Chapter Text
Sesshoumaru frowned at the silence that seemed to echo from Kagome's room. It was past noon and though she must have been exhausted from the duration of her journey, there still should have been some signs of movement. Concerned that perhaps something was wrong, though he would never admit it out loud, he paused outside her door.
Almost hesitantly, he knocked, but there was no response. He knocked again with more force, but all was still as it had been the entire night. Had she slipped away unnoticed? With a quick turn of the knob, Sesshoumaru stepped inside, eyes immediately drawn to the figure lying in bed.
He quietly approached her bedside and looked at her, eyebrows shooting up in surprise as she stared back at him. Something was very wrong. Her eyes were glassy and dazed, not at all sparkling with emotions as he was accustomed to.
"Kagome."
She blinked.
"Are you ill?"
"...I feel kind of cold," she whispered slowly, her voice scratchy. "Empty."
"I do not understand," Sesshoumaru admitted, but she didn't respond. He waited but she didn't speak again.
With a stifled sigh, he left the room, shutting the door behind him.
- A -
Sesshoumaru checked on Kagome a few hours later with the same results. He didn't know what kind of illness caused desolation and coldness. He couldn't understand what she meant by it being too quiet. She had cried silent tears, but he didn't know how to cure her.
He paced in his office, not wishing to disturb his mother and Masashi during their reunion with their pup. At the very least, he knew that time was reserved solely for the three of them. He would not interrupt with questions regarding the issues he could face himself.
A knock sounded at his door and he called for them to enter, pausing when Rin came in and closed the door behind her. "Sesshoumaru-sama," she greeted respectfully, a smile on her face. "You have returned. I was only just informed."
"I arrived last night with Kagome," Sesshoumaru said.
Her face lit up with excitement as she rushed towards him, still very much like a child despite her age. "Lady Kagome is here? May I see her? Oh, I haven't seen her in such a long time!"
He hesitated for a moment. "She is... ill."
Rin's crestfallen face tugged at his heart, but it could not be helped. Kagome's behavior was odd and he did not wish for Rin to see her like that. Kagome was a woman filled with life, lying dejected on a bed was not what she was meant to be.
"How so, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
He found himself describing Kagome's odd symptoms to her, hoping that maybe Rin would be more knowledgeable than he, seeing as they were both human and both woman. Sure enough, Rin laughed softly when he fell silent. "Sesshoumaru-sama, she's not ill. She probably just misses Suguru."
He quirked an eyebrow in a silent demand for an explanation.
"Lady Kagome has essentially become Suguru's mother for the past moon cycle. If he was suddenly torn out of her life, if he was suddenly no longer there after constantly being in her presence, I am sure she would miss him tremendously."
Sesshoumaru thought about her statement and slowly began to realize that perhaps Rin was correct. He had only spent two weeks in her presence, but he had already become accustomed to her chatter, her laughter, and her refreshing take on life. Now that she was only a shell of the woman she once was, Sesshoumaru longed to get the real Kagome back. Wasn't it the same in the end, what Kagome was going through for the pup and what he was experiencing with her?
Kagome's motherly instincts must have been strong and Sesshoumaru knew in that moment that she would make a fine mother some day in the future. He suppressed a sigh. "I believe you are right, Rin, but what am I to do?"
Rin wanted to smile, but she didn't want to offend her lord. He had never asked for her opinion or for her help before. It felt nice to be needed, especially by someone she deemed a father figure. It also showed how much Sesshoumaru cared for Kagome, even if he hadn't realized it himself yet, but she had a feeling that at some point, maybe soon, he would.
"Perhaps spend time with her, Sesshomaru-sama? Do not let her be alone."
- A -
For the next week, Sesshoumaru spent the majority of his time with Kagome, usually in her chambers, but occasionally in his gardens when he could convince her to accompany him. It was the strangest of situations at their role reversal. Whereas Kagome used to be filled with chatter to a silent Sesshoumaru, now it was Sesshoumaru attempting to find ways to fill the silence.
Her changes were gradual and took effort, but Sesshoumaru could see life struggling within her to break free. She was getting better daily, eating a little more than she used to and smiling more often at his awkward attempts at conversation and he took those as positive signs. He would take what he could get while striving for more. He would not rest until the real Kagome emerged.
He exited his office a few afternoons later, intent on taking Kagome to the gardens again when his mother met him in the corridor, the first he had seen of her since his return.
"I hear you've been spending quite a bit of time with the miko," she casually said.
