Chapter 39

Kagome leaned against Sesshomaru's naked chest, her fingers twirling in his hair. Together they sat outside, beneath the stars. Neither wore a stitch of clothing aside of the boa draped over them both and the blanket beneath them. Sesshomaru played his flute, a slow and happy musical piece that had Kagome's eyes feeling heavy as she sat between his legs.

It had been nearly a week since Sesshomaru brought her to their new home. She still couldn't believe that he had gone through so much effort just for her. He had gone out of his way to make the construction of their home a secret, had enlisted his father, even given up his title, all for her. She still felt guilty for the last one, but he truly seemed happy with their life together. She didn't feel any regret through their bond. He was content.

Sesshomaru's arms were wrapped around her so he could play the flute, and she raised her head to look at him. His eyes were closed, fingers moving over the wood with an expertise she had never seen before. It was easy to tell he had learned to play the flute early on. He enjoyed it.

Pressing her face into his neck, she let out a sigh, closing her eyes as a soothing calm traveled over her. She could fall asleep right then and there and have no problems staying unconscious until the morning. With her mate wrapped around her, she was safe and secure. They way she liked it.

Another sigh left her, and she smiled against his neck. The music came to a stop, Sesshomaru's arms coming down to rest around her. They remained in silence for a long while, enjoying the company of the other. It was Sesshomaru who spoke first, apprehensive.

"What do you think of children, Kagome?" Her smile grew, and she kissed his neck, shifting to settle deeper against him. Was he finally going to tell her? She already knew of course, but he didn't know that. She had been waiting for him to catch on.

"You know I love them. Why?" His fingers trailed patterns along her naked back, claws scraping against her skin sensually. It felt amazing, made her eyes that much heavier. If he wanted to have this conversation, he needed to stop distracting her.

"Do you want children of our own?" He refused to look down at her, a fissure of worry snapping through their bond. Frowning, she looked up at him, trying to understand where that worry came from. What was going through his mind?

"Of course." She leaned up, hands on his chest, over his tattoo's as her eyes met his. "I want a family, Sesshomaru. I always have."

"Now?" Leaning forward, he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close once again. He wrapped the boa around her, making sure she didn't get cold even if she couldn't get sick. He was so tentative, and she knew in the upcoming months, he would be even more so.

Cupping his face, she kissed him, her lips moving over his in what she hoped was comforting. When she pulled away, she looked into his eyes, her thumb rubbing over his skin under his eye. "Now, later, always. I'm old Sesshomaru. I should have had a family a long time ago. At least by human standards. I want a family and I want it now." Kissing his jaw, she smiled, chuckling. "I already know I'm pregnant, Sesshomaru. No need to be so worried."

"How?" He leaned back, eyes curious as he looked at her in surprise. "I was able to scent it this morning, but you cannot smell the change to your scent."

"First, there is this." She placed her hand over Sesshomaru's, which was laying protectively over her belly. "You have been doing this all day, and I don't think you even noticed." A tender smile on her face, she looked down at their hands, lacing her fingers through his. "Plus, I can feel the life within me. It's like… a little spark. The more the baby grows, the more I'll be able to feel them."

"They have reiki?" Kagome nodded as an answer to his question. It was the only reason she could feel the child in her womb. That and the other thing she felt.

"And youki. They have both." She watched that process on Sesshomaru's face, seeing the surprise and awe. As far as they were aware, there was no case of a miko or monk laying with a demon, which meant no baby had been born from such a union before. Their child was the first.

"They will be strong. Unstoppable." Sesshomaru grinned, his arrogance peeking out from his depths. "I must be potent for you to take on the first try."

She slapped his chest playfully, laughing. "That, or maybe I'm just really fertile."

"We can test that theory." Leaning forward, he kissed along her neck, his mouth hot against her cooled skin.

"How would that work? I'm already pregnant." She laughed again, shifting herself so she was straddling his lap. She could feel his length stiffening against her, and she panted, feeling her body heating. They couldn't get enough of each other. She needed him as much as she needed air in her lungs.

Slowly she reached between them, her hand having one goal in mind. However, before she reached his cock, a new sensation brushed against their awareness. Someone was coming. They were searching for them, and Kagome groaned in aggravation while Sesshomaru growled.

"Your father is coming." Kagome smiled softly at her pouting mate, then used his shoulders to stand. She made sure to press her breast against his face as she stood, bringing another growl out of his throat. When he went to stand, she laughed, running inside their home and going straight for their closet so that she could dress quickly.

She didn't make it before Sesshoamru grabbed her from behind, pulling her against him. Running his nose along her neck, he nipped it as his hands came up to cup her breasts. "When he leaves, you will be mine, Vixen."

"Will I?" Leaning her head back against his shoulder, her own teeth pulled and nipped at the lobe of his ear. "You will have to catch me first."

