"Kagome? Wake up!" Kagome gasped and sat up.
"What?! What's wrong?!" Kagome saw Miroku, Sango, Kirara and Shippo seated around her. "What is it?" Everyone looked worried.
"Mama, I think you should look in a mirror." Confused, Kagome reached into her bag and pulled out a compact mirror.
Everyone covered their ears as Kagome screamed as loud as she could.
When she was done, everyone let go of their ears and looked at Kagome. She was staring at the mirror, and panicking.
"What's going on? Why do I look like this?" Kagome looked in the mirror again. It was true. Her ears, once normal human ears, were now pointed like a youkai.
Kagome put the mirror down and studied her features. Not only were her ears pointed, but her nails had grown long and pointed, and she had fangs. Kagome swore she also felt taller.
"Kagome, calm down." Kagome turned to Miroku.
"Calm down?! I'm a youkai! Why should I calm down?!" Shippo was brave enough to approach his mother.
"Mama, there's one more thing. Look underneath your bangs." Kagome picked up the mirror and lifted her bangs. There, in the center of her forehead, was a crescent moon.
"What?!" Kagome stood and began pacing. "Why do I have a crescent moon on my forehead? Why am I a youkai? What's going on?" Kagome continued to panic, while Sango stood and tried to calm her down.
"Mama!" Kagome stopped and looked at Shippo. "You have to calm down. Yelling and panicking won't do any good." Kagome nodded and took slow, deep breaths.
"All right, I'm calm. But why am I a youkai? This doesn't make sense." Kagome tried to figure out why this had happened.
"Sango, Shippo, may I talk to you in private?" Sango and Shippo both nodded. "We'll be back in a few minutes." Miroku, Sango, and Shippo left the campsite until they thought they were out of earshot.
"Why do you need to talk?" Miroku looked at both Sango and Shippo.
"You both agree with me that Sesshomaru might be Kagome's mate, right?" They both nodded.
"We've covered that much." Miroku sighed before going on.
"I think that Kagome should start traveling with Sesshomaru."
"What?!" Sango and Shippo both objected.
"Shush. Look, I don't know about you two, but I think that Kagome's transformation, especially the crescent moon on her forehead, is proof that Kagome and Sesshomaru are supposed to be mates."
"Miroku, I'm sure of that too, but Kagome doesn't have to leave the group, does she?"
"I'm afraid so. If she and Sesshomaru are supposed to be mates, it would be best that she stayed with him."
"But Inuyasha had already left. We can't split up our group like this."
"Sango, I don't want Kagome to leave either, but I believe this would be best for her."
"What about Shippo?" Shippo jumped at hearing his name.
"Shippo will go with her."
"What?! Are you going to leave me next?"
"Sango, that's ridiculous. I won't leave you."
"Can't we wait until we finish the jewel?" Miroku sighed.
"No. Kagome found the flower, meaning that she would come upon her mate soon. It would probably be best if she went with him as soon as possible."
"What will Kagome think?" Miroku paused.
"Kagome might have figured it out already, and if she has, then she will know why she has to go. If not, then we'll have to explain it to her."
"What will Sesshomaru think? He's not going to agree to this."
"Judging from what has happened, and his knowledge of the land, I would assume that Sesshomaru has al ready figured it out, and he will except the facts if he doesn't know."
"He won't mate with a human."
"Shippo, Kagome is no longer a human. She is a youkai, probably an Inu youkai."
"What about the jewel shards? Kagome is the only one who can sense them." Miroku stopped.
"I'm not sure. I suppose . . . we'll have to make due without her. Sesshomaru is stronger then us, and he probably has a better chance of defeating Naraku. We can try to collect jewel shards, and Kagome can try to collect them while she's with Sesshomaru. Trust me, it's the best thing for her." Sango and Shippo looked at each other, then back at Miroku.
"Miroku, you had better be right."
oOo
Kagome sighed and shifted uneasily. What were her friends talking about?
"What?!" Kagome turned her head at hearing Shippo and Sango's voices. She decided to ignore it.
Kirara sat in Kagome's lap and began purring. Kagome slowly began petting her.
"Kirara, what am I going to do? The flower is wilting, Sango, Shippo and Miroku are obviously keeping something from me, and I'm a youkai. What else could go wrong?" Kirara mewed.
Kagome sighed and tried to collect her thoughts.
Now I'm sure of it. This crescent moon mark is proof that Sesshomaru and I are supposed to be mates. I don't know what else it could mean.
But why Sesshomaru, of all people? He's the most cold-hearted person I can think of, besides Naraku.
