Disclamer: What are you people doing! Now the FBI and the CIA insist that I tell you that I don't own InuYasha. GAH!

Last Time:

She was in love with Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru would never love her back.

She would never be able to love another.

CHAPTER 18: SESSHOUMARU'S FAN CLUB

Kagome sat in the library, muttering to herself about a certain taiyoukai. But that didn't mean that she wasn't paying attention as she sorted through the reports in front of her. So she felt when five demonic auras converged around her. With a sigh, she placed a barrier around the reports and headed outside. Obviously, ignoring these people wasn't going to work.

She waited as the auras came closer, revealing their owners. At the head was a hebiyoukai*, who Kagome had learned was named Mai. On her left was a sasoriyoukai* named Nana and an inuyoukai named Yui. On her right was a kumoyoukai* named Ayano, and a gokuburiyoukai* named Hina. They formed what people would call in her time Sesshoumaru's fan club.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Sesshoumaru-sama's little whore." Mai said, her nasal drawl piercing through Kagome's head.

"If you have nothing better to do than try to pick a fight with me, then I suggest you get a hobby." Kagome responded. "I have better things to do. Such as the task you so rudely interrupted."

"It couldn't be very important." Mai said primly. "After all, you were doing it."

Kagome bit back a small growl. "I really don't know what you're problem is with me, and I really don't care. Step off, or there will be consequences."

"Going to call Sesshoumaru-sama?" Nana said with a growl. "You think he'll help a human?"

"I don't need Sesshoumaru-sama to fight my battles." Kagome answered calmly. That's the last thing I need. "I'll say this once. Leave me alone, or you'll find that what you bit can fight back."

Ayano smiled. "That sounds like a challenge." Her teeth clicked, drawing poison that dripped off her chin.

Kagome smirked. "How cute. A drooler."

Ayano hissed. "I do not drool."

Kagome hurriedly nodded. "Of course not. You keep telling yourself that."

Ayano hissed again. "Die, you pathetic worm!" She lunged forward, teeth snapping.

Kagome was expecting such a move. With a simple raise of her hand, she created a barrier around herself. Ayano slammed into it with a cry, rolling away with burns across her face. "I warned you. It's not my fault you can't seem to listen." Kagome lowered the barrier and walked towards the group. She stopped only when she was a foot away from Mai. "I came to assist Sesshoumaru-sama. Nothing more, and nothing less. Stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours." With that, she shouldered past the hebiyoukai, who still stared at Ayano in shock.

After a few minutes, Ayano stood. A burn mark stretched across her face. "I'll kill that fucking cunt!" She swore.

Mai turned to her friends. "We'll all kill her." She hissed. "Hurt one, hurt all."

!# Sesshoumaru #!

She is late. Sesshoumaru thought. They had been in his castle two weeks now, and Kagome had never been late.

Go look for her! She might be in trouble.

If she is in trouble, then she will call this Sesshoumaru as she has done before.

A small knock woke Sesshoumaru from his conversation. "Enter." He called.

Kagome entered Sesshoumaru's study, exactly five minutes late. Sesshoumaru was instantly suspicious at her annoyed expression and the fact that she'd worn that same kimono two days ago. And two days before that. Kagome bowed. "I apologize for my lateness. It won't happen again."

"Miko, sit." Kagome did so, and looked at him worriedly. "Why are you late?"

Because your fan girls tried to pick a fight with me again. "I woke up late. As I said, it won't happen again."

"And the reason you have been wearing the same two kimonos for the past week?" Sesshoumaru pressed.

"I like them." Kagome said with a smile. Is he. . . Worried aobut me? She worked to keep herself calm. "As long as I wash them, who really cares? And you're not one to talk." She motioned to the white and red hakama he wore, and had worn even when she'd first met him.

Sesshoumaru could smell a hint of deceit, just enough to indicate that Kagome was not telling the whole truth. But seeing as how she would not tell him, he would have to find out. "See that you are not tardy again." He said simply.

Kagome smiled. "Of course." She walked over to her place on the floor, the corner she'd been demoted to after she'd destroyed Sesshoumaru's desk. She'd done the best with what she was given, as was her nature. The place was comfortable now that she'd added the pillows. And the table she'd commandeered from the kitchens worked perfectly as her own desk. And the cup holder she'd improvised on the side (AKA, she'd cut a hole in it) was the perfect touch to it all.

