DEAR READERS,

fair warning: I have not edited this. if you don't like it, go follow an author who doesn't write between 60 plus hours of stressful covid related work. However, this chapter is fairly smutty so you know go enjoy or whatever. blame the late v day gift, blame the five twos date for getting 2 chapters back to back, BLAME ANYTHING, but do not blame me for my phones auto correct. do I recognize that this chapter is meh? of course. I will give it to you anyhow.

that is all.

xoxo,

splooshy baby

Five days had gone by.

For five straight days, a single gleam of a shooting star raced across the sky, day and night. With so much of the season spent in darkness, it was easily spotted in the blanket of night. Rumors had sparked over it's presence, from mothers to children, telling of legends and lore as bedtime stories. Some of the humans regarded it as an omen from the Gods themselves.

Daisuke was the first to smell it.

"Dog." He muttered around the thumb protruding from his mouth.

"What is that, my boy?" His father reached for his free hand, guiding him back inside for bed.

"It's a dog." Daisuke removed his thumb from his mouth long enough to point to the sky.

His father paused, scooping the young cub into his arms. They both watched the streak of light make its way closer to the South.

"Hmm," His father was pensive, his jaw tight under his thick beard, "I suppose we should prepare for company."

"Hm?" Daisuke was too little to understand the implication, and tilted his head adorably.

"Come now, little cub," He nuzzled the boy's cheek, inciting a giggle, "It's time for bed."

Sesshomaru debated for days on whether or not he should stop and resume travel on foot, but ultimately it came down to chance. Ever since they'd left Edo, Kagome had faced grave danger. With odds like that, he couldn't risk another encounter in his current condition. So long as they remained aloft, he could maintain their vitality, to an extent.

Kagome remained unconscious. With every day that passed, he thought more of the life inside of her womb. It was true he had never wanted offspring. It would please his mother too much, and what he could deny her, he would. That aside, he refused to even consider the daughters of the cardinal Lords' as potential mates. It was merely a contract to encourage his submission to the whims of his elders. Sesshomaru couldn't care less for their politics. He would do as he pleased.

Rin had been the beginning of his downfall, he realized. He'd given her life not once, but twice. The first was almost a fluke; a test if anything for his bequeathed Tenseiga, but the second time was done purposefully.

Nothing could ever be worth the cost of Rin's life.

He meant it then, and he meant it now. She was his to protect, always. Thanks to her, Sesshomaru could recognize it this time, when he grew fond of another: his future child and heir. Initially he saw the pup as an anomaly in his timeline, due to the other half of it's parentage. Kagome was never meant to be his.

In time, it appeared she would be. One day.

Sesshomaru began his descent when he saw the castle on the shore. They would need to land further out, to avoid being perceived as an enemy. Beyond the sea wall that framed the castle, he aimed for the stretch of sand along the shore, staying in sight of their watchtower. They would know his scent and come to greet them.

Hitting sand, he phased them back. The white orb grew into the shape of two people, as an amorphous embrace, before the light faded to expose the Western Lord cradling a priestess in his lap. By the time Lord Ryota approached the odd pair, they were both unconscious.

"Bring them both inside." He barked out to the guards that accompanied him. Ryota could only imagine what brought them to his shores.

His eyes followed the human girl as she was lifted from her companion's loose grasp and carried away. This wasn't the child Sesshomaru claimed for his pack. This girl was a priestess, but more importantly, carrying Sesshomaru's pup.

"What have you done, Sesshomaru?" He didn't expect an answer, but the one he received only gave him more questions than answers.

"It's what I will do, Lord Ryota."

Sesshomaru was shouldered between two guards, with his head hanging forward. Even through the thick of his silver hair, Ryota could see the weak tilt of a smirk gracing the young Lord's face before he promptly went limp.

"He never did know when to quit." The guards bracing Sesshomaru's weight between them both chuckled at that. "He's got too much of his father in him."

Kagome was encased in the shallow cave of the bear's den. She leaned back into the cool stone wall, dazed by her own bold actions. Never did she imagine listening to Ami and Genko would be beneficial.

Sesshomaru held her earnestly. She was warmed by the thought of a chance, no matter how small, of staying beside him. He wouldn't have to be alone for the next five hundred years while he endured so many losses in this century alone. Kagome knew what fate had planned for their loved ones. She could stay, and not only prevent Inuyasha's death, but everyone else's too.

