A/N: Going out of town so decided to post a chapter before I left. The chapters will be longer now, so I hope you guys enjoy them! Please if you like the story, take the time to review. Your words really encourage me to not only keep writing, but to post what I have on Fanfiction.
Parenting: a word with a connotation that is positive, neutral, and negative as designated by the one who does it.
They set up camp nearby in a secluded area preparing a fire and designating sleeping spaces. While Rin helped Sango prepare the food from Kagome's pack, Inuyasha mumbled about getting some firewood. Sesshomaru went off to set a perimeter before coming back and settling against a tree at the edge of the camp.
Haru had been put down for a nap to rest in silence. Since Sesshomaru had joined their group only hours before, the gang had finally been able to enjoy themselves and enjoy their time with Haru. It turns out he was absolutely adorable when he wasn't screaming. When Haru awoke from his nap Kagome took out a bottle and began to make some formula. Sesshomaru watched her handle the bottle with curiosity his eyes narrowing at the strange device.
When the pup was fed she unwrapped him from his blanket to let him air out. Smelling the pungent smell of defecation she sighed as she changed his cloth diaper.
The baby seemed to be much happier with a clean diaper and cooed finally being settled.
"Sango, didn't we pass a stream a little while ago? Do you think we can take a quick bath?" The slayer nodded brightening as they gathered their bathing things.
Wrapping the pup again Kagome handed the pup to Inuyasha but as soon as she did the pup let out a wail so piercing that Kagome nearly snatched the kid away from him. Exasperated Kagome turned next to Miroku and was about to leave to go bathe when the scream broke the sound barrier. This time Kagome was more reluctant to take the child back as Miroku shook his head at Kagome in apology.
Kagome couldn't very well leave the baby with Jaken and Rin and Shippo were just children. That left only one person. With a sadistic smile, Kagome turned and marched towards Sesshomaru who was sitting down with his back against a tree, his eyes closed as if in sleep. Kagome figured though that he was not asleep and if he was, Haru's wails would solve that dilemma. She loomed nearby for only a moment before her musings were interrupted.
"If you think you are leaving the pup with me, you are deeply mistaken, miko." He sensed her as she tried to move up to him. His eyes remained closed until he opened them slowly when her shadow fell across him.
"You are the only other person who he will let hold him. I need a bath. So here." She laid the infant into the lord's lap and smiled to him as she turned to leave. She should have been worried about leaving an infant in the demon lord's hands. After all he had tried to kill their group countless of times without any sign of remorse. However, she had a feeling that just like Rin the small child had wormed his way into the cold lord's heart. He may try to hate those wide brown eyes, but eventually he would find himself absorbed by their plea.
At first Haru looked to the inuyoukai uncertainly and then he began to snuggle into Sesshomaru's mokomoko-sama as if it were a bed. The daiyoukai growled at this but the pup paid him no heed and began to sleep with a slight whimpering that signaled he was dreaming. When Sesshomaru looked to the group he noticed they were preoccupied with their own doings and so reached down with his claws to rub the pup behind his ear. Instantly the pup's leg began to twitch and Sesshomaru felt a slight satisfaction at this.
Unbeknownst to the great lord a pair of small brown eyes watched him from behind and smiled. Rin then ran to follow after the direction Kagome and Sango had travelled.
She reached the spring to see the two women bathing and came up upon the banks.
"Kagome-san, Rin would like to bathe too." Kagome was at first startled to see the little girl but then smiled and waved the girl in. Undressing to her small clothes the little girl jumped into the cool waters.
"Kagome-chan, Rin is happy that Lord Sesshomaru has decided to stay. Now Rin has a daddy and a mommy." Kagome and Sango stared at the child oddly. Rin however seemed not to notice shaking a little as she entered the cool waters. Ducking her head under with one deep breath she emerged smiling as her body warmed to the cool temperature.
"What do you mean by that?" Kagome asked quietly as Rin settled down smoothing out her wet hair, relieved from its usual pigtail.
"Lord Sesshomaru protects Rin like a daddy, but Rin has been missing having a mommy too. Rin would like to think of Kagome-chan as her mommy." Kagome's heart sunk. How could she tell Rin that she did not like the demon lord that way?
"Uh Rin, I don't think Sesshomaru…" Sango stepped in when Kagome could not respond but stopped and hesitated as Rin's dark eyes regarded her with innocence.
"Rin knows. Lord Sesshomaru is allowing Kagome-san to be Haru's mommy so why not Rin? Rin really misses her mommy." At that Kagome couldn't help but say yes. After all the demon lord couldn't say no to the little girl, how could she?
