Warning very out of character…Sesshomaru is not exactly himself in this fic

Kagura had been walking for a few hours now. She would never let this happen again. She would never fall in love she would never let a man touch her again. He wouldn't find her; she had covered her tracks and disguised her sent. He awoke to the gurgling and bubbling of the stream. He opened his eyes slowly and sat up. He blinked and looked around. "Kagura?" he asked. "Kagura?" he called a bit louder this time. "Her smell, is gone." He thought with a heavy sigh.

Jaken and Rin were sound asleep each leaning against a large oak tree. "Rin, Jaken, get up." He said sternly. "Good morning Sesshomaru-sama." Rin said sitting up smiling softly at him. Jaken grumbled and groaned. "Were going after breakfast." He said coolly. "She left." He thought to himself.

Rin ate quickly. She had found some berries and wild vegetables. Sesshomaru was staring off into space and was ignoring them both and Jaken wasn't hungry. He regretted the side he had shown her. He regretted he had slept with her. But he did not regret saving her. Sesshomaru was not going to go and look for her like a lost puppy clinging to its owner. They would begin the long trek back to his palace.

The day was mostly uneventful. They came across a demon or two in their path but they didn't dare challenge such a powerful demon as Sesshomaru. They stopped only twice for Rin to eat. Sesshomaru couldn't stop thinking about Kagura. Why had she withstood his touch? Sure she must have been grateful that he gave her life, but after what had happened why would she be so eager to lie by his side? He stopped in his tracks. "Jaken, join Rin on the back of Ah-Uhn." He commanded. "We will no longer travel at this pitiful pace."

Sesshomaru didn't like flying with Rin because she would always become frightened and feel sick. But today was different. Somehow even though they were miles away from that clearing, that stream, and that tree, he could still smell her. He wanted to get as far away from that place as he could. Rin clutched Ah-Uhn's back in terror as they soared at such speed so high in the air. She didn't mind flying with Ah-Uhn, but Sesshomaru always insisted that they fly so high in the air that they could not be ambushed or attacked from above.

Kagura wandered about the forest. She walked alongside a stream. She sat down next to it and took a sip of the water. "Where am I to go?" she asked aloud. "I have no family, no friends, no one." she thought grinding her teeth together. She smacked her hand into the water sending ripples in all directions blurring the watery mirror. For the first time in her life she bowed her head in silent prayer. She didn't know who to pray to, she just hoped whoever was up there, was listening to her. She lifted her head and stared into the now clear water. She sighed and stood. She would continue walking about heading no place in particular.

The large dragon placed its feet to the ground at Sesshomaru's palace and skidded softly to a halt. Sesshomaru landed gracefully next to him. Rin jumped of Ah-Uhn's back and ran over to a nearby bush to spill the contents of her tiny stomach. "What's the matter with her?" Jaken asked. "Flying makes her sick." Sesshomaru said walking towards the large wooden doors that led to the Grand Hall of his palace. He pushed them open and was greeted by his faithful servants. "Ah, Sesshomaru –Sama you have returned once more." A woman said bowing to him. "Can I prepare you and your wards a meal?" she asked. "I will have nothing Sukura, but please tend to Rin and Jaken." He said removing his boots and walking towards his private quarters.

Sesshomaru had his servants prepare him a bath and brought him some sake. He didn't have much of a taste for the wine, but tonight it seemed necessary. He was weary and did not want to battle his inner conscience. So instead he drowned it in the wonderful thing known as alcohol, soon Sesshomaru was drunk…very drunk. In normal conditions he would never do such a thing as to become intoxicated…or let anyone else see him that way either. But his judgment was…umm…how do you say…clouded, at the moment.

He climbed out of the large porcelain tub and slipped a little. He caught himself and pulled on a robe. He stumbled down the hall down towards his room. The same servant was walking up the hall with a fresh load of towels. "Evening Sesshomaru-sama." Sukura said. "Evening…Suki." He said in a slurred voice. "Master, are you feeling alright, you do not look well." She said walking closer. "What are you talking about." He said swaying a bit to the left. "I feel…great." He swayed a bit grabbed onto her shoulder and fell towards the floor. "Sesshomaru-sama!" Sukura exclaimed. Trying to hold him up. She was terrified that her master was terribly ill with a strange disease. Then she caught a whiff of his breath.

