"You have failed me," came a smooth satanic voice from the pitch black darkness.
"You knew I would," was the short reply from a voice riddled with pain.
"You will be punished as such," the haunting voice assured.
Kagura seethed with hatred for Nuraku. She longed to be free from his insanity. The bastard sent her on an impossible mission, with no back up, and now had her thrown in the dark chamber below the castle. The enchanted chains held her tightly against the cold stone wall. Her last thoughts as the darkness overtook her mind were of murdering the hanyou who held her heart captive.
What Kagura was unaware of, was that Nuraku's evil plan was proving to be his undoing. He could not send the backup required to slaughter the priestess, because the legions of demons he readily called upon, had been greatly diminished in numbers. Unfortunately his own offspring was responsible.
In allowing the demon loose from his body he unwittingly unleashed an ally to the very people he loathed. It infuriated him that the Kyoufu Akuma had such an insatiable lust for blood and power, not unlike himself. The creature, which had been released merely for fun to see if it would attack Inuyasha, had torn through the countryside tasting the blood of all youkai in its path. Then there was the miko. That wretched bitch. Never had he dreamed it would find her miko power appealing. The results were by far more deadly than any attack Inuyasha could have set loose upon him.
Nuraku let the details roll around in his mind once more, 'There has to be a way to destroy the priestess... but first... to find my offspring.'
"Sesshomaru-sama.... I'm hungry," Rin seemed to be returning to her normal state of happiness. Kagome knew that hunger was a good sign. She looked to her mate who sat idly by watching her while she held the girl in her lap.
"Well come on Rin, Kagome said with a smile, let's get you something to eat," Kagome stood and pulled the girl up as well. They were camped just outside the same village that Rin had been abducted from last night. Sango, Miroku and Shippo had everything set up when they arrived back a few hours earlier.
Her friends were relieved to see she was still in one piece and that Rin was unharmed by the wolves. Rin was so upset that Kagome had no time to relay the events that took place in their absence. Of course, Jaken who watched the slaughter of the wolf pack, was eager to fill them in. Kagome listened to his tale, but decided she should further enlighten them when time allowed, as Jaken's story was somewhat one-sided. It consisted mostly of 'Sesshomaru-sama this' and 'The all-powerful Lord Sesshomaru that'. Her friends were still in the dark when he got through.
After preparing Rin and Shippo a bowl of Ramen each she went to check on her mate, who had been extremely quiet since their return.
"Are you ok, Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked as she sat down beside him.
"I am not harmed," was his stoic reply.
"You've been very quiet," Kagome said, trying to pry a hint of what he was thinking out of his masked exterior.
Sesshomaru looked at his lady. She was an extraordinary creature. Everything about her sang innocence and good. Her beauty was not to be compared and her heart was immense in size. For the last several hours he sat reflecting on the recent battle and his precious miko. Even through it all she still had room for forgiveness. It perplexed him.
Kagome smiled when he brought his hand up to brush lightly across her cheek. He didn't answer her, but she knew he probably wouldn't when she asked. His soft touch and the look of adoration in his eyes spoke volumes. She crawled up next to him and stole a kiss. Before she could move away his hand went up behind her head and pulled her back to his lips. They stayed in their embrace for what seemed an eternity. They were only brought out of the bliss they shared when two giggles were heard from the children.
Kagome turned to find Shippo and Rin giggling and holding their hands over their eyes. Sango and Miroku, however, simply appeared to be shocked. Kagome let out her own giggle at the look on their faces. Everything had happened so fast that Kagome had not had time to tell them the good news. She decided she'd better fill them in on everything.
Sango was astounded to say the least, to learn that Kagome chose to take Sesshomaru as her mate. Miroku on the other hand, said, "I can't say as I blame the guy for falling for someone as lovely as you." Where as a remark like that usually got him whacked in the head, this time Sango agreed. She was a little concerned about her friends choice, though. "Are you sure you can handle this Kagome?"
Kagome smiled at her friends concern for her well being, "Actually I'm not sure of anything." She sighed deeply and began again. "Since this change came over me I feel differently about things. I think that facing the changes in myself has helped me to face other changes that have been occurring in my life." She looked up and smiled again. "One thing I'm sure of is that Sesshomaru is a whole lot different on the inside, than he allows everyone else to think he is. He has been so kind and supportive of my efforts to understand this new body I've been given. He has shown me the most beautiful things on our journey here. I feel safe by his side."