Of course, just as she got comfortable, Sesshoumaru had to speak up. "Miko, I require my tea."

Kagome was tempted to glare, knowing that he would just ignore her, but she took one look at him and knew she couldn't say no. "Sorry. I forgot." She stood and went to get it.

As soon as Kagome was gone, Sesshoumaru called in his best spy, a kageyoukai named Riku. "Follow my assistant." Sesshoumaru ordered. "I want to know why she has been acting strange recently." Recently? How about "ever since we arrived here." "Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama." Riku said, bowing to his master. As Kagome opened the door carrying the tea tray, he disappeared from sight.

Kagome looked around. "Wasn't there another demon in here?"

"Do you have my tea, miko?" Sesshoumaru demanded, hoping to avoid the subject.

"Yes, it's right here." Kagome said, placing the tray in front of him. "No milk, no sugar, hot as hell, with the strongest brew in the world." Sesshoumaru reached for it, and Kagome pulled the tray away. "But you don't get it until you answer my question."

Sesshoumaru sighed. "A spy of mine received a new assignment." Kagome waited. "Top secret. You do not need to know."

Kagome felt a stab of pain as she realized that he wasn't going to trust her with this. Why would I expect him to? She quickly shrugged off the feeling. "Okay." She placed the tray on his desk and went back to her little corner to work.

! Palace of the Gods !

"Ooh, this is getting good." Amaterasu said, a smile flitting on her face. "I'm almost wondering why I sent Unmeikeirai down."

"So why not call her back?" Inugami suggested.

"Cause it's so much more fun to watch her cause havoc."

Inugami glared at her. "Cheater."

"Sore loser."

! Kagome !

Kagome was getting pissed now. All day, she'd had the feeling of someone following her, but she could never pin down her pursuer. It was driving her up the walls and on to the ceiling. She turned again, and could have sworn she saw her shadow move. With a shake of her head, she continued to lunch. I think I'm working too hard.

Kagome entered the dining room, ignoring the whispers that preceded her. She took her seat towards the end of the table as a member of the staff. She smiled at Sarra and Yuri, who sat across from her. They smiled back, glad to see how well she was holding up. Sesshoumaru's fan club had not back off, and in fact had gotten worse. All of her kimonos except two had been torn to shreds by snakes, and every night, Kagome would flip over her mattress to see cockroaches or spiders crawling there. The growing bags under her eyes was a testament to the amount of sleep she was getting.

And yet she still remained the same happy person she had been when she arrived. She still refused to back down to them. And she still refused to tell Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru began to eat, and the minor lords of his court followed suit. After the court had taken their first round of helpings, the staff proceeded. After a few moments, conversation filled the hall. Kagome was no exception. Most of the staff had warmed to her immediately, and she found herself relaxing into the flow of conversation.

Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, stiffened with each word. Normally, listening to the veiled threats and insults of his court amused him. But after spending so much time with Kagome, the deceit and subterfuge just annoyed him. Friction ran high as each courtier carefully planned their wording, making each reply into a complex code that needed an experienced ear to decipher.

In contrast, the staff end of the table was like an oasis of calm. Laughter bubbled up from the lower end, and conversation flowed easily. Particularly around a certain raven-haired miko named Kagome. He didn't miss the way that several of the staff gazed at her, and found himself holding back a growl. He forced himself to focus on the conversation around him, but couldn't help his wandering eyes. Somehow, they always found themselves clinging to the miko.

This fact did not go unnoticed by a few certain youkai. Their eyes glistened with jealousy and hatred as they glared at the miko. They shared a look as they ate, the same thought passing through their minds. Something has to be done. Quickly.

Sesshoumaru stood, and saw Kagome glance up and smile. With a few quick words, she stood from her own meal and hurried over to the doorway to meet him. She saw the furious looks of Sesshoumaru's fan club and bit back the childish urge to smirk. I'm the one he wants around. I can have some comfort in that. Sesshoumaru reached the doorway a second before her and left the room. Kagome had to run to catch up, and found that even when she ran, he went faster than she could. "Could you please slow down?"