She growled. "I was worried about you being terribly ill and I find that you're drunk." She said pulling his arm over her shoulder She managed to get him to his room and changed into more decent attire than a wet bathrobe. She quickly blew out the lanterns and shut the door behind her.

Sesshomaru dreamt many things that night, about his mother, father, fighting, and Kagura. He dreamt of how he had found her two days before. It was exactly the same as he remembered it. But Naraku had been there and he fought him for Kagura. Of course Sesshomaru had won. Soon the dreams came to an end and he slept in peace. Then it rang in his ears once more. The terrible shriek. He leapt out of bed reaching for Tokijin. He soon realized he was in his room, his swords were hung upon the wall, and it all had been his imagination.

Kagura curled up for bed by a fire in the middle of a small clearing. This was where she would sleep tonight. Her legs and feet ached from the continuous walking. But at least she could go to bed warm and with her belly full. She had caught herself a fish and some wild vegetables. She stared up at the stars and let out a sigh, subconsciously pulling Sesshomaru's kimono tighter around herself. "Sesshomaru." She muttered to herself. She inhaled his delicious scent. It was so masculine, he smelled of pine and grass. Yet still soft and clean. With another sigh she drifted into an easy sleep.

The sun rose and poured in through Sesshomaru's window. He growled and covered his eyes. He had a hangover. Rin came running into his room and pounced onto his bed. "Good morning Sesshomaru-sama." She said cheerily. He growled and pulled the sheets up over his head. "Go away Rin." He said in a raspy tone. "Are you feeling well Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked. "No Rin." He said deeply regretting that extra bottle he alone had drunk. "Oh, than Rin will leave you alone then." She said in a whisper tiptoeing out of his room.

Kagura rose from her sleep and washed her face in the stream she had been following. She did not eat any breakfast but set out on the trail once again. She decided that she would go to a village and try to pass herself off as human, collect some supplies, and try to find a place to stay, at least just for a little while.

Soon Sesshomaru was feeling better and was up about the castle. They would head out again soon. He began to pack Ah-Uhn's saddlebags with supplies like toiletries, clothing, blankets, food, and water. They would set out tonight at sunset.

Several weeks passed and Kagura found herself back at the same tree. The shackles that held her against her will still nailed to the tree. Terrible memories flooded back…but also some not so terrible ones. The night she and Sesshomaru had made love to each other. She would never forget it, yet she would no longer waste her time reminiscing.

Sesshomaru trudged along; this was the place where it all had happened. It was the same clearing and the same stream. He could still smell her scent. "That is impossible." He thought to himself. Suddenly the scent flared, she was here. "But how?" he thought. He would no run from her, yet he would not stay and await her. He quickened the pace onward away from the clearing. Soon her scent faded and they resumed they're trudge

8 Months later

Sesshomaru and his wards padded along at a slow pace. "This is pathetic." He thought to himself. "Ever since Kagura disappeared so did Naraku." He thought. "Every time I sense his aura it disappears before I can find him." Also Sesshomaru hadn't been sleeping well, every night he would be awoken by the memory of Kagura's scream. Then the scent caught in his nose."Kagura!" he thought. He heard a twig snap. Sesshomaru leapt at the sound. He jumped several yards over to the brush she was hiding in. She gasped and let out a yelp. His jaw nearly hit the ground…

She still wore his kimono he had given her. But something else was different. Also, her scent had changed slightly. Her stomach…it was round…She was with child. His grip loosened around her arm. She threw down a feather and escaped before he could say a single word. He stared open mouthed for almost a minute. Jaken peeked out from behind Sesshomaru's fluff. "Is that tramp pregnant with Naraku's spawn?" Jaken asked. Sesshomaru stared at him for a moment. Kicked him I the head and began to walk onward back to his palace.

