InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Silver Dove and the Raven ❯ Chapter 18

LAST NIGHT IN ITALY

Lady Saya sat impatiently in the plane while announcements were being made. It was like she had bad luck. All flights for two days were booked because of some concert in Rome that everyone seemed to be going to and now that she was on the plane, her flight was being delayed due to a suspicious bag in cargo. Unbelievable, she thought, and to make it worse, she had to take economy. Economy! She couldn't believe people traveled like this. The seats were uncomfortable, it smelled, there wasn't much leg room and babies were crying left and right. A large behemoth of a human man sat in front of her, leaning all the way back, squishing her legs and he reeked of body odor and cologne. She pressed herself against the window trying not to let her arm brush against the man next to her. Of course, he was human as well. He sat quietly reading a magazine but she could feel his eyes on her occasionally. She didn't dare meet his and she watched out her window as the crew members pulled out the bag and hovered it over an overgrown German Shepherd.

She sighed and closed her eyes. Where did she go wrong? How could Sesshomaru do this to her? He had agreed and almost couldn't wait to lead the coven she had gathered for him and now it seemed he had no care for it. She broke out of her thoughts when she heard the man next to her clear his throat repeatedly. She shifted in her seat and he glanced to his side at her.

"Afraid to fly?" he said but she didn't answer. "It isn't so bad. You look a little lost. You seem like you belong in first class….or business?" He observed her attire. She wore a black designer suit, shiny pearl earrings that matched with a necklace that decorated her long neck and her long white hair pinned into a conservative bun that contrasted her full dark red lips.

She looked out the window and stared at the crew members looking dumbfounded and scratching their heads. The man craned his neck to peek at her face but she kept turning away.

"So what's in Italy? Are you returning home or are you just going for pleasure?"

He waited for her to respond and sighed when she didn't. "Not much of a talker, are you? It's ok….I get nervous flying so I may talk a lot. Forgive me."

Great, she thought and sighed as she looked at her watch. Her thoughts bombarded her again and she frowned recalling a few things some clan members had said. When she finally left for her flight, they all crowded at her door wanting answers. It seemed Dosuka couldn't keep his mouth shut about the girl being marked by Sesshomaru.

'What is this about Lord Sesshomaru mating a human?' one had shouted in anger. "This is such a disappointment; I always knew he was like his father!"

'This is repulsive, Lady Saya. Tell us it isn't true!' another had shouted.

There was one remark that really got under her skin. It pierced her and it hurt because it seemed true.

'What is it about you, Lady Saya that steers the men in your life toward human women?'

That hit her close to home and she almost felt an urge to cry. She cleared her throat when the flight attendant came by.

"What would you like to drink?" she asked.

"Extra dry martini with a lot of olives." The man said and Saya let a slight scoff escape her lips. That was her drink! She wanted one so badly but didn't want to talk to anyone on the plane, especially a human. She looked around; she was the only demon on the plane.

The lady asked Saya if she wanted a drink but she didn't respond. Her eyes bulged when she heard the man tell the steward to bring her a drink as well.

"Your welcome…"he said to her with a smirk and she met his eyes briefly and looked back out the window. She felt him stare at her and she pulled her collar to cover her neck, as if the man's eyes were undressing her.

He smiled and shook his head while the flight attendant went to fetch their drinks. He looked down at his lap and glanced at her from the side once more.

"I'm Elijah, by the way. Incase you were curious…. "he said, knowing she had no interest in speaking. "It's going to be my first time in Italy."

Who cares? She picked at her nails and took a deep breath, hinting she was annoyed.

But he didn't get it. "I plan to see it all. The Vatican, Florence, and Milan…any place you know of to see, please let me know. What's your name?"

Saya rolled her eyes and looked around the plane to see if there was anywhere else to sit but all seats were occupied. She managed to get a peek of the man beside her when he wasn't looking and quickly scanned his appearance. He looked about in his late thirties' and his hair was a rich brown. His eyes were a mundane green, and he had a thin nose and thin lips. He had a three day stubble on his chin but it suited him well.

"You look like you travel a lot." He said and the steward brought over their drinks. They pulled out the trays in front of them and set their drinks down.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking off momentarily, please be patient and thank you for choosing Continental." A lady sounded on the intercom.

Continental? Saya thought. She'd make sure they were out of business when she returned. There was a magazine in front of her in a folder behind the behemoth's seat and she grabbed it to entertain her for the time being. She growled to herself when she opened it up to the first page. Sesshomaru and that human posed inappropriately in a Jacuzzi.

"The nerve…" she muttered under her breath.

"Aha, so you do speak." He said. "I was beginning to think you were mute.

Saya scoffed. "I am not a mute; I just do not wish to speak to you."

"Why?

"because I don't."

"Did I do something?"

Besides you living, she thought, no. She turned the page and ignored him.

"I see…"he chuckled and took a sip of his drink.

"What is so funny?" she asked and put the magazine on the tray.

"You. You are those demons that don't like humans, aren't you?"

"So, what if I am?"

"It's just sad, is all."

"For whom?"

"For you." He said and sipped his martini. "I'll leave you alone."

"No, finish." She demanded.

"No, I'll leave you alone. I won't bother you with my human presence."

She scowled. "Don't mock me, human. Just say what it is you mean by that?"

He tilted his head and studied her in a way that made her uncomfortable. She had to look away and it bothered her that he intimidated her this way.

"You're very easy to read, do you know that? Demon or not, women are all the same."

"Oh, you'd like to believe that." Her eyes narrowed.

