InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ The Point of No Return ( Chapter 34 )

SF: I don't own it, so don't sue. I only have {::reaches in her pocket and pulls out a Barbie shoe (How the hell…!), pocket lint and a recipe for shrimp scampi::} this crap, and I don't think it's worth anything.

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Point of No Return

*Saturday, 6:03 PM, Atlanta, GA*

Kagome slowly awakened, listening to the various sounds around her as she attempted to determine for herself where she was. She could hear a TV, the sound of running water and-

"Miroku, if you put your hand there…"

>Slap!<

>Slap!<

"Ow…"

Kagome laughed quietly to herself, sitting up and opening her eyes to see her surrounding. Sutaasafaia and Katrina stood at the ends of hers and Sango's beds, Sango, Inuyasha and Shippou laughing their heads off at the battered hentai at their feet.

"How many times do I have to tell you," Katrina grumbled as Sutaasafaia nudged Miroku in the side. "Don't-touch-me!"

"I agree Miroku!" Sutaasafaia said as she sat on the foot of Kagome's bed. "An officer should have more control."

"I just can't help myself," Miroku defended himself as he stood up. "I seem to forget myself around pretty ladies."

"Yeah, well you'd better remember yourself next time," Sango said in mock annoyance. "Because it'll be ugly if I have to get up from here."

"Well, I, um…here's my favorite pretty lady now!" Miroku said, waving over Sutaasafaia's shoulder to Kagome. "How are you?"

"Sore all over," she mumbled, gaining the others attention as Shippou appeared at her side and hugged her.

"Kagome-mama! I'm so glad to see you!" he blurted out. "We've thought you were dead too many times this week! Promise you won't do it again!"

"I promise Shippou," Kagome said, patting his flaming hair gently. "I'll be good from now on."

"Good, because you missed a lot," Sutaasafaia said, making herself comfortable as she readied her 'report'. "For one, Naraku's dead."

"Could've fooled me," Kagome muttered, then smiled sheepishly. "How do they know?"

"I don't know. Something about DNA remains. Anyway, you guys blasted him into dust!"

"Actually, Sesshoumaru blasted him into dust. Where is he anyway?"

"That's the best par-OW!" Inuyasha hollered as Katrina nudged him in the side. "What was that for?"

"Sutaasafaia isn't finished," she said as she sat on his knee. "So be patient a moment, if you please."

"Whatever," he grumbled, grasping her hip before waving Sutaasafaia on. "Go 'head so I can get to my part of the story."

"Fine, grouch." Sutaasafaia pouted a moment, then turned her back on him completely. "Not only did we take down Onigumo Naraku, international smuggler, terrorist and all around scumbag, we took out his entire operation!"

"Wow," Kagome said as the others cheered around her. "What else?"

"Well, aside of the Tenseiga being in that place, there were guns and drugs that were seized by the FBI. Oh, and for going above and beyond the call of duty, we got our jobs back!!!!"

"REALLY?!" Kagome squealed, she and Sutaasafaia hugging happily as Katrina and Inuyasha held their ears.

"Ouch you two," Inuyasha grumbled. "It's nice to see you happy, but do you have to be so fucking loud about it?"

"Shut up Inuyasha," Shippou said from beside Sango. "No one gives a damn about your hearing!"

"Shippou!" Kagome gasped in surprise. Inuyasha jumped up, Katrina sliding from his lap to the floor as he reached for Shippou.

"Come here you little brat!" Inuyasha yelled, chasing Shippou as he jumped over both Sango and Kagome, through the door and out of the room in a giggling, whirling mass of red hair.

"Should we stop them?" Katrina asked as she picked herself up off the floor. She, Sutaasafaia, Kagome and Sango looked at each other a moment, then

"Nope."

"What about Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked once again, this time shaking Sutaasafaia's arm.

"What about him?" she asked mischievously, then winced when Kagome punched her arm.

"You know what about him!"

"What about who?" Kagome glanced to the door, then beamed happily as Sesshoumaru stepped into the room. "And why is Inuyasha chasing a red ball down the hallway?" he asked, closing the door behind him.

"Oh yeah, that," Katrina said with a sigh. "That's a long story. Um, Sesshoumaru-sama-"

"Do not worry Katrina," Sesshoumaru said with a wave of his hand. "You are in no trouble with me. I hear that you destroyed the youkai that kidnapped Rin, yes?"

"Yes," Katrina said softly, her eyes downcast as she held back tears of sadness. Sesshoumaru nodded. "Good. Then you have paid your debt to me."

"And what about me?" Kagome asked, pouting a moment before taking in his attire. "Forget that, what are you wearing?"

Sesshoumaru glanced down at the Atlanta Braves jersey he wore, it being at least a size too small with the same white pants Kagome found at the lab. "This is his," he commented, pointing to Miroku. "I have not had a chance to call for more clothing."

