Chapter 15
The moment Nakoa began to have that certain scent, the one Sesshomaru had never expected to come from her, he decided to use that to his advantage. He would use it as a way to get close to Kagome. It may be underhanded, even manipulative, but until he could get her to actually sit down and talk with him, there was no way he was going to get Kagome to forgive him. This was the first step to his goal of getting Kagome at his side.
Reaching up, he looped his arm under Nakoa's neck, rubbing her cheek farthest from him. She nickered, then lowered her head to graze, apparently hungry. It had been a week since the war had ended.
Sesshomaru had spent two days making sure the rest of the army was gone and destroyed. When he was sure there would be no more enemies seeking him out, he gathered Nakoa and began traveling back toward his father's shiro. It had been just the day before that Nakoa's scent quickened with her pregnancy.
Now he was here, looking down at the shiro from on top of a hill. Kagome had left him, hid from him so he couldn't find her. However, if anyone knew where she was, Touga would. He just had to convince Touga to tell him where she was going.
"Let us go, girl. We do not have much time." Sesshomaru patted Naoka's back, then stepped forward. He would no longer be able to ride Nakoa. Until she birthed the foal within, she would be nothing more than his friend and travel companion. He didn't mind. He was perfectly capable of walking on his own two feet.
Nakoa nickered beside him, both of them walking quickly to the shiro. He didn't have to make it far before he scented his father on the breeze, a mix of flowers surrounding his father's aroma. Touga was in the gardens. Quickly, Sesshomaru made his way to the gate, stepping through and not stopping until he found his father, standing under a large weeping willow.
Touga was looking up at the branches, smiling as he let out a laugh. A small yip could be heard, and Sesshomaru realized that InuYasha was here as well. His scent must have been hidden by the strong smell of the willow's leaves.
"Father." Sesshomaru announced himself, watching as Touga spun around to face him. Sesshomaru still kept his aura and scent hidden from anyone nearby. He liked knowing he had the upper hand of surprise if he needed it. It made him that much stronger.
"Sesshomaru. You have returned." Touga swallowed, back rigid. The tension between them was palpable and thick. "I am glad."
"Kagome's battle plans worked perfectly. Her mind is intriguing." Sesshomaru flicked her eyes at Nakoa as she walked away, going to a patch of grass to graze. Looking back towards his father, Sesshomaru stepped forward. "I am looking for her. She left before I could stop her. She-"
"She's angered you? What did she do? No. It doesn't matter. You're not going to punish her-"
"Father." Sesshomaru looked away, guilt and anger eating at him. Even his own father thought he wanted to hurt Kagome. Sesshomaru couldn't blame him, but it hurt knowing that everyone, including Kagome, feared his claws. He was a fool, and Kagome wasn't the only one he had burned bridges with. "I am not angry with her. I… I wish to apologize."
"Apo-Apologize?" Touga was shocked speechless. It wasn't something that happened often. Sesshomaru would be proud of himself if it wasn't because of his actions that had his father shocked.
"Yes. I wish to apologize." Sesshomaru tilted his chin up, seeing his father's confusion. "While I was away, I thought of many things. I hated her for sleeping with another. I hated you for allowing it. I hated everyone except for the one person I should have. Kagome went to Kouga because of my actions. You allowed it, because you knew I was no good for her. I was foolish, and naive, and Kagome paid the price for that."
"Is that all you want? To apologize?" Touga looked up at the tree as InuYasha stuck his head out from the hanging branches. He wasn't a baby any longer, but a boy. He appeared ten in human years, but his eyes seemed older. They glared at Sesshomaru with a hatred rivaled only by Sesshomaru's enemies.
"I want…" Sesshomaru had no idea how to word it. Without his father, Sesshomaru would have no idea how to find Kagome. "I want her forgiveness, her trust, and then… her love."
