Miroku and Sango lay on the bed together. Miroku moved to lay on his side so he could face her. He found he cheeks damp with silent tears. "What troubles you me dearest Sango?" he asked gently.
"I can't stop thinking about what happened." she said softly. "I felt Kagome's pain and...." She couldn't finish.
"It is all right. They are both fine now." Miroku told her.
"I know, but I can't help it. As she held him, refusing to believe, I knew it was how I'd feel if something happened to you." Sango said.
"My sweet Sango." he whispered. Miroku pressed his lips to her and kissed her softly. He rested one hand on her hip and the other reached up and freed her hair. Sango slid her hands across his chest. Suddenly she pulled away. "What is it?" he asked.
"Why do you not...that is not where you usually rest your hand." She said.
Miroku smiled. Her face had flushed, increasing her beauty in his eyes. " I did not want to presume after the day we left the village." he replied.
"I was mad that you were trying to stop me." she told him. "I would like very much if you would remind me of the houshi-sama I fell in love with." Sango smile as she felt the all too familiar caress of Miroku's hand against her bottom.
"Far be it from me to deny my wife." he laughed.
Once they were undressed he leaned over, his deep blue eyes staring into her own. Sango saw in them the same look they held on their wedding night.
They had gone into their home. It had been odd for her to think of it as that at first. She was surprised to find him as unsure and hesitant as she was. In their room they had both undressed facing away from each other. Sango had finished first and laid down under the blankets.
When she looked up, she saw Miroku standing before her, wearing only his most basic undergarment. "Sango.." he whispered. She had barely heard him, but brought her eyes to meet his own. "Would you allow me...I wish to look upon you."
She felt her face warm, and scolded herself. This is your husband and it is his right. You have faced demons and yet you fear a man's eyes upon you. He isn't any man he is my houshi-sama. What if he doesn't like what he sees? It is too late to worry about that now. Sango removed the blanket, and he had stared at her just as he was now. She had not understood the look at first.
"I'm sorry." she said softly. "I know that I have scars and am not perfect to look upon, but..."
In an instant he was beside her, pressing his lips to hers. "Sweet Sango, to my eyes you are perfect. I see no scars, only signs of your strength." he said. Then she understood. He had been looking at her that way because he thought she was beautiful. "I cannot believe that you have chosen me."
He kissed her again and she felt herself begin to relax. He began to gently explore her body. He was hesitant at first, but as she began to respond to his caresses he became more confident. With his lips and his hands he brought forth sensations, and emotions Sango had never felt before. She found herself longing to be with him.
He moved so that his body was over hers. He looked into her eyes. "I love you." he told her. "If you are not ready, we can wait."
"Have you ever?" She asked. He shook his head. "I am ready. I love you."
She prepared herself for what was to come, but was surprised that it had hardly hurt at all. Especially compared to the pain she had felt as a demon exterminator. Miroku was gentle and waited for her to assure him that she was all right. She stopped thinking and let herself feel him, what he was doing to her.
She had felt so close to him, so connected. If she hadn't loved him so much, it would have been frightening. She hoped he felt a measure of what she was feeling. . At last they did find their release together and he held her tightly to him.
"Miroku?" she asked.
"Yes my love." he replied.
"If you have never...Well them how did you know what to do?" she asked.
"I cannot reveal my sources, under penalty of death." he replied.
"So you actually asked Inuyasha?" she said with a laugh. He didn't respond. "I won't tell, if don't tell that I asked Kagome."
"Agreed." he said.
When they finally ventured out of their house, Inuyasha has teased Miroku about the smile on his face, but it did not falter. Sango had used the chance to take Kagome aside. She hugged her. "You were right." she said. "I had no reason to worry."
Sango was brought out of her memory by Miroku saying her name. "Sango, are you all right?" he asked. "You seem distracted."
She smiled at him. "I was think of our wedding night." she replied. "They way you were looking at me reminded me of it."
"Get used to it." he told her. "For it is the way I will always look at you my sweet Sango."
Kagome woke the next morning to find herself looking into InuYasha's amber eyes. He was beside her, holding her exactly as he had been when she fell asleep. He looked exhausted. "Did you sleep at all?' she asked.
"No. You needed me." he told her. "You kept having nightmares."
