Disclaimer: Inuyasha isn't mine...damn it.

Chapter 18

After Sesshoumaru watched, rather angrily mind, the departure of his mate and the lecherous elf, he went home. Once there, he decided to skip dinner and head straight for bed.

Sleep did not claim him, however. He lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling. It didn't feel right, him sleeping alone in this huge bed. Kagome needed to be right beside him, beneath him, on top of him. He didn't care, just as long as she was right here with him.

He had closed his eyes, imagining just what he would do to her when she came back to him, when his youkai jerked painfully inside him.

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed open and he sat up with a start.

It was howling like mad now and Sesshoumaru finally realized why it was acting that way...Kagome's youkai was fully awake and aroused.

If there had been an observer brave enough to be in Sesshoumaru's bedroom at that moment, Sesshoumaru would have appeared as nothing more than a white and silver blur.

Hastily clothed in a pair of jeans, t-shirt and boots, Sesshoumaru headed for his weapons room at breakneck speed. His scarlet eyes surveyed the room and found what he was seeking.

In two separate glass cases, lay his famed swords: Tensaiga and Tokijin.

He grabbed both and slipping them through his belt, he dashed outside and took to the skies.

Usually, Sesshoumaru didn't use his cloud to take him from place to place anymore. But now that his youkai was in control, they knew that they MUST use the cloud to find Kagome.

And Kami help the damned elf if he were too late.

Kagome's youkai was deeply distressed and very confused. Even when Kagome had supressed it, it was still howling miserably.

'I am coming,' Sesshoumaru's youkai reassured her. He knew that she had calmed somewhat.

Yuki rocked her gently. She lay limply in his arms and cried.

"I don't want to be a youkai," she sobbed. "I went through hell to rid myself of my youkai. Why? Why didn't it die?"

Yuki shook his head. "I don't know, honey. My guess would be that despite your wishes, the jewel protected it too. But you did get what you wanted. You don't look like a youkai."

Kagome sat up and looked into his eyes. "But I did everything the scroll told me to do! I died! Where did I go wrong?"

Yuki fervently wished she hadn't looked into his eyes. The jewel was calling to him. He shook his head wordlessly, only being able to stare back at her.

Kagome felt the jewel pulsing in her chest to the rhythm of her heart. It was pulling her towards Yuki, who looked just as confused as she felt.

Her youkai began crying out again, but was held back by the Shikon jewel. She could feel it try to surge forth. It was as if it were a wild animal trying to break free from its cage. 'Let me out!' it roared.

With a sob, Kagome launched herself at Yuki, her mouth automatically seeking his. They fell on the ground, Kagome on top of him.

Yuki wrapped his arms around her and rolled over, trapping her beneath him. She let her arms go around his neck and one roving hand buried itself in his soft blond hair.

Yuki groaned into her mouth. He knew he shouldn't be doing this. Kagome loved Sesshoumaru. But the jewel's pull was just too great to resist.

When he finally managed to raise his golden head, he looked down at her. Kagome was staring up at him, wide-eyed. "Yuki, why am I glowing?"

She was indeed glowing. Her entire body, he noticed as he let his eyes roam all over, glowed pink with the holy light of the Shikon no Tama.

Yuki gave her a sly grin. "Well, basically the jewel has just given me the green-light to get you pregnant."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!" she shrieked. Please, let him be wrong, she thought as the glowing pink light faded.

Yuki winced. "Hey, not so loud! Look, it's the will of the jewel. Why else would it make us so attracted to each other?"

"But you CAN'T get me pregnant!" Her voice rose shrilly with panic. "You...he'd KILL you! He'd kill ME!" she cried, already imagining the worst.

"Kagome, this is the way it has always been between mikos and elves. My mother was the daughter of a holy miko. That's why Hiro and I have two powers instead of one. Children born of a holy miko and an elf are very powerful."