He had forgotten all about his growling and grumbling about Naraku. He could only remember the image of Kagura's swollen belly. "Is the child, my own…or Naraku's?" he wondered. His heart raced and his palms were sweaty. He didn't know whether he was breathing or not. He didn't know weather he was walking or standing still. "We will rest here." He declared sitting down were he stood. "But he sun hasn't even set yet milord?" Jaken said. "Are you questioning my judgment Jaken?" he asked. Jaken eeped. "No milord, I was simply curious." He said in one quick breath.

Soon the sun had set and the dinner was eaten and soon they all had drifted off to sleep. His sleep was calm and undisturbed. For once Sesshomaru did not here her terrible cry.

Kagura leaned up against the tree, the tree in which she had been resurrected. Her breathing was labored and ragged. She clutched her stomach in pain letting out a soft whimper. The contractions were growing more painful and more frequent. This baby was coming tonight. She held her breath. "Why does this have to hurt so much?" she thought digging her nails into the ground. She whimpered again as a contraction pulled at her inner muscles.

Sesshomaru continued to dose completely un-aware of what was happening at this very moment. Kagura was in labor. His dreams were peaceful and did not make him toss or turn. This was one of the best nights of sleep he had gotten in weeks. Then the dreams slowly faded away. Then he heard the screech. It rang in his ears and echoed off of the trees. This time it was not his imagination. Rin and Jaken were looking around for the source of the sound. He smelled blood.

She cried out again, the infant sliding from between her legs. She gasped for breath and took the infant in her arms. It let out a loud wail squirming in her arms. She smiled wearily at the infant…his hair was black. That could have meant anything considering her hair was black. Though in a state of delirium and exhaustion she counted the toes and fingers. "Ten and ten." She whispered softly. "A son." She thought allowed loosening her kimono. She placed the infant next to her breast, both for warmth, protection, and nursing. Soon she had fallen asleep, the scent of her own blood stinging softly at her nose. She was too tired to clean herself up.

Sesshomaru flew threw the trees and plants rushing towards her. "No, please not again!" he begged to himself knowing his sword could only heal a person once. The smell of her blood growing stronger every second. There was another scent there as well. "Don't you dare die on me." He thought his own heart thudding wildly in his elfin ears.He finally broke through the trees and into the clearing. Kagura lay against the tree, her face glistening with sweat. Her legs were parted and her kimono was open. "No, no, no, no please no." he thought tears welling in his eyes. Even as a child he had never shed tears…He came closer and his grief was replaced with pure shock. "An infant!" he thought swallowing hard. Small red stripes were appearing upon he child's cheeks. "The pup is mine." He thought taking a deep shaky breath. He walked over to her and took the sleeping woman and child in his arms. He began the trudge back towards camp. She needed to be cared for properly. She looked rather sickly…

Rin and Jaken still waited at the camp waiting for their Lord to return. "I can't believe he ran off after that wind wench again." Jaken said folding his little arms over his chest. Sesshomaru cleared his throat. Jaken leapt about a foot in the air. "Forgive me milord, please, please, forgive my insolence!" he said pressing his nose to the ground bowing so low. Then his eyes went wide once more. He was holding her in his arms, and in her arms was a child…whose skin was pale, and had the same marks of the heritage of Inu…

"Jaken, stop gawking and fetch some blankets." He said nudging him with his boot. "Now." He ordered nudging him again. Jaken returned promptly with several warm looking quilts. He set her down; leaning against a tree and tucked her and the infant in. He would sleep next to her that night.

She awoke that morning blinking softly to the rays of soft sunshine. She stroked the infant in her arms. "Sesshomaru!" she exclaimed looking up into his eyes, realizing he had been watching her. "Kagura." He said quietly. "Why did you not tell me of the child?" he asked quickly. She was silent…"I was afraid you would be angry…I didn't think you would want it." She said in a faint whisper. "Kagura, did you think I had no honor or pride, this pup is my doing, my responsibility, and I will help you raise it." He said calmly.

She stared at the ground. "How, you're always traveling with your wards?" she asked bitterly. "We shall return to my home." He said standing. "But not until your energy returns to you." He said coolly. "I will have Jaken fetch water and I will fetch food for you when you wake." He said kissing her delicately upon the cheek. She smiled softly and drifted into a peaceful slumber.