Last Time: Kayo chuckled, shaking her head and shoving Kagome away. "I'd like to see you try, ningen. Besides, you can't prove a thing. I stabbed myself in the stomach with a sword for you? Don't flatter yourself." She laid back comfortably on her bed and smirked as Kagome left. 'Stupid wench, think she can get me to confess? He'd kill me in three seconds flat. Besides, if all goes according to plan, I'll birth him more pups, enough to make him get over this little fall. Lord Sesshomaru, you are mine, and this is your

"Lady Kagome," Miroku called gently, "shall you assist me with the prayer?" His left hand rested carefully on the small mound that covered Sesshomaru's daughter's body. Soon, Kagome's hand laid beside his, and he could hear the soft mumblings of her prayer. Kagome's aura had seemed tormented since the death of Sesshomaru's daughter.

It had been twisted, flaming ever so occasionally to a point where Kagome could no longer contain it. She had fits of pain, where she'd whimper of tremors that felt like needles driving constantly into her brain. Seeing Sesshomaru in such a depressed state, which no other could see but herself and Rin, had also taken its toll on her, leaving the miko tired and worried.

This was a time to say goodbye, a time for Kagome to unload her emotional pain, the guilt, the anger, and hurt. The funeral allowed Sesshomaru a chance to come to terms with the death of his second born son. The weather was subdued, as were the persons involved in the solemn affair. Everyone could unwind after this, and prayerfully, they would.

Miroku rose from his knees, clasping his hands together. He prepared to give his closing words when he realized that Kagome was still on the ground. "Lady Kagome, are you well?" There was no response as she droned on in prayer, muttering in words he did not know. "L-lady Kagome?"

Hands drove into the dirt, sifting through it. Kagome seemed to be angrily searching for something. Quickly after that, those around her found out what. She was digging up the body. Sango grabbed her friend by the shoulders. "Kagome, you can't. Once buried, you are buried. If uprooted…"

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She repeated the phrase over and over against her sister as she sobbed. Sango walked her into the arms of the Western Lord, then stepped back with the others to allow them privacy. "I'm sorry." Kagome apologized, weeping into Sesshomaru's chest.

"You are in no way wrong." He told her sternly, hand on her lower back. "You did nothing."

"Sword…my sword. I left it. I shouldn't have."

Sesshomaru furrowed his brows. "Neither your scent, nor your aura were on Kayo. You did nothing to endanger my pup. We will find the fool who did this."

"He was innocent, Sesshomaru, just an infant. Why? Why did this happen?"

He had asked himself the same thing. Why had he missed his second chance of being a father from the beginning? Why had someone hated him so much that they would kill his pup, whom had no blood on his hands? But people were like that, beasts and humans alike. Some were simply vicious killers out for blood, anyone's. "It will be fine."

"Why would she hurt you so badly? Why wouldn't she just hurt me?" She cried regretfully. "Why not me?"

"She? Who is this 'she', miko?"

"I hate her."

"Who, miko?" But his mate was too distraught to even answer. God, however, decided that an answer was in need. A gust of wind blew the scent from the small hole Kagome had dug to Sesshomaru's nose, and it hit him in the face. Slowly, he pushed Kagome away, turned his back to her, faced the crowd, and ordered. "Bring Kayo to me now."

Kagome's eyes opened broadly. "No. Sesshomaru, don't." His cold eyes bit into her.

"Be silent." He demanded, and Kagome could see the transformation beginning to show in his usually handsome face. His expression was dark, so much so that it made it hard for her too look him in the eyes.

"Please, Sesshomaru." She grabbed his arm, stumbling backwards a bit when he shoved her off. She looked into the distance as Kayo was walked toward them. 'Ill', she had been unable to attend her own son's funeral. "Sessh-"

"Kayo, explain my pup's death." His tone was hard, demanding, his eyes willing her to admit it so he could attack.

Kayo stiffened, then retorted, "I already told you, that wench of yours-"

"I demand the truth. Did you kill my pup?!" Those around gasped at the implication, awaiting Kayo's confession or denial.

