Chapter Eleven

He had just dozed off when the telephone rang. Rolling to his side, he yawned and blinked awake. His eyes drifted shut once more, having decided to ignore the irksome sound altogether. Ten rings and his irritation at the caller's persistence demanded he answer. If nothing else he would cease the racket before, it awoke Mitsukai from her much needed rest.

"What," he growled into the receiver.

There was a pause and the sound of panicked heavy breathing. Sesshoumaru's eyes slid open once more. Surely, he had not frightened this person into silence. He blinked at the clock on his nightstand. He had actually been asleep for nearly three hours. Seconds clicked by and the heavy breathing was accented with small sobs. He recognized the sound.

"Kagome." he addressed mildly, it sounded rude even to him. A mixture of relief and bitter rage filled him, as he sat up sliding his legs off the bed to rest his feet on the floor. While he was relieved that Kagome was safe, or at least well enough to call, the fact that he was kept ignorant of his child's condition infuriated him. More than that, it scared him.

He had dismissed the notion that she had not known of Mitsukai's illness. She was the girl's mother, how could she not know? "Kagome?" he asked again, though he already knew the identity of the caller.

Kagome nodded dumbly at the receiver before realizing he could not see her. She wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand and answered with a sniff, "I need your help"

Silence was her answer. Hot tears coursed down her cheeks and she began to tremble. She was more afraid than she had ever been. Kagome had returned home to an empty house, having forgotten that her mother had left for the week to visit family. Mitsukai was missing and had been for some time. That much was evident.

Kagome had searched for the girl, for over an hour, and then fearing the worst called Sesshoumaru. Mentally she berated herself for her foolishness. It would have been far wiser to call the taiyoukai when she first discovered Mitsukai gone. She wanted to prove that she was more than capable of caring for her child, and did not need his aid. Now she feared her daughter would suffer for her pride. 'Please be okay Misty-chan,' she prayed silently to herself. She swallowed the lump in her throat and latched on to the receiver with both hands. His silence was treading on her already frazzled nerves.

Sesshoumaru ran a hand through his hair while listening to Kagome sob on the other end. He wanted to be cruel, to make her suffer for the offences she had committed against him. However, that was something his heart would not allow. That was not to say he would turn a blind eye to her deeds. They most assuredly would exchange words. He glared at her through the phone and rose swiftly from the bed.

"I will be there within the hour," he intoned coldly before abruptly hung up the phone.

He dressed quickly and frowned. He was leery about leaving Mitsukai alone for even a moment. Glancing at alarm clock once more he realized that Juri was likely performing her duties at the hospital. Her husband, Yukio, would be more than willing to watch the girl, but he was human and could not restrain Mitsukai should the need arise. He doubted she would become violent, but she may attempt to leave. He was left with only one real option. Picking up the phone he dialed a number from memory. It rang twice before it was answered.

"Kagura."

Less than two minutes later the wind youkai hung up the phone with a downtrodden sigh. Babysitting, it was such a waste of her talents. Her lover uttered a small disappointed whine before collapsing on top of her. He continued to whimper as he nuzzled his face into her bare breasts.

"Don't go," he half growled, half whined, knowing it was futile. His lips brushed feather light against her skin sends shivers down her spine.

He rubbed his face back and forth into her chest, her breath sped into little pants. Kagura wrapped her long legs around his hips, and fisted her hands into sheets. He captured her lips in a rough kiss and began to slowly rock against her once more. A contented sigh escaped her parted lips at his efforts to rekindle the passion that had all but slipped away. Running her fingers through his long black hair, she kissed him fiercely. She broke the kiss abruptly and he went limp on top of her, burying his face into the crook of her neck. His strong hands gripped her waist, in a silent plea for her to remain.

"Get off me, Kouga," she huffed in annoyance and shoved at his shoulder. Her crimson eyes glowed with desire rather than anger. Kouga pouted and rolled to his side. Propping himself on one elbow he slid his free hand between her thighs. She scowled at the roguish grin spreading across his handsome features. It was the smile that usually got him exactly what he wanted from her.

