Taking in a deep breath, I walked down the stairs and opened the door to find myself eye to eye with my niece.

"Kagome!"


"Rin!" I opened the door fully as the child launched into my arms filled with laughter.

"I've missed you so much!" The girl clenched to my neck tightly and my eyes softened before a throat was cleared and I looked up to Sesshomaru.

"I said be prepared." I giggled when he said that and let him come inside, closing the door behind him.

"I know, but you never said for what. So naturally, I didn't expect my sweet Rin!" By the end of my sentence, I was spinning her around the room until I was too dizzy. I placed her down and we both rocked before falling on our bums.

"Where's Yash?" Rin said after her dizziness wore off with a giggle and I remained sprawled out on the floor.

"Work."

"Oh...So, he's like mommy!" She looked at me then and I nodded. "So, you're all alone." My eyes widened a bit and I guess that Sesshomaru caught it.

"Not anymore since you're here!" I forced a smile and tapped her nose in which she replied with a giggle.

"Rin, go place your things in Kagome's room." She jumped up then and saluted to Sesshomaru like a soldier would.

"Hai!" Then bounced up the stairs excitedly, more than likely looking forward to my bed. I've got to admit, it's extremely comfy. After hearing the door slam shut, I closed my eyes and laid back on the floor, smile no longer in place.

"Woman." Sesshomaru spoke.

"Demon." I responded. I guess that irritated him cause he kicked my limp foot.

"Get up." I frowned at the demand and turned my face to the side.

"Why?" I suddenly felt something soft on my skin and heat next to my neck.

"I can make you get up if you refuse to." Opening my eyes, Sesshomaru was hovering right over me and I blushed before hesitating.

"Keh. Whatever." I moved to get up but he remained in the exact same spot, silver hair covering us like a counter and ambers turning into a fiery passion and I was lost in a daze before he sighed and closed his eyes and sat up. Curious, I sat up as well and really looked at him. Looking closer at him, I saw the tell-tale signs of the bags under his eyes and his usually neat and crisp clothes was nothing but a pair of black sweats and slightly wrinkled Under Armor V Neck shirt.

"Hey" I touched his shoulder and his muscles flexed under my hand and he looked at me. "You okay?" Silence. He just stared at me with a blank look and I sighed before standing. "Guess so." I mumbled before heading to the stairs. Just as I ascended the first step, I was pulled back into a strong chest and arms enveloped me from behind.

"Now I am." All at once, so many emotions just rushed in and my face became flushed, my stomach felt...weird. First thought I had was 'What is this?'. And my heart-kami my heart have never beat that fast before.

Back then, I didn't understand why I felt like that, or what those feelings even meant. But now, however...now I do. Suddenly, I felt a heavy pressure and I felt the arms around me stiffen. Simultaneously, we both sighed and broke apart.

"I will go get Rin." He said as he went up the stairs and I went to do the door. Before I could even open it, Inukimi came in.

"You should really keep that door locked dear."

"Well, I never have to really worry unless it's you or your son who shows up." I said with a sweat drop as I gave the taller woman a nuzzle to the cheek.

"Well, it's me my dear. I can go wherever I please. And I don't know how you are so used to Inu Youkai customs. Especially when mated to a half-breed." At that, I blushed and closed the door before walking to the kitchen, all the while avoiding her scrutinizing gaze. "You are mated...no." It was meant to be a question but when it comes to Sesshomaru and Inukimi, it's rare it comes out as such. Nonetheless, my blush grew hotter and she frowned. "I see. I'm assuming no one else knows." I sighed and shook my head, in that moment my whole life came crashing back down, the feeling of being alone and unwanted, knowing that I've yet to be mated to him. That's been a frequent thought. That thought was there more than Inuyasha was.

"No. It's just...I don't know. It's-"

"Kimi-baa-chan!" In the same way that I was greeted by Rin, so was Inukimi. Except she was ready for Rin.

"My sweet grand baby! I've missed you! I was wondering why you have yet to show up at my place but Jaken was so kind as in to give me the information I so needed." The smile she had, me and Sesshomaru both knew that Jaken was seriously hurt. Rin however was oblivious as ever.

"Really? Jaken is so nice! I will definitely thank him later!" I giggled as Inukimi replied with a mumbled "if he's still alive".

"Mother." Sesshomaru walked up to her as she placed Rin on her hip and he nuzzled her and she did the same back to him.

"Ah Sesshomaru. Next time give a call. You know I'm always expecting Rin." As they spoke, I wandered into the kitchen for a drink.

"Rin was the one who wanted to come here. Not I." Just as I had my juice poured and was about to drink it, I heard Sesshomaru say that and I paused as a sudden pang of hurt came. Why was I hurt, I couldn't really say. Maybe it's because of how I usually felt unwanted. Or maybe because I was always alone. Either way, it hurt. That hurt blocked out the rest of their conversation as my thoughts became jumbled. 'Of course he didn't want to be here. Your own husband don't want to be here either.'

