InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ Moonlight and The Darkness that Clouds Your Eyes ( Chapter 37 )

SF: So sorry about how late this chapter is. I had a lot of work to do in the real world. I actually got to make a centerpiece for a tea party! It was so cute! I made a Japanese tea set out of white and dark chocolate! I'm so proud…but I digress. I still shouldn't have been late. I'll try really hard not to let it happen again.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Moonlight and the Darkness that Clouds You're Eyes

"My stars," the elderly Chinese man behind the general store counter said pleasantly as Kagome set her purchases on the counter. "If it isn't Ms. Higurashi. How are you?" He picked up a can of cat food, eyeing it with a smile before ringing it up with the rest of her things. "And how's Buyu?'

"In desperate need of a diet," Kagome answered with a weak smile. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand, then used a nearby flier for a fan.

"Amazing weather we're having, isn't it?" the gentleman commented. Kagome nodded. "Yeah. That's one way of putting it." Kagome paid for her things, then picked up the large brown paper bag and made her way out of the store. "Thanks a lot Mr. Chen."

"Not a problem Ms. Higurashi," he called. "Be sure to come again."

Kagome nodded in acknowledgement and finally exited the store, pausing a moment in the entrance threshold to allow her eyes to adjust to the blaring sunlight. 'One thing about Atlanta,' Kagome said to herself as she began walking the block back to her apartment building. 'April here feels like June somewhere else.' She walked down the sidewalk, trying in vain to ignore the way her sweat-soaked johnny collar T-shirt stuck to her back. Her denim shorts seemed to be her only comfortable choice for the day. Even her white tennis shoes felt heavy and hot, and her hair stuck to her face and neck in spite of the messy ponytail she pulled it into earlier this morning.

She waved to passing neighbors and street vendors she knew with a sad smile. 'I wish I were at work,' Kagome mused miserably. 'It's only been three days, but watching Buyu chase the dust bunnies is wearing on my nerves. Plus it's giving me entirely too much time to think about-' She stopped and shook her head clear, oblivious of the odd glances tossed at her by the strangers that shared the street with her.

'No,' Kagome said to herself. 'I won't give him another thought. It's been four months already, and he made how he felt perfectly clear. I just need to get over him, that's all.' Kagome smiled hopefully, the slight drag in her step fading slightly. 'Yes, I just need to get over him. I'm stronger than I think I am!'

She grinned as she opened her apartment building door, moving through the lobby and past the elevator toward the doorway to the stairs. She shoved it open and began to climb, using both the time and the exercise to fortify her resolve. By the time Kagome reached the twelfth floor; the very top of the building and her home floor, she had formed a reasonable plan.

'Yes, I'll just do everything I can to avoid thinking about him,' Kagome said as she stepped on the last stair. 'I'll hike, I'll skate, I'll take Buyu to the park-No. I don't think I'll do that,' Kagome thought with a giggle, laughing at the image of the enormous feline lounging on a park bench as the dogs barked around him. 'But I will do the rest. I won't shed another tear over him! Ha! Take that Depression!'

Kagome knocked on the door directly across from the stairs, waiting patiently for the occupant to answer as she looked around the hall. The apartment to the left of the stairs belonged to her, and the apartment on the right belonged to another neighbor.

'I'm so glad he's not here right now.' Kagome groaned with a shake of her head.

The door opened behind her, an elderly lady with white hair and thick glasses hanging off the tip of her nose emerging from the confinements of the condo. She squinted at Kagome a minute, then smiled in recognition. "Hello Kagome my dear," she greeted fondly, reaching over and patting Kagome's free hand. "How was the shopping trip?"

"It was fine Mrs. Petrouski," Kagome answered. "How's Buyu?" Said cat came out from behind Mrs. Petrouski seconds later, giving a 'meow' in greeting before rubbing himself against Kagome's leg. "There you are you little furball. Did you give Mrs. Petrouski any trouble?"

"Oh, he was no trouble dear," Mrs. Petrouski assured her. "Buyu is a good little kitty. He and I had a little bratwurst while you were gone."

"Really?" Kagome said apprehensively. "Is that good for cats?"

"Of course it is," Mrs. Petrouski assured her. "My babies, Oscar and Terry, love sausages."

'Yeah,' Kagome thought as she kneeled down to pet her persistent feline. 'And if I remember correctly, those two can barely move around. She does mean well though.' "Thanks for watching him," Kagome said before turning to her apartment door.

"You're very welcome," Mrs. Petrouski called. "Be sure to bring that precious kitten over anytime. My grandchildren just love him."

"That's great," Kagome said as she fished her keys out of her pocket and unlocked her door. "I'll be sure to bring him over the next time they visit."

"They'd love that," Mrs. Petrouski responded. "They call him an orange walking pillow."

Kagome stopped while Mrs. Petrouski retreated to her home, the lady's words repeating in her mind over and over again before she finally opened her door and walked inside. "Man Buyu," she said as she locked her door and set the bag on a nearby kitchen counter. "that's bad. You're definitely going on a diet."

"Meow," Buyu remarked mournfully. He purred when Kagome finally picked him up, hefting the large cat off the floor and cradling him to her chest.

"Yeah yeah," Kagome giggled when he licked her cheek. "That's not going to change my mind, you sweet talker." She put him down, then washed her hands and put up the contents of the bag. She then dumped a can of cat food into Buyu's bowl and retreated to the living room.

