Chapter thirteen: Choose

Kagome huffed on the large bed. "Can you at least get some clothes for me to change into?!" she asked Shippou angrily, who only sighed.

"Sesshoumaru told me not to leave until he got here", he told her for the tenth time.

"Well why the hell do you have to listen to him anyway?!" He closed his eyes, hoping that Sesshoumaru would return soon enough so she could direct her anger at him instead.

"Kagome, some things don't change. Doing what Sesshoumaru says in tight situations is one of those things", he told her and she only snorted in a very un-lady like manner once again.

He was relieved when he felt Sesshoumaru's still angry aura coming down the hallway. In a few minutes the male entered the room with cold eyes narrowed. "You can leave Shippou." Suddenly unsure if he should leave Kagome there, he hesitated, earning a deathly glare from him. "Leave", he said again and Shippou took another look at Kagome.

"It's okay, just bring me some clothes will you?" she asked, and he nodded and left. Sesshoumaru neither moved nor spoke until he was sure the fox was far enough away.

He then allowed his eyes to look over her. She was sitting on his bed, legs crossed and her arms behind her propping her up. A few raven locks had escaped from her bun and cascaded over her shoulders. Her dress fit her wonderfully, hugging to her curves and showing off her petit form. He shifted his eyes from her, remembering that he was supposed to be upset.

"So are you going to keep me in here all night?" she asked, finally breaking the silence. He took off his jacket and undid his tie.

"Yes", he answered her simply, stepping away from her and into his bathroom. He smiled at the cinnamon and cloves that crept into her scent. What did she have to be mad about?

"And suppose I want to sleep in my own room?" she asked him, and he resisted the urge to point out that her "own room" was across town.

"It's for your own protection. Or did you already forget that you were nearly kidnapped Kagome", he told her calmly, stepping back into where she was.

She crossed her arms over her chest and sniffed. "I would have been fine." He picked up the lie but said nothing. He had smelled how relieved she was when he had shown up; and he had been somewhat pleased with that.

"Perhaps if you had listened to what I told you", he told her with an edge, and watched as she tried to think of what he was talking about. Her eyes widened with understanding.

"I thought that was playful banter" she said softly with a frown, and he snorted but said nothing. Her anger picked up and she stood from the bed.

"Okay asshole! I'm not staying in here with your attitude!!" she told him, walking to the door.

"My attitude, Kagome? You have yet to even say thank you." She paused and looked over at him, as he was now leaning casually against the wall. The image of him undressing flashed through her mind and she blushed furiously. Curse him for being so good looking!

"Thank you", she told him stubbornly and then went back to the door, but just as she reached it he was behind her, turning her to face him and she leaned against the door, swallowing at their sudden closeness. His eyes blazed with certain anger and she felt herself shudder.

"You're staying in here. He'll come back for you", he said harshly and Kagome's wide eyes only stared into his as he brought a claw to caress her cheek. His arms wrapped around her waist and he nuzzled his nose into her neck.

Sesshoumaru let himself relax as her sweet scent invaded his senses. "So you're upset that I wondered off?" he heard her ask and he brought his eyes to look into her stunning blue pools.

"You misunderstand my anger Kagome", he told her softly. "Only I should be allowed to touch you." He said it so softly that Kagome was having trouble believing that she actually heard it. She had no time, however, to ponder this because he had captured her lips.

Melting into him, instantly loving the feeling of having him like this, she wrapped her arms around his neck, opening her mouth more at his growl of approval. She gasped as his hand slid under her left thigh, pushing it up to settle on his hip-bringing them closer as her dress was pushed up nearly to her waist to allow the action.

One hand rested on her backside while the other was dangerously close to her breast. Slowly he pulled from her, planting kisses on her neck. The hand that lay on her chest quickly went to her planted leg, pushing it up until she was comfortably straddling his waist. She felt what she was sure was his arousal and flushed even more, the heat spreading to her inner most core.

A knock at the door she was currently pressed against stopped the two, leading to a low growl from Sesshoumaru. "Got your stuff Kagome!"

