Author's Note:

Heya, guess what? My internet is up and running! *Dances* Hopefully it wont bugger up anymore *crosses fingers* I dont want anymore of them pesky 'internet withdrawal symptoms' lol. Neways, it seems people are liking the 'brotherly love' part of this fic, so there's a nice little slice of that in here ^_^ And also Kagome finds out her condition, lol. The first bit came out really fluently, but the second bit was wicked hard to get involved in as such, after a while I started flowing again though so I guess it's okay XD Hope you like the chapter, I would like to see lots of nice reviews ^_^

Enjoy and review wonderful readers!

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Saving Grace

Ten

Sesshomaru wet his lips with apprehension taking a silent, light inhale of the evening's unusually chilly air. The snow still lay heavily on the grounds beyond the mortal palace, and their poor craftsmanship of what they called a 'castle' clearly wasn't built with warmth in mind, wasn't his father afraid that mortal wench and her whelp would die of the sheer cold? The young demon knew how inappropriate it would be for the woman and the half-demon to come to their home – his father's castle – but surely he could have found a more suitable place for them, rather than this hovel of a palace which Sesshomaru believed belonged to the wench's father. Not that he cared what happened to them…he hadn't seen them since that night all those weeks ago, when his father had requested his aid in stopping that human who sought the Wench's hand – what was his name? Ah, yes, 'Lord Takemaru of Setsuna'. Once the initial outrage at his father asking such a thing of him – for that whore and the (at the time) unborn mongrel no less – had passed, Sesshomaru had grasped the overwhelming instinct to not displease his father, who was the only thing he had left. His father was the alpha, the one who'd raised him to be the demon he was all by himself, his father, the one who'd sired him. He may have asked it as a request not an order, but there had still been no room to refuse

And here he was again, in this 'castle' that reeked heavily of humans. Filthy scent, he sneered, wrinkling his nose in disgust. He hated humans – hated Izayoi and that half-breed pup, his mere youthful curiosity had brought the adolescent demon to this place, to this room. That atrociously familiar scent of that wench dusted the area. He'd found the right room. The darkness of the room greeted him as he slinked through the doorway. Directly across from the door, Izayoi lay silently, dark lashes closed against the world, lost in slumber. The rich odour of his father hung heavy in the air, he'd been here recently. He's always here, Sesshomaru reminded himself, probably to see his half-demon whelp…

Deft footsteps made their way over the bassinet that lay not far from the door, something wriggling quietly within. Dark brows raised slightly in apprehension, not sure whether to sneer or to smile as he stopped beside it, the eerie moonlight swimming in through the shutters and lighting the half-demon child's face with an almost ethereal glow. Leaning over slightly for a better glimpse, the baby seemed to notice him, golden orbs lice saucers watching him with an awestruck gaze. Maybe the pup recognised him for what he was? Perhaps, but what the baby deemed more important obviously was getting a closer look at this new face, chubby arms widening as if beckoning an embrace. Sesshomaru had taken a step back at that. The brat wanted to be picked up? He hadn't bargained on that, he hadn't even imagined the pup would be up at this hour, he'd just been curious to what he looked like. The young demon stepped forward to soak in the pup's appearance. He'd heard rumours that half-demons were ugly, disfigured, unlike the human or the demon parent, but when his father had seen him for the first time, Sesshomaru was quite sure his father's exact words were 'beautiful'. Of course Sesshomaru had declined the offer of holding or even seeing his new baby brother, (it wouldn't do to seem interested in the little mongrel) though he'd been curious to say the least, and his curiosity had finally won over…but that didn't mean anyone else would know that, hence his flying midnight visit.

