Phew! 3 chapters in a row! Maybe i'll get a chance to post a few more tonight

Anyhoo...

The story is starting to get really juicy and there is more to come!

R & R and thanks for following everyone!

I don't own Inuyasha or its characters.

I simply put them in situations Rumiko Takahashi probably never wanted them in :)

MUAHAHAHAHHAAHA

Chapter 14

Once inside, Kagome noticed how quickly her mother had gotten the house ready. Laughing to herself, she walked into the kitchen and shut the door behind Sesshomaru.

"Mom! I'm in the kitchen!" she called and waited.

Sesshomaru felt the energy of a very anxious onna and looked ahead of him where he felt her coming. She smiled brightly at Kagome then noticed the boy in her amrs.

"Oh my god, Kagome. Is that Shippo?" she said bringing a hand to her face.

"Hi grandma" he said jumping to the floor and wagging his tail excitedly.

"Oh why aren't you the most adorable thing I've ever seen in my life!" she bent down and picked up him and embraced him tenderly. "Other than you, of course," she added when she saw Kagome's expression. They both laughed and she saw her mother slip him some pocky. Shippo beamed and grabbed it then hurried into a corner before he could be chastised for breaking his appetite.

Her mother finally took notice of the tall man standing behind Kagome and her eyes went wide. "Oh, that's right. Mom, this is Sesshomaru-sama. He is Lord of the Western lands back in the feudal era," she said introducing him. Her mother continued to stare before she realized what she was doing and snapped herself out of it.

"A lord you say. Well, Sesshomaru-sama, it is a great honor having you within our humble home. Please, make yourself as comfortable as you want. We are all like family here," she said bowing low and smiling happily.

"The honor is mine, madam," he said giving a slight bow in return. He noticed the look in her eyes. As if she recognized him. He let it go for now. This place was stirring many questions and he didn't like having them unanswered.

"Kagome, where is Inuyasha?" her mother suddenly asked. Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome's darkened expression and decided that she had had enough talk about him.

"Madam, would you take me to the guest room the mi-, Kagome, mentioned? I would like to relax for a bit before we need to leave," he said stepping forward to her.

Kagome looked up at him and her eyes beamed with thanks. He nodded to her and followed her mother to the guest room. Kagome took Shippo and went to teach him how to use the television.

As Sesshomaru followed her up the stares, Mrs. Higurashi was thinking about why he had interrupted. What had happened during the last few days since she had last seen her daughter? Something wasn't right.

She stopped in front of the room and opened the door to him, bowing. "Forgive me for not providing you with much more luxury fit for a Lord. We live humble lives and are much more happy that way," she said smiling.

He noted there was a dresser with a mirror, a large bed, a door that lead somewhere and a strange black box that sat on the dresser. It had two metal sticks sticking out of it, and he would ask Kagome about it later.

"It is comfortable madam, thank you. If you please, are you the head of the house?" he asked masking the bigger question he had with that.

She smiled, noticing it, and nodded her head. "Yes, I am. We live here with my father and my son. My husband passed several years ago."

"I see, my condolences," he said turning to glance out the window. The whole area looked so much different.

"You are Inuyasha's brother, aren't you?"

"Half brother," he said spitefully. "I do not enjoy my relation to him."

She nodded and looked up at him questioningly. "May I ask, why did you prevent Kagome from answering my question? What happened?"

He turned to face her and nodded. "Inuyasha has betrayed your daughter. She resides with me at my palace for the time being along with her pack," he informed her.

She had picked up some youkai terms from Inuyasha and knew that 'pack' meant her companions.

"Oh, I see," she turned to leave and paused at the door. She knew right away now why Kagome had returned, why she had brought Shippo, and why she had this man with her. Mothers always knew.

She clutched her chest and she felt suddenly heavy. Sesshomaru smelled the tears streaming down her face and when he looked over, she straightened her back and tilted her head slightly to look at him.

"She won't be coming back again. Will she?"

"Is it necessary for you to ask that?"

"No, I suppose not. I don't have to ask my next question then either. I know you will do it anyway. Thank you," she said and left him alone as he stared after her.

What had she meant by that?

You came up here to answer her question, didn't you?

What is your point?

That IS my point.

You're talking in gibberish.

And you're a fool.

Sesshomaru had enough of his beast, and he returned downstairs to find Kagome and a very fascinated kit watching moving pictures on a similar box like what was in his room.

"Miko, we only have limited time here. Let us make use of the day," he told her still eyeing the box.

