Chapter 23: Hope, Honor, Happiness

He motioned to a pair of double doors. "You will stay here." Throwing them open, he heard Kagome's gasp of surprise and shook his head as she walked into the suite, slowly as though mesmerized.

The room was incredible. Possessing a living room with a mini bar and balcony, a second set of double doors lead to the bedroom itself which contained an expensive looking four poster bed and vanity. Inspecting her accommodations, the demoness turned the corner and looked into the ensuite which held a jacuzzi tub with a plasma screen television and full surround sound situated on a nearby wall. "People here must like taking baths." She commented.

"Indeed." Sesshomaru rumbled, staring the woman he was standing behind. "Is it to your liking?"

"Ye... Yes..."

"Good." He nodded. "Make yourself at home, I am going to rest until dinner, my room is next door if you need anything."

She gave him a suspicious look. "You have me staying right next to you?"

"Do not flatter yourself..." He muttered. "It is necessary to keep you close for your safety." Promptly he left the room, the door closing shut behind with a rush of conjured air.

Seeing how fast he left, Kagome wondered just how deep their relationship been in the past. Recalling who else he claimed lived with him, she furrowed her brow when she realized he hadn't mentioned his own mate or child at all. "Weird..."

"What is Kagome-san."

Following the voice to the edge of her bed, the demoness glared at the flea on top her bedspread. "Where have you been?"

The flea demon sweatdropped. "I was...watching over your belongings on the drive over here of course."

"Uh huh...and what about when the bird demon attacked? Or even before that when Sesshomaru waltzed into my home?"

"But of course, I had to give you two privacy! And as for the demon attacking I had to protect your study from being destroyed and costing you a lifetime of work!"

"Right..."

"Uh...but anyway, as you were saying Kagome-san, what do you find weird about my masters home?'

"Huh? Oh, it's not so much the home itself...I was just wondering why nobody has mentioned his mate or child...it was the whole reason I left after all...and plus if I'm living in another female's home I should, at least, be courteous with her..."

"Kagome-san...uh..."

"What?" She asked softly.

"Miyako-sama...has been deceased for centuries...she died in childbirth..."

Ending his phone call with another one of his subordinates, Sesshomaru tossed his phone onto the nightstand and laid down on his own king sized bed. Breathing in Kagome's scent from the next room, the dog demon resisted the urge to growl in satisfaction at having the woman back under his roof.

Up until a few days ago when her smell had finally cleared, Sesshomaru had been sleeping on the couch in his office, the gentle smell of lavender and vanilla still calming him to sleep even after all these years. Kagome had always possessed such a rare sweet scent, making him able to find her even on a crowded street.

Glancing at his hand a moment, the beginnings of a smile tugged at his mouth as he saw that the scar was almost completely gone from his palm. It must have been the seemingly innocent touch he had given her earlier, her acceptance of his desire for her making amends for his old broken vow.

In the next room Kagome was looking at her own previously scarred palm, which was now completely healed. Pleased but very confused at the new development, the demoness shrugged and collapsed on the couch, turning on the television to listen to the news. A breaking story was being reported and she almost dismissed it, until she did a double take and saw her penthouse on the camera along with the rather large bird that had flown itself straight through her window.

"...What appears to be a large candor can be seen smashing into the side of this luxurious apartment complex located in the Omotesando district. Though the exact origins of the fowl are unknown, the affected unit is believed to be owned by conservation architect Abigail Tokuoka, current president of Ukui Restorations, one of Japan's leading architect firms. Unavailable for comment…."

Sitting up more on the couch, Kagome sighed heavily at seeing the camera zoom in on her windows which had been covered with cellophane. As the reporter continued to talk, the demoness shook her head in disbelief. How they had managed to record the incident just as it was happening, she would never know.

Later That Night

Tapping the edge of his plate impatiently, Inuyasha finally bothered to ask, "What are we waiting for?"

Glaring at her mate, Kikyo softly chided him. "Inuyasha, can't you just wait like a normal adult?"

"Why should I? We've never had to wait before."

"We have a guest tonight." Sesshomaru said. "She is probably having trouble finding the dining room." standing, the dog demon growled low in his throat; guiding the woman in the other room to his location. A few moments later, the dark glass door slid open and with downcast eyes, Kagome appeared, her face pinched up in worry.

"Her?!"

"Inuyasha." Sesshomaru said in warning, silencing his brother at once.