Unfortunately for him, their master beckoned and both of them knew well enough they dared not fail him, without good reason. The taiyoukai was a taxing master, but a fair one. He allowed her the freedom the wind youkai demanded and she obeyed, though usually not without some complaint. Yet, despite her protestations, she would always comply, and that was enough for the taiyoukai. In the simplest of terms, she and Kouga were Sesshoumaru's employees, rather than his slaves.

Kouga rolled to his back and pulled the sheet up over his hips, though it still dipped dangerously low. He watched his woman rise from the bed and disappear into the adjoining bathroom. The wolf youkai sighed in defeat and secured the rumbled sheet around his waist. The shower sputtered and steam billowed from beneath the bathroom door. Less than ten minutes later she reemerged from the bathroom, dressed in a jeans and a halter top, showing off her shapely midriff. Beads of water clung to her high cheekbones and she had combed her wet, dark hair so that it streamed behind her.

"I'll be back later," she replied tersely as she slipped on her shoes. She was in no way looking forward to watching Sesshoumaru's brat. Although she had to admit, she was a tad curious. Kouga's expression was somewhere between a pout and a scowl. It was an expression he did often when they were interrupted. It made him appear boyish and absolutely irresistible. Not that she would ever tell him that, of course.

"Kouga," she said offhandedly, as she secured her fan to her belt loop. She doubted she would need her weapon, but it was better to be safe. Her crimson eyes met, Kouga's blue. "You better still be naked when I return."

Without another word she stalked out of her bedroom, leaving a very smug looking Kouga. The night air was crisp and cool when she stepped out of her home. The gentle breeze caused her to shiver just slightly. She walked at a brisk pace to Sesshoumaru's home. The taiyoukai lived just up the street so there was little need to fly. When she at last reached his home, the door opened before she had the chance to knock. He had obviously been watching for her.

"Yo," she greeted as she brushed past him.

Sesshoumaru did not return her greeting, nor did she expect him too. He silently turned and strode down the hall. Kagura obeyed his unspoken command to follow. As quietly as possible he opened a door at the end of the hall revealing a young girl sleeping soundly on a large bed. The girl was pale and lovely, but obviously very ill. Kagura walked passed him and stood at the foot of the bed so as to get a better look at the child. 'Who is this brat's mother?' she thought to herself. Kouga knew, but was sworn to secrecy. 'Although,' the wind youkai thought with a wicked grin. She had ways of making him talk.

"If she wakes, keep her in bed and do not allow her to leave," Sesshoumaru commanded flatly before, turning on his heel. Kagura sighed and plopped down in a nearby chair. 'Babysitting,' she glowered at the sleeping girl. 'How unseemly.'

**

Across town, Kagome paced the shrine's small courtyard. The minutes ticked by agonizingly slow. Sesshoumaru had said he would arrive within the hour, according to her wristwatch, thirty minutes of that hour had past. She was about to call him again when the courtyard was bathed in an opalescent light. Her eyes blinked rapidly, but before they could adjust the light dimmed and Sesshoumaru stood in its place.

Forgetting her anger with him for the moment she bolted across the courtyard and threw her arms around his waist. Kagome hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest as she uttered a few choked sobs. Sesshoumaru did not embrace her, as she thought he would but stood statue still. Kagome released him quickly and wiped her tears from her face. She took a deep breath and tried to remain calm.

"Mitsukai is missing," she began, her voice cracked and her efforts were quickly being thwarted. "I…I've looked everywhere, but I can't find her." Kagome's face crumbled and she wanted so badly to be held, but he continued to gaze at her with dispassionate eyes. 'Had he stopped loving me?' she asked herself, confused by the pang in her heart.

"Our child is safe," he stated simply and without emotion. His tone suggested that was the only information he would divulge.

Anger filled her like a white hot flash and raised her hand to strike him. He caught her wrist in one hand, and gripped it just hard enough to be painful. The youkai could easily crush her wrist, if that was his desire.

"You took her! How dare you come take her like she's a piece of property! You lying, disgusting bastard!" she shrieked as she struggled wildly in his grasp.

Sesshoumaru's own temper flared but he remained outwardly impassive. He released her wrist abruptly, in the midst of her flailing. Unprepared for her sudden release, Kagome stumbled backwards and landed harshly on one elbow. Forever keeping his blank expression, Sesshoumaru reached down and hauled her up by the injured elbow, pulling her until she was eye level. Her eyes were wide and a scared shade of blue, but beneath the fear pooled hot, irrational anger.

