AN. : Hello eneryone ;) So here I am with a new chapter ... I hope you enjoy it ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters.

At the first sunrays, Sesshoumaru woke up from his light slumber, dressed himself and left his room. When he was in front of Kagome's door he stopped and listened for her heartbeat and breath. When he was convinced she was sleeping, he entered, taking care not to wake her up. He went to her bathing area, took a piece of cloth and poured the contents of a flask on it and approached her bed. He bent over her form, gently put the cloth on her nose and mouth, 'Only one good intake of air and I can proceed.' and waited for the signs that he could remove it. When her heartbeat slowed down to an almost stop and her breath evened out as well, he moved away the cloth. With one hand he slowly parted her moth and with the other he grabbed one of her fangs and, using his inhuman strength, he pulled it out. Then he pulled off one of her hairs. He put both objects in a pouch and exited the room.

When he was in the hall, Sesshoumaru saw Kagome's maiden and called her.

'I want nobody, under any circumstance, to wake her up. Let her sleep more today. Do not allow the pups to make any noise that would disturb her, or come near her room. Understood?'

'Hai, Milord.'

'Discard this.' he said handing her the piece of cloth. 'Do not tell her I was here for I do not want her to know. And do not tell her of this.' he pointed at the piece of cloth. 'She is to know nothing. She will sleep some more hours because of this. When she wakes up let the servants bring her breakfast and then tell her she is allowed a day with the pups. No training today.'

'Hai, Milord. What shall I tell her if she asks about your Lordship?'

'Tell her I had urgent matters to attend to.' with that he took his leave.

When he was at his castle's gates, Sesshoumaru formed his youki cloud and flew away towards his destination. He watched as the landscape under him changed from luscious forests and vegetation, to wild flowers and green grass, to crops and villages. Around noon, he saw the rocky land and started his descend. He touched the ground in front of a rock-carved sort of hut and waited for the lower youkai to acknowledge him.

Right on cue, the demon came out of his cave-like cottage and bowed slightly.

'Sesshoumaru-sama, I have told you I will never forge a sword for you to battle Inuyasha for Tessaiga. You have wasted your time coming here.'

'Totosai, I did not come for that. I need a weapon for my intended. I want to offer it as a courting gift. My father gave my mother a kimono, but I wish to offer her a weapon.'

Totosai's eyes widened in surprise.

'Tell me more about your intended, Sesshoumaru-sama.'

'I am sure you know Inuyasha's wench.'

'Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru. Her name is Kagome. I know she was the one to kill Naraku.'

'Then you also know that Inuyasha is dead.'

'No, Sesshoumaru-sama, I did not know that. Tell me more about the girl.'

'She is the new wielder of Tessaiga. After Inuyasha died, it flew right into her hand and at her mere touch it pulsed to life. I was there, with Tenseiga drawn, trying to resurrect the half breed. When Tessaiga pulsed to life so did Tenseiga. They transformed in our hands: Tessaiga to its full potential and Tenseiga grew in length, something that never happened before. Then they bonded, both fangs changing and mixing their auras. Do you know how come Tessaiga allowed her to wield it and transform it?'

'It appears that Kagome did something to impress the sword. Both swords are alive. They choose their masters and even if they are given to somebody, if they do not find the wielder worth of them, they do not obey. Like Tessaiga did. It needed Inuyasha to tell the sword he wanted to protect Kagome with it, well more or less tell, it was an accident I assure you, but the sword saw the good heart your brother had and it granted his wish. He became the sword's master. It must mean that Kagome either impressed the sword with her powers or with her good heart. Do you know anything about that?'

'All I know is that she released a huge amount of power in her final blow to kill Naraku and save Inuyasha. She told me she tried to save him from Naraku's blow but didn't make it on time. So she killed the worthless half breed with a final attack.'

'That is your answer than. Kagome transformed from the protected into the protector. The sword saw her bravery, her determination and loyalty and also the amount of power she held and chose her as its next master.'

