Sesshoumaru needed to take his anger out on someone, so he fell back on his old familiar standby. Inuyasha certainly wasn't expecting to be barged in on. That was obvious by the way he held his dick in his hand as a means to take care of himself while away from his mate. Sesshoumaru startled him into anger himself at the intrusion, but it soon turned to fear and he immediately went limp as his brother grabbed him by the throat and held him high in the air. He really should have been expecting this, actually.
He was surprised to see no red in the demon's eyes, but the hurt and anger he found there would more than make up for it.
"You knew. How could you not tell me?"
"I'm sorry," he choked out, kicking his legs and trying unsuccessfully to wriggle from Sesshoumaru's iron grip.
"I thought I could trust you."
It killed him to keep this from his brother all this time. He was shocked when he visited Kagome for the first time to find her heavily pupped. She had balled in his arms as she apologized for how she had treated him. Treated both of them. And when she begged him not to tell Sesshoumaru, he had refused at first.
He was furious that she would even ask such a thing of him. But she had wanted to do it herself, and he agreed to give her some time. They had both tried to persuade Sesshoumaru to finally pay her a visit, but to no avail. He was sure if he knew that he would have come. And he told Kagome on his last visit that if he refused to come see her this time, he would tell him himself.
He hoped that this wouldn't cause his brother to lose his trust in him. He had only recently earned it, it seemed. But with how things have been for him, it was a wonder he could trust anyone.
"I wanted to! But I promised I wouldn't," he all but gargled. As his face began to turn blue, the demon relinquished his hold and let Inuyasha drop.
He gasped for air on the floor before quickly tucking his cock back into his pants, rubbing his throat after he did so.
"She wanted to be the one tell you. I swear, if she didn't, I was going to."
"How long did you plan to wait? His coming of age ceremony perhaps?" Sesshoumaru all but growled.
"Soon. That is why I was so eager for you to come here. If you would have just come sooner..." he began, but at the murderous look in his brother's eyes, he decided not to finish that sentence.
Inuyasha regarded Sesshomaru pensively as he stood.
"So, what are you going to do?"
"He is my son. I shall bring him up." He replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What about Kagome?" he asked timidly; Sesshoumaru shook his head in resignation.
"This changes nothing. We are through. We shall find a way to divide our time with him."
Inuyasha treaded carefully, and spoke softly.
"If you could find it in your heart to forgive her, it would really be best for the pup if-"
"Do not," he demanded harshly as he set his cold eyes on him. "If I thought I may not be able to trust her before, I am certain I cannot now."
"But you still love her." That much was obvious. He may have been hurt by her, but he had never stopped loving her. It was why he couldn't be with her. She was a danger to his heart.
"I know it's hard for you to do. But my advice: swallow your pride. Let the past go, and be with your family. Go be with the love of your life. Trust me, you don't want to spend your life thinking about what might have been. There is still time for you."
"No," he countered firmly. "Touran has been loyal to This One. She has earned her place by my side. I shall not abandon her."
"So that's what this is about? Duty? Look, she's a nice girl and all. And yes, she's been good to you. But you don't love her. Your heart still belongs to Kagome. She is your heir's mother. Don't you think Touran deserves to be with someone who feels the same way about her?"
He didn't love the panther. He tried to, but it was not something that could be forced. It mattered not. Love was not required, certainly not among demons. That she wanted him was enough. She would have him, and he would be loyal. There were still some in this world who valued integrity. He just hoped that this new development would not cause her much anguish.
Sesshoumaru returned to his guest room to find Touran sitting alone, deep in thought. He was trying to decide how to break the news to her that he had fathered a child with Kagome, and decided to put it off a bit longer. He crossed to her quickly and put her cheek in his palm, giving her a soft kiss.
"How was your talk with Kagome?" she asked him. He didn't want to get into it yet, so he opted for his usual distraction. He loosened her clothes as he kissed her more forcefully, and followed her down onto the bed in a long-practiced means of escape. But she was taken aback by his actions, and too distracted to continue; and he was unprepared as she grabbed his wrists to halt his actions.
"Don't," she demanded.
At his confused look, she sat back up on the bed and he followed to sit beside her. Since he left her to talk with the miko, she had been deeply pondering their current situation. She had a moment to think on things, and couldn't ignore the worried anguish she felt as he was having his long-overdue talk with Kagome. She thought she had been doing right by him, but coming to The South brought some new things to light for her.
"Let's cut the shit, Sesshoumaru. You come straight here after talking to your ex, and suddenly you are very interested in being physical with me? Please."
She had never been so firm with him. Had never forced him to explain or defend himself. Perhaps that was how things between them had so easily progressed. Her permissive nature when it came to him allowed him to go on without facing his feelings outwardly and honestly. She made things easy on him. And he needed things to be easy after what he had endured at the hands of the Shikon Miko.
