The Broken Miko
Chapter 24: Requiem for Peace
He had taken away her power of speech. If it were any other situation, he would have smirked with a proud lift of the chin. But at the moment, he could barely bring himself to breathe, much less express actual emotion.
Turning away from his mate, Sesshoumaru left the shocked young girl in the bed and went to the next room, where his swords were kept. The statue of Bishamon sat silently, just as it had during his father's reign. "If there is a time for you to protect us," he snapped, "this would be it." The statue did not respond, and Sesshoumaru scoffed as he searched his personal armory.
"What are you looking for?"
The taiyoukai's head jerked up to see Kagome tying her yukata in the doorway. She would have to leave by the way she came, he realized. It wouldn't be appropriate for a leader to have mated the night an invading army came into his lands. It would be considered a bad omen, and although Sesshoumaru thought that sort of thing was beyond ridiculous, he didn't want to make his men more uncomfortable than they were already.
"Sesshoumaru?"
He blinked, realizing that he had been staring at her without answering her question. His golden eyes moved back to the wall, where a rack of daggers was hanging. These had been the weapons of the Ladies of the West and the children. He took the two newest ones, a curved blade with a carved jade handle that had belonged to his mother, and a longer straight blade with an etched steel hilt that had belonged to his father's brother in youth. The boy had died in childhood, when he had wandered from the castle without a weapon. His father had said that the incident had broken his grandfather's heart, bringing his life to an early end in battle. Sesshoumaru was damned if he would let that sort of emotion seep into his fight.
"You're scaring me, Sesshoumaru. Please talk to me." She walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, looking at the daggers in his hand. "Who are these for?"
"The children," he said finally.
Kagome frowned and shook her head. "You're not thinking that they're going out there with us, are you? I know that Rin always came with you in the past, but I think this is a little different."
"I am aware of that," he bit out, causing her to lift away her hand in surprise. He sighed and lowered his eyes for a brief moment. "They are leaving. I will not allow them to remain here in danger, but they must have something to protect themselves."
"Where are you sending them?" she asked softly, coming close again.
The hard gold eyes fixed upon hers. "All of the women and children of the city will be evacuated to the mountain. There is a sizeable cave there, but well hidden. They will be safe."
"I'm not leaving."
"I did not ask you to. You will remain with me, as will any of the women that feel they can fight. Unfortunately, many of them are in no condition to go onto the battlefield."
The hanyou crinkled her brow. "I'm confused, Sesshoumaru. We have plenty of time to go find these guys. Why are you acting like they're going to be at our door? Didn't you and Makoto find a field a ways away to have this battle?"
Sesshoumaru set his jaw for a moment to stop himself from driving the daggers into the wall, sheaths and all. "The scout reported that they are moving faster than any army has ever moved before. They will be at our door, as you say, by morning. There is no way to prepare my troops and march them out in that amount of time. We fight here." He turned to her and pressed the knives into her hands. "Take these to the children. The jade one goes to Rin. Evacuation of the city begins within the hour. They must be ready."
She was momentarily stunned by the news, but shook herself out of it quickly. After all, why should she be surprised if a god could move his army faster than normal? "Of course."
He nodded towards the door. "Exit by the window. Now is not the time to announce our mating." He looked pointedly at the mark that peeked out from beneath her collar. It was still angry and red, but clean. "Hide that."
Kagome knew better than to argue, instead bowing deeply to show her acquiescence. As she straightened up, she stepped close to him, so that their breath mingled. She traced one of the stripes on his cheek softly. "Don't forget that you're the Lord of the Western Lands," she whispered. "You will never fall. You're forever. I love you." He allowed her to give him a chaste kiss to his lips and then she turned from him.
"Tread carefully."
She looked back at him over her shoulder. "You too," she murmured before moving into the bedroom again.
Within moments, Kagome was out the window and down the side of the castle wall. Landing softly, she pulled up her collar and went in search of the children. Jun had released them the morning after the bombing with a clean bill of health, and Kagome had assigned nearly a battalion to guard them at all times. They were easily found, sitting in the hall where they ate their meals with a ring of sentries around the perimeter of the room.
"Hi, guys," she said, entering the room. "It's kind of late for you two to be up, isn't it?"
