AN: Thank you everyone for the reviews. They motivate me to write as much as I can and I try to deliver the best chapters to you all. I have probably spent well over three hours writing the next chapter and then deleting and re-writing. I want to make sure that I portray all the characters correctly. I want to write as well as I can for this story and plot. So I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

"And this is our son."

He added, looking in front of Kagome. Kenichi however, had moved to stand behind his mother's legs, hiding from the mean woman before them. Sesshomaru's mother kept her poker face on, but her eyes did widen at the presentation of a grandchild.

Kagome stepped to the side, putting her hand on the boys shoulder.

"Its okay, Kenichi." She said kindly, giving him courage.

Kenichi took a step forward and dared to look the scary woman in her light brown orbs.

"Oh my," Sesshomaru's mother said, "look at you." She leaned down to get a better view of his features. Her eyes seemed to flash for a moment, and something changed about her demeanor. "How I have longed to turn back the hands of time," she gracefully lifted his chin with her hand, "and though impossible, here you are."

The woman was lonely. She was a victim of her own cruelty, being so unkind and shrewd. She had never healed from the heartbreak of her divorce, nor Sesshomaru leaving her as well. The little boy under her scrutiny seemed to be the same age as when she had her family; when Sesshomaru was her baby. She felt as though she went back in time, looking at her own son. For the first time in many, many years a familiar warmth rose from within her. She loved this boy already.

The group stayed silent as the woman continued her inspection of the child before her. She let out a small breath and stood, turning to her son.

"For once," she gently smiled, "you have put me in the best mood."

Sesshomaru was shocked at her kindness, it was so unlike her. Kagome just smiled, unaware how bizarre the behavior of this woman was.

"Call me Inukimi," she told Kagome. Then she lowered her head to look at Kenichi.

"Inu…kimi?" he asked innocently, trying to say it right. Kagome was the first to correct him.

"That is her name," she placed a hand on the boys shoulder, making sure he paid attention. "You can call her…" Kagome's voice trailed off. What would he call her; Grandmother, Grandma, Granny, Nana? She looked to Sesshomaru for guidance; he would know his mother's preference.

He noticed Kagome's eyes widen towards him, signaling for help. He was correct in his assumptions and he quickly continued her sentence.

"Kenichi," he instructed, "you will call her Grandmother."

"Yes," Inukimi nodded in agreement. "Now please, come in." She turned around to enter the large house and everyone followed. First Sesshomaru, then Kagome who held Kenichi's hand.

Inukimi closed the door behind them and hurried to move up front and lead them into her sitting room.

Sesshomaru, Kenichi, and Kagome all took places on a small couch. Kenichi then opened his backpack and pulled out a small action figure to play with.

"I'll get some tea started." The now kind woman said, hastily leaving the room.

The three sat in an awkward silence until the woman returned. Kenichi was confused at what was going on, Sesshomaru was also confused, but because of his mother's kindness, and Kagome was wondering if the woman was bipolar or had split personalities.

Inukimi carefully set down a tray with the loveliest tea pot on the small table in the center of the room. She poured three cups of tea and handed one to each adult before her

Once finished, she broke the silence.

"So," she turned to her son, "you have a family now. Care to explain why I have been uninformed for so long? No engagement announcement, wedding invitation, pregnancy announcement, birthday celebrations, nothing. Not even a mention that you were anything other than a bachelor."

Kagome was happy that the question seemed to be directed at Sesshomaru only, she was anxious about what his answers would be, though. How much of the truth would he tell?

"Kagome and I are not in a relationship." He did not want to get into too many details. Hopefully his mother would not request more. "I was unaware of Kenichi's existence until recently."

Inukimi's eyes widened slightly at his proclamation. Her surprise showed for only a moment, and after that Kagome had no idea what the woman was feeling. She was no easier to read than Sesshomaru, who continued speaking.

"My presence today was for the sole purpose of presenting my son to you." He finished, pushing away his tea cup. Inukimi elegantly raised an eyebrow and gave a wry smile.

