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Well, here's another chapter. Read on...

Chapter seven : Saying goodbye

Inu-Yasha's POV

We slowly entered Kaede's village, Sesshomaru walking right beside me. I was happy he had accepted to come despite his dislike toward humans. Now that our mating was complete I needed him more than ever... The main reason was that the short time we had passed as mates had clearly demonstrated, to my annoyance, that I was obviously the submissive one, or the uke as they call it, in our relationship. I was a bit frustrated at first because being submissive had never been in my nature and I felt a bit, well... lessened. I already had self-depreciation problems and this wasn't helping. Also there was the fact that Sesshomaru looked way too pleased at being the dominant one...

When he had noticed my weird behaviour though, he had asked me about it and when I told him he'd just said :

"You don't have to be submissive to anyone other than me, little brother. You may still be your usual arrogant and stubborn self with everyone else"

I had stuck my tongue out at him for saying that, but it did made me feel better. Even more when he had taken my tongue in his mouth and started sucking on it, then he had kissed me and passed his hand under my shirts and... well I think you get the picture !

But anyway, he was right ; nothing had to change, I only had to be submissive with him and that... didn't really bother me, on second thought. And then it dawned on me that I finally had someone to protect me and our pup during my pregnancy, someone that was strong and that could easily measure up to Naraku... someone that loved me and that I loved back... Suddenly I was feeling much more happy and I didn't care anymore about being uke... Is that what they call mood swings ? Or am I actually making sense over here ? Oh please don't answer that...

Several villagers looked at Sesshomaru warily while we passed. They didn't like demons very much and so far I was the only one they trusted enough to let me walk around freely... and even there I wouldn't bet my life on it. But Kaede was nice, and this village was the closest thing I had to home. Well... until now.

I couldn't believe it when Sesshomaru had asked me to go to the Western Lands with him. Not so long ago I would've been shot down at sight if I had ever dared to put one single foot in his territory. Of course those kind of threats never stopped me before but anyway... I couldn't believe that I was actually invited there, that Sesshomaru was offering me a home... A true one... Well maybe I should've seen it coming, after all I was now his mate and I bore his pup, but I was still very grateful nonetheless. All in one day he had given me his love, a home and even a family... I was touched beyond words and I loved him even more, if it was possible.

Of course I had accepted his offer but I had wanted to tell my friends about my decision. Sesshomaru aside, they were the most important people I had in my life and I was feeling guilty about just leaving them like that. OK so maybe I wasn't very useful right now but still... And they had done so much for me recently... I was really feeling like a jerk...

Suddenly we were before Kaede's hut and I had to stop torturing myself with remorse. I stopped and Sesshomaru imitated me. Then he turned to me and asked :

"Is it here ?"

I nodded and gulped nervously. I instinctively searched his hand and he immediately gave it to me, entwining his fingers with mine. I calmed a bit under his touch, but I was still tense. He came closer and put his other hand on my cheek, turning my face toward his.

"Relax" he told me with a soft tone. "I'm sure everything will be fine"

I lost myself in his gorgeous amber orbs for a second, then I turned away and said :

"But I feel like I'm abandoning them... They did so much for me... What if Naraku comes and tries to kill them...? They may get in trouble and where am I gonna be ? Basking in a palace while they fight for their lives ! I'm so selfish..."

I was almost crying now... Damn those stupid mood swings... 'Sesshomaru probably thinks I'm foolish' I told myself while a single tear escaped my eyes.

Like always my lover surprised me by letting go of my hand and pulling me to him, wrapping his arms around me and then stroking my hair gently. Then he whispered in my ear :

"You are most certainly not selfish Inu-Yasha or else you woudn't have those remorses. And you won't be basking anywhere, you'll be in a place where you and your pup will be safe and protected. That is all there is to it"

I sighed and leaned against him, asking :

"How the hell do you do it ?"

"What ?"

"Always knowing what to say to comfort me ?"

Sesshomaru just smirked and kissed me on the forehead.

"Inu-Yasha ?" a little voice suddenly said.

I turned my head quickly and my gaze fell upon a small and confused kitsune staring at us from the entrance of the hut.

"Shippo..."

"Inu-Yasha, what are you doing ? Why's Sesshomaru here ? What's going on ?"

