AN: Thanks for the reviews. Knowing people's thoughts on the story helps make the writing process easier (encourages and motivates me). Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Working on the next few as we speak.. um, well, as you read! ^_^

"You look lovely," Sesshomaru said as Kagome walked down the stairs and into his living room. He had recently arrived back home to change quickly. His whole day he couldn't get this night out of his mind. His thoughts always turned to the upcoming conversation they would be having.

"Thank you," Kagome smiled. Then she faltered as she took in his apparel; a fitted shirt and jeans. "Is that what you're wearing?" She had on a dark blue, mid-thigh length dress with a sweetheart neckline. The neckline was attached to lace that went up around her neck, a small button in the back held it closed and the lace went down her back until it reached the solid top of the dress. It was sleeveless and there was a large circle missing from the back of the lace, revealing her soft skin. She carried a silver clutch and wore silver dangly earrings. Her shoes were nude pumps with glitter; every step she took made them sparkle in the light.

"No." He shook his head. Even though the idea made him smile, he wouldn't be dressed so casually for such an important evening. "Just give me a few minutes to get dressed." He had stopped home earlier to set aside an outfit on his bed. It was a fitted black suit. After seeing Kagome's ensemble, he decided to go through his wardrobe and find a dark blue button up instead of a white one. It would only take him five minutes to get ready; clothes, shoes and cologne.

Kagome nodded and turned to move towards the couch. When she heard him clear his throat, she turned around to drop her jaw.

"These are for you." Sesshomaru held out a dozen red roses.

"Oh my gosh," she exclaimed, hurrying to take the flowers. She leaned in close and took a deep breath. "Mm, these smell wonderful. Thank you so much!"

He nodded. "There should be a vase in one of my kitchen cabinets."

"I'll find it," she smiled, walking away as she looked at her bouquet.

Kagome got out of the car as the valet held his hand out for her. Sesshomaru exited and gave the man the keys. He walked alongside Kagome and the doors to the restaurant were opened by another employee.

'Fancy,' Kagome thought. She felt like a princess with all the service and they had barely made it into the building. She grasped her hand onto Sesshomaru's arm and let him lead her so she could look around. The restaurant was beautiful, it was definitely romantic, and she noticed that most of the tables were seated with couples. She didn't even see one child!

They walked up a large staircase leading them into another area with much less tables. Only a handful of people were there and the floor was surrounded by large windows, giving each table an exquisite view.

Kagome thanked the maître d for pulling out her chair and Sesshomaru sat across from her. Their server arrived as the man left and she took their drink orders; each requesting wine, but a different kind. The woman, Candace, then told them the specials for the day and left to get their drinks.

Kagome frowned as she looked at her menu. "This place is really expensive," she said to herself. Sesshomaru somehow heard her, though.

"Kagome, do not concern yourself with the price. The food is well worth it. Besides," he smirked, "I would not take you here if I couldn't afford it. Get whatever you want."

"Alright." Kagome smiled, he could be so cocky sometimes. "I'll take the most expensive appetizer along with the most expensive meal," she put her menu on the table with a grin. "Oh, and of course a bottle of their best champagne," she giggled and picked the menu back up to read, "and we can't forget dessert! How about you and I each get their," her eyes widened as she read, "one hundred dollar brownies?" She then quickly scanned to see the prices for the other things she ordered.

"If that's what you want," he played along, earning a sneer from the woman.

"Oh shush," she told him, knowing he would get those things just to spite her.

The waitress came back with their drinks and she took their food orders. Neither wanted an appetizer. Kagome would have gotten too full, and Sesshomaru was on a strict diet. Well, not as strict as before, but he didn't need to stuff himself anymore than necessary.

Candace thanked them for ordering and took their menus as she left to the kitchen.

Kagome watched Sesshomaru take a sip of his wine as he looked out the window. She suddenly was thankful that they were upstairs in the less public area. They weren't just going to be having a casual conversation on the weather, this was important stuff.

"I guess we should start talking before our food gets here," she said, gaining his attention.

