InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Silver Dove and the Raven ❯ Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Kagome mused in the chair while Isabella washed her locks in the sink. Isabella occasionally glanced at her and chuckled when she noticed how much she was smiling.

"You seem to be in the clouds lately." She said.

Kagome snapped out of her thoughts. "What do you mean?"

"You've been quiet and smiling since you got in this chair. Are you thinking about Sesshomaru?"

Kagome blushed and looked to the side while she lathered her hair. "No. I wasn't…I was…"

"Uh-huh." Isabella teased. "You guys are acting like teenagers. It is how you say…cute. You both have changed so much in the last couple weeks."

Kagome droned. "Hmm…yeah, I guess."

"So, when did you guys really hook up, after that kiss?" she asked and Kagome quickly turned to her.

"You knew?"

Isabella nodded. "It was obvious that you both weren't together but it was also obvious that there was something going on."

Kagome bit her lip and sighed. There was no use in lying anymore. She was actually glad. Isabella wasn't someone she enjoyed lying to. " I never thought I'd date a demon again. Actually, he was the last person I'd ever think I'd date."

Isabella laughed. "Why? He is attractive, he seems smart, and I heard he is wealthy. That is like every woman's dream."

Kagome scoffed. "but you have no idea how much of a jerk he was."

"You'd be surprised who you fall in love with. I fell for this guy one time who used to push me and put gum in my hair in middle school; we dated for four years in high school."

"What happened?"

"Eh, we just went our different ways." She shrugged. She placed a purple streak of her hair behind her ear. Kagome quickly took in her appearance with admiration. Isabella was quite pretty. She was very slender, average height, dressed very funky, and laid back. Her jeans always had holes in them. Her choppy dirty blonde hair always had a fun color highlight in it. Today was purple. It complimented her green eyes and her Cindy Lou who nose.

"I don't know what to do." Kagome said. "I keep thinking this is not going to work. He and I are just too different."

"and…by different, you mean, different views or different interests? Or is it …eh…just the fact that you are a human and he is a demon."

"I know it's stupid but in my experience, it is a big thing. All of the demons I know just date other demons. Their parents forbid them to have something serious with a human. They are very old- fashioned and traditional."

"You must've bad past with dog, eh? He must have…eh…bit you hard, so to speak."

"Well, because of that dog, my mother won't speak to me. I embarrassed her in front of her friends and I am shunned from the entire family because I was willing to give it up for that guy." She paused and shook her head. "I was so stupid."

"We all make eh… sacrifices….sometimes it's for wrong reason or in this case, wrong person. You learn from it and you move on. Your mother sounds like stubborn woman but I bet she misses you and cries every night."

"Yeah, right." Kagome scowled; blinking back the tears she could feel were coming if they continued to talk about this subject. "So I can't wait for you to meet Koga. He should be coming very soon."

Isabella frowned taking that as a hint to stop talking about it. "Oh? Is that the one in band?" She wrapped a towel around her head and started to dry her hair.

"Yeah, he has a concert in Paris, London and one here, in Rome."

They stopped talking as Isabella led her to another chair. She unwrapped the towel and Kagome's ebony mane fell down past Isabella's knees. Isabella raised her brows at how long Kagome's hair was and ran a comb through her hair. She parted her hair to the side and trimmed her ends. She noticed a

mark on her neck through the strands of her hair and moved it to the side to see it better. She poked it and Kagome looked at her suspiciously through the mirror.

"What are you doing?"

"There is some strange mark behind your neck. Does it hurt when I do this?"

Kagome laughed. "No, just feels like you poking me. What does it look like?"

"Eh…it looks like teeth mark but it is comes out like bubble. It almost looks like a circle." She looked at Kagome with a teasing grin.

Kagome blushed again. Was it when he bit behind her neck a couple of weeks ago? She'd thought it would be gone by now but then again, every time they made love, he'd bite or gnaw at that particular spot. This made her think about the question one of the reporters had asked him weeks ago. Was she marked?

There was another long moment of silence. Isabella continued to trim her hair and blow dried it after she was done.

"So, things go well between you and him?"

Kagome nodded and looked at her with a saddened smile. "Yeah, it's going so great. I just feel…so comfortable around him, you know? He has another side to him that no one gets to see, sometimes I don't get to see it either. He's funny and he is very observant…I'm not sure yet if that's a good thing or not. He also seems to listen to everything that I say. I can tell he listens because he questions everything. The other night I rambled on about a Halloween I spent with my brother a couple of years back. We cut up our mother's favorite bed sheets and ran around like ghosts, scaring each other and tripping over the long blankets. Of course we got in trouble, especially me since I'm a lot older…"Kagome stopped to laugh. She seemed to miss her family a lot. "Anyway, I thought he wasn't really paying attention since he was on his laptop but he asked me questions like 'What else did you do that day?' or he asked what was my mother like or my brother. He cares to know the little things…"

"He cares about the things that are important to you." Isabella added.

Kagome stammered on her next word and looked down at her lap. She picked at the fabric of her shirt. "I'm kind of nervous." She tittered. "We leave next week back to New York, back to our old lives. What if we go back and it was like it never happened?"

Isabella pursed her lips and met her eyes through the mirror. Her green eyes were bright and soothing. "The way you both look at each other? I don't think it's possible."

"It could be a temporary infatuation. Maybe it was just because we were confined to a room together for two months and we had to rely solely on each other's company."

"Eh…you lost me with some of those words." She said. "but either way, you're wrong."

Kagome sighed. Her relationship with him felt so surreal, she couldn't help doubt it. It was her own defense mechanism preparing her incase of disappointment. "There are so many beautiful demons out there. I can't ever compare to a demon girl's beauty. He comes from wealth and he's dated models and celebrities before. I'm just average; a nobody. I came into this business because Marques was desperate and I happened to fit in his minus zero clothing, which by the way, are becoming loose on me, thanks to Marla. No sandwiches?"

