Kagome watched the pair of siblings bickering in the courtyard. Despite the hours they had spent training together, Sango remained resolute about Kohaku staying at the Western palace.
"I'm going."
"No."
"Sango, it's my duty to fight."
"And I have a duty to protect you."
"I don't need you to protect me!" he shouted.
It was the most animated Kohaku had been since Kagome was able to rid him of Naraku's lingering dark energy.
Kikyo may have removed his jewel shard but she hadn't severed the connection between Kohaku and Naraku. Kagome wasn't sure why, though she suspected Kikyo meant to use Kohaku as part of her plan against Naraku. Regardless, Kagome agreed with Sango. Kohaku was safer here within the confines of the palace walls.
"You're eleven, barely old enough to take on a solo mission. You're not ready to take on an adversary as strong as Naraku," Sango insisted.
Kohaku started to respond but fell silent when Miroku stepped between them.
He placed his hand on Kohaku's shoulder. "I understand your motivation. Naraku decimated your village, murdered your father, and used you as a weapon against your sister. You have a right to be angry, as does Sango. As the last surviving member of your family, she is now not only your sister but your elder. You need to be respectful of her wishes."
"But she's treating me like a child! I'm not a child!" Kohaku cried.
"She's protecting you because you are precious to her. Try to see things from her point of view. The day Naraku destroyed your village, Sango lost everything. She was betrayed and nearly killed. Getting you back was a miracle— one that I envy," Miroku explained. He turned, gesturing to the group. "Naraku has taken things from all of us— family, friends, lovers….our freedom," Miroku said, displaying the hole in his hand.
Kohaku's eyes widened at the reveal. Kagome saw his eyes glisten and his throat bob as he held back tears.
"Sango isn't asking you to stay here because she doubts your skills as a fighter," Miroku told him, patting the boy on his shoulder. "She's asking you to stay here because she won't be able to focus on defeating Naraku if she's worried about losing you. Don't make this any harder on her than it already is."
Kagome glanced over at her friend. Sango stood tall and unflinching. If it wasn't for the slight tremble of her chin, Kagome might not have noticed how affected she was by Miroku's words.
It took a moment but, eventually, Kohaku nodded. He approached Sesshomaru. With his head bowed, he requested permission to guard the Western Palace until their return.
"Granted," Sesshomaru replied, meeting Kagome's eyes over the boy's head.
'Thank you,' she mouthed.
Kagome turned to Sango. Her friend's stiff posture had relaxed. She didn't reach for her brother, though Kagome suspected she wanted to.
Sango's silent acceptance showed her respect for Kohaku's choice. She understood his need for independence and why he wanted to prove his loyalty to their group.
Kagome did too. Considering what the boy had been through, she figured he wanted to be the one to take Naraku down.
Get in line, she thought. Miroku was right. They all had a score to settle with Naraku. He had taken from all of them— and even more from others.
But that would all end today.
After almost a year of living a double life, Kagome felt as though she was standing on the edge of a cliff. Behind her was the comfort of the modern era— all the things she knew and the family she had been born into. Ahead of her was the unknown— life as a mate and mother, the role of Shikon Miko, and a world divided between humanity and demon-kind.
It was a bit daunting but she remained confident in her choice. Whatever the future had in store for her, Kagome knew she wouldn't be alone. She had Sesshomaru, their children, and her friends— the family she had chosen.
A family she would give anything to protect.
Sesshomaru came to stand beside her and placed his hand on her lower back. "It is time."
Kagome nodded, letting him lead her over to where Arisu was waiting with Shippo and Rin.
Kagome could feel her eyes burning. Her throat constricted and her mouth went dry. It was as if her body wouldn't allow her to go.
"We're leaving. Shippo, behave for Granny and watch out for your sister," she said.
Kagome pressed a kiss to Rin's forehead, resisting the urge to pick up the infant when she started to grab at her hair.
