Kagome glared at Sesshomaru through her bedside window, caressing the bandage on her forehead absently. This was his fault, her being wounded and stuck in the house. If he hadn't slept with her, and then denied it, she wouldn't have run. If she hadn't been pregnant when she ran, she wouldn't have had to go through the pregnancy alone. If she hadn't had to do it alone, she wouldn't have had to return to find him mated and expecting a pup.

Her low growl spread through the lower floor of the castle, causing the servants and others to shudder in fear. He'd brought so much pain on her. How could he? He'd told her that she was the only woman he loved. She was supposed to be his mate. She was supposed to be the one who birthed his pups, the only. He was hers.

She blinked and her once golden eyes faded. Her right eye bled crimson, its iris emerald. Her left smoked a toxic emerald, its iris shining crimson. Rising, she ripped off her bandages, revealing the scorching, angry red crescent-shaped scar. She flitted out the window and towards Sesshomaru, who was reclining beside Kayo as the tachi took turns playing with his disguised pups.

When she came to him, she did not stop. Instead, she continued on in a blur, and ran into him, knocking him from his seat on the stone carved bench. Leaning over him, she growled threateningly into his face, blowing a gust of poison out through her nostrils.

Sesshomaru tensed beneath her, blowing his own poison to counterattack and cancel hers. Once the smoke that remained had cleared, he looked up to find her eyes blinking at him. 'Her beast…and something else.' "Miko, what-"

"You," she growled again, interrupting him, "You!"

"Kagome, what are you doing?" Inuyasha asked cautiously, worried for his friend. "You should be sleeping."

Ignoring him, she continued to snarl in Sesshomaru's face. "You, you lying, disgusting, man-whore!" A prideful smirked cross her angry face when she saw his eyes widen in surprise at her outburst. He opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, Kayo shoved Kagome away from him.

"You watch how you refer to my mate! He could have you rotting in the dungeon with a snap of his fingers!" Kayo yelled smugly, her hands on her hips. "You're lucky he even let you come back to our palace, you revolting once-human whore!"

"Watch it, wench." Kagome threatened, her hands clenching into tight fists and her aura flaring.

Kayo flinched back as their auras collided and Kagome's forced hers down completely. "A-are you trying to intimidate me?"

"I am warning you. Back down before I hurt you."

"Y-you two coin slut!" She shrieked. "You think you could hurt me, the new Lady of the Western Lands?! You're nothing but a weak human who, by a stroke of God-sent luck, became youkai! I know why you're here, even if you have Lord Sesshomaru and the others fooled!"

"Kayo," Sesshomaru warned as he felt Kagome's anger increase. If this went any further, he would have to intervene.

But she did not heed his warning. Instead, she pressed further, "You're looking to fuck him, to become his courtesan so that you can regain some of your honor! First, you have a disgusting little spawn from that halfbreed, Naraku. Then, you come here with these two little bastards! Ha, you-" She fall back on her butt with the force of Kagome's blow. Clutching her cheek, she drew in a shaky breath, "Y-you vagabond! Guards!"

Kagome raised her hand to strike again, when Sesshomaru grabbed her wrist, whipping her around to face him. She stared, stunned, as his eyes bled red and he growled lowly at her. "S-Sesshomaru."

"You will not strike her."

"You heard what she said to me." She whimpered as his hand tightened on her wrist. "Let me go."

"You will not harm my heir within her."

Her eyes widened, her lips parting. 'His heir? B-but Oyo-Banai.' Her brows furrowed and she bared her fangs, using her free hand to punch him in the chest. "Ugh, I hate you!" She suddenly felt both of her arms seized in a tight grip as she was torn from Sesshomaru. "Let me go!"

The guard holding her arm dug his claws deep into her skin. "Silence! You have physically offended not only our pregnant Lady, but our Lord! You are hereby seized by the Guards of His Court!"

"Let me go! Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru looked at her as though he didn't even recognize her. The one thing on his mind was his pup within Kayo. He needed to take her to the healer, to check on the pup's well-being. Grabbing Kayo's elbow gently, he pulled her to him before lifting her into his arms. "We leave, Kayo." He flitted to the castle.

"S-Sesshomaru!" Kagome tensed as he walked away from her. "Inuyasha!"

"I'll talk to him, Kagome!" He hurried after his brother as his best friend was dragged away. 'What the hell is wrong with him?'

"I can't believe him." Kagome whimpered as she leaned her head against the wall. She tugged uselessly at the demonic chains that bound her wrists and ankles. Her head bowed, she fought back her tears. He'd chosen Kayo over her. He'd chosen Kayo and her pup over her and hers. She didn't understand how he could tell her that he loved her one day, then cast her aside the next. "How could you, Sesshomaru?"

