"I love you," Kagome nuzzled him, feeling content. It was not to her lover that she said these words, but to her infant son. He was more beautiful than anything Kagome had ever seen in her entire life. To her amazement, even Sesshomaru could hardly compare. The pup's bright gold eyes shone with happiness.

"He is amazing. I am glad you are happy," Kagome felt Sesshomaru's hand on her shoulder. She turned to smile at him, but the smile was wiped away. Naraku was standing behind her, his hand on her shoulder.

"Wha . . . ? Naraku, get away from my baby!" Kagome yanked away from him, growling.

"Now, now, love. He is my child too." Kagome's breath caught. She looked down at the child, who was now looking at her with dark, soulless black eyes.

"NO!"

oOo

Kagome jumped from her bed, screaming in denial. Sesshomaru was holding her in an instant, cuddling her. Kagome was hyperventilating, unable to shake off the terrible nightmare.

"Kagome, calm down. It's all right, nothing is wrong, everything is fine," He continued to sooth her while rubbing her back. Fear ran through him, making his heart beat furiously with panic, but he wasn't surprised.

For the past week, Kagome had been waking up to nightmares. It had started when Inuyasha had left to go somewhere and hadn't come back. Kyoko claimed to know nothing about it.

Her first nightmare had been one of Inuyasha being killed. Her screaming had rung through the castle, and many servants had come in an attempt to help. Now, everyone was aware that it was only nightmares that plagued Kagome, and they didn't bother.

Sesshomaru waited out her terror, anticipating the moment when she would tell him what her nightmare was, and continue to cry.

It was a few minutes before Kagome was calm enough to speak. Sesshomaru knew she hated appearing weak, but she couldn't sleep unless she told him about the evil dreams.

"I . . . I . . . my dream was . . ." She was still blubbering, and she paused for a minute, and spoke again, "My dream was about me . . . and I had a baby . . . and then Naraku came and he . . . he said the baby . . . was his . . ." Kagome paused to sob between her words, and when she finished, Sesshomaru growled. Naraku hadn't been spoken of since Kagome's near death experience.

"Everything is fine, Kagome. Do not worry," He waited for a few minutes, and eventually, Kagome was calm again.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, laying down again. Sesshomaru counted the minutes until he could hear her even breaths, the sign that she was sleeping once more.

"Damn it all, what is wrong with her?" Sesshomaru growled again, hoping that the nightmares would stop soon. Kagome had told him yesterday that she was worried for Inuyasha, but her fears were also generating from the upcoming battle, and the small seed of doubt planted by Kyoko's tragedy. Sesshomaru had continuously assured that everything would be fine, but she still seemed sad. She no longer played with the children, and, though Sesshomaru thought this might seem silly, it seemed as if her special glow, the aura that gave her such life, was gone.

It was natural for her to worry about Inuyasha, and the battle, but Sesshomaru was concerned about how she was acting about what could happen to their children, when the time came. He knew that Kagome wanted children badly. But to worry about their safety before they even existed?

"But during the imprinting, the female may act irrational about what will happen to her mate and herself."

His father's words suddenly flashed across Sesshomaru's mind. He pondered them, stroking Kagome's hair. Irrational? It was possible that her behavior was caused by the imprinting. He was brought to worry again over why the imprinting was happening so soon. "Perhaps I will seek council from my father's old assistant. What was his name? Myoga, I think. Yes, Myoga. He knew almost everything that my father knew. My father had trusted him deeply. Yes, I will summon him tomorrow." And with that, Sesshomaru closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.

oOo

"Myoga!" Kagome wrapped her hand around the bug and attempted to hug him without crushing him completely. They were currently in Sesshomaru's study, both Kagome and Sesshomaru at the table, and Myoga being squished in Kagome's hand.

"Can't . . . breath . . ." Myoga struggled against her grip, when Kagome realized that she was hurting him.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I thought I was used to my youkai strength," She set him on her lap, Myoga rubbing his sore neck. Sesshomaru noticed that Kagome had cheered up considerably with seeing Myoga. He supposed it was because she was able to see an old friend.

