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November 20th, 2018
Sesshomaru Ship(s)
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"What the hell do you want bastard?" Inuyasha snarled angrily as his hand twitched above his sword, "You've got to the count of three and then..."
"This Sesshomaru desires an alliance," the daiyoukai responded as calm and cool as ever before turning to address Kagome and Sango directly, "Rin is in need of a female's insight and you are female."
Sango and Kagome couldn't help but exchange a bemused glance as they both simultaneously realized what must be happening and what scared even the great Lord Sesshomaru. Inuyasha, however, went ballistic.
"Fuck no you're not..." he began heatedly before Kagome interrupted him, "So I take it that Rin will be accompanying us as well?"
"Yes," Sesshomaru replied dismissively as he glanced over his shoulder at his small ward who was bouncing excitedly, "She shall."
"Kagome, can I talk to ya for a second," Inuyasha huffed in exasperation - more of a demand than a request as he stormed over and began forcibly pulling her away. He knew full well that Sesshomaru would be able to hear everything they were saying. He knew it and he didn't give a flying...
"Why can't he come with us?" Kagome hissed in barely more than a whisper, "He hasn't tried to kill you in over a year."
"Well ain't that a glowing recommendation," Inuyasha snorted incredulously, "He hasn't tried to kill me recently so we should let him kill me in my sleep?"
"He's an idiot if he thinks that's a good idea," Kagome giggled.
"I don't like it," InuYasha huffed before cringing when Kagome murmured his name in a low warning. Exposing his neck slightly in what any Inu-Youkai would recognize as submission, he sighed in defeat before nodding once.
"It'll be Okay. Promise," Kagome cooed as she rubbed his arm affectionately, "You'll see."
Things were not fine. Not in InuYasha's opinion anyway. Things were 100% abso-fucking-lutely not okay. Miroku seemed to be of the same opinion.
"They're staring at him again," Miroku hissed miserably as Sesshomaru took his precious fucking time disrobing and laying the top portion of his kimono and long furry monstrosity attached to it around a sleeping Rin, "He needs to go."
"No shit," InuYasha huffed back as he glared at his brother who merely smirked in his direction, "And he's getting off on it too. Fucking bastard."
"So why did he need females?" Miroku muttered in a curious but dejected tone, "I mean...surely he could've found other..."
"Rin, uh, is becoming a woman," InuYasha responded awkwardly as he scratched the back of his neck, "You know...bleeding?"
"Oooooohhhhh," Miroku hummed in understanding, "Well I can see why he sought human females then."
"Demon females could explain it just as well," InuYasha growled, "Hes here just to mess with me. I know he is."
"Maybe not. Either way, if it is as you say, he'll be gone soon," Miroku sighed before blanching when Sango - his Sango - gave the daiyoukai's backside an appreciative look, "But not soon enough."
Three mornings later, and Rin's fertile time was over. Unfortunately, however, it seemed Sesshomaru had no intention of leaving. At all. Which baffled the men. Naraku was dead and all that was left were jewel shard so why the hell did he want an alliance! And he seemed to be paying particular attention to Kagome. Too much. Way way too much.
"You're so good with Rin," Kagome cooed happily as she watched the young girl chasing Shippo around the meadow where they had set up camp, "She seems very happy."
"Rin is a very unique child," Sesshomaru murmured - a little barely there smile playing on his lips with what she dare think was affection before his face fell. A few moments later, he continued, "You are very good with the young kit."
"I try but honestly, sometimes I don't know why I'm doing," Kagome giggled nervously as she began to play with a lock of her hair. The two watched the children play for a few moments before Sesshomaru spoke again, "I will admit to not knowing at times. Thus why I sought your group for Rin. She is in need of a female influence."
"Is she now?" Kagome laughed softly as she sent the usually stoic and closed off daiyoukai a curious glance, "She seems to be doing alright with just you."
"Daughters learn much from fathers but mothers are needed as well," the daiyoukai replied in his usual cold tone. The words and the way they were spoken clashing terribly. He continued as Kagome listened with wide eyes, "My own mother was distant. Cruel. I do not wish to impart that lesson unto Rin."
Kagome gaped at the daiyoukai who - in all honesty - was earning himself some major brownie points. She had always known he...uh...cared for Rin but then the little girl was so attached. His usual attitude towards her in front of them before all this making her reaction a little sad. To love that deeply and not have it reciprocated. Now though, she understood. He was as attentive a father as anyone could ever wish. Behind closed doors. Rin has tried to explain one night when her and Sango had taken her for some 'girl talk.'
"He acts like he doesn't care sometimes but that's only when he's afraid," Rin had cooed as she took another giant bite of the chocolate pocky Kagome had brought with her, "Or when Master Jakken is being really annoying. But I know it's not me. And sometimes I get kidnapped. So he acts like he doesn't care sometimes to make sure people know I'm okay."
"Wait, what?" Kagome snorted as she tried to process that last sentence, "How does that work?"
"Well, these monks tried to 'save me' from my Lord and they lost," Rin replied with a soft giggle, "So he told me I could follow him 'if I wish' and I did. So the monks wouldn't think I was being forcibly taken away."