"Perhaps if you spent more time on your duties instead of wasting your time with frivolities, you would be able to keep up." Sesshoumaru couldn't believe the words that had just left his mouth. Even to himself, he sounded like a whiny pup.

Kagome stared at him. What is the matter with him? "So what brought on this sudden burst of childishness?"

Sesshoumaru couldn't explain it, and didn't even understand it himself. So he ignored her instead, rushing ahead to get to his office.

Kagome sighed. Normally, the only time he didn't answer her was when he didn't know the answer or he was annoyed. Just now, it was probably a bit of both. With a sigh, she looked at the schedule she'd made for him. He was doing anything that he'd need her for the next few hours, and she figured he would need a break. So she headed off to Rin's quarters, hoping to play with her a bit. Kagome smiled.

"What's so funny, wench?" A nasal voice grated through Kagome's head, and she sighed.

"I was actually thinking of Rin." Kagome said conversationally as she turned to Mai. "She's such a wonderful little girl."

"She's a brat." Mai snapped. "Always following Sesshoumaru-sama around." Her eyes narrowed. "Just like another pathetic human girl I can think of." Mai walked slowly down the stairs, her eyes dancing. "Only the older one is more of a nuisance."

Kagome ignored the jibe. "I'm sorry you think that way." Kagome turned away and started towards Rin's room, only to have her way blocked by Nana.

"Now, now. We just want to spend some time with Sesshoumaru-sama's new toy." Nana said, her voice like a low scratch. She stepped forward, forcing Kagome to back up. "Surely you will not deny us that?"

"Of course not." Kagome said sweetly. "But I'm afraid I'm at a loss to help you find it. I didn't know Sesshoumaru-sama played with toys." If he ever heard me say that, he'd kill me.

Hina appeared to her right. "I wouldn't talk about Sesshoumaru-sama like that." Kagome didn't have to look to see that Ayano was at her left. Mentally, she cursed her luck. She was being herded. "He just might hear about it."

Kagome was tired of the constant abuse. "If you ladies will excuse me, I have places to be." She tried to walk past Nana, but the four demons just came closer, closing off all her escape routes.

"No, I think you'll listen to us now." Mai's voice lowered to a hiss. "Back off Sesshoumaru-sama. He is much too good for a human like yourself. So give it up."

Kagome stood her ground, allowing her aura to spread around her. "First of all, as I have said several times, Sesshoumaru-sama is my employer. Nothing more, and nothing less. Secondly, even if he was more, what right do you have to interfere in his affairs! He barely even acknowledges your existence. And thirdly," Kagome shot her aura out, knocking the four demons back in a surprise attack. "Don't even think you could challenge me and live to tell about it." With that, she stepped through the gap she'd made and headed for Rin's room.

! Sesshoumaru !

Sesshoumaru heard the knock on his door and instantly recognized Riku's aura. "Come in." Riku entered, and Sesshoumaru could see from the look on his face that he had found the answer. "What have you found?"

Riku flicked a hand, and a bit of shadow left his person. They twisted to form four figures: Main, Nana, Hina, and Ayano. "These four are the reason for the miko's strange behavior, Sesshoumaru-sama." Riku said with a smile. "They are jealous of her relationship with you."

"What relationship?" Sesshoumaru demanded, instantly put on the defensive.

"They imagine you to have taken the miko as your whore." Riku said carefully, aware that he was entering potentially dangerous territory. "And so they have been bullying the miko. She has a total of two kimonos in her wardrobe. The rest are in a pile in the bottom of it, having been torn to shreds, and are accompanied by several bed sheets with the bodies of snakes, spiders, and cockroaches. The miko has just recently started placing a barrier around her room, and judging by the frequency of her upkeeping, the four of them have been trying to break it down nearly every day." Riku hesitated a moment, then continued. "Sesshoumaru-sama, they have not stopped at mere tricks."

Sesshoumaru looked up sharply. "Explain."

"In the past few days, there have been a few physical confrontations." Riku said. "While the miko usually handles the situation without having to call forth her powers, today marks the fourth time in a few days that she has had to call them in order to protect herself."

Poison seeped into his claws as Sesshoumaru's beast roared. They dare to attack what is ours!