The pup, however odd looking he was, was certainly not ugly or disfigured. A full head of silver hair and oddly pale flesh, and those eyes, the rich gold seemed so aware, watching him closely. But then Sesshomaru's head quirked a little, something wasn't quite right about the boy, something he couldn't put his finger on. There were no markings adorning any part of the boy's body, he could see that, owing to the cloth-napkin he'd managed to wriggle out of, but that wasn't it, there was something… Dog ears, the demon realised, arm unconsciously reaching down to sweep the silver bangs from the boy's face, noting where his demon ears should've been, and reaching back up to check the silvery puppy ears that adorned the boy's head, as if to reassure himself that they were indeed real – And they were – His clawed fingers touched the appendages unsurely, the boy letting out a little giggle, the ears in question wiggling out of his control. Sesshomaru snatched his hand back, as if bitten, obviously shocking the baby out of his giggles, a worryingly upset look crossing the boy's features. Little clawless fingers pawed at his eyes, a quiet little whine sounding in the back of the infant's throat. Eye's widening in surprise, Sesshomaru felt his insides jump a little in panic. What was he supposed to do? The thing was crying – the cries steadily growing louder – that human wench would surely wake up.

Sesshomaru's usually unmoved heart pounding in his chest, in a moment of blind panic, the full demon reached into the basinet, flinching away suddenly, remembering his claws. Reattempting the movement, Sesshomaru skittishly seized the infant underneath his arms (mindful of his claws) lifting him from the cradle. Its little legs kicked out in upset-confusion, small hands balling into fists as his whimpers began to grow into wails. Biting his lip stubbornly, the demon tried to recall something – anything – that might help him silence it (besides killing the thing, he could guarantee it'd break his beloved father's heart – besides which, the demon lord would surely kill him for it in return…)

Realising he probably wasn't holding the pup in the most comfortable of positions, its head lolling to the side awkwardly without any support, he resentfully pulled the wriggling mess to his chest (careful to avoid his armour) cradling the little silver head with his hand. Almost immediately the sobs ceased, the ringing silence brushing into his ears. Those glistening eyes gazed up at him in wonder, small hands wriggling to try and get a grip on him. Sesshomaru's lips quirked in a small smirk, inclining his head slightly so that the pup could entangle his tiny fingers in the tresses of silver hair, a little chuckle rousing from his baby brother. "What a strange creature you are, Little brother…" the demon practically purred, fingers stealing up to curiously stroke the madly twitching puppy ears, inwardly revelling at the unfamiliar sound of childish laughter. Noting the shudder in the little naked body on the cold night, Sesshomaru reached into the cradle, retrieving one of the many blankets within and wrapping him in it. He wasn't quite aware what had stirred this sudden act of kindness in him, he didn't fully understand it, all he knew was that this little thing wasn't quite as repulsive, or disgusting as he'd once thought…

Brushing the corner of the swaddling cloth almost tenderly across the half-demon's cheek, Sesshomaru watched the mirthful face thoughtfully. "And what ridiculous name did the Wench dub you with, Little brother?" The demon asked absently, mentally sneering at the thought of any embarrassing human names she'd undoubtedly given the boy.

"I didn't name him." Sesshomaru's head snapped up at the calm, endearing voice, seeing Izayoi, sitting fully awake on her bed, watching the two with calm, motherly eyes. "Your father named him." Sesshomaru raised a brow.

"How long have you been watching me?" he asked quietly, the woman continued to smile at him, as if he were her son.

"Since you approached the basinet…" Sesshomaru forced a sneer, golden eyes darting back to his new little brother. Perhaps I do not hate him as thoroughly as I first thought…though hate him I still do, the demon thought, meeting the eyes of his father's woman once more.

"I would hear this name father has given him." Izayoi got to her feet slowly, wrapping her night yukata tighter round her chest to conceal her modesty (and Sesshomaru's embarrassment) having forgotten to retie it after feeding the baby some time in the night.

"Inuyasha," she said softly, stopping beside Sesshomaru, apparently not in the least bit concerned that the demon who had once said he'd kill her and her son if given the chance, was now holding her very vulnerable baby – who by the way, was struggling to admire the crescent moon on this new person's forehead.

"Indeed, trust Father to give the whelp such a ridiculous name…" Setting her hand kindly on Sesshomaru's potentially dangerous arm, Izayoi sighed softly.

"So, how do you like your brother, Lord Sesshomaru?" Sesshomaru inwardly snorted at that. Just because he didn't hate it didn't mean he liked it.

The demon handed the pup back to its mother, stalking towards the door. "I don't care for it, I was just curious is all." As he disappeared into the dark halls, closing the door behind him, Izayoi bounced her son gently in her arms, the infant growling impatiently, wondering where the interesting new person had gone to.

