Chapter 25

Sesshomaru looked down at the letter in his hand, eyes narrowed. He had never done something like this before. All night he had stayed up, pondering what he should write in the letter, and still, after so many hours, he wasn't sure he had gotten it right. That was why he was standing in the hall, hesitating.

He didn't have much time left. Many people in the Shiro had already woken. He could sense his father and InuYasha at the training grounds, and that was his next stop. The sun had yet to rise, but it would be within the hour. He wanted to deliver this letter before then.

However, because he had never done this before, he was second-guessing himself. Was this too much? Did his words come across as anything other than what they were supposed to be? Was this a waste of time? It was indecision that kept him locked in place. Indecision within himself. This was one of the most intimate things he had ever done outside of actual intercourse.

This was a love letter. He wrote his heart on these pages. He held nothing back, let himself say what he wanted to without any inhibitions. That was why he hesitated now. If he gave this to Kagome and she didn't appreciate it or found it amusing, he knew it would hurt.

Closing his eyes, he thought of the woman meant for him, the woman that had played a role in changing every part of him. It had been several weeks since they returned to the Shiro. They hadn't left except once when Kagome was called on by someone who needed her help. She had been gone for hours, and Sesshomaru found himself anxious for her return. When she finally did, she had been exhausted and covered in blood. A sight he did not like to see.

After she had bathed, they went to the gardens, and he combed out her hair while listening to the story of what had happened. A woman had been raped and stabbed. When Kagome arrived, the culprit had still been there. Kagome had been forced to kill him, then bury both bodies. As much as she tried, she had not been able to save the woman. It was the first time Sesshomaru had seen her cry for something unrelated to him. He had been her comfort, let her cry on his chest until she fell asleep. He only moved when it began to get too cold for her.

It was then he decided that he would do more for her. She did everything she could for others, even put her life on the line. She fought and killed for any who needed it. She put her life on hold so that she could rush to those that needed her. She did all of this, and as far as Sesshomaru could tell, very little of the people she helped returned the favor. Other than Touga and Izayoi, who took her in as family, not one person she helped showed their gratitude outside of a quick thanks.

That was the spurring reason why Sesshomaru thought of the letters. Periodically, he could write a letter, reminding her of how wonderful and beautiful she was. She could wake up to it on her pillow, and hopefully, her day would be bright and joyous from the words he had given her.

However, he still found himself hesitant. These words were close to him, and if she rejected him… No. Lifting his head, Sesshomaru felt the determination fill him. She was done rejecting him. He had proven himself and would continue to do so. As long as he didn't give her a reason to, she would never turn away from him. He knew that. He could feel it every moment Kagome was awake. Their bond was as strong as if they were mated and growing stronger with each passing day.

Kagome would love to get this from him. She would cherish it, appreciate it. It was the small things to her. It was just a letter, even if it was close to his heart. To others, it would just be a piece of paper; to her, it would mean the world. He took his time to think of her, to show that he had noticed everything she had done.

New determination in him, Sesshomaru silently stepped into Kagome's room. She was still sound asleep in bed, curled around an oversized pillow. Her hair was down and free, tangled and tossed around in a way Sesshomaru had never seen before. It was a mess, to put it plainly, but it brought a smile to his lips. The blanket was kicked down her legs, and here was where he paused.

He should have known in her own quarters that Kagome would dress comfortably. She wore nothing but a little slip, stopping at mid-thigh. It was silk and thin, and he could see every curve beneath it. His eyes lingered on her legs, his body beginning to thrum to life. This was not how he had planned dropping off this letter to be.

He knew Kagome was beautiful. He also knew that he would be highly attracted to her; however, he had not let himself feel any more than what she allowed. He wanted to take things slowly, to cherish her until she knew without a doubt that she was the only one he had eyes for. However, coming into her room now, Sesshomaru had been unguarded, unprepared. The lust that slammed into him left him breathless and in pain.

Eyes narrowed, he glared down at the obvious tent in his hakama. Now was not the time for his libido to be jumping into action. Kagome was still off-limits in that way. He had a long while to go before they got to that point.

With a sigh, Sesshomaru stepped up to the bed. Gently, he pulled the blanket over her, covering her body from his hungry eyes. He would respect her in every way, even while she was asleep. Turning to the nightstand, he noticed the rose he had given her in the meadow. It sat on the nightstand, next to her comb. Every day she wore it, and when he saw it, he felt his heart swell. As long as she wore that flower, he knew things between them were okay.