"Yes," he said, watching her with a guarded expression. He wasn't entirely sure where or how to start. Luckily, he didn't need to.

"I figured that the best thing to do is to put all our cards on the table and get everything out," she told him, placing her palms flat on the clothed surface. "The way I see it, we have two main options which each have their own things that need discussed." Kagome had spent most of her day organizing her thoughts.

"Go on," Sesshomaru encouraged. Apparently she spent more time thinking about this than he did.

"Option one," she held up a finger, "we get into a romantic relationship. Option two," her middle finger joined the pointer, "we pretend it never happened."

"What entails with option two?" he asked. He did not want to choose it, but he was curious as to how much thought she put into this.

"Oh," Kagome felt a stabbing pain in her chest, but tried not to let it show. "Um," her voice wavered, "we figure out a way to not let it happen again and try to keep our relationship platonic, regardless of the attraction between us." 'Even though we obviously failed miserably the first time we tried. It will be even harder to do now.'

"I see." Sesshomaru nodded in understanding, he couldn't imagine how difficult it would be to attempt a strictly platonic relationship. Not after how much they enjoyed each other. "Casual sex?" he asked, not actually wanting just sex, but interested her reaction. Though, if that was all she wanted then he would oblige.

"That's not an option," she said, looking offended; but she couldn't blame him since they just had their second encounter without ever having been a couple. "I can't do that. It's all or nothing with me." She couldn't be physically involved with someone who wasn't emotionally involved. She equated that to cheating herself over. Although, she wasn't confident that she could ever deny the man now. Who else could bring her body to the heights he did? All he needed to do was look at her with that intense stare of his and she'd be putty in his hands. Little did she know it went both ways; Sesshomaru would give her anything she wanted, all she had to do was ask.

"So, what thought have you put into us being in a romantic relationship?"

Kagome's eyes widened in surprise. "I," her heart thumped in her chest and she forgot everything she had figured earlier that day. Only one thing mattered. "Do you even like me?"

Sesshomaru scoffed. "Of course I like you."

"Not like that," she corrected. "I mean do you actually like me," she placed a hand over her heart for emphasis, "do you have feelings for me besides physically?" It scared her to ask but she was a big girl, and she needed to know.

Sesshomaru took a moment to respond, mulling over the words in his head. When he spoke, he did so clearly and slowly. "You are very important to me."

"I didn't ask if I was important," she insisted. He was avoiding her question and the most important thing was to know what she meant to him.

His gold eyes locked onto her blue ones. "I do not love you," he admitted, honestly.

"I don't love you either," she bit back. It was true that she didn't love him, and she didn't expect him to love her, but he didn't need to say it so blatantly.

"Hn," he smirked, her anger was slightly flattering. "That does not mean I don't care about you." He waited for her to stop glaring before he continued. "You are the only woman I've ever slept with that I actually respect."

'Smooth,' she thought, 'remind me of all the other notches on your belt.' Her exasperated look was a sign to Sesshomaru that his choice of words may not have been very good.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, realizing his mistake.

"It's okay," she strained before bringing her wine glass to her lips, taking a small sip.

"I care about you," he admitted, looking her straight in the eye and almost making her choke on her drink. "Your feelings are important to me. Your welfare is important to me. I do not wish to cause any more damage in your life than I already have."

"Oh," she breathed out, astonished at his honesty. She was more than aware that Sesshomaru did not do feelings.

"You said we were putting everything out there," he joked, trying to take away from his confession.

Kagome nodded, thankful for his honest participation. "I care about you too," she said, truthfully.

"What about Koga?" he asked. He was well aware of women's emotions. They often became vulnerable after breakups.

"Koga," Kagome turned her head, a faraway look in her eyes. "I won't lie; I'm still hurting over him. I did love him…"

Sesshomaru knew it was too soon for her to be over him and he didn't want to be just a rebound until she felt better. "What will happen when he tries to come back?"

She gave him a dry laugh, showing how ridiculous she thought the idea was. "He won't come back."

"If he's half as smart as you claim he is, then he will come back begging," Sesshomaru said, giving her a look of appraisal. "He only left due to his jealousy," he added, "I am sorry that he recognizes how much of a threat I am." A conceited look was on his face.

