Dear readers,
Thank you so much for your support. Because of the overwhelming number of reviews from so many people who love this story, I have decided not to pull it off the net and to continue writing it.
As thanks for all the support that you have given me; here is the next chapter, which I have written quicker than usual just for you.
Kagome
Lady of the West
By Advi
Chapter 6
The Worried Mother
The blue light faded away as their feet landed gently at the bottom of the well. Sesshoumaru looked up and found a wooden ceiling above instead of a blue sky. "Where are we?" he asked Kagome.
"Inside the well house," she answered. "Here in my time, most of the Inuyasha forest no longer exists, but for a small section that still survives on the grounds of my family shrine."
"This well is located within a shrine?" Sesshoumaru inquired.
"Yes," Kagome answered gently, "Sesshoumaru-sama, please forgive me for not informing you earlier, but my home is a shrine. Oh, and my grandfather might try to purify you, but please, do not kill him, he has no powers what so ever," Kagome added hastily.
"Understood," Sesshoumaru answered, genteel manner. He wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist and jumped out of the well. The Taiyoukai landed effortlessly onto the well's lip and then leapt down and placed Kagome gingerly on her feet.
"Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Please lead the way to your living quarters." Sesshoumaru instructed.
"At once my lord," Kagome answered, softly, with a smile on her face. She walked up the steps and then pushed one of the doors open just slightly and took a peek outside. "Oh, there are no patrons around. I think it's safe to go out." Kagome pushed the doors open and took a step out of the well house and gazed towards the larger main shrine. All of a sudden, Kagome felt odd to be back home.
"The air smells very different here and… why is it so noisy?" Sesshoumaru asked, as he held on to one of his pointed elfin ears. Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru and moved towards him. Tenderly, she held his head that was bowed down, and said, "Don't worry, Sesshoumaru-sama… you will get used to the noise and the smells after a little while."
He looked up at her and asked, "Why is your time so noisy?" The sounds of many things he had never heard before were overwhelming his sensitive hearing. Kagome knelt down and brought the Taiyoukai to a kneeling position also, still holding his head gently in her hands.
Kagome leaned to his ear and tenderly, cooed, "Shush… right now just focus on my voice. I promise the loud sounds will go away in a little while, my alpha male."
Kagome saw Sesshoumaru's ears give a little twitch, and then, his eyelids parted, his light golden eyes, mesmerizing her. "You are correct, my lady, my hearing has adjusted to the many noises in this area."
Kagome could feel her heart beating fast in her chest. She did not want to fall in love with Sesshoumaru so fast, or fall in love with him for that matter, knowing he would never reciprocate her feelings.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, shall I show you why it is so noisy here?" Kagome offered, as she smiled sweetly at him once they had stood up.
"Yes, I do admit I am curious as to what could make so much noise."
Kagome pulled Sesshoumaru by his hand to the entrance of the shrine. From on top of the hill the shrine sat on, they had a good view of the city. When Sesshoumaru saw the sight of many buildings, both tall and short, he was stunned. The village was gone and so were the fields, forests, and hills. "What happened to the village?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"This is the village, Sesshoumaru-sama. Over the years, it has grown immensely."
"How many years forward have we traveled?" Sesshoumaru asked, watching a car pass by the shrine with interest.
"Five hundred, my lord."
Sesshoumaru turned to Kagome, "I have many questions to ask, but I shall hold my curiosity till another time. Now, we have business here, do we not?"
"Yes," Kagome answered. She appeared tired. Sesshoumaru then took hold of the backpack and pulled it off her shoulders. "Sesshoumaru-sama, what are you doing?" Kagome asked.
"I should not allow you to carry this bag any longer. What male am I to allow you to carry such burdens on your back whilst you are with child, and, at such an early stage of your gestation period?" Sesshoumaru stated sternly.
Kagome stared at Sesshoumaru in surprise.
"My lady, it is rude to stare at a person for so long," Sesshoumaru reminded her.
Kagome's cheeks turned pink as she turned her eyes away from the handsome Taiyoukai. "I'm sorry, but, I find it odd that you are so polite and gentle…" Kagome explained, timidly.
"You are my alpha female and I shall act accordingly as your station requires. But know this Kagome-sama, my kindness is shown only towards you. No one else shall I be so benevolent. I suggest that you remember that aspect of my character." Sesshoumaru explained. His every word dictated clearly.
"I understand, Sesshoumaru-sama," Kagome answered, firmly. This was something she thought she had better remember for as long as she lived - or was by Sesshoumaru's side.
"KAGOME!"
