Chapter III-Expect the Unexpected

Sesshomaru needed to tell Kagome something that was important that could change all of their lives forever, but wasn't sure how to explain it to her.

He just went out and says it. "Miko, there is something that this one wishes to tell you and by no means that you have to answer to this one immediately, but this wasn't really my idea."

Kagome just looked at him with wondering eyes. He continued as he was hoping for a right answer, "Miko, around the end of the Shikon no Tama war against Naraku, Inuyasha unexpected asked something of this Sesshomaru to do if he were to ever die..."

Sesshomaru was cut off by her voice had spoken up, "He would want you to protect me, right?" His eyes were widening as if she was telepathic whenever she'd said that. He nodded in acknowledgement.

"Yeah, he asked me one time before our final battle against Naraku, what I would do if he would have died during battle or something. I was dumbfounded by that question that I didn't know what to say. I didn't even want to think about things like that. Of course, I just told him that he would never leave me like that unprotected because that was what his main duty was to me. To protect me from all dangers, which ironically he caused me the most harm of what he was doing to me back then. I didn't even gave him an answer to that question because at that time I felt like he was as strong as you were, well at least that was what I thought anyways. I'm sorry...so what were you going to ask me?"

"Oh, yes..."He recalled on that bizarre night.

The Flashback Begins...

Inuyasha's and Sesshômaru's packs were travelling together at some point of their pursuit of the jewel shards and that bastard Naraku.

One night, out of the blue, Inuyasha asked Sesshomaru this question went they were alone at the time with an unusual gentle tone, "Sesshomaru, can I ask you something?"

Sesshomaru turned to him as if he was going to do whatever he asks of him anyways, but at the same time he was curious of what was he going to ask and then he motioned him to continue, "If I died during the battle, would you take Kagome as one of your wards or something? You know... to protect her. Look I know that you hate me, but don't hate Kagome because of me. She doesn't deserve that. I know that you are a great protector especially towards that little girl, Rin."

Sesshomaru wasn't expected this at all. Usually, he would just insult and belittling him as usual, but..."I would be honor to, little brother."

Inuyasha also wasn't expected this. He thought he would say 'Hell no' or something. Inuyasha was now curious and thought to himself, "Could it be that he's interested in Kagome?" He just had to ask this question. "Why would you take her in? I thought that she was your enemy or is it that you just had some sort of fondness for her?"

"The miko is a pleasant to be around. She's not noisy, smelly as you are hanyou. Another thing, my little Rin adores Kagome. She's like a mother or a big sister to her," said Sesshomaru.

Inuyasha seemed to be satisfied with that answer. "Oh... thanks. Now I could go in peace knowing she would be in a safe place if I happened to die on that day."

"No thanks are necessary. I would take her in even if you hadn't asked."

"Why would you do that? Do you have some feelings for her? Will do you, Sesshomaru?"

"I don't have to have any attachment to her, in order to invite her into my home. She's family, you know. It's this one's duty to provide for the widow of a family member. It's nothing more than that."

"Why you hadn't taken in me and my mother into your home, at the time of our father's untimely death?"

Sesshomaru glared at him for a moment and said, "That was none of your concern, hanyou. I would suggest that you don't speak of the past anymore. What was done is done. So get over it, if you don't drop it, then I will change my mine. It's up to you, little brother. Don't you want her to live in peace? Or do you want her to be with that wolf youkai?"

He didn't really mean it. He would take her in anyway, even if he hadn't asked because it was one of his duties to take care of the late family members love ones, even if they were human, but Inuyasha wouldn't know that before he asked him, but he did have a point, though. Sesshomaru knew he has failed their father whenever he hadn't taken in Izayoi and Inuyasha after his death. At that time though, he simply didn't care, but one day he would make up for his failure. No way or another, he would right the wrongs of what he didn't do, not just for their father, but for himself as well.

Inuyasha thought about his harsh words. He believes he would actually do that just to spite him. Her safety comes first, and then their chaotic past does. He finally said, "You're right...we can't change the past, but to reflect on it, learn our mistakes, and then move forward with our lives. Of course I want her to live the rest of her days peacefully happy until she died. And HELL NO! I don't want that mangy wolf getting his hands on Kagome! Over my dead body he will! I would whether you to take her as a mate than that mangy bastard!" Sesshomaru smirked in the inside at what he said.

The Flashback Ends...

Kagome was shocked that what he just said. She'd never expected that from Inuyasha.

She asked, "Can I think on that? I mean, everything has happened fairly quickly. Like I said before, I need time to reflect on things."

"I understand miko. There's no rush. Take your time on reflecting on yourself before making any decisions. I don't want you to make rash and/or irrational decisions."

"Thank you, Sesshomaru. I really appreciate it. I'll see you in two weeks. Can you tell Rin and Shippo not to worry? I plan on not going anywhere."

"In two weeks, then."

"Yes, two weeks." With that, she jumped into the well.