Kagome's brows scrunched at his pseudo apology. "You are only a threat because I let you be one," she said just as haughtily, turning her nose up in the air. She would not allow Sesshomaru to insinuate that he could have broken them up on purpose if he wanted, as if she could never do better than him. The break up between Koga and herself was between Koga and herself, Sesshomaru had no involvement.

"He is not the one for you." His words came out of his mouth before he even realized he was thinking them. "You deserve more."

Kagome looked surprised as she turned to him. "Thank you." Her frown began to stretch into a small smile and she blushed, her eyes covered by her bangs. Until she realized something, "Wait," she looked up at him, "what about your girlfriends?"

His eyebrows rose in surprise before he broke into a grin. "I have no girlfriends."

"You know what I mean, Sesshomaru."

He tried to refrain from laughing at her pout and put his serious face on. "Have you ever seen me put another woman's interests before yours?"

"No," she said, a frown on her face from not hearing the words she wanted. "Have you ever been a one woman man?"

"I am always a one woman man," he said with a smirk, "unless she has a friend."

"Sesshomaru, this is a serious conversation," she chastised while crossing her arms over her chest.

"I apologize," though he still wore the smirk. Then he went back to serious. "Those women weren't worth anything more than a good time."

"And what about me?" she asked unsteadily. They were only having this conversation as a result of their good time. So was that the reason he was entertaining the idea of being with her; for the benefits?

"I haven't been in a committed relationship since I was in high school," he admitted, dodging her question and answering it at the same time, "but I would commit myself to you if you do the same for me."

"I'm not a cheater," she told him.

"A lot of things could go wrong," he said honestly. "It could be dangerous to get involved."

"You're right," Kagome nodded. "A lot of things can go wrong," then she gave him a heated look. "Does that scare you?"

"Hn," Sesshomaru scrunched his eyebrows. "I fear nothing."

"What if we mess things up," she asked, worry showing across her features. "I don't want Kenichi to be negatively affected."

"Then he won't be," he said firmly. As long as Kenichi's best interests were their goals, then the boy would be okay regardless of his parent's relationship status.

"I've never had a long distance relationship before," she hesitantly confessed. "I'm glad we have such good telecommunications, at least."

"It will make things easier," he said reaching his hand out on the table. "I will still fly out every month. Now to see you, as well as Kenichi."

Kagome placed her small hand in his strong one and smiled, feeling the butterflies in her stomach. "And we can talk every day," she added.

"Don't we already do that?" he smirked, causing Kagome to laugh when she realized he was right.

Candace had arrived then, with their meals. Perfect timing!

The couple tried not to stay out too late so that they could pick Kenichi up from the Takahashi household and take him back to Sesshomaru's to sleep.

Unfortunately, they didn't make it in time, so Sesshomaru carefully carried his sleeping child into the car as Izayoi pulled Kagome aside to talk to her.

Sesshomaru couldn't help but smile as he heard the ladies gossiping about the date. He was surprised when Izayoi hurried over to him and gave him a big hug.

"Oh, Sesshomaru," she said, steeping back and smiling, "I am so proud of you."

"Thank you," he said, feeling a bit embarrassed that Kagome was grinning like a madwoman in the doorway. "Let's go," he told his new girlfriend, before his mom could embarrass him further.

He didn't watch the women exchange hugs as he started the car. Kagome hopped in soon after and he was about to pull out of the driveway when an idea came to mind, making him stop.

Kagome turned her attention to him, to see why they weren't moving. That's when he reached into her lap and grabbed her left hand, interlocking their fingers together. She blushed and smiled, leaning over to make him a bit more comfortable as they held hands.

"I had a really good time tonight," she admitted quietly, not wanting to wake up the sleeping child. She watched his lips curve into a smile, even though his eyes never left the road, and he didn't speak, she knew he was happy. She could feel it. Not wanting to overdo anything, she turned to look out the window, watching the scenery pass. They enjoyed the silent company all the way home.