'Well, I guess I can start tomorrow,' Kagome sighed as she flipped on the TV. "That's for you too Buyu," Kagome tossed over her shoulder as Buyu attacked his bowl. "You start your diet tomorrow."

*

Kagome glanced at her watch hours later, surprised at how slow the time seemed to be going. 'It's only 8:00,' she thought, then stood up and stretched lazily. Buyu, who was curled up at the other end of the couch, opened one sleepy eye and closed it again before falling back to sleep. Kagome giggled softly and scratched beneath his chin. 'Silly ca-'

>Knock-Knock!<

Kagome froze instantly, panic gripping her heart in a vice-like embrace. 'No,' Kagome shook her head viciously, then slowly walked toward the door. "It's not him and you know it," she told herself as she neared her door. "It's been this long, and he hasn't showed up. Just breathe and stop panicking. It might Mrs. Petrouski. It might be-" Kagome stood on her toes and peered out the door, then groaned softly and slapping her palm against her forehead.

"Jason. Great. Just what I need."

Kagome opened the door and leaned against the frame, watching as a young man about her age turned around and grinned at her. He ran a sure hand through his short, spiky black hair, his dark eyes twinkling at the sight of her. "Hey Kagome."

"Hi Jason," Kagome answered politely, her arms folding over her chest. "What's going on?"

"I got some tickets from the job to see 'Dawn of the Dead'," he answered, presenting the tickets to Kagome for proof. "and I don't have anyone to go with. I was wondering if you would."

"Oh, wow Jason," Kagome said softly. "Thanks for thinking of me, but I can't."

"Sure," Jason muttered, deflating instantly. "I understand."

"I'm really sorry," Kagome offered gently. "It's just that, with the way I work, things tend to back up around here and I really have a lot to do."

"Yeah," Jason chirped. "I understand. You work really hard. Maybe," he said hopefully. "we could try again another time?"

"Yeah Jason," Kagome said before stepping back inside. "Maybe later. Thanks again."

"Sure Kagome," Jason called as she closed the door. Kagome shook her head on the other side, leaning against the trusty painted pine before sighing and glancing out the window. 'It might have been nice to see a movie with him,' Kagome thought to herself as she watched the darkening sky. She smiled sadly, then retreated to her kitchen and rummaged through her refrigerator.

'But I'm not ready for that yet,' Kagome convinced herself as she dug around the vegetable tray. 'I don't want to hurt someone else because of that jerk-'

>Knock-Knock!<

>Bam!<

"Ow!" Kagome cried out, swiftly backing out of the refrigerator while rubbing the back of her head. "Now who is it?" she mumbled to herself as she once again walked down the hallway to the door. She stood up on her tiptoes and peered out the peephole, but saw nothing but white.

'That has to be Mrs. Petrouski,' Kagome said as she began unlocking the door. "Is everything alright Mrs-"

Kagome froze, her hand still holding the doorknob as Sesshoumaru stared back at her. They stood this way for a moment, then Kagome's eyes narrowed angrily.

"Kagome, I-"

"What do you want?" Kagome hissed, her hand tightening on the door. Sesshoumaru seemed to sigh, his hands retreating to the pockets of his black trench coat.

"I want to talk," he replied matter-of-factly, as if he were asking the time of day. Kagome snorted indignantly. "To who?" she asked innocently. "To me? What for? You've said all you had to say."

"Kagome, I honestly want to talk to you. That's all."

"Sure," Kagome nodded. "I'm sure you want to talk. Well, I don't want to, so you can just leave."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed this time, his irritation flashing on his face before melting away. "Look Kagome. I'm not leaving until I talk to you."

"Hn," Kagome said more to herself. "You won't huh?" Kagome slammed the door in his face, her hands trembling as she listened to the quiet around her. Buyu meowed from his spot on the couch, then hopped down and sauntered down the hallway. He wound himself around Kagome's ankles as she attempted to stop shaking. They both jumped when the banging started, the poor door shaking under the abuse.

"Let me in Kagome!" Sesshoumaru demanded from the hallway. Kagome shook her head, then mentally smacked herself for it. 'Duh girl! It's not like he can see it.'

"Go away Sesshoumaru," she called back. "I'm not opening the door, and you're not coming in!"

>Bam-Bam!<

Buyu yowled in fright, retreating from the hallway back to the living room to hide beneath the pillows. Kagome frowned as she watched him, then scowled angrily at the door. "Stop that!" she yelled. "You're scaring my cat!"

"Don't make me break this door down!" Sesshoumaru warned. "Just open the door so I can talk to you!"

'He just might do it,' Kagome said to herself, her mind already figuring out a way to stop him from doing so. She grabbed a pen and a Post-It pad off the hallway table, scribbled something onto it and leaned against the door with her eyes closed. She chanted something under her breath then watched with her mind's eye as the door began to glow a faint pink.

Kagome opened her eyes and slapped the make-shift ofuda to the door. 'Ha! Take that you son of a-'

She fell to the floor as something heavy struck the door, bowing it like a rubber band before it snapped in place. Kagome scuttled backward on all fours down the other side of the hallway, then stood up and ran to her bedroom. She dropped to her knees beside her bed, opened one of the drawers in the frame of her sleigh bed and fished out a metal safe. Kagome removed the ofuda from it and unlocked it before reaching inside and pulling the Shikon no Tama from it's confinements.

