InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ If You Love Something... ❯ The Truth, the Whole Truth, & Nothing but the Truth: Part III ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: Hi everybody! I'm back. Sorry for the delay - hopefully you haven't forgotten about me. This chap is waaaaay longer than originally planned. There are lots of references to the past but they are marked to minimize confusion. Please let me know what you think. Positive feedback helps me more than you know!

On another note, the police still haven't found the person that murdered my little brother. That's part of the reason my chapters taking so long to write - I'm pissed beyond all rational reason.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by! Mrs_Sesshomaru

If You Love Something…

Chapter 4:

The Truth, the Whole Truth, & Nothing but the Truth

Part III

Thing Are Not Always As They Seem

Sitting nervously on the sofa, Miroku wondered what the hell was going on in that room. The whole apartment seemed to freeze in time waiting for the atomic blast they all knew was coming, which would now be amplified thanks to a certain fox demon whose complete meltdown made a simple task come out like the Hiroshima bombing.

Simple? Ro-Ro blinked at his own thought. Yeah, this is anything but…He paused at Kouga's growl.

The wolf, besides still being in immense pain from being kicked in the nuts, was beyond pissed at how Inuyasha had handled his soon-to-be intended. Who did that mutt think he was treating the future Northern Wolf Clan's princess in such a way?

“Did you really have to go there, Shippo?!” Souta demanded.

The little kitsune whimpered, “I was only trying to help. I-I don't know what happened…”

While Kagome's brother berated the kit, the rest of the group scrambled to come up with some sort of damage control.

“So what now?” Houjo had never felt more helpless in his life.

All of a sudden completely exhausted, Eri asked, “Couldn't we just not go to the meeting tomorrow? That would give us at least one more day to think things through.”

“Like old man Taisho would really go for all of us calling in.” Hiten scoffed.

Sango was furious. “Hell no! Are you serious?” Upon receiving a nod confirming that Eri, as well as Ayumi, was indeed serious she slammed her fist on the coffee table, “Kagome will not hide from him!”

“Sango, my dearest, it wouldn't be hiding…” Flaming chestnut eyes silenced whatever rationalization Ro thought he was about to bring to the table.

“He will not bully her! We will not duck and run every time he is around! No way in hell!”

“Sango, you must understand,” Suikotsu gestured with his hands, putting on his best doctor tone, “what Kagome has been through. Mentally, do you really think she is ready to face him again?”

Well that sure took the wind out of her sails. The tall, battle ready, female slumped in her seat.

He went on, his gaze locking with all those present while speaking, “Are any of us ready to see Sesshomaru? There is pain and rage, which has been festering for over a year now, that we all must deal with. Taking matters into our own hands is not acceptable.”

Bankotsu nodded in understanding and tossed the long black braid over his shoulder, “Yeah. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm too sexy to go to jail.”

The other males snorted and gave a small chuckle. Ayumi swatted him with a decorative pillow.

“Besides,” Hiten shrugged, “who wants to get locked up over Sesshomaru anyway?”

With all the pride one could muster, Kouga's hand shot into the air. The thunder youkai snatched the pillow from Ayumi and bonked him on the head with it.

“Moron!”

“Do we really have any right being upset?” Shippo practically whispered staring at the floor.

“Come again?” Kohaku was curious.

Something deep in Souta's gut told him he was not about to like what the kit had to say.

“I'm not defending that stupid dog one way or the other, because he's a loser and he sucks.” The fox clarified. “But you all have done exactly what he did.”

After the bombardment from all sides of:

“Who?!”

“Say what?”

“We've all done what?!”

“You're a dumb-ass, Shippo.”

“I haven't done shit!”

“Me neither!”

“I don't know what the fuck you're talking about.”

“Are you fucking kidding? I wouldn't dare do anything remotely that despicable!”

“He's not talking about me.”

“My council would kill my ass.”

“Fuck yeah, man, my dad would rip off my head and shit down my neck.”

“Shut up, Kohaku! Daddy is not like that.”

“Sheeeeeiiiiiittt! You're a lie. Maybe not to you cause you're a girl. That guy would get all beast mode on me.”

“There is no honor in what he did, the stupid dog, there is no way I'd even consider…!”

“Hell naw!”

“I haven't done a damn thing!”

“That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.”

“Boy, you need to explain yourself. And I mean now.”

The kitsune sighed, raised his head, and looked directly at Miroku with sad eyes. “Not the females.” He clarified before continuing. “But you've all had a one night stand.” He braced for another explosion of:

“Man, what the hell…?”

“What the hell does that have to do with this?!”

“Yeah, so…? It's not the same thing.”

“That is so not the same thing!”

“What the hell does that have to do with anything?”

“Are you fucking serious?”

“My sister ain't no damn one night stand!”

“Man, you're on some bullshit.”

“I'm not on anything!” The kitsune practically shouted. His poufy red tail twitched in irritation.

“Will you guys shut up and listen?!” Upon seeing the emotionally taxed emerald eyes filled with tears, Sango seized the reins for control.

Shippo began to wring his hands nervously, once again looking at the floor. “I hate what he did to Kagome.” there was a hiccupping pause, “But if you think about it, really think, each of you has been with, at the very least,” Miroku almost chuckled knowing what the kit was going to say and feeling that last part was directed at him, “one girl that you never called again. Some of you have had way more than others.” This time he did look at the Hentai Prince.

“What?! Why Shippo, I'm hurt that you think of me in such a way.” Ro-Ro laughed.

Houjo chimed in, “You should be hurt that it's actually true.”

Suikotsu, Souta, Eri, and Hiten groaned their full agreement.

Ayumi furrowed her brows, “But what does any of that have to do with what Inuyasha's brother did?”

With growing up around a certain hanyo, no-one was surprised when Souta spat out the auto-response, “Half-brother.”

“Because all those girls were important to someone, just as Kagome is important to us.” The kitsune sighed.

“Alright, I'm lost.” Souta was still confused as to what the hell all this had to do with his big sister.

“I don't care!” Kouga's royal blue eyes flamed turquoise upon grasping what Shippo was trying to say. “That in no way excuses him for what he did.”

Hiten snorted at the fox, “Yeah, and you should know better. That's more of a human - no offense guys - thing. As youkai, we are bound by honor. As taiyoukai he is bound by much more. The integrity of the Inu dynasty is at stake for crying out loud!”

Bankotsu, who was almost as much of a ladies' man as Miroku, knew he should keep his big mouth shut lest get them both throttled by Sango. However the record between every male in the room's connection to wet panties and broken hearts versus what that asshole did to Kagome needed to be set straight. He would just have to deal with the consequences. How could anyone even suggest that Kagome's situation was remotely the same?

Giving a silent apology to Ro-Ro in advance, he spoke, “Even with the game me & Ro played in college, and all the chicks we've taken down since then-”

In chorus, a frenzy of multiple thoughts raced through several occupants of Kagome's living room.

Oh my God, B, what are you doing?! A nauseating sense of vertigo swept through Miroku. Giving Sango a sidelong glance, his life flashed before terrified violet eyes. Are you INSANE?!

Eri's coffee colored irises quadrupled in size as she recalled the numerous nights Bankotsu, Miroku, and the whole Southern Tech chapter of Omega Psi Phi swarmed her sorority house in one of their infamous panty raids. He is NOT about to bring that up, is he?

We're all about to die… Kohaku realized. While he was not one of their frat brothers, he had been a participant in several of the… escapades they'd had on their own time.

Dear Lord… Houjo closed his eyes and began to pray. Please stop this fool from speaking, for he knows not what he does. Help him realize there are lives at stake here. Help Sango remember the most important of Your commandments in this moment: Thou shalt not kill.

No one would ever know if it was an act of divine intervention, or simply perfect timing. But everything came to a screeching halt when Kouga let out a bone-quaking, infuriated roar.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

“I don't care!” Kouga's royal blue eyes flamed turquoise upon grasping what Shippo was trying to say. “That in no way excuses him for what he did.”