"Yeah," Sutaasafaia interjected. "Neither he, Katrina or Inuyasha have had a chance to get a change of clothes."

"Jeez, that sucks." Kagome chuckled softly, then began to protest as Sutaasafaia and the others began to file out of the room. "Hey, where are you guys going?"

"We're going outside," Sango said as she too slipped from her bed and followed the others. "And before you get started, Katrina healed me enough to be able to move around. You and Sesshoumaru have some things to talk about."

Kagome frowned at her back as she left the room, Sango quietly closing the door behind her as Sesshoumaru sat at the foot of Kagome's bed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair away from Kagome's face. Kagome shrugged in reply. "As good as I should feel, I guess."

"You do understand that I could not have defeated the hanyou if it were not for you."

Kagome nodded. "Yeah, I had a feeling that you had a plan." She rubbed her neck gingerly, the bite mark slowly healing underneath her fingers. "But I didn't expect it to hurt."

Sesshoumaru chuckled darkly, earning a punch in the arm in response. "My apologies." He turned serious then, turning to Kagome with curious, golden eyes. "Why?"

"Why what?" Kagome asked, applying one last burst to her neck before looking at him. "Why did I come to get you?"

"Yes."

"Simple." Kagome took a deep breath, then blushed as she whispered "I missed you."

"But you hated me," Sesshoumaru said with a quirk of his brow. "Has that changed?"

"I never hated you," Kagome admitted. "I was mad, I still kinda am, but I never hated you."

"You have every right to be."

Kagome turned to him quickly, her surprise evident on her face as she checked his pulse. "Are you feeling ok?"

"I am fine, I assure you," Sesshoumaru grumbled, hastily yanking his arm out of her grasp.

"Don't be offended Sesshoumaru," Kagome said to him, reaching for his hand and entwining her fingers in his. "I just didn't expect you to say that, that's all."

"I'm sure you didn't." Sesshoumaru glanced down at her, then shook his head in amusement. "But then again, do we really know what to expect from each other?"

Kagome giggled slightly, nodding her head in agreement. "Yeah, you're right about that. After all, who would think that you and I would get along with each other."

"Or that you would be the guardian of the Shikon."

"Yeah…" Kagome said nervously. "About that…"

"There is no need to explain," Sesshoumaru told her as he pulled her into his lap. "But I wish to make a deal with you."

"It isn't the same kind of deal you made with Naraku, is it?" Kagome asked skeptically. Sesshoumaru gently poked her in the side, then did it again as she giggled and attempted to squirm out of his reach. "Ok, ok!" she finally gasped. "What kind of deal?"

"I want to start over, from 'scratch' as you would say," he replied. "If that is ok with you."

"Well…"

"Hey Kagome!" Kagome and Sesshoumaru turned just as Miroku poked his head into the room. "We just got a call from Kaede. She says that we can go home now. She wants a full report tomorrow though, ok?"

"Yeah ok." Kagome sighed to herself, lost in some distant thought before turning to Sesshoumaru with a smile. "You ready to go?" she asked, she and Sesshoumaru standing up and off the bed.

"I suppose so," Sesshoumaru answered. He reached inside his pocket for his cell phone, his fingers dialing a few numbers as Kagome shook her head.

"Silly, silly Sesshoumaru."

"What was-" Sesshoumaru blinked, then shut his phone when a pink light flashed in front of him. They stood in his upstairs hallway a few moments later, Kagome leaning against the wall with a lopsided smile on her face.

"Well, that would explain that."

Kagome giggled beside him, then shook her head and opened the door to her room. "I'll wait in here so you can change, ok?"

"No." He rested his hand on her shoulder, then opened his bedroom door. Kagome cast him a skeptical glance, which he swiftly brushed aside. "I want you to be the first person I see when I get out of the shower."

"Oh." Kagome fought the blush that threatened to stain her cheeks. 'You and your dirty mind, Kagome…' "Sure, ok then." She walked in behind him, immediately floored by the elegance of his room. The entire room was decorated in charcoal grays, blacks and whites, a stark contrast to the bright reds, blues and greens of her room.

"I'll be right back," Sesshoumaru told her, interrupting her musings before disappearing behind a nearby door. Water started moments later, and Kagome took the time to finish her thoughts as Sesshoumaru took his shower.

'Well, here I am again,' she said to herself, taking a seat in a chair next to the door. 'Who would imagine that we would have gone through so much after we left last week? He's done so much, and he's still so aloft, but there are moments when he can be really sweet.'

