Okay then, this is it. I guess you've all been waiting for, eh?

There is no excuse for why I kept putting this off. I just couldn't think of what to write next since Lemons are very difficult for me...I'm sorry. Please read.

Chapter Ten

"Kagome!"

Shooting the last of the targets Rin had flung into the air, Kagome set down her bow and turned to the owner of the voice, sending a small bit of her reiki across her skin to dry any sweat. Ever since her powers had been returned, she had taken to practicing them when time would allow. It felt good to be able to see the soft pink glow of her purity again, and not feel so helpless when alone. She remembered the look on Sesshoumaru's face when she had given off a shock wave after a getting...excited from his ministrations one night. Everyone in the castle had felt it actually, putting the castle on full alert until Sesshoumaru sent Jaken to clear things up. She knew that she shouldn't be exhibiting any sort of power whatsoever until they saw Naraku, but here in the underground cavern near the castle shouldn't be too risky.

Her change had indeed brought some changes. As of their return, Sesshoumaru would be giving her lessons on how to control the youki she now possessed. Before there had been the summit, and today he was doing whatever it was that he need to do before leaving the castle once more. The mere thought of him training her to do anything made her anxious. She wanted to prove herself above all, and not keep him away from his duties elsewhere with her inexperience.

"Oh, Sango," The Inu-Miko smiled to her friend, extending and arm for Rin to slip under as she neared. "Is everything done?"

"Yes, Sesshoumaru sent me to get you," the slayer smiled shyly. "Uh, so...you're really going to leave?"

"Why are you the one nervous? I thought that you and Miroku...?" She had known the two were intimate, hell she'd actually heard them a few times.

"Well?That doesn't make me a pervert like him," she retorted, blushing. "I...I just wanted to tell you that it's not so bad."

Kagome cocked her head to the side, smiling happily. This was probably difficult for Sango. She was a very modest woman with a not so very modest husband. Well, they weren't officially married yet...but... "Oh," Keeping the curious Rin at her side in mind, she responded, "Thank you. I have been a bit nervous, but I know that he'll take good care of me,"

The slayer nodded, crossing her arms. "Well then, let's go. Shippo and Inuyasha finished sparring awhile ago and I think that he's been chomping at the bit to get to Rin."

Surprised at being suddenly brought into the conversation, Rin, flushed and looked away. "Wh-where is he?"

"He's in the gardens with Miroku. The monk is probably tainting him with..." Sango paused as if just realizing something, "I have to go," With that, the taijya charged out of the cave, promising dark things under her breath. Kagome shook her head and patted Rin's head.

"Go on, Shippo may need rescuing,"

The young woman ran after Sango, laughing happily while Kagome followed at a more leisurely pace. The day was warm and nice, her bags were packed, and all she need to do was change and get going. She entered the castle briskly, making it up to Sesshoumaru's study in less than a minute. He was speaking curtly to Jaken, who looked utterly frightened. Usually, the toad had some aura of fear when near the Taiyoukai, but this was strange. When he finished, he waved him away and turned to Kagome.

"You will depart in that?" he asked, a slight smirk on his lips.

"No, I'm going to change right now,"

Sesshoumaru leaned back in his chair, resting his arms on the armrests, "Come here before you do,"

"There?" she pointed to him, and he nodded. The start of a blush that would stay on her cheeks for a while surfaced as she obeyed and settled in his lap. "Why was Jaken so scared? Did you do something to him?"

"Nonsense," he smoothed back her hair, tracing his nose across the rim of her ear. "I merely told him that Inuyasha would be in charge while we were away."

Kagome sat up straight, turning to gawk at him. "You're going to let him? I thought you hated him?"

The Taiyoukai looked away, "That is not exactly the case. I simply enjoy fighting with him. But...let's not talk about the hanyou for a few moments..." he pulled her closer, intent on receiving his morning kiss.