Then Kagome tucked Kenichi in, in the guest room. After that she changed into a pair of pajama pants and a tank top, throwing her hair into a pony tail when she finished taking off her jewelry.

Sesshomaru lightly knocked on the door before entering. He was wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and a white T-shirt. He wanted to give Kenichi a kiss before they would leave the boy to his dreams.

Both parents took turns wishing the child a goodnight. They left the room with the light off and the door cracked open. The hallway light would stay on to illuminate the room as needed if Kenichi were to wake up for anything.

Kagome turned around from the door to find Sesshomaru leaning against his nearby doorframe; he was staring at her intently. She blushed under his gaze.

"What would you like to do tonight?" he asked, hoping for a repeat of the previous night.

"As much as I want to do things with you," she started, biting her bottom lip with uncertainty, "I feel like we need to establish more of a friendship before we do things like that."

"I understand," he said, slightly disappointed. She looked so good with her rear flattering yoga pants and tight top. Although, he agreed that they weren't as close as most people in a relationship, which was bad considering they had a three year old. He respected her wishes and came up with an idea. "Would you like to talk?"

Kagome's eyes lit up. "Yeah, that sounds nice."

"We have an early morning," he stepped into his room and she followed, "let's relax in bed."

"Just relaxing," she told him while eyeing him from behind.

He smirked as he lay on top of the covers of his bed. "Of course."

Kagome climbed up next to him and they sat close together with their backs against the headboard. Remembering that they were now in a relationship, Sesshomaru reached his arm around her lower back. She smiled and scooted closer, bending her legs and leaning against him. His thumb brushed back and forth against her and she laid her he'd against the crook of his armpit. He smiled and laid his head back against the wood.

Anyone who knew Sesshomaru also knew that he was not one for conversation. He spoke when he needed to, he said what he needed to; nothing more. Kagome was well aware and decided to start the small talk. Their first step to getting to know each other.

"So," she said in a relaxed tone. "What's your favorite color?"

He peeked through a lid to eye her. What kind of a question was that? A waste of breath if you asked him, but he answered, "Silver."

"Of course," she smiled. "What's your favorite number?"

This time he couldn't help but chuckle. "These are stupid questions."

"Okay fine," she said, a bit frustrated. She decided to go a little more in depth with her queries. "Tell me something you love."

"Kenichi," he responded without hesitation, making Kagome grin like a Cheshire cat. She liked his answer. She stemmed her next question off of it.

"What did you think the first time you saw him?" she was curious. Was he mad? Was he upset?

Sesshomaru took a moment to think back at the memory, he smirked as he told her, "I thought he was Inuyasha's."

Kagome separated herself and turned to look at him. "What?" she asked in pure shock and disbelief.

"I didn't know what was going on," he chuckled as he explained. "He made father and I go with him to the hospital, made us wait outside that person's room, and then takes us to see a sleeping child who resembled all of us. It was only natural to think it was his."

Kagome smiled at the thought. "So when did you realize he was yours?"

"When I apologized to Inuyasha about his child being in such a state," he grinned, finding the memory humorous. "He pointed out that it was your son and that only I had been intimate with you."

Kagome blushed and moved to lean back into their previous position. "Then what happened?" She realized that she never really knew what happened that day between the Takahashis and her son.

"Your friend informed us about the details of the accident and I examined him as he slept." Sesshomaru frowned. "I cannot seem to forget the way he looked that day. I did not like it."

"I know," her eyes watered. Her poor baby was damaged. Thankfully not enough to leave any permanent damage but it was still a nightmare for any parent.

"Finding out you have a child is a lot to take in," Sesshomaru admitted. "Knowing I could have lost him made it worse."

"I don't know what I would have done if he were hurt more," she sniffled, wiping away a tear that escaped. Just the idea of it was enough to break her heart.

"Hn," he had to agree with that. It would have been horrible to find out he lost his son before he even got the chance to be there for him. "Tell me something," he started, sliding down the bed a bit, to lie down. He was lying on his side with his head raised by his arm; it would probably hurt his neck, but oh well.

"What?" Kagome was glad to finally get the quiet Sesshomaru talking.