How dare that fur ball even insinuate that some no-body babe is on the same level as my woman?! The taiyoukai fumed. Voicing such a thing could be considered treason against my house!

At Shippo's suggestion on some sort of link the Prince of Wolves purposely tuned out all the goings on to save himself from ripping someone in half. He was so close to the edge… The thirst for blood was becoming uncontrollable.

Lids secured themselves over swirling royal blue and turquoise pools of fury and he sighed deeply. Just a little longer… He coached the beast within.

In a few short hours the one responsible for this whole mess would be within his claws, he would formally present suit to the woman of his dreams, and together they would rule his empire. Finally.

I should be the one soothing Kagome, not that mutt.

Feeling secure in the knowledge that she would, indeed, accept him as the alpha male in her life, and as such they would keep no secrets from each other, pointed youkai ears honed in on the conversation in the master bedroom. Most would call that eavesdropping. Of course taiyoukai were above such petty things… he was just making sure she was alright.

“Because you…” the half-breed stuttered pathetically.

What the hell…? Wondered Kouga, instantly concerned. What's gotten into him?

“Because I…?” It became obvious to the wolf that Kagome didn't have a clue as to what Inuyasha was talking about.

“You're just not going to be happy until I say it, are you?!”

A dangerous rumble bubbled up from their unknown listener. Watch your tone with my woman, dog breath. The sudden pounding of blood caused by a rising temper hindered Kouga's audible range. Whatever else that was being said was lost to his ears.

Think happy thoughts. The struggle with his protective, primal side became almost excruciating. She's okay, she's okay… Turquoise eyes squeezed shut in a desperate attempt to return to their natural color. She's alright. Just a little confused, that's all. That sorry excuse for a dog can't hurt her anymore… no-one can hurt her ever again. She is safe now. Safe.

In his mind's eye Kagome smiled at him. A cleansing breath, one Kouga hadn't realized he'd been holding, whooshed out of his lungs. And with it went all the tension in his body.

“I'm talking about you trying to kill yourself! And all over a bastard like him!”

Lord Kouga Ookami, Prince of the Northern Wolf Clan, would never be able to account for the events immediately following those words so callously spoken by the unsuspecting hanyo. A bright red flash went off in his brain… and then all went black.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Kagome dropped heavily from her kneeling position onto the bed causing the mattress to bounce her slightly. The rocking motion went unnoticed.

With a wrinkled forehead and rapidly blinking eyes, Kagome tried to grasp the words that had just tumbled out of Inuyasha's mouth. She stared up at him open-mouthed, shocked. Where had that come from? She tried to kill herself?

“Kagome,” the half demon rubbed his clawed hands down his face and sighed before sinking to seat himself next to her. It had been almost two whole minutes since he yelled at her and she still hadn't spoken. Those blue pools would blink for a while, then stare, then blink, then stare… almost as if they'd never looked upon him before and were trying to figure out who he was. Great, just great. I've turned her into a mental case. Dammit. “Look, I'm sorry. I'm just… worried, that's all.”

No response.

Fuck! Great going asshole. A voice ringing in his mind snapped. The hanyo couldn't remember a period in his life where he wanted to kick his own ass. Well, there's a first time for everything.

For her part, Kagome closed her mouth only to open it again to ask her best friend if he was feeling alright. No words came out so she continued to gape at him.

What is going on around here? She wanted to ask. Then it dawned on her. Apparently Inuyasha and - now that she thought about it - the rest of her friends thought she was suicidal. What the hell…? Okay, when did she turn into some crazy psycho with ambitions to wind up in a box? And how come she had missed this momentous occasion?

Still speechless and completely baffled, the petite female tried to think of anything she'd done to leave that type of impression. Did Inuyasha know about her trips to the cemetery? There was no possible way he could know that was the resting place of his brother's mother. Did he think she was going out there because she wanted to die? What? That's a little crazy, even for him. No, that was out of the question. His head would've exploded - after slashing her tires so she couldn't leave - if he'd had even the tiniest clue.

Cerulean eyes grew large when recalling something she told Miroku right after figuring out Sesshomaru had run out on her:

****

“I feel like I can't breathe, Ro.” Tears had run in twin rivers down her face.

The pair sat on the cold, frozen earth under the enormous Goshinboku tree on the grounds of the Higurashi family shrine.

“Sometimes I don't even want to breathe… I don't want to remember…”

Miroku fought to keep his own pain from taking liquid form. But seeing her like this… he truly didn't know how long he could keep it together. Kagome had chosen him as her confidant and he would do whatever it took to comfort her.

“I see him everywhere. I hear his voice all the time.”

“What does he say?” He inquired softly.

She gave a short, watery laugh then looked pleadingly into his eyes, “He tells me not to cry… and he loves me… he promises to never leave me…” Her tone dropped to just above a whisper after her head lowered allowing raven bangs to shield her eyes, “Why would he do this? Ro, please tell me why.”

Violet pools filled with masculine tears. Miroku had no answers for his friend and it was killing him inside.

“How can I go on without him? I don't know how… I just… I don't know what to do! I want the pain, and the memories, to go away. I-I… I just don't know how to make it stop… I don't know how not to miss him! I don't know how not to love him!” Miroku then gathered her to his chest as her small frame became wracked with uncontrollable sobs.

“Shhh…” He cooed as a single tear freed itself to make the journey down his face, “I'm here for you. We will get through this, Kagome.” Silently he wondered if that were true.

****

Kagome shook the images out of her head. Even if - and it would have to be a pretty big if - Ro-Ro had said something to the others surely they would've spoken to her about it by now. That was over a year ago, so more than likely that wasn't what lead Inuyasha to think she wanted to off herself. No, that couldn't possibly be the reason. For one thing, Miroku never betrayed anyone's trust. He could sit in your face knowing everything about anything and you'd never have a clue.

“I didn't mean to bring it up, I swear!” Golden eyes searched for some sign that she wasn't upset with him. “I never wanted you to think about that night again. I made everyone promise-” He captured her hands in his.

Jumping at the contact, Kagome snatched away. “What are you talking about, Ya-Ya?” She shook her head again in an attempt to leave the Twilight Zone. “What night? What did you make everyone promise?”

Inuyasha took this as further proof of a mental break. Mentally, he kicked himself. Not again. Shit, you're really going to make me go through this aren't you?

“Kagome,” he pleaded. “Please don't do this. Look, let's just forget it. Okay?”

“Forget what?!” Finally irritation at being in the dark kicked in.

“Nothing.” Muttering, his gaze shifted away from her.

Okay, I'm about to scream. With eyes tightly closed, Kagome massaged her temples. “Something! Telling me I'm suicidal is not `nothing,' Ya-Ya. Saying I actually tried to kill myself is not `nothing!' Now, for the last time, what are you talking about?!”

The last sentence came out through clenched teeth causing her best friend to look at her once again. Dammit! Goddamned Shippo freaking out. Goddamned Sesshomaru coming back. Fuck!

“And don't say nothing!” Kagome warned.

Jaws snapping closed quickly; Inuyasha wondered how she knew he was going to say that. Fuck it. Sighing, he decided that since she wanted to do this the hard way he would oblige her.

Bare shoulders sagged in defeat. A clawed hand flexed before moving slowly towards the confused woman on the bed.

Kagome watched in peculiar fascination as the hanyo's hand seemed to move as if it were in water through the space between them only to finally come to rest on the back of her left elbow.

Here goes nothing. His throat flexed as he took a deep breath, gulped, blinked slowly, and began to add pressure with shaking fingers. Voluntarily, the joint straightened itself out as Inuyasha squeezed it lightly. Once her arm was fully extended the air his lungs had been holding was released.

“Still confused.” Kagome informed him with a hint of sarcasm. What did her arm have to do with suicide? She wasn't even left handed. Was it possible that her closest friend was addicted to drugs and she had missed the entire thing? Some sort of powerful hallucinogen because he was tripping hard.

