InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Divine Retribution ❯ Binge drinking and memories ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 2

 

Binge drinking and memories.

 

~ Don't drink alone Scarlett, people always find out and it ruins the reputation. ~Rhett Buttler

 

Sesshoumaru stared at the half empty glass sitting in front of him.

 

How many bottles of whiskey had he drunk? He had lost count about an hour ago, when he left the first bar, after they ran out of whiskey and sake.

 

It really didn't matter anyway; the pain was still there, ripping at him with tiny little claws. It stopped any really productive thoughts from surfacing to his fog covered brain.

 

Growling he grabbed the glass and drained the rest of its contents. The golden liquor had long ago stopped burning on its way down. It was now hitting his stomach with the force of a stallions kick.

 

None of it mattered though, he deserved the pain; his youkai was in full support of kicking his ass. It had been roaring at him ever since he left Kagome in the arms of that damned kitsune. Demanding that he return to their rightful mate and challenge the male or else he would receive the fight of his life from his darker half.

 

Sesshoumaru snorted “If only.” He could have used a good fight.

 

The bartender, a moth youkai by the name of Menoumaru, looked at him quizzically as he refilled the Taiyoukai's glass. He shrugged realizing that the comment wasn't directed at him and made his way to his other customers, leaving Sesshoumaru to his thoughts.

 

Engaged! The accursed word was ringing though his head. Kami! He wanted nothing more than to rip the kitsune's throat out when he wrapped his arms around Kagome's waist. He had very nearly lost it when she returned the embrace before turning her attention back to him.

 

“I've moved on Sesshoumaru.” She had said quietly. “I couldn't wait forever for you.”

 

His world cracked in that moment, fragmenting before exploding in a shower of sparks around him. Everything that he thought so important seemed futile and faded away until he realized how important Kagome had become to him. What she had always been.

 

Life was dull without her laughter and smile. He was losing sleep each night just trying to keep the picture of it engraved in his memory. The air was no longer as sweet nor fresh without her scent. The best food money could buy didn't taste half as good as her cooking. Nothing mattered anymore, except this one mistake. And it seemed that he was far too late to rectify it.

 

Unfortunately his bad karma had not ended there. No it only increased ten fold. He couldn't really recall the conversation in clarity but he did know the result.

He had asked of his rights as Rin's father, only to find that he had none. His name had never been put on Rin's birth certificate. The child was a U. S. citizen and had been adopted by one as well. Mukashi Takamatsu.

 

The glass in Sesshoumaru's hand shattered, sending shards of it shooting into his palm and scattering across the bar top. People around him gasped and Menoumaru hurried over with a wet cloth as the Taiyoukai picked the larger pieces out of his hand. His healing abilities closing the wounds before he had time to fully blink.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama I'm afraid that we are out of whiskey, perhaps I can interest you in something else?” The moth asked, dragging the cloth across the wood counter.

 

Sesshoumaru shook his head once, sending his loose silver locks glistening in the dull bar light. Standing he slipped on his overcoat and paid his substantial tab before making his way outside.

 

It was a perfect night, the moon and stars seemed to be hung specifically to entice out the numerous couples who were walking arms intertwined down the lane. A couple directly to his right was engaged in a heated conversation that ultimately led to the woman being silenced with a kiss. It was a scene that he had participated in many times in his life.

 

Snarling Sesshoumaru slammed his hands into his pockets and turned toward his home. Home. The word didn't seem to describe where he currently resided. It had come to mind that moment she had opened her door, and was only emphasized more as he explored the small house.

 

She had indeed moved on. She had done everything that he had once promised to do for her. The trip after the divorce, all the places she had visited. Hell even the damn dog that had growled at him, they were all promises that he had made to her years ago. Promises that he had broken with their marriage.

 

Kagome had done them for herself; some perhaps even with the kitsune. She no longer relied on anyone, no longer trusted anyone. Because of him.

 

Ignoring the guilt that was suddenly eating at him Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to where he was going. Realizing that he was coming to a short cut, he turned down an alleyway that led to the park. His home was just on the other side. Walking through the well, yet softly lit area he recalled the conversations that he had had with Kagome on this very same path.

 

She loved it here, being in a small part of nature, which the world seemed to have forgotten about in its hustle and bustle. On warm nights they would bring a quilt out to the soccer field. Laying on it, they would stare up at the stars for hours on end, enjoying each others company, and just sitting in the silence.

