Haftungsausschluss wie immer

XV

Kagome woke early, stretching in the bed. Wait. The bed? How-ohh... that's embarrassing. She face palmed and dragged her hand down her face. A chuckle scared her from bed. She whipped her head around, feeling with her reiki. Very quickly, she deflated, falling on her back on the bed.

"Was there a reason for the face palm?" Sesshomaru asked, coming to stand by the bed. He looked at her with a gentle smile.

"I fell asleep in your lap." Kagome groaned. "It's embarrassing."

"It is embarrassing to sleep in the safety of your intendeds arms?" Sesshomaru asked, confused. She looked up at him.

"Intended?" she asked. His face grew just a little red.

"Ah. Yes. The courting is to see if we are compatible as mates." he said slowly. She smiled up at him.

"So you wish me to be your mate?" she asked coyly. He nodded, swallowing. "I was only embarrassed because I'm not really used to it."

"I see. I should inform you that demons are prone to touch. Even the slightest touch, such as holding hands. To have my intended sleep in my arms, is..to protect you." he said. That's how he can prove his protection. Kagome smiled, standing to face him. She gave him a hug, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

"Then I will gladly let you protect me, Sesshomaru." she said with a smile. He hugged her, kissing the crown of her head escorted her to the dining hall, gesturing to the seat next to Sango, then sitting next to her.

Quietly, he gathered food for her, the others smiling knowingly while Kagome blushed as he set it on front of her. Not quite providing, but it still feeds her.

"Kagome, dear?" Shiori said. Kagome looked over to her, smiling.

"Yes, my Lady?" she asked.

"I do not wish to worry you with this, merely warn you. The shards are collected. Naraku is coming." she said, looking into a mirror she held in her hand. Kagome's face fell.

"It's time, already?" she asked. Shiori nodded.

"There have been less shards, yes? With the distance you'd traveled these past couple weeks you would have normally sensed more than the two you gained, correct?" she asked.

"Yes... There are less and less shards." she pulled her piece of the Jewel that she wore around her neck out, to see it was just about half of the shards. "Naraku undoubtedly has the rest."

"Indeed. He wants the rest, Kagome. You must be cautious." she said.

"We should head out after breakfast, then. My Lady, would it be alright to leave the little ones in your care? I don't want them anywhere near Naraku or his minions." Kagome asked pleadingly. Shiori smiled.

"Of course, dear. They will be safe here." she answered, bowing her head. "You have my word."

Kagome smiled gratefully. Thank goodness the children had already ate and run off, Shippo will already be hard to tell to stay. He never wants to leave her, terrified she won't come back.

After breakfast, Kagome and Sesshomaru went to find the children. She didn't want to leave him behind, but if this was truly to be the final battle, there was no way in hell she was going to let him or Rin be taken hostage and used as leverage. Never again. Her hands balled into fists at her side as she thought. Sesshomaru gripped one of her hands, squeezing lightly.

"We will defeat him. He will not get them, Kagome." he said softly. How on earth did he know? But still, she was grateful and she smiled at him relaxing her hands and intertwining their fingers.

They reached the children, smiling at their antics and games.

"Shippo! Rin!" Kagome called. They both stopped and ran over to her, giving her hugs.

"Mama this place is amazing!" Shippo exclaimed. Kagome smiled sadly.

"What's wrong mama?" he asked nuzzling her. She smoothed his hair, kissing his head.

"Shippo, I need you to be extra brave for me, alright?" she started, looking in his emerald eyes.

"Of course, mama! I've gotten strong!" he said, flexing his little arms. Kagome giggled, hugging him tight.

"Good. I need you to protect Rin, and listen to everything Lady Shiori tells you, alright? For me, Shippo." she said. His head snapped up, young eyes studying her. He was scared.

"Why, mama?" he asked. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. Kagomes eyes got misty, but she cleared her throat and blinked the tears away. Silently, Sesshomaru put his hand on her lower back, offering support.

"I need you to stay here, baby. The final battle is coming, and I need you safe, do you understand?" she asked. His eyes widened dramatically. She only called him baby when she was scared, usually.

"No, mama. I'm going with you. I'm gonna protect you, like Lord Sesshomaru!" he said, gripping her shirt. She shook her head.

"No baby, not this time. I need you safe." she stressed.

"I need you safe, mama! I need you to come back to me!" he cried, burying his head in her chest. She took a deep breath, holding him as close as she possibly could.

