Chapter 49

Kagome stared at the letter in her hands, her body trembling. Sesshomaru had checked the mail for her, handed her anything that was hers, and then walked off. He wasn't speaking to her at the moment. She understood and didn't blame him.

She was being cruel and heartless. It tore her apart not to go running to Miroku in the moment she realized she was awake. She almost did, almost begged for forgiveness and then went crawling to him, but at the last second, she was able to tell Sesshomaru to leave.

She regretted it every day since, but she couldn't change her mind. She did what she was doing for a reason, and the letter she held just proved it. It was from Kouga. He knew where she lived and sent her a letter threatening to kill anyone Kagome had ever cared about if she didn't come back to him.

He admitted that he had been stalking her home, waiting on Sesshomaru to leave so he could talk to her. However, Sesshomaru never left, and when he learned that Miroku was alive, he needed to try something else. So, he left her a letter, reminding her of everything he did.

He went into detail, trying to terrify her. He explained how he killed her grandfather and Mattaki. Explained what he did to get back at Sesshomaru and Touga, and how he blew up their law firm. He even admitted to messing with Miroku's breaks, gloating about how close he had come to killing her husband.

He was trying to terrify her. In truth, it did. Her family was in danger because of her. However, this letter gave her hope. Kouga messed up. He had signed the letter with his signature, the same exact one he used for business. He admitted to murder and everything else and then signed it.

He most likely thought Kagome would throw the letter away and come running back to him, but she wouldn't. She would never go back to Kouga. Taking a deep breath, Kagome set the letter on her bed. She pulled out her notebook, flipping through and reading them all one last time. She had finally written what she wanted to say to Miroku.

She told him how much she loved him, and that she always would. Explained that she was leaving to keep them all safe. Told him she planned to have the baby and then give their son fully to Miroku. She wouldn't be able to live on the run with a baby, and Miroku could provide a better life for him than she could.

Setting the notebook down on the cushions of the bay window, the place where she had been sleeping, she made sure it was left out so it would be seen. Grabbing Kouga's letter, she made her way to the bedroom she and Miroku had shared, hesitating for a moment before she opened it.

Another deep breath, and she opened the door, hating how empty it felt. Grabbing a small bag, she packed a few items of clothing. She opened the drawer where they had kept the passports and fake identities, halting when she realized they were gone.

They had been there before the accident, and now they were gone. She pulled out the drawer completely, dropping it to the floor and dumping everything out. When that one was empty, she moved to the next, making a mess and throwing the drawers around in frustration.

"Looking for something?" Sesshomaru was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. His arms were crossed, and he was looking at the mess she made with an air of triumph.

"You took it?" She stood from the floor, struggling to do so with her big belly in the way. She was already over seven months pregnant and getting around easily wasn't possible. "Where did you put them? I need them."

"Why do you need them? It's not as if you are planning to run away from your problems and all of those that care about you." He was being sarcastic. An ass, if he was being honest, but he couldn't bring himself to react any other way.

"I am not running away. I am trying to protect everyone!" Kagome marched up to him, throwing Kouga's letter at him. "If I don't leave, he will come after everyone. He has already proven that. I won't go back to him, but I can't stay."

Sesshomaru read over the letter, then carefully folded it up and put it in his back pocket. He would hand that over to the authorities as soon as he could. "You are a naïve, selfish, little girl." Kagome flinched back as if she had been slapped, but Sesshomaru didn't stop. "Even if you left, Kouga would still come after us. He would be furious that he couldn't find you, and we would be his targets to both fuel his fury and get you to come back. Leaving solves nothing."

"But I-"

"Do not interrupt, I am not finished. I have been patient these last two weeks, giving you the space you needed, however, I will do so no longer." Sesshomaru took a step forward, making her take a step back. "I saw my brother dead. I saw his car roll over itself until I could no longer even tell what it was. I felt for his heartbeat and found none. I wanted to be there for him while he was in the coma. But I was with you. I wanted to go see him when he woke up three days ago, but I have been with you."

"Then go!" Kagome had tears in her eyes, the hurt at the way Sesshomaru was talking to her more prominent than her anger.

"And let you run away. Not likely." Sesshomaru cocked his head to the side, lips tight as he looked at the woman before him. "Miroku woke up, and the first thing he asked for was you. We have all tried to tell you that none of this is your fault, but you are so self-centered that you continue to victimize yourself, making the rest of us miserable."

"My brother was strong enough to survive what all his doctors thought he would perish from. He came back for you and his family, and you can't stop thinking about yourself long enough to go and see him. Kouga is targeting us. Yes, it is true that had Miroku not found you, Kouga would have never looked our way, but that changes nothing. None of us have once blamed you for Kouga's actions. You blame yourself, but do not lump us in that category, because we do not belong."

"I just want to keep everyone safe." Kagome covered her face, letting out a sob. She couldn't argue with Sesshomaru's words. As harsh as they were, they were true. This entire time she kept thinking about her. She warped it to make it seem like she was trying to protect her family, and she would do anything to do just that, but running away wasn't the only option she had.