For once, Sesshoumaru was in complete agreement with his beast. But he still forced his demonic half down. "Do you have anything else to report?"

"Just that there is one more possible attacker." The shadows twisted again to reveal Yui. "She was originally part of this group, but has been less involved as of late."

Sesshoumaru remained stiff as he nodded. "Very well. You may go."

! Kagome !

Kagome saw the figure waiting at her doorway and froze. Checking that aura, she saw that it was one of Sesshoumaru's fangirls. . . Yui! Briefly, Kagome considered running in the opposite direction. But after a moment, Kagome firmed her resolve and walked forward. "Good evening, Yui-san." Kagome said respectfully. "Can I help you?"

Yui looked at Kagome uncomfortably. "May I come in for a moment? I'd like to talk to you in private."

Kagome hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She touched the doorway, and the barrier around her room evaporated. "Please, come in."

Yui followed her in, and Kagome looked around her room critically. It didn't look too bad for her tastes, but she supposed for someone like Yui, it would be horrible. "Forgive the room. I am, after all, only a part of the staff here."

"It's alright." Yui said quickly, looking at Kagome with anxious eyes. After a moment, she kneeled on the floor, bowing deeply to Kagome. "I've come to beg your forgiveness for my despicable behavior towards you."

Kagome blushed deeply. "Please, get up! There's no reason for you to beg at all."

It took a few minutes of coaxing, but at last Kagome got Yui off the floor and onto a chair.

"Really, that was totally unnecessary." Kagome said gently. "All you had to do was say 'I'm sorry.' That would have been completely sufficient."

Yui blushed. "I just feel so guilty! You're such a nice person, and I helped them do such cruel things to you!"

Kagome couldn't help but be a bit suspicious, but her forgiving nature pushed it to the side. "Consider it a part of the past, my dear. I won't think on it again."

Yui caught sight of herself in the mirror. "Oh, kami! I look awful." She quickly brushed at her hair. "I hate being depressed! It makes me look so old!"

Kagome smiled. "I have something that might help with that. . ."

! Sesshoumaru !

Sesshoumaru saw the four of them, sitting together in the Blue Room. As he entered, they looked up and smiled. Mai, as always, took the lead. "Sesshoumaru-sama! What a delight to see you!"

Sesshoumaru shot her a look, and she gulped silently. "Sit." He hissed.

The four of them truly saw his mood, and knew that he had found out what they'd been doing. "Sesshoumaru-sama, we-"

"By what right do you attack one of this Sesshoumaru's servants?" He demanded, boring holes into every one of them.

Mai stood. "We were merely attempting to preserve your honor, Sesshoumaru-sama." Mai said primly. "The presence of one human child weighs you down enough. But a human woman? That disgrace would have harmed you even further. We could not allow that!"

Sesshoumaru had a poison glistening claw held to her throat before she could take a breath. "You dare to imply that this Sesshoumaru is so weak that the mere presence of a human would destroy my honor!" He flicked his hand, and Mai smashed into the wall. He turned to the tohers, and found them already kneeling before him.

"We will not harm the miko again, Sesshoumaru-sama." Ayano said quietly. "Please, spare us."

Sesshoumaru smirked as his inner beast howled. As if pleading ever worked.

! The Palace of the Gods !

"I don't believe this guy!" Amaterasu shouted. "When Kagome's around, he's a perfect gentleman. But as soon as she's gone, he goes on a killing rampage! He has to be bi-polar!"

InuTaisho cocked his head in confusion. "What's bi-polar?"

"He's got two completely opposite personalities!" Amaterasu snarled. "He's never going to be free at this rate."

Inugami smirked. "Really? Are you trying to switch your wager?"

"Hell no! He'll get in line eventually." She turned back to the picture. I hope.

! Sesshoumaru !

Sesshoumaru headed to Kagome's room, ready for a huge fight. He would demand to know why she had not told him of her problems, though he had a feeling he knew why. He could just hear her thoughts in his head. Oh, Sesshoumaru has enough to deal with. I won't bother him over something so minor. He growled as he rounded the corner. They were going to have a serious discussion about Kagome's sense of self-preservation.

