Disclaimer: I do not. . . Oh, just look at the previous 18 chapters! I'm done explaining that I don't own InuYasha. . . Curses! I've done it again!

Last Time:

"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."

CHAPTER 19: HELLO, MOMMY DEAREST

Mai threw her clothes around the room. "What is so special about her?" She growled. "She's a human!"

"She's kind." Mai whirled and saw an inuyoukai female sitting on her windowsill. "She's not afraid of him. She's the most powerful miko in the world. She cares for everyone before herself, no matter who they are. She's respectful in the most insolent manner possible." The inuyoukai hopped down to the floor. "Should I keep going, or do you get the point?"

"Who are you? What do you want?" Mai asked cautiously, curling her tail closer to her.

"I am Mamemitsu*." The inuyoukai said. Mai dropped to the ground in a bow.

"It is an honor, my lady." Mai said.

"I'm sure." Mamemitsu drawled. "Now get up." Mai stood hurriedly. "At the moment, rank does not matter. All that matters is getting Sesshoumaru away from that wretched miko."

"Do you have a plan, Mamemitsu-sama?" Mai asked timidly.

"I always have a plan, little hebi." Mamemitsu said, a smirk decorating her face. "After all, where do you think Sesshoumaru gets it from? He is my son."

!# Sesshoumaru #!

Sesshoumaru smirked as Kagome tried to convince one of the captains to teach her how to wield a sword.

"It is not a lady's weapon." The captain repeated.

"What kind of chauvinistic attitude is that?" Kagome snapped. "I have several friends who use a sword. And I can assure you, there are quite a few of those who are women!"

"Then they are obviously not ladies." The captain said calmly.

Kagome gaped at him. "You are an absolutely vile, disgusting, wicked, worthless, repellant, disgraceful, evil, repulsive, unpleasant, despicable, contemptible, malicious, devilish, disagreeable, awful-"

"Names will not persuade me, Miko-san." The captain interrupted. "Perhaps you would like to try something more suitable for yourself, like a fan."

Kagome's eye twitched, and Sesshoumaru mentally laughed. This captain is going to regret his condescending behavior.

"Very well then, Captain." Kagome said calmly. "Bring me a fan."

Sesshoumaru stared in shock as the captain bowed and walked towards the weapons shed. She gave up that easily?

"Come one, Yui!" Kagome yelled, running forward onto the training field.

"Kagome-san!" Yui shouted. "Come back!"

Kagome vaulted the gate that enclosed the fighting area and grabbed a nearby sword. Then she entered the nearest ring, where a fight had just completed. "Who'd like to take me on?"

The youkai in the ring stared at her and shrugged. "Sure. I don't mind beating you." He took a stance.

"Fighting a girl?" One of the audience taunted.

"Consider it a break." The youkai shouted back.

Kagome grit her teeth and smiled. "How about you actually fight, instead of just talking?" I hate men. I really do.

The youkai smiled back and charged forward. Knowing that she was no match in speed, Kagome brought up the sword the way Sango had taught her two years ago. The two swords clanged together, resounding through the now quiet battle arena. Kagome smirked at the youkai's surprised expression. When he jumped back, Kagome took her stance.

"Still think I'm going to be easy?" She taunted, her smile widening as the youkai's eyes narrowed.

"Don't get cocky. Your stance is full of holes." The youkai shot forward again, his sword aimed at her heart. . .

Only to find his sword hit empty space. A sharp poking made him look down to see Kagome beneath him, her sword aimed at his heart. "Do I win?" She asked innocently.

The demons gathered around stared in absolute shock for a full fifteen seconds. Then Kagome' opponent snarled. "Again."

"Not a chance." One of the other youkai shouted. "I want to go!"

"Me next!"

"No me!"

"No one will fight the miko!" The captain's voice cut through all the noise as he stepped into the ring. He whirled on Kagome, absolute fury rolling off him in waves. "How dare you defy a direct order of mine!"

"I'm not a soldier. I don't have to listen to your orders." Kagome said calmly.

"I am in charge here!" The captain shouted. "While you are here, you will listen to me! There is no power higher than me!"

