The next day, Kagome left early to see if she could find out more. She wanted to be well prepared when Sesshomaru returned Kagome yelped when a woman around her her age came up to her. The newcomer had long blonde hair and looked like she lived actively.

"Hello. You were looking for more information on vampires, right? You've come to the right place," she said, "follow me."

Normally Kagome wouldn't have trailed behind the woman, but the quest for knowledge was a little stronger. Besides, the aura Kagome could feel, a perk from her miko training, was friendly feeling. A few minutes later, they arrived at a plain looking library. Placing a finger to her lips, the brown-haired woman opened a secret staircase to a lower level.

"Welcome to vampire hunter headquarters. There's not really anything fancy here except the weapons. I'm sure you have many questions. I'm Sango by the way."

"Kagome,"—they shook hands— "my question is, how can a free a vampire from his contract?"

Sango started when she heard that. "You want to free the vampire? After all he did? He probably already bit you at least once, and I think he probably made you a Blood Slave. Am I right?"

Kagome nodded, "I can't kill him and live with a clear conscience. Is there a way? He keeps asking me."

"You must be the one destined to have the ability to help him. His mate. Summoning the demon is hard. I'll have to get back to you on the process. Luckily for you, you came to one of the more tolerant vampire hunter guilds. There are some that wouldn't hesitate to eliminate you for associating with a vampire," Sango said, "such a shame you weren't a hunter. As a miko, a powerful one at that, you'd have a slightly easier time. All you'd need is something charged with your powers to pierce the heart. But here's my number. You can call me if you wish to talk more."

Kagome gratefully nodded and accepted the slip of paper. She had a feeling her and this woman would get along well, and maybe they'd even become friends. Before she left, Sango taught her ways to protect herself and told her how to rid Sesshomaru of his invitation into her house. He would be in for a surprise if he tried to enter her house because as soon as the miko got home, she did the ritual. The room smelled of burnt sage, but she told her mother it was incense. Bad incense.

As soon as his foot landed on the shrine ground, an odd tingling sensation went through him. The miko, as he liked to call her since it was nicer than human, must've taken some protective measures. Actually, no. She had someone else do it for her. No wonder why it didn't hurt that much. The purification of the land lacked power. Anyway, it would be easily tainted.

He tried to jump up and sit on her window ledge, but a burn flashed through his hand and he dropped back to the ground. Damnit. His pretty, little Blood Slave wanted to outwit him? Two could play that game. Sesshomaru picked up some pebbles and through them at her window.

"Kagome, Kagome, come out and play. I've got a million ways we can spend the day," he called from below.

"Go away, Sesshomaru or I'll purify you!" She called back, closing her window.

He smirked and turned around and left. He'd leave and come back when she needed—no begged—him. Her new condition meant she needed his presence. She'd weaken otherwise; she may even die, but he'd return before that happened. For now he'd send Kohaku to observe her.

"You have one chance, Kagome. If you want me gone, I'll leave. However you will have to deal with whatever ramifications come with it. Are you prepared for everything?"

Her silence was her answer and he accepted it with a single nod. However his voice attracted Kagome's mother.

"Sesshomaru? Why are you talking to Kagome here?" The more she looked at him the more familiar he became. But from where...?

"I'm afraid not. We've had a...spat, but don't worry she'll come around soon. I'll come back another time, Mrs. Higurashi," Sesshomaru said turning away and walking down the steps.

Time to go far away and have a battle of wills. Who could last the longest? Who would swallow their pride and beg? It certainly wouldn't be him; he could survive off anyone's blood. Kagome, on the other hand, depended on him. This should be easy.

That was what he said six months ago. Back then he didn't take into account the cravings he would have, but according to Kohaku, his Blood Slave wasn't faring much better. She was becoming paler and almost starved looking. She was restless and spent the night wandering her house or the shrine grounds, and she could barely call up enough powers to bless the land. Maybe she'd break soon. He sure wouldn't.

His non-beating heart felt like it should be beating with anticipation as his feet brought Sesshomaru closer to Kagome. His mouth watered and his senses strained to pick up a trace of her. He needed to return, for her safety. She was too prideful to come to him anyway.