Kagome raised a delicate, yet skeptical eyebrow. "And that's supposed to make me jump in bed with you? Are you MAD? Sesshoumaru wants me! He'd never, EVER let you impregnate me!" She paled and closed her eyes. "Kami! He's going to kill me!"

Yuki smiled tenderly and placed a hand on her left breast, right above her heart. Kagome gasped, eyes flying open at this unexpected move.

To her horror, the jewel responded to his touch. The Shikon came to life once more, causing her body to glow again.

"Are you ready?" he asked quietly, his green eyes glowing a soft, pale blue.

She could do nothing but nod in agreement. The jewel was guiding her actions.

"I will not hurt you, Kagome," he reassured her. He lifted his hand from her chest. His hand glowed with the same light as his eyes. Slowly he moved his hand down to her abdomen and slid it beneath her jeans and panties to lie flat against her lower belly.

A wonderful, warm sensation flowed into her body from his palm and settled inside her. Her body went from pink to blue and back to pink. He removed his hand and straightened her clothing. "That's it," he said smiling down at her.

Kagome looked bewildered. "That's it? But...isn't there supposed to be more?"

Yuki gave her a rakish look. "Why? Do you want more? Because we can do this the long way if you want to and I know I want to."

Kagome put her hands on his chest and pushed. "Um...no thanks. Sesshoumaru's going to mutilate me for even BEING here with you."

Saddened green eyes watched her as she attempted to move out from beneath him. "You really love him, don't you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kagome's face went red. "Him who?" she asked, looking anywhere but at him.

He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. "You know who."

"You mean Sesshoumaru," she replied, quietly. "Yes, I love him. He says he loves me too, but now..." She trailed off. Tears began to form in her eyes. "When he finds out about this...he's not going to want me."

Yuki shook his head. "I don't think he'll ever stop loving you, Kagome. If he gets upset, it'll be with me."

"But that's just it! He'll kill you! I don't want anything to happen to you, Yuki. You've been nothing but a gentleman to me." A tear slid down her face to her ear. He tenderly wiped it away.

"I want you to know that I really do love you. This isn't the Shikon talking now. If by any chance Sesshoumaru doesn't want you, I'd be more than happy to take his place."

Kagome looked up at him. It was getting dark now but his face shone brightly with his pure blue light. Again, the Shikon no Tama spoke loudly to both of them.

Yuki would have leaned down to kiss her but they sensed a demonic aura coming at them fast.

"Yuki, something's heading our way!" Kagome said breathlessly. Her youkai was howling with pleasure. Whatever was coming towards them, was familiar.

His head jerked up and his eyes looked to the skies just west of them. "I know," he replied, getting quickly to his feet. He leaned over to help her up. "And I think I know who it is."

They both looked to the darkening skies and saw a silvery white cloud descending towards them. As it came closer, they saw something long and pointed glowing an angry red. Kagome knew at once what it was. It was the demon blade, Tokijin.

Kagome gasped and stepped forward, determined to protect Yuki at all costs.

"Kagome, what are you doing! Get behind ME!" he cried, turning her around to face him!"

She clutched at his open leather jacket. "No! Are you insane? He'll kill you! I won't let him!"

Yuki's face suddenly paled. He clutched his chest and fell down on his knees, groaning with agony.

"Yuki! Daijobu?" Kagome dropped down before him and put her arms protectively around him.

"You are correct, my mate. I WILL kill him."

Kagome turned to look at Sesshoumaru. He had landed near them, his Tokijin gripped tightly in his right hand.

"Move away from him, Kagome." Sesshoumaru's voice was tight with anger. She could see his blood red eyes in the fading light.

"No, Sesshoumaru. He's done nothing wrong. Please don't hurt him," she pleaded with him.

Sesshoumaru's scarlet eyes narrowed. "Come to me, Kagome."

Kagome eyed him warily. She refused to move. "How do I know you won't hurt him?"

"Kagome...just go to him. Don't worry about me," Yuki grunted, pulling his knees to his chest.