"I did no such- Did that whore tell you that?" She glared at Kagome. "Human, you dare lie about something so serious?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. He smelled no lie on her, but then again, he hardly smelled anything on her. Grabbing her wrist, he jerked her to him, pressing his nose to her temple, "Did you kill my pup, Kayo?"

Kayo hesitate only a little, "No, I didn't." The slight hesitation, and the stench in her barely detectable scent said it all for Sesshomaru. His hand tightened around her wrist, and the other backhanded her fiercely.

"No!" Kagome shrieked, grasping his hand when he allowed Kayo to hit the ground. "Stop it! She's despicable, I know, but still! She's a living thing!"

Sesshomaru gripped her forearm so firmly that his fingers left a mark. There was no trace of the logical Sesshomaru in his eyes, only remnants of the youkai who wanted revenge. "Release me." He snarled.

Bowing her head, she pleaded, "Milord," that would speak to his beast, "there is no need for vendetta. She will suffer in hell."

"And I shall send her there." Forcing her away, he dashed after Kayo, who had taken off.

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome started after him, only for Inuyasha to jerk her back.

"Are you crazy?!" He shrieked in her face, shaking her. "He could kill you! He's not in his right mind!"

Shaking her head, she pried his hands off. "Sesshomaru would never hurt me so badly," was all she said before she took off behind her mate. When she caught up to him, he was within pouncing distance of Kayo. She watched in awe and terror as he began to transform as he ran.

His limbs grew longer and quickly, he was running after Kayo on all fours. From the tissue of flesh on his arm, long, lavish silver hairs sprouted. A trembling roar ripped from his raw throat, his eyes already melting into their intense red and emerald. Snout forward, he pushed himself. Kayo would not get away. She had killed his pup, and had attempted to blame Kagome for it. What she had done was dishonorable and disrespectful on levels beyond reason! She would die!

Kagome stumbled to catch up as Sesshomaru's large, tough paws pounded the dirt. Quickly, she began to fall behind on her slow humanoid legs. Concentrating firmly, she pleaded with her own body to convert as her mates had and, after a bit of effort, began to. Looking ahead, she watched in horror while Sesshomaru pounced at Kayo. 'N-o-o-o-o!' She tried, but it came out as a low moan in her wild form. Faster, harder, she forced herself, watching her beloved tower over the whimpering Kayo, who squirmed frightfully beneath him. When she neared, she threw herself at her mate and forced him from the other youkai.

She held him down as best she could, pushing against his fighting and forceful movements. Muzzle pressed into his neck, she tried to growl soothingly, eyes searching out Kayo. The other female was limping brokenly in released form, on the verge of collapse. 'Go!' She yipped, but Kayo did just the opposite, falling over to her side, breathing weakly. She hissed as Sesshomaru's paw cut her across the face. 'Se-'

'Traitor bitch!' He snarled at her. 'Traitor bitch! You are mine! I command you! Release me!'

'Sesshou, vendetta never helped anyone.' She tried to reason, wrestling with him as he tried for control. They rolled to the side, but Kagome would not relinquish control so easily. She flipped them rapidly, so that she was atop again.

'Perhaps you helped her kill my pup after all! You shall die for such debauchery!'

'You say that because you're hurt.' She panted over him, looking up at Inuyasha when he and the others broke into the clearing.

Sesshomaru took her moment of distraction to one-up her, tossing her off of him. The instant she hit the ground on her back, he cast himself upon her. 'Look at me!' He demanded. 'I am your mate! You obey me above all else! Even your own foolish human nature! Understood?!'

Kagome gave the canine equivalent of a smirk. 'You knew I wasn't the submissive type when we ma-' She gasped in shock at the feeling of his fangs sinking through the thick mane of fur and into her neck. His threatening growl vibrated from his throat into hers, and she whimpered at the severe pain.

"Kago-" Inuyasha flinched when Kikyo placed a hand on his shoulder.