"I see," she took a small sip from her glass, "and that you have done. So you shall take your leave now?"

He smirked. "I would not object to that."

"Mhm," she returned the expression. "What if I'd like to speak to Kagome and Kenichi?" Kagome sat up straight at the mention of her name. She looked to Sesshomaru with wide eyes, he frowned.

"Hn."

"So, Kagome," Inukimi turned her attention to the young mother, "tell me about yourself."

"Um…" Kagome was nervous. "What did you want to know?"

"Well," she placed her tea cup down and folded her hands in her lap. "Do you have a job?" Kagome was well versed with answering that question.

"I work at a bar."

Sesshomaru wanted to smirk at her answer. Kagome did not lie, she did work at a bar, but she omitted just what kind of bar it was and exactly what she did there. It showed him that he may have been wrong about her. She was not as proud of her job as he first suspected. If she was, she would have proclaimed it easily.

Thankfully Inukimi did not venture into further detail about Kagome's employment. She was well aware of her son's wealth; her only grandchild would have all that he needed and more, regardless of Kagome's job. She only asked out of curiosity, for the girl had to have been providing for the child on her own this whole time. She moved onto the next question.

"Is there another man in my grandson's life?" The inquiry even had Sesshomaru giving Kagome an accusatory glare. He did not know the answer to that question.

"No," Kagome shook her head. "It's just me and his godmother. She's my roommate." Sesshomaru found himself relieved at her answer. His mind wandered off for a moment.

What if Kagome had a boyfriend this whole time? If some other man was raising his son. Sesshomaru was at a crossroad. He could be appreciative for someone stepping up when he could not, or he could be angered that somebody dared to try taking his place. Sesshomaru would consider himself to be mature, but if anyone tried to replace him he'd beat the fool senseless. He shook the thoughts from his head. It was of no consequence, Kagome just confirmed there was nobody else in the picture. With that in mind he paid attention to the women.

"How old are you Kenichi?" The small child looked up at his grandmother. He did not hear the question, just his name.

"Huh?"

"I asked how old you are." After understanding her question Kenichi face lit up, he knew the answer.

"I'm three." He stuck his hand in the air and three fingers pointed up.

"Very good." Inukimi smiled at him. Then she turned to Kagome, he smile vanished. "Three years old, yet Sesshomaru's been ignorant of his son's life until as of late?" She wanted an explanation.

Kagome looked down, ashamed. It did not seem to matter that she tried because she had failed; and to Sesshomaru and his family, she might as well have done nothing at all. Nonetheless, she would enlighten Inukimi on some of the details.

"Well," she looked to her son, realizing that she didn't want him to hear about any of this complicated adult stuff. "Actually, can we have this conversation some other time?"

Inukimi followed the woman's gaze, understanding the meaning of her words.

"Nonsense." Inukimi looked to her own son. "Sesshomaru, take him to another room. You must have asked this same question. However long the answer takes, come back then." Sesshomaru glared at her words. She was a bossy woman.

"Yes mother." He stood up. "Kenichi, follow me. I will give you a small tour of your grandmother's home."

"Okay!" The little boy grinned; he put his toy back in his backpack and followed his dad out of the room. Once the males were gone, Inukimi smiled. She loved getting her way.

"Please continue." She picked up her tea cup to take a small sip. Kagome let out a breath; she did not feel comfortable being alone in a room with Sesshomaru's personality disordered mother.

"Well," she started with a grimace, "I didn't know I was pregnant until after the Takahashi family left town. I had no way to contact them. It was pure luck we ran into each other recently."

"You did not call his phone?" The question was innocent, but the tone behind it was accusatory.

"I didn't have his number." Kagome replied evenly. Inukimi smiled and tilted her head to the right.

"I see." Her smile widened as her views of Kagome shifted.

"I'm sorry?" Kagome frowned. Just what was this woman trying to say to her?

