TITLE: Cursed Twins

AUTHOR: InuYoukaiAki

DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha and Co.

Author's Note: Sorry for the long delay. I've been very busy. But here it is. I promise the next chapter will be soon. Next week! Thanks!

Chapter 17: Conflicting Feelings

"Time to go back!" Sango said cheerfully as she looked at the horizon. "We should start heading back if we want to get back while the sun is still up."

Kagome groaned. It was the day she had dreaded. She had spent the past few days either drawing Sesshoumaru or talking with Sango and Kikyou. She had fun, except for the times she spent skulking as she thought of the decision she had to make. She was still undecided but knew she had to give her decision today. The time of the full moon was nearing and she had begun to feel the rage building inside her. She had suppressed it but as the time nears it became harder.

There were nights when a dark faceless figure invaded her dreams, urging her to drop every worry and responsibility, to let it take control of her life. Instinctively, she knew it was the demon that wanted to destroy InuTaisho's line. She had fought harder to control the spirit but it was draining her. Hiding these worries had been difficult especially since Sango and Kikyou never left her side.

Reluctantly, Kagome looked up from her silent musing. She was sitting on a rock on the riverbank and was quietly gazing at the calm surface of the water. "Do we really have to go," she asked in a small voice.

Kikyou knelt beside her twin as she saw the vulnerability and indecision in her eyes. She knew this was difficult for her. "Follow your heart, Kagome," she whispered as she looked directly into Kagome's eyes.

"It's not that easy," Kagome said with a sigh.

"Of course it is," Sango said as she knelt beside the two.

She smiled tremulously. "I guess I still have a few hours to decide," she said as she took a deep breath and stood up. "Let's go then!"

- - -

"What's taking them, so long?" Inuyasha asked impatiently. "Kagome said they would be back today."

InuTaisho sighed at his youngest son's impatience. "Inuyasha, sit down," he said firmly. "Your pacing will not get you anywhere."

Inuyasha stopped abruptly. "Then maybe I should go get her," he said and turned to go out the library.

"No," Sesshoumaru said firmly, stopping Inuyasha in his tracks. "We gave our word. She would come back of her own accord."

Inuyasha balled his fist and turned around. He plopped down at the corner and kept quiet. Everybody knew how hard it was for Inuyasha to stay in one place and just wait. He was one made for action and waiting was not really for him. InuTaisho shook his head as Inuyasha began tapping his foot while glancing frequently towards the setting sun.

Kenji and Yoji were sitting patiently, sipping tea with InuTaisho while Sesshoumaru was perusing documents, or so he appeared. The stoic demon lord was actually doing his best to look busy and uncaring while he also wondered why the miko still has not made an appearance. His senses were on alert as he awaited Kagome's arrival. He was too caught up in his thoughts that he forgot that he was holding the same scroll for a while already. Fortunately for the young demon lord, the occupants of the room were also too anxious to notice his slight slip except of course the ever-observant InuTaisho who was amusing himself with the behavior of his descendants.

Miroku was serenely sipping his sake while his eyes roamed the room, his gaze passing every demon and half-demon in the room. He could sense the anxiousness of each one except InuTaisho who was looking more amused than anxious.

It was almost dark when InuTaisho suddenly stiffened. He felt the momentary pull of his pendant before the scent of blood reached them. Everybody tensed. Even Sesshoumaru stiffened slightly when the cool night breeze brought the scent of blood. They all stood as one and ran outside. The sight that greeted them caused their blood to boil. Cradled between Sango and Kikyou was Kagome, unconscious and bleeding.

Sesshoumaru's eyes began to bleed red as his eyes took in Kagome's state. He forcefully reined in his beast. Kagome was as so pale, probably from the blood lost since he could see the makeshift bandages on her legs, side, arm and shoulder the two women did was already drenched in blood. Her face was contorted in pain and she was moaning pitifully.

"What happened?" InuTaisho asked the two women who were also wounded in a few places. He took a step towards the three girls. Sango and Kikyou were panting heavily from the exertion.

"We were attacked," Sango said in a hardened voice.

"Attacked by whom?" Inuyasha asked in a dangerous voice, his hands balled into fists as he looked at Kagome's pitiful state. His amber eyes clashed with Kikyou's brown orbs.

Kikyou looked at her sister. "Naraku," she hissed.