'This should make the spell stronger,' Kagome thought to herself while she tossed the safe back to its drawer and ran back to the hallway. She stood in front of the door seconds later, her hands glowing a brilliant white as she struggled to adjust the writing on the ofuda. Sesshoumaru's pounding never ceased, causing some of the writing to be a tad messy, but still effective. Kagome watched as the door settled on itself, this time fully absorbing Sesshoumaru's blows instead of bowing beneath them.

"Kagome!" he snarled after a few moments. "Open. This. Door."

"No!" Kagome yelled back, then winced when the beating began anew. 'Gods, the landlord's gonna be pissed.'

"I'm not leaving-"

"Then don't!" Kagome snapped, her fists balling at her sides. "Stay out there then! I don't care, but I'm not opening that door!!!!"

Kagome held her breath as everything suddenly stopped from the other side, her hands clasped together as if in prayer. She bit her lower lip anxiously, her fingertips pressed against it as she stood quietly and waited.

"Very well then," Sesshoumaru said after a period of time. "I will wait."

"Wait then, damn it," Kagome grumbled under her breath as Sesshoumaru's footsteps faded. "I'm not opening that door. You're not going to get in here."

She limped away from the door, vaguely aware of the slight pain in her leg as she slowly left her living room. She entered her dark bedroom and sank into her bed almost instantly, remembering to toss off her shoes and socks before curling into a ball. 'Why is he here?' she asked herself as the first of many tears began to fall.

'Why is he doing this?' She touched the outside of her thigh, wincing when her fingers brushed against what she knew would be a bruise in the morning. Kagome thought a moment to heal it, then decided against it.

'I might need all the strength I have, just in case,' she said to herself. 'He might wait me out and try again later on tonight. I won't be caught off guard.' She fisted her hand around the Shikon, ignoring the faint pink glow in her hands as she started to cry.

'Just when I think I'm over you, I feel this pain all over again,' Kagome sniffed. "Why are you here?" she asked aloud. "And why won't you leave me alone?"

*

>Ring-Ring!<

Kagome opened her eyes, then winced at the yucky feeling in the back of her throat. 'Well, crying all night will do that to you,' Kagome quipped sardonically, then groaned when the telephone rang again.

"Yeah yeah," Kagome croaked hoarsely. She rubbed her throat, then wiped her eyes before answering the phone. "Hello?"

She struggled to a sitting position, then propped her elbow on her knee and cradled her head in her hands. "No Mrs. Petrouski," Kagome groaned as she glanced at her alarm. '5:03. Jeez, how long was I asleep?'

"Say that again," she replied before she stood up, entered her bathroom and started the shower. "I missed it." She nodded throughout Mrs. Petrouski's explanation as she stepped out of her mussed clothes. "You don't say? Do they look dangerous?" Kagome scratched her head a second later.

"They're asleep? On the stairs? Are you sure?" Kagome nodded again, mentally cursing her luck. "No Mrs. Petrouski. I'll be sure to check it out as soon as possible. No, you're not a problem. It's what I'm here for. I'll take care of it."

Kagome hung up the phone, resting it on the bathroom counter before stepping into the shower. She reveled in the feeling of the warm water washing over her, Kagome feeling as if it washed her troubles away as well. 'Today is another day,' Kagome said as she began her early morning pep talk.

'There are no taiyoukai standing outside waiting to pounce on you, there are no bad men with guns waiting to shoot your head off. Today is just a regular day, and you have to deal with a prowler. It's probably some homeless guy using the stairs as his bed for the night. No problem.' Kagome stepped out of the shower, turning off the water before drying off. She wrapped the damp towel around her torso and left the bathroom, going straight to her closet for something to wear.

She slipped on a lavender short-sleeved blouse and a white mini skirt Sango gave her for her birthday, then toppled over when she tried to tie on her sandals. 'Oh crap,' she muttered to herself. 'Another bruise to add to the collection.'

Kagome opened her apartment door, pausing to take her gun with her. She pressed her back against the wall and slowly slid along it before glancing at Mrs. Petrouski's door. 'It's a good thing she's not out here,' Kagome thought with a sigh of relief. 'She tends to be a little…busy. Now let's see what her problem is.'

She peered around the corner to the steps, her mouth falling open in shock soon after.

"No way…"

She clamped her hand over her mouth instantly, freezing in place as she watched for any sign of movement. 'He's still asleep,' Kagome realized soon after. She crept closer, tip-toeing over to him before kneeling beside him.

Sesshoumaru slept on unawares, his head lulled to the side and his back pressed firmly against the wall behind him. His right leg lay straight across the landing, while the left was slumped along the step below.

Kagome sighed and shook her head. "You're more trouble than you let on, you know that?" Kagome whispered softly. She looked him over, noticing for the first time the dark circles beneath his eyes. 'What are you going sleepless about?' Kagome thought sarcastically, her brow frowning as she fought back the compassion welling within her. 'He doesn't deserve compassion Kagome,' she scolded herself, then winced when Sesshoumaru slumped into what had to be a painful position, groaning a little as he did so. Kagome shook her head again, then grunted softly.

"It's not like you're hurting over anything," she whispered. She turned at the sound of a click moments later, then smiled at Mrs. Petrouski's worried face.