He was throwing fearful glances at my brother, trying to be brave but inwardly very afraid, I could see it. He knew that Sesshomaru was the father of my pup, but he was still terrified by him. Also, from what I had told my friends about how Sesshomaru had abandoned me, their opinion of him, that wasn't very high already, had decreased even more. I think they are angry at him and Shippo is no different.

But right now, my little friend was more scared than angry. Saying that you would teach my brother a lesson was one thing, but when the Lord of the West was there in person in was a little bit more complicated. Sesshomaru was a very powerful demon after all, and you couldn't just throw insults at his face whenever you felt like it, not if you wanted to live another day... I was one of the rare ones who had dared to do it and survived to tell the tale. And I won't hide that it did make me kinda proud...

Well anyway, right now Shippo was staring at us with a look of total bewilderment on his face. He was probably wondering what I was doing in Sesshomaru's arms, obviously willingly, when he had supposedly abandoned me four months ago and that he didn't love me...

That's when the others decided to show up ; Sango exited the hut followed by Miroku. Sango was wearing her battle outfit and Miroku looked a little dishevelled. They had apparently been in a fight while I was in the woods and I felt a bit guilty because I hadn't been there. But then I realized that even if I had been with them they would've not let me fight anyway. When I was saying that they were too protective... But it was for my pup's security so I could understand... though I still didn't like it...

Last but not least, Kaede came out of the hut and everyone of them stared at Sesshomaru and me, completely stunned. Then Sango asked :

"Inu-Yasha...? What is this ?"

Her initial surprise passed, she was now glaring at Sesshomaru although he was holding me very gently. She was a lot braver than Shippo and even if she knew that my brother was stronger than her, she wasn't afraid to let him know how his presence displeased her. Miroku did the same and they just waited for me to explain this new turn of events...

I moved away from Sesshomaru a little but I stayed in his arms. This would show them better than words that I had forgiven him and that I trusted him. After what, I breathed deeply and said :

"OK... hum... this may surprise you guys but... there's no need to get all worked up. Sesshomaru is my mate now"

They looked at me like if I was crazy. Then Miroku exclamed :

"Your mate ! But... I thought he had abandoned you...!"

I winced. I had thought that too... Sesshomaru growled at Miroku and I leaned on him again to calm him. It worked and he tightened his hold on me. The others saw this and they relaxed a bit. Then I said :

"I know Miroku... But... it was a misunderstanding. We... talked and everything is fine now"

"Are you sure Inu-Yasha ?" Sango asked me with concern.

I realized that I didn't sound very convincing right now. I couldn't help it, I was feeling so nervous and well, speeches had never really been my thing. So I decided to change my tactic.

I looked back at Sesshomaru and stared in his beautiful amber eyes ; I could see things in them that nobody else could, things that made me feel so great inside... Suddenly I couldn't look at anything else because I knew that nothing would ever be able to match this beauty.

Reluctantly I detached myself from my brother's gaze to turn toward my waiting friends. Smiling softly I told them :

"Yes. I am sure"

There must've been something in my voice or in my expression because they all smiled back at me ; well, except Shippo who was hiding behind Sango's leg... The others seemed to understand everything even though I hadn't said much, and I could clearly see in their eyes that they were happy for me. As to confirm my thoughts, Sango said :

"In that case, all I can say is that I'm happy for you, Inu-Yasha"

"Same here" Miroku said with a bright smile. "You deserved it my friend"

"So ye and Sesshomaru-sama are mates now ?" asked Kaede.

I nodded happily, snuggling against my brother.

"Does that mean he won't try to kill us anymore ?" Shippo said from his hiding place.

I looked up at Sesshomaru hesitantly, but he was looking toward my companions and to my surprise he answered in his usual calm voice :

"I won't"

"You mean you won't try to kill us ?" Shippo asked, rather surprised.

"That's what I meant" Sesshomaru just confirmed calmly.

"Well that certainly is a relief" Miroku commented with a happy smile.

The others all agreed. Shippo slowly came out from behind Sango's leg, glancing nervously at Sesshomaru, then at me. I gave him a reassuring smile and he relaxed. Then Kaede asked me :

"So, what are ye planning to do now Inu-Yasha ?"

