A/N: Alright, so! This is the last chapter that I currently have fully written already. I'm working on 33, it's coming to me slowly, but I'm not giving up on it. PLUS, I'm working on chapter 17 of ACTCF as well. The updates on both stories might be a bit slower, but I'll try to make sure I post at the very least two updates per story a week.

And once again, thank you all so much for reviewing/favoriting/following this story! You guys are AWESOME!

Chapter 32: The Answer is No

Kagome woke up the next morning warm and simi-comfortable. Rin and Shippo laid on each side of her cuddled up against her body. She was on her back, her eyes now open staring at the still slightly dark sky. That night they had spent hours talking before going to bed. She had readied her sleeping bag and laid down, happy that both the children accepted each other and laid down next to her.

Only to be mildly disappointed when Sesshomaru didn't join them. Every night for the past month she had slept leaned up against him with Rin in her lap, or in his lap with Rin pillowed on their legs. Every now and again they would find a good place to lay down beside each other and she would sleep snuggled up between them. So, for the first time in a month sleeping without him, she had found it rather difficult.

She understood why he didn't. She was more then sure Inuyasha would have thrown the biggest temper tantrum ever seen if they had laid down together. As it was, he was already sulking in a tree. Having seen his reaction last night made the nervous knot in her stomach tighten ten fold.

Quietly she slid out of her make-shift bed and began preparing the morning meal. She lit the campfire and set the water to boil for oatmeal. While it wasn't their favorite, she doubted anyone would want to hunt that morning, given the feelings of upset and confusion that still clung uncomfortably to their tiny camp.

She glanced to her side and smiled brightly when she noticed that Sesshomaru was awake, "good morning."

It didn't surprise her that he didn't answer, but it pleased her when his head dipped forward slightly in acknowledgement.

"I'm going to go brush my teeth and freshen up a bit."

He unfolded himself, gracefully climbing to his feet. He followed her silently as she gathered her supplies and then led her to a stream outside of camp. His silence, while foreseen, was slightly unnerving after spending the last month surrounded by his wonderfully deep sinful voice. Though, the silence was better than hearing his tone turn cold and unforgiving.

"He left his perch in the middle of the night," he informed her.

"Inuyasha," Kagome asked as she wet her face and began getting ready to brush her teeth.

"Yes. He sat with his legs touching your pillow, watching you. I believe he was unaware that I was awake."

"I think he is just worried, you know? He hasn't been there the last month to protect me and he still sees you as an enemy, I guess."

"Hn," he knelt next to her, using his fingers under her chin he turned her face to look into her eyes, "I have never been your enemy, nor will I ever be."

"I know, Lord Sesshomaru," she embarrassedly covered her foam filled mouth with her hand, "I trust you."

Pleased with her response he allowed her to turn back to her morning routine. She quickly finished brushing her teeth and washed out her mouth. Still slightly embarrassed, she stood and turned to her silent companion. Without hesitation she reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it slightly for reassurance.

"I know I've said this many times but, thank you," she smiled at him, "for everything, Lord Sesshomaru. You found me, took me to see my family, bought me gifts, and then returned me to my friends. I truly don't know how I could ever thank you. This means the world to me."

He gently tugged her forward and held her tightly to his right side, pillowing her face on his pelt. He was pleased to hear her sigh of contentment as she leaned into him. Neither willing to admit to each other how nice to felt to be held by the other, how right it seemed to be. Sinking her fingers into the soft fur, she pushed herself onto her tippy toes and placed a soft kiss on the velty markings on his cheek.

His eyes widened for a moment, shocked at the new liberty she had taken with his person. A pleased growl rumbled his chest, as he buried his nose in the hair at the top of her head. They remained there for several minutes, simply soaking in each other's presence. Reluctantly she pulled away, knowing that if they were gone too long Inuyasha would come to find her.

Patiently he waited for her as she gathered her morning supplies and then led her back to the group. As they walked she slipped her hand back into his, needing to feel close to him after such a difficult night sleeping without him. He watched her from the corner of his eye, aware that she was still nervous about the upcoming conversation with her pack mates.

He dropped her off at her bag and returned to his seat against the tree. She put away her stuff and grabbed the bowls she needed to finish making breakfast. By the time the oatmeal was ready the entire camp was awake. The two groups converged together to sit in front of the fire.

As she passed out the food she realized that they were three bowls shy, seeing as her group normally wasn't this large. She allowed Rin to eat from her bowl and quickly made a second helping in which she took over to Sesshomaru. She knelt next to him holding the warm food.

"What the hell are you doing, wench," Inuyasha snarled.

Ignoring the upset half-demon, she spoke softly, "I'm sorry, we don't have enough bowls for everyone. But, there is plenty of food for all of us."

He accepted the bowl, staring down at the odd substance that it held. It wasn't something she had served them before.

"It's oatmeal," she told him gently, "it's not the best, but at least it's something to tide you over till lunch."

"Hn."

"Once I've made a helping for Jaken, I promise I'll make one for myself."