Kagome struggled to get off his waist but he gently pushed her into the door and held her thighs firm. She frowned but was quickly redirected as he wrapped her in a kiss once more.

She felt him move and was distantly aware that he was moving her somewhere else. Her back hit something soft and she assumed that he had just put her in the bed. She tried to fight past the clouded fog in her mind to a more sensible path but it was not working. All she could think of was him and how he was making her feel.

She moaned as his hands wondered over her body. "Kagome? Hello?" Shippou's voice pulled her from the fog and snapped her eyes open to see a very annoyed Sesshoumaru.

"Maybe we need a distraction, ne?" she asked with a dark blush. His golden eyes darted to her and leaned down and kissed her neck.

"No we do not" he growled and she had to forcibly tell her self that Shippou was waiting for her. She rolled out from underneath him ignoring his growl and went to open the door.

"Geez what took you so long?" She blushed as he held the bag out to her and eyed her with curiosity.

"Oh we were just talking about what happened…and all", she muttered with her best attempt at a smile. Shippou looked unconvinced.

"So are you staying in here tonight?" Sesshoumaru appeared over her.

"Yes she is. And you can leave now", he said kind of coldly. Shippou looked the two over.

"Okay, well looks like you still need to talk." And with that he wished the two a goodnight and Kagome closed the door and glared angrily at Sesshoumaru.

"You did have to be so mean." The youkai grunted.

"He disrupted an important talk." Kagome blushed and held back a laugh at this.

"I'm going to change" she announced making her way to the restroom. He watched her go and sighed bringing a hand to his head when the door closed. What had just happened? He couldn't explain the overwhelming need he had of her. Just to be near her and have her and to have her want and need him back. The whole thing left him more shaken than he could remember being over such a matter. He removed his shoes and belt, switching into sweat pants and a t-shirt.

Kagome gaped and mentally noted to kill Shippou in the morning. He had packed her some breeze short shorts with a spaghetti strapped shirt. Along with her slippers, face wash, and tooth brush. Wonderful.

Changing, she realized she didn't even have a bra to slip on. She stepped out of the bathroom carefully to find Sesshoumaru lazily lying on the bed flipping through some magazine. "Sesshoumaru?" He glanced up at her, doing a double take at what she was wearing. She saw something flash across his eyes and she blushed.

"Kagome." He regarded turning his attention.

"Do you…Do have a shirt I could wear over this?" she asked timidly and he raised an eye brow and stood from the bed. He went to his closet and retrieved a t-shirt that read TOKYO EXPRESS and on the back TASHIO. She quickly slipped it on, looking over to see that it hung loosely over her shoulder and dropped past her short shorts. Without thinking she ran to the bed and pulled the covers over her.

He shot her a questioning glance but she rolled her eyes at him. "Not like we haven't slept together before." She blushed a dark shade of red. ";I mean- in the same bed!"

"Indeed", he simply replied, putting down what he was looking at in favor of her. Her long dark hair had been brushed out and all traces of makeup gone. Kami she was so perfectly beautiful.

He himself got under the covers, reaching over and turning out the light. "Hey!" she protested and almost jumped when his voice came from right above her ear.

"You scared of the dark, miko?" he asked coolly and she huffed.

"No! I am afraid of arrogant youkais", she told him and she heard him laugh slightly as she tried hard not to give into his charm.

"I think it's important that we finish our talk", he told her and she gawked at him-even if he couldn't see it.

"No way!" she told him, even though part of her hoped he would try harder to convince her.

"Hn", he replied and for a moment she thought that would be it. "Kagome", he called and she stilled at the softness of his voice.

"Yeah?" She replied, waiting for him to say something. A clawed hand graced her hip, tracing over her clothed stomach. Silk hit over her neck and she knew that he was leaning over her.

Warm breath hit her neck and a chill ran down her spine. Sure the two had shared a bed before but last time she was nearly dying. "Don't wander off again." His words were soft and for a moment she completely forgot what he was referring to.

She felt his lips curl against her before placing a kiss on her neck. "Yeah", she replied in a short breath. "No wandering off. Got it."

His warmth pulled away from her but not fully and she fought her fire of disappointment.

Sesshoumaru smiled more in the dark, pleased in how he could smell strawberries n' crème along with cherry, vanilla and a bit of lime. "So who was he?" At her question, he pulled more away and the smile from his face dropped.

"If I knew exactly he would not still be alive." Rolling on his back he allowed his voice to return to its flat and even level. He heard her sigh and pull the covers closer to herself.

"So he's not dead?" he tried not to growl at the rather obvious blow to his youkai pride.

"No. I thought it more important to see to the estates safety", he answered her stoically and she said nothing for a few minutes.

"So what's on the agenda for tomorrow?" she asked, brushing the subject of her near kidnapping off as if it was as simple as frowning over a rainy day. He himself tried not to sigh as he noted how carefree she truly was.

"The press, most likely; and finding out more about whatever plans these rebels have for you. For that reason, I will be gone most of the day", he answered her and he could tell this news disappointed her.

"The press?" she asked, choosing to deal with this information first.

"Yes, I told you before", he answered her blandly.

"Yeah, but I didn't know if you were serious…what am I supposed to say?" At this he smirked, wishing she could see it.

"Say what you wish, Miko." A pinch of cinnamon crept into her over all scent.

"Well maybe you should tell them what exactly is acceptable by you." He furrowed his brow at this; did she think that her agreeing with the claims would be unacceptable by him? True, the two were not engaged but he had to admit if she denied all claims of any kind of relationship he would not be pleased. Then again, if she accepted them then he wasn't sure he was willing to deal with the challenge of entering a real, full out relationship with the miko. It was a strange position to be in.

"Say what you want." He replied more roughly as cloves also made their way into her scent.

"Well maybe I want to know what's going on before I tell them anything", she answered with obvious sarcasm.

He remained silent, trying to decide on the right words that wouldn't earn him a cold shoulder for the rest of the night and the next day. Of course he wouldn't be around anyway. Distantly he wondered at when it had begun to matter what she thought or what she was feeling. Since when did he have to actually think of words that would make her feel better and treat him nicely? Since when did he care how she treated him? He pushed away these questions knowing that the answers didn't really matter. What mattered was the silently fuming female lying next to him waiting for his answer that he had yet to concoct.

"What is it that you think might be going on?" She let out an audible sound that was between a grunt and growl letting him know that he had not chosen the correct words. Of course, once again, he couldn't help but ask why he had to say the correct words anyway.

"Nothing I guess", she muttered and turned her back to him in defiant anger. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Before he could think of it, he had grabbed her close to him and nuzzled her neck.

"Dammit, Sesshoumaru, stop confusing me", she told him with an edge as she tried in vein to break from his stronger arms.

"Kagome." Her name on his lips stopped her struggles. "I only mean obviously deny the engagement but it's your choice as to say anything more about our relationship." A moment passed as she thought over his words, trying to control her spinning head.

"So we…we have a relationship then?" she asked, trying to sound normal. He didn't answer right away, this being new territory for himself. What exactly was he willing to do here?

"You know what, you don't have to answer that right now." He could have kissed her with relief! In fact…he softly kissed her neck in thanks. "I mean if you're not serious then I need to know and if you are serious then I need to know and…I don't know, I guess you need time to think that over. So don't answer right now."

He felt her pull away and released her sensing that it was what she wanted. "But until you figure it out, I cant further this…relationship." Although her claim was clearly sensible he was still rather unpleased that she was no longer in his arms. But seeing that he was not exactly ready to answer, at the moment he could do nothing about it.

"Goodnight Sesshoumaru", she told him snuggling up on the other side of the bed. Picking himself up enough to shift over to her, he kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight Kagome", he told her before sliding over to his side of the bed.

Kagome tried hard to clear her mind and sleep, knowing full well that the youkai next to her could probably smell her every thought. Taking deep calming breaths, she let herself relax, his kiss on her forehead worked to make her nerves a little better, but the situation all the worse. If he could act so affectionate why not come right out and tell her that he wanted a serious relationship. Then again, even she was not ready for such an announcement. She needed time to think over if this was really what she wanted, make sure that she would not go into this prematurely.

