Whatever reaction Sesshomaru was expecting, it wasn't what happened next. Once he broke the kiss, Kagome stepped back, touched her lips, and then turned and walked away without a single word.

He wasn't too worried; she was headed West, and he knew right where she was going.

Kagome walked straight into the hut and sat down. Sango had a baby on her hip, and Miroku was holding firewood when she walked in and sat down.

"Kagome?" Sango asked, concerned.

Kagome lifted her eyes. "He kissed me,"

Miroku smiled instantly,

"Wipe that smirk off your face, Miroku!" Sango snapped.

Kagome looked over at Miroku. "You're not shocked?"

Miroku put the firewood down. "Yes and no," Miroku walked over and sat down. "Are you?"

"Yes!" She was just getting over the shock of the conversation she heard; teasing was one thing, and kissing was another.

She groaned and then told them all about the conversation she overheard, which left a blush on Sango's face. "I thought he was messing with Kouga!"

Miroku rubbed his chin.

"I'm not property,"

"Has he treated you as such?" Miroku asked,

"I mean, no, but he isn't kidding and had a whole conversation about us as if I wouldn't say no!"

"Are you?" Sango asked, putting down the now sleeping baby.

"Am I, what?"

"Saying no,"

Kagome looked down. "I just feel like he is choosing me based on the information he was given; he thinks im the woman he mated and that I can give him strong children,"

"And did you ask him about this?" Miroku asked,

Her shoulders sunk. "He said anyone can give him strong pups,"

"Then there you go,"

Kagome stood. "He just up and decided,"

"Better than be strung along," Sango added gently,

Kagome breathed. That was true, but the statement stung.

"I decided pretty quickly that Sango was the one, but it was still her choice to have me," Miroku pointed out. "Sesshomaru has always been an upfront kind of guy; he sees what he wants and goes for it,"

"I dont want to be with just because some book said I could give him kids that take over all the lands; that's all that's on his mind,"

She paced. "I ask what if he was wrong, what if our kids are not as he thinks, and he just," Kagome stopped. "He just seems so sure,"

Miroku smiled softly. "Kagome, I think he is sure about you. Demons, especially ones like him, do not take mating lightly; it is for life,"

Of course, that made her flush; life for them was limited, and that meaning to her was different now.

"You dont have to say yes, or even agree. You could always just take it a day at a time and see where it leads; though he has put it all out there when it comes to demon courtships, it is at your pace,"

Kagome looked back at forth between them. "I, I just never even thought about him in that way,"

"And now?" Sango asked,

Kagome's mind drew back to the kiss, and it made her blush. For sure, a scared demon, he sure had warm, inviting lips.

Miroku smirked at Kagome's far-off glance.

"Miroku," Sango warned before grabbing Kagome's arm. "Come on, girl, talk."

Miroku shook his head with his hands on his hips. "Feels good to be right for once,"

"So, "Sango started as they walked, "Is he a good kisser?"

"Sango,"

"I promise my husband is not rubbing off on me, but how did you feel, really?"

Leaves crunched under their feet. "Shy, scared, shocked,"

"And?"

"Warm, but I have only ever kissed..." She trailed off. She had only ever kissed his brother. Kagome groaned, "This is so wrong; I can't just jump from one brother to another!"

"I wouldn't call it a jump,"

Still.

"So it is a little about Inuyasha?"

The wind blew, and Kagome looked at her friend; she had not noticed Sango's aging until now; it was slight, but it was there. "I have spent so much time being angry and upset and trying to forget, and now I dont have a choice to forget, and I keep thinking he is angry with me, and what if, what if one day he comes back,"

Kagome looks away. "I know he doesn't own my anything-"

"He owes you a lot," Sango said softly. "But I dont think he is staying away because he is angry; I think he is staying away for you just as Sesshomaru has grown, so has he,"

Kagome wanted to believe that.

"Now, tell me, does our prince of ice even have a chance?"

Kagome giggled slightly. "Don't let him hear you say that,"

Sango waved her off. "He can't be too mad at me if he wants to court my best friend, now can he,"

Kagome blushed. "He has grown, hasn't he,"

"Yes, and now it's your turn," They stopped walking, and Sango grabbed both her hands. "It is time for you to be happy; it is your life, this is your life, and while you wished your best friend would come and tell you it's all okay, he isn't, so now it's time for you to decide, what does Kagome want,"

Sesshomaru knew what she wanted, and so after listening in on their conversation, he vanished,

Just as the book had stated he would do.

It would take Kagome two days to realize this, and she wondered if it was her fault. A different feeling came over her, and she realized that even though they had not spent much time together, she missed him.