And if we're supposed to be mates, then how will I continue my hunt for the jewel? I'll probably have to go with Sesshomaru, and he won't let me hunt for shards. He doesn't like using them.
Kagome continued to pet Kirara while she debated what to do. Kagome was sure that her friends had figured it out as well. There was plenty of proof that she and Sesshomaru were supposed to be together.
After a few minutes, Kagome heard rustling and saw her friends come back.
Sango, Shippo and Miroku sat next to her.
"Kagome, there is something we should tell you." Kagome shifted to face Miroku.
"What is it?" Miroku took a few deep breaths.
"Kagome, we think that you should start traveling with Sesshomaru." To their surprise, Kagome didn't scream, or anything else.
"Mama?" Kagome smiled and moved Kirara from her lap.
"You guys, I've already figured out that Sesshomaru is supposed to be my mate, and that I should start traveling with him. I would have figured it out earlier, but I denied it. I didn't think that Sesshomaru and I were compatible. But everything leads up to it. It only makes sense."
"Kagome, aren't you worried? What if Sesshomaru treats you badly?" Kagome smiled at Sango.
"I don't think the Flower of Fate would have put us together if he was going to be unkind to me. Yes, I'm not enthralled with the idea, but I should at least give it a try."
Everyone was surprised. This wasn't the reaction they had expected.
"Mama, I think that you've grown up a lot." Kagome picked up Shippo and cuddled him.
"Thank you, Shippo. Shippo, do you want to stay with Miroku and Sango?" Shippo shook his head.
"No, never. I want to stay with you. I think Rin and I could be good friends." Kagome smiled again and kissed Shippo on the forehead.
"Now all we have to do is find Sesshomaru. I wonder where he is . . . "
oOo
Rin groaned. They had been walking since dawn, and now Sesshomaru had told them all to go the other way.
"Lord Sesshomaru, where are we going?" Sesshomaru didn't answer.
He was looking for Kagome.
Sesshomaru knew that Kagome had to be his mate, but first he had to get to know her better, and for that he needed her to be with him.
Sesshomaru wanted Kagome to start traveling with him. He had no emotional attachments to her, but he needed to earn her trust.
She might have figured out that she and Sesshomaru were to be mates, but if not, then Sesshomaru was prepared to drag her back with him.
She wouldn't like the idea of leaving her friends, and her friends, especially Inuyasha, would defend her.
Sesshomaru needed her trust, so he would try not to use force. He himself had mixed feelings about this.
He didn't like her, but Kagome was supposed to be his mate, and Sesshomaru would make the best of it, which would be hard for him.
As they headed further west, Sesshomaru began picking up the scents of the Kagome's friends. But his brother's scent was missing, and so was Kagome's. But there was another strange, but familiar scent.
Sesshomaru broke into a run, and Rin and Jaken were easily left behind.
He continued until he was in a small clearing. In it sat the monk, the slayer, the fox kit, and another youkai.
"Sesshomaru?" the youkai stood and stepped toward him. Sesshomaru recognized her immediately. It was Kagome, but it confused him. Had she turned into a youkai?
"Woman, why do you resemble a youkai?" Kagome stepped a little closer.
"Sesshomaru, I'm not sure if you know this, but the flower the you took from me and gave back, was the Flower of Fate, and I think-"
"I know. I have figured it out. I came to bring you back with me so you could start traveling with myself and my companions." Kagome wasn't surprised to hear this.
"Sesshomaru, I just need you to do something for me." Sesshomaru eyed her. Kagome reached into her bag and carefully took out the Flower of Fate. "I need you to hold this."
"Why do you want me to hold a wilted flower?"
"It's the Flower of Fate. It's wilted, but I think that if my mate holds it, it'll return to normal."
Sesshomaru reluctantly took the flower. To his surprise, the wilted flower began changing. The petals became healthy and returned to their normal color. The stem was strong and green once again.
"Mama's flower is healthy!" Kagome watched as the flower went back to the way it had been when she found it.
"So, it's true. Sesshomaru is really my mate. All right, Sesshomaru, I'll go with you, but I need a chance to get my things and say good-bye." Sesshomaru looked at the flower another moment.
One of the petals fell off. Then, one by one, the petals of the flower fell to the ground, until their was only one left.
"The flower!" Kagome ran up to Sesshomaru, but he backed up. He wanted a chance to look at it himself.
The single petal that was left had something on it. Sesshomaru pulled it off and tossed the stem aside. He lifted the petal to his face.
On the petal, their was a white crescent moon with a smaller black crescent moon. The white moon had Sesshomaru's name on it, and the black moon had Kagome's name on it.