 

Kagome had often talked of raising any children they had at the park. “The world is just too beautiful to just spend it all sitting in front of a TV.” She had said

 

Together they would often walk the many trails late at night, talking of their goals and dreams. That was before work had taken over his life. His fathers company, Shikon Inc. was going though a major corporate loss, and with his father deciding to retire right in the middle of it, left Sesshoumaru, who was now the new CEO, holding the proverbial bag.

 

Work became all important. He stayed out later and later, sleeping on numerous occasions in his office chair. Kagome, concerned for his health started making inquires and nagging him to take better care of himself. Already tired, Sesshoumaru's replies were short and sardonic, and fights sprouted out of nothing.

 

Everyday conversations became battle fields where insults were hurled with the accuracy of an arrow, and they lodged themselves in the weak parts of both Kagome's and his hearts.

 

This continued until one fateful night when he was predominantly consumed with anxiety because of a lost merger, snarled a particularly harsh comment at his wife that put tears into her eyes and sent her running out of their house sobbing. She stayed gone for three days, not calling once, and Sesshoumaru didn't take the time to look for her.

 

Instead he had gone on as though nothing was wrong, attending business meetings and firmly securing his place as the CEO. He was doing his best to take out his father's board of trustee's without hindering the company, preferably forcing them all into retirement.

However this meant that he had to live up to the CEO standard before his own board could be introduced. In order to do so he literally had to please the entire board. Several were easily paid off into retirement. Others left knowing that there was nothing Sesshoumaru could offer that they wanted, other than their lives and reputations.

 

Finally only one senile old man was left. His name was Totosai. He was an old college friend of his father, and it seemed that he was bent and determined that Sesshoumaru would be forced into the role his father had once held. His signature was mandatory for Sesshoumaru to have complete control yet the old coot couldn't be bought, intimidated, or forced into anything. The only way he was guaranteed to sign was for Sesshoumaru to become the CEO the man idealized, if only for a little while.

 

Sesshoumaru was livid; there was no way that he would be forced to become Totosai's dream CEO! Yet there was no other way to get the signature, and so grudgingly Sesshoumaru began to walk the path that his father had, attending charity events, sports outings anything and everything that his father had done over the years. He even attended stock holder's parties every night, at the request of the obnoxious fossil.

 

It was at one such event that he met her, Kaguya, daughter of the Lord of the East, and long time ally to his father. Her father was hosting the event in celebration of his Company's merger with that of the south, and while others came with a date, Sesshoumaru came alone. She was just what he needed to get his mind off of Kagome, if even for a few hours.

 

She stayed by his side the entire evening, keeping him company and in general just getting to know him. Her actions were reserved and she played the part of a proper hostess, never deliberately drawing attention to herself, not that she needed to. On Sesshoumaru's arm she was the talk of the party.

 

The room was filled with whispers of how perfect they were together, how well she complimented his being, and how strong any children they had would be. Every single remark floated into Sesshoumaru's ears and lodged itself there, leaving him wondering what exactly it was that made her so extraordinary.

 

By the end of the night he knew. Kaguya was commanding, her actions full of style and grace. Every eye in the place was on her the entire time, and compliments were constantly thrown their way. At the end of the party the Lord of the East was talking to Sesshoumaru of Mating marks and ideas for a wedding.

 

Shocked at his audacity Sesshoumaru had informed the other Lord of his wife, and that he was not looking to take a second one. Apologies were made and the idea was forgotten, or so he thought. It was only brought up at other events that he attended, and at each, Sesshoumaru found himself in of Yoshida Kaguya's company even more. Soon enough he was picking her up on his way out.

 

One week after the fight began, Sesshoumaru returned home from one such event to find Kagome waiting for him. Yet he was only cold and indifferent towards his wife of two months. His mind full of clouded with the effects of sake, and ears ringing with the words he had heard only hours before, telling him how beautiful Kaguya was on his arm.

 

Kagome was all tears and apologies when he finally walked into their newly furnished home. She promised to leave his work decision to him, and reaffirmed her love with hugs and kisses. That night however, was one of the longest that Sesshoumaru had ever experienced. The entire time his mind was constantly drawn back to Kaguya.