"You have been loyal to me, technically. You don't fuck other females, not physically. But don't think that I don't know that every time you sleep with me, you are actually sleeping with her."
His eyes widened at the accusation. He was a master of disguise. Had she known all this time? He thought he hid his feelings so well... even from himself.
"I see it in your eyes. That same look as the night we had the threesome. You get this glazed over expression, and you look right through me. You may be with my body, but in your head, you are always fucking her."
She had been willing to ignore it. But when she once again laid eyes upon the priestess, and watched him do the same, it was impossible to deny. Her initial anger turned to sorrow, and she removed her gaze from him to regard the floor at her feet.
"That is why you have not mated me yet. Because deep down, you know you don't want to. Your beast still wants her."
He wanted to argue. To tell her she was wrong. But he wouldn't insult her. She knew him better than most, and as hard as he tried to suppress his feelings for the human miko, he had been unsuccessful. Even though she had moved far from his lands, she still had a hold on him. He could avoid her, and deny her, but he could never be happy again. Not without her. Inuyasha had been right. It wasn't fair to the female beside him, and the guilt of it was shaming.
"There was a time when all I wanted was to be yours. I didn't care if you wanted me back, or if you even had feelings for me at all. I would have taken whatever I could get when It came to you. But I can't do this anymore." She returned her gaze to him then, intent on relaying the importance of it all, and wanting to see him react to her... for once.
"I can never be satisfied, now that I saw how much you loved someone else, and knowing you will never feel that way for me. I gave you my word long ago that I would not stand in the way of you two. When I saw the way you looked at her, when you danced with her just now, and the way she looked back at you, I realized that was what I was doing. You deserve to be happy. And so do I. And I can't be happy with you when you are obviously in love with someone else."
"Touran-" he began, but stopped. The distressed flaring of what he now knew to be his son's aura captured his attention, and panic naturally filled him as he sharply turned his head toward its call.
Touran felt fear at his actions. Nothing caused Sesshoumaru to openly display distress, and she was about to ask him what was wrong; but in a flurry of white silk, he was out the door to their room in an instant.
In the bathroom attached to her rooms, Kagome washed the tears from her face and patted herself dry. She hadn't really expected his forgiveness. She knew she didn't deserve it. But that didn't stop it from hurting.
If only she had tried harder to control her powers. If only she had mastered them a bit sooner, she could be with the demon she loved, raising the family that she had single handedly torn apart.
She hoped he would at least want to be a part of their son's life. She couldn't imagine that he wouldn't. He was too honorable to deny his pup, even though it would probably be unappealing to him to be tied to her in any way. And the way he looked at him when he first laid eyes on him was breathtaking. He was going to be a good father, regardless of their relationship.
The crying of the pup caused Kagome to return to her sleeping quarters to check on him, but she started when she became aware of a figure looming over his crib. Panic set in as she made her way over the unfamiliar presence. How did she not sense it? It must have been masking its aura.
It appeared to be a dragon. But how could that be? She thought Kashi was the last of his kind, but she took in the resemblance of the ominous being standing over the child. He lifted a dagger to her son's throat, and her reiki flared in response.
"Ah ah, none of that," he warned as he put a hand on the child's head, and pressed the tip of the blade to his skin.
She was grabbed from behind by a second dragon, a blade now at her throat as well. She opened her mouth to scream, but his hand covered her mouth, and he put his lips by her ear.
"If you scream, or stir your powers, we will kill him. Understand?"
Her eyes were wide with fear, and she nodded to appease the intruders.
He released his hand, but the blade was still at her neck as he put an arm around her middle to contain her.
She was only feet away from the crib, but she would never make it to him in time. She could purify the one who held her, but wasn't fast enough to make it to the other before her son would be killed.
"What do you want?"
"Vengeance." The word hissed from his scaly mouth, and she was disgusted at the feel of his breath on her cheek.
"Great Uncle Kashi was a fool for naming a human miko as heir, but we will avenge him regardless. We had only come with the intention of killing the girl who brought about his dishonorable end. But imagine our surprise just now when we discovered this little bundle."
"Hey brother, does he not resemble someone?"
"Indeed. He looks just like the very wretch who took father's head." The malicious smirk of the dragon caused Kagome's stomach to turn.
"We aren't so deluded that we believe we could ever slay the great Lord Sesshoumaru. But I would say taking his first born from him would be the next best thing. It appears we shall be able to avenge father as well."
The rough manner in which he was handling her was uncomfortable to endure, but her only focus was on her son, and the tip of the blade pressed firmly against him.
