Chapter Fifteen:

Sesshoumaru clicked off his cell phone and tucked it in his coat pocket, frowning as the art gallery's lights flickered, dimmed and grew steady once more. The wind howled as it uprooted and splintered the area's young trees and snapped power lines in its wake. As the night drew near, the storm's ferocity gained in strength. It was time he and his daughter took their leave of this place.

"The storm is getting worse," Mitsukai murmured, voicing his thoughts.

Sesshoumaru nodded and rose gracefully from the battered couch and waited for her to rise on her own power. She remained as she was, curling herself into a tiny ball of refusal. Her eyes were a little wide, her skin a bit paler. She appeared shocked, frightened, almost stunned in her disbelief. In Sesshoumaru's watered down tale of mystical jewels, magic wells and creatures of legend, all her fears had been confirmed. She was a child who finally realized not only was the monster under her bed real, but it also stared at back at her in the mirror.

That she discovered the truth from a man who was in many ways a stranger seem all the more terrible. At that moment she felt an emotion seldom felt in her young life. Hatred. She hated her mother for all the lies, the dismissals, and for keeping her ignorant of the horrible truth. Her eyes flicked to Sesshoumaru, the man she knew now was her father. He was no man but a youkai, a monster, like her.

She despised him, loathed him almost as much she did her mother. It was he who condemned her to a life of isolation and loneliness all for the sake of his damnable pride. Her conscience told her he did not deserve her spite. He never intentionally abandoned them. She despised him for being happy, whilst she was miserable. He appeared relativity human, normal, while she did not. Distantly she wondered how he accomplished such a defeat, but was too caught in her bitterness to ponder or even ask. She even, as illogical as it was, detested him for rescuing her from her ignorance, despite the fact it was she who demanded. Most of all she hated him with all the intensity she could muster for the cursed blood, his blood in her veins.

Sesshoumaru brought his hand up and gently brushed the hair from her eyes, puzzled when she flinched in response. Mitsukai glared up into his impassive face, her golden eyes filled with pinpricks of scarlet. A growl, that seemed impossible for one so delicate, rumbled deep within her chest. "Don't touch me."

He stood there, frozen, as he watched a single tear escape the confines of her eyes, rolling down face to be quickly followed by a second and then a third. Instinctually he reached out to smooth her hair, to offer some form of comfort. He was stopped short by the words that bubbled passed her lips on the tail end of a sob.

"I hate you."

**

Elsewhere Kagome stood staring out the apartment window listening to the sound of the wind and rain outside. The trees bowed and swayed, scraping against the glass panes. She was uncertain how long she stood there watching the city grow darker and colder. Mitsukai, her one and only child was out there somewhere. Worry, bitter dread filled her, as did tiny, traitorous thread of contentment. After she had discovered Mitsukai missing part of her, the darkest, most hated fragment of her heart, was overjoyed. I don't deserve to be her mother.

Footsteps echoed behind her, heavy and male, ones belonging to her brother. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against the frigid window glass. Rain ran along the glass to pool and freeze into jagged icicles on the rusty fire escape. She exhaled; her breath warmed the glass melting away the gathered frost. The picture she drew earlier now lost.

"Did he find her?"

Souta tossed his cell phone on the sofa and ran a hand through his damp wet hair. Sighing he stripped off his soaked coat tossing it in a rejected heap to the floor. He had been searching for his niece, only returning after receiving word from the girl's father that she had been found. He had spoken with Mitsukai briefly and was assured that she was indeed safe and secure. Most importantly he had exacted a promise that she would remain under her parent's care. He too made his own promise, to visit first thing in the morning. Tonight he needed to have words with her mother. While the search was being conducted, Kagome remained staring out the window in steely silence. What she was thinking, he could not begin to comprehend.

"Yeah." His jawed tightened slightly as he sucked in his bottom lip. An action he only did when he was worried or apprehensive. Despite his earlier harsh words, there was no doubt he was concerned for her well-being. Kagome despite all her strange idiosyncrasies would always be his sister. "He's sending someone to pick you up."

Kagome nodded but did not turn from her window. Crystalline tears, somehow more frigid than the icy rain streaked down her cheeks. She should have been relieved and she was, but amongst her alleviation was a small thread of anguish, disappointment. A sob escaped her lips, sounding much like a bitter bark of laughter.

Souta took a hesitant step forward. In the past his sister had rebuked any form of comfort, preferring to suffer. All she endured did not strengthen, but degraded the very fabric of her being. Kagome blamed herself for the tragedy, but in reality she was, like her daughter, a victim of cruel circumstance. He placed his hands on his sister's arm. "Hey, she's okay."

He hugged her from behind, arms carefully across her thin shoulders. Kagome seemed so fragile, breakable, completely unlike the powerful woman that lurked behind the wall of bitterness and regret. His lips quirked into a sad half smile. "I think she's going to be grounded for the next couple decades."

Kagome laughed, a joyous sparkle of her old humor as she gave the arm hugging her an affectionate squeeze and nodded in agreement. Her laughter ceased, clamoring into silence. She locked eyes with Souta's dim reflection in the glass. "You're right."

