As always,

Enjoy!

~Kyvena

21: Operation: Guard The Angel

It had now been twenty years, and due to always having a set of golden eyes locked on her, that weren't Sesshōmaru's, Kagome couldn't go anywhere. Sitting on her bed with a blank stare gazing out of the window as InuTaisho spoke to her, clearly not paying a shred of attention to a single thing that he was saying, Sesshōmaru, appearing the age of six now, walked inside of the room, "Father, give it a rest! Kagome doesn't like talking to you, and all of the lords are arriving now!"

Feeling the familiar clasp of the single chain around her ankle, Kagome didn't even turn her head back until the door closed as Sesshōmaru uncharacteristically stood idly by. Through all of the time spent here, she hadn't been gifted a single bath or a change of clothing, and all of that caked on grime simply made her feel absolutely disgusting. She didn't understand how either of these daiyokai puppies could be anywhere near her without feeling as if they were going to throw up.

After a bit of time of his father being gone, Sesshōmaru bolted to her and pulled out the key that he had swiftly swiped from his father before unchaining her and handing her bag to her, "Go!" Kissing his forehead, Kagome hurriedly opened the window and looked down to see no one before her wings spread, but she paused and kissed her pointer finger, only to hold it out to him. Smiling at her form of love for him, he mirrored the action, only to feel everyone beginning to move.

"Kagome, hurry and go now," his almost panicked tone rang out. Nodding, she then darted from the window as he swiftly rushed out of the angel's room to head to the training grounds as he normally would this time of day. Feeling his father rushing towards him at top speed, only to skid to a stop, Sesshōmaru then lazily glanced back as he spoke, "Yes father?" His mother might have made him a tad too good at lying to his father so that he couldn't smell any of the deceit in the air.

InuTaisho then growled out furiously, "What did you do Sesshōmaru?!" Lifting an uncaring brow, he then gave a light bow, "What might you be speaking of?" The ruler of the west knew he was going to get nowhere with his son, so he snapped around and rushed back to all of the lords that were just about to leave, "The angelic lass has escaped! Whoever finds her and brings her back will be paid four times the promised payment!" Everyone then nodded, minus one cold Haruka.

With his right side of his bangs now covering his blinded eye, not many people made the great attempts to mess with how deadly Haruka had become through winning war after war with only one eye as his guiding light, per say. Getting inside of his carriage, he was then back off to his jurisdiction of rule without any care of locating this angelic escapee. He found no interest in playing hide and go seek with the angelic lass, for it wouldn't benefit him in the slightest except for payment.

Landing somewhere in the northern domains during the night hours by two joint hot springs, Kagome finally shed her clothing and pulled out her shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, and washcloth. She already knew that this was going to take a good deal of time and effort on her part to appear brand new once again. Stepping into the water, she began scrubbing the caked on layers of dirt, grime, and sweat, from her skin and hair. Once finally clean, she then moved the clean hot spring.

Haruka knew of the hot spring in this area and knocked on the carriage to go and bathe so that he would wake up and become cleaned. In other words, he was killing two birds with one stone. Removing his attire and freeing his long portion of hair from its confinements, he noticed the murky water in an almost confused manner. Thanking the gods that there were two, he walked to the clean second, only for his eyes to widen when the angelic maiden broke the surface of the water.

Sitting down silently, he then narrowed his eyes in the attempts to get a clear picture. This was so damn frustrating that it wasn't even funny at this point, not that it ever held any semblance of comedy to begin with. Finally releasing a deep-toned sigh, Kagome snapped her head up while blushing deeply. Covering her chest, he then lifted his brow, "I can barely see you, so there's no need for that." Looking closer at this man, she realized as to who it was, "You're lord Haruka, correct?"

He nodded his head and closed his eyes, "That, indeed, I am." He had no idea that she was now in his face until feeling his bangs being brushed to the side, "I like how you styled your hair. It's pretty handsome on you." About to lash out at her, he held his tongue the moment he heard and could smell her tears falling, "That being said... it should have never happened." Raising her hand, his hand shot out and grasped her wrist tightly, making her wince over how tightly he now held her.

Gritting her teeth in pain, she then gave up shielding herself and used her other hand to place it over his injured eye to begin healing the optic nerve and scar. Removing her hand once done, he didn't realize that he was still gripping her so tightly as she tucked those long bangs behind his ear, making him fully comprehend that she had just healed him, "You have really pretty eyes. I like the silver streaks in those icy blue eyes," her soft and gentle tone jingled out softly and sweetly.