He paused outside Kagome's door, taking in her scent. Whatever else you could say about the miko, you couldn't deny the addictive quality of her scent. It fit her personality perfectly: roses, dandelions, and rain storms. She was beautiful, even to his eyes, but had the power to protect herself when needed. She was irritatingly stubborn and impossible to get rid of. And she somehow managed to wash away all your worries and flaws, and see straight to the shining qualities that you hid inside you.

The sudden scent of an inuyoukai invaded his senses, and he was instantly on alert. He spread his youkai out, and felt two presences in Kagome's room: Kagome and Yui.

With a snarl, Sesshoumaru leapt through Kagome's door, startling the two women inside. "What are you doing?" He snarled in the traditional inuyoukai language.

Yui fell to the ground, whimpering her submission. "An apology. I was wrong. Please forgive me!"

Sesshoumaru beast demanded a punishment, something to remind the errant female who was alpha. He stepped forward, and Yui whimpered again. A small smirk grew on his face as he raised a claw. . .

. . .Only to freeze as Kagome stepped in front of him. "Sesshoumaru, stop it." She whispered. Sesshoumaru could feel that there was no force behind the small order. She was letting him make his own choice. "Please. Just trust me."

Yui watched in amazement as Kagome walked forward slowly, softly humming a lullaby to the furious taiyoukai. She placed a hand on either side of his face, her gentle touch relaxing his inner youkai. "It's alright." Kagome cooed. "There's no reason to worry. We're all safe, we're all okay."

Slowly, the red drained from Sesshoumaru's eyes, and his usual cool demeanor returned, slamming back any emotion he might or might not have been feeling. "Miko, remove your hands from this Sesshoumaru."

Kagome released his face, dropping her arms to her sides. "My apologies, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Yui remained in place, afraid to move in case she broke whatever spell lay over the two of them. "Yui, rise." Yui rose slowly, thanking her lucky stars that she had decided to befriend the miko. "Do not think you are out of trouble simply because the object of your tormenting has chosen to remain silent about your conduct."

Yui kept her head lowered, hoping to keep his inner demon calm. "I understand, Sesshoumaru-sama." She whispered. "I will accept your punishment-"

"Is there a reason why you had to break down my doors?" Kagome demanded, scrutinizing the new hole in her door. "Or did you just feel like pissing me off by leaving a giant Sesshoumaru-shaped hole in the wall?" Sesshoumaru tried to ignore her, but she plowed on. "I'm going to need a new room, you now. Because if I have to live with a hole in the wall, we're going to be having some major problems."

"Miko, I believe that is secondary to your lack of mention of the hazing of female youkai."

Kagome turned away. "Have no idea what you're talking about. Just because some of the women here are being complete and total assholes does not mean I'm being hazed." She walked over to Yui. "And you. Get up. He's not going to hurt you."

Yui looked at Sesshoumaru, whose glare hadn't lessened an inch. With a shudder, she whispered to Kagome. "I think I'm better off here."

Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru and glared back at him. "She's my friend."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. "Miko, has your brain been addled by lack of use?"

Kagome shrugged. "Once again. No idea what you're talking about."

The two glared at each other, neither one backing down. After a moment, Sesshoumaru's jaw tightened. "Woman, this Sesshoumaru has decided on your punishment."

Kagome started to speak, but when interrupted as Yui stood. "I understand, Sesshoumaru-sama." She shot Kagome a look that said very plainly Don't-help-me.

"You are to guard Kagome against further acts of hazing." Yui turned to Sesshoumaru in shock. "Consider yourself her bodyguard."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sa-"

"Woah, woah, woah!" Kagome shouted. Does he really see me as that weak? That I need to be protected? "Who said I needed a bodyguard! I am perfectly capable of dealing with a bunch of stuck up bitches." I am not weak! I cannot be weak! He hates weaklings.

Sesshoumaru ignored her. "Is this understood, Yui?"

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama." Yui said softly.

Sesshoumaru nodded, and swept out of the room. Kagome's power spiked briefly before she wrestled it back under her control. She spent a few moments taking deep breaths before she could speak calmly. "Yui, could you stay here for a moment. I need to have a word with Sesshoumaru-sama."

"I do not believe Sesshoumaru-sama would like me leaving you alone." Yui replied.