I tensed and gulped nervously ; there came the hard part. Once again I moved away from my brother... or my mate, as I should call him now... and I looked at my friends for a moment before answering :

"I... well, you see, it's like that... Sesshomaru asked me to go back to the Western Lands with him, and I... accepted..."

After that I quickly lowered my head so that I wouldn't see the disappointment in their eyes. I waited for one of them to snap at me but nothing came... Curious, I raised my head only to find them still smiling at me warmly. Sango walked to me regardless of Sesshomaru and put her hand on my arm, then she said softly :

"That's great Inu-Yasha. Now you have a home for you and your pup"

"You... you're not mad ?" I asked unbelievingly.

"Why should we ?" Miroku said.

"Well... you'll be alone to fight Naraku... and I won't be there to help..."

"Inu-Yasha how many times will I have to tell you !" Sango exclamed, glaring at me. "There is no way we're gonna let you fight in your condition, even less against Naraku ! You could get hurt and so as your pup, so don't even think about it !"

She had that over-protective look in her eyes again. I had long since discovered that it wasn't a good idea to disobey her when she was like that, so I just nodded. She gave me one of her 'you-better-get-what-I-just-said-in-that-thick-head-of-yours' looks, then she turned to Sesshomaru and told him :

"My Lord, I truly am happy that you and Inu-Yasha are together and that you will bring him to your palace. At least there he'll be safe, which is something we can't guarantee if he stays here. However, I'm afraid that you will have to keep him on a leash. He is much too stubborn for his own good"

I stared at her wide-eyed not believing she had just said that to my brother, but my eyes widened even more when I turned to look at him : that traitor was smirking slightly and he even dared to answer :

"A good suggestion indeed. I'll have to consider it"

I could hear Shippo and Miroku trying to repress their snickers and I had to refrain myself from going there and beat them savagely. Then again, it was nothing compared to what I wanted to do to my lovely mate right now...

"Are ye planning to leave soon ?" Kaede asked Sesshomaru.

"As soon as possible" he answered.

And as he said, less than an hour later I had gathered my small belongings and it was time to make my goodbyes. My heart was heavy in my chest and I was suddenly reluctant to leave. Sango came to me and hugged me ; I felt awkward at first but slowly I relaxed in her hold and timidly returned the gesture. She then released me and stepped back. She looked at me and said :

"You better take good care of yourself, Inu-Yasha, or else I'll go over there myself and seriously kick your ass, understood ?"

I grinned and nodded. She smiled and added softly :

"Make sure that little pup of yours stays safe and healthy. We'll come visit you as often as we can. That is, if it's OK with Sesshomaru..."

Quickly I turned to him and silently asked for his permission. He hesitated for a moment then finally nodded in approval. I beamed at him and Sango said with a wink :

"Thank you Sesshomaru-sama, I promise we won't come bother you too often. I'm sure you'd prefer to be alone with your mate"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her but didn't reply. Then it was Miroku's turn to come to me ; he placed a hand on my shoulder and said :

"I wish you luck, my friend. I hope you will tell us when your pup is born so that we can come see him or her"

"I'll let you know" I answered with a smile.

He smiled back and moved away. Shippo jumped on my shoulder and told me with watery eyes :

"Bye Inu-Yasha. I'll miss you..."

I ruffled his hair as he jumped from my shoulder onto Sango's. Finally I turned to Kaede...

"Farewell, my child" she simply said.

I bowed my head to her in respect. Then I looked at Sesshomaru who was holding his hand out to me. I took it and he gently brought me close to him, summoning air and water to form a light cloud beneath our feet. Before I knew it we were floating high above the ground, and I clung to him tightly in fear of falling. That cloud really didn't seem that solid... Normally it woudn't have bothered me, but right now there was my pup to consider and the fact that because of my pregnancy my habilities weren't at their best. I glanced at Sesshomaru and he glanced back, holding me even closer, if it was possible. I immediately understood the silent message his eyes were sending me : Whatever happens, I won't let you fall...

I relaxed and leaned against him. Looking back underneath I saw my friends waving at me and I waved to them in return. Then Sesshomaru summoned wind and we flew swiftly toward the Western Lands... My new home...