"Hm." Inukimi placed her cup of tea back down and sat up straight. Her head tilted back and she looked down at Kagome with a snobbish expression. "My first impression of you was not one of a loose woman."

"L-loose," Kagome's mouth dropped open, "loose woman?" Inukimi smirked before explaining her choice of words.

"For you to become impregnated by my son, and yet have no way of contacting him. It is strange." She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Even I still know how to contact my son's father."

"It was a night of irresponsibility for both Sesshomaru and I," Kagome defended.

"I have such a handsome son; he must be quite the ladies man." She brushed off Sesshomaru's part in it. "It is very unbecoming to sleep around. That behavior may be acceptable for a man but it is not very lady like." Inukimi's voice was so sweet yet her words were venom. "Is my dear grandson your only child?" Kagome ground her teeth together to keep silent.

'Why don't you ask Sesshomaru?' her eyebrow twitched. She was sure his number of partners was ten times more than hers. How dare this woman insult her so? Her own son did not like her company, yet she had the gall to insult her. 'At least my son likes me!' She was about to give the woman a piece of her mind when the sound of footsteps caught her attention.

Both Inukimi and Kagome turned see Sesshomaru rushing into the room.

"Mother," he glared at the beautiful woman, "that is enough."

"Why, Sesshomaru," Inukimi feigned innocence; she placed a hand over her heart. "What do you mean?" Kagome's mouth gaped at the woman's words.

Sesshomaru was no fool and he knew his mother well. His eyes narrowed at the older woman, Kagome could see the fire in them just like the night before. Now she understood why Kenichi was so upset, Sesshomaru was more than intimidating, he was downright frightening when angered.

"You will not insult Kagome." His hands were closed into fists at his sides. Kenichi appeared a few seconds later, having difficulty keeping up with his tall father's quick stride.

"I did no such thing," Inukimi said incredulously. Kagome was about to correct the woman, but decided to let Sesshomaru handle her. He was doing a good job so far.

"I could hear your voice from the other room. Do not lie to me." He walked across the room to stand near where Kagome was seated, across from his mother.

"Well it was an honest question." She pouted and reached out to pour herself some more tea, as if there was no argument going on. "If she was irresponsible before she could have been irresponsible again. How am I to kno-"

"Kagome has no other children mother." Sesshomaru cut her off, waving her words away. "You will apologize for all of your insinuations."

Inukimi glared at her son defiantly and they had a stare down. Kagome did not move on the couch and Kenichi stood still in the doorway. Seconds ticked by before Inukimi turned away.

"Alright." She huffed and turned to look at Kagome. "I am sorry," she said insincerely, "I did not mean to offend you."

Kagome did not want to accept the woman's false apology. Thankfully, Sesshomaru didn't give her the chance to.

"Kagome," he turned to face the young woman. His eyes were still smoldering from his anger with his mother, but his voice was much softer now. "We are leaving."

Kagome decided to keep her mouth shut and just nod. Then she reached out to take Kenichi's backpack, once she had it she stood up. She had nothing more to say to Inukimi, so she walked out of the room and headed towards the door, determined to wait outside. She didn't want to be in that awful woman's house for another second. Kenichi began to follow his mom when his new grandmother called to him. Kenichi turned around to look at her while Kagome continued out the door, Sesshomaru would make sure no harm came to him. Besides, that woman wasn't interested in harming anyone but Kagome herself.

"Kenichi," Inukimi's voice rang sweetly to the timid boy, "come give your grandmother a goodbye hug." She smiled and held her arms out for him but he did not move. Instead, he looked to his father for permission. He did understand everything that just happened, but he knew that both his parents were upset with the woman.

Sesshomaru gave the boy a curt nod.

Kenichi then walked up to the woman and she wrapped her arms around him. She held him tight for a few moments, so happy to have the child in her arms.

"You remind me so much of your father," she said with love, "when he was your age."

Sesshomaru shook his head at his mother's words and actions. Why did she have to be such a difficult woman? She clutched the memories of a reality that no longer exists. She pushed him away in her grief all those years ago. He was very young at the time of their divorce, and he was so close to her; he stayed with her when his father left to be with Izayoi. Then shortly after, perhaps a year, Inuyasha was born.