Rin shook her head. "Sesshoumaru-sama says that since I live in a demon city, I should keep demon hours." She yawned widely, showing her blunt teeth. "They don't sleep very much though. I guess I'm still not used to it even after all this time."
Kagome smiled gently. "Hmm, I see. Well, I have presents for you guys from Sesshoumaru."
Rin brightened and looked at the surprised Washi. "Really? Sesshoumaru-sama's presents are always nice. He gives me such pretty books."
The eagle demon arched an eyebrow and stared at Kagome for a moment, doing a very good impression of the taiyoukai. "I don't think it's a book this time, Rin. Mama looks worried."
Kagome bit her lip. "Well, perhaps, but it has nothing to do with you." She looked at the children, both of whom looked skeptical. "Don't worry about it. I'm here to give you presents after all." She pulled the two daggers from her sash and set them down on the table.
Rin dove for the jade dagger and pulled it out of its sheath. The blade was clean, reflecting the light of the lamps into her eyes. "Wow. Sesshoumaru-sama wants us to have these?"
"Of course. Why else would he tell me to give them to you?" She looked over at the boy, who was carefully studying the sheathed steel knife. "Is something wrong?" she asked as he frowned.
Washi set the blade back down on the table. "You're sending us away, aren't you?"
Kagome sat down across from him, her hands in her lap. "How did you know?"
He shrugged. "Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't give us real blades to practice with in the dojo. He must feel it's kind of necessary to give us these, and that would only be necessary if you and him aren't going to be around."
Rin's eyes widened and she grabbed the hanyou's hand. "You aren't going to die, are you?"
Kagome pressed a motherly kiss to the little girl's forehead. "Of course not. Sesshoumaru has Tenseiga remember? So don't worry. We're just going to put you guys in a safe place so we don't have to worry either, okay? That's all. Plenty of guards will be there with you." She smiled at both of them. "Go and pack, alright? A few changes of clothes, a couple blankets. That sort of thing."
"And the daggers," Washi said, looking at her with a piercing stare.
"Naturally." She swallowed hard, aware that the eagle boy's demon sense were telling him what Rin's human ones could not. He knew that she was terrified and that these daggers were not only for protection, but gifts to remember them by in case the worst happened.
They all stood up and the guards began to file out. Each child grabbed one of her hands as they walked down the hallways in silence. Kami-sama, she prayed, don't let them become orphans again.
She deposited them in their respective rooms, forcing herself to not sweep them in her arms and embrace them tightly. It would alarm them more than necessary and so she simply watched as they disappeared into their rooms with a sinking feeling in her heart.
"You will see them again before the sun rises," Sesshoumaru's deep voice reminded her.
Kagome turned around and smiled weakly at the taiyoukai. "Yeah, I know, but I feel like I'm wasting the time that I'm away from them." She took a deep breath and tried to banish her emotions. "Have you started the evacuation?"
He nodded once. "All women and children unable to fight will congregate in the city square shortly. Nami has volunteered to watch over them, although I would have preferred your leadership."
"Nami is excellent in tough situations, believe me. Everyone will be fine." She noticed that he was carrying a small bundle wrapped in paper. "What is that?"
He shook his head and guided her into her room. As the door closed behind them, he handed her the package. "This is what I had made during my absence," he said as she turned it over in her hands. He raised an eyebrow as she studied the bit of twine keeping it closed. "It belongs to you. You are permitted to open it."
She blushed. "It's just that it's your first gift. I want to enjoy it." She weighed it in her hands. "It's heavy."
"It is nothing special. Open it."
Kagome shrugged and sat down on her bed, untying the bow with a fluid motion. The paper fell apart, revealing a uniform of leather armor. At least, it appeared to be leather. On closer inspection, it was thinner than leather yet more structured and durable. She spread it out across the foot of the bed. It looked much like her ruined exterminator outfit, but without plates of tough armor over the knees, elbows or waist. "What is it?" she murmured, running her hands over the strange fabric. "I've never seen anything like this."
"Yes, you have, although not of this quality. It's dragon hide, the best armor available." He stepped closer as she sucked in a tiny breath. "Is it satisfactory?"
"Gorgeous," she said. "Did you kill the dragon?"
He nodded. "Totosai forged the armor though."