Kagome sighed quietly, her index finger rubbing her forehead as she felt the onslaught of a killer headache. 'I feel so different now. Last week and this week are so different. I…can't imagine being without him now.' She sent her healing after the frayed nerve causing her distress, her thoughts still in a spin as the water in the bathroom shut off. 'I'll never live as long as him and Ji-chan would freak if he found out about him, but I don't think I care anymore. I just want to be with him.'

She looked up as Sesshoumaru came out of the bathroom, a fluffy white towel wrapped toga-style around his waist with another towel in his hand as he dried his hair. He glanced in her direction, then fully studied the conflicted look on her face. "Kagome?"

'Yeah,' Kagome agreed with herself, finally rising out of the chair and moving to stand in front of Sesshoumaru. 'I just…I don't care anymore. I know he's told a lot of stories, but he wants to start over. I want to start over too.'

Sesshoumaru watched her curiously, more thoughtful than alarmed when her hand rose to gently cup his cheek. "Kagome, are you alright?"

"Yeah," Kagome replied with a nod of her head. "Never better." She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his before she lost the nerve. Sesshoumaru started instantly, the towel in his hand forgotten as Kagome shyly swept her mouth over his.

'This is new,' Sesshoumaru thought to himself, barely aware that Kagome was slowly backing them toward his bed. 'Normally I kiss her first.'

Kagome stopped when her heel knocked against the bed frame, her hand reaching behind her to hastily shove the blankets aside as she slowly traced Sesshoumaru's bottom lip with her tongue. She quickly boosted herself onto the bed, pulling a more than willing Sesshoumaru on top of her before deepening the kiss.

Sesshoumaru kept his breaths deep and low, slowly drinking in the scent of her arousal as it fogged his mind and systematically shut down his self-control. He quickly took over the kiss, immediately drawing her tongue into his mouth and purring in satisfaction. Kagome's hands buried themselves deep inside Sesshoumaru's damp mane, urging him to continue as he struggled to stop.

"Kagome," he whispered, his voice thick and husky even to him. He pulled away and shook himself free, only to stiffen in pleasure as she pressed warm, wet kisses down his throat. "Kagome, we have to stop."

"Why?" she whispered beneath him, somehow managing to settle him between her legs, stroke his back and tease his ear at the same time.

"Because if we don't, we might do something you don't want to do."

"But I want this."

Sesshoumaru's tail quickly wound itself around her wrists, pinning her hands above her head while Sesshoumaru tilted her face toward him. "You want what?" he asked, his mind slowly clearing itself as Kagome began to blush.

"I want…" she chewed on her lower lip nervously, Sesshoumaru reprimanding her with a quick kiss before urging her to go in. "I want you, and…"

"And?" Sesshoumaru asked, though he had a feeling where she was going. 'No. I'll not jump to conclusions. If she truly wants this, then she'll ask. Then she'll belong to me, and no one could challenge it.'

"And I don't want to stop Sesshoumaru." Her blush darkened considerably, her arousal and her embarrassment fighting a one sided battle against each other. Sesshoumaru loomed over her for a moment, his eyes distant and his face expressionless before slowly lowering his head next to hers and tracing her ear with the tip of his nose.

"Then what do you want me to do Kagome," he murmured softly, his breath dancing on the side of her face. "This Sesshoumaru cannot read minds." 'Well, I could, but I don't see why I should.'

Anger flared in her scent for a moment, it nearly as intoxicating as her arousal before Kagome sighed. "I want to keep going." She softly caressed his cheek with hers, bringing her knees up to his waist and waiting until he looked at her to whisper "Please…"

'Well,' Sesshoumaru thought as he complied to her wishes, his lips crashing down on hers in a passionate and fiery kiss. 'Who would have thought that she'd beg for it?'

Kagome attempted to free her hands, giving little moans of protest when Sesshoumaru ignored her. He smirked down at her but a moment, then flexed his claws and raked a hand down the side of her jeans. They ripped instantly, his claws managing to tear through denim and lace but miss nicking the fragile, delicate skin underneath. Kagome gasped in shock when he jerked the ruined cloth away from her and over his shoulder, frowning when he looked to her again.

"What?" he muttered playfully. "Do you not approve?" He kissed her before she could answer, the anger in her aura and scent melting away instantly.

'This is what I've waited for,' Sesshoumaru thought to himself before tossing his remaining towel to the side. He used his claws again on her shirt and vest, reaching inside the inner pocket of the vest for the Shikon no Tama. He set it on the nearby nightstand without Kagome's knowledge, then proceeded to toss the destroyed garments to a far side of the room. He paused a moment, his eyes eagerly drinking in every ounce of creamy skin as Kagome blushed in embarrassment.

"Beautiful," Sesshoumaru muttered softly, inwardly smirking when her blush darkened. He propped himself up on his left hand, using his right to slowly caress her side. His hands lingered at her waist, where a star shaped scar heralded the Shikon no Tama's exit point.