So caught up in her own hopeful daydreams, she hadn't realized until it was too late.

An apparition came out of thin air. In the dim light coming from the entrance of the den, it was hard to describe what grabbed her by the throat and threw her flat on her back.

The sudden shock kicked her reiki awake as she clawed for purchase on the firm grasp around her neck. Lighting the den in sparks of lavender, she could only recognize the expressions and maw of an animal, despite the human hand that chained her down at the neck.

She wasn't being choked, but restrained, as it bit at her face, chewing on the air between them. Kagome could smell the burnt flesh and hair from her purification. Her own squirming forced herself to choke against it's hand.

"Lady Priestess!" Kagome felt hands paw at her flailing limbs, fighting the demon in her fading dreams. "Lady Priestess! You're safe!"

Her eyes shot open, scanning the faces around her for anyone familiar. The hands of women left her person, now that she wasn't at risk of harming herself in her sleep. Recognizing no one, Kagome sat upright on the futon and sobbed out a shaky breath.

"Send for Lord Ryota," She heard one of them say, "Tell him she's awake."

"I'm in Southern territory?" Kagome scrubbed her face with her sleeves, seeing now that someone had changed her into a simple sleeping yukata.

"Yes, my Lady." Two women came forward as the third retreated from the room to play messenger. "You arrived with Lord Sesshomaru yesterday, early in the morning."

"What time is it now?"

"Evening, my Lady."

"And Sesshomaru is..?" Kagome looked between them when she got no response. They eyed one another, silently debating their choice of words. "What, here? Alive? Somewhere?" She snapped, and saw them visibly jump at her tone.

"Yes! Yes, my Lady."

"We apologize, really."

"No," Kagome pulled her fingers through her hair, immediately regretting her words. "No, I'm sorry. I'm not--"

The door slid open to reveal an obscenely tall demon, dressed in bright, royal hues. The women attending to her bowed at his entrance and exited behind him.

"You must be Lord Ryota."

"That I am." His voice was deeper than she anticipated. She knew Daisuke wasn't his biological child, but maybe it was a trait of the Kuma clan. "Now, tell me," He approached, sitting next to her futon, "What is your name?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry," She grew bashful, "I'm Kagome Higurashi, I'm friends with Inuyasha-"

"You're the Shikon Priestess?"

She nodded, confused. Ryota held a palm to his chest in awe. Then he grinned, taking her hand in his with a gentle squeeze.

"Sesshomaru has a lot of explaining to do, getting the Shikon Priestess pregnant without a mating mark." At that, she winced.

"It's a touchy subject, actually."

"Do tell."

Lord Ryota was charming and charismatic, funny and sensitive, in a way that was more modern than the era they lived in. Kagome found that she could confide in him as a friend, trusting his words when he offered support.

They talked privately through dinner, but soon after, while Ryota drank sake, and Kagome sipped ginger tea, they were ambushed by the very person her mind kept drifting to.

"Is this..?" Kagome beamed at the toddler rushing his father at full force. The child launched himself at Lord Ryota, snaking chubby arms around his neck.

"Daisuke, little one, what have I told you about your manners?" Ryota reprimanded the child with mirth, hugging the growling child to his chest.

"Hello." Kagome melted at the sight of his eyes squinting in her direction with playful distrust.

"This is our new friend," Ryota encouraged his son to sit in his lap, "Her name is Kagome. Can you say hello to Lady Kagome?"

"Hello Ka-go-me." Daisuke sounded out her name, grinning when he got it right.

"It's very nice to meet you." She couldn't contain the splitting grin that broke out across her face. He was so cute, it made her ache.

"I can tell you'll make a wonderful mother, Lady Kagome." He recognized the yearning in her gaze. "In spite of how your pup came to be, I'm sure the two of you will find a way to make this work. Lord Sesshomaru is loyal and dutiful if nothing else."

Kagome's joy wilted at the reminder. "May I see him now?"

"Of course, M'lady." He motioned to the door, "Ask the guard outside to escort you. Besides, it's time I get this little cub to bed."

"Bedtime already, Papa?" Daisuke wined, despite the yawn that followed.

Kagome watched the exchange between father and son fondly before leaving to find Sesshomaru. As promised, the guard led her to his room in the medical wing, nearest to the barracks.