She looked up and nodded. Placing Shippo down, she went to stand in front of Sesshomaru to being her spell.

Before she could start however, a binding spell scroll was thrown against Sesshomaru's forehead.

"BEGONE DEMON! LEAVE THIS PLACE!"

Kagome's eyes went wide and her face drained all its color. Sesshomaru looked at the disgusting paper on his face and peeled it away with hatred in his eyes. He glared at the old man shouting incantations at him and went to grab him by the throat.

"Wait, no! Please! He's my grandfather and very senile!" she begged. Sesshomaru's left eye twitched and he stared hard at him.

"Senile! I'll have you know girl that I'm crème of the crop! Top of the line! And that is-"

"A very powerful and successful lord who would not blink if he should snap your neck! Shame on you! He has provided me housing and food and this is the appreciation he receives?" she said chastising him.

He lowered his eyes and thought for a minute. "Lord you say? Well then he knows how to fight! Put em up!" he challenged holding up two fists.

"Otousan! What in God's name are you doing? Stop that right now!" came her mother's voice.

"Please, I am very sorry. He's old and doesn't know what he's saying. Forgive him," she begged bowing low.

Sesshomaru glanced between the two petrified women and the old man with his fists still up. Kagome could have sworn she heard him sigh right before he turned around and headed to the kitchen.

Her shoulders dropped in relief and her mother began laughing. "This never gets old does it?"

Kagome sighed and hugged her grandpa and kissed her mother good bye. "We're heading out. Please calm him down before we get back?" she said nodding to her grandfather.

"Don't worry honey, I'll handle it. Be safe."

"Watch Shippo, too, please. I'm going to be gone for a while."

"Take care," she said dismissing her daughter.

Kagome ran out the door to catch up with a very irritated demon.

"Miko, get this spell over with so we can leave," he said without looking to her.

She sighed again. Back to mister grumpy pants. Oh well. It's better than a dead grandpa.

She stood in front of him and focused on what he would look like as a human. Her right hand began to glow purple and she brought it to his forehead. He felt his entire body tingle and he felt different. Kagome stood back, breathing a little heavy, and smiled. "All done."

He glanced at his reflection in the kitchen window and allowed shock to spread throughout his face. His markings were gone, his hair was black, but his eyes were the same color. His nails were blunt and what was most upsetting was that his crescent moon was gone.

He looked at her, a little disappointed, and she read him like a book. She knew he didn't like it one bit. He should be proud to display his title, but here he had to hide it. He wasn't just born as the heir to the western lands. He earned the right to be lord. Looking at his human-like features…he just wasn't Sesshomaru.

"I'm sorry. But we have to," she said.

He nodded once and looked over to the long steps leading down. "Is that were we need to head to get out from here?"

"Yes, we need to head south to get to the road," she answered. He turned his back to her and paused. "What?"

"Get on. We will make more time if I jump down," he said looking back at her.

"You're serious?" she asked surprised.

"Miko, we are running out of time and I am running out of patience," was his reply.

"Alright, alright," she stepped up behind him. He was much larger than Inuyasha, and he would usually bend down so she could hop on. "Uhm," she said unsure.

Without a word, his patience snapping, he bent down and grabbed her legs from behind him. He brought them to his waist and she instinctively reached around his neck for support. He ran at full speed down the steps and was soon at the bottom within seconds.

"How much farther can I go without being seen?"

"I'll tell you when to stop," she said.

He kept running, his pace quick and effortless. She noticed he was much more stable on his feet than Inuyasha, and his steps were smooth. She felt as if she were flying. "Okay, stop here!" she called out to him before they came out of the woods. He let her down gently and waited for her direction. "This way," she said taking his hand and pulling him to the left. She kept a firm grip on him because soon, he realized, they came to something possibly more frightening than him. He saw carriages without horses speeding past him, making all sorts of noises and toxic smells. He scrunched his nose and stepped back slightly. The smell was abusive to his nose. Though he may not look like one, he was still an inu youkai. And could smell like one too.

"What is that stench?" he asked moving his hand away from hers so he could cover his nose.

"Welcome to the city," she said shrugging with a sweat drop. "Inuyasha reacted like that too. The fumes become less nauseating with time. Let's go," she said pulling him when the light turned red and they could cross.

He noticed that after a few moments the smell was less irritating, but he still didn't like it. People passed by them, no one smiling or giving a thought to who was beside them. They were indifferent, and kept all to them selves. He was actually beginning to miss home. At least the people in his villages acknowledged each other.

