Chapter 25

He felt when the entity leave Kagome. He watched her eyes closely as they started to flutter open. He wanted her to see him first. Yes, it was selfish, but she was his, even if she didn't know it, yet.

"Miko." Sesshomaru called quietly, watching her eyes as the first of the blue was seen. He would never admit to anyone, his relief at seeing her open her eyes.

"Sesshomaru." Kagome whispered, as she looked into the relieved golden eyes.

"Momma?" Shippo whispered, gaining Kagome's attention. Turning her head slightly, she looked into two sets of worried eyes.

"I'm alright. A bit sore and stiff." Kagome replied as she tried to move and found it harder than she would have thought, groaning at the way her body reacted or didn't react.

"Lay still, Miko. You will be sore and unable to walk for several days." Sesshomaru informed, placing a restraining hand to her shoulder to keep her down.

"I know, but I need to bathe. I feel gross. So if someone would be kind enough to help me stand and direct me to water. I would like to bathe. Bathing will also help my sore and aching body. After a good soak, I should be able to walk and tend to things." Kagome rambled, she hated feeling helpless or even being injured. She was so surprised to feel Sesshomaru's gentle touch on her shoulder, that was keeping her down.

Sesshomaru moved into a kneeling position, gently picking Kagome up off the ground, without saying a word.

"Um.. Sesshomaru? What are you doing?" Kagome asked blushing madly at being so close to a male, more so that it was Sesshomaru, though it gave her another opportunity to take in his scent. Yes, she had scented him before, but never like this. Her head started to swim. The scent of winter pines, the musky scent of male, the sweet tang of his toxins and power and the slight scent of dog. She couldn't help the slight arousal that flowed through her.

"Kagome!" Was screamed from everyone except for Kikyou whom scowled. She was pissed. Her reincarnation wasn't supposed to wake up. She was supposed to die. Why couldn't things work out for her. Why was the bitch making things so hard for her. Was it too much to ask for? All she wanted was the bitch to finally die, so that she could have her soul back. She wanted to be human again.

She hated the life that she was given. Yes, the sex was great when she could get away from InuYasha long enough to meet up with one her lovers. She wondered if Sesshomaru would be a good lover. Yes, he was cold, but she was in need and he was a gorgeous male and she was a beautiful, intelligent female. She did like it rough, that was the one good thing about being a youkai, she healed faster than she would being human, InuYasha was always too gentle for her liking. He always treated her like she fragile and would break like a clay pot. Though with the herbs that she used to hide the fact that she had lovers was a plus. She would have to gather a few, so she could get Sesshomaru to rut her. She wouldn't mind being his dirty little secret, but she would need to get him away from her reincarnation long enough to get what she wanted from the big male.

She had watched as the Lord of the Western Lands stayed near the pathetic creature. She didn't know what was so special about the girl. She was useless during the fight and had gotten hurt, to the point of gaining the attention from everyone, including her own mate.

She knew that getting rid of the supposed daughter would be tricky, but she had plans that she could implement once they got back. She still knew a few things about potions and such that she could still make. She would have to enlist one of her lovers to help her. She smirked at the thought. All she had to do was give a little sex and they were putty in her claws.

The problem lay was in getting Sesshomaru to go along with getting rid of her reincarnation. By the looks of him, the girl had him wrapped around her little finger. She had to find away to turn him against her. The question was: How? Maybe with a little sex, she could get him right where she wanted him and he would do anything to have her, just like her other lovers.

"Kagome!" They all shouted and rushed to her. Hearing Sesshomaru growl, they stopped in their tracks.

"I'm fine. I just need to stand. So if you would be so kind as to set me down, I'll gather my bag and go bathe. I know, I smell horrible." Kagome said, directing most of what she had to say at Sesshomaru, who only tightened his grip on her.

"I can help you bathe, Kagome." Both Sango and Rin said at the same time.

"No. I bathe alone. I don't need help bathing myself." Kagome stated giving Rin a look that she understood, she wasn't angry with her, though when she looked towards Sango she scowled.

"But you will need help, I have helped you before." Sango pleaded.

"How many times do I have to tell you, no, before you finally get it. I am not the same girl you knew. She died fifty years ago, thanks to you and yours." Kagome stated angrily.

