Blooming Lotus

Truth

"Talking"

'Thinking'/memory

'Beast'

A/N: Hello dear read I willl try to explain thing in order but there will be flash back to the past in this chapter. I will try to mark them and hope it won't get to confusing. Enjoy!

~^o^~

Sensing her aura was infused with worry he was next to her in an instant. "What is wrong Miko?" He searched her body for signs of injury or sickness, there was nothing that he could detect, he waited for her to speak.

She was silent a moment, she took her eyes off her reflection and slid them to him. In a slightly rough voice she asked him the only thing that she could think to at that moment. "Am I a demon now?" she stood shocked and rooted to the spot awaiting his answer.

"Yes, My Mate you are." He waited for her reaction to this news.

She stood there flabbergasted. Completely shocked by this new revelation her legs nearly gave out on her. Sesshomaru was there with strong arms around her the instant she began to sag under her loss of control or her legs. From this distance he took note of her beautiful features only enhanced by the change along with her new demonic markings. She now bore the Crest of The House of the Moon in the center of her forehead hidden by her bangs. Her stripes lavender, ran in parallel lines down her spine, beginning just around the back of her ear down her neck to flare out to curve out and around her perfect butt to grace her hips. There on her shoulder sprinkle spots of blue stars covering her shoulders. He was brought back to focus by her voice.

She breathlessly asked "How can that be?"

I shall explain let us adjourn to the bed so you may sit and gather your faculties once more. This will take quiet sometime to fully explain." He said guiding her out into the room to the bed, while grabbing the bathing yukata for the back of the door to wrap her in. Knowing she would feel more comfortable clothed while discussing the matter at hand. He draped it over her shoulders tying it at her waist, as she reflexively pulled her arms through the sleeves of the deep blue robe. Gently encouraged her to sit on the bed with slight pressure on her shoulder as they came to the side of the bed that had the tray sitting on the night stand. Taking a seat next to her near the foot of the bed to face her, having seated her against the head board to lean against the pillows comfortably.

She let him move her as he saw fit to stunned to put up much of a protest, trying to comprehend how she was now a demon. After settling her and himself he pause a few moment to organize his thoughts as how to explain this all to her.

He murmured a soft "Hnm." as if finally agreeing to his course of thoughts. He focused her with a educated gaze, looking her over taking in her still stun look. He called her name softly to garner her attention. "Kagome." She slowly found his eyes daze still evident in hers.

Once he was sure that she was paying attention, he had explained about what happen during the mating and her now changed in species.

"When a human mates with a demon, their life span becomes extended. Do to the infusion of the demons youkai into the humans body when the mating mark is placed. While in most cases in lower to mid-tier demons they may be able to find another mate if the first dies to old age, while they have extended lives they are still mortal. They can still age just at a significantly slow rate, they are susceptible to diseases and other things that plague the humans. While the humans mated to higher-tier demons are not effected by aging and diseases, these humans pretty much immortal they will still die if they are inflicted a mortal wound. These demons tend to only take one mate and once they or their mate perishes the surviving partner doesn't seek another, do to their affection for the one lost. In all cases if the human partner, if they are the one left alive they resume aging at half or a third of the rate but ultimately succumb to death. If not sooner due to grief or broken heart. If there are young that are still in need of care, they care for the young until maturity then proceed to age there after." He paused there to see how well she was absorbing the knowledge.

Kagome took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, she was amazed at his information. However that still did explain the reason why she was now a demon. Blinking gave a small nod to let him know she had gotten all that, 'How does that make me a demon? What did he do to me? Does this mean I am immortal now? What about children will we ever have kids? His beast was in control last night I know it, is he not happy with this mating? I knew it! I was too foolish to think the he actually had changed, to care for me. How stupid can I be?!' She thought furrowing her brows, as worry, doubt, sadness, and longing shimmered through her features and their connection.

Sesshomaru was a little surprise at all the emotions that were being sent through the connection he felt them as if they were his own. "Kagome, what is it that you are thinking?"