"You know not of what you speak."

She jerked away, only because he allowed her, and cradled the injured limb against her. It was not broken, only badly bruised. Kagome glared at him defiantly.

"Mitsukai is at my home, where she will remain," he stated in a tone that brooked no argument. Kagome however, was in an extremely argumentative mood.

"This is her home. She belongs here."

Sesshoumaru continued as if she had not spoken, "I will allow you to see her, under my supervision, if that is what you desire."

Kagome blanched at him. 'His supervision?' she repeated angrily in her mind. He had no right. "We've done just fine without your so called supervision!" she all but screamed into his beautifully impassive face.

Sesshoumaru raised a single brow and spared her a bored look. "Truly?" he asked, his tone was mild, with the barest hint of amusement.

"Yes, damn you!"

Sesshoumaru "hmphed", before speaking in a low flat tone, his eyes darkening ever so slightly in unfettered rage, "Then do explain how you failed to realize our daughter has been ill for over a week, or that you failed to notice she has not been eating or….."

"Misty's sick?" Kagome interrupted in a broken tone. "But she's a youkai," she stated incredulously.

Kagome looked up into Sesshoumaru's golden eyes, searching for some indication he could be lying. Despite her earlier accusation, she knew he was not one to create fabrications. She looked away unable to bear the weight of his molten stare. Kagome hugged herself as if experiencing a sudden chill and turned from him.

"I didn't know," she whispered softly, her voice was pained. "I didn't know," she repeated dumbly. A stray tear escaped her eye and ran down her cheek.

Sesshoumaru continued to stand behind her; she could feel his rage like a storm behind her. It was a tangible thing; one that could explode or die at any moment it was impossible to tell. She turned slowly on her heel and peered up at him. She licked her lips twice before attempting to speak,

"Can..Can I see her tonight?"

The taiyoukai nodded slowly and transformed them both for the short flight to his home. Moments later the sphere of light descended and they appeared in Sesshoumaru's front lawn. Not sparing her, a backwards glance he strode into his home and down the hall. Kagome silently followed. Distantly Kagome wondered if he ever worried about being seen. After all youkai were supposedly creatures of fairy tale and legend.

Sesshoumaru led her to a door at the end of the hall. He pushed the door open with one hand and stepped to the side, allowing her to enter first. Kagome rushed into the room but stopped short when she saw one whom she thought she would never again lay eyes on.

"Kagura," she gasped in utter amazement.

Kagura smirked and gave a little mock salute before rising from her chair. Her smirk all but vanished when she began to vaguely recognize Kagome. Dismissing the resemblance as coincidence, she turned to Sesshoumaru and reported, "She slept the entire time. Really, Sesshoumaru babysitting is a waste of my talents."

Predictably Sesshoumaru did not rise to her baiting and dismissed her with a wave of his hand. Kagura gave a small half bow before leaving the room and returning to her home. Once the wind youkai had left Kagome glared at Sesshoumaru and whispered harshly, "You left our daughter with Kagura?! I can't believe you! Are you out of your mind?"

Sesshoumaru snorted and leaned up against the wall nearest the door. He seldom felt the need to explain his action, but would do so in this case.

"Kagura is a valuable and loyal servant," he stated thoughtfully. He was puzzled by Kagome's sudden scowl.

"I bet, I know just what sort of service, she provides you," she whispered nastily, her voice was laced with jealousy.

Sesshoumaru's expression grew dark as he realized what she was implying. "Interesting," he retorted ambiguously before straightening. "You have ten minutes," he informed her coldly and stalked out of the room.

Kagome watch him leave before turning her attention to Mistukai. She ran her hand slightly over the girl's cheek. Mitsukai's face twitched but she did not wake. Kagome frowned at the IV stuck in her daughter's left arm. Surely, Mitsukai was not that ill. She grasped her daughter's free hand in hers and cringed when she felt how cold she truly was.