"Is she alright Kagome dear?" Mrs. Petrouski asked softly, then frowned when Kagome covered her mouth. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Kagome responded. "Um, how long has 'she' been out here?"

"All night, I suppose. The poor dear. Her boyfriend must have put her out."

Kagome turned away quickly, biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud. "I suppose so, Mrs. Petrouski."

"What are you going to do about her?" Mrs. Petrouski asked. Kagome calmed herself, then shrugged. "I guess I'll wake her up and ask her what happened. I have everything under control."

"Alright then dear. Tell her she can always stop by my house and get something to eat if she wants." Kagome watched as Mrs. Petrouski went back inside, then hunched over and laughed silently, her slight sniffs and snorts muffled by her hand.

"I am glad you enjoyed that."

Kagome stopped laughing instantly, her gaze timid and frightened as frigid hazel eyes stared back at her.

"I am going to kill the old woman."

Kagome jumped up, her gun pointed and ready as Sesshoumaru stretched. "I see you've come out," he said more to himself than to her. He stood up and brushed at his clothes, then glanced at Mrs. Petrouski's door.

"Why are you still here Sesshoumaru?" Kagome whispered fiercely. "Didn't I tell you that I didn't want to talk to you?"

"Yes, you did," Sesshoumaru replied, then shoved a stray hair behind his ear. "And I said that I would not leave without talking to you. Now you can either talk to me," he glanced from her to Mrs. Petrouski's door and back again. "Or I can talk to her."

Kagome went still, her lips pursed together thoughtfully before lowering her gun. "You've got three seconds."

"Not here," Sesshoumaru said with a shake of his head. "Somewhere else."

"Fine," Kagome exhaled in annoyance. "Follow me." She led him back to her apartment, glancing behind her once to make sure he followed before stepping inside.

"Now what do you want Sesshou-Hey! What are you doing?" Kagome exclaimed when Sesshoumaru closed the door behind him, ripped the ofuda and leaned against the door. "Answer me! What do you think you're doing?!"

"I want you to listen Kagome," Sesshoumaru said softly, brushing aside her question as her hands began to glow. "Will you do that? Are you going to listen to me?"

"Stop repeating yourself," Kagome growled before taking a step back and away from him. "Say what you have to say so you can leave."

Sesshoumaru nodded, then took a step toward her. "Kagome-"

"Stop right there!" Kagome interrupted. "Don't move any closer!"

"I'm sorry," he forged ahead, each step forward matched when Kagome stepped backward.

"I know I hurt you-"

Kagome stepped back again, and again Sesshoumaru stepped forward.

"and I know you probably hate me right now-"

Kagome gasped when her back touched the wall, momentarily glancing behind her before turning to him. "Sesshoumaru, stop right there," she warned. She placed her hands between them, her eyes widening when he continued to advance on her. "Sesshoumaru, please," she shivered, a single tear streaking down her cheek. "Don't make me hurt you."

Sesshoumaru continued not to hear her, taking a last step forward before reaching out to touch her face. "Kagome, I'm-"

Kagome jumped when his fingertips touched her cheek and instinctively went into the offensive. White ki shot from her hands and into his chest, shooting him back and throwing him into the front door with a

>Wham!<

Kagome watched in wide eyed shock as Sesshoumaru slid down the door to the floor, his legs collapsing underneath him before he finally fell. "Oh God," she muttered when he went still. "Sesshoumaru?"

A thin curl of smoke trailed from a blackened smudge on the front of his shirt, but whether that smudge was on his shirt or his chest Kagome couldn't tell. She approached him cautiously, stopping within an inch of his outstretched foot before kneeling down and peering into his face. To her surprise, his eyes were open, the dark hazel trained to the floor beneath him. "Sesshoumaru," Kagome murmured softly, reaching out to touch his foot. "Are you…ok?"

"I deserved that," Sesshoumaru coughed, then reached up and rubbed the burn mark on his chest. "Even if it did hurt like hell."

"I'm sorry Sesshoumaru," Kagome apologized quickly. "I…you scared me and, well… I told you not to and-"

"It's alright Kagome," he said as he looked up at her. Kagome started, watching as hazel shifted to medium brown under her watch. 'What's happening to him?' Kagome wondered as she noticed the rest of him. His face seemed grayed, and his hair wasn't as shiny as she remembered. Sesshoumaru seemed tired, weary and

Old…

"What's happening to you?" Kagome gasped softly, then shook her head. "No," she whispered softly before bringing a hand to her forehead. "You're not going to make me feel guilty. You hurt me, remember? So whatever illusion this is, stop it right now!"

"What illusion?" Sesshoumaru asked while his eyes darkened again, this time to a chocolate brown. "What are you talking about?"

"You! You're doing something! How dare you try to make me feel bad for you!" Kagome accused, then reached out and slapped him on a whim. Sesshoumaru's head jerked to the side, his hair whipping over his shoulder as a red welt appeared on his cheek.

"It's not fair!" Kagome yelled brokenly. "You can't come here and do this to me! I didn't do a thing to you, and you lied to me!!!" She slapped him again, watching as another welt appeared on the opposite cheek.

