Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Beta by: 2featherbraids

No Longer In Denial

.

.

She laid quietly on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind exhausted but yet not willing to let her sleep. She was debating with herself on whether or not to be annoyed. Annoyed that her escape had proven futile, but at the same time not as futile as she thought. A small smile slowly made its way onto her lips as she rolled on her side resting her head on her hand. He had actually come for her and she could not deny it, she was happy about it, but she wouldn't tell him that. She even refused to admit to him that she was jealous- much to his annoyance- and much to her enjoyment, served him right for his treatment of her. 'Humph.' No, she wouldn't say a thing to him- yet, but she could no longer deny to herself that she had feelings for Toga.

~Three Days Later~

Kagome had quickly won the hearts of every one of his staff and even the court . . . well, maybe not everyone. The panther was still sore about the electric shock; her fur still ruffled, not to mention the hairballs that he could hear being coughed up throughout the Citadel. Upon his return, Toga had ensured that the panther knew her place, with the promise of death if she forgot it. Kagome, from what he could tell, was in a happier mood; helping where it was needed with the housekeeping and adding that feminine touch with which his home had lacked.

Toga stared idly out the window, slowly rolling a quill between his thumb and two fingers. A blank sheet of paper lay before him, awaiting his response to Mr. Higurashi's letter. Coming to a decision, he quickly penned the response, poured the wax, and sealed it with the family crest. 'For better or worse,' he thought as he flared his yōkai to summon Jaken. He handed the letter to the imp and ordered him to send for Kurokinu as he made his way out of his office.

He flared his yōkai again, this time in search of the girl, Kagome. She had refused that night in the woods to admit her jealousy even when he had told her that he could smell it. Kagome's jealousy gave him hope that maybe there was more there that she was not sharing with him and he was determine to get her to admit it. What a stubborn woman! 'Makes her perfect for us,' his beast rumbled in pleasure. 'Indeed,' he would have wanted it no other way, but every once in a while it would have been nice just to have her agree or at least admit defeat! 'Then we would not want her,' his beast intoned. 'True,' he could not deny it, but he could still wish for compliancy- sometimes.

He quickly made his way down the halls and, turning a corner, found the girl with duster in hand, working side by side with his staff in cleaning the greeting hall. He fell back into the shadows and rained his yōkai, admiring how well she got along with his- no, their staff. Kagome was laughing and joking with them and he couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous that it was not he. Releasing his yōkai to make his presence known, he walked up behind Kagome.

Kagome snickered to herself as she felt his yōkai brush up against her reiki once more. She had known that he had been there from the beginning, having sense his approach before he hid himself. Making her decision, she continued to dust even as those around her stopped and bowed. Two could play that game.

Narrowing his eyes at her blatant disregard of him, he realized that becoming irate would not work and decided on a different tactic. "I guess, news from your family is not worthy of your-" She spun around, a smile gracing her face and eyes sparkling as she interrupted him with her need to know how they were doing. "I see. You did know that I was here then?" He watched in amusement as her mouth snapped shut and a blush stained her cheek as she looked anywhere but at him.

'Dang that dog!' Did he just trick her using her family to get her attention? She felt her ire begin to rise and was abruptly caught off guard as she felt his hands clasp her chin. She swallowed thickly, feeling the stirring of butterflies start to flutter in her stomach as she made eye contact with him again. "It is beneath me to lie," he said and with that turned, leaving behind a stunned Kagome.

.

.

We are nearing the end! I can't say for sure how many chapters are left maybe I can finish it on exactly Chapter 100, we shall see. Thank you for continuing to read and review my story! IntertwinedMelodies, ThePandaHat, Itachi anime, nipi, Sarah Victoria Cullen, kate, Esha Napoleon, Slytherin's Pimp, Fluffy Cuddles, llebrekint, TearsDrippingDown and Veraozao. Priss ^^