Kagome stood in the courtyard garden, attended by a female servant. She didn't need anyone with her, but after what happened the last time she was alone in the garden, Kagome wanted to be as safe as she could. The picnic basket was heavy in her hands.

It was a lovely evening. It would be some time before darkness descended, and the stars promised to be bright on this night. Far off, Kagome heard the tell tale footsteps of the great Lord of the West. She turned, giving a smile, but greeted with Sesshomaru's classic stoicism. Her smile faded. She told herself that it would be a while, if ever, that Sesshomaru warmed to her.

Sesshomaru stopped in front of her, and nodded to dismiss the servant. He observed Kagome's kimono, which was decorated with red and yellow roses, to match the season. Kagome held up the picnic basket. "Shall we go?"

He nodded again, and turned to lead them to a private area. "Where did you plan to eat?" he asked, glancing back at Kagome.

"Oh," she said. "Well, I didn't really plan anything." Kagome looked around at the various flora. "It's such a beautiful garden, Sesshomaru, I thought we could eat anywhere, as long as it's flat."

Acknowledging this, Sesshomaru halted at the first flat spot they reached. It was a small circle nestled in the middle of several Japanese maple trees, designed for those who might want to rest briefly. The trees were bright red, the leaves dipping and swaying with the wind. Kagome watched them in fascination. Her night vision was improving each time she used it, and the colors seemed to jump at her. "Kagome."

She turned, and realized Sesshomaru was waiting for her. "Sorry," she said quickly, setting the picnic basket down. Inside was a cotton blanket, given by Koneko because the blankets in Kagome's room were all silk and much too nice to lay on the ground. Kagome spread it out, and took out some food. "Rice to start," she said cheerily, setting two covered bowls and sets of chopsticks out. "Let's begin," Kagome said, picking up her bowl.

All the while, Sesshomaru stood, watching her. The notion of spreading a meal on a blanket was not unfamiliar, though Kagome's term for it was new. He did not understand the appeal of doing something so pedestrian when the dining hall was available, and more comfortable. As Kagome picked up her bowl, Sesshomaru approached and sat at the opposite end of the blanket. "Here you are," Kagome said, handing Sesshomaru his food.

"Hn." Sesshomaru took it, removing the top to reveal warm rice. "This is no longer hot," he said, looking at Kagome.

Her head snapped up, angered that he appeared to be blaming her, when she remembered she wasn't dealing with Inuyasha. "Sorry," she said, holding back her insult. "I hoped it wouldn't cool down so much, but I couldn't do anything about it. It should taste fine."

"This Sesshomaru does not eat simply 'fine.'"

"Look!" Kagome glared at him, and sighed. "Sesshomaru," she said, "I want to have a nice meal. Your cooks made that, I can't help that it didn't stay hot. Please, I promise it'll taste fine. I don't want this to start off on the wrong foot." Kagome uncovered her own bowl and grabbed a bite of rice. "See?" she said, after eating it. "It's good."

Sesshomaru peered at his food, and took a bite. Kagome tried to smile, and began to eat.

They ate in silence for some time. Kagome was halfway through her rice, when she said, "Sesshomaru?" He looked up, not answering. "Can we talk?" she asked.

"About what?" Sesshomaru set the rice bowl in his lap.

"Anything," Kagome said, shrugging. "I wanted to get to know each other. It might help some of this . . . animosity, between us." She gestured back and forth with her hand. "I want to clear the negative energy."

"Begin a topic," Sesshomaru said, continuing to eat.

Kagome rolled her eyes, searching for something that might bring out conversation in the stoic Lord. "Oh!" Kagome turned to him again. "Sesshomaru, do you have any hobbies?"

Sesshomaru paused, and looked up. "I have too much work," he said, "to waste my time on frivolous hobbies. I do not see the point in them."

The reply didn't surprise Kagome, but she was disappointed all the same. "I see." She turned back to her food, sighing. This was about as difficult as she thought it might be.

Ask her something, Sesshomaru's youkai urged. She is trying her best to be friendly. You must reciprocate. I do not care too, Sesshomaru replied, finishing off his rice. He peered at Kagome, noticing the sad look in her eyes. Come on! His youkai was seething.

"Kagome," Sesshomaru said, "would you care to tell me about your hobbies?"

She looked up, surprised. "Ah, yes!" She smiled, hoping this would lead somewhere. "I love to make things for my friends, like little gifts. I cut out fun shapes from cloth or sew tiny dolls." Kagome demonstrated their size with her hands. "They're not very big, but they seem to enjoy it. Ayumi and Eri are always grateful, although Yuki gets kind of tired of it . . ." she drifted off, seeing Sesshomaru's bored expression. "Sorry, I rambled," she said. Kagome distracted herself, reaching into the basket for more food. "Here, some assorted fruits." Kagome brought out another bowl, filled with sliced apricots and peaches. "After this will be the main meal."

