A/N I said I would update more quickly and here I am. I was made aware of the fact that I might have lost a lot of fan base after not updating in so long. Quite frankly I'm not surprised nor do I blame them. It's my own fault for not writing, and I cannot hold anyone else accountable but myself. So that is why I've started writing again so soon. I'm planning on do this with all my stories from now on. And for those who have stuck by me, I am eternally grateful. Now that I've cleared the first couple of hurdles, this story is going to flow more easily and thus the chapters will come more quickly. FYI, if I haven't updated in an obscene amount of time that means I've reached a hitch in the story or I have writer's block. But that's beside the point, I won't keep you all from the story anymore. Be well, safe, and blessed.

Tigress.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters. Nor do I own Beth Meddler's "The Rose"

Moon Child

Chapter 6: Daughter of the Night

Kagome's P.O.V

Her return was marked as a day of celebration in the castle. Lord Sesshoumaru ordered a feast that included the entire staff of the manor and neighboring villages. Although he presented it as a sign that he was happy his ward had returned, it was already circulating amongst the people that Sesshoumaru was celebrating the return of his soon-to-be mate.

It was a claim that Sesshoumaru neither denied nor hindered and thus the rumors spread more quickly. The return home for them both had been interesting…private, because the two headed dragon she later learned to be named Ah-Un and Dusk had returned to the castle…but interesting.

Before, she had known Sesshoumaru to be politely aloof around people, never showing an ounce of feeling towards them. She then learned that anyone he did feel something for, he had very little qualms against showing it. He showed no hesitation in touching her, letting her know he was there.

As if she could ever forget, as she lay with him last night, it was impossible not to be acutely aware of the epitome of male perfection that was right beside her. Or of herself for that matter, never in all her life had been so aware of her femininity. Until Sesshoumaru that is and his every move seemed to remind her.

When their eyes met—and they often did—she could see the underlying fire in his eyes. And she noticed that when they watched her they changed color, from their usual icy amber to a lazy molten gold. There was an unspoken agreement between the two of them.

Nothing would happen until Kagome spoke with her mother, but that did not and could not stop the demon lord from showing her that when she did, he would be quite ready for her.

In a way Kagome very much wanted to put off speaking with her mother. And for reasons not pertaining to the demon lord. She had just discovered that she was a new dark power that could hold its own against her mother's. She knew not how the Great Mother Goddess would react to having such a powerful daughter.

She could not help but wander if she now stood to be disowned, or worse, banished. She shuddered at the thought; she knew the fate of those who had suffered such a fate. All of their powers, titles, even their very memories had been striped from them. They were then hurled into oblivion where there was no light, no sound, and no other people.

There the person would be doomed to wander through eternity without any idea of who they were or where they came from and no one to guide them. They were little better than phantoms. It was a terrible existence and she knew of a few who had been brought back from it, they had never been the same and a good few of them were questionably sane.

Kagome could not bare the thought of such an existence, where she would never know the warm embrace of another. To hear the happy laughter of those she cared for. She would never see her mother, Dusk, Moonlight, the friends she had made on earth, Rin…and even worse Sesshoumaru.

So as the party began to die down just before sundown, Kagome retreated to a balcony alcove where she could be alone. The sunset was glorious sight; the sky was alive with vibrant shades of gold, scarlet and deep beyond the darkening cerulean blues and violets of twilight.

But the sight was wasted on her, she wished just for a while that she could freeze this moment, and that night would not fall. She had realized today during all the celebrations. When she had showed Rin how to waltz and had laughed for hours among good company, she was happy here.

She liked being around these people. And when she and Sesshoumaru had taken the floor she discovered something else. When the dance had turned from a passionate waltz to a sensual sway that bordered dangerously close to brazenness she realized she was loved and wanted.

She did not want to leave this place and it was why she sought to stay there even now. She sighed and leaned her weight against the iron railing. The demi-goddess had been so engrossed in her own thoughts that she did not hear someone join her on the balcony.

"Kagome."

She recognized the voice as Sesshoumaru's so she did not spin around. Instead she faced him calmly and let a smile tug at the corners of her lips. It was half-hearted at best, but it was all she could manage after a day of faking larger ones.

