Chapter 16: Sesshoumaru's Sacrifice
Kagome was in a state of shock. On the one hand she was overjoyed that she would not be separated from her beloved friends, but on the other hand five hundred years now distanced her from her family. She couldn't reflect on the negativities for long though with Kouga firmly attached to her side.
Fittingly, the wolf prince sported a wolfish grin. He escorted Kagome towards Kaede's hut. There were four logs that boxed in an area used commonly for fires. Sango and Miroku sat on the log to the right of her and Kouga. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru sat upon the log across from her. Kaede and the doctor, Suikotsu sat upon the log on the left.
Everyone looked at Kagome expectantly.
"What?" Kagome asked in exasperation. All the sets of eyes staring at her were quite unsettling.
"So when do you think the other part of the wish will come true?" Sango asked the question on everyone's mind. Well, the question on everyone's mind except Sesshoumaru, he did not truly care about that part of the wish.
"Do I look like an expert?" Kagome cried with more than a trace of annoyance. Kouga was absently running his fingers through her silky, now longer hair and was producing a soothing affect upon the flustered miko- youkai as a result.
Sango looked embarrassed at her outburst. "I'm sorry Kagome-chan, I just figured that you would know is all."
"I don't know how that jewel works. This was not exactly my wish either so there is no telling how it manipulated my words." Kagome admitted in a much calmer tone. She caught Kouga's eye and silently thanked him for the positive effect he had upon her nerves.
Sesshoumaru noticed an unfamiliar scent approach the group. A second later, Inuyasha hopped from his seat and turned to regard the presence.
"Kikyou?" Inuyasha asked with shock evident in his voice.
"Kikyou!" Little Kaede jumped away from the kind doctor and ran towards her elder sister where she latched onto her lower leg.
Kikyou tried to shake her sister off her leg, but resigned to giving the child an affectionate pat on the head. Kikyou looked up to address Kagome, ignoring the stares of Inuyasha.
"I see you have found the monk." Kikyou replied gesturing towards Miroku who waved at her once he saw the priestess point a finger his way.
"What do you remember?" Kagome asked curious. Would the resurrected remember the pain that Naraku caused them?
"I remember the pain of dying and more recently I remember the words of Midoriko. She explained to other victims and myself the situation. It would be unfair to rob the survivors of the experiences you had during this time. For experiences make us who we are. However, those that were allowed to live once more we are all aware that we died by the hands of Naraku." Kikyou pointedly caught Inuyasha's golden gaze with her own dark eyes.
Inuyasha visibly relaxed knowing that he would not have to explain. He sat back down beside Sesshoumaru to smile back at Kagome.
Kikyou allowed Kaede to lead her back towards the log with the doctor. Kikyou sat beside the doctor and couldn't help but smile at the chemistry she felt sitting next to him. The doctor smiled back. It looked like he would be staying at the village indefinitely now.
Sango stood up from her log and Miroku followed suit. "I think I would like to return to my village Kagome-chan. Perhaps you could come on your way to Kouga's tribe?"
Kagome smiled. "I believe that to be an excellent suggestion." Kagome agreed wholeheartedly. She looked towards Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru to silently inquire about their plans.
Inuyasha cast a glance towards Kikyou and noticed the way she was looking at the doctor from the corner of her eye. He smiled at this sight and then stood as well. "I'd like to you see your village, Sango."
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked the silent demon lord. He merely stared at her with his face impassive. Internally he was struggling with what decision he should make. Should he travel with this band now that their quest was complete? Should he convince Kagome to return with him to his palace? Should he allow Kouga to mate with the woman he had come to admire so?
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked again, but this time with her hand upon his shoulder. He was so lost in his thoughts that he failed to notice her approach. Kagome could see the uncertainty that reflected in those golden windows leading to his soul.
Decision made, Sesshoumaru offered Kagome a rare smile. "I have business to attend to but you must visit me shortly."
"You will tire of my presence Lord Sesshoumaru." Kagome teased as she gave his shoulders an affectionate squeeze before walking back towards Kouga who wasted no time in setting his hands firmly upon her hips drawing her towards his body.
Kouga bent down his face to give his love a tender, heartfelt kiss. Kagome melted in his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull closer.
Sesshoumaru watched with narrowed eyes before redirecting his gaze towards his brother, who was watching him carefully. Inuyasha gave Sesshoumaru a knowing smile before clearing his throat rather loudly.