Sesshomaru took a slice and bit into it. "Who are the three women you mentioned?" he asked after swallowing. "I have never heard you mention them before." He had to act interested.

"They're my friends from the future." Kagome took a peach slice, but didn't eat it. "I don't get to see them very often. They all went off to college, and I'm still here battling Naraku." Kagome brushed some hair from her face. "It's a little sad. I told myself it was all right, because I had Sango and Miroku, and Shippo and Inuyasha." Kagome bit into the peach slice slowly, remembering her friends from normal days.

This will be a long evening, Sesshomaru thought.

()

Inuyasha's ears twitched. His feet touched upon warm grass. The sun was slowly setting, and soon it would grow cold. Behind him, he could hear the steps of another, following without hesitation. This could not be more irritating. "Get away," he snarled, glaring behind him. The girl stopped, but didn't reply. Inuyasha scoffed and kept walking. The footsteps behind him continued. "Kyoko," he said sternly.

"I'm not going to leave," Kyoko shot back, running to catch up with Inuyasha. He leapt into a tree, descending several yards ahead. Kyoko growled, running to him again. "Inuyasha, we can talk about this, can't we?" She moved in front of Inuyasha, blocking his path.

"Leave me alone, Kyoko." Inuyasha stepped around her and continued walking. Kyoko huffed, keeping pace. This had been going on all day, and she was sick of putting up with it.

"You're all torn up about these two girls. I get that. But I want to help." She frowned, her ears twitching. "Inuyasha, you're the first hanyou I've ever met. Can you try not to be an ass and ignore me all day?"

He stopped, and glared again. "What kind of business do you have, following me around? I just wanna sulk in peace for a while." He leaped into the trees, but the tigress followed him without hesitation.

"Being all boxed up is why you feel so bad!" she yelled as they moved through the treetops. "If you talked about it some more, you might feel better!"

Inuyasha halted, turning and grabbing Kyoko's wrist. She yelped, trying to obtain balance on the thick branch of the tree they stood in. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, and said, "There are other hanyou out there. Why are you so interested in me?"

Kyoko tried to yank her wrist away and, failing, she sighed and said, "It's not just that. You helped me when I needed it." She cast her eyes down. "I was touched. No one bothers helping me out." Kyoko looked into Inuyasha's eyes. "I want to help you in return."

"Feh," Inuyasha snorted, letting go of her wrist. "No need. I only helped ya to get back at the stupid wolves."

"And sharing the sake?" Kyoko asked, raising an eyebrow.

Inuyasha looked away. "I was depressed. I thought drinking might help."

"And you couldn't go to other friends for that?" Kyoko stepped closer. "You mentioned them, when we were drunk. I remember. Sango and . . . Miroku?" She cocked her head. "What about them? I'm sure they must miss you."

Inuyasha opened his mouth, and closed it. He hadn't thought much about his friends since he left them. Without Kagome or Kikyo, finding shards was a slim chance. And without his scent tracking, getting on Naraku's trail was a shot in the dark. They were probably flying around on Kirara all day, hoping to see or hear anything helpful. He had abandoned them. "I don't wanna talk about it," Inuyasha said, turning to go.

"Then spend your days sulking," Kyoko said, in a soft tone. Inuyasha looked at her. She was frowning, her ears lowered against her head. "That's what people do to avoid dealing with life. They sulk and brood and don't do shit to fix it." The sudden use of harsh language made Inuyasha jump. "I should know," Kyoko continued, "because that's what I've done. I want to help because you're acting the same way I did years ago, and it never helped me."

The inu paused, her words soaking in. "So what?" he asked. "I'm not any of your business."

"Ever heard of sincerity, Inuyasha?" she barked. "I could tell from the moment I saw you upset that first day, that you needed help. And you . . ." she stopped. "You offered me help, when I needed it. Which means that you're a good person, deep down. Helping good people is worth the extra effort, don't you think?"

Kyoko stepped close, taking Inuyasha's hand. "I mean it," she said. "I think of you . . . as a friend. Can't I help a friend?"

()

"So, here is the lamb." Kagome took the meat from the basket, kept warm by a ceramic pan and lid. "I heard it was one of the cook's best dishes, and I thought you would prefer meat to something else. Just tell me how much you want." She grabbed two plates, setting one in front of Sesshomaru. Since his question about her hobbies, the great lord remained silent. Kagome wasn't sure what topics to approach that would get him to open up.

"Hn." Sesshomaru took two large pieces and began cutting them into smaller slices. When they were of appropriate size, he began to eat. Kagome did the same, wondering what he might want to talk about.

"Sesshomaru, do you like music?" she finally settled on, picking a topic she thought applicable to most anyone.

"I have little time for it," he said curtly.