"Keh. You must really be looking for death…" the half demon muttered under his breath, wincing when his wife's high heeled foot dug itself into his shin.

"I didn't ask to come here you know…" she began, but Sesshomaru interrupted her.

"Kagome you must learn to ignore Inuyasha. Have a seat." he said, pointing to the chair nearest him.

She did as she was told. Pushing her chair into the table, the demoness looked around curiously as the other occupants of the table looked her over a few times; feeling her out for an impression.

Remaining silent, Sesshomaru scooped a number of foods onto his plate and started to eat, the rest of the family following behind him soon after. Soon the atmosphere changed within the room, Ume being the one to break the ice by asking Kagome about herself. The pack took the opportunity themselves to question the demoness, and before they knew it a comfortable conversation was being held between the group, Sesshomaru merely observing as Kagome relaxed in her own kind's company.

By the time dessert was served, Inuyasha and Kagome had begun a lively debate, over the oddest of topics no less.

"A hamster could beat a guinea pig in a fight!" the demoness declared.

"Keh. Shows what you know! Guinea pigs are naturally bigger, stronger, and smarter than hamsters, that fluffy rat wouldn't stand a chance!"

"Hamsters can reproduce faster though. All it would need to do is send an army of hamster babies towards a guinea pig and defeat it easily."

"Since when is reproduction a fighting technique?"

"Since the beginning of the world! The Spartans did it, the Roman's did it…"

"You are so weird…."

"Kagome, Inuyasha…." Sesshomaru who had been listening to their conversation for the past fifteen minutes finally called out. "Forgive me for interrupting….but what exactly is the point of this argument?"

Sipping the last of her coffee, Kikyo voiced her own confusion. "I would like to know as well…"

"Me too!" Ume mumbled out through a face full of chocolate cake.

"Keh." Inuyasha sat back and crossed his arms. "We've been trying to figure out which rodent is more powerful in this era….you know since the fire rat isn't around as much as it used to be."

"Ah."

"Hn."

In a matter of fact tone, Kagome stated, "It was obvious."

"Yea. I'm surprised none of you saw it."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sesshomaru shook his head at their seemingly in sync personalities. "You two will get along just fine…."

With dinner's end came the end of the family's together time, everyone going off to do their own things until they would retire for the night. He had been alone in his study reading when he felt a familiar aura on the other side of the door. Before she could knock, Sesshomaru opened the door for her, arching an eyebrow at Kagome who still had her hand poised to thump against the oak structure. "Yes?"

Dropping her arm, the demoness stuttered a bit. "Um….Hi…."

"Hello…."

"Uh...Can I come in?"

Staring at her for a second, he conceded, moving out of the way so that she could enter the room. Closing the door, the dog demon remained in place in front of her, waiting for her to speak.

"Sesshomaru," she said, grinning a bit when he nodded his head in acknowledgment. "I wanted to talk to you."

"What is it?"

"Well….Have you seen the news lately?"

Breathing out of his nose, Sesshomaru nodded in understanding. "Yes. I saw the news story. Though I have no idea how someone managed to be recording right when it attacked, I was unable to get to the press in time."

"Yea...and my phone has been ringing nonstop for the past few hours. They really want a comment…"

"Say nothing," he said immediately. "Do not answer their calls, and do not allow them to interview you at work."

Kagome stared. "I can still go to work?"

"Yes. I already told you that. It would look bad if you suddenly stopped going to work, or leading your daily life. The last thing you need is media attention."

"Oh…."

"Anything else?"

"Yea….about that book…."

"What about it?"

"You don't really think Hojo has it do you?"

"I do not know," he replied. "I thought that originally, but at the same time, I know Hitomiko's predictions to be….unconventional."

"Hitomiko?"

"Yes, she is a seer."

"A seer?"

"She can look into the future….you knew her long ago."

"I knew her? I...ugh…." grasping her head again, a blinding pain shot through her body, causing Kagome to nearly collapse into Sesshomaru, who grabbed her by reflex.

"Kagome?" he asked alarmed. "What's wrong?"

"I...No…."

"Another memory?" he muttered out. Intending to place her on the couch, he stopped when his own vision became cloudy, a haze appearing in his mind as he felt himself dropping to his knees with Kagome still cradled in his arms. The familiar scents of his home were fading, he couldn't see right in front of him. His palm was burning heavily. What was happening? "Kagome…."

