Kagome walked into her neighbor's house cautiously. They knew she was coming over, but it still made her feel weird to just walk right in without knocking first. She had a folder in her hand as she went into the foyer and straight into the living room. Inuyasha greeted her over his shoulder from his position on the couch. "Hey Kagome, what's up?"

"I need some help."

"With?"

Sesshomaru came out of the kitchen, leaning down and giving her a peck on the cheek that had some of her worries melting away. "Can you two look over my application?"

"Application for what?" Inuyasha asked, muting the TV and turning around on the couch.

"Fostering."

"Pets or people?" he asked.

"People. Or children really."

"Don't you get enough of those at your job?"

"Funny," Kagome replied. "But seriously. I told you about one of my student's grandmother who passed away?"

Sesshomaru nodded. He urged her towards the couch, taking the folder from her as they sat.

"Well, he doesn't have any family. He's such a sweet kid but pretty traumatized from so much death so young in his life. His social worker is a friend of mine and said his grandmother requested I take in Shippo. Yasu, my friend, even said he would help me get certified to foster quicker."

"That's a big commitment," Inuyasha said. "You'd effectively be a parent overnight. Are you sure you're ready for that?"

She gave him an annoyed look. Obviously she had thought all of this through before even starting the paperwork, but it was something she felt she could and should do. But as she looked at him, she realized Inuyasha hadn't been talking to her, but Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru was reading through the paperwork, his eyes dancing across the page as he read. When he came to the end, he closed the folder and nodded. "Everything looks in order. Is your friend going to conduct the interview?"

"He's going to bypass that part since he knows me. I just have to get my application approved by his supervisor. They got permission to use my last background check and my police record is clean."

"So when do you think you'd have custody of him?"

"They're hoping within a week of my approval, which is an unknown variable even with Yasu trying to push it through. But I think they're putting me in a priority position given the circumstances."

"Are you ready? Is your house kid-proofed? Is the room he'll be staying in ready? What else will you need?"

"Which room will he be staying in?" Inuyasha added.

"Probably the guest room."

"Can I recommend putting him in the smaller bedroom under the stairs? Not like Harry Potter or anything, but because it's a pretty cool room and I think a little kid would probably like it. Also, you might want to wait to decorate it or anything until he's there. Get him to help make it his own."

"Good idea," she replied. "Sango is giving me her brother's old bunk bed. I think I can probably fit that in the bottom room for him and then we can pick out bedding and stuff when he arrives."

"Do you need help cleaning out the room?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I can probably get it on my own," she said.

He shook his head. "Let me rephrase this, we'll help when you're ready to clean out the room."

"Definitely," Inuyasha added.

Kagome looked down at her lap and fiddled with the hem of her dress. She had other concerns too. Taking care of Shippo was only half of her worries. Inuyasha eventually guessed what was bothering her and responded with a dramatic sigh. "Should I leave so you can reassure your girlfriend that it's okay that she's going to be fostering a kid and that you'll be there to support the two of them as they get adjusted to each other? Because I swear, if you're too incapable of doing that, you don't deserve to be dating her."

"I thought you leaving would be obvious given that I like to approach these situations with more tact that you usually do," Sesshomaru said.

"Hint taken then. Let me know when you need help cleaning up anything," Inuyasha said, standing from the couch.

He walked over to Kagome and bent down to give her a quick peck on the cheek. He did his best positive smile, which was a stretch for him, that only left her laughing as he stood back up and left. Her laughter faded into an awkward silence as she looked over at Sesshomaru. She had been building up confidence for this conversation all day. "Are you okay dating someone who is a parent? Even if just fostering?" she blurted out before she lost her nerve.

"This nurturing, self-sacrificing side is a huge part of who you are. You have a big heart, it's probably the only reason you saw beyond my public facade and bothered to give me the time of day. I could hardly fault you for acting on those instincts when they've given me so much already."

Tears filled Kagome's eyes, relief overtaking her body and her emotions finally coming to a head. "Thank you," she said. "That means a lot to me."

Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her, pulling her onto his lap. She made herself comfortable, the file folder discreetly moved away from them, as lips came together. Their relationship had barely graduated from teenage-styled makeout sessions, even after having spent the night sleeping next to each other after their first date. Kagome took the time to deepen their kiss, pulling closer to him, as he pressed her closer.

"Fuck," Inuyasha yelled, coming back into the room. "Can you two not do that in the common living areas? In fact, why not do it here at all? You two have a whole house free of roommates next door. Go there."

Sesshomaru pulled back, his lips swollen and a heady smile on his face. The same look was on Kagome's face, along with a blush, but she hid her face against Sesshomaru's chest. They were both breathing hard. "Or you could have just left without saying anything," Sesshomaru pointed out.

"I was in here to begin with."

He walked around and took a seat on another couch looking at them with a smug smile, perfectly aware that his presence was keeping them from continuing anything. "Plus, you two are going to have to watch yourselves if there is going to be a kid involved. I'm sure walking in on that would traumatize a small child. Hell, it traumatized me."

Sesshomaru took a moment to flick him off. Sitting back, he let his hands slowly fall from Kagome's waist to the couch cushions. Still red, she pushed off of Sesshomaru and retook her seat next to him. She refused to look at either of the brothers, instead looking the muted TV at the show that was playing. The two brothers just stared at each other for a bit until eventually Sesshomaru caved, remembering he had been preparing to cook before she had come over. However, given the change in everything, he found he didn't particularly feel like cooking anymore. He looked at Kagome. "Let's go grab a bite to eat," he said.

"Hey - you're cooking dinner for us tonight."

"Changed my mind. You're welcome to join or cook something yourself."

Inuyasha snorted. "Yeah, neither of those are going to happen. I'll just order pizza."

"There are some of your frozen ones in the freezer cooler."

"What?" Inuyasha said, sitting up. "Why are they in there?"

"Because they're disgusting and I didn't want them in with the real food. Plus, I was seeing how much you kept up with your own food. Not very well, it turns out."

"Have you been hiding any of my other stuff from me too?"

Sesshomaru just smirked. "You'll just have to look and see, I suppose," he stood and went into the kitchen to put away the food and cooking implements he had pulled out earlier. Moments later he had returned to the living room, motioned for Kagome to follow him, and they both walked out the front door. "Give me a second to grab my keys," she said, running to her own house. He went to his car and waited for her to come running back over. She opened up the car but didn't immediately get in.

"H-how hungry are you?" she asked,bending down awkwardly to look at him from outside the car.

"Not very. Why?"

She looked him in the eye, her cheeks still flushed. "L-let's just go back into my place? We can eat later."

Sesshomaru's heart beat twice and then everything went still. He didn't break eye contact as he fumbled with his seatbelt and door. He got out in a hurry, making his way around the car and following Kagome, who was already halfway to her door, looking over her shoulder from time to time with a shy smile. Kagome shut the door once they were both inside, both of their keys were thrown into the catch all on the hallway table, then Sesshomaru immediately pulled her into his arms. She had to crane herself up on tippy toes to reach him, so he pulled her up with two hands firmly on her butt until she was wrapped around him. Carrying her like that, sight unseen as they continued their kissing, was difficult as he climbed the stairs to her bedroom.

Sesshomaru dropped them both to the bed, immediately rolling to the side so as not to squish her, then began pulling at his clothes, lips still attached to her. Kagome worked on taking off her pants and panties, leaving the bra to Sesshomaru's wandering hands once he had tossed his clothes aside. He immediately latched onto one of her breasts once free and began to suck and bite on the nipple. Kagome arched into his mouth, moaning at the sensation. Her body spasmed with surprise when his hand traced up from her knee to her inner thigh until coming to her clit and began rubbing gently in time with his oral ministrations. "Fuck," Kagome moaned, her eyes going closed. She could feel Sesshomaru's smirk against her flesh.

"D-don't get cocky," she panted.

Sesshomaru chuckled and switched breasts, now giving his full attention to the other nipple. Kagome shivered. She brought her hands to run her hands through Sesshomaru's hair. He moaned against her skin as she paid particular attention to his scalp and then his ears. She traced the delicate shell with a light touch, enjoying feeling him twitch against her.