She arched an eyebrow. "Forged? It feels like leather, just a bit tougher."
"It is harder than steel and requires welding," he said. "It will protect you from all normal weapons."
She smiled at him. "So you knew the whole time that you were coming back."
"Naturally. I never leave my city for long."
"I see." Kagome ran her hands over it again, marveling at the workmanship. Totosai really outdid himself sometimes. On the right shoulder, a crescent moon was emblazoned into the hide, two stripes on either side. She looked up at her mate. "Why don't you wear dragon hide?"
Sesshoumaru gave her one of those piercing glares that still made her skin crawl. "Do you believe that I require such armor? I have the skill to avoid weapons."
"And I don't?" she asked rather indignant.
"I would rather not take the chance, since you harbor not only your life, but that of our pup." He raised a white eyebrow. "I thought it was an appropriate gift, considering your enthusiasm over your new skills and the destruction of your slayer uniform."
She smiled. "Yeah, it's great. I just think that you could use some. I want you safe too."
Sesshoumaru smirked. "Undoubtedly. Change into the armor and meet me in the city square with the children. The evacuation will start when you get there."
"How many guards are going with them?" she asked.
The smirk dropped from his face. "I can only spare two hundred."
"Two hundred? That's barely enough to cover the lives of all the women and children in this city."
"It is not, but I cannot spare any more. This battle will use every resource we have, Kagome." He stepped close to her and lifted her chin with a clawed finger. "They will survive if we do. The cave will be stocked with enough food and water for a month. Do not fear for them. Meet me in the square as soon as possible."
He left and Kagome changed as quickly as she could figure out the complicated suit. It fit to her body like a glove, showing off every curve. She wondered why he had commissioned such a sexy suit of armor when he had been so disgusted by the way her slayer uniform had hugged her body. Then again, she realized that had been before they were mates. Now, he had every right to gut a male that looked at her the wrong way. Knowing him, he hoped for blood to be spilled over his mate. He could be so violent sometimes.
She tugged at the collar, which rose high on her neck, covering her mating mark. Pulling on the boots and fastening them behind her calf, Kagome felt like fortress. If nothing else, she would be safe from the common soldiers. Slipping Tetsusaiga underneath the midnight blue sash, she exited the room and crossed to the kid's rooms. "Come on guys, let's go," she called.
Rin and Washi both appeared within moments, lugging small satchels brimming with clothes and blankets. Their daggers were tucked into their belts and Rin was holding a small rag doll. They looked tired and nervous, but smiled anyway.
"Ready?" she asked.
The little ones nodded in unison. "Is that what Sesshoumaru-sama gave you?" asked Rin, reaching forward to brush her fingers over the dragon hide armor.
Kagome looked down, seeing that in the bright light of the hallway, iridescent scales had appeared in the body of the armor. "Yes. How did you know?"
The girl grinned. "Only Sesshoumaru-sama would give such a pretty gift."
"Well, I think it's best to not let him wait too long for us then." She took the packs from the kids and tossed them over her shoulder. "He wants to say goodbye before you leave."
"He said that?" asked Washi dubiously as they made their way into the main castle.
Kagome laughed. "No, but I know he wants to. He really cares about you two, even if he might not say it."
Rin beamed and skipped a few steps as Washi smiled. "Are you two mates now?" he asked.
The hanyou arched an eyebrow. "What makes you ask that?"
"Sometimes males give their new mates gifts. The rich ones give really rare, beautiful gifts so that when the females use them, everyone will know who she is mated to," he explained patiently.
Kagome shrugged, trying not to smile. "Humans do something like that too. Anyway, if you have to know, yes, Sesshoumaru and I are mates now. Don't go spreading it around though. Now is not the time for that sort of thing."
"Yes, Mama," he responded diligently.
Rin took her hand. "Does this mean… I mean…" She faltered and fell quiet.
The hanyou squeezed the girl's hand gently. "I'm going to talk to Sesshoumaru about adopting you two. Remember though, that our pup will be the heir and for awhile, after he or she is born, we'll be spending a lot of time with the baby. That doesn't mean I love you any less of course. You're all equal in my heart," she assured them, borrowing large parts of her speech from what her mother had said when pregnant with Sota. Her heart clenched a bit as she thought of her baby brother, but she pushed away the memory.