Finally realizing as to how hard he was still gripping her wrist, he slowly released her as he clearly witnessed her sparkling sky-blue orbs. Feeling a bit of pressure on his shoulder, along with his earring being toyed with, he shifted his head as Kirara huffed, "Young pup, you could at least thank my lady for healing you! Do not be so rude!" Lifting his brow, his chest silently rumbled as he flicked a bit of water at the feline to make her spazz out and jump off of him with a throbbing heart.

"Forgive me, I will leave you be now," the angelic maiden spoke and bowed to him respectfully before stepping out of the water to stretch, only to finally place new clothing on after many, many years. Even though it was embarrassing, Sesshōmaru had changed her undergarments frequently, which she had been more than thankful for. Placing a thigh high collared dark blue dress on that showed almost all of her back, she then brushed her long locks while humming softly.

Shrugging, he then sighed as he blandly spoke, "You never gave me your name." Turning back and smiling, she spoke, "Oh, how rude of me. My name is Kagome." Nodding his head, he then spoke rather tiredly, "I thank you for aiding me." Hearing as to how exhausted this man was, she then helped him in the water and let him lean on her bare thighs before beginning to wash his hair and body for him, only for him to release a breathy chuckle at her, "Well, thank you again."

Standing once she was finished, she then peered down, "I figured that InuTaisho would send people after me..." Haruka then shifted his head back and blandly spoke in return, "Yes, he did. I just did not oblige to do so. If you need a place to stay, you may stay at the northern castle without being reported. You would be far safer doing so, opposed to continuously travelling and have the possibility of being dragged back to InuTaisho. I found you rather easily... did I not lady Kagome?"

"I suppose you make an extremely valid point," her tone softly projected before sighing softly, "I suppose that I will accept your generous offer." Kirara then hopped into Kagome's arms, "Fear not my lady, lord Haruka is a man of his word. Not once have I ever witnessed him not doing so. He's quite the honorable man, so you have nothing to worry about! Even if he did toss water on me." This made Haruka barely chuckle as he redressed, "Well, I thank you for such high praises Kirara."

Releasing a gentle breath, Kagome then smiled softly, "I accept your offer on one condition. Just call me Kagome, and if I am ever a bother, you are free to report me." That was a rather odd condition, but he shrugged slightly, "The carriage is up ahead. Allow me to check if the coast is clear for you due to how... obvious... you are." - "He means your sparkles, my lady," the fire feline finished for Haruka happily as he walked away, only to stop and check before fanning her forward.

Opening the carriage door for her was the least he could do after she had gifted his sight back to him, only for her to then enter before sitting down. She rarely slept at the western palace, so she felt like a trainwreck. By the time Haruka entered, closed the door, and sat down, his brows lifted at how she had already curled up to fall asleep so innocently. This made him gain a worried face before whispering, "Did she never sleep in her time at the castle in the west Kirara?"

Kirara then shook her head, "My lady did not sleep too often due to the fear of thinking that InuTaisho would force himself on her. She slept as well as you normally do without someone to cuddle with," the mini-kitten teased quietly, making Haruka blush furiously and scoff, "I know not of what you speak of." Gently knocking on the carriage to move so that he didn't wake the sleeping angel, Haruka could only stare almost longingly at her due to how soft she appeared.

Two hours in, and Kagome shot awake out of panic as Haruka sat there with his eyes closed. Seeing him... "sleeping"... and chewing her lower lip, she supposed she'd deal with the consequences at a later date as she hurriedly stood and eased between his legs to lie against his chest, making him wrap his arms around her for a tidal wave of peace to wash over not only him, but her as well. Kagome's tails instantly covered them both, along with his tail that basically wiggled into her hold.

Slouching down, Haruka held her close and ended up fully lying down with her held close to him. Upon arriving at the northern castle, Kirara hushed the driver once he opened the door, only for her to bounce out and pad to Azuki before hopping onto her shoulder, "Lady Azuki, lord Haruka has returned! However, he fell asleep with quite the cuddle buddy." This made Azuki blink rapidly as she exited the castle, "Kirara, what do you mean by that?" - "You will see soon! It's rather cute!"