He was so pale. She was familiar with his usual complexion, but this ghostly shade was almost gray with sickness. Had she done this to him? Did he sacrifice his wellness for her safety? She worried her lower lip, unsure if she should stay.

"Sit already."

Kagome almost jumped at his voice. It was so gravely, she almost didn't recognize it.

"You're awake."

"Sit." This time, he opened his eyes to attempt an imposing stare. She obeyed, kneeling at his cot.

"Can I get you anything?" She offered, but Sesshomaru shook his head. "Are you sure, because I can-" His hand snaked out from the covers, bumping his knuckles to her knee.

"Are you well?"

His concern was evident in his aura, but the other colors she saw misting in and out of existence stupefied her.

"Kagome," He caught her attention, "Is the infant-"

"We're fine." She did her best to blink back the tears that blurred her vision. Taking his hand in both of hers, she bent closer to brush her lips to the back of his hand. "I promise, we're fine. My baby-"

"Our pup." Sesshomaru sternly interjected.

"Our pup," She conceded, failing to damn her tears behind her closed eyelids. He was feverish. She felt it in his flushed palm that now cupped her tear stained cheek. "Is just fine. Thanks to you, Sesshomaru."

"Hn," He was pleased with himself, brushing away tears that spilled freely, "Worry not, I'll be fine tomorrow."

"Yes, of course." Kagome sniffled, willing herself to stop crying. "I should let you sleep. You need your rest."

"Wait." His frown returned, stilling her movements. Turning on his side, Sesshomaru reached both hands for her abdomen until his head was in her lap, and his large palms were possessively grasping her hip and the other caressing her lower belly.

"Sesshomaru, I can't-" She tried to object. He would be so upset if he knew later what he'd done. Her hands froze mid-air, unsure of what to do.

"I can feel the pup." His ear was pressed into her belly. The palm rubbing into the baby bump was low, and Kagome's face blazed at the intimacy. The other hand that held her hip dug in at the feel of her shiver. "I can scent that."

"I'm sorry." Kagome's voice hitched.

"I'm not." His roaming palm pushed under the fold of her yukata, searching for skin.

"Sessh-" She grasped his wrist. She had to stop him. He was sick and didn't mean any of this.

"Shh," His nose tickled her belly, making her stomach flutter, "Let me pretend. For a moment." His wandering hand ceased exploration, and settled on a thigh.

"Pretend what…?" Kagome whispered, afraid to rouse him too much. When his deep inhales turned to the even breath of sleep, she finally allowed herself to relax. Running her fingers through his hair, she wondered if their pup would have his fine silver strands or her pitch black locks.

Our pup. She couldn't believe he'd called it that. Biologically, yes, theirs. Technically, just hers. Let me pretend. It ate at her. Did he know what he was saying? Would he remember?

"Seems you'd rather play nurse than get any sleep yourself, hm?" Lord Ryota's teasing whisper startled her from her reverie.

"He latched on," Kagome blushed, raising both hands in surrender, "What was I supposed to do?"

"Perhaps lay down?" He snickered, turning to retire to his own chambers.

"Hey wait a minute!" She grasped at air, but their host was no help, leaving Kagome to her own devices. She sighed in defeat, her hands falling to embrace Sesshomaru's shoulders.

When he awoke next, Sesshomaru felt more coherent. He knew because this time his body punished him gravely. Pain like this was to be remembered. Wincing at his own intake of breath, Sesshomaru was made painfully aware of his head's current location.

The stale heady scent of her slick arousal was impossible to ignore with his nose practically at the seam of her thighs. He aimed to rectify this position and found his right palm was stuck up her yukata, cupping soft thigh, and his left wrapped firmly around her, kneading her hip affectionately.

Whether his brain liked it or not, his body begged for instinct. He could feel it restrained against his thigh, begging to penetrate her wet heat.

She's already pupped, he tried to reason with himself. That desire is pointless.

Of course, he knew why he was stuck like this. Though the memory was hazed with fever, he knew. Sesshomaru resigned himself to his current position. He'd blame the fever. He just wanted to pretend, for even a few minutes, that he, himself now, was the reason she was growing with child, receptive to his touch, gasping at the slightest caress.

Sesshomaru had never let himself live so unrestrained. He imagined time and again how foolish it was of his father, and Inuyasha, to be overcome by these human women. And yet, he saw the appeal in her. In Kagome he saw fire and light, resilience unmatched, and the strength to carry his heir.

