Sanctuary

Author's Note: Hey all! Thank you so much for all the reviews! I really appreciate it!

Disclaimer's Note: IT'S THE MOTHMAN! ~~ Sorry that was uncalled for! EW!!!! ^_^ lol! I don't own InuYasha and co.

Special Thanks to: Sticks for informing me of a few things. I honestly did not know that Maru is usually added to a male. I mean, my mom has this thing that she wants all her children to have at least a portion of her name in it, therefore creating my brother's and my name. So I just thought that SesshouMaru's mom should have a Maru in his name. But thank you for that, it will help for future stories

Author's Note2: I will start from now on to try and answer people's questions or reviews in these or in the story itself.

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Kagome silently wandered through the castle as Shippou and Rin played together. She didn't feel the least bit jealous that her 'son's' attention was more on Rin than on her. She had gotten used to walking around in a kimono rather than her short school uniform.

'Why was it that I always wore them? Its not like my teachers would pop up and give me detention for not wearing proper school clothes on a school day…'

The truth was, Kagome hated being associated with Kikyou. Looking like her was bad enough but to dress like her to fit in, that was just pushing it. But, now that she learned of her true heritage, she didn't feel bothered to wear the multi-layered clothes.

'In fact… they feel comfortable'

It had been more than four days since she attempted to go through the bone eater's well. She was still as confused then as she was now. Why didn't it work?

As she silently passed by her father's study and found him asleep on his chair. It was a bit cold in the room, so she went to her room and took one of the warm blankets lay on the bed. She quickly returned to her father's study and placed the blanket of him, causing him to stir in his sleep.

She smiled and turned around, only to bump into something soft, and tall. She looked up and smiled.

" What are you doing?"

" Nothing fluffy-sama… I just thought Otousan might be cold."

With that, she walked on around him and went off to find Lady Yumemaru, leaving a stunned SesshouMaru standing in the middle of the study with a smirk on his face.

" You know, it would be more efficient if you just talked to her, instead of bumping into her everyday"

He turned around and saw Komashiro smirking and stretching in his chair.

" How long have you been awake?" SesshouMaru asked.

" Long enough. Tomorrow, Kagome begins her training…"

" For what?" SesshouMaru asked. " I mean, she is already skilled with the bow… although the sword would be the more logical weapon…"

" You know… but no, Kagome-chan needs to be trained on how to be a proper lady. Not to mention a proper mother," Komashiro said. " That kit of hers has not been adopted in our ways… any youkai can slay him by accident… which could become a possible war…"

SesshouMaru chuckled and shook his head. " Shiro-san, you really do have an imagination…"

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Shippou sighed. Rin was taking her nap and he felt the need to hunt. But he knew better than to leave the castle grounds. Though he and Kagome had not been in the castle for more than four days, he knew from the servants that youkai hid in the forest waiting for a victim. It seemed something had happened 60 years ago for them to wait for something. Or someone.

He sensed Kagome's aura and ran towards her.

" Okasan!"

Kagome laughed and hugged the kitsune.

" So, where's Rin?" she asked. " Its highly unusual to see you alone…"

Shippou smiled sadly. " Rin's taking a nap. Humans have low endurance…"

Kagome nodded in agreement. She remembered how fast it took her energy to be drained just by walking with InuYasha. 'But then that jerk does that on purpose…'

Shippou took her hand and they walked around the castle until they ended up in the ballroom. It was magnificent and huge! Kagome had never seen a room that could easily fit her Jii-san's shrine inside it.

" Lady Kagome… what brings you here?"

She turned around and smiled as she saw Lady Yumemaru with a soft smile on her face.

" Hello, sorry to intrude… um, Otousan said that my lessons start tomorrow… but I fear I have nothing to do until then…" Kagome said.

Yumemaru smiled and nodded. 'How beautiful and elegant she looks in a kimono… I wonder how long until SesshouMaru loses control?'

"Well then, why don't we start now?" she asked. " It's not a big deal really… do you have a particular question about youkai traditions?"

Kagome nodded and glanced at her curious Shippou. " Adoption. I'd like to know if there is anything different with youkai adoptions…"

Shippou's ears twitched as he strained to hear their conversation. 'Yes… if Okasan finds out about the ceremony… I might truly become her child!'

Then, a light knock was head and a small figure came inside.