"The best way to keep everyone safe, is to stay together. Right now, we are all separated. Mother and father are with Miroku. Aito is with Souta. InuYasha is with Sango and Naomi, and I am with you. We are better as a family, a unit. You wanted to break that up by leaving." Sesshomaru stepped up to Kagome, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Outside of father and mother, I have never seen a couple as strong as you and Miroku. If you left, you would kill him. I understand you want to protect us Kagome, but it is time for you to accept that we protect each other. Stop thinking of it as just you, and instead think of the family as a whole. Because that is what we are. There is no center person, but instead we are all linked together to make one large family."

Kagome looked up to him, her eyes watery. She let out a sob, pressing her face against his chest, and he held her once more, letting her cry it all out. He could feel her belly against his, could feel his nephew moving against him, and he smirked. He wouldn't admit it, but he already cared for the little rascal more than he ever thought he would.

When Kagome calmed, he stepped back, grabbing her chin so she was looking up at him. "Can we go see, Miroku now?" He waited until Kagome nodded, and then let out a sigh of relief. "Go clean yourself up. Then we will go."

She scurried off, heading back to the nursery. Pulling the letter out of his back pocket, Sesshomaru looked at it once more, and then walked to the study, placing it in the safe Miroku had under the desk. It would be safe there until they were ready to give it to the authorities.

…

Arriving at the hospital, Sesshomaru walked alongside Kagome. She was nervous, picking at her thick coat. He had a hold of her elbow, keeping her steady while she walked through the snow. When they were inside, he let her go, and silently, they made their way up to Miroku's room.

Unexpectedly, Touga and Izayoi were standing outside, talking to a doctor. When they spotted Kagome and Sesshomaru, their eyes widened, both silent as they looked at her. Sesshomaru nudged Kagome forward softly, and she blushed, looking up at the two that had taken her in as one of their own. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I can do to make up these past two weeks."

"We forgive you, Dear." Izayoi hugged Kagome, smiling softly. "We know what you were thinking, and we are glad that you finally broke free. Grief and guilt are strong emotions, and if we aren't careful, they can consume us."

Touga took over next, pulling Kagome into his arms. "I don't know what finally brought you here, but I am glad." Keeping his hands on Kagome's shoulders, he gave her a warm smile. "He has been waiting on you."

"Will he hate me?" Kagome looked down at her hands, fidgeting. She wouldn't be surprised if Miroku wanted nothing to do with her. She had acted horrible these past few weeks.

"Kagome." Sesshomaru's tone was a warning, telling her not to go down that road. It was a reminder that Miroku loved her. He may be hurt and upset that she hadn't been here for him, but he would always love her.

Kagome nodded, and then made her way into the room. She noticed no one followed her, and she was thankful. Turning to the bed, she swallowed. Miroku was asleep, his face scrunched up as he dreamed. He was mumbling something, and she realized he was having a nightmare. He hadn't had one in so long, she forgot that he used to suffer from them.

Walking up to him, she grabbed his hand, and he seemed to calm immediately, falling into a deeper sleep. She sat in the chair beside his bed, looking him over. He still had a few cuts and bruises from the accident, a bandage wrapped around his head from the initial hit that caused his coma.

She leaned her forehead against his hand, taking a shuddering breath. "I am so sorry, Miroku. I should have been here. I should have never locked myself away. I was just so scared. I saw you lifeless and blamed myself for it. It took Sesshomaru yelling at me for me to realize I was being an idiot. I don't know how I will ever be able to make it up to you or anyone else, but I promise I will try." She paused, taking a breath to calm herself. She never noticed the intense eyes staring at her. "I love you, Miroku. I know I didn't act like it, but I am so glad you are okay."

She was crying quietly, her tears wetting his hand, her shoulders shaking. Miroku had woken up the moment she grabbed his hand. He had been about to say something, but she spoke first. He heard everything she said, but he didn't care. He was never upset with her. He just wanted her by his side. "Kagome."

Her head snapped up; eyes wide as she looked at him. Pulling his hand from hers, he quickly lowered the arm railing and then scooted over, making room for her. She didn't hesitate, crawling into the bed with him. It was cramped, her belly getting in the way, but they didn't care.

He raised up the arm of the bed, so she didn't fall off, and then she was kissing him. All of her regret, love, and adoration was spoken through her kiss, forcing itself on Miroku so he felt everything she did. In return, he showed her his happiness and relief that she was here. His hand rested on her belly, feeling his son move, his other arm wrapped around her.

A throat clearing had them breaking apart, and they both blushed, looking up to see Touga, Izayoi, Sesshomaru, and the doctor smiling. The doctor stepped forward, shaking her head in endearment at the two. "The bed is only supposed to be for one, but I will allow it this time. Good news, Miroku, you will be discharged tomorrow. Everything looks good and is as it should be. Do you have any questions?"

"Can I have sex?" Kagome smacked his shoulder playfully, blushing as Touga let out a loud laugh. The doctor chuckled, but agreed, then made her way out of the room. Miroku held Kagome to him and looked at Sesshomaru. "You yelled at my wife?"

"I do not regret it. Had she not been pregnant, I would have thrown her over my shoulder a long time ago." Sesshomaru dead panned, looking towards Kagome, who just turned her head into Miroku's chest so she was no longer the center of attention.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru. For taking care of her and bringing her to me." Miroku kissed Kagome's temple, closing his eyes as he finally felt whole once more. "I love you too, Kagome. Don't ever forget it." It was a whisper so only she could hear. She was back where she belonged, and he wasn't going to let her go.