"Put me down. I want to stand." Kagome was so frustrated. Why wouldn't anyone listen to her.

"No." Sesshomaru stated blandly. He was not about to let her hurt herself. He was told that she wasn't allowed to walk for a few days and he had no intentions of allowing her to walk, until he was sure that she wouldn't hurt herself further.

"But I need to bathe." She stated adamantly. She didn't know what he had planned, but she had a feeling that she wouldn't like it one bit, even though he had been standing guard while she bathed, this felt different.

"Saito." Sesshomaru called, the servant already knew what he wanted and rushed to Kagome's bag, he grabbed it rushing back over to his lord and handing it to him. Sesshomaru was surprised at how light the bag actually was, considering he knew of some of the items she carried, her bag should weigh a lot more than it did.

"Oh no! Sess..." Was all she got out, before InuYasha exploded.

"What the fuck! You ain't taking her to bathe! Hand Kagome over to Sango, Sango and Kikyou can bathe her!" InuYasha bellowed.

"Shippo, guard your mother's weapons and gear." Sesshomaru said ignoring his dim-witted half-brother, he was not pleased that InuYasha had stated that his vile mate would assist the miko, when everyone knew how much she hated Kagome.

"Sit." Kagome said, her anger was rising like the sun. "I will deem who bathes me or not. You have no say in what I do or don't do. I don't know how many times, I have to say it before all of you get it. I bathe alone. Now please put me down." Kagome yelled in her soft tones.

"No." Sesshomaru stated, as he started walking away from the group, towards the nearest body of water, making Kagome blush a deeper red than an overly ripe tomato.

"But?"

"Enough Kagome. I have seen most of you." Sesshomaru told her quietly. He knew that she would explode, but he was not about to allow her too further injure herself, with her stubbornness.

"What!?" Kagome squeaked out, going even redder if that was possible.

"I had to set your injured ribs. I could not very well do that without opening your haori and juban." Again he spoke softly, not wanting any other to hear what he said to her.

"Did… did..." She couldn't finish the sentence. She was afraid that everyone saw her. It was bad enough that he did.

"No. I would not allow it. Only I saw the markings on your torso, along with the extent of the damage you sustained." He growled lowly at remembering, how damaged she actually was. "I was aided, by a female entity. She instructed me on how to straighten your bones, without further injury to you. She also informed me, that you are not allowed to walk for several days, lest you do further damage to your spine."

"She told you?" Kagome asked, receiving a nod of confirmation.

"I knew that you did not want the others to bathe you or even assist you, as you did not want any seeing your markings or scarring. Therefore since I have already seen them. I will assist you."

"But?" She squeaked, she didn't know how much redder she could get, before her head popped like a balloon.

"Fear not, Kagome. I will not touch you. I will make sure you are able to do that, though I will wash your back and areas that you are unable to reach." Sesshomaru watched as she again blushed. He wondered idly if she would faint from all the blood rushing to her head.

"But I feel fine, other than being stiff and a bit sore." She protested.

"Hn. Saito and Jaken made a potion to help reduce pain. Do not be fooled, your body still needs time to heal."

Kagome knew well what it was like with needing time to heal. After she went home it took months to fully heal from all her injuries, even with her powers. She just didn't like having to rely on others, it had been fifty years since she was this badly hurt.

"Lord Sesshomaru, may I speak with you in private for a moment, before you take my mother to bathe?" Asked a very nervous kitsune.

Sesshomaru looked over at Shippo, seeing his nervousness, along with the seriousness of his request. He gave a slight nod, placing Kagome back on the ground. "See to it that she does not stand. I shall return shortly." Sesshomaru ordered, walking away before Kagome could object.

When they was far enough from camp Sesshomaru turned to the young kit, looking him over. He was pleased to note the sparkle that had returned to the kits eyes. No longer did he hold the rage, just anger.

"I need to know your intentions with my mother." Asked the nervous teen, once they were far enough from camp, so no one could overhear what was being said. Yes, he knew Sesshomaru for the past fifty years, but now that he had his mother back, he wasn't going to take any chances of her getting hurt like she was with InuYasha.

"I wish to court your mother." Sesshomaru stated, bluntly. He watched as the kits eyes widened.

