Two

"I remember in high school, learning about domestic violence; the signs, the outcomes, how to avoid it." She offered up a weak smile and shook her head. "No matter how much you learn about it, nothing prepares you for that first sharp pain. It was hard to tell what hurt more, the physical pain or the way every time he laid a hand on me, something inside of me broke just a little bit more."

He closed his eyes and had to take a deep breath. Hundreds of years ago human males had beat their mates and though he and the rest of demon society had been disgusted by the action, they had not attempted to stop it. Letting things run their course, he had ignored it. His beast though had raged; it was a disgrace to lay a hand upon a female unless in self-defense, no matter the situation. Like then, he now craved the feeling of Touzuko's throat between his hands.

Kagome could feel the sharp rise in yōki, the way it raged through the room and almost absently, she allowed her own purity to eke out and sooth the anger the other energy carried. "The first time he hit me, I brushed it off. It didn't really hurt that much, didn't leave a mark and somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought I deserved it. After all, I wasn't able to get pregnant, no matter how hard I tried."

Sesshoumaru scoffed, unable to help himself. "It takes two to create a life Miko," he said sternly, his gaze unwaveringly aimed at her belly.

o.O.o

Word Count: 268