A little note: Originally this was a interconnected drabble collection created with the prompts from dokuga_contest. However, since dokuga_contest is no longer running, I'll update as I see fit with prompts I select myself.

Disclaimer: I am not, in any way, affiliated with the creators or producers of Inuyasha. No profit is made from this writing.

Kagome's Confession

Things were eerie at Sesshomaru's fortress. After her encounter with Nohime, Kagome had mostly kept to herself in the room which was provided to her. But the longer she sat still, the more curious she became. And that was how she ended up aimlessly wandering through the large hallways. She knew Sesshomaru was here somewhere, she could sense his presence, but her sense of direction was not getting her anywhere. There were too many corridors!

As she turned into another hallway, a door slid open and Jaken stepped out. He gave Kagome one glance, then trotted away, completely ignoring her. The nerve of that imp! However, her gaze shifted to the room he exited. It had to be Sesshomaru's room, or at least his study, because she could feel it. Not even bothering to knock, she slid the door open.

"Did your mother never teach you any manners?" Sesshomaru asked. He hadn't even bothered to look up to see who it was, his attention was focused on the book before him. Kagome's scent had been enough to alert him to who had decided to barge into his room.

"Can I ask you something?" Kagome asked, completely changing the subject. Sesshomaru motioned for her to sit, and she did so. She nervously rubbed her palms together. "Um, it might not be any of my business, but what exactly is the story behind Nohime?"

Sesshomaru looked up from his book, not at all surprised that the human had come to ask him questions. He knew the minute she crossed paths with Nohime, she would want to know everything.

"She is the pups' mother," Sesshomaru stated.

"I know," Kagome retorted, "but, I want to know how the Lady Nohime came to be the mother of your pups. I've read about her in history books, and there was no mention of youkai, obviously. And she's supposed to be barren! And how on earth could you be with such a foul and rude woman?"

Sesshomaru sighed and closed his book. "Nohime was not always the way she is now. She was once quite beautiful and treated others with love and respect. Unfortunantly, tragedy occured and she became the vindictive woman she is today."

"What happened?" Kagome asked, now even more curious.

"Nohime is the daughter of a very powerful demoness, who had been a very dear friend to my father. That is how I came to be aware of her existence. But we never crossed paths until she sought me out. You see, Nohime had a human lover, a woman of low status, who had been cursed by a youkai. She begged me to find a cure."

Kagome frowned. "She came to ask you, the youkai that detests humans, to save a human?"

Sesshomaru seemed annoyed at being interrupted, which caused Kagome to blush and avert her gaze from his intense one.

"Sorry," she muttered. "Keep going."

Sesshomaru cleared his throat. "While saving the human did not interest me, Nohime's status as the daughter of a powerful demoness and a human lord was...adequate enough to make her suitable to bear me an heir. We came to an agreement, I would save her pathetic human lover, and she in return would give me a son."

Kagome stared at Sesshomaru, the information slowly sinking in. Nohime had loved a human woman, a woman! Perhaps that is what started the theory that she was barren, she refused to lay with a male...But that wasn't entirely true, for she had been with Sesshomaru. She had somehow attracted Sesshomaru's attention, despite her status as a hanyou. Just what did Sesshomaru see in her that had made her status not an issue?

"So, what made her become so bitter?" Kagome asked, realising he still had not answered her question.

"The human died," was Sesshomaru's short response.

"You failed to save her?" Kagome gaped.

"I did not fail, miko. The woman was killed by a group of bandits long after our negotiations. Nohime was grief stricken, but her father, in his greed, did not care and married her to Oda."

Kagome nodded slowly. She felt slight pity for Nohime, no one deserved to be wedded off to someone by force. And no one deserved to suffer as she had suffered. But, did she really have to become so bitter? And why was she here?

Kagome voiced that question, and Sesshomaru's eyes darkened in anger.

"She wants the pups. She has been taking measures to prevent becoming pregnant, and even though Oda pays more attention to his mistress, he still desires to have a legitimate heir. Nohime is a master of disguise and deception, she has hidden her true identity from Oda, and she can do the same with the pups and claim they are 'his'," he stated coldly.

Kagome felt anger boil in her blood. Who did this woman think she was? She clearly never cared for the pups in the first place, so how would she be able to do that now? They needed to be in a safe, loving environment, which they got from their father, despite his cold and aloof personality. Nohime, in her bitterness, would never be able to care for them like he did! Determined, Kagome stood up, her fists clenched.

"Remember the promise I made to you, Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked. The taiyoukai nodded. "Well, this is where I live up to my promise. If Nohime wants those pups, she'll have to kill me first. I love them both, they are like children to me, and I will protect them."

Sesshomaru stared at the woman before him, surprised by her declaration. It was the first time someone had ever shown such love and dedication to his pups, and it made his usual silent heart stir with emotion. This woman...he could see himself living with her by his side. And as the thought settled, he knew he would make it so. No matter that she was human.