Isabella laughed. "Sorry, I actually ate it."

Kagome sighed. "It's ok. I mean, you have to eat too, I understand. Besides, I've gotten used to not eating so much. I used to be able to eat a whole pizza pie and a two liter soda by myself." She said, taking great pride at her gluttony. "now, I'll be surprised if I can finish a slice without feeling so full."

Isabella muttered something in Italian. "Well, don't get too thin like these girls around here. I always expect their bones to come off while they walk."

Kagome laughed. "I wish I could take you back with me to New York. Can't you come?"

Isabella smiled. "No, I don't think so. Unless I became your personal stylist but you don't want to model after this, yes?"

Kagome stared off into oblivion and her lips twitched. "I'm not sure anymore. It seems like everything I thought I wanted or didn't want is changing these days." She quickly thought of Sesshomaru. At first, he was rude, mean and cold. She never thought something intimate would happen between them. She didn't allow herself to see it. Now that the both of them overcame their differences and initiated their relationship, she couldn't believe they didn't do it sooner. It just felt so right to be in his arms. She felt a sense of warmness that she hasn't felt in a long time and as the countdown started for the day they'd leave, she was afraid she was going to lose it.

Sesshomaru walked into the dressing room followed by a short lady fixing his blazer. He met eyes with Kagome and looked away. The lady cursed in Italian for him to stay still as he walked toward the window. Isabella and Kagome quickly changed the topic.

Marla pranced into the dressing room with her PDA in hand. "I have wonderful news!"

Kagome looked at her and Sesshomaru kept pacing around with his blackberry, the lady who attended his fitting, paced with him.

Marla shrugged at their unenthused responses. "I got you both a spot for Fashion week. The project has been going so well, everyone loves the lovers. They want to see you both on the runway! Can you imagine? Valentino will be so proud."

"but…we're leaving in a week. The contract is done." Kagome said.

"Well, yes. For this project….but you can sign on to new deals. It doesn't have to end here. You have no idea what a privilege this is for you, Kagome. Normally, you wouldn't meet their requirements but since your reputation as a lover, they're willing to look passed that!"

Seeing the disinterest in their faces, she cleared her throat and lowered her head. "Well, you don't have to make a decision right away. It starts in January. You have two months to decide. Just consider it. Money is no longer a necessity. You don't have to pay to get in anywhere, you get all of the expensive clothes for free and become such a high profile among the A-listers. " Once that was said, still she didn't receive much of a response. She sighed and left the room. Poor Marla, Kagome thought. She seemed to be doing everything in her power to make them big when they had no interest in becoming so.

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru. He fixed his eyes on the screen of his phone with deep concentration while the lady next to him hemmed his pants. Sensing her stare, he looked over to her. She looked away immediately and he smirked as he looked back at his phone.

The smirk turned into a frown once he finished reading his emails. He had to make it a point to call his mother before they left Italy. If not, things would certainly become bad.

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Kagome tried to sleep but her mind was racing with thoughts. She opened her eyes in slits and looked at him. Sesshomaru slept soundly next to her. His face smooth and calm as if nothing bothered him. She lay next to him; watching him sleep. It still baffled her, the idea of the both of them together. The more

time they spent together, the more she felt herself get attached. She yearned for his touch and anticipated each kiss that ended up leaving her breathless. Every time they met each other's eyes, she had to look away. His gaze was too intense to hold. His beautiful amber orbs pierced her skin like a million little needles. The crease by his lips that formed when he slightly grinned caused her to flush immensely. She couldn't understand how she could feel so much for him so suddenly.

Maybe he was different. He truly wasn't like anyone she's ever met. He paid attention to the little details that most people missed. He knew so much. He was very smart and once you got passed his uncouth and standoffish persona, he proved to be quite the contrary. He was charming but subtle. He listened to her and was not afraid to oppose her perspectives. Most guys would agree to avoid the girl becoming upset or annoyed thus leading to a night of love-less making. He didn't seem to mind getting her upset but at the same time he cared for her state of being.

She slowly rolled to her other side, careful not to wake him and gathered all of her thoughts that she pushed aside the past few months: Her family, her future, and now him. Her last encounter with her family wasn't so great. Her mother still harbored the same anger that bestowed upon her the actual day she committed this supposed blasphemy. Her grandfather pretty much mimicked her mother's feelings and Sota was still as clueless as to why she left in the first place. Since she moved to the Village Loft in the city along with her roommates, she lost her sense of direction. She had a plan in the first place: Get a place of her own, a job that would support her through college and enroll in said college to become a Lawyer. But that dream had died. Did she even want to be one? She'd study but there wasn't much passion left in the field.

She remembered a conversation she had with Sesshomaru during the time they'd first met. He mentioned her seeking a suitable and conservative major that would justify her past and it seemed he was right. She was trying to impress her mother by thinking that she could do great on her own. To bring herself up from the shame she had brought to the family. Then there was the modeling. This modeling gig came out of nowhere and suddenly everyone in the fashion world knew her. The past few weeks, the press followed the both of them around with their cameras constantly taking pictures. This was in Italy. She wondered if anyone back home would know about her. She could continue to model, she thought. It was good money but she couldn't stand the world it came with. People were materialistic, fake, and snobbish. It was also a lonely world. If Sesshomaru hadn't come, she didn't know how she'd feel here by herself, with a strange guy sleeping next to her for two months. If Sesshomaru hadn't come, nothing would have happened between them. She exhaled a frustrated sigh at the thoughts that kept her awake.

She tried to close her eyes but felt an overwhelming anxiety. She couldn't place her finger on where it was coming from but it felt as if something bad was going to happen. Why was she worrying so much, she thought. It was pathetic. She shook her head and forced herself to sleep.