Kagome took another deep breath. "Fine." She marched out of her room, heading straight for Sesshoumaru's study. Once there, she asked Yui to wait outside. She knocked sharply on the door, and heard Sesshoumaru's call to enter. She did so calmly, adding a barrier as she shut the door. Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow at her antics.

"Sesshoumaru, why do you insist on giving me a guard when we both know perfectly well that I can handle myself?" Kagome asked, her voice soft. "I do not appreciate being treated like a weakling who needs help in order to survive. I have done well for the past 20 years of my life."

"For the past 20 years, you have not been in my court." Sesshoumaru hedged. "The youkai here are more powerful than the everyday low lives you are accustomed to."

"They are not as powerful as Naraku was with the Shikon no Tama." Kagome countered. "Don't think I'm naive, Sesshoumaru. I know that they are powerful. But that doesn't mean I have to be treated like a five year old."

Sesshoumaru was getting frustrated. "With Naraku, you had several friend to help you by distracting him." Sesshoumaru said crossly. "And he was not nearly as much of a threat without the Shikon no Tama."

"That's not the point, and you know it." Kagome snapped. She took another deep breath. "I took care of myself for five years without your help. You don't think that stronger demons have come after me, hoping to prove themselves by defeating the Miko of the Shikon?" She shook her head. "I don't need a guard, especially not from little petty bitches who have nothing better to do than play some mean tricks." Her voice dropped even more, and even Sesshoumaru had to struggle to hear. "And quite frankly, I'm offended that you don't think high enough of me to allow me to deal with this in my own way."

Sesshoumaru watched her leave, and waited till she was gone to unclench his fists. He stared at his hands as if they belonged to someone else as he saw the gouged wounds in his palms from clenching his fists. Why is this Sesshoumaru so. . . frustrated?

Because she's not listening! Why won't she let us protect her?

Why do we care? She has proven herself capable of protecting herself.

Okay, let's think for a moment. . . she's human! She's fragile! It would be so easy for someone to accidentally kill her! How long would she last if someone deliberately tried?

His inner youakai projected the image of Kagome on the floor, wounds covering her body. The light faded slowly from her eyes as her blood flowed out of her, painting the floor with its dark red hue, a direct contrast to the pale, sickly white her skin had become. . .

Sesshoumaru had to physically force down the feeling that he was about to vomit. He'd killed thousands in his long life, in ways far more graphic and vomit-inducing than the simple scene his beast had come up with. But that simple scene affected him far more than even his most gruesome killing.

We will not allow this to happen.

Now you're speaking my language.

! Yui !

"Yui, just go to bed." Kagome said. "I'll be fine. I'm just going to go to sleep."

Yui bowed. "If you are sure, Kagome-san. I will see you in the morning."

She left quickly, still unnerved by the human woman. Completely forgiving and able to stand up to Sesshoumaru-sama without being killed. That woman has got to be some kind of kami. Or a complete idiot.

Kagome waited until Yui left the hallway before jumping out of bed, fully clothed in her kimono. She slipped on a pair of shoes and vaulted out the window, grateful that she was on the first floor. With a sigh of relief, she headed towards the gardens, determined to enjoy the small bit of freedom she'd have before someone forced her back inside. She honestly didn't see a problem. Why would Sesshoumaru really care? It was probably some stupid chauvinistic thing.

She went over by the pond, and grinned at her own cleverness. She pulled off her kimono to reveal the bathing suit she'd put on underneath. It was safe and conservative, like most of her clothes: a solid blue one piece that ended at the base of her neck. With a small cry of joy, she jumped into the water.

Just as suddenly as she entered, she was roughly pulled out. Kagome suddenly broke the surface, her hair plastered every which way as she was roughly dragged back onto the grass. "What the heck, you jerk!" Kagome sputtered, pushing back to see the furious taiyoukai who'd removed her from the water. "Why did you drag me out, Sesshoumaru?"

"I told you once, miko." Sesshoumaru hissed. "I will not allow you to cause my demise in any way. I have added drowning yourself in my pond to the list of ways you may not kill yourself."

"I was swimming!" Kagome hissed back. "I've been able to swim since I was five! I'm not going to drown! Why do you insist on thinkin. . ."

