Chapter 28

After their bath, Sesshomaru carried Kagome to the dining hall where the food was already prepared and waiting. She told him that she could walk, but he refused to put her down. She had never realized just how much her death could have affected him. His face was still impassive, but his actions and his eyes showed what his face could not. All someone had to do was look and they would see that Sesshomaru wasn't the cold-blooded killer they all thought.

He would kill in a heartbeat.

That would never change, especially when it came to protecting those he deemed worthy and his lands. However, that wasn't all he was. That steamed from him being a lord and a demon. It was a necessary evil. Sesshomaru wasn't cold-hearted. He was warm, and if anyone took the time to see it, he could warm them too.

After setting Kagome in a chair, he sat beside and then went as far as to prepare her plate. Kagome was about to comment on him feeding her as well but held back when she noticed Satori and Wakanda's eyes of bewilderment. This was something else that Sesshomaru had never done before. If she was being honest with herself, she would hover over him if something had happened. Plus, she liked the attention. It wasn't something she got often.

"Feed yourself and our pup, Koneko." He turned to his plate, elegantly beginning to eat. It was silent, the only noise the clinking of chopsticks against plates. The tension continued to build as Satori squirmed in her seat.

Kagome didn't know the entirety of what Satori did, but she knew Sesshomaru was making her stew on purpose. This was a part of his punishment, and not even his mother was safe from his wrath when it came to protecting Kagome.

Knowing Sesshomaru, Kagome could guarantee that he wouldn't say anything until Kagome ate her fill. Feeling sorry for the woman, she quickly ate, placing a hand on her stomach when she was done. She smiled at Sesshomaru who blinked at her, almost in disappointment. He was glad she ate but wanted his mother to suffer for a bit longer.

"Explain." Sesshomaru finally spoke, and Satori flinched at the sound of it. It had been silent for so long; she hadn't been expecting his deep voice to break it. She swallowed and nodded, trying to calm herself.

"I've already explained the purpose of the curse. I wanted Sesshomaru to find love before he was forced to mate one he had no regard for." She set down her chopsticks and smiled towards Kagome. "I've been watching him from the moment the curse took place. I could see that Kagome was going to break it. It would just take time. Then when you came to my palace, I could smell the baby. I worried that should you learn about it; it would ruin the progress you both made with the spell."

"You left my mate unprotected. She should not have been traveling around the lands while in her condition." His eyes narrowed as he thought of all Kagome had been through since she conceived. Fights, training by his hand, losing her family, so many things that could have been avoided had he known. Their pup had been in danger all this time.

"I trusted the monk and slayer. I knew they would protect Kagome to the best of their ability." Satori looked to Wakanda who shook her head violently. Satori was on her own in this. Wakanda may have cast the spell but that was it.

"It was not enough." The growl Sesshomaru let out had everyone but Kagome on edge. Even the servant who had been refilling drinks scurried out of the hall to escape the wrath of the lord.

Kagome grabbed his hand and squeezed, causing him to look down at her. "She was worried about you. She's your mother and she did what she thought best for your future." Kagome looked down at her belly, the tips of her fingers dancing over her baby. "It's what I would do."

Satori and Wakanda were amazed at the tenderness that softened Sesshomaru's eyes. Wakanda had never thought the curse would work, even as she watched it start to break. Satori had always had hope. And yet seeing his love in person was an experience they never thought they would see.

Kagome looked back up to Sesshomaru, a smirk in place. "Besides, we all know how difficult you can be, oh arrogant one. You needed the kick in your butt." Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed but she didn't falter or reel back in fear. She knew he wouldn't hurt her. She was the only one that could call him out or tease him and get away with it.

"You are finished eating?" At her nod, he stood suddenly, picking her up in his arms once more. She let out a startled squeak. Looking up to her mate as they began to leave the dining room. Satori sagged in relief that the attention was off of her, and Kagome sent her a wave.

"Where are you taking me now?" she settled into his arms, leaning her head on his chest. She felt safe and comfortable.

"To bed." She was about to protest that she wasn't tired when his look had her face blushing. "There is much you need to be punished for. Your smart mouth is going to be punished first."

"Really? And what exactly do you plan to do?" She was playing innocent, batting her eyelashes. He could smell her arousal, and his cock thickened, ready for their night to begin.

"You know exactly what I want, Little Koneko. Do not play coy." When they reached their rooms, he settled her on her feet. Grabbing his manhood, he adjusted himself to a more comfortable position. He did not miss the way Kagome's eyes followed his hand.