She didn't answer right away but when she did her eyes where sad and brimming with yet to be spilled tears. She voiced all her fears in a rush. "How does that make me a demon? What did you do to me? Does this mean I am immortal now? What about children will we ever have kids? Your beast was in control last night I know it, are you not happy with this mating? I don't know if you have changed at all to be able to love me even if I where human, let alone now that I am a . . . Demon. Which I still know how that even happened. Will you just use me to conceive a heir and never speak or talk to me afterwards?! Will you take my baby from me?" She finished breathless and broken as her tears stared to flow freely.

He sat there taking in all that she said as his beast raged within him. 'Mate is hurting. Tell her we love her that we will have no other but her. That she will remain swollen with pups till she can no long walk and threatens to take away our member. Tell her she is more precious then than any gem, that with out her we will cease to be. SAY ANYTHING TO MAKE HER PAIN LEAVE HER!' His beast roared at him snapping him into action.

"It is because you are a Miko, but not just any Miko you are the Shikon No Tama Miko. Your soul is powerful and pure, when we mated and I bit you I forced some of my soul into you as is customary in a matting. My soul and yours combined becoming one, this only happens to those who are soul mates, those destined to be together by the kami's hands themselves. Due to you still holding within you the Shikon No Tama it saw fit to changing you into that of the way you are now."

He looked deeper into her eyes, held up his hand to halt her question. " As for the matter of whether I would have chosen you had you remained human after our mating. Yes. You are worthy to be by the side of this Sesshomaru. Though my beast was the one to claim you last night he could not have had it not truly been something I had not already had in my heart."

He thought a moment and continued to tell her his truth. "You have proven time and again your courage, honor, loyalty and passion to those around you. You have overcome all obstacles in you path in battle and life. There is no other that I can speak the same of, your purity and heart at first I deemed a weakness has shown to be one of your greatest strengths. I want pups with you there is no other that I can see mothering my pups. You did well with Rin and Shippo, they loved you like their own and you loved them like they had come from you own womb."There was a sight ping of pain and sorrow on both ends of the connection and the mention of their children.

"You are more then just a concubine you are my mate and you will have as many pups as you desire. This Sesshomaru intends on courting you properly, we are mated indeed, however, it is my duty to bestow upon you the proper ways of a courting to redeem my honor for claiming you without properly doing so. I understand that this is overwhelming to you now so I shall give you time to think thing through." He said watching her reaction and hoping that he'd get a chance to prove to her that he was the kind of mate she deserved.

She looked at him frozen to the spot, never in million years had she thought or dreamed that the Great Demon Lord Sesshomaru would ever be as honest or sincere. When she looked into his eyes what she found there amazed her hope, caring, and desire, need, and lust. His normally cold and impassive glare was gone, his eyes were as warm and golden as the blazing sun. The rarity was overwhelming she couldn't believe this was the same male that nearly killed her several times over. This must have been what Rin had seen in the Great Inu Lord, 'How could she shut him out of her life without giving him a chance to know him now. Maybe he has grown in all these years. For me it's only been 5 years but for him it's been 500 perhaps he has become a better person. I don't know if he will revert to his old self but it is worth the chance, he is the last connection I have to Edo, to home. It's not as though my love life has been the greatest, first it was Inuyasha who love Kikyo I was just an imitation, then there was Hojo who lets face it was sweet but had the appeal of a limp noodle. Then there was Tenchi who had been the bad boy with a sweet heart but he only wanted me for my body and I wasn't ready for that. It could be worse, I don't feel any lies coming from him, . . . I feel his feelings?' Her brow lifted as she felt his need for her to accept him.

"How do I know you too won't leave me Sesshomaru?" She whispered, waves of worry assaulted his nose.

FLASHBACK BEGIN

Kagome was walking through the forest with her yellow bag trying to find the hot spring that they had past earlier before they set up camp.'Damn that stupid dog! As soon as he see those soul collectors hes off to chase after that dead woman. How can he do that to me? He promised after we defeated Naraku that we would really try to be a couple. That was two weeks ago but as soon as she sends for him, he jumps up and sniffs her out like a blood hound.' walking without paying much attention she knocks her head on a low hanging branch. "DAMN!" She mutter in pain turning slight to the left a bit more and continues on her way minding her surroundings a bit better, but goes back to thinking of InuYahsa and his cheating ways. 'He calls Miroku a leech but what does he do at the promise of sex, hes gone in a flash. I can't do this any more! I AM DONE WITH HIM!' She thought furiously.