Saying goodbye to them was hard. Kagome felt like a part of her heart shattered when Rin began to cry. Shippo's antics didn't help. He clung to Sesshomaru's leg, begging them to stay.
"We will return," Sesshomaru vowed.
"Make certain you do," his mother returned. "I am here to visit, not raise your pups."
Though she wore a haughty expression, Kagome could sense her fear. Arisu had already lost her mate. She couldn't bear to lose her only son as well.
"I'll keep him safe," she whispered as she gave the demoness a side hug.
Arisu stiffened, surprised by the gesture but, after a moment, she softened and embraced Kagome.
As they prepared to leave, there was a palpable shift in the air. Tension no longer crackled between them from misunderstandings or hurt feelings— not even from Inuyasha.
Kagome had expected him to put up more of a fight over the group's decision to leave Kikyo out of the final battle. Sango considered the priestess a liability. Kagome was more worried about Sesshomaru. Given what he knew about her soul, she doubted he'd let the woman live. Kagome just hoped that she could buy Inuyasha enough time to say a proper goodbye.
Akio, Ena, and the other attendants came out to bid them farewell. Ena assisted Arisu with the children, who were both crying.
Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat and turned away so she wouldn't see their tears. Sesshomaru helped her mount A-Un. If he knew her vision was blurred, he didn't say. Sesshomaru remained silent. Kagome recognized the reason behind his impassive behavior. He couldn't allow emotions to cloud his judgment.
She wished she could be more like him, but try as she might, the image of Shippo and Rin was etched into her brain. Kagome couldn't help feeling that this might be the last time she saw them.
BREAK
There was salt in the air. Sesshomaru observed his mate. Separating from the pups had taken a toll on Kagome. Her normal cheery face had gone solemn. The expression she wore was not one born of determination. It was heavier and one he recognized all too well.
"Mate."
She glanced up at him.
"This is the last time we will be parted from them," Sesshomaru reminded her.
"I know. I'm just…," Kagome trailed off with a shrug of her shoulders.
He didn't require words to understand. She was not the only one affected by the separation. When the kit had pleaded with Sesshomaru, there had been a brief moment of hesitation. He had contemplated letting his brother handle things,— after all, it was his problem to deal with —but he knew Kagome would not be content until she had restored the jewel.
And Sesshomaru not be satisfied until Naraku was dead.
This was the final step toward becoming the warrior his father had been. In choosing this path, Sesshomaru had not only succeeded in becoming more powerful than Touga, he had fulfilled his father's greatest wish —learning compassion. His decision to have Kagome as his mate was not one he had taken lightly. It was, however, the easiest he had made. He now had something — someone — to fight for.
He would not allow anyone to take her away from him.
While they passed over an expanse of fields when Sesshomaru became aware of a familiar sound. He glanced toward a line of trees along the eastern border of the mountains. When the cry came again, he scowled.
"What is it?" his mate asked.
"An inconvenience," he muttered.
Kagome's brow creased.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru clarified.
"Maybe he wants to say sorry," she suggested.
"I have no need for his empty apologies."
She gave him a sad smile. "Sesshomaru, he was with you for a long time. I know you're upset but don't you think he deserves a second chance?"
"I do not tolerate betrayal," he responded.
Kagome reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his own. "I'm not telling you to forgive him but maybe you should consider why Jaken did it. He was trying to protect you. In his mind, what he did was the right thing."
"He disobeyed me."
"I know." Kagome sighed and added, "He's definitely not my favorite, but I feel bad for him. He doesn't have anyone else. You were his only friend."
"He was not my friend."
She squeezed his hand. "Sesshomaru."
His time with her had changed his opinion of attachments, yet, where his former vassal was concerned, Sesshomaru felt no remorse. He could not abide an untrustworthy companion.
Jaken was weak-willed which made him a prime target for manipulation. It was the sole reason why Sesshomaru's mother had sought the imp out. Arisu knew she could twist his so-called loyalty in her favor. Sesshomaru would not put his pack at risk.
