was stubborn. Their lord enjoyed breaking stubborn beings, and they only hoped he wouldn't do so to the woman that he so obviously cared for.

Striding out of the barrier, Sesshomaru tried to ignore the miko's voice in his ears. 'And you wonder why we cannot be together.' She was so evidently confused. If he wanted to be with her, he would have her. She thought herself so goddamn proud and superior. 'Arrogant wench is not nearly as valuable as she thinks.'

"Someone's angry." His father's voice jolted him from his musings.

"This Sesshomaru would appreciate not being haunted today, father."

"Yes, well, that won't be happening. I can't stand seeing my pups so sad. What's wrong?"

"There is nothing wrong, and This Sesshomaru is not melancholy." He quipped, staring straight ahead and making sure that his mask was indeed in place.

Inutaisho sighed. "I heard what she said, Sesshomaru. There is no need to act."

Sesshomaru growled loudly, startling nearby birds from their perches atop the trees. "That wench had the nerve, the audacity to say such to me. 'And you wonder why we cannot be together,'" He imitated, scoffing, "If I wanted her, she would be mine, and she would have no say. Should she managed to object, her throat would be slit, her disgusting ningen blood staining my claws." He flexed his hands.

The Great Dog General snarled, grabbing his son by the shoulders. "Watch your mouth, pup! You shall not slander the name of your future mate, the future Lady of the Western Lands!"

"I will malign the name of that bitch all I wish, father. She is not to be my mate. You heard her words for yourself. And This Sesshomaru would never lower himself to mating a useless, weak, pitiful excuse for a human. She is not of the western lands, whether your nonliving blood pumps through her or not!" Faster than he could understand, his father had backhanded him, causing him to take a few steps back. His chest heaving in shock, he lightly touched his stinging cheek, glaring at the blood on his hand. "You slap your son for a human? Even in death, you are weak for those creatures."

Inutaisho fumed, his nostrils flaring. He'd never been so furious with his boy in his life. "I made mistakes, Sesshomaru. I was not there for you when you needed me, and I apologize for that, but I regret nothing. Inuyasha and Izayoi needed me as well, both far younger and more helpless than yourself."

"Why assist something that could never be as strong as myself, as yourself? Why lower yourself to such levels for a tramp of a ningen and her bastard child?"

"Because I love them, as I love you. You are simply too blind to see it."

"You cared nothing about me." The lord snapped, thinking back to his puphood. Merely a pup he'd been at his father's passing. Yes, 300 hundred years old, but an inupup none the less.

Inumaru's eyes flashed with hurt. "You thought I did not care. Sesshomaru, I cared for you so greatly. My boy, you are my pup, my first born, my heir, I could never love anyone in the same way that I care for you."

Sesshomaru sniffed at his father indignantly. "You think I care about your pathetic emotions, father? Please, do not make a further ass of yourself."

"Damnit, pup, why won't you listen to reason?!"

"Because, he's a spoiled, angry, hurt wittle pup." Inumimi answered tauntingly, stepping out onto the road as she appeared from thin air.

"Inumimi." Sesshomaru muttered softly, glaring at her when she thumped his forehead.

She shook her head, placing her hands on her hips. "I probably ruined you, spoiling you the way that I did."

He rolled his eyes. "I am an adult Inuyoukai, not some spoiled child, not what you recall, Inumimi."

"You think I haven't been watching you, my Sesshou? I've seen you progress, hardening into this shell. You know, sweetheart, if you don't open up and get over your hatred toward your father and humans, you're as good as dead."

"Firstly, I am your alpha male now. You have no right to suggest things. Secondly, if you think that I hate my father, you are mistaken. I harbor no ill feelings toward him or ningen. Humans are simply weak creatures, Kagome included."

"Oh, he said his beloved's name! That's a step, Inutaisho." She smirked.

Inutaisho barked a laugh. "Yes, it is."

Sesshomaru growled. "My beloved, she is not."

"You worry me with your speech, Sesshou. Do you know that when you left, that poor girl left the room in tears?"

"Her tears are no concern of mine. Being human, she easily sheds them." He replied despite the clenching in his chest. It was her own fault.

"Sesshomaru, why do you continue putting yourself through this when you have a woman who cares very much for you?" Inutaisho asked. "Of course, the stubborn little bitch doesn't want to show it, but she's getting there. You should see the way her eyes light up when I say your name."

The Daiyoukai tried not to let on the fact that what his father had said was a boost to his pride and heart, but his eyes twinkled anyway. "Hn."

Inumimi smiled. "See, you two are destined. One's stubborn, the other spoiled, and both stupid. A match made in heaven." At Sesshomaru's growl, she waved her hands absently. "Though I am a little jealous that your affection and attentions will turn to her, I want you to have someone who makes you happy, my sweet Sesshou. Put your past of anger behind you, please."

"I am not angry. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go to town." He brushed past his father, continuing down the road.

Inutaisho sighed. "How did I give birth to such a hotheaded, hardheaded little pup?"

"You can't be serious. He's just like you were with Izayoi."

"Who asked you?" Annoyed the apparition vanished to check on Kagome.

"Asshole." Inumimi sighed, disappearing as well.

"Stupid Sesshomaru, with his stupid hurtful words." Kagome sniffed, wiping her eyes. "He isn't worth my stupid tears, but I can't stop crying for the stupid fuck."

"My, such language from a lady?"

"Go away, Inutaisho."

The older youkai smiled softly, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her. "I know you don't mean that. Go ahead, little onna. Let it out."

She buried her head in his shoulder, sobbing. "He's such an arse, Inutaisho. I know I was a little mean, but wouldn't you be if someone denied sleeping with you. I mean, I can't remember, but my body aches, and Inumimi..."

"What she said was true. You two rutted for quite some time."

"Then why don't we remember?"

"There is a saying in Inuyoukai society…When two who are destined meet as one for the first time, they will not be making love. Hormones bring upon rutting, and it they remember nothing of."

Kagome frowned. "D-destined? Sesshomaru and I…We can't be."

Inutaisho quirked a brow. "And why not?"

"B-because…Sesshomaru would never mate a once human, and I," She blushed, "I don't care about him."

"You ningen are horrible liars, especially you."

"What gave it away?" She whispered.

He smirked. "The flush on your cheek, the sour smell on your breath."

Kagome blinked, shocked. "My breath stinks when I lie?"

"To a sensitive nose."

"Damnit. Lying to Sesshomaru is going to be hard as hell."

"You plan to lie to my son?" He asked incredulously.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Of course not, but you know how possessive your sons are. It's bound to come up eventually. Even if he refuses to acknowledge his feelings for me now for some reason, they're there."

"Yes. They are. He'll come around."

"Did he with Inumimi?"

"What do you mean?"

She sighed. "She told me that they had a relationship, that she loved him like no other and that he cared for her."

Inutaisho arched a brow. Leave it to Inumimi to purposely confuse the girl. "Inumimi was merely leaving out bits of the truth. She and Sesshomaru had a relationship…but not exactly the way you think. It was a bit more…for lack of better word, serious than she explains."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I mean that…" His ear twitched. "Your friends are coming. We will continue this later." He began to vanish.

"Wait! Inutaisho!"

"Later, little one." He patted her head affectionately, then disappeared all together, leaving a rather confused girl waiting.