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Misconceptions and Misunderstandings

Chapter 35

Kagome was now seated on the bed. His behavior was really strange. Maybe he was just tired. It had been a long trip after all. And then the stress of being stranded, trying to find a way to get home. She waited for him to tell her about the surprise that he had said was for them both. That was beyond weird. How could he have a surprise that he didn't know about?

Sesshoumaru sat down next to her on the bed. He felt he needed to ease into the revelation. He took her hand and laced their fingers together.

"There is something that we should talk about. Now that we are back together. We never got around to talking about it before we married. With our anniversary coming up, it's past time we addressed the issue."

She looked at him. Her confusion clear in her eyes. What did this have to do with the surprise he mentioned? Or was he stalling? Waiting for a big reveal? That was really more her style than his, but she would humor him.

"I never brought it up because I just assumed that nature would take its course after we married. But things have changed."

She cocked her head to the side. She was still lost. She didn't want to interrupt him, but if he didn't get to the point soon, she was going to scream. This was so not the way she had envisioned their first night back together.

"What are your thoughts on having pups?"

She was shocked. Of all the conversations they could have had tonight, this was the last thing she expected.

"I haven't given it a great deal of thought. I suppose I assumed there would be pups at sometime in the future. Why bring it up now?"

"I want everything to be clear now that we are starting over. How do you feel about bearing my pups?"

"I would love to bear your pups."

He smiled and squeezed her hand. Before he could say anything else, she continued.

"Although it would be kind of inconvenient right now. With me in school, I mean. I'm not sure I could handle both right now. It would be a lot of work and responsibility. I don't want to waste my time in school if I can't give it my best effort. I did that hunting the shards so we could defeat Naraku. And look what happened there. But more than that, I don't want to neglect a pup while I try to divide my time between the two. It wouldn't be fair to our pup."

Sesshoumaru frowned. This was not going where he wanted it to. He tried to counter her concerns.

"Now that you've moved back in, you would have a lot of help. From me and from the staff. You would have all the time you needed to devote to your classes. And you would not neglect our pup. I know this. You would have nights and weekends when you weren't studying. And when you have to study, the pup would be content to be in the room close to you. Inu pups mature much faster than human children so he would soon be able to understand."

"It sounds like you are trying to talk me into having a pup right away. Is that what you are asking me? We have just gotten back together. I thought you would want some time for just the two of us before starting a family. Besides, while the doctor told me that there was no reason why I couldn't get pregnant, it may be a little more difficult."

"I'm not trying to talk you into anything. I wouldn't plan something that you weren't ready for. And I have to admit that some time alone would be ideal. But what if you accidentally got pregnant? Nothing is foolproof. Would you be upset?"

He held his breath waiting for her answer.

She smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

"Of course I wouldn't. If fate decides that our first pup is born sooner rather than later, then I would accept it and be happy. We would work around any inconveniences. As you said, I'm not alone. I would have lots of help."

"Then you wouldn't be upset if you were to get pregnant… Say now?"

She laughed at him.

"Sesshoumaru, where are you going with this?"

Her eyes got wide and her mouth formed an 'O'.

Then she laughed again.

"I see. You thought my virus was a pregnancy symptom. Don't be silly. It's way too early for morning sickness if I were pregnant. Pregnancy lasts nine months. Morning sickness wouldn't show up until after the first month or so. It hasn't been nearly that long."

"Demon pregnancies only take six months. Morning sickness would start around the first week to ten days. By that time, the scent of the pup would be noticeable to those with a sensitive nose."

Her face sobered. She put a hand to her stomach and looked up at him.

She whispered in awe, "That's what you sensed downstairs. Then… I'm…already?"

He nodded and went to his knees in front of her. Placing his hands on her thighs and nuzzling her stomach, he inhaled her scent. And the scent of his pup.

"Yes Kagome. Fate has decreed that our first pup will be born sooner rather than later."

"Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I wasn't sure how you would feel about it."

She stroked her hand through his hair.

"How could you think that I wouldn't be happy about bearing your pup? I spent months wondering if I would ever be able to have a child at all. When the doctor told me that I could, I thanked the gods."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. I wish I had known. I would have been there for you."

She continued to stroke his hair.