So imagine his surprise when he found her coming towards him, as he stood beneath the Goshinboku. She looked awful, ill, and clammy. Suddenly she dropped to her knees in front of him.

"Am I dying?"-he nodded-"what a pathetic way to go. I...I don't want to die yet. I still want to go out and see the world, but I can't because it took all my energy to come out here to you and say this. Will you leave again?" Kagome whispered.

He shrugged, "will you beg me to stay?" With a smirk he made a derisive sound, "of course not. If you ask me to not leave, I'll stay."

When her silence dragged on, he turned and walked away but felt her grabbing his sleeve since she could move her hand to wrap around his wrist. He turned and raised a single brow, waiting for whatever she had to say. "Don't leave," she mumbled sounding almost ashamed of herself, "please."

"I will stay," he replied kneeling next to her. He lifted her chin so she was looking at him and leaned in. "This will help replenish some energy quickly."

That was the only he gave as his eyes closed and he brought her head to his in a surprisingly gentle kiss. His lips moved against hers as he parted them. Without waiting, his tongue slipped in to intertwine with hers. She tasted so sweet. He needed more. And the kiss was even better when she started to respond to him. It was like silk brushed across his lips, and he savored the sensation.

Already, he could detect a change in her aura, which meant she was getting stronger. Sesshomaru's lips left hers and drifted lower to her neck. There, he placed little nips letting his fangs scrape her skin. Of course he wouldn't drink from her. If he did, she'd be too weak; the strengthening he was doing now wouldn't be enough for the drainage of life.

Suddenly, Kagome's lips froze and she jerked away to stare wide-eyed at him. She gave him a jolt that sent made his eyes turn red.

"You ass! You claim I'm your mate, tie my life to yours and then you leave. What kind of person does that? I nearly died and then you come back and kiss me?! You insufferable idiot!" She fumed, accenting her words with zaps of purification energy every couple of words.

"I'm sorry. You had to learn that you cannot bar me from your property. What you just experienced will happen again if you do," Sesshomaru explained. "Most do not let their Blood Slaves continue living at home. I care too much it seems."

She glared at him, "I'm thankful you helped me recover, but I do not trust you."

"Then let me give you the chance to do so. I will help you learn to trust me," he said softly.

"How?"

"The way humans do."

Sesshomaru stared at his surroundings; the woman was late. It was half past eight and she had yet to show. Finally her sweet scent reached his nose, and he gave her a nod of acknowledgment. Kagome opened her mouth to apologize, but was stopped by a dismissive wave.

"So you think this will gain my trust?" She asked incredulously.

"Perhaps. It was a show of good faith on my part to go to a place that is not meant for me. I am surrounded by life and blood. I could have a feast and none could stop me. But I choose not to, and I believe you will be more comfortable," was his quick reply. "I will answer any question to the best of my ability if you wish."

Kagome stared at him and bit her lower lip. She didn't really want to trust him. However, everyone deserved the benefit of the doubt. If she didn't follow it with him, she'd be a hypocrite. "How did you become...like this?" She asked, mindful of the people around them.

"I was born in a time of strife. Everyone fought for power, especially those who followed my father, and the weak were killed or died of disease. I was"—a long pause—"afraid. I did not wish to weaken and die."

Kagome's gaze softened slightly. She knew that feeling well. Sometimes she scared herself when she thought about growing older. It meant she'd have to face her own mortality eventually. But she would never sell her soul for eternal life and youth; the price was too high.

He stared curiously at her. Why did her gaze soften like so? "I do not want your pity," he said coldly.

"It's not. Even though I'd never go as far as you did, I understand where you're coming from."

Surprise and warmth. That was what he felt. To think this woman would not reject him for his Choice. She must have an extraordinarily kind heart to feel that way for someone, especially when that someone forced her into a life as his constant meal and companion. He wanted to tell her what he felt, but to be honest, Sesshomaru did not know how to word. What does one say to both show gratitude while apologizing.

He placed his cold hand on top of hers and whispered, "I'm sorry."

AN: I hope you liked this chapter. Also I just realized Sesshomaru may be really OOC...I sincerely apologize and if anyone wants to point out how to fix it, please do. Same goes for grammar and content/continuity.

Please review. It let's me know what people think and how to improve.