At sixteen weeks pregnant, Kagome was nearing the end of her second trimester. Another two weeks, and she'd officially be at her third. It made her antsy to look down and see her growing belly blocking the view to her feet. She was practically useless in a battle now. She'd only slow Sesshomaru down when it came time to fight.

Stepping directly into his back, Kagome teetered back to regain her balance.

"Careful." Sesshomaru shot her a meaningful glance over his shoulder.

"You could have warned me we were stopping." Kagome gruffly crossed her arms, perching them over her belly.

"We're here."

The castle. It only took them a little over a week to track back closer to the Western territory. The time lost gave Kagome's nerves a run for their money, but seeing the outline of a castle beyond the clouds made her heart sink with dread.

Sesshomaru opened his arms to hold her. Neither took their eyes off the castle as she entered his embrace and took flight with clouds forming at their heels.

It was late in the evening, and dusk was slipping away to night quickly. Storm clouds were sitting heavy around the castle, giving off an ominous appearance. Perhaps the Lady Mother followed storms to stay hidden. Or maybe she willed them as a disguise. Looking down, Kagome realized the reason the whole castle floats in the sky could entirely be the same reason she was flying through the air herself. If the Lady Mother could carry an entire castle with her yoki, there was no doubt in her mind that Sesshomaru's mother was stronger than the son she clung to now.

Breaking through the clouds, they came to the edge of rising stairs. Sesshomaru bypassed the landing and flew them to the top, where sentries stood guard.

"I'm here to see my mother." Sesshomaru released Kagome as they landed, keeping a palm to the middle of her back.

"She will see you in the tea room." The left guard spoke, motioning them to pass.

Of course she was expecting them.

Sesshomaru led her in, always keeping his palm to her back. While stoney silent, he wasn't radiating any aggressive tones in his aura. If anything, Kagome almost did a double take at the violet hues of affection blooming in and out.

She'd have to ask him later. For now, they were to enter the tea room.

Standing in the open doorway, neither demon spoke first. Sesshomaru's eyes were on his mother, and his mother's eyes on Kagome's pregnant belly.

"My, Sesshomaru, you've been busy." Inukimi almost scowled. She'd known, of course. She could always see into her mirror and find her son amidst the likes of humankind, whether it be the human child he took on, or the half-breed her mate sired.

"Mother." He greeted her coolly, attempting to not ruffle her feathers.

"Please, sit," Inukimi watched from below her fringe as Kagome lowered herself to the cushions slowly, bracing herself on Sesshomaru's arm. "Have some tea."

"My Lady, I-" Kagome choked on her own words. She wasn't entirely sure where she was going with that sentence when she opened her mouth. She just couldn't take the tension in the air.

"Sesshomaru, perhaps I was too lenient when I bequeathed the meido stone to you." This Lady Inukimi was so very far from the one who was so set on seeing her bloodline continue that she'd drugged them. How long was five hundred years to a demon of her time? Kagome couldn't fathom the transition.

"I have not impregnated the priestess."

"Oh ho ho!" His mother's mocking chortle was grating and rang falsely of mirth, "I see you have your father's audacity too."

"I have not rutted her."

"Priestess?" Kagome froze, being addressed by the lady for the first time. "Tell me, how is it that he genuinely believes so? And yet, you carry my grandchild?"

"It's true." Her hands were sweating in her lap, "I'm from five hundred years in the future. In five hundred years, Sesshomaru and I, well we…" She could feel her face flushing hotly at the admission.

"How shameful." The disdain in her voice carried, the scowl apparent, even as Kagome bore into the tea cup before her.

"You did this." Sesshomaru's voice shot through to her, pulling Kagome's gaze to him instead. "Five hundred years from now, you bestowed us with mating wine to induce our procreation. You chose her, Mother."

"I would do no such thing!"

"It doesn't matter how anymore!" Sesshomaru caught them both by surprise, raising his voice to challenge his mother. "Kagome is cursed, destiny foretold, and she is carrying my pup, the heir to the West."

"This is why you've come, of course."