Kagome turned and found her mother standing beside the Goshimboku, staring in disbelief at the couple standing by the entrance of the shrine. "Mama!" Kagome called out.
Her mother march up angrily towards the couple and when she reached them, she held her finger at Sesshoumaru and said, "Inuyasha! I have something to say to you…" Sesshoumaru turned to regard Asami and she saw then that the silver-haired man standing next to her daughter was not Inuyasha.
"Er… you're not Inuyasha," said Asami, staring up at Sesshoumaru. He merely gazed at her and did not answer.
"Mama, this isn't Inuyasha. This is Taiyoukai Sesshoumaru, the Mikoto of Seibu no Kyutei. He is also Inuyasha's elder half-brother," said Kagome, appearing oddly cheery as she spoke to her mother. However, Asami narrowed her eyes at Sesshoumaru and said, "Inuyasha's elder brother?"
"Unfortunately so, though it irks this Sesshoumaru to admit, but that useless pest is my younger brother."
Asami looked at her daughter and gave her a questioning look. Kagome scratched the back of her head. "Err… mama… this is going-" Asami pulled Kagome towards her and hugged her daughter tightly. "I was so worried Kagome! You were gone for two weeks! I thought that the worst might have happened to you!"
Kagome held her arms around her mother and, tenderly, replied, "I'm sorry mama… I had to travel around in order to find Inuyasha."
"May I suggest that we take this conversation inside," Sesshoumaru suggested, knowing Kagome was tired and the subject of his brother pained her greatly. "Lady Kagome is very much exhausted after our long travels during the night. I would like her to rest." Asami pulled away from her daughter and looked at Sesshoumaru.
His speech was very traditional and polite. It was certainly different from Inuyasha who spoke very roughly and rudely. Even if her daughter had not told her that Sesshoumaru was a Lord, Asami would have guessed he was of the Aristocracy just by the clothes he wore and the manner in which he spoke.
Though Sesshoumaru seemed to be Inuyasha's opposite, being his elder brother was enough to make Asami distrust him. She did not know why Sesshoumaru was here in his brother's place, but Asami was not going to let her guard down around the Taiyoukai. She did not want her daughter to get hurt a second time.
On this occasion, Asami was going to follow her instincts.
"Mama?" Kagome called to her mother. Asami snapped out of her reverie and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, let's go in side and talk over cups of tea. I'm sure Kagome that you have a lot to tell me."
- - - O - - -
In the living room, seated on the three piece sofa set and having mugs of steaming tea in front of them, Asami, Kagome, and Sesshoumaru, sat in silence. Asami sat in the armchair, while her daughter and Sesshoumaru sat together on the two-seated sofa.
"Kagome," Asami began, "please tell me what happened when you returned to the Sengoku Jidai."
Kagome gazed at her cup of Earl Grey and drummed her fingers on her knees. She glanced at Sesshoumaru and wished that he would leave the room so she could divulge her whole experience to her mother. However, since wishing silently in her heart never made things happen, Kagome gathered her courage and asked, "Sesshoumaru-sama, could you leave us? I wish to speak to my mother alone."
Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrows questioningly at Kagome.
He knew Kagome was reluctant to speak of what troubled her. But, her inability to show trust in him was exhausting Sesshoumaru's patience. "I wish to listen also, my lady. I had hoped that I would have gained your trust by now to sit with you as you speak to your mother," said Sesshoumaru. Hint of his irritancy rang in his velvety voice.
Kagome turned away. "I feel uncomfortable if a male were in the room-"
"Was not Miroku also a male?" Sesshoumaru pointed out.
Asami watched the couple. Sesshoumaru's features appeared composed and calm, but his eyes were very expressive. She could see the Taiyoukai's struggle to keep his emotions at bay behind his honey golden eyes. Asami also wondered if her daughter knew Miroku longer than Sesshoumaru. It would explain why Kagome had spoken about her travels with that person and not to Sesshoumaru. Asami knew her daughter would not speak about personal matters with someone she was not close to.
"How did you know I spoke to Miroku about that?" Kagome asked. She appeared a little angry. Did Sesshoumaru eavesdrop on her conversation with Sango and Miroku?
"Though his home was far enough for any human not to hear conversations from, where I stood, it was not out of this Sesshoumaru's hearing range."
Kagome made a sound and pursed her lips. "Sesshoumaru-sama, did not I show you enough trust by bringing you here to my time?" Kagome asked, as she looked down at her hands held over her jeans.
