A/N: Be warned, Sesshomaru may seem a bit OOC, but if you think about it, would you be the same person after living with Kagome and Co. for two years? Hmmm, food for thought.
Disclaimer: Same ol' de nadda.
The rich, earthy scent of fall; of changing seasons, drifted in the breeze, carrying the dried, crinkled, rust colored leaves drifting across the grassy plane to settle lightly atop a crown of ebony lochs. Shaking her head to dislodge the leaf, Kagome huffed, her amber gaze burning holes in the side of her thick-headed mate's face. Leaning away from the tree-trunk, she balanced on her left hand, laying her right on his thigh to draw his attention to her.
"Oh come on, Sesshy, it'll be fun!"
His gaze flashed to her and then returned to the horizon.
"The answer remains the same, Kagome"
Throwing her arms up in frustration, Kagome shuffled across the grass and turned her back to Sesshomaru. Aware of his eyes on her, she stiffened her spine and rising to her feet, she stormed off.
Shielding her eyes, she searched the valley and spotting the familiar red blur far off, laying back in the swaying blades of grass, she grinned and holding up her kimono so she wouldn't trip over the hem, she bolted.
"Inuyasha!"
"Kagome! Watch this!"
Wide eyed, Kagome's hand wrapped around her throat as a bundle of silver and violet was thrown in the air, emitting a high pitched squeal and was caught once more in Inuyasha's hands.
"GAH! Be careful with her, Inuyasha! She's only a pup! Ugh!"
Ears twitching, Inuyasha shot Kagome a bored look before turning and rubbing noses with Hinagiku, her tiny hands reaching for his ears, unaware of her own twitching comically. Bracing her feet atop Inuyasha's chest, her chubby body bounced within his hands, her bright golden eyes wide in wonder as she giggled, spewing spittle down her chin.
Inuyasha's nose scrunched, drawing another bout of giggles. Laughing, Kagome kneeled beside Inuyasha and reaching across him to riffle through the teddybear printed diaper bag, she pulled out a facecloth and gently wiped down her daughter's face.
Curling her knees to the side, Kagome fiddled with the hem of her kimono, fanning the deep olive silk around her and flicking at imaginary bits of dust, smiling wanely when Hinagiku managed to kick Inuyasha in the chin.
Sitting up, he frowned at the forlorn look plastered on Kagome's face. Twisting his niece in his hands, he walked her across his lap and smirked when she flopped happily into her mother's, content to play with Kagome's fingers.
"Lemme guess, 'stuck up' over there still won't go?"
Her topaz eyes flashed.
"Nope. I mean, he insists that I go to all his formals, meeting and greeting all the other Demon Lords, which I still can't believe that Koga has been all this time, and I ask him to go to one formal, ONE!, and he refuses for no particular reason!"
Wincing at the hurt in Kagome's voice, Inuyasha rested his elbows atop his raised knees, searching the horizon over Kagome's shoulder and spotting Sesshomaru slowly making his way toward them.
Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Kagome eyed the smirk pulling at Inuyasha's mouth. Brushing her lips over her daughter's head, adoring the smell of sunshine and baby powder and the soft flick of Hinagiku's tiny puppy ears across her cheek, she sighed softly.
"Sesshomaru, I know you're right behind me. If you don't want to go with me to Ayumi's Autum Formal, that's fine, but I'm taking Hinagiku to see her grandmother and I'll go alone"
Whimpering at the tension in the air, Hinagiku squirmed, pulling at the folds of her violet kimono. Twisting in her mother's arms, her eyes widened to see Sesshomaru and crying out, she threw her arms up and bounced.
Combing his fingers through Kagome's hair, he ran his fingertips across the light blue quarter moon at the base of her neck, nuzzling her temple before lifting the ten month old over her head and cradling her in the crook of his arm, fingering the soft curls of silver hair framing her face.
"Why do you insist on going?"
Craining her head to look up at Sesshomaru, Kagome glared.