"Yes," Kagome could see the calculations piling inside his mother's mind. The potential gain and loss of her aid in not only their endeavor, but in the fate of her own family. "Please, Lady Inukimi, we need to know how to break this curse. We don't have much time," She glanced at her belly, "And we still have to fight the East."

"Drink your tea."

"Mother, we do not have time for-"

"The tea, Dear." Lady Inukimi addressed Kagome, "Drink it, and we shall know."

Sesshomaru looked between his mother and the mother of his child, inspecting their interactions. Kagome didn't hesitate, taking the lukewarm tea and downing the whole cup in one go.

The moment she set the cup down, her head lolled to the side, the rest of her body following suit. Sesshomaru caught her limp form and laid her back against the cushions.

"Well, she didn't need the whole cup."

Sesshomaru shot her a glare. "What have you done to her?"

"She is merely asleep, my son." Lady Inukimi rolled her eyes, "She's strong for a priestess. I needed her defenseless in order to process the curse she bears."

Nodding in understanding, he scooped Kagome's limp body into his arms. Awaiting orders, he looked to his mother.

Good, she thought. "Follow me."

She led them to his own room. While Sesshomaru never stayed overnight, nor was he raised here, his mother still insisted on having a room for him. It was lavish and ornately decorated with foreign objects and furniture that had never been used. He supposed it was appropriate that his mother deemed this room fit for them.

"Lay her down and I'll do what I can."

The lady mother eyed her son as he did so, gingerly tucking a pillow under her head and slipping off her shoes. He cared for her, it seemed. How much, she couldn't know, but it awed her to see his actions reflect the very same attention his father had given her when she was pregnant with him.

No matter, she thought, it'll pass once the child is self-sufficient.

When Sesshomaru looked at her expectantly, she approached the sleeping woman. Inspecting her up close for the first time, Lady Inukimi cataloged her features. Her grandchild might have them. She'd seen the half-breed plenty and was well aware of his likeness to his father's features. Still, she knew of his mother's eyes that dampened the boy's appearance once a month.

Pathetic.

Hovering her palm over Kagome's forehead, she reached with her yoki to inspect her aura. All was bright, and pure, like a lavender light that responded to her prodding yoki. Slowly, she inched her open palm further down, casting shadows of herself on the ceiling from the light exuded between them.

Nothing changed as she passed her face, but at the collarbone, the light saturated, turning a mauve that dimmed as her hand floated over the girl's belly. There, the aura was once again an iridescent lavender, tinted with the aura of her grandchild swimming inside Kagome's womb. Magenta, like Sesshomaru's stripes.

"This one grows tired of your impatience, Sesshomaru." His mother didn't even take her eyes off Kagome.

"Hn."

"Do you plan to hover all night?"

"Hn."

"Well that would be unnecessary." This time she did flash her matching golden eyes his way, shooting him daggers to leave.

"I will not leave her." It sounded like devotion, that of a mate, but after a moment of silence he confessed, "Every time she's away from me, something happens to her."

"Like this curse?" Lady Inukimi withdrew her hand and the reactive light of Kagome's powers shimmered into nothingness.

"The wolves said you would know."

"The wolves were right." Lady Inukimi rose to face her son. "You should get some rest, my son." It wasn't obvious to her at first, but she could see it now. Sleepless nights, his anxiety over being a first time father, and while he's still so young. He needed rest.

His defiant stare was more bored than anything, but she knew him inside and out. Lady Inukimi sighed, "Sesshomaru, sleep. What kind of grandmother would I be if I didn't protect my grandchild?"

"One that hates humans."

"Funny, I thought you did too." His mother passed him, heading through the doorway, "Rest, Sesshomaru. Whatever I've become in five hundred years, I can promise you it's not senile. I trust myself." He didn't say anything back, but she could hear the controlled breathing pattern take over as he masked his surprise. "You should too."

As promised, she would stay just outside the door. Sesshomaru could feel her there.

Finally, he obliged. Despite her pestering, Sesshomaru doffed his armor and laid down. Next to the priestess, no less. She wondered how long that had been going on.

Another hour, and Sesshomaru's breathing finally slowed into true sleep. From where she sat, Lady Inukimi peered around the open doorway and caught a glimpse of the pair.

So that's why they reeked of one another.

