Chapter Eight:

Kagome stumbled and would have fallen if Sesshoumaru had not have caught her by her elbow. She wrenched her arm free violently and glared at him with hated filled eyes. Sesshoumaru's regarded her with complete indifference even though inwardly he was seething. He was angry with her and the situation. She was being deliberately difficult and he had not intention of fighting with her.

Their own petty conflicts could be put aside for the time being. He longed to know his daughter. He had already missed too much irreplaceable time. Kagome's declarations that she neither wanted nor needed his help wounded him. Although it did not truly matter, he did not have to help her to aid their daughter. If he had to he would separate them, but that was his last resort.

Heavy storm clouds drifted over the sun darkening the area for a brief moment. A soft breeze combed through their hair as a stroke of lighting followed by answering thunder struck. The skies were turbulent as if mirroring the anger hidden within them. Kagome rubbed her head lightly. His intent had not been to harm her, but to press his dominance. She refused to be ruled, especially by the likes of him.

Kagome's glare faded and a cruel smirk took its place. She took several careful steps forward and laid her palms flat on his chest. Sesshoumaru watched her with cold eyes, but did not push her away. Taking his lack of response for acquiesce she slid her hands up his chest and circled her arms around his neck.

He tensed visibly and began to pull away. Kagome responded by pulling herself up to his waiting mouth. Sesshoumaru stood statue still as her lips worked against his unresponsive ones. She huffed in annoyance and deepened the kiss. It was her way of punishing him. When one is determined to harm another they invariably find a way. She, who could not physically injure him, attacked his heart. He wrenched away from her and held her at arms length.

"I will see her now," he said brusquely and released her.

Lightning clashed and thunder reverberated dramatically across the sky as if in agreement. Rain; gentle at first, then building into a shower of icy needles began to cascade down upon them. Fury chased across his golden eyes. It was but a glance, a mere glimmer, but enough to cause many a creature, both weak and powerful to crumble. Kagome had witnessed it before and remained decidedly unimpressed.

He could hurt her, kill her easily, but he would not. He loved her and therefore he was powerless against her, or so she believed. Without a word, he brushed past her and towards the living area of the shrine.

"Wait," she pleaded as she snagged his elbow.

Sesshoumaru stopped but did not turn around. He stood in silence as the rain pelted him, causing his hair to plaster against his pale cheeks and his clothes to cling to him. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Not like this," she whispered as she pressed her face into the center of his back.

Kagome marveled how warm his skin was despite the freezing rain. In spite of herself she huddled in that warmth and rubbed her cheek against his back like a cat. Sesshoumaru gripped her arms painfully, signaling he wanted the action ceased. He was furious with her and perhaps rightfully so. Sesshoumaru uttered a sound somewhere between a growl and a sigh and pushed her arms from him.

He stood there unmoving for a moment, and then continued his determined path. She jogged across the sodden lawn to stand before him. He gazed at her with dispassionate eyes.

"I need more time, Sesshoumaru," she stated with the barest hint of pleading in her voice.

Sesshoumaru frowned forbiddingly at her. She seemed bound and determined to keep him from his daughter. He had yet to understand the reason. His logical mind told him that it would undoubtedly be stressful on the child. Especially considering she was ignorant of her heritage. His daughter's ignorance had left him, a being prideful of his lineage, with no small amount of outrage. His instincts however, reminded him that the longer Mitsukai remained unaware the more difficult it would be for her to adapt.

"You have had seventeen years."

Kagome exhaled and closed her eyes. It was not that she did not wish Sesshoumaru and Mitsukai to meet or perhaps it was. She was relieved to discover the taiyoukai had survived to modern times, but now she was afraid. With Sesshoumaru here all her failings would come to light. He would not mention them, for he seldom mentioned anything. There would always be the lingering of guilt and doubt. Bitter reminders of how she failed in Mitsukai's upbringing. Despite all her sheltering and mothering Mitsukai still managed to take a life. Yet, beyond the guilt was the realization that she could safely deposit Mitsukai into her father's hands and walk away.

They could both have the lives they were supposed to have. Mitsukai would be sad and she would probably cry, but in the end she would get over it and be all right. Mitsukai would be happy. A small portion of her soul told her that this was the life that fate chose for her. Who was she to rebel?

She bit her lip harshly then played the last card she had, "Please, I will tell her everything, but I…we..need time. If you just charge in there like it's some sort of battle she'll….."