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"TRAITOR!" she roared, her eyes glowing red. Her silver hair flowed fierce in the wind as she balled her fists in rage. "TRAITOR!" she repeated, this time with a guttural tone.

The wind was blowing strong; his hair flew back revealing his usual acerbic mask. A slight hint of shame appeared on his face and he averted her crimson glared daggers. He looked around him, hundreds of crimson eyes stared at him, their growls droning in unison. They whispered in the darkness 'Traitor' and stood behind his mother waiting to attack. There were mounds of fire surrounding them. There was no way to escape.

"I have failed you." He said.

"It isn't too late!" she hissed. "Make your choice!"

He tightened his jaw and scowled. His eyes darted at all of them; he could take the rest of them. She was going to be a problem though; he didn't think he could lay a hand on her.

"Sesshomaru…"he heard and he looked behind him. There she was, in a white dress, her black hair flapping amok around her. She smiled and extended her hands out. "Are we going?"

His brows creased and he looked back at his mother. She glowered at both of them and fixed her eyes on him. "You better not." She muttered lowly.

"Forgive me, mother." He said and turned around. He heard her yell and the wind blew stronger. As he walked toward Kagome, she extended her arms out at him. He looked away for a second to see if his mother had followed. Suddenly, Kagome disappeared. He peered around for her bemused to where she had gone off to. He heard a screech, it sounded like Kagome, and he looked back.

"What a disappointment!" his mother raised her head angrily and brought his mate into view. She held on to Kagome's neck, gripping tightly. Kagome choked out a few whimpers.

"Don't!" he spat and held out his hand.

"She is the problem!" she smiled maniacally and raised her above her head. Her strength was so much more powerful than he imagined. "I should have known you would turn out like him! She's clouding your judgment, once she is gone, you will see clearly."

He mouth continued to move but he wasn't listening. He could only look at Kagome. She met his eyes helplessly, tears falling out of her red, oxygen deprived eyes. He felt his teeth grind against each other as he panted. "Let her go. I will come with you." He said, realizing he sounded like he was pleading.

"How pathetic, you are begging for her life. You have changed. You made a vow to lead our people. You cannot turn your back on us, especially….for a human!"

"I said I will come." He hissed.

"You will come with me." She said. "As for her," she stopped and looked at her. She snarled at her very essence and looked back at him. "As long as she is alive, you will never reach your full potential. She is your weakness and must be gone." And with that said, she threw her over her shoulder and all of the demons behind her threw themselves at her, clawing and biting at her skin.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened and his body was unable to move. The shock rendered him immobile until he realized what was happening. His eyes flashed a bright red as he

bolted toward them. He pierced at the faces and hearts of some with his claws and broke a few necks until he was able to see her again.

Whoever was left retreated at his mother's side. They all stared at him with smirks, her blood dripping down their hands.

He stopped breathing as he knelt down toward her dead body. She lay on the floor, in blood; her damp hair covered her face. His hand trembled as he reached over her face. He ignored the pain rising in his chest. He was trying to hold it in but they continued to mock him with their pride and sneers. His lip trembled as he persisted on not letting them get the best of him but the pain was eating at him. Not being able to control the pain any longer, he bellowed as he charged at them. After he defeated what was left of his clan, his mother appeared behind him and in one swift turn, he grabbed her neck.

"What are you going to do," she said. "Kill your own mother?"

He looked away from her and felt a snap in his hands.

He gasped and opened his eyes. His eyes shifted and he looked around, confused. It was just a dream but it felt so real. He quickly turned to Kagome and looked at her. She was breathing and sleeping

peacefully. His hand rested on her arm and felt its way up to her neck, still adamant about her well being. She was fine, he assured himself at last. His labored breathing came to a halt as he wrapped his arms around her and came closer. He held onto her tightly, still feeling that she could be taken away from him. The warmth of her body soothed him and he was able to relax again. It was just a dream, he told himself. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand and sighed. It was four in the morning and even though he was able to relax again, the sleep didn't come back. He gazed at the moonlight through the window and thought about his dream. What a foolish dream, he thought. His mother wouldn't do that. That was such a dramatic interpretation of the actual situation, should it arise. Without a doubt, she'd probably mimic that same anger that was displayed in his dream but she wouldn't go that far as to throw her to the pack of demons to have her mauled and decapitated.

He looked at the clock to the blinking light of his blackberry. More voicemails, more questions, how much longer would he avoid it? Since he couldn't sleep, he decided to take action now. It was about midnight back in New York. He reached over Kagome to grab his cell phone. He lifted the sheets off him and sat up. He grabbed his pants from the chair beside the bed, and put them on. He walked out of the room toward an exit at the end of the hall that led to a balcony. He patted his pockets for his cigarettes as he dialed his mother's number as he entered the balcony. He looked out into the city as he sat on the couch by the wall. He let it ring for a while but she didn't answer. He'd have to try again later. He lit his cigarette and fell into contemplation about his life.

That dream made him realize he felt stronger for her than he thought. His chest still hurt from it. What was that about? It felt like his chest was on fire and his heart throbbed. He leaned his head back and exhaled the smoke above him. He looked down when he felt his phone vibrate on his lap. His mother's number flashed on the screen and he took a deep breath before he answered it.

"Mother."

"Hmm," she said. "Yes, now you remember."

"Diligence, mother. You should know very well about that."

"After a month and a half, you finally manage to be liberated from time's grasp."

"At least I called."

"Agreed," she said. "You must be aware of how betrayed and upset I feel by the news."

"I'm sure."

"How else do you expect me to feel when I am the last to find out about this preposterous escapade of yours, through the newspaper I might add!" her voice became shaken. She tried her best to sound calm but that was the last thing she was feeling.

"I expect nothing less." He took another pull of his cigarette. "But let us not talk about me right now. How are things fairing on your end?" He had to stall for a little while.