"Kagome," I soft, but deep voice called to her through the darkness.

Her head snapped up at the sound, and she shrank back, deeper into the corner. "G-go away, Sesshomaru."

"Kagome, its Inumaru, Inutaisho." The demonic apparition stepped out of the dark and approached her, kneeling before her. "What are you doing here?"

"I-I hit Kayo, and then Sesshomaru." Her shoulder's quivered. "She's pregnant."

"O-Oh my."

"And he told, he told me that I was, that he loved me. Why? Why would he lie?" Her voice cracked as she fell into his chest, sobbing. "Why would he hurt me that way? Why did he let them bring me down here? I've been alone for so-so long. I was so afraid."

Inutaisho sighed as he stroked her back. "I assume he's working on it." After he was done, he'd have to check on that uber intelligent son of his. Running his hands through her silvery hair, he allowed her to sob into his chest. "He'll have you out of here in no time."

Kagome clutched his haori in her hands, shaking her head. "No. He doesn't care about me. He'll leave me in here, I know he will. Sesshomaru doesn't care about anything but his mate and the pup she'll bare him. I don't know why, why I let you persuade me to come here."

"It was needed."

"No. You did this for him." Her hands ignited with reiki as she tried to push him away, but Inutaisho held strong. "Let me go! You're in this with him! You want to hurt me! You're bastardssssss!" She hissed venomously.

"Kagome, dear, sit still. I'm not trying to harm you."

"Y-y-you are! I know you are! You're trying to hurt me! And I, I won't sssssstand for it! Ssssssso Let! Me! GO!!!!" Her aura formed a barrier around her body, forcing Inutaisho back and slamming him into a wall. She breathed heavily as her barrier dissipated. Blinking as her eyes flickered back momentarily, she whispered, "Inutaisho?"

The ghost groaned. He'd never felt pain before as a ghost. He'd hardly ever even felt before. To feel this hot, blinding white pain was…certainly something. Forcing him up on his knees, he just barely managed to raise his head, "K-kagome, I don't want to hurt you."

"I-Inu," Her body convulsed as her eyes colored. "Just go away!"

"Kagome, I-"

"Go away!!!!" She held her hands out in front of her, aiming a spiral of burning reiki at him.

Inutaisho howled in pain as he was tossed back, thrown through wall after wall, disappearing a little more with each second of her energy he took until he was completely gone.

Once certain that he wouldn't return, Kagome huddled back into the corner, sobbing loudly. She was so confused, so lost. Something was happening with her, she just didn't know what. Her head pounded so viciously. Gripping the sides of her head, she bit her lip from the pain, drawing blood. 'O-ow! Make it stop!' As the pain intensified, she tossed her head back and let out a loud snarl.

"Sesshomaru, are you going to get Kagome or not?" Inuyasha growled out, slamming his hands down on the table. "It's been two days. That crap they been sending down there isn't enough to feed her!"

Sesshomaru tensed. "You left her there?" His beast had been in such a hurry to be sure that the pup was alright that he'd simply left to find the best healer in all the western lands. They'd just returned that evening.

"You're the only one with any authority here."

"Kuso," Sesshomaru rose and was about to go down to the dungeon when the doors to the dining room swung open. He slowly sat as two guards led Kagome in, her head down cast. "Release her."

Bowing, they immediately released the miko, turned on their heels, and left the room. Kagome sat carefully, refusing to race her head. "Where are my children?" She whispered in a hushed tone.

Sango gazed at her friend sympathetically, flicking a tuft of brown hair over her shoulder. "They're sleeping in the nursery."

"How did they eat without me?"

"Artificial milk made with water and magic powder."

"Hm."

Sesshomaru couldn't take his eyes off of her. He didn't know whether he was supposed to say something or if she would confront him. And if she did confront him, what would he say in return? And something had changed about her. He just wasn't sure what. After a few moments, he realized that she wasn't going to bring it up, so neither was he. "You should eat, miko."

Kagome stiffened as he spoke directly to her, as though nothing had happened. "I'm fine." She forced out through clenched teeth. 'He has the audacity! I should slit his throat!' Her claws twitched beneath the table.

"You are thinning."

"I didn't eat that bull you had sent down there to the dungeon." She spat, annoyed that he was pressing the issue. "I am a youkai now, aren't I? I don't have to eat so often, and I must live by your rules. Defending myself is completely out of the question."

Sesshomaru just barely resisted the urge to sigh heavily. So, she was bringing it up. "Kayo is pregnant with-"

"With your pup. Yeah, I know." She cut him off, tapping her claws impatiently on the table. "Did I congratulate you on that?"

