Okay, sick and I'm still working for you guys so you better give me lots of reviews!! ~cough, cough!!

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Chapter 35

Fooled

......

(timeline: Thursday night - after Sesshoumaru and Kagome made love in the shower)

"Sesshoumaru, where are you going my mate?" Kagome asked softly watching her mate leave their bedroom after he'd tucked her in bed.

Turning around, he couldn't help but crawled back into be with her. Leaning in closer he placed a kiss on her forehead. "I have some business I need to tend to." He answered.

"But isn't it late?" her voice was soft as she leaned into him.

"Shhh" he placed his finger on her lips knowing she was going to apologize for taking up his time the whole day. "It's not late mate, I have to deal with your father's company."

"But how…? Didn't Smith…"

Sesshoumaru's chest gave off a soft vibration as he chuckled. "Smith knows nothing mate. I am more than capable of purchasing your father's company over easily."

"How? I thought the assets only come to about 500 million." Kagome's eyes blinked in confusion.

"You didn't think that this Sesshoumaru, your mate, would go down that easily, did you?" He asked her with that smirk she loved. A curve of the corner of his lip and the glimmer of arrogance in his tone. It was so dominating and powerful, she couldn't help but feel the heat in her body rushing. "The war between the Tashio and Onigumo families to reign over Japan had spread over the centuries. Father was very aware of this and had always informed this Sesshoumaru not to flaunt our assets. And I've always known that Naraku had an eye out for Tashio Inc. and he's trying to climb up the ladder acquiring as much as he can to overpower me. What he doesn't know is all my assets aren't here in Japan. Nor, is it under my name. Most of the money here will be used to deal with the matters in San Francisco - which Miroku and Toto-sai are dealing with splendidly. However, tonight, I am going to purchase not only Higurashi International but Naraku Enterprises as well."

"You can do that?" Kagome asked, her voice full of surprise. Wow, I guess money does buy anything and everything.

"Absolutely. I have strings and ties to more people than Naraku could ever imagine. I just usually like to stay under the radar. There are 5 Swiss bank accounts totaling more than 65 billion dollars. It's quite amusing for Naraku to assume that he can take this Sesshoumaru down with a mere 2 billion – most of his assets tied up in stocks and bonds, no less."

Kagome was shocked. She couldn't believe what her mate was telling her. She had no idea how much money they had, nor did she care. She'd always love him and she'll always love him. She realized what a fool she and her father had been falling into Naraku's trap and loosing her pup in the process. The realization gripped her heart painfully and the tears rolled themselves down her perky cheeks.

"Kagome, shhh…..You have done everything for us, mate. It is this Sesshoumaru who should take the blame. I should have told you sooner of all matters of our family."

"We couldn't have known," Kagome sniffled.

"We should have." Sesshoumaru realized.

"But…now…all that…our pup…I was so stupid!!!" Kagome's voice wailed.

His finger raised her chin to meet his gaze. "No, no mate. You are not stupid. This Sesshoumaru should have done a better job at protecting you and our pup. I have failed you." He slammed his fist into the headboard.

Kagome reached for her mate's hand softly. "No, Sesshoumaru, we shouldn't sit here and blame ourselves. It was all Naraku's devious planning. Promise me," Kagome requested gazing into his eyes, "promise me that you will tear him into pieces. Make him pay Sesshoumaru."

"He will pay my mate, and when this Sesshoumaru's done with him, he'll beg and pray that he was never even born. He will be sorry that he had tried such a stunt!" Sesshoumaru assured his mate. She nodded into his embrace. "Now, I need you to rest for me. I can only concentrate when I know that you are safe and well."

"Okay. Will you be back tonight?" She asked.

"Never another night without you my mate." He answered and was rewarded with a beautiful smile. "There are extra securities at your door so don't be alarmed when you see them." He warned. Kagome nodded in acceptance. Sesshoumaru leaned in to kiss his mate and parted shortly after to follow through on his promise. He went to call Smith on their plan of purchasing Naraku Enterprises together. It wasn't for his lack of money, he knew when Naraku saw Smith standing with him as a partner, the hanyou would be pissed beyond words.

(timeline: Friday morning)

Kagome, propped on her bed – as ordered by her mate – sat and watched with pride as her mate stood, smiled and shook hands with his business partner, Smith. She swallowed her anger at Naraku and sighed, embracing the good things in her life instead. After all, when all of this settled down, she would definitely try again. In her heart she believed that it wasn't the right time for the pup; her pup had been called back to heaven and is waiting patiently for the right time to return to her. That thought gave her a small smile.

