"Gah!' Kagome cried out as she stubbed her toe. 'Damnit! All of this just so I won't wake Sesshomaru!' She grabbed her cellphone and dashed out of the room when she saw the caller's given name. When she was as far away from Sesshomaru as she could possibly get, in her car in the garage, she answered, "Hello." She took a few deep breaths.

Naraku remained silent. Why was she breathing so hard? They couldn't possibly be...No, Sesshomaru hadn't had sex with her in a year...He wouldn't now, right?

"Hello? Naraku?" She whispered.

"Did you have sex with Sesshomaru?" He asked bluntly.

"What?! Hell no!" Kagome exclaimed. "Why would you think that?"

He sighed, relieved. "I merely thought...your breathing is never so labored unless you and I have had a few rounds."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Of course not. Sesshomaru would never touch me."

"And if he decided to? Would you let him?"

She froze at that. "I've never truly thought about it. That's like nearly impossible. It would signal the Apocalypse." She laughed, that is, until she realized that Naraku wasn't laughing along. "That wasn't funny to you?"

"No. It wasn't. Promise me that you will not sleep with him, that you won't even kiss him."

"Sesshomaru doesn't want-"

"If he gets suspicious of you, he will do anything to keep you with him so as to not damage his reputation. Promise me."

Kagome sighed, rubbing her head. "Whatever. Did you need something?"

Naraku's eyes hardened at her tone, but he shrugged it off. "Yes. I want to propose a date today."

"Sorry. I can't."

"Moo ichido itte kudasai."

"So-rry. I can-n't."

Naraku grimaced. "Why not, dearest?"

She reclined in her chair. "Look, baby, Sesshomaru is sick."

"And you're taking care of him?"

"I am his mate. It's my job."

"I don't want you to be his mate anymore."

Kagome shrugged. "It's not like I can just revoke it. Youkai mate for life."

{Kagome's POV}

Okay, so that wasn't the only reason I wasnt ready to leave Sesshomaru yet. He's been treating me so kindly lately. SURE, it could be because he's ill, but it could not be. He could be falling back in love with me. I know, it seems stupid, like I believe in a fairy tale. But maybe, it's possible...I'm a lost cause.

"I know a way, to rid yourself of his mark, that is."

I blink a few time, my eyes on the wedding ring on my finger. "Did you?"

I can practicalling hear him grinning. "My mother rid hersel fof my father's mark recently, and she told me how. It's rather painful, but not so much so that you could die."

"Oh, wow."

"Yes. WOW." He sighs into the phone. "But you do not sound happy. Tell me, kanojo, how do you feel about me?"

"W-what?" I sputter.

He chuckles. "I asked how you felt about me. Do you feel lust, infatuation, love?"

'How do I feel about him? What kind of question is that? How am I supposed to know?' "W-well, I..."

"Look inside yourself."

"I, well, I..." I don't love him...not yet anyway. But perhaps in time, these strong feelings could become love. "I think that I like you very much. Yes. I am head over heels in like with you."

Naraku laughs. "What an expression, but I like the way you put it. That is a step, little one."

I giggle at the affectionate term. He loves calling me 'little one'. "So, how do you feel about me?" I mock.

"I love you." He replies instantly. "I've always loved you. But, you see my entire family believes in love at first sight."

"Love at first sight. How lovely." I smile. "Well, I'm going back to check on Sesshomaru."

"Hold on for a moment, little one."

I arch a brow. "Hm?"

"Do you have any type of family out of town...in, say, Paris?"

Frowning in confusion, I reply, "No. Well, I have some friends, but why?"

"Well, I have a little business to handle there, and I wanted to bring you along. That way we can actually have a date, instead of having to hide around in our homes like we must in Tokyo. What do you think, pet?"

"Oooh! Well till I tell them I'll be coming to visit! Oh, thank you thank you thank you! I'll brush up on my French. Adios!"

"Koishi, that's Spanish."

I tap my chin. "So it is." Grinning, I say, "I bid you adieu!"

"Likewise, my love."

I head back to the bedroom, only to be deterred when the doorbell rings.

{Sesshomaru's POV}

"Kagome." I call groggily as I force myself to sit up. This is precisely why I rarely sleep, this lost feeling I have whwn I awaken. "Kagome!" I call louder. For the past week that I've been ill, she hasn't left my side.

'Oh no! Maybe mate already leave!'

'Beast.'

'I kill you if mate gone!'

'Beast.'

'Find mate!'

'BEAST!!!'

'!WHAT!'

'Be calm.'