"From Naraku," Kagome whispered, fully expecting the growl that followed. "It's no problem Sesshoumaru. It doesn't hurt."

'If the hanyou weren't already dead, I would kill him,' Sesshoumaru thought to himself as he leaned over and kissed the wound. A small spark passed between them, creating something like static shock that gave Sesshoumaru pause. 'Interesting…that is something that can be explored later. For now, I want to make sure of my claim.'

He moved back to her thigh, then used the smoother part of his claws to track the same path. Kagome shivered beneath him, her arousal spiking immediately. He gently cupped a breast, using his thumb to trace light circles around her nipple.

Kagome arched against his hand instantly, a slight mewing coming from somewhere in her throat. He could feel her temperature rising as a rosy blush flushed over her body. She grasped the end of his tail tightly, her back arching as his hand moved from her breast to her inner thigh. Sesshoumaru gently cupped her center, using his ring and index finger to hold her open and his middle to work the hyper sensitive bundle of nerves hidden between them.

Kagome moaned deeply, her eyes closing as her mouth went slack. 'Wow,' she thought through the overload of her senses. 'I thought my first time would hurt, but this…' She felt like the handle of a jack in the box.

Sesshoumaru tested her readiness, gently pressing his finger to her opening. 'She is ready,' he reasoned when he registered the wetness between her legs. He lowered himself over her slowly, being sure to continue his ministrations as he positioned himself at her opening. He moved his hand swiftly, replacing it with his enlarged member. He thrust into her without a word of warning, blocking all senses but the sense of touch as Kagome froze beneath him.

'Oh!' she bit her lip to keep quiet, the sudden pain causing her to bite straight through it without realizing it. She winced again when he pulled out, only to thrust again nearly twice as hard. 'He doesn't know,' Kagome realized as Sesshoumaru's hips set a rhythm. 'I won't ruin it for him then. Besides, the pain should go away sooner or later…right?'

The pain did subside after a few strokes, leaving behind a slightly sore feeling as the heat of the moment reclaimed her once again. She soon began to meet his thrusts with his, her breath coming in short pants with him. Sesshoumaru lifted her hips from the bed, making each stroke deeper as well as faster until Kagome could only hold on and enjoy the ride.

Sesshoumaru rocked forward one last time, throwing them both over their climaxes. He stiffened when she cried out, her pants gentle to his ears as he lowered her back to the bed. Sesshoumaru moved to her other side, pulled her onto his slick chest and reached down for the blankets. He covered them both from the suddenly cooler air, and looked down at his unusually quiet partner.

"Kagome?" he whispered softly, taking a moment to kiss the top of her damp hair. "Are you still awake?"

"Mmm…"

'It would seem that I've tired her out," Sesshoumaru thought in amusement, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.

"Sesshoumaru?"

'Well, it would seem that she's not so tired after all.' "Yes Kagome?"

Kagome yawned, a large sleepy one that reminded him of a week old puppy. "Love you."

He waited until she fell asleep entirely, then whispered "And I you, my Kagome." 'Though I do feel as if I missed something. No matter. There will be plenty of time to enjoy her fully. After all,' an evil smirk suddenly appeared on his face. 'She belongs to me. Nothing can take her from me now.'

*6:08 AM*

Kagome woke slowly, taking the time to adjust to her surroundings as she looked around the room. 'Oh, I'm still in Sesshoumaru's room,' she realized, taking a moment to snuggle underneath the covers. She glanced over at the nearby nightstand, then sat up with a wince and reached for the Shikon.

'When did he have it put on a necklace?' she wondered to herself, fingering the herringbone chain and pondering the pendant clasp attached to the jewel itself. 'And where on earth is Sesshoumaru?'

Kagome turned toward the bathroom, where she briefly heard water running before it was shut off. 'Oh, so that's where he is,' Kagome said with a smile. 'I wonder how fast he can dry off and get dresse-'

Sesshoumaru emerged from the bathroom moments later, fastening the last cufflink before glancing up at her and smiling. "Awake I see."

"Good morning Sesshoumaru," Kagome greeted shyly, a light blush rising on her cheeks. Sesshoumaru leaned over and brushed his lips against her forehead. "I suppose it is a good morning. I, however, prefer last night."

Kagome's blush deepened, to which Sesshoumaru chuckled lightly before sitting up and off the bed. "What time is it?" she asked, glancing around for a clock of some kind. She finally found the small digital on the other side of the bed. "Oh wow! It's 6:18!"

"Yes, and I must be leaving you," Sesshoumaru replied. "I'm sure the office is in chaos after my absence."

"I've got to be going too." Kagome slid down the side of the bed, noticing for the first time how high it was before wrapping the sheet around her body and looking around. "Um, Sesshoumaru?"