"She's his mate, my Inuyasha. She knew the consequences when she began this. Watch her closely." She soothed, eyes still on the couple ahead.

'She isn't worth this, Sesshomaru. She isn't worth the pain you're putting yourself through. Your pup, you'll miss that precious boy, won't you?' Carefully, she lifted her nose enough to nuzzle his. 'You're a father, Sesshomaru. You've been one since you first found Rin.'

Sesshomaru's eyes widened, and his grip loosened. He growled lowly, urging her on, curious as to where she was going with this.

'You were born to be a father. That's why your heart aches this way. I understand you, Sesshomaru. Kayo will pay…for her treachery, for the pain she's brought you, for the pain she's brought herself…in time, her heart will burst, the worst pain you can imagine.'

Sesshomaru recalled the pain he'd felt upon being separated from Kagome for a year. If Kayo's was half as bad as his, he pitied her. Unlocking his jaw, he released her neck, shoulders sagging forward. Tiredly, he acknowledged Kagome's head leaning to the side.

'I submit…but never by force.' Her fur was matted with blood around her neck and chest, as well as her face from the damage his claws had done. And yet, she couldn't have looked more beautiful to Sesshomaru.

Fierceness receding from his eyes, he slowly converted back with Kagome, lingering over her body in their humanoid forms. Head against her bosom, he sighed and relaxed as best he could with other's watching. After a moment of simply listening to her heart beat, he sat up and began to analyze the wounds he had given her. "We must take care of these. Inuyasha, attend to Kayo."

"Dungeons?"

"Her room…for now."

"Sesshomaru-sama, did you see that?!" Rin cried happily, pointing at the hiyoukai* dancers, who danced in rings of self-made flames. "He swallowed one!"

"Hn." Sesshomaru's firm, yet gentle hands caressed the top of her head before he sent her off with a gentle nudge to her back. "Be careful." His eyes went from hers to the flickering fire.

"I will!" She giggled happily as she ran off in search of Shippo.

Kagome smiled at Sesshomaru as he sat gracefully into a chair, before she slid into his lip. "So, you never told me the occasion for the party. With all of the tension lately, this was the last response anyone expected from you." A light blush lit on her cheeks when he wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes.

Sesshomaru smirked ever so slightly. "This celebration is a form of…relief, one would say, as well as a passing on for my pup."

"Well, everyone is enjoying it. Look at Kakegae and Oyo!" She laughed merrily at the sight of her little ones wobbling as they ran from Inuyasha. "He'll make a good father to Kikyo's…what do you get when you mix a hanyou and a miko?"

"Hn. One must wonder. If a miko and a daiyoukai birth full blooded youkai, the outcome of a hanyou's union with a miko should be no less."

Kagome looked thoughtful. "Him, little silver and black haired hanyou running around the Western Bastion? I like it."

"Who claims that the hanyou will be allowed to remain here once I have claimed Naraku's life?"

"Don't try to be funny, Sesshou. You'll make me split my sides," She said dryly, rolling her eyes. "I'm serious. After all, he's your general, and your brother- and so help me, if you say 'half-brother' I'll gut you like a fish."

Sesshomaru seemed to consider it for a moment, before he drawled, "Half-brother."

Kagome growled at him, pouting, "That's not fair. You're supposed to fall to my empty threats like I do yours."

"Empty threats? Foolish woman, this Sesshomaru has never uttered an empty threat."

"Really? You basically told me you'd kill me yesterday because you thought I'd helped Kayo."

His eyes darkened, and he turned away from her. "You would have died had I not come to my senses. Remember, miko, my threats are always hold meaning."

"Yes, well, you'll always return to normal before you do any real dama- ooh." She looked up at him with wide eyes when his hand rose to caress the scar that ran in a thin line from her eye to her nose. "It's alright, you know. It will heal in time." Between them, there was an awkward silence, which remained until Ayame popped up before them.