The knowledge of his half-brother's birth drove his mother mad. She was so depressed that she couldn't take care of him. Sometimes she would refuse to even look at him, he resembled his father so greatly, and the love that Inukimi and Toga shared. But the love was gone, and Sesshomaru did nothing but serve as a reminder of that. So after a few years of watching his mother spiral further and further into her depression and hate, his father removed him from her care.

Sesshomaru had to grow up faster because of everything. He also had resentments towards his father, stepmother, and baby brother, as well as resentments towards his mother. As a child, Sesshomaru didn't really like anyone. By training with his father, he was able to strengthen their bond and it helped him with controlling his emotions and letting things go. He even forgave Inukimi for being such a terrible mom. His mother loved him, and she wouldn't have purposely hurt him if she could control herself. She was just sick… sick in her head and he understood that. Many years passed before Inukimi regained her grip on reality and accepted what happened.

He tried to fix their broken relationship when he was in his late teen years, but Inukimi somehow managed to take one step forward with him and two steps back. She would forever be a bitter and spiteful woman. So she often complained about anything and everything while doting on him at the same time. It was frustrating.

Sesshomaru tried to give her due respect and did visit at least twice every year, but more than that was rare. He had hoped that introducing her to Kenichi would help to repair her wounded heart. Her only grandchild lived less than an hour away, and she was obviously infatuated with him from the start, as he suspected she would be.

But she ruined it now. He doubted Kagome would step foot in this house ever again. He wouldn't blame her for it. Inukimi could be kind but she could be awful as well. More than anything, he pitied her.

Sesshomaru walked up to his mother and son.

"Kenichi," the little boy looked up, "go wait outside with your mother."

"Uh huh," the little boy nodded, "bye, Grandmother."

"Goodbye, love." She smiled at the boy and her warm eyes followed him as he walked out of the room.

Sesshomaru waited until he heard the front door open and close to speak. He turned his gaze onto her, a stern look on his face.

"Mother."

She smiled at him, as if completely oblivious to the mess she'd just made. "Sesshomaru."

"Kagome is the mother of my child." He ran his fingers through his hair, pacing back and forth, frustrated. "You will show her the respect she deserves."

"You say there is no relationship between the two of you, yet you defend her like she is your woman…"

"What she is to me does not matter." He stopped his pacing to stand over her. "She did well with Kenichi and for that she deserves respect." Kagome was a much better mother than Inukimi was. Kenichi would not know how lucky he was to have her, instead of having someone like his grandmother.

"I see." The scorned woman turned her head to the side, as if she'd been slapped. His words hurt; she understood their double meaning. "You may leave now, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru sighed, he hated their relationship. Every time he'd visit her, he would leave with a bad taste in his mouth. He walked himself to the door and made sure to lock it before leaving. Stepping outside, he allowed himself to take a deep calming breath.

He walked down the path to the driveway where he found Kagome in the passenger seat of his car, seatbelt on, arms crossed, and glaring at the sky. Kenichi was already buckled up in his car seat. Walking around to the driver side, Sesshomaru entered the vehicle, closing the door gently and putting his seatbelt on.

He started the engine before finally sparing a glance to Kagome. He felt like an ass for what his mother did, it was quite embarrassing.

He found the woman was now glaring at his mother's house.

"You have my deepest apologies about everything that just happened."

"That woman," Kagome's knuckles were clenched and white, "was a…" she turned to see if Kenichi was paying attention. He wasn't, and she fiercely whispered, "A fucking nightmare."

"Again, I am sorry." He frowned; his mother was more than a nightmare. He heard what she said to Kagome about being the type of girl to sleep around. Then when he went to enter the room, he heard her ask about Kagome having other children.

Kagome let out a deep breath and leaned her head back against the seat. Inukimi was so nice to Kenichi, but so mean to her. She should have let the boy come alone, maybe then the crazy lady would have been good company.