Sesshoumaru stopped listening after that. He had finally seen what Kagome was wearing. His beast almost purred as he saw the rather revealing and form fitting outfit. He felt something stirring within him, something he couldn't identify. That thought alone scared him enough to put him on the defensive.

"And if you would stop undressing me with your eyes and pay attention, maybe you'd understand!" Kagome shouted, breaking through Sesshoumaru's unfocused state with a loud resounding crash.

Sesshoumaru growled. "What did you say, Miko? This Sesshoumaru has no interest in undressing you!"

Liar!

Shut up! I have no interest-

Oh, shut up and pay attention.

Kagome giggled. I can't believe I shouted that at him! How stupid can I be? "I know that. I was trying to get your attention." Though I wouldn't mind if you wanted to. . . BAD THOUGHTS! "Did you listen to a word I said?"

"Miko, what are you wearing?" Sesshoumaru demanded, ignoring her question completely. They both knew that he hadn't listened, so what was the point in answering?

Kagome sighed. "It's called a bathing suit."

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "You will not wear it anymore."

Kagome stiffened. "Says who?"

"Says me!" Sesshoumaru winced as he realized how childish he sounded.

"What are you, five?" Kagome shot back. "I am an adult, and I will wear whatever I please. If you don't like it, then that's your problem, not mine."

She started for the water again, but was stopped as Sesshoumaru wrapped an arm around her middle. "Miko, you will return to the castle immediately." He glared at the water angrily, as if it were about to do something villainy.

Kagome whirled and glared at him. "Give me a good reason, not some baloney like 'because I said so.' Give me a good reason, and I will return. Otherwise, I'm going swimming."

"That pond has wild koiyoukai in there."

Kagome froze. "Are you kidding me?" Sesshoumaru shook his head. "Do they-"

"Eat people?" Sesshoumaru finished. "Yes. In my grandfather's day, he would dump suspected criminals into the pond. If they made it to the other side without being eaten, they were considered innocent."

Kagome blanched. "That's a joke, right?" Sesshoumaru's stare told her otherwise. After a moment, when she no longer felt like she was going to vomit, she spoke again. "Okay. That's a good reason. I'll just be going now." She grabbed her towel and kimono and ran back to her room.

Sesshoumaru turned as the pond rippled. A koiyoukai rose to the surface. "Sesshoumaru-sama, why did you tell her that? We were hoping she'd swim with us."

Sesshoumaru merely glared. As if I'd let some lowlife like you even think about touching what is mine. . . wait! That's not what I meant!

It so was, and you know it!

The koi sank back into the water. "Arrogant lordling! You're father would have thrown a fit if he found out you'd lied to such a pure creature."

Fortunately, my father is not around to judge. Sesshoumaru thought as he headed back to his castle.

! InuTaisho !

"I can't believe he lied to her!" InuTaisho shouted, glaring at the scene in front of him. "Oh, I'd like to give him a piece of my mind!"

"Now, now, InuTaisho, just calm down." Amaterasu soothed. "If I remember correctly, you said the same thing to Izayoi when she tried swimming in the koi pond."

"But that was different!" InuTaisho shouted. "We were married! And those fish are perverted!" Seeing the disbelief in Amaterasu's eyes, he blurted out. "He barely even likes her!"

Amaterasu's eyes twinkled. "Oh, he does more than like her. I just hope he realizes it before it's too late."

-----------------------------------------Author's Rant-----------------------------------------

Horse Wolves: What happened to the rapist demon in the koi pond?

Obsessive_Goddess: I am trying to keep this story light, HW. Rapists in the koi pond would not help with this.

Horse Wolves: But it would have been a good opportunity to bring them together.

Obsessive_Goddess: Two words, my friend. JEALOUS! SESSHOUMARU!

Sesshoumaru: This Sesshoumaru does not get jealous.

Horse Wolves: Why would you, when you have me?

Kagome: Aw. Sesshoumaru has a stalker!

Sesshoumaru: SAVE ME!

-----------------------------------------End of Author's Rant-----------------------------------------

*

Sasoriyoukai: scorpion demon

Hebiyoukai: snake demon

Kumoyoukai: spider demonGokiburiyoukai: cockroach demon