Chapter 12

Sesshomaru's yoki billowed and howled from just beyond the tree line. Kagome tried to ignore it, she knew her friends were as attuned to yokai presence as she, and they could sense him too. She didn't want to bring him any more attention than was necessary. She wasn't sure what she had done wrong, what she had said that had offended him. He left abruptly, with no explanation, just left. He always seemed mildly disgruntled, but that last embrace...it was different than the loose ways he had touched her before. She smiled at Sango and Miroku, fighting against the turmoil in her gut. This was altogether unexpected and disturbing. She hadn't felt this way since she had been with InuYasha. How could she... it wasn't as if she... but when... no. No, she couldn't be falling in love with the daiyokai. It wasn't right, it wasn't possible. Kagome nodded absently, trying to seem interested in the story of Shippo's latest crush on a village girl. She unintentionally tightened her grip on the kit in her arms. Sesshomaru's yoki had abruptly calmed, and she heard the rustling of branches and snaps of twigs that heralded his approach. Sango laughed and she chimed in, more for appearance than actually understanding what had happened that was funny. Her mind wasn't in the conversation at hand. She dared not turn to look at him.

Sesshomaru brushed past her, pausing in front of Sango, not close, but near enough to acknowledge her attention was what he saught. She had started a little and blinked up at him in mild surprise.

"Taijiya, how long until your time?" Kagome looked intently at Sango, eyes wide. The poor girl glanced her way in bewilderment.

"Umm. I'm sorry, Sesshomaru-sama, my time for what?"

"The pup." Sesshomaru inclined his head towards her swollen belly but didn't take his eyes off her face. His hands were held behind his back as if he was trying to stay as far away from her as possible.

Sango swallowed and blushed mildly. "Oh, umm...well, by estimate the baby should be here in about two moons." Sango glanced at Miroku for confirmation and he nodded with a huge grin on his face. Sango cast him a withering glare. He waggled his brows and she blushed, turning away.

"Rin is in a nearby cave, I wished her to not catch the Miko's human ailment." Sesshomaru passed her a side glance, his look cool and calculating. Kagome swallowed. Poor Rin had been away for a full week all because of her? "If we fly we should be there by nightfall. There is a hot spring nearby and as a thank you for tending to my packmate I shall hunt for you tonight." Kagome missed the look of surprise that passed between Sango and Miroku, the glances they sent towards herself, she was too busy staring at the ground beneath her feet.

What must he think of her? She had been so weak as to get sick in the first place. She didn't even know she could get smallpox, she was pretty sure she had gotten a vaccine against it as a child. Not only that, but he had to send his ward away on her account. No wonder he was upset with her. She had been nothing but trouble for him since she had first joined them.

"Umm, thank you for your hospitality, Sesshomaru-sama," Miroku bowed deeply and the daiyokai's head turned in his direction. "However, I do not believe Kilala can carry Kagome along with myself and my wife in her condition. Kagome could take my place, though I could never hope to keep up on foot."

Kagome's eyes widened as Sesshomaru's arm wound around her waist, "Kagome will fly with me." With a swell of yoki and a gentle tug, pulling her to him, they were suddenly hovering above the tree on his cloud. He had used her name. He had actually used her name. Kagome swallowed and looked down. She eeped a little and turned into him, wrapping both arms around his waist. She looked up at him and his eyes were trained on her, rather smugly. She blushed and he set them on the ground again.

"Ah, yes," Miroku smiled at her with as much charm as he could muster. "I see, that shouldn't be a problem." Kagome blushed and looked at her feet. He had such a despicable mind, who knew what he was thinking, especially after she had made such a fool of herself hugging Sesshomaru like that earlier. She steeled herself and glared up at him, earning a startled look. Suddenly a lazy cloud floating across the meadow was exceedingly interesting to the monk. Kagome nodded, proud of herself. She still had it. Sango smiled and winked at her.

"I'll help you tether your pack to Kilala," She said, reaching her arm out for Kagome to follow her. The girls wrapped their arms behind one another's backs and started towards the belongings, sitting next to the tiny twin-tail. Kilala mewed and rubbed against Kagome's leg, hopping into her free arm as Shippo scampered to sit on her shoulder.