Kagome turned to put her hand on Sesshomaru's strong forearm. She looked at him as if he was her knight in shining armor who just slew the evil dragon that was his mother.

"Thank you coming to my rescue." Kagome really appreciated Sesshomaru defending her, especially against his own mom. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't have come in and stopped her when you did." Probably slap the woman.

"I would never allow anyone to speak to you like that, Kagome." From the little he knew about her, it was that she was a good person. She was not a slut, or anything that his mother had tried to make her out to be like. Sesshomaru was a man who demanded respect from everyone around him. As the mother of his child, Kagome would have to hold herself to the same standard, because they would set that example for their son. It was another reason he did not want her dancing, anyone who knew could easily use that that to diminish her character. It did not matter the reason for her career choice, nor what she did with the money. There was a stereotype for woman in the industry and it was not one she should be classified under.

"Oh," Kagome blushed. "Well still, thank you." She did not know the exact reason why she was blushing, maybe because for the first time since her friendship with Inuyasha had ended, she'd had a man there to stick up for her. It made her feel… secure.

Sesshomaru nodded as he sped out of his mother's driveway. He had no destination in mind yet; he just wanted to get them out of there.

Kagome watched Inukimi's house get smaller and smaller as they drove further away. She felt as though they just bonded a little bit over that terrible experience.

"Sesshomaru?" She said his name softly and he turned to spare her a glance.

"Yes?"

"I'll pretend that this never happened if you do too." She was referring to the nightmare of meeting his mother. The man beside her smirked. He was more than okay with that.

"Deal."

"Where are we going?" Kenichi asked his parents.

Kagome looked to Sesshomaru for the answer, after all she wasn't the one driving, and she also had no idea where they were headed.

Sesshomaru racked his brain for a notion of something to do. He wanted to work out and burn off the stress he felt, but he wanted to spend time with his son even more. They would not go to the Takahashi residence, he was done spending time with other family members for the day. No one would be as taxing as his mother but she ruined everyone else's chance of being in his presence today. He glimpsed at the watch on his left wrist as an idea entered his mind.

"Would you like to go out for dinner?" he casually asked Kagome. "We could go downtown."

She smiled. "Yeah, I mean I am dressed kind of cute today." Then she angled her head to look towards where her son was seated. "Don't you think so Kenichi?"

"Yes," the boy beamed, "Mommy's pretty! Right daddy?" He stared at his father, waiting for a response.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened at the question. Kagome blushed ten shades of red before looking out the window.

Kenichi wanted an answer. Either his mom looked pretty or she didn't, but he would not be ignored.

"Right daddy?"

Kagome pretended not to pay attention and just looked forward, keeping a straight face. Sesshomaru fought back a sigh when he realized he'd have to answer. It wasn't like he could say that she didn't look good though. That was mean, regardless of if he was attracted to her or not. Kenichi however, did not know that. So Sesshomaru decided to humor his son's wishes and spared a glance at Kagome's face.

"Right." He smirked as he watched an uncomfortable smile creep onto her face; comparable to a grimace. He found it funny. Looking back towards the road he almost sighed.

Maybe he was so mentally exhausted from visiting his mother that he was falling into the illusion that his son had about them. Maybe his appreciation for her doing so well with his precious child struck a chord. Perhaps deep down, he found it attractive for a woman to have a strong maternal instinct, seeing as his own mother lacked one. Maybe it was the way the evening sun caressed her skin and gave it a warm glow. It could have been her sapphire eyes. Maybe he really did think she was pretty. Well, of course she was pretty. She was more than just pretty, especially to have been able to grace his bed, and apparently that was before she fully bloomed. He'd seen and been with many women in his life and whether he liked her personality or not, she was physically attractive; that was undeniable. But something about her was a step about the gorgeous women from previous affairs, though he could not pin what made her so. Nonetheless, Kagome was…

"Beautiful."

AN: Thanks for reading. Please review.