She's not the mate she's supposed to be. Sesshoumaru thought for the one hundredth time. After their conversation, Kagome had continued to lazily lay on the couch and watch tv. She didn't say another word to him; if he asked something or made a comment she would simply mumble something incoherently or make a noncommittal sound to acknowledge that she had heard him. She had even refused to come to bed with him. He had half a mind to drag her kicking and screaming and taking that which was his. But alas, he had more honor than that.

So he unwittingly went to sleep alone. He didn't give her the satisfaction of him staying up all night and endlessly pacing his bedroom. Though he had seriously considered it.

He had dreamed about her creamy thighs wrapped tightly around his waist, about her nails raking down his back, and he dreamed about her bare breasts brushing against his bare chest. Sesshoumaru could dream about her breasts for all eternity. But something had seemed to pull him from his dreams and subconscious fantasies about her breasts.

He opened his eyes to his sun filled room and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast lingered to his room. Getting out of bed, he went downstairs only wearing pajama pants.

Entering his kitchen, he immediately regretted coming down.

"My son," his father exclaimed, getting up to hug him.

Sesshoumaru begrudgingly stood there as his father greeted him. He didn't pay attention to his father or Izayoi who was sitting at the kitchen table with Rin in her lap. Instead he was focused on Kagome who was wearing an apron and frying eggs.

"Good morning Sesshoumaru," Kagome greeted. "Too hot for a shirt perhaps?"

"Hn."

"Kagome was just telling us about how you asked her to move in," Izayoi said in her small and sweet voice. "We hadn't known you to be so romantic. If only Touga would follow in your footsteps."

Sesshoumaru was walking over to make himself a cup of coffee. "I'm sorry to say but I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Nonsense pup," Touga exclaimed. "There's no need to be embarrassed!"

"Yes, Sesshoumaru," Kagome agreed, placing the cooked eggs on the plate and setting it on the table. She went over to stand in front of him, placed a hand on his chest and looked up at him. "The rose petals and the poem you personally wrote me were so sweet and so appreciated. And how could I say no after you asked me through teary eyes to come and share my life with you? And not to mention the ring! You are too sweet."

"Of course, koi," Sesshoumaru said, playing along. "Only the best for you," he said blandly and then turned to his family. "Please excuse us; I have to speak to Kagome privately."

Kagome smiled. "We'll be just right back; please eat." She followed Sesshoumaru upstairs, feeling triumphant.

"What did you do," he accused, shutting the bedroom door.

She shrugged and then fiddled with an extremely ostentatious diamond ring on her ring finger. "I came across your credit card. Funny thing Sesshoumaru, youkai do recognize me as yours. Every youkai salesperson I came across damn near fell to the ground and not a single one even thought to refuse me service."

"Came across my credit card? If I recall correctly, I only have one debit card and it is in my wallet next to my bed stand. How did you retrieve it and leave the house without my noticing," Sesshoumaru just remembered something else. "And why is it that I was not able to detect your lies earlier? Rose petals and poetry?"

"How am I supposed to know? Maybe because you're too enamored with me?"

That is a possibility.

Both of them were interrupted by a single knock and Sesshoumaru's father walking in. "Son, Izayoi and Rin are downstairs and I am sure they would like to visit with you. Kindly go and allow me to bond with my future daughter in law."

Kagome snorted a laugh. "You Taisho men and your overly demanding assumptions."

Touga ignored. "Now, pup."

Sesshoumaru growled only audible to Touga but then left. Once the two of them were alone Kagome sat on the edge of the bed. She looked at him intently fully taking in his appearance. He was a couple of inches shorter than Sesshoumaru and had only one blue stripe on each side of his face as opposed to Sesshoumaru's 2 purple ones. For the most part, it was obvious that they were related. She also noticed that he was looking at her just as intently. "In case you didn't realize, I am waiting for you to say something."

"I have to admit," Touga casually started looking over Sesshoumaru's things. "You're young but exceptionally deceiving," he said grabbing a book from his sons bookcase and flipping through it.

"Aren't all women?"

"How are you and Sesshoumaru," Touga changed the subject, turning to her.

"We're amazing," she answered softly. "I mean we literally just met but I guess when you know you. It is fate after all," Kagome smiled, as if reminiscing about her lover.

"So you two are going to be mated?"

"Of course," she answered smiling, looking earnestly into his eyes.

Touga smiled as if he was amused. He walked over and leaned down to be eye to eye with Kagome. "Let's agree," his voice was low and slightly threatening. "Not to lie to each other."

She raised a brow out of curiosity and now that his face was so close to hers, she could actually smell him. "Sesshoumaru would be angry if he saw you so close to what is his."

"Perhaps," he acquiesced, standing up. "I'm an old man, my dear. Very few escape me. Whether it be physically or in terms of knowledge it has happened on rare occasion. Or in other words, once. So I wonder, how it is that I cannot find a single thing on you? So please, tell me why that is? Everyone has a background."

Kagome stood up and walked over to the other side of the bed. She wanted to put more space between the two of them. "How old are you exactly? I've heard no one knows; not even other youkai."

"Physically? About 33. How long have you been working for Naraku – and please remember our agreement. You might also wish to keep in mind that I know when you are lying."

Without hesitating, she answered truthfully. "Nearly a year and a half."

Touga appeared confused. "More than a year? Records show you've only been working for Naraku three months."

"Why would you ask a question you already knew an answer to? And I only worked with his company for three months – our work relationship was more" – she paused a moment to consider proper wording – "private."

Before Touga responded, Kagome spoke up. "Well obviously my acting skills won't work on you. So I won't bother with the fake sweet bitch act. I don't owe you anything more so please stay as long as you want; I'm going back downstairs." And with that she left.

Such a beautiful girl. Touga thought. Such a broken soul. She couldn't be trusted; inwardly he was compassionate towards her. He could feel it – see – how broken she was inside. For all her efforts and all her practice, she couldn't fool him. And although he felt for her he couldn't turn a blind eye to the fact that he didn't know just what she was capable of and what her objective could possibly be or if she even had one.

Kagome left Touga alone with a relatively reserved disposition. As she made her way downstairs, she decided that Touga wasn't one to take lightly. She didn't know how but he could tell when she was lying – that shouldn't be possible. So for the next week, she decided that she would avoid him at all costs and only speak to him when absolutely necessary.