"You usually speak to each other rather formally," Sango had hummed with a look of curiosity, "But you both have been..."
"Well, usually we do as a rule but he told me to be more casual here," Rin cooed as she picked up another piece of pocky, "but he's really here to..."
She stopped herself and blushed. The rest of the conversation was focused mainly on the other types of candy that Kagome had brought with her.
Shaking her head of the memory, Kagome smiled at the daiyoukai watching the children play before humming in approval. He made an excellent father actually. Snorting she tried to think of InuYasha as a father before paling. What type of life would that be for a child? To constantly be fighting in front of them? Not healthy at all. No...
"You are upset," Sesshomaru murmured as he glanced at her, "That was not my intention."
"No,no, it wasn't you," Kagome chuckled nervously as she cleared her throat and changed the subject, "So what is that thing you wear on your shoulder?"
By the end of the second week, InuYasha was done. So done. Sesshomaru needed to go. Far. Far. Far. Far away. Like now. Breathing heavily, he watched with heartbroken eyes as Kagome smiled at the daiyoukai the smile she normally reserved only for him. That bastard didn't deserve that smile. Shit, the woman had seen him thrust his arm through his chest! But show up with an adorable child and all is forgiven, huh?
"This is bullshit," InuYasha huffed as he folded his arms tightly across his chest and scowled. The worst part was that he couldn't even do anything about it without looking like the asshole but Sesshomaru knew Kagome was off limits. He knew and still...still...
"For a week?" Kagome breathed in a far too excited tone that had Inuyasha's heart stopping dead in his chest, "Wow! Yeah, I'd love to!"
Full blown panic coursed through the hanyou's system as her words short-circuited his mind. She was leaving them. Leaving him. For none other than Sesshomaru.
"No!" InuYasha bellowed suddenly - his mind not computing he'd even yelled much less moved before he found himself standing between Sesshomaru and Kagome, "I mean, if she goes we all go."
"I did not ask you to accompany us to the Western Lands," the daiyoukai replied in a cold tone- although there was something behind his eyes that InuYasha couldn't quite place, "I merely asked Lady Kagome."
"Oh so she's Lady Kagome now," InuYasha bellowed desperately - panic overriding his judgment, "I seem to remember you calling her my bitch more than once!"
"InuYasha," Kagome sighed impatiently - making him close his eyes and cringe. She'd never sat him in front of Sesshomaru before. Never. She never humiliated him like that. Never.
"It's just a week to help Rin," Kagome chided gently, "I'm coming back. I won't leave you with your shard detector."
"But youre not just my shard detector," InuYasha blurted before his eyes widened further in panic as he registered what he'd said, "I mean...I mean...what about Shippo, huh? You wouldn't leave Shippo!"
"Of course not, he'd coming with me," Kagome laughed - making InuYasha feel like the world was suddenly devoid of oxygen. No, no, no, no, no...
"You will ride with Rin on Ah-Un," Sesshomaru instructed Kagome softly, "We really must be going."
Nodding slowly, Kagome merely stared at InuYasha - who had crumpled to his knees in defeat. She really shouldn't leave him like this. He looked so...
"Just fucking go," InuYasha finally muttered hoarsely before huffing when she didn't move, "I SAID LEAVE! I DONT WANT YOU HERW ANYWAY! JUST GO!"
Blinking stupidly at his hurtful words, Kagome took a shuddering breath and sighed, "Well then, maybe I won't come back after all."
InuYasha released a shuddering sigh as his words and actions caught up with him. She didn't stop when he whispered 'wait'. She ignored his outstretched hand. She ignored him. And went with Sesshomaru.
"You played your part quite nicely," Sesshomaru chuckled some hours later as he escorted Kagome to her quarters. Rin and Shippo were sharing the children's suite. She sighed heavily snd nodded miserably, "As did you but do you think we went too far?"
"No," Sesshomaru replied thoughtfully as he stopped in front of an ornate wooden door, "I believe our venture was successful."
It took less than one day for Kagura to arrive at the palace entrance - completely flustered but determined to make her intentions clear. That she was better than some human bitch and if he wanted a mate, he better pick her. It took InuYasha a full week. By then, Kagura was in on the plan - Having been upset at first by the trick but ultimately grateful that he went through the effort. Still, she was still a little pissed off that he hadn't just come out and said it. Still, she was kinda stalking him - hiding her scent with the wind which was also kinda avoiding him so maybe it was necessary. A dick move but hey, what worked worked.
Kagome had decided the best plan of action would be to take Rin and Shippo on a nature walk in the gardens on the grounds when she felt InuYashas presence growing near. After all, Kagura's scent might give away their trick and all this effort might go to waste.
Still, she wasn't expecting what happened. Not at all. InuYasha didn't come in guns blazing. If anything, he seemed to be trying...trying to be more...Sesshomaru-y. He was walking gracefully and with as confident an air as he could muster. Seeming somewhat detached but not cold. He had brushed his hair - which god knows how long that took. But his amber eyes gave him away. They were terrified.
"Lady Kagome," InuYasha murmured in a distant yet strangely warm tone as he gave her a little bow, "I wish to speak with you."
