Chapter 28

Sesshomaru stood a few feet away from Kagome, watching her. She was standing by Nakoa, eyes closed as she ran her hands over Nakoa's bulging stomach. They were all sitting there, anxiously waiting on Kagome's results.

Kagome could use her power to check on the foal. However, the foal's life force needed to be big enough for her to find it. That was why Kagome had waited so long to check on the baby before now. The baby hadn't been strong enough.

Now Kagome was searching, hands running over Nakoa's belly as she concentrated. They all watched her, but Sesshomaru's eyes made sure to catch every part of Kagome. He watched her shoulders raise and fall with her breathing. He listened to her heart, watched her face for any sign of pain.

If Sesshomaru was being honest, he didn't trust her reiki. It seemed every time she used it, it had a negative effect. If she teleported too far, she lost enough energy that she would be unable to walk. If her reiki was injured in battle, it left her unconscious and vulnerable. As far as he could tell now, the only good thing that came from her reiki was her lack of aging.

He wanted to ask her about it, but he hadn't had the chance to yet. They all agreed it was better not to mention what she was at all. They couldn't take the chance of anyone overhearing their conversation. It would put Kagome in danger if word got out about what she was. So Sesshomaru never asked any questions, though he had plenty he wanted to ask.

So instead of questioning her, he watched her, made sure nothing she did brought her pain or pushed the limits. He would protect her, even from herself if he had to. So, he didn't even blink as he kept his eyes on her. He used his demonic senses, making sure nothing changed.

When her lips pulled down into a frown, he stepped forward, but their bond kept him rooted. She wasn't worried or in pain. There was a flare of excitement inside of her. She had found the foal. Her lips curled downward as she concentrated deeper. She was making sure to block out all sounds and distractions.

It was only when Kagome opened her eyes that Sesshomaru relaxed. The spark of reiki they had all been feeling disappeared, and Kagome straightened up, smiling at everyone. Patting Nakoa's neck, she spoke softly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "The baby is healthy. They are feisty and curious, I could feel them moving around a lot." Kagome chuckled, reaching over to pat Alastar's neck. She had a hand on each horse. "When they felt me searching, they seemed to want to meet me. It was adorable."

Nakoa threw her head up in a whinny, her front feet bouncing happily. Alastar nudged his head into her neck, trying to calm her. Sesshomaru had to admit that Alastar took wonderful care of Nakoa. He may be a mortal horse, but he ensured her safety and health. He instinctively knew what to do.

Before, Sesshomaru had used Nakoa's pregnancy as a means to get close to Kagome. However, now that he took the time to think about it, he was glad Nakoa had chosen Alastar. He was a good horse, and she couldn't have chosen better.

"I'm glad to hear it." Izayoi clapped her hands together, leaning back against Touga's chest. She was propped between his legs, one of his arms wrapped around her protectively. "We haven't had a foal born since before I met Touga. I've always wanted to witness it."

"We still have a few months. Horse's are pregnant for about a year." Kagome gave the horses one more pat, then let them run along. They had free range of the grounds around the shiro. They could come and go as they pleased.

"A whole year?" Izayoi frowned, shaking her head. "I'm not sure I could do it. Nine months was enough for me. And then there was the difficult labor." Izayoi's whole body shivered in remembrance.

Kissing her temple, Touga smiled. "It was worth it, was it not? Thanks to Kagome, you and InuYasha are healthy and thriving." He looked out at the garden's in front of them, watching as InuYasha went through naming off all the flowers and their medicinal properties to himself. He was practicing for a verbal test Kagome would be giving him in a few days.

"It was." Izayoi smiled fondly at her son, then sighed. "He's getting older though, Touga. He doesn't need me as much as he used to. I think Sesshomaru and Kagome are stealing him away." Sesshomaru raised a brow while Kagome chuckled. She was teasing them, but Sesshomaru couldn't help but to notice a hint of sorrow in her voice. She was a mother, and her baby was no longer a baby.

"You could have another." Sesshomaru shrugged, walking to the nearest tree and settling himself down. His eyes connected with Kagome's, bringing a bright blush to her cheeks. Holding out his hand to her, she took it, allowing him to pull her into his lap.

"You could give me a grandchild." Touga retorted, throwing his head back with a laugh as Kagome yelped in shocked embarrassment. Sesshomaru glared at him, wrapping his arms around Kagome's waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"What about you two?" Izayoi motioned towards Sango and Miroku. They were sitting beside one another, their knees touching. They shared a look, and then shrugged, not really giving an answer.

"That's my fault." Kagome admitted sadly. Sesshomaru could feel her guilt and was surprised when Miroku and Sango didn't argue with her. Swallowing, Kagome picked at the hair of her braid. "Because of what I am, we could never settle. It's dangerous for me to stay in one place for too long. Because we never had a home, having children wasn't a possibility. There is also the fact that they are unsure if any child they have will age or not. I can't keep giving out my reiki…" Kagome looked at her hands, brows furrowed. "I hate what I am. I hurt so many people around me, and there is nothing I can do to stop it."

"That's not true." Miroku said softly, his hand holding Sango's, their fingers laced. "It's not your fault, Kagome. The only ones that are to blame are the ones that would use you for their personal gain."

"You do so much to help people around you, Kagome. To the point that you jeopardize your life. One day, Miroku and I can have children. You haven't taken that from us. You would never hurt us that way." Sango smiled at Kagome, but Kagome didn't look at them. She was stuck in her own self-hatred.

