Kagome woke to the gentle rays of dawn and the soft singing of birds. She felt well rested, warm and content for the first time since running from the palace. Kagome felt oddly content, and she didn't quite understand why until she opened her eyes.
She opened her eyes to find her pillow to be Sesshoumaru's chest. His face, still open in slumber, inches from her face and his arm around her waist. Shippou was curled up on Sesshoumaru's chest as well and Rin was on his other side. Kagome smiled at her little family. Finally, she had a pack.
"I wondered why it had gotten harder to breathe during the night," Sesshoumar murmured jokingly. Through their new bond, Kagome could feel that Sesshoumaru was truly content with this situation.
"You had better get used to it, pack cuddles are what I have longed for since Papa died," Kagome told him with a smile.
"Why is that?" Sesshoumau asked, confusion showing through the bond.
"Sesshoumaru, did your parents never cuddle with you?" Kagome asked, sitting up a little, though she was careful not to disturb her sleeping companions.
Sesshoumaru raised one eyebrow. Neither of his parents were particularly present in his life, and neither of them were very cuddly- which is current behavior proved.
"Sweetheart, cuddling like this raises pack connections. It helps strengthen the bonds between them. Did you not know that?" Kagome figured that he wasn't very close to his parents, but to think he missed out on that crucial part of family bonding broke her heart.
"Do not pity me, Kagome. It is a good thing to know for future pups," Sesshoumaru waved her off.
Kagome sighed and gently untangled herself from her family. "I think we're going to hang around here for a few more days so you can get your strength back. I wanted to stock up on herbs while we're here," Kagome told him softly, pulling on her outer kimono.
Sesshoumau sighed, weighed down by the children. He wouldn't say the weight was unpleasant, he was becoming quite found of them.
Kagome basked in the sunshine outside the hut.
"Good morning, 'Gome!" Sango called. She was already dressed for training and Kagome could see the fire in her eyes.
"Morning, Sango. You want a sparing partner?" Kagome asked, flexing her claws.
"Sounds great," Sango said with a huge smile.
0808
The kids were now up and moving around, Rin chasing Shippou in a small game of tag, when suddenly there was a small commotion.
"What is going on?" Sesshoumau asked, he listened closely but couldn't quite understand what everyone was so excited about.
"Huh? Oh, Momma is probably sparing Sango. Sango is one of the toughest fighters in the village so the only time she really gets any practice is when Momma is around. The whole village likes to watch. It almost looks like two demons fighting," Shippou told him with a small smile.
"Hm," Sesshoumaru hummed. "Would you show me where they spar? It sounds quite interesting."
0808
On the edge of the village was a large clearing meant for training, though currently there were only two occupants on the field. Kagome stood at one end in an outfit that matched Sango's, only with black plates. Sango stood on the other end, her sword drawn and ready to lunge.
"You ready, Sango?" Kagome called to her friend.
"Don't you dare go easy on me, Kagome," Sango called back before breaking into a sprint in Kagome's direction.
Sesshoumaru sat on the roof, watching the two women fight in fascination. He could tell from the slayers first move that the kit had been correct in his comparison. Kagome fought bare-handed, her goal simply to get passed Sango's sword and guard. Sesshoumau could understand why this was seen as a spectators sport- it took most of Sesshoumaru's advanced eyesight to keep track of them. Kagome's movements were fluid and precise, while Sango's were well calculated and smooth. It was cleat that they were trained by the same master. Between the clashes of metal against claws and grunts of exertion, Sesshoumaru could hear slight giggles coming from both girls.
"They truly are friends," Sesshoumaru muttered to himself.
Finally the battle ended with Kagome's hand wrapped firmly around Sango's throat and Sango's sword at Kagome's jugular. There was applause throughout the clearing as the fight ended. Sesshoumaru stayed where he was on his perch until both women were out of danger and had bowed to their audience.
"Sesshoumaru! What the hell are you doing up there?" Kagome called, seeing her injured mate not only away from the hut, but up high.
"Watching," Sesshoumaru said simply, refusing to start a scene in front of so many people. He gracefully jumped from the roof and landed in front of his angry mate. He could feel her irritation, but above all her concern for him. "I'm fine, you shouldn't worry so much," he whispered to her.
"Sesshoumaru, you had your arm cut off, dealt with a poison you couldn't combat, and slept for a week. I'm sorry for not believing you on your health status," Kagome told him.
He rolled his eyes but offered her his arm. She took him and started leading him into the forest.
"You fought beautifully," Sesshoumaru commented, allowing her to lead him where ever she chose.
