I want to start by sincerely apologizing for the long amount of time it took for me to finally update. My schedule is really crazy and I just want to let you all know I have not and will not give up on this story or my other one. I want to say a big THANK YOU to ALL my REVIERWS AND READERS that have kept up with this story patiently. YOU GUYS keep me going and keep me writing. THANK YOU ALL and I hope you enjoy this chapter. It should be the last of the background making. So bear with me! REVIEWWWW!

Chapter 22

Morning came too early for her. Just after a couple hours in to her slumber, she was rudely disrupted by Shippou's wailing. Being absolutely new to this, it took her a few blinks to situate what was actually happening. She then picked him up and hummed as she gently rock him. She was really surprised when Sesshomaru stepped in and took over her job.

"You need to sleep." He said seriously and then smirked, "you might be getting stronger, but you'll always be the same."

"…Same…and that is…" Kagome drawled out with a raised brow.

"Beneath this Sesshomaru surely." Kagome actually scoffed and looked at him incredulously.

He let out one of his winning smirks and kissed her forehead. Kagome blushed and hid her face in the crook of his neck. They stayed like until Shippou decided that Sesshomaru's hair would make a nice late night snack. Kagome couldn't help but laugh at scowl on Sesshomaru's face.

She went and grabbed the bottle intending to feed Shippou, but was interrupted by Sesshomaru with Shippou still with a mouthful of hair, who grabbed the bottle then pushed her towards the bed.

"You need sleep. Now." He said then sat at the edge of the bed with Shippou in hand trying to get back his locks from the hungry child.

Kagome smiled warmly. Never in a billion years had she ever thought she would see this side of THE Sesshomaru. She really regretted for being a coward back then, but now, she had a lot to make up for.

"Fine! You win," she said as she climbed deep into the covers. "Please don't let me be late tomorrow," she said lastly before drifting into a deep slumber.

As Sesshomaru sat in silence listening to Shippou's feeding and Kagome's breathing, he sensed his beast was at rest; there was no pain, he felt almost like smiling but of course that wouldn't happen.

It wasn't long before Shippou was fast asleep and Sesshomaru put him back into his makeshift bedding between him and Kagome. Last time, he had fallen asleep against his will, but this time, he intended to stay awake and watch her sleep.

Of course.

He Failed.

*&^%^&**

Twitch…..Twitch… Kagome's nose kept twitching. Something stinks...and it REALLY stinks. She was so tired that it took her a few moments of suffering through the smell to open her eyes. She felt a weight got off the bed.

"I'm not doing it," was all she heard from a deep baritone voice before the door was shut.

She finally musters up the strength and tuned around to a smiling Shippou looking like the happiest person in the world. Except, he was packing a full diaper if shit. As she got up to collect the necessary items to change Shippou, she realized how extremely light she felt, it seemed she got everything and made it back to the bed in only a couple of seconds.

"I guess yesterday really wasn't a dream," she murmured to herself and Shippou gurgled and spit in response.

"No it wasn't," Sesshomaru agreed while closing the door quietly behind him. Kagome tried to not appear to have been caught off guard.

Sesshomaru couldn't help his smirk, "you're still unaware as always, I bet still clumsy too."

Kagome stick her tongue at him. "Whatever, watch...I'll top you one day." she said as she turned back to her work.

"I hope so," he replied in an unidentified tone causing Kagome to look up into his fiery golden eyes triggering an unknown heat rising from within.

Shippou's kick to her hands reminded her of her task as she forced her eyes away from his gorgeous face looking as red as a tomato.

"You're faster." He finally said after a moment of silence. "Before, you were faster than an average demon, especially in your case, having no aura or youki, but now, I've witnessed you moving in a flash."

Kagome couldn't help but smile, "is that a good thing?" she joked as she dressed Shippou.

"Safe to say I know you can run to safety." Kagome snorted. Leave it to him to ruin a moment. "Right." She bitted out.

"To me, I rather you not fight." Then he grabbed her face to look up at him." I rather you watch me protect you, watch me built for us." The seriousness in his eyes did not deter her from her thoughts.

"I'm not useless. I'm not going to sit here and let you 'take care of things,'" she mimicked in his voice. "I'm not trying to be pulled into something where you think I'm going to sit around and play house wife and be helpless. Especially now that I can actually say I have a son to care for." She bit out quick and hard.

Sesshomaru felt the anger coming from her. Her priestess power was bright outlined by a dark purple, signifying her youki. It really was a sight to see, but he knew it wasn't one of those times to be admiring it.

