Note: Firstly, I'd like to apologize for that lame attempt at a cliff. I was in a rush when I wrote it, but that is no excuse. As a writer, I must continue with what I've started to the best quality. It's like the Hippocratic oath for writers. Ya know? Right? Alright, let's continue…

"What happened?!" Rin stumbled frantically amongst the pacing adults. Each time she stood before someone, they seemed to walk right through her, and she was forced to find someone else. She was fed up now. Standing in the front of the infirmary, she shouted, "What happened just now?!"

The adults all halted and faced her, none wanting to speak for they did not know. Inuyasha shook his head. "I- I was sitting there. Everything was fine. We were having a good time. Something, I don't know what, tugged at me to look at the kids. The second I looked at Kakegae, her eyes rolled back and she just, she just collapsed." As if on cue, all of the adults sank to their knees on the small pillows provided.

"B-but she'll be okay, right?" Her bottom lip quivered. She looked toward her younger brother, Oyo Banai, who was scratching at the door that separated him from his sister and mother. Sympathetically, she picked him up and carried him to her father figure. "Sesshomaru-otousan, are you alright?"

Kayo, who had been released from her room in the commotion, spoke up, "Why wouldn't he be? That girl's children have nothing to do with him."

An unperceivable tremor zapped up Sesshomaru's spine. He should be in that room with Kagome and their ill pup, seeing what was going on. But Kagome had claimed it would look weird to those who did not know that the pups were his. 'To hell with them!' He'd snapped at him, but at her constant protest, he'd eventually drawn back. He regretted that as he took Oyo Banai into his arms, and the pup seemed to glare at him for not being with his sister.

His attention was drawn to the door when it opened, and a pale faced, teary eyed Kagome stumbled into the infirmary. Instantly, everyone was up, asking, all at once but in different words, what had happened.

"From what the healer describes, the blood flow to her heart was cut off. We call it a Heart attack where I'm from." Her voice was gravelly, sounding hollow and dead. "According to the seer with her…it's because Kakegae's father and I are not…bound to one another." It took all of her might not to glare at Sesshomaru.

This was his doing! Her child would be fine if he hadn't been so heartless! If he hadn't mated Kayo! If he had have truly loved her! But no! Now her child was going to die if she didn't mate him!

Sesshomaru's throat was dry, his tongue feeling too heavy to move. His brows drew together as he considered this information. "There is only one thing you can do, miko." His voice broke through the noise he hadn't realize was around him.

Kagome locked eyes with him, and her breath caught. 'Is he going to just come out and say it?' A part of her hoped so, hoped that he would let it be known that her pups were theirs.

"You must find their father…and do what must be done." His heart ached as her already downtrodden face felled with her composure. "Kago-"

Letting out a heart wrenching sob, Kagome broke into a demonic sprint, tearing through the group to get out.

"Lady Kagome!" Takeshi started to go after her when Oyo Banai was thrust into his arms, and Sesshomaru glared before chasing after the miko. Growling, he sighed and looked down at the child, "You look nothing like him."

Oyobanai arched an eyebrow curiously, making a slight sound that resembled Sesshomaru, 'Hn'.

"Don't do that." He hissed at the child. "Please don't."

"Kagome, be still!" Sesshomaru called as the miko ran faster. "Allow me to explain!"

"Explain what?! She's d-dying and you won't even claim her! What kind of a father are you, Sesshomaru?!" She took a sharp left into the labyrinth of hedges in the centre of the garden, doing everything she could to throw Sesshomaru off, even masking her scent.

Sesshomaru growled to himself, taking a left, then a right, then another right, and another left. Confused, his lifted his nose to inhale, and when he got no scent, mentally cursed. Leaping up, he looked over the high hedges and spotted her. Smirking, he bounded over the walls of bush.

Kagome skidded to a stop at a dead end, and, unable to run anymore with Sesshomaru standing behind her, she dropped to her knees. "Why? Why aren't we good enough for you, Sesshomaru? What did we do that was so wrong? Is it something…something I can physically change? Do you want me to cut my hair? Do you want me to breed our pups to be strong? I…I can do that. You know how dedicated I am.