"You told me you loved me and you didn't!!! You used me!! You can't make me feel sorry for you!!! You're not playing fair, you jerk!" Kagome whimpered unexpectedly, unaware that Sesshoumaru had pulled her into his lap sometime after her second slap. She struggled violently when she felt his arms around her, tears streaming down her face as she resisted his embrace.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" she choked out. She continued to struggle as he held her closer to him, her fists mercilessly pounding his chest as she wept.

"I was nothing but a toy to you!!! You don't care about me, remember? Just leave me alone! Just leave me alone!!!!!"

Kagome collapsed in a torrent of sobs, her forehead resting at Sesshoumaru's collarbone. He caught her wrists, gently stopping the blows she tried to rain down upon him. She jerked at his grasp insistently, her struggles weakening the stronger her cries became.

Kagome was vaguely aware of them moving, her legs rising off the ground before Sesshoumaru moved them forward. She tried once again to get away from him, and once again he stopped her struggling before she could fully start. She finally gave up, figuring it to be a lost cause while Sesshoumaru moved them out of the hallway and into the living room.

She felt them sink into her couch seconds later, confusion and fear settling in instantly when Sesshoumaru moved her legs to straddle his lap. Kagome hiccupped in protest, and again she was ignored. She jumped when he hugged her closer to him, raised a hand to cradle the back of her head and began to gently rock from side to side.

"Why are you doing this?" Kagome muttered, her watery growl muffled against the folds of his trench coat. "You're supposed to be an ass, not make me feel sorry for you."

"Gomen nasai Kagome," he gently whispered in her hair. "It is my fault that you are like this."

"No shit Sherlock!" Kagome glared up at him, her starlight eyes narrowed furiously. "What was your first clue?"

Sesshoumaru glared down at her, gold shimmering across his eyes before sighing and resting his chin on the top of her head. "I suppose I deserve that too."

"You deserve a lot Sesshoumaru. You're just lucky I'm in a good mood today."

Sesshoumaru nodded vaguely. "Yes. I can see that. I am…still sorry Kagome."

Kagome sighed in defeat and reached up to dry her eyes when Sesshoumaru reached inside his jacket pocket. He handed her a bottle green silk handkerchief, then tipped her chin back while softly patting her cheeks dry.

"You're going to ruin that," Kagome sniffed, then glowered when he remained silent. "Do you even know what you're sorry for, Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru paused in his work, his eyes flickering downward before gazing back at her. "I am sorry for lying to you."

"Yeah, I kinda figured that-"

"I do love you Kagome."

Kagome gasped, then shook her head and sniffed miserably. "Yeah right. I'm sure you do. You told me how much, remember?"

"That was the lie."

"Sure," Kagome replied cynically. "So if you did lie, then why? Don't tell me it was some kind of joke."

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "No, it was not meant to be a joke." He exhaled slowly, as if taking his time to assemble his jumbled thoughts before continuing. "From what I know of human feelings, you tend to stay with those you love. When you refused to stay with me…"

"You thought I didn't love you?" Kagome realized. "But how does that-"

"In the end, I wanted to hurt you, the way you…I was mistaken," Sesshoumaru rumbled tenderly. "I know that now."

"I'm sure you do," Kagome said with a roll of her eyes. "But why are you here? You haven't cared for four months. Why care now?"

"Inuyasha."

"Inuyasha?" Kagome repeated, immediately confused as to what Inuyasha had to do with it. The longer she thought, the more confused she became until…

Two and two became four…

Four and four became eight….

And eight and eight became…

"Sango…"

"I wouldn't know," Sesshoumaru admitted. "But Inuyasha warned me previously of my mistakes toward you. I ignored him, and now I wish I hadn't."

"What previous mistakes?" Kagome asked. She huffed when Sesshoumaru turned away from her before reaching up and grasping the sides of his face. She jerked him back to her, watching as his eyes darkened to a shiny black. "Tell me the truth. All of it."

Sesshoumaru nodded, his eyes closing as he waited for Kagome to release him. When she didn't, he hesitated but began. "My plan was to make you fall in love with me. When you did, I would have had a powerful weapon on my side, and a miko that couldn't harm me. It would have been a fair trade for the years of torment your ancestors have cast on me."

"I'm different from my ancestors," Kagome reminded him while fighting back another wave of tears. "Because if I wasn't, then you would not be here."

"Of that I am aware," Sesshoumaru replied. "However, Inuyasha knew something about the plan and tried to stop me. I did not see my folly until the day you…"

"The day I left?" Kagome offered helpfully, her answer Sesshoumaru's nod. "Again, why do you care?" she asked stiffly.

"Because I love-"

"Not this again!" Kagome interrupted. "How could you love me Sesshoumaru? You don't know what love is!"

Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to disagree, then closed it thoughtfully. "Then tell me," he said after a moment.

"Tell you what?" Kagome spat.

"Tell me what love is. I should know it when you describe it."

"Love is," Kagome explained quickly. "Love is kindness, gentleness, trust, and selflessness."

"That is love?"

"Yes," Kagome said with a nod of her head. "It is. Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever done one selfless act since Rin?"

"Explain this 'selfless act'."

Kagome sighed in annoyance, a nagging in her gut telling her that he was toying with her while another part of her disagreed. 'Why am I indulging him?' she asked herself. 'Shouldn't I just put him out now, and forget about this?'