No wonder he looked so tired. He had been up for three days and two of those were spent fighting. She sat up and moved so that he could put his head in her lap. She rubbed his ears softly. "You sleep now." she said. He was too tired to do anything else.
A few hours later her stomach growled. She cursed it for waking InuYasha. "I'm sorry." she said.
"It's all right." he replied. "Let's go get something for you to eat."
They entered the dinning room and were halted by Jaken, standing before them. "Where's the kitchen?" InuYasha asked.
"Find it yourself." Jaken replied. He hated having the worthless half breed and his filthy human mate in the house, more than he hated having to take care of the human child. "Why my Lord puts up with you I'll never know. He should kill you and the half breed your filthy human carries."
Inuyasha spun on the creature. Tetsusiaga pressed against Jaken's throat. "Listen closely you slimy toad. If you ever speak another word against my pup or my mate I will kill you." InuYasha growled.
"Lord Sesshomaru will hear of this." Jaken said.
"Good. I hope he does." Inuyasha replied. He put Tetsusiaga away and kicked Jaken before turning and continuing toward a door that he suspected led to the kitchen.
The stepped through the door and had indeed found the kitchen. He lit fire and Kagome found some rice and some vegetables. She also found a pan and some water. "Do you want me to go get some meat?" Inuyasha asked.
"Only if you want it." she replied. When he didn't get up , she started to prepare their meal. "Do you think I should make enough for Sango and Miroku?" Inuyasha shrugged.
"Lord Sesshomaru." Jaken called entering the room of his master. He took in Sesshomaru's position on the bed. "You are injured my Lord, and you have claimed a mate as well."
"Tell me Jaken, did you come in here simply to state the obvious or was there something you needed." Sesshomaru asked.
"Forgive me my Lord. You must do something about the half breed. He threatened me with his sword." Jaken said.
"His name is InuYasha I expect you to refer to him as such." Sesshomaru told him. "Is there no reason he did this?"
"I simply told him that I didn't understand why you haven't killed him and the child his filthy human carries." Jaken replied.
"Then I suggest you refrain from voicing that opinion in the future. If he kills you I will not revive you." Sesshomaru said.
Jaken bowed and took his leave. "Filthy half breed..." Jaken began to mumble.
"Jaken." Sesshomaru called. He turned. "You test my patience. You failed me once before when my brother's mate was killed and had to be revived. I did not kill you then, though perhaps I should have. Keep that in mind as you leave." Jaken bowed again and left the room.
Sesshomaru looked to his mate. She was obviously disturbed by something. "What troubles you?" he asked.
"Why do you keep such a faithless servant?" she asked.
"He cares for the child Rin while I am away." Sesshomaru told her.
"Then you no longer have need of him." Katsuko said. "I will care for her in your absences."
"You would care for a human child?" he asked.
"If that is your wish." Katsuko replied. She sat on the edge of the bed. "Can I do anything to make you more comfortable?"
He slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her to him. She submitted to him as he kissed her. Sesshomaru cursed inwardly. He should not have done that. Though they had lain together before, after he marked her, the desire had become overwhelming, and there was nothing he could do about it for several days.
"Something troubles you?" she asked with a slight smile. She could smell the strong scent of desire coming from her mate.
He growled a soft reprimand. "You know very well what is wrong." he told her.
"Forgive me." she replied, though the smile did not leave her face. "Is there anything else bothering you?"
"Only things I cannot understand, concerning my father, as well as my brother and even you." he said.
"Perhaps I can help you understand." she offered.
"InuYasha said the same thing." he told her. "I am well past the age when I should have taken a mate and yet had no desire to do so until I met you. Inuyasha is barely past the age of a child and he has had a mate longer than I. My father had two. My father sacrificed his life for his mate and InuYasha would do the same, out of love. I would do it because of my duty. I care for you, but I cannot say I know what it is to love."
"I will show you." Katsuko told him. She leaned down and kissed him softly.
Inuyasha and Kagome finished eating and Kagome prepared two bowls to offer Sango and Miroku. She set them on a tray and she and Inuyasha went to find them. Inuyasha stopped at a door when he detected them inside. Kagome knocked.
"We brought you some food." Kagome called.
Inuyasha smirked. "We'll leave it by the door so you two can quit arguing about who is going to get dressed." Inuyasha laughed. Kagome giggled and set the tray in front of the door.
