Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Mending A Broken Heart
Chapter 9
Sesshomaru set Kagome down outside her bedroom and she turned to look up at him.
"Good night, my lord. Thank you for your assistance."
"You're welcome, my little miko. I bid you a good night." He gave her a slight bow and quickly turned away to move down the hall to his own room. Kagome sighed and opened the door to her room. Leaning against the closed door a moment later., she knew that she was going to get very little sleep.
A sharp loss of air jerked Kagome awake a few hours later. She opened her eyes to see Shippo sitting on her stomach.
"Good morning, Mama!" Shippo said excitedly.
"Shippo, would you please get off of me?" Kagome gasped out. Shippo instantly jumped off of her stomach.
"Mama, get up! It's time for breakfast!"
"What time is it?"
"Early." Rin said from the side of the bed.
"Shippo, I didn't sleep well last night. Can you possibly have breakfast without out me?" Kagome groaned with Shipp shook his head no. "Why not?"
"Because breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Shippo argued. "You always say that, Mama."
"Its more meant for growing children, Shippo, not adults who need sleep." Kagome explained. "Go have your breakfast with Rin and I will join you later in the garden."
"But Mama..."
"Kit, you heard your mother. Rin, show Shippo where we dine and have your morning meal." Sesshomaru said from the open doorway.
"Yes, my lord." Rin said right away, but Shippo wasn't so quick to obey. Kagome thought about giving into the kit's wishes, but the stern look on Sesshomaru's face stopped her. "Shippo, Rin, leave Kagome to her rest. She will see you later today." Sesshomaru continued. Rin moved obediently towards the door and Shippo followed her more slowly. Sesshomaru closed the door behind the children. "I am assuming you do not intend to hide in here all day, do you?" He asked as he turned back around to face Kagome
"No, honestly, I don't. You gave much to think about last night. Between that, the traveling, and other sleepless nights, I am in need of some rest."
"I will have a maid wake you in time for lunch." Sesshomaru said and left her to rest. Kagome stared after him. She wasn't used to have someone look after her well being. In the past, she had to fight Inuyasha when she had needed a moment's peace. That small act by Sesshomaru showed more just how different the two brothers were. She settled back down against the pillows, thinking about the demon lord in whose castle she slept.
Instead of sending a maid, Sesshomaru was the one to wake Kagome.
"Miko, dress and join the children and myself outside, please. We are going on a picnic for the midday meal." Sesshomaru informed her as Kagome forced her eyes open.
"All right, give me about ten minutes."
"There is fresh water in there basin on the vanity. I will leave you to dress." Sesshomaru turned on his heel and left the room.
Kagome stepped out into the garden. The sight before her made her chuckle. Sesshomaru was holding a basket full of food with Rin and Shippo running around him excitedly.
"Your mother will be along shortly." Sesshomaru told the children, sounding a bit frustrated.
"I am here." Kagome announced, laughter still in her voice. Sesshomaru looked instantly relieved at her presence. "Now, children, settled down. Let us be on our way." Shippo and Rin ran ahead to the find perfect picnic spot, leaving Sesshomaru and Kagome alone. "Good afternoon, my lord. I thank you for letting me sleep."
"No problem, Kagome. Shall we join the pups before they get into mischief?" Kagome nodded her agreement and took the offered arm he held out.
"You looked pretty frustrated with the kids running around you before I arrived."
"Rin is usually pretty quiet when I am near her. Shippo doesn't seem to possess the ability to keep his voice down when it is necessary." Sesshomaru explained.
"Yes, that is something I have to constantly remind him of." Kagome replied. "He needs a father figure in his life. Inuyasha was never more than an annoying older brother to him."
"Yes, Inuyasha is still a child himself. Kagome, I do not want you to base your decision on what is best for Shippo. You need to make your decision based on what is best for you."
"Yes, Sesshomaru, I know, but Shippo is part of the package with me, as Rin is with you. They are out children. It's as simply as that."
"I know the kit is your son, Kagome. I would never expect anything else. The children seem to be content with each other. The choice needs to be about what you want." Sesshomaru said seriously. "Take all the time you need to, Kagome. I am not going anywhere."
"I appreciate it, Sesshomaru."
"How sweet. It's so sweet I could hurl." Inuyasha said from behind them, just as he grabbed Kagome up and sped off with her. Sesshomaru growled as he started to go after them until he remembered the children in the meadow. He stopped and called to Rin and Shippo. They came running immediately, chatting about finding the perfect picnic spot.
