Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR or Inuyasha


Kagome POV

It took a few minutes but I finally found someone who was willing to watch the baby. Wow he really needs a name; I really need to decide on a single name instead of just calling him the baby.

Somehow Sesshomaru's hand had found mine without me noticing and he was leading me through the corridors of the Golden Hall. I allowed him to continue guiding me with little thought. Soon we found ourselves outside, a bush of flowers caught my eye and I tugged him towards it. They were a beautiful white; I had never seen these flowers in Japan. I could see in the distance that they grew on hills outside of the city walls. I was lost in their simple beauty for a few moments until Sesshomaru gracefully sat down near the flowers, tugging my hand so that I fell into his lap. "Oomph, Sessho!" I could feel my face burning.

I could feel him shake as he chuckled quietly; he pressed his nose in my hair inhaling deeply. "Kagome, I-I thought I had lost you." His arms tightened around me. I sat there with him in companionable silence for a few minutes, letting him bury his nose deeply into my hair. His breath became ticklish though and I couldn't help giggling under his gentle ministrations.

Unfortunately he caught on and began ticking the back of my neck with his nose; soon I was laughing so hard that I was breathlessly begging him to stop, but his arms were secure around me, not letting me move an inch away from him. Finally he stopped to rest his chin on my shoulder as I slowly calmed down. Soon I relaxed back into him and turned my head to kiss him on the cheek. I flushed the moment I realized I had definitely been the one who took the initiative that time.

He chuckled again at my reaction and guided my chin upward so he could look me in the eyes; he leaned his forehead on mine and practically drowned me in his golden gaze. I was so intently glued to his eyes that I almost missed his words. "Don't ever do that again," his eyes closed like he was in pain, "please, Kagome."

I turned my body in his lap so I could face him, "I'm sorry Maru." I caressed his cheeks reassuringly with both hands, waiting for him to open his eyes. When he did I was once again quickly enthralled in their molten gold depths.

He leaned forward and captured my lips with his. He kissed me ravenously; I let out a light moan as he bit my lip, my entire face flushing a bright red at the sound. He only pulled me closer, his hands at the small of my back gentle but firm. Soon my hands were entangled in his hair and I had to pull him away so I could breathe. To my delight I wasn't the only one out of breath, we stared at each other panting; he got his breath back first and began to lay soft butterfly kisses on my jaw. "Kagome; this Sesshomaru, loves you."

I sucked in a breath and looked at him, his eyes were tender and honest, "and I love you Maru." His eyes lit up and he captured my lips once more. When he finally pulled away I felt a bit light headed, I put my head on his chest so the world would stop spinning. My heart was beating erratically and I was positive he could hear it; if he didn't know what he did to me before, he did now.


Sesshomaru POV

I held her small frame to my chest; I could hear her heart jump every time I moved. She snuggled even closer to me, rubbing her face on me like an attention starved puppy. I was glad that I had already taken off my armor, her warmth easily reached out to me even in the slight chill the wind created. This small woman had quickly stolen something I had forgotten I possessed, my heart.

"Sessho," she paused, looking as though she didn't know if she should continue, I nudged her, prompting her to ask. "You don't mind the baby do you?"

I snorted, why would she think I would mind? "Kagome, I understand."

"So you are ok with me raising him?"

"Hn." She smiled and snuggled back into my chest. I understood perfectly, I had Rin somewhere at home and she used to have Shippo. If it made her happy I wouldn't care if she adopted a dozen pups, "Kagome."

"Hn?" she replied, mimicking me.

"Promise the next pups will be ours." She flushed brighter than I had ever seen her before.

"Sessho! You can't just say stuff like that!"

"Why? I would very much like for you to bear my pups."

"Sesshomaru!"I grinned at her embarrassed huff, but let the subject drop.

"Come Kagome, the celebration has begun." I helped her up and began to escort her back inside. We came close to the roar of people and Kagome tugged on my hand.

"I should probably get the baby. You go ahead." She gave me a nudge towards the main hall but I didn't wish to leave her so soon after I had gotten her back. I shook my head and led her to the baby.

The woman watching over him seemed to be having a delightful time playing peek-a-boo with him. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as Kagome entered the room and surprised the woman; naturally Kagome apologized profusely.

The women chattered and I didn't pay much attention to the words, just the expressions that fluttered across Kagome's face. I watched her animated face as she conversed with the other woman. When she flushed deeply I tuned into the conversation.

"You two certainly have an adorable child." I smiled, in a lower voice the woman continued, if I had been human I probably wouldn't have heard it. "You caught yourself one of the good ones."

Kagome's face sported a brilliant red but she sent a loving smile in my direction, "Indeed."

"I don't remember you telling me this little boy's name, what is it?"

"Well," I cut her off with a smile.

"Ayaki." Kagome looked at me in wonder.

"That's a nice name, what does it mean?"

"An uncommon figure." Kagome mumbled, but looked at me with a smile.

"Well you two are welcome to leave little Ayaki with me and enjoy the celebration. I would be more than happy to continue to play with him; you can come get him later tonight or in the morning." She gave Kagome a 'subtle' wink that made her flush yet again.