"Should we make a list?" Sesshomaru mumbled in her ear, and she looked up at him confused. "From the moment I met you, you have been helping others. The very first day, you had kept Izayoi and InuYasha alive during a difficult birth. You helped InuYasha gain control of his blood when it tried to consume him. You gave your reiki to Izayoi to keep her from aging. You did the same with Sango. You offer yourself for several greedy fools who call you with every little scratch. You helped to heal that village with the disease, even thought of using your reiki on them. You forgave me, when you had no reason to. There are others, though I will not point them all out. You know, Kagome, the good you do." Grabbing her hand's Sesshomaru held them in hers, running his thumbs over the soft flesh. "You do too much good to do any bad."

His words seemed to alleviate some of the internal disappear in her mind. He could feel it alleviate slowly. She leaned back against him, tucking her head into his neck. For a moment they all fell into silence, their minds going every which way. It was Touga who spoke first.

"You are safe now. Even if your secret was to get exposed, you are home, Kagome. You no longer have a need to run." He looked at her, a soft smile on his lips. "None of you have to leave ever again if you don't want to."

Miroku and Sango seemed to think about that, sharing a look of surprise and hope. They said nothing though, and Sesshomaru wondered if they would be having children soon. He didn't think about it long though, and instead focused on Kagome. She was still relaxing against him, stuck in her own thoughts.

"Kagome." Izayoi smiled at her, and Kagome looked over at her. "I'm so happy for you and Sesshomaru. I had always hoped you two could work things out, and seeing you two now? I am glad." Izayoi paused for a moment, then continued. "If you would like, I can teach what the responsibilities are as a lady. Since Sesshomaru is the heir, you will have certain duties alongside him."

'Oh." Kagome tensed, and Sesshomaru looked down at her. He tried to understand what she was thinking, but she had blocked their bond, hiding her emotions from him. Plastering on a smile, she nodded at Izayoi. "I would appreciate that, Izayoi. Thank you."

"No." Sesshomaru growled, gripping Kagome's shoulders. He spun her around, making her look at him. "You blocked your bond, why?"

"Sess-"

"Tell me." He knew she was going to try and get out of telling him, and he wasn't going to allow it. He needed to know what she was thinking to keep her happy. If there was something that bothered her, he needed to know so he could resolve it.

"It's nothing." She tried to turn, but his grip on her arms tightened, not letting her go. With a sigh, she looked away. "I don't want to be a lady. I never have wanted power. I can't stand the power I have. I don't want to add an extra title to it. But I will, because I can't have you without your title." Looking towards Izayoi, Kagome nodded once more. This time her bond was open, and Sesshomaru could feel her internal struggle, her determination to make it work, but also her despair at becoming more than what she already was. "I'll take your offer, Izayoi. I need to know how to be a lady."

Sesshomaru ground his fangs together. Not once had he ever thought his title would come between him and Kagome. She had never mentioned not liking that he was the heir to the West. Eyes narrowing, he watched her for a moment. She didn't care that he was the heir, she just didn't want to be a lady. Perhaps there was a way for them to mate, and her to not take a title? It was something he would have to look into. He wanted Kagome happy. He didn't want her to settle for anyone, not even him.

…

Kouga looked at the letter in his hand, claws tearing into it as he crumpled the paper. Sesshomaru Taisho was officially courting Kagome Higurashi. It was signed and stamped personally by Touga, the lord of the West.

Kouga couldn't believe what he was seeing. After everything Sesshomaru had done, Kagome went crawling right back to him. Closing his eyes, Kouga wondered if this was fault. He had left Kagome alone and vulnerable. It had been years since he met Ayame, but that didn't change that Kagome had been alone because of him.

He felt a certain sort of responsibility for her. He felt a duty to protect her. Their relationship had started because they had been alone, neither having a soul bonded to share their life with. When Kouga met Ayame, he believed Kagome would be okay. He thought she would find someone else to love, someone that would cherish her.

He had been wrong. She was courting Sesshomaru? Why? How? Did Sesshomaru force her? Was Kagome desperate? Did Touga bribe her? There were far too many questions, and not enough answers. Eye's narrowed, he looked up and met Ayame's eyes. "I have to go to the West. I have to save her."

"Go. Make sure she is okay." Ayame kissed his cheek, giving him her support. One final glance at her, and he took off, running out of their cave and towards the West. It would take two weeks for him to get there, and all he could do was hope he wasn't too late. She just had to hold on until he got there.

...

Guys! I have finished writing this story. It is complete, and I could not be happier. Seriously, the hardest part of writing a story is when it gets to the end. Those last few chapters a bitch because you have to make sure you are wrapping everything up and not leaving anything out. It's not easy. Anyway, there is a total of sixty-seven chapters. It took me nearly five months to write it. I started in January. Five months of writing several chapters a week. It was grueling, but so damn satisfying to have it finished. To celebrate, I decide to post this chapter for everyone. So enjoy!

As far as Sesshomaru reflecting on Kagome's reiki, here's a hint. He's right. There is so much more going on with Kagome's reiki than any of them know. Anyone have any idea's? I doubt anyone would guess it. I'll make a deal. If someone can guess what her reiki actually is, I will post another chapter. I'm in a generous mood today. Good luck!

Thanks to Didthereaper for editing.