"It's alright little one," his mother cooed softly, "he'll be back…" She knew he would after all, she'd seen that look cross his eyes, Inuyasha had captured his interest, he'd be back, of that she was sure. Little did she know that as she departed her chambers the following morning, a shadow lingered just beyond her sight, a constant observer's gaze weighing heavily on the little boy who was never out of her sight. Looking back on the time he'd first held his brother, Sesshomaru realised, that little boy had unintentionally thawed the ice of his frozen heart, he'd been his saving grace...

***

Slowly, Kagome opened her heavy eyes. She couldn't even remember falling asleep, but by the looks Sesshomaru and Izayoi were throwing her, something was wrong. She shot up, making the two jump slightly. "I'm pregnant?! I'm pregnant?!" Izayoi offered her a kind smile.

"Yes Dear, you are – please don't faint again," she added, seeing Kagome still looked nauseous.

"I-I fainted?" Sesshomaru nodded. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry I just…I was shocked is all, amidst all this I was…I'm really pregnant?" Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

"Yes, would you like me to scent you again just to be sure?" Kagome swallowed, shaking her head a little too quickly, making her world spin slightly.

"No, it's okay, I believe you I'm just…shocked." You've said that already, her mind told her, but she brought that down to nerves. How would Inuyasha react? Would he be happy? Would he be angry at her? She didn't know about how these things worked in demon society but in human society, good girls didn't get pregnant before they were married – and hadn't Inuyasha only said earlier that they weren't officially mated yet – 'mated' being the demon equivalent for marriage. Would Inuyasha – or his family for that matter, be mad at her for getting pregnant? She knew Inuyasha had some hand in it too (obviously) but it was her body the baby was growing in. What will I do if they don't want me to have it? If Inuyasha doesn't want me to have it? Her world was still spinning, and she felt like she needed to vomit again, not to mention this overwhelming panicked feeling was slowly rising up in her, creating a strange sense of claustrophobia – for some reason she needed Inuyasha.

"Where are we?" Kagome asked, gazing round with her slightly hazy vision, the arena-like hall surrounded by solid stone, hundreds of people gathered nearby, realising she, Izayoi and Sesshomaru were standing fairly close to the exit, the smell of damp attacking her senses, increasing her need to empty her stomach of its contents – or lack thereof.

"The Safe-house­, Kagome, we've been here for a while now…the sun went down after you passed out, the moon has been up for some time." Kagome swallowed hard. That meant Inuyasha still hadn't come back – and why couldn't they go back inside? That panic was really making itself known now, she felt like she was going to scream for no reason. She needed Inuyasha.

"I feel weird I – I am gonna – I need Inuyasha." Sesshomaru dropped slowly to his knees beside her.

"Father and Inuyasha have already sent word, Lady Kagome, they're alright. Inuyasha is quite wounded however, so when you see him, do not upset yourself, the wounds are not fatal." But apparently no matter what he said, she was panicking! He'd already been back here? Then why had he gone again? Why hadn't he stayed with her? Did he know she was pregnant and leave?

"But he – why didn't he stay with me? Wasn't he worried that I was-"

"-Kagome," Izayoi soothed, rubbing her back in knowing circular motions, decreasing the feeling of sickness slightly. Well she has been pregnant before, her mind supplied, she knows what she's doing I suppose... "Inuyasha didn't come back," the woman said gently, "Inu-no-Taishou and he sent word they were okay, just wounded, and that they were just initiating a final sweep of the castle to ensure no Revolutionaries are left, before we can all go back in." Kagome nodded, the words soothing her paranoid mind if nothing else. She still needed Inuyasha, she still needed to vomit, and she needed to calm down.

"Lord Sesshomaru." The demon lord got to his feet, meeting the eyes of one of the soldiers that had been on guard outside. "Demons approaching from the eastside."

"Identified as?"

"They could not be identified Sire-"

"-My Lord." Sesshomaru's gaze shifted to the second approaching demon, panting hard. This demon had been posted a little farther away, his heavy panting signifying that he'd run the distance. "My Lord, Lord Inu-no-Taishou and Lord Inuyasha approach from the east side, they are with two others, Sire." Sesshomaru nodded in understanding. Two others, which meant the other demons that had accompanied them had taken any prisoners back to the castle – no doubt making sure nothing else gets in, his mind supplied, as he watched the demons that were posted on guard dart back towards the castle in the distance, as the approaching demon lord and the others came closer – Inu-no-Taishou evidently having ordered them to return.