When Kagome woke up next, she was face to face with Sesshomaru. She rarely got to see him like this. He looked so tired, it made her heartache for him. They were so closely tucked in together, he was using one arm as a pillow, and the other hand was low on her belly between them.

She couldn't help herself, and cupped his magenta striped cheek in her palm. This up close, she could almost imagine that his hair was shorter. The first time she saw him asleep like this, they were in California. She realized she had feelings for him then.

He roused from sleep easily, his eyes blinking open with a heaviness that belied his awareness of her touch.

"Hey," Kagome whispered, "You're awake."

"Hnn." She could feel the heat of his breath. Goosebumps formed across her whole body, making her shiver. "You're cold."

"Not really." She felt brave in this range, inching closer as his free hand reached to cradle the dip of her waist. Their foreheads touched now, and all Kagome could focus on was the liquid gold of Sesshomaru's eyes. "Sesshou," She breathed his name, subconsciously seeking his lips.

"Hn." It could have been a question, or affirmation, but Kagome only heard longing in the rough timbre of his sleep-addled voice.

It felt right, finding his lips pressed against hers. Sesshomaru blamed the tea his mother fed her. He blamed her connection to his older self. He blamed her pregnancy, the time of day, how tired he was, and how tired he was of fighting her.

Kagome pulled away before he could kiss her back. Her gentle smile was easy to see in the dark, and he couldn't fathom how she had come to trust him. He was named the Killing Perfection for a reason, and yet, her smile. In the eyes of his enemies, Kagome was his weakness; his heart, and killing her would kill him too.

Just like a mated pair.

"Sesshou?" She could sense the shift in his aura, see his eyes read her own with growing concern. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't-"

His mouth was tender on hers, quieting her instantly. He didn't want to hear that she shouldn't have kissed him again, that they shouldn't be sharing a bed, or that his mother would frown upon their behavior. Kagome was important to him, he knew this much. He didn't know when he had grown accustomed to her presence, or her touch, but he would recognize her absence immediately. She'd be gone for five hundred years. Her pregnancy was almost over, but he would still have to wait five hundred years to see their pup. If he was being honest with himself, Sesshomaru wasn't sure he could wait that long.

And he didn't have to.

Kagome melted into his touch. Sesshomaru's aura flourished into a sunset. There was a certainty in him that warmed her heart.

"Sesshomaru," Her lips were still dangerously close to his, "What's this about?"

"Sleep," He tucked her head under his chin, "We'll leave at dawn."

When the sun did rise, Inukimi greeted the pair at the entrance. She had yet to disclose what they so desperately needed. Exiting the castle, she found the odd pair standing at the first landing, down just a short set of steps. From this distance she was sure the human could hear her just fine.

"Mother," Sesshomaru greeted, "We'll be heading East. What's to happen to Kagome?"

Inukimi could see the eager hope welling in the mortal girl. Even her son, putting on airs, as if he wasn't going to be changed by what she was to tell them.

One day soon, this girl would be her family. The thought alone gave her a familiar grief. No matter, she decided. They will do with it what they will.

"It's a tale as old as time, my son." Her smirk was conniving as she toyed with her decorative fan. They both stared, the confusion blatant on the girl's face. "You see, my dear girl," She pointed her closed fan in Kagome's direction, "Are not of this world. You were not meant to return. So you are fated to leave it, one way or another."

The implication was clear. She couldn't stay. It didn't matter if Sesshomaru wanted her to stay. Kagome had to leave, or she'd die.

"Now," His mother paced before them, no more than five steps above them, casually discussing something so important to him as if she were deciding what to eat, "There is a catch."

"What can we do?" Kagome pleaded.

"Priestess, were you ever read stories as a child?"

Kagome nodded, too afraid to speak.

"Then you'd know that those silly stories have a truth to them. A dark curse can only be broken-"

"By true love's kiss." Kagome whispered in harmony with Sesshomaru's mother.

Of course it would work. How did she not see it? She couldn't stay if he didn't love her. Sesshomaru may be the Sesshou she loved with all her heart, but he hadn't become that person yet. She couldn't be upset with him. He didn't love her…yet.