Inuyasha's ears twitched as he stared up into the warm afternoon sun. It had been an anxious morning, what with the other Lords departing. An argument of the likes which he had never seen had sprung up between Tsukiri and her brother, and it was one that made Kagome seem, even in her fieriest temper, demure. Station and familial ties were forgotten while the two went at it, snarling and growling in Tora at one another until Sesshomaru arrived at some point with Kagome. Immediately, she went to shock the both of them with her reiki, but he stopped her.

"Have you forgotten your duties?" he had whispered to her, no one else paying much attention to the two, but Inuyasha had been. "You have been sealed,"

She gave a soft huff of annoyance, but stepped away. "Okay,"

He had taken care of the situation, but it was still in his head. What had that meant, anyway? He knew that Kagome's powers had been sealed by Kikyou, and that they should have returned when she was changed. Surely her Miko powers hadn't been eliminated altogether with the youki in her body? What were her powers like now? He'd heard that she had gotten her powers from their future pup or whatever, but did it mean that she had Sesshomaru's powers since technically it was from him? Rolling over onto his stomach, he pushed the thoughts from his mind. Thinking too deeply into things wasn't something he liked doing often, especially now that he had something...better to think about. He was itching to go find Naraku and Kikyou so that he could get down to business with Tsukiri. It was hard to believe that his destined mate would've escaped him had he never...

Sitting up, he peered over the edge of the balcony he watched Tsukiri talking to Sango, talking animatedly about something. A smirk crept upon his features. Had he never made that mistake with Kikyou, Kagome would've never came to Sesshomaru, and he would've never found out about her. Or would he have...? But then he would've been mated to Kagome and...

"Oi, Inuyasha!" Tsukiri beckoned him, and he went without hesitation. As he landed, she leaned over and kissed his cheek, making Sango flush. "We have to go see Lord Sesshoumaru and Kagome off,"

The hanyou rolled his eyes, "Keh, I don't get why they can't just do it here so we can get going! I mean-"

"Oh stop, Inuyasha," the princess slapped his arm. "We most certainly will be doing the same thing, so just shut it,"

The taijya abruptly walked off, startling the Prince. "S-Sango? Where are you going?"

Turing to them with a red face, Sango glared. "To find that stupid monk and then see our friends off. Also...I just can't get used to you flirting with someone..." she shuddered. She had forgiven him after Kagome spent a full night explaining everything to him. Her and Miroku were staying at the castle until the final battle, and then they would return to Kaeade's and settle down.

She crossed the large expanse of training ground to circle around the gardens to get to the front of the castle. There, amidst the large rose bushes, she found Miroku chatting rather smugly with a red faced Shippo. It didn't take long for her suspicions to be confirmed, so she immediately stomped over and bashed him with her boomerang.

"Listen to me, monk!" she growled, "Seeing as to how Shippo is more than twice our age, I'm pretty sure that he knows just how to...'handle' his wife."

Nursing a growing bump, Miroku flashed her a mischievous smile. "Dear Sango, what a dirty mind. I was merely telling our friend what we've been up to while everyone was here. I think you are the pervert here,"

Turning a lovely shade of crimson, the taijya looked to Shippo, who refused to meet her eyes. She gasped, "What did you tell him! Monk, if you told him everything...!"

"I have to go see Momma off," Shippo bounded off, scaling the wall upwards until he found a balcony he could enter. Below, Sango leaned heavily against her weapon, trying to cool off her face. Miroku wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to cover her.

"Let go of me," she struggled weakly, utter ashamed. "I can't believe I made such a fool of myself in front of him."

"Oh come now, Sango," he stroked the side of her face, "I had only gotten to the part when we stopped at that cave while it was raining.."

"Ugh...!" she shook her head and moved away from him. "Let's...let's just go so that we can see Kagome one last time before they..."

"Mate?"

"No, 'leave'," she started to pull away, but he pleaded for her to at least hold his hand. She obliged, and they headed off, arriving just in time to see a blushing Kagome and smug Sesshomaru say their farewells to Rin. Well, Sesshomaru was ticking off a list of things that needed to be done to Jaken, while Kagome had spoken soothingly to a nervous Rin.