"Inuyasha? Inuyasha is back?" Kagome asked quickly, not feeling quite herself. She felt so weak and vulnerable all of a sudden – but that wasn't her! She was a priestess to a demon's village, not some weak little princess that needed to be looked after, that needed anything! Why did she feel so different? What was happening to her to make her feel so lost?

"Kagome!" The girl gasped as she felt the wind knocked out of her, welcoming arms encasing her in a tight embrace. "Gods…I had this feeling…when I was in the tunnels…I felt like…I felt you feeling…bad…" Kagome nodded, wetting her suddenly dry lips.

"I passed out…" Inuyasha froze in their embrace, and it shocked her to the core. Why had he stopped like that?

"Why?" his voice was quiet, calm, and yet it made her heart hammer – it scared her. How was she supposed to answer? What was she to say? If she told him would he be mad? After all…she was having his child out of wedlock – mate-lock, same difference. He was bound to be angry…who wouldn't be?

"I…I…"

"Kagome?" he pulled back, still embracing her, just enough to look upon her unusually pale face. "Kagome, what's wrong?"

"I…Promise…you won't be angry with me?" Inuyasha frowned. What had her so upset? "Inuyasha…" she said lowly, pressing her forehead into his chest. She leapt back, hearing his gasp of pain. "Oh my gods, Inuyasha," she gasped. A deep gash adorned the majority of the side of his face, a bloody engraving disturbing the pale honey-hued flesh, four long, deep rips into his torso staining his kimono with blood.

"Keh, its worse than it looks, don't fret over it woman. I can take more than this, even if I am only half demon."

Inu-no-Taishou's voice echoed through the hall, issuing comforting words and orders, the people occupying it gathering themselves up, streaming through the great archway that was the only exit, Inuyasha manoeuvring Kagome out of the way, unconsciously following his elder brother's lead, as he walked after him, Kagome by his side. The goings-on mere background noise to the two as they made slow progress back up the castle alongside the others, Inuyasha realised just how long she'd now been silent for, and began to worry at the over-anxiousness present in her face. It was only then he'd realised…he'd never seen her overly happy, or jittery with excitement, their very strong emotions had rushed in, knocking their feet out from under them, they hadn't had much time together like normal couples would, did she regret that? More to comfort himself than her, his hand reached out swiftly, taking hers in his, squeezing it reassuringly.

"You were talking earlier," he said under his breath, and she looked at him. "You asked me not to be angry with you? Kagome…you seem really…what's wrong?"

"I…Inuyasha…I'm…I'm pregnant…" Inuyasha's ears twitched. So his mother told her…and she didn't tell her he already knew? Well she did pass out, his mind supplied, perhaps before mother had the chance to add that part.

"And that…that's what you were upset about?" She was upset over that? Of course she was, who wouldn't be upset to carry the spawn of a half-demon… Kagome's eyes widened.

"No, I…I…you're not angry?" It was Inuyasha's turn to be shocked this time.

"Angry? Woman are you insane?" Kagome yelped as Inuyasha wrapped an arm tight round her waist, making her blush as his parents passed them by. "I love you, why would I be angry at having my baby inside you?" Kagome flushed again at that. He smirked at the crimson tint to her pale complexion, kissing her gently on her hand (preserving some of her modesty). "You stupid wench, if you ever get the stupid notion that I feel anything less than adoration for you…" Kagome smiled warmly up at him, her initial wooziness and all of her anxiety melting away gradually in his slight embrace.

"You called me stupid twice in once sentence," she joked.

"That's because you are stupid…" She raised a playful eyebrow.

"And you, the one with four gashes in his chest, isn't?" Inuyasha squeezed her tighter, growling quietly under his breath, making her giggle.

"I suppose…maybe we're both a little stupid…" he agreed.