A growl escaped from the demons as the evil hanyou's name came up. Their eyes began to bleed red at the insolence of the hanyou who dared challenge the House of the Moon. They were in the brink of changing when they heard Kagome moan. It was as if a sudden hush came down the group as they waited.

"Ses… shoumaru…" Kagome groaned.

Everybody stood dumbfounded as they gazed at Kagome's unconscious form. It was Sango who finally recovered. "I guess that's that," she said with finality.

Kikyou nodded in agreement. "Kagome had been calling out his name ever since she lost consciousness," she said.

"I say it is perfectly clear then," InuTaisho said after clearing his throat. "Do you have any objections, Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru had been surprised at the turn of events but had quickly recovered his emotionless façade before anybody could notice. He looked at Kagome's form and stepped forward without a word and cradled Kagome in his arms. Kagome's features immediately cleared once she was in Sesshoumaru's arms as if his presence calmed her. She snuggled closer to Sesshoumaru and her whimpering stopped.

"Then that means you do not object," InuTaisho said as he watched his eldest son handle Kagome like a fragile crystal.

Inuyasha, Kenji and Yoji looked dumbstruck at the events, and then the twins' shoulders slumped in defeat as they looked at Kagome in Sesshoumaru's arms. And they knew that Sesshoumaru would take good care of her.

"No way!" Inuyasha burst out. "I won't let you mate Kagome. She had not given her answer yet. You just decided it while she's unconscious."

Miroku laid a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder to calm him. "Don't you see, Inuyasha?" he asked. "Lady Kagome called for Lord Sesshoumaru in her delirious state. It says more than enough."

"Yes, Inuyasha," Sango agreed. "All the time she was unconscious she called for Sesshoumaru and him alone."

"I still think she deserves better," he said stubbornly.

Kenji stepped up. "Like you?" he sneered. "Accept it. She chose Sesshoumaru, not you. Let's face it; he treated her better than you ever did."

InuTaisho looked his son squarely in the eye. "Would you rather mate her?" he asked directly. Inuyasha hesitated and fell silent. They saw the emotions raging in his eyes. "You see, Inuyasha, you still can't decide between Kagome and Kikyou. Your indecision had hurt her for so long. Now, let her go before you hurt her even more."

Inuyasha's shoulder slumped and he walked away.

- - -

"Tell us what happened," Sesshoumaru said.

They were at Kagome's chamber and they had tended her wounds properly. She was already healing fast but the damage was too much that she remained unconscious. Kikyou and Sango's minor injuries were also treated and they all sat patiently to await Kagome's recovery. Even Inuyasha had appeared a few moments later. He had remained quiet as he looked at Kagome's still form. The hanyou had been uncharacteristically subdued and sat at a corner, apart from the others.

"We were already on our way and Kagome had requested to remain a few paces behind," Sango started. "She was still confused and wanted to ponder quietly."

"Sango and I walked ahead," Kikyou continued. "We were half-way back when we felt Naraku's presence, followed by Kagome's scream."

The two ran back and saw Kagome pinned by five tentacles. She had already lost consciousness and was bleeding profusely as Naraku laughed maniacally. He was about to take Kagome away when Sango managed to cut off the tentacles holding Kagome. Kikyou and Sango ran to Kagome's side when InuTaisho's pendant glowed and transported them back to the castle grounds.

"The hanyou will pay for harming my intended," Sesshoumaru said menacingly.

The demon lord looked at Kagome's face. Color was back on her face and the bleeding had stopped. Her face had completely lost all traces of pain. She was now merely sleeping. She would soon be his mate; she had called for him and no one else. Those thoughts kept repeating in his head and his anger rose as he remembered what Naraku had done to her. This was already the second time the hanyou had dared hurt her in his lands.

Kagome stirred and everyone looked in her direction. Sesshoumaru was at the door, leaning casually. He knew that he would be the first she would see once she opened her eyes. He did not take away his gaze from her face as she slowly opened her eyes. He waited until the vestiges of sleep were gone before he straightened up and walked towards her.

"Sesshoumaru," she whispered hoarsely. Her gaze shifted to look at everyone in the room. She tried to sit up but she fell back when pain shot through her shoulder and arm. Kikyou immediately helped her up.

"How are you feeling?" InuTaisho asked gently.

Kagome's brows furrowed. "Like I've gone to hell and back," she said with a groan. "Damned tentacles!"

InuTaisho smiled fondly. "Good to know you're feeling a lot better because the mating ceremony would take place in three days time," he said briskly.