The half demon stifled a growl. Do I have to spell it out?! How could she be so dense? The evidence was before her very eyes. There would be no denying or running from the truth any longer. He hardened his resolve and plunged in head first.

“Do you remember anything about the night you got this scar?” He referred to the jagged, angry pale pink welt just a few inches below the place his fingers held her.

Well duh. Of course she remembered. It was the first night her best friend had decided to sleep in the living room instead of with her. The same night that she dropped that stupid…

Wait a second. Kagome blinked, gasped, and then her eyes went wide as the pieces to the source Inuyasha's strange behavior fell hideously into place. Surely he doesn't think…

Unknowingly, the hanyo brought the weight of the universe crashing down. “Look Kagome, I know you loved him.” Though I can't possibly figure out why. “But to be quite honest, that shit you pulled was unnecessary. Downright fucking stupid if you ask me.”

By this point, Kagome was beyond fuming.

“That `shit' I pulled?!” She stood to face him with a mask of horror and disbelief. Ocean blue hardened to cobalt flint just before she screeched, “That shit I pulled?!”

Stunned into silence, the half demon furrowed his eyebrows. What the hell was she yelling at him for? He wasn't the one who needed to be put in a straight jacket when his lame-ass brother left!

Arm twisting outward so the soft scarred flesh was bared; Kagome forcefully jabbed at the former wound with her right index finger. “This…?!” The implication was almost too ridiculous to believe.

A year. For over a year her friends… or rather her so called friends felt that way about her. They were all on the same page. They had all talked about her behind her back. Everyone just assumed they knew what happened: That Kagome Higurashi, so torn by grief and rejection, so humiliated, who had been duped into giving up her virginity, had tried to kill herself.

Every last one of her girlfriends had said, “I know just how you feel,” when truthfully they never had a clue. Which one of their boyfriends had actually proposed? Kagome was the first, and only one to date, to carry the title of “fiancé” or “intended mate.” Which one had their male use them painstakingly in some hoax? The answer required no thought: None. No one knew how it felt. Not one person could remotely fathom how deeply such pain really ran.

To think that she wished to die because of it… well that's just plain crazy. It was no secret that having her heart run through a wood chipper would've probably felt better. There were days, weeks even, it seemed her appetite had skipped town right along with the Dog Prince. It wasn't that she was intentionally starving herself, she just simply wasn't hungry. There was that, and the fact that just about all her favorite foods reminded her of glittering sun-kissed eyes, long white hair, and magenta stripes.

One never knew the kiddie snack of hot dogs wrapped in biscuit dough could bring about a storm of emotions. And yet soon after the demon lord's departure, Yuka had whipped up a batch of pigs-in-a-blanket in an attempt to comfort a very distraught Kagome only to cause a tsunami of tears so great that the heartbroken female eventually threw up.

Upon seeing the serving tray filled with little piggies, Kagome lost it. Instantly, she was transported to the first time she'd made the treat for her taiyoukai and he decided to enlighten her on just what hotdogs were made of. Thus successfully taking all the fun out of it and totally grossing her out. Despite being overly graphic and completely disgusting, it was really sweet. In a know-it-all, Sesshomaru kind of way.

While Sesshomaru had been her first for sexual encounters, she had been his first in so much more. Not a day went by without him surprising her with the things he'd never done or experienced. Seriously, who graduated from childhood without ever eating cotton candy or riding in bumper cars?

She'd been his gateway to all the little things, the quirky, fun stuff, life had to offer. The seemingly insignificant pleasures that she, Inuyasha, Souta, and the rest of their friends took for granted were totally foreign to Sesshomaru. Kagome was quick to share with him all her favorite pastime activities and most cherished edible delights. His childlike naivety and genuine curiosity only made her fall deeper in love with him.

It had been obvious to everyone who had known them, and even quite apparent to complete strangers whose paths they'd crossed, that the pair complimented each other in every way. Even Inuyasha had to acknowledge Kagome's happiness and give his older brother credit. And was for this great love, a love that was destined to last for all time, that she almost lost herself. Almost. And it was because of this same soul searing passion for one another - which actually turned out to be completely one sided, by the way - that she was now standing on the edge again. Only this time she was facing off against the one she'd known since she was old enough to have memories. The one person who should know her better than anyone else in life.

Inuyasha.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…” As each halting word was spoken Kagome moved her hand back and forth as if she were stopping traffic. “Stop the press.” Pinching the bridge of her nose she hoped against hope that she was wrong about this but…

He can't be serious! And he said “they.” So everyone feels this way? Briefly the faces of her friends flashed in her mind. At the vision of her girlfriends laughing and smiling, a knife twisted deep within her gut. Kouga's image winked at her as the corner of his mouth rose in a cocky half-grin revealing the tip of a gleaming fang. Souta stuck his tongue out at her in his customary harmless, but nevertheless obnoxious, manner - Not you too, Squirt.

“Et tu Brute'?” The Shakespearian phase breezed through her brain, carrying with it all the shock and pain of betrayal that she was sure Caesar must've felt in that fatal moment.

A chill laced her skin and she suddenly appeared to be standing at the center of a stage, in the middle of a stadium, during the Super Bowl… stark naked.

Twice. This makes the second time today Kagome looked upon Inuyasha as if she'd never seen him a day in her life.

How the hell did they end up here?

How the hell could he think that?

*One year, four months, and three days ago*

“Look here you little shit… No, you shut the hell up!” From inside her bedroom Kagome rolled her eyes and picked up the remote control as she listened to Inuyasha tear into God knew who on the other end of the phone in the living room. “Fuck you! Keep talkin', ya hear? And I'm gonna… What?! It looks like I'm doing what?!” Various items decorating the walls shook as he thundered, “Goddammit! What kind of asshole do you think I am?! That's just sick and all the way wrong… Fuck you! Fuck you all if that's how you feel!”

With all the self control he totally didn't possess, the hanyo refrained from sending his best friend's cordless phone sailing through the skylights and into the stratosphere.

The tension floating down the short hallway was enough to make the hairs on the young woman's arms stand up like a mild electric charge.

“Is everything alright, Inuyasha?” She called.

Furry puppy ears perked at the sound of Kagome's tired voice causing him to instantly stop rubbing his throbbing temples and look up with wide golden eyes. Goddammit! He swore to himself. The last thing he'd wanted was for her to hear that. Fuck!

Inuyasha chose to ignore the question. The hanyo would cut out his own heart before he'd lie to her. And letting her know what was really going on was not an option. Things were so not cool it wasn't funny. All because of… Shit.

“I'm just gonna sleep out here tonight.” He growled.

Blinking dejectedly at the closed door separating her from the rest of the apartment Kagome sighed. Well he couldn't exactly sleep in her room forever, right? She knew Inuyasha better than he knew himself… the one thing he hated most in the universe was a female's tears. And lately it seemed that those were all she had to offer. Heavy, bawling tears… slobbery, shrieking tears… sobbing, hysterical tears… hoarse, hiccupping tears… silent, lonely, betrayed, used, heartbroken tears… just tears, tears, and yes more tears! It was a real mystery how the human body could release so much water without shriveling up into nothing.

“This Sesshomaru,” The silky baritone voice paused to chuckle lowly, “That is…I will never desert you…” As the statement seemed to flow in the space around her, a familiar sting manifested high in her nose causing forlorn blue eyes to fill once more.

Another day had gone by and her fiancé still hadn't called. One would think that after practically three weeks with no word it really wouldn't come as a shock. But how could he just disappear? Perhaps he'd been abducted and couldn't get to her…?

That was her thought the first couple of days:

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

“Kidnapped?!” Inuyasha had spat with murder in his eyes.

A total of eight of them had gathered at Ayame's loft.

“Yeah fuckin' right! I'm telling you, Kagome, that bastard played you… I'll kill him! I'll shove his nuts so far up that prissy, pompous nose…”

It was then that Ro-Ro decided to intercede, “I really don't think that would help matters at this point.” His heart tore watching Kagome curled up in the fetal position on the sofa with her head on Sango's lap. Worry filled her face and water filled her eyes.