"I did not intend to call you useless. We will train. Together. This Sesshomaru only wants and accepts the best." The Finality in his voice caused Kagome to blush despite her previous anger. "You're powerful, but this Sesshomaru did not pick you only for that reason."

"Are you going to go back to third person again?" She asked with a smirk. "Whenever you get serious, especially back then, you use to always do that." She got up and faced him.

"You're not useless, but I want you safe and I want you to call me first. Always." He said, before she can say anything, he pinned her with a pointed look and Kagome smiled. "Okay" and she kissed him on the cheeks.

Kagome knew it was his own way of saying he doesn't want to be worried, especially when he plans on slave driving her, but still. "Have more confidence. A lot might have happened over night to us, but nothing to the other people we see every day. School is in a couple of hours, if I trust you, then you need to do the same for me." Kagome said softly

It was then they heard a loud banging. "Bastard! Is there school or not? I'm fucking waiting here while you cater to this kid and woman!" yelled Inuyasha in jealousy and anger from the other side of the door.

Both parties looked at each other in anger before Shippou farted away the building tension in the room. "Leave." Sesshomaru said knowing full well Inuyasha can hear him. He then handed Kagome a bag. "Naraku left those and your bike up front." Kagome could feel the tightness in his tone.

"What's wrong?" She can't understand. Is it really because of Inuyasha's unwelcomed outburst or did part of reality just hit home?

Sesshomaru smell the shift in Kagome's scent the moment she spoke. "Maybe you fail to remember this Sesshomaru have yet to take a mate and have never indulged in 'dating' as all others revel in. It is true I have bedded a couple of females and a couple that is." He said knowing already what probably was circling in her head. He then grabbed Shippou. "My beast has chosen a long time ago. Inuyasha only reminded me of the annoyance to come. Playing normal is impossible, things changed."

Kagome grabbed her stuff, "true, but for our sakes, remember today is day one." She said as she headed toward the bathroom. Before she left though, she heard him murmured "day 1...tell my other half." She turned to see him half way out the door. "Izayoi will watch over him until later." She nodded and continued to the bathroom. So much happened, she didn't know what to expect when she gets to school. What if her attacker was someone at school? She really needed Sesshomaru to focus.

Naraku clearly wanted to piss Sesshomaru off in revenge because he picked out tight, leather, high waist leggings with a custom made crop top with a spider in the middle and her bicker boots. She completed her look with jewelry and her usually eyeliner and mascara. When she walked out, Sesshomaru was already outside leaning on her bike. When he saw her, the look on his face said everything but pleased.

"Change," he said icily with a frown

"No" she said disbelievingly "that's all I have, what am I going to wear? Besides, I'm hiding everything pretty much," she growled out.

"Not enough, I'm sure Izayoi has something." The seriousness in his tone and blank face almost made Kagome purify him.

"Listen here buddy! You don't get to order me around for shit! Especially over night after you've had your fair share of ignoring me and mocking me! Is this really true for you too or just you're fucking beast!" she screamed while slinging her back pack over her shoulder and got on her bike. Before Sesshomaru can say anything, she sped off.

"Well, if you're willing to listen and accept help, I can tell you where you went wrong and get back into her good graces." Taisho said appearing in the door way with a knowing smirk. Sesshomaru glared, but nodded anyways.

&^%%&

When Kagome pulled into the alley, everyone went into an uproar. All bikes were parked and everyone circled around her. She barely got her helmet off before Sango pulled her into a strong hug.

"I'm so sorry!" she yelled and it was then Kagome realized she was crying. "I'm so sorry Kagome; I was sleeping…" she sobbed even louder. "To think you almost died and you called me and I was fucking sleeping!" Kagura walked over and tried to console her but she held on.

Kagome didn't want her friend feeling that way. She had also called Naraku and her dad…shit happened, they didn't pick up either. "Sango, you're my best friend, the one and only in the world. I would never blame you for something like that! You always take me home, remember? So you couldn't help me then, but we're here now. Please don't blame yourself. A lot have happened, nothing will change us." Even though Sango nodded, she knew it was something Sango will never forget and carry on with her at the look she gave her.

"Hmm…I would have thought you would have changed." Naraku said to her after everyone had gotten to say something to her. The icy look Kagome gave her twin made him smirk in satisfaction.

A/N: Well here it is. I think it's about time to spice things up. Now we move on to what happens in school and of course let's not forget Kikyo. Once again I apologize for all the lateness. Time has been really difficult to find with the way I've been working. I want to once again thank all my reviewers and readers for continuing to inspire me and for reading my story. Thank you and Review!