"Really?" Kagome asked, trying very hard not to let her temper flare. "I'm sure Sesshoumaru-sama would be surprised to hear about that."

The captain snarled and darted forward, lifting Kagome by her hair. "You impudent little bitch! I'm going to-"

"Drop the miko, captain." Kagome was almost relieved to hear Sesshoumaru's cold voice stop the captain in his tracks.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" The captain stuttered. "What are you doing here?"

"I do not answer to underlings." Sesshoumaru snapped. "Now, put the miko down." The captain complied, dropping Kagome on the ground. Kagome stood quickly, dusting herself off. "Miko, come with me."

"But I want to stay!" Kagome whined. "It's fun here."

"You have other duties to attend to." Sesshoumaru sighed. "Now come." He turned and walked away, leaving no room for argument.

"But it's all so boring!" Kagome shouted. When he didn't turn around, she started running after him. Kami, I love him. But he is so frustrating! "Hey! I'm talking to you. Come back, you walking glacier!"

Sesshoumaru continued walking, though he slowed his pace so Kagome could catch up. "Why wouldn't you let me train with them?" Kagome demanded. "I just proved I was perfectly capable."

"You are a human." Sesshoumaru said coldly. "The purpose of training is too improve ones self. You would not help with that goal."

Kagome froze. Sesshoumaru paused as well, turning to see her reaction. Her head remained down, hiding her face as she spoke. "I see." She whispered. "Please forgive me with interfering with your soldier's training then." She tried to rush past him, but he caught her easily.

"Miko, why do you hide your face?" She turned away, and Sesshoumaru caught a whiff of salt water. He stiffened in shock. She's. . . crying?

"I'm not hiding anything." Kagome said. "But why should I put you through having to look at such a weak being like myself?" She shook her arm free and turned completely away. "I'm sure that you must hate being near me at all. After all, I'm just a human girl. Fragile and weak. An embarrassment to you." She gulped, barely holding back her tears now. I will not cry. "I'll just let you be then. Since I obviously could never-"

She stopped herself from continuing, knowing that that one phrase would reveal too much.

"Could never what, Miko?" Sesshoumaru asked softly. Personally, he was in shock. He had made Kagome cry.

Kagome felt a single tear fall down her face. "Never mind." She managed, before breaking out into a run.

Sesshoumaru didn't chase after her. Why didn't you explain yourself?

It is obvious what I said.

But not what you meant! You should have said "Being beat by a human would ruin morale. So I don't want you to train with them because then they won't try."

That's what I said!

No. You said "You're a human, and therefore weak and helpless. Training with you would make my men weaker."

But that's not what I said.

But that's what it sounded like. You need to work on communication.

I think what I meant was perfectly clear.

You are so hopeless.

!# Mamemitsu #!

It had been several hundred years since she'd been in the Western Palace. It brought back so many unpleasant memories. But this would be worth it, if she could get her son away from that stupid miko. She'd only heard rumors, but now saw the proof for herself: her son was changing.

She paused at the doorway, almost wondering if she should knock. Then she shook her head and opened the door.

Sesshoumaru looked up at her, and his expression froze. He almost seemed to tense in anticipation of an argument. Mamemitsu almost smiled. It was good to know her son wasn't changing that much.

"Sesshoumaru." Mamemitsu said.

"Mother." Sesshoumaru answered.

The two of them faced one another, and finally Mamemitsu spoke. "Still as socially inept as ever, I see. Have you forgotten the manners I taught you?"

"Never, Mother." Sesshoumaru answered, remaining calm. "I just will not extend them to someone who has been banished from my castle."

"Details, my dear." Mamemitsu said, walking forward to sit across from him. "But really, I have every right to be here. I am still Lady of the West, you know."

That's what irked him the most about his position. He couldn't kick his mother out until after he had a mate to take over as Lady of the West. Which was not one of his interests at the moment.

"Now I hear that you disappeared for several weeks, let your father's brother take over, and then returned with a human girl and took back your throne." Mamemitsu pretended to think. "Now where have I heard this before?"

Sesshoumaru grit his teeth at the comparison to his father, and was about to retort when a sudden knock interrupted him. "This interview is over, Mother." Sesshoumaru hissed. "Enter."

Kagome opened the door and immediately placed a bunch of documents on his desk. "These need to be signed immediately, Sesshoumaru-sama. They are for a meeting with the Northern Lord about a peace treaty."

Sesshoumaru took the papers from her, only slightly pausing when Mamemitsu coughed. Kagome turned then and bowed. "Forgive me for my rudeness, Mamemitsu-sama. I didn't notice you sitting there. Can I get you anything?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened, and Kagome did a little victory dance in her head at being able to surprise him. He must not have realized that I knew she was here and asked who the heck she was. I love surprising him!

Mamemitsu sneered. "As if a human girl could get anything I desire."

Kagome smiled. Bitch! "Very well then. Would you allow me to get Sarra so she could serve you?"

Mamemitsu nodded. "Just get out of my sight."

Kagome bowed, then straightened. Arrogant little jerk. . . Wow. That's where Sesshoumaru gets his little superiority moments from. "As you wish, Mamemitsu-sama." Sesshoumaru had to force himself not to fall over in shock.

Mamemitsu glared. "Docile enough, isn't she?" She turned her attention on Sesshoumaru. "What do you intend to do with her?"

"She is my assistant in domestic issues." Sesshoumaru growled. "As well as Rin's tutor."

"A miko then." Sesshoumaru thought his mother's expression couldn't worsen, but he'd been wrong. Her look of disgust deepened. "Get rid of her, Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru was almost glad he had the curse now. Anything to get under his mother's skin. "Who and what my servants are is none of your concern, Mother."

"I am telling you, as Lady of the West, to get rid of her." Mamemitsu tried.

"And I am telling you, as Lord of the West, no." Sesshoumaru said calmly. "Now leave. I have work that needs to be done."

Mamemitsu bristled at being dismissed so easily, but kept her emotions under control. She stood slowly. "Do not think this is the end of things, Sesshoumaru."

Sarra chose that moment to enter. "Mamemitsu-sama, what do you require?"

"A room." Mamemitsu said dismissively. "I'll be staying for a while."

She watched in satisfaction as Sesshoumaru's jaw tightened, though he showed no other signs of anger. "And you really should work on your control, Sesshoumaru darling. You're slipping."

!# Kagome #!

Kagome took a deep breath before stepping into Sesshoumaru's study. She locked her feelings away inside her as she did every day. Sesshoumaru had enough trouble without her adding to them.

She didn't see him at his desk, which was odd. He was always at his desk. It was like he was married to the darn thing.

Kagome giggled. Married to a desk. Yep, he'd like that.

But seriously, where had he gone?

Discreetly, Kagome spread her aura through the room, searching for him. It didn't take her long to find his aura. It was behind his desk. She frowned. Was she feeling him, or some residue of him from spending all his time there?

Speculatively, Kagome went around the desk, and saw nothing. She shrugged. "Oh, well. Must have just imagined it. . . Are you kidding me!" She saw a small sliver of silver hair poking out from under the desk. Feeling like a babysitter, she grabbed it and pulled. A snarling Sesshoumaru came into view as she gave the lock of hair a solid tug.

"What in the name of heaven are you doing?" Kagome chided. "Hiding under your desk like a naughty puppy? Tell me this is not because of your mother."

Sesshoumaru shook her off. "What do you want, Miko?"

"Lots of things." Kagome said with a grin. Starting with being able to be with you. She pushed that thought away. "World peace, kids, end to world hunger, a fixed ozone layer, less deforestation, clean water, not having to wear a mask just to be able to breath in Tokyo, to get my ears pierced-"

"Miko!"

"Your mother wants her old room back." Kagome said. "Apparently, you turned them into a storage facility. She's been searching for you for an hour."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "I understand." He didn't move, and neither did she.

After a moment, she sighed. "Are you really that scared of your own mother?"

Sesshoumaru growled. "This Sesshoumaru-"

"Fears nothing." Kagome finished with an eye roll. "Well, if that's the case, let me go and get her. I believe she was nearby, since everyone knows that you're married to your desk." She giggled again, earning her a scowl from Sesshoumaru. "I'll just go and get her."