Setting the letter on the nightstand, he placed another rose on top of it. He hoped when she dressed today; she would have both in her braid. Perhaps he would give her enough that her entire braid would have roses in it. She would be even more beautiful.

"Sesshomaru." Kagome's whispered voice caught his attention, and he turned to her. She was still asleep, but there was a slight smile on her face. She was dreaming of him. Feeling a rush of something he couldn't describe washing over him, Sesshomaru leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead. They lingered there for a moment, and then he stood. Brushing her bangs out of her face, he finally backed away. He needed to leave before she woke.

When back in the hall, Sesshomaru placed a hand over his heart. He had not expected to learn that Kagome dreamed of him. It made him… happy. Everything she did made him happy, and even after all this time, occasionally, it would catch him off guard. No one had ever had that much of an impact on him before, and he could only be grateful. Kagome had a power over him that he had no control over. A power that he would happily relinquish.

Regaining his stoic composure once more, Sesshomaru quickly made his way to the training grounds. He knew InuYasha and his father were there, and he wanted to try and build a relationship with his little brother. So far, InuYasha hadn't been receptive to anything Sesshomaru tried. All InuYasha knew of him was that Sesshomaru had hated Izayoi, had hurt Kagome, and had wanted nothing to do with InuYasha. It was hard for InuYasha to see anything other than that when it came to Sesshomaru at such a young age.

When he walked into the grounds, Touga noticed him first and smiled. InuYasha turned a few seconds later, frowning when he saw his brother. Sesshomaru noticed but didn't take offense to it. He knew, just like with Kagome, it would take time to repair and build relationships that he had neglected.

"Sesshomaru. Did you sleep well?" Touga inquired, a wooden sword in his hand.

"I have not slept. There were more important things I tended to." Motioning to the sword in Touga's hand, Sesshomaru thought of a perfect way to get closer to his brother. "Perhaps I can help train him. I am a better swordsman than you, Father." Sesshomaru looked towards InuYasha, raising a brow. "That's if you agree, InuYasha."

"You're better than dad?" InuYasha couldn't help his curiosity, his little ears twitching. He tried to hide his interest by refusing to look at Sesshomaru and sticking out his lower lip in a determined pout, but both Sesshomaru and Touga could see it.

"He is. He was able to manifest a sword from his own power. All of my swords are strong, but I needed a blacksmith to create them using my fangs. Sesshomaru didn't need anyone to make his. He summoned it." At this, InuYasha finally looked at Sesshomaru, eyes wide and round.

Lifting his hand, Sesshomaru's palm glowed green. Not with poison, but his own youki. It continued to grow and brighten, elongating until a sword rapidly formed in his hand, the hilt in his palm. When the glow subsided, Sesshomaru twirled the blade, the rising sun glinting off the cool metal. "Bakusaiga, I named it."

"I want to be able to do that!" InuYasha ran up to Sesshomaru, grabbing his wrist and bringing the sword down to his level. He looked it over in aww, mesmerized by it.

"This is not something you will be able to do." Sesshomaru admitted. He would not lie to the boy. InuYasha didn't have the pure breeding needed to be able to manifest his own sword. "However, the sword father has created for you will one day be yours. When the time comes, you will be able to add your own strength to it, making it your own and powerful in its own right. As it is now, the sword is a mighty force. However, if you were to learn to harness it, to add your own fang to the sword, it would be strong enough to take on even me."

"I could beat you?" InuYasha looked up at Sesshomaru, eagerness in his eyes.

"Are you so eager to bring me to my knees?" Sesshomaru chuckled, letting his sword once more disappear until he needed it.

"Yes." InuYasha backed away from Sesshomaru, pointing his wooden sword directly at his brother. "I want you to teach me, Sesshomaru. I want to make you pay for everything you did to momma and Kagome. You hurt them, and for that, I want revenge."

"Hmm." Sesshomaru had not expected that response, and all he could feel was pride. He was proud of his little brother for sticking up for the women he cared for the most. "So be it. Starting tomorrow, we meet at first light. I will teach you to fight, and when you are ready, we will duel. I will not take an easy on you, InuYasha, so I expect you to train hard."