"Yes… but I had hoped that my lady would trust me enough to relate the full account of your experiences during your journey to find Inuyasha. Has not my actions of taking you into my pack, becoming the father of the child you carry-"
"WHAT?" Asami exclaimed, stunned. Both Sesshoumaru and Kagome turned their attention to her.
"Ka-gome… what does he mean that he has become the father of your baby?" Asami asked, staring bewildered at her daughter.
Kagome gazed timidly at her mother and explained, "Mama… Sesshoumaru-sama here has adopted my baby as his… and I…" she turned to Sesshoumaru, her eyes fogging with tears, "I am so sorry… I am acting so selfish when you have been nothing but kind… I am so sorry. Please, forgive me, Sesshoumaru-sama."
He hoped, and Sesshoumaru wondered why he did, that Kagome would now be willing to relate all that happened during her journey to find his half-brother and what truly occurred when she had found him. Though Kagome had told him a little, his curiosity was flared after overhearing her earlier conversation with her friends.
"Will you tell me," Sesshoumaru took a quick glance and Asami, "and your mother what happened when you met my brother?"
Kagome nodded and answered, "Yes."
"Then you have my forgiveness…" Sesshoumaru replied.
He sounded haughty and Asami did not think that his forgiveness was sincere.
Kagome turned her gaze back to her mother and began, "Mama… when I had returned to the Sengoku Jidai, Inuyasha was not at Kaede-baa-chan's village. In fact he had never returned to it, so I had to travel around to find him."
Asami understood and wanted her daughter to go on, but she was uncomfortable at how Sesshoumaru was eyeing her daughter. It was as if he did not believe what Kagome had just said.
"My lady, if you truly wish to keep my forgiveness, I require the whole truth," said Sesshoumaru, angering Asami.
"I believe my daughter has told the whole truth!" said Asami quite severely.
Kagome shook her head. "No, Sesshoumaru-sama is correct… just finding and telling Inuyasha I was pregnant was just one reason why I traveled in search of him."
"What was the other?" Asami asked her daughter gently. She had no intentions of looking at Sesshoumaru at that moment.
"To confirm what I heard from Sango, my friend… that Inuyasha was visiting… brothels." Kagome shirked away from her mother's stunned look.
"Kagome… was it true? What your friend told you… did you prove that it was true?" Asami asked her daughter, fearing what the answer might be.
Kagome could not bring herself to look at her mother, so she stared at her tea cup instead. Suddenly Kagome felt a hand over hers. She turned to the side and saw that Sesshoumaru was holding her hand. He even gave it a gentle squeeze without her mother noticing. Kagome looked up and gazed into Sesshoumaru's eyes, from those piercing golden eyes she received the strength to answer her mother's question. When Kagome turned to her mother, Sesshoumaru pulled his hand away.
"Mama… after two weeks of searching… yesterday… I finally found Inuyasha… coming out of a teahouse with two prostitutes clinging on either arm."
Kagome never knew it would be so difficult to get those words out of her mouth. But the hardest had yet to come.
"I can't believe that Inuyasha would do such a thing," said Asami in disbelief.
"This Sesshoumaru too, had encountered Inuyasha with a whore a few weeks before." Sesshoumaru answered, looking deep in thought. Perhaps it maybe wise for me to return to my time, find that hanyou pest and rid him of his manhood. If he keeps on this path, Kagome will not be the only female he impregnates.
"Kagome, what happened when you found Inuyasha?" Asami asked, wanting to hear more of her daughter's story.
Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I told Inuyasha that I was pregnant, but… he did not believe… that the baby was his."
Asami had problems understanding what she had just heard. Inuyasha was acting in a manner that she could have never predicted. Yes, he acted rough at times but she had always thought he was a sweet person under that unpolished exterior.
Kagome hung her head down and continued. "Inuyasha doesn't want the baby. He does not want a child to hold him down. He loves his new freedom and he chose that instead. Inuyasha said I could throw the baby away… but… I can't." Kagome held her hands over her face. Asami jumped out of her chair and knelt in front of her daughter, bringing Kagome into her embrace. Asami also gave the Taiyoukai a nasty glare for not bothering to sooth Kagome.
Sesshoumaru, however, appeared unperturbed by her glare and continued to sit comfortably in his seat, watching the mother console her daughter.
"Kagome, I'm so sorry this happened! Something like this should have never happened to you. How much must you suffer?" said Asami, feeling heartbroken. She was now resolved to never allow her daughter to return to the Sengoku Jidai. To Asami, that place had become a place of constant suffering to her daughter.
"But…" said Kagome sitting away from her mother and turning her gaze at the Taiyoukai who kept a cool appearance, "Sesshoumaru found me."