"Shippo, my sweet baby. Look at me." she cooed. He shook his head. "Look at me, please." He peeked up.

"I love you with all my heart, Shippo. I swear to you, I will do everything I can to come back to you, okay? I promise." she said, crossing her heart. Shippo sniffled and looked at Sesshomaru.

"You'll keep mama safe, right Lord Sesshomaru?" he asked, bright emeralds filled with tears. Sesshomaru crossed his heart like Kagome had.

"I promise, I will protect her." he said solemnly. Shippo nodded, looking back at Kagome. They sat for a long while, just memorizing each other before Shippo hugged her tightly again.

"I love you, mama. I know you'll come home, and I promise I'll protect Rin." he sniffled. Kagome smiled, kissing his head again.

"My sweet baby boy." she cooed. "Growing up so fast."

Sesshomaru motioned for Rin to approach, which she did with a smile on her face.

"Yes my Lord?" she asked. He smiled at her, sitting to see her better. He patted his leg, which she sat on with great excitement. Lord Sesshomaru had never done this before!

"Rin. Watch over Shippo, yes? Don't let him worry too much. Behave and don't get into too much mischief, alright?" he asked. She smiled brightly at him nodding.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru! Rin promises. Um. Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked.

"Hmm?"

"How long will you be away?" she asked twiddling her fingers.

"Hmm. I am unsure, Rin. But we will return as quickly as we can. Then you can decide where we go next." he said. Rin gasped.

"Really Lord Sesshomaru? Rin gets to pick?" she asked, brown doey eyes shining in excitement. He nodded and chuckled.

"Yay!" she squealed.

"Take the time we are gone to decide where you wish to go." he said then leaned in to whisper, "I'm sure my mother and Shippo would gladly help you choose. So come up with a lot of ideas, okay?"

She looked at him eyes as big as plates. She nodded very seriously.

"I will do my best." she promised. He chuckled, giving her a hug. She squeezed him back.

"I like your hugs, Lord Sesshomaru." she smiled up at him.

"I like your hugs too. Perhaps we should hug more often?" he asked, smiling. She nodded enthusiastically.

The two adults stood, hugging and kissing (on Kagomes part) the children before leaving. Kagome had to run down the hall away, before she let the dam break. Far away from the door so Shippo couldn't hear, she broke into sobs. Sesshomaru stood in front of her, hugging her into him. She cried and cried, grasping the front of his haori. Shiori had heard her while passing and came to see what happened.

"Oh, Kagome." she said, pulling the girl away from Sesshomaru and holding her, rocking side to side. She made calming noises as she rubbed her hair.

"It's alright, dear. You'll come back and he'll be just fine. Shh shh that's it, it's okay love. Hush now. He's going to be brave and strong for you and he'll be so proud. It's alright." she cooed and whispered into Kagome's hair, continuing to rock her until the tears stopped. She pulled back, smiling slightly.

"There we are, dear. Everything will turn out alright." she said softly, brushing away Kagomes tears with the sleeve of her kimono. Kagome went to protest, because it's such fine silk, but Shiori waved it off saying it didn't matter. Kagome took a deep breath, centering herself. Shiori smiled at her as a deadly determination filled her eyes.

"We will defeat him. We will be back." she said, convincing herself. Shiori nodded.

"The others are waiting. Be safe you two. And if you find yourselves in need, blow through this. I'll hear you, and I will come to your aid." she said, handing Kagome a bracelet with a tiny conch shell on it about the size of an American dime. She put in on her wrist, before taking Shiori by surprise and hugging her. Not that she hated it, or refused it, wrapping her arms around the young girl.

"Thank you so much for everything." Kagome whispered before pulling back and waving as she walked away. Shiori waved back, and turned to Sesshomaru.

"Be cautious, my son." she said pulling him into a hug as well.

"I will be back, mother." he said, giving her a squeeze and a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh, Maru? You should take this with you. I know I said I'd keep it safe, but if the two of you end up wanting to make the bond..." she trailed off, pulling the pouch containing the bark from Bokuseno from her sleeve and handing it to him. He took it with a nod.

She walked him to the door with the others, waving them off. She sent a prayer up, asking the gods to keep them safe.

Disclaimer as always ;D Like how I did that? Huh huh? No, just kidding. Hope you like it so far, read and review!