"There is so much anger in you….hmm, so why don't you like humans?"

"Should there be a reason?"

"Always..."he said. "So let's find out why…." he stroked his chin and squinted.

"Mmhm?"

"You were hurt by a human?"

"As if one possessed the ability…" she chuckled.

"Alright… then you were replaced by a human." He said.

Saya's brows twitched and she looked at him.

He preened as he continued. "Yes, that's it...replaced, hmm…at a job perhaps? No…you don't look like you worked a day in your life…." He teased and she frowned at him. "Hmm, perhaps….a relationship?"

"Listen, sometimes there is no reason. Perhaps I just don't like you humans because you disgust me. You're weak and fragile and.."

"Everything in this world is fragile somehow….even you."

She scoffed. "You have no idea what I'm capable of. I am a demon, we are strong."

"I'm sure….you seem strong on the outside…but your heart, it is like…ours. It loves, it hates and it gets hurt like ours. We are probably more alike than you would allow yourself to believe. Were you ever with a human?"

Saya growled. Somehow, this fool was getting to her. "Never, and I do not plan to. I am a demon; we stick to our own kind."

"Why?"

"because that's how it is supposed to be!"

"Says who?"

"Simple laws of nature. A cat cannot be with a dog."

"I beg to differ. My uncle has a dog that is in love with his cat; he follows her everywhere and sleeps next to her all of the time."

Saya scoffed. " Don't play a fool, you know what I mean. I'm sure intimately, there could be a problem."

"That doesn't apply to humans and demons or there wouldn't be half-breeds."

Ugh, halfbreeds, she immediately thought of Inuyasha and grimaced. A quick flash of Sesshomaru having a child with the human came to mind and she almost jumped out of her chair pulling her hair.

" and referring to that comment of yours, we are in no way, weak as you are. For instance, I may be a woman but I can crush your skull without using my entire strength, how does that sound to you?"

"Wow…Impressive…"he retorted sarcastically. "but why would you want to? Everything you are mentioning seems like a matter of choice. You could do this, you could do that…but do you want to and why would you? I can kill an animal, a child, even another man. I have strength too but it's how you use it. I don't want to harm another thing, especially when they didn't do anything to me."

"We aren't on the same page. Of course, I wouldn't expect a naïve human to understand."

"and I guess I don't expect a stubborn demon to understand…" he added with a grin and sipped his martini.

She glared at him and sipped hers. She grabbed the magazine and opened it up again. She turned to the next page to see something else, an advertisement for yeast infection; a young girl with black hair smiling, trying to be a symbol for comfort after using said product.

"Are you married?" he asked.

"No."

"Ever was?"

"None of your business."

"I take that as a yes…"he said. "He's a demon too, no doubt. What happened?"

"This conversation is over." She warned.

"Alright, I apologize. I didn't mean to cross the line."

She flipped through the pages in astonishment. She couldn't believe she had a conversation with a human. It was probably the first for her. She turned the page and there was Sesshomaru again, with the human. His arms were around hers and he was kissing her neck. 'Lovers' was written in metallic script on top of the page.

"Ah, the lovers…I like those two. They are so brave to publicize their relationship. Did you know, they probably are the first celebrities to have an interspecies relationship? Who knows, if they get married, they will be the first…the first of many."

"They won't marry." She spat.

"How do you know? They seem very much in love. You don't think?"

"He's not in love with her. There is no way he is. It is just a phase…He doesn't know what he wants. He's barely an adult."

He studied her suspiciously and looked back down at the page. That was a motherly tone she had used. Perhaps she was speaking from past experience or she knew the guy on the page. When he thought about it, there was a slight resemblance.

"He looks pretty grown to me…"he teased.

"He's just mirroring his father's disgusting habits."

It was definitely personal, he thought. "Your son, I take it?"

"Yes."

"Hm, so I assume this picture bothers you."

"It repulses me to see…"

"So…the lovers are in Italy…and you're going there…., are you going to confront the matter?"

Pretty smart for a human, she thought. Judging by her look of amazement, he knew she was impressed.

"I'm a cop. I have a sense of putting two and two together."

"Hm…and why, pray tell, are you going to Italy?" she smiled for a second. Did she just start a meaningless conversation?

"You're going to laugh."

"You obviously don't know me." She said. If she and this human were to share a laugh, it would be at his expense not because she enjoyed their banter.

"There is this band I want to see. They play tonight in Rome. Yes, I know, I'm too old to still be going to concerts but they are pretty decent. It's actually a demon band, Wolf bane, you've heard of them?"

Saya faltered before shaking her head and looked away.

"I have two tickets to go and I invited my partner but he bailed on me at the last minute. You wouldn't like to go to a concert, would you?"

She turned to him and cocked a brow. He chuckled and bowed his head.

"Yeah, I thought so. Hey, I just thought I'd ask."

Their conversation finally died and they sat quietly in their seats. He'd occasionally peek at her to see if she was the least bit curious about him but she seemed dazed and focused on something, something that bothered her. He decided to leave her alone for now. The engine turned on and the door closed. The speaker went on and they announced the time of their departure and arrival. Saya's anticipation grew overwhelmingly. She hoped it wasn't true. It bothered her less that the human was marked. What continued to bother her was that Sesshomaru lied to her. She never took him for a liar, ever. Why would he do such a thing?

"If you were stuck on an island…"she heard and turned to the guy next to her. He smiled and met her eyes. "with a human man, and you two were the only people on that island, you'd…?"

"kill myself…" she finished and he laughed. "Actually, I'd kill him."