They went to return to their room, but turned back as they heard the door slid open. Kagome giggled again when she saw Sango's arm reach out and pull the tray inside. "Were they really arguing about that?" she asked. InuYasha nodded. "You know Inuyasha, they wouldn't be able to hear us arguing about that through our door." She added casually.
He turned to her to make sure he understood what she was saying. The shy smile on her face was answer enough. She laughed as he picked her up in his arms and raced to their room. He put her down at the door and pressed her up against the wall. He kissed her deeply. He reached out to slid open the door.
"Disgusting." came a mumbled voice.
Inuyasha growled. Damn that little toad. I should kill him. "What do you want?" he asked.
"Lord Sesshomaru wishes to see you." Jaken replied. He turned and led the way to Sesshomaru's chambers. At the door he stopped them. "He did not request her presence."
InuYasha glared at Jaken. Kagome nodded for him to go in. Jaken closed the door and whispered. "You think your mate will be able to protect the half breed child you carry, but he will not. Both of you will end up dead, just like Inu no Tashio and his human mate, and then your child will be defenseless. It would be best to simply destroy it."
"Shut up you vile beast, or I will purify you." she growled.
Inuyasha opened the door and saw Kagome's distress. He had heard what she said to Jaken and wondered what caused her to say it. When she saw InuYasha she started to cry and fell into his arms.
"What the hell did you say to her?" Inuyasha growled.
Jaken stared at him. "Jaken come." Sesshomaru ordered. "You as well Inuyasha. Now, what did he say?" Kagome repeated the words of Jaken. They infuriated him. He sat up despite the pain. Katsuko could feel the anger radiating from her mate, and so could everyone else. Jaken cowered and Kagome pressed herself more tightly against InuYasha, who had unconsciously moved slightly to shield her from Sesshomaru.
"She lies my Lord." Jaken told him. "You would believe the words of a human over mine, your faithful servant."
"If she had lied I would know, and you have been far less than faithful as a servant. Since however you have been useful at times, I will not kill you." Sesshomaru said.
"Thank you my Lord." Jaken started.
"Leave. Leave my lands and never return. I would advise you watch who you speak to since you are no longer under my protection." Sesshomaru said.
"Surely you jest my Lord." Jaken cried. "Who will care for the child?"
"I will." Katsuko said.
"You would send me away over a worthless half breed..." Jaken started, but he would never get to finish.
In the blink of an eye Sesshomaru's poison whip has removed Jaken's head from his body. Kagome buried her face in Inuyasha's haori. "Inuyasha please remove that. It seems to upset your mate and it is starting to smell." Inuyasha did as Sesshomaru requested. He returned when it was done. "Now, I called you here to ask if you would be willing to escort Rin back here. I could send Ah-Un, but I would prefer you accompany her."
"I guess it wouldn't be too much trouble." Inuyasha said. "We'll leave tomorrow."
"Very well." Sesshomaru replied.
The next day the four along with Kirara set off for the village. On the evening of the third day, they arrived. Shippou came bounding out of Kaede's hut and knocked Kagome down. Inuyasha growled furiously at the kit and pulled him off Kagome. He thumped him once, though not as hard as usual, on the head before letting him go.
"What were you thinking?" Inuyasha yelled. "You could have hurt her."
The kit climbed into Kagome's lap with tears in his eyes. "Kagome tell Inuyasha to stop being mean to me." Shippou said. "I wasn't trying to hurt you."
"I know you weren't." Kagome told him. She patted his back softly. Inuyasha gave Kagome a furious look and stormed off into the forest. Kagome sighed heavily. She would have to go see what he was so upset about. In the past she would have said 'it', but she hadn't even done that. She stood up. "Stay here Shippou. I have to go find Inuyasha."
Kagome didn't really have to look for him because she knew where he would be. She headed for the sacred tree. He was there, but instead of being up in the branches he was standing beneath it talking to someone she couldn't see. As she moved closer, she noticed a feminine hand snaked around his back, and another idly rubbing his ear.
He didn't even seem to notice her approach. She could feel the youki of the female demon surrounding him. "So miko, you arrive at last." she said. "I am Keiko. Your mate has been keeping me, shall we say, entertained. He is a feisty one. I could have so much fun with him. I have heard that Inu Youkai are particularly enjoyable, and so far it has proven true."
