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It wasn't dark, though it was night time and the lantern burned low. The full moon illuminated the tired, shadowy sky, and casted its heavenly glow on the land. Kagome kept her gaze steadily focused on the sphere of light suspended in space, lying in bed as she stared through an open window.

The temperature was cool, almost frigid and she shivered from the weather as well as from the anxieties in her heart. The hurricane had ravaged the land and had devastated the citizens, which placed her in a position where she had no other choice than to help. To do otherwise was an option that her conscience could not make.

Her belly rumbled with the slight pang of hunger, and she ran a hand down her side. She could feel her bones as they protruded lightly against thinly stretched skin. The drop in her weight reminded her of the harsh times that they lived in with barely enough to eat. As of yet she had not informed Sesshomaru of the poverty that drowned Edo in misery.

Was it pride on her part or was it the harsh reality of the times that had forced her to misconstrue the truth somewhat? Days after the storm had passed he had sent a messenger to find out how she and the babies fared, at the time she was in good standing and without fear. The information sent back to Sesshomaru then was that she was doing fine, which was in fact the truth.

However, as the months ticked by while she'd shouldered the burden of the town, all the resources that she had dried up and hence her real problems had begun. She could hardly make ends meet. Sayoka had insisted that she sought aid from her former mate. The answer to that was a resounding no.

It wasn't that she didn't need the help, in fact she needed it badly, but she was well aware that the hurricane that had swept throughout Japan had desolated not only Edo but the west just as roughly.

After Sora had informed her of the grave news regarding the state of the west and other cities and towns, rightly so her conscience would not allow her to ask for aid when their plight was just as bad as hers.

The scent of Jasmine tickling her nose disrupted her thoughts and effectively took her attentions to the door, intuitively she knew that Sayoka was beyond it and would soon knock. One tap followed by another caused her to smile internally and then she answered.

"Come in the door is unlocked."

She entered the room and locked the door behind her and then proceeded towards a chair, while Kagome watched her silently. Sayoka certainly was one of the most striking demoness that she had ever seen, with her long, flowing fiery red hair, silver grey eyes, she was as tall as she was graceful, a figure to die for and beautiful.

Oftentimes she would wonder about the origin of the demoness and why someone as attractive as her, was without a mate and a single mother? However, she'd resisted the urge to pry.

But then again demon-kind was so much in oneness with nature. Their habits were not confined like human ones and thus a bit strange, and although she had spent the majority of her life in their company, she still had yet to scratch the surface of their cultures.

Notwithstanding, she and Sayoka had grown closer in friendship, and it was her belief that if and when the female was ready she would confide in her, so until then she would keep her thoughts to herself.

"Lady Kagome," Sayoka said after awhile, and gained her attentions, because moments before she was lost in some internal discourse. "I think it is time that lord Sesshomaru be made aware of the dismal situation affecting us here in Edo."

"No!" Kagome protested sharply and shook her head fiercely. "I can't, not now, not when he has his own region and people to think about, and besides, he did not leave me desolate. It was my choice to offer assistance to the needy and I will bear the burden of that choice."

Sayoka sighed audibly. "I know that it is your decision and I haven't any right to try and sway you, but I am sure that the lord would be prepared to help even though he has his own problems with his territory."

"I am sure he would," Kagome admitted, "but it is a little more complicated than that, and I for one do not want to be the reason why he would negate his words if he should come looking," she shook her head, "so much more is at stake here than you know and I believe it would be best if he were to remain in the dark."

The demoness frowned at her. "Very well then, Sora and I will go hunting for game in a short while, all the supplies have been used up again."

Kagome closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Sayoka spoke the truth, without her and Sora's assistance things would have become that much worse, and for that she would always be grateful to Sesshomaru for sending the demoness her way when he did.

Arguably, she was unsure of how much Sayoka knew regarding the west and her former mate's marriage to the princess, regardless, she would not say anything.

If Sesshomaru was concerned for her safety, so much so that when they'd parted several months ago he was unclear of a time when they would meet again; then it was safe to assume that he thought it best if he stayed away while she watched the signs and her back carefully for danger.