"It would not have been a good idea. I was still with Inuyasha at the time."

Sesshoumaru snorted.

"He didn't deserve you."

He bowed his head.

"After everything I have put you through, I don't deserve you either."

She wasn't going to let him go there. They were starting over and they now had a pup to raise.

"Yeah? Well, tough. You're stuck with me now."

His head snapped up at her teasing tone and his own mood lightened considerably.

"Is that so? Too late to trade you in?"

She touched a finger to his nose.

"Sorry. This model doesn't hold its resale value well anyway."

She rubbed her stomach where his hand rested.

"And then it really goes down once you start adding features that didn't come with the original. So… Yeah. You're stuck with me."

He sat back on his heels as if contemplating his options.

"I have gotten rather attached to this model. I suppose that a new model every year is somewhat overrated. And I am looking forward to adding more features in the years to come."

She threaded her hands through his hair to pull him to her.

"Adding more features, huh? Then don't you think we should use this time to refine our installation technique?"

He closed the distance between them.

"That is an excellent idea. I'm certain we could perfect our technique if we apply ourselves diligently."

She was naked by the time her back touched the bed. The dress didn't allow for a bra, so all she had on were panties underneath it. But it still amazed her how fast he had removed them when he pushed her backward.

"No fair," she complained in a breathy whisper.

"You have on too many clothes."

In seconds he answered her complaint. He was completely naked when he joined her on the bed. He prowled forward with the easy grace of a predator. His eyes were glazed and lust filled. With just a tinge of red reflected in their depths.

His lips met hers in an open mouthed, demanding kiss. There was never any question of his dominance, as his tongue stroked hers. When he was satisfied that he had explored every inch of her mouth, he moved down her jaw with nipping kisses. Her hands tangled in his hair as he drew her earlobe between his lips to suckle it.

She shivered involuntarily and the soft breathy noises coming from her throat drove him to a frenzied need. He dragged his tongue down her neck scenting the heated blood flowing through her veins. His clawed fingers lightly stroked her breasts, teasing her already taut nipples with his thumbs.

She cried out when he drew one nipple into his heated mouth. He nipped it lightly with his fangs and then laved it soothingly with his tongue. He rolled her over and pulled her up to her knees. He had told her what this position signified to an inu, so he waited a moment. Giving her a chance to say no.

When she didn't object, he began to kiss the backs of her thighs. He retracted the claws on one hand and stroked her folds, now saturated with her arousal. Planting little nipping kisses up her leg and across her delectable backside, he buried one finger into her moist heat. Her moans increased in volume. He added a second finger to join the first as his thumb continued to massage her pleasure nub.

Her legs began to tremble as her release rushed closer and closer. He felt her walls clamp down on his fingers as she screamed his name. Her head buried in the pillow, she sought to collapse on the bed. He held her hips in place as she rode out her release. He rubbed soothing circles on her back with his other hand as he waited for her muscles to stop their contractions. When he felt her grip relax he slowly removed his fingers, placing them in his mouth to savor the tangy taste of her honey.

He kissed his way up her back. Paying particular attention to any spot that seemed sensitive. He should know all of her erogenous zones by now. Even those she herself was unaware of. But he had a lifetime to learn them all. And he would enjoy every moment of his exploration.

His warm breath in her ear made her shiver. She whimpered in need. He smirked as he whispered seductively in her ear.

"Tell me what you want."

He bit her ear lightly and she gasped.

"I didn't understand that. What do you want me to do?"

She whimpered again, her breath coming in short pants.

"Oh, gods. I want you…. I want you inside of me. Please."

He let his hands skim down her sides as he pulled back. Gripping her hips, he guided his hard length to her entrance. His eyes surrendered a little more of the molten gold to the blood red as he thrust forward, impaling her with one stroke. He grunted his pleasure as he was surrounded at last by her tight sheath.

"Is that what you wanted?"

He pulled out almost all the way and thrust forward again.

"Is it?"

Her hands were fisted in the sheet. She pushed her hips back to meet his thrust.

"Yesssss. Oh… More… Please."

He set a steady pace. In and out. Slowly. With every stroke, her walls clung to him. Not wanting to release him. His grunts were getting louder, more feral. He fought for control. Not letting go, afraid to hurt her or the pup.