“But where could he be?” Kagome looked pleading up at Ayame, who was seated on the floor in front of her and Sango holding a half empty box of Kleenex.

The wolf prince rose from the loveseat to stand next to Inuyasha. His nose twitched and it took an enormous amount of control not to sneeze. Damn, he hated her new smell! Not that it was unpleasant by any means. Quite the opposite, in fact. It seemed more defined, more mature. Like the color of her scent had gotten brighter.

It was the reason for the change that Kouga had a problem with. She had lost her innocence. Kagome was no longer a virgin. Granted she was in her early twenties and according to the world of today, way past the age to be untouched. But still… the whole thing just seemed… wrong.

Kouga had known from the second he caught the mutt's brother watching Kagome out of the corner of his eye two years earlier that there would be trouble. Desperately hoping, for Kagome's sake, that he was wrong and just being overly paranoid and more than a little jealous, the wolf had kept his mouth shut leaving his eyes and ears open at all times.

To pledge himself to Kagome, gain her heart and undying devotion, claim her as his Intended before all youkai society only to take advantage of her four months before the ceremony seemed a little heartless… Even for a bastard like Sesshomaru. Why even go through such a deception? Why face the wrath of the High Council and put his future reign in jeopardy? Just to prove something to Inuyasha? It didn't make sense. Being tribal prince himself, the young wolf knew how much ruling the dynasty meant.

Kagome was happy and that was all that mattered. Oh sure, it was also nice to see the half-breed ready to shit himself when she'd announced that she and Sesshomaru were dating. What a priceless moment that had been!

“He better be dead.” Kouga's voice was as cold as Sesshomaru himself. Scary. “Or he's going to wish he was.”

Souta chose that moment to speak on something that had blown his mind since finding out about the taiyoukai's disappearance, “I just can't get over you finally giving up the pussy, Sis. I mean, what the fuck?” He never was one for tact.

Not even Miroku was prepared for that. Violet eyes blinked several times at Kagome's little brother as if his brain was trying to convince his ears that surely Souta did not just say those words. Holy crap, talk about bad timing!

Kagome began to sob.

“Oh God, I'm a whore!” She wailed as the tears sprang anew.

Sango could've ripped his stupid little head off. “Great going, clown! Now look what you've done!” She roared.

Ayame hurled the tissue box in the boy's direction.

“Fucking idiot!” Cursed the white wolf, “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

With a well timed duck and spin Souta managed to avoid the flying cardboard container meant to take off his head only to run into Inuyasha. Flames were dancing in the hanyo's golden eyes as he lifted one thought of as his little brother off his feet by the throat.

“What the fuck did you just say?” He growled menacingly at the boy. Inuyasha didn't even want to think about that phony sack of shit touching Kagome, let alone have someone acknowledge it out loud. That was just entirely too much for him.

Acting fast, the dangling boy kicked his tormentor in the shin as hard as he could.

“Ah shit!” The half demon dropped him instantly. “Bastard!”

Souta barely had time to scramble out of killer-claw range as Inuyasha took a swipe meant to cut off a limb.

“Damn man!” The boy yelled once he took up a safe position behind Inuyasha's very bored looking girlfriend, Kikyo. “I was just asking, jeez!”

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

A low sounding musical tone brought Kagome out of her depressing reverie. Blinking slowly, her mind tried to pinpoint the noise. The cellular phone tucked discretely under overfilled down pillows continued to softly hum its little tune.

“Hello?” Kagome didn't recognize the number and all her friends had personal tones. Whoever the caller was, they had activated the default ringer. Maybe it was Sesshomaru at last!

“Hi sweetheart.” It was her mother.

Where the heck is she calling from?

“Listen, I'm at this little boutique I found-”

Arg! She's shopping for the wedding again… Kagome really didn't have the energy to be irritated. But she damn sure didn't have the heart to tell her mom the truth. I am SO not in the mood for this.

“- and they have the most enchanting cake topper.”

Vaguely all the times Souta had gone out of his way to tell their mother every Kagome-involved thing - mostly to get her in trouble, or to take the heat off himself - came to her mind. And now the greatest catastrophe of her life had occurred and he had not said a single word. However something of this magnitude really should come from the horse's mouth. Ha! Right.

Suzuka kept right on talking, completely unaware. “Yes, I know you two already picked one out but you have got to take a look at this little treasure. Maybe the other one is returnable.”

“You are going to have to tell her sooner or later.” A small voice sounding remarkably like her own sighed.

Later. Kagome nodded sharply, answering in her head and certainly not wanting to think about how such a conversation would take place. Much later.

Then it added, a little smugly, “Before she buys up the whole town. She's already invited the Northern hemisphere!”

I said `later.'

“When? On your now non-existent wedding day?!”

Shut up! It took a minute to realize she was arguing with herself.

“It's not that we already picked one out, mom.” Mercifully, Kagome's voice came to life on its own accord. “He-” she couldn't bear addressing him by name, “-had it specially made.” Her bottom lip quivered remembering the day her fiancé had surprised her with the delicately crafted ornament that he designed himself.

“Oh.” her mom masked the disappointment.

Kagome wasn't fooled though. Crap. Great going Kagome. She scolded herself.

“That's okay honey.” Mrs. Higurashi brightened and smiled gently. Maternal instinct was nipping at the back of her mind with persistence that something was wrong with her daughter. Certain she knew just what it was, she spoke, “You know, Kagome, I've been meaning to tell you something for awhile now. I am so proud of the woman you've become. No mother could ever be as lucky as I am.” Quietly she added, “Daddy would be proud of you too.”

Kagome gasped but couldn't speak. No, mom don't…

“Just because he won't be here to walk you down the aisle doesn't mean he's not watching over you. You've grown into a truly beautiful person inside and out. You have worked hard to obtain your goals. Even when things got tough, you always saw it through to the end. And I believe, with all of my heart, that your father would've been thrilled to have Sesshomaru as a son-in-law. You made a good choice. He's a good man and he loves you so. Oh! Listen to me rambling on! I'll let you go now. Bye.”

The walls seemed to come crashing down on Kagome - who was now standing in the bathroom adjoining her room, looking at her trembling mirror image, with tears streaming down thin, seemingly made of paper, cheeks and gripping the granite countertop with her free hand - as the phone returned to stasis mode.

It wasn't the little speech about her father. Nope. It is true that Kagome felt the tile floor give way beneath her feet leaving a yawning chasm in its place threatening to swallow her whole once she figured out where her mom was going with a that little pep talk. Sure, being reminded - like she could forget - about his not being there to give her away hurt like the dickens. But it was the last thing Mrs. Higurashi said that sealed the deal.

“He's a good man and he loves you so.” The sentenced echoed, blocking out all other sounds, shrieking, flying around the pieces of her heart that remained intact like a poltergeist on speed.

Thousands upon thousands of jumbled thoughts, stolen moments, and sacred images bombarded her mind all at once:

* - * - * - *

“This Sesshomaru would be most honored if you, Kagome Higurashi, saw fit to accompany him to the cinema this coming Saturday evening.”

Kagome gaped at her very shocked reflection in the decorative mirror hanging in the shrine foyer while slumping against the wall and trying to keep from dropping the telephone receiver - Which had become rather slippery all of a sudden… oh crap! Her palms were sweating! - Did Inuyasha's brother just ask her out?! Dear God, she had to be dreaming.

* - * - * - *

Kagome stared at the young taiyoukai in front of her dry-mouthed and all out speechless - he seemed to get her in such a state quite often - “Woman, you will answer this Sesshomaru.”

Clearly silence was not something he was used to once he asked a question. “It is customary among humans to present a gift or offering to celebrate one's birth, is it not? This Sesshomaru will inquire once more… What type of offering do you wish of This One?”