But he will. This, she knew. It would take time they didn't have, but it wasn't the end of the world. All that really mattered was aiding the war, protecting Inuyasha, and now going home--to Sesshou.

Kagome turned her gaze to him, ready to accept his rejection. It was for her sake, and their pup's too.

…So why did he look so hostile?

No, not hostile.

Cold.

"True love's kiss." He heard it in synchrony. One condescending and the other in awe.

Sesshomaru could read her face like an open book. She pieced it together at the same time he did, only to see her spirits brighten.

Oh.

Oh.

They'd kissed just hours ago. Mere weeks since he'd almost rutted her. He knew her mouth, and her breasts, her bare legs, and the shape of their young in her womb. He knew that she talked in her sleep, that her whole body would sigh into his at the slightest touch, and she trusted him. She was his.

Not anymore.

It always came back to Inuyasha. The woman was carrying his seed, sang songs to their pup, and offered her body– no, begged to impale herself on his cock, and none of it mattered. None of it would outshine his half brother's presence in her heart.

He was ashamed of himself, five hundred years from now. He's a fool now, and a fool still, to be ensnared by this woman.

"Sesshomaru," Kagome reached for his arm, hesitant of the aura that sapped all the saturation in it's color, "It's going to be okay, I promise."

He flinched away from her touch.

"What's gotten into you?"

Inukimi watched it all unfold before her. Guarding the satisfied smirk behind her fan, she took her leave. They could handle themselves.

Sesshomaru was disgusted with himself. He'd bedded his brother's betrothed. He'd held her every night to keep her warm, told a cardinal Lord of his plans to mate her, and in the end, only had himself to blame.

He couldn't look at her.

"It is not what's gotten into me," His tone was biting, making her flinch, "But what I've gotten into." Sesshomaru sneered at her belly.

"Excuse me?" Kagome held a hand to her baby bump. None of this made any sense to her. He didn't even want her to stay in the first place. Now that the choice has been made for them, he suddenly has a problem?

"We will discuss this later." Before she had any choice in the matter, he phased them out in his ball of light, diving back down to earth at an alarming speed.

Kagome could barely process the whole trip. One moment he's turning away from her and the next she's bracing herself in the cold grass on all fours, her vision spinning like teacups at DisneyLand.

"Sesshou-" She tried to call after him, but gagged with the vertigo that overtook her.

"You are not to address me with familiarity."

It took effort to stand, but she did, leaning on a tree trunk for support. Kagome fought to keep her stomach from rising.

"You are not to follow this one any further." He went on.

"Sesshomaru, you're being ridiculous!" Tears blinded her, even as her vision stopped spinning. "I don't understand what's going on!"

"You know as well as I do," He turned away, refusing to meet her eyes, "That I am not your true love."

"What are you talking about? Of course you are. Sesshomaru, I-" Kagome couldn't fathom what made him think that. She had to tell him she loved him. He had to know, without a doubt.

Sesshomaru cut her off, "Do not lie to me!"

There was silence that followed. Even the birds quieted. Only Kagome's sniffles could be heard.

"Please," Kagome wiped her eyes clear, "Sesshomaru, tell me what's really going on."

His gaze found hers, but only for a moment. In his aura she saw a flicker of color. In all the forestry around them, she almost missed it.

Of course. Now it made sense to her.

"Do you think-" She didn't want to believe he could actually have a sore spot, especially about this, "Is this- is this about Inuyasha?"

His eyes narrowed in response. It was.

She couldn't believe it. He actually thought that Inuyasha was her one true love?

Sesshomaru didn't expect her to laugh. His ire nearly doubled at the sound of it.

"Oh, come on, Sesshomaru!" Kagome held her stomach as she laughed. Tears that had previously been out of stress and confusion transformed into tears of mirth. "You can't be serious!"

He couldn't even murder her for the disrespect. The thought of it made him sick. He should have killed Inuyasha long ago. All of this was his fault. He was the one who brought her here in the first place.

"Silence." He demanded.

Kagome stilled at his commanding tone, and finally let it sink in. He was trying to leave her.

"No." She marched right up to him, completely unafraid, "You're being a child."