"Sorry, Sesshomaru-sama, but we've gotta steal your mate," she winked, "for a second. Come on, Kagome! You've been huddled up with him all night! It's girl time!" Before the miko could object, she was whisked away, only left to look forlornly over her shoulder at her beloved.

"Oi, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha flopped down beside his elder brother, followed by an equally inelegant Kouga and a charming Miroku. "What's wit the long face? Kagome's hardly been gone a second."

Miroku heaved an exasperated sigh, "Forgive him, Lord Sesshomaru. Some dogs truly don't know when to leave let alone."

Kouga laughed as Inuyasha's exaggerated gasp, the hanyou shouting, "I ain't no dog! I'm a inuhanyou! There's a difference ya impure monk!"

"Impure? I assure you, I have no knowledge of what you're speaking of."

"Come off it, monk." Kouga sneered, tossing a piece of fruit into his mouth. "Even I know about your trifling ways. How your lady feel about you feelin' other onna?"

The sweet monks face tinted red. "W-well, she-"

Inuyasha cut him off, stating loudly, "I don't think you've ever met a woman that you willingly haven't felt up. 'Cept maybe that fat faced princess from that place you 'exercised'." He made use of the air quotes Kagome had taught him. "You felt Sango up…come to think of it, you groped Kagome!"

Sesshomaru, who's attention had drifted from the group of babbling fools to search out Rin, straightened and faced the monk. "My mate?"

"You see…um, milord, it was before you had claimed her as yours…back when Inuyasha claimed her!" He said, turning it on the hanyou.

"You laid claim on my miko."

Inuyasha tore his glare from the monk, fumbling, "W-well, jeez, it's not like she was yours at the time. And I never really said it out loud like Kouga did!"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the wolf. "Care to explain. Were you not well aware of your wolf mate at the time?"

"Well, you've seen Kagome." Kouga shrugged helplessly. "I fell head over heels."

"And these feelings are gone." He stated, nearly ordered.

"Yeah, gone enough. Ain't no chance for our dead relationship. But I'm happy with my mate, and you with yours."

"Hn, perhaps the wisest thing this Sesshomaru has ever heard leave your mouth, wolf." Sesshomaru smirked, "You would have been killed on the spot had you chosen to fight for her."

Kouga was about to retort when Jaken ran, squawking at Sesshomaru. "Milord! Milord! Urgent news!"

"What do you have, Jaken?"

"Your miko's first lover, that dreadful Naraku, has burned down many villages! He is calling her out! Calling you out, milord! He claims to want to finish this!"

Sesshomaru clenched his fists, "How long have you known of this?"

"Two seconds, milord. I ran directly to you. What shall we do?! Do I prepare the troops?!"

"No…We shall not act till morning. My miko shall enjoy this night before she must face him. Inuyasha, you shall spend the night rallying the leagues, understood? Naraku will no doubt bring a legion of minions. I shall not waste mine or my mate's own energy."

"Sure 'nough. Been wantin' to get my hands on that bastard since forever." Inuyasha flexed his claws. "Been too long since I spilled his blood."

Sesshomaru nodded, looking away from the toad. "Have Ah-un saddled by morning, and fetch a caretaker to watch over the young ones."

Jaken bowed lowly, "Yes, milord!" He scurried off.

"Sesshomaru-sama, do you think that is the best decision, hiding this from Kagome? Naraku has her son." Miroku questioned softly, not wanting to offend.

"Her son will still be with him in the morning. She must relax and rest before we set out tomorrow. I will do what is best for her, whether she is angry with me or not. You three must not tell her of this, nor your females."

"Of course not."

"Feh."

"Whatever." Kouga grabbed a dish of youkai sake and downed it. "Tomorrow's so far away though."

Sesshomaru allowed a small smile to show as his tiny mate yawned and curled up against him, her legs tucked between his. "Are you tranquil, my mate?" He rubbed his cool nose against her ear.

