A/N: Thank you all who wait for updates! I'm working on it, I swear. I just work way too much and take on way too much and have a hard time balancing way. too. much. However, I did just rewatch all of Inuyasha and the movies, preparing to watch Yashahime. My love for them goes deep! I'm even getting an inuyasha tattoo!

to all, be safe! To those of us stuck in red states, BE. SAFE.

love, sploosh

By midday, they'd made it to the wolves' den. As soon as they reached the valley and spotted wolves perched on cliff tops standing guard, they were greeted with welcoming waves to urge them forward into the Northern fortress. They were expecting them.

Built into the cave, extending out, was the Northern stronghold. Made out of brick and stone, the building angled unevenly up the mountainside, looking as if it had sprouted from the mouth of the cave. This far North, the snow was still sticking to the ground and crunching underfoot.

Kagome relished the thought of a warm bed again. Maybe they'd even give them separate rooms and she'd have a little privacy from Sesshomaru. After how they left things the previous night, she felt she could use some time alone. It was taking effort to keep her mind from wandering throughout the day. She was almost certain Sesshomaru could detect every single thought floating through her hormone-addled brain.

"Welcome to the Northern Stronghold." They were greeted by a set of wolf demons in white fur at the double doors. "We've been expecting you, Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Kagome." They bowed at the waist before each taking a door handle and pushing it open.

Once inside, Sesshomaru's palm found its way to her lower back, guiding her with him to stay close. Kagome nearly jumped at the contact, but didn't protest.

Ayame was clear to see, mid staircase, amongst the brown and white furs thanks to her shock of red hair. Gone were her girlish pigtails. Instead she wore her hair down and wild, wind whipped and free. Even in this weather, she still managed to ornate her hair with a single bloom. Where she got the flower, Kagome didn't know. She was just happy to see a familiar face.

"Kagome!" Ayame spun around in the dark foyer, sniffing the air to guide her through the many wolves. Leaping over the guardrail one handed, she landed gently, with her hand braced over her son's head.

Kakushin. Kagome recognized his mother's hair in tufts on his soft scalp.

"Lady Ayame," Kagome couldn't hide the grin as she said it, bowing with a hand to her belly, "I'm so happy to see you both."

"When Kouga said you were coming, I almost didn't believe him. I almost killed him when I smelled his hands, though." Ayame ogled the pair, "Be glad I smelled the both of you or the North would have lost its Lord." This she cooed to her son, who reached with chubby palms for her nose. She nuzzled his face with her own, and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Has Kouga returned?" Sesshomaru slid his hand from her back to her waist as he shuffled through the many scents inside the fortress. It truly resembled an old English castle with so much brick.

"Not yet," Ayame tucked her son into a fur sling, freeing up both of her arms, "But I don't expect he'll be back for another hour or two. Why don't you guys rest until he gets here? I'll show you to your room."

"Actual-"

"Thank you, we'd appreciate the rest." Sesshomaru interrupted, pulling Kagome into his side.

Ayame turned and led them back up the stairs, down a corridor, and finally into a wing that Sesshomaru recognized by scent alone that it was the family wing. He eyed Kagome curiously, wondering which of the Northern pair insisted on keeping Kagome so close.

When they arrived at a sliding door, Kakushin began to whine. His shrill cries easily told his mother what he wanted, and Ayame gave her guests an apologetic look.

"Sorry, he sounds hungry." She tried to sooth him with pats to his back, "After he's eaten, we can all have lunch while we wait for Kouga. Sounds good?"

"Yes, thank you." Kagome couldn't keep her eyes off of Kakushin as his tiny voice grew with urgency. He was so small.

"Okay, see you guys later." Ayame padded on bare feet down the hall to her own rooms. Kagome recognized then that they were residing in familial halls.

Sesshomaru released his hold on Kagome and opened the sliding door. Inside was a bed of furs, a fireplace, and a low table with cushions in the corner. The far wall was the solid stone of the mountainside. Kagome immediately recognized that this made the room chilly, but she was sure after feeding the fire, it would be toasty for two people.

"This is really nice of them." Kagome spoke to herself as she entered, shedding her weapons and belongings near the door.

"Hnn."

"Hey, they even gave us something to sleep in." Kagome pointed to the sleeping robes on the fur bedding. Going to the fire, she added a few logs that were stacked nearby. When she got no reply, she added, "Do you think I could catch a bath before night?" Turning in his direction, Kagome realized Sesshomaru was gone.

Kagome sighed. She didn't have the energy to deal with him. Plus, now she was alone. She took her boots off and sat back against the fur bedding. She just needed to calm herself before Sesshomaru came back.

Clearing her mind, she tried to pull her focus from the way his hand possessively guided her, eventually wrapping around her waist. It was entirely too soon after what happened last night for him to be touchy for no reason.

We're in another territory, she told herself, he's just scent marking.