'Hn. When I found her, she was lying on the ground, badly injured, tainted jewel in a hand and broken bow in the other. Her power was brimming and healing her at a rate I never seen before in a human miko. Even if she was on the verge of death she was full of power, glowing a pink shade. And then she gave me my arm back and this' with this, Sesshoumaru pulled his haori and undergarment as much as it was necessary for the other demon to see his marking. Totosai's eyes bulged out of their sockets, shock written all over his face.

'She gave you that? She was the one to form that bond? It is not possible. It is a too powerful one for a human, no matter she is a miko or that she has the jewel. Not in her state of health. You know what that is, do you not?'

'Yes. I know what it is.'

'These bonds are so rare. In fact, the last bond of this type was between your father and the priestess Midoriko, the one who sealed herself in the Shikon no Tama with the hoard of demons to save your father's lands. But Midoriko died centuries ago. And she was more powerful than you are now. She held so much power and wisdom, that she was your father's equal. But their bond was kept a secret. Only Inutaisho's mate and me knew about it.'

'Hn. I was visited by her soul.'

'How could you been visited by her soul since it is trapped in the Shikon?'

'Kagome's body was too frail to contain so much power and the powerful bond we share now. So it has started to change into something more powerful, which would be able to house the amount of energy without hearting her. Midoriko's soul came the night Kagome changed and told me to stay near her and never leave her side during this transformation for it was vital. When dawn came we both were engulfed in a pink aura and then the transformation was over. She is now a white Inu youkai with the marking of the Goddess of Fate on her forehead. She was the Goddess herself and she told me that she had to choose between going back to her realm as a Kami or stay in this realm. She has chosen to remain. She has so many features I have and this is troublesome.'

'It is because of the bonding and because you were by her side when it happened. So Midoriko knew she would choose to remain here and told you to stay with her. The pink light that engulfed you was for her to complete her transformation. You see, her body would have changed into one of a demon but it needed a model to complete it, otherwise it would have been deformed or maybe she would have died. She took you as her model and she changed sporting your silver hair, your two stripes on her cheek, your golden eyes, your fangs and claws, your well toned and formed body, your ears, eyesight and hearing.'

'The claws and poison she had adopted previous to her transformation. Because of the bond I have purifying powers and she has my poison in her veins. But her eyes remained the same color they were before: black as the deepest night. And you are right. She has the two stripes on her cheeks, only they are black like her original marking, which is positioned in mirror of mine. She has the memories from when she was the Goddess and still has the element of Fate. I believe she said about herself she has become Fate and that is why it has not forsaken her.'

'And what kind of weapon do you want me to forge for her? Since she has Tessaiga and can wield it, I do not believe she is in need of another weapon. All she needs now is for you to train her in swordsmanship.'

'I want you to forge her a bow and arrows. It was her first weapon and as a miko demoness she will surely want to have one again. She is very good with this weapon and it might help during the tests the other lords will submit her to.'

'A bow? I have never forged such a weapon.'

'Shall I take it you will withdraw yourself from a challenge?'

'No Sesshoumaru-sama, I will take the challenge and forge you the most beautiful yet powerful bow you would ever see. I will only need one of your fangs and a piece of your hair.'

'I want you to use one of mine and one of my intended's fangs. Can you fuse them and use the result to make the bow stronger and more powerful? And for the string I have also one of her hairs and I will give you one of mine.'

'Yes, that will be better. And I will forge her some arrows too. I will inflict them with magic so that after they hit the target they will return in her sheath.'

'When will it be ready?'

'Come in a moon's cycle due time. I will have it done by then.'

'Very well. I take my leave now.'

'Goodbye, Sesshoumaru-sama.'

That being said, Sesshoumaru formed his youki cloud and flew back to his castle.

'Hmmm … so it seems the great Lord has chosen a mate. And a powerful one to that. But will it be a wise bond? She is the Protector of his House, a former Kami. Is it a wise choice to mate her? Time will tell.'

Kagome has spent the entire day playing with the children. She never noticed that one of her fangs was taken, for it had grown back before she woke up. She was currently in the garden with Rin and Shippou. She was seated under a sakura tree and watching them play.