"Of course. A few rounds with you to loosen my muscles, a nice soak in the hot spring, and then a nap. You spoil me, Sesshomaru." The moon, at its highest position in the sky, cast its glimmering light upon her face, and she smiled lazily. "Next you're gonna tell me you wanna rub my feet."

"Would you like that?"

Kagome practically purred, rubbing her cold toes together. "Only if you want to."

Rising to a sitting position, Sesshomaru grasped her feet, pulling them into his lap, and massaging gently. "Does this satisfy you?" He kissed her big toe, chuckling lowly when she giggled. What a silly, strange little mate he had gotten for himself.

"Oh, Sesshomaru, if they had guys like you in my time, I'd ne-e-e-ever have stayed here." She laughed again at his annoyed look. "But there aren't. I think I deserve the best, don't you?"

"The best," he decided to indulge her. "Who would that be?"

"Oh, you might know him. He's tall." She whispered, hissing softly when he pressed an especially pleasurable part of her foot. "He's muscular, but not overly so. He's beautiful, so beautiful sometimes I get jealous. He's a little arrogant, and a tad on the rude side sometimes. But I love him so much."

Sesshomaru kissed her softly. "I love you as well." His gentle kisses became vicious as he prepared to indulge in her body again.

Kagome quickly grabbed his roaming hands and stilled him, her carefree expression morphing into one of seriousness. "Something's nagging at me, Sesshou, in the back of my head. Why are you doing all this?"

"I want to please you." He said simply, ravishing her neck.

"You're trying to…you're try- Look at me, Sesshomaru." She grabbed his face. "You don't just tell me you love me, Sesshomaru. You pamper me, but not this much. What are you hiding? Please, tell me."

Sesshomaru's golden eyes sifted over her face. Closing his eyes, he withdrew with a deep exhale. "Naraku is in the vicinity," he confessed against his better judgment, "very near. I had planned to tell you this in the morning, after you had rested or in the least, released your tension."

She was quiet, taking in all that he had said, when a voice snarled, 'That bastard held that from us!'

'Ashi!'*

'You see this bull! He didn't tell us that Naraku was near! Naraku has our son, Junsei!"

'Where did you come from?! I never detected you! I thought you were gone!'

'That what he and his father wanted! Wanted me gone, wanted us to lose that last piece of Naraku we have. They wanted us to suffer for their gain. Why else would that human hater marry a human!'

'You're wrong. He loves me. He kept this from me to protect me. That's why he's doing everything.'

"Miko, there is no reason for you to battle Naraku," Sesshomaru began carefully.

'See!'

'I see.' Kagome thought slowly.

'Then let me take control of this moment.'

Dejectedly, Junsei fell back, allowing Ashi to rise. "How could you hide something like this from me, Sesshomaru?! You're supposed to be my mate! How am I to trust you now?!"

"Miko, I did what was best for you," he replied curtly. "Whether you like it or not."

"We're leaving, now! And there's nothing you can do to stop me!" She left the futon, slamming back the shoji, and hurrying into the hall. "Everyone up!

"Miko, you will stop this." Sesshomaru commanded, grabbed her by the arm.

"Get up! We're leaving!" She continued to shout while trying to get out of his hold. Her energy flared brightly, burning his hand from her. Kicking open the shoji of each chamber, she ordered, "Up! We've got shit to do!" She glared at the nude, half asleep forms of Inuyasha and Kikyo. "Get the hell up!"

Inuyasha snarled loudly, "What the fuck, wench?!"

Kagome huffed and folded her arms over her chest. "Get up. We're going after Naraku…now." She then left to awaken the others.

"Shit." Inuyasha hurriedly dressed. "I'll be right back, Kikyo." He took off after Sesshomaru, who had followed Kagome, fully intent on knocking her out until morning. "You told her?!"

"Despite my more logical thoughts, yes." Sesshomaru nearly sighed. "I had expected anger, but this…"

"Well, this is Kagome for you." Inuyasha shrugged as the others gathered in the hall.

Kagome glared around the group. "Naraku's out there, and close enough that I can get to him. He's dead. If you're coming, I suggest you get ready."

