HAPPY NEW YEAR! And with the new year comes a new chapter. Thank you for your continued support :) I'm very excited for this story and the direction it's heading. I've got it all mapped out so get ready! Don't forget to read and review!

Kagome's eyes widened. She felt herself lifted off the ground as she swung her arms wildly, her feet searching for the ground. Kagome's screams of protest were muffled by Sesshomaru's clawed hand. She started to panic, desperately trying to scream for Inuyasha. Sesshomaru pulled her back into the room, slamming the door shut. Kagome could feel tears of frustration welling up. She felt her fist connect with his face, and though she didn't imagine she hurt him, he dropped her.

Kagome whipped around to face him, but he was already on her. His hands settled on her hips as he backed her up against his desk.

Kagome looked up into his face. He looked dead, his face vacant except for the dull sparkle in his eyes. Kagome reeled back, her hand slipping on a stack of papers.

"Please stop," Kagome pleaded, a tear making a dash for freedom down her cheek. Sesshomaru pressed his lips against hers and her body felt like it was on fire. It was too much. She bucked against him, pushing away, her hand planted in the center of his chest. He staggered back, his hand clutched to his chest. Kagome stared wide eyed as he pulled his hand back. Though his hand was clean his shirt was spotted with blood, exactly where her hand had once been.

The door bust open. Kagome snapped her head to look at the door. Inuyasha looked confused before crossing the room to her side. His eyes fluttered over her in concern and Kagome must have realized what this looked like. She quickly pulled her fingers through her hair as she ducked her head in shame. Inuyasha turned on Sesshomaru.

"What the fuck were you doing?"

Sesshomaru straightened his shirt, "I was merely testing the girls powers. Her powers have fully awakened, but she will require a lot of training."

Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru her eyes wide with tears.

A test!?

Kagome knew that look in his eye and she knew men like him, he wasn't testing her. He hadn't planned on stopping. Kagome headed for the door. She could hear Inuyasha yelling behind her, and Sesshomaru's cool voice in response but she kept walking. Kagome's hands were shaking as she reached in her pocket searching for a scrunchie, anything to occupy her idle hands. She pulled it out, her shaking hands dropping it. Before she could reach down to get it, a clawed hand was plucking it from the ground. She slowly raised her eyes, and came face to face with her guide from earlier, his cheshire cat smile sending shivers down her spine. His face was sharp, the fangs in his mouth sharper.

"Ladies never bend over, " His voice was mocking and sarcastic as he held out her tiny hair tie to her, his smile dropping. She hesitantly reached out and took it, before quickly pulling it to her chest. He straightened, smiled at her once more and slunk off.

Kagome put her back to the wall as she closed her eyes. Her heart was racing in an odd mix of fear and excitement, which scared her all the more. She bit back the dull ache in the back of her throat as she swallowed her tears. She felt dirty again, her body stained where her father's hands had once been, and where Sesshomaru had briefly brushed. She felt sick to her stomach as she tried to stop her mind from making her relive those final moments again. Minutes that felt like a lifetime away, yet achingly fresh. She tried counting, waiting for her heart to slow, but her breathing only quickened as she felt a presence standing over her. Her eyes snapped open as she felt heavy hands on her shoulder and she pushed both hands hard against her assailants chest. She heard him stumbled back.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha's voice called to her.

Kagome looked at him as she quickly dropped her hands, "I'm so sorry, Inuyasha."

His face knotted in concern, "It's fine, are you okay?"

No.

She wanted to break down. She wanted to die. She didn't know if she would ever be fine. Inuyasha came to sit against the wall beside her. She too sat down. They sat in silence for a few moments before Kagome closed her eyes again and began counting. She took deep measured breaths, in for four counts and out for four. She felt herself growing stronger. She had already conquered and defeated her greatest fear, she would be damned if she let this stranger terrify her. The urge to sob receded, only after she was sure she could trust herself to hold it together did she dare open her eyes and face Inuyasha.

"Do you want me to take you to Sango's? We can leave."

Kagome thought about it for a second before she shook her head no.

"I want to get this over with, so I never have to be in a room with him again."

Kagome stood, Inuyasha following suit.

"I can stay with you, while you're in there I mean," Inuyasha's face was open, and Kagome took a good minute to look at him. For a moment she could see what he looked like as a child, caring and trusting. He had never treated her with anything but kindness but sometimes he looked burdened and sad.

"He will never respect me if I can't face him alone."

Inuyasha let out a bitter, knowing laugh, his face closed once again, "Ain't that the truth. I'll wait right outside the door then."

Kagome would have felt better if Inuyasha had come in with her, but she needed to prove to herself and the asshole on the other side of the door that she was strong. And that she wasn't afraid of him.

She walked to the closed door and paused. Taking one last deep breath she turned the knob and walked inside, not bothering to knock. If he didn't have to ask permission, neither did she. She crossed the room to his desk, and she firmly planted two hands on the edge as she leaned over slightly.

"Let's get something straight," Kagome glared at him, her eye contact unwavering and her voice exactly as powerful as she intended. He raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"Don't you ever touch me again without my permission."

He rose slowly, her eyes following him.

His face had a small smirk, "And if I do?"

She became aware of how powerful he was, how much bigger than her he was but she didn't back down. Kagome rocked back on her heels, coming to stand to her full height as well.

"I will cut whatever is touching me off."

His smirk widened, but she continued to stare him down.

"Don't believe me? Try me."

He looked down, his smirk plastered to his face before taking a seat and gesturing for her to do the same. Her knees felt weak, but she planted herself firmly in the chair instead of slipping down into it like she wanted to. She swung one leg over the other and leaned back in the chair.

"What do you know already? I will not waste time covering things you already know."

"I know nothing."

"Not surprising, you weren't raised in the same way all the priestesses before you were."

Kagome opened her mouth to speak but he raised a hand to silence her.

"You are the High Priestess. You are the reincarnation and accumulation of all the High Priestesses before you. Your duty is to protect the earth, and more importantly the human race."

Kagome snorted, this sounded like a bad sci-fi novel. "From who? Aliens?"

He looked slightly annoyed, "No, from demons."

Kagome's amusement died down. She wasn't a religious person but she had never heard anything good about demons.

"I won't say that demons are evil by nature, that isn't true, but with power does come a propensity towards evil."

"Inuyasha isn't evil, and you don't seem too evil."

Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow but answered her unspoken question anyway, "Inuyasha is only half demon, his human nature makes him compassionate which makes it almost impossible for him to be evil. I, however, am just indifferent. As long as I remain the most powerful, I do not care one way or the other how that balance is tipped,"

Oh, what a relief.

Sesshomaru continued, while Kagome tried hard not to roll her eyes," Your sole purpose is to tip the balance of power the other way. You are by far the most powerful human in existence currently, and when you die you will be reincarnated. Unless you have a child, which is highly unlikely."

Kagome felt that warranted a response, "Why is that unlikely?"

"You will most likely be killed before you have the chance."