"Ma'am, Lady Kasumi is here." Kumi announced and Kagome's skin shivered with shock and angst. Let's hope she doesn't try to kill me, this time….Kagome thought. She moved, pulling off her blanket to get up, paying respect to her mate's mother but stopped short when Lady Kasumi's voice rang out.

"Stay where you are little miko." Lady Kasumi ordered.

Kagome brushed her irritation aside. She resolved that his mother would never address her by her name. Oh well, she thought. One step at a time…

Kagome cleared her throat, "Mother, what…." She was, of course curious as to why the InuYokai was at their house, in their chamber.

"I have heard of the sad news." Lady Kasumi interrupted. "And I will make sure that this Naraku will be ripped from limb to limb!" She vowed, gritting her teeth tightly.

"Mother…I'm sorry…" She didn't know why she was apologizing, but she didn't know what else to say to her mother-in-law either. Kagome watched as her mother-in-law paced back and forth in the room.

"Not as sorry as that hanyou is going to be." Lady Kasumi assured her. "Sesshoumaru buying off that disgusting company is only the first step. By the time I'm done, he's going to be broke, penniless, and then the real suffering begins!" Lady Kasumi's eyes flared a crimson red and Kagome could feel the fury of her anger as the Youkai's Youki began to swirl and blow.

Touched by her concern, Kagome could feel the tears piercing her eyes. "Never mind that little miko," Lady Kasumi said letting her anger subside. "I wanted to see how you were doing. Sesshoumaru had informed this Kasumi you lost much blood."

"I'm…I'm okay. Slightly dizzy but I'm well, thank you Mother." Kagome answered, blushing a little. This was definitely a different side of the Mother that she did not expect. She remembered the last time she met Lady Kasumi at Toto-sai's estate and she wanted to cringe. This was yet another unexpected but very pleasant surprise.

Lady Kasumi glided with effortless grace over to where Kagome was propped up on the bed and sat next to her daughter-in-law. The Yokai's nose twitched slightly and her eyes widen a bit. She followed her surprised look with a pleased smirk. Kagome gave a short gasp and blushed while she turned her head, not making eye contact with the Yokai. She knew that Lady Kasumi had caught the scent of Sesshoumaru in her. It was quite awkward and embarrassing for her to say the least, and Kagome's face blushed a crimson red.

Lady Kasumi shook her head, tsked tsked, and followed those with a satisfied laugh. "That Sesshoumaru of mine, he should have let you rest and recoup your energy little miko." Kagome thought she was going to die from embarrassment! Discussing her sexual life with her mother was something she'd never done, much less her mother-in-law.

Oh dear, her face continued to hold onto the red color Lady Kasumi couldn't help but laughed exuberantly. "No need to be embarrassed little miko. This mother of Sesshoumaru can only admire you for your strength. Not only had you survived what should have killed you, but still well enough to cater to your mate's need. Thus, keeping my pup satisfied and happy."

"I…" Kagome still refused to look at the female Yokai in the eyes.

Lady Kasumi continued to be amused by the shy miko blushing away. "Lady Kasumi, the drink is ready." Kumi announced and the Yokai flicked her long claws ordering the servant to approach. Without even looking, Lady Kasumi fetched the antique teacup from the tray and lifting the lid a bit she sniffed it. "Very well done servant, it's perfect." She commented. "You may leave now." She ordered. With a sigh of relief Kumi bowed and retreated.

"Here little miko, this should help you regain your strength much faster." Lady Kasumi hand over the teacup after blowing it to cool a little. Kagome almost wanted to pinch herself to make sure it was really happening. Lady Kasumi was attentive and motherly?

"What..what is it mother?" Kagome queried, squinching her nose at the scent of the brew.

"Tashio's family secret ale to revitalize one's strength. Drink up." She ordered and pushed the teacup toward Kagome's chest.

Kagome took the teacup from Lady Kasumi's hands with a smile."Thank you mother." She sipped the horrid bitter taste and choked.

"Drink up little miko. This mother does not want anything else to happen to you. And by Kami's grace, I want Sesshoumaru to pup you again as soon as you can walk! And I'm going to make sure that he'll pup you a few times little miko.." Kagome nearly choked on her drink. Oh Kami, perhaps I like the other side of her more. This is more uncomfortable than her trying to kill me. Perhaps she's going to kill me of embarrassment instead of brute strength! Kagome could only offer the Yokai a meek smile, held her breath and chug the rest of the horrid brew.

…….

Sesshoumaru gathered his mate in a welcoming embrace when he came home from work. Business was taken care of, Naraku Enterprise had been bought over, under handing Naraku out of his own company gave Sesshoumaru a gleeful smirk. He wished somehow he could have been a fly on the wall when Naraku found out that his company no longer belonged to him overnight. It was probably a bitter taste of his own medicine.