"The South has always rightfully belonged to the dragons. I believe I shall be taking it back from you now. I will take the very title that was mine, before you threatened Kashi to hand it to you."
"It was never going to be yours," she spat out; forgetting herself as an antagonistic look came over her features. "Kashi planned to name his general heir. He had never even mentioned you. He must have thought you were too weak-"
The child cried as he pushed the dagger closer to him still, and she stopped her ill-timed taunting.
"Please! He has nothing to do with this. I'm the one you want. Let my son go. There is no honor in killing a defenseless infant."
"You are one to speak of honor?" he accused angrily. "You are the treasonous wench who killed your lord."
She could find no response to that, but she was saved by the bell.
The dragons tensed as Sesshoumaru arrived through the door with flourish, and he had to contain his panic at the scene he had walked in on. The dragons were distressed at his presence, and turned themselves sharply to face the new threat while still holding their hostages even closer.
Sesshoumaru quickly assessed the situation. He could tell by their scents that they were kin of Tanaka and Kashi. He now recalled the dragon mentioning his children shortly before he killed him. How could he have forgotten? And where have they been all this time?
He considered his position, and the proximity to the attackers. He could make it to one of them in time, but likely not both. If he was too rash, someone would die, so he remained still and did his best to be calm.
How did this happen? He briefly wondered why she hadn't simply purified the demon holding her. But regarding his son more closely, he realized the folly in that logic.
Dragons were not particularly stealthy. They should have been detected. He cursed himself for being distracted enough during his visit to let this threat elude him. And he cursed the guards as well. Jiro was better than that. This fortress was under their protection; and when hosting visitors, security should be extra attentive to outside threats. If they were his soldiers, he would see every one of them exiled for their lack of awareness... at the very least.
He conceded that this fortress had, at one point, belonged to the dragon clan. They likely knew the layout inside and out, and perhaps knew better than most how to sneak by undetected. But still...
Inuyasha and Touran finally made their way to the room, but Sesshoumaru halted their progress before they reached the doorway.
"Stay back!" he commanded harshly, as Jiro and a group of soldiers also made their way to the threshold, swords in hand. Seeing the dangerous scene before them, they obeyed.
The situation was proving dire for the dragon brothers, and Kagome tried to use reason to prevent them from acting rashly out of panic.
"If you kill his son, he will kill you," she informed them.
"I will kill them regardless. If you spare the boy, however, you shall be rewarded with a quick death."
She was briefly saddened by the fact that he hadn't seemed concerned for her, but immediately pushed it aside. As long as her son would be saved, that was all that mattered.
"He possesses the blade of the heavens," she reminded them. "If you kill my son, he will revive him anyway. And kill you both slowly." They took a moment to process this. They had forgotten about that damned sword.
"You want revenge? Then kill me. He hates me. He won't bring me back."
Sesshoumaru was stunned at her assessment, but kept his reaction hidden.
"How can we be certain that he won't?" The dragon asked her, and she turned to the dog demon to plead with him.
"Sesshoumaru. Promise them. Give them your word. I deserve to die... but not our pup. Agree to let them have their vengeance if they spare him. Please."
His face was deceptively passive as he regarded her a moment, before turning to the dragons and inclining his head slightly.
"I want to hear you say it." The demon holding Kagome demanded.
"You have my word. I shall not revive the miko."
"And our deaths will be swift?" The assailant at the crib wanted confirmation.
"Yes."
The dragons regarded one another, resigning themselves to their fates. They knew the risk of death was high with following through with their foolhardy plan of attacking the Shikon Miko in her own domain. But revenge was all they sought. If they were able to take her down, in their minds they could die with honor, and avenge their kin.
The second the dragon at the crib withdrew his weapon, Sesshoumaru dispatched him in an instant with his poison whip. He quickly flipped his wrist to take down the second offender, and did. But not before he had succeeded in driving his own weapon deep into her chest.
He caught her before she fell to the floor, and did his best to temper the pain he felt as he watched her begin to slip away. Fear and regret were present in her eyes; but they also held gratitude... and something else.
He lowered them both to the floor, and she watched him as he still held her close to his chest. She just wanted to take in as much of him as she could before she left him forever. She was devastated that she wouldn't get to see her son grow into a great half demon, as she knew he would. But she took comfort in the fact that he would have Sesshoumaru watching over him, and protecting him.
"Thank you for saving him," she offered weakly, reaching up her hand to gently touch his face with her last remaining strength.
"I'm so sorry... " she whispered. "I love you."
He grabbed her hand at his cheek, and pulled it to his mouth to kiss, never taking his eyes from her as he did so. Despite the blood quickly draining from her fragile body, his actions filled her with warmth, and she was pleased to know his gentle touch once again as she slipped into unconsciousness. But before she did, she heard his anguished and honest confession; barely perceptible to her human ears.