"Kagome?" came a high pitched and shocked voice. She stopped dead in her tracks and nearly doubled over. Oh great. Not now…

She spun around to face her three high school friends running up to her.

"Hey, Kagome! Looks like you're feeling much better from that case of chicken pox you got. I thought people only at least got it once. But 13 times! I hope you're okay!" Yuka asked her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said with a sweat drop. "I was just on my way somewhere actually, though-"

"Hey! Who are you?" her friend Eri asked. Sesshomaru looked at the three girls and wished so deeply he could kill them all, miko included.

"That! Is my friend Sesshomaru," Kagome interrupted.

"Oh, what a lovely name," Ayumi said smiling brightly.

"Hey, you know something?" asked Yuka. "He looks a lot like your boyfriend! Inuyasha!"

"Yuka!!" Kagome said paling. "He's not my boyfriend. This is his half brother," she could feel him tense up behind her.

"Oh, so Sesshomaru is! He's really handsome Kags, nice catch!" Eri said grinning.

"Eri!" She could feel Sesshomaru's glare pierce into her spine and she prayed that when he slaughtered her, he would at least do it fast.

Sesshomaru had enough of the interruptions, so he stepped forward to put an end to this madness. "It was a pleasure meeting the friends of Kagome, but we really must be going," he said giving a curt bow to them.

"Oh! He sounds divine too!" said Ayumi. "Where are you guys headed?" she asked.

Kagome couldn't lie, but she really didn't want to run into them again. "The mall," she answered cursing herself in every language she knew.

"Great, we'll catch you guys later," said Yuka with a wink.

They walked ahead of them giggling and left Kagome terrified to turn around and face Sesshomaru. "Miko," came his deep baritone voice.

"Yes?" she asked still not turning around.

"I do not like you're friends," he stated.

"Sometimes I don't either, let's go," she said avoiding his eyes so he wouldn't see how red faced she was.

They walked a couple feet in awkward silence and Kagome couldn't' stop fumbling with her fingers. "You said something about a mall," he said breaking the quiet.

"Yeah. That's where we are going to get you some proper clothes. It's a little overwhelming, but it has everything you could ever need."

"Hm," he replied. "What is a boyfriend?"

Kagome's heart skipped three beats and she turned blue in the face. "Why do you ask?" she said speeding up her stride.

"Because they referred to both Inuyasha and me with that title and you seemed rather humiliated by it," he said observantly.

"It's a term we use here to refer to people who are courting," she said really trying to avoid his eyes.

"Ah. So Inuyasha courted you?"

"NO! Not officially. Koga did a better job at it than he ever did," she said darkly.

"I see. Why would they think you and I were courting? Do they know something I do not?" he asked probing her. He had no idea why he just loved getting under her skin.

"Absolutely not!" she said finally turning to face him. "They were actually happy they found me with someone else because they were as tired of Inuyasha as I was. They were merely…hopeful," she said to him as she continued on.

He said nothing as they walked in further silence. She stopped next to a strange looking machine and pulled out something rectangular from her pocket. "What here a minute. I'll be right back," she said.

He nodded and leaned against the wall of the building she stopped at. He looked from right to left, studying the strange people around him. No demons. No powerful auras. Not even his own. It was possible they were all in some other country. But even he doubted that thought. He looked down at his feet and shoved his hands into the pockets of the suit jacket. It was a little tight on him, but nothing he couldn't handle. Then he realized something, if the miko was going to find him clothing, then that would mean she would have to pay for it. She was willing to spend expenses…for him?

She returned then and looked up at his odd expression. "I'm ready, the mall is that big building right there," she said pointing. He looked at a huge complex about the size of his palace. "It's the largest mall in Tokyo."

"Tokyo?" he questioned.

"Right, that is the new name of Edo," she explained.

He nodded his head and was grateful that at least these people still spoke Japanese. At least one thing didn't change.

They walked in and he was in awe at the grandness of it. It's ceiling was stories high, and you could see the upper levels from the ground. It went at least 4 levels high. It was buzzing with business and talk.

"This way!" she called pointing to some moving stairs. Sesshomaru eyed it carefully and watched as she stepped on it. He followed her motion and grabbed hold of the railing. He saw the bright look on her face and deduced that another thing did not change; women liked to shop.