"Get your hands off him." Kagome said.
"Now, now, there is no need to be rude." Keiko replied. "I could have killed him." As if to prove her point Keiko removed her hand from around him and slid one clawed finger across his cheek, drawing blood. "I do not sense the Shikon jewel. What have you done with it?"
"Even if I did have it I wouldn't give it to you." Kagome said. "Now get your hands off of him or you'll be sorry."
"What will you do miko?" Keiko asked. She pressed her self against Inuyasha. "Growl for me puppy." She slid one hand under his haori and across his chest. Inuyasha began growling softly. Keiko pressed her lips to his and kissed him forcefully. When she pulled away Kagome saw blood on her lips from where she had bitten Inuyasha as they kissed.
"Fine." Kagome said having had just about enough of this demon touching Inuyasha. She was going to give this demon a taste of the power she desired, but she couldn't do anything while she was touching Inuyasha. "Remove you hands from him and I will take you to the jewel."
"That's better." Keiko said. "But to be safe, he will remain under my spell, and if you try any thing, I will have him kill you." Keiko fell into step behind Kagome. Kagome looked back and Inuyasha was following several feet behind them both.
Kagome hadn't said anything, not even to Inuyasha, but since the day she had purified the demon that killed Inuyasha, she had felt that power in her, just below the surface waiting to be released. She walked, letting her anger build, until she could see a faint pink light surrounding her hand. Kagome stopped abruptly and turned. Her hand shot out and a beam of purifying energy struck the temptress in the chest. When the demon was gone the light dissipated and Kagome fell to the ground.
Inuyasha blinked. What the hell is going on? Two scents assaulted him. He reached for Tetsusiaga. This time I am going to kill that temptress first and ask questions later. Then he saw her. "Kagome?" he asked. She was laying on the ground several feet away. He went to her and pulled her into his arms. "Kagome."
"Inuyasha." she said softly, coming to.
"Kagome what happened?" he asked.
"Temptress." she replied. "I purified her. You kissed her."
"Kagome I..." he started, about to make an excuse, but the truth was it was his fault. If he hadn't been upset with her and run off to brood, then the temptress never would have been able to keep him spelled when Kagome arrived. "I'm sorry."
Kagome sat up and moved away from him. She pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket. She used it to start wiping the blood off his cheek and his chin, and found the small cuts already healed. He didn't move as she cleaned his face.
If she hated me, she wouldn't be cleaning me, would she? "Kagome..." he said softly.
She shook her head. "If she did something with you, would you know?" Kagome asked.
"Why?" he questioned.
"She said you were keeping her entertained." Kagome whispered.
"I don't think we did." he replied. The truth was he could smell her all over him, but it wasn't the scent of lust, only of her presence. He stood up and offered her his hand.
Kagome ignored it and got up on her own. "I guess I'll go back to the village." she told him. She leaned up to kiss his cheek but he pulled away.
"Don't." he said softly.
She nodded as tears fell down her cheeks. "Whatever you want Inuyasha. I just want you to be happy." she said and turned to walk away.
"Kagome don't cry." he replied.
"Why shouldn't I?" she yelled. "First you get mad at me and run away and I don't even know why. Then I come to find you with her, letting her kiss you and rub your ears, growling for her. You didn't even say you didn't want her to kiss you this time and instead you say you don't want me. I can cry all I want. I love you and all you do is hurt me." She started to run for the village.
Inuyasha caught her easily and pulled her to him. She struggled against him, but only for a short while, before letting him console her. "Kagome, I didn't want her to kiss me." he said. "I didn't let you kiss me because I wanted to wash the scent of her off me. You can't smell it but I can. I'm sorry that all I do is hurt you. I know after letting this happen again, that I don't deserve your forgiveness. I'll leave you alone, just don't cry over me anymore." He let her go and turned to leave.
"Inuyasha." she called. "I didn't mean it. Hurting me isn't the only thing you do. You take care of me and you love me. I don't want you to leave me alone. That is what I am afraid of. Please don't leave me."
He pulled her into his arms. "I'll stay with you forever." he whispered.
"Inuyasha, why were you mad earlier?" she asked.