 

He couldn't seem to get her saucy smile out of his head, nor the power and confidence that she seemed to exude. It was as though she had buried herself into his mind, and everything and anything he saw reminded him of her. Even things Kagome did, while although slight brought her memory to the forefront of his mind.

 

Within a week Sesshoumaru found himself comparing the two and wondering just how a Taiyoukai of his standards had fallen for a childish woman who came from a low class family. It was a mystery to him. She was loud and uncouth and a number of other things that grated on his nerves. And she was a miko, the complete opposite of him in every way. Yet there was something that lingered in the back of his mind that told him to hold. And so his observations continued, his coldness towards his wife enduring while his outings with Kaguya continued.

 

Kagome was puzzled by his behavior, but thinking that he was still angry and that work was just taking up his time as usual, left him alone

 

Shaking the memories of that now distant time out of his head Sesshoumaru began the ascent up to his large two stories home. He was filled with the now normal feeling of nostalgia as he unlocked the door and made his way to the master bedroom. Not even bothering to flip the lights on glanced around the room, he supernatural sight allowing him to see the room as if it were broad daylight.

 

Inhaling deeply he caught the faintest whiff of Kagome's long departed scent. It had been years since she had been in this room, yet there were still traces of it, hidden away.

 

Slipping off his coat he draped it across the vanity's bench before lying down on the bed fully clothed. Memories forced themselves to the forefront of his mind once again. Exhaling in a puff of air, which to any other would have been a sigh Sesshoumaru allowed them to come.

 

Kagome left him alone, as had become her habit, and silently waited for the day that he would once again look her way. Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months. Kaguya was by his side during the day attending meetings and over seeing his company alongside him, while Kagome slept beside him fretfully at night.

 

Sesshoumaru ran a hand through his bangs, straitening the silver locks. God if only he had spent that time away from Kaguya, perhaps things would be different. Perhaps he would be the one asked to take Rin to the zoo. Staring up at the canopy over his head he recalled the last day Kagome was in his house.

 

Fate had been cruel that day, and so was he. It was four months after his introduction to the Princess of the East, and their interactions were heating up.

 

“What is going on Sesshoumaru?” Kagome hissed glaring at him from the doorway. She had come home from work early today, unfortunately so had he, and Kaguya had come with him. She was currently draped across him in a very compromising position, her shirt halfway undone, and her short skirt riding much higher than necessary, while his wife of six months stood not even two yards away glaring at him like he was a rat that needed to be terminated.

 

Tears were filling her eyes, but her anger was more apparent, and that seemed to be her driving force. Sesshoumaru simply sat where he was, looking straight at her without any penitence.

 

Kaguya chose this moment to speak up. “Who's this?” she asked tucking her long legs under her. Kagome's glare turned full force to her.

 

“I'm his wife.” She said her attention turning back to Sesshoumaru. He refused to acknowledge her anger, hell he was refusing to acknowledge her!

 

“Oh?” Kaguya stood and stretched in a nonchalant way. “Well this is awkward. Funny though how Sesshou-kun never mentioned you.” She said tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

 

Kagome's eyes snapped with fire as her hands clenched together at her sides. Her miko powers were pooling at her fingertips, just begging to be unleashed. “Funny how he never mentioned you either.” She snarled at the demoness.

 

Kaguya simply shrugged and smiled as though it were an everyday occurrence. “Well I had better be going,” she said straitening her clothing. “It looks like you both have a lot to talk about.” She brushed past Kagome, buttoning her shirt as she made her way to the door.

 

Kagome's eyes followed her, watching as the elegant woman slipped on her four inch heels, and designer jacket. With an almost sinister smile and a small wave she walked out the door.

 

Pissed beyond the point of reason, Kagome turned her attention back to her husband. Sesshoumaru was finally showing some signs of life. He had stood, and was currently donning his white silk shirt.

 

Buttoning it he walked towards her, while she stared at him, waiting for some sign of regret. None came; he just walked past, and made his way up the stairs to the master bedroom.

 

Shocked Kagome stood there for a moment before questions began to pour themselves into her head, fueling her slightly subdued anger into a full rage. Miko powers snapping around her in a cloud of sparkling blue fire she followed her husband.

 

Sesshoumaru had made his way across the bedroom and was currently waiting for the computer to boot up when she burst into the room. “What the hell is going on?” She snarled stalking across the floor towards him.