Rin jumped into Kagome's arms and hugged her. After all she was a mother to Haru and Shippo. It would be unfair of her to deny this small request to Rin who needed the attention as well.
"What does that make three kids now Kagome? Think you can handle that?" Sango giggled as Rin splashed at Kagome in play. Kagome gave a mock surprise before splashing back at the little girl.
"I don't think I have a choice. Besides it will be great practice for when I have one of my own someday." Kagome smiled looking at the little girl before her and imagining a daughter with her own looks who was just as playful and sweet. She would love a daughter and maybe a son too. After all Shippo was a joy and now that Haru was calm she looked forward to getting to know the inuyoukai pup better.
"A child with Inuyasha?" Sango whispered catching Rin's attention. The little girl stared at them, her clear brown eyes seeming to show more intelligence than she usually let on. In a hurry Kagome tried to quell the girl's fears.
"Ya, but that won't be for a long time." Rin nodded to herself at Kagome's words as both Sango and Kagome shared a look she couldn't quite decipher. What the look had meant though was that Inuyasha was still being quiet on his feeling for Kagome, although it was obvious they were intended to be together. Besides some gossip the girls continued their bath happy to be separated from their boy problems if only for a little while.
Then the girls finished drying off from their bath they headed back to the camp to find Inuyasha and Miroku snickering as they pointed to Sesshomaru and Haru. The pup remained curled up in Sesshomaru's mokomoko-sama and the daiyoukai seemed to be asleep against the tree. However as soon as Kagome was nearby he opened his eyes.
"Miko, come retrieve your pup." Kagome's eyebrows lifted in surprise at Haru being 'her' pup now but merely smiled as she came upon the sleeping inuyoukai wrapped in Sesshomaru's mokomoko-sama.
"If I move him he'll wake up and cry." Kagome said as she pointed at the sleeping pup. His little claws and nose were dug in deep to the soft fluff of the mokomoko-sama. Tearing him away would result in chaos. Something Kagome wanted to avoid and something Sesshomaru did too.
"Then take this Sesshomaru's mokomoko-sama with you. I am no babysitter." He growled the last part as Kagome leaned down to pick up the warm mokomoko-sama and the sleeping pup. She felt a flush rise to her face then as she felt how soft and warm the mokomoko-sama was. Quickly, she tried to look away from the lord before she gave away her feelings and turned to her own sleeping spot. Curling with the pup on the mokomoko-sama Kagome found herself enveloped in warmth as the fluff wrapped around her skin and soothed her stress.
Shippo who had been watching her caught her sight and Kagome smiled at him invitingly. With a sweet grin he jumped over to her side curling into the mokomoko-sama as well, his face burying into the silky fur and inhaling the deep rooted scent of Sesshomaru. At first he grimaced at the smell, its substance foreign yet similar.
He was still wary of the demon lord and with good reason too, but if Kagome was willing to trust him he figured he would make the effort as well. Besides his fluffy thing was so soft, his eyes felt heavy just resting in it.
Rin too had watched keenly looking over to her lord who seemed disinterested by the events of the group by the fire. Jaken was situated a small distance from the campfire, somewhere in between his lord and Rin.
Making up her mind Rin went to Kagome's side uninvited fighting the urge to suck her thumb. Sesshomaru had looked unfavorably at her when she had done it recently and Jaken's high pitched admonishment were not worth the small bit of pleasure she received from the act.
Even with her dulled human senses, she could still smell her lord on the fur and feeling Kagome's arms wrap around her and the warmth from everyone else she felt safe as she once did so long ago when her family still lived.
Beside the snuggling group, Sango watched on appreciatively as even Kilala joined the fray in her tiny kitten form.
She sighed, her thoughts wandering to her brother as they always did lately. She was so lost in her thoughts she did not sense Miroku's lurking presence until he was beside her, his hand straying.
"You know Sango, if you wish for children of your own, I would be more than happy to…"
"Hentai!" Miroku fell to the ground rubbing his head as he squinted. Despite the pain from her Hiraikotsu, Miroku was smiling smugly because just for one instant his fingers had graced the plush yet firm bottom of the woman he was fated for. The warmth from her body sent waves of passion through his body generating from the tips of his fingertips.
When the pain finally subsided enough, he opened his eyes to see Sango setting up her sleeping mat near Kagome and her brood. He waited patiently for her to finish her careful ministrations, absorbing her every movement as she moved delicately. He was almost sure she knew he was watching but he did not care as long as she did not mind.