"She is suffering from the attachment loss between herself and Suguru," Sesshoumaru explained. "She single-handedly cared for him for an entire moon cycle, mother."
"If she so badly wants a pup, then perhaps she could birth one of her own," InuKimi suggested, no malice in her tone. It was a simple idea that would fix Kagome's woes.
"I am certain the thought had not crossed her mind."
"I hear she is quite a beauty for a human. Certainly there would be a line at her residence should she decide to bear some man a child. Her village must be plentiful in men," she stated.
Sesshoumaru froze at the image flashing through his mind. His jaw tightened and his hands slowly curled into fists as he mentally brushed the depiction away. Kagome was not some whore men could simply straddle and he felt slightly offended in her honor that InuKimi would suggest it.
As if sensing her son's darkened mood, she laughed gently. "I meant no disrespect to the miko, Sesshoumaru. I am certain she will eventually find herself a nice mate." She patted him on the shoulder. "Arrange a time for me to meet her. I would like to personally show my gratitude at the care Suguru had been given."
With a swish of her kimono, InuKimi disappeared down the hall, leaving a tense Sesshoumaru in her wake.
- A -
The loud slam of her door startled Kagome, causing her to flinch as she snapped her head up to look at the source. She watched in silence as an agitated Sesshoumaru stalked towards her. She could see the tight fist swinging by his side as he walked and the tick in his jaw. "Sesshoumaru?"
He paused, lifting his head to drill his intent gaze into her, but didn't speak. "Is something wrong?"
"How badly do you want a pup?" He asked, voice low and rather gravelly.
"What?"
"How badly do you want a child?" Sesshoumaru asked again, but slower. "If you are with child, will you feel content? Will you free yourself from the darkness you refuse to rise above?"
"I..."
Uncertainty filled Kagome. She wasn't sure what he was asking of her or why. "The thought had never occurred to me," she finally replied honestly.
"Perhaps you should. Find a worthy male to fill you with his seed. You will have your own pup to care for in place of Suguru."
"I don't understand," Kagome murmured. "Why are you being like this?"
"It came as a recommendation from my mother. Perhaps all will be well once you carry."
Kagome lowered her eyes to rest upon the way her fingers were fidgeting nervously under his rather odd behavior and even stranger suggestion. In all the time they had spent together since their travels, never once had Sesshoumaru been so blunt and forceful with her - even in the beginning. She had never been the subject of his anger though, for the life of her, she couldn't figure out why he would be angry with her now.
She sighed and shrugged. "Perhaps..."
Sesshoumaru didn't respond and the slam of her door a second time at his sudden departure caused Kagome to flinch again. She didn't understand what she had said wrong or what had just occurred.
- A -
Sesshoumaru found himself avoiding her over the next several days, unable to swallow the mental images of her laying with a man or screaming in the throes of passion that filtered into his mind whenever he thought of her. He growled as he paced in his office, claws embedded into his palm as he snarled at the thought of another male touching what was his.
He paused at the sudden realization. His? When had he began claiming her as his own? ...But in a way, wasn't she? During their travels to his home and even when they had spent time together as she suffered the aftereffects of being Suguru's stand-in mother, it had felt like they were a pair; as if they had formed their own two person pack.
Sesshoumaru was startled to realize that it was jealousy coursing through his veins when he thought of another male touching her, loving her. It wasn't that she didn't deserve it, but that he wanted to be that male. The question was... for how long? Was Kagome a passing fancy because he had, somehow, become attached to her free spirit or would she be something more? A mate?
Could he see himself with a human mate and a miko to boot? He couldn't... but when that miko was Kagome, he suddenly felt like he could spend an eternity with her. When had he fallen so hard and how had he not realized his downward spiral? He had never wanted a mate, had never needed one to bear him an heir, especially after Suguru's birth.
He growled again, finding his predicament entirely too complex now that he could label his almost haywire emotions by name. Sweeping his hair behind his shoulders, Sesshoumaru stormed out of his office. He needed answers.
- A -
Kagome was comfortably sitting in the middle of her futon, reading a book she had borrowed from the library. Lady InuKimi had met with her a couple of days ago, thanking her for everything she had done for Suguru as well as showing her the various places around the castle Kagome could go to keep herself occupied. She had happily explored, knowing that she had the permission to do so, but the joy of her freedom had slowly diminished as each day passed with no signs of Sesshoumaru.