"What? Why?" Shippo was shocked. He wasn't expecting this, but then again it did answer a lot of questions that he had, about why Sesshomaru took care of him and helped him, when he needed it. Sesshomaru wasn't known for being kind or compassionate.

"Though you are not the miko's blood kin, you are the next best. You are her son, therefore this one finds he must ask your consent to court her. I was going to wait, but events have changed."

"Oh." Shippo's eyes widened even more. "Alright, um. I know that you would be good to her, but I need to ask." The young kit stated as he was thinking rapidly. "Will you be faithful to her? InuYasha always hurt her."

"Yes. I will have no other." Sesshomaru growled. He didn't like being questioned, but knew he had no choice, if he wanted Kagome.

"Good. Um, I know you will protect her, but can you love her? Momma needs love, she deserves it." Shippo knew that this was a hard question for someone like Sesshomaru, he never showed emotions.

"I do not know what love is. I have never been in love or felt love from another." Sesshomaru stated. He hated having to admit it, but the kit would need to know the truth, if he was gong to be allowed to court Kagome.

"Well, what do you feel towards her?" Shippo needed to know that he could at least grow to love her. She deserved no less, after everything that she has had to go through.

"I care for her. I have this overwhelming desire to see her happy. I would protect her with my own life. I respect her for who she is. She is strong, loyal, willful, cunning, compassionate, patient, intelligent, gentle, fierce. She is not intimidated by me, she is also powerful, though I was intrigued with her more than fifty years past, when she was but a child and untrained." Sesshomaru stated honestly. He needed the kit on his side.

"What about ridicule? You know not all youkai or humans will like that you mate a human much less the fact that she is a miko. I know it doesn't matter to my momma, but the other Lords and youkai won't like it much and they could try to harm her." Shippo knew that not many would like the idea, let alone humans. And more so they both races hated hanyou.

Sesshomaru growled at that question. "It matters not what others think. I would protect Kagome when she could not protect herself. I will not allow others to harm her. She would be my mate regardless of whom likes it or not." Sesshomaru stated, his eyes flashing red with his beasts agreement.

"She's human. Will you deny her pups? I mean, everyone knows that you don't like hanyou and having a human mate will produce hanyou offspring. Won't there be problems, especially where you are a Lord and all, you are expected to have full blooded heirs." This was an important question. He needed to know that Sesshomaru looked past her human status.

"I would never deny her pups. She will make a good mother. If hanyou are the results of our joining, I would care for them just the same. Our pups would be strong, with our combined powers. Once trained they would be formidable allies or opponents. My issue with InuYasha is of a different caliber. He was a stain on my families line. My father took a mistress that was meant for another, staining her own line and honor. My father forsook his vows, not only to my mother, but to me as well. He placed more importance on his mistress, than his family. I would never do that to Kagome." Sesshomaru explained growling. He didn't want to answer these questions, but knew that if he didn't answer honestly, Shippo would withhold him from courting his mother.

To say that Shippo was shocked was an understatement. He never realized that the indomitable Lord of the West could actually love someone, but he does. Even if he doesn't realize it.

"Last question. It's important. Will you make her submit? I mean most youkai don't like females so outspoken and willful as my mother."

"No. I would not do that to her. I would not want to see the light in her eyes dim and fade. She instinctively knows when to back down and when to fight. I will not have her any other way. To make a creature such as she submit, would be a crime against nature. I would make her my equal in all things. I would not degrade her in such a way, as to force submission, even my beast agrees." He hated admitting all of this, but he needed the kits approval, if we were at her home he would have to ask the matriarch of her family for permission.

Shippo stood their for a moment thinking. He wasn't sure if he could trust Sesshomaru with his mother's heart, but from what he was seeing, she would be safe him Sesshomaru.

"What would you do if I refused to give you permission?"

"Kit." Sesshomaru growled. He was about ready to rip the kit in two for making him answer all those questions and admit out loud how he felt.

"Then Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, I, Shippo, son of the Shikon no Miko, Lady Kagome, give you my consent to court my mother and give you my blessing. Know that if you ever hurt her, your life belongs to me." Shippo spoke formally as was his right as Kagome's adopted son.

"Thank you." Sesshomaru bowed respectively to the young kit, making the kits eyes widen in surprise. Sesshomaru was more than pleased that Shippo granted him this.