" It had to be me being human. That's it, isn't it?" She was simply saying the first thing to come to her mind, he was sure, because he knew she wouldn't change for anyone, even him. "I'd have been born youkai, Sesshomaru, if I'd known you would accept our pups. I would have, I raised myself to be reserved, like you are. I bet I'm an embarrassment to you when I'm so emotional, and in your face. And I-" She was silenced by a deep, sensual kiss from the daiyoukai she was so desperate to either have, or forget about completely.

Pulling back, Sesshomaru framed her small face in his long hands, stroking her cheeks with his thumb. "Don't change anything. I want you just this way." He smirked at her. "Loud mouthed, rude, defiant, feral, free, beautiful…mine. You are Kagome."

"But being Kagome is why you won't accept th-"

"No. My being ignorant, arrogant Sesshomaru has caused these problems." His eyes hardened. "I claim that honor is holding me to Kayo. Yet honor is what should be leading me to you. Honor among many other far more important things." Once again, he kissed her, this time more gently than urgent for her attention. "You know what we must do, about our girl pup."

Kagome nodded slightly. "We must mate." 'But we must keep it a secret.' The added thought made her stomach ache, and she withdrew from him, brushing his hands from her face.

Sesshomaru, sensing what had happened in her head, reached for her and drew her to him. "For a moment, miko. Only for a moment shall we. We will reveal it soon, after the birth of my son, my third heir."

"Th-third heir?"

"Oyo-Banai, being the male and oldest shall be under myself. Should something happen, or should he decide that he does not wish for the title, it will go to Kakegae. After her, my third heir…Toshio."

Kagome tilted her head to one side. "It's a boy? I kind of thought a girl?"

"Merely an assumption on my part. I have not been able to scent the pup, for my relationship with Kayo is not what it should be."

"Oh…Well, we don't have much time. I say we get this over with." She sighed.

Though the daiyoukai did not like the way she said it, as though it were a chore, he decided that once he was mated to her, he would work on persuading her that he really did want her, need her, and love her. Kissing the shell of her ear, he slowly untied her silver and blue obi.

Stomach trembling, Kagome searched for something to concentrate on beyond his head. The small cricket, perched on a flower above him, seemed as good a target as any. So as Sesshomaru kissed her, to swallow her moans, she concentrated on the small insect.

'That dream was a warning,' Kagome thought absently as she sat, nude as the day she was born, in Sesshomaru's lap as he washed her hair, every so often brushing his hand over his mark or kissing his handiwork. 'And the seer, Sora, what did she say? Oh yeah, that I loved him, but I was afraid.' Obviously the woman was out of her mind. What did she have to fear? Sesshomaru was just…he was Sesshomaru. He was perfection, born-youkai, royalty, and she, she was everything but.

"There is something on your mind, my mate." Sesshomaru practically purred. A warm heat had settled in the pit of his stomach when he'd bitten into her neck, and it had yet to fade. Secretly he hoped it never would.

"Am I pregnant?" The question hadn't really been on her mind, but she couldn't really tell him that she was wondering if she'd made a mistake my mating him. 'But it saved Kakegae. It couldn't possibly be a mistake.'

"Not at the moment. However, there will be much time for that in the future." Tilting her head back into the spring water, Sesshomaru observed her face. Her eyes were closed, giving her a serene look, but he knew there was something more bothering her at the moment. "You are not comfortable in our mateship yet."

Her eyes snapped open as he lifted her back up and rung out her generous black locks. "I-I-"

Sesshomaru cut her off with a stern look, letting her know that he understood her dilemma. He had been the cause after all. "In time, will you grow to enjoy this?"

"I don't know." She replied honestly.

"This Sesshomaru has…wronged you time and time again. How could," he paused, thinking for the right words, "What would make up for that?"

She shrugged, averting her gaze from his expressive eyes. "I can't see into the future, Sesshomaru. Just, I know, as of now, things aren't happily ever after yet." Changing the subject quickly, she stood up, "Ew, come one, I'm getting all wrinkly. We've been soaking forever. I think the evidence is gone. I just need a way to cover this mark."