Sesshomaru had wandered off to get fresh air the second he delivered Kagome safely. Her scent was spiked from the night before with heat and he'd withstood the temptation all day. He just needed air without her scent. Even for a minute or two would clear his mind. Although it was abrasive to his senses, the scent of wolves would do. He made his way back down into the foyer, and wandered to map the first floor.

When he returned, he closed the door behind him quickly. It didn't matter how much time spent apart, her fresh citrus scent, spiced with spirituality, was overwhelming. Her pregnancy marked her with his own scent, on top of their near physical contact.

"Wh-where did you take off to?" Kagome stuttered. Her face and neck were flushed, aggravating the scents perfuming off her heated skin. "O-one moment I was talking to you, and the next you were-" Kagome braved a glance from under her fringe, "Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru left his boots and armor by the door and crouched at the foot of the fur bedding. Kagome was stone still as he moved closer.

Her very pores emanated the desires she held from last night. No break from her scent could relieve the impact it had on him.

Looming over her, he sat on folded legs so their knees touched, and grasped her wrist. Bringing her loose fist to his nose, he finally met her eyes.

Sesshomaru knew. Her flush deepened, both with embarrassment and sexual frustration.

She gasped. He grazed his lips across her fingers, sending chills down her spine.

"Kagome," He could hear his voice rasp with hunger, and it pained him to know how little control he had over it. He tried again, summoning his self discipline, "You're trying my patience."

She didn't know whether to take it as a compliment or not. Was he threatening to punish her for desiring him? Or punish himself for not resisting? She leaned into the latter.

"After yesterday-"

"Don't remind me." Sesshomaru was in agony over what happened yesterday. He didn't need to smell her barely contained arousal all day, knowing he'd been a mere second away from mating the mother of his child and had been interrupted.

He'd turned over that last second in his head for hours. She had been poised and ready; wet, and warm, and whimpering with need. Sensibly he knew she was to return to the future, where she would be his in time. The problem was that she was here, now, and his by insemination alone. Her time was safer, and he would be unchallenged. In this time, she was a walking target with his scent and demonic aura radiating from her.

The muscle in his jaw jumped as he looked down between them at her protruding belly.

"Hey," Kagome spread her fingers in his grasp and cupped his cheek in her palm, "It's okay." She could sense his loss. She would find a way to be with him shortly, whether he took her as his now or when she returned to the future to be with him as Sesshou. For him, he'd have to wait hundreds of years to see his child and the woman he would love.

And he did love her. Sesshou hadn't lied to her when she was forced to escape the Western Palace. She would go to him, knowing he was waiting, worrying, and not even knowing they'd formed a life from their one time coupling. He would love their baby. She was sure of it.

"One day." Sesshomaru pressed a palm to her belly, his features softening morosely. His thoughts aligned with hers. One day, but not now. Not yet.

"You could protect me." Kagome took his face in both her hands, rising to her knees. Sesshomaru willingly tilted his head back and grasped her belly with both hands now. "I'm certain you wouldn't let anything happen to us, Sesshomaru. I believe in you."

Lowering her lips to his forehead, she embraced him around the shoulders, tangling her fingers in his silken hair.

He allowed it, feeling her lips warm the crescent moon above his brow. He thought of his mother, centuries ago, doing just the same.

I believe in you.

The memory was barely present in his mind, it was so long ago, but it bubbled up a sense of longing for home he hadn't felt in many centuries. Was this love? He didn't know.

"Come," Sesshomaru took her hands, helping her rise. "Kouga is back."

They met with the Lord and Lady for lunch, gathering a crowd of familiar wolves to their table to hear the tale of Kagome's return. She hugged many wolves, including Ginta and Hakkaku, despite the shooting stares Sesshomaru gave to anyone who got too close to her.

"He's fine, come here," Kagome wrapped her arms around them both, "I've missed you both."

"Hey Sis," Hakkaku grinned. He'd never been one to pester her for details of what the future was like, knowing he'd see it himself one day, but his eyes shot across to a lovely wolf demoness dressed in white furs. "When you met us in your world, did you know who we ended up mating?"

"Actually, no," She had to think about it. Visiting their land in America was a blur to her. The only other time she'd come across them was at the annual alliance dinner Sesshou's company hosted. Even then, she hadn't met their mates. "But I did meet your son."

"My son? How old was he?" Hakkaku's grin stretched across his face, eyes going dreamy with his imagination.

"Mm, I don't know, actually." Kagome saw his eyes flick to the same demoness again, and she had to wonder if maybe that was his future mate. "He looked just like you, though. Very good dancer, too."

Sesshomaru's aura waved like chemicals burning off in a fire. Jealousy was not a good color on him. She bit her lip to contain her mirth.

"What about me, Sis?" Ginta piped up.

"And me! Did we talk?" Other wolves were beginning to inquire, their voices joining in a rabble.

