Hello again everyone. I hope you are all doing well in this hectic time. I'm sorry this is so late. Life sort of decided to hit me hard. A lot of my family have been diagnosed with covid, I lost my dad in April and a aunt in June. Been in the hospital several times since last year. Haven't been able to motivate myself to write until now. So thank you for your patience and please enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 47: Learning and Understanding Part 2

"Kagome." He said her name almost too quietly, but she heard him all the same and looked up from her task. "Stay with me."

Sesshomaru kept his eyes locked on hers. The warm golden irises seemed to pierce her to the core.

She was blushing. She knew she was. She could feel her cheeks heating up and her breathing might have definitely stopped. For a moment she looked away, finishing wrapping the clean bandages around him before glancing back up to his face. The look in his eyes were gently and soft, almost too vulnerable. He had never looked at her that way before. It was hypnotic.

The inu lord continued to stare at her. The words had stumbled out of him unwillingly. He couldn't take it back. Not now, when a rose color blush decorated the young miko's face. Not when she looked at him in such a trance. He wanted her to stay by his side.

'A demon who desires a human woman'

Isamu's mocking voice trailed through his thoughts and he frowned. Did he desire the human in front of him? Not too long ago the thought alone would have made him rage. The great Western Lord desiring a human. A human priestess of all things. It should be impossible. It should be disgraceful.

And yet, here he was sitting under her gentle touch, wishing for her to remain with him. Was it even something she would want?

She was giving him a confused and worried look. No doubt caused when he frowned. He gently traced his fingers along her cheek and let them rest below her jaw. His thumb caressing her skin. She was so soft. This was the woman who practically turned his world upside down. This was the woman he wanted to protect, who he needed safe.

"Stay." His voice was still low and gently. What did he truly desire from her? Was it her companionship? Was it her love? He had never felt or experienced love of any kind, so he had no way of knowing what he felt for the little miko. He did however knew he cared about her, too much as it was. Seems he was no different from his father and brother after all. "Stay by my side."

Kagome took a stuttering breath in. Her hand joining his own on her cheek. Her eyes soften and she smiled shyly at him, still blushing. "You want me to stay? Even after all the trouble I've caused you?"

"You haven't caused anything to happen."

"I'm still the source of a lot of problems," she sighed. She pressed her face closer to his hand. "I- I wanted to apologize. What happened by the well-"

"You've already done so." The inu interrupted, still keeping his gaze on her face and admittedly enjoying the hold she had on his hand.

"I know but I need to make things clear. I never should have said you would never understand how I felt. I don't know your past to make such a judgement. I was hurt and I took that out on you. And I never should have pulled away from you." Her gaze left his own and her eyes wandered to the rest of his body. Starting from the small gash above his left eye, to the large wound hidden by the bandages. "I care so much about you... I was scared. If anything were to happen- If I was to loose you-" She paused again and made eye contact. "Losing you would break my heart." And she meant it. The little moments they had together, even now with his hand gently caressing her face was enough for her to realize how much she was falling for the western lord. "I want to stay with you. As long as you want me to, I will stay."

The inu sighed quietly and pulled her closer to him, leaning into her with his nose pressed to the top of her head. The smell of herbs and jasmine surrounded him, no doubt it came from her bath. Kagome practically melted into him. Her hands gently went around his torso and held him close. Sesshomaru's arm held her firmly by the waist and he leaned back slowly until he laying against the pillows.

Kagome blushed again as she was pulled down with the inu, and held against him. His nose was still pressed to her head, while his hand found its way to her lower back where it stayed, slowly caressing her. She softly exhaled at the gentle touch and for a moment she wondered if he could hear how fast her heart was beating. "Sesshomaru," she faintly called his name, her own hand coming to rest on his chest, her fingers tracing the top of his bandages.

"Hn," was the equally quiet response.

"Isn't this uncomfortable? For your injuries I mean."

"No," was the simple answer. "I find it rather soothing," was the surprised answer for both of them. The inu-youkai was slightly alarmed he admitted that out loud. Only slightly, as the quickened heart beat of the young miko pleased him more. He continued pressing his nose into her hair, breathing in her scent. The calm he felt now eased away the negative feelings from the previous day, and without realizing it, the inu slowly fell asleep.

Tsume quietly closed the door to the young kitsune's room, after making sure the young boy and Rin had fallen asleep. The children were restless for the night, each worrying about their parental figures. It took a lot of patience and story telling to finally get them to sleep. With a small sigh, the young demoness made her way to Kagome's room to check on the young miko before going to bed herself. Tsume knocked on the door, and when no answer came she entered the room only to find it missing of both mother and child.

Considering the amount of chaos that has recently happened, the worse thoughts immediately came to mind. Shaking her head, she took a deep calming breath and followed the miko's scent. When the scent led to Sesshomaru's room, she let out a heavy sigh of relief. She could hear voices speaking softly from the other side of the door and slowly backed away. It seemed the young miss sought out the inu lord, and if Tsume was a gambling girl she would bet Sesshomaru let her in, craving Kagome's company. Smiling, she made here way back down the corridor, doing one last check on the children before setting off to her own room.

She entered her room and instantly sighed at the tori warrior sitting on her bed with his head down. "I thought you were on duty for tonight," she replied slipping out of her outer kimono before sitting next to the youkai soldier.

Hayate simply leaned his head on her shoulder. "No. In a few hours at sunrise."

"Then why aren't you resting?" Tsume questioned, petting him softly.

"Too angry. Too worried." The male youkai answered, shifting himself so his body was pressed against her. "We were so close to losing him. This is the first time I've ever had to see Lord Sesshomaru so injured." He growled thinking about the past 24 hours. "That bastard Isamu. I should've followed him and finished the job. Put an end to that coward's life."

The demoness pulled her arms around him and held him closer. "He'll pay for what he's done. We've already sent word to the other lords about his attack haven't we?"

"Yeah. But this isn't even the worse of his crimes."

"What else did he do?"

"He's in league with Naraku." Hayate sighed. "And from what I understand they had something to do with destroying our Lady Kagome's way home."

Tsume sharply inhaled. "That's they returned so quickly. And why the children have been miserable. Poor girl. It must've been painful."

"Yeah. And now I worry Sesshomaru will push her away. You know how he gets when he's injured." A snort from the female drew his attention to her face. A sly smile played on her lips. "Okay, what's that look for?"

"Do you want to know?"

Hayate groaned. "No games Tsume. I'm in misery here."

Tsume rolled her eyes at the dramatic male and shook her head, still smiling. "Well since you're begging. Our little Kagome is currently in Lord Sesshomaru's quarters. And from what I could tell they were whispering softly to each other."

"Seriously?" Hayate blinked the surprise from his eyes. "Huh. Okay one less thing for me to worry about it seems."

"Please do not use this as an opportunity to interfere."

"I make no promises. I would like to see them together."

"Stop it." Tsume smack him lightly on the nose. "They'll come together on their own terms. These things need to happen naturally not by force."

"Fine. I shall support from the shadows," the tori gently kissed the other youkai on the cheek. "I should go now and let you get your rest." He stood and made his way to the door, bidding her a good night. With a small smile still on her face, Tsume went to sleep and hoped that the gods gave the people she cared for a break from all the stress and tragedies.

Morning came all to quickly for the occupants of the western palace. Soldiers and servants alike dragged their feet to their destinations, still sore and tired from the shit storm Isamu had gifted them with. The morning definitely came unwelcomed for the head guard. Hayate stretched his arms above his head as he made his way to start the morning patrols. He planned on increasing the guard change, have two or three soldiers trek along the borders, and reassess the guards that serve within the east side of the palace. Last thing he needs is for more treacherous youkai threatening his lord and lady. Well the future lady if it was up to him.

As he made his way to the courtyard, Hayate spotted Inuyasha watching the other youkai go through their morning routines. "You're up early. Anything I can help you with?"

The hanyou shrugged. "Just looking. You sure some of these guys should be up and about?" He commented observing the youkai that had a few wound dressings and bandages.

"We cannot afford for our enemies to see us weak. Besides, my soldiers get restless when they're forced to rest."

"Stubborn lot huh?"

Hayate watched the hanyou curiously. "Would you like to see how things are handled here?"

Inuyasha snorted and raised a brow. "Are you for real? Why?"

"Thought you might be interested in the guards routine. After all this is your brother's land."

"Hmm. And it's not a problem if I follow along?"

The tori gave him a shrug of his own. "Some might find it bothersome but I don't. Now, come with me."

Inuyasha followed him as he went over to the group of youkai. He stood back as the youkai commander addressed them all. "Everyone listen up! Although we pushed the Eastern troops back we cannot let our guard down. I want six volunteers to patrol the borders for the next two days. You'll be relieved by another six. Then guard shifts shall be switched every four hours instead of eight. This new schedule will be set only for a few weeks, so don't get too used to it. As you know, we've had an intruder within our home, and three of our own soldiers sought to betray Lord Sesshomaru." He waited for the murmurs and whispers to die down before he continued. "I will personally see to the east guards and root out anymore treasons. But be aware, I will be keeping my eyes on all of you. If there is anyone here who has grievances with how things have been operating recently, now is your chance to speak up."

Each soldier looked to one another, some whispered or mumbled but none spoke out. One soldier stepped forward and bowed before straightening and placing his fist to the center of his chest. "It is our duty to protect the western lands, her inhabitants and the goals of our Lord. Any decision he makes, as long as it brings us prosperity, we shall follow." The youkai gave a knowing look toward the hanyou behind Hayate and nodded once. "Whatever decision. We proudly stand behind Lord Sesshomaru."

Hayate smiled. "Very well. Now then, who are my first volunteers?" And with that, the guards set out to their duties and Hayate walked away with Inuyasha in tow.

"What the hell was that?" The young hanyou asked after some time.

"Hmm. Just need to be sure where my men stand on certain things."

"So what? Does that mean they approve of my presence? So glad to know I have their permission to be here."

Hayate groaned a bit at the sarcasm. "It's not their approval. It was them accepting who you are."

"And who am I?"

Hayate stopped and observed the inu next to him. "The son of the Great General. The brother of the Killing Perfection. The wielder of Tetsusaiga, the blade that can slay a hundred youkai in a single strike. You are also a living proof that a demon can love a human. You can also be a little asshole. Am I missing anything else?"

"And here I thought you hated me for being a half-breed."

"I lashed out at you- yes, and I do apologize for that. But do remember, you disrespected me first when you disrespected Lord Sesshomaru." Hayate stated before walking again. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I have a couple of guards to weed out. If you wish to join me, I suggest you keep up."

Inuyasha stood there for a moment, briefly stunned. He did suppose he over-reacted to Sesshomaru in the beginning. Sighing to himself he followed the tori to the east of the palace. It was still early in the day and it's not like he had much to do. That, and he wanted to make sure no one else could ever threaten his friend again.

Wowwee. I'm done with this part. I tried to go back to all my previous chapters and change as much spelling errors as I could. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy this update. This are finally moving along with Sesshomaru and Kagome. And Look Inuyasha is actually being civilized. The next chapter will be out soon. Probably by Saturday. We shall see. Love you guys, stay safe out there.