"Sesshomaru, I grew up with these people. They are important to me and they accepted me even when I had to leave school because I was beginning to round out with your child. Thank goodness my teachers accepted Gramp's excuses and allowed my friends to bring me the work and notes, or else I would never have been able to finish school.
"Ayumi's Autum Formal has been a tradition in her family for years and a big honor to have been invited, especially since I haven't exactly kept in touch. This is why I want to go so bad"
Sesshomaru caught the glint in the corner of her eye before she was able to turn away. Ignoring the sharp glance Inuyasha sent his way, he tickled Hinagiku's foot with his teeth, smirking when she kicked at him with her other, shrieking in delight.
"Very well, Kagome. And the children? Do you intend for that pest to care for them" His head motioned toward Inuyasha.
For Hinagiku's sake, Inuyasha only glared in response over Kagome's head as she stared at her mate.
"Uh..no, not that he couldn't handle them, but Sango and Miroku said they'd watch after Shippo and Rin for the night since they spend so much time there anyway. Why, have you changed your mind about going?"
"I have"
Inuyasha scrambled backward as Kagome squealed, leapt to her feet and pounced at Sesshomaru, careful not to squish the baby as she grasped his face in her hands and kissed him hard on the mouth.
"Ooooh, I love you, I love you, I love you!"
Used to Kagome's spontanious bursts of affection, Inuyasha rose up, folded his arms and smirked at Sesshomaru as he peered over Kagome's shoulder.
"Oie, before I leave, lemme' see the squirt"
Beaming and flushed, Kagome stepped back and scooping the pouting bundle to her arms, she raised her over her head and twirled.
"Your daddy's going, sweetheart! That's right! He's going to get all dressed up and he and mommy are going to dance until our feet fall off"
Sesshomaru and Inuyasha arched brows. Laughing, Kagome handed Hinagiku over to Inuyasha and watched with a grin as he blew raspberries against her cheeks, his eyes lighting up as she bounced and giggled and tangled her fingers in his hair. Voice gruff with laughter as he scolded her, he pulled his hair away and handed her over to Sesshomaru.
"Seeyah's later!"
Kagome held her kimono tight against her legs to stop the silk from wooshing up as Inuyasha bolted and leapt into the trees.
"Cha?"
Hinagiku called out, her tiny claws stretching toward the trees after Inuyasha and then wrapping around Sesshomaru's finger as he smiled down at her.
"Say, Sesshy, you don't suppose Inuyasha's seeing someone, do you?"
Frowning, his eyes raked over Kagome.
"Not to my knowledge, why do you ask?"
Huffing, Kagome pulled the diaperbag's wide strap over her shoulder and shrugged.
"No reason, it's just that he seems happier now. After Kikyo died, again, he was so...miserable, and lately he's been taking off a lot, and when he comes back...I guess you could say he's...content, excited even"
"Are you disappointed, my love?"
Kagome shot him a death glare.
"Not funny, Sesshomaru, if you still worry about us after two years, you need therapy!"
Chuckling, he turned Hinagiku over his shoulder, her pouty lips smacking softly as she fell asleep, and stepping up to Kagome, he leaned over and kissed her softly.
"Had I reason for concern, Inuyasha would no longer be permitted in your presence, sweet"
OoOoOoOoOo
"Momma-Kagome!"
"Kagome! Milord"
Kagome leaned over and wrapped her arms around Shippo and Rin as they barreled into her, both faces streaked in dirt. Laughing, Kagome pulled dried leaves and twigs from Rin's hair and searching over their heads, she found the mysteriously flattened pile of leaves. Kissing them on the forehead, she straightened and stood back to watch as they ran for Sesshomaru.
With a glance, Sesshomaru let them know to be quiet, and kneeling, he let them fawn over Hinagiku; curled up in the fur of his boa and nestled in the crook of his arm, sleeping soundly. Reaching over Sesshomaru's shoulder, Shippo touched her curled fists, Rin beamed and straightened the edges of the baby's kimono, fingering the embroidered daisies on the pale yellow obi.