Kagome shrugged out of his hold and hugged herself while pacing the small apartment. Silent tears escaped her eyes to cling to her trembling lips. Her brother watched her with a serious expression, but his eyes were confused. A smile, sad and defeat, curled at her lips. "I'm a terrible mother."

Souta stood in stunned silence for a moment. Recovering quickly, his indignation rose and he shook his head in fierce denial. "I never said that!"

Kagome laughed, a bitter, brittle sound ending in a choked sob. "You didn't have too-" with both hands she wiped away her tears and exhaled sharply. "-It's obvious."

Anger sparked around Souta, quick and immediate, causing the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She shivered reflexively and crossed her arms protectively over her thin chest. She tucked her chin to her chest and shook her head. "Don't"

"Don't what?!" His nostrils flared as he clenched his hands to his sides in white knuckled fists.

"Souta, please," she pleaded, lifting her teary eyes to meet his. "Just don't"

He scowled, his jaw worked furiously, but he did not speak, it was as if he were concentrating on his anger. He nearly trembled with his rage, his frustration. Frustrated with her and with a situation that seemed to worsen by the moment. He felt useless, helpless and without hope. Souta pursed his lips and closed his eyes tightly trying to calm himself enough to speak coherently. He was tired, tired of arguing, of threats, of everything. There came a time in which it was more prudent to alone ones combatant to believe they had won, at least for a while. He sighed and threw up his hands in defeat.

"Fine."

A curt knock on the door saved them from further conversation. Kagome smiled softly, almost sadly and nodded in the direction of the sound. "I need to go."

Souta said nothing but crossed his arms over his chest and stared out the window. Kagome looked skyward for a moment and smiled bitterly. She doubted her next words would please her brother in the slightest. "I'm letting Sesshoumaru keep her."

"Keep her?" he repeated slowly, disbelieving. She spoke of Mitsukai as if she were possession or a pet.

Kagome sighed, a tiny puff of air, and walked to the door. She turned the knob slightly but did not pull it open. "Sesshoumaru thinks it's for the best."

Souta anger erupted anew. If Sesshoumaru had threatened his sister in any manner, he would suffer. He kept his anger in check for the moment and walk to the door and placed his hand on hers. She looked up for a moment but would not meet his eyes. He trailed a single finger down her cheek and lifted her chin so that he could see her face fully.

"What do you think?"

There was a second knock on the door, louder and more insistent. "Just a minute," they called in unison.

Kagome meet his eyes and sighed bitterly. "It doesn't matter what I think."

Souta opened his mouth to protest, to insist to her the validity of her decisions, especially concerning her daughter. A gentle finger on his lips and his sister's sad nod stopped his words. Tears slid down her cheeks in wet, silvery tracks. There was something tragic about those tears, as if she were crying pieces of herself. He wanted nothing more than to dry her tears and soothe her worries. He, however, did nothing but allowed her to speak her peace.

"I love her so much, but part of me wishes she would have stayed missing. I would mourn. People would pity me-" she laughed a bitter, caustic to his ears and wiped away her tears. "-more than they do now. But I would be free. That's why, what I think doesn't matter."

Kagome smiled but it did not reach her eyes. Eyes that were once vibrant now dull and defeated. She removed her hand and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Then without another word she stepped into the hallway, clicking the door closed behind her. She stood leaning backwards against the closed door, her head lolling back in exhaustion. She was tired beyond reason.

The scent of aftershave and cigarettes filled her senses. A puff a grayish smoke drifted towards her and she blinked in confusion before frowning at the offending mass.

"Hey, Kagome."

Kagome froze. The voice was very familiar, but slightly more gravely than she remembered. It could not be him it was not possible. Perhaps it was, if Sesshoumaru and Kagura could survive five centuries why not him. She looked up slowly into the azure eyes of a certain wolf youkai.

"Kouga-kun?" she asked apprehensively.

Kouga grinned roguishly and nodded. Kagome launched herself at him immediately with a girlish squeal. He threw his cigarette carelessly to the tiled floor and stomped it before returning her embrace. Five centuries he would have been in heaven had she bestowed him with even an ounce of this affection. It was not to say he did not enjoy her embrace now, he simply viewed her as a friend.

It was she who broke their embrace first and caged his face with her small hands. "What are you doing here?" She smiled and shook her head. "Not that I'm not happy," she reassured when his face fell slightly. " Just surprised."

Kouga looked confused for a moment and his lips twitched. "Sesshoumaru didn't tell you I was coming?"

Kagome's brows knitted together and she suddenly comprehended. "You work for Sesshoumaru?" The surprise was evident in her voice.

Kouga shrugged and hooked her arm with his. "He's got dental."

Kagome uttered a small laugh and shook her head. Kouga and Kagura work for Sesshoumaru and she wondered what other secrets the taiyoukai kept hidden. Kouga huffed and looked rather defensive. Kagome giggled and waved a hand in apology.

"You haven't seen my kid's teeth," Kouga explained defensively. He shrugged again as he led Kagome into the elevator. "And besides Sesshoumaru's a good boss."