"It's all right, Kagome. I must say, you still look just as beautiful, and your neck . . . looks like it's full of . . . delicious blood!" Myoga leaped toward her neck, but Sesshomaru grabbed him and flicked him across the room.

"Sesshomaru, that's not nice," Kagome picked Myoga up and watched his flattened form change back to normal. "I haven't seen him in so long. You could make an effort, you know." Sesshomaru nodded, glad that Kagome was rebuking him. She really was going back to normal. Maybe this meant that she was feeling better.

"It's quite all right, Kagome. Or should I call you Lady Kagome?" Kagome smiled and set Myoga on the table.

"Well, everyone has been calling me that, but Sesshomaru and I haven't . . . actually . . . you know, mated," Kagome nervously babbled, still not wanting to talk about her mating with other people.

"Ah, I see. And how is Shippo? And Miroku, and Sango? What about Master Inuyasha?" Kagome stopped smiling, looking down at the floor.

"Everyone is fine, except . . . Inuyasha disappeared a while ago. He picked a mate, but her baby didn't . . . make it. And now he's missing. No one knows what happened." There was an awkward pause.

"Oh. I apologize. I hope that everything works out well." There was another silence.

"Kagome, please go outside and play with the children. I have to speak to Myoga privately." Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru, slowly nodded, and left.

"Lord Sesshomaru, it is not often that you ask me to come here. Is something troubling you?" Sesshomaru paused to think of how he would phrase his words.

"I need you to explain something. You see . . . I am undergoing the imprinting process."

"Imprinting . . . ? Wait a minute! Kagome said you weren't mated yet!" Sesshomaru took a deep breath. Myoga's incessant yelling was what bugged him the most about the flea. Well, that and the fact that he was a coward.

"Yes, she did. That is why I need you. I want to know why I am imprinting before the mating." Myoga placed his hand under his chin.

"Hmm . . . I'm not sure what to make of this. Your father was talkative, but he didn't talk much about mating with me, mostly because I never asked. It wasn't like I wanted to know. Hmm . . . What if we looked in his old journal?" Myoga looked at Sesshomaru expectantly.

Sesshomaru hadn't looked at the journal since the kids had managed to find it and used it to help them find out why Kagome had transformed into a youkai.

"I suppose . . . that it's possible that his journal may contain some answers." He turned toward his book shelf, where the book had rested until now. Picking it up, Sesshomaru leafed through the pages. "I don't see anything," Sesshomaru continued to leaf through it for a few minutes.

"Sesshomaru! Help!" Sesshomaru dropped the book and ran to Kagome.

"Kagome?! What happened?!" Her scent led him to Inuyasha's room. He burst through the door. Kagome was on the bed, holding her head between her knees. "Kagome!" Sesshomaru knelt beside her. "Kagome?" Kagome slowly lifted her head.

"Sesshomaru, Kyoko's gone! And look!" She thrust her hand toward the window. Sesshomaru carefully picked Kagome up, cradling her between his arms, and stood to look out the window. His breath caught.

"Lord Sesshomaru, what's wrong?" Myoga hopped up on his shoulder.

"Someone . . . someone . . ." Kagome sobbed, not able to finish.

"Someone has robbed the grave of Inuyasha's child." Myoga looked out the window, and saw the shrine. It had been torn to pieces, and there was a hole in the ground beneath it. Kagome gripped Sesshomaru's shirt. "Guards! Investigate the garden! There is an intruder! Kyoko is missing!" Sesshomaru shouted orders, knowing that the guards would hear him. Soon enough, there were a dozen or so guards looking at the mess, some of them smelling around, trying to identify who it had been.

"Oh my. Who would do this?" Myoga looked at Sesshomaru, but Sesshomaru's attention had shifted to Kagome.

"Kagome, are you all right?" Kagome shook her head.