'Your father left you as well.'

'You're not wanted.'

'All alone.'

'Stop!' I placed the cup down then, bangs covering my eyes. Apparently, I made too much noise because I caught the attention of all the other occupants of the house.

"Kagome. Everything's alright?" Inukimi asked and I nodded before turning with a smile.

"Hai. Just really enjoyed the drink. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go text Inupapa." She nodded and I bounded up the stairs. Once in my room, I locked the door and went straight to my bed right before putting a sound barrier around my room. Once positive that I would not be heard, I screamed. I screamed away the thoughts and the pain. It didn't help much though. That pain still remained. So I just curled up like a ball on the bed and closed my eyes.


Sesshomaru POV:


"Mother." Walking to her, I bent down slightly to nuzzle her as she nuzzled me.

"Ah Sesshomaru. Next time give a call. You know I'm always expecting Rin." I noticed Kagome move out of the corner of my eye.

"Rin was the one who wanted to come here. Not I."

"You still decided to bring her here without telling me."

"I'm not obligated to tell you anything." She glared at me then.

"She is constantly under my care so you are."

"I am her father. Whatever I do, wherever I take her, whoever I leave her with is not your concern." Just as I growled at my mother, Kagome suddenly slammed down the cup and I snapped my attention to her. Instantly, her posture yelled distress. Her scent was that of a raging ocean. Something was wrong.

"Kagome. Everything's alright?" Mother voiced my thoughts and she only nodded before she turned to us with a smile. Right away, I saw it. It was so fake. And her eyes. Those azure eyes was filled with so much conflict.

"Hai. Just really enjoyed the drink. Now if you will excuse me, I need to text Inupapa." As she walked by, I watched her every movement but she seemed to not notice. Even as she disappeared up the stairs and into her room, even as the sound of the door locking reached my ears, I still looked in that direction.

"You heard, didn't you." I glanced back at my mother to see her arms folded over her chest.

"Hn."

"So...how will you react. She's unmated. After being with Inuyasha for three years. And that's only counting how long they've been married."

"I have yet to mate Kikyo." She glared at my indirect way of saying "I don't see your point" and sighed in exasperation.

"Well I don't care for her and neither do Inutaisho nor Izayoi. It's one thing for your father to not like her. But Izayoi. She likes everyone."

"Hn."

"Well, Inutaisho will be upset." She whipped her pristine white S7 Edge out and I stared at her.

"You're telling." She sent me a side glare.

"Had it been anyone else, no. But alas, I seem to have grown a fondness for Kagome." My eyes widened at hearing her admit that.

'Mother accepts her as well.' I watched her as she brought up my fathers contact. Just as she was about to call, I snatched the phone.

"Sesshomaru!" I put it in my pants pocket as I turned to Rin.

"Go to Kagome's room and see if she's okay." Rin nodded with a "Hai!" before she went running up the stairs and knocked on the door. After a minute, I heard her enter the room with another lock.

"Sesshomaru Taisho! Give it back now!" I stood amused as she ordered me around.

"My beast accepts her."

.

.

.

"Oh?" She said intrigued, phone forgotten. I nodded once and she smiled. "My this can be interesting."

"Hn."

"What of Kikyo?" At the mention of her name, my gaze went blank and my mother of course noticed. "He don't want her." After a pause, I added "She laid with another." I said and her eyes widened.

"What?" We had a silent conversation and her eyes flashed red. "I see. Who." Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I bent to her ear.

"Inuyasha." She gasped.

"The bitch."


Kagome POV:


"Aunt 'Gome!" I heard after a knock and I sighed before getting up. Opening the door, I looked down on her smiling face and instantly knew I couldn't keep her out here. So with that, I let her in and locked it right back.

"Yes my sweet Rin. How may I help you." I said to her as I went back to my bed and she climbed on my legs.

"Daddy sent me here." I rolled my eyes then, 'of course'. After a bit of silence, she looked at me in the same manner as Sesshomaru does when he wanted to know something and I chuckled.

"What's on your mind little one?" She bit her lip in uncertainty before she got a determined look.

"What does "mate" mean?"

.

.

.

"Eh?" I said dumbly and she placed her small hands on my belly.

"Mating. What does it mean?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because baa-chan just said it and I heard it before from my teacher when she was on the phone." I hummed in thought before shrugging.

"I see. Well, do you see how humans get married?"

"Yes."

"Well a mate to a demon is just the same. For example, your mom would be your daddys' mate. Just as Inuyasha is my mate." Forming a O with her mouth, she nodded her head while holding her chin.

"But wait! Then why did I once hear someone say "I'm going to mate with my woman as if it was the first time'?" I sputtered as she repeated those words, my face growing hot.