"I'm inclined to agree with you, Little brother," Sesshomaru said in his usual monotone, "allowing your expectant woman to linger in the cold," his brother shook his head in a mock scolding, "that shall not do, after all, she is only human." Inuyasha's mouth tilted into a smirk.

"Feh."

"An ample retort, Little brother, as usual."

"Go fall in some mud – Sess," Sesshomaru's lip twitched at the nickname.

"Indeed, should I use this opportunity to discuss with Kagome, the times when my baby brother played in the mud he proposes I fall in – naked." Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror.

"You wouldn't?"

"At that time you could barely say my name, what was it my little fangless brother called me?"

"Sesshomaru-"

"-Sessomawu," he mouthed, not willing to sacrifice his dignity by saying it aloud.

"I WAS FIFTY YEARS OLD!"

"And naked…or have I already stated that part?" Sesshomaru said dully.

"HOW'S ABOUT I HIT YOUR NAKED HEAD WITH MY BARE PALM? JACKASS?!" Kagome gnawed her lower lip, trying not to laugh at Inuyasha rising to Sesshomaru's taunting.

"Miss Kagome?" Kagome turned, feeling very small as she found herself face-to-face with Lord Inu-no-Taishou, or more, Lord Inu-no-Taishou's chest. "Allow myself and Izayoi to escort you back to the castle," he offered kindly, offering his arm to steady her. Izayoi nodded gently from her place beside her mate, and Kagome swallowed nervously. Izayoi was one thing, but the demon lord himself? "We will walk you back, and you will discuss with us a little the future of my grandchild." Even with the teasing kindness in his gruff voice, Kagome couldn't help but feel daunted by those words, and exactly who the grandfather of her son or daughter was.

***

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, running her fingers along the length of the luxurious material.

"Yeah?" she sighed, hearing his distant response from the washroom connected to their bedroom.

"I…I don't think I can wear this…" She watched in the mirror's reflection as Inuyasha's head shot round the door.

"What? Why?"

"They're…they're way too delicate – not to mention expensive. I wouldn't feel right wearing it." The half-demon approached her from the doorway, glancing from her to the pink silk kimono she was holding.

"Expensive? Like that matters, who cares?"

"I do… It feels like…I'm being bought or something…" Inuyasha scowled at her.

"What? It's just a pretty piece of cloth! You only have to wear it for this one dinner so what's the problem?"

"The problem is I don't feel right in it. I'm a priestess not a princess." Inuyasha scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. Was this all those weird female hormones his mother warned him about? He could sense her anxiety when they were apart from each other – a symptom of her condition he'd always been aware of. Thanks to the baby inside her, a part of her felt like she needed to be protected by her mate, hence her odd, uncharacteristically anxious behaviour earlier. Not sure what other symptoms she may develop before this baby was born, all Inuyasha could safely say, was that he disliked these ones – and the vomiting – he disliked that as well, even though he hadn't realised when it had first happened that that was the reason for it.

"Listen…" he growled out, trying not to get angry at her, it wasn't her fault after all, "my mother doesn't have the luxury of having a pretty little girl to dress up, she wants to see you wearing these things, it's not a case of buying you." Kagome's fingers tightened slightly on the clothing in her hands.

"I'm not really used to such…pretty things, not really…" Inuyasha smirked at that, reaching round her slim form to hold the kimono up over her front.

"Well, you better get used to being showered with gifts, 'cause my family are crazy on it, especially since our child will be the first born in our line in over two centuries." Kagome sighed, defeated; taking the kimono from his hands and shedding the one she was currently dressed in.

Standing back by the fireside, Inuyasha pulled on a white and red formal kimono, tying it closed with the sash, all the while his golden eyes trained on his slowly undressing mate. Hazel eyes flickering to the mirror, Kagome saw Inuyasha's reflection give away his staring, flushing darkly, reluctantly stripping herself of her clothes, the priestess pulled the fresh pink garments closed on her flesh, shutting out the half-demon's view.

"Hey," she said softly with an embarrassed smile, "a little privacy here?" His suddenly very lustful smirk broadened, moving slowly over to her, running clawed fingers over her currently flat stomach.

"Yeah, I better stop looking, or I'll lose control…" he breathed into the shell of her ear, causing it to flush. "And we don't wanna be late to this dinner…" Kagome frowned.