It was a gut feeling, a gnawing in the pit of her stomach that something sinister was afoot. Sayoka arched a brow as she watched Kagome's facial expressions and wondered what was going on inside her head, but did not press the matter.

"The children are asleep," she said instead, "and you should get some as well, I will see you in the morning," and with that she got up and reached for the door.

"Okay," Kagome answered halfheartedly and pulled the blanket up to her neck.

As she lie still, she continued to contemplate on her life which had been tumultuous thus far with little breaks in between, she sighed heavily.

Her babies would be one year old tomorrow because of their early births. She toyed with the idea of throwing a birthday celebration for them, but when she considered the town and the meager resources that she had left, she frowned knowing that such an endeavor would be too costly. It wasn't going to happen.

Doctor Tanaka like Sayoka and Sora were like family to her now, but recently, unexpectedly whenever she thought of the doctor she felt light and free, anxious, that the very thought of him made her weak.

It made her afraid to think that she could have those kinds of feelings for the man, and the possible outcomes if she should let those emotions wander free.

Rationally, if she were to think through the issues logically, it would not be hard for her to accept such an outcome. The good doctor had been there for her in her isolation in a way that Sesshomaru could not. And her infants had taken to him like he was their father.

Perhaps, she should have discouraged the growing relationship between him and her babies, but that was something she'd found difficult to do. The babies had taken to him like a life line after their father had left.

What kind of a mother would she be if she ignored the needs of her children, denying them happiness and solace in someone that was trustworthy and offered his time, patience and love freely? In her opinion; a bad care giver.

Regardless of those issues there was Sesshomaru to think about, she loved him still, and although she had accepted his proposal in the heat of the moment, reality was a desperate variance.

She was a vibrant woman, passionate and full of life, wanting love and to be desired, to be held and cuddled, and to be ravaged in the heat of pleasure were tendencies that she was not above.

Slowly, gradually her feelings for the doctor had grown. How could it not? He was kind as he was patient, willing and capable, and the longing in his eyes each time that he stared at her, believing that she had not seen him had captivated her.

Cautiously, she had tried to avoid the yearning that she'd felt for him from the moment that he had diverted the raging river from the town, but it was an uphill battle that she was failing miserably.

She worried her bottom lip nervously and turned on her side, while the niggling on her conscience was a warning to be careful, letting the doctor in her heart and she into his could spell disaster for the both of them.

Sesshomaru was unpredictable like the changing weather. If she should let the desires of her flesh and the longing in her heart overrun the good sense in her head and he found out, there was no telling what he would do. She sighed heavily again. What was she to do? Sesshomaru wasn't around now that she needed him, and the natural urges in her body grew relentless. It was no wonder that the doctor's kindness and constant presence swayed her feelings towards him.

A thick cloud rolled across the glorious moon and darkened the room, she blinked feeling uneasy. She had not seen the doctor for a month and was missing him terribly, but her ever drooping eyes told her that she needed to sleep.

sksksk

All the efforts that had been made over the last nine months constructing the dam was almost gone. The hurricane had destroyed most of what was built and Sesshomaru had no other choice but to start rebuilding immediately after the natural disaster.

He stood aside with Shippo and watched the laborer's back breaking work; building was back on track although more resources had to be spent on material and extra labor cost so as to finish the project in a reasonable amount of time.

The emperor had postponed his visit to the west because of the hurricane and the unforeseen setbacks it had brought; nevertheless, he would make the trip in two and a half months time instead.

Sesshomaru nodded to Shippo indicating his satisfaction and also for taking his leave. He turned to go, Shippo hesitated and he stopped.

"Is there something that you need to say?" He asked quietly.

The younger demon took a calming breath. "Yes," he said, "I would like some time away from the project at the end of the month to visit with my mother. I haven't seen her in over a year."

"That is acceptable by me," he answered, "but before you go come and see me."

He did not wait for a response; he just turned and left the work site quickly.

Sesshomaru, after having dinner with his children and his wife, made a hasty retreat to his study. There he thought about Kagome and the babies, but try as he might he could not drive away the dreaded thoughts from his mind, that they were not alright, in spite of assurances that he'd received from Sora once per month that they were doing fine.