Kagome walked to a good ten minutes more musing in the same vain of thought, when she heard it the sounds of passionate moaning. I took her a few seconds to realize what it was she was hearing, when she did she blush a deep red. She hadn't meant to walk into a couple making love, in the clearing just ahead. She was about to back away to leave them alone when she heard the words that made her blood run cold as ice in her veins.

"INUYASHA! Oh yes! YES! YES!" Moaned Kikyo.

"YEAH YELL MY NAME! Who do you belong to scream it to the heavens!" he growled in full lust.

"INUYASSSSSHHHHHAAAAAA!"

They had both came seconds later, tears streaming down her face she did the only thing she could think of she... "SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!' She screamed herself hoarse.

With every subjugation command hes was driven further and further into the ground effectively creating a crater the size of a large pond. With every command he was smashed to the thing underneath him which just so happen to be Kikyo. Her clay body could not withstand the immense pressure at the force of each 'sit' and it gave way. Cracked and crumbled into dust. She was no more the piece of soul that was keeping Kikyo alive raced back to its rightly owner. Inuyasha hollow in pain and grief his Kikyo was gone forever this time and it was all Kagomes fault. His eyes were flickering between red and gold his beast was struggling with itself. One woman he loved took the other woman he loved shutting down all thought he lunged at Kagome, but at that moment Light burst forth from her blinding him and bathing the forest in a light as bright as day. Her soul was stitching back together becoming one once more, she knew this was it she was going home.

"Good-Bye. Tell them I love them!" She shouted at him over the roar of her blood and aura pounding in her ears. As suddenly as it started it flickered out and it was gone and so was she.

She felt the same pull as when she was first pulled for the future to the past. With a soft whoosh and gently falling feeling, she was back in she well house at the bottom of the well. She landed with a dull thud, she felt alone and broken she knew she wasn't ever going back to her home or to see her little family in the feudal era again. She sobbed curling into a ball rocking, not knowing how else to make the pain go away. It was roughly two hours later that her mother found her, she climbed down and just held her knowing she was home for good.

FLASHBACK END

Her eyes stinging as the unwanted memory flooded her mind, she could do nothing to hold them at bay as they began to stream down her face. She buried her face in her hands not wanting him to see her like this. He picked her up and placed her in his lap wrapping his arms around her and just let her cry letting out a low rumble in his chest meant to comfort and sooth her. She was to over come with the past and this simple gesture let her hold on the grip she had held over her emotion and just cried it all out. All the pain of losing all her friends, all the pain of her stupid love life, all the worry over their mating and what could happen if she let him in, the anger at the kami at dealing her this hand. He sat there stroking her back just as he had done for Rin, when Jaken would hurt her feelings or when she was sad about the Miko in his arms.

Soon she fell asleep in his arms, he reluctantly got up and settled her under his cover and kissed her forehead on the crescent moon. He had to go to work he change his shirt quickly and went to his side table grabbed a pen and paper wrote a note.

'Mate-

I have left to attend to some important business. Stay here rest, eat, and bath whatever you like. The are soaps and lotions in the closet, the kitchen is stocked, enjoy my library on the first floor past my desk. I shall return post heist after my business. Should be no later then 4.

Sesshomaru

P.S.

My number is 738-XXX-XXXX if you need anything call or text.'

He left the note on her side of the bed in plain sight, his disguise back in place he headed downstairs grabbing his suit jacket and he was off to work.

~^o^~

Sesshomaru was thinking about Kagome through most of the day trying to come up with best way to court her. He wonder if she was even still at the condo, was she still laying there in his sheets ingraining her sent into his bed, did she find use of his library, was she perhaps laying on the couches bathing in the sun like she enjoyed in the feudal era? His meeting was just corporate crap, the client wanted to move bar to the back of the first floor club, and to add a pool to the side of the building, and another night club on the roof. He really didn't need to be there but due to the importance of the client it was required of him.