"I will. I'll do it for Momma and Gome." InuYasha's ears were back in determination, his golden eyes locked on Sesshomaru's. Sesshomaru noticed Touga looking between the two, a smile on his face. Sesshomaru had managed to break through to InuYasha, and it was so InuYasha could bring Sesshomaru to his knees. It was clever and motivated InuYasha all at the same time.

"Sesshomaru." Kagome suddenly appeared beside Sesshomaru, teleporting from her room. She was dressed now, her hair braided. During the discussion with InuYasha, the sun had started to rise, and Sesshomaru hadn't even noticed.

As he had hoped, Kagome had both roses in her hair. That was the first thing he had noticed. Then it was the smell of salt. She had been crying. A fissure of fear and worry flashed through him, but before he could ask what had happened, she was on him. Her little hands gripped his face and pulled him down roughly until she was able to kiss him. She dominated him with her mouth, pressing her lips against his roughly. He had been stunned, frozen, and then he reacted. It seemed she was going to have a knack for catching him off guard.

Dropping the sword, his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. He could have kissed like that for hours. He didn't notice anyone else around. His sole focus was on the woman in his arms. It wasn't until Touga let out a wolf whistle that Sesshomaru finally pulled back.

"What did he do to earn a kiss like that? I need to know." Miroku had arrived just as Kagome kissed Sesshomaru; Sango and Izayoi behind him. When Sesshomaru looked around, he noticed the entire family was watching him. Even the horses had made their way to the training grounds. Kagome, embarrassed, could only hide her face in Sesshomaru's chest.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru. For the letter." Kagome whispered, the sound muffled from his clothing. Sesshomaru kissed the top of her head. He had made her cry again, but this time it was because she was happy. He could handle those tears. He didn't even mind them. This was what he wanted. A happy Kagome.

…

Kagura looked around at the room, frowning. Years upon years, her father had been searching. The room was dark, barely lit, but with Naraku being a spider, he didn't need any light to see. The walls were covered with paintings, silk lines that Naraku created himself strewn over a map on the wall, each one leading to a specific place.

Naraku had been searching for the Shikon Miko and her power for almost a century. Ever since he had learned of her power, he had wanted her. When Naraku met his soul bonded, he had sired Kagura on her, then killed her as soon as Kagura was born. He had his heir, and now he had a place by his side just for the Miko that he had yet to find.

Personally, Kagura thought the search was pointless. The shikon miko was human. She would have died nearly two hundred years ago. However, Naraku refused to listen to reason and continued his futile search.

Rolling her eyes, she handed a letter to her father. "It's from Lord Touga." She had opened her father's letters once and learned the hard way never to do it again. He had beaten her so severely; she had been unable to walk for days. "It's probably his answer to the marriage proposal. We need to start getting things ready for me to move to the West." Naraku took the letter from her, opening it quickly to read. She paid him no mind. "Sesshomaru will want to marry quickly. He is going to want his heir soon; that way he can carry on the l-"

"Touga has declined the marriage proposal." Naraku stated calmly, not a shred of emotion in his voice. Kagura felt her world come crashing down around her. She had been in love with Sesshomaru for years. He knew that. There was absolutely no reason for him to reject her.

"Why?" It was the only word that she could manage.

"He has met his soul bonded. Touga suspects they will be married before the year has passed." Naraku's eyes narrowed, his head cocking to the side. "It seems Touga will need a slight push. I will give him one more chance, and if he still refuses, then perhaps we shall meet this soul bonded for ourselves."

"Kagome. Her name is Kagome. I see her name on his wrist every time we were together." It may have been nearly forty years since Kagura had seen Sesshomaru, but she would never forget that name. "I will kill her. Sesshomaru belongs to me and no one else."

"Do not act until I say so. I want this alliance, Kagura. I have reason to believe the Shikon Miko may be in the West. I need full permission to search. If you act in haste and jeopardize my plans, Sesshomaru won't be what you need to worry about." Naraku's eyes darkened, and Kagura nodded stiffly. She just had to wait. She had to be patient. Sesshomaru would be hers. It didn't matter what she had to do or who she had to kill. She wouldn't give up.

...

And Naraku finally peaks his head. We have only heard of him up until this point. Things don't look good when it comes to him. He and Kagura both have their own motives, and neither of them are good for anyone in the West, especially poor Kagome. At least Kagome and Sesshomaru are going strong, and they will be for the rest of their future. As long as no one starts any wars, or kills off anyone, or you know... very bad things. Hahaha! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. See ya'll next week.