 

Not even bothering to look up at her Sesshoumaru logged onto the computer. “Nothing that concerns you.” He said, ignoring her outraged gasp.

 

Aghast Kagome simply stared at him for a moment, waiting for her thoughts to settle into some semblance of order. “Nothing that concerns me?” She shouted “I come to our home and find you shirtless in the arms of another woman, and it doesn't concern me?!”

 

 

Sesshoumaru nodded, pulling up his agenda. “That is correct.” He said as he began to type.

 

Cursing Kagome stalked over to stand beside him. “You swore your fidelity to me, only six months ago! And you've already broken it!” Her voice wavered as she looked at him. “I can't believe you.” She whispered brokenly.

 

Sesshoumaru ignored her, and continued his work. Frustrated Kagome decided to get some answers. “How long have you been seeing her?” She asked sitting on the desk. She waited, staring at him intently. Once again he ignored her.

 

Snarling she leapt off the desk and whirling around snatched the computer plug out the wall. The monitor screen went black, no doubt losing all of the work he had done.

 

Growling Sesshoumaru turned to his wife, his face a mask of granite. She was still standing beside him, her chin raised high as she glared at him.

 

 

“You can pay attention to your work and whore, so I know you can spare five minutes for me!” She hissed at him, visibly trembling with anger.

 

Eyes narrowing Sesshoumaru stood, drawing himself up to his full height, easily towering over his wife's petite 5”4'. It was an intimidation tactic that had worked on many, but not on her.

 

“You may not have anything to say Sesshoumaru but I do! I cannot live like this! I can try to be second best to your work, but I cannot be second best to your whore!” She was almost crying she could feel the tears building up behind her eyes, begging to be let out. The only thing keeping her from it was her anger and her pride.

 

Kami it hurt, she couldn't believe that this was happening to them, and in such a short time. But she would not let him see her cry. Sesshoumaru was cold to her, colder than he had ever been before, and here he was breaking promises to her. No not promises, vows.

 

“I know that you were raised in an era where this was considered perfectly fine Sesshoumaru, but in this day and age, its not!” She sobbed looking up at him. “I can't believe that you have done this.”

 

“I am doing nothing that you yourself have not done.” He replied icily.

 

“WHAT the HELL do you mean?” Kagome shrieked, ignoring the way he winced slightly at the volume she continued on. “I never cheated on you! Not even when we were dating!” She said poking him in the chest.

 

Growling Sesshoumaru grabbed her hand. “Do not lie to me wench, you think I do not know of your love for my half-breed brother?” He asked glaring down at her.

 

Kagome simply growled back, and ripping her hand out of his grasp narrowed her eyes at him. “I haven't felt that way about Inu yasha in a long time Sesshoumaru Taisho, and you damned well know it!” She shouted, her chest was heaving by the time the words were out of her mouth. Taking a deep breath she looked shook her head. “And if I did love him, I never would have dated or married you! Inu yasha and I are just friends.”

 

Sesshoumaru snorted. “Or lovers. After all, you had known a man's touch before our wedding night.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened at this statement. “Not willingly you asshole!” She cried

 

Sesshoumaru sniffed “A lie, easily fabricated to cover up your lovers tryst. Tell me my dear, does he make you scream the way I do? Do you shudder with pleasure at his touch?” He stalked toward her, his eyes hard with malice and contempt until he was inches away. “Do you beg him to take you like a whore?” He asked, his voice low.

 

Kagome slapped him, hard. It happened so fast she didn't realize she had done so until she was watching Sesshoumaru's face fly to the side. It was shocking, and it was pure instinct. He deserved it and so much more.

 

Crying she glared at him through her tears, watching as he slowly turned to face her once more, his golden eyes, hard and tinted pink. A growl was building in volume at the back of his throat. “You unbelievable bastard. I was raped, by someone very important to me! Inu yasha saved me!” She snarled, glaring at him with newly discovered rage. “Your brother never touched me.”

 

Sesshoumaru simply stared at her as she glared at him. A tear escaped from the corner of her eye and he watched as it traced her jaw before falling to the ground. The need to comfort her hit him, and unconsciously he reached out a hand to wipe the tear away. Kagome's eyes widened and she took a step backwards, away from him. “Don't!” It was the first bit of contact he had offered to her in months, yet now he was nothing more than a stranger to her.