Up until now he had not found out what his mischievous wife was up to. But he was quite certain that when her brother came to visit she would enlist his aid. And then he would make his stand. The wheels were already in motion and the only other person that knew about his plans apart from himself was the fox.

Being royalty his wife was protected by her brother and the empire which made the issues that more sensitive. To punish her he would have to catch her in the act of betraying him, and subsequently committing treason before he could use the laws to restrict her, confining her to an area much in likeness to a prison, but not quite.

There she would have limited freedom of movement, be watched and guarded day and night. He couldn't kill her because that action would negate the terms of the alliance. He hated to admit even to himself that he needed anyone, but the facts were palpable.

The upside to his scheme when it came to fruition would be like taking a breath of fresh air after fighting and choking one's way out of thick, noxious black smoke, that restricted the lungs, because to take in the fumes would be like swallowing poison.

Freedom was within his grasp, he felt invigorated right down to his bones, and soon he would not have to spend one more day burying his humiliation and anger inside the woman's body. Living a life of celibacy until the time ripens for him to be reunited with his mate suited him just fine.

He shook his head in dismay because of the devious plans that he had to employ to deal with the woman, though it was a problematic situation that had to be stemmed quickly, because he would not allow her to hurt Kagome. More so than ever he believed that Kagome would be the target of his wife's animosity.

The question in his head now was how would she strike, and what vantage point would she use as a marker? Whatever it was he would find it, this he vowed.

Kagome meant more to him than his own life, and that was the reason why he had not gone to see her in these many months. Not knowing what Maemi and her family was up to left a bitter taste in his mouth. He swallowed harshly as the physical manifestations of his feeling turned his mouth pungent.

However, those facts were not enough to let him remain immobile. Before the fox took his leave of absence he would go and see his family, whom he had not seen for several months.

He was concerned now that he remembered that tomorrow would be the pup's first anniversary of life and he would not be there to greet them. His lips compressed in a thin line as he frowned, knowing that they were growing older and did not know him.

Possibly he would make the journey tomorrow, but for now what he needed was to get some more work done and maybe some sleep, now that the west was recovering nicely from the hurricane.

sksksk

The dawn had Kagome standing over the twins cribs gazing down on them as they slept side by side. Today was their birthday and she couldn't be happier, just two days prior they'd uttered their first word and it was mama. She had smiled, giggled and then she had kissed their chubby cheeks incessantly.

As of yet she was not able to share the good news with the doctor because he was unattainable, and not knowing where he could be honestly worried her. But then maybe worrying was unnecessary. There weren't any promises made between them, both of them could lead whatever lives they wanted independent of each other.

So why then did that thought depress her so much? Oh grow up, Kagome, she scolded herself, irritated with the way her feelings clouded her mind. She was the one that had pushed him away, wanting only his friendship, when clearly he wanted so much more.

The man was no fool, in fact he was so smart she thought sourly, smart enough to walk away before their emotions trapped them into its heady web of sex, love and scandal which would surely destroy them all.

Even knowing the many risks involved and the way in which it nagged on her conscience ceaselessly, she still longed to see him, to know that he was close. She couldn't help herself; she had always been an impulsive type of individual.

Sayoka came through the back door unexpectedly and slammed it while she called out her name, it startled her and she jumped. Her left knee bumped into the rough finishing of the crib and skinned it. She cursed quietly under her breath and then proceeded to the kitchen.

The table was decorated with all sorts of fruits, slices of cooked meat, and sweetened bread. Kagome looked from the table and on her companion quizzically. She hesitated for a moment before curiosity won out.

"Where did all this food come from?" She asked with surprise.

The demoness smiled. "You didn't think that we had forgotten about the little ones birthday…Or did you?" She said, a touch of sarcasm slicked her tone.

"Hmmm," Kagome murmured, not having a fluent remark ready. Sayoka hadn't any clue how close to the truth she had come.

Times were hard, and because of that she had never mentioned wanting to celebrate her children's birth. She'd thought it best to let the day pass quietly. Never would she have imagined that her friends would go out of their way to make the desires of her heart a possibility.

