Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Ok kiddies, here's the final chapter for this particular story. Lots of hugs and kisses to everyone who read, reviewed and enjoyed! I tried to give this story some sort of ending, but at the same time leaving it open for continuation. I've already started the next story (barely a chapter in) but don't expect to see it for a few months at least. Thanks much everyone!

The Beginning And The End

Chapter 15

After talking amongst themselves and finishing dinner, the group split up for the evening. Shippo and Rin remained at the dwelling with Kaede and Kirara, while Sango and Miroku went off to be alone. Kagome went in search of Sessho-maru. I hope he didn't wander far, I'm still feeling really tired.

Kagome had just stepped foot within the forest on the outskirts of the village when a familiar voice sounded from above.

"What are you doing wandering out here by yourself? This forest is not as safe as you think."

Kagome smiled as Sessho-maru landed silently in front of her.

"I was looking for you."

She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss, then grabbed his hand and led him further into the woods before settling on a soft patch of moss under a large tree. Kagome made herself comfortable in Sessho-maru's lap and closed her eyes with a contented sigh.

Sessho-maru waited for Kagome to reveal her true purpose for being out in the woods after sundown, after all, he knew she would seek him out after dinner as finished. That's why he made sure not to go deep into the forest. But after a rather lengthy silence, Sessho-maru became curious. Is she….?

"Kagome?"

"Hmmm?"

"Are you…asleep?"

"I was…sorta." Kagome cleared her throat in hopes of banishing her groggy-sounding voice and blinked her eyes a few times, wondering how long she'd managed to nod off. "I'm sorry, I just can't help myself. I don't ever remember feeling this tired in my life."

Sessho-maru frowned and began stroking Kagome's hair absently. Kagome, despite getting rest and food, still seemed to be suffering from exhaustion caused by high levels of stress.

"Why did you come out here, nisou?"

The deep calm voice floated down to her and Kagome inwardly groaned. She'd come out to talk about his plan for facing Naraku by himself, but now that she was so warm and comfortable, she just wanted to sleep and worry about it in the morning.

Sessho-maru knew perfectly well why his mate had wandered out here looking for him and yet it seemed she did not wish to broach the subject.

"You are still against my plan."

"Yes."

He felt Kagome clench fistfuls of his clothing.

"Kagome…"

"I won't loose you." Sessho-maru was startled by Kagome's tone. For all the strength he knew she possessed, her voice was quiet and meek, with more than a hint of fear. "I….c-can't…."

Sessho-maru wrapped his arms around Kagome tightly and kissed her head.

"You will not lose me, nisou."

"If you go alone……" Kagome looked up at Sessho-maru, her fear evident. "….you will not return."

Sessho-maru saw the fear and desperation in his mate's eyes and wondered if she had a vision.

"Have you seen this, Kagome?"

"No. I can feel it."

Sessho-maru did not put much stock in "women's intuition", priestess or no. He was a powerful demon lord, more than capable of defeating some false demon.

"His power is false. I will show him what true demonic power means."

Kagome narrowed her eyes at the arrogant sounding inu as she pushed away, her frustration instantaneous.

"Bold declarations won't defeat Naraku! If it were that easy, Naraku would have been destroyed years ago!"

Once the words left her mouth, she regretted them. And seeing Sessho-maru's face…..her stomach turned at the look in the golden eyes. I went too far. I insulted him. She believed in his strength, but knew that they were all just fooling themselves thinking the solution would be so simple. She hung her head and placed a hand on Sessho-maru's chest, which she was surprised was vibrating from his pounding heart. How does he keep so much emotion inside?

"Sessho-maru…..I'm sorry. I know that you are powerful and capable of defeating Naraku. And, you are not foolish enough to think you will escape unscathed. Having us there to run interference, or----"

Kagome's words were cut off when a clawed hand grabbed her chin and forced her face upwards. She was shocked at the fire she saw within the golden orbs and even more so by the forceful voice.

"I will not risk your life, nisou."

Kagome and Sessho-maru remained frozen, staring into each other's eyes for several minutes, a silent battle of wills waging. Finally Kagome broke the standoff, her voice sounding almost apologetic.