"Thank you. This is where I learned to fight, and how to garden," she said as the path opened into a well tended herb garden. "Sango's brother, Kohaku, takes care of it while I'm gone. We sell the herbs while we travel around to help get money and supplies for the village," Kagome explained, kneeling down to gather the full grown herbs.
Sesshoumaru walked to the other end of the clearing and took a seat with his back to a fallen tree.
He watched as she gathered herbs and flowers into a basket that had been stashed there earlier. Sesshoumaru could feel how content she was, tending her garden with him by her side. Her emotions caused a joy he had never known to fill his soul.
"Do you think we should wait to complete the bond until after this is over?" Kagome asked suddenly.
"How do you mean?" Sesshoumaru asked, unsure where she was going with this.
"I mean, do you think we should wait until we can do the noble's ceremony. I mean I don't want anyone to question our mating because we didn't follow all the 'proper' ways," Kagome said, not meeting his eyes.
Sesshoumaru growled, making Kagome jump. "I care not what others would say. However, I do think we should not rush this. I care for you and the kit a great deal," Sesshoumaru informed her.
Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru, her eyes were watering a little but he could feel the happiness flowing through their bond. "Thank you, koi."
Sesshoumaru was surprised at her use of a pet name, but what surprised him most what how much he enjoyed it. He smiled gently and leaned back with his eyes closed. Before too long Shippou and Rin made their way to the garden and, with Kagome's encouragement, helped her finish picking herbs.
Sesshoumaru was sure that this was a moment he would remember forever, the sound of his mate and pups calmly tending a garden. Here there was no war, no pain, no responsibilities, just his little family. All was right with the world for that short hour.
Kagome sighed sadly, sensing their peace coming to an end as she sensed Gou coming closer.
"Kagome?" Gou called.
"Yes?" Kagome replied not figuring she would like whatever her mentor had to say.
Gou came through the trees, his face bleak. "There was a letter addressed to you that was just delivered by bird. We don't know where it's from, nor have we opened it, the bird was just directed to find you," he explained, handing Kagome the rolled parchment.
Kagome sniffed at the letter cautiously, looking for a sign of who sent it.
"It's from Momma," she said surprised. She broke the wax seal and read the letter aloud.
"Kagome,
The North got word from the West today saying that Lord Sesshoumaru has stepped down from his position and that you had betrayed the West. I do not believe a single word of it. If you get this then know the North is behind you and Sesshoumaru. We do not know the full story, but according to a few refugees from the West we know that the lord has been double crossed. When you are ready to counter send us word.
Long live the union of the North and West. Take care my darling.
Momma.
P.S. Souta will not being joining in the battle no matter how much he pleads. I know you do not want him in danger for your sake.
P.S.S. The bird is yours to keep. He is loyal and will always come back. You may need him."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "It is good to know we have strong allies. However, I was not aware they considered the treaty finished," Sesshoumaru stated slightly confused.
"That may have been me. I sent a letter to Mom over a month ago saying even if we don't mate I had no intention of leaving. I said you were honorable and I would work wherever you had need of me. She must have taken it to the council and considered it done," Kagome explained, getting to her feet and holding a hand out to Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru took her hand, but instead of getting up he pulled her down, causing her to let out a small squeak of surprise.
"Even after my dishonorable behavior, I still somehow earned the loyalty of someone such as you," he whispered to her.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. "I knew from the beginning you never meant it. You were resentful of the situation, not of me."
Sesshoumaru smiled and let the other Inu up. "This Sesshoumaru is a lucky demon to have such a wonderful mate," he said softly.
"I told you so, but you didn't listen to me." Shuen butted in. Sesshoumaru, for once, didn't argue, just chuckled a little.
"You did."
"Come on, let's get these back to the village," Kagome told the children and her mate.
"Yes, we still have much to do before we leave," Sesshoumau agreed.
"Come on, Rin! First one there wins!" Shippou called, taking off on the path, Rin right on his heels, laughing the whole way.
"I wish it could stay this way," Kagome said wistfully, her and Sesshoumaru following the kids at a slower pace.
"I agree. However, life must continue and I fear for the state of the West while Taro is in control," Sesshoumaru sighed.
"You're right, Koi. Responsibilities await us. A war is coming, and it's coming fast."
Hi guys! This chapter is once again edited by the wonderful Dorkfishe97, if you don't know who she is, you should check her out. I am amazed by the support you guys have given me. If it wasn't for your continuous favorites, follows, and reviews, I probably would have already given up on this. You guys are awesome. I posted the first part to a short fic I'm working on, if you want to go read that, and I will talk to you guys in the next update, bye-bye!