"What's the occasion?" She watched him smile again in the mirror.

"Pretty much you. This is the first dinner you'll attend here, ever, since so far you've eaten here in my room. Plus, it's an announcement thing, like a – traditional acceptance banquet – my family members have to accept you, and then a demon priest has to bless our union so we can go forward with the ceremony." Kagome's eyes widened at that.

"C-Ceremony?" He laughed slightly.

"Yeah, don't look so afraid, it's not like a blood-letting or something – it's our mating ceremony. Don't blush like that either; it's just – like your human wedding but done differently." She nodded in comprehension.

"When will it be?"

"Umm, well the mating ceremony usually occurs on the first full moon after the…physical consummation of the relationship…" Her brow furrowed. She had been priestess to a demon slayer's village, but her knowledge of demon rituals were slim, and she knew even less about moon cycles, which she did know dog-demons practically set their calendar by. At the perplexed look on her face he added, "And that's tonight. That's why my mother gave you that kimono to wear – it's a traditional garment that is to be worn on this night."

"But…this…this isn't the one she wore? That night was over two-hundred years ago, wasn't it?" Inuyasha shook his head.

"Of course it isn't hers, the tradition is that the male's – or dominant partner's parent makes it for the submissive partner. Get it?" Kagome gnawed her fingernail slightly.

"I get it, so your mother made it for the day when you'd mate, right?" Inuyasha nodded. "I think I've heard of that – it's done as a ritual when you reach maturity, right?" Again, he nodded. "So…when was that?" He gave her an uncharacteristic lecherous grin. "I didn't mean it like that."

"I'm sure you didn't…in any case, that was around seventy years ago…"

"And this kimono survived that long?" Inuyasha narrowed his eyes in amusement.

"It was made with a spider-demon's silk; all silk outfits are commissioned from them in this family." He laughed slightly, Kagome only just remembering that both Inu-no-Taishou and Sesshomaru's outfits seemed to be solely from silk. Why not? She thought, it wasn't as if money was a problem when the master of the house was Lord of the Western lands.

***

Kagome was grateful for the eternal life promised to her by mating with Inuyasha…she figured it'd take her that long to learn her way around this castle! When the time came to face the dinner, Kagome found her head spinning as if on a swivel to take in the luxurious surroundings. She let out a long, deep sigh as Inuyasha inclined his head curtly to the guards either side of the grand doors, as they opened them for the intended couple. Her heart leapt up into her throat as she saw the elongated table that stretched across the room, the seats filled with…far too many people. Most of which she had no idea who they were.

"Lord Inuyasha and Lady Kagome," the guard announced as the half-demon and the priestess made their way across the room, Kagome's head lowered, trying her hardest not to trip, or to show herself – and Inuyasha – up in any way. Inuyasha frowned as she dropped her gaze, raising his own to make sure he caught the gaze of every single person in that room. They were to be left in no doubt who they'd be screwing with if he saw so much as one malicious whisper go behind a hand, or one judgemental look…

"Raise your eyes…" Inuyasha growled out to her under his breath, so that only she could hear. "You got nothing to look away for…" Just as she raised her eyes to him, he stopped her subtly with his arm on her shoulder, pulling out the chair beside his mother for her to sit on. Receiving a warm smile from Izayoi, the girl swallowed hard, trying to drown some of her nerves, taking her seat, meeting Sesshomaru's eyes across the table. Whilst Inuyasha took the seat opposite her, Kagome felt her legs jitter nervously under the table, looking to her right, Izayoi taking that place, which was on Inu-no-Taishou's left, the lord himself with Sesshomaru at his right (meaning the stoic eldest son of the demon lord was opposite Izayoi) beside him seated Inuyasha, who, noting his intended's angst, promptly nudged her foot under the table with his own. 'Okay?' he mouthed to her, receiving a nod, and a nervous smile. Alright, she thought resolutely, I just have to get through this…shouldn't be too hard…

"May I just say," she cringed at that smooth, courteous voice, turning to face the speaker on her left, "how well that colour suits you, Lady Kagome." Kagome could sense Inuyasha's sneer from across the table, but Izayoi interjected first.