Opening the carriage door, Azuki witnessed the two sleeping individuals, making her smile tenderly before entering and lightly patting her lord's cheek, "Lord Haruka?" Stirring awake on the first try was shocking enough, considering she had to abruptly shake her head before smiling tenderly, "Welcome home milord. Why don't you and lady Kagome take the week to gain some much needed rest?" Nodding tiredly, he then lifted the angel that snuggled and stroked his tail lovingly.

Having the door that connected to his room, meant for his intended mate, opened for once, Haruka then entered and placed the angel's bag to the side before easing the two on the plush bed with Kirara hopping up with them. Shocked, Azuki's mouth just about dropped once she noticed Haruka only take his top off before lying back down to curl up with the angelic maiden that rolled over to press against his chest to feel his protective hold as he buried his nose into her hair.

Kirara then cracked her eye open to softly speak, "Lady Azuki, do not be surprised by this, but my lady healed lord Haruka's blind eye. My lady felt somewhat responsible for what had happened to him long ago." Peering at Haruka as his long bangs brushed away from his eye, she noticed no scar over that eye and began to tear up before clasping her hands together, "Thank you lady Kagome. I just know it... you have been chosen as lord Haruka's intended... I just pray you accept."

Eight months had now gone by, and Kagome and Haruka were now extremely attached to one another. The two did everything together as if they were mated. After the week of sleeping in when she had first arrived, Haruka had reverted back to his bland, uncaring, and rather ice cold persona that everyone within the castle walls feared. However, she slowly began to chip away at those sturdy walls he had built up to safeguard his fragile heart that only knew pain as a means of coping.

She had "pestered" him so much that he began to open up to her. Funny enough, what finally ripped those sturdy walls down was when she challenged him to a sparring duel. The two loved to compare their strengths with one another, whilst also pushing their bodies and minds to the absolute limits. Their brawls weren't your run of the mill spars. Their sparring matches lasted for hours, with their longest spar lasting for twelve hours, and would've gone longer if Azuki hadn't stopped them.

Sweat dripped to the ground as heavy breaths were released as the two residing in the dojo sparred with one another ferociously. Kirara's head continued to snap back and forth, but she could not even take an educated guess on who was to win this brawl. Those two loved sparring with one another, and there was never a clear victor crowned... until today. Determined, Kagome twirled around Haruka's body and used a single hand to sensually slide across his abdomen in the process.

Blushing furiously, Haruka's mind went straight to the gutter, making the angelic maiden snicker, "That's rather indecent to be thinking about in the midst of battle... Haruka..." Snapping around to pin her down, Kagome instantly giggled and slammed him to the ground while straddling his hips and pinning his hands to the ground as her chest heavily rose and fell in frantic breaths. Sweat then dripped onto his chest from her forehead, only to slump against him whilst heaving.

"Thirteen... hours... I finally win... Haru," she playfully teased through her frantic breaths. Blushing at the nickname, he then blew his sweaty bangs up, "I don't... pull dirty tricks on... you like that." Giggling at him, Kagome then sat up until Haru swiftly snagged her and rolled the two over to pin her down, "Checkmate." - "Haru, that's cheating! I already won! You can't steal my victory," she scowled out, making him chuckle and kiss her cheek, "Fine, you win." - "Nah, it's a draw."

The two then stood up and Haru smiled softly at her, "Bath time." Swooping the sassy lass up, Haruka then entered the bath that was connected to the dojo before the two undressed and got in, only for the lord of the lands to pin her with a naughty smirk that made her blush before her eyes softened and she pressed her lips to his softly, making him deepen that kiss and pull her tighter to him until the door opened, "Lord Haru-Oh my goodness! I am so sorry!" Azuki fumbled out.

Kagome instantly burst into laughter the moment the demon lord's forehead slammed against her shoulder, making her pet his hair before snickering out, "Yes Azuki? Does something happen to be the matter?" Azuki then lowered her tone immensely, "Lord InuTaisho has come to speak with you, Haruka." Kagome then hummed in a thought-filled manner before speaking, "Hey Haru? He can't take me away if we are mated, and I am the lady of the north, right?" - "Yes, why?"

Azuki then slapped her palm to her face over how the angel had basically just admitted that she wanted to be mated with him, making Kagome chuckle and pat his cheek, "Just wondering. I'll go and get dinner started... honey," she teased once clean and was handed her thigh high collared white dress that held an open back by Azuki before the two walked out as Kirara pawed at Haruka's dumbfounded face, "Did she just mean what I think?" - "Most likely," the kitten chirped playfully.