She left the room, and Sesshoumaru tensed. She wouldn't actually. . .

"Right this way, Mamemitsu-sama." Kagome said, opening the door for Sesshoumaru's mother.

"Good. Now leave." Mamemitsu ordered.

"Miko, come." Sesshoumaru called.

Kagome entered, moving swiftly to stand in front of Sesshoumaru. "Did you need something, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Sesshoumaru knew her well enough to know that she wanted to snap his head off for making her stay. And he understood the desire to be away from Mamemitsu, especially considering that his mother thought that the only good miko was a dead one. But he wanted his mother off balance.

"I want you to do your job." Sesshoumaru said sternly.

Kagome's eyes flashed, and Sesshoumaru knew that she knew exactly what he was up to. "Of course, Sesshoumaru-sama. I will go to Rin immediately."

"I meant your other job." Sesshoumaru said quickly as she turned to leave.

Kagome turned back to him, her eyes furious. "As you wish, Sesshoumaru-sama." She said, her voice not revealing the anger she felt. She's going to kill me when Mother is gone.

You're an idiot.

Gee, thanks for the support.

Mamemitsu grit her teeth. "Fine then. I want my rooms back."

Sesshoumaru stared at her calmly. "As I'm sure you know, those rooms are being used. You can be placed in any other room of your choosing."

"Sesshoumaru, I am still Lady of the West." Mamemitsu threatened. "I will have my rooms, as is my right. You will not sully them with the presence of trash and garbage! Really, why didn't you just plaster the rooms with mud? It would have had the same results." Kagome unintentionally snorted, and Mamemitsu whirled on her. "Do you find something funny about my rooms being used for storage, human? Perhaps you would like being thrown in the dungeons for a while! Or maybe I should just kill you before your stench can leave some permanant stink on my palace!"

Kagome kept sorting, though the words on the paper in front of her began to blur slightly. Be just like Sesshoumaru. . . No emotion. . . No reaction. . . Focus on the papers. . .

Sesshoumaru turned Mamemitsu's attention away from Kagome. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Mother. But the rooms are occupied." He stood. "If that is all, then I will ask that you leave. I have important work to be done."

Mamemitsu couldn't believe that Sesshoumaru was standing up to her so easily. This miko. . . It has to be her fault! She's changed him!

Mamemitsu stood. "This discussion is not over, Sesshoumaru." She smirked. "Though I will allow you to play this game for a while. After all, you were always so good at games. Except, of course, when they mattered."

She whirled and left. "I expect you to be at dinner, Sesshoumaru. Try not to keep cowering behind your desk."

Kagome waited until she was out of the room before speaking. "Lovely woman, your mother."

Sesshoumaru remained silent, staring at the door. Memories of a certain "game" filtered through his dead, choking up his senses. The scent of blood filled his nose as someone laughed, pulling at the bindings on his wrists, trying to tear his arms from their sockets. . . he shook himself. He hadn't thought of those terrible times in years, and he refused to start now. He gripped his desk, and could feel his claws sinking into the wood. Why won't she ever stop?

He was broken out of his dark musings when a teacup shattered against his head. He turned with a whirl to Kagome. "Miko!" He growled.

Kagome stared in mock shock. "Wow. You really are thick-headed! It's not just an expression!"

Sesshoumaru felt his eye twitch. "Miko." He warned.

"I wonder how many times I could do that before I actually did some damage." Kagome said to herself. "I'm guessing like 20 or 30 thousand. What do you think?"

Sesshoumaru snapped. With a snarl, he launched himself at Kagome, only to be thrown back by a barrier. "You'll have to do better than that, puppy dog." Kagome taunted. "You're just so predictable."

Sesshoumaru stood in a second and lunged again, and once again slammed into Kagome's barrier. "Come on. Keep going!" Kagome said patiently. "Maybe next time you'll hit." Seeing that he was starting to stand, she headed out the door, drawing him out of his study. I don't care if he hates me. Anything to get that expression of fear off his face.