"Hey, guys!" Kouga urged everyone to quiet down. "Knock it off, we have actual business to handle here."

Ayame handed Kakushin off to another wolf demoness before addressing the pair. "Come on, I'll bring you guys to the elder. He stays out on the cliffs."

The cliffs, as it turns out, were just above the fortress, where the mountain plateaus. Sesshomaru kept an arm around her as they ascended on his cloud, keeping a watchful eye on his betrothed. He was familiar with altitude sickness and knew Kagome might be more susceptible to it in her condition.

Stepping onto soft snow, Kagome tucked herself into Sesshomaru's side. The wind was icey and painful against her exposed skin and she knew the biting temperature barely registered to him as life threatening.

Instead of trying to speak through the wind whipping at them, Kouga motioned for them both to follow. Sesshomaru scooped Kagome up without a second thought. It was too dangerous out here for a human.

Kouga and Ayame led them into the large cave opening ahead. Inside was pitch black, and the wind still circled in, but at the angle of the entrance, it was considerably less painful.

"So where's the elder?" Kagome asked, being let down onto her feet once again. She swatted off the excess snow that stuck to her hair and clothes, not realizing that the elder was before them.

She sensed his presence, and her head shot up. In the dark, only two eyes shining silver glowed before them, but Kagome could see their aura, in a rainbow of gold, glimmering in the shape of a wolf. It wasn't obscenely sized like Sesshomaru's true form, but it wasn't any less intimidating. Standing at her height, it could easily take a single bite out of her, and it would mean her death. Fortunately, the elder wasn't seeking human flesh, nor death, as Sesshomaru was present and on guard.

"Ayame, you said this was urgent, and yet you brought me the Shikon Priestess?" The growl of his voice had less to do with aggressiveness and more to do with age.

"Yes, Grandfather, you see-"

"The priestess always has time." His dismissive attitude made Sesshomaru's eyes narrow. The elder noticed. "But the Lord of The West does not, it would seem." He huffed at the two of them, "Tell me, Western Lord, did Inukimi have a say in your choice of mate?"

"I am Lord, and decree no mother may participate in a Lord's choice."

"Only in the West." The elder huffed again, edging closer. In the dark of the cave, Kagome could only just make out the outlines of everyone around her. Her eyes were beginning to adjust, though, and a face could be seen. The elder sniffed in her direction, "Just like your father, I see."

"False." Sesshomaru grit his teeth, "I am not previously mated and siring bastards."

"Mated, no, but siring bastards?"

"What does that matter?" Kagome snapped, crossing her arms defensively. "It's his only offspring, making this pup the heir to the West." The wolf's aura was conflicting. She didn't know what to believe. The snarky attitude beguiled the golden waves around him.

"In due time." He was still dismissive.

"Grandfather, please, they need our aid." Ayame pleaded, holding a hand to her heart. Her friends needed them, and she wasn't going to let them down.

"Yeah, come on, Pops, just hear 'em out." Kouga never caved to the hierarchy of the elders. They knew where his honor lied and that's all they needed to choose him as their next Lord.

The elder turned away, heading towards the back of the cave.

"I didn't fall back into the past, again, to laugh in the face of chance, Sir…uh, Elder." Kagome floundered at how to address him. "Listen," She begged his retreating form, "I know what happens to your clan!"

Still, he moved away.

"I'm talking hundreds of years from now. Don't you understand? This war brings about the end of the Ookami clan!" She swore she wouldn't mess with fate and time, but an elder had once shown her all that had transpired, and now she had the chance to change those outcomes. How could she not return the favor?

"What?!"

"Kagome, is that true?"

The elder returned, coming close enough that she almost stepped away. Kagome held her ground.

"What ails this one?" His snout pointed to her chest.

"I'm getting warnings," Kagome met his eyes, and recognized the stubborn aura that conveyed so many opposing emotions. He had a hard heart. Too many losses. She continued, "From a wolf."

"Tell me what you know of us wolves, and I might speak of that which plagues you."

"Deal." Kagome accepted before Sesshomaru could protest. "On one condition."

"State your claims." The wolf awaited.

"I can only tell you." She felt her friends' eyes on her, confused and hackles raised. "Lord Kouga and Lady Ayame must return to the stronghold, and I will tell you what becomes of them."

"Kagome!" Kouga wasn't having it.

"What gives!" Neither was Ayame.

"If the elder wishes to tell you, then he may." Kagome never broke eye contact with the elder.

"Go." The elder's growl was a warning, "Return, and tend to the clan. The priestess and I have much to discuss."

Neither Lord nor Lady could argue. Eyeing each other, they had no choice but to concede. They retreated, but not before Kouga turned to glance in Sesshomaru's direction.

Sesshomaru met his gaze, nodding once. He would always protect Kagome.

"Come, girl."

Kagome followed.