"No you wouldn't." he squinted playfully. "You seem like a tough woman….but you also seem like you're all talk."

"Don't tempt me. I do not wish to sit next to a rotting corpse for eight hours."

"Hmph…" he shook his head with a grin. "Whatever you say…"

She grinned as well and it faded quickly. What was going on? Was she enjoying this human's company? No, absolutely not. She couldn't deny that it was the first time in many years that she had a meaningless chat with someone. What if someone from the clan had seen this? She couldn't help it. She actually liked the attention from this man and wanted him to continue talking but he actually stopped. He opened up his book again and started reading. He wasn't going to ask her anything else. It wasn't as if she liked the man, she was just bored. She tried to open her mouth to say something but nothing came out. What could she ask? She wasn't used to making conversation with a human.

She sighed and looked out the window. Focus, she thought. Your intention is to get to Sesshomaru and stop whatever is happening at once. The Jade Order was finally ready for him and he needed to get it together. In eight hours, she'd find Sesshomaru and they'd come back home together and everything would go as they planned. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Kagome groaned when Marla told the both of them that Vita's party was tonight. Koga's concert was tonight and she planned to see it. Luckily, the concert ended when Vita's party started, so they could be fashionably late if they wanted. Unfortunately, they couldn't attend any after parties with Koga and the rest. Perhaps she could bring them to Vita's party. That could probably be awkward.

Marques smoked his cigar as he steamed Kagome's dress while humming the French's national anthem. Marla had leaned against the desk looking through her black book and transferring memos onto her PDA. She couldn't understand advanced technology so much and didn't fully trust it, therefore, her book served her as a backup. She sighed and looked up.

"So, have you guys thought about doing the runway?" her eyes darted from Kagome who sat in front of the television uninterested and Sesshomaru who smoked like a chimney out the window not acknowledging her. "I know I've said you had two months to think about it…but I would like to get you started on training and such when we get back to New York, which by the way, are you both planning to move together?"

Kagome shot her gaze to Sesshomaru and he didn't look at anyone. He, for the past few days, was very distant. Yesterday, they had gone out with Koga and she had a lot of fun. They went to eat, although she didn't eat much. She tried but her stomach must have shrunk because she was full within a few bites of her salad. They hung out in Travastere and went to a few museums and shopping malls but the entire time out, Sesshomaru had acted weird; weirder than his usual self did. He would walk apart from her, with his hands in his pockets. He made no effort to hold her hand when she had gotten used to it. She tried kissing him a few times and he would say he wasn't a fan of public display of affection, which didn't seem right because at one point, they didn't care who was around, his hands were all over her and vice versa. Tonight was their last night in Italy and they would leave tomorrow afternoon. They had Koga's concert, Vita's party and then they had to pack so that didn't leave them too much time alone to talk. There was something he wanted to tell her. She wanted to know what that was. She wanted to know what they were when they went back home. Did he consider her his girlfriend? Would they move in

together or would they go back to their loft and sleep in separate rooms after having shared a bed for two months.

Marla sighed when they didn't answer her and she went back to her PDA. Kagome just wanted her and Marques to leave already. She wanted to be alone with Sesshomaru in their room for a little while before they left. Sesshomaru finished his millionth cigarette and went into the bathroom. He'd been smoking more than usual, she thought. She wished for his touch again, even a kiss on the cheek, something! When they slept last night, his back was to her. In the morning, he'd been out of bed without so much as a good morning kiss. She felt perhaps she was spoiled, even if it were for just three weeks. It was the longest three weeks of her life and she missed the intimacy.

Sesshomaru washed his hands in the sink and rinsed his mouth with mouthwash. He didn't know why he continued to smoke so heavily but he couldn't stop. It was their last night in Italy and he still had not told her. What was he waiting for exactly, the right time? There was no right time. He could tell she'd been questioning his distance and he badly wanted to hold her in his arms at night, kiss her, even make love. They hadn't touched each other in a few days and it drove him mad but he had to get used to it. He had to.

'Oh god, I love you.' Repeated in his mind. Those words stood in his ears and he wished, in another situation, he could have said it back. He heard the door close and looked out the bathroom. Marla and Marques had left. Perhaps this was the perfect time to tell her. To tell her although he had no intention for them to be a fling, it seemed that's what it would be because he couldn't have anything serious with her while leading the clan. They wouldn't accept her and he made a vow to lead them. A vow to them and his mother and he didn't want to give up on his people like his father did. He felt his chest inflate with anger and another cigarette urge came along with it but he composed himself.

Just tell her, he thought. He walked over to the couch where she was sitting and sat down beside her. She looked at him questionably and knew he wanted to say something. Her eyes parted from his and glanced at the television.

"Okay!" they heard and looked at the door as Koga shot in holding his guitar. "I need to know what you guys think of my opening solo…"

Kagome cocked a brow and looked confused at Sesshomaru while he frowned. Koga dismissed their looks and started tuning his guitar as he sat beside them.

"Koga, how did you get up here?" Kagome asked.

"Oh," he said as he started strumming. "I just told the guards that you were my sister."

"and that worked?"

"No. Then I offered a couple of CDs', backstage passes to the concert and invitation to any after parties…" he smiled. "That worked…"

"Wow…I feel so safe." Kagome mumbled and looked at Sesshomaru. He glanced disbelievingly and stood up from the couch. He walked over to the closet and grabbed his suit hanging in front of the door.

"What's his problem?" Koga whispered.

"I have no idea…" Kagome shook her head. "so, let me hear it."