"I want to know about your pregnancy," he timidly reached a hand out to touch her flat stomach.

"Really?" his question surprised her, to say the least.

"Yes," he gave her a rueful smile, "I would have liked to have been there for you, for Kenichi, before he was Kenichi."

"Oh," Kagome's heart just about melted when he said that, if it was a cartoon her eyes would have turned into hearts. Sesshomaru was not a man of many words but he sure did have a way with them. "What all did you want to know?"

"Everything." Sesshomaru started to pull his hand away and Kagome moved to lie down on the bed and face him. She rested her head on a pillow and he did the same, they each held their top hand out, intertwining fingers. Kagome smiled as she began to speak.

"Okay," she thought back, it was so long ago, "I found out I was pregnant about a month after you guys moved, I think."

Sesshomaru frowned, wishing things went differently. Kagome noticed and decided to steer the conversation in a direction that wouldn't remind him of such unfortunate timing.

"I never threw up from morning sickness, but I was nauseous all the time. I couldn't smell caeser dressing without gagging," she laughed, "and I was obsessed with mixing bananas and vanilla ice cream. I also craved cheeseburgers with macaroni and extra pickles."

Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose at the idea.

"Kenichi wouldn't stay still for his first ultrasound, so with the blurry images, they guessed he was a girl."

"Really?"

"Mhm," she nodded, smiling fondly at the memory. "He cooperated at the next appointment and I cried when they pointed out the penis. I wanted a girl," she laughed.

He lifted an eyebrow, imagining how different things would be if he had a daughter. He was glad Kenichi was a boy. Boys seemed easier for him; he wasn't good with the opposite sex.

"I went into labor six weeks before my due date," she frowned, remembering how scary it was. "He was born after five and a half hours of labor, weighing in at 4 lbs and 13 ounces." Her eyes watered as she told him more, because she was lying on her side, a few did spill. "Kenichi was born with a hole in his heart and a heart murmur." Kagome took her hand back and covered her mouth, trying to stop herself from crying.

"What?" Sesshomaru leaned back up on his elbow. "I…" he was speechless. He never knew that, he didn't even understand much about either of those conditions, but he understood enough to know just how frightening they were. "Kagome," he reached out to grasp her arm and get her attention since her eyes were pressed shut. "I am so sorry," he said earnestly.

He watched as she nodded. A couple more tears escaped as she composed herself. She sniffled loudly before telling him, "Its okay."

"It's not okay." If he ever felt like a piece of shit, it was was an ache in his chest at the thought of an infant Kenichi being born with the odds against him.

"It's all over," she informed him, trying not to make him feel guilty. It was just a sore subject for her. "Both things ended up healing over time and I finished paying all the old medical bills about a year ago."

He still felt guilty, and it was obvious to Kagome. So she told him some more positive things about Kenichi as a baby.

"He didn't let being a preemie slow him down," she said, putting a smile on and reaching out to give him her hand again.

He took the appendage, giving a gentle squeeze.

"He was a good baby and slept through the night for me. He wasn't fussy either. Always so calm; he must have gotten that from you."

Sesshomaru smiled, wondering on all the things his child inherited. Kenichi was so much like him, even before he could influence the child, the boy still took after him. It was amazing.

"I learned the hard way about covering his private parts as I changed his diaper."

"Oh?" Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow.

"He peed all over a brand new shirt," she exclaimed. "Eventually I learned to get used to having his bodily fluids constantly spilling on me, but it took some time to get used to."

Sesshomaru frowned. He could hardly imagine learning to get used to that.

For the next hour. Kagome told Sesshomaru her memories of Kenichi, everything up till when they met. During a comfortable silence, Sesshomaru squeezed Kagome's hand to get her attention.

She looked into his eyes.

"Thank you," he said.

"For what?"

He smiled. "Everything."

Kagome also smiled as her face heated up. "Thanks," she said in a tiny voice.

Sesshomaru moved to kiss her, mindful of her previous sentiments about not wanting to take things too fast. The moment she told him to stop he would, and if she didn't want him to stop…