Sesshoumaru looked at her blankly, his lips smoothing into a fine line. Kagome shook her head and said her voice filled thick with false tears, "If you love me you won't, not like this."

Sesshoumaru nodded slowly and relief slid across her pretty features. She gasped when he grasped her chin firmly and forced her to look him in the eye.

"Understand this Kagome," he began, his voice a low hiss. "I care more for our child, than I could ever for you."

He released her without a further word and turned on his heel. It was a fluid movement he often did when he was angered or upset. The movement was infinitely less dramatic without the trappings of the Sengoku Jidai. The meaning however was still clear and she dare not disobey. Without a word she followed behind him and into his car.

**

Hours later they lay in one another's arms as the rain poured dismally outside his window. She collapsed on top of him with her cheek pressed against his broad chest as she panted. His long slender hands circled loosely around her back and his chin rested on the top of her head.

He agreed that discussing Mitsukai someplace private had been reasonable. Events that transpired between her mother and he were simply not for her young ears. It had not been his intention to bed her again, not that he was completely opposed to the idea. Unfortunately for all his good intentions he fell into old habits, rather than paying attention to his soul.

Sesshoumaru stroked her hair as he watched the rain teem outside his bedroom window. Sometime between, the split second the cry of pleasure escaped her lips, and the look of guilt that flashed across her face, he dared to believe they had a chance of being happy.

Kagome uttered a small content sigh and placed a kiss on his chest. He tightened his arms about her fragile form and placed a chaste kiss on her brow.

"If we keep this up I'm going to get pregnant," Kagome murmured wryly.

"Was having my child so terrible?" he asked softly as he ran a single finger down her cheek.

"No," she admitted softly, as she twirled a length of his hair between her fingers.

A smile almost formed on his lips. While they were not conversing on what he wanted to speak of at least they were talking. It was, however small, progress. Kagome chuckled lightly and smiled. She was suddenly the young beautiful woman he fell in love with all those years ago. Kagome propped herself on one elbow, resting her chin on the palm of her hand.

"Well, if you're asking about the thirty seven and a half hours of labor, without an epidural, then yeah it was pretty rough," she corrected with a small smile.

"Thirty seven," he repeated, his eyes widened slightly in shock.

He knew little of human anatomy and even less of their reproduction. The birthing of youkai-blooded children was dangerous, often fatal to the human mothers. Many died in labor or soon afterwards. Among those that did manage to survive the delivery, such as Inuyasha's mother, often had health problems. Mitsukai's birth must have been excruciating for Kagome. That she was able to endure was nothing short of miraculous.

Kagome ran her tongue over his skin, and then blew on the moistened flesh, almost laughing when he shivered. She smirked mischievously

"Thirty seven and a half."

She pulled herself into a sitting position and straddled him. Kagome was smiling now, her eyes glowing with happiness. As if by magic, she was the young innocent Kagome again, with soft eyes and easy smiles. It was a rare glimpse at her long abandoned innocence and something he would cherish eternally.

"She was so tiny, fuzzy and pink," she whispered her voice filled with maternal pride and love.

Impulsively she bent at the waist to place a playful kiss on the tip of his nose. Such happiness was contagious and he captured her lips with his. Sesshoumaru locked his arms around her back and rolled them so that he hovered above her. Kagome laughed, a happy girlish sound and he rewarded her with a small smile. She playfully tweaked his nose and smiled wistfully.

"Heh, Souta was so disappointed that she didn't have dog ears."

He eyed her playfully and she flashed him a bemused look. A light frown crossed his features; he did not recognize the name.

"Souta?"

"My younger brother, he moved out a couple years ago, Misty was so heartbroken. He was only ten when she was born so he's more like a big brother than uncle," she explained as her hands stroked the small of his back.

Sesshoumaru cuddled to her side and tucked her between his arm and chest. He laid his chin on her head and idly ran his fingertips down her arm. He allowed her to continue speaking uninterrupted.

"He's a teacher, and so he tutors her. Mitsukai is so smart it's amazing. She can comprehend subjects that baffle me, but at the same time she's very naïve," she explained, her voice sounding light and joyful.

Sesshoumaru kissed the back of her hand gently and urged her to continue. Kagome bit her lip and smiled, her eyes turned heaven ward as if trying to remember. This was the first time she truly was able to brag about her beloved child. She sat up completely and wrapped the blankets around her. She pulled her knees up to her chin and smiled down at him.