"Yes?"

"Where are my clothes?"

Sesshoumaru chuckled again, this time shaking his head slightly. "Do you not remember? They were…destroyed, if I remember correctly."

Kagome blushed again, remembering exactly what happened to her clothes, then shrugged and made her way to the door connecting to her room.

"Kagome, where are you going?" Sesshoumaru asked, his voice flat and emotionless.

"I'm going to get a change of clothes," Kagome replied, unaware of the blank, stoic look on her lover's face.

"Why?"

"Because I have to go to work, remember?" Kagome reached for the door, only to have her hand rebounded by a blood red ki barrier. "What the…Sesshoumaru? Why is my room blocked off?"

"You don't need clothes Kagome," Sesshoumaru told her, gently pulling her toward him and enfolding her in a secure hug. Kagome giggled, playfully swatting at his hands and attempting to get out of his grasp.

"Of course I need clothes," Kagome replied. "Can you imagine Miroku's face if I showed up like this."

Sesshoumaru growled suddenly, a sound that threatened blood and murder at the very idea. Kagome patted his arm, trying to regain his attention before finally waving her hand in his face. "Sesshoumaru. What's wrong?"

"You don't need clothes," Sesshoumaru told her, his hold on her tightening with each word. "Because you will not be returning to work."

"What? What do you mean by that?" Kagome demanded as she began squirming in his arms. "I have to go to work! I'll get fired if I don't!"

"You are going to quit."

"You must be crazy!" Kagome shouted. "I can't quit my job! I like my job!"

"You act as if you have a choice," Sesshoumaru snarled angrily, finally fed up with her insolence. "You will quit, and you will stay here."

"No, I won't!!" Kagome argued back. "I have friends and family! I can't stay here! I know you love me and all but-"

"Did I say I loved you?" Sesshoumaru interrupted, instantly granted with complete silence. "That…may not have been true…"

"What…" Kagome gasped, her eyes wide and disbelieving. "What are you…you don't…I don't-"

"Of course you do," Sesshoumaru replied, ignoring the aching in his chest as tears welled in her eyes. 'It is for her own good,' he told himself as he allowed Kagome to step out of his arms. 'She needs to be punished for her disobedience. There is no other way.'

"No," Kagome whispered, the first of many tears streaking down her cheeks. "I don't…you said-"

"What I said and what I mean are two different things, my dear miko," Sesshoumaru said coldly, disregarding the sudden urge to be gentle on her, to hold her when she began to shake. "Youkai cannot love, and if we could, do you think I'd love you? You are miko, and human. You're deserving of nothing but my bed."

Kagome blinked, then blinked again, her mind telling her that there was no way, no way Sesshoumaru just said what she obviously heard. 'He doesn't love me,' she realized as it finally sank in. 'He used me, tricked me. I'm nothing but a toy to him.'

Grief turned to righteous indignation, a need for revenge as she stared him in the face and screamed "I won't be talked to like that! And I will not stay here!!!! Goodbye, you pompous asshole!"

She turned to the door, intent on leaving when, in a silver flash, she suddenly found herself sprawled on her stomach, with Sesshoumaru pinning her to the floor and a bruise darkening on her right cheek.

'How dare she?!' Sesshoumaru snarled viciously, his well taught control withering away before him. 'I should kill her for her insolence! No one speaks to me like this-'

"Get off me Sesshoumaru," Kagome commanded beneath him, her voice eerily calm has her heartbeat slowed to a steady beat. "Or I swear to God, I'll fry you where you sit."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed fractionally, his claws extended and itching to bathe in her blood when a better idea surfaced in his mind. He leaned forward slowly, his hand combing through her hair before fisting at the base of her skull and jerking her head up.

"You listen to me," he growled dangerously, his rage growing by leaps and bounds by her defiance and lack of fear. "For I will only say this once: You belong to me. You will do as I say. For every time you disobey, I will find some way to…punish you."

"I don't care what you do to me," Kagome said back. "You can't hurt me."

"Hurt you?" Sesshoumaru replied as if insulted by the mere idea. He ripped a small vent in the back of Kagome's sheet, then slipped a finger through the rip and between Kagome's legs. He slowly manipulated the nod between them, his thumb pressing against the sensitive nerve as he effortlessly slipped his finger inside her.

"I would never dream of hurting you," he said, his finger slowly gliding in and out of her wet opening. He tisked at her attempt to get away, merely dropping some of his weight onto her back to hold her still. "I am very creative in the ways of punishment, my dear miko. You will do exactly as I say."

"Never!" Kagome said with a breathy gasp, struggling to keep her hips still as his thumb began to trace little circles over her clit. Sesshoumaru chuckled again, a dark, evil sound that sent shivers up Kagome's spine.