"It wasn't planned." He replied, growing angry at her sarcasm in her tone.

"Then why did you sleep with her?"

The Daiyoukai narrowed his eyes. She had no right to question him. She had been the one to leave him, after all. And she'd been ignoring his attempts to make things right since he'd found her again. "She was my mate to be, and when an Inuyoukai's mate to be craves something, it is up to him to insure that she gains such. I have my honor."

"Honor?!" Kagome screeched, standing and looking him in the face with angry, wild, smoky green eyes. "What do you know about honor?! You slept with me like a common concubine and denied it! You told me that I was your beloved, and look where that got me, in a dungeon! You chose that wench over me!"

"I am legally mated to her. I am obligated to assist her."

"Well, what about naming that pup within her as your heir? What's wrong with our pups?" She lowered her voice. "Are they not good enough?"

"You didn't ask for them to be named as heir." Sesshomaru snapped back.

Kagome's shoulders sagged. "You didn't bother to offer."

Sesshomaru gave in to his urges and breathed an exasperated sigh. "Kagome, sit. We will discuss this later."

"I don't want to discuss it at all. Forget it."

Sesshomaru snarled viciously. "Sit."

"Make me, your highness." Head held high, she sashayed from the room, her eyes hardened and her lips set in a permanent line. "I'm not the fool I was when I left this God forsaken era, Sesshomaru. Things have change, and I've changed in ways unimaginable."

"You're not listening to your alpha."

"No. I am listening. You're just a liar, like your father and every other male in this time. I didn't ask to come here. You brought me and my pups here. And once they're old enough…" She left the threat open as she closed the door behind her.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened, and then bled red. If she thought she could take his pups from him, she was certainly mistaken. Rising to go after her, he froze when a hand touched his shoulder. Turning, he glared at the offender. "Inuyasha, I warn you."

Inuyasha patted his brother's shoulder gently, recalling a time when he couldn't do such without a battle ensuing. "Let her blow off some steam. I mean, she has a right to be angry."

"She will not take my pups."

"I doubt she'd even consider it, especially when they get older and start getting attached to you. It's a threat, to make you think. She cares a lot about you," He was a bit reluctant to admit it. "She's upset."

"I must agree with my surprisingly wise friend, Inuyasha, Lord Sesshomaru." Miroku said with a gentle smile. "Kagome needs time, to get back into the habit of things. That, and she must find a way to deal with the fact that another man she gave her heart to is breaking it."

Sesshomaru growled at the monk's true words. He had no right to speak in such a way. Hurting Kagome was the last thing he wanted, but he couldn't simply abandon Kayo, and by the laws, that was his mate. To leave Kayo for Kagome, someone considered to be his secret concubine, would be not only dishonorable for all three of them, but the pups as well, and it could bring war upon the lands. More people would die. He didn't need, nor did he want that. He just needed to explain that to her. But, how?

"WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kakegae's loud cry rang out through the castle, awakening all in its wake.

Sesshomaru was immediately out of the room and sprinting down the hall to his daughter's aide; however, when he reached the nursery, Kagome was already there, rocking their child gently. Quietly, he went to her side. "Is she alright?"

Kagome didn't bother looking up. She'd known it was him coming the instant he'd awakened. "Yes. It seems like it was a bad nightmare. She was fighting in her sleep when I got here."

"Hn." He marveled in how well his daughter and the woman he longed for fit together. Sure, they were mother and daughter, but there seemed to be a bond even deeper. Hearing a low whine, instinct brought him to Oyo-Banai's small, handmade crib. Carefully, he lifted him out of the crib, cradling his tiny pup to him. His aura flared on pure instinct, circling the room and calming everything, even giving Kagome's hardened face a serene look.

"Hm." Kagome sighed softly, sliding down the wall until she was sitting. "Mind closing the shoji? I'm going to feed her."

Sesshomaru slid the shoji closed before emitting a large barrier just to be sure some fool didn't stumble in. He sat beside her as she pulled her breast out from her kimono and allowed her child to drink. Their arms touched, their aura's brushing against each other's, fluttering before intertwining. Comforted, Sesshomaru found himself leaning into her, and she into him. "I do love you." He told her softly.

Kagome's aura drew back a bit at proclamation, but he snatched it back in with his own, holding it. Unable to fight him, Kagome exhaled tiredly, lying her head on his shoulder. "I love you too."

And for the first time in quite some time, Sesshomaru smiled a full blown grin in the darkness, moving closer to her and wrapping an arm around her, pulling her to him. "Sleep well."

"Mm-hm." She mumbled tiredly, pushing her breast back into her kimono. "G'night."

