Chapter 15

Izayoi sighed, wrapping the bandage around Miroku's hand. "Do you hate her now?" He snapped his head towards her, the first reaction she had gotten out of him since she had dragged him to the bathroom. "She went through the same thing your mother did. She lost her baby at the hands of her husband. Can you not look at her anymore?"

"I don't know what to do. How do I comfort her when the same thing won't leave me alone?" Miroku looked away again, thinking about what he had learned. Kagome was still Kagome. She was still the woman he wanted to be with, and nothing would ever change that.

"If you look closely, she will tell you how she needs to be comforted. She is stronger than you think she is. She fought back. The one thing your mother never did." She kissed his temple, knowing that learning what he did was a shock to him as well. "Sometimes all we need is the presence of the one we care for. That can be enough of a comfort." Izayoi looked down, saddened. "I don't think she will ever come over again after this, will she?"

"I don't know." Miroku shook his head, upset at the idea as well. He liked knowing that Kagome had been invited to dinner by his family. He had hoped everything would have turned out amazingly well, and then Kagome could become a part of their weekly dinners.

A knock at the door had them looking up, and Touga slipped his head into the room. "We have a problem. Kagome left. She just walked out. Sesshomaru went after her, but she wasn't stopping for him, and neither have come back."

…

"Kagome, it is freezing out here. We should return. If you wish to be driven back, I am sure Miroku will take you." Sesshomaru was trailing behind Kagome, looking up to the darkening sky. To make matters worse, he hadn't grabbed a jacket before he ran after Kagome.

"No. I want to get back to Safe Haven before Miroku does." Kagome was shivering, her nose burning with every inhale. "I just need to get a few things and my money."

"You plan to leave?" His steps quickened, trying to catch up to her. He didn't get too close. She had already been pushed enough for the day.

"I have no choice. He's looking for me, and I refuse to go back. I won't become that weak woman I was before." She blinked, trying to keep her tears at bay.

"What about Miroku? If you left, it would devastate him." Slowly he pushed his way to walking beside her. There was enough distance between them that they weren't touching, but he could talk to her on a more personal level.

"Miroku can't even look at me. Even if he did, all he would see is his mother." She scoffed, a sound full of anger and despair. "I'd rather leave before he threw me away."

"I didn't know you thought so low of my brother." Sesshomaru was scowling, rubbing his hands on his arms to try and warm up. Why did this have to happen on one of the coldest days of the year.

"Don't twist my words, Sesshomaru." She glared at him, then looked back to the ground. "I think the world of Miroku, but I can't be thrown away by someone I care about again. You wouldn't understand. You've had everything handed to you on a silver platter."

Sesshomaru's steps falter for a moment, but then he caught back up, furious. "I may not have lived through what you did, but do not think I am blind. I have seen dozens of girls come through Safe Haven, some with the same story as you, others with far worse."

"It's not the same!" Kagome clenched at her hair, pulling roughly. Sesshomaru wanted to stop her, but he couldn't, at least not without touching her. "I don't know what I feel for Miroku, but if he would turn away from me, it would crush me."

"So, you will turn away from him?" Sesshomaru's voice raised, and she flinched, causing him to take a moment to calm down. With a deep breath, he spoke in a calmer tone. "I know things seem…dark, right now. Father and I are the top lawyers in japan. We will figure this out, but you have to give us a chance."

"If you can't figure it out? Kouga will kill me for what I did to him. If you fail, I lose my life." She stopped walking, looking up at him with such despair he felt physical pain from it.

"We won't fail. We won't give up Kagome." She looked away, and he knew she didn't believe him. Looking away for a second, he thought on what to do, and then finally sighed. "If we fail, we will get you away. We will have a new identity for you created and find a place for you to live somewhere where Kouga will never find you."

Kagome looked at him, and he could see that she was contemplating his words. If she went with him, she would either end up divorced or as far away from Kouga as she could get. Either way, she would be happy. Or at least as happy as she could be. Miroku's rejection, the one she was sure he would have, already left a hole in her heart. The pain it caused was worse than any other she had ever felt.

The sound of an engine revving had them both looking back down the road. They could see the lights of a car quickly approaching and knew it was Miroku. Kagome panicked, turning to run into the trees so she could hide. Before she made it. Sesshomaru jumped in front of her, his hands held out to show he wouldn't touch her.

"Take a minute to see!" He was panting from their little sprint and more than a little annoyed with the entire situation. "It is snowing. There is ice on the roads, and yet he is speeding towards us. He isn't thinking about himself, or me. He is thinking about you. Would a man who didn't want anything to do with a woman risk his life to try and get to her."

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru with wide and watery eyes, but she didn't try to get away. He had a point. Miroku's car skidded to a stop on the side of the road. They heard him get out and yell Kagome's name in fear as he started running towards them.

When he reached them, Sesshomaru walked over, getting into Miroku's car so he could warm up. Miroku looked at Kagome, and she could see the worry in his eyes. Not an ounce of rejection could be seen, and she let out a sob, covering her mouth as she hunched over from the overwhelming emotion.

