I am so so so sorry for the waiting! :3 I had a writer block! Anyway, hope you guys enjoy this chapter…

17º - Cold

(*)

Kagome woke up when the first ray of sunshine hit her window. She was used to starting her days before anyone else since making breakfast for the family was one of her duties. Not wanting to waste any time, she tossed the sheets, rose from her bed, and stretched. Although it was a sunny day, the cold was getting more aggressive. Even with a closed window, she was still shivering under her sleeping yukata.

"Well, time to start my day, I guess…" Her room was one of the few to have a private bathroom. As a new member of the pack, and the only unmated female in their small group, Inu no Taisho decided that a private bathroom would be the safest solution. What she didn't expect was the incredible hot spring waiting for her. It seemed like there was a small stream running underneath the palace and some of that water had been manipulated, creating a small private paradise.

Discarding her clothes on the floor, Kagome tried the water with her left foot and the sensation was just amazing. She had already tried the hot springs during her stay previously; however, this time around, the springs were only for her, meaning that she didn't need to be concerned with someone seeing her naked. Not losing any more time, Kagome jumped inside and let the hot water flow around her muscles, preparing her for the hard work day ahead off her.

(*)

When Aimi entered Kagome's room she was not expecting her to be dressed and ready to start a new day. And wasn't she beautiful? Although her clothes were a simple pair of light blue hakama, her hair was pulled on top of her head, falling down her neck, making the blue of her eyes stand out and shine.

"Good morning, Kagome." Aimi said with a warm smile while walking towards Kagome. "You look beautiful, darling." Kagome was not used to simple compliments on her beauty, and when Aimi walked inside her room and praised her, she was only able to make a small bow, present a smile and try to hide her red cheeks.

"Thank you, Aimi-sama…"

No good. Kagome was still being formal with her. 'Well, may as well give her some time.' Aimi accepted her response and looked towards Kagome's clothing again. Her pup was going to start her fighting classes today, and these clothes would not be appropriate for training. First of all, they were far too warm. Although it was winter and the cold was arriving, when she started sweating, it would become too hot for her to handle it. Secondly, her training would start with body movement where she was supposed to start by understanding how her body physically worked and how to take advantage of it during battle. This clothes that she was wearing now were heavy and would impede most of her agility. No, this would definitely not work.

"Kagome, pup, please stay here a moment. I need to get you some new clothes."

Aimi left her room without muttering another word, leaving a very confused Kagome behind. She thought her clothes were appropriate, but apparently she was mistaken.

(*)

Sesshomaru and Hideo have been waiting for Kagome to show herself in the courtyard. Aimi had been responsible in bringing her here, yet it took quite a while until he spotted her. And it wasn't what he had expected. She was wearing a black outfit with a small, blue stripe around the edges. It resembled the outfit that a demon slayer would wear. The outfit itself was not very revealing since it covered her whole body, including her neck. And yet it was strangely arousing due to the fact that it was tight around her, and all her curves visible and well defined. 'No. Focus!' He was not a puppy in heat, and he would be able to keep his urges under control.

Kagome was feeling slightly embarrassed with her new garments. However, she had to agree that it was far more comfortable to move around in when compared with the hakama that she had been wearing. Aimi had explained to her that this was the combat suit typically worn by demon slayers, humans who take care of killing dangerous demons. Due to the fact that they were humans, their combat suits were made to be light and strong at the same time. As for Kagome, she was grateful for the change. The suit truly was a wonder.

Aimi stopped in her tracks before reaching Sesshomaru. "Kagome, sweaty, Sesshomaru and Hideo are right over there." Aimi could feel Kagome's nerves but there was nothing she could do. So with a smile, she just patted her on her head and wished her good luck on her training. Kagome nodded and followed Aimi with her eyes before resuming the rest of the walk.

"I apologize for my delay. Aimi had to give me new clothes…" While Kagome was giving her explanation, she looked at Sesshomaru and saw nothing but a cold façade. It was almost like he had become a different person during the night. Yesterday night during their conversation, she felt warm and comfortable with him. Now however, his eyes were distant, as if he had surrounded himself by ice. 'The killing perfection…' She decided not to read too much into it, and began with her training.

Hideo had watched her looking at Sesshomaru as if searching for something. Maybe a word of comfort or a reassuring smile? Yet his nephew had shown nothing except for a cold stare and stiff posture. He saw Sesshomaru make a barely noticeable nod and turn his back on her. Truth be told, Hideo knew Sesshomaru since the day that pup was born, and never had he seen Sesshomaru crack a smile. Hell, he probably was incapable of making one without causing the end of the world. Hideo also didn't know what grounds the couple stand on at that point in time, but if the girl was expecting affection from Sesshomaru, she may as well forget it. Yes, Sesshomaru had chosen her as the perfect mate for him, but that did not make him love her nor have any kind of affectionate feelings towards her. Knowing his nephew, she would never feel true love. Deciding to break the ice, Hideo took a step forward taking her attention off Sesshomaru and onto him.

"That is quite alright, Kagome," he said with a smile. Sesshomaru moved further way from the two of them and started his own training. Hideo would start by teaching her basic positions and moves. Sesshomaru would only take her under his training when she showed more skills. "Shall we start, Kagome?"