When her eyes closed, Miroku stood up slowly and began the slow tedious process of moving closer to Sango and setting up his own sleeping mat a small distance away from hers. He would prefer no distance, but he was not a foolish monk. He would pretend to turn and move in his sleep and if he happened to roll up beside her soft plump breasts and curvaceous body then it was out of his hands.
"Are you going to sleep soon, Inuyasha?" Right before he settled, Miroku had caught Inuyasha's eyes boring into Kagome's form. He smiled at the obvious attraction before sitting down. When Inuyasha looked up Miroku was surprised to see an attitude of annoyance, his nose twitching unappreciatively. Miroku was not one to claim to understand demons and hanyous even less, but he guessed his nose was offended by the smell of Sesshomaru especially when it was mixed with Kagome's.
Inuyasha never answered Miroku, but merely turned away jumping into a nearby tree coincidentally at a distance from Sesshomaru but within range of the rest of the gang. His sulking attitude and annoyed mutterings were the last things Miroku remembered as he tossed and turned his way to Sango's side casually and fell asleep.
"Inuyasha, where is Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked as she fed the pup sweet formula milk. Already she could see color spreading to the pup's cheeks and his belly seemed plumper.
Pleased with herself Kagome burped him against her shoulder and wiped the drool from his face. He gurgled and cooed in response, his eyes wanting to lull as the warm milk settled in his stomach.
"Keh, hell if I know. He asked where we found the brat and then took off." Inuyasha bit into to his breakfast as they began packing up their camp. They would continue to search for Naraku although no one had yet to offer a solution for what to do with Haru.
It was obviously too dangerous to have him with them at all times, but she also couldn't abandon him. For now she would have to bring him along and pray nothing dangerous would happen.
Of course now that she thought of it, things had been quiet since Sesshomaru joined their group. No seething crazy demons sought to interrupt their solitude at every chance they got. Perhaps having the demon lord around wasn't such a bad thing after all. It turns out he had multiple uses.
Kagome looked to Rin who had been left behind while Jaken had followed his lord and she motioned to the little girl.
"Come on Rin, we're leaving."
"What about Sesshomaru-sama?" The little girl asked as she rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"I'm sure Sesshomaru will catch up with us soon." Kagome smiled and Rin nodded as Kagome helped her put her hair up in her signature ponytail. Rin gave her a bright and brilliant smile hugging Kagome tightly.
"Okay momma. Rin will follow you." Somewhere behind Kagome Inuyasha fell over on the ground and Miroku and Shippo were watching curiously.
"Kagome, what did the brat just call you?" Inuyasha yelled as Rin narrowed her eyes. Kagome turned then and helped Rin up putting Haru in a makeshift sling that hung in front of her.
The only thing that left her with was Sesshomaru's mokomoko-sama which the lord had left behind since Kagome was still curled up in it. She didn't realize when she woke up until Inuyasha regarded her with a frown.
"You smell like him now." The hanyou said with disgust his nose crinkling at the sensitivity of his olfactory senses. Kagome for some reason felt insulted and lifted her chin defiantly.
"I also smell like formula and dirty diapers." She countered and Inuyasha's face fell. He wasn't about to deny it.
They started on their trek and by lunch Sesshomaru and Jaken had rejoined them. For whatever reason, Sesshomaru remained distant for the rest of the day and even into the night. When he returned Kagome made a point of returning his mokomoko-sama to him. The lord only nodded and wrapped it around his shoulder.
"What is that by the way?" She asked as she fed Haru, nodding her head towards the mokomoko-sama as it curled around its lord's shoulders. The suckling of the babe on the false nipples caused Sesshomaru some discomfort as his beast began to rise. There was something unsettling about the miko and how she cared for young who were not his. In truth it was extremely dishonorable to be near a milking female who was not your own mate. However, under such circumstances, Sesshomaru could not figure the proper decorum. She was technically not milking and no breasts or nipples were exposed except the false one. There seemed to be little in the way of etiquette for such unusual situations this miko was constantly presenting him.
She would make a good mother for our young.
I think not.
Sesshomaru silenced his beast then as he let out a low growl. Almost as if he heard, the young pup stopped suckling and turned to Sesshomaru his eyes wide as he considered the daiyoukai.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and let out a low growl and the pup turned back to sucking on his bottle.
Realizing Kagome was still waiting for an answer he looked up to see her regarding him with curiosity. She had apparently sensed the exchange between the two demons but was unaware of what exactly had oocured between them.