"Kagome." Miroku took a step forward, unsure of what to do. He thought about what his mother said and reached out slowly. First his hand touched her back, letting her feel him there. When she didn't react negatively, his other hand reached out grabbing her shoulder and slowly pulling her to him.

She fell into his chest, sobbing against him. Her hands clutched at his clothing, clinging onto him as if he was the only thing holding her here. He held her, wrapping his arms around her gently. She seemed to calm at his touch, but still cried out everything that she had been holding in.

Tonight had not been good. The dinner was a disaster. His family had pushed Kagome more than they should have, and now she was suffering for it. He just wanted to get her home, get her into her bed, and let her sleep.

Sesshomaru was amazed at what he saw. He knew the bond between the two was strong and growing, but he hadn't realized Miroku was able to touch Kagome. His movements were still slow and calculated, but she was currently being held in his arms.

Sesshomaru scoffed, and then smiled as he leaned his head back against the headrest. If he could touch Kagome, he would have thrown her over his shoulder a long time ago. This entire mess could have been handled inside where it was warm.

When Kagome's crying subsided into sniffles, Miroku pried one of her hands off of his clothing and brought it to his lips so he could kiss it. He held it against his heart, eyes tentative as she looked up to him. He wasn't sure what she was thinking.

"I should apologize to Sesshomaru." She pressed her forehead against his chest, shivering from both the emotional outpouring and the cold. "And your family."

"My family owes you an apology, Kagome. They should have handled this situation much better than they did. Sesshomaru knows better." Miroku glared at the car, and he knew Sesshomaru could see him. He would deal with his family later. Right now, his focus was on Kagome. "I am also sorry. I should not have reacted the way I did when I found out about…" He swallowed, closing his eyes.

"I knew you wouldn't react kindly to finding out." She could feel herself getting weaker the longer she stood. She was so tired. "It's only been a few days since you told me about your mother. It was too soon for you to discover that part of me. All of this was too soon." She looked up to him again. "I don't blame your family, Miroku. I blame Kouga. It was stupid of me to think that he wouldn't look for me."

"Not stupid. You were just hopeful. I won't let him get you, Kagome."

"He could ruin you. He would go after your family. Go after Safe Haven." She shook her head. She wouldn't let them sacrifice anything for her. She didn't deserve it. "It would be best if I dealt with this on my own. I should leave, Miroku. I should move away from Safe Haven, away from you and the others."

"No." His voice was tight with emotion, his arms pulling her into him more. "I can't let you go, Kagome. Not now. If he comes after us, we will fight him. We won't let him win. My family is just as powerful as he is, and there are more of us. He won't steal you away from me. I promise, Kagome."

Kagome grabbed his cheeks feeling how cold his skin was. Her thumbs rubbed under his eyes; his gaze unfaltering. He meant every word. In that moment, she knew if she tried to leave, he would follow. Miroku was the one male she wouldn't mind chasing her, because she didn't want to let him go either.

Standing to her tippy toes, she kissed him, pressing her lips against his. Their first and only kiss had been a quick peck. This was different. It was slow and emotional. It caused both of their hearts to hammer and soothed their souls in a way that nothing else would. It was a healing kiss, as well as a promise. From that moment, they would do everything together.

…

Izayoi looked at her phone, opening the image from Sesshomaru. She smiled as she saw Miroku kissing Kagome tenderly, their arms wrapped around each other and not letting go. She saved the photo, and then set her phone back into her pocket.

She turned her attention back on the two males sitting in chairs in front of her. Their heads were down, both thoroughly chastised for their behavior. "Now, boys…" She paced in front of them. "Kagome could be it for Miroku, and as you both know, I have been begging for some grandchildren. Since my two oldest don't seem to be interested in giving me any, that means Miroku will be my best bet. If Kagome hates us now, I will never get to see my grandbabies. That means you two, and Sesshomaru will need to make it up to her."

"Yes, dear."

"Is this really about Grandkids? How do you even know that will happen? She's married to another guy." InuYasha forgot that when his mother meant business, you didn't argue with her. He may have just asked a legitimate question, but one glare from her and he was wishing he had just agreed like his father did.

"While I do want grandchildren, this is mostly for Miroku." Izayoi sighed, both of her boys looking up at her with knowing eyes. Miroku hadn't been happy in a long time. Kagome brought something out in him that they had never seen before. When he smiled, his eyes shined. "So, we are going to make this up to her. We are going to earn her forgiveness, even if that means kissing the floor she walks on. Because if she leaves Miroku because of what we did, he will never look at us again. I will not lose any of my sons." She turned, tears in her eyes and walked away. She had planning to do, and she wasn't going to let anyone mess it up even further.

...

Sorry it's so late. I'm getting things ready for my daughters birthday party this weekend. That and I've been spending a lot of time playing Ghost of Tsushima, which is amazing. Anyway, enjoy the chapter. As always, thanks to the readers, and especially those who leave reviews. Reviews are my fuel, and always will be. Big thank you to DidiTheReaper for editing this story for. Everyone enjoy.