Chapter 54
Rage. Pure unfiltered rage surged through Naoshi. He had been there, watched the entire thing go down. Kagura was supposed to have killed Kagome, but she had failed, and lost her life in the process. It should have been easy, but still Kagura hadn't been able to handle it.
After Kagome killed Kagura, Naoshi had been dumbfounded. All of the research he did suggested that the Shikon Miko shouldn't be able to use her reiki while so heavily pregnant. She should have been weak, but she wasn't. She had killed Kagura with an ease that had left Naoshi stunned and shocked.
When Kagome started to walk away, Naoshi was there. He was going to kill her himself, come from behind and tear her head from her body, but then he felt them. The overbred dog lords. Touga and Sesshomaru. Naoshi wasn't naive. He may be death, but he could die just as easily as anyone else. When he did, someone else would become death, taking his place like the cycle demanded. However, Naoshi wasn't ready to hand over that role.
Touga and Sesshomaru were a force to be reckoned with. He had seen just how strong they were, and together, they would destroy Naoshi. So, keeping his aura hidden, Naoshi watched as Kagome birthed the twins, Touga standing guard. It was then that Naoshi learned the truth.
It came straight from Kagome's mouth, and Naoshi couldn't believe it. It wasn't Kagome that had killed Kagura, but the little abominations she had birthed. They had killed Kagura, and now that he thought about it, they had to be the ones to heal the soul that had recently been stolen from him.
The Shikon Miko combined with the strongest demon in the lands created godlike children. He suddenly had a new plan for Kagome and those twins. If Kagome had the ability to birth the children she did, then what would she birth Naoshi?
Naoshi was death, while Kagome was life. What would their offspring be, he wondered, and suddenly he wanted to find out. However, this wasn't something that would be easily obtained. Kagome was loyal to the dog, and now that she had birthed the mutts, she would have her reiki back.
Naoshi needed time to plan, to prepare. He needed to ensure all eyes were off of him, and on someone else. Lifting his hand, Naoshi grinned, looking at the pile of dust in his hand. The ashes of a purified Kagura.
He placed the ashes in a vile, pushing the cork stopper in. Sitting at his desk, he wrote out a letter to Naraku, telling him exactly what had happened. At least to an extent. A pregnant Kagome killed Kagura, purified her with a single blast. Naoshi wasn't one to lie, and in a way he wasn't. Those babies used Kagome to kill Kagura.
Naraku would believe Naoshi, especially with the vile of Kagura's ashes. Naraku was no fool. Naoshi could admit that. When Naraku learned that Kagome was able to purify Kagura, he would know. He would know Kagome was the Shikon Miko, and that was what Naoshi wanted.
With his obsession found, Naraku would charge to the West and demand that Kagome be handed over for the death of Kagura. Touga would refuse obviously, and then Naraku would declare war. All eyes would be focused on the West and the North. Naoshi would be free to move as he wanted. Perfect.
…
Naraku looked at the letter in his hand, tempted to throw it away. Naoshi had deliberately disobeyed Naraku. He knew that Kagura was his sister, and still he tainted her with his seed. He did it as a show of defiance, as proof that Naraku didn't have the control he thought he did. Now, he dared to send a letter to Naraku, as if nothing had happened.
Snarling, Naraku crumpled the letter in his hand, feeling the hard object inside. He didn't want to read it, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he opened it, letting the vial fall into his hand. He knew they were ashes the moment he saw what was inside, and without scent, he knew it was his daughter. She had been missing for two weeks now. Still, he opened the vile, sniffing just to be sure. "Kagura." She was dead.
Hand shaking in rage, he lifted the letter, thinking Naoshi was the culprit, the one that killed Kagura. However, as Naraku read the letter, the vile dropped from his hand, shock numbing his rage. Kagome killed Kagura. She purified his daughter with reiki.
It all added up then, and Naraku snarled. The way Kagome reacted to that necklace, Touga being adamant about not letting Naraku search for the Shikon Miko. They had the miko all along and were keeping her hidden away. Kagome was the Shikon Miko and now he knew the truth.
All this time he had been searching, and Touga had kept her hidden from him. The lying dog had been stingy, greedy, and Naraku wouldn't allow that any longer. Picking up the vile of Kagura's ashes, he corked it once more. He had his proof, the scent of Kagura mixed with purifying energy. Touga wouldn't be able to deny him a compensation for the loss of Kagura. If he did, Naraku had the right to declare war.
Naraku would get his hands on Kagome. It didn't matter what he had to do, or who he had to cut down. Before this was all over, Kagome would be his. His mate, his lady, his queen. The Shikon Miko's power would belong to him and him alone.
…
Kagome woke slowly, stretching out in the bed. She stiffened when she felt it was empty, the spot where Sesshomaru normally slept cold. Sitting up, Kagome looked around the room, not seeing him. For three weeks now, this had become the new normal. She knew exactly where he was and smiled.
Slipping out of the bed, she softly padded to the nursery, leaning against the door frame. Sesshomaru was there, reclined back in a chair as the twins slept curled on his chest, a large clawed hand resting on their backs to keep them in place and safe. Sesshomaru was an amazing father. She had known he would be while she was pregnant, but actually seeing him interacting with the twins amazed her every time.
The twins had him wrapped around their little fingers, especially Miyuki who could look at him and have him melting on the spot. Their personalities were starting to show a little. Miyuki was quiet and sweet, wanting to be cuddled on any chance she could get. Kazu was feisty and enjoyed pulling his fathers hair. They were polar opposites.