Kagome was getting frustrated at the agonizingly slow pace. She tried to convey her desire with her movements, but he wasn't getting the message.

"Harder, Sesshoumaru. Please. Faster."

He was happy to comply with her wishes. The slow pace was killing him. He slammed into her and she screamed. He thrust fast and hard, just as she had begged him to. Her walls clenched around him. Her heat welcoming him home with every forward thrust. Her heart was racing, her breathing labored, heralding a second release. He wouldn't be far behind. He could feel the pressure building in his loins. It would be over soon.

She cried out her release at last. He rode her release, pumping faster still, until he felt his own release. He thrust twice more and buried himself deep, coating her passage with his seed. He opened his eyes as he leaned forward. His eyes were now completely red, not a hint of the molten gold. An almost feral snarl issued from his throat as he sought access to Kagome's neck.

Almost on instinct, she moved her head to the side, baring her neck in a sign of submission. He licked her neck, scenting the sweet smell of her now sated blood. He bared his fangs and sank them into her neck. She whimpered in pain. Once he tasted her blood, he was satisfied. He licked the wound which was now quickly sealing. He then nuzzled the healing mark.

When he pulled out of her and rolled to his side, he took her with him. Wrapping her in his strong embrace, he whispered to her.

"You're mine. My mate. You belong in my arms. I will never let you go again."

She laid her head on his warm chest and smiled at him.

"I'll never leave you again. I love you, Sesshoumaru."

He tilted her head up and captured her lips in a sweet kiss. He resisted the urge to take it further. He knew that she was tired. She needed her rest if she was to nurture their growing pup. There was always the morning.

Cradling her comfortably in his arms, he nuzzled her hair.

"And I love you, my mate. Sleep. You are protected."

She smiled, her eyes already drifting shut. She knew that she was safe. Safe and loved.

Sesshoumaru lay staring at the ceiling, holding her protectively in his arms. Her even breathing told him she was sleeping deeply. Kagome had finally forgiven him for his foolish blunder. He had his mate where she belonged. And she carried his pup. His heir. They would talk tomorrow. Once Kagome got used to the idea, he was sure she would be her usual bundle of energy while she made arrangements for the arrival of their pup. He would have to see that she did not overdo it.

He had his own plans to make. There were demon rituals he would have to observe with the birth of his heir. He would have to announce to his peers that he had an heir at last. Throughout the centuries that he had refused to mate, they had accepted that Inuyasha would be his heir. And any pups that Inuyasha sired would follow him. Of course at the time, Sesshoumaru had assumed those pups would be Kagome's as well.

He knew that school was important to Kagome, but he considered asking her to take the next semester off. He knew that it would be stressful to carry their pup while she attended classes. He discarded the idea as quickly as he had thought of it. She would think that he had only humored her until he got what he wanted. She was strong enough to handle it. He would continue to be supportive.

He realized of course that the end of her demon pregnancy would closely coincide with her period of final exams. Certainly there were ways to work it out. He would help her find them. He would need to hire a nanny for the pup. One familiar with demon infants and their unique requirements. He had no idea how to go about finding one. He would let Hideki tackle that. He could select a few candidates for Sesshoumaru and Kagome to interview. Surely finding someone suitable couldn't be that difficult.

He knew without a doubt that Kagome would be a good mother. He wondered if he could be as good a father. Kagome had an example of a good mother in her own. He had to admit his parents had been less than stellar examples of model parents. His mother had allowed her personal problems with his father to spill over into her relationship with her son. As a result, he rarely even saw his mother before she finally deserted him altogether. His father had been too busy with his personal life with his new love interest to spend much time with his son.

Actually, he had to admit he was wrong. His parents had been wonderful examples. Examples of how not to raise a child. While he had always vowed to raise his pup better than he had been raised, he realized it wouldn't take a great deal of effort to achieve that end. Now that he was faced with the reality of having a pup of his own, he vowed to be the best father he could be. He would have Kagome to guide him in that area.

He spent the rest of the night in deep thought. Making plans for his mate and his pup. He was thankful that his mate had a forgiving and loving heart. He had come so close to losing it all. Now that he finally had everything he ever wished for, he would hold on to it by whatever means necessary.