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"I wish I could put you in my suitcase…."Kagome whined as Isabella curled her hair.

Isabella chuckled, repetitive jingling sounded from her earrings as she shook with laughter.

"I wish you could do that too." She cleared her throat feeling a bit sentimental. "I would love to come to New York…maybe I'll visit around Christmas."

"Oooh, that'd be great. Christmas in New York is unbelievable." Kagome advertised, hoping it'd convince Isabella to come sooner.

"I will think about it."

"Hm, so what do you think of Inuyasha?"

Isabella blushed. "He's ok, why?"

"Ha, just asking. I think he's in to you."

"No, I don't think so."

"Uh huh….listen, remember you said you could tell how Sesshomaru felt with me? Well, trust me, I can tell. See, it isn't easy when it's about you, is it?"

"I suppose…" Isabella smiled. "but I was so right about Sesshomaru."

Kagome smiled for a moment but it faded. "Yeah, I wish I still believed that. He's been acting so weird lately…so distant. Maybe he regrets-"

"No…"Isabella interrupted. "He definitely doesn't."

"How do you know?"

"Why would he? He is so eh… enwrapped around you, he doesn't even act the same when he first came here. He seems nicer, less eh… bitter to everyone else, remember how he and Benito started? In the end, they didn't argue so much."

"Yeah…."Kagome laughed. "Maybe I'm just imagining things…I guess, I can't forget about the first dog bite."

"Where is he now?"

"He's around here somewhere, hiding from Koga."

"Why is he trying to hide?"

"Koga bothers him. "Kagome laughed. "but that's Koga. He likes to bother everyone."

"Hm, ok." Isabella ran her fingers through a curl and separated into a few strands. "You're going to look amazing for this party. Marcela is going to cry when she sees you in this dress."

"Oh god, that is one person I will definitely not miss when I leave here."

Isabella scoffed. "Lucky you. I am stuck with her."

"Hey, the offer still stands. My suitcase is pretty big; I don't think they'd be able to tell."

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Sesshomaru leaned against the ledge and stared out into the streets of Italy. He was so high up, he could view Naples and other cities miles away from Rome. He twirled the ring with wings around his finger and sighed. He had thrown the box out and watched the box freefall to its inanimate demise.

He tilted the ring and the orange glow from the sunset illuminated the gem. 'Throw it away' he thought but he couldn't bring himself to get rid of it.

"Hm, you don't strike me as an aquamarine kind of man, I figured you to be a ruby…opal, pearl perhaps." Koga cackled, his raspy voice prickled Sesshomaru's skin. "but I won't tell anyone. We all have our secrets. Mine is wearing blue open toe heels but let's keep that on the hush hush."

Sesshomaru lowered his head and scowled. "Why do you insist on pestering me?"

"I got nothing better to do and Kagome seems unaffected by my 'pestering'."

"Don't you have a concert to practice for?"

"Agh, that? I got that down to a key, my man. It's all good."

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. He placed the ring into his pocket and exchanged it for a cigarette. He felt Koga come closer and he backed away.

"You must have some death wish to come near me. If by some delusional aspect I have given you the impression that we are friends let me clarify it for you…we're not."

"Wow…why you gotta hurt my feelings? I'm not the enemy here, you are."

Sesshomaru glared at him trying not to look perplexed but even through his expressionless face, Koga could see he was very much confused.

"Yeah, it's obvious. You're fighting with yourself about something….and I'm betting it has to do with that pretty ring you have in your pocket."

"You shouldn't meddle in things that you have no place in."

"True…but when you got time like I do…." He lit his cigarette and took a long pull. He exhaled with a taunting grin. "you have place in everything. It keeps me connected in this circle of life and all that bullshit."

"Koga…"Sesshomaru warned. The fact he addressed him by his name was the warning.

"Relax, dude. I'm really not trying to meddle…I'm leaving…" he turned around and opened the roof door. He paused in the doorway and looked back at Sesshomaru. He opened his mouth but thought again and closed it. There was nothing he could say right now. It wasn't his business and he needed to stay out of it. He wanted to tell him but he didn't want to get involved. If Sesshomaru was smart, he would say something soon because after what he saw in the news in the morning, it wasn't long before Kagome found out.

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Kagome played with the waves of her hair and smiled. Isabella truly knew how to make her look like a goddess. She buttoned her white trench coat and walked down the steps. She tried to ignore Marques begging her to keep her coat closed at the concert so her dress wouldn't dirty. Sesshomaru walked behind her, glancing at her occasionally. She looked so beautiful and confident in her attire. Her makeup was light and her long wavy tresses accentuated her natural beauty.

She caught him looking and smiled. She reached for his hand and he hesitated before giving it to her. He swallowed hard, as if a large stone trapped in his throat as they walked out of the lobby. When they exited the hotel, paparazzi crowded in front of them and a million questions came at them but they ignored it as usual. Kagome and Sesshomaru looked to their side when a young girl shouted at the top of her lungs.

"BUGIARDO!" she bellowed and they looked at her confused. She looked angry at them and repeated the word as she walked away. The press pushed and shouted over each other, it was hard to understand anyone.

Two large men blocked and cleared their path to the limousine. When they got in, Kagome felt overwhelmed.

"What the hell was that about?" she said and Sesshomaru frowned. "What does 'Boogy-ardo' mean?"

"Bugiardo…"he corrected. "It means…liar."

"Liar? Who's lying, us?"

"I don't know." He said and he truly didn't but he didn't concern himself with it. There were other things he needed to worry about; other things that actually mattered. He looked at his phone; his mother didn't call him back. He had called her a few times before they left, hoping to talk with her. He needed to let his mother know he marked Kagome. He needed to tell the truth, at least.