Kagome was in a fog. Did Sesshomaru just…? Noooo… Surely he didn't just ask her what she wanted for her birthday! Holy crap, he was cute. Sure, the lunch dates - if she even dared to dream that he thought of their outings as such - were nice. The movies had been a little weird - mainly because she was so nervous after Inuyasha threatened to “gut that fucking ass-wipe if he breathed on her wrong” since she'd been still reeling from the invitation in the first place…

Man, he is so cute!

Oh wait, she noticed what could be only a look of displeasure on his perfect face, he's still waiting on an answer…

It was then that her normally ever present brain decided to go AWOL. Great, just great! She was going to offend him with her mute demeanor. Darn you lips! Move! Move I say!

From the opposite side of the tennis court an equally surprised, slack-jawed, Sango leapt over the net just in time to keep Kagome from swaying.

“You're right, Lord Sesshomaru.” Nervously, Sango spoke on her mute friend's behalf. “However it is also tradition for acquaintances of the one having the birthday to come up with a gift idea themselves.”

“Hn.” The taiyoukai arched a brow as he regarded the taller female coldly. He had not been addressing her.

Kagome watched as the focus of his otherworldly eyes shifted back to her. Something deep within those molten depths changed. For some reason the warmth they contained caused her to blush prettily.

Apparently satisfied, Sesshomaru strode away leaving the pair to finish their game. But not before making a mental note of how incredible Kagome looked in that little white skirt and half tank-top that showed her well toned stomach.

* - * - * - *

“So then I said `there is no way I'm going out with you!'” Ayumi babbled.

Kagome grinned as the pair stepped off the elevator and headed for her office loaded down with files. “I can't believe Hakudoshi would even ask. I mean, get real!”

“Uh yeah.” The other female did her famous valley girl impression and rolled her neck. “Eww… And he was totally serious. Can you imagine? Ugh!” She visibly shuddered, stopping when they reached Kagome's closed door.

“Here.” Kagome lowered her own load so Ayumi could put hers on top. “I'll hold yours, you open the door.”

Wavy brown hair bounced slightly as the girl nodded before complying.

Adjusting her fingers and willing her arms not to fall off under the added weight, Kagome cursed the moron who decided to wait until the last minute to audit the treasury department. Her knees bent under the strain. Dropping the manila skyscraper was out of the question. They'd spend weeks just trying to figure out what paper went where.

“Hang on, girl.” The next thing she knew Ayumi was taking back her pile. She'd been a little apprehensive once she noticed Kagome's lessened height so she quickly threw the door open and rushed back to relieve the sinking woman. “I've got you.”

“Whew! Thanks.”

Stepping into the dark room they resumed their previous conversation:

“So anyway then he goes `you need to stop tripping and let me taste that.”

“What?!” Blue eyes went wide even though she could barely see over the stack in her hands. “That perv! So what did you say?”

Grunting and bending her knees Ayumi leaned against the wall then stood up using her shoulder to flip the light switch up bathing the room in fluorescent light. “Nothing! I hung up on his stupid a-”

From behind the mountain in her arms Kagome heard the heart stopping sound of dozens of folders crashing to the floor and a whirlwind of loose documents fluttering in all directions. She gasped, “Ayumi what-”

But was cut off by a breathless, “Oh… My… God…Oh my God.”

Kagome's heart repositioned itself in her throat as dread wrapped around her lungs. In response her arms gave themselves a manual override letting her own bundle drop heavily.

“Oh my God, Kagome…” Face ashen and jaw on the floor, Ayumi pointed. “Look.”

Instinctively her neck turned in the direction indicated by the stunned girl's finger. Stumbling slightly at the sight that greeted her, Kagome brought a hand to her chest. “Oh… My… God…”

Her office was filled wall to wall with hundreds, probably thousands, of roses in every shade imaginable. Every inch of the floor, save the small place just inside the door, and every single flat surface either hosted a vase or a bundle. She couldn't even see the outlines of her furniture. Everything, from the ceiling high bookshelves to the short three-drawer file cabinets, and even the wicker magazine basket on the floor, had been wholly engulfed.

She didn't remember tip-toeing over to where her desk was supposed to be. But somehow she'd navigated the floral jungle. Her hand reached out to the enormous vase at the center of her desk where a single, long-stemmed, blood-red rose stood out in a sea of pristine white ones. While fingering the crimson petals she plucked a card from the arrangement and read:

Roses are Red,

Yours Eyes are Blue,

Each petal represents,

Every moment I think of you.

Sesshomaru

“Oh Kagome…,” Her starry eyed friend was next to her, reading over her shoulder. “Oh wow…”

Oh wow…Mouthing silently, for she could do nothing else at the time, Kagome agreed.

With a shake of her brunette head Ayumi gave her friend an appraising glance. “I don't know what you did to him girl… but he is head over heels.”

“Yeah,” sapphire eyes closed as Kagome soaked in the feeling of the soft petals against her cheek. “Me too.”

After giving a low whistle Ayumi spoke sternly, “You better thank the hell out of him. Throw all these flowers on a bed and-”

“Yumi…” Kagome blushed knowing where her hopelessly romantic, and even more hopelessly perverted, girlfriend was headed.

“What? Girl, your man is romantic, attentive, sexy beyond all reason, not to mention just a little in love with you, and” her doe eyes twinkled naughtily, “I'd bet my Beanie Baby collection that he's got an enormous-”

“Ayumi!”

* - * - * - *

Before her mind went any further with acknowledging just how right Ayumi had been about his… um… endowment, Kagome pursed her lips glaring at the pitiful reflection facing her.

“What does it matter anyhow?” she asked her falling tears. Strengthening her resolve she all but growled, “Forget this. I'm going to bed.”

After retrieving two Advil from the small bottle in the medicine cabinet and filling her water glass, Kagome marched toward her bed.

Stupid! Plopping down hard, like it would ease her heartache to hurt the mattress, she gave a frowning huff. Like he would ever fall for me.

“Never doubt my sentiments, beautiful Kagome.”

“You have captured me, precious one. I will love you, and only you, well beyond the end of all things.”

Shut up! Goodness knew how she wanted to scream it from the rooftops. Liar!

With a toss of her head the candy-coated pills were popped into her mouth. A deep chug of water followed.

Her conscious, it seemed, was working on cruel overload tonight. Daddy would be proud of you too.

Kagome scoffed out loud, “Proud? Yeah right.” She couldn't think of anything more disappointing. Who could show pride in a daughter who'd been so gullible, so naïve, so stupid?

And now she had pushed Inuyasha away. Of all nights for her mother to call going on about her dad and how much Sesshomaru loved her, she had picked the one that the hanyo decided he needed a break and chose to sleep on the sofa. Fabulous.

*-*-*-*

“Kagome… is that a Dog Star around your neck? It is… why that means you have accepted!” Lord Taisho had beamed, almost crushing the life out of her with the force of his hug. “Oh, how you honor my family.”

Boredly, her fiancé pointed out, “Father, should you continue to compress the rib cage of This Sesshomaru's intended mate in such a way, the only thing she will be capable of honoring is a tomb.”

The walls housing the ruling taiyoukai's gargantuan office vibrated as his laughter rolled out like thunder. He needed no more convincing. The small human female now held loosely in his arms was truly an angel. Her loyalty, pure heart, and undying devotion had given his younger son purpose long ago and now she had somehow given his heir a sense of humor. Only someone with the power of the Heavens could accomplish such a feat. And she had done it without even trying.

Yes, the Dog Lord's empire would be cradled in capable hands once his son took things over. With Kagome ruling at Sesshomaru's side the Inu Dynasty could likely become the strongest powerhouse - by youkai standards, of course - in all the world.

*-*-*-*

Absently Kagome reached up to finger the thin gold chain draped around her neck. Hanging from it was a single fang housed in a web of delicate gold lattice. Three symbols, supposedly Sesshomaru's name in ancient text, were flawlessly etched vertically into the gleaming white enamel. The sharp tip pointed downward, while the four tines of the root portion embraced a shimmering, marble-sized pink jewel.

The Dog Star.