"We know," answered Rin, who was happily skipping again. Washi nodded in agreement.
"Good." She pushed open the door to the main part of the castle and stopped. "This is eerie," she murmured.
The hall that had been so busy, so chock full of demons just a few days beforehand was now empty. No guards remained and as they walked through and peeked in the open doors, no clerks remained to take documents and orders. Their footsteps echoed in the hallways as they made their way through the castle and out the front doors, where a single pair of guards stood.
In silence the three made their way down the hill and through the wrought iron gate that enclosed Sesshoumaru's personal property. Once in the main city, Kagome noticed a small trickle of demons rushing down to the center of the streets, where the shrine stood. She recognized them as stragglers, and urged the children forward.
Reaching the city square, Kagome had to force herself through the enormous congregation of a vast assortment of demons. Most of the males were already clad in their armor. Many of the females and children were crying, clutching at small bundles of clothes. A few were dripping in jewels and trying to look disdainful. Even they parted for her though, once they recognized the hanyou that had found favor in the taiyoukai's eyes.
She spotted Machi in the crowd, who gave her a saffron-colored glare. It appeared as if Sesshoumaru had even seen to her safety, something that irked her more than necessary. After all, he hadn't chosen her. She only hoped that Nami would keep a close eye on the venomous demon.
With the children trailed behind her, Kagome finally made it to the front of the crowd, where Sesshoumaru was waiting patiently on the steps of the shrine. At least, he looked patient. Kagome knew that in his mind, he was screaming in frustration at his predicament. She was sure that his father, or even his grandfather, had never had to evacuate the city. Just like Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru felt the shadow of his father looming over him.
She sighed, but smiled at him, wordlessly indicating that everything was ready.
Sesshoumaru held up his hand, silencing the dull roar of whispers and rumor swapping. "The guards are waiting at the front gates of the city with all of the supplies you will need. It is a short journey to your refuge, but do not leave it for any reason until one of my officers arrive to retrieve you. Give all deference to the guards and to Nami-san, who will coordinate all of your needs. If you cause any trouble, they will not hesitate to throw you out, regardless of your station." He took a breath. "Speak your farewells and go to the gates. The escort leaves shortly. Do not miss it."
Everyone began speaking again, embracing and kissing their loved ones. A few lonely demons slipped away to join the guards immediately. Nami approached them with Keitaro by her side and silently hugged Kagome, streaking tears across the hanyou's cheek.
"It'll be okay, Nami-chan," assured Kagome, pulling away. "You're supposed to be leading the others to safety."
The water demoness wiped at her eyes and smiled. "I will, but I'm also terrified. Everyone I care about is fighting this battle except me. I wish that I could be there with you."
Kagome shook her head. "You don't have any training, do you? The last thing we want is your death, Nami-chan. Please, don't worry about us."
Keitaro wrapped an arm around his love's waist. "She'll be okay," he said, kissing her temple. Nami leaned into him, smiling sadly.
Ruri approached, flanked by the wolf brothers. A long, thin katana was hanging by her side and she wore plated armor. "Everyone's starting to move towards the gates, Sesshoumaru-sama," she reported, bowing deeply.
"Don't tell me that you're fighting, Ruri-chan!" exclaimed Kagome.
The skunk youkai shrugged. "Of course. I have standing in this court because my mate was a high standing officer in the army, not because I am of noble blood. But I can fight and I do it well. Sen taught me himself." She smiled and wrapped her hand around the hilt of her sword. "This was his. It should avenge his death."
Kagome nodded. She understood the need for vengeance of a loved one. "And you two? You're staying?" she asked the wolf brothers.
The wolves grinned and nodded. "How can we leave our little sister alone on the battlefield? Koga would have skinned us alive for it," Ginta said.
Hakkaku lifted his chin. "Besides, I want to meet that monkey demon again. Pay him back for what he took from us." His eyes dropped to the ground. "I just hope that our tribe isn't with him. I can't kill them. I left to save them from this."
Ginta looked uneasily at his brother and gave the hanyou a wan smile. "Besides, that pretty gardener is fighting too. And those wolf sisters will definitely like us when we help save the West. I think they might like us already, but their father keeps muttering stuff around us. Maybe we'll be able to ask for his daughters when we get back." His blush made everyone, save Sesshoumaru, smile indulgently at the tufted-haired brother.