"W-who said that and when!?"

"Koga said it this one time when he was talking with daddy." I shook my head then and sighed.

"I see...I think you should have this conversation with your daddy."

"Why?"

"Because it's not my place."

"Was he talking fresh?" I blushed again.

"N-no!"

"Then why can't you tell me?" She gazed at me so innocently that sighed in exasperation before caving in.

"Well, there's more than one way to mate with a person. Humans, we marry each other. Demons on the other hand tends to mark their 'territory'. Their 'territory' would happen to be their mate-to-be which is also known as their boyfriend or girlfriend." I sat up then and she sat across from me on her knees, her attention was solely mine.

"How do they mark their 'territory'?" I scratched my cheek with a light blush then.

"Well, there's more than one way. One is by masking their territory in their personal scent. Another is by biting. And..." I trailed off just as the lock turned and Inukimi came in with Sesshomaru in tow, "And the rest will have to be explained another time and by your father!" I beamed as she pouted and Sesshomaru raised a brow.

"No fair." Her pout remained in place as Kimi gathered the pouting child in her arms.

"What was you two talking about?" Kimi questioned and Rin's pout grew deeper.

"She was telling me about mating before you walked in." Both Kimi and Sesshomaru brows shot into their gaze and I giggled before coughing as they sent glares.

"I see. Well, you will find out in due time. For now, I'm taking you shopping." Instantly, that pout turned into a toothy grin and she exclaimed in joy. "So gather your things and we will leave." As she was speaking, Rin was paying her no mind as she gathered her belongings with shouts of "yay" and "I want food".

"Tou-san, are you coming with?" Rin said as she run up to Sesshomaru, Inukimi still going on tin he background and I just sat, watching the interaction between Rin and Sesshomaru. The way he touched her head, the way he picked her up, that unmistakable father-daughter relationship...I found myself longing then. Longing to have a family, to see Inuyasha interact with our child, to bring a new life into this world.

"No. I will remain here with your aunt. Tonight you will remain with mother and father."

"And Zoi-chan?" He nodded and she beamed with a hug to his neck. I looked away then, my heart couldn't take the sight of it anymore.

"Alright, let's go now. I will have her home tomorrow. Bye Sesshomaru." I suddenly felt a touch to my shoulder and I jumped. "And you Kagome, it will get better."

"Eh?" I blinked at her confused and she only smirked before taking Rin and leaving my room with Sesshomaru following in tow. So I laid back down and listened as all the occupants left...at least I thought they all left.

"Woman."

"Ah!" I shot up as Sesshomaru was casually sitting on the foot of my bed, boredom all over his face.

"I-I thought you left!"He raised his brow then which stated 'Clearly I did not' and I rolled my eyes. "Why are you still here?"

"Because I can be." My brow ticked.

"No you cannot."

"Oh?" He raised another brow, leaning against the foot board of the bed "And why might that be?"

"Because it's my house."

"Last I checked it was Inuyashas' house. You're married to him. I am his half-brother. So, in Inu terms, I am also pack. Technically, my position in this pack is higher than yours since you have yet to be mated to him. Alas, his house, I'm superior than you, so I can be here whenever I so please to watch after his pack when he is not present to do so. Understand?" My mouth was agape, face pale as he hit me with every last fact that I couldn't deny even if I wanted to. He knew I couldn't because e sat back with that high and mighty attitude of his and amusement all in his eyes.

"Keh, whatever bastard." I glared at the window to my right before I sighed angrily and looked at him. "You can make yourself comfortable if you want. I'll be in he-" My stomach growled then and I looked down with a blush.

"Let's go." He stood then and just as I was about to ask where to, he grabbed my wrist and proceeded to drag me out of my room.

"Oi!" I looked at our conjoined hands as he led me before shaking my head and allowing him to lead me. Finally we reached our destination; the kitchen. "Sesshomaru really, I'm not-" He sent a sharp glare my way.

"Sit." Quickly, I went into the living room and sat down.

.

.

.

'...Wait...' In a instant, I realized I obeyed like an obedient little puppy and grew angered. "Who do you think you are ordering me around like that!?" I stomped heatedly back into the kitchen where Sesshomaru was standing at the entrance, hair tied at the nape of his neck and my favorite green apron around his waist.

"Sesshomaru Taishou. Next in line to Taishou Industries. Your alpha. Your superior. Lord of the West. InuYoukai." He bent down to my eye level then and I glared back defiantly.

"And I'm Kagome Higurashi. College Professor and High School teacher. Inuyashas' intended. The sister of your wife. The Miko of the Shikon Jewel. Reincarnation of Midoriko. Miko. So, I don't have to take orders from you. ESPECIALLY while your wearing MY apron." We stood there, glaring at each other until he poked my forehead with a clawed tip.