"Sesshomaru, may I see it?" Sesshomaru handed the petal to Kagome, who gasped at what she saw.
"Kagome, what is it?" Kagome stared at the petal for a minute.
"The petal has markings on it. It's nothing. I'll get my things and we can leave." Kagome closed her bag tight and pulled it onto her back. She made sure her bow and quiver of arrows were safely secure. Kagome approached Miroku.
"Miroku, you've been very nice over the years. I know we'll probably see each other again, but I just want to say that I'm happy that you stood up for me. Inuyasha got what he deserved."
"I'll miss you, Kagome." Kagome turned to Sango.
"Sango, you've been my best friend and my sister. I hope we can meet up again soon." Kagome and Sango hugged tightly.
"I'll think of you every day." Kagome let go and looked down at Kirara.
"Kirara, you've been wonderful. You did me many favors that I hope I can repay someday." Kirara mewed and rubbed against Kagome's legs.
Kagome picked up Shippo and turned to Sesshomaru. "I'm ready."
"Why do you have to kit with you?"
"He's my son." Sesshomaru was slightly confused, but he didn't show it.
"Why do you say that?" Kagome held Shippo tighter.
"I adopted him. He's coming with me, or I don't come." Sesshomaru thought about it, and began walking away.
Kagome took this as a sign of agreement. She and Shippo waved good-bye and began following Sesshomaru.
They walked along in silence. Kagome walked behind Sesshomaru. Shippo would've talked to her, but Sesshomaru scared him into silence.
Sesshomaru was at a loss. He needed Kagome's trust if she was going to be his mate, but to do that, he would need to talk to her, and that would be difficult.
From a young age, Sesshomaru had been taught that emotions often got in the way of politics when ruling the land, and he had blocked out all emotions, except for anger.
And to start a conversation, emotions were an important part, they helped think of things to talk about. Sesshomaru was stuck.
"Woman, come here." Kagome jumped at hearing him speak, but trotted up to him.
"What is it?"
"Tell me about yourself." Kagome paused.
"What should I tell you?" Sesshomaru thought about it.
"Tell me about why you adopted the kit." Kagome managed a small smile.
"When I started traveling with Inuyasha-"
"Do not say his name in my presence." His demand caught Kagome off guard. She paused for a moment.
"All right. When I started traveling with your brother, Shippo tried to take a jewel shard from us. We stopped him, and he told us that he needed it to take revenge on the Thunder Brothers for killing his father. They were two powerful youkai. We agreed to help, but they kidnaped me. Shippo told your brother, and he came to save me. He defeated the Thunder Brothers and Shippo ended up staying with us. I adopted him a while back, since I treated him like my son most of the time anyway." Sesshomaru listened to Kagome talk, and he cursed when she finished. He was not adept at the art of conversation.
"I understand." They walked in silence for another minute or so.
"Why does Rin travel with you?" Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome. He didn't want to talk, but she gave him no choice.
"Rin tried to help me when my brother used the Wind Scar on me. Tensaiga had transported me to a forest where she found me. She didn't help me, but she still tried. When I healed, Rin was killed by wolves. I decided to test Tensaiga, and I revived her. She travels with me by her choice."
Kagome listened intently. When he finished, Kagome was puzzled. The story didn't seem to fit him. It didn't sound like Sesshomaru.
"Where are we going after we reach Rin and Jaken?"
"I'm hunting Naraku. We will search for him."
The rest of the walk was silent. Neither Kagome nor Sesshomaru could think of anything more to say.
After fifteen minutes or so, they finally came to where Sesshomaru had left Rin and Jaken.
"My lord, you have returned." Jaken noticed Kagome and Shippo. "Why are they here?"
"They are going to travel with us from now on. I suggest that you are kind to them, Jaken." Jaken knew what he meant.
"Of course, I will treat them with utmost respect."
"Kagome!" Rin ran over and hugged her.
"Rin? How did you recognize me?" Rin looked up.
"You've saved my life twice. I could never forget you, but why do you look like a youkai?"
"I turned into a youkai recently. Don't worry about it." Rin smiled and let go.
"This is wonderful. We can have so much fun together."
"Rin, I would like you to leave them alone." Kagome looked at Sesshomaru.
"It's fine, I don't mind."
"We have to leave now. Ah-Un, get up." The dragon woke and stood. He looked over and saw Kagome. He recognized her right away.
Ah-Un walked over and nuzzled Kagome. "I remember you. You're the one that made me feel better the other night." Sesshomaru heard this, but he decided to ignore it.