Not that he needed one. No, he'd never need one in the event of his death to simply carry on title and name. He wanted this child.

So he let himself believe, broken down by fever and medicine that drowned his senses, and wormed his way into her lap, his hand under her yukata, and his nose where it shouldn't be.

He only had himself to blame.

"You awake, young Lord?"

"Hn," Lord Ryota was mindful to keep his voice down. Sesshomaru turned to glare from Kagome's lap. "Do not wake her."

"And ruin your fun? I think not." He smirked. "I told that girl to lie down, for heaven's sake."

"You've become acquainted?"

"We had dinner while you rested. I couldn't imagine you sitting up and behaving appropriately, so I kept her occupied." Lord Ryota leaned into the door frame, his arms crossed into his sleeves, "Of course, she was worried and insisted on seeing you. I didn't think you'd lure her onto her back twice in a lifetime, so I assumed it was safe to send your breeding mare down to check on you."

"She is not a whore."

"Nor is she your mate."

The silence that filled the room was deafening. Sesshomaru couldn't defend his actions from the future, and presently the situation didn't pay either of them any favor.

"Mm," Kagome groaned in her sleep, clutching at Sesshomaru's shoulders, "Inuyasha…"

"It appears she longs for another." His eyebrows shot upwards, baffled by yet another turn of events.

"You know nothing of our circumstances." Sesshomaru's chest ached. His icey reserve was easily displaced before, but now it was back in full force. His voice came at a bark, defensive, loud, and gave no room for response. Kagome shot awake at his tone, but by the time she registered where she was, Lord Ryota was gone.

"Christ, where's the fire?!" Kagome held her racing heart.

Sesshomaru was already upright, sitting on flat feet. It was the most he could move, given his weakened state. He eased back onto his bottom, reclining into the wall.

"Hey, are you feeling any better?" She crawled closer, reaching for his forehead with the back of her hand to check his fever.

"Ridiculous woman," He spat, scaring off her advances. "Don't ever doubt me."

"Right," Kagome swallowed, averting her gaze with embarrassment. "Look, if this is about last night-"

"We have nothing to talk about."

She let go of the breath she'd been holding. Of course. She should have known it all meant nothing. Nothing but a fever dream that teased her heart.

"Fine." She got up and left. He could recover on his own. He said it himself, she shouldn't doubt him.

When Kagome had made it down the hall, Sesshomaru finally allowed himself to fall onto his side once more. He cursed his brother's name. Despite carrying his pup, she still wanted for another.

He cursed himself, from the future. This wouldn't even be a problem had he just marked her when they rutted. It seemed even five hundred years in the future, he was still denying himself what he really wanted.

"That arrogant ass!" Kagome briskly made her way through the halls, back to the guest quarter where her own room was. She needed decent sleep. Thanks to that stubborn ass, she had a kink in her neck from sleeping upright against a wall. Sparks lit up her fingertips, and passersby gave her a wide berth just in case the hormonal, pregnant priestess turned her wrath on them.

When she finally threw herself onto bed, she clawed her way out of the too tight yukata, exasperated by how hot she felt in it, and after successfully stripping it off, discarded it on the floor and sprawled to cool off.

Panting, Kagome looked down at her naked body and realized she looked different already. Her breasts were noticeably larger. She was already aware of her natural perky chest, but it seemed in pregnancy her chest had grown swollen; voluminous. Even laying down made her chest bounce in a way it didn't used to before. Her belly, while still taut and thin, had begun forming a palm sized bulge above her pubic bone. Easily hidden in clothing, but naked, she could identify her expanding womb, protruding below her navel.

And then there were other symptoms. She almost always felt nauseated, even if she hardly ever threw up. Her mood went from zero to ten and back again quicker than she could remember why she was upset or happy one moment to the next. The most embarrassing, and the most frustrating, though, would be this constant, slick arousal. She closed her legs together, scissoring like a cricket. She remembered Sesshomaru's claws flexing on her thigh. Or his nose nuzzled into her lap, breathing in her scent, with the palm of his hand rubbing sensual circles on her lower belly.

Better yet, his tongue lapping at her pert nipples, lips sucking, teeth pinching, while her lower lips hugged his erection through pajamas and ground down on the sticky fabric bunching at the seams.