"I wonder if my mother will ever speak to me again…"he heard, his thoughts vanishing immediately. He looked at Kagome and she stared out the window in a daze. "It's been seven months; you'd think someone would get over it by now. Maybe she just doesn't care…."

"She does..." he said, but it didn't come out in a comforting way. He stated it more as a fact without doubt. More words rested at his tongue wanting to come out but it was such a detour from the topic, it stood there for a moment and before he could say anything, she opened her mouth.

"Ok, I'm tired of making small talk…"Kagome sighed and turned to him. "What's the deal, why have you been so….cold?"

"I…have a lot on my mind."

"What do you have on your mind?" she asked. "I mean, it would be nice if you…let me in once in a while? I feel like I struggle just to know something about you. You're so…secretive."

Sesshomaru pursed his lips and frowned as he looked out the window.

Kagome sighed and dropped the subject. "Oooh, let's get coffee before the concert." She stared at him waiting for acknowledgment. He nodded and they told the limo driver to stop at the next coffee shop.

There was a small café stand a few blocks away from the concert. It wasn't too crowded and Kagome trotted toward it. She ordered her coffee while Sesshomaru attempted to call his mother again. While waiting for her Grande Mocha Soy Frap with extra whip cream, she skimmed through some of the magazines by the rack. She looked at Sesshomaru and he muttered incoherently on his phone, he looked annoyed. She wondered whom he was calling.

The boy behind the counter took long to put the contents in the blender. A girl hovered over him showing him what to do. He must have been training so she waited patiently. The boy went to start the blender but the girl shouted something but it was too late. Ice chunks of coffee and chocolate splattered on the both of them and the girl yelled something in Italian. She apologized to Kagome and begged her to wait just a bit longer. Kagome smiled and looked back at the magazine. She saw a picture of her and Sesshomaru and frowned when she saw the word 'Bugiardo'. The girl in the crowd had shouted that word earlier. Sesshomaru had said it meant 'Liar'. Kagome wished it was in English and flipped to the next page. Her heart sank right away after she saw the next picture. It was of Sesshomaru but she wasn't in the picture with him, it was Shurran. She blinked a few times, not believing her eyes and looked at Sesshomaru. He obliviously glared at his phone and met her eyes. Seeing her expression and not understanding it, he walked over.

"What's wrong?" he asked and touched her arm but she backed away from him. She looked back down at the magazine and focused on the foreign words. As if she could squint hard enough, she'd actually understand them. Her hands trembled and she walked away looking at the pictures. She walked back to the stand and looked through other magazines, hoping to find anything in English. There had to be something for the tourists to read. She rummaged and threw each magazine on the floor. Sesshomaru picked up the one she had before while she searched.

She found a magazine in English and looked through it. This one had the picture she saw, plus a few more and a small whimper of hurt escaped her lips. Sesshomaru found the page she was looking at and met her eyes when she looked at him. She went back to reading and he dropped the magazine.

"Stop it…"he said as he tried to grab the magazine from her hand. She continued reading it, not looking where she was going and headed back to the limo.

She tried to calm herself as she looked around her. People stared and everything sounded loud. Cars honked and people started shouting. She felt her breaths become shallow and she took all the strength she could muster not to cry. She wouldn't cry, not again.

He grinded his teeth and narrowed his eyes at her. "Get in the limo, let me explain."

"This is what it was about, wasn't it?" her voice broke. "This is why you've been….distant!"

"No."

"I…I should have known you would do this." She spat, her voice wavered and she struggled not to let a tear escape but it was hard.

"You don't understand."

"I asked you if anything was going on between you both..."she stammered, trying to calm herself. She panted as she looked back down at the magazine.

"there isn't."

"It says differently here."

"You cannot possibly believe that garbage."

"You look pretty close in this picture! So you guys met here in Italy, right? And you didn't tell me, but of course why would you? She's the real thing and I'm just a game!" she shouted. By this time, everyone was staring and she composed herself. She got into the limo and he sighed as he got in as well.

"Will you just be quiet for a moment and allow me to explain this."

"Don't talk to me." She said as he closed the door. She took deep breaths and crossed her arms. Her leg shook as she tried to focus on anything. To get her mind off it but the magazine on her lap didn't facilitate that option. She looked down and continued reading.

"Stop reading that."

"So, she's your wife, that's interesting... Where would she get that idea?"

"You know very well that it isn't true. I really don't want to have to explain this. It is a waste of time."

"Oh, so now we are a waste of time?"

"I did not say that." He scowled out the window. She was twisting his words. This happened so fast and he couldn't keep up. All he could think about was, this was the perfect chance to end it but he didn't want it to end. Now, he was trying to redeem himself for something he did not do. What was happening to him? His collected stature was crumbling before him because of a human. How did she hold such power against him? Was this what love did to a person? Had it been anyone else putting him in this very situation, he'd have thrown them out of the moving limo.

"I can't believe I thought….no, of course. Of course, what makes you different, right? You are a liar just like the rest of them."

"I did not lie." He said.

"No, you just didn't say anything. It's the same thing as lying! If you did not lie, what makes her say that? Where would she get the notion that you both are married?"

"because…"he paused and shook his head. How could this blow up in his face? Running from his mother and Shurran didn't do anything. It crept behind him to Italy. "It's complicated to explain..." He closed his eyes. That didn't sound good. He didn't have to look at her but he could tell her eyes grew large and he couldn't imagine the look of hurt on her face.