"I want to go to my room, please," She begged him, looking up with teary eyes. Sesshomaru nodded, carrying her there. Once she was settled on the bed, Kagome tried to calm down. "I'm sorry. I just don't like seeing things like that." Sesshomaru rubbed her back.

"It's all right, Kagome. I noticed that . . . you have not been yourself lately. Is there a reason for this?" Kagome sighed.

"I've just . . . I've been feeling weird lately, you're right about that, but I don't know why. And this doesn't help," She sighed again. "Something similar happened when I was little. You see . . . when my grandmother passed away, she was buried with a necklace that she had loved. It was a rare type of sapphire, and there were diamonds around it. It was worth a lot of money. A few days after the funeral . . . someone robbed her grave." Kagome started to cry again. Sesshomaru hugged her gently.

"It's all right, everything is fine." Kagome shook her head.

"No, I'm fine. But when I saw that, it reminded me of my grandma, and I loved her so much. Ugh, I'm a mess. I've been so emotional lately. I hate it!" She pushed away from Sesshomaru and buried her face in a pillow.

"Kagome-"

"Please, don't, Sesshomaru! I'm really sorry, but . . . I just hate to be seen like this. And I wouldn't normally act like this. I feel like I'm sick or something." It pained Sesshomaru to know that part of the reason for her distress was because of the imprinting. She must be feeling more self-conscious about herself. Comfort her! What are you waiting for?! And just when I thought you were gone for good. Leave me alone. Despite his annoyance that his inner youkai was back, Sesshomaru listened to him and pulled Kagome back into his arms.

"Kagome, there is no reason for you to be self-conscious. It must be frightening to be reminded of something so uncomfortable, but I think I may know part of the reason why you feel badly about yourself. You see, Inu youkai males undergo something called 'imprinting.'" Sessomaru waited to make sure Kagome was listening.

Kagome looked up at him expectantly. "Imprinting is when the male is binded to his mate, and it should take place after the mating. But it appears that my imprinting process has begun early, for whatever reason. I didn't want to tell you, because I thought it would worry you more than you are now. But I think that you should know. I understand that Kyoko's miscarriage has brought worries into your mind, and now she is missing, and it is complicated at the moment. I will have my guards search for Kyoko. Just rest for now." Kagome took a deep breath.

"Yes, I have to be strong. I'm sorry." Kagome gave him a chaste kiss. Sesshomaru smiled slightly. "And this imprinting thing, how long does it last? How does it affect me?" Sesshomaru shook his head.

"I will explain more after you rest. Also, I think . . . that it would be best if you didn't fight with the other lords." Kagome frowned.

"What do you mean? I can't put off the fight, I have a duty. If I don't, we can't mate."

"I didn't say you wouldn't fight eventually. You will. But the imprinting is putting stress on you, and with what has happened, I don't think a fight would be best. I will explain more later. Now, go to sleep. It will make you feel better," Sesshomaru laid Kagome down on the bed. She nodded, clearly not happy, but willing to comply.

"All right. Thank you for looking out for me." Sesshomaru laid next to her and cupped her face with his hand.

"I will always do my best to protect you. Now, I must help the guards and try to find out what exactly occurred outside," Sesshomaru stood, opening the door. "Rest." He closed the door, and Kagome listened to his footsteps fade.

"Okay."

oOo

When Kagome awoke, it was dark out. She had spent the entire day in bed.

Looking around, Kagome noticed that Sesshomaru was on the other side of the bed, sleeping. Thank goodness. Now he won't tell me to sleep more. Sitting up, Kagome stretched. I need to think.

She stood and opened the balcony doors. The night was cold, and the wind rustled her hair. I was happy to see Myoga today. It's good that we could see each other again. I missed him. Still . . . I haven't been acting normal lately. I feel as if everything is crushing me. Don't worry! If you win the fight, you'll be mated to Sesshomaru, and everything will be fine. Not you again! Kagome sighed. Her inner youkai was back. Wonderful.

