Weeping Willows

By Dragonessclaw

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are the product of the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi. Only the story is mine.

You Guys are sooo awesome. Thank you for all the reviews and pm's it really means a lot.

Last time:

"Why are you pushing this so hard? What difference does it make to you how I handle things?" Kagome asked angrily.

Leaning down so that he was face to face with her, Sesshomaru said in a cold, stern voice, "Because any wife of mine needs to be able to handle her own."

Kagome gasped as her eyes widened in surprise, "Wife?"

Chapter 30

To Be or Not To Be….Mrs. Tashio

Sighing deeply Sesshomaru turned from Kagome and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Yes, wife. This wasn't the ideal proposal but here it is."

"Whoa, wait a minute Sesshomaru. You can't be serious? I can't marry you," Kagome said.

"Why not?" Sesshomaru asked slightly affronted.

"Well…we haven't known…..I can't just….Because we just can't o.k. This is too sudden I mean come on we just really started talking again and you still don't know all about me. "

Sesshomaru regarded Kagome for a moment before speaking. She seemed to be on the verge of a panic attack and he was trying to figure out the best way to stop it before it could start. Sesshomaru was very knowledgeable of his strengths and weaknesses and he knew if she went into a full out panic attack then he would definitely be at a loss as to what to do.

It was then Sesshomaru realized that it didn't matter. He said he could accept Kagome as she was and he meant it. The statement he was about to make was proof in itself. The old Sesshomaru would have never admitted to what he was about to, but for Kagome it was worth it.

Capturing her chin between his thumb and forefinger Sesshomaru tilted Kagome's head up to make sure he had Kagome's complete attention. Keeping eye contact Sesshomaru answered Kagome's earlier statement in a tender voice.

"Kagome, what I do know about you I love. I accept you as you are and would gladly spend the rest of my life learning all there is to know about you and letting you know all of me. Would you accept this Ses..my proposal?"

Kagome's breath caught in her throat at the tenderness in Sesshomaru's voice and the sincerity in his eyes. She felt like she couldn't breathe. A large part of her wanted to jump for joy and accept his proposal but there was another smaller part of her that wanted to run for the hills.

Her eyes shining with unshed tears Kagome grabbed the hand Sesshomaru had been holding her face with, looked into his eyes and answered.

"I can't," she said as she pushed his hand away and fled his house. Sesshomaru never expected such a response and continued to stand there looking at the spot Kagome had so hastily just vacated. His hand still in mid-air as he tried to understand what had just happened. The only thing going through his mind was, What?

/A Few Hours Later/

Sitting at the counter Kagome held her head in her hands as she looked into her untouched cup of coffee. Huffing she said, "What am I going to do?"

Pulling her arms around Kagome's shoulders Sango shook her head. "I don't know what to say. I still can't believe you ran out like that though." Sango replied consolingly, "but you have my ear or my shoulder if you need it."

Snorting Kagome said facetiously, "Shouldn't we be in a kitchen doing this."

"Yeah, you know us having a conversation like this outside feels kind of odd," Sango retorted with a smile.

"But seriously though, thank you for coming so fast. I was panicking a little."

"I could tell, Sango said with a smile pulling Kagome half off the seat in an awkward kind of hug. "That's why I got here so fast. I heard it in your voice."

They were sitting at the café across from Sango's job, Kagome hadn't planned on ending up here, actually she had no plans past flight, she had been pretty much running blind. When she stopped to catch her breath Kagome saw the café and it seemed like a good place to hide. What exactly Kagome felt she was hiding from though she couldn't say.

"So," Sango said, "Let's discuss this logically. What all did he say to you before you ran? And why marriage, most people want to at least live together first. Well, no I guess that wouldn't be proper so yes marriage. Or you could just…"

"Sango! Focus. And one thing at a time o.k. my brain is not fully functioning . I think it's still in shock," said Kagome as the two continued to discuss the situation.

"Sorry. I think the big question is did he kick Inuyasha's butt good. I would have paid to see that." Sango said smiling.

"Sango," Kagome said trying to look outraged but failing miserably. The picture of Inuyasha getting his butt kicked was also something she would have loved to see. Someone needed to wipe that self-satisfied look he was always sporting off his face.

"Right, seriously though. It's not the point if it so soon but how do you feel about this in general? Is this a relationship you could see progressing to marriage?" Sango asked.

Kagome did not answer right away as her eyes took in that far away look. Could she be married to him? Kagome thought over all of the things that had happened before and since she had meant Sesshomaru. There were some rough spots and some really bad moments but overall nothing they couldn't work out. She promised herself that she would not allow her past to sabotage her future. She would not let him slip away because of her own insecurities. But could she do it? Could she be Mrs. Taishio? Well, if they could survive without one strangling the other they might have a chance. He was obstinate and stubborn, infuriating and absolutely wonderful. Kagome wouldn't have fallen so hard if he weren't just a little bit crazy. Hell, she was. Kagome smiled at that thought.

Kagome's whole face lit up with her answer to Sango, "Yes I can."

"Well then you know what you have to do," Sango said as she smiled back at Kagome. Kagome was so stubborn. Sango couldn't believe it took her so long to acknowledge what Sango had been seeing for so long. But the more mature Sango would not push Kagome to do what she thought was best. She would be there for support and let Kagome come to her own conclusions. Sango then smiled again but this smile was more mischievous looking than the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland.

"So, how badly do you think he beat Inuyasha? Maybe he took some pictures. We could always ask?"

"You're hopeless you know that. What is the fascination with all this violence," Kagome asked swatting Sango on the shoulder playfully.

Feigning innocence Sango replied, "I'm not fascinated with violence." At Kagome's look of doubt she added. "Well, not unless it involves Inuyasha."

At that statement Kagome couldn't hold in her laugh anymore. Then tension in the air was dispersed then as if someone had waved a magic wand. The two continued on like that for awhile not knowing that across town someone was having the same basic conversation.

/Until next time/

Ok. Guys we are getting towards the end. So not including this chapter we might have maybe 3 tops. Tell me what you think.