Guyssssssssss! I know I don't normally put an authors note at the beginning but... This story was nominated for the 2021 3rd Quarterly InuYasha Fandom Awards. It was nominated in the categories Best Romance and Best Non-canon Pairing. Whoever nominated me... Thank You. You don't realize how much of a boost this gave me. I had been so in the dumps about getting fired that I hadn't even been able to think about writing. Getting nominated seriously perked me up. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
For everyone else, please go vote. Voting starts July 29 and ends August 12. The links can be found on the feudalconnection tumbler page. I tried to post a link, but fanfiction won't let me. Just go to feudalconnection's fanfiction page, and they have the link you need. So pretty please, go vote for me. It would be much appreciated. Thank you everyone, for loving my story so much.
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Chapter 45
Satori stood on the top of a cliff, looking down at the Shiro. She was far enough away that she wouldn't be sensed. She could remain hidden while she pondered everything her life had become. Lonely. She felt more alone in that moment than she ever had before, and her life had not been pretty before Touga found her.
She had been isolated then, but she had no idea what it felt like to be surrounded by those you cared for. When Touga took her in, made her his wife, she had felt loved for the first time in her life. It was why when he cast her aside for Izayoi she reacted so harshly. She had gotten shoved aside once again, left to be alone like before.
However, she hadn't been alone. Sesshomaru was there. Touga would have still been there, just in a different away. She hadn't been cast aside as she led herself to believe. She had been given a fancy home, everything she could ever need, and the promise that Touga would visit. She threw all of that away.
She killed that human after getting a witch to make it resemble her, she chose to leave Sesshomaru and Touga behind. She chose to turn her back on them all, and now she was alone. Perhaps if she had matured enough to tell them that she wanted to travel, she would still have a home to go to. Now, as she looked down at the shiro, she knew she wasn't welcome. Her own actions had done that.
Her own son didn't want to be near her. Touga didn't want her around, she was sure. Hishiro… Her soul bonded; he had rejected her. Her own actions had caused him to turn from her. He knew what she had done to Sesshomaru and Touga, and because of that, he had no interest in her. Not only did she push away her past, but she pushed away any chance for happiness in her future. She was a fool who lost everything because of her own actions.
Turning slowly, she began to walk away, leaving everything behind. She had nothing left to keep her here. This was her farewell to the life she could have had. Going back to China was her only option, even if she didn't want it.
The sound of hooves rushing towards her could be heard, and Satori stopped, feeling exactly who was coming. Turning slowly, she watched as the demonic horse ran towards her eagerly. Dark blue in coloration for the front half, the back half white with black stripes. Koharu.
The horse panted, stepping up to Satori. When Touga had taken her in, they found Koharu a few months later, beaten and bruised. She didn't trust anyone, but Satori had been through the same thing as Koharu. She understood. She had been able to gain the horses trust, and their bond built from there. "I left you behind too."
Koharu snorted, nodding her head aggressively. She was angry and hurt. Satori could see it. Holding her hand out, Satori offered it. "I have made a lot of mistakes, Koharu. I see that now. Ones I am not sure I can make up for."
Koharu took a single step, pushing her head against Satori's palm. Satori scratched between the horse's eyes, then moved down to Koharu's neck. Before Satori realized it, she was hugging Koharu, holding her tightly. It had been so long. "I apologize, Koharu. I was selfish and immature."
The horse lowered her head over Satori's shoulder, hugging her back. Satori let out a breath of relief, feeling as if someone still cared about her. Pulling back, Satori ran her hand down Koharu's neck. "Thank you for forgiving me." She backed up, eyes burning though she refused to let her tears fall. She hadn't shed a tear since Touga found her so long ago. "I must go now."
Koharu threw her head up in a whinny, stomping her hooves into the ground. She was facing near the shiro, throwing her head towards it repeatedly. She wanted Satori to come home. Looking away, Satori wondered what would happen if she walked back into the shiro. Would she be cast away or forgiven like Koharu did? "Do you think they will forgive me? Touga has always been an understanding demon. Sesshomaru not as much, but… perhaps he would give me a chance?"
She looked back down at the shiro, brows furrowed. There was a chance she would be thrown away. A very good one. She knew that, but there was also a chance she would be forgiven. As small as it was, she didn't want to let go of that chance. She wanted to try, even if she knew it wasn't likely that she would be forgiven. She couldn't pass up that chance without trying everything.
"I suppose I can try." Satori whispered, and Koharu began to jump around in excitement, trotting around Satori happily. Satori patted her back, calming her. "Give me time to gather my… courage. Just a little longer, and then I will come. I promise." Koharu seemed to understand, brushing her head up against Satori's chest, Satori rubbed her ears, and then stepped back. "Go home. You have a mate to return to." Koharu gave one last affectionate brush of her head, and then turned to rejoin her family. Satori watched her go, hoping that she would be given the chance she so desired.
…
"I have wanted this for so long." Izayoi clapped her hands together, standing between Sango and Kagome. After begging, the girls were finally allowed to go to the nearest trading village for a day of shopping. They hadn't been allowed to at first, the guys being too worried for their safety, but they had come up with a compromise. The girls would get their day, but only if the guys could follow behind. They would give the girls space, but they would be there if anything happened. The girls agreed.
So now, here they were, walking through the trading village with three imposing men following behind them. They stopped at many tables, Izayoi buying anything she could possibly want. Sango was buying less, but still spending coin. Kagome on the other hand hadn't bought anything. She looked at things, appreciated them, but didn't buy them. Despite Sesshomaru having enough coin for her to splurge, she didn't want to spend it. She was used to living with the bare minimum. She felt her coin could be used for more important things.