Kagome bit her lip as she looked back down at the magazine. "This is funny…'Lord Sesshomaru and his wife Shurran were seen looking cozy in Palace Garden; Lord Sesshomaru was seen leaving a jewelry store earlier rumored to have bought a ring.' That's just beautiful. Do you deny that?"

"I did go to a jewelry store but it isn't-"

"So it is true!" she cried and covered her face with her hand. Her eyes stung from the tears welling in them, she looked back down at the magazine, and Sesshomaru snatched it from her hands and threw it out of the window.

"Stop reading that nonsense and listen to me!" he raised his voice. He should let her think what she wanted and they could end it right here. Not like this, he thought. He didn't want her to think of him this way.

"I don't want to listen anymore. You lied! You are just a damn liar! All of you are alike! You just…" she stopped when the limo driver parked in front of a building. Everyone crowded and waited on line to get in. Kagome got out of the car and Sesshomaru tried to stop her.

"Don't…" he got out as well and followed her. She smiled at everyone and pretended everything was fine. Two huge men in black shirts and shades let her and Sesshomaru through. "Just wait…"

"Leave me alone…"she said and looked for a bathroom. She felt herself choke on her suppressed sob. It was coming and she needed to escape. Her breathing became much more labored when she found the bathroom and busted through the door. She locked it immediately and Sesshomaru cursed under his breath not even bothering to knock. He waited beside the door and Kagome ran to the sink and turned it on. She coughed a few sobs and the tears began to pour out.

"I'm so stupid!" she hit the sink and stared at her reflection. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" she uttered tersely under her breath.

How could she have been so oblivious? It was all a lie. She was actually happy, the happiest she'd been in such a long time. She couldn't believe it. He had held her so closely, his kisses, they couldn't have been lies. Ok, Koga's about to play soon, she thought.

"Let it all out, let it go…"she breathed. "Come on, be strong Kagome, come on…."

She took one last breath and washed her face. Thank goodness, she wasn't wearing much make up to begin with. She waited for the redness to leave her face and she wiped her nose. She felt more tears wanting to come out but she held them back.

When she got out of the bathroom, Sesshomaru grabbed her arm.

"Please, you must let me explain what-"

"KAGOME! SESSHOMARU!" Sango peeked her head from the corner of the hallway. Miroku, Ayame and Koga walked behind her.

"YO!" Koga waved for them to come over. Kagome pulled her arm from Sesshomaru's grasp and walked over to them. He led them to a room and passed a cup to everyone there. He looked at Kagome and poured Tequila into her cup. "Tonight, we party hard because it's our last night in Italy! Let's get wasted!" he slurred.

Kagome forced a laugh. "Koga, I think you already are."

"Yeah, I play better when I'm drunk." He shrugged and started pouring shots in everyone's cup. "Where's Inuyasha and Rin, they're not with you guys?"

"No…"Kagome's voice shook and Koga caught it. Crap, it almost escaped again. She looked at Sesshomaru and he stared bitterly at her. "Come on, let's drink up!" she said and didn't wait for anyone. She downed the potent liquor and howled, encouraging everyone, even herself to have a good time.

Koga handed Sesshomaru a cup but he declined. He looked at Kagome and walked over to her again.

"Quit doing this, you don't have the whole story."

"Hey, don't worry. We had our thing….now you go to your demon wife and do whatever."

"Kagome…."he growled.

"Me?" she grabbed the bottle of tequila and poured herself another shot. Everyone was already drunk and engaged in their own conversation to understand what was going on. "I'm going to go do my own thing because I am in Italy and I'm here to have a good time…just like I set out to do in the first place…" her voice cracked again. She took another shot and Sesshomaru scoffed and stormed off.

What a stubborn girl! He was about to leave but he couldn't. She was beginning to drink and he didn't want her to do anything stupid. He stood outside of the dressing room while they all took more shots and kept an eye on Kagome. After her fourth shot, he grabbed the bottle from her hand and gave it to a passing security guard.

"Why are you doing this?" he grabbed her wrists and trapped her between him and the wall.

"I'm not doing anything. What, I can't have a good time? Or is it just a demon thing? I can have my flings too, you know." She met eyes with a guy that'd been staring at her and winked at him. Sesshomaru followed her gaze to the guy and his face tightened.

"I did not plan to marry her that is why I didn't tell you."

"Yes, but you guys met up anyway, huh?"

"I ran into her."

"Wow, you ran into her, in Italy, really? Go on!" she laughed, already feeling a tipsy.

Sesshomaru felt himself get angrier at being mocked but he let it go. Why was he explaining anything to her? His intentions were to end it.

"Kagome, they're starting!" Sango yelled and Kagome slipped under Sesshomaru's arm and ran toward Sango. Sesshomaru cursed and hit the wall. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to block the noisiness of the place, people shouting, feedback from the guitars and he heard a familiar shriek pierce his ears.

"Did he start yet?" Rin shouted as she ran down the hall with Inuyasha. They looked at Sesshomaru and Rin went on to the stage. Inuyasha stopped next to Sesshomaru and frowned.

"What's wrong, where's Kagome?"

Sesshomaru scowled and didn't answer. He turned around and looked at Kagome by the stage, dancing. Inuyasha followed his gaze and decided not to push it. Something was going on between them and he decided not to get into it.

While the concert went on, Kagome hung out with Sango, Miroku and a few other guys. Sesshomaru did his best to ignore her flirting with every guy passing by. He knew she was doing it on purpose and he

was above this petty nonsense. There was one guy that seemed to follow her everywhere and this was pissing him off.

