Characters = Rumiko Takahashi

Story = Desert-Bandit

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Last time:

Like he had said before, what kind of life could he offer her; one full of wars and violence? No, she needed stability but for the moment, he could pretend that that was what he could offer her as he held her close.

Chapter 12

The Morning After

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Saru awoke feeling a warm hand gently brushing across his face. His mind was still in a fog and he fought to reach out with his senses but it was no use. His body felt like lead and he could feel nothing but the soft caresses of his face. He fought to keep his pulse down from the panic that threatened to set in. He could remember everything, including the haunting look that was upon Kagome's face when he was losing himself. Shit, how could he have lost control like that?

Bringing his hand to shield his eyes, he attempted to open them; silently cursing when they felt gritty.

Kagome continued to sit beside him, waiting for him to fully acknowledge that she was there. Sesshoumaru was hesitant to comply with her request to bring her down here but finally he relented and thank goodness for that. Otherwise, she would be worrying herself sick over the condition she thought Saru might be in. Luckily, he was on the right path to recovery but he still looked to be in pain. Not good.

Brushing his short black hair out of his eyes, she watched him turn his gaze upon her, smiling softly when recognition shone brightly.

"Are you in any pain?" her voice just above a whisper.

Rolling his head back against the hard stone wall, he attempted to move his leg, hissing in pain.

"I thought as much, you were out for a week."

That long? What else had happened? What else had he missed?

Kagome moved to help straighten out his leg so that he may be more comfortable. She hated seeing him chained to the wall like some kind of animal when he should be in the infirmary recovering. She figured that he must have sensed her anger because she felt his hand fall upon her shoulder. Gaining her attention, he wanted to tell her how grateful he was but when he tried to speak nothing came out. His mouth was dry and his throat hurt like hell. Most likely from all the screaming he did from the pain.

Just then, the sound of the heavy door opening caught both of their attention. Sesshoumaru stood at the doorway, watching as Saru removed his touch from Kagome.

Before leaving, Kagome reassured Saru that she would check on him again. He watched intently as she and Sesshoumaru spared a glance at each other before she left. He could swear that the coldness in his Lords' eyes had warmed just a fraction then returned to their usual chill when they fell upon him once again.

Closing the door, Sesshoumaru gave Saru a hard look. Saru responded in kind.

"I expected you back at your regiment, Captain."

It wasn't hard to see that his Lord was pissed. "As you can see, my Lord, I have been severely poisoned. If you recall, even demons can be highly affected when they have been exposed to enough of it."

Sesshoumaru wanted to grab the Captain by the neck but reigned in his temper. He should count himself lucky that Saru was even alive. Not only that, it was because of Saru's survival that he even knows who was behind the attacks on his home; not that he wouldn't have figured it out eventually but by then it would have possibly been too late.

Saru was beginning to get agitated. How long was he going to stay down here, under lock and key? Shifting his weight caused the shackles holding him against the wall to clank together, sounding loud against their sensitive ears. Sesshoumaru moved away from the door, allowing one of the guards to enter and release Saru's restraints, letting them drop wherever. Saru immediately rubbed his wrists before struggling to stand, favoring his uninjured leg. Using the wall to stable himself, he followed Sesshoumaru out to the main room of the 'holding area' as they call it, waiting for his orders.

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Sesshoumaru's nerves were on edge since he had seen Saru and Kagome so close to eachother. It angered him to see the soft look in her eyes as she looked over him. Yes, she was just checking over his injuries but his beast didn't know that. All he saw was Saru touching what he saw as his.

The thought stopped him in his tracks. He did not mark her so she was not his. What had he done? Between them, it was a sign of showing their hidden feelings for eachother, for others, especially his court; it was a sign of her being a willing woman. On some level, he knew that this would happen but knowing that Kagome had wanted him overran his common sense. Kami, he wanted nothing more than to make her his but he couldn't. Not with everything going on right now and even if he did, he would probably be forced to step down from his standing, something his pride would not let him do. Did she even know that he loves her?

He reveled at how easily that word floated through his mind. Shaking his thoughts away, he moved to continue to his study to work on any kind of treaty the Southern Lord may be willing to accept.

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Kagome and Rin were enjoying eachother's company in front of the large fireplace in the library, each having a book in their hands. Snow began to fall, causing Rin to squeal in delight.

Running to the window to watch, Kagome followed and sat with her on the window seat. She absolutely loved the first snow fall of the season. Her father started the 'tradition' of watching the first snow fall, even if he would have to wake her up after she was asleep. She made sure that even after he had passed, she would stop to watch it – even on a crowded sidewalk back in Tokyo.

Rin knew that Kagome loved watching snow fall. It was one of her favorite stories that Kagome had told her about her father. She herself couldn't remember her biological father but as far as she was concerned, Sesshoumaru was her father. Kagome even said that the bond between them was stronger than most. That bit of information kept Rin smiling for most of the day.

"Say, Kagome?"

Tearing her eyes from the page she was reading, Kagome waited for Rin to continue.

She wanted to bad to ask Kagome but the words would die on her lips. She struggled to fight the fear of rejection, but looking into Kagome's eyes - seeing her patiently waiting for her to ask the question she had been wanting to ask for the longest time refusing to come out. Finally, Rin gave up and slumped back onto her stomach. "Nevermind."

Kagome didn't return to reading her book right away, instead, she focused on trying to decipher Rin. She knew exactly what the little girl wanted to ask but the fear in her beautiful doe eyes was loud and clear. Did she really think she would say 'no'? Apparently so, otherwise she wouldn't have hesitated. Her decision was quick and final and if Sesshoumaru had a problem with it, tough. He would just have to deal with it.

Leaning forward on her hands, she stared down at the girl, knowing that she wasn't really reading anymore. Rin's face was red with embarrassment, hidden beneath the curtain of hair that hung around her face. Slipping some of Rin's hair behind her ears, she placed a kiss atop her head before whispering, "My answer: why didn't you ask sooner?"

Rin's head shot up; eyes wide with slight disbelief. Did she really say what she thought she said?

Kagome laughed at the look Rin gave her but opened her arms to receive the hug Rin so graciously gave her. Of course, they would have to tell Sesshoumaru but it would have to wait. Kagome had plans on making sure Rin got caught up on all the mother-daughter time that she had missed.

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So…I know I've been MIA lately but I do have a somewhat valid excuse. So you see, it's my 4th month in nursing school and all my studying and stress has been paying off because I've been getting straight A's and I would love to keep it that way. It's been so hard to find time to sit and write but trust me; it's been on my mind, even in class when it shouldn't be.

I pinkie promise that I'll try to update way more quickly than I have been.

Chapter 13 in the making!

R&R

Desert - Bandit