" Sorry to intrude, but SesshouMaru-sama's little girl is in need of you young Shippou," she said.

Shippou sighed. 'Mou… I hate it when things like this happen!'

He slowly made his way out the huge doors and off to SesshouMaru and Rin's chambers. Kagome felt slightly relieved that Shippou was gone. It was hard to talk about adopting him when he was right there… somehow she wanted it to be special, like a gift to him, and she didn't want him to feel as if he was some kind of a responsibility to her…

" I take it you wish to adopt the kit in the proper way?" Yumemaru asked.

Kagome nodded as she hung her head. " I've been meaning to ask InuYasha, but he never gives me the time of day."

" Good thing," Yumemaru said as she scoffed. " I'd be surprised if that particular Hanyou even knew anything about inuyoukai laws…"

Kagome was silent. Four days of getting used to her hearing, and four days of overhearing conversations lead to the big picture. She knew that InuYasha's mother wasn't the saint that he had proclaimed her to be. In fact… she had been quite the opposite.

'No wonder Sesshie feels that way about the jerk… SESSHIE?! Where did THAT come from?!'

Yumemaru chuckled inwardly. She knew that Kagome had been hearing every conversation she had with Komashiro and having psychic abilities never amused her more than now.

' Well this certainly makes my job easier…'

"Anyway, adoption is quite easy, although it has to be performed at night," Yumemaru said. " The night is very precious to youkais. We value tradition and the night is when youkais are usually more alert. Unlike ningens, we do not sleep at night, nor do we need to sleep every night."

" So, how is the tradition performed?" Kagome asked. " I mean… if possible could we perform it tonight? Just the family…"

Yumemaru nodded. " Adoption is very sacred, it is like giving birth! A family only thing. The closest relatives, the closest friends, those who will likely become attached to the kit, youkai who you trust… There would be a ceremony performed that would allow you and your kit to bond and have a blood link."

Kagome nodded but said nothing. She knew what a blood link was. InuYasha had once told her that a blood link, was a special link that connected two people through their blood. Youkais would be able to sense that a person with the blood link is connected to the other, just by sniffing them.

" So, once connected with the blood link, you could sense whether your kit is in danger or not. If he's happy or sad. Other youkai could sense whose pup he was, that sort of thing." Yumemaru said. "And as for today… well, we'd have to wait until you can perform the ceremony dear… its very tiring and you need to do it once and it has to be perfected."

Kagome then nodded. She noticed Lady Yumemaru standing and decided to ask the question she had been so adamant on getting answered. " Um… what about… mating?"

Yumemaru stopped and turned around. She sat back down and faced Kagome. " Why, I had no idea… Lady Kagome who is this young lad you wish to…"

Kagome then turned bright pink and shook her head. " No! I was… j-just curious and… well.. I.."

Yumemaru smiled. " Do not worry young one. We shall talk of this later. Now, you go and prepare young Shippou! I shall go and inform your father."

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SesshouMaru watched as the children played a game of which they chased each other around the gardens. He recalled the conversation he had with Rin almost four days ago. How she wanted a mother… and specifically she wanted Kagome! His brother's… No, he thought. That wasn't right. His brother did not deserve a woman such as Kagome. None would be right for her.

None but you, you mean

'Oh shut up'

Admit it… you had your eyes on her since she wielded the Tetsusaiga from your father's grave

" Problems, Musuko?"

He turned around and smiled at his mother. He shook his head and saw the gleam in her eyes. 'I know that look.'

" What are you up to?"

Yumemaru pointed to herself innocently. " Me? Whatever do you mean?"

SesshouMaru growled. " Okasan, I know we have not seen each other long, but I do know that look! It means you are up to something. Likely something that involves me!"

Yumemaru sighed and slumped. " I could never hide anything from you," she said. " Young Kagome wishes to formally adopt her kit. The ceremony shall be done by tomorrow night!"

SesshouMaru fell silent. 'Rin…' He gazed towards the ningen child that laughed along with the kitsune.

"Okasan, can you watch them for me?"

He didn't bother to wait for a response, knowing fully that she would. He began to walk towards Kagome's chambers. For some odd reason, he knew she would be there.

He stopped as he neared her room. His feet just would not move. He and Kagome had not really become best of friends as his mother had predicted four days ago, but he felt as if he knew her somehow.