"How could he not love such amusing and brave wolves?" Kagome wondered aloud with a grin.
"Probably because they're the biggest pair of troublemakers in Japan," said Kagura as she approached. She flashed a wicked smile towards the wolf brothers and then surveyed the rest of the crowd. "My, we are all here, aren't we?"
"That's kind of the point of a city-wide evacuation, Kagura," responded the hanyou with a roll of her eyes.
"Hmm, well it's still a shame to lose all these beautiful males." She opened and closed her fan with a snap of her wrist.
"Kagura-san, the males are staying to fight," pointed out Nami.
The red-eyed demoness looked at the water youkai. "I know," she said smoothly, causing Nami's eyes to widen to the size of plates.
Kagome sighed at her friend's blunt answers and placed a hand on Sesshoumaru's forearm. "I think we're ready to go. Sticking around will just get everyone on edge. They're anxious."
"So are you," he observed as he felt her squeeze his arm tightly. "Calm yourself. Nothing will happen to the children. If anything does, the guards will die by my hand."
"You know, one day that threat is going to wear out and no one will fear you," Kagome warned.
He shook his head. "Never. Unlike others who threaten death, I follow through."
The hanyou laughed softly. "We're going to have to work on your people skills if you expect to live until the twenty-first century."
Sesshoumaru scowled at her, but chose to not dignify her with a verbal answer. Instead, he looked over the top of her head at Nami, who was crying silently on Keitaro's shoulder. The celestial demon looked vaguely clueless how to stem the flow of tears. "Nami-san," said the taiyoukai, drawing the water demon's attention. "You must begin to lead everyone to the cave."
Nami quickly wiped the tears away and bowed to Sesshoumaru. "Of course, my lord. I shall gather everyone remaining in the square." She moved to leave and then faltered, casting a glance at Keitaro. "May farewells be said at the gate?"
The taiyoukai began to roll his eyes, but received a sharp elbow in the stomach. "Was that your attempt to injure me?" he said, glaring down at the perpetrator.
"Oh shut up," responded Kagome sweetly. "Of course you can say good-bye at the gate, Nami-chan. We'll meet you there. Take Keitaro with you as you gather everyone. Two people are better than one, after all."
As the pair drifted away, arms entwined, Sesshoumaru sniffed in disgust. "They are naïve. It is likely that he will die. She is only delaying the inevitable."
"I hope that's not your inspirational speech to the troops right there. 'Give up, you're going to croak.' It's hardly, well, inspirational," Kagome said, her brow crinkled in annoyance. "Are you going to tell me that you're going to die too? Or am I going to die?"
He lifted his chin. "We will not die. I will not allow it."
Kagome scowled at him and took the children's hands in hers. "I'm going to the gate now. Join us when you won't scare your subjects half to death." She threw him another nasty glance and stalked away with the rather surprised children in tow.
Sesshoumaru looked at Ruri, Kagura and the wolves with a raised eyebrow, silently asking them what had irked his mate so much. Ruri shrugged in response. "She doesn't like hearing that sort of talk, my lord," she said. "She fears the deaths of her family and friends more than anything. After all, she has already lost everything once. I don't know if she could survive it again. Forgive me, my lord, but I suggest that when it comes to such grave matters, you might not want to tell the complete truth."
The taiyoukai hesitated but nodded once. He would not allow his usual acceptance of death to influence his discussions with his pregnant mate. Although he highly doubted that her emotions were so frail as Ruri believed, he knew that expectant mothers tended to have erratic emotions. And they were usually directed towards the father. Even if he didn't fear death, Sesshoumaru was not a masochist.
The five demons walked to the gate as Kagura and Ruri discussed the finer points of using demonic powers to kill lesser youkai. Sesshoumaru listened in interest as they described their stealth techniques and made a mental note to employ more females in his espionage unit.
Kagome was waiting at the city gate with the children and a few hundred silent youkai. She turned her head from him and looked out across the field in front of the city. Soon, it would be littered with bodies and blood. "Tell me that you'll do anything to make sure they live," she whispered as he stood by her side.
"I will do what Tenseiga allows me to do," he responded.