"Thank you," she repeated.

Sayoka glanced in her direction briefly and saw a disturbed faraway look in her gaze that worried her before she focused her eyes back on her task again.

"Later we will celebrate when my son gets here," Sayoka said softly, though her mind was still on the lady.

Kagome nodded with a wan smile about her features.

Sayoka reached across the table and held Kagome's hand and squeezed it affectionately. There was poignant sadness in her gaze the demoness noted. She knew all too well what it was about but thought it best not to say anything, but before she could dismiss the notion the lady spoke her thoughts and the reason for her sadness.

"I haven't seen or heard from the doctor in awhile…Have you any news on his whereabouts?"

As she'd asked the question she felt sure that Sayoka had read her thoughts like an open book, as her eyes had widened a fraction before she looked away.

What was wrong with her? How could the doctor's absence affect her so much? She wondered in frustration while the pressure on her hand increased slightly. She looked up again immediately and gazed at knowing eyes.

"Kagome." Sayoka spoke her name for the first time without using any honorifics slowly, with the voice of authority granted to her by her years.

"I knew lord Sesshomaru by reputation before I met him, and it was not always good, of this I am sure you are aware. I am also privileged to your most private affairs, and although both of you are separated I would be very wary of him. When it comes to matters of the heart, we, and by that I mean every being has a darker side when jealous."

Kagome tugged her hand away from that of the demoness's gradually, feeling the underlying tension in the room rise, and suddenly her anger grew as she felt trapped inside her own life.

Sesshomaru was free to have a woman in his bed, and she was put in a position where she could make the ultimate sacrifice, existing throughout the years without the love of a man or his touch until they were re-united.

Suddenly that reality became unlivable, now more than ever because she had real feelings for the doctor. There, she had finally admitted it to herself; she was in love with the doctor.

"Are you alright?" Sayoka asked, filling in the endless silence and wondered what it was that she had said if anything at all that darkened the mistress's eyes.

"I am," she responded, her voice an unusual monotone of strain.

With a slight nod she strode out of the kitchen, leaving a very troubled Sayoka behind.

sksksk

Sesshomaru perused the wares of the hagglers that sold in the market for something meaningful to buy for his one year old pups and the woman that he carried in his heart.

In the end he chose two similar jade hair ornaments for the females and a silver bracelet for his son. Those gifts were the best the market had to offer in the dying rays of the sun. Time was running against him now, because earlier he was delayed for some time by his petulant wife.

Sora arrived with gifts for the toddlers as Kagome dressed them into their finest clothes while she glanced sporadically at the door for signs of the doctor. The party would not be complete without him; he had earned the right to be a part of the festivities.

He had delivered the twins into the world safely, seen her at her most vulnerable, remained by her side and had helped her through the roughest patch of her life. This celebration was just as much for the children as it were for all of them. They had survived and would continue to endure.

She was displeased by her actions and sighed in frustration, she had taken him for granted, arrogantly assuming that she was so important to him that he would continue to remain by her side as long as she wished it. Without acknowledging how painful that would be for him because he loved her.

Now it was too late, he was gone and she was missing him badly. Even now she could not pinpoint a time when the doctor had become such a permanent and stable fixture in her life, but he had. He had simply grown on all of them, and his absence had stamped that cold hard fact unto her heart painfully.

Arashi grabbed her hair as it spilled over her shoulders and tickled his face, he pulled hard on the luxuriant strands and giggled while she put on his little boots. Hina sat up, climbed off the bed and walked gingerly in her new shoes towards Sora who waited by the door. He took her hand and waited on Kagome. In a few more minutes all four of them made their way to the party room.

Kagome sang the happy birthday song for her children; the others caught on quickly and joined her, while her dog barked his rendition of the simple melody. She tried for everyone's sake to stay positive and not spoil the fun, she succeeded thus far.

Doctor Tanaka listened to the happy voices from quite some distance away. He had presents for the children, but he could not face Kagome now after staying away for so long without a word, as he tried to sort through his feelings for her.