'Deep down' a little voice said. 'You want this to work. You still love-'

'Brake!' Kagome cried, then hid her snicker at the screeching sound of metal against metal in her mind. 'Great, I'm going nuts too! Well, I suppose Sesshoumaru's lap is the perfect place to. After all, it would be his fau-'

"Kagome?"

Kagome mentally shook herself and returned her attention to Sesshoumaru. "You asked a question, didn't you?" she said calmly. "OK then, a selfless act is something you do even though you won't get anything out of it. Like when you rescued Rin."

"I see…well then." Sesshoumaru clasped his hands around her head, his fingertips gently caressing her temples as Kagome began to panic.

"What are you doing?" Kagome gasped, her panic leaping to outright fear when he grasped the sides of her head. His fingertips pressed against her temples in smooth circles while he began to chant something under his breath. "Sesshoumaru, what are you-"

Kagome's world darkened around her a moment, then seemed to brighten as she found herself in different surroundings. 'Where am I?' she wondered as she looked around, then noticed something about the room that looked familiar.

'Isn't that…Mom's couch? Hey, I'm in Mom's living room? How in the world…'

'You said,' Sesshoumaru voice whispered around her. 'That love involved selflessness.'

Sesshoumaru appeared in the room, his back to her as he leaned against the threshold of the kitchen.

"Mom, be still."

Kagome approached slowly, finally coming to a stop beside Sesshoumaru before looking into the kitchen. A shadowy version of herself and her mother materialized before her, the copy of herself arguing with her mother as her mother attempted to escape her grasp.

"No Kagome. Don't worry about it."

"But I think I can fix it."

'Souta explained about your mother's nose,' Sesshoumaru said from inside Kagome's mind. They both watched as Kagome's copy began to glow a feint pink, her brow creased in concentration. 'I'd never seen anyone so determined as you were that day. So I really wasn't prepared for this…'

Kagome's copy's aura flared like a roman candle, she and her mother swallowed by her ki as the pink became brighter. "It's working Mama," Kagome whispered shakily. "Can't you feel it? It's working…"

But as soon as it started it stopped, the ki slowly fading into nonexistence. Tears welled in Kagome's eyes, as did her copy's as her copy opened her eyes. "Mama, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," Mrs. Higurashi whispered, fiercely hugging her as Kagome's fingers refused to relinquish their hold on her nose. "It's alright. It's not that bad."

"But it's my fault. If only I were stronger." She sobbed brokenly. Sesshoumaru froze beside the real Kagome, and she could somehow feel the shock that came from him.

'This was the second time you'd ever cried in front of me, but this was different. You seemed crushed, and it…bothered me. It hurt. All I wanted was to see you smile again.'

Sesshoumaru glanced around him, making sure that Kagome's grandfather and brother were distracted before releasing a tiny golden thread of youki. It weaved itself into Kagome's ki and Kagome watched for the first time as her copy's eyes flashed golden before the combined ki exploded around them.

Kagome blinked, then blinked again when black eyes stared into her own. "Sesshoumaru?"

"At the time," Sesshoumaru replied faintly, his voice barely above a whisper. "All I thought about was you, how to get you to stop crying. It would seem that I don't care for it."

"Funny," Kagome shot back. "You've never had a problem with it before. You seem to like to make me cry." The black of Sesshoumaru's pupils began to bleed into the whites of his eyes, creating minute onyx fingers that stretched to the corners of his eyes. Kagome's mouth fell open in alarm while Sesshoumaru explained himself unawares.

"I do not blame you for being angry with me," Sesshoumaru told her as Kagome pressed careful fingers against his cheek. "I wouldn't blame you. I was rather foolish."

"Um-hm," Kagome muttered as she touched his cheek again, then brushed a strand of hair away from his face.

"I will not say that I deserve another chance," Sesshoumaru continued. "But I would like one. I…miss you Kagome."

"Um-hm." She frowned thoughtfully, then placed the index and middle fingers of her hands at the base of his jaw and traced upward toward his chin. She made a small 'hm' sound before doing it again, this time pressing a little harder than the last.

Sesshoumaru, discouraged by her lack of response, decided to try a different route. "I…threatened your grandfather as well."

"You WHAT?!!" Sesshoumaru visibly winced, his ears ringing at her screech as Kagome scowled down at him. "What did Ji-chan ever do to you?!"

"He threatened to tell you about my help, and my youki," Sesshoumaru replied quickly. "I would not have actually hurt him."

"But you still threatened him!! No wonder he said what he did! Jeez!" Kagome frowned, then brushed her finger alongside his chin. "I suppose I can overlook that," she drawled thoughtfully, her gaze still intent on his face. "Just don't do it again."

Kagome ran her fingertips along his cheeks again, watching as grayed skin became healthy beneath her touch. 'What's happening to him…I've never heard of a youkai reacting to a miko like this.'

"Kagome?" Sesshoumaru called when her expression became pensive. "What is it?" She touched his forehead, the pads of her fingers tracing where the crescent would be in his humanoid form. She traced it again, then touched where his stripes would be before looking down at him expectantly.

"Well?" she said with a huff. "Are you going to drop your seal or what?"

Sesshoumaru hesitated but soon did as she asked, watching as she once again became fascinated with his face. She leaned closer to him, her legs slipping further around his waist while she concentrated on whatever it was she was doing. He closed his eyes and relaxed, figuring to allow her to spend whatever fascinated her. Her touch felt good on his skin, her fingers fluttering bits of warmth that danced over his cold flesh.