"Right after she was born. And I mean right after she could crawl," she said in awe.

Sesshoumaru nodded, such was typical for a youkai child.

"I completely freaked the first time I went to feed her and she wasn't in her crib. She would never stay in the thing. Even then she didn't like to be caged……"

Her words stopped abruptly and a choked wail escaped her throat. Concerned he sat up and pulled her to him. She was crying now, her thin shoulders shaking with her sobs. He rocked her gently as one would do a small child. Eventually her tears abated.

"She should have been Inuyasha's," she gasped miserably.

Sesshoumaru could not contain the vicious growl that spilled out of his throat. He rose abruptly and pulled on his pants. At that moment he was angrier than he had ever been in his existence. His body trembled in his rage and he could feel his eyes reddening. It took every ounce of his control not to lash out at the woman. Instead he gathered her clothes from the floor and threw them at her.

"What will you do?" she asked suddenly, her voice harsh and accusing.

Confusion mixed with bitter rage flowed over his elegant features. He did not trust himself to speak and so instead said nothing. She pulled on her clothes quickly a scowl twisting her pretty features.

"You that is so cold and unfeeling. How can you possibly understand her? What will you do when she cries, when life just happens to be too much for her? What will you do?" she sneered nastily and her tone was mocking.

All emotion faded from the taiyoukai's face; further fueling Kagome's irrational rage. She was not angry with him, but herself. A small twist part of her wanted him to hurt her, to make her suffer. After all she who harmed so many, certainly deserved to be punished. He would not punish her, only stand there looking at her with his blank eyes. The weight behind those eyes was frightening as if they could bore into her soul. Then with all the hate she could muster she screamed the words that were certain to galvanize his anger.

"You can't fuck her to make her feel better!"

Sesshoumaru merely glared at her when she next spoke his voice was low and without emotion, "I have never just fucked you."

Kagome blinked in shock and confusion at his calm and rational tone. She had expected outrage. He was once again the calm stoic lord and it irritated her beyond measure.

"What does that suppose to mean?" she snapped.

Sesshoumaru looked at her for a moment, then pulled on the rest of his clothing. What she thought was pity flashed in his eyes. He breathed a tired sigh and ran a clawed hand through his hair. He was weary of this and of her. When he next spoke his tone was calm, if a touch condescending.

"When you figure it out congratulate yourself, on being an adult. In the meantime get out of my house."

He strode out of the bedroom and out of his home. The irrational urge to flee anywhere as long as it was away from her was incredibly strong. The rain continued to pour and with it tiny pieces of hail. They pelted him unforgivingly as he walked, but he paid it little heed.

Inexplicably a back draft of air struck him, tussling his soaked hair and clothing. The unmistakable sensation of youki caressed his senses. The wind died as suddenly as it came to reveal a dark haired female.

"Kagura," he addressed mildly.

Kagura rose from her half bowed position and straightened. She nodded respectfully at her master before frowning. Sesshoumaru was definitely agitated which would make the delivery of her message all the more unpleasant. At least, she noted with a sigh, that Sesshoumaru was not one to kill the messenger, not usually. 'It's not my problem,' she thought to herself. 'Kouga is the one who screwed up.'

In any case Kagura bowed respectfully. Even after Naraku's death, she carried the stigma of being one of his detachments. Throughout the centuries she learned that a minute amount of respect could turn the tide in her favor. Such niceties were wasted on Sesshoumaru. He was one that once he decided to kill, no amount of prostration, would ensure your survival. Her crimson gaze flicked to his. He wore his bored, almost amused mask. It was enough to make her want reach for the feather in her hair.

"The girl you are having watched is missing," she began then paused when she heard his furious growl.

"When?"

"I do not know. Kouga left for a moment to smoke- filthy habit truly."

She was uncertain as to why this girl was important to the taiyoukai. One thing was certain, where he was angry before, now he was furious. It would be best not to test his rage further.

"When he returned she was gone. The rain has made tracking her difficult," she said before escaping to the air on her feather.

Sesshoumaru watched as Kagura disappeared into the distance before taking to the air himself. He would think of a suitable punishment for the wolf's failure later, at the moment he was only concerned with finding his daughter. The rain hindered him more than he cared to admit, but he was undeterred. After nearly an hour of searching, he caught not her scent, but the familiar sensation of her youki.