"I will, and I will never let you go." He paused then, feeling Touga getting closer. "Except for now." Letting her go, Kagome smirked and scoffed affectionately. Together they dressed, both stealing glimpses of the other until there was no skin left to see. When they finished, they both walked outside, finding Touga stepping into the meadow.

"Sesshomaru. Kagome. I am glad to see both of you in good health." Touga walked towards them, a large grin on his face. "I see that the two of you have mated. Congr-" The wind blew then, carrying with it Kagome's scent directly towards Touga. His eyes widened, staring at her as if she had grown a second head.

Kagome knew his reaction would be over the top, but she hadn't realized they would break him completely. Letting out a laugh, Kagome placed a hand over her belly. "We are pregnant, Touga. You're going to be a grandfather."

"Oh!" He took a shuddered breath, stepping up to Kagome. Slowly, as if he was scared to hurt her, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her both tightly and carefully. "This is wonderful news, Kagome. A grandchild!"

"The child carries both reiki and youki. Kagome can feel it." Sesshomaru boasted, his chest puffed out in pride. Touga blinked, surprised, and he looked down at Kagome for confirmation.

"I can't tell any details, like if it's a boy or a girl, but I can feel them." She grabbed Touga's hand, placing it over her belly. "Right here."

Taking a deep breath, Touga managed to calm himself. He looked as if he was about to cry, and Kagome tried to recall a time she had seen him so emotional before. The only time was when they met, and Izayoi's life was dwindling away. "I am so happy for you. Both of you. You two deserve this happiness." He took a moment, and then backed away, the emotion he had been displaying disappearing to be replaced with a seriousness that meant business. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news and ruin this piece of paradise you created. However, Sesshomaru, you must return to the shiro in the morning. Naraku will be arriving with Kagura."

"It was bound to happen, father." Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome, and she could see the turmoil in his eyes. He didn't want her anywhere near Kagura or Naraku, but he didn't want to leave her alone either.

"I'll be there. I don't want Kagura to get too close to what's mine." Kagome leaned into his chest, gripping his top in her hands. Sesshomaru growled, lowering his face to her neck and nipping at her skin. Kagome looked at Touga, brows furrowed in determination. "We will be there, Touga."

"Good. I fear this will not go well. I ask that you and Izayoi stay out of the way, Kagome. I know it is not your normal style, however, now that you carry, I want no harm coming to you and your baby. You may be present, but you will sit with Izayoi on the cushions." Touga rubbed the back of his neck, and Kagome nodded, seeing how worried he was about this meeting. Did Touga have more information than he was letting on? Could this meeting be more serious? With a sigh, Touga gave them both a smile again. "You two rest. I will see you both in the morning." He turned then, leaving both Sesshomaru and Kagome behind.

Satori stepped off the ship, looking around the lands around her. It had been so long since she had stepped foot in Japan. She didn't think she would ever come back, and yet, here she was. The West, the place that held so many memories for her. Memories that she hadn't wanted to remember.

However, after her run in with Sesshomaru, she realized she couldn't hide from those memories any longer. She was forced to face them, grieve them. It was something she had avoided, but now, she needed to accept that that's all they were. Memories.

After Sesshomaru left her, Satori had traveled around aimlessly. She couldn't process knowing that Touga and Izayoi were still happy. She had hoped that Izayoi had died by old age at that point. To learn that Izayoi didn't age, that they had a son together… it had been another slap in her face. She didn't want to believe it, but her son had never been one to lie.

After contemplating more on what she learned, she had realized that perhaps she overreacted. Faking her death to spite Touga may have been overboard. She didn't necessarily regret doing it, but she could have acted more mature. Especially when it concerned Sesshomaru. He had always loved her, looked up to her like a son does his mother, and she had let him down. She failed him.

She didn't care about Touga and Izayoi, but Sesshomaru. He was her son, and she shouldn't have done what she did. She shouldn't have left him behind without some sort of explanation. After realizing this, she took the time to come to terms with what she had done wrong, and then boarded the ship to Japan. She could have flown, but she was procrastinating, unsure if she should even go to Sesshomaru. Would he want to see her? He had been angry and hurt the last time they saw each other, it would be no surprise if he still held some of that resentment.

Sighing, Satori began walking, letting her feet carry her wherever they took her. She wasn't ready to go to her son yet, but she would be soon. At least she was already in the West. Perhaps she would travel to all the places she had memories with her son at.

"You're pretty." A little voice caught Satori off guard, and she looked down, blinking at the little hanyou. He seemed to be around ten in human years, the offspring of a kitsune and human. He was smiling at her, and she stared at it.

When it didn't say anything else, she cocked her head to the side. "What do you want?"

"I'm lost. Daddy told me if I ever get lost to find somewhere to hide and stay put until he finds me." The little kitsune looked down at his stomach when it growled. "But I'm hungry."

"You are a half-breed. If you are not careful, you will become someone's lunch." Satori warned, though she had no idea why she did. "Run along now, hide as your father suggested."

