Chapter 14

After Miroku got Kagome's wound cleaned and bandaged, he was called away to access the rest of the injured. Kagome was too weak to help, and there weren't many other healers available, so even Hisa and Hiroki had been called to help the situation.

The talk Miroku desperately wanted to have was put on hold until everything had settled. That meant hours later. They had to account for any who died, access the damage done, and the finances it would take to repair.

By the time the sun had set, Miroku and the others still hadn't finished. It was well into the night before Miroku could finally have a moment to himself. Unfortunately, both Kagome and Jun had gone inside at some point. Jun most likely went to sleep because of the pregnancy, but Miroku had no idea where Kagome had gone.

He started in the dining hall, hoping to find her there, and then went to many other places. No luck. Slightly depressed, he grabbed some food and ate quickly as he made his way to his room. If he was being rational, kagome was probably asleep. She had been exhausted when he left her. She had used far too much of her energy, more than they ever had in training. It was a true show to the power she carried.

Walking into his room, his feet froze. Kagome was there asleep on his bed and what a sight it was. She belonged there and seeing it just made him want her to never leave it. Looking down at himself, he noted all the grim and blood that coated him. He would have to bathe. Kagome was clean, her hair still damp and he wouldn't dirty her by being impatient.

Quietly he made his way to the bathing chambers. When the Shiro was built, they had cast a spell that put hot springs in every room in the family ward. Kagome also had her own hot spring. He quickly bathed and dressed in his sleepwear. He normally slept shirtless, but with Kagome in his bed, he didn't want to push his luck.

Sliding into the bed as gently as possible he laid down beside the woman he loved. She stirred in her sleep, turning into the warmth his body provided. She cuddled into his chest and he relaxed wrapping an arm around her waist. He loved to cuddle and had no problem admitting it. It wasn't a luxury Sango allowed him, but he had no worries about that with Kagome. Now he just needed to get her to agree to court him.

The glare of morning sunlight landed on his face and he squinted blinking the sleep from his eyes. He hadn't realized he had fallen asleep. Kagome still slumbered peacefully in his arms and he smiled, closing his eyes once more. This was a bliss he didn't want to wake up from.

Unfortunately, Kagome began to stir within a few minutes, and he stiffened. He wasn't sure how she would react to the way they were sleeping or the kiss that they had shared. He hoped she would be in favor of it, but there was just no telling. He prayed that Sesshomaru was right and she was just hiding her feelings for him.

When her eyes blinked open, and she met his curious violets, she blushed. She didn't know when he came to bed, or how she ended up on his chest, but she felt that it was best to put distance between them. At least until they talked. She didn't see the disappointment on his face as she rolled away to lay on her back.

"Why did you kiss me?" She refused to look at him but felt it was best to go ahead and get this conversation out of the way. Her biggest fear was that he regretted it. She worried that he reacted out of emotion because of the quake. Now that the moment was over and they were both rational, she did not doubt that he would turn away.

Miroku clenched his jaw and sat up. She didn't sound happy. She sounded… he wasn't really sure. How ever it was, it didn't bode well for him. He hoped he didn't ruin their friendship with his actions. But he wasn't going to lie anymore. He wasn't going to hide from how he felt. He had already made the first move and now he would explain it.

"I thought you died. I saw the collapsed wing, heard Jun say you didn't make it out, and all I could see was your lifeless body." He looked to her, seeing that her eyes were closed tightly. "What are you thinking? Do you hate that I kissed you?"

"I hate that you regret it." She had tears in her eyes though she tried to fight them. She knew he wouldn't hold it against her, but she didn't want him to see her pain. Not when it involved the heart she had given him some time ago.

He reeled back as if he had been slapped. "You think I regret it? Kagome, how did your mind even come up with that assumption." Her eyes looked at him confused; a hand curled over her heart. He could see it deep in her gaze. Fear. Her fear of rejection was whispering to her again.

He didn't even think about what he was doing before he leaned over her, pressing his lips against hers. It was the same as before, that burning passion that flooded him as their lips met. Her hands flew into his hair that he hadn't pulled back that night before. Her fingers tugged at his scalp and he moaned deep in his throat. If she didn't stop doing that, they were going to have a problem on their hands.

He gentled the kiss, ended it with a peck to the corner of her mouth. They needed to clear the air before they did anything else. "I don't regret it." Running a hand down her face, he chuckled. "We are moles. We have been blind to the other's wants. I have been attempting to court you for months, but I received no sign of your interest."

She looked away sheepishly with a blush. Grabbing her chin he gently pulled her face back towards his so he could gaze into her eyes. She finally spoke when she saw his whisper of a smile. "I wasn't sure what you were doing. I was scared to get my hopes up, so I didn't let you know how my feelings had changed for you."