"You were about to take your life when I stopped you," said Sesshoumaru. Asami gazed at the Taiyoukai with eyes wide open. "Your daughter ran past my campsite in tears. I followed her and when I found Kagome-sama, she was about to plunge a knife into her belly. I stopped her and found out what she had just related to you."
Asami was speechless. The Taiyoukai that she disliked was actually the reason why her daughter was still alive.
"Mama, after hearing what Inuyasha did, Sesshoumaru offered to become the father of my baby. He even took me into his pack, and made me the mother of Rin, a cute little girl that he took in… oh, Rin is human." Kagome added.
Asami sat back into her chair and massaged her head. That was too much information to digest all at once. She took a sip of her now warm tea.
"Asami-kun! Do you know where I put that bottle of red ink?" Jii-chan called out from somewhere in the house. They heard him walking down the hallway and when he entered the living room, he gawked at Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru, however, merely regarded the old man in an uninterested fashion.
Kagome stood up and was about to introduce Sesshoumaru to her grandfather when the elderly man pointed his hand at the Taiyoukai and shouted, "INUYASHA! HOW DARE YOU ENTER THIS HOUSE AFTER YOU HURT MY GRANDDAUGHTER SO SEVERELY!"
Oh no! I knew it! Thought Kagome, turning pale. "Jii-chan this isn't-" she tried to say. However, the old man pulled out an ofuda from his kimono and pointed it at Sesshoumaru, who continued to gaze unperturbed at Kagome's grandfather. "I will purify you for your unforgivable acts on my lovely granddaughter! DEMON BE GONE! Unnnn umba!" the old man chanted as he threw the ofuda at Sesshoumaru.
However, after the paper charm left the old man's fingers, it shivered in mid-air and fell gently to the floor.
"Umm… jii-chan… what was with the unnnn umba at the end?" Kagome asked.
"Waaaaah! My new chant and special ofuda have failed me!" Jii-chan cried out, ignoring Kagome.
Asami stood up and walked to her father in-law and said, "Ojii-san, he isn't Inuyasha. This is Sesshoumaru and he is a Taiyoukai, so be careful now."
"Eh! Taiyoukai?" said the old man, shocked. He took a peek at Sesshoumaru from behind Asami. Jii-chan saw that though the Taiyoukai resembled Inuyasha slightly, he had markings on his face and wrists and on his forehead was a blue crescent moon. He knew in the old days, those of the highest nobility usually had a word or a symbol painted on their forehead as proof of their status. But, only the highest amongst their rank were allowed to do that, and no one else. Jii-chan then remembered something, "Where is Inuyasha?" he asked.
"I'll tell you later," Asami replied respectfully, "and by the way, you'll find the ink in the storeroom."
"Oh thank you, Asami-kun," said jii-chan. He then left the living room.
Asami turned to Kagome and Sesshoumaru seated on the couch. "I need sometime to take in all this information. But Kagome, I want you to know that I am not in anyway angry or upset with you. I just need time to think… oh yes, before I forget, now that you are back do you want me to make an appointment to see the Obstetrician?"
"Yes, mama, I want to go and see that doctor," Kagome replied earnestly.
"All right, I'll go and call his office to make an appointment," said Asami, as she left the room.
Sesshoumaru and Kagome gazed at each other.
"Thank you for not killing my grandfather, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"He is not a threat whatsoever, perhaps only to himself," Sesshoumaru replied.
Kagome sat down on the sofa and gazed at Sesshoumaru. She wondered why he had never taken on a mate. He seemed like a very responsible and good male that no woman could ever turn down. Suddenly, Sesshoumaru surprised Kagome by running his hand up her left arm. His hand stopped when he came to the place where she had been hit by the stone thrown by one of the prostitutes that was with Inuyasha. "Kagome-sama… I wish to know how your arm was hurt?" he asked.
Kagome stared at Sesshoumaru, surprised.
"You have been hiding this wound from everybody, but your act does not work on this Sesshoumaru. I want to know how you were hurt?"
Kagome looked like she was about to cry.
Making sure that no one was around to see him, Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome close and held her to him. As she leaned her head into his mokomoko, Kagome answered softly, her words never leaving the room. "The prostitutes with Inuyasha threw stones at me after I slapped him. After Inuyasha said I could throw the baby away, I got so angry that I slapped him. When they threw those stones… I ran… Inuyasha did not even try to stop those women."
Sesshoumaru held his female closer to his being and began to rub her back in a soothing manner. He did not know why he did that, but it seemed that his actions were helping to calm Kagome. After a while, they pulled away from each other and sat silently in the living room.