'The necklace…'

The emerald necklace that had bonded his grandfather and grandmother… maybe it was doing this to him? 'Maybe I should just… return it?' Nodding, he burst into the room, to find smell the scent of tears and sorrow. He found her on the bed, fast asleep but noticed the tear stains on her beautiful face.

'Why were you crying?'

" Souta… Mama… I miss you" she mumbled.

SesshouMaru climbed on the bed only to find himself caught as Kagome turned and grabbed the closest thing to her.

Sighing, he laid down and examined her. He wiped the tears that were slowly making their way towards her pillow and inhaled her scent.

Not caring what anyone thought, he fell into a deep sleep beside the woman who, strangely enough calmed his raging emotions. The one person who made him feel safe and content.

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Kagome could tell she was in a dream. She was back in the Higurashi shrine, leaning on the Goshinboku tree. There was a strange silence though. No sound of cars passing by, or her cat Buyo. The only thing there were the stars and the memory of her home.

" So this was where you lived"

Kagome faced the source of the deep voice. " SesshouMaru? What are you doing in my dream?"

The usually unemotional taiyoukai smiled and chuckled.

" To tell you the truth, I have no clue"

Silence fell over the dreamscape once more and Kagome could do nothing more than just stare at the man who stood over her. Finally, she broke off her gaze and looked at the well house. She heard SesshouMaru walk closer to her and felt him sit down next to her.

" It's nice"

Kagome turned to fully face him. " Pardon?"

" The other side of the well. It's peaceful."

Kagome smiled. " Its not really as quiet. I guess in my dreams, this is how I had pictured it."

SesshouMaru felt his heart beat faster as she smiled. Taking it all in, he stood and offered his hand to her. Slightly confused, she took his hand hesitantly.

" Would you like to show me around?"

Kagome nodded. " Sure"

As they walked hand in hand through Tokyo, SesshouMaru noticed that Kagome was more pleasant whenever she had no thoughts of his half brother. She looked more at peace, like a burden lifted from her shoulders. He decided now was the time to return the necklace.

He reached into his Kimono and took out the necklace.

"Kagome… I, SesshouMaru had not given this back to its rightful owner." He started. " I believe it would look more fitting on your neck than mine"

Kagome blushed as he placed it on her neck and clasped it on, it was surprisingly easy. That was when Kagome noticed that he had two arms.

'I thought Inu… oh! In dreamscape… he's unharmed…'

SesshouMaru smiled as he noted that she finally noticed his arm. 'Kawaii…' He pulled her closer towards him and smiled as she blushed and turned into an even more crimson hue. He slowly leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

" Um, thank you…"

After a few moments of silence, SesshouMaru noticed that she was slowly disappearing. 'Chikuso… she's waking up!' Sighing, he gave up and waited for the scream that was to follow.

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Kagome felt a warm arm on her stomach. She moved her left arm and her right arm and wondered when she grew another arm. Recalling her dream, she willed her eyes to open and found a strong stripped arm draped protectively around her waist.

Turning around, her gaze fell on two deep golden eyes. Usually, when this type of thing occurred, she would usually give them a slap, scream 'hentai' then fume and go into a 'sitting' rampage. But nothing happened. She felt even more comfortable.

" Hello"

SesshouMaru said nothing, but stood up. " Come, I presume it is almost time for dinner… I believe we should… prepare."

Kagome smiled gratefully and nodded. " Hai! Thank you for reminding me!"

Kagome rushed towards the closet only to find a kimono already laying on the vanity chair. 'I wonder if they saw SesshouMaru and me…' She blushed and took off her outer kimono, not noticing that she still had an audience.

'What am I still doing here?'

SesshouMaru decided to give her a bit of privacy and left through the doors connecting hers and his. He had found the passage just a few hours before dawn. He had used it once to watch as she slept.

His heart was beating wildly as he reached his room. He closed his eyes and remembered every detail of her. Her delicate curves and her long legs. He felt warm and his pants felt tight, but he paid it no mind. It was loose enough to hide it.

' I should get my mind out of these things! Its… its… indecent!'

Whatever you say, after all you've been having these 'indecent' thoughts for quite some time now…

'I truly despise you'

I know you do. I live for it.

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Author's Note: Quite long, ne? But don't worry… the next one will be just as long! And look! No cliffies! Well it is, but its not that you know: I WILL DIE IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT cliff… ^-^ stay tuned!