"Are you sure it'll be okay?" the girl fidgeted with the sleeves of her kimono, her cheeks pink. Kagome gave her hands a reassuring squeeze.

"When I get back, we'll have a long talk about...mating. I think I'll be quite knowledgeable about it then," she glanced shyly at Sesshomaru, who paused to give her a smoldering look.

"You shall," was all he said before returning to Jaken. Kagome turned crimson, standing stiffly and starting to mess with the hem of her sleeves.

This was really happening. She was really about to...mate...with the great Sesshomaru of the western lands...If someone had told her three years ago that this would happen she'd probably smack them one good. Now it was, nerve wracking. He had told her to bring nothing, and that had seemed mystifying when he'd said it, but now it was scary. Just what did he have up his sleeve, anyway?

"Kagome!" Tsukiri and Inuyasha appeared, dragging the hanyou behind her. Miroku and Sango were not far behind. "Oi, don't forget anything I taught you!"

"About what!" Inuyasha demanded, eying her suspiciously.

"Answer, Princess." Even Sesshomaru, who was finally done, stood next to his Miko. "What have you 'taught' Kagome and just what methods did you use?"

"That's a secret," Tsukiri put a finger to her lips and winked. "Now, run along you two. Remember that you're keeping us from a little 'consummating' too."

"Ah, Tsukiri...!" Kagome began, but Sesshomaru slid an arm around her waist and pulling her flush against him. He started to walk away but paused. Looking over his shoulder, his eyes slid to his younger brother.

"Try not to destroy the castle, Inuyasha," he said sharply, "I have left you in charge, so do not fail me,"

Everyone looked to him, seeing him flush and sputter. "Fine! Jeez, just go off with Kagome before Naraku decides to attack us,"

Suddenly, to everyone's acute disbelief, there was a lurch. A deep rumble reached their ears, causing them to turn to face the horizon. It had been sunny just moments before, but was now a dark purple. A shock wave resonated through each of them, giving away just who the source was.

"Naraku,"

"Dammit!" Tsukiri wailed. "But...that can't happen! I was this close to having my puppy!"

Inuyasha's eyes went to his brother's, cringing at the naked annoyance in his features. Sesshoumaru drew Bakusaiga in one swift move and swung away from them through the palace gates. There was nothing there, but he could tell that the swung held a great deal of frustration that the Taiyoukai had accumulated in the past ten seconds. Although there was nothing to hit, a furious youki exploded from the shaft of the blade, and the effect was akin to Sesshoumaru through a tornado.

"Naraku be damned, I am taking you as my mate today," he said to his Miko, his words promising and dark.

"Then we will have to give it our all," Kagome whispered, sorely put out as well. "Well then, you're going?"

He nodded and started forward, glancing at Inuyasha. "Let us go, half-breed,"

"What! But what about Kagome!" he yelled after his retreating back, "We need her and the others for this fight!"

"Exactly, Inuyasha," she said calmly, "but you and Sesshoumaru are going to scout ahead, and make sure that he doesn't get away. I have to tell Jaken to rally the troops and get everyone else. Right?"

Sesshoumaru gave her a very guarded look as he nodded. Kagome flashed him a look of understanding and stepped back, "Hn,"

"Right!" she smiled and nudged Inuyasha. "Hurry up, we'll meet you there,"

She sounded a little too calm though. Annoyed, but calmer than she'd normally be in a situation like this. Suspicion flecked in the hanyou's eyes. "Alright, you can just tell me. Is this another one of your prediction things?"

Kagome was quiet for a moment, her and her mate-to-be making eye contact. "Maybe?"

"Keh, whatever. As long as I still got this wench then you can do whatever-"

"Inuyasha!" Tsukiri yelled, swinging at him, he dodged and landed next to Sesshoumaru. The two took off in a blur of white and scarlet, leaving an angry Tora and a suddenly panicking Miko.

"Oh no...!" she whimpered. "Why now? Why...why!"