Kikyou smirked as she watched both Sesshomaru and that annoying kit leave the area. It would give her the time that she wanted to voice her opinion about her pathetic reincarnation and she couldn't move to stop her. She wanted to hurt her pathetic reincarnation like she used to do and this would be the perfect chance to just that. Totally forgetting that Kagome could stop her with just a simple word. She had been holding her tongue for so long, that she needed to get it off her chest

"I told you she was useless and weak. She couldn't even fight off a simple stone oni. How pathetic."

"Shut up, Kikyou." Miroku and InuYasha spat, they were tired of her constantly complaining about Kagome.

"Why, should I? I am only pointing out the truth. The all powerful miko, that she keeps rubbing in our faces, couldn't even defend herself from a simple stone oni."

"Shut up, Kikyou!" Miroku was finally at his limit with the female. "I have heard enough of your mouth, as has everyone else. I am sick and tired of you constantly cutting, Kagome~sama down. Where were you during the fight? You act like you are better than everyone else, but I haven't seen you fight in over fifty years." Miroku spat standing up. He was so sick of her and her self-righteous attitude.

"How many times has Kagome~sama, saved your life? How many times has she saved all of our lives? What we did so long ago was a mistake. We should have never done what we did. All you have thought about was yourself. I admit that I didn't stop to think of what the consequences would be. I made mistakes. I wanted to get rid of the Wind Tunnel, before it killed me. My desire to take Sango for my wife. I don't regret marrying Sango, but we should have fought for what was right, not giving in, just because we were tired." Everyone within the large group just sat back listening to Miroku and Kikyou. Kagome sat stunned listening, if necessary she would punish Kikyou, just to shut her up, but she was curious to know what Miroku thought, since he has been quiet for the most part.

"InuYasha was being selfish when he wanted you back. He should have left you dead. If it wasn't for Kagome~sama, he would still be on that damn tree, from a curse you put him under." Miroku spat, he was so angry his face was red and his hands were balled into fists. He wasn't a violent man, but this female was driving him to the brink of even his immense tolerance.

"It was her duty to help me. She stole my soul and I want it back! I am far superior to her!" Kikyou yelled.

"Your soul? How in all seven levels, do you think it was your soul? You died, you gave it up to move on. Even if Kagome~sama was your reincarnation, it was your duty to relinquish that which was given to you by nefarious ways. If I had known that you walking this plain had caused Kagome~sama that much pain, I would have sent you back from whence you came, but Kagome being Kagome never told a soul about her own pain, she always took care of our pain and ignored her own."

"How dare you! InuYasha, do something about him."

"Don't you dare say a word, InuYasha!" Miroku whipped his head towards a stunned InuYasha. Said male didn't know what to do. He had never heard Miroku so angry before.

"We made mistakes, yet for some reason we think that Kagome~sama should forgive us and pretend nothing happened, but it did happen. I don't know what happened to her. I am not sure I want to know. All I know is I can't ask her for forgiveness, because no matter what I know I don't deserve it. None of us do. I can only pray that maybe someday Kagome~sama will be gracious enough to allow us to become friends again. I know it will never be the same, but I can pray to all the Kami, that she will find us worthy of her friendship." Miroku said, looking towards Kagome with saddened eyes. He knew deep down that was the best he could do. He regretted so many things.

That was also when he noticed the return of both Sesshomaru and Shippo, due to Sesshomaru holding Kagome in his arms, his eyes tinged red in his own anger. Miroku watched as Sesshomaru turned with the miko in his arms without saying a word to anyone and walked out of camp.

When they were far enough away from the main group, he looked down at his miko, many thoughts running through his mind. He didn't want to talk about what he heard at camp, it made him angry beyond words, but the monk spoke true. He was also wondering when would be a good time to ask her to court. He knew that he needed to ask, before they reached the palace, so that he could assign the proper guards to her. He also knew that he had to tell her about the bond growing between them. He already knew the guards he wanted. The couple would be good for her and she for them. Though for now he had questions of a different sort to ask her.

"You were visited, were you not?"

"How..."

"I felt it. You had become agitated."

"I will tell you once we get to where ever we are going." She told him.

"Hn. I also wish to speak too you of several things."

"About what?" Kagome asked looking up into his golden eyes, eyes that she could lose herself in. She really did love the color, they so much more golden than InuYasha's, more narrow and with the stripes on his upper lids, it made him even more sexy. She always did love his eyes, they were always so expressive to her.