 

Sesshoumaru's arm dropped to his side, his eyes narrowing as he fully processed her statement. There were things about his wife that he didn't know. Things that he rightfully should know yet had never been told. The blame for this went both ways, he had never asked, and she had never offered up the knowledge. Yet now he knew.

 

Kagome simply looked at him, tears falling down her face unchecked. Her dark secret was out, he finally knew. What would he think about her now? If he thought she was a whore for her friendship with Inu yasha what would he say about this? Would he condemn her for something she had no control over? Something that she had once condemned herself for?

 

 

Shuddering she felt her old fears rise to the surface. She couldn't deal with this right now. Things were just too complicated now. She found herself holding her breath, waiting to see if he would criticize her or simply ignore her as he had be want to do as of late.

 

The silence was overpowering, and finally she couldn't take it anymore. She wouldn't sit here and wait for him to condemn her. Whirling around she ran toward the door her heart in her throat and a sob ready to break loose.

 

She was stopped before she had made it halfway there by a hard chest and two pale striped hands clamping onto her arms hard enough to leave bruises. Fighting the prey instinct to lash out when caught by a larger animal, Kagome simply looked up at Sesshoumaru's face. His eyes were nearly completely red; his youkai had taken over.

 

“Who touched you?” He hissed his voice darker, laced with his anger and youkai. Still angry Kagome shook her head like a stubborn child. “Only my family knows, and I'm sure as hell not going to tell you!” She winced as his claws bit into her arms.

 

“I am your mate, therefore your family. You will tell me!” The urge to make her submit and tell him everything was driving every sane thought from his head. He needed to know who had caused this; she was under his protection and no matter when it had happened someone had wronged her. Vengeance was deserved.

 

Hissing through her teeth at the pain Kagome called upon her miko powers and blasted Sesshoumaru off of her. He landed in a heap against the far wall, stunned.

 

“Wrong.” She muttered darkly, revealing a deeper wound to her soul. “You are my husband who has been cheating on me. You never marked me Sesshoumaru; you never made me your mate. We are only married in my world.” She shook her head, her fear turning into white anger. “I don't have to tell you anything until you have figured out just how long you want to be with me.”

 

She watched as the red receded from his eyes before turning and making her way to the door. “Call me when you know what you want.” She said before walking out it.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

That had been the last time she had been in his home. Miroku and Kikyo came two days later to gather her most personal belongings. Kikyo wouldn't even look at him, she just went about the house, knowing exactly what her cousin wanted, and where it was located. Miroku had been more civil, speaking to Sesshoumaru and dropping him hints about how Kagome was doing and how to get her back.

 

Sesshoumaru had ignored them. He was angry that she had left, angry for her disobedience for not telling him. He was also convinced that she would come back. Every woman came back to him, she had once, and she would again. With that thought in mind he continued on as he had before, however his visits with Kaguya ceased. He did not see her again until after the divorce, and by that time she was living with him.

 

Kagome ended up staying with Inu yasha and Kikyo. She stayed there for three weeks, and when she received the divorce papers she moved back to her family's shrine.

 

Sesshoumaru wasn't really sure what it was that made him call a divorce lawyer. He had been angry and drunk at the time, and was convinced that Kagome had been trying to change him, to tame him. His father had been allowed to bring whoever he wanted into his bed. After all that was how he met Inu yasha's mother. Why shouldn't he be able to do the same, regardless of the era? He didn't need a sniveling wife who thought she could control his every thought. And so he detached himself from her. He had plenty of time to find a demoness to provide him with an heir, after all that was the only things women were good for. Youkai did not love.

 

Sesshoumaru's phone rang suddenly, bringing him out of the past and back to reality. Glancing at the caller I.D. he growled. Finally answers. “What have you discovered?” He asked flipping open the phone. The voice of his lawyer came through the other end. Sesshoumaru had called her the moment he had stepped out of Kagome's home. There had to be a way for him to have some rights as Rin's father, and he would search everywhere until he found them.

 

“Gomen Sesshoumaru-sama for calling so late, however I thought it might be a good idea to give you a status report.” Shiori was a bat hanyou, and also one of the best lawyers in Japan. She was both compassionate and strong, and in the courtroom she always got her man. If anyone could figure out how to legally obtain what he wanted Shiori could.

