Okay, so everyone is pretty psyched for the gigantic lemon, right? Then sorry to disappoint, it's going to be a surprise in the next few chapters. I can't just throw them together and magically they get physical. Life don't work like that.

Kagome sighed, crawling off of the stone slab that served as her bed. Although her guilt was gone, her sore back didn't make her feel any better than she had. How she missed that glorious bed, so westernized that Sesshomaru probably paid a pretty gold piece to purchase. It felt like sleeping on air, and she knew- Knew, darn it!- that it had been Sesshomaru's intention to make her nearly beg to have that damned bed back.

Sighing again, she patted her hair down a bit, trying to judge how bad she looked without her mirror. She lugged herself out of the door, growling softly to herself when she heard the quiet murmurings of the servants, all laughing at her asceticism.

"I wish I was in her place!" One slave hissed to another, "I damned sure wouldn't have turned away such fine quarters!"

Kagome brushed their ramblings aside, sure-fire in her decisions. She smiled softly, heading to Sesshomaru's office, passing the main gate.

Suddenly, a large ruckus could be heard from outside, and Kagome couldn't help but go see what it was, curious. The gates were thrown open and in strode a very. . . very pissed InuYasha, sword a' blazing. His eyes landed on her, full of anger, hurt, disapproval, and some more anger. He stormed over to her, and seized her by her arm

"You are leaving. Now!"

He was so far beyond pissed… He'd bite her head off before she even opened her mouth, so she decided to let him vent before she even ventured to open her big fat mouth.

"Damn onna, givin' me a heart attack. And bringin' Kikyo into your plot? That's low woman, low." InuYasha ranted, "I thought you were on my side, but OH NO, why be on the a mangy mutt's side when you can side with his older brother? Where is the bastard anyway? I'll skin him alive!"

"Calm down, little brother." Sesshomaru hissed, walking calmly out of his office. He strode up to them, grabbing Inuyasha by the scruff of his fire-rat robe. "This is my domain, know your place!"

Kagome, this entire time, was focused on maintaining her cool.

"I'm sorry, Inuyasha." Kagome ventured, peeking up at him. He glared down at her, but before long his eyes softened, and he looked away from her.

"Feh. Just don't scare me like that again, woman." Inuyasha let go of her arm, turning from her minutely, trying to hide the faint blush that stained his cheeks. Kagome beamed up at him, clasping her hands together happily.

"Thank you for not blowing it out of proportion, Inuyasha!"

Sesshomaru, on the other hand, stared at her with a sotic expression, but there was hurt in his eyes. His conscious thought and his beast were in inner turmoil, battling to convince him of what he was seeing. The love in her eyes. The loyalty. The trust between them

Did she still care for his brother?

Did she love him? Want to mate him? Had she already?

No. There was no way. She is your mistress. She may not love you, but you are connected.

But he is her alpha. He can control her, just as she could control this Sesshomaru.

But she has moved on. I am sure of it. She is showing him the love of a pack-mate... of a brother.

But what if I am wrong? What if what she feels for him is more than loyalty? More than respect? More than a kinship through tough times?

The tiny shred of doubt swelled in his mind, and before he knew what was happening, his eyes were gleaming read and he was reaching for the girl, snatching her away from Inuyasha. He bared his fangs at his brother, growling and hissing vehemently.

A shocked Kagome dangled from his arm, looking up at him, eyes wide. What had happened? She had dissolved the situation in a solution of careful words and puppy dog eyes. What the heck was his problem?

He snarled, placing her on his back. He took off, away from the shiro, away from Inuyasha, away from his insecurities.

Damn mutt gets all the good things in life. This time, I'll have my answers if it kills me.

~;~

Aaaaaaaaand…. Scene! How was that? I can't write good turmoil, but I gave it a shot. Will the lemon be the next chapter? Read and find out.