He loved her, there was no doubt, but she had denied him her love, preferring a friendly co-existence. He had tried it for her sake, but to deny the heart the pureness of love was to kill one self slowly.

In the quiet of the night after the party was finished he would slip inside the house and leave the presents he decided, because he did not want a confrontation with Kagome just now. He had not come to any concrete resolutions where she was concerned. He needed more time.

sksksk

Sesshomaru thought as he walked many miles briskly that soon he would be free to love his mate again, and all of them would be together as a family. This time he would marry her in the ways of her people, and change the laws in the land concerning multiple wives and concubines.

As it grew darker he decided to fly, on that note he took to the skies, this way he would travel greater distances more quickly, and thus reaching Edo at a decent enough hour.

sksksk

Kagome refreshed the children and then put them to bed, there they fell asleep immediately after she had kissed them goodnight. They had gorged themselves on the food earlier and had played happily, constantly and had tired themselves out.

Sora and his mother had left the premises immediately after the party to places unknown, leaving her and the children all alone.

The night had grown warmer as she entered her bed, so she left the window open to get a feel of the fresh air.

She laid there thinking about the day, and of Sesshomaru whom she had hoped might have turned up to see his children, they were growing up quickly without him, which was an alarming truth. But she guessed it was too much to wish for, with how complicated his life was in the west.

And the doctor, where could he have gone to? She closed her eyes and tried not to think too much on her troubles any more, her head had begun to throb slightly at her temples. She needed to stop stressing, and maybe some sleep would do her some good.

The hour was late by the time the doctor had left his spot in the woods beyond Kagome's house. The stars twinkled in the night sky peacefully and the moon covered by wispy strands of clouds.

He used the spare key that he had made to open the back door, the dog remained quiet as he entered, only a wag of the tail showed that he knew who he was and that he was not a burglar. He patted his head and moved away.

He entered the children's room, adjoined to that was their mother's bedroom and stood gazing down on them. He had loved them from the first moments that his hands took them from their mother's abdomen, and he would always feel that way.

He touched them lightly on the back so as not to wake them and left a present for each at the foot of a crib. He turned to go, to leave the house all together, but seeing her again, if only to get a glimpse while she slept was pressing on his heart and mind.

He grasped the door handle firmly but quietly, slid it open but a fraction and then pushed his head in. She lie on her side with her face to the window breathing softly. Some unknown force guided him away from the door, and now he stood looking down at her from the back.

Her hair was as black as a raven's, silky to his eyes now that it was unbound and cascading down her back. The urge to run his trembling fingers through its softness was persistent, but he resisted by folding his fists tightly.

He needed to leave now before he did something reckless that could damage their friendship forever. The way he felt it was for the best. His emotions were too raw and unchecked, and seeing her so vulnerable and beautiful could be his undoing.

His hand was on the door handle, just a little wider and he could slip through without her ever having to know that he was here.

Kagome felt his presence in her sub-conscious and stirred awake, she turned and saw as he passed through the door.

"Wait, don't go!" She pleaded; he stopped and slowly turned around.

She got up from the bed quickly and padded barefooted towards him, because it would seem as though he was frozen just outside the door way.

His feet felt glued to the spot as his heart raced while he gazed at the naturally beautiful woman. He liked to watch her, watch her as she worked in the garden during the day, watch her think, watch her tuck ever-straying loose tendrils of hair behind her ears, and now it was no different as her form glided to him and the wind blew her luxurious hair around her face.

More than once he'd been tempted to reach out and perform the task himself, not because the loose strands bothered him, but solely for the opportunity to touch her.

He wanted to touch her. In fact he'd thought of little else since he had left.

"Come in and close the door," she said softly.

Maybe he had imagined the words that she had said lost in a haze, but after a moment he slipped out of the children's unlit sleeping area and into the warm fading light of her bedroom.

As he stepped into the light, the quiet, peaceful beauty of him took her breath away, and it was long seconds before she remembered to exhale.

The breeze blew in through the open window and lightly tousled the loose, shorter hair framing his face. The strands spread like a feather across his cheekbone, drawing her gaze back to his face.