He hadn't visited her since the day he had stormed in and out of her room, suggesting that she find a man to impregnate her. She had casually tried to locate him when she wasn't in her room, but she never saw him and that fact bothered her more than she cared to admit.
The days she had spent with Suguru had felt like a lifetime ago and the pain she experienced from their separation had been the most miserable of her life, but she was feeling more normal and less emotional now. She wanted to share the positive news with Sesshoumaru despite the hurt she had felt at his suggestion that day. It felt like he was trying to push her away or subtly telling her to go home where she belonged.
She hadn't understood why his behavior had caused her pain. He was a friend and had likely just been looking for her happiness, but it didn't take long for her to sort through her confused emotions. Somewhere along the way, whether during their journey or the days Sesshoumaru had kept her company while she wallowed, Kagome had fallen for him. He was no longer just a friend in her eyes, but someone she wanted to be with, someone she loved. Quite possibly in a way she had never loved Inuyasha.
Her feelings were uncontrollable, but entirely unwanted. She hated the notion of unrequited love, especially with someone who was obviously so far out of her league. The realization that Sesshoumaru would never return her feelings had her sobbing harder than that first night without Suguru, but at the same time, she knew it would have been impossible for her to resist him because hidden behind his stoic face was a gentle soul.
He had cared for her and protected her, revealing a side he usually kept under lock and key. That, at least, had brought her a small amount of comfort - that she had the honor of witnessing a lesser known side of Sesshoumaru. Though it wounded her, Kagome had decided to leave in a few days time when her body had fully recovered from her emotional ordeal. Her presence was no longer wanted and she didn't wish to burden Sesshoumaru.
She would quietly leave, holding her love in her heart and hope that someday, she would be able to forget about this unexpected love she had for the Daiyoukai. She would concentrate on her duties at the village just like before and not wish for something she had no chance of ever obtaining.
Looking down at the opened page, Kagome read the same line over again, trying to concentrate rather than letting her mind wander to a certain demon, but as if her mind had conjured him from thin air, her door swung open without warning and there he stood in all his regality.
"...Sesshoumaru?"
Her eyes were wide with surprise as she watched him close the door. He was strangely silent as he approached her. Something was off about him, but Kagome couldn't pinpoint it. She opened her mouth to speak again when Sesshoumaru grasped her upper arms roughly and pulled her to the edge of the futon. Kagome gasped, the book tumbling from her hands, forgotten.
He bent forward unexpectedly, crashing his lips against hers and stealing her very breath. Her heart jolted into a frenzy, beating so rapidly against her ribcage, Kagome knew that he could hear it. She froze in shock. What was he doing? But, his kiss was rough in a way that was simply Sesshoumaru as his lips moved over hers with unyielding confidence. Slowly, her lips parted against his as she sank into him and he eagerly took what she offered, sweeping his tongue inside, deepening their kiss as his hands moved to frame her face.
Kagome tilted her head, leaning into him, tasting him for the first time. Her fingers gripped the fabric of his sleeve, twisting it in her grasp as she burned and whimpered for him, her heart threatening to burst out of her chest. Sesshoumaru pulled back briefly before melding their lips together again like magnets, pulling her bottom lip into his mouth and sucking.
Sesshoumaru pushed her to lie down on the futon with his hard body, mindful of the spikes on his armor, and Kagome released a strangled groan as his weight settled over her, his throbbing erection heavy against her thigh. His hands moved to swiftly unbuckle his armor, dropping it carelessly to the floor, as his relentless mouth trailed to the smooth skin of her neck.
He brushed against a sensitive spot and she gasped, the sensation shooting straight down between her legs. She arched her back, pushing herself closer to him and Sesshoumaru's hand left a trail of flame as he thumbed an erect nipple on the way down to grip her hips, shifting until his erection pushed against her throbbing core.
Kagome rocked her lower half against him, fingernails digging into his forearm, and Sesshoumaru hissed, pushing down on her hips to keep her still. He continued to nip at her neck, slowly moving his lips down over her collarbone. His hands began moving back up, dragging her shirt with it in the process. Her breath caught in her throat as Sesshoumaru pressed a hot kiss to the flesh of her stomach.
His hovering lips caught the edge of her bra and his hand impatiently pulled at the fabric, releasing a hard nipple for him to suckle on. The other hand moved to the juncture between her thighs, pressing insistently against her wet, aching core. Her hips rose to meet the strokes of his fingers, gasping soundlessly as intense pleasure racked through her. She rode the waves of desire, feeling out of control as she circled his neck with one arm, pulling him closer to her breast as the other clung to him.