After a while, Sesshoumaru ventured to say, "Kagome-sama."
"Yes, my lord?" she answered.
"I make you a promise now, that this Sesshoumaru will never allow such hurt to come to you again."
"Thank you, my lord" Kagome replied.
- - - O - - -
After coaxing Sesshoumaru to drink his tea, Kagome told him that she was going to have a bath and showed him to her room where he finally relinquished his hold on her bag. Sesshoumaru did not even allow her to carry the bag up the stairs. In her room, Kagome told Sesshoumaru that he did not need to wear his armor or carry his swords in her time. Kagome even explained that only those whose jobs it was to uphold the law were allowed to carry weapons. Sesshoumaru took off his armor and left Tenseiga in her room. Enshiga, being his fang, disappeared into his body. Sesshoumaru told her it was the only weapon he carried with him at all times.
Sesshoumaru then excused himself from her room when Kagome told him she was going to have her bath. He went down the steps and when he reached the bottom, he saw Asami at the end of the hallway deep in thought. She saw Sesshoumaru and called out to him.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, may I have a word with you?"
"You may," he answered and waited for her to show him to the room in which she wished to speak to him.
"Would you please come into the kitchen," Asami asked motioning towards the room at the end of the corridor.
When Sesshoumaru entered the kitchen, he was surprised at how different a kitchen looked in Kagome's time. Asami sat down at a table and motioned for Sesshoumaru to sit opposite her. The Taiyoukai strode towards the table, pulled out a chair and sat down. "What is it that you need to speak to this Sesshoumaru about?"
"Sesshoumaru-sama, I want to thank you personally for undoing the wrong that your brother had caused to Kagome. You have redeemed her honor and I apologize greatly for my earlier behavior," said Asami, remembering to speak in a more traditional manner to Sesshoumaru.
"This Sesshoumaru had expected your behavior. Simply being introduced as Inuyasha's brother, I knew Kagome-sama's family would not immediately take to me. If this was my time, I think the entire village would have been after my head," said Sesshoumaru, very elegantly.
Asami chuckled lightly. "I really do not know how I should thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Actually," said Sesshoumaru, "there is one thing you could do for me. I am uncomfortable that Kagome does not yet see fit to trust me."
"May I ask, Sesshoumaru-sama, how long have you known my daughter?" Asami asked curiously.
Sesshoumaru looked away and was silent for sometime. "Know each other… just a day, but we have been acquainted for years now. I believe I met your daughter not long after she unsealed Inuyasha." he answered. For some strange reason, Sesshoumaru remembered the occasion where Kagome had shot one of her arrows of purification at him, breaking his armor to save Inuyasha. He reflected now that any other youkai would have been purified by her arrow.
"I see…" said Asami.
"Giri no haha," said Sesshoumaru, surprising Asami nearly out of her chair. She wondered why the gallant Taiyoukai referred to her as honored mother. Sesshoumaru noticed her surprise. "In a way you are my mother in-law. I have also taken your daughter as the female of my pack. She is in a way my consort; indirectly she is now like a wife to me, though we are not a mating pair. You have a granddaughter and another grandchild on the way though neither one is sired by this Sesshoumaru. The one thing I want is for Kagome to show more trust in me. I will after all be the father of the child she is carrying."
Oh my… this day certainly is full of surprises! Thought Asami as she gazed at her somewhat son in-law. Why do I have a feeling that Kagome does not comprehend that being the female of his pack also means being something like a wife to Sesshoumaru.
Asami pushed her chair back and stood up. "Would you excuse me, I think that I need to have a long woman to woman discussion with my daughter. Please make your self at home. If you wish, you could keep jii-chan company in the shrine's storehouse. Actually I am not sure what my father in-law is up to." Asami confessed. She then bowed before she left the kitchen and ran upstairs.
- - - O - - -
While Kagome was soaking in an enjoyable warm bath, there came a knock on the door. "Yes?" Kagome called out as she sat up in the water.
"Kagome, when you are done, meet me at the Goshimboku. I would like to talk to you about something," said Asami.
"All right," Kagome answered. She wondered what her mother had to say to her. Kagome knew there was probably a lot that her mother wanted to speak about.
She leaned back in the bathtub and looked up. "This feels never ending…"
- - - O - - -
When Kagome stepped out of her house, she was dressed in a sweet pink and white dress. She wore her wet hair up in a large clip and looked around. She saw Sesshoumaru in the distance, admiring the shrine. She found it odd to see Sesshoumaru walking around without his armor on. Kagome turned her gaze away from the Taiyoukai and walked in the direction of the Goshimboku.