Sesshomaru felt his hands tighten into fists in his pockets, his eyes glazed over with anger and he never took his eyes off of Kagome and the guy. She whispered something in the guy's ear and he nodded. The music was so loud, he couldn't hear anything. Why wouldn't she hear him out? Why was she being so obstinate to assume she knew what was going on? Why was he sticking around trying to justify himself? He should just leave, he thought. Walk away from this. He couldn't leave just yet, there was Vita's party to attend. They were still under contract so there was no way out of this.

The concert finished and Kagome and Sesshomaru went to the limo. Kagome took off her jacket and sniffed back her tears. It was a bad idea to drink. She wasn't drunk but now she had no control over her tears. They were pouring out without hesitation. She tried to wipe them as fast as they were coming down.

He felt his hand twitch each time wanting to touch her arm, soothe her. He didn't want her to cry but every time he got closer, she'd push him away.

When they arrived at Vita's house, Marla greeted them before anyone. She pulled Sesshomaru to the side and questioned him about the scandal.

"What is this about?" she whispered and Kagome walked passed them to go inside.

"Now isn't the time." He said and tried to escape.

"Listen, I have to go in front of the press with this issue. Is it true or is it not, are you married to this woman?"

"No. It is not true. I was never married nor do I plan on marrying that woman."

"Alright..." Marla said. She believed him. Why would he have to lie to her? "Luckily we had launched already or this would have ruined us." She said and he walked off trying to find Kagome.

This wasn't good, she pondered and her eyes shot wide open. "Wait!" she said but it was too late, he was already inside. "That woman is in there…."she sighed and slapped her forehead.

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Kagome covered her arms and avoided making eye contact as she entered the house. Everyone smiled and greeted her but she kept it short. Her eyes must have been puffy by now. She didn't want anyone to notice.

"Oh, if it isn't one of the lovebirds." A voice cooed and Kagome clenched her teeth. She turned around and saw Marcela. Her blonde hair was loose and swayed behind her back and she traced the plunging neckline of her Versace black dress. She batted her thick lashes that rimmed her ice blue eyes and stared

amusingly at Kagome. Armando remained quiet and held a drink in one hand, his other hand was around Marcela's hip. "Nice dress..."

"Don't start with me, Marcela…" Kagome gritted as she tried to walk off.

"I didn't say anything." She laughed.

Kagome walked as far as possible, Marcela's laugh fading away. She felt someone grab her hand and thought it was Sesshomaru.

"I told you, please leave me alone!" she spat and gasped when it wasn't him. "Shinji?"

"Wow…if I recall, I don't think I did anything wrong." He released her and backed away defensively. She stared into his green eyes and noticed she had hurt him.

"I'm sorry…I thought you were…" she looked around and caught sight of Sesshomaru. He was by the door looking for her.

"your roommate?" he smiled. "Sorry…I'm not."

"I'm glad…" she laughed but tears came out and Shinji frowned.

"What's wrong?" he looked concerned and placed his hand on her face. "Are you alright? Did he do anything to you?"

"No…I'm fine." She lied but her voice was hoarse. "I didn't know you were going to be here."

"Yeah, well, I'm done with my photo shoots. Now they want me to do the runway for fashion week in January."

"You too?" Kagome said, doing her best to forget about everything. She scanned the room and noticed Sesshomaru staring at her and Shinji.

"Kagome…are you sure you are alright? Because you don't look it."

"I'm just…" she stopped when she saw Shurran walking toward her. "I just want to go home…I don't feel well."

"I can take you home, I brought my car." He said.

"Well, what a small world." Shurran said as she came up to them and Kagome backed away. She pressed her lips tightly and fumed. Her presence alone made her blood boil and she flinched at the thought of attacking her. Sesshomaru headed toward them and everything felt like it was on a fast forward button. She wished she could leave and Shinji rested his hand on her back. "So, I take it you know now?" she smiled.

"Go to hell…"Kagome spat.

"It sucks that you needed to find out this way, really….but you should have known. Demons belong with demons…Sesshomaru…he is mine!"

"I don't care…"Kagome cried. "You can have him!"

Sesshomaru stopped in his steps when he heard that and frowned when he saw Shinji's hand on her back.

Shurran looked over her shoulder and grinned. "There you are…I've been looking for you." She said and Sesshomaru looked surprised to see her. What was she doing here?

"We need to talk…"he said to Kagome but she looked away.

Shurran rolled her eyes and frowned. "Oh enough with this already, Sesshomaru. This has got to stop. Tell the human that she was dreaming to have thought anything could happen between you both. Let her know, it was just a game."

Kagome cursed to herself as a tear escaped. She wanted to say something, anything but nothing would come out. She didn't meet Sesshomaru's eyes and Shinji placed an arm around her protectively.

Sesshomaru took a deep breath and glared at Shurran. "Stay out of this…" He looked at Shinji and his eyes darted to his arm around Kagome and back at him. He could feel his hand trembling and he looked at Kagome.

"Come with me, we need to talk." He said, his voice shaking with anger at the sight of Shinji being too close to her. He ignored it as best as he could but Shinji continued to threaten him by holding Kagome back.

"She doesn't want to." Shinji retorted and Sesshomaru's eyes began to burn.

Shurran scoffed. "Let her be with the human. They belong together."