At the end of the meeting the rather handsy Mrs. Mokido glued herself to his side out right flirting, while her husband was overseas trying to close another deal. She would be considered a classic beauty dark pin straight locks fell over her shoulders, and her face that of movie stars which she was formally in her youth. She was slender with the body of a runner, that she was shamelessly rubbing against him. She was nothing compared to Kagomes beauty, his jaw clench at the unwanted contact. 'How dare this woman take such liberties with my person?! Had this been the feudal era she would be punished most severely. How dare she think herself worthy of me? Kagome would tear her to shreds for touching what is not hers.' inwardly he smiled at the thought of his little Miko possessive and covered in an others blood. It was almost enough to heat his blood. Quickly he beat back the though for if this slithering snake were to mistake his reaction for his mate as attraction for her, he'd never rid himself of her pursuit.

Just as Mrs. Mokido was about to invite him to lunch, his phone rang and he excused himself from her claws. "I am sorry Mrs. Mokido I must take this. Ms. Taki will escort you out to your car, it was as always wonderful doing business with you and I will see you at our next meeting. Give Mr. Mokido my regards, I hope he can make the next meeting. Safe travels." He exits to his office.

His pleasantries did not meet his eyes while his lips spoke kindness and friendship in his mind he had tortured her with his acid, had her tied to a wall presenting her to Kagome to let her torture her. Though he knew Kagome was a kind soul she was now a demon and all demon were possessive in nature, a threat to what is yours will meet the swiftest of end. He growled low in his throat too low for humans to her as he answer the phone.

"Hello mate." There was a purr on the other end. "What is it that you require of this Sesshomaru?"

"Hello. . . .Mate." She awkwardly said as she fumbled for her next words as his growl sent a shiver down her spine. "I, . . .I was hoping . . . . we could get lunch together?" She rushed out. Then thinking better of it "That is if you are free and it wouldn't be too much trouble?" Kagome added hastily.

"That will be acceptable. There is a restaurant across from the apartment through the park. The name is Kibo no yorokobi, I will meet you there in a half hour." he simply stated.

"I will meet you there. Thank you. Bye." She said smiling.

"Good-Bye Mate." He said hanging up the phone clearing off a few things from his desk and locking them in hes desk drawer. He made sure to close out of his computer and had everything in it's place as he made his way out of the corner office.

With a short "I'll be out to lunch." to his secretary.

He was on the elevator going down to the parking garage. Made his way to a black Xexus s500 he slid comfortably in to the drivers seat, the engine purred to life. Slowly pulling out of his spot to drive to over to the restaurant his mind shifted back to his mate and how to woo her.

~^o^~

Kagome having woken up around 10 am to an empty apartment. Stretching for the second time that day while yawning, finding her under the blankets yet again. Taking note of his effort not to wake her and concern for her comfort. She Smiled to herself 'Maybe he has changed for the better. How can he change so suddenly? Maybe he is truly willing to accept this mating. Why does he want me? I was just a human that he tried to kill a handful of times, back then he was so arrogant now he's still cold yet there is warmth where there was none before.' Then it hit her like lightening. 'Had he taken a interest in me way back then? It has only been a few years for me but for him its been 500 years. 500 long years spent alone, long enough for even the taiyoukai to change. Maybe he is longing for the days when he was a fearsome lord that didn't have to conform and disguise his true self.' That was when she decide that she would make an effort to truly make this mating work she still had reservations but she was willing to work with him.

She picked up a sausage link and ate it while formulating her plan. She would need to start learning about the youkai legends and history, 'If Sesshomaru is still around that could mean other youkai have survived. That means that maybe, just maybe he was still alive.' Hope knocked hard in her chest. Nibbling a on another sausage link then a piece of toast, she decide she had to get up and dressed. As she grabbed the orange juice to wash down the toast, she noticed he had left her a note in the most beautiful hand writing she had ever seen. She picked up the tray and took it down stairs, refusing to leave a mess she washed and dried her dishes placing them back in the cupboard after a few tries.