Skepticism flashed through Kagome's eyes. Her only memories of Sesshoumaru as an employer were his dealings with Jaken. Somehow she doubted either Kouga or Kagura would allow the taiyoukai to treat them as harshly. She voiced none of her concerns or opinions, instead listened to Kouga speak of his children in a warm, prideful tone as the elevator made its trek downward.

"Anyway, I was thinking if I punch Seichi hard enough to knock out his teeth, when they grew back they'd be straight."

Kagome's eyes widened in shock as her lips moved in protest. Surely he was not serious.

"I'm joking," he reassured with a playful grin, though it was evident by his tone that he had considered the option. "Really, besides it doesn't matter," he mock sighed. "Kagura won't let me"

Kagome blinked at him and frowned in confusion. That Kagura would care one way or another what Kouga did with his children was strange. Not that she actually condoned knocking an eight year old's teeth out in order to straighten them or for any reason actually. "What does it matter to Kagura?"

If she had not known better, Kagome would have sworn he blushed. He fidgeted for a moment and smiled apologetically. It was the smile one granted to an old love when informing his or her old flame they had found someone new. "She's his mother."

Kagome could not be more surprised if he struck her. She coughed and managed a small smile, not trusting herself to comment. At last she managed a sincere smile and clasped his hand. "I'm happy for you. It's just…."

"Surprising?" He asked finishing her thought. She nodded in agreement. "Yeah it is. It's nothing I wanted or even intended to happen. I chased her, tried to kill her for so long and now…." He chuckled slightly and rolled an unlit cigarette between his fingers. There was no smoking allowed in the elevator. "Well you know how it is."

Kagome blushed and looked at her shoes. A familiar and unwelcome feeling swept over her. Shame. Sesshoumaru, like Kagura had been her enemy for so long. Now both she and Kouga were involved, willingly with their former enemies. Kouga continued to speak long after the elevator had stopped she barely listened.

"I tried to kill her for the better part of a century. She decimated my tribe, my friends….I wanted revenge. Then I realized something."

Kagome looked up in surprise, wondering what could steer the wolf youkai from his revenge. "What?"

Kouga stepped from the elevator motioning for her to follow. The click of a lighter, followed by a billow of smoke and a contented sigh filled the lobby. He winced apologetically at the burning item. Kagura had been after him for years to quit and he steadfastly refused, if for no other reason than it aggravated her.

"Chasing and killing Kagura wouldn't rebuild my tribe. Chasing and killing Kagura would never replace the lives that were lost."

Kagome looked lost and bewildered. "You just forgave her?"

Kouga smiled and it was not happy. "No." He paused, inhaling deeply and exhaled allowing the smoke to circle around him. Distantly he understood he should quit, if nothing else they were dulling his sense of smell. He would, in fact he had planned too, the moment his wife stopped nagging. He smiled again almost wistfully. "First I had to forgive myself."

"But you didn't," Kagome began purposefully determined he not take the blame for something that could never be at fault. "None of it was your fault."

"Yeah-" he shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. Regardless I had to let it go."

Kagome shifted uncomfortably, their conversation suddenly cutting too close to home. He felt the need to convey his condolences, even if they were five hundred years too late. Kouga hugged her with one arm, knowing his next words would aggravate still festering wounds. "I'm sorry about Inuyasha and the others"

Inuyasha. His name rang through her mind, clear and painfully. She loved had loved him so deeply. Time had not caused her feelings to waver. Yet despite her love, her longing for him, she hated him. Despised him for ruining her fairytale ending, for killing their friends and for destroying her life. Life without him was unbearable and yet she would give anything to cleanse the stain of his memory from her mind.

Guilty tears sprung into her eyes and she nodded breathing the words. "Thank you."

He pulled her close and placed his chin on her head. His words were weak, useless; nevertheless he felt he must voice them. Kagome twisted around in his grasp and grinned, her smile not reaching her eyes. "When did you become so sensitive?"

Kouga snorted, his lips twitching. Despite his careless words of the past Inuyasha in many ways had been his friend. He had respected the hanyou; even if they were vying for the affections of a woman ultimately neither would have. In the end, at least for him, it worked out for the best. He smirked before flinging his half spent cigarette on the ground and stomping it out.

"Let's go. I'm sure Sesshoumaru misses his woman."

Kagome opened her mouth to protest, but closed it with an audible click. It was difficult to deny the wolf's assumption, especially considering who with which she was having relations. She cared for Sesshoumaru; he after all was the father of her child. Still her affections and attraction was only physical. Oddly the more she told herself that, the harder it was to believe. "Kouga," she whispered for his hearing alone.

"Hm?"

Kouga scooped her up in his arms causing her to squeak in protest. "You'll get soaked walking to the car. I'll run."

Kagome nodded and wrapped her arms around her neck, bracing herself for the icy wind and rain. "Why did you really forgive Kagura?"

He sighed and looked to the sky before opening the door. The door was flung open, caught by the wind. The answer was simple, only taking him decades to realize. "I love her."