Kagome and Kouga broke apart at the rather loud throat clearing that reminded them of their audience. Kagome laughed self-consciously only to receive a rather melodramatic roll of the eyes from Sango.
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The demon slayer village was full of commotion upon the friends passing. Sango ran faster than her companions and burst through the gates of her home running immediately to the home of her father and brother.
Kagome guided the others since she was familiar with the village. The slayers gave Kouga and Inuyasha wary looks but their fears were dismissed when Kagome, whom they recognized walked between them with an arm looped through one of theirs.
"She has a tail! The miko Kagome is now a demon!" An observant villager shouted, causing quite the uproar.
Sango realized her foolishness at leaving her friends behind and rushed out to explain to her people the situation. Soon, the villagers relaxed and even smiled at the demon visitors.
Kohaku, Sango's younger brother, was especially excited at meeting the friendly youkai.
The village had cooked a great feast in honor of the heroes and offered them a place to reside for the night. "What now?" Kagome asked her friends after they had finished eating the elaborate meal.
"Back to the den, time to work on my heir." Kouga snickered from her right, only to receive a playful hit upon the forearm.
Miroku glanced towards Sango before answering the question. "I will be staying here, with Sango." The monk informed them all only to receive happy, supporting smiles from all his friends, along with a loving stare from the demon huntress.
Inuyasha looked slightly uncomfortable and shifted in his seat. "Inuyasha?" Kagome asked quietly, prompting him to spill the beans.
"I don't really know. I have always been a wanderer, until I came to the village by the Bone Eater's Well. But, that's not my home. I consider you to be my family." He looked around at his friends individually before continuing. "But you are going separate ways."
"You are welcome to stay here with us." Sango offered.
Inuyasha shook his head. "I don't think it would be wise to live in a demon exterminator village. Someone might get drunk and forget that I'm a good guy."
"You are always welcome in my tribe." Kouga offered sincerely. Inuyasha smiled at him before locking eyes with Kagome, who seemed to understand him better than everyone else.
"Why don't you spend some time in the wilds having adventures? You will always have a home with me. You can share your tales with us." Kagome told him, presenting the exact solution that the hanyou needed.
"I may just do that. Perhaps I'll see Sesshoumaru and ask for my part of the inheritance. Surely, dad left me some property." Inuyasha declared with his usual boisterous attitude back.
"I'm sure he did." Kagome agreed.
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Kagome was more nervous than she had been in a long, long while. She wished that Sango or Inuyasha could have come along too. However, Kouga told her that the tribal mating ceremony was a secretive event that only tribe members were allowed to attend.
Ayame's grandfather had not been pleased with the turn of events regarding Kouga's choice. He had no grounds for debate now that Kagome was a wolf youkai, and a powerful one at that.
Kouga was in great spirits when all his murdered tribesmen were present and accounted for. Never before had such tranquility existed in his tribe. They all looked at Kouga with admiration. They accepted Kagome completely and were proud that she would become the alpha female.
Kouga led Kagome into a dark cave with only the spiritual leaders of the tribe present. A cup was placed before the couple and they were instructed to slice one another's palm and to drip some of the blood into the goblet.
Kagome looked at Kouga skeptically. This ritual seemed faintly familiar. He had done something similar to this after their first encounter with Naraku. As if reading her thoughts, Kouga merely smiled and raised the goblet to her lips having her drink some of the sacred liquid before bringing it to his own lips and finishing the remains of the draught.
Kagome could feel something change right then. Her head felt light and her muscles were aching. She directed her gaze towards Kouga's icy orbs and saw that he too was feeling those affects. However, Kouga knew something that she did not and hooked Kagome's chin with his fingers as he lowered his mouth to meet hers.
The moment their lips pressed together, the full effect of the beverage became known. Kagome felt as if she was connected to her mate in every way possible. They could feel one another's pain, happiness, and most importantly love.
She opened her eyes that somehow had shut on her and saw her Kouga smiling back. He placed one arm around her back and the other under her knees as he picked her up ready to join with her in the last way possible.
Kagome could feel the heated, lust filled gaze he had for her. She settled her body more firmly against his chest as she locked her arms around his neck. Apparently he had reached his destination.
Kouga gently guided her upon the furs in his private, their private, chambers. He settled himself on top of her as Kagome's fingers weaved into the masses of his thick, silky hair.