It's not that simple. Inuyasha and Kyoko are missing, and someone robbed the grave. And Sesshomaru told me that it would be best to put off the fight. I don't want to do that, but I should listen to him. He knows what's best for me. Come on! Forget Inuyasha! He hurt you, didn't he? And you barely know Kyoko. Stop it! If you're the inner me, shouldn't you be telling me to do what's best? Am I really so selfish that, deep down, all I want is to be mated, and for my own happiness? That isn't right! Her inner youkai didn't answer. Kagome sighed again, resting on the balcony's edge.

Hours passed by, and the night slowly changed to morning. The sun was beginning to appear from behind the horizon, turning the clouds pink. The birds awoke, singing their morning songs. Kagome didn't care for any of it. She was unable to drag herself back to bed, but she didn't want to stay on the balcony either.

As she had sat there, waiting for an answer from her inner youkai that she knew wouldn't come, she had thought about why Sesshomaru had suddenly summoned Myoga to the castle. Could it have to do with the imprinting? First Kagome had changed into a youkai, and then gained the marks of her future mate, and now the imprinting. Everything was happening so fast, and it was scaring her.

"Kagome, come back to bed." She turned to discover that Sesshomaru was awake, sitting up on the bed. "I was waiting for you to come back, but so far you have remained on the balcony. You will catch a cold if you stay much longer." Kagome nodded, walking back and sitting on the bed, yawning.

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking. All of this is happening so fast, and it's happening too early. I want to be able to have control over my life, and it's annoying that there are aspects of youkai life that happen without warning," She complained, leaning on Sesshomaru's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Kagome. Perhaps now I should explain more about the imprinting." Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her. "You see, when I was young, my father felt that he should explain the imprinting to me. He told me that, when an Inu youkai male finds a mate, he undergoes a somewhat painful transition. His soul connects and becomes one with his mate. Afterwards, when the imprinting is complete, the male cannot stand to spend more than a few minutes without his mate." He paused.

"And? What else?" After staying up the whole night, Kagome was tiring now, and she wanted to hear the entire story.

"My father said that the imprinting begins when the male gradually starts feeling something like an electric shock going through his body. It begins in his face, and works its way down through the entire body. The female will notice it, although if she is not an Inu, she won't know what it is. You saw it once before.

"My father told me not to worry when it happens, and that it is natural. When the imprinting is over, the male will have to be with his mate, or else he will experience loneliness to the point of physical pain. I noticed that my father often spent time away from my mother, and they rarely spoke, but he did not seem to be affected. He didn't tell me why, but I eventually figured out that he had never imprinted on my mother." There was a long pause.

"I'm sorry about that." Kagome wasn't sure what else to say.

"But my father did imprint on Izayoi. He couldn't bear to be away from her, even for one day. I was never able to imagine being so close to a human." Sesshomaru gave Kagome a small squeeze of affection. "Although he told me not to worry over it, I can't help but feel worried now. Many things have been happening, and early imprinting isn't something I anticipated."

"I understand. Is that why you asked for Myoga? I know he spent a lot of time with your father." Sesshomaru nodded.

"Yes. He suggested I look in my father's journal, but I didn't find anything. Although, I think that the imprinting will not bring much trouble."

"Hopefully," Kagome sighed. "Oh, what about the grave? Did you . . . find anything?" Sesshomaru paused, and nodded reluctantly.

"Inuyasha's scent was on the remains of the shrine, and it could be traced to the mountains north of here. I sent guards to find him. I fear that perhaps losing his child has made him delusional." Kagome wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru.

"I hope he's okay."

oOo

"Inuyasha, will this really work?" Kyoko fidgeted on the rock that she rested on.

"Duh! Of course it will. I wouldn't be doing it if it wouldn't work." He splashed water on his face to wake himself up. Three days had passed since he had taken Kyoko and his child up north. Luckily, he had found what he was looking for.

Traveling to the mountains, he had found that the rumor was true. Hiding away, there was an ancient tribe of Inu youkai. The tribe lived off the land, and there were less advanced than everyone else. They didn't have houses, but simply slept wherever they pleased. They kept to themselves, and rarely let outsiders in.