"Her love?" Touga scoffed in disbelief, but one look at Sesshomaru and his brows were lifting in surprise. "You've matured while away." Rubbing his face, Touga let out a sigh. "Sesshomaru, I don't know that you will ever get the things that you want. I was there, I picked up the pieces as best as I could. You devastated her, harmed her, attacked her, and all because she was human. Kagome is the sweetest woman I know. Her heart has never been able to hate anyone, but I don't if you can gain the things you desire."
"I will spend the rest of my life trying." Sesshomaru already knew that Kagome may never forgive him. After everything he had done, he expected it. But that didn't mean he wouldn't try. He wouldn't give up until he died, or she finally accepted his apology. She deserved that kind of dedication.
Touga let out another tired sigh, then looked at Sesshomaru for a few moments. "Ok. She isn't going to want any big grand gestures. She isn't going to want fake or trying too hard. She will want genuine. She will want thoughtful gestures, not pretty words. She isn't one for money. She's spent her entire life living off of the land and what it has to offer. You have your work cut out for you, Sesshomaru. It won't be easy, and there may be no reward, but I beg of you, don't hurt her again. I love her like a daughter, and I don't want to see her shed another tear. Not because of my son."
"I can promise, Father, that I have no desire or want to ever hurt Kagome again. I've hurt her enough." Sesshomaru bowed his head in a humble promise. He meant every word. When he looked up again, he noticed both Touga and InuYasha regarding him. His father's thoughts were far more kind than InuYasha's. "Father, I must ask a favor. I do not know where she is."
"She's here, son. She needed to speak to Izayoi before she left for China." Touga pointed towards the entrance of the garden's, and Sesshomaru felt his back straighten. He could hear the women coming, both of them speaking softly on a matter about an illness.
When they stepped into the gardens, Kagome noticed him immediately. She stopped walking, words getting trapped in her throat. She was surprised to see him, then she was annoyed. "Lord Sesshomaru. I expected it to take longer for you to clean up after the war. I apologize for not keeping good on my word, but this time I can assure you, you will never see me again once I leave."
"Kagome. There is something I wished to dis-" Sesshoamru grunted as a sudden pain had him lifting his leg. Snapping his head down, he saw InuYasha standing just in front of him, leg raised back to kick at Sesshomaru once again.
"Don't hurt my Gome!" InuYasha yelled, striking out with his foot. This time Sesshomaru was prepared. He dodged the kick easily, gripping InuYasha by his shoulders and turning him to face Touga. Touga was tense, ready to interfere if he needed. It seemed they didn't even trust Sesshomaru with InuYasha.
"You have good protective instincts. Never lose that. It will make you strong." Sesshomaru pushed InuYasha towards Touga lightly, leaving them all surprised once again. InuYasha ran back to his father, and Sesshomaru once more turned back towards Kagome. "I have been looking for you."
"Why?" Kagome narrowed her eyes at him warily. As always, that pang of hurt filled his chest at her fear of him, but he pushed it away. One day she would look at him with love, not fear. He just had to be patient.
Lifting his finger, Sesshomaru pointed towards Nakoa. "She is pregnant, by your stallion."
Kagome's face dropped in shock before she sighed. Bringing her fingers to her mouth, she whistled loudly. There was a neigh that echoed far off, and the sound of hooves. Sesshomaru and Kagome stared each other down, both of them blinking slowly, one calm, the other apprehensive.
When Alastar entered the garden's, Nakoa let out a single nicker, and he charged for her. Together the two horses circled each other, Alastar sniffing at Nakoa's belly before they gave a happy whinny and then galloped off together.
When they were gone, Sesshomaru looked back at Kagome who had all the answers that she needed. With a sigh, she rubbed the back of her neck. "What do you want me to do, Lord both seem happy. If you want the foal removed, I will refuse. Take out your anger on me but leave those three alone."
Sesshomaru's hand raised up rest over his heart. Kagome managed to hurt him so easily, and she wasn't even trying. A few simple words and he felt pain. He could only imagine how she had felt for fifteen years of his abuse. "That is not… I would never." Looking away, he composed himself by closing his eyes and breathing deeply. When he looked at her once more, he was calm. "They are a mated pair. Nakoa is expecting their first foal. I did not want to keep them separated during this time."