Kouga leaned close so that their noses were touching, his ice blue eyes locked with her sapphire ones. "I love you, Kagome."
Kagome smiled at him, finding herself completely lost in the love that reflected in those stunning eyes of his. "As I love you, Kouga."
"May this night be the first of many." Kouga told her as he finally met his lips to hers. However, the contact was brief, for he could sense the inner turmoil of his mate. She longed for her family. He pulled back to meet her gaze again. "The first of many for at least five hundred years." He corrected.
Kagome smiled sweetly at her love and then became annoyed with this obvious patience he seemed to possess that she lacked. Her fingers were still intertwined within his locks so she used her newfound youkai strength to pull his head back towards hers.
This earned her a surprised yelp from the wolf demon but one he happily endured as his lips claimed hers once more, as they would for centuries to come.
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It was a star filled night sky as Kagome and Sesshoumaru sat upon a grassy knoll outside his palace. They sat side by side, his long white hair and her long black hair mixed together on the grass where the excess length had pooled. Kagome felt another kick within her womb and gave a small gasp.
Concerned, Sesshoumaru turned to her. "Are you alright, Kagome?" Not only his golden eyes revealed his worry, but also his mask once again was gone for the sake of this female.
"It's the baby. She's kicking again." She explained while taking the hand of the demon lord and placing it upon her not so flat belly. She smiled up at him. "Can you feel her kicking?"
Stunned, Sesshoumaru nodded his head mutely. His hand remained upon the swollen belly of the one who he dearly wanted for his own mate. However, he stood resolute in his decision that he made those years ago. He wondered if he would even have a child himself.
Kagome noticed his expression as it transformed from excitement to confusion to sadness. She pressed upon his hand that was against her belly and squeezed it gently regaining his attention.
"I was wondering if you would do me a favor?" Kagome's sapphire orbs pleaded with him.
"Anything." Sesshoumaru replied in his serious voice.
"I was hoping that you would be my child's godfather." Kagome offered biting her lower lip, ready for the indignant snort that was sure to answer her.
Sesshoumaru's gaze returned to the stars, but his hand remained in place. He would rather run his fingers through her hair, but the offer was to serve as the child's godfather. "Of course Kagome, I would be honored." He replied honestly.
Kagome was in a state of shock. On the one hand she was overjoyed that she would not be separated from her beloved friends, but on the other hand five hundred years now distanced her from her family. She couldn't reflect on the negativities for long though with Kouga firmly attached to her side.
Fittingly, the wolf prince sported a wolfish grin. He escorted Kagome towards Kaede's hut. There were four logs that boxed in an area used commonly for fires. Sango and Miroku sat on the log to the right of her and Kouga. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru sat upon the log across from her. Kaede and the doctor, Suikotsu sat upon the log on the left.
Everyone looked at Kagome expectantly.
"What?" Kagome asked in exasperation. All the sets of eyes staring at her were quite unsettling.
"So when do you think the other part of the wish will come true?" Sango asked the question on everyone's mind. Well, the question on everyone's mind except Sesshoumaru, he did not truly care about that part of the wish.
"Do I look like an expert?" Kagome cried with more than a trace of annoyance. Kouga was absently running his fingers through her silky, now longer hair and was producing a soothing affect upon the flustered miko- youkai as a result.
Sango looked embarrassed at her outburst. "I'm sorry Kagome-chan, I just figured that you would know is all."
"I don't know how that jewel works. This was not exactly my wish either so there is no telling how it manipulated my words." Kagome admitted in a much calmer tone. She caught Kouga's eye and silently thanked him for the positive effect he had upon her nerves.
Sesshoumaru noticed an unfamiliar scent approach the group. A second later, Inuyasha hopped from his seat and turned to regard the presence.
"Kikyou?" Inuyasha asked with shock evident in his voice.
"Kikyou!" Little Kaede jumped away from the kind doctor and ran towards her elder sister where she latched onto her lower leg.
Kikyou tried to shake her sister off her leg, but resigned to giving the child an affectionate pat on the head. Kikyou looked up to address Kagome, ignoring the stares of Inuyasha.
"I see you have found the monk." Kikyou replied gesturing towards Miroku who waved at her once he saw the priestess point a finger his way.
"What do you remember?" Kagome asked curious. Would the resurrected remember the pain that Naraku caused them?