"You will be surprised at what I'll have you doing, my dove." He kissed the top of her head, then rested a hand to her shoulder, holding her still before burying his finger completely inside her in one rough jerk. He smiled at Kagome's tortured gasp, his enraged mind slowly calming to one of calmness and placidness. He withdrew his hand slowly, watching as Kagome's back relaxed muscle by muscle.

"I shall continue this later," Sesshoumaru told her as he stood up. "If you've been a good girl of course."

Kagome reached back to grasp his pant leg, then gasped when she found herself all alone. "Sesshoumaru?" She stood up slowly, her body trembling as she attempted to gain her footings. "Sesshoumaru?" 'Is he…gone?' She called his name once again, then bolted for the door when she didn't get an answer.

She touched the doorknob, and was instantly thrown across the room by a ki barrier. She reached for it again, and was at once greeted with something five times more powerful than a static shock. 'No!' She banged on the door once, ignoring the instant burning in her fists as she pounded the door again.

"No-no-no-no-no-no!!!!!" Kagome slammed her fists against the door, the ki barrier flaring against her meager amount of ki as she struggled to get free. "Let me out of here Sesshoumaru!"

"You have not earned the privilege to leave," Sesshoumaru told her from the other side. "So there is where you'll stay. Oh, and do not try to escape. The barriers have some of your ki, what I had remaining after Naraku. I'm sure the spell would have been powerful without it, but every little bit counts."

"Sesshoumaru, you fucking bastard! You let me out of here right now! Sesshoumaru!"

*

Sesshoumaru turned and walked down the hallway, his ears twitching with every beat of Kagome's fists against the hard pine of his chamber doors. 'She will hurt herself that way.'

'She wouldn't have to, if you'd go back and apologize.'

'Apologize? For?'

'For what you've done! For what you're doing! You can't keep her caged like this!'

'I can and I am,' Sesshoumaru argued back, pausing a moment to speak to the twins as they appeared at the base of the steps.

"My lord, what is the matter?" Ah asked. "What is that racket?"

"That is Kagome," Sesshoumaru replied dryly. "Make sure she stays where she is, and that she is fed."

"But Sesshoumaru-sama," Un inquired, watching as Sesshoumaru walked past him and retrieved his car keys from the briefcase beside the front door. "Why is she locked up so? Is she infected again?"

"No," Sesshoumaru said with an aggravated sigh. 'Why am I having to explain myself so often lately?' "She was disobedient. She needs to learn control, and restraint."

"Disobedient?" Ah repeated, the color draining from his already pale face.

"My lord, why-"

"You dare to question me?" Sesshoumaru growled, pinning them both with an icy glare. Ah and Un immediately shook their heads in the negative. "Good. I am leaving." He stepped out the door and to the garage, immediately pulling off and down the road toward Boston.

'This is wrong Sesshoumaru,' his inner voice argued. 'You're making a mistake.'

'This is the way all concubines are taught,' Sesshoumaru reminded himself.

'But Kagome is not a concubine!' it argued back. 'She loves you, or loved you. After the stunt you just pulled, I'd be surprised if she still does.'

'Kagome will be fine,' Sesshoumaru assured himself.

'You hit her…'

Sesshoumaru paused a moment, a brief guilty look shining in his molten eyes before hardening in self-righteousness. 'I will heal her when I return.'

'But Sesshoumaru-'

'No buts,' Sesshoumaru dismissed the voice entirely. 'My decision is made. There will be no regrets.'

*4:00 PM*

Kagome stood up slowly, attempting to wipe her face dry as she attempted to catch her breath. 'Crying all day definitely doesn't help one get out of a situation,' Kagome reminded herself, instantly falling back into Ji-chan's training. 'I have to get out of here. I can't…be here when he gets here.'

The Shikon no Tama glowed beside the bed, it shimmering brightly as Kagome finally remembered its presence. 'That's right! Maybe I can use this.' Kagome fastened the jewel around her neck, the tiny stone glinting in recognition before fading to a soft, pure pink.

"My power," Kagome whispered as the jewel's energy flowed throughout her body, giving her the feeling of the Energizer bunny. 'It 's back, but how….who cares? I have to get out of here.'

"Kagome-chan?"

Kagome turned toward the door, instantly recognizing Ah's voice. "Ah? Is that you?"

"Yes, Kagome-chan. Un is here with me."

"How are you my lady?" Un asked. Kagome laughed sardonically. "As well as can be expected. Can you guys let me out of here?"

"I'm sorry Kagome-chan. Sesshoumaru-sama said not to."

"Oh. I understand."

"But if you need anything, we'll be sure to get it," Un suggested comfortingly.