"Shippou could have hurt you or our pup." Inuyasha told her.
"He didn't do it on purpose." Kagome reasoned.
"I know, but he has to learn. Later on he could hurt you. It will be better if he gets used to not jumping on you now. It is time someone started teaching the kid how to act." Inuyasha told her.
Now she understood. She had gone against him when he was disciplining Shippou. She had to admit that the thump he gave Shippou had been more for effect than for actually hurting him, and was a lot more gentle than usual. "I'm sorry. You're right. I shouldn't have gone against you. From now on, as long as you aren't just picking on him, I won't interfere."
Inuyasha relaxed. He was worried that he was going to have to fight with her about his, especially after their own pup arrived, but she seemed to understand. "You have to start correcting him too." Inuyasha said. "It can't only be me." Kagome nodded. That was going to be harder, but she would try. "Let me take you back to the village and then I'll go take a bath Unless of course you want to come with me?"
Kagome smiled. "I think I'll just go back and help Sango with dinner." she said. He's so cute when he pouts. "But later, I'll make it up to you." But he's even cuter when he smiles.
They entered the village and once again Shippou bounded into the air set on landing in Kagome's arms. This time Inuyasha had been expecting it and caught the kit in the air by his tail, before he reached her. Inuyasha growled. "I told you, no more jumping on Kagome." He said, releasing the kit.
"Kagome." Shippou whined.
"I'm sorry Shippou. Inuyasha is right." Kagome replied. "You may not hurt me now, but as I get bigger it could be dangerous for you to jump on me like that. It is better if you start trying to remember now."
Shippou shot Inuyasha a dirty look. Kagome looked at the young fox demons expression and was shocked. He was glaring to rival Inuyasha. Inuyasha decided to let the look go for now. Later once Kagome got used to the idea of disciplining Shippou, looks like that would not be tolerated. "I'll be back soon." Inuyasha said. Kagome nodded.
Inuyasha returned just as the food was finished. After dinner Kagome stepped outside to get some air. A few moments later she felt a strong pair of arms circle around her waist from behind and the soft nipping of fangs at the base of her neck. She leaned back against him. "It's later." he growled softly.
"So it is." she replied.
The next morning they got ready to leave. Rin was more than excited to be on her way back to Sesshomaru. "Can I come too?" Shippou asked.
Before Kagome could say anything Inuyasha answered. "No."
"Why not? I want to come. You're just being mean." Shippou said. "Kagome make him let me come with you."
She looked at Inuyasha. He didn't seem to have said no just to torture the little fox demon. Besides, she could ask him about it later and if he didn't have a good reason, she would make him come back. "I'm sorry Shippou, but we won't be gone long and when we come back we won't have to leave again for a long time." She replied.
Shippou looked at Inuyasha. "You did this. You are trying to take her away from me. Now that she is having your pup, you don't want her to like me anymore. I hate you."
Kagome watched Shippou's display and the effect it had on Inuyasha. It was slight but for an instant, his ears drooped and she saw a look of pain cross his face. It was enough to set off her anger. "Shippou, I am very disappointed in you. Inuyasha has protected you and taken care of you. When you say those things to him, about him, you are also saying them to me. I could never stop caring about you. I hope by the time we return you will had enough time to think about what you said and how wrong it was of you."
Inuyasha didn't say anything as they walked. Rin was skipping a few yards ahead of them. Kagome took his hand. "Shippou didn't mean those things he said. He is just jealous." she told him.
"Jealous of who?" Inuyasha asked.
"Of you, and the time you spend alone with me, and of the new baby. Even though he sees us as his parents, he knows that our baby will be a connected to us in a way that he never will be." Kagome told him. "I think you should start training him again. It will show him that we aren't going to forget about him."
"I'll think about it." Inuyasha replied.
"Why didn't you want him to come?" she asked.
"Because we aren't going straight back to the village." he replied. Kagome didn't ask where they were going because if had wanted to talk about it, he would have told her.
It took four days to reach the castle. They were informed that they were welcome to stay, but Inuyasha declined. Kagome wanted to ask where they were going, but Inuyasha's strangely quiet and distant mood kept her from voicing her question. He didn't seem to mad, just pensive and maybe a little sad. Surely he wasn't still upset over what Shippou had said.