Sesshoumaru came to her side and took her hands in his. Kagome looked up into his worried eyes and continued to give him her broken smile.

"What is wrong, you have not been yourself?"

Kagome turned her eyes back to the setting sun and smiled in earnest. "Nothing dearling, I wished only that I could freeze this moment."

She felt his arms wrap around her waist and draw her firmly into his warmth. She leaned into him, savoring his concern. "And why is that?" He asked.

"I don't want things to change…I don't want to have to leave this place." Before she could stop herself, she could feel the tears beginning to form in her eyes.

Sesshoumaru must have smelt the salt of her tears for he turned her around to look at him. His eyes burned with an intense concern.

"What makes you think that you are leaving, who could make you leave?" He wanted to know.

"…Sesshoumaru, I must face my mother tonight. She and she alone can do this."

"And why do you think she will make you leave here?"

"Because of what I have become. I am a danger to all those around me Sessho…"

"Kagome you cannot hurt any of us. From the way you fear to do so, I know you will not."

"But what if I lose control!" She demanded and tore herself from his reach.

The tears began to fall freely from her eyes, her brow furrowed in near pain as she tried to make him understand. "Sessho, you don't understand its call. Never in all my life had I been more focused yet free then when I let the power ride me."

"I didn't have to worry about the consequences, I didn't even see the consequences. It was that one singular call and by all the gods in the heavens, how I wanted to follow. I turned it on Dusk for Goddess sake, who I have known my entire life, what's to stop me from turning on anyone here?"

Sesshoumaru ignored her insistent pleas and came to stand before her. She stood for a moment frozen before him, her eyes overflowing with emotions and tears seconds before she latched onto him.

He held her as firmly as she did he and let her vent all the emotions she had bottled for so long. And Kagome could no longer help herself. Somehow every time she was near him, Kagome felt better.

Every time he wrapped his arms around her, the storm inside her began to still. She could think, and feel and was no longer dragged down under the tide of emotions that plagued her. With every encounter she was beginning to love him even more, and she knew she would die if they were every apart.

"You will not lose control Kagome. Your mother made me your keeper. I do not think she would have given either of us the task if she did not think we were capable of handling it."

Sesshoumaru told her but Kagome continued to shake her head.

"But there is still the chance…"

"There will always be a chance, and it is one that is worth taking."

"But what if she makes me leave?" Kagome demanded.

"Her actions thus far have not been that of a mother on the warpath. She put you in under my protection, I doubt she would do that if she truly wanted you gone." He pointed out and Kagome sighed.

In a way she knew she was being foolish. Her mother was known for many things, but cruelty and injustice were not one of them. Maybe, just maybe she was blowing this whole thing out of proportion. She sighed again before saying.

"Maybe you are right."

She lowered her head and closed her eyes to hold the oncoming headache at bay. But because of it she did not see Sesshoumaru's gaze shift to the horizon.

"We will not have long to wait my dear. Night has fallen and the moon is rising."

Kagome's eyes snapped open as she gazed about her quickly. He was right. The night had settled around them and not even the slightest hint of sundown remained. With accusing eyes she glared up at Sesshoumaru.

"You planned this." He kissed her chastely on the lips.

"Yes, I feared you would bolt again if I did not find some way to keep me here." He said with a wry yet apologetic smile.

Kagome growled and cursed him in languages she knew he would never understand. But the look he gave her when she dared a glance back let her know, he understood the intent. He drew her firmly into his arms and held her for dear life. Kagome clung to him for support and hope. Hope that this wouldn't be the last time they'd ever do so.

"All will be well, I will fight for you if I have to."

Kagome buried her head in the crook of his neck and tried not laugh under her tears. His familiar scent of jasmine and vanilla greeted her. She didn't realize till that moment, how much his scent alone soothed her.

By the gods how I will miss him, if I leave.

But she dared not think such treacherous thoughts now. No, not after they had come to the agreement that she would be strong. She squared her shoulders and Sesshoumaru released her as if on cue.