She stood silent for a moment, sensing he was evading the subject. "The Jade Order is ready. They are waiting patiently for you to step up. They are, though, impatient as to why you have not found a mate yet. I have revealed that you will have a mate by the end of the year. You do realize that if you haven't found one by the given date, you will be appointed one, right?"

"I am well aware of that…"he spat as he exhaled the smoke out forcefully.

"I hope you can see why I've picked Shurran. Her clan is very strong and her father is quite powerful as well. He is happy to hand his clan over for you to lead. He has high respect for you and wants no other for his daughter. She is healthy and you both will bare healthy and strong children."

He rolled his eyes. "I do not need a mate to lead a clan."

"It is tradition, Sesshomaru."

"Well, it is overrated."

"Not to the people, it isn't. Remember, you are probably the wealthiest and strongest demon since your father. You will have the power to combine the clans and lead them all. We can take back the world as ours. This equality between species is just utterly ridiculous! Humans have long been our slaves and should remain that way. Your father, that disgusting monkey lover, thinks he can change the world with his half-breed son and a human for a daughter. Ugh, how embarrassing." she laughed. "He may still hold the power and fear into the people but deep down, they know he is a joke. You don't want that, do you?"

He sighed and flicked his cigarette off the balcony. "No…"

"Listen closely, Sesshomaru. You've worked so hard your entire life to get to this position. You've mastered your swordsmanship and fighting techniques before you were ten. You established your own wealth by thirteen and by eighteen; you have gained the respect, even more than your father has, from

everyone, humans included. I am not a fool; I believe you have some sort of intimate relationship with the human you are doing this project with."

"I…."

"I know these days, it is normal to have flings with humans…and I can bend myself to accept that, you understand? If you are just reveling in this asinine gambol, then I will stand aside and allow this meaningless act to go on. But when the time comes, you have to end it and claim the mate you are going to be with. Whether it is a demon you found yourself or…Shurran."

He was about to argue with her but decided it wasn't best right now. Let her think what she wanted at the moment. He didn't want her to keep the Tamashi spying on him.

Speaking of which, "Call back the Tamashi." He warned.

"Alright." She said. "But before I do, you must tell me, in all honesty, is there anything serious happening between you and the human?"

He closed his eyes and answered yes but he realized it was just in his mind. "No…there is nothing going on."

After a long pause, she removed all skepticism from her mind and sighed. "Very well, worry no further. They are off your back. My word, they are becoming quite rusty. You weren't even supposed to know they were following you."

"You doubt me, mother."

"sometimes…" she said. "Only because you are his son. I won't bother you anymore. I will see you when you return. Fare well."

He hung up the phone and threw it on the floor. It cracked into a few pieces and he fumed as he shot up from the sofa. He paced back and forth and gripped the railing. Wonderful, now his phone was of no use. He couldn't believe he just did that. His mother always knew just how to get under his skin. He stroked his chin and stared out into the city. The wind blew strong and cold and though shirtless, the heat from his anger made a barrier against it. Time was running out. There was one week left and then they had to go back. He cursed himself to the depths of hell as he pondered his actions toward the dilemma. He didn't do anything to stop it. Instead he pursued their relationship and allowed it to escalate. He didn't want to hurt Kagome. The thought of it angered him but he didn't want to hurt his

mother either. He could have just told his mother he had no more interest in leading the Jade Order but that would send humiliation toward her way from the demonic society. He couldn't see her going through it again. She suffered enough in the past. He stared at the shards of his phone and sighed. Now he had to buy a new phone.

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The next day, Sesshomaru walked around the outlet a little longer after he purchased his new phone. He needed time to himself to think. Luckily they were able to salvage the information from his broken phone. He had records there he couldn't afford losing. He placed his phone in his back pocket and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. Something flashed from the corner of his eye as he passed a jewelry store and he turned toward it. The crystal seemed to attract the sunlight and it beamed toward him. The reflection of it illuminated rainbow specks on his face. He leaned down the glass case and gazed at the ring.

A small woman with long brown hair noticed Sesshomaru looking at the ring and sprinted toward him.

"It seems it has chosen you."

He looked up at her with a stone face and turned to leave.

"Are you sure you want to go? You seemed to gaze at that ring as if you knew the perfect finger it belonged to."

He stopped walking and glanced at her from the side. Keep walking, he told himself. Instead, he placed his cigarettes back in his pockets and walked toward her. She opened the case and pulled out the ring. She aimed it at the sunlight and it glowed beautifully. The aquamarine rested on a platinum band covered in small diamonds. What made the ring look even more special was the angel wings on each side of the crystal.

"I know who you are…" she smiled. "Don't you think this would be perfect for her?"

He felt entranced by the beauty of the ring and lowered his head from it. She could tell he was struggling to walk away but he grabbed the ring. It felt like Kagome's size, how odd. He looked at it and looked at her. He narrowed his eyes at her as if she were an evil witch and handed her his credit card.

After he was able to escape the enchanted store, he headed toward a coffee shop in disappointment. This was not going to fix the problem. Why would he get her a ring; it would send the wrong message. It wasn't like he planned to propose. It was just a pretty ring and he knew Kagome would like it. He ordered his coffee and ignored the fact that he was being watched.

His father had been following him for the past week. He was very aware of this but decided not to call him out on it. Once he did, he knew many questions would arise, questions he wasn't ready to ask and questions from his father that he wasn't ready to answer. What annoyed him was how his father presumed to think he wouldn't notice him following. His parents underestimated so much these days. Did they think that dating a human would impair his senses?

Once he got his coffee, he sat down at a bench outside of a store. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it as he looked at his watch. Kagome was too tired to come out and stayed back in the hotel but insisted that he'd bring her coffee when he came back. The wind was crisp and cold in the morning. It smelled of freshly baked bread and flowers. The beautifully scenery didn't help how he felt. He was being torn apart inside, torn between his mother and Kagome.