"I just want out of here," Kagome replied, then gasp as something warm settled on her chest. She looked down, her eyes widening as the Shikon began to glow around her neck. "Oh wow…"

"Kagome-chan? What's wrong?"

Kagome said nothing, merely watching as the light settled over her. She shook her head clear, her mind slightly fuzzy and her thoughts muddled as she felt the Shikon's ki flow throughout her body. She shed the sheet from her body, it pooling to her feet before she stepped away and toward what she could only guess was the closet. She opened the door and stepped inside, walking around the large expanse until she found what she was looking for; a navy blue silk dress shirt.

Kagome watched as her body slipped into the shirt, buttoning it meticulously before exiting the closet and touching the door. "Ah?" she called softly. "Un? Are you guys still there?"

"We're here Kagome-chan," Ah called back. "Are you alright? Do you need anything?"

"No," Kagome replied, watching as a blue gas seeped from her side of the door to the other side. "Just forgive me."

"What was th-What the hell?"

"What's this?"

Kagome smiled softly when she heard two thumps from the other side. 'They'll sleep until Sesshoumaru wakes them up. Hopefully there will still be some traces of the gas. I wonder where it came from. Oh well.' She glanced around the room, casting an angry glare at the rumbled bed. 'I can't believe how stupid I was. It doesn't matter now. I'll never see him again.'

She reached for the pink holographic necklace around her neck, ripping it off and throwing it on the bed in two quick jerks. 'No tears for him. Not for what he's done. Nope…no tears for you…'

And with one last look, and a single rebellious tear, Kagome disappeared from the room.

*7:45 PM*

Sesshoumaru opened the front door, immediately sensing something amiss as he called for Ah and Un through their mental link. 'Where are they?' Sesshoumaru wondered, tracking their scents up the steps. His wonder turned to silent panic as he rounded the corner, finding the ryuu twins slumped against his bedroom door. Faint traces of Kagome's ki could be seen beside them. Sesshoumaru shook them harshly, bringing them out of their stupor.

"What happened? Where is Kagome?"

Ah groaned, holding the side his head as Un struggled to answer. "We are not sure my lord."

"We were suddenly attacked. We have no idea of Lady Kagome's condition."

Sesshoumaru snarled, shattering the barrier as he viciously tore the door from it's hinges. His room was the way he left it, with only one missing detail….Kagome.

Sesshoumaru walked onto the balcony, defecting the barrier on it's doors as he scanned the gardens and the wind for any sign of her scent. 'Where is she?'

He turned back to the room, noticing for the first time that his closet was slightly ajar. He opened it, flipping through his suits and other clothes to find one of his shirts missing. From here Kagome's scent disappeared, leaving behind the aroma of her power.

'She…transmitted herself out of my barrier,' Sesshoumaru realized. 'She….defied me! How dare she!' Sesshoumaru snarled, his claws digging into the wood as he ripped the closet door from the wall. 'That…that…bitch! How dare she disobey me! I will find her, drag her back here kicking and screaming if I have to! She will learn to obey me!' Sesshoumaru ripped the covers off the bed, stopping when his gaze fell upon a single drop of red the size of a pinprick. 'What is this…'

Sesshoumaru reached for it, tugging the sheet from the bed so his fingers could trace this small piece of Kagome; the evidence of how deeply he wronged her. 'She, she never cried. She never told me to stop.' Sesshoumaru slumped against the wall, holding the sheet for dear life as guilt flooded his soul.

'She…but I…I never knew…'

"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Ah whispered, he and Un standing in the threshold. Their eyes widened at the destruction in front of them, drinking in the violence each piece of ripped cloth and splintered wood seemed to represent. Their heads lowered in sympathy at their lord, who sat unaware of their presence as he looked from the sheet in his hands to the wall above the headboard of his bed, where the sword she gave him used to hang.

It was then that the last piece of ice fell from his heart, the organ suddenly overcome with sadness, regret…

And love…

And it was then that Sesshoumaru realized his mistake.

"What have I done…"

----

SF: You guys will never guess how hard this chapter was! Silver got sick on me, so I had to write the lemon! I hate writing lemons! That's what he's supposed to do!

Sesshou: Stop whining crossbreed. You did not do so bad.

SF: {::perking up, tail swishing merrily behind her::} Really?

Sesshou: Really. Except for the end. Change the end.

Kagome: No, change the lemon! I can't believe you thought that was a good idea!

SF: {::hands clamped over her ears as Sesshou and Kagome begin to shout around her::} I can't hear myself think! {::tail twitches angrily::}

Inu-chan: Hey, what's her power as a kitsune?

Kouga: I think it's mystic…oh hell…

SF: {::over Sesshou and Kagome::} All right! I've had it! {::points to Sesshou::} You're Kagome! {::points to Kagome::} and you're Sesshoumaru! Now get lost!

