RK15: (wakes up)(spots readers) Uhh... Hi? Can someone tell me where this chapter came from? (lots of coughing, humming and looking away) Hump!! Fine be that way!! (turns and runs out of room)(hits the glass door) X.X;;;;;
CnF: Tsk tsk... (kicks her into closet) Hope you like my little.... add on.... If I didn't put in this chapter now, none of what's coming up would have happened, so.....
Ashlia: Oh, and RK15 doesn't own the Inu gang, so call off your lawyers!! (hides)
Part Three
Kagome felt something cool being pressed to her forehead. Appreciating it, she opened her eyes to thank the person doing it.
And froze.
Sesshomaru saw the frightened expression on her face when she opened her eyes to see who was putting the cloth on her face.
"Don't worry, Lady Higurashi, I didn't do anything to you. You were simply too exhausted to reach your room so you fainted. I brought you to mine, since it was nearby and you required rest."
Kagome nodded, thoroughly relieved that Sesshomaru had nothing in common with, the monk, Miroku. He blinked silently, watching her from where he sat. They stared at one another for a moment, unsure of what to do. Kagome sighed, rubbing the spot where the Shikon used to lay.
"I don't understand you, Sesshomaru..."
"How so?"
"Well, you take me prisoner, but allow me to walk around freely, taking up your personal life, playing with Rin-chan. It's just...... Not you....."
Sesshomaru listened to this without moving, his eyes glittering darkly in the shadows. An irritated feeling fought to emerge, but he pushed it away. He rose, appearing almost ethereal as he glided over to her. Kagome remained where she was, since he showed no signs of rebuking to her comments in any way. When he sat next to her, she stiffened, but didn't move away.
"Not me... Do you know me, Higurashi?"
"Not..... No, not really."
"Then, how is letting you wander about freely in my home, not me?"
Kagome bit her lip, thinking of a possible reason how what he was doing wasn't him. She glanced at him, blushing when her eyes met his staring back at her.
"A week ago I would have said that you were heartless. That any prisoners you had got locked in the dungeons to rot. That's what he said, your brother. I always believed this because I trusted him...."
"And now?"
"Now, I'm not so sure. Somewhere deep inside of me I believed that you were not who you appeared to be, that it was just a battle mode you had when you confronted us."
"Hai, that is true." He said, giving a half smirk.
Kagome giggled, thinking about the first time she had met him. He had been so cold and ruthless then, but now he was..... kind.
"Never judge a book by its cover, ne?" she said, turning towards him.
He agreed wordlessly, the words revolving in his brain like a jigsaw puzzle. What did she mean by that? It was strange, but her words told him of hidden meanings to the simple phrase. 'Perhaps... It is time for me to stop doing so....'
He noticed suddenly that Kagome had scooted closer to him, her body near his. He watched with emotionless eyes as she hesitated, chewing her lip in thought. Seeming to have come to a conclusion with her decision, she slowly reached up, touching where his heart lay beneath the chanchanko he was wearing. (Japanese vest) Looking down at the pale hand laying on his chest, he observed her trace a figure on the cloth, the touch heating the skin underneath.
"My okaa-san always did this when she found the truth in something. It means, in a way, that it has been accepted. It also is a sign of consent."
With that said, she crawled past him, standing up slowly. She walked to the shoji screen, her step heavy with wondering. Turning, she met his stare once again, her heart beating rapidly:
"Arigatou," Pausing, she quietly added,
"You can call me Kagome..... if you like." Before she could take two more steps he had swung her gently around to face him.
"Rin loves you." He said gazing at her.
"I know," she whispered, unable to resist looking up at him.
"I appreciate you playing with her. I took her in out of care for her innocence and the pleasure she receives by being with me. But you can tell me, do you care for her, or are you just putting up with her childish games?"
Shocked by the sincerity in that statement, Kagome could only stare before answering him,
"Yes, I love her, as a friend, as a sister, but I can't help feeling a mother to her also." She murmured running her hand through his hair without realizing it.
(A/n Sessie has loved Kagome since the time they defeated Naraku and the shard was shattered again... I wish it was me... O.O!! Ahh! Umm... And on with the story!!) (sweatdrop)
She didn't object or resist when he lowered his face to hers. All she could do was watch as his deep golden eyes loomed closer and closer to her. When he placed his lips over hers, she couldn't suppress a groan of longing at the warmth that spread through her when his lips found hers. She felt nothing but his hands running over her back and down her sides, the heat and taste of his lips. Opening her mouth, she invited more contact without thinking of the consequences, just the want to be touched and loved by someone. He nibbled on the pulses of her neck, feeling the trembles and groans rupturing from her throat. As he pulled her to him and onto the futon, she could only think of how she was beginning to love the man who made her a prisoner. And yet, she was allowing him to have the two things she swore not to give anyone but her true love. Her and the love she had sealed inside her. 'Am I in love with him?' Was the only thought in her head as he took her to the place of heat, desire, and passion.