She moaned his name and Sesshoumaru moved until he was pressing his lips against hers again, his fingers slipping inside the waistband of her pants for the first bare touch of her slick folds. "I can impregnate you, Kagome," he whispered, his hot breath tickling her flesh. "I can give you the happiness you seek."
His words were like a cold splash of reality and Kagome froze, pain replacing passion in a flash. What had felt so right moments before suddenly felt so wrong. It was dirty and ugly and her heart wept at Sesshoumaru's misplaced honor. He didn't love her. He was only doing what he thought would make her happy; a payment for her inconvenience regarding Suguru.
"No," she whispered, hot tears sliding from the corner of her eyes as she frantically shoved Sesshoumaru off of her. This wasn't what she wanted. She would never be a burden to him, would never tie her unwanted presence to him in the form of an illegitimate pup. "No!"
Sesshoumaru fell back against the futon, staring at her with confused eyes, chest heaving and erection straining against silk fabric. Kagome quickly sat up, fumbling to adjust her clothes as tears slipped down her cheeks. "This isn't what I want," she whispered, watching as his stoic mask slipped into place at her words, eyes hardening to become cold and unreadable.
Fingers still slick with her fluid, Sesshoumaru wordlessly leapt out of her bed and, without waiting for an explanation, slammed the door on his way out, her heart breaking once more at the sound.
- A -
Sesshoumaru swiped the entire contents of his desk to the floor, breathing heavily with the force of his anger. Kagome's scent clung to him, flooding his senses with her arousal and memories of her sweet taste, but he had horribly misjudged her. Rejection was not something he had ever dealt with before and rejection from the woman he wanted as mate was twice as bad.
She had accepted him at first. What made her push him away? He didn't understand females. He didn't understand her. He felt ready to burst and he ached for a fight to drain the tension and anger. He couldn't stay here, not while she was living under the same roof. Not when everything would remind him of her. Even now, he could still taste her on his tongue and he despised it.
Without informing anyone of his plans, Sesshoumaru left to patrol his lands, needing the time and distance away from Kagome. For the first time, he had been driven out of his own home.
- A -
Two weeks.
Two long, miserable weeks since Sesshoumaru's disappearance.
Kagome sighed as she shifted on the bench she was sitting in, surrounded by beautiful flowers in his garden, but the beauty was lost on her. No one seemed concerned about his absence, but her heart ached. She didn't know how to fix the situation she had landed in, didn't know how to make her heart stop feeling for him.
Her life had never been thrown into such chaos. Even the time when Mistress Centipede had dragged her down the well into the feudal era hadn't wreaked as much havoc on her as the messy situation with Sesshoumaru.
Drawing her knees to her chest, Kagome wrapped her arms around her legs as she sighed again, staring at the pond and the koi fishes swimming without a care. She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Lifting her head from its resting position upon her knees, she saw Lady InuKimi and greeted her with a small smile.
"You've been spending a lot of time in the gardens lately," the demoness observed, seating herself next to the miko.
"It's peaceful here," Kagome admitted. "It is the one place I can think."
"About Sesshoumaru?"
She looked at InuKimi in sharp surprise, causing her to laugh.
"Come now, child. I am not blind."
Kagome flushed in embarrassment. "Oh, I didn't mean to insinuate that. I'm sorry."
InuKimi brushed her apology aside with a quick wave of her hand. "I know my son, Kagome, and from your brief stay here, I have learned quite a bit about you from mere observation."
"You have remarkable skills, my Lady."
"It's all in the experience," she replied. "but do you wish to know what I know?"
Kagome smiled. "I believe you will tell me, even if I don't wish to."
The demoness couldn't help but chuckle. "I like you. I know you will be a wonderful match for Sesshoumaru. I also know that my son loves you... as you love him."
Breath catching in her throat, Kagome's eyes widened in disbelief at her words. "I apologize, Lady InuKimi, but... you've made a mistake. Sesshoumaru doesn't love me and he probably never will. He is an honorable lord determined to make payment in the only form I could never accept."
"Sesshoumaru is honorable, indeed, but even honor would not drive him to lay with a female with the intent to take her as a mate. Only love."
Her heart rattled against her chest at the possibility. Could it be true? Had he really been thinking about claiming her as mate?
"He might have taken the wrong approach, but his heart was in the right place. As you should already know, Sesshoumaru has difficulty expressing himself with words, but his actions convey what he cannot say."