He inclined his head as he set the bowl beside him, using the contraption she called a spoon to feed himself the rather odd textured food. It was slightly sweet and he found it wasn't offensive to his taste buds, though she was correct that it wasn't the best, as she had served things far superior to this.

"Why the hell are you feeding them," the half-demon growled, his eyes narrowing at his half-brother.

"Inuyasha," Kagome huffed, "Lord Sesshomaru found us and brought us here. Him and Jaken spent months looking for us. They wasted their time that could have been spent doing something more productive than trying to find us, and then he wasted even more time having to bring me back here. Sharing our food is the very least we could do to thank them!"

"You don't need to thank him," Inuyasha protested, "he would have looked anyway because of that girl! And he only brought you back here to the Shiro cause I made him promise that he would help you find us if he found you first. Otherwise he probably would have left you!"

"And," she challenged, "I don't care that he promised you. I don't care that he did it to protect his honor. You of all people should know what it's like to be out there! I was scared out of my mind, trying desperately to protect Rin and keep her safe. It was kind of hard, you know, seeing as I didn't really have much experience being the protector, instead of being protected!"

Turning her back to him, she moved over to the oddly quiet imp and offered him a bowl. He accepted it with a stammered thank you, surprised to be included in the group instead of forced to hunt for himself. She returned to her seat and using Shippo's bowl made herself some breakfast.

"Inuyasha," Miroku spoke up, always the voice of reason, "Lady Kagome is just being generous like she usually is. There is no harm in sharing our bountiful food supply. Besides, I think we are all grateful to Lord Sesshomaru, seeing as he did keep his promise and brought Lady Kagome back to us."

Angry and snuffed, the half-demon crossed his arms with a moody "keh."

The rest of the morning meal was consumed in silence. Afterwards, Sango and Kagome went to the stream and cleaned the dishes. They returned to the uncomfortably quiet camp. Inuyasha and Miroku were warily watching the unmoving demon lord while Rin and Shippo talked quietly. Fighting back her nervousness, Kagome returned to her spot next to the fire.

"Let's get going already," Inuyasha snarled when he noticed that their previously missing member didn't seem so inclined to get started on the day yet.

"Can we talk first," Kagome asked softly.

"Is everything okay, Kagome," Sango set a hand on her shoulder in concern.

"Yeah, it's just that…"

"This Sesshomaru," his cold voice drew the entire camps attention, "suggests that we merge packs with the like mind to defeat Naraku."

"Like fucking hell," Inuyasha snarled.

"Inuyasha," Kagome quickly cut in, "please, think about it."

"No," he growled angrily, "absolutely not. He is the enemy!"

"He isn't the enemy," she protested, standing quickly to intercept him when he made a move to get closer to his half-brother.

"Are you fucking crazy!? He tried to kill us!"

"Yeah, but you tried to kill me once too," she pleaded, "he won't hurt any of us! He just wants to be here to help!"

"Bullshit!"

"Lady Kagome," Miroku pulled her attention, "are you sure you would feel comfortable with him journeying with us?"

"Of course," she didn't miss a beat, "I was comfortable with him the past month, having us all together would just make things easier."

"What did you just say," Inuyasha pinned her with angry amber eyes.

"Having us together would be easier?"

"Before that."

"That I was comfortable with him the last month?"

Sango gasped out, "a whole month?"

"Well, I mean a couple days shy of a month, but pretty close."

"No."

"Inuyasha," she cried out, "do you know how upset I was the last couple months missing you guys? Now you are going to make me miss them instead?"

"I apologise Lady Kagome, but I agree with Inuyasha," Miroku told her evenly, "we can not trust him."

"You can trust me, can't you," she exclaimed, "and I trust him!"

"Kagome," Sango gently urged her, "it would cause problems, none of us would be comfortable."

"But."

"No, wench," Inuyasha cut her off, "we all made a choice."

Her face fell and her shoulders slumped, but she nodded. She would have to try and change their mind, but as of right now there was nothing she could do. The happiness of being reunited with her pack faded, replaced once more with the now familiar constant sadness. After the campsite was packed up, she spent as long as Inuyasha allowed saying goodbye to her daughter and Sesshomaru.

"I promise, Lord Sesshomaru will bring you to visit as often as he can," she told the distraught little girl.

"Papa," she whispered, her teary brown eyes searching his face for confirmation.

"Yes," he responded to her silent question.

"I'm sorry, I wish… I want… I…"

"It's okay, mama," Rin assured her, wrapping her tiny arms around her mother's neck.

"I love you," Kagome told her, holding her as tight as possible without causing pain.

"I love you too."

She released the little girl and turned to her daughter's father, "I know you will take care of her. Thank you, again."

He reached out to her and gently gripped her hand, his silent way of saying goodbye. She squeezed tightly, reluctant to let go. Her heart felt heavy when his fingers detangled from hers and his small group turned and began heading west. Tears fell silently from her eyes, as she turned towards her own group, ready to head out.

While it hurt to tell them goodbye, she was happy to know that they would be able to visit as often as possible. It made the loss just a little bit more bearable. Shippo jumped into her arms giving her comfort as they began their search for the jewel shards once more.