Mitsukai's skin like her father's was usually so warm, like a rock left out in the sun. Kagome traced the stripe on her daughter's cheek before bending down to kiss the girl's forehead, right above her crescent moon. Mitsukai frowned in her sleep and rolled to her side. Kagome smiled slightly and kissed her fingertips then pressed them to her daughter's lips. She stole one last glance at the slumbering girl before, exiting the room.

Mitsukai's eyes slid open as she watched her mother leave. She had been awake since almost the moment her mother and Sesshoumaru entered the bedroom. The girl rolled to her back, hissing when the tube in her arm pulled. It did not hurt, but it was annoying. She looked at it for a moment, then without another thought ripped it from her arm. The pain was sharp and immediate. It bled for a moment, then ceased, her body's natural fast recovery rate having already repaired the small damage. She peeled the board and remaining tape away and tucked her wrist in her armpit.

She settled back amongst the pillows and began to digest what she had heard. There could be no mistake. Mama clearly said, 'our' daughter when speaking to Sesshoumaru. Which could only mean, she did not imagine his words in the park. Sesshoumaru did resemble her a great deal, but he lacked the markings she had, except moments before she lost consciousness. Perhaps he could hide them she conceded, but even so, it was difficult to believe he could be her father. His age was the major cause for her continued doubt. Sesshoumaru looked all of twenty and even that, was being generous.

Footsteps in the hall froze her thoughts. As her bedroom door creaked open her eyes slid shut and she pretended to be asleep once more. It was Sesshoumaru, she could tell by his scent. He picked up the arm that had moments before been bound and stuck with an IV.

"It was bugging me," she explained without opening her eyes.

Sesshoumaru sighed but said nothing. He could not really blame the child; Juri's medical contraptions while sometimes necessary were annoying. He in fact preformed a similar act on the last IV, the deer youkai attempted to give him.

"You were awake when your mother was here," he said, it was a statement, not a question. He sat down gracefully on the bed beside her and stretched out his legs.

Mitsukai eyes blinked open and she rolled until she was cuddled against his legs. "Yes," she admitted before placing her head in his lap. Sesshoumaru was warm and he made her feel safe. From the moment she first met Sesshoumaru, she liked him, though she was still uncertain why. Perhaps it meant he really was her father. At the moment she did not want to ponder the whys.

He placed a tentative arm around her and brushed his fingertips against her cheek. "Why did you pretend to be asleep?"

She frowned slightly before snuggling into his arm. "She didn't want to talk," she whispered and yawned broad enough that he could see her fangs.

Sesshoumaru frowned down at her, not understanding what she could mean.

"Sesshoumaru?" Mitsukai murmured, yawning once more.

"Hm?"

"Will you sit with me until I fall asleep?" she asked in a tone that was not pleading, but hopeful. "You don't have too if…"

He answered by tightening his arms around her fragile form. She smiled faintly and her eyes slid shut once more. He pondered her words as he watched her drift off. When he was certain she was asleep he gingerly extracted himself from her embrace and crept from the room. After closing the bedroom door as quietly as possible he returned to the living room.

Kagome sat on his leather sofa with her face in her hands. She looked up when she sensed him in the room. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

"Is she going to be okay?" she whispered hoarsely.

Sesshoumaru sat down in the chair that sat opposite of the couch.

"Juri, believes she will recover physically," he said slowly and with the utmost care.

Mitsukai's emotional and psychology recovery he feared, would depend heavily on Kagome's own.

Kagome sighed in relief and then frowned at the name. "Juri?"

"My doctor," he replied simply unwilling to go into further detail.

Kagome mouthed the word 'Oh' and nodded. She rubbed her temples slowly attempting to ward off the headache that was creeping up from behind her eyes. "You're really not going to let me take her home," she reaffirmed mostly to herself.

"That is correct." Without a further word he rose gracefully from the chair.

Kagome exhaled sharply and she too rose. "I'm too tired to argue with you tonight."

Sesshoumaru nodded and began to walk towards his bedroom. Kagome followed quickly at his heels. She frowned when he closed the door, puzzled as to why he would do such a thing. When the door opened she managed a small smile. The smile faded when he wordlessly handed her a blanket and spare pillow before closing his door with an audible click.

Kagome looked at the bedding she was given as if it were a foreign thing, before grudgingly taking her place on the couch.