"I'm the only one who can detect and control the Shikon jewel shards."

Sessho-maru considered Kagome's words. Unfortunately she had a very valid and strong point. Curse the gods! She's right. But perhaps I can still find a way…

Kagome saw the realization set in, but then she saw the wheels begin to turn in Sessho-maru's mind and she leaned in, kissing him slowly, tenderly, speaking against his lips.

"Please….it's my right….as your mate….let me protect you…..as you protect me."

The defeated inu let a low growl escape as he pulled his mate into his grasp. He deepened the kiss, and then licked his way down her neck, his fist with a handful of her hair, pulling her head back and exposing the delectable and sensitive expanse of skin. As his tongue slid over the ever present and healing puncture wounds, he sank his fangs in once again. He felt Kagome clutch at him and heard her gasp of pain subside into a moan of pleasure. He wouldn't take things any further for now. But being reminded that this woman, this beautiful creature, had willingly surrendered herself to him, created a burning within him. He had to feel that rush again. He had to taste her.

As Kagome's head rested on his shoulder and he licked at the newly opened wound, Sessho-maru spoke.

"I will always honor you, nisou. If you wish to be by my side in battle, I will not stop you."

Kagome smiled and gave a contented sigh.

"I wish to be by your side always, Sessho-maru."

Sessho-maru laid his head against Kagome's and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply of his mate's scent.

"And so you shall."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sessho-maru, Kagome and Rin stayed in Musashi for a few more days before returning to the fortress. It had been agreed that Sango and Miroku would join them in a week or so. The plan was to discuss their strategy concerning Naraku and at the same time, Kagome was hoping Sessho-maru and her friends would be able to form a tentative friendship. Shippo had volunteered to stay behind with Kaede. The older woman had been looking weaker and weaker as the days passed and the young kitsune didn't want her left alone.

Kagome still wasn't feeling like herself yet, but she was trying to appear as normal as possible so as not to worry her mate. Although she knew how observant Sessho-maru could be so she didn't fool herself into thinking she could completely fool him. As witnessed by the raised eyebrow directed at her at that very moment.

"You found me."

Sessho-maru made his way to sit on their bed next to the reclining priestess, running his fingers through her ebony hair. Her efforts of hiding her ailment had not gone unnoticed. But he didn't say anything because I didn't seem serious. Kagome just seemed tired for the most part and her appetite had subsided a little bit. He just attributed it to the stress she was putting on herself because of Inu-yasha's death. He knew it would take time for her to come to terms with what had happened between her and the half demon.

"I didn't realize you were hiding from me."

Kagome smiled and moved closer, laying on her side and resting her head in Sessho-maru's lap.

"Not hiding. Waiting. I figured you had to come to bed sooner or later." She looked up at her mate, her smile becoming mischievous. "I'm glad it was sooner."

Kagome pushed herself up and kissed Sessho-maru, needing to feel her mate's strong arms around her and hear his low growl at her ear as he made love to her.

The inu accepted the invitation and wrapped a bracing arm around Kagome's waist as he guided her back onto the bed, burying her underneath him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kagome lay there within Sessho-maru's protective embrace, her body satisfied and tired. As her fingers traced lazy patterns across the broad chest, her thoughts wandered to her life: past, present and future. She didn't have the gift of sight and didn't know what her future held. But she did know that no matter what happened with Naraku and the Shikon jewel, Sessho-maru, Miroku and Sango would be by her side through it all.

It seemed as if her life hadn't truly begun until that fateful day when she fell through the well. Thus began her time with Inu-yasha. But as with many things in life, the beginning of something meant the end of something else. The beginning of her adventures in the feudal era with Inu-yasha and her newfound friends marked the end of her life as Higurashi Kagome, student and daughter in modern times. And once again that cycle, the beginning and the end, had worked its mojo on her life. Sadly, tragically, her time with Inu-yasha had come to a close. But she was hopeful and happy nonetheless, because her time with Sessho-maru was just beginning.

The End….and the Beginning……