She raced down the hall, making her aura invisible, though not her scent. He'd have to work things the old fashioned way. She ducked into several rooms along the way, such as the baths and powder rooms, anywhere that would help to distort her scent. Anything to make him work at finding her.

Sesshoumaru literally dogged after her, ignoring the presence of others within the castle. It took him a few minutes, but he eventually found her waiting for him in an empty practice ring. "Took you long enough." Kagome said with a grin. "I thought I'd have to come looking for you."

Sesshoumaru growled, settling into an offensive crouch. Now that he wasn't so angry, his thoughts were clearer. Obviously just rushing in would not work. He needed a plan.

With a small smirk that he quickly wiped from his face, he straightened. "I have no time for this foolishness." He announced. He turned and started to walk away.

Kagome watched him, 90% sure of what he was up to. Warily, she turned away as well, keeping an eye on his youkai. Two seconds later, his youkai did a 180 and dashed towards her. She pulled up her barrier instantly, sending him flying. "That's a low setting too!" She called. "Maybe if you relaxed a bit, you'd be able to do something."

With that little comment that of course did not calm him down, she sat in the middle of her barrier and waited.

Sesshoumaru glared at her. Kagome, of all people, was trying to tell him to control himself? The irony of it was so funny, he could barely control his laughter.

He forced himself to remain in control. Taking a deep breath, he examined the barrier carefully. For the most part, it seemed like a regular, every day low class barrier used to keep out lower demons. Which is why it irked him that he couldn't get through. He should be able to!

That's when he felt it. A small weakness in Kagome's barrier, one that you could only notice if you really studied it. He smiled as he stood. Now he'd get through the stupid barrier.

With a growl, he rushed forward, heading for the weak spot. He hit it dead on, and the barrier shattered around him. With a snarl of victory, he launched himself at Kagome.

Then he pulled up short, staring down at the ground in shock. That infuriating, conniving, imbecilic, frustratingly oblivious woman had fallen asleep inside her barrier. Sesshoumaru stared down, realizing that the pent up anger had all been released in his little tiff with Kagome.

She's such a smart girl.

What do you mean? She deliberately provoked a taiyoukai!

But don't you see why? She saw we were about to crack and decided to give us a way to relax. Seeing that he had Sesshoumaru speachless, he pressed on. Further more, that was the most fun we've had in years.

With a small sigh, Sesshoumaru reached down to the small woman. A hand trailed down the side of her face, and she instinctively turned her head towards his hand. He could see the blood vessels pumping on her neck, and could just see how easy it would be to slice them open. She was so trusting, and it would be so easy. . .

Sesshoumaru quickly, though gently, lifted Kagome off the ground. He pulled her protectively into his arms, as if to shield her fromt he world. He wouldn't let that happen to her. He couldn't let that happen to her.

With all the speed he could muster, he ran to her room. He easily made the jump into her room and laid her on the bed. "Foolish miko." He whispered. "Why do you so easily trust this Sesshoumaru?" He leaned closer, and her scent surrounded him like a blanket of comfort. He smirked. "Kagome, I think I finally see why the kamis let you save me."

Carefully, he pulled the blankets around her, smiling as she wormed her way into the blankets. Then he leapt out the window and into the garden below. He set off for his study, forgetting the miko under the dread for all the paper work left to be done.

Only one person saw these events unfold. Mamemitsu grit her teeth as she watched her son. That pathetic pup. Mamemitsu thought. He truly is his father's son.

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

Horse Wolves: Another chapter of excellence, my friend.

Obsessive_Goddess: At least someone thinks so. [looks over at the peanut gallery]

Sesshoumaru: I wil kill you both.

Kagome: Why do I like him again? He's a complete and total asshole!

InuYasha: Where the hell am I in all this? I'm supposed to be around to make sure that Sesshoumaru's not around to do anything.

Obsessive_Goddess: There're so mean to me! [breaks down crying]

Horse Wolves: Shh, it's okay. You're readers still love you. After all, they've already given you 186 reviews, and 17,833 hits.

Obsessive_Goddess: [sniffles] They're so nice to me. I don't think I could live without them.

Sesshoumaru: Pathetic. . .

Kagome: For once, we agree.

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

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Mamemitsu: Faithful light