"I would gladly let Nakoa travel with me. I know she can't be ridden, and I would take excellent care of her." Kagome offered, but Sesshomaru held up his hand.
"No. I have not been without Nakoa since she was given to me, that will not change now." He saw her face morph to rage suddenly, and he wondered what he had said to anger her so much.
"You won't take Alastar. I know he deserves to be with Nakoa and their foal, but I won't take the chance of you hurting him." Kagome crossed her arms over her chest, glaring him down. She looked like a warrior right then, willing to fight to protect those that she cared for. Sesshomaru found it appealing, though he pushed that thought away. First, he must gain her forgiveness. Once he did that, he would let himself look at her more.
"That was not what I was thinking. You do not trust me with Alastar, and Nakoa is the only friend I have, so I will not be without her. The only option is to travel together. I will follow you wherever you go." Sesshomaru winced as Kagome laughed. He had wanted to hear her laugh, but not at his expense. When she realized he was being serious, her laughter died away, leaving her staring at Sesshomaru and unable to formulate a thought.
"Why don't you leave the two horses here?" Izayoi offered, grabbing Kagome shoulders and squeezing reassuringly. "They will be well cared for here, and the two of you can go your separate ways."
"Izayoi." Touga stepped forward then, coming to stand beside Sesshomaru. "Kagome, Izayoi does have an idea, however, I wonder if Alastar will stay, or if he will chase you down. If he were to follow you, Nakoa would either find Sesshomaru, which would leave Nakoa and Alastar separated, or she would go with you and Sesshomaru would be left alone. The decision is yours, however I wanted you to be aware of the outcome."
Kagome was looking down at the ground, hands fisted at her sides. "I know what you're asking, Touga. After everything he has done to me, you want me to consider his feelings? Why? How could you?"
"I have three children, Kagome." Touga reached out, grabbing Kagome's chin gently and forcing her tear filled eyes to look at him. "Sesshomaru, you, and InuYasha. I want all of my children happy. I have spoken with him, Kagome. I've seen his sincerity, I fully believe he will not hurt you. I am asking you to give him a chance. I think this opportunity could be good for both of you."
Kagome closed her eyes and yanked her chin from Touga's hand. She stepped back from him, eyes hurt and betrayed. "I will be leaving when the sun sets." The moment the words left her lips, she disappeared, leaving them behind in the gardens.
Touga turned towards Sesshomaru, eyes hard with grief. "Do not make me regret helping you, Sesshomaru. If I lose my daughter because of you, I will only have one child." He turned on his heel then, ushering InuYasha and Izayoi away. Izayoi gave him a sad and comforting smile but followed Touga inside the shiro.
Looking up to the clear sky, Sesshomaru closed his eyes. Everything was riding on him fixing things between he and Kagome. This would be the only chance he got. If he failed, he would not only lose his soul bonded, but his father as well. He would be truly left with nothing. He couldn't fail. He just couldn't.
...
As always, you guys nailed the challenge. Here is the next chapter. The stakes are high for Sesshomaru, and he knows it. He is at a point where he will lose everything in his life that he cared about if he isn't careful. This is what he caused by pushing everyone away and being cruel to the others. He sees it now, accepts it, and knows he has a lot to make up for. Kagome isn't happy about Sesshomaru following her at all, but she doesn't really have a choice. She wants Alastar happy, and she would rather deal with Sesshomaru then force Nakoa and Alastar to stay apart. As far as Touga, don't be too angry with him. He just wants all three of his children happy, and with the past Kagome and Sesshomaru share, it puts him in a difficult position. He can't chose one over the other. As someone that has met his soul bonded, he knows the only way they can truly be happy is by being together. He is trying to help, though right now, he seems more like the bad guy. I hope you all enjoyed and thanks to Didithereaper for editing.