There under its shade, Kagome found her mother seated on a bench. "Mama, what is it that you wanted to speak to me about?" Kagome asked, as she walked to the bench and sat down next to her mother.
"Kagome, Sesshoumaru told me that you were the female of his pack, do you know what that means?" Asami asked.
"Yes," Kagome answered. "It means that I have to take care of Rin… oh that's right, Mama, you have a granddaughter named Rin. I think she's either nine or ten years old. Rin was…" Kagome stopped when her mother held her hand up.
"Kagome… do you think being the female… is there another name for it, it feels really uncomfortable saying that you are the female of the pack… well even though that's what you are," Asami admitted.
Kagome turned her head up and looked at the branches that still bore deep green leaves. "Usually Sesshoumaru calls me 'his' alpha female… I must admit it sounds very peculiar."
"I see…" Asami replied. "Kagome I have come up with another name… actually it was Sesshoumaru who mentioned it." Kagome lowered her head and gazed at her mother. "Kagome being the 'alpha female' also means that you are his wife, his consort."
Kagome's mouth fell open, her eyes widened in horror. "Me… Sesshoumaru's wife? He… would never…"
"As female of the pack, that is your role also, although Sesshoumaru assured me that you were not a mating pair." Asami replied quite calmly. "That is why my daughter, you not showing him the trust he requires of you, disturbs him so."
Kagome looked down. It would explain why Sesshoumaru was so affectionate to her. It was not usual Sesshoumaru behavior. He had earlier said that he would be kind only to her and no one else, Kagome finally understood why. She was his consort.
Kagome did not know how to react. She was angry at first, but slowly it faded away. "I am Sesshoumaru's consort… I never realized it."
"In the animal kingdom, Kagome, the alpha female is the primary female of the whole family. The matriarch. Of course the alpha pair is also the only couple in the pack allowed to mate; you and Sesshoumaru are a little different. But your role is not that different to that of a wife – except for one thing of course," said Asami with a chuckle.
Kagome gazed bewildered at her mother. She wondered what that one thing was, then, it hit her as to what that one thing was. "Mama!" said Kagome, her cheeks burning, "I can't believe you said something like that!"
"Well, he did say you were not a mating pair!" said Asami, truthfully. Kagome turned away, her face as red as a tomato.
"So, Kagome, do you understand now why you not trusting Sesshoumaru makes him so upset?" Asami asked.
Kagome gazed at the fallen leaves on the ground. "But I feel it difficult to trust Sesshoumaru completely. Yes, we have sort of been acquainted for years… but… we used to be enemies who would try to kill each other. I know our relationship is not like that anymore, but, it's going to take me time to trust Sesshoumaru fully."
Asami looked at her daughter. She could not help feeling a little angry. "Kagome, if you said you could not trust Sesshoumaru fully because you were still hurt by Inuyasha, I would understand. But, are you saying that you cannot trust Sesshoumaru because you think that he may still want kill you? Even after he made you his consort though you are pregnant with another man's child? Do not forget he is also willing to take that child which was abandoned by its true father as his own! Why can't you trust Sesshoumaru after all he has done? Do you think Sesshoumaru has some ulterior motive? What does he have to gain by doing all this?" Asami asked.
"Nothing," Kagome answered, sudden realization coming to her. "All he has done is to make himself a target… a target in the youkai world."
"Why would that be, Kagome?" Asami asked.
"Because Sesshoumaru is a Taiyoukai. To take on a human consort, not to say the least one that was made pregnant by another would show him to other youkais as being weak. He has made himself the laughing stock of the youkai world." Kagome stood up. "Mama, excuse me."
Asami stood up also, alarmed, "Kagome, wait what are you going to do?"
Kagome turned, "Find Sesshoumaru… I want to know why he did something so damaging to himself."
- - - O - - -
Sesshoumaru found a large storehouse that was located away from the main structure, the Honden. He walked up to its opened doors and looked around. He could hear someone inside, moving things. Sesshoumaru stepped into the storehouse and saw a number of boxes littering the space made between the shelves so one could get to the other side. "It must be here somewhere!" Sesshoumaru heard the old man say irately to himself, then, a heavy sigh.
There were the sounds of shuffling and then jii-chan appeared at the space with another box in his hand. The old man jumped when he saw the Taiyoukai. "What are you doing here, Sesshoumaru-Odono?" Jii-chan enquired.
"I was curious as to what this building held," Sesshoumaru answered, looking at the numerous shelves inside the storehouse.