She nodded. That was as good as she would get from the taiyoukai.
Sesshoumaru gave a stern glance to the children. "I presume that Kagome told you what is required of you while you are away from the castle." He watched as their heads bobbed in recognition. "Good. I will come to retrieve you when the battle is over."
The children launched themselves at his waist, wrapping him in an enormous hug. "Please be okay, Sesshoumaru-sama," whispered Rin.
"Take care of Mama," added Washi as he pulled away.
Sesshoumaru inclined his head in agreement as Kagome leaned down to embrace the children one final time. "They must go," he said finally, after watching her practically squeeze the breath out of them.
Nami was calling for the attention of all the demons. The guards were surrounding the group in a protective wall. It really was time for them to leave. Even Keitaro was standing back, watching his future mate with a fond, sad expression.
Rin and Washi smiled at her and Sesshoumaru and scampered off to Nami's side. The water demoness took their hands and the sentries began to march, their circle of protection forcing the evacuated youkai to move with them, despite their obvious reluctance. And although Kagome had always believed that few demons could cry without losing their reputation, she heard tears fall down their cheeks and onto the ground, splattering on the grass.
She found Sesshoumaru's elbow and wrapped her arm around it, watching as the crowd moved farther and farther away. "This means that they're really coming. I've never been in a war before."
"You warred against Naraku," argued the taiyoukai.
Kagome shook her head. "I fought him. It's not really a war unless each side has an army."
He expected to feel fear radiating off of her, but as the children disappeared from view, the taiyoukai found that her fear was evaporating. "You find the thought of battle exhilarating," he observed in surprise.
She laughed softly. "No, not really. It's terrifying, but I think that my body is worn out with being afraid. If I experience any more fear, my heart might as well stop right now."
Her heart was beating rapidly all of a sudden as she spoke of it. The taiyoukai looked down upon his mate. "Are you well?" he inquired softly.
Kagome nodded and smiled up at him. "I was just thinking that maybe you were right. Maybe we shouldn't be so naïve. Some of us are bound to die. Tenseiga won't bring them all back. Or perhaps not even me, if I die." She felt his muscles tense and patted his forearm. "Don't worry. I don't plan to die. Are you finished with your preparations?"
"There is always more to do," he answered, "but the important parts have been done or have been delegated to my generals. Why?"
She shook her head and blushed. "Never mind. It's a ridiculous whim of a pregnant girl."
Sesshoumaru glanced around, and seeing that everyone had gone back through the city gates, he leaned over her. "It is my obligation to ensure your happiness. Tell me what you wish."
Kagome looked up at the luminous moon. "It's almost full," she whispered, changing the subject.
He had forgotten. Soon she would be human and then she would be vulnerable. Sesshoumaru felt like locking her in his deepest dungeon again, but he knew that that wouldn't stop Amatsu. The god had been in her mind. He knew about her night of weakness. "Yes," was the only reply he could manage.
"If they come when I'm human, I'll die."
"You said that you did not plan to perish. Were you lying again?"
Kagome tightened her arm around his. "No, of course not. It was merely an observation. I know I got upset earlier when you were talking about death, but now that the kids are safe, I'm starting to realize just how practical you were being."
"You change your mind very quickly."
"I adjust quickly," she corrected, "in most cases at least."
Sesshoumaru scowled at the nearly full moon. "I will not let you die."
"You keep saying that," Kagome answered with a sigh. "This is the reason I wanted to wait to become your mate. I don't want you to endanger yourself or others for my sake."
He decided not to answer this. He would not promise that his life would not be traded for hers. After all, that was what a proper mate would do. Instead, the taiyoukai returned to the former subject. "What was your wish?"
She blushed again and it spread beneath her dragon armor. "It's so stupid, but if we're really going to battle tomorrow, I want to live like tonight is my last night on earth." She heard his soft growl growing in his chest and held up her free hand. "Just as a precaution, Sesshoumaru. I didn't do it last time I was faced with death and I regret it."
"What would you have done?" he asked.
Kagome shrugged. "I would have spent time with my friends and Inuyasha. Simple stuff, but important." She looked up at his raised eyebrow. "See? It's stupid."
He nodded. "It's ridiculous and human," he said as he watched her head and frown. "I am willing, however, to spend my remaining time with you."