She followed his instructions to his library, opening the door the comforting scent of slightly musty decay that only old books had graced her nose. Taking in a deep breath she smelled several faint scents that was amazing because she knew that had she been human she never would have been able to smell them. There they were, all her friends and family. On a bookcase on the far wall dedicated to the mementos of the past, a shrine if you will. Scrolls that held Miroku's scent, a short sword that held Sango's scent, a red ribbon that smelled of Rin, a green spinning top that smelled of her Shippo, smiling weakly with tears in her eyes. He had a case that held two bows one that smelled of Kaede and one of herself, the last thing her eyes fell on were the subjugation beads that smelled of Inuyasha.

Kagome openly wept at see all her family represented in a bookcase almost 500 years after they had died. She touch each one with fondness and love in her heart, glimpses of each of her family flashed in her head of them in their happiest of days.

FLASHBACK BEGIN

"Kagome can I have more crayons I want to finish this draw for you?" Shippo asked, his fluffy tail swishing to and fro.

"Hang on just a minute Shippo i let me finish this sentence." Kagome said as she was finishing her homework for language arts. Looking up she smile at her kitsune who was bounding of to her, he had a worried yet hopeful look on his face. "What is the matter Shippo?" she asked.

They were sitting in a clearing on a warm summers evening before dinner. Sango and Miroku had just gotten married in Edo, where sitting snuggled together under the large maple whispering about their future she assumed. InuYash was off trying to catch some game for dinner that night. She stretched out her reika to see if she could catch what had caused the worry in the child. There was a ping and the only thing that can ping that big was

"Sesshomaru." She whisper eyes widen as he breached the clearing.

Rin came run out from behind him shouting. "LADY KAGOME! SHIPPO! RIN'S MISSED YOU SO MUCH!"

Kagome letting out a sigh of relief as Rin made her way toward her, she packed up her homework figuring it was now pointless to try to focus now that the ball of energy that was Rin had made her appearance. Shippo bounded toward the girl forgetting the crayons and his drawing, laughing to herself at how quick a child's mind changes. She stood dusting off her skirt and cleaning the mess placing it all in her backpack.

She walked out to greet Sesshomaru. "Hello Sesshomaru. How are you? What brings you out this way?" She asked, smiling politely at him.

He looked her over his mask still in place, he took notice of her disheveled appearance. He was not surprised of her attire any long but come to expect it in a strange way it suited her.

"Hello Miko, fare well this day. Rin would not stop pestering about visiting the kitsune, your group happened to be on the path to my destination. I saw it fit to grant my wards request at this time. Where is the half-breed?" he inquired of the group having not scented him in the area.

"He's gone to hunt for dinner. He should be back soon. Would you want to join us for dinner?" She asked hopefully.

He sniffed the air there were 6 deer just south of the clearing and a bunch of rabbits. There should be no need for the half-breed to be gone this long. He knew as well as she did of where he was she simply choose to ignore. He stood and left the clearing to the south. He return shortly after with two bucks, dropped them near the fire turning to the tree opposite the one that Sango and Miroku was under he sat down there.

They were all quite stunned that he had brought the dinner. Shaking out of her shock first she walk to him and bowed. "Thank you Sesshomaru." her companions copied her gesture and repeated her words of thanks.

"Hnn." Came his only reply.

Quickly they got to work stripping and cleaning the deer. The kids were out in the field while the adults cooked dinner and Sesshomaru sat under the tree. Cutting up the meat Kagome sat some of the more tender meat of both deer and there hearts to the side raw for she knew that youkai preferred their meat raw. The hearts of the animals was a given, most animals took the heart of their kills and she felt it was only right that he did too given his beasts' nature and all. Sango made the rice, while Miroku help cut the remaining meat and veggies wild carrots and potatoes and bok choy that she and Shippo had found earlier that day.

When dinner was ready she prepared Sesshomaru plate having cut up all the meat into bite sized pieces. She brought it to him silently when in front of him she stuttered slightly "I . . uh, I . . brought . . . you some dinner." She blush tomato red.

"This Sesshomaru . . . ." he gave a slight pause as he open his eyes and glanced at the food she was presenting him. Though she knew he didn't need to look he was youkai and knew what was on his plate. "accepts this meal." Grabbing the plate she offered him.

She smiled brightly " Thank you for hunting dinner. Enjoy."