"I know. Surprisingly, Sesshomaru helped me to see what you were doing. I love you, Kagome. I am not sure when it happened, but it did. I do not wish to fight what I feel for you." He swallowed, trying to gauge her reaction, but then decided to go for it. "Will you court me, with the intent to marry."

There was no hesitation in her answer. "Yes!" This time she kissed him, pushing him back until they were both sitting up. "I love you too, Miroku. I have for some time now." She only stopped kissing him for a few seconds, long enough to breathe her declaration against his lips before she kissed him again.

He had every intention of doing this courtship the right way. He would earn the place at Kagome's side as her husband, just as she would do the same for him. He knew his heart was safe in her hands, and that was the way it was always going to be. There would be no other for him.

They startled apart as a poof of smoke formed in the corner of the room, revealing Yua, who looked embarrassed to have interrupted. "I am so sorry. I just returned from my travels, and wish to share what I found of the dark witch. Sesshomaru is summoning both of you to the study." She disappeared as quickly as she came, but they both saw her smile.

"It seems, duty calls." One last peck to her kiss swollen lips and Miroku was standing, helping Kagome to her feet. "Wait for me before you leave? I would like to walk with you "

"That's what we normally do anyway." She gave him an endearing smile and started to walk past. His cursed hand suddenly made an appearance and latched onto her backside as she did. He expected to get hit for it, but Kagome blushed and turned a wicked grin his way. "Be careful, Miroku. My hand might develop a curse of its own, and then want would you do."

She left laughing as he was frozen to the spot.

…

When they were all gathered in Sesshomaru's study, the demon lord called the meeting by motioning towards Yua. She nodded and then gave everyone a look that had them all on edge. This meeting wasn't going to be a very good one.

"I have been trailing the dark witch for some time now, looking for some clue as to what she is doing in the west. I have learned, and it makes her dangerous." Yua sighed, and then reached into her robes, pulling out a white glowing orb. "Does anyone know what this is?"

"A soul." Kagome's hand was over her chest. She had seen plenty of those, and they still brought up unease. Anytime a person's soul was involved, it tended to go negative quickly.

"This is her specialty. She takes the souls of a victim and leaves her magic behind as a substitution. I could feel a trace of it when I came across the person." Yua let go of the soul and it floated into the air, rising until it went through the roof. "I am not sure what she planned to do with the person, or how many souls she has collected. By leaving her magic behind, the shell of a body can continue as if nothing had changed. The people closest to them would notice no difference."

"Why keep all of the souls?" Miroku didn't like where this was going. Playing with souls was dangerous and as he looked to Kagome, meeting her gaze, he knew they both had the same fear. He turned back to his mother and asked what they both wanted to. "Can she mess with a soul that is incomplete?"

"Incomplete? That's not possible. One cannot live without their full soul." Yua shook her head, opening her mouth to say something when Sesshomaru stopped her.

"It is possible. The Miko shares her soul with another." All eyes turned to Kagome and she shied away, not wanting to be the center of attention.

"It was a long time ago." She sighed, knowing this was going to be a long explanation. She started at the beginning, letting everyone know that she was from five hundred years in the future, who exactly Kikyou was and how she got her second life, all the way to where the Shikon no Tama now resided. The ones that had not known, stared at her with disbelief. "Why would she come after me though?"

"You are a general of the Western army. If she were to attack the West, you, Miroku, and I would be the best targets." Sesshomaru looked to Miroku, seeing the worried face of the monk. "Perhaps we dispose of the dead one. That should return Kikyou to where she belongs."

"I would agree. Though we both know someone who won't." Miroku looked to Kagome who blushed once more.

She shook her head, just as they expected. "She shouldn't have to die to protect me. Do we know the witch is a threat to the West?"

"At this time, I have only learned of her specialty. The shell I found, I had killed by hiring a mercenary. But I have found no others, nor any signs of hostility. I am still unsure what her target is." Yua looked between her son and Kagome and knew Miroku would not rest until kagome's soul was whole. "I would not advise walking without your soul for long Kagome. It has already been nearly four years. In those years, Kikyou could have tainted the portion of your soul that she has. We do not know what will happen if it returned to you in damaged condition. Are you not in pain?"

"Not at all. It hurt when she took part of my soul, but after that wore off, I was fine." Kagome didn't meet Miroku's gaze. That was something she hadn't told anybody, and mostly for Inuyasha's sake.

"Yua, return to your travels, find out what you can. To make an informed decision, we need more information." Sesshomaru didn't even pass her a glance, knowing his order would be obeyed. When she disappeared out of the room, he turned back to Kagome with narrowed eyes. "It will come to a time when your soul must be returned to you. She is already dead, Miko. Accept it."

He dismissed everyone then, frustrated with the lack of progress being made with the dark witch. His instincts were in an uproar, his lands in trouble. He knew it, and he worried that if they did not figure out what the dark witches plans were soon, they would pay the price for it