"Really?" she asked, turning back to look at his impassive face. "That doesn't sound like you."
"You are my mate," he said in the way of an explanation. A slight frown turned down the corners of his lips. "And if I return, my generals will pester me with their trivialities. It is not how I want to spend my final night."
Kagome grinned and, facing him, looped her arms around his midsection. "Not when you have me?" she asked coyly.
He arched an eyebrow. "I suppose not," he conceded with a lofty tone.
"Admit it," she accused, "you're just a big softie at heart."
He glared at her, prying her arms off as she giggled. "Never."
Kagome continued to laugh for a few more moments, finally sobering. "I'm sorry. You are a terrifying demon with no heart at all, if you prefer."
Sesshoumaru mentally sighed. He doubted that she would ever see him as a demon lord again. It didn't bother him very much, as long as she didn't speak to anyone else about how much he indulged her. "What do you wish to do tonight?"
"I want to feel like a normal girl," she answered with another blush.
He stared at her for a moment. "I do not understand."
"I want to forget all of this," she said, spreading her arms. "I want to forget that I'm a time-travelling, half-demon, former human who is carrying the child of a demon lord that would sooner have ripped my throat out than looked at me just a few months ago. I just want to feel like a normal, human girl out on a walk with her… well, strange looking boyfriend, I guess would be the best way to put it."
Sesshoumaru frowned slightly. "I am strange looking?"
Kagome laughed a bit behind her hand. "Well, to a human you would be. We're going to have to do something about your hair and your markings as time passes. And I have no idea about the tail." She reached up and brushed her fingertips along his marked cheekbone. "I don't suppose they're tattoos? Some sort of family ritual thing?"
He shook his head. "I was born with them. Our pup may have them as well."
"I would like that," she mused softly. "They're odd, but they're beautiful. You're certainly unique, Sesshoumaru. Although I think we could dye your hair, change your eye color and remove the markings and you'd still scare the hell out of some people."
The taiyoukai smirked in pride. "Then we shall be quite successful in the future, if humans are so easily intimidated."
Kagome rolled her eyes, but took his hand in hers anyway. "So, that's okay? We'll try to act like a normal couple for a few hours? No talk about the war or gods or demon customs, agreed?"
Sesshoumaru allowed her to pull him gently towards the forest as he nodded his assent in silence.
"Great," she said, beaming at him. "Of course, that cuts down considerably on what we have in common right now."
The dog demon mused for a few silent moments. "Do humans speak of their homelands?" he asked.
She laughed softly and nodded. "Of course. It's more a first date sort of thing, but I guess you should know about my home."
'First date' confused him, but Sesshoumaru assumed it was a human ritual and moved on. "Then speak of it. Tell me how it differs from this place."
Kagome frowned in concentration as they moved into the forest. "It's hard to explain. Nothing here really compares to it." Her ears twitched as she looked at the patient taiyoukai. "Well, first of all, there aren't any forests where I live, in a city called Tokyo. There are parks, where we're not allowed to disturb nature, but they're enclosed and there aren't a lot of them in the city."
"Tokyo is larger than my city?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah. It's enormous. I haven't even been to every place in it and I lived there all of my life. I think the last count came up with about twelve million people."
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. "Impossible. You must be mistaken."
Her brown eyes flashed up at him. "I don't think so. Twelve million. That's only a fraction of Japan's entire population too." She noticed that he still appeared shocked and so she continued. "A lot of people live in huge buildings, much taller than your castle. Floors and floors of apartments in these huge metal and stone buildings save a lot of room. And then there are hundreds of businesses in more buildings. And churches and schools and hospitals. It's quite amazing actually."
The taiyoukai frowned slightly. "The dominance of the humans will be much more difficult than I previously thought, if there are so many of them."
Kagome sighed and rubbed her temples. "We're kind of moving into abnormal territory there, Sesshoumaru. Besides, you can't just declare war on the humans. Japan can defend itself and it has many powerful allies too. If you want power in my home, you'll need money. Lots of it."
"I have plenty of gold in my treasury," he stated with confidence.
She gave him a pitying smile. "And soon, you'll learn what 'inflation' means in economics. Trust me, the gold isn't enough, although it will help considerably. Stop worrying about it. We'll figure it out. There's lots of opportunities for prestige and power in my time."