Sesshoumaru allowed himself sleep only when he heard her breathing slow and her scent return to her natural strawberries n' crème without any other hindrances showing her worry and anxiety.

Morning found the Kyo Kesuma Estates still in a buzz from the spring ball the night before. Today would be filled with fellowship. Different activities and small tournaments would be held and all would be allowed to come and go as they desired.

Kagome sat on the wooden bleachers that had been set up in the large courtyard of Sesshoumaru's estate. Below her was a tournament between two youkai as they battled for the prize of a date. "Shippou, I don't want to see this", she told him with a sigh, looking away from the brutality. Of course they were not fights to the death, but still the battle was getting rather bloody. Not all fights had been so. Some challenges had been of the mind or strictly powers. The fox youkai did not take his eyes from the arena.

"Go find Shaia or something." He waved her off and she let out another sigh before doing as he said.

She had awoken to an empty bed, later finding out that Sesshoumaru had left the estates and would not be back till night fall. She was almost sure that he had gone to investigate who had attacked his home and her the night before.

The cool breeze swept over her, picking up the ends of her hair as she made her way back to the gardens. Hojo had also called in the morning and she had taken it upon herself to invite him to the estates. She had proposed a game night and the young man had gladly accepted her offer saying that he would bring his new girlfriend.

"Tournament too much for you?" She turned to see Kouga just as he walked into the garden and smiled up at him.

"Yeah, fighting is not all that impressive to me", she told him and he nodded, looking off to the direction of the clinging of swords.

"Feh! Those pups know nothing about real fighting!" he accused, and she laughed but knew it to be true. Such a fight was not necessary in this day and time. Of course, last nights events made her think other wise.

A silence fell on the two as memories from the past flowed back to them, a certain hanyou lingering in them. "So there is a rumor floating around here."

Kagome groaned as he broke the silence. Sesshoumaru had been right about the press. At first she found it curious that the youkai with dark blue hair had seemed so interested in her but she found out that she was one press member that Sesshoumaru had told her about.

"So what is your relationship with Sesshoumaru?" she had asked her, too professional for her liking.

"We're good friends", she had replied with a shrug. The female probed for more explanation and details but Kagome refused her such a thing until the youkai had finally given up. A few others had done the same and she felt like simply getting everyone's attention at once and telling them her answer to the question that many present were wondering about.

"A rumor is exactly what it is", she told him with a stern look. A gust of wind blew again, this time threatening to pick up her yellow sun dress.

The wolf laughed and raised his hand in defense. "Of course." He allowed them to fall back down to his side. "Just, the dog breath better take care of you or else I'll have to knock some sense into him", he growled playfully and Kagome was reminded of the Kouga she once knew, not the new and matured one in front of her now.

The too took a seat with out another word, resting in the beauty of the day. "Do you miss the old days?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the interaction taking place at the estates.

"Eh", he commented, also looking around him as if sizing the world around him up. "I miss the freedom and clean air", he told her honestly. "But it is by youkai's own damned pride we ended up how we did and so I'll deal with this carefree life as punishment."

Kagome nodded her sudden need to speak with him about what was happening with her and Sesshoumaru. Of course she had told Shippou- without the details- but the fox had only shaken his head and didn't say much of anything.

This, however, she was unable to do as the wolf stood next to her, his ears twitching as his acute hearing picked up something. "Dammit", he muttered under his breath before looking back at her.

"What is it?" she asked, worried.

"It's my sons; they challenged each other", he told her and her eyes widened.

"S-sons?" she asked, kicking herself for actually being surprised.

He gave her his toothy grin at this. "Yes, two sons and one daughter. I know you said you don't like the fighting but perhaps you would like to watch my sons beat each other to pulps before I myself get on to them?" She laughed as she stood and followed him back to the tournament area.

hey guys sorry for delays once again- im takin bio: a&p 1 so for all that know how much the course covers, imagin it in summer school. lol