"It is a sign of my rank. All noble inuyoukai carry a mokomoko-sama." His words were again stoic and calm as he turned away from Kagome and sought to avoid her for the rest of the day.
While they traveled, Sesshomaru made a point of avoiding the miko and her infant until the pup began to become agitated without the daiyoukai's aura. After a week, he stopped eating and sleeping, screaming at night and becoming altogether unpleasant. It took a few days for Kagome to realize he was reverting back to his old habits, but when she did she stomped over to Sesshomaru and held out the whimpering Haru.
"Sesshomaru if you are going to stick around you have to help out. At least feed him." She dropped the babe in Sesshomaru's lap and gold eyes met blue. Picking up the oddly shaped bottle Sesshomaru began to feed the pup allowing the low rumbling to vibrate through his stomach and into the pup's system.
Instantly the pup calmed and slurped up the nutrition making all sorts of gurgling noises. Despite how emasculating he must appear, Sesshomaru did not overly mind the pup. Although males were not particularly involved in the upbringing of pups it was not uncommon for some to provide more care than others. As of yet he was in no way thinking of rearing pups, Haru was merely good practice.
Over the past few days Sesshomaru had brushed his aura against Haru's and noticed it growing weaker. Spreading out his own aura he wrapped it around the pup's and instantly Haru began to calm.
He noticed how much the pup had grown, a more fullness to his face and belly making him seem pudgy. Even his hands and feet were beginning to fatten. Before Sesshomaru had considered the pup a runt with his skin barely covering his bones and his size stunted. He had seen enough of other females' pups to know he was sickly. However, now he was a healthy size. Whatever the miko had been feeding him had been filling his body well.
"I always wonder what you're doing." Kagome said softly as she watched Sesshomaru calm the pup more than she ever could. Her eyes were watchful with a keen interest shining in them.
"He is inuyoukai, he responds to us based on instinct. His instincts tell him to be wary of us since we do not smell like him, but he responds to me as all pups do a pack leader. I am giving him my aura to strengthen his own and he recognizes this as protection. So he will follow me as he would if he were in my pack. He will also obey me because he knows I am stronger and could kill him if he does not." Kagome's breath caught and she almost made to reach for the pup in protection. For some reason this riled his beast within him and he let loose a low growl that made the pup whimper.
"Stop you're hurting him." Kagome whispered with fear in her eyes.
"Do not be foolish. He is youkai, he does not harm easily." Trying to be calm Kagome sat down next to Sesshomaru, the question she had been yearning to ask burning in the back of her throat.
"So how do you know how to take care of pups?" Again the lord growled low but Kagome stood her ground. This only made Sesshomaru just that more appreciative of her as he watched her lift up her chin in defiance.
She does not fear us.
She should.
She would make a good mate.
She is a human.
"It is instinct, miko." He whispered as the pup in his lap fell asleep. Turning the pup over to Kagome, Sesshomaru backed away from the camp to patrol the surrounding area. With his beast beginning to rise at the idea of taking care of a pack, he needed some time to cool his hot blood. He had shirked the idea of a pack for many years, preferring the solitude and quiet. When Jaken entered his employ it was a subtle change to his demeanor but not enough to consider the river imp as a part of a pack. Now however he had Rin, Haru, and even Kagome. His beast whirred to life thinking of the children and woman. It had begun to refer to Kagome as the alpha female, a title he refused to bestow upon a ningen. Rin and Haru too had taken on the aspect of pups or pack young to his beast as well. The thought was unsettling.
Another few days passed lazily as Haru's strength returned. Inuyasha had taken to the pup with fascination often offering to hold him so he could try to soothe him just as his brother could. Sesshomaru watched his feeble attempts with mild amusement.
"You cannot be what you are not, hanyou." Sesshomaru said dryly one night before walking off to set a barrier around the campsite. He had left tensely and Kagome's eyes followed his withdrawing form slyly. She turned to see Inuyasha watching her curiously with an annoyed frown.
"Don't worry Inuyasha, I'm sure you'll get it." Kagome said softly. In truth she wondered if she believed her own words as there were just some things Inuyasha couldn't do physically. Was it wrong of her to give him hope?
Before he could mention anything a tickling at Kagome's aura signaled trouble and her fears were confirmed when she heard the clashing of swords.
"Kagome! Do you feel that?" Miroku called to her as everyone in the camp began to rush towards the sound of metallic rings echoing through the trees.