Kagome ached for the memory of sitting firmly on his cock, filled to the brim, and for the first time completely penetrated. She could feel herself wetting him, each ride down making a satisfying slapping sound. She couldn't describe how good it felt to clench around him, have his seed pumped deep inside herself, and feel it running between her legs when he pulled out. It was dirty and delicious, and she was torturing herself.

She had to stop, but her fingers were already nimbly toying and flicking the slick bud at the apex of her sex.

"God, Sesshou…" She groaned out, bucking into her own hand, breathlessly when she came. She whined as her sex pulsed around her slender fingers, mocking the grasp it would have around his cock, and dripped her arousal onto the sheets beneath her, unintentionally scent marking her desires.

Unbeknownst to Kagome, A fair amount of Demonkind had unintentionally bore auditory witness to her passions. The Lord of The house included.

Later that afternoon, Sesshomaru was graced by the Lord Ryota himself. Though he was still housed in the medical wing, he appeared to be feeling much better.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Lord Ryota?" His tone was dead, but full of sarcasm.

"I'm glad to see you're as bright and chipper as always." He leaned in the open doorway again, smirking.

Sesshomaru simply squinted his eyes into slits. Distrustful.

"Relax, I came to apologize." Ryota approached, sitting at the foot of the futon with his legs crossed.

A perched eyebrow indicated his intrigue.

"Here," Ryota tossed a sheet at Sesshomaru's face, sighing heavily. "You're no fun, you know that? Although, I guess I'm wrong again, seeing as to this little priestess of yours, you're all fun behind closed doors."

Sesshomaru caught the sheet, and the scent that slapped his senses had his pupils dilated and his muscles tense instantaneously.

"This is-" He was dumbfounded. How did he not smell this until right when he was thrown the sheet?

"Kagome, I know." Lord Ryota crossed his arms smugly, "Funny thing is that I happened to be near, as did some of my staff, and heard who's name she called out in ecstasy."

"This has nothing to do with you." Sesshomaru warned, already snubbed by her sleep talking.

"But it has everything to do with you." Ryota stood, enjoying this visit far more than he should. Lord Sesshomaru was always fun to tease, but now more so than ever. "She cried out for you, My Lord."

When Sesshomaru said nothing, still clutching the sheets stained with Kagome, Ryota turned towards the door, calling back that he expected to see the Western Lord for dinner, in the study, no excuses.

In the absence of prying eyes, he refused to falter. Throwing the sheets far from himself, he had to focus on other things. Like bartering trade for troops, and getting back on the road. Being well enough to protect her, and the baby.

Our pup. He bounced back and forth between the two. It was futile trying to deny his paternal desires. He would protect the pup at all costs. It was a part of himself. Half of the two strongest beings alive. How could he deny someone with that much potential a proper father? He would either return the priestess to her time, and thus, back to himself to raise the child. Or, if it proved impossible, he would father the child in this time period, Inuyasha be damned.

For dinner, both guests were summoned to Lord Ryota's study. They met at the door, formally nodding to one another, and entered.

"My beloved friends, welcome." Ryota encouraged them to sit, gesturing before him. They obliged.

"I assume you've called us here to discuss the reason for our visit." Sesshomaru avoided the food, recognizing that it was a display intended for their human companion.

"You would assume right."

"I trust Kagome disclosed the nature of our coupling." Kagome snorted tea at the casual mention of their hook up, coughing to clear her throat. Both demons looked her way.

"I mean, I did, but I didn't give, you know, specifics. Like, timing." She hunched her shoulders, more timid around Sesshomaru since he'd snapped at her.

"You may disclose it now." He was being patient with her. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lord Ryota," Kagome met his eyes with mirth, "I'm not just the Shikon Priestess. I'm also a time traveler from five hundred years in the future. I'm actually pregnant with future Sesshomaru's pup." Her eyes darted sideways at that last term, gaging a reaction.

"So what you mean is," He processed this information quickly, "You could tell me exactly what will happen for the next five hundred years?"

"To an extent, yes." Kagome could see this going off course very quickly, and redirected, "Including this war."

"Ah, now I see why you're here."

"We've come to request your aid in defending the Western territory against the East."

"And what of the front lines?" Ryota was crunching numbers behind his eyes. How many lives. How many men?

"We'll be venturing to the front. I know how this war ends, and I can turn the tide much quicker."

"How many soldiers do you require?"