She stared up into his eyes and gave him a reassuring smile, this one genuine. And before another word could be said, Sesshoumaru captured her mouth with his and crushed her body to his own. They clung to each other but Kagome's attention was on the kiss. Deep passionate and strong, it reminded her of her love for him. A love she would never allow anyone to take from her.

"Give the Goddess my regards." The kiss lingered for but a moment later and then it was done.

When Kagome opened her eyes to reply she found herself alone on the balcony. Sesshoumaru was gone, or had fled before he could do anything else. Kagome sighed and realized that it couldn't be helped. She turned around to face where she knew the moon would be in the sky.

Half full it glistened in the sky and sent silvery beams of light onto the darkened earth. Where the beams fell, smoky white haze began to shroud the area. The creeping mist began to make its way towards her, but Kagome did not flee. Within seconds the entire balcony was enveloped in the milky vapors.

A single silvery beam stretched towards her and from that shaft of light a glistening silhouette began to take shape. The mist parted just slightly to a tall willowy form and Kagome shuddered as the sound of a wolf's hunt song echoed in her bones.

When she looked up again she saw a tall woman at exactly six feet tall standing before her. She was the epitome of ethereal beauty with long glistening white hair streaked with pale hoary blues. Her elegant cheekbones was striped as Sesshoumaru's were only they were a pale icy blue. Her eyes were dark and fathomless but with very stars shined in the ebony depths.

She looked like a warrior queen clad in an armored corset of the purest silver, a moonbeam sword rested on her hip and her brighter than white gown sparkled like the full moon. And the only thing that seemed to mar her skin was the mark that rested just below the hollow of her throat. Her own symbol the full moon flanked by two crescents.

She smiled then, the movement tugged gently at the corners of her full nearly pouting lips. And she spoke.

"Hello my daughter."

Just the very sound of it brought unwanted tears to Kagome's eyes. It was not angry or condemning. It was the same eerily soothing sound that she had long turned to for comfort. In that one moment she forgot all her fears and ran into her mother's already welcoming arms.

"Mother."

Her voice was a breathless whisper as she clung to her mother's solid form.

"It has been to long little one." Her mother declared soothingly while stroking her hair.

"Mother you were right…about everything."

Kagome felt cool fingers touch her cheek and obediently she raised her face to see her mother's smiling down at her.

"About what dear heart?"

"About Malachi…and the visions…and…"

Gentle fingers touched her lips silencing her. "Take a breath my child before you work yourself into hysterics."

"But mother you do not understand. All was as you said. Malachi was untrustworthy; it is his fault that I am here. And that I have become the evil in your visions…"

"My child I never said what I saw was evil."

For a moment all Kagome could do was stare.

"But how can that be…you said…"

"I said, and I quote, 'something is coming, something my immortal eyes cannot see.' It was you dear daughter who jumped to the conclusion that it must be evil."

"But I had seen it as well mother. It was dark, dangerous and elusive…it was…me."

"My child, it is merely a darker facet of that which makes you who you are." Her mother declared while drawing a tender finger down the line of her cheekbone.

"Every creature is born with a darkness and a light inside of them, you need not fear either in you."

"But you must have seen what it could do, what I could do."

"My child, my child. You have let your fear cloud your senses, did you not realize that all of that power is yours. Not the darkness, but yours. You have merely come into power."

Again Kagome was speechless. "What?"

"Dear one you have come to power…and with a bang without a doubt, but it is merely that. I had not expected so soon, and it is why I did not tell you sooner. Your powers have been growing and changing for the past decade and this is when it decided to show itself."

"Yes by nearly killing innocent people that I care about."

"Your vision was just that my child. A vision. Have I not taught you that no vision is definite, they are just shimmers in a bottle of what could and can be."

Kagome nodded. "Then my child what is it that you fear."

"I fear what I have become!"

Kagome yelled and pulled herself away from her mother's grasp. "I no longer feel like myself mother, I feel that darkness so close to the surface it scares me. And what is worse is I do not know what I have become."

"Fillia Nocto." Her mother said simply.

"What?"

"Kagome, what am I the goddess of?"

Kagome's brow furrowed at the question. "You are tied most directly to the earth, moon, and heavens, but you have many variations."

"Exactly."

Kagome could only look confused as her mother realized that the statement meant nothing to her unless explained.