Nodding, Sesshomaru paused for Shippo to step away and rising, he looked to the doorway of the hut behind Kagome.
Leaning against the entryway, Sango smiled prettily while running her hands over her slightly rounded belly, Miroku walked up behind her and a third hand was added to the swell as he kissed her temple.
Following Sesshomaru's gaze, Kagome turned toward them and grinned. Stepping up, she pecked Sango's cheek and pulled her in for a hug.
"Oh Sango, you look great!"
Sango blushed and waved her hand, turning back and ushering them inside, she sent Miroku off to make tea. Sharing a glance, Shippo and Rin bolted for the leaf pile.
Large and comfortable, Sango and Miroku's home, nestled in the center of Sango's Demon Slayer village, consisted of four rooms; one bedroom on either side, a cooking area in the back and a warm, meticulously clean sitting room in the front. Two wide-cut windows allowed the morning and evening sun to shine in and the canopied porch stretched all around. Inside, carved and hollowed stone vases hung on the walls, filled with fresh white lillies; their scents mingling with the heady scent of spices from the back.
Highly polished and rectangular, the pine table lay centered in the sitting room, three caramel colored kneeling mats on either side.
Lowering the bag aside and kneeling at the table, Kagome lifted her arms for Hinagiku and frowned when Sesshomaru shook his head and proceeded to kneel at her side.
Sango, catching the exchange between Kagome and Sesshomaru, grinned and sat across from Kagome.
"I never would have believed, Lord Sesshomaru, that you would be so devoted to an infant, even if she is your own, had I not seen it for myself"
Sesshomaru grunted, Kagome giggled.
"I know! The way he carries himself to make people think he's cruel when he's actually a softie. You should see the way Inuyasha dote's on her too, he's always dropping by unexpected and Hinagiku just beams. She even calls him "Cha" now! Isn't that adorable!"
Sango tilted her head and rested her chin in her palm, her eyes lighting up. Kagome twisted around as though looking for something and turned back to Sango.
"Sango, where's Kohaku? and Kilala? I haven't seem them"
"They left yesterday. He's staying with an elderly couple to help them prepare for winter and I sent Kilala with him for protection. They'll most likely return in a fortnight"
Nodding her head, Kagome followed Sango's gaze and smirked.
Clinking through the beads covering the entryway from the back, Miroku tried valiently to hide his twitching eye as he carried the tray to the table and set it before Sango. Kneeling at her side, he made a show of plucking at the folds of his robe, ignoring the amused stares.
Kagome covered her mouth with her hand to hide her grin. 'Poor Miroku, he looked like a waiter, I should have asked him for a menu' Her smirk widened.
Gracefully, Sango upturned the black lacquered teacups and poured, cautiously handing each a steaming cup and sitting back on her heels to hold her own at her lips, grinning softly as Kagome's shoulders vibrated in silent laughter to see Miroku's shoulders slump against Sesshomaru's mocking stare.
Sango sipped at her tea and set it aside, her brows pulled together in thought as she cleared her throat.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I know I've said it before, but I thank you again for saving Kohaku"
"There's no need. His attention to Kagome's safety earned him his life"
The room fell silent in mutual reminiscence.
Hinagiku had been two months old and staying with her grandmother when the battle against Naraku finally came to a close.
Having conceiled his heart within a stone Buddah, Naraku had hidden the statue in a shrine deep in the mountains.
A rumor of a strange demonic pressence had drawn the entourage to the shrine.
Sitting on the steps, Kagome had kept Shippo, Rin and Jakken entertained while Miroku and Sango had gone to talk to the head Monk. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had opted to remain hidden within the forest, but had been enevitably drawn into a squabble.
Naraku had slinked in through the shadows, the ever-present smirk on his face widening. Raising his arms, the vile, pulsing, heavily veined tendrils had shot out, aimed for the center of Kagome's back.
Kagome had felt a shard's presence and had called out, but noticed Naraku's aura too late.
Diving from around the statuary, Kohaku had pushed Kagome away, taking the spear of flesh through the chest; cutting the shard from his back.