'Rin is such a lovely girl. And she is cute also. She would be a beautiful woman when she grows up. But what will it happen when she would die? I will see her die, for I am a demon now, and Shippou too. What will feel Sesshoumaru when that will occur? Will he still love her after she grows up and grows old? I know he loves her as his daughter. Will he feel hurt when she will die?'

At these thoughts, her aura darkened because of the sadness she felt. She was unaware of it until the pups came to her and asked her if everything was alright with her.

'Yes Rin, Shippou. I am fine. I was just thinking. There is nothing wrong with me. Come on, let's go to dinner and then its bedtime for you.'

'Awww … will you please tell us a story?' both children said in unison.

'Yes, I will tell you a story. Now come on.'

During dinner no one spoke. She was still deep in thought and the children were thinking at the story she would tell them. They were happy to have her with them again and not train the entire day. When they finished eating they rose and walked to Rin's room. Kagome got them into the bed and started her story:

'Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl, not much older than you are, who lived at a shrine with her family. One day, on her sixteenth birthday, she was dragged into the shrine's well by a centipede demon. When she emerged from the well, she was no longer in her home. She started running, for the demon was coming after her and saw a boy with a so cute set of doggie ears on his head, pinned by an arrow to a tree. She took the arrow from his heart and broke the spell. At that moment the centipede demon caught up with them and the boy killed it.'

She stopped for a brief moment to check them and saw they were fast asleep already. 'I guess they were really tired if they fell asleep so fast. Indeed.' She tucked them and kissed their foreheads before she slipped out of the room. She was going to her own room when she sensed his presence.

'Sesshoumaru. You are back.'

'Yes.'

'I trust everything is alright? I mean with the urgency you had.'

'I took care of it.'

'Sesshoumaru … I wanted to talk to you about something important. Is there any place we can talk without anyone overhearing us?'

'Come.'

Sesshoumaru and Kagome walked towards the eastern wing of the castle. He opened a small door, not as imposing as the other doors in the castle she had seen so far, and entered. The room was quite small, but cozy. It had a fireplace and some chairs in front of it. To the left there was a huge desk, very well kept and neat. Behind the desk there was also a big chair that looked as comfortable as heaven. In front, there were two chairs, not as comfortable-looking as the other one but still quite comfy. Sesshoumaru sat behind the desk and motioned for her to sit in one of the other chairs.

'This is my office. No one disturbs me here. We have privacy here.'

'But still every demon in your castle could hear us.' Kagome said. Before Sesshoumaru could say anything, she closed her eyes, clapped her hands in front of her chest in a praying stand and started chanting something. After she finished, Sesshoumaru could no longer hear anything outside the walls.

'I have put a soundproof barrier around the room. No one can hear us anymore and neither can we hear anything from the outside of these walls.'

Sesshoumaru didn't say anything. He just nodded and looked at her, no emotion on his face for her to read. But on the inside he was truly amazed she could do such thing.

'I wanted to talk to you about Rin. That is why all this was necessary.' she said pointing around as if trying to show the barrier. 'I know you love her as your daughter and I didn't want to say it in front of your servants and maybe put you in a bad light. I wanted to ask you what will happen to her when she will grow up. What will you do when she will be at age of mating? And even more, what will you feel for her when she will grow old and die?'

'When she will be of age I will let her find someone to mate with. And after that I do not know anything. She will leave with her mate and I doubt I will ever see her again.' Sesshoumaru kept his cold mask on but his eyes showed pain. He would never admit to anyone he would miss her and when she would die she would take with her a part of him.

'Sesshoumaru … I know how painful it is to lose someone you love. I truly loved Inuyasha … but I know not to grieve after him anymore and I know my life has to go on. But that does not have to happen to you and Rin. I can help you with that, if you allow me.'

'How can you help me with that? What can you do?'

'I have the Shikon no Tama. It will make any wish come true. And I know if you will agree of this it will be purified and Midoriko's soul will rest in peace after so many centuries.'

'And what did you think of doing?'

'I thought of transforming her into a demon. She would not be your heir for she will not bear your marking, but she will leave for centuries from now on.'