"My child, am I not in the stars as well as the moon?" She asked and called a star into her hand.

"Yes."

"And am I not in the very night sky?"

What appeared to be a midnight colored sphere floated down into her hand and merged with the star. They glistened together to form a dark star and it glowed with a deep twilight aura.

"Yes mother."

"That which made me what I am…is what drew your father to my side."

"My father?"

Never once had they spoken of Kagome's father. It had never been necessary, she was content with her mother always being there. Talk of her father was new and almost frightening.

"Yes, your father was an Angel of the Night, it is why you were born with wings. He was a dark angel if you will, a being made up entirely of the night and all that it entails. He was creature created solely to protect those who wander after the sun has set."

"When I was with child…you, he had thought that my blood would overpower his and that when you came to power you would take after me. You would be Fillia Luna, Daughter of the Moon. But now we see that you are not."

Her mother came and stood behind her, the star she had made was now attached to a silver band and she fastened it about Kagome's neck.

"You are and have become Fillia Nocto…Daughter…of the Night."

Kagome opened her mouth in breathless astonishment but for a moment no sound escaped her. Understanding began to take her, filling her to every fiber of her being.

"So, I don't have to worry about losing control. I don't have to worry about hurting anyone."

For a moment the happiness staid and then as if a hand were drawn down her mother's face, the joy melted away.

"My child…it is not that simple."

Those mere words made all the tension Kagome had thought she'd released return in all their fury. In her heart she had known that things had been going to well. Things had been going far to smoothly, it had been to good to be true.

"Kagome…it is not as bad as you think. Trust me."

"Then what is it mother? Why did that question make the joy flee from your eyes?"

The Goddess came before her daughter, and cupped both of Kagome's cheeks with her palms. A tender smile crossed her features. "Because to allow you to do this would in a way, no longer make you my little girl."

Kagome furrowed her brow in confusion. "I do not understand."

"Because you have come to power sooner than expected, it is not likely that your body alone will be able to handle that amount of astral energy. You must share your power with another…and soon."

"Do I even dare ask why?"

The Goddess pulled away and stared at the waning moon. "Before the new moon my child, you must chose someone to share your power, or it will kill you…and all those around you."

For a moment, the words seemed too impossible to be true. But then they began to sink it. The same breathless astonishment that had made her so happy was now draining her of her strength. She dropped to her knees, her eyes intent on the marble tiling below her.

"…No." She whispered. "You tell me it is not as bad as I think…" She rose back to her feet, her wings erupting from her back in her anger. "And then you tell me that! Tell me why it is not as bad as I think!"

"Because you still have time Kagome!" Her mother retorted.

"You still have time child."

"But there must be some other option mother." Kagome asked frantically. "What if I don't want to let someone share this with me? What if I left? I could get away far, far from here…"

Her mother shook her head and declared sadly. "Running will not save you…or them Kagome."

"Do you not understand the reach of your power, or how vast it has become. You could destroy this planet."

Kagome stared at her mother in open-mouthed horror, but her mother's sorrowful look silenced her before anymore angry words could come out.

"Kagome I am sorry, I am so very sorry. If I could take this cup from you I would."

Kagome couldn't even look at her as she said. "I understand mother. I know this is not your fault or something you would have wished on me."

Her mother came to her side and Kagome looked up at her, the tears she had fought so long to hold in trailing quietly down her cheek. Tears began to fill her mother's eyes as well. She reached out to her, so unsure if Kagome would accept her. And when Kagome took her hand a sigh of relief escaped the Great Mother Goddess.

"We will get through this mom. Do not fear."

"I wish I could stay longer dear one, but the night is no longer young and I have other matters to attend to."

Kagome nodded in understanding.

"We will speak again soon." She reassured her.

"Yes…I know." Kagome replied.

Before she could understand what had happened her mother's arms were wrapped firmly around her. Kagome did so in kind an unspoken agreement between the two. It was the Goddess who pulled away, planting a gossamer kiss on her daughter's cheek.

"Be well, safe, and blessed my child. Know that I will be watching over you."

