Hey, thanks for reading :) sorry about next to no updates...all I have is a tablet and phone. Heheh ^^;

Chapter 5

To be Masked

Kagome was breathing hard from the strenuous exercises. It was tough. Sesshōmaru insisted on keeping up with training, though she didn't have much need to train continuously. He stopped, watching closely. Her latest corset dagger had yet to be drawn. Thinking back, it had been 3 months since they had left, since he'd given her that dagger. She'd only used it 5 or so times so far. He helped her up, admiring her strength. She smiled politely and thanked him. He handed her a parcel that seemingly was from nowhere and watched as she unwrapped it, subconsciously yet desperately wanting her approval. Her eyes glittered with delighted surprise. The cloth flowed from the parcel. "But...Sesshomaru-sama, what is the purpose?"

He gently took it, wrapping it around her shoulders and pulling the hood up. "This, Kagome, will hide you from sight...and your scent. Without need for your miko energy." She kept her resolve.

"It's so lovely! I will endeavor to take great care of it!" She covered the rest of herself and he caught her ghost of a whisper, "But can you find me now, Lord?" He heard her scamper and nearly grinned. A chase, was it?

Oh, then she would most certainly get one. He darted off in the direction he'd last heard her.

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Kagome panted lightly, keeping as quiet as she possibly could, trying desperately to not giggle. She heard Sesshoumaru close behind her, and started to move, but couldn't.

Now she couldn't see. She started to panic just a lot. "Strange little Kagome, when will you learn that you will never defeat me?" She started laughing as her hood was pulled down.

"Ah, my Lord! I shall some day!" She tried to squirm free, but he wouldn't let her. "Sesshomaru-sama! It's improper!" She blushed a little as he tightened his grip just a smidge.

"For your jokes, dear Kagome," he leaned in to her ear, "you shall most assuredly...never forget...to not tease me." His voice was a low whisper, sending shivers down her spine. She tensed as his nose brushed her ear-

-and then he was gone. She released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "What is his fascination with m-shit." She covered her mouth quickly, realizing how un-ladylike she was at the moment.

A net this time? Really? Dear God, she never got a break. "I take it that I set it up fairly well, yes? And I seem to have gotten exactly what I wanted."

She huffed. "Just get me out of here...please?" And then something happened and she swore that if she didn't know better, the world was ending. It started off slow, but then grew in intensity.

Sesshomaru was laughing. Not just any laughing either, full out, full blown, tears, roaring with laughter. Kagome's mouth was wide with shock. (a/n- Maybe you guys find Sesshomaru laughing kinda out of character, but no one truly knows his character; no one's really gotten close to him. She's been chillin' with him for around 4 maybe 5 months, and they've become somewhat friends, without saying it. This is his first outburst, however.) His laughter quieted as she drew her little dagger, slicing deftly through the netting. Before she hit the ground, he caught her, righting her on her feet. She rolled her eyes and the laughter and amusement from their little game slowly faded from his eyes. "That was a trap done very well, my Lord. But when did you do it?"

"If I told you, then you would know and avoid it next time." She crossed her arms and gave him the evil eye. She'd certainly relaxed around him, and he'd noticed.

"Well, we'll need food fairly soon. Since I lost, I'll go catch us some game. Would you mind terribly making the fire?" He nodded once and started immediately as she walked off to find the nearest river.

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"Be still, oh my heart," Kagome muttered to herself, rolling her eyes again. She prowled quietly, one arrow notched and ready to fly. What was it about that stupid man that she could not figure out? He was only so relaxed in her company. Even with Rin, he remained fairly reserved. Lost in her thoughts, she nearly missed the wild boar (ooh, a nice amount for food! Neither would go hungry!); she ended up spearing it anyway. As she opened the stomach to dispose of the innards, she noticed a small glitter. She opened it a just a bit more, exposing more of the shimmer and glitter.

Oh.

Oh!

OH!

Oops. It was a gold chain necklace, made for yokai, with a ruby and amethyst pendant. The ruby wasn't very large, and was multi-faceted into a heart shape. The amethyst was a pure, dark purple, again with facets, but in a moon shape (a/n: the entire pendant has a diameter of about 2 inches, roughly) "The symbol for the house of the West!" she exclaimed. She wrapped the boar in pieces quickly, and in a nearby stream rinsed the blood off the necklace. She burst into camp. "Sesshomaru-sama! My Lord! Is this not what you were looking for?" She held it up next to the fire, the excitement in her features very obvious. She smiled wide as he examined it and nodded slowly.

"Where did you..." She tossed the cloths holding pieces of boar.

"Stomach." He sniffed delicately. He could smell her excitement, as well as faint traces of blood on the necklace.

"I...suppose you are released from...any promises to help me..." His voice was soft and low, his attention practically focused completely on the precious item. She hesitated.

"If I may, I would like to remain with you, residing at your castle. If it's alright, my Lord." He nodded once.

"Rest. We depart back for my castle first thing in the morning." He leapt up to the nearest tree, not even bothering to eat, cradling the Necklace as if it was life itself. Kagome watched with detatched fascination as he reverted to an almost childlike attitude. She shrugged it off and ate quickly. She was asleep in less than an hour.

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When Sesshomaru awoke, he immediately stroked the Necklace lovingly, feeling every facet beneath his paws. He had missed it so. Kagome watched with an interest, having been up for an hour already. "Sesshomaru-sama-"

"No -sama. No Lord. We...

We are equals."

Hello, errybody! Sorry I took so long :( sometimes, there's just noooo motivation to write anything, eh? Thank you faithful followers!...and as always, I don't own anything.