"But I'm hungry. It's taking him longer to find me than normal. Can you help?" The child looked up at her, and she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"No." Beginning to walk away, she left the child there. It was not her responsibility to care for someone else's child. The father should keep a close eye on his child if he wanted to keep the hanyou safe. As Satori walked, a flash of Sesshomaru as a child entered her mind, the son she had failed. With a sigh of defeat, she turned towards the boy who was still looking at her, tears in his eyes. "Come."

"Really?" The boy smiled then, running towards her. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she bent down, sniffing deeply at him. He smelled of the woods and forest around him. There was a hint of the kitsune blood in him, plus the human. However, she focused on one scent over all others, the smell of Inu blood.

"Your father, is he human or kitsune?" Satori stood up straight once more, looking down at the boy.

"Neither. He's a red Inu. He adopted me when he found out my real parents were killed. I don't remember any of that. I was just a baby." The boy shrugged, and Satori narrowed her eyes. A red Inu? Those were rare. Either way, she had all she needed. Lifting her nose to the air, she breathed in deeply, searching for the scent of the boy's father. When she found it, she pulled the child close to her leg and formed a cloud beneath her feet.

She could smell the Inu's blood heavily, knew he was injured. However, the scent was moving towards them, and that told her the fool was alive. Moving at a leisurely pace, Satori reached into her robes, pulling out a satchel of dried meat. She handed it over to the hanyou, who took it hungrily.

"Thank you!" His mouth was full, pieces of meat sticking out from between his lips. He really had been hungry, but at least he was still polite. They continued on, him eating, her silently keeping her senses trained on the father of the child.

When the red Inu realized she was coming with his son, his course changed, and suddenly, he was speeding directly towards her. She stopped just as a red Inu appeared before her, breathing heavily and in pain. His hair was long, falling halfway down his back and as red as the coloring of her son's favorite kimonos. He was shirtless, bandages wrapped around the entirety of his torso. The wound was still bleeding, but not as heavily as before. He had red patterned tattoos etched into his skin over his shoulder, another just beneath his eye. He was handsome and the moment she set eyes on him, something inside of her came to life.

It was as if a part of her had been dead her entire life, but as she looked at him, breathed him in, she woke from a slumber she hadn't realized she was a part of. She had heard of this feeling before. Touga had even tried to describe it to her when he left her for the human. She had never expected to feel it herself, but as she did, she couldn't help but to feel hope expand in her chest. This was her soul bonded. This was… "Hishiro."

"Satori." Hishiro narrowed his eyes at her, and then focused on the child. "Come, Botan. We must return home." The little kitsune jumped from Satori's cloud and to his father's, hugging onto the huge inu's leg. "Thank you for returning my son." Hishiro turned to leave then, but Satori stopped him, grabbing his wrist.

She was confused. From what she understood, it was nearly impossible to deny your soul bonded. Yet, it seemed that was exactly what was happening. "Wait. What of o-"

"I reject you, Satori." Hishiro didn't even look at her, but he snatched his hand away as if her touch disgusted him. "I know what you have done, both to the lord of the west, and your own son. I will not have a selfish immature woman like that around my son."

He rushed off then, the little kitsune waving goodbye as they disappeared. Satori could only stare at Hishiro's retreating back. It was as if everything fell into place then. The emotional agony that washed over her from being rejected. She hadn't understood anything Touga had been saying. She had been wishing this pain on both Touga and Izayoi without knowing the truth. Now she knew. Now she knew how much it hurt to have your other half turn from you. What Touga did to her was a scratch compared to this. She was a fool. An utter, selfish, and immature fool.

...

I know I missed last week, but I have a lot of personal problems going on. I needed a break to get my mental state under control and plan my future. I'm back now, and I'm sorry I didn't post for you last week. Now, I'm battling with a cold, and my daughter has croup, and it seems like I can't catch a break. It's overwhelming. I'm stressed out, but I have a plan, and this plan is what I'm going to work towards, because I can't keep myself in the rut I have been for years. My future is going to be changing and I'm both terrified and excited.

Now, for the chapter, Sesshomaru and Kagome are going to have a baby! I know it annoys some people that I almost always have Kagome end up pregnant in my stories, but I love seeing their relationship evolve from meeting, to marriage/mating, to parenthood. There are so many trials that comes with relationships, and I love writing about all of them. I want it to be more real. So, Sorry, not sorry, Kagome will almost always end up pregnant in my stories.

Satori is finally getting her moment to change. Her Second chance. She finally understands what she did wrong. Hiroshi rejecting her put everything into perspective, and it will make her think. This will be the start of her redemption. It should be interesting.

Challenge time! Twenty-five reviews by Wednesday night, and you get the next chapter. Teaser: Naraku finally arrives with Kagura. What does he want? How do they react to finding out that Sesshomaru and Kagome are mated? Send in those reviews to find out.