He found her in a small children's park a few kilometers from her home. Mitsukai sat on one of the swings as it swayed back and forth. The rain continued to pour sheets between them so he saw only her pale outline. He watched her for a moment then slowly began to close the distance between them.

Mitsukai leaned backwards slightly; just enough so that the swing she sat upon would sway. She felt better than she did last night, though her head still ached and nausea flowed over her in waves. Being sick outside in the rain, was strangely preferable to being sick in her barren room. She glanced up at the sky, the rain causing her silken hair to cling to her cheeks. The sky was clearing and the rain began to slow, but thunderclouds still loomed in the distance.

She saw someone approach in her peripheral vision, but she did not have the energy to leave the security of her swing. Perhaps it was not as favorable to be sick away from the safety of home as she thought. The person was someone she recognized and one she thought she would never lay eyes on again.

"Sesshoumaru, right?"

Sesshoumaru nodded and sat down in the swing next to hers. He frowned when he noticed his daughter's state of dress. The teenager wore nothing more than pink pajama's with matching slippers, both of which were completely soaked through.

"Do you always wander around in your night clothes, child?"

Mitsukai quirked a small smile at him before replying, "yes, actually." The smile faded and her nose wrinkled in a frown. "And I'm not wandering. I'm hanging out. There is a difference."

His lips tugged upwards in amusement. "I see."

Mitsukai smile widened then she looked thoughtful. There was something strange about Sesshoumaru. It was nothing she could place, but she had a feeling that he was more than he seemed.

"Another thing," she began in mock seriousness getting his attention. "You're not old enough to be calling me child."

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her before rising. "Come Mitsukai I'll take you home."

Mitsukai's smile faded and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not going home." Her tone was sad if not defiant.

Sesshoumaru's brow creased and he returned to his seat. The rain had slowed to a steady drizzle but the wind had picked up tremendously. She shivered against the breeze and hugged herself tighter. Her shoulder's sunk and her voice took on a mournful lilt.

"I had an epiphany this morning."

Sesshoumaru looked at her with utmost interest. "An epiphany?" he repeated.

Mitsukai gave him an apologetic look being explaining. "Yeah, an epiphany is like a spark of enlighten-"

Her fangs bit into her lip to stop the giggles that bubbled forth, when she saw annoyance cloud his features. Even that small amount of stifled laughter caused her head to throb. She bit her lip harder against the pain.

"Sesshoumaru?" she asked so softly he barely heard her.

Mitsukai did not look at him but kept her eyes fixed straight ahead. She blinked and licked her lips. She was uncertain how to ask this particular question. Distantly she wondered where her mother was. She doubted seriously she would approve of her talking so freely with a stranger. This Sesshoumaru baffled her in that, he never asked about her pointed ears or facial markings. It was possible that he was just being polite, but she doubted anyone was that well mannered. She was unsure if she truly wanted the answer to her next all too important question.

"You're like me aren't you?"

She met his gaze briefly then looked away once more. He was uncertain how to answer her and wondered if the truth was more than she could handle. His pride rebelled against the notion of her being too weak to handle the truth. Mitsukai blushed, feeling rather foolish. She took his silence for confusion and decided that perhaps he was just an ordinary person after all.

"You cannot remain here," he stated firmly as he moved to leave once more.

Mitsukai rolled her eyes at him. "Watch me."

Sesshoumaru's anger began to rise at her defiance but was quelled when he noticed her clutching her stomach as if in pain. She tried to shield her action but it was all too obvious as to what her intent was. Concerned he grasped her by the shoulders and turned her forcibly to face him. She gasped and began to struggle in his grasp.

"Stop it," she cried as she managed to pry one of his hands from her shoulder.

He looped his now free arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap. Sesshoumaru sniffed at her lightly then growled lowly as he sniffed first at her throat then trailed down to her chest. Mitsukai whimpered and tried to forcibly push him away.

"Shh."

"Please… I….," she stammered but was cut off when her stomach cramped violently once more.

Sesshoumaru lifted her chin with one finger and gave her a stern fatherly look. "How long have you been ill."

Mitsukai tore herself from him. The action made the world spin and she slumped against his shoulder. "Why do you even care?" she whispered painfully. What little strength she had remaining having faltered.

Sesshoumaru gathered her in his arms as he stood. He looked down at her with concerned eyes before answering.

"I'm your father."