Miroku, Sango, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had all come in time to see his body fall to the ground. Sango had screamed, Miroku had cursed, Inuyasha had seethed, Sesshomaru had drawn his sword and attacked. Kagome had tried rise and fell against the nearest statue, knocking the Buddah over and shattering the stone into a pile of grey rubble.
The beating heart had bounced across her feet.
Thinking fast, she purified the heart with an arrow.
Naraku's body had exploded into thousands of demons, his anguished screech reverberating through the air as the Sacred Jewel had floated to Kagome's upheld hands.
Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Miroku had killed the demons.
Kagome had wrapped her arms around Sango's trembling body as she cradled Kohaku. Tears streaming down their cheeks.
The next few weeks had flown by.
Inuyasha had taken off, kissing Kikyo goodbye as she returned Kagome's portion of her soul, her body falling into dust.
Sango and Miroku married. Kohaku, as the only living member of Sango's family, gave her away.
After the wedding, Kagome and Sesshomaru tracked Koga down and after knocking him upside the head, Kagome kissed him on the cheek, thanking him for handing back the shards. Returning to her time, she buried the Shikon Jewel at the base of the Tree of Ages in a lock box and testing the well, she had been estatic to learn that she could continue travling through.
Hinagiku's cry brought the friends back to the present.
Pulling the diaperbag to her lap, Kagome rifled through the changes of clothes, diapers, teething rings riddled with tiny puncture marks, powder, washcloths, and shampoos until she found the box of 'Arrow root' cookies.
Knowing Hinagiku's penchant to mush then eat, Sesshomaru handed her over to Kagome. Sitting her up in her lap, she tied a bib around Hinagiku's neck and then passed her the cookie. Everyone laughed to see her bright brown eyes widen and bouncing in place, she gurgled, screeched and gnawed away at the sweet.
"Kagome, you never cease to amaze me. Would it be at all possible if you could share with me some of your tricks? You make being a mother seem easy!"
Blushing, Kagome smiled at Sango.
"I'd love to help you, Sango, but trust me, even with all the stuff I've brought through the well, it's not easy. We were lucky that Hinagiku's naturally easy to please, unlike some of the family"
Her head nodded in Sesshomaru's direction. Cocking a brow, Sesshomaru eyed the innocent smile plastered to her face.
"Kagome, I am positive your friends are well aware of your nature to have things your way. Would only passing you a cookie make you as content as our daughter"
Miroku smothered his laughter in the sleeve of his robe, Sango laughed outright and laid a settling hand across her belly. Unable to hold her indignant expression, Kagome laughed and grinned smugly.
"That's perfectly alright. After Hinagiku's finished her cookie, Sesshomaru can take her aside and change her diaper this time"
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Kissing first Shippo, then Rin on their cheeks, Kagome hugged them tight and gave them her stern look.
"No mischief you two. Listen to Sango and Miroku. Be respectful!"
Seeing the shared glances between Shippo and Rin, Kagome raised her arms in defeat and settled them on her hips. Realizing, not for the first time, just how much the two have grown over the years. Rin had grown a few inches and now stood just below Kagome's shoulders. Her bright brown eyes shinning and her long, wavey lochs askew with leaves and barely held back with a cream colored ribbon. While she still adored her cream and orange checked kimono's, she now sported her dark orange kimono embroidered all over with dark green fern leaves and a cream colored obi. Kagome mourned the splotches of mud and grass smeared over the pretty kimono.
Shippo's growth spurt had amazed them all as he now came to Kagome's hip. He had taken to wearing his hair like Miroku and Kagome missed the cute bow. Outgrowing his old clothes, he now wore navy hakamas and a tan haori. Kagome smiled; Shippo was growing into a handsome demon.
"Gah, We'll be back early tomorrow afternoon"
Waving back at the couple in the doorway, Kagome turned for Sesshomaru as he hefted the diaperbag over one shoulder and clasped the wiggly baby before him, attempting to keep her tiny claws out of his mouth. 'So domestic!'