He grabbed the velvet box from his pocket and opened it to look at the ring. He pulled on his cigarette as he brushed his thumb against the gem and looked up when a shadow towered over him. He looked up and Shurran smiled back at him with her arms crossed.

"That's a pretty ring. Is that for me?"

He curled his lip, as if in disgust and exhaled smoke. He closed the box and put it back into his pocket. "What are you doing here?"

"Photo shoots, shopping…fashion week is coming up soon, have to prepare myself. I was on my way to get my headshots and saw my future husband sitting down seeming to have his head in the clouds."

Future husband? Talk about ones head in the clouds. He scoffed.

"Oh come on, are you still trying to avoid the inevitable? Just face it, you and I are going to be mates unless you've found one already? And by that, I mean a demon."

He shook his head with a grin as he stood up from the bench. When he started walking away, she followed with a huff.

"So who's the ring for?"

"none of your concern."

She frowned. "Everyone is talking about you, you know. They say you're a monkey lover just like your father."

He turned to her, his eyes lighter than normal but there was rising anger in them. "You are out of line."

She bowed her head and looked to the side but stubbornly continued. "How can you be so selfish?"

He glared at her in disbelief. "I beg your pardon?"

"Your mother has suffered enough humiliation, don' t you think? Your father embarrassed her in front of their friends and other clans. Her one hope to restore her reputation as a Queen through you is slowly diminishing the longer you pursue this relationship with the human. I swear, your mother should have been chosen a leader if they allowed women to."

"Don't lecture me on ethics."

"I wouldn't have to if you weren't being so unethical. What is it about humans, can you tell me? What can you get from her that you cannot get from me or another demon girl? Demon girls are much more prettier, smarter, we come from respectable families, I mean, come on, she is not even an Aristocrat!"

Sesshomaru pulled on his cigarette and flicked it off as he continued walking down the outlet. They passed a few stores and everyone watched them as they walked. By now, they all knew who he was, and the question that was now stirring up was who was this woman and where was Kagome?

"Our kinds should stick together!" she spat when he didn't answer her. "You believed this once, now you're being a hypocrite. My father has entrusted our clan as well to you and you're going to just ruin it by-"

He growled feeling his patience run out and turned to her. "Please, just… shut… up. Your feigned views on social morality are not convincing anyone. Leave me to attend my own business without your presence or opinions."

"Fine." She scoffed and came closer to him, her face inches from his. She looked to the side and noticed many staring, a few people with cameras. Her eyes darted back to him and she nodded. "I'll leave you to attend your affairs. I will walk away confident that you will make the right choice." She wrapped her

arms around his neck and he jerked his head back as far as he could from her. "In the meantime, accept that I am yours and you will be mine."

Sesshomaru smirked and pulled her arms off of him. He grabbed her wrists and leaned into her ear. "Keep dreaming." He said, his voice ending in a whisper. He moved back from her, gave her one last look and walked away.

She lowered her head, fuming but smiling at the same time. What a stubborn man but how hot he was! She had to have him. She will have him.

She turned to leave when a tall guy blocked her with a tape recorder in one hand and a microphone in the other.

"Hi, my name is Gio Marozzo, I'm a journalist for Fashion Weekly Italy. I have a few questions, how close are you with Lord Sesshomaru?"

Shurran batted her lashes and shrugged. "Let's just say we're really close."

Gio grinned in excitement. "How close?"

"Closer than his 'lover' Kagome would like, I assume."

"So you are the other woman, I take it?"

Shurran scoffed. "She is the other woman. I am his wife." She paused for a moment. Oh no, what did she do? This was a journalist; this would probably hit the newspaper. Sesshomaru would be very angry with her or maybe this would make the situation much easier for him.

The journalist shook his head in shock as he rewound his recorder to make sure he got it. "Thanks a lot." He said and sprinted off.

Shurran bit her thumb looking around. Somehow, she didn't know if what she did was for the best or not.

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Inuyasha and Rin sat in the back of the BMW while their father sat in front with their driver.

"Dad, give it a rest. He knows we're following him." Inuyasha said taking a sip of hot chocolate.

Rin sipped hers too. She licked her lips and nodded. "Yeah, he totally knows we're on to him. Can we go shopping now? Koga should be in Italy soon and I have nothing to wear!" she cried.

Inutaisho rolled his eyes and looked at his driver. "Just keep it a three car distance. I don't want him to suspect us."

"Too late for that…."Inuyasha shook his head and looked out the window of the car. " Man, Sesshomaru and Kagome are pretty big out here. Look outside; there are pictures of them everywhere." Aside from the billboards, their posters were on the sides of buildings, stores, and busses.

"I can't wait to see Sesshomaru and Kagome." Rin wiped her mouth. " I just knew they'd get together. She's so pretty too, like a princess. I want to let my hair grow like hers. Dad, can I get a tattoo? What does 'lovers' mean?" She squeaked when Koga's band came on the radio. "Dad, can you put it up?"

"Please…" Inuyasha and the driver said in unison.

He turned the dial up and the Koga's voice became louder. Rin knew all the words and sang along.

"How was I supposed to know you were for me

I was raised to speak like this, and walk like that

It made me blind, I could not see

Fuck this pain and fuck this life

I cut and wait to bleed

The relief just pours out of me…"

Inutaisho quickly turned it off and cleared his throat.

"Well, this is not suitable for a girl your age, Rin."

Rin frowned. "Dad, you lowered it at the best part!" She pouted and crossed her arms.

"I'm not so sure you're going to the concert."

"Dad, that's unfair. I'm almost ten! I'm not a kid!"

Inuyasha chuckled at her oration and she started hitting him.

"You're just mad because Sesshomaru has Kagome and you don't!"

"Oh, that was a low blow." Inuyasha pushed her off him.

"Would you two stop?" Inutaisho scolded as he looked through his phone. He tried calling Sesshomaru three times since they got here and he never answered his phone. It was very unlike him not to answer, especially since he was born with a phone in his hand.