"Mother stopped by…?" Sesshoumaru said, but it was more of a statement than a question.

"Mmmm, yes my mate."

"I see that she gave you some 'medicine'" Sesshoumaru observed.

"Yes." Kagome nodded. "And I feel so much better!" She said brightly. Indeed, he could feel the aura emanating from his mate much stronger and healthier. Sesshoumaru chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Kagome asked with one raised eyebrow.

"Mother wants grandpups so badly she had given you her most treasured possession." Sesshoumaru replied.

"Huh?"

"The drink she gave you is the last of the Tashio's healing and longevity medley. The recipe had been lost for ages and if I remember correctly, Mother only had one batch left."

"Oh no!" Kagome gasped. "If I had known…"

"Shh…mate, even if you knew Mother would still force it down your throat. Believe me, she wants grandpups and won't stop at anything to get them. And" he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand "she's quite taken by you mate." He added knowing what his mother did for Kagome was more than anything anyone could ever guess or anticipate, especially his mate being a human. "I suppose no one can say 'no' to you, my mate." Sesshoumaru added before placing a kiss on her lips.

"Kumi is very sorry to interrupt Sir, but there is a young hanyou outside requesting your audience." Kumi flinched when Sesshoumaru growled in irritation.

"And?" He hissed.

"If Kumi may be so bold as to say, she looks quite beaten."

Both Sesshoumaru and Kagome looked at each other in confusion and curiosity. Their eyes agreeing to the question of 'who could it be?'

Coming into the foyer, Kagome rushed to Kanna's withering legs and helped settled her onto the futon. "Kanna, oh Kami, what happened to you?" Kagome asked sensing the blood from the hanyou and the bruises so obvious.

"I…I…don't have much time…" She said weakly. "Nara…"

"Naraku did this to you?" Kagome screeched. Kanna nodded and shook her head at the same time.

"His…men…" she managed to utter. "I came to…tell you…"

"Shhh…don't worry about it. Let's get you better first." Kagome said aiding the hanyou who was passing out. Sesshoumaru stood and watched his mate tending to his assistant in such a carrying manner. When he noticed that Kanna had passed out from the loss of blood he gathered the hanyou in his arms and carried her to the guest room. Kagome followed asking Kumi to bring medicine, and fresh clothing.

Kagome watched as Kanna drifted in and out of consciousness. About half an hour pass, Kanna was more alert and Kagome tried to give her more medicine but she waved her hand telling Kagome off. "I…I…don't have much time. Naraku…when he finds out that I'm gone, he'll be angry and he'll come looking for me."

Kagome was worried, her hand stopped while she was taking off Kanna's jacket and Sesshoumaru saw her mating mark.

"When and how are you mated to Naraku, Kanna?" Sesshoumaru asked coldly.

"Sesshoumaru…." Kagome soothed her mate, not wanting him to be so cold toward Kanna when she was seriously abused.

"It's alright Kagome, he should be upset at me and I can only pray for my life after I tell him this: Sesshoumaru, your father and step-mom did not die from the fire accident."

Anger began to filtered through the Dai. "What are you talking about? How could you ever possibly know how my father died?"

"I saw it with my own eyes." Kanna replied.

"You what?" His claws glowing with green poison.

"Please, let me finished. Naraku doesn't know that I knew of this, but I witnessed it with my own eyes by accident."

..............

"When I was younger, Naraku had resided at my family's estate during a visit. My Father had been good acquaintance with Naraku himself. I was but a mere child trying my new lesson of concealing my scent and presence. When I came across your father and Naraku, in a heated bickering. I couldn't understand what it was about because they were speaking in ancient tongue and I was not taught the language. Next thing I know I saw a beautiful human – whom I recognized as your step-mother as an adult – trapped in a large hourglass. It was obvious how much the human meant to your Father because his face carried an expression of grief and desolation.

There wasn't much that I can do for your father or his mate. The sand began to fall on her as Naraku battled with your father. With each strike your Father laid on Naraku the sand fell faster on his mate and so he surrendered, letting Naraku attack him while he tried desperately to reach his mate.

There were also two other strong Yokais guarding the hourglass because each time your Father got close, they were the ones who used their strength and skills to keep your Father at bay. Soon the fire Yokai, Kyura attacked your Father, but missed thus setting the place on fire. The battle between your father and Naraku raged on while his mate slowly began to get buried under the sand. By the time the frame of the structure collapsed, Naraku and the others retreated, leaving your Father to try uncucessfully to save his mate – loosing both their lives in the process….."