"Back to the castle, now." Sesshomaru turned without another word and hurried back the garden, fully expecting the children to follow him. Rin recognized the seriousness in Sesshomaru's expression and followed with hesitation. Sel he gestured to Shippo to come along. He caught up to her and she explained that when Sesshomaru looked that way, it was best not to argue with his commands. Shippo nodded in understanding.
Sesshomaru escorted the children inside, located Jaken, and ordered him to keep them in sight until he returned.
"Inuyasha, put me down!" She couldn't use the sit command on him because she would end up injuring herself.
"Not until we are far away from that bastard!" Was Inuyasha's reply. Kagome suddenly didn't care about injuring herself.
"Sit, boy!" As expected, Inuyasha dropped her and made a decent size crater. Kagome quickly jumped ton her feet and stocked over to him as he begin crawling of the hole. "Now, you will explain yourself or I will sit you until you are at least 100 feet in the ground!"
"I had to get you away from my brother before he hurt or killed you. No offense, Kagome, but you can be pretty annoying at times."
"Enough for someone to want to kill me? And what gives you the right to decide what is best for me?"
"You are still my friend, Kagome."
"Really? I didn't know friends betrayed one another." Kagome glared at him. Inuyasha had the decency to look away somewhat ashamed for hurting for a brief second before his scowl was firmly back in place.
"Do you have to bring that up every time we meet? It's been over a week, you should be over it by now." Inuyasha asked in exasperation. Kagome just stared at him for a long moment.
"You really mean that?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Inuyasha shrugged.
"You really are naive, Inuyasha." Kagome stated, shaking her head sadly. "I fancied myself in love with you for over three years, Inuyasha! That takes more than a week to get over, especially when I am dealing with other things as well."
"Like what? You have spent the last week in grand comfort at Sesshomaru's castle." Inuyasha spat back.
"We only arrived here yesterday. Or do you not remember the encounter the other day?" Kagome asked.
"Yes. What else has been on your mind?"
"That is none of your business, Inuyasha!" Kagome exclaimed.
"You brought it up!" Inuyasha said defensively.
"Only to make a point! Take me back to the castle and go back to your mate. Leave me to my life, Inuyasha, and I will leave you to yours. I'm content where I am now."
"What about Naraku?"
"He will be defeated."Kagome answered confidently.
"Are you sure about that?" Inuyasha asked.
"Take me back to the castle, Inuyasha." Kagome commanded again, ignoring his question.
"Don't order me around, wench."
"Fine, don't take me back. Sesshomaru will find me soon enough. Go on your merry way." She then turned away from him to find a tree to settle against until Sesshomaru arrived.
"What did I just say about ordering me around?" Inuyasha growled.
"It was just a suggestion. If you wish to have Sesshomaru kill you when he arrives, by all means, stick around."
"Why would he want to kill me anymore than usual for annoying him?"
"Because he asked me to be his mate." Kagome turned back around to see Inuyasha's mouth hanging open and him just staring at her in disbelief. "You going to catch flies if you don't close your mouth."
"Can you repeat what my brother asked of you?" Inuyasha asked slowly, several minutes after he overcame the worse of his shock. By this time, Kagome has settled herself against a tree and was watching him.
"Your brother asked me to be his mate."
"Why?" Was all Inuyasha said.
"For all the reasons you failed to see." Sesshomaru answered as he stepped into view. Kagome's eyes widened as she saw just how angry he was. "Do you have a death wish, Inuyasha?"
"Not by your hand."
"That can't be true when you continue to anger me." Sesshomaru countered, almost seeming calm. "You come near her again without her consent, you will be dealing with me. Now, do as Kagome suggested and run before I change my mind about ending your pathetic existence." Inuyasha opened his mouth to reply, but decided against when he saw how red Sesshomaru's eyes were. He wouldn't stand a chance if Sesshomaru fought him now. He just nodded and walked away. "Come, Kagome." She rose to her feet and walked over to him.
"You can calm down now. There was no harm done." Kagome said, trying to sooth his temper.
"If he ever try anything like that again, I will not hesitate to kill him. You are mine." Sesshomaru tugged her to his side and growled.
"Yes, I believe I am." Kagome smiled up at him.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I am saying yes." Sesshomaru's eyes widened and he pulled her to him for a kiss as his anger slipped away.
"Are you sure you do not need more time?" He asked as he broke the kiss. Kagome laid her head against his chest.
"I am happy where I am, Sesshomaru. I don't need anymore time. I'm yours forever."
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