I push back the sheets, slide out of bed, and begin to search for her scent and aura. If I lose my mind everytime I wake to find her missing, Kagome will surely realize that something is wrong.

Besides that, her robe is missing, meaning she is simply traveling around the house. I have a terrible migraine. I'll have to have her prepare me some Tylonel and Sprite.

'You using mate.'

'She wishes to help.'

'Whatever...Get downstairs!' He cries suddenly.

'Why?' I massage my temple, leaning slightly against the wall.

'Kagome downstairs! Door open!'

My eyes widen as I realize what he's inferring. Quickly, I speed down the stairs, ignoring my nausea. "Kagome!"

She whips around, then glares at me. My heart drops.

'No.'

"Sesshomaru, what are you doing out of bed? I told you..." All words after that, I block out, embracing my mate. There has to be a better way. I can't always overeact when she's missing.

'Beast, this can not always happen.'

'But, she here, and door.'

'Yes. But we can not continue doing this.'

'Then make sure she never leave us.'

'But what?'

I crush Kagome closer to me, inhaling her scent. 'Don't ever leave me. Don't ever leave me.' I am no longer the Sesshomaru I once was. I've lost myself for fear of losing her.

"Get a room, why doncha?" Inuyasha snorts. As usual, the halfbreed is ignored.

Kagome places her small hands on my bare chest, pushing me away. "Sesshomaru, is something wrong?" She's blushing. How cute. I remember when I used to lick her cheek when we were newlyweds, before what happened with Kikyo. I'd always tell her that it still tasted the same.

I run my tongue along the length of her cheek, smirking. "Yes. It tastes the same as it ever did."

"Dear God, you're delusional." Kagome blushes harder, though she's glaring at me. "That's it! Back to be, Sesshomaru."

"I am fine."

"You aren't! You're acting weird! And sweating! You're a dogdemon! You never sweat." She regards me for a moment. "Did you have another bad dream? Did you die again?"

"He dreamt he died?" Father asks, shocked.

Izayoi gasps. "I'm surprised he dreamt period, Tai."

Kagome places her hands on her hips. "Sesshomaru, I said get back in bed! You're still sick!"

"I am fine, damn you!" I snap back, placing my clenched fists at my side. My fiesty little onna is so infuriating. She honestly thinks that because she demands it, I will obey. The very thought of it just, ugh.

"Now, Sesshomaru, or so help me God I'll.."

"You'll?" I coax with a cruel smirk.

She screeches, "You're such an infuriating idiot!"

My fingers twitch at her shrill cry. I've never been so tempted to cover my ears in my entire life. Instead, I settle for massagin my temple and closing my eyes. "Loud onna."

"Oh, Sesshomaru, I forgot you had a headache. I'm such a baka. Here." I open my eyes to see her handing out a thermometer. When I accept it, she grins, "Okay, by now your temperature should be at most 102. If it's any higher, we'll do another cold bath. This time a tad warmer than the last." She blushes at the memory, and I refrain, jsut barely, from tasting her. "I'll be back with some Tylonel."

I watched until she was out of my sight, then strolled to the kitchen, my family just behind me.

{Normal POV}

"Oi, Sesshomaru, Kagome gave you a cold bath?" Inuyasha asked as he slid up onto the counter.

"Yes. She is my mate, Inuyasha." It was rare for him to call his brother by his name, but when Izayoi was around, he did. However, it was only out of the slight respect he had for the woman. She had raised him.

"I know, but after what you-ow! Jeez, dad!" He stroked his arm when his father whacked him against the back of his head. he'd almost forgotten his mother was there.

'Why are you here?" Sesshomaru questioned, turning on the oven and sticking the thermometer out over it. He didn't have a fever at all anymore, so he had to warm it somehow.

Izayoi grinned. "Well, Sess, we wanted to come visit you two. You never invite anyone over here anymore. Speaking of which, Kagome's family want us to meet them at that resturant he owns on Chou."

Inuyasha chuckled as he saw what his elder brother was doing. "You don't honestly think Kagome will fall for that old trick do you?"

"Kuso." Sesshomaru cursed when he sensed Kagome coming closer. He hadn't gotten it up as high as he wanted. He shut off the over, then whipped around to face the door she was about to enter, sticking it in his mouth.

Kagome entered, setting the Tylonel on the counter. She reached up and grabbed the thermometer from Sesshomaru. "72.6, Sesshomaru?"

He smirked a bit. "You succeeded in getting it down."

She snorted, rolling her eyes. "That's wrong, Sesshomaru. Just think, if your son saw you. How do you feel?"