(*)

One month later…

Kagome's life was falling into a routine. Every morning she would wake up when the first ray of sun hit her window, dress herself in her training outfit, go to the kitchen and grab something to eat, meet Sesshomaru and Hideo in the gardens, and spend the whole morning practicing. She could already feel her body getting stronger and faster. When she had first started, it was hard to keep up with Hideo's commands and most of the time her positions were wrong. Now, she was able to actually stop some of his attacks. Not all and she had never been able to attack him, but she was becoming capable of preventing his and not ending up with her ass on the floor all the time.

Around midday, they would stop their training and everyone would move to their next task. Kagome took that time to take a quick bath, eat a small lunch, and meet Aimi in the library for her afternoon classes. After analyzing Kagome's knowledge, Aimi had decided that she was indeed knowledgeable, yet it was not enough as a ruling family member. So Aimi took her as her student, and both spent every afternoon going over many different subjects such as history, science, healing techniques, proper etiquette and the like.

And every night there was a family gathering where the whole family would join for dinner. Since everyone had busy lives, Inu no Taisho had decided that dinner time would be where everyone would get together and socialize, even if for just a few minutes. This was probably the best time of the day for Kagome since she used to be nothing more than a servant all her life, yet now she was part of a family. So she usually spent this time just observing everyone. Inuyasha screaming at Hideo because the last piece of meat was meant to be his, Hideo smiling for being able to show to everyone just how childish Inuyasha truly was, Inu no Taisho just moaning about the noise Inuyasha was making over a single piece of meat and Aimi smiling while enjoying the livelihood around the dinner table. And then, there was Sesshomaru…

Soon after their talk in the kitchen, things had become a bit strange between them. Sometimes he was a perfect gentleman and worried about her. Other times, he was cold and unemotional. At those times, it almost felt like he was building a wall of ice around him, and it was impossible for Kagome to reach him. Things were like that for weeks; from cold to warm, to cold again and she couldn't understand the reason behind it. Until she saw a pattern.

*Flashback*

"Well, Kagome, you are getting much better now. Soon, we should start training you with weaponry," Hideo told her with his natural smile. "Don't you think so, Sesshomaru?"

"Hn…" That was his typical answer when his cold mood was activated, and it was rare for him to say more than two words at those times.

"Articulate as always, I see." Hideo didn't expected a full answer from his nephew, but at least he could give Kagome some recognition for her efforts. Deciding that it was not his problem, he turned his back on both Sesshomaru and Kagome and added, "I'll see you guys later. My brother waits for me," before disappear from view.

Kagome was delighted with her progress. Hideo was demanding and was always pushing her around. But when she made improvements, he would be the first one to praise her. If he thought that she was improving, than she was in the right track. A bit more of effort, and she would be capable—

"Kagome?" Sesshomaru call to her, intercepting her thoughts. Kagome looked at him, and waited for him to continue. "He was right; you are improving and doing an excellent job. Keep up the good work." And there it was again, the warm, and dare she say, "sweet" Sesshomaru, praising her for her efforts during training.

"Thanks, Sesshomaru! That means a lot." Her smile was contagious, and she almost saw him crack a smile of his own. However, Inuyasha come down screaming "bastard" and ruining the moment. Although inconvenient, Inuyasha's screaming made Kagome realize something. After Inuyasha's appearance, the smile instantly slipped from Sesshomaru's face at and he returned to the familiar cold persona she was becoming accustomed to seeing.

Inuyasha reached them and started talking about something with Sesshomaru. But Kagome was just too focused on her own thinking to even try to follow their conversation. That's when she made the connection. He was always sweet to her when they were alone. In the presence of other people, he would become cold and unattached. Why was that?

Inuyasha shouted something at her before walking away, but she was still too deep in her thoughts to realize and pay attention, so missed what he said to her.

*End of flashback*

Since that time, Kagome had decided to test her theory, and it had been proven correct. Every time they were alone, he would show her a face that no one ever saw except for her. He would complement her or praise her beauty. There was also this one time where she had caught him caressing her neck. It almost seemed like he didn't realize it himself until she moved for more contact. Truth be told, when the point of his finger touched her skin, she felt like an electric shock had entered her body, and she wanted nothing more than to encourage him to continue. However when she moved, the spell was broken, and his hand dropped away from her.

She had all the evidence that she needed; he was indeed changing his behavior. Question was, why? She was determined to get her answers tonight, after dinner. When everyone was done, and Inu no Taisho rose from his place at the table, everyone followed his action and went their own ways. It was then that Kagome approached Sesshomaru and asked him if he could accompany her on a walk through the gardens.

Sesshomaru could feel Kagome's emotions running wild. During the whole meal, her eyes had landed on him more times than usual. She usually avoided him; tonight however, she seemed curious about something concerning him. It wasn't a surprise when she asked him, right after dinner, if he could walk with her towards the gardens. In fact, he wanted to take her and gaze upon her under the moonlight. However, he was not expecting the subject that would be discussed during their walk.

Unaware to both pups, Inu no Taisho heard Kagome's request from afar. If this had happened a month ago, he would have to intervene since Sesshomaru's instincts were unstable. However, it had been a month, and he had been giving more than enough evidence that he had everything under control. They never had a complicated situation with him, so Inu no Taisho decided to give his pups a vote of confidence and see how this talk would go.

Besides, his mate was expecting him… Not wanting to waste any more time, he went to his room where a very naked demoness was waiting for him.

(*)

*A big thank you to my beta, BelovedStranger! She absolutely amazing!

**Also, a big thank you to everyone for reviewed! Really, thank you! 3