Kagome noticed his cool temperature, her instincts telling her that there was a little more to it than just her air conditioner. 'It's like he has the flu or something,' Kagome noted to herself as she once again passed her fingers along his cheek. 'But the flu normally makes you warm. He's cool. Why? Unless-' Kagome's eyes enlarged instantly, her imagination running away with her as she envisioned the impossible. 'Is he…dying?'

'No, not exactly.'

'Then what is it?' she asked as she fisted her hands around the Shikon no Tama. She listened attentively, her eyes closed a moment before shooting open.

"You're…broken…But how?"

----

SF: Um-

Inu-chan: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!!!!

Silver Fox: {::stepping between Inu-chan and SF::} SF recently decided that this chapter was too big to be one chapter. She split it, thereby making the fic one chapter longer.

Sesshou: One would think that the kencho is drawing things out.

Silver Fox: I don't doubt it, but then again I do. She's got a lot to do right now with the rest of the stories, so it would be in her best interest to end it.

Kagome: But I don't mind! I like this story!

Sango: Me too!

Silver Fox: Glad you guys think so. Anyway, the next chapter, Chapter Thirty-Eight is 'Is Happiness All It's Cracked Up to Be?'. So sorry for the confusion. The responses are below.

RECOMMENDATION: No recommendation again. I'm really sorry. I'm working on it!

Responses:

Crystal Jade2, Sakura, T531J, BalooFairy, Raine84, LilNexumi LilInu, Nyx, Sukera, & Nishigirl: Thanks so much for reviewing! Another chapter is coming soon!

Takara, Lady of Western Lands: Thanks a lot! I'm so glad you like the chapter! It's so refreshing to find that Inuyasha can be smart once in a while!

Choyan: Yeah, it's pretty much the same on MM. The only differences is that FF has the I/K fics, and MM has 'A Kiss for a Prince'. I can't put 'AKP' on FF because the rating will go up in later chapters. Thanks for the praise and forgive me for being so late with this chapter.

MoonlightPrincess: That's for darned sure. Glad someone else agrees. Sorry for being so late.

Flame Dancer077 and Demonswty: Thanks! Another update's coming soon!

Nymph Demon: Possibly. There's also the possibility that fanfiction forgot to send me the review. That's happened at least twice already.

NoLabel: The little girl beside me sat through at least a good hour of the movie with her fingers in her ears and her hands over her eyes. Yeah, it is rare for Inuyasha to make sense, isn't it? You know, I never did ask Silver if he had that little discussion with him. Oh well.

Silver Excel Fox: Welcome to the archives! I've never been so proud of the guy either! I just love it when he makes sense! It's just so abnormal, and I love throwing people off!

HellzAznGrl: So sorry for being late with this chapter! Silver said at the last moment that he would do the lemon, then he flaked, then he showed up at my house with a disc with the lemon on it. Guess what? He got the wrong disc. It was really crazy around here.

Dana Daidouji: Thanks a lot! The last chapter is coming soon!

InuKagOnly: No problems with the lemon. Silver finally did it, though it seems a bit rushed. It might have something to do with finals and all, which he still has to suffer. Um, the bite wasn't a marking thing. It was just a bite. True mating hurts a lot worse, as I'm sure you can see.

InsanexPsycho: Oh, don't worry. I don't put the lemons on FF. They flipped once because I mentioned a rating change, so I just put them on Mediaminer. The FF version is smut free!

Shinigami Clara: I'm so very sorry about that. I wonder if Sesshoumaru would be willing to do something about that. Thanks for haunting the review page. I need all the help I can get.

MyInuyasha04: Now where would we all be if Sesshou didn't make a tiny fool of himself? Thanks for the threat. He's been receiving a lot of those lately.

RurouniNikkitch13: I should have this story completely updated on A Single Spark sometime soon. I'm so glad you like it, and another update is coming soon!

Stephanie: Thank you! Not a problem! A lot of people have finals that are coming up, and I just figured you had them too. I think my favorite is...what is my favorite? Oh yeah! The 'Milkshake' chapter!

Skitzoflame: I honestly don't think he's as dumb as he pretends to be. You never can guess with him though.

Puffin: I swear, you're name reminds me of something. I just can't remember what. Oh, but as you can see, Sesshoumaru gets Kagome back, but will they stay together? Will I kill Kagome off? Only time will tell! Muhahahahahahaha!

Asmodeus: Yup! I graduated high school in 2000 and finished my last semester of college in December. I still have to walk the stage in May, so now I'm scrambling for another cap and gown. Sucks. I love beetles too, but I really want a convertible Mustang. Now that's me!

Kagome333: No problems. I understand. Welcome back! No hurting Sesshou...there are enough people who want to do that as is..

Kagome: Um, I take it you're still mega pissed at Sesshoumaru? Yeah. A lot of people are. As a matter of fact, I'm sure someone's going to be pissed at me for getting them back together. I just can't help myself. I had to. Yes Inu-chan, you're smart, though you play dumb rather nicely.

Reality: Wrapping it up as we speak. I love a little angst too.