"Can we just stop spying on him and talk to him already?" Rin groaned. "I miss him."

"Not yet." Inutaisho shook his head. "He isn't ready to see us yet. He's trying to figure things out. He knows I am watching him but he's waiting until he can find an answer on his own before he calls me out."

"How do you know that?"Inuyasha finished the rest of his hot chocolate.

"I know my own kids. Sesshomaru has never asked for my help in his life, and he will go as long as he can without asking, even if he needs answers right away."

"What questions do you think he will ask you?" Rin asked.

Inutaisho smiled. "Those questions are between him and I, my dear and the only reason he will ask me is because I've been there."

"I wonder what he bought from the jewelry store." She said. "…maybe it's a present for Kagome!"

Inutaisho gazed at his lap and tapped his finger on his arm. He felt like he was back in the past, as if he was watching himself and Izayoi when they were younger.

"Sir," the driver broke the silence. Inutaisho looked at him. "He's pulling over. What should I do?"

Inutaisho smiled. "Pull over."

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Sesshomaru pulled over to the side and got out of his rental white Porsche. He grabbed a cigarette from his pocket and leaned on the hood. He adjusted his shades as he exhaled smoke into the air. A few minutes later, a Black BMW with black tinted windows pulled over behind his car. He heard the car

doors open and he glanced to the side. His father came out of one side in a black suit. His hair tied back into a neat ponytail. He greeted him with a lift of his Armani shades.

"Since when?" his father said.

"Since you came…" Sesshomaru answered. "You are getting sloppy in your old age."

"I suppose I am not surprised. "Inutaisho frowned. "I wasn't trying hard to hide myself. If I were, trust me, you would have no idea I was here."

"Right…" Sesshomaru scoffed. "Who is in the car?"

"You remember our driver Sumei, Inuyasha as well and…"

"SESSHOMARU!" he heard and looked over to see Rin running toward him.

"and Rin." Inutaisho finished.

Sesshomaru flicked his cigarette away knowing she was about to jump. She did and he caught her. She hugged him tightly and he scowled at his father.

"Why did you bring them here?"

"Felt like a family outing." Inutaisho scowled back.

"You're a little out of your way."

"Felt like having real Italian food."

"Aren't you happy to see us?" Rin looked at him with her big brown eyes. A sad expression masked her face.

"I am." He said with a forced grin but it faded when Inuyasha came out of the car. He walked over and stood by his father's side.

"Why have you been following me?" he said and set Rin down.

"Can I not worry about my son's well-being?"

Sesshomaru raised a brow and looked at Inuyasha.

"Feh, Don't look at me. I had no choice. I could give a crap about your well-being."

"Oooh, What's this?" Rin said and they all looked down at her. She was holding the velvet box that was inside his jacket pocket. She opened it and the sunlight shined on it causing a glare so strong, they all squinted.

Sesshomaru patted his jacket and glared at her. How did she do that without him noticing? He forgot she had a habit of going into his pockets. Ever since she was little, she liked to pull out his phone, play with it, or his lighter, his cigarettes to break them or go through his wallet and pretend it was hers. He snatched it quickly and placed it inside his chest pocket of his leather jacket.

Inuyasha and his father stared at him with wide grins and he looked away from their teasing stare.

"It is not what you think."

"Uh-huh…" they both said.

"Oh my god, are you going to propose?" Rin jumped up.

"No, I am not." Sesshomaru sighed. He grabbed the bridge of his nose and turned away.

Inutaisho frowned. Sesshomaru needed to speak to him, he was sure, but he wouldn't do it in front of Inuyasha and Rin.

"Where's Kagome now?" he asked.

"back at the hotel."

"Oooohhhhh…" Rin and Inuyasha teased.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and opened his car door. He looked back at his father. "Where are you staying?"

Inutaisho smiled and Sesshomaru sighed.

"Did I do something wrong to you?"

"Oh come on, you won't even know we're there. We're only a few floors down."

Sesshomaru got into his car and drove off.

"Come on, let's head back to the hotel…" Inutaisho said.

"Can we go to the mall before, please, please!"

"I have an idea. How about we go back to the hotel and you can ask Kagome?" Inutaisho said as he led Rin back to the car.

She squealed. "Yeah, ok!"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Won't even know we're there, huh?"

"I need him by himself, Inuyasha."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

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Kagome was in the shower when he came back. He peeked inside and pulled the box out of his pocket. His fingers brushed against the box and he noticed his hands trembled. Was he nervous? He opened the box, looked at the ring and closed it back. How was he to give it to her? He thought of many ways. One, walk to her and hand it to her. 'Here you go.' And walk away. Two, set it on the bed, let her see it. Three, show her the box, take it out, and put it on her finger. He heard the shower turn off and immediately placed it back into his pocket. Snap out of it, you fool, he thought. What was wrong with him? Giving her this ring wasn't a good idea. He took off his jacket and placed it on the chair by the window.

He walked over to the couch and sat down. He folded his hands and stroked his thumb contemplating. Shurran was here, his father, Inuyasha and Rin. It was all too much to take before noon. Kagome walked out drying her hair with a towel. He looked at her and noticed she was wearing his white dress shirt.

She hung the towel up on a hook by the bathroom door and walked over to him.

"Coffee?"

He closed his eyes and cursed under his breath. He grabbed her leg and lowered his head into her stomach.

"You forgot?" she groaned.

He nodded and looked at her apologetically. "I ran into some things this morning. I completely forgot. I will go get it now." He was about to stand and she pushed him back down.

She looked at him with a smile. " It's alright. I think I will live. What happened, what did you run into?"

He opened his mouth to talk about it but gave it a second thought and felt it wasn't a good idea to mention he ran into Shurran.