Stepping off of that crazy contraption, he followed her into a men's store. He watched as she began ripping things off the shelves, fabrics he had never seen, and sweep throughout the whole store within ten minutes. She returned to him with a pile of clothing and an attendant waiting to get him a room so he could change. She dumped all the clothes on the chair in the fitting room and waited for him to go in. "Now, the pants that I got for you, you put them on the same way as the ones you're already wearing. The shirts, some you need to button, some you don't. I got you all jeans so all the shirts should match what you're wearing," she said brightly.

"Hn," he said as he closed the door behind him. He could hear her pacing outside his room and he fumbled at first with getting his clothing off. He half wanted to grab her and make her do it again. Finally, he got everything off, including his boots, and was about to put on the first pair of jeans when something was flung at him from the opening at the top of the door. He caught it in his hands and it had a picture of a man's lower half covered by a thin short piece of material.

"You don't expect me to walk in that, do you?!" he half shouted.

"What? No! That goes underneath your clothes. I already bought you a large so it should fit. I can't return it once its opened so make sure you put it on now, otherwise I have to buy another.

"Hn," he said as he opened up the package. He studied the picture on the front to figure out how he was supposed to wear it. The label read 'boxer-brief'. He pulled out a black one and tried it on. He had to adjust himself so he could fit properly and finally he felt as if he had it on right. Though it was skin tight and not loose like his normal clothing, he felt supported and comfortable nonetheless. "Interesting."

Next he put on a pair of the jeans and zipped it up. Another package was thrown at him and he growled loudly. "Sorry, sorry. But put these on too. The socks you have aren't as comfortable as these, trust me!" came her voice from the other side. This woman, I swear.

He opened up that package too and them on, only to find that, indeed, they were much more comfortable. "At least she knows what she's doing," he said scoffing.

"I heard that!"

"I meant you to!" he bit back.

He tugged on one of the black shirts she pick. It was black with buttons, but a light material. It had faint silver stripes going down and a red abstract design over the left breast. He noticed that most of the clothing she picked were the colors he wore, and something deep within him was very touched by her sentiment.

He buttoned up the shirt and looked at himself in the mirror. It was different, but not horrible. In modern times, he could see himself wearing this. He opened the door looking for the miko. He found her near a wall with shoes and she saw him out of the corner of her eye.

"Yes! Wonderful. I thought that would look good on you! Okay, so the sizes were right. Just keep that outfit on and let me gather the other clothes. I'll purchase them then you'll have a look at the shoes, alright?" she said smiling ear to ear. He didn't feel right at all having her purchase all these things, but he did not expect to spend money here, so he left his funds at home. He would pay her back for it later. But he was grateful that she was willing to do it without wanting payment in return.

"Miko, not all of those are necessary. We will only be staying for three days," he reminded her.

"Oh, that's right," she said her voice dropping a little. "I'll just grab a few extra, just in case you dirty them. We won't need them all, though." She studied carefully which ones she wanted to keep and which to get rid of and then left the stall with a few jeans and shirts.

She's not like the others.

No. Not at all.

I see we agree on something, then.

Hn.

He allowed her to grab the clothing from the stall and place it on the counter. She told the cashier to hold them one moment while she looked at shoes. He grabbed the old clothes he wore and shoved them inside a bag she retrieved from the cashier.

"Okay, I can let you pick this one. What ever shoe you want," she told him.

He glanced at the wall carefully and wanted to sigh very much. Boots, to some rubbery material shoe, to furry shoes, to leather shoes. He didn't have time for this.

"Just pick one and let's go," he said.

"Fine! I was only trying to be nice and involve you in this with me," she said a little more hurt than she had to be.

He felt bad for hurting her since she was doing all of this for him, so he came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. He pointed to a pair of leather boots and said softly to her, "I want that one."

She smiled again and grabbed it asking the shoe attendant to bring out several sizes of that boot. Four boxes and an annoyed attendant later, he found a pair that fit and was told to just leave them on. She took the box and set it on the counter then turned back to him.

"I need the tags that are on your clothes so they can ring them up."

He looked down and saw a tag hanging from his armpit and tugged it off. He searched for the other one and couldn't find it. Kagome blushed and laughed a little.

"It's probably on the inside behind you."

He reached and found it then tugged it off, handing both tags to her. He heard the price of everything and was about to dispute it when she handed the cashier a wad of paper cash. She smiled at him and then made her way out "We just need to get you a winter coat and we'll be all set to go!" He grabbed the bags from the cashier and followed her.

"Miko, that is not required. The cold doesn't bother me," he said glancing down at her. And you have already spent too much on this Sesshomaru. I should be paying for you.