She spent that night in his arms, content with the new life she was adjusting to and finding something she couldn't name in a place that existed centuries before she was born. Forgetting about her friends, she kissed him gently before sliding into a welcomed slumber, his hand resting on the newly placed bite on her neck. He watched her sleep, an odd feeling warming inside him.
'Is this what love is?'
Looking down into her angelic face, he smiled softly for the first time in ages.
'Hai, it is. My miko.... My Kagome.'
Over the next week, Kagome grew accustomed to the ways of Feudal Japan. Rin taught her how to use chopsticks, and in turn Kagome taught her to read the stories she found in a large library she discovered near her room. Rin especially liked the ones that described far away lands with ancient treasures, and daring men rescuing beautiful maidens.
Throughout the afternoon, she and Rin explored the many gardens that surrounded the manor, collecting bouquets of flowers and wading through the creek after minnows. Kagome discovered that Rin loved to listen and watch the nature surrounding her. She asked why she did this one day,
"Because the trees and flowers and animals whisper stuff. I like to see what they're talking 'bout." Rin answered merrily.
A few times Sesshomaru surprised them by appearing out of thin air, joining them in their adventures. Kagome could tell that Rin loved him as a father and he loved her in return with small shows of affection. He liked to lounge on a hillside, watching her play, and once Kagome sat in his lap to join him (to his great surprise). Kagome had almost completely forgotten about her other life, but when she started to feel sick and faint the next day, she thought about the medicine in her pack.
Kagome began to worry about how sick she was feeling and finally went to ask Sesshomaru in his study. He was reading a scroll when she knocked on the screen, but put it away when she entered.
"Sesshomaru, I don't know what is wrong with me. I've felt faint and sick since the night.... we..." She left off blushing slightly. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her embarrassment, motioning her to approach. Pulling her into his lap, which produced a gasp from Kagome, he frowned for a second as he felt her stomach and listened carefully. His frown turned into one of his rare smiles as he looked at her.
"W-What is it??"
"You're with child."
Sesshomaru caught her as her when she collapsed against him, settling her more comfortably in his arms. She blinked a few times, her eyes wide with disbelief and shock.
"I-I'm pregnant?!? My mom will kill me if she finds out! I'm only 17 for goodness sakes!" she managed to shrill, shivering despite the warmth of his body. "When did? How do you know? I'm not even your mate..."
He held her for a second, his face blank of any emotions. Sighing, he looked down at her, watching her face express her thoughts like a book. 'Now is better than any other time I guess...'
"I did not plan for you to be with child(s) so soon, but.... I did want you to be my mate."
She stared at him dazedly and whispered gently,
"You want m-me to be your mate?"
"Hai."
"But, why? You don't even know me, or my family and friends or anything. How do you know I'm right for you?"
"This Sesshomaru knows that you are honorable, strong, spirited, and beautiful."
"We didn't even know each other for more than five minutes when you took me here and you thought of me like that?"
"Yes... The mark on your shoulder will fade away unless you are willing to be mine. Demo, will you be my mate?"
Kagome only paused for a second before slowly replying,
"Can I ask you something."
"Hai?"
"Do you love me? As me? Just plain old Kagome?"
He snorted, chuckling softly, making her vibrate slightly being so close.
"This Sesshomaru has never felt love, having no one to love or be loved from."
"Oh..." Kagome murmured. Before she had time to feel anything, he added:
"Until now..."
Startled, Kagome stared up at him and as she watched, his eyes glowed brightly, his face softening.
"Aishiteru, my miko, Kagome...." And with that, he kissed her fiercely, erasing any doubt in her mind with the sincerity she felt in his kiss. Pulling away, she smiled,
"And I love you, Sesshomaru, Taiyoukai of the West..."
"Good." He remarked and then drew her upwards into another kiss, this time softer, tenderer than the one before. Minutes later, they slowly pulled apart, Kagome's lips swollen with passion. Leaning against his chest, she sighed contently, listening to his heart beat.
"How many are there? Pups, I mean."
"Three; two females and a male. They shall be born in four months time, between the end of winter and the start of spring."
Kagome choked, "Four months?"
"It takes less time to develop youkai pups than human offspring."
"Ohh... Do you know where my friends are? I need to talk to Inuyasha and the others about... this."
Sesshomaru winced slightly on his brother's name, but none the less called for his courier to bring her friends to the manor.
"Thank you" Kagome said kissing him lightly and then left to take a bath before the others arrived.
Ashlia couldn't believe her ears. "What do you mean we are to be escorted to the manor."
The courier cringed at her sharp tone, but noting the anger driven crowd gathering around him, he quickly repeated his message,
"Lord Sesshomaru wishes me to escort you to his manor by the request of Lady Kagome Higurashi. We are to arrive promptly in an hour, so I suggest that you stop arguing with me and move it already."