"My goodness, that man is about as dense as they get," the head maid huffed as Kagome chuckled softly, "Well, it is Haru we're talking about." Chuckling at the angel, Azuki then waved once she turned into the kitchen. Life in the northern castle had become so bright as of late that it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces. Finishing up dinner, Kagome then walked out as the food simmered, "Azuki?" - "Yes my lady?" - "Let the food simmer until it's time for the evening meal."

Haruka now walked into his office properly dressed before reverting to his cold persona that Kagome always had to get him out of, "How might I help you, lord InuTaisho..." InuTaisho then folded his arms as he clicked his tongue in agitation, "I have been told that the angelic maiden has been living here..." Haruka then scoffed, "Right, because I am always wanting extra lip service from someone else in my castle. No, the angel is not here. Is that all you actually needed from me?!"

Right then, the scent of the evening meal hit both of their noses, making InuTaisho lift his brow, "My, my, that smells delicious. Why don't we share a meal together, old friend." Shrugging, Haruka then exited, "As you wish." Walking out, he then stopped at Azuki to speak in that painfully dark tone, "Azuki... have a third place set in the dining hall. Lord InuTaisho will be joining us." Azuki then tilted her head while putting on a masterfully crafted act, "Right away, your mate just finished."

Ignoring her, Azuki then rushed inside of the kitchen to tell Kagome how to act. InuTaisho then gave a dry chuckle at that, "Haruka, you never told me that you, of all people, became mated. Who was insane enough to do that? She must either have the mindset of a saint or is a blatant fool." Haruka kept his hardened gaze forward as he replied, "It happened rather recently. Azuki continued to insist that I find a mate to finally sire some powerful pups, so I took her advice and mated."

Haruka and InuTaisho then entered the dining hall to see Kagome setting dinner at the table before she shifted those magical appearing eyes that stole the sky up with a smile, "Well, your business settled rather quickly mate. Oh my, we have a guest. How wonderful." Bowing respectfully towards InuTaisho with a hidden smirk, she then sat up with a bright smile, "Mate, you didn't tell me that lord InuTaisho was joining us. If you had, I would have made something far more special."

Internally laughing, Haruka's cold personality kept going strong, "That's correct mate. Now, have some tea ready." Nodding her head, she then turned away and began making tea while humming softly, only for InuTaisho to then glare daggers at the northern lord, "Care to explain lord Haruka?" Keeping those silver-streaked icy orbs forward, he folded his arms, "You asked if the angel was here, and I said no. She is my mate, not simply an angel. That gives you no jurisdiction over her."

Sitting down, Kagome then walked out and placed a cup of tea in front of the lord of these lands before kissing his lips tenderly, only to then place a cup of tea in front of InuTaisho. Moving back to sit beside Haruka as a mate should, she then began to serve everyone with gentle eyes before sitting back so that Haru's arm wrapped around her protectively as a mate should while thinking, 'I wish that this was true...' Smiling softly at the thought, Kagome then held his hand tenderly.

Abruptly standing, InuTaisho then scowled, "Haruka, you bastard!" Kagome's eyes then snapped towards the ruler of the west, "Do not speak to my mate in that manner again, am I understood lord InuTaisho?! You might be the ruler of the west, but you are currently in the north! Show some respect to the lord and lady of these lands!" - "Mate, you are acting out of line. Apologize to lord InuTaisho," his cold tone rang out, making her frown and nod, "I do apologize lord InuTaisho."

"You think that she's yours for keeps, now do you," the lord of the west challenged, making Haruka's silver-streaked icy blue orbs snap towards him, "You have your mortal toy back in the west. My mate came to me for aid, saying that she was being chased by many other demon lords for a bounty. You never made it clear that we had to report to you if we found her, nor did you exclaim that we were forbidden to take her in as our mate. She was a gift from the divine in my eyes."

His tail began rattling behind him out of fury before wrapping securely around the angelic lass as he continued, "From what she told me when she first arrived, you kept her chained in a room all alone, never let her bathe, never let her change into new attire, and barely brought her food or water. She would be dead from infection, starvation, dehydration, or a lack of sleep out of the fear that you would force her if it hadn't been for Sesshōmaru. My mate is only alive thanks to his efforts."