She shifted her gaze away, dulling the spell but not breaking it. She glanced at him again and saw that he watched her although he remained still and silent. They needed to talk, what they felt would not go away just because it was ignored.

"Why did you leave for so long without a word?" She asked candidly.

What was it about her he wondered that drew him into the fire like a moth to the flames? She was beautiful, but many women were beautiful, and she seemed unaware of that fact. Her vulnerabilities which she tried so valiantly to conceal attracted him as much as her strengths, maybe more so. He'd discovered all of this in his time alone and still had no peace.

He looked deeply into her eyes and saw that this time she was really asking him how he felt, rather than being afraid of her feelings and shunning them into silence. He grasped her roughly by the shoulders, she gasped open mouth, but she did not look away as heat flared between them.

His lips brushed hers lightly, barely, not nearly enough and then he drew away. "My heart is open Kagome and it hears yours on every beat. I find myself struggling not to touch you, to be your friend as you have requested of me, but as time moves by my heart yearns for you more, being your friend is not something that I can be alone."

He let her go but not easily. The longing and denial that he sensed in her made emotional muck of his mind. She paced across the room, halting in front of the bed, and suddenly he felt that perhaps he had been too bold with his declaration.

For a moment he was tempted to nudge her forward, to walk up behind her and caress the womanly curve of her hips and urge her with his thoughts and hands onto the bed. But such a breach of faith was beyond his conscience. She needed time.

With her back to him she wrestled with her mind and heart, she knew that she loved Sesshomaru in a way that she could never love anyone else, but she also loved the doctor. And nowhere was it written that she had to sacrifice nearly forty years of her life and natural urges to wait on one male.

It wasn't about sex alone. But what man would choose to be with her without indulging in the pleasures of the flesh? Not possible, unless she chose to live a life of celibacy, refuting her own nature and the love of the male right beside her. It was too much to take in.

When Sesshomaru had asked her to wait she was pregnant, vulnerable and scared. She hadn't thought it through properly. Perhaps it would have been easier if she had not met the doctor. But wishing such a thing now was foolish, because if she hadn't met him she and her babies would be long dead.

Having a meaningful relationship with Sesshomaru now was out of the question. He was married with a wife, and even though she knew that the complete set up was a sham, it did not change the reality that he was not free to love who he wanted at the moment.

The entire structure of their lives had changed and yet she still desired some happiness. Yes, she deserved it because she had suffered. Perhaps being with the doctor would provide her with a normal, ordinary but stable life and some peace.

She was so tired of being second best, just awfully tired period. This time she would decide for herself. The playing field was more even this turn.

It was just them, no old girlfriends, no politics only love. But the question of Sesshomaru ran rampant through her thoughts. Would he really allow her to be with another man, to explore her heart and soul to find the depths of it. Trust her enough to do what was right for herself and children, set her free to live her own life?

These things she pondered and yet she did not dwell on them. The answer she already knew. He would never allow it. He was proud and a male, and if she slept with another man he would not want her again.

She sighed deeply in dissatisfaction, there was still so much more that he needed to learn about love and sacrifice that only experience could teach.

She swallowed down her throat the heaviness that had begun to rise like bile as she made her decision.

Her hands shook as she slowly turned to face him, forcing her voice to remain calm she answered him. "I want you just as much as you want me," she said and waited.

He inhaled sharply, then took off his coat, set it aside and started towards her. "Are you positive that it is me that you want and no one else…What of the lord?" He asked purposely as he came to a halt inches from her form.

Her eyes bored into him and the depths of her soul were there for him to see. "Let's not worry about him now…Tomor..?"

His mouth covered hers before she could finish her sentence; she had no more time to think. She squeezed her hands into small fights, fighting the temptation to hold him as the desire for his touch heightened. It frightened her to think that another male other than Sesshomaru could draw forth her passion like this, in the end temptation won.

Her fingers trembled as she touched either side of his waist. He bucked into her and slanted his mouth over hers as he snaked his tongue throughout her mouth.

She grew bolder and slid her hands up his chest, and the heat of his body enveloped her palms. She traced the breadth of his shoulders. The strength of the muscles bunching in his arms made her feel weak and wanton, not helpless, not vulnerable, but waiting.