Kagome bit her lower lip, torn between wanting to believe the demoness' words and wanting to protect her already fragile heart. "I... I don't know..."
"If you want to find out for certain, you must find the courage to confront him," InuKimi advised gently. "He returned not too long ago, holing himself up in his office. If you want answers, if you want him, then you must be brave enough to make the first move this time."
Patting Kagome's knee in reassurance, Lady InuKimi stood and faced her. "You would make a most excellent addition to the family."
With that, the demoness left Kagome alone with her thoughts.
- A -
Sesshoumaru looked up sharply from his papers, eyes narrowed in irritation as his door swung open without invitation. He had clearly asked for no one to disturb him and yet someone had dared to barge in without so much as a knock. He abruptly stood, ready to snarl at the intruder when his heart practically stilled upon seeing Kagome.
She gently closed the door behind her, nervously leaning against it for support. He could hear the quick beat of her heart as she stared at him, taking in his appearance in casual attire, and he rose to his full height, waiting for her to speak but unsure if he was ready for this confrontation. Her rejection still burned brightly in his mind like the way the memories of her were ingrained in his thoughts each day he had been away.
"Hello Sesshoumaru," she began, speaking softly.
"Was there something you needed?" He asked coolly.
"Yes," Kagome responded, slowly nodding. "You."
Sesshoumaru stiffened. "As I recall, you had rejected me."
She shook her head this time. "You misunderstood me. I didn't want just your ability to give me a pup, Sesshoumaru. I wanted all of you. Mind, body, and soul. I wanted your love, because... because I love you."
Surprise flickered in his eyes, but he didn't speak and Kagome continued.
"I thought you were trying to give what you thought I wanted because of Suguru, so I pushed you away. In reality, all I need is your love. If you can tell me you love me, I will give you all of me."
Slowly, Sesshoumaru approached her, staring her down with indecision. "I do not know what love is, but if it is the overwhelming desire to spend the rest of my days with you, caring for and protecting you, providing for you whatever it is that you may need, then yes, that is what I feel."
Tears prickled the back of her eyelids and her lips quivered with emotion. She cupped his cheek with one hand and nodded, "Then... I am yours."
Something within Sesshoumaru snapped at those three words and with a growl, he pushed her up against the door and crushed his lips against hers. He pressed her firmly against the wall with the hard planes of his body, wedging a knee between her legs as he pulled her bottom lip between his. Kagome eagerly opened her mouth to him and he took what she was offering with a sweep of his tongue.
Her hands caressed his face, fingers tangling in his hair as he deepened the kiss, shivering as goosebumps broke out over her body. Sesshoumaru pulled his lips away from hers, brushing soft kisses down her jaw and Kagome tilted her head, giving him better access to her neck. He dragged his lips across her smooth flesh and a small strangled moan escaped her parted mouth.
Kagome groaned when Sesshoumaru found her sensitive spot, her hand dropping to clutch at his shoulders. Her breaths came out short and ragged as he pressed his knee more insistently against her core, causing her legs to part further as waves of pleasure washed over her. She tensed, her fingernails digging into his flesh as Sesshoumaru brushed his lips over hers again, rough and demanding while his hand slid from her forearm to skim the side of her breast. Her nipples hardened in anticipation, the sensitive tips pressing against his chest.
His hand trailed to grip at her hips before moving back up to close over a breast, kneading the soft flesh through her clothes, thumb flicking against the erect nipple. Her moan was muffled by his mouth, tongue gliding against hers. Kagome could barely breathe and she pulled away to gasp for air. Heat flushed against her cheeks and tingles shot straight down to her core when Sesshoumaru rocked his knee between her thighs.
She cried out at the sensation, her heart racing as she pressed her lips against his mouth, sliding her tongue inside to caress his. Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat, the vibrations rumbling against her, hitting her in all the right spots. His hand released her breast, running down to push the fabric of her thin kimono up to her hips. His fingers curled around her bare upper thigh, lifting it up as he pushed his knee harder into her, rubbing at her clit through her thin undergarment.
Kagome hissed, bucking her hips against him as she dangled above the precipice. She was so close to release when Sesshoumaru abruptly pulled away. She groaned in disappointment and he chuckled, his hand reaching between her legs to cup her before she could realize what he was doing. Her groan turned into a strangled gasp as he drew two fingers between her folds, teasingly stroking her back and forth.