"I will answer his call,— as a courtesy for his years of service —but my decision stands," he informed Kagome.
"Okay." She tapped A-Un's side, signaling the dragon to follow Sesshomaru.
As soon as they diverted from the group, Inuyasha shouted at them. "Hey! Where do you two think you're going?"
"I have some business to attend to," Sesshomaru answered.
"We'll be right back," Kagome assured her friends.
Inuyasha started to protest. Sesshomaru silenced him with a stony glare. The half-breed muttered a slew of profanity and crossed his arm like a scolded child.
Sesshomaru saw his mate's lips twitch as she attempted to conceal her laughter. Inuyasha's immaturity was taxing yet Sesshomaru would bear it for the sake of his mate.
He descended, landing in the field several paces from the tree line. A-Un came to rest next to him. Sesshomaru offered his hand to Kagome to stabilize her as she dismounted. Then, together, they entered the woods.
As they passed through the trees, Sesshomaru picked up on a familiar scent. "Kagome, stay behind me".
"What? Why?" she asked, immediately trying to peer around him.
Sesshomaru moved in front of her, earning an annoyed huff. A moment later, he heard the thrum of her bowstring as she notched an arrow.
They did not have to travel far before coming across the clearing where Jaken stood.
"Lord Sesshomaru! It is, I, your most humble servant!" the imp squawked eagerly.
That was when Sesshomaru discovered the source of the scent. Behind Jaken, sat the wind sorceress. She was hunched over and barely breathing. When she glanced up at him, her eyes widened in fear.
"What is this?" Sesshomaru demanded.
"I have brought you a gift, my lord— an apology for my earlier actions," Jaken explained.
"A gift?" Kagome stepped forward. As soon as she saw the demoness's wound, she darted over.
"Mate."
Kagome ignored his cry. She dropped to her knees beside the wind sorceress. "What happened?" she asked, trying to assess the damage.
"What do you think?" Kagura returned bitterly. Her voice was hoarse and her breathing labored. She would be at peace soon.
"I can help," Kagome insisted, reaching toward the gaping wound.
"No." Kagura smacked her hands away.
Sesshomaru unsheathed Bakusaiga. Regardless of her plight, he did not tolerate anyone striking his mate.
"Who did this to you?" Kagome asked, glaring at Jaken.
Kagura chuckled, then grimaced from the pain. "That little demon is no threat."
Kagome pursed her lips. She straightened up, turning to head back the way they had come. "I have some supplies in my bag. Let me just—."
"No!" Kagura snatched hold of her wrist.
Sesshomaru growled and raised his blade.
"Put that down. It's fine," Kagome reassured him.
He did not cut down Naraku's incarnation, nor did he sheath his sword. His mate was far more trusting than he was. Sesshomaru appreciated her compassion, though he wished she'd be more selective about those she shared it with.
"I'm not Naraku and even if I was, it wouldn't matter. I'm as good as dead. Aren't you disappointed?" Kagura asked, staring past Kagome to Sesshomaru.
"Don't be stupid!" Kagome snapped. Kagura's eyes went wide. Her attention shifted back to the miko. "You may have done some bad things in the past but that doesn't make you a bad person. You're life matters, Kagura. It matters because of the choices you make."
The wind sorceress's cold facade fell away. "I don't want to be alone when….," she paused, swallowing thickly, "when it happens. Will you stay? Please?" The last word was softer, more anxious.
Sesshomaru frowned. He already knew his mate's answer.
"We're not going anywhere."
Kagura nodded.
Kagome helped her to lie down in the grass. She knelt beside Kagura with her hands in her lap. Sesshomaru came to stand next to her.
He was unwilling to lower himself for an enemy. She had done nothing to earn his forgiveness. The only reason he had not ended her suffering sooner was that his mate ordered him not to.