Sesshomaru flexed his fingers in irritation, but slid on his robe and followed her up to his library so that she could look through the scrolls for a masking spell.

"It actually feels good to be out again." Kagura smirked widely, arms folded into her sleeves. Turning to her left, she eyed Naraku. She'd been beyond shocked when he'd awakened them, telling them that they would be heading off to meet Kagome. "Yo, Naraku, does your woman know you're coming?"

"No."

"So, no hints to her at all?"

Naraku's eyebrow ticked angrily. "No. She does not know, Kagura. And this isn't merely a visit. I am taking her back, and when we leave, those damned bastards, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and the others shall be writhing in pain and breathing their last breaths."

Kagura's eyes widened, and she gaped at him. "So this is truly the end? You mean that?"

"This is the end. For the month or so, we shall gather up our strength and the shards. I am taking my mate back, and no one shall stand in my way."

Kakudan stared up in wonderment at his father. 'We are taking mother back! Yes!' "I may help, right, father?"

Naraku glanced down at him, a broad, malicious smile on his face. "Help? My son, you shall deliver the finishing blow to those fools. I'll weaken them for you, and you can use your new sword to finish them. I am sure that you will not fail me."

"I will not fail you, father." He said firmly, then frowned. "But if we will see mother in a month, what are we doing now?"

"Now? I must revisit a…friend." He waved a hand up at the seemingly abandoned shrine house that sat atop a small, jagged hill, near a cliff. "Tsubaki owes me a favor."

Prodding at her once perfect flesh, Tsubaki's wrinkled hand stroked her face. Glaring at the mirror, she cursed when there was a knock at the door. Fists clenched and flaring with power, she opened the door and gasped. "N-naraku."

"It is time to collect your pay."

"I'm not doing anything for you! I-" Her eyes lowered to Kakudan, and she stared at him, wide eyed. Kneeling, she touched the boys face, caressing, "My, who is this youthful, beautiful little-"

"Touch my son again, bitch, and I will slit your throat." Naraku warned angrily, scowling as she continued to stare at the child.

Tsubaki smirked, "Your son, eh? Isn't he going to grow up to be a sexy little man?"Leaning forward, she placed a soft kissed on the paralyzed child's lips. Pain seared through her head when she suddenly found herself pinned by her neck to the floor.

Naraku snarled viciously in her face, knee in her chest. "You were warned, bitch!"

"Please! Please, Naraku! You know how I get around youth! I'm sorry!" Coughing , she inhaled graciously when he released her.

"Now, you will give me the necessary to open the Taiki Chuu no Geeto."

"The Gate of Waiting? Naraku, you can't open that! You'll release all of those who've died in the past fifty years!"

Naraku nodded. "I could, if I were not careful. However, I know what I am doing. Now, without question, you will do as I've said."

Tsubaki scowled, but bowed her head. "Fine, but only because you're the reason I live."

"Very well. I will return for it soon." Turning, he led his followers out of the house. Once far enough away, he kneeled before Kakudan, brushing the boy's bangs from his face. "Kakudan, are you fine?"

"Sh-she kissed me, and you didn't punish her." His face looked hurt. "You let her live."

Naraku sighed. "She is needed for now. As soon as we have your mother, the bitch is dead. I assure you."

Still hurt by what had happened, Kakudan merely lifted his head in a half nod. 'Daddy will kill her for touching me. I trust him.'

[One Month Later]

Kagome bit her lip as she thought over her argument with Sesshomaru. 'Maybe I yelled too quickly. He isn't at fault. His beast is getting antsy. I didn't have to scream in his face that way. With him sniffing at my neck, though! I didn't know what to do!'

-x-

"Cut it out." Kagome hissed between her teeth, trying to keep her focus on Koga as he spun a tale of his trip with Ayame to the peaceful north. Sesshomaru, however, kept his nose buried in the crook of her neck. "Grrr. Get off." She nudged him off, smiling innocently when Inuyasha looked at her curiously. When he looked away, Sesshomaru's fingers began to caress her neck. "God, Sesshomaru, just quit it!"

All eyes cut to them, watching in wonder as she shouted at the Lord.

"I mean, can you like sit still for a minute?! You're like a damn child!"

