Sesshomaru led Kagome by the hand through the halls. He had been waiting for her as she finished afternoon tea with Lady Kurenai and insisted it was urgent although he carried a lighter air about him, one she hadn't seen in a long time.
"Okay, where are we going?" Kagome asked curiously. The events from a few nights prior still played in her mind no matter how many times she had pushed them away.
"You will see." He said again just as he had the first time she had asked him where they were headed.
He stopped in front of two large sliding doors and opened one. Kagome walked with him through onto a wooden deck. It over looked a large open area covered in snow.
She could make out walls on the farthest edges. Many trees lined what would be a path in the nicer weather. The sun had broken through the grey clouds that had blanketed the sky since she had arrived. It made the snow shimmer and glow as if it were made of diamonds.
"It's beautiful out here." She said turning to see Sesshomaru held something in his hands. A very large something wrapped in velvet. "What's this?"
"If you take it then you will find out." He mused. Kagome grasped the material opening it in her husbands hands. Her fingertips hit what felt like wood.
She pushed the velvet back and revealed a smooth, dark polished bow. Her heart skipped as the words she had heard the other night came to mind as she stared at it.
"Why, why are you giving me this?" She questioned bringing her attention to his.
"Can a husband not give his wife a gift?"
"Of course. It's just so, beautiful..."
"You deserve it my dearest." He placed the bow into her hands and waved a hand out over the grounds. "This garden as well is also yours. Lady Kurenai stated it had been neglected for some time and would appreciate it if you tended to it once the seasons change."
"I can't accept this." Kagome said tightening her grip. "I mean, it's not like we're going to be here for that long. Right?"
Sesshomarus expression changed. His face went stoic as he kept his eyes trained on her. His eyes however held countless emotions behind them that she had learned to read. "We...are going back to the village soon, right?"
"No Kagome." He said placing his hands against her shoulders. "We are going to war."
She let out a slow steady breath before taking another one in. Placing the bow down she wrapped her arms around him tightly.
In turn Sesshomaru embraced his mate burying his face in her hair.
"What do you need me to do?" Kagome asked. Sesshomaru held her out from him taking her hands in his. He placed one to his lips and shut his eyes tightly breathing in her scent.
"Survive."