Jessica: {::scratching her head thoughtfully::} Well, I'm not entirely sure. Me personally, I have a sister and a cousin for muses, and I have weird dreams that become stories...well, except this one. This one is purely the product of educational television. That's all I can think of, though I don't particularly think my stories are as great as others, like BeyondWords and a few other folks that I could name if you had an hour. Thanks for thinking so however. Oh, but if you really want a tip, then here it is: Cheetos. Eat them right before you go to bed. They create the most interesting dreams.

Nek0Spirit: I can't burn Fluffy, but I can make him as sorry as possible. Don't worry about lemons. I don't put them on this site. They go on Mediaminer, where they belong.

Badgerwolf: He did, didn't he? Thanks so much for the compliment, and another chapter's coming soon.

Sesshys Hime: Yeah, I know. It's kinda on the same scale as 'Kikyou the Good' and 'Naraku the CryBaby'. I feel for me too. I hope it's believable, but then again what is with a happily ever after?

Lilfrozenfire: Well, Silver and I don't mind as much. I try to help him as much as possible, but it's kinda hard to when you're trying to ignore the little perverted comments that spew from his mouth. Did you give up writing for good, or just for Lent? If it's for good, then go ahead and shoot me now. Thanks for the recommendation! I needed it!

MoonliteCrescndo: Um, if it helps any, he's an attorney that lives with his Mom in 'The Breaking Point'. My dear, your finals have put you in an...interesting mood. Don't worry. Silver's the same way, except he's growling at anything that moves and eating everything in sight. You're story idea is a good one however, I just don't think I could do it. It would depress me to no end, and I'd have trouble writing it. I'm such a sucker for a happy ending, and that sounds like a happy ending would be impossible. It does sound like a good read though.

Migele: Kagome's fully in this one, but there's no Rin or the others. I know what you mean. He must have been pretty bad to scare Rin. Oh, and rambling is always welcome.

Silver Mystic: LOL. No, the world isn't ending, but I think it has turned on it's side. Glad to see another sucker.

BelleDayNight: You would read this over again? Wow, thanks! I'm glad you like it that much! Trunks is my fave DBZ character...well, Vegeta is, but Trunks is readily available. Vegeta tends to get into fights with Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha, and they fight enough by themselves. Thanks for the Sparks congrats! I'm so excited!

Mistress DragonFlame: First off, welcome to the story. I had no idea the fic was that long. Woah... And I did use that a lot, didn't I? I thought so too after a while. My computer is old, so it doesn't catch everything like it's supposed to. Thanks a lot for the review, glad you like it so far, and I hope you stick around for the other stories too!

Tokia: I'm sure you feel like you did, but you haven't. Just wait a little while longer...as a matter of fact, next week when I update for the last time. Oh, how depressing. I think I'm going to cry...

Fluffy'slova4life: You've written the lemon already!? That's soo COOL!!! I desperately need it! Silver flaked on me...AGAIN!!!! ARGGGGGGGGG!!!! I could murder him! I so appreciate it.

Avonnalay-Ariemay: Kagome hasn't changed that much. She's a little more serious, and she's kinda hardheaded, but she's still sympathetic, and still in love with the baka youkai (which kinda explains the above chapter).

Tsuki Yume: Yes dear duckie. There will be a happy ending, as promised. I can't imagine anything else.

Skitzoflame: Thanks a lot! I hope it doesn't become too dark as it wears on.

Mediaminer:

Stormy Nights Rainy Days: I'm 22. I know, it's so sad. I can't write a lemon for crap, but I'm really good at blood and gore. That's my kind of stuff. Oh, and am I related to who?

Nan aka Ladihouki, Kitsune_Bi, SesshoumaruLover1, Lady Scorpio & PTBear: Thanks so much! You guys are great!

Duchesscarml: I tell you what. We'll make a deal. I'll tell you what Shu did to Inuyasha if you tell me what exactly is going on with that castle in 'SCaL'. You're killing me over here. I'm so confused. (And only I could say that with a smile.)

Amreld: Thanks a lot! First drawing huh? I can't draw a stick, but that's ok. I like other people's drawings anyway. It's great to see what others are getting out of the fic. I'll be sure to check it out. Do you have a new pen name? I can't seem to find you.

FD: LOL. Yeah, I thought someone would use that one day. Thanks a lot for the praise. I'm really sorry about how this is updating. Real life is getting interesting.

Nagasaki: Yeah, Kagome talks to him, but she's kinda wondering something. Thanks for the love!

Conqueror_Kagome: Hopefully this chapter meets your expetations, even though it doesn't exactly meet mine. Inu-chan's so smart. {::lightening strikes the center of the stage::} What? Was it something I said?

Tessa3: {::sitting on top of a cage::} I'm perfectly fine, thanks for asking. Inu-chan was pretty great in this one. {::zaps cage when it starts to shake::} Sesshou actually left without a plan for this. I think he was just hoping to talk to her. He really wasn't expecting to get this far. On top of that, Kagome doesn't have a clue as to what's-Ack! {::falls off the cage::} Ow! {::picks up stick and pokes Silver, who's stuck inside::} Oh, are you wondering why he's in here? It's because he's been a bad boy. He hasn't written that lemon chapter yet. I'm going to kill him.

Lunabelle: Um, well, she didn't fry him on sight, so no. I wonder how the next chapter's going to go...

IsisTheEgyptianGoddess: I'm going to miss this story too. I think that's why it's taking so long to finish. It doesn't want to. But it must, as all things do. I'm going to be so sad when the last chapter gets here.