It was ridiculous, watching her try to be imposing. He had to actually tilt his chin to his chest to meet her glare.

"Do not tell this one-"

"I love you." Kagome cut him off. She was over his attitude, beyond upset, and downright livid, but she loved him. She refused to swallow it down, even if he didn't want to hear it. She'd made that mistake once before. "You want to know why I can't stay? Because you're the one who doesn't love me yet."

He glared at the trees beyond her head. Oh, how that aggravated her.

"You know what?" She backed out of his face, debating her options. "I asked you once, in the future, why you were like this. You know what you said?"

Kagome only got silence in return.

"You told me it was teenage rebellion. As in, you're a teenager. What, eighteen, nineteen, in human equivalence?"

Again, nothing. Instead, he turned his back to her, taking his leave.

"What about our deal? You promised me! You promised Inuyasha!"

Kagome stood there with tears in her eyes until he was gone. He really believed it. That they weren't meant to be.

Back in Edo, Inuyasha was growing frustrated. Kagome had been away too long, babysitting the town was annoying, and chasing Sango's brother away from his niece was becoming a sport. He was grateful for Sango taking Rin off his hands for a few hours a day. He needed the time alone.

Ever since he'd felt Sesshomaru on the other side of the Tree of Ages, he'd made an attempt every day to try to make contact.

Every day it was the same, too. Nothing.

"Today ain't any better." Inuyasha grumbled. He leapt into the tree's branches and found his preferred spot, sitting with his back to the trunk. He sprawled one leg forward and dangled the other. If his stupid brother wasn't there, then he might as well take a nap before it was time to chase Kohaku off.

Sesshou was never fond of spring. Having a superior sense of smell meant the floral assault of spring time was annoying at its best and downright nauseating at its worst.

Today, the courtyard of YANA is covered in cherry blossoms. Before, it was a mere annoyance, but now it reminds him of how much time has passed since Kagome fell down the Bone Eater's well. The seasons have changed. She was nearing her due date.

Just last night he saw the memories play out in his dreams. She was safe, with him, and that was all he could ask for. Her belly was getting larger and it made his heart ache. They both had to come home alive and well.

His cellphone chimed, pulling him from his own musings.

Higurashi Sota:

Mom wanted me to ask u if ur coming 2 dinner 2nite

He replied quickly.

Taisho Sesshou:

Save me a seat.

Inuyasha didn't dream very often, but when he did, his brother was never a guest appearance…or wearing those weird clothes from Kagome's world.

That's how he knew he wasn't dreaming anymore.

"Well it's about damn time." It was a reflex to immediately be on the defense. Crossing his arms, he turned his nose up at his older brother.

"Inuyasha.." Sesshou was stunned. He'd just arrived at Higurashi Shrine and stopped at the tree, simply touched the bark, and here he was. Standing before the tree, in a grassy field, with his half-brother standing a few feet away. "How is this possible?"

His voice carried no disdain, making Inuyasha's ears twitch with disbelief. He let down his guard. It was funny seeing his uptight brother dressed like a dork.

"I dunno," Inuyasha admitted, "But it's happened before, with Kagome."

"You're not a mirage?"

"Keh, why 'cause I'm dead?" He was being sarcastic.

"You know then." Sesshou figured.

"Yeah, Kagome told me."

"How is she?"

"I wouldn't know, it's been weeks. She took off with you as soon as she could." The hurt was evident in his eyes. Sesshou wasn't sure how touchy of a subject it would be.

"I want you to know I'll keep my promise. For the rest of my life, I will protect her."

"I know, thanks for that." He averted his gaze. It was uncomfortable discussing a woman both of them loved.

"I hope he has your ears." He could hear the smile in Sesshou's voice. It made him do a double take. He'd never seen him smile. Not even at Rin. "Or she. Who knows?"

"Wait!" Inuyasha could see his brother fading, "Sesshomaru!"

"I'll come again, little brother."

And then he woke up, his eyes gentler than they were before. That may have been the only time they didn't end an interaction with swords to each other's spleens.

The scent of his brother still lingered though. No, wait. Inuyasha scanned the sky, catching the streak of light that was Sesshomaru's fast travel.

But no trace of Kagome was with him.