"Oh, shut your stupid mouth, you ugly demon bitch…" Kagome heard and looked back surprised to see Marcela with a hand on her hip. Armando stood beside her drinking a martini. "You're just jealous because Kagome is ten times more beautiful than you'll ever be and he chose her instead of you. Anyway, why are you here? I've seen your spreads and acts on the runway, there is no place for you here, wannabe" she laughed and Shurran opened her eyes wide and gasped. A few people laughed and Shurran wanted to say something but walked off instead.

Kagome stared at Marcela confused and she scowled back at her.

"What? Don't get confused. I still don't like you but I hate conceited demon bitches more!" she huffed and walked away with Armando.

Sesshomaru wanted everyone to disappear. He just wanted to speak to Kagome. That was it but she didn't give him the time. She stood next to Shinji for most of the night and it pained him to see that. He didn't want this. When the party ended, he searched around for Kagome but didn't find her. Marla had

told him she left with Shinji and he almost lost it. He stormed out of the house and went to the limo. He headed back to the hotel, his mind racing with thoughts. When he got to the hotel, he saw Kagome get out a car in front of the limo and tried to chase after her.

"Kagome…" he said and stopped when he heard his name. He looked to his side and saw his father come out of a BMW.

"Sesshomaru, I need to speak with you." He said and Sesshomaru looked back at Kagome. She entered the lobby and was by the elevator and got in.

"Not now." He entered the lobby and his father caught up to him.

"No, it is imperative that I tell you that your-"

"Sesshomaru!" he heard again, this time it was a voice he had not expected to hear. He looked to his side and saw his mother walking over to him. He didn't understand her expression and he couldn't believe she was here.

"Your mother is here…."his father finished.

Everything was happening so fast. Everything was unraveling at a speed that he couldn't keep up with. All concentration was on Kagome and all he could think about was getting to her.

"I cannot speak right now." He said and tried to walk away but his mother grabbed his sleeve.

"How could you?" she bellowed and raised her hand. Sesshomaru being preoccupied by the elevator door closing didn't pay attention but his father caught her hand in time before she could slap him.

"Saya, don't you dare!"

"You stay out of this, you fool! This is your doing! How could you have marked a human, Sesshomaru, how could you?"

Inutaisho looked between Sesshomaru and Saya and noticed everyone around them staring. "This isn't the place to talk about this."

"No, it isn't. Sesshomaru is coming with me." She said and grabbed his wrist. "You, human lover, stay out of this. This is between me and my son."

Sesshomaru cocked a brow and looked at his wrist as his mother pulled him. Were they both crazy? They were acting as if he were four years old.

"Our son!" Inutaisho corrected with a growl and grabbed his wrist and pulled. "He is old enough to make his own decisions."

"Obviously not! He will be twenty-one soon, he is betrothed to Shurran."

"He is not." Inutaisho repeated. "He can decide for himself."

Sesshomaru sighed and rolled his eyes. How did he get trapped in a quarrel between his parents? What were the odds of both of them being in Italy for this exact moment? Someone somewhere hated him. He pulled from both of their grasps.

"Have you two lost it?"

His mother ignored him. "It's because of you he's inherited your lying traits."

Inutaisho sighed. "Saya, I never lied and you know that."

"Sesshomaru is already set to marry Shurran. He will lead the Jade Order or else!"

Inutaisho glowered and crossed his arms. "Or else what, are you going to continue to make threats against my family?"

"What on earth are you talking about? You're as paranoid as ever!"

"Oh please, I know all about your plans….like you had nothing to do with sending the Tamashi on Rin and Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru squinted and looked at them both. This was new to him. No one mentioned anything about this.

Saya gasped. "How dare you accuse me of such low level acts, I do not care to threat those pointless beings in your family. My concern is with my son alone. I don't want him coming out like you. He has excellent qualities and I would hate to see them go to waste because of a human!"

"Now who is lying? You have the Jade Order causing unlawful acts even here in Italy…two of them broke into the Vatican two nights ago. I have murder cases that the police bring up to me speculating it to be a hate crime caused by demons. Don't tell me you have nothing to do with this!"

Saya looked at both of them confused. What on earth was he talking about?

"I did not order anyone, especially here in Italy. I just sent the Tamashi and that was to watch Sesshomaru! Get it out of your head to think this is about you, you idiot…I could care less about that half breed and human you harbor."

"Watch your mouth!"

"No, you watch your mouth!"

"Will you both be quiet?" Sesshomaru scolded. This was humiliating, he thought. He couldn't take it anymore. This mess was because of him. The jade order, his mother's torment, Kagome's pain…this all was because of him. He looked at his father and gazed at the floor and sighed. He wanted to go to Kagome. He wanted to prove in any way he could that nothing happened between him and Shurran but to do so, he'd have chosen Kagome and his mother would be humiliated in front of everyone.

"This is over…"he told them both and they stared at him. "This is my choice and mine alone."

"Then what is your choice?" his father asked.

Sesshomaru lifted his chin sternly at his mother. "Take me to the Jade Order…"

His mother faltered a smile and nodded.

Inutaisho bit back his words as he clenched his teeth and backed away. He met Sesshomaru's eyes briefly with a disappointed look and he walked away without saying another word.

"Do you need to go upstairs to get anything?" his mother asked.

"No…"he refused to look back. "let us leave now."

He placed his hands in his pockets as they walked out of the hotel, ignoring the cold feeling of the ring as his fingers brushed against it. He pushed his finger through the loop halfway and stroked it. A pain started in his chest as they left the hotel. It felt like a sting and his throat felt like it was closing. He ignored it as they got into a limo and drove off. The pain was just for a little while. It would go away because he knew he was going to do the right thing.

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