"I remember the pain of dying and more recently I remember the words of Midoriko. She explained to other victims and myself the situation. It would be unfair to rob the survivors of the experiences you had during this time. For experiences make us who we are. However, those that were allowed to live once more we are all aware that we died by the hands of Naraku." Kikyou pointedly caught Inuyasha's golden gaze with her own dark eyes.
Inuyasha visibly relaxed knowing that he would not have to explain. He sat back down beside Sesshoumaru to smile back at Kagome.
Kikyou allowed Kaede to lead her back towards the log with the doctor. Kikyou sat beside the doctor and couldn't help but smile at the chemistry she felt sitting next to him. The doctor smiled back. It looked like he would be staying at the village indefinitely now.
Sango stood up from her log and Miroku followed suit. "I think I would like to return to my village Kagome-chan. Perhaps you could come on your way to Kouga's tribe?"
Kagome smiled. "I believe that to be an excellent suggestion." Kagome agreed wholeheartedly. She looked towards Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru to silently inquire about their plans.
Inuyasha cast a glance towards Kikyou and noticed the way she was looking at the doctor from the corner of her eye. He smiled at this sight and then stood as well. "I'd like to you see your village, Sango."
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked the silent demon lord. He merely stared at her with his face impassive. Internally he was struggling with what decision he should make. Should he travel with this band now that their quest was complete? Should he convince Kagome to return with him to his palace? Should he allow Kouga to mate with the woman he had come to admire so?
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked again, but this time with her hand upon his shoulder. He was so lost in his thoughts that he failed to notice her approach. Kagome could see the uncertainty that reflected in those golden windows leading to his soul.
Decision made, Sesshoumaru offered Kagome a rare smile. "I have business to attend to but you must visit me shortly."
"You will tire of my presence Lord Sesshoumaru." Kagome teased as she gave his shoulders an affectionate squeeze before walking back towards Kouga who wasted no time in setting his hands firmly upon her hips drawing her towards his body.
Kouga bent down his face to give his love a tender, heartfelt kiss. Kagome melted in his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull closer.
Sesshoumaru watched with narrowed eyes before redirecting his gaze towards his brother, who was watching him carefully. Inuyasha gave Sesshoumaru a knowing smile before clearing his throat rather loudly.
Kagome and Kouga broke apart at the rather loud throat clearing that reminded them of their audience. Kagome laughed self-consciously only to receive a rather melodramatic roll of the eyes from Sango.
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The demon slayer village was full of commotion upon the friends passing. Sango ran faster than her companions and burst through the gates of her home running immediately to the home of her father and brother.
Kagome guided the others since she was familiar with the village. The slayers gave Kouga and Inuyasha wary looks but their fears were dismissed when Kagome, whom they recognized walked between them with an arm looped through one of theirs.
"She has a tail! The miko Kagome is now a demon!" An observant villager shouted, causing quite the uproar.
Sango realized her foolishness at leaving her friends behind and rushed out to explain to her people the situation. Soon, the villagers relaxed and even smiled at the demon visitors.
Kohaku, Sango's younger brother, was especially excited at meeting the friendly youkai.
The village had cooked a great feast in honor of the heroes and offered them a place to reside for the night. "What now?" Kagome asked her friends after they had finished eating the elaborate meal.
"Back to the den, time to work on my heir." Kouga snickered from her right, only to receive a playful hit upon the forearm.
Miroku glanced towards Sango before answering the question. "I will be staying here, with Sango." The monk informed them all only to receive happy, supporting smiles from all his friends, along with a loving stare from the demon huntress.
Inuyasha looked slightly uncomfortable and shifted in his seat. "Inuyasha?" Kagome asked quietly, prompting him to spill the beans.
"I don't really know. I have always been a wanderer, until I came to the village by the Bone Eater's Well. But, that's not my home. I consider you to be my family." He looked around at his friends individually before continuing. "But you are going separate ways."
"You are welcome to stay here with us." Sango offered.
Inuyasha shook his head. "I don't think it would be wise to live in a demon exterminator village. Someone might get drunk and forget that I'm a good guy."
"You are always welcome in my tribe." Kouga offered sincerely. Inuyasha smiled at him before locking eyes with Kagome, who seemed to understand him better than everyone else.
"Why don't you spend some time in the wilds having adventures? You will always have a home with me. You can share your tales with us." Kagome told him, presenting the exact solution that the hanyou needed.
