Don't be afraid I've taken my beating.

The palace was a mess, and though people were bowing to him, he knew he was hated, not feared, hated, not respected, hated. He didn't care about the hate, not really they would learn.

"My my, back so soon my son."

He froze, and Kagome saw it, she turned around first. There a woman stood who looked so much like him and yet not.

"And what is this, another human" Her lips curled "I should think you would have had enough of them."

Kagome remembered him saying something similar to his brother, about herself.

"You have no power here" Kagome looked at Sesshomaru as he spoke, "Be gone woman."

She began to walk closer, and Sesshomaru grabbed Kagome's arm, ready to pull her away from his mothers deathly reach. "I have no power here, but until you state your claim, neither do you" She was looking at Kagome, not him.

"Why do you think I am here mother" He sneered, his back still to her.

She began to laugh "And you think these people will bow to you and follow, they hate you."

She laughed more and Sesshomaru could feel Kagome's aura shift; she was getting angry for him? He looked down at her, but her eyes were hard pressed on his mother, like him she did not fear her either.

His mother stopped laughing and crossed her arms "A show of power then, ne my son?"

He turned his head "There are no others save Inuyasha who could challenge my claim."

His mother smiled even bigger, and Kagome didn't like that.

"Only Inuyasha?" His mother's eyes went back to Kagome "Oh that would be a treat but alas he is kept up by another Miko in what I assume is a love nest."

Kagome turned slightly red, and Sesshomaru cursed inside, Kagome was going to speak, he knew it. He was right.

"But? Kagome spoke, "You say that like Inuyasha isn't the only one can challenge him?"

Sesshomaru snorted, and Kagome looked up at him "You say that as if you think anyone could be a challenge, Miko."

"That's not-

His mother laughed "Oh how sweet; he cares what you think" Her face then went flat "You should be rid of her otherwise this will be tragic my son."

He growled "I do as I wish," He said and tried to pull Kagome away.

"Is there another?!" Kagome yelled making him paused.

"Indeed," His mother said slowly "His other brother."

Sesshomaru froze again and slowly turned to her, he released Kagome, because he knew his grip on her would hurt should he keep touching her. Fire rushed through his veins "Father sired another?"

"Not your father you fool, I!"

"I will defeat him, kill him, I will not hesitate" His eyes began to turn pink.

"Sesshomaru" Kagome whispered,

"Do not worry Miko, for I have already taken my beating" He began to take off his clothing, leaving nothing but his pants "But, you're still healing Sesshomaru!"

He looked down at her "Do you not have faith in me, for you I thought would be the first to pledge loyalty to my rule."

She blushed,

"If you find me weak, then leave."

"You are weak; I almost killed you myself" His mother scoffed,

Kagome gasped in anger "You!"

She smirked, "Yes me, I'm the one who beat him damn near death Miko, and his brother shall finish the job!"

"You can leave" Sesshomaru stated and began to walk forward. Kagome sprung in front of him, and her hands went to his chest. He stopped and looked down at her. Her hands were so cold against his heated still healing skin.

"I'm not leaving you" She declared boldly "But do you really need to do this and before you say it, no, I don't think you are weak!"

He grabbed her hands "Why are you cold?"

She blushed again "I'm human remember."

"I must do this Miko for the future of my pups, for the future of the woman who womb carries them"

She blushed more at his words, who knew he could have such passion in him.

"But Sesshomaru, you don't have any what, what if, what if-

"What if I die now?"

She looked away; she didn't want him to think she thought he was weak, she knew he wasn't. Then she looked at him again "Don't fight him now."

His eyes narrowed,

"If you did, you know, die you would leave nothing behind, isn't leaving something, even if it's in the wrong order better than leaving nothing at all?" She could not take his gaze and looked away "Who cares if you have a palace, have your babies first" She could not believe the words coming out of her mouth.

When did she get so brave with him, the better question when did the fear of him dying make her heart hurt?