"Let's get something to eat then. Did you eat?" she said, noticing he took long to answer. He probably didn't want to talk about it.

He shook his head and leaned back on the couch. He looked at her bare legs, her thighs were showing when her shirt rose up as she tried to pull her hair back into a pony tail. He looked at the shirt and tilted his head.

"That is my shirt." He said.

"Yeah…" she blushed giving up on putting her hair into a ponytail. She released it and it fell down her back. "It's comfy."

"I don't think I gave you permission to wear it. You must take it off now." He smirked.

Her cheeks flushed and she looked down. He extended his hand out and grabbed hers. He pulled her down and she sat on top of him, facing him. He lifted his hands under her shirt and gripped her hips. She leaned in to kiss him and his hand caressed her back. His lips parted open and she lightly bit his bottom lip. Her tongue met his and she lightly moaned as it massaged against each other. He undid the buttons to her shirt or rather, his shirt that she was wearing and opened the shirt. He gazed at her breasts and his eyes moved down to her stomach and her underwear. He licked his lips and looked back at her. She buried her face into his neck and he closed his eyes as she kissed and bit his neck. The harder she bit him, the more aroused he got. She noticed it and deliberately bit harder. He grunted and turned her over. She lay back into the couch and he got on top of her. He started kissing her neck and squeezed her breast as he came in between her legs. She moaned and a low chuckle escaped her lips.

"Oh god, I love you…" she muttered and she opened her eyes wide. Did that come out of her mouth? She looked at him hoping he didn't hear but he stopped kissing her and looked at her in shock.

Her brows drew together as she tried to say something but nothing came out of her mouth. What made it worse was that he just stared at her and looked away. As if she said something terrible. He closed her shirt and got off of her. He sat down on the couch and didn't meet her eyes.

She looked around, her eyes welling with tears in embarrassment. She clutched her shirt closed as she sat up. "Um…" she said and he stood up from the couch.

"We should… get something to eat…" he said.

"Yeah, sure." She said. "Let me just….change." she said, holding back her tears. She rushed to get her clothes from the closet and went to the bathroom immediately before she began to cry.

She closed the door, turned on the sink, and sobbed quietly. She felt so humiliated. How could she have said that? They've only been together for two, almost three weeks. He obviously didn't feel the same way, it was too soon. She splashed water on her face and forced herself to suck it up and stop crying. She was becoming so sensitive. It served her right since she opened herself up again. It was too late, she fell for him and she fell for him hard.

Sesshomaru put his leather jacket on and sat on the couch as he waited for her. His leg shook impatiently as he looked at his watch. She said she loved him. He's never been taken by surprise in his life. He didn't know what to think. A part of him was scared by it and another part was so glad to hear those words coming from her. This meant it was serious. He knew he probably hurt her by not saying it back or acting shocked when she said it but he couldn't say it. Of course he felt it but saying it would mean they were becoming something serious. He needed to figure out what to do and he needed to figure it out now. Was he going to take over the clan? If so, he needed a demon mate. They'd never accept Kagome in a million years. What was more important, leading the clan, bringing his people back to the old ways, which he seemingly didn't follow anymore or Kagome? Whose heart could he bare to break…his mother's or…Kagome's?

He dialed his father's number and let it ring. Time was running out and he still didn't have the answer.

"Yes?" his father said on the other line when he picked up.

"We are about to have lunch."

"Where do you want me to meet you?"

"Basilica Taberna, bring the half breed and Rin."

"You are sure you want me to bring them?"

"Yes." He said and hung up the phone.

Kagome came out, her face glowing with makeup and her hair done to perfection. She was barely in there for five minutes. She zipped up her white hooded sweater and shrugged. She opened the door and looked at him. "Well, I'm ready."

He met her eyes briefly and nodded. He followed her out of the door.

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They didn't talk on the way to the restaurant and they didn't talk when they got there either. They sat down and looked at the menu in silence. The restaurant was very ornate and full of color. The walls were gold with beautiful old paintings. Pillars surrounded the dining room in a Mediterranean style. The table clothes were a beautiful blood red with gold candlesticks as a centerpiece. The waiters walked around in matching white uniforms; it was a wonder how they stood clean in a restaurant surrounded by marinara covered entrées.

Kagome wished so much that she could turn back time and not have said that. Now everything was awkward between them once again. She looked up at him but he didn't look at her. He just stared at the menu.

He could feel her staring at him but he couldn't bring himself to look at her right now. He heard Rin and Inuyasha arguing and sighed. Thank god!

"Sesshomaru! Kagome!" Rin squealed.

Kagome looked to her side in a quick turn and smiled. "Oh my god…" she stood up. "What are you guys doing here?" she said. She was so happy to see them. There was a sense of familiarity with them; they felt so close to her. Maybe it was because she didn't know anyone in Italy so other than Sesshomaru, they were the next closest thing.

Rin wrapped her arms around her and Inuyasha smiled as he hugged her too. Inutaisho smiled and bowed and Kagome couldn't help hugging him too. He opened his eyes wider in shock and chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her.

"What are you guys doing here?"

Inutaisho and Inuyasha looked at each other trying to think of something quick but Rin answered.

"We came to see Koga play." She answered.

"Right…" Inuyasha said.

"That's right." Inutaisho nodded in relief. The good thing was that Rin wasn't even lying.

"Oh, yeah, he is." Kagome said as she sat down. "I didn't know you were a fan of Koga's."

"Oh…my…god, are you kidding?" Rin scoffed. "He's my future husband!"

Kagome laughed and they all sat down. "So, how did guys know we were here?"

"Sesshomaru invited us." Rin said. God bless her, they thought, saving the day with the convenience of her honesty.

After a while, they ordered their food, ate, and listened to Rin talk more about Koga. Inuyasha couldn't stop looking at Kagome. She was prettier than the last time he saw her. What did she see in Sesshomaru, he wondered.