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed her by the arm. "Watch your tone."

Takeshi rose, growling in annoyance. "Loosen up your hold, little cousin."

"Ugh, come with me, Sesshomaru!" Kagome tried to drag the demon lord away, but he hardly budged. "Please." She added tediously. Once the pair was out of the room, she barked, "There's no point in hiding the mark if you are going to sniff at it!"

"What is This Sesshomaru to do? With my mark hidden, my beast-"

"Your beast?! Since when is the great Sesshomaru controlled by his beast?!"

Sesshomaru's eyes widened, his face reddening a bit with anger. Turning his back to her, he returned to the sitting room.

-x-

Sighing, she stroked her arms. She had been in the wrong, this time. He only wanted to be near. The mark demanded it. Standing with a determined look on her face, she headed back to the sitting room. The only free seat was near Takeshi, but she decided, as an apology, she would sit with Sesshomaru.

She acted as if it were nothing and laid on the floor beside him, her head in his lap. "We can try," she whispered with a smile, ignoring the intense looked she received from her companions. "Right?" At Sesshomaru slight nod, she grabbed his hand and rubbed it over her neck, removing the spell that had covered her neck.

"You did mate! I knew it! I knew it!" Sango shouted, clapping her hands together. She'd known it, even as Kagome told a lie, claiming that prayer had healed Kakegae. "When?!"

"The night it happened." Kagome flushed, kissing the back of Sesshomaru's hand.

Mirth sparkled in his eyes, and he opened his mouth to reply, when Jaken burst into the room, breathing heavily. "Milord! Milord! Lady Kayo is going into labor!"

Sesshomaru did not release his hold on Kagome. 'Kayo will be fine.' But when Kagome slipped from his grip and nodded, he sighed and stood. "I will return."

"Don't hurry. She needs you."

"A false alarm? Really? So, where is Sesshomaru now?" Kagome asked, holding Jaken upside down by his ankle. "Not answerin', huh?" Jerking him, she smirked at his terrified squawk. "I won't ask again."

"Lord Sesshomaru is resting now. He was up the entire night, Lady Kagome."

"Very good." She dropped the imp and turned to leave.

Jaken stuttered as he followed her. "W-w-where are you going?"

Kagome smirked over her shoulder and shrugged. "I have a little surprise for Sesshomaru. I'm leaving to the village." She stroked the sheath of her left sword and smiled.

"But why do you only carry one sword?"

"Why are you so nosy?" Her hands situated on her hips, she glared at him. "Are you worried about something?"

"N-no. Go ahead, Lady Kagome. I'll tell Lord Sesshomaru where you've gone."

Whipping to face him, Kagome shouted, "Don't! It's a surprise! Please, Jaken, just this once!"

Jaken nodded meekly, watching as she ran from the palace. "Something isn't right with milady."

Kayo scowled in pain, clutching the sword in her stomach as she stumbled to the bedroom Sesshomaru had taken to residing in, and thrust open the shoji, shrieking, "Lord Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru sat up in the bed, his eyes wide at the site of her pale blue kimono soaked in blood, and Kagome's sword shoved through her stomach. "My pup." Was his first thought, as he rushed to her, holding her up. "Who did this to you?" He did not lie a hand on the sword, fearing that it would harm his pup.

"Y-your whore! That Kagome! She stormed into the library while I was reading a few haiku to the pup, and attacked me. I- I didn't know where to- to…" She fainted.

"Kagome." He would not believe that. Someone had impersonated his miko, surely. And he would find the bastard, and kill him. Rushing Kayo the infirmary, he hoped that Kayo had not alerted any guards before she had come to him.

Kagome tiptoed down the EL corridor, sliding her sword into her sash. Just as she turned a corner, she ran into a hard chest. "Why hello there, sir guard person!" She beamed.

His eyes were narrowed, set upon her as he announced, "The miko has been found," he grabbed her, "and seized! We must bring her to lord Sesshomaru!" He began to drag her down the hall.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Lord Sesshomaru will want to see you, after your attempt to murder the Lady of the West and the heir to the throne."

"Oh…whoa, when I what?!"