"All I wanted was to be free," Kagura told them. "And, for the first time, I thought I would be. I should have known that my wish would come at a price."
She grimaced and began to cough.
Kagome tried to adjust her, but Kagura waved the assistance off.
"I thought if I could end him, I could live my own life," her lips twist into a sad smile. "I should have known that it wasn't possible. Naraku discovered that I was plotting against him. He allowed me to operate as if everything was fine but all the while, he was planning an attack of his own. My disobedience caused him to grow paranoid. He started killing his incarnations. He figured since I turned on him, they would too."
Kagome gasped.
Sesshomaru was unsurprised. He had always found Naraku's use for the jewel shards foolish. Giving life to another— even if that other was part of you —was an uncalculated risk.
"Naraku is vulnerable. He no longer possesses an army of incarnations. If you can collect the final jewel shards before him, you might have a chance," Kagura suggested.
"I have them," Kagome said, withdrawing a small glass jar from under her shirt.
Kagura nodded. "Good." She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and sighed. "I'll be as free as the wind."
Her body dissolved before them, transforming into a flurry of white feathers that drifted away with the passing breeze. His mate's face turned upward as she watched the feathers float away through her tears. Sesshomaru placed his hand on her shoulder, lending her his strength.
They remained until the final feather was a mere speck on the horizon. That was when his brother and the others arrived.
"What happened? Where's Naraku?" Inuyasha questioned, leaping off the nekomata to land near where Kagome sat.
"It was not Naraku," Sesshomaru informed him.
"Don't play dumb! I smelled his blood. We were— hey! What did you do to Kagome?"
"It was Kagura," his mate told her friends. "Naraku killed her."
The monk and the slayer exchanged a look. "Why would he do that?" the monk asked.
"Because he fears they will overpower him," Sesshomaru explained. "Since each is in possession of at least one jewel shard, Naraku's use for them is dwindling. If he is to succeed in his nefarious plot, Naraku will require all the jewel fragments. The incarnations that once aided him have become a liability."
"So that means…" Sango trailed off when Sesshomaru nodded to confirm her theory. "Isn't that a good thing for us? Without Kagura, Kanna, or the others, Naraku doesn't have the advantage over us. We outnumber him."
"Outnumbering and overpowering are not the same," Sesshomaru indicated
"No, but at least we stand a better chance of defeating him if he isn't pulling the strings of his puppets," Sango replied.
"We won't have any chance if we don't get moving," Inuyasha grumbled.
Sesshomaru's irritation with the half-breed's lack of decorum increased but before he could comment, Kagome's hand was on his arm. "He's right," she said. "We need to get to the mountain pass before Naraku."
"Very well."
As they prepared to leave the clearing, the monk glanced over his shoulder. "Aren't you forgetting someone?"
Sesshomaru followed the man's gaze to where Jaken stood. His former vassal stood behind them, nervously twisting his clawed hands.
Sesshomaru considered sending the imp away. The creature had not earned his forgiveness. Yet, his attempt had given them insight into Naraku's mindset. Desperate opponents usually made foolish decisions. They sacrificed strategy for risky strikes, often leaving themselves open to a counterattack. Despite his past indiscretions, Jaken had done well.
Begrudgingly, he permitted the creature to return to his service. "Come along, Jaken."
BREAK
The northern lands were covered in shadows. Great plumes of miasma hovered over the mountain range. The darkest portion centered over a lone figure standing at the entrance to the pass.
"Naraku," Inuyasha snarled, his eyes narrowing. "He's already reached the mountains."
Kagome bit her lower lip. I hope Kouga and the tribe are okay, she thought.
"This changes nothing. Our plan remains the same," Sesshomaru announced to the group.
"Yeah, kill the bastard!" Inuyasha muttered.
Kagome saw Miroku take Sango's hand. He inclined his head toward hers, whispering something in her ear. Kagome turned away.