Sniffling, the demoness hopped out of the well, tears in her eyes as she gazed at her new surroundings. Everything was so different. The grass was taller, the trees larger, and the old dry well she had just been in was now even more splintered and decrepit, breaking with age. Her pain was momentarily replaced with awe. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a happy thought emerged. She had done it.

Using her nose, Kagome took in the fresh scents, smells she had never inhaled before filling her nose with their odd and sweet aromas. It was all so fresh, and new, and undiscovered, and she had done it.

"I….time traveled…." she whispered out, so low not even a fly could have heard her.

Wiping her face with the back of her sleeve, the demoness groaned when her palm began to burn. Flexing it a few times, she flinched when a stab of pain ran up her arm and to her heart, causing a pulsation that took her breath away. Turning her hand over, she growled at the red scar there.

"I had to do this." She said, appearing as though she were talking with her hand. "It was the only way I could be free." Her palm ached even harder in response, her heart constricting as though telling her she was still in the wrong.

Feeling her heart beat through her palm, Kagome dug into the sack and pulled out the book that had helped her to accomplish her goal. The black covering held a alchemic seal on its front which glowed brightly as she broke the spell to open it.

Turning to a page, she buried her nose in the book, taking in its enchanted scent. This text held everything she could ever need to be happy again, the key to a better life was in her hands. She wouldn't have to move on from her pain, she would only forget it.

All at once she began to chant. Slowly at first, she soon picked up in speed and rhythm. The book glowed brighter and the light pulsed a moment before trailing up her arms, making a trail directly for her forehead. Entering through her eyes, Kagome let out a sharp yelp of pain at the sensation.

Dropping the book she fell to the ground in a heap leaving the text to fall open where the pages were soon caught by the wind, ripping several leaflets out to fly off into the air.

Marching into his bed chambers, he stared dejectedly at his mate."Miyako what is ailing you?"

"My stomach...it feels like the pup is trying to claw its way out of me..."

"Hn. Have you called for a healer?"

"All she did was give me a sedative and told me to rest."

"Then that is what you must do." He replied.

The gray-eyed woman stared at her mate a moment, trying to gauge his ever-shifting mood. Finally making a decision she requested of him, "Can you rub my belly?"

Dutifully he immediately did so, going to her bedside he pulled up the front of her sleeping yukata and with a gentle press of his hand, began stroking the five months rounded belly of his mate and lady.

"Ahh..." she hummed happily. "That feels so much better."

"Whatever makes you happy..."

"Indeed." She replied. Seeing the tired expression on his face prompted her to question it. "Where have you been for the last three days?"

Tensing for a second, he forced himself to relax. "Nowhere important." He answered dodgily.

"You were looking for her weren't you?" She accused with disdain lacing her tone.

"Miyako,"

"That's the big assignment you were with working on wasn't it?!"

"I need to find Kagome, she fled with some really important documents and..."

"No!" she growled out, snapping at him in her anger. "I've needed you here for the last three days and you abandoned me! All so you could go out looking for your little whore!

"Miyako, she is not a whore."

"For her to willingly lay with another's mate, and knowing no less that I carry your heir! She is a whore, one I would have dismissed from here long ago had it not been for her contract!"

"Miyako!" He roared, lowering his tone when she drew back in fear. "I told you from the beginning that Kagome was important to me, I also told you that I had no intention of laying with you as long as she was by my side."

Grabbing his hand she placed it heavily on her stomach. "Obviously that was a lie."

Disgusted Sesshomaru snatched his hand away and turned his face so he wouldn't have to look at his mate. "Though our child is not a mistake...the fact that I broke a vow to conceive it was. I cannot make amends to her, but I can give her her freedom, without breaking her own allegiance to our home. I am searching for her because I intend have her sent far away from us. Perhaps Syria or somewhere else in the Middle East."

Miyako stared in disbelief. He was really planning on getting rid of her competition?

"Your comfort and safety is what's most important now."

"Sesshomaru..."

Rubbing at her stomach a bit longer, he abruptly stood up and replaced the front of her clothing. "The pup has settled down... I have other work to attend to, I will return tonight."

"Okay." She replied with a radiant smile on her face.

Rather than return it, he bowed respectfully to his mate and nearly fled the room for his study. The moment he was in the solitude of his own space, Sesshomaru allowed himself to drop his mask, revealing a look of pure despair. His life was over.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. Please review.