Kagome tried to take slow, even breaths even though she knew they were all watching her warily, as if she was a leper. She harshly gritted her teeth. How could I have let myself slip? I'm so weak… Kagome backed up slowly. "I'm sorry." she whispered quietly, shaking her head. She turned and ran towards an exit from the garden, not caring where she was headed. Please, anywhere but here… Suddenly she hit something, which let out a soft "oomph!" and steadied Kagome from falling. She looked up. A medium-height woman with long, white hair and kind, violet eyes smiled. "So you're the little girl my son brought home." Kagome looked down. She could sense the group of men debating how to tell the woman about her feral attack on Sesshomaru. "Uh, mother-" Sesshomaru began. This is his mother? Oh no… "Hush up, Sesshomaru. I'm talking to a beautiful young lady. Can't you see that?" the woman smiled once more. "Oh, you've opened your wounds again." the Lady of the Western Lands said grimly. Suddenly her face lit up. "How about you come with me and we'll get you bathed and fit you for one of my old kimonos?" another bright smile. Sesshomaru's mother quickly held a hand out, causing Kagome to flinch. When she realized that the Lady wasn't going to strike her she stared at her hand. All of the men's mouth's were gaping as Kagome slowly and gingerly took the woman's outstretched hand. It had been awhile since Kagome had felt the gentle touch of a loving mother and she now realized she craved it. The Lady had started pulling her into the hall when she suddenly turned around. "Inutaisho, can you please get our son cleaned up? He really shouldn't be covered in blood like that. Honestly, what would the other royals think?" she shook her head. The men's mouths gaped open even wider as the two ladies walked away.

The woman-who Kagome now knew was named Inukimi- lightly sponged her injured back as she sat in the warm hot spring located next to Inukimi's room. She sat lightly on Inukimi's bare knees and leaned slightly forward so that her back was more at ease. Her long white hair spilled over her shoulder and into the swirling water. Kagome watched the bubbles with suppressed emotion.

"Oh poor girl. What happened?" Inukimi asked curiously. Kagome didn't answer. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it just yet. But I bet you'd feel better if you later." Inukimi smiled as she started rinsing Kagome's hair. "I'm afraid those jagged gashes are going to leave angry scars on you're back." she said grimly. Kagome stared ahead unblinking. They lapsed into silence. "I'll be right back, I'll go get us some towels. Would you like to soak for another moment or two?" Kagome nodded once as Inukimi rose from the water gracefully and stepped out. Kagome sank down into the water and closed her eyes as an ugly memory engulfed her.

Flashback

"Kagome, run!" her mother screamed as she pulled out a bow and single arrow. "Momma!" Kagome yelled. "Please, Kagome." her mother pleaded as more screams filled the air. "Kagome run, and don't look back!" Kagome turned and ran as fast as she could as her mother notched the arrow and aimed it at her father. Tears streamed down Kagome's face as she made her fatal mistake. She looked back. Kagome tripped and fell face first into the grass and screamed as huge, sharp claws raked across her back. Suddenly they stopped as the sky erupted in bright purple light. Kagome turned her head. Human bodies lay everywhere. Everything was devoid of life, except for her. Her parents were nowhere in sight. She was alone.

Kagome choked on the water as she came back above the surface, a tear silently mixing with the streams of water that cascaded down from her hair. "Are you okay, Kagome?" Inukimi asked. She nodded and rose from the water, her back screaming in protest. A warm towel was wrapped around her and she was lead into the room beside the springs. "This is my room." she smiled.

Kagome stared in awe at the large room. The walls were painted midnight blue with a bright crescent moon on the ceiling. A large mirror rested in the corner and the biggest bed Kagome had ever seen rested against the far wall, facing the huge balcony that overlooked the expansive garden. A large wardrobe sat next to the mirror along with a small trunk. "Actually, it's our room." A voice boomed from the bed. Lord Inutaisho sat up and smiled at them.

"Sorry dear, were you sleeping?" "Not at all." he laughed. "Okay then. Well if you'll just go out on the balcony so us girls can change, that would be wonderful." Inukimi smiled. "It's not like you've ever been shy in front of me before-" "Inu! Not in front of Kagome!" He laughed as he went and stood out on the balcony, staring out at the rising sun.

Inukimi started rooting around in the trunk and soon found something, adding a little "Aha!" for effect. "Considering we are going to have visitors tomorrow, er, today actually, how about something nice?" she smiled. "Close your eyes, I want it to be a surprise!" Kagome followed her orders. "This was mine when I was younger. I've kept it all these years just in case I had a daughter, but I gave birth to Sesshomaru instead. Which was one of the happiest days of my life. He brings so much joy into this place, though he doesn't realize it. Him and Inu are attached at the hip, so he doesn't really tell me everything that he's feeling or thinking. But what can you do?" Inukimi paused as she helped a blind Kagome into the kimono. "Listen to me ramble on about our family! What about yours? Do you know where your parents are Kagome?" Kagome's breathing hitched. "Kagome?"

She supposed she had to say it at some point. But it still hurts… "They're dead." Kagome said emotionlessly as Inukimi accidentally tightened the obi around her waste too tightly upon hearing this. "Oh, sorry." she said quietly as she loosened it. Inukimi lapsed into silence as she gently brushed Kagome's hair. "Done." she said quietly. She steered Kagome towards a mirror and allowed her to open her eyes. Kagome's eyes slowly opened, not expecting much. She silently gasped as she gazed at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a royal blue kimono that stopped mid-thigh, revealing her pale skin. It had snow white swirls on the sleeves and bottom of the kimono and a snow white obi to go with it. Inukimi gently placed a matching blue headband into Kagome's hair and gave her a sad smile as a knock on the door tore her attention away.

Inukimi walked to the door and opened it, revealing a cleaned up Sesshomaru. "Ah, Sesshomaru. You look better." she said, suddenly looking tired. "Absolutely beautiful!" Lord Inutaisho smiled as he walked in from the balcony. "Sesshomaru, could you show Kagome around please? I've got to get dressed and talk to your father." Sesshomaru slowly nodded as he studied Kagome inconspicuously.

The royal blue kimono contrasted with her scarred porcelain skin, but in a good way. It showed off her legs and the slight curves of her hips. Her wavy, white hair cascaded down her shoulders and back and ended just around her waist. He looked away. The door closed behind them as they silently walked down the long hallway, both avoiding each other's gaze. Might as well do it now. She sighed. "I'm sorry." she said quietly once more. He looked over at her, amber eyes meeting bright blue ones. "I lost control. I'm sorry." he shook his head. "You didn't get enough, did you? You pulled away…" he said, just as quiet. She looked away. "No, I didn't." He stopped walking. "It's okay. I'm not mad." "I kind of wish you would be. Hatred is much easier to deal with than niceness." Has she been around so much hatred that she's been accustomed to it? He looked at her questioningly. She noticed his look and said, "I was the only odd person in my village. 'The lowly half-demon' that everyone despised. All of the normal human children would pick on me for being different. Kids are cruel these days." She shrugged her shoulders. He looked down. "Well, I don't hate you."

Thanks for reading this far! To be honest, I didn't think anyone would like it, but I'm getting some pretty good feedback...

By the way, Sesshomaru and Kagome are about 11-13, just to clarify.

Review please!(: