While You Were Sleeping

And so, they traveled the familiar path back to the rooms. Only this time, she walked with him. It was only just getting dark, but the rest of their group had already retired to their chambers as well.

"Good thing your aim sucks, or else we'd be trying not to wake a little boy all night," Kagome gloated. Even though his shot was better than any she had made, he still technically lost the bet. Technically. She had to rub it in.

"This One did hit the bullseye with his first ever attempt..." he reminded.

"Yeah, yeah, story of your life. I know." She stopped in front of her room, "Let me just check on him real quick." She quietly opened the door to find Shippo on his back, out like a light. Her human ears could detect the sounds of the mated pair next door, and briefly she wondered what Shippo had heard.

From behind her, he asked, "Will you inform him you will be staying in This Sesshoumaru's room?"

"Nah. A child asleep is best left that way." They regarded him for a moment, noting his little snore. The sound would have been somewhat obnoxious if not for the small, adorable form it was coming from.

Kagome wasn't sure if it was the sleeping boy or the loud couple next door which prompted him to ask, "Do you wish for one of your own?"

The question caught her off guard, and she remembered how he had pulled out the last time. It had been unnecessary, as she had been on birth control for a while now. But there was no way he could have known that. She supposed it was considerate of him to bother, but figured it was likely not an entirely selfless act. Did he not want to father children now, or just not with her?

"I dunno. Maybe someday. Not for a while though. Maybe in 10 years?" The answer shocked him.

"Most humans do not wait so long."

"They do where I come from. Ahead of my time, remember?" That, she was. Even he, who had avoided the species for the bulk of his long life, could clearly see that she was not like most humans.

"You seem to have a natural gift for mothering." The way she cared for the kit, and at times Rin, came to mind.

"Most women tend to. Maybe me more than most here, just because of what I know," he considered this. "I'm in no rush. Besides, I will want to be selfish with my husband's time for a while, whoever he may be, before the children come."

"Selfish doing what?" his voice took on a husky tone.

"Come on, I'll show you."