"I may just do that. Perhaps I'll see Sesshoumaru and ask for my part of the inheritance. Surely, dad left me some property." Inuyasha declared with his usual boisterous attitude back.
"I'm sure he did." Kagome agreed.
######################
Kagome was more nervous than she had been in a long, long while. She wished that Sango or Inuyasha could have come along too. However, Kouga told her that the tribal mating ceremony was a secretive event that only tribe members were allowed to attend.
Ayame's grandfather had not been pleased with the turn of events regarding Kouga's choice. He had no grounds for debate now that Kagome was a wolf youkai, and a powerful one at that.
Kouga was in great spirits when all his murdered tribesmen were present and accounted for. Never before had such tranquility existed in his tribe. They all looked at Kouga with admiration. They accepted Kagome completely and were proud that she would become the alpha female.
Kouga led Kagome into a dark cave with only the spiritual leaders of the tribe present. A cup was placed before the couple and they were instructed to slice one another's palm and to drip some of the blood into the goblet.
Kagome looked at Kouga skeptically. This ritual seemed faintly familiar. He had done something similar to this after their first encounter with Naraku. As if reading her thoughts, Kouga merely smiled and raised the goblet to her lips having her drink some of the sacred liquid before bringing it to his own lips and finishing the remains of the draught.
Kagome could feel something change right then. Her head felt light and her muscles were aching. She directed her gaze towards Kouga's icy orbs and saw that he too was feeling those affects. However, Kouga knew something that she did not and hooked Kagome's chin with his fingers as he lowered his mouth to meet hers.
The moment their lips pressed together, the full effect of the beverage became known. Kagome felt as if she was connected to her mate in every way possible. They could feel one another's pain, happiness, and most importantly love.
She opened her eyes that somehow had shut on her and saw her Kouga smiling back. He placed one arm around her back and the other under her knees as he picked her up ready to join with her in the last way possible.
Kagome could feel the heated, lust filled gaze he had for her. She settled her body more firmly against his chest as she locked her arms around his neck. Apparently he had reached his destination.
Kouga gently guided her upon the furs in his private, their private, chambers. He settled himself on top of her as Kagome's fingers weaved into the masses of his thick, silky hair.
Kouga leaned close so that their noses were touching, his ice blue eyes locked with her sapphire ones. "I love you, Kagome."
Kagome smiled at him, finding herself completely lost in the love that reflected in those stunning eyes of his. "As I love you, Kouga."
"May this night be the first of many." Kouga told her as he finally met his lips to hers. However, the contact was brief, for he could sense the inner turmoil of his mate. She longed for her family. He pulled back to meet her gaze again. "The first of many for at least five hundred years." He corrected.
Kagome smiled sweetly at her love and then became annoyed with this obvious patience he seemed to possess that she lacked. Her fingers were still intertwined within his locks so she used her newfound youkai strength to pull his head back towards hers.
This earned her a surprised yelp from the wolf demon but one he happily endured as his lips claimed hers once more, as they would for centuries to come.
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It was a star filled night sky as Kagome and Sesshoumaru sat upon a grassy knoll outside his palace. They sat side by side, his long white hair and her long black hair mixed together on the grass where the excess length had pooled. Kagome felt another kick within her womb and gave a small gasp.
Concerned, Sesshoumaru turned to her. "Are you alright, Kagome?" Not only his golden eyes revealed his worry, but also his mask once again was gone for the sake of this female.
"It's the baby. She's kicking again." She explained while taking the hand of the demon lord and placing it upon her not so flat belly. She smiled up at him. "Can you feel her kicking?"
Stunned, Sesshoumaru nodded his head mutely. His hand remained upon the swollen belly of the one who he dearly wanted for his own mate. However, he stood resolute in his decision that he made those years ago. He wondered if he would even have a child himself.
Kagome noticed his expression as it transformed from excitement to confusion to sadness. She pressed upon his hand that was against her belly and squeezed it gently regaining his attention.
"I was wondering if you would do me a favor?" Kagome's sapphire orbs pleaded with him.
"Anything." Sesshoumaru replied in his serious voice.
"I was hoping that you would be my child's godfather." Kagome offered biting her lower lip, ready for the indignant snort that was sure to answer her.
Sesshoumaru's gaze returned to the stars, but his hand remained in place. He would rather run his fingers through her hair, but the offer was to serve as the child's godfather. "Of course Kagome, I would be honored." He replied honestly.