Letting go of her breast, Sesshomaru pushed up to level their faces once more. He retook her lips, licking lightly for her to open up and deepen it. Kagome continued to play with his hair until he finally pulled away. "What are you comfortable with, Kagome?" he asked, quietly.

Her was face was flushed in a rosey red that traveled down her neck and to the tops of her breasts. He reached a finger out and traced the length of the blush while he waited for her consent.

"If you're asking if I'm okay having sex with you, obviously."

"I'd rather have a straight answer than make my own assumptions."

"Thank you," she said, gasping as he began to pay with her nipples again. "And yes, I'm very much okay with it. Though, If you're also asking if I'm a virgin - well no, I'm not. But I wouldn't say I have a lot of experience."

"Take it slow?"

"At our own speed; whatever works for both of us."

Sesshomaru looked back up at her. "Tell me what you like or don't like, okay?"

"Only if you'll do the same."

He leaned down and paused right above her lips so they were barely touching. "I love it when you play with my ears," he whispered.

She giggled, moving her hands again, but he pulled away completely. He crawled backwards off the bed, throwing his hair over his shoulders as he did so.

"I have a hair tie on my vanity if you want to grab it," she said, watching him with half-hooded eyes.

"Thanks," he said, rushing over to grab it then pull his hair up in a low bun. Kagome watched him the entire way. When he made it back to the bed, he bent over, grabbed her ankles, and pulled her towards the end of the bed. She laughed at the manhandling, then gasped as he knelt down on the area rug at the bottom of the bed to rest comfortably between her legs.

"Sesshomaru," she said quietly, her eyes wide.

"Just tell me what you like or don't like - best way to do that is be vocal."

She nodded mutely as he moved forward to begin kissing at her thighs.

Sesshomaru found the bed empty when he woke up. The second floor was quiet, but he could hear Kagome talking downstairs. Looking for his underwear, he pulled it on before jogging down the stairs to find where Kagome had gone.

She looked up with a smile, her skin still slightly flushed from earlier, her hand holding her phone up to her ear. "Yeah, this is the same kid I talked to you about a couple months ago. You'd love him, mom. He's as sweet as he can be."

Her mom said a few things, leaving Kagome to laugh a little. Sesshomaru made his way around the kitchen, putting on some coffee, then opening her fridge and freezer for some edible foods. He frowned at her lack of options.

"What's that look for?" she asked, pulling the phone so she wasn't speaking directly into the microphone.

"You're going to have to start stocking your fridge and pantry with decent food. I'll be glad to teach you how to cook some healthy basics for when I'm not available to help out."

Kagome's smile was radiant as she jumped from her chair and rushed to him. Not caring that her mother was obviously still talking to her, she threw both arms, phone still in one hand, around his neck and jumped. They lost themselves in a kiss again, Kagome's legs wrapped around Sesshomaru's hips until Kagome eventually pulled back upon hearing her mom yelling into the phone. Sesshomaru placed her on the counter as she turned her attention back to the phone and apologized.

"Okay, okay. Hold on," she said. "You're on speaker now. You can talk to him."

"Sesshomaru, right?" Kagome's mother said.

He gave Kagome an amused look and bent down a little, towards the phone, and answered. "That would be me. It's a pleasure to meet you - or talk to you at least, Mrs. Higurashi."

The older woman made some sort of noise that didn't appear to be negative. "How very polite. I wish I could say I know more about you, but my daughter makes me pry the information out of her. I have to get most of my news from my spy."

"I think it's Sango," Kagome stage whispered.

"I'm not telling."

"See, not a no."

Sesshomaru chuckled, leaning forward, and kissing her on her forehead.

"Now, Sesshomaru, what do you think of Kagome fostering?"

"I think Shippo means a lot to her, as does giving him a loving home."

"Hm, but what do you think about it."

"I'm playing it by ear, I suppose. Not something I do very well. I'm a planner by nature. But if there is anything I trust it's Kagome's decisions, because I know she thinks things through carefully and logically. And I know she'll do a great job because, not only is she a truly loving person, she's also stubborn to a fault and will refuse to give up."

"Hey," Kagome objected, hitting him in his arm.