There was something he wanted to do first. He had promised her that once the curse broke, she would become his mate. He intended to keep the promise. Slowly walking up to her, he began to undress her slowly. Her breathing quickened as her outfit fell to the ground bit by bit. He had dressed her lavishly, and now it was taking much time to take it off. He didn't mind. He could see what the anticipation was doing to her.

When she was naked standing bare before him, he turned to his clothes. She watched every move he made, swallowing as his cock sprang free with a need to be touched. She nearly obeyed that need, but he grabbed her wrist, moving it behind her back and pushing her body up against his. If she touched him, he would lose control, and he wanted to mate her. He wanted her as his wife for the rest of his life.

"You still wish to be my mate?" He would ask, just in case her answer changed but he was sure it hadn't. When she nodded and then bared her throat to him. He growled, nuzzling into her flesh. Her scent here was strong, and that was why Inu were so attracted to it. However, that wasn't what he wanted.

He ran a hand over her neck, his fingers tracing her scars. "I will not mark your flesh any farther. Not like that." For a moment, Kagome looked hurt, but he pushed that away by pressing his lips against hers. He would explain after it was done. Pulsing his aura, he coaxed hers out, wrapping around hers.

There are two ways to mate. The simplest was the bite. The mark of the male. That mating technique was more about possession. And in truth, when he first thought of mating the Miko, that is what Sesshomaru would have chosen. However, that wasn't the case anymore. She was his, yes, but he belonged to her too.

That brought in the second way of mating. Rarely done, because it cannot be broken. It ties the life of one to the other. Kagome will not die of old age. She will not get sick or diseases. She will only die when he does. That was how he wanted it because he could not live without her. He would not let time take her from him, not when he just realized what he had been missing for so long. He would bind their souls.

He never pulled his lips from hers as his aura gently rubbed up against hers. He enveloped her, twined around her soul, melding the two together until they could no longer tell the difference. They both felt the strange tingling at the crook of their neck.

When the sensation stopped, he pulled back his aura, feeling her within him. It was intoxicating, and he knew he would never tire of it. Pulling back from her mouth, they panted, eyes locked on one another. He looked first. Seeing his crescent moon on her shoulder. It was perfect.

Tentative fingers brushed against his shoulder and he looked down to see a pink sun permanently etched onto his skin. "Forever my mate." He kissed her once more, this time thrusting his tongue into her open mouth. He could smell her happy tears, and he brushed them away, before moving his hands to her thighs. Lifting her, he carried her to the bed, ready to consummate their mating.

…

"Let's go." InuYasha was not going easy on the group. His mind was in a fog, rage bubbling under his skin. His demon side was close to the surface and they worried the sword would fail to hold it back. He was determined to reach his brother as soon as possible.

"I think there is more to this story than we realize." Sango tried to talk down her friend. Why? She didn't know. He hadn't listened to a word she or Miroku had said since he woke up from his unconscious heap.

"What the fuck do you mean. That bastard killed her, and I'll tear him apart for it." He kept going, running as fast as he could. Kikyou was on his back, looking uncomfortable, while Sango and Miroku rode on Kirara.

"He looked to be grieving InuYasha. He took her body away, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was to get Tenseiga. Our friend may be alive." Miroku tried once again as well. He feared what would happen if InuYasha barged into the floating Shiro half-cocked. It would be a disastrous mess. InuYasha could not win against his brother.

"When did the two of you start taking his side all of a sudden? What do you think Kikyou?" InuYasha glanced at his mate, jumping over a rock. She grunted as he landed and scowled at him.

"He is a demon; I do not see why he wouldn't kill her."

Sango rolled her eyes, and Miroku grabbed her hand to calm her. She was about to go off on the dead woman and that wouldn't help the situation either. "Take a minute to think about things, InuYasha." Miroku was begging at this point. "Titan is missing, Sesshomaru comes out of nowhere, and he is upset at the death of Kagome. There is more to this than we realize."

"Sesshomaru probably killed Titan too. Wouldn't surprise me if he ate him." InuYasha refused to believe his brother didn't kill kagome. That was the only thing that made sense.

With a grumble, Miroku gave up. There was only one way to prevent this from becoming a mess. "Fine InuYasha. You may not be concerned about the truth, but we are. Go Kirara." Kirara rushed into the sky at his order, leaving behind a yelling hanyou. They would get to the castle long before InuYasha would and that would give them time to figure out the truth and do damage control.