"My head is the only thing that ails me."

"Good." She handed him the Tylonel. "Take two of these. Demon strength." She giggled a little to herself. "You remember the time I accidently took some."

Sesshomaru smile a little, then chuckled before he could stop himself. "You were numb for days. You were embarrased for even longer."

"Hey! You should have been embarrased. You nearly broke down because you had to take care of Amaimaru, and he wouldn't stop crying." She laughed at the dull look on Sesshomaru's face.

"What do you mean nearly broke down, dearest daughter?" Inutaisho inquired nosily.

"Tai-papa, your son begged me to get better so I could go back to taking care of him. He was nearly crying."

Sesshomaru growled. "You lie, mate." He was not used to being people's source of amusement. It was one tiny second of weakness, and he hadn't been near tears, though he had been on his knees.

Kagome cocked a brow, stepped closer to him, challenging. "Oh?"

"Do you challened your alphamale?" Sesshomaru smirked viciously. "It would not bode well for such a weak onna."

"Weak?! Just who the hell do you think you are, mister?! You obviously don't know who I am." 'This is the longest conversation I've had with him in a while. Better milk it for what it's worth.' "I am not only the Shikon Miko, but also the mate of The Lord Sesshomaru of the West. I suggest you bow to me."

"Oh, forgive me, my lady." He bowed slightly. "I did not recognize you."

"That's better." Suddenly she found herself flush against the counter. "S-sesshomaru?" She squeaked, glaring when Izayoi, Inutaisho, and Inuyasha looked on, amused.

Sesshomaru growled in her face. "Now, it would serve you right to recognize me."

Kagome nodded dumbly. "Lord Sesshomaru, son of Lord Inutaisho, respected heir to the thrown. Father of my pup, my mate and alpha."

"Very good. Be sure not too forget."Leaning down, he was slightly started when she lifted her lips to meet his.

Kagome's eyes slowly drifted shut. Just as they closed...

"Mine!!" Amaimaru dashed into the room.

"Oh!" Kagome pushed Sesshomaru away, wincing when Sesshomaru's fangs caught her lip. "Ow." She licked the blood that clotted along the cut.

Sesshomaru's eyes were wide and, surprisingly sorrowful. "Kagome, are you alright?"

"S-sure. It's only a cut." She cursed herself for letting things get out of hand.

"Mine!" Amaimaru reached up from her, gladly climbing into her arms. When she lifted him up, he stretched up and licked her lip. "Better?"

"Better." She grinned, going to the fridge. Grabbing a can of sprite, she tossed it to her mate, "Ahem, um, take the Tylonel. Amai and I will get dressed then be right back."

Izayoi squealed, clapping her hands. "Let me help you pick out something! We're going to meet your parents and brother!" She started out with Kagome and Amaimaru. "Sessh, while I'm up there, I'll get you something too."

He shook his head. "I can find my own clothes, mother."

"But I want to do it. I havent' since you were a little puppy."

Sesshomaru sighed when she left, leaning over and placing his head on the counter. "Damnit."

Inutaisho looked to his son sympathetically. "Sesshomaru-"

"This is why I don't kiss her, father. Everytime I touch her, she is harmed somehow."

"You're overreacting."

"Father, I grasped her hand and scratched her palm." He sighed exasperatedly. Only in his home would he show such weakness.

Inuyasha blinked. "Jeez."

Inutaisho smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry. You're overthinking your actions. If you let your instincts lead you, you'll be fine I assure you. Get up. Kagome's coming."

"Sesshomaru?" Kagome's soft voice wafted into the kitchen.

Instantly, he straightened, facing the door. "Yes?"

She slouched against the doorway. "About the kiss, did you..."

"Did I?"

Kagome shook her head. 'What was I thinking?' She pasted a fake smile on her face. "Um, nothing! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have." She turned to leave, but Sesshomaru grasped her wrist. "Sesshoma-"

He jerked her to him, kissing her for all it was worth. But when he heard her whimper, he drew back, "Damnit!" He'd hurt her again. Turning swiftly, he stormed out of the room.

"Sesshomaru?" Tears filled Kagome's eyes. "I did something wrong again. Ugh!" She followed Sesshomaru example and hurried out.

"They're both idiots." Inuyasha said.

"Yes. I fear they are." Inutaisho couldn't help but agree.

Feeling spontaneous, Inuyasha beamed, "But Kagome has the greatest body." He yelped when his father pinched his ear. "God!"

"Wait in the car." Inutaisho shook his head as he left the room. 'I've done a horrible job as a father.'