The children gave Kagome a bemused glance before looking expectantly at the now somewhat flustered looking hanyou who cleared his throat and added softly yet pointedly, "Alone."
"Whatever you have to say, you can say it here," Kagome responded in a somewhat irked tone. He'd let her stay here a week without doing anything and now he...
"I have waited the week you stated you...uh...you informed me you would be away," he began in a soft yet very poised tone that surprised her, "Yet I must insist you return."
"Why are you talking like that?" Kagome finally asked as Rin and Shippo snickered behind their hands. Blushing InuYasha bit his lip for a moment before adding awkwardly, "Does...does it displease you?"
"It's weird," Kagome laughed softly, "Where did you even learn to speak like that?"
"From mother," InuYasha replied softly as his ears dropped and his eyes became distant for a second before he cleared his throat, "Perhaps we can discuss this more on our journey home."
Eyes softening, Kagome couldn't help but feel kinda bad. Sesshomaru had come up with this plan. Having passed her a note that the rest of her illiterate group could not read. In exchange for helping him gain Kagura as a mate, he would assist her in gaining his brother. In any case, she definitely now considered Sesshomaru a friend and she was happy that his plan to get Kagura worked...and they were adorable if she was honest. The way he doted on her made her a tad jealous. But, given how InuYasha was acting Kagome worried they might have broken him.
"Okay, i need to tell you that..." Kagome began with a resigned sigh. She couldn't do this. He was acting so weird and she didn't want him to think he needed to become Seshomaru for her. Although he could learn a thing or two.
"Before you make your final decision," InuYasha interrupted her in a determined yet desperate tone, "I must tell you how ardently I love and admire you."
Laughing once in shock, Kagome crinkled her nose and stared at InuYasha like he'd just grown a second head.
"Wait, What?" Kagome snickered as she tried and failed to keep from laughing. Whatever the hell she was expecting it was that. Not the love part but the way he said it! Oh my god.
"I love you," InuYasha repeated with a faint blush on his cheeks before he swallowed thickly and averted his eyes, "But if you choose to stay, I...I will respect your decision."
"Well...let me discuss this with Sesshomaru," Kagome began slowly as she tried to figure out how to play this to make it believable before she realized how mean that was to leave him hanging, "Actually...um, so I probably need to stay. For the wedding."
"Wedding..." InuYasha repeated in a hollow, numb tone as his ears plastered against his head, "Oh. I see."
"Yes! My lord is to marry Lady Kagura!" Rin squealed excitedly as she bounced on her heels - no longer able to keep it in, "Lady Kagome is helping Rin prepare her gift for her new mother!"
Blinking stupidly at the little girl, InuYasha's mouth hung open as he tried to put the pieces together. So...so...
"Wait, what now?" InuYasha finally blurted as he stared at the young child- sounding much like his usual self before realization dawned and he whipped his gaze towards Kagome, "Youre not marrying Sesshomaru?"
"No, I just met him. Well the real him anyway," Kagome chuckled nervously as she gave him a strained smile, "You can't fall for someone you just met. That's..."
"I always loved you," InuYasha protested weakly as his ears flattened on his head once more and a blush grew on his cheeks, "Ever since...ever since you...you helped with Tessaiga. The moment you jumped into that portal I knew."
A soft barking laugh made all of them jump as Sesshomaru began walking down the garden path with an equally bemused Kagura in his arm. They looked very regal together. And very much in love. Which was disturbing. To see the most bitter and the most cold looking almost...happy? It was weird, okay?
"Ah, so he admits it," Sesshomaru laughed softly as he glanced down affectionately at his soon to be bride, "In truth, I thought he would have arrived much sooner."
"What is happening?" InuYasha breathed under his breath as he stared at the scene in front of him with a mixture of horror and incredulity.
"It is obvious to anyone who has eyes you are in love with Kagome," Kagura giggled as she rolled her eyes, "Just like anyone with eyes knew I loved Sesshomaru. We both just needed some...motivation."
For a moment, InuYasha merely blinked stupidly at Kagura before understanding dawned and he turned an angry glare at Kagome.
"You tricked me!" InuYasha hissed half-heartedly as he tried and failed to look angry, "Why?"
"Because I love you and you were never going to tell me that you loved me too," Kagome explained sheepishly. Oh god, this sounded so much better on paper. This was awful. This type of manipulation wasn't her at all. What type of person was she?! A few seconds ticked by as Kagome clenched her eyes shut and waited for the axe to fall. Before a snort escaped the hanyou.
"Fair enough," InuYasha sighed bemusedly as he took the steps necessary to pull her into my arms, "You could've just asked me though. This seems like a lot of effort."
"That's what I said!" Kagura giggled - again so weird - before humming happily and looking up at her soon to be husband, "Let's go get some food. I'm starving."
"So weird," InuYasha whispered bemusedly in Kagome's ear as he moved to wrap his arms around her waist from behind and rest his chin atop her head, "But hey, whatever works, don't question it."
None of them really noticed Rin giggling as Shippo offered her his arm and a small flower. At least two of them knew how to act. The rest of them were weird. Maybe they'd understand when they were older? Nah, no one understood what happened or why. Nobody.