 

“Continue,” Sesshoumaru replied automatically.

 

“I'm afraid the news isn't good sir. Everything was legitimate, there is no way to un-adopt Rin from Mr. Mukashi, not in human or youkai courts.

 

Sesshoumaru growled and pinched the bridge of his nose doing his best to relieve the alcohol induced head ache he could feel building at the back of his eyes. This was not the news he wanted.

 

“And,” Shiori continued. “I have spoken with Miss Higurashi and her lawyer. Your Ex did everything within her powers to notify you of the birth of your daughter. However all phone calls and letters were taken by one Kaguya Yoshida. She informed Kagome on every occasion that you did not believe the parentage of the girl, nor did you care what happened to her or the child.”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes turned red with her words, his youkai easily taking over in his drunken state. “Kaguya knew of Rin?” He snarled warring with himself. A very large part of him was in favor of hunting the bitchy princess down and giving her a very good reason to fear for her life and perhaps even leave the country.

 

Shiori's voice was trembling when she replied. “Yes sir, Kagome-sama has letters to prove it.”

 

Sesshoumaru's bloodlust heightened to an almost unbearable level. All he could see was red as his youkai howled in the darkest recesses of his mind for revenge. His darker half had been warring with him for years over his `incompetent' handlings of the situation, and each time it surfaced Sesshoumaru found it harder and harder to force his bestial half back into its `kennel'.

 

Doing so now was nearly impossible; however he was finally able to convince it to return with the promise of revenge and by doing his damnedest to get their mate back. Growling his darker half slunk back to its cage, vowing aloud that if Sesshoumaru didn't keep his promises repercussions would be insured.

 

Sesshoumaru came out of his mental battle to find the armrests of his chair shredded and melting from his poison claws. Shiori was chattering in his ear about possible legal actions that could be taken against Miss Yoshida. Unfortunately none of them sounded sever enough.

 

“The situation with Miss Higurashi is much more delicate I'm afraid. Because of everything that has happened no judge, youkai or human is going to force her to allow you to see the child. Your best bet would be to ask your Ex for permission to visit Rin.”

 

Sesshoumaru growled again. “I should not need to ask permission to see my own child!” He snarled standing up to pace around the room. Shiori sighed on the other end. “I know sir, but your signature is on the letters sent by Miss Yoshida as well. In those letters you denounced both the Lady Kagome and the child. You gave up all rights to her. The fact is Kagome-sama holds all the cards. However she is not a bitter person, I cannot see her keeping the child away from you.”

 

Sesshoumaru snorted. He knew exactly just how forgiving Kagome could be. Her friends were always afraid that she would be taken advantage of because of it. Yet there lay another problem. Her friends. They had been hiding her from him for years, setting up false leads and ignoring any demands he would make about her location. The situation could easily turn into a war without his knowledge. The line had been drawn many years ago, and while Sesshoumaru held most of the strength Kagome had all the allies. Not even his half-brother would side with him on this. Fighting the urge to sigh he sat back down on the bed.

 

“I understand Shiori. Report back if you gather anymore information.”

 

“One question more my Lord.” Shiori said quickly, knowing he was about to hang up.

Sesshoumaru put the phone back to his ear. “Yes?”

 

“Sir is it true that you asked the lady for a second chance?”

 

“News certainly travels fast.” Sesshoumaru said a bite in his voice setting the bat on edge.

 

Shiori laughed nervously. “If I may sir, I suggest you play by Kagome-sama's rules concerning Rin, if you indeed wish to court the Lady. Because right now, you don't have a snowball's chance in hell is the way that Kagome phased it.”

 

Sesshoumaru snorted; of course Kagome would say something like that. “I don't require your advice when it comes to matters of my personal life Shiori.” His voice was icy with disdain.

 

“I understand Sesshoumaru-sama. Forgive me, I will report back when I have more information.” She replied a moment before he hung up the phone.

 

Pulling his shirt over his head Sesshoumaru tossed it to the floor before laying back on the large bed. Staring up at the canopy he recalled the way Kagome had looked at him when she answered the door. Her shock was evident and for a brief moment it had covered up her anger. Then it faded away and Sesshoumaru had realized just how upset she was.

 

Closing his eyes Sesshoumaru forced the image of Kagome's angry face from his mind. Sleep would be needed for what he had planned.