Inuyasha had recognized the courier, Teilag, from when he appeared but did not say this aloud. Teilag was his brother's personal messenger, a falcon youkai, with dark brown and tan layered hair, sharp orange eyes and with a pair of red-brown wings folded on his back. He was confused at why Sesshomaru was summoning them, when he most likely knew that they were coming to rescue Kagome from him.
"Let's just go already," he growled to no one in particular, but got glared at for being so impatient.
Sighing, he walked after Teilag who had started walking away in his impatience with Ashlia.
Kagome saw Ashlia running through the gate from a small balcony that extended from her room. She jumped down off of it and stood waiting for Ashlia to reach her.
Ashlia had never been so relieved to see anyone in her life. But what confused her was that Kagome was not locked up or hidden away as a prisoner should be. Instead she stood waiting for her in an elegant crimson kimono, looking calm and happy.
"Kagome!! Are you alright? Where's Sesshomaru, I'm going to kill him!! No wait, don't tell me. I'll find him and kill him myself!" Ashlia shrieked as she hugged Kagome tightly in disbelief and joy at seeing her friend alive and well.
A shadow fell over the reunited friends, Ashlia barely stifling a small gasp in alarm and fright.
"I don't think you will want to kill me, not that you can anyways." Sesshomaru said coolly, emerging from behind them.
He moved to stand behind Kagome, wrapping his strong arms gently around her waist and nuzzling his immaculate white face into the curve of her neck. Kagome giggled as if he weren't her captor, but a very affectionate and attractive doggy boyfriend.
Everybody else had caught up with Ashlia now, and was standing, flabbergasted, at the sight of Kagome smiling at them innocently while Sesshomaru planted a friendly kiss on top of her hair.
(A/n Wow, Sesshomaru openly showing some emotions! Imagine that...)
"Ashlia, you can speak Japanese now?" she asked, bringing Ashlia out of her daze.
"Yes..."
"Good, because I... umm... Need to tell you something."
To everybody's amazement, including a very intrigued Sesshomaru, Kagome and Ashlia started speaking in what seemed to be another, very foreign language.
"Ashlia, I'm not going home right now. But, I will later."
"W-What!! We came here to rescue you from Sesshomaru!"
"I know. It's just that well.... How do I explain this? Ashlia: I'm going to be Sesshomaru's mate. And please don't ask why, it's just that I'm very happy living here." (Sesshomaru heard his name and knew that Ashlia now knew about him and Kagome.)
Ashlia muffled a scream of delight and shock so not to let anyone know something was wrong.
"You're SESSHOMARU'S MATE!! Have you even thought of the fact that he kidnapped you and kept you prisoner! You haven't done... Of course you haven't, unless he raped you-"
"Ashlia!" Kagome yelled, putting an end to Ashlia's rant. "He did not do what you think he did. He didn't touch me, I-I went to him of my own free will. You should have seen him with this little girl he has. Her names Rin. He was sweet, kind, loving, understanding, nothing like he'd been described to be, and Ashlia?"
"What?"
"I'm pregnant." Kagome stated, forgetting to talk in Japanese.
Miroku caught Sango when she fainted for what seemed to be no reason besides out of pure shock. With Sesshomaru's (gulp) permission, he carried Sango to an elegantly designed guest room. Stroking her hair, he pressed a small kiss to the palm of her hand since he thought that she was out cold. To his shock, she was watching him quietly, without even a hint of disapproval or disgust.
"Houshi-sama... Arigatou."
"I was not about to leave you lying on the ground, helpless to any stray demon's will... S-Sango-sama?"
Sango sat up slowly, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"Just shut up... Miroku..." She whispered softly.
Reaching up, she kissed him shyly on the lips. Miroku tried to pull from her, not believing this was really coming from Sango, but she whimpered sadly, making him stop. He pressed down harder into the kiss instead of pulling away as his brain said to. She ignored the nagging voice in her head that reminded her about his love for groping any woman ten feet from him.
The smell that usually made him want her was now drowning him with pure sensual pleasure, which added to the feel of her against him. He hoped and prayed that he wasn't dreaming or that she wasn't having amnesia or something and would regret this later.
Sango felt pleased, confused and completely helpless as he pulled away after a few moments, still holding her close, but not looking at her. When he did, she was rattled and slightly stunned to see the thing she felt for him reflecting in his eyes. He then got to his feet, pulled her up, and then hand-in-hand they walked to the dining room where he sensed everybody else was.
Kagome saw them pull their hands apart (Smirk) before sitting down across from each other, Sango next to her and Miroku next to (damn it!) Sesshomaru. She knew that it was time to announce her decision to stay to everybody, including patient Sesshomaru. But how to start, that was just going to go as it comes up in the conversation.
RK15: (comes to) I've really got to stop doing that...
CnF: (typing)
RK15: (rises up behind her)
CnF: (sees shadow)(turns) uh oh...
RK15: ohh.... clover....
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