Sango listened closely to what her friend had to say. She knew Kagome would never do something on a whim, but still... "What of Inuyasha?" She leaned in closely and lowered her voice, not wanting the demon lord to hear his half brothers name.
Miroku, who had been listening intently and deep in thought over the situation, had been wondering the same thing, "Yes... I fear Inuyasha will be deeply disturbed to learn that you have forsaken him to Lord Sesshomaru."
Now that made Sango a little mad, "Forsaken Inuyasha? Why, do you mean the same Inuyasha who has refused to show any sort of commitment to a personal relationship with Kagome? The same one who goes off half cocked whenever a soul gatherer appears?" He tone was very chastising and Miroku shrunk back at the harsh words.
"I meant no offense to Kagome, Sango, please calm down," he urged. Maybe he was wrong when he thought himself lucky that he didn't get clobbered earlier. It still may come to pass.
Kagome patted Sango on the leg, "Now don't go beating up Miroku for saying what we all know is true. Inuyasha will feel I've forsaken him. Though he has never made a move to take our relationship further, he still thinks of me as his. All I can say is that I care about him in a whole different way than I do Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru makes me feel so special. With Inuyasha I feel like second best. Inuyasha will never be able to look at me without seeing Kikyo. I can't live forever in her shadow. Sesshomaru looks at me and only sees me."
Miroku and Sango looked up as the object of the discussion walked up behind Kagome. He kneeled down behind her and wrapped his arm around her. He looked at her two friends, who obviously worried about her as good friends should. "You never have to concern yourselves that Kagome is not cared for and loved." As he said the last he leaned around and kissed her on the neck.
After hearing this statement directly from him, the demon slayer and monk relaxed their concerns. Lord Sesshomaru did not speak about things of this nature openly. He rarely said anything except 'Come Jaken' and 'Die'. To hear him speaking honestly of their friend this way was sort of an honor.
"Doomo Arigato Sesshomaru-sama. Your kind words definitely ease our minds," Miroku said respectfully.
Kagome, however, had not heard a word past when Sesshomaru kissed the side of her neck. The feel of his warm mouth on her soft flesh sent heat coursing through her body. She became all too aware of his muscular chest pressing against her back. She looked up to her friends; 'I wonder what they were saying?'
Sesshomaru caught the scent of his mates sudden arousal, and silently thanked himself for practicing so hard to maintain an emotionless mask. If the monk knew how engorged he just became, he'd probably start to chant a prayer over him. He nuzzled Kagome's neck and the scent was again renewed. Still the two humans sitting across from them had no idea how intoxicated he was becoming.
Kagome could tell exactly what was going on behind her. She blushed furiously when she felt her mates excitement grow. She quickly asked Sango if she would please keep an eye on the children. 'Think fast Kagome...' an excuse popped in and out it came. "I need to show Sesshomaru how much I've learned since we were parted this morning."
Sesshomaru called Jaken and ordered him to stand guard. He stood with Kagome, attempting to hide his erection, and turned to follow her away. 'How 'not very lordly' of this Sesshomaru, he thought with a smirk.
Kagome led her man back to the pond where they both stripped of their clothing in order to cleanse themselves in the waiting water. She had so stifle a giggle when her lord dropped his pants. "I didn't think that was a rabbit in your pocket," she said teasingly.
"What do you mean a rabbit?" He inquired.
Obviously that joke was not as old as he was so Kagome just brushed it off and shooed him into the pond. The two lovers enjoyed a swim while teasing each other openly. Kagome gasped for breath as Sesshomaru swam from underneath her, dragging his long fingers along her entire body. Soon they were worked into a frenzy, which ended with the demon lord carrying her to a lush spot of grass on the shore. There he proceeded to please her in every way she could have imagined.
Sesshomaru was pleased with his mate's passionate response to his advances. His lust for her reached a boiling point where he could not stop the deep growl that forced itself from his chest. He took her with a deep hunger. The tiny female youkai meeting him with every ounce of her being.
With their lovemaking over, the taiyoukai and his sweet little mate curled up for some well deserved rest.