A very old, and almost forgotten, tradition among inuyoukai males presenting suit. Demon men would use one of their own teeth as sort of an engagement gift. In rare instances, depending on the wealth of the suitor and the depth of his affections for the female, a diamond, ruby, or other precious stone would be embedded into the tooth.

Demons would spend fortunes seeking the most valuable gems. But as the times changed youkai females began to hunger for shiny baubles and trinkets. The lust for fist-full's of rings, necklaces, broaches, earrings, and bracelets made of nothing but gold, silver, and sparkling jewels practically wiped out the Star's meaning and symbolism like a plague.

Kagome knew that the pink sphere was not a traditional precious stone. In fact, she'd never seen anything quite like it. The depths held an inner glow… almost as if it were alive.

Leave it to Sesshomaru to find a one of a kind jewel. It was something rarer than rare, something from the world of old. And, judging by her grandfather's reaction, something of immense holy power.

*-*-*-*

“Child, do you not know what this is?!” He'd cried excitedly, “It is the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls!”

Souta and Kagome stared at the old man blankly.

“Are we supposed to know what the hell he's talking about?” Squirt whispered to his sister.

Her shrug let him know they were on the same page.

Orito was livid, but ecstatic all at the same time. Did these infernal children never listen to a word he said?! Instead of showing his annoyance toward the youths, the priest turned to the demon responsible for seeking, finding, and returning his family's revered treasure to its rightful place.

“On behalf of my ancestors, I thank you.” He ignored Kagome's giggle and Souta's groan. “My blessing for your union is granted.”

The bride-to-be almost choked and stole a glance at Sesshomaru. An elegant eyebrow was arched and his perfect lips were pursed. Then in one smooth facial movement the lifted brow settled back to its natural place and smoldering amber eyes narrowed dangerously.

Don't say it, Sesshomaru, please. Blue eyes gave an inaudible plea.

Souta hid a giggle of his own behind a cough. He knew the taiyoukai needed no such thing from their grandpa. Screw a blessing! He wanted Kagome and heaven help the idiot who stood in the way.

Miraculously the This Sesshomaru needs not your meaningless sanction to claim his mate, foolish priest, both Higurashi children were expecting - or something like it - never came.

*-*-*-*

As she sat on the edge of the bed, Kagome refused to give into to the tears that were demanding to be shed. Cry for what? Would crying bring him back? If her eyes let a million tears fall, would he grace her with a phone call? Does he care that she's crying? Does he even think of her at all? Does he think of them?

No.

The answer was final. To each question the response was the same.

Sighing, she rose from her seated position. As her legs straightened, she felt something smooth begin to roll loose from between her knees.

A fraction of a second too late Kagome tightened her muscles in an attempt to secure the water glass she'd absently placed there.

Crap!

Dropping unceremoniously to the floor just as the cup crashed and broke, she was rewarded with tiny shards spraying lightly over her hands. The large bottom portion stayed mostly intact but she could see the treacherous jagged edges as it rolled under the bed.

“Oh no you don't!” Her small hand gave chase to the renegade fragment.

After patting around for a few seconds and slowly inching more of her arm under the bed, Kagome felt stinging flames race up the entire left side of her body.

An accident. She'd cut her arm on accident. Off and on for the past year she would try to remember what happened between the time the pain was first felt and waking up in the hospital to see worried golden eyes staring at her. Inuyasha would never speak of it so eventually she gave up.

Now she realized that was a mistake.

***End Flashback***

“You think I tried to kill myself?!” Furry ears flattened at Kagome's enraged accusation.

Inuyasha was speechless. Of course she tried to commit suicide… he was there; he was the one who found her.

“Answer me!”

He gulped before responding, “I saw you-”

“You saw what, Inuyasha? You saw a cut on my arm! My forearm at that! Or don't you at least think I'd know enough to cut my wrist if I wanted to die?!”

“Kagome.” By now the half demon's mind was whirling with the impact of his lapse in judgment. This was bad. In fact it was worse than that. It was fucked up. Damn.

“All this time?! All this time and you never said a word to me… you never once asked! None of you did!”

He had to make this right. He should've known Kagome better than that… but with the way she'd been acting after that son-of-a-bitch left… was it really that farfetched?

Yes! Apparently, dumbass, it was! His brain supplied.

Salt tackled his nose. Shit, Kagome was crying.

“How could you?” she whispered, “Is that really what you think of me? That I'm some lunatic that needs to be put in a padded room?”

“No, but-”

“Leave.”

“Huh?”

“I want you to leave.”

“Kagome, listen, I-”

“Get out!” Screaming, she flung open the bedroom door causing it to crash into the wall.

As if things could get anymore chaotic, the scene in the hallway was not what she had expected to see. Shippo and Suikotsu had their backs to her. Ro-Ro, Thunder, B, and her brother were all in front of Kouga - Hiten and Bankotsu at his chest, and Souta and Miroku at his waist - attempting to push him backward like a football sled. Sango was on his back and Ayumi and Eri were each wrapped around a leg for dear life.

“What the fuck?” Inuyasha observed from over her shoulder.

“I don't know what the hell you said in there,” Shippo didn't even turn around while speaking to the half demon, “but whatever it was has put him in a blood rage. Congratulations.”

“Keh!”

Kagome just couldn't take anymore. “What is going on out here?!” Her well deserved breakdown loomed brightly under the surface.

“Well in case you haven't noticed,” Grunting, Souta dug his feet into the carpet before giving a mighty shove with his shoulder, “Kouga's a little nuts right now.”

“So Inuyasha I really think it'd be best if you went out the window.” Hiten barely evaded the deadly swipe of wolf claws.

“I ain't going no fucking where!” He couldn't give a shit less that the mangy fleabag was snapping and snarling with glowing red eyes. With the way his head was spinning and all the emotions, mixed feelings, and misunderstandings that were dancing around, he could use a good workout to relieve some tension. Kicking Kouga's ass would be a welcome distraction from his own horrible assumptions.

“Oh yes you are!” Kagome snapped, remembering what came to light in the bedroom. I mean it… leave! All of you!”

All these people in her home were supposed to be her friends. But instead of trusting and believing in her, they had betrayed her. Every last one of them thought she had tried to kill herself… and they never even bothered to ask! What kind of real “friend” does that?

Good grief. If she really did need help with depression they would've just ignored her thinking that it was best to pretend the problem wasn't there! She could've killed herself a hundred times by now for all they cared.

“Huh?” Suikotsu glanced over his shoulder at her.

“Out!” Kagome shouted, pointing toward the opposite end of the hallway for emphasis.

Shippo stumbled as her scent spiked fiercely. He could tell that not only was she serious, but she was pissed as well.

Burning ruby eyes blinked as the irate wolf caught wind of “his” female's fury. Through the haze in his mind, he issued a feral warning growl that sounded as if it came right out of some blood and guts horror movie to all the other males present.

“You too!” The small female challenged the wolf prince with narrow eyes.

Feeling the tense muscles of their friend relax, the four men restraining Kouga cautiously released him. The females slowly slid away from him also.

“Sis, what's wrong?” Souta cocked his head worriedly.

Did he really just ask her that? Surely he had to be joking.

Kagome snorted, “What's wrong? A little late to be asking that now, isn't it?”

“Kay, what's going on?” Sango stepped around Kouga. “Inuyasha, what did you do?”

“What did I do?! Keh!” His temper began to rise at the allegation. “I didn't do a fucking thing!”

Ayumi rubbed her temples before glaring at the hanyo. “Well somebody did something! First Kouga flips out, and now Kagome is kicking us out.”

Kagome was beside herself with the knowledge that not only were her friends not vacating her apartment, but now they were actually standing here arguing like she wasn't even there!

“What the hell does it matter?!” The use of a swear word brought all eyes to the petite woman. The royal blue pigment swiftly returned to the wolf taiyoukai's eyes. “I want all of you out! Now!”

“Baby girl.” Kouga, still panting from the struggle, wrinkled his forehead and reached for her. His hand paused when she folded her arms across her chest and gave him a look that would freeze the sun.