Rin climbed onto Ah-Un and Jaken stepped next to Sesshomaru. "Kagome, are you going to walk?"
"Yes, but I need to wake up Shippo." Shippo had fallen asleep on the way here. "Shippo, wake up." Shippo opened his eyes and sat up.
"Where are we?" Kagome set Shippo on the ground.
"We're starting to travel. Rin is on Ah-Un if you want to talk to her." Shippo saw Rin and smiled.
"Hi Rin. How are you?" Rin watched as Shippo climbed onto Ah-Un.
"I'm fine. What's you name?"
"My name is Shippo." The kids started a conversation as Ah-Un started following Sesshomaru and Jaken. Kagome walked behind, to keep an eye on Shippo.
It took a while for Kagome to adjust to the pace. Sesshomaru moved quickly, with long strides. Ah-Un and Jaken were used to his pace, but Kagome wasn't. Even Inuyasha had never walked this fast.
As Kagome struggled to keep up, Sesshomaru noticed that she was lagging behind.
"Woman, ride Ah-Un if you are going to be that slow." Kagome ignored Sesshomaru and continued on foot.
"I can walk on my own, thank you." Sesshomaru heard the sarcasm in her voice and growled. Sesshomaru had low tolerance for sarcasm.
Jaken was curious as to why Kagome and Shippo were with them. "My lord, why are those two here?" Sesshomaru didn't answer. "My lord?"
"Jaken, why they are here doesn't concern you." Jaken flinched and decided to stay quiet.
"So Shippo, why are you and Kagome traveling with us?" Rin and Shippo were talking in whispers.
"I'm not sure I should tell you. It's kind of between Mama and Sesshomaru."
"Then why do you know about it?"
"Mama trusts me to keep her secrets." Rin was smarter then to let it go that easily.
"Can you please tell me? I want to know, and I won't tell anybody." Shippo thought about it for a minute.
"No, I don't think so." Rin frowned.
"Why not?"
"It's none of your business. Can we talk about something else?"
"Okay. Why is Kagome a youkai?" Shippo was getting tired of this.
"That's Mama's secret too."
"All right, why is Kagome taking care of you? Don't you have real parents?" Shippo looked down.
"My parents are both dead."
"Oh, I'm sorry about that." Shippo nodded and looked up at her.
"Mama adopted me a little while ago. I can take care of myself mostly, but she makes sure I'm safe and protects me."
"My parents are dead too. Lord Sesshomaru saved me, and he takes care of me the same way." Rin and Shippo both realized how much they had in common.
Kagome watched as the two children talked. They were getting along great. Kagome wished it were the same with Sesshomaru. She found it hard to believe that they were supposed to be mates.
Kagome took the petal from her backpack and looked at it. It was the last petal left of her flower. Kagome stared at the marking on the petal. There was no doubt that she and Sesshomaru were supposed to be mates, but he didn't seem like the right person for her.
She fingered the petal between her fingers. It was soft, almost like silk.
Why was I matched with Sesshomaru, of all the people there are in the world? I've never liked him, and he's never liked me. I feel like I'm betraying Inuyasha.
But Inuyasha betrayed me. He deserves it. I wonder where he is. He's probably cuddling with that clay pot.
Kagome was surprised with herself. She didn't usually think that badly of people.
Sesshomaru sensed a wave of anger, and then astonishment coming from Kagome.
He glanced back at her, but she seemed preoccupied with the petal from her Flower of Fate. Sesshomaru wondered why the flower had fallen apart, when the village leader he had met still had his flower in perfect condition. He also wondered why Kagome was a youkai, but it was better than her being human.
Sesshomaru knew that he would have to learn to like Kagome. If he didn't, it would be impossible to win her over.
In the youkai world, each youkai had to perform a special ritual in order to claim a mate. It wasn't a ritual so much as a series of tasks to win over the female.
Step one was to convince the female to let him try and win her over. As far as Sesshomaru was concerned, that was done.
Step two was to show the female that he could provide and care for her. He had to protect her until she was sure that he could take care of her when she had pups.
Sesshomaru had to complete step two before he could move to step three. Step two would be easy enough, it was step three that would give him a headache.
Step three was to show the female that he loved her.
-End-
Hey! Sorry this chapter took so long! I wanted to make it extra long to celebrate this story getting 100 reviews! I'm so happy! I didn't think I would get this many reviews! I would like to thank all of those who reviewed for making this possible! I know, I'm being overly dramatic. I like to do that. I hope you liked this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think. My new goal for reviews is 200! It would mean so much to me of you could help me with that goal! I'll try to put up the next chapter as soon as possible. Bye!