Walking up to him, she wrapped Hinagiku in her arms and clenching her eyes tight, she felt an arm encircle her shoulders and in a bright flash, they disappeared into a bright ball of energy and flew overhead toward the well.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
A sharp giggle errupted from Hinagiku as she was whisked from Kagome's arms. Blinking, Kagome eyed her mother as she pranced around the kitchen with Hinagiku cradled on one hip, her free arm filling a plate with noodles and boiled eggs, all the while talking giberish in a singsong voice and plying noisy kisses across Hinagiku's face.
Loving the attention, Hinagiku squealed and charmed her grandmother by returning the kisses and clapping her tiny hands.
Shaking her head, Kagome motioned for Sesshomaru to sit at the table with Gramps and Sota as she set about filling the stack of plates from the multiple, heavenly-scented pots steaming from the stove. Setting a plate before Sesshomaru, she returned his raised brow and turned around to set the remaining plates on the table before sitting and promptly stuffing herself with her mother's cooking.
Giving one last smooch to her cheeks, Kagome's mother set Hinagiku in Sota's old high-chair and set the plate in front of her, filling a sip-cup with juice, she sat at the table across from Kagome and handed the cup to her grand-daughter.
"My goodness, she has an appitite, doesn't she?"
Already, Hinagiku's chubby cheeks were caked in partial noodles as she attempted to stuff both food-filled fists into her mouth.
Kagome laughed around her mouthful of beef broccoli and finally swallowed.
"Yah, I know she does. She kinda reminds me of Inuyasha that way, no qualms whatsoever about stuffing her face"
"She reminds me of you, Kagome!"
Kagome glared at Sota. Sesshomaru chewed on a slice of beef, smirking his agreement.
OoOoOoOoOo
Putting away the last dish from the sink, Kagome turned in time to see her mother walk into the kitchen with a freshly bathed and yawning Hinagiku in her arms, ready for bed in her pink sleeper.
"Kagome, your dress is laid out on your bed. After your bath I'll come up to help you into it, okay dear?"
Kagome thanked her mom, amazed by her ability to keep everything so organized and rushed through the living room, up the stairs and into the bathroom.
Waiting for the slam of the bathroom door, Kagome's mother smiled and handed the baby over to Sesshomaru before sitting opposite him.
Raising his ankle to rest over his right knee, Sesshomaru raised a brow at woman before him as he gently bounced his leg.
"Your suit, Sesshomaru, is in Father's room. I can help you with some of the clothing if need be. As for the item, I've hidden it in the coat pocket"
Nodding, Sesshomaru allowed a pleased smile to slip across his face.
OoOoOoOoOo
Wiping away the last smudge of mascara, Kagome eyed her reflection once more. Two hours, four hands and a lot of poking, prodding and pulling later, she grinned and nodded.
Her waist length black hair had been pulled into an elaborate up-do. Curls framed her face, smaller curls 'escaped' the mound of twisted hair to lay prettily across her shoulders. Two strings of pearls wound across the crown of her head.
Mascara, lavender eyeshadow and black eyeliner made her eyes pop, faintly rouged lipgloss made her lips shine, sweeping glitter on her temples and collarbone made her skin glow.
The dress drew her breath away.
Strapless, the cranberry red silk wrapped in figure hugging criss-crossed layers across her torso and fell in rippling vertical waves to her feet. Slit to her hip, every movement made the material float about her long legs. The train, trailing a few inches behind her heels was held in place by three silk red roses just below the small of her back.
Adding three silver bangle bracelets, diamond and pearl drop earrings, pearl-white, strappy, high-heeled sandals and a silver banded watch, Kagome gulped and hugged her teary-eyed mother.
"If Sesshy doesn't like this...I'll kill him!"
Laying a french-manicured hand across her fluttering stomach, she heaved a deep breath and swiping the matching shawl and white furred mask off her bed, she swept out the door.