"Uh, who am I mating with?" she asked in confusion, trying hard to remember if she had already decided.

"Sesshoumaru, of course," Sango said cheerfully.

Kagome looked in Sesshoumaru's direction and blushed prettily. She looked into his eyes and was disturbed when she could not read anything from them. Her heart dropped. She had cornered him into mating with her and he was honor-bound to do it. Taking it back now would also be a blow to his pride and she could not do that to him. There was nothing else to do but just do it. She would just have to be a good mate to him. But first, she has to learn how to be a mate to a youkai.

"I think I'll be all right by then," she replied in a small voice. "What do I have to do?"

"You need not worry," Sesshoumaru said. "Father had begun the necessary preparations."

"Oh, I see…" she said and looked thoughtful.

Sesshoumaru looked down at Kagome who was straining her head just to look at him. He almost sighed before he knelt down beside her to ease the strain on her neck. His eyes softened imperceptibly as he saw the vulnerable look in her eyes. "I will guide you," he said simply and saw the surprise in her wide blue eyes. She then broke into a soft smile.

"Okay," she said.

He nodded at the foreign response and left with the others following behind him. Sesshoumaru and the others noticed Inuyasha staying behind but they did not comment on it and left the room silently.

- - -

"I know why you remained behind," Kagome whispered. The others had gone and Inuyasha stayed behind. He had not said a word, merely sat there and kept quiet. He looked up at her words.

"Why him?" Inuyasha whispered.

Kagome looked down on her lap and pondered on the question. "I'm really not sure," she said wistfully. "When exactly did I reveal my decision? I can't really remember announcing it."

Inuyasha snorted. "You made it clear whom you'd want to mate with when you were unconscious," he said bitterly. "You kept calling Sesshoumaru's name. And when he took you in his arms, you calmed down," he continued when he saw the confusion on her face.

"I see," she nodded in understanding as she blushed. "Then I guess you have the answer to your question."

Inuyasha looked into her eyes and understanding dawned on him. Kagome knew he could see it clearly in her eyes. "Would you still have chosen him if you were conscious?" he asked quietly after a while.

She shook her head gently. "I'm not sure," she said truthfully. "Kami knows I've given myself more than enough reasons not to choose him. I tried to convince myself that we were not meant for each other. But I gave myself away when I called out to him when I was delirious." She took a deep breath and smiled sadly. "But one thing I know for sure, I would never have chosen you."

Kagome's eyes misted as she saw the stricken look of her friend. "Don't think I don't care for you, Inuyasha," she said gently. "I care for you a great deal. That's the reason I would never choose you. We'll only end up hurting each other if you mated me. We've been through a lot and I consider you my best friend. But I know you love Kikyou and we can't change that. We can't change what I've already become. I may mate Sesshoumaru, but you will always be special to me. Nothing will change that."

"All right, Kagome," Inuyasha said sadly. He stood up and knelt down beside her. He looked in her eyes and shook his head with a rueful smile. "Who would have guessed?" he asked, irony in his voice.

"Thank you, Inuyasha," Kagome said. "For understanding me."

"Yeah, well," he said gruffly as he stood. He was already by the door when he stopped. "If you need anything, I'm here."

"I know, Inuyasha," she whispered and watched him walked out the door.

- - -

Sesshoumaru was at the pavilion when he felt Inuyasha's approach. It had been a while since they had left him with Kagome. He saw his half-brother's casual approach. And yet he knew there will be a confrontation regarding Kagome's decision. As he watched him from the corner of his eye, he noticed the slight slump of his shoulders and the absence of the usual spark of arrogance in his amber eyes.

Inuyasha stood beside him and dedicated his attention towards the flower bushes. The breeze was blowing gently. They stood there in silence for a few moments. It was rare of them to stand in companionable silence but neither was willing to break it. For the first time in decades, the two brothers had stayed companionable.

"If somebody told me a year ago that you and Kagome would mate, I would have laughed at his face and told him that he was stupid," Inuyasha began with a lace of bitterness in his voice. He sighed and looked at Sesshoumaru's stoic face. "And if he told me that you had allowed it, then I would say that he was downright crazy."

He listened to his brother and realized that he would have to agree. Never in his life did he consider mating, much less to a human. And yet, here he was, a few days before mating a ningen miko. It was odd enough as it is without the fact that he was not the least bit disgusted with the thought. If he was true to himself, he was actually pleased that Kagome had chosen him. But he had remained quiet.