"I love you, Kagome." Her eyes remained closed, but a genuine smile graced her paling features as she took her last breath and went limp in his arms.
He knew she was gone, but he remained with her a moment longer. Finally releasing her hand to run his bloodied fingers through her hair. He brushed stray strands from her face, and let himself enjoy the touch of her skin, trying to ignore the inanimate feel to her once lively body.
A tear slid down Inuyasha's cheek, and he fought the urge to race to her side... it would do no good now. Regardless of their situation, Touran felt sorrow for the miko. She didn't deserve to die like this. But despite the dramatic events unfolding, her focus was on the crib by the bed, and the tiny half demon crying inside it.
The soldiers hung their heads in mourning, waiting to move until Sesshoumaru permitted it.
He placed her down with care as he removed himself from her person, and stood to regard her attackers who lay dead but steps from them. The creatures of the netherworld were advancing, and Tenseiga pulsed at his side. He drew his sword to cut them down, and waited for the dragons to come to.
They were confused as they awoke, and slowly regained their faculties. Relief washed over them as they realized they were no longer being pulled down into hell. But once made aware that the dog demon who murdered them was still in the room, panic and fear overcame them.
His deadly eyes were bone chilling, and before they could muster any words, Sesshoumaru had a few of his own. He turned his focus to Jiro, who was still distraught over the death of his Lady. Not to mention shocked at the presence of the child in the room.
Kagome had gone to great lengths to keep her pregnancy from any of them. He recalled now that for a time, she had been quite reclusive. There must have been some who were aware, as she had been sending trusted servants and soldiers to relay messages and issue orders on her behalf. She must have been using her miko magic and barriers to keep his presence concealed all this time.
He wondered briefly if he had known, if he would have broken her confidence and told Sesshoumaru.
"Take them to the dungeons. I want them alive when I get there."
The rage on Jiro's features as he regarded the dragons was powerful, and caused Sesshoumaru to capture his attention once more.
"Jiro," he demanded harshly, ensuring the general would heed him again as he reiterated. "I want them alive."
He was sure they would be beaten and tortured once locked in their chains. And he only hoped that their just punishments that were coming to them at the hands of the Southern Soldiers would be somewhat restrained. He would deal with them himself. They would live long enough to know the pain they deserved from daring to threaten what was his. He considered that their miserable lives may continue for some time yet.
As the dragons were hauled up roughly by the soldiers, they turned to Sesshoumaru.
"You assured us our deaths would be swift!"
He looked back at him coolly. "They were."
The dragon's eyes widened in fear, quickly becoming aware of his fate as they both were escorted from the room.
Inuyasha followed the soldiers, not wanting to miss his own opportunity for revenge on them, but Touran remained quietly in the doorway. She stared at the crib another long moment, before Sesshoumaru's movements drew her attention his way. Tenseiga still in hand, he turned back to the lifeless miko on the floor, and made one last cut with his sword.
He knelt down to return to her side, scooping her back up against his chest as life returned to her. He pulled the knife from her chest. Relief washed over him as the color returned to her cheeks, and as she opened her eyes, he placed his hand to her cheek to stroke it gently; blood caking her face as he did so.
His son was wailing in his crib as her wound closed up and she took her first gasps of new breath. He wanted to be angry at her for what she had done. For this, and for last year. But when she opened her eyes and looked at him with the love he had yearned for and missed, all he could feel was relief. She was okay.
He was still mad at her. He wanted to hate her. The fates had just given him an out, but he could never have taken it. He already knew he could never kill her, but he couldn't even let her die. It was unacceptable. And in that moment, he realized he couldn't even leave her. No matter what she would do, he would never stop loving her. Even if she didn't deserve his loyalty, she would have it forever. He only hoped that this time, she wouldn't be reckless with it. He had to trust her. He didn't have a choice at this point.
He didn't want to live without her. He didn't even know if he could.
She had done some terrible things. But, he conceded, so had he. Before her, he had done despicable, horrible things. And without a second thought. She had helped him see the err of his ways. And now, he pledged, he would do the same for her. He saved her once already. He could do it again. It wasn't impossible. Nothing was for him.
She stared back at him in shock as she regained her senses, and moved her hand to cover his on her cheek.
"You lied to them. You broke your word..."
"I know."
He lowered his head down further to take her lips in a soft kiss. Her death was still too fresh, and her body was so weak that he feared he might break her. But when she reached to pull him closer, and deepen their kiss with her tongue, he grabbed her tighter, showing without words all he had been longing to say. He finally had her back; and he would never let her go.
Touran watched the two only a moment, before turning and leaving the doorway without a word. Her departure, much like her presence, remained unnoticed.