She glanced over at Sesshomaru. There were so many things she wanted to say— how thankful she was to have him in her life, how proud she was of him for not resorting to violence as a solution, and, most importantly, how much she loved him. But she thought of his expression when they left the Western Palace— the way he contained his emotions —and she kept quiet.
Sesshomaru wasn't the only one who had changed. Kagome had too. She had learned when to speak her mind and when it was better to wait.
Now was definitely one of those times. Sesshomaru was already worried. Kagome didn't want to put more pressure on him with her confession.
There would be time to talk later.
When they were close enough to see Naraku's signature smirk, Inuyasha leaped off Kirara's back.
"I'm surprised he has made it this far being so obvious," Jaken remarked.
Kagome smacked him. "I stood up for you!"
"My lord!"
"If you displease my mate, you displease me. Is that clear, Jaken?"
The imp deflated. "Yes, my lord."
Kagome tilted her face toward Sesshomaru. "Good thing you planned for this," she said, only half-smiling.
Sesshomaru frowned. This was one time when he hadn't wanted to be correct.
"This is it," Kagome said.
"The beginning of the end," Sesshomaru agreed.
Taking his hand, Kagome jumped off A-Un. Together, they followed Inuyasha to the ground.
Kirara and A-Un were right behind them. No sooner had the nekomata landed than Sango and Miroku were dismounting and rushing to join Kagome and Sesshomaru. Their companions came along.
"I see your group has expanded," Naraku crooned.
His dark eyes flickered between each member of the group until it came to land upon Kagome.
"You're surprisingly resilient for a woman without her entire soul," he commented.
"I'd say the same to you but you don't have a soul," Kagome snapped, drawing her bow.
"Are you here to kill me?" he prompted with a sly grin.
A sickening feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. Kagome caught the way Sango tensed and how Miroku clenched his jaw. She wasn't the only one who felt uneasy.
"Yes," Sesshomaru answered for her.
Naraku chuckled. "Even if Kanna hadn't foreseen this, I would have been able to piece it together myself. You are quite predictable." He directed his last statement at Inuyasha, who had both hands on Tetsusaiga.
"I'll show you predictable!"
As Inuyasha charged, Naraku unleashed his multiple limbs. The hidden appendages seemed to appear out of nowhere but Kagome was prepared. Sesshomaru had anticipated this.
She fired an arrow at the closest limb, severing it from Naraku's body. At the same time, Sesshomaru slashed through the extremities with Bakusaiga. Sango threw her hiraikotsu, slicing through several appendages. To stop them from reattaching, Miroku drew the limbs into his wind tunnel.
Kirara acted as their shield while A-Un conjured a storm to blow away the miasma. Jaken stood beside him, blasting any approaching appendages with a stream of fire from his two-headed staff.
Yet no matter how many limbs they destroyed, new ones emerged. Naraku's regeneration capabilities made him impossible to subdue.
"If you give me the jewel shards now, I'll let your friends live," he told Kagome.
"No way!"
"Then I'll take them from your corpse."
Naraku revised his attack stance. His next strike wasn't directed at Inuyasha. Naraku focused all his energy on her. He knocked her friends backward, freeing up all his limbs to converge on her. Kagome only managed to avoid being hit because Sesshomaru was faster.
He swept her up in his arms, dodging the blow and carrying her out of Naraku's reach.
The spider hanyou laughed. "You're not the only one with leverage." With a sneer, he tossed back his cloak, revealing an unconscious woman.
Inuyasha's cry was the loudest."Kikyo!"
Kagome's eyes went wide at the sight.
They hadn't planned for this.
BREAK
Author's Note: THANK YOU for everyone who nominated/voted for Lessons in Parenting! This fic came in 2nd at FeudalConnection's Quarterly Inuyasha Fandom Awards for BEST SESSHOMARU CHARACTERIZATION*** Also, this chapter is unbeta'd. All mistakes are my own.