"But then, it was not really that impossible once I thought about it," Inuyasha said suddenly. "Kagome has a certain effect on people. She could worm her way into the coldest of hearts. And you're not really that cold inside. So it was just a matter of time since the day you took her away."

He looked at Inuyasha at that. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he saw the amusement in his half-brother's eyes.

Inuyasha grinned. "I know you're fighting it, Sesshoumaru," he said. "But I'm telling you now; you're fighting a losing battle. You might as well give in before you hurt Kagome or yourself. And don't bother to deny it. I can see it every time you look at her."

"You know nothing of what you speak of," Sesshoumaru finally said haughtily.

"No?" Inuyasha mocked. "I know for sure that I already screwed up twice in that area. So, you might as well take my advice."

His eyebrow rose. "And you care because?" Sesshoumaru asked suspiciously.

"Because Kagome is special and I don't want your stupidity hurting her," Inuyasha said in a hard voice. He turned his back on him and was about to walk away. Inuyasha stooped suddenly. "And no matter what happened between us before, I think you deserve to be happy, too, aniki," he whispered before running inside.

Sesshoumaru stood dumbfounded. Inuyasha had been a pup since he last called him aniki. Ever since he ran away after Izayoi's death, Inuyasha had never called him that. He wondered what had gotten into Inuyasha. He had vowed to hate Sesshoumaru the day he found Izayoi dead in Sesshoumaru's arms. Since then, they had not exchanged a decent word to each other, even after the identity of Izayoi's killer was clarified.

And yet just a moment ago, Inuyasha was giving him brotherly advice. Sesshoumaru almost snorted at the thought. The insolent whelp thought he knew something he did not. But still… His thought drifted back to a time when a little white-haired hanyou with fluffy white dog-ears followed him around wherever he went.

- - -

Kagome stirred from her bed. She felt somebody's presence in her room. Her eyes opened and realized it was already dark. Silence reigned. She must have probably dozed back to sleep.

She turned on her side and was about to go to sleep when her eyes caught a figure sitting at the corner of the room. She bolted up when she realized who it was. But she ended up falling back with a groan as her injuries protested against her sudden action. The figure was instantly beside her when she moaned in pain.

"You should not exert yourself," Sesshoumaru reprimanded.

Kagome opened her eyes again and looked into Sesshoumaru's golden eyes. Her heart rate sped up when she saw the worry in his eyes before it disappeared behind his cold mask. "What are you doing here, Sesshoumaru?" she asked breathlessly.

She could see his struggle to think of something to say. Sesshoumaru was clearly having a hard time thinking of how to answer her. "Never mind," she finally said. "I still hurt all over but I'll be all right by tomorrow."

Sesshoumaru nodded but did not say anything. Kagome smiled as she gazed at his unsmiling face.

Kagome looked at the ceiling and sighed. "I really have no idea on how to go about being a mate to a youkai," she began. "But I promise to try my best to be a good one. I hope I won't disappoint you."

"You think too much," Sesshoumaru said, the gentleness of his tone surprising Kagome. "Now, rest."

Sesshoumaru stood up to leave. Kagome did not know what possessed her but she grabbed his hand. He looked questioningly at her. "Please stay with me," she whispered. "I can feel the rage building inside me. And I'm scared."

He nodded and sat back down.

"I-If you would like," Kagome began nervously. "We could share the futon. You could stay above the blanket."

She saw the surprise in Sesshoumaru's eyes before he lay down beside her. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru," she whispered as her eyes drooped.

- - -

Sesshoumaru looked down at Kagome's sleeping form. She was snuggled to his side and he could not explain why he felt so content.

He had been unable to sleep so he had decided to walk to the gardens for a while when he heard Kagome whisper his name as he passed by her chambers. He had cautiously went in and found her sleeping peacefully. It was not his plan to watch her sleep but then again, he had not planned on mating her.

Since he was unable to sleep, he had decided to stay there a while. But she had woken up and saw him watching her. When she had asked why he was there, he did not know what to say to her. He was glad when she did not pursue the matter.

He was slightly bewildered when she asked him to stay with her. But he complied as he felt her fear when she admitted that she could feel the spirit trying to consume her. And now here he was, lying down on the same futon with his mate-to-be. And he could not help thinking how good it felt to have her this close, her unique scent enveloping him, and her warmth seeping through their clothes and blanket. He relaxed and his eyes began to close.

Fate had played a trick on him. But he was not one to complain.

End chapter