Sesshomaru growled lowly, the rumble meant to state his authority. "Miko, you are to return to bed. The hanyou shall remain near. You shall rest, prepare yourself for battle."

"Sesshomaru, he has my son," her throat constricted, "my baby. Why are you keeping me from him?" Tears began to cascade down her cheeks. "I tried to save your baby. Could you at least help me save mine?"

He faltered. He could not sit there while his mate wept over the matter. He would act swiftly and accordingly. "Inuyasha, there will be no need to gather the men. You all shall be dressed for this concluding battle and waiting in the foyer for Kagome and I. We must be swift." Turning on his heels, he led his mate to their bedroom. "Miko, I do this for you."

Ashi scowled. "Yeah, well, you owe me more."

No one who had met the ragtag group would have recognized them. Each member clad in the finest armor, weapons at their waists, or slung across their backs, with their leaders, the most impressive of all, standing side by side before them.

Kagome tightened the knot in her shoulder plate, nodding in approval. "We're ready to head out. And look, the sky's getting a little lighter, for your pleasure, Sesshomaru." She cast him a dirty look. "Let's go so we can be back before nightfall. Rin and Shippo will miss us."

"You will watch your tone, woman. Do not order your alpha." Sesshomaru scrutinized her from head to toe, pausing at the single sword on her right hip. "Your-"

"Your sword, Kagome!" Kohaku rushed into the foyer to meet her, the sword that had killed Sesshomaru's pup in his hands. "I brought your sword, and I'm coming with you."

She gazed at it for a second, then reached out to grab it. The aura of misery and the hardly noticeable scent of the pup's blood that coated the blade called Junsei forth from her depressed corner in Kagome's body. The second she grabbed it, she dropped it. "Keep that thing away from me." Her voice trembled. "I-I don't need it anymore. Tell the servants to melt it down or something and get rid of it."

"Lady Kagome," Kohaku began, kneeling to retrieve the sword.

"I don't want it." She reiterated, turning away. "Give it to a guard to get rid of it. I'll be waiting outside." She left before anyone could approach her.

The boy looked confused, but he obeyed, taking the sword to a servant before hurrying after Kagome and the others.

Kakudan flinched as his father's incarnations murdered the inhabitants of their ninth village. "Father, how much more of this will we do?"

Naraku looked down at his son, stating lowly, "Until your mother come out of hiding. It-" A slow smile spread on his face, and he stood more straightly, beckoning for his son to do the same. "It would seem that she is here." He observed as she and Sesshomaru landed mere yards from him, seconds later accompanied by the rest of their team. "It's been so long since our last meeting, miko."

"Naraku." Kagome squared her shoulders. Ashi had reinstated herself somewhere along the 4 ½ hour long journey. "I'm sure you know the cause of that."

"Why have you come, Naraku?" Sesshomaru inquired with narrowed eyes, stepping in front of Kagome a bit.

"Sesshomaru-sama…You've been nothing but a thorn in my side since the day we laid eyes upon each other. First, you were actually on my side, in a way, but then…then you tried to kill me…Now, my mate," Anger screwed up his face, " You took my mate, fucked her, and pupped her!" He smirked. "I will stand for this no more. You will die, and you, Kagome, you shall return to my side as intended."

Kagome retorted, "Sorry to bust your bubble, pal, but it ain't happenin' that way!"

A/N: Sooooo sorry about the two week up date? I was out of town, and then I had school, and I've been sick a lot, and I'm so glad that this is the second to last chapter because I'm sick of this story. It didn't go as I had planned and yada yada yada, long story short, the sequel will be muuuuch better.

*Hiyoukai- Hi (fire) youkai (demon)

*Ha! Bet you all thought Ashi was gone forever, huh? Did you forget that I let her bounce back in the 25th chapter? The next chapter will explain just how the intricate Naraku returned Ashi to the body of his beloved and why. Til next time, people, Sayounara!さようなら.