"Umm, Mama, I'm going to ride with Sango and Miroku. I didn't like that very much." Kagome laughed, the kit had wrapped both of his arms around her neck and buried his face in her hair when Sesshomaru had unexpectedly launched them all into the air. Kagome pulled him back into her arms and embraced both of the small yokai in her arms. Kilala purred and hopped down, transforming into her large fire-cat self. Shippo lept to her back and snuggled into her neck. Kagome was mildly sad by this. It had been too long since they had seen each other last. Here was Sango, seven months pregnant, and she and Miroku weren't even a truly official couple when Kagome had last seen them. It had been close to a year since they had all been together last. Kagome took a deep breath. It had been nearly a year since InuYasha died. Tears welled. She swallowed. Sango's arms wrapped around her, albeit awkwardly for her large abdomen being in the way. Kagome hugged her.

"I've missed you guys so much. I'm sorry that I left."

"Shhh. It's ok. It's what you needed." Sango leaned back to look her in the eyes. "Clearly he's taken good care of you. I think it has been good for you both. I mean, he's never intentionally spoken to me before, so that's a plus." Kagome smiled softly. She stared at her pack, at the fire-rat robe and Tessaiga sticking out of it. He had changed since they had begun traveling together. Not in any immensely obvious way, but Tessaiga had seen it in him, and that was good enough for her. Kagome steeled herself and pulled the fang free of InuYasha's haori, turning it over in her hands.

In her mind's eye, she could just imagine her beloved Hanyo swinging the transformed blade wildly, cussing at whatever foe had pissed him off. She laughed softly. InuYasha was all hotheadedness where his brother was cool decisiveness. InuYasha was all fight now ask questions later, he was loud, he was irreverent, he was boisterous. Sesshomaru was assessing, he was silent, he was respectful, he was calm. Both brothers were strong, they were kind, they were protective, both wielded Tessaiga to protect her. Kagome hitched her pack to its usual place along Kilala's back and turned with Tessaiga in hand.

Sesshomaru's back was to her. She could almost imagine ears sticking up from the top of his head, almost imagine that he was his half-brother. He turned his head, side-looking her. She smiled. He turned more fully, giving her the attention she sought. She held Tessaiga out, both palms facing up, an offering of sorts.

"This belongs to you now." She hoped he would understand what she was saying. His eyes were trained on hers, they softened, for a moment they melted, then he blinked and he lifted the fang gingerly from her upturned hands. The sound of the sword sliding from its sheath and transforming was like a melody. She could see it pulsating in his grasp, she watched as his hands expertly gripped the hilt. He gave it an expert twirl, resheathed it, and hooked it to his obi where Bakusaiga usually hung.

"I shall strive to be worthy." Kagome almost cried. Almost. She held herself together, pressing her lips together in a tight smile and she nodded. He had understood. She was giving him InuYasha's place. She was acknowledging his strength, his prowess, his authority. "Are you ready?" His clawed hand reached out to her, offering her the choice to take it, or walk away. She reached forward, sliding her hand into his, and he pulled her to him, wrapping his other arm around her waist. He was so tall, her head was midway up his chest. Yoki swelled, air rushed, a cloud formed beneath their feet and she heard Kilala leap into the air behind them. They were moving swiftly in the direction of the mountains, but she had no interest in where they were going, no concern for the beauty of the countryside. Her head was tipped back, staring at him. His silver hair flew around them in the wind, the sunlight glinting off of it like a halo. His skin was pristine, the light banishing every hint of shadow, he looked like an angel. He turned molten gold eyes towards her and she swallowed. She was definitely in love with him. But what on earth was she supposed to do about it? His general disdain for humans aside, he was a great and powerful daiyokai and she had been all but mated to his own unappreciated half-brother. It would be a disgrace for him to accept her feelings. Kagome swallowed. It wasn't going to be easy, but she knew she would follow him anywhere. Being near him was worth a life of unrequited love.