Inutaisho and Sesshomaru excused themselves from the table and went outside the terrace to speak. It seemed every restaurant in Italy had the luxury of a terrace. Inutaisho brought his wine with him and Sesshomaru did as well. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

Kagome looked toward them and wondered what they were speaking about. She soon forgot about her embarrassing moment with Sesshomaru as she shared laughs with Rin and Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru looked back at Kagome as he pulled on his cigarette and looked at his father.

"She's a very pretty girl." his father said. "but you know that, don't you?"

Sesshomaru exhaled smoke into the air and sipped his wine. "I thought I needed your help."

"You thought? I gather you came to a conclusion?"

"Yes." He said, his face became tight as he looked away from his father. "I have to end it."

His father's expression became unreadable and he raised his brows. "You think that's wise?"

"It does not matter if it is. It is the right thing to do."

"How so?" his father chuckled.

Annoyed that it was no laughing matter, he looked at him scornfully. "I have a clan to lead when I get back."

"You can do that with her by your side."

"They will never accept her."

"Make them. You are the leader, you make the rules."

"The rules were made long ago. They have to be abided by."

"If you faithfully abide by them, why did you pursue her?"

"I…I couldn't stop."

"That's wonderful….use her for your own selfish needs and throw her to the side when she becomes a problem for you in the future."

"That is not the case!" Sesshomaru spat and looked back hoping no one inside heard. It was very loud inside the restaurant with the music playing and people laughing.

"I honestly thought I raised you better."

"How is it not respectable? I am sacrificing my happiness for our people. "

"So you are happy," his father said.

Sesshomaru scoffed. "You aren't seeing the picture. Don't be so selective. That wasn't the highlight of the sentence."

"You want to know how I don't see that as respectable." Inutaisho leaned closer. "because it is a lie. You choose to live a lie. You have no idea what you are going to do to yourself."

"Not that it is any of your business, but I thought you should know. You might think I am like you but I am not. I am not weak. I know my duties and I will do what I have to, to ensure and succeed in my leadership."

Kagome came outside and knocked on the screen door. "Hey?" she said.

Sesshomaru turned quickly toward her, his face changing from his scornful expression to a kind one. Inutaisho noticed this and couldn't believe how much in love his son was with this girl.

"We're done eating…Rin asked me to take her shopping, can I?" she looked at Inutaisho.

"That'd be lovely, dear. Yes, by all means. You must understand, living in a house of men, she is deprived so she might come off as….hyper."

"Do you want me to drive you?" Sesshomaru asked.

"It's alright." Kagome said. "Inuyasha said he can. I'll leave you boys to it." She said and glanced at Sesshomaru. He met her eyes and she turned to walk away.

Inutaisho watched as she walked away and turned his gaze to Sesshomaru. "I hope you realize what you're getting into. You have no idea how bad it can get….the pain."

"I am not you. Don't insult me by thinking you and I share the same weakness!"

Inutaisho laughed. "You still have much to learn. You may have grown up fast, you may have mastered certain techniques, but this isn't something you can learn so quickly It comes with time. This is nature; this is a part of who we are. Our mates are apart of us. One soul…without the other, one will always feel incomplete."

"Let's not talk about this anymore. I am finished. I have made my decision."

Inutaisho clenched his teeth and nodded. This wasn't something he could tell his son. In order for him to learn, he had to find out and experience it on his own. What worried him was the pain. He wouldn't wish the pain he felt when he lost his mate on anyone. It was the type of pain that made death look like a means of escape. He sighed. There wasn't much more he could do.

"When do you plan to tell her?"

"I will tell her tonight."

"Don't you think you should wait until her friends come? She is going to need someone to hold her when you destroy her heart." He spat and walked off.

Sesshomaru tightened his jaw and gulped the huge ball forming in his throat. These feelings still were new to him and he didn't know how to handle it. His hand trembled and it stirred up his wine. He took one last gulp and finished it. He set the glass down, took one last pull of his cigarette, and flicked it off.

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'Oh god, I love you…'

Those words repeated in his mind as he lay in bed with his arms behind his head. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He heard the door and turned to his side when Kagome entered. She walked over with a small bag and plopped down on the bed.

"Did you know your Dad, Rin and Inuyasha are staying in this hotel?" Kagome laughed. "They're a few floors below us."

He didn't respond and she grabbed the bag. "You seem grumpy. I know what will fix that." She raised her finger and opened the bag. She pulled out a box, opened it, and waved it in front of him. "It's a case…for your phone. Since the other one broke, this will help incase it drops again. It's a really good one too…not those cheap ones…look it even has cushion inside and a cover for your screen." She smiled.

He sat up and grabbed it from her. He looked at it with a sincere grin and nodded. "Thanks…"he said, his voice low. He looked at her and looked away again. He still couldn't meet her eyes. This was so hard, he thought. Why did she have to buy something for him when he was planning to break up with her?

"about earlier…"she said. "It just slipped out. I just…got caught up in the moment."

He wished he could raise his eyes to meet hers, see what her expression looked like. He opened his mouth. This was it. He had to tell her. Tell her it was over. Tell her that it just was not going to work. No more breath-taking kisses, no more laughter, no more mind blowing love making. After he said what he needed to, it was forever gone.

"We need to…" he said and looked up. She waited for him to finish with her beautiful smile and bright hazel eyes. "sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow."

"Yeah..I know the drill." She chuckled. She leaned over to kiss him, like she usually did when they were about to sleep. She waited for his lips to open, to welcome her but it didn't. He just brushed his lips against hers and turned around. Her brows twitched in confusion as she sat back up. She took off her shoes and walked to the bathroom to change. She turned off the light when she came back out and lay back down. She felt like she swallowed a rock. She could feel his cold shoulder and it literally made her cold. Normally, he'd wrap his arms around her before they slept. Tonight, he didn't. Tonight they slept with their backs facing each other.

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