"Kagome looks beautiful in anything, Lord Eisuke. Though she's not feeling herself this evening, perhaps she shouldn't talk too much." Eisuke threw the woman another of his feigned polite looks.

"Indeed, Lady Izayoi I must say that I-"

"-Lady Izayoi, Lady Kagome-" they looked up, meeting two women who busied themselves with setting steaming plates of food before the two of them. "Be careful My Ladies, they're very hot." Izayoi nodded her thanks, giving Kagome a reassuring look as the servants removed the lids from the trays.

Kagome had never been poor as such, had never gone hungry or anything as extreme as that, but she had never seen so much food that had made her mouth water so – never seen any that had clearly required such determined preparation. And yet all she could do was stare at it.

"Kagome? Is this food all to your liking?" The priestess nodded furiously at Inuyasha's mother.

"It's wonderful, but…why are we the only ones being served?" The woman patted her hand softly.

"Because the others don't eat human food, well, save for Inuyasha he does have some human in him after all." Sure enough, at her words, the half-demon was presented with his dishes, lips offering her a reassuring smirk.

She found her human appetite (which was larger than usual – probably due to the fact that it was Inuyasha's baby inside her) was not in the least affected when the dishes for the demons attending were brought out – raw meat. While it was true, the demon lords and ladies ate…genteelly, it was still bound to repulse any normal human, but not her. She didn't know whether to be proud or disturbed by that notion.

"Izayoi?" Kagome asked quietly, when her plate had been cleared. "Why is that girl eating human food?" Izayoi looked up from her all but clear dinner plate, looking over to the girl in question, who was far down the opposite end of the table, nearly at the end.

"She's one of the higher up servants, one of the ones that are seated at this table. She's human as well."

"Oh…" Not realising there were other humans here besides her and Izayoi, she supposed she should have expected it. After all, Inu-no-Taishou was fighting for equality wasn't he? Why would he be fussy about employing humans? Besides, she thought, what safer place for a human in the western lands to live, under the honourable Lord's rule? "Does she have a name?" Izayoi smiled, making Kagome think she should've worded the question less…stupidly.

"I believe it's Takaya…well, that was her family name, I'm not sure what her given name is. Why is it you ask?" Kagome shrugged softly, looking away from the slim, dark-haired girl as she caught the two ladies glancing over at her.

"She just seemed…so sad, and nobody was talking to her either…like she didn't exist…" Her worrying, however, was cut short, as Inu-no-Taishou got to his feet, tapping his glass with his claw loudly, making the sound ring through the hall. Silencing the guests, who mostly had very sensitive hearing.

"I just have a few things to say this evening." His sons looked up to him, one of them with that usual complacence in his eyes, the other with slight apprehensiveness. "First of all, thank you, My Lord, and Ladies, for blessing us with your presence on this fine night. Secondly, I apologise – to everybody, about the breech in security earlier today. As you well know, it is a rare occurrence, but with the revolutionaries bearing some of my once most trusted warriors…we failed to anticipate an attack… It will not happen again…" the demon lord's golden gaze flickered briefly to his mate, offering her an assuring smile.

"Thirdly, on a lighter note…I am happy to announce the mating of my youngest son, Lord Inuyasha, and his betrothed, Lady Kagome." Kagome's faced enflamed, lowering her eyes to the table in embarrassment. Seeing her gaze's descent, Inuyasha gave her foot another nudge under the table, causing her to look up and give him a nervous smile. "And I am also happy to announce the conception of my first grandchild." And that did it. She wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole! It wasn't that she was ashamed…she just…felt humiliated by being singled out like that! Why didn't he just come out and say: My son and this girl had sex? That was practically what he'd just announced to the fifty odd guests at the table. Her face flushed darker, if that were possible, fingers tightening angrily into the chair, the actual emotion not present on her face.

Frowning as he felt his mate's humiliation and anger rise from within her, Inuyasha tilted his head slightly at her. Izayoi squeezed Kagome's shoulder gently.

"Kagome? Kagome are you alright?" Kagome shook her head, her body shaking – from anger. No one in the hall could tell why she was acting so strangely…besides Inuyasha…

"No I – I think I need some air."