"Well," Kagome said, refusing to give up, "I love music. It helps cheer me up, and sometimes it's nice when I feel sad or afraid. Shippo likes it, too." Talking of her son brought a smile to Kagome's face. "I sing for him when he can't sleep at night."

Sesshomaru put his utensils down. "I noticed your songs," he said. His mind searched for anything to say. I am not one for conversation, he thought, loathing the prospect of continuing the picnic much longer. Say something! She's trying hard for this, his inner youkai growled. Sesshomaru thought back, and added, "Your voice was pleasing."

Surprised by the compliment, Kagome blushed, and said, "T-thanks. I was in a chorus back home. My mom always said she liked my singing."

"It is . . . entertaining to listen to a person who has acquired a skill for vocal performance," Sesshomaru said. It was the truth, although he did not make it a habit to seek out singers for his personal enjoyment.

"Yes, it is!" Kagome took another bite of her lamb, happy to have Sesshomaru talking. "If you want, I could sing for you sometime," she offered, though she knew he would reject it.

Sesshomaru watched her carefully, as she took several more bites. He recalled what her voice sounded like during their travels, but her singing had been absent since then. "Fine," he said. "Sing."

Kagome stopped, and looked at him. "What?" she asked, laughing nervously. "Are you serious?"

"Did you not make the offer?" Sesshomaru waved a hand toward her. "Sing, or admit that your offer was not serious and blemish your perceived confidence in your vocal abilities."

Blushing again, Kagome frowned and said, "All right. What does the almighty Lord of the West wish to hear on this evening?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes in irritation, and answered, "What it would please the songstress to sing."

Refusing to back down from a challenge, Kagome nodded and stood. The garden was mostly empty, save for a few servants. She took a few minutes to look around, and decided on a song in her mind. "Okay, then," she said, and began to sing.

"A law was made a distant moon ago, here,

July and August cannot be too hot.

And there's a legal limit, to the snow here,

In Camelot."

Her voice rang through the courtyard and drifted into open windows, catching the attention of any within earshot. On an upper floor, Hatori, Rin, and Shippo leaned out of a window to listen. The servants in the garden paused, listening closely to the foreign and enchanting music. Kagome closed her eyes, aware of only herself and her voice.

When she finished, she paused a moment, and looked at Sesshomaru. His expression held no changes, but he said, "Well done, Kagome," and motioned for her to sit back down.

"Thank you," she said, sitting and picking her plate back up. "That's one of my favorite songs from a show I saw back home."

"May I assume Camelot is mythical?" Sesshomaru asked, not bothering with his food any longer. The song had truly captured him, though he would not say so. Kagome would make decent wages as a performer in this era, should she choose to do so.

"Yeah," Kagome said, and nodded. "King Arthur sings it, to convince Guinevere to marry him and be the queen of Camelot."

Sesshomaru's brow wrinkled. "Why would she not wish to be queen? The title holds wealth and promise for a comfortable life."

Kagome rolled her eyes, and set her food down. "Yes," she said, looking at Sesshomaru, "but it might not make her happy. That's the same reason I didn't jump on board with you, you know. Not to offend," she quickly added, "but wealth isn't always to key to happiness. Shippo and my friends make me happy. The idea of being with the person I love makes me happy." Kagome shook her head, as if to dispel the fantasies. "I want to surround myself with people I care for, to achieve bliss in this life."

The confession caught Sesshomaru slightly off guard. Kagome talked of love before. The sincerity of the moment, however, was such as he hadn't heard before. Kagome was not angry or frustrated with him, explaining her world view. She was simply telling him her thoughts.

"And I could not make you happy?" he asked, unsure of what prompted him to say it.

Kagome peered into his golden irises. "I think . . ." She hesitated. "I respect you," she said, "and all the work you do. You are an intelligent person, no doubt. It's just that . . . personality factors into it, a lot." She sighed deeply. "I'm not used to being around you, and it unsettles me."

"And yet you try," Sesshomaru said. "To create understanding between us."

Giving a small smile, Kagome said, "What else can I do?"

()

Hey-o! Mattaki here, with another chapter up and running! It feels good to be writing this story again. I'm definitely glad I rewrote this, because it's much better than the last version of the story. I'm getting to know the characters and such with more depth and interaction.

Kyoko and Inuyasha show their faces again! I'm going to round out their relationship more than I did the last time, for sure. Kyoko is an OC I like because she's determined like Inuyasha, but smarter and more capable in certain areas. She'll have a lot more time in the future. I also plan to go ahead with Hatori's plot soon, and it'll be a bit different, but not too much, from his plot in the previous version.

Kagome and Sesshomaru are interacting~ Yay!

Thanks so much for reading, you guys. I love you all so much! And don't forget to review, it makes my face light up when I hear from my fans. The next chapter will be forthcoming, probably next week, so stay tuned! Thanks again!

Ja ne~