Miroku nodded as he grabbed a very stunned Hiten and Bankotsu by the upper arm and led them to the living room. “The lady has asked up to depart and we will honor her wishes. Souta, since I am your transportation I think it's best that you gather your things.”

Kagome spun around Inuyasha, shoved him out of her doorway, and slammed it closed.

“What the hell happened in there?” Houjo whispered when everyone was back in the front room.

Kouga snarled and pointed, “I'll tell you what happened! This fucking mutt-”

“Enough!” Ro-Ro was finally fed up. Not one member of their little pack could remember three times in their whole lives when Miroku had raised his voice. Surely it was to be respected and feared. “Ladies, gentlemen, I strongly urge you to collect your belongings and go. Clearly it is not the time, nor place, to get into anything further. Now, I bid you all good day.”

*-*-*-*-*-*

“Okay, so where are we going?” Sango asked Miroku while sitting in her car with the driver side door hanging open.

Everyone was in the parking lot kind of just looking around like zombies, not knowing what to say.

“What do you mean, butterfly?” He replied. Sighing deeply he realized there was a migraine in his future. Great, just great.

“I mean we need to relocate and figure out what the hell just happened up there.”

“I agree.” Hiten raised his kickstand before swinging a leg over his motorcycle.

Shippo was perched on the hood of his forest green G6. “We were wrong.” He murmured.

“Wrong?” Hawk repeated leaning against his sister's car. “Wrong about what?”

The kit didn't respond. Instead he stared at the ground hopelessly.

“Man, don't start that crying shit again.” Bankotsu rolled his eyes.

Kouga regard the very pissed and confused looking half demon. Flexing his claws, he spoke, “I heard what the fuck you said to her, mutt.”

Here we go… Souta readied himself to jump in between those two. The last thing he needed was for his sister to come outside and catch them fighting.

Dammit. B-Boy was right along with his younger friend and his body tensed for action.

“Uh guys…” Eri could almost sense the storm. With self preservation in mind, she took up a safe spot on the far side of Houjo's champagne colored 4 Runner.

“Fuck you, asshole!” Inuyasha sent a spit wad hurling to the ground. “Mind your fucking business before I beat the shit out of you.”

“Anytime you're ready, half-breed!” The wolf growled.

“Wait a second.” Thankfully Ayumi interjected angrily, “What do you mean you heard what he said?! Were you eavesdropping?!”

Busted! Inuyasha smirked.

Faltering in his combat stance the prince stuttered, “I-I was making sure she was alright!”

Sango glared at him, “You had no right. Kagome hates that and you know it!”

“It was a private conversation.” Eri shook her finger. “If Inuyasha wanted us to know what they were talking about he would've just stayed in the living room.”

“Well it's a good thing I did listen in!” Kouga defended his position. “You should've heard what-”

“No, we shouldn't have.” Suikotsu sighed suddenly getting the feeling that Inuyasha was the least of Kouga's problem because he was about to get jumped by the girls.

“They're right.” Shippo sided with the females. “Whatever was said put you into a blood rage.”

Inuyasha's ears twitched when his headache was intensified by all the tension floating around. There was that and the fact that he'd been so far off the map as far as Kagome was concerned it wasn't funny. How could he have been so wrong? But it made sense… didn't it?

Finally giving up with a growl, he decided that he needed to ease his mind. And there was only one way he could think of to do it quickly. Yeah, he knew Kagome would kill him if she ever found out but…

“Hydro!”

Houjo winced when the half demon called his nickname. Uh-oh. This could only mean one thing. No-one ever called him that within a five-mile radius of Kagome. And for good reason. If she knew he was still into that, or that most of them partook in such things, she'd be beyond livid. Wow, whatever happened in that room must've been really intense.

“I need some of that sticky.” The dog finished, as if anyone had a doubt where he was going with it.

“Man, are you crazy?!” Hiten hissed darting his eyes at Kagome's window.

Bankotsu, who'd ironically just been thinking the same thing and was thankful someone else brought it up, flicked his braid, “What if she hears you?!”

“Keh!” He didn't care. He also knew it was up to him to tell them all they had fucked up royally and that wasn't going to be easy. On top of that he still had to deal with his brother coming back! Shit, how much did they think his brain could handle?!

Let's see: Sesshomaru coming home… Parents hiding it and ruining his hangover… Telling Kagome subtly shot to hell… Sesshomaru coming home… Hurting the one person he actually gave a shit about by not having faith in her… Sesshomaru being alive… Getting kicked out of Kagome's house… Having to be the one to tell his pack the truth… His father not drowning Sesshomaru at birth… Making Kagome cry… Sesshomaru not killing himself when he realized he was a fucking asshole… Having to face his own part in hurting Kagome and realizing that he couldn't put all the blame on his pussy-ass brother - now that was the big one.

Naaaah! It was all still pretty boys' fault. If he had never pretended to love her, none of this would've happened. Yup… it was ALL Sesshomaru's fault.

Either way, he felt the overwhelming need to let his brain float away for awhile. He needed that ever forgiving, make it all better - or at least lessen just how bad shit really was - herbal remedy.

“For once, I agree.” Shippo nodded fiercely, successfully shocking all present.

“Wha…? Shippo you don't smoke.” Kohaku was surprised and proud all at the same time. They had finally corrupted the timid little fox kit. Sweet!

The kitsune locked eyes with Inuyasha, “I heard what was said right before she opened the door.” Then quickly he clarified, “I wasn't listening. I just overheard when we were trying to keep Kouga from going in.”

What the hell was going on? The suspense was killing Souta. Inuyasha's bring up smoking way too close to his sister's for comfort and Shippo agrees?! Whatever the conversation was about has fried the poor fox-child so much that he wants to get his mind blown… Woooow.

“Inuyasha, what do you need?” Houjo referred to quantity while pressing his keyless entry. He didn't want to ask why his friend wanted it. Their Alpha had requested something out of the ordinary, so it had to be serious. “I'm going to have to go by the spot and pick it up.”

“A lot.” Shippo spoke before the hanyo could open his mouth. “We're going to need it.”

“Would someone care to enlighten me as to what the hell is going on and why the kid over there has suddenly decided to smoke trees?” Miroku looked toward Kouga and Inuyasha.

“Like I said,” The kitsune was annoyed, “we were wrong.”

“About?” Sango really hated when people knew things she didn't and talked in riddles instead of just coming out with it.

It was obvious they weren't going to leave it alone. Fuck it. Now or later, it really doesn't matter. “Kagome never tried to kill herself.” He muttered, not daring to look at anyone. “It was all an accident. The fucked up thing is we all believed the worst about her. And now, well…” His voice trailed off with a shrug.

A universal gasp followed Inuyasha's words.

“Holy shit…” Squirt blinked his wide eyes and slowly moved backward toward Miroku's car.

“What do you mean?” Eri panicked.

“My house!” Ro shouted as he and Souta slammed his doors.

“Just what he said!” Shippo yanked open his car door, “We were wrong. And now we have one gigantic mess on our hands. So can we please shut up and go to Ro's? Time is a luxury we don't have and we are by no means ready for Sesshomaru's arrival in light of our own stupidity.”

It seemed like an endless moment before the fox's words sank in. But then it was over in a flash. Everyone scrambled this way and that hopping into vehicles and revving motorcycles.

“You've gotta be shitting me!” Kouga growled to himself throwing the Avalanche into drive. His tires smoked and kicked up dust as he sped off behind the convoy of his pack. “You've gotta be fucking shitting me!”

*-*-*-*-*

The premium Bose sound system belted out the flawless melody of Kenny G's Songbird through its twenty-four speakers at an almost deafening pitch. However, the mirror tinted privacy windows betrayed none of the sounds within the cabin of the limousine as it glided down the country road.

Even over the thundering music, the passenger lounged in the spacious compartment heard the glass separating him from the driver slide open.

“Please forgive the intrusion, my Lord.”

The taiyoukai didn't make any movement acknowledging that he'd heard his manservant. His order for no interruptions had been disobeyed. Unacceptable.

