Thanks for reading. Sorry for being so late.

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If what he said was true then she hadn't eaten a thing in over a week. Surprisingly, she didn't feel that hungry, nor that weak, but took the bowl into her hands and swallowed a large gulp of the warm, earthly concoction anyway. Shortly afterwards she began gagging violently, ""Sessoumaru, this stuff is HORRIBLE,"" she shrieked out in between gags and coughs. She glared at him, her lips twisted in a scowl. He laughed loudly and smirked at her, her comical face breaking through his emotional walls causing an outburst, ""Did I mention it tastes worse after it gets cold?"" Slowly, ever so slowly, the scowl on Kagome''s lips turned upward into a pleasant smile.

-0-

After finishing up the fowl broth, Kagome sat the empty bowl on the bed side table with a loud thud and commenced wiping the remainder of the brew off of her lips with the back of her hand. Suddenly her eyes turned to lock with the demon lord's. He had patiently been watching her, seemingly engrossed in her simple movements.

"Sessoumaru...," she questioned weakly, "I want to go home."

A typhoon of thoughts and emotions ripped through his mind all at once and Sessoumaru's eyes widened. Why had he never realized? For some reason he had never thought about it...or even questioned that she might have a home...parents, siblings, maybe even a human male...no, he didn't even want to think about it. And...even with all these tiny spears jabbing at his heart, he couldn't help but feel a since of overall dejection wash over him. She wanted to leave him. He had failed to protect her, and now she was going to leave him, to return to her homeland, and possibly never come back to him. The thought of it pained him more than any flesh wound ever could.

He looked away from her as he spoke, "Kagome...," he said hugging her fragile body tightly to his chest, "I will do whatever you ask of me." "Thank you, Sessoumaru. I am most grateful,"she whispered, "my family has not seen me in thousands of years and I'm sure they are worried about me greatly."He nodded slightly, unaware of how literally she meant those words. "Arigatou, my lord," she murmured into his ear as she lightly pressed her lips to the smooth skin of his cheek in a bashful peck. Sessoumaru's eyes widened at her sudden abruptness. Kagome had kissed him...it was just an innocent kiss on the cheek, but it was the first time she had ever made to openly return his feelings. He turned to face her and, looking into her chocolate depths, he could see only sincerity as she smiled up at him.

For the first time in his life the demon lord was unsure of what to say...of what to even do. So...he was very grateful when Kagome decided for him. "I think...I want to go bathe my lord," she mumbled, interrupting the awkward silence. And suddenly, as if those were had been magic, he found himself unbound and able to move again. It was as if her sweet, loving voice had broken the spell. "H-Hai," he stubbled as movement and thought returned to him.

He rose to help the miko to her feet. He held his hand out for her and, for the first time in two weeks, she attempted to stand. Her legs wobbled a bit at first, feeling rubbery and loose, but she thought she'd be able to walk just fine with assistance. And, of course, the assistance came without hesitation, as Sessoumaru wrapped his arm, the one she personally had gave him, around her slender waist and supported her as they walked together to the hot spring.

Upon reaching the entrance to the hot springs, Kagome turned the demon at her side, "Sessoumaru, I want to bathe alone." Sessoumaru felt slightly hurt, but he couldn't blame her...for he himself, had tried to rape her once while she was bathing. He was having a difficult time reading her feelings. She kissed him...so she cared about him? But then again, how could she? She had to loathe him...he had tried to rape her, and then in turn he had let her get rapped. He gently squeezed her hand before leaving her to attend to herself. He had much to ponder...and just the fact that he wanted to ponder so over a human was a sin in itself.

Kagome carefully walked over to the edge of one steaming pool of water, careful so as not to trip over her wobbly, weak legs. She sighed as she moved to sit on a rock jutting out of the pool's calm, clear surface, allowing her feet to dangle over the side of the rock and into the warm waters. She undressed, and lowered herself into the pool.

It seemed like so long ago when she had first enter the world of Feudal Japan. She seemed so much younger, so much more innocent. At that time she had wanted nothing but change, for something big to happen, something adventurous. Now, after so many things, thousands of mini-adventures in themselves, she could honestly say...she was ready for the story to end. Still...one thing had to be done.

Kagome dipped her head under the water to rinse it of the various soaps. "Will it ever end," she whispered, her own voice sounding foreign as it echoed in her mind. She reached over and grabbed a towel from the spring's edge, and, walking out of the refreshing pool, used it to wipe a stray tear from her cheek.