By the time Kanna was done, Sesshoumaru was growling angrily. His roar vibrated throughout the whole house and it shook violently, as if an earthquake had just hit them. His hands clenching into a fist so hard, his claws pierced his own skin so that his blood was dripping onto the floor.

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome called her mate quietly, trying to soothe him back to a rational state of mind. He had already begun to break the furniture in his angry tirade.

"How could I have been so blind?!" He raised his head high and let out a cry that ricocheted off the walls like bullets. Father, this Sesshoumaru could have been there for you!!! The DaiYokai cried out in his mind. The thought of his father being in such a predicament sent his unstable temper into overdrive. His brute fist plowed into the wall. His vision went red, washing the walls of his home in flames of crimson as he whipped around and stared into shocked, teary, painful eyes of his mate.

"My mate," she called softly to him and a tear rolled onto her cheek. She could only imagine the pain and anguish he was in. Without hesitating any further, she ran to comfort her mate. She knew he would never hurt her and she would be the only one that could bring him back to his senses.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome called her mate.

"Stay here." He ordered, his eyes fury and red. And before Kagome could protest, her mate had transformed into a bright orb and had taken off. She stood with the wind of his speed, brushing past her, ruffling her hair…..

............

"Naraku!" Sesshoumaru called from then gates, breaking through the metal bars, and tossing the securities aside like they were mere feathers.

Naraku showed up, calm, at ease while he strode toward the Dai. "How can this Naraku help you today, Sesshoumaru?" Naraku asked with hints of merriment in his voice. He already knew why the Dai had shown up at his house in a maddening state of mind.

"You will pay!" Sesshoumaru screamed, unable to control himself from his anger and thirst for the hanyou's blood.

"Uh-uh-uh." Naraku waved his index finger as Sesshoumaru's claws met with a hard barrier. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Naraku announced.

Sesshoumaru's claws grip and both his hands wrapped into fists. "Your life will cease to exist from this point on, Naraku."

"Ah, Sesshoumaru, I beg to differ." And just then, Naraku waved his hand and two demons came out from his estate. One was holding an unconscious Rin, while the other was holding an unconscious Sota.

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but draw a deep breath. "You see, Sesshoumaru, if you want these two little brats to live, then you are going to play it by my rule!" Naraku hissed. "I don't know how you managed to buy Naraku Enterprises with the small sum you had, but I won't be taken down so easily."

"Curse you Naraku!" Sesshoumaru clenched his fists tightly.

"First, you will restore everything that's mine, belonging to Naraku Enterprise, only this time, I want the majority of the holdings and no one will ever be able to under hand me again!" Naraku extorted.

By now, Sesshoumaru's knuckles had turned white from gripping his hand so hard. The audacity of the hanyou to pull such a dirty, low trick, although he wasn't in the least surprised. He was more upset at himself for not realizing it sooner.

Suddenly, Narku withdrew his barrier and lunge at Seshoumaru, his fist drawing for a punch. Sesshoumaru caught his fist in time and they began a physical confrontation with each other. Sesshoumaru was much faster, quicker and stronger, managing to land quite a few punches on the hanyou's face and stomach; although, he did not escape unscathed. Naraku wasn't so weak himself and managed to clawed through Sesshoumaru's chest drawing blood.

And as Sesshoumaru's harsh grip wrapped around the hanyou's neck, claws digging into his skin, getting ready to unleash his poison, the two security Yokais stepped forward threatening to wring the childrens' necks. The DaiYokai had no choice but to let the hanyou loose as he stumbled backwards trying to regain his composure.

Naraku's evil laughter filled the air. "How is little Kanna?" he asked suddenly. And as a confused look passed through the Dai's face Naraku's laughter rose to an unbearable level.

Lightning couldn't have flashed quicker through his mind, realizing the whole event had been a distraction. Without a second thought, Sesshoumaru rushed home to his mate.

As he entered the large estate, the smell of blood was everywhere. How could I have been so foolish! Sesshoumaru's loud roar echoed throughout the large place.

Zipping through his estate, his mate was gone, the servants had all been killed and Kanna's limp body laid strewn on the floor where his mate had been tending to the hanyou.

She wasn't dead, he realized seeing that her body hadn't dissipated yet. He went to check on her, knowing she was the only one with answers to his battle. Somehow, Naraku had been devious to know that Kanna would be there to tell him of her secrets. Sesshoumaru realized that Kanna wanted out and away from Naraku, otherwise her body wouldn't be so tattered and beat up, laying in the mist of his house.

The house was worst than hell to him. He could smell the stench of his mate's blood and knowing she was still weak from the last fight, his heart raced and he vowed that if anyone laid a finger on her they would pay dearly with their pathetic life!

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~Ts

AN: I know the fight with N/S was brief, because I've saved the best for last!