Unaware of the funny faces he was making, Sesshomaru raised and lowered his brows in an attempt to loosen the tight black band holding his hair at the nape of his neck.
After dressing, Kagome's mother had fretted with his hair, coat lappels, cuffs, the pressed line of his pants until she had finally stood back and sighed dreamily before taking off upstairs and leaving him alone in the living room awaiting Kagome. Ignoring the family cat! skulking around the house and Gramp's 'last chance' call for a sip of sake.
The high collar of the cranberry red dress coat irritated his jaw and he felt nearly naked without his armor. The white dress shirt felt stiff and the white dress slacks too snug against his legs. Accustomed to his well worn boots, the black dress shoes cramped his feet. At least he still had one of his swords and he gripped Tenseiga's hilt to reassure himself of the sword's pressence.
Inhaling a deep breath, he fingered the small lump resting against his hip and felt inhibitions settle in. He had never before given a gift to a human and knew little of their customs. He only hoped he was not made a fool. Frowning, he turned for the kitchen but caught a waft of lavender, looking back, his eyes widened.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Sesshomaru forced a breath into his lungs. His pulse quickened and he fought to still the trembling of his hands as he reached for Kagome's outstretched hand.
She had always been beautiful to him, now, however, she was without comparison. Her honeyed gaze searched his and drifted behind her long lashes as he plied sweet kisses across her up-turned lips.
Kagome's mother slipped by unnoticed to the kitchen and returned, Gramps and Sota at her sides, a sleeping Hinagiku in her arms.
Kagome felt the pull of desire sweep through her as she eyed her mate. As expected, her mother had picked out the perfect outfit. The cut of the dress coat accentuated his muscular form, the wide lapells, short coat-tails in the matching red of her dress. He appeared the perfect prince and Kagome couldn't help grinning like a fool.
Stepping away from his arms and twirling, her skirt rose and swirled around her thighs, the soft material swishing and falling against her legs as she paused and held her arms out.
"So, what do you think?"
Lights danced in Sesshomaru's eyes and her heart thudded as he dropped to one knee before her. Glacing over his head to her family, she pondered the whistful look on her mother's face and turned her eyes back to him.
"Sesshomaru?"
Tenderly grasping her left hand, he lifted a circulet jewel of white gold from his pocket, decorated with a fine rope of pink gold wound around the band and gently pushed the ring on her finger.
Kagome hiccoughed and felt tears burn behind her eyes, her body trembled and her brain short-circuited. 'A ring, my ring...ring...ring...ohmigod! I have a ring!'
Rising to his feet, Sesshomaru watched the play of emotions across Kagome's face as she stared at her hand until she finally raised her eyes to him. Bouncing in place, she leapt and wrapped her arms around his neck, planting kisses across his face and dropping to the floor once more, she dashed around him and ran to her family.
"Do you see this? Isn't it pretty?!?! Oh, I'm so happy! I can't believe he got me a ring! I knew there was a reason I loved him!"
Her mother smiled. "I'm glad you like the ring, Kagome. I thought you would when Sesshomaru picked it out"
Kagome paused and turning around to face Sesshomaru, her eyes flashed angrily.
"Wait, what? Mom was there? I don't get it! How? When? Tell me, Sesshomaru!"
He smirked as he stepped to her and laid a plam along the side of her face.
"I had every intention of accompanying you this evening, Kagome. The assumption that I would not was a ploy to keep you from knowing of my intentions. Do not direct all your anger toward me, for all your friends and family knew of this"
Kagome's amber eyes widened as she scanned her family's matching sheepish grins. Almost dizzy from twisting back and forth, she slowly realized everyone was waiting for her to blow up. Taking a deep breath, she smiled instead.
"Well, your ploy worked, Sesshy. Thank you so much for the ring, I love it!"
Kagome nearly laughed out loud as everyone exchanged confused glances. Reaching for the shawl draped over the couch, she tossed it over her shoulders and pulling the mask over her eyes, nudging it to lay comfortably over her nose, she kissed Hinagiku's forehead and swept out to the door to await Sesshomaru.