A pair of golden eyes watching her from the shadows softened at her words as their owner quietly retreated from the room.

Kagome exited the hot springs, closing it's two grand doors behind her. She turned suddenly to face the demon lord, silently surprised by his being there. "Sessoumaru, did...have you been waiting on me?" "Hai. Were the springs to your liking?" "Yes, they were wonderful, as always." He nodded curtly in acknowledgment, and once again wrapped his arm around her as they silently walked together back to her room.

Once in her room Sessoumaru released her from his grasp, and Kagome settled herself in front of the vanity. Sessoumaru thought she looked like an angel, glowing with her white silk bathrobe clinging to her still glistening and perfect curves as she racked her fingers through her long raven locks, slowly and carefully removing the knots. He'd be in hell if his angel left him...

"Kagome," he questioned, leaning down to wrap his arms around her shoulders and bury his nose into the crook of her neck. "Mm," she replied, still intently working on her damp locks. "This Sessoumaru would like to know...what is your village like? Inuyasha's village, I mean." Kagome paused, and then pulled away from his embrace to turn and face him. "I don't live in Inuyasha's village per say...The place I live in...is very different from any of the places around here, yet...,"she paused again.

Sessoumaru smiled into her skin, loving how the vibrations of her voice tickled his nose. He loved this feeling, the feeling of being with her, the feeling of her...and her skin..it smelled so good, like honey and flowers. His tongue darted out to taste it, causing Kagome to shiver at the sudden erotic gesture. What would he do if she ever left him? Kagome's subconsciously lulled her head to the side, giving him better access as she continued to talk, "My home doesn't have forests or fields. It's air isn't as fresh and clean as the air here is. It has other things though...it has tall buildings, made of clear stone that reflects the sun. It, it has tiny hot springs in every home...and light can be controlled with the flip of a switch..."

Sessoumaru tasted the angel again, running his tongue from the crevice behind her ear to her exposed collar bone. Kagome moaned softly, unable to control the sensual feelings that were bubbling up inside of her. "Your home sounds amazing Kagome...if such a place really does exist I would like to see it." "Oh," Kagome replied, more breathy and hot than she intended it to be. "And what of your family, what are they like?" Suddenly snapped back to reality, Kagome sat up from her previous position on Sessoumaru's shoulder, a sadness sweeping over her. "My mother is very kind. She loves us so much, my grandpa, my brother, and I. She works very hard to support us and keep the house up. She always made sure that I had everything I needed when I left. And, And my grandpa is great too. He's always making sure to cover for me while I'm gone. I used to get mad about the excuses he'd make up. Now their craziness just brings me joy," Kagome smiled weakly, "Then there's Souta, my kid brother. He's always trying to act tough and protect me, even though he's just a kid. He takes games very seriously and watches over mom while I'm gone." Kagome shuddered again, this time is pain, as she sniffed a sob. "I bet they all think I'm dead by now."

"Shhh...don't cry, Kagome. Think of how happy they will be to see you again, knowing that you're ok." Sessoumaru turned to face her, kissing away her tears. "Am I? Am I really ok?" Unknowing of what to say, and furious at himself for allowing his property to become so shattered, Sessoumaru could only hold her. "Sessoumaru, I think...I'm pregnant." His eyes widened in shock and disbelief. How could she know before him? What proof did she have? "My cycle was supposed to have started the day I was kidnaped, and If what you say Is true, and I've been asleep for a week, then I'm now over a week late. I can't know for sure, but that's one reason why I feel the need to go home..."

Sessoumaru had a billion thoughts running through his mind, one's of Naraku's lifeless body strewn before him, one of him tearing Naraku's heart out, one him cutting Naraku limb from disgusting limb...his thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice, "If...If i am pregnant...and i do bare Naraku's own flesh and blood,"she hesitated, "will you leave me?"

The eyes that looked up at him broke his heart. They were so big and sad and wanting...and they were begging him, "Please, my Lord, don't leave me..."

ooooooooooo

sigh I'm just not happy with this chapter. I wrote it three times, three different ways. Maybe I'm just in a slump. P Anyway, I finally decided to post this one. I do like the bit of erotica between Sess and Kag at the end. I just don't feel like I'm getting their emotions displayed the way I won't to. Oh, well. I guess you're your own worse critic. Love you guys.

-ChibiMinko