Stepping into the room, Kagome sat in the chair beside Sesshomaru, smiling as she looked over her family. The twins were still sleeping peacefully, both curled towards the other. Kazu's claws kneaded at his father's chest in his sleep, a reminder that he was being held.
Reaching out, Kagome brushed Sesshomaru's bangs out of his face , leaning over to kiss his forehead, then his lips. He stirred, puckering his lips in response, and his eyes fluttering open until he was looking at her sleepily. She leaned back and smiled, cupping his face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"Hn." His legs stretched out, and she knew he couldn't be comfortable sleeping in that chair.
"You know, if you keep doing this for them every night, you won't ever be able to stop." She scooted closer to him, and he moved his arm, giving her space to lay on his chest as best as she could. With the twins sleeping on him, and her sitting in another chair, it wasn't easy.
"Is there a problem with that?" His voice was low and soft, not wanting to wake the twins. His chin rested on Kagome's head, his family exactly where he wanted them to be. In his arms.
"This can't be comfortable. Could you imagine sleeping like this for years?" She looked up at him, her hand on his stomach, fingers tracing the abs pressed against his skin. "Maybe you should just bring them in the bed."
"I like my time with you too." They had both agreed that the twins would sleep in their own cribs, but now that they were here, he was the one having trouble letting them go. He just wanted to hold them, but Kagome was right. He couldn't do this for years on end. "Just a few more nights."
Smiling, Kagome rested against Sesshomaru, knowing it was going to be more than a few nights. It would be a while before he could finally let them sleep without going to their room. Slowly, Kagome felt herself falling into slumber once more, Sesshomaru's warmth surrounding her. She could hear his heartbeat, hear the breathing of her twins, and it was like a lullaby.
Then Kazu woke, letting out a piercing cry that had all of them jumping. Miyuki began to cry with him, and Sesshomaru along with Kagome could only share a look before they chuckled. They knew what that meant. Standing, Kagome took Miyuki and Sesshomaru took Kazu. They both quickly changed diapers, and then Kagome sat down once more, putting a baby on each breast.
"I find myself jealous." Sesshomaru leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he watched his mate feed their twins. "This is a way I will never be able to bond with them."
"Yea, but you've bonded with them in other ways. They know your voice and your scent. You've seen the way they perk up when you enter the room." Kagome looked down at her twins, smiling. "Sorry, Sesshomaru, but I'm stingy. Let me have this."
"You are a beautiful mother." Sesshomaru walked towards Kagome, kneeling in front of her. His hands gripped her knees, squeezing as he watched his twins feed. He noticed the names on their wrist and smiled. "I will make sure they do not make the same mistake I did. When I think back on all those years when we first met, I curse myself for how I reacted. If I had not come to my senses, this, our wonderful twins, would never have happened. I cannot imagine a world without them."
"You don't have to." Kagome blinked away the tears in her eyes. She wanted to reach out and touch Sesshomaru, to pull him to her so she could kiss him, but she couldn't. Her hands were full. Sesshomaru could feel her want through their bond, and he leaned forward, giving her exactly what she wanted.
One of his hands cupped her face, holding her still as he stole her breath away. He loved her mouth, reminding her of exactly what he felt for her. He reminded her every chance he got. Even after all this time, he was making up for the way he treated her. He would be for the rest of their lives.
A squeak pulled them apart, followed by Sesshomaru growling. Kazu had grabbed a handful of hair, yanking it down in protest. His meal had been getting interrupted and he made sure to let his parents know it.
"He may look like me, but he has your attitude." Kagome chuckled as Sesshomaru freed his hair, kissing Kazu's clawed hand.
"I do not have an attitude, woman. If anything, I see your stubbornness, your pride, your arrogance-"
"You're describing yourself, Sesshomaru." Kagome leaned her head back, smiling softly at her mate. He frowned, then glared at her, unable to argue with her. Kazu's personality was almost a perfect match for his fathers. Aside from the markings that were identical to his father's, Kazu looked exactly like Kagome. Miyuki was the complete opposite. She was the mirror image of Sesshomaru.
"Hm. Father will be by later today." Sesshomaru looked out the window, seeing the moon still high in the sky. "When they are finished, we should get some sleep."
"Three weeks from now, we won't be sleeping at all." Kagome commented, and Sesshomaru's eyes darkened. In three weeks, she would be healed, and Sesshomaru had every intention of ravishing her.
"You will need to get birth control." Sesshomaru deadpanned, and Kagome laughed, making Kazu object again. She quieted down, smirking at Sesshomaru who gave her a soft smile in return."What? You're afraid I'll get pregnant again?" She joked and Sesshomaru gave a small smile.
"You are perfect, Kagome. I love you."
"I love you too, Sesshomaru." The smile he received was loving, and he felt their bond surge with it. When he met her, this wasn't where he pictured their lives ending up, but he couldn't be happier. This was everything that he had wanted and then some.
...
Sorry for the delay guys. My friend came over for a two week visit, and then i ended up with Covid. I am still under quarantine for that, and it hit my whole household, but at least it was all mild cases. We are on the mend, and should be back to causing trouble within a week. I am back to work and posting like normal, and I couldn't be happier. So again, I am sorry it took me so long to post. I also need to get to work on writing the new stories so I have something to post after I finish posting Severed Bonds.
So, now on to this story. We have two plotting characters and neither are good. Naoshi and Naraku are up to no good, and it won't be long before their plans begin to unfold. Things are going to start changing here in the future, and I am going to ask all of you to bare with me until the end. It all ends up for the better, I promise. Anyway, enjoy the cute moment between Sesshomaru, Kagome and the twins. There won't be many more of them in the future until the end. lol. That's your only warning. I hope you all enjoyed.