"Well, alright then. I'm hungry though, so let's at least grab something to eat," she said to him. He remained quiet, deep in thought. She knew him to be the silent one, but this quiet felt strange. "Is there something bothering you?"

"No. We are doing what we must do." He glanced at her again and noted how her eyes seemed to just sparkle at him. For whatever reason, finding clothing for him made her happy. Strange creature, indeed.

Soon the smell of food touched his nose and he heard his stomach argue its hunger. There were different areas of food to choose from. Things called burgers, pizza. He followed her as she lead them to a vendor that sold food he could recognize. He had to admit, he would be totally lost without her here. They both placed their orders and waited for the food to be prepared. He was going to order something small as to not be greedy, but she forced him to order more so she wouldn't look ridiculous eating so much food by herself. He very much wanted to laugh, and agreed to order more.

She took their trays and set them at a table where they could eat and left again to retrieve utensils and what not. Sesshomaru placed the bags underneath the table and waited for her before he took his seat.

When she returned, she saw him standing and she was shocked at first that he would wait for her. She gave him a heart felt smile and took her seat, waiting for him to begin eating before she did. He grabbed the knife and fork that were made of a strange white material and began to eat. She took a few bites out of her food and felt very weird.

To be honest, she told herself, it feels like we're on a date.

She glanced at him and smiled when she saw him staring back at her. They ate in silence, lost in their own thoughts.

However, she would have preferred staying in silence than what she heard next.

"Guys! I found them! And look, he's wearing new clothes!" came the shrill sound of Yuka's voice.

Sesshomaru's eyes told her everything she already knew, I REALLY don't like your friends. She smiled nervously and looked over at them.

"Hello again," Ayumi said. "I really hope we're not disturbing anything," she said smugly.

"No, just trying to eat some lunch," Kagome told her.

"Well, I'm glad we caught you, Eri was talking about La Rouge after we ran into you. They're having an open mic night and we would really, really, love it if you went," begged Yuka.

"Oh, Yuka, thanks for inviting me but I don't think I can-"

"Please Kags? You've missed out on so much and you know how everyone there misses you! You would be dishonoring you're title there if you didn't go," she huffed.

Sesshomaru's eyebrow perked in sudden interest. "What title is that?" he ask the girl.

"Kagome has only like the most stunning voice anyone could listen to! She's practically worshiped there!"

He eyed Kagome carefully, knowing that most singing lounges were brothels. "I know what you're thinking and get that out of your head! It's just a small place where people get together and listen to music," she informed him with a pointed stare.

"Come on Kags. You know you'll get in for free. Mr. Haru loves it when you go because everyone floods to hear you!"

"Oh, guys, I'm really flattered but I'm not sure if tonight's a good night," she said glancing at Sesshomaru. He studied her for a moment then looked at Yuka.

"What time would she be expected to go?"

"Around 8 or 9. Whenever you guys decide to pop in," she said excitedly. If she could say this guy to going, he would definitely make Kagome go. "It's small so its not too crowded but it has a really amazing aura to it," she pleaded.

"I don't see why we can't go, right Kags," he said mimicking her friend's nickname for her.

Kagome made a fish face, with her bottom lip opening and closing over and over as she stared at him stunned.

"We'll be there," he told the girls. They squealed in excitement and bid them goodbye, then sped off; most likely to tell everyone she was going to go. "Come now, miko. I could use some entertainment. Plus, if you said no, they wouldn't have silenced themselves so quickly."

"Doing this is entertainment enough for you, though, isn't it," she said sarcastically and she angrily dug her fork into a piece of chicken.

"I believe the bird is already dead. You don't have to double check," he said.

I can't believe this guy. All the years I've known him to be a stuck up prick and now he wants to be a funny prick. I'll show him.

She put some rice onto her fork and flung it at him, hitting him square in the cheek. He paused with his food halfway to his mouth before he flung it back at her in mock anger. She laughed and decided that they should leave before being kicked out for food fighting. She shouldn't have turned her back so soon, because she missed the first smile Sesshomaru made in a very long time.

When she turned around it was gone, and he had picked up the bags under the table. They walked out and she glanced at the clock hovering over the mall. It was already 5, she decided they should head home and get ready for tonight.

He stopped at the same place that he let her off his back earlier and turned to look at her.

"Come on," he said to her.

She knew the signal and leapt onto his back. He took off, speeding towards the shrine. She felt so light and carefree. She felt happy and content. Maybe she didn't have many reasons to be miserable after all.