Miroku could stand it no longer. Sesshomaru was moments away from walking down and saying vows that he could not, or more importantly, would not break. He wasn't doing this for Sesshomaru; however, he was doing it for Kagome.

He stood with the help of his staff, and it chimed as he made his way back to the fortress. His friends watched him go in silence. Inuyasha relaxed a bit; he really didn't want to be the one to tell Sesshomaru, not like the bastard would listen to him.

Miroku walked up to the demon Lord who was now down at ground level, looking out the door that would lead him to a new future, his future. To her?

"I came to see if you needed any assistance,"

"Not from you," Sesshomaru stated, he noted the groups odd behavior.

Miroku looked back. "You seemed to have drawn in quiet the crowd,"

It was quite the crowd, and Miroku hoped there would not be blood shed by the end of this day; for all he knew, this would cause war, and that's if Sesshomaru cared at all about Kagome. They knew how she felt; they didn't know how he felt or would feel.

Sesshomaru folded his arms. "The Miko is missing,"

"Oh?" Miroku looked back at him, and Sesshomaru eyed him. "I am surprised at your concern for her lack of presence,"

"You misinterpret my notice of detail for concern monk,"

Miroku looked away again. "Right, Kagome is not coming, she is back in her time for now, but Im sure she will return soon,"

"She may do as she wishes," He didn't even know why brought it up.

Miroku stalled; how does one tell a deadly demon Lord who at one time wanted them all dead that a human girl, a Miko no less, loved him?

He faltered.

"Monk,"

Miroku jumped slightly,

"You are in my way,"

Sesshomaru's words seemed sure, and so Miroku bowed slightly and made his way back to his seat.

"Well, what did the bastard say?" Inuyasha asked,

"I didn't tell him,"

Sango smacked him on the arm,

"But he did say something interesting to me,"

They waited,

"He noticed Kagome isn't here,"

"So?" Inuyasha said,

"So, he noticed?" Miroku pressed. "She is on his mind," saying she was on his mind may have been a stretch, but he noticed and that was enough proof in itself that the demon Lord at least thought of her in passing that she meant just enough that maybe this wasn't just a fool errand

Inuyasha didn't move, but they could all see the battle he was having with himself. He didn't like any of this. But his good side won out, and he stood, "Fine, damn it, I'm going to do it."

He made his way back, quickly blocking Sesshomaru from the door.

"We need to talk."

"Not now,"

"Yes, now,"

Sesshomaru slowly took out his sword. "I am in no mood today Inuyasha, move."

"K," Inuyasha moved to the side. God, how he wanted his dumb ass brother to go through with it, to seal his fate and watch him be miserable. But Kagome would pay the price as well.

Sesshomaru took one step, then another, and he past Inuyashed, and just as he did, Inuyasha spoke. This was his last chance to do so.

"She loved you; you know that, right?"

Sesshomaru stalled and looked back,

"That's why she isn't here,"

Sesshomaru blinked as if he did not understand the words coming out of his brother's mouth,

"The Miko-

"Kagome Sesshomaru, you know her name; use it, say it," He snapped.

Kagome? Kagome loved him. What the hell was his brother talking about?

"Inuyasha, the- Kagome all but made this mating happen; what nonsense do you speak?"

"Of course, she did; she's Kagome! Of course, she didn't tell you! I mean, come on, think about it Sesshomaru. Kagome never does anything that benefits herself; she loves so deeply she blindly does what she feels is best for the other person," He grew tired, "Even if it means hurting herself," He looked down but then met his brother's eyes "Can you blame her for not saying anything, a Miko in love with a demon, one who tried to kill her, one who was too dumb to see her hints, who then started to court another,"

One that gave her no return.

Inuyasha ran his claws through his hair. "She didn't tell you because she didn't think you would want to hear it, but dude, you are fixing to make a huge mistake."

Sesshomaru was too stunned to speak, confused. He had no idea; how did he not notice? Probably because her liking his person never once crossed his mind. She loved Inuyasha, or loved Inuyasha at one time.

"Kagome was my mistake to make Sesshomaru because she wasn't meant for me; I am not the reason her soul and that well bring her back time after time,"

If Sesshomaru was feeling anything, he gave nothing away; even his heart rate was steady.

"You are,"

Inuyasha watched closely at his brother and took note of the weight his brother put on his heel, which meant there was hope,

"If you care at all, even a tiny, tiny bit, if your beast is at all in there, think twice about what your about to do; the vow you take is unbreakable,"

The crowd was becoming unsettled, as was his soon-to-be mate.

"I know she is human-" He stopped. "Did you really not notice all the little hints,"

Hints? When he thought of Kagome, three things came to mind, her powerful arrow, her temper, and her smile.

His beast stopped pacing.

Fuck.