"Kagome?" Izayoi started, a hand over her belly. "Before InuYasha was born, you could tell what we were having. Can you do that now?"
"Of course! " Kagome smiled at Izayoi, a hand on her own babies. "I can tell what both of you are having. I didn't say anything, because not everyone wants to know before they actually have the baby. I know Sango and Miroku don't."
"We want to be surprised." Sango explained, looking through the pouch of items she had already bought, and counting how much coin she was spending. Everything she bought was for the child, but still, she made sure not to spend too much.
"Well, can you tell us?" Izayoi asked. She tilted her head towards Touga, smiling. "He can hear, and he wants to know."
"I do!" Touga yelled, and the girl's laughed, izayoi covering her mouth with her hand as she giggled.
"Well. If you really want to know…" Kagome drew it out, seeing Izayoi itching to find out. "It's a girl."
"A girl!" Izayoi had tears springing to her eyes, happy tears. Touga let out a shout of happiness, and they all laughed once again. Kagome grabbed Izayoi's hand, squeezing it. "Congratulations."
"Thank you." Izayoi wiped away her tears, looking behind her to smile at Touga. He gave her a tender smile in return but stayed back so he didn't interrupt their girl's day. Looking forward once more, Izayoi let out a breathy sigh. "Now we need to come up with names."
"We have ours." Sango rubbed a hand over her swollen belly. "We picked out names when we first got together. We knew we were going to have children someday and talked it through. Hiji for a boy, Sakura for a girl."
"InuYasha…" Izayoi trailed off, thinking.
"I know. But we had picked out the name Sakura before we ever met you. It's not likely that if we have a daughter, she would be InuYasha's soul bonded." Sango seemed doubtful, and even Kagome had a frown. Was it possible? They wouldn't know until the child was born and they saw what was on the inside of her wrist.
"Either way, I am so happy we are having children together. All four of them are going to grow up together." Izayoi was smiling again, beaming. "Can't you imagine, all of them…"
Kagome trailed away from the others, something catching her eye. Izayoi and Sango didn't notice as she left, but that suited Kagome just fine. Staring at the black enclosed tent, Kagome couldn't help but to be curious. There was a male standing outside the tent flap, as if guarding it. When she approached, the man looked her up and down, eyes lingering on the soft bump of her belly. It was barely visible with clothing, but a demon's keen eyesight could pick it out.
"Go on in, Little Lady." The man smirked with a chuckle, grabbing the flap and pulling it open for her to enter. Curiosity getting the best of her, she stepped inside, her eyes taking a moment to adjust. Several candles were lit, casting the inside of the tent in a low light. The moment she realized what was in the tent, she gasped.
"Welcome, Little Lady." An exact clone of the person standing guard outside of the tent approached her, arms held out wide. "You have stepped into my exotic lair. I travel the world, collecting erotica from everywhere I go, and here I stand to sell it all away. We have many things, Little Lady. Whips, chains, provocative and seductive clothing. One outfit from here would have the father of that babe on his knees for you." The man smirked, backing away from Kagome until he disappeared. "Feel free to look around. Just call if you have questions or wish to buy something."
Kagome looked around the tent, cheeks blushing. This had not been what she expected when she entered the tent. Walking forward, she stopped at a table that had various pieces of clothing on them. They were made of some sort of mesh, intricate patterns sewn into it. She had never seen anything like it before. Picking it up, she held it up, mouth parting at what she saw.
Two arms wrapped around her waist suddenly, a large hand resting over her belly. She recognized the feel of Sesshomaru instantly. "You would look ravishing in that." His breath was hot against her neck, his body pressed against hers.
She smirked, leaning her head against his shoulder, giving his mouth access to kiss along her neck. "Would you ravage me, Sesshomaru?" He growled as a reply, his hips pressing his rock hard cock against her.
"Buy it and see, Kagome. I dare you." His claws trailed up over her side, stopping just beside her breast. She let out a breathy whimper when he didn't move any closer to her breast, keeping his hands and fingers in innocent places. She didn't want to be innocent right then.
"What if I bought more?" She breathed, eyes looking around the room at all of the other objects in the tent. Things that interested her very much.
"Buy them and find out, Mate." He growled again, his fangs brushing against her neck. Eyes closing, she reached between them, gripping at his cock. Before she could pump her hand even once, he gripped her wrist, stopping her. "We are being watched, Kagome. Unless you are into voyeurism…"
She blushed, looking up to see the eyes of the merchant staring straight down at them. They were alit with amusement. When she looked up at him, they narrowed as if he was smiling at them. Groaning in frustration, Kagome let Sesshomaru go, pulling away from him. Turning back around to face him, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her body against his. "Let's hurry up and buy what we want. Then we can go home and try them out. At least then we wouldn't have a pervert spying on us." She heard the merchant chuckle as his eyes disappeared.
Sesshomaru growled possessively but looked around the tent at what all was offered. Kagome couldn't wait for this girl's day to be over with so she could go home. She wanted to know exactly what Sesshomaru would do with the items he bought. She was desperate for it.
...
Satori has finally learned her lesson. She wants to earn her forgiveness and knows that there's a chance she won't get it. It's a step though. She knows she did wrong, understands that she now has to accept the consequences. Her future is potentially in shambles, and it's her fault. However, she is going to try her best to come back from that. She is going to try and earn her redemption, and that is what this story is about, isn't it? As far as the bit with Sesshomaru and Kagome... major foreshadowing for some steamy lemons.
Thanks again for reading my story, and I hope you all enjoyed. See you next time.