"You may be a miko, but you're still inferior to me. Now, go sit down woman." He pushed my head a little bit and I glared at him a few moments before sighing and going to lay down on the couch, turning the TV on to kill time. And boy did that time die. Suddenly, he was placing a plate of pancakes on the coffee table in front of me as he sat down beside me. I looked at him then and he looked back at me with a raised brow.

"Where's your plate?" I questioned and he leaned back into the sofa, propping an arm on the arm rest and placing his face in his hand, looking irritated at being questioned and bored.

"I already ate before Rin and I came here. Eat." He urged and I sighed, no reason in fighting him since I was hungry. With that thought in mind, I thanked him for the food and proceeded to eat. Almost as soon as the pancake was in my mouth, my taste buds exploded with so many flavors and I moaned in delight with my eyes closed in bliss, missing how his eyes zoned in on the piece of food entering my mouth. "Delicious!" I exclaimed with a mouthful and he smiled a small smile.

"Don't talk with your mouth full." I blushed before swallowing the food and turning to him.

"I couldn't help it! It tastes amazing!" I said with a bright smile and after a moment I added "I never pegged you to be a cook."

"I have to be for Rin's sake. Not like anyone else would." Despite the fact his face and voice was void of any emotion per usual, his eyes...they said what he didn't. I only stared at him before finishing the food in silence. Once done, I drank the milk set before me before leaning back into the sofa.

"Kikyo...how long has it been like this?" I didn't need to look at him to know he was looking at me, more than likely contemplating whether he should indulge my curiosity or not. At least that's what I thought. I did receive a answer nonetheless.

"Her not interacting with Rin? Since always. The two were never close. In a sense, Rin is more like you." I glanced at him shocked and that was my mistake. He caught me in that heated gaze of his and I couldn't break away. "Very talkative, you two. Full of happiness no matter what hits you. Big eyes, always bright..."He held my gaze a moment longer before he closed his eyes and I was free. "You're more annoying though." A vein showed on my head then and I growled and he smirked. "But, the comparison between you and Rin are there."

"Sesshomaru..."I noticed that this was longest he have really spoken with just me alone and I said his name in hopes of getting his attention. Alas, it didn't work. He was stuck in his thoughts, not a sight one would often witness. This was very rare.

"More involved in work than I and her child. She has no time for her family." In that moment, staring at Sesshomaru as he sat lounging on my sofa with his eyes closed, aura yelling his conflicted feelings and sharing these things with me (albeit more than likely unknowingly) my heart reached out to him. I didn't fully know how he felt due to me and Inuyasha not having any offspring, but I knew how it felt to be neglected by the one you love. So, not caring of the consequences that would surely arise later, I closed that small space between us on the couch and hugged him, my body splayed across his front with my arms around his neck, face between his shoulder and neck as my hands played with his hair. Instantly, his body tensed and I brushed my soothing aura against his conflicted one.

"Shush now. I'm sorry for making you think about it. No need to feel that way anymore. I'm here." I stayed like that for god-knows how long. It felt like hours and he didn't budge. Just as I loosened my hold on him, arms wrapped around my back, bringing me closer and nestling his nose into my locks.

Just being held in those arms of his...it felt so right. It like fitting together a puzzle piece. I felt so at peace in that moment that it hurt. It hurt because I knew it shouldn't be, couldn't be. It hurt because Inuyasha don't do this anymore. It hurt because I've been deprived of these feelings for so long, I've been neglected. It hurt to know that Rin and Sesshomaru was experiencing this as well. But no matter how much it hurt, it didn't stop the way my heart hammered that day, the way I felt his heart pounding against my breast, the way our breaths was so in sync. The way our auras felt touching...I never experienced this. His touch...it burned. It reminded me of when he first touched me on my wedding day. It burned me from the inside out.

"Kagome." The way he said my name...kami what is this man-no...this demon doing to me...and why can't I stop it?

It hurts...but I wanted to bask in the touch of another just for a little longer. Let me finish this fantasy. Just a little bit longer...


The end of chapter three! Now, I'm sorry for the lack of details when it comes down to describing the setting, especially the houses. But I do have my reason for it!

If Sesshomaru seems a bit out of character, just know that he only acts this way mostly in front of Kagome and Rin. I won't apologize for this because it's my story and I can make Sesshomaru act however I want him to.

Anyway, I hope you guys have enjoyed this. As for my other stories to those waiting for them to be updated, I am so sorry! I have really lost all inspiration for them as I have been busy and living and maturing throughout life. I am definitely going to revisit them and see if I can find a spark for them to ignite. However until then, they are on HIATUS. This story is my full concern right now seeing as how I have had this story on my mind for a long time now. I plan on finishing this one or being at least a little bit close to finishing before I go to my old stories. So please, bare with me a little bit longer. I appreciate all of my loyal fans.