Kagome nodded and released her mother. Moments later the Goddess was drifting back into the moonlight and mist, and then she was gone. The only way Kagome would have known she had even been there was because she had her hand firmly gripped around the dark star about her neck.

She stood there for a long moment, trying to steady herself, trying to maintain some semblance of control. But it was too much too soon. She dropped to her knees and let the waves of tears flow. She cried and cried until she felt there was nothing more to shed. It was there and then that Sesshoumaru found her.

"…Kagome?" He questioned.

Kagome looked up slowly. At the very sight of him, his eyes so full of concern and worry that Kagome's own began to flood again. He came to her side and drew her into a warm embrace. She clung to him and cried again, letting the tears subside into wracking sobs.

"It is that bad dearling?" He asked.

Kagome sniffed and whispered. "It depends on how one looks at it." She declared while wiping the tears from her eyes so she looked somewhat decent.

"What has happened?" He asked.

Kagome was just about to tell him when a child happy call reached her ears.

"Kagome-neesan!"

Rin came bounding onto the balcony, a fresh breeze to the somber alcove. Her cheeks were flushed and she was obviously elated. Her chocolate brown kimono was stitched with golden lotus blossoms but was noticeably smudged and more than half of her hair had escaped bun in the back of her hair.

Kagome pulled away from Sesshoumaru just in time for Rin to leap into her arms.

"Kagome-neesan, where have you been? Rin-chan was looking for you."

Kagome forced a smile onto her face. "I was enjoying the night sky little one." She began then most have realized. "And why aren't you in bed young lady?"

Rin just gave a toothy grin. "Rin-chan was waiting for Kagome-sama."

Kagome sighed. "All right little one." She said while rising with Rin still in her arms. She withdrew her wings so as not to make the demons inside have a heart attack. "Let's get you to bed."

She cast an apologetic glance at Sesshoumaru, her eyes saying clearly 'Later'. And he gave an understanding nod.

"Will Kagome-neesan tell Rin-chan a story, or sing a song?" She asked.

"Yes, and maybe both if you're lucky." Kagome replied.

As they stepped past the curtain and the remaining guest bowed to both her and Sesshoumaru she asked Rin.

"How did you like the party?"

Rin then went into an elaborate story as they made their way up the stairs. "Rin-chan liked it very much. Rin liked the dancing…especially with you Kagome-neesan. Rin liked the pretty costumes and all the people…"

Sesshoumaru opened the door to Rin's room and lit a lamp. It was nearly the equivalent to Kagome's only its colors were forest green and brown. Kagome placed her in the bed, still listening to Rin's story.

"…And Rin stole a bit of Jaken's wine."

Kagome dared a glance at Sesshoumaru to see him seething with barely control vexation and knew that the little toad would be in for it.

"…But Rin-chan didn't like the wine, it made Rin-chan's nose ticklish." She declared with a giggle.

"All right dearling, its time for you to go to sleep." Kagome declared while braiding Rin's hair into a ponytail.

"But Kagome-neesan…" Rin interrupted. "Rin-chan has a question." She declared adamantly.

"All right, what is your question?"

Rin turned around and looked steadily from Kagome to Sesshoumaru then asked. "What is love?"

Whatever Kagome and Sesshoumaru had been expecting, that was not it. It showed on both their faces and for a moment, neither demon nor demi-goddess knew what to say.

"Dear child, where did you get such a question?" Kagome asked.

Rin began to fiddle with the braid. "Rin-chan heard some of guest speaking. Heard them say 'the only way Kagome-neesan would still be here is if Sesshoumaru-sama really loved Kagome-neesan. So Rin wants to know…what is love?"

Kagome and Sesshoumaru shared a glance. But it was Sesshoumaru who stepped forward and tried to say.

"Rin…love is something that…at your age is hard to understand…"

Rin pouted but then Kagome added. "It is also something that takes more explaining than one night can allow."

"Well then…can you tell Rin-chan what Kagome-sama thinks love is?" She asked timidly.

With a sigh Kagome knew not how she could refuse and get away unscathed. She was beginning to see why the child had such sway over Lord Sesshoumaru. She was so innocent.

"I will tell you little one, what my mother told me when I was your age."

Rin settled down under the covers just as Kagome began to sing.