Reluctantly, Kagome let him go, easing him down to the ground, where he curled into a fetal position. She rose and faced Sesshoumaru. "Why are you here?"

His gaze was icy upon her. "Your youkai called out to me. I answered."

He came up to her and sniffed the air around her. Kagome shut her eyes while he took in her scent. Would he find out? Can he pick up the slightest change in her? It was too early for that, surely.

Without warning, Sesshoumaru pulled her into his arms. "Thank Kami you're untouched, Kagome. I had feared the worst."

Kagome let out a pent-up breath as he wrapped his arms around her. But she could feel the horrible aura of the Tokijin just behind her and she realized that it was the sword that was causing Yuki pain.

Her arms went around Sesshoumaru's waist and she buried her face against his chest. "Please, put the Tokijin away, Sesshoumaru," she requested quietly.

She felt his powerful body stiffen beneath her arms. "For what purpose?" he asked.

"The aura is really bothering me," she replied, looking up at him. His eyes were once more molten gold.

At once, the demon blade's aura subsided. Kagome siged with relief and began to pull away from Sesshoumaru. But his arms only tightened around her in response.

"You are coming with me, Kagome. I am afraid that your little elf friend will have to go back by himself."

Kagome turned frightened eyes to Yuki. "Yuki!" she breathed. "What do I do?" she mouthed at him, as she turned her back on the taiyoukai.

Yuki winced as Sesshoumaru allowed Tokijin's aura to flare up again. "Don't... worry about me, Kagome. "I'm a big boy. I know my way back in the dark." He gave her a weak smile and a wink.

Kagome felt her feet leave the earth as Sesshoumaru's cloud formed beneath them. She watched helplessly as Yuki, staring up at her, grew smaller and smaller.

"This isn't over, Sesshoumaru!" Yuki shouted up at them.

Sesshoumaru growled menacingly at him. Frightened that Sesshoumaru would try to hurt Yuki, she turned around in Sesshoumaru's arms and held onto him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

She was thankful they were leaving him, though. The jewel was finally silent.

As they were flying through the air, Sesshoumaru swept her up into his arms, cradling her to him. He examined her thoroughly even though night had fallen. "Did he touch you, Kagome? Do not bother to lie to this Sesshoumaru."

Kagome looked up at him, hoping he wouldn't notice the pounding of her heart. "What? But you said I smelt untouched!"

Sesshoumaru frowned. "Untouched, as in he never consummated his desire for you, my mate. What I meant by touching you was, did he kiss you?"

Kagome turned her face away. "What if he did? It's not like you OWN me," she replied mutinously. She had to keep his attention off of Yuki.

"Oh, is that so?" he asked. His voice was deceptively smooth.

She faced him. "Oh yeah, it's so," she answered defiantly.

Next thing she knew, those arms that were holding her so gently, were crushing her to him.

He bowed his head and whispered dangerously low in her ear. "Do not dare defy this Sesshoumaru. I have allowed you to have your little bit of fun for today. But after today, you will never see your handsome elf alone and unattended. Do I make myself clear?"

When Kagome tried to wriggle in his arms, but he squeezed her torso tighter. She yelped in protest.

"Your youkai told me what you two have been doing. You kissed hmi. Why did you allow him to kiss you, Kagome?"

Kagome struggled to breathe. "I...couldn't help it, Sesshoumaru. You must... must believe...me!"

His grip loosened slightly and she moved back a bit from him. The look of hurt on his face stung her.

"Sesshoumaru," she whispered apologetically, "you MUST believe me. The Shikon no Tama is to blame. It makes me desire him, because he is an elf. I'm attracted to him and I can't help it." She cupped his smooth, ageless face in her hands. "But no matter how hard the Shikon tries, I love you. Do you understand? I...love...you. I don't know why I do, but I do."

To prove her words, she gently pressed her lips to his.

Sesshoumaru was stunned. Never, during his centuries of loneliness could he have even dreamed that Kagome had loved him.

He kissed her back, with all the passion he had, praying that this was not a dream.