Quietly sitting there as a mate should, Kagome then remembered about the treats that she had also baked as a surprise for Haruka. Nuzzling her nose to his cheek, she then smiled softly, "Pardon me, mate. I forgot that I had made something else." Nodding his head and releasing her, she gracefully stood before walking back into the kitchen and removing the sweet buns from the oven that were filled with various different flavors, only to call out, "Azuki, assistance please!"

Walking inside of the kitchen, Kagome then winked, "Give it a try! They're for Haru." Azuki then picked one up and took a bite, only to place her fingertips over her lips, "Oh, my lady, these are wonderful! I am absolutely sure that he will love these!" Smiling, she then nodded and shifted her eyes down as she began to place them in a basket while whispering, "I just hope he knows..." - "Knows what, my lady?" Tears filled the angel's eyes as she whispered, "How much I love him..."

Wiping her eyes hastily as Azuki gained a worried face, Kagome then smiled brightly, "I mean, one can only hope it gets the message across!" Lifting the basket, she then gracefully walked out and passed the two daiyokai that currently were holding a showdown of glares. Exiting the dining hall, the angelic maiden then entered Haruka's office before writing a note down and slipping it inside of the basket of treats, only to hear a massive crash coming from the dining hall.

Snapping around, Kagome rushed out as fast as she could before entering the dining hall, "Haru?!" Noticing him holding his eye again as blood dripped to the ground, Kagome's head lowered before she walked up to InuTaisho with her head lowered, only for her to roughly slap the western lord across the face, "Get out of our home! Now! Azuki, escort him out! Use excessive force if you must!" Everyone listened to Azuki, so she walked out and pointed, "You heard my lady! Out!"

Rushing to Haruka and kneeling down, his overly darkened personality took control as he roughly slapped the angel across the face before growling, "LEAVE!" Her eyes grew large before she rushed to her room and locked her door and the door connecting to Haruka's room before curling up in a ball to sob hysterically. That was far too much rage and hatred directed towards her from Haru, and she had never been too good at being yelled at for as long as she could ever remember.

With the delectable meal gone to waste, and InuTaisho now gone, Azuki silently wrapped Haruka's injured eye up before lightly tying it off. Standing and bowing, Azuki held back a choked up sob as she remembered what Kagome had whispered in the kitchen, "Lord Haruka... you still have unattended business in your study..." Standing, he then silently walked towards his study with a highly angered and agitated expression. Opening the study door, he then walked inside to work.

Stopping at the basket, he noticed a note neatly tucked inside, only to pick it up and unfold it before reading it. What he witnessed alone... brought him out of his old persona in the form of 'Never forget... I love you, Haru...' Blinking harshly, he then bolted out of his study and ran into Kagome's locked door, "Fuck, ow..." Hearing her sobbing on the inside, he knocked on the door in a panic, "Kagome?!" Placing his forehead against her door, a soft whimper released, "Kagome, open up..."

Realizing as to how bad he had fucked up this time, he then entered his room before sliding to the ground in tears. Azuki hadn't heard this man cry as hard as he currently was since he was a pup. All of the guilt and pain he felt was hard for her to hear. Slamming his fist against the ground, he yelled, obviously frustrated with himself at this point, "Dammit! When will I ever do something right for a change?!" Azuki then walked inside and brought him to her, "It hurts... I know Haruka..."

Clinging to his motherly figure, he sobbed against her while shouting through his tears, "Azuki! What do I do?! I love her so much that it hurts! I placed a harming hand on the woman I love! I am far too ashamed with myself! How will I ever face her again?! Tell me! How do I fix this?!" Stroking his hair, and her heart clenching tightly, Azuki then swallowed heavily, "Well... If I told you that I actually knew, I'd be lying... because I'm honestly not too sure how to answer you..."

Taking in a breath, Azuki then continued, "But, if I had to guess... you need to own up and take responsibility for what you have done to the woman you love..." Standing, she then frowned, "However, until you do... Kagome might be out of your reach for good..." With that, she turned away to leave, only to close his door before he gripped his hair so tightly that strands of his hair were now being ripped out, "I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!" - "I forgive you..." her gentle tone whimpered out.

Shooting his head up, Kagome then took him into her arms and healed his eye before pulling the wrap off. Wrapping his arms around her while sobbing against her breasts, Haruka then clutched her tighter as he remorsefully yelled, "I never wanted to hurt you Kagome! I love you so much that my heart hurts when you aren't with me! I'll do anything so that you stay with me!" She had never heard him break down to this extent... and to be honest... she wished that she never had.