He sighed contently, wondering just how long her calm nature would last. And hours later, he had his answer as she struggled to fight him though he had possession of her wrists.

"Daiki-sama." Sesshomaru acknowledged the Lord of the Eastern Inu clan, bowing slightly.

Daiki bowed back in return. "Sesshomaru-sama. Would you like to introduce me to your pack?"

Sesshomaru stepped aside, waving his hand. "This is my younger brother, Inuyasha, Prince of the Western Lands, and his soon-to-be mate, Kikyo, a young miko, once the Shikon miko. This is a well known monk, Miroku, and his mate-to-be, a demon slayer, Sango, and her younger brother, a fellow demon slayer, Kohaku." They all bowed, looking up and toward the door when it flew open, Sachio hitting the ground and sliding back a few feet. "This fool on the floor is my head Guard, Sachio."

Sachio chuckled nervously, bowing. "Milord, milord."

Daiki arched a brow. "Tell me, young guard, who tossed you into this room?"

"U-um," He gulped when Kagome came stalking in, carrying her swords in her hand, "Kagome-sama, I swear to you, it was an accident."

"Yes, and my swords slicing off your head won't be one." Her aura visibly cackled around her, dark and angry. She suddenly swept forward to attack him, when Sesshomaru lifted his sword, standing in Sachio's path and blocking Kagome's blow, though he, himself, slid back a few feet.

"Calm yourself." Sesshomaru growled. "You are in the presence of the Eastern Lord."

Kagome snarled, but did not fight back. She lowered her swords, turned to face the lord, and bowed, "Milord."

Daiki smirked broadly, taking a step toward her. "My, my, my, and who is this little one?"

Sesshomaru was about to answer when Kayo burst through the doors. "Father!"

"Kayo!" He smiled lightly as his daughter hurried to him, embracing him and giggling in false happiness. Annoyed, he gently pushed her away. "As I was saying," he eyed Kagome, "who are you?"

Kagome slid her swords into their sheaths. "I am the Shikon miko."

His eyes widened, then narrowed in disbelief. "You are youkai." He stiffened momentarily when her aura whipped around her, showing off the miko in her. "My, you are a miko youkai, the only, and a beauty you are."

"Thank you for your kind compliment." Kagome smiled, her aura calming. Sesshomaru growled softly, jealous that the lord had managed to calm his miko, and was charming her.

"Tell me, little one, who has claimed you?"

"No one, milord." She answered truthfully, without hesitation and Sesshomaru tensed further, not liking her answer or where the conversation was going.

Lord Daiki licked his lips. "Truthfully, someone of your beauty and strength is unmated? You must be very intimidating."

Kagome smirked, her fangs poking out over her full bottom lip. "I'd like to think that I am."

"Hm, are you experienced?"

"In what way?" She blinked her eyes in an innocent manner, though she knew just what he was asking.

"Are you- No, here's a better question: Would you accompany me to my room?"

Sesshomaru growled loud enough for the Lord to hear. "The Shikon miko deserves respect, Lord Daiki."

Kagome scowled at him, then looked to Daiki. "I accept your offer."

The tachi turned to her, stunned. Kayo shrieked, "What?! You slut, you're not sleeping with my father?"

"Sleeping with him? Is that what you all think?" Kagome shook her head. "No. No. No. No. No. We're talking about battle tactics. I think it would be better in Lord Sesshomaru's study." She turned without another word and left the room.

"Hm. I like this vixen." Lord Daiki glided after her.

Sesshomaru growled. He didn't want her alone with that con man. He yanked his arm from Kayo when she grabbed him. "What?" He bit.

"Leave them. Perhaps father does need relief. I know the pup is craving it." She mewled.

"No."

"The pup, Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru nearly cursed. Pulling from her, he stalked out of the room, knowing that she would follow. As he passed his study, he listened for the sounds of sex, the sounds Kagome had made when they were together. But instead, he found complete silence. 'She is using a sound barrier.' His eyes opened wide. She was going to sleep with the lord in his room. He growled. 'Do as you wish, then, whore.'

"Are you sure you wouldn't like your chance at a lord?"

Kagome smirked at Lord Daiki. "Of course, I'm sure. I deserve someone of status, or honor, of beauty. And I will have that one day. My mate will be all of those, and I will be eternally happy. I thank you for the offer, though."

Lord Daiki frowned, confused. "And the barrier around the room?"

"I want to learn a few things, about Lady Kayo. I'd rather no one else heard."

"Ah. What would you like to know about my daughter?"

Kagome shrugged, sitting at Sesshomaru's desk. "This and that."

"Hm...where to begin, where to begin. Ah, here, Kayo..."