This strange tribe relied on old potions and spells that no one had used for hundreds of years. They believed heavily in reincarnation, and that every child born in their tribe contained the spirit of someone else who had died recently. They wore makeup made of clay because, unlike most Inu youkai, they didn't have any markings on their faces.

Inuyasha had heard about this tribe, and had heard that they had ways of bringing the dead back to life. Supposedly, if they had a great leader that passed away, and they didn't want to wait for him to be reincarnated, they used special spells to bring him back as he was when he was at his strongest. Not being able to stand how hurt Kyoko was, Inuyasha had hunted them down and demanded to talk to their leader.

Their leader had listened to Inuyasha because he was half Inu, but he had said no to his request to bring back his child. He had insisted that the child's soul would simply be reincarnated in the next child that they had. But Inuyasha didn't care. He knew that Kikyo had just been clay and a piece of Kagome's soul meshed together, and that without the jewel, he would probably fail in bringing the pup back. But these youkai were skilled, and had practiced doing this for years. Finally, after arguing for many hours, they had agreed.

"Inuyasha, it's impossible to bring back the dead as they were before without using the jewel. There's no reason to do this. We'll have another pup, just please don't do this," Kyoko begged. Inuyasha was acting crazy. He had stolen their deceased child's remains, and he had it wrapped in a cloth that was now sitting next to him.

"I know this will work!" He insisted. A rustle came from the bushes, and a youkai from the tribe stepped into the clearing.

"Are you ready?" Inuyasha nodded, picking up the pup.

"Let's do this." Kyoko sighed, standing and following Inuyasha and the youkai back to the waterfall, where the Inu tribe performed all their rituals.

"Please don't do this, Inuyasha. Let's go back to the castle and apologize for what we did. Kagome is probably worried sick. I'm sure someone is looking for us right now." Kyoko grasped Inuyasha's arm, but he shook her off.

"Kyoko, be happy. We're going to have our pup. He'll be developed enough to survive, and then we can care for him like any other parents." He was smiling, but truthfully, Inuyasha was starting to have doubts. If this didn't work, he'd have to go back, and he'd look like a crazy idiot. Sesshomaru would probably try and lock him up because he thought that he would hurt someone.

"Please step into the circle," the youkai gestured toward the elaborate circle in front of the pool of water at the foot of the waterfall. The circle was made of clay pressed against the grass, and all of the tribe was gathered around them. They were all excited to see this. A revival was only performed in desperate situations, when they needed a great leader that had passed away. The older pups grabbed their mother's dresses, and the mothers held their mate's hands.

"We will now commence with the revival!" The leader stepped into the circle with Inuyasha. "Before we begin, I urge you, young one, to please consider stopping this. Your pup will be reincarnated, and you will see him again." Inuyasha shook his head.

"I have to try." The leader nodded. Raising his arms, he started to chant a prayer.

"Stop!" The alarmed youkai turned to see a pair of youkai, dressed in armor. Inuyasha recognized them at once as Sesshomaru's guards. One of them pointed at Inuyasha. "By order of Lord Sesshomaru, you, Master Inuyasha, are to return to the castle with your mate."

"No way! Get outta here!" Inuyasha snarled, holding the pup closer.

"Then we have no choice but to bring you back by force!" The guards lunged at him, and Inuyasha barely jumped out of the way in time.

"Inuyasha, stop it! This is stupid!" Distracted by Kyoko, the guards were able to grab Inuyasha by each arm. The pup fell to the ground. Kyoko winced, and gently picked it up, cradling it. "Our child has passed on. We can't do anything more about it. I was the one who was upset before, but now you're so upset that you're doing something crazy just to try and set things right." Inuyasha hung his head in shame. She was right, but what should he have done? It was his child. He loved it, and the pain in his heart wouldn't stop. It was like his heart had been set on fire.

"Kyoko, I'm . . . so sorry. I don't what got into me. It's just that, you know, it was our pup. I couldn't stand the pain. I'd been excited that we were having a kid." Kyoko stroked his face. The guards tightened their grip.