She walked back over to the fire and began dishing out food to the others. She was humming a soft tune. Everyone ate dinner which was full of laughter from the humans and the kit, after dinner was cleaned up she was walking back to him. He hadn't really taken his eyes off her during the meal but he never let her catch him doing so, but he was seen however by a little kit.

Once she was close enough to him she asked "Would it be okay if I took Rin to go and bathe?"

"That is acceptable." he said from his pose gazing at the stars not looking at her.

"Thank you." she said.

Taking her bag with to the hot spring the kids running on ahead of her laughing and playing. They all laughed and splashed around in the water after about an hour of play she had gotten them dressed. Taking them back to the camp on the way Shippo mention that he had seen Sesshomaru looking at her all through dinner she dismissed it with a giggle. When they came back to the camp InuYash had yet to return, but that wasn't anything knew.

"Sesshomaru will you be staying the night with us? It is fairly late and I am sure Rin is already ready for bed." she observed.

"We shall remain the night within the camp." He responded

She smiled at him while she heard the kids cheer and giggle. "Time for bed you two now scoot."

Ushering them to the pile of blankets that she had laid down to make a bed for them. She noticed that Sesshomaru had laid out his mokomoko as a pillow for them she found it sweet. She told them the story of Beauty and the Beast, they loved it.

Rin said "Its just like you and Sesshomaru-sama." as she dozed off. Shock colored Kagome pink.

Looking around at their small camp site everyone was asleep aside from her and Sesshomaru. There eyes met briefly he turned away to look at the sky his pale skin and hair catching the light of the moon in just the right way he seemed to glow.

"Sleep Miko. I will keep watch." He stated.

She felt immense relief at his words that a wave of sleep over took her moments later, as she snuggled closer to the kids one on each side of her. Her last thought was 'Thank you Sessshomaru you are kind to do this for us.' She buried her head into his mokomoko letting out a content sigh and slipped away.

InuYasha came sneaking into camp the next morning but upon smelling his brother scent he made to attack him. However Kagome gave a loud, "SIT!" command and rolled back over still sleeping that is until she felt more than heard the impact. She groggily woke with a start looking a round for the reason and notice a crater that was InuYasha, the rest of camp having woken by the noise began to laugh.

"Did he come barking food again or did you yell *sit* in your sleep again?" Came Sango's bemused question.

"I'm not sure I just felt him being a pigheaded jerk so I said it in my dream, and . . ." She gasping feeling terrible. "I was sleeping. Oh, InuYasha I'm so. . ." she was cut off by Sesshomaru.

"You were correct in your assumption Miko, he was as you say a pigheaded jerk. He was in mid-attack when you called a halt to his motions." in a slightly amused tone laced his voice.

"Well then I guess it was deserved." she joined in the laughter.

FLASHBACK END

She gathered herself after a good cry telling her friends she'll again soon. She left the room and returned to the bedroom with big puff red eyes. She wanted to go back to bed and lay there for a month or longer but her desire to get clean was stronger. She took a long shower enjoying all 12 shower heads to get thoroughly clean. She dressed in the same jeans that she wore yesterday the felt a little tight but they did wonders for her new curves. She decided to wear a shirt that belonged to Sesshomaru tied at the hips and rolled the sleeves up. After her shower she called him to set a her plan into motion. After hanging up she grabbed her purse and phone, leaving the apartment smiling to herself.

~^o^~

She left the building taking a deep breath, she was over come by so many scents it was intense. She made her way tho the park taking in all the sights and the muted smells of the earth and plants all round. A bit further into the park there was a crowd gathered around several performers, all of with seem to be doing magic or acrobatics. she was so wrapped up in the performances that she yelped when she was bear hugged from behind.

"Oh, how I have missed you!" Said a familiar yet strange voice of the person that was hugging her.

Turning around she didn't know who this person was. "Who . . .?"

=^.^=

A/N:WHEW! I told you that the chapter would be longer didn't I? How do you guys like it? Who could this new person be? I cranked this baby out to keep on scheduled. As always fan, favorite, and review it fuels my soul.

xoxoxoxoxo

~Rhage~