The sun had been up for a while when she began to stir. He smiled. She would be fully awake soon. He had told her they would do whatever she wanted today. He hoped that satisfying her mate's early morning desires was on her list. He decided to assist her in waking by stroking her arm. She nuzzled his chest and burrowed further into his warmth.

He smirked. His mate was normally a morning person. He must have tired her out more than he realized last night. He buried his nose in the fresh scent of her hair and pressed a kiss to her head. She made small sounds of protest as she was roused from her attempts to remain asleep.

Finally her eyes slowly opened and she graced him with a smile. His smile answered hers as he moved clawed fingers up to smooth her hair from her sleep flushed face. Now that she was awake at last, he allowed his morning arousal full rein. He shifted to move over her, when she suddenly pushed against him with all her might and scrambled from the bed.

He stared after her in confusion. What had he done wrong? Did she regret last night? Then he heard the retching sounds from the bathroom. He got out of bed, a small wistful smile on his face. It seems his planned morning activity was out of the question for the foreseeable future. At least until she was past the morning sickness phase of her pregnancy.

When he reached the bathroom, the scent of her sickness was overwhelming to his senses. Since he had assisted in the creation of its cause, he tried to ignore it. She was laying on the tiled floor on one hip, her long legs curled under her. One hand held her hair back as the other hugged the toilet. She looked completely miserable. She was naked and he knew lying on the cold tile was not good for her or the pup.

He got a washcloth from the linen closet and turned on the tap. He adjusted the temperature until he was satisfied it was warm enough without being too hot. He made sure the cloth was wet, but not dripping, wringing the excess water out of it. The he turned the tap to cold and filled a glass with cool water.

He left the glass on the sink and knelt down beside her with the washcloth. He pushed her hair back and began to stroke her face with the cloth.

"Is it over?"

"For now," she managed weakly.

"Are you ready to get up? The floor is cold."

"I think so."

He slowly helped her up. He put the lid down on the toilet and hit the handle to flush away the obnoxious odor assaulting his nose. She sat down and he continued to tenderly wipe her face with the warm cloth. After a moment or two to make sure there would not be an encore performance, he handed her the glass of water so she could rinse her mouth. She stood up and went to the sink.

Rinsing her mouth helped, but she wanted to brush her teeth. She knew her maid was very efficient, so she opened the medicine cabinet and found her toothbrush exactly where she expected to. Her hands were still shaking, so Sesshoumaru took the toothbrush and put the toothpaste on it before handing it back to her.

She really hated being so weak in the mornings. And she hated it even worse because he was witness to it.

"I could have done it."

"I know. But I can help. So why should I not do so?"

"Because I'm not a weak human. You hate weak humans. I refuse to be one."

He chuckled at her nonsensical statement. She was a miko, but she was still human. And she was far from weak. He knew the pup was making her sick. That did not make her weak. He was about to tell her so, when she exploded.

"What's so funny? Huh? If you think its so damn funny, YOU can have the next one. Then see if you think its funny to puke up your toenails every morning."

He stared at her. Her outburst was uncalled for. He was not laughing at her. He in no way thought the situation was funny. He thought that perhaps he should give her time to calm down before trying to make sense of her words. He turned and went back into the bedroom without a word.

She brushed her teeth with a vengeance. When she was finished, she leaned on the sink. What had she done? He had been so thoughtful. So helpful. So tender. And she had just bitten his head off for nothing. She knew he wasn't laughing at her. She hadn't meant the things she said. Why had she said them?

She walked slowly into the bedroom. He looked up as he noticed her presence. He had put his pants on and was sitting on the bed. He stood up as she walked to him with her head down. He could smell salt in the air. She silently wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that. I didn't mean it."

She sobbed into his chest.

"Please forgive me."

He felt her tears soak his chest as he cautiously put his arms around her and drew her closer.

"It's ok. I know you didn't mean it."

He stroked her hair and she cried harder.

"Shhhh. It's ok."

He held her close and continued to tenderly stroke her while she cried. He closed his eyes. The foul odor of her morning sickness, he could endure. Short term anyway. Her figure growing ripe with his pup would be nothing less than beautiful to him. Her mood swings, on the other hand, were probably going to kill him.

To be continued….