"Thank you Astrid. But I am sure we will return later this evening."

Astrid laughed, "If you do not, I won't mind watching him until morning. I do not know if you knew this but years ago I watched over Prince Theodred as he grew, since he died I was not sure what to do with myself. Anytime you need me to watch Ayaki just let me know."

Kagome was about to refuse the offer but Astrid continued, "I insist, both of you have done so much for my kingdom, it is the least I can do."

"Thank you very much Astrid. It is a relief that there is someone that can help me if I need it."

"Of course! Now you two hurry along, the party is probably waiting on you two." She chased the two of us out but not before Kagome planted a kiss on the pups head.

I almost smiled; she will make a great mother. I tugged her along back to the main hall where the party was being hosted, she laughed and skipped beside me, soon she was the one tugging my hand.

Her bright smile was like a breath of fresh air. She slipped through the door to the hall ahead of me and I followed. The hall was packed with bustling men; I kept Kagome a little closer than necessary. It seems that the celebration had just started, mugs of a liquid that smelled similar to sake were being passed and I found myself with one as well as Kagome.

The king stood and everything got quiet, "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!"

"Hail!" was the response that resonated throughout the hall and every one took a drink from their mug, I copied them and watched as Kagome hesitantly followed my lead and took a sip. I gave a light chuckle when she made a face at the taste, she looked up at me and smiled but when a woman came around with a serving tray she quickly relinquished her mug.

"I think I prefer water."

"So you are unused to the taste of sake?"

"Sake is much lighter than this ale. Besides I don't like the side effects."

"Side effects?"

She looked at me incredulously, "You know generally stupid behavior, rambling, forgetting what happened by morning?"

"Really? I have never had such side effects."

"Trust me, by the end of tonight you will have seen a lot of it."

I leaned down to her level and whispered in her ear, "I'd rather see a lot of you by the end of the night."

She laughed, "You can't see much more of me, you know just about everything there is to know about me."

I mentally smacked myself again at her innocence. "Come." I led her around the room, occasionally we were stopped with someone who had thanks to give or some other nonsense. We ended up near that irritating elf and the dwarf named Gimli. They seemed ready to begin a drinking game, but when we approached we were invited to join. Kagome flat out refused but I almost smirked, I didn't like this elf much, maybe I should drink him under the table.

"Very well, I shall join." Kagome groaned next to me but obliged she released my hand and stood behind me as I sat at the table, her hand resting on my shoulder. She worries for nothing.

Soon the dwarf fell over with something about swimming and hairy women. I had yet to feel a difference in my body, I almost laughed as the elf admitted he felt a tingling in his fingers. The table was cleared of mugs and we were both continually handed mug after mug. We both drank calmly and the table was once again cleared of mugs; men had congregated around us to watch in wonder as neither of us slowed down.

Next to me I heard Kagome mutter, "Man just watching you guys makes me have to pee."

By the time the table was cleared a third time I knew I was winning, the elf was beginning to sway just a bit. I laughed, "I think it is finally beginning to affect me as well, my fingers are also tingling."

"You guys are going to kill your super human kidneys all in one night." Kagome mumbled behind me; her finger had been playing with my hair the whole time, it was quite relaxing. When the table was still half empty the elf made a strange face.

"I think I am going to be sick." He mumbled. That was the only warning we got before his stomach was no longer full. I had leapt back at his words, taking Kagome with me but the men surrounding us were not so lucky. I rested in the rafters with her for a second before letting out a loud laugh, "I guess I win."

Kagome was making a disgusted face but her attention was mine once more when I wrapped my arms around her. "See, I told you that it would affect you!"

"Hn."

"Admit it I'm right aren't I?"

"Hn."

She sighed, "You got us up here so you have to get us down."

"But it's nice up here."

"Come on Sessho, let's go." She waited but when I didn't move she threatened me. "If you don't I call to the nearest guy and jump into his arms."

I growled at the thought of someone else touching my Kagome and finally conceded. I took her down in a single leap with a grumble; she laughed and swatted my head lovingly. "Come on, I will purify the alcohol for you." She led me over to a bench and made me sit, her hands hid themselves in the folds of my clothes and I almost yelped when I felt a warm heat come from her hands. It was an admittedly strange feeling, but soon my mind seemed much clearer.

"Thank you Kagome." She blushed but nodded.

"If not me, who else would you let take care of you?"

"Hn."

My eyes were drawn to a nearby table with two hobbits dancing on it and singing. My miko laughed delightedly at the sight, I was fascinated by everything about her; from the dimples on her cheeks and the gleam in her eyes to her loyalty and compassion. I realized then that there was no other for me, in this world or the next. My hand brushed her cheek absent mindedly, I knew I would have to ask her, the question was when.


Hey guys sorry but that's it! I'm really proud of this chapter because it's pretty long for me (: Hope you guys like the name I chose. Anyways I love you guys! Please let me know your thoughts in a review below!

Guest: thanks! I hope you also like this chapter!

Until Next Time,

~Miketsukami-kun