Chapter 9

Author's note: I know it's been a while since I updated, I was going through an awful deep depression. But now I'm somewhat better!

Inuyasha rubbed a hand over his stomach as he sat down next to Sesshomaru as he wrote on a scroll, Inuyasha leaning over and placing his head on his lap. The two had calm down in the bedroom as they got more accustomed to each other, the word of their binding having been sent out the week before. Inuyasha felt comfortable in his mate's presence, and the urge to leave his side was completely wiped out.

If anything, Inuyasha had become what he heard some women call clingy. When Sesshomaru left for two days to monitor his lands, Inuyasha waited for him to come back like an obedient mate, but in his absence, he couldn't eat or sleep. Inuyasha prided himself in being strong and unneeding of others, but in these rare moments of his vulnerability, he needed Sesshomaru more than anything.

Once Sesshomaru learned of what Inuyasha did, he grew furious. Even though the demon understood the need for an alpha in his mate, not eating or sleeping hurt their pups. With this, Sesshomaru called on his mother for her help. Even though it was rather unwanted, he knew he had to monitor his lands as the Lord of the West.

Inuyasha did not know of the update as of yet, but Sesshomaru would tell him when the time was right. For Inuyasha at that moment only knew his alpha was finally home. His stomach had slowed down a little bit in its growing, but he was still big for his time. He shifted himself to get more comfortable as Sesshomaru finished his writing, Inuyasha planning on taking an extended nap.

Inuyasha opened his eyes when he caught the whiff of a familiar scent, sitting up with a frown. Sesshomaru smelled it as well, his veins burning with anger that the miko was anywhere close to his castle. She could only have found it with the help of a demon, which he could smell close by the miko. Inuyasha's whole gang seemed to be arriving at this peaceful time, and it angered and saddened Inuyasha.

Angry that Kagome thought she had any right to come see him again, and saddened he had forgotten about his friends. Inuyasha stood up, Sesshomaru grabbing his arm to stop him. Inuyasha looked down to his alpha, kneeling in front of him and moving in close. He placed his lips against Sesshomaru's, a small word of promise. Inuyasha rose once again, Sesshomaru standing up as well. They walked to the shoji, Inuyasha opening it just when a maid was about to knock on it.

She bowed deeply to them both, speaking with an ounce of fear and urgency in her voice.

"My Lord's, a small pack has arrived to speak with Lord Inuyasha." Inuyasha frowned, grabbing onto Sesshomaru's hand. He felt his long fingers curve around his own, comforting the hanyou.

"Tell them they will speak with both of us. Bring them to the garden." The maid bowed again before leaving, Inuyasha turning to Sesshomaru who had an obvious frown on his lips. Inuyasha could tell he was not satisfied with what he had told the maid, but Inuyasha knew this day would come. He kissed his mate, less chastely than before. He knew words would not quail his mate's hate for his previous mate, but Inuyasha just wanted to be over her and move on.

He couldn't do that if he couldn't face her now.

"Come on, Inuyasha whispered when he pulled away from the kiss, Sesshomaru following him out of the room to the garden. They had a million, but there was only one Inuyasha treasured the most. Flowers bloomed everywhere, and a wall stood of them, leading to a small river that held many colorful fish and a small waterfall. It was grand and beautiful, and Inuyasha never wanted to leave it sometimes. It had become his home in this large castle.

Inuyasha looked up when he smelled his old pack come closer, wanting to stand straighter but unable to. He was prepared for any response at this point, since seeing him would tell Sango very quickly he was pregnant. Inuyasha hardened his features as they rounded the corner, Sango and Miroku seeing him and giving him warm smiles. Inuyasha's hardened stare softened just slightly at their warmth, but his mood quickly soured when he saw Kagome.

"I am glad to see you well," Miroku spoke first, moving closer to Inuyasha who welcomed his proximity. Miroku looked him over, seeing his large stomach but not focusing too much on it. He knew enough about demons to not be surprised about a pregnancy of a half breed.

"When are you do?" Sango asked as she came to stand next to Miroku, looking to Inuyasha's stomach with a soft smile of a mother's love. The three chatted like time had never passed, their bond strong despite the years. The only ones who were left out where Sesshomaru and Kagome, the latter having her eyes averted while the former glared her down with pure hatred. Sesshomaru knew well enough she was not competition, but that wouldn't stop him from hating her.

"I heard you were being united with Sesshomaru, how did you come to those terms?" Miroku asked, Kagome finally speaking up.

"Yeah, when did you decide to submit to him?" Kagome asked, Inuyasha looking to her with a blank stare.

"Around the same time you submitted to Kouga." Kagome's cheeks burned with anger, and her normally short fuse finally blew.

"I saw you sleeping with him! You cheated on me!" Kagome roared, Inuyasha usually not in the mood for her stupid fight. This time though instead of endless screams back and forth, he leveled her with his stare and spoke calmly.

"Well if you must know, it was probably the best thing I ever did." Kagome was taken aback by his response, having expected him to yell at her that it wasn't his fault. Inuyasha had changed though, and he wanted her to see it.

"How me and Sesshomaru got together wasn't planned or mutual, but to me he is everything you never were. He doesn't sit me like some deranged mutt, he doesn't treat me like I'm a second option, he doesn't yell at me just because I messed up once. He doesn't hurt me when he knows I'm right, and he gave me a child. What have you ever done but abuse me then claim false love?"

Kagome's lips parted as she took in his words silently, unsure of how to respond to Inuyasha's words. When he stopped speaking she only had one word on her mind. Her hands clenched into fists as she filled her lungs with hair, Inuyasha tensing as he realized what she was about to do.

"Kagome!" Kagome gasped when she was slapped, her eyes snapping to Sango who seemed to be seething with anger. Kagome touched a hand to her cheek, Sango slapping her once again.

"He is pregnant! If you sit him you will kill his unborn child! Do you want to be responsible for its death?" Kagome seemed taken aback as she looked to Inuyasha, seeming to just realize his pregnant stomach. Kagome grit her teeth, even more anger seeping into her body.

"Why should I care, when he couldn't even give me a child!" Kagome instantly regretted what she said when Sango frowned, having for a second forgot that Sango herself was a mother.

"Take off the beads." They all looked to Miroku besides Sesshomaru, who was inches away from tearing Kagome apart. Kagome gasped, looking to the subjugation beads around his neck. The only thing that kept them bonded.

"No!" Kagome exclaimed, Miroku frowning as he walked up to Kagome and leveled her with his stare.

"Inuyasha's is not yours anymore, Kagome. Either you leave and never come near me or Sango again, or take off the beads. I'm sure we would all be calmer knowing you won't kill his unborn child." Kagome was taken aback as she tried to find an excuse to not remove them, but she knew there wasn't one. This just made her angry.

"Why are you both on his side? You weren't even there to see what happened!" Kagome yelled out, Sango frowning as she regarded her friend like she had lost her mind.

"In the world of demons Kagome, some mates are destined to be together. The child Inuyasha carries is proof of this. Even if he did cheat on you, it would have happened sooner or later. And there is nothing you could have done to stop it. They are one." Kagome was about to reply when Sesshomaru growled, making his presence very much known.

"Take off the beads human," Sesshomaru ordered, Kagome wanting to stand up but weak by herself. Kagome looked to Inuyasha who had started to lean against Sesshomaru, a content look in his eyes. Kagome grit her teeth as she stomped over and pulled off the beads with a loud crack, letting them fall to the ground with loud clangs.

"I hope your happy," Kagome hissed, Inuyasha leaning in close. Kagome almost expected a kiss, and even though she despised him she couldn't help but lean in a little as well.

"Now leave my castle hag."