"Kagome?" Tsukiri placed a hand on her shoulder, "Being a Lady isn't that hard. You just have to tell Jaken-"

She waved it off, "No...no I'm not nervous about that. I just hope that I do this right. Now, let's go get the others. I'm sure they already felt this."

Sure enough, when the two started back, Sango and Miroku ran up, weapons at the ready and tensed. "Kagome," the taijya began with sympathy. The Inu-Miko was quick to cut her off.

"It's fine. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha have gone ahead. I need to tell Jaken to put the castle on guard while before we go." she turned to Tsukiri, "Actually, why don't you all go after them?"

"What about you?" Tsukiri asked, her brows furrowed.

"I'll go with Shippo," she waved her hands, "Please, go and make sure that they're okay..."

"Right," Miroku said and nodded to Sango. The two started off but paused when Tsukiri did not follow. The Tora gazed at Kagome with her head cocked to the side. "Princess,"

"Ah, yes, I'm coming," she head was the last thing to turn away as she left, eyeing Kagome with slight confusion. As soon as she was sure they were out of hearing, she let out a breath.

"Okay," she took deep breaths and dashed into the castle. She nearly collided with Shippo and Rin as they hurtled down the stone steps. "Momma! I felt Naraku, and I came down-"

"Shippo, I need you to listen to me very carefully. Tell Jaken to put the castle on guard and stay here. I need you to protect everyone here, okay?" she cupped his face. "I'm going to follow the others,"

"Alone? No way Momma, I'll-" he started but she put a claw tipped finger to his lips.

"Please?"

The kitsune held his breath for moment and then sighed, "Alright, but be careful,"

"It's been years since I've needed protection in battle, and you know that I'm not really..." she gestured and he gave a look of understanding. "We'll all be back Shippo. Rin, make sure he does everything,"

Rin nodded and with anxiety, watched her pull the longbow off her back, rest and arrow on the string and sweep from the grounds. Shippo looked to his soon to be mate and frowned.

"I'll follow her as soon as everything is set."

It was not long before she sensed her. She was not a mile from the castle when Kikyou walked from the trees into Kagome's path, relaxed and a smug look on her face. However, when they were close enough to each other, the sneer faded as the dead priestess sensed the youki laced around her natural aura.

"I see." she said with disgust. "You couldn't have Inuyasha so you whore yourself out to his brother. How pathetic,"

Kagome staggered back, gasping. "K-Kikyou...! What do you want from me? Haven't you done enough?"

"You were supposed to die from being shot by that arrow. Just how did you heal with your powers sealed?" she cupped her elbow and put a hand on her chin as if to think. "Perhaps that well did something. Nevertheless, your powers are gone and you are defenseless."

"So you've come to kill me then? Or attempt to again?" Kagome tried to play frightened as much as she could without being ridiculous. She notched an arrow and pointed it shakily at the clay pot.

"Not yet," she murmured, paying no attention to the arrow aimed at her, "I will posses you and see what fun could be had in your body before I attempt to kill Inuyasha's brother, thereby making him cut you down. You're just a whore, so why would he hesitate?"

"No, you will not,"

"You will stop me? With what power?" Kikyou sighed and began to circle Kagome, looking her with increasing confusion. By the time she was before her again, Kagome was smiling.

"I'm glad you asked," she smiled gently, as if dealing with a child, "You see, Kikyou, I'm actually thankful to you," she nodded at the flicker of surprise in the corpses eyes. "Yes. If you had never tricked Inuyasha in the woods that night, I would've probably never realized that I was meant for Sesshoumaru, and Inuyasha would've never found Princess Tsukiri."

"What? What Princess?" she asked, her brows furrowing.

"The one who will be his mate when I finally crush you."

"Nonsense. When you are out of the way, Inuyasha will come back to me!"

"He will not,"

"Shut up!" she flew at Kagome, nails poised to scratch. Kagome moved aside and grabbed her hair, swinging her about so that she could drag her through the dirt.

"I was stronger than you before as a mere Miko. How will you stand a chance against me with the blood of my mate in me?"

Black eyes wide with disbelief, Kikyou shook her head, "Lies..."