"I know. It's still hurts me too, but I know we can get through this. Please, just don't try doing something like this again." He nodded. "Now, let's go home."

oOo

Well, at least one problem was solved.

Sesshomaru smiled as he watched Kagome and Kyoko talking. After the guards had found them, Inuyasha and Kyoko had returned to the castle. The pup had been re-buried, and the shrine was rebuilt. Now Kyoko was telling Kagome what had happened, and Kagome was fascinated with the fact that there was a secret tribe of Inu youkai up north.

Of course, this couldn't go without consequences. Inuyasha had been locked in his room, and was banned from seeing anyone for the next few days. Kyoko would sleep in the next room over.

With everything settled down and solved, Kagome was feeling much better. It was one less worry in her mind.

"If it's all right, Lady Kagome, I think I should rest now."

"Oh, sure. You must be tired. I'll help you." Kagome stood, helping Kyoko up and leading her out of Sesshomaru's study.

Listening to Kagome's footsteps fade, Sesshomaru suddenly had a brilliant idea. Inuyasha could do as he pleased to help Kyoko through this, when he was allowed out of his room, but Sesshomaru had yet to do anything but talk with Kagome. I think that it's about time that I gave Kagome some physical attention.

While he was imagining what he would do to Kagome, Myoga entered the room and sat on his shoulder.

"My Lord?" Sesshomaru snapped back to reality.

"Myoga, what do you want?" Myoga cringed at his tone. It was the same tone Lord Inu Taishou had given him when his visits with Izayoi were interrupted.

"My Lord, I was simply wondering how Lady Kyoko was doing. She just recently returned, has she not?" Sesshomaru nodded. "I am sorry about that. It is an insult for a family member to commit such an act."

"Inuyasha has been locked in his room. I must say that . . . I honestly feel sorry for Kyoko." It was true. Ever since he had begun loving Kagome, his feelings had been easier for him to accept, and they arose more often.

"I believe that we all do."

At that moment, Kagome entered the room. Seeing her, Myoga quickly fled, knowing by Sesshomaru's earlier tone that he probably wanted to be alone with her.

"Kagome, how is Kyoko?" Kagome sighed, sitting down.

"She wanted to see Inuyasha, but I convinced her that she shouldn't. She decided to visit the baby." Sesshomaru pulled her up, putting his arm under her legs and hoisting her up bridal style. "S-Sesshomaru! What are you-" Sesshomaru silenced her with a kiss.

"Kagome, I hope that things will calm down, now that Inuyasha has been taught a lesson, and Kyoko has settled somewhat. Once your training is complete, you will fight, and I am absolutely sure that you will win. Now, it has been a while since I have physically pleased you," his voice turned into a low, seductive purr. Kagome's arousal spiked.

"O-Okay. Let's go." Her face flushed red as Sesshomaru carried her from the study and to their bedroom.

It had been a while, and Kagome had been wanting to be close to Sesshomaru. Having Sesshomaru close to her like that made her wish that they could mate right away.

"Kagome," Sesshomaru said, laying her on the bed, "I have not said this lately, but I love you." Kagome smiled as Sesshomaru's shirt fell to the floor.

"I love you too."

-End-

Hi People!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so so so so so very sorry!!!! I didn't mean for it to take this long!!!! I'm so sorry!!!!! I've been super busy with school and chores at home that I haven't had any time! And my computer broke again! I'm so sorry!!!!!!!!!

I hope you guys liked this chapter! :) I tried to make it long, but I was so tired from how long the last one was that I couldn't make it much longer than this. I'm sorry, but I tried my best.

I'm going to try and focus more on Kagome's training process now, and write more about the other characters, too. It's been a while since Miroku and Sango showed up, right? And I think Shippo and Rin deserve some attention.

Again, I'm sorry, and I promise I'll try and get the next chapter up sooner. Please review!!!! Review review review review!!!!!!! Reviews make me soooo happy!!!! Please review!!!!

Merry Christmas to everybody!!! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!!! See you next time!!!