His low groans mingled with her sighs, and in one sweeping motion he deposited her on the bed and pulled her flush against him. His hands splayed around her waist, his hips pressed between her thighs.

Kagome began to melt from the inside out as he kissed her once more, a lingering exploration of her mouth, she couldn't resist the urgency. He teased her to the point of agony as he devoured her naked body. She felt the heat in waves, like wind fanned flames, she was feverish.

She groaned and he held her tighter. All her awareness focused on him and the sensations that he created, emotional and physical. His manhood hard against her, his power and strength flexed as he crawled all over her.

He covered her then, lowering himself onto her, pressing her deeper into the bed, and slowly ever so slowly sheathing himself deep into her warm satiny depths. She screamed as gratification consumed her. He captured the harsh and sometimes soft sounds of her pleasure with his mouth. She kissed him back, losing herself in the moment as he pumped strong hips, filling her over and over with himself.

The smell of sex was potent in the air as Sesshomaru landed into the yard, soft sighs and moans of pleasure drowned out the swell of the breeze. He wanted to leave as he could scarcely believe what he scented and heard. But curiosity and fear, yes, fear, spurred him on. He had to see for himself.

Voices from inside pierced the veil more clearly than his own feeble thoughts. He concentrated on them, but after a few seconds he wished that he hadn't.

Whatever he felt palpitated his heart unevenly with distress, because he could not believe, still did not want to believe what he knew to be true. His sweet, innocent and beautiful Kagome was betraying him with another. Forcing his mind into blankness, he stood stock still for a moment, swearing vengeance with every panicky breath that he took.

Scents were strongest coming from his mate's window and so were the sounds; a deliberate tight fist formed punctured his palm severely, yet he did not feel the pain or care for it as he came to a halt by the open window.

Panic crept into the darkness, pulsing through the air, until he had started to believe that what he saw and the voices he heard weren't really there.

He slumped against the wall with a groan as Kagome's hands encircled the male's neck that pumped into her furiously. He closed his eyes tight and gritted his teeth as he saw how much she enjoyed sex with someone other than him. He watched in shock and fury as his mate sank under the pliant assault of the doctor's mouth as he fed from her and she took all of him into her being.

Sesshomaru watched while pain and fear rose up in his head and heart. He felt helpless, angry and guilty as he fought and lost the battle. He cursed himself for a fool with every passing second that weakened him. He couldn't hear the sounds any longer as his rage grew louder, while another male fucked his woman.

A flood of heat poured down her body with the sudden realization that they were no longer alone. She screamed as she angled her head towards the window and met cold, red murderous eyes gazing at her with tears of blood running down the sides of his face.

Mistakenly her lover increased the pace of his strokes as he sought to make her scream like that for him again. She beat on his shoulders with flailing fists, but he thought it was passion. She struggled for the words to warn him but they shriveled into nothingness and died on her tongue, all he heard were moans and groans.

She closed her eyes feeling weak and helpless; paralyzed with fear as all the strength that she'd possessed suddenly disappeared from her body, as death lurked outside the window.

A rattling sound off to her right of her and the severing of rusty hinges made her head twist into the direction of the disturbing sound, but the door was no more. She hadn't even realized that he had left the window, time spun too fast, nausea had risen to the roof of her mouth and she was unable to move.

She screamed in terror as Sesshomaru launched the door into the air that went flying above their heads, a moment later it came crashing into the window, splintering showers of broken wood all around the room. The commotion startled the doctor who wrenched himself free of her core and stood defensively, looking into the nightmarish eyes of the devil.

He made a move to the left to ward off a blow aiming for his head, however, it was too late as he was unprepared and did not react swiftly enough.

His hands came up to block the first blow, but another striped wrist with deadly green glowing claws snagged his abdomen, and with a quick flick of the wrist impaled him, ripping his stomach wide open with a gut wrenching tear.

Kagome screamed louder, horrifically, piercing the night with dread as Sesshomaru flung the lifeless body through the window and stepped menacingly towards her on the bed.

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