Kagome shook her head with her, "It doesn't matter what you think. You are about to die,"

Ten miles away, Sesshoumaru neatly dodged a tentacle, having to kick Inuyasha out of the way of one coming towards him. The hanyou stared at him, completely blank. He knew that look, but couldn't dwell on Kagome's victory for long. A tentacle flew at him, which he side stepped. After taking a quick look at Tsukiri twirling around the battle field with her chakrams, he glared at his brother. They were the ones closest to the dark hanyou, who cackled and watched them with amusement. Sango and Miroku were further back, blocking the demon hoards attempting to go towards the castle.

"Oi what the fuck, Sesshoumaru!" he yelled, slicing through something long and slimy.

"Pay attention to the enemy, half-breed," he said, gracefully unleashing dragon strike.

"I am! Where the hell is Kagome? She was supposed to be with you!" he yelled to Tsukiri, who appeared to be dancing in a mist of blood. She paused after decapitating something. "She said that she would come with the kitsune,"

"She wouldn't have Shippo out here! Dammit, what's she up to!" he slashed forward then feigned left, now back to back with his brother. "All these demons...is he pulling them out of his ass or something?"

Abruptly, the Taiyoukai kicked Inuyasha towards Tsukiri and threw Bakusaiga's sheath up, which was just in time for the massive shock wave that wrenched through the field, turning everything into white, sparkling dust.

Naraku's barrier shattered, his shock quite evident. Then he grinned, "It would seem that Kikyou was hiding some power from me. Perhaps I will not dispose of her after all."

In the distance, a pink ball rose into the sky and zoomed over, appearing in a humanoid form. It landed next to Sesshoumaru and seemed to ponder him. The Taiyoukai stepped forward and knocked his forehead against hers gently, growling for her to submit. The form bared its neck him, which he nodded to and turned to Naraku.

"Die, you filthy hanyou,"

Kagome reached out a hand, a bow materializing in it. In her other hand, an arrow of blinding light appeared, which she placed against the string and pulled taut. With Bakusaiga, Sesshoumaru gathered all of his youki, glancing at Inuyasha.

"Hold nothing back,"

"Damn straight," he grinned, "Backlash Wave!"

He released his attack, closely followed by Sesshoumaru's. Just before they hit, Kagome released the arrow, tearing the field in it's wake. It struck true, blasting Naraku into oblivion. Wailing, the dark hanyou exploded, throwing a nice coat of blood and slime at everyone. It took a few moments a silence before the glowing pink form gave a wail over disgust.

"UUUUGH!" Kagome cried, wiping a thick layer of blood from her face. "I so wouldn't have done that if I'd known that would happen, I wound not have done that!" Behind her, Sango and Miroku made their discomfort apparent.

Beside her, a completely clean Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose, "Appalling," he acquiesced. She turned to him with confusion and envy.

"Wh...why aren't you-?"

"Youki," Tsukiri stately, coming up next to him equally untouched. "We burned all of it before it could touch us. Why didn't you two?"

Inuyasha looked ready to shake when he received a severe glare from Sesshoumaru. He thought better of it and decided not to. "Well, Kikyou's gone, and so is Naraku, so-"

"Inuyasha, you will all return to the castle with the others. Upon returning you will come back to deliver Kagome's bag. Go," he glided off in a direction, glancing at Kagome to follow him. She did so without hesitation.

"Where the hell are you two going!" he barked.

"Just do it!" Tsukiri yelled at him, carefully not to get too close. His limb flailing was throwing speckles of blood everywhere. "The sooner you do, the sooner..." her voice dropped an octave, slanting with the slant of her eyes as they exuded their hunger. Inuyasha was suddenly running back towards the castle, running faster than he ever had in his life.

Putting distance between them, Kagome peered up at Sesshoumaru. "Are we going somewhere? I think I need a bath first,"

She didn't need to see his face in order to detect the strain as he said carefully, "There is a river nearby,"

~!~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, the lemon is next. I just felt guiltier and guiltier as the days went by so, I'm very sorry (-_-)!