Kagome: {::shivers for a moment, then::} Foolish crossbreed. How dare you speak to this Sesshoumaru in such a way.

Sesshou: You leave her alone Sesshoumaru! Don't you think it hurts her feelings to have you call her that all the time?

Kagome: Youkai have no feelings.

Sesshou: That's a lie and you know it.

Kagome: {::grabs Sesshou by the throat and drags him closer to her::} Are you calling me a liar, human?

Sesshou: Um…hehe…SF!!

Inu-chan: {::he, Trunks and Kouga watching everything in horrified disbelief::} Holy shit you guys…

Shippou: I'm scared.

Kouga: Me too. SF, change them back!

SF: They'll be back to normal in the morning. Hopefully they won't kill each other by then.

Kouga: Couldn't she have made them rabbits?

Miroku: Think about why that wouldn't work for a moment.

Kouga: {::thinks a moment, then::} Ohhhh….

Inu-chan: Exactly. Oh, the review responses and the recommendations are at the bottom.

Sango: Next week's chapter is 'Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda'. Oh, and I think it's a song by Brian McKnight! Try finding it! It may help when the chapter comes out!

~

RECOMMENDATION: Replacement Bride by Cassidy Jewell Story ID#: 1668537

This is a very, very funny AU story set in Modern times, where Sesshoumaru somehow looses his bride a week before the wedding. Instead of canceling the wedding to find her (his father's sick and all, so he wants the old man to see it before he passes on) he scours the city for another bride. Enter Kagome, who works at one of the many businesses Sesshoumaru owns. Seeing the resemblance between his bride and her (just guess who the missing bride is), he brings her back to his place for the ceremony. But Kagome won't marry him unless…well, I'll let you guys find out. I would tell you the pairing, but I want it to be a surprise. This story is mega cool, so read and review so she can update!

RECOMMENDATION: Online Drama by BelleDayNight Story ID#: 1619825

You know what? I could do a summary for this, but nothing I could say would be able to tell you about the fic, nor how good it is. There's so much going on, and every moment leaves you wondering what will happen next. This is a truly great story, and I can't wait for her to update again. I know I have it bookmarked, and by chapter two you'll have it bookmarked too. Oh, and a really cool thing is that, for the I/K fans out there, she has this story on Mediaminer as an I/K! Now that's versatility. Anyway, just trust me on this story, and forgive me for the lack of summary. It's one of my favorites so far, so read and review!

~

Responses:

InusDemoness: Well, I do have a few I/K pairings. They're all early works that you can find on Fanfiction. I kinda feel that MM doesn't have enough S/K pairings, so I put all of mine here. Thanks for the love, and I wish Inu-chan would move on too.

Amerld: Sure, I'd be glad to. Just one review? That kinda sucks. Stolen Death's a cool pen, but Amerld is too. Its unique.

Whit: Well, it's a little late to be extracting heads. Thanks for the 10 rating!

Conqureror_Kagome: You've told your friends about this story? {::blushes::} Wow. Thanks. The milkshake is one of my fav parts of the fic. It's just so cute! Kagome's birthday is actually mine. I like the idea of her being a Capricorn, but I'm not entirely sure if she's a dog or what.

Lunabelle: Oh, well. There you go. I thought I would help someone with that explination, but I'm pretty sure a lot of people who wanted to strangle me for it. I'm glad you can see the chapter now. My computer does strange things like that too. I agree that Sesshou would be mega hot as a blue eyed baddie, but I'm still infactuated with his normal hue. I wonder if I can get anyone to draw that last fight scene with him and his eye color change. Yeah, he's emotionless until now. Poor dear. I kinda feel sorry for him, even if he is the reason he feels like dirt right about now. This chapter isn't the last, and this fic has at least three more to go before the finale.

S1Cherry: See? I told Silver that, but does he listen? No....He looks at me like I'm nuts and walks off. No dear, you're not stupid. It just means that you've never seen it. It grows on everything, including electrical and telephone poles. Truly trippy stuff. You know, you're right about the Naraku thing. How on earth did I miss that? Glad you loved the melting scene. I thought it was great myself. {::grins happily::}

Lady Sesshoumaru: I agree! Who brought that stuff over here? It's nuts! One great demon gone, another being put through the ringer. Poor Sesshou. Maybe he'd like a sucker...

Crescent Moon22000: Thanks a lot! I plan to as soon as possible!

Kitsune_Bi: Here's the surprise. I know, it's a crumby one, but it is a surprise. Thanks for the chapter love, and don't behead me.

Nan: Silver said that I should have let her fall, then have Katrina catch her and Kagome blast on Sesshou. That would have ruined the plot, don't you think? My pleasure for the chappy. I just hope you're feeling the same after this one.