"I have many things I wish to learn and many things I need to tell you."

"What do you want to know?" Kagome asked as they reached the hot spring, placing a barrier around them, to keep unwanted attention away and to give them privacy, though she was uncomfortable bathing with Sesshomaru.

"I understand your reluctance to speak of your training. I find the need to know." He stated as he gently set her on ground so she could prepare to bathe, he had handed her, her bag and watch fascinated at the things she pulled out.

"Please turn around while I change." She was so glad that she brought some bathing suits with her. At least she wouldn't be totally nude, but he would be able to see all of her markings and scarring. She was also giving thought to his question. She knew that he would be wanting an answer and knowing what she did, he wouldn't give up until he was satisfied.

Sesshomaru was also having a small dilemma of his own. He didn't wear the customary fundoshi, since he lost his arm more than fifty years ago. He had found that he enjoyed the freedom, but now he could either join Kagome in the spring in the nude or wear his hakama, most likely he would have to wear his hakama to save them both. He knew that Kagome was in way ready for him.

So with that in mind he removed his armor, weapons, boots, haori, and under kimino.

"I guess, I'm ready." Kagome said blushing. She couldn't believe that she was actually going to be bathing with Sesshomaru. Yes, she bathed when he was standing with his back to her, but this was totally different. He was actually going to be in the water with her and seeing her, touching her. She wasn't sure she would be able to handle being touched.

When Sesshomaru turned around, he was speechless and highly aroused. She was wearing the smallest breast bindings he had ever seen, along with the thin scrap of cloth that covered her other womanly parts.

Her markings stood out against her healing bruised flesh. The swirls that he had noted earlier on her flesh showed beautifully, even as they disappeared behind the small breast covering, they flowed across the collar bones down the center of her chest to branch off to her breasts, he now also noticed that they ran down both of her sides and down her arms to her wrists, where they circled before extending over the tops of her hands, he also noted that they went down her long slender legs to her ankles, where they again wrapped around before spreading over the tops of her feet. When he looked at her flat and tone stomach he noticed that the intricate swirls flowed over her hips to disappear behind the scrap of cloth.

"What is that you are wearing?"

"It's called a bathing suit." Kagome said blushing, she knew what she was wearing was indecent to this place, but it was either wear her bathing suit of go nude and she didn't feel comfortable with either prospect.

"Hn." He didn't know how to respond to that, though he was thankful, that it at least covered her private parts.

He walked slowly towards the sitting Kagome, gently he picked her up, feeling her soft silky skin, he couldn't help, but to softly stroke the swirls one of her legs. It didn't escape his notice as Kagome blushed hotly, the slight scent of her arousal caused him to groan internally. They're sensitive. He smirked lightly, storing that information away, for later use.

Entering the hot spring, he sat placing Kagome on his lap, careful of his own arousal, thankful that the water covered enough of both of their arousal. He wasn't sure how much he could take. He would have to ask her soon about courting. Maybe now would be a good time. After all we are alone. I have already been granted permission from her kit. He smirked into her hair, taking in her scent.

Until Next Time…

there is a bit of a rant on one of my guests… it is not directed at any towards anyone but the one that reviewed under guest and was too cowardly to leave a name...

Diva: agreed, but his death was needed… I didn't want to do it… :(

Tai: Kagome isn't that easy to kill… though Asuna will be more than surprised… on all counts….

Guest 1, 2 & 3 since you are all one in the same: I am finding that you are too cowardly to leave a name and therefore don't even deserve the time that I am writing this. Obviously your ignorance is showing and your arrogance because you are hiding behind guest and giving others a bad name… jerk...

Whom is out of character? Kagome… Sesshomaru… InuYasha… Sango… Miroku… Kikyou… ? tell me do you really know the characters? and the fact that this story is taking place 50 years from the start of the story… tell me have you changed in the last 50 years? because I know I have and I have lived for almost 52 years… time changes everyone… have you changed in the last 10 years? if you say no… then I know you are lying… because for me the last 10 years have changed me in many ways…. The loss of my husband, mother, brother, grandson have all left a mark on me… not including losing everything I once had… so characters are bound to change as well… so take your crappy review and shove it…