Disclaimer: I still, after all of this time, have not obtained ownership of Inuyasha or any of its many desirable characters…especially Sesshoumaru…whom I would do horrible…naughty things too…but you aren't here for that information…

Secrets Beneath the Surface

Chapter 16

Lost and Found…A Reunion of Sorts

So, Sesshoumaru sat there patiently, again, as he awaited Kagome's second awakening. It wasn't anything less than he had expected in this case. Kagome most likely never expected to see him again, and without notice, here he was.

Looking down on her, he visibly frowned. She still looked exhausted. Her brother had explained she hadn't been eating or sleeping well since she had moved in with him. He wanted to shake the gruesome picture Souta had painted for him of Kagome when she had been found bleeding before their apartment, but it was hard knowing he was to blame for all of it.

It was shamefully ironic actually; even halfway around the world she hadn't been able to escape him for long. Eventually, she would have had to contact him about his paternity, or die. Would she really have gone that far to protect him from the knowledge of his own children? Yes, he was surprised to know she was holding not one, but two of his offspring, but the fact that they were both male was astounding. Rin had to have been a troubled enough birth, but it was common knowledge that a male was harder to bring into the world when it came to a hanyou than the birthing a female child, such as Rin.

He laid his head back and sighed, listening to the morning sounds around him, strangely peaceful and normal even though he was so far from home. He smirked as he heard the telltale sounds of Rin's favorite show drifting in from the other room. It was a ridiculous show really, full of talking animals shaped of words- creating words of letters conveniently placed throughout the farm-ish environment the show took place in. He held back a yawn as he fingered the plush exterior of the couch, not realizing until now how truly tired he was- or how comfortable the couch now appeared to be. Sesshoumaru relaxed his shoulders with a mental shrug. If Kagome was asleep, maybe he should do the same; he had a feeling it was going to be a busy day once she awoke.

Kagome sighed as she tried to clear her foggy mind. She made a face at the thought of opening her eyes to what she knew would be the harsh light of mid-day, the strange dream of finding Sesshoumaru in her living room still lingering in the hazy parts of her mind. Sitting up, she opened her eyes only wide enough to get to the kitchen. Her mouth was dry with the crusty aftertaste of vomit from earlier that morning. She pulled the carton of orange juice out of the fridge- not caring that the acidic juice would later leave her with heartburn.

"Can I have some juice too Mommy?" Rin asked as she bound into the kitchen, her show temporarily forgotten as a commercial jingle started up in the background.

Kagome jumped at the sound of Rin's voice, the glass of juice slipping from her hand and landing on the checkered tile with a resounding crash.

"Rin, what are you doing here?" The waver in Kagome's voice was evident as she leaned heavily on the counter, suddenly feeling sick as realization hit her.

"Kagome…"

The voice coming from the living room doorway was all the affirmation she needed. Without looking in his direction, Kagome gulped, trying to work up the words she needed to say through the sudden dryness of her mouth, her tongue felt like a ball of cotton at the moment.

"Sesshoumaru, what are you doing here?" the calm of her voice belied her true feelings at the moment.

"I'm- we're here for you, and the pups." Sesshoumaru quipped as he took a tentative step towards the visibly trembling woman.

Kagome shook her hands at him, visibly warding away his presence."This isn't why I came here! This wasn't what was supposed to happen!" She cried, both hands covering her eyes to hide her sudden tears as she slid to the ground, bracing her back against the cabinets as not to fall too fast, the glass of orange juice broken and long forgotten on the ground beside her.

"Why?" she asked, looking up at the stunned man before her. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice strained and shaking. It was as if she hadn't already asked the questions moments before.

"Because this is how it was supposed to be." Sesshomaru responded softly; he wasn't known for his patience with others, but Kagome and Rin were exceptions to the rule and he knew it.

"Rin is our daughter. These are our sons." He was now on his knees before her, slowly reaching his hand out to the children belligerent in her womb, suddenly submitting to the hand of their father. Even now they were obedient and understanding of their alpha. They knew he was their father. Sesshoumaru startled at the maturity of the pups. It was the first time he had noticed how strong their auras were.

"They are…full demon?" he asked, distracted by the thought.

Kagome nodded slowly as she traced patterns on her stomach. "They are both male. Apparently the first son of a demon whether born of a demoness or not, will be full-blooded. As they are twins, and both male, there is no guarantee of which one will be born first, so they are both full-blooded." Kagome explained tiredly.

Sesshoumaru felt a surge of pride as he looked upon her fragile form. She had brought him much happiness. Rin…and now two full-blooded sons for which to carry on his legacy once he passed. He placed a finger on her chin, gently bringing her eyes to gaze into his.

"You have made this Sesshoumaru very pleased." He said, carefully picking out his words.

"What of Kagura?" Kagome asked, her eyes bolting to the left, away from Sesshoumaru, Rin had already retreated back to her cartoon.

Sesshoumaru smirked, pressing a kiss to her lips. "I have endured her for long enough. She hid Rin's true self from me, and took away precious years from us. She was not the one I planned on proposing to that day, and had I been less proud, she still wouldn't have been the one I married."

Kagome felt a tear at her eye as she listened, her heart jumping in her chest at the possibilities at hand. What he was suggesting was what she had wanted to hear her whole life.

"As soon as I divorce Kagura, I want nothing more than to marry the woman I really love. That woman will have a rude awakening when she returns from her vacation." Sesshoumaru said with another smirk, this one slightly more devious, causing Kagome to squirm lustfully. He looked so sexy when he was planning out a domination of sorts.

Sesshoumaru must have noticed as he glanced her way, suddenly aware of how long it had been since they had lain together, that devious smirk still planted on his face.

Kagome could feel the hope budding in her chest. This is what she wanted. This is what she had waited so long for. Yes, Kagura was the only thing in their way now, and they would see to that later. Oh yes, Kagome had every intention of sitting in on that talk. She would be damned if that woman wouldn't pay for all the lost time between her and her love.

Kagome looked over at Sesshoumaru, now standing with his hand outstretched to aid her in standing. Grasping it tightly, he pulled her to her feet, sparing no time in hauling her up in his arms and turning towards the guest room.

Kagome licked her suddenly dry lips, trying to slow the rapid beating of her heart. It really had been too long…