The material of her panties were soaked with her fluids and Sesshoumaru groaned, imagining how slick she would be without the barrier. He pushed his hips forward, rubbing his hard, throbbing cock against her while his fingers pressed against her clit, rubbing circles over the nub of sensitive flesh. Her breath caught in her throat, rocking her hips as she whimpered his name.
Without warning, he hooked a finger into the waistband of her panties and drew it down, the fabric swishing softly as it fell to the floor. His hand brushed against her slick folds, now bare to his touch, sliding against the wetness as he parted them with two fingers to play with her clit. Kagome exhaled sharply, bunching his haori in her fists.
Sesshoumaru sank his fingers inside her and she released a low, guttural moan, throwing her head back against the door as he stretched her, preparing her for a larger intrusion. He retracted, then plunged back in; his rhythm steady, his strokes strong and hard and rough. Kagome pushed her hips forward to meet his fingers and his thrusts grew harder until his palm slapped against her aching clit with each plunge.
Her breathing grew heavier as her release neared and Sesshoumaru picked up speed even more, pushing her over the edge as Kagome tossed her head back and screamed, bucking uncontrollably against his fingers. He continued circling her clit, drawing out her blinding release until she slumped against him, feeling weak in the knees.
Sesshoumaru pressed a kiss to her temple, slowly moving to cover her lips in a hard kiss as he dropped his hakama, his cock, shiny with pre-cum, finally springing free from its confines. He removed her hand from his shoulders, pinning her wrists against the wall with one hand. Kagome hooked a leg around his waist in response and in one deep thrust, Sesshoumaru sank his cock to the hilt within her.
He hissed at how tight she was, his breath heavy in her ear as he withdrew and sank back in. He started slow, then picked up pace. The friction drove them wild and Sesshoumaru pounded his cock into her dripping core, drawing a shuddering moan from Kagome with each thrust. She was exploding with pleasure and passion as Sesshoumaru filled her with his thick cock. She could feel every inch of him as they moved in unison, his grunts vibrating against her sensitized flesh.
His free hand located her clit, rubbing and circling it with every push of his hips and Kagome could do nothing but pant breathlessly as she struggled to touch him, but his hold upon her wrists were firm. The door rattled noisily as Sesshoumaru slammed her against it with the force of his movements. He bucked against her, growling as her walls clenched his member in a vice grip. She was close, he could feel it. Kagome sobbed with her urgent need for release, the intense sensations overwhelming her as Sesshoumaru stroked the fire burning her from the inside out.
With a loud cry and a quivering shudder, Kagome bucked with unrestraint as she met her climax a second time, riding out her orgasm as Sesshoumaru continued thrusting. Her walls squeezed him even tighter than before and with a roar, he spilled his seed within her. They fell back against the door, breathing heavily as her walls continued to contract around his pulsating cock. Sesshoumaru drew her tenderly into his arms, worn and exhausted as they waited for their breathing to slow.
Kagome trembled from the aftershocks of intensity and he brushed small kisses against her neck until she calmed, but he didn't remove his cock from inside her. Instead, his hands gripped at her hips as Sesshoumaru silently lifted her and Kagome wrapped both legs around his waist, groaning in unison at the change in angle and how much more he seemed to fill her in that position.
Impatiently, Sesshoumaru carried her from the office to the privacy of his chambers, intent on fully stripping her down and thoroughly loving every inch of her until dawn the next day.
- A -
When Kagome gingerly stepped out of the privacy of their room for the first time two days later, closely followed by an overprotective Sesshoumaru, the whole castle could accurately guess that the house of the west had a new Lady. The sounds that they had teased out of each other was enough proof of that and the way his hand rested against her flat belly hinted that an heir would soon follow their union.
The prospect of seeing Kagome swollen with his pup filled him with excitement and he knew that Kagome was thrilled with the new developments. They had also made arrangements to travel to Kaede's village to share the good news and to properly bid farewell as she began her new life beside Sesshoumaru. Kagome owed at least that much to the old miko who had cared for her like she was the daughter Kaede never had.
Kagome smiled at Sesshoumaru and he pulled her back flush against his chest in response, burying his nose in her hair to breathe in her scent. Their friendship had begun with his mother's pup and their love would continue because of their own. All the difficulties they had faced, together and separately, came down to a small bundle of joy, but both of them wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. They were both content beyond their wildest dreams and everything since that fateful day where Suguru was abandoned at Kagome's doorstep had finally come around full circle.