'Hn. And if I say no?'

'It is your call. If you do not want, I will never step on your word and decision. I will never press this matter again if that is the case.'

'Very well. You may proceed. And what kind of demon did you think for her?'

'That is not for us to decide. She will transform in the most suitable demon to her character.'

'Very well. You have my permission.'

'Now all I have to do is ask her and see if she wants it. For if she does not want to become a demoness I cannot wish it upon her. It would be a selfish desire and the Shikon will be forever tainted and Midoriko's soul would be absorbed by the youkai inside the jewel and they will be let loose in this world.'

'Kagome … there is something I want to ask you. I must go to an official gathering with the other lords for the winter ceremonies. This gathering will end with a ball. It would be held in the Est. I will take my leave in a moon's cycle due time. The question I have for you Kagome is if you want to attend this gathering with me, as my intended. I am sure you knew by now I have been courting you and meaning to ask you if you would agree to be my mate. If you choose to say yes, you would come with me and be introduced to the other lords as my intended. I do not wish to hide this from you, but before the mating ceremony, you will be submitted to different tests from the lords.'

'Sesshoumaru … I do not know what to say.' With that she stood from her chair and walked to the window, looking at the sky. Sesshoumaru stood also and came behind her, whispering in her ear:

'Surely you knew all this. I mean you have been reading the parchment I gave you last night.'

She turned around so abruptly, she tripped and lost her balance, falling into his hard chest. Sesshoumaru put his hand around her waist to steady her and spoke again, this time his breath caressing her bare neck:

'Will you give me an answer or do you need some more time to think?' his voice was by now low and grave, a tone of sensuality in it.

Kagome buried her face into his neck and inhaled his wonderful scent to calm down her raging heartbeat. Her face was flustered and it was so hot from all the blood rushing in her cheeks, that Sesshoumaru knew how embarrassed she was. He was surprised of this. 'She is so powerful and she has seen battles and deaths but she still gets embarrassed about this. How is it that she has kept her heart so pure after all that happened to her? Are you starting to fall for her? Is the great Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands falling in love with his intended? It would be such a crime for this to happen.' his demon side said in a mocking tone. 'Shut up. I will admit she has come to have an important place in my life. Hn.'

Kagome couldn't look him into his eyes. She knew this would come into discussion, but never has she thought it would be so early. She had imagined it to be later on. At least after he gave her a gift, making his decision known to her and the other demons in the castle.

He put one clawed finger under her chin and raised her head gently to look her into the eyes. Once their eyes locked they felt as if hypnotized. Sesshoumaru looked into the bottomless pools of black ink her eyes were, then at her full rosy lips. She was biting her lower lip with such ferocity he was amazed she didn't draw blood until now. At the site of her luscious lips he felt the need to kiss them, taste them, so he gave up to his urge. He tilted his head and captured the girl's mouth in a chaste kiss but surprisingly she had responded back and kissed him also. So Sesshoumaru deepened the kiss by kissing every inch of her lips, licking them, begging for her to part them and allow him entrance. She opened her mouth and said one word:

'Yes.' And with that she allowed him the pleasure. Sesshoumaru caught her answer and was, for an unknown reason to him, happy. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, taking in every taste and scent. She moaned in pleasure and shut her eyes, drifting into a world of perfection.

When they parted he had one arm around her waist and the other on the back of her neck. She was cuddled at his chest, her head resting in the crook of his neck.

'Thank you for your answer.' He whispered in a husky voice.

AN. : Well I know Sesshoumaru is a little OOC, but how can you write him 'in character' when he starts falling in love? As for the talkative side he had while conversing with Totosai, it was because the forger needed as many information about the wielder of the weapon as he could get in order for him to make the weapon as suitable as possible with her. If you were asking what a moon's cycle means in my story, well it means about a month.

A huge thank you to all the reviewers and one for someone. Thank you guys for the wonderful reviews.

Oh and Tharrina, I hope you like the answers to your 'questions'.

I hope you will keep reading and reviewing. Enjoy.

Ja ne.