"This building contains many artifacts, collected by the shrine through the centuries. I am trying to find something that would help Kagome pay for the birth of her child," said Jii-chan.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "Pay for the birth?"
"Yes. Since Asami has made an appointment with the obs… with the doctor that specializes in childbirth, I am guessing that Kagome has made her decision to give birth in our time. Doctors here do not come cheap. We must think of the Doctor's fees and then the hospital charges," said Jii-chan, thinking he was rambling mindlessly to himself. He thought that Sesshoumaru probably did not understand a word he was saying.
"And you hope to find a treasure in this storeroom to aid in financing the birth of Kagome's child?" Sesshoumaru asked. He clearly understood what the elderly man had said.
"Yes… I do not know if you are like your brother… Asami-kun has told me that you will be the father of the child… but here in this era, childbirth is expensive and you do not have any money to support Kagome." Jii-chan answered. He then realized what he had said and glanced at the Taiyoukai fearfully, hoping Sesshoumaru would not suddenly kill him. But, Jii-chan was surprised when he saw Sesshoumaru leaving the storeroom.
You do not have money to support Kagome…
Sesshoumaru walked out of the storehouse and strode to a nearby hall and sat down at its verandah and reflected on the words Kagome's grandfather had spoken. Here is this era, childbirth is expensive… I do not know if you are like your brother… you do not have money to support Kagome…
Sesshoumaru folded his arms and began to think. He had been repeating that Kagome was now under his protection, that she was his alpha-female, his consort… however, what has he done to proof his position? All that Sesshoumaru has done so far was to console and comfort her when her thoughts were disturbed. However, these actions were concealed from the rest. Sesshoumaru thought that it was time he proved to Kagome's family that he was not like his brother and show them that he could support Kagome and their baby financially.
Sesshoumaru knew he had a lot of gold coins stored safely in the Secret Cloud Palace back in the Seibu no Kyutei. But if he, Sesshoumaru, were to give a lot of gold coins to the grandfather to exchange for modern day money, it might attract thieves thinking there was a treasure trove of gold coins hidden at the shrine.
Sesshoumaru looked back at the storehouse. There were many objects in the storehouse the old man could sell. He did not have to search high and low for something of worth. Kagome's grandfather could sell half the contents of the storehouse and he would earn much, but he did not do that. Things given to a shrine to store were not usually treasures. A lot of things were believed to be cursed, some were also gifts. He saw a lot of boxes, but they were small, he also saw a lot of urns. Then an idea struck Sesshoumaru. He stood up, but at that same time, he smelt Kagome nearby, he turned and saw her walking towards him.
"Sesshoumaru-sama," she called to him.
Sesshoumaru stood straight and watched his beautiful consort walk to him. "Sesshoumaru-sama I have to know, why did you take me as your alpha female? Doing so has made you a target to other youkai."
Sesshoumaru appeared surprised.
"This Sesshoumaru is never a target for other youkai," said the Taiyoukai. "Though it is natural that my actions will induce many foolish lesser-youkai to think that I am weak, it does not by any means prove that I am. This Sesshoumaru has never been weak, not even when Inuyasha had cut off this right arm of mine, which has now re-grown."
"But still," said Kagome, worriedly, "By taking me in, you have damaged yourself greatly. I do not understand why you have done this to yourself. I am grateful that you have done such a noble thing for me, but all you have done for you is to cause yourself harm," said Kagome, her eyes filled with concern for him.
Seeing such concern in her eyes for him was something new to Sesshoumaru. No one has ever been concerned for his welfare before… though long ago there was one person that did-his father.
"No, my lady Kagome, you are wrong. Taking you as my alpha female does not cause any damage to my character or to my reputation," said Sesshoumaru quite calmly. Kagome opened her mouth to argue, but Sesshoumaru held one of his fingers to her lips, hushing her. "Inuyasha has done great damage to my family and to your reputation with his wild behavior. By taking you in, I have taken responsibilities for Inuyasha's actions towards you. I have also saved my family from certain disgrace. Though I would never acknowledge Inuyasha as part of my great family, I cannot deny that he is a part of the family, however loathsome that fact is. His actions also bring shame onto my father's memory. That is something this Sesshoumaru shall never allow. So, Kagome-sama, you are my alpha female… my consort. Your child," he placed his hand over her stomach, "is now mine… I am its father, whether it be human or hanyou," said Sesshoumaru, gazing into Kagome's blue eyes.