“Lord Taisho is on the line.”

He waited until the privacy glass was once again closed before allowing lids to reveal honey hued pupils. Resisting the urge to sigh, he lowered the stereo volume via the remote control resting on his thigh. His right hand raised the handset nestled in the plush leather console.

“Speak.” His voice was cold and did nothing to hide his annoyance.

After the caller had spoken he flatly replied, “That is not possible.”

The voice on the other end became louder, more insistent.

Eyes narrowing venomously he stated, “Whatever it is will wait. I have a prior engagement that I will not alter.”

A normal person would've dropped the phone trembling with fear at the sheer rage that filtered through the earpiece. As it was though, the younger taiyoukai wasn't impressed.

He must've been away too long. His sire was becoming soft and foolish if he thought to threaten the future ruler of the clan. The once proud and fearsome leader of the Dog Clan was now behaving like his insignificant half-breed son instead of the emperor of a dynasty. If he didn't know better, he'd swear his father was throwing a tantrum.

The Dog General kept barking and howling his displeasure but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. Finally he did manage to hit a nerve. He had the audacity to call his heir “dishonorable.”

What the hell…? Sesshomaru almost vocalized the question but caught himself in time by literally biting his tongue. Pushing back the urge to have a tantrum of his own - because he was Sesshomaru and as Sesshomaru he was far above such petty things as a yelling match over the phone - he regained his blank composure before saying:

“As you wish.”

Before Lord Taisho could say anything further the line was disconnected.

As soon as the intercom button was pressed, the high pitched voice of his servant answered, “Yes milord?”

“To the manor, Jaken.”

“Right away, Lord Se-” the toad was cut off when his master hung up.

Odd. The old demon thought as he turned onto the cobblestone drive. Glancing up at the enormous triple archway he questioned, What is so urgent that my Lord has changed his plans to visit his mother's grave? He turned his nose up at the bouquet resting on the passenger seat beside him. He'd picked up the bundle from the gift shop at the airport and they were nowhere near as nice as the ones his great master normally purchased. But, he supposed, they would just have to do in such a short notice.

Shaking his head with a sigh, he maneuvered the luxury automobile into a U-turn and set out for Lord Taisho's home.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Lord Inu Taisho placed the phone back on its cradle before leaning back in his chair and folding his clawed hands together. Through red tinted eyes he regarded the nervous individual seated across the desk.

He should never have let his son get him that upset. It was entirely out of character. Or at least it should have been. This day was supposed to be one of great joy. His family would be together again. He was no fool. He knew there would be tension between his male children. There always was. But the Great Lord of Dogs would never have fathomed such fury from one and such irreparable damage caused by the other.

He always considered himself a pretty decent father figure. At least as far as Sesshomaru went. He felt that if he taught his successor nothing else, he had instilled a great sense of honor. In fact it appeared that the prince would be the most honorable of Lords to ever rule the dynasty. How could he have been so wrong?

His relationship with Inuyasha had always been troubled. It was not due to a lack of trying on his part, nor lack of interest. He simply did not know how to relate to his younger sons human side. Inuyasha's brash and emotion filled behavior often left the Great Dog scratching his head - figuratively, of course.

“My Lord, you must understand.” The other occupant in the office wrung his hands nervously. “It is extremely unethical for you to view those documents.”

Poor Jeninji.

Lord Taisho had not meant to vent his frustration out on his friend. Ever since Inuyasha had put a bug in his pointed ear about why he expressed such hatred for his older sibling the Ruler of Dogs had been doing some digging.

Retreating to the confines of his home-office with his faithful servant, Myoga, in tow he began to look for any clue that would help him understand just how things had gotten so bad without him even noticing.

After searching just about every file on his computer having to do with his children he came across something very interesting. A very large monetary charge from Inuyasha's personal account was paid to Community Hospital a little over a year ago. This puzzled him greatly because his son has always had medical coverage through the company. There was absolutely no need for the half demon to pay out of pocket for anything. Let alone from his personal spending account. He should've contacted their health care provider if he were having a problem with coverage, or at least used a company credit card. And judging by the amount, it was for something very serious. That brought up another mystery. When was Inuyasha ill enough to be hospitalized? Why had no-one contacted him or his wife?

Those questions brought him to his current state. He'd immediately called Jeninji, the hospital's Administrator. It took a good deal of time before the healing hanyo was able to locate information pertaining to the payment in question. One major setback in the quest was there was absolutely no record of Inuyasha Taisho being admitted since he fractured his collar bone and broke two ribs playing football in 8th grade. Clearly they were way off base. That was covered by Taisho Enterprises, and the boy was most definitely a minor at the time.

It was by pure luck that while they were going through the patient log for the day the charges were incurred, the name of someone very close to Lord Taisho's son jumped out like a blinking red sign.

Kagome Higurashi.

This captured Inu's interest and he asked what she'd been admitted for and why his son paid for the entire thing himself. If he weren't mistaken, the girl was still covered by her father's military benefits. But even if that weren't the case, the day she accepted Sesshomaru's suit Lord Taisho had personally added her to the family's plan. All and all there was absolutely no reason for anyone to have to pay for anything.

Unfortunately, it was left up to Jeninji to inform his old friend that hospital records were strictly confidential and that both Kagome and Inuyasha were adults so they would have to sign a waiver in order for anyone to have access. He had also stated that Inuyasha could only authorize the financial records because he was not the patient in question. Needless to say, that did not go over well…

“I don't care what you policy is!” Thundered the increasingly worried taiyoukai. “Need I remind you that it is I who control the vast majority of your funding?” The tweak in the back of his brain reminded him that resorting to threats was far beneath one of his station. Things just didn't add up. His son had blatantly hidden something from him. In light of things disclosed that very morning, Inu felt that those records contained something of great importance.

Scared out of his wits and acting against everything he'd been taught in medical school, Jeninji smuggled the original file from the archives and raced for the taiyoukai's house.

“I apologize, old friend.” Inu sighed. He couldn't believe things had come to this. “Though you cannot know how much I appreciate what you've done, my actions have been inexcusable.”

Jeninji visibly relaxed now that the feeling his head would be removed had passed. He was still nervous though. With the way Inu had spoken to who he could only assume was his eldest son, considering regular English had been replaced with angry snarling and barking, he wondered how much longer his presence would be needed.

“I have one more thing to ask.” The Great Dog seemed to read his mind. “My son will be arriving shortly and I must request that you go now, leaving this.” He spread his large hands over the manila folder. “I need you to trust that no harm will come to it nor the information contained within.”

He could sense the doctor's hesitation. And though he could understand the reasoning, Inu needed to hold on to the file for the confrontation with his heir. “Rest assured that I will have it returned to you by messenger first thing in the morning.”

Jeninji nodded, “Of course, my Lord.”

The two males rose and shook hands. Inu walked the hanyo to the door of the study and bid him farewell.

Seated once again behind his desk, he opened the folder.

What is the meaning of this, Sesshomaru? He wondered sadly.

Picking up the document laying on top the demon ran a hand down his face and sighed. Kagome, why did you not come to me?

Releasing the paper to flutter back to the desk's surface, Lord Inu Taisho, ruler of the Great Dog Clan, and Master of the House of the Moon stared sadly at two agonizing words: Attempted Suicide

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A/N: OM-F-G it's finished! This freaking chapter has given me the blues! I've been trying to get this thing done forever. Stupid writer's block & inspiration just up & leaving when it got good & damn ready. Ugh! I am SO sorry it was so long!

Was it too long? Does it sound stupid? Believe me; I will never make another chapter this long. It's over 12,000 freaking words! But now Sesshy is home & we can shift into high gear. Woo-Hoo! Yes, Inuyasha & his boys smoke. Anyone who ever has would understand his dilemma. *LOL* I do not condone drug use! But hey, it happens.

Preview: Sesshomaru finds himself in the doghouse in more ways than one, Kagome comes face to face with her ex, and Kikyo schemes her revenge.