The following day they arrived at an unfamiliar place. There was a small castle and a village surrounding it, but both looked to be deserted. A small stream ran along side a field of flowers and in the center was a large tree covered in pink blossoms. Kagome wondered where they were, but Inuyasha didn't seem to be in a hurry to tell her.
He took her hand and led her to the tree. She studied his face. He looked so sad. Inuyasha reached out and touched the tree. Realization dawned on her "This is where your mother is, isn't it?" she asked. He nodded.
Inuyasha sat down beneath the tree and beaconed her to sit with him. He rested his chin on her head and his hands on her growing belly. "I know you think I was there when she was... When she died, but I wasn't." He told her. "We were walking along the stream. I remember so little about her but this day I remember perfectly. I remember smelling something strange, bad, dangerous. When I told my mother she kneeled before me. 'My sweet koinu, you must listen closely to me now and do exactly as I say.' I nodded. I could smell her fear. 'You must run away, as far and as fast as you can. Then hide. Don't come back. I love you, koinu, never forget. Now go.' I ran. I don't know for how long, and when I was too tired to keep running I found a place to hide. Only I did return. It took me several days to get back. I searched for her in the darkness and came upon the newly turned earth of her grave."
"You planted this tree." Kagome said softly.
"They buried her, and left nothing to mark her grave." he said. His voice barely above a whisper. "I remembered her fondness for trees that flowered in the spring and decided to plant one. I didn't know that trees rarely grew from a planted seed. I only knew that men planted the fields and things grew, so that's what I did. Whenever I could I would come back here and over time the tree grew. I used to think that she made it grown for me."
"I bet she did." Kagome replied.
"I saw her that day, before Sesshomaru revived me." he told her. "She was just as I remembered. She told me to thank you for making sure I wasn't alone anymore and for reminding me of who I really am."
Kagome turned to face him and put her arms around him. He buried his face in her neck. "Thank you for sharing this with me." she said softly. Her stomach growled loudly, startling them both. Kagome gave an embarrassed laugh.
"I'll go get some food. Stay here." he said. Kagome nodded.
When he was gone, she knelt before the tree. She reached out much as Inuyasha had done before and touched the trunk. She sat there silently thinking about what he had told her. "It is I who should be thanking you." Kagome said at last. "Though your time was short, you loved him so well that he never forgot his heart. I promise you that he will never be alone again." She got up and turned to find Inuyasha standing behind her, and though they did not fall, he had tears in his eyes. "Inuyasha I..."
He dropped the rabbit he had caught and pressed his lips to hers, silencing her. "I knew you would understand." he whispered. She always understands.
At last he released her and started a fire. She watched him as he roasted their dinner over the fire. She understood now why he didn't want Shippou to come and was glad that she had sided with him. She wanted to reach out and comfort him.
Inuyasha looked up at Kagome. He could read her expression perfectly. She was worried about him and wanted to make him feel better. He knew that she couldn't know that her silent presence was all the comfort he needed. "It's ready." he said softly. She accepted the food he handed her. He decided it was time to get her mind off his pain and onto more pleasant things. "Kagome, our pup, do you think it will be a boy or a girl?"
"I don't know.." she replied.
"Have you thought about it?" he asked.
"Of course I have. When I was younger, mostly before I was pulled through the well I always imagined getting married and having a little girl and then later a little boy. Of course I didn't imagine them with cute little dog ears then, like I do now." she laughed. "Now that it is really happening whether it is a girl or boy doesn't seem so important."
"So you only want two pups then?" he asked.
"I don't know I might want a couple more than that now." she told him. "In the future, two is a common number of children to have. It is considered the ideal but that isn't my home anymore. Why? How many were you hoping for?"
"I don't know if I should say. How about you tell me how many you would be willing to have and I'll tell you if it is more or less?" he replied.
"I don't think I would commit to having the 20 Sango has offered to have for Miroku, but we are going to live a long time. I guess 10 wouldn't be more than I could handle." she told him.
"I was going to say 6 but 10 could be good too." he said seriously. "But at least one of them better be a boy."
Kagome laughed at that. She could just picture Inuyasha being followed by pack of ten little hanyou girls. "That my sweet koinu is entirely up to you." He didn't understand how it was up to him, but it was good to see her happy.
A/N: Thanks for your encouraging reviews.