Kagome could not break her gaze from Sesshoumaru's light golden eyes. They shone with strong emotions, emotions that bedazzled Kagome. Sesshoumaru smelt that Kagome's mother was approaching and broke his gaze away from Kagome's.
Kagome blushed and stood away from Sesshoumaru.
"Kagome?" Asami called out.
"Over here," Kagome answered, as she fanned herself with one of her hands. All of the sudden it had gotten very warm for her.
Asami came up to Kagome and Sesshoumaru and said, "Kagome, I forgot to tell you, I made an appointment for you to see the Obstetrician in four days time."
"In four days?" Kagome asked. "Oh, that's going to be a problem… Mama, I came home just for today."
"We can return on the day you need to see this doctor," Sesshoumaru offered.
Both ladies looked at Sesshoumaru. "Really?" Kagome asked hopefully.
"Oh thank you," Asami replied, relieved.
"It is my duty to see that you have a safe pregnancy, Kagome-sama," Sesshoumaru answered. Kagome smiled lovingly at Sesshoumaru, sending a feeling of pride through his being. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"You are welcome." Sesshoumaru replied. "Now, my lady, I need to return to my time, or as you call it the Sengoku Jidai. I have business to run there."
Both mother and daughter stared at the Taiyoukai.
- - - O - - -
Sesshoumaru, with his armor on and his swords Tenseiga and Enshiga by his side, stood with Kagome inside the well house. Sesshoumaru looked down the well, into its pit of darkness. "I would like to know if I could travel through time by myself," said Sesshoumaru, wondering out loud.
"There is only one way to find out," Kagome replied warmly.
He turned around to her. "If I am able to cross through time by myself, I shall return either tonight or tomorrow morning. I do not know how long my business will take me."
"All right, but if you are not able to cross time by yourself, then I shall take you back to the Sengoku Jidai, and then return here and stay for the night," said Kagome.
"Agreed. But if that were to happen, I wish to return to your time in the morning," Sesshoumaru replied.
Kagome raised her eyebrows inquisitively.
"Oh, it has to do with the business I have back in my time," Sesshoumaru answered.
"You are being very secretive today, my lord," Kagome commented, grinning at the Taiyoukai.
"Oh, I enjoy keeping secrets now and then. After all it is such an enjoying tease to those curious of the secrets this Sesshoumaru keeps," he answered with a grin, making Kagome chuckle.
Sesshoumaru then placed a foot on the wooden ledge of the well, leapt up and jumped into the dry well. Kagome ran up to the well and saw Sesshoumaru disappear in a glow of blue light. "So, the well works for Sesshoumaru too," Kagome commented.
- - - O - - -
As Sesshoumaru floated downwards and gracefully through a tunnel of blue light, he smiled. He was happy that the unseen forces which controlled the well, allowed him to pass through the ages. This well works for me and I am pleased… but now I have a question. If the well works for me, does it work for Inuyasha also? Can he traverse through the ages by himself?
Giri no haha and the old man seem to be personally acquainted with Inuyasha. Her grandfather even thought that this Sesshoumaru was Inuyasha!
But, I shall not reflect about that now. I must focus on the task I have at hand. To find an idiotic human warlord, who possesses a highly decorated sword which is never utilized. I am sure such an item would fetch much in Kagome's time. Perhaps it would do to cover the doctor's fees and all that she needs for the delivery.
This Sesshoumaru shall prove to the grandfather and to giri no haha that I am not as incompetent as my brother. I shall prove that I can provide for the needs of my female!
End of Chapter.
Sesshoumaru is going to prove that he isn't his brother to Kagome's family! Wow! Who ever thought that Sesshoumaru would need to prove himself worthy to others!
But Jii-chan did make a valid point. Sesshoumaru has no wealth in Kagome's time. And he, being a responsible male, surely would not rely on his 'in-laws' to provide for Kagome's needs.
So now, Sesshoumaru has to prove that he can provide for Kagome. Hmm… but the question is how?
Find out in the next chapter!
Dear readers, I just want to say thank you again. All the support you have given me in the unprecedented amount of reviews for the previous chapter, showed me that it is okay for Sesshoumaru to be Out Of Character because this is fanfiction.
So ladies and gentleman, I shall continue to write this story and in the special way that I want to and have planned.
Thank you, all of you, so much, for saving this story.
Advi.
Translations of Japanese words used in this chapter!
Enshiga – Fang of the circle of death (poetic translation)
Giri no haha – honor mother/ mother in-law. (Thanks to juusan'ya for the word's proper translation)
Honden - The main shrine or inner sanctuary where the kami is enshrined
Chapter re-edited on =