"What about other lands?"
The hanyou shrugged. "I've never been anywhere but Japan. You hear things, but I don't know if you can believe it." She winked at him. "Of course, you could always take me on a trip around the world and you can find out yourself."
"Hmm, we shall see."
They fell into a comfortable silence as they walked deeper into the forest. Trees closed in around them and Kagome was thankful that Sesshoumaru was beside her. It would be scary if she was out alone, but as it was, with her new mate walking with her, it was rather romantic. It seemed as if they would never get to this point, when they could be together without anger, guilt or jealousy. Yet, she couldn't resist the question that came to the tip of her tongue. "Will you have consorts, Sesshoumaru?"
The taiyoukai glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "I thought that we were not discussing demon traditions tonight."
"I'll suspend that stipulation for the moment." Kagome bit her lip and lowered her gaze. "It's a tradition then? To have consorts for the lord of the castle? Will you do that?"
The sadistic part of him twitched within his chest, begging to string along the hanyou for a bit. Quickly taming the urge to be cruel to the female that was now his mate, Sesshoumaru shook his white head. "Many lords keep consorts, frequently when they no desire to be in their mates' beds. The children of the consorts are not legitimate. Consorts are only there for the sexual gratifica…"
"Thanks," Kagome interrupted with a grimace. "I know what consorts are used for."
He gave her a severe glare. "As I was saying, consorts serve a purpose that Western lords have had no need for in centuries. My grandfather loved my grandmother and my father loved his second mate. Kaori commanded enough respect that he did not need any other female." He looked away from her. "I trust that you will not force me to break my family's tradition."
Her hand shot out and wrapped around the bone core of Sesshoumaru's tail, bringing his attention back to her face. She was grinning wickedly as she tugged the appendage from his shoulder. "As long as you do that thing with your tail, I won't leave you in the cold."
Arching an eyebrow, Sesshoumaru tried to tug his tail from her grasp, but she refused to relinquish it. "This is hardly the time…" His eyes widened imperceptibly as Kagome brushed her free hand the wrong way across his fur. A cold shiver ran down his spine and the hanyou yelped as he forcefully pulled his tail from her hands and snapped it around her waist, pulling her close. His one hand buried itself in her hair as he began to kiss her with fervor. Kagome sighed against his mouth and relaxed into him.
Too quickly, he pulled away and began to sniff the air. Kagome put her hand to her slightly bruised lips, still tingling. "What's wrong?" she asked, watching anger replace the desire in his eyes. "Are we being interrupted again?"
"Hush," he snapped quietly.
Kagome frowned, but began to pick apart the smells of the forest anyway. It was hard to get past the scent of desire in the air and she soon gave up, resting her head against his armored chest instead.
A branch cracked in the distance, causing the hanyou's ears to swivel to meet the sound. Sesshoumaru removed his tail from her waist and gently pulled himself from her warm body. "Do not move," he whispered, the breath tickling the fine hairs on her ears.
She nodded silently as he moved away, making no sound with his lithe form. He disappeared quickly as the darkness swallowed him whole. For many long minutes, Kagome stood still, watching the spot where he had vanished without blinking. When her eyes began to water, she had to blink furiously.
Wiping the salty liquid from her eyes, Kagome felt the air around her shift and suddenly Sesshoumaru stood beside her again. "What was it?" she asked, her vision still blurry.
He lifted his arm to reveal a bleeding demon head. Its pale pink skin still gleamed with sweat, as its mouth hung open in a silent scream. "A scout," murmured Sesshoumaru. "Probably not the only one. They will notice his absence soon. We must return to the castle."
Kagome wrinkled her nose, but nodded her assent. "Let's go," she agreed. "Just get rid of that vile thing."
The taiyoukai threw aside the dripping head, picked up the girl with his arm and tail without a word and jumped through the treetops into the night air.
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A/N: Hope you all enjoyed it. (If you didn't – keep in mind that I'm suffering from sleep deprivation right now…haha.) I planned out the remaining chapters and lengthened it, since many people expressed their disappointment with the story ending. So instead of about 3 more chapters, I'll write 6, including an epilogue. And soon, exams will be over – meaning I can write more often! Anyway, onto review responses:
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