"Some say love it is river that drowns that tender reed.

Some say love it is razor that leaves the soul to bleed.

Some say love it is hunger, an endless aching need.

…I say love it is a flower, and you its only seed."

She opened her hand to Rin and a seed appeared in her hand.

"It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance

It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance."

She glanced at Sesshoumaru, who remained calm and composed throughout the whole line of questioning.

"It's the one who won't be taken."

And then thought of herself and the burden she knew she could not share.

"Who cannot seem to give…"

Her voice dropped down to a soothing whisper, becoming nearly beautifully haunting.

"…It's the soul…afraid of dying…that never learns to live."

Her eyes again drifted to Sesshoumaru and she spoke to him with the words.

"When the night has been lonely and the road has been to long.

And you think that love is only for lucky and the strong.

Just remember in winter, far beneath the bitter snow…"

She turned back to Rin and cupped the delicate seed to her breast.

"Lies the seed that with the sun's love…in the spring becomes…"

She opened her hand to reveal a beautiful blossoming red rose.

"The Rose."

Rin clasped the rose to her chest like a treasure and was soon sound asleep. Quietly, with Sesshoumaru at her arm, he led her to his bedroom.

Kagome had thought her room a splendor but it was nothing compared to Sesshoumaru's posh space. Even though she could recognize the beauty, the sight was wasted on her for her mind had drifted elsewhere. She sat on a bench trying to collect her thoughts, and Sesshoumaru came and sat by her side.

"What happened Kagome?" He asked her while taking her hand in his.

She gazed up at him for one long moment and then let the story pour itself from her. Her words were hurried and whispered but she knew Sesshoumaru caught every word. When he tried to comfort her, she would pull away. She had noticed that whenever someone went to comfort her she would break down.

And at the moment she did not want to break down. She just wanted it to be said. And once she was finished she had to admit she felt better having told it to someone else. But she still refused to come to his side. Instead she turned away from him and asked.

"So what are we going to do?"

She heard him move but did not know to where until he appeared right in front of her and lifting her chin with his index finger made her look at him.

"Simple." He declared while leaning down towards her.

Moments later his lips were on hers. But Kagome refused to fall into this trap again and pulled away.

"Sesshoumaru don't." She whispered. "I don't want you to do this because you feel obligated to."

He came to stand before her again. "Kagome do you not realize how far from the truth that is?" He asked her.

"I want to do this because it feels right." He told her. Kagome looked away from him with a huff. "Kagome look at me." Sesshoumaru urged.

Kagome stared up into his eyes and was surprised by the intensity of those golden orbs. An emotion so pure and simple glowed in those saffron pools that she could not help but obey.

"Kagome watching you play with Rin in the garden and then put her to sleep tonight felt right. Me bringing you here…home…felt right. Dancing with you tonight, feeling the way your body melded into mine…by the gods Kagome can you tell me you don't feel it as well? All of it fits, it feels…perfect."

"And I don't want to lose that Sesshoumaru." She told him.

"You do not understand what you are asking of me, or what you stand to do. It could kill you or anyone around us. There's a chance neither of us might survive…"

"And as I said before Kagome there will always be a chance, and like the other one it is a chance I am willing to take."

She held her palms within his own as he pled his case.

"Kagome let me help you. I want to wake up everyone morning with you by my side. I want to see your face shining in both moonlight and daylight. I want you to be here when Rin gets older and asks me questions I cannot answer."

He began to maneuver her towards the bed.

"I want you Kagome, all of you. I want to know you as well as you would know me. Let me share this burden with you. Let me help you. By the gods Kagome…let me love you."

Her heart reached out to him as he did hers. She let him pull her into the folds of the mattress. And for once in all her life…Kagome yielded to the call of her own heart.

A/N Well everyone, I hope everyone is happy. I updated very quickly and the chapter was 15 pages. I am ecstatic about how easily this chapter came to me. And I've already started writing the next chapter where the R rating will really begin to come into play. . So now I just need a little bit of incentive from my beloved reviewers to make me update as quickly as I did this time. Be well, safe and blessed until we meet again.

Your faithful authoress,

TigressMoon.