Kagome hadn't looked at Sesshoumaru once since breakfast. Even now, as she pushed the shopping cart around the market, she refused to acknowledge him. The only time she showed any kind of reaction toward him was when her mother spoke to him. Kagome would tense up, clearly trying not to look interested in their conversation.

Suppressing another sigh, Sesshoumaru picked up a box of strawberry Pocky and placed it in the strange metal trolley. He was browsing the other flavors when he heard a group of females approaching.

"Kagome! Is that you?"

Looking to his right, he saw three humans closing in, calling out to the priestess. Her mother had stepped away, leaving it up to him to handle Kagome, even if she was inexplicably angry with him.

Deciding it was best to intercept the loud females, Sesshoumaru stepped between them and Kagome, who was busy reading a package of some strange food. Placing a hand on the small of her back, she jumped slightly and stared up at him with wide blue eyes.

"There are people calling out to you," he signed and moved his body just enough for her to see.

Kagome suppressed the groan forming in the back of her throat. The last thing she wanted to deal with was her old high school friends. They were nice enough girls but pushy and nosy. Even worse, now she had to talk to the demon so he could play translator for her.

"They are… friends," she finally said before waving to Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka as they stopped behind Sesshoumaru.

"It is you! Wow, it's been forever!" Ayumi exclaimed, looking between Kagome and the tall man who still had his hand on her back. "Does Hojo know you are back? I'm sure he would love to see you."

At the mention of that human's name, Sesshoumaru tensed up, his claws momentarily unsheathing and digging into Kagome's back.

Feeling her flinch under his touch, he quickly retracted them and removed his hand, then told Kagome what was said.

Kagome furrowed her brow. She was almost positive Ayumi would not refer to Hojo as 'the annoying male who kept visiting her.'

Glaring up at Sesshoumaru, she angrily signed her response before crossing her arms over her chest, waiting for him to pass it along.

Gritting his fangs, the demon looked back at the confused females and said, "Kagome has seen Hojo. She is not interested."

Seeing the shocked look on her friends' faces, Kagome smacked Sesshoumaru on the arm and demanded, "What did you say to them?"

Ignoring her, the demon continued, "Kagome has suffered an injury and has lost her hearing."

Her friends' expressions then shifted to something like sympathy. Kagome was ready to strangle the demon lord if he kept ignoring her.

Yuka spoke next, "So, are you helping out as her interpreter?"

Sesshoumaru's anger flared. He glanced at Kagome, who was furiously signing, her hands moving so quickly he could barely keep up. She was still in the middle of her tirade when he turned back to the girls.

"While I do know sign language, I am not employed by Kagome. I am her boyfriend." He hoped this information would end any more mention of that Hojo boy. The human had made no attempt to learn JSL even though the brother of the female he was interested in was deaf. Pathetic.

Kagome was livid. Once again, the demon was ignoring her and saying whatever he pleased. When Eri reached over, patted her on the shoulder, and gave her a thumbs up, she was beyond lost and now just wanted to get out of the grocery store.

Luckily for Kagome, her mother finally returned.

"Oh, hello, girls," Mrs. Higurashi greeted them with a warm smile.

While her mother exchanged pleasantries, Kagome seized Sesshoumaru's arm and dragged him a few aisles over. Once she was sure no one was going to wander down the feminine hygiene aisle, she whirled on the demon lord.

"What is wrong with you?!" she signed, exaggerating her frustration by mouthing the words. "You can't just ignore me and say whatever you want. First, you decide we're leaving through the well without even talking to me about it, and now you're taking charge and telling my friends whatever you want!"

Sesshoumaru remained impassive, staring down at her with his usual stoic expression. He had not meant to upset her. As alpha, it was in his nature to take charge and make decisions for his pack.

Seeing that he wasn't going to say anything and instead kept that infuriatingly calm look on his face, Kagome ran her hands through her hair. After taking a few calming breaths, she continued, "I already had to deal with this behavior from your brother. I will not do it again. From now on, we make decisions as a team. You don't get to decide what's best without even asking me first."

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of understanding passing through them. He wasn't used to being questioned, let alone being told he was wrong. But Kagome's words struck a chord. She was comparing him to his idiot half brother and that stung.

After a moment, he finally spoke, his movements slow and measured. "I apologize, Kagome. It was not my intention to disregard your feelings. I will endeavor to consult with you in the future."

Kagome blinked, surprised by his sudden concession. It wasn't often that Sesshoumaru admitted to being wrong, let alone apologized. Her anger began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of cautious relief.

"Thank you," she signed. "I refuse to be pushed around again."

The determination in her sapphire eyes had the corner of his mouth twitching upwards. "Understood."

Ready to get back to shopping and then maybe find some lunch, Kagome made to walk past Sesshoumaru when he stopped her. She looked up at him with a questioning face but it immediately turned beet red when she saw what he was holding.

"What is this item for?" he innocently asked while holding a pink and red box. He recognized the strawberry image and word on it but nothing else.

Kagome had never moved so quickly in her life as she snatched the box from the demon's hands. He tilted his head in confusion at her actions and watched as she placed it back on the shelf before grabbing his arm and pulling him behind her again.

There was no way in hell she was going to explain what strawberry-flavored lube was for to Sesshoumaru.