"It's the jewel shards! Then that means…"
The entirety of the mismatched group broke through the tree line to where Sesshomaru was scowling at Kouga some distance from the campsite.
"Sesshomaru stop! It's just Kouga." Kagome called out breathlessly after the run and the daiyoukai stood down. Kouga continued to growl until he lifted his nose in the air and let his eyes travel to Kagome and the thing in her arms. Even from this distance he could smell Sesshomaru on the babe, with Kagome's heavy scent layered on top.
"Eh?" With a low growl Kouga began to move towards Kagome and the priestess hugged Haru closer to her. Kouga's eyes began to bleed red and he flew past Inuyasha to Kagome. Before he reached her he found himself flown back against a tree with Sesshomaru's claws wrapped around his throat.
"Kagome, how could you mate with a dog?" Kouga spat. Sesshomaru growled then as Kagome came to the realization of what he was implying.
"This Sesshomaru would not take a lowly ningen for a mate." The daiyoukai growled. Then the wolf's eye began to return to normal and he smiled.
"Good, cause she's my woman." Kouga smirked as Sesshomaru tightened his grip on the wolf youkai's throat. The youkai began to choke and the smallest smile began to form on the lord's lips. He would enjoy killing the ookami.
"Kouga, I am not your woman. Put him down Sesshomaru, he means no harm." Sesshomaru snorted but did not let him down. Drawing his sword Kouga began to wiggle furiously his eyes beginning to glow red at the threat.
"Sesshomaru! Put him down!" Kagome called. Rin hid behind her watching curiously. Even the little girl knew better than to step between her lord and his desires.
"This Sesshomaru cares not for your pleas, miko. The wolf knows not how to show proper respect to his superiors. It will be his last mistake." Kagome scoffed at this as the pup began to whine in her arms.
"You…You're just like Inuyasha!" Kagome hoped rather than believed her words would make a difference, but within moments Sesshomaru dropped the wolf who gasped for breath. If Kouga were anything other than a youkai, Kagome would have worried over her friend, but she knew he would soon be back to his old self. As it was she was a little miffed at him for declaring she would mate anyone.
"So if the pup isn't the youkai's, is it the whelp's?" Kouga asked as he rubbed his neck. Just as Kagome was about to respond Sesshomaru interrupted her.
"The pup is full blooded. No child of the hanyou's could ever be so." He growled.
Kagome rolled her eyes and went over to Kouga to help him up
"His name is Haru. We found him a month ago. I've been taking care of him ever since. Sesshomaru is only here to help me care for him." At that the wolf laughed.
"A wet nurse now, how precious." He laughed until Sesshomaru faced the wolf with a terrible gaze.
"Don't make me regret not killing you, wolf." He growled. All at once Kouga was quiet and moving over to the pup. He leaned forward sniffing the pup and instantly the child began to whine. Kagome snuggled him warmly trying to calm him, but his whines became louder and more screeching. Kouga had jumped back far and covered his ears hastily.
"Sesshomaru, please?" She turned as the great lord pretended not to be bothered by the wails.
Grunting Sesshomaru turned to the child and bending over growled at the young inuyoukai. Instantly the pup quieted and Kagome straightened as she soothed the whimpering pup.
"What did you do?" She whispered.
"As my pack he knows not to cross me, I gave him a warning." Sesshomaru said quietly before turning. Kagome shook her head surprised again by the idea of being a part of a pack.
"Are we a part of your pack then?" She watched the lord stiffened at that.
"Hn." He responded and turned to leave.
"Always a ray of sunshine, that one is." Kouga was still scowling his eyes watching Sesshomaru's back distastefully. Although the two were not officially enemies, there was certainly no love between them. As long as they stayed out of each other's way they would both continue to survive.
However, Kagome's close contact with the demon lord, unsettled Kouga considerably. He did not like the idea of another dog near his woman. He already had to fight off Inuyasha.
"How's the whelp taking the family life?" Kouga finally cut in and watched Inuyasha sneer next to Miroku. He sneered showing his teeth like a true demon causing Kouga to snicker.
"None of your business you fleebag!" Inuyasha shouted before coming up to Kagome. "Come on Kagome! We gotta pack up camp and get goin'." Kagome rolled her eyes before looking apologetically at Kouga.
"I guess we'll see ya around Kouga!" She called back to him, missing the unsatisfied look on the wolf's features as he turned to run off.
As she watched him run she remembered the speed at which Sesshomaru had stopped him. Even without shards the great lord was still faster than the wolf and the prospect of having his protection extended over her made Kagome feel safer.