He laughed, stepping back a little to get out of her range. She stuck her tongue out at him before jumping down, putting her phone on the counter.

"Well at least you seem to know our Kagome pretty well," her mother quipped.

Kagome made a face at her phone, before walking across the room to where she kept her takeout menus and brought them over to where Sesshomaru still was. She set them down on the counter for him to look through.

"You said you don't know the timeline?"

"Nope. I scanned and emailed Yasu my application today. He's going to get everything submitted tomorrow morning. I'm going to spend the weekend getting the house ready; they'll have to do an inspection. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha said they would help get Shippo's room ready, and Yasu said he would come over too and use that as his house inspection for the application. That will speed up some things, hopefully."

"Would you still have room for guests when Shippo moves in?"

"Yeah," Kagome replied suspiciously.

"Good. Once you know when you'll get him, your grandfather and I will plan a weekend trip to come visit. That way we can meet both Shippo and Sesshomaru at the same time."

Kagome looked over to Sesshomaru with a worried smile. He reached over to cup her cheek, hoping he looked encouraging. Going back to the menus, he let her finish her conversation with her mom as he looked at their options. Picking up a Greek option, he looked through the notated menu. Kagome had starred their gyro option twice.

"Well that was fun," she said as she hung up.

"When did you email in your application?"

"While you were asleep," she said, a blush creeping over her cheeks. "Yasu must still be working because he got back to me pretty quick."

"Your mother seems pretty positive about this fostering thing."

"She's cautiously excited. I think she just sees this as a way to have a grandchild to spoil earlier than expected."

He chuckled a little, handing her the Greek menu. "This place okay? Looks like they're opened late."

"Yeah. What do you want?"

"Seems like you're recommending the gyro."

"What sides? You get two."

"You choose."

"Righto."

"I'm going to run back to my house for a second, okay?"

She nodded, already dialing the restaurant's number in her phone. She stopped him right before he left. "It's fine if you want to bring an overnight bag."

Sesshomaru waved that he heard as he left through the front door. He noticed Kouga's car in his driveway, behind Inuyasha's, and walked in expecting the two to be rambunctiously playing a game or watching something on TV. Instead, he found them quietly talking on the couch, the TV on some random replay of an old college football game. They both looked up, surprised, as he entered.

"That was a long dinner," Inuyasha said.

"We never made it."

"Then where have you been?"

One of Sesshomaru's brows rose elegantly as he let a smirk creep over his face. "Her place."

Kouga coughed into his drink, looking at Sesshomaru with a cloudy face. "You better be serious about her."

"I'm glad we have thick walls between the two houses."

"Me too," Sesshomaru agreed. "Are you two free this weekend?"

"Kagome need help?"

"Yeah. Her friend is going to come help too, using it as an inspection. So all hands on deck would be useful."

"Count me and my cousins in. We even have a special surprise to donate," Kouga said.

"I filled him in earlier," Inuyasha explained.

"Can you text Miroku too? He'll tell Sango and she can round up the rest of the troops."

"Good idea," he said, turning around and reaching for his phone on the coffee table.

"Thanks. Let's plan for an early start - 7am? I'll have some breakfast items ready for everyone."

"Sure. I'll pay for pizza when we're done too; we can all take a break over here so we don't mess up her place."

Sesshomaru reached out and squeezed Inuyasha's shoulder in thanks before pushing off the couch. "Thanks in advance. You'll both make this go a lot quicker."

He flew up his own stairs to the master bedroom and straight into the closet. He had a small duffle he kept at the top of the closet. Grabbing it, he began to fill it with clothes for the next day and several more spares for different occasions. He topped off the pack with his spare toiletries. Socks, underwear, and shoes were the last added. Friday's were casual for him, so he didn't need to bring a suit, but at the last minute he decided to grab one, a shirt and tie to go with it, and a pair of dress shoes. He took it all downstairs once he was certain he had everything.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to Kagome's."

"Your taking clothes with you?"

"Yeah. Just to have something over there so I don't have to go back and forth constantly."

Inuyasha hummed. "I'm locking up after you then."

"That's fine. Goodnight you two."

"Yeah, good night."