"Of course," Inu-no-Taishou said this time, motioning his head towards Inuyasha, giving them both permission to leave the table. Steadying her on her feet, the half-demon walked with her down the length of the hall, the weight of everyone's gazes upon them never wavering until the doors were shut tight behind them. The light, evening breeze rustled his silver hair, as he and Kagome turned into the gardens, manoeuvring over to the ornate water fountain they seemed to find themselves unconsciously returning to.

"You were upset…" he stated, watching her rest on the stonework surrounding the fountain. "I smelt you…and felt you…you were angry…and-"

"-Humiliated," she added quietly.

"Why?" She turned so quickly it made him jump, her sweet face seething with anger.

"Why? Why? Your father announces it like that – in front of dozens of people I don't even know and you ask me 'why'?!"

"K-Kagome, what're you-"

"-Excuse me for not wanting demon upper-class society to know we slept together!"

"Kagome," he said, still mentally wincing from her harsh anger that was tearing at him from the inside, his voice still calm. "He just announced our mating, and the baby, is that so wrong?" Her hazel eyes, flaming with fury widened, the woman leaping to her feet.

"Is that so wrong? Human girls don't go around announcing who they slept with, Inuyasha! Don't you understand? Humans don't do…that…what we did…out of wedlock, and we're not mated yet and…and besides that…" Inuyasha reached forward, slightly skittish, hands resting on her shoulders gently.

"It's just a tradition, a demon tradition, alright? The mating is announced on the banquet at the night of the ceremony. And when a pup is conceived, the family celebrate it, along with the neighbouring Lords and their families. There's nothing wrong with it." He said it all very matter-of-factly, which only added fuel to her fire.

"A demon tradition, Inuyasha! Demons! I'm human remember? You – You knew this would happen tonight, didn't you?" Inuyasha nodded, his brow still creased with confusion. "Why couldn't you be a bit more sensitive to what I am?!"

"Kagome, stop it. You're overreact-"

"-Overreacting? I'm overreacting? Maybe you should realise that there are two of us in this relationship, Inuyasha, and I should be consulted before the fact that I lost my virginity is broadcasted to the world!"

"What so you're ashamed of me?"

"No! I'm ashamed of myself, you idiot!" He flinched at that, taking a step back slightly, releasing his hold on her shoulders.

"Of…yourself?" She nodded, gasping for breath at so much shouting, angry tears streaking down her cheeks.

"T-Those…those demons in there…they all know what happened in the dungeons…what Katsura made me…"

"Kagome?" he asked softly, reaching to touch her face, but she pulled away.

"Don't you see that this is just making it worse? I'm not…some slut…but they think I am…and they think I sold myself to you for your father's protection…I know they do…and I can't stand the way they talk to me, the way they speak behind their hands as if I'm not there, the way they stare. I saw that girl Takaya down the table – she looked like me! Lost, confused, judged, because she was a human. I'm not ashamed of you, or this baby…I'm ashamed that you both have to be laboured with a weak human like me as a-" She cut off, ardent lips crashing against hers in a determined kiss, leaving her breathless.

"I wouldn't trade you for a thousand demonesses…I love you…I don't care what you say…after what you've faced, and survived – you're not weak at all… It's scary how strong you are…"

She bit her lip, feeling his arms snake around her waist. "I've faced these whispers, these judgements all my life…and all I wanted was for them to stop…but now all I want…is you…" He paused, stroking the rogue strands of ebony away from her face. "It won't be like this all the time, I promise…they'll always be narrow-minded bastards who overstep their mark…but we'll get through it, alright? Together?" She nodded quickly, leaning back in to brush her tear-stained cheek against his kimono. "Kagome…?"

"Hmm…"

"Tonight is our ceremony."

"I know."

"You don't have to…if you don't want to…I'll understand, I mean…its forever, so…" she pulled back to look upon his face, the half-demon anticipating heartbreak. "I'll still look after you and the baby; you don't need to mate me if you're not absolutely sure." She smiled, fingers winding the silver tresses that lay over his shoulders round softly.

"Eternity